CHANT AND BE HAPPY!

Japa is silent repetition of a mantra on japa beads. Kirtan is congregational or loud chanting, many times utilizing cartals (small hand cymbals), harmonium (indian portable organ), or mridanga (double headed indian drum). In the "Brihanaradiya Purana" it is said, in this age of Kali yuga, when people in general are slow in spiritual realization and always disturbed by various material anxieties, the best means for God consciousness "Krishna consciousness" is to chant the holy name of the Lord. Throughout the Vedic scriptures such as, Caitanya Caritamrita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Brahma Samhita, Bhagavad Gita, etc. the power of Krishna's name and the chanting of his name is emphasized. Some may chant "Rama" and some chant "Krishna", but the "Maha Mantra" or "great chant" is especially prescribed. This ancient mantra also known to many as the "Hare Krishna" mantra has been chanted in India in loud kirtans in which hundreds of thousands of people took part at one time. To chant japa on prayer beads you will need to acquire some from your nearest Hare Krishna temple, some indian stores, or Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. These beads are from India and are carved from a sacred tree called "Tulsi". You should NEVER let them touch the ground and if possible, please get a "japa bag". This is a cloth bag which is used to carry your beads in. There are 108 beads on a strand of "japa" beads. The "Krishna bead" is the large bead with a "tassle" on it. Start on a bead beside the "Krishna bead". Please don't ever chant on the "Krishna" bead. or cross over it! Use your RIGHT hand and hold the first bead between your THUMB and your LONGEST finger and chant the "Pancha-tattva Maha mantra" first. This mantra is: "jaya Sri Krishna Caitanya prabhu Nityananda Sri Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi Gaura bhakta vrinda". Do this only once to start each round. Next do the "Maha Mantra" [Hare pronounced huh-ray, Krishna pronounced Krish-na, Rama prounounced rah-ma] "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare" while fingering the first bead. Move to the next bead and chant it again and do the same on all of the other beads. One round would be 108 times. The first round you are chanting "clockwise". The second round is back "counter clockwise" etc.. So to do one round you chanted the "Pancha-tattva Maha mantra" just once at the beginning of a round, but the Hare Krishna "Maha mantra" was chanted 108 times, or once on each bead. Please remember to always pronounce the words clearly and again DON'T CHANT ON, OR CROSS OVER the "Krishna" bead. This is the very large bead with the tassle on it. When you have chanted "one round" you will end up on the other side of the "Krishna" bead. If you wish to chant a second round, you say the "Pancha-tattva Maha mantra" once start chanting the "Maha Mantra" back on each bead toward the bead you originally started from. Each round = chanting the mantra 108 times. Proceed at your own pace and strive to build on it. Sixteen rounds a day is an ideal goal to work towards! The Maha Mantra is an ancient Vedic mantra aimed at addressing God in a personal way. It is considered to be the most powerful mantra to achieve God consciousness "Krishna Consciousness" in this age of Kali yuga. It is a prayer to ask for God's protection and guidance and to engage us in love and devotion. It it nice to meditate on pictures, or "archa vigraha" forms of Srimati Radharani and Krishna while you chant. God accepts your love and offering through either medium. The first book of major importance that you should get is "Bhagavad Gita". The translation by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is perfectly accurate and Lord Krishna's message is very clear. If possible try to get the edition with "Sanskrit" verses as this is nicer and you will find that you can learn the verses in both English and Sanskrit. All books can be obtained from Bhaktivedanta Book Trust at 3764 Watseka Avenue, 90034 in Los Angeles California, or your nearest Krishna temple. For a FREE catalog of books, tapes, posters and other worship items, please write to the above address, or call 1-800-927-4152. Mantra meditation provides many spiritual rewards. May Lord Krishna bless you and give you guidance!