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Clickers and Gayatri
by Gouranga das

In many situations, chanting on a clicker is more practical than on a set of sacred japa beads. For example, beads cannot be taken into the bathroom but there is no such restriction on clickers. I found this especially practical when I was suffering in India with dysentery. I think I was chanting most of my rounds in the bathroom in those days. Thank God I had my clicker with me.

I have a question, though. If it's all right to chant japa using a clicker, what about gayatri? When I chant gayatri, I count to ten seven times on my clicker. Is that offensive? I also heard a sannyasi clicking his rounds with his hand in his beadbag. I guess he must have lost his beads somewhere or was soaking them in oil, but it was kind of strange to hear a clicking sound coming out of the bag.

No one has written in to object to the use of clickers, so I guess that means it falls within the standard. My thanks to Chakra for clearing this up.

Your servant,
Gouranga das

© CHAKRA 8 February 2002