Nama-tattva

 

 

The Supreme Lord is the Root of all Religion

 

17.1

dharma-mulam hi bhagavan sarva-vedamayo harih

smrtam ca tad-vidam rajan yena catma prasidati

 

            The Supreme Person is the root of all dharma, the essence of all the Vedas,

and the meditation of all those great authorities who know the truth about the

Supreme Lord, and whose opinions becomes scripture. This is evidence, O King,

and by accepting this religious principle, everyone will attain the highest satis-

faction of the soul, mind, and body. (Bhag. 7.11.7)

 

Krsna is the Only Way

 

17.2

tapastu tapaih prapatastu parvata-datantu tirthani pathastu cagaman

yajastu yagairvivadantu vadair harim vina naiva mrtim taranti

 

            You may perform mountains of austerities, visit many holy places, study

all the Vedas, and perform all kinds of Vedic sacrifices, but without devotion to

Krsna, none of these things can save you from death.

(Bhavartha Dipika 10.87.27)

 

Chanting the Holy Name is the Eternal and Highest Dharma for all Souls

 

17.3

etavan eva loke 'smin pumsam dharmah parah smrtah

bhakti-yogo bhagavati tan-nama-grahanadibhih

 

            It is recognized that the highest religious principle in human society is de-

votional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, beginning with the

chanting of the holy name of the Lord, nama-sanakirtana. (Bhag. 6.3.22)

 

The Holy Name is the Essence of the Srutis

 

17.4

nikhila-sruti-mauli rama-mala-dyuti nirajita-padapankajanta

ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanam paritas tvam harinama samsrayami

 

            O holy name, the tips of the toes of your lotus feet are eternally worshiped

by the glowing effulgence of the Upanisads, the crest jewels of the Vedas. You

are eternally adored and chanted by great liberated souls like Narada and

Sukadeva Gosvami. O Harinama, clearing myself of all offenses, I take com-

plete shelter of You. (Srila Rupa Gosvami, Krsna-namastakam 1)

 

The Constitutional Nature of the Holy Name

 

17.5

nama cintamanih krsnas caitanya-rasa-vigrahah

purnah-suddho nitya-mukto'bhinnatvan nama naminoh

 

            The holy name of Krsna is a transcendental wish fulfilling gem it be-

stows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krsna Himself. It is the personification

of divine mellow, the fountainhead of all pleasure. The holy name of Krsna is

eternally liberated and spiritual. This is because the name of Krsna and Krsna

Himself are nondifferent. (Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Purva-Vibhagaga 2.233)

 

17.6

ekam eva sac-cid-ananda-rasadi-rupam tattvam dvidha-virbhutam

 

            The Supreme Absolute Truth is one reality whose form is eternal, fully

cognizant, and ecstatic. That Absolute reality who is the origin of all rasa ap-

pears in two forms, as Krsna Himself and as the holy name of Krsna. These two

forms are nondifferent manifestations of the same eternal reality Krsna. (Sri-

Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Purva-Vibhaga 2.233, Jiva Gosvami's Durgama-

sargamani commentary)

 

The Vedas Sing the Glories of the Holy Name

 

17.7

om asya jananto nama cid-viviktan mahante visno sumatim bhajamahe

om tat sat

 

            This mantra means, "O Lord Visnu, Your name is conscious (cit) and -

self-effulgent (mahas) and so even one with partial knowledge of the eter-

nal nature of Your name, and incomplete understanding of the glory of proper

chanting, can attain knowledge of You merely by repeating the syllables, be-

cause You, who are known by Om, are self-existent (sat)." Thus it is seen that

the name liberates a person from fear and envy even if alluded to.

(Bhagavata-Sandarbha 47)

 

17.7a

he vinro te tava nama cita cit-svarupam ata eva mahau sva-prakasa-rupam

tasmat asya namna a inadapi janantau ha tu samyak

uccmra-mahatmayadi puruskarera.

tathapi vivaktan bruvarau kevalam tad-aksarabhyasa matram kurvanah

sumantia tad-visayam vidyam bhajamahe prapnuyauh.

Ata eva bhayadvesadau sri mhrteu aphurter iva smnketya-davapasya

muktidatvam sruyate.

 

            O Visnu! Your holy name is of the nature of divine consciousness it is

transcendental reality par-excellence. It is a manifestation of Your own divine

form, even if someone utters the holy name without knowing the names complete

glories. To utter the name without being fully aware of its glories means

namabhasa, or uttering the syllables of the holy name which are only the outer

reflection. Even in such a position we shall attain divine knowledge of the Lord,

by such worship. Because this line contains the word om it indicates that the

use of the word "sat" means svata-siddau. Therefore the divine form

upon one's having uttered the name (even when there is namabhasa because of

sanketya and so forth), and thus one attains liberation from the postion of

and envy. (Bhagavata Sandarbha 4)

 

The Glories of the Holy Name in the Smrti-sastras

 

17.8

vede ramayane caiva purane bharate tatha

adavante ca madhye ca harih sarvatrah giyate

 

            Throughout the Vedas, the Ramayara, the Puranas, and the Mahabharata,

from beginning to end, only the glories of the Supreme Lord Hari are sung.

(Hari-vamsa)

 

The Holy Name Grants All Perfection in Kali-yuga

 

17.9

kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah

kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet

 

            My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one

good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra,

one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcen-

dental kingdom. (Bhag. 12.3.51)

 

17.10

krte yad dhyayato visnum tretayam yajato makhaih

dvapare paricaryayam kalau tad dhari-kirtanat

 

            What was attained in Satya-yuga through meditation, in Treta-yuga through

sacrifice, and in Dvapara-yuga through Deity worship is realized in Kali-yuga

through hari-kirtana. (Bhag. 12.3.52)

 

17.11

dhyayan krte yajan yajnais-tretayam dvapare 'rcayan

yadapnoti tadapnoti kalau sankirtya kesavam

 

            Whatever results was attained in Satya-yuga by meditation, in Treta-yuga

by yajna, and in Dvapara-yuga by arcana, can only be attained in the Kali-yuga

by hari-nama-kirtana, chanting the glories of Krsna, who is known as Kesava.

(Padma Purana, Uttara-khanda, 42nd Adhyaya)

 

17.12

kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara

nama haite haya sarva-jagat-nistara

nama vinu kali-kale nahi ara dharma

sarva-mantra-sara nama, ei sastra-marma

 

            In the age of Kali, Krsna advents Himself in the form of the holy name. By

the holy name, the entire universe is delivered. There is no other dharma in the

age of Kali. The holy name of Krsna is the essence of all mantras and the pur-

port of all revealed scriptures. (Cc. Adi 17.22 and 7.74)

 

Sridhara Svami on Glories of the Holy Name

 

17.13

amhah samhara dakhilam sakrdudayadeva sakala-lokasya

taraniriva timira-jaladhim jayati jagan-mangalam harer nama

 

            Let the all-auspicious glories of the holy name, which benedicts the entire

universe, be victorious. Just as when the sun rises, it dispels the ocean of dark-

ness, in the same way, when the holy name has only slightly risen within one's

heart, all one's sins are completely destroyed. (Padyavali 16, Sridhara Svami)

 

17.14

jnanamasti tulitam ca tulayam prema naiva tulitam tu tulayam

siddhir eva tulitatra tulayam krsna-nama tulitam na tulayam

 

            Knowledge and yogic perfection can be compared to one another, but prema

and krsna-nama have no comparison to anything within this world. They can-

not be weighed on the scales of mundane consideration. (Padyavali 15, Sridhara

Svami)

 

Rupa Gosvami on the Glories of the Name

 

17.15

akrstih krta-cetasam sumahatam-muccatanam camhasam

acandalamamukaloka-sulabho vasyas ca moksasriyah

no diksam na ca daksinam na ca purascaryam managiksate

mantro'yam rasana sprg eva phalati sri krsna namatmakah

 

            The holy name of Krsna is an attractive feature for many saintly, liberal

people. It is the annihilator of all sinful reactions and is so powerful that save

for the dumb who cannot chant it, it is readily, available to everyone, including

the lowest type of man, the candala. The holy name of Krsna is controller of the

opulence of liberation, and it is identical with Sri Krsna. Simply by touching the

holy name with one's tongue, immediate effects are produced. Chanting the

holy name does not depend on initiation, pious activities, or the purascarya

regulative principles generally observed before initiation. The holy name does

not wait for all these activities. It is self-sufficient. (Padyavali 29, Rupa Gosvami)

 

The Efficacy of Gayatri and the Holy Name

 

17.16

krsna-mantra haite habe samsara-mocana

krsna-nama haite pabe krsnera carana

 

            Through the gayatri mantra one attains liberation from material existence.

Through the holy name one attains the lotus feet of Krsna. (Cc. Adi 7.73)

 

The Glories of Hari-katha

 

17.17

srutam-apy-aupanisadam dure hari-kathamrtat

yan na santi dravac-citta-kampasru-pulakadayah

 

            The Upanisads have ascertained nirvisesa brahma as the subject of the

sruti, whereas they only take a distant view of hari-katha. This is because through

hearing and chanting about Brahman, one's heart is not moved, tears do not

pour from the eyes, and the bodily hairs do not stand on end. (Padyavali 39)

 

The Glories of the Holy Name Surpasses that of Impersonal Brahman

 

17.18

yad brahma-saksat-krti-nisthayapi vinasamayati vina na bhogaih

apaiti nama-sphuranena tatte prarabhda-karmeti virauti vedah

 

            O holy name! The seeds from which sin sprouts within the heart are not

burned to ashes by realization of Brahman or by constant meditation on eternal

consciousness. But, O holy name, as soon as You appear on the tongue of a

sincere chanter, all the karmic seeds of sin are burned to ashes. Thus all sinful

reactions, past, present and future are finished. This is proclaimed by the Vedas.

(Krsna-namastakam, Rupa Gosvami 4)

 

Kirtana of the Holy Name is Best of All

 

17.19

aghaccit-smaranam visnor-bahvayasena sadhyate

austhaspandana-matrena kirtanatu tato varam

 

            The remembrance of Visnu certainly cuts sin to pieces, but it is very diffi-

cult to attain perfection through remembering Visnu. Only after great effort is

such remembrance possible. However, simply by moving the lips, there is the

kirtana of the holy name of Visnu, and therefore kirtana is the topmost process

of devotional service. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 11.453)

 

The Holy Name Surpasses Worship and Meditation

 

17.20

 

jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer

viramita-nija-dharma-dhyana-pujadi-yatnam

kathamapi sakrdattam muktidam pranina yat

param-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 in my life and my only

 treasure. (Bnhad-Bhagavatamrta 1.1.9)

 

17.21

yena janma sataih purvam vasudevah sanarcitah

tan-mukhe hari-namani sada tisthanti bharata

 

            O descendant of Bharata, one who has previously worshiped Lord Vasudeva

in hundreds of lifetimes can now chant the holy name eternally. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 11.454)

 

The Holy Name is not Regulated by Time, Place, and Circumstance

 

17.22 and 23

na desa niyamo rajan na kala niyamas tatha

vidyate natra sandeho visnor-namanu-kirtane

kalo'sti dane yajne ca snane kalo' sti saj jape

visnu-sankirtane kalo nastyatra prthivitale

 

            O king, there are no rules governing the time and place wherein the holy

name of Visnu can be chanted. Of this there can be no doubt. Charity and sac-

rifice are governed by various rules regarding time and place, as are the taking

of one's bath and the silent uttering of different mantras. But the holy name of

Visnu can be chanted in sankirtana at any time in any place on earth. (Hari-

bhakti-vilasa 11.412, 413)

 

17.24

na desa-niyamas tasmin na kala-niyamas-tatha

nocchisthadau nisedho 'sti sri harer-namni lubdhaka

 

            O hunter, there are no restrictions on when or where the holy name of Sri

Hari may be chanted and no prohibitions regarding the uncleanness of the mouth

from which the holy name comes forth. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 11.408)

 

17.25

etavatalam agha-nirharanaya pumsam

sankirtanam bhagavato guna-karma-namnam

vikrusya putram aghavan yad ajamilo 'pi

narayaneti mriyamana iyaya muktim

 

It should be understood that one is easily relieved from all sinful reactions

by chanting the holy name of the Lord and chanting of His qualities and activi-

ties. This is the only process recommended for relief from sinful reactions. Even

if one chants the holy name of the Lord with improper pronunciation, he gets

relief from material bondage if he chants without offenses. Ajamila, for example,

was extremely sinful, but while dying he merely chanted the holy name, and

although calling his son, he achieved complete liberation because he re-

membered the name of Narayana. (Bhag. 6.3.24)

 

The Bhagavatam on Loud Kirtana

 

17.26

namany anantasya hata-trapah pathan

guhyani bhadrani krtani ca smaran

gam paryatams tusta-mana gata-sprhah

kalam pratiksan vimado vimatsarah

 

            [Narada Muni said] Thus I loudly chanted the holy name of Krsna in kirtana,

not caring for any social formalities. Such chanting and remembering of the holy name

benedicts everyone. In this way, I traveled across the earth, fully satisfied, humble, and

non-envious. (Bhag. 1.6.26)

 

 

Loud Kirtana is the Best

 

17.27

japato hari namani sthane sata-gunadhikah

atmanan ca punaty-uccair-japan srotrn-punati ca

 

            Compared to that person who is attached to chanting japa, the person who

performs loud chanting of the holy name of Sri Hari is one hundred times bet-

ter. This is because the person who chants japa purifies himself, whereas the

person who chants the holy name loudly in kirtana purifies himself, all those

who are with him, and everyone else who hear the holy vibration.

(Sri Naradiya, Prahlada-vakya)

 

Loud Kirtana Benefits the Chanter of the Holy Name and Those Who Hear it

 

17.28

pasu-paksi-kita-adi balite na pare

sunile se harinama ta'ra saba tare

japile se krsna-nama apani se tare

ucca-sankirtane para-upakara kare

ata eva ucca kari' kirtana karile

sata-guna phala haya sarva-sastre bole

 

            The animals, birds, and insects cannot chant the holy name, but by hearing

the holy name chanted they can benefit. Chanting the japa of the holy name of

Krsna purifies oneself, but the loud sankirtana of the holy name of Krsna benefits

all living beings. Therefore, loudly chant the holy name of Krsna in kirtana,

and you will get one hundred times the benefit of chanting japa. This is the

verdict of all the sastras. (C.Bhag.Adi 11.275-277)

 

Mahaprabhu Loudly Chanted the Holy Name

 

17.29

hare krsnety uccyaih sphurita-rasano namaganana-

krta-granthi sreni-subhaga-kati-sutrojjvalakarah

visalakso dirghargala-yugala-kheloncita-bhujah

sa caitanyah kim me punarapi drsoryasyati padam

 

            Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu loudly chants the Hare Krsna mantra,

dance upon His tongue, as His radiant lotus hand counts the name by fingering

the beads on the beautiful knotted counting string tied to His waist. His beauti-

ful lotus eyes stretch to His ears and His arms reach to His knees. When will Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu again appear before my eyes?

(Caitanyanthakam 5, Rupa Gosvami)

 

The Opinion of Baladeva on the Form of the Maha-mantra

 

17.30

hare krsneti mantra-pratika-grahanam.

Sodasa-namatmana dvatrimsa-daksarena mantrenoccair-uccaritena

sphurita krta-nrtya rasana jihva yasya sah.

 

            When the sixteen names and thirty-two syllables of the Hare Krsna mantra

are loudly vibrated, Krsna Himself dances on ones tongue. (Baladeva

Vidyabhnara, Stava-malm-vibhunara-bhanya)

 

Hare Krsna is the Maha-mantra for the Age of Kali

 

17.31-37

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

sodasaitani namani dvatrimsad varnakani hi

kalau yuge maha-mantrah sammato jivatarane

varjayitva tu namaitad durjanaih parikalpitam

chandobaddham susiddhanta viruddham nabhyaset padam

tarakam brahma-namaitad brahmana gurunadina

kalisantaranadyasu sruti-svadhigatam hareh

praptam sri brahma-sisyena sri naradena dhimata

namaitad-uttamam srauta-paramparyena brahmanah

utsrjyaitan-maha-mantram ye tvanyat kaepitam padam

mahanameti gayanti te sastra-guru langhanah

tattva-virodha-sanprktam tadrsam daurjanam matam

sravatha pariharyam syadatma-hitarthina sada

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

 

            Hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare, hare rama hare rama rama

rama hare hare: This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable mantra is the maha-

mantra in the age of Kali by which all living beings can be delivered. One should

never abandon chanting this maha-mantra and take to other so-called purificatory

processes which are practiced by rascals, or engage in chanting other metrical

compositions of the name of Krsna that are against the pure conclusions of the

scriptures, or are filled with rasabhasa. About this divinely spiritual maha-man-

tra, which delivers one from material existence, the original guru, Lord Brahma,

has said, kali-santaranadi srutite, "The srutis have declared this mantra to be the

best means of deliverance in the age of Kali". Having all heard this from Brahma,

the sons and disciples of Brahma, beginning with Narada, all accepted the

Krsna maha-mantra and, having meditated on it,  attained perfection.

(Ananta-Samhita)

 

 

The Upanisads on the Hare Krsna Maha-mantra

 

17.38-39

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

iti sodasakam namnam kali-kalmasa-nasanam

natah parataropayah sarva-vedesu drsyate

 

            The sixteen names of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra-- hare krsna hare

krsna krsna hare hare, hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare-- destroy all

the inauspiciousness of the age of Kali. This is the conclusion of all the Vedas.

(Kali-santarara Upanisad)

 

The Puranas on the Hare Krsna Maha-mantra

 

17.40

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

ratanti halaya vapi te krtartha na samsayah

 

            Hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare: Whoever chants this mantra,

even neglectfully, will attain the supreme goal of life. Of this there is no doubt.

(Agni-Purana)

 

Chanting the Holy Name Qualifies One for Deliverance

 

17.41

madhura-madhuram-etan-mangalam mangalanam

sakala-nigamavalli-sat-phalam cit-svarupam

sakrdapi parigitam sraddhaya helaya va

bhrguvara naramatram tarayet krsna nama

 

            The holy name of Krsna is the sweetest of the sweet and the most auspi-

cious of all auspicious things. It is the self-effulgent and beautiful fruit of the

Vedic desire tree. O best of the Bhrgus, when the holy name is uttered once

without offense, either attentively or in attentively, it immediately ensures the

deliverance of all human beings from the bondage of illusion. (Hari-bhakti-

vilasa 11.234, Skanda Purana)

 

The Holy Name is to be Chanted in the Stage of

Practice and in Perfection

 

17.42

etan nirvidyamananam icchatam akuto-bhayam

yoginam nrpa nirnitam harer namanukirtanam

 

            O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the way of

the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, includ-

ing 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. (Bhag. 2.1.11)

 

Things Unfavorable for Nama-kirtana

 

17.43

janmaisvarya-sruta-sribhir edhamana-madah puman

naivarhaty abhidhatum vai tvam akincana-gocaram

 

            Those who are intoxicated by false ego on account of their good birth,

wealth, learning, and beauty, cannot cry out Your name with sincere feeling.

Only those who are materially bereft can chant Your name in purity.

(Bhag. 1.8.26)

 

The Characteristics of the Principal and Secondary Name

 

17.44

namnamakari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis

tatrapita niyamitah smarane na kalah

etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi

durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah

 

            O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to the living

beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krsna and

Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcen-

dental energies and there are no hard and fast rules for chanting Your name. O

my Lord, out of kindness, You enable us to easily approach You by chanting

Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.

(Siksastaka 2)

 

The Secondary Names of God and Their Symptoms

 

17.45

jada krtira paricaye nama yata

prakrtir gune gauna vedera sammata

srsti kartta paramatma brahma sthiti kara

jagat samharta pata yajnesvara hara

 

            According to the Vedas, the secondary or inferior names of the Supreme

Lord, Sri Krsna are those which are in connection with the material world. For

example: "God," "Creator of the Universe," "Paramatma," "Supersoul," "Brah-

man," " Maintainer of the Universe," "Destroyer of the Universe," "Savior,"

and "Lord of Sacrifice," and "He who takes away," are some inferior or second-

ary names of Godhead. (Hari-nama-cintamari)

 

Fruits of the Principal and Secondary Names of the Lord

 

17.46

ei rupa nama, karma-jnana-kanda-gata

punya moksa dana kare sastrera sammata

namera ye mukhya-phala krsna-prema-dhana

tara mukhya name matra labhe sadhugana

 

            These inferior names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna

are called upon by those who are on the paths of karma and jnana. According

to the scriptures, one who calls upon these names gets piety and liberation. On

the other hand, the result of chanting the principal names of the Lord [Govinda,

Gopala, Rama, Nandanandana, Radhanatha, Hari, Yasomati-pranadhana,

Madana-mohana, Syamasundara, Madhava, Gopinatha, Vrajogopa, Rakhala,

and Yadava] is krsna-prema. In this way, the saintly attain love of Godhead by

chanting the principal names of Godhead [while those attached to karma and

jnana get mere piety and impersonal liberation by chanting inferior and second-

ary names because their conception of Godhead is also secondary and inferior.]

(Hari-nama-cintamari)

 

The Principal Name

 

17.47

aghadamana-yasodanandanau nandasuno

kamala-nayana-gopicandra-vrndavanendrah

pranata-karuna-krsnav ity aneka-svarupe

tvai mama ratir uccair vardhatam namadheya

 

            O killer of the demon Agha, O son of Yasoda, O son of Nanda, O lotus-

eyed, O moon of the gopis, O Lord of Vnndmvana, O merciful to the submissive,

O Krsna, You have manifest Yourself in innumerable forms out of Your infinite

mercy. Let my devotion to You go on increasing without any impediment.(Krsna-

namstakam, Rupa Gosvami 5)

 

The Fruit of Offenselessly Uttering the Principal Name

 

17.48

tunde tandavini ratim vitanute tundavali-labdhaye

karna-krodha-kadamvini ghatayate karnarbudebhyah sprham

cetah prangana-sangini vijayate sarvendriyanam krtim

no jane janita-kiyadbhir amrtaih krsneti varnadvayi

 

 "I do not know how much nectar the two syllables 'Krsn-ra' have produced.

When the holy name of Krsna is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth.

We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the

ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the

courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all

the senses become inert." (Vidagdha-Madhava 1.12)

 

The Sevenfold Results of Chanting the Principal Name

 

17.49

ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha--davagni-nirvapanam

sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam

anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamrtasvadanam

sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam

 

            Chanting the holy name of Krsna cleanses the mirror of the heart an extin-

guishes the fire of misery in the ocean of birth and death. At that time, real

auspiciousness begins for the soul. Just as the evening lotus blooms in the moon's

cooling rays, the heart begins to blossom in the nectar of the name, and at last

the soul awakens in full knowledge of its real inner treasure a life of love with

Krsna in the highest mellows of devotion. Again and again tasting nectar, the

soul dives and surfaces in the ever increasing ocean of joy. In this way, all phases

of the self are fully satisfied and purified by bathing in the nectarean mellows of

the holy name of Krsna. Therefore, let the sankirtana of the holy name be

victorious. (