Question: Where does it say that the Hare Krishna maha-mantra should be chanted on beads? I chant every day, but without using the beads, since using the beads breaks my concentration. Please clarify if I can only become a devotee by chanting on beads?
Answer by Romapada Swami: There are no hard and fast rules for chanting. We can chant the Holy names, anywhere, at any time. However, it has been the standard practice of Vaishnavas, since time immemorial, to chant on beads and this has been proven to be very effective. Even Lord Caitanya would chant on beads, and keep count of the Holy Names. Namacarya Srila Haridas Thakur did so, and so did the six gosvamis in Vrindavan, and these descriptions are found in the Caitanya caritamrita and other scriptures.
Practically also, it is seen that chanting on beads helps improve our concentration while chanting, and to make a commitment to chant a minimum number of rounds daily also helps us become more fixed on chanting the Holy Name. Many contemporary devotees have also initially felt the same way as you have described but eventually found that chanting on beads aids their focus and steadiness in chanting. Many have described that employing the sense of touch while chanting also helps them concentrate better.
Nevertheless, although it is recommended for our benefit, chanting on beads is not the deciding factor for someone to become a devotee. What matters the most is our sincerity and devotion to taking shelter of the Holy Names.
