Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 16.27
The Wonderful Power of the Holy Name
“ ‘My dear Lord, anyone who always keeps Your holy name on his tongue is greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Although he may be born in a family of dog-eaters and therefore, by material calculations, be the lowest of men, he is glorious nevertheless. That is the wonderful power of chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who chants the holy name is understood to have performed all kinds of austerities. He has studied all the Vedas, he has performed all the great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas, and he has already taken his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage. It is he who is factually the Āryan.’”
What the purport teaches
- Anyone who always keeps the Lord’s holy name on the tongue is greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Material judgments about birth cannot diminish that person’s glory.
- One who chants the holy name is understood to have performed all kinds of austerities, studied all the Vedas and performed the great Vedic sacrifices.
- Such a chanter is also understood to have bathed in all holy places of pilgrimage. The verse calls this person factually the Āryan.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today to chant the Lord’s holy name.
Ask yourself
How does this verse deepen my appreciation for chanting the Lord’s holy name?
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.