He received upadesa of Rama Naama from his father and wandered all over the country. We find that he was never touched by anger.

Nama Article 15th September 2013

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Samarta Ramadas attained lots of 'shakti' due to incessant japa of Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram. While reading the charitra of Papa Ramadas in 'In search of God' I feel that it is verily the charitra of a true Mahan. Mahans' charitraas are open book. He received upadesa of Rama Naama from his father and wandered all over the country. We find that he was never touched by anger. Who gets angry? Only one who has 'ahankaara' (pride/egotistic). One who thinks great of himself expects respect from others. One who has no ego does not expect respect for others. Mahatmas do not get angry. We may say that we do not expect respect. When we visit a home, the host receives us warmly and we tell him, "Why all these formality of welcoming me?" But, when there is no such welcome during our next visit we feel hurt or atleast wonder why the host has not come out to receive us. If these words of ours were true we would not bother the next time that we were not formally received. The moment such a thought arises it shows our inner desire for recognition. This is only because of holding the ego 'I'. Therefore, we nurture the desire that others should worship us, respect and honour us.

 

In Papa Ramadas life we find that he visits Pandaripura. There is always Satsang in this keshtra. When Papa Ramadas visits the Satsangh, which is being conducted like a big mela, a Sadhu abuses him. The Sadhu says, "He knows nothing but has taken to ochre robe" and showers further abuses. How does Papa Ramadas react? He listens smilingly. Later, when he is asked to address the gathering, Ramadas tells, "All that was said about me by him is true, indeed! He has spoken the truth (about me)." This is the sign of having attained 'anubhooti' (Bhagavat saakshaatkaara).

 

Once while traveling in a crowded train, luggages were thrown on Papa Ramadas and he was kicked about. Just a little while earlier his devotees had honoured him with worship. He said that the body that had received 'poorna kumbha', sandal paste and garland should also take the kicks! This is the sign of a Mahatma. Honour and disrespect are accepted with equanimity. Gita speaks of treating heat and cold, joy and sorrow, honour and abuse with ('seethoshnah', 'sukha-dukheeshu', 'maana-avamaanah') equanimity of mind. This can be seen only in Mahatamas. They truly accept everything with equanimity. Their bhaava in accepting these, their maturity in accepting these is not found in us.

 

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

 

 

Anger is an outburst of emotions, which are nothing but thoughts in the mind. Mind can be controlled by dealing with the situation from a practical standpoint with 'viveka' or discrimination.

 

If we put some ant-repellant around the sweets, the ants cannot get inside to the sweets. Similarly, lust, anger and fear would constantly pester our mind. We cannot avoid the attack of these on our mind by our intelligence.

 

'Do you think that this beggar was angry? This beggar never gets angry. He is not angry at all. This beggar is doing only good to him

 

O my soul, remember thy God, thy years are rolling by without His sacred name

 

In the field of battle the fight has begun in right earnest and passion, anger, pride and ambition are the foes to be fought.

 

When a disciple sheds all the adverse modes of the mind like kama (desire), krodha (anger) etc. and completely leads his life with the clear understanding that it is the Guru who is running his life

 

Leaving the desires and anger, bless me to sing your divine names.

 

Repeat His name, and sins will disappear. Thus you will destroy lust, anger, the desire for creature comforts, and so on

 

There are passion and anger too like two huge mountains on either side. Without the Master, who can show the path?

 

Just as soap cleanses the cloth of its impurities, so also the mantra is a spiritual soap cleansing the mind. Just as fire cleanses gold of its impurities, so also mantra cleanses the mind of its impurities.

 

Wash out the thoughts of Concupiscence, anger, pride, greed and attachment from your mind.

 

Vaishnav is the one who has been addicted to the elixir of the name of God

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Whenever a benevolent thought arises in the hearts of Mahatmas regarding a Jiva, and when they start planning for his upliftment, that very moment, the Jiva begins to get prosperity.

Nama Article 11th September 2013

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Whenever a benevolent thought arises in the hearts of Mahatmas regarding a Jiva, and when they start planning for his upliftment, that very moment, the Jiva begins to get prosperity. Even a despicable sinner becomes purified and becomes a holy person. The mercy that arose in the heart of Nityananda paved way for all auspiciousness for two sinners.

 

Nityananda shared his thoughts with Haridasa. Haridasa retorted - "You are trying to unnecessarily put your hands into a snake's hole. Did you not listen to the reports given about them by these people?" Nityananda persisted - "I listened to everything. Can we afford to be afraid of all that? We must surely proclaim the Divine Name to them." Haridas replied - "We shall propagate the Divine Name - Not to these two, but somewhere else".

 

Nityananda replied - "Has Prabhu not instructed us that while propagating the Divine Name, we must do so with equal vision to all people without discrimination. Whether a sinner or a holy man, all persons deserve to receive the Divine Names."

 

Haridas said - "Alright!, we shall treat those who come to us without bias. Is it especially needed to go in search of these two persons adamantly and proclaim the Divine Names? So many persons are still left to whom we must impart the Divine Names. Let us attend to them, Come Sir!"

 

"An intelligent physician will first take care of only those, who are suffering very badly. Similarly, these two need the Divine Names more than the others. The atonement for their cruel acts can come only from the chanting of the Divine Names. They have no other way out. What do you say? Am I right?" - asked Nityananda.

 

Haridas said - "Your wish! If you consider these two as fit recipients of the Divine Name, then I have no objection to it. I shall accompany you." Saying thus and chanting very melodiously the Mahamantra,

 

"Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare",

 

they reached the place where Jagayi and Madhayi resided.

 

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

 

You may be the worst sinner, highly undisciplined; you may have committed all kinds of atrocities; yet, if a mahatma declares, "Oh, he is my child", that will suffice for you

 

The rarest of the rare is getting a Uttama Guru. When you have a Guru, you can peacefully rest.

 

"Each type of soil specializes in producing certain type of crop. The Indian soil produces Mahans!"

 

We attach ourselves to Him who has no attachments to rid ourselves of our attachments.

 

If the disciple is truly attached to the Uttama Guru, this internal transformation will happen slowly but surely.

 

How do we know that the Guru is pleased with us?

 

No one else pleases me the most than the ones who Chant Mahamantra!

 

The only act a true devotee can do is to chant Nama to express the gratitude to the Guru for the grace showered on the devotee.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

The eleven forms of Ganesha have appeared to perfectly form the shape of Pranava (the sacred syllable ‘ OM’).

Nama Article 9th September 2013

 

Sembakkam near Vellore

 

Wish you all happy Vinayaka Chathurthi

 

Sembakkam is a beautiful village near Vellore in Tamil Nadu. The uniqueness of this village is that it has a Ganesha temple in which eleven moorthis (deities) of Ganesha have appeared on its own accord as 'Swayambhus'. Further the eleven forms of Ganesha have appeared to perfectly form the shape of Pranava (the sacred syllable ' OM').

 

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

 

Rama Nama is accorded the same power and potency in Bhakti Shastras as is accorded the Pranava Mantra in Vedanta Shastras.

 

A good family is a family which chants Nama regularly

 

Ganapathy and Rama Nama

 

Pillayar and Lord Krishna – One gets immediate benefits on remembering Lord Krishna and his Leelas

 

In divine presence, even the deadliest of enemies lose their tendency of hatred.

 

That is verily their 'Kula Mantra'.

 

This is called 'Soma-Ganapathy'. Ganapathy and Rama Nama

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

This is called ‘Soma-Ganapathy’. Ganapathy and Rama Nama

Nama Article 8th September 2013

 

Source: Soma Ganapathy

 

Generally, in Shiva temples, the deities of Parvathi and Parameswara are found along with 'Skanda' or 'Muruga'.   This is called 'soma-skanda'.  It is this deity that is taken in procession.

 

Thenampakkam (Sivasthanam) is a small village next to Chinna-Kanchipuram where Kanchi Maha Periyava (Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati) camped for quite some time.

 

The interesting aspect of this place is that, it is only here that Parvathi and Prameswara are found along with Vinayaka (Ganesha).  This is called 'Soma-Ganapathy'

 

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

 

A good family is a family which chants Nama regularly

 

Ganapathy and Rama Nama

 

Pillayar and Lord Krishna – One gets immediate benefits on remembering Lord Krishna and his Leelas

 

In divine presence, even the deadliest of enemies lose their tendency of hatred.

 

That is verily their 'Kula Mantra'.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Above all, does the Supreme Lord Sri Hari deny protection to those who approach him?

Nama Article 7th September 2013

 

Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 2:2:5

 

चीराणि किं पथि न सन्ति दिशन्ति भिक्षां

नैवाङ्घ्रिपाः पर-भृतः सरितो'प्य् अशुष्यन्

रुद्धा गुहाः किम् अजितोऽवति नोपसन्नान्

कस्माद् भजन्ति कवयो धन-दुर्मदान्धान्

 

Are there no rags lying on the common road ? Do the trees, which exist only to maintain others, no longer give alms in charity? Have the rivers dried up ? Are the caves of the mountains now closed, or, above all, does the Supreme Lord Sri Hari deny protection to those who approach him? Why then should the wise knock at the door of those who are blind with the pride of wealth ?

 

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

 

I secure what is not already possessed and preserve what they already possess

 

The path of Bhakthi is lyrical and full of beauty. That is why it is recommended to all.

 

The path of Bhakti is, undoubtedly, the easiest of all mărgas to attain Bhagavăn; not only for this Yuga (Age) but also for all Yugăs

 

"It is all right even if you do not hold your senses under control. Keep doing Năma Sankirtan. The 'indriyăs' (senses) will automatically come under control!"

 

Be simple, egoless and innocent like a child and have entire trust in Him, and He is yours. Have His Name on your lips.

 

Chant and pray with faith to Krishna and this is the easiest way for Divine grace

 

Guru is like a potter and a disciple is like a pot. A potter hits the pot from outside and provides every support from within.

 

Bhakti Yoga is an easy path - Sri Ramakrishna

 

To feel that you are His child be your supreme privilege,

 

I secure what is not already possessed and preserve what they already possess

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Even though we keep doing Nama Japa, we complain that our mind is filled with negative thoughts and so on. Why so?

Nama Article 7th September 2013

 

Source: Why is mind not purified?

 

Even though we keep doing Nama Japa, we complain that our mind is filled with negative thoughts and so on.  Why so?

 

As we progress in our Nama Japa, we should not seek anything else.  But our worldly life is filled with hurdles, small or big, and our mind wishes to come out of these hurdles, and hence we pray for the same.

 

The Nama Japa that we do is used for this purpose.  Hence the true goal of the Japa is never realized.

 

Thus, if we wish for purity of mind or Krishna Darshan, we should seek only that in the name of Nama and nothing else.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Papa had advised me also the same thing - to give up all ritualistic observances and stick to Ram Nam and Ram Nam alone to attain the Eternal.

Nama Article 4th September 2013

 

SOURCE: THE VISION - MOTHER KRISHNABAI

 

In the early days of the Ashram, a devotee approached Papa and asked if he should continue with his annual Ganapathi Puja at Chathurthi time, which he had been doing for many years. Papa strongly advised him to put an end to all these rituals though they might have helped him in the beginning. Papa had advised me also the same thing - to give up all ritualistic observances and stick to Ram Nam and Ram Nam alone to attain the Eternal.

 

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

 

Though a great marga, in today's world, it is just impossible to follow the Karma marga as prescribed in our Vedas

 

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

 

Rituals are only steps

 

Says Kabeer, why do you perform so many rituals?

 

Lord is not pleased as easily with the diverse practices of yoga, yajna (rituals) and austerities as he is with the recitation of the Divine Names by the devotees.

 

Sri Swamiji says "It is common for anyone in this Yuga. I can assure you that the Divine Name alone can make you attain God

 

The one who calls all the people in this Kali Yuga and gives the 'upadesa', "Utter the Name of the Lord. You can attain God!" Only such a one is a Sadguru.

 

Only the chanting of the Divine Names eradicates the evils of this Kali Yuga. There is no other effective way available to overcome the evil propensities of this Kaliyuga

 

Would it not amount to grave injustice if one shows a difficult path to the world ?

 

How can we attain spiritual powers?

 

Kali Santarana Upanishad comes to our rescue, stating which specific Nama has to be chanted for liberation, in this Age (Kali Yuga).

 

Having compassion of the Lord as the foundation, the one which has no rules, the one which can eradicate the force of Kali, Namakirtanam is the only resort. I think again and again about this with in Myself

 

We have little capacity to meditate, perform rituals and puja. But we are capable of chanting the names of the Lord - Krishna, Rama, and so on.

 

We don't have the capability to perform either Dhyana, Ritual rites and Pooja. We are capable only to Chant the Divine names of "Krishna, Rama". Its true that Divine names alone would protect us.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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