Yesterday was the disappearance day of Haridasa Thakura and I did not speak on his glories as yesterday we only discussed the disappearance day of nitya-lila-pravishta-om-vishnupada-ashtottara-shata Sri Srimad Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Gosvami Maharaja. For this regard, I want to speak today about the glories of Haridasa Thakura. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave him the title, namacharya— meaning, he is the acharya of the holy names. This is because Haridasa Thakura was completely and absolutely surrendered to the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he chanted three lakhas of shuddha, pure holy names everyday. In this way, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu preached the holy names to Haridasa Thakura. Although Haridasa Thakura, was born in a Mohammedan family, a family of javanas, he is regarded as the highest brahmana. For this reason, Mahaprabhu called him, “Brahma Haridasa.” Haridasa Thakura is actually the combined form of Prahlada and Brahma. In Satya-yuga, Prahlada Maharaja appeared. He and Brahma combined forms and manifested later as Haridasa Thakura.
In Dvapara-yuga, Brahmaji committed offences at the lotus feet of Krishna. Srimad-Bhagavatam describes this in the govatsa-harana-lila, where Brahmaji stole Krishna’s cowherd friends and His calves. This govatsa-harana-lila is such a nice and beautiful pastime and it was told to Parikshit Maharaja by Shukadeva Gosvamipada. Another Sanskrit term for this lila is brahma-vimohana-lila. In this lila, Brahmaji had also recited the sweet pastimes of Krishna after being completely bewildered by Him. Because at the time Krishna delivered Aghasura, Brahmaji thought, “Krishna is Bhagavan.” As when Krishna delivered Aghasura, Aghasura’s atma or soul entered the toenails of Krishna. After witnessing this, Brahmaji decided, “Krishna is Bhagavan.” Our scriptures explain that demons killed by Lord Hari enter in the toenails of Bhagavan.
Then, the next day, Krishna performed a sweet lila with His friends, where Krishna was taking the remnants of His friends. Afterwards, Brahmaji’s mind became very disturbed as our scriptures explain that the Lord does not take remnants from others. All of the Lord’s devotees are hankering so much on how to take His remnants. Even Lakshmi-devi hankers to take the remnants of the Lord. Even Narada Rishi and Lord Shiva are both hankering on how to take the remnants of the Lord.
Once, Narada Rishi came to Vaikuntha and Lord Narayana had just taken prasada. Later, Lakshmi-devi gave some of Lord Narayana’s remnants to Narada Rishi. And what happened to Narada Rishi after he took the remnants of Lord Narayana? He was completely intoxicated by the sweet holy names. And after, he arrived in Kailasa and was still completely intoxicated while chanting the holy names.
nārada muni, bājāya vīṇā rādhikā-ramaṇa-nāme nāma amani udita haya, bhakata-gīta-sāme
Narada Muni (1)
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
[The great sage Narada plays his vīṇā in accompaniment to [the chanting of] the names of Sri Radhika-Ramana, and the holy name immediately appears amidst the devotees’ singing.]
Lord Shiva asked Narada Rishi, “Prabhu, today you are so intoxicated by chanting the holy names. What has happened?” Narada Rishi answered, “Today I went to Vaikuntha, and Lakshmi-devi gave me some remnants of Lord Vishnu and I took them. For this reason, I am intoxicated.” Then, Shivaji replied, “Please give some remnants of Lord Vishnu.” “I have already taken everything. There is none left,” answered Narada Rishi. But, Lord Shiva said, “Okay, I can see some still on your hand.” There was still the smallest bit of maha-prasada on the nails of Narada Rishi.
Lord Shivaji said, “Okay, just give me those remnants of Lord Narayana.” Then, Shivaji took the little bit of Lord Narayana’s remnants. And now, how was Shivaji? Completely intoxicated while chanting the holy names and dancing and signing. This is because the remnants of Lord Narayana are very powerful. And Shivaji began to chant the holy names while rolling on the ground, sometimes crying and sometimes laughing— because prema manifested in his heart.
bhakta-pada-dhūli āra bhakta-pada-jala bhakta-bhukta-avaśeṣa, — tina mahā-bala
ei tina-sevā haite kṛṣṇa-premā haya punaḥ punaḥ sarva-śāstre phukāriyā kaya
Chaitanya-charitamrita (Antya-lila, 16.60)
[The dust of the feet of a devotee, the water that has washed the feet of a devotee, and the remnants of food left by a devotee are three very powerful substances.]
Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami explained it in this way, “Oh my dear friend. I request of you, with firm faith, you have to take these three things.” What are the three things? Remember them. The foot-dust of pure devotees or Vaishnavas. Their foot-bathing water, charanamrita. And the third is maha-maha-prasada. These three things are very important as all of our scriptures glorify them. If you take them with firm faith, krishna-prema will automatically manifest in your heart.
So, the remnants of Lord Vishnu that Narada Rishi gave to Shivaji is called maha-maha-prasada. When you first offer food to the Lord or Thakuraji, after He accepts, it is called maha-prasada. And after a pure devotee takes that maha-prasada, those remnants of the maha-prasada are now called, maha-maha-bhagavata-prasada. And this is very powerful. Thus, when Shivaji took those remnants... it was actually Narada Rishi who first took Lord Narayana’s maha-prasada. Later, Narada Rishi offered that maha-maha-prasada to Shivaji. And Shivaji became completely intoxicated by taking this maha-maha-prasada.
In the meantime, Devi Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, arrived. She asked Lord Shiva, “Oh, my husband. Today you are very intoxicated while chanting the holy names. And dancing, singing and rolling on the ground. What happened?” Lord Shiva replied, “Oh, today I took the remnants of Lord Vishnu.” Then Devi Parvati said, “I am your wife. Why did you not save me some?” “Oh, Narada only gave me a very little bit, so I took it,” answered Shivaji. Hearing this, Devi Parvati became very angry, “Oh, you are my husband. However, you did not give me any remnants of Lord Narayana!” Then, Parvati cursed Lord Shiva, “From today, no one will take your remnants!” Our scriptures explain this pastime further.
Just look how powerful the remnants of Lord Vishnu are— maha-prasada! And that same maha-prasada, when taken by a pure bhakta, the remnants of that prasada is now called maha-maha-prasada, bhakta-adharamrita. In our Sri Rupa Sanatana Gaudiya Matha, one brahmachari was once possessed by a ghost. The ghost told him, “I will only leave if you give me the foot-bathing water of Srila Vamana Gosvami Maharaja.” At that moment, the brahmachari answered, “For many years he has not come to Vrindavana, perhaps now 5-6 years.” Then, the ghost said, “No, seven years prior, Vamana Gosvami Maharaja came to Vrindavana and one Babaji Maharaja worshipped the lotus feet of Vamana Gosvami Maharaja and his foot bathing water is still in his room.” The ghost told him, “So, you have to give me that foot-bathing water, and only then, will I leave you.”
Quickly after, the brahmachari gave the foot bathing water of Srila Vamana Gosvami Maharaja to the ghost. Then, the ghost drank the foot bathing water and was delivered from this material world. The ghost never returned back to our temple. This is the truth. It is 100% guaranteed that if these three things are taken, your bhakti will develop. But, how are you to take these three things? With firm faith, vishvasa.
Returning to the story, Brahmaji’s mind was now disturbed as some doubts had arisen. Then, Krishna told His friends, “Sit here, I am going to find out where the calves are.” And when Krishna left that place and left all of His friends there, Brahmaji quickly stole the cowherd boys and hid them in a cave. Later, Krishna returned back to that same place, and He could not find where His friends and calves were.
You see, Krishna is only performing His lila as a human being, called naravata-lila or human being lila. He began thinking, “Where are My friends and calves?” His friends and calves were no longer there as Brahma had hid the calves and the friends of Krishna Gopala in a cave. Afterwards, Brahma had to return to his place, Satyaloka.
Prior to Brahmaji arriving at Satyaloka or Brahmaloka, from one hand, Krishna manifested the form of Brahma and arrived there first. In the form of Brahma, Krishna told the doorkeeper of Satyaloka, “Hey, if anybody comes, do not give them permission to enter my palace.” After a few minutes, the original Brahmaji arrived and the door keeper said, “Hey! Who are you?” “I am Brahma. I am the owner of this place,” answered Brahma.
Then, the security guard replied, “No, no. You are not our master. Our master has just entered inside. And he also gave us this instruction, “If anybody comes. Do not give him permission to enter.” Brahmaji said, “No, no. I am Brahma.” The security replied, “Hey! You are not Brahma. Get out!” Brahmaji’s mind was now very disturbed and he thought, “Who has come here and manifested in my form?” Even his own security guard did not allow him to enter his place. Brahmaji was perplexed and thought, “What has just happened?”
So, Brahmaji returned to the same place where Krishna had performed this sweet lila with His cowherd boys. To his surprise, Brahmaji saw Krishna herding the calves with His friends. Now, Brahmaji’s mind was very disturbed as he thought, “How is this possible?” You may know that Brahmaji has four heads, and with two of his heads, he looked at the caves in the mountain where Krishna’s friends and calves were staying. Brahmaji immediately noticed that Krishna’s friends and calves were still completely unconscious inside the cave. And with his other two heads, Brahmaji was simultaneously seeing Krishna herding the calves with His friends.
After seeing this, Brahmaji’s mind was even more disturbed. Brahmaji realised, “Oh, Krishna is Bhagavan.” Because previously, Brahmaji was thinking, “Krishna is just an ordinary cowherd boy.” Our scriptures also explain this way— saṁśayātmā vinaśyati. In Srimad Bhagavad-gita, Krishna told Arjuna, “If you doubt guru and Krishna, then, you’ll lose everything.” Never doubt guru and Krishna.
Brahmaji began thinking, “What will I do now? I have committed offences at the lotus feet of Krishna.” As he was thinking that Krishna is just an ordinary cowherd boy. However, now he had finally realised that Krishna is Bhagavan. Thus, Brahmaji quickly came and paid his obeisances on to the lotus feet of Krishna and started speaking many prayers or stutis. ‘Naumīḍya te ’bhra-vapuṣe…’ In this way, he spoke so many glorifications of Krishna. Yet, Krishna did not give any attention to him. Brahmaji recited many shlokas, many stavas-stutis, recitations, the glorifications of Vrajavasis. But then, Brahmaji recited one sloka:
aho bhāgyam aho bhāgyaṁ nanda-gopa-vrajaukasām yan-mitraṁ paramānandaṁ pūrṇaṁ brahma sanātanam
Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.32)
[How greatly fortunate are Nanda Maharaja, the cowherd men and all the other inhabitants of Vrajabhumi! There is no limit to their good fortune, because the Absolute Truth, the source of transcendental bliss, the eternal Supreme Brahman, has become their friend.]
Brahmaji recited, “O, how the Vrajavasis, the residents of Vraja are very fortunate.” Why? Because Vrajavasis make friendships with Krishna like He is their own family member. Though Krishna is called Purna Brahma Sanatana Purusha, the Vrajavasis, the residents of Vraja, create friendships with Him. This is because all of the Vrajavasis think, “Krishna is our family member.” And what is a family member?
Vrajavasis make friendships with Krishna as like their family member. Subala and Shridama think that Krishna is their friend. Nanda and Yashoda believe that Krishna is their son. And the gopis consider Krishna as their beloved. So Brahmaji, again and again recited this verse— this shloka is very prominent. ‘Aho bhagyam...’ Then, Krishna just smiled a little bit. Then, Brahmaji realised, “Oh, Krishna now is pleased with me.” And Brahmaji, very quickly circumambulated, performed parikrama to Krishna. How many times? Bolo, only three times. Actually, how many times do you have to perform parikrama to Lord Vishnu? Four times. But, since Brahmaji was so afraid, he very quickly did parikrama to Lord Vishnu and left. Before Brahmaji left, Krishna manifested His four arm form, holding a shankha, chakra, gada and padma. This was because Brahmaji’s ishtadeva is Garbhodakashayi Vishnu. And what is Garbhodakashayi Vishnu’s form? A four armed form, holding a shankha, chakra, gada and padma.
Then, Brahmaji saw all the cowherd boys and calves had manifested four arms. Actually, when Brahmaji stole Krishna’s friends and calves, Krishna Himself, manifested in the form of all the calves and His friends. So, all of His calves and friends were really the same Vishnu. For this reason, when Brahmaji saw that all the calves and gopas or cowherd boys had four arms, holding a shankha, chakra, gada and padma, he again and again, fell and paid his obeisances to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. Brahmaji realised, “O, Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Svayam Bhagavan.” In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Vyasadeva Gosvami wrote:
ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ mṛḍayanti yuge yuge
Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.28)
[All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.]
Krishna is called Svayam Bhagavan, He who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is a very nice and beautiful pastime. I will briefly explain another aspect of this brahma-vimohana-lila. Actually, Brahmaji did not steal the calves and cowherd boys. They are also eternal and transcendental. How is it possible that Brahmaji could steal them? Our Gosvamis explain that when Brahmaji came and tried to steal the cowherd boys and calves, by Yogamaya’s arrangement, all the calves and cowherd boys disappeared. Yogamaya then manifested other cowherd boys and calves. Brahmaji thought, “I am stealing Krishna’s (original) calves and cowherd boys.” However, this is not possible.
I'll give an example from Ramayana— Ravana did not steal Sita-devi. Actually, the original Sita entered the fire and went to the Himalayas to stay with Parvati. And then, Yogamaya manifested another Sita called Chhaya Sita or shadow Sita. Do you understand? Which Sita did Ravana steal? Shadow Sita. However, Ravana was thinking, “I am stealing Sita, who is the consort of Rama.” Except, this is not true. Ravana only kidnapped Chhaya Sita. And in the same way, Brahmaji did not steal Krishna’s friends and calves.
Regardless, Brahmaji had repented for his offence, aparadha. And though Krishna had given him mercy, Brahmaji still thought, “I am an offender. What will I do now?” So, Brahmaji came to Navadvipa-dhama, Shvetadvipa-dhama. And there, he performed hard austerities. Our scriptures explain that if you go to Navadvipa-dhama, all of your sinful activities are automatically destroyed. If you just stay one day in Navadvipa-dhama, all your offences will be destroyed and you will attain shuddha-bhakti. Hence, Navadvipa-dhama is also called Aparadha-bhanjana-pata. Aparadha means all your offences will be destroyed. How powerful is Navadvipa-dhama! For this reason, Brahmaji came to Navadvipa-dhama and performed hard austerities to Lord Krishna.
Afterwards, Krishna appeared in front of Brahmaji and said, “O Brahma, I am happy with your hard austerities.” Brahmaji then said, “If You are happy with my austerities, give me one benediction.” “What do you want?” asked Krishna. Brahmaji asked, “How can I help You with Your lilas? How can I serve You?” Krishna answered, “After Dvapara-yuga, I will manifest in the form of Sacinandana Gaurahari. And in My gaura-lila, I will manifest in this Navadvipa-dhama. At that time, you will help Me preach nama-sankirtana. You will have to preach My holy names.”
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare
When Brahmaji saw Krishna’s form, and also Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s form, he repeatedly bowed down his forehead on to the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. At that moment, Krishna said, “In My Kali-yuga, I will appear in the form of Sacinandana Gaurahari, Gaurasundara. And at that time, you will help to preach nama-sankirtana.” Then, Brahmaji replied, “Okay Prabhu, I will always be with You and serve You by preaching nama-sankirtana. But, I want another benediction from You. I do not want to take birth in a brahmana family. Please give me a birth in a low class family, in a Mlechhan family. Then, I will very humbly serve Your lotus feet and preach nama-sankirtana.”
After hearing his request, Krishna answered, “Okay, I am giving this blessing to you.” For this reason, Brahmaji appeared in this Kali-yuga in the form of Haridasa Thakura and was born in a Muslim family. Do you understand these things? Why did Brahmaji appear in a Mohammedan or Muslim family, Mlechhas? Brahmaji was thinking, “If I will take birth in a Muslim family, I will surely be very humble.” Thus, Yogamaya arranged for Brahmaji to appear in a Muslim family and Prahlada Maharaja would combine with him in the form of Srila Haridasa Thakura. For this reason, in Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s lila, Haridasa Thakura is known as the combined form of Brahma and Prahlada Maharaja. Bolo Prahlada Maharaja ki jaya! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!
Haridasa Thakura is actually the eternal associate of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s lila in Shvetadvipa. Shvetadvipa-dhama is also known as Navadvipa-dhama. In the transcendental world, there is Vrindavana-dhama and Shvetadvipa-dhama. One side is vrindavana-lila and the other side is navadvipa-lila, meaning krishna-lila and gaura-lila. Like one coin with two sides, both are still the same coin. So Krishna, when He performs His sweet lila in Vrindavana, the Lord manifests in His original form as Krishna. Then, Krishna manifests His internal potency, Srimati Radhika, and Srimati Radhika manifests all the gopis.
Thus, vrindavana-lila is called the meeting lila. However, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s lila, Shveta-dhama lila, is called vipralambha-lila. Vipralambha means separation. So, gaura-lila or Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s lila, is called a separation lila. But there is one speciality to gaura-lila. If any sadhaka comes to Gaurasundara dhama and just stays one night, all his offences are automatically destroyed. Mahaprabhu Himself said, “If anyone comes to My place, called Aparadha-bhanjana-pata, all offences will be destroyed.”
Navadvipa-dhama is also non different from Vrindavana. But, Navadvipa-dhama is called Gupta Vrindavana. And Gupta Vrindavana means ‘Hidden Vrindavana’. Anything found in Vrindavana-dhama is also manifest in Navadvipa-dhama. If you go to Vrindavana-dhama you can see Giriraja Govardhana, you can see Radha-kunda, Shyama-kunda. In the same way, if you go to Navadvipa-dhama, you can also see Radha-kunda, Shyama-kunda and Giriraja Govardhana. Everything is there, even the Yamuna.
Nonetheless, Navadvipa-dhama has one unique aspect, Ganga and Yamuna are both there— that Ganga is called Manasi-ganga. In Vrindavana, there is only the Yamuna. So, there are no differences between Vrindavana-dhama and Navadvipa-dhama; but there is some speciality to Navadvipa-dhama. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is called the embodiment of magnanimity and munificence. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gives mercy to everyone. If you just visit Navadvipa-dhama, krishna-prema will manifest in your heart, and all of your sinful activities are automatically destroyed.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare
Another Purana also tells a very nice and beautiful story. There was once a sadhu and his son, who one day worshipped Thakuraji with Tulasi leaves. Except, he did not wash the Tulasi leaves with water. Then his father asked, “Hey you have offered the Tulasi leaves without washing? This is an offence.” So, his father cursed him. You will have to take birth in a Muslim, Mohammedan family. Therefore, when you offer Tulasi leaves to Thakuraji, you have to wash them with the water, very carefully. Understand these things. It is mentioned in another Purana that, for this reason. the Rishi’s son had also entered in Haridasa Thakura’s lila.
So returning, Haridasa Thakura was born in Muslim family in a village in Burongran. Yet, from childhood he was spontaneously absorbed in chanting the holy names. Even though he was born in a Muslim, Mohammedan family, from his childhood, he was always chanting the holy names.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare
The Muslims would ask Haridasa, “Hey Haridasa, why are you chanting Hindu deities’ names?” Haridasa Thakura said, “This name is the Lord’s name. And the Lord does not belong to Hindus, He does not belong to Muslims and He does not belong to Christians. The Lord is beyond all caste and race.” Haridasa Thakura very simply mentioned, “The Lord does not belong to any caste or race. He has innumerable names, ananta-nama.” How many names does the Lord have? Ananta. Unlimited, infinite, asima. You can call Him by any name. You can call Him Rama, Krishna, Hari. You can call Him Brahma, Paramatma. You can call Him Allah or God. Ananta-nama. However, He has two kinds of names, primary names and secondary names. Some of His primary names are krishna-nama or Hari. And some of His secondary names are God or Allah.
Nevertheless, you can call Him by any name. I’ll give an example. You have your birth name, listed on your passport and one nickname. Do you have a nickname? If I call any of those names, you will respond. It’s simple to understand. In the same way, God has innumerable names. ‘Harinama Tuwa Aneka Svarupa’. Bhaktivinoda Thakura composed and sang this song, “Harinama Tuwa Aneka Svarupa,” “Hey harinama, You manifest many forms and many names.” And all of His names are also non-different than Him.
nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto ’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ
Chaitanya-charitamrita (Madhya-lila, 17.133)
[The holy name of Krishna is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krishna Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Krishna’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 Krishna Himself. Since Krishna’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with maya. Krishna’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are identical.]
There are no differences between the holy names and Sri Hari as His body is called sat-chit-ananda.
īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ
anādir ādir govindaḥ
sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam
Brahma-samhita (5.1)
[Krishna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.]
Krishna’s name and His form are non-different. Our bodies and names are different. Conditioned souls’ bodies and names are different. However, the Lord’s name and body are the same.
There are no differences between the holy name and Sri Hari. And you can call Him by any name. In this way, Haridasa Thakura said, “God’s names are innumerable, ananta-nama. But I like to chant His sweet names.” And what are His sweet names?
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare!
What does this actually mean?
Radhe Krishna, Radhe Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Radhe, Radhe,
Radhe Shyama, Radhe Shyama, Shyama, Shyama, Radhe, Radhe
Sanatana Gosvamipada also composed these sweet holy names of the Lord in Brihad-bhagavatamrita:
sri krishna gopala hari mukunda
govinda he nanda kishora krishna
ha sri yashoda tanaya prashida
sri ballavi jivana radhikesha
So now, Haridasa Thakura told the Muslims, “God does not belong to Hindus. God does not belong to Christians. God does not belong to Muslims. God is beyond all caste and race.” Still, the Muslims replied, “No, you should only chant the name of Allah.” Yet, Haridasa Thakura said, “No, I want to chant the Lord’s sweet names, madhurya.” What does Hare Krishna mean? It is the combined form of Radha and Krishna.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare
The Muslims became very angry and very fanatic. They said, “No! You chant only Allah.” Haridasa Thakura held, “No. I will chant radha-krishna-nama. Because this is madhurya-nama.” After hearing this, the Muslims became very angry and began to bitterly beat him. Haridasa Thakura boldly stated, “Even if you cut me into pieces, I will not stop chanting these holy names.”
khanda khanda hai deha yaya yadi prana
tabu ami vadane na chadi hari-nama
Chaitanya-bhagavata (Adi-lila, 16.93)
[Even if you cut my body into pieces and I give up my life, I will never stop chanting Lord Hari’s holy name!]
Haridasa Thakura has such strong nama-nishtha. This is why I am always saying, “Never give up harinama and never give up guru, and chant the holy names.”
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare
Mahaprabhu Himself said:
ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ
śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁ prati-padaṁ pūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaṁ
sarvātma-snapanaṁ paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṇkīrtanam
Sri Shikshashtaka (1)
[Glory to the sri-krishna-sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.]
All glories to harinama, nama-sankirtana! It is very powerful, especially in this Kali-yuga. There are no other processes to attain the Lord, only nama-sankirtana.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare
harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā
Brihan-naradiya Purana (38.126)
[For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord.]
In this Kali-yuga, there is only one way to attain the Lord, by chanting the holy names. By the processes of karma, jnana, yoga, tapasya or austerities you cannot attain the Lord. Only by chanting the holy names. In this Kali-yuga, what will you do? Chant the holy names.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare
In Shikshashtaka Mahaprabhu also mentions that there are no rules and regulations for chanting of the holy names. At any time, at any moment, you can chant. Even if your body is contaminated, you can still chant the holy names.
nāmnām akāri bahudhā nija-sarva-śaktis tatrārpitā niyamitaḥ smaraṇe na kālaḥ etādṛśī tava kṛpā bhagavan mamāpi durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ
Chaitanya-charitamrita (Antya-lila, 20.16)
[‘My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Your holy name there is all good fortune for the living entity, and therefore You have many names, such as “Krishna” and “Govinda,” by which You expand Yourself. You have invested all Your potencies in those names, and there are no hard and fast rules for remembering them. My dear Lord, although You bestow such mercy upon the fallen, conditioned souls by liberally teaching Your holy names, I am so unfortunate that I commit offences while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment for chanting.’]
Especially in this Kali-yuga, the Lord invested all of His potency, shakti, in His holy name. Do you understand? The Lord invested all of His potency, shakti, power, in His holy name. Actually, the holy names are higher than the Lord, Sri Hari, because the Lord invested all of His shakti, potency, in His holy names. When you are going to sleep in your bed just chant: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare. There are no rules and regulations to chant the holy names.
Finishing the story, the Muslims became very angry with Haridasa Thakura. They yelled, “No! You have to chant Allah! Only Allah's name!” Despite their beatings, Haridasa Thakura replied, “Even if you cut my body into pieces, I cannot stop chanting the holy names.”
khanda khanda hai deha yaya yadi prana
tabu ami vadane na chadi hari-nama
Chaitanya-bhagavata (Adi-lila, 16.93)
[Even if you cut my body into pieces and I give up my life, I will never stop chanting Lord Hari’s holy name!]
The Muslim men continued bitterly beating him in twenty two market places. Regardless, Haridasa Thakura said, “You can beat me. I cannot stop chanting the holy names.” Perhaps tomorrow we will discuss more glorifications of Haridasa Thakura and nama-mahima, the glories of holy names. This is very powerful. How Haridasa Thakura established his steadiness in chanting the holy names— called nama-nishtha. One who chants the holy names is higher than a samavedi-brahmana.
aho bata śva-paco ’to garīyān yaj-jihvāgre vartate nāma tubhyam tepus tapas te juhuvuḥ sasnur āryā brahmānūcur nāma gṛṇanti ye te
Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.33.70)
[O, 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 Aryans. 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.]
One who chants the holy names is higher than a brahmana. And one who chants shuddha holy names, he has surely performed all kinds of pious activities. He has read the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, everything. Who can chant pure holy names? One who, in a previous life, performed all pious activities. Then, in this life they can chant the holy name.
Krishna Himself told Arjuna in Adi Purana, “O Arjuna, one who chants the holy names means that for one hundred births, he has worshipped My Vasudeva deities.” One who chants the holy names is higher than brahmana.
Even if a Muslim chants the holy names, he is higher than brahmana.
Perhaps tomorrow we will glorify Haridasa Thakura and the holy names more. Always remember, chant the holy names with firm faith.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare
Bolo Namacharya Haridasa Thakura ki jaya!
Gaurasundara, Gaurahari ki jaya!
Gaura Premanande! Hari Hari Bol!
Link: https://gurudevtv.com/2017/09/06/disappearance-day-of-srila-haridas-thakur-philippines-06-09-2017-evening/
Date: 6 September 2017 Location: Philippines
Transcriber: Sanatana dasa (USA) Editor: Sanatana dasa (USA) Proofreader: Chandrika dasi (UK) Integrity check: Divya-premamayi dasi (Slovakia) Image: Ananda Svarupini dasi (Poland)
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