Chanting Bhagavān’s name at the time of death

Q: If we chant Bhagavān’s name at the time of death, will it give its result?

A: Bhagavān’s name gives its result whenever it is chanted – whether at the time of death or at another time.

Q: But is chanting more effective at the time of death?

A: We tend to see things mechanically. We think that chanting 16 names is less effective than chanting 108 names. Chanting one round is less effective than chanting 64 rounds. But this is a misunderstanding. Such rules do not apply to the name.

Q: Then why is there so much emphasis on chanting the name at the time of death? If it is not special?

A: Chanting at the time of death brings the result guaranteed. Chanting at other times does not if offenses are present.

Q: Is that why when someone is about to die, people get together to do kīrtana so that they can get the result even if they are not free from offenses?

A: Well, it is not so simple. The rule is that the person himself must chant the name, and not someone else. But to chant the name at the time of death, one has to be free from offenses, else one cannot chant at that time. That is, one has to have perfected one’s sādhana while living, else, one cannot chant the name at the time of death.

Q: Ajāmila did not do sādhana, but he still got the benefit.

A: Yes, but he was free from offenses. The purpose of sādhana is to become free from offenses. And Ajāmila chanted the name for calling his son, not Bhagavān.

Q: What is the result one gets from chanting the name?

A: One gets direct experience of Bhagavān after giving up the body.