13 Original Verses from the Scriptures on Why it will take Millions of Lifetimes to get Pure Love by Chanting Hare Krishna with Offenses

Why is it such a critical and do-or-die emergency to chant Hare Krishna offenselessly?

Here we present 11 very rare and hidden scriptural references, which you may have never read or heard before, about why we are are not attaining pure love for Krishna by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

Table of Contents

0] No one reflects on the reason for this

1] Hare Krishna mantra considers offenses

2] No Love even after many lives of Harinama

3] No Krishna after many many lives of chanting

4] The Elephant-Offense uproots Bhakti totally

5] Offensive Japa Waters the Weeds

6] Millions of Years with Offensive Chanting

7] Mountains of Offenses even after chanting for many lives

8] Krishna’s name delivers an offensive chanter only after a very long time

9] Knowing about Krishna is not enough

10] Punishment of Impersonal Liberation to Offensive Chanters

11] Offenders are Heavily Punished in Vrindavan

12] Srila Prabhupada on the Ten Offenses

13] Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the Ten Offenses

No One Reflects on the Reason for This

Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya 1.42-46 states:

“Through the scriptures, the entire world knows about the glories of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, whether they may believe it or not.

Despite this fact, why is it hardly any soul attaining pure love for Krishna? Please reflect upon this dilemma in your heart, because it is the most critical question in this rarest human form of life. Your soul’s fate literally hangs on it.”

1) Caitanya Caritamrita

Hare Krishna maha-mantra considers offenses. Hence there is no ecstasy of love for Krishna.

Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami reveals the truth about Krishna Nama in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 1.8.24:

’krsna-nama’ kare aparadhera vichara; krsna balile aparadhira na haya vikara.

Translation: “There are ten stringent offenses which are strictly and constantly considered (vichara) by the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Therefore, no one experiences the true ecstatic transformations of love by offensively chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, even for many many lives.”

2) Caitanya Caritamrita

We may not get love even by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra repeatedly for many lives due to our offenses

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 1.8.29-30 warns us about the root cause of our lack of love for Krishna, which persists even after chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra for many many lives:

hena krsna-nama yadi, laya bahu-bara; tabu yadi prema nahe, nahe asrudhara.

tabe jani, aparadha, tahate prachura; krsna-nama-bija tahe, na kare ankura.

Translation: “Even after chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra repeatedly (bahu bara) for many many lives if one does not experience pure love for Krishna with tears of love flowing from one’s eyes, then one should be intelligent enough to understand that one is constantly committing the ten offenses against Harinama in gigantic proportions (prachura).”

“And this is the reason why the seed of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is not sprouting even a little bit in our heart even after chanting for so many lives.”

3) Caitanya Caritamrita

One will not get pure love even after many many lives if one offensively hears, chants, or sings the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and Radha Krishna’s pastimes

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 1.8.16 exposes the truth why we will never attain pure love for Krishna’s lotus feet by offensively chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra:

bahu janma kare yadi, sravana, kirtana; tabu ta’ na paya krsna-pade prema-dhana

Translation: “Even if we, for many many lifetimes (bahu janme), hear (sravana) Radha Krishna’s pastimes and sincerely chant (japa) and sing (kirtana) the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, we will still (tabu ta) never receive (na paya) the treasure of pure love for Krishna’s lotus feet, due to our ten offenses in chanting.”

4) Caitanya Caritamrita

The very first offense in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra totally uproots the seed of love of Krishna forever

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 2.19.156 explains the most heinous and insurmountable offense in the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra:

yadi vaisnava-aparadha, uthe hati mata; upade va chinde tara sukhi’ yaya pata.

Translation: “The mad-elephant-offense of harboring a critical mentality towards devotees in our mind and through our words or actions is the primary offense against the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”

“It totally uproots our Bhakti plant from the very root and utterly squashes it to smithereens. As a result, the leaves entirely shrivel up (upade) and the whole Bhakti creeper dies (chinde).”

5) Caitanya Caritamrita

Our Offensive Japa waters the Weeds which choke up the pure Hare Krishna maha-mantra

Due to the all-choking weeds of both of our gross and subtle offenses against the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, the seed of the pure Name of Krishna never sprouts in our heart.

Thus, unfortunately, our same offensive chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is watering both these huge weeds and our tiny bhakti creeper at the same time.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 2.19.157-161 uncovers how our offensive Hare Krishna mantra chanting waters the weeds and eventually chokes up our Bhakti totally:

tate mali yatna kari’, kare avarana; aparadha-hastira jaiche na haya udgama.

kintu yadi latara sange, uthe ‘upashakha’; bhukti-mukti-vancha yata, asankhya tara lekha.

’nishiddhachara’, ‘kutinati’, ‘jiva-himsana’; ‘labha’, ‘puja’, ‘pratisthadi’, jata upasakha-gana.

seka-jala pana upashakha badi’ yaya; stabdha hana mula-sakha badite na paya.

prathamei upashakhara, karaye chedana; tabe mula-shakha badi’ yaya vrndavana.

Translation: “Even if the gardener (sadhaka) tries to very meticulously construct protective fencing for guarding against the ten offenses to the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, still there is no guarantee that this mad elephant offense of criticism will not arise in his or her heart.” (Cc 2.19.157)

“In addition to this mad-elephant offense, there are other very grievous weed-like offenses which subtly take birth in our hearts due to our offensive chanting of Harinama.”

“These desires are in the form of indulging in harmful desires, liberation into the impersonal brahman, and so on. They become present in infinite numbers in our heart.” (Cc 2.19.158)

“Other such extremely dangerous yet hidden weeds are as follows: indulging in prohibited activities; deceitfulness; violence towards other living entities by our mind, words, and deeds; greed for mundane profit; craving to be worshiped by followers; yearning to become famous and be praised; etc. etc.” (Cc 2.19.159)

“The very same water of our offensive chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and our offensive hearing, singing, and remembering of Radha Krishna’s pastimes also nourishes and causes these harmful weeds to grow more luxuriantly.”

“Due to this infestation problem, gradually our main bhakti creeper gets totally choked up and cannot grow at all anymore. And eventually it is totally uprooted.” (Cc 2.19.160)

“So the only hope for our main creeper of Bhakti to grow without any such obstacles is to find a way to cut each and every one of these weeds of our constant offenses against the Hare Krishna maha-mantra right at the very onset.“

“This is the only way to stop them from growing at all. Only then will the resulting offenseless Hare Krishna maha-mantra chanting grant us entry into the real Vrindavana Dhama.” (Cc 2.19.161)

Bhaktiratna Bhashya:

Unfortunately in Kaliyuga, we don’t have the strength to even identify these weeds. What to speak of trying to constantly study about them to always remaining mindful about not indulging in the ten offenses.

We are so weak that we are not able to conscientiously cut these infinite weeds which are infesting and growing so big in our hearts by our offensive chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

These weeds are growing so rapidly by receiving the very same water of our offensive chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra which we are so “innocently” and foolishly pouring on them daily, thinking that we are actually nourishing our creeper of devotion.

Always remember that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has stated that these ten offenses to the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra are the greatest sins which any soul can ever commit in the whole creation.

Because the Holy Name is the most powerful and merciful, there is absolutely no way at all to atone for these ten offenses against the Name Himself.

The Holy Name destroys all normal mundane sins. But how can the sins against the Holy Name Prabhu Himself be destroyed?

Hence the punishment for them is guaranteed to be quite severe even for the most sincere of Hare Krishna chanters who are still chanting offensively.

This stringent punishment inflicted on us due to our ten offense against Harinama is the most formidable of all reactions in creation.

It is totally irrevocable and unforgivable in comparison to even the normal mundane sins of this world, which are in fact atoneable and which are anyways destroyed simply by uttering the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

6) Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

Millions upon millions of years will pass with no love for Krishna if we chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra offensively

In Sri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya Chapter 10.33, the personified holy place Shri Pushkara Tirtharaja personally warns his great devotee brahmana in Navadvipa about this impending danger as follows:

koti-koti varsha dhari, sri-krsna-bhajana; tathapi namete rati, na paya durjana.

Translation: “Even if one carries on chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and worships Lord Shri Krishna sincerely for millions upon millions of years (koti koti varsha), still one will not attain spontaneous relish and attraction for the holy names. Why? Simply because one is committing the ten offenses against the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”

7) Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

If it is offensive, even many many lives of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra chanting is not enough to give us love for Krishna

Shri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya 1.45 divulges the reason why we don’t feel pure love for Krishna even after chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra for many many lives:

bahu janma krsna bhaji’, prema nahi haya; aparadha-punja ta’ra, achaye nishchaya.

Translation: “Even after worshiping Sri Krishna through the sincere chanting of His Hare Krishna maha-mantra for many many lives (bahu janme), still the soul is not able to attain pure love for Lord Krishna at all.”

“The simple reason for this obvious fact, without a doubt, is that there are mountains upon mountains of previous and present ten offenses to Harinama in our heart. All these offenses have accumulated in our hearts in colossal proportions from time immemorial.”

8) Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

Krishna’s name and Krishna’s abode may deliver only after a very very long time if offenses are present in our hearts

Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya 6.89 unmasks the real truth why Krishna’s names, pastimes, and abode may deliver us only after a very very long time if we chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra offensively:

jadi aparadha thake, sadhakera mane; krsna-name, krsna-dhame, tare bahu-dine.

Translation: “If the ten offenses (namaparadhas) in the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and the ten offenses (dhamaparadhas) in residing in Vrindavan dhama are present in the heart of a sincere Hare Krishna chanter or a resident of Vraja dhama, then there is no guarantee that either of Them will ever be able to truly deliver that practitioner even after a very very long time (bahu dine).”

9) Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

Even though everyone knows about Krishna and chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, still no one is experiencing pure love for Krishna

The very first chapter of Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya 1.42-46 does not hold anything back in exposing the least talked about bitter truth which very few devotees want to discuss.

krsna-nama krsna-dhama-mahatmya apara; shastrera dvaraya jane sakala samsara (42)

Translation: “Through all the revealed scriptures, the entire world knows that the glories of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and Krishna’s abode are unlimited.”

tabu krsna-prema sadharane nahi paya; ihara karana kiba chintaha hiyaya. (43)

Translation: “Despite this obvious fact, why is it that hardly anyone is attaining pure love for Krishna? Kindly do reflect upon this mystery in your heart as it is the most critical question in this rarest human form of life. The reply to this question might be your only hope.”

ihate ache ta’ eka gudha-tattva-sara; maya-mugdha jiva taha na kare vichara. (44)

Translation: “Behind this question is a profound and most closely-guarded truth, which all the living entities and even devotees who are bewildered by the illusory energy do not wish to deliberate upon. It is as follows.”

bahu janma krsna bhaji’ prema nahi haya; aparadha-punja ta’ra achaye nishchaya. (45)

Translation: “If someone does not attain pure love for Krishna even after worshiping and chanting the Hare Krishna mantra for many lifetimes, it is pretty obvious that such a person has committed and is still committing infinite mountains of the ten offenses against Harinama.”

aparadha-shunya ha’ye laya krsna-nama; tabe jiva krsna-prema labhe avirama. (46)

Translation: “If a living entity was truly chanting the Hare Krishna mantra without offenses, he or she should be already constantly experiencing pure love for Krishna by now without any obstacles.”

10) Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

Offenders to the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and Vraja dhama may attain impersonal liberation, which is worse than hell and all other punishments

In Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya 6.86, Lord Nitai Himself discloses to Srila Jiva Goswami the stark truth about the punishments which we get by committing offenses:

vraja-tattva navadvipa-tattve dekhe bheda; krsna-aparadhi labhe nirvana abheda.

Translation: “Just see the difference between Vraja Lila and Navadvipa-Ekachakra Lila.”

“Offenders to Lord Krishna in the form of His Vraja Dhama and His Holy Names are punished to become one with the brahmajyoti (niravana abheda) of the Lord for zillions of years and thus lose the chance to practice Bhakti for a very very long time.”

11) Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

Offenders to Krishna’s abode and name are called daityas or demons and are punished heavily

Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya 1.56 bares the difficult to accept truth about the punishment for our offenses towards Vrindavan dhama and Harinama:

anyanya tirthera katha, rakha bhai dure; aparadhi daitya danda, paya vraja poore.

Translation: “What to speak of all the other holy places in creation, even in the topmost Vrindavan dhama of Lord Krishna, the souls offensive to Krishna’s abode and holy names are considered as demons (daitya) and punished (danda) for committing these offenses.”

Srila Prabhupada on the 10 offenses to Hare Krishna

Caitanya Caritamrta

It is very difficult to achieve pure love of Krishna by offensively chanting the Hare Krishna mantra

The following open purport by Srila Prabhupada to Sri Caitanya Caritamrta 1.8.31 makes this fact crystal clear without leaving any ambiguity at all. But still we conveniently refuse to see it as it is, read it, understand it, contemplate on it, or do anything about it.

“There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra… If one chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will be 🔥 very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service to the Lord.”

“Unless one is very fortunate, he should not be induced to worship Radha Krishna directly. A neophyte student who is not sufficiently educated or enlightened 🔥 should not indulge in the worship of Śrī Radha and Krishna or the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Even if he does so, he cannot get the desired result.”

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the 10 offenses to Hare Krishna

Caitanya Caritamrta

The Hare Krishna maha-mantra awards love for Krishna to only the eternally pure, offenseless, and liberated souls but never to the offensive souls

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura elucidates this subject very clearly in his Anubhashya commentary to the same Sri Caitanya Caritamrta 1.8.31 verse:

krishna-nama aparadhera vichara karena. aparadhi krishna-nama grahana karilei kakhanei nama-phala labha karena na. krishnaunmukera uccharya krishna-nama anarthayukta avasthaya kakhanei phala pradana kare na.

“The Hare Krishna mantra considers our offenses. Due to this fact, an offensive chanter of the Hare Krishna mantra will never ever (kakhanei) be able to attain the fruit of chanting, which is pure love for Krishna.”

“The Hare Krishna mantra, which is purely utterable only by the rarest souls who are offenselessly surrendered to Krishna, will never ever (kakhanei) award Krishna’s love to a soul offensive to Harinama.”

krishnera udarta kevala mukta, siddha ashritajana ganera upara. sadhaka shikshara apraptite siddhabhimane krishna-namera seva karite udyata haile tahara anarthaei asiya upasthita haya.

“The Hare Krishna maha-mantra shows magnanimity only and exclusively (kevala) on the fully liberated (mukta) and perfectly (siddha) surrendered souls who are totally free from these ten offenses to Harinama.”

“But, due to not receiving pure spiritual guidance, a foolish Hare Krishna chanter, under the influence of false ego and pride, directly jumps into the indulgence (udyata) of the offensive chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra without thinking.”

“What he or she finds is that due to this foolishness, the harmful inclinations (anarthas) have actually increased rapidly instead of decreasing, because of the offensive chanting.”

“And eventually, these ten offenses quickly end up totally destroying even the little relish which was there initially in the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”