Tattva-viveka
Singing mantra before studying Gita and other Scriptures
Yamuna Dasi - December 13, 2008 12:59 pm
As far as I know the mantra which is sang before studying Gita is "om namo bhagavate vasudevaya".
Can somebody please give translation and explanation of "vasudeva"? Why obeisances are given to "vasudevaya" and not other name of the Supreme?
The mantra is sang thrice before the beginning of the study, right? Is it sang also thrice at the end?
What are the mantras sang before study of Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita and what are their translations and purports?
I am asking this question because from this Sunday the study of "Philosophy of yoga in Bhagavad Gita" is starting (previous Sunday it was an introduction into Gita) and I would like to present to people the study of Gita as it has to be, the traditional way.
Please help me! Answer ASAP since Sunday is tomorrow! 
Bhrigu - December 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Actually, that mantra is traditionally a diksha-mantra, and not one to be sung in public. In ISKCON they will say it three times before class, but not after. But if you wish to use it, vâsudeva refers to Krishna, the son of Vasudeva. Nama.h means obeisance, bhagavân the Lord, so the meaning is "Om! Obeisance to Lord Vâsudeva!"
If you have Sridhar Maharaja's Gita, you'll find many nice mangalacarana mantras at the very beginning. This is one of my favourites:
sarvopanishado gâvo
dogdha.h gopâlanandana.h
pârtho vatsa.h sudhîr bhoktâ
dugdham gîtâm.rta.m mahat
"All the upanishads are the cow, the milker is Krishna, Arjuna is the calf, the milk the great nectar of the Gita, and the drinker the wise devotee!"
Citta Hari Dasa - December 14, 2008 5:11 am
Yamuna,
Here are my two cents since you asked me to reply: for a mangalacarana before a Gita class I think the verse from the Gita-mahatmya that Bhrgu posted is a great one.
With regard to speaking in general, regardless of the book or topic, a mangalacarana follows a structure according to tattva: first we invoke Sri Guru, then Nityananda Prabhu, then Mahaprabhu, then Krsna, then Radha.
I hope this helps.