He Who Must Be Named.
'You Know Who'..
I was a teenager when I read the Harry Potter books and was completely enamored by the love, courage, friendship, morality and philosophy described in the series. Any story typically has a protagonist, a villain and seeks to convey a lesson to the audience. I felt there were many lessons to be learnt from not only the heroes but also the villain of the books. The villain or ‘the Dark Lord’ was ruthless, extremely selfish, cruel and exploitative who failed to understand the notion of ‘Love’ in this world. This proved to be his downfall as ‘Love’ was the core principle that drove protagonists to fight against all odds and in the face of extreme fear and loss.
He was referred as ‘He who must not be named’ or ‘You know who’. Ordinary people were terrified of mentioning his name and addressed him thus. I was fascinated by this idea that mentioning the name of the fearful, loathsome, cruel dark lord will invoke his presence and hence invoked intense fear and anxiety in the one saying his name. Therefore, any utterance of his name was strictly forbidden and was alleged to bring inauspiciousness and misfortune upon the speaker and hearer both.
WHAT’S IN A NAME:
One may question why speaking or not speaking someone’s name is given so much importance. Sound is an extremely important element which can either uplift or degrade one’s consciousness when allowed to enter through the ears. The importance of sound vibrations is extensively mentioned in the divine Vedic texts which detail how the entire Vedic knowledge was imparted in the form of transcendental sound ‘Om’ by the Supreme Person. Sound is also the first element that enters into the material world during its creation. Therefore, Vedic literatures expansively mention the importance of regularly reciting Vedic hymns, verses, mantras and chants. Transcendental sound vibrations have immense power to uplift one’s consciousness and put a spirit soul in direct contact with the divine.
The sacred text of Shrimad Bhagavatam and all the Vedic literatures stress upon chanting the direct names of the Supreme Lord who has infused all powers, potencies, energies and auspiciousness in His own names. Thus, the spiritualist who regularly recites His names will not only be freed from numerous sins, escape the bondage of material world but also ultimately acquire the highest perfection of human life- ‘Love for the Supreme Lord’.
BENEDICTIONS OF SUPREME LORD:
Unlike the Dark Lord described in the books, the Supreme Lord Krishna is our best friend, our only true well-wisher and most merciful. A great benediction of Krishna is that He appears in the form of His numerous names in this material world to give us association. His Holy names unlike ours are non-different from him. These sound vibrations give incredible spiritual and material benefits when uttered and bring about transformation in the impious hearts. Therefore, He descends in the form of His infinite names so the embodied souls may chant those names and reawaken their forgotten and dormant love for Him.
Each of His Holy name describes His qualities, forms, pastimes, relationships with devotees. Those interested in discovering and developing their relationship with the supreme person make it a habit to chant His names in a quantified manner. This is a deeply calming, purifying and empowering practice that also helps to build a gradual taste for the divine. This is commonly called ‘Mantra meditation/Japa’.
Some common questions about chanting of the Holy names are:
Who is eligible to chant Lord’s wonderful names?
Any and every living entity without any bodily consideration of race, cast, color, gender, wealth, education, beauty is qualified to uplift their consciousness from the most fallen to the most divine.
How long do the effects last?
Numerous sins are destroyed at once and one develops deep connection with the divine. Therefore, the effects of chanting Lord’s holy names (Japa) are eternal.
What is the nature of Holy names?
While the material world is a dream like state for the soul, yet it is factual and exists. However, the only real and true thing in this material world is the transcendental names that are non-different from the Absolute Truth (Supreme Lord). Uttering of the divine’s names keeps the soul truly satiated while living in this untrue world.
What does one experience by chanting of the Lord’s Names?
One feels deep contentment, an anchor and bliss by associating directly with the divinity through His names. The soul encounters many disturbances while trapped within the body in the course of its journey, but the ones taking shelter of Holy names are not troubled by the troubles. Lord’s names are the light that soul needs to navigate through dark, difficult times.
Can Lord’s names save one from death?
The spiritualists that spend their life developing affection and attraction for the Supreme and His names are able to spontaneously utter those glorious names with their last breath and achieve the highest destination. This is promised by Lord in the divine pages of Bhagvad Gita. Therefore, after a lifetime of sufficient practice, such Japa enthusiasts are guaranteed entry into the supreme abode of Krishna and have no fear of death. Death is their ticket to the spiritual world where they achieve their true form of eternity (sat), knowledge (cit) and bliss (anand).
Is chanting of the names an easy practice?
Chanting of names can require a lot of effort in the initial stages, due to the distracted nature of mind. However, this effort of controlling the mind and struggle to develop the taste for Holy names is extremely purifying. This protects us from great dangers of this world. There are dangers awaiting at every corner but one who chants Lord’s names even in happy, comfortable times will be equipped to navigate disturbances with grace and poise.
BENEFITS OF MANTRA MEDITATION:
· At the physical level, this technique is scientifically proven to provide a very restful and soothing state to the brain- so it is more focused, sharp and energetic.
· On a subtle platform, this vocal meditation by chanting Lord’s names pacifies an otherwise agitated, anxious mind that is extremely difficult to control.
· At the spiritual realm, the japa acts like a ‘cry of help’ to our loved one and brings a profound sense of connection with the Supreme who is our father, mother and maintainer.
WHICH NAMES TO CHANT:
The ancient Vedic scriptures prescribe Hare Krishna Mahamantra as the prescribed names for this Iron Age.
HE WHO MUST BE NAMED:
Our Supreme Lord is incredibly loving, merciful and easily pleased by calling out His names with affection and sincerity. He responds to the sincere call of a struggling spiritualist who endeavors to approach him through His names. Taking shelter of Lord’s Holy names is all purifying, extremely auspicious and our only hope of salvation. Therefore, one should chant, sing, hear His names daily, sincerely, in a prayerful mood for the pleasure of-
‘He who must be named’.
Krishna is the one who must be named along with Radharani in the form of Hare.. for there’s never a moment they leave us alone they must be glorified very loud and clear.
Many thanks mataji for igniting that spark in us!
Hari bol 💐💕
All this is really great….chanting names controls the mind,gives rest to brain 🧠 nd surely connects to the supreme Lord…it’s purifying nd of course very easy 🙏🙏