Krishna Is Not Different from His Name



He Is Far, Far Away, Yet He Is Nearest With Us in His Holy Name

Krishna, the transcendental holy name of God, has all potencies, Lord Chaitanya said. Krishna has unlimited potencies and similarly in the holy name of Krishna, there are unlimited potencies. Krishna has thousands and thousands of names, of which the name Krishna is the chief, and there are no hard and fast rules for chanting. It is not that one must chant at a certain time. No. At any time one may chant. Furthermore, Krishna's name is identical with Krishna Himself. Therefore, the holy name of Krishna is Krishna.

 

We should not think that Krishna is living in His abode, Goloka Vrindavana, and that His name is different from Him. In the material world, of course, in the material conception, a name is different from the fact it represents. But in the absolute world, there are no such differences. The name is as potent as Krishna is.

 

We have a tongue, and if we use this tongue to ochant Hare Krishna, we shall immediately come directly in touch with Krishna, because the name Krishna and the person Krishna are not different. We may think that Krishna is far, far away, but in fact, Krishna is within us. He is far away, but at the same time, He is the nearest. But, even if we think that Krishna is far, far away, His name is present. We can chant Hare Krishna, and Krishna will immediately become available. Krishna is available in this easy way, for which there are no hard and fast rules. We can chant at any time and immediately get Krishna. Just see the mercy of Krishna!

- Srila Prabhupada in Teachings of Queen Kunti

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