The power of sound is profound, tangible and yet mystical. The ancient Indian texts prescribe invoking of our ever blissful spiritual consciousness in the modern age through the medium of sound vibrations.

 

Kirtans (commonly referred to as mantra meditation or sacred chants), the ancient call-and-response practice from India’s devotional traditions, revolves large gatherings of people and the rhythmic singing of mantras or poetic names of God. Mantras are accompanied by instruments such as the harmonium, the two-headed mrdanga drum, tablas, and kartal hand-cymbals.

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Kirtans or Mantra music has the power to open our hearts and reconnect to our natural state of love and joy by bringing us in a mood of meditation. In its heartfelt expression kirtan can induce profound states of meditation and bliss.

The Bhagavad-gita is the compact essence of all spiritual philosophy; at the onset of a world war, the warrior Arjuna asks his friend Krishna about the purpose of life, the difference between the self and the material body, and how to understand the ultimate cause of all causes.

 

In just over seven hundred verses, Krishna comprehensively answers all of Arjuna's questions and then reveals His identity as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, appearing on earth to usher in a new era of spiritual understanding.

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Krishna teaches that the essence of the yoga system—and the ultimate goal of all pious works, meditation, and austerity—is to develop an attitude of loving service to the Supreme Person. His ultimate instruction, "surrender to Me," challenges us all to transcend "religion" or "belief" and enter the realm of bhakti—devotional service—which alone can fully satisfy the self.

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Bhagavad-gita As It Is is unique among Gita commentaries. Its translations and purports are the work of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who represents a line of teachers in disciplic succession from Krishna Himself. Prabhupada's faithfulness to Krishna's teachings—and expertise in presenting them to western readers—make Bhagavad-gita As It Is true to its title.

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Bhakti yoga practice includes chanting the Hare Krishna mantra softly to oneself. This is called japa.

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While chanting, you'll keep the sacred japa beads in a bead bag to keep them clean and off the floor. One side of the bag is large enough to insert your hand. Your index finger comes out of the smaller hole on the other side, to help you hold on to the bag. Place your beads in the bag, and you’re ready to go.

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Bhakti yoga practitioners decide on a minimum number of mantras they want to chant each day. The main purpose of the beads is to keep track of the number of mantras chanted. Fingering the beads also engages your sense of touch and helps to focus your mind on the activity of chanting.

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There are 108 beads and one larger bead, known as the head bead, or Krishna bead. Begin with the bead next to the Krishna bead. Gently roll the bead between the thumb and middle finger of your right hand while chanting:

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Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

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Then move forward to the next bead (pulling the bead towards you, into your hand) and repeat the mantra. In this way, continue chanting on each of the 108 beads in the strand until you again reach the Krishna bead. This is known as one round of japa and usually takes from six to ten minutes.