Chanting the Holy Name is the infallible way to gain prem. How to chant the Holy Name? Sriman-Mahâprabhu has Himself instructed us about this with His holy lips –
“How should we chant the Holy Name so that we gain prem? O Swarup and Râma Roy, Listen to the process! We should be lower than a blade of grass and as tolerant as a tree, we should not expect any respect from others, yet respect everybody – in this manner we should constantly chant the Holy Name.”
– (C.C.Antya.20.16)
Sriman-Mahâprabhu has explained further –
“We should be superior in all respects, yet consider ourselves more useless than a blade of grass. We should be tolerant like a tree in two ways – a tree never protests even when it is cut, it dies of thirst, yet does not beg for water. In spite of this, it gives its wealth to whosoever asks for it. It bears the heat and rain, yet offers shelter to others. Similarly a Vaishnav should be superior and yet devoid of false ego. We should respect all living beings knowing that Sri Krishna is present in them. When we chant the Holy Name in this manner, we gain love for the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.” – (C.C.Antya.20.17-21)
Offenses alone can stop the Holy Name |
The Holy Name is so extremely powerful that nothing can deter it – it is impossible for us to possess any anartha that can prevent the Holy Name from leading us to prem – well, except one barrier – and that is ‘aparâdh’. When Sriman-Mahâprabhu spoke the above verse to Swarup-Dâmodar and Râmânanda Roy, He axed the very root of nâm-aparâdh1. He instructed us to chant the Holy Name with humbleness. Humility is the soul of devotional practice.
What is humility? |
‘Humility’ is a bhâv that makes us; although we may possess all good qualities, feel that we are amazingly worthless and fallen. When we possess such humility it will save us from committing Vaishnav-offense and then Sri Nâm-Prabhu will be pleased with us. However we should not think that – “first I will acquire this great quality ‘humbleness’ and then I will start chanting” As we continue to chant the Holy Name the humility as described by Sriman-Mahâprabhu will arise in our heart on its own and make us chant inoffensively. Of course, if we wish to attain prem, we should pay great attention to all the offenses, and chant with utmost humility – this is the instruction of the great souls as well as of the scriptures.
(to be continued)
1 Offenses against the Holy Name