Chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra: Steps & Best Time

The eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna is known as the saviour of humanity and the remover of obstacles. His wisdom is encapsulated in the teachings of Bhagavad Gita which are great life lessons that transcend time and culture.

Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra is a profound spiritual practice to connect to the divine power. It is not just a chant but a way to live and improve your life by offering unlimited benefits like building inner strength, increasing confidence and creating a positive aura and more.

This blog post aims to shed light on the best time to chant the mantra, the ideal speed at which you should do it, how to chant the Hare Krishna mantra, and other related aspects.

Understanding the Hare Krishna Mantra

In the two previous blogs, you got to understand the actual meaning of the Hare Krishna Mantra, also known as the Maha Mantra or the Lord Krishna Mantra, is a 16-word chant that originated in the 16th century. It's a powerful mantra that can be chanted anytime and is known for its ability to free our mind from material consciousness and connect it with Krishna's divine energy, shifting our focus from what's lacking to what's abundant.

Here's the full text of the mantra:
"Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare"

It is an integral part of the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism and has been promoted worldwide by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Before diving into the Hare Krishna mantra, it's beneficial to chant another mantra, such as the Pancha Tattva Mantra, "Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advait, Gadadhara, Srivasadi Gaura Bhakata Vrinda", to invoke spiritual blessings.

To experience the ultimate power of connection to the divine, head over to S.B. Keshava Swami's Hare Krishna mantra series on Level Supermind that will serve as a great way of self realization that will help you build on your strengths and overcome your weaknesses to live a meaningful life.

The best time to chant Hare Krishna Mantra

You might think about starting with the Hare Krishna chanting to make it a part of your daily routine. But this may be hindered by the thought of wondering- when is the best time to chant the Lord Krishna mantra? Is there a specific time that is more conducive for chanting and meditation? While the mantra can be chanted at any time and in any state, there are certain times that are considered more beneficial and auspicious for spiritual practices, according to the Vedic scriptures.
The Hare Krishna mantra is called the Mahamantra and so, there's no hard and fast rule with regards to the time at which it should be chanted. But, in general, for any spiritual practice, the ideal time to chant is the morning time.

Brahma Muhurta Time

One such time is the Brahma Muhurta, which is approximately 1.5 hours before sunrise. The reason why this time is highly recommended is because during this time, the environment is pure and calm, making it an ideal time for meditation and chanting. The early morning hours are also free from distractions, both internal and external, which can help in maintaining focus and concentration. In addition, during Brahma Muhurta, the mind is fresh and receptive, which can aid in better absorption of the mantra's vibrations as compared to the end of the day when you're tired and your body is preparing for sleep. During the Brahma Muhurta time, one can also chant Brahma Muhurta mantras like the Gayatri Mantra, which is traditionally chanted at sunrise. These additional mantras can complement your Hare Krishna mantra chanting and enhance your overall spiritual practice.

Chanting Hare Krishna Mantra Before Bedtime

Another recommended time for chanting is before bedtime. If you are suffering from insomnia or have trouble sleeping, chanting the Hare Krishna mantra can help in calming the mind, reducing stress from the day's activities, and promoting better quality of sleep. Chanting before bedtime also assists in ending the day on a positive note, creating a peaceful atmosphere for restful sleep.

You might be wondering, "Can I meditate at night?" Well, surely you can. There is no strict rule that prohibits meditation during the night. However, it's recommended that you avoid meditating when you're overly tired or sleepy, as this can hinder your ability to focus. It's always better to meditate when your mind is alert and capable of being receptive of the various benefits of meditation.

Also read:

30+ benefits of chanting Hare Krishna mantra

Krishna's 10 lessons that will transform your life

Meaning of the most powerful Hare Krishna Mantra

How to chant Hare Krishna Mantra

Chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra isn't a complex process. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Sit in a comfortable position in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed.

2. You can use a mala (a string of 108 beads) to keep count of the number of times you chant the mantra.

3. Start by chanting the Pancha Tattva mantra once: "Jaya Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasadi Gaura Bhakta Vrinda".

4. Then, start chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra. Run your fingers over each bead as you chant the mantra once. Do this for all 108 beads. This counts as one round.

5. Try to chant at least one round daily. Gradually, you can increase the number of rounds as per your comfort and time availability.

6. As you chant, try to focus on the sounds and meaning of the mantra. Let go of other thoughts and distractions.

Remember, you don't need to restrict yourself to chanting just in the morning. The best time varies from person to person, on the personal preference and lifestyle, and it should depend on you can do so with full concentration and without interruption. The key is consistency. When you meditate regularly, irrespective of the time, it can bring about profound transformations in your life.

So, it's quite clear that you can chant the powerful Hare Krishna mantra anytime, anywhere. While the Brahma Muhurta and before bedtime are considered ideal times for chanting and meditation, the mantra's effectiveness is not bound by time or physical conditions. Chanting at your own time aids in building discipline so that you can incorporate it in your daily routine. So, whatever your purpose is, be it spiritual growth, stress reduction, enhanced focus or a deeper connection with the divine, the Hare Krishna Mantra can be your guide and companion on this journey.

Also read:

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Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra is an integral part of Bhakti Yoga, a spiritual practice that focuses on developing a personal relationship with the divine.
Remember, the Hare Krishna mantra is not just a set of words to be mechanically repeated but a means of connecting with the divine. Therefore, the best way to chant is focus on the sound of the mantra and the feelings it evokes within you.

The ideal speed to chant Hare Krishna mantra

While chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, we need to ensure that we're neither too fast nor too slow. Take the example of riding a bicycle, it's too slow, it becomes unstable and similarly, if it's too fast, you're at a risk of meeting with an accident.

What's the ideal speed then? The Hare Krishna mantra should be chanted in such a way that each and every word is pronounced attentively so that it is distinctly clear. Swami Prabhupada once mentioned, "It really doesn't matter at which speed you chant. The most important thing is to hear attentively."

Remember, the key factors are consistency, devotion, and a genuine desire to connect with the divine. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a beginner, may your journey with the Hare Krishna mantra be filled with peace, clarity, and divine love.

FAQs

1. Can we do mantra chanting during menstrual cycle?
Menstruation is a natural process that doesn't hinder or impede the ability to connect to the divine. It's a universal mantra that can be chanted by everyone irrespective of religion, gender, caste or creed.

2. Why should we use mala beads for chanting?
To chant the mantra, it's recommended that you use a mala, or a string of 108 beads, and repeat the mantra once for each bead. The mala serves as a tangible marker of progress and helps to maintain focus during the practice.

3. How does chanting at different times of the day affect the effectiveness of the mantra?
Chanting at different times of the day affects the effectiveness of the mantra as it depends on the environment and the state of mind. At Brahma Muhurta the environment is calm and your mind is fresh, making it ideal for chanting.