One should meditate upon Lord Narayana by Chanting His Divine Names during baths and other acts; for it is a purificatory penance for all bad actions

Nama Article 7^th October 2014

 

Source: Sahasranama Bhashya by Adi Sankara

 

ध्यायेन्नारायणं देवं स्नानादिषु च कर्मसु ।

प्रायश्चित्तं हि सर्वस्य दुष्कृतस्येति वै श्रुति ॥

 

The Sruthi says, "One should meditate upon Lord Narayana by Chanting His Divine Names during baths and other acts; for it is a purificatory penance for all bad actions."

 

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

 

Is chanting while doing work considered as meaningful chanting ?

 

Nama Chanted unknowingly also wipes out all of one's sins

 

Don't stop chanting for any reason. The rest of the things will be taken care of automatically.

 

Therefore, just as we bathe, wear clothes, eat food, etc. whether our mind is involved in it or not, so too, should we do a certain amount of Năma japa, părayana, kirtana, vandanam every day

 

Mechanical chanting is the only starting point we can attempt. It matures to love by grace.

 

Mechanical chanting is the starting phase. It will soon graduate to mental chanting and soon this mental one-pointed chanting will lead to the source of the chant, which is the truth.

 

Those who chant the Mahamantra even once in this Kali Yuga are assured of 'Moksha' (liberation)

 

It is impossible for anyone to do continuous Dhyana, Yoga or Brahma-Vichara or to observe austerities like fasting or vigil. But the Name can be chanted continuously even if it is mechanical.

 

Nama Kirtan, whether done knowingly or unknowingly, certainly has to give its effect

 

Japa even once uttered has its own good effect, whether the individual is aware or not.

 

The same scriptures also state that one should follow the words of the Guru without any doubts or questions and act accordingly.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

When Hari destroys all grief by simple meditation upon him, why should not one leave aside all other objects of thought and constantly meditate upon him?

Nama Article 6^th October 2014

 

Source: Sahasranama Bhashya by Adi Sankara

 

चिन्त्यमानः समस्तानां पापानां हाणिदो हि सः 

समुत्सृज्याखिलं चिन्त्यं सोऽच्युतः किं न चिन्त्यते 

 

When Hari destroys all grief by simple meditation upon him, why should not one leave aside all other objects of thought and constantly meditate upon him?

 

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

 

Sri Hari, the bestower of salvation, gives beauty, health, wordly possessions and appropriate enjoyments to those who constantly medidiate on Him.

 

Those who Chant the Divine Names of Hari, Udupi Krishna blesses them with adequate food.

 

We should either do bhakti deeply and attain God or be in the world enjoying worldly things. What is the use of remaining in-between ('rendungkettan') the two? -- Neither here nor there?

 

If you want God alone, why do you accept the existence of anything else ?

 

If someone forgets the Beloved Lord, even for an instant, what sort of devotion is that?

 

As your heart beats as you sleep, dream or being awake let your tongue always Chant the Divine Names of Hari.

 

If you become that anxious on forgetting to chant the Divine Name even for a second, then you are blessed.

 

One should constantly repeat the names of God irrespective of any activity that he might be involved in

 

We should Chant and remember the Divine Name every breath we intake and we need not try to do anything else.

 

kalakshebo na kartavyah, kshenamaayuh kshane kshane, yamasya karuna naasti, kartavyam hari kirtanam.

 

Every moment of your life should be taken as His gift.  Be rest assured that every incident that happens is by His grace and happens for your well-being.

 

Guru Nanak felt that it would be improper to postpone Nama Smarana or remembering the Name of the Lord, even by a single breath

 

The thought that seize out one's mind for life long period would surely, strongly surface during the last breath

 

That unshakable faith in Rama Nama remained with him till his last breath.

 

The human body is a rare boon to embodied souls and that too is very transient (momentary, short-lived, temporary)

 

Your last breath should ensure that this is your last birth

 

The thought that seize out one's mind for life long period would surely, strongly surface during the last breath. Likewise we ourselves can have a test to determine whether it's possible to have an active remembrance of the lord when our soul departs the body.

 

This exercise should go on continually until doing japa has become as natural as breathing.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Everything in one's life happens because of Prarabdha Karma. Keep Chanting the Divine Names of the Lord, which should be our sole goal.

Nama Article 4th October 2014

 

Source: Madhuramurali – Sep 2014

 

வாழ்க்கையில் நடப்பதுதான் நடக்கும் என்கிறீர்கள். அதே சமயம் லட்சியம் வேண்டும் என்கிறீர்கள். முரண்பாடாக உள்ளதே ?

 

மஹாரண்யம் ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீ முரளீதர ஸ்வாமிஜி :

 

பிராரப்த கர்மாவை ஒட்டியே, ஒவ்வொருவருடைய வாழ்க்கையும் அமைகின்றது. அப்படி அமையும்பொழுது ஏமாற்றம், வெற்றி, தோல்வி, மகிழ்ச்சி, வியாதி, துக்கம், விபத்து போன்ற எவ்வளவோ சம்பவங்கள் சம்பவிக்கலாம். அப்படி சம்பவிக்கும் எல்லா நேரத்திலும், உணர்ச்சி வசப்படாமல் சமபுத்தியுடனும் விவேகத்துடனும், தெய்வத்தின் நாமத்தை விடாமல் சொல்லிக்கொண்டு இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதையே லட்சியமாக கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

 

You tell that what ever will happen will only happen in our life. At the same time you also tell that we should have a goal. This look to be contradictory?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Everything in one's life happens because of Prarabdha Karma. There can be many incidents like disappointment, success , failure , joy , disease , sorrow, accident etc that can occur. When these occur, we should be dispassionate and even-minded with a practical sense and should keep Chanting the Divine Names of the Lord, which should be our sole goal.

 

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

 

One who has no set goal has a wavering mind. His thoughts are multifold......whats the way out?

 

The more you chant, the closer you get to your goal

 

What is real happiness? True happiness lies within you. By merely removing ignorance this can be realized. The easiest way towards this goal is by chanting the Mahamantra.

 

The true purpose of our existence is to realize God in ourselves. No other purpose is equal to or more significant than this

 

Only the actions that are related to our body is bound by Prarabdham. There is no Prarabdham for mind. As a prudent person, it is only in our hands to control the mind.

 

Selfless friends from the GOD family  are working towards the common goal of nama prachar bearing my Vision to spread the bliss of the mahamantra everywhere in their hearts

 

In short, it should be perfectly relevant in the current day context, and absolutely practical; and yet yield us to the same goal.

 

In spirituality, perseverance is paramount. So keep continuing until the goal is reached.

 

We would remember something at the crucial time of death only if we practice remembering it all our life. That is why the easy dharma of 'Nama Sankirtan' is being advocated.

 

"I do not ask you all to give up anything. 'Hold Krishna' is what I say.

 

The only remedy is to put in more and more dedicated and sincere efforts. So continue chanting with strong faith.

 

One can attain the highest goal only through dedicated endeavors of japa.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Only the actions that are related to our body is bound by Prarabdham. There is no Prarabdham for mind. As a prudent person, it is only in our hands to control the mind.

Nama Article 3rd October 2014

 

Prasna Uttara Malika (A garland of questions and answers) – Adisankara

 

वपुषश्च पोषकं किं ?

प्रारब्धं

 

चान्नदायि किं ?

चायुः

 

What is the sustainer of the body?

 

Prarabdham (a collection of past actions, which are ready to be experienced through the present body)

 

What bestows food?

 

Life span. (Though we generally believe that we are living because of the food we eat, the food we eat gets digested and gives us energy only till our life span which is fixed by our Prarabdham)

 

Source: Namadwaar

What is Prarabdha Karma? How does it interfere in one's life?

 

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

Everything in one's life happens because of Prarabdha Karma and nothing else. So it is not a question of interference in one's life, it is that which drives one's life.

Source: Madhuramurali – July 1997

 

மனதிற்கு ப்ராரப்தம் உண்டா?

 

மஹாரண்யம் ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீ முரளீதர ஸ்வாமிஜி :

சரீர சம்பந்தமான விஷயங்களுக்குத்தான் ப்ராரப்தம் உண்டே தவிர, மனதிற்கு ப்ராரப்தம் கிடையாது. மனதை அடக்குவது விவேகிகளான நம் கையில் தான் உள்ளது.

 

Whether our Mind is bound by Prarabdham (a collection of past actions, which are ready to be experienced) ?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Only the actions that are related to our body is bound by Prarabdham. There is no Prarabdham for mind. As a prudent person, it is only in our hands to control the mind.

 

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

 

Everything in our life is predetermined. All we have to do is to turn and fix our mind on Him! 

 

"To remain how God wills" – being in this state is Bhagavatha Dharmam.

 

Everything that happened in the past, that happens now, and that will happen in future, are all the will of My Father. Nothing else. Nothing else. We should not get disturbed.

 

Yogirămsuratkumăr used to say, 'If there is faith then there is no fate.'

 

Remember the Lord always and be ever conscious of the fact that every moment is governed by the will and wish of Sri Krishna

 

Spiritual success is dependent on oneself and not on the environment.

 

To remain in the Holy Feet of the Guru as a 'nobody' (zero); to remain like a doll in his hand. This is the only effort that can be taken by us

 

If you think of God and attain the abode of God, there is no destiny.

 

When one is afflicted with sorrow, if he persists in prayers and not question the Lord as to why He is putting him into grief, when the difficult times pass, the Lord is pleased and rewards him with a special gift of His grace.

 

You should not only accept from the bottom of your heart the situation that the Lord keeps you in but also be grateful to Him for that because it is verily the Lord's blessing!

 

When there is true love, even adversities appear to be blessings

 

It is not ours to question why, but to submit to the Divine will, and pass through all experiences that fall to our lot, with a free and cheerful heart.

 

We can resign ourselves to the Will of God and keep away our egosense, only by a continuous remembrance of God

 

It is a mistake to think that by mere change of situation or activity we can attain to peace

 

If one does not chant the divine Name of the Lord, the Lord will not interfere with his life. If he does chant the Name of God continuously, the Lord makes his life favorable to him.

 

Likewise, God takes hold of his devotee and removes all the hurdles in his/her way.

 

Words of wisdom by a great Gnani and a true bhaktha

 

किं दुष्करं नराणां  ? What is difficult for human beings? यन्मनसो निग्रहः सततं  The constant control of the mind.

 

किं स्मर्त्तव्यं पुरुषैः ? हरिनाम सदा न यावनी भाषा What is to be remembered by people ? Always the Name of Hari; not the jargon of the unregenerate.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

To me, therefore, Rama described as the Lord of Sita, son of Dasharatha, is the all-powerful essence whose name inscribed in the heart removes all suffering — mental, moral and physical.

Nama Article 2nd October 2014

 

Source: Ramanama, By: Mahathma Gandhi

 

WHO IS RAMA?

 

Q. You have often said that when you talk of Rama you refer to the Ruler of the Universe and not to Rama, the son of Dasharatha. But we find that your Ramadhun calls on 'Sita-Rama', 'Raja Rama' and it ends with 'Victory to Rama, the Lord of Sita'. Who is this Rama if not the son of the King Dasharatha?

 

A. In Ramadhun 'Raja Rama', 'Sita-Rama' are undoubtedly repealed. But more potent than Rama is the Name.

 

Hindu dharma is like a boundless ocean teeming with priceless gems. The deeper you dive the more treasures you find. In Hindu religion, God is known by various names. Thousands of people look doubtless upon Rama and Krishna as historical figures and literally believe that God came down in person on earth in the form of Rama, the son of Dasharatha and by worshipping him one can attain salvation. The same thing holds good about Krishna. History, imagination and truth have got so inextricably mixed up. It is next to impossible to disentangle them. I have accepted all the names and forms attributed to God as symbols connoting one formless, omnipresent Rama. To me, therefore, Rama described as the Lord of Sita, son of Dasharatha, is the all-powerful essence whose name inscribed in the heart removes all suffering — mental, moral and physical.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

The teacher then said that mere scholarship and learning did not lead to God-realisation. To realize God, one must love Him intensely and ceaselessly remember Him by taking His name.

Nama Article 1st October 2014

 

Stories As Told By Swami Papa Ramdas

 

There was once a Sadhaka who aspired after God-realisation. He went to a Sadhu and asked him what he should do for realising God. The Sadhu said that he should repeat God's name and think of God constantly. The young aspirant did not like this simple advice. He thought poorly of the power of the Name. He had the idea that one should learn Sanskrit and master the Vedas and Shastras, before he could get God-realisation. So he left this Sadhu and went to another who was well-versed in the Vedas and Shastras and requested him to teach him Sanskrit so that he might gain proficiency in the same. The teacher agreed, but added that the student should also do some service, besides pursuing his studies. He was given the work of tending the cows in the Ashram. So the young friend took up the service of the Ashram cows and whenever he had spare time, he went to the teacher and took his lessons in Sanskrit. Thus twelve years passed. He became a great Sanskrit scholar and had good knowledge of the Vedas and Shastras. But he did not realise God. So he asked his teacher why he had not attained God even though he had become learned in the Vedas and other scriptures.

 

The teacher then said that mere scholarship and learning did not lead to God-realisation. To realize God, one must love Him intensely and ceaselessly remember Him by taking His name. Now the young aspirant realised his mistake in not listening to the advice of the first Sadhu, who had asked him to take to God's name twelve years ago. He regretted that he had wasted many precious years in merely acquiring learning without chanting God's name or cultivating love and devotion for God.

 

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

 

For the intellectual, Guru's words and His Holy feet is enough. For others there is a requirement of reading books like Bhagavad Gita

 

Man feels that only the most difficult is the highest, the most difficult way is the best way. This is a very wrong notion

 

Why people did not take to Rama Nama, which is so easy and simple to chant. He puts forth his findings in the following words, "Since it is so easy and simple, none takes to it!"

 

In spite of having the Divine Name 'Narayana', which can free people from all sins, and the mouth to Chant the Divine Name, people still fall in the hell by not chanting it! What a wonder!!!

 

Those who are ready to accept this simple Mahamantra, we shall give this Mahamantra to those with love.

 

Namakirtan is definitely the easiest way. But our illusion (maya) would not allow us to do even that. Hence we should not get caught in the illusion. One should always catch hold of the Divine Name with out indulging in any pomp and show.

 

 

Why is life so complicated? Why is there so much confusion in life? Can't it be all simple? - Simplest and the most straightforward path FOR ALL

 

Simplest of the simple, Rarest of the rare, Sweetest of the sweet!

 

Due to My causeless mercy, I am very much pleased and enthusiastic to spread the glory of that Dharma which manifests itself in the Kirtan of my Divine Names

 

After ensuring all these if our mind is not pure there is no use of any of the above. For keeping our mind clean, Chanting the Names of Krishna is the only way.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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