prema-sankirtana

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The King said, "Upon seeing all these devotees, I am very much astonished,

for I have never seen such an effulgence. Indeed, their effulgence is like

the brilliance of a million suns. Nor have I ever heard the Lord's names

chanted so melodiously. I have never before seen such ecstatic love, nor

heard the vibration of the holy name of the Lord chanted in such a way, nor

seen such dancing during sankirtana."

 

Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya replied, "This sweet transcendental sound is a

special creation of the Lord known as prema-sankirtana, congregational

chanting in love of Godhead. In this Age of Kali, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

has descended to preach the religion of Krsna consciousness. Therefore the

chanting of the holy names of Lord Krsna is the religious principle for this

age. Anyone who worships Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu by congregational chanting

should be understood to be very intelligent. One who does not do so must be

considered a victim of this age and bereft of all intelligence."

 

Such are the symptoms of pure devotees when they are chanting. All the pure

devotees are as bright as sunshine, and their bodily luster is very

effulgent. In addition, their performance of sankirtana is unparalleled.

There are many professional chanters who can perform congregational chanting

with various musical instruments in an artistic and musical way, but their

chanting cannot be as attractive as the congregational chanting of pure

devotees. If a devotee sticks strictly to the principles governing Vaisnava

behavior, his bodily luster will naturally be attractive, and his singing

and chanting of the holy names of the Lord will be effective. People will

appreciate such kirtana without hesitation. Even dramas about the pastimes

of Lord Caitanya or Sri Krsna should be played by devotees. Such dramas will

immediately interest an audience and be full of potency. The students of the

International Society for Krishna Consciousness should note these two points

and try to apply these principles in their spreading of the Lord's glories.

(Taken from C.C. Madhya-lila 11:94-100, texts and purports)