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Swami Prabhupada
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Old Japa Talks   12.09.2010

gandharvika dd

Thank you very much for inspiring “drops of inspiration”. We need these again and again to continue and to improve our chanting. I would like to share a very nice song that Niranjana Maharaja has been singing. It’s called “Harenamashtakam”. Meditating on this song gives me a lot of inspiration to chant Holy Name. Here it goes: madhuram madhurebhyo ‘pi mangalebhyo ‘pi mangalam pavanam pavanebhyo ‘pi harer namaiva kevalam “More sweet than all other sweet things; more auspicious than all other auspicious things; the greatest purifier of all purifying things – The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” abrahma-stamba-paryantam sarvam maya-mayam jagat satyam satyam punah satyam harer namaiva kevalam “The entire universe, from exalted Brahma down to the lowly clump of grass, is a product of the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord. The only thing that is reality, reality, again I say reality – The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” sa guruh sa pita capi sa mata bandhavo ‘pi sah siksayec cet sada smartum harer namaiva kevalam “That person is a true preceptor, or a true father, a true mother, and a true friend also only if they teach one to always remember – The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” nihsvase nahi visvasah kada ruddho bhavisyati kirtaniya mato balyad harer namaiva kevalam “There is no certainty when the last breath will come and put an abrupt halt to all one’s material plans. Therefore it is wise to always practice chanting from very childhood – The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” harih sada vaset tatra yatra bhagavata janah gayanti bhakti-bhavena harer namaiva kevalam “Lord Hari eternally dwells in that place where truly exalted, spiritually advanced souls sing in the mood of pure devotion – The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” aho duhkham maha-duhkham duhkhad duhkhataram yatah kacartham vismrtam ratna – harer namaiva kevalam “Aho! What a sorrow, what a great sorrow! More painful than any other misery in this world! Mistaking it as a mere a piece of glass, the people have forgotten this jewel -The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” diyatam diyatam karno niyatam niyatam vacah giyatam giyatam nityam harer namaiva kevalam “It should be heard again and again with one’s ears; it should be uttered over and over with one’s voice; it should be perpetually sung and sung anew -The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” trni-krtya jagat sarvam rajate sakalopari cid-ananda-mayam suddham harer namaiva kevalam “It makes the entire universe seem insignificant as a blade of grass; it splendrously reigns supreme over all; it is full of eternally conscious divine ecstasy; it is supremely pure – The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.”

aatish

A quote from Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami: “The worst thing is being spaced out and unaware of your chanting. It goes by mindlessly. It’s almost wasting your time. So I catch myself and listen to every sound vibration and treasure it. I tell myself to be aware that this is Radha and Krishna and that They are the goal of my life”

bhaktin Manuela

Hare Krishna! Your Holiness, thank you for the wonderful japa talks. With your permission, I would like to post a couple of verses i found in the book ”The art of chanting Hare Krishna-Japa meditations techniques” written by Mahanidhi Swami.
First, he quotes from Gitavali: ”The two syllables ”Ha” and ”ri” are a mine of varieties of devotinal mellows. Every ecstasy of devotion has taken shelter in them. Falling at the lotus feet of the holy name, Bhaktivinoda says, ”O Harinama, I pray for the residence at Your lotus feet.”
Another nice verse I found there is a quotation that maharaja brings from Brhad-bhagavatamrta:”Only by the wonderful mercy of the Lord, who is a nectar ocean of beautiful pastimes, is the charming sweetness of chanting the holy name manifest. It does not appear by one’s own efforts.”
I find this book a wonderful help for improving japa. Also Sacinandana Swami’s book ” The nectarean ocean of the holy name ” is a great book with techniques for improving japa.In this two books one finds also an ocean of verses for inspiration.
Mahanidhi Swami’s book has many pages dedicated to the daily lila of Lord Gauranga presented by hours. I found it wonderful to find out what was Lord Gauranga doing for example from 3-6 a.m…a possible nice meditation before starting the morning japa rounds.
I would also like to ask regarding the second verse I wrote: how can we obtain the mercy of the Lord so that He can reveal the charming sweetnes of chanting the Holy name?
Thank You very much.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Dear Vaisnavas, I was just talking to Krsna Krpa, who mentioned that there is a nice journal on japa on the website of Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami www.sdgonline.org then scroll down to “yellow submarine” and click on the journal entry.
Your servant,
Kadamba Kanana Swami

kadamba Kanana Swami

So I just had a look and copied something Maharaja wrote:

4:34 A.M.
Early-morning japa log
Five rounds done. The first ones were mechanical, without much feeling. Then I started to put feeling into it. The first round that I timed was the fourth round. It came out a very slow eleven minutes, thirteen seconds. I finished the fifth round in nine minutes and thirteen seconds. For me, speed is an indication of feeling. Speed and enunciation. So the rounds are getting better. I hope before the eight rounds are done, I’ll have achieved a better level of concentration. My mind wasn’t wandering to other subjects but kept on the enunciation, although I was dull. The chanting was audible; I could hear it better than usual. That partly accounted for the slowness. I was not going into deeper spiritual feelings than the accumulation, counting and pronunciation. But I was wide awake and alert. There are signs you can improve; let’s see if you can do it.
(Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami)

Krishna-kripa das

Dear Vaishnavas,
Pamho. AgtSP.
I read this great quote from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura about the chanting of the holy name in Bhakti Vikasa Swami’s biography, Sri Bhakisiddhanta Vaibhava:
“Srinama-sankirtana is the best sadhana. If other sadhanas help us in Krishna-sankirtana, then they deserve to be called sadhana; otherwise they are simply impediments to sadhana. Sri-Krishna-nama-sankirtana is the emperor of sadhanas. It is the only infallible sadhana capable of bringing us to siddhi.”

your servant,kadamba Kanana Swami

I want to thank all you very much for your reciprocation.

To Gandharvika:

You wrote about “Drops of Inspiration.”

It made me think about this attempt to start a discussion on the holy name. I was thinking:” Alone we can bring drops of inspiration, together we can make an ocean.”

The Harinamastakam is indeed very nice : “The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” It strengthens our motivation to chant.
I never read this before, very nice indeed.

To Aatish:
Yes Radha Krsna and the entire spiritual world are there in the Holy Name. I am writing a small book at the moment, it’s about meditation and japa. For example if we think a little bit of the holy name as Radha and Krsna and as our chanting as service to Them, then we are a little bit in the spiritual world.

your servant,kadamba Kanana Swami

Bhn. Manuela wrote:
>Another nice verse I found there is a quotation that maharaja >brings from Brhad-bhagavatamrta:”Only by the wonderful >mercy of the Lord, who is a nectar ocean of beautiful
>pastimes, is the charming sweetness of chanting
> the holy name manifest. It does not appear by one’s
> own efforts.”

and then asked the question:

>how can we obtain the mercy of the Lord so that He can
>reveal the charming sweetnes of chanting the Holy name?

All the devotional service that we do comes back to the chanting of the holy name, because when Krsna is pleased he will reveal Himself. So chanting must also be done for the pleasure of Krsna. It comes little by little, but it is good to keep the ultimate goal in mind.

By serving the vaisnavas Krsna gives us taste….srusrusroh sraddhadanasya vasudeva katha ruci syan mahat sevaya viprah punyo tirtha nesevayat

Sitala dd

Hare Krishna devotees,

My respectful obeisances to you all!

Here is a nice letter by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur which I found in HH Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja’s book: “Travelling in the Service of Srila Prabhupada”

I esp like the last line where if we are just sincere than everything will be revealed.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati says:

“Having received your letter dated Damodara 2; I got acquainted with the news. I became overjoyed that your enthusiasm about chanting the holy name has increased. If in the course of your continued chanting all anarthas have been dispelled, in the holy name Himself the form, qualities and pastimes will automatically manifest. It is not possible to remember the form, qualities and pastimes by an artificial endeavour.

The Nama and the nami are non-different truth. It will be realized in various ways when our anarthas cease to exist. If you chant the name of Krsna without offences, you will be able to understand by yourself that from the name alone all perfection comes.

For one who chants the holy name, the aloofness of his gross and subtle body in his own self-conceit will gradually vanish, and his own siddha-rupa will manifest itself.

When a person chants the holy name while situated in his siddha-svarupa, then he can get the transcendental vision of Krsna’s form. Causing the actual form of the living entity to appear, the holy name awakens his attraction to Krsna’s form. Causing the actual qualities of the living entity to appear, the holy name awakens his attraction to Krsna’s qualities. Generating the actual activities of the living entities, the holy name awakens his attraction to Krsna’s pastimes. Service to the holy name inevitably includes all that the chanter should do. How to serve the holy name by body, mind and words will automatically manifest to you in your heart. One who chants the holy name can automatically realize in his heart all considerations regarding the truth of the holy name. By hearing and reading the scriptures and

sanna

hare Krishna.
I’m happy about this kind of forums are existing, so the issolated devotes are able to have assosiation:)

While chanting, prayers comes to my mind. I have a habit to keep a pen nearby so I can write the thoughts down. Also ofthen I find some solutions to many things during the chanting, maybe because the brain get’s some moment to relax… It’s not that my purpose is to chant and solve some mathemathincal problems meanwhile, what so ever…I would describe it more like the solutions, ideas and visions comes by themselves, like flashes. Sometimes my japa can be a composing a song, or organicing my life. I quess things what bothers us, stayes alive in subconseousnes, even we are not thinking about them all the time. Maybe chanting is a moment to talk wiht krishna? I ask hes quidance for example. Can we use chanting in that way, or is it supposed to be only a offering, a pleasure for Kirhsna? In that aspect maybe it’s a little rude to use your moments with Krishna for solving your personal problems…I don’t know…
Some moment ago finishing my rounds, I came to check if there is somethig new from Gurudev before finishing the day. I end up to this bage…so somehow I feel like sharing my prayer what I wrote down:

Every day I’m gratefull that I can pray,
that I’m able to make my practice,
That is not up to me.
Without the blessings I would not be able to do these sacrifices.
Without the mercy of God I would not be able to get the blessings, with out the blessing I would not be able to get the mercy.
The energy for it comes from krishna, I’m nothing.

or… I’m love and gratefulness towards him.
He gives me permision to be humble, and to surender under hes will.
I end up to look for him for the sake of my life.
my everything.

you are my thirst
you are my water and
you are my fullfilment.
I’m gratfull that I end up to be lost and thirsty, so I started to seek for the spring, the source of everything.
………….

let’s keep on chanting.
krishnas tu bhagavan svaya

your servant,kadamba Kanana Swami

When devotees begin to speak about chanting japa so many, nice things come out and it really is clear that it’s not just a mechanical exercise. We are associating with Krsna in the form of His name. On the one hand it is us who are vibrating the sound and try to chant as nice as we can as an offering to Krsna, but then there is the other aspect that the holy name gives us a darsana, He is Krsna, Himself. Due to material conditioning we may not be able to appreciate that darsana in its full glory, but we definitely get something. Inspiration, purification, our thoughts are lifted up from being entrapped in material things. Krsna gives us gifts because He is merciful. Maybe we get ideas of how to improve our lives, that is also Krsna conscious indirectly, because the better life we beleve in is as Krsna’s devotee. Or we get more spiritual inpiration directly related to Krsna, His qualities, His pastimes or abode. There are benefits from chanting in the ‘tatastha’ sfere, the temporary reality of this world and there are benefits that are in the sfere of the eternal reality of the spiritual world. In the CC it is described how in the house of Govardhna and Hiranya Majumadhar a discussion on the benefits from chanting the holy name was going on Haridasa Thakura was also there. Different brahmanas were glorifying the holy name, ” By the holy name one can become liberated from all sinful reactions”, one said. Another added;”By chanting the holy name one can get liberated from birth and death.” Haridasa said;”Those things can be attained by ‘namabhasa’ just a dim reflection of the name,just as the first light in the morning sky drives away the fear of ghosts and thieves and then the full sun disc appears above the horizon and teh day has begun. Gradually one can advance to chanting ‘suddha nama’ the pure name, then one can develop love of God. So when I am thinking about the ‘Darsana Aspect’ of the holy name, then I am praying;”Oh Krsna, when will You give me love of God. I know, I am not deservi

aatish

There is a very important point made by Sivarama Swami about japa in his podcast 2 days ago.
( on sivaramaswami.com – type in “what’s wrong with my japa” on the search facility)

Maharaja points out that not only what we do during the 2 hrs Japa time is important but what we do during the other 22 hrs is also very important in improving our japa. An example given is of parents blaming the teachers because their child is naughty, however, the teachers are not just to be blamed it is also the way the parents are bringing up the child out of school time. So i guess we have to do good japa as well as good KC practice for the other 22hrs to improve our Japa.

Bhagavati devi dasi

Have just come from the japa retreat, so I could sit the entire day writing comments here.
Wonderful quote from Bhaktivinoda Thakura: “When you chant with your fingers on the mala, you should feel that your fingers are touching the lotus feet of Krsna.”

Bhagavati devi dasi

Regarding being in the present when we chant (from HH Sacinandana Swami):
The mind is always hankering for some future event and lamenting about something in the past. If we’re not able to concentrate on our japa it means we’re not able to be in the present. We should understand we only have moments to live. When you’re in the future or in the past, you will not be able to change anything. Forget the past, that’s gone and sleeps. Dream not of the future.
When you’re free of the past and the future, you’re free from the entanglements of the mind.

bhaktin Manuela

I have a couple of questions regarding the **Early-morning japa log** of H.H. Satsvarupa dasa Goswami. He writes at one point:”The first round that I timed was the fourth round. It came out a very slow eleven minutes, thirteen seconds. I finished the fifth round in nine minutes and thirteen seconds. For me, speed is an indication of feeling. Speed and enunciation.”
I have just been on a seminar where it came up the point of how much time should a round take. Someone said that according to Srila Prabhupada a round should take 5-7 min. Someone else said that 6-8 min is much more appropriate. It was also mentioned a very serious senior devotee that chants a round in 15 min.
So, how long should a round take? I think this is quite individual , but I wonder what was the original instruction about this issue? What is correct according to the scriptures?
And how inportant is to time the rounds because I have heard that one should not chant with one eye on the clock. one should keep a steady speed.

Nama-rupa devi dasi

Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaja! Hare Krishna dear Vaishnavas!
Please accept my humble obeisances.

Recently I was reading Japa Meditations by HH Dhanurdara Swami. Here are my favorite quotes:

– Chanting of Hare Krishna Maha-mantra is an acknowledgement that Radha and Krishna have not turned away from me 🙂

– Chanting is devotional service to Radha and Krishna: Radha likes to hear Krishna’s name and Krishna likes to hear Radha’s name 🙂

Your servant
Nama-rupa devi dasi

Krishna-kripa Das

A Japa Poem by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
from Yellow Submarine#98

Chanting Hare Krishna, forgetful boy remembered what he was doing
and returned to the thoughtful praise. Nama Prabhu picked him up,
and he sailed into outer space,
leaving behind the mundane dirt.
He cleansed his mind, like a new shirt.

He became happy just by sitting in his chair.
The air became purified
along with his mind and heart.

He thanked the Lord for the gift of the name
and pursued his numerical strength.”

Kadamba Kanana Swami

“This chanting should go on. Instead of meetings, resolutions, dissolutions, revolutions and then no solutions, there should be chanting.”
– His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, from Lilamrita Vol.6
p.182

I wonder how much time of my life has been spend in meetings. But then again together we can make a difference, what can I do alone?

And then there are personal matters, that can not always be ignored. Yesterday I was thinking ‘early to bed’ and then tomorrow ,’early to rise.’ But last night someone came and needed to talk. It was important to him and he is important to me. So what to do, I had to sacrifice my early morning and with it so many extra rounds that I had been planning to chant. That is what it means to have relationships,it is a matter of give and take.

The Bhajanandi makes all the time in the world for his chanting, what else is there to do. But a ghostyanandi would like to do the same, but can not always, because he gives himself to others in preaching Krsna consciousness.

Prithu likes to talk about yare dekhe tare kaha krsna upadesa, whomever you meet tell them about Krsna. He said the other day in Berlin, “We would only think about making devotees. We were always looking if someone could maybe become a devotee and ..we were making devotees” And he did make so many nice devotees.

How many of us really have the time to regularly chant 64 rounds? I like the program of rising at 1:30am, and then take bath and only chant, then I can 64 rounds before 10am, but then no mangala arati, guru puja and class.

Sometimes I want to hang a sign on the door ” Do Not Disturb,important meeting in progress” and inside the room I will be trying to meet Krsna by chanting His holy names.
Sometimes I want to be alone.

And other times I want to go on hari nama or be there Ratha Yatra. Preaching gives life to our japa.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

The Real Dirt
“Whoever rolls in the dirt of ‘Surabhi Kunja’, chanting the names of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda, receives the special mercy of Nityananda,” our guide announces, consulting his guidebook. I file into the entranceway of Surabhi Kunja with the first group to look for a good place to roll in the dirt. It’s not easy. Right now, Surabhi Kunja is a construction site, full of stacks of bricks, cement mix, and iron re-bars. Finally, someone discovers a patch of nice sand, and we throw ourselves down into it, rolling and chanting.
Shortly, Jayapataka Maharaja arrives. “Hey!” he exclaims. “This is construction sand! It was brought in from outside! Over here! Look! Here is the real dirt!” I dash over. Sure enough, there is a wide swatch of dark, crumbly earth. It looks good. We fling ourselves down and start rolling.

kks

that was from Ravindra Svarupa in a BTG article written in 1993 entitled -On Pilgrimage.

Krishna-kripa Das

From Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami, Yellow Submarine #104:

I chant my rounds
as daily vow.
It’s not so hard to
find two hours
when you have decided
it’s a must.

Two hours out of twenty-four
as a promise made
long ago to the spiritual master.
“I can do it, I will do it,” is the required resolution
to complete a task
of sustaining holy utterance.

I may not be doing
much else in my spiritual life,
but I keep this vow
with faith. It’s Kali Yuga’s
antidote to hopelessness.

Bhagavati devi dasi

Dear Bhaktin Manuela,

Just to add another different opinion – according to HH Sacinandana Maharaja Bhaktivinoda Thakur said that there should be 4 rounds in a danda (24 minutes), which means 6 minutes per round.

Adi Kesava Das

In the Maha-mantra Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, the word Rama refers to Balarama. Since Nityananda is an expansion of Balarama, Rama also refers to Lord Nityananda. Thus Hare Krsna, Hare Rama addresses not only Krsna and Balarama but Lord Caitanya and Nityananda as well.
– Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta Adi Intro

Yadurani dd

From “Japa Meditations”, Dhanurdhara Swami

What is a japa realisation? It is the recognition of the obstacles that block us from attaining our next level of meditation and the form of mercy necessary to help us reach beyond those barriers.

Adi Kesava Das

The vibration of Krsna’s flute is always prominent in the ears of the gopis. Naturally they cannot hear anything else. Constant remembrance of the holy sound of Krsna’s flute keeps them enlightened and enlivened, and they do not allow any other sound to enter their ears…. This vibration of Krsna’s flute is represented by the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
-Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya-lila 21.144

Rukmini dd

Just an inspiring thought:

The essence of being a disciple lies in chanting with care.

Sitala dd

Thank you devotees, these posts are so inspiring!

The book “Greetings from Vrindavan”, a year 2000 kartik journal by HH Dhanurdhar Maharaja is very nice! In one entry Maharaja writes about a class that HG Fakir Mohan Prabhu gives at the Krishna Balarama temple. There the following point is made:

“Give nama to guru, not money. The guru wants your faith in Krsna, which can be best given by offering the holy name in sacrifice – yajnaih sankirtan-prayaih. When one does nama-seva he will not stop practical devotional service. Rather it will be done spontaneously and nicely – not forced”

Yadurani dd

I remember that Maharaja once said, “Hearing is the oil in the lamp of chanting”. This makes us see more and more how the two- sravanam and kirtanam- go hand in hand… “and when we’re calling out, ‘Hare Krsna Hare Krsna…who is Krsna actually? Then the more we want to hear about Krsna. And then when we’re reading or hearing about Krsna, the more we want to call out His name. Thus the two go hand in hand.”

Sukhayanti d.d

Something I just read in the Caitanya caritamrta, Madhya lila 21.144, purport. It shows how attractive the Holy name is. I find it very hard to chant, how is it that I am not being attracted by it? how is that while chanting I am doing and thinking about everything else but Krishna? And still I have to admit that even if I will ever desire to forget Krishna I will not be able to do so. May be the Holy name does have some influence on me?

“In other words, a devotee who has heard the sound of Krishna’s flute forgets to talk or hear of any other subject. This vibration of Krishna’s flute is represented by the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. A serious devotee of the Lord who chants and hears this transcendental vibration becomes so accustomed to it that he cannot divert his attention to any subject matter not related to Krishna’s blissful characteristics and paraphernalia.”

aatish

A quote by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami: May Krishna always bless us with taste and determination to chant our japa faithfully, day in and day out, and may He give us the attentiveness to make a decent performance. May we not cheat ourselves with inattentive chanting but do our part according to the free will given us to hear the holy names with attention.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

In spiritual life there is always the transcendental dimension. The dimension of auspiciousness, purification,eternal benefit and getting more and more mercy of Krsna. Sometimes we like the material side in spiritual life; the temple,a festival, the cheese in the subji or devotees who are our friends and other times I may find it a big austerity. Sometimes we may like to chant and other times it’s a struggle , but whatever may be that spiritual dimension is always there and that makes it all wothwhile.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

worthwhile

Manasi ganga dasi

From “The Beautiful Life of Jayananda Thakura”:

“Jayananda was simply speaking about the boundless mercy of the Holy Name and how we must put our full faith in the Holy Name of Krishna…The important quality of Jayananda was his great faith [in] and service to the Holy Name of Krishna.” [Jayananda would often say] “Just somehow, just have faith in Krishna’s Holy Name and all success will follow.”

Considering that lack of faith in the Holy Name, that He is Krsna Himself and fully able to transform our heart, is a principal offense that blocks our taste for chanting and prevents purification, I think I need to work on building such deep faith as Jayananda’s.

5 Reasons to Have Complete Faith in Chanting the Holy Name of Krsna :

1. The chanting was personally given to us by our trustworthy spiritual master, who practises chanting himself with great faith and relish.

2…… please be merciful and add more!

Partha-sarathi dasa

Dear Devotees, Please accept my obeisances’ All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I was reading all of these wonderful comments, and gained inspiration to further develop my relationship with the Holy Name. I found this nectar in Srila Jiva Goswami’s Sri Tattva Sandarbha:
The special dispensation of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu-sankirtana, the congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names-was considered in other ages suitable only for the most advanced spiritualists, not for those who are still inclined toward materialism or impersonalism. But by the mercy of Lord Caitanya this process is now freely available to all. One who chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra approaches the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His most intimate relationship with His feminine counterpart, Srimati Radharani; there are several dangerous offenses that a careless practioner can commit in this mode of worship, any of which will impede the good effects of chanting. Only by Lord Caitanya’s special order has the Hare Krsna maha-mantra recently been made universally available. Lord Caitanya has requested every man, woman, and child in the universe to chant Hare Krsna, promising that if we chant under His guidance He will protect us from our offenses.

Although Kali is the most corrupt of ages, Caitanya Mahaprabhu has made it auspicious:

kaler dosa-nidher rajan/ asti hy eko mahan gunaů
kirtanad eva krsnasya/ mukta-sangaů paraŕ vrajet

“My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about the age: Simply by glorifying Krsna one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.

krte yad dhyayato visnuŕ/ tretayaŕ yajato makhaiů
dvapare paricaryayaŕ/ kalau tad dhari-kirtanat

“Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Visnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the glories of Krsna” (Bhag. 12.3.51–52).

In the Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Ma

bhaktin Manuela

to Manasi ganga mataji

if I may write a reason I think is good: The chanting of the holy name of Krsna was given to us by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who is actually Krsna himself in the mood of His best servant- Srimati Radharani. In this way He is teaching us how to worship and serve the Lord in Kali yuga.

Caitanya Nitai Das

Please accept my obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

If someone is chanting with offences can they come to pure chanting without offences if they continue chanting and chanting?

Partha-sarathi dasa

Hare Krsna, Pamo agtSP!
Caitanya Nitai Prabhu, in regards to what you wrote I found this excerpt from Jaiva Dharma; Chapter 25
The holy name fulfills the chanter’s desires, whatever they are. However, to the offensive chanter the holy name will not give pure love for Lord Krsna (krsna-prema). Eventually the offensive chanter must taste the result of his offenses. However, a person who, although he commits offenses to the holy name, regularly chants the holy name will attain the result of his chanting. After some time his chanting will become a great transcendental pious deed. As that transcendental pious deed grows greater and greater, he will attain the association of saintly devotees who devotedly chant the holy name in a pure way. Thus by always chanting the holy name, the offender eventually becomes free of his offenses to the holy name. By following this path even impersonalists gradually become sincere devotees of Lord Hari.
Yours in Srila Prabhupada’s service,
Partha-sarathi dasa

aatish

Hare Krishna. I have a query

Prabhupada says: “To associate with the holy name and chant the holy name is to associate with the Personality of Godhead directly.”

However my limited mind says: surely chanting japa is inferior to actually e.g playing ball games or having fun directly with Krishna face to face.

Please help eradicate my misconception

sudipta dey

Complain of a noisy mind, out of control senses, emotional challenges. One of most significant, single suggestions of ancient sages use of mantra japa, or sacred word to focus the mind. No amount of intellectualizing will convince you of this. It must be practiced for benefits to be experienced.
One of most important principles practice of constant remembrance. By cultivating such a steady awareness many benefits come:
. Practice mantra japa in this way challenges and stressors of daily life are not nearly as disturbing.
. The mantra gives a place of refuge, an oasis in which mind can rest.
. It is not escape, denial, or repression, but a tranquil companion.
. Objects of senses begin to lose their control over actions.
. Incoming streams of negative thoughts, emotions, and desires from unconscious mind attenuate, or become weaker.
. japa gradually becomes a best friend of mind.
Japa means repeating or remembering mantra, and Ajapa-Japa means constant awareness. The letter A in front of the word Japa means without. Thus, Ajapa-Japa is the practice of Japa without the mental effort normally needed to repeat mantra. In other words, begun to come naturally, turning into a constant awareness. The practice of constant remembrance evolves in stages:
. At first, intentionally repeat syllables of mantra internally, as if talking to yourself in mind. Allow inner sound to come at whatever speed feels comfortable to mind. Sometimes very slow, as if mind were wading through a vat of honey. At other times it is very fast, as if flying through the sky without restraint.
. With practice, the japa is repeated automatically, like a song heard many times, just comes on its own. (Some practitioners consider this automatic repeating to be the meaning of Ajapa-Japa, though there is a subtler meaning, as described below.)
. Gradually, merely remember mantra with attention drawn to it. More like noticing what is already happening, rather than causing it to happen. It is somewhat like attention stance of listening

sudipta dey

All the above topics for JAPA are taken from various websites are nothing but repetition from SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM & BHAGAVAD GITA in one way or other.

We should always do JAPA & HARINAM AS DESCRIBED BELOW.
FROM SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM
1.2.14

tasmad ekena manasa

bhagavan satvataḿ patiḥ

srotavyaḥ kirtitavyas ca

dhyeyaḥ pūjyas ca nityada

SYNONYMS

tasmat – therefore; ekena – by one; manasa – attention of the mind; bhagavan – the Personality of Godhead; satvatam – of the devotees; patiḥ – protector; srotavyaḥ – is to be heard; kirtitavyaḥ – to be glorified; ca – and; dhyeyaḥ – to be remembered; pūjyaḥ – to be worshiped; ca – and; nityada – constantly.

TRANSLATION

Therefore, with one-pointed attention, one should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of the devotees.

1.2.15

yad-anudhyasina yuktaḥ

karma-granthi-nibandhanam

chindanti kovidas tasya

ko na kuryat katha-ratim

SYNONYMS

yat – which; anudhya – remembrance; asina – sword; yuktaḥ – being equipped with; karma – reactionary work; granthi – knot; nibandhanam – interknit; chindanti – cut; kovidaḥ – intelligent; tasya – His; kaḥ – who; na – not; kuryat – shall do; katha – messages; ratim – attention.

TRANSLATION

With sword in hand, intelligent men cut through the binding knots of reactionary work [karma] by remembering the Personality of Godhead. Therefore, who will not pay attention to His message?

1.2.17

sṛṇvataḿ sva-kathaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ

puṇya-sravaṇa-kirtanaḥ

hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadraṇi

vidhunoti suhṛt satam

SYNONYMS

sṛṇvatam – tho

sudipta dey

TRANSLATION

Śri Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.

SB 1.2.18: By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.

SB 1.2.19: As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy.

SB 1.2.20: Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the man whose mind has been enlivened by contact with devotional service to the Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead in the stage of liberation from all material association.

SB 1.2.21: Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the self as master.

1.2.28-29
SYNONYMS

vasudeva – the Personality of Godhead; paraḥ – the ultimate goal; vedaḥ – revealed scriptures; vasudeva – the Personality of Godhead; paraḥ – for worshiping; makhaḥ – sacrifices; vasudeva – the Personality of Godhead; paraḥ – the means of attaining; yogaḥ – mystic paraphernalia; vasudeva – the Personality of Godhead; paraḥ – under His control; kriyaḥ – fruitive activities; vasudeva – the Personality of Godhead; param – the supreme; jsanam – knowledge; vasudeva – the Personality

sudipta dey

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 1.9.32
TRANSLATION

Bhiṣmadeva said: Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Śri Kṛṣṇa. He is always self-satisfied, but sometimes, being the leader of the devotees, He enjoys transcendental pleasure by descending on the material world, although from Him only the material world is created.
BHAGAVAD GITA As It Is 10.25
TRANSLATION

Of the great sages I am Bhṛgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental oḿ. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa], and of immovable things I am the Himalayas.

AGAIN REPEATED BECAUSE IT IS MORE IMPORTANT
Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa].

Let US now invest my thinking, feeling and willing about JAPA.

Gauranga

Haribol,

when I really get into chanting, it “tastes” better than shrikhand or any other kind of foodstuff. It is like eating. But the good thing is that you can go on chanting as long as you like and you will never become full. And your tongue constantly cries for more. You always want more and more, because it “tastes” so nice. It is really like a huge feast. A feast of the holy name.

Vibhu Caitanya das

Srila Prabhupada’s Faith in the Holy Names

Srila Prabhupada’s Faith in the Holy Name

A talk by HH Giriraj Swami delivered at a japa retreat in Srila Prabhupada’s
Palace, New Vrindaban, West Virginia, on April 9, 2009.

Srila Prabhupada had a godbrother named Niskincana Krsnadasa Babaji, whom
Prabhupada said was a paramahamsa, a liberated soul. Babaji Maharaja
approached another godbrother of Prabhupada’s, Bon Maharaja, who had been
sent by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to England to preach but who
didn’t really have much effect and then came back to India, and said to him,
“You went to the West, and Swami Maharaja [Bhaktivedanta Swami–because
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s disciples also refer to their guru maharaja as
“Srila Prabhupada”] went to the West. You presented the teachings of Lord
Caitanya, and Swami Maharaja presented the teachings of Lord Caitanya. You
introduced the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and Swami Maharaja introduced the
maha-mantra. But Swami Maharaja was tremendously successful, and you hardly
achieved anything. What is the reason?” Then Babaji Maharaja himself gave
the answer: “Because Swami Maharaja had full faith in the holy name of
Krsna, and you didn’t.”

Bh. Neo

My most humble obeycanses to all the Vaishnavas aspecialy to Kadamba Kanana Maharaja.

I would like to ask a Question.

One senior Devotee told me that 2houres for 16 Rouds meens that one was spaced out and and that one sighn for good Japa is that you are done with 16 Rounds in 1 1/2 hour or faster means you were fixed. But other Devotees say that 2 houres for 16 Rouds is quite sufficiant and to be much faster can be a Sighn of slackendness.
Where is the Truth?

Krishna-kripa Das

From Satsvarupa dasa Goswami´s Yellow Submarine#109:

Japa essay

Sometimes when you begin your japa, you feel reluctant. It just doesn’t have a taste. The only solution for that is to keep going resolutely. The taste eventually comes, always. The lack of taste may be due to many things, often physical. You may be tired from lack of sleep or some physical malady. Mental lack of taste is due to your poor Krishna consciousness. It may be prominent on a particular day just because of the whims of the cancala mind. It is a sad reflection to reveal to you that you’re just not a good chanter. There is no excuse for it, you just must keep chanting and overcome the bad state of the mind. It’s sad that we are not instantly excellent chanters in the morning, and that some mornings find us with the blues. During the chanting we can pray to Krishna to help us out of this slump and bring us to our rightful position. Chanting is a kind mechanism. With a little effort, we’ll find ourselves back on track. Those are the days to push with extra effort to find our rightful place. Determination is required and the strength not to become overwhelmed with depression at our poor state. Don’t take it as such a terrible thing, just work through it and come to the right position.

This morning I found this tastelessness when I began, but it did not last long. Within a couple of rounds, I was feeling better and cheerful, and I was chanting at a good speed. I didn’t give in to the poor start, which could have lasted longer. Maya is always waiting to catch us and tell us that the chanting is not working and that we are worthless and might as well give up. But actually we are just having a little bump in the road that we can overcome with persistence. It is just a temporary mood that can easily be overcome by chanting several rounds of japa without quitting. Krishna does not want to withhold the sweetness of the holy names, and He is just testing us. He is showing us our low state. He will allow us to overcome it in short order.

Halayudha das

My respectful obeisances to all the devotees. Thank you Maharaja for this enlivening forum 🙂

1973 June 17 Srila Prabhupada Letters

We can preach all over the world that the only way to be saved from collective and individual devastation is to take to the chanting of Hare Krsna. In short, this material world is a very precarious place therefore we should always chant Hare Krsna and seek Krsna’s protection.

batu gopala dasa

hare krishna, dearest ddevotees.:PAMHO.
its a very inspiring thing, that everyone has something to share in terms of the holy name and how it is magnanimous. in my years of chanting i have started realising that over aperiod of time we start developing a relarionship with the holy name and that we tend to give more and more importance to it. thats very nice, but due to bad asso. we might also feel that its boring, and too hectic and we might not have time. but as i heard it in one of the classes, we should increase our hearing so that we can increase our faith in the holy name and therby increase our quality.
thanx a lot again.
ys,
bgd.kks

Bh. Neo

My humble obbeycases all glories to Prabhupada, Jay Advaita Swami and Kadamba Kanana Swami.

Just something that kame to my mind…

Unatentive Chanting is like ringing a doorbell and running away 1726 times a day allways the same door.
The houseowener allways comes out but never angry and ready to wellcome you.

Sorry for bothering you all with my mind.

Sitala dd

Journal of a Struggling Sadhaka – Volume 6, Part 28:

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur writes in Jaiva Dharm Chapter 24 that “nama aparadhe prevents an offender from getting a taste for hari-nama”. Many devotees have been chanting for years but struggle to finish sixteen rounds.
This struggle means lack of taste and absence of taste is a direct result of nama-aparadhe. Some taste is there but it quickly becomes overpowered by a superior taste to read the newspaper, gossip, watch a video or television etc. The ideal situation is when the taste for chanting is greater than a taste for prajalpa (mundane topics). Bhaktivinoda Thakur states that lack of taste is due to offences. In a sense we are guilty of all the offences to one degree or another. But especially the first and the tenth offence. The first offence is a continual almost obstinate persistence in minimizing devotees. Either mentally or verbally we fail to recognize the good qualities of devotees and dwell on their bad qualities.

The tenth offence is that even after hearing so much glorification of the Holy name we still chant while hankering for material benefits. Another point to the tenth offence is our incredible low attention span while chanting. After one bead our mind wanders off into fairy-land and our rounds are nothing more than some type of jaw exercise

Bhagavati devi dasi

A reply Bh. Neo’s question regarding the time spent on chanting. According to my experience, concentration cannot be measured by the time spent on your rounds. Japa is your personal time with Lord Krishna. We are all individuals and we will all have to make our own relationship with Krishna. Before I would finish my rounds in 1 1/2 hour and now it takes me longer. This is not because I’m necessarily more concentrated, but because I want to spend some more time meditatiting of what I’m doing when I’m chanting. So, my advise is to not worry too much about the time you spend on your rounds, although anything under 5 minutes per round will most likely mean you’ve not done all 108 mantra’s, and concentrate more on the actual meaning of what you are doing.
I did check once how long it took me to say one mantra and found that there was no way that I could say a proper mantra in under 3.2 seconds. Any shorter and it started sounding like: rey shnik rey shnik shnik shnik ray ray… So now, when I finish a round in 4 minutes I chant it again, because I know that I must have skipped too many beads.

Hope this helps.
Your servant,
Bhagavati dd

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Dear Vaisnavas,
It is nice to offer you my obeisances and to my disciples also blessings. Let us always glorify Srila Prabhupada, because we become purified by that and stronger in our commitment to fulfill his desires.
I have just returned. I have been out preaching and was off-line for 4 days….it was ‘too much good’. I was in the Czech Summer Camp. Big long kirtans, lectures and lots of talks to lots of people.There has been no time and energy left for extra rounds. It has been a minimum of sixteen. Last night I finished my sixteen rounds at 10:45pm, these days that is an exception to my rule, I generally always chant 16 rounds in the morning and then extra rounds in the day. This morning I got up at 3:30 and after managl arati I went for a japa walk in to the Czech forest, there was a long straight path, it was easy to just walk and chant out loud. The rounds were clear and steady. I wanted to compensate for yesterday, where I chanted three rounds late at night just wanting to finish them and one extra to make up for possible bad quality. I became overwhelmed by so many activities, Ironically as part of all that I also gave initiations yesterday and as the devotees were making their vows, I was thinking that it will not always be easy to chant a minimum of 16 rounds. Everyone gets overwhelmed sometimes, but the vows are kept, we may have to sacrifice our sleep. And then later catch up. If getting overwhelmed by too much activity becomes a way of life, then it looks like over-endeavor and we have to really start thinking of making some changes to our life.
For me now it is time to recharge, tonight early to bed, and after a long rest, still early to rise, so I can get back in to putting some quality in my rounds…that’s life. Everyday, make an endeavor to really chant the holy name.
These vows are so nice. They will never leave us, even if we would try to leave them. If we give ourselves to follow them with dedication then they will uplift us, and if we take the vow of chanting 16 rounds casua

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Some text disappeared, so here it is again.

and if we take the vow of chanting 16 rounds causal then we become dry;and if we neglect our chanting all together and give up our promise to chant 16 rounds, then these vow will beat our heart.

So I was thinking that there is a great blessing in taking initiation and promising to chant a minimum of 16 rounds without fail.

Your servant,

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Kadamba Kanana Swami

I like the idea of this forum and I am planning to keep it as a permanent feature of this website,after all ‘japa’ is a permanent feature

Kadamba Kanana Swami

The importance of attentive chanting is stressed again and again. There are many things one can do to improve ones performance. Chanting early in the morning after enough rest, in a peaceful place, in devotee association. We try to focus the mind especially on hearing the name. I aim at chanting 16 rounds in about 2 hours, sometimes it takes a little longer, and sometimes a little faster. Something was mentioned about skipping beads. Skipping beads can happen in various ways, sometimes I catch myself that I am not changing the beads exactly at the end of the mantra and the beginning of a new mantra.That is not good, because then one could easily go through more beads than mantras. Anyway so much about attentive chanting, I try to focus, and the mind sometimes drifts, when I become aware of it, I try to bring it back. Still although attentive chanting is important, that is not my only meditation while chanting. If that was all there was, then chanting would be a struggle and a stressful activity. Rupa Gosvami in his famous verse: tunde tandvini ratim vitanute tundavali, describes how the holy dances in the mouth and he desires millions of mouths and millions of ears. It is clear that Rupa Gosvami’s meditation is on the wonderful nature of Krnsa. So we may not have the same deep level of absorbtion as Rupa Gosvami, but we can make a beginning already now and besides trying to be attentive also appreciate Krsna’s wonderful nature, and how He so mercifully is present in His name. Then chanting is not just a struggle, but becomes fun.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Sometimes I am thinking how we,the jivas have turned away from Krsna. Krsna is like a loving father always thinking of his lost children who have left home. Then Krsna thought to Himself, I musty give them some mercy. But why should I give them only some mercy? What I will do, I will give them all the mercy! I will put the spiritual world in the material world and He manifested Sri Vrndavana Dhama. Such kind of thoughts about how wonderful and merciful Krsna is, make me enthusiastic to chant His name.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Dear Aatish, you wrote about how Prabhupada said that chanting teh holy name was to associate with Krsna directly, but you didn’t really experience it like that.
This is what I think about it:
The wall of my false ego is thick and high, yet this chanting and devotional service in general is wearing down the stone. Here and there some holes or cracks have appeared in the surface of that wall and I am beginning to get glimpses of Krsna. This how I associate with Krsna now during my chanting. Sometimes in my wanderings I have come across an elevated desire tree and by climbing its branches for a short while I could look over the wall, before I had to return to the ground. But all these experiences have made my faith stronger and stronger that one day this wall of false ego will break down.

Vasuman dasa

Generally I am chanting hare krsna out of duty, that’s all. But my best experience with japa was in 1994,that day I cooked for the devotees and they were all satisfied. Then after I started chanting and it was so nice I couldn’t stop. By service I become inspired to chant and by chanting inspired to serve.

Partha-sarathi dasa

Hare Krsna, Pamo agtSP! I was thinking of my relationship with my japa. How it is impersonal, how I have no taste. I generally try and keep my japa honest, if I skip a bead I start the round over (if I catch it), etc. Becuase actually who am I cheating? Definitly not Krsna, I am cheating myself of another oppurtunity to absord myself in the transcedental sound vibration. I actually I should pray that I never finish chanting, that I constantly keep the Holy Name on my tongue throughout my life.
Your Servant
Partha-sarathi dasa vanacari

bhn. Kristina

Hare Krishna!
My mind is crazy and restless, I hardly ever really hear the mantra, but I remember several occasions when I managed to really hear the holy name and those moments were indeed one of the most wonderful in my life! I could hear the name, and I found out that these names Hare, Krishna and Rama are so beautiful to pronounce and to hear! I was listening attentively and feeling that Krishna is suddenly so near, well He’s here! I felt so enlivened, satisfied, so happy… These few good rounds I had during all my “chanting career” give me great faith in the chanting. They „happened” mostly when I was chanting japa together with the devotees in unison during our nama hatta program. So we were all chanting at the same speed, you just couldn’t hurry. It was very powerful…I recommend to try 🙂

bh. Arne

Hare Krishna dear Vaishnavas.
AGTSP. All glories to Kadamba Kanana Swami.

Wow. This forum is so sweet and enlivening. It really inspires me to review my chanting and strive constantly for improvement. It is obvious from the posts here that you are all very advanced devotees and have some taste for chanting. Please bless me so that I too may some day get even just a drop of the taste for chanting that you all have. For me chanting is for the most part a struggle. It is a constant struggle to just hear Krishna’s names above the shouting of the mind and senses. But it is getting better, thanx to the association of the devotees. It is getting better, but very very slowly.

Halayudha das

Hare Krishna

Came accross this today, its long but well worth it 🙂

It is easy to understand that Srila Prabhupada enjoyed chanting japa. He always stressed to us the importance of chanting our 16 rounds. He told me that as a householder he used a simple process for completing 16 rounds that we could apply. He said, “When I was a householder I would chant 4 rounds before each meal and 4 rounds before retiring in the evening. In this way 16 rounds could be chanted without difficulty.” He laughed and said, “If you don’t take prasadam before chanting your 4 rounds then you will be sure to get them chanted.”

In New Dwarka he said to me, “In the evening, if I get tired, I walk and chant.” Looking at me he said, “If you are tired, then walk and chant like I do. Sometimes, if I am tired I pace back and forth in the room. Simply, in one room you can do everything. If you are tired, you can stand up and chant, like I do.” It was very common to see Srila Prabhupada walking around in his quarters or sitting in his rocking chair, chanting rounds. Sometimes in the evening he would chant rounds while I was giving him massage in bed.

Sometimes, he would say, “There, I’m finished.” Once in New Dwarka I was in his sitting room cleaning around his desk. He was sitting behind his desk chanting japa. As he pulled down a counter bead he looked at me with a beautiful smile and said humorously, “There, I have finished my 16 rounds. Now I can do any damn thing I want.”

Sometimes devotees would ask Srila Prabhupada about following certain rules in regards to Ekadasi or following Catur mas. Srila Prabhupada responded, “My disciples, they cannot even chant 16 rounds and follow the principles.

What is the use of these other rules and regulations. First, just do these things. Do the simple things that I ask you to do. Don’t concern yourself with all these rituals. First, chant your 16 rounds and follow the principles.”

One day a brahmacari entered Srila Prabhupada’s room and told him that he had falle

Halayudha das

One day a brahmacari entered Srila Prabhupada’s room and told him that he had fallen down with a woman. He told Srila Prabhupada that perhaps he should get married. Srila Prabhupada answered, “Marriage. Why do you think marriage is going to solve your difficulties? You should chant. Just chant Hare Krishna. Chant your 16 rounds.” There were so many times that devotees went into Srila Prabhupada’s room with a problem they were hoping he would solve with some particular arrangement. His solution was always the same. “Chant Hare Krishna, chant your 16 rounds.” He developed the phrase, “Just do it” long before Nike.

He once told a disciple, “If there is some difficulty, you chant loudly. If there is some agitation, chant out loud.” One time is was brought to his attention that a senior devotee was not attending Mangal Arati or chanting rounds, at least with the other devotees. Srila Prabhupada said, “Do it to set the example for the other devotees. You, yourself are very advanced. You do not need to attend Mangal Arati but you should set the example for those that require it.”

Thank you Srila Prabhupda for being the Acarya. You always taught by example. You chanted rounds. You said three Gayatri mantras a day, rose early in the morning and put tilaka on your transcendental body. You never asked any disciple to do something you were not doing yourself. You always practiced what you preached. You showed us practically how a pure devotee conducts himself. I have been in illusion since time immemorial but I pray that I am never deluded into thinking that this process of devotional service is only for the neophyte.

YS, Srutakirti dasa

Sanna

Hare Krishna.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, to my spiritual master and Vaisnavas.

I just arived from loong “japawalk”, I went to Lapland and walked there about 60km in nature reseve(Inari, Finland). The silence in that kind of place is something what everyone should hear ones in their lives. Nature makes me humble and amazed, siting alone on the mountain made tears come from my eyes: God is great. I shouted hes name and it dissapeared just like that, no one heard… Govinda! this is how small I am. Nature is the enviroment what Krishna greated, he has pesonally signed every leaf and stone, flower, waterfall and clouds. Just look and you see! Like an artist puts signature on hes painting.
On the other hand this trip was a journey to face the world: On the way to Lapland I was visiting old friends and staying over in their homes. I never REALLY apreciated the company of the devotes before this. When you go out from home,out from Sanna’s litle satvik reality. The world where meat eating, alcohol and such are everyday routine. I noticed how alien I am. How practicing Krishna conciousness is like swiming against the big stream, Huuuudge stream it looks to me at the moment.
I noticed I’m not strong at all. Alone it’s not too easy, but being in society where almost everything what you do is “weird and fanatic” seems impossible to me.
As a result of this all I found myself hiding, avoiding, sneeking and excusing. Offering the food to Krishna sicretly and so on.
I’m not strong at all, I’m ashamed to admit it. I felt like excape to the temple, where everything is automatic, no one questions you and you don’t have to explane what is wrong in your hand when you have japa bag on it.
This made me humble and I want ot give all respect to those who dares to go out, face the world and people. Such a varriors they are! Ofcourse this tells about my own faith, I’m not strong, I’m not ready to stand straihgt and be what I am, still I’m not fully Ok with the idea of being a devote… so who I am then? a ques

sanna

rest of the letter I just send.

what I am, still I’m not fully Ok with the idea of being a devote… so who I am then? a question arises. Im I just a wanna be? I’m fake…
Acting like a teaf,hiding somewhere to chant my rounds. This was a journey in to myself, noticing that there is a long way to go.

Hari om tat sat.

Bhagavati devi dasi

Since I’ve been to the japa retreat in Radhadesh I’ve spent some time and energy trying to improve my japa.
The last few weeks the weather has been very nice in Amsterdam, so I managed to chant my rounds outside. I don’t go to a park or make walks around the block – just up and down in front of our temple with my eyes directed to the ground to avoid distraction. (I’ve tried to chant sitting down, since people told me that it’s better, but this doesn’t really work for me.)H.H.Sacinandana Maharaja spoke about certain prayers we could say and a certain meditation that should be there and I’ve been trying to implement that, finding prayers that appeal to me and meditating on the fact that this chanting is the way we can get a relationship with Krishna; it’s how we can show Krishna that we’re serious about wanting a relationship with Him.
I now feel that Krishna is reciprocating with my desire to improve my japa. It becomes more easy to concentrate and the desire to chant increases – there is actually some taste there. This morning I felt myself getting impatient when there were some anouncements at the end of mangal arati, since I wanted to be off with my beadbag and chant.
When there is some taste for chanting, it makes the whole day wonderful. The heart just feels enlivened and I’m happy that I’m in this position where I am actually allowed to serve Krishna and chant His name.

ydhisthira

hare krishna,

all glories to srila prabhupada
all glories to my dear gurudeva
all glories to the dear vaishnavas

so many nice quotations and comments.it will me some time to read and digest it all. this is truely a nice spiritual chat room. here is a small contribution:

indraymna swamis “3 p’s of japa”, as heard from one of his disiples in australia
– position
– prenountiation
– prayer

ys,
yudhisthira

keshav

Can we do japa while in the toilet , or chant harinam while on the toilet? I seem to remember lord chaitanya mention something about chanting on the toilet.

Devahuti dasi

Hare Krishna dear devotees! Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I was reading your post Bhagavati, and like how you said you have been “meditating on the fact that this chanting is the way we can get a relationship with Krishna; it’s how we can show Krishna that we’re serious about wanting a relationship with Him.”

I have also been trying to see it from this perspective lately. I tend to think of chanting as a process rather than goal. The meditation is “yes, I am chanting,but when will I feel something! When will I get there?!” Yet recently I have been reading and contemplating how chanting is the process and the goal, it is Krishna! I found a nice description in Radhanath Maharaja’s book ‘The Journey Home’. He describes an encounter with Anandamayi, where she beckons:

“Whenever you possibly can, sustain the flow of the Holy Name. To repeat His Name is to be in His presence. If you associate with the Supreme Friend, He will reveal His true beauty to you.”

It made me realise that we do not have to do anything in chanting but to relish this association, just be present and hear receptively.
My other dilemma of late is that there are not enough hours in the day. I want to chant but also I want to read! How to divide my time?So then I came accross a nice verse in the Sri Gaudiya Kanthahara section entitled Nama-tattva, which relays the words of Srila Rupa Goswami from Krishna-namastakam 1:

” O holy name, the tips of the toes of your lotus feet are eternally worshipped by the glowing effulgence of the Upanishads, the crest jewels of the Vedas. You are eternally adored and chanted by great liberated souls like Narada and Sukadeva Goswami. O Harinama, clearing myself of all offenses, I take complete shelter of you.”

I have found the above two quotes inspiring in that there is encouragement to lose that side that is trying to chant to gain some other state, or trying to read to gain realisations about chanting. This chanting itself is actually the constant

Devahuti dasi

Part 2… This chanting itself is actually the constant absorption of those souls who have realised the conclusion of all knowledge. It is simple and free of speculation, it is just KRISH-NA! Rather than ‘where is this chanting taking me?’ I am trying to understand where I am when I chant. It realigns our little world of trying to chant as an action, to the goal here and now. We do not have to do anything but chant and be there with Him…

virajer

Hare Krsna! All glories to Srila Prabhupad!Glories, glories to his servants.
I have one tip on source of inspiration for japa. It’s Yellow Submarine (japa essay) on the web site of Satswarup Das Goswami. (sdgonline.org)

low virajer

virajer

Now I know…This tip is in the begining of the forum…I and My useless comments)pardon

Adi Kesava Das

Some people complain that when they pray to God they do not feel His presence. We should know that this is due to our incapacities, not God’s. There are two conceptions of presence-the physical conception and the vibrational conception. The physical conception is temporary, whereas the vibrational conception is eternal. When we enjoy or relish the vibration of Krsna’s teachings in Bhagavad-gita, or when we chant Hare Krsna, we should know that by those vibrations He is immediately present. He is absolute, and because of this His vibration is just as important as His physical presence. When we feel separation from Krsna or the spiritual master, we should just try to remember their words of instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such association with Krsna and the spiritual master should be association by vibration, not physical presence. That is real association. We put so much stress on seeing, but when Krsna was present on this earth, so many people saw Him and did not realize that He is God; so what is the advantage of seeing? By seeing Krsna, we will not understand Him, but by listening carefully to His teachings, we can come to the platform of understanding. We can touch Krsna immediately by sound vibration; therefore we should give more stress to the sound vibration of Krsna and of the spiritual master-then we’ll feel happy and won’t feel separation.
Elevation to Krsna Consciousness

Adi Kesava Das

Chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is the easiest process of meditation in this age. As soon as one chants the Hare Krsna mantra, he sees the forms of Krsna, Rama and Their energies, and that is the perfect stage of trance. One should not artificially try to see the form of the Lord while chanting Hare Krsna, but when the chanting is performed offenselessly the Lord will automatically reveal Himself to the view of the chanter. The chanter, therefore, has to concentrate on hearing the vibration, and without extra endeavor on his part, the Lord will automatically appear.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.53

Halayudha das

I am so glad to hear how you are strictly following the regulative principles, chanting at least 16 rounds of beads daily, and associating with devotees exclusively for the past year. That is our very strength in spiritual life, and if you continue to do so, then your rapid advancement in Krishna Consciousness is certain. Read our books, attend classes and go for street Sankirtana and in this way engage yourself in Krishna’s business 24 hours.

Srila Prabhupada letter 1971

Krishna-kripa Das

From Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami’s Yellow Submarine#129:
Even when I don’t “meditate” in the deeper sense, I’m meditating by chanting the absolute sound vibration and keeping my mind away from all plethora of objects in the universe. It’s a chance to narrow my consciousness and pinpoint it on the most important thing. Lord Caitanya has given us a brilliant method just suitable for people in the age of Kali, and we should always be thankful to Him and take up His process.

Gopi dasa

“Srila Prabhupada told us. Just try to hear”. This is the answer given by His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami when he was once asked for an advice on how to help improve the quality of japa. And this is simple the best, isn’t it. Srila Prabhupada gave us the essance.

Rukmini dd

To hear the name of Krsna is feeding the soul. Too often we chant sixteen rounds and hear nothing. That’s like taking food through the wrong pipe. All the effort but no nourishment. And the soul is starving, starving for the holy name of Krsna. So we drink through the ears and try to focus our minds so it will satisfy the heart. “Chant sincerely” But how? “Even trying to be sincere is sincerity itself in one sense.” Hare Krsna.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

In many years of chanting, not every day was an optimal one. I have chanted when I was tired, when I was ill and injured,in cars, on planes,boats. Once I have chanted on a horse racing track doing my rounds. The quality of the rounds has varied due to my own physical condition and the external circumstances and due to the state of my consciousness. But the holy name has stayed as an integral part of my life, the name is like a friend always there,soothing my mind,creating stability in the turbulence of life in the material world, making me detached from the ongoing affairs by making me remember the eternal perspective, that what really matters is my service to Krsna.

Sutapa das

In one lecture Kadamba Kanana Maharaj explained how meditation comes from making a commitment. As we make a commitment to being a good sadhaka, as we make a commitment to take responsibility in the preaching mission, then immediately the meditation and absorption comes. To improve Japa is not simply a matter of techniques and tips, the real thing we need is mercy – and mercy comes from sacrifice.

So in all my struggles in chanting I try to remember this important point of commitment to the order. Srila Prabhupada once said that of all the orders the spiritual master gives, the order to chant 16 rounds is the most important.

One of my greatest inspirations in spiritual life, Jayananda prabhu, exemplifies this. The following incident is related by Karadhara prabhu:

“One day, before Ratha-yatra, I spent the whole day running around with Jayananda. By the time we got back to the temple it was midnight. The whole building was so crowded that we couldn’t find any space to lie down. Finally we found room in one little storage closet. I was so tired that all I could do was throw my sleeping bag on the floor and lie down. Then I saw Jayananda walking out of the room. I asked him, `Where are you going?’ He said he’d be right back, but I kept pressing him, and finally he explained that he had some rounds of japa chanting to finish up. He didn’t want to keep me awake by chanting in our room, nor did he want me to feel bad because he was going out to do something else. He just wanted to slip away to some corner and fulfill his vow. I remember saying, `Sometimes it’s not possible to finish all one’s rounds because there is so much work to do.’ `That’s okay, I’m not too tired,’ Jayananda replied. I was amazed not only by his consideration for me but by his full submission to Srila Prabhupada.”

Bhaktin Antoinette Ayuk

In this age of conflict and anxiety chanting the holy name of God is the cure to all our problems and worries. Japa has brought untold peace to my heart. It has transformed me to a different person. “God’s holy name chanted knowingly or unknowingly has its effect on the devotee yet the effect is more pronounced when it is chanted consciously, correctly and with an awareness of its glory. Chant the name of the Lord and his glory unceasingly ; that the mirror of the heart may be wiped clean; And quench that mighty forest fire, Worldly lust, raging furiously within. (Sri Chaitanya in SHI, 331.)

Bhagavati devi dasi

I wanted to share a nice japa experience I had this morning in Radhadesh. The last few weeks I’ve been having a hard time chanting proper rounds because my mind has been all over the show. This morning Kancana-valli mataji walked into the japa room, prepared a little corner for herself and started off with some really serious and concentrated chanting. Before I knew I got caught up in it as well and I ended up chanting better rounds than I have done in a very long time. I spoke with someone else about it later and she told me that she got similarly inspired by seeing us two chant.
This is the power of associating with serious devotees.

Halayudha das

July 16, 1968
Montreal, Quebec

My Dear Tamala Krishna,

Please accept my blessings. I am so glad to receive your letter dated July 12, 1968 with the notes of your successful performances of city Kirtana movement and it is a very good plan.

I think we should not be worried about our expenditure, Krishna has given us good opportunity of service, and if we simply execute the service, by such performances of Kirtana and practice ourselves the rules and regulations rigidly and with faith in Krishna and service to the orders of the bona fide Spiritual Master, then there will be no scarcity of our necessities of life, and very pleasantly we will be able to execute our Krishna conscious activities without any anxiety for financial difficulties.

Actually everything belongs to Krishna, and if He likes, He can immediately give us the whole U.S.A., but He is very cautious because we are prone to the allurement of maya, so He does not give us all of a sudden all the facilities, lest we may fall prey to the illusory presentations of maya. Just like a physician does not give delicacies to a suffering patient, but as he recovers from the disease, the physician allows him to accept palatable dishes.

So we have to wait for the cure of our material diseases, and proportionately as we become recovered from the disease, the supplies of pleasant things will automatically come. But we must always know that there is nothing more pleasant than Hare Krishna. When we will be able to relish the transcendental pleasure, in chanting Hare Krishna, that will be the sign of our recovery from material diseases.

Please continue the method in cooperation, very faithfully and diligently, and Krishna will help you more and more.

Hope you all are well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Manasi ganga dasi

After the Japa Retreat in Radhadesh this June, His Holiness Sacinandana Swami offered to regularly send us some of his thoughts and collected verses about japa. Here is the first installment….

Japa Inspirations I

The whole art of chanting aims at bringing the mind into the presence and
firmly connecting it with one’s spiritual practice. In other words we aim
towards becoming fully attentive: body, mind and heart.
To facilitate this there are a few ancient mantras which establish a
nectarine relationship with
the Deity of the mantra
the process
the instrument (the mala)
the proper mood and the meditation which accompanies the chanting. Once you
have established a connection you have reached attention – and vice versa.
These mantras can be chanted either before taking to the practice or
whenever you wish.

Establishing a connection

tribhanga-bhangima-rupam
venu-randhra-karancitam /
gopi-manňala-madhya-stham
sobhitam nanda-nandanam //
“His form is bent in three places, His hands are bent over the holes of His
flute. Thus the son of Nanda Maharaja stands resplendent amidst a circle of
gopis.”
(Srimati Radharani is indicated here with the words gopi-manňala. She is
Mandalesvari – the Supreme Mistress of the circle of gopis).

Chanting as an Offering of the Holy Names
Nama samarpana mantra

nama-yajno maha-yajnaů
kalau kalmasa-nasanam /
krsna-caitanya-prity-arthe
nama-yajna-samarpanam //
“The sacrifice of the name is the highest yajna, which destroys the
contamination of Kali-yuga. In order to please Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, I offer this sacrifice of the holy name.”

Prayers to the Holy Name, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha Krsna

patita-pavano nama
nistaraya naradhamam /
radha-krsna-svarupaya
caitanyaya namo namah //
“The holy name is the savior of the fallen. Oh, please deliver this lowest
of persons. Obeisances again and again unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and unto
Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.”

Prayers to the Mala for the Purpose

aatish

Some words by Umapati Swami: In Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna says that the mind can be brought under control by constant practice and detachment. Japa (chanting on beads) is constant practice, or should be, but what about detachment?

There is one thing we can easily detach ourselves from, and we need to when we chant: It’s our train of thought.

Suddenly we find ourselves lost in some daydream, a million miles away from our japa. Maybe it’s something pleasant, and we want to enjoy it some more. Maybe it’s a gripe we have or a problem in our work.

Maybe it’s some awful idea we don’t even want to admit ran through our mind: “I didn’t really think that. Well, maybe I did. But not really. I mean, I’m just not into that. I won’t think about it anymore. But if I say that, then I’m thinking about it. But how can I tell myself to stop thinking about it unless I think about it?” And on and on, back and forth.

Whatever the thought, just drop it. Right now. Don’t try to resolve it because you can’t and you don’t have to. Just drop it and get back to your japa. The world will go on even if you don’t finish your thought.

Sanna

Hare Krishna. Thank you for all inspiring writings.
I have been moving several times during these years. Even it’s nothing to compare with traveling spiritual masters and sankirtana devotes. Because of traveling and moving I have lost this feeling of having a home, feeling that there is a place to return, if you know what I mean. I have always wondered how constantly traveling devotes can do it, how they can feel safe and balanced. I think being part of something, a need of homy feeling is built in us. The mind gets disturbed if it’s not there. Of course I can only talk about myself.
Yesterday after backing my things again for staying one month in my parents house so I can move again next month to another city to start a school, I noticed something. A miracle happened: After arriving I noticed that I was making my home by creating the sadhana: setting the althar, putting pictures up and also the rhythm of waking up the same time, daily routines like cooking prasad are part of it.
So thats the sicred. I have heard that Prabhupada how ever much he traveled and how ever little he slept he waked up at the same time every sincle morning. Sadhana is devotes home, the real home is not our posessions. I think you can take anything away from a devote. Even the books may go (not that they should go, But books as mater migh be burned by accidently if the house gets burned for example). The mahamantra is our shelter and it can not be burned by fire.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Like Prabhupada’s preaching, his chanting was constant. While talking in his room with professors in Toronto, Prabhupada silently chanted the Hare Krsna mantra in between their academic words.
When Prabhupada encouraged his disciples to chant Hare Krsna while sitting with them during a prasadam feast, one of the devotees replied, “But Swamiji, how can we chant and eat at the same time?”
“Chant in between bites,” said Srila Prabhupada.
We can hear Srila Prabhupada’s japa on a recording: he chants quickly and he said that sixteen rounds of japa could be done in one and a half to two hours. During an initiation lecture, he commented that it should take five or six minutes to chant a round, although he admitted that it might not be possible in the beginning.
When a devotee said that it was hard to chant and keep awake, Prabhupada replied that they should then do as he does, as he walks in his room in the afternoon while chanting japa.

Srila Prabhupada Nectar, Ch. 3 , Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami

Yadurani dd

I was reading in Prabhupada Nectar the text that Kadamba Kanana Maharaja put recently and came across this quote as well…

“Once at a lecture in the temple room in Los Angeles in 1970, just after moving into the building, Srila Prabhupada asked the assembled devotees, ‘Is anyone not chanting 16 rounds?’Only one boy raised his hand. It was Bhakta dasa. Prabhupada said, ‘You are not finishing 16 rounds?’
‘Well, Srila Prabhupada,’ he said, ‘I’ve been working until late at night and only sleeping four hours, so I haven’t had time to finish.’
Srila Prabhupada replied strongly, ‘Then sleep only two hours, but you must finish 16 rounds a day.'”

Srila Prabhupada Nectar, Ch.3, Danavir dasa

Annie Gangaram

I find that singing the Holy Name is pleasing (hopefully, to Krsna as well). Since my intention is to please Krsna and His devotees, I am hoping that He will remove all obstacles and offences. I depend completely on His mercy for any service I am allowed to perform.
Hare Krsna and obeisances to you.

svaha devi dasi

Dear godfamily and well wishers

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to guru deva. All glories to Srila prabhupada.

Recently when guru maharaja was in South Africa, he asked me to write somethinf on this forum, don’t ask me why? I guess it’s because I’ve always had something to say about everything 🙂

Jappa has never really been my thing but for those times that “Jappa” was kind enough to reveal herself to me, it had been sweet.

I pray that with those few times that she had been kind, that it was an offering to our dear Srila Prabhupada.

Just a quick note to “Jappa” “just incase you have been missing me, I miss you too”

your fallen one
Svaha devi dasi

Annie G.

Just an idea! It might be interesting to view the japa time as “talking to” or “a meeting with Krsna”. In this regard one may visualize a particular picture of Krsna. I wonder, Maharaj, if you could also include in this website a gallery of your favourite pictures of Krsna? I’m certain that , from the vast resources available to you, you will probly select pictures that speak eloquently to us. After all, a picture speaks a thousand words. Yours certainly do!
Hare Krsna.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

From Sacinandana Swami
Lesson 2:
Japa Inspirations II

Prayers for Taking Full Shelter at the Lotus Feet of the Holy Name

nama cintamani-rupam
namaiva parama gatih /
namnah parataram nasti
tasman nama upasmahe //
“The Holy Name is a beautiful transcendental touchstone – it is the supreme
goal. There is nothing higher than the Holy Name. I therefore worship the
Holy Name.”
(Sri Stava-kalpa-druma)

trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
“One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a
tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give
all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the
Lord.”
(Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-lila 17.31; Sri Siksastaka, verse 3)

The Meditation that Accompanies the Chanting of the Hare Krsna-Maha-Mantra

dhyayed vrndavane ramye
gopa-gobhir alankrte
kadamba-padapa-cchaye
yamuna-jala-sitale

radhaya sahitam krsnam
vamsi-vadana-tat-param /
tribhanga-lalitam devam
bhaktanugraha-karakam //

Sri Krsna is sporting in the cooling waters of the Yamuna, or in the shade
of a kadamba tree in the beautiful Vrndavana forest. He is ornamented
(surrounded) by the cows and gopas, and is accompanied by Sri Radha. He is
very skillful at playing the flute as He stands in a charming tribhanga
pose, bestowing mercy and kindness upon the bhaktas.
(Sri Sanatana-kumara-samhita)

When Narada approached Lord Siva for the topmost instruction the kind Siva
answered:
“Day and night one should meditate on the Lord’s qualities and chant mantras
glorifying Him.”
“How exactly?” Narada wanted to know.
Siva’s reply was extremely concise – Be mindful of the meaning, cry and
become ecstatic!
“Thinking of the meaning of the Lord’s mantras, one should shed tears of
love. The hairs of one’s body should stand erect in ecstasy.”
(Sanat-Kumara-samhita, text8)

Let us pray and beg for that day to arrive in our life and make us supremely
fortunate.
And

Yadurani dd

Just read something very striking: “Our whole spiritual life depends on the quality of our rounds…”
HH KKS, ’04

Gopinathacarya dasa

The only mantra to drive away your enemies,
The mantra worshipped by every word of the Upanisads,
The mantra that terminates samsara,
The mantra that drives dense darkness away,
The only mantra that brings all opulence,
The mantra that cures those bitten by the snake of material attachment,
O tongue!
Chant, chant always the mantra of Sri Krsna’s names,
The mantra that makes your birth successful!

Sri Kulasekhara, Mukunda-mala 31

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Balarama’s Appearance Day

If the devotee humbly prays to Krsna to remove all the obstacles in the heart that are represented by the demons that Krsna personally killed, Krsna will certainly do so. However all the obstacles represented by the demons that Balarama personally killed must be driven out by the determined efforts of the devotees themselves. This is the secret of vraja bhajana. Dhenakasura represents the bad mentality, ignorant of spiritual knowledge, which carries the heavy loads of foolishness and superstition. Pralambasura represents superficially performing bhakti while actually entertaining lust for women, money, worship and high position. The aspiring devotees must remove these obstacles by their own efforts, aided by the mercy of Krsna. Dhenukasura indicates ignorance of one’s svarupa, the identity of harinama, and the identity of Krsna, and immersion in avidya (false knowledge). With great sincere endeavor, the devotees themselves must strive to remove these obstacles. Pralambasura represents pride,lust for man or woman, greed fro material objects and wealth, endeavor for material enjoyment and the desire for worship and high position. Understanding these proclivities to be very detrimental to spiritual progress, the devotee should make great disciplined endeavor to remove them. If their humility is very sincere, certainly Krsna will be merciful. Then Baladeva will make His appearance, and all the obstacles will destroyed in a second. Then, step by step, progress in the cultivation of Bhakti will take place. As this process is by nature very esoteric, the devotee, being spotless in character, should learn it from a well-qualified guru.
Sri Caitanya Siksamrta, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, Sixth Rainfall pg.262

—————–
Comment by kks
This passage of the Caitanya Siksamrta is certainly interesting. It appears to place a lot of responsibility for purifying ourselves from the affliction of lust,greed, desire for recognition, etc, on our own shoulders. It may actually be a little

Kadamba Kanana Swami

(The comment became cut off, here it is again)

Comment by kks
This passage of the Caitanya Siksamrta is certainly interesting. It appears to place a lot of responsibility for purifying ourselves from the affliction of lust,greed, desire for recognition, etc, on our own shoulders. It may actually be a little disheartening, because often times, we feel that we are helplessly in the grip of these lower qualities and we ‘re hoping that somehow or other the mercy of Gaura Nitai and the holy name will save us. There is no doubt that this mercy will indeed save us! But the automatic purification coming from the chanting of the holy name and of performing devotional service in general, must be accompanied by our personal endeavor in following the four regulative principles, then our efforts in following the process of sadhana bhakti will be successful and Lord Balarama will bless us with bala, spiritual strength and rama,transcendental happiness.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

That I dare to write to You is perhaps outrageous pride. Who am I to speak to You? Yet Prabhupada has said that we may pray to You in broken words from a broken heart. You are willing to receive us. When I speak to You, I must always remember that I am just an insignificant speck, an aspiring servant. I don’t claim that I am a kanistha adhikari or madhyama adhikara or mahabhagavata or that I have reached nistha or ruci or that I am a “bhakta” like Bhakta Prahlada. I am a servant of a servant of a servant, a thousand times removed. The further away I claim my qualification, the more I am rightly situated…

Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami

from www.sdgonline.org

Kadamba Kanana Swami

The transcendental vibration established by the chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is the sublime method of reviving our Krsna consciousness. As living spiritual souls we are all originally Krsna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter from time immemorial, our consciousness is now polluted by the material atmosphere. The material atmosphere, in which we are now living, is called maya, or illusion. Maya means “that which is not.” And what is this illusion? The illusion is that we are all trying to be lords of material nature, while actually we are under the grip of her stringent laws. When a servant artificially tries to imitate the all-powerful master, this is called illusion. In this polluted concept of life, we are all trying to exploit the resources of material nature, but actually we are becoming more and more entangled in her complexities. Therefore, although we are engaged in a hard struggle to conquer nature, we are ever more dependent on her. This illusory struggle against material nature can be stopped at once by revival of our Krsna consciousness.
Krsna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind; this consciousness is the original energy of the living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived. And this process is recommended for this age by authorities. By practical experience also, one can perceive that by chanting this maha-mantra, or the Great Chanting for Deliverance, one can at once feel a transcendental ecstasy coming through from the spiritual stratum. And when one is factually on the plane of spiritual understanding – surpassing the stages of senses, mind, and intelligence – one is situated on the transcendental plane. This chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciousness – namely

Kadamba Kanana Swami

part two contiuned from below,

namely sensual, mental, and intellectual. There is no need, therefore, to understand the language of the mantra, nor is there any need for mental speculation or any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It springs automatically from the spiritual platform, and as such, anyone can take part in the chanting without any previous qualification, and dance in ecstasy. We have seen this practically. Even a child can take part in the chanting, or even a dog can take part in it. Of course, for one who is too entangled in material life, it takes a little more time to come to the standard point but even such a materially engrossed man is raised to the spiritual platform very quickly. When the mantra is chanted by a pure devotee of the Lord in love, it has the greatest efficacy on the hearers, and as such, this chanting should be heard from the lips of a pure devotee of the Lord, so that immediate effects can be achieved. As far as possible, chanting from the lips of nondevotees should be avoided. Milk touched by the lips of a serpent has poisonous effects. The word Hara is the form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krsna and Rama are forms of addressing the Lord Himself. Both Krsna and Rama mean “the supreme pleasure,” and Hara is the supreme pleasure energy of the Lord, changed to Hare in the vocative. The supreme pleasure energy of the Lord helps us to reach the Lord. The material energy, called maya, is also one of the multi- energies of the Lord. And we, the living entities, are also the energy – marginal energy – of the Lord. The living entities are described as superior to material energy. When the superior energy is in contact with the inferior energy, an incompatible situation arises; but when the superior marginal energy is in contact with the superior energy, called Hara, the living entity is established in his happy, normal condition. These three words, namely Hare, Krsna, and Rama, are the transcendental seeds of the maha-mantra. The chanting i

Mayapur Chandradoya das

Dear Maharaja!
pamho agtSP
Just a small realization…When I read books about chanting japa like Japa reform notebook etc…my japa usually improves. So I should propably read it all the time. Thank you!
y.s. Mayapur Chandradoya das

Kush

“This chanting should go on. Instead of meetings, resolutions, dissolutions, revolutions and then no solutions, there should be chanting.”
– His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, from Lilamrita, Vol.6, p.182

Mayapur Chandradoya das

SB 1.6.33: pragayatah sva viryani
tirtha-padah priya-sravah
ahuta iva me sighram
darsanam yati cetasi

Sri Narada Muni said: ” The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, whose glories and activities are pleasing to hear, at once appears on the seat of my heart, as if called for, as soon as I begin to chant His holy activities.”
Purport:…As soon as a pure devotee engages himself in the pure devotional service of hearing, chanting and remembering the name, fame and activities of the Lord, at once He becomes visible to the transcendental eyes of the pure devotee by reflecting Himself on the mirror of the heart by SPIRITUAL TELEVISION….

Mayapur Chandradoya das

SB 1.6.34: etadd hy atura-cittanam
matra-sparsecchaya muhuh
bhava-sindhu-plavo drsto
hari-caryanuvarnanam

Sri Narada said:”It is personally experianced by me that those who are always full of cares and anxieties due to desiring contact of the senses with their objects can cross the ocean of nescience on a most suitable boat-the constant chanting of the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead.”

Yadurani dd

“We should not just chant, chant, chant but we must increase the commitment also.Of course chanting is a commitment, but even there one must chant with commitment to know Krsna. And Krsna will reveal Himself; it’s not automatic- it has everything to do with the commitment. Not just external but also in the heart…”

HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, March 2009

How do we chant with a commitment to know Krsna?

Halayudha das

Extract from HH Giriraja Swami’s Vyasa Puja offering :

In our japa retreats we emphasize chanting with attention, without offense.
We encourage devotees to pronounce each syllable distinctly and hear each
syllable attentively. To chant inattentively is an offense. So, I thought of
my initiation letter–you sent it to me in Boston from Los Angeles–in which
you instructed me to avoid the ten offenses. And I thought, “Oh, my God,
that was practically the first instruction I got from Srila Prabhupada–the
one I got when I was initiated–and now, forty years later, I still haven’t
been able to follow it, which is another offense: to disobey the orders of
the spiritual master.” So I thought, “I am just drowning in offenses.” And
then I thought, “I better reread that letter, to try to get some strength
and inspiration.” I reread it, and there was the instruction: “You should
avoid the ten offenses as far as possible.” You were so merciful–you knew
that I couldn’t avoid them completely. So you saved me from the offense of
disobeying your order, by writing “as far as possible.”

So that is our qualification, according to you. And that is our hope. If we
sincerely try to follow your instructions strictly–if we just hold on to
your lotus feet–you will do the rest. You will take us back home, back to
Godhead.

Vrndaranya Priya dasa

Hare krsna,
sometime ago I was searching for inspirational quotes on chanting, Than I also came across the following written by HH Jayadvaita swami and it is inspiring to read daily, it are short lines with big meaning!!

by Jayadvaita Swami

from Back to Godhead, May-June 1994

Here’s a page full of reasons. I’ll spare you the footnotes, but each reason is fully upheld by evidence from Vedic writings like Bhagavad-gita, the Upanisads, and the Puranas.

Chanting Hare Krishna awakens love of God.

Chanting Hare Krishna brings liberation as a side benefit along the way.

When you chant Hare Krishna, you automatically develop knowledge and detachment.

Chanting Hare Krishna gets you out of the endless cycle of birth and death.

It is the most effective means of self-realization in the present Age of Quarrel. Nothing else works nearly as well.

Chanting Hare Krishna cleanses the heart of all illusions and misunderstandings.

By chanting Hare Krishna, you become free from all anxieties.

Chanting Hare Krishna brings you to self-realization-and shows you how to act as a self-realized soul.

It keeps you ever mindful of Krishna, the reservoir of pleasure.

There are no hard and fast rules for chanting. You can chant anywhere, any time, under any circumstances.

Krishna Himself is fully present in the transcendental sound of His name. And the more you chant, the more you realize it.

All other Vedic mantras are included in the chanting of Hare Krishna. So just by chanting this mantra, you get the benefit of all others.

Chanting Hare Krishna purifies not only you but every living entity around you. Whoever hears the chanting gets spiritual benefit.

A person who chants Hare Krishna develops all good qualities.

You can chant Hare Krishna softly for personal meditation or loudly with your family or friends. Both ways work.

Srila Prabhupada chanted Hare Krishna, and so did great souls in the past. So why not you?

It’s free. Chanting Hare Krishna never costs you money.

Chanting

Manasi Ganga dasi

Regarding the value of our imperfect and offensive chanting….
I just came across two encouraging verses and purports in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.7.10 and 13.

After being decapitiated, the blasphemous Daksa was revived with a goat’s head and at last was able to see Lord Siva with some respect and humility. He had seen Siva many times before and felt only envy but because a favourable attitude had at last arisen in his heart, the sight of the great Vaisnava Siva now purified this envy. It seems that although we may have similarly chanted the holy Name many times but remained hard-hearted, if we can summon some humility and devotion, even though our consciousness may still be contaminated by so many lingering anarthas, that change of attitude will allow us to be purified by the darshan of the Holy Name.

Srila Prabhupada reassures us that Lord Siva and Lord Krsna do not neglect even useless, unqualified brahmanas like Daksa if they are attempting to please the Lord by performing sacrifice. Rather they show great mercy by correcting their devotee.

By attempting to do one’s duty by chanting the Holy Name, the sacrifice for the age of Kali, even though one is full of faults and offenses, still one attracts the mercy of the Lord, who kindly acts to purify His rightly-engaged devotee. “One who does good, my friend, is never overcome by evil!”

Bhaktin Laila

Hare Krishna
It helps me to focus my mind on the Lord when chanting japa. Obsticles seems easier to be overcome and I feel closer to my heart and the Lord being situated there…like a dear friend.
Hare Krishna Thank You

Rukmini dd

Hare Krsna

I always wondered why Krsna was pleased when we chant His name. “Some ego trip!” I thought. Then Sacinandana Swami comments in the Japa Reform book

” He is pleased to hear His name chanted by fallen devotees. “He is comming back to me. He is trying to approach me by chanting My name. Very Nice!” The substance of chanting Hare krsna is to please Krsna. And Krsna can take care of everything else.”

Nama-rupa devi dasi

Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaja and all Vaishnavas,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada

It is a Holy Name week and I have been trying to do a bit extra to improve my japa. I just want to share few things with you.

First day it was really special- Just thinking that everyone else was chanting made me more focused, I could feel how we are together in this attempt to hear the Holy Name and come back to Krishna.
Next day was quite the opposite- I was expecting the same result and nectar

Yesterday evening I hear in one lecture Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s statement: There is nothing is all 14 worlds except the Holy Name! My mind was immediately rebelling! What? There are so many important things… I guess, that so long I have that attitude the Pure Name will not reveal Himself to me. Now I can meditate more and more on what that statement really means and hope that one day it will become the truth in my life.

Please remember me in your prayers

Bhagavati devi dasi

O brother and sister, even if you chant the wonderful and powerful name of Lord Krsna, and even if you meditate on His brilliant and charming transcendental form, which creates auspiciousness for the entire world, you still cannot hope to attain the splendid nectar of pure love of Krsna if the merciful glance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu does not fall on you.
(Caitanya-candramrta, verse 82)

Raimond

Dear Maharadja,

last time we met on the Summerfestival on Radhadesh. You told us that we should try to get deeper in the chantingproces. Now I wake up earlier in the morning and try to chant with more focus. This helps me and I feel more effect. What also did help me, was the book “the art of chanting”. If I did understand correctly, the names will bring realsitaions very indivdually. While I was always thinking that we all would get the same revalations?

Roman Urban

Hare Krishna dear Maharaja Kadamba Kannana Swami, slow Chanting and concerntrating on Love to Krishna in each holy Word makes a nice taste on the toungh.

In wish to see you soon again. Your servant Roman (living since one week in Munich Tempel now)

Bhakta Mauro

Todas las glorias al movimiento de sankirtan de Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!!!
Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!!
Por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias a sus pies de loto.
Este año se cumplen cuatro años que conozco a los devotos y los santos nombres del Señor.La verdad es una motivacion tan hermosa despertarme cada dia con la posibilidad de poder saborear el maha-mantra.Aunque estoy muy condicionado con las modalidades, sigo cantando , intentando no cometer ofenzas hacia los pies de loto del santo nombre.
Solo por la asociacion con personas santas, y devotos puros como usted, una entidad viviente condicionada como yo puede adquirir cualidades para desarrollar un canto apropiado en el santo nombre.
ÂżCuando se desarrollara un gusto verdadero en mi por cantar los santos nombres?
Si no obtengo las bendiciones de vaisnavas como usted, soy un inutil en el sendero del bhakti.
Con mis mejores deseos
El aspirante a sirviente de los vaisnavas
Bhakta Mauro(Rosario-Argentina)

Kadamba Kanana Swami

namabhase sarvastha haite santi paya
sakala asanka namabhasa dura haya

You go to the astrolger. O bad days have come tome, bad stars, eveil stars, evil planets,are all there in my horoscope. the astrologer says ,One very bad period has come , a bad planet rahu has come. very bad! You will die,you will die, you will die!Death is coming to you. Soon it is coming.But if you chant: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and if by chanting you attain the namabhasa stage, then all your prarabdha karma will be destroyed. This evil planet, evil graha,can not do any harm to you, no more death.

From Suddha nama by Gour Govinda Maharaja

Kadamba Kanana Swami

One who chants the pure name attains the platform of krsna prema. He attains Krsna. But the namabhasa stage is a dangerous stage, because all falldowns are from this namabhasa stage. This is the intermediate stage. The namabhasa stage is dangerous because if in this stage you commit aparadha and you associate with asadhus-those who are not sadhus-you will fall down.

Suddha Nama Bhajan by Gour Govinda Swami

Kadamba Kanana Swami

answer to Raimond

Q: What also did help me was th book “The Art of Chanting”. If I did understand correctly the names will bring realizations ,very individually. While I was always thinking that we would all get the same revelations.
A: The holy name is non different from Krsna. Everyone is having his own unique relationshsip in service with Krsna. There are five principle relationship with Krsna, namely madhurya(conjugal), vatsalya( parental),sakhya (friendship),dasya(servitorship), santa (neutrality), we have any of these five relationship in common with many others. But within these five rasas every individual has his own unique relationship with Krsna. Some gopis wave the camara, other gopis make tambula and again other gopis are messengers. In this way some reliazations we all have in common, realizing that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that we are his eternal servant,. but then everyone serves Krsna in his own unique way.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Dear Devotees,
Thank you so much for posting nice things on this Japa-Forum, we are gradually getting a very nice collection of quotes and I feel uplifted by your efforts.
Hare Krsna,

Your servant,

Kadamba Kanana Swami

yaduranidd

We chant with patience, it doesnt happen instantaneously

Rukmini dd

“It is one thing to have intellectual reasons to chant but if it is not comming frm the heart it is difficult. You want to feel like chanting. so how we come to this point that we feel like chanting is important. If we serve you devotees then you develop a taste for hearing and chanting.” Kadamba Kanana Swami Durban Sept 2008

Rukmini dd

“Chant And Be Happy!”
When we can HEAR the holy name the hearts immediately lighter.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

FROM SATSVARUPA MAHARAJA

I woke up at 1:30 A.M. and couldn’t get back to sleep. I slept peacefully for six and a half hours, so I figure it’s not so bad to get up at 1:30 or 2:00. I was chanting by 2:00 A.M. I made the obvious discovery that I like chant japa early in the morning. I can’t imagine going without it. Narayana came up. He had a lot to say. I was eager to get back to my chanting. Despite the early rising, I was wide awake and chanting a continuous string of mantras. I was chanting rapidly and hearing them clearly with devotion. I don’t like to overpraise the quality of my chanting, but it’s important to give myself credit where it’s due. When I slip too low in the performance, I get disappointed and lose enthusiasm. Today is a good day.

4:53 A.M.

Sixteen rounds done,
pin a medal on your chest.
It’s the bare minimum,
but your mind can rest.
You’ve paid your dues,
and there’s time for more.
This is the honest life.
A happy Hare feels at peace.
He’s accomplished his duty.
Krishna kindly gave him
time and attention,
and he broke through the finish line.
Now we must work more on the quality
beyond mere numerical counting.
Trace your heart with loving mantras
of the dearmost, Radha and Krishna.

Gopi dasa

“Don’t study the Rg Vedas. Don’t study the Yajur Veda. Don’t study anything of the Sama Veda. O my son, instead of the Vedas, always chant ‘O Govinda!’ Always chant the holy names of Lord Hari.”

Yadurani dd

From chanting comes more chanting…

Srila Prabhupada

Bhakta Chris

Chanting is the most munificent and effective method of realising Krishna and of attaining pure love for God. There is no other process that can both endear one to Krishna and develop love of God within the heart equally. One can realise that Krishna is the supreme Master, the supreme Friend, and the dearest Lord of all, by understanding the qualities of Krishna and to do that we should go on chanting forever.

Hare Krishna.

Please forgive this soul for putting forth his poorunderstanding of the Holy Names.

vasuman das

I opened the book” Art of chanting Hare Krsna “yesterday.The page was colled namabhasa.Seven benefits of Namabhasa
1.Annihilation of sinful reactions.
2.Liberation from the effects of Kali- yuga and material consciousness.
3.Freedom from fear and worries,experiance inner peace and contentment.
4.Protection fom influence of ghosts,demons,evil spirits and malefic planets.
5.Attainment of the four goals of life.
6.Boundless spiritual bliss.
7.Eternal residence in Vaikuntha is offered to the offensless chanter.
How good is to be on the level of namabhasa.But that is not everything There is a beter level Suddha -nama.How to rice from Namabhasa to Sudha-nama?…
to be continue

vasuman das

I continued to read.How to rise from Namabhasa to Suddha-Nama?
One should associate with pure devotees,and chant the holy name according to their instructions.This will bring a taste for suddha-bhakti.The name that appears on the tongue at that time will be suddha-nama.At the same time ,he should diligently give up the company of nama-aparadhis,because suddha-nama will not manifestif one remains in their association.
That was from me .I get inspired from these few lines .

Rukmini dd

“Chanting in the mood of a servant”

Thus we go before the Name, realising that somehow or other I am here as a servant and now in this process of chanting I’m offering my intention, my mental energy in the service of the Lord. I’m offering the tongue, the lips, all in pronouncing. I’m offering my heart, I’m offering my heart in this chanting. In dedication, and in this way I’m offering with each mantra, I’m totally offering myself, my whole being in glorification of the Lord. And that is the mood of the servant of the Holy Name. Knowing that independent from the Lord nothing can be done! Independent from the Lord, nothing can be acheived. Independent from the Lord, we are helpless. We cannot do anything knowing that very well, being there for completely open and praying for the mercy of the Lord. That is the mood of being a servant when chanting the holy name…

(HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 sep ’09, Durban, SA)

Yadurani dd

Ultimately all service we do must come back to the chanting of Hare Krsna…it is the essence of all service…

HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, July 2009

Sanna

“O son of Nanda, krishna, King of the country of love, I appeal for your afection. I am your servant. I feel deep within myself that I have some conection to you. I am subordinate to you, but somehow I am now in adverse circumtances. There are so many enemies within me trying to take me away from you. Therefore I cannot give my full atention to you and your name.”

This is from a book made by Sachinandana Swami; Nama Rahasya, The confidental Secrets of Chanting the Holy Name in perfection. This interpretation from Lord Chaitnyas fifth prayer touched me, most of the things and the way Sacinananda Swami is writing is very personal and touching. Since I opened this book I started a new journey of deeper understanding of chantig Maha Mantra. I open every day a new chapter of this small book and it feels like a steping closer to something what I have been looking for all my life.

Do you remember the inocence of the first Hare Krishna mantras you ever chanted? Why did you start anyways and what keeps you doing it day after day?

from the book:
“HARE- O Rahda, please capture my inner heart and deliver me from the bondage of material life.

KRISHNA- O Krishna please pull my heart to you.

HARE- O Radha, please steal my heart with your sweetness.

KRISHNA- O Krishna, purify my heart by giving me, trough your devotees, knowledge of how to worship you.

KRISHNA- O Krishna, please make me steady in devotion to your name, from, qualities, pastimes and such.

KRISHNA- O Krishna, please may I develop taste for you

HARE-O Radha, please make me qualified for serving you

HARE- O Radha, please show me how to serve you”

you have to read the rest by yourself.
hare Krishna and thank you for all your writings.
-SanSan

Rukmini dd

Because there is mundana sound in the morning and the evening, because we not making a serious, serious enough effort to associate with Krsna through transcedental sound, then we become weak, then the sambanda is weak

Paraphrased, Kadamba Kanana Swami,
Durban, Sept 09

Yadurani dd

Ignorance is still effecting our consciousness. We are chanting the name of Krsna as if it is coming from thick layers of fog. In our consciousness thick layers of fog are there and out of the fog the name is appearing. And what kind of names are we chanting? Simply broken names…
So therefore, meditation is our everything, meditation is what makes the difference…

Quote by Kadamba Kanana Swami, 4 Oct ’09, Durban

Krsna Kirtan Das (KKS)

Only if you rest early, can you wake up early.

Krsna Kirtan Das (KKS)

Here is a useful trick you all you budding chanters out there from Kadamba Kanana Swami:

1. On friday night turn your clock 1 hour forwards
2. Set your usual wake up time on the alarm
3. Thus you have gained an extra hour for saturday morning program – total 3 hours for chanting = 24 rounds
4. On saturday night turn your clock again 1 hour forwards
5. Set your usual wake up time on the alarm
6. Thus you have gained an extra 2 hours for sunday morning program – total 4 hours for chanting = 32 rounds (or more depending on your speed)
7. Now return your clock back to normal time or else you will arrive to work 2 hours early, which may make you seem too keen 🙂

Now guys, go ahead and just try it out. We are waiting for your responces …

Krsna Kirtan Das (KKS)

Here is something really fun on chanting:

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR KIRTANA
IN THE ISKCON RELIGION

1. Thou shalt chant as many tunes as thou canst think of.

2. Thou shalt not chant any one tune for more than three minutes.

3. Thou shalt not chant the morning tune in the morning. Or if thou start with it thou shalt quickly switch to something else.

4. Thou shalt start fast, speed up, speed up more, then stop and start all over again. The more times the better.

5. If thou art the mrdanga player, thou shalt always set the pace, following whatever mechanical pattern thou art used to, and let the singer follow thee or go to hell.

6. Thou shalt always chant “Jaya Prabhupada,” “Jaya Gurudeva,” “Jaya Gaura-Nitai,” “Jaya the names of all the Deities in thy temple (and then some),” and as many other “Jayas” as thou canst think of. Thou shalt never end a kirtana without those “Jayas.”

7. Thou shalt always add “Jaya Radhe” to the kirtana. (And if thou canst vary it with “Jaya Sri Radhe,” so much the better.)

8. Thou shalt not allow the Hare Krsna mantra to take up more than ten percent of the kirtana. And heaven forbid thou shouldest chant it all the way through.

9. If thou art Indian, thou shalt try to sound like a professional bhajan singer. If thou art not Indian, thou shalt try to sound like an Indian devotee imitating one.

10. Thou shalt forget about the way Srila Prabhupada led kirtana.

Krsna Kirtan Das (KKS)

All that we do must be done with attentiveness. Inattentive chanting leads to inattentive service, which can cause faults in the construction of our sacred space/temple.

(Extract from the upcoming book of Kadamba Kanana Swami ‘Vishram Mandir’)

Krsna Kirtan Das (KKS)

I am currently traveling with Kadamba Kanana Swami. Now we are in South Africa. Recently whilst in Radha-Radhanath temple in Durban i was chanting some nice rounds in the temple grounds. I was trying my best to hear and also to mediate on Krsna in Vrindavan.

On my way to my room i suddenly heard the sweet sound of a flute. I was not sure, and so i tried to listen more attentively. From the corner of my eye i could see a figure behind a palm tree playing the flute. He was blackish with a bamboo flute.

All of a sudden i had a thought in my head – “Maybe i have done it. Finally i have the darshan of Krsna, the sweetest cowherd boy, the crown jewel of Vrindavan, who encaptires the heart of all buy the sound of his flute”. I thought it was Krsna playing the flute. As i slowly but eagerly approached the tree, i was hoping for the perfection of life – darshan of Krnsa.

Then all of a sudden it see him. No not Krsna, but only bhakta Rajan. I could not believe it. Talk about an anti-climax. He is also nice devotee but not my Kisore. I was so embarrased in my mind. I could not believe how big my ego was to think that after only a few years of chanting Hare Krsna (mainly inattentively), that i was qualified to see the supreme personality of Godhead.

Just see how puffed up one can become by chanting a few nice rounds. But this is not enough to achieve the full darshan of Krsna. Oh NO! We need a pure heart, we must have no material desires, we must serve Him with an unalloyed and unmotivated mood of service to please Him, and Him only.

So i share this true story with you all for a few reasons:
1. Maharaj loved it and laughed so much
2. It makes me laugh even today
3. This shows how we must not get carried away by our chanting, but just keep on chanting with humility and let the darshan of Krsna come naturally – not by bhakta Rajan!!!

Hope you enjoyed the lila

Check out this youtube video of the flute player

Tamalini dd

One of our problems is that we are not hearing from the scriptures, we must make an endeavor to read everyday. Hearing is essential to add depth to our chanting.

From a lecture by H.H.Kadamba Kanana Swami delivered on 29-09-’09 in Cape Town SA.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

I went to the forest with Markandeya, it was nice and peaceful. The wind was cold and all the leaves on the trees are turning yellow, red and brown and slowly falling off, autumn is setting in, but the sun was shining. We took a long walk and just chanted and chanted, it was nice to have a peaceful time with the holy name.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

While chanting my Kartika rounds, I went before Krsna in the form of His name. What am I bringing Him as an offering? All I have is the state of my heart. What am I bringing Him? My frustrations of the material world? No, I can not bother Krsna with such things, better I let go and simply go before Him and beg Him to allow me to do some service…. hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare…..

Vasudeva dasa

I am currently serving in New York. Srila Prabhupada said about New York that everything is ugra-karma – everything is ferocious. I often experience my japa as an intense fight against this ferocious material atmosphere.

But it is a good fight. My japa is my only access to the spritual energy. Without receiving nourishment and inspiration from the spiritual energy, I’ll be lost, wiped away.

From Japa Refrom, SDG:

There is no “secret” to japa; it is a struggle. There is no easy shortcut. The secret is to surrender to the struggle. pg 27

I like that quote because sometimes we become tired of the struggle. But if we can be grateful and surrender to the struggle, to purify our hearts, we find some inspiration.

Sometimes we become tired of the struggle, and at that time we can become very discouraged, even over a longer period of time. Negativity and darkness fill our mind, and we become very vulnerable to maya. At that time I have found of immeasurable value to turn to an advanced devotee you can trust, who can shine some light in the darkness of your mind and encourage you.

Krishna das Kaviraja writes this beautful verse:
durgame pathi me ‘ndhasya
skhalat-pada-gater muhuḥ
sva-kṛpa-yaṣṭi-danena
santaḥ santv avalambanam

My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again and again. Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of their mercy as my support.

Cc. Antya 1.2

Markandeya dasa

When I want to realize the Holy Name as my master, I have to have the desire, to satisfy him. To do so, at first I have to find out what he wants me to do. Therefore I have to attentively listen to him.

Thank you so much for the “Japa Talks”, its even bether then “simply wonderfull” 😉
Your servant Markandeya dasa

Sanna

“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw on the street” -Says Sri Caitnaya Mahaprabhu.

For me it is very hard to be humble and I would like to share some thoughts about it.
Sometimes I just can not pretend to be humble.
Should I pretend?
The real humbleness is honesty.

But maybe acting of being humble, can train persons nature in to the direction that she/he can one day be truly humble.
Acting as you would be humble makes you humble.
Serving others for example, being nice or listen others wise words and advices.

In another hand in the communities where humbleness is highly appreciated and you get recognition from being humble, This can be tricky. I have noticed that being humble can feed my false ego.
Sometimes I find myself of being proud of how humble I am. I say to myself: “I must be very advanced”. Or I give glory to my “humbleness”: I’m the most fallen, I’m worth of nothing and actually I’m not good at anything etc… When this becomes as reality of the mind, it affects to my self confidence.
Soon I don’t dare to say or do anything. I don’t want to act as I would be proud or I really believe that nothing good comes out from me…it is better to disappear.

Being a Servant of the Servant of the Servant is nothing to be proud of and at the same time this is the highest position what can be reached in ones life.
Maybe if one remembers to put Krishna in the centre of hes/her activities… “me, myself and I” will stay behind. It’s my own attachment to myself (aham kara) false ego what is on the way when I try to be humble. So real identity behind “me, myself and I” could it be called as “Oh Krishna, I’m at your service , how I can please you”……

Yadurani dd

Always chanting doesnt mean all day chanting our 16 rounds. But it means that everything we say or do must be replaced with chanting…

Paraphrased, HG Mahadyuti Prabhu (ACBSP)

Krishna-kripa das

From Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami’s journal, #238:

Please protect me from committing sins, especially trying to counteract them by using the holy names. It is a most offensive type of chanting, and I do not want to be guilty of it. By this offense, I see that nama-bhajana is not performed only in the few hours in which one is actually uttering the names, but it is an ethical commitment to all our behavior through all times. The dedication to the life of chanting is therefore an all-around commitment, and it is effective only if one lives a life of saintly behavior.

Rukmini dd

EcSTATIC!

“What else do ht the we bring in our heart before Krsna? So many things. Our anger, our greed, our lust, ah so many things. These are all the things that come from friction with material energy. Just like static electricity. If you walk with your nylon socks on the nylon carpet and suddenly you touch..Whoa! It also happens in the x-ray machines at the airport when the computer goes through, mine is a aluminium, and then it comes out of the thing and I touch it, bang, get a shock! In the last month it happened twice now, and quite a shock actually. Not just a mild one but really, whack! So static electricity. We all have experience with it, with static electricity. So this our interaction with the material energy, it creates static electricity, a charge within the heart. Different kinds of electric charges. But our heart becomes electrified with different things we carry with us and then we go before Krsna and then we’re there and then its difficult, difficult to really appreciate where we are. Then we miss the darshan. Then we are not able to see…

Comment:
Maharaja is always mentioning the two aspects in chanting, the offering and the darshan. I always thought “the darshan” was a bit over my head. Now I know why!

Rukmini dd

The Meeting with Krsna…

“We are going to meet Krsna. Chanting is that we can put a sign, “Do not disturb, very important meeting with Krsna.” Big sign. It’s the meeting with Krsna. So He appears in the form of His name and we go before Him, but what do we bring in our heart? So I brought some frustration. I realized when I came before Krsna, No! I said, “Now I have to just let this go. I have to rise above whatever the… Even if it is unjust even if it should not be. Even really if its not fair. I shouldn’t care. I should not even care about what is not fair, I should let go because I cannot be before Krsna with frustration in my heart.”

Lecture by Kadamba Kanana Swami, Durban, Sept 06 2009

Rukmini dd

Inspiration For The Final Moments

“The Kartik rounds are nice rounds because these are the extra rounds, the rounds we are not obligated by contract. The ones that you didn’t promise before the holy fire and the Supreme Lord, the dieties and all the vaisnavas and all the demigods and the earth and the moon and the sun and the sky and the supersoul and all the other witnesses, and the night and the day and the ten directions and all the other witnesses, that promise. No the Kartika rounds are rounds…they’re extra, then especially we are going before Krsna, we are going to meet Krsna.”

Annie

I am finally getting a taste for chanting because I now have a face and a voice, and the meeting with Krsna has become more real. Hare Krsna!

Kadamba Kanana Swami

The month of Kartika is over now. I’ve made an endeavor in chanting by fixing an extra quota of rounds for the month. In the first week the chanting went well and I was thinking during the chanting that i was going before Krsna and that I didn’t want to offer Him any frustration about the material world. So I detached from all concerns pertaining to this world during my chanting and just tried to make my offering to Krsna nicely and purely, Then came a period of strugglle, there were so many other things to do, such as travel , meetings and preaching programs and finally also I became ill for some days with a frozen shoulder which was very painful. During that time the chanting was a great struggle. I took it that Krsna wanted me to show determination. At the end of the month I completed my quota. Just like mother Yasoda I have tried to catch and tie up Krsna, but my rope is still two fingers short, but I hope that Krsna is a little satisfied with me. I will keep on trying.

batu gopala dasa

its best to chant with the devotees in the temple in the morning, so much power the holy name has on us when we chant together. there are devotees to help us not to fall asleep, and at that time there is nothing so important to discuss….. i love to chant duting the japa time now-a-days as i am on this mission to not let anything come in my way during chanting with the devotees…those who face problems in chanting must chant together with other (6-10)devotees, i gurantee it will change the whole way u look at japa…..

batu gopala dasa

“..only when you try to chant attentive and quality rounds do you come to know how far away you are from good japa…” HH Radhanath Swami in a lecture.

batu gopala dasa

“the agricultural-Spray japa”
in pune we used to sit and chant in circles all 80-90 of us… in different circles and almost all the circles had an agricultural spray pump, funny enough for you’ll but it was so helpful. whoever used to start dosing he used the spray to get refreshed. and sure enough for the next 30-45 mins he will not fall asleep. this agricultural spray pump was very helpful as none of us could leave the association of the devotees saying, “i need to go wash my face as i am falling asleep.” no, chanting in the association of devotees was the emphasis by all the devotees. that really helped, then i left india and now i feel the pangs of god japa, never have i chanted a good round in this 1,1/2year. now i am trying to continue it here in pretoria. nice vaishnavas chant japa so i chant with them, day before i used the agricultural spray….
the agricultural spray- vancha kalpa taru…….everything can be used in the service of Krishna…

Rukmini dd

How much is lost!
In the association of the divine
I retreat into my small mind
and miss whats valued most

Rukmini dd

One kind devotee was speaking to me about the different “modes” of chanting japa. Specifically he was refering to the “Achiever Mode” and the “Reciever Mode”. He said chanting in the achiever mode is like holding a tight fist….how long can one last like that? Yet chanting in the reciever mode is more relaxed, gentle…like bathing in the mercy of the Lord.

It seems like alot of things and not just japa can fall prey to the “Achiever Mode”.

Yet how can one schooled in the discpline of the “Achiever Mode” learn to chant in the “Reciever Mode”?

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Just for clarification, when I speak of two aspects in chanting: The Offering and the Darsana.
-The OFFERING includes, our endeavor, attentive chanting, clear pronunciation, synchronizing the beads with the mantra and not skipping beads, chanting in a suitable place, after sufficient rest, in good association, trying to avoid the 10 offenses.
-The DARSANA includes hearing, appreciating that the name is Krsna,remembering while chanting that we are with Krsna face to face. This is even part of the practice of the beginner, thus the darsana element is not just for the advanced. Of course the advanced may have darsana on a deeper and more complete levels, but everyone gets the darsana of the lord while chanting, that is His kind mercy

Manasi ganga dasi

In the early Mayapur mornings in the company of Srimati Tulasi and four well-wishing Vaisnavas in their samadhi mandirs, I pray for their blessings and whatever help they can give me to hear and chant with humility and attention.

Krsna is all around me, especially in this Dham, so it is ironic that as I chant that I am still searching for Him with difficulty, not realising His presence as sound vibration. My distracted consciousness is like a vast Krna-less wilderness.

Patience, remorse, the desire to fulfill the hopes of my dear superiors, a slowly-forming appreciation of this precious opportunity to meet Krsna in His names… somehow feeling these things I keep chanting and pray for mercy- in particular, the mercy of quality japa: japa with taste, japa with an attitude of service, japa with at least a drop of affection for the Lord. Not too many prayers, though. I need to hear.

saurabh

hare krsna maharaj!
please accept my humble obiesanses, all glories to srila Prabhupada, youself and your mercy!!
what can we tell people when they say they are very happy to read the books and take interest like that but are not willing to take to chanting. “if krsna wants he will get me to chant”?
i’ve tried telling him that jnana only becomes vijnana when you chant the holy name. its something like putting a puzzle together, jnana is all the peices and by chanting they come in place making a beautiful picture.its is the basis of everything we do, the recomendation for this kali yuga….etc
thank you for your time hope is pleasing to you!

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Dear Saurabh,

yes I liked what you said.

The jnani is trying to figure out the puzzle of reality, but to one who chants hare krsna, Krsna will reveal Himself.

hare krsna

Ragalekha

Maharaj made a nice comment in his class on Bhakti Siddhanta’s Disappearance day, at Lenasia Ratha Yatra. He was quoting Srila Prabhupada who said: The ocean is so still because it’s so deep!

What a profound statement… to find peace in our mind/lives, we must go deeper into our chanting.

Markandeya dasa

All the worries in the past and all the plans for the futur does not realy exist, have no value, the only real and valuable thing is NOW! And the most important thing now is to have a connection with the Lord, because he can solf all problems and fulfill all desires. To create this connection I have to pray to the Lord. And from all the prayers the Maha-Mantra is the topmost! So please, my dear mind, concentrate now only on the Holy Name of the Lord!!!

Rukminidd

On one day of a Japa Retreat in the Drakensburg Mountains in South Africa devotees atempted chanting 64 rounds. During the realizations afterward HH Giriraj Swami commented:

At one point my mind spoke up and said: “I dont like this at all. I dont like what you are doing. And when all of this is done you’re going to hear my voice.” but I didnt listen because it was a voice that could not sway me, like a relationship I had left long ago and therefore had no hold on me.

(paraphrased, Giriraja Swami, Japa Retreat, Dec 2009)

I thought it was interesting how its possible for the mind to no longer have a hold on a devotee if we just choose not to listen.

Yadurani dd

Japa is our time with Krsna…we shouldn’t hurry with it

(HH Giriraja Swami, Japa Retreat 2009)

Rukminidd

Perfect Questions…

“How does one change from chanting in the achiever mode to the reciever mode?”

And Perfect Answers…

“The Holy Name knows better what we need
We can’t didctate to its mercy, only be in the mood to recieve with an open heart.”

(Paraphrased, Giriraj Swami, Japa Retreat Dec 2009)

“Just trying to be attentive will sort the “modes” out.”

(paraphrased, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Japa Retreat, Dec 2009)

“Act as if everything depends on you but pray knowing that deprends on Krsna.”

(Mother Arcana Siddhi, Japa Retreat, Dec 2009)

Rukminidd

A devotee’s realization….

“Everything We Ever Need To Survive Is In The Sixteen Words of The Mahamantra.”

Japa Reteat, Dec 2009

Yadurani dd

When chanting focus on the present mantra; not the previous or the next mantra…just one mantra

(paraphrased, devotee’s realization at japa Retreat 2009)

Yadurani dd

The beginning of reviving our relationship with Krsna is to chant with attention…

Attentive japa means going deeper and deeper…

(HH Giriraja Swami, Japa Retreat 2009)

Rukmini dd

You have to have the heart of a devotee to chant. It takes an openess to our own state, where we actually are.

When you chant, it’s just you, the Holy Name and the mind. And then you see what’s in your mind…

(HH Giriraja Swami, Japa Retreat 2009)

Mayapur Chandradoya dasa

grhe thako vane thako sada hari bole dako, sukhe duhkhe bole nako vadane hari nam koro re..”Whether you are a householder or a sannyasi, constantly chant ” Hari, Hari!” Do not forget this chanting, whether you are in a happy condition or a disstresful one. Just fill your lips with hari nama.” (Sri Nama, Gitavali, Bhaktivinod Thakur)

Rukmini dd

“The Holy Name is Krsna. It has all the qulities of Krsna. Chanting the Holy Name means investing in our relationship with Krsna.

Spending time chanting means speanding time with Krsna.”

Giriraj Swami, South Africa, Dec 27th 2008

Rukminidd

“Krsna is like fire and you can associate wih Krsna by chanting Krsna’s name in a humble mood”

Jayadvaita Swami, Mayapur, Dec 2008

Pieter Franciscus

Pranama aan u ik doe bijna elke dag Harinama, in de stad, nu tel ik vaak de manta’s is dit gelijk aan 10000 meer wat Haridasa Thakura beschrijft, en ook telt dit als rondes? Bij voorbaat dank Haribol

Rukmini dd

“When you actually make the eort to be attentive then Krsna will reciprocate, immediately and then it’s never boring, it’s an adeventure…”

Giriraj Swami, Japa Retreat, South Africa, Dec 2009

Rukmini dd

“Everything that we need is in this mahamantra. This mahamantra will reveal every thing to us. This mahamantra will take us to the spiritual world. This mahamantra will restore our relationship with Krsna.”

Bhakti Charu Swami, Durban, 10 Jan 2010

Yadurani dd

If we just hear,fully hear,divorcing everything else around us, we will experience something very wonderful and satisfying in the heart…

Rukmini dd

I heard chanting being described as entering a temple with 5 gates leading inward.
Gate 1: The Environment – creating a sacred space
Gate 2: The Body – posture and pronunciation
Gate 3: The mind – actually hearing and focusing on the mantra
Gate 4: The heart – The condition of the heart and being open to recieve the mercy of the name.

These gates all have locks on the outside implying we have the ability to open them.

Gate 5: Mercy

This gate leads to the inner sactum, the darshan of Krsna but it is locked from the inside, only mercy can afford us entrance.

Just some food for thought…

Japa Retreat, South Africa, Dec 2009

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Namacarya Haridasa Thakura was absorbed in nirantara krsna nama sankirtana, chanting the holy name incessantly.We do not have that level of love for Krsna, to always chant His name. So we also need other engagement in devotional service. So the quality of our chanting will come back in the quality of our service and the quality of our service comes back in our chanting. When we regularly do some nice service for Krsna, then gradually our whole experience of chanting will change, our life will change, our service will increase in quality and quantity, and we will come to the inspired stage of chanting.

kadamba Kanana Swami

Answer to Pieter Franciscus,
(He asked in dutch if the chanting of hari nama in the street was the same as chanting rounds)
The chanting of hari nama in the streets is very wonderful! Such chanting is benedicting every living being that hears it including the chanter himself. Naturally one develops spontaneous attraction for such chanting, but at other times the old material desires return to the forefront. If additionally to hari nama, we engage in regular chanting of a fixed number of rounds of japa on beads, then that will give us strength to conquer the restless mind and we will become fixed in devotional service in practce. If we carry on faithfully,then one day we will develop Love of God.

Krishna Kirtan Das

If only i had enough faith that the Holy Name was Sri Sri Radha Krsna themsleves, i would also desire thousands of ears and tongues like Srila Rupa Goswami. This faith can and has developed from both sadhana (practice) and Vaishnava Krpa (mercy from the devotees).

krishna Kirtan Das

Pronounciation:

According to the Sanskrit, the letter m is pronounced as ‘ma’ whereas in English it is pronounced as ‘m’. Thus the Sanskrit word “rama’ is pronounced as “ra-ma’ and not ‘ram’. The scriptures reveal that the Mahamantra is a 32 syllable mantra. If we were to chant ‘rama’ as ‘ram’ then it would only be 28 syllables, meaning that we are not even doing the actual yuga-dharma!!! Also for further evidence listen to Srila Prabhupada’s kirtans of the Mahamantra wherein he chants the word as ‘rama’ (note: not ‘ramo’). So please engage in the yuga-dharma of Sri Harinama Sankirtan with the 32 syllabled Mahamantra, pronouncing ‘rama’ as it appears.

Extracted from HH Giriraj Swami’s Japa Retreat (London 16.01.10)

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Today I am thinking about faithful chanting of sixteen rounds. Not every day is a japa retreat,where we are free to direct all our energy towards the chanting of the holy name. Some days are busy days, when there is no time or when we are tired. I came yesterday on a 24 hour journey from Africa, today my bones want to rest, but I chanted 12 rounds in the morning and saved 4 for during the day,-normally I chant 16 in one stretch in the morning- but today the body also needs something, but I am stlll going to chant my sixteen rounds faithfully.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Once,Prabhupada was lecturing from his big vyasasana in the new temple room in Los Angeles. at the end of his lecture Prabhupada said,So, if you will just follow these four regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds then you will go back to home, back to Godhead. I guarantee it.He paused and looked around at all of us. Then he said again, I guarantee it!
Dina Bandhu, Memories Vol 2

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Chanting Krsna’s names brings a devotee in Krsna’s association and under His protection
“Unveiling His Lotus Feet”, Bhurijana dasa.

bhakta Raimond

O king, there are no rules governing the time and place wherein the holy name of Vishnu can be chanted. Of this there can be no doubt. Charity and sacrafice are governed by various rules regarding time and place, as are the taking of one’s bath and the silent uttering of different mantras. But the holy name of Visnu can be chanted in sankirtana at any time in any place on earth.(Hari-bhakti-vilasa 11.412)

Bhakta Clemens

dear vaishnavas! here is a list that I compiled to improve my chanting. although ultimately the consciousness is what really matters (“crying out like a child for his mother” as Prabhupada says), still some external arrangements may help to realize that:
– just concentrate on the very next bead
– try to use your full deep breath for chanting (helps to provide lots of oxygen for the body not to doze off)
– if you are in a mood of sparring with your mind, try that one: every time you didn’t hear the full mantra with attention: move back to that bead and chant again! needs lots of determination… but hey! after all: it’s nothing less than the YUGA-DHARMA right?! 🙂
– chant with emphasis (not necessarily loud…) in contrast to a casual “couldn’t care less” kind of voice

some thoughts (if I realize it or not…)
“Basically you are as good as your chanting” (Devamrita Maharaja)He was talking about how everything in our lives should be an expansion of our chanting.
Chanting is actually pleasing to Krishna. why? simply because He says so (BG 10.25 “…Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names…”). Our material calculations just don’t apply and it’s impersonal to think otherwise.
there is a wonderful taste in chanting and in one respect it is actually a waste of time not to be able to relish it while trying to somehow or other get through the 16 rounds to be able to move on with the “serious” matters of life. Think like this: While I’m already at it, I might as well get a taste!

Maharaja, thank you very much for this platform and your inspiration!
Your lowly servant

Bhakta Clemens

One of my favorites:
“Your mind is a non-devotee” (Vijay Prabhu)
…so you shouldn’t hang out with it, especially during Japa time! 🙂

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Thanks Clemens,Raimond,Krishna Kirtan, Rukmini,Yadurani,Pieter, Mayapur Chandradoya and everyone else for your contributions on this forum. I think in the end we’ll get a valuable collection of quotes on chanting the holy name.
Your servant,
Kadamba Kanana Swami

Kadamba Kanana Swami

We should understand that the loud calling out of Sri Krsna’s names is bhakti.
By Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, posted on his Appearance day, Feb 3, 2010

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Thank you for being always there,Krsna! Whenever, wherever I chant Your name, You are immediately personally present! Who in the world is so easily available? Thank You for Your kind mercy upon a fallen soul,like me.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Krsna’s transcendental treasure house is filled with so much amazing wealth. Just like the Bhagavad Gita which gives us eternity in verses such na tv’eva ‘ham jatu nasam, never was there a time that I did not exist,nor you,nor all these kings. Or Krsna sets free from entanglement due to foolish actions,He say, yad karosi yad asnasi whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever sacrifice, whatever austerity you perform, do it all as an offering to me. Krsna’s treasure house is filled with unlimited wealth, but the most precious jewel of all is the chanting of the hare krsna mahamantra.

Yadurani dd

Even before one’s chanting of the holy name is pure, one is freed from all sinful reactions and when he chants purely he becomes a lover of Krsna…

(Bhag. 5.24.20, purport)

Yadurani dd

Even if he be distressed or degraded, any person who chants the holy name of the Lord, having heard it from a bona fide spiritual master, is immediatly purified. Even if he chants the Lord’s name jokingly or by chance, he and anyone who hears him are freed from all sins. Therefore how can one seeking disentanglement from the material clutches avoid chanting the name of Lord Sesa? Of whom else should one take shelter? (Bhag. 5.25.11)

Adi Kesava Das

O Mahaprabhu, please be merciful to me so that the 10 offences never touch my heart, and I can always remain absorbed in the rasa of the Holy Name – Harinama Cintamani 13.59

Rukmini dd

“To Really Chant The Holy Name One Has To Be Humble.”

Giriraj Swami, Japa Retreat 2009

Raimond

nitya-siddha krsna-prema ‘sadhya’kabhu naya
sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya

Pure love for Krishna is eternally established in the hearts of living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, the living entity naturally awakens.
(Cc.Madhya-lila Ch.22 text 109)

Rukmini dd

Early one morning Srila Prabhupada awoke suddenly. ” I had a dream,” he said to the devotees attending him. “There was a big assembly of drunkards and chanters. The drunkards were madmen. Some of the drunkards were becoming chanters. They cannot stop fighting. The drunkards were so crazy.”
“Where you there also?” asked Tamal Krsna
“Yes, I was standing there also.”
“Were some of the chanters becoming drunkards?”
“Chanters cannot fall down,” said Srila Prabhupada. “Their names are listed – back home, back to Godhead. They are in Krsna’s family.”
Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta, CH8: ” I have done my part”, pg 333

Vibhu Caitanya Das

The cause of and cure for sickness:

All our ailments are due to the external body. Although we have to suffer some time from bodily inconveniences specially in the old age, still if we are God conscious, we shall not feel the pangs. The best thing is therefore to chant the holy Name of the Lord constantly.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Mr. Dambergs (senior) — New York 12
April, 1967

Rukmini dd

“Watered with nectar a stone will never sprout a single blade of grass, carefully stretched out a dog’s tail will never become straight, a man will reach out his arms as much as he likes but he will never grasp the moon, a man may follow all the rituals of ordinary religion but without the mercy of Lord Caitanya he will never attain the festival of ecstatic love for Lord Krsna”

So we must go for that mercy. Of course that mercy is found in chanting the holy name. I mentioned yesterday on this point also that we must become active…. Its not just about one’s consciousness its abot what we do. We must do it. We must apply ourselves to chanting. And this is how we judge: Those who really, seriously chant they are the ones that are going to penetrate, they are going to enter to that other domain which is now invisible to us, the ecstatic festival of Lord Gouranga

Kadamba Kanana Swami
Cape Town, January 2010

Yadurani dd

Why is the holy name “the” process? Why is it attracting Krsna more than any other devotional service? Why is it singled out as “the” specific devotion?

…Because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said so!

(Kadamba Kanana Swami,”Expanding the mercy in all directions”)

Raimond

bhakti vina mukti nahe, bhagavate kaya
kali-kale namabhase sukhe mukti haya

In this age of Kali, one cannot attain liberation without taking to the devotional service of the Lord. In this age, even if one does not chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly, he still attains liberation very easily.
(Cc. Madhya-lila Ch.25 text 30)

Krishna-kripa das

We should chant japa loud enough to hear ourselves but soft enough so other people can hear themselves. [from a Japa Seminar by Rohini Kumara Prabhu in Gainesville]

Kadamba Kanana Swami

O Holy Name, You are manifest in two forms: 1. the Supreme Person described by the Holy Name, and 2. the sound vibration of the Holy Name. We know that the second form is more merciful than the first. Even a person who commits many offenses to the first form, may become always plunged into an ocean of bliss by serving the second with his voice.

Namastaka vs. 3, Srila Rupa Gosvami

Kadamba Kanana Swami

“Regarding your first question, is it offensive to think of
Krishna’s Pastimes while chanting, I think you should know that it is not offensive, but rather it is required. One must try for the point when he simply hears Krishna and immediately all of Krishna, His Pastimes, His Form, His Quality, are in his thoughts. So to always be immersed in thoughts of Krishna this is our process. When we are full in Krishna then where there can be any chance for maya in us? So this is our duty to remember Krishna’s Pastimes. One who cannot remember Krishna, let him always hear Hare Krishna and then when he has perfected this art, then always he will remember Krishna, His Activities, His Qualities, etc.” (Srila Prabhupada in a Letter to Sivananda das)

Anisha

It is stated in The Nectar of Devotion that “Krsna is so kind and favourable that if a servitor is accused even of great offenses, Krsna does not take this into consideration. He simply considers the service that is rendered by the devotee” and that “Krsna is the protector of all surrendered souls. Some enemy of Krsna was enlivened with the thought that he needn’t fear Krsna because if he simply surrendered unto Him, Krsna, would give him all protection.” I think these are nice qualities of Krsna to remember while chanting.

yudhisthira das

today, in a free moment at work,i was going through the newest editions to the photogallery. even tough im not there, i like to see where gurudev is and what he is doing. in this way i use my imagination wondering who all the devotees are, what the mrdanga sounds like in kirtan etc.. there was one picture in particular that struck me today. it was a picture of the face of a devotee, a woman, in africa. she had a HUGE smile, really huge. at once i also smiled, as a result of her smile. and i though of something gurudev once said to me: “just try to be a good person. that will be very attractive. actually its preaching.” just seeing the devotees (especially in a kritan or harinama) is such a treat. as a devotee one becomes inspired, and any other person cannot help but to become enlivened. one becomes happy. how powerfull is krishnas holy names? it sort of dawned on me, sitting in the clinique: to spread this chanting is so important! hare krishna

Vibhu Caitanya Das

BG 3.1 PURPORT

Sometimes Krsna consciousness is misunderstood to be inertia, and one with such a misunderstanding often withdraws to a secluded place to become fully Krsna conscious by chanting the holy name of Krsna. But without being trained in the philosophy of Krsna consciousness it is not advisable to chant the holy name of Krsna in a secluded place, where one may acquire only adoration from the innocent public.

anisha

From The Nectar of Devotion

“Although Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is therefore not partial to anyone, it is stated in Bhagavad-gita that He has special attraction for a devotee who worships His Name in love and affection.”

anisha

From The Nectar of Devotion

“Although Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is therefore not partial to anyone, it is stated in Bhagavad-gita that He has special attraction for a devotee who worships His Name in love and affection.”

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Those who are advance and highly qualified and interested in the essence of life, know the good qualities of Kali-yuga. such people worship teh age of Kali because in this age. simply by chanting teh Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one can advance in spiritual knowledge and attain life’s goal
SB.11.5.36

Raimond

amhah samharad akhilam sakrd
udayad eva skala-lokasya
taranir iva timira-jaladhim
jayati jagan-mangalam harer nama

As the rising sun immediately dissipates all the world’s darkness, which is deep like an ocean, so the holy name of the lord, if chanted once without offenses, can dissipate all the reactions of a living being’s sinful life. All glories to that holy name of the Lord, which is auspicious for the entire world.

Raimond

text below is from:
Antya-lila Ch.3 text 183

Krishna Kirtan Das

Please everyone read purport of SB 2.1.11: about chanting Holy Name. Here is a taster:

“Hearing of the holy name gradually promotes one to the stage of hearing about His form, about His attributes, His pastimes and so on, and thus the necessity of the chanting of His glories develops successively. ”

Krishna Kirtan Das

Again SB 2.1.11:

“The seventh offense is to commit sins intentionally on the strength of the holy name. In the scriptures it is said that one can be liberated from the effects of all sinful actions simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who takes advantage of this transcendental method and continues to commit sins on the expectation of neutralizing the effects of sins by chanting the holy name of the Lord is the greatest offender at the feet of the holy name. Such an offender cannot purify himself by any recommended method of purification. In other words, one may be a sinful man before chanting the holy name of the Lord, but after taking shelter in the holy name of the Lord and becoming immune, one should strictly restrain oneself from committing sinful acts with a hope that his method of chanting the holy name will give him protection. ”

anisha

From “Krsna Consciousness, The Topmost Yoga System” by Swami Prabhupada

“Just as a creeper grows and grows and grows and at last attaches itself to something and then expands, when the devotional plant gets to the lotus feet of Krsna, it expands. As soon as this Krsna Consciousness creeper captures Krsna’s lotus feet, it takes shelter. ‘Thetre. Now I have finished my journey. Let me expand here.” To expand means to enjoy Krsna’s association. There the devotees are satisfied.
That creeper has to go on, and thus those who are already in krsna Consciousness, if they have their natural growth, relish the fruit of that creeper even in this life.
If you continue this hearing and chanting process, you will grow and grow and actually reach Krsna’s lotus feet and there relish His association.’

Rukminidd

“Wherever there is glorification of Krsna wonderful things happen.”

Srila Jayadvaita Swami
Thurs, March 4th, Durban South Africa

Rukminidd

“Never underestimate the power of the holy name”

Srila Jayadvaita Swami
Sunday, March 7th, Durban South Africa

Yadurani dd

The whole truth is summarised in the maha-mantra: The Supreme Lord Krsna is all-attractive; Hare- the service that attracts Him and Rama- then we become happy!

Notes from Kadamba Kanana Swami, Australia

anisha

From “The Nectar of Devotion”, speaking of a statement by Krsna in the Adi Purana.
While addressing Arjuna He says, “Anyone who is engaged in chanting My transcendental name must be considered to be always associating with Me. And I may tell you frankly that for such a devotee I become easily purchased.”

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Nectar of Instruction.TX 5 Purport… Everone begins his devotional life from the neophyte stage,but if one properly finishes chanting the prescribed number of rounds of hari nama,he is elevated step by step to the higghest platform,uttama adhikari.

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Chanting the Holy Name is cruscial.

HH Jayadvaita Swami Talk on NOI
Durban 13 March 2010

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Externally cleanse yourself with soap and water and internally cleanse yourself by chanting Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Srila Jayadvaita Swami New Jagabath Puri,South Africa 14.03.10

Keegan

Q. How does one acquire taste for chanting?
Jayadvaita Swami: By avoiding the 10 offenses….Maharaj quotes all the offenses to the Holy Name and says at the end that from all the offenses,being inattentive is the worse offense..14.03.2010 NJP South Africa

Yadurani dd

The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Krsna are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidya (ignorance) cannot taste anything sweet, it is wonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names everyday, a natural relish awakens within his tongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the root.

Nectar of Instruction, text 7

Raimond

“If one is forced, resistance builds up. If there is taste, it is easy, and you do not want to stop.”
(from krishnamonk.blogspot.com)

Raimond

“The sixteen words-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-are especially meant for counteracting the contaminations of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali, there is no alternative but the chanting of these sixteen words.” (Kalisantarana Upanisad)

Rukmini dd

“Simply by chanting Your holy name one can surpass all obstacles”

SB: 4.7.47

Raimond

khaite suite yatha tatha nama laya
kala-desa-niyama nahi, sarva siddhi haya

Regardless of time or place,one who chants the holy name, even while eating or sleeping, attains all perfection.
(CC. Antya-lila ch.20 text 18)

Kadamba Kanana Swami

I spent the night in the home of devotees. I rose at 3:45 took bath and chanted 17 rounds straight through without interruption. This is my preferred way of chanting, there is better concentration that way. But at the same time it is only about the mechanical arrangements of the favorable time and place. One can chant at any time, in any place. Chanting is about being a servant of Krsna, then it is not difficult.

Hemanga Caitanya Das

aapannah samsrtim ghoraam,
yan-naama vivasho grnan
tatah sadyo vimucyeta,
yad bibheti svayam bhayam

“Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Krishna, which is feared by fear personified.”

(SB 1.1.14)

Krsna Kirtan Das

“Everyone should be thoroughly convinced of the power of the Hare Krsna mantra to protect you in all circumstances. Then advancement will be swift.”
(Prabhupadas Letters-1971)

anisha

From the story of Ajamila quoted in “Elevation to Krsna Consciousness” by Swami Prabhupada
The Vishnudutas said:”One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants jokingly or for musical entertainment. This is accepted in the scriptures and by all learned scholars.”
The Vishnudutas then said: “If a person unaware of the potency of a medicine takes that medicine or is forced to take it, it will act even without his knowledge. Even if one does not know the value of chanting the holy name of the Lord, the chanting will still be effective in liberating one from reincarnation.”

Hemanga Caitanya Das

In 1.6.26 of Bhagavatam Narada Muni mentions:

naamaany anantasya hata-trapah patan
guhyaani bhadraani krtaani ca smaran
gaam paryatan tushta manaa gata-sprhah
kaalam pratikshan vimado vimatsarah

“Thus I began chanting the holy name and fame of the Lord by repeated recitation, ignoring all the formalities of the material world. Such chanting and remembering of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord are benedictory. So doing, I travelled all over the earth, fully satisfied, humble and unenvious.”

Rukmini dd

We can only stay in this dress, in this way of life when we want to. therefore there’s got to be some taste – mainly the taste of chanting that does it, that keeps us connected….

If we place the maha-mantra in the centre of our life then everything will happen. This chanting is connecting the soul directly to Krsna…

Kadamba Kanana Swami

kadamba Kanana Swami

The Ratha Yatra Kirtana has started, so many drums, so loud, different melodies carry us away, and sweep us up in wild whirlpools. Go beyond our limits! Oh Krsna you know how to trick us, you put us in this wild crowd,now we have to chant with all our energy and dance and dance! Then the next morning alone with You, my Lord, chanting your Holy Name peacefully. One thing enhances the other. yena tena prakarena mana krsna nisevayet somehow or other focus the mind on Krsna and chant!

Hemanga Caitanya Das

ajnaanaad athavaa jnaanaad , uttamashloka-naama yat
sankirtitam agham pumso , dahed edho yathaanalah

“As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one’s sinful activities.”

Srimad Bhagavatam 6.2.18

Vibhu Caitanya Das

How to be constantly in touch with the Supreme Lord

The holy name of the Lord, as recommended in the sastras–Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare–may therefore be constantly chanted by the devotee aspiring to be constantly in touch with the Supreme Lord. One who is thus able to associate with the Lord is sure to be delivered from the darkness of the created world, which is a product of false ego (tamasi ma jyotir gama). (SB 2.5.25
purport)

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Was Krsna dancing on your tongue last night during the program when we all together chanted one round? It must be because He wasn’t dancing on mine, or maybe He was for a few moments. But at least I tried to switch off all distraction and just focus on the lotus feet of the merciful holy name. Maybe I didn’t fall of the seat, rolling on the ground in ecstasy while chanting, but otherwise it was a nice round, chanted by the mercy of the devotees.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Where there are devotees there is devotional service and chanting of Krsna’s name and prasadam of course.

Revaaj Sukdeo

Hi
Lastnite the 16th of April was my first real introduction to ISKON and chanting of the holy name at Johanesburg by KK Swami.I was very impressed by the energy and devotion shown by the devotees and the aura brought about by doing Japa.
Best Regards,

yoginee

Last night showed me that chanting in the association of devotees is a lot more powerful. I thought of what Maharaja said, like turning off the switch of a light, we should switch off the agitation of our minds and just concentrate on hearing the Holy Names. Last nights round was a great experience for me, many sweet memories. Thank you Maharaja for bringing your mercy to Krsna Balarama Youth Group.

Nama Rupa devi dasi

“There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the regulative principles, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person and paraphernalia. But when Your Lordship’s holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless.” SB 8.23.16.

Krishna-kripa das

From Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami’s journal,
Yellow Submarine,#409:

You are a committed chanter.
It’s your chosen way.
You are in the ranks of those
who practice japa as their
main sadhana. You accept
that the names are Krishna
Himself, but it doesn’t give
you a thrill. I’m like a
worker bee who strives
for the hive, who serves
the Queen. I do my
job daily without cessation.
I would never quit;
I will die working for the japa hive.
But my consciousness is
that of a laborer,all
I know is work.
And work I always will,
without a hesitation.

Smita Krishna devi dasi

madhuram madhurebhyo ‘pi
mangalebhyo ‘pi mangalam
pavanam pavanebhyo ‘pi
harer namaiva kevalam

More sweet than all other sweet things; more auspicious than all other auspicious things; the greatest purifier of all purifying things-The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.

Kevalastakam – Text 1

Krishna-kripa das

From Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami’s journal, The Yellow Submarine, #412:

You want to chant
with all your heart,
but you cannot do
it yet. You make
the best effort you are
capable of and
roll out the mantras
with speed and dedication.
The words are uttered
clearly and correctly,
but you know it
cannot be counted
as suddha-nama.
Go on determinedly
and don’t be depressed.
Go on better and
do not rest.
Perhaps your golden
time will come
when Krishna will
open the gates.

Rukmini dd

” The mercy of the spiritual master comes in the form of the holy name.”

Jewels of Nectar (Vol 1), Nothing But the Holy Name, Kadamba Kanana Swami

Rukmini dd

” Without chanting Hare Krsna one will never understand Krsna. ”

Jewels of Nectar (Vol 1), Nothing But the Holy name, Kadamba Kanana Swami

Yadurani dd

chanting is so important:

I see you, you see me. I touch you, you touch me. I taste something… This
is gross. Above this gross there is mental platform. So mantra is also on
the mental, little above, intelligence. And above that there is spiritual
platform. So if on the material platform, mental platform, the mantra can
act so wonderfully, how much spiritually the mantra can benefit you. You
have to simply imagine. So this Hare Krsna mantra is completely spiritual.
If you chant it, spiritually enlightened, then surely it will act. Param
vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. It will act. Therefore chanting is so
important.

Narottama dasa Thakura said this sound vibration is not this material sound.
Krsna is not material sound. It is Krsna, spiritual. Abhinnatvan
nama-naminoh. There is no difference between Krsna, the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, and His holy name, Krsna. There is no difference.

… So the holy name, chanting of holy name, if we act it properly, without
any offense, then we are directly in connection with Krsna. There is no
doubt.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.19 — Vrndavana, September 16,
1976

Rukmini dd

” Krsna says, “First surrender.” But Lord Caitanya is running after us, giving the holy name.”

Partha Sarathi Das Goswami Maharaja
Durban, April 25th 2010

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Chanting and Concentration:

Srila Prabhupada,Room Conversation- August 14, 1971, London

Guest (1): When you chant, do you have to think what you’re saying? How can you do other things?

Prabhupada: Other things?

Guest (1): Well, many things require your concentration.

Prabhupada: Well, let us first of all chant the holy name. Then we shall think of concentration.

Guest (1): You see, two, two things… You can’t…

Prabhupada: No. Concentrate, concentration automatically. If I chant Hare Krsna and I hear, that is concentration. That is concentration. Immediately.

Guest (1): But you can’t read or talk to someone.

Prabhupada: There is no question of reading. We are simply asking to chant.
Reading will come later on. Just like a small child, he’s taught… In our educational system they chant… What is that? That…? (Hindi) Pahara
pahara.(?)

Indian man: Pahara. Alphabet. A.I.E.

Prabhupada: They chant. By chanting, by hearing they learn. “A,B,C,” like that. “2 plus 2 equal to 4.” We did it in our childhood. One boy will chant like that. “2 plus 2 equal to 4.” And we shall repeat. “2 plus 2 equal to 4.” So repeating three times, I understand 2 plus 2 equal to 4.

Guest (1): Do you find that the chant goes on in your heart?

Prabhupada: Huh?

Revatinandana: Do you find that the chant goes on in your heart?

Prabhupada: Why not? Why not?

Guest (1): It goes deeper and deeper?

Prabhupada: Yes. Everything we hear, it goes to the heart. If I call you by name, it does not go to my heart? “You rascal. You stupid.” You hear. Does it not go to my heart? Why I become angry unless it goes to my heart. If “rascal,” “stupid,” and all these bad names go to my heart, why God’s name will not go to my heart? If by calling you by ill names you become angry, that means it goes to your heart. Why not good name? It goes. It enters through the ear and goes to the heart.

Guest (1): I’m doing that, saying sometimes a little prayer…

Prabhupada: So if you repeatedly ch

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Continued

Prabhupada: So if you repeatedly chant, it will remain. It will always remain in your heart.

Guest (1): Always going on.

Prabhupada: Yes. There is no chance of escape. Chant constantly, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
It remains in the heart. Not only my heart. Others’ heart, they also joke, “Hare Krsna!” If it can remain in others’ heart, why not my heart? Those who are joking me, imitating me. We… Last time, when I was going in Africa, I stopped for few minutes in Athens. Some of the younger residents chant, “Hare Krsna!” You see? As soon as they saw us, they began to chant Hare Krsna. They could understand, “These are Hare Krsna people.” Yes. So by their dress, by their tilaka, they oblige others to chant Hare Krsna, either for imitating or for joking. So they gain. But if Hare Krsna chanting has got any effect, even by joking like that, he’ll get gain. If it is actually spiritual, by simply joking he will get gain.

Revatinandana: In Manchester across the street from the temple there’s a big park. Sometimes I would go over there to walk and chant rounds, and there’s many little children in the park. They’d follow me, “Hare Krsna Hare Krsna!”
All day. Hundred times.

Prabhupada: Everywhere. Everywhere. In Bombay, everywhere we go, “Hare Krsna.” In Montreal. They joke, they’ll clap, but they’ll chant. And that is wanted. I want to see that everyone is chanting. And if chanting has effect, then either he’s chanting jokingly or seriously it will have the effect.
Fire, if you touch either jokingly or seriously or cautiously, it will act.
So our request is that you also preach this cult. Let us cooperate. The whole world is suffering for want of God consciousness. So it is the duty of all religious sects to teach this simple art of chanting Hare Krsna or any other name which you have got. That’s all.

Guest (1): Do you find that you chant, it clarifies you?

Prabhupada: Yes, certainly. God and God’s name, and

Manasi Ganga

From “Our Srila Prabhupada- A Friend to All”

(Memoir by Sripad Madhava das Babaji Maharaja)

“I met your Srila Prabhupada… in the 1930s… here at the Madan Mohan Mandir. It was his first visit to Vrndavana. I will tell you what I observed because it was so remarkable.

From the time he arrived until he left, he did not leave this hill. He did not go on parikrama; he did not go to temples for darshan; he did not go to the shops. He simply stayed here on this hill and chanted on his japa mala. He did not look at anyone; he was totally absorbed in his chanting. I was impressed by his seriousness and sincerity. Most of the time he would sit and chant, but often he would stand on the edge of our hill, looking out over the River Yamuna, the fields, and the parikrama marga down to Kaliya Ghat. He was absorbed in thinking of Krsna.”

Hemanga Caitanya Das

The purpose of our Krishna consciousness movement is to propagate this advanced scientific idea to people in general, and the process is very simple. Simply by chanting the holy names of God-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-one cleanses the dirt from his heart and gains understanding that he is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord and that it is his duty to serve Him. This process is very pleasant: we chant the Hare Krishna mantra, we dance rhythmically, and we eat nice prasadam. While enjoying this life, we are preparing to enter into the kingdom of God in our next life. This is not a fabrication-it is factual.

Easy Journey to Other Planets

Rukmini dd

“When we chant with inattention we think it’s boring, tedious. If we don’t chant with attention we don’t get much result. But when we actually make the effort to pronounce each syllable attentively we will see how the holy name is Krsna. Krsna is reciprocating with me. Each round is a new experience. Each Mantra…”

Girriraj Swami, Durban, South Africa, Dec 2009

Rukmini dd

“Spending time chanting means spending time with Krsna”

Giriraj Swami, Durban, South Africa, Dec 2009

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Krsna is here! He is present right now, also while I am chanting! ……My dear Krsna, May I offer you this chanting of your holy name? I am one of your foolish servants.May I offer you my day? May I offer you my life? Simply spreading your glories everywhere.

Hemanga Caitanya Das

aho bata sva-paco ‘to gariyan
yaj-jihvagre vartate nama tubhyam
tepus tapas te juhuvuḥ sasnur arya
brahmanūcur nama gṛṇanti ye te

“Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Āryans. To be chanting the holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied the Vedas and fulfilled everything required.”

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.33.7

Yadurani dd

Srila Prabhupada said that one should chant like it is like ones last day in this world..quoted by Kadamba Kanana Swami SB 4-27-24 10.04.28

Rukmini dd

The day you’re chanting Hare Krsna, you have the blessings of Krsna upon you. From that day on, no longer an ordinary person. You don’t know your own limitations anymore, you don’t, because Krsna will lift you”

Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03/12/09, Durban South Africa
Jewels of Nectar (Vol 1), Nothing But The Holy Name

Rukmini dd

Hare Krsna!

Just a few questions:

What made Ajamila’s chanting offenceless? If he called out “Naranyana” out of affection for his son that may be considered, for example, maintaining a material attachment. Srila Prabhupada comments that it was also due to his past devotional service. Was that the reason for his great fortune?

Srila Prabhuapada also comments that if the devotees of the Hare Krsna movement by the grace of Krsna follow the regulative principles and chant the holy name then Krsna will offer all protection and there will be no need to fear. Although this is reassuring I wonder: How come Ajamila was not protected? Was he not chanting the Holy name? Ultimately he was given a great benediction but still there was many years where he was allowed to be illusioned.

Lastly, What was Ajamila’s mistake? What did or didn’t he do reguarding his previous devotional qualities.

Vibhu Caitanya das

Poor Krsna indeed, having to listen to all our poor chanting. But then again, because He is very broadminded so He appreciates every little endeavor we make.

(Jewels of Nectar, Part one: Nothing But The Holy Name, Kadamba Kanana Swami)

Hemanga Caitanya Das

kaler dosa-nidhe rajann, asti hy eko mahan gunah
kirtanad eva krsnasya, mukta-sangah param vrajet

My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.

(S.B. 12.3.51)

Rukmini dd

INSPIRATION!

Dev: I dont feel inspired to chant

KKSwami: Thats ok. Then the Yamadutas will come. Are you inspired about that? You may not be inspired to chant but are you inspired about the Yamadutas ?

Dev: Well, ok. Maybe I’m more inspired about chanting now.

🙂

Lecture by Kadamba Kanana Swami
Prague 2003

Rukmini dd

“Because we are not putting a serious, serious amount of effort to associate with Krsna in transcendental sound then we are weak.”

Lecture by Kadamba Kanana Swami, Durban, September 2009

Rukmini dd

“It is a fact that even a chronically sinful person who chants the holy name of the Lord, although not completely without offences, does not take a material birth.”

SB 6.3.Chapter Summary

Nama Rupa dd

from Gayatri Book:

guhyati guhya-gopta tvam grhanasmat-krtam japam
siddhir bhavatu me deva tvat-prasadat tvayi sthite

“O my Lord, You are the secret of secrets and a keeper of secrets. Please accept the japa I have chanted as an offering to You. Please be merciful and let me attain the same perfection attained by those who are fixed in Your service.”

Yadurani dd

In this way, by the influence of the transcendental vibration of the holy name of God, the whole universe becomes ecstatic. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, “When the universe becomes ecstatic, my desire is satisfied. I therefore pray unto the lotus feet of Rupa Gosvami that this chanting of harer nama may go on like this.”

(Bhag. 6.5.22, Purport)

Hemanga Caitanya Das

jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer
viramita -nija-dharma-dhyana-pujadi-yatnam
katham api sakrd attam mukti-dam praninam yat
paramam amrtam ekam jivanam bhusanam me

All glories, all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri-Krishna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krishna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure.

Brhad-bhagavatamrita (Chapter One, verse 9)

Yadurani dd

Although there is no difference between Hare Krsna and the Vedic mantras beginning with omkara, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the leader of the spiritual movement for this age, has recommended that one chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare…

(Bhag. 6.5.26, Purport)

Rukmini dd

“That is the proper mentality. If one is not pure, to approach krsna for purification is not a selfish desire because it means we are asking Krsna to make me suitable for your service. Purification means to become the servant. Purification means to give up the mentality of being the enjoyer. So Purification means a sacrifice. To look for purification means to sacrifice, to sacrifice one’s desire for personal enjoyment.”

Kadamba Kanana Swami
Stockholm, 11 May 2010

Vibhu Caitanya Das

This service attitude is the key,the key to spiritual advancement. It is also the key in chanting the Holy Name. If we chant the Holy Name in a service mood that is very different
than if we chant for some other reason. So the motivation has to change.

Kadamba Kanana Swami
Stockholm, 11 May 2010
(Bhag. 6.3.31-32)

Rukmini dd

“If you value chanting Hare Krsna then you will take it seriously.”

Ragamarga Dasi
Durban, May 22nd 2010

bhakta Raimond

In this age,chanting of this Hare Krishna Mantra is the prime business of a devotee, and preaching of this Hare Krishna Mantra by outdoor sankirtana and propagation of literature is our more important business. Side by side, Deity worship is recommended, but when there’s a question of acceting one of them, we shall prefer to accept chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra first
(part of a letter from Srila Prabhupada to Hamsadutta)

Samira

Lord Caitanya to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya:”In conclusion, dealings in affection with the Supreme Personality of Godhead bring happiness many millions of times greater than dealings with Him in awe and veneration. Simply by hearing the holy name of the Lord, the devotee is merged in transcendental bliss.”
C.C. Madhya-lila 10.140

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Krsna is so simple, so thoroughly honest and pure. There is no pretense, no duplicity on His side! As for us if only we could go before Him with an open and simple heart, with no hidden agenda for personal sense enjoyment.Then we could chant His name in pure love and with great ecstasy.
But material desires, stubbornly remain and mostly we struggle with sometimes a light beam of inspiration, like sudden sun rays in an otherwise mostly clouded sky. But Prabhupada gave us practical devotional service, pots to be washed, Deities to be cared for and gradually we can become purified and our chanting will improve with time.

Yadurani dd

“Guaranteed to go back to Godhead”

“These days, there is so much confusion, conflict, rivalry, deviation right within every religious institution including ISKCON but that should not discourage us because we are not concerned with the deviation. We are concerned with the essence, with the real thing. As long as we have the holy names, as long as we have Srila Prabhupada’s books, as long as we have simple, sincere, humble devotees who want to serve, who want to chant, who want to dance, then we have Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy. So please be strong! Guard against egoism, guard against offenses to devotees, guard against laziness in the basic principles of sadhana. If you do, by Mahaprabhu’s and Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy, you are guaranteed to go back to Godhead.”

HH Radhanath Swami lecture ( On Egoism and Lethargy)

bhaktin Samira

The name is the purest form of knowledge, the best of all vratas (vowes)and the highest meditation. It gives the ultimate auspicious results and is the most sublime renunciation. Chanting is a matchless spiritual activity, the holiest of pious activities and the supreme path of self-realisation. It offers the greatest liberation and goal. The holy name is divine and situated in the paramount spiritual realm, it is super-excellent devotional service and the best purifying agent, showering love of Godhead. It is the essence of all scriptures, the cause of everything, the supreme Absolute Truth, the most worshipful object an acts as the supreme spiritual instructor and guide.

Sri Harinama Cintamani, Haridasa Thakura

Hemanga Caitanya Das

“Simply by touching the holy name with one’s tongue, immediate effects are produced.”

Padyavali (24), by Rupa Gosvami
[cited: Sri Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya-lila 15.110]

Nama Rupa devi dasi

The Vedic scriptures say:
go-koti-danam grahane khagasya
prayaga-gangodaka-kalpa-vasah
yajnayutam meru-su varna-danam
govinda-kirter na samam satamsaih
“Even if one distributes ten million cows in charity during an eclipse of the sun, lives at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna for millions of years, or gives a mountain of gold in sacrifice to the brahmanas, he does not earn one hundredth part of the merit derived from chanting Hare Krsna.”

(CC Adi 3.79. purport)

Rukmini dd

“In chanting eventually one must come to the point of being helpless.Sri caitanya Mahaprabhu said that one should never consider oneself a master of the holy name. One should always consider oneself the servant of the holy name. So this is interesting that as we are advancing in chanting we are becomming more and more the servant of the holy name, realising that we depend on the holy name, realising that without the holy name we are a victim of our mind and senses. We know were that will lead us: to misery and suffering. So we are desperate. We find that we are weak, we cannot control our selves. We find that our mind and senses are hopelessly polluted and we struggle and we know that it is very difficult, very difficult. So our only hope is in this chanting.”

Kadamba Kanana Swami
Sankirtan Festival, Germany
31 Dec 2009

Rukmini dd

“But somehow or ther we are lazy, by nature lazy. Do I really have put my had all the way in that bead bag? Lift those heavy beads? Move them through my fingers. Do I really have to move my hands? All these things….the mind is lamenting, the mind is dragging its feet, the mind is holding us back and somehow or other we don’t do it. We chant like a microwave oven: 16 rounds “ping”! Finished! Finished! Done. Just like that switch off. Automatic switch off at 16. The electricity cuts off. Finished, finished my chanting. No more. That is the most ecstatic moment!

🙂

Kadamba Kanana Swami
Sankirtan Festival,Germany
31 Dec 2009

Rukmini dd

“In the morning when we come out of think layers of ignorance. Through many many layers of blankets, nice and warm telling you, “stay here”. When your soft matress is embracing you and saying, “I love you.” When your pillow is telling you, “Don’t do it, Don’t do it. Don’t go out into that cold bathroom, ice cold tiles, you will get sick! I warn you, stay here!” When your sweet bed is telling you, “You are tired.” And when your intelligence responds, ‘Well, I must take care of my health.” Just then somehow or other we remember, “Hare Krsna.” And it cuts through layers of fog. It sort of shakes us, “Hare Krsna. Oh yes! Krsna is there. Thats right. Its for Krsna’s sake that I have to get up. Yes, for Krsna I must get out of this bed. For Krsna, although it’s in the dead of night. For Krsna I’ll go into that ice cold bathroom, taking ice cold bath. And for Krsna I’m going through all these icy things. Because Krsna is kind.” Krsna…because if you chant His name, His mercy is there…

Kadamba Kanana Swami
Sankirtan Festival, Germany
31 Dec 2009

Vibhu Caitanya Das

… we have to purify ourself. The prescription is there, very simple thing,
to become purified, srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah punya-sravana-kirtanah [SB
1.2.17]. If we simply recite all these mantras… The Srimad-Bhagavatam and
Bhagavad-gita, all these slokas, they’re all mantras, just like as good as
Hare Krsna mantra. There is no difference. So if we hear… That is the
prescription given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and we are trying to introduce
this…..It is not that everyone will understand each word, but simply if he
hears, it will be beneficial, the mantra. Simply if one hears Hare Krsna
mantra chanting, he’ll be purified. If he hears this mantra, a verse from
Bhagavad-gita, a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam, attentively, even he does not
understand the meaning, the purport, still, he’ll get benefit. That is the
way. So we must hear…

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.26 given in Mayapur
on March 4, 1976

Hari Bhakti dd

“O my merciful Lord Caitanya, may the nectarean Ganges waters of Your transcendental activities flow on the surface of my desert like tongue. Beautifying these waters are the lotus flowers of singing, dancing and loud chanting of Krsna’s holy name, which are the pleasure abodes of unalloyed devotees. These devotees are compared to swans, ducks and bees. The river’s flowing produces a melodious sound that gladdens their ears.” (CC Adi 2.2)

Ragalekha dd

From HH Sacinandana Swami,
Japa-Kirtan Retreat, Radhadesh, May 2010

Paraphrased

Krsna cannot be forced into our lives but if we create and environment for Him, by aligning our body, mind and heart, the darshan will come.
It is most important to align the heart because it’s where desires are born and desires die. The body should be a container so Krsna can pour His mercy. Therefore we should chant Japa in the mood of a receiver.

The beginning of service is the feeling of humility.
True humility is being real and detached from the false concept of life.
Humility is what attracts the mercy of Krnsa.
Shame is what gives rise to humility. Shame is a result of realizing how fallen we are.

We cannot chant Hare Krsna with a material tongue. We will hear the sound but we cannot capture the Holy Name or experience Krsna. We must chant in the spirit of service. Chanting Japa is a service as it:
– pleases Krsna,
– is a sacrifice of time,
– is a glorification of the Lord,
– is the main service to the Spiritual Master,
– purifies other entities within hearing distance.

Enviousness comes from the feeling that we don’t have enough. It’s an illusion because we have everything.

Rukmini dd

Motivation:

“We cannot chant Hare Krsna with a material tongue. We will hear the sound but we cannot capture the Holy Name or experience Krsna. We must chant in the spirit of service.”

Yet chanting in the mood of a servant seems far away. Kadamba Kanana Swami mentioned that one level down is chanting with the desire for purification, “ceto darpanam marjanam”. But even this is not so easy. The desire to be purified may not stem from just the motivation of being a servant of Krsna.

I guess I can more relate to chanting for spiritual protection, trying to associate with Krsna’s in form of His name because that keeps us safe…..and on some level its also nice to chant. And then on bad days chanting to fullfill a vow.

How does one progress in terms of changing our motivation?

Nama Rupa dd

Perspiration, trembling, standing of one’s bodily hairs, tears, faltering, fading, madness, melancholy, patience, pride, joy and humility–these are various natural symptoms of ecstatic love of Godhead, which causes a devotee to dance and float in an ocean of transcendental bliss while chanting the Hare Krsna mantra.

CC Adi 7.89-90

Hemanga Caitanya Das

It is said in the Skanda Purana:

yasya smrtya ca namoktya
tapo-yajna-kriyadisu
nunam sampurnatam eti
sadyo vande tam acyutam

“I offer my obeisances unto Him, the infallible, because simply by either remembering Him or vibrating His holy name one can attain the perfection of all penances, sacrifices or fruitive activities, and this process can be universally followed.”

Srimad-Bhagvatam 2.9.36

Adi Kesava Das

Don’t let a breath escape from your body without Krishna’s name. That should be our determination throughout our life… Radhanatha Swami

Rukmini dd

” We also need to learn to become peaceful and be there with the holy name”

Kadamba Kanana Swami
South Coast Retreat, Durban, S.A
September 2008

Sanna

Dear Vaishnavas.
Please accept my humble obeisances.

It is a seventh miracle of the world that I manage to chant sixteen rounds. It used to feel like an impossible austerity to do and somehow it’s still is like that. Every time when I finish my rounds I feel great gratitude to be able to do it, because I know that it’s just mercy of Vaishnavas and Krishna. Even the controlling of my mind is not really up to me, it’s mercy of something greater than me, not to mention to be able to hold a japa in my hand. The time, energy, fate and concentration for chanting are not coming from me. By nature I’m very restless, lazy and I have all the time something “interesting” to do.

Today I was thinking that what is it? How is it possible?
I realised that chanting is not a self centered activity. There is no space to negotiation of ego and mind; shall I do it or not. Hare Krishna manta is not from this wold, it’s transcendental as I have heard the devotes to say. Also another thing what I have, is the fate to Prabhupada and Guru. I trust them and with this fate I’m able to step over the oceans of my mental speculations.

How sweet it is, like nectar.
The name of all attractive.

Krishnas tu Bhagavan Svayam!

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Imagine, Krsna along with His eternally, liberated associates is enjoying His amazing, transcendental pastimes without limitation! And we are thinking of the material world, while chanting Krsna’s holy name.

Rukmini dd

Q: How can we chant japa with a service attitude?

A: Well, what is our motive in chanting japa? What are we trying to attain? Why are we chanting japa? Beacuse maybe we want liberation. We want to become free from karma, free from suffering. Is that why we are chanting? Maybe? are we chanting because we want a spiritual experience? “WE WANT PREMA, WE WANT PREMA” Like that? Is that why are chanting? Maybe because… it says the ultimate goal in life is Krsna prema. Is that why we are chanting. If thats our meditation, “Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, I want prema, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, I want prema” it may take a little longer before we get it.

Because really we should chant simply in the mood of making an offering. just like we are making a offering to the dieites: nice plate, nicely arranged little bowls, oranges all these things. tulasi, everything done properly in the offering. So if we chant in that mood of an offering to Krsna. It says in the Caitanya Caritamrita that Haridas Takur was daily chanting 300 000 names as an offering for the pleasure of the Lord. So if we simply think, yes I’m offering this to the Lord, then we chanting like a pujari. Service attitude. So it depends on our motivation.

Kadamba Kanana Swami
Czech Camp, July 2nd, 2007

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Ramananda Gopal, one of the Leipzig devotees, just said, during prasadam. ‘Devotees may not always take shelter in the Holy Name, but they always take shelter in prasadam.’ Lord Caitanya referred to it as His secret weapon. One who will take shelter of prasadam, will eventually also come to the lotus feet of the Holy Name.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

If instead of pressing the keys of the keyboard, I would have touched my beads and chanted a mahamantra on each of them, then how many rounds would I have chanted?

Hemanga Caitanya Das

kaalakshepo na kartavyah
ksheenam aayuh kshane kshane
yamasya karunaa naasti
kartavyam hari kirtanam

“The precious time should not be wasted, because our lifespan is reducing every moment. Yamaraj has no mercy. Hence our duty is to do Hari kirtana.”

Raimond

If you chant like you want to meet Krishna,
Krishna wants to meet you.

(Japa/Kirtan retreat HH Sacinandana Swami 2010)

Krishna-kripa Das

From Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami’s, The Yellow Submarine, #459:

Talking with friends about
their japa, we each have
our struggles and our success.
One man chants his full quota
but spreads them throughout
the day, doing two at his
lunch hour at work and
two in the car on the way
home. Their wives don’t
do the sixteen quota but
forgive themselves for doing
only nine or less than that.
I’m rigid about sixteen
but realize my contemplation
tends to be shallow.
It’s good to read books
devotees have written
about japa and to discuss it
among ourselves. Without
being judgmental we try
to help each other and
by japa-sanga get
impetus to improve.
By sharing we wake up
to the importance of the
yajna and take it
more seriously.

Rukmini dd

“Maybe it is not possible to just forget about everything material and focus on Krsna, but we can try and with time go deeper and deeper.
anyway first let’s come to faithful chanting, an offering every day,out of duty; then we get purified and later we can chant out of love.”

Kadamba Kanana Swami
June 2010

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Such knowledge in Krsna consciousness can be achieved by a faithful person who believes firmly in Krsna. One is called a faithful man who thinks that simply by acting in Krsna consciousness he can attain the highest perfection. This faith is attained by the discharge of devotional service, and by chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, which cleanses one’s heart of all material dirt. Over and above this, one should control the senses. A person who is faithful to Krsna and who controls the senses can easily attain perfection in the knowledge of Krsna consciousness without delay.
B.G 4.39 purport

Manasi ganga dasi

Brhad Bhagavatamrta Text 122

payam payam vraja-jana-gana-prema-vapi-marala
sriman-namamrtam aviratam gokulabdhy-utthitam te
tat-tad-vesha-carita-nikarojjrmbhitam mishtam istham
sarvan lokan jagati ramayan matta-cestho bhramani

payam-drinking; payam-and drinking; vraja-jana-gana-of the people of Vraja; prema-of pure love; vapi-at the lake; marala-O swan; srimat-of the Lord; nama-of thr name; amrtam-nectar; aviratam-without stopping; gokula-of Gokula; abdhi-from the ocean; utthitam-risen; te-they; tat-tad-various; vesa-features; carita-nikara-pastimes; ujjrmbhitam-manifested; mistham-sweet; istham-worshipable; sarvan-all; lokan-people; jagati-in the universe; ramayan-pleasing; matta-of a madman; cestho-the activities; bhramani-I shall wander.

“O swan staying in the lake of the love of Vraja’s people, drinking again and again the nectar of Your holy name and the sweetness of Your form and pastimes in the nectar ocean of Gokula, and giving bliss to everyone in the world, may I wander like a madman.”

Kadamba Kanana Swami

I could be humble, if i would be honest
and admit that I have no special qualities,
that I am full of fault
and have no devotion
then I could chant all the time
now I can’t

If I would be humble and tolerant
then maybe I could attract Krsna
Rupa and Sanatana’s extraordinary humility
was more than the Lord could tolerate

I am proud of achievement,s qualities and possessions
that i don’t really have
they are only lend to me
and will be taken by time
All these false attributes distract me
If only I could be humble
I could take shelter of Krsna
and chant all the time

i am nothing, Satvarupa said,
You are not nothing but something
Prabhupada retorted,
but you are not what you think you are.
If only I could be a servant of my spiritual master
of Krsna and the vaisnavas
maybe then I could chant hare krsna
Can you pray for me
that I will improve?

Adi kesava Das

Once a disciple told Srila Prabhupada that it is very difficult to control the wandering mind during japa. In reply, Prabhupada said:
What is the use of controlling the mind? You have to chant and hear, that’s all. You have to chant with your tongue, and the sound you hear, that’s all. What is the question of mind? Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk 3/2/75

From the Art Of Chanting Hare Krsna by Mahanidhi Swami

Raimond

Chant Krishna’s name and you will attract Radha
Chant Radha’s name and you will attract Krishna

(Japa/Kirtan retreat HH Sacinandana swami 2010)

Rukmini dd

Today’s Thought: Global Revolution in a Bead Bag

Srila Prabhupada states that if a devotee becomes completely pure in his chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, free from the ten offenses against the holy names, he becomes jagad-guru, the spiritual master of the entire universe and that under his influence the entire world will take up the wonderful enlightening process of Krishna consciousness. This means that you have a potential global spiritual revolution right there in your bead bag. All you have to do is become perfect in your chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra. By doing so you can save the entire world from its present darkness and misery

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Jalangi dd

Once Janivasa was quoting Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, who made a statement that struck him deeply. “We are sincere seekers of the service to the holy name.”

Anisha

Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakura quoted in C.C. Madhya-lila 25,9,purport

“Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Krsna. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Krsna’s effulgence throughout the world. Such an acarya, or spiritual master, should be considered non-different from Krsna-that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Krsna’s potency.”

Smita Krishna dd

Srila Rupa Goswami in his namastakam is pointing out that kirtan includes description of the name, fame, form, pastimes of the supreme lord but in all of those, the name is the most potent. It’s more potent than others. Therefore chanting of the holy name is ultimately the most powerful means of purification. One must therefore bathe in transcendental sound and that’s our business, to just always take bath in transcendental sound as much as possible, everyday.

Kadamba Kanana Swami
Feb 2010

Rukmini dd

Sincere chanting pleases the spiritual master, which also makes us happy, as his pleasure is ours. We thus chant with affection for the holy name, and also for the giver of the holy name.

Japa Meditations by Dhanudhara Swami
August3, 2004, Vrndavana

Rukmini dd

If God is everywhere and in everything then we can only turn(away) from Him in heart…As only dislike, or non-devotion, turns one away from God, only heart-felt devotion,the opposite, can reveal Him. Chant with attention, but chant with affection, it is the only means to reveal the holy name.

Japa Meditations by Dhanudhara Swami
August 11, 2004, Vrndavana

Rukmini dd

” Thus I am praying to chant with humility, to be satisfied with the will of Krsna, even when it moves against mine.”

Japa Meditations by Dhanudhara Swami
October 12, 2004, Vrndavana

Rukmini dd

” Sri Krsna is attracted to His name, but also to the person who is chanting it with devotion. Have no doubt. When we chant, Sri Krsna is listening.”
Japa Meditations by Dhanudhara Swami
November 6, 2004 Vrndavana

Hemanga Caitanya Das

As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.

Caitanya-caritamrita (Adi- lila 8.28)

Rukmini dd

Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami spoke sweetly of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in his sri Sacisunu-astaka:

“The son of Mother saci, who accepting all the people of Bengal as His own, taught them as a father would:’Please chant the Hare Krsna mantra a fixed number of times,” When will He again walk on the pathaway of my eyes?

I dedicate this book,Japa,to Srila Prabhupada, who accepted all the people of the world as his own and taught them as a father would, saying, “Please chant this Hare Krsna mantra a fixed number of times.” When will Srila Prabhupada again walk on the pathway of my eyes?

Japa, by Bhurijana Prabhu

Kadamba Kanana Swami

How nice to be with devotees who are serious about chanting the holy name. We were with Trivikrama Maharaja, who would chant japa in the morning and at noon. And attended the full morning and evening program, kirtans and lectures, even when others spoke.At lunchtime he would take prasadam with the sannyasis, my good fortune, and the converstations were substantial, but not too long, soon he would return to chanting. Avyartha kalatvam, to not waste a moment for Krsna’s service.

Krishna-kripa Das

From Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami’s journal, Yellow Submarine#485 (www.sdgonline.org):

You whisper your japa,
the anchor of bhakti-yoga.
The night is over,
and the dreams and
pains have vanished.
Whatever was done yesterday
is history, and I chant
on a new wave of the
present moment. I live
in the now and concentrate
on chanting. As my life-duty
I think, “I have nothing
to do but give the quality
of my mind to passing through
the holy names.” In this way
I stay in solitude and
stay close to the Lord.

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Caitanya Mahaprabhu says read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Hare Krsna mantra.
Don’t talk nonsense; don’t waste your time. Then you become purified.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.16 — Bombay, November 16, 1974

Manasi Ganga dasi

Prose Poem -by HH Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

“My father used to ask me, and so I ask myself again, ‘What do you want from life?’
I answer in the same naďve, hopeful way with what’s in my heart: “I would like to break through in japa and be soaked in tears. To change, permanently. No more duality of the mind preoccupied with other things while I chant. I want my japa to be in Vraja for Sri Sri Radha and Krsna.’
‘How bad do you want that?’
‘Like hell, Sir.'”

After reading this prose-poem, I diagnose my present malady: lack of gratitude for Krsna’s gift of chanting. If I understood my good fortune, and really wanted to please my spiritual master, I would be intensely eager to chant. I would want it “like hell”.

Besides praying to Lord Balarama, that He not let me rot here in indifference,
I remember the old advice- if you do not feel enthusiasm, just act as though you are enthusiastic, and you will become enthusiastic. Sounds simple- but it helps, gives us some momentum for change.

I also found this letter from Srila Prabhupada to Jaya Govinda (15.10.69) which comes in to the subject at a deeper level:
“We get this instruction from Caitanya-caritamrta, that we receive the seed of Krishna Consciousness through the Spiritual Master and Krishna. Therefore, we should serve both simultaneously for continuous supply of spiritual vitality … in all circumstances we should have our staunch faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. Then we will never be shaken off.”

What to do…
Try to remember the enthusiasm of Sri Guru and Gauranga for chanting the Holy Names,
muster some faith in those well-wishers,
and back to my nama-seva.

Krishna-kripa Das

Japa poem from the last entry of Yellow Submarine, a journal by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami (www.sdgonline.org):

You hold yourself awake
and chant the maha-mantra.
You’re aware that Krishna
is watching you and
reciprocating as you say
His names. Your mind
is attracted to the names
and taken off other subjects.
Japa is the bedrock of
the Hare Krishna movement.
He has charged you with
the responsibility to chant
a required number of names.
This is Vaisnava behavior,
as prescribed by Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

In Vrndavana, He chanted
and induced even the cows,
deer, trees and creepers to
say the holy names in an
echo to His kirtana.
I think of Him now,
Mahaprabhu, the great chanter,
and I stumble in His footsteps
with awareness that this
is the only way.

Hemanga Caitanya Das

If one chants the holy name of the Lord, even in a helpless condition or with-out desiring to do so, all the reactions of his sinful life depart, just as when a lion roars all the small animals flee in fear.
(Garuda Purana)

Ragalekha

Japa Realization

My rounds are back on track but for some reason they take longer. I’m averaging seven minutes per round. One devotee I know chants four-minute rounds (he must be skipping beads or mispronouncing the mantra). Four-minute rounds are not possible. We could say that he’s committing the tenth offence, which is to chant neglectfully. He is very sincere, so I’m sure that Lord Caitanya will instruct him either from within or through senior devotees. HH Satsvarupa Maharaja, on the other hand, chants ten-minute rounds. I also knew a babaji who chanted sixty-four rounds in four hours. Since chanting is our main activity, we can’t rush it and it’s not how many rounds we chant but the time we spend chanting. This devotee I know, spends ninety-six minutes chanting twenty-four rounds and Satsvarupa Maharaja spends two hours and forty minutes chanting sixteen rounds.

HH Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
2 July 2006
Journal of a Struggling Sadhaka – Volume 6

Yadurani dd

In japa we are going alone before Krsna. That is our time, our time alone with Krsna and in japa we go before Krsna as we are. There is nothing to hide. We are as we are! In japa it is not the same as in bhajana. In bhajana we get swept up, we swoon, we feel the sweetness, we taste it, we say, ‘yes this is great!’ In japa it’s like a cold shower- at first we get faced with ourselves, with our lack of bhakti. We are facing that we actually have no devotion at all. In japa we get a mirror held up to ourselves and we fall short. Every little bit of bhakti that is lacking in us is just being mercilessly exposed and we have to face it, ‘I have no devotion at all…’ that is japa.

Of course, japa is more than that; that is japa performed in sadhana. But as we continue to chant japa, japa will remain with us; japa is the one thing that stays…

Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 July 2010, Phoenix Ratha Yatra

Yadurani dd

If by the tongue you chant Hare Krsna mantra, and by the tongue you taste prasadam, you will be perfect, simply by executing these two things.

Srila Prabhupada, London, July 12, 1973

Hemanga Caitanya Das

Sukdev Gosvami to Maharaj Pariksit: “My dear King, if one is spontaneously attached to the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, it is to be understood that he has attained the highest perfectional stage.”

Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.11

Yadurani dd

“O my Lord! Persons who chant the holy names of Your Lordship are far, far advanced in spiritual life, even if born in families of dog-eaters. Such chanters have undoubtedly performed all kinds of austerities and sacrifices, bathed in all sacred places, and finished all scriptural studies.” S.B 3.33.7

Kadamba Kanana Swami

The current temple of Lord Jagannatha in Puri is 800 years old and during that time the fire in the kitchen of the Lord has never gone out. In the same way we must keep the fire of our bhajan going and make sure it never goes out.Everyday we must throw big logs of worshipping the Deities,serving- and hearing from the vaisnavas, and chanting the hare krsna mahamantra. then that fire will burn for ever and increase and increase, let’s just add more fuel as much as we can to the fire of pure devotional service.

Vibhu Caitanya Das

The Holy Name is a beautiful, sweetest of all sweetest cowherd boy. He is a cowherd boy,beautiful,blue cowherd boy,handsome and completely captivating to the heart. By the mercy of Hare,Radha,our hearts have become undeniably,intensely enchanted by the sweetness of that little cowherd boy Krsna and because we have become enchanted by Him,and He is aware of that,naturally,He won’t leave us alone.Again and again He pastures on our tongues,by forcing His way into our consciousness,dancng on our tongues,by forcing His way into our consciousness,dancing on our tongues…
Extract from Aindra Prabhu on The Holy Name, Japa Meditations

Hemanga Caitanya das

“At the lotus feet of Srila Rupa Goswami, I constantly beg at every moment there may be the direct revelation of the Holy Name.”

from Gitalvali – by Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Rukmini dd

Let the mind embrace the holy name…

“Embracing the holy name means tasting the holy name, and tasting the holy name begins with listening and then hearing. The name, after all, is Krsna. When the mind and the heart embrace the holy name it will no longer be difficult to chant.”

Japa, pg 34
Burijana Prabhu

RSingh

Hare Krsna!

I am not yet an initiated devotee but hopefully by the mercy of Nitai Gaura Hari, I will be soon!

My question is on chanting and where is the appropriate place to do so.

I chant most of my rounds in the evening at home, but sometimes due to household duties, i am unable to complete my chanting. I therefore try to catch up while driving – traffic in Jhb is always very congested and the journey to work is a long and tiring one. I however find solace in my chanting.
Is this appropriate? I have been told that chanting is acceptable no matter where you are; but at the same time, is this not offensive chanting?
I am unable to get the ‘right’ answer from anyone!

Please help!

Hare Krsna!

Kadamba Kanana Swami

To RSingh.
-In chanting japa there are different standards we apply at differnt times; like with everything else in life, namely the ideal and what we can do under the practical circumstances. The balance between -must-,-want-, and -can-. So ideal rounds are chanted early in the morning with deep concentration and no distraction. Rounds chanted by those with a job or other responsibilities, maybe in the car, because then there is time. That is all right. Ideals are something we strive for, but in the end we’ll have to do something practical. That’s life, Krsna knows it, just do the best you can and He will accept your offering.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

part 2….but some days are special days when you can chant more and better. Early in the morning maybe, and not in the car. On sunday morning maybe,with the devotees in the temple, if you go for Mangal Aratik and stay then to chant japa, follow Guru puja and Bhagavatam class. That would have a powerful effect in your life, just that one day a week.

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Extract from Govinda Maharaja’s offering of love and farewell to Aindra Prabhu

Aindra, Kali Yuga is dark and becomes darker day by day. Krishna Nama is the brilliantly blazing torch in the darkness of the Kali night. You, My dear godbrother, have been one of the great torch bearing sons of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, our Guru Paramapara, and Sri Caitanyadev and His associates.

Aindra, I bow down to you praying for your unconditional vaisnava grace. Please bless me that one day I may chant the holy names of Sri Krishna with a pure heart, with the smallest fraction of the love and single minded dedication which you have always shown us.

markandeya dasa

Oh Holy Name of Lord Hari
I pray to you, down on my knees
I want to beg you, want to ask
please come to me and stay and last
please take a seat deep in my mind
although I know there is all kind
of garbage, rubbhish, lust and fear
but I promise you my Dear
I´ll clean up this mess for sure
I´ll perfectly prepare my core
for that you content stay with me
for now and for eternity

RSingh

Hare Krsna Maharaj!

Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabupada!

Thank you very much for your practical response. It makes me feel less guilty now and is so appreciated!

your servant
RSingh

Rukmini dd

“The fruit of the sincere effort to chant is humility, and the fruit of humility is namasraya.”

Japa, pg 83
Burijana Prabhu

Smita Krishna dd

A person who finds himself “elsewhere” when chanting japa should immediately take precautionary measures.

Shake your mental laziness. Ultimately such a complacent attitude in japa means that you think you will never die. If you were conscious of your true position and how, factually, death could come at any moment, then your japa would not be so nonchalant. You would actually be grasping for the lotus feet of KRSNA in desperation – that in whatever small amount of time destined you, you must perfect your life, perfect your heart, and the only means is through the mercy of Lord Krsna through His holy name.

– His Holiness Satsvarupa Das Goswami Maharaj
excerpt from Japa Reform Book

Rukmini dd

“Faith is an essential ingredient in chanting because unless we have faith in the holy name we will have no interest of taking shelter in of the name. Bhaktivinoda Thakur calls faith the entrance gate to the palace of the holy name.”

Japa,
Burijana Prabhu

Hemanga Caitanya Das

jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer
viramita -nija-dharma-dhyana-pujadi-yatnam
katham api sakrd attam mukti-dam praninam yat
paramam amrtam ekam jivanam bhusanam me

“All glories, all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krsna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krsna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure.”

Chapter One, verse 9 – Brhad-bhagavatamrta – by Srila Sanatan Goswami

Ragalekha devi dasi

If somehow or other by good fortune one develops faith in hearing and chanting My glories, such a person, being neither very disgusted with nor attached to material life, should achieve perfection through the path of loving devotion to Me

Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.20.8

SanSan

“The only way how we can avoid offenses is to chant all the time”
-Aindra Prabhu

markandeya dasa

You are the embodiment
of love and satisfaction
you free the entire world
from all sinnfull reactions
oh endless gracious holy name
it´s you who deserve every fame

flying free from ear to ear
without undue preference
you free the beings full of fear
at places of ignorance
oh allpervading Holy Name
it´s you who deserve every fame

and every other pleasure here
is just a tiny part of you
and every Mantra coming near
is just a couseless, joyfilled boon
oh allatractive Holy Name
it´s you who deserve endless fame

Hemanga Caitanya das

SB 1.2.19
tada rajas-tamo-bhavah
kama-lobhadayas ca ye
ceta etair anaviddham
sthitam sattve prasidati

As a result of rajah and tamah, one becomes increasingly lusty and greedy, but when one takes to the process of chanting and hearing, one comes to the platform of goodness and becomes happy. As he advances in devotional service, all his doubts are completely eradicated (bhidyate hrdaya-granthis chidyante sarva-samsayah). Thus the knot of his desire for fruitive activities is cut to pieces.

Srimad Bhagwatam 6.2.46

Rukmini dd

“Its not that the chanting isn’t working, its us that’s not working.”

Kadamba Kanana Swami
July 2010

Rukmini dd

Chanting, while the liquid nectar of the holy name slips through the crevices of an inattentive mind, is like a man dying of thirst trying to cup crystal spring water in open palms; He is unable to be satiated.

Rukmini dd

If he is able to clasp in the closed fingers of attention, the crystal water of just peacefully hearing the holy names of Krsna, then even a desert like heart feels some nectar. His thirst is quenched.

Bhagavati devi dasi

Something Guru Maharaja wrote in my japa notebook:
Krsna is so kind, as soon as we turn to Him and chant His holy name, He is there! And we get purified, and lifted from the darkness of this world to the blissful platform. How amazing is Krsna that He is non-different from His name.
Then comes the fight with our lower nature, our resistance, our laziness, our false pride, our petty mind, and all other aspects of material conditioning. Fortunately there is the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as an added factor, so that even with all our shortcomings, this chanting will very quickly produce the perfect result of love of God. so let us just apply ourselves, every day again with great enthusiasm. And time goes by and Krsna will surely shower us with mercy.

Bhagavati devi dasi

And another text that Sacinandana Maharaja wrote for me:
Ask yourself:
Are you still trying to chant the Name or is the Name already present on your tongue and in your heart – and chanting you?

Hemanga Caitanya das

There are nine items to be executed in devotional service. These are enumerated in the following verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.23):

sravanam kirtanam visnoh
smaranam pada-sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam
sakhyam atma-nivedanam

Hearing the glories of the Lord, chanting, remembering, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering worship in the temple, offering prayers, becoming a servant of the Lord, becoming the Lord’s friend, and sarvatma-nivedana, offering oneself fully at the lotus feet of the Lord – these are the nine devotional processes. In The Nectar of Devotion, these are expanded into sixty-four items. When Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya asked the Lord which item was most important, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately answered that the most important item is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 6.241

Rukmini dd

“Krsna is like fire, and so to associate with Krsna we should also be like fire, and this is possible by chanting Hare Krsna in a humble
mood”
Srila Jayadvaita Swami
Mayapur,dec, 2007

Yadurani dd

Hearing means hearing the Bhagavatam and hearing the holy name…

Kadamba Kanana Swami
July 2010
Prague

yudhisthira das

Radhadesh festival 2010
(sabdha tent)

the soul is always active. even when we sleep, so many things happen like dreaming.

-kadamba kanana swami

yudhisthira das

Leipzig, 12.7.2010

Gurumaharajs train is delayed. coming from frankfurt a storm blows a tree over, blocking the tracks. sadbuja and i wait up for gurumaharaj. he finaly arrives around 23.30. pradyumna is also there. he brings cake. we end up in gurumaharajs room eating cake. big pieces. pradymna is relating his experiences from preaching to vegans. gurumaharaj explains prabhupadas position. he was not just a great thinker, a man with a grand vision. he was controlled by krishna. so whatever he said must be understood as the lords desire. and prabhupada said take milk. even in the early days in america, when the milk had added vitamin d from fishoil, prabhupada said to drink it and offer to the dieties. vegans are concerned with the cows and the dairy industry. so they refrain from milk as to not take part in it. for a devotee, however, his concern for the cow goes beyond material considerations. offering the milk to krishna in the form of cheese, sweets or drinks, the cows soul is eternally benefitted. in time, when we have enough cows and the infrastructure to distribute we can refrain from commercial milk, but until then devotees will not fast from milk. its too important! nice discussion. around 1.30am gurumaharaj calls it a night. i collaps on my bed, with a smile.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

I am chanting the hare krsna mahamantra.Like a driver in a car on a journey during the dark hours of the night who is totally focussed on the white lines, in the beginning of our spiritual life we mostly fix ourselves on the white lines of the regulative principles. Then with the passing of time the day breaks and the sun begins to reveal the entire landscape in full features. Of we still keep an eye on the white lines, but we also see mountains, rivers, forests and many other sights. So with time our Krsna Consciousness expands and we think more and more of Krsna, His qualities, His name, fame and glory or how He is behind everything, and remembering Him touches our life with magic, and staying within the white lines of regulative principles, now comes with ease, although one must remain alert for the attacks of Maya. Smartavyam satatam visnor na jatucit, sare vidhi nisedhur etayor eva kinkaram, to always remember Krsna and to never forget Him is the purpose of all regulative principles.

Krishna Kirtan Das

Sacinandana Swami said some devotees chant this before they enter into their Japa:

Patita Pavana Nama
Nistaraya Naradhaman
Radha Krsna Svarupaya
Caitanyaya Namo Namah

O Holy Name, you are the purifier of the fallen
and the deliverer of the lowest person
O, you are the form of Radha and Krishna
and are non-different from Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
I offer my obeisances to you.

Hemanga Caitanya das

rg-vedo ‘tha yajur-vedah
sama-vedo ‘py atharvanah
adhitas tena yenoktam
harir ity aksara-dvayam
“A person who chants the two syllables ha-ri has already studied the four Vedas – Sama, Rg, Yajur and Atharva.”

Sri Namamrita

Rukmini dd

“Kavikarnapur is writing that the Lord has appeared in every home in Navadweep. Is that the description? Lord Caitanya has appeared in every hom in Navadweep? No, Lord Caitanya is said to have appeared in the house of Jagannatha Misra and Mother Saci, not in every home in Navadweep. Then what is he speaking? He is speaking about another incarnation of the Lord:
kali kale namarupe krsna avatar
So it is said in the Caitanya Caritamrita, that in this age of Kali the Lord incarnates himself in ther form of His holy name. It is in that incarnation that the Lord has appeared in every home in Nawadweep.

Kadamba Kanana Swami
28 March 2003
lecture on the Siksastikam
Radhdesh

Hemanga Caitanya das

Material existence is a chore, but prabhupad has made it easier by giving us devotional service and holy name. Imagine living in the material world without the knowledge of Krishna and all the material struggle that we have to go through in maintaining our life and we think chanting 16 rounds or reading SB purports is a struggle?
Chanting is a wonderful debt of gratitude that we are trying to repay to prabhupad life after life otherwise there is no purpose to this life.

– Homage to Srila Prabhupad in Sydney by Bhavnanda prabhu on 3rd sept 2010.

Rukmini dd

On this particular day, the holy name is becoming the first priority in our life. Everything else goes to 2nd place, so it’s a huge change from day to night. The holy name was there therefore but it was never in the first place. I don’t know there it was; Number 10. Number seven. Sometimes on the top of the pops and sometimes down and it might have even come out the top ten but from this day on it is number one, undisputed, there to remain forever. That is the nature of initiation, it is harinaam, initiation in(to) the holy name

16 March 2009

vidagdha madhava das

Maharaja,

Dandavat pranams. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am an active disciple of Srila Prabhupada chanting my 16 rounds and following the principles. I was initiated in Boston Temple in 1975.

I am helping another Prabhupada disciple to preach online and he has asked me to set up a box like this on his web page so people can ask questions and leave comments.

How can I do this?

Nitai Gaura Hari Bol,

vmdas

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Dear Vidagdha Madhava Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

If you can send your email address to [email protected] , then I will arrange that the experts contact you with the necessary information.

Your servant,

Kadamba Kanana Swami

Kadamba Kanana Swami

“Glorify the name of your Lord, the most high.” Koran 87.2
“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” Saint Paul, Romans10.13
“All who sincerely call upon my name will come to me after death and I will take them to paradise.” Vows of Amita Buddha 18
“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” King David, Psalms 113.3

Rukmini dd

” The holy name is our only solace, our only shelter. All sankirtan begins and ends with the holy name.”

Today morning, SB class Intro
Durban, South Africa

Annie

More about the Holy Name from the Holy Bible

“I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving! (Psalm 69.30)
“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the Lord” Psalm 116.17)
“The Name of the Lord is strong forever; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18.10)

Rukmini dd

The Sacrifice of Nama Yajna – Singing the Holy Name

A nama-yajna is exclusively for the pleasure of Krsna and doing it, all
participants can become priests. You might ask how you can become a priest
of the Holy Name? Lord Caitanya has given the following answer: Make your
ears the sacrificial pit. The sacrificial spoon or ladle is your tongue. Use
that tongue to pour the ghee of the Holy Name into the ears and then you
will see how in your heart the fire of bhakti will rise high and strong.

In other words, when we chant the Holy Name, we have to do it with absolute
attention. We should be like priests, who sit before the yajna pit and chant
the mantras in order to invoke the presence of the Lord. What a wonderful
example.

Furthermore the devotees have to consciously sacrifice time, energy and give
full attention to their intention. Krsna will be pleased by this sacrifice
beyond measure and reward them with extra time and energy. If you have less
time – chant more! Yes, the more we give to Krsna the more He responds. Very
important for those who chant is to access the area of the heart. It should
not be just lips which are moving or feet which are dancing. No, chant from
the heart. Our heart should move and our heart should dance. To enliven the
heart in chanting is best done by chanting with a feeling of Radha Krsna
sambandha or a relationship to the Deities who are glorified in the Maha
mantra. Think about the persons whose name you chant. Think of Them in a
loving way. Glorify Them, praise Them and chant in a prayerful mood: “O
Radha and Krsna, please engage me in Your service. Please take residence in
my heart and in my senses, so that I can be your purified servant.”

I wish you all the best in your efforts in this beautiful nama yajna!

Sacinandana Swami

Vibhu Caitanya Das

The Sacrifice of Nama Yajna – Singing the Holy Name

A nama-yajna is exclusively for the pleasure of Krsna and doing it, all participants can become priests. You might ask how you can become a priest of the Holy Name? Lord Caitanya has given the following answer: Make your ears the sacrificial pit. The sacrificial spoon or ladle is your tongue. Use that tongue to pour the ghee of the Holy Name into the ears and then you will see how in your heart the fire of bhakti will rise high and strong.

In other words, when we chant the Holy Name, we have to do it with absolute attention. We should be like priests, who sit before the yajna pit and chant the mantras in order to invoke the presence of the Lord. What a wonderful example.

Furthermore the devotees have to consciously sacrifice time, energy and give full attention to their intention. Krsna will be pleased by this sacrifice beyond measure and reward them with extra time and energy. If you have less time – chant more! Yes, the more we give to Krsna the more He responds. Very important for those who chant is to access the area of the heart. It should not be just lips which are moving or feet which are dancing. No, chant from the heart. Our heart should move and our heart should dance. To enliven the heart in chanting is best done by chanting with a feeling of Radha Krsna sambandha or a relationship to the Deities who are glorified in the Maha mantra. Think about the persons whose name you chant. Think of Them in a loving way. Glorify Them, praise Them and chant in a prayerful mood: “O Radha and Krsna, please engage me in Your service. Please take residence in my heart and in my senses, so that I can be your purified servant.”

I wish you all the best in your efforts in this beautiful nama yajna!

Sacinandana Swami

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