Give up the pleasures opposed to the scriptures. These are like poison; when indulged, they make a person insane. Such pleasures imprint negative tendencies on your mind, lasting for lifetimes. We often think indulging for just five minutes isn’t a big deal, but the impressions from those actions will haunt you for thousands of lifetimes. Your mind constantly urges you to indulge in those pleasures, burning you from within repeatedly. Drinking poison destroys you in one lifetime, but indulging in such pleasures can ruin you for millions of lifetimes.
When you begin chanting the holy name, you will notice that your mind frequently brings up past impressions of pleasures and desires. Weak practitioners start indulging in those pleasures and eventually fall. Their spiritual journey comes to a halt, and the bridge that could have taken them across the ocean of material existence is broken.
Do not be attached to your body or your bodily relations. If you become attached to someone, you will also develop aversion. Avoid pride in anything. Time is chewing us up at every moment, but we cannot see it. All the sufferings of life are removed solely by chanting the holy name. Even if you have no interest in chanting, do it anyway. Just as medicine works even when we don’t like taking it, so does chanting heal the disease of material existence. The holy name is the unfailing remedy for the disease of birth and death.
Cleansing The Mind
In the Shikshashtakam, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu writes:
cheto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
The contemplation of material pleasures has polluted our minds. When we chant the holy name, our mirror-like mind is cleansed. Our mind is full of impurities, and these impurities, like dust on the mirror, are cleared away through chanting. You may notice that lust, anger, and other negative tendencies increase as you chant. Do not be afraid; this means your heart is being cleansed. Once the mirror of your mind is clean, you will experience self-realization (or the vision of God). Contemplating material pleasures has coated the mirror of our mind with dirt, making us believe we are this body instead of the soul.
Just as rain can extinguish a forest fire, so does chanting the holy name extinguish the flames of lust, anger, and other desires in this world. Chant “Radha-Radha,” and all your negative tendencies will subside. Do not engage in actions opposed to the scriptures to please yourself or others, or you will suffer inner torment for life. If your mind suggests that indulging in sinful actions will bring peace, recognize that this is a deception. Do not be trapped; this wicked mind will overpower you and bring about your destruction. Do nothing to please the mind, or you will lose the path of spiritual progress. Fear and lust will enslave you.
Chanting Of The Holy Name: The Key To Spiritual Progress
shreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
Just as the night-blooming lily blossoms under the moonlight, the holy name shines like moonlight, blossoming the flower of your spiritual welfare. The holy name is the life of knowledge that destroys ignorance. The more you chant, the more pure knowledge you will receive.
anandambhdhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate shri-krishna-sankirtanam
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
As you chant, your bliss will increase. In the beginning, you may feel discomfort as your past mistakes are cleansed. Eventually, you will rise above desires like lust, anger, greed, and delusion and experience joy with every moment. Right now, your tongue is sick with ignorance, so at first, you may not taste the sweetness of the holy name. However, as you chant regularly, the ignorance will be destroyed, and knowledge will illuminate your life, bringing waves of joy. You will begin to savour each name. But if you engage in bad company or continue committing sins, you will not experience the taste of this divine nectar. Chanting the holy name bathes the entire soul in bliss.
The Power of the Holy Name: God’s Strength Resides in His Name
namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-shaktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalaha
etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragahah
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
The holy name of the Lord holds immense power. God has infused His entire strength into His name. Those who chant the name regularly will experience God placing all His strength within the name. You can chant the name at any time, whether you are in a pure or impure state. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu writes here that the Lord has been so merciful as to place His power in the holy name and has given everyone the freedom to chant, regardless of their state. But, alas, I am so unfortunate that I am ignoring this grace and not chanting the holy name. How unfortunate I am that I do not feel love for the holy name!
Developing Steadiness in Chanting the Holy Name: The Importance of Tolerance
trinad api sunicena
taror api sahishnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harihi
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
Here, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gives us the key to cultivating steadiness in chanting the holy name. One must consider themselves humbler than a blade of grass. No matter how much someone mocks, insults, or causes you distress, bear it with patience. Regard yourself as the smallest of all. A devotee, seeing the Lord in all, becomes the servant of everyone and respects all with a spirit of service. Just like a tree endures heat and cold, and even when beaten for its fruits, it gives them generously, provides shade when people come close and suffers when its branches are cut—all to comfort others. Similarly, you must wish for their well-being if someone causes pain or harms you.
When someone honours you, you should feel embarrassed, recognizing that you are not worthy of such respect. Such honour is not for you but for your Guru and the Lord. Accepting honour should not be a habit. Even if millions bow to you, as long as you do not accept it internally, your devotion will remain unaffected. However, if you accept the honour, it will create obstacles in your spiritual practice. Honour others and remain humble yourself. Continuously remember the Lord and fulfill your duties.
No Desires: Only Devotion to the Lord
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye
mama janmani janmanishvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
O Lord, I do not desire wealth, followers, or beautiful women. If, according to my karma, I must be born again, let it be so, but may I always remain immersed in your selfless devotion.
ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram
patitam mam vishame bhavambudhau
kripaya tava pada-pankaja-
sthita-dhuli-sadrisham vichintaya
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
O Nandanandan (Lord Krishna), I am your servant. I have fallen into the deep and dangerous ocean of material existence. Kindly make me the dust of your feet so I may always remain close to you.
Eyes Streaming with Tears:
nayanam galad-ashru-dharaya
vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira
pulakair nichitam vapuh kada
tava nama-grahane bhavishyati
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
O Lord, when will I reach the state where tears flow from my eyes, my voice chokes with emotion, my body trembles, and I cry out, “Krishna! Krishna!”
Without the Lord, the World Feels Empty
yugayitam nimeshena
chakshusha pravrishayitam
shunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
Each moment feels like an age. My eyes rain with tears, and O Lord, this entire world seems empty without you.
Do as You Please, My Lord
ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam
adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparaha
Shri Chaitanya Shikshashtakam
O Lord, I am yours. My only purpose is to serve your lotus feet. Now, whether you embrace me or crush me under your feet, you are free to do as you wish.
Conclusion:
Make a habit of chanting that you never stop, no matter the circumstances. If the holy name is continuously chanted, everything will fall into place. However, most people do not develop a love for chanting. We should feel distressed if we miss even a minute of chanting. Chanting the holy name is the essence of all scriptures and holds immense power. With it, even the impossible becomes possible.
Guidance: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
