Positive Path for the Wandering Mind

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The best japa is done by sitting in a sanctified place, closing the eyes, and repeating the holy name while remembering its meanings and the sublime pastimes of Gaura-Govinda. If the mind is too restless, however, acaryas suggest engaging it in parikrama. To do this, one simply sits calmly and chants on his beads while thinking he is circumambulating Govardhana Hill, Radha-kunda or Vraja-mandala within his mind.

While chanting and “mentally walking” on Giriraja parikrama, one will see the sites of Radha-Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes within his mind. This in turn may induce remembrance of a particular pastime enjoyed by the Divine Couple at that lila-sthali. By relishing the exchanges between Radha-Madhava, the sadhaka will fix his wandering mind on the positive path of japa and lila-smarana.

Here is a sample of japa and manasi parikrama:

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare… It is morning–the rising sun pinks the eastern sky. The air is chilly. The cool sand caresses my feet as I walk on the path around Giriraja. On my right side, I see Kusuma-sarovara, placid and majestic with glorious medieval arches and domes.

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare… I remember the Asoka-vana here, where Radhika and Her sakhis came to pick flowers for Syamasundara. Eyeing a most attractive,

fragrant flower high in the tree, Radhika tried desperately to pluck it by extending Her graceful arm. But the flower remained just beyond Her reach. Unseen by anyone, Syama climbed the same tree, and pushed down the branch with His foot so Radhika could grasp the flower.

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare…Suddenly, Syama removed His foot, and the branch sprang back forcefully lifting Radhika off the ground. Still clutching that special flower, Radhika dangled in mid air and cried for help as Her sakhis looked on with eyes full of smiles and hearts full of care–Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare…

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

An excerpt from the book Art of Chanting