The Efficacy of Devotional Hearing and Chanting
Reaffirming the canto's opening theme, this chapter highlights the transformative power of hearing and chanting the Lord's glories. The sages describe how attentive listening to sacred narratives purifies the heart, dissolves deeply rooted impressions, and awakens spontaneous devotion. Chanting, whether alone or in congregation, directly connects practitioners to the Lord's presence through sound.
The text notes that even those burdened by past misdeeds can experience rapid purification through dedicated hearing and chanting. Unlike austerities that demand exceptional capacity, devotional sound is accessible and effective for all. The holy name operates independently, provided one avoids deliberate offenses and cultivates sincerity.
Stories of sudden transformation—like Ajamil's redemption—serve as living proof. By engaging the tongue and ears in glorification, seekers employ the most immediate instruments for spiritual ascent. The chapter urges consistent practice, assuring that the cumulative effect of sincere sound vibration reorients the mind toward the Supreme.