Today being an ekadashi, tried to chant more. As my thoughts were wandering over the things that had to be done, one of the thoughts was pertaining to the flooring and hardware work that was pending. As the different kinds of tiles and hardware items were flashing in my mind, I started to think – isn’t Holy Name the most priceless jewel we have received? Better than any of the floorings or any of the costliest items available in this world!

And the below verse flashed at the back of my mind:

nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ
The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Kṛṣṇa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kṛṣṇa’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Kṛṣṇa Himself. Since Kṛṣṇa’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with māyā. Kṛṣṇa’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa Himself are identical.

I was reflecting, generally the thoughts that come in our minds pertain to either things or to people. And a particular situation is formed using one or both of them.

And in this verse above, it is said that the Holy Name is cintamani – wish fulfilling jewel! Anything we desire in our life, doesn’t the Holy Name have the capacity to give us more than our petty desires?

My thoughts went to the pastime of Sanatana Goswami and the brahmana who desired touchstone from Sanatana. Due to the grace of Sanatana’s association, he understood the futility of the touchstone and received the real touchstone in the form of Holy Name.

Regarding the thoughts pertaining to people, it may be either not so good interactions, or something we felt was lacking, or might be a good interaction as well.

Holy Name is non-different from Krishna. And Krishna is rasa-vigraha – He is akhila-rasamrta-murti – embodiment of all rasas. He has the capacity and ability to fulfill each and every aspirations that we have. And to the fullest degree. Isn’t he the best person to associate with?

So why not whole heartedly take shelter of Krishna rather than trying to use our own intelligence to get the best of things?

When we serve Krishna, He gives us the best! He gives Himself. And that is the perfection of all that we desire. SB 5.19.27 says – icchāpidhānaṁ nija-pāda-pallavam

One nice quote I heard recently – we have faith in Krishna’s powers, but we don’t have faith in his intelligence!

Therefore, we go to Him understanding he can give us something, but ultimately using our intelligence we ask for something temporary.