Glory of Rama Nama

Excerpts from the discourse of our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

There are primarily two kinds of Bhaktas viz Vishnu Bhaktas and Shiva Bhaktas. The former chant the Mantra, "Naarayana", while the latter chant the Mantra, "Nama sivaaya." Nama Sivaaya is like the pendent placed in the center of the Rudram which is in the center of Yajur Veda. Thayagaraja Swami explains how the Mantra "Rama" came to be. If the letter "Ra" is removed from "Naarayana" it reads as Naayana, which means "the one who has no refuge!" If the letter "ma' from Nama Sivaaya is removed it reads as "Nasivaaya" that means "the one which is inauspicious." Thus the key words (Jivakshara) of these two important mantras are "Ra" and "Ma." Hence by taking these two key letters the Mantra "Rama" has been coined. This is said in Manusmriti too.
Thus the Name Rama contains both Narayana and Nama Sivaaya.

All mantras are contained in Rama Nama. How?

Sage Viswamithra had performed japa of innumerable mantras, crores and cores of times and attained "saakshaatkaara" of all those devathas. When one desires to give something to someone whom he loves the most, he gives the best thing in his possession. If one possesses wealth he offers that. If he is man of physical strength he tries to use it for others. Now sage Viswamithra possesses innumerable mantras and so it was that the Sage desired to offer to his beloved disciple Rama. As soon as the Sage offered Upadesa of each mantra and immediately after Rama uttered it once the devadha would appear before Rama immediately and after having come none were prepared to leave Rama! Hence Rama decided to install (Aavahanam) all the devadas in his body. So the Rama Nama contains all the potent mantras.

Excerpts from the discourse of our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Parvathi thought that there are some many persons who cannot chant the 1000 names of the Lord and what is the easiest way that all can follow. Out of this sheer compassion Parvathi asked her consort Lord Siva about this. Atonce Lord Shiva said "it is enough if one chants the name "Rama." It is equivalent to have chanted all the 1000 names of the Lord. Such is the glory of the Name "Rama"