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Chanting the Holy Names of the Lord
Chanting the Holy Names of the Lord is the central practice of Lord Gauranga’s followers. Sarvabhauma
Bhattacarya once asked Lord Gauranga, "Which item is most important in the execution of devotional service?"
The Lord replied that the most important item was the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord:
harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha
'In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord.
There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way'.
Brhan-naradiya Purana 38.126
A pure devotee always engages in the service of the Lord, taking shelter of His lotus feet, and therefore he has a
direct connection with the saffron mercy-particles that are strewn over the lotus feet of the Lord. Although when a
pure devotee speaks the articulation of his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is
spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a
sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately
remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.25 purport
That devotional service begins from jihva, tongue. This tongue means that it can be utilized in devotional service in
two ways, namely by chanting the Holy Name of God and by tasting prasadam. If one engages his jihva, tongue,
in devotional service by chanting the Holy Name, Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and tasting only Krishna-prasadam,
not anything else, then Krishna, being pleased by his devotional service, He will manifest Himself, reveals Himself.
Srimad-Bhagavatam lecture, Los Angeles, 20 January 1969
I shall personally inaugurate the religion of the age — nama-sankirtana, the congregational chanting of the Holy
Name. I shall make the world dance in ecstasy, realizing the four mellows of loving devotional service.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 3.20
The religious practice for the Age of Kali is to broadcast the glories of the Holy Name. Only for this purpose has the
Lord, in a yellow color, descended as Lord Caitanya.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 3.40
Spiritual life begins with hearing and chanting. Together they form the essence of the means of all spiritual
advancement.
TOP
Chanting the Holy Names of the Lord is the central practice of Lord Gauranga’s followers. Sarvabhauma
Bhattacarya once asked Lord Gauranga, "Which item is most important in the execution of devotional service?"
The Lord replied that the most important item was the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord:
harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha
'In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord.
There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way'.
Brhan-naradiya Purana 38.126
A pure devotee always engages in the service of the Lord, taking shelter of His lotus feet, and therefore he has a
direct connection with the saffron mercy-particles that are strewn over the lotus feet of the Lord. Although when a
pure devotee speaks the articulation of his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is
spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a
sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately
remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.25 purport
That devotional service begins from jihva, tongue. This tongue means that it can be utilized in devotional service in
two ways, namely by chanting the Holy Name of God and by tasting prasadam. If one engages his jihva, tongue,
in devotional service by chanting the Holy Name, Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and tasting only Krishna-prasadam,
not anything else, then Krishna, being pleased by his devotional service, He will manifest Himself, reveals Himself.
Srimad-Bhagavatam lecture, Los Angeles, 20 January 1969
I shall personally inaugurate the religion of the age — nama-sankirtana, the congregational chanting of the Holy
Name. I shall make the world dance in ecstasy, realizing the four mellows of loving devotional service.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 3.20
The religious practice for the Age of Kali is to broadcast the glories of the Holy Name. Only for this purpose has the
Lord, in a yellow color, descended as Lord Caitanya.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 3.40
Spiritual life begins with hearing and chanting. Together they form the essence of the means of all spiritual
advancement.
TOP
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