Hare Krishna Prabhu
I am a devotee. I am 43 years old. I have been reading Shrimad Bhagwatam written by His divine grace Srila Prabhupada. I am at canto 10. In the month of Kartik, I started listening to Damodarashtakam while focusing on lotus feet of Shri Krishna. I did it before going to bed at night. I did it during Kartik, almost every day. I am still doing it. And I if I miss to listen to that rendition of Damodarashtakam and focusing on lotus feet of Krishna any day then I feel guilty, incomplete and sad. Doing it, makes me feel contented.
Though I keep chanting (in my mind) the Mahamantra throughout the day, whenever I am not talking or not doing anything; but I do not do vocal chanting. I am apprehensive of reaction of my family members.
what am I doing? I am confused. Why do I feel peaceful listening to Damodarashtakam every night and focusing on lotus feet of Sri Krishna? It's almost always brings tears to my eyes while I am doing that. But I am not doing vocal chanting of Mahamantra even a single round. What should I do? How should I get to chanting ? Does listening to Damodarashtakam before sleeping and focusing on lotus feet of Sri Krishna get me any closer to Him?
- your servant
Replies
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
Firstly, sorry for delayed response.
It is very nice that you are hearing Damodar Ashtakam every night and that you miss it when you dont. It is very good. Certainly beneficial and brings you closer to Krsna.
However, it is also hiughly recommended that you chant mahamantra on beads/ counter/ fingers/ excel every single day. I am sure you find time during the day when you are alone, not being monitored by anyone. Chant then. Make it a point to do 4 rounds of mahamantra everyday. It will take 30 min of your 24 hours.
Chanting mahamantra is important because it is the prescribed medicine for this kaliyug. For eg: if we have stomach ache, we can take simple pudin hara or some such home remedy. But if we want to know what is the medicine for our specific illness, we have to go to a doctor and follow his advice. That same way, while all the names of the lord are potent and purify us, mahamantra has been recommended for this age. So by chanting mahamantra, we feed the soul, the way we feed our body with food everyday. Now we have not been feeding our soul for so many births through ages. Thats why we have to give atleast a mealful to see any effect on us. The way a well nourished body can withstand changes in weather or ailments, a well nourished soul can withstand inevitable reverses and challenges in life. We feel peaceful, at the same time mahamantra purifies our soul and takes us closer to Krsna.
Please continue with Damodar ashtakam the way you are doing, and add chanting the mahamantra.
Thank you,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD.