The Ten Offenses to the Holy Name

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The Ten Offenses to the Holy Name

 

The ten offenses to the holy name are listed as follows in the Padma Purana,

as quoted in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 8.24, purport):

 

satam ninda namnah paramam aparadham vitanute yatah khyatim

yatam katham u sahate tad-vigarham

 

1. To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives to preaching the

glories of the Holy Names.

 

sivasya sri-visnor ya iha guna-namadi-sakalam dhiya bhinnam

pasyet sa khalu hari-namahita-karah

 

2. To consider the names of demigods like Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be

equal to or independent of the name of Lord Visnu.

 

guror avajna

 

3. To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.

 

sruti-sastra-nindanam

 

4. To blaspheme Vedic literature or literature in persuance of the Vedic version.

 

artha-vadah

 

5. To give some interpretation on the Holy Name of the Lord.

 

hari-namni kalpanam

 

6. To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krsna as imagination.

 

namno balad yasya hi papa-buddhir na vidyate

tasya yamair hi suddhih

 

7. To commit sinful activities on the strength of the Holy Name.

 

dharma-vrata-tyaga-hutadi-sarva-

subha-kriya-samyam api pramadah

 

8. To consider the chanting of Hare Krsna as one of the auspicious

ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activity (karma-kanda).

 

asraddadhane vimukhe 'py asrnvati yas copadesah

siva-namaparadhah

 

9. To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the Holy Name.

 

srutvapi nama-mahatmyam yah priti-rahito 'dhamah

aham-mamadi-paramo namni so 'py aparadha-krt

 

10. To not have complete faith in chanting the Holy Names and to maintain

material attachments even after understanding so many instructions on this

matter.

 

It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.