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TEXT 71
tara madhye sarva-srestha nama-sankirtana
niraparadhe nama laile paya prema-dhana
SYNONYMS
tara madhyeof the nine different types of devotional service; sarva-sresthathe most important of all; nama-sankirtanachanting of the holy name of the Lord; niraparadhewithout offenses; nama laileif one chants the holy name; payahe gets; prema-dhanathe most valuable ecstatic love of Krsna.
TRANSLATION
"Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the holy name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses, one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead."
PURPORT
"Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one's having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krsna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krsna in this age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord." The chanting of the holy name of Krsna-Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-has been praised by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Namastaka (verse 1):
nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala-
dyuti-nirajita-pada-pankajanta ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanam paritas tvam hari-nama samsrayami "O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by liberated souls such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! I take complete shelter of You."
Similarly, Srila Sanatana Gosvami has praised the chanting of the holy name as follows in his Brhad-bhagavatamrta (Chapter One, verse 9):
jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer
viramita-nija-dharma-dhyana-pujadi-yatnam kathamapi sakrd-attam muktidam praninam yat paramam amrtam ekam jivanam bhusanam me "All glories, all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krsna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krsna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure."
In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) Sukadeva Gosvami says:
etan nirvidyamananam
icchatam akuto-bhayam yoginam nrpa nirnitam harer namanukirtanam "O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge."
Similarly, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said in His Siksastaka(3):
trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih "One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly." Regarding the ten offenses in chanting the holy name, one may refer to the Adi-lila, Chapter Eight, verse 24.
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