Who Invented the Maha-Mantra?
The maha-mantra was not “invented.” It is recommended in the Brhad Naradia Purana (and many other Vedic texts) and is an incarnation of the Lord Himself…He IS HIS NAME and this maha-mantra was offered to the people in Kali-yuga as the Yuga-dharma (prime recommended method of spiritual realization) by Lord Chaitanya who was Krishna Himself. The Holy Name, in the form of the maha-mantra, makes the realization of God...
Is Hare Krishna Mahamantra Invented by ISKCON?
ISKCON is simply presenting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra which has been mentioned in various Vedas & Upanisads. This mahamantra is the most potent and important method of purification in current times (also called age of Kaliyuga – aga of quareel & hypocrisy) The Hare Krishna Mahamantra is mentioned in the ancient Kalisantarana Upanisad and it is universal & not a sectarian mantra for a particular type of people. This...
How many Japa rounds to chant?
Srila Prabhupada’s program for chanting japa requires the devotees to regularly chant sixteen rounds over the course of the day. “Although Madhavendra Puri was not interested in eating and sleeping, his interest in chanting the maha-mantra was as acute as if he were an aspiring transcendentalist rather than a paramahamsa. This means that even in the paramahamsa stage, one cannot give up chanting. Haridasa Thakura and the...
What are the offenses to be avoided while chanting Japa?
The sincere devotee who wants to attain a perfection (Siddhi) for himself by the process of chanting the Name of the Lord must refrain from the ten kinds of offences which are quoted below from the “Padmapuranam.” 1. The first and foremost offence is the act of defaming the great saints who have glorified the chanting of the Name of the Lord by example in their own life and precepts. According to ordinary moral principles...
What is Meant by Offenseless Chanting?
The root of all offenses is insincerity. So first of all, if we are sincere then even if we are somewhat ignorant of all the rules and regulations Krishna will help us to gradually overcome the offensive stage. The Sanskrit word for offense is aparadha, or “to be distanced from worship” (radhat arthat aradhanat-apagatah) There are sometimes three different categories of offenses given: Nama-aparadha, or offenses in...
Is There Any Transcendental Power in This Mantra?
It may be somewhat surprising for the average Westerner to hear about the power within the vibrations of mantras, but the potency is real. For example, any numerologist will tell you that by associating with particular sound vibrations one becomes influenced by them. According to the predominant types of sound vibration people associate with through T.V. and radio, or in reading articles in magazines and newspapers, they become...