Sunday, February 9

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 September 2014, Pretoria, South Africa, House Program)

15389369616_01fbfbe0d4_kTonight, we will perform this kirtan-yajna. It is the recommended yajna for this age. It is more potent than any other form of sacrifice. The Ādi purāṇa explains that by chanting, Krsna is directly present and we are directly associating with him. So, we should not think that the chanting is some kind of ritual where the mantra is invested with power which then creates a spiritual atmosphere. No, the chanting, as it is said:

nāmnām akāri bahudhā nija-sarva-śaktis
tatrārpitā niyamitaḥ smaraṇe na kālaḥ
etādṛśī tava kṛpā bhagavan mamāpi
durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ (Siksastakam, verse 2)

The chanting is bringing us to associate with Krsna directly. In the beginning, we cannot see it. Although we are hearing the name, we can actually not see that the name is non-different from Krsna. That takes time. Therefore in the beginning, we may relate to the mantra in a different way. We may say, “Oh, nice music… auspicious… very nice,” but we will not fully appreciate that actually, Krsna is here! That takes time in chanting but those who persevere and receive the mercy of the vaisnavas, they can gradually realize that actually, Krsna and his name are non-different.

nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
‘bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ
(Caitanya Caritāmṛta Madhya 17.133)

Krsna is non-different from his name. So with that mood, we are chanting this evening and Krsna is here and we get the chance to be with him. Although we are lacking the capacity right now to transform ourselves in that way but still… Actually, we are as much with Krsna as Arjuna was with Krsna in Kurukshetra, on the same chariot. We also are with Krsna on the same chariot, the chariot of the body but we cannot realize how close Krsna is. Through this chanting, it is possible. Gradually, we see this process!

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