Three Gates Leading to Hell

The Bhagavad-gita describes that there are three gates leading to hell: lust, anger, and greed. These activities cloud the consciousness like a drug and have caused many people to lose their good name, morality, family and health, as well as to grievously harm others. Spiritually, these activities blind a person and make him unable to understand spiritual truth. Falling deeper and deeper into illusion, the soul will have to suffer greatly. One who is sane should give up these three principles.1 By following the four regulative principles and chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra; Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, one becomes gradually freed of these unwanted desires.

When Lord Krishna appeared 500 years ago as Lord Caitanya, He compared the process of chanting Hare Krishna to the cleansing of a mirror. The mirror of our mind or consciousness is clouded by the contaminated association that we have had in this world; not only during this lifetime but throughout past lives. The chanting cleanses the mirror of the mind, puts out the fire of material lust, makes our lives auspicious, situates us on the transcendental platform, awakens us to transcendental knowledge, and gives us the pleasure for which we have been hankering,2

The chanting of the Lord's names is the most important activity for a devotee. This chanting is the religious practice of this age (Yuga-dharma). A devotee should chant incessantly. In order to do this one must cultivate humility.3
1. Bhagavad-fita 16.21
2L Sri Siksastaka 1
3. Sri Siksastaka 3