110 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 6, Ch. 2

yatha—just like; agadam—medicine; virya-tamam—very powerful;
upayuktam—properly taken; yadrcchaya—somehow or other;
ajanatah—by a person without knowledge; api—even; atma-gunam—
its own potency; kuryat—manifests; mantrah—the Hare Krsna mantra;

api—also; udahrtah—chanted.

TRANSLATION

If a person unaware of the effective potency of a certain
medicine takes that medicine or is forced to take it, it will act even
without his knowledge because its potency does not depend on the
patient’s understanding. Similarly, even though one does not
know the value of chanting the holy name of the Lord, if one
chants knowingly or unknowingly, the chanting will be very
effective.

PURPORT

In the Western countries, where the Hare Krsna movement is spread-
ing, learned scholars and other thoughtful men are realizing its effec-
tiveness. For example, Dr. J. Stillson Judah, a learned scholar, has been
very much attracted to this movement because he has actually seen that it
is turning hippies addicted to drugs into pure Vaisnavas who voluntarily
become servants of Krsna and humanity. Even a few years ago, such hip-
pies did not know the Hare Krsna mantra, but now they are chanting it
and becoming pure Vaisnavas. Thus they are becoming free from all sin-
ful activities, such as illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling.
This is practical proof of the effectiveness of the Hare Krsna movement,
which is supported in this verse. One may or may not know the value of
chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, but if one somehow or other chants it,
he will immediately be purified, just as one who takes a potent medicine
will feel its effects, regardless of whether he takes it knowingly or
unknowingly.

TEXT 20
MH SAT

aad gffvita wd amd a
df areraentager Rt TEA (Rll
