Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 19.72
The Wonderful Effect of the Holy Name
“Vallabha Bhaṭṭācārya then recited the following verse: “ ‘My dear Lord, one who always keeps Your holy name on his tongue becomes greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Although he may be born in a family of dog-eaters and may therefore, by material calculation, be the lowest among men, he is still glorious. This is the wonderful effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord. It is therefore concluded that one who chants the holy name of the Lord should be understood to have performed all kinds of austerities and great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. He has already taken his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage, he has studied all the Vedas, and he is actually an Āryan.’””
What the purport teaches
- One who always keeps the Lord’s holy name on the tongue becomes greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Even birth considered lowest by material calculation cannot diminish that person’s glory.
- One who chants the holy name should be understood to have performed all kinds of austerities and great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas.
- Such a chanter is understood to have bathed in all holy places of pilgrimage and studied all the Vedas, and is actually an Āryan. This is the wonderful effect of chanting the Lord’s holy name.
Try this today
Chant the Lord’s holy name today while recalling one of the glories described in this verse.
Ask yourself
How does this praise of the holy name deepen my appreciation for chanting?
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.