Chanting is addictive

"Chant and be happy" is what they tell you at every ISKCON temple. Printed on leaflets and books, the message is clear (and simple). Chant the 16-word Mahamantra, and improve your life. Most ISKCON temples (at least the one in Juhu) provide visiting people (who are not necessarily Krishna conscious devotees) with a 108-bead japa mala (chanting beads) and a small leaflet with the Mahamantra. I've never tried chanting on those beads offered at the temple.

The recommended daily practice for aspiring as well as initiated devotees is 16 rounds of chanting this Mahamantra. That is, 16 x 108 = 1728 times. In addition, on Ekadashi day, it is recommended to perform additional rounds (preferably 25 x 108 times).

Now, this was not the only mantra that I knew...I had, of course, recited many other mantras daily for many years. So, it was not clear what this chanting would achieve. Still, out of curiosity, in 2002, I started chanting this Mahamantra almost every working day 11 times (not 11 rounds - only 11 times) in a day. This was during the morning commute to my workplace.

As if by instruction (or magic), a few years later, I increased that to some more times. However, I did not use chanting beads or any other device...so it was difficult to keep track. I used to use my fingers, but then I would lose count soon.

Around 2006, I started visiting Srila Prabhupada's quarters in the Juhu temple. This was on suggestion from a devotee co-worker. During one such visit, one devotee who was also praying at the quarters asked me about how many times I chant daily. He asked me to buy chanting beads from the store at the temple. Though I did not pay attention to his instructions on that day, I did find myself buying the beads after a few days. I used the beads to chant a few times...but the main problem was in using the beads while commuting.

A few days later I bought a "hand-tally counter" (a small metallic device) that can be used for counting the number of times chanted. I could use this counter while commuting...even while standing inside the crowded buses, there was no problem in continuing the chanting.

I started with a modest goal of 4 rounds daily. Soon, I found that I could chant 10 rounds frequently; very often, I could do the recommended 16 rounds too. There was no problem.

Srila Prabhupada has said that "If you take one step towards Krishna, then Krishna will take ten steps towards you". This seems to be the theory at work behind my increase in the chanting. It cannot be mere coincidence that the 2-year break from work was meant exactly to make more time for chanting.

The main advantage of this Mahamantra is that it can be chanted anywhere, anytime (although it is more beneficial to chant in the early morning hours). So, all in all, chanting the Mahamantra does seem to be addictive. There are some other experiences as well...I may outline in a later post. Though I cannot claim be a devotee yet, it seems the goal is closer than it was before.