The practice of other forms of atonement cannot bring total purification like Chanting the divine names of Lord

Nama Article 1st August 2012

Srimad Bhagavatam 6:2:12

नैकान्तिकं तद् धि कृते'पि निष्कृते मनः पुनर् धावति चेद् असत्-पथे

तत् कर्म-निर्हारम् अभीप्सतां हरेर् गुणानुवादः खलु सत्त्व-भावनः

The practice of other forms of atonement cannot bring total purification. This is shown by the fact that through their observances the mind is not cured of its addiction to evil and is again drawn towards the path of evil. Therefore, those who seek total liberation from the influence of sin should adopt Chanting the divine names of Lord. The heart of the person will be totally purified through the kirtana of the Divine Name.

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

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'.

Which atonement ('prãyaschiita') is the best?

Why atonement by Chanting of the Divine Names of God is superior to others ?

Don't stop chanting for any reason. The rest of the things will be taken care of automatically.

And through constant repetition of the Name after the removal of sin, new sins cannot accumulate; just as when the light is kept burning in the room it can never be dark again

For whom there is no sin ? Adisankara says "For one who chants the Divine Name"

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

Chanting the Divine Name is a direct means to the attainment of supreme bliss

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

The Sanathana Dharma is universally true. While the Dharma cannot be changed, the alternative is to adapt the right kind of Dharma, apt for the age.

Nama Article 31st July 2012

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

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

The Sanathana Dharma is universally true. While the Dharma cannot be changed, the alternative is to adapt the right kind of Dharma, apt for the age.

That is verily the Bhagavata Dharma, which is nothing but chanting of the Divine Name of God. This simple path is the atonement to everything [sarva prayaschitta] and does not have any rules and regulations.

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

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

What is the secret of success?

It is up to you to choose the most apt means of transport given your current load of luggage and various other factors

By merely Chanting the Names of the Lord one can attain all the desired objects.

Intelligent men resort to devotional service by chanting the Divine names of the Lord. Such persons are not within my jurisdiction for punishment.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

By merely Chanting the Names of the Lord one can attain all the desired objects.

Nama Article 30th July 2012

Srimad Bhagavatam 11:5:36

कलिं सभाजयन्त्य् आर्या गुणज्ञाः सारभागिनः

यत्र सङ्कीर्तनेनैव सर्व-स्वार्थो’भिलभ्यते

Elderly and discriminating persons who appreciates the merits of the present age, Kali yuga, choose the essence of things, extol this age, in which by merely Chanting the Names of the Lord one can attain all the desired objects.

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

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

What is the secret of success?

It is up to you to choose the most apt means of transport given your current load of luggage and various other factors

Intelligent men resort to devotional service by chanting the Divine names of the Lord. Such persons are not within my jurisdiction for punishment.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

All the hindrances to our auspicious life will be completely destroyed by the chanting the Divine Names of the Lord.

Nama Article 29th July 2012

 

Srimad Bhagavatam 6:8:27 – Narayana Kavacham

यन् नो भयं ग्रहेभ्योऽभूत्केतुभ्यो नृभ्य एव च |

सरीसृपेभ्यो दंष्ट्रिभ्यो भूतेभ्योऽहोभ्य एव च ||

सर्वाण्य् एतानि भगवन्- नाम- रूपानुकीर्तनात् |

प्रयान्तु सङ्क्ष्हयं सद्यो ये नः श्रेयः- प्रतीपकाः ||

Chanting the Divine Names of the Lord protect us from the influence of evil spirits, bad planets, comets, envious human beings, poisonous creatures and dangerous animals. May it protect us from ghosts and our past sins. All the hindrances to our auspicious life will be completely destroyed by the chanting the Divine Names of the Lord.

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

For Fear itself is afraid of Lord

It helps you overcome the fear of cycle of birth and death

Even if you perform the smallest dharma I will protect you from the worst fear

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

Only one who has spent this human life with Bhagavat Bhakti can remain fearless of death

Chanting the Divine Name of Rama, which dispels all sins and fear, your life will be bright and you will attain the purpose of life

He was walking in the jungle, he heard a distant roar of a wild animal. He immediately cried out 'Krishna! Oh Krishna! My brother where are you?'Since he called out, our Lord Krishna's Name with so much faith and devotion, Lord Sri Krishna appeared before him in all His beauty.

Gandhiji must have been repeating his mantram, Rama, Rama, Rama. Even the cobra lost all trace of fear.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Intelligent men resort to devotional service by chanting the Divine names of the Lord. Such persons are not within my jurisdiction for punishment.

Nama Article 28th July 2012

 

Srimad Bhagavatam 6:3:26

एवं विमृश्य सुधियो भगवत्यनन्ते

सर्वात्मना विदधते खलु भावयोगम्

ते मे न दण्डमर्हन्त्यथ यद्यमीषां

स्यात् पातकं तदपि हन्त्य् उरुगाय-वादः

Yamadharma Raja says, “Considering all the points, therefore, intelligent men resort to devotional service by chanting the Divine names of the Lord, Who is situated in everyone's heart and Who is a mine of all auspicious qualities. Such persons are not within my jurisdiction for punishment. Even if by mistake or because of bewilderment or illusion they commit sinful acts, they are protected from sinful reactions because the Chanting of Divine names obliterates it.”

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

What is the secret of success?

It is up to you to choose the most apt means of transport given your current load of luggage and various other factors

The spirit of Devotion cultivated by the recitation of His Name is the best form of virtue and this alone has been declared to be the paramount duty that should be practiced in this world.

That love, can sprout only by his grace. His grace descends when we chant the Mahamantra.

The intention of continued chanting of the Divine names is to take one to the state of total selfless, unconditional LOVE

Everything in our life is predetermined. All we have to do is to turn and fix our mind on Him!

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

God’s grace always flows in abundance. It is upto you to be ready to receive it.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Obstacles can be removed by by congregational hearing and chanting of Divine names and by following the footsteps of the great Masters

Nama Article 27th July 2012

 Srimad Bhagavatam 11:28:40

कांश्चिन् ममानुध्यानेन नाम-सङ्कीर्तनादिभिः

योगेश्वरानुवृत्त्या वा हन्याद् अशुभ-दान् शनैः

Obstacles / disturbances like lust, anger, fear, hypocrisy, false pride and other types of mental imbalances etc can be gradually removed by constant remembrance of Lord, by congregational hearing and chanting of Divine names and by following the footsteps of the great Masters (Yogishwara).

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

When we are idle, mind starts to play its game. If we do not want the mind to go astray, one should chant the Mahamantra kirtan incessantly. This is the easiest path.

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

If you sincerely pray to get the obstacle removed, your prayer shall be fulfilled

To protect one from five senses one need to keep a vigilant watchman or a ferocious dog and that is nothing but the divine names of the Lord.

The Mahamaya (greatest illusion), the mind, can be brought under control slowly and steadily by Namakirtan alone.

Drench your senses in the enchanting form of Krishna, His stories, His glory and His Divine Name. The mind is effortlessly controlled!

What is difficult for human beings? The constant control of the mind.

The name of God is more powerful than the senses. It will become all right in time if you practise regularly.

If we think of God and pray to Him for His guidance and His grace, we shall derive strength to battle against these temptations and conquer our weaknesses

Likewise, never once does a true disciple doubt, if his Guru has conquered his senses!

If the mind troubles?

"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!"

The method, by adopting which he can safely progress on the divine path, is to surrender himself entirely to the all-powerful God within him by constantly thinking of Him and His attributes

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Those who perform their duties accepting them as the order of the Lord, constantly utter and meditate on the praises and names of Sri Krishna.

Nama Article 25th July 2012

Srimad Bhagavatam 1:5:36

कुर्वाणा यत्र कर्माणिनां भगवच्-छिक्षयासकृत्

गृणन्ति गुण-नामानि कृष्णस्यानुस्मरन्ति च

Those who perform their duties accepting them as the order of the Lord, constantly utter and meditate on the praises and names of Sri Krishna.

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

Is chanting while doing work considered as meaningful chanting ?

Catch hold of this divine Name and go on doing your work in the world

One should always chant His name. Even while one is performing one's duties, the mind should be left with God.

Hanuman worked tirelessly for Rama. He also performed incessant Rama japa. We should also be like this.

Divine name is beyond all restrictions - परं संकीर्तनादेव राम रामेति मुच्यते

It is free from all constraints and procedures

If you are not able to perform Nama Sankirtan, at least listen to Nama Sankirtan

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Is chanting while doing work considered as meaningful chanting ?

Nama Article 24th July 2012

 

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

 

Is chanting while doing work considered as meaningful chanting ? Since most of the days , I am continuously doing house chores one after the other, I don't get time to sit and do 'Japa'. But if we chant while doing house chores, does it have same effect ?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

Yes. It is definitely great. The Gopis did exactly that way.

 

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

 

Catch hold of this divine Name and go on doing your work in the world

 

One should always chant His name. Even while one is performing one's duties, the mind should be left with God.

 

Hanuman worked tirelessly for Rama. He also performed incessant Rama japa. We should also be like this.

 

Divine name is beyond all restrictions - परं संकीर्तनादेव राम रामेति मुच्यते

 

It is free from all constraints and procedures

 

If you are not able to perform Nama Sankirtan, at least listen to Nama Sankirtan

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Destiny alone forcibily drives him hither and thither

Nama Article 23rd July 2012

Valmiki Ramayan Ayodhyakandam -105:15

नात्मनः कामकारोऽस्ति पुरुषोऽयमनीश्वरः |

इतश्चेतरतश्चैनं कृतान्तः परिकर्षति ||

nAtmanaH kAmakAro.asti puruSho.ayamanIshvaraH .

itashchetaratashchaina.n kRutAntaH parikarShati

"One is not able to do what he wills, since all beings (unlike God) are powerless. Destiny alone forcibly drives him hither and thither."

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

I am doing japa of Bhagavan Nãma (Divine Name of the Lord). Will this lead to a trouble-free life?

Even though I believe in God, I struggle a lot. Does my fate play such an important role in my life?

I do not believe that there is a problem that cannot be solved by man. Then why Nama Kirtan ?

By constantly chanting the Maha Mantra, one can pray to the Lord to give the sense of discrimination

Everything in our life is predetermined. All we have to do is to turn and fix our mind on Him!

Due to the veil of Maya and we tend to attach the sense of ownership to each and every act and each and every thing in our life, every moment of our life. That is the reason for all the sufferings.

Words of wisdom by a great Gnani and a true bhaktha

You should not only accept from the bottom of your heart the situation that the Lord keeps you in but also be grateful to Him for that because it is verily the Lord's blessing!

The only will we have is the freeing will of choosing to chant whenever we find mind wandering

Let His Name be ever with you; Imperceptibly, relentlessly time is creeping away. Divine Name can change one's fate.

If there is faith, then there is no fate.

Chanting the Divine Name can change the fate

What power do these planets possess, Rama? It is only your 'anugraha' (Blessings) that are truly powerful

The effect of karma can be counteracted to a great extent by Japa and austerities

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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