For the devotees of Krishna- what are the 3 stages of chanting or naam bhajan?

Question

Pls give the difference in the 3 stages of chanting quoting from shastra and no speculation pls

Answer 1

1=Nama-aparadha - offensive chanting of the holy name, or chanting of the holy name which is subject to the ten kinds of nama-aparadha.

2=Namabhasa - a semblance of the holy name. The stage of chanting in which one is becoming cleared of sins and offenses but has not yet attained pure chanting.

3=Suddha-nama - pure chanting of the holy name. When one is freed from all offenses and anarthas, the pure holy name descends and appears on the fully purified and transcendental senses – known thus as suddha-nama.

-Suddha-nama means taking nama with a favorable attitude, while remaining free from all material desire (anyabhilasa), and from coverings of jnana, karma and so on. To desire the supreme bliss that comes when the transcendental nature of nama manifests clearly is not anyabhilasa(other material desires). All kinds of desires apart from that –such as the desire to be free from sins and to gain liberation – are certainly anyabhilasa. There will be no suddha-nama so long as anyabhilasa remains; one will not receive suddha-nama as long as he still desires the fruits of performing jnana, karma, yoga and so on.


Just as nama is the highest truth, so nama-aparadha (offense against sri-nama) is the most frightening of all kinds of sins and offenses. All other kinds of sins and offenses go away naturally and automatically as one utters sri-nama, but nama-aparadha does not go away so easily. In the description of the glories of sri-nama in the Padma Purana, Svarga-khanda (48, 49) it is said:

nama-aparadha-yuktanam namany eva haranty agham
avisranta-prayuktani tany evartha-karani ca

For those infected with nama-aparadha, sri-nama will certainly remove the sin, provided the sadhakas chant tirelessly and unremittingly. Sri-nama Himself will effect their deliverance.


Just see, it is so difficult to destroy nama-aparadha. Therefore, one must avoid nama-aparadha when one chants sri-nama. If one tries hard to stop committing nama-aparadha, suddha-nama will manifest very quickly.

Answer 2

There are no hard and fast rules for chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. One can chant anywhere, anytime, in any situation. In fact, the Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya-lila, 20.18) describes that chanting the holy name at any time or place, even during sleep or while eating, brings one all perfection. However, there are different stages of chanting. The first stage of chanting is the offensive stage, the second stage is offenseless chanting, and then is the third or pure stage of chanting, which is when the chanting becomes extremely powerful.

The proper way to chant is to give up all of our internal thoughts. But, it is almost impossible to meditate on the void and empty our mind of all thinking. Our mind is always being pulled here and there by something. But the chanting process is easy because we simply concentrate on the mantra. However, our meditation on the mantra will be most effective if we can avoid the internal dialogue we always have within our mind. We should not be chanting while we make plans for the day, or while focusing our attention on other things. The maha-mantra is the Supreme in the incarnation of sound. Therefore, we must chant with complete respect and veneration. We must give the mantra our full attention, otherwise it is offensive. The process is to simply chant and hear. That is all. If we can do that, then we will make rapid progress and quickly attain the second stage of chanting, which is the offenseless stage.

As one progresses through the second stage, a person begins to get a taste for the chanting, and begins to feel the nectar of joy and bliss within the names. As a person enters the third or pure stage of chanting, the layers of ignorance that keeps one from realizing their spiritual identity are peeled away. At the fullest point, one gains direct perception of their spiritual identity and relationship with God, and is immediately liberated while still in the material body. The Lord reveals Himself to such a sincere devotee and the devotee relishes the taste of transcendental life. As Srila Rupa Gosvami states in his Sri Upadesamrita (text 7), everything about Krishna is spiritually sweet, such as His names, qualities, and activities. But one who suffers from the disease of ignorance cannot taste this sweetness. Yet by chanting the names everyday, a person can destroy this disease and relish the natural sweetness of Krishna's names.

Answer 3

Three Stages of Chanting

There are three stages of chanting: The first stage is the offensive chanting of the holy name, and the second is the reflective stage of chanting the holy name. The third stage is the offenseless chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

"There are three stages in chanting the holy name of the Lord. The first stage is the offensive chanting of the holy name, and the second is the reflective stage of chanting the holy name. The third stage is the offenseless chanting of the holy name of the Lord. In the second stage only, the stage of reflection, between the offensive and offenseless stages, one automatically attains the stage of emancipation. And in the offenseless stage, one actually enters into the kingdom of God, although physically he may apparently be within the material world. To attain the offenseless stage, one must be on guard in the following manner.[guard against the ten offenses of chanting]" [purport, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.30]-

Answer 4

BEST ANSWER BY NARKESU

Answer 5

i WOULD LIKE IF I COULD