to the shrine of devotional service through either the association of
saintly persons during philosophical discussions, or by the
ritualistic offering to the Supreme Lord of the results of work
performed without desire but in Kali-yuga both paths have become
contaminated. Genuine saintly persons, now rarely seen, have been
displaced by crass, commercial pseudo-spiritualists. Religious duties
are no longer performed for purifying the consciousness but for
enjoyment of the material results of the rituals. Therefore these
secondary paths are no longer beneficial.
The Lord, considering the jivas' welfare, descended in Kali-yuga along
with His holy name to propagate the yuga-dharma (the religion of the
age) which is chanting. By taking up the yuga-dharma the jiva attains
love of Krsna. He has only to remember the Supreme Lord's name and
chant the Lord's name congregationally (nama-sankirtana).
Out of His causeless compassion, the Supreme Lord incarnated as the
holy name, making Himself immediately available to the jivas; thus the
holy name is accepted by the intelligent and righteous jivas as their
only means of perfection. The scriptures recommend chanting the Lord's
name as the most effective process of obtaining the supreme goal, but
some persons understand this to mean that chanting is one of many
subhakarmas. The holy name is fully spiritual and transcendental to
material nature. It is untainted by matter.
The Supreme Lord has infused His transcendental name with all of His
potencies and offered it to humanity. One who has sufficient faith in
Lord Krsna's name is eligible to chant, and only one who chants the
name is properly executing the prescribed duties of the human being.
He is called an adhikari or possessor of the holy name.
Anyone wanting to attain the highest spiritual success must become
free from deceit, join Lord Krsna's family of devotees and
continuously chant the holy name. He should accept everything
favorable for devotional service and at the same time reject
unfavorable things. He should seek out the association of devotees and
utilize his life in service to the Lord's holy name and the Vaisnavas.
He should forgo all other religious practices and not think anything
to be independent from Krsna.
The holy name is so potent that chanting does not depend on conditions
of time, place, rules, cleanliness, and so on. Pious activities, such
as the giving of charity, the performance of sacrifices, the taking of
ablutions, or the recitation of Vedic mantras are all regulated by
stringent rules. But for the chanting of the holy name, the only
prerequisite is faith.
One who takes shelter of the holy name with unflinching faith will
attain all perfection.
- From Sri Harinama Cintamani
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