The divine syllable OM has nothing to do with an impersonal conception. The following verses from Gopala-tapani Upanisad clearly establish that OM means the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna. "The sound vibration OM denotes the catur-vyuha-tattva of... Read more
For success in chanting any mantra, one must engage his senses, mind and heart. Mantra chanting demands complete absorption of our entire being. Expectation and visualization also play a key role in bringing perfection. In the tika to Sri Brahmajis Samhita (v. 60), it... Read more
In the Bhagavad-gita Krishna says that among sacrifices He is japa yajna, the sacrifice of chanting japa. The Agni Purana defines japa thus: “The syllable “ja” destroys the cycle of birth and death, and the syllable “pa” destroys all sins... Read more
Now we will discuss physical posture and its effect on chanting success. Yoga mantra sastras recommend that one should sit perfectly still (no shaking the head or pacing back and forth) with a straight back, because an upright posture keeps the nerves peaceful and... Read more
Determination, sincerity and devotion in mantra chanting will definitely bring perfection. Iskcon’s Deity worship manual also encourages correct posture along with manasika or silent japa chanting: "Japa refers to the silent chanting of the Deity mula... Read more
In an earlier article, we mentioned the practice of “identity purification”. This practice helps one transcend his material false ego and false self-identification by understanding and realizing his eternal spiritual identity as Bhagavan Sri... Read more
2015: 17th june – 16th july INTRODUCTION TO PURUSOTTAMA MONTH: Purusottama month or adhika masa (extra month) is also called mala masa, which means the dirty or useless month. In India, the sadhus, sadhakas and pious people of... Read more
This is the last article in our series of articles on Sri Guru and Mantra Tattva, offered in glorification of Srila Vyasadeva and all divine preceptors on the most auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima. Here we will discuss the meaning of attaining siddhi, or perfection... Read more
According to Bhanu Swami’s translation and the tikas of Srila Visvanatha Cakravartipada, the Bhagavad Gita verses 18.68, 69 pertain to bhaktas who are preaching to other bhaktas. This is an interesting insight, because usually these verses are cited to encourage... Read more
The Karttika Vrata means, “Don’t eat, don’t sleep; just chant Hare Krishna 24/7!” The most auspicious and beneficial Karttika niyama-seva vrata starts on Ekadasi, Sunday 14th October and ends Uttana Ekadasi 22nd November 2015. Most all Gaudiya... Read more
