'Krishna' Chants Sung in Square

Wearing flowing orange robes they file through the Square, chanting "Hare Krishna" and handing out cards. They are members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, founded in 1965 by A.C. Bhanktivedanta Swami.

Krishna Consciousness is a non-sectarian combination of Indian relations. One follower called it "a study of Dharma, the Eternal Religion." The essential part of the study is chanting, through which, "it becomes revealed to you what the spiritual world is."

There are about 15 members of the Boston group, which includes two married couples. They live in Allston and go every day in three's and four's to chant in areas of Boston.

The chant "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare" is a repetition of the names for God in several Indian religions.

They believe that the chant will bring God-consciousness to all who hear it. "The sound of the word Krishna' is no different from Krishna himself," their "Spiritual Master" Bhaktivendanta teaches.

The swami came to this country from India and established a center for Krishna Consciousness in New York City. Since 1965 the movement has spread, and there are currently 15 centers in the United States.

Bhaktivedanta's followers say that he teaches "in direct disciplic succession from the original Eastern literature. What he says has been going on for thousands of years." His instruction is mainly from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita, two Indian religious scriptures.

The Boston followers of the swami support themselves by taking alms and selling their magazine "Back to Godhead," which prints articles on the swami's teachings. Several members of the group hold outside jobs--one is a social worker--and contribute their pay to the temple.

A store front on Glendale Ave., a narrow street in Allston, serves as their temple. The first members of Krishna Consciousness rented it in October, 1967. Inside is a small room decorated with painting of the Krishna mythology, India print material and pictures of the swami. There are i of the Bhagavad-Gita and records of chants for sale.

The first members of Krishna Consciousness were attracted to the movement when they heard the swami speak in Boston two years ago. One man, whose spiritual name means 'Householder, Servant of Krishna," said of his involvement in the movement. "It's fully satisfying." He has been a member for a year and a half.

The movement requires an austere and disciplined life. Members follow four rules: no sexual relations outside of marriage, no intoxicants (drugs, alcohol, coffee, or cigarettes), no gambling, and no gambling, and no meat-eating.

The explain that they are not trying to convert people to their way of life. "We want to make them more God-conscious," one man said. They believe that their movement has relevance to the modern world. "Young people are attracted [to the movement] because they are dissatisfied with the material life," said a young married woman.

The age we live in now is called Kali, the Age of Hate and Quarrels, and it began 5000 years ago when Krishna, the incarnation of God, disappeared from the each. "The 'Hare Krishna' chant is a means of unifying people and ending quarrels," the followers of the movement say.

Their orange robes are a form of transcendental dress, introduced in India by Lord Chaitanya 450 years ago. He popularized the chanting aspect of Indian religion, writing in 'Siksistak,' "Oh my Lord! you have so kindly made easy approach to you by your hold Names."

Krishna Consciousness holds services three times a week at the temple. These ceremonies consist of chants, dancing and readings from the Bhagavad-Gita. They also prepare an Indian love feast on Sundays. Although attendance is large in the winter, only 30 people have attended this summer