Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 17.82
Holy Kāśī and Hearing the Holy Name
“Finally the Lord arrived with great happiness at the holy place called Kāśī. There He took His bath in the bathing ghat known as Maṇikarṇikā.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord arrived happily at Kāśī and bathed at Maṇikarṇikā. Kāśī, also called Vārāṇasī, has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial.
- Maṇi means “jewel,” and karṇikā means “from the ear.” Accounts associate Maṇikarṇikā with an earring falling from Lord Viṣṇu’s ear or, according to some, Lord Śiva’s.
- According to some, Lord Viśvanātha cures the disease of material existence through the ear receiving the holy name of Lord Rāma. Maṇikarṇikā is especially sanctified because it is very dear to Lord Viśvanātha.
Try this today
Chant the holy name of Lord Rāma today and listen carefully to its sound.
Ask yourself
What attention do you give to hearing the 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.