16 rounds of "suddha nama"?

[Paramananda das]

I wrote this on July 5th 2011

Please accept my humble obaisences

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

 

Day before yesterday I had a talk with Jayadvaita Swami and 2 other sannyasis about chanting.We all agreed on that the most important thing is to first avoid Nama aparadha.

 

Srila Prabhupada writes in Nectar of Instruction vers one purport:

dṛṣṭa-śrutābhyāḿ yat pāpaḿ

jānann apy ātmano 'hitam

karoti bhūyo vivaśaḥ

prāyaścittam atho katham

[SB 6.1.9]

kvacin nivartate 'bhadrāt

kvacic carati tat punaḥ

prāyaścittam atho 'pārthaḿ

manye kuñjara-śaucavat

[SB 6.1.10]

He compared atonement to an elephant's bathing. The elephant may take a very nice bath in the river, but as soon as it comes onto the bank, it throws dirt all over its body. What, then, is the value of its bathing? Similarly, many spiritual practitioners chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and at the same time commit many forbidden things, thinking that their chanting will counteract their offenses. Of the ten types of offenses one can commit while chanting the holy name of the Lord, this offense is called nāmno balād yasya hi pāpa-buddhiḥ, committing sinful activities on the strength of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Similarly, certain Christians go to church to confess their sins, thinking that confessing their sins before a priest and performing some penance will relieve them from the results of their weekly sins. As soon as Saturday is over and Sunday comes, they again begin their sinful activities, expecting to be forgiven the next Saturday.

 

Srila Prabhupada writes in Nectar of instruction vers 5:

 

The chanting of the holy names of Kṛṣṇa is so sublime that if one chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra offenselessly, carefully avoiding the ten offenses, he can certainly be gradually elevated to the point of understanding that there is no difference between the holy name of the Lord and the Lord Himself. One who has reached such an understanding should be very much respected by neophyte devotees. One should know for certain that without chanting the holy name of the Lord offenselessly, one cannot be a proper candidate for advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.69) it is said:

yāhāra komala śraddhā, se 'kaniṣṭha' jana

krame krame teńho bhakta ha-ibe 'uttama'

"One whose faith is soft and pliable is called a neophyte, but by gradually following the process, he will rise to the platform of a first-class devotee." Everyone begins his devotional life from the neophyte stage, but if one properly finishes chanting the prescribed number of rounds of harināma, he is elevated step by step to the highest platform,uttama-adhikārī. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement prescribes sixteen rounds daily because people in the Western countries cannot concentrate for long periods while chanting on beads. Therefore the minimum number of rounds is prescribed. However, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura used to say that unless one chants at least sixty-four rounds of japa (one hundred thousand names), he is considered fallen (patita). According to his calculation, practically every one of us is fallen, but because we are trying to serve the Supreme Lord with all seriousness and without duplicity, we can expect the mercy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is famous as patita-pāvana, the deliverer of the fallen.

 

 

Srila Prabhupada has  also written:

 

The lives of Vijaya Kumara and Vrajanatha depicted in Jaiva Dharma show that continuous chanting of Hare Kisna japa frees one from material desires, and quickly elevates one to the perfectional stage of krsna-prema, pure love of God. If these signs of spiritual advancement are not manifesting, one can conclude that he is a nama-aparadhi. Such an offender must understand that the holy name is his only shelter for one who offends the holy name. Filled with repentance and remorse, one must beg the holy name to forgive him and accept him in His service once again. "In the book Nama-kaumudi, it is recommended that if one is an offender at the lotus feet of a Vaisnava, he should submit to that Vaisnava and be excused. Similarly, if one is an offender in chanting the holy name, he should submit to the holy name and thus be freed from his offenses." (SB 7.5.23-24 p.)

 

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada has stated:

 

"So we cannot expect in the beginning to chant the Name properly without difficulty. We never welcome Krsna properly by uttering His Name. In course of our chanting hundreds of irrelevant things intervene due to our uncontrolled desires. We are full of many mundane impressions, so we must guard ourselves against committing the ten offenses while chanting the holy name of hari."

 

 

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written:

 

Nama-aparadha is an utterance of the holy name that is made consciously with enmity in the heart. It is the lowest form of chanting wherein one commits any of the ten offenses against the holy name. As long as one chants with offenses, it is absolutely impossible to attain love of God. "Offenses against the holy name (nama-aparadha) are the most frightening of all kinds of sins and offenses. All other kinds of sins and offenses go away naturally and automatically as one utters harinatna, but nama-aparadha does not go away so easily." (Jaiva Dharma ch. 24)

 

Srila Hari das Thakura used to say:  nirantara nama lao: “Chant the holy name without stopping"

 

When we chant with Nama aparadha ,.we will not remember Sri Radha,actually apa -radha means without Her remembrance and mercy.So a vaisnava prays to Sri Radha to bless him/her to chant without aparadha and constantly remember Her lotusfeet.

 

 

Then we discussed about chanting 64 rounds, and yes the ISKCON standard is minimum 16 rounds.I am of the opinion if we knew how many devotees do not even chant this much we would be very sad.So we have to always encourage devotees to at least chant this much.Srila Prabhupada wrote if we do nto chant minimum 16 rounds and follow 4 regs we are not his true followers.

 

 

But Srila Prabhupada tried hard to introduce 64 rounds

In the Prabhupada lilamrta we find this:

 

"In 1967 at San Francisco, Shrila Prabhupada asked [Mukunda dasa], 'What is your definition of Krishna?' I said, 'Krishna is God. he is the Supreme Being. Our duty is to worship and serve Him.' Swamiji [Shrila Prabhupada] seemed fairly satisfied, and then he said, 'You must chant sixty-four rounds per day on you beads.'

"I was shocked at this and could not answer. I did not know if there was any need to answer. I just kept looking at Swamiji, and he looked at me. After some time he said, 'Or at least you can chant thirty-two rounds a day.' Still silence. I considered it to be very difficult to chant even sixteen rounds. I was wondering how I could possibly chant thirty-two rounds. After some time, Swamiji said, 'At the very you must chant sixteen rounds every day.'" 

 

Actually Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada considered one most fallen if one did not chant 64 rounds.Does it mean if we just mechanically chant 64 rounds we will reach suddha nama?Certainly not, but we should try our best not only to reach 64 rounds and maintain it but also to constantly aspire for suddha nama and beg for it at the lotusfeet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

 

 Chaitanya Bhagavata on 64 rounds:

 

In Shri Chaitanya-bhagavata, Antya Khanda 9.121-122, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed everyone on whose worship and service He will accept:

(121) prabhu bale,-"jana, 'lakshesvara' bali kare?
prati-dina laksha-nama ye grahana kare"

"Do you know who is a laksesvara? He is someone who chants one laksa or 100,000 holy names (64 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra) everyday."

Purport by Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada:

shri gaurasundera balibena-"jini pratidina laksha-nama grahana karibena, tanharai grihe bhagavan sevita hana.

Shri Gaurasundera spoke as follows-"The Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts service only in the home of those who chant one hundred thousand names daily.

 

 

SO  yes Srila Prabhupada writes:

 

Everyone begins his devotional life from the neophyte stage, but if one properly finishes chanting the prescribed number of rounds of harināma, he is elevated step by step to the highest platform, uttama-adhikārī. The Kṛṣṇaconsciousness movement prescribes sixteen rounds daily because people in the Western countries cannot concentrate for long periods while chanting on beads. Therefore the minimum number of rounds is prescribed. However, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura used to say that unless one chants at least sixty-four rounds ofjapa (one hundred thousand names), he is considered fallen (patita). According to his calculation, practically every one of us is fallen, but because we are trying to serve the Supreme Lord with all seriousness and without duplicity, we can expect the mercy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is famous as patita-pāvana, the deliverer of the fallen.

 

But how can the Pattita become uttama adhikaris simply by chanting 16 rounds,we have not seen it happen in ISKCON, but exalted vaisnavas like Aindra Prabhu and Mahanidhi Maharaja at present is chanting this much.So if one advances the minimum 16 will increase and become 64 rounds,otherwise it is understood this devotee has weak faith and is still on the neophyte platform.

 

¨...Of all the regulative principles, the spiritual master’s order to
chant at least sixteen rounds is most essential.¨ - Cc 2.22.113

 

16 rounds is for neophytes attached to power ,position and wealth thinking this has some value,it is for sakama bhaktas, pure devotees will never be happy to only chant 16 rounds.

Why?

 

Srila Visvanath Chakravati Thakura has stated in his Anuraga valli:

 

kim atmana yatra na deha-kotyo
dehena kim yatra na vaktra-kotyah
vaktrena kim yatra na koti-jihvah
kim jihvaya yatra na nama-kotyah

What is the use of a soul that does not have millions of bodies? What is the use of a body that does not have millions of mouths? What is the use of a mouth that does not have millions of tongues? What is the use of a tongue that does not chant Your millions of names?

 

Those who refuse to chant 64 rounds daily must have little raga, thus Mahaprabhu has stated:

 

namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis

tatrarpita niyamita smarane na kalah

etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi

durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah

 

 

O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by chanting Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.

 

Nanuraga means no raga ,no attachment to the holy name ,only very little attachement.One may  waste time but have no time for chanting 64 rounds this is   great misfortune and illusion.Counting money yes but not 100.000 names.

 

Srila Rupa Goswami has written in his Padyavali:

 

viceyani vicaryani

    vicintyani punah punah

kripanasya dhananiva

    tvan-namani bhavantu nah

 

viceyani—to be collected; vicaryani—to be counted; vicintyani—to become the object of thoughts; punah—again; punah—and again; kripanasya—of a miser; dhanani—the wealth; iva—like; tvat—of You; namani—the holy names; bhavantu—may become; nah—for us.

 

O Lord, just as a miser continually collects, counts and remembers his money, in the same way let us continually collect, count, and remember Your holy names,

—Shri Bhavananda

 

 

The Hare Krishna Explosion, p. 63, by Hayagriva dasa, Palace Press
1985.

"Now that you have beads," Swamiji says the next morning, "you should
chant sixty-four rounds every day."

 

 

 

 

your servant

Paramananda das

 

 

Anuraga-valli
The Vine of Love

by Sripad Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
and translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa

1
deharbudani bhagavan yugapat prayaccha
vaktrabudani ca punah pratideham eva
jihvarbudani kripaya prativaktram eva
nrityantu teshu tava natha gunarbudani

Please give me millions of bodies and millions of mouths in each body. By Your mercy place millions of tongues in each mouth. O Lord, may Your millions of transcendental qualities dance on those tongues.

2
kim atmana yatra na deha-kotyo
dehena kim yatra na vaktra-kotyah
vaktrena kim yatra na koti-jihvah
kim jihvaya yatra na nama-kotyah

What is the use of a soul that does not have millions of bodies? What is the use of a body that does not have millions of mouths? What is the use of a mouth that does not have millions of tongues? What is the use of a tongue that does not chant Your millions of names?

3
atmastu nityam sata-deha-varti
dehas tu nathastu sahasra-vaktrah
vaktram sada rajatu laksha-jihvam
grinatu jihva tava nama-kotim

O Lord, may I perpetually have hundreds of bodies, and may each body have thousands of mouths. May each mouth have millions of tongues, and may each tongue chant millions of Your Holy Names.

4
yada tada madhava yatra yatra
gayanti ye ye tava nama-lilah
tatraiva karnayuta-dharyamanas
tas te sudha nityam aham dhayani

O Madhava, whenever, wherever, or whoever chants Your names and pastimes, there may I with millions of ears eternally drink Your nectar.

5
karnayutasyaiva bhavantu laksha-
kotyo rasajna bhagavams tadaiva
yenaiva lilah srinavani nityam
tenaiva gayani tatah sukham me

May I have millions of ears and millions upon millions of tongues. Then, O Lord, I will eternally and happily hear and chant Your pastimes.

6
karnayutasyekshana-kotir asya
krit-kotir asya rasanarbudam syat
srutvaiva drishtva tava rupa-sindhum
alingya madhuryam aho dhayani

May I have millions of ears, millions of eyes, millions of hearts and minds, and millions of tongues. Hearing about, seeing, and embracing the ocean of Your handsomeness, I will drink its sweetness.

7
netrarbudasyaiva bhavantu karna-
nasa-rasajna hridayarbudam va
saundarya-sausvarya-sugandha-pura-
madhurya-samslesha-rasanubhutyai

May I have millions of eyes, ears, noses, tongues and chests, so that I may continually taste the nectar of Your handsomeness, Your sweet sounds, sweet fragrance, and Your embrace.

8
tvat-parsva-gatyai pada-kotir astu
sevam vidhatum mama hasta-kotih
tam sikshitum syad api buddhi-kotir
etan varan me bhagavan prayaccha

May I have millions of feet to go to Your side. May I have millions of hands to serve You. May I have millions of intelligences to teach that service. O Lord, please grant me these