Will Incorrect Pronunciation of Krishna’s Names be effective?
A woman devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna Prabhuji. Prabhuji lot of katha vachaks are preaching that one should be very careful while loudly speaking Hare Krishna Mahamantra as Krishna’s name is Krishn not Krishna. Krishna is Draupadi’s name. Likewise, it is Ram not Rama, Rama is Maya. It is vedic mantra so one should be very careful.
As far as I have read and understand, Hare Krishna Mahamantra is Harinaam and Mahaprabhu didn’t impose any rules to it. There is only one rule and that is to do chanting of Harinaam and try to do it with concentration.
If personally I will not take care of utterance or will not utter word correctly will I not get Krishna Bhakti? Won’t Mahaprabhu accept all who are unable to utter Krishn?
Personally I have observed I am unable to chant because of taking care to utter Krishn that too I feel I am uttering incorrectly. Won’t Krishna bless me with his bhakti? Have I called Draupadi and Maya whole my life and not Krishn and Ram?”
REPLY:
Why not?
Do you have Krishna in your mind while chanting?
That is enough.
However, you should keep on improving the quality of pronunciation. You should not stand on excuses for ever. Purposeful mistakes are not accepted by Krishna. Innocent mistakes are always forgiven.
(What if I get the interest in Chanting only at temple, not at home? READ HERE!)
See, Chanting is recommended to keep Krishna always in our mind.
The purpose of Chanting the same Names again and again is to remain in the thoughts of Krishna all the time.
Because of the attractions and pressures of this material world that dominate our mind, we may be forced to forget Krishna.
Therefore, while performing our other duties, if we chant the Names of Krishna throughout the day, we won’t forget Krishna.
Chanting is not just a mechanical uttering of some Names. Chanting is a sincere Penance, not just a sadhana.
Chanting is to be done from the heart.
When we chant the Names of Krishna from the heart, we will always be activating the thoughts of Krishna because Krishna is residing in our heart.
Interestingly, you won’t get sufficient results though you utter the names perfectly, not from the heart, but from the lips.
At the same time, you will get good results though you utter the Names incorrectly, not from the lips, but from the heart.
(Is Performing Sandhyavandanam Compulsory for Chanting? READ HERE!)
In this world, there are thousands of languages. Those who speak one language may not be able to use the words of other languages correctly.
Even now, the devotees from the English speaking countries, African countries, etc utter the Names of Krishna differently.
Some chant even as KISNA, KEESNA, like that. Their language is like that.
But, we can’t say that they are deficient in their devotional status.
Krishna speaks using Sanskrit language. But, He is worshipped by the devotees worldwide through hundreds of languages.
Krishna can understand all those prayers in thousands of languages.
Because Krishna is the source for all the knowledge.
And, whatever language you speak, your emotions and dedication alone are observed by Krishna.
So, though you utter the names incorrectly, you can get the mercy of Krishna.
At the same time, the reason you gave for incorrect usage of words is not acceptable.
The last letter “a” in the name KRISHNA should be uttered softly. That’s all.
Chanting as KRISHNA, not as KRISHNAA is sufficient.
It is easy to use “a” softly like we use in “Krishna Caitanya”
Similarly, Chanting as “Ram” is also not difficult.
HG Damodara Vilas Das Prabhu added the following verses from Garga Samhita:
Following is the explanation of Krishna from Garga Samhita:
sadyaḥ prāṇi-pavitrāṇi
jagatāṃ maṅgalāni ca
ka-kāraḥ kamalā-kānta
ṛ-kāro rāma ity api
English translation of verse 1.15.28:
His names at once purify the living entities. His names are the auspiciousness of all the universes. In His name the letter K stands for Kamalā-kānta (the husband of the goddess of fortune). Ṛ stands for Rāma (the supreme enjoyer).
ṣa-kāraḥ ṣaḍ-guṇa-patiḥ
śvetadvīpa-nivāsa-kṛt
ṇa-kāro nārasiṃho ‘yam
a-karo hy akṣaro ‘gni-bhuk
English translation of verse 1.15.29:
Ṣ stands for Ṣaḍ-guṇa-pati (the master of six opulences) or Śvetadvīpa-nivāsa-kṛt (The Lord who resides in Śvetadvīpa). Ṇ stands for Lord Nṛsiṃha. A stands for Akṣara (the immortal) or Agni-bhuk (the Lord who enjoys the offerings of agni-hotra yajñas)
visargau ca tathā hy etau
nara-nārāyaṇāv ṛṣī
sampralīnāś ca ṣaṭ pūrṇā
yasmin cchuddhe mahātmani
English translation of verse 1.15.30:
The letter Ḥ stands for Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi. In this way these six letters combine to become the name of the pure Supreme Person.
paripūrṇatame sākṣāt
tena kṛṣṇaḥ prakīrtitaḥ
śuklo raktas tathā pīto
varṇo ‘syānu-yugaṃ dhṛtaḥ
English translation of verse 1.15.31:
In this way the Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as Kṛṣṇaḥ. In white, red, and yellow forms He appears in the yugas one after another.
So, just chant as advised above. It is possible and you will get the mercy of Krishna.
Hope you are clear whether Incorrect Chanting of Krishna’s Names be accepted by Him.
(Feeling Headache while chanting – Solutions! READ HERE)