# SB 6.2.18 ## Text > ajñānād athavā jñānād > uttamaśloka-nāma yat > saṅkīrtitam aghaṁ puṁso > dahed edho yathānalaḥ ## Synonyms *ajñānāt*—out of ignorance; *athavā*—or; *jñānāt*—with knowledge; *uttamaśloka*—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; *nāma*—the holy name; *yat*—that which; *saṅkīrtitam*—chanted; *agham*—sin; *puṁsaḥ*—of a person; *dahet*—burns to ashes; *edhaḥ*—dry grass; *yathā*—just as; *analaḥ*—fire. ## Translation **As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one's sinful activities.** ## Purport Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by someone well aware of its power. For example, if a field of straw or dry grass is set afire, either by an elderly man who knows the power of fire or by a child who does not, the grass will be burned to ashes. Similarly, one may or may not know the power of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra,* but if one chants the holy name he will become free from all sinful reactions.