by Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura
“As long as the jiva is not firmly established in the knowledge of sambandha-tattva, or the correct understanding of the relationship between God, His energies, and the jiva, he will continue to chant in the namabhasa stage. When the jiva takes full shelter of a bona-fide spiritual master, he becomes expert in executing devotional service under his guru’s guidance; then gradually the clouds and mist are dispersed. Once the cloud and mist are dispelled, the sun of the holy name shines brilliantly once more and enlightens the devotee with love of Godhead.”
“The bona-fide spiritual master instructs the disciple in sambandha. The chanting of the holy name is the indication (abhidheya) of this eternal relationship (sambandha). The guru encourages the disciple to take up abhidheya or chanting. The sun of the holy name now shines stronger and evaporates the mist of anartha. Chanting at this stage becomes an indispensable need — prayojana . Prayojana leads a devotee to love of Godhead. The jiva now experiences ecstasy in every moment of chanting.”
Purport to Çré Näma By His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda
“Gäy gauracand madhu sware. This is a song sung by Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura. He says that Lord Caitanya, Gaura, Gaura means Lord Caitanya, Gaurasundara, the fair complexion. Gäy gauracand madhur sware. In sweet voice, He is singing mahä-mantra, Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare…Vadane hari-näma koro re… So far chanting [is concerned], there cannot be any check, because in whatever condition I may be, I can go on chanting this mahä-mantra: Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare… So Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura advises, “Never mind, you are in distress or happiness, but go on chanting this mahä-mantra.”
The Best Medicine
By Çréla Suhotra Svämé
1) Sambandha
näma cintämaëiù kåñëaç caitanya-rasa-vigrahaù pürëaù çuddho nitya-mukto ‘bhinnatvän näma-näminoù
“The holy name of Kåñëa is a transcendental wish-fulfilling gem (cintämaëi ) it is the embodiment of all consciousness and sentiments; it is complete; it is pure; it is ever-free because the name of Kåñëa and Kåñëa Himself are one and the same.” (Padma Puräëa )
2) Abhidheya
iti sodasa kalasya jivasyavarana vinasanam tatah prakasate parabrahma megha paye ravi rasmi mandala veti
“In this way the Mahä-mantra of 16 holy names is the destroyer of the coverings of the jivatma which is composed of 16 constituents. It is then only that Lord Kåñëa shines before the jiva , like the rays of the Sun when the cloud is removed.” (Kali-santarana Upaniñad 7)
3) Prayojana
“The Mahä-mantra contains the topmost sweet names of the Lord. Provocation for all the rasas mixed with intimate attachment is found in the Hare Kåñëa Mahä-mantra. There is no mention of the Lord’s prowess (aiçvarya) or giving liberation. This Mahä-mantra reveals only that a soul has an individual attraction for the Supersoul by the thread of love. These names—Hare, Kåñëa and Räma—are the mantra for those on the path of madhurya-rasa. Constant chanting and meditation upon these names is the best form of worship of the Supreme Lord.” (Çré Kåñëa Samhita by Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura)
4) The mood required for passing from Nämäbhäsa to Suddha-näma chanting
aparadha-sunya ho ‘ye lohe Kåñëa nama Kåñëa mata Kåñëa pita Kåñëa dhane prana
“Being careful to remain free from offenses, just take the holy name of Kåñëa. Kåñëa is your mother, Kåñëa is your father, and Kåñëa is the treasure of your life.” (Gitavali by Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, Çré Nagara Kirtana)
5) Lord Caitanya’s directive for getting free from all forms of Nämäparädha
tåëäd api sunécena taror api sahiñëunä amäninä mänadena kértanéyaù sadä hariù
“One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than the tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respects to others. ln such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” ( Çikñäñöakam 3)
6) Begging for mercy through the syllables “Hare”, “Kåñëa” and “Räma”
“Although I am the lowest and You are the highest; although I am a fool and You are the greatest philosopher; although I am wicked and You are the most saintly; and although I commit offenses when I think of You; still, O Radha-Govinda, the shadow of whose holy name delivers one from a host of sins, please be kind to this person who sometimes chants your holy names.” (Karpanya-panjika-stotra by Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé)
