Japa | Reciting the Name of God

Namaste! I'm Dr. Robert, and in today's "5ish Minutes with Dr. Robert," we dive into the practice of japa. 📿
Japa, a Sanskrit word meaning "to mutter" or "to whisper," is a profound practice of mantra recitation. While beginners might recite mantras aloud, the true power of Japa lies in the quiet, internal repetition. As Vimalananda often emphasized, mental japa is a thousand times more valuable because it activates your inner energy and retains the Shakti within you.
Over time, Japa transforms from something you do to something you experience-where the deity begins to recite the mantra through you. This practice is not just a verbal act but a seed for creating the divine image within. The goal is to reach the state of Ajapa Japa, where the mantra repeats itself naturally within you.
Beyond verbal repetition, there’s also Likhita Japa, or writing down the mantra. This practice can be equally powerful, with a fascinating tradition like the Rama Bank in Bombay, where people would "borrow" mantras for good fortune.
Japa is a timeless practice that connects you to the divine, especially in Kali Yuga. Start your journey today and experience the transformative power of mantra.
👇 For more insights and to study further with me, check the description below for a free ebook titled "Analyzing Karma: Fate or Free Will."
🕉️ Get my free ebook, "Analyzing Karma: Fate or Free Will?" here: bit.ly/karmaebook
📚 Study live with me in the Satsanga: drsvoboda.teac...
Dr. Robert Svoboda is the first Westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. During and after his formal Ayurvedic training he was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra and other forms of classical Indian lore by his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. He is the author of over a dozen books and has served as Adjunct Faculty at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, NM, and at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA.
You can find out more about Dr. Svoboda's work at www.drsvoboda.com and follow him on Facebook at / drrobertsvoboda and Instagram at / drrobertsvoboda

[@nanomeow]

Dr. Svoboda. I hope you are able to continue your podcasts with longer lengths. Your knowledge is immense and the short snippets always leave me searching for more. 🙏🏻

[@Skyo.o]

no. the longer it gets people tend to get confused and it's hard to watch for many due to lack of attention nowadays and time. that's why it's said "keep it short and simple"

[@bsr8255]

I agree. People concentration has dropped heavily.

[@thehappysoul231]

True

[@Kaustubhdasdehlvi]

that Rama-bank story is wild!!!! so cool!

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@joker-mo8cb]

Har Har Mahadev!!! Jai Ma Durga!!! Jai Sri Dr. Robert Svoboda!!! Jai Sri Aghori Vimalanandaji!!! ❤️❤️❤️🕉️🕉️🕉️🔯🔯🔯

[@amytan2019]

It's very helpful that you bring Eastern and Western ideas together that essentially are very similar. Thank you,sir.

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@dularideshpande4877]

Namaste sir....these days I am reading your triology on Aghora...Thank you for writing such wonderful informative books🙏

[@thehappysoul231]

wow

[@kiranintodia261]

Amazing, no words for gratitude 🙏🙏

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@truefiles_kgp5301]

Thank you Sir.. You chosen one … So lucky to have mentor like Vimalananda Agori..🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@yashmishra6624]

Thank you Dr Svoboda Sir for the sacred information in this amazing video and for reminding and re-teaching Ajapa Japa. One thing to note though, having the Mantra of your Isht Devata after you have identified your Isht Devata is not a guarantee and just a possibility. Also your Isht Devata in all likelihood will have more than 1 mantra, so which mantra to use? Who knows how that mantra is connecting you to your Isht Devata, what is the mechanism, and thus how intense is the mantra, and whether that mantra is appropriate for you at that phase of your spiritual journey. So it is almost always better to Worship your Isht Devata (by having an Altar in your house or by visiting His temple at least twice every week) if you are not sure of which mantra to use. There is a reason why Lord Krishna in Bhagawat Geeta advised to Worship him through water, leaf, fruit and flower.

[@thehappysoul231]

True

[@kali_ma]

Thank you, Dr. Robert, for such valuable recommendations and clear explanations of japa. Namaste! With love and gratitude from Russia.💖

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@somachakraborty8064]

Pranaams to u....

[@prettywoman6290]

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! 🙏🏻 Sir thank you for sharing this valuable information!

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@KapilSharma71180]

Wonderfully explained sir ❤

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@divyasworld.0-1-2]

Thank you for sharing your experience on Rama Bank and a clear explaination on the subject Dr.Robert ✨✨

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@ponchocervantes]

The Martha Stewart of Yoga. Just some light-hearted humor!

[@ponchocervantes]

Let’s hope that Yoga Philosophy /Spirituality goes as mainstream as Hatha Yoga…

[@narenkamothi4208]

Jai Ho Jai Ho Senior Guru, junior Guru, plus colonel pratab jiiiiiiii. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@narenkamothi4208]

Om Namah Shiv 🙏👌

[@thehappysoul231]

Om Namah Shivai

[@saadhna7260]

Thank you,Dr Svobodha ji 🙏🏾

[@thehappysoul231]

Nice

[@ARPITANAYAK-rr9fp]

It's so correct. Thankyou ❤

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@music-fan-zs1ss]

om tare tuttare ture soha!

[@truth-beauty-grace]

Pranams 🙇🏼‍♀️ Beyond being timely support for this journey, this wisdom brings up the influence of Lucifer and Ahriman in both their supportive and unsupportive attributes, where Ahriman’s role plays central to the japa, ajapa story. As I wrote to a friend once: Very basically Lucifer and Ahriman are a result of the evolution of human consciousness wherein these beings are not the cause of evil/hinderance/error but are effects of human choices to be a force for the self (self desire, self serving, etc). These beings took on these spirt forces and so remain behind in evolution … opposition allows freedom … allowing humans to make choices. There is a lower and higher nature to each of them. Lucifer ⬆️ the quality in us to see our potential; to be larger than life ⬇️ can instill greed…I don’t just want to be a ____, I want to be the ____ of the year. Ahriman ⬆️ brings us back to the earth, grounded, clear, quantifying…tends towards putting things in their place ⬇️ makes us feel there is no spirit; makes things into numbers, dollars, material.

[@thehappysoul231]

wow

[@fisheyedaddy]

Thank you for sharing this information. I have read a couple of your books but I am poor and bought the Indian versions that are printed on thinner paper than used for rolling tobacco. The pages are almost translucent but the information much, much thicker. Much love and air hugs, my Brother.

[@thehappysoul231]

Great

[@bsr8255]

Wishing you all a Happy Healthy Wealthy and Godly life

[@Mahashiv412]

🙏🕉️

[@AADIBAWA]

well said

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@willypbm]

Thank you for the video; I found your teachings a year ago. What is God's name, and what mantra do I recite?

[@AIMManishaKanojia]

Fascinating Deity Recites the Mantra through you? Does it mean Deity gets Energized with Mantra Jaap? Thats why we are asked to Offer all Mantra jap after we finish Chanting?

[@MotiGhosh-v5o]

🙏

[@anonomousproagramer4485]

Sir please make video on Vishnu sahasranama ❤

[@thehappysoul231]

Yes

[@WoodRabbit75]

Dr. Robert. The Mahacharya Srila Prabupad teaches to recite the MahaMantra 16 rounds a day. What are your thoughts on this Sampradya? Sometimes I sing it in Chanda, sometimes I whisper it and sometimes I mentally chant it. Thanks.

[@radhikaschwartz3499]

Every guru will have different instructions and teachings and they often contradict other gurus. This is why people get confused listening to many teachers. Find one guru u trust and follow their instructions.

[@WoodRabbit75]

@@radhikaschwartz3499 I do Bhakti. I am affiliated with ISKCON. I was wondering Dr. Robert’s thoughts. Srila Prabupad would call him a MayaVadi. An impersonalist.

[@billautatthefoodtraveller151]

Good afternoon Dr Svoboda. I subscribed for the free ebook karma fate or freewill .but link doesn't appear as now email received from you

[@manasparekh1230]

Lovely video Question though: which name do I chant? Isht devta, Kula devta, Mahadev, Karm Devta, ?

[@yashmishra6624]

Salute all and then repeat the name of Isht Devata. If you don't have the mantra then no problem (perhaps better), worship the image of your Deity in your home or visit His temple (at least twice a week). Lord Krishna in Bhagwat Geeta did not encourage to 'get to Him' through a mantra (or fire ritual) but encouraged to 'get to Him' through Worship. There is a reason why he suggested Worship but let's not get into that for now.

[@samsutherland4057]

Dr Svoboda... I was given a Shabar mantra, which is closely similar to a key mantra of a vedic texts (without giving it away). However I have my doubts around the way one name of the deveta is said. 2 syllables are quite different. If the mantra/name of the devata IS the deveta, this would seem quite important. Should I follow the exact sound/pronunciation of the vedic form when in doubt?

[@athena7071]

Important question - if you practice likhit japa, how do you discard that paper later on (for privacy sake)? What is the right way?

[@radhikaschwartz3499]

In water. Best to put in a body of flowing water. Use pencil as ink may poison the water. Otherwise bury the paper. Make sure it’s biodegradable so u aren’t poisoning the earth.

[@sangramthorat007]

Please make a video on how to buy japa mala please a very basic thing but might help. Thank you

[@Skyo.o]

with money 🌚

[@shivaalluru7662]

G.. Does japa waste when we eat ONION AND GARLIC IN japa sadhna.. G

[@radhikaschwartz3499]

No

[@parulpatel4687]

How can I do anusthana and puruscharna? Also can you please explain what is anusthana and purushcharna? Pranam.

[@BabalonNuit]

It is explained by Vimalananda in the trilogy "Aghora: At The Left Hand Of God". AMAZING books of power!

[@parulpatel4687]

@@BabalonNuit 🙏🏼

[@ImManishSoni]

Pranam can we do Mantras japa just like Naam japa - anytime anywhere , even if we have not taken a bath or while travelling etc? PS - By naam japa is meant repeating of single name (Raama Raama ...) by mantra japa is meant the actual vedic pauranic shabri mantra.

[@truth_7511]

Please please realise your all book in hindi language 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙇🏻🙇🏻🙇🏻 I can't read English as well also I'm hardly confused to solw some English worlds in hindi

[@vishalpanday9607]

You were ranu in your previous birth

[@PremVeejay]

This man has invested many manybyears into knowledge of Dharma, but if this man or a yone else talking about Dharma has notnrealised themselves, then I'm not interested. Its just regurgatated, second-hand info. You're probably watching this video because you too are interested in realising yourself. There are genuine masters out there. Find them, dont waste your time confusing yourself with knowledge, taste it yourself.

[@smth7729]

There still are Rama-Rama bank branches in many cities. I think these were started by people from Gita Press. i think some friends or followers of two great saints - Bhai Ji Hanuman Prasad and Jaydayal Goendka - who were the founders of Gita press to first time start publishing and mass distributing Books on Hindu scriptures and words of various saints.