Chanting the Holy Name of Viṣṇu

The chanting of the holy name of Lord Viṣṇu is the central process of purification and worship in the Vaiṣṇava tradition. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that bhakti-yoga begins with śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ—hearing and chanting about Lord Viṣṇu. Whether for atonement, protection, or daily spiritual discipline, the vibration of the Lord's name serves as the ultimate shelter for the conditioned soul.

Purification and Atonement

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the holy name of Viṣṇu is the most powerful purifier. He frequently quotes the Vedic injunction apavitraḥ pavitro vā, which states that whether one is pure or impure, simply by remembering or chanting the name of the lotus-eyed Lord (Puṇḍarīkākṣa/Viṣṇu), one becomes externally and internally cleansed. This chanting acts as the best atonement for even the most grievous sins, such as killing a brāhmaṇa or betraying a friend.

• Apavitrah pavitro va: either he is pure or impure; sarvavastham gato 'pi va: any condition of life, if he chants the holy name of Visnu, then he becomes immediately purified internally and externally.
• The chanting of the holy name of Lord Visnu is the best process of atonement for a thief of gold or other valuables, for a drunkard, for one who betrays a friend or relative, or for one who kills a brahmana.
• Generally, whenever any ritualistic ceremony is begun, the holy name of Lord Visnu is first chanted in order to purify the situation.

Protection: The Case of Ajāmila

The protective power of the holy name is vividly illustrated in the history of Ajāmila. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that although Ajāmila was calling out to his son named Nārāyaṇa without any spiritual intent, the vibration of the holy name was so potent that the Viṣṇudūtas (order carriers of Viṣṇu) immediately arrived to save him from the Yamadūtas. This proves that the Lord protects anyone who chants His name, even neglectfully.

• Although Ajamila was calling for his son, he chanted the holy name of the Lord, Narayana, and simply by a glimpse of the chanting of the holy name, he immediately achieved the association of Lord Visnu's order carriers.
• Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Visnu, such sinful persons may attract the attention of the Supreme Lord, who therefore considers "Because this man has chanted My holy name, My duty is to give him protection."
• Mother Yasoda chanted different names of Visnu to protect child Krsna’s different bodily parts. Mother Yasoda was firmly convinced that she should protect her child from different kinds of evil spirits and ghosts.

The Hierarchy of Names

While all names of God are absolute, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies a specific spiritual hierarchy regarding their potency. Citing the śāstras, he explains that chanting the Viṣṇu-sahasra-nāma (1,000 names of Viṣṇu) is equal to chanting one name of Lord Rāma. Furthermore, chanting three names of Lord Rāma is equal to chanting one name of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra offers the highest benefit with the least effort.

• It is stated in the Vedic literature that by chanting the different names of Lord Visnu a thousand times, one may be bestowed with the same benefits as by thrice chanting the holy name of Lord Rama.
• If one chants Visnu's names - there are thousands - that is equal to one name Rama. And three times chanting the name of Rama is equal to one "Krsna." Therefore we should take advantage to chant Hare Krsna.

Practical Application: Tilaka

In the practical daily life of a devotee, the names of Viṣṇu are used to sanctify the body. Śrīla Prabhupāda details the process of applying tilaka, where twelve specific names of the Lord (such as Keśava, Mādhava, and Govinda) are chanted while marking twelve different parts of the body. This ritual creates a protective shield, designating the body as a temple of the Lord.

• When putting the twelve tilaka marks on the twelve places of the body, one has to chant the mantra consisting of these twelve Visnu names.
• While decorating the body with tilaka, we give protection to the body by chanting twelve names of Visnu. Although Govinda, or Lord Visnu, is one, He has different names and forms with which to act differently.

Conclusion

Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that in the current Age of Kali, elaborate temple worship (pāñcarātrikī-vidhi) is often difficult to execute perfectly. Therefore, the śāstras recommend the simple process of chanting the holy name. By chanting the names of Viṣṇu, and specifically the names of Kṛṣṇa and Rāma found in the mahā-mantra, one fulfills all ritualistic requirements and achieves the supreme destination, back to Godhead.

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