Kindle Notes & Highlights
śabdā or sound, which manifests all the material elements and is present in them. There is sound in ether; sound in air; sound in fire; sound in water; and sound in earth. Although the vibration of sound is invisible, it creates visible vibrations in the shape of form. In traditional Indian music, there are presiding gods and goddesses for each of the ragas and raginis (melodies) that
To achieve success in nama-japa one must simultaneously practice three forms of bhakti, namely hearing, chanting and remembering (śravaṇaṁ, kīrtanaṁ, smaraṇaṁ).
The essence of all advice is to use one’s full time to attentively hear the Hare Kṛṣṇa maha-mantra, chant with feelings of love and surrender, and remember and deeply meditate upon Radha-Govinda’s beautiful transcendental forms, qualities and pastimes.
Sri Jiva Gosvami states that the nine limbs of bhakti will produce effect only if they are accompanied by hari-nama-sankirtana: yadyapy anyā bhaktiḥ kalau kartavyā, tadā kīrtanākhya-bhakti-saṁyogenaiva: “Although other processes of devotional service such as arcana, vandana, dāsya and sakhya should be performed in Kali-yuga, they must all be accompanied by the chanting of the holy names.” (Bhakti-sandarbha 173)
Hearing about Kṛṣṇa’s qualities fills the heart with pleasure and increases one’s desire to serve the Lord.
Harinama-cintamani states that there are only two real truthful things in the material world: the living entity and the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. So being truthful means to always chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Truth is eternal and one who speaks the truth, lives the truth and serves the truth will never die.
One should pray to the holy name for the qualification to engage in the transcendental service of Sri Rupa Gosvami.
“One of the best ways to counteract bad association is to increase the chanting of the holy names.
“Chanting the holy name is equivalent to meeting Lord Kṛṣṇa face to face.
There cannot be any auspiciousness for the living entity unless he practices Kṛṣṇa nama-bhajana.”
Even if there is no taste for the holy name, one should chant with great adoration. By strictly chanting a fixed number one will gradually understand the non-difference between the name and Gaura-Kṛṣṇa.
If after beginning a life of sadhana bhakti you again want to submerge yourself in fruitive work, this means that you have not even chanted one name of the Lord! The ignorant living entity feels helpless, so he strives to secure money for sense gratification. But the liberated devotees simply chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.”
“Without a doubt, the fact that you are delving into the high topics of asta-kaliya lila smarana is not very proper. These subjects cannot be assimilated in the stage of anartha-nivrtti. One who sincerely chants the holy name with great determination will realize the pure identity of the self. The eternal identity of the soul will become established only after the anarthas have been destroyed.”
“One should never lose hope in spite of being attacked by wicked thoughts while chanting the holy name. All these thoughts will gradually disappear as one becomes fixed in chanting. But if one does not chant with enthusiasm how will such materialistic thoughts disappear?
A devotee’s advancement can be measured by how much he is attracted to chanting the holy name.
“The end of all study and knowledge is the chanting of Kṛṣṇa’s holy names. Devotion to the Lord means faithfully chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. One who chants the holy name without offenses will very quickly attain Kṛṣṇa prema.” (Art of Pure Devotion)
