Author Archives: Rasa Rasika

“The names of the Lord and the Lord are nondifferent. So Lord Krsna’s instruction to Arjuna to “remember Me” and Lord Caitanya’s injunction to “always chant the names of Lord Krsna” are the same instruction. There is no difference, because Krsna and Kr…

“One should not slur Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna. He should not fall asleep while chanting in his so-called bhajana. As Krsna advises Arjuna in practicing yoga, “Wherever the mind wanders due to its restless and flickering nature, you have to drag it back.” So this applies to our chanting. You have to chant with attention. Remain awake and chant with devotion.”

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

The Lord needs something to reciprocate with in our relationship. Our vow is to chant 16 GOOD rounds and not just 16 below average rounds.By making this effort to be attentive and concentrated, our relationship with the Lord is reciprocal and He blesse…

“Chanting should reach meditation or calling out, like a child calling for the mother. It should be a real emotional confrontation, not a mechanical act. We’re calling to the persons Radha and Krishna from our needful position. We need Them; we need the holy names.”

by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

“The important thing is not to worry about speed but just be peaceful and keep going for the quality. You’ll surely get your rounds done, there’s no doubt about it.”

From Bhajan Kutir #419
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world…simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:rasa108@gmail.comysRasa Rasika dasa

Today this thought was on my mind. It’s very easy to allow the mind to wander off…..much like a small baby who follows his eyes and mind all over the place going here and there discovering something new.The child like mind needs to be brought back th…

“Once the cloud and mist are dispelled, the sun of the holy name shines brilliantly once more and enlightens the devotee with love of Godhead.”From Harinama CintamaniHaridasa Thakura to Lord Caitanya

“So chanting is not like that — worry beads, something to do while you’re busy. Chanting is samadhi; it is meditation; it is complete service in itself when you chant sixteen rounds. Throughout the day we may sing and chant while doing different things, but when we chant our rounds, we have to be most attentive.”

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

I was listening to a morning walk with Srila Prabhupada…his disciples were asking him about how to chant within their busy devotional schedule. Srila Prabhupada replied that 2 hours out of the day is not alot of time, and we should make all endeavor …

“Too much mental anxiety indicates poor quality japa. Inattentive japa is a symptom of spiritual illness; certainly it causes it. You must improve the quality of your japa. If you improve your chanting, all other anxieties will clear up, and immediatel…

“Attention means steady application of the mind, or focusing the consciousness on a particular subject. Whatever one focuses his attention on becomes deeply impressed in the mind. Although the mind can move from one object to another with fantastic s…

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world…simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:rasa108@gmail.comysRasa Rasika dasa

Association is the prime ingredient for our advancement – whether with devotees or with the Deities.By association we can inspire each other to chant with more devotion. If we chant with others who are also trying to be serious about Japa, then that va…

Insightful and deep Japa Retreat with Sacinandana Swami speaking in Radhadesh.Email subscribers please click the big blue link above to watch the video.

“It is an easy process when you get the cooperation of your mind. There’s nothing to do but adoringly hear the repeated names of Hare, Krishna and Rama. It is mantra meditation and the most recommended form of God real­ization for this age.”

From Bhajan Kutir #26
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

“If we chant the holy name, Krishna takes that as giving love even though our hearts are hard and devoid of feeling. Krishna regards any little effort favorably.”From Japa Reform Notebookby Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Today I received a very nice message from a supporter of the Japa Group:It’s good to be here and to have your association. I receive a lot of inspiration from the Japa Group. The pithy and often succinct advice goes straight to the heart and often afte…

“My head is clear. I’m hearing the syllables of the mantra and praying to Krishna in desperation. Please Lord, help me to chant Your Hare Krishna mantra it is so important to me now and I want to keep the right count. I’m trying my best.”

From Bhajan Kutir #304
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world…simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:rasa108@gmail.comysRasa Rasika dasa

If we continue with our inattention, some benefit is there but we are chanting shadow Japa, or the outer form of the Holy names. The inner form is the Lord’s deep spiritual energy – when we really make an effort, then this energy is perceived by us (hi…

A very nice Japa seminar by Candramauli Swami based on Bhurijana prabhu’s book “Japa”.

“The chanting of the holy name resonates in your mind and comes out your mouth. You pay attention to the quality, that each mantra is uttered clearly, each syllable pronounced and heard. You try as usual for reciprocation with the Divine Couple.”From B…

“Nama Prabhu is a person with all the qualities of Krishna just as good as His form, but when you chant mechanically it’s like you’re chanting the puppet rather than the person. The body is tired and can’t give its energy in devotion as it would like to. But you push on and pray for the best.”

From Bhajan Kutir #401
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

“Chanting is a calm thing, a peaceful, easy yajna, but it must be done with fervor and grace if you want to win the race. By “win,” I mean you pay attention and your senses are enlivened.”

From Japa Transformations
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

“Do not give up chanting the Hare Krsna mantra simply due to some external difficulties. Under all circumstances you should always chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. This will protect you from al…

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world…simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:rasa108@gmail.comysRasa Rasika dasa

“As far as controlling the mind, two senses engaged are sufficient. If we engage the process of hearing and the process of chanting with the tongue, then these two senses can capture the mind on the Hare Krsna mantra.”From Japa Reform Notebookby Satsva…

“Practically we see that as we sincerely try to improve our chanting for the pleasure of Krishna, Krishna reciprocates and we feel our greatest pleasure which is devotional service to the Lord….”Letter to Syamasundara – November 24, 1968

“The taste of the Hare Krishna mantra can be tasted by one who is free from material hankering. Everyone in this material world is hankering for material enjoyment, but one who is free from this hankering can taste how relishable the Bhagavatam is. The…

“You are chanting. I am very much pleased. That’s all. I came to your country to chant, that ‘You chant also along with me.’ So you are helping me by chanting. So I am pleased.”

Srila Prabhupada Lecture
July 16, 1971

“The sruti proclaims that by chanting the holy name of Hari, one experiences ecstatic bliss. Further, it is declared that the eternally liberated residents of the spiritual sky are always engaged in chanting the pure name.”Harinama Cintamani

“The room is quiet and except for a dog barking and an early morning bird chirping, and except for the electric fan, I’m enclosed in quiet. It’s so important to chant with atten­tion and without disturbance and without agitation of the mind. I’ve been able to do that pretty well so far here in Trinidad.”

From Bhajan Kutir #389
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world…simply send me an introduction message and I will be happy to make you a member:rasa108 ::_::{.at.}::_:: gmail dot comysRasa Rasika dasa

I have been thinking about this today….we can create in our mind the right mood for chanting. Before we start our Japa can pray to the Lord for assistance and re-affirm the basics so we can avoid offenses to the Holy names.An example could be somethi…

Lord Krsna’s name is cintamani, formed of eternal and transcendental touchstone. Just as a touchstone yields all desirable objects, so the touchstone of Krsna’s holy name gives religiosity, wealth, sense pleasure and liberation to a materialistic perso…

“Don’t be tempted to add anything to this task. Keep it simple. Don’t even attempt to hear only one mantra at a time, this will push the mind to think of the future, demanding to know we plan to hold it captive. Keep the mind’s task simple and graduall…

“In the beginning, the rock stubborn, lazy mind will rebel with a thousand excuses and obstacles to foil one’s attempt to implement the three M’s. Persevere; hold on to your beads! By the mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga one will patiently progress throu…

“We should not minimize the hearing. What are we hearing? Krsna’s name. Hearing oneself calling on Krsna’s name is really not different from addressing Krsna. It should not be that we are repeating the name dully, or unconsciously. So let your consciousness be that you think of calling on Krsna’s name while you actually recite that name. This is called attentive chanting.”

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

“O Supreme Personality of Godhead, when someone desires to chant Your holy name, sins tremble in fear, the glory of material illusion faints unconscious, Yamaraja’s scribe Citragupta becomes happy and gazes at the chanter’s toenails with awe and revere…