SB 1.9.33
Those sadhus who speak sharp words to drive away the witch of the illusory energy are actually the only real devotees of Krsna and friends of the living entities. The conditioned living being experiences the distressful quarreling of his wife and close relatives and is rudely treated by them until death, yet he never desires to leave their association. On the other hand, he absorbs himself in trying to appease and serve them. But when a devotee of the Lord, who is always desirous of the living entity's ultimate welfare, chides him just once with instructions meant to drive away Maya, then that conditioned entity immediately makes plans to leave the saintly person for his entire life. - Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja
tri-bhuvana-kamanam tamala-varnam
ravi-kara-gaura-varambaram dadhane
vapur alaka-kulavrtananabjam
vijaya-sakhe ratir astu me 'navadya
Sri Krsna is the intimate friend of Arjuna. He has appeared on this earth in His transcendental body, which resembles the bluish color of the tamala tree. His body attracts everyone in the three planetary systems [upper, middle and lower]. May His glittering yellow dress and His lotus face, covered with paintings of sandalwood pulp, be the object of my attraction, and may I not desire fruitive results.
Bhismadeva
Those sadhus who speak sharp words to drive away the witch of the illusory energy are actually the only real devotees of Krsna and friends of the living entities. The conditioned living being experiences the distressful quarreling of his wife and close relatives and is rudely treated by them until death, yet he never desires to leave their association. On the other hand, he absorbs himself in trying to appease and serve them. But when a devotee of the Lord, who is always desirous of the living entity's ultimate welfare, chides him just once with instructions meant to drive away Maya, then that conditioned entity immediately makes plans to leave the saintly person for his entire life. - Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja
Japa Tips
1.Chant early in the morning, if possible 5 to 7 am
2.Chant along with Srila Prabhupada's japa tape
3.Chant with good chanters (when possible)
4.Record your chanting so you can hear whether you skip syllables
5.Read at least one inspiring text a day from Srila Prabhupada's books about chanting (like the compilation "The Nectar of the Holy Name")
6.After each 16 rounds, write down in your journal how many rounds you have actually heard
7.Chant all 16 round in one go (this is very powerful!)
8.Above all, pray to Lord Krsna and to namacarya Srila Haridasa Thakura to improve your japa
9.Turn off the mobile phone
10.Don't turn on the laptop/PC
11.Don't get into conversations unless absolutely urgent
12.When mind wanders away, bring it back and focus on the sound
13.Chant feelingly, not mechanically
14.Share your realizations and quotes to the email list of japa improvers
15.Report daily to the email list of japa improvers
16.Use monthly Japa Excellence Table to keep track about quality and quantity.
Inspiration
"There is no vow like chanting the holy name, no knowledge superior to it,
no meditation which comes anywhere near it, and it gives the highest result.
No penance is equal to it, and nothing is as potent or powerful as the holy
name. Chanting is the greatest act of piety and the supreme refuge. Even the
words of the Vedas do not possess sufficient power to describe its
magnitude. Chanting is the highest path to liberation, peace and eternal
life. It's the pinnacle of devotion, the heart's joyous proclivity and
attraction and the best form of remembrance of the Supreme Lord. The holy
name has appeared solely for the benefit of the living entities as their
lord and master, their supreme worshipful object and their spiritual guide
and mentor. Whoever continuously chants Lord Krishna's holy name, even in
his sleep, can easily realize that the name is a direct manifestation of
Krishna Himself, in spite of the influences of Kali-yuga." - Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
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