Japa — the life of the dham
Chanting the holy name is the very heart of life in Vraja. In the dham, where every particle is imbued with Krishna's presence, harinama bears fruit swiftly. Pilgrims traditionally do much of their parikrama and darshan with beads in hand, chanting softly throughout the day. The holy name is non-different from Krishna Himself — to chant is to be in His company.
The glory of the name
"All victory to the holy name, which is auspicious for the entire world! Just as the rising sun dissipates all darkness, similarly, if the holy name arises just once, it can destroy all of a person's sins."
— Padyāvalī 6, quoted in Śrī Harināma Mahā-mantra (Gaudiya Vedanta Publications)
How to chant
- •Chant on a strand of tulasi beads — 108 beads make one round (mala), kept in a cloth bead-bag.
- •On each bead, chant the full maha-mantra once, hearing every syllable attentively.
- •Fix a daily number of rounds (commonly sixteen) and complete them without fail.
- •The essence of japa is hearing (śravaṇa) — when the mind wanders, gently bring it back to the sound of the name.
The mood of chanting
"One who is more humble than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, who offers respect to all and expects none for himself — such a person can chant the holy name constantly."
— Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka 3, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
The ten offences to avoid (nāma-aparādha)
- Blaspheming devotees and saintly persons
- Considering demigods to be equal to or independent of Bhagavān
- Disobeying śrī guru, who reveals the truth of the name
- Criticizing the scriptures that glorify the name
- Considering the glories of the name to be exaggeration
- Considering the meanings of the name to be imaginary
- Committing sin on the strength of chanting
- Equating the name with material pious activities
- Instructing the faithless in the glories of the name
- Having no faith in the name even after hearing its glories
As given in Śrī Harināma Mahā-mantra (Gaudiya Vedanta Publications).
🙏 Hare Krishna