Chant Like It's Your Last Round
September 6, 2008 - 12:52pm — RasaRasika108Before chanting my rounds today, I was meditating on the following senario:
You have been given 10 minutes before you have to leave your body...you have enough time to chant 1 round before leaving...how good would that last round be? How much concentration and attention would you invest in that last round?
When I started my Japa...this meditation stayed with me and it helped me a great deal with chanting attentively and with concentration on the Holy Name....I was able to chant some very nice rounds as a result.
Motivation For Chanting
September 4, 2008 - 3:36pm — RasaRasika108
I can say that there are many kinds of motivations to become better in our chanting. I myself look for it in many sources like association of devotees who are also interested in improving, listening to lectures concerning japa, reading Srila Prabhupada lectures, remembering my vows with my gurudev, and many others.
May our Lord always lead us to the right sources of motivation so we never stop our chanting efforts.
Hare Krsna
Aruna dd
Please Join the Japa Group
September 3, 2008 - 5:02pm — RasaRasika108
Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world....simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:
ys
Rasa Rasika das
Managing The Quality of Our Japa
September 3, 2008 - 9:41am — RasaRasika108
This week in the Japa Room we were studying about the importance of admiting to ourselves the necessity of improving our japa. I can say that it's really hard to admit that we need to fix our chanting, observing our own mistakes and applying the right procedures to reform them. What I can feel is that without doing that we will lack enthusiasm because chanting means a connection to our Lord, feeling the real taste of His association, flowing tears from our eyes, a stage of complete happiness.
Some of us are still in the first stage, when we chant with material desires, so sometimes our minds can't be concentrated on the Lord's names and we tend to offend Him. By this offense we can't get to the stage of this bliss and we won't get Krsna revealing Him to us....that's why we still need to force ourselves to apply the basics and soon we will lose the taste for material energy and get the taste for the spiritual energy....we surely will notice our own advancement and will be eager to go on. Advancement comes naturally, we don't need to worry about it, the only thing we may do is to dedicate our efforts to chant properly and with our hearts turned to the Lord's association and He will definitely reciprocate with our desires.
Hare Krsna
Aruna dd
Japa Prayers
September 1, 2008 - 7:27pm — RasaRasika108This is a rather long post - and for that I apologise. However it has helped so much with my japa. It is taken from Mahanidhi Swami's book, entitled 'The Art of Chanting Hare Krishna.' There are prayers for before, during and after japa (although honestly I've thought of the prayers during japa of more of a mood). It helps keep me focussed and makes my japa more meaningful. I hope it will inspire and help others with their japa.
BEFORE JAPA:
"The beauty of bhakti-yoga, unlike other yoga systems, is that all progress depends more or less on the mercy of Guru and Krsna. In other yoga paths, one attains success by his personal prowess, austerity and endeavor. On the bhakti-marga, however, attaining the goal oiprema does not depend on the mechanical system of hearing and chanting; it depends solely on Krsna's causeless mercy. Lord Gauranga says, guru-krsna-krpaya: by the mercy of guru and Krsna. When Sri Guru and Krsna are fully satisfied with one's sincere efforts, one may be blessed with divine wisdom and spiritual perfection. It is simply a question of mercy and nothing else. The path of devotion (bhakti-marga) depends completely on the mercy of the Lord. Therefore, one must seek the mercy-beg for it, hope for it and pray for it. Gaudiya Vaisnavas understand this principle, so they always pray to Sri Guru and the merciful Vaisnavas past and present for mercy, blessings and guidance. This especially applies to chanting the holy name for which we have little or no taste or attraction. Heartfelt prayers will draw the attention of Krsna and His devotees. By their causeless mercy one will attain the power to chant and the taste to sustain it.
ekaki amdra, nahi pay a bala, hari-nama-sahkirtane
tumi krpd kori', sraddha-bindu diyd, deho' krsna-nama-dhane
"On my own, I have absolutely no strength to chant the holy name ** Please, O Vaisnava Thakura! Be merciful by giving nd grant me the great treasure of the holy name of lord hari. Please, O vaisnava Thakur! Be merciful by giving me one drop faith, and grant me the great treasure of the holy name of krishna (saranagati)
One will quickly attain spiritual perfection by selflessly worshiping the six G's: Guru, Gosvamis, Gauranga, Giriraja and Gandharvika-Giridhari. Realizing this, Krsna dasa Kaviraja prayed to the six Gosvamis to remove all impediments to his writing of Caitanya-caritamrta. In the following purport, Srila Prabhupada describes how the six Gosvamis assist devotees by protecting them, destroying obstacles, and arranging for their service to Krsna."If a devotee seeks shelter at the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis, the merciful Gosvamis will certainly give the Lord's servitor all protection. It is not astonishing that impediments are placed before those who are spreading the Krsna consciousness movement all over the world. Nevertheless, if we adhere to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis and pray for their mercy, all impediments will be annihilated, and the transcendental devotional desire to serve the Supreme Lord will be fulfilled." (Cc. Antya 1.3-4 p.) Devotees who understand the great power of the six Gosvamis will always pray for their mercy. Ours is the path of mercy, the path of grace, and there are no more merciful devotees than the six Gosvamis. May everyone receive the causeless mercy of the six Gosvamis, and go back home, back to Godhead. In order to chant without offenses, subdue impediments, and progress steadily on the path oiprema, acaryas advocate reciting the following prayer to the six Gosvamis ten times every morning before chanting japa:
sri-rupa sanatoria bhatta-raghundtha, sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasaraghundtha
ei chay gosdir kori carana vandan, jaha hoite bighna-nas abhistapuran
By the causeless mercy of the six Gosvamis-Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Jiva, Raghunatha dasa and Gopala Bhatta-the obstacles to devotion can be removed, the service of Radha-Govinda Yugala can be attained, and all one's personal desires for Service can be fulfilled. (Nama-sankirtana, Narottama dasa Thakura)
One can also pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva to remove anarthas and aparadhas from the heart. The auspicious and most merciful Lord Nrsirhha has unlimited power to purify the heart, destroy obstacles to devotion, and bestow attraction for chanting Hare Krsna. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura shows the relationship between Nrsimhadeva's mercy and Radha-Govindaprema:
In Navadvipa-dhama, at the abode of Lord Nrsirhha known as Nrsirmha Puri or Devapalli, I will roll on the ground in ecstatic love, begging for unalloyed love of Krsna. In my heart reside duplicity, insincerity, the desire for fame, and the six enemies: lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion and madness (kama, krodha, lobha, matsarya, moha, mada). I will pray at the feet of Lord Nrsimha, therefore, to purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Krsna. Weeping, I will beg at the lotus feet of Nrsimha that I may worship Radha-Govinda in Navadvipa, free from all obstacles. When will that Lord Hari, who strikes fear in fear personified, be pleased and bestow His mercy on me? Although this form of the Lord is terrible for the evil, He is exceedingly auspicious for the devotees headed by Prahlada. When will Nrsimhadeva become pleased to mercifully speak to me, a worthless fool, and remove my fears?
"Lord Nrsirhha will say, 'Dear child, stay here happily in Gaura-dhama. Worship Radha-Govinda and develop attraction for the holy name. By the mercy of My devotees all obstacles will be transcended. With a purified heart just worship Radha-Govinda-the abodes of sweet nectar After speaking in this way, when will Lord Nrsirhha joyfully place His feet upon my head? At that moment, by the Lord's mercy, I will exhibit symptoms of ecstatic love for Radha-Govinda, and roll on the ground before the door of His temple." (Navadvipa-bhava-taranga)
After praising Sri Guru, the Gosvamis and Lord Nrsirhha one should pray to Gaura-Nitai and the Panca-tattva for the ability to chant suddha-nama. Krsna dasa Kaviraja says the holy names Caitanya and Nityananda will quickly remove nama-aparadhas from faithful chanters:
caitanya-nitydnande nahi esaba vicara
natna laite prema dena, vahe asrudhara
"One will be cleansed of all offenses very quickly just by chanting the holy names of Caitanya and Nityananda with a little faith. Then as soon as one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he will attain prema and tears will flow from his eyes."(cc. Adi 8.31)Every night during the Kartika month, a kirtana party walks around Radha-kunda. With wompers, mrdangas and contagious enthusiasm they wildly sing, "Jai Caitanya! Nitai-Caitanya! Jai Caitanya-Nitaiii!" When one hears this kirtana, he instantly feels lighthearted and flushed with joy. Without thinking, one starts singing responsively. By the influence of Caitanya-Nitai, the maha-mantra soon pours out in waves of sweetness. All glories to the causeless mercy of Caitanya-Nitai!
sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nitydnanda sri-advaita
gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda.
"There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, but there are no such considerations in chanting the names of Gaura-Nityananda. Therefore, if one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will be very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service to the Lord. But if in spite of being an offender one chants the holy names of Gaura-Nityananda, he is very quickly freed from the interactions of his offenses." (ccAdi 8.31 p.) It is difficult to keep the rascal mind fixed on the sound of Krsna's holy name while chanting;'apa. And remembering Krsna's pastimes while chanting is even more difficult. Therefore, one may feel discouraged in his attempts to rise to the platform of pure chanting in the face of so many anarthas and aparadhas. Fortunately, however, one can call upon "five friends" for help in chanting. By receiving the causeless mercy of Lord Gauranga and His associates a blind chanter can see the Lord in the heart, a lame offender can scale a mountain of aparadhas, and a foul-mouthed fool can recite the honey sweet words of madhura-nama.
Reciting the following prayers before chanting japa will purify the mind, create a feeling of humility, and establish the mood of service (seva-bhava) in the heart. Meditate deeply on the meaning of these important prayers and try to memorize them. One can maintain the proper mood of humility during japa by remembering the meaning of these prayers while chanting Hare Krsna.
naharh vipro na ca nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro
ndharh varni na ca grha-patir no vana-stho yatir va
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramdnanda-purnamrtabdher
gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor ddsa-dasdnudasah
I am a pure spirit soul. I am not a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha or sannyasa. I am nothing more than a servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, the maintainer of the gopis. Krsna is an ocean of nectar and the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He always exists with brilliance, (cc. Madhya 13.80) I am by nature the eternal servant of Krsna. But because of my bad fortune, I have been inimical toward Krsna from time immemorial. Identifying with my body, I have been continuously wandering in the cycle of birth and death in the material world, suffering the burning three-fold miseries. As a result of some unimaginable good fortune I have attained the mercy of my spiritual master, and now I know that I am Krsna's eternal servant. I am an infinitesimal spiritual being completely apart from the gross and subtle body. I have obtained the good fortune of serving the lotus feet of Sri Guru. Under his order, I am following in his footsteps to serve the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika-Giridhari [or the names of the your personal Deities],
O Radha-Govinda! I will adorn my neck with the incomparably beautiful garland of Your holy names. Please make tears fall uncontrollably from my eyes. Please once and for all free me from illusion and submerge me repeatedly in the waves of the nectar ocean of Your holy names. Please protect me and give me unflinching devotion to Your lotus feet. I offer my continual obeisances Unto You. (paura Govindarcana Smarana Paddhati)
Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Only you have the power to conquer lust, hatred and all other vices. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Make me forget the dualities of material existence arising from this material body. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Help me to forget the material world and reveal to me the sweet splendor of the spiritual world. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Please take me to a secluded grove in Vrndavana wherein the fair and dark complexioned lovers are manifesting Their wonderful pastimes."(yadavana-mahimamrta, Sataka 7.40)
tvarh gopika vrsaraves tanayantike 'si
sevadhikarini guro nija-pdda-padme
dasyarh praddya kuru mam vraja-kanane sri-
rddhanghri-sevana-rase sukhiriim sukhdbdhau
O beloved spiritual master! You are always serving the lotus feet of the splendid gopika named Radha, the darling daughter of Vrsabhanu Maharaja. Please give me the qualification to serve your lotus feet, which are the abodes of pure devotional service. By your mercy I will attain the eternal service of Sri Radha in the beautiful groves of Vraja-dhama. While serving the lotus feet of Radha I will taste a variety of blissful mellows (seva-rasa), and thereby drown in an ocean Of joy. (Pancaratra Pradipa)
DURING JAPA:
In the Caitanya-caritamrta, Ramananda Raya states that the names of Radha-Krsna (yugala-nama), or the Hare Krsna mantra are the topmost objects of worship:
'updsyera madhye kon upasya pradhdna?'
srestha upasya—yugala 'radha-krsna' nama'
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, 'Among all worshipable objects, which is the chief?' Ramananda Raya replied, 'The chief worshipable object is the holy name of Radha-Krsna, the Hare Krsna mantra.' (cc. Madhya 8.256) In this regard, Sanat-kumara-samhita states that recitation of the following five prayers quickly awards one the direct service of Radha-Krsna. Since the Hare Kimamaha-mantra is ayugala-man-tra, non-different from Radha-Krsna, one can also offer these prayers to the maha-mantra. In this japa meditation technique, one should mentally repeat these prayers while simultaneously chanting japa.
1.0 Radha-Krsna, please rescue me from the ocean of birth and death. Please save me from the problems born of home, family and friends. Please break to pieces the fears of Your surrendered devotees.
2. O Radha-Krsna, today I place myself and everything I possess in this life or in the next at Your lotus feet.
3. O Radha-Krsna, I am an abode of all offenses. I have abandoned all spiritual duties. I have no shelter. O Radha-Krsna, O My Lords, please give me Your shelter.
4.0 master of Radha, I am Yours. O beloved of Lord Krsna, I am Youis. I offer my thoughts, words and deeds to both of You. You both are the goal of my life.
5.0 Radha-Krsna, You are like two great oceans of mercy. Please be merciful to me. I take shelter of You and surrender unto You. Although I am a sinner and an offender, please engage me in Your divine Service. (Sanat-kumara-samhita)
AFTER JAPA:
In a purport describing the nine forms of bhakti, Srila Prabhupada said, "One should chant the following two prayers composed in glorification of the holy name to become free from offenses at the lotus feet of the holy name: " (SB 7.5.23-24 p.)
nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala dyuti-riirajita-pada-parikajanta
ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanarh paritas tvath hari-ndma sarhsrayami
O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by liberated souls such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! I take complete shelter of YOU. (Ndmastaka l)
nivrtta-tarsair upaglyamdndd bhavausadhac chrotra-mano-'bhiramat
ka uttamasloka-gundnuvdddt pumdn virajyeta vind pasughndt
Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the parampara system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except a butcher [animal killer], or one who is killing his own self? (SB 10.1.4)
The two prayers above and the others mentioned below can be chanted after completing sixteen rounds of Hare Krsnayopa. Chanting these prayers will refresh the mind and remove offenses from the heart.
aparadha-sahasrani, kriyante 'har-nisarh mayd.
ddso 'ham iti mam matvd, ksamasva madhusiidana.
Day and night, I make thousands of offenses. Oh Madhusiidana! Thinking of me as Your servant, kindly forgive them.
pratijha tava govinda, na me bhaktah pranasyati.
iti samsmrtya samsmrtya, prdndn sahdharayamy aharn
O Govinda, Your promise is that Your devotee will never perish.By remembering this over and over again, I am able to retain my life-airs.
sthitih seva gatir ydtrd, smrtis cintd stutir vacah.
bhuyat sarvatmana visno, madiyam tvayi cestitam.
O Lord Krsna! Let my normal condition be service. Let my movement be holy pilgrimage. Let my thought be remembrance of You. Let my words be glorification of You. O Krsna! May all the activities of my mind, body and soul be ever engaged in Your service. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 4.3l) Although I am the lowest and You are the highest; although I am a fool and You are the greatest hilosopher; although I am wicked and You are the most saintly; and although I commit offenses when I think of You, still, O Radha-Govinda, the shadow of whose holy name delivers one from a host of sins, please be kind to this person who Sometimes Chants Your holy names. (Karpanya-panjika-stotra, Srila Rupa Gosvami)
Upon finishing sixteen rounds of japa, one should not immediately get up and run through the day. Sit quietly for at least five minutes. Close your eyes and fix the dazzling forms of Radha-Syama in your mind while reflecting upon Their infinite sweet love and compassion. You belong to Them and They belong to you. Offer a short personal prayer to Radha-Syama, your own Deity, or to Sri Nama Prabhu [sample below]. Afterwards, offer obeisances to Sri Nama Prabhu and your spiritual master, and then execute your prescribed duties."Oh most beautiful and merciful Radha-Syama! Please accept this offering of japa, which I tried my best to chant for Your plea¬sure. Please forgive me for all my offenses and inattention. Please engage me only in Your service, and teach me how to increase my attachment and love for You. Please protect me from maya. Please help me remember Your beautiful names, forms, and pastimes throughout the day."
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Japa Prayers
September 1, 2008 - 7:27pm — RasaRasika108This is a rather long post - and for that I apologise. However it has helped so much with my japa. It is taken from Mahanidhi Swami's book, entitled 'The Art of Chanting Hare Krishna.' There are prayers for before, during and after japa (although honestly I've thought of the prayers during japa of more of a mood). It helps keep me focussed and makes my japa more meaningful. I hope it will inspire and help others with their japa.
BEFORE JAPA:
"The beauty of bhakti-yoga, unlike other yoga systems, is that all progress depends more or less on the mercy of Guru and Krsna. In other yoga paths, one attains success by his personal prowess, austerity and endeavor. On the bhakti-marga, however, attaining the goal oiprema does not depend on the mechanical system of hearing and chanting; it depends solely on Krsna's causeless mercy. Lord Gauranga says, guru-krsna-krpaya: by the mercy of guru and Krsna. When Sri Guru and Krsna are fully satisfied with one's sincere efforts, one may be blessed with divine wisdom and spiritual perfection. It is simply a question of mercy and nothing else. The path of devotion (bhakti-marga) depends completely on the mercy of the Lord. Therefore, one must seek the mercy-beg for it, hope for it and pray for it. Gaudiya Vaisnavas understand this principle, so they always pray to Sri Guru and the merciful Vaisnavas past and present for mercy, blessings and guidance. This especially applies to chanting the holy name for which we have little or no taste or attraction. Heartfelt prayers will draw the attention of Krsna and His devotees. By their causeless mercy one will attain the power to chant and the taste to sustain it.
ekaki amdra, nahi pay a bala, hari-nama-sahkirtane
tumi krpd kori', sraddha-bindu diyd, deho' krsna-nama-dhane
"On my own, I have absolutely no strength to chant the holy name ** Please, O Vaisnava Thakura! Be merciful by giving nd grant me the great treasure of the holy name of lord hari. Please, O vaisnava Thakur! Be merciful by giving me one drop faith, and grant me the great treasure of the holy name of krishna (saranagati)
One will quickly attain spiritual perfection by selflessly worshiping the six G's: Guru, Gosvamis, Gauranga, Giriraja and Gandharvika-Giridhari. Realizing this, Krsna dasa Kaviraja prayed to the six Gosvamis to remove all impediments to his writing of Caitanya-caritamrta. In the following purport, Srila Prabhupada describes how the six Gosvamis assist devotees by protecting them, destroying obstacles, and arranging for their service to Krsna."If a devotee seeks shelter at the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis, the merciful Gosvamis will certainly give the Lord's servitor all protection. It is not astonishing that impediments are placed before those who are spreading the Krsna consciousness movement all over the world. Nevertheless, if we adhere to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis and pray for their mercy, all impediments will be annihilated, and the transcendental devotional desire to serve the Supreme Lord will be fulfilled." (Cc. Antya 1.3-4 p.) Devotees who understand the great power of the six Gosvamis will always pray for their mercy. Ours is the path of mercy, the path of grace, and there are no more merciful devotees than the six Gosvamis. May everyone receive the causeless mercy of the six Gosvamis, and go back home, back to Godhead. In order to chant without offenses, subdue impediments, and progress steadily on the path oiprema, acaryas advocate reciting the following prayer to the six Gosvamis ten times every morning before chanting japa:
sri-rupa sanatoria bhatta-raghundtha, sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasaraghundtha
ei chay gosdir kori carana vandan, jaha hoite bighna-nas abhistapuran
By the causeless mercy of the six Gosvamis-Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Jiva, Raghunatha dasa and Gopala Bhatta-the obstacles to devotion can be removed, the service of Radha-Govinda Yugala can be attained, and all one's personal desires for Service can be fulfilled. (Nama-sankirtana, Narottama dasa Thakura)
One can also pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva to remove anarthas and aparadhas from the heart. The auspicious and most merciful Lord Nrsirhha has unlimited power to purify the heart, destroy obstacles to devotion, and bestow attraction for chanting Hare Krsna. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura shows the relationship between Nrsimhadeva's mercy and Radha-Govindaprema:
In Navadvipa-dhama, at the abode of Lord Nrsirhha known as Nrsirmha Puri or Devapalli, I will roll on the ground in ecstatic love, begging for unalloyed love of Krsna. In my heart reside duplicity, insincerity, the desire for fame, and the six enemies: lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion and madness (kama, krodha, lobha, matsarya, moha, mada). I will pray at the feet of Lord Nrsimha, therefore, to purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Krsna. Weeping, I will beg at the lotus feet of Nrsimha that I may worship Radha-Govinda in Navadvipa, free from all obstacles. When will that Lord Hari, who strikes fear in fear personified, be pleased and bestow His mercy on me? Although this form of the Lord is terrible for the evil, He is exceedingly auspicious for the devotees headed by Prahlada. When will Nrsimhadeva become pleased to mercifully speak to me, a worthless fool, and remove my fears?
"Lord Nrsirhha will say, 'Dear child, stay here happily in Gaura-dhama. Worship Radha-Govinda and develop attraction for the holy name. By the mercy of My devotees all obstacles will be transcended. With a purified heart just worship Radha-Govinda-the abodes of sweet nectar After speaking in this way, when will Lord Nrsirhha joyfully place His feet upon my head? At that moment, by the Lord's mercy, I will exhibit symptoms of ecstatic love for Radha-Govinda, and roll on the ground before the door of His temple." (Navadvipa-bhava-taranga)
After praising Sri Guru, the Gosvamis and Lord Nrsirhha one should pray to Gaura-Nitai and the Panca-tattva for the ability to chant suddha-nama. Krsna dasa Kaviraja says the holy names Caitanya and Nityananda will quickly remove nama-aparadhas from faithful chanters:
caitanya-nitydnande nahi esaba vicara
natna laite prema dena, vahe asrudhara
"One will be cleansed of all offenses very quickly just by chanting the holy names of Caitanya and Nityananda with a little faith. Then as soon as one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he will attain prema and tears will flow from his eyes."(cc. Adi 8.31)Every night during the Kartika month, a kirtana party walks around Radha-kunda. With wompers, mrdangas and contagious enthusiasm they wildly sing, "Jai Caitanya! Nitai-Caitanya! Jai Caitanya-Nitaiii!" When one hears this kirtana, he instantly feels lighthearted and flushed with joy. Without thinking, one starts singing responsively. By the influence of Caitanya-Nitai, the maha-mantra soon pours out in waves of sweetness. All glories to the causeless mercy of Caitanya-Nitai!
sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nitydnanda sri-advaita
gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda.
"There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, but there are no such considerations in chanting the names of Gaura-Nityananda. Therefore, if one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will be very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service to the Lord. But if in spite of being an offender one chants the holy names of Gaura-Nityananda, he is very quickly freed from the interactions of his offenses." (ccAdi 8.31 p.) It is difficult to keep the rascal mind fixed on the sound of Krsna's holy name while chanting;'apa. And remembering Krsna's pastimes while chanting is even more difficult. Therefore, one may feel discouraged in his attempts to rise to the platform of pure chanting in the face of so many anarthas and aparadhas. Fortunately, however, one can call upon "five friends" for help in chanting. By receiving the causeless mercy of Lord Gauranga and His associates a blind chanter can see the Lord in the heart, a lame offender can scale a mountain of aparadhas, and a foul-mouthed fool can recite the honey sweet words of madhura-nama.
Reciting the following prayers before chanting japa will purify the mind, create a feeling of humility, and establish the mood of service (seva-bhava) in the heart. Meditate deeply on the meaning of these important prayers and try to memorize them. One can maintain the proper mood of humility during japa by remembering the meaning of these prayers while chanting Hare Krsna.
naharh vipro na ca nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro
ndharh varni na ca grha-patir no vana-stho yatir va
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramdnanda-purnamrtabdher
gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor ddsa-dasdnudasah
I am a pure spirit soul. I am not a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha or sannyasa. I am nothing more than a servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, the maintainer of the gopis. Krsna is an ocean of nectar and the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He always exists with brilliance, (cc. Madhya 13.80) I am by nature the eternal servant of Krsna. But because of my bad fortune, I have been inimical toward Krsna from time immemorial. Identifying with my body, I have been continuously wandering in the cycle of birth and death in the material world, suffering the burning three-fold miseries. As a result of some unimaginable good fortune I have attained the mercy of my spiritual master, and now I know that I am Krsna's eternal servant. I am an infinitesimal spiritual being completely apart from the gross and subtle body. I have obtained the good fortune of serving the lotus feet of Sri Guru. Under his order, I am following in his footsteps to serve the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika-Giridhari [or the names of the your personal Deities],
O Radha-Govinda! I will adorn my neck with the incomparably beautiful garland of Your holy names. Please make tears fall uncontrollably from my eyes. Please once and for all free me from illusion and submerge me repeatedly in the waves of the nectar ocean of Your holy names. Please protect me and give me unflinching devotion to Your lotus feet. I offer my continual obeisances Unto You. (paura Govindarcana Smarana Paddhati)
Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Only you have the power to conquer lust, hatred and all other vices. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Make me forget the dualities of material existence arising from this material body. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Help me to forget the material world and reveal to me the sweet splendor of the spiritual world. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Please take me to a secluded grove in Vrndavana wherein the fair and dark complexioned lovers are manifesting Their wonderful pastimes."(yadavana-mahimamrta, Sataka 7.40)
tvarh gopika vrsaraves tanayantike 'si
sevadhikarini guro nija-pdda-padme
dasyarh praddya kuru mam vraja-kanane sri-
rddhanghri-sevana-rase sukhiriim sukhdbdhau
O beloved spiritual master! You are always serving the lotus feet of the splendid gopika named Radha, the darling daughter of Vrsabhanu Maharaja. Please give me the qualification to serve your lotus feet, which are the abodes of pure devotional service. By your mercy I will attain the eternal service of Sri Radha in the beautiful groves of Vraja-dhama. While serving the lotus feet of Radha I will taste a variety of blissful mellows (seva-rasa), and thereby drown in an ocean Of joy. (Pancaratra Pradipa)
DURING JAPA:
In the Caitanya-caritamrta, Ramananda Raya states that the names of Radha-Krsna (yugala-nama), or the Hare Krsna mantra are the topmost objects of worship:
'updsyera madhye kon upasya pradhdna?'
srestha upasya—yugala 'radha-krsna' nama'
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, 'Among all worshipable objects, which is the chief?' Ramananda Raya replied, 'The chief worshipable object is the holy name of Radha-Krsna, the Hare Krsna mantra.' (cc. Madhya 8.256) In this regard, Sanat-kumara-samhita states that recitation of the following five prayers quickly awards one the direct service of Radha-Krsna. Since the Hare Kimamaha-mantra is ayugala-man-tra, non-different from Radha-Krsna, one can also offer these prayers to the maha-mantra. In this japa meditation technique, one should mentally repeat these prayers while simultaneously chanting japa.
1.0 Radha-Krsna, please rescue me from the ocean of birth and death. Please save me from the problems born of home, family and friends. Please break to pieces the fears of Your surrendered devotees.
2. O Radha-Krsna, today I place myself and everything I possess in this life or in the next at Your lotus feet.
3. O Radha-Krsna, I am an abode of all offenses. I have abandoned all spiritual duties. I have no shelter. O Radha-Krsna, O My Lords, please give me Your shelter.
4.0 master of Radha, I am Yours. O beloved of Lord Krsna, I am Youis. I offer my thoughts, words and deeds to both of You. You both are the goal of my life.
5.0 Radha-Krsna, You are like two great oceans of mercy. Please be merciful to me. I take shelter of You and surrender unto You. Although I am a sinner and an offender, please engage me in Your divine Service. (Sanat-kumara-samhita)
AFTER JAPA:
In a purport describing the nine forms of bhakti, Srila Prabhupada said, "One should chant the following two prayers composed in glorification of the holy name to become free from offenses at the lotus feet of the holy name: " (SB 7.5.23-24 p.)
nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala dyuti-riirajita-pada-parikajanta
ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanarh paritas tvath hari-ndma sarhsrayami
O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by liberated souls such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! I take complete shelter of YOU. (Ndmastaka l)
nivrtta-tarsair upaglyamdndd bhavausadhac chrotra-mano-'bhiramat
ka uttamasloka-gundnuvdddt pumdn virajyeta vind pasughndt
Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the parampara system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except a butcher [animal killer], or one who is killing his own self? (SB 10.1.4)
The two prayers above and the others mentioned below can be chanted after completing sixteen rounds of Hare Krsnayopa. Chanting these prayers will refresh the mind and remove offenses from the heart.
aparadha-sahasrani, kriyante 'har-nisarh mayd.
ddso 'ham iti mam matvd, ksamasva madhusiidana.
Day and night, I make thousands of offenses. Oh Madhusiidana! Thinking of me as Your servant, kindly forgive them.
pratijha tava govinda, na me bhaktah pranasyati.
iti samsmrtya samsmrtya, prdndn sahdharayamy aharn
O Govinda, Your promise is that Your devotee will never perish.By remembering this over and over again, I am able to retain my life-airs.
sthitih seva gatir ydtrd, smrtis cintd stutir vacah.
bhuyat sarvatmana visno, madiyam tvayi cestitam.
O Lord Krsna! Let my normal condition be service. Let my movement be holy pilgrimage. Let my thought be remembrance of You. Let my words be glorification of You. O Krsna! May all the activities of my mind, body and soul be ever engaged in Your service. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 4.3l) Although I am the lowest and You are the highest; although I am a fool and You are the greatest hilosopher; although I am wicked and You are the most saintly; and although I commit offenses when I think of You, still, O Radha-Govinda, the shadow of whose holy name delivers one from a host of sins, please be kind to this person who Sometimes Chants Your holy names. (Karpanya-panjika-stotra, Srila Rupa Gosvami)
Upon finishing sixteen rounds of japa, one should not immediately get up and run through the day. Sit quietly for at least five minutes. Close your eyes and fix the dazzling forms of Radha-Syama in your mind while reflecting upon Their infinite sweet love and compassion. You belong to Them and They belong to you. Offer a short personal prayer to Radha-Syama, your own Deity, or to Sri Nama Prabhu [sample below]. Afterwards, offer obeisances to Sri Nama Prabhu and your spiritual master, and then execute your prescribed duties."Oh most beautiful and merciful Radha-Syama! Please accept this offering of japa, which I tried my best to chant for Your plea¬sure. Please forgive me for all my offenses and inattention. Please engage me only in Your service, and teach me how to increase my attachment and love for You. Please protect me from maya. Please help me remember Your beautiful names, forms, and pastimes throughout the day."
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Japa Prayers
September 1, 2008 - 7:26pm — RasaRasika108This is a rather long post - and for that I apologise. However it has helped so much with my japa. It is taken from Mahanidhi Swami's book, entitled 'The Art of Chanting Hare Krishna.' There are prayers for before, during and after japa (although honestly I've thought of the prayers during japa of more of a mood). It helps keep me focussed and makes my japa more meaningful. I hope it will inspire and help others with their japa.
BEFORE JAPA:
"The beauty of bhakti-yoga, unlike other yoga systems, is that all progress depends more or less on the mercy of Guru and Krsna. In other yoga paths, one attains success by his personal prowess, austerity and endeavor. On the bhakti-marga, however, attaining the goal oiprema does not depend on the mechanical system of hearing and chanting; it depends solely on Krsna's causeless mercy. Lord Gauranga says, guru-krsna-krpaya: by the mercy of guru and Krsna. When Sri Guru and Krsna are fully satisfied with one's sincere efforts, one may be blessed with divine wisdom and spiritual perfection. It is simply a question of mercy and nothing else. The path of devotion (bhakti-marga) depends completely on the mercy of the Lord. Therefore, one must seek the mercy-beg for it, hope for it and pray for it. Gaudiya Vaisnavas understand this principle, so they always pray to Sri Guru and the merciful Vaisnavas past and present for mercy, blessings and guidance. This especially applies to chanting the holy name for which we have little or no taste or attraction. Heartfelt prayers will draw the attention of Krsna and His devotees. By their causeless mercy one will attain the power to chant and the taste to sustain it.
ekaki amdra, nahi pay a bala, hari-nama-sahkirtane
tumi krpd kori', sraddha-bindu diyd, deho' krsna-nama-dhane
"On my own, I have absolutely no strength to chant the holy name ** Please, O Vaisnava Thakura! Be merciful by giving nd grant me the great treasure of the holy name of lord hari. Please, O vaisnava Thakur! Be merciful by giving me one drop faith, and grant me the great treasure of the holy name of krishna (saranagati)
One will quickly attain spiritual perfection by selflessly worshiping the six G's: Guru, Gosvamis, Gauranga, Giriraja and Gandharvika-Giridhari. Realizing this, Krsna dasa Kaviraja prayed to the six Gosvamis to remove all impediments to his writing of Caitanya-caritamrta. In the following purport, Srila Prabhupada describes how the six Gosvamis assist devotees by protecting them, destroying obstacles, and arranging for their service to Krsna."If a devotee seeks shelter at the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis, the merciful Gosvamis will certainly give the Lord's servitor all protection. It is not astonishing that impediments are placed before those who are spreading the Krsna consciousness movement all over the world. Nevertheless, if we adhere to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis and pray for their mercy, all impediments will be annihilated, and the transcendental devotional desire to serve the Supreme Lord will be fulfilled." (Cc. Antya 1.3-4 p.) Devotees who understand the great power of the six Gosvamis will always pray for their mercy. Ours is the path of mercy, the path of grace, and there are no more merciful devotees than the six Gosvamis. May everyone receive the causeless mercy of the six Gosvamis, and go back home, back to Godhead. In order to chant without offenses, subdue impediments, and progress steadily on the path oiprema, acaryas advocate reciting the following prayer to the six Gosvamis ten times every morning before chanting japa:
sri-rupa sanatoria bhatta-raghundtha, sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasaraghundtha
ei chay gosdir kori carana vandan, jaha hoite bighna-nas abhistapuran
By the causeless mercy of the six Gosvamis-Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Jiva, Raghunatha dasa and Gopala Bhatta-the obstacles to devotion can be removed, the service of Radha-Govinda Yugala can be attained, and all one's personal desires for Service can be fulfilled. (Nama-sankirtana, Narottama dasa Thakura)
One can also pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva to remove anarthas and aparadhas from the heart. The auspicious and most merciful Lord Nrsirhha has unlimited power to purify the heart, destroy obstacles to devotion, and bestow attraction for chanting Hare Krsna. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura shows the relationship between Nrsimhadeva's mercy and Radha-Govindaprema:
In Navadvipa-dhama, at the abode of Lord Nrsirhha known as Nrsirmha Puri or Devapalli, I will roll on the ground in ecstatic love, begging for unalloyed love of Krsna. In my heart reside duplicity, insincerity, the desire for fame, and the six enemies: lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion and madness (kama, krodha, lobha, matsarya, moha, mada). I will pray at the feet of Lord Nrsimha, therefore, to purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Krsna. Weeping, I will beg at the lotus feet of Nrsimha that I may worship Radha-Govinda in Navadvipa, free from all obstacles. When will that Lord Hari, who strikes fear in fear personified, be pleased and bestow His mercy on me? Although this form of the Lord is terrible for the evil, He is exceedingly auspicious for the devotees headed by Prahlada. When will Nrsimhadeva become pleased to mercifully speak to me, a worthless fool, and remove my fears?
"Lord Nrsirhha will say, 'Dear child, stay here happily in Gaura-dhama. Worship Radha-Govinda and develop attraction for the holy name. By the mercy of My devotees all obstacles will be transcended. With a purified heart just worship Radha-Govinda-the abodes of sweet nectar After speaking in this way, when will Lord Nrsirhha joyfully place His feet upon my head? At that moment, by the Lord's mercy, I will exhibit symptoms of ecstatic love for Radha-Govinda, and roll on the ground before the door of His temple." (Navadvipa-bhava-taranga)
After praising Sri Guru, the Gosvamis and Lord Nrsirhha one should pray to Gaura-Nitai and the Panca-tattva for the ability to chant suddha-nama. Krsna dasa Kaviraja says the holy names Caitanya and Nityananda will quickly remove nama-aparadhas from faithful chanters:
caitanya-nitydnande nahi esaba vicara
natna laite prema dena, vahe asrudhara
"One will be cleansed of all offenses very quickly just by chanting the holy names of Caitanya and Nityananda with a little faith. Then as soon as one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he will attain prema and tears will flow from his eyes."(cc. Adi 8.31)Every night during the Kartika month, a kirtana party walks around Radha-kunda. With wompers, mrdangas and contagious enthusiasm they wildly sing, "Jai Caitanya! Nitai-Caitanya! Jai Caitanya-Nitaiii!" When one hears this kirtana, he instantly feels lighthearted and flushed with joy. Without thinking, one starts singing responsively. By the influence of Caitanya-Nitai, the maha-mantra soon pours out in waves of sweetness. All glories to the causeless mercy of Caitanya-Nitai!
sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nitydnanda sri-advaita
gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda.
"There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, but there are no such considerations in chanting the names of Gaura-Nityananda. Therefore, if one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will be very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service to the Lord. But if in spite of being an offender one chants the holy names of Gaura-Nityananda, he is very quickly freed from the interactions of his offenses." (ccAdi 8.31 p.) It is difficult to keep the rascal mind fixed on the sound of Krsna's holy name while chanting;'apa. And remembering Krsna's pastimes while chanting is even more difficult. Therefore, one may feel discouraged in his attempts to rise to the platform of pure chanting in the face of so many anarthas and aparadhas. Fortunately, however, one can call upon "five friends" for help in chanting. By receiving the causeless mercy of Lord Gauranga and His associates a blind chanter can see the Lord in the heart, a lame offender can scale a mountain of aparadhas, and a foul-mouthed fool can recite the honey sweet words of madhura-nama.
Reciting the following prayers before chanting japa will purify the mind, create a feeling of humility, and establish the mood of service (seva-bhava) in the heart. Meditate deeply on the meaning of these important prayers and try to memorize them. One can maintain the proper mood of humility during japa by remembering the meaning of these prayers while chanting Hare Krsna.
naharh vipro na ca nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro
ndharh varni na ca grha-patir no vana-stho yatir va
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramdnanda-purnamrtabdher
gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor ddsa-dasdnudasah
I am a pure spirit soul. I am not a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha or sannyasa. I am nothing more than a servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, the maintainer of the gopis. Krsna is an ocean of nectar and the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He always exists with brilliance, (cc. Madhya 13.80) I am by nature the eternal servant of Krsna. But because of my bad fortune, I have been inimical toward Krsna from time immemorial. Identifying with my body, I have been continuously wandering in the cycle of birth and death in the material world, suffering the burning three-fold miseries. As a result of some unimaginable good fortune I have attained the mercy of my spiritual master, and now I know that I am Krsna's eternal servant. I am an infinitesimal spiritual being completely apart from the gross and subtle body. I have obtained the good fortune of serving the lotus feet of Sri Guru. Under his order, I am following in his footsteps to serve the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika-Giridhari [or the names of the your personal Deities],
O Radha-Govinda! I will adorn my neck with the incomparably beautiful garland of Your holy names. Please make tears fall uncontrollably from my eyes. Please once and for all free me from illusion and submerge me repeatedly in the waves of the nectar ocean of Your holy names. Please protect me and give me unflinching devotion to Your lotus feet. I offer my continual obeisances Unto You. (paura Govindarcana Smarana Paddhati)
Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Only you have the power to conquer lust, hatred and all other vices. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Make me forget the dualities of material existence arising from this material body. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Help me to forget the material world and reveal to me the sweet splendor of the spiritual world. Oh glorious holy name of Krsna! Please take me to a secluded grove in Vrndavana wherein the fair and dark complexioned lovers are manifesting Their wonderful pastimes."(yadavana-mahimamrta, Sataka 7.40)
tvarh gopika vrsaraves tanayantike 'si
sevadhikarini guro nija-pdda-padme
dasyarh praddya kuru mam vraja-kanane sri-
rddhanghri-sevana-rase sukhiriim sukhdbdhau
O beloved spiritual master! You are always serving the lotus feet of the splendid gopika named Radha, the darling daughter of Vrsabhanu Maharaja. Please give me the qualification to serve your lotus feet, which are the abodes of pure devotional service. By your mercy I will attain the eternal service of Sri Radha in the beautiful groves of Vraja-dhama. While serving the lotus feet of Radha I will taste a variety of blissful mellows (seva-rasa), and thereby drown in an ocean Of joy. (Pancaratra Pradipa)
DURING JAPA:
In the Caitanya-caritamrta, Ramananda Raya states that the names of Radha-Krsna (yugala-nama), or the Hare Krsna mantra are the topmost objects of worship:
'updsyera madhye kon upasya pradhdna?'
srestha upasya—yugala 'radha-krsna' nama'
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, 'Among all worshipable objects, which is the chief?' Ramananda Raya replied, 'The chief worshipable object is the holy name of Radha-Krsna, the Hare Krsna mantra.' (cc. Madhya 8.256) In this regard, Sanat-kumara-samhita states that recitation of the following five prayers quickly awards one the direct service of Radha-Krsna. Since the Hare Kimamaha-mantra is ayugala-man-tra, non-different from Radha-Krsna, one can also offer these prayers to the maha-mantra. In this japa meditation technique, one should mentally repeat these prayers while simultaneously chanting japa.
1.0 Radha-Krsna, please rescue me from the ocean of birth and death. Please save me from the problems born of home, family and friends. Please break to pieces the fears of Your surrendered devotees.
2. O Radha-Krsna, today I place myself and everything I possess in this life or in the next at Your lotus feet.
3. O Radha-Krsna, I am an abode of all offenses. I have abandoned all spiritual duties. I have no shelter. O Radha-Krsna, O My Lords, please give me Your shelter.
4.0 master of Radha, I am Yours. O beloved of Lord Krsna, I am Youis. I offer my thoughts, words and deeds to both of You. You both are the goal of my life.
5.0 Radha-Krsna, You are like two great oceans of mercy. Please be merciful to me. I take shelter of You and surrender unto You. Although I am a sinner and an offender, please engage me in Your divine Service. (Sanat-kumara-samhita)
AFTER JAPA:
In a purport describing the nine forms of bhakti, Srila Prabhupada said, "One should chant the following two prayers composed in glorification of the holy name to become free from offenses at the lotus feet of the holy name: " (SB 7.5.23-24 p.)
nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala dyuti-riirajita-pada-parikajanta
ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanarh paritas tvath hari-ndma sarhsrayami
O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by liberated souls such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! I take complete shelter of YOU. (Ndmastaka l)
nivrtta-tarsair upaglyamdndd bhavausadhac chrotra-mano-'bhiramat
ka uttamasloka-gundnuvdddt pumdn virajyeta vind pasughndt
Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the parampara system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except a butcher [animal killer], or one who is killing his own self? (SB 10.1.4)
The two prayers above and the others mentioned below can be chanted after completing sixteen rounds of Hare Krsnayopa. Chanting these prayers will refresh the mind and remove offenses from the heart.
aparadha-sahasrani, kriyante 'har-nisarh mayd.
ddso 'ham iti mam matvd, ksamasva madhusiidana.
Day and night, I make thousands of offenses. Oh Madhusiidana! Thinking of me as Your servant, kindly forgive them.
pratijha tava govinda, na me bhaktah pranasyati.
iti samsmrtya samsmrtya, prdndn sahdharayamy aharn
O Govinda, Your promise is that Your devotee will never perish.By remembering this over and over again, I am able to retain my life-airs.
sthitih seva gatir ydtrd, smrtis cintd stutir vacah.
bhuyat sarvatmana visno, madiyam tvayi cestitam.
O Lord Krsna! Let my normal condition be service. Let my movement be holy pilgrimage. Let my thought be remembrance of You. Let my words be glorification of You. O Krsna! May all the activities of my mind, body and soul be ever engaged in Your service. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 4.3l) Although I am the lowest and You are the highest; although I am a fool and You are the greatest hilosopher; although I am wicked and You are the most saintly; and although I commit offenses when I think of You, still, O Radha-Govinda, the shadow of whose holy name delivers one from a host of sins, please be kind to this person who Sometimes Chants Your holy names. (Karpanya-panjika-stotra, Srila Rupa Gosvami)
Upon finishing sixteen rounds of japa, one should not immediately get up and run through the day. Sit quietly for at least five minutes. Close your eyes and fix the dazzling forms of Radha-Syama in your mind while reflecting upon Their infinite sweet love and compassion. You belong to Them and They belong to you. Offer a short personal prayer to Radha-Syama, your own Deity, or to Sri Nama Prabhu [sample below]. Afterwards, offer obeisances to Sri Nama Prabhu and your spiritual master, and then execute your prescribed duties."Oh most beautiful and merciful Radha-Syama! Please accept this offering of japa, which I tried my best to chant for Your plea¬sure. Please forgive me for all my offenses and inattention. Please engage me only in Your service, and teach me how to increase my attachment and love for You. Please protect me from maya. Please help me remember Your beautiful names, forms, and pastimes throughout the day."
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
KuliMela Reflections: The Japa Revolution
September 1, 2008 - 8:22am — RasaRasika108
I posted this on my blog seedofdevotion.blogspot.com but I wanted to share my experience with all of you.
"My name is Bhakti lata. Several months ago I took a Japa Retreat and a Japa Workshop, and I was deeply affected by them. I have had a deep crisis of faith in chanting the holy name since. I am not particularly qualified or even inspired in my own japa, but I wanted to share my experience with all of you and to somehow keep growing.
"Srila Prabhupada once said that 90% of our progress in Krishna Consciousness can be determined by our relationship with the holy name. Ninety percent.
"So this workshop is about looking closer."
During the KuliMela Festival, I co-hosted two Japa Workshops, with first Govinda (Alachua), and then Manu Dasa. All I can say is: to teach is to learn. I connected deeply with the holy name through conducting others in their experience.
On Friday morning, after conducting the first Workshop, I walked over to the bhajan kutir. I felt incandescent, glowing with knowledge and experience of the holy name. In this mood, I settled into a bhajan that Jahnavi (England) was leading. I found myself singing the holy name for the call as well as the response. I just didn't want to stop singing. For the first time in many, many months, I connected with the holy name.
The following morning, I conducted the Workshop with Manu. Although I facilitated the activities, his insight and experience guided the workshop. We ran out of time and the next workshop needed our space, but the flow of realizations had just begun! And so we moved out onto the lawn beneath the trees and continued to share for another 45 minutes.
I do not claim that I am particularly qualified to give a workshop on japa, or even inspired to chant japa. I have no taste for the holy name on my own, but the grace of the Vaishnavas keep me in the fire of realization and inspiration.
Viva la Revolución!
THE SUPER-IDEAL THING
August 30, 2008 - 5:30pm — RasaRasika108If you are serious, and if you are intelligent, you will take it up. You will take it up. You will get japa-mala you will chant regularly on ja... How many people here chant japa-mala every day? Let's see a show of hands. Ninety percent: So, there's ten percent of you who aren’t chanting every day. My request to you is this: Don't become a hog in your next birth. Utilize this human birth to chant the names of the Lord. If you do so you will taste a pleasure that is very very very sublime. Very sublime. Instead of doing something like watching television, you see? You can peacefully chant the names of God, and get so much benefit. You see. Don't waste time with frivolous activities. Spend the... Get up early in the morning and the first thing you do, before you start your day, you take your bath, get your bead bag, and chant. As many rounds as possible in the morning. And then, if you're a student you can do your homework, or if you're a housewife, you can cook for your family. Or if you're a business man you can go to your office. First thing is: Get up, and chant your japa as much as... if you can do sixteen rounds in the morning, that's the ideal thing. Before sunrise, that's the super-ideal thing. Get up early by 4:00; Finish your rounds before the sun comes up... or soon thereafter when it's very calm and very peaceful, and those names will be so sweet, those names will just be oozing with nectar. Literally oozing with nectar, just like a gulab jamun. You know all that juice dripping out. Yes. If you chant the names in the early morning at... you know, that... those names will be just oozing with nectar. It'll be so sweet "Mmmm, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna" It'll just be like a sweet taste in the mouth actually. You just relish it like, like the most incredible, you know, love feast: The holy name. That's the... So many people write me, they say you know "How can I... I try... I chant, but it's mechanical. I'm not getting any taste. What can I do to get taste from chanting?" And I always tell them, "Get up early. Get up early in the morning and chant your rounds before the sun comes up, and you will taste so much nectar, you'll go "Wow. I... I knew that Hare Krishna was okay, but I didn’t realize that it was like this. Wow... This is amazing... How fortunate I am, that I'm a... a devotee of Krishna. I'm able to chant His names every day. I didn’t realize there was this much nectar, in the holy names." You see... you'll fall in love aga... for the sec... We all fell in love with Krishna to join the movement, but then we kind of take Krishna for granted you see. But if you can start getting up early, and really focus on chanting quality rounds, you'll fall all... you'll fall in love with Krishna again. All that magic and that wonder and that amazement and that... when we first started Krishna consciousness, you can get it back again ten times more powerful than you originally experienced it. Ten times. Hundred times, thousand times. Million times. See there's no limit. There's no limit to the... to the su-sukham described in this verse of the Bhagavad-Gita.
There is no limit to how much nectar we can taste in Krishna's name. But you know what? There's one thing that's holding it ba... holding us back. You know what it is? It's our damn minds. Our damn minds. That's why Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati said that one should be very strict, and bring the mind under control. That’s why Govinda dasa, he sings a very nice song. He says "bhajahu re mana sri-nanda-nandana abhaya-caranaravinda re" You see. He's saying "My dear mind, you just now engage yourself in the devotional service of the divine son of Nanda." so we have to train our mind just like a mother will train the child, you see. We have to train our little child of the mind. You see, just like your mommy is training you , huh? How to be a good boy, isn't it? Yes. So, the mind is like a little child, and we are like the mother, so we have to train the little child of our mind, not to run around and be naughty, but to become fixed in Krishna consciousness. We have to diligently train the mind. Just like the mother, a good... good mother will always keep an eye on the child, so he doesn't get in trouble, he doesn't hurt himself, he doesn't develop bad habits, he doesn’t fall into the wrong company. You see, that he can become a very good devotee. That... the good mother always keeps an eye on the child, always makes sure that he's nicely engaged, you see. So in this way, we have to train our minds, how to be fully engaged. We have to be diligent. We have to see that "Is my mind being properly engaged?" Very important thing. Very important. Otherwise, there's one saying. The idle mind is... (Audience replies: the devil's workshop.) the devil's workshop. If we do not fix our minds, nicely in Krishna consciousness, then we will get into trouble. The mind will be attracted to this material thing, to that material thing, and we will run the risk of taking birth again in this material world, and suffering, prolonged suffering in material existence. Therefore, we should carefully control the mind, by chanting the holy names of the Lord every day, in the early morning hours, as much as possible. Train the mind, how to relish the nectar of the holy name, and qualify ourselves to get out of this cycle of birth and death. This is the sum and substance of that most glorious movement, known as the Krishna consciousness movement, of which we are members. By the mercy of Prabhupada, the mercy of Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja Gurudeva, the mercy of other great stalwart preachers, we have this opportunity to be a member of the Krishna consciousness movement. So now let us take full advantage of it, and make our lives simply wonderful.
Lecture on Bhagavad-Gita 9.2 given on 12-31-2005 in Sigatoka, Fiji
By H.G. Sriman Sankarshana Dasa Adhikari
Dulal Chandra dasa Speaks on Japa
August 30, 2008 - 2:28pm — RasaRasika108
Here is a very lively talk given by Dulal Chandra prabhu...he explains about the offenses and talks of how the wandering mind is a problem during Japa.
http://connect.krishna.com/node/3531
Aural Concentration
August 29, 2008 - 4:33am — RasaRasika108
"Everything starts by the aural reception, by hearing. We first hear about Krsna and by doing this process we become purified and then we may understand more about the philosophy and then apply it in our lives. Everyone starts by hearing. The bhakti yoga system starts like that according to Srila Prabhupada. He says the hearing is the most important process of all the nine. Because once you start hearing, you concentrate and by concentrating you can engage the mind and it will become cleansed, so by doing this you can understand the Lord and see Him all the time."
"That's why while we are chanting we need to hear, otherwise the mind won't be engaged in this process and you can't see the process working on your life. You can't feel Krsna's association through this chanting. Once you feel eager to know more about the Lord and want to engage yourself more in the process of bhakti yoga means your hearing is working and your mind is being cleaned and properly engaged. Below is the quote from Srila Prabhupada about the topic I have just described."
"Sravanam. The beginning of bhakti-yoga is started from the practice of sravanam, aural reception, ear. Therefore the mantra is given through the ear, initiation mantra. Then kirtanam. There are nine different processes. The most important process is hearing. And as soon as you want to hear, that means you have to concentrate your mind. So naturally, the mind becomes, I mean to say, locked. Sravanam kirtanam. So we have to practice. This is bhakti-yoga. First of all we have to engage the mind. Mind. And as soon as you engage the mind in hearing about Krsna, Krsna will help you in cleansing the mind. "
Aural Concentration
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15.41 - Los Angeles, December 19, 1973
Hare Krsna
Aruna dd
The 10 Offenses
August 28, 2008 - 4:38pm — RasaRasika108Here is a very nice talk given by Dulal Chandra dasa...he explains about the offenses and gives some personal examples of how the wandering mind can be a problem during Japa.
It All Starts With Chanting and Hearing
August 28, 2008 - 10:17am — RasaRasika108
Reading the Teachings of Lord Chaitanya Chapter 13, I found a very nice and important quote that I am sure can be very useful in our everyday devotional life. Here follows the quote:
"If, due to some righteous activities which provoke devotional service, one is influenced by the service attitude and takes shelter of the good association of pure devotees, he develops attachment for hearing and chanting. By developing chanting and hearing, one can advance further and further in regulative devotional service to the Supreme Lord. As one so advances, his misgivings about devotional service and his attraction for the material world proportionately diminish. By advancing in hearing and chanting, a devotee becomes more firmly fixed in his faith, and gradually his initial faith develops into a taste for devotional service, and that taste gradually develops into attachment. When attachment becomes pure, it exhibits the two characteristics of bhāva and rati. When rati increases, it is called love of Godhead, and love of Godhead is the ultimate goal of human life." TLC Ch.13
The process of devotional service starts with chanting, the maha mantra is the basis of our spiritual lives. What called my attention to this quote is the emphasis given to chanting and hearing. We always stick to the point that when we chant, we need also to hear to the sound to get the results. By doing this we will be able to attain pure love of God, which is the ultimate goal of life. Another important aspect that comes before this is proper association - taking shelter of pure devotees...the ones who dedicate their lives to following the principles and are really serious about getting advanced. Following these simple guidelines we for sure will have support and a desire to develop this taste.
Hare Krsna
Aruna dd
Don´t Worry, Be Happy
August 27, 2008 - 12:02am — RasaRasika108When I chant japa in our temple I usually sit near to Srimati Tulsi-devi. Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami once said to us that one´s japa is 80% better if you chant under Tulsirani´s shadow. She is pure devotee, and all the holy tirthas and holy rivers are situated on her leaves.
While chanting morning japa in our Tulsi-room´s corner another day a though came: "All the troubles what my mind makes up have root in the mind´s wandering to the future or to the past."
Even if there are some troubles in our lives, try not to worry them on your japa time. Attentive chanting gives strenght to face the possible challenges of the day.
It is always pleasurable experience if I am able to stay in the present while chanting japa. In my case it is not usually that long period, but even some very concentrated mantras are a victory.
Ys Muniraja dasa
Please Join the Japa Group
August 26, 2008 - 10:55am — RasaRasika108
Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world....simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:
ys
Rasa Rasika das
Faith in The Process
August 25, 2008 - 9:19am — RasaRasika108
This weekend in the Japa Room I got some nectar from the sessions. Every weekend I identify with a topic, this time I liked it when I heard that Krsna likes His names pronounced in the right way - I mean nobody likes to have the name mispronounced. I know this because I work with people and I have to remember many names...it's difficult and I can imagine how we and the person feels when the name is pronounced differently.
So what to speak of the Lord, for sure we can't compare Him with an ordinary person, but we can say that He would be very happy if we pay attention to our chanting in such a way that we always pronounce the words properly.
The result will be that we will be more attentive and avoid our mind wandering so much and then we would feel the bliss coming from the Lord reciprocating with our efforts towards Him.
Today it may been hard for everyone to chant quality Japa because there must be many festivals around the temples and we sometimes concentrate on many others ways to serve the Lord like cooking, worshiping, singing, harinams etc.
If we can think of how the Lord may be pleased if we call out His names with respect...pronouncing every word distinctly like Srila Prabhupada always said....we may feel the results in our lives.
Today came it to my mind how our founder Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada started the 108 temples of ISKCON just by sitting in a park and taking his kartals and singing the maha mantra. Such was his faith on this process that he depended on the Lord by chanting. We can see that everything starts with chanting and it will finish with that also.
Haribol
Aruna dd