Nama Rahasya (The Confidental Secrets of Chanting the Holy Name in Perfection)

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While recovering high in the mountains of Bosnia from a traumatic surgery, I read Sri Caitanya Siksamrta by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. There, in the sixth chapter, which he poetically calls the "sixth rainfall," the Thakura explains in a little more than thirty pages the complete secret of chanting the holy name. As I read on and on, I felt his presence in my heart and was reminded of those few precious moments that every chanter knows—those moments when from the depths of the soul a little spiritual insight bursts forth and pervades one’s entire being. After such moments we scratch our head and ask, "What was that?" Searching the universe of our experience we find nothing with which to compare it. At that time we feel, "Oh, if I could just experience more of the holy name’s mercy my life would be perfect and I would need nothing else."

This book Nama Rahasya has been written to help sincere practitioners obtain access to the world of divine mercy and to empower them to chant the holy name in perfection.

I always wanted to write this little book, but I could not. I have studied the theology of the holy name for many years and have tried practicing the many wonderful insights I have received into the mystery of the holy names. Attending numerous retreats, I have also tried to share any eye-opening understandings in workshops and seminars. But still my tongue and pen became silent whenever I tried to approach some of the subjects mentioned in Nama-rahasya. What was missing? The simple answer is the mercy of guru and Krsna. These came to me in an unexpected way.

While recovering high in the mountains of Bosnia from a traumatic illness and surgery, I read Sri Caitanya Siksamrta by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. There, in the sixth chapter, which he poetically calls the "sixth rainfall," the Thakura explains in a little more than thirty pages the complete secret of chanting the holy name. As I read on and on, I felt his presence in my heart and was reminded of those few precious moments that every chanter knows—those moments when from the depths of the soul a little spiritual insight bursts forth and pervades one’s entire being. After such moments we scratch our head and ask, "What was that?" Searching the universe of our experience we find nothing with which to compare it. At that time we feel, "Oh, if I could just experience more of the holy name’s mercy my life would be perfect and I would need nothing else."

By Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s mercy I became inspired. After I had completed my reading of Sri Caitanya Siksamrta I sat down with pen and paper, prayed to Srila Prabhupada, and began to write this book. The skeleton of it took shape in a relatively short time. Still inspired, I then delivered three lectures on the themes this book contains at the Serbian summer camp, where many serious chanters had assembled. These chanters encouraged me further, both through appreciative statements and requests, that I develop the points I had discussed into a comprehensive practice manual for them. Again I sat down, went over my notes, and inserted some direct quotations relating to the actual practice of chanting. What you hold in your hands is the result.

I am telling you this because it should be clear that I cannot take credit for the wonderful knowledge you find in these pages. It has appeared here only by the blessings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Prabhupada, who I feel. placed the Thakura’s book in my hands. I pray that the learned and merciful chanters of the holy name will forgive any shortcomings they may find in my efforts and bless me to enter more deeply into the nectarean ocean of the holy name.

One last thing: Although I like to write and speak about the glories of the holy names, I am painfully aware of my misfortune. Unfortunately, I lack real attachment to the names. My only hope is to try continuously to serve the names and the Vaisnavas and to patiently and faithfully await their mercy.

This book attempts to give an overview of the inner journey to perfection. Someone might ask, justifiably, if it is possible to use a general outline to chart an individual’s journey. First let me say that general outlines are useful. It is important to learn from those who have traveled the path before us and reached the goal. Their experiences can teach us what is ahead.

Yet we must also acknowledge that each soul’s journey has its own twists and turns; each journey is highly individual. Some travelers will stay at one level for a longer time than others, others will find shortcuts on the path by obtaining special blessings, and yet others will discover traveling techniques that work well for them but may not work so well for others. So a general outline does not exclude individual experience. The Krsna-conscious life is always dependent on the very specific relationship of an individual soul with the Lord and on how the individual responds to Sri Krsna’s call to resume that relationship.

I have arranged my text in three parts corresponding to nama- sambandha, nama-abhideya, and nama-prayojana—the three divisions of Vedic knowledge in relation to the holy names. Thus part 1 is about establishing our relationship with the divine names by gaining correct understanding. Parts 2 and 3 describe the means and the end of chanting.

That having been said, I would like to conclude by encouraging my readers to take to the science of chanting in all earnestness. Universes of sweetness await us all.