We have been chanting God’s name since eternity, countless times across innumerable lifetimes, yet we have not attained God-realisation. Why? Because chanting without true understanding yields nothing. Just as in mathematics, multiplying any number by zero always results in zero. Similarly, chanting without knowledge is like multiplying by zero; no matter how many times we chant, the outcome remains the same.
Consider the story of a man who found a ring. When told that it was worth only ten rupees, he neglected it. Later, a jeweller revealed the diamond inside was worth 100 million rupees. Suddenly, the same ring became precious to him. The ring itself never changed; only his understanding did. Similarly, when correct knowledge is added to chanting God’s name, our mind and intellect develop attachment, and the name becomes invaluable. The essential knowledge is that there is no difference between God and His name.
Worldly names are limited to place and person. Call out “Anita!” and she responds only if she hears you. But God is all-pervading and specially seated in His name. Radha Krishna dwell not only in Their own names but in every name uttered with devotion. Any name taken with the feeling of God carries His presence and power. There is no restriction. Mother Yashoda never called Krishna “Shri Krishna.” She affectionately said “Kanha,” “Kanhaiya,” or simply “Lala.” “Lala” is not a divine name, yet Krishna responded because of her love. God has not set conditions; in fact, He resides in any name, any form, any quality, any pastime, any abode, and in His Saints. Just as ghee pervades milk, God pervades His name.
If this knowledge becomes firmly established in our intellect, we attain the ultimate goal. But acceptance varies; some accept 10%, some 20%, some 100%. The bliss experienced corresponds to the degree of acceptance. Practice is required to deepen conviction. Since eternity, our intellect has caused downfall by applying material reasoning to spiritual matters. We trust worldly things easily – a bank teller counts our ten million rupees, and we accept his receipt without doubt. Yet we hesitate to trust God and Guru, though the scriptures, Saints, and God Himself affirm that He resides in His name. In the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna warns that a skeptic cannot find happiness in this world, noting that if a man constantly doubts whether his own wife has poisoned his food, he will simply go mad.
Faith transforms chanting. When we truly believe God is in His name, calling “Radhe” stirs the heart, and the sound becomes sweet. Without faith, repetition remains mechanical. Some of us have partial faith, others none, but all must practise strengthening this faith. Saints, scriptures, and even God’s descensions like Gaurang Mahaprabhu have declared this truth.
