Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 10:03am
Gayatri and Maha-mantrakrsna-mantra haite habe samsara-mocana,krsna-nama haite pabe krsnera caranaSri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "The krsna mantra (gopala mantra) gives one freedom from material existence. And krsna nama (the Hare Krsna maha-mantra) delivers one to the lotus feet of Krsna." (Cc. Adi 7.73) In this verse, Lord Caitanya describes the effects of chanting the eighteen-syllable gopala mantra and the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Of the two mantras, Sri Jiva Gosvami emphasizes chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra in Bhakti Sandarbha 284: "Mantras are actually composed of the names of the Supreme Lord. Mantras are distinct from the name because they include the word "namah" [or svaha], and have special powers that are given by the risis or the Lord Himself. The holy names of the Lord, however, in themselves, being independent, can bestow the higest goal of life, Krsna-prema. Thus the names of Krsna are more suitable than mantras."In Krsna Samhita, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes the various mantras given to liberate one in the different yugas. In Satya, Treta and Dvapara yugas these mantras, called taraka-brahma-nama, addressed the Supreme Lord with feelings of awe and reverence invoking His divine power, majesty and protection (aisvarya-bhava). The taraka-brahma-nama for Kali-yuga is the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, a selfless call for loving service. In the Gaudiya conception, samsara-mocana, or liberation means to realize one's svarupa. At this stage, the Brahma Gayatri and the gopala mantra retire, but chanting Hare Krsna continues to deliver one to the lotus feet of Krsna (krsna-carana), in the spiritual world. This is the final stage of spiritual evolution wherein one attains his vastu siddhi, (pure spiritual form), and engages in Krsna's eternal service.Whether one is in Krsnaloka or the material world, chanting Krsna's holy name is the eternal function of the soul. In the material world, chanting Hare Krsna is the primary activity for purification and spiritual elevation. Everything else is auxiliary or supportive of the main service of chanting Hare Krsna. Upon entering the spiritual world, however, chanting the holy name will be in the background helping and energizing. Serving Radha-Govinda will be in the foreground, distinct and most important. For example, when the gopis churn fresh yogurt for Krsna's butter, they simultaneously sing His glories while keeping time with their bangles and waistbells.
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