Effects of Nama-aparadha

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

By offending sri-nama one loses his taste and attraction for sadhana-bhakti. In other words, a devotee will no longer derive any happiness from hearing and chanting, sadhu-sanga and serving Sri Guru. The world of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees becomes dry, tasteless and hackneyed. Apathy toward Kṛṣṇa is a diseased condition of the soul. As a sick man taking medical treatment quickly regains his taste for palatable foods, similarly, an offender who continually chants the holy name will nullify his transgressions and regain a taste for the holy name.

nāmāparādha-yuktānāṁ, nāmāny eva haranty agham
aviśrānti prayuktāni, tāny evārtha-karāṇi ca

By continuous chanting, an offender to the holy name will gradually become free from sins and offenses. He will rise to the platform of offenseless chanting and eventually attain the ultimate goal of life, kṛṣṇa prema. (Padma P. Svarga-khanḍa 48,49)

Although a devotee tries to give up offenses, he is actually helpless and cannot do so alone. One can only get free from nama-aparadha through bhakti, the power of Kṛṣṇa’s name, and by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa’s associates.

An excerpt from the book Art of Chanting.