Guest guest Report post Posted June 11, 2003 The Nectar of the Holy Name In the Vedic literature of India there are many references indicating that in this particular age the most effective religious practice is the chanting of the holy name of Lord. Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.32 and 36: krishna-varnam tvisakrishnam sangopangastra-parsadam yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi su-medhasah "In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions." kalim sabhajayanty arya guna jnah sara-bhaginah yatra sankirtanenaiva sarva-svartho 'bhilabhyate "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 perfection of life can easily be achieved by the performance of sankirtana [the congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord]." Some general verses describing the glories of the chanting of the names of the Lord include one from the Padma Purana: nama cintamanih krishnas caitanya-rasa-vigrahah purnah suddho nitya-mukto 'bhinnatvan nama-naminoh "The holy name of Krishna is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krishna Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Krishna's name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Krishna Himself. Since Krishna's name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with maya [illusion]. Krishna's name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are identical." And then there is a nice verse by Srila Rupa Gosvami quoted in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 1.99: tunde tandavini ratim vitanute tundavali-labdhaye karna-kroda-kadambini ghatayate karnarbudebhyah sprham cetah-prangana-sangini vijayate sarvendriyanam krtim no jane janita kiyadbhir amrtaih krishneti varna-dvayi "I do not know how much nectar the two syllables 'Krish-na' have produced. When the holy name of Krishna is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert." And from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.14: apannah samsrtim ghoram yan-nama vivasho grnan tatah sadyo vimucyeta yad bibheti svayam bhayam "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 Krishna, which is feared by fear personified." In the following verse, translation, and purport from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 4.71, the glories of the holy name are elaborately described. The verse was spoken by Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Sanatana Gosvami: tara madhye sarva-srestha nama-sankirtana niraparadhe nama laile paya prema-dhana "Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the holy name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses, one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead." PURPORT Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhu gives the following directions in his Bhakti-sandarbha (270): iyam ca kirtanakhya bhaktir bhagavato dravya-jati-guna-kriyabhir dina-janaika-visayapara-karuna-mayiti sruti-puranadi-visrutih. ataeva kalau svabhavata evatidinesu lokesu avirbhuya tan anayasenaiva tat tad yuga-gata-maha-sadhananam sarvam eva phalam dadana sa kritarthayati. yata eva tayaiva kalau bhagavato visesatas ca santosho bhavati. "Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one's having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krishna in this age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord." The chanting of the holy name of Krishna "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare" has been praised by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Namastaka (verse 1): nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala- dyuti-nirajita-.-pankajanta ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanam paritas tvam hari-nama samsrayami "O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by liberated souls such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! I take complete shelter of You." Similarly, Srila Sanatana Gosvami has praised the chanting of the holy name as follows in his Brhad-bhagavatamrta (Chapter One, verse 9): jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer viramita-nija-dharma-dhyana-pujadi-yatnam kathamapi sakrd-attam muktidam praninam yat paramam amrtam ekam jivanam bhusanam me "All glories, all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krishna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krishna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure." In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) Sukadeva Gosvami says: etan nirvidyamananam icchatam akuto-bhayam yoginam nrpa nirnitam harer namanukirtanam "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 those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge." Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya wrote one hundred beautiful verses glorifying Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu entitled Susloka-satakam. Text 23 glorifies His gift of the holy name. hare-krishna-rama-nama-gana-dana-karinim soka-moha-lobha-tapa-sarva-vighna-nacinim .-padma-lubdha-bhakta-vrinda-bhakti-dayinim gaura-murtim acu naumi nama-sutra-dharinim "I enthusiastically praise the Lord with a golden form, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is holding a knotted string in His hand for counting his japa recitation of the Hare Krishna mantra. He has made a gift of the song of that mantra, thereby destroying all obstacles such as sorrow, delusion, greed, and all kinds of suffering. He bestows bhakti on the many devotees who are greedy for the service of His lotus feet." Selections from the Brhad-bhagavatamrta of Sanatana Goswami Part 2, Chapter 3, Texts 158-68 krishnasya nana-vidha-kirtanesu tan-nama-sankirtanam eva mukhyam tat-prema-sampaj-janane svayam drak saktum tatah sresthatamam matam tat Of the many ways to glorify Lord Krishna, chanting His holy name is the first. Because it has the power to give the great wealth of pure love for Him, it is considered the best. sri-krishna-namamrtam atma-hrdyam premna samasvadana-bhangi-purvam yat sevyate jihvikayaviramam tasyatulam jalpatu ko mahattvam Who can describe the peerless glory of Lord Krishna's holy name, which delights the heart and is waves of nectar always lovingly tasted by the tongue? sarvesam bhagavan-namnam samano mahimapi cet tathapi sva-priyenasu svartha-siddhih sukham bhavet Although all the Lord's names are equally glorious, by chanting the names that are dear to the devotees one quickly and easily attains his desire. vicitra-ruci-lokanam kramat sarvesu namasu priyata-sambhavat tani sarvani syuh priyani hi The devotees attracted to various names of the Lord gradually become attracted to all His names. They all become dear to him. ekasminn indriye pradur bhutam namamrtam rasaih aplavayati sarvanin driyani madhurair nijaih Appearing in one sense, the nectar of the holy name floods all the senses with sweetness. mukhyo vag-indriye tasyo- dayah sva-para-harsadah tat pradhor dhyanato 'pi syan nama-sankirtanam varam The holy name's appearance on the voice-sense delights both oneself and others. For this reason glorifying the Lord's holy name is better than meditating on Him. nama-sankirtanam proktam krishnasya prema sampadi balistham sadhanam srestham paramakrasa-mantra-vat It is said that chanting the holy name is a great treasure of love for Lord Krishna. It is the best and most powerful spiritual practice. It is like the best mantra. tad eva manyate bhakteh phalam tad rasikair janaih bhagavata-prema-sampattau sadaivavyabhicaratah They who know how to taste spiritual nectar know that spiritual love is the fruit of devotional service. In spiritual love one chants the holy name without stop. sal-laksanam prema-bharasya krishne kaiscid rasajnair uta kathyate tat premno bharenaiva ni jesta-nama- sankirtanam hi sphurati sphutartya They who know how to taste nectar describe the spiritual qualities of intense love for Lord Krishna. When the chanter is in distress, the Lord's holy name is chanted with great love. namnam tu sankirtanam arti-bharan megham vina pravrsi catakanm ratrau viyogat sva-pate rathangi- vargasya cakrosana-vat pratihi Know that, as the cataka birds lament when there is no raincloud, and as the cakravaki birds lament when separated from their husbands, so the devotees, distressed by separation from the Lord, make a lament of chanting the holy names. vicitra-lila-rasa-sagarasya prabhor vicitrat sphuritat prasadat vicitra-sankirtana-madhuri sa ma tu sva-yatnad iti sadhu sidhyet Only by the wonderful mercy of the Lord, who is a nectar ocean of wonderful pastimes, is the wonderful sweetness of chanting the holy name manifest. It is not manifest by one's own efforts. Sri Namastaka of Rupa Goswami Eight Prayers Glorfying the Holy Name TEXT 1 nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala- dyuti-nirajita-.-pankajanta ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanam paritas tvam hari-nama samsrayami O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by liberated souls, such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! I take complete shelter of You. TEXT 2 jaya namadheya muni-vrnda-geya he jana-ranjanaya param aksarakrte tvam anadarad api manag udiritam nikhilogra-tapa-patalim vilumpasi O Hari-nama, O name sung by the sages, O transcendental syllables that bring bliss to the people, even if You are spoken only once, and even if You are spoken disrespectfully, You at once remove the many harsh sufferings of everyone. TEXT 3 yad-abhaso 'py udyan kavalita-bhava-dhvanta-vibhavo drsam tattvandhanam api disati bhakti-pranayinim janas tasyodattam jagati bhagavan-nama-tarane krti te nirvaktum ka iha mahimanam prabhavati O sun of the Holy Name, even the dim light of Your early dawn 'namabhasa' devours the power of the darkness of the material world and gives those who are blind to the truth the insight to follow the path of pure devotion to Krishna. What learned person in this world can possibly fully describe Your transcendental glories? TEXT 4 yad-brahma-saksat-krti-nisthayapi vinasam ayati vina na bhogaih apaiti nama sphuranena tat te prarabdha-karmeti virauti vedah O Holy Name, the Vedas declare that although meditation on impersonal Brahman cannot bring freedom from past karma, Your appearance [on the tongue of your chanter] at once makes all karma disappear. TEXT 5 aghadamana-yasodanandanau nandasuno kamalanayana-gopicandra-vrndavanendrah pranatakaruna-krishnav ity aneka-svarupe tvayi mama ratir uccair vardhatam namadheya O Holy Name, I pray that my love for You in Your many forms—such as Aghadamana (Crusher of Aghasura), Yasodanandana (Son of Yasoda), Nandasunu (Son of Nanda), Kamalanayana (Lotus-eyed), Gopicandra (Moon of the gopis), Vrndavanendra (King of Vrndavana), Pranatakaruna (Merciful to the surrendered souls), and Krishna—may greatly increase. TEXT 6 vacyam vacakam ity udeti bhavato nama svarupa-dvayam purvasmat param eva hanta karunam tatrapi janimahe yas tasmin vihitaparadha-nivahau prani samantad bhaved asyenedam upasya so 'pi hi sadanandambudhau majjati O Holy Name, You are manifested in two forms: 1. the Supreme Person described by the Holy Name, and 2. the sound vibration of the Holy Name. We know that the second form is even more merciful than the first, because although a person may commit many offenses to Your first form, he will still plunge into an ocean of bliss by serving Your second with His voice. TEXT 7 suditasrita-janarti-rasaye ramya-cid-ghana-sukha-svarupine nama gokula-mahotsavaya te krishna purna-vapuse namo namah O perfect and complete Holy Name of Lord Krishna, You are the embodiment of delightful and intense spiritual bliss, You destroy the many sufferings of those who take shelter of You, and You are a festival of happiness for Gokula. I bow before You again and again. TEXT 8 narada-vinojjivana sudhormi-niryasa-madhuri-pura tvam krishna-nama kamam sphura me rasane rasena sada O Krishna-nama! O inspiration of Narada's vina! You are full of sweetness, which is like an ocean full of waves of nectar. If You wish, please appear constantly on my tongue, along with transcendental affection for the Lord. /images/graemlins/smile.gif Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted November 4, 2003 SOMEHOW OR OTHER CHANT From Srila Jagadananda Pandit’s Prema Vivarta chapter 20 calite basite svapne bhojane śayane kali-damana k occāre vākyera pūra To nullify the age of Kali, in all of one’s activities, while moving about, sitting, dreaming, eating, and sleeping, one should recite Krishna’s name, which is the perfection of speech. helāte-o kari’ nāma nija svarūpa pāñā param-. vaikun he yāya nirbhaya ha-iyā Even if a person chants Krishna’s names neglectfully, he will surely achieve his svarūpa, original spiritual self, and attain that state beyond all material fear and lamentation. yena tena prakārete laya k a-nāma tā’ke prīti kare k a karu ā-nidāna madyapāne bhūtāvi ha vāyu-pī ā-sthale harināmoccāre mukti tā‘ra karatale If somehow or other a person chants Krishna’s holy name, Krishna becomes attracted and showers the chanter with causeless mercy. Even if a drunkard, a person who is ghostly haunted, or one who is suffering from disease simply chants the holy name of Lord Hari, then libera-tion is immediately within their grasp. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 5, 2003 WE ARE SO WRETCHED THAT WE HAVE NO INCLINATION TO CHANT Such being the Nature of the transcendental Name of the Lord, the Name must be received through the transcendental sources i.e., from the lips of the devotees only as above mentioned. The transcendental Names of the Lord in His various forms or manifestations such as Rama, Nrisingha, Narayana, Krishna, Gopalam, Vishnu, Govinda, Radharamana, Gopinatha, Seeta Pati, Raghubara, Baladeva and many others in the spiritual kingdom, are always complete with the transcendental potencies and by the mercy of the Lord, there is no hard and fast rules in respect to time and space for the transcendental chanter. The devotee who has received the Name from a transcendental source i.e., from the lips of a devotee as above mentioned, may repeat the Name at all times, without any restriction. By this the Lord has favoured us to allow His constant association, so that one can always live with Him, go with Him, eat with Him, sleep with Him, work with Him, without being disturbed by the laws of Nature or her threefold miseries. Such is the unbounded mercy of the Lord on us, but still we are so much wretched that we have no inclination for chanting His Name in spite of His being so easily available for the fallen souls of the Age of quarrel. There is nothing to lose or nothing to spend—but everything to gain by chanting the Name of the Lord, but still we have no genuine desire for their chanting and we must see to the causes why we are so much disinclined, although the Lord has become so merciful on us. As a matter of fact, our first misfortune commenced from the time immemorial when we forgot the transcendental service of the Lord and thus became conditioned by the modes of the material Nature. This misfortunate occurrence became manifested in trio under the following heading namely:— (a) Material enjoyment without any responsibility. (b) Good or bad works for the furtherance of the above propensity in the present life and in future births also. © Culture of material knowledge in order to make a measurement of the Immeasurable. All the above threefold activities with their various sub-headings are to be considered as our misfortunes by which we are always debarred from the chanting of the transcendental Names of the Lord. Spontaneous eternal love for the Lord is a birth right of the Jiva Soul, but in the realization of his pure consciousness, the above mentioned trio is the stumbling block. (BTG 1944 p.24) O Lord Hari, because I forgot You my tongue has become afflicted with the disease of ignorance. I cannot relish the nectar of Your holy name, for I have become addicted to the taste of worldly pleasures. O merciful Lord, how great is my misfortune that I feel no appreciation for Your holy name? In such a lamentable state, how will I be freed from committing the ten offenses to the holy name? If I sing Your holy name every day, by Your mercy the ten offenses will gradually disappear. A taste for Your holy name will grow within me, and then I will taste the intoxicating spirit of the name. ( Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura) Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SRHuilgolkar 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2004 Every Name has a Form.Whatever is in the Name is in the Form.This is a Spiritual Truth.So repeating the Name gives rise to a Form.We gain Qualities of the Form.And ultimately,We become the Form.Shri Shirdi SaiBaba said that He took the name of Shri Hari & He realised that He has become Shri Hari!When we read the Biographies of "Sants" of our Holy Land, Bharat,we are guided to the path of repeating the Name of Shri Hari.This is a very easy path.There is no other way.The soothing Necter of Shri Hari is sprinkled on to those who repeat His Name.*HARI OM TAT SAT*. Let us repeat the Name of Shri Hari. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Govindaram 1 Report post Posted March 23, 2004 <font color="red"> Brihad Bhagavatamrita {The Nectar of the Supreme Personality of Godhead}</font color> by SRILA SANATANA GOSVAMI <font color="brown"> 9 All glories, all glories, to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krsna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation, and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krsna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure. 10 Obeisances to boundlessly merciful Lord Sri Krsnacandra who, appearing as Sri Caitanya, distributed the nectar of pure love of God in the age of Kali. </font color> http://gauranga1.tripod.com/free-books/brihad_bhagavatamrita.zip Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
