Inquiries into the Absolute: Digest 44

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Digest 44, Nov 8, 2002

 

Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja

 

Chanting

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Q.1) What is the difference between Vedic mantra and nama mantra? What is the

significance of the mantra that starts with "Hare Rama Hare Rama?"

 

Answer.

There are many different Vedic mantras, some of which describe different

aspects of the Supreme, aid in meditation upon the Brahman, offer sacrifices to

different devatas etc. While these various mantras are all pointing toward the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, some mantras directly address the Supreme Lord,

wherein we simply and directly call upon His eternal names (nama). By chanting

these Holy Names of the Lord, one can immediately access direct association of

the Lord.

 

Among all these mantras, the Hare Krishna mantra, sometimes also chanted

beginning with `Hare Rama', is called Maha-mantra (the Top-most mantra). This

mantra is specified in different Upanishads as the special means of deliverance

for this age of Kali. For example- Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ity shodasakam namnam kali

kalmasa nasanam (Kali santarana

Upanishad)

 

Lord Krishna, in His yuga-avatar for this age as Lord Caitanya, propagated the

chanting of this mantra in His inauguration of the yuga-dharma, the process of

self-realization for this age. The special feature of this maha-mantra, as

opposed to other Vedic mantras, is that there are no hard and fast rules for

chanting the maha mantra. Vedic mantras can be chanted only by qualified

brahmanas, and only at specific auspicious times accompanied by many

purificatory rituals and rules. But the maha-mantra can be chanted by anyone

without considera- tion of qualification, at any time or place or circumstance.

That is the special mercy and potency invested within these Holy Names. Just as

treatment given to a severely diseased person is expected to be very powerful,

similarly just by the easy process of chanting this mahamantra even the most

fallen souls of Kali-yuga can be delivered and uplifted to the highest possible

spiritual perfection.

 

Q.2) How can I surrender to the Holy Name?

 

Answer.

The Holy Name is non-different from the Person, Krishna; realization of this

fact is very important in order to improve our chanting. Thus, surrendering to

Krishna is surrendering to the Holy Name, and visa versa. We can progressively

surrender to the Holy Name by placing complete faith in the Holy Name as our

only shelter and cultivating the habit of chanting diligently, attentively and

in a mood of depend- ance upon the Lord. Mahaprabhu teaches that one should

cultivate humility like that of a blade of grass, become more tolerant than a

tree, always offer all respects to others, without expecting any honor in

return. (Cf. Sikshashtaka 3)

 

Our acharyas have identified the six-fold process of surrender as follows: (1)

becoming completely humble; (2) dedication of one's self, body, mind and words

and all one possesses to the Lord's service; (3) accepting whatever is

favorable & (4) rejecting unfavorable to please the Lord; (5) having complete

confidence that Krishna will protect me and (6) seeing Krishna as one's sole

maintainer.

 

We can conscientiously endeavor to cultivate these qualities in relation to

chanting the Holy Name, such as seeing ourselves as tiny and helpless without

the shelter of the Holy Name, accepting only that which enhances our attraction

for the Holy Name, avoiding unfavorable habits and offenses, developing faith

in the protection of the Holy Name, dedicating our body, mind and words and so

on. In short, surrender is an ongoing process, not an event that happens in a

moment, and it takes continuous cultivation and practice in the mood of

surrender.

 

 

Q.3) If the name of the Lord is identical to Him, then is it not important that

the name be pronounced correctly? For instance Krishna is pronounced in many

ways, depending on the accent and the nationality of the person. Will all of

these chanting be equally effective or is it important that one finds out the

correct enunciation of the name and then chant in that manner?

 

Answer.

Srila Prabhupada personally addressed a similar dilemma in one funny instance.

Sometimes Prabhupada's disciples would address him as `goru' instead of `guru'.

Srila Prabhupada amusedly remarked about this mistake: "Goru means a cow; but

even though you, my disciples, are calling me `goru' I do not consider it as an

offense, because you do not know Sanskrit but you are all so sincere and

dedicated and have such love for me."

 

Then he went on to explain how Krishna is famous as `bhava-grahi-Janardana',

one who accepts only the mood of love and devotion of His devotees. When His

devotee offers something, even if full of faults, Krishna ignores all the

shortcomings and accepts the essence of their devotion and becomes fully

satisfied. On the other hand, He does not care much for an elaborate, perfectly

arranged offering (or for that matter perfectly enunciated mantras) by a

non-devotee, who simply tries to make a show of religiousness for his or her

own personal satisfaction.

 

This is not to say that one need not take care to properly chant the Holy

Names. Krishna does look only for one's sincerity of purpose and devotion. But

the sign of sincerity is that one must surely make the endeavor to properly

enunciate the Holy Name, and must avoid chanting neglectfully or improperly.

But if because of accent and other such unavoidable reasons, one's enunciation

differs slightly, it is overlooked.

 

One of our twelve principle authorites, or mahajanas, Yamaraja, confirms this

understanding directly in SB 6.3.24 "Even if one chants the holy name of the

Lord with improper pronunciation, he will achieve relief from material bondage

if he chants without offenses."

 

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----- Festivals over the next week ------

Nov 11 2002, Monday Disappearance Sri Gadadhara Dasa Gosvami

Disappearance Sri Dhananjaya Pandita

Disappearance Sri Srinivasa Acarya

Gopastami, Gosthastami

Nov 12 2002, Tuesday Jagaddhatri Puja

Nov 15 2002, Friday Disappearance Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji (Fast)

Ekadasi Utthana (Break fast 06:52-10:13)

Bhisma Pancaka

(Fasting till noon)

(Feasting is done tomorrow)

 

*** NOTE: All times are for Washington D.C, USA, EST ***

For festival information for your city please go to http://www.iskcondc.org and

click on 'Calendar'

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