Japa (Chanting): The Three Stages

(written on February 8, 2020)

(References: SP Lecture on SB 1.5.11)

Srila Prabhupada said in his lecture (New Vrindavan, June 10, 1969) on SB 1.5.11, “Therefore we prescribe, while chanting, there are three stages: the offensive stage, liberated stage, and actually on the platform of love of Godhead stage.”

At the threshold of chanting, one is at the offensive stage; meaning that one’s chanting is full of offenses. At this stage it is important that one must not stop chanting. Just because offenses are being made, one must not stop chanting, and must continue, praying that the chanting becomes offenseless. At the same time, one should not ignore their offenses. One should constantly strive to chant without offenses.

Once one gets to the stage where they no longer commit any offenses while they are chanting, then they are automatically deemed at the liberated stage. Srila Prabhupada said in the lecture that, “…as soon as it is offenseless chanting, then it is liberated stage. That is liberated stage.”

After liberated stage, there is the final stage which is the love of Godhead. The difference is that one actually develops the taste of chanting, and by doing so, they are able to develop love, or bhakti, for Lord Krishna. Srila Prabhupada explained about this stage, “And after liberated stage, the chanting will be so pleasing, because that is on the transcendental platform that actual love of Kṛṣṇa and God will be relished.”