Category Archives: Chanting

Arjuna never forgets Krishna

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Arjuna was also a pure devotee, but he never chanted neither did Krishna asked him to do so. So why do you stress so much on the same?

Chanting the name of Krishna means to constantly remember Him. Although it may appear that Arjuna was not chanting like we chant on the beads, he was calling Him in great eagerness by different names like ‘O Yadava, O Keshava, O Madhava’. This is certainly a sign of great advancement. He was put in such an  awkward situation by the will of Krishna that he had no other choice but to call out in great desperation.

The dealings between Arjuna and Krishna were under Krishna’s internal energy, however we are affected by Krishna’s external energy. In the beginning we do not have taste for the Holy Name, therefore we are asked to chant in a prescribed way. Therefore we stress on chanting so that we come to higher level, wherein we are able to chant in great eagerness.

‘Maya’ attack

Chanting

When we chant the Mahamantra we are taking the names of Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. Then why are we disturbed by Mayadevi?

 

The transcendental sound vibration ‘Hare Krishna’ is non-different than Krishna Himself. When we are chanting, Krishna is personally present on the tongue, however because we do not have taste for the Holy Name, we are not able to relish it. Also because of inability to focus on the Holy Name it wanders from one sense object to another. It is said that the Holy Name Krishna is like the sun and forgetfulness of Krishna is like darkness. As soon as we remember Krishna we are in bright sunlight and as soon as we forget Krishna, we are in darkness. Being disturbed by Mayadevi means we are simply forgetting Krishna. Therefore it is said that ‘Always remember Krishna’ and ‘Never forget Krishna’. Therefore in the conditioned state it is natural to forget Krishna and disturbed by Mayadevi, however when one is liberated by constantly chanting Hare Krishna, one shall be able to experience transcendental happiness at every step.

Bead bag mystery!

Chanting

Chanting is recommended in every religion. Why do devotees in ISKCON hide their beads while chanting?

Chanting beads are very sacred and their sanctity should be preserved. While chanting, beads should not be touching ground or our feet. If they are kept open, they are likely to become more dirty. To avoid these circumstances we use bead bag.

Meaning of Mahamantra

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Would you please explain in detail the meaning of Mahamantra?

In our modern age, the most recommended process to awaken our spiritual life is to chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

The word Krishna is a name of God meaning “the all-attractive one,” Rama means “the all-pleasing one,” and Hare is an invocation to Hara, Krishna’s internal spiritual energy.
Thus the Hare Krishna mantra is a prayer to the Lord and His energy for the privilege of engaging in His service. If we regularly hear and chant this sound vibration, we will become pure, enlightened, and awake to our eternal life of bliss and knowledge in the service of the Lord.