Quotes from Srimad Bhagavatam:
äpannaù saàsåtià ghoräà
yan-näma vivaço gåëan
tataù sadyo vimucyeta
yad bibheti svayaà bhayam
Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be
freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Kåñëa, which is
feared by fear personified. SB 1.1.14
säìketyaà pärihäsyaà vä
stobhaà helanam eva vä
vaikuëöha-näma-grahaëam
açeñägha-haraà viduù
One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of
unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly to indicate something else (sanketya),
jokingly (parihasya), for musical entertainment (stobha), or even neglectfully (helana).
This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures. SB 6.2.14
ajïänäd athavä jïänäd
uttamaçloka-näma yat
saìkértitam aghaà puàso
dahed edho yathänalaù
As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted
knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one's
sinful activities. SB 6.2.18
etävän eva loke 'smin
puàsäà dharmaù paraù småtaù
bhakti-yogo bhagavati
tan-näma-grahaëädibhiù
Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is the
ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society. SB 6.3.22
etävatälam agha-nirharaëäya puàsäà
saìkértanaà bhagavato guëa-karma-nämnäm
vikruçya putram aghavän yad ajämilo 'pi
näräyaëeti mriyamäëa iyäya muktim
Therefore it should be understood that one is easily relieved from all sinful reactions
by chanting the holy name of the Lord and chanting of His qualities and activities.
This is the only process recommended for relief from sinful reactions. Even if one
chants the holy name of the Lord with improper pronunciation, he will achieve relief
from material bondage if he chants without offenses. Ajämila, for example, was
extremely sinful, but while dying he merely chanted the holy name, and although
calling his son, he achieved complete liberation because he remembered the name of
Näräyaëa. SB 6.3.24
mamäham iti dehädau
hitvämithyärtha-dhér matim
dhäsye mano bhagavati
çuddhaà tat-kértanädibhiù
Simply because I chanted the holy name of the Lord in the association of devotees,
my heart is now becoming purified. Therefore I shall not fall victim again to the false
lures of material sense gratification. Now that I have become fixed in the Absolute
Truth, henceforward I shall not identify myself with the body. I shall give up false
conceptions of "I" and "mine" and fix my mind on the lotus feet of Kåñëa. SB 6.2.38
tasmät saìkértanaà viñëor
jagan-maìgalam aàhasäm
mahatäm api kauravya
viddhy aikäntika-niñkåtam
My dear King, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is able to uproot even the
reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore the chanting of the saìkértana movement is the
most auspicious activity in the entire universe. Please try to understand this so that
others will take it seriously. SB 6.3.31
etan nirvidyamänänäm
icchatäm akuto-bhayam
yoginäà nåpa nirëétaà
harer nämänukértanam
O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great
authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are
free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and
also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge. SB 2.1.11
mantratas tantrataç chidraà
deça-kälärha-vastutaù
sarvaà karoti niçchidram
anusaìkértanaà tava
There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the regulative
principles, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person
and paraphernalia. But when Your Lordship's holy name is chanted, everything
becomes faultless. SB 8.23.16
kaler doña-nidhe räjann
asti hy eko mahän guëaù
kértanäd eva kåñëasya
mukta-saìgaù paraà vrajet
My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality
about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra, one can become free
from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom. SB 12.3.51
kåte yad dhyäyato viñëuà
tretäyäà yajato makhaiù
dväpare paricaryäyäà
kalau tad dhari-kértanät
Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Viñëu, in Tretä-yuga by
performing sacrifices, and in Dväpara-yuga by serving the Lord's lotus feet can be
obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra. SB 12.3.52
kåñëa-varëaà tviñäkåñëaà
säìgopäìgästra-pärñadam
yajïaiù saìkértana-präyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaù
In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the
incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kåñëa. Although His
complexion is not blackish, He is Kåñëa Himself. He is accompanied by His
associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions. SB 11.5.32
tad açma-säraà hådayaà batedaà
yad gåhyamäëair hari-näma-dheyaiù
na vikriyetätha yadä vikäro
netre jalaà gätra-ruheñu harñaù
Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of one's chanting the holy name of
the Lord with concentration, does not change when ecstasy takes place, tears fill the
eyes and the hairs stand on end. SB 2.3.24
aho bata çva-paco 'to garéyän
yaj-jihvägre vartate näma tubhyam
tepus tapas te juhuvuù sasnur äryä
brahmänücur näma gåëanti ye te
Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born
in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. Persons who chant the
holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire
sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Äryans. To be chanting the holy
name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied
the Vedas and fulfilled everything required. SB 3.33.7
nivåtta-tarñair upagéyamänäd
bhavauñadhäc chrotra-mano-'bhirämät
ka uttamaçloka-guëänuvädät
pumän virajyeta vinä paçughnät
Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the paramparä
system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is
relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this
cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the
conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease
hearing such glorification of the Lord except a butcher or one who is killing his own
self? SB 10.1.4
evaà-vrataù sva-priya-näma-kértyä
jätänurägo druta-citta uccaiù
hasaty atho roditi rauti gäyaty
unmäda-van nåtyati loka-bähyaù
By chanting the holy name of the Supreme Lord, one comes to the stage of love of
Godhead. Then the devotee is fixed in his vow as an eternal servant of the Lord, and
he gradually becomes very much attached to a particular name and form of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. As his heart melts with ecstatic love, he laughs very
loudly or cries or shouts. Sometimes he sings and dances like a madman, for he is
indifferent to public opinion. SB 11.2.40
mriyamäëo harer näma
gåëan putropacäritam
ajämilo 'py agäd dhäma
kim uta çraddhayä gåëan
While suffering at the time of death, Ajämila chanted the holy name of the Lord, and
although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home,
back to Godhead. Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name
of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead? SB 6.2.49
Quotes from Chaitanya Charitamrita
kali-käle näma-rüpe kåñëa-avatära
näma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistära
“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra, is the
incarnation of Lord Kåñëa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the
Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.
CC Ädi 17.23
kåñëa-mantra haite habe saàsära-mocana
kåñëa-näma haite päbe kåñëera caraëa
“Simply by chanting the holy name of Kåñëa one can obtain freedom from material
existence. Indeed, simply by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra one will be able to see
the lotus feet of the Lord.”CC Adi 7.73
näma vinu kali-käle nähi ära dharma
sarva-mantra-sära näma, ei çästra-marma
“‘In this Age of Kali there is no religious principle other than the chanting of the holy
name, which is the essence of all Vedic hymns. This is the purport of all scriptures.’
CC Adi 7.74
dékñä-puraçcaryä-vidhi apekñä nä kare
jihvä-sparçe ä-caëòäla sabäre uddhäre
“One does not have to undergo initiation or execute the activities required before
initiation. One simply has to vibrate the holy name with his lips. Thus even a man in
the lowest class [caëòäla] can be delivered.
ataù çré-kåñëa-nämädi na bhaved grähyam indriyaiù
sevonmukhe hi jihvädau svayam eva sphuraty adaù
[Cc. Madhya 17.136]
“With the material senses one cannot understand the transcendental holy name of the
Lord or His form, activities and pastimes. But when one actually engages in
devotional service, utilizing the tongue, the Lord is revealed.”
“eka kåñëa-näme kare sarva-päpa kñaya
nava-vidhä bhakti pürëa näma haite haya
“Simply by chanting the holy name of Kåñëa once, a person is relieved from all the
reactions of a sinful life. One can complete the nine processes of devotional service
simply by chanting the holy name. CC Madhya 15.107
tära madhye sarva-çreñöha näma-saìkértana
niraparädhe näma laile päya prema-dhana
“Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the
holy name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses, one very
easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead.” CC Antya 4.71
Other Quotes
nämno hi yävaté çaktiù
päpa-nirharaëe hareù
tävat kartuà na çaknoti
pätakaà pätaké naraù
"Simply by chanting one holy name of Hari, a sinful man can counteract the reactions
to more sins than he is able to commit." (Båhad-viñëu Puräëa)
go-koöi-dänaà grahaëe khagasya
prayäga-gaìgodaka-kalpa-väsaù
yajïäyutaà meru-suvarëa-dänaà
govinda-kérter na samaà çatäàçaiù
"Even if one distributes ten million cows in charity during an eclipse of the sun, lives
at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunä for millions of years, or gives a
mountain of gold in sacrifice to the brähmaëas, he does not earn one hundredth part of
the merit derived from chanting Hare Kåñëa."
sakåd uccäritaà yena
harir ity akñaraà dvayam
baddhaù parikaras tena
mokñäya gamanaà prati
"If one chants the two syllables Ha-ri, even once, he becomes free from all material
bondage."
madhura-madhuram etan mangalam mangalanam
sakala-nigama-valli-sat-phalam cit-svarupam
sakrd api parigitam sraddhaya helaya va
bhrgu-vara nara-matram tarayet krsna-nama
-Prabhasakhanda quoted in Hari-bhakti-vilasa (11.451)
Sri-KRSNA nama is the sweetest among all things that are sweet, and it stands
supreme amongst all that is auspicious.It is the eternal, fully ripened spiritual fruit of
the wishfulfilling tree of the Vedas. O best of the Bhrgus, if anyone even once
offenselessly chants Sri-KRSNA nama, either with faith or indifference, Sri-KRSNA
nama immediately delivers that person from the ocean of material existence.
tuëòe täëòaviné ratià vitanute tuëòävalé-labdhaye
karëa-kroòa-kaòambiné ghaöayate karëärbudebhyaù spåhäm
cetaù-präìgaëa-saìginé vijayate sarvendriyäëäà kåtià
no jäne janitä kiyadbhir amåtaiù kåñëeti varëa-dvayé
“I do not know how much nectar the two syllables ‘Kåñ-ëa’ have produced. When the
holy name of Kåñëa is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire
many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many
millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it
conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert.”
Vidagdha Madhava quoted in CC Antya 1.99
kåñëa tvadéya-pada-paìkaja-païjaräntam
adyaiva me viçatu mänasa-räja-haàsaù
präëa-prayäëa-samaye kapha-väta-pittaiù
kaëöhävarodhana-vidhau smaraëaà kutas te
O Lord Kåñëa, at this moment let the royal swan of my mind enter the tangled stems
of the lotus of Your lotus feet. How will it be possible for me to remember You at the
time of death, when my throat will be choked up with mucus, bile, and air?
Mukunda mala stotra
hanti nindati vai dveñöi
vaiñëavän näbhinandati
krudhyate yäti no harñaà
darçane patanäni ñaö
“Whoever kills or blasphemes a Vaiñëava and whoever is envious of a Vaiñëava or
angry with him, or whoever does not offer him obeisances or feel joy upon seeing a
Vaiñëava, certainly falls into a hellish condition." Skanda Purana quoted in CC
Madhya 15.261
kåñëa-bhakti-rasa-bhävitä matiù
kréyatäà yadi kuto ’pi labhyate
tatra laulyam api mülyam ekalaà
janma-koöi-sukåtair na labhyate
“‘Pure devotional service in Kåñëa consciousness cannot be had even by pious
activity in hundreds and thousands of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price
—that is, intense greed to obtain it. If it is available somewhere, one must purchase it
without delay.’” Padyavali quoted CC Madhya 8.70
hare kåñëa hare kåñëa
kåñëa kåñëa hare hare
hare räma hare räma
räma räma hare hare
iti ñoòaçakaà nämnäà
kali-kalmaña-näçanam
nätaù parataropäyaù
sarva-vedeñu dåçyate
"After searching through all the Vedic literature one cannot find a method of religion
more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Kåñëa." Kali Santarana Upanisad
näma cintämaëiù kåñëaç
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaù
pürëaù çuddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvän näma-näminoù
“‘The holy name of Kåñëa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual
benedictions, for it is Kåñëa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kåñëa’s name is
complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name
under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Kåñëa Himself. Since Kåñëa’s
name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being
involved with mäyä. Kåñëa’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never
conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Kåñëa and
Kåñëa Himself are identical.’ Padma Purana
räma rämeti rämeti
rame räme manorame
sahasra-nämabhis tulyaà
räma-näma varänane
“[Lord Çiva addressed his wife, Durgä:] ‘O Varänanä, I chant the holy name of Räma,
Räma, Räma and thus enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Rämacandra is
equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Viñëu.’
Båhad-viñëu-sahasranäma-stotra in the Uttara-khaëòa of the Padma Puräëa (72.335).
nähaà tiñöhämi vaikuëöhe
yoginäà hådayeñu vä
tatra tiñöhämi närada
yatra gäyanti mad-bhaktäù
"I am not in Vaikuëöha nor in the hearts of the yogés. I remain where My devotees
engage in glorifying My activities." It is to be understood that the Supreme
Personality of Godhead does not leave the company of His devotees. Padma Purana
nämäparädha-yuktänäà
nämäny eva haranty agham
aviçränti-prayuktäni
täny evärtha-karäëi ca
Even if in the beginning one chants the Hare Kåñëa mantra with offenses, one will
become free from such offenses by chanting again and again. Päpa-kñayaç ca bhavati
smaratäà tam ahar-niçam: one becomes free from all sinful reactions if one chants day
and night, following the recommendation of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. It was Çré
Caitanya Mahäprabhu who quoted the following verse:
harer näma harer näma
harer nämaiva kevalam
kalau nästy eva nästy eva
nästy eva gatir anyathä
[Cc. Ädi 17.21]
“The chanting of Hare Kåñëa is recommended for persons who commit offenses,
because if they continue chanting they will gradually chant offenselessly. Even if in
the beginning one chants the Hare Kåñëa mantra with offenses, one will become free
from such offenses by chanting again and again.”
kåñëa kåñëeti kåñëeti svapan jagrad vrajamstatha
yo jalpati kalau nityam kåñëa-rupi bhaveddhi saù
“One who chants Kåñëa's name and constantly remembers Him, even though living
in this material ocean of nescience, is like the lotus, which is born in the water but is
untouched by it: it's position is transcendental. This great soul is capable of liberating
all the suffering residents of the hellish planets. (Varäha Puräëa)
däna-vrata-tapas-tértha-yäträdénaà ca yäù sthitäù
çaktayo devamahatäà sarva-päpa-haräù çubhäù
räjasüyäçvamedhänäà jïänasyädhyätma-vastunaù
äkåñya hariëä sarväù sthäpitäù sveñu nämasu
“The supremely potent holy name is equal in every respect to the Supreme Lord
Kåñëa Himself, because Lord Kåñëa has invested the holy name with all of His
potencies. Kåñëa has collected the spiritual results accrued by charity, austerity,
penance, pilgrimage, karma-kanda rituals offered to the demigods, rajasuya-yajïa,
asvamedha-yajïa, knowledge of self-realisation and so on infused them into His holy
name to make It absolutely powerful. (Skanda Puräëa)
stri çüdraù pukkaso väpi ye cänye päpa-yonayaù
kértayanti harim bhaktya tebhyo 'piha namo namaù
(Näräyaëa-vyuha-stava)
“Anyone who chants Lord Kåñëa's holy name is to be worshipped like a guru without
considering that such a person is a woman, a sudra, a pukkasa, a yavana or of even
lower birth.
na deça niyamo räjan na käla niyamas tathä
vidyate nätra sandeho viñëor-nämänu-kértane
kälo'sti däne yajïe ca snäne kälo' sti saj jape
viñëu-saìkértane kälo nästyatra påöhivétale
(Vaiñëava Cintamani)
“Ritualistic religious practices like yajïa, charity, sacred baths and chanting of Vedic
hymns are all regulated by rules of times, cleanliness, etc. To consider that the
chanting of the holy name is subject to the same restrictions is a gross blunder. There
are no hard and fast rules for chanting. Therefore, everyone chant Kåñëa's name at all
times.
na deça-niyamas tasmin na käla-niyamas-tathä
nocchiñöhädau niñedho 'sti çré harer-nämni lubdhaka
“There are no rules indicating time, place or circumstances for chanting the holy
name, nor is anyone prohibited from chanting if he is unclean or contaminated.
(Viñëu-dharma)
mahä-bhägavata nityam kalau saìkértya keçavam
“The hallmark of a mahabhagavata (the most elevated devotee) in kali-yuga is that he
chants the holy name of the Lord constantly. (Skanda Puräëa)
çraddhäya helaya näma ratani mama jantuvaù
teñäm näma sadä pärtha vartate hådaye mama
na näma-sadåçaà jïänam na näma-sadåçaà vratam
na näma sadåçaà dhyänam na näma sadåçaà phalam
na näma sadåças tyago na näma sadåçaù samaù
na näma sadåçaà punyam na näma sadåçi gatiù
nämaiva parama muktir nämaiva parama gatiù
nämaiva parama çäntir nämaiva parama sthitiù
nämaiva parama bhaktir nämaiva parama matiù
nämaiva parama pritir nämaiva parama småtiù
nämaiva karanam jantor nämaiva prabhur eva ca
nämaiva paramärädhyam nämaiva paramo guruù
(Ädi Puräëa)
“Lord Kåñëa said to Arjuna, 'O Arjuna! Listen attentively. When the living entity
chants My name, whether out of devotion or indifference, I never forget this act. It
remains always close to My heart. There is now vow like chanting the holy name, no
knowledge superior to It, no meditation which comes anywhere near it, and it gives
the highest result. No penance is equal to it, and nothing is as potent or powerful as
the holy name.
“Chanting is the greatest act of piety and the supreme refuge. Even the words of the
Vedas do not possess sufficient power to its magnitude. Chanting is the highest path
to liberation, peace and eternal life. It is the pinnacle of devotion, the heart's joyous
proclivity and attraction and the best form of remembrance of the Supreme Lord. The
holy name has appeared solely for the benefit of the living entities as their Lord and
master, their supreme worshipable object and their spiritual guide and mentor.
vepante duritäni moha-mahimä sammoham älambate
sätaìkaà nakha-raïjanéà kalayati çré-citraguptaù kåté
sänandaà madhu-parka-sambhåti-vidhau vedhäù karoty udyamaà
vaktuà nämni taveçvaräbhilañite brümaù kim anyat param
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, when someone desires to chant Your holy name,
sins tremble in fear, the glory of material illusion faints unconscious, Yamaräja's
scribe Citragupta becomes happy and gazes at the chanter's toenails with awe and
reverence, and Lord Brahmä prepares madhu-parka with which to worship him. O
Lord, what more can we say than this?—author unknown (Padyavali 4)
kalyäëänäà nidhänaà kali-mala-mathanaà pävanaà pävanänäà
pätheyaà yan mumukñoù sapadi para-pada-präptaye procyamänam
viçräma-sthänam ekaà kavi-vara-vacasäà jévanaà saj-janänäà
béjam dharma-drumasya prabhavatu bhavatäà bhütaye kåñëa-näma
The holy name of Lord Kåñëa is a reservoir of all transcendental happiness. It
destroys the sins of the Kali-yuga. It is the most purifying of all purifying things. It is
the saintly person's food as he traverses the path to the spiritual world. It is the
pleasure garden where the voices of the greatest saints, philosophers, and poets play.
It is the life of the righteous and the seed of the tree of religion. May that holy name of
Lord Kåñëa bring transcendental auspiciousness to you all.—author unknown
(Padyavali 3)
