Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

[quote][cite] mishra:[/cite]I need to know what considerations you have to put that particular word[/quote]

A few things come to mind:

Is it going to be an ISKCON-approved or -related book? If yes, then there should probably be "sublime", because this is like a signature phrase.
Some other word could signify departure from that signature phrase, and thus departure from ISKCON ...

A word that also often comes up in the scriptures in relation to devotional service is "successful":

SB 4.7.44: We do not ask anyone to first change his position and then come to us. Instead, we invite everyone to come with us and simply chant Hare Kruc0u803 su803 nu803 a, Hare Kru803 su803 nu803 a, Kru803 su803 nu803 a Kru803 su803 nu803 a, Hare Hare/ Hare Ru257 ma, Hare Ru257 ma, Ru257 ma Ru257 ma, Hare Hare, because we know that if one simply chants and hears the topics of Kru803 su803 nu803 a, ones life will change; he will see a new light, and his life will be successful.

SB 11.16.43: One must control the mind, senses and speech by higher intelligence so that ones life will be successful.

SB 4.20.13: If we follow the instruction of the spiritual master and execute devotional service to the Lord, we will remain always free from the contamination of bodily and material activities, and our life will be successful.

SB 10.1.41: One must learn the secret of success from the Vedic literatures, especially when the cream of Vedic knowledge is presented by Bhagavad-gu299 tu257 as it is. /.../ Ones consciousness, therefore, must always be absorbed in Kru803 su803 nu803 a, and then ones life will be successful.

BG 18.74: If we follow in the footsteps of Arjuna to understand Kru803 su803 nu803 a, then our life will be happy and successful.

I would go with "successful", or perhaps "happy and successful". Because this is what people generally want: success. The notion of success introduces seriousness, importance, relevance, goodness, a goal, a purpose, a rational attitude, neither feeling down nor unduly elated, something to look forward to, something that gets you out of bed in the morning, something that makes you feel good and worthy about what you are doing.

I think "sublime" and "perfect" are allright - in some contexts. But they may, especially in a Western audience, evoke notions like "dreamy", "unrealistic", "imaginary". Personally, I just do not feel inspired by either of them.

Also Mishra, since you are a GTD-er, I think it would be in line with your GTD propensities to use the word "successful" - it is something that you personally can stand for. I think that whichever word or phrase you choose (if it is entirely up to you), it should be one you can stand for.

Perhaps as a motto or subtitle to the book, you could use a verse from the scriptures that contains the phrase you will use in the title.

...sublime.

Compact Disc Ministry (CDM-99)
69/01/19 Los Angeles, Lecture

Sublime is a great word no doubt, but are you aware how many Americans cannot even point to the USA on a global map? its frighting..and many of the those same people probably wont know what the word sublime even means, they probably think it is some kind of fertilizer, the stuff you put down before the lime...lol

You have to think in terms of the lowest common denominator what all will understand even those who are intelligent but have a poor grasp of the English language.

1) Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be filled with happiness.
2) Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be filled with ecstasy. (this may also be difficult for some)
3) Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be fulfilled.
4) Chant Hare Krishna and your life will changed for the better.
5) Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be peaceful.
6) Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be filled with bliss.
7) Chant Hare Krishna and your lifes goals will be instantly attained.
8) Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be filled with peace & happiness.

This does it for me: Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be filled with peace & happiness.

In a world dominated by fear and suffering these two cap it off for me! and even your average Joe Smoe will know what peace and happiness means.

In the modern world which is suffering by terrorism, war, failing economies, people are constantly in anxieties. Peace is the real happiness. So I will go with,
"Chant Hare krishna and there will be peace".

Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be chilled. ;-)

Chant Hare Krishna and you will get there ;-)

P.S.

Heres also a collection of reasons why chant Hare Krishna from Jayadvaitas Swamis website: http://www.jswami.info/WhyChant
(But the scriptural references are not provided there.)

But really you can safely leave it as it is : "Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be.... "

Oh, youd leave it up to a conditioned soul to fill in the blank?

Exactly. SB 2.3.10

Yes "chilled" or some Ali G phrase, lol

"Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be better"
That at least can be rather easily verified by most devotees.

Mishra -

Do tell us which title you chose, and why. :)

sure, Baker

thank you all for your input

tomorrow is the dealine, so I will have to decide tonight

at the moment the winner is "chant hare krishna and you will be happy"
others are "your life will be sublime"
"your life will be succesful"

between these three

I did not specify but the book is in spanish and we are about to print 100 thousand copies in a couple days

Attached the page where the caption goes...

finally it is:

"chant Hare Krishna and be happy"

"cante Hare Krishna y sea feliz"

Reasons: "sublime", "successful" were equally valid, but "happy" is simpler for the type of caption in the page

Interesting title page - the way the words and the image are interconnected!

Is the final version in black and white, or in color?

cover is color, rest b/w
pics attached below