Text 24] Prahlada, the Saintly Son of Hiranyakasipu 251

to Krsna should chant and hear from other pure devotees who are also at-
tached to Lord Krsna. The same principle applies for devotees attracted
by Lord Rama, Lord Nrsirnha and other forms of the Lord. Because
Krsna is the ultimate form of the Lord (krsnas tu bhagavan svayam), it
is best to hear about Lord Krsna’s name, form and pastimes from a
realized devotee who is particularly attracted by the form of Lord Krsna.
In Srimad-Bhagavatam, great devotees like Sukadeva Gosvami have
specifically described Lord Krsna’s holy name, form and qualities. Unless
one hears about the holy name, form and qualities of the Lord, one can-
not clearly understand the other processes of devotional service.
Therefore Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends that one chant the holy
name of Krsna. Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. If one is fortu-
nate enough to hear from the mouth of realized devotees, he is very
easily successful on the path of devotional service. Therefore hearing of
the holy name, form and qualities of the Lord is essential.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.11) there is this verse:

tad-vdg-visargo janatagha-viplavo
yasmin prati-slokam abaddhavaty api

namany anantasya yaso-’nkitani yat
Srnvanti gayanti granti sadhavah

“Verses describing the name, form and qualities of Anantadeva, the un-
limited Supreme Lord, are able to vanquish all the sinful reactions of the
entire world. Therefore even if such verses are improperly composed,
devotees hear them, describe them and accept them as bona fide and
authorized.” In this connection, Sridhara Svami has remarked that a
pure devotee takes advantage of another pure devotee by trying to hear
from him about the holy name, form and qualities of the Lord. If there is
no such opportunity, he alone chants and hears the Lord’s holy name.

(2) Kirtanam. The hearing of the holy name has been described
above. Now let us try to understand the chanting of the holy name, which
is the second item in the consecutive order. It is recommended that such
chanting be performed very loudly. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Narada
Muni says that without shame he began traveling all over the world,
chanting the holy name of the Lord. Similarly, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
has advised:
