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