Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
The greatness of Naamsamkeertan
Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu considered naamjapa and naamkeertan to be the main spiritual practice to achieve divine love. In this connection different scriptures too particularly mention the great importance of keertan, like –
Kalordoshonidhe rajanyastijhyeke mahan gunah
Meaning– Oh king, Kaliyuga does have many faults. But it has one good virtue. That is, just by chanting Shree Krishna keertan a man can be free from the bondage of maya and can achieve the supersoul.
Keertanadeva krishnasya muktabandhah paramvrajet.
(Shreemad Bhagavat, 12-3)
Krite Yat dhyato Vishnung Tretayang Yajate makhoi
Meaning – Things that are achieved in Satyayuga by meditation and contemplation, in Tretayuga by performance of yajna, in Dwaparyuga by service,—can be achieved in Kaliyuga simply by naamsamkeertan.
Dwapare paricharyang kolou tad Harikirtanat
(Shree Madbhagavat 12-3)
In describing devotional spiritual practice in Shree Narada Bhakti Sutra it says –
Om abyabrita bhajaneet (5th prologue-26)
Meaning – Devotion to God is developed by continuous prayers. Devotion is created by hearing God’s qualities from devotees.
Om lokehapi bhagavatguna shravana keertanat – (27)
Inner meaning –
Whether by faith or lack of it, if naamkeertan is performed, then there is no doubt that devotion is bound to come. Naam (God’s name), naami (the one whose name it is) and naamdata (the giver of the name, that is Sadguru) are one and the same. Therefore one who sticks to naam japa and naam keertan always, infact enjoys God’s company and serves Guru and God. Without transparent impressions from previous lives one cannot continuously do naam japa. Therefore it is necessary to regularly practice naamjapa and hear the virtues of God’s name and perform keertan with other devotees. By God’s grace one achieves strength to sing God’s praise if this is followed.
Om sa keertya manah sheeghramevavirbhabatyu bhavayati cha bhaktan
Meaning – God by the keertan of His name and form appears before the devotee and bestows His grace. God says Himself –
(10th prologue 80)
Naham tishthami Vaikunthe yoginam hridaye na cha
Meaning – Oh Narada, I do not always stay at Vaikuntha or in the heart of yogis, I am always present at a place where my devotees are engaged in keertan. The heart of a devotee becomes full of happiness because of His presence. The spiritual aspirant feels God’s presence through various emotional states. External signs like tears and shivering of the body can be noticed in the body of the sadhak.
Madbhakta yatra gayanti tatra tishthami Narada.
Verse :
Harernama Harernama Harernamaiva Kevalam
Central Idea – In Kaliyuga, God incarnates in the form of nama. The entire world can be liberated only by Harinama samkeertan. That is why one develops faith by chanting the word ‘Harernama’ thrice. Stressed repetition of the word ‘kevalam’ is to develop a regular practice of it. The use of the word nastiyeva thrice means that without taking shelter under naam one cannot achieve God just by practising Jnanyoga, Karmayoga or practice of yoga in Kaliyuga.
Kalou nastiyeva nastiyeva nastiyeva gatiranyatha