Monday, April 28, 2014

“Success in the present age is attained by recitation of the Name” - कलौ जपात् सिद्धिः

Nama Article 28th April 2014

Source: The Name in Bhakti Sadhana

"Success in the present age is attained by recitation of the Name" - कलौ जपात् सिद्धिः

 

The Seers of yore have discovered by their lifelong practices that realization of God is summum bonum of life, which in other words, existence in Bliss inherent in the Self. This Bliss inherent in the Self is, in the vocabulary of the teachers of devotion known as Para bhakthi (Supreme Devotion). "This Para Bhakthi is not the act itself, as this Bliss does not depend on the performer but it arises out of Divine Grace". - न क्रिया कृत्यनपेक्षणाज्ज्ञानवत्

 

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Even if he gets a single good thought or recites the Divine Names of God once, the first thought that comes to him is, 'this happened because of the boundless grace of my Guru'!

 

God's boundless grace though, is immeasurable, limitless and infinite!

 

You didn't choose me, but I chose you

 

Only through causeless mercy does He reveals Him

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Sunday, April 27, 2014

In the eyes of him who constantly Chants your names and adores you as en embodiment of supreme bliss (seeking no other object), Your Lotus feet, O Lord are the only true blessing

Nama Article 27th April 2014

 

Srimad Bhagavatam - 4:9:17

 

सत्याशिषो हि भगवंस् तव पाद-पद्मम्|  आशीस् तथानुभजतः पुरुषार्थ-मूर्तेः ||

अप्य् एवम् अर्य भगवान् परिपाति दीनान् | वाश्रेव वत्सकम् अनुग्रह-कातरो'स्मान् ||

 

In the eyes of him who constantly Chants your names and adores you as en embodiment of supreme bliss (seeking no other object), Your Lotus feet, O Lord are the only true blessing as compared to other boons. Nevertheless, my Master, just as a cow that has recently calved nourishes its (by its milk) calf and protects it (against wolves etc) You foster even wretched devotees like us, impatient as You (always) are to shower Your grace on them.


Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Saturday, April 26, 2014

he should wait upon the Lord Himself with an intense practise of Devotion carried on uninterruptedly for the sake of final beatitude.

Nama Article 26th April 2014

 

Srimad Bhagavatam - 4:8:59,60,61

 

एवं कायेन मनसा वचसा च मनो-गतम् परिचर्यमाणो भगवान् भक्तिमत्-परिचर्यया

पुंसाम् अमायिनां सम्यग् भजतां भाव-वर्धनः श्रेयो दिशत्य् अभिमतं यद् धर्मादिषु देहिनाम्

विरक्तश् चेन्द्रिय-रतौ भक्ति-योगेन भूयसा तं निरन्तर-भावेन भजेताद्धा विमुक्तये

 

Being waited upon with body, mind and speech through loving worship according to one's choice, the Lord heightens the devotion of men adore Him in the right way and in a guileless spirit and bestows on them the boon of their liking from among Dharma and other objects of human pursuit. If the devotee is averse to sensuous enjoyment, he should wait upon the Lord Himself with an intense practise of Devotion carried on uninterruptedly for the sake of final beatitude.

 

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

மண்ணுலக ஆசைகளும் விண்ணுலக ஆசைகளும் கணப்பொழுதில் நல்கிடும் கீர்த்தனம் பாடீரே!

Oh, ye, sing! Oh, ye, sing! The HYMN which in a moment fulfills worldly and heavenly aspirations!

 

अकामः सर्वकामो वा मोक्षकाम उदारधीः ।

 

It will bestow all kinds of welfare, material and spiritual........

 

When we chant 'Krishna Krishna! Krishna Krishna! Krishna Krishna!'.....

 

You have wished for 'Dharma', 'Artha' (wealth), 'Kama' (ambitions) and 'Moksha' (God). All these four can be attained by performing service to Lord Sri Hari.

 

I am not able to find any way other than the repeated chanting of the Divine Names to gain the purushartas of dharma, artha, kama and moksha in this age of Kali

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Path shown by Sage Narada to attain to a place which is the highest

Nama Article 25th April 2014

 

Srimad Bhagavatam - 4:8:34

 

नारद उवाच

गुणाधिकान् मुदं लिप्सेद् अनुक्रोशं गुणाधमात्

मैत्रीं समानाद् अन्विच्छेन् न तापैर् अभिभूयते

 

Narada says, "A man should be pleased at the sight of one who is superior in qualities, should have tender feelings towards one who is inferior in accomplishment and seek friendship with one who is on a par with him. By doing so a man in never overwhelmed with afflictions."

 

ध्रुव उवाच

पदं त्रि-भुवनोत्कृष्टं जिगीषोः साधु वर्त्म मे

 

Dhruva asks, "Be pleased, Oh Sage to tell me a good path, keen as I am to attain to a place which is highest in all the three worlds."

 

नारद उवाच

जनन्याभिहितः पन्थाः स वै निःश्रेयसस्य ते

भगवान् वासुदेवस्तं भज तत्प्रवणात्मना

 

Narada says, "The course pointed out by your mother is the one leading to your highest good. Lord Vasudeva represents that course; Chant His Divine names with a mind exclusively devoted to Him."

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Thursday, April 24, 2014

One becomes highly venerable only because he has Your Name on the tip of his tongue.

Nama Article 24th April 2014

 

Srimad Bhagavatam - 3:33:7

 

अहो बत श्व-पचो'तो गरीयान्

यज्-जिह्वाग्रे वर्तते नाम तुभ्यम्

तेपुस् तपस् ते जुहुवुः सस्नुर् आर्या

ब्रह्मानूचुर् नाम गृणन्ति ये ते

 

Oh! How wonderful that even a lowborn becomes highly venerable only because he has Your Name on the tip of his tongue. Nay, they who utter Your name have practiced austere penenace, poured oblations into the sacred fire, bathed (in sacred waters), conducted themselves well, and even recided the Vedas.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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



Saturday, April 19, 2014

Nama Article 19th April 2014

 

Sri Guru Granth Sahib – Guru Nanak

 

नामु नव निधि गुर ते पाए ॥

हरि किरपा ते हरि वसै मनि आए ॥

राम राम करतिआ सुखु सांति सरीर ॥

अंतरि वसै न लागै जम पीर ॥

आपे साहिबु आपि वजीर ॥

नानक सेवि सदा हरि गुणी गहीर ॥

 

The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is the nine treasures. It is obtained from the Guru.

By the Lord's Grace, the Lord comes to dwell in the mind.

Chanting the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, the body becomes peaceful and tranquil.

He dwells deep within - the pain of death does not touch Him.

He Himself is our Lord and Master; He is His Own Advisor.

O Nanak, serve the Lord forever; He is the treasure of glorious virtue.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

A man's detachment enriched with knowledge, but devoid of devotion, is as fruitless as a blindman's access to a book

Nama Article 16th April 2014

 

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal

 

Parashu Ramadeva Charitam. Vol II Book V Chp 10 Shlokas  20

 

कृष्णभक्तिं विना नृणां ज्ञानं वैराग्यसम्युतम्

अन्धस्य पुस्तकप्राप्तिरिव नूनं वृथा भवेत् 

 

A man's detachment enriched with knowledge, but devoid of devotion, is as fruitless as a blindman's access to a book

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Learn to Chant the Divine Names of the Lord for permanent happiness.

Nama Article 9th April 2014

 

திருவாய் மொழி -  நம்மாழ்வார்

 

குணங்கொள் நிறைபுகழ் மன்னர்க்கொடைக்கடன் பூண்டிருந்து,

இணங்கி யுலகுட னாக்கிலும் ஆங்கவ னையில்லார்,

மணங்கொண்ட கோபத்து மன்னியு மீள்வர்கள் மீள்வில்லை,

பணங்கொள் அரவணை யான்திரு நாமம் படிமினோ.

 

Even the kings who ruled with all fame and power have to fall one day. Learn to Chant the Divine Names of the Lord for permanent happiness.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Sabari then sat in a particular posture (‘ãsana’), closed her eyes and chanting RamaNãma soon went to the place of her Guru!

Nama Article 8th April 2014

 

Source: Madhuramurali

 

Sabari lived and looked after the hut where her Guru had lived. She chanted RamaNãma always with great faith and love. Every day she would clean her house, decorate it with mango leaves and 'kolam', collect lots of fruits and await the visit of Rama and Lakshmana. Years rolled by, but there was no sign of Rama or Lakshmana. But, Sabari did not feel dejected. Very eagerly she awaited the arrival of Rama and Lakshmana. She would call the children near by and ask them, "Are there two people carrying bow walking up to my hut?" The children would say laughingly, "Grandma! Why do you ask this everyday? Who are these people that you are waiting for? Our father and grandfather say that you used to put this same question to them when they used to play here as children!" Sabari would only give a smile in explanation.

 

However, one day the children spotted two handsome men carrying bow walking towards Sabari's hut. They ran to Sabari and said, "Grandma! Those two men with bow are at last coming here!" Sabari rushed out of her house to receive Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana. She bowed down to them and invited them into her small hut.

 

The tall Rama and Lakshmana had to bend to enter this little hut of this great Guru Bhaktai. Rama enquired after her progress in her sadhana, "Oh! Sweet-tongued one! Is there any block to your dhyana? How is your japa? Have you conquered anger? Have you been able to lessen your food intake? How is the fulfillment of your discipline? Have you attained peace of mind?" Rama says that the basis for all the above is only the service ('susroosha') done to Guru. Sabari said joyfully, "Yes, my japa has borne fruit just as blessed by my Guru. He said that God would come and you have indeed come home, oh! Lord!" Rama said smilingly, "I am not God." Sabari, "You are indeed God because my Guru Madanga Maharishi has said so. You may speak untruth. But, my Guru will never speak anything but Truth." Sabari washed the feet of Rama and Lakshmana and then offered them the fruits that she had collected. All the while she kept speaking about the glory of her Guru, Madanga Maharishi.

 

Rama was wonderstruck by her Guru Bhakti. Rama had met so many Rishis during his wandering in the forest. All of them who were great 'tapsvis' had become speechless seeing the handsome Rama. All of them sought Rama's help in killing some asura or the other who was troubling them. Here, Sabari was neither astounded by Rama's personality nor did she seek any sort of help from him. She was only speaking continuously about the glory of her Guru. Sabari took them to her Guru's hut and pointed to the place where he used to sit and meditate, the place where he used to sit for food, etc. She pointed to the cloth that her Guru had used. It was still wet after all these years! She pointed to the garlands that he had worn. They were still fresh! She then said to Rama, "Oh! Rama! My Guru had said that I could join Him after your darshan. Please watch me join my Guru!"

 

Sabari then sat in a particular posture ('ãsana'), closed her eyes and chanting RamaNãma soon went to the place of her Guru!

 

Children! Guru Bhakti is the highest and it bestows the highest on one. A simple, ignorant Sabari born in a hunter family attained Moksha only through Guru Bhakti and God was only a witness to it!

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Monday, April 7, 2014

Prayer is thus a potent weapon in the hands of the aspirant.

Nama Article 7th April 2014

 

Source: Srimad Bhagavatham : Its Message for the Modern Man by Swami Shantananda Puri Maharaj

 

True dispassion and total detachment (Vairagya) – that is, cutting asunder the deluded attachment to our kith and kin and our possessions – is a "must'' for God-realisation; but this can only come to us with the Lord's Grace.

 

So, repeated prayers to the Lord to help us tide over all our obstacles through His Grace are the only answer. Prayer is thus a potent weapon in the hands of the aspirant.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Sunday, April 6, 2014

We can tune ourselves to this love through the melodious music of His Name.

Nama Article 6th April 2014

 

Swami Papa Ramdas

 

A heart that wells up with love is the very heart of God. God is Nirguna but He is also Saguna as pure, spontaneous, universal love. We can tune ourselves to this love through the melodious music of His Name.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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


Friday, April 4, 2014

If we do this by taking His holy Name, we shall be able to obtain the peace that we aspire for and retain it for all time.

Nama Article 4th April 2014

 

Swami Papa Ramdas

 

Spiritual Discipline A Must: Stillness of the mind alone can enable you to realise the presence of God within and without you. The practice of concentration is essential. Reading any number of books cannot grant us that mental peace which spiritual discipline can. We must strive to make the mind dwell upon God by thinking of Him and His attributes, and by offering ourselves entirely to Him in thought, word and deed. If we do this by taking His holy Name, we shall be able to obtain the peace that we aspire for and retain it for all time. Of course, there will be setbacks now and again because a short-time practice cannot enable us to have permanent peace. So what we have to do is, we must persistently go on remembering God by taking His holy Name. From this it is clear that mere reading of books is not the way. Reading can give us the understanding of the reat goal we have to reach, but to achieve it we must have recourse to some mental discipline.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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


Thursday, April 3, 2014

So he found the repetition of the holy name of God was an all sufficient spiritual discipline. The repetition can take the soul to the highest spiritual realisation.

Nama Article 2nd April 2014

 

Swami Papa Ramdas

 

Japa Must Be Continuous And Done With Whole-Hearted Love For God:

 

Ramdas' experience was that he did not do any meditation in the early stages of his spiritual discipline. He was repeating only the holy name of God and as a result of it all restlessness of the mind ceased and he began to get superconscious experiences by the power of the Name itself. One day when he sat for meditation, he lost himself in that consciousness and felt his union with God. So he found the repetition of the holy name of God was an all sufficient spiritual discipline. The repetition can take the soul to the highest spiritual realisation. The devotee who is given to the constant repetition of God's name need not observe any other discipline. But it must be borne in mind that the repetition must be continuous and done with wholehearted love and devotion for God. If these conditions are fulfilled, the devotee may be perfectly sure that he will have the vision of God and realise Him in all His aspects and enjoy ineffable bliss and peace.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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