His mother, corrected him saying that, uttering Rama Nama once would do!

Nama Article 21st December 2007

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Sri Viswadhikendra Saraswati Swamigal (Athma Bodendral) one day called Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal and asked him to go out to the world and spread the greatness of the Divine Name of God. He said, 'the Vidwans are well learned and would question the statement that mere Divine Name can lead to liberation. You are to properly argue with them based on Shastras and establish the greatness of Bhagavan Nama."

 

He instructed his disciple to go to Puri Kshetra and meet a Mahan by the name Lakshmidhara Kavi in order to obtain the book "Bhagavan Nama Kaumudi" which dealt with the greatness of Bhagavan Nama. The Guru asked him to write Granthas based on this Text.

 

Adhering to his guru's words, Bodendra Saraswati set out to Puri. It was about midnight when he reached Lakshmidhara Kavi's home. Not willing to disturb the household at night, the ascetic rested in the pyol outside the house.

 

That night, a strange incident happened. A Brahmin accompanied by a woman, whose form and features does not resemble a Brahmin lady in those days, knocked the door of Sri Lakshmidhara Kavi. A young man came out of the house and enquired what they wanted. The visitor said that he had a doubt that he wanted clarified from Lakshmidhara Kavi. The young man said that he was Lakshmidhara Kavi 's son, Jagannatha Kavi. He said that his father was out of town. However he had taught him all the Shastras and that he could clarify the visitor's doubt. The Brahmin said, 'I hail from South India. I went on a pilgrimage to the north and when I returned, could not find my wife. She was abducted. It is just now that I found her. However, she does not have the form and features of a Brahmin anymore. I wanted to know if I could lead a family life with this lady again." Jagannatha Kavi immediately said, 'Tomorrow morning, take her to the pond adjoining the Jagannath Temple. Dip her in the pond chanting the "Rama" Nama thrice. When she emerges, she will be purified and you can lead family life with her again. His mother, who peeped from the house, corrected him saying that, uttering Rama Nama once would do!

 

Sri Bodendra was taken aback witnessing this incident. He immediately introduced himself to them and requested them for the book and studied it thoroughly.

 

The next morning, the whole city was gathered around the pond adjoining the temple. The Brahmin brought the lady and dipped her in the pond chanting the Taraka Mantra. To everyone's surprise, when the woman emerged out of water, she had shed her current form, and had exactly the same form and features when she lived with the Brahmin earlier, clearly illustrating the power of the Rama Nama. To prove that she had been purified by the Rama Nama, Sri Bodendra Swamigal asked her to cook the meals for the day, and he himself partook of it.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan  :

 

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