Chant the Name yourself; inspire others to chant as well...Adi Granth

Nama article 29th May 2007

Chant the Name yourself; inspire others to chant as well;

By hearing it, speaking of it and living by it, salvation is obtained.

The true essence is the Lord's Name.

By spontaneous devotion, says Nanak, chant the Lord's praise.

-- Adi Granth, Gauri Sukhmani 19-6.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 29th MAY 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 29th MAY 2007

Our head contains the thousand petal lotus called 'SahasrAra'.

When we prostrate to the Lord or our Guru by placing our head at His feet, we offer this precious lotus to His feet.

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Path for all in the present age

Nama article 28th May 2007

Excerpts from the discourse of Sri Sri Swamiji

"None has clear vision at night. This is true for all and there is no second opinion in the matter. None can claim to have clear vision at night.

Likewise, the mind of all people is impure in this Age of Kali. There is no disagreement in this matter.

Therefore, Naamasankirtan, shown by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is the only way out for all."

Chant

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 27th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 27th May 2007

It is said that when we breathe, we take in oxygen and breathe out carbon-di-oxide. This natural phenomenon is so beautiful and is part of Lord's wonderful creation. We cannot truly understand this phenomenon entirely.

Similarly, when we allow the Maha Mantra to get inside either by chanting or by hearing, all the sins accumulated in the past come out. This is also because of the infinite compassion of the Lord.

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

"I only eat and drink and sing God's name" Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna

Nama Article 25th May 2007

Source: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

I only eat and drink and sing God's name

KESHAB (to the Sri Ramakrishna):

"How long will you hide yourself in this way? I dare say people will be thronging here by and by in great crowds."

SRI RAMAKRISHNA:

"What are you talking of? I only eat and drink and sing God's name . I know nothing about gathering crowds. Hanuman once declared: 'I know nothing about the day of the week or the position of the moon and stars in the sky. I simply meditate on Rama.'"

KESHAB:

"All right, sir, I shall gather the crowd. But they all must come to your place."

Way out for restless mind

Nama Article 24th May 2007

Source: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi

Talk 326.

Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi said:

"Everybody complains of the restlessness of the mind. Let the mind be found and then they will know.

True, when a man sits down to meditate thoughts rush up by dozens. The mind is only a bundle of thoughts. The attempt to push through the barrage of thoughts is unsuccessful.

If one can by any means abide in the Self it is good. For those who are unable to do so, chanting or meditation (Japa or dhyana) is prescribed.

It is like giving a piece of chain to an elephant to hold in its trunk. The trunk of the elephant is usually restless. It puts it out in all directions when taken out in the streets of the town. If given a chain to carry the restlessness is checked.

Similarly with the restless mind. If made to engage in japa or dhyana, other thoughts are warded off: and the mind concentrates on a single thought. It thus becomes peaceful. It does not mean that peace is gained without a prolonged struggle. The other thoughts must be fought out."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 24th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 24th May 2007

We may have taken thousands of births and committed millions of sins.

No matter how colossal that figuremaybe, it is unquestionably well within the realm ofthe finite.

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

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 23rd May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 23rd May 2007

'Mahaprabhu made lions and tigers sing and dance to the tune of Nama Kirtan. What does this go to show? If you chant the Maha Mantra constantly, the whole world will be at your feet!'

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Chanting God's Divine Name loudly gives sweetness and joy

Nama Article 23rd May 2007

Chanting God's Divine Name loudly gives sweetness and joy

Swami Papa Ramdas

Though performance of mental japa is better than Chanting God's Divine Name loudly, the sweetness and joy born out of the loud chanting of the 'Nãma' is an experience which is beyond comparison.

When the Bhaktã's mind mingles in the melody he attains the experience that the Nãma is verily Brahman (The supreme).

Propagation is absolutely necessary

Nama Article 22nd May 2007

Excerpts from Discourse of Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

The world would not have learnt about the Incarnation of the Lord as Rama had not Valmiki written Srimad Ramayana.

Likewise, we would know nothing about the Lord's Incarnation as Krishna had not Sage Vedavyaasa authored Srimad Bhaagavatam.

'Propagation' ('prachaara') is absolutely necessary if any message has to reach the people.

"This applies to the Divine Name of the Lord, too!"

Way to make our ancestors going to Vaikunta

Nama Article 21st May 2007

There is neither time nor season for the utterance of God's Name, neither is there gender distinction. Destroying all sins, the Name of Hari liberates the downtrodden.

I witness my ancestors going to Vaikunta, by my mere singing of this wonderful name of Hari! –

Sant Gnan Dev Maharaj

To one who has not struggled through books............

Nama Article 20th May 2007

Source: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi

Talk 336.

A certain Vaisya who seems to have studied the Upanishads and Srimad Bhagavad Gita asked some questions:

Devotee .: I try to understand but without success. Can I find the Self by means of japa? If so, please tell me how.

BHAGAWAN RAMANA MAHARISHI : What japa? Why should you make artificial Japa? You can find out the eternal and natural japa always going on within you.

Devotee .: Some upadesh will probably help me.

BHAGAWAN RAMANA MAHARISHI : If I say "Do - Rama, Rama" to one who has not struggled through books like you, he will do it and stick to it . If I say so to one like you who have read much and are investigating matters, you will not do it for long, because you will think, "Why should I do it? Above all, who am I that should be repeating the mantra? Let me find who I am before I proceed further"; and so you will stop japa and begin investigation.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 21st May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 21st May 2007

'If man is Humble and Adheres to His Guru's word always, he becomes a maHAn'

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

God, the absolute, is verily the 'Nãma' that is Nameless

Nama Article 19th May 2007

God, the absolute, is verily the 'Nãma' that is Nameless

Swami Papa Ramdas

God is contained in 'srishtti' (creation) and at the same time beyond it ('srishtti'). The Divine Name denotes such a God. It is verily the omnipresent, limitless, changeless, serene 'tattva' that is God who is beyond 'srishtti'. It is this Universe containing within it all the creatures and things bearing name, form and with 'chalana' (movement, changing) that is within the limit of God's 'srishtti'. The Divine Name holds everything within 'IT'; at the same time 'IT' signifies God who is unique and beyond any distinctiveness.

Such Divine Name is the beginningless source of all 'srishtti' and at the same time is 'srishtti'. God, the absolute, is verily the 'Nãma' that is Nameless.

We should practice Japam of a Naama even while we lead a comfortable life

Nama Article 18th May 2007

Excerpts from the disourse of Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

There are sacred words (Mantras) which can cure ailments. If someone wants to perfect a Mantra that can cure scorpion-bites, he needs to chant the respective Mantra constantly whenever he gets the time. Only then can he master the Mantra to get the desired results.

If he does the Japam of that mantra only when someone comes to him for a cure, it would never produce results.

Similarly, we should practice Japam of a Naama even while we lead a comfortable life. If we do so, we would never get caught in problems. Even if we do, Naama Japam would automatically resolve it. This is much better (the best) than Chanting the Naama only after we land into some difficulty.

You have a tongue and the NAME of the Lord! Then why you have fear?

Nama Article 17th May 2007

Excerpts from the disourse of Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

You have a tongue and the NAME of the Lord!
Then why you have fear?

Many a Mahan has performed wonderful things through this Maha Mantra. Man has been blessed with a tongue and a Nãma (the Name of the Lord). Then there is no place for fear. You can chant this Nãma while bathing, while eating, while walking, while running, while waiting at the bus stop, while traveling, while lying down, while at work. You can utter this Maha Mantra even while wearing footwear.


Just like a streak of sunlight dispels the darkness of a hundred years, an utterance of the Divine Name can dissolve the sins accumulated over crores of births (Janmas).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 18th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 18th May 2007

" If the body dies you are born again. If the mind dies you are never born again"

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

To want to be happy..........Easiest way

Nama Article 16th May 2007

To want to be happy is to make the Lord happy

To make the lord happy is to chant his names

Bhagawan Yogiram Suratkumar

Golden words of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Nama Article 15th May 2007

Golden words of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

The one who chants the Divine names of the Lord should be humbler than a blade of grass.

The one who chants the Divine names of the Lord should be as patient as a tree.

The one who chants the Divine names of the Lord should not expect to be respected or celebrated by others.

The one who chants the Divine names of the Lord should be respectful towards all.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 15TH MAY 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 15TH MAY 2007

"A solitary rose or a jasmine flower smells great, no doubt. But it can never match the sweet fragrance of a bouquet full of them. Likewise, chanting Nama individually is great, but more radiant are the vibes generated by chanting as a group"

- SRI SRI MURALIDHARA SWAMIJI

Divine Names' are not mere names

Nama Article 14th May 2007

Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal says,

"The ever-blissful Supreme Lord, out of compassion for the welfare of the world, took up forms such as Sri Vishnu, Sri Siva, etc.

Feeling that these Forms alone will not suffice for redemption of the world He also became the Divine Names such as 'Hari!' 'Siva!' and is ever alive in these Names.

That is, the Divine Names' are not mere names. Like the Deities they are also verily the Lord. Divine Name ('Nama') possesses all the powers of the Lord."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 14th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 14th May 2007

"If you think that liberation is out of reach, then the Holy Padukas of the Guru are the ladder that help you fetch it."

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

How to conquer the mind?

Nama Article 13th May 2007

Excerpts from the disourse of Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

A person desires to steal. But because of his fear for the rigid law of the country he abstains from stealing.

However, as long as he entertains this thought to steal he will not become virtuous. So the law of the country has not reformed him. It has only stopped him temporarily.

Given a chance he will try to trick the law and steal.

So, as long as the change does not come about in one's mental attitude it cannot be deemed as a transformation.

A mind which is considered to be unconquerable, by the soothing influence of the Name becomes docile, yielding and submissive.

The mind itself is transformed into God by the power of the Name.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 13th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 13th May 2007

Belief and understanding constitute the very bedrock of everything in this world. A true wife never doubts her husband's virtue and same holds good for the husband too. Likewise, never once does a true disciple doubt, if his Guru has conquered his senses!

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Tear off your mask of bias! Come face to face!

Sri Sri Swamiji's Words

Friend behind the mask of bias!
Lets us not play the game of unfairness where we…
Never forget to indict the Almighty’s “mercilessness”during murky days
And
Ever forget to remember His Grace during sunny days!

Friend!
Tear off your mask of bias! Come face to face!
Let us play it fair and square by
Never failing to thank Him for His boundless Grace on days of shine!

It is a treasure that is capable of swelling our day-to-day life's comforts and joy

Nama Article 12th May 2007

Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati [Maha Periyava] of Kaanchi Kaamakoti Peetam on the glory of Namasankirtan

"One need not feel self-conscious for singing the Divine Names of the Lord.

Does embarrassment have any place in uttering the Name of the Lord who is the very form of compassion?

The only criterion for the performance of Nama Sankirtan is the feeling of devotion ['Bhakti bhaavana'] and not deep knowledge of music, raga bhaava and melodious voice.

Does not a child who is involved in playing some games, on suddenly remembering the mother, rush to her crying out, 'oh, Amma, amma'? There is neither embarrassment nor musical splendor in it.

Likewise, even amidst our worldly business we should think of the Universal Mother, God, for at least a few minutes and cry out 'Rama! Krishna! Siva! Amba!'

This is a very healthy habit.

It is a treasure that is capable of swelling our day-to-day life's comforts and joy. "

Hence let us all

Chant

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

and lead a comfortable life.

Whatever is sought , it shall be provided for – Nama the Akshayapathra!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 12th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 12th May 2007

"True is the Master, True is His Name - speak it with infinite love."

-- Guru Granth Sahib

Power of Lord's Name

Nama Article 11th May 2007

Excerpts from the discourse of Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

A single Name of the Lord is so powerful that one cannot commit as many sins as it can erase even if he were to take a vow to commit only sins.

The sin committed in other forms of worship is cleansed by Chanting the Name of the Lord. The sin committed while chanting the Name of the Lord can be cleansed only by chanting the Name of the Lord again and again.

Be steadfast in Chanting the Name of the Lord

Nama Article 10th May 2007

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal

காந்தஊசியை எந்தப் பக்கம் திருப்பினாலும் வடக்கு நோக்கியே திரும்பி நிற்கும். அதுபோல் யார் என்ன உபதேசித்தாலும் கேளாமல் பகவன் நாமாவையே நம்பி இரு. உன் மனதை பகவன் நாமாவின் பக்கமே திருப்பு

Even if you try and rotate the magnetic needle to any direction it would always turn to the point north.

Similarly don't be distracted to any other philosophy preached by others and be steadfast in Chanting the Name of the Lord.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 11th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 11th May 2007

"Friend!
Tear off your mask of bias! Come face to face!
Let us play it fair and square by
Never failing to thank Him for His boundless Grace on days of shine!"

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 10th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 10th May 2007

"If a man repeats the name of God, his body, mind and everything becomes pure. Why should one talk only about sin and hell? Just say once, "O Lord, I have undoubtedly done wicked things, but I won't repeat them," and have faith in His name"

- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Be in touch with your Master always

Nama article 9th May 2007

Be in touch with your Master always

You cannot comprehend God (Bhagavan/Atma) with your intellect ('buddhi'). When you are totally ignorant to what is happening beyond these walls, what is going to happen tomorrow and what had happened some 30/40 years back how can you think of comprehending God with your intellect? It is like trying to see the Sunlight with the help of the moonlight when the reality is that the Moon has no light of its own but it is only the reflected light of the Sun. It is only through the association of great saints (Mahathmas) can you earn devotion. Great saints are the hands of the Lord. Just as we pick up things with the hands, God pulls us unto Himself using Mahathmas as His hands. Never sever your association with Mahathmas.

Never miss the weekly satsangh (place where Mahamantra is chanted) being organized in your place as ordained by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji.

If you attend the Mahamantra satsangh which is regularly being organised in your locality, it means, you are in touch with Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji always .

Nama Article 8th May 2007

Nama Article 8th May 2007

Excerpts for the discourse of Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Sound and Space

Sound has power. All the five elements are found in our body - fire, water, earth, air and space. The five elements - fire ('agni') in our body digests the food that we take. Food and water affect our body. If we drink contaminated water it affects the body health. Alcohol affects our body. If unhealthy food is eaten we suffer from food poison. If we breathe a polluted air our health gets affected.

Space does not mean the sky seen on the outside but there is 'ãkãsã' (space) within our body, too. There is space between the liver and another part of our body. There is space between the different parts of our body. This space is affected by the sound that is heard. Just as unhygienic drink or food affects our system so do unhealthy sounds (in the form of vulgar songs, speeches) affect our system both physically and mentally. This may lead to the stage of depression. Just as medicines prescribed by a doctor cure us of the infection from impure water and food so do the sound of the Divine Name of the Lord (the Mahamantra) purifies the space within, which has been infected with impure sounds.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 7th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 7th May 2007

"An ordinary person bends towards the mass, but the extraordinary person bends the mass towards himself"

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 7th April 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 7th April 2007

If you develop love it is meditation. If you chant you shall develop love. So chanting is nothing but meditation.

- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Nama Japa is the easiest and simplest

Nama Article 6th May 2007

Question:

Should I do japa (repetition of a particular name of God)? Or should I do 'Atma vichara' (Self-enquiry)?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

Keep doing japa.

Question:

But, Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi says that 'atma vichara' is very easy. Then why should I not practice 'Atma vichara'? Why do You advise me to do japa?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

Ramana Maharishi did not go about enquiring of each and everyone, "Should I do japa? Or should I practice self-enquiry?" For your level of maturity it is good to do japa.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 6th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 6th May 2007

One's mere presence near the flower will suffice to get its fragrance. Likewise, merely remaining in the Sadhu's presence is enough to feel the divinity

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 4th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 4th May 2007

'Where there is lust, there is no Lord.'

- H.H. Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 5th May 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 5th May 2007

If a jasmine plant grows in a 'nandavanam', it has the fortune of being offered to God. If it grows in a park, its beauty and fragrance are appreciated by the visitors. If it grows in a garden, it might find its way to the flower market, where a man might buy it for his beloved. However, if it ends up near a gutter, it is a great misfortune on part of the flower. Similarly, beauty, love, knowledge and divinity in the midst of those who do not know its worth is a great misfortune for the one who possesses those attributes.


- H.H. Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

What is real meditation?

Nama Article 5th May 2007

Source: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Talk 485 .

Devotee : While engaged in Atma vichara (the investigation of the Self), I fall asleep. What is the remedy for it?

Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi .: Do nama-sankirtana (sing the name of God).

Devotee : Should I not go on with repetition of sacred syllables, ( mantra japa), e.g., Krishna or Rama's name, when I worship images?

Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi .: Mental japa is very good. That helps meditation. Mind gets identified with the repetition and then you get to know what worship ( puja) really is - the losing of one's individuality in that which is worshipped.
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Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi has often said that if we go to Manolaya (Sleeping state) we will not go to moksham (liberation) but mosampovam (reach the undesirable state).

Hence during meditation or doing atma vicharam many may get in to the sleeping state and think that they are medidating. They also feel fresh, as all of us would be, after a sound sleep.

But this is not meditation. Real meditation is being in the thoughtless state when we are awake. The easiest way to practice the "real" meditation is to Chant the Name and watching our mind constantly to ensure that no thought arises between the first Name chanted and the next time the same Name is chanted. That is there should be no thought between the first "Hare Rama...."Mahamantra and the next "Hare Rama...."Mahamantra.

To put it short in our Sri Sri Swamiji's words we should marry the two names, meaning that there should be no thoughts between the chanting.

This is real meditation. As we are chanting the Divine Name, it has got the power to eliminate other thoughts from our mind with out effort.

Hence Chant,

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

Glory of Rama Nama - The Name that Lord Shiva always Chants

Nama Article 4th May 2007

Glory of Rama Nama - The Name that Lord Shiva always Chants

Shiva chants Rama nama. So what happens is he could burn Kaama (desire), the reason for birth, through Third eye and he foots Kaala (time) beneath his feet, the reason for death. So one who chants Rama wins birth and death.

How do you measure your progress in the spiritual path?

Nama article - 3rd May 2007

How do you measure your progress in the spiritual path?

Not through the divine visions but through the level of your detachment to worldly matters.

When we move towards Sun our shadow is behind, when we move away from Sun the shadow is right in front.

So when we are moving towards God our problems are behind us and does not scare us.

Moving towards God is chanting his Nama. Name and God is one and the same.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Thought for the Day - 2nd May 2007

Thought for the Day - 2nd May 2007

"The very purpose of performing rites and rituals is to attain chitta shuddhi, i.e, purity of thought. If these karmas are performed in an incorrect manner with a lot of compromise, for self-interest and pomp, with pride and hypocrisy, not only will it result in further impurity, but will also prove detrimental"

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

How to remove unwanted thoughts?

Nama Article - 2nd May 2007

In Bhakti it is said, 'the mind is like a dense forest containing all sorts of bushes, plants and trees. Remove all the unwanted bushes, plants, trees and the weeds and make it a forest of the Holy Tulasi or the Holy Bilwa.'

Well! How do you go about it?

Verily through the chanting of the Divine Name - the Mahãmantra

"Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!"

Ãdi Sankara on Karmas

Nama Article - 1st May 2007

The Vedas say perform karma all through your lifetime. So, the 'karma' supporters would quote these words of the Vedas and say that if one fails to perform the karmas he would end up in hell.

But how does Ãdi Sankara elucidate this? "'Lifetime' here does not mean 'till death' - it means till you desire to enjoy life! If you nourish desires for worldly matters, well, then perform karmas as prescribed by the Scriptures.

However, if you are in the quest of the Lord give up everything - all karmas - and work towards the end purpose of Life."

Hence, Chant the Divine Name.

Chant the Mahãmantra

"Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!" all the time.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 30th April 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 30th April 2007

"World peace is in your word and that word is the divine name of Lord"

- SRI SRI MURALIDHARA SWAMIJI