IHow to attain immortality?

Nama article - 29th September 2007

 

Kaivalya Upanishad

 

न कर्मणा न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैके अमृतत्वमानशुः

 

na karmaNA na prajayA dhanena tyAgenaike amRtatvamAna sh:

 

One can achieve immortality (Liberation), not by ones own pious deeds, nor by progeny, nor by the accumulation of wealth, but only by renunciation (Sacrifice).

 

Srimad Bhagavatham

 

Uddhava: "What is 'tyaaga' (sacrifice)?"

 

Sri Krishna: "Giving up attachment to one's actions is true sacrifice".

 

How to put an end to attachment? Let's see tomorrow……what the Jagathguru Sri Krishna says....

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

The only atonement (Praayachitham) which alone is capable of nullifying all the errors completely....

Nama Article - 28th September 2007

 

मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं हुतIशन।

यद्धुतं तु मया देव परिपूणं तदस्तु ते॥

प्रायश्र्चित्तान्यशेषाणि तपकर्मात्मकानि वै।

यानि तेषामशेषाणां श्री कृष्णानुस्मरणं परम॥

 

Mantra heenam, kriyaa heenam, Bhakti heenam, uthaasana:

yaththu thamthu mayaa deva, paripoornam thathasthuthe.

Praayachithaani, aseshaani, thapapa karma aathmakaanivai,

yaani desham aseshaanam, Sri Krishna anusmaranam param.

 

(These verses are invariably recalled at the end of every Hindu religious rite)

 

There would be errors in my offerings, whether in Mantra (recital of sacred hymns), Kriya (in the prescribed way it should have been done) or in Bhakti (in my devotion).

 

Oh Lord! please Pardon me and accept these offerings as exact by your grace and make them complete.

 

The only atonement (Praayachitham) which alone is capable of nullifying all the errors completely is Your remembrance by Chanting the Divine Name " Krishna."

 

This alone is enough to get the complete grace and make the offerings complete.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

Sins of action, sins of the mind and sins of the tongue - are all eradicated........how?

Nama Article - 27th September 2007

 

मानसं वाचिकं पापं कर्मणा समुपार्जितं ।

श्रीराम -स्मरणेनैव व्यपोहति न सम्षयः ॥

 

mAnasaM vAcikaM pApam karmaNA samupArjitaM /

SrIrAma-smaraNenaiva vyapohati na samSayaH //

 

(These verses are invariably recalled at the beginning of every Hindu religious rite)

 

Sins of action, sins of the mind and sins of the tongue - are all eradicated, without doubt, by just the remembrance of the Divine name Rama.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

The person who remembers The Lord is purified both externally and internally

Nama Article 25th September 2007

 

अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थाम् गतोपि वा ।

यः स्मरेत् पुण्डरीकाक्षम् स बाह्याभ्यन्तर - शुचिः ॥

 

apavitraH pavitro vA sarvA-vasthAm gato'pi vA I

yas-smaret-punDarIkAksham sa bAhyAbhyantaraH SuciH II

 

(These verses are invariably recalled at the beginning of every Hindu religious rite)

 

In all conditions, whether pure or impure, the person who remembers The Lord (whose eyes are beautiful like a lotus), is purified both externally and internally.

 

Remebering the Lord is chanting His Name.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

How can I take delight in God's name?

Nama Article - 24th September 2007

 

Source: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

 

Cultivate a taste for God's name

 

DEVOTEE: "How can I take delight in God's name?"

 

SRI RAMAKRISHNA : "Pray to God with a yearning heart that you may take delight in His name. He will certainly fulfill your heart's desire."

 

Then the Sri Ramakrishna said: " 'Even for Thy holy name I have no taste.' A typhoid patient has very little chance of recovery if he loses all taste for food; but his life need not be despaired of if he enjoys food even a little. That is why one should cultivate a taste for God's name. Any name will do- Durga, Krishna, or Siva. Then if, through the chanting of the name, one's attachment to God grows day by day, and joy fills the soul, one has nothing to fear. The delirium will certainly disappear; the grace of God will certainly descend."

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

 

The greatness of Ram Naam is indescribable

Nama Article - 23rd September 2007

 

Excerpts from discourse of Sri Shãntãnanda Puri

 

Sri Shãntãnanda Puri is a 'parivrãjaka' sanyasi (ascetic who keeps moving). He is the disciple of Swami Purushotamanandaji Maharaj of Vasishta Guha, Himalayas, who is the disciple of Swami Brahmananda (the great disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa).

 

"The greatness of Ram Nãm is indescribable. Once, some devotees requested Swami Purushottamãnandaji Maharaj to discourse on "The greatness of Ram Nãm". Swami Purushottamananda who prefers to remain in mouna(Silence) agreed to do so after repeated requests. He raised his hands and began "The greatness of Ram Nãm….". Immmediately, he went into samadhi and remained motionless for several minutes. When he came out of that state, he once again began, "The greatness of Ram Nãm…". He went into samadhi again. All those gathered there sat spellbound as if in a trance. Swami Purushottamananda concluded his "Discourse" by saying,"As you have directly witnessed the greatness of Ram nãm there is nothing left to talk about it!"

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

 

Namakirtan removed such agonizing stomach pain of a Vedanta Sanyãsin......

Nama Article - 22nd September 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was devoted to Kali and Krishna in the form of Radha-Kãnta. Totãpuri, a Vedanta Sanyãsin, arrives at his place. Totapuri advises Ramakrishna, "You are performing 'saguna upãsana' (worship of God in form). You should change your ways and move to 'nirguna upãsana' (worship of the formless aspect of God). You should turn your vision inward and fix it in Atma Swaroopa. Ramakrishna receives 'upadesa' from Totãpuri. In the evenings Paramahamsa would take a stroll on the banks of the Ganga performing kirtan of

 

'Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!'

 

He used to clap his hands while doing the kirtan.

 

One day Totãpuri notices Ramakrishna Paramahamsa performing Nãmakirtan and mocks at him, "what a fool have I been to have taught Vedanta to you? You have not yet come up the ladder. You are still doing kirtan of 'Hare Rama Hare Rama!' as one would make chappãti with the dough!" He always criticized Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in this manner. Every time Ramakrishna began his kirtan, Totãpuri would ridicule him, "Oh! You have begun to make chappãtti!"

 

One day this Vedantin Totãpuri was afflicted with excruciating stomach pain. Who was afflicted with such unbearable pain? -Totãpuri! The one who possessed the knowledge that 'sariira' (body) was different from the Atma suffered from such pain. How severe was pain? He decided to end his life by jumping into the Ganga. So intense was his pain. In spite of Ramakrishna being his disciple, Totãpuri sought the former's help. "I am unable to bear this stomach pain."

 

Ramakrishna said, "Don't you worry. Do not think of jumping into the Ganga. Do not think of ending your life. I will tell you a very easy way out."

 

Speaking thus, Ramakrishna made Totãpuri sit in front of him and began to do Nãmakirtan,

 

"Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!"

 

When Paramahamsa performed kirtan of this ten times there remained no trace of the stomach pain in Totãpuri! He was wonderstruck at the 'mahima' (greatness) of Bhagavan Nãma.

 

If the chant of Bhagavan Nãma ten times removed such agonizing stomach pain of a Vedanta Sanyãsin of a high order then what to speak of the 'prabhãva' of Nãmakirtan?

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

 

Name or Named? Which is great?

Nama Article - 21st September 2007

 

Name or Named? Which is great?

 

Having received the 'upadesa' (inititation) from Narada, Valmiki chanted 'Rama! Rama! Rama!' for a thousand years. He knew not what it meant. Sage Vasishta the family Guru of Dasarata was in samadhi. In his state of samãdhi, Vasishta heard the sweet sound 'Rama! Rama!' being uttered by Valmiki seated inside an anthill in some remote place.

 

Vasishta thought, "Oh! How sweet is this sound - Rama! Rama! I must christen a child born in 'Ishwãhu kula' (family of Ishwãhu) with this Name."

 

So, every time a child was born in 'Ishwãhu kula', Vasishta would rush and peep into the cradle.

 

'No! This child does not deserve this name.'

 

Thus, generations passed.

 

And when Dasarata was blessed with four sons, Vasishta rushed to have a look at Dasarata's sons. As soon as his eyes rested on the eldest born, who shone with luster, he exclaimed, "Ah! This is the one! He has to be Named 'Rama!" And the babe was named, "Rama!"

Thus, it was the Name that had come first and the Named came later!

 

So, which is great? Name or the Named? - Name, of course!

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

 

For every word there is a meaning which is inseparable - Divine poet Kalidasa's Raghuvamsam

Nama Article - 20th September 2007

 

वागर्थाविव सम्प्रुक्तौ वागर्थप्रतिपत्तये

जगतः पितरौ वन्दे पार्वतीपरमेश्वरौ

 

vAgarthAviva sampruktau vAgarthapratipattaye

jagatah pitarau vande pArvatIparameshvarau

 

 - Opening sloka in Divine poet Kalidasa's Raghuvamsam.

 

An invocation by the divine poet, to seek the blessings of Parvathi-Parameshwaran.   Here the divine poet says for every word there is a meaning which is inseparable like the Divine couple, Parvathi-Parameshwaran.

 

Likewise the Lord's name and Lord's form are inseperable. When you say the name automatically it gets the Vision of the Form of the Lord.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

Each Name has a form. Each Form has a name

Nama Article - 19th September 2007

 

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Maharaj

 

Each Name has a form. Each Form has a name. Name and Form does not exist separately without the other. If we chant the Name of the Lord, one automatically gets the vision of the Form of the Lord.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

Destroying the mind

Nama Article - 18th September 2007

 

Destroying the mind

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Mind is like a fully grown tree that has its root that goes very deep. The tree is huge with a lot of branches. The roots are the vasanas (latent impressions). As long as the root is alive, the tree is never destroyed. Similarly as long as the vasanas are present, the mind is going to exist. The branches and leaves of a tree are comparable to the thoughts that arise in the mind. There are a countless thoughts that a mind thinks.

The aim of Self realisation (aathma saakshatkaaram) is to destroy the mind. When one has destroyed his mind he is said to have attained Self realisation.

Apparantly, it is not easy to destroy such a flourishing mind. Let us think of ways to destroy the mind or tree. That is, we have to destroy the tree including its roots. Aatma vichara is a method where the mind destroys itself by self enquiry. This is similar to striking on the roots of the huge tree with an axe. Undoubtedly, this is a laborious task and lot of power (will power or vairagyam) is required.

 

Meditation also eventually destroys the mind. One of the steps in meditation is to control all the senses (indriyas) as they are the ones that aids the growth of the mind. This is similar to getting rid of all the branches of the tree, there by reducing its weight. A tree without branches is easier to destroy. Apparently, this involves a lot of work.

Do we ever have a easier method?! In this busy life that we have today, we hardly find time to meditate for 15 min. How nice if there is an easier way?? Is there any??!!

Of course there is! Namakirtan is the only easiest way. What does it do? It destroys the whole tree including its roots. How can that be? Well, doing namakirtan can be comparable to dropping a few termites near the roots of the tree! How simple, is'nt it? We need to do no work. The termites will do the work. (Termites means Mahamantra Namakirtan here). It will bring down the whole tree (mind) with out any effort.

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

What does one who has received the Grace of Lord Rama by doing japa (chanting) of Rama Nãma attain?

Nama Article - 17th September 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

In Adyãtma Ramayana the question is put forth, 'what does one who has received the Grace of Lord Rama by doing japa (chanting) of Rama Nãma attain?'

 

Every morning Lord Rama comes to the Royal court from His palace on foot. He then wears the Pãduka (footwear). The Kula Guru (Family Guru) Vasishta is seated in the Court; Brahmins who perform 'agni hotra' are all seated in the court; Rama's father, the King and His mother, the Royal Queen are seated on the throne; great Ministers are also present in the Court. Since the Court is filled with Mahans it is not proper to enter it with the 'pãda rakasha'.

 

Therefore, Lord Rama leaves the Pãduka at the entrance to the Royal Court. Lord Rama then looks compassionately at the Pãduka and blesses it with his 'katakasham' (compassionate look)  with the feeling, 'You have protected my feet from the thorns and stones. But, I am unable to take you into the Royal Court!' Adyãtma Ramayana then reads, " This 'kataksham' of Lord Rama made the Pãduka sit on the throne of Ayodhya for 14 long years!" Did not Bharata (Lord Rama's brother) rule the Kingdom of Ayodhya with this Pãduka (of Lord Rama) placed on the throne? If the Pãduka that earned the 'kripa kataksham' (the graceful look) of Lord Rama attained such a status can one extol on the Grace of Lord Rama?

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

Let the one who cannot do Bhakti go out to do tapas!

Nama Article - 15th September 2007

 

Excerpts from the discourse of our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

There are several ways of worship ('upãsana mãrga'). Bhagavãn accepts only 'sãttvic bhakti' ('satva' is quality of goodness/purity). Bhagavãn likes only that bhakti which is done with 'sãttvic hrudaya' (pure heart). Acquiring Bhakti is rare ('durlabam') indeed. Generally Vedantins would say, 'bhakti' is for those who are not 'adhikarris' (the deserving) for Jnana; one who is unable to leave for the forest with 'vairagya' (renunciation) and do tapas; one who is unable to make the mind one-pointed should take to Bhakti.'

 

But, I do not accept this concept. What I say is, " Let the one who cannot do Bhakti go out to do tapas!" Bhakti is 'rasa roopa' (filled with deep, soft feelings). So, let the one who cannot do Bhakti leave for the forest to perform tapas. 

 

Bhagawan Yogiramsuratkumar says, "Chanting Ram Naam always is Bhakthi."

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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

Only due to merits earned in crores of births does Bhagavan Nãma come on our tongue

Nama Article 14th September 2007

 

Excerpts from the discourse of our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Bhagavan Nãma Bodendra Saraswati has written innumerable 'grantãs' (books) in connection with 'Nãma siddhãnta' (the philosophy of the Divine Name). Today, many of them are not to be found. 'Bhagavan Nãma Rasodayam' is the most important of all his 'grantãs'. The learned say that this 'granta' contains the substance of all the other 'grantãs'.

 

'Bhagavan Nãma Rasodayam' consists of 8 'ullãsam', i.e chapters. In the first 'ullãsam' Sri Bodendra conducts an enquiry ('vichãra')

- 'Is merit accrued due to performance of Bhagavan Nãmasankirtan?'

He delves into this. What is the reply coming forth from him?

- 'No one can demur that merit is accrued due to Bhagavan Nãmakirtan'.

All are aware of this. The Shastras admit this - 'sarva Shastra sammadam'

 

What precise 'vichãra' does the Swami conduct and what is the conclusion that he arrives at? It cannot be refuted that merit is accrued due to Bhagavan Nãmakirtan. This has been admitted by all the Shastras. However, he concludes, 'only due to merits earned in crores of births does Bhagavan Nãma come on our tongue.'

 

Now, what is the proof ('pramãna') of any merit earning acts ('punya') to our credit? It is certain that we have done 'punya'. What is the evidence? So many of us have gathered here and are performing Nãmasankirtan! Are we not? We are chanting Bhagavan Nãmakirtan. We know from Bodendra's 'hrudaya' (heart) that the reason for Bhagavan Nãma being uttered by us is only due to 'punya' accrued from meritorious acts performed in crores of 'janma' (birth).

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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