God has a Name
There are innumerable eternal living entities, but amongst them, one living entity is the leader. As the leader of the American citizens is the president, the leader of all living entities is commonly known as GOD. As the president of the United States is an individual and has his name. Similarly, the leader of the living entities--the Supreme Eternal known as God--is called by the name KRISHNA. In one sense, God has no name, because He is unlimited. Therefore, the names which are indicated to address the supreme living entity, such as Krishna, Rama, Jehovah or Allah, are unlike mundane names like Tom, John, Bob or Harry. God's names have actual meaning. The names of the Lord are descriptive of His qualities and are identical with Him in every way.
God's chief name is KRISHNA, because that name is all-embracing or most broad. Krishna means "the ALL-ATTRACTIVE one." God attracts everyone, either directly or indirectly. Rama means "the source OF ALL PLEASURE." Vishnu means "one who LIVES EVERYWHERE." Jehovah means "ALL POWERFUL," and Allah means "ALL MERCIFUL." God has millions of names, which can be used or vibrated to appeal to Him.
Christ was not a Catholic, Methodist or Episcopalian. Christ said, "I am the SON OF GOD, and whatever I do, I do it on behalf of my Father in heaven." Similarly, God is not Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Muslim. God is God, and EVERYONE is GOD’S SERVANT.
It does not matter which name of God one chants. One may chant whatever name of God is indicated in the various authorized scriptures of the world, such as Jehovah, Allah or Krishna. Chanting any one of God's names is ACCEPTABLE. Generally, people have no idea what God's name is. They simply say "God." Most people think of God as something impersonal or void, incapable of reciprocation or expression, formless and ephemeral. Those who accept God as a person are at a loss to understand how to serve or love someone they know nothing about.
We can be happy only when we re-establish our lost relationship with God, the Supreme Person. God must be a person, because we are created by Him, and we are persons. The creator of so many persons must also be a person. But unlike us--the small, insignificant persons who are rotting in this material condition and struggling to enjoy sense gratification--God is eternal and not bound by the laws of material nature.
The entire history of the world is an affirmation by surrender or rebellion that God exists. One side is trying to establish the existence of God by Worship, Glorification and Surrender, and the other party is rebelling against God and DENYING His existence. The faithful DEVOTEES are always attempting TO ESTABLISH God's laws, and the DEMONIAC ATHEISTS are always attempting TO CONQUER the laws of God. But the central point is always God.
Vedic literature gives detailed descriptions of the NAME of the Supreme Lord, His FORM, His ACTIVITIES, His QUALITIES and His PLACE. The president of the United States, the supreme head of state, resides in his place, the White House, Washington DC. He can have his place anywhere; nevertheless, his place is particularly in the White House. Similarly, God also has His place—GOLOKA VRINDAVAN. The spiritual sky beyond this temporary material sky is full of innumerable Vaikunthas or SPIRITUAL PLANETS, just as in the material sky there are sun, moon and so many stars and other planets. In the material sky, the planets are temporary, CREATED and DESTROYED at some time. The planets in the spiritual sky, however, are NEVER CREATED or DESTROYED at any time. The topmost planet in the spiritual sky is known as Goloka Vrindavan, or Krishnaloka. This planet is the residence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.
In this age of darkness, the whole human society is in ignorance about the spiritual sky, the innumerable spiritual planets and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. Few people are aware that God is a PERSON or what kind of person He is. Everyone is absorbed in a constant STRUGGLE to maintain the TEMPORARY material body, not knowing that to understand and glorify God is the PERFECTION of human life. Thus, EVERYONE is always full of anxiety and various misfortunes.
ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA
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