Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 3.55
Nāmābhāsa Retains the Holy Name’s Power
“Nāmācārya Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the authority on the chanting of the holy name, said, “The chanting of the Lord’s holy name to indicate something other than the Lord is an instance of nāmābhāsa. Even when the holy name is chanted in this way, its transcendental power is not destroyed.”
What the purport teaches
- Haridāsa Ṭhākura is called Nāmācārya, the authority on chanting the holy name.
- He explains that chanting the Lord’s name to indicate something other than the Lord is an instance of nāmābhāsa.
- Even when spoken in this way, the holy name’s transcendental power is not destroyed. A different intended meaning does not remove that power.
Try this today
Repeat the Lord’s name today, consciously addressing Him rather than referring to something else.
Ask yourself
How does this teaching change the value I place on uttering the Lord’s 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.