In India We Have Kṛṣṇa Everything! (10/15/13)
Dear _____,
Nice to get your email. “Souvenirs Krishna” Nice! That is called nāmābhāsa or a shadow of the holy name – not the name proper.
In India we have Kṛṣṇa everything; grocery store, garages, electric companies, clothing stores… everything named “Kṛṣṇa”.
Years ago, India even had Guru Beer, Sannyasa Vodka and Hare Krishna Cigarettes [beedies]. The worst I ever saw was in Jagannātha Purī. Near the train station there was a Hare Krishna Non-Vegetarian Restaurant. And then there was the Prabhupāda Hotel with a Non-vegetarian restaurant as well. And the McDonalds restaurant just a few kilometers outside of Mathurā on the Agra highway.
Happy vacation!
SN