10 Jun 2023 evening – Nama Mahatmya: The Glories of the Holy Names (English) – Alto Paraiso, Brazil | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

  • The glories of the holy names in Kali-yuga.
  • In Satya-yuga (golden age) souls meditated on the Lord (Srimad Bhagavatam), jnana meditation, e.g. Dhruva Maharaja.
  • In Treta-yuga there was fire sacrifice, for example, Lord Ramachandra appeared in that age and performed fire sacrifice.
  • In Kali-yuga it is very difficult to worship Thakuraji, to do fire ceremony and meditation properly.
  • In Kali-yuga, there is a simple process to reach the Lord: chanting the holy names.
  • Srimad Bhagavatam glorifies many Vaishnavas, and Lord Siva is the highest devotee because he always chants the names of the Lord.
  • There are four qualifications for chanting the holy names: to be humbler than a straw of grass, more tolerant than a tree, not to seek respect, name, fame and prestige, and to always respect everyone.
  • Story of the Hari-katha of Shiva and Parvati and the demon Vrikasura (Basmasura).
  • Vrikasura wanted to abduct Parvati Devi and performed a fire ceremony to obtain the form of Shiva to abduct her.
  • Shiva granted Vrikasura a blessing: the power to turn everything into ashes with his hands, but he also wanted to destroy Shivaji.
  • Shiva went to Lord Vishnu for help.
  • Lord Vishnu manifested as a brahmacari and spoke to Vrikasura, trying to convince him to use his blessing on himself. Thus Vishnu defeated Vrikasura.
  • Lord Shiva completely surrenders to Lord Vishnu in a very humble way.
  • Panchanam is another name of Lord Shiva: he who has 5 mouths and thus chants the holy names.
  • Lord Shiva has taken diksa from Sankarshana, who is Balarama himself.
  • So Lord Shiva is meditating on Balarama.
    -Lord Shiva has his eyes closed and is meditating on his Istadeva. Already Krsna is with His eyes open, playing His flute: He is Svayam-Bhagavan.
  • Krsna lives in Goloka Vrndavana.
  • The highest form of worship of Lord Krishna is with the mood of the Vraja-gopis.
  • Chanting the holy names of the Lord, which are no different from the Lord Himself, is what makes life successful.
    -The holy names are even higher than the Lord Himself, because in this Kali-yuga He has invested all His potency in them.
  • The holy names can be chanted at any time; there are no rules and regulations for chanting.
    -Story of Ajamila and his son Narayana.
  • The processes of karma, artha, kama, yoga, tapasya do not guarantee liberation.
  • Sri Siksastakam, first verse (ceto darpanam marjanam).
  • One must chant the holy names with firm faith.
  • He who chants the holy names of the Lord and reaches His abode never returns to the cycle of birth and death.
  • Narada Muni chants the holy names with his vina.
  • Chant the holy names and be happy.
  • Always be aware of the 10 offences against the holy names, of which 3 are prominent.
  • Criticism of the sadhu, guru or Vaishnavas is a very serious offence, so the holy names will have no effect.
  • Never consider the name of Shiva as equal to or greater than the name of Krishna.
  • Never disrespect or dishonour the guru.
    Alto Paraiso, Brazil

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