Sravanam Kirtanam, Harinaam and Difference between Japa and Kirtana

Surrender - Sravanam Kirtanam

The chanting of Hare Krsna is not limited to the Kali-yuga but is applicable to other ages as well:

The easiest means of achieving spiritual success is to chant the holy names of the Lord:

If one chants even for one week, he will make solid progress in spiritual life:

Chanting produces immediate effects:

From Haridasa Thakura's personal example we can understand that becoming highly elevated in Krsna consciousness by chanting the holy name is very simple:

Devotional service begins with chanting of the holy name hearing of the holy name tasting Prasadam

Surrender begins with giving up bad habits and chanting the Hare Krsna mantra on beads:

Sankirtana and chanting as fundamental principles for the execution of devotional service:

Of the nine processes of devotional service, chanting the holy name is the most important:

Hearing of the holy name of the Lord (sravana) is the basis for understanding the other processes of devotional service:

All processes of devotional service must be preceded and followed by kirtana, which is the most important process:

Chanting of the holy name is one of the five most important practices of devotional service:

Hari-naam solution to all problems

Chanting of the holy name evokes the Vaikuntha atmosphere, freeing the world from material hankering, envy and anxiety:

"My dear Narada, actually I do not reside in My abode, Vaikuntha, nor do I reside within the hearts of the yogis, but I reside in that place where My pure devotees chant My holy name and discuss My form, pastimes and qualities." 

Nama-sankirtana can turn the masses toward spiritual realization and bring peace and friendship:

The formula for world peace is to develop Krsna consciousness by the simple process of chanting the holy name of God:

Chanting of the holy name eradicates envy, and thus can bring real peace, unity and fraternity to human society:

"Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues."

The sankirtana movement of Krsna consciousness is very important. Therefore, through you I wish to appeal to all the leading men of India to accept this movement very seriously and give us all facility to spread this movement throughout the world. Then there will be a very happy condition, not only in India but all over the world.

The chanting of the holy name is the only 

remedy for setting the world aright:

In this age, people can be freed from drought and scarcity of rain by congregational chanting of the holy name:

In order to counteract scarcity in this age, people must perform sankirtana-yajna, chanting of the holy names:

By performance of sankirtana-yajna, the congregational chanting of the holy name, people will be happy economically, politically, socially, religiously and culturally:

Through popularizing the chanting of the holy name, brahminical culture and ksatriya government will automatically be revived:

If we chant the holy name offenselessly, the kingdom of Rama can appear even in this Kali-yuga:

To counteract the unfortunate situation in government, the general populace should chant the maha-mantra:

In this age, saintly persons should help the general populace not by political action, but by chanting the maha-mantra:

Crime can be eradicted by mass sankirtana, which changes the heart:

Namamrita 19 & 20

The difference between japa and kirtana:

When a mantra or hymn is chanted softly and slowly, that is called japa. The same mantra, when chanted loudly, is called kirtana. For example, the maha-mantra (Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) when uttered very softly only for one's own hearing is called japa. The same mantra, when chanted loudly for being heard by all others, is called kirtana. The maha-mantra can be used for japa and kirtana also. When japa is practiced it is for the personal benefit of the chanter, but when kirtana is performed it is for the benefit of all others who may hear.

In the Padma Purana there is a statement: "For any person who is chanting the holy name either softly or loudly, the paths to liberation and even heavenly happiness are at once open."

The Nectar of Devotion

>>>Ref. VedaBase => NAM 2a15: Definitions: Japa, Kirtana, Sankirtana, and Sravana

Sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda.

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे || हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे||

Who is Poor?

Once there lived a king who was very fond of conquering other countries. So
he went on fighting one war after another, and was just busy building a big
empire. Once when he was on his way back home after a war he saw a old sage
dressed in rags, sitting by the street side and meditating. Seeing him in
rags the king thought, "This old man is very poor and does not have even
proper clothes to protect him from cold. Let me gift him my shawl". Thinking
in this manner, the king approached the sage and gifted him his shawl. The
sage thanked the king for his kind gesture, but refused to accept the gift.
The sage said, "O king, there is someone more poorer than me in your kingdom
and may be you consider giving this gift to him. By mercy of Lord, I have
everything which is needed for me and so I don't want your shawl".  The king
was very surprised and he asked the sage as to who was that poor man. The
sage replied, "O king, you are the poorest man in this kingdom. Because, I
see that even though you had captured so many kingdom, still your thirst for
war has not quenched. You don't feel satisfied with what you have and you
keep on wasting your valuable time in wars." Hearing the sage's words, the
king realized that indeed since the sage had taken shelter of Holy Names,
and had the wealth of satisfaction, the sage was far more richer than him.
He thanked the sage for his valuable advice and from that day onwards, the
king took shelter of Holy Names, stopped unnecessary wars, executed his
prescribed duties to the best of his ability.  In Srimad Bhagavatam verse
11.19.43-44, Lord Krishna instructs Uddhava that

gunaadhyo hyaadhya ucyate
daridro yastv asantushtah
"My dear friend Uddhava, one who is enriched with good qualities is actually
said to be rich, and one who is unsatisfied in life is actually poor."

Indeed satisfaction is the greatest wealth. We must be completely satisfied
with whatever Krishna gives us and avoid unnecessary hankerings. That is the
secret of peaceful and blissful life. 

"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे || हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे||

Chanting

 How does the chanting of the holy name of Krishna help us ?

Worship the Lord, whose name is like the sun, for (because) just as slight appearance of the sun dissipates the darkness of night, so a slight appearance of the holy name of Krishna can drive away all the darkness of ignorance that arises in the heart due to greatly sinful activities performed in previous lives.  -          Sri Caitanya Caritamritha, Antya Leela, 3.63

 

 How does everything become faultless ?

There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the regulative principles, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies  in regard to time, place, person and paraphernalia.  But when Your Lordship’s (Krishna’s) holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless. -   Srimad Bhagavatam, 8.23.16

Why should we chant Hare Krishna in spite of so many impediments ?

There may be so many impediments for a person who is chanting Hare Krishna.  Nonetheless, tolerating all these impediments, one should continue to chant so that at the end of one’s life one can have the full benefit of Krishna Consciousness.                   

-       Bhagavad Gita, 8.5. purport

 For what purpose we should chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord ?

The holy name has to be chanted to please the Supreme Lord, and not for any sense gratification or professional purpose.  If this pure mentality is there, then even though a person is born of a low family, he is so glorious that not only has he purified himself, but he is quite competent to deliver others. -         Srimad Bhagavatam, 3.33.7 purport

"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे || हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे||

Benefits of Chanting

"Simply by chanting one holy name of Hari, a sinful man can counteract the reactions to more sins that he is able to commit." (Brhad-visnu Purana)

If one chants the holy name of the Lord, even in a helpless condition or without desiring to do so, all the reactions of his sinful life depart, just as when a lion roars, all the small animals flee in fear."  (Garuda Purana)

"By once chanting the holy name of the Lord, which consists of the two syllables ha-ri, one guarantees his path to liberation." (Skanda Purana)

The chanting of the holy name is the best means to atone for sinful activities because it attracts the attention and protection of the Supreme Lord.

By chanting the holy name, one is freed from the sinful reactions of many millions of lives.

Simply by hearing the holy name chanted by a pure devotee, one is purified of all sinful activities and becomes eligible to render devotional service.

"Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination."

If one chants the holy name without offenses and without further sinful activities, he is freed from all reactions of sins.

"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear." (Bg. 18.66)

The chanting of the maha-mantra is a special concession in the Kali-yuga to save people from the reactions to known or unknown sinful activities.

For one who always chants the holy name, unintentional sins are excused.

Even if the holy name is chanted for the sake of blasphemy, the holy name is so powerful that it frees one from reactions of sinful activities.

The devotee should always appreciate his fortune in having been delivered from sinful activities by the chanting of the holy name.

Sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda.

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे || हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे||

Devotion with determination opens the gate for perfection

When sun rises in the morning then the sun rays is not so prominent but gradually as the day progresses the brightness becomes stronger and finally the rays illumines everything eating the darkness. Similarly, while endeavouring for anything we may not be able to see much tangible results immediately but if we persist then slowly the result will start becoming visible.  Any progress is gradual and so it is always recommended that we should have patience while treading a path. 

The spiritual seekers who have voluntarily chosen the path of devotional life are required to practice the process of devotional life with steady determination. Many a times we wonder why we are not experiencing the inner calmness and bliss which is associated with devotion even though we have been practicing devotional life for many years.  The mind still dwells on sensory objects and the senses continue demanding attention. It looks like the process is not working for us. But this is not true.

In childhood when we were learning to ride a bicycle then we fell from it several times. But after regular practice a day came when we were able to ride without falling. It was fun. We eventually even started racing with our friends.

Similarly if we continue with determined devotion braving all difficulties then Krishna’s grace will eventually dawn upon us. Also our regular chanting and shadana is not going in vain, it is perfecting our lives although we may not be able to experience the effect now. Our heart is getting cleansed of unwanted qualities and the love of God is slowly blossoming in our heart. And if we practice devotional life with grit for a long time then ultimately it will start creating an impact. In fact if we are resolute in our purpose and our aim is Krishna (Gita 2.41) then it is guaranteed that we would succeed in attaining love of God one day.

Samsara Davanala Lidha(Mangala Arati)

Official Name: Śrī Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka (Eight Prayers to the Guru) (Mangala Arati)
Author: Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
Book Name: Stavamrta Lahari
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, who appeared in the middle of the seventeenth century, is a great spiritual master in the Krsna conscious chain of gurus and disciples. He says, “One who, with great care and alteration, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death.”
(1)
saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(2)
mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta
vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena
romāñca -kampāśru-taraṅga-bhājo
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(3)
śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā
śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāṁś ca niyuñjato ‘pi
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(4)
catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda
svādvanna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-saṅghān
kṛtvaiva tṛptiṁ bhajataḥ sadaiva
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(5)
śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra
mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām
prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(6)
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(7)
sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(8)
yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi
dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

TRANSLATION
1) The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.
2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sańkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Srī Srī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
4) The spiritual master is always offering Kṛṣṇa four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasāda, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Rādhikā and Mādhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopīs, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vṛndāvana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
7) The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Srī Hari [Kṛṣṇa].
8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Kṛṣṇa. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spirit

Can God make a square circle?

Question:  If God can do anything, can he make a square circle?

Answer: Questions like these arise from not understanding the definition of God as the Supreme Being. Let’s consider the two kinds of impossibilities: practical and logical.

1. Practical impossibility: When the sacred scriptures describe that, say, Lord Krishna lifted the huge Govardhana hill in Vrindavana during his descent to this world five thousand years ago, skeptics may dismiss this as impossible, because they deem possession of such strength practically impossible. However, notice their self-centric mentality implicitly operating here; they presume that what is impossible for them is impossible for anyone. By such a mentality, an ant crawling on a table may consider the glass that blocks its way impossible to lift, but we humans do it all the time – nonchalantly. Just as we, humans, being much stronger than ants, can do what they think practically impossible, similarly, God, being Supreme, being infinitely stronger than us, can do what we think practically impossible.
2.  Logical impossibility: Activities like making a square circle seem not just practically impossible, but even logically impossible. Our mind tends to think that a geometrical object can either be a circle or a square, but never both. However, this is a limitation of our mind, not a limitation of God. Our mind functions by discerning in the world around us features like logicality, causality and repeatability. Our mind needs the intellectual framework formed by such attributes to make sense of the world. But that very framework limits our mind from “thinking outside the box”, and so we mistakenly infer that those activities that are impossible for us to think logically must also be impossible for God to do practically. However, our framework of thought does not limit God. For his cognition, God does not need any such framework, and so he is completely free to think and act independent of it.

Let’s now apply this background analysis to our specific question. God can surely make a square circle, but our minds can never understand how. Is this an evasive answer? Not at all. The sixteenth-century devotee-scholar Jiva Goswami insightfully reminds us that if God’s actions were limited to the conceiving abilities of our mind, then our mind would be supreme, not God, thus violating the very definition of God. Therefore, by his very definition, God has inconceivability (achintyatva in Sanskrit) as his integral attribute.

Once Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, was asked a similar question, “Can God create a stone that he cannot lift?” He replied, “Yes. God can surely create a stone that he cannot lift. And then he will lift it.”