JAPA TIME

Spiritual Resources for Devotees

24/7 LIVE CHANTING

Spiritual Resources

"In this age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari."

— Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 17.21

"My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom."

— Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 12.3.51

This page contains essential spiritual resources for practicing bhakti-yoga according to the Vaishnava tradition in the line of Śrīla Prabhupāda and the guru-paramparā. Here you will find prayers, mantras, japa guidance, and foundational references for steady spiritual life.

Important Note (Paramparā & Guidance)

These resources are meant to support your daily sādhana and deepen your connection to the Holy Name. They do not replace the shelter of the guru-paramparā. For personal guidance, please seek association and instruction from bona fide Vaiṣṇavas and ISKCON authorities.

Chant Japa with HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj (Official)

Official Daily Zoom Japa Session (Open to Everyone)

Chant Japa with HH Lokanath Swami is an open group, for anyone to join. So if you wish to experience the power of mantra meditation or if you wish to intensify your relationship with the Holy Names, join us daily from 5:15 – 7:30 AM IST on ZOOM App.

Time (IST)
5:15 – 7:30 AM
Your local time
Calculating...
Meeting ID (tap to join)
Passcode
1896

Note: Schedule and access details may be updated by the official team. Please refer to the official source for the latest information.

1. Essential Mantras and Prayers

"Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names (japa-yajña)."

— Bhagavad-gītā 10.25

Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

"O Lord Kṛṣṇa, O energy of Lord Kṛṣṇa, please engage me in Your loving devotional service."

ॐ अज्ञान-तिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जन-शलाकया
चक्षुर् उन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्री-गुरवे नमः

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the spiritual master, who with the torchlight of knowledge has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance."

वाञ्छा-कल्पतरुभ्यश् च कृपा-सिन्धुभ्य एव च
पतितानां पावनेभ्यो वैष्णवेभ्यो नमो नमः

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca
patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto all Vaiṣṇavas, who are like desire trees and oceans of mercy and can purify the fallen souls."

नम ॐ विष्णु-पादाय कृष्ण-प्रेष्ठाय भू-तले
श्रीमते भक्तिवेदान्त-स्वामिन् इति नामिने

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa."

श्री-कृष्ण-चैतन्य प्रभु-नित्यानन्द
श्री-अद्वैत गदाधर श्रीवासादि-गौर-भक्त-वृन्द

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

"I offer my obeisances to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Prabhu Nityānanda, Śrī Advaita, Gadādhara, Śrīvāsa and all the Gaura devotees."

चेतो-दर्पण-मार्जनं भव-महा-दावाग्नि-निर्वापणं
श्रेयः-कैरव-चन्द्रिका-वितरणं विद्या-वधू-जीवनम्
आनन्दाम्बुधि-वर्धनं प्रतिपदं पूर्णामृतास्वादनं
सर्वात्म-स्नपनं परं विजयते श्री-कृष्ण-संकीर्तनम्

ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ
śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁ pratipadaṁ pūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaṁ
sarvātma-snapanaṁ paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam

"Glory to the congregational chanting of the Holy Names, which cleanses the mirror of the heart, extinguishes the blazing fire of material existence, spreads the rays of the moon of auspiciousness, is the life of transcendental knowledge, increases the ocean of bliss and allows us to taste full nectar at every step."

तृणादपि सुनीचेन तरोरपि सहिष्णुना
अमानिना मानदेन कीर्तनीयः सदा हरिः

tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

"One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the grass in the street; being more tolerant than a tree; expecting no honor but offering respect to all others."

2. Japa Practice (Individual Chanting)

"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him."

— Bhagavad-gītā 4.34

📿

Morning Japa

Aim to chant daily with steadiness. Many devotees complete their rounds in the early morning when the mind is calm.

🎵

Attentive Listening

Chant by hearing each syllable carefully. Japa becomes powerful when we listen and avoid mechanical repetition.

🙏

Prayer Before Japa

Before japa, offer prayers to guru and Vaiṣṇavas, begging for the mercy to chant purely and without offenses.

3. Practice Guidelines

Bhāva (Mood) Before and During Japa

  • Humility: Depend on mercy, not on your own strength (tṛṇād api sunīcena)
  • Prayerful chanting: Chant as an appeal to serve Kṛṣṇa
  • Offense-awareness: Avoid criticism, inattentiveness, and disrespect to Vaiṣṇavas
  • Service-attitude: Let japa nourish your daily service and behavior
  • Regularity: Better to chant regularly a little than irregularly a lot
  • Cleanliness: Chant after taking bath, in clean clothes
  • Time: Brahma-muhurta (about 1.5 hours before sunrise) is traditionally recommended as an especially favorable time for japa (a recommendation, not a rigid rule)
  • Place: Designate a special clean place for spiritual practice
  • Mood: Chant with humility, offering respect to all others
  • Service: Japa should be accompanied by practical service and good Vaiṣṇava behavior

4. Vaishnava Calendar

Important Days for Spiritual Practice:

  • Ekādaśī: Twice monthly — intensified japa and hearing, with fasting according to one’s capacity
  • Appearance Days: Śrī Krishna Janmāṣṭamī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, etc.
  • Ācārya Appearance: Śrīla Prabhupāda, Rūpa Gosvāmī and other ācāryas
  • Saṅkīrtana Emphasis: Special days for increased chanting and preaching
  • Festivals: Gaura-pūrṇimā, Ratha-yātrā, Nṛsiṁha Caturdaśī

Exact dates can be found in your regional Vaishnava calendar.

5. Spiritual Reading

"The supreme occupation (dharma) for all humanity is that by which men can attain loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord."

— Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.2.6

Recommended daily reading program for devotees:

  • Bhagavad-gītā As It Is: Daily reading and reflection
  • Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: Regular reading/hearing with the mood of service
  • Caitanya-caritāmṛta: For deeper understanding of bhakti and nāma-tattva
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Vāṇī: Books, lectures, conversations, and letters
  • Community Hearing: Attend classes and sādhusanga whenever possible

Official / Standard Sources for Study

Use trusted editions and translations (especially Śrīla Prabhupāda’s) for consistent siddhānta:

  • Bhagavad-gītā As It Is (Śrīla Prabhupāda)
  • Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (Śrīla Prabhupāda)
  • Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Śrīla Prabhupāda)

Online study option: Vedabase

6. Four Regulative Principles

For effective spiritual practice, follow these four regulative principles:

  • No intoxication (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, tea, coffee)
  • No meat, fish or eggs
  • No gambling
  • No illicit sex

7. Spiritual Service (Sevā)

"O best among the twice-born, it is therefore concluded that the highest perfection one can achieve by discharging the duties of varṇāśrama-dharma is to please the Personality of Godhead."

— Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.2.13

Spiritual service includes:

📚

Book Distribution

Distributing transcendental knowledge is a powerful act of mercy and preaching.

🍛

Prasāda Preparation

Preparing and distributing sanctified food is essential devotional service.

🌍

Saṅkīrtana

Support chanting initiatives and participate in saṅkīrtana programs as you are able.

Non-Commercial Commitment

JAPA TIME is a non-commercial spiritual initiative. This page exists to support sādhana and encourage hearing/chanting in alignment with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings.