JAPA

1. JAPA

2. JAPA • Single most important activity – first vow • 99% of spiritual advancement from chanting • An exclusive activity • Intense desire – foundation - firm determination • Attentive hearing – most imortant aspect of japa • Firm faith in the Holy Name • Understanding the meaning of the Maha-mantra

3. JAPA • Prayerful mood • No material motivation • Humility • Suitable environment • Posture • Vigilance • Japa is NOT a race

4. JAPA • Always discuss • Best in association of devotees • Early morning Japa • Loudness • Holy Name or Pastimes • Offenses against Holy Name • Srila Prabhupada pranama mantra and Panca-tattva mantra

5. CORRECT POSTURE

6. INCORRECT POSTURES

7. JAPA – DONT’S No Japa while • Driving • During kirtans or lectures • Lying down • On the phone • While browsing in the laptop or watching television • Reading books or magazines including spiritual books

8. Vaishnava Attire

9. General rules • Simple clothing • Do not wear expensive and flashy looking jewellery • Avoid any items made of leather • Should wear Kanthi- mala • Should put Tilak • Men in dhoti and Women in sari

10. Etiquette in Public • Representing Srila Prabhupada • Everyone – including Sri Krsna – is watching you • Never lose your temper in public • Be exemplary

11. Correcting Others • Criticizing a Vaishnava pollutes the heart and impedes spiritual advancement To correct a devotee one must be • Non- envious • Desirous to practically assist the devotee in his Krsna consciousness • In a position spiritually or managerial which justifies and/or necessitates such intervention OR • Be personally requested by the devotee to help him in his difficulty.

12. Continued… • Don’t use harsh words or actions while correcting devotees • Gratefully accept sincere and honest criticism • An advanced Vaishnava will see each and every correction offered as the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu • Prevention is better than cure.

13. Methods of Correction • Correct by personal example and association • Guide the devotee to the shelter of a more advanced devotee • A junior devotee should not personally attempt to correct another devotee. Instead take the assistance of a senior devotee.

14. Bhakti Sadachar

15. Based on the teachings ofHis Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ~Founder Acharya~ International Society for Krishna Consciousness

16. Seeking the blessings of Guru Parampara

17. Seeking the blessings of Six Goswami’s of Vrindavan Sanatana Goswami Rupa Goswami Raghunath das Goswami Gopal bhatta Goswami BhattaRaghunath Goswami JivaGoswami

18. Seeking the blessings of Sri Pancha-tattva Sri Krsna Caitanya Gadhadar Pandit Prabhu Nityananda Sri Advaita acharya Srivas Pandit

19. Overview • Japa • Single most important activity – absolute must.. • 99% of our spiritual advancement • An exclusive activity – most important Personality is giving us an audience. • Intense desire – nityambhagavatasevaya • Attentive hearing– alert at all time • Prayerful mood – desperate cry • Japa is NOT a race • Early morning Japa – Brahma muhurta

20. FIVE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES • Chanting the Holy Name • Worshipping the Deity • Hearing Srimad Bhagavatham • Association with devotees of the Lord • Residing in a Holy Dhama (or worshipping Tulasi-devi)

21. WORSHIPPING THE DEITY

22. WORSHIPPING THE DEITY • Important principle for Grhasthas • Worship of Gaura Nitai as presiding deities • Children may also be engaged in Deity worship • According to the Spiritual Master’s instruction

23. ASSOCIATION OF DEVOTEES

24. ASSOCIATION OF DEVOTEES • Association of devotees is our most prized possession, without which our life becomes dry and meaningless • One must associate with devotees “regularly” • The more one associates with sincere devotees, the faster the progress one will make in KC • Basis for satsanga is Sankirtana, Krsna-katha and seva • Prajalpa/Mundane talk should be avoided

25. ASSOCIATION OF DEVOTEES • One is sure to drift from KC if one does not regularly associate • Association may be in person (Vapu) or through hearing (Vani). Both are important • The bond between devotees will be tested in time of difficulty.

26. Loving exchanges between Devotees • Srila Rupa Goswami says in Nectar of instruction the six ways of loving exchanges between devotees: • Offering gifts • Accepting gifts • Revealing one’s mind in confidence • Inquiring confidentially • Accepting prasadam • Offering prasadam

27. HEARING SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM

28. HEARING SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM • Devotees should regularly read/hear Srimad Bhagavatham. • Reading/Hearing must be done in a serious, attentive and systematic way. • Hearing is necessary to improve our philosophical understanding. • Hearing also strengthens our conviction, faith and determination in Krsna consciousness.

29. LIVING IN OR VISTING HOLY PLACES

30. LIVING IN OR VISTING HOLY PLACES • Reside in a holy place or visit regularly • Participate in the yatras conducted by highly advanced devotees. • Such yatras are meant for spiritual purification. • While in a dham, devotees should completely immerse the mind in the Holy Name and Krsna-katha. • One should be careful not to commit any offences against the Holy Dhama.

31. THE ESSENCE • A devotee’s lifestyle should conform to the principle : “Simple living, High thinking” • Most important rule “Always remember Krsna Never forget Krsna “ The most important rule and all other are subservient to this one.

32. Thank You ......