🔱 Standard procedure for any kind of japa, mantra. Golden rules to remember.
•No japa, mantra or chanting or any strotram should be done without apt knowledge or dīkṣā from an able Guru.
•Everyone is not destined to get a Guru and you do not get guru’s through
advertisements, hence simple hari naam saṃkīrtana, lighting lamp for God in morning and evening, chanting shiva nāma etc. are best.
•Going to a proper temple is very important. Laziness, greediness and ease of living will restrict this.
•Start your mantra with Ganpati ḍhyān
, do mental offerings to Sri Ganapati, Kuladevtha etc and then do the required meditation.
•Always tell the deities to go back to their respective domains after the prayers and offer apologies for recalling them. This is udvāsana and Kshama paan.
•Always clean yourself first
and then sit in clean surroundings during pooja. Torn clothes, clothes with holes, growth of nails, untidy hair should be totally avoided during upāsana.
•Never accept mantras from books, newspapers or gullible advertisements. It will be a lifetime regret.
•Tapasya is
different from all this. It includes sleeping on floor, brahmacharya, eating only once a day, observing mauna and taking vows for fast. It is not meant for ordinary people and not very apt for grihastha.
•Remember your karmas cannot be reduced by buttering or chanting mantras