36 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Antya-lila, Ch. 4
lokesu avirbhiya tén anaydsénaiva tat tad yuga-gata-mahd-sddhandndm sarvam eva
phalarn dadana sa krtarthayati. yata eva tayaiva kalau bhagavato visesatas ca santoso
bhavati.
“Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This
chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on
one’s having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts
the attention of Krsna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one be-
comes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krsna in this
age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities
because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete
perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service
must be accompanied with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.” The
chanting of the holy name of Krsna—Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare
Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—has been praised by Srila
Rupa Gosvami in his Namdstaka (verse 1):
nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala-
dyuti-nirdjita~pada-pankajanta
ayi mukta-kulair updsyamanam
paritas tvam hari-nama sarmsrayami
“O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being
worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as
the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by
liberated souls such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! | take complete
shelter of You.”
Similarly, Srila Sanatana Gosvami has praised the chanting of the holy name as
follows in his Brhad-bhagavatamrta (Chapter One, verse 9):
jayati jayati namananda-rdpam murdrer
viramita-nija-dharma-dhydna-pujadi-yatnam
kathamapi sakrd-attarn muktidarh pranindm yat
paramam amrtam ekam jivanarn bhdsanamm me
“All glories, all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krsna, which causes the
devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship.
When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name
awards him liberation. The holy name of Krsna is the highest nectar. It is my very
life and my only treasure.”
In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) Sukadeva Gosvami says:
etan nirvidyamananam
icchatam akuto-bhayam
yoginam nrpa nirnitam
harer némanukirtanam
