Name and Form Identical
"The Name of Sri Krishna and the Transcendental Form of Sri Krishna are identical. The Name, Form, the Holy Image, all the three are exactly the same. All these three are Transcendental by nature and hence there is not the least difference between Them. Sri Krishna's Body is Sri Krishna Himself. There is no categorical difference between the Body and the Being in the Transcendental Plane. So also with respect to the Name and the Form or Svarup denoted by the Name."
The above theory is not applicable to the material world. Here the word 'fire' is different from the object, i.e., fire denoted by the name. Hence, even if you repeat the word 'fire' any number of times, it never burns any portion of the body. The word 'water' is similarly different from the object water. Repetition of word 'water', lacs of times, does not quench a thirsty man, nor will it serve the purpose of putting out fire, etc. But, the case with the Holy Names of the Supreme Lord is altogether different. The Name 'Rama', or the Name "Krishna' is not in any way different from the Divine Form denoted by these Names. The identity of the Name with the Divine Form, i.e., Bhagavan Himself, is not a monopoly of a section amongst the Hindus alone. It is supported even by the other religions like Christianity, etc. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John, 4th Gospel, ch. 1, 1)." Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu further adds on this issue thus: "Therefore, the Name, the Body and the Sportive Deeds of Sri Krishna are not subject to the understanding of human senses. They are Self-Effulgent and Self- Revealing Truths.”
THE DIVINE NAME
by Raghava Chaitanya Das
