Japa beads

Expressions researched:
"chanting on beads. This is known as Japa" |"japa beads" |"japa mala beads" |"japa-mala beads"

Nectar of Devotion

Generally, we recommend our disciples to chant at least sixteen rounds on their japa beads daily, and this should be completed. But if one is not even able to chant sixteen rounds, then he must make it up the next day. He must be sure to keep his vow.

Nectar of Devotion 7:

In the Nāradīya Purāṇa it is directed, "One should not accept more than necessary if he is serious about discharging devotional service." The purport is that one should not neglect following the principles of devotional service, nor should one accept the rulings of devotional service which are more than what he can easily perform. For example, it may be said that one should chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra at least one hundred thousand times daily on his beads. But if this is not possible, then one must minimize his chanting according to his own capacity. Generally, we recommend our disciples to chant at least sixteen rounds on their japa beads daily, and this should be completed. But if one is not even able to chant sixteen rounds, then he must make it up the next day. He must be sure to keep his vow. If he does not strictly follow this out, then he is sure to be negligent. That is offensive in the service of the Lord. If we encourage offenses, we shall not be able to make progress in devotional service. It is better if one fixes up a regulative principle according to his own ability and then follows that vow without fail. That will make him advanced in spiritual life.

Nectar of Instruction

In addition to these four prohibitions (yama), there are positive regulative principles (niyama), such as the daily chanting of sixteen rounds on japa-mālā beads.

Nectar of Instruction 3, Purport:

As already explained, one should not be idle but should be very enthusiastic about executing the regulative principles—tat-tat-karma-pravartana. Neglect of the regulative principles will destroy devotional service. In this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement there are four basic regulative principles, forbidding illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. A devotee must be very enthusiastic about following these principles. If he becomes slack in following any of them, his progress will certainly be checked. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī therefore recommends, tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt: "One must strictly follow the regulative principles of vaidhī bhakti." In addition to these four prohibitions (yama), there are positive regulative principles (niyama), such as the daily chanting of sixteen rounds on japa-mālā beads. These regulative activities must be faithfully performed with enthusiasm. This is called tat-tat-karma-pravartana, or varied engagement in devotional service.

Out of many such Vaiṣṇavas, one may be found to be very seriously engaged in the service of the Lord and strictly following all the regulative principles, chanting the prescribed number of rounds on japa beads and always thinking of how to expand the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.

Nectar of Instruction 5, Purport:

In this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement a chance is given to everyone without discrimination of caste, creed or color. Everyone is invited to join this movement, sit with us, take prasāda and hear about Kṛṣṇa. When we see that someone is actually interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and wants to be initiated, we accept him as a disciple for the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. When a neophyte devotee is actually initiated and engaged in devotional service by the orders of the spiritual master, he should be accepted immediately as a bona fide Vaiṣṇava, and obeisances should be offered unto him. Out of many such Vaiṣṇavas, one may be found to be very seriously engaged in the service of the Lord and strictly following all the regulative principles, chanting the prescribed number of rounds on japa beads and always thinking of how to expand the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Such a Vaiṣṇava should be accepted as an uttama-adhikārī, a highly advanced devotee, and his association should always be sought.

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Yes. From tulasī. It was made in Honolulu. In Honolulu tulasī plants are very luxurious.

Morning Walk -- August 14, 1976, Bombay:

Acyutānanda: You've got new japa beads, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Yes. From tulasī. It was made in Honolulu. In Honolulu tulasī plants are very luxurious.

1969 Correspondence

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter, sent along with your japa beads, and I have duly chanted upon them and initiated you as my disciple.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Moundsville 27 May, 1969:

My Dear Gopala Krishna Das,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter, sent along with your japa beads, and I have duly chanted upon them and initiated you as my disciple. So you should go on with your chanting as you have been doing, and as your name is already Gopala Krishna, there is no need of changing your name. So now you will be known as Gopala Krishna Das. Try to follow the regulative principles and avoid the ten kinds of offenses.

1970 Correspondence

I have conveyed the letter to Gargamuni after learning from it that you have lost your original set of japa beads and request me to chant on these.

Letter to Nara-narayana -- Los Angeles 21 March, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter addressed to Gargamuni dated "nil," along with a new set of beads. I have conveyed the letter to Gargamuni after learning from it that you have lost your original set of japa beads and request me to chant on these.

So I have duly chanted them as you have desired, and they are returned herewith enclosed. However, in future, please be very careful to keep these sanctified beads. You should be more heedful. Now be sure to chant at least the prescribed sixteen rounds daily without fail, avoiding the ten offenses to the Holy Name, and thus advance in spiritual strength.

I have received the set of japa beads sent by you. I have chanted them duly and they are sent back to you enclosed herewith.

Letter to Vrndavana Candra -- Los Angeles 12 July, 1970:

I am so pleased to learn that your center is attracting so many persons some of whom are sincere. If you are sincere in your service of preaching our Krsna consciousness philosophy, other sincere souls will come. Our process is for manufacturing sincere souls. How is it possible? Simply by your kindly following the rules and regulative principles and chanting the Holy Names offenselessly. This program is given by Lord Caitanya specifically to change the hearts of the fallen souls of this Kali Yuga for picking up their spiritual life.

I have received the set of japa beads sent by you. I have chanted them duly and they are sent back to you enclosed herewith.

Regarding the three beads missing from your set of japa beads, just string three beads in place. That is all that is necessary.

Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 15 July, 1970:

Yes, your have correctly answered your second question by the purport that Arjuna's mind was already absorbed in knowing Krsna as his friend so he should not give up that status but he should only change his vision for the time in order to see the Universal Form of the Lord.

Regarding the three beads missing from your set of japa beads, just string three beads in place. That is all that is necessary.

Hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

1971 Correspondence

Here in L.A. things are going on very nicely and just this week 40 new devotees were initiated. So the stock of japa beads I brought with me has been depleted.

Letter to Tribhuvanatha -- Los Angeles 4 July, 1971:

Presently I am still in L.A. and by the middle of this month I should be going to N.Y. From there, you will be glad to know, I will be going directly to London. Here in L.A. things are going on very nicely and just this week 40 new devotees were initiated. So the stock of japa beads I brought with me has been depleted. Malati Prabhu was supposed to have brought some beads with her from India, and so I would like that those beads be sent immediately to N.Y. center by air. I have instructed Tamala Krishna in Calcutta and he soon will be sending more beads to London, for distribution in Europe. So take care of this matter right away so that the beads will be there upon my arrival in N.Y.

1973 Correspondence

Try also to chant as many times as possible the Hare Krsna mantra on japa beads.

Letter to Marie Priterel -- Calcutta 27 January, 1973:

It is most unfortunate to hear of the manner in which you have been mistreated by the doctors. But what can be done now about that? At least you have now had the good fortune to come in contact with my disciples. So now you can begin a new life. It does not matter that you do not live within our temple, since you say your health does not permit. But you can make your home a temple for Krsna. First thing is that you should try to follow strictly our regulative principles—no meat, fish or eggs; no intoxicants, including coffee, tea and cigarettes; no illicit sex; and no gambling. Try also to chant as many times as possible the Hare Krsna mantra on japa beads. You may keep a picture of Lord Krsna in your house and after cooking you may learn to offer the foodstuffs to the picture of Krsna. In this way the food you eat will be offered and be spiritual and will help you to advance spiritually. Whenever possible try to visit our temple and attend the kirtanas and discourses. I am sure that the temple president can suggest some way in which you can render some service, if you are willing.

To save time and money, kindly forward two sets of japa beads to Kirtanananda Swami in New Vrndavana for the proper chanting, and then you may perform the fire sacrifice.

Letter to Sukadeva -- Calcutta 17 4 March, 1973:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 15th February and have examined the contents with care. By your good recommendation I am pleased to accept Leroy Howes and David Joy as my initiated disciples. Their new names are: Paramatmananda Dasa and Pavaka Dasa. To save time and money, kindly forward two sets of japa beads to Kirtanananda Swami in New Vrndavana for the proper chanting, and then you may perform the fire sacrifice. Now they must always follow the regulated principles, such as 16 rounds at least each day, attending Mangala Arati, etc. and gradually they will come to the stage of spontaneously loving Krsna.

You send a copy of this letter to Kirtanananda Swami and he will send you your japa beads duly chanted upon as I have prescribed.

Letter to Ajitananda (Anthony), Purvacitti (Patty) -- New York 12 April, 1973:

On the recommendation of Gunagrahi Das I am pleased to accept you as my initiated disciples. I am giving you spiritual names as follows: Anthony is Ajita-ananda and Patty is Purvacitti, wife of Maharaja Agnidra.

You send a copy of this letter to Kirtanananda Swami and he will send you your japa beads duly chanted upon as I have prescribed. Now my special request is that you strictly follow the four regulative principles. This will keep you strong in Krishna consciousness. Nor should you neglect the Ten Offenses against the Holy Name. Just chant Hare Krishna in this way, and you will feel yourself advancing in spiritual life. This is the program of Lord Caitanya for us. So you do these things and that will please me very much.

Who is that rascal sannyasi who has recommended to chant Pancha Tattwa mantra on the japa beads? First, send me his name.

Letter to Govardhan Das -- Bombay 18 October, 1973:

Also enclosed find one sacred thread chanted upon for Phatikcandra dasa brahmacari. Let Satsvarupa Maharaj chant on the beads and hold a fire sacrifice amongst the devotees. Take care of the new disciples and please see that they are always engaged in Krsna's service, chanting Hare Krsna.

Regarding your successful book distribution, you should know that this is the greater preaching. I am very much pleased. the conch shells as you have described may be kept on the altar as decoration, but they must be kept clean. Everything on the altar must always be clean.

Who is that rascal sannyasi who has recommended to chant Pancha Tattwa mantra on the japa beads? First, send me his name.

1974 Correspondence

This Sankirtana yajna may be performed quietly and privately with one's self by chanting on beads. This is known as Japa.

Letter to Mr. Lourenco -- Vrindaban 19 August, 1974:

I am glad to learn that you are so much keenly interested in our books Bhagavad gita as it is. It is stated in the Bhagavad gita that out of many thousands of men only one is searching for perfection. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati sidhaye (BG 7.3). So even in your young age you have taken to this process of Krishna Consciousness. This means that in your previous life you were advanced in yoga but somehow or other you were not able to complete but now you have taken to it as if automatically. This is also explained in the Bhagavad gita 6th chapter regarding the yoga bhrastras those who have fallen from the process of yoga and who automatically take to the principles of God consciousness in their next life. Regarding performance of Sankirtana yajna, this is explained in my book the nectar of devotion. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us the chanting of the Maha mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. It may be performed as sankirtana congregational chanting in public. This done by our sankirtana parties that go daily into the streets in many cities of the world. Or this yajna may be performed quietly and privately with one's self by chanting on beads. This is known as Japa. So this I think can be performed by you very easily.

We do not allow anyone become a preacher unless he is strictly following the Vaisnava principles of no eating meat, fish, or eggs; no sex outside of marriage; no gambling; and no taking any kind of intoxication whatsoever. You must also chant 16 rounds Hare Krishna on the japa beads.

Letter to Mr. S. N. Sharma -- Vrindaban 18 September, 1974:

Please accept my best wishes. I am in due receipt of your letter in Hindi and have noted the contents. To join our mission first of all you have to become a pure Vaisnava. For this purpose you have to remain with us and live the techniques in your life. Then you can be trained up as a preacher. We do not allow anyone become a preacher unless he is strictly following the Vaisnava principles of no eating meat, fish, or eggs; no sex outside of marriage; no gambling; and no taking any kind of intoxication whatsoever. You must also chant 16 rounds Hare Krishna on the japa beads. So if you are interested, you can practice these things within our association for some time. Then we shall consider you for preaching work.

If you are going to France why not visit our Paris center. There you should get chanting (japa) beads, and begin chanting Hare Krishna mantra on the beads.

Letter to Frederico -- Mayapur 24 October, 1974:

If you are going to France why not visit our Paris center. There you should get chanting (japa) beads, and begin chanting Hare Krishna mantra on the beads. They will show you how to do it. This is most important for advancing in spiritual life.

1975 Correspondence

I have accepted the ten devotees you have named. You may chant on their japa beads.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Honolulu 2 February, 1975:

My dear Kirtanananda Svami,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your recommendations for initiations received on the 2nd of Feb., 1975. I have accepted the ten devotees you have named and their new names are as follows: Gregory—Gaurasakti dasa, Walker—Venkata dasa, Patrick—Parisevana dasa, Barbara—Vibhavari devi dasi, Anne—Amrtaprada devi dasi, Sheryl—Sobhavati, Mary—Mahadevi dasi, Donna—Damagrahya devi daski, Marie—Mudakari devi dasi, Catherine—Kratuphalas devi dasi. You may chant on their japa beads.

The reason for the Japa beads is so that you can keep track of how many times you are chanting Hare Krishna mantra daily.

Letter to Mr. Lourenco -- Tehran 14 March, 1975:

Thank you for reading my books and appreciating them. Please continue to do so. That will help you advance nicely in spiritual life. By reading my books and chanting Hare Krishna, your life will become perfect. The reason for the Japa beads is so that you can keep track of how many times you are chanting Hare Krishna mantra daily. It should be chanted a steady amount of times regularly. We chant at least 16 times around the string of 108 beads daily (one full mantra on each bead). This keeps us strong in spiritual consciousness.

I have just been informed by my servant, Srutakirti, that the young children, under twelve, are not allowed to use their japa beads while chanting. This policy is not good. Why this change has been made?

Letter to Yadunandana -- Perth, Australia 14 May, 1975:

I have just been informed by my servant, Srutakirti, that the young children, under twelve, are not allowed to use their japa beads while chanting. This policy is not good. Why this change has been made? I never said they should not use their beads. That is our business. They must be taught how to respect their beads. How they can learn unless they use them? That is the trouble with you westerners, always changing. No changes should be made without first consulting with my GBC representative. So, the children should immediately be allowed to chant on their japa beads.

In order to be initiated by us, one has to chant at least 16 times around his japa beads daily (the Hare Krishna maha-mantra).

Letter to Mr. Sharma -- Honolulu 3 June, 1975:

Since I am overseas and cannot personally interview you, you please request Aksayananda Swami to recommend you to me for initiation, and then do the needful as he may suggest to you. By this process, it may be possible for you and your wife to be initiated as my disciples. We are very strict in the selection of disciples. We are not after large numbers. In order to be initiated by us, one has to chant at least 16 times around his japa beads daily (the Hare Krishna maha-mantra), he has to follow strict rules such as: no meat, fish, eggs, no intoxication—including tea and cigarettes, no illicit sex, and no gambling.

Attend the arotrikas and the classes and read my books very carefully and chant on the japa mala beads 16 rounds daily.

Letter to Sudhindra Kisora Roy:

It is very nice that you are chanting Hare Krishna and are very enthusiastic to read our literatures. Please take part as much as possible in the activities of our Calcutta temple there. Attend the arotrikas and the classes and read my books very carefully and chant on the japa mala beads 16 rounds daily.

I understand that you have got japa beads, so this is very good that you are seriously taking to the process. So if you continue Krishna will bless you, and you will go back home back to Godhead.

Letter to Mr. Longo A. Ali -- Nairobi 29 October, 1975:

I am glad to note your determination to be freed from the material entanglement by chanting Hare Krishna mantra. This is the recommended process for this age of disagreement for achieving Krishna consciousness. It is authorized, very easy, and it does not cost anything. I understand that you have got japa beads, so this is very good that you are seriously taking to the process. So if you continue Krishna will bless you, and you will go back home back to Godhead. I also understand that you have Bhagavad gita As It Is, so try to read something regularly, but do not neglect the chanting, that is the important thing.

1976 Correspondence

You can perform the fire sacrifice, and at that time give out the japa beads (which should have been chanted on by one of the sannyasis beforehand) at the time of initiation.

Letter to Narayana -- Los Angeles 4 June, 1976:

On your recommendation, I am accepting Bhaktin Shanna Wollerman for first initiation. Her spiritual name is Nilacala dasi. Also, I am accepting Saurani dasi for second initiation. Those who take initiation must vow to refrain from illicit sex life, intoxication, gambling, and meat-eating, and to chant minimum of 16 rounds japa daily. The brahmanas must practice cleanliness internally and externally. Externally by bathing regularly, and internally by always chanting the Mahamantra.

You can perform the fire sacrifice, and at that time give out the japa beads (which should have been chanted on by one of the sannyasis beforehand) at the time of initiation. Also, after the yajna, the gayatri mantra should be played into the right ear of the devotee who is taking brahmana initiation. I am enclosing a copy of the gayatri mantra for learning the gayatri mantra.

Yes, I immediately accept for initiation Naisen Wang. Her name shall be Nitya lila dasi and I have personally chanted on her beads which are enclosed.

Letter to Sridhara , Trivikrama -- Paris 30 July, 1976:

Yes, I immediately accept for initiation Naisen Wang. Her name shall be Nitya lila dasi and I have personally chanted on her beads which are enclosed. She is a very good devotee and she must immediately be initiated. This girl should be trained up and educated to speak in Chinese and recruit Chinese boys and girls. Just try to create a Chinese group of devotees from Taiwan then all other things are done automatically. We require immediately a Chinese group of devotees. Tamala Krsna Goswami is arranging for the money, you can communicate with him. He has also just sent two men there to assist you.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

encl: japa beads

1977 Correspondence

If there are any dead branches, these may be made into beads, like neck beads, and if they are large branches you can make japa beads.

Letter to VARIOUS -- Unknown Place Unknown Date:

Letter No. 36 To Jagamohini Dasi

...whether we may prune the leaves of Tulasi, no, there is no question of pruning. But you can take for worshiping Krsna leaves from the Tulasi. First utilize the dead leaves or leaves which have fallen down, and if more leaves are required for worshiping Krsna, you may take them from Tulasi plant in this way: First approach Tulasi Devi and offer your obeisances, requesting her that for worshiping Krsna you want to take some leaves. Then if she allows you may take. There is no question of pruning in the manner of gardeners just to make nice beautiful plant for ornamental purposes. And if there are any dead branches, these may be made into beads, like neck beads, and if they are large branches you can make japa beads. There is no need to keep candle burning all night, but you can burn candle in the evening for one hour for Tulasi Devi, that will be nice.