As a student, is it important to focus on studies or should one be more devoted towards God?

Nama Article - 29th August 2007

 

Source: http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/questions.html

 

As a student, is it important to focus on studies or should one be more devoted towards God?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

There should be an balanced mix of both. While you concentrate on your studies and prepare yourself for your future, you also need God's grace. The simplest way to invoke God's grace is by chanting the Mahamantra whenever you have time. So, chant the Mahamantra regularly in the mornings and evenings along with your regular prayers, and concentrate well on your studies.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

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

Nama Article - 28th August 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

What is the easiest way out? Verily Chanting the Mahamantra!

 

In Gita, Bhagavaan says,

'Bahu shaakha hyananthaascha buddhayo avyavasaayinaam'

 

- One who has no set goal has a wavering mind. His thoughts are multifold.

 

While speaking on Satsang (good association - Sadhu company) we also make reference of 'dursang' (bad company) also. Whose company is to be considered bad ('dursangh')? It is not one who drinks, gambles or visits immoral women, which is usually taken to be associations to be avoided. You can find undesired company even amongst 'sadhus' itself! You may be doing japa of Rama Naama. Someone might advice you that unless you had knowledge of the Vedas, you cannot attain God. Another might say that without Sanskrit knowledge it is verily impossible to attain God. Yet another one might advice difficult yogaabhyaas like pulling in the breath through one nostril and breathing it out through the other. Some one else might advice performance of homas. Some one might question, "Do you know to sing 'abhangas'? Do you know Divya prabandam? Do you know Periapuraanam or Devaaram? You have to sing all these to attain Bhagavaan. You cannot attain Him by merely chanting a simple Rama Naama!" Poor man who had been keenly chanting Rama Naama would now feel like learning these. Each one advices what he knows. If you listen to such people and try your hands at it, you will only end up in confusion.

 

Do not bother about these. All those who have learnt the Vedas have not seen Bhagavaan. There are those who have not learnt the Vedas but yet seen Bhagavaan. Similarly, all those have knowledge of Sanskrit have not seen Bhagavaan. There are people who do not know Sanskrit, yet have attained Bhagavaan. Therefore, do not bother about such advices.

 

There is only one quality required to attain Bhagavaan and that is 'premai' (love) in one's 'hrudaya' (heart). All that we need to do for this is just chant the Mahamantra! There is no path easier than Chanting the Name for the attainment of God.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

My father will bless all those who participate in this mahayagna...........

Nama Article - 26th August 2007

 

Bhagawan Yogiramsuratkumar

 

"yagnyanam japayagnyosmi"  – Among sacrifices, I am the sacrifice of silent repetitions, says Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita.

 

Chanting of Lord Rama's Name is a great sacrifice and participating in this mahayagna is equal to receiving invitation from my master, Swami Ramdas Himself. My father will bless all those who participate in this mahayagna and all welfare will accrue to them.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

I am the sacrifice of silent repetitions, says Lord Krishna

Nama Article - 25th August 2007

 

यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोस्मि

 

"yagnyanam japayagnyosmi"

(Bhagavad Gita 10:25)

 

I am the sacrifice of silent repetitions, says Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita.

 

 

English Commentary - Swami Sivananda

 

Manu has said: "Whatever else the Brahmana may or may not do, he attains salvation by Japa (silent repetition of a Mantra) alone."

 

Japayajna: There is neither injury nor loss in this Yajna. Therefore, it is regarded as the best of all Yajnas.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Why I cant postpone chanting?

Nama Article - 24th August 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

We pass through many births and to obtain human birth is rare indeed. It is rare still to be born a normal human being without any physical or mental defect. But, we waste this birth without using it for the purpose it is meant for. We may think, "In this janma I have not seen Bhagavaan; I have not done japa, dhyana, yoga or even a 'punya kaarya' but I will try to all these in my next birth! But, this cannot be. When we go to sleep at night and wake up the next morning we are the same personality that we were when we to bed. Our quality, good and bad does not change during sleep. Sleep is only 'mano laya' (the mind rests). In sleep the 'manas' rests and the 'vasanas' are just lying low. They have not been destroyed. In the morning when the 'manas' wakes up all the 'vasanas' come up again.

 

Similarly, death is only a long sleep and it does not change the person's 'gunaas' (qualities).

 

Valluvar says,

 உறங்கு வதுபோலுஞ்  சாக்காடு உறங்கி

விழிப்பது போலும் பிறப்பு.

 

"Uranguvathu polum saakaadu; urangi vizhippadu polum pirappu'

 

- Death is akin to sleep and birth is akin to waking up. Sleep is for a night and death is a long sleep in another world for some years.

 

When Bhagavan decides a janma to be the very last one, the man attains a Sadguru.

 

Don't loose the "present" moment, the gift of lord,

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Flashes from Swami Vivekananda

Nama Article - 23rd August 2007

 

Source: Flashes from Swami Vivekananda

 

Japa is repeating the Holy Name; through this the devotee rises to the Infinite

 

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

I wish to get rid of the 'I' sense, but, it's a pity that even to wish for that, it requires 'I'!

 

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Sometimes the seed falls upside down but when the sprout comes out it shoots up rightly............

Nama Article - 22nd August 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by Sri Sri Swamiji

 

Do Nãmakirtan rightly or wrongly, it does bestow its 'phala' (fruit), certainly. When Vãlmiki was a hunter he did not even know to utter Rama and did japa of it as 'mara', 'mara'! Yet, he became such a great Maharshi and composed the 'Ãdi kãvya' (Ramayana).

 

When the farmer sows the seed - wheat or some other grain - he does not sow it taking care to place the end from where the plant would sprout, up. Instead he just throws it around the field. Sometimes the seed falls upside down but when the sprout comes out it shoots up rightly. Likewise, whether Bhagavan Nãma falls straight into your ears or falls upside down, it performs its work of taking you to the Lotus Feet of Bhagavãn. Does it not? This is verily the glory of Nãmakirtan. It is this (Nãmakirtan) that is spoken of specially ('visesha Dharma') in the Bhãgavatam.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Chanting the divine name ‘Rama’ gets the complete grace of Shiva Bhagavan

Nama Article - 21st August 2007

 

Lord Shiva says," The moment the letter 'ra' comes out of one's mouth, my heart jumps in joy in expectation of listening to the Divine Name 'Rama'."

 

So, chanting the divine name 'Rama' gets the complete grace of Shiva Bhagavan.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Your last breathe should ensure that this is your last birth
 

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji
 

When will I get Bhakthi?

Nama Article - 20th August 2007

 

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Maharaj

 

Instead of asking "When will I get Bhakthi?", "When will I get Bhakthi?" thousand times, "Chant the Name of the Lord, you will attain what you want"

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Nama Article - 19th August 2007

Nama Article - 19th August 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Just as a seed that is fried, does not sprout any longer, the mind immersed in the bliss of chanting the Divine names does not become a slave to worldly pleasures.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Chant Name with out shame

Nama Article - 18th August 2007

 

Source: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

 

Chant Name with out shame

 

Sri Ramakrishna says "One cannot be spiritual as long as one has shame, hatred, or fear. Great will be the joy today. But those fools who will not sing or dance mad with God's name, will never attain God. How can one feel any shame or fear when the names of God are sung? Now sing, all of you."

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Thought for the Day

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

In the world, is there anyone more compassionate than the Lord who has created this world and us and has also given us the freedom to refute His existence!
 

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

The mantra finally merges into the Self and shines forth as the Self - Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi

Nama Article - 17th August 2007

 

Source: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi

 

Talk 78.

 

DEVOTEE: How to find the Atman?

 

Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi : There is no investigation into the Atman. The investigation can only be into the non-self. Elimination of the non-self is alone possible. The Self being always self evident will shine forth of itself. The Self is called by different names - Atman, God, Kundalini, mantra, etc. Hold any one of them and the Self becomes manifest. God is no other than the Self. Kundalini is now showing forth as the mind. When the mind is traced to its source it is Kundalini. Mantra japa leads to elimination of other thoughts and to concentration on the mantra. The mantra finally merges into the Self and shines forth as the Self.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Sadhana is not about doing; its about being.

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

I feel ashamed to stand before God and seek for his blessings the next time. What should I do?

Nama Article - 16th August 2007

 

Source: http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/questions7.html#mistakes

 

In this Kali Yuga, we do mistakes with or without our knowledge. Though I chant the Maha Mantra, having committed so many mistakes in my daily life, I feel ashamed to stand before God and seek for his blessings the next time. What should I do?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

It is a common for everybody in this world to commit mistakes. Especially the current yuga is notorious enough to compel you to commit mistakes. At the same time, this is not to encourage you to commit mistakes. It is not a grave sin as long as the mistakes are because of the fact that you are unable to control your senses. Chant the Maha Mantra without the feeling of guilt. As you chant it continuously, it will slowly bring a transformation in you even without your knowledge.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Mahathma Gandhi's lecture before Inpendence

Nama Article - 15th August 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Mahatma Gandhi says in the last lecture that he offered, just before India gained her Independence, "I tried 'mouna vrata' (vow of silence), I went without food, I waged war through 'ahimsa', 'satya graha' but when all these attempts have failed to free India from foreign rule, I feel that the last resort is for all the people in every home, every village, every Town to get together and chant Rama Nãma!" The Mahatma has declared so. Do not these words of Mahatma Gandhi speak of the glory of Nãma Prabhãva?

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

All those who can think above and beyond the level of the normal human mind that confines itself within a tiny radius, are greater souls indeed, to that extent.
 

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The waves of the mighty ocean that hit the shore repeatedly as if there is something to acquire there is like the minds of the worldly. No matter how many times it reaches the shore and recedes, it keeps coming back endlessly. The state of the Jnani though is like the mid-ocean - calm, still and unperturbed, always. 
 

 -- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Which atonement ('prãyaschiita') is the best?

Nama Article - 14th August 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Once Samarta Ramdas wanders about the forest freely. Lots of birds are flying up in the sky. Ramadas had a bag hung from his shoulder. He picks up a stone and hits a flying bird and it falls down dead. He picks up the dead bird and drops it in his bag. In this manner he hits the birds one by one and drops them in his bag. Those who watched him thought, 'Everyone calls him a Mahatma. But, he is killing the birds one by one and is dropping them in his bag.' They go up to him and tell, "Swami! The whole world calls you a Mahatma. But, you are committing such an act!"

 

Ramadas asks, "Is what I am doing sinful?"

 

The people reply, "Certainly! What you are doing is sinful. One by one you are killing all the birds and dropping them in your bag!"

 

Ramadas, "Well! What is the atonement for it?"

 

They speak elaborately on the atonement to be done and Ramadas performs all of them though them.

 

Soon after Ramdas asks them, "At your behest I have performed all the atonement rites. But, the birds do not seem to fly!"

 

They say, "Your sins have flown away. But, the birds will not fly!"

 

Do you know what Samarta Ramdas said?

 

"I will now do an atonement. Will you watch?"

 

He picked up a bird from the bag and held it in his hand. He uttered, 'Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram!' and lifted his hand. The bird happily soared up into the sky! As he picked up the birds one by one and uttered the Nãma they all flew away into the sky!

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Which atonement ('prãyaschiita') is the best?

Nama Article 13th August 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

'Nãmasankirtanam yasya sarva pãpa pranãshanam

pranãmo dukkhashamanah tam namãmi Harimparam!'

                                                (Srimad Bhagavatham)

 

In the Karma 'kãnda' (chapter) various atonements ('prãyaschiita'), as laid down in the Dharma Shastra/Manusmriti, have been prescribed.

 

One may ask, 'Well! He can perform those atonements. Can't he?'

 

The answer is, 'Yes, he can. But no purpose would be served by that!'

 

A man was pushed into a situation of accepting a bribe. The bribe amounted to one lakh rupees. He consulted his parents and they advised him, "No, don't accept it. It is verily a sin.' He approached the 'Shastrigal' (Priest) and the latter said, "There is an atonement ('prayaschitta') for this. It will cost 10,000 rupees and you will be relieved of this sin."

 

He calculated the ultimate profit - 'the income from the bribe is 1,00,000 rupees and the expense for obliterating the sin is only 10,000 rupees. I stand to gain 90,000 rupees'.

 

So, this encourages him to commit sins in future. Does it not? So, this kind of 'prayaschitta' is like 'manye kunjarashouchavat'.

 

'Manye kunjarashouchavat' - What does this mean? The elephant has a big body. It takes the mahout lots of effort to clean this big body. He orders the elephant to lie on different angles and with a black wood that is like a black stone scrubs the body repeatedly - thoroughly. Just through watching him bathe the elephant we experience pain in our hands! He bathes it so thoroughly. He then leaves the elephant on the banks and goes back to the water to clean his hands and legs. When he turns around he finds the elephant picking up some sand and dropping it on its body! Just as the elephant throws sand on its body no sooner than it has been given a thorough clean up, so, too, does this man even before the process of atonement for a sin committed is complete, commits another.

 

But, if you do Nãmasankirtan, it not only becomes atonement for all the sins committed but is also 'shipram bhavati dharmãtma' == It also completely erases the feeling ('buddhi') to commit a sin again. Very soon it makes you a Dharmãtma (righteous person).

 

That is the 'prabhãva' (glory) of Nãmakirtan.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

A tidal wave of spirituality breaks upon the world, and people feel spirituality almost full in the air..........

Nama Article - 12th August 2007

 

Source: 'Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda' - Volume 3- Bhakthi Yoga-

CHAPTER VI INCARNATE TEACHERS AND INCARNATION:

 

"Wherever His name is spoken, that very place is holy. How much more so is the man who speaks His name, and with what veneration ,ought we approach that man out of whom comes to us spiritual truth! Such great teachers of spiritual truth are indeed very few in number in this world, but the world is never altogether without them. They are always the fairest flowers of human life "the ocean of mercy without any motive". "Know the Guru to be Me", says Shri Krishna in the Bhagavata. The moment the world is absolutely bereft of these, it becomes a hideous hell and hastens on to its destruction."  

 

God understands human failings and becomes man to do good to humanity:

 

"Whenever virtue subsides and wickedness prevails, I manifest Myself. To establish virtue, to destroy evil, to save the good I come from Yuga (age) to Yuga."

 

"Fools deride Me who have assumed the human form, without knowing My real nature as the Lord of the universe." Such is Shri Krishna's declaration in the Gita on Incarnation.

 

"When a huge tidal wave comes," says Bhagavan Shri Ramakrishna, "all the little brooks and ditches become full to the brim without any effort or consciousness on their own part; so when an Incarnation comes, a tidal wave of spirituality breaks upon the world, and people feel spirituality almost full in the air."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 9th August 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

When we pray, we all seek God's pardon saying, "Please forgive me God, for the mistakes that I have done unknowingly".

 

But if we wish to be honest, we should pray "God! Please forgive me for all the mistakes that I have committed knowingly, on account of my sense of ego".

 

This would indeed be the right prayer!

 

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

While in meditation, think of God as not as an image or idol but as your most lovable one in flesh and bones.

 

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

The Truth is invisible;   falsity is apparent.

The toughest job on Earth is that of a Guru who makes you forget the apparent and realize the invisible.

 

-- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

Sri Lanka is the only nation in the world whose name is prefixed by 'Sri', the reason behind that being, Sri Mahalakshmi Herself (in the form of Sita Devi) stayed in Asoka Vana there for ten months.

 

  -- Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji