Acharya Prashant explains that the Lord's name should not be treated as just another worldly name, as doing so makes it ordinary and potentially harmful. He distinguishes between a ritual, which is an affirmative and incremental addition to a daily routine, and the chanting of the Lord's name, which is an act of negation, subtraction, and demolition. While building something follows a blueprint and can become ritualistic, the Lord's name acts as a sword to cut down and demolish the various names, temptations, and fears that attempt to dominate the mind. It is a non-method designed to keep the tendency to be impressed by the hollow things of the world in check. He further clarifies that the Lord's name is an exercise in the negation of Maya and cannot be a ritual because it is only exercised when Maya strikes. He compares the name to a fire extinguisher or a fire alarm, which are only used when there is a problem or when fire goes out of hand. Similarly, the name is like a medicine that is necessary only as long as the disease of worldly dominance exists. Once a person is liberated and one with the truth, the name is no longer needed. He references the Upanishads to emphasize that even sacred texts should be dropped once their purpose of liberation is served, as they are useful only when there is a need.
