The Cleansing Power of Chanting
An old farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Every morning, the grandfather was up early, sitting at the kitchen table, chanting on his beads and reading his Bhagavad Gita. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
The Grandson’s Inquiry
One day the grandson asked, “Grandfather! I try to chant and read the Bhagavad Gita just like you, but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does chanting and reading the Bhagavad Gita do?”
The Grandfather’s Lesson
The grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”
The Boy’s Attempt
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
Realizing the Challenge
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The Grandfather’s Insistence
The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
The Boy’s Determination
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into the river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather, the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Grandfather, it’s useless!”
The Grandfather’s Revelation
The old man said, “Do you think it’s useless? Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
The Grandfather’s Wisdom
“Son, that’s what happens when you chant and read the Bhagavad Gita. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you chant or read, knowingly or unknowingly, you will be changed, inside and out. This is how Krishna works silently in our lives.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Teaching
We went through a beautiful shloka from Srimad Bhagavatam (6.2.18) on the strength of chanting the holy name of the Lord.
ajnaanaad athavaa jnaanaad / uttamashloka-naama yat sankirtitam agham pumso / dahed edho yathaanalah
“As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one’s sinful activities.”
This is the potency of chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna. We are gradually cleansed of all anarthas from our heart (ceto darpana maarjanam). All that is needed is patience. The important translation by Srila Prabhupada to note is the word “dahed” – “burns to ashes without fail.” We need to understand that the holy name will never fail us; we need to have full faith in the holy name and our spiritual master as the cleansing process is very subtle. Once we realize that we are relishing carrying out our devotional service, especially chanting, it is an indication that the anarthas are being cleansed and austerities automatically follow. Nobody needs to be forced to carry out the prescribed rounds of chanting. We need to understand we are not doing a favor to the Lord by reciting His names; rather, by His mercy, we benefit by getting rid of all the sinful tendencies in our hearts.
Lessons to be Learned:
- Subtle Transformation: Regular chanting and reading of sacred texts may not always be immediately comprehensible or memorable, but it has a profound cleansing effect on one’s inner self.
- Faith in the Process: Just like the water cleaned the basket over time, the holy names and scriptures gradually purify the heart and mind, even if we don’t see immediate results.
- Consistency is Key: Persistence in spiritual practices, despite the apparent lack of progress, leads to deep inner transformation.
- Krishna’s Mercy: The holy name of the Lord is powerful and merciful, bringing about change in a person’s life even if chanted unknowingly or imperfectly.
- Patience in Devotion: Spiritual growth requires patience and faith. Over time, with dedication, the benefits of devotional practices become evident.
- Cleansing of Anarthas: As one continues to chant and engage in devotional activities, the unwanted material desires (anarthas) in the heart are gradually cleansed, making way for pure devotion.
- Spiritual Nourishment: Just as physical cleanliness is essential for health, spiritual cleanliness achieved through chanting and reading is essential for the soul’s well-being.
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