fallensoul

Bhagavad gita as translated by Paramahansa Yogananda is by far superior to most others. Bhagavad gita is a directory to Self-Realization and Yogananda's work recognises this. Bhaktivedanta Swami's translation is flawed as it assumes the work as a literal story instead of an allegorical one.

Hari Nama The Glories of the Holy Name Sri Nama-Mahatmya What power does the Name of Krishna possess? My heart constantly burns in the fire of wordly desires, just like a desert schorched by the rays of the sun. The Holy Name, entering the core of my heart through the holes of my ears, showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul. The Holy Name speaks from within my heart, moves onto the tip of my tongue, and constantly dances on it in the form of transcedental sound. My throat becomes choked up, my body shivers again and again, and my feet cannot remain still. Rivers of tears flow from my eyes, perspiration completely soaks my body, all my skin thrills with rapture, my hair stand on end, and my complexion turns pale and discoloured. My mind grows faint, I begin to experience devastation, and my entire body is shattered in a flood of ecstatic emotions. While causing such an ecstatic disturbance, the Holy Name showers liquid nectar on my heart and drowns me in the ocean of divine love of Godhead. He does not allow me to understand anything, for He has made me truly mad by having stolen away my mind and all my resources. Such is the behaviour of Him in whom I have taken shelter. I am not capable of describing all this. The Holy Name of Krishna is independent and thus acts on His own sweet will. In whatever way He becomes happy, that is also my way of happiness. The Holy name is the bud of the flower of divine love, and is the very abode of astonishing mellows. Such is the power He manifests that when His Holy Name starts to blossom a little further, it reveals His own divine form and qualities. Thus my heart is abducted and taken directly to Krishna. Blossoming fully, the flower of the Holy Name takes me to Vraja and reveals to me His own love-dalliance. This Name gives to me my own eternal spiritual body, keeps me right by Krishna’s side, and completely destroys everything related to this mortal frame of mine. The Name of Krishna is a transcedental touchstone, a mine of all devotional mellows. It is eternally liberated, and the embodiment of pure rasa. When all impediments to the pure chanting of the Holy Name are taken away and destroyed, then my happiness will know its true awakening. From Saranagati by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Glories of the Holy Name One will strengthen his faith and determination to chant japa by repeatedly hearing the wonderful glories of the Holy Name, and by studying different slokas in praise of nama-bhajana. Such practices are endorsed by previous arcaryas such as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura who said, “Chant the nama-mahima (glories of the holy name). Practice that daily. I also do that. Harinama is our life.” Whether chanted correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully or carelessly, the all-powerful name of Krsna will always give results. The unlimited glories of the Holy Name cannot be understood with logic, reason or intellect. Only by faith, devotion, and constant chanting can one realize the greatness of sri-nama. In this dark age of Kali, krsna-nama is the easiest, quickest, safest and surest way to attain spiritual perfection in love of God. In the matter of self-realization, nama-japa is the “king of all sadhanas.” Chanting Krsna’s sweet name purifies the heart; sanctifies and steadies the mind; destroys the six enemies [lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion, madness]; stops birth and death; dissolves sins; scorches samskaras; annihilates attachment; induces detachment; uproots desires; empowers one; makes one fearless; removes illusion; bestows supreme peace; delivers prema; reveals the Lord and His dhama; shows one’s svarupa; showers bhakti-rasa; and engages one in his nitya-seva for the pleasure of Radha-Syama. (from the book, Art of Chanting Hare Krsna by Mahanidhi Swami)