How to Chant on Beads

ChantingBhakti yoga practice includes chanting the Hare Krishna mantra softly to oneself. This is called japa.

While chanting, one generally keeps the sacred japa beads in a bead bag/gomukhi bag to keep them clean and off the floor. A ‘gomukhi’ is a special cover made in the shape of a cow’s mouth. It is mentioned in our ancient texts that while chanting mantras on a rosary it should always be kept inside the gomukhi bag. One side of the bag is large enough to insert your hand. Your index finger coming out the smaller hole on the other side helps you hold on to the bag. Place your beads in the bag, and you’re ready to go.

There are 108 beads and one larger bead, known as the head bead, or Krishna bead. Begin with the bead next to the Krishna bead. Gently roll the bead between the thumb and middle finger of your right hand while chanting guru mantra.

Then move forward to the next bead (pulling the bead towards you, into your hand) and repeat the guru mantra.

In this way, continue chanting on each of the 108 beads in the strand until you again reach the Krishna bead. This is known as one round of japa and usually takes few minutes.

If you are going to chant more than one round of japa, then, without chanting on the Krishna bead, turn the strand around and begin the next round. (Continue pulling beads towards you, as before.)

Chant clearly and try to hear the holy names with attention. Some chanters find that looking at the mantra or a picture of Krishna helps them concentrate. If that works for you, that’s fine. But remember that the goal is attentive hearing.

Where can I get the beads and bead bag?

You’ll find a good selection in our radhegovind.net store.

“Jai Jai Shri Radhe”

Braj Chaurasi Kos Darshan Yatra

Braj Chaurasi Kos YatraOnce upon a time God Shiva was staying at Mount Kailash. God Shiva was looking tensed; looking at him Goddess Parvati asked him the reason for it. God replied to her “I have heard that everyone should have a spiritual guru in his life, but I don’t have anyone, it is said that unless you meet a spiritual guru a human doesn’t get the benefit of his virtuous deeds.” No matter how much we pray to God we never get any yield. That’s why I am thinking to find a spiritual guru.

Hearing this Goddess Parvati suggested that “to whom you worship day and night make him your spiritual guru?” God replied that there is nothing special in this since everybody in this universe pray to him. Goddess suggested that he should make God Krishna and Goddess Radha his guru. God Shiva became very happy and said “I will go and meet him today itself and will request to be my spiritual guru”.

God Shiva and Goddess Parvati than went to Vishnu Lok to meet God Vishnu. On reaching they told the reason to come to Vishnu Lok. God Vishnu accepted his request to become his Guru and agreed to meet him at the Bank of river Birija.

On decided day God Vishnu and Shiva met at the banks of river Virija. God Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave a huge welcome to Mata Lakshmi and Vishnu Ji. God Shiva created a new city on the banks of river Birija. In this city there were numerous cows, tree with fruits, bountiful birds etc. There was a huge Throne of Gold named as “Shree Golok Dham”.

After performing the rituals God Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave new identity to God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi as Krishna and Radha. With rituals and prayer he made God Krishna his spiritual guru. And told that all the animals, birds, trees etc dedicated to you. Shiva also requested both of them to reside in Golok Dham forever.

Once Radha and Krishna were enjoying in Shree Golok Dham and they were engrossed in the beauty of the place. Same time Radha’s brother came there. Radha & Krishna could not see him. He became very angry and cursed them “you are so busy among yourself that you couldn’t see me I curse you that henceforth you will not see each other although still loving.”

God Vishnu said we need to go to earth to live the curse. Goddess Lakshmi replied that she will not go to earth as there is lot of bad thing on earth. It’s not a livable place. God Vishnu suggested why not to bring the Golok Dham to Earth and staying it.

To bring Golok Dham on earth God Vishnu requested Yamuna Ji to come on earth. After that Water of river Birija was poured into it. God Krishna than took sand (Raj) to the size of his 84 fingers. This sand was spread across river Yamuna in the area of 84 Kos (252 Kilometers). Joining the name of river Birija and Raj of Golok Dham gave the name as and Birija.

In this area there are 12 Van (Forest) 24 Upvan (Gardens) 20 Kund (Tanks),and village namely as Nand-Goan, Barsana, Govardhan Vrindavan, Mathura, Kosi, Radha Kund etc. After the city was created God Krishna requested all the trees, birds etc in Golok Dham to come to Brij and stay in there.

After some time Radha was born in village Barsana. Few years later of her birth God Krishna was born in a prison in Mathura. All his childhood activities happened in Brij area. To complete the curse of Radha’s brother Krishna left Brij and went to Dwarka and Radha Ji remained in Brij. After completing the term of curse Radha Ji left for Golok Dham.

As per Bhagvat Gita and other books its mentioned that in Kalyug anyone who completes the Yatra of 84Kos will get rid of all his evil deeds.

Mukti Kahe Gopal se, meri mukti batao,

Brij raj jab maathe chade mukti mukt ho jaye||

Brij chourasi kos ki parikamma jo det,

To lakh chorasi janm ke paap hari har let||

 “Jai Jai Shri Radhe”

Wearing Tulsi Beads Around The Neck

Tulsi BeadsTulsi is thought to be the most sacred of woods in India and Indian worship, and the plant of Tulsi is believed to be the incarnation of the Divine itself. The Tulsi Mala is made of the wood or the seeds of Tulsi and is used for name chanting and worship.

Moreover, the Tulsi Mala is said to have incredible spiritual and physical healing powers apart from helping the mind to focus during prayers. Like the Sphatik Mala and the Rudraksh Mala.

The Tulsi Mala is made of Tulsi wood and consists of 108 beads wound around a strong string, with a 109th bead called the Sumeru bead of some other material like a metal or crystal, or a bigger Tulsi bead itself. One starts counting the beads from the bead adjacent to the Sumeru bead of the Tulsi Mala and completes one full round. On second round the Tulsi Mala needs to be counted in the reverse direction again as the Sumeru bead should not be crossed while praying. Depending on the type of the Tulsi plant, the Tulsi Mala is available in various colors like black, brown or sandalwood color.

The Tulsi Mala can be worn on the neck or tied around the fist. The benefits of the leaves of Tulsi is well proven, and owing to its spiritual and physical healing powers, the touch of the Tulsi wood acts as a rejuvenator for the stressed mind and brings the spiritual self of a person closer to God. On top of that, wearing the Tulsi Mala is supposed to bring good luck and fortune to the devoted wearer. It is said to balance the kapha and the vata dosha. Tulsi clears the aura, and its subtle smell fills the heart with sensation of the divine. The Tulsi Mala is used to worship Lord Ram and Krishna, different incarnations of Lord Vishnu who is believed to be the creator and the beloved of the Tulsi.

The Lord says that one who wears the beads made out of the wood of Tulsi in one’s neck, even if he is untidy and ill- charactered, will undoubtedly attain Me only. Sri Krishna will grant the fruit of being the resident of Dvarka immediately to those who wear Tulsi beads around the neck. The sins of the person who wears neck beads made of Tulsi with devotion after offering to Sri Vishnu will get vanquished and Devakinandan Sri Krishna will always remain pleased with him, he does not need to undergo further atonement, no more sins remain in his body. In Kaliyuga, one, who is bedecked with the beads made of Tulsi, performs ritual activities and activities pertaining to ancestors and demigods, obtains crores times more results. The messengers of Yama will flee away by the sight of the Tulsi beads just as leaves are blown off by wind.

In Skanda-puran it is stated :- Those who wear neck beads made of Tulsi after offering it to Sri Hari are definitely foremost among the devotees of Lord. After presenting the mala, it should be purified with panca-gavya; after that the mula -mantra should be recited followed by the recitation of the gayatri mantra for eight times. Touching with incense, worship with this

Sadyojata -mantra with utmost devotion:

Om sadyojatah prapadyami sadyojataya vai namo namah.

Bhave tave nadi bhave bhajeswamam bhavod-bhavaya namah After that, this prayer should be made, “Oh! Mala ! You are made of Tulsi and are dear to Vaisnavas . I wear you around my neck; you make me dear to Sri Krishna. ‘Ma’ means ‘me’, ‘La’ means ‘to give’. Oh Hari-Vallabhe ! You have given me to Vaisnava devotees, hence you are known as mala . Those Vaisnavas who pray in accordance with rituals in this manner and first offer the mala in the neck of Sri Krishna and then puts it to themselves attain the Lotus feet of Sri Vishnu.” It is stated in Padma Purana : either during morning ablutions or bathing or eating or at any state which is clean or unclean, Tulsi mala has to be worn always; that means mala should not be removed under any circumstance.

 

Health Benefits of Tulsi (Sciance)

– It acts as anti bacterial and anti parasitic, therefore is widely used in infectious diseases.- Tulasi act on nervous system providing them strength, relieves stress and helps in relieving
pain.

– It work as appetizer and promotes digestion by helping in secretion of digestive enzymes.

– Tulsi juice when mixed with ginger juice is very effective in abdominal disorder in children.

– It helps in preventing flatulence and avoids constipated stool.

– It is an effective natural cure for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).

– Tulasi works as good expectorant relieving from wet cough.

– It is very useful in bronchitis and asthmatic conditions.

– It works as antibiotic eliminating the bacteria.

– It is widely used in fever as it act as antipyretic, pain reliever, and provides strength to our body.
Take powder of Tulasi leaves with saunth (dried ginger) and sugar with hot water in fevers.

– It also possesses anti-cancerous properties.

– Tulsi juice drops are very effective in earache.

– Keep powder of tulsi root in water for overnight and take it early morning for diabetes natural cure.

– It works as a powerful antioxidant thereby helps in preventing early aging signs and makes the skin
young.

“Jai Shri Radhe”