“He from whose mouth Krishna-nama is heard even once is worshipful and is the best among human beings.”
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur: One who chants suddha-krsna-nama even once is indeed a Vaisnava & Diksa (initiation) is unnecessary in terms of the existential reality (tattva) of sri nama. At this point, one more thing needs to be considered.
Becoming a suddha Vaisnava does not depend on the process of taking diksa (ceremonial initiation). Diksa is the process whereby a person receives a mantra for the worship of Sri Hari’s deity form, and thus comes at least to the stage of vaisnava-praya. In terms of the existential reality of the holy name (nama-tattva), such diksa is unnecessary.
As Sriman Mahaprabhu has said: prabhu kahe —“yanra mukhe suni eka-bara krsna-nama, sei pujya,—srestha sabakara” — Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu answered, “He from whose mouth Krishna-nama is heard even once is worshipful and is the best among human beings.”
Eka krsna-name kare sarva-papa ksaya nava-vidha bhakti purna nama haite haya Even uttering Krishna’s name a single time destroys all of one’s sins. The nine-fold process of devotional service (navadha-bhakti) attains completeness only through nama.
Diksa-purascarya-vidhi apeksa na kare jihva-sparse a-candala sabare uddhare One is not required to undergo the process of receiving diksa or any preparatory regulative rites in order to chant krsna-nama. Simply by coming in contact with the tongue, krsna-nama delivers everyone, including even the most degraded class of men.
Anusanga-phale kare samsarera ksaya citta akarsiya karaya krsne premodaya — Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila (15.106–109). As a secondary result of chanting Krishna-nama, one’s material entanglement is terminated. The primary result is that the mind and heart of the chanter become uncontrollably drawn to Krishna and finally krsna-prema awakens in his heart. Ataeva yanra mukhe eka krsna-nama sei ta’ vaisnava, kariha tanhara sammana — Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila (15.111)
One who even chants Krishna’s name a single time is described as a Vaisnava; Translated from Sri Gaudiya Patrika, Year 7, Issue 10 in Rays of The Harmonist, Kartika.
(by Puranjana dasa)
pamho agtacbsp srila rupa gosvamipada also says the same in the satra padyavali 29, no diksa na ca daksinam na ca puruscaryam managiksate mantro’yam rasana sprg eva phalati sri krsna namatmakah translation: the holy name of krsna is an attractive feature for many saintly,liberal people,it is the annihilator of all sinful reactions and is so powerful that save for the dumb who cannot chant it .it is readily,available to everyone,including the lowest type of man, the candala.the holy name of krsna is controller of the opulence of liberation ,and is identical with sri krsna .simply by touching the holy name with one’s tongue,immediately effects are produced .chanting the holy name does not depend on initiation ,pious activities ,or purascarya regulative principles generally observed before initiation .the holy name does not wait for all these activities .it is self sufficent. namahatta yuga dharma maha mantra hare krsna ki jay the sincere followers of jesus christ who love him completely go back to his planet after death even without the regulated principles of initiation because prema bhakti is indipedent don’t wait for bogus guru to take over krsna property there are many stories about that we just keep chanting never know what is stored for us in the way back home by nitya bhagavata sevaya daily sadhana bhakti all glories to the channa avatara mmhk and all gaura bhakta vrinda ys seva das haribol
Excellent article. In reading Vaishnava scriptures from many decades, I am very surprized that more people are not aware of this. It would certainly minimize the difficulty created by appointed ‘gurus’.
Note: the bogus Anti Ritvik “gurus”(CROOKS) are MATERIALISTIC PERSONS. They NOT able to chant the holy name so HOW can they give Holy name to their so-called disciples as “initiation”?????
Their ceremony of Initiation is about cereMONEY. They are after screwing MONEY from their disciples and others and use them as SLAVES.
Antya 3.59 T The Glories of Srila Haridasa Thakura
namera aksara-sabera ei ta’ svabhava
vyavahita haile na chade apana-prabhava
SYNONYMS
namera–of the holy name; aksara–letters; sabera–of all; ei–this; ta’–certainly; sva-bhava–the characteristic; vyavahita haile–even when improperly uttered; na–do not; chade–give up; apana-prabhava–their own spiritual influence.
TRANSLATION
“The letters of the holy name have so much spiritual potency that they act even when uttered improperly.
PURPORT
SRILA BHAKTISIDDHANTA SARASVATI THAKURA STATES THAT THE WORD VYAVAHITA (“IMPROPERLY UTTERED”) IS NOT USED HERE TO REFER TO THE MUNDANE VIBRATION OF THE LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET. SUCH NEGLIGENT UTTERANCE FOR THE SENSE GRATIFICATION OF MATERIALISTIC PERSONS IS NOT A VIBRATION OF TRANSCENDENTAL SOUND. Utterance of the holy name while one engages in sense gratification is an impediment on the path toward achieving ecstatic love for Krsna. On the other hand, if one who is eager for devotional service utters the holy name even partially or improperly, the holy name, who is identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, exhibits its spiritual potency because of that person’s offenseless utterance. Thus one is relieved from all unwanted practices, and one gradually awakens his dormant love for Krsna.
Note: Srila Prabhupada gives the Holy name NOT these unholy Anti Ritvik bunch of CROOKS posing as spiritual masters:
Madhya 25.9 How All the Residents of Varanasi Became Vaisnavas
“In Dvapara-yuga, devotees of Lord Visnu and Krsna rendered devotional service according to the principles of pancaratrika. In this Age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped simply by the chanting of His holy names.» Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura then comments: “WITHOUT BEING EMPOWERED BY THE DIRECT POTENCY OF LORD KRSNA TO FULFILL HIS DESIRE AND WITHOUT BEING SPECIFICALLY FAVORED BY THE LORD, NO HUMAN BEING CAN BECOME THE SPIRITUAL MASTER OF THE WHOLE WORLD. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant for devotees or religious people. ONLY AN EMPOWERED PERSONALITY CAN DISTRIBUTE THE HOLY NAME OF THE LORD AND ENJOIN ALL FALLEN SOULS TO WORSHIP KRSNA. BY DISTRIBUTING THE HOLY NAME OF THE LORD, HE CLEANSES THE HEARTS OF THE MOST FALLEN PEOPLE; THEREFORE HE EXTINGUISHES THE BLAZING FIRE OF THE MATERIAL WORLD. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Krsna’s effulgence throughout the world. Such an acarya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Krsna-that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Krsna’s potency. Such a personality is krsnalingita-vigraha-that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. Such a person is above the considerations of the varnasrama institution. He is the guru or spiritual master for the entire world, a devotee on the topmost platform, the maha-bhagavata stage, and a paramahamsa-thakura, a spiritual form only fit to be addressed as paramahamsa or thakura.”
Nonetheless, there are many people who are just like owls but never open their eyes to see the sunshine. These owlish personalities are inferior to the Mayavadi sannyasis who cannot see the brilliance of Krsna’s favor. They are prepared to criticize the person engaged in distributing the holy name all over the world and following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who wanted Krsna consciousness preached in every town and city.
Note: Srila Prabhupada give the Holy name initiation:
Vaikunthanatha (ACBSP): In 1972, when Prabhupada gave a series of
lectures on The Nectar of Devotion for one month in Vrindavan, a thought was
plaguing me. When I first joined, I’d been taught that the paramparasystem
is like a chain, and if you’re not initiated, if you’re not linked up to
this chain, then you can’t go back to Godhead. I thought, “We’re
distributing so many books, but if the people who read them are not
initiated, then they can’t go back to Godhead.” So, one day I followed
Prabhupada from Rupa Goswami’s samadhi, where he lectured, and just before
Prabhupada stepped onto his courtyard, I said, “We’re distributing so many
books but if people aren’t initiated, then they can’t go back to Godhead.”
Prabhupada turned, looked at me right in the eyes and said, “JUST BY READING MY BOOKS THEY ARE INITIATED.” I thought, “That is an incredible example of compassion.”
Note: Srila Prabhupada is GIVING the Holy name IN HIS BOOKS not these unholy bunch of Anti Ritvik CROOKS posing as spiritual masters:
SB 2.9.8 P Answers by Citing the Lord’ s Version
THE POTENCY OF TRANSCENDENTAL SOUND IS NEVER MINIMIZED BECAUSE THE VIBRATOR IS APPARENTLY ABSENT. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita or any revealed scripture in the world is never to be accepted as an ordinary mundane sound without transcendental potency.
One has to receive the transcendental sound from the right source, accept it as a reality and prosecute the direction without hesitation. The secret of success is to receive the sound from the right source of a bona fide spiritual master. MUNDANE MANUFACTURED SOUND HAS NO POTENCY, AND AS SUCH, SEEMINGLY TRANSCENDENTAL SOUND RECEIVED FROM AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON ALSO HAS NO POTENCY. One should be qualified enough to discern such transcendental potency, and either by discriminating or by fortunate chance if one is able to receive the transcendental sound from the bona fide spiritual master, his path of liberation is guaranteed. The disciple, however, must be ready to execute the order of the bona fide spiritual master as Lord Brahma executed the instruction of his spiritual master, the Lord Himself. Following the order of the bona fide spiritual master is the only duty of the disciple, and this completely faithful execution of the order of the bona fide spiritual master is the secret of success.
Adi 1.35 The Spiritual Masters
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPIRITUAL MASTER’S INSTRUCTIONS AND THE SPIRITUAL MASTER HIMSELF. IN HIS ABSENCE, THEREFORE, HIS WORDS OF DIRECTION SHOULD BE THE PRIDE OF THE DISCIPLE.
69-10-31. Letter: Dinesh
Regarding the disciplic succession coming from Arjuna, DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN THAT ONE HAS TO BE INITIATED OFFICIALLY. DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION MEANS TO ACCEPT THE DISCIPLIC CONCLUSION. Arjuna was a disciple of Krishna and Brahma was also a disciple of Krishna. Thus there is no disagreement between the conclusions of Brahma and Arjuna. Vyasadeva is in the disciplic succession of Brahma. The teachings to Arjuna was recorded by Vyasadeva verbatim. So according to the axiomatic truth, things equal to one another are equal to each other. We are not exactly directly from Vyasadeva, but our Gurudeva is a representative of Vyasadeva. Because Vyasadeva and Arjuna are of equal status, being students of Krishna, therefore we are in the disciplic succession of Arjuna. Things equal to the same thing are equal to one another.
70-11-14. Letter: Acyutananda
During my Guru Maharaja’s time, even a person was coming from a brahmana family, he was initiated according to the pancaratrika system taking him to be a sudra. So the birthright brahmanism is not applicable at the present moment. The sacred thread inaugurated by my Guru Maharaja according to pancaratrika system and Hari-bhakti-vilasa by Srila Sanatana Goswami must continue. It does not matter whether the priestly class accepts it or not. When my Guru Maharaja Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada introduced this system, it was protested even by His inner circle of Godbrothers or friends. Of course He had actually no Godbrothers, but there were many disciples of Bhaktivinode Thakura who were considered as Godbrothers who protested against this action of my Guru Maharaja, but He didn’t care for it.
ACTUALLY ONE WHO TAKES TO CHANTING HARE KRSNA MANTRA OFFENSELESSLY IMMEDIATELY BECOMES SITUATED TRANSCENDENTALLY AND THEREFORE HE HAS NO NEED OF BEING INITIATED WITH SACRED THREAD, BUT GURU MAHARAJA INTRODUCED THIS SACRED THREAD BECAUSE A VAISNAVA WAS BEING MISTAKEN AS BELONGING TO THE MATERIAL CASTE. To accept a Vaisnava in material caste system is hellish consideration (naraki buddhi). Therefore, to save the general populace from being offender to a Vaisnava, He persistently introduced this sacred thread ceremony and we must follow His footsteps.
761016iv.cha Conversations
Prabhupada: Well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge. (break) …knowledge. INITIATION IS FORMALITY. JUST LIKE YOU GO TO A SCHOOL FOR KNOWLEDGE, AND ADMISSION IS FORMALITY. THAT IS NOT VERY IMPORTANT THING
Madhya 15.110 T The Lord Accepts Prasada at the House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya
akrstih krta-cetasam sumanasam uccatanam camhasam
acandalam amuka-loka-sulabho vasyas ca mukti-sriyah
no diksam na ca sat-kriyam na ca purascaryam manag iksate
mantro ‘yam rasana-sprg eva phalati sri-krsna-namatmakah
SYNONYMS
akrstih–attraction; krta-cetasam–of saintly persons; su-manasam–of the most liberal-minded; uccatanam–annihilator; ca–also; amhasam–of sinful reactions; a-candalam–even to the candalas; amuka–except the dumb; loka-sulabhah–very easy to achieve for all persons; vasyah–full controller; ca–and; mukti-sriyah–of the opulence of liberation; no–not; diksam–initiation; na–not; ca–also; sat-kriyam–pious activities; na–not; ca–also; purascaryam–regulative principles before initiation; manak–slightly; iksate–depends upon; mantrah–mantra; ayam–this; rasana–tongue; sprk–touching; eva–simply; phalati–is fruitful; sri-krsna-nama-atmakah–consisting of the holy name of Lord Krsna.
TRANSLATION
” ‘The holy name of Lord Krsna is an attractive feature for many saintly, liberal people. It is the annihilator of all sinful reactions and is so powerful that save for the dumb who cannot chant it, it is readily available to everyone, including the lowest type of man, the candala. The holy name of Krsna is the controller of the opulence of liberation, and it is identical with Krsna. Simply by touching the holy name with one’s tongue, immediate effects are produced. CHANTING THE HOLY NAME DOES NOT DEPEND ON INITIATION, PIOUS ACTIVITIES OR THE PURASCARYA REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES GENERALLY OBSERVED BEFORE INITIATION. THE HOLY NAME DOES NOT WAIT FOR ALL THESE ACTIVITIES. IT IS SELF-SUFFICIENT.’ ”
Madhya 15.108 The Lord Accepts Prasada at the House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya
THE OFFENSELESS CHANTING OF THE HOLY NAME DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE INITIATION PROCESS. ALTHOUGH INITIATION MAY DEPEND ON PURASCARYA OR PURASCARANA, THE ACTUAL CHANTING OF THE HOLY NAME DOES NOT DEPEND ON PURASCARYA-VIDHI, OR THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES. IF ONE CHANTS THE HOLY NAME ONCE WITHOUT COMMITTING AN OFFENSE, HE ATTAINS ALL SUCCESS. During the chanting of the holy name, the tongue must work. Simply by chanting the holy name, one is immediately delivered. The tongue is sevonmukha-jihva-it is controlled by service. One whose tongue is engaged in tasting material things and also talking about them cannot use the tongue for absolute realization.
atah sri-krsna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah
According to Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 17.134):
ataeva krsnera ‘nama’, ‘deha’, ‘vilasa’
prakrtendriya-grahya nahe, haya sva-prakasa
“With these material senses, one cannot understand the transcendental holy name of the Lord or His form, activities and pastimes. However, when one actually engages in devotional service, utilizing the tongue, the Lord is revealed.”
Antya 4.71 T Sanatana Gosvami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri
tara madhye sarva-srestha nama-sankirtana
niraparadhe nama laile paya prema-dhana
SYNONYMS
tara madhye–of the nine different types of devotional service; sarva-srestha–the most important of all; nama-sankirtana–chanting of the holy name of the Lord; niraparadhe–without offenses; nama laile–if one chants the holy name; paya–he gets; prema-dhana–the most valuable ecstatic love of Krsna.
TRANSLATION
“Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the holy name of the Lord. If one does so, AVOIDING THE TEN KINDS OF OFFENSES, one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead.”
PURPORT
Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhu gives the following directions in his Bhakti-sandarbha (270):
iyam ca kirtanakhya bhaktir bhagavato dravya-jati-guna-kriyabhir dina-janaika-visayapara-karuna-mayiti sruti-puranadi-visrutih. ataeva kalau svabhavata evatidinesu lokesu avirbhuya tan anayasenaiva tat tad yuga-gata-maha-sadhananam sarvam eva phalam dadana sa krtarthayati. yata eva tayaiva kalau bhagavato visesatas ca santoso bhavati.
“Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one’s having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krsna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krsna in this age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.” The chanting of the holy name of Krsna–Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare–has been praised by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Namastaka (verse 1):
nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala-
dyuti-nirajita-pada-pankajanta
ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanam
paritas tvam hari-nama samsrayami
“O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by liberated souls such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! I take complete shelter of You.”
Similarly, Srila Sanatana Gosvami has praised the chanting of the holy name as follows in his Brhad-bhagavatamrta (Chapter One, verse 9):
jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer
viramita-nija-dharma-dhyana-pujadi-yatnam
kathamapi sakrd-attam muktidam praninam yat
paramam amrtam ekam jivanam bhusanam me
“All glories, all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krsna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krsna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure.”
In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) Sukadeva Gosvami says:
etan nirvidyamananam
icchatam akuto-bhayam
yoginam nrpa nirnitam
harer namanukirtanam
“O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.”
Similarly, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said in His Siksastaka(3):
trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” Regarding the ten offenses in chanting the holy name, one may refer to the Adi-lila, Chapter Eight, verse 24.
74-11-22. Letter: Bahurupa
In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.
“Chanting Hare Krsna does not await initiation”. “Hare Nama initiation is enough for going back to Godhead”. Diksha means both, Hare Nama Diksha and Brahminical initiation Diksha. Brahminical initiation or the thread ceremony is a facility or concession to get closer to the Deity and the Spiritual master. A Vaishnava is automatically a Brahmana,but a Brahmana may not necessarily be a Vaishnava if only birth is taken as a consideration and criteria. “NOT ONLY by birth one is a Brahmana”. A person born in the lower class but is possessed of the good quality of a Brahmana,he is actually a Brahmana,maybe not officially but by the quality of his character.On the other hand,a person born in a Brahminical family but does not show the qualities that characterized a true Brahmana,he is not considered to be a Brahmana. One advantage of been officially initiated as a Brahmana, is that he is privilege to been able to touch the body of the Deity,worship the Deity and prepare cooked offerings for their pleasure.
https://krishna.org/the-importance-of-the-formal-initiation-ceremony/
In the above link, we find the importance of Initiation is a FORMALITY.
761016iv.cha Conversations
Prabhupada: Well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge. (break) …knowledge. INITIATION IS FORMALITY. JUST LIKE YOU GO TO A SCHOOL FOR KNOWLEDGE, AND ADMISSION IS FORMALITY. THAT IS NOT VERY IMPORTANT THING
So, under what circumstances the Initiation does not become an Important Thing ?
Similarly, Mahesh Raja Prabhu quotes following in his comments from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) Sukadeva Gosvami says:
etan nirvidyamananam
icchatam akuto-bhayam
yoginam nrpa nirnitam
harer namanukirtanam
“O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.”
How a person desirous of all material enjoyment can constantly chant the holy name of the Lord ?
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Amar Puri: How a person desirous of all material enjoyment can constantly chant the holy name of the Lord ?
Mahesh: can be done. Just like Hiranyakasipu he was a demon -yet- he performed severe austerity for many long years – his body was consumed by ants,earthworms, parasites:
SB 7.3.15-16 P Hiranyakasipu’ s Plan to Become Immortal
The living entity can live merely by his own power, without the help of skin, marrow, bone, blood and so on, because it is said, asango’yam purusah–the living entity has nothing to do with the material covering. HIRANYAKASIPU PERFORMED A SEVERE TYPE OF TAPASYA, AUSTERITY, FOR MANY LONG YEARS. INDEED, IT IS SAID THAT HE PERFORMED THE TAPASYA FOR ONE HUNDRED HEAVENLY YEARS. SINCE ONE DAY OF THE DEMIGODS EQUALS SIX OF OUR MONTHS, CERTAINLY THIS WAS A VERY LONG TIME. BY NATURE’S OWN WAY, HIS BODY HAD BEEN ALMOST CONSUMED BY EARTHWORMS, ANTS AND OTHER PARASITES, AND THEREFORE EVEN BRAHMA WAS AT FIRST UNABLE TO SEE HIM. LATER, HOWEVER, BRAHMA COULD ASCERTAIN WHERE HIRANYAKASIPU WAS, AND BRAHMA WAS STRUCK WITH WONDER TO SEE HIRANYAKASIPU’S EXTRAORDINARY POWER TO EXECUTE TAPASYA. ANYONE WOULD CONCLUDE THAT HIRANYAKASIPU WAS DEAD BECAUSE HIS BODY WAS COVERED IN SO MANY WAYS, BUT LORD BRAHMA, THE SUPREME LIVING BEING IN THIS UNIVERSE, COULD UNDERSTAND THAT HIRANYAKASIPU WAS ALIVE BUT COVERED BY MATERIAL ELEMENTS.
IT IS ALSO TO BE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH HIRANYAKASIPU PERFORMED THIS AUSTERITY FOR A LONG, LONG TIME, HE WAS NONETHELESS KNOWN AS A DAITYA AND RAKSASA. IT WILL BE SEEN FROM VERSES TO FOLLOW THAT EVEN GREAT SAINTLY PERSONS COULD NOT PERFORM SUCH A SEVERE TYPE OF AUSTERITY. WHY THEN WAS HE CALLED A RAKSASA AND DAITYA? IT IS BECAUSE WHATEVER HE DID WAS FOR HIS OWN SENSE GRATIFICATION. His son Prahlada Maharaja was only five years old, and so what could Prahlada do? Yet simply by performing a little devotional service according to the instructions of Narada Muni, Prahlada became so dear to the Lord that the Lord came to save him, whereas Hiranyakasipu, in spite of all his austerities, was killed. This is the difference between devotional service and all other methods of perfection. One who performs severe austerities for sense gratification is fearful to the entire world. whereas a devotee who performs even a slight amount of devotional service is a friend to everyone (suhrdam sarva-bhutanam). Since the Lord is the well-wisher of every living entity and since a devotee assumes the qualities of the Lord, a devotee also acts for everyone’s good fortune by performing devotional service. Thus although Hiranyakasipu performed such a severe austerity, he remained a Daitya and a Raksasa, whereas Prahlada Maharaja, although born of the same Daitya father, became the most exalted devotee and was personally protected by the Supreme Lord. Bhakti is therefore called sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam, indicating that a devotee is freed from all material designations, and anyabhilasita-sunyam, situated in a transcendental position, free from all material desires.
Dear Amar puri prabhu,
As you state> “How a person desirous of all material enjoyment can constantly chant the holy name of the Lord?”
We come to the initial practice of Krsna consciousness by the inconceivable mercy of Srila Prabhupada. We are full of ALL desires for material enjoyment, both gross and subtle as exemplified by our previous lowly standards, yet by his mercy we have the strength to begin the process of sadhana Bhakti.
In this regard we can refer to Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Sri Upadesamrta, Text #7 and Srila Prabhupada’s translation and Bhaktivedanta purport… viz
“TRANSLATION
The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Kṛṣṇa are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidyā [ignorance] cannot taste anything sweet, it is wonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names every day, a natural relish awakens within his tongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the root.
PURPORT
The holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, His quality, pastimes and so forth are all of the nature of absolute truth, beauty and bliss. Naturally they are very sweet, like sugar candy, which appeals to everyone. Nescience, however, is compared to the disease called jaundice, which is caused by bilious secretions. Attacked by jaundice, the tongue of a diseased person cannot palatably relish sugar candy. Rather, a person with jaundice considers something sweet to taste very bitter. Avidyā (ignorance) similarly perverts the ability to relish the transcendentally palatable name, quality, form and pastimes of Kṛṣṇa. Despite this disease, if one with great care and attention takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, chanting the holy name and hearing Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental pastimes, his ignorance will be destroyed and his tongue enabled to taste the sweetness of the transcendental nature of Kṛṣṇa and His paraphernalia. Such a recovery of spiritual health is possible only by the regular cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”
I am simply trying to remain steadfast and praying for the day that the medicine of the Holy Name will taste a zillion times sweeter than sugar candy!
Yfs,
Balaram das.
Note: Srila Prabhupada introduced the initiation CEREMONY but at the same time stated: THE CHANTING HARE KRISHNA IS OUR MAIN BUSINESS, THAT IS REAL INITIATION. Just because there is no ceremony does not mean one is not initiated:
68-08-19. Letter: Tamala Krsna
About my coming to San Francisco, I have already written to Jayananda. I am always hankering after going there, but because there are some other program, immediately, so please ask all the devotees on my behalf to wait and in the meantime, enjoy chanting Hare Krishna. THE CHANTING HARE KRISHNA IS OUR MAIN BUSINESS, THAT IS REAL INITIATION. AND as you are all FOLLOWING MY INSTRUCTION, in that matter, THE INITIATOR IS ALREADY THERE. Now the next initiation will be performed as a ceremony officially, of course that ceremony has value because the name, Holy Name, will be delivered to the student from the disciplic succession, it has got value, but in spite of that, as you are going on chanting,
So, under what circumstances the Initiation does not become an Important Thing ?
In other words, one may be a sinful man before chanting the holy name of the Lord, but after taking shelter in the holy name of the Lord and becoming immune, one should strictly restrain oneself from committing sinful acts with a hope that his method of chanting the holy name will give him protection because chanting the Maha Mantra is the only business of a serious and sincere student of achieving Krsna Consciousness by following Srila Prabhupada’s Instructions. As the student advances in cultivating KC., further steps are followed as a ceremony of initiation which has value because the Holy name will be delivered to the student from the disciples succession.
The next question is how a person desirous of all material enjoyment can constantly chant the holy name of the Lord ?
The answer is mentioned by HDG. Srila Prabhupada in the SB. 2.1.11 PURPORT that one should constantly chant the holy name of the Lord after hearing it from authorities. This means that hearing from the authorities is the first essential. Hearing of the holy name gradually promotes one to the stage of hearing about His form, about His attributes, His pastimes and so on, and thus the necessity of the chanting of His glories develops successively. This process is recommended not only for the successful execution of devotional service, but also even for those who are materially attached. According to Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī, this way of attaining success is an established fact, concluded not only by him, but also by all other previous ācāryas. Therefore, there is no need of further evidence. The process is recommended not only for the progressive students in different departments of ideological success, but also for those who are already successful in their achievement as fruitive workers, as philosophers or as devotees of the Lord.
These are the answers I was looking which I found in the PURPORT of SB.2.1.11 for the questions cited above.
Had I read the purport, I would not have posted my comments.
It shows that how IMPERFECT my senses are.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada who opens our eyes with the torch light of knowledge we seek.
OM TAT SAT.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.