I want to read the complete version in English. I understand that the Kisari Mohan Ganguli version might have a bit archaic language. I don't mind that, but if Bibek Debroy version is equally good, I will prefer the ease. Or should I invest time in reading version by Kisari Mohan Ganguli?
Is there any other version I should prefer? I don't mind hindi version also.
Please help
Of course it is none of my business but I randomly thought about this. Did you ever see any parent naming their kids like lakshmi and Vishnu or Radha and Krishna or Seetha and Ram or Shiva and Parvati?
It's a long post, so Tldr at the bottom.
Like many cults, ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness or Hare Krishna movement) has its set of weird rules about sex-life of its members.
First of all, forget masturbation and premarital sex. It's strict No. They even have a booklet describing the position to sleep in and taking shower while wearing a dhoti/towel, so you won't look at your own genitals and get aroused to masturbate.
If you think you'll enjoy sex after getting married to a fellow Hare Krishna member, you can't be more wrong. In Prabhupada's (founder of ISKCON) own words "There are restrictions for the householders even in sex life, which should only be engaged in for the propagation of children. If he does not require children, he should not enjoy sex life with his wife." Apparently, people who use contraceptives are demoniac in nature according to Mr Prabhupada. (Source: Bhagvadgita As it Is, Chapter 16, Verse 1&2 Purport)
Suppose, if you follow the previous rule and come to a point where you decide to have children. Now you can engage in sex with your own spouse without angering the God and Mr Prabhupada! Cheers! But it's not as simple as that. You've to go through a small rituals of chanting 50 Rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra (ie 50x108 times chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra). It takes approximately 2 hours to do 16 rounds. So you can calculate how much time you need to do 50 Rounds. And you have to do it every time you are trying for children. (Source: A Beginner's Guide to Krishna Consciousness)
Also, I've heard that you are supposed to declare to your immediate Guru that you'll be "trying tonight".
Now, let's take a look at Mr Prabhupada's life. Although he was from an affluent family and was well educated, at the age of 22 he married an 11 year old girl. And she gave birth to a child when she was 14. On multiple occasions, Mr Prabhupada has stated that he hated his wife. And yet he had atleast 3 children with her. What a lovely Guru! What a lovely cult!
Tldr: No sex unless it's with your wife and also for producing children. Also, 6 hours of chanting every time before doing the "sin".
