ISKM Knowledge Base
Can Kṛṣṇa bhajans be played in the background when chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahāmantra?
HG Tattvavit dāsa’s response clarifies this:
- He states that the core process of meditation (sādhanā) in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is to simply hear and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahāmantra: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. He explicitly calls this “the whole meditation process”.
- However, he also mentions that bhajans can be used to invoke the proper mood or absorption while chanting. He says, “So in that mood if you are chanting it’s very nice”, referring to sitting in front of the Deities of Lord Kṛṣṇa and His incarnations with photos and trying to concentrate.
- He further elaborates that there are no hard and fast rules regarding this, especially for beginners (uttamādhikārī is mentioned as the advanced stage where these might be more strictly observed, though not directly in this context). For those who are trying to fix their minds, using bhajans can be a helpful tool.
- He cites the verse “yato yato niścalati manaś cañcalam asthiraṁ / tatas tato niyamyaitad ātmany eva vaśaṁ nayet” (BG 6.26), which advises to withdraw the restless and unsteady mind from wherever it wanders and bring it back under the control of the Self. In this context, bhajans can assist in keeping the mind focused on Kṛṣṇa.
- He also mentions that absorbing oneself in hearing and chanting (śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ) is a key aspect of devotional service. Playing bhajans can contribute to this absorption.
Therefore, while the primary meditation is the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahāmantra itself, playing Kṛṣṇa bhajans in the background can be a supportive practice to enhance focus and devotion, especially for those who are still learning to steady their minds.
