First in a two part series by HH Giriraj Swami. This is a Lecture from the Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila, Chapter 15, Texts 102-106.
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CC Madhya 15.102: After this, Ramananda Vasu and Satyaraja Khan both submitted questions at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
CC Madhya 15.103: Satyaraja Khan said, "My dear Lord, being a householder and a materialistic man, I do not know the process of advancing in spiritual life. I therefore submit myself unto Your lotus feet and request You to give me orders."
CC Madhya 15.104: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "Without cessation continue chanting the holy name of Lord Krsṇa. Whenever possible, serve Him and His devotees, the Vaiṣṇavas."
CC Madhya 15.105: Upon hearing this, Satyaraja said, "How can I recognize a Vaiṣṇava? Please let me know what a Vaiṣṇava is. What are his common symptoms?"
CC Madhya 15.106: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "Whoever chants the holy name of Krsṇa just once is worshipable and is the topmost human being.
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura says that a person who simply chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa once becomes perfect and should be regarded as a Vaishṇava. This is confirmed by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Upadeshamṛta (5): krsṇeti yasya giri taḿ manasadriyeta. With such faith in the holy name one may begin a life of Krsna consciousness. But an ordinary person cannot chant the holy name of Krsna with such faith. One should accept the holy name of Krsna to be identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Transcendence Himself. As the Padma Purana states, "The holy name of Krsna is identical with Krsṇa and is like a cintamaṇi gem, a touchstone. That name is Krsna personified in sound and is therefore perfectly transcendental and eternally liberated from material contamination." Thus one should understand that the name "Krsna" and Krsna Himself are identical. Having such faith, one must continue to chant the holy name.
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