So this Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Rāma means direct connection with the paraṁ brahma.
- nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
- caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
- pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
- abhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ
- (CC Madhya 17.133)
These things are to be understood, that nāma-nāminaḥ abhinnatvān, identical. So when we chant "Kṛṣṇa," "Hare," "Rāma," they are directly connection with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even though we do not know how to chant, there are, according to śāstric, I mean to say, injunctions, there are ten kinds of offenses. When we avoid that offenses, then it is pure chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. So even if we chant with offenses in the beginning—it cannot be free of offenses—still it will act. Just like you come near the fire, you can feel the warmth, and with direct touch it becomes red hot. So we have to be in touch with the fire, then gradually we become warmer, warmer, warmer, warmer and red hot, red hot.
Just like another example: just like you take a lead, iron rod and keep in touch with the fire. It becomes warm, warmer, warmest, then gradually the iron rod becomes red hot. When it is red hot, then it is fire. You touch that iron rod anywhere, it will burn. The quality of fire is already acquired. Similarly, if you keep always in touch with Kṛṣṇa:
- smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur
- vismartavyo na jātucit
- sarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syur
- etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ
- (Bṛhat-sahasra-nāma-stotra)