Efficacy of His name

Seeing the dangers that seem to surround the life of child

Krishna, Yasodha and other womenfolk in Vraja perform ceremonies for the child’s protection against all evils. They tie

a talisman and chant the divine names of the Lord for the

child’s safety. Even as Krishna accepts these rituals that use

His own name to protect Him, the truth to be understood is

that fear, which frightens all mortal beings, is frightened of

the Lord, pointed out Srimati Prema Pandurang in a discourse.

It is generally seen that the Lord’s name is more powerful

than the Lord Himself. Draupadi transcends her pitiable and

helpless plight in the Kuru court when she calls out to

Krishna with single minded faith and courage in her heart.

Krishna might have been in Dwaraka, but the unseen grace

and power of His name comes to her rescue and this event

has come to stay as a historic one in the annals of bhakti.

In the Ramayana, when the Sethu is being built by the

Vanaras, each boulder that is picked from the land is sanctified by Rama Nama and then dropped in the ocean. This is how the stones float in the water without sinking. When Garga is entrusted with the task of naming Nandagopa’s child, the sage wonders how one is to name the One who is ‘Nameless’ and also ‘Multi-named.’

The poet saint Bilvamangala hails His names such as

Govinda, Damodhara and Madhava. They are not only easy

to chant but are also powerful mantras to lead one out of the

dangers of samsara.

The poet wonders why people who have the ability to

chant fail to do so. Are they so determined and responsible

for their own undoing? He urges his tongue to just drink the

nectar of these names. A true bhakta always cherishes the invaluable support of His name in his heart and mind.