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RE: No subject (Japam)

From the Bhakti List Archives

Tatachar • September 27, 1995 


Raghu Sheshadri said:

 >>A sikh friend wishes to know which hindu scriptures
 >>stress the efficacy of chanting ( naam japna in
 >>hindi/punjabi ) for attaining mukti. I'd also
 >>appreciate a summary of what they say about it.
 >>Thanks for your references in advance.

 Here are some scriptural sources for Japa. I don't know the exact verse
numbers for the Puranic sources.

In the second half o fthe verse 25 Ch10 of Gita, Krishna says Yajnanam Japa
Yajnosmi, which means of Yajnas I am japa Yajna.
In other words it is the highest form of Yajna. The nice thing about Japa is
that it does not need any materials and it can be practised anywhere any time
and by any one.

Also in another place Krishna asks Arjuna to think of the Lord at all times,
even at war. In another place He says whoever departs this world taking His
name even at the time of death will reach HIM.  This is perhaps why Gandhi
said Hay Ram when he was shot. Those last words are  inscribed on his
memorial at Raj Ghat.

Bhagavata Purana describes 9 kinds of devotional worship. they are: Sravana
(listening to divine glories or names), Kirtana (singing the glories of the
Lord), Smarana (remembering), Pada Sevana (worshipping feet), Archana
(offering flowers or kumkum or Akshata or Tulasi or Bhilva leaves or water or
milk while chanting God's names), Vandana (offering salutation), Dasya (being
a servant of thr Lord), Sakhya (being friend of the LOrd), and Atma Nivedhana
(total surrender).

In the Vishnu Purana, it is said that what is gained through
meditation(Dhyanam) in Krita Yuga, through sacrificial rightsin the treta
yuga, and through ritual worship in Dwapara Yuga is obtained by chanting the
names of the lord (Japam) in the Kali Yuga.
K. Sreekrishna