Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Other margas and Nama kirtan

Nama Article 30th January 2008
 
Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji
 
Karma marga (performing rituals) to obtain the desired result, one has to follow all the laid down rules and regulations strictly. And without total adherence to prescribed ways we may end up facing adverse effect! Yoga bereft of celibacy and Jnana bereft of dispassion ('vairagya') will not be fruitful. Whereas, Nama Sankirtan has no conditions laid down. It can be done in any manner. It is singing the Name of the Lord! There is no strict discipline set for performing Nama Sankirtan. Anyone can do it anywhere and at anytime and will receive the benefit.
 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Monday, January 28, 2008

Tukaram Maharaj says there is no way other than Chanting the Name to realise God

Nama Article 29th January 2008
 

Sant Tukaram Maharaj

 

Meaning

 

There is no need to renounce day-to-day affairs. There is no need to go to woods or to weld a stick in the hand. Tukaram Maharaj says there is no way other than Chanting the Name to realise God.

 

Transliteration

 

na lage haa laukika saaMdaavaa vevhaara

ghyaaveM vanaaMthara bhasma dhaMda

thuka hmaNe maja aaNi upaava

dhisathI the vaava naamaavINa

 

Abhang:

लगे हा लौकिक सांडावा वेव्हार

घ्यावें वनांतर भस्म दंड

तुका ह्मणे मज आणि उपाव

दिसती ते वाव नामाविण

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Sunday, January 27, 2008

If they enjoyed it, then it must be good

Nama Article 28th January 2008
 

Source: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

 

Path shown by the greatest incarnations

 

SRI RAMAKRISHNA: "He who relieves us of sin is Hari. He relieves us of our three afflictions in the world. Chaitanya preached the glory of Hari's name; so it must be good. You see, he was such a great scholar, and an Incarnation too. Since he preached that name, it must be good. (Smiling)

 

Once some peasants were invited to a feast. They were asked if they would eat a preparation of hog plum. They answered: 'You may give it to us if the gentlemen have eaten it. If they enjoyed it, then it must be good.' (All laugh.)

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Benedictory address by Sri Sri Swamiji at our Mathurapuri Ashram on the Republic day

Nama Article 27th January 2008

Source: http://www.madhuramurali.org/mm/year2007/feb2007/feb07_mahaneeyar.html

The following is the emotion filled benedictory address by Sri Sri Swamiji at our Mathurapuri Ashram on the Republic day:  

"I wish everyone was taught how India attained independence rather than being told when she attained her independence. Today, the department of History enjoys very little status for the very reason that all desire to choose only that study which would land them in gainful employment.

Just as one earns Bhakti by reading the life histories of great devotees like Mira, Aazhwaars, Naayanmaars, so too, does one earn love for the Nation and realize the value of independence only by reading the history of our Nation wherein we find the struggle, the torture undergone by our forefathers in the Andamana prison cells for gaining the freedom for India.

While looking at the 'self-centered' who provoke the feelings of the people (to fight each other in the name of religion, language, state, etc.) to meet their own selfish needs one is roused to anger and feels emboldened to fight them.

'Oh, My sweet Mother India! I shed tears whenever I think of the sufferings that you underwent. You are like Draupadi who was dishonoured in spite of having Krishna by her side and married to the mighty Pandavas; the incarnations of innumerable gods on this soil, births of innumerable Mahans, the several Holy Rivers that run across this country, the existence of Mokshapuris, countless philosophies and countless Holy Places in this country seem to be in vain while looking at innumerable sufferings that you have undergone.

The lullaby song sung for Alexander as a baby in the cradle was, "Loot India!"

Oh, how many have followed his footsteps and looted you. How many have enslaved you! Well! On the other hand I wonder at your power to hold yourself up in dignity in spite of innumerable invasions. Many disparage the several languages found here. It is not easy to create a single language of literary worth and it was only due to the presence of many intellects that so many languages have been born here; and, for the very same reason many philosophies and ways of worship have also come about.

Oh, Mother India! My only prayer to you is – Rise up with the support of your spiritual power! While blessing the Indians with high intellect why have you made them spineless? Through devotion, worship and love bring them together who now stand divided in the name of religion, caste and language. You should lead the whole world.

Let a new India sans violence and selfishness but at the same time devoid of lethargy and cowardice be born. Let us all, with this in view, take the Name of the Lord and chant the Maha Mantra; make all chant the Maha Mantra. Fill India to the brim with Naamakirtan. Let Her offer to the world the spiritual bliss that she has found. Let us stand unique by combining any flawless modern way with the ancient one.

Innumerable Mahans like Sri Aurobindo, Sri Rama Teertha, Sri Jnaanaananda, 'Kaanchi' Mahaaperiyava Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swami, Bhagavaan Yogi Ramsuratikumar have declared that India would very soon be the torchbearer of the world and Ram Raajya would be born again. Ram Raajya is verily where Truth, purity, Righteousness and love prevails. Quite often

Yogi Ramusuratkumar used to say, 'Ram Raajya is not very far.'

What does the term 'not very far' really mean? How far is it really? This is verily in our hands.

Ram Raajya would get closer and closer as we perform Namasankirtan and help others also to do it."

- Translated by Dr A. Bhagyanathan

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Devotional practice is of two types. One is Sadhana Bhakthi and the other is Sadhya Bhakthi

Nama Article 24th January 2008
 

Source: http://www.namadwaar.org/articles/bhagavatam/1.2.21.html

 

भिद्यते हृदयग्रान्थिश्छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशया:

क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि दृष्ट एवात्मनीश्वरे

अतो वै कवयो नित्यं भक्तिं परमया मुदा

वासुदेवे भगवति कुर्वन्त्यात्मप्रसादनीम् २२

 

bhidyatE hrudayagranthischidyantE sarva samshayA: |

ksIyantE chAsya karmANi drushta EvAtmanIshvarE ||

atO vai kavayO nityam bhaktim paramayA mudA |

vAsudEvE bhagavati kurvantyAtmaprasAdanIm ||

 

When the Lord has been realized within one's own Self, the knot of the heart (the ego-sense) is cut asunder, doubts of every kind are dispelled and his karmas (past deeds) are exhausted completely.

 

Hence the realized souls always practice devotion which pleases the soul with great joy towards Lord Sri Krishna

 

Devotional practice is of two types. One is Sadhana Bhakthi and the other is Sadhya Bhakthi.

 

Sadhana Bhakthi is that which is done by imposing certain restrictions on oneself like doing a count of japa, pranayama, pooja, etc. This should also be done only with Sadhya Bhakthi in view. This is for the beginners.

 

Sadhya Bhakthi is that loving devotion for the Lord without any reason behind it. It has no restrictions and is the final goal of men. It is not an act of practice on the part of the devotee. In such a devotion, it becomes his very nature to love God and His existence. This love being of the nature of extreme bliss these exalted souls are ever established in this loving devotion joyfully.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

In the darkest hour of my trial, that one name has saved me and is still saving me

Nama Article 23rd January 2008
 

Mahathma Gandhi

 

"My Saviour

 

THOUGH MY reason and heart long ago realized the highest attribute and name of God as Truth, I recognize Truth by the name of Rama. In the darkest hour of my trial, that one name has saved me and is still saving me. It may be the association of childhood, it may be the fascination that Tulsidas has wrought on me."

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Monday, January 21, 2008

If the mind troubles?

Nama Article 21st January 2008
 

Swami Sivananda

 

"My Lord, how to control the senses?"  

 

The Master replied, "If the tongue wishes to taste sweetmeats, take only ordinary food. If the eyes wish to see cinema pictures, refrain from visiting the cinema. See Krishna only everywhere. If the organ of speech troubles you, observe silence."  

 

"If the mind troubles?"

 

The Master replied, "If the mind troubles, meditate on the Lord. Do Japa. You can control all the senses by fixing the mind on the Lord." 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Saturday, January 19, 2008

By doing Ram Nam always, we can rise above the body-idea

Nama Article 20th January 2008
 

Mother Krishnabai

 

By doing Ram Nam always, we can rise above the body-idea. Whatever situations we are placed in, whatever job we do, we should think that it is given to us by our Guru Himself. It is His power that makes us digest our food, grow up and so on. As we dedicate ourselves completely to Him, in everything that we do, taking it as being done by Him only, our actions will become spontaneous, just as we unconsciously move our hands or feet. Our body-consciousness then gets diluted until it disappears altogether.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

How Meditation is made simpler and enjoyable?

Jan 1st Tuticorin Mass Prayer will be broadcast on VIJAY TV on Sat, 19th Jan 08 bet 8:30am and 9:00am. Pl tell to all and let all enjoy the bliss.

 
Nama Article 19th Jan 2008 - How Meditation is made simpler and enjoyable
 

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal

 

Vaishnava Samhita: Vol. I, Book 1 , Chapter 2. Shloka 26

 

Kvachit Dhyayati Govindam Pundarikam Achyutam

Kvachit Vasati Krishnasya Leelam Smritva Svayam Prabbhu

 

Sometimes Sri Adi Shankara would get immersed in meditation on Lord Krishna, the lotus-eyed Achyuta. Sometimes he would laugh to himself, thinking about the pranks of the child, Shri Krishna.

 

Vaishnava Samhita: Vol. I, Book 1 , Chapter 6. Shloka 03

 

Krishnameva Sada Dhyayet Jaganmohana Vigraham

Etadeva Param Gnyanam Etadeva Param Padam

 

One should meditate upon Lord Krishna, the personification of divine bliss, ceaselessly (By chanting the Mahamantra). That alone is true gnana. That alone is eternal beatitude and salvation.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

What is Guruseva?

Jan 1st Tuticorin Mass Prayer will be broadcast on VIJAY TV on Sat, 19th Jan 08 bet 8:30am and 9:00am. Pl tell to all and let all enjoy the bliss.

 

Nama Article 18 th December 2007

 

Swami Papa Ramdas

 

"By taking the Name your heart becomes pure and you serve those who are in distress without expecting anything in return.

 

That is Guruseva."

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare