Is initiation required for chanting the Holy Name? (Q&A)

Is initiation required for chanting the Holy Name?

Answer

No, initiation is not required to chant the Holy name and be successful in chanting.

<< CC Madhya 15.107

Evidence

“One does not have to undergo initiation or execute the activities required before initiation. One simply has to vibrate the holy name with his lips. Thus even a man in the lowest class [caṇḍāla] can be delivered. CC Madhya 15.108

Sanskrit

dīkṣā-puraścaryā-vidhi apekṣā nā kare
jihvā-sparśe ā-caṇḍāla sabāre uddhāre

dīkṣā—initiation; puraścaryā—activities before initiation; vidhi—regulative principles; apekṣā—reliance on; nā—not; kare—does; jihvā—the tongue; sparśe—by touching; ā-caṇḍāla—even to the lowest of men, the caṇḍāla; sabāre—everyone; uddhāre—delivers.

PURPORT

[…] “one cannot engage in Vedic rituals without being initiated and having a sacred thread.” […]

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/madhya/15/108

Analysis

• Clearly Mahaprabhu states there is no initiation required to be delivered.
• The words of Mahaprabhu cannot be overruled, according to Bhaktivinode Thakur.
• diksa-purascarya-vidhi = initiation, activities before initiation, regulative principles
• puraścaryā — activities before initiation — CC Madhya 15.108
• puraścaryām — regulative principles before initiation — CC Madhya 15.110

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