Chanting in Devotional Service to God - The Watering Process of Bhakti
The Vedic scriptures outline nine distinct processes of devotional service (nava-vidhā bhakti), beginning with hearing, chanting, and remembering the Supreme Lord. Among these nine, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that śravaṇam and kīrtanam—hearing and chanting—are the absolute foundation. Without them, spiritual life cannot even begin, much less reach the ultimate perfection of pure love of Godhead.
Seed of Devotion
In the teachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the awakening of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is beautifully compared to the growth of a plant. By the combined mercy of Kṛṣṇa and the bona fide spiritual master, a fortunate soul receives the bhakti-latā-bīja—the seed of devotional service. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a seed cannot grow on its own; the devotee must become a diligent gardener and constantly water it through the process of hearing and chanting.
- Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends that the devotee sow the seed of bhakti-yoga in his heart and nurture it by the watering of hearing and chanting the holy name, fame, etc., of the Lord.
- When a person receives the seed of devotional service, he should take care of it by becoming a gardener, sowing the seed in his heart. If he waters the seed gradually by the process of sravana, kirtana (hearing and chanting), the seed will begin to sprout.
- The seed of devotion cannot sprout unless watered by the process of hearing and chanting.
- By the grace of the spiritual master and Krsna, one nourishes the bhakti-lata by regularly sprinkling it with the water of sravana-kirtana, hearing and chanting.
Cleansing of the Heart
The material heart is filled with layers of dirty things—lust, anger, greed, and countless material desires accumulated over lifetimes. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that the process of śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam acts as a powerful purifying agent. As one engages in hearing and chanting within the association of devotees, these unwanted contaminations are washed away, paving the way for firm faith and genuine spiritual taste.
- When one takes to Krsna consciousness and engages himself in the devotional service of the Lord - beginning with chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord - the cleansing of the heart begins.
- When one is encouraged in devotional service by the association of devotees, one becomes free from all unwanted contamination by following the regulative principles and chanting and hearing.
- When one is freed from all unwanted contamination, he advances with firm faith. When firm faith in devotional service awakens, a taste for hearing and chanting also awakens.
- Through good association, one develops attachment for pure devotional service and thereby accepts a bona fide spiritual master and from him begins to hear and chant and observe the regulative principles of devotional service.
Nine Processes of Bhakti
While there are nine distinct methods of cultivating devotional service—including worshiping the Deity, praying, and becoming Kṛṣṇa's friend—Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently places hearing and chanting at the very forefront. He explains that one must begin here; by perfecting the hearing and chanting of the holy names, all other processes naturally awaken and bear fruit.
- There are nine processes of devotional service - hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping the Deity in the temple, praying, carrying out orders - and one should always keep engaged in at least one of these nine processes.
- The nine different modes of devotional service, such as hearing, chanting and remembering, are the beginning of the process.
- One must engage in the nine different processes of devotional service, beginning with hearing and chanting about Krsna. Pure devotional service is the highest achievement of human society.
- The personified Vedas continued, "Dear Lord, it is imperative that the living entities be engaged in Krsna consciousness, always rendering devotional service by such prescribed methods as hearing and chanting and executing Your orders."
Overcoming Physical Separation
A common source of distress for devotees is the physical absence of the Supreme Lord or the spiritual master. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals a profound transcendental secret: the Absolute Truth is not limited by physical proximity. Because the Lord's name and the Lord Himself are nondifferent, constant chanting and hearing provide direct, unbroken association with Kṛṣṇa at every moment.
- The devotees need not be disappointed in the physical absence of the Lord, though they may think of not being associated with Him. The devotional process of chanting, hearing, remembering, etc, can give us the desired result of associating with the Lord.
- The Lord, being omnipresent, can be present with us if we want Him at all. By His omnipresence, He can always be with us if we are attached to His devotional service by hearing, chanting, remembering, etc.
- One who is unable to live for a moment without Krsna consciousness cannot but think of Krsna twenty-four hours, being engaged in devotional service by hearing, chanting, remembering, offering prayers, worshiping.
- The pure heart of a devotee is never disturbed when he executes devotional service in the form of hearing, chanting, remembering, etc.
Conclusion
The process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind; it is the natural awakening of the soul's eternal love for God. Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that by faithfully pouring the water of śravaṇam and kīrtanam—hearing and chanting—onto the seed of devotion, any sincere soul will successfully transcend the dualities of material existence and reach the ultimate limit of life's goals: pure, unalloyed love for Kṛṣṇa.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Chanting in Devotional Service to God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.