Guidelines for Mantra Meditation - Guidelines for Chanting Hare Krsna (Japa)
(1)
satam ninda namnah paramam aparadham vitanute
yatah khyatim yatam katham u sahate tad-vigarham
To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord.
Make an effort to honor, glorify and serve devotees. IOW: Stop Criticizing Others
(2)
sivasya sri-visnor ya iha guna-namadi-sakalam
dhiya bhinnam pasyet sa khalu hari-namahita-karah
2) To consider the names of the demigods like Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name Lord Visnu.
In the Brhad-bhagavatamrta, chapter two, text 85, it is stated: "To consider Siva different from Lord Krsna is a great offense." The idea is that I have to understand things in the right way, and act accordingly.
(3)
guror avajna
To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.
(4)
sruti-sastra-nindanam
To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.
Honor and glorify the scriptures. In that light, try to understand what the scriptures are trying to convey.
(5)
artha-vadah
To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krsna to be imagination.
(6)
hari-namni kalpanam
To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord.
The holy name of the Lord is absolute and its nice, accept that fact, as it is.
(7)
namno balad yasya hi papa-buddhir
na vidyate tasya yamair hi suddhih
To commit sinful activities on the strength of chanting the holy name of the Lord.
When chanting the holy name, it's the same as inviting the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna, so it is recommended to act as nice as possible.
(8)
dharma-vrata-tyaga-hutadi-sarva-
subha-kriya-samyam api pramadah
To consider chanting of Hare Krsna one of the auspicious ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda).
(9)
asraddadhane vimukhe ’py asrnvati
yas copadesah siva-namaparadhah
To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name.
Share the glories of chanting Hare Krsna only to persons who are susceptible to spiritual subjects, e.g. persons who are loving (non-envious), amicable, humble (not proud and puffed-up) and peaceful (not angry and mean).
(10)
srute ’pi nama-mahatmye
yah priti-rahito narah
aham-mamadi-paramo
namni so ’py aparadha-krt
To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter.
Have complete faith that chanting the holy names will fulfill all desires, and live a life of spirituality; always focus on Krsna, always think about Krsna, alway remember Krsna, eg BG 5.29
api pramadah
It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.
Be attentive while chanting the Holy Names.
Every devotee who claims to be a Vaisnava must guard against these offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success.
Padma Purana
nama-aparadha-yuktanam
namany eva haranty agham
avisranta-prayuktani
tany evartha-karani ca
For those infected with nama-aparadha, sri-nama will certainly remove the sin, provided the sadhakas chant tirelessly and unremittingly. Sri-nama Himself will effect their deliverance.
Make an effort to focus on the conducive things one needs to do, exempli gratia: - think of Krsna - Id est: man mana
Mantra Meditation is a great way to overcome anxiety.
The biggest obstacles to chanting the Holy Names is to offend, disturb, insult persons, especially persons who are devoted to serving the Lord.
Additionally there are also seva-aparadhas or offences or mistakes in the service of the Lord.
There are at least 64 seva or service offenses in the service of the Lord:
In the supplementary Vedic literature, there is the following list of 32 offenses in the matter of serving the Lord:
1) One should not enter the temple of the Deity in a car or palanquin or with shoes on the feet.
2) One should not fail to observe the various festivals for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Janmāṣṭamī, Ratha-yātrā, etc.
3) One should not avoid bowing down before the Deity.
4) One should not enter the temple to worship the Lord without having washed his hands and feet after eating.
5) One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state. (According to Vedic scripture, if someone dies in the family the whole family becomes contaminated for some time, according to its status. For example, if the family is brāhmaṇa their contamination period is 12 days, for the kṣatriyas and vaiśyas it is 15 days, and for śūdras 30 days.)
6) One should not bow down on one hand.
7) One should not circumambulate in front of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (The process of circumambulating the temple is that one should begin circumambulating from the Deity's right-hand side of the temple and come round. Such circumambulation should be performed outside the temple structure at least three times daily.)
8) One should not spread his legs before the Deity.
9) One should not sit before the Deity holding the ankles, elbows or knees with his hands. 10) One should not lie down before the Deity of Kṛṣṇa.
11) One should not accept prasādam before the Deity.
12) One should never speak a lie before the Deity.
13) One should not talk very loudly before the Deity.
14) One should not talk with others before the Deity.
15) One should not cry or howl before the Deity.
16) One should not quarrel or fight before the Deity.
17) One should not chastise anyone before the Deity.
18) One should not be charitable to beggars before the Deity.
19) One should not speak very harshly to others before the Deity.
20) One should not wear a fur blanket before the Deity.
21) One should not eulogize or praise anyone else before the Deity.
22) One should not speak any ill names before the Deity.
23) One should not pass air before the Deity.
24) One should not fail to worship the Deity according to his means. (In the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated that the Lord is satisfied even if some devotee offers him a leaf or a little water. This formula prescribed by the Lord is universally applicable, even for the poorest man. But that does not mean that one who has sufficient means to worship the Lord very nicely should also adopt this method and try to satisfy the Lord simply by offering water and a leaf. If he has sufficient means, he should offer nice decorations, nice flowers, nice foodstuffs and observe all ceremonies. It is not that one should try to satisfy the Supreme Lord with a little water and a leaf, and for himself spend all his money in sense gratification.)
25) One should not eat anything which is not offered first to Kṛṣṇa.
26) One should not fail to offer fresh fruit and grains to Kṛṣṇa, according to the season.
27) After cooking, no one should be offered any foodstuff unless it is first offered to the Deity.
28) One should not sit with his back towards the Deity.
29) One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master; or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances.
30) One should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master.
31) One should not praise himself before the spiritual master.
32) One should not deride the demigods before the Deity.
This is a list of 32 offenses. Besides these, there are a number of offenses which are mentioned in the Varāha Purāṇa. They are as follows:
1) One should not touch the Deity in a dark room.
2) One should not fail to strictly follow the rules and regulations in worshiping the Deity.
3) One should not enter the temple of the Deity without first making some sound.
4) One should not offer any foodstuff to the Deity which has been seen by dogs or other lower animals.
5) One should not break the silence while worshiping.
6) One should not pass urine or evacuate while engaged in worshiping.
7) One should not offer incense without offering some flower.
8) Useless flowers without any fragrance should not be offered.
9) One should not fail to wash his teeth very carefully every day.
10) One should not enter the temple directly after sexual intercourse.
11) One should not touch a woman during her menstrual period.
12) One should not enter the temple after touching a dead body.
13) One should not enter the temple wearing garments of red or blue color, or which are unwashed. 14) One should not enter the temple after seeing a dead body.
15) One should not pass air within the temple.
16) One should not be angry within the temple.
17) One should not enter the temple after visiting a crematorium.
18) One should not belch before the Deity. So, until one has fully digested his food, he should not enter the temple.
19) One should not smoke marijuana or gañjā.
20) One should not take opium or similar intoxicants.
21) One should not enter the Deity room or touch the body of the Deity after having smeared oil over his body.
22) One should not show disrespect to a scripture teaching about the supremacy of the Lord.
23) One should not introduce any opposing scripture.
24) One should not chew betel before the Deity.
25) One should not offer a flower which was kept in an unclean pot.
26) One should not worship the Lord while sitting on the bare floor: one must have a sitting place or carpet.
27) One should not touch the Deity before he has completed taking bath.
28) One should not decorate his forehead with the three-lined tilaka.
29) One should not enter the temple without washing his hands and feet.
Other rules are that one should not offer foodstuff which is cooked by a non-Vaiṣṇava. One should not worship the Deity before a nondevotee. One should not engage himself in the worship of the Lord while seeing a nondevotee. One should begin the worship of the demigod Gaṇapati, who drives away all impediments in the execution of devotional service. In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is stated that Gaṇapati worships the lotus feet of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, and in that way he has become auspicious for the devotees in clearing out all impediments. Therefore, all devotees should worship Gaṇapati. The Deities should not be bathed in water which has been touched by the nails or fingers. When a devotee is perspiring, he should not engage himself in worshiping the Deity. Similarly, there are many other prohibitions, such as one should not cross or step over the flowers offered to the Deities, nor should one take a vow in the name of God. These are all different kinds of offenses in the matter of executing devotional service, and one should be careful to avoid them.
In the Padma Purāṇa it is stated that even a person whose life is completely sinful will be completely protected by the Lord if he simply surrenders unto Him. So it is accepted that one who surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes freed from all sinful reactions.
And even when a person becomes an offender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, he can still be delivered simply by taking shelter of the holy names of the Lord: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. In other words, the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa is beneficial for eradicating all sins; but if one becomes an offender to the holy names of the Lord, then he has no chance of being delivered.
The offenses against the chanting of the holy name are as follows:
1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord.
2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Śiva or Lord Brahmā to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Viṣṇu. (Sometimes the atheistic class of men take it that any demigod is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. But one who is a devotee knows that no demigod, however great he may be, is independently as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore if someone thinks that he can chant Kālī, Kālī! or Durgā, Durgā! and it is the same as Hare Kṛṣṇa, that is the greatest offense.)
3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.
4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.
5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa as imagination.
6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord.
7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. (Because by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can be freed from all kinds of sinful reactions, it should not be taken that one may continue to act sinfully and after that chant Hare Kṛṣṇa to neutralize his sins. Such a dangerous mentality is very offensive and should be avoided.)
8) To consider the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa as one of the auspicious ritualistic activities which are offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kāṇḍa).
9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name. (Anyone can take part in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and therefore it is better not to instruct them in this matter.)
10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter.
Every devotee who claims to be a Vaiṣṇava must guard against these offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success:
From The Nectar of Devotion (chapter 8)
The positive principles are as follows:
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī states that his elder brother (Sanātana Gosvāmī) has compiled Hari-bhakti-vilāsa for the guidance of the Vaiṣṇavas and therein has mentioned many rules and regulations to be followed by the Vaiṣṇavas. Some of them are very important and prominent, and Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī will now mention these very important items for our benefit. The purport of this statement is that Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī proposes to mention only basic principles, not details. For example, a basic principle is that one has to accept a spiritual master. Exactly how one follows the instructions of his spiritual master is considered a detail. For example, if one is following the instruction of his spiritual master and that instruction is different from the instructions of another spiritual master, this is called detailed information. But the basic principle of acceptance of a spiritual master is good everywhere, although the details may be different. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī does not wish to enter into details here, but wants to place before us only the principles.
He mentions the basic principles as follows:
(1) accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master,
(2) becoming initiated by the spiritual master and learning how to discharge devotional service from him,
(3) obeying the orders of the spiritual master with faith and devotion,
(4) following in the footsteps of great ācāryas (teachers) under the direction of the spiritual master, (5) inquiring from the spiritual master how to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
(6) being prepared to give up anything material for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa (this means that when we are engaged in the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa, we must be prepared to give up something that we may not like to give up, and also we have to accept something that we may not like to accept),
(7) residing in a sacred place of pilgrimage like Dvārakā or Vṛndāvana,
(8) accepting only what is necessary, or dealing with the material world only as far as necessary,
(9) observing the fasting day on Ekādaśī and
(10) worshiping sacred trees like the banyan tree.
These ten items are preliminary necessities for beginning the discharge of devotional service in regulative principles. In the beginning, if a neophyte devotee observes the above-mentioned ten principles, surely he will quickly make good advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The next set of instructions is listed as follows:
(1) One should rigidly give up the company of nondevotees.
(2) One should not instruct a person who is not desirous of accepting devotional service.
(3) One should not be very enthusiastic about constructing costly temples or monasteries.
(4) One should not try to read too many books, nor should one develop the idea of earning his livelihood by lecturing on or professionally reciting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or Bhagavad-gītā.
(5) One should not be neglectful in ordinary dealings.
(6) One should not be under the spell of lamentation in loss or jubilation in gain.
(7) One should not disrespect the demigods.
(8) One should not give unnecessary trouble to any living entity.
(9) One should carefully avoid the various offenses in chanting the holy name of the Lord or in worshiping the Deity in the temple.
(10) One should be very intolerant toward the blasphemy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, or His devotees.
Without following the above-mentioned ten principles, one cannot properly elevate himself to the platform of sādhana-bhakti, or devotional service in practice. Altogether, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī mentions twenty items, and all of them are very important. Out of the twenty, the first three – namely, accepting the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, taking initiation from him and serving him with respect and reverence – are the most important.
The next important items are as follows:
(1) One should decorate the body with tilaka, which is the sign of the Vaiṣṇavas. (The idea is that as soon as a person sees these marks on the body of the Vaiṣṇava, he will immediately remember Kṛṣṇa. Lord Caitanya said that a Vaiṣṇava is he who, when seen, reminds one of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, it is essential that a Vaiṣṇava mark his body with tilaka to remind others of Kṛṣṇa.)
(2) In marking such tilaka, sometimes one may write Hare Kṛṣṇa on the body.
(3) One should accept flowers and garlands that have been offered to the Deity and the spiritual master and put them on one’s body.
(4) One should learn to dance before the Deity.
(5) One should learn to bow down immediately upon seeing the Deity or the spiritual master.
(6) As soon as one visits a temple of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one must stand up.
(7) When the Deity is being borne for a stroll in the street, a devotee should immediately follow the procession. (In this connection it may be noted that in India, especially in Viṣṇu temples, the system is that apart from the big Deity who is permanently situated in the main area of the temple, there is a set of smaller Deities that are taken in procession in the evening. In some temples it is the custom to hold a big procession in the evening with a band playing and a nice big umbrella over the Deities, who sit on decorated thrones on the cart or palanquin, which is carried by devotees. The Deities come out onto the street and travel in the neighborhood while the people of the neighborhood come out to offer prasāda. The residents of the neighborhood all follow the procession, so it is a very nice scene. When the Deity is coming out, the servitors in the temple put forward the daily accounts before Them: so much was the collection, so much was the expenditure. The whole idea is that the Deity is considered to be the proprietor of the whole establishment, and all the priests and other people taking care of the temple are considered to be the servants of the Deity. This system is very, very old and is still followed. So therefore it is mentioned here that when the Deity is on stroll the people should follow behind.)
(8) A devotee must visit a Viṣṇu temple at least once or twice every day, morning and evening. (In Vṛndāvana this system is followed very strictly. All the devotees in town go every morning and evening to visit different temples. Therefore during these times there are considerable crowds all over the city. There are about five thousand temples in Vṛndāvana city. Of course it is not possible to visit all the temples, but there are at least one dozen very big and important temples, which were started by the Gosvāmīs and which should be visited.)
(9) One must circumambulate the temple building at least three times. (In every temple there is an arrangement to go around the temple at least three times. Some devotees go around more than three times – ten times, fifteen times – according to their vows. The Gosvāmīs used to circumambulate Govardhana Hill.) One should also circumambulate the whole Vṛndāvana area.
(10) One must worship the Deity in the temple according to the regulative principles. (Offering ārati and prasāda, decorating the Deity, etc. – these things must be observed regularly.)
(11) One must render personal service to the Deities.
(12) One must sing.
(13) One must perform saṅkīrtana.
(14) One must chant.
(15) One must offer prayers.
(16) One must recite notable prayers.
(17) One must taste mahā-prasāda (food from the very plate offered before the Deities).
(18) One must drink caraṇāmṛta (water from the bathing of the Deities, which is offered to guests).
(19) One must smell the incense and flowers offered to the Deity.
(20) One must touch the lotus feet of the Deity.
(21) One must see the Deity with great devotion.
(22) One must offer ārati (ārātrika) at different times.
(23) One must hear about the Lord and His pastimes from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā and similar books.
(24) One must pray to the Deity for His mercy.
(25) One should remember the Deity.
(26) One should meditate upon the Deity.
(27) One should render some voluntary service.
(28) One should think of the Lord as one’s friend.
(29) One should offer everything to the Lord.
(30) One should offer a favorite article (such as food or a garment).
(31) One should take all kinds of risks and perform all endeavors for Kṛṣṇa’s benefit.
(32) In every condition, one should be a surrendered soul.
(33) One should pour water on the tulasī tree.
(34) One should regularly hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and similar literature.
(35) One should live in a sacred place like Mathurā, Vṛndāvana or Dvārakā.
(36) One should offer service to Vaiṣṇavas (devotees).
(37) One should arrange one’s devotional service according to one’s means.
(38) In the month of Kārttika (October and November), one should make arrangements for special services.
(39) During Janmāṣṭamī (the time of Kṛṣṇa’s appearance in this world) one should observe a special service.
(40) One should do whatever is done with great care and devotion for the Deity.
(41) One should relish the pleasure of Bhāgavatam reading among devotees and not among outsiders.
(42) One should associate with devotees who are considered more advanced.
(43) One should chant the holy name of the Lord.
(44) One should live in the jurisdiction of Mathurā.
Now the total regulative principles come to an aggregate of sixty-four items. As we have mentioned, the first are the primary ten regulative principles. Then come the secondary ten regulative principles, and added to these are forty-four other activities. So all together there are sixty-four items for discharging the regulative practice of devotional service. Out of these sixty-four items, five items – namely, worshiping the Deity, hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, associating among the devotees, saṅkīrtana, and living in Mathurā – are very important.
The sixty-four items of devotional service should include all of our activities of body, mind and speech. As stated in the beginning, the regulative principle of devotional service enjoins that all of our senses must be employed in the service of the Lord. Exactly how they can be thus employed is described in the above sixty-four items. Now Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī will give evidence from different scriptures supporting the authenticity of many of these points.
From The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 6.
The following is from a purport from the second canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, i.e. SB 2.2.30
1) Offense by one at the feet of a pure devotee may be likened to the mad elephant who devastates a very good garden if it enters.
2) One must be very careful to guard himself against such offenses at the feet of pure devotees, just as one protects a creeper by all-around fencing.
3) It so happens that by the watering process some weeds are also grown, and unless such weeds are uprooted, the nurturing of the main creeper, or the creeper of bhakti-yoga, may be hampered.
4) Actually these weeds are material enjoyment, merging of the self in the Absolute without separate individuality, and many other desires in the field of religion, economic development, sense enjoyment and emancipation.
5) There are many other weeds, like disobedience to the tenets of the revered scriptures, unnecessary engagements, killing animals, and hankering after material gain, prestige and adoration.
6) If sufficient care is not taken, then the watering process may only help to breed the weeds, stunting the healthy growth of the main creeper and resulting in no fructification of the ultimate requirement: love of God.
7) The devotee must therefore be very careful to uproot the different weeds in the very beginning. Only then will the healthy growth of the main creeper not be stunted.
8) And by so doing, the devotee is able to relish the fruit of love of God and thus live practically with Lord Kṛṣṇa, even in this life, and be able to see the Lord in every step.
The highest perfection of life is to enjoy life constantly in the association of the Lord, and one who can relish this does not aspire after any temporary enjoyment of the material world via other media.
Make an effort to focus on the conducive things one needs to do, exempli gratia: - think of Krsna - Id est: man mana
Mantra Meditation is a great way to overcome anxiety.
The biggest obstacles to chanting the Holy Names is to offend, disturb, insult persons, especially persons who are devoted to serving the Lord.
Additionally there are also seva-aparadhas or offences or mistakes in the service of the Lord.
There are at least 64 seva or service offenses in the service of the Lord:
In the supplementary Vedic literature, there is the following list of 32 offenses in the matter of serving the Lord:
1) One should not enter the temple of the Deity in a car or palanquin or with shoes on the feet.
2) One should not fail to observe the various festivals for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Janmāṣṭamī, Ratha-yātrā, etc.
3) One should not avoid bowing down before the Deity.
4) One should not enter the temple to worship the Lord without having washed his hands and feet after eating.
5) One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state. (According to Vedic scripture, if someone dies in the family the whole family becomes contaminated for some time, according to its status. For example, if the family is brāhmaṇa their contamination period is 12 days, for the kṣatriyas and vaiśyas it is 15 days, and for śūdras 30 days.)
6) One should not bow down on one hand.
7) One should not circumambulate in front of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (The process of circumambulating the temple is that one should begin circumambulating from the Deity's right-hand side of the temple and come round. Such circumambulation should be performed outside the temple structure at least three times daily.)
8) One should not spread his legs before the Deity.
9) One should not sit before the Deity holding the ankles, elbows or knees with his hands. 10) One should not lie down before the Deity of Kṛṣṇa.
11) One should not accept prasādam before the Deity.
12) One should never speak a lie before the Deity.
13) One should not talk very loudly before the Deity.
14) One should not talk with others before the Deity.
15) One should not cry or howl before the Deity.
16) One should not quarrel or fight before the Deity.
17) One should not chastise anyone before the Deity.
18) One should not be charitable to beggars before the Deity.
19) One should not speak very harshly to others before the Deity.
20) One should not wear a fur blanket before the Deity.
21) One should not eulogize or praise anyone else before the Deity.
22) One should not speak any ill names before the Deity.
23) One should not pass air before the Deity.
24) One should not fail to worship the Deity according to his means. (In the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated that the Lord is satisfied even if some devotee offers him a leaf or a little water. This formula prescribed by the Lord is universally applicable, even for the poorest man. But that does not mean that one who has sufficient means to worship the Lord very nicely should also adopt this method and try to satisfy the Lord simply by offering water and a leaf. If he has sufficient means, he should offer nice decorations, nice flowers, nice foodstuffs and observe all ceremonies. It is not that one should try to satisfy the Supreme Lord with a little water and a leaf, and for himself spend all his money in sense gratification.)
25) One should not eat anything which is not offered first to Kṛṣṇa.
26) One should not fail to offer fresh fruit and grains to Kṛṣṇa, according to the season.
27) After cooking, no one should be offered any foodstuff unless it is first offered to the Deity.
28) One should not sit with his back towards the Deity.
29) One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master; or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances.
30) One should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master.
31) One should not praise himself before the spiritual master.
32) One should not deride the demigods before the Deity.
This is a list of 32 offenses. Besides these, there are a number of offenses which are mentioned in the Varāha Purāṇa. They are as follows:
1) One should not touch the Deity in a dark room.
2) One should not fail to strictly follow the rules and regulations in worshiping the Deity.
3) One should not enter the temple of the Deity without first making some sound.
4) One should not offer any foodstuff to the Deity which has been seen by dogs or other lower animals.
5) One should not break the silence while worshiping.
6) One should not pass urine or evacuate while engaged in worshiping.
7) One should not offer incense without offering some flower.
8) Useless flowers without any fragrance should not be offered.
9) One should not fail to wash his teeth very carefully every day.
10) One should not enter the temple directly after sexual intercourse.
11) One should not touch a woman during her menstrual period.
12) One should not enter the temple after touching a dead body.
13) One should not enter the temple wearing garments of red or blue color, or which are unwashed. 14) One should not enter the temple after seeing a dead body.
15) One should not pass air within the temple.
16) One should not be angry within the temple.
17) One should not enter the temple after visiting a crematorium.
18) One should not belch before the Deity. So, until one has fully digested his food, he should not enter the temple.
19) One should not smoke marijuana or gañjā.
20) One should not take opium or similar intoxicants.
21) One should not enter the Deity room or touch the body of the Deity after having smeared oil over his body.
22) One should not show disrespect to a scripture teaching about the supremacy of the Lord.
23) One should not introduce any opposing scripture.
24) One should not chew betel before the Deity.
25) One should not offer a flower which was kept in an unclean pot.
26) One should not worship the Lord while sitting on the bare floor: one must have a sitting place or carpet.
27) One should not touch the Deity before he has completed taking bath.
28) One should not decorate his forehead with the three-lined tilaka.
29) One should not enter the temple without washing his hands and feet.
Other rules are that one should not offer foodstuff which is cooked by a non-Vaiṣṇava. One should not worship the Deity before a nondevotee. One should not engage himself in the worship of the Lord while seeing a nondevotee. One should begin the worship of the demigod Gaṇapati, who drives away all impediments in the execution of devotional service. In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is stated that Gaṇapati worships the lotus feet of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, and in that way he has become auspicious for the devotees in clearing out all impediments. Therefore, all devotees should worship Gaṇapati. The Deities should not be bathed in water which has been touched by the nails or fingers. When a devotee is perspiring, he should not engage himself in worshiping the Deity. Similarly, there are many other prohibitions, such as one should not cross or step over the flowers offered to the Deities, nor should one take a vow in the name of God. These are all different kinds of offenses in the matter of executing devotional service, and one should be careful to avoid them.
In the Padma Purāṇa it is stated that even a person whose life is completely sinful will be completely protected by the Lord if he simply surrenders unto Him. So it is accepted that one who surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes freed from all sinful reactions.
And even when a person becomes an offender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, he can still be delivered simply by taking shelter of the holy names of the Lord: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. In other words, the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa is beneficial for eradicating all sins; but if one becomes an offender to the holy names of the Lord, then he has no chance of being delivered.
The offenses against the chanting of the holy name are as follows:
1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord.
2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Śiva or Lord Brahmā to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Viṣṇu. (Sometimes the atheistic class of men take it that any demigod is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. But one who is a devotee knows that no demigod, however great he may be, is independently as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore if someone thinks that he can chant Kālī, Kālī! or Durgā, Durgā! and it is the same as Hare Kṛṣṇa, that is the greatest offense.)
3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.
4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.
5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa as imagination.
6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord.
7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. (Because by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can be freed from all kinds of sinful reactions, it should not be taken that one may continue to act sinfully and after that chant Hare Kṛṣṇa to neutralize his sins. Such a dangerous mentality is very offensive and should be avoided.)
8) To consider the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa as one of the auspicious ritualistic activities which are offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kāṇḍa).
9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name. (Anyone can take part in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and therefore it is better not to instruct them in this matter.)
10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter.
Every devotee who claims to be a Vaiṣṇava must guard against these offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success:
From The Nectar of Devotion (chapter 8)
The positive principles are as follows:
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī states that his elder brother (Sanātana Gosvāmī) has compiled Hari-bhakti-vilāsa for the guidance of the Vaiṣṇavas and therein has mentioned many rules and regulations to be followed by the Vaiṣṇavas. Some of them are very important and prominent, and Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī will now mention these very important items for our benefit. The purport of this statement is that Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī proposes to mention only basic principles, not details. For example, a basic principle is that one has to accept a spiritual master. Exactly how one follows the instructions of his spiritual master is considered a detail. For example, if one is following the instruction of his spiritual master and that instruction is different from the instructions of another spiritual master, this is called detailed information. But the basic principle of acceptance of a spiritual master is good everywhere, although the details may be different. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī does not wish to enter into details here, but wants to place before us only the principles.
He mentions the basic principles as follows:
(1) accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master,
(2) becoming initiated by the spiritual master and learning how to discharge devotional service from him,
(3) obeying the orders of the spiritual master with faith and devotion,
(4) following in the footsteps of great ācāryas (teachers) under the direction of the spiritual master, (5) inquiring from the spiritual master how to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
(6) being prepared to give up anything material for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa (this means that when we are engaged in the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa, we must be prepared to give up something that we may not like to give up, and also we have to accept something that we may not like to accept),
(7) residing in a sacred place of pilgrimage like Dvārakā or Vṛndāvana,
(8) accepting only what is necessary, or dealing with the material world only as far as necessary,
(9) observing the fasting day on Ekādaśī and
(10) worshiping sacred trees like the banyan tree.
These ten items are preliminary necessities for beginning the discharge of devotional service in regulative principles. In the beginning, if a neophyte devotee observes the above-mentioned ten principles, surely he will quickly make good advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The next set of instructions is listed as follows:
(1) One should rigidly give up the company of nondevotees.
(2) One should not instruct a person who is not desirous of accepting devotional service.
(3) One should not be very enthusiastic about constructing costly temples or monasteries.
(4) One should not try to read too many books, nor should one develop the idea of earning his livelihood by lecturing on or professionally reciting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or Bhagavad-gītā.
(5) One should not be neglectful in ordinary dealings.
(6) One should not be under the spell of lamentation in loss or jubilation in gain.
(7) One should not disrespect the demigods.
(8) One should not give unnecessary trouble to any living entity.
(9) One should carefully avoid the various offenses in chanting the holy name of the Lord or in worshiping the Deity in the temple.
(10) One should be very intolerant toward the blasphemy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, or His devotees.
Without following the above-mentioned ten principles, one cannot properly elevate himself to the platform of sādhana-bhakti, or devotional service in practice. Altogether, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī mentions twenty items, and all of them are very important. Out of the twenty, the first three – namely, accepting the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, taking initiation from him and serving him with respect and reverence – are the most important.
The next important items are as follows:
(1) One should decorate the body with tilaka, which is the sign of the Vaiṣṇavas. (The idea is that as soon as a person sees these marks on the body of the Vaiṣṇava, he will immediately remember Kṛṣṇa. Lord Caitanya said that a Vaiṣṇava is he who, when seen, reminds one of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, it is essential that a Vaiṣṇava mark his body with tilaka to remind others of Kṛṣṇa.)
(2) In marking such tilaka, sometimes one may write Hare Kṛṣṇa on the body.
(3) One should accept flowers and garlands that have been offered to the Deity and the spiritual master and put them on one’s body.
(4) One should learn to dance before the Deity.
(5) One should learn to bow down immediately upon seeing the Deity or the spiritual master.
(6) As soon as one visits a temple of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one must stand up.
(7) When the Deity is being borne for a stroll in the street, a devotee should immediately follow the procession. (In this connection it may be noted that in India, especially in Viṣṇu temples, the system is that apart from the big Deity who is permanently situated in the main area of the temple, there is a set of smaller Deities that are taken in procession in the evening. In some temples it is the custom to hold a big procession in the evening with a band playing and a nice big umbrella over the Deities, who sit on decorated thrones on the cart or palanquin, which is carried by devotees. The Deities come out onto the street and travel in the neighborhood while the people of the neighborhood come out to offer prasāda. The residents of the neighborhood all follow the procession, so it is a very nice scene. When the Deity is coming out, the servitors in the temple put forward the daily accounts before Them: so much was the collection, so much was the expenditure. The whole idea is that the Deity is considered to be the proprietor of the whole establishment, and all the priests and other people taking care of the temple are considered to be the servants of the Deity. This system is very, very old and is still followed. So therefore it is mentioned here that when the Deity is on stroll the people should follow behind.)
(8) A devotee must visit a Viṣṇu temple at least once or twice every day, morning and evening. (In Vṛndāvana this system is followed very strictly. All the devotees in town go every morning and evening to visit different temples. Therefore during these times there are considerable crowds all over the city. There are about five thousand temples in Vṛndāvana city. Of course it is not possible to visit all the temples, but there are at least one dozen very big and important temples, which were started by the Gosvāmīs and which should be visited.)
(9) One must circumambulate the temple building at least three times. (In every temple there is an arrangement to go around the temple at least three times. Some devotees go around more than three times – ten times, fifteen times – according to their vows. The Gosvāmīs used to circumambulate Govardhana Hill.) One should also circumambulate the whole Vṛndāvana area.
(10) One must worship the Deity in the temple according to the regulative principles. (Offering ārati and prasāda, decorating the Deity, etc. – these things must be observed regularly.)
(11) One must render personal service to the Deities.
(12) One must sing.
(13) One must perform saṅkīrtana.
(14) One must chant.
(15) One must offer prayers.
(16) One must recite notable prayers.
(17) One must taste mahā-prasāda (food from the very plate offered before the Deities).
(18) One must drink caraṇāmṛta (water from the bathing of the Deities, which is offered to guests).
(19) One must smell the incense and flowers offered to the Deity.
(20) One must touch the lotus feet of the Deity.
(21) One must see the Deity with great devotion.
(22) One must offer ārati (ārātrika) at different times.
(23) One must hear about the Lord and His pastimes from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā and similar books.
(24) One must pray to the Deity for His mercy.
(25) One should remember the Deity.
(26) One should meditate upon the Deity.
(27) One should render some voluntary service.
(28) One should think of the Lord as one’s friend.
(29) One should offer everything to the Lord.
(30) One should offer a favorite article (such as food or a garment).
(31) One should take all kinds of risks and perform all endeavors for Kṛṣṇa’s benefit.
(32) In every condition, one should be a surrendered soul.
(33) One should pour water on the tulasī tree.
(34) One should regularly hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and similar literature.
(35) One should live in a sacred place like Mathurā, Vṛndāvana or Dvārakā.
(36) One should offer service to Vaiṣṇavas (devotees).
(37) One should arrange one’s devotional service according to one’s means.
(38) In the month of Kārttika (October and November), one should make arrangements for special services.
(39) During Janmāṣṭamī (the time of Kṛṣṇa’s appearance in this world) one should observe a special service.
(40) One should do whatever is done with great care and devotion for the Deity.
(41) One should relish the pleasure of Bhāgavatam reading among devotees and not among outsiders.
(42) One should associate with devotees who are considered more advanced.
(43) One should chant the holy name of the Lord.
(44) One should live in the jurisdiction of Mathurā.
Now the total regulative principles come to an aggregate of sixty-four items. As we have mentioned, the first are the primary ten regulative principles. Then come the secondary ten regulative principles, and added to these are forty-four other activities. So all together there are sixty-four items for discharging the regulative practice of devotional service. Out of these sixty-four items, five items – namely, worshiping the Deity, hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, associating among the devotees, saṅkīrtana, and living in Mathurā – are very important.
The sixty-four items of devotional service should include all of our activities of body, mind and speech. As stated in the beginning, the regulative principle of devotional service enjoins that all of our senses must be employed in the service of the Lord. Exactly how they can be thus employed is described in the above sixty-four items. Now Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī will give evidence from different scriptures supporting the authenticity of many of these points.
From The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 6.
The following is from a purport from the second canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, i.e. SB 2.2.30
1) Offense by one at the feet of a pure devotee may be likened to the mad elephant who devastates a very good garden if it enters.
2) One must be very careful to guard himself against such offenses at the feet of pure devotees, just as one protects a creeper by all-around fencing.
3) It so happens that by the watering process some weeds are also grown, and unless such weeds are uprooted, the nurturing of the main creeper, or the creeper of bhakti-yoga, may be hampered.
4) Actually these weeds are material enjoyment, merging of the self in the Absolute without separate individuality, and many other desires in the field of religion, economic development, sense enjoyment and emancipation.
5) There are many other weeds, like disobedience to the tenets of the revered scriptures, unnecessary engagements, killing animals, and hankering after material gain, prestige and adoration.
6) If sufficient care is not taken, then the watering process may only help to breed the weeds, stunting the healthy growth of the main creeper and resulting in no fructification of the ultimate requirement: love of God.
7) The devotee must therefore be very careful to uproot the different weeds in the very beginning. Only then will the healthy growth of the main creeper not be stunted.
8) And by so doing, the devotee is able to relish the fruit of love of God and thus live practically with Lord Kṛṣṇa, even in this life, and be able to see the Lord in every step.
The highest perfection of life is to enjoy life constantly in the association of the Lord, and one who can relish this does not aspire after any temporary enjoyment of the material world via other media.
Other links: CC Adi 8.24, CC Adi 7.73, Teachings Of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 12, Nectar of Devotion Chapter 8, Vaniquotes: Offenses Against the Holy Names of God
Sri Namastakam: Eight prayers to the Holy Name
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