Assessment of Chitta-Vikshep,
distractions of the Mind & Seva-Aparadhas,
offenses in the course of serving Krishna
“Even if material thoughts arise during the process of chanting the Holy Name,
please do not allow any slackness in chanting”
All glories to Sri Sri Krishna Chaitanya Chandra!
Sri Dham Mayapur,
15th Padmanabha,
429 Sri Gaurabda
Dearest –
I have received your letter dated 5th Padmanabha. Expecting that writing an extensive letter in reply would take quite a bit of time, this letter has been delayed and so now I am writing briefly. I was very glad to know that you have come to the realization that chanting Sri Krishna Nama, the Holy Name of Krishna, with eagerness and perseverance invokes all auspiciousness. Even if material thoughts arise during the process of chanting the Holy Name, please do not allow any slackness in chanting. As a secondary consequence of chanting the Holy Name, gradually such useless thoughts will be eliminated, in regards to this, you do not need to be concerned or troubled. This result cannot be expected in the beginning. But when one experiences great pleasure by chanting the Name of Sri Krishna, the temptation of material thoughts will eventually be reduced. Without having extreme eagerness and attachment towards the Holy Name of Krishna, how can one expect to get rid of material thoughts?
Foreign sugar and mixed ghee are impure. Our native refined sugar and unadulterated ghee are pure. Both pure and impure things are just material substances. Be it pure or impure, if one does not offer it to the Supreme Lord with a feeling of love from the heart, the Lord does not accept anything. Hence, while performing services, it is necessary to ensure that we are not committing any Seva-aparadha, offenses. By carefully serving the Holy Name with one’s body, mind, and words, the all-auspicious form of Sri Nami, i.e, Sri Krishna, the possessor of the Holy Name, become revealed before us.
I hope your devotional practices are going on nicely.
Your ever well-wisher,
Sri Siddhanta Saraswati
