HOST:
Greetings, Guru Deva. Welcome, friends, to the YouTube channel "Gupta Sadhok Shyama Khepa." Today, we will discuss a very important topic with Guru Deva, something he often mentions to many people: the practice of "Jap" (meditative chanting). Today, we want to know from Guru Deva: what exactly is "Jap," why is it performed, and other related questions.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes. I have spoken to you about meditation (Dhyan) before, but I have not discussed "Jap" in detail. Today, let me explain it to you. Generally, everyone performs "Jap"—Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists; no one is excluded. Everyone must practice it. Now, "Jap" is based on the "Guru Mantra" (the sacred word given by a teacher in one's ear). In many places, people chant the names of humans, but in Tantra, it is said that "Jap" should not be the name of a person. It is stated in our scriptures: do not perform "Jap" without it being a "Guru-given" mantra. If someone says "Bama Khepa Namah" or "Shyama Khepa Namah," that is not a proper "Jap." "Jap" consists of a collection of "Varnas" (sacred letters or syllables). It is like a necklace (Mala). Before we even hold the prayer beads (Mala), we say, "Purify the hands" (Kor Shuddhi).
HOST:
When you say "purify the hands," what does that involve?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Purifying the hands means counting on the finger segments. These are 12 counts. These segments on our fingers are what we call the "Eyes of Shiva." Then there are the middle segments, where we do not usually place our hands; those make for 10 counts. Women chant 10 times, and men chant 12. If someone takes initiation for Kali, Durga, or Tara, they become "female" in the spiritual sense of the practitioner. Their "Jap" count would then be 10. This "Jap" must be performed repeatedly; the mantra must be recited again and again. Beads (Mala) are used much later. First, we emphasize purifying the hands. If the hands are not purified, holding the beads is useless.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
After purifying the hands, we suggest applying sandalwood paste. Grind some good white sandalwood, rub it well on both hands, and apply some on the face. Then sit for "Jap." You must purify the vessel because God only accepts pure things; He does not accept anything impure. This is why for everything offered to God, we use the word "Vam" (purification). Even sandalwood must be purified. Whether it is red or white sandalwood, it is impure until purified. We must say "Om etasmai chandanaya namah" three times. Before offering anything to God, it must be made pure, otherwise God will not accept it. Priests who perform rituals know this well. Every ritual prescribed for Mother Kali must involve purification.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Our "Jap" beads are essentially a "Varnamala" (a necklace of letters). There are 51 letters in total, including vowels and consonants. This is the "necklace" you see around the Mother's neck. Around Mother Kali's neck, there are 50 skulls, and one skull is in her hand. That makes 51. These 50 skulls represent the 50 letters. Each letter is deeply connected to the deities. Each letter, like "Ka," must be combined with a nasal sound (Anusvara), becoming "Kang Namah," "Khang Namah," "Ghang Namah," and so on. This is how we purify the body through "Nyasa" (ritual placement of mantras). There is the "Brihat Shorasho Nyasa," through which the body is purified by touching every limb and organ. We touch every part of the body while reciting these mantras. These 50 letters make up our "Jap" necklace. These letters are arranged so beautifully that they generate power. For example, we say "Kring, Kring, Kring, Hum, Hum, Hrim, Hrim." These have been gathered and combined; each is a powerful syllable. When combined, they create an immense force. This is "Jap." You can do it after meditation, or meditate after "Jap."
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to say, "Japat Siddhi"—perfection is attained through chanting. Ramakrishna Deva once initiated someone who used to sit regularly on the porch of the temple. The man would go to the "Panchavati" (five sacred trees). One day Ramakrishna asked him, "Hey, what is that in your hand?" He replied, "Father, these are chickpeas." He asked, "Will you eat them?" The man said, "No, Father, I use them to count my chants. I set aside one chickpea for each chant so I can count how many I have done, as I tend to forget. Later, I eat them." Ramakrishna said, "You are not doing the chanting; the Mother will make you chant. Can you chant by your own will? If your mind becomes restless, can you chant? If you hear someone in your house is sick, can you chant? Unless the Mother makes you do it, it will not happen." Whether it is one chant or ten, it is the Mother's grace.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
There is a tradition of "Jap" among Muslims as well; there are great Sufis and Darveshes who use beads. They use "Basra" pearls—pearls that are not farmed but come naturally from the sea. They love chanting with those. When you see a Pir or a Prophet, you bow your head in respect; they always have their prayer beads. Even in ISKCON today, you see them with chanting beads, constantly chanting. No matter what they see, their beads are moving. They might not be saying anything out loud, their mind might be elsewhere, but they never let go of the beads. So, everyone is performing "Jap." But before you start, purify your hands and body, and then the Guru will give you the specific beads for your practice.
HOST:
I have a question. When you spoke about purifying the hands and various body parts, should one recite the same "Jap" mantra during that process?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Exactly. To perform a Kali Puja, the "Brihat Shorasho Nyasa" takes about three to three and a half hours. If you do it briefly, it takes two minutes, but it should not be rushed. Without performing this extensive purification, you cannot worship Mother Kali. You must purify your entire being; only then will the Mother accept you. Whatever you say, whatever mudras (hand gestures) you show, the Mother only accepts them when the "Nyasa" is complete. The total ritual lasts from 10 PM until 5 AM, before sunrise. Out of those seven hours, three and a half hours are spent just purifying the body—every single limb and organ. After this purification, whatever you say or whatever gesture you make, the Mother will accept. If your body is not purified, she will not accept anything.
HOST:
One more question: those who perform "Jap" and become "Siddha" (perfected), do they do it only for their own purposes, or can they offer a prayer to the Mother for someone else's problem?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
That comes after the "Jap." There is a specific amount of chanting required. In this Kali Yuga, there is a tradition of chanting a mantra 3.2 million times (32 Lakhs). Reciting the same mantra repeatedly awakens the mantra. Whether the Guru gives you a mantra of 3, 10, 16, 50, or even just one syllable—if you recite it repeatedly, its power increases. Once that power is awakened, if you say something to someone, it will work. But one must become "Jap Siddha." After a certain percentage of "Jap" is completed, one must "release" it. Suppose someone completes 3.2 million chants. They must then perform "Purashcharana." This means offering the fruit of the "Jap" to the Guru, to the Mother, to the Ganges, or to a sacred fire.
HOST:
What is that process like?
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
It is simple. You make a resolution (Sankalpa) that your 3.2 million chants are complete. Your "pot" is full. Now, according to your wish, you can go to the Narmada River or the Ganges and "immerse" the "Jap" in the water. After immersing it, you take three dips in the water and then "pick up" the "Jap" again. The same mantra, but started fresh. This is called "Punashcharana" (re-awakening). You will often see practitioners doing this during auspicious times like a solar or lunar eclipse. Other great saints might "burn" the "Jap" in a sacred fire. This is called "visarjan" (immersion/offering). Just as we immerse Mother Durga's idol and then start the rituals again the next day, "Jap" is offered and then restarted. Immersion does not mean the mantra is gone. These mantras can be one syllable, two, three, four, up to sixteen. For example, "Shoroshi" is a 16-syllable mantra. Different deities have different syllable counts. Combining these letters creates a very powerful "Mala." Chanting with that Mala helps you attain perfection quickly.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Nowadays, people are often curious; they might chant a bit and then suddenly make a comment to someone: "Everything will be fine for you," or "I will fix this for you." That is when all the power is drained. That is why we say that after finishing your "Jap," go and ask the Mother for what you need. Ask your "Ishta" (chosen deity). Do your chanting, and then ask the Mother. Whatever you want, you will get. But you should not speak about it to others. In today's society, there is a great lack of such dedication. It will not happen at home because while someone is trying to chant, they might be interrupted. These distractions persist. Along with that, we have the five elements, the five senses, and the five organs of action. It is very difficult to let go of all these things in our body.
HOST:
Greetings, Guru Deva. Friends, the topic Guru Deva just concluded with was actually going to be my final question. Guru Deva is sharing new and very important topics—things he has never spoken about anywhere else before. These are essential for every person in today's society. Guru Deva, stay well. Greetings.