In this fallen age of Kaliyuga, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given us the gift of holy name which gives us relief from all the miseries. Anyone can take shelter of the holy name.
And whoever takes shelter of the holy names soon becomes free from all sinful reactions and attain happiness. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu again and again has highlighted the importance of taking shelter of holy name.
In Prayag, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu demonstrated how great the holy name is by giving the example of Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrī Vallabha [Anupama Mallika].
Wonderful effect of chanting the holy names of Krishna
Once when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was in Prayag, Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭa, who was a great learned scholar, came to meet him. Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrī Vallabha [Anupama Mallika] were also present there. The two brothers offered obeisances to Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭa.
But when Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭa tried to go near the two brothers, both of them ran away to a distant place.
Rūpa Gosvāmī said, “I am untouchable and sinful. Please do not touch me.”
When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard this, he smiled and said, “Yes, do not go near to them or touch them because they belong to a low caste, and you are learned scholar.” Vallabh Bhatta being a devotee of the Lord immediately understood what Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is trying to say. He also understood that the Supreme Lord is testing him.
He immediately said, “I see these two brothers always chanting the names of Krishna, so, how can they be fallen or untouchable. In fact, in my opinion which is also collaborated by the sastras they are even greater than the brahmanas.”
Vallabha Bhaṭṭācārya then recited the following verse: “ My dear Lord, one who always keeps Your holy name on his tongue becomes greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Although he may be born in a family of dog-eaters and may therefore, by material calculation, be the lowest among men, he is still glorious. This is the wonderful effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord. It is therefore concluded that one who chants the holy name of the Lord should be understood to have performed all kinds of austerities and great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. He has already taken his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage, he has studied all the Vedas, and he is actually an Āryan.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.72
Burning all the sinful reactions
When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard this, he was very pleased. He immediately quoted the scriptures wherein it is mentioned that one who begins to take shelter of all merciful Supreme Lord and chant his names then he immediately transcends all material designations.
Holy name burns his all past sinful reactions, he becomes pure and glorious. But if a person is born in a brahmana family and is a learned Vedic scholar but if he not practicing devotion to Krishna and not chanting his names then such a birth or knowledge is of no use.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “A person who has the pure characteristics of a brāhmaṇa due to devotional service, which is like a blazing fire burning to ashes all the sinful reactions of past lives, is certainly saved from the consequences of sinful acts, such as taking birth in a lower family. Even though he may be born in a family of dog-eaters, he is recognized by learned scholars. But although a person may be a learned scholar in Vedic knowledge, he is not recognized if he is an atheist.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.74
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu further says.
“For a person devoid of devotional service, birth in a great family or nation, knowledge of the revealed scriptures, performance of austerities and penance, and chanting of Vedic mantras are all like ornaments on a dead body. Such ornaments simply serve the concocted pleasures of the general populace.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.75
Krishna never discriminates
We all are children of Krishna. And each one of us has a right to get connected to our spiritual father. Krishna does not discriminate amongst his children. This is why he is always present as Paramatma in the heart of all living entities.
As Paramatma, he is in the heart of a brahmana, kshatriya, Vaisya, sudra, animals, plants, ants, insects. So, if Krishna treats everyone equally then why we the lesser mortals should discriminate others?
Holy name transforms lives of thousands of people all over the world
How fortunate we are that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave us the shelter of the holy name which gives complete perfection! And also established that anyone can chant the holy names of Krishna.
Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 18.66 says that if we surrender to him then we will attain freedom from all sins and fear. The same Krishna comes as Lord Chaitanya to teach us how to surrender to him. And that is by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. This is the medicine for the age of Kaliyuga.
harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā
“In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 6.242
In Chaitanya Charitamrita, we see how thousands of people including the most sinful Jagai and Madhai got transformed by taking shelter of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the holy names.
Srila Prabhupada carried the Mahamantra and distributed it freely all over the world. It created a great revolution. People irrespective of caste, creed, colour, nationality came together to chant the names of Krishna. Holy name empowered them to give up all sinful habits, they became pure and dedicated their lives to serve Krishna forever.
Holy name bestows upon us eternal happiness
This shows how effective the holy name of Krishna is. It works for everyone. Anyone who chants it sincerely starts experiencing bliss. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has bestowed upon us great benediction by gifting us the holy name of Krishna.
If the whole world starts following his teachings and chant the names of Krishna, then everyone will be free from all fear and miseries.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says that we should not get bogged down with material pains, pleasures and prestige because these things keep on coming and going as long as we are living in this world.
Instead of that we should constantly devote our life in chanting the names of Krishna – kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ.
If we do so, we will never be unhappy but always be happy even in this life. And will return back to our original spiritual home after we leave this world.
