MAHA MANTRA is YUGA DHARMA

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tad asma-sarm hrdayam batedam

yad grhyamanair hari-namadheyaih

na vikriyetatha yada vikaro

netre jalam gatra-ruhesu harsah

 

"If one's heart does not change, tears do not flow from his eyes, his

body does not shiver, and his bodily hairs do not stand on end as

he chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, it should be understood that

his heart is as hard as iron. This is due to his offenses at the

lotus feet of the Lord's holy name."

 

PURPORT: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, commenting on this verse,

which is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam(2.3.24),remarks that sometimes a

maha-bhagavata, or very advanced devotee, does not manifest such transcende-

ntal symptoms as tears in the eyes, whereas sometimes a kanistha-adhihari, a

neophyte devotee, displays them artificially. This does not mean, however,

that the neophyte is more advanced than the maha-bhagavata devotee. The test

of the real change of heart that takes place when one chants the Hare Krsna

maha-mantra is that one becomes detached from material enjoyment.This is the

real change.Bhaktir paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra ca (Bhag. 11.2.42). If

one is actually advancing in spiritual life, he must become very much

detached from material enjoyment. If it is sometimes found that a kanistha-

adhikari (neophyte devotee) shows artificial tears in his eyes while

chanting the Hare Krishna mantra but is still completely attached to

material things, his heart has not really changed. The change must be

manifested in terms of one's real activities.

 

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 8.25

(Quoted from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.24)