(comprehensive), The Thousand Holy Names of ... - Mandhata Global
(comprehensive), The Thousand Holy Names of ... - Mandhata Global
(comprehensive), The Thousand Holy Names of ... - Mandhata Global
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Introduction<br />
may consult my Godbrother Kuçakratha däsa’s excellent work<br />
on the subject published by <strong>The</strong> Krishna Institute. ∗<br />
Avoiding Offenses to the <strong>Holy</strong> Name<br />
<strong>The</strong> bliss <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Holy</strong> Name is the highest benediction. <strong>The</strong><br />
limited happiness <strong>of</strong> wealth, sense enjoyment, piety or even<br />
liberation cannot compare with it. Anything one may desire is<br />
obtainable from the <strong>Holy</strong> Name, for there is no difference<br />
between the <strong>Holy</strong> Name and Kåñëa Himself. All the Vedic<br />
scriptures confirm this. Real happiness, peace, and relief from<br />
all difficulties are easily obtainable by näma-bhajan, and this<br />
result is eternal.<br />
If this is so, then why do we need to chant again and again?<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no imperfection or fault in the <strong>Holy</strong> Name, and His<br />
purifying effect is certain and immediate. But like intoxicated<br />
elephants, after we bathe our minds and hearts by chanting, we<br />
again smear them with the mud <strong>of</strong> our attachments and desires.<br />
As conditioned souls we have a tendency to fall down into<br />
material consciousness. We must not only learn the art <strong>of</strong><br />
chanting nicely, but also <strong>of</strong> clearing the mentality that<br />
habitually contaminates the eternal bliss that is its natural<br />
result.<br />
Avoiding näma-aparäha or <strong>of</strong>fenses to the <strong>Holy</strong> Name is the<br />
only way to retain the eternal benedictions <strong>of</strong> chanting. Çréla<br />
Jéva Gosvämé, one <strong>of</strong> the founders <strong>of</strong> our disciplic lineage,<br />
instructs that we should chant the <strong>Holy</strong> Name <strong>of</strong> the Lord<br />
continuously and loudly, and it should be performed<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenselessly, as recommended in the Padma Puräëa.<br />
One can be delivered from the effects <strong>of</strong> all sins by<br />
surrendering himself unto the Lord. One can be delivered from<br />
all <strong>of</strong>fenses at the feet <strong>of</strong> the Lord by taking shelter <strong>of</strong> His <strong>Holy</strong><br />
Name. But one cannot be delivered if one commits an <strong>of</strong>fense<br />
at the feet <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Holy</strong> Name <strong>of</strong> the Lord, for chanting the <strong>Holy</strong><br />
∗ Contact <strong>The</strong> Krishna Institute, 16717 NW 173 rd Terrace, Alachua, FL 32615<br />
USA. Phone: +1 (904) 462-1843 Email: douggreenbrg@earthlink.net<br />
Web: http://seva.iskcon.net/bhakti/kusakrat/instilst.htm<br />
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