The following conversation took place in London, England, on August 14, 1971.
Guest: We say Jesus Christ.
Srila Prabhupada: But Jesus Christ never said that he is God. He said "son of God." We have no objection to chanting the holy name of Jesus Christ. We are preaching, "Chant the holy name of God." If you haven't got any name of God, then you can chant our conception of the name of God, Krsna. But we don't say only Krsna.
namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah
Lord Caitanya says that there are many names of God but in every name of God the full potency of God is there. And there is no hard and fast rule for chanting the holy name of God. Anyone, anywhere, at any time, in any circumstance can chant.
Lord Caitanya says, "My Lord, You are so merciful that in this age every age You are always present in full potency in Your name. And I can associate with You simply by chanting Your holy name. But I am so unfortunate I have no attraction for that."
Now people are being taught to chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Where is the loss? If I chant Hare Krsna, where is the loss? And where is the want of time? They [my disciples] are walking on the street chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. I am sitting here, and now I'm talking with you. But as soon as I finish talking, I shall chant Hare Krsna.
So where is the difficulty? But ask people to chant the holy name of God, and they will not accept. Unfortunate. And it is such a simple thing. They don't have to go to a church or temple. It doesn't matter if they are in hell or heaven. In any condition they can chant the holy name of God. But they're so unfortunate, they won't accept this theory. Etadrsi tava krpa. "God is so merciful, but I am so unfortunate that I cannot chant His holy name."
There is no charge, there is no fee, there is no loss. If there is some gain, why not try for it? And the gain is there. That you can practically see. These boys from Europe, America, and other places, their character was … I do not wish to discuss. [Laughter.] But just see them now. Yes. There is so much profit.
Guest: We see that.
Srila Prabhupada: So what more do you want? Therefore let us cooperate. Don't think that it is against Christianity or that it is sectarian. Let us cooperate fully. Jointly let us preach all over the world, "Chant the holy name of God." Let us join together. That should be the real purpose of devotees of God. My students are preaching love of God. Why should others be envious of them? We don't say that you must chant Hare Krsna. If you have a name of God, chant it. We are preaching the chanting of the holy name of God.
So what objection can there be from other sects? But they are envious. Because the younger generation is taking to chanting Hare Krsna, they are envious.
Guest: Do you find that the chant goes on in your heart?
Srila Prabhupada: Why not?
Guest: It goes deeper and deeper?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Everything we hear goes to the heart. If someone calls me a bad name, does it not go to my heart? "You rascal. You stupid." When I hear that, does it not go to my heart? Why do I become angry unless it goes to my heart? If "rascal," "stupid," and all these bad names go to my heart, why won't God's name go to my heart?
Guest: I'm sometimes saying a little prayer.
Srila Prabhupada: So if you repeatedly chant it, it will remain. It will always remain in your heart.
Guest: Always going on.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. There is no chance of escape. Chant constantly, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. It will remain in your heart.