the shrine of devotional service are: 1) the association of saintly persons during spiritual discussions; and 2) work performed without desire for results in which everything is offered to the Supreme Lord. In Kali-yuga both have become contaminated. Genuine saintly persons, now rarely seen, have been displaced by a brand of crass, commercial pseudo-spiritualists. Religious activities are no longer performed for purifying the consciousness but for mere enjoyment of the results. Therefore these secondary paths are no longer beneficial. Even the process of Deity worship that gave the highest spiritual success in Dvapara-yuga has become impure and degraded.

"The jivas then tried other means to reach the final destination but were confronted with many insurmountable obstacles. The path that directs one to the goal is the actual means, and what is gained by the execution of the means or process is the final destination. Receiving the Lord's mercy is the goal of human life. But karma or jnana are not the pre-eminent means to achieve that highest goal, because although they bring one close to the destination, in the end they suddenly reach a dead end and disappear.

If you wrongly identify yourself with your body—your senses—you will erroneously conclude that you can achieve happiness through material sense gratification.
Chris Butler Speaks

The prime process: chanting the holy name

"The process of chanting the holy name is not like that. The Lord's holy name is always present, therefore it is the most efficient process. When the means becomes the end, the process becomes identical to the objective, and thus it is easy for the jivas to attain liberation by Your mercy. In my case, O Lord, it is different: I am extremely fallen and am much engrossed in material life. Being the rascal I am, I never chanted Your holy name."

Saying this, Srila Haridasa, the incarnation of Lord Brahma, fell at the Lord's feet with tears cascading from his eyes and his body heaving with sighs. Only persons who appreciate Lord Hari, His devotees, and devotional service can take this Harinama Cintamani to heart.