Sava Lakh Jap and Purashcharana: How an Anushthan Works

In Indian devotional life, some commitments are small, such as a mala a day, and some are large: an anushthan, a defined undertaking of japa for a fixed number of days or repetitions. This guide explains the common terms and how to plan one without losing your way.

Key terms

Term	Meaning
Jap	Repetition of a mantra or name
Sankalp	A formal resolve, stating what you will do and for how long
Anushthan	A disciplined undertaking, often a fixed number of days
Sava lakh	1,25,000, one and a quarter lakh
Purashcharana	The classical full set of a mantra’s japa and supporting rites

How the counts work

A lakh is 100,000. Sava lakh is a lakh and a quarter. It is a very common count for naam anushthans, especially for Ram naam and Hanuman mantras.

In classical purashcharana, the standard rule is: one lakh repetitions for each syllable of the mantra. So:

Mantra	Syllables	Classical japa count
Om Namah Shivaya (with Om, 6)	5 or 6	5 lakh (panchakshari)
Om Namo Narayanaya	8	8 lakh
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya	12	12 lakh
Gayatri Mantra	24	24 lakh

The japa is traditionally followed by smaller supporting rites (homa, tarpana and others, each in a fraction of the japa count) and feeding Brahmins or the poor. Traditions vary in details, so a teacher’s guidance is important.

For a home devotee, the usual route is to choose a count that is a fraction of this and perform it with a sincere sankalp, such as sava lakh in 40 days.

Planning a 40-day sava lakh

1. Total: 1,25,000.
2. Days: 40.
3. Daily count: 3,125 (about 29 malas).
4. Time: For a short name such as Ram, about 40 to 60 minutes a day. For long mantras, longer.

If that is too much, choose more days: 1,25,000 ÷ 100 days = 1,250 a day. A larger period with steady practice is better than a short, harsh one. Our sankalp guide walks through this.

A suggested structure

1. Choose the mantra and the start date. An auspicious day (Ram Navami, Navratri, a Monday for Shiva) is traditional but optional.
2. Take the sankalp before your deity, saying the number, the duration and the intention.
3. Chant the daily count at fixed times. Morning for the main portion, with the rest later in the day.
4. Keep a running tally. The Naam Jap Counter records daily totals and a lifetime count per mantra.
5. Observe simple discipline: regular hours, simple food if you can, and less idle talk.
6. Complete and give thanks. Close with a prayer, a small offering and, if you can, feeding someone in need.

Handling missed days

If you miss a day, the common approach is to add the count to the next days rather than abandon the anushthan. Do not guilt yourself. If you are likely to miss many days, choose a longer period. See naam jap when you have no time.

Silent, whispered or aloud

Any of the three modes is acceptable, and many people use a mix. For long counts, whispering or silent japa is more sustainable. Read the three types of japa.

Keeping an accurate count

Large counts depend on honest tallying. A counter that stores your total on your device, with daily and lifetime figures, prevents errors. You can also record the number in a notebook at the end of each session. For Ram naam, see the Ram naam jap guide with its worked example.

Reminders

• A big anushthan is not better than a small steady practice; it is a different kind of offering.
• Take guidance from a guru or elder if you belong to a tradition.
• Begin only when you can see how to finish.

When you are ready, choose your mantra, take your sankalp and open the counter.