Is My Chanting Pure? Free Will and the Power of Choice
This article answers two fundamental questions from an aspiring devotee: How can I know if I am chanting purely? and Why does Kṛṣṇa allow us to make the wrong choice if he knows the outcome? Gaura Gopāla Dāsa reflects on the nature of pure chanting, the delicate balance of free will, and how sincerity is more important than purity.
Śrī Nāma Saṅkīrtana
The following talk, 'Śrī Nāma Saṅkīrtana', by Prabhupāda Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura was given on the day of Śrī Nityānanda Trayodaśī, at Śrī Yogapīṭha in Māyāpura, in the year 1926. This lecture was originally printed in The Gauḍīya (Vol.5, Issues 34 & 35). Herein, Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains the five primary limbs of devotion in relation to hari-nāma, and gives pertinent advice on the qualification to chant the Holy Name.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura at the Bhajana Kuṭīra of Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Bābāji
Should one constantly chant or just do service? This eternal question on the lips of every sādhaka is answered by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda in this instructive pastime concerning some errant disciples of Jagannātha Dāsa Bābāji and Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. This article is extracted from the hari-kathā of Sarasvatī Ṭhākura originally spoken at Śrī Caitanya Maṭha on the evening of December 21st, 1927.
Hari-Nāma Initiation
The following article is based upon a letter exchange between Śrīla Narasiṅgha Mahārāja and a godbrother-guru which took place in 1998. His godbrother asks what hari-nāma initiation actually is and what transpires between the guru and disciple at that time.
Questions and Answers on Nāma-Tattva
The following excerpt is from an upcoming publication of questions and answers with Śrīla B.G. Narasiṅgha Mahārāja. In this selection, Śrīla Narasiṅgha Mahārāja answers various questions concerning the chanting of the Holy Name.
Hari-kathā in Puruṣottama-kṣetra
In 'Hari-kathā in Puruṣottama-kṣetra' Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura speaks in Jagannātha Purī about the necessity for hari-kātha (topics of Kṛṣṇa) and the constant chanting of the Lord's Name. He also explains what is actual kīrtana and what is not. This article was first published in The Gauḍīya, Volume 14, issue 37, and translated from Bengali by Swami B.V. Giri and Sanātana Dāsa.
Śrī Nāma Māhātmya (The Glories of the Holy Name)
In Śrī Nāma Māhātmya (The Glories of the Holy Name), Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja gives a detailed explanation of the gradual development of the Holy Name according to the eight verses of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s ‘Nāma Māhātmya’ from ‘Śaraṇāgati.’ This edited transcript was originally spoken on October 2nd 1981.
Gānera adhikārī ke? (Who is Qualified to Sing?)
Who is actually qualified to lead kīrtana? In this article from 1916, Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura clearly explains the adhikāra (qualification) for one to lead kīrtana and states that it is not all about melody etc. This article has been translated from Bengali by Swami B.V. Giri.
The Descent of the Holy Name
'The Descent of the Holy Name' is the introduction to our book "The Descent of the Holy Name". The introduction is written by Śrīpāda Bhakti Kiśora Araṇya Mahārāja.
The Mahā Mantra
The Mahā-mantra” was written by Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha in 2008. This article explains the history of the Mahā-mantra and the various conceptions of the Mahā-mantra according to the different sampradāyas, including the Madhvas, Rāmānujas, Vallabhas and Nimbārkas.