Rekindling a Dying Spark

Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda says that inattention or distraction in chanting japa is the root cause of all offenses. “Distraction [being inattentive] in chanting produces illusion which causes further serious offenses against the holy name. This illusion, which is difficult to overcome, increases one’s attraction to wealth, women, position, success, and the cheating propensity. When these attractions [actually distractions] cover the heart, the neophyte neglects his chanting.

“One must constantly remove such attractions from the mind by diligently following the ways of Vaiṣṇava culture. This will bring back his good fortune. For instance, he should strictly observe Ekādaśī, the Lord’s appearance days, and other festivals in association of saintly devotees chanting and glorifying the Lord throughout the day and night. The best place to observe these festivals is in the holy dhāma [Māyāpur, Vṛndāvana, or Jagannātha Purī].

“He should wholeheartedly participate in the festival programs without anxiety or hesitation. These festivals will rekindle the dying spark of spiritual taste. Thus he will be attracted to the pastimes of the Supreme Lord; again relish the higher taste of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness; and naturally feel disgusted by his inferior material attachments.

“He will be enraptured by sweet songs of the Lord’s pastimes. Filling His ears up with nectar will transfer his mind from matter and fix it upon the holy name again. Then the devotee can chant steadily, peacefully and joyfully.” (HNC)

Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda also says distractions can be overcome by, “regularly spending time alone in a quiet place [or near Tulasī Devī], concentrating deeply on the holy name. Chant and hear the name distinctly, while fervently begging for the Lord’s mercy with great humility.” (HNC)

One can increase his attraction to chanting the holy name by realizing the connection between grāma, dhāma and nāma. This very interesting point was revealed by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. “Failing to realize the dignity of the Dhāma, we have no predilection for dhāma-sevā. Dhāma-sevā will bring us the highest welfare. He who seeks connection with the Dhāma will find his attachment to grāma [home or domestic life] therewith soon liquified. Relations with the worldly abode [grāma], and hankering after the ordinary worldly life soon ceases for one who realizes his relation with Śrī Dhāma. The service of dhāma frees one from the illusion that the jīva is himself God or master.

“The service of Śrī Dhāma will lead us, as a matter of course, to the service of the holy name. Then Śrī Nāma sevā soon brings us to our real end serving Śrī Kṛṣṇa in pure love. Śrī vaikuṇṭha-nāma alone has come down to this earth, and it is in the Śrī Dhāma that Śrī Nāma has been deposited. The presence of nāma-sevā does not give the real end of service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa in pure love to one who disconnects himself from Śrī Dhāma. The mere pretense of serving the name apart from the service of Śrī Dhāma, and living aloof from any relationship with the dhāma, will never lead to the goal of serving the divine desire of Kṛṣṇa.” (SCT)