Illuminations 43.2 – JMC (2) – The Importance of Japa in the Practice of Bhakti
Japa Mini-Course Installment 2 – The Importance of Japa in the Practice of Bhakti
Is There Anything More Important Than Chanting?
Chanting is the most powerful way to become Krsna conscious. The following statements explain the importance of japa in bhakti.
“Of all the regulative principles given by the spiritual master, the instruction to chant 16 rounds is most essential.” (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya-lila 22.113)
In initiation letters it was common for Srila Prabhupada to write that chanting sixteen rounds is your ticket back to Godhead. After chanting on Giriraj Swami’s beads, Prabhupada wrote him saying, “Your beads are your link to Krsna.”
Prabhupada once told Trivikrama Maharaja, “This chanting is the essence of our philosophy.”
Obviously, you can’t minimize the essence of our philosophy, your link to Krsna, and the most essential instruction of the spiritual master without it having a negative effect on your spiritual life. Conversely, you can’t maximize the importance you give your japa without it having a tremendously positive effect on your Krsna consciousness.
The quality of our chanting tends to improve in proportion to the priority we give japa in our lives.
This week, as you chant your rounds, meditate on the primary importance of chanting the holy names in the practice of japa and allow meditation this to help you become more enthused and absorbed in chanting.
Write down the realizations in the below comments section you get this week by applying this principle to your japa.
Hare Krishna,
Mahatma Das