at least 16 rounds

[Paramananda das]

at least you must chant 16 rounds daily that is Srila Prabhupadas instruction
Srila Prabhupada writes:
"So far as your question about arranging time, our first business is to regularly complete our chanting 16 rounds each day. Then we must offer to the deities mangal arati in the morning, and the other paraphernalia and activities shall be executed as time permits. If there is no time then we must disregard."
"Chanting japa should be done early in the morning with full concentration preferably during the Brahma Muhurta time. Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase naturally. Do not worry so much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing." (Srila Prabhupada 6/1/72)
"Please do not fail to chant 16 rounds, rise early, read my books carefully and follow all the regulative principles." Letter to Gandharva das 12 January, 1975
Some years back I stayed with a disciple of Srila Prabhupada in Hamburg he is one of the first devotees in Germany and it was interesting because I get to see where Srila Prabhupada first stayed when he came to Germany where the first temple was and I gave lecture at the temple , but this Prabhu was not chanting ,he told me I chant 4 rounds daily I said how can you chant 4 rounds if you promised Srila Prabhupada personally to chant at least 16 rounds daily.He was working in insurance at the time I said why not chant an hour on the bus to work and an hours on the way back , he said people will look at me and think I am strange, I said the only thing that is strange is you not chanting minimum 16 rounds .I was very disappointed with him
¨...Of all the regulative principles, the spiritual master’s order to chant at least sixteen rounds is most essential.¨ - Cc 2.22.113