“Preachers who distribute the process of chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra are specifically banned from asking money for mantras. Some yogis sell mantras, and even certain sampradayas in India have basic, fixed price for diksa and mantras.

Here Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura exposes this practice as a disqualification. Actually the Holy Name is priceless – so how can any price be attributed to it? The point is to avoid commercializing the chanting of the holy name. Nama Hatta preaching is a great opportunity for receiving the mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and spreading it to others. The reward that a devotee should aspire for is the priceless mercy of Lord Caitanya, not any mundane remuneration.

Having forbidden the asking for money for mantras, Bhaktivinoda Thakura does not restrict the acceptance of voluntary donations given in accordance with the customs of varnashrama society. Sannyasis, vanaprastas, brahmacharis, and brahmana grihastas are authorized to receive donations, which should be given voluntarily and according to the donor’s desire.

Guru-Dakshina is also authorized. Actually Bhaktivinoda Thakura makes the point that is it beneficial for the disciple, at the time of receiving the mantra, to donate to his guru.”

“To awaken conditioned souls to their eternal position as a servitor of the Lord, preachers meet with many adventures and challenges. Five hundred years ago, Lord Caitanya’s movement went through similar trials. To become an ‘employee’ of ISKCON’s Nama Hatta program means to assume a role in the Lord’s transcendental pastimes. That part, however humble it may be, is directly linked to Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s eternal sankirtana movement.

Participating in these activities is preparation for being transferred to the Lord’s pastimes in Goloka Vrindavana. By Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy, we do not have to wait until we reach the spiritual world before getting the sublime nectar of the sankirtana movement. We can taste the nectar even while living in this world, simply by following the principles given by Lord Caitanya and thoroughly explained by Srila Prabhupada. The marketplace of the Holy Name is there as a service for everyone.”

“In the Caitanya Caritamrita, Lord Caitanya expressed that He wanted to see everyone receive the mercy of the Holy Name and also the fruit of love of Godhead. But He was concerned that alone He would not be able to reach everyone; thus he ordered everyone to assist Him. “I am the only gardener, ” He said. ” How many places can I go? How many fruits can I pick and distribute?” (CC Adi 9.34)

Srila Prabhupada established a trademark for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness: “ISKCON”. He stated that ISKCON is a branch of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s tree. When devotees use the trademark ISKCON it is synonymous with “Gauranga” as mentioned by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

The instruction is that preachers should work under the shelter of Lord Caitanya and His bona fide representative. All devotees should understand that we are members Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement and are simply acting on His behalf.

If one does not strictly follow the orders of the previous acaryas, his potency to preach will diminish and ultimately be lost. “Counterfeit goods” signifies the quality of preaching that ultimately produces mixed, or impure bhakti, whereas “Genuine goods” indicates pure devotional service.”

“In the modern world, trademarks are very common. And they are protected. The trademark for marketing the holy name is the causeless mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Gauranga. In this Age of Kali, it is not possible to achieve the pure holy name without chanting the names of the Pancha-Tattva prior to chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

Whoever wants to market the holy name must be a sincere follower of the Lord and distribute the name under Gauranga’s brand name, or  process, of chanting. Many people chant Hare Krishna maha-mantra, but true followers of Lord Caitanya are especially empowered by His mercy.”