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The State of Our Devotion
Despite years of chanting, many of us still fail to realize its true value and potency. Chanting marks the beginning of our spiritual journey and remains essential throughout our lives, especially at the end. Yet, our faith in the holy names remains weak. We struggle to comprehend the temporary nature of the material world and the reality of life after death. This highlights our current predicament and the need for a deeper understanding of devotion.
The Legacy of Adi Sankaracharya
Often, we associate Sankaracharya with impersonalism and criticize his followers. However, Adi Sankaracharya composed numerous verses glorifying the Supreme Lord, such as Balamukundashtakam, Ranganathaashtakam, Krishnaashtakam, and Jagannathashtakam. These compositions vividly describe the Lord’s transcendental features. Therefore, instead of criticizing, we should understand the purpose of Adi Sankaracharya’s advent.
The Mission of Sri Bodhendra Saraswati Swamigal
In the disciplic succession of Adi Sankaracharya, there was an exalted acarya, Sri Bodhendra Saraswati Swamigal, also known as Bhagavan Nama Bodhendra. As the 59th Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti pitha, his sole aim was to propagate the holy name of Hari.
The Miraculous Transformation
One day, while traveling from village to village, blessing people with spiritual gains, Sri Bodhendra Swamigal was ceaselessly chanting “Shri Rama, Rama, Rama” with tears of spiritual joy. A brahmana invited him to his house for a meal. The brahmana bathed Swamigal’s feet and offered him worship with great reverence.
During the meal, the brahmana’s five-year-old dumb son gestured for various dishes. Seeing the child’s condition, Swamigal became very sad, wondering how the boy would attain spiritual well-being without the ability to chant the holy names. Despite the brahmana’s attempt to console him, Swamigal left the house with a heavy heart.
However, after Swamigal left, the boy eagerly took the remnants of his prasad. Miraculously, the boy gained transcendental knowledge and began dancing and chanting “Rama” and “Krishna” with devotion. The brahmana was astonished and overjoyed by this transformation. From that day, the boy served Swamigal with affection and attained spiritual well-being.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Faith in the Holy Names: The story emphasizes the immense potency of the holy names of the Lord. Even the most seemingly hopeless situations can be transformed by the power of sincere chanting.
- The Power of Devotion: Sri Bodhendra Swamigal’s unwavering devotion and compassion had a profound impact, demonstrating that true devotion can transcend physical limitations.
- Miracles of the Holy Name: The miraculous transformation of the dumb boy underscores the transformative power of prasad and the holy names, as described in Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.31.
Prayer
I pray to our beloved spiritual master to develop unflinching faith in chanting the holy names by understanding their unlimited glories:
Hare Krishna Mahamantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Verse from Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.31: tasmaat sankirtanam vishnor / jagan-mangalam amhasaam mahataam api kauravya / viddhy aikaantika-nishkrtam
“Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is able to uproot even the reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore the chanting of the sankirtana movement is the most auspicious activity in the entire universe. Please try to understand this so that others will take it seriously.”
PS: I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share these moral/instructive stories so that everyone can be benefited by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
