Posted on December 22, 2009 in http://www.brahmacarya.info

The following is an email message Balarama Prabhu received from His Holiness Prahladananda Swami regarding Maharaja’s reading program. Balarama Prabhu’s message is quoted by “>”.

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Dear Balaram dasa,
Please accept my greetings and the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna. All
glories to Srila Prabhupada!

> Maharaja, I was emailing you regarding your reading program ,how you study
> Srila Prabhuapada’s books.How many hours a day do you study? How many of
> Prabhupadas books do you study in a year? etc. I am seeking Any
> information that will help me.

Thank you for your letter. My daily reading program is:

10 verses from the Bhagavada Gita. Sanskrit, translation, purport.
Reciting 1 chapter from the BG by memory.
1 chapter from the Nectar of Devotional
10 verses from the SB
1 chapter of the Krishna Book
25 verses from the Caitanya Caritamrta.

> I do not recall if you were mentioning it in one of your classes or if one
> of your disciple’s told me. I would really like to memorize krishna lila
> ,stories in general.So I was just seeking some advice,how to,some tips?

Practice regularly memorizing Krishna lila and review constantly what you
have memorized.

> Also a devotee was saying that reading keeps us philosophically fit in
> krishna consciousness ,why is this important? why is it important to read
> and deeply study Srila Prabhupada’s book’s? Also how do I get a deep
> attraction and taste for reading?

We are trying to see reality through the eyes of the scriptures so we
may perform pure devotional service in Krishna consciousness.

As we become purified, gradually taste and attraction will develop.
When that taste and attraction has not fully developed, we can read and
study to strengthen our intelligence and further our conviction and
practical service to our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, and Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission.

Hope all is well.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Prahladananda Swami

In a similar letter written to me Maharaja had stated

>.. what is the sequence that a
> devotee should read Srila Prabhupada’s books?  And if you don’t mind, what
> is your reading schedule? Thank you very much.

Generally we start with Bhagavad-gita, then NOD, then Srimad
Bhagavatam, then CC.

My reading schedule:
10 verses from Bhagavad-gita–Translation, Sanskrit, purport
Reciting one chapter of Bhagavad-gita from memory (sanskrit and English)
1 chapter NOD
10 verses SB
1 Chapter Krsna Book
25 verses from CC

+other books if I have time

Hope all is well
Your well-wisher,
Prahladananda Swami