Should we hear Prabhupada chanting while we chant?
There are also chanting videos available from many Gurus.
Furthermore, there are videos of Hare Krishna Kirtan as well..
I need to ask humbly which one should we hear while chanting.
Please enlighten me.
Hare Krishna PAMHO AGTSP
YS
Varuni Prannath Das
Replies
Hare Krsna prabhuji,
PAMHO.
Past 5 years we have started online chanting sessions in the morning, in whihc we put recorded chanting of Srila Prabhupada (have put recorded chanting of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj also intermittently). This will have count of beads as well as no of rounds chanted.
I can personally say that my chanting improved a lot after I started chanted alongwith Srila Prabhupada or guru maharaj. I came to realise so many flaws in my chanting. The trick is to put hte recording in low volume and chant alongwith that, hearing your own voice. Then I realised what multiple mistakes I was making - not completing mahamantra, not completing the round, doping multiple beads while saying mahamantra once.....the list is endless. To chant with that video, we have to concentrate because it is at such good pace. It forces the mind to be attentive. Hearing the pure devotee chant also helps us to focus.
This is the group chanting that we do and I highly recommend to anyone who is serious about improving chanting. It helps to set the routine also - same time everyday, same place we are sitting and chanting, that increases the quality of rounds chanted multifold.
You are free to join us if you want and see for yourself. If you are interested, then send me a personal message. I will share the link.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krishna,
It is advised in the initial phases to chant along with some senior advanced devotee because of these things mentioned in the video-
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K_TtuCnjkhc
Then as we advance in this and are able to control the mind wandering and curb the laziness. That time we shall focus on the own chanting from our tongue.
We must hear to what we are saying out. The purpose of chanting is to cleanse our soul.
Once you able to hear our own sound get used to that stage.
That time we may even start to chanting in whispers and yet we are now used to listening our voice.
After more advanced stage it become internalized .. the heart is chanting and you are listening to the heart sounds.
It is a step by step manner. Takes a lot of practice.
Step one listen to some advanced devotee like Srila Prabhupada chants/ or your own guru's whoever's speed is comfortable for you to follow listen to them and chant along
Step two is start slowly to chant and listen to your own voice
Step three try to do upanshu chanting. .. tongue is moving inside the mouth and yet you are able to sit and silently listen to what the tongue is saying.
Step four is to do internal chanting. .. You will hear Lord's names in the heart region. ( Even when you are sleeping). This is highly advanced stage.
But for a started it is adviced to sing along with Srila Prabhupada chanting/ or your guru maharaj's chanting
Hare Krishna
Hare Krsna
Should we hear Prabhupada chanting while we chant?
No, one should hear Hare Krsna mahamantra chanted from one's own tongue.
Hare Krsna