Three Questions on the Conditions for Chanting the Holy names!
Let us see three questions from the devotees related to the conditions for chanting the holy names of Krishna:
(1) Can an un-initiated devotee use Tulsi Mala for chanting?
A devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“hare krishna prabhu ji. can i recite mahamantra on tulsi mala if i m not initiated?”
REPLY:
Not wrong. Initiation from a guru is not the condition to use tulsi mala. However, it is compulsory to follow the four regulative principles such as No meat eating, No Intoxication, No Gambling and No Illicit relations.
Moreover, keep your body and mind and also your Tulsi mala safely without allowing it to touch the ground and some parts of our body like thighs, feet, etc.. If you are ready to follow these conditions, you can use tulasi mala for chanting.
Tulasi is a pure devotee of Lord and hence we too should have basic purity to chant using Tulasi beads.
(Encouraging Tips for Chanting without Offenses! READ HERE!)
(2) Is taking bath compulsory before chanting in the early morning?
“A Girl devotee” asked like this:
“Hare Krishna prabhu ji plz accept my humble obsience.. I hav one doubt regarding Chanting… Early morning after getting up we should chant without taking bath or after taking bath??? If possible please try to explain reason behind both cases.. Hare Krishna!!”
REPLY:
If you get up so early and if you can, take bath first and then chant after that.
However, if you find bathing difficult in the early morning, after waking up, brush your teeth, clean your face and feet and then start chanting.
Better you do as much rounds as possible before sunrise. 4-6 in the morning is the best time for chanting. So, try to do within that time.
As you are a girl, my extra tip for you is: On those three days every month, compulsorily take bath in the morning after bed and chant afterwards using handy counter machine, not tulasi mala.
(Avoiding offenses against Chanting the Holy Name of Krishna! Tips! READ HERE!)
(3) Can a person love another person and Krishna at the same time?
A girl devotee whose name was hidden by me, asked like this:
“Anna i cant sail at a time in two boats i want to share my problem i love and respect krishna do pooja n read bhagvad gita n chant hari naam also but all these are interrupted by me only as i am having bf, he is from my field, he loves me n i think i also like him, but he is not settled but he assured me of getting settled . i am not leaving him by seeing the scenario of home . Now my problem is that i am not getting dedicated to krishna due to this. i have attained fickle minded nature. one day i like to be spiritual and on next day materialistic nature. i surely become mad if i follow both. plzz suggest me wt should i do ? can i keep my love for krishna along with this relationship please help me …..”
REPLY:
This is how many devotees are struggling. Not just love, they are even struggling between family and Krishna. But, the solution is simple.
Do Not Skip Krishna Thinking Of That Boy; Instead, Think Of Krishna – He Will Give That Person To You If He Is Fit For You.
So, do not discuss so many colourful words and exchanges with that boy again and again that will induce your senses. If he is a good person with good job and good family, just tell him to come to your house and talk to your parents. Let him talk to your parents, satisfy them and marry you. Till that do not develop imaginations and make plans. Just keep on chanting regularly and also pray to Krishna to guide you properly in fixing a right match for you.
First marry him and then start serious devotional practices as wife. Tell him that you will practice Krishna Conscious life after marriage and he should allow you for that and he too must involve in devotional practices. So, you can start a devotional life after marriage.
Do that first. Till these things happen, just chant and follow saadhanas. Krishna will help you.
(TEN OFFENSES AGAINST CHANTING THE HOLY NAME OF KRISHNA! READ HERE!)