Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.345
Chanting Fulfills the Practices of Earlier Ages
“ ‘Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Viṣṇu, in Tretā-yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvāpara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can also be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.’
What the purport teaches
- Satya-yuga’s practice was meditation on Viṣṇu, Tretā-yuga’s was sacrifice, and Dvāpara-yuga’s was service to the Lord’s lotus feet.
- The purport explains that one should meditate upon Lord Viṣṇu or Lord Kṛṣṇa. It warns against imaginary forms and impersonal objects chosen without reference to the śāstras.
- In Kali-yuga, the results of those earlier practices can be obtained simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra today.
Ask yourself
Why is it important to know the proper object of meditation rather than invent one?
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.