CHANT OF GOD NAME

To cultivate a bountiful crop in the field of chanting the divine GOD name, the first and foremost requirement is righteous conduct. Good conduct is like the fence that protects the field. The second essential element is a pure heart — it is like fertile, soft, and rich soil. Just as stones and weeds must be removed from the land, our hearts too must be cleared of hatred, jealousy, and malice. Once the heart is cleansed, the importance of chanting the divine name becomes evident. Chanting the name is like sowing the seed into this prepared soil. This seed must be pure and unselfish — that is, chanting should not be done with worldly desires. The best kind of seed is chanting done solely for the sake of the Name itself.

Following that, spiritual pilgrimages, blessings from saints, and their grace are also necessary. These elements are like irrigation canals that bring water to the field. They help in nurturing the crop. Yet, the most crucial factor is divine grace — and that is like rain. Rainwater has a unique quality beyond what any canal can offer. But the coming of rain is not in our control. We can draw water for irrigation from wells, lakes, or rivers, but we cannot command the rain to fall. Thus, even if a farmer has maintained his field well and sown the best seeds, the absence of rain can still hinder the crop from flourishing.

However, the field of chanting the divine name has a special quality. It possesses an inner magnetic power — a kind of spiritual pull. So, efforts made here are never wasted. Take two farmers: one is diligent and prepares his field on time, the other is lazy and neglects it. When rain finally falls, only the prepared field will thrive; the neglected one won’t benefit. Divine grace showers on all alike, but only those who are inwardly ready will truly receive it. This same principle applies to both worldly life and spiritual practice. God and saints are impartial — they do not differentiate between people. When we are ready, divine grace naturally flows to us. It is our responsibility to cultivate the right inner attitude to be deserving of that grace.

Saints can only guide us — it’s up to us to understand and act upon their teachings. If it appears that saints show partiality, the cause lies within us, not them. When we chant the divine name with a pure heart, we will surely experience the grace of the Divine.