The Nectar of The Holy Name
Compilation of A.C. BV Swami Maharaja Srila Prabhupada's teachings
by Subhananda Prabhu
The Holy Name: The Universal and Supreme Religion for this Age
Part Five
Important Instructions
Other Important Instructions Concerning the Holy Name:
15. Chanting of the Holy Name in Krsna−lila
Unable to find Krsna, and completely absorbed in Krsna consciousness, the gopis gathered on the bank of the Yamuna and chanted the names of Krsna: All the gopis, including Radharani, began to proceed further into the forest until they could no longer see the moonlight.
When they saw that it was getting gradually darker, they stopped. Their mind and intelligence became absorbed in the thoughts of Krsna; they all imitated the activities of Krsna and His speeches. Due to their heart and soul being completely given to Krsna, they began to chant His glories, completely forgetting their family interests. In this way, all the gopis assembled together on the bank of the Yamuna, and expecting that Krsna must return to them, they simply engaged in the chanting of the glories of Sri Krsna−Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. ¯Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Radharani's hearing is eternally fixed on Krsna's name and fame: Radharani's sense of hearing is eternally fixed on Krsna's name and fame. ¯Teachings of Lord Caitanya
Radharani's alertness caused by hearing Krsna's name: When Srimati Radharani first saw Krsna, She suddenly became conscious of all transcendental happiness, and the functions of Her different limbs were stunned. When Lalita, Her constant companion, whispered into Her ear the holy name of Krsna, Radharani immediately opened Her eyes wide. This is an instance of alertness caused by hearing the sound of Krsna's name. ¯The Nectar of Devotion
Radharani's embarrassment in chanting the holy name of Krsna near Her superiors: One day Srimati Radharani was churning curd for Krsna. At that time the jeweled bangles on Her hands were circling around, and She was also chanting the holy name of Krsna. All of a sudden She thought, "I am chanting the holy name of Krsna, and My superiors−My mother−in−law and My sister−in−law−may hear Me!" By this thought Radharani became overanxious. This is an instance of feeling guilty because of devotion to Krsna. ¯The Nectar of Devotion
The ecstatic, devotional chanting of Radharani: In the Krsna−karnamrta there is another statement about the chanting of Radharani. It is said by one of the associates of Radharani: "O Lord Govinda, the girl who is the daughter of King Vrsabhanu is now shedding tears, and She is anxiously chanting Your holy name−Krsna! Krsna!" ¯The Nectar of Devotion
16. Other Instructions
The Lord as nama−dheya, one whose holy name is worth chanting: [Gajendra to Lord Visnu]: "…All are purified simply by hearing Your holy name, which is worthy to be chanted."
The holy name of the Lord and topics in relation with Him are always worth hearing, and therefore He is called here in this verse nama−dheya, or one whose holy name is worth chanting. ¯Srimad−Bhagavatam 2.7.15
One who has taken to chanting has already received the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then glanced with mercy at the Muhammadan governor. Giving him assurance, He asked him to chant the holy names Krsna and Hari.
It is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy that He advises everyone−even candalas, mlecchas and yavanas−to chant the holy name of the Lord. In other words, one who has taken to chanting the holy names Krsna and Hari has already received Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy. ¯Sri Caitanya−caritamrta Madhya−lila 16.187
A person situated in Krsna consciousness and engaged with determination in chanting Hare Krsna is to be considered to be on the transcendental position even if by accident he falls down: [Lord Krsna to Arjuna]: Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated.
In the Srimad−Bhagavatam it is stated that if a person falls down, but is wholeheartedly engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord, the Lord, being situated within his heart, beautifies him and excuses him from that abomination. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogi fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Krsna consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some accidental falldown from the ideal path, for, as explained in the next verse, such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Krsna consciousness.
Therefore a person who is situated in Krsna consciousness and is engaged with determination in the process of chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare should be considered to be in the transcendental position, even if by chance or accident he is found to have fallen. The words sadhur eva, "he is saintly," are very emphatic. They are a warning to the nondevotees that because of an accidental falldown a devotee should not be derided; he should still be considered saintly even if he has fallen down accidentally. And the word mantavyah is still more emphatic. If one does not follow this rule, and derides a devotee for his accidental falldown, then he is disobeying the order of the Supreme Lord. The only qualification of a devotee is to be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service.
The mark of a spot which may be seen on the moon does not become an impediment to the moonlight. Similarly, the accidental falldown of a devotee from the path of a saintly character does not make him abominable. ¯Bhagavad−gita As It Is 9.30
A first−class Vaisnava is he whose very presence makes others chant the holy name (and who chants the holy name perfectly): [Lord Caitanya to the inhabitants of Kulina−grama]: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "A first−class Vaisnava is he whose very presence makes others chant the holy name of Krsna."
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati thakura says that if an observer immediately remembers the holy name of Krsna upon seeing a Vaisnava, that Vaisnava should be considered a maha−bhagavata, a first−class devotee. Such a Vaisnava is always aware of his Krsna conscious duty, and he is enlightened in self−realization. He is always in love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and this love is without adulteration. Because of this love, he is always awake to transcendental realization. Because he knows that Krsna consciousness is the basis of knowledge and action, he sees everything connected with Krsna. Such a person is able to chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly. ¯Sri Caitanya−caritamrta Madhya−lila 16.74
Chanting the holy name of Visnu has gone on in Vedic culture since the beginning of history:
Mother Yasoda was firmly convinced of the Vedic injunctions about the importance of cows and the holy name of Visnu; therefore she took all shelter in the cows and the name of Visnu just to protect her child Krsna. She recited all the holy names of Visnu so that He might save the child. Vedic culture has taken advantage of keeping cows and chanting the holy name of Visnu since the beginning of history. ¯Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
The Vedic scriptures do not authorize any kirtana other than hari−kirtana, the glorification of Krsna: In Bengal there is competition between the Vaisnavas and the saktas. The saktas have introduced a certain type of kirtana called kali−kirtana. But in the Vedic scriptures there is no recommendation of kali−kirtana. Kirtana means hari−kirtana. One cannot say, "Oh, you are Vaisnava. You can perform hari−kirtana. I shall perform siva−kirtana or devi−kirtana or ganesa−kirtana." No. The Vedic scriptures do not authotize any kirtana other than ha −kirtana. Kirtana means hari−kirtana, the glorification of Krsna. ¯The Science of Self−Realization
The "Hari Haraye Namah" prayer is another way of chanting the Hare Krsna maha−mantra: There were four people accompanying Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and these were Candrasekhara, Paramananda Puri, Tapana Misra and Sanatana Gosvami. They were all chanting the Hare Krsna maha−mantra in the foliowing way. They chanted, "Haraye
namah, krsna yadavaya namah/ gopala govinda rama sri−madhusudana."
This is another way of chanting the Hare Krsna maha−mantra. The meaning is: "I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. He is the descendant of the Yadu family. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Gopala, Govinda, Rama and Sri Madhusudana." ¯Sri Caitanya−caritamrta Madhya−lila 25.63−64)