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Chanting is the only means

"The holy name alone can absolve 'namaparadha' and no other
remedial measures are as effective. O Narada Muni, let me explain
to you the essential truth about this subject, which is so widely sung
in the Vedas. Try to understand the topic in the same manner as
you have understood the Vedas.
Namaikam yasya vaci smaranapathagatam srotramulam
gatam va suddham vasuddhavarnam vyavahita rahitam tarayatyeva
satyam tacceddehadravinajanatalobhapasandamadhye
niksiptam syannaphalajanakam sighramevatra vipra
"If the holy name of the Lord is chanted (without 'vyavahita'),
remembered or heard even once with heart and soul, then in a
moment the holy name an liberate anyone. The word vyavahita
(covered, distance) has two meanings in this context. The holy name
is obfuscated when the syllables are too far apart while chanting;
secondly, when chanted in ignorance, one sees only the external,
material form of the holy name. But when the holy name is chanted
in full awareness of Its nature (i.e. that the name and the Supreme
Lord are one and the same), then nescience is destroyed. When
these two discrepancies termed 'vyavahita' are removed, pure chanting
is manifest. There is no fault if diction, voice inflection and
pronunciation are not perfect. Lord Krsna has impregnated His holy
name with His full transcendental potencies, hence the name is
unencumbered by such considerations as chanting at the right or
wrong time, or that one must bathe before chanting. Simply chant
the holy name at all times and under all circumstances. This is the
most auspicious activity, and it will drive away all inauspiciousness."
"When the sublime holy name is chanted in the company of saintly
persons, only then does it give good results quickly but not otherwise.
Due to close contact with atheists and gross materialists, the jiva
becomes caught up in the false conception of body, wealth, relatives,
greed, etc. giving rise to 'vyavahita' in chanting he thus falls into grave
confusion. Therefore, his first step towards advancing in Krsna
consciousness should be to disassociate himself from non-devotees.
Taking complete shelter of the holy name, he should simply chant.
By the mercy of the holy name one becomes delivered from nescience
and confusion; his offenses vanish, and he eels pure joy. Once freed
from offenses to the holy name, he profoundly experiences the first
stirrings of Krsna-prema within his heart.
"The symptoms of an offensive chanter are that he is deceitful and
capricious. A sincere chanter should avoid such bad company.
idam rahasyam paramam
pura narada sankarat
srutam sarvasubhaharam
aparadha nivarakam
vidur visnvabhidhanam
ye hy-aparadhapara narah
tesam api bhaven muktih
pathanad eva narada
"Sanatkumara said, "O best of the sages, Narada, Lord Sankara
compassionately revealed this great mystery about the holy name to
me in the past. This knowledge at once dissipates all ills and
misgivings and mitigates namaparadha to nil. Even those persons who
are offensive can achieve liberation if they chant the names of Lord
Visnu with knowledge of His supreme position."
"Svarupa Damodara! Ramananda Raya! It is imperative that you
propagate the esoteric truth about the holy name of the Lord with
great care. The conditioned souls in Kali-yuga have no means of
redemption other than to realise the superexcellent knowledge of the
holy name. This knowledge, as revealed by Vyasadeva in these
verses, was explained by me in the past in the form of the Siksastaka.
Therefore, sincerely broadcast this transcendental knowledge, always
discuss the esoteric essence of the holy name and chant constantly.
Chant under the tutelage of Haridasa Thakura
"When it comes to chanting, the topmost devotee is Srila Haridasa
Thakura, and it was he who propagated the supreme truth about the
holy name. He preached as well as practiced chanting the holy name,
hence he is the acarya of the holy name, or the namacarya. Whoever
chants the Lord's name, following in Srila Haridasa Thakura's
footsteps, will achieve the highest perfection in it."

Chapter 20 The Glories of the Holy Name

ONE DAY Krsnadasa broke his long silence and asked Lord Caitanya a question in Kasi Misra's house. "If you will kindly permit me to ask, then please tell me about the unlimited and wonderful glories of the holy name, about which even Lord Siva and Lord Brahma are unacquainted."

Lord Caitanya replied, "The excellences of the holy name are like
an ever-expanding shoreless ocean. Even Lord Krsna Himself does
not know the limits of It, what to speak of ordinary mortals. I will
simply repeat what is written in the scriptures. If you listen with
proper faith, you can be delivered from this distressful material world.
"The holy name is capable of dissolving sins and removing
impediments. The name embalms sufferings and diminishes the
detriments that are so characteristic of Kali-yuga . It redeems the
unredeemable residents of hellish planets and nullifies the inevitable
sinful reactions carried over from previous births. The holy name
purifies offenses and is the quintessence of all transcendental activities,
shining more brilliantly than the Vedas. The scriptures declare that
chanting is the highest spiritual activity, higher than making
pilgrimages to the holiest of places. The holy name is omnipotent and
benedicts the chanter with unimaginable good fortune - Its very nature
is that It elevates one to experience divine bliss. A chanter is no
ordinary person, for he becomes worthy of the entire world's praise.
The holy name is the only means of salvation for the fallen
conditioned souls, and It is always worshippable for It offers the much
desired liberation, exalts one to the supreme spiritual abode and
blesses the chanter with transcendental love of Godhead, Sri Hari.
The sruti and smrti contain countless proofs of the holy name's
sublime position. It is the supreme destination of all spiritual
aspirations and the mainstream of the current of bhakti (devotional
service).
The Holy Name destroys all sins
"One of the inherent characteristics of the holy name is that It
destroys all sins. Hear first the different, authoritative conclusions on
the subject. Take note of Ajamila, the example of a sinner, who on
his deathbed unconsciously called out, 'Narayana', the Supreme
Lord's name. The innumerable sins he had committed in countless
lives were immediately absolved.
ayam hi krta-nirveso
janma-koty-amhasam api
yad vyajahara vivaso
nama svasty-ayanam hareh (Bhag. 6.27)
"Ajamila had already atoned for all his sinful actions. Indeed, he
has atoned not only for sins performed in one life but for those
performed in millions of lives, for in a helpless condition he chanted
the holy name of Narayana. Even though he did not chant purely, he
chanted without offenses, and therefore he is now pure and eligible for
liberation.
"The most heinous offenses like murdering a woman, a king, a cow
or a brahmana; taking intoxicants, cohabiting with guru's wife,
betraying a friend, stealing, etc. are easily condoned simply by
chanting the holy name. Once one is purified of his sins, he becomes
attracted to Lord Krsna. In this way the holy name guides the living
entity to his penultimate spiritual goal.
stenah sura-po mitra dhrug
brahma-ha guru-talpa-gah
stri-raja-pitr-go-hanta
ye ca patakino 'pare

sarvesam apy aghavatam idam eva suniskrtam nama vyaharanam visnor yatas tad-visaya matih (Bhag. 6.2.9-10)

"The chanting of the holy names of Lord Visnu is the best process
of atonement for a thief of gold or other valuables, for a drunkard, for
one who betrays a friend or relative, for one who kills a brahmana, or
for one who indulges in sex with the wife of his guru, or another
superior. It is also the best method of atonement for one who
murders women, the king or his father, for one who slaughters cows,
and for all other sinful men. Simply by chanting the holy name of
Lord Visnu, such sinful persons may attract the attention of the
Supreme Lord, who therefore considers, 'Because this man has
chanted My holy name, My duty is to give him protection.'"
Penances and vows are insignificant activities compared to chanting
"Observing penances and vows like candrayana-vrata strictly
according to scriptural injunctions cannot completely eradicate the sins
a sinner commits. Yet, by chanting Lord Krsna's name even once,
one becomes totally free from all sins.
na niskrtair uditair brahma-vadibhis
tatha visuddhyaty aghavan vratadibhih
yatha harer nama-padair udahrtais
tad uttamasloka-gunopalambhakam (Bhag. 6.2.11)
"By following the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies or undergoing
atonement, sinful men do not become as purified as by chanting once
the holy name of Lord Hari. although ritualistic atonement may free
one from sinful reactions, it does not awaken devotional service, unlike
the chanting of the Lord's names, which reminds one of the Lord's
fame, qualities, attributes, pastimes and paraphernalia.
"Even if the holy name is chanted unconsciously, jokingly, simply
for entertainment, or neglectfully, the most grievous sins are absolved,
and he enters the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha, lying beyond the
jurisdiction of Yamaraja, the god of death.
sanketyam parihasyam va
stobham helanam eva va
vaikuntha-nama grahanam
asesagha-haram viduh (Bhag. 6.2.14)
"One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed
from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly (to
indicate something else), jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even
neglectfully. This is accepted by all learned scholars of the scriptures.
patitah skhalito bhagnah
sandastas tapta ahatah
harir ity avasenaha
puman narhati yatanah (Bhag. 6.2.15)
"If one chants the holy name of Hari and then dies because of an
accidental misfortune, such as falling from the top of a house, slipping
and suffering broken bones while travelling on the road, being bitten
by a serpent, being afflicted with pain and high fever, or being injured
by a weapon, one is immediately absolved from having to enter hellish
life, even though he is sinful.
ajnanad athava jnanad
uttamasloka-nama yat
sankirtitam agham pumso
dahed edho yathanalah (Bhag. 6.2.18)
"As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord,
whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes without fail
all the reactions of one's sinful activities.
vartamanantu yat papam
yadbhutam yad bhavisyati
tat-sarvam nirdahaty asu
govinda-kirtananalah (Laghu-bhagavatamrta)
"The holy name is the only real friend of the living entity. By
chanting the holy name of Govinda, Krsna one very easily uproots all
sinful reactions that have been accumulated not only in this lifetime
but also those of many past lives and which are yet to mature into
fruition.
sada drohaparo yas tu
sajjananam mahitale
jayate pavano dhanyo
harer-namanukirtanat (Laghu-bhagavatamrta)
"An offense committed against a saintly person is a serious crime,
and only by chanting the holy name of Krsna can one atone for it.
"The scriptures have amply described the various forms of
prayascitta (rituals for atonement of sins). However, all of these
ritualistic activities are inconsequential compared to the chanting of the
holy name.
vasanti yani kotistu
pavanani mahitale
na tan tat-tulyam yanti
krsna-namaukirtane (Kurma Purana)
"The process of chanting the holy name has the power to eradicate
all the accumulated and sinful reactions and much more, so much so
that the holy name can absolve more sinful reactions than one is at all
capable of committing.
namno sya yavati saktih
papa-nirharane hareh
tatvat kartum no saknoti
patakam pataki janah (Kurma Purana)
"It is impossible to commit such volumes of sinful activities in this
age of Kali that cannot be eradicated by the chanting of the holy
name of Govinda.
tan nasti karmajam loka-
vag-jam manasam eva va
yan na ksapayete papam
kalau govinda-kirtanam (Skanda Purana)
"The scriptures proclaim unequivocally that the holy name is the
only cure for all diseases. O residents of Vrndavana, I say it is true,
trust Me. Just chant the name of Govinda, Acytutananda, Krsna!
Chant the holy name out for Madhusadan feeling from the heart with
tears flowing from the eyes and rid yourself of all material disease and
sufferings.
acyutananda-govinda-
namoccarana-bhasitah
nasyanti sakala rogah
satyam satyam vadamy aham (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
"Chanting the holy name constantly can purify even the most fallen
sinner, and after he becomes purified, he in turn is to be counted
amongst the saintly persons who can purify others by his association.
mahapataka-yukto 'pi
kirtayan manisam harim
suddha-antahkarano bhutva
jayate pankti-pavanah (Brahmananda Purana)
"All dreadful fears and sufferings, like severe sickness, the fear of
capital punishment, etc. are easily quelled by chanting Lord
Narayana's holy name.
maha-vyadhi-samacchano
raja-badhopa-piditah
narayaneti samkirtya
niratanko bhaven narah (Vahni Purana)
"The chanting of the holy name drives away all diseases, sufferings,
distressful conditions and inauspicious situations.
sarva-roga-upasamanam
sarva-upadrava-nasanam
santidam sarva-aristanam
harer-nama-anukirtane (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
"As a strong wind disperses the clouds of gathering gloom, and the
rising sun's first rays dispel darkness, similarly chanting of the holy
name countervails against all calamities by its own unlimited potency.
This is clearly explained by Srila Vyasadeva in the Srimad
Bhagavatam.
samkirtamano bhagavan anantah
srutanubhavo vyasanam hi pumsam
pravisya cittam vidhunoty asesam
yatha tamo 'rko'bhramivati-vatah (Bhag. 12.12.48)
"When people properly glorify the Supreme Personality of
Godhead or simply hear about His power, the Lord personally enters
their hearts and cleanses away every trace of misfortune, just as sun
removes the darkness or as a powerful wind drives away the clouds."
"A person deeply afflicted by poverty, hopelessness, despondency,
weakness of mind, fear and serious diseases and distress can rarely see
the redeeming rays of hope, but if he simply chants 'Narayana',
'Hari', he will certainly be released from this intolerable misery and
experience unlimited happiness.
arta visannah sithilas ca bhita
ghoresu ca vyadhisu vartamanah
samkirtya narayana-sabdam ekam
vimukta duhkhah sukhino bhavanti (Visnudharmottara)
"The holy name of Visnu, Krsna, possesses inconceivable power
and potency. By chanting the holy name, all evil spirits, ghosts,
demons and monsters etc. flee in fear, putting an end to the living
entities' extreme trepidations. Chanting removes all inauspiciousness,
tribulations, hunger, thirst, confusion, and so on.
"After knowing all these facts about the name's potency, if one is
still in doubt about Its efficacy, then he will not achieve any success
in chanting. Another esoteric point about the holy name the devotees
must be aware of is that one receives the mercy of the holy name only
by increasing one's faith and not by faithless doubting.
kirtanad-deva-devasya
visnoramita-tejasah
yaksa-raksasa-vetala-
bhuta-preta-vinayakah
dakinyo-vidravanti sma
ye tathanye ca himsakah
sarva natha-haram tasya-
namasamkirtanam smrtam
namasamkirtanam krtva
ksuttrt praskhalitadisu
viyogam sighram-apnoti
sarvanarthaima samsayah (Visnudharmottara)
"I see that Kali-yuga is like a black, poisonous snake with a gaping
mouth and fangs. But please be unperturbed dear devotees and listen
with faith. Once the holy name of the Lord is being chanted, it is
like igniting a forest fire which will burn to ashes the poisonous snakes
within the forest.
kali-kala kusarpasya
tiksna-damstrasya ma bhayam
govinda-nama-danena
dagdho yasyati bhasmatam (Skanda Purana)
In this dark age of Kali-yuga, sincere devotees of the Supreme
Lord should leave aside all other means for liberation and take full
shelter of the holy name. This is their real responsibility and duty.
There is unlimited bliss in chanting the different names of Krsna:
Hari, Kesava, Govinda, Vasudeva and Jaganmaya. For one who
chants constantly with unflinching faith, he remains unaffected by the
reverses of Kali-yuga, because his heart has become purified by
chanting.
harinama para ye ca
ghore kali-yuge narah
te eva krtakrtyasca
na kalir badhate hi tan
hare kesava govinda
vasudeva jaganmaya
itirayanti ye nityam
na hi tam badhate kalih (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
"An abominable sinner a fit resident of hell, can easily become a
devotee of the Lord by chanting Krsna's name. Thus he can enter
into the highest spiritual abode of the Lord.
yatha tatha harenama
kirtayanti sma narakah
tatha tatha harau bhaktim-
ucvahanto udivam yayuh (Nrsimha Purana)
"Prarabdha, or unmanifested reactions of sinful activities committed
in a previous life, can be counteracted only by means of chanting the
holy name.
"This result cannot be achieved by pursuing speculative knowledge
or performance of fruitive activity. In fact, it is impossible to break
free from the entanglement of karma (results of actions) without the
help of the chanting process. Final liberation, therefore is unattainable
through other processes. The kind of liberation the holy name offers
to the living entity will never again allow him to be induced to
perform fruitive activities, but will rather make him transcend illusion
and the three material modes.
natah param karma-nibandha-krntanam
mumuksatam tirtha-padanukirtanat
na yat punah karmasu sajjate mano
rajas-tamobhyam kalilam tato 'nyatha (Bhag. 6.2.46)
"Therefore one who desires freedom from material bondage should
adopt the process of chanting and glorifying the name, fame, form and
pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, at whose feet all the
holy places stand. One cannot derive the proper benefit from other
methods, such as pious atonement, speculative knowledge and
meditation in mystic yoga; because even after following such methods
one takes to fruitive activities again, unable to control his mind, which
is contaminated by the base qualities of nature: namely passion and
ignorance.
"If a person who is in a death stupor, suffering acutely in a state of
coma, somehow - unconsciously or otherwise - chants Krsna's name,
the bonds of karmic reaction that bind him are severed, and he attains
the supreme goal. In Kali-yuga such liberation is unobtainable by
any other methods.
yan namadheyam mriyamana aturah
patan skhalan va vivaso grnan puman
vimukta-karmargala uttamam gatim
prapnoti yaksanti na tam kalau janah (Bhag. 12.3.44)
"Terrified, about to die, a man collapses on his bed. Although his
voice is faltering and he is hardly conscious of what he is saying, if he
utters the holy name of the Supreme Lord he can be freed from the
reaction of his fruitive work and achieve the supreme destination. But
still people in the age of Kali will not worship the Supreme Lord.
"The holy name should be chanted with sincere faith and devotion
and without envy. Krsna then forgives all of his countless offenses.
As for the unfortunate soul who does not believe in the holy name,
the gates of liberation remain always closed to him.
mama namani loke'smin
sraddhaya yastu kirtayet
tasyaparadha-kotistu
ksamamy evam na samsayah (Visnu-yamala)
"Discrepancies that arise while pronouncing Vedic hymns and
following regulative principles of ritualistic activities in regard to time,
place and paraphernalia are all rectified by chanting the holy name,
and thus one experiences unlimited joy. Chanting is the most
important of all spiritual activities, so if one takes shelter of the holy
name he will automatically achieve perfection in all other devotional
endeavours.
mantratas-tantratas-chidram
desa-kalarna-vastutah
sarvam karoti nischidram
anusa mkirttanam tava (Bhag. 8.23.16)
"There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and
observing the regulative principles, and moreover there may be
discrepancies in regard to time, place and paraphernalia. But when
Your Lordship's holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless.
"The holy name is the essence of the Vedas, and far superior to it,
anyone who doubts this faces constant misery. Pranava (the sound
om) is one of Krsna's names; the Vedas have emanated from this
seed sound om, spoken first by Lord Brahma. One who continuously
chants Lord Hari, Krsna's name, is considered to have mastered the
four Vedas.
rg-vedo hi yajur-vedah
samavedapy'tharvanah
adhitastena yenoktam
harir ity aksara-dvayam (Visnudharmottara)
"What prompts you to undertake the tedious study of the four
Vedas, namely, Rg, Sama, Yajur and Atharva? Simply go on
chanting, "Govinda, Govinda!" That is all that is required to achieve
perfection.
ma rco ma yajus tata
ma sama patha kincana
govindeti harermama
geyam gayasva nityasah (Skanda Purana)
"Each name of Lord Visnu is greater and more potent than the
entire Vedas; and Lord Rama's name alone is superior to a thousand
names of Lord Visnu.
visnor-ekaika-namapi
sarva-vedadhikam matam
tadrk nama-sahasrena
rama-nama-samamsmrtam (Padma Purana)
"The spiritual result one obtains from chanting a thousand names
of Visnu three times is attained by chanting Lord Krsna's holy name
once.
"Dear devotees of the Lord, please continuously chant, "Krsna,
Krsna, Krsna, Krsna, Krsna, Krsna, he!" And also chant, "Hare
Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare
Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare'. This mantra consisting of sixteen
names is perfect in every respect, and chanting this mantra gives one
the highest benefit and perfection in spiritual life.
sahasra-namnam punyanam
triravrttya tu yat phalam
eka vrttya tu krsnasya
namaikam tat prayacchati (Brahmananda Purana)
Why undertake so many inconveniences that automatically
accompany pilgrimages simply to gain some piety, when by constantly
chanting Hare Krsna, wherever you are situated, you can accrue the
results of all pious activities?
"For one who continually chants the Lord's holy name there is no
extra spiritual benefit by visiting even such holy places as Kuruksetra,
Kasi, Puskara, etc.
kuruksetrena kim tasya
kim kasya puskarena va
jihavagrete vasati yasya
harir-ity-aksara-dvayam (Skanda Purana)
"The spiritual value of Hari kirtana is far superior to even
circumambulating many thousands of holy pilgrimages.
tirtha-koti-sahasrani
tirtha-koti-satani ca
tani sarvany-avapnoti
visnor-nama-anukirtanat (Vamana Purana)
On a visit to the holy land of Kuruksetra the powerful sage
Visvamitra once said, that he had heard the names of many holy
places of pilgrimage in the material universe but none of them
possessed even one millionth of the spiritual potency contained in the
chanting of the holy name. This statement is of utmost value to
everyone.
visrutani bahunyeva
tirthani bahudhani ca
koty amsena api tulyani
nama-kirtanato hareh (Visvamitra Samhita)
"What is the necessity for studying such voluminous works as the
Vedic literature and its corollaries? And why do people visit
innumerable holy pilgrimage sites? One who truly desires to liberate
his soul from illusion, let him constantly chant Lord Govinda's
(Krsna's) holy name.
kitanta veda-agama-satra-vistarais-tirthair-anekair api kim paryojanam
yady atmano vanchasi mukti-karanam govinda govinda iti sphuratam
rata
The chanting of the holy name is the highest spiritual activity, far
superior to all other pious activities. One who chants with this
realisation is automatically executing all other prescribed religious
duties. Pious activities like giving lakhs of cows in charity on solar
eclipses; residing in Prayaga in the month of Magha (December-
January) and observing strict vows and baths; performing countless
sacrifices and disbursing mountains of gold are not equivalent to a
minute fraction of a fraction of the spiritual potency of chanting the
holy name.
go-koti-danam grahane khagasya
prayaga-gangodake kalpavasah
yajnayutam meru-suvarnadanam
govinda-kirtanerna samam satamsaih (Laghu Bhagavatamrta)
"Even if hundreds of altruistic works are performed for the benefit
of the general's welfare, all such activities are mundane activities
according to the scriptures. The chanting of the names of God alone
can actually give complete liberation from this material world. Every
other activity is insignificant in comparison.
istapurtani karmani
suvahuni krtany api
bhava-hetur hi tany eva
harer-namatu muktidam (Bodhayana-samhita)
How reliable is samkhya-yoga (deductive philosophical speculation),
astanga-yoga (the eightfold yoga process), etc. to offer one liberation?
If you are really searching for mukti, then continuously chant
Govinda's name. In fact, mukti is also insignificant in comparison to
the actual result one achieves by chanting the holy name. Mukti is
but facile even to someone who chants the holy name indifferently.
kim karisyati samkh yena
kim yogair nara-nayaka
muktim-icchasi rajendra
kuru govinda-kirtanam (Guru Purana)
"One who constantly chants Krsna's name the holy name dances
on his tongue. He may have taken birth in a family of dog-eaters
(svapaca), but he should certainly be considered a highly elevated
brahmana. He must have already performed severe austerities and
penances, visited all the holy places, taken bath in all of the sacred
rivers and studied the conclusions of the Vedas. Thus, obtaining
immense piety, he incessantly tastes the nectar of the holy name.
aho bata svapaco to gariyan
vat-jihvagre vartate nama tubh yam
tepus tapas te juhuvuh sasnur arya
brahmanucur nama grnanti ye te (Bhag. 3.33.7)
"Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy
name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are
worshipable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship
must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and
achieved all the good manners of the Aryans. To be chanting the
holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of
pilgrimage, studied the Vedas and fulfilled everything required.
"The Hare Krsna maha-mantra is the greatest chant for
deliverance. It can easily offer all perfections and bring one to the
highest spiritual realisations. This fact has been boldly proclaimed in
the Vedic literatures. The chanting of the holy name brings
completely under control all six vicious vices (lust, greed, anger, etc)
and the impetuous senses, thus freeing one to execute perfect
devotional service to the Supreme Lord.
etad sad-varga-haranam
ripunigrahanam param
adhyatma-mulam-etadbhi
visnor-nama-anukirtanam (Skanda Purana)
"The really qualified and intelligent scholar, who applies his
knowledge by proper behaviour and who relish the essence of the
scriptures, appreciates Kali-yuga; because it is only in this yuga that
one attains the highest perfection simply by chanting the holy name.
kalim sabhajayanty arya
guna-jnah sara-bhaginah
yatra samkirtanenaiva
sarva-svartho 'bhilabhyate (Bhag. 11.5.36)
"Those who are actually advanced in knowledge are able to
appreciate the essential value of this age of Kali. Such enlightened
persons worship Kali-yuga because in this fallen age all perfections of
life can easily be achieved by the performance of sankirtana.
"The supremely potent holy name is equal in every respect to the
Supreme Lord Krsna Himself, because Lord Krsna has invested the
holy name with all of His potencies. Krsna has collected the spiritual
results accrued by charity, austerity, penance, pilgrimage, karma-kanda
rituals offered to the demigods, rajasuja-yajna, asvamedha-yajna,
knowledge of self-realisation and so on infused them into His holy
name to make It absolutely powerful.
dana-vrata-tapas-tirtha
ksetradinanca yah sthitah
saktayo devamahatam
sarva-papa-harah subhah
rajasuyasvamedhanam
jnanamadhyatmavastunah
akrsya harina sarvah
sthapitah svesu namasu (Skanda Purana)
"Lord Krsna, Lord of the demigod, possesses inconceivable
potencies, and all of His names are endowed with the same potencies.
One should develop attachment for Krsna's holy names. Take shelter
and worship the holy name, for the omnipotent name can give one
every desirable object.
sarvartha sakti-yuktasya
devadevasya cakrinah
yac cabhir ucitam nama
tat sarvarthesu yojayet (Brahmananda Purana)
"The world becomes joyful hearing Hrisikesa's (Krsna) holy name,
and they become attached to Him. The perfected souls offer their
respectful homage to Him, but the demons are afraid, and they flee
away. Lord Krsna and His names are the same; the name has
immense powers of influence - It is not lacking in anything.
sthane hrsikesa tava prakirtya
jagat prahrsyaty anurajyate ca
raksamsi bhitani drso dravanti
sarve namasyanti ca-siddha-sanghah
"O master of the senses, the world becomes joyful upon Your
name, and thus everyone becomes attached to You. Although the
perfected beings offer You their respected homage, the demons are
afraid, and they flee here and there. All this is rightly done.
"Special material qualifications, caste, etc. are not the required
qualifications for chanting the holy name. One does not need to have
formal initiation or have undergone vows of purification to be eligible
to chant the holy name. Whoever constantly chants the names of the
Supreme Lord: Narayana, Jagannatha, Vasudeva, Janardana, is
respected by all as a spiritual master. That person who chants Lord
Krsna's name in sleeping, walking, dreaming and while performing
other chores, is to be worshipped by everyone.
narayana jagannatha
vasudeva janardana
itirayanti nityam
te vai sarvatra banditah
s vapan bhunjana vrajams-
tisthan uttisthams-ca vadamas
tatha ye vadanti harer-nama
tebhyo nityam namo namah (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
"Anyone who chants Lord Krsna's holy name is to be worshipped
like a guru without considering that such a person is a woman, a
sudra, a pukkasa, a yavana or of even lower birth.
stri sudrah pukkaso vapi
ye canye papayonayah
kirtayanti harim bhaktya
tebhyo'piha namo namah (Narayana-vyuha-stava)
"One who is shelterless, who has no higher spiritual goals, who is a
debauchee, cruel, violent, very licentious and devoid of knowledge,
austerity or religious principles can become more elevated than the
pious men simply by the chanting holy name.
anaya gatayo martya
bhogino'pi parantapah
jnana-vairagyarahita-
brahmacaryadi-varjitah
sarva dharmojjhita-visnor-
nama-matraika-jalpakah
sukhena yam gatim yanti
na tam sarve'pi dharmikah (Padma Purana)
"There are no rules indicating time, place or circumstances for
chanting the holy name, nor is anyone prohibited from chanting if he
is unclean or contaminated.
na desa-niyamas-tasmin
na kala-niyamas-tatha
nocchistadu nisedho'sti
sri-harer-namni lubdhaka (Visnudharma)
"Just go on chanting the holy name of Lord Krsna. Do not be
inhibited by external rules such as those governing cleanliness, the
holy name is fully independent of all such material proscriptions and It
is the supremely purifying agent - cleansing everything but without
becoming affected in any way.
chakrayudhasya namami
sada sarvatra kirtayet
na saucam kirtane tasya-
sa pavitrkaro yatah (Skanda Purana)
"Ritualistic religious practices like yajna, charity, sacred baths and
chanting of Vedic hymns are all regulated by rules of times,
cleanliness, etc. To consider that the chanting of the holy name is
subject to the same restrictions is a gross blunder. There are no hard
and fast rules for chanting. Therefore, everyone chant Krsna's name
at all times.
na desa-niyamo rajan
na kala-niyamas-tatha
vidyate natra sandeho
visnor-nama anu kirtane
kalo'sti dane yajne
ca sthane kalo'sti sajjape
visnu-samkirtane kalo
nasty atra prthivitale (Vaisnava Cintamani)
"For the yogi who is searching for peace of mind, tranquillity and
freedom from fear, the only quick and effective way is to chant the
holy name.
etam-nirvidyamananam
icchatana kuto-bhayam
yoginam rupa nirnitam
harer namanukirtanam (Bhag. 2.1.11)
"O king, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the
ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of
success for all, including those who are free from all material desires,
those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who
are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.
"Lord's holy name is the most magnanimous deliverer of souls.
The name alone offers the living entity sure and easy liberation. One
needs to chant the bisyllabic name of the Supreme Lord (Hari), just
once, and immediately become an eligible candidate for liberation.
sakrd-uccaritam yena
harir-ity-aksara-dvayam
baddhah parikaras-tena
moksaya gamanam prati (Skanda Purana)
"Anyone who chants Lord Narayana's holy name even once with a
pure heart, having conquered sleep and lethargy, is liberated and is in
constant communion with the Lord.
sakrd-uccaritam yastu
narayanam atantritah
sudhantah karano bhutva
nirvanam adhigacchati (Padma Purana)
"A ;living entity, enmeshed in the abysmal ocean of repeated birth
and death, even if unconsciously chants the holy name of Hari
(Krsna) he becomes immediately liberated and personified fear being
afraid of the holy name goes away.
apannah samsrtim ghoram
yan-nama vivaso grnan
tatah sadyo vimucyeta
yad bibheti svayam bhayam (Bhag. 1.1.14)
"Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of
birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously
chanting the holy name of Krsna, which is feared by fear personified.
"Let me take shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, whose
incarnations, transcendental qualities and activities are all mysterious
imitations of worldly affairs. One who invokes His transcendental
names, even unconsciously, at the time of death, is certainly absolved
of all his sins of many lifetimes, and attains Him without fail.
yasyavatara-guna-karma-vidambanani
namani ye' su-vigame vivasa grnanti
te'nai ka-janma samalam sahasaiva hitva
samyanty apavrtamrtam tam ajam prapadye (Bhag. 3.9.15)
"Let me take shelter of the lotus feet of Him whose incarnations,
qualities, and activities are mysterious imitations of worldly affairs.
One who invokes His transcendental names, even unconsciously, at
the time he quits this life, is certainly washed immediately of the sins
of many, many births and attains Him without fail.
"In our normal activities of eating, sleeping, sitting, dreaming, etc.
to chant Krsna's names, while nullify the ill effects of Kali-yuga, is
the perfection of speech. Even it a person chants Krsna's names
indifferently, he will surely achieve his svarupa, or original spiritual self
and attain that state beyond all material fear and lamentation. He will
reach Vaikuntha, the supreme goal.
varjams-tisthan svapannasnan
svasan vakya-prapurane
nama-samkirtanam visnor-
helaya kali-vardhanam
krtva svarupatam yati
bhakti-yuktam param vrajet (Linga Purana)
vasudevasya samkirtya
surapo vyadhito'pi va
mahavisnu prasidati (Varaha Purana)
"If somehow or other one chants Krsna's holy name, Krsna is
attracted to him and He showers him with causeless mercy. Even a
ghostly haunted drunkard, miserably suffering numerous health
disorders simply chants the holy name, then liberation is immediately
within his easy reach.
madhura-madhuram etan mangalanam sakalnigama
vali-sat phalam cit-svarupam
sakrd-api parigitam sraddhaya helaya va bhrguvara
nara matram tarayet krsna nama (Skanda Purana)
"Amongst the different limbs of bhakti chanting of the holy name
is, according to all the scriptures, the most efficacious. Astanga-yoga
necessitates much arduous physical and mental exercise in order to
remember the Supreme Lord Visnu. But simply moving the lips and
chanting is the best form of glorification and remembrance of the
Supreme Lord.
aghacchit smaranam visnor
vahvayasena sadhyate
ostha-spandana-matrena
kirtanantu tato varam (Vaisnava Cintamani)
"One who has worshipped the Deity of the Lord for at least a
thousand lifetimes, and in each life having taken proper brahmanical
initiation, is able to vibrate the holy name of Lord.
yena janma-sataih purvam
vasudevah samarcitah
tan-mukhe harinamani
sada tisthani bharata (Vaisnava Cintamani)
"The supreme goal which was attained in Satya-yuga by years of
prolonged meditation; in Treta-yuga by performing extensive yajnas; in
Dvapara-yuga by opulent and scrupulous Deity worship; in Kali-yuga
the same results are easily had simply by the chanting of the holy
name.
dhyayan krte yajan yajnais-
tretayam dvapare rcayan
yadapnoti tadapnoti
kalau samkirtaya kesavam (Visnu Purana)
"The hallmark of a mahabhagavata (the most elevated devotee) in
kali-yuga is that he chants the holy name of the Lord constantly.
mahabhagavata nityam
kalau smakirtaya kesavam (Skanda Purana)
"The extraordinary result derived from chanting the
transcendentally empowered and eternal name of Krsna just a few
times cannot be satisfactorily described, even by persons like Lord
Siva or Lord Brahma. So marvellous is the holy name that
immediately upon chanting It, the chanter attains the supreme
destination.
sakrd uccarayanty eva
harer nama cidamakam
phalam nasya ksamo vaktum
sahasra-vadano vidhih
namoccarana-mahatmyam
srutyate mahad-abhutam
yad-uccarana-matrena
naro yayat param padam (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
"Lord Krsna said to Arjuna, 'O Arjuna! Listen attentively. When
the living entity chants My name, whether out of devotion or
indifference, I never forget this act. It remains always close to My
heart. There is now vow like chanting the holy name, no knowledge
superior to It, no meditation which comes anywhere near it, and it
gives the highest result. No penance is equal to it, and nothing is as
potent or powerful as the holy name.
"Chanting is the greatest act of piety and the supreme refuge.
Even the words of the Vedas do not possess sufficient power to
describe its magnitude. Chanting is the highest path to liberation,
peace and eternal life. It is the pinnacle of devotion, the heart's
joyous proclivity and attraction and the best form of remembrance of
the Supreme Lord. The holy name has appeared solely for the
benefit of the living entities as their Lord and master, their supreme
worshipable object and their spiritual guide and mentor.
sraddhaya helaya nama ratani mama jantuvah
tesam nama sada partha vartate hrdaye mama
na nama-sadrsam jnanam na nama-sadrsam vratam
na nama sadrsam dhyvanam na nama sadrsam phalam
na nama sadrsastyago na namasadrsah samah
na namasadrsam pnyam na namasadrsi gatih
namaiva parama muktir namaiva parama gatih
namaiva parama santir namaiva parama sthitih
namaiva parama bhaktir namaiva parama matih
namaiva parama pritir namaiva parama smritih
namaiva karanam jantor namaiva prabhur eva ca
namaiva paramaradhyam namaiva paramo guruh (Adi Purana)
"There are no limits to the glories of the holy name. Just by
hearing the Lord's names even a pukkasa, the lowest of mankind can
be saved.
na hi bhagavan aghatitam idam
tvad-darsanam nrnam akhila-papa-ksayah
yan-nama sakrc chravanat
pukkaso 'pi vimucyate samsarat (Bhag. 6.16.44)
"My Lord, it is not impossible for one to be immediately freed
from all material contamination by seeing You. Not to speak of
seeing You personally, merely by hearing the holy name of Your
Lordship only once, even candalas, men of the lowest class are freed
from all material contamination. Under the circumstances, who will
not be freed from material contamination simply by seeing You?
"Whoever continuously chants Lord Krsna's holy name, even in
his sleep, can easily realise that the name is a direct manifestation of
Krsna Himself, in spite of the influences of Kali-yuga. This has been
ordained by Lord Krsna.
krsna krsneti krsneti
svapan jagrad vrajamstatha
yo jalpati kalau nityam
krsna-rupi bhaveddhi sah (Varaha Purana)
"One who chants Krsna's name and constantly remembers Him,
even though living in this material ocean of nescience, is like the lotus,
which is born in the water but is untouched by it: it's position is
transcendental. This great soul is capable of liberating all the
suffering residents of the hellish planets.
krsna krsneti krsneti
yo mam s marati nityasah
jalam hitva yatha padmam
narakad-uddharamy-aham (Narsimha Purana)
"The holy name is the prime and most secure shelter for the living
entities. The holy name can eradicate endless offenses and liberate a
person.
namnam mukhyataram nama
krsnakhyam me parantapa
prayascittam-asesanam
papanam mocakam param (Prabhasa-khanda)
"The holy name is a transcendental touchstone, a direct
manifestation of Krsna Himself, a fully cognisant Being, perfect, pure,
eternally independent - the name and Krsna are identical.
nama cintamanih krsnas-
caitanya-rasa-vigrahah
purnah suddho nitya-mukto
bhinnatvat nama-naminoh (Brs. P.V.2.108)
"One who philosophically understands that the Lord's holy name
and His potencies are the same can properly approach and worship
the Supreme Lord with transcendental knowledge and choice prayers."
om a'sya jananto nama cid-vivaktan
mahaste visnoh sumatim bhajamahe om tat sat (Rg Veda 1.56.3)
Sri Krsnadasa, a resident of a dhama, then humbly enquired from
lord Caitanya with folded hands: "Dear Lord, I have one other
clarification to be made, which I place before Your lotus feet: after
having heard the wonderful glories of the holy name, I wonder why
chanting does not give everyone the same result."
The Lord replied, "Sraddha (faith) is the root of everyone's
spiritual life. Some persons do not get results from chanting due to
their lack of faith. The holy name is the Supreme Lord Himself,
residing in everyone's heart as the Supersoul and He offers success in
chanting proportionate to one's faith. Persons who do not have
sufficient faith in the holy name or the chanting process, cannot have
spiritual progress. Instead they slide down the path to destruction,
committing offenses against the holy name.
They misinterpret the glories and transcendental nature of the holy
name, and due to this offense they suffer hellish existence."
arthavadam harer-namni
sambhavayati yo narah
sa papistho manusyanam
niraye patati sphutam (Katyayani Samhita)
yannama-kirtana vividhan nisamya na sraddadhati manute
yadutartha vadam
yo manusas-tan-iha duhkhaca ye ksipami sansara-ghora vividharti
nipiditangam (Brahma Samhita)

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