254 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 5
holy name and thus become a lover of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead.

It is recommended that even if one commits offenses, one should con-
tinue chanting the holy name. In other words, the chanting of the holy
name makes one offenseless. In the book Nama-kaumudi it is recom-
mended 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. In this connection there is the
following statement, spoken by Daksa to Lord Siva: “‘I did not know the
glories of your personality, and therefore I committed an offense at your
lotus feet in the open assembly. You are so kind, however, that you did
not accept my offense. Instead, when I was falling down because of ac-
cusing you, you saved me by your merciful glance. You are most great.
Kindly excuse me and be satisfied with your own exalted qualities.”

One should be very humble and meek to offer one’s desires and chant
prayers composed in glorification of the holy name, such as ayi mukta-
kulair updsya ménam and nivrtta-tarsair upagiyamanad. One should
chant such prayers to become free from offenses at the lotus feet of the
holy name.

(3) Smaranam. After one regularly performs the processes of hearing
and chanting and after the core of one’s heart is cleansed, smaranam,
remembering, is recommended. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11)
Sukadeva Gosvami tells King Pariksit:

etan nirvidyamananam
icchatam akuto-bhayam
yoginam nrpa nirnitam
harer naménukirtanam
“O King, for great yogis who have completely renounced all material
connections, for those who desire all material enjoyment and for those
who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge, constant
chanting of the holy name of the Lord is recommended.” According to
different relationships with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there
are varieties of ndmanukirtanam, chanting of the holy name, and thus
according to different relationships and mellows there are five kinds of
