Shloka 20
The Glory of the Divine Name and the Doctrine of Name-Offenses
Nāma-aparādha
अपराधविमुक्तो हि नाम्नि जप्तं सदा चर । नाम्नैव तव देवर्षे सर्वं सेत्स्यति नान्यतः
aparādhavimukto hi nāmni japtaṃ sadā cara | nāmnaiva tava devarṣe sarvaṃ setsyati nānyataḥ
ฉะนั้น เมื่อพ้นจากอปราธแล้ว จงปฏิบัติชปะแห่งพระนามอยู่เสมอ โอ้ เทวฤๅษี ด้วยพระนามเท่านั้น ทุกสิ่งของท่านจักสำเร็จ—มิใช่ด้วยหนทางอื่น
Unspecified (context-dependent within Brahma-khaṇḍa 4.25; speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Offense-free nāma-japa, practiced constantly, is the decisive upāya; by the Name alone all spiritual aims are accomplished, not by alternative strategies rooted in ego or mere ritualism.
Application: Set a daily japa quota with mindful attention; when distracted or reactive, return to the Name as the primary remedy; prioritize offense-avoidance (speech, attitude toward devotees).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devarṣi sits beside a quiet riverbank at dawn, counting tulasī beads as each syllable becomes a small golden lotus rising into the air. Behind him, ritual implements fade into mist, while the luminous Name forms a bridge of light leading toward a distant Vaikuṇṭha horizon—signaling ‘by no other means’.","primary_figures":["a devarṣi (Nārada-like sage)","Vishnu (as distant Vaikuṇṭha radiance)","Tulasi-devi (as beads/plant presence)"],"setting":"Riverbank hermitage with a tulasī plant, japa-mālā, and faintly visible abandoned ritual paraphernalia dissolving into fog.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["pale gold","river silver","tulasi green","saffron","soft violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage seated on a lotus pedestal with a tulasī-mālā, each bead rendered with tiny gold leaf highlights; a radiant nāma-bridge in thick gold leaf arcs to a Vaikuṇṭha gateway; rich maroon and emerald borders, ornate arch, gem-like accents on the mala and halo.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene dawn river scene, delicate brushwork on ripples and reeds; the sage’s japa releases small lotus-shaped syllables drifting upward; distant celestial city in soft pastel haze; refined facial features and calm posture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized river and lotus motifs, bold outlines; central figure with large expressive eyes holding japa beads; a simplified golden path labeled by script-like motifs leading to a Vaikuṇṭha emblem; warm reds/yellows/greens.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a large central lotus filled with nāma-script petals; the sage at the base with tulasī beads; border of tulasī leaves, peacocks, and floral vines; deep blue background with gold highlights emphasizing ‘nāma alone’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft flowing water","distant conch shell","long pauses between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नाम्नैव = नाम्ना + एव; नान्यतः = न + अन्यतः.
FAQs
It presents nāma-japa as a complete and sufficient spiritual practice: when done without offenses, the Divine Name alone is said to bring about success in all aims.
It implies chanting with reverence and integrity—avoiding disrespect, hypocrisy, or harmful conduct that contradicts devotion—so the practice remains spiritually effective.
The verse emphasizes sincerity over substitute methods: spiritual attainment is linked to faithful practice of the Name rather than relying on alternate strategies that bypass inner transformation.