Further Consideration of Devotional Principles 81

auspicious activities simply to gain a place in the association of devo-
tees and to chant the glories of the Lord.” It is indicated here that
chanting and glorifying the Lord is the ultimate activity of the living
entity.

Japa

When a mantra or hymn is chanted softly and slowly, that is called
japa. The same mantra, when chanted loudly, is called kirtana. For
example, the mahda-mantra (ldJare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna,
Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) when
uttered very softly only for one’s own hearing is called japa. The
same mantra, when chanted loudly for being heard by all others, is
called kirtana. The maha-mantra can be used for japa and kirtana also.
When japa is practiced it is for the personal benefit of the chanter,
but when kirtana is performed it is for the benefit of all others who
may hear.

In the Padma Purana there is a statement: ‘“‘For any person who is
chanting the holy name either softly or loudly, the paths to liberation
and even heavenly happiness are at once open.”

Submission

In the Skanda Purana there is a statement about submission unto
the lotus feet of the Lord. It is said there that those who are sober
devotees can offer their submission to Krsna in the following three
ways: 1) samprathanatmika, very feelingly offering prayers; 2)
dainyavodhika, humbly submitting oneself; 3) lalasdmayi, desiring
some perfectional stage. This desiring some perfectional stage in
spiritual life is not sense gratification. When one realizes something
of his constitutional relationship with the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, he understands his original position and wants to be re-
instated in this position, either as friend, servant, parent or conjugal
lover of Krsna. That is called lalasamayi, or very eagerly desiring to
