Japa

Mantra Meditation (Japa)

24 Feb 2020 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting, Chanting Hare Krishna, Japa, Mantra Meditation Tags: chanting Hare Krishna, Chanting the holy name, japa, mantra meditation

This is such a beautiful picture of Srila Prabhupada with his japa bag, that we thought we would do a short post on ‘japa’.

When a mantra or hymn is chanted softly and slowly, that is called japa. The same mantra, when chanted loudly, is called kīrtana. For example, the mahā-mantra (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare) when uttered very softly only for one’s own hearing is called japa. The same mantra, when chanted loudly for being heard by all others, is called kīrtana. The mahā-mantra can be used for japa and kīrtana also. When japa is practiced it is for the personal benefit of the chanter, but when kīrtana is performed it is for the benefit of all others who may hear.

In the Padma Purāṇa there is a statement: “For any person who is chanting the holy name either softly or loudly, the paths to liberation and even heavenly happiness are at once open.” (Nectar of Devotion Chapter 9)

Of all the sacrifices, the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare is the purest representation of Kṛṣṇa. (from purport; Bhagavad-gita 10.25)

Japa-By Example

22 Dec 2018 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Japa, Mantra Meditation Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, japa, mantra meditation, Srila Prabhupada chanting japa

I wanted to try something different this morning…so I attempted to import a sound file. You can click on following link to hear Srila Prabhupada chanting Japa.

Japa- By Example

The Nectarean River of Transcendental Sound Vibration

23 Feb 2015 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, Japa, Krishna Consciousness, Maha-mantra, Mantra Meditation, YouTube Tags: bona fide spiritual master, chanting Hare Krishna, chants the holy names of Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama

Srila Prabhuapda: Generally a human being is interested in religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation, but love of God is above all these. A bona fide spiritual master chants the holy names-Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare-and the transcendental sound vibration enters into the ear of the disciple, and if a disciple follows in the footsteps of his spiritual master and chants the holy name with similar respect, he actually comes to worship the transcendental name. When the transcendental name is worshiped by the devotee, the name Himself spreads His glories within the heart of a devotee. When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the transcendental vibration of the holy name, he is quite fit to become a spiritual master and to deliver all the people of the world. The chanting of the holy name is so powerful that it gradually establishes its supremacy above everything in the world. The devotee who chants it becomes transcendentally situated in ecstasy and sometimes laughs, cries and dances in his ecstasy. Sometimes the unintelligent put hindrances in the path of chanting this mahā-mantra, but one who is situated on the platform of love of Godhead chants the holy name loudly for all concerned. As a result, everyone becomes initiated in the chanting of the holy names-Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. By chanting and hearing the holy names of Kṛṣṇa, a person can remember the forms and qualities of Kṛṣṇa. (Teachings of Lord Caitanya – 1968 Edition, Chapter 18)

Chanting Hare Krishna (Japa)

28 Nov 2014 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Japa, Meditation Tags: chanting Hare Krishna, chanting japa, Hare Hare, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, japa, kirtana, Krishna Krishna, mantra, mantra meditation, meditation, Rama Rama

Japa

Chanting a mantra or hymn softly and slowly is called japa, and chanting the same mantra loudly is called kīrtana. For example, uttering the mahā-mantra (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare) very softly, only for one’s own hearing, is called japa. Chanting the same mantra loudly for being heard by all others is called kīrtana. The mahā-mantra can be used for japa and kīrtana also. When japa is practiced it is for the personal benefit of the chanter, but when kīrtana is performed it is for the benefit of all others who may hear.

click on link; Srila Prabhupada Chanting

24 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Japa, Nectar of Devotion, Practicing Krishna Consciousness at Home Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting Hare Krishna, holy name, japa, japa bag, japa beads, kirtan, Maha Mantra, mantra meditation

This is such a beautiful picture of Srila Prabhupada with his japa bag, that we thought we would do a short post on ‘japa’.

Chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra (Japa)

28 Sep 2012 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Chanting Hare Krishna, Japa, Practicing Krishna Consciousness at Home Tags: chanting, chanting Hare Krishna, God, Hare, Hare Krishna, Holy Names of the Lord, japa, kirtana, Krishna, Maha Mantra, practicing krishna consciousness at home, Rama

It has been requested that we do a post on Japa Meditation, so on this auspicious day of the appearance of Haridasa Thakura, we share with you some instructions on the chanting of Japa.

…Since God is all-powerful and all-merciful, He has kindly made it very easy for us to chant His names, and He has also invested all His powers in them. Therefore the names of God and God Himself are identical. This means that when we chant the holy names of Krishna and Rama we are directly associating with God and being purified. Therefore we should always try to chant with devotion and reverence. The Vedic literature states that Lord Krishna is personally dancing on your tongue when you chant His holy name.