Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 8.16
The vows that protect the holy nameAvoid the ten offenses
“If one is infested with the ten offenses in the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, despite his endeavor to chant the holy name for many births, he will not get the love of Godhead that is the ultimate goal of this chanting.”
What the purport teaches
- Love of Godhead is the ultimate goal of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
- The ten offenses obstruct that goal. Even chanting for many births does not bring love of Godhead if these offenses persist.
- The purport stresses that attaining devotional service requires accepting Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. One must strictly follow His instruction in the Śikṣāṣṭaka.
Try this today
Offenses, not lack of effort, are what stop the chanting bearing fruit. Read the ten offenses today, then pick the one you are most prone to and watch for it all day.
Ask yourself
Which offense do I repeat without noticing?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.