The phrase “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” is a popular proverb that emphasizes the importance of purity in our lives. Besides that cleanliness is fundamental to establishing and preserving purity in the community.
Of all the ways, Sravaṇam (hearing) and kīrtanam (chanting) are considered as the best and the easiest ways to cleanse one’s heart.
Sravanam
Hearing is compared to sweeping. Just as one sweeps the floor with a broom to collect all the dust, hearing similarly cleanses the heart from the dust of all material attachments. By repeatedly hearing about the topics of God, one develops detachment from the material world. Hearing also cleans up various doubts,the tendency to sin, and ignorance lodged deep within in the subconscious mind.
Kīrtanam
Kīrtanam on the other hand makes one’s heart cool. It is like mopping the floor with water after sweeping. Kirtanam performed with a purified heart, brings śānti (peace), saṅtuṣṭi (satisfaction) and rasa(bliss)
Rewards of Sravanam and Kirtanam
The more the heart is clean by śravaṇam and kīrtanam, the more the life becomes decorated with good qualities like truthfulness, compassion, peace, austerity, simplicity, respecting others, pridelessness , nonviolence,tolerance,and the quality of serving guru and Vaiṣṇavas.
And when the heart is clean, cool, and beautifully decorated with good qualities, it is believed that God comes to reside within us.Cleansing one’s heart and decorating it with good qualities is considered as the best service to God.
Conclusion
The heart is like a temple, a sacred place within, where God resides. But just like any temple, it needs to be maintained with sweeping and washing so that it’s not left stained. The more we hear and chant, the more our heart will shine with qualities so pure that it will become a suitable place for God to live in.