Sri Harinama Cintamani :: Chapter 3 (part 2)
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Sri Harinama Cintamani :: Chapter 3 (part 2)
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rooted in rati or attraction and is offenseless as well, then gradual- ly it will lead to the pure name.

Two kinds of namabhasa: chaya and pratibimba

"The scriptures are filled with words like namabhasa, vaisnava-abhasa, sraddha-abhasa, rati-abhasa, prema-abhasa, mukti-abhasa, etc. The suffix -abhasa has a special meaning and is of versatile application. Let us discuss this now. Factually, abhasa (faint or indistinct presence) is of two sorts: svarupa-abhasa and pratibimba-abhasa. Svarupa-abhasa is the partial infiltration of the full brilliance; for example, on a cloudy day the light of the sun is present, but the full brilliance of the sun is shaded by the clouds. Now, in its first stage of appearance, namabhasa is shadowy. Still, it is of immense benefit to humanity; it is known as chaya-namabhasa or 'the faint shadowy name'. The way to the shadowy name is opened by chaya-sraddhabhasa or the faint shadow of sraddha (faith).


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"On the other hand, pratibimba-abhasa reflects a distorted image of the real object, just as sunlight is misrepresented when reflected off the surface of water. This distorted reflection allows only inaccurate perception of the original source of light. Pratibimba-namabhasa appears when the rays of the holy name reflect off the lake of mayavadi thought, bequeathing sayujya-mukti upon the mayavadis who chant it. However, this will fail to generate the quintessence of chanting: krsna-prema. Indeed, this namabhasa is a major namaparadha; therefore it cannot really be counted as a namabhasa at all. Chaya-namabhasa or svarupa- namabhasa is the real namabhasa, and is subdivided into four categories, as described above. The scriptures, while praising namabhasa, profusely condemn pratibimba namabhasa. Chaya- namabhasa is had as a result of chanting the holy name with anarthas born of ignorance. But the chanting of the holy name with anarthas nurtured by wicked and perverted knowledge produces pratibimba namabhasa; it is considered a terrible obstacle to devotional service and a heinous offense.