NAMA AND GNANA

Mahatmas say, as one chants Nama incessantly, his ignorance will be wiped away, and he will attain wisdom in his anthima kaala. We may question, if one chants incessantly, why should Bhagavan wait till his last breath to bestow wisdom? Why not during his lifetime?

‘Anthima kaala’ mentioned here in this context is not ‘death-bed’. When one takes to continuous chanting, there is a beginning phase of sadhana (spiritual practice), there is a mid phase wherein he delves into sadhana, and an end phase wherein he perfects sadhana. It is during this final stage, that God will bestow wisdom on him. Here, sadhana means continuously chanting Nama, and Nama alone!