Five more rounds will make forty. Ever watch a man who makes baskets? Other laborers get paid by the hour, but basketmakers get paid according to how many baskets they finish. They learn to do it quickly, by the clock, with their deft fingers. But they have no life or intelligence or devotion for what they are doing, except of a very simple sort. Anyway, even if I were to compare myself to such a person, I would have to admit that making Hare Krishna mantras instead of donuts or shoes or baskets makes a great difference. Even an imperfectly formed maha-mantra can save me from the fear of death.
Sitting by the hour,
maha-mantra, please be my friend,
teach me the art,
I can’t do it on my own
but I want to chant You always.
Therefore my request—
please engage me nicely
in Your service.(_Begging for the Nectar of the Holy Name_)
JAPA POEM
I compare my chanting to a man making baskets.
“Even an imperfectly formed maha-mantra
can save me from death.”
And a prayer: “Maha-mantra,
please be my friend—
teach me the art,
please engage me in Your service.”