Category:Chanting in Devotional Service to God
Theme Analysis
In the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, there are nine distinct processes of devotional service (nava-vidhā bhakti), beginning with hearing (śravaṇam), chanting (kīrtanam), and remembering (smaraṇam) the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that among these nine, hearing and chanting are the absolute foundation. Whether one is a neophyte struggling with material desires or a highly advanced soul relishing transcendental ecstasy, the continuous execution of śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam is the primary method for attaining the ultimate goal of life.
The most prominent theme in this category is the profound analogy of the bhakti-latā-bīja (the seed of devotion). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by the mercy of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa, a fortunate soul receives this seed within their heart. However, a seed cannot sprout or grow without water. The essential, life-giving water for the creeper of devotion is the constant practice of hearing and chanting. As the devotee patiently waters this seed through regulated sādhana-bhakti, the heart is cleansed of unwanted material contamination (anarthas). This cleansing process leads to firm faith (niṣṭhā), then to a deep transcendental taste (ruci), and ultimately blossoms into the supreme fruit of unalloyed love of Godhead (prema). Furthermore, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that because the Lord is absolute and omnipresent, the physical absence of the Lord or the spiritual master is overcome through this chanting process; by vibrating the holy name, the devotee is instantly associating with the Supreme Lord.
- The Absolute Beginning: Hearing and chanting are the mandatory first steps in the nine processes of devotional service. Without them, no other spiritual advancement is possible.
- Watering the Seed of Devotion: Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently uses the analogy of a gardener. The seed of devotion (bhakti) must be continuously watered by the process of śravaṇam and kīrtanam to grow and bear fruit.
- The Cleansing Process: The immediate effect of chanting and hearing in the association of devotees is the cleansing of the heart from material contamination, which leads to firm, unshakeable faith.
- Association in Separation: Devotees do not need to lament the physical absence of Kṛṣṇa or the spiritual master, because the process of chanting and hearing guarantees direct, continuous association with the Absolute Truth.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Chanting in Devotional Service to God - The Watering Process of Bhakti.
Pages in category "Chanting in Devotional Service to God"
The following 49 pages are in this category, out of 49 total.
A
- A devotee, in the course of executing the regulative principles of devotional service, develops his natural Krsna consciousness, and being thus softened at heart he chants and dances like a madman
- A manisinam person, like Maharaja Pariksit, must take to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna and fully engage himself in devotional service, hearing, chanting, etc., of the holy name and pastimes of the Lord, which are all hari-kathamrta
- Absolute devotional service, conducted in nine different spiritual activities - hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping, praying, etc. - does not always appeal to people with a pompous nature
- As Lord Caitanya advised in His Siksastaka, one has to execute devotional service by humbly chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street and not expecting honor for himself but offering all kinds of honor to others
- As the unmixed sun ray is very forceful and is therefore called tivra, similarly unmixed bhakti-yoga of hearing, chanting, etc., may be performed by one and all regardless of inner motive
- Attainment of ecstasy is produced by execution of devotional service. When one continues the process of hearing and chanting, attachment grows and assumes the name of love of Godhead
D
- Devotional service consists of sravanam kirtanam visnoh, so one can simply hear the chanting of the glories of the Lord or can attend philosophical lectures on transcendental knowledge given by authorized acaryas. BG 1972 purports
- Devotional service of God involves 9 transcendental processes, such as hearing and chanting, by performing such easy and natural devotional services the devotees achieve the highest perfectional results, superior to merging into the existence of Brahman
- Devotional service with attachment can be executed in two ways - externally and internally. Externally the devotee strictly follows the regulative principles beginning with chanting and hearing, while internally he thinks of the attachment
- Due to constant engagement in devotional service - hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping the Deity, etc., as prescribed in nine varieties - there are different symptoms which appear in the body of a devotee
L
- Lord Caitanya made this process (of reaching the highest perfection of knowledge) very easy: He asked people simply to chant Hare Krsna & to engage in the devotional service of God & eat the remnants of foodstuff offered to the Deity. BG 1972 purports
- Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends that the devotee sow the seed of bhakti-yoga in his heart and nurture it by the watering of hearing and chanting the holy name, fame, etc., of the Lord
- Love of God is eternally existing within everyone; it simply has to be evoked by the process of hearing. Hearing and chanting are the principal methods of devotional service
O
- O my Lord, I do not have any love for You, nor am I qualified for discharging devotional service by chanting and hearing. Nor do I possess the mystic power of a Vaisnava, knowledge or pious activities. Nor do I belong to a very high-caste family
- One has to become faithful by practicing the controlling process of the yoga system and must elevate himself to the platform of unalloyed devotional service by chanting and hearing about Me
- One must engage in the nine different processes of devotional service, beginning with hearing and chanting about Krsna. Pure devotional service is the highest achievement of human society. BG 1972 purports
- One totally manifests his original love of Godhead through devotional service in nine different ways - hearing, chanting and so forth
- One who is directly engaged in all these devotional activities (chanting Hare Krsna and eating the remnants of foodstuff offered to the Deity) is to be understood as having studied all Vedic literature. He has come to the conclusion perfectly. BG 1972 p
- One who is unable to live for a moment without Krsna consciousness cannot but think of Krsna twenty-four hours, being engaged in devotional service by hearing, chanting, remembering, offering prayers, worshiping. BG 1972 purports
S
- Sadhu-sanga, or association with a devotee, means always engaging in Krsna consciousness by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and by acting for Krsna
- Such activities (engaging in devotional service by hearing, chanting, remembering, offering prayers, worshiping God etc.) are all auspicious and full of spiritual potencies; indeed, they make the devotee perfect in self-realization. BG 1972 purports
T
- The devotee who wants to elevate himself simply by the process of devotional activities, especially by hearing and chanting, very soon comes out of the clutches of the dualities of material existence
- The devotees need not be disappointed in the physical absence of the Lord, though they may think of not being associated with Him. The devotional process of chanting, hearing, remembering, etc, can give us the desired result of associating with the Lord
- The great devotees relished the taste of unceasing devotional service of the Lord, hearing, chanting, etc., and by developing the same taste (as the great sages), Narada wanted also to hear and chant the glories of the Lord. BG 1972 purports
- The Lord, being omnipresent, can be present with us if we want Him at all. By His omnipresence, He can always be with us if we are attached to His devotional service by hearing, chanting, remembering, etc
- The most intelligent devotees do not take to any means of self-realization except devotional service and constant engagement in the nine different processes of devotional life, especially hearing and chanting
- The nine different modes of devotional service, such as hearing, chanting and remembering, are the beginning of the process
- The personified Vedas continued, "Dear Lord, it is imperative that the living entities be engaged in Krsna consciousness, always rendering devotional service by such prescribed methods as hearing and chanting and executing Your orders"
- The process of devotional service - beginning with chanting and hearing - is called sadhana-bhakti. This includes the regulative principles that are intended to awaken one to devotional service
- The process of devotional service - especially hearing and chanting - is so powerful that it can bring a person to the perfectional stage
- The process of devotional service beginning with hearing, chanting, remembering - the prescribed nine methods for realizing devotional service-should be practiced in the association of devotees. BG 1972 purports
- The pure heart of a devotee is never disturbed when he executes devotional service in the form of hearing, chanting, remembering, etc
- The seed of devotion cannot sprout unless watered by the process of hearing and chanting
- There are nine different kinds of devotional service, which are listed as hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping the Deity in the temple, praying, carrying out orders, serving Him as a friend and sacrificing everything for Him
- There are nine different methods of cultivating devotional service such as hearing, chanting, remembering, etc, and all these processes are employed in the first stage of devotional service
- There are nine processes of devotional service - hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping the Deity in the temple, praying, carrying out orders - and one should always keep engaged in at least one of these nine processes
- This devotional service begins simply by hearing and chanting. We have got all these books. Anyone can take advantage of these books. Now it is translated into English. Of course, we are getting very, very good, encouraging reports from Western countries
- Through good association, one develops attachment for pure devotional service and thereby accepts a bona fide spiritual master and from him begins to hear and chant and observe the regulative principles of devotional service. BG 1972 purports
- To attain perfection in yoga practice or meditation, one must act in devotional service by hearing, chanting, remembering, etc
W
- We must always remember that hearing and chanting are the basic principles of discharging devotional duties, and if they are properly performed there will follow the reactional ecstasy with signs of tears in the eyes
- When a person receives the seed of devotional service, he should take care of it by becoming a gardener, sowing the seed in his heart. If he waters the seed gradually by the process of sravana, kirtana (hearing & chanting), the seed will begin to sprout
- When one comes to the platform of loving service to Lord Krsna by executing these nine processes, beginning with hearing and chanting, he has attained the fifth platform of success and the limit of life's goals
- When one is encouraged in devotional service by the association of devotees, one becomes free from all unwanted contamination by following the regulative principles and chanting and hearing
- When one is freed from all unwanted contamination, he advances with firm faith. When firm faith in devotional service awakens, a taste for hearing and chanting also awakens
- When one takes to Krsna consciousness and engages himself in the devotional service of the Lord - beginning with chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord - the cleansing of the heart begins
- Without submission and service in the forms of hearing, chanting and the others mentioned above (in CC Adi 1.52), impersonalists cannot penetrate to the mysterious region of transcendence where the Supreme Truth is a transcendental person
Categories:
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- Chanting
- Chanter
- Devotional Service to God
- Holy Name and Chanting - Umbrella Category
- Nurturing Devotional Service to God - Umbrella Category
- Devotional Service and Krsna Consciousness - Umbrella Category
- Devotional Service to God - Umbrella Category
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