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arjunah
01 August 2011, 06:14 PM
I am finally going to have japa mala beads and I have always been drawn to both Sri Krishna and Sri Ganesha. Could someone recommend me some resources for mantras devoted to them?

I am worried about randomly searching the internet. I would rather have a personal recommendation for resources.

Thank you.

smaranam
01 August 2011, 08:18 PM
Namaste Arjunah

Om GaM GaNapataye namah:

Hare KrushNa Hare KrushNa KrushNa KrushNa Hare Hare
Hare RAm Hare RAm RAm RAm Hare Hare

Meaning of MahAmantra - Jiva Goswami (http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/forum/topics/powerful-meaning-of-the-hare)

Pronunciation guide, purport, elaboration, vyAkhyA (http://www.salagram.net/harernam-page.html)

A C Bhaktivedanta Swami chanting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Vk2kVVzwg)

Hare KRSNa

Jainarayan
01 August 2011, 08:24 PM
http://www.aboutkrishna.com/krishnamantra.asp

OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

OM Sri Krishnaya namaha

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/hinduism-forum/743777-ganesh-mantras.html
http://anamikas.hubpages.com/hub/Lord-Ganesha---Remover-of-Obstacles

OM Sri Ganeshaya namaha

OM Sri Maha Ganapataye namaha

Here are some other mantras. http://www.shreedarshan.com/hindu-spiritual-mantras.htm

Ramakrishna
02 August 2011, 12:39 AM
Namaste Arjunah,

Of course the most popular mantra for Lord Krishna is the famous Hare Krishna mantra.

Another Lord Krishna mantra I use that TBTL has mentioned is "Aum Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya". You can hear it beautifully pronounced here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do5m9NAynuY

A popular mantra for Lord Ganesha that I use is "Aum Gam Ganapataye Namaha". You can hear it pronounced here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h2rFVPCSPE

Best wishes.

Jai Sri Ram

Jainarayan
02 August 2011, 09:30 AM
Namaste Arjunah,

Of course the most popular mantra for Lord Krishna is the famous Hare Krishna mantra.

Another Lord Krishna mantra I use that TBTL has mentioned is "Aum Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya". You can hear it beautifully pronounced here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do5m9NAynuY



This is one that brings me to tears, and prompted me to ask for my id to be changed (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=68711&postcount=1). Now I'm sitting in my cubicle tearing up. You are in big trouble, buster! ;)

Ramakrishna
02 August 2011, 11:12 PM
Namaste TBTL,


This is one that brings me to tears, and prompted me to ask for my id to be changed (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=68711&postcount=1). Now I'm sitting in my cubicle tearing up. You are in big trouble, buster! ;)

Ah yes, I forgot! I saw this video a while back and I initially didn't really care for it because it sounded too "musicy" and melodic, but then I listened to it again when you posted it and I really developed a liking for it. It's a very beautiful rendition indeed.

Jai Sri Ram

Jainarayan
03 August 2011, 10:05 AM
Namaste Ramakrishnaji,


...I initially didn't really care for it because it sounded too "musicy" and melodic...

Jai Sri Ram

Want my opinion why? (well, you're getting it anyway :p)...

It's not a typical bhajan or kirtan using Indian instruments and composition as we are used to hearing. Just my opinion.

Ramakrishna
05 August 2011, 12:14 AM
Namaste TBTL,




Want my opinion why? (well, you're getting it anyway :p)...

It's not a typical bhajan or kirtan using Indian instruments and composition as we are used to hearing. Just my opinion.

Yeah, you're right. I usually listen to traditional-style bhajans, but sometimes some of the more modern-style ones are very nice.

Although something like this is definitely not to my tastes: http://hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=7091 :)

Jai Sri Ram

Jainarayan
05 August 2011, 08:44 AM
Namaste TBTL,



Yeah, you're right. I usually listen to traditional-style bhajans, but sometimes some of the more modern-style ones are very nice.

Although something like this is definitely not to my tastes: http://hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=7091 :)

Jai Sri Ram

*facepalm* :eek: :headscratch: :banghead:

shantiseeker
05 August 2011, 10:51 AM
LOL-I can sort of kind of live with the rap, but it's not my favorite either, and I surely won't be bothered listening to it again. I don't mind some actual rap (but I truly do despise the nasty, vulgar type about killing police and degrading women, or where the F word has to be said every 5 seconds).
I listen to Deva Premal's Om Gam Ganapateyei Namaha, and I also now have an entire album of the Kirtan singer Krishna Das, and there are several Hare Krishna chants, as well as Sita Ram. Krishna Das is perhaps more contemporary-both are Westerners but I think their work is beautiful. I stumbled upon them in an iTunes and YouTube search for both mantras.

arjunah
30 August 2011, 03:31 PM
Thank you for all the replies. They are very helpful. I am starting with Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha.

My Japa mala recently arrived in the mail so I am just starting.

Is there anything I should be made aware of that others may consider 'obvious' ?

I read somewhere that I shouldn't touch the beads with my index finger.

I also read that I shouldn't show my beads to anyone.

Are these two statements true? If so, why?

I ask that anyone inform me of any other similar 'rules'.

Thank you for your time.

sunyata07
30 August 2011, 05:03 PM
Namaste Arjunah,

Ganesha mantra is very easy and free-flowing, and is a good choice for starting mantra japa with.

I am not familiar with the guideline about not showing your mala to other people, although I've heard about it vaguely. No idea why this is.

The "rule" regarding avoiding touching the index finger to the mala bead is because symbolically this index finger is supposed to represent the ego, which ought not to work with the mala at all. Only the thumb moves the beads along as you recite, because the thumb represents God who is the force behind your hand which allows you to perform japa in His name. I think together all three fingers (thumb, index and middle fingers) represent the gunas of tamas, rajas and sattva - not respectively, of course, I just can't remember which is ascribed to which.

I also try to keep the mala from resting on the floor or touching the ground in any way. Obviously if you wear it around your neck during the day, make sure to take it off before you enter the lavatory.

Om namah Shivaya

Ramakrishna
30 August 2011, 10:47 PM
Namaste Arjunah,




I read somewhere that I shouldn't touch the beads with my index finger.

Yes, touching the beads with your index finger is frowned upon, as Sunyata explained. I have also heard of an additional reason that the index finger is generally used for "impure" activities. I personally found it a little weird to chant and move the beads without my index finger at first, but I got used to it after a short while.


I also read that I shouldn't show my beads to anyone.

I also would like to know about this guideline, as I have never heard anything like this before. It wouldn't really matter for me anyway, as I don't wear my mala around outside, but if somebody comes over I don't make any effort to hide it, as it lies on my altar. Maybe this idea comes from some specific sect or something.



I ask that anyone inform me of any other similar 'rules'.


There aren't really many other "rules" for a mala. I suppose the main things are no index finger and also to just treat your mala with respect, as it is a sacred object. Keep it off the floor, lying around in dirty places, handle it with care, etc. Best wishes.

Jai Sri Ram

Arjuni
30 August 2011, 11:35 PM
Namasté,

To add to the list of rules, our dear Yajvan has taught us that the correct spelling is "mālā" (which may be represented as "mAlA" if lacking the ā character). The word mālā signifies a garland, a very beautiful meaning for our prayers, but mala means "waste product." (I am working from memory here, so please forgive me if I am wrong.)

Regarding the index finger, I have also learned the meanings presented in this thread, as well as two others:
a) that digit receives the positive energy raised by japa, hence should be extended while reciting,
b) the finger is used for commanding, directing, or pointing in anger, and thus has an "aggressive" quality to it which does not mesh well with japa.

I have read a few possibilities for why having others touch the mālā is to be avoided; one idea is that the person touching will take in some of the positive energy that your chanting has raised. Another is that japa helps you to work out your own karma, so you don't want others to touch this object that may be associated with your negativity/issues.

Gazing with the eyes is considered a touch of sorts, a reaching out of the senses. Perhaps this is why the taboo also extends to looking.

Indraneela
===
Oṁ Indrāya Namaḥ.
Oṁ Namaḥ Śivāya.

arjunah
31 August 2011, 10:56 AM
Should I chant with my eyes closed or open?

I also read that if we wish to store energy we should hold the mala in our left hand, if we wish to give out energy we should hold it in the right. Is this at all true?

The reason I am chanting to Sri Ganesha is because I have problems I need to overcome and also I would like to improve my concentration.

Again, thank you all for your time.

sunyata07
31 August 2011, 12:39 PM
Namaste Arjunah,

I think it depends on the level of mantra japa you are at. When I began reciting initially, I always recited aloud, mostly because I could not internally chant and hold concentration in my mind. For this reason, I also followed the advice to keep my eyes open (or at least, half-open; almost like you are allowing your eyelids to become heavy) in order to stop my mind from wandering. It was very helpful back then to focus on a point, like a murti or a flame while reciting.

Reciting internally for a sustained period of time and with your eyes closed takes a tremenduous amount of discipline. I still find it difficult to sit still for more than five minutes doing this, so sometimes on nights when my concentration is waning, I try keeping my eyes open and reciting my mantra just under the breath.

As for giving and receiving energy with right and left hands, I have never heard this before. If someone has knowledge of this, please do share it. Personally, Arjunah, I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the petty details that precede japa itself, other than the basic guidelines of treating and handling it with care and consideration. If you worry too much about the other things, this will remove focus from mantra recitation itself to just mere observances that have no meaning - such as hoping to wear a mAlA (nod of thanks to Indraneela for her point on the meaning of "mala" sans the diacritics!) for the purpose of bringing the wearer good luck. It's comforting to wear it to an exam hall, certainly, but to see it simply as a charm is a tad superficial. The mAlA is an instrument you use to cultivate and harness good energy within your body and mind; not an end in itself. Theoretically, one can even perform japa without any mAlA at all.

I have no doubt that the Ganesha mantra can work very well for clearing away obstacles that are getting in the way of secular and spiritual duties. I have used His mantra many times, and can attest that it can provide benefit to all who chant it who wish to progress further spiritually. Remember that when you recite, you are asking Sri Ganesha to work through you yourself. Try not to separate the power of His grace from what is most strong, capable and diligent in yourself. Hope you find success in your endeavours.

Om namah Shivaya

Arjuni
31 August 2011, 07:05 PM
Namasté,

I am familiar with this rule about which hand to use, as it's associated with Wiccan magical practice. I was taught that your dominant hand - the one you write with and perform most daily activities with - is your "projective" hand, and your non-dominant hand is the "receptive." (This is usually simplified to "right" and "left" because that is the case for nearly everyone. However, a left-handed person like me will use the opposite hands for what "nearly everyone" does.)

I forgot to mention: I've read before that you should not wear the mālā that you use for japa (though winding it around the wrist for carrying is acceptable), and you should acquire a separate mālā for wearing if wanting a necklace-mālā. I have not been able to find a good explanation of why this is so. The only interpretation I've read is that as your japa-mālā helps you to work out your karma, you don't want to put it around your neck and carry that weight around with you. This seems strange to me, as your karma is yours regardless of what object(s) you're wearing or not! (However, the one time I tried to put my japa-mālā around my neck, I instantly got the sense that this was a Very Bad Idea, and promptly purchased a different mālā to wear. So in my experience, at least, this is true.)

Eyes closed, eyes open, there can be difficulty either way. I always sit before my iṣṭa-deva's image when doing japa; sometimes I gaze into his eyes, and sometimes I sit with eyes closed. Gazing upon something beautiful makes japa delightful, but sometimes I stop counting or quit chanting altogether because I'm so engrossed in looking. :doh: On the other hand, meditating with eyes closed helps me focus, but very late at night, it is hard to stay awake this way. I think it best to see how you feel each day, and be gentle, doing what helps most on any given day.

Oh, and I found this essay (http://www.yogamag.net/archives/1977/cmar77/japa.shtml) by Swami Satyananda a little while ago and thought it was good reading on the subject. Perhaps that information will help, too!

Indraneela
===
Oṁ Indrāya Namaḥ.
Oṁ Namaḥ Śivāya.

AmIHindu
01 September 2011, 11:27 AM
I ask that anyone inform me of any other similar 'rules'.

Thank you for your time.


Namaste,

In my opinion, I do keep Asana ( a rug on which I sit doing japa) also separate. Do not sit on floor.

It is better to keep your timing same everyday, as japa deals with mind. Your mind gets habituated to your japa after a while.

For beginner - Vachika Japa - Audible is good. But as you make progress you will go for semi - audible japa and finally Manasa Japa. But takes a long long long long long time.

Do not worry about making progress to fast, or getting to the meditation. Doing more and more japa makes your spiritual foundation very strong.

Miyazaki
16 September 2011, 09:12 AM
I personally love this video. It always fills me with such joy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKFVEINKuQA

arjunah
29 October 2011, 05:52 AM
Is there a special way to hold the mala so it does not touch the floor when I am sitting for japa?

Eastern Mind
29 October 2011, 08:30 AM
Is there a special way to hold the mala so it does not touch the floor when I am sitting for japa?

Vannakkam: There are several ways, and it may depend on the size of the mala. This link http://legacyofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/02/mala-or-rosary.html shows one way in picture 4. It's basically just holding it higher in your hand.

You can also wrap it around your wrist, or hold it above your knees or legs so it just touches them and not the ground.

Hope this is of some help.

Aum Namasivaya

Jainarayan
29 October 2011, 09:37 AM
I loosely drape the other end around my left hand, holding the entire mala close to my chest. As it is "rotating", I adjust it so it stays at about chest level. Now that I think of it and seeing those pictures, I don't know if using the left hand is appropriate, though we hold the bell in the left hand for aarti.

OK, I read further and saw the part about cupping the left hand.

arjunah
29 October 2011, 10:07 AM
I have been holding the mala in my left hand while in this asana (http://sambodhiupvan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mulabandha.gif). Both my hands rest on my knees. I never knew I was suppose to hold my hand up near my heart. It seems like that would be uncomfortable and would distract me but I will give it a try.

In the past I have tried to have the mala sit on my legs while in the above position instead of on the floor but it would never flow freely as i progressed and would end up distracting me.

Thanks for the replies. Holding the mala near my chest will most likely solve my issue.