What are the criteria in selecting name of God for Nāma-Japa?
A. Different names of God signify His different forms, aspects and attributes. It is for the aspirant to select the name he is inclined to or interested in. It reminds me of the few occasions when devotees asked Ma to select a name of God for Nāma-Japa. Ma in turn would ask the devotee which name and form of God he loves most and accordingly he was being given the name for Japa. Q. How many types of Japa are there? A. Japa is classified into so many categories of which (1) Bāhya (external) and (2) Abhyantar (internal) are the main two. Bāhya Japa is also called Vaikhari Japa. This is the initial stage of Japa practice. Abhyantar Japa is subtle and superior to Bāhya Japa. Some schools classified Japa as (1) Vyakta (manifested), (2) Avyakta (unmanifested) and (3) Sukshma (subtle). Vyakta Japa is called as Vāćik or Vaikhari (uttered vocally/with sound), Avyakta as Upāngsu (uttered with inaudible voice) and Mānas (mental). Vaikhari Japa The word Vaikhari has been explained in different way
