In truth, austerity is the one and only goal of existence for all human beings, for only through austerity can the true self be realized, and the goal of existence is precisely the realization of the self, not the pursuit of sense pleasure. It is important to know that Krishna, God, the Supreme Person is the ultimate goal of existence.

The path of austerity was established by God from the very beginning of creation, when He advised and taught Brahma, the first created being, the demiurge and regent of our galaxy, placed in this position by Krishna, and initiated him. Brahma was the first to adopt austerity. Only the path of austerity enables one to make full use of human life, unlike the materialistic way of life of today's civilization. The human being is meant to observe austerity and return to God, to his original abode.

When austerity is transmitted by a spiritual master, a true servant of Krishna, God, the Supreme Person, following the spiritual lineage from master to disciple, it is a second birth for the latter.

The chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna confers all the fruits of austerity.

The chanting of the Holy Names of God is the only refuge of the pure devotees of Krishna, devoid of any personal desire. It is therefore sufficient for these holy beings to engage in this austerity in order to attain, like Brahma, perfection.

The only valid sacrifice available to human beings today is the chanting of the Holy Names of God, which is also the purest austerity.

Haré Krishna, haré Krishna, Krishna Krishna, haré haré / Haré Rama, haré Rama, Rama Rama, haré haré.

This wonderful Sanskrit chant means: O Energy of the Lord, O Lord, O Source of all happiness, please make me your beloved servant (your beloved maid). Haré is the energy of the Lord, Krishna and Rama are His Holy Names.

The chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna enables one to attain the highest perfection, which was once attainable only through severe austerities.

One who wishes to engage in asceticism and penance in order to attain the supreme goal must obtain the favour of the Supreme Lord. It is said of one who obtains this favour that he has already successfully performed all kinds of austerities and penances.

As the Lord teaches, Krishna is the Master of all penance and sacrifice. He is the one who bestows the fruit desired by the ascetic. Even he who was born in a poor, disadvantaged family, the lowest among human births, will become glorious if he sings the hymn of the Holy Names of God. This is the undeniable proof that the saintly being has already practiced all kinds of austerities in his previous life.

He who desires to be recognized by Krishna, the Supreme Lord, must chant the Holy Names endlessly, twenty-four hours a day.

Human life is meant for the practice of transcendental austerities. One can become pure to the point of being free from material defilement and return to God, to our original abode, simply by chanting the Holy Names of Krishna.