The Sixth Offense  – harinâmni kalpanam –

 Srimat Jiva Goswâmipâd has explained this as –

 “The Holy Name has incomparable glory.  To prove that it is not so great, one may put forth some imaginary meaning of the Holy Name. It is an offense.”

 The Holy Name is exceedingly great and has colossal impact. Intelligent people will not find it difficult to believe. In this world we can perceive the power of certain, gems, mantras etc. How these objects have such power – it is beyond our comprehension. But we cannot ignore their influence either. When the power of these material objects is beyond our intellect, how can we conceive the greatness of the Holy Name that is transcendental divine exceedingly inconceivable and extraordinarily powerful? The scriptures have forbidden us to analyze transcendental objects –

 achintyâh khalu ye bhâvâ na tânstarkena yojayet,

prakritibhyah param yachcha tadachintasya lakshanam.

 Meaning – “We are forbidden to speculate over inconceivable bhâvs or objects. ‘Inconceivable’ refers to whatever is beyond the material nature.”

 After all, we belong to this world. We come in contact only with objects that are transformation of Nature. Therefore while analyzing or debating, we use our material experience. As our intellect becomes transcendental, we will be able to absorb the knowledge of divine objects. Hence whatever the scriptures and the preceptors who have transcendental intellect have told us about the inconceivable, we should accept with respect and faith. We are forbidden to use material intellect in this regard. Those with material unclear intelligence try to use logic and analysis to diminish the inconceivable glory and power of the Holy Name; they verily commit a crime against Sri Nâm-Prabhu.

 The Seventh Offense –

 nâmno balâd yasya hi papa-buddhirna vidyate yamairhi shuddhih

 Meaning – “If one thinks he can commit an offense on strength of the Holy Name – even if he performs innumerable penances and undergoes untold suffering in hell – he will not get rid of this offense”

 Explanation – We know that our sins are destroyed when we chant the Holy Name; now if out this knowledge to think – “Oh, I can continue to sin merely because after all, I am chanting and the Holy Name will destroy my sins” – then we are offending Sri Nâm-Prabhu.

 It is true that to destroy mountainous sins is but a child’s play for Sri Harinâm; yet we are supposed to take His shelter to achieve the topmost goal – eternal love or to make Sri Krishna happy by obtaining His sevâ. Now if we resort to the Holy Name to commit hateful sins displays audacity. Moreover this indicates that we are belittling the Holy Name, hence we collect offenses that are millions of times more dangerous than sins. As a result, even if we perform penances and suffer terrible punishments in the hell our chitta is not cleansed.

Here we should note the point that, when we take the shelter of the Holy Name with a pure intention, forget committing sins, we will not be interested even in pious activities. Therefore the one who has sought refuge of the lotus feet of Sri Harinâm will never dream of committing sin. When we have some aparâdh, then our chanting is called ‘nâmâbhâs‘ (shadow of the Holy Name) and not ‘pure nâm’. Even nâmâbhâs annihilates past sins and wipes out the tendency to sin. Even then, some sinful reactions do remain. In this state, if a sâdhak thinks that he can continue to sin on the strength of the Holy Name he commits a horrible nâm aparâdh.

(to be continued)