Dasa-vidha Nama-aparadha

The Ten Offences to the Holy Name
(to be carefully avoided by the devotee)

By His Divine Grace
Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj
(Rendered into English by Swami Bhakti Ananda Sagar)

harinama mahamantra sarva-mantra-sara
   yandera karunabale jagate prachara
sei nama-parayana sadhu, mahajana
   tanhadera ninda na kariha kadachana [1]

Hare Krsna Mahamantra—
   of all mantras the best,
Throughout the world is preached
   by saints' potent grace behest;
Such saints to the Name devoted,
   such pure souls great:
Never dare offend them—
   never show them hate.

vrajendranandana krsna sarvesvaresvara
   mahesvara adi tanra sevana-tatpara
nama chintamani krsna-chaitanya-svarupa
   bheda-jnana na karibe lila-guna-rupa [2]

Lord Krsna, son of Nanda,
   of all lords the Leader—
The great Siva and all the gods
   serve His feet forever;
The touchstone of the Name
   is Krsna incarnate—
His pastimes, nature, form, also
   think not separate.

"guru krsna-rupa han sastrera pramane
   guru-rupe krsna krpa kare bhagyavane"
se gurute marttya-buddhi avajnadi tyaji
   ista-labha kara, nirantara nama bhaji [3]

"Guru's a form of Krsna—
   the Scriptures corroborate;
In the form of Guru,
   Krsna blesses the fortunate."
Never offend that Guru
   by thinking him mere mortal;
Gain your highest objective—
   serve the Name for time eternal.

sruti, sruti-mata saha satvata purana
   sri-nama-charana-padma kare nirajana
sei sruti-sastra yeba karaye nindana
   se aparadhira sanga karibe varjjana [4]

The Vedas with Mother Gayatri
   and Srimad-Bhagavatam
Illuminate the lotus feet
   of Sri Hari's name;
Whoever vilifies
   those Holy Vedic Scriptures—
Never keep their company,
   know them as offenders.

namera mahima sarva-sastrete vakhane
   ati-stuti, hena kabhu na bhaviha mane
agastya, ananta, brahma, sivadi satata
   ye nama-mahima-sindhu ke paibe para?
   ati-stuti bate yei—sei durachara [5]

The glories of the Name—
   all Scriptures' exaltation;
Dare not think their praise
   to be exaggeration.
Agastya, Ananta, Brahma,
   Siva, etc., ever
Sing the glories of that Name
   with full-hearted fervour.
Who can cross the ocean
   of the glories of that Name?
Whoever says 'exaggeration'
   have their sin to blame.

krsna-namavali nitya golakera dhana
   kalpita, prakrta, bhave—aparadhi-jana [6]

The Holy Names of Krsna—
   eternal wealth of Goloka:
Who thinks those Names imaginary,
   mundane—he's offender.

name sarva-papa-ksaya sarva-sastre kaya
   sara-dina papa kari sei bharasaya—
emata durbbuddhi yara sei aparadhi
   maya-pravanchita, duhkha bhunje niravadhi [7]

All Scriptures claim the Name
   all sin it can destroy.
But those who spend their time in sin
   making it a ploy— Such a wicked attitude
   is that of an offender
Deceived by illusion,
   perpetually to suffer.

atulya sri-krsna-nama purna-rasa-nidhi
   tanra sama na bhaviha subha-karma adi [8]

Incomparable Name of Krsna—
   the treasure of ecstasy:
Never dare compare it with
   auspicious piety.

name sraddha-hina-jana—vidhata-vanchita
   tare nama dane aparadha sunischita [9]

Those who're faithless t'ward the Name—
   deceived by Providence:
Giving them the Holy Name
   surely's an offence.

suniyao krsna-nama mahatmya apara
   ye priti-rahita, sei naradhama chhara
ahamta mamata yara antare bahire
   suddha krsna-nama tara kabhu nahi sphure [10]

Despite them hearing the infinite
   glories of Krsna's Name,
Those whose hearts don't melt in love
   are rascals of ill fame;
Only pride and avarice
   their thoughts and deeds do yield—
The Pure name of Krsna
   to them is ne'er revealed.

ei dasa-aparadha kariya varjjana
   ye sujana kare hari-nama sankirtana
apurva sri-krsna-prema labhya tara haya
   nama-prabhu tara hrde nitya vilasaya [11]

Casting off these ten offences,
   leaving no exception,
Those pure souls who chant the Name
   in Holy Congregation—
The miracle of love for Krsna
   they will surely savour,
The Name Divine Himself will shine
   within their hearts forever.

—Tridandi-bhiksu
Sri Bhakti Sundar Govinda

Contents


Editorial

Part One:
• Chapter One:
Vaishnava Thakur
• Chapter Two:
The Original Current
• Chapter Three:
Divine Desire and Directives

Part Two:
• First Discourse:
Descent of Knowledge
• Second Discourse:
Lessons in Giving
• Third Discourse:
Protected Journey
• Fourth Discourse:
Adjusting to His Account
• Fifth Discourse:
Present Position, Brightest Prospect
• Sixth Discourse:
Fortunate Indeed

Part Three:
• The Written Word
(Answers through Letters)
• Appendix A
• Appendix B:
The Ten Offences to the Holy Name