Congregational chanting of the holy name is my favorite devotional service. Supremely authorized, it’s
Srimad-Bhagavatam’s
dharma for this age, meant to please Lord Caitanya, who demonstrated it daily. Caitanya declared it the prime benediction for humanity and the life of all transcendental knowledge, increasing the ocean of transcendental bliss and letting us fully taste the nectar we always want. Narottama dasa Thakura says it’s imported from God’s abode, where
Brahma-samhita states every word is a song and every step, a dance.
We advertise spiritual pleasure surpasses material. Through our public chanting we mercifully share spiritual joy with those unaware, letting them pursue it.
A cruising teenager spotted jolly devotees dancing downtown. He thought, “That’s what I should be doing.” In two weeks he joined the temple, then became initiated by Srila Prabhupada, and still loves to chant.
Harinama sankirtana is pleasurable, accessible, and spiritually uplifting, for both ourselves and others.
