Question: In this Kali-yuga is chanting the best way to get spiritually elevated? And is chanting alone sufficient?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Yes, that is the recommendation of the Vedic literatures. Harer nama harer nama harer nama eva kevalam / kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha: “There is no other way, no other way, no other way of spiritual progress in this age of Kali than the chanting of the holy names of Lord Hari, Krishna.”
In one sense, chanting alone is sufficient, but such chanting should be done offenselessly. There are mainly ten offenses in chanting, and we should know and avoid these (Digest 00021B). And in order to be able to overcome these offenses, in most of our cases we need the association of devotees, and guidance of a bona fide spiritual master. When we chant under such guidance and association, it will become quickly effective.
Along with chanting, it is recommended to purify our senses by practical services, which means engaging them in various ways to please the Lord. Cf. SB 9.4.18. The activities of bhagavata marg (hearing and chanting about the Supreme) are best complimented by the activities of pancaratrika marg (deity worship).
