Hare Krsna,
In this lesson, I chose to meditate upon verse 15 as it described the glories of the Holy Name.
SB 3.9.15: Let me take shelter of the lotus feet of Him whose incarnations, qualities and activities are mysterious imitations of worldly affairs. One who invokes His transcendental names, even unconsciously, at the time he quits this life, is certainly washed immediately of the sins of many, many births and attains Him without fail.
The Holy Name of the Lord is so powerful and potent that by chanting it even unconsciously one can be delivered. Ajāmila remembered the holy name of the Lord, Nārāyaṇa, by merely calling the name of his son Nārāyaṇa, and that gave him a complete opportunity to achieve the highest perfection of life.
The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge or matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of occupational duty, is to remember the Personality of Godhead at the end of life. (SB 2.1.6)
O Kind, constant chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge. (SB 2.1.11)
O King, it is therefore essential that human beings hear about, glorify and remember the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead always and everywhere. (SB 2.2.36)
Chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord is so simple and effective in this age of Kali that it is astonishing less intelligent people do not want to take it up seriously.
“Absolute devotional service, conducted in nine different spiritual activities — hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping, praying, etc. — does not always appeal to people with a pompous nature; they are more attracted by the Vedic superficial rituals and other costly performances of social religious shows.” (SB 3.9.13 P)
Therefore the Lord is very merciful to His pure devotees who are engaged in missionary work of engaging the non-devotees in devotional service to the Lord that also includes hearing and chanting of the Lord.
Considering that we will be celebrating Sri Gaura Purnima in 2 days, I want to remember repeatedly the causeless mercy of Lord Caitanya who appeared on this planet to propagate the congregational chanting of the Holy Name.
“The Lord is unmindful of the nondevotees, although He is sitting within everyone’s heart as well-wisher and Supersoul. However, He also gives them the chance to receive His mercy through His pure devotees who are engaged in missionary activities. Sometimes the Lord Himself descends for missionary activities, as He did in the form of Lord Caitanya, but mostly He sends His bona fide representatives, and thus He shows His causeless mercy towards the nondevotees. The Lord is so satisfied with His pure devotees that He wants to give them the credit for missionary success, although He could do the work personally.” (SB 3.9.12 P)
In the above purport, it is said that the Lord is so satisfied with His pure devotees that He wants to give them the credit for missionary success. One such pure devotee who has been extremely successful in Lord Caitanya’s missionary mission is our very dear Srila Prabhupada. The Lord left it for his dearest servant (Srila Prabhupada) to preach the Holy Name of the world all over the world. It all started with the public harinama at Thompkins Square Park on the summer of 1966. We are all congregated here because of the causeless mercy of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai!
Krsna Katha 