In the fourth verse of “Manah-siksa,” Raghunatha dasa Gosvami speaks more sternly to his mind. He asks his mind to reject “frivolous and mundane talk.” Surely this includes the mental talk that goes on during japa. Just ask the mind, “Shhh. Stop. Listen to Hare Krishna.” Srila Prabhupada says a real chanter recites the Hare Krishna mantra with respect and veneration; he has full faith that Krishna is absolute and therefore present as His name, His full form, lila, and qualities. Therefore, “talking nonsense” while chanting is offensive.
(Take heed, my mind, since you and I have pledged to cooperate. At least I have resolved to convert you as best I can, for your own happiness, into a Vaisnava of manasa-seva.)
What is mundane talk? It covers a whole range, from obscenities snarled among gundas to the aesthetic talk of intellectuals in literature. I really have to renounce it if I want to be eligible for pure Krishna consciousness. I have to decide once and for all that mundane poetry and literature—or any non-transcendental, non-Vraja topic—isn’t going to help me. I have to decide that I want Radha-Krishna and that I have no need for other supports or interests. We know, dear mind, how to do this exclusive bhajana, now let’s do it. Let’s try with every round of beads, every time we think, every time we meet.
(_Begging for the Nectar of the Holy Name_)
Dismissing the mundane …
If you just try
to let go of your different plans
and material desires and
let the chanting work,
so many realizations will come,
and you will feel
very attached to
the holy name and
to this process.
During japa time, don’t
talk and converse and socialize.
There are
other times for that.
(_Japa Reform Notebook_)