how to chant Japa according to Sastra quoted by Srila Sanatana Goswami in Hari Bhakti Vilasa

[Paramananda das]

SIDDHA KSETRESU TIRTHESU DEVATANANCA SANNIDHAU SAHASRAM SATA KOTINAM ANANTAM VISNU SANNIDHAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/25 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI) If one chants his japa in a transcendental place (such as Vrndavan), or a place of pilgrimage (such as Risikesa, Dvaraka, Badrinatha, Jagannatha Puri, etc.) or near the place of demigods, (according to Srila Sanatana Gosvami's Digdarsini-tika, "demigods" refers to great demigods like Lord Siva) he receives the results 1,000 X 1,000,000. And if one chants near the Deity of Lord Sri Visnu (Krsna), he achieves unlimited results.

MRADUKA USNA SUPAKVAN CA KURYAD VAI LAGHU BHOJANAM NA INDRIYANAM YATHA VRADDHIS TATHA BHUNJITA SADHAKAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/46 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

If one claims himself to be devotee, he must eat a small amount of sweets, steaming hot deep fried preparations, and should avoid any food which agitates his senses.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his Digdarsini-tika quotes a verse from Saradatilaka, "Those who claim themselves to be devotees should eat their meal in the afternoon, consisting of vegetables and different kinds of fruits, roots and grains."

BRAHMA PATRE CA BHUNJITA MADHYA-PATRA VIVARJITE DAKSAM BRAHMOTTARAM VISNUR MADHYA PATRAM MAHESVARAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/47 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

After cutting the middle portion of this Palasa leaf, one should eat on the other portion of it. On the right side of this leaf is the place of Brahma. On the left side is the place of Lord Visnu and in the center is the form of Lord Siva.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says that a Brahma leaf is the leaf from the Palasa tree. It is necessary for a devotee to cut off the middle portion of this leaf.

YASTU BHAGAVATO BHUTVA NA GRHANATI GANITRIKAM ASURI TASYA DIKSA TU NA SA DHARMAYA VIDYATE GANITRIKAM GRAHITVA YO MANTRAM CINTAYET BUDHAH JANMANTARA SAHASRANI CINTITO'HANCA TENA VAI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/70,71 from VARAHA PURANA)

After becoming a devotee or engaging in the devotional service to the Supreme Lord, one who does not accept a japa mala, his initiation is said to be demoniac. This kind of initiation is not very beneficial for religious principles. One who chants on the beads properly, I (the Supreme Personality of Godhead) think of this intelligent person for thousands of years.

ASTOTTARA SATAIH PURVA PANCASADBHIS TU MADHYAMA KANYASI PANCA VINSATYA PARIMANAM VIDHIYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/73 from VARAHA PURANA)

The beads which have 108 seeds (beads) are said to be of he topmost quality. The beads which have 50 seeds are said to be of medium quality. The beads which have 20 seeds are said to be of the lowest quality.

TULASI KASTHA GHATITAIR MANIBHIR JAPA MALIKA SARVA KARMANI SARVESAM IPSITARTHA PHALA PRADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/112 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

One should understand that beads made out of Tulasi wood seeds is said to be fulfilling all kinds of desires in every activity or function.

TULASI SAMBHAVA YA TU SA MOKSAM TANUTE'CIRAT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/113 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

The mala which is made out of Tulasi wood seeds is said to be certainly rewarding liberation.

ANAMA MADHYAM AKRAMYA JAPAM KURYAT TU MANASAM MADHYAMA MADHYAM AKRAMYA JAPAM KURYAD UPANSUKAM TARJANIM TU SAMAKRAMYA JAPAM NAIVA TU KARAYET EKAIKA MANIM ANGUSTHENA AKARSAN PRAJAPEN MANUM MERAU TU LANGHITE DEVI NA MANTRA PHALA BHAG BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/114,115 from SIVA AGAMA)

Keeping the beads on the mid of one's ring finger, one should chant in murmuring sound. One should not keep beads on the pointing finger and chant japa. Chanting japa with the pointing finger has been rejected. One by one, putting the beads inwards and chanting japa is recommended. Oh dear wife, one should not jump over the head of japa beads. Otherwise he will not get the results of his chanting.

TATRA ANGULI JAPAM KURVAN SANGUSTHA ANGULIBHIR JAPET ANGUSTHENA VINA KARMA KRTAM TAD APHALAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/116 from SIVA AGAMA)

If one chants japa on the fingers, he should chant also using the thumb. Chanting japa without using the thumb does not give any success.

KANISTHA ANAMIKA MADHYA CATURTHI TARJANI MATA TISRO'NGULYAS TRIPARVAH SYUR MADHYAMA CA EKA PARVIKA PARVA DVAYAM MADHYAMAYA JAPAKALE VIVARJAYET EVAM MERUM VIJANIYAD BRAHMANA DUSITAM SVAYAM ARABHYAN ANAMIKA MADHYAT PRADAKSINAM ANUKRAMAT TARJANI MULA PARYANTAM KRAMAT DASASU PARVASU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/117,118,119)

Chanting on the fingers, namely the ring finger, the middle finger or the fourth finger are accepted for chanting japa. On these three fingers, there are three parts to be used, and one part of the midfinger, all together ten, to chant japa. This means that one should reject using the first two parts of the midfinger to chant japa. Brahma has stated that the first two parts of the midfinger are said to be the Meru or head of the beads, and he has himself rejected to use it. One should start from the middle of the ring finger and carry on in a clockwise until the pointing finger's root and thus altogether they become ten. One should hold his fingers together and chant japa.

ARABHYAN ANAMIKA MULAT PARIVARTET VAI KRAMAT TARJANI MADHYA PARYANTAM JAPED DASASU PARVASU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/122 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

Beginning from the middle of the ring finger and continuing clockwise to the root of the pointing finger and chanting japa in this way numbering ten.

NA SPRSED VAMA HASTENA KARA BHRASTAM NA KARAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/124 from GAUTAMIYA TANTRA)

One should not touch his beads with the left hand nor make them fall from the hand.

APAVITRA KARO NAGNAH SIRASI PRAVRTO'PI VA PRALAPAN VA JAPED YAVAT TAVAN NISPHALAM UCYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/132 from VYASA SMRTI)

Chanting japa becomes fruitless if somebody chants in an impure condition, with dirty hands, without a seat, in nude condition, with a covered head, while talking prajalpa. Therefore one should chant japa carefully.

VADANNA GACCHANNA SVAPANNA ANYAT KIMAPI SAMSMARAN NA KSUT JRAMBHANA HIKKADI VIKALIKRTA MANASAH MANTRA SIDDHIM AVAPNOTI TASMAD YATNA PARO BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/133 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

While talking, walking, sleeping or thinking about some object, hungry, while stretching the body, while having hiccups, while mentally disturbed, in such condition if someone chants japa, he does not receive the perfection of chanting. Therefore one should endeavor to give up all of these functions to chant properly.

ANGULI AGRESU YAJJAPTA YAJJAPTAM MERU LANGHANE ASANKHYATAN CA YAJJAPTAM TAT SARVAM NISPHALAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/135 from VYASA SMRTI)

One who chants japa holding the beads on the tip of the fingers, who jumps over the head bead or who chants japa without counting how much he has chanted, then that japa is said to be fruitless.

APAVITRA KARO'SUDDHAH PRAJALPAN NA JAPET KVACIT

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/137 from MANTRARNAVA)

One should not hold japa beads or chant with dirty hands, in an unclean condition or while talking with others.

ANASANAH SAYANO VA GACCHANN UTTHITA EVA VA RATHYAYAMA SIVE STHANE NA JAPET TIMIRA ANTARE UPANAD GUDHA PADO VA YANA SAYYAGATAS TATHA PRASARYA NA JAPET PADAVA UTKATASANA EVA VA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/139,140 from MANTRARNAVA)

Sitting without a seat, while lying down sleeping, while walking, while standing, while on a path, in impure places such a crematoriam or in dark areas are the forbidden circumstances to chant japa. Wearing shoes, climbing on a carrier, in the sleeping condition, spreading two legs, and on an impure asana, one should not chant japa.

NA . PADAM AKRAMYA NA CAIVA HI TATHA KARAU NA CA ASAMA AHITA MANA NACA SAMSAYANO JAPET NA KAMPAYET SIRO GRIVAM DANTAN NAIVA PRAKASAYET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/142 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)

While chanting japa, one should not let one's leg climb another leg and arm climb upon another arm, in an unsteady mind, or in a doubtful condition. While chanting, one should not shake his neck or head, and not to show one's teeth to others.

YAKSA RAKSASA BHUTANI SIDDHA VIDYADHARA GANAH HARANTI PRASABHAM YASMAT TASMAD GUPTAM SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/144 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)

If one chants japa while keeping his japa beads outside of his bead bag, then his japa is forcibly stolen by semi-demigods, demons, ghosts, perfected living entities from Siddhaloka and Vidyadharas, the dancers in the heavenly planets. Therefore one should not keep his beads outside of his bead bag.

YADI VA YAMA LOPAH SYAT JAPA ADISU KATHANCANA VYAHARED VAISNAVAM MANTRAM SMARED VA VISNUM AVYAYAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/148 from TRAILOKYA SAMMOHANA TANTRA)

If somehow, due to certain circumstances, somebody breaks the stated rules to chanting, then he should chant a Visnu mantra or remember the imperishable Personality of Godhead, Sri Visnu.

TRIVIDHO JAPA YAJNAH SYAT TASYA BHEDAN NIVODHATA VACIKAS CA UPANSUS CA MANASAS CA TRIDHA MATAH TRAYANAM JAPA YAJNANAM SREYAN SYAD UTTAROTTARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/155 from NRSINGHA PURANA)

Japa yajna is of three kinds. Please listen. Chanting with a sound vibration, chanting with a murmuring condition and chanting within the mind. These three kinds of chanting are respectively one better than the other [chanting in the mind is best].

YADUCCHA NICA SVARITAIH SPASTA SAVDAVD AKSARAIH MANTRAM UCCHARAYED VYAKTAM JAPA YAJNA SA VACIKAH SANAIR UCCHARAYEN MANTRAM ISAD OSTHAU PRACALAYET KINCIT SAVDAM SVAYAM VIDYAD UPANSUH SA JAPAH SMRTAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/156,157 from NRSINGHA PURANA)

Chanting japa is of three kinds, higher class, lower class and svarita class which is melodiously chanting clearly where every word can be heard by others. That is called vacika. Any japa mantra chanted in murmuring sound, where ones's two lips move very minutely and one can only hear a few words out of it, that chanting is called upansu.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his Digdarsini-tika writes that one who is chanting japa melodiously, with high and low sounds, in a swinging condition, it is called svarita where others can hear every sound vibration clearly. Therefore, it is said that one should chant openly. But better is to chant japa in such a way that one can hear it himself only.

UPANSU JAPA YUKTASYA TASMAT SATA GUNO BHAVET SAHASRO MANASAH PROKTO YASMAD DHYANA SAMO HI SAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/159 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)

One hundred times better than chanting japa in clear or loud condition is to chant japa in mumuring condition where one can hear himself. One thousand times better, still, is chanting within one's mind, because chanting within the mind is equal to meditating on the Supreme Lord.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami clarifies this situation in his Digdarsini-tika, stating that chanting within the mind is one hundred times better than chanting in murmuring condition which is one hundred times better than chanting with the sound vibration.

NADOSO MANASE JAPE SARVA DESE'PI SARVADA JAPA NISTHO DVIJA SRESTHAH SARVA YAJNA PHALAM LABHET ASUCIR VA SUCIR VAPI GACCHAN TISTHAN SVAPANNAPI MANTRAIVA SARANO VIDVAN MANASAIVA SADA ABHYASET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/161,162 from MANTRARNAVA)

Oh best of the brahmanas, in all conditions and always one should chant japa in one's mind because it has no faults. Therefore, anyone who is engaged in chanting japa, gets the results of performing all kinds of sacrifices. Whatever condition he may be, whether purified or unpurified condition, walking condition or still (standing or sitting) condition, sleeping condition, one should take shelter at the feet of chanting japa alone and chant japa within one's mind.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks regarding chanting japa within one's mind, that because chanting japa within mind has no faults, therefore one should chant japa within one's mind. This is the best japa of all. Here "the best of brahmanas" refers to those who chant japa. In all conditions, one should take shelter in chanting japa without considering the time, place and circumstances. This is the understanding here.

JAPENA DEVATA NITYAM STUYAMANA PRASIDATI PRASANNA VIPULAN BHOGAN DADYAM MUKTIS CA SASVATIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/166 from PADMANABHIYA)

If one chants japa regularly to please the Supreme Lord, then the Supreme Lord, being pleased, will increase one's spiritual advancement and give one the eternal liberation.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says in his Digdarsini-tika that eternal liberation means achieving the eternal abode of the Supreme Lord, Vaikuntha dhama.

ATAH KURYAD JAPAM NITYAM SAKTYA NIYATA SANKHYAYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 17/199 from NARADA PANCARATRA)

One should chant regularly, according to one's capacity, a fixed number of rounds every day.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami says in his Digdarsini-tika, that according to one's capacity, one should regularly chant a fixed number of rounds each day and account the number each day. "One should not chant less or more japa day after day". When the fixed number of rounds is completed one should finish chanting japa and engage in other service.