Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Pleasing Sri Nama Prabhu

"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 .." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.1.11)

In the purport, Srila Prabhupada elaborates on the ten offenses that should be avoided by chanters.

Three points that stood out:

- Consider all names of God as sacred. Quote: "Any nomenclature which is meant for the Supreme Lord is as holy as the others because they are all meant for the Lord. Such holy names are as powerful as the Lord, and there is no bar for anyone in any part of the creation to chant and glorify the Lord by the particular name of the Lord as it is locally understood."

- Don't commit sinful acts. Quote: "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."

- Don't use the Name in my service. Quote: "The eighth offense is to consider the holy name of the Lord and His chanting method to be equal to some material auspicious activity. There are various kinds of good works for material benefits, but the holy name and His chanting are not mere auspicious holy services. Undoubtedly the holy name is holy service, but He should never be utilized for such purposes. Since the holy name and the Lord are of one and the same identity, one should not try to bring the holy name into the service of mankind. The idea is that the Supreme Lord is the supreme enjoyer. He is no one's servant or order supplier. Similarly, since the holy name of the Lord is identical with the Lord, one should not try to utilize the holy name for one's personal service." (emphasis added)

http://vedabase.net/sb/2/1/11/en