Hare Krishna to all dear devotees, I was just wandering why the most stress is given to listen the sound vibration(each and every word) of Hare krishna Mahamantra while chanting and why not just chanting and not hearing the mantra as taking the holy names is considered good at any time ? Plz guide me, I am very eager to know the reason behind it.
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Another view on this is when we listen and chant then we engage both the senses the tongue and ears in the services of the Lord so it is always important and best to engage all the senses in the service of the Lord to have a more deeper effect on the consciousness... More engagement of senses results in better engagement of mind in the service of the Lord.
Thanks
hare krishna.dandvat pranam.
it is mandatory to hear each and every word of mahamantra while chanting.
taking holy names is considered good only when it is heard.
Yes it is recomended that we hear each and every syllable of the of each mahamantra of each round we chant. Chanting holy names is considered, good ... rather best whether it is heard or not. But if we want most effective results from chanting then we need to attentively hear. It may not be possible overnight, but constant practice, endeavor and Krishna's mercy will certainly help us improve.
Hare Krishna
Srimad Bhagavatam clearly mentions that Hearing THE most important and the beginning of serious spirituality.
The way hearing works is when we hear Krsna( Krsna's Holy names, qualities and pastimes) attentively, the spiritual vibrations enter our ears. Through ears they reach our heart. In initial stages Krsna's Holy names cleanse our heart of the anarthas or the artificial impositions on our consciousness due to prolonged association with matter. At advanced stages when heart is completely purified, the heart gets attracted more and more to krsna when devotees hear Krsna.
Below is an excerpt from Purport by Srila prabhupad on the one of the most popular verses in SB recited by Prahlad Maharaj
Hearing of the holy name of the Lord is the beginning of devotional service. Although any one of the nine processes is sufficient, in chronological order the hearing of the holy name of the Lord is the beginning. Indeed, it is essential. As enunciated by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, ceto-darpaëa-märjanam: [Cc. Antya 20.12] by chanting the holy name of the Lord, one is cleansed of the material conception of life, which is due to the dirty modes of material nature. When the dirt is cleansed from the core of one's heart, one can realize the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead—éçvaraù paramaù kåñëaù sac-cid-änanda-vigrahaù [Bs. 5.1]. Thus by hearing the holy name of the Lord, one comes to the platform of understanding the personal form of the Lord. After realizing the Lord's form, one can realize the transcendental qualities of the Lord, and when one can understand His transcendental qualities one can understand the Lord's associates. In this way a devotee advances further and further toward complete understanding of the Lord as he awakens in realization of the Lord's holy name, transcendental form and qualities, His paraphernalia, and everything pertaining to Him.
my humble obeisances dear Mataji,
Very nice question!
This Maha Mantra is not other than the sound of the flute of Krishna coming from Goloka Vrindavan. Through His flute Krishna transfers His internal mood to others. In this way this sound is very special.
Not only each word on it but each syllable is very sacred. Because of that we have to hear each syllable. And if we do so progress will be fast.
Not hearing means not paying attention.
Krishna and His Holy Name is not different. For example, when we talk with our friend is it respectful to call by her name and when she comes not to listen her? Not to pay attention to her?
In this way Krishna is a person. He has also feelings, He has desires, He has His qualities...
When we do not pay attention to Him He will also do the same with us. If we do not hear Him He will also answer with the same.
When we chant we have to chant as like a child who lost his mother. To call Krishna to help us.
And for better understanding of this please do find time for listening these lectures of HG Bhurijana Prabhu and HH Sachinandana Maharaja.
http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?q=f&f=%2F03_-_ISKC...
Your servant,
How do we chant mahamantra correctly, then? is there any tune of way of chanting it, mataji?
tune we use usually when we sign dear Mataji,
but when we chant we chant as we talk with someone. It is like calling for Krishna "Hareee" Krishnaaaa!
But each round should not take more than 8-10 minutes but we have to try to chant quicker at the same time with correct pronunciation of syllables.
Your servant,