1. Does Naam Jap without emotion, devotion, focus, or attention still bring benefits?
Just as fire naturally has the power to burn—whether you touch it with reverence, by mistake, or even with a negative attitude—it will still burn you, because the power to burn is inherent in fire. In the same way, the holy Name inherently possesses the power to destroy all sins, illusions, and worldly attachments.
Whether you chant the holy name with faith or without it, with emotion or without it, whether your mind is focused or distracted, if you continue Naam Jap, the holy name will work through its divine power.
So, just as fire burns by its very nature, the holy name sanctifies, destroys sins, and ultimately leads one to the blissful union with the Supreme Lord. Therefore, don’t think that your Naam Jap is useless just because you’re not feeling any emotion. Whether feelings arise or not, just keep Naam Jap. Whether your mind is engaged or not, do not stop Naam Jap.
2. Does Naam Jap destroy all sins?
Yes, Naam Jap is the greatest, simplest, and most effective way to atone for past sins. There is no greater penance than this. There is no holier pilgrimage than this. For the destruction of sins, Naam Jap is the supreme remedy.
Whether someone is a thief, an alcoholic, a betrayer of friends, a cow-killer, a murderer of a Brahmin, or someone who has committed a grave sin like having relations with a guru’s wife—if that person firmly resolves not to commit sins again and begins Naam Jap with faith, they can become sinless and attain the status of a saintly person. Even someone deeply entangled in heinous sins, if they sincerely start Naam Jap, can become purified and transformed into a noble soul through the power of God’s Name.
3. Does Naam Jap only destroy sins, or does it offer other benefits as well?
Naam Jap does not stop at merely destroying sins. Naam Jap not only eliminates sins—it goes much further. It kindles the light of divine, pure realization of the Supreme within the heart. It doesn’t just awaken knowledge of spiritual truth, but also generates true love for God.
Naam Jap enables one to experience the profound truth that God is present everywhere. After destroying sins, it fills the heart with sacred wisdom, and along with that wisdom, it also awakens pure divine love. Naam Jap draws the Lord Himself and makes Him shine within the devotee’s heart.
Countless divine qualities manifest through the chanting of God’s Name. The divine virtues and blessings that arise from Naam Jap are so vast and limitless that words fall short of describing them.
4. How To Do Naam Jap Continuously?
To be able to do Naam Jap continuously, you need to make a firm resolution. You must decide with full determination that, no matter the situation, you will not let the Name slip away.
First Step: Solitary Practice
Every day, dedicate at least two hours to sitting in solitude for focused Naam Jap. During these two hours:
- Do nothing else—only chant.
- Chant only one name or mantra, repeatedly and continuously.
- These two hours can be done in one stretch or divided into smaller sittings:
2 × 1 hour, or 4 × 30 minutes— But the total must be two hours of solitude and deep focus.
During these two hours, you will begin to observe how restless and tricky your mind is, and how it tries to pull you away from Naam Jap. This practice will gradually give you power over your mind.
Result of Practice:
If you consistently do this focused chanting for just two hours a day, you will naturally gain the ability to remember the Name during the remaining 22 hours of the day. These two hours will color your entire day’s awareness with the holy name.
Second Step: Cultivate the Understanding of the Naam Jap’s Supremacy
Develop a deep inner conviction that:
- Naam Jap is greater than gaining wealth
- It is more valuable than food, breath, or life itself
- If Naam Jap is forgotten, it is the greatest loss of life
When this kind of reverence and importance for the Name is firmly rooted in your heart,
Unbroken chanting becomes possible.
➤ Third Step: Continuous Practice
- Stay conscious and alert so that you don’t forget Naam Jap
- While walking, sitting, eating, or doing anything, let Naam Jap going in your mind.
5. Why does Naam Jap feel so difficult?
Naam Jap feels difficult because our past accumulated sins and impure tendencies do not allow the mind to engage in pure devotion. As long as the mind remains impure, one cannot experience the sweetness of Naam Jap. The lack of interest or the inner resistance we feel during Naam Jap is a direct reflection of our sins. We can spend hours immersed in worldly activities, but the mind refuses to stay focused during Naam Jap—this indicates the burden of sins stored within us. That’s why we don’t naturally feel drawn toward the Lord’s divine treasure—Naam Jap.
➤ What is the solution?
Just as bitter medicine is taken to cure illness, similarly in the beginning, force yourself to do Naam Jap. Even if there is no interest, even if the mind does not cooperate—do not stop Naam Jap. Also, don’t fall into the idea that only mental Naam Jap is best, so you must always do it silently. If the mind is not supporting you, if concentration is lacking, then do vocal Naam Jap—speak it out loud.
If nothing comes to mind, simply keep repeating: “Radha Radha Radha Radha Radha…” continuously. What will the mind do? Where can it go? Eventually, it will wander and come right back to you.
When you begin doing Naam Jap like a bitter medicine, even without any feeling, it will start to burn away your inner sins and impurities. And as soon as the mind becomes purified, you will begin to experience a divine intoxication, a sweet taste, a deep attachment to Naam Jap— after which, you won’t be able to leave it.
6. What can help in doing continuous Naam Jap?
1. Association with saints who love the Holy name
Continuous Naam Jap becomes possible only when we associate with saints who are themselves immersed in the bliss of the Holy name. Those who are absorbed in the devotion of the Lord help awaken deep attachment to the Holy name within us. Without the company of such saints, it is difficult to develop steadiness and continuity in Naam Jap.
2. Firm rule of Naam Jap
If your Guru has given you a rule—for example, to do 11 rounds of Naam Jap daily—then that rule must not be broken under any circumstance. In addition to that, do as much Naam Jap as you can, but the given rule must be followed with unwavering dedication. Only through sincere rule-following can we go deeper into bhajan.
3. Detachment from sensual pleasures
Whenever any form of sensory pleasure arises, stay firmly aware that there is no greater pleasure than the Holy name. Even while enjoying necessities or worldly activities, one must ensure that Naam Jap does not stop. Whether eating, laughing, playing—Naam Jap must continue in the background. Even during meals, remember: with every bite, let Naam Jap continue. Whatever worldly enjoyment is truly necessary, engage in it cautiously, ensuring that the Holy name is not lost.
Those who do not hold the glory of the Holy name firmly in their hearts easily let go of the Name when pleasures arise. But true seekers are those who maintain unbroken Naam Jap in every situation, regardless of circumstances.
4. Listening to and reading Bhakt Charitra (the lives of saints)
Reading Bhakt Charitra increases our love for the Holy Name. By listening to the divine life-stories of God’s devotees, we receive deep inspiration that helps us move toward unbroken Naam Jap. Such stories ignite a longing and determination within us to stay constantly immersed in the Lord’s Name.
7. Why do tendencies toward sin, sorrow, and restlessness remain even while doing Naam Jap?
1. False claims – Their Naam Jap is only a show
The first reason is that people who claim to do lakhs of Naam Jap are often not speaking the truth — it is just an act. If someone truly does even a lakh Naam Jap, whether with devotion or indifference, it will definitely have an effect. But most are simply pretending. If someone is turning their beads and also talking at the same time — then who is actually doing the Naam Jap? Two people are walking together, chatting and laughing, while their beads are moving — who is doing the Naam Jap? These claims of doing “lakhs of Naam Jap” are often just drama. Those in distress are not doing lakhs of Naam Jap; they are merely acting. They are deceiving themselves and others by claiming to do Naam Jap.
2. Lack of love, reverence, and value for Naam Jap
The second reason is that they have no real interest, affection, or reverence for Naam Jap. First of all, they do not actually do Naam Jap as they claim. And even if they do, it is without love, focus, or faith. They consider Naam Jap to be cheap and insignificant. They do not realize the true greatness of Naam Jap.
3. Behavior contrary to the scriptures
The third reason is that they act against the principles laid out in the scriptures.
4. Using Naam Jap for worldly gain
The fourth reason is that whenever they face a slight headache or minor issue, they immediately start using Naam Jap as a remedy — thinking, “Let my headache go away because I did Naam Jap,” or “Let this work get done because I did Naam Jap.” They use Naam Jap to fulfill desires for money, sensory pleasures, health, reputation, children, or to solve problems. As a result, whatever little Naam Jap they do gets wasted in these desires, and they continue to commit sins. Consequently, they suffer and do not receive real benefit. That’s why it appears as if someone is in a miserable state even after doing lakhs of Naam Jap — whereas in reality, true Naam Jap never leads to such a condition.
8. If Holy Name is so glorious, then why doesn’t everyone do Naam Jap?
Do you think becoming devoted to Naam is easy? Only by great fortune does one develop an interest in the holy name of God. Outwardly, it may seem simple — but doing true Naam Jap is not easy. Just try doing it, and you will see an inner fight begin — the mind, intellect, heart, and ego will all start to rebel and distract you. If your mind begins to truly engage in Naam Jap, consider it a great spiritual achievement.
Those who consider the holy name merely as a word or just a means to destroy sins have not understood its true nature. Attachment to sensory pleasures, interest in sinful actions, and ignorance of the true glory of the holy name — these are some of the reasons why people are unable to do Naam Jap.
9. How do sinful people begin Naam Jap?
When sinful individuals fall into severe distress, illness, dishonor, rejection, and despair from all sides — they see no refuge. At that time, by God’s grace, they are given the opportunity for the company of saints. As soon as they come into the association of saints, their journey of devotion begins. When all hope from the world is lost, the heart turns toward God’s holy name. It is only when God bestows His grace that this path opens up. Even the company of saints is rare without God’s mercy. But once it is received, the bonds of the material world begin to break effortlessly. In this way, even sinful people, through suffering, become devoted to God’s holy name.
10. What is the fate of those who commit sins relying on the power of Naam Jap?
No one is given the license to sin just because they are engaged in Naam Jap. A person who knowingly commits sins while being aware of the glory of the holy name — thinking, “I am doing Naam Jap, my sins will be destroyed” — is certainly destined for hell. This is a serious offense against the holy name — to sin deliberately on the strength of the holy name. Such a person will go to hell, and even the residents of hell will look upon them with contempt.
There is a difference between an occasional lapse and deliberate sin. If a spiritual seeker, while sincerely striving for the higher path, occasionally stumbles due to Maya (illusion), God looks at the sincerity of their inner intention. But one who consciously, joyfully, and deliberately sins — believing Naam Jap will nullify it — is coating their sin in diamond-like hardness. That kind of sin cannot be destroyed even through Naam Jap. Such sins are only burnt away after the person suffers their due punishment, even in hell. Therefore, to commit sin banking on the power of Naam Jap is a grave offense.
11. Sometimes it feels like the glories of Naam are just exaggerated to sound interesting, not truly real!
Great sages, saints, and devotees have directly experienced the power of the holy name, and it is from that deep experience that they have sung its praises. Immersed in the nectar of the holy name, they would weep, dance, and sing. This is not imagination — it is a realized reality.
When I read the divine life of the revered Sevak Ji, I discovered that when he heard about the disappearance of Mahaprabhu Harivansh Chandra Ji and was overwhelmed with the agony of separation, he took sole refuge in the holy name — “Shri Harivansh, Shri Harivansh, Shri Harivansh…” And by the strength of the holy name alone, Mahaprabhu Harivansh Ji appeared in front of him. It was there that he received initiation into Nij mantra and was granted full divine nectar of the eternal pastimes. Sevak Ji came to Vrindavan only after composing Sevak Vaani.
By the power of the holy name, his divine compositions emerged. By the power of the holy name, the Acharya was revealed. By the strength of Naam, he received Nij mantra. It was through the holy name that he attained the vision of the eternal divine pastimes of Radha-Vallabh Lal. The Sevak Vani that manifested is essentially a commentary on Shri Chaturasi Ji.
If the sacred name Radha is flowing in the heart, then everything becomes possible. Therefore, the glories of the holy name are not just meant for poetic or dramatic effect — they are the highest truth. Ajamil, who spent his youth and old age steeped in sin—adultery, violence, meat-eating — attained the supreme spiritual state simply by calling out “Narayan” to his son at the moment of death. These are not just stories — they are the lived experiences of great saints.
Even in our own lives, we can witness the power of the holy name — the more one engages in Naam Jap, the more elevated a seeker becomes. Only those absorbed in Naam Jap have truly entered the realm of spirituality — they alone are truly glorious. Hence, this is not some interesting tale, but the supreme, unshakable truth.
Guidance By: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
