Hare Krsna,
As I was going through the lesson on how Krsna consciousness (the Lord’s lotus feet) is the transcendental boat that can help one cross over the material ocean of birth and death, I am reminded of Ajamila’s story. Ajamila was considered a greatly sinful man but was liberated when four order carriers of Viṣṇu came to rescue him from the hands of the order carriers of Yamarāja. He was trained by his parents to become a perfect brāhmaṇa by studying the Vedas and following the regulative principles, but because of his past, this youthful brāhmaṇa was somehow attracted by a prostitute, and because of her association he became most fallen and abandoned all regulative principles. Ajāmila begot in the womb of the prostitute ten sons, the last of whom was called Nārāyaṇa. At the time of Ajāmila’s death, when the order carriers of Yamarāja came to take him, he loudly called the name Nārāyaṇa in fear because he was attached to his youngest son. Thus he remembered the original Nārāyaṇa, Lord Viṣṇu. Although he did not chant the holy name of Nārāyaṇa completely offenselessly, it acted nevertheless. As soon as he chanted the holy name of Nārāyaṇa, the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu immediately appeared on the scene. A discussion ensued between the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu and those of Yamarāja, and by hearing that discussion Ajāmila was liberated. (SB 6th Canto).
“One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly [to indicate something else], jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even neglectfully. This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures.” (SB 6.2.14)
This is the power of devotional service. Even by performing it half-heartedly one quickly becomes eligible for liberation as can be seen from the story of Ajamila.
“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” (BG 2.40)
The advantage of Kali Yuga is the special concession granted for the immense benefits of chanting the Holy Name.
My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom. (SB 12.3.51)
“”The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity (karma-kāṇḍa, jñāna-kāṇḍa and upāsanā-kāṇḍa), the chandas, or Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa. This is the reality of all Vedānta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” Similarly, the Kali-santaraṇa Upaniṣad states, “Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare—these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.” (CC Adi 7.76 Purport)
We studied in the previous lesson that Krsna is the final (and should be the ONLY) object of our love. His names, qualities, pastimes, etc. are so charming and pleasing to chant and hear that this is the only food for the soul. This is what the deprived soul craves for. One who takes complete shelter of Krsna’s lotus feet can get liberated and realize Him.
“The boat of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet gives shelter to the great devotees who have taken complete shelter. For these devotees the ocean of the material world becomes like the water in a calf’s hoof-print that can be crossed without any great effort. Their goal is the supreme transcendental abode of Vaikuntha or Sri Vrndavana. Great devotees never fall into difficulty because their minds are not attached to anything except the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.” (SVT on SB 10.14.58)
For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is paraṁ padam, Vaikuṇṭha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step. (SB 10.14.58)
The people in this vast ocean of birth and death are being blown about by the winds of material dualities. As they flounder in the perilous waters of sense indulgence, with no boat to help them, they are sorely distressed by the need to protect their sons, daughters, and wives. Only the boat that is Lord Viṣṇu can save them. (Mukunda Mala Stotra 11)
May I dive deeply into the ocean of the Holy Name, which is non-different from the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa. May it grant me the strength to cross over the ocean of birth and death, riding on the boat of His divine lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 