Guest guest Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Blessings to all. I am new to this group and an American, maybe someday a formal convert to the Sanatana Dharma, Hindu faith. Does one need a formal intiation to begin mantra practice? Does Gita say anything about formal intiation to begin mantra practice? (moderator addition). Recently, I obtained a Tulsi mala, and the Hindu priest at a mandir in NJ who knows I am studing the Gita suggested 2 mantras: " Om Namo Bhagavate Vashudevaya " being the first and the other, " Shri Krishna sharnam mama. " I did a little research on both and found the second one interesting in its history. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Jay Shree Krishna, Steve Gita Talk Guidelines FROM THE MODERATOR The following are the guidelines for Gita-Talk discussions. 1. Purpose of the group is to help Sadhaks clarify their doubts related to Gita shlokas. For responses to be posted, they must further clarify the understanding of Gitaji. 2. Wherever possible, please quote Gitaji or other scriptures to substantiate the response 3. Please limit personal feelings, opinions, beliefs etc. 4. Kindly make your responses concise and to the point. (Up to twenty line maximum, if possible). 5. Please limit discussions to subject at hand. 6. Please do not include links to other sites or other organizations 7. Please do not include your personal information such as phone number, address etc. 8. Kindly do not address the response to a particular individual, since the message is going to the entire group. 9. Due to a large readership, not all responses will be posted. 10. Moderator at his discretion, may modify the posting, if content is unclear or not appropriate for distribution to the group. 11. Please respond taking into consideration novices, youth, westerners, non-secterian audience. Please limit the use on only sanskrit words, and provide the english word with sanskrit bracketed wherever possible. MODERATOR Ram Ram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Sanatana(eternal) Dharma doesn't require to convert to any faith based individual. You can follow the teachings in its true spirit any time, any place and whatever your understanding is. The requirement is to have a deep longing for the Truth expounded therein. Its Truth as joy of being that one loves in all one's pursuits of life, right? Gita teaches the truth of oneself as not this or that, not even a gender, race, nationality, etc etc. It teaches ultimately " I and my Father are same " . One has to be free from such labels! Purity of purpose in heart and mind will initiate you in the Teaching of Gita! I would say to go ahead with Mantras you have mentioned, as the beginning but keep your eye on the goal to know yourself. Why, because knowing the true self removes the ignorant actions the cause of all our sufferings. Surround yourself with like-minded people who are searching this truth ernestly. Don't be just satisfied with rituals and outer garbs etc. Lord will take care of you with such longing to know Him! Namaste, Pratap --------- Jai Guru Datta! Om Namh Shivay! " All Religions are True " -- Sri Rama Krishna Paramahamsa Mantra is a carefully arranged sequence of seed letters and have an effect on the chanter regardless of where it came from. For the path of knowledge, Gita addresses in Chapter 4 verse 34 - " Learn the truth by your obeisance humble reverence, by questioning and by your service; the wise who has realized the truth, will instruct thee in that knowledge. " For the path of devotion (bhakti yog) and selfless service (karma yog), there is no mention of needing help from a wise one, teacher or other. (moderator addition) Mantra recitation needs to be mindful and its recitation out-loud energizes and if done silently raises ones vibration which is essential for raising ones consciousness. Sree Guru Datta! ShivMallik ------- I beleive you are one of the lucky ones. It is indeed rare that a person wants to achieve God even in India, what to speak of the wealthy Nations. This desire to attain God, I believe is due to your past " Karmas " and mercy of God that you seem to have chosen the path. Although, it is desireable to have a guru for the path of knowledge, but most unfortunately I must caution that such a guru is a rare commodity. Many who try to demonstrate as able gurus are often self serving and seeking material gains. Therefore, I would most humbly recommend that you chant the mantra that you wish to choose and consider Shri Krishna as your guru as in any case he is the UNIVERSAL GURU (Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum). When you accept Shri Krishna as your Guru, it becomes his responsibility to guide you. It is upto him to choose how he wants to do this. In any case, since you have started reading Geetaji, Shri Krishna's words will start guiding you immediately. Here, I would like to say that please read Geetaji's commentaries published by Gita Press as these have been written by souls who had attained godhood. Also, please don't do rapid reading. Please read may be only one verse a day, after you have reached verse no 11 in chapter 2 and deeply contemplate on that to find the real meaning. I can assure you that Geetaji, if read in this way, will definitely give you answers to all questions that arise in your mind. A.H.Dalmia -------- Gita does not explicitly say that you need a Guru to initiate. However Gita says to seek a realized soul, ask questions to understand (not to impress!) and serve such a person. Sort of doing an internship. This is for gaining wisdom/knowledge. To surrender, you don't need any mediator- just do so with all earnestness and faith. personally, I have found Gita to be simpler than any commentaries on it. In fact, I just completed translating it, and if you are interested will be happy to share. K.S. tAtAchAr -------- both those mantra, you stated , really mean, praise the lord or to say salute the lord, and to say words: Praise the lord, I do not believe you need any kind of initiation. But if you talk to different people, everybody will just give you his or her own opinion.Om Namah Shivaai , can also mean God is great , or God is the almighty. Ram Arora -------- --- sjackson07513 <sjackson07513 wrote: > Blessings to all. I am new to this group and an > American, maybe > someday a formal convert to the Sanatana Dharma, > Hindu faith. > > Does one need a formal intiation to begin mantra > practice? > > Does Gita say anything about formal intiation to > begin mantra practice? (moderator addition). > > Recently, I obtained a Tulsi mala, and the Hindu > priest at a mandir in > NJ who knows I am studing the Gita suggested 2 > mantras: " Om Namo > Bhagavate Vashudevaya " being the first and the > other, " Shri Krishna > sharnam mama. " I did a little research on both and > found the second > one interesting in its history. > > I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Jay > Shree Krishna, > Steve > > Gita Talk Guidelines > FROM THE MODERATOR > The following are the guidelines for Gita-Talk > discussions. > 1. Purpose of the group is to help Sadhaks clarify > their doubts related to Gita shlokas. For responses > to be posted, they must further clarify the > understanding of Gitaji. > 2. Wherever possible, please quote Gitaji or other > scriptures to substantiate the response > 3. Please limit personal feelings, opinions, beliefs > etc. > 4. Kindly make your responses concise and to the > point. (Up to twenty line maximum, if possible). > 5. Please limit discussions to subject at hand. > 6. Please do not include links to other sites or > other organizations > 7. Please do not include your personal information > such as phone number, address etc. > 8. Kindly do not address the response to a > particular individual, since the message is going to > the entire group. > 9. Due to a large readership, not all responses will > be posted. > 10. Moderator at his discretion, may modify the > posting, if content is unclear or not appropriate > for distribution to the group. > 11. Please respond taking into consideration > novices, youth, westerners, non-secterian audience. > Please limit the use on only sanskrit words, and > provide the english word with sanskrit bracketed > wherever possible. > MODERATOR > Ram Ram > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 - Namaste to all, First may I say thank you for all your responses. Coming back to the Gita has become a great joy. When I graduated college way back when, over 20 years ago I had even considered a degree in Hindu Studies. Later reading Vivekananda and Gandhi, like a lot of Westerners, I was further inspired. Coming out of some extensive study/practice in the Pali Canon of Buddhism and in the Mahayana... something was missing for me, the Lord God (had I ever truly not believed in God? Most deeply No). At some point I may ask for a name. But I realize now I am part of the Sanatana Dharma already. It is more about evolution and realization. But if asked my religion on a job application I would put Hindu these days since my sense of God would only be in an inclusive sense. Then I would say with Gandhi (not that I am any where near his stature) that I am a Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu... With respect to mantra, I will still explore. In the meantime, do everything for the Lord. Thank you, Steve -- In , " sjackson07513 " <sjackson07513 wrote: > > Blessings to all. I am new to this group and an American, maybe > someday a formal convert to the Sanatana Dharma, Hindu faith. > > Does one need a formal intiation to begin mantra practice? > > Does Gita say anything about formal intiation to begin mantra practice? (moderator addition). > > Recently, I obtained a Tulsi mala, and the Hindu priest at a mandir in > NJ who knows I am studing the Gita suggested 2 mantras: " Om Namo > Bhagavate Vashudevaya " being the first and the other, " Shri Krishna > sharnam mama. " I did a little research on both and found the second > one interesting in its history. > > I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Jay Shree Krishna, > Steve > > Gita Talk Guidelines > FROM THE MODERATOR > The following are the guidelines for Gita-Talk discussions. > 1. Purpose of the group is to help Sadhaks clarify their doubts related to Gita shlokas. For responses to be posted, they must further clarify the understanding of Gitaji. > 2. Wherever possible, please quote Gitaji or other scriptures to substantiate the response > 3. Please limit personal feelings, opinions, beliefs etc. > 4. Kindly make your responses concise and to the point. (Up to twenty line maximum, if possible). > 5. Please limit discussions to subject at hand. > 6. Please do not include links to other sites or other organizations > 7. Please do not include your personal information such as phone number, address etc. > 8. Kindly do not address the response to a particular individual, since the message is going to the entire group. > 9. Due to a large readership, not all responses will be posted. > 10. Moderator at his discretion, may modify the posting, if content is unclear or not appropriate for distribution to the group. > 11. Please respond taking into consideration novices, youth, westerners, non-secterian audience. Please limit the use on only sanskrit words, and provide the english word with sanskrit bracketed wherever possible. > MODERATOR > Ram Ram > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 Jai Shree Krishna, Gita does not say about initiation as a direct command, but it emphasizes on strict adherence to Veda and the scriptures at many places. Chapter 16 Verse 23 24, Ch 17 V 5 13 etc. Start with the mantra you have researched and liked. God will make all the necessary provisions for your spiritual upliftment. Understanding yourself/truth/principles of life is what any religion is all about. As soon as one is on this path, one is automatically a true Hindu, a true Christian, a true Muslim.... With kind regards/Sushil Jalan ----------- Hinduism is an inclusive religion, and there is no need to 'convert' formally to it. Continue with the religion you are practising, and to believe that God is manifest in many forms. The Gita is a wonderful text. Hindus believe it to be the word of God. It is only in the Gita that the Lord has assured all devotees that HE will appear to them in ANY form they worship Him. Welcome and may we all be guided towards Enlightenment that we all seek. Shivashankar Rajiv Pillai ----------- The whole universe is God's manifestation (Visva Roop of Vishnu). For one who realizes this, there is no likes and dislikes in mind. That mind Lord fills with His divine teachings, His essence. B.Sathyanarayan ----------- "To be reborn or not depends entirely upon Faith and Vows; the grade of rebirth (high or low) depends on whether one´s Practice is deep or shallow. Without Faith and Vows you cannot be reborn, even if you recite the Buddha Name to the point where neither the blowing wind nor the falling rain can penetrate and your recitation is as solid as a bronze wall or iron gate. (Buddhism of Wisdom and Faith) tombabur ----------- Jay Shri Krishna; It is so nice that you try to study the real knowledge and science of Shri Bhagwad Geeta (BG). BG talks about AUM which is also main Initial Mantra from Veda. No mantra should be without this AUM, may be you know. Yes, Mantra should be given by the knowledgeable in Vedic science, person. The right person will come to you when you will be ready. Mantra, Guru, scriptural knowledge etc. will come automatic when we are ready for it. So what should be done NOW ? try to understand the BG science and knowledge,meditate on the Lord, eat pure (Satvic) vegetarian food, have good thoughts, associate with good company, no alcohol nor drugs etc. Have firm determination and PERSISTENCE. May GOD bless all of US. Padmakant Khambhati ----------- follow your inner feeling for picking up the mantra. Suggest, pick up the one, you feel more easy and natural to recite. Your inner will steer you in right direction. Jay Shree Krishna. Girish ----------- Hare Krishna, To answer your question first, No, anyone (without initiation) can chant mantra. Throughout the Vedic scriptures such as, Srimad Bhagavatam, Brahma Samhita, Bhagavad Gita, Caitanya Caritamrita, etc. the power of Krishna's name and the chanting of his name is emphasized. Some may chant "Rama" and some chant "Krishna", but the "Maha Mantra" or "great chant" is especially prescribed. This ancient mantra also known to many as the "Hare Krishna" mantra has been chanted in India in loud kirtans in which hundreds of thousands of people took part at one time. To chant japa on prayer beads you will need to acquire some from your nearest temple or some indian stores. These beads are from India and are carved from a sacred tree called "Tulsi". You should NEVER let them touch the ground and if possible, please get a "japa bag". This is a cloth bag which is used to carry your beads in. There are 108 beads on a strand of "japa" beads. The "Krishna bead" is the large bead with a "tassle" on it. Start on a bead beside the "Krishna bead". Please don't ever chant on the "Krishna" bead. or cross over it! Use your RIGHT hand and hold the first bead between your THUMB and your LONGEST finger and chant. You may chant "Maha Mantra" [Hare pronounced huh-ray, Krishna pronounced Krish-na, Rama prounounced rah-ma] "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare" while fingering the first bead. Move to the next bead and chant it again and do the same on all of the other beads. One round would be 108 times. The first round you are chanting "clockwise". The second round is back "counter clockwise" etc.. So to do one round you chanted the "Pancha-tattva Maha mantra" just once at the beginning of a round, but the Hare Krishna "Maha mantra" was chanted 108 times, or once on each bead. Please remember to always pronounce the words clearly (try to hear the word) and again DON'T CHANT ON, OR CROSS OVER the "Krishna" bead. This is the very large bead with the tassle on it. When you have chanted "one round" you will end up on the other side of the "Krishna" bead. If you wish to chant a second round, you say the "Pancha-tattva Maha mantra" once start chanting the "Maha Mantra" back on each bead toward the bead you originally started from. Each round = chanting the mantra 108 times. Proceed at your own pace and strive to build on it. Sixteen rounds a day is an ideal goal to work towards! The Maha Mantra is an ancient Vedic mantra aimed at addressing God in a personal way. It is considered to be the most powerful mantra to achieve God consciousness "Krishna Consciousness" in this age of Kali yuga. It is a prayer to ask for God's protection and guidance and to engage us in love and devotion. It it nice to meditate on pictures, or "archa vigraha" forms of Srimati Radharani and Krishna while you chant. God accepts your love and offering through either medium. The first book of major importance that you should get is "Bhagavad Gita". Translation by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is a great source and Lord Krishna's message is very clear. If possible try to get the edition with "Sanskrit" verses as this is nicer and you will find that you can learn the verses in both English and Sanskrit. May Lord Krishna bless you and give you guidance! Thanks, Ganesh On Nov 3, 2007 5:00 PM, sjackson07513 <sjackson07513 wrote: - Namaste to all, First may I say thank you for all your responses. Coming back to the Gita has become a great joy. When I graduated college way back when, over 20 years ago I had even considered a degree in Hindu Studies. Later reading Vivekananda and Gandhi, like a lot of Westerners, I was further inspired. Coming out of some extensive study/practice in the Pali Canon of Buddhism and in the Mahayana... something was missing for me, the Lord God (had I ever truly not believed in God? Most deeply No). At some point I may ask for a name. But I realize now I am part of the Sanatana Dharma already. It is more about evolution and realization. But if asked my religion on a job application I would put Hindu these days since my sense of God would only be in an inclusive sense. Then I would say with Gandhi (not that I am any where near his stature) that I am a Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu... With respect to mantra, I will still explore. In the meantime, do everything for the Lord. Thank you, Steve -- In , " sjackson07513 " <sjackson07513 wrote: > > Blessings to all. I am new to this group and an American, maybe > someday a formal convert to the Sanatana Dharma, Hindu faith. > > Does one need a formal intiation to begin mantra practice? > > Does Gita say anything about formal intiation to begin mantra practice? (moderator addition). > > Recently, I obtained a Tulsi mala, and the Hindu priest at a mandir in > NJ who knows I am studing the Gita suggested 2 mantras: " Om Namo > Bhagavate Vashudevaya " being the first and the other, " Shri Krishna > sharnam mama. " I did a little research on both and found the second > one interesting in its history. > > I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Jay Shree Krishna, > Steve > > Gita Talk Guidelines > FROM THE MODERATOR > The following are the guidelines for Gita-Talk discussions. > 1. Purpose of the group is to help Sadhaks clarify their doubts related to Gita shlokas. For responses to be posted, they must further clarify the understanding of Gitaji. > 2. Wherever possible, please quote Gitaji or other scriptures to substantiate the response > 3. Please limit personal feelings, opinions, beliefs etc. > 4. Kindly make your responses concise and to the point. (Up to twenty line maximum, if possible). > 5. Please limit discussions to subject at hand. > 6. Please do not include links to other sites or other organizations > 7. Please do not include your personal information such as phone number, address etc. > 8. Kindly do not address the response to a particular individual, since the message is going to the entire group. > 9. Due to a large readership, not all responses will be posted. > 10. Moderator at his discretion, may modify the posting, if content is unclear or not appropriate for distribution to the group. > 11. Please respond taking into consideration novices, youth, westerners, non-secterian audience. Please limit the use on only sanskrit words, and provide the english word with sanskrit bracketed wherever possible. > MODERATOR > Ram Ram>- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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