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An interesting incident took place in a village called Harigram. Harinidhi, a pundit was angered on seeing Haridas chant the Mahãmantra incessantly in a loud manner. He protested saying, “A Muslim by birth, this man has no right to chant the divine Names of the Lord. The devotees who worship him are also sinners. Poverty, death, fear and other calamities prevail in places where people who are not worthy of reverence as per the shastras are worshipped.” He then snapped at Haridas, “Stop chanting! Your ways would bring evil to the country.”

Haridas replied, “Oh! Worthy Brahmin! What do I know of the intricacy of the shastras? But I have heard from pundits like you that only the right to learn Vedas is exclusive to the Brahmins. Bhãgavatam says that by chanting the Lord’s Names, even people belonging to the most inferior castes like Kirata, Huna, Pulindha, Ãbhira, Yavana, other forest-dwellers and nomads get purified.

Kirãta Huunandhra Pulinda Pulkasã Ãbhrakankãyavanah Khasãdayah |
Ye(a)nye cha papa yadapãsrayãsrayãh shudhyanthi tasmai prabhavishnave namah ||

Hearing this reply that was in accordance to the shastras, the pundit said, “Fine! It may be true that everybody has the right to chant the Lord’s Names. But what is the use of chanting it so loudly? The shastras speak of three types of chanting - Mãnasika (with the mind), upãmsu (in an undertone) and vãchika (chanting verbally). Among these Mãnasika japa is considered superior. Your chanting belongs to the category called ‘Vaikhari’. It is considered as the most inferior type. You’d better chant mentally!”

With all humility, Haridas bowed his head and said, “Maharaj! I do not know anything of my own. I have listened to certain subtle facts about shastras from my Guru, Sri Advaitãchãrya. Mãnasika japa which you mentioned as the superior among the three types of chanting applies only to mantras that are obtained duly through initiation from a Guru. It has to be chanted secretively as per the injunctions of the shastras and in a neat place only. There is also a restriction that it should not be publicised or made known to others. But the shastras have not spoken of any rules or regulations regarding chanting of the Divine Names. They say that it can be chanted at all times, in all places, in any state and in front of everyone. Other mantras impart greatness when chanted softly But, Bhagavan Nãma has to be chanted aloud to reap all its benefits. One who chants softly purifies only his own self but one who chants aloud purifies all those who hear it and even the inanimate objects around him!'”

To be continued...

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