How Should You Chant?

[Govindaram 1]

Hare Krishna

 

How should you chant the Maha-Mantra, what is the best way?

[Guest guest]

we should chant everyday in every time place and circumstance beeing absorbed in seeing krsna and partecipating in his lilas

 

if we are not at this stage, we have to accept a pure spiritual master and, under his guidance, we have to chant a fixed number of harekrsna mantras (typically 108 x 16 = 1728) everyday trying to avoid these sinful behaviours:

 

OFFENSES AGAINST THE HOLY NAME

1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord.

2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Visnu.

3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.

4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.

5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krsna as imagination.

6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord.

7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord.

8) To consider the chanting of Hare Krsna as one of the auspicious ritualistic activities which are offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda).

9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name.

10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter. It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.

[stonehearted 0]

Govindaram: How should you chant the Maha-Mantra, what is the best way?

 

The best way to chant is in a state of mind so humble that we understand that we are lower than straws in the street and we tolerate more than trees do. In that state of mind it's possible to constantly and progressively chant the holy name.

[Govindaram 1]

Hare Krishna

 

And what should you think, since the mind wanders so much?

[gHari 0]

<TABLE border=0 cellpadding="10" cellspacing=10" width="100%"><td width="40%"><center>ALWAYS REMEMBER ME

 

<img src=http://home.primus.ca/~caitanya/Syamasundara.jpg>

 

NEVER FORGET ME</center></td>

<td width="60%">This axiom is true always, and remembering becomes so much easier when chanting, for the tongue and ears are engaged with the Holy Name which is non-different from Sri Krsna.

 

 

Concentrate on listening, not on chanting; the chanting comes from the higher realm. Remember Krsna, His form, qualities, and pastimes.

 

 

But the mind is restless like the wind, Krsna. Don't worry; just keep chanting and bring the mind back to Sri Krsna each time. A little wake-up "Nityananda Gauranga" couldn't hurt here, to restart afresh.

 

 

Those attachments will appear pale by comparison, and soon enough you will no longer care to cheat yourself with such insignificant mundane impressions.</td></table>

[Govindaram 1]

 

 

 

Krishna said " <font color="red">NEVER FORGET ME </font color> " /images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Guest guest]

BEFORE we chant EACH round CHANT:

 

(1) NAMA OM VISNU-PADAYA KRSNA-PRESTHAYA BHUTALE SRIMATE BHAKTIVEDANTA SVAMIN ITI NAMINE. NAMAS TE SARASVATE DEVE GAURA VANI PRACARINE NIRVISESA SUNYAVADI PASCHATYA DESA TARINE.

 

(2) SRI-KRSNA-CAITANYA PRABHU-NITYANANDA SRI-ADVAITA GADADHARA SRIVASADI-GAURA-BHAKTA-VRNDA.

 

NOW begin.

(3) HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA, KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE. HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE.

 

Note: start with BIG bead.

680724IN.MON Prabhupada: You BEGIN FROM THIS BIG BEAD, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and then after finishing, begin second. In this way, there are 108, one, two, three. Come to this point, then begin from this point. Note: Don't cross THE SUMMIT.(TURN ROUND IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHEN YOU REACH THE SUMMIT)

 

690325IN.HAW

Now you can chant, those who are initiated. (ceremony begins, chanting of om apavitrah) (break) ...Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Then take another bead, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. In this way you come to this end. DON'T CROSS THIS SUMMIT. AGAIN BEGIN FROM THIS END. In this way chant daily sixteen rounds.

 

OUR OBEISANCES

Adi 7.4

"In the Age of Kali, people who are endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship the Lord, who is accompanied by His associates, by performance of sankirtana-yajna." (Bhag. 11.5.32) Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion Sri Nityananda Prabhu, His incarnation Sri Advaita Prabhu, His internal potency Sri Gadadhara Prabhu and His marginal potency Srivasa Prabhu. He is in the midst of them as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should know that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by these other tattvas. THEREFORE OUR OBEISANCES TO SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU ARE COMPLETE WHEN WE SAY SRI-KRSNA-CAITANYA PRABHU NITYANANDA SRI-ADVAITA GADADHARA SRIVASADI-GAURA-BHAKTA-VRNDA. AS PREACHERS OF THE KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT, WE FIRST OFFER OUR OBEISANCES TO SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU BY CHANTING THIS PANCA-TATTVA MANTRA; THEN WE SAY HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA, KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE. HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE. THERE ARE TEN OFFENSES IN THE CHANTING OF THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA, BUT THESE ARE NOT CONSIDERED IN THE CHANTING OF THE PANCA-TATTVA MANTRA, NAMELY, SRI-KRSNA-CAITANYA PRABHU-NITYANANDA SRI-ADVAITA GADADHARA SRIVASADI-GAURA-BHAKTA-VRNDA. SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU IS KNOWN AS MAHA-VADANYAVATARA, THE MOST MAGNANIMOUS INCARNATION, FOR HE DOES NOT CONSIDER THE OFFENSES OF THE FALLEN SOULS. THUS TO DERIVE THE FULL BENEFIT OF THE CHANTING OF THE MAHA-MANTRA (HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA, KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE. HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE), WE MUST FIRST TAKE SHELTER OF SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU, LEARN THE PANCA-TATTVA MAHA-MANTRA, AND THEN CHANT THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA. THAT WILL BE VERY EFFECTIVE.

 

Why 108?

670218CC.SF

Now, so there are Upanisads. Generally they take eleven Upanisads primarily, but there are 108 Upanisads. Sometimes the explanation is given that "WHY WE HAVE GOT 108 BEADS?BECAUSE THERE ARE 108 UPANISADS." SO CHANTING OF HARE KRSNA WITH 108 BEADS MEANS THAT WE ARE SURPASSING THE STUDY OF 108 UPANISADS. ANOTHER MEANING IS THAT THERE ARE 108 DAMSELS WHO SERVED KRSNA WITH ALL RESPECT AT VRNDAVANA. SO THAT IS ALSO ANOTHER EXPLANATION, 108. WE ARE SERVING KRSNA'S SERVITORS, HUNDRED AND..., CHIEF DAMSELS OF, AT VRNDAVANA. So these 108 Upanisads are described, isa kena katha prasna munda mandukyo taittiri... You can count how many: Isopanisad, Kenopanisad, Kathopanisad, Prasnopanisad, Mundakopanisad, Mandukyopanisad, Taittiriyopanisad. Then aitareyas ca chandogya brhad-aranyakam tatha. Then Aitareya Upanisad, Chandogyopanisad, Brhad-aranyakopanisad, Brahmokaivalyopanisad, Jabalopanisad. There are so many Upanisads, 108 Upanisads. Aruneyopanisad, Garbho, Narayano, Hamsa. This Hamsaduta, the name, the Hamsa Upanisad, it comes from Hamsa. Garbho narayano hamso binduro narada sikah. Sika-upanisad, Narada Upanisad.

 

Note: RESPECT FOR BEADS

710718IN.DET Lectures

Come on. Next. Who's this? Oh, all right. Then how many still remaining? All right. (chants japa) First of all grains mixed up. (more japa) Come on. Take your. Come on. Whose beads are lying on the floor there? Whose beads? OH, YOU NEVER PUT IT IN THE FLOOR. WHEN THERE IS NO BAG, YOU PUT LIKE THIS.

 

Note: engaging the sense of touch by touching the tulasi beads--tulasi is a pure devotee of the Lord.

SB 9.4.18-20

Maharaja Ambarisa always engaged his mind in meditating upon the lotus feet of Krsna, his words in describing the glories of the Lord, his hands in cleansing the Lord's temple, and his ears in hearing the words spoken by Krsna or about Krsna. He engaged his eyes in seeing the Deity of Krsna, Krsna's temples and Krsna's places like Mathura and Vrndavana, HE ENGAGED HIS SENSE OF TOUCH IN TOUCHING THE BODIES OF THE LORD'S DEVOTEES, he engaged his sense of smell in smelling the fragrance of tulasi offered to the Lord, and he engaged his tongue in tasting the Lord's prasada. He engaged his legs in walking to the holy places and temples of the Lord, his head in bowing down before the Lord, and all his desires in serving the Lord, twenty-four hours a day. Indeed, Maharaja Ambarisa never desired anything for his own sense gratification. He engaged all his senses in devotional service, in various engagements related to the Lord. This is the way to increase attachment for the Lord and be completely free from all material desires.

 

BECOME SPIRITUALLY STRONG.

Antya 3.100

Haridasa Thakura used to chant the holy name on his beads 300,000 times daily. Throughout the entire day and night, he would chant the sixteen names of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. One should not, however, imitate Haridasa Thakura, for no one else can chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra 300,000 times a day. Such chanting is for the mukta-purusa, or liberated soul. WE CAN FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE, HOWEVER, BY CHANTING SIXTEEN ROUNDS OF THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA ON BEADS EVERY DAY AND OFFERING RESPECT TO THE TULASI PLANT. THIS IS NOT AT ALL DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE, AND THE PROCESS OF CHANTING THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA WITH A VOW BEFORE THE TULASI PLANT HAS SUCH GREAT SPIRITUAL POTENCY THAT SIMPLY BY DOING THIS ONE CAN BECOME SPIRITUALLY STRONG. Therefore we request the members of the Hare Krsna movement to follow Haridasa Thakura's example rigidly. Chanting sixteen rounds does not take much time, nor is offering respects to the tulasi plant difficult. THE PROCESS HAS IMMENSE SPIRITUAL POTENCY. ONE SHOULD NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.

 

Note: why the devotees who have accepted the envious (wanting to be worshiped as good as God - the position of acarya) role of so-called gurus and thus competeing against Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON have lost taste for chanting.

 

NoD 18

AS ATTACHMENT CAN BE INVOKED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF PURE DEVOTEES, SO ATTACHMENT CAN ALSO BE EXTINGUISHED BY OFFENSES COMMITTED AT THE LOTUS FEET OF PURE DEVOTEES. To be more clear, by the association of pure devotees attachment for Krsna can be aroused, but if one commits offenses at the lotus feet of a devotee, one's shadow attachment or para attachment can be extinguished. This extinguishing is like the waning of the full moon, which gradually decreases and at last becomes dark. One should therefore be very careful while associating with pure devotees to guard against committing an offense at their lotus feet.

 

TRANSCENDENTAL ATTACHMENT, EITHER SHADOW OR PARA, CAN BE NULLIFIED BY DIFFERENT DEGREES OF OFFENSES AT THE LOTUS FEET OF PURE DEVOTEES. IF THE OFFENSE IS VERY SERIOUS, THEN ONE'S ATTACHMENT BECOMES ALMOST NIL, AND IF THE OFFENSE IS NOT VERY SERIOUS, ONE'S ATTACHMENT CAN BECOME SECOND CLASS OR THIRD CLASS.

 

DAILY WITHOUT FAIL

70-02-19 Letter: Sucandra

It is most important that our activities be regular or, in other words, on a schedule. EVERYONE SHOULD CHANT HIS BEADS SIXTEEN ROUNDS DAILY WITHOUT FAIL AND FOLLOW THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES STRICTLY. These basic Krsna Conscious duties are essential to be performed regularly, and they will give you the necessary strength of spirit to keep always fixed up in devotional service. As soon as a devotee is regularly engaged in this way, always engaged in Krsna Consciousness, Krsna will reveal the whole spiritual science from within the heart of such sincere devotee.

 

THIS IS THE ESSENTIAL PROCESS

70-03-06 Letter: Nityananda

PLEASE FOLLOW THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES STRICTLY, AND CHANT DAILY SIXTEEN ROUNDS OF BEADS REGULARLY WITHOUT FAIL. THIS IS THE ESSENTIAL PROCESS FOR DISSOLVING THE CLOUDS OF ILLUSION OR MAYA; AND WHEN THE CLOUD OF ILLUSION IS REMOVED, THEN WE CAN UNDERSTAND KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS PERFECTLY AND THAT IS THE HIGHEST PERFECTION OF HUMAN LIFE. So be fixed in devotional service, chant Hare Krsna mantra and be happy. I am waiting to hear of your further progress in spreading this Krsna Consciousness movement for the benefit of all concerned.

 

HELP ME

73-01-09 Letter: Hasyakari (Howard Bernd), Rathangapani (Randy Buchert), Varuthapa

My request to all of you is that you very seriously stick to the principles of devotional service as you have learned them, and especially observe strictly the four prohibitions and without fail always chant at least 16 rounds on your beads daily. In this way you will be always happy.

 

Now you have got the golden opportunity of this human form of life, and it is not by accident that you have met your spiritual master, so if you are actually intelligent you will stick very tightly to your position of Krsna Consciousness and go back to home, back to Godhead. The essential point to remember is that you should try always to please your spiritual master under every condition. That means to follow his orders and instructions very carefully. MY FIRST INSTRUCTION TO ALL OF MY DISCIPLES IS THAT THEY SHOULD HELP ME SPREAD THIS KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT ALL OVER THE WORLD, UTILIZING THEIR ENERGY AS BEST THEY ARE ABLE TO DO IT. IN THIS WAY, KEEPING YOURSELVES ALWAYS ENGAGED IN KRSNA'S BUSINESS 24 HOURS, YOU WILL BECOME FREE FROM ALL ATTACHMENT TO MAYA BY KRSNA'S GRACE. JUST AS WHEN THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT COME TOGETHER, THE DARKNESS CANNOT STAND BEFORE THE LIGHT, SO MAYA CANNOT REMAIN IN THE PRESENCE OF KRSNA. ALWAYS REMEMBER THEREFORE TO CHANT HARE KRSNA AND THAT WILL SAVE YOU IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES WITHOUT ANY DOUBT.

 

HE MUST BE SURE TO KEEP HIS VOW.

NoD 7

In the Naradiya Purana it is directed, "One should not accept more than necessary if he is serious about discharging devotional service." The purport is that one should not neglect following the principles of devotional service, nor should one accept the rulings of devotional service which are more than what he can easily perform. FOR EXAMPLE, IT MAY BE SAID THAT ONE SHOULD CHANT THE HARE KRSNA MANTRA AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND TIMES DAILY ON HIS BEADS. BUT IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, THEN ONE MUST MINIMIZE HIS CHANTING ACCORDING TO HIS OWN CAPACITY. GENERALLY, WE RECOMMEND OUR DISCIPLES TO CHANT AT LEAST SIXTEEN ROUNDS ON THEIR JAPA BEADS DAILY, AND THIS SHOULD BE COMPLETED. BUT IF ONE IS NOT EVEN ABLE TO CHANT SIXTEEN ROUNDS, THEN HE MUST MAKE IT UP THE NEXT DAY. HE MUST BE SURE TO KEEP HIS VOW. IF HE DOES NOT STRICTLY FOLLOW THIS OUT, THEN HE IS SURE TO BE NEGLIGENT. THAT IS OFFENSIVE IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. IF WE ENCOURAGE OFFENSES, WE SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE. IT IS BETTER IF ONE FIXES UP A REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE ACCORDING TO HIS OWN ABILITY AND THEN FOLLOWS THAT VOW WITHOUT FAIL. THAT WILL MAKE HIM ADVANCED IN SPIRITUAL LIFE.

 

YOUR LIFE will be SUBLIME.

69-10-08.Krs Letter: Krsna dasa

"We request you to chant HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE, and your life will be SUBLIME.

 

YOUR LIFE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL

 

"710331LE.BOM Lectures

Or if you feel that you cannot read or you have no money to purchase book, never mind. Lord Caitanya has given you very simple path: CHANT HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA, KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE. HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE. IF YOU CHANT THIS MANTRA WITH FAITH AND DEVOTION, WITHOUT ANY OFFENSE, BUT SIMPLY BY CHANTING YOU WILL REALIZE YOURSELF, YOU WILL REALIZE GOD, KRSNA, AND YOUR LIFE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam. These are the statements of Vedic literature. Simply by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, one can cleanse his heart of all the dirty things. And as soon as the dirty things are moved, then you become liberated. Bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam. Immediately the blazing fire of material existence is extinguished.

 

These are the processes recommended in the Vedas. We are simply preaching the authorized principles of the Vedas, and we request you all to accept it. Not accept it blindly, but take it with all your reason and intelligence. Just like Caitanya-caritamrta says,

 

caitanyera dayara katha karaha vicara vicara karile citte pabe camatkara

 

It is not that we are forcing something. By force you cannot do anything. That is artificial. That is not... But it is a fact that in everyone's heart there is Krsna consciousness because that is pure consciousness. Because we are part and parcel of Krsna, naturally, just like father and the son, there is an eternal relationship. Similarly, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we have got eternal relationship with Krsna. That is now covered by the dirty things of maya. But as soon as we remove, we cleanse these dirty things from our heart, then immediately we can understand what is Krsna and what is our relationship with spirit.

 

nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti sadhya kabhu naya/ sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya Everyone's heart, there is Krsna bhakti. Otherwise, how these Europeans, Americans, Canadians, Japanese, they are taking to Krsna consciousness? We have Muhammadans also. Many Muhammadans, they are taking to Krsna consciousness. Therefore it is to be understood that Krsna consciousness, or love for Krsna, is existing in everyone's heart. It is simply to be awakened. Nothing more. How it is awakened? Sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya. if you simply give your aural reception to the Krsna katha. Krsna katha means what is spoken by Krsna, the Bhagavad-gita, and Krsna katha means speeches and words which are spoken about Krsna. The Srimad-Bhagavatam is also Krsna katha, and Bhagavad-gita is also Krsna katha.

 

THE PROCESS HAS IMMENSE SPIRITUAL POTENCY.

Antya 3.100 The Glories of Srila Haridasa Thakura

Haridasa Thakura used to chant the holy name on his beads 300,000 times daily. Throughout the entire day and night, he would chant the sixteen names of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. One should not, however, imitate Haridasa Thakura, for no one else can chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra 300,000 times a day. Such chanting is for the mukta-purusa, or liberated soul. WE CAN FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE, HOWEVER, BY CHANTING SIXTEEN ROUNDS OF THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA ON BEADS EVERY DAY AND OFFERING RESPECT TO THE TULASI PLANT. THIS IS NOT AT ALL DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE, AND THE PROCESS OF CHANTING THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA WITH A VOW BEFORE THE TULASI PLANT HAS SUCH GREAT SPIRITUAL POTENCY THAT SIMPLY BY DOING THIS ONE CAN BECOME SPIRITUALLY STRONG. Therefore we request the members of the Hare Krsna movement to follow Haridasa Thakura's example rigidly. Chanting sixteen rounds does not take much time, nor is offering respects to the tulasi plant difficult. THE PROCESS HAS IMMENSE SPIRITUAL POTENCY. ONE SHOULD NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.

 

[Govindaram 1]

Hare Krishna

 

What do devotees of Radha-Krishna normally think of,

as in which pastimes are best to think of?

hope bhaktas know what I mean to say /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Guest guest]

think at any pastime you like.. they're all trascendental

 

[mathuradasksb 0]

SIDDHA KSETRESU TIRTHESU DEVATANANCA SANNIDHAU

SAHASRAM SATA KOTINAM ANANTAM VISNU SANNIDHAU

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/25 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)

If one chants his japa in a transcendental place (such as Vrndavan), or a place of pilgrimage (such as Risikesa, Dvaraka, Badrinatha, Jagannatha Puri, etc.) or near the place of demigods, (according to Srila Sanatana Gosvami's Digdarsini-tika, "demigods" refers to great demigods like Lord Siva) he receives the results 1,000 X 1,000,000. And if one chants near the Deity of Lord Sri Visnu (Krsna), he achieves unlimited results.

 

MRADUKA USNA SUPAKVAN CA KURYAD VAI LAGHU BHOJANAM

NA INDRIYANAM YATHA VRADDHIS TATHA BHUNJITA SADHAKAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/46 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

 

If one claims himself to be devotee, he must eat a small amount of sweets, steaming hot deep fried preparations, and should avoid any food which agitates his senses.

 

Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his Digdarsini-tika quotes a verse from Saradatilaka, "Those who claim themselves to be devotees should eat their meal in the afternoon, consisting of vegetables and different kinds of fruits, roots and grains."

 

BRAHMA PATRE CA BHUNJITA MADHYA-PATRA VIVARJITE

DAKSAM BRAHMOTTARAM VISNUR MADHYA PATRAM MAHESVARAM

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/47 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

 

After cutting the middle portion of this Palasa leaf, one should eat on the other portion of it. On the right side of this leaf is the place of Brahma. On the left side is the place of Lord Visnu and in the center is the form of Lord Siva.

 

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says that a Brahma leaf is the leaf from the Palasa tree. It is necessary for a devotee to cut off the middle portion of this leaf.

 

YASTU BHAGAVATO BHUTVA NA GRHANATI GANITRIKAM

ASURI TASYA DIKSA TU NA SA DHARMAYA VIDYATE

GANITRIKAM GRAHITVA YO MANTRAM CINTAYET BUDHAH

JANMANTARA SAHASRANI CINTITO'HANCA TENA VAI

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/70,71 from VARAHA PURANA)

 

After becoming a devotee or engaging in the devotional service to the Supreme Lord, one who does not accept a japa mala, his initiation is said to be demoniac. This kind of initiation is not very beneficial for religious principles. One who chants on the beads properly, I (the Supreme Personality of Godhead) think of this intelligent person for thousands of years.

 

ASTOTTARA SATAIH PURVA PANCASADBHIS TU MADHYAMA

KANYASI PANCA VINSATYA PARIMANAM VIDHIYATE

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/73 from VARAHA PURANA)

 

The beads which have 108 seeds (beads) are said to be of he topmost quality. The beads which have 50 seeds are said to be of medium quality. The beads which have 20 seeds are said to be of the lowest quality.

 

TULASI KASTHA GHATITAIR MANIBHIR JAPA MALIKA

SARVA KARMANI SARVESAM IPSITARTHA PHALA PRADA

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/112 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

 

One should understand that beads made out of Tulasi wood seeds is said to be fulfilling all kinds of desires in every activity or function.

 

TULASI SAMBHAVA YA TU SA MOKSAM TANUTE'CIRAT

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/113 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

 

The mala which is made out of Tulasi wood seeds is said to be certainly rewarding liberation.

 

ANAMA MADHYAM AKRAMYA JAPAM KURYAT TU MANASAM

MADHYAMA MADHYAM AKRAMYA JAPAM KURYAD UPANSUKAM

TARJANIM TU SAMAKRAMYA JAPAM NAIVA TU KARAYET

EKAIKA MANIM ANGUSTHENA AKARSAN PRAJAPEN MANUM

MERAU TU LANGHITE DEVI NA MANTRA PHALA BHAG BHAVET

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/114,115 from SIVA AGAMA)

 

Keeping the beads on the mid of one's ring finger, one should chant in murmuring sound. One should not keep beads on the pointing finger and chant japa. Chanting japa with the pointing finger has been rejected. One by one, putting the beads inwards and chanting japa is recommended. Oh dear wife, one should not jump over the head of japa beads. Otherwise he will not get the results of his chanting.

 

TATRA ANGULI JAPAM KURVAN SANGUSTHA ANGULIBHIR JAPET

ANGUSTHENA VINA KARMA KRTAM TAD APHALAM BHAVET

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/116 from SIVA AGAMA)

 

If one chants japa on the fingers, he should chant also using the thumb. Chanting japa without using the thumb does not give any success.

 

KANISTHA ANAMIKA MADHYA CATURTHI TARJANI MATA

TISRO'NGULYAS TRIPARVAH SYUR MADHYAMA CA EKA PARVIKA

PARVA DVAYAM MADHYAMAYA JAPAKALE VIVARJAYET

EVAM MERUM VIJANIYAD BRAHMANA DUSITAM SVAYAM

ARABHYAN ANAMIKA MADHYAT PRADAKSINAM ANUKRAMAT

TARJANI MULA PARYANTAM KRAMAT DASASU PARVASU

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/117,118,119)

 

Chanting on the fingers, namely the ring finger, the middle finger or the fourth finger are accepted for chanting japa. On these three fingers, there are three parts to be used, and one part of the midfinger, all together ten, to chant japa. This means that one should reject using the first two parts of the midfinger to chant japa. Brahma has stated that the first two parts of the midfinger are said to be the Meru or head of the beads, and he has himself rejected to use it. One should start from the middle of the ring finger and carry on in a clockwise until the pointing finger's root and thus altogether they become ten. One should hold his fingers together and chant japa.

 

ARABHYAN ANAMIKA MULAT PARIVARTET VAI KRAMAT

TARJANI MADHYA PARYANTAM JAPED DASASU PARVASU

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/122 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

 

Beginning from the middle of the ring finger and continuing clockwise to the root of the pointing finger and chanting japa in this way numbering ten.

 

NA SPRSED VAMA HASTENA KARA BHRASTAM NA KARAYET

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/124 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

 

One should not touch his beads with the left hand nor make them fall from the hand.

 

APAVITRA KARO NAGNAH SIRASI PRAVRTO'PI VA

PRALAPAN VA JAPED YAVAT TAVAN NISPHALAM UCYATE

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/132 from VYASA SMRTI)

 

Chanting japa becomes fruitless if somebody chants in an impure condition, with dirty hands, without a seat, in nude condition, with a covered head, while talking prajalpa. Therefore one should chant japa carefully.

 

VADANNA GACCHANNA SVAPANNA ANYAT KIMAPI SAMSMARAN

NA KSUT JRAMBHANA HIKKADI VIKALIKRTA MANASAH

MANTRA SIDDHIM AVAPNOTI TASMAD YATNA PARO BHAVET

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/133 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

 

While talking, walking, sleeping or thinking about some object, hungry, while stretching the body, while having hiccups, while mentally disturbed, in such condition if someone chants japa, he does not receive the perfection of chanting. Therefore one should endeavor to give up all of these functions to chant properly.

 

ANGULI AGRESU YAJJAPTA YAJJAPTAM MERU LANGHANE

ASANKHYATAN CA YAJJAPTAM TAT SARVAM NISPHALAM BHAVET

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/135 from VYASA SMRTI)

 

One who chants japa holding the beads on the tip of the fingers, who jumps over the head bead or who chants japa without counting how much he has chanted, then that japa is said to be fruitless.

 

APAVITRA KARO'SUDDHAH PRAJALPAN NA JAPET KVACIT

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/137 from MANTRARNAVA)

 

One should not hold japa beads or chant with dirty hands, in an unclean condition or while talking with others.

 

ANASANAH SAYANO VA GACCHANN UTTHITA EVA VA

RATHYAYAMA SIVE STHANE NA JAPET TIMIRA ANTARE

UPANAD GUDHA PADO VA YANA SAYYAGATAS TATHA

PRASARYA NA JAPET PADAVA UTKATASANA EVA VA

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/139,140 from MANTRARNAVA)

 

Sitting without a seat, while lying down sleeping, while walking, while standing, while on a path, in impure places such a crematoriam or in dark areas are the forbidden circumstances to chant japa. Wearing shoes, climbing on a carrier, in the sleeping condition, spreading two legs, and on an impure asana, one should not chant japa.

 

NA . PADAM AKRAMYA NA CAIVA HI TATHA KARAU

NA CA ASAMA AHITA MANA NACA SAMSAYANO JAPET

NA KAMPAYET SIRO GRIVAM DANTAN NAIVA PRAKASAYET

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/142 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)

 

While chanting japa, one should not let one's leg climb another leg and arm climb upon another arm, in an unsteady mind, or in a doubtful condition. While chanting, one should not shake his neck or head, and not to show one's teeth to others.

 

YAKSA RAKSASA BHUTANI SIDDHA VIDYADHARA GANAH

HARANTI PRASABHAM YASMAT TASMAD GUPTAM SAMACARET

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/144 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)

 

If one chants japa while keeping his japa beads outside of his bead bag, then his japa is forcibly stolen by semi-demigods, demons, ghosts, perfected living entities from Siddhaloka and Vidyadharas, the dancers in the heavenly planets. Therefore one should not keep his beads outside of his bead bag.

 

YADI VA YAMA LOPAH SYAT JAPA ADISU KATHANCANA

VYAHARED VAISNAVAM MANTRAM SMARED VA VISNUM AVYAYAM

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/148 from TRAILOKYA SAMMOHANA TANTRA)

 

If somehow, due to certain circumstances, somebody breaks the stated rules to chanting, then he should chant a Visnu mantra or remember the imperishable Personality of Godhead, Sri Visnu.

 

TRIVIDHO JAPA YAJNAH SYAT TASYA BHEDAN NIVODHATA

VACIKAS CA UPANSUS CA MANASAS CA TRIDHA MATAH

TRAYANAM JAPA YAJNANAM SREYAN SYAD UTTAROTTARAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/155 from NRSINGHA PURANA)

 

Japa yajna is of three kinds. Please listen. Chanting with a sound vibration, chanting with a murmuring condition and chanting within the mind. These three kinds of chanting are respectively one better than the other [chanting in the mind is best].

 

YADUCCHA NICA SVARITAIH SPASTA SAVDAVD AKSARAIH

MANTRAM UCCHARAYED VYAKTAM JAPA YAJNA SA VACIKAH

SANAIR UCCHARAYEN MANTRAM ISAD OSTHAU PRACALAYET

KINCIT SAVDAM SVAYAM VIDYAD UPANSUH SA JAPAH SMRTAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/156,157 from NRSINGHA PURANA)

 

Chanting japa is of three kinds, higher class, lower class and svarita class which is melodiously chanting clearly where every word can be heard by others. That is called vacika. Any japa mantra chanted in murmuring sound, where ones's two lips move very minutely and one can only hear a few words out of it, that chanting is called upansu.

 

Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his Digdarsini-tika writes that one who is chanting japa melodiously, with high and low sounds, in a swinging condition, it is called svarita where others can hear every sound vibration clearly. Therefore, it is said that one should chant openly. But better is to chant japa in such a way that one can hear it himself only.

 

UPANSU JAPA YUKTASYA TASMAT SATA GUNO BHAVET

SAHASRO MANASAH PROKTO YASMAD DHYANA SAMO HI SAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/159 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)

 

One hundred times better than chanting japa in clear or loud condition is to chant japa in mumuring condition where one can hear himself. One thousand times better, still, is chanting within one's mind, because chanting within the mind is equal to meditating on the Supreme Lord.

 

Srila Sanatana Gosvami clarifies this situation in his Digdarsini-tika, stating that chanting within the mind is one hundred times better than chanting in murmuring condition which is one hundred times better than chanting with the sound vibration.

 

NADOSO MANASE JAPE SARVA DESE'PI SARVADA

JAPA NISTHO DVIJA SRESTHAH SARVA YAJNA PHALAM LABHET

ASUCIR VA SUCIR VAPI GACCHAN TISTHAN SVAPANNAPI

MANTRAIVA SARANO VIDVAN MANASAIVA SADA ABHYASET

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/161,162 from MANTRARNAVA)

 

Oh best of the brahmanas, in all conditions and always one should chant japa in one's mind because it has no faults. Therefore, anyone who is engaged in chanting japa, gets the results of performing all kinds of sacrifices. Whatever condition he may be, whether purified or unpurified condition, walking condition or still (standing or sitting) condition, sleeping condition, one should take shelter at the feet of chanting japa alone and chant japa within one's mind.

 

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks regarding chanting japa within one's mind, that because chanting japa within mind has no faults, therefore one should chant japa within one's mind. This is the best japa of all. Here "the best of brahmanas" refers to those who chant japa. In all conditions, one should take shelter in chanting japa without considering the time, place and circumstances. This is the understanding here.

 

JAPENA DEVATA NITYAM STUYAMANA PRASIDATI

PRASANNA VIPULAN BHOGAN DADYAM MUKTIS CA SASVATIM

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/166 from PADMANABHIYA)

 

If one chants japa regularly to please the Supreme Lord, then the Supreme Lord, being pleased, will increase one's spiritual advancement and give one the eternal liberation.

 

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says in his Digdarsini-tika that eternal liberation means achieving the eternal abode of the Supreme Lord, Vaikuntha dhama.

 

ATAH KURYAD JAPAM NITYAM SAKTYA NIYATA SANKHYAYA

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/199 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

 

One should chant regularly, according to one's capacity, a fixed number of rounds every day.

 

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says in his Digdarsini-tika, that according to one's capacity, one should regularly chant a fixed number of rounds each day and account the number each day. "One should not chant less or more japa day after day". When the fixed number of rounds is completed one should finish chanting japa and engage in other service.

[Guest guest]

 

The mountains, although being struck by torrents of rain during the rainy season, are not shaken, just as those whose hearts are dedicated to the transcendental Personality of Godhead are never disturbed, even when harassed by great misfortune.

 

 

Because a person who is spiritually advanced accepts any adverse condition of life as the mercy of the Lord, he is completely eligible to enter into the spiritual kingdom. Even though a person takes to the devotional service of the Supreme Lord, he may sometimes become diseased, impoverished, or disappointed by life’s events. A true devotee of the Lord always considers these sufferings to be due to past sinful activities, and thus without becoming disturbed he patiently awaits the mercy of the Supreme Lord. Such devotees are compared to high mountains, which are never agitated in any way, even when struck by powerful torrents of rain in the rainy season. Rather, such devotees remain humble in spiritual enlightenment. Free from pride and envy, they easily gain the mercy of the Lord and go back home, back to Godhead. (Light of the Bhagavat v.12)

 

How has one such as I come to Your shelter? Surely it is by Your mercy alone, for You are ever seeking the purification and deliverance of all fallen souls.

 

You are my only hope, for You are full of compassion and mercy. There is no one that needs your mercy more than I. You will surely drive away all fear.

 

No one else has the power to deliver me. O merciful Lord, by Your declaration, kindly deliver this vile and lowly sinner.

 

I have given up everything and come to Your lotus feet. I am your eternal servant, and you are my protector and maintainer, O Lord of the universe!

 

Everything is Yours. I am merely a servant, certain that You will deliver me. I have chosen Your lotus feet as my only shelter. I no longer belong to myself.

 

Weeping, Bhaktivinode takes shelter at Your feet. Forgive his offenses, afford him a taste for the holy name, and kindly maintain him. (Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura)

[livingentity 0]

"Like a child crying for it's mother."

[Guest guest]

Harinama: Holy Name of the Lord

 

 

Based on the Harinama-cintamani by Bhaktivinoda Thakura, chapters 1-2

 

Karma, jnana and yoga ineffective in Kali-yuga

The holy name is both the means and the end

The spiritual identity of the holy name

Two kinds of the holy name

Three levels of chanting

The pure name and namabhasa: different results

Vyavadhana or 'disruption' causes offense (aparadha)

Overcoming namabhasa and attaining prema

Only the faithful are eligible to chant the omnipotent holy name

 

Types of prayers

 

Karma, jnana and yoga ineffective in Kali-yuga

 

The Satya-yuga sages who took up the process of meditation were personally purified by Krsna and given the treasure of devotional service. In the Treta-yuga, the same spiritual success crowned those who flawlessly performed opulent sacrifices to satisfy the Lord. In the Dvapara-yuga, He granted devotion to those who adhered to the path of perfect Deity worship. With the advent of the present age, Kali-yuga, Lord Krsna saw the dreadful condition of the jivas (living beings) and relinquished all hope in the processes of karma, jnana and yoga. People in the Kali-yuga are short-lived, always harassed by disease, and are born with a weak body and mind. The observance of varnasrama-dharma and the cultivation of sankhya philosophy, yoga, and empiricism will not yield the strength humanity needs to redeem itself.

 

Indirect devotional paths of jnana and karma are intended to lead one to the shrine of devotional service through either the association of saintly persons during philosophical discussions, or by the ritualistic offering to the Supreme Lord of the results of work performed without desire but in Kali-yuga both paths have become contaminated. Genuine saintly persons, now rarely seen, have been displaced by crass, commercial pseudo-spiritualists. Religious duties are no longer performed for purifying the consciousness but for enjoyment of the material results of the rituals. Therefore these secondary paths are no longer beneficial.

 

The Lord, considering the jivas' welfare, descended in Kali-yuga along with His holy name to propagate the yuga-dharma (the religion of the age). By taking up the yuga-dharma the jiva attains love of Krsna: he has only to remember the Supreme Lord's name (nama-smarana or japa) and chant the Lord's name congregationally (nama-sankirtana).

 

The holy name is both the means and the end

 

The only method or means (sadhana) in this age is the holy name of the Lord. The only goal (sadhya) to be attained in this age is Krsna-prema (love of Krsna). Even in the stage of perfection, the name is not given up but is chanted all the more, for it is intrinsic to the activities of prema. Indeed, the name is not different from the Lord: it is the very embodiment of prema. If the means is the end, then the end and the means never contradict one another. If process is identical to the objective, then it is easy for the jivas to attain the desired goal of life, Krsna-prema. By the mercy of His holy name, Krsna easily delivers the jivas in the age of Kali.

 

The spiritual identity of the holy name

 

Lord Krsna and His holy name are not different; They are the one and same Absolute Truth who is the all-pervading yet supremely independent form of dynamic spirituality (caitanya vigraha), fully cognizant and full of bliss, without beginning or end. Eternally free of material imperfection (nitya mukta), always situated in pure goodness (suddha sattva), the holy name, identical (abhinna) with He who is denoted by the name (the nami, or Krsna), descends to this world as the complete incarnation of the highest sweetness (rasa).

 

Two kinds of the holy name

 

The holy name can be categorized in two types: principal and secondary. By taking shelter of Krsna's principal names, the jiva obtains the real boon of spiritual life. The holy names of the Lord that describe His transcendental pastimes and which contain all of the Lord's spiritual excellences are defined as principal names. They are, for example: Govinda, Gopala, Rama, Sri Nandanandana, Radhanatha, Hari, Yasomati Pranadhana, Madana-Mohana, Syamasundara, Madhava, Gopinatha, Vrajagopala, Raksala, Yadava, and so on. Anyone who chants the names of the Lord that depict His eternal pastimes can attain the Lord's supreme abode.

 

The Vedas address the Lord with names that describe His affiliation with His material energy. These are His secondary names, e.g. Creator, Supersoul, Brahman, maintainer and annihilator of the world, Yajnesvara, Hara, etc. Such names of the Lord are invoked by those pursuing fruitive activities and empirical knowledge. In keeping with the Vedic directions, the chanting of such names of the Lord will result in piety and salvation. However, Krsna-prema, the most perfect result of chanting the holy name of the Lord, is attained only by saintly souls who invoke Krsna's principal names.

 

Three levels of chanting

 

1. Chanting with offenses (aparadha) 2. Chanting in the clearing stage (namabhasa) 3. Chanting of the pure name (suddha-nama)

 

The pure name and namabhasa: different results

 

If the holy name is chanted just once, though impurely so, or if the sound is simply heard, then the living entity regardless of his high or low caste is immediately liberated. This is the declaration of scripture. And furthermore, when the holy name is chanted in the clearing stage (namabhasa Ä the stage when impurities are swept from the heart of the chanter), then the highest goal is attained after some delay.

 

All other auspicious pious results including liberation can be quite easily achieved in namabhasa, but the attainment of love of Godhead is suspended for a while until the jiva reaches the summit of chanting the pure name or suddha-nama. In namabhasa, sin and unwanted desires in the heart are eventually dissipated; thereafter the devotee chants purely. Suddha-nama offers the devotee the highest spiritual success, love of Krsna.

 

Vyavadhana or 'disruption' causes offense (aparadha)

 

Chanting should be free from any form of disruption because this will result in offenses against the holy name, which in turn pose an insurmountable obstacle on the path to success. Vyavadhana or 'disruption' is of two kinds.

 

The first type is known as varna-vyavadhana or disruption in the syllables. For example, in the Bengali word 'hathikari', 'ha' and the last syllable 'ri' can be put together to form 'Hari', a name of Krsna. But because the syllables 'thi-ka' are inserted in the middle, the repetition of 'hathikari' will not give actual benefit. Yet the Arabic word 'haram' is not perverted by such disruption of the syllables or varna-vyavadhana. The syllables comprising the holy name 'Ram' are uninterrupted; hence, speaking the word 'haram' gives liberation because it is namabhasa.

 

The second type of vyavadhana is called tattva-vyavadhana or disruption of philosophical conclusions. This offense is much more serious. Lord Krsna's name and Lord Krsna Himself are non-different. But someone who is polluted by Mayavadi philosophy imagines them to be separate. Such an offensive conclusion is clearly against all Vedic teachings and will totally destroy one's spiritual life. It is impossible to obtain Krsna-prema from such chanting. In summary, one should understand properly that the holy name is identical to the Lord Himself. The principal names of Krsna should be chanted as suddha-nama, devoid of namabhasa and the aparadha of vyavadhana. The person who takes these considerations to heart and chants suddha-nama even once is considered a Vaisnava. He is to be served with faith and devotion.

 

Overcoming namabhasa and attaining prema

 

Anyone wanting to attain the highest spiritual success of chanting purely must approach a bonafide spiritual master and serve him carefully and sincerely. He must become free from deceit, join Lord Krsna's family of devotees and continuously chant the holy name. He should accept everything favorable for devotional service and at the same time reject unfavorable things. He should seek out the association of devotees and utilize his life in service to the Lord's holy name and the Vaisnavas. He should forgo all other religious practices and pious activities and never worship any other devata. Nor should he think anything to be independent from Krsna.

 

Gradually, as all the anarthas or unwanted desires in the heart are destroyed, the transcendental name of Krsna appears and dances on the tongue of the devotee. The holy name, now nectarean in taste, cannot but be relished by the devotee at every moment. Thus spiritually intoxicated, the devotee always feels like dancing. As the holy name dances, the devotee likewise dances, and at that moment the ecstasy of love of Godhead also enters dancing into the devotee's heart. Then the entire world will dance and maya will flee away.

 

Only the faithful are eligible to chant the omnipotent holy name

 

The Supreme Lord has infused His transcendental name with all of His potencies and offered it to humanity. One who has sufficient faith in Lord Krsna's name is eligible to chant, and only one who chants the name is properly executing the prescribed duties of the human being. He is called an adhikari or possessor of the holy name.

 

The holy name is so potent that chanting does not depend on conditions of time, place, rules, cleanliness, and so on. Pious activities, such as the giving of charity, the performance of sacrifices, the taking of ablutions, or the recitation of Vedic mantras are all regulated by stringent rules. But for the chanting of the holy name, the only prerequisite is faith. One who takes shelter of the holy name with unflinching faith will attain all perfection.

 

 

--

 

Types of prayers

 

(from Gaudiya Vaisnava Abhidhana)

 

1. Samprarthanatmika - direct prayer glorifying the Lord. We have many examples of this type of prayer in Narottama Dasa's Prarthana.

 

2. Svadhainyabodhika - expressing humility and embarrassment, informing the Lord: I am very fallen.

 

3. Manah-siksa - examples are Bhajahu Re Mana by Govinda das or Manah-siksa by Raghunatha das Gosvami. In this type of prayer the mind becomes a disciple and we teach it how to deal with the senses and relate to intelligence. We consider the mind a separate entity and tell it: Pull yourself together! Meditate on Krsna! The challenging spirit of intelligence becomes manifest. One function of the intelligence is to challenge the mind.

 

4. Vilapatmika - statements of supreme lamentation. This may be confusing; we hear the devotees are always happy, so how can a devotee lament? But this kind of lamentation is a type of devotional ecstasy - it draws a devotee closer to Krsna.

 

5. Vaisnava Mahimaprakasika - revealing the greatness of the Vaisnavas. Krsna doesn't want to be considered separately from the Vaisnavas, therefore we can please Him by glorifying them.

 

6. Sri-Guru-Vaisnava-vijnapti-rupa - statements of submission and glorification of the Vaisnavas, especially of the guru. The example is Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Ohe! Vaisnava Thakura.

 

7. Sridhama-vase-lipsatmika - expressing the desire to live in the holy places. There are many prayers of this kind, composed by Prabodhananda Sarasvati, glorifying Sri Vrndavana. In one of them he says: Anyone who desires to leave Vrndavana I consider to be a madman.

 

8. Sadhaka-dehe-lalasa-sucika - expressing the desire to practice devotional service.

 

9. Siddha-dehe-lalasamayi - desire to attain siddha-deha and serve Krsna in this spiritual body.

 

10. Aksepabodhika - lamentation again: extreme grief and sorrow that we have fallen to this material world.

 

We can see that out of the ten types of prayers listed, three express feeling "bad." So these feelings are not useless. They can be incorporated into devotional service. We shouldn't think: First let me become a pure devotee, free from all lamentation, no problems - then I can come before the Lord and offer nice prayers. No. A pure devotee feels his deficiency so he comes before the Lord and prays.