Tips for Chanting Hare Krishna Mantra

Chanting is very simple, but one must practice it seriously.

tåëäd api su-nécena taror iva sahiñëunä

amäninä mäna-dena kértanéyaù sadä hariù

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu said, “Raising my hands, I declare, “Everyone please hear me! String this verse on the thread of the holy name and wear it on your neck for continuous remembrance.” One must chant the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra according to the principles of the above verse. Chant the Holy Name of the Lord with faith, enthusiasm, and firm conviction on the statement of Lord Caitanya that simply by chanting the Maha Mantra one can be gradually elevated to the highest platform of spiritual perfection.

Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura states that inattention or distraction while chanting is the root of all offenses. If a devotee does not sincerely try to chant attentively, gradually he will lose interest in chanting the Holy Name. There are three kinds of inattention: (1) Indifference or Lack of attraction, (2) Laziness and (3) Distraction.

Çréla Prabhupäda instructs:

We are chanting Hare Kåñëa mantra means dealing with Kåñëa directly. Therefore we must be very careful, cautious, respectful. [Lecture: Nectar of Devotion, Våndävana, October 30, 1972]

Chanting japa should be done early in the morning with full concentration preferably during the Brahma Muhurta time. Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase naturally. Do not worry so much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing. [Letter to Radhavallabha, Bombay, Jan 6, 1972]

Chanting involves the activities of the upper and lower lips as well as the tongue. All three must be engaged in chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra. The words “Hare Kåñëa” should be very distinctly pronounced and heard. Sometimes one mechanically produces a hissing sound instead of chanting with the proper pronunciation with the help of the lips and tongue. Chanting is very simple, but one must practice it seriously. [CC Adi 17.32 Purport]

Everything will be gradually clear as you go on chanting Hare Krishna. Please try to chant at least 16 rounds of the beads and while chanting try to hear each and every word. That will make you advance in every respect. [Letter to: Ballabhi, New York, May 5, 1967]

Summary of the Instructions:

• Chant early in the morning preferably during the Brahma Muhurta time.
• Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra.
• Do not worry much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing.
• Pronounce each name distinctly. Each word should be distinctly pronounced and heard.
• The upper lips, lower lips and the tongue – all three must be engaged in chanting the mantra.