Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,
PAMHO
I am relatively new to KC and I have two questions that I would like to ask.
The first one is : Is it better to chant one round everyday with mindfulness and enjoying each vibration of the mantra or should I try increasing my number of rounds. For the past couple of days, I have been trying to chant 2 rounds daily, but I have noticed after 1 round and half, my mind wanders and I feel like, how many beads are left to finish 108. Instead of thinking of Krishna and enjoying the name-amrit from the chanting(which I atleast I try to do), I just think about completing 2 rounds. So, need to know which is better.
That being asked, the second question is : I am very very slow in chanting. Everyday I chant only one round and I recite each letter in the maha mantra slowly and carefully and try to get absorbed in it. But, it takes me around 10-15 min to complete one round. I have tried many times to go a little faster to complete more rounds, but it seems I dont really "enjoy"(I hate to say, this - but, I thought of being honest, kindly forgive me) when I go faster. So, going at this slow pace I never see myself completing more rounds than one. Please advise how to increase my number of rounds.
I am ignorant, please forgive me if in asking my questions I have made any mistake.
Waiting for your guidance.
Hare Krishna
- Sandhya
Replies
My heartfelt thanks and pranam to Prabhujis, Rasmi Mataji and IDT network.
I am very fortunate to receive all your guidance and support. Moreover, I feel a sense of unity in the way you have taken your time and answered me so lovingly.
I am trying these guidelines one by one on my next round chanting and hopefully, I will get better by Krishna's mercy.
Hare Krishna
prabhuji, listen to srila prabhupada chanting, and chant along with him, two rounds should not take very long, as for the MIND, Arjuna had problems with his, BG 6:34 "cancalam hi manah krsna....." so if it wanders just bring it back and listen to the MAHA MANTRA, BUT YOU MUST HEAR IT ALSO.
Chant and be Happy
Hare Krishna Sandhya Mataji!
Your question has also helped us because we learnt from responses of exalted devotees. I would like to add my experience which may be helpful to you.
Increasing round: When started chanting first time I was not able to chant more than one round at one time. While continuing one round per day, I attended a lecture of an exhalted mataji named "Manjuri". She clearly told that you would get time and energy as soon as you can realize the priority of your life. If you prioritize Krishna at the first place, all other tasks will come after you finish your Japa. I asked myself what is my first priority? Is it my health or job or family duties or shopping or socializing? I realized only Krishna is the prime priority of this fallen life. Now, I can complete my rounds most of the days. If I can't finish desired rounds on a specific day, I make up the rounds next day or days.
Speed of chanting: According to Srila Prabhupada with a little practice, one should be able to chant each round in approximately 8 minutes. ( http://www.harekrsna.com/practice/sadhana/morning/japa/japa.htm). It takes me 6-7 minutes to complete one round.
Rules for chanting Mahamantra: In Kali-Santarana Upanishad Lord Brahma said, “There are no rules and regulations to chant this maha-mantra. It should be chanted always irrespective of whether one is in a pure or impure condition. ( http://harekrishnajapa.com/why-not-just-chant-krishna/)
I hope you will quickly reach at your destination. In this regard I would like to mention Dean Prabhu's citation from hagavatam:
SB 11.14.23 — If one’s hairs do not stand on end, how can the heart melt? And if the heart does not melt, how can tears of love flow from the eyes? If one does not cry in spiritual happiness, how can one render loving service to the Lord? And without such service, how can the consciousness be purified?
Hare Krishna!
Hare Krishna!
The holy name is compared to a touchstone. By its energy a touchstone can turn everything it touches into gold. The same thing happens when the holy name touches the consciousness of a conditioned living entity – you transform.
Answer to your first question:
One can only attain the treasure of love for the Lord, however, if one chants without offences (Cc Antya, 4.71). Committing offences during chanting means to bring the false ego into the practice which results in performing the service in a way that displeases the Lord. You can chant for many lifetimes, but if you chant with offences you will not obtain love of Godhead (Cc Ädi, 8.16). Chanting with offences is like cleaning something and simultaneously making it dirty again – how will it ever become clean? You have to make a conscious effort to avoid the offences. How to do this is the subject of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura’s Hari-nama-cintamani,
A general remedy against all offences is given by Haridäsa Thakura: “One can never be released from offences against the name by präyaçcitta or pious activity, but only by again taking shelter of the name continuously. Chanting day and night, feeling repentant, the offences will go and the fruit of the name will come. One will get shuddha-näma, then bhäva-näma, then prema-näma.” (Hari-näma-cintämani, chapter 13)
The tree of offences against the holy name has many branches, but they all grow from one root: inattentiveness. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen one’s concentration.
Three kinds of inattention give us trouble:
Indifference (audäsinya) – this is when we simply don’t care to chant properly, we lack enthusiasm.
Lethargy (jadya) – this is laziness for chanting, or not caring to pronounce the names properly.
Distractedness (viksepa) – this means allowing the mind to wander to other topics or activities than chanting.
Answer to your second question:
In the Hari-nama-cintamani,, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura gives further advice on how we can make it a habit to chant attentively:
l Earnestly complete your daily quota of rounds, be careful to offer rounds of good quality.
l Chant in the company of a Vaiñëava and try to imitate his or her mood during chanting. (Bhaktivinode Thakura writes that when Krishna sees the enthusiasm of a devotee who wants to become immersed in chanting like a saintly Vaishnava, he reciprocates and removes the mental lethargy by the power of the name and by the blessing of the association of advanced devotees.)
l Chant at a place where Krishna performed one of his pastimes and/or in the presence of Tulasi.
l Chant alone in a closed room or cover your head and face with a cloth. Concentrate deeply, pronounce and hear the names distinctly.
l Follow the rules of Vaishnava thinking and behavior and make an effort to drive away material thoughts. Wholeheartedly participate in spiritual festivals.
l Develop an enthusiastic mood for chanting. Remember that the prime cause for attentive chanting is not your qualification, but Krishna’s mercy. There is no logical reason to be unenthusiastic, since Krishna is very affectionate and merciful towards his devotees.
l Pray to the Lord not to become a victim of distraction: “It is impossible for the jiva to singlehandedly avoid and overcome the illusion of distraction. By the mercy of the Lord, however, this is accomplished with ease. Therefore it is essential to fervently beg for the Lord’s grace with great humility. This is the jiva’s only means of salvation.” (Hari-nama-cintamani, Chapter 12)
Thus, by sincerely following the techniques mentioned above we can improve quality and quantity of our chanting, thereby attaining love of Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Ys,
Mathura Vasi Devi Dasi.
http://krishna.org/the-meaning-of-the-hare-krishna-mantra-1966-mp3-...
http://www.romapadaswami.com/node/2493
http://harekrishnajapa.com/krsnas-blessings-in-the-chanting-of-his-...
http://www.krishna.com/hare-krishna-maha-mantra
http://theharekrishnamovement.org/tag/rama/
http://vishoka.com/visoka/VCN/srila_prabhupada_vani.htm
http://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/madhya/15/108
Hare Krsna Mataji,
PAMHO.
It should take approx 8-10 min to chant one round. If you are taking 15, its too slow. One way to improve chanting speed is to chant with someone - where the entire round is done loudly in a group. It helps in concentration, checking where one is going wrong in chanting.
Pls dont feel sorry for asking questions - if you dont ask, how will the doubts disappear from the mind.
My personal experience is and I started with 4 rounds. One or two rounds is too less. When we are hungry, we need one portion at least to feel satiated, right? Chanting is food for the soul and we have not chanted for so many lifetimes (maybe). So the hunger is a lot more. Therefore, pls chant 4 rounds every day fro 6 months and then review.
Quality is important in chanting, but quantity is sometimes more important. It is mentioned that even inattentive chanting has benefits. Therefore, the number is important.
All of us start with namaparadh, offensive chanting, then move to naamabhas, then to shudh naam jaap. This is a journey that we all have to do.
I hope I have been able to explain.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Rashmi
I have rad the above solution in srila prabhupada quotes.
All glories to srila prabhupada.
Dear Mataji,
Hare krishna,
PAMHO,
Whenever you chants always listen what you are speaking. This directly helps in concentration. So next time when you will chant start listening your own words and then your mind will not be wander.
Best wishes in Krishna Consciousness.
Mataji,
Average time required to chant loudly should be close to minutes. If u r chanting in such a way then your chanting is good and you will be able to hear the sylalbles carefully. However if you feel that you are unable to hear the syllables clearly slow it down to only an extent that the round takes not more than 9 minutes. If you prolong it further it is seen that you will end up with boredom and lack of interest. Also do not worry much about the rounds to get over. Choose a comfortable time to chant so that you are not in the middle of work. Early mornings are the best times to chant
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Jaya Sandhya prabhu,
I am a music teacher. Actually, a voice teacher.
Increase the speed of your chanting in this way:
1 second is "Hare Krishna". So, 1 second for each pair of names.
Watch your computer clock or a second-hand somewhere, to get your pace.
It seems like you're ready to try 2 rounds of the Mahamantra per day.
Remember, the mantra is not only a sound vibration... It is Sri Krishna's name!
Call it out like you are calling to a friend. Do not speak it too slowly.
Imagine, I call to you.."Ssaaaa- aaahh- nnnndhh -eeeeeeeeyyyaaaahhhh."
Would you recognize your own name?! ..lol.. :)
So it is with our friend, krsna. Call to Him in Name and not only in vibration.
Speak the name like you are talking to Him. It will make for easier breath-control and timing.
Also, you are wise to not commit to too-many rounds per day.
You should try to chant 1-3 rounds per day, never promising yourself a set amount.
After some time, you will settle into your comfort zone and regular routine.
Best wishes, Bh. Rankin.