Yogi has said to his devotee, 'This place is not for all. It is only for a few. My Father selects the persons and sends them. That is all!'

Nama Article 30th November 2013

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

"In the case of Yogirămsuratkumăr also, many of his 'anugraha' (blessings) remain hidden. Such Mahătmas, such Jnănis do not ask anyone to make note of their siddhis so that it can be brought out as a book at later times! There are many devotees who will not speak out personal happenings/blessings in their lives, since it involves family matters. Such innumerable 'anugraha' (blessings) of Mahătmas go unheard. Even if devotees speak of their blessings, Yogi would say, "It does not matter. Let us talk something else!" They do not bother about their 'anugraha' at all.

 

Such Mahătmas may appear to be disorderly in their activities. What is the reason for this? A great 'force' is working from within. They are in a 'Jnăni avastai'. With lot of difficulty they try to regularize. It is very difficult, indeed, to bring about this order in 'loka vishaya'. They will have 'stiratva' in Bhagavat matter but not in worldly matter. You may feel that the Mahăn speaks one thing today and gives an entirely different view the next day (in worldly matters). These things do not bother them at all.

 

But, the words of Mahătmas, their sayings, are wonderful. Today, we read the Gospel of Rămakrishna Paramahamsa. The words of Mahătmas should be recorded for posterity though the Mahăn himself is not concerned about it. Yogi's coining of words is wonderful. His statements made in English are wonderful. I have already quoted Yogi's wonderful words - 'If there is faith then there is no fate!' Yogi has said to his devotee, 'This place is not for all. It is only for a few. My Father selects the persons and sends them. That is all!'

 

He once said to a devotee who spoke about miracles performed by him (Yogi), "No! You are wrong. This beggar is not capable of doing any miracle. Only Rama Năma is doing miracles!" Yogi also said, "Everybody's body is a miracle. The entire Universe is a miracle. Everybody's life is a miracle. Other than this what miracle do you want?"

 

These words may appear simple but if you stop to think and analyze them, you will realize how true and great these words really are. Are the different happenings, changes in our lives since our childhood to this day were something that was anticipated? It is really a wonder how our life is moving. We interact with so many; we go here or there; we perform some work - so many activities are being carried out. We never anticipated all these. We know not what turn our life would take in future.

 

The entire cosmos is a wonder. The ocean is rising up and down in waves, the Sun, the Moon, the stars and other planets are filling the space around - It is such a vast 'prapancha' but man tries to analyze it through his brain! He keeps struggling. He is just a speck in the entire creation but tries to visit the Mars, the Moon and know them! He tries to know the cause for its existence. Just as a mother permits the child to play, Bhagavăn allows this play of man!

 

Man proudly proclaims that he has visited the Moon. But, what did Yogi do? When a young boy approached him to know if there was more than one Moon in space, Yogi touched the boy's eyes and he saw seven Moons! Thus, the entire cosmos is a miracle.

 

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

 

Yogi replied, 'No No! This beggar is not capable of doing any miracles. Only Ram Naam is doing miracles!'

 

Once Yogi (Yogi Rămsuratkumăr) while speaking to his devotees, said, "If this beggar desires he can make this whole Universe into a small clay ball and put it in his pocket!"

 

Being aware of the glory of Rama Năma, our Bhagavăn Yogiramsuratkumar performed incessant chanting of 'Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram!' As a result of this how many miracles have been performed by him?

 

"No, he is not a magician. He is Lord Krishna come down in this age of Kali to uplift people. Chanting the Mahamantra, shown by him, can work wonders!"

 

One who has taken refuge in God's Divine Name can perform several miracles. He can defeat nature's 'shakti' (power) and can create spiritual awakening in the minds of human beings.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

If you keep chanting Bhagavan Năma, She ('Prithvi') will not consider you a burden. 'Nirbhayo nirbaro'. The world should not be a burden to you and you should not be a burden to anyone.

Nama Article 29th November 2013

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

'Nirbhayo nirbaro' -Do not be a burden to anyone in this world. You should not be a burden even to 'Prithvi' (Earth). When do you cease to be a burden to 'Prithvi'? If you keep doing 'Ătma Vichăra' (Self-enquiry), then you are not a burden to 'Prithvi'. If you keep chanting Bhagavan Năma, She ('Prithvi') will not consider you a burden. 'Nirbhayo nirbaro'. So, do not be a burden to anyone. The world should not be a burden to you and you should not be a burden to anyone. When is the world a burden to you? When we involve ourselves in this world - when we go about doing 'vyavahăra' (work) with our 'manas' we get fed up with all the happenings. We feel, "Enough of this world, this life!" But, if we move inward joyfully, then nothing affects us. Let the world be. The existence or non-existence of the world should not affect us. We should, therefore, bring that state where we are able to live in this world without being connected with it in anyway.

 

This is the reason Mahăns sing, "Janmani Janmani" - birth after birth! They do not fear birth because the world does not affect them as it affects us. When the Mahăns move about in the world, they eat, sleep, talk with us and do all the other things that we do. Outwardly there does not appear to be any difference between their lives and ours. But, if a person could understand the visions that they have, their other experiences ('anubhav'), their 'stiti' (state), he would be aghast as to how these Mahăns move about so easily in this world! People speak of the seven wonders of the world. But, these are not the real wonders. The real wonder is the way Mahăns wander about in this world, in spite of their high state! Seshădri swamigal could see devas above. The state of Mahans is entirely different; incomprehensible. If we read Maha Periyava's life, we find lot of 'pramăna' (proof) for 'amănushya' (super human) experiences that he had undergone. They can see devas, the 'ashta vasus', etc. Not only do they have the power to visit Vaikunta but also the power to send those who desire it! Is it then not a wonder that while being in such high state they remain and mix with everyone in the world?

 

Once Yogi (Yogi Rămsuratkumăr) while speaking to his devotees, said, "If this beggar desires he can make this whole Universe into a small clay ball and put it in his pocket!" This great Yogi had the power to destroy and again create this big Universe! But, they possess one great quality - 'Karuna' (compassion). It is only because of this that they wander about in this 'jana samudra' (ocean of people). What does their presence in the world do (to us)? It helps in motivating us to get away from this cycle of repeated births and deaths and yearn for 'Ătma swaroopa/Bhagavăn'. Their 'darshan' and 'sanga' (company) help us in attaining liberation quickly. Depending on his maturity, every person who comes to the presence of the Mahătmas receives opportunity to attain liberation.

 

What a lot of 'anubhava' they have! Ramana Maharishi goes on Giri Pradakshina (circumambulation of the Arunăchala hill). From high up, the six 'Krithika' stars come down and prostrate to him! Văsudeva Thatha's charitra shows that he experienced all that have been said in 'Vaikunta gathyam'! He goes to Sri Vaikunta in this physical body. A chariot comes down to take him. He places his foot on the head of none less than the God of Death (Lord Yama) to climb on the chariot! It carries him across 'Surya mandala', 'Chandra mandala' and other 'lokăs' to reach Sri Vaikunta. He then returns to the earth ('bhoomi'). This 'bhoomi' is filled with avarice, hatred, jealousy, etc. How is this body of ours? Filled with excreta, blood, flesh and bones. How is the earth? Bhooma Devi has been made impure by 'mala moothrădi' (filth). Deva Lokăs are pure. There is no 'mala moothrădi' there. Devas do not experience death, hunger and sleep. Here, the earth, the body, the people - are all impure. Why then do Mahăns step on to this totally impure, filthy earth? Only out of sheer compassion ('Parama karunai')! To redeem ('udhdhărana') each and every jiva! Talking with us or helping us out of any problem is only a part of this and not the real purpose of their incarnation here.

 

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

 

Yogi replied, 'No No! This beggar is not capable of doing any miracles. Only Ram Naam is doing miracles!'

 

Being aware of the glory of Rama Năma, our Bhagavăn Yogiramsuratkumar performed incessant chanting of 'Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram!' As a result of this how many miracles have been performed by him?

 

"No, he is not a magician. He is Lord Krishna come down in this age of Kali to uplift people. Chanting the Mahamantra, shown by him, can work wonders!"

 

One who has taken refuge in God's Divine Name can perform several miracles. He can defeat nature's 'shakti' (power) and can create spiritual awakening in the minds of human beings.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

He should feel in all humility that because he is incapable of jnana and bhakti, he has taken to naama japa.

Nama Article 27th November 2013

 

Efficacy of Naama Bhajana

 

Source: Discourses by Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati [Maha Periyava] of Kaanchi Kaamakoti Peetam (today is Maha Periyava's Jayanthi)

 

Advaita Vedanta has clearly explained the conception of Paramatma (परमात्मा) as the Supreme Reality, the Ultimate Truth and Limitless Bliss, and also indicated the path of God-realization. Sri Adi Sankara has clearly expounded this bhakti and jnana maargaas (paths) in his numerous works. Sri Ramanuja laid emphasis on absolute surrender, saranaagati (शरणागति). Some evolved souls, in their natural humility, even wondered whether they are sufficiently enlightened to say "Thou art my only hope", which is the essence of saranaagati, and so concentrated on naama japa (नामजप) the repetition of the names of God. These great teachers in effect said: "We have the tongue and there are the two sacred words, Rama and Siva. That is enough for us".

 

Saint Jeyadeva of Bengal was the pioneer of the Bhajan school. It is said that while Jeyadeva sang his heart-melting songs in praise of the Lord, his wife, Padmavati, danced and Lord Krishna, appearing in the form of a child directed the steps of dancing Padmavati. Hence, Jeyadeva addressed Lord Krishna as "Padmaavateecharana-chaarana-chakravarthi". The path blazed by Jeyadeva was followed by Krishna Chaitanya, Tukaram, Meera Bai, and others in North India. Correspondingly there lived in South India, Purandaradasa, Bhodendra, Ayyaval, Sadguru Swami and others. Purandaradasa proclaimed to the world, Ninna naama ondu iddare saaku, "Your name is enough for me". Bhodendra has written a number of works stressing the efficacy of naama japa. Even to-day, at the commencement of a bhajana or a kalakshepam, the blessings of Bhodendra, Ayyaval and Sadguru Swami are invoked. Great Saivite saints, who have sung the praise of Siva naama, also graced South India. Lord Krishna has given humanity, through Arjuna, the solemn assurance that He will liberate all persons from their sins – अहं त्वा र्वपापेभ्योमोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: Aham-tva sarvapapebhyo mokshayishyaami maa-suchah. If you are liberated from sin, you need not worry about or fear anything else, because you will remain unaffected by trials and grief. That is why Rama naama is called taaraka mantra (तारक मन्त्र) taaraka meaning steering clear of sins). He who takes to the path of naama japa should do so in all humility, maintaining a high standard of personal conduct. He should not think or say that jnana and bhakti are not necessary and that naama japa alone will do. On the other hand, he should feel in all humility that because he is incapable of jnana and bhakti, he has taken to naama japa. To add interest or attraction to naama japa, music and instrumental accompaniments have come to be introduced. That is how the bhajan system has come to be in vogue. By doing naama japa with single-minded devotion, we can achieve the spiritual purpose of our life.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Please grant us that our tongues may always be engaged in singing Your praises and glories

Nama Article 26th November 2013

 

Source: Srimad Bhagavatham : Its Message for the Modern Man by Swami Shantananda Puri Maharaj

 

Srimad Bhagavatham (10:10:38)

 

वाणी गुणानुकथने श्रवणौ कथायां

हस्तौ च कर्मसु मनस् तव पादयोर् नः

स्मृत्यां शिरस् तव निवास-जगत्-प्रणामे

दृष्टिः सतां दर्शने'स्तु भवत्-तनूनाम्

 

 

When child Krishna releases the twin sons of Kubera from the curse of being two Arjuna trees by uprooting them and restoring the young men to their original form, the twins ask for a boon from the Lord –

 

"O Lord, please grant us that our tongues may always be engaged in singing Your praises and glories, our ears in hearing them, our hands in doing Your service, our minds in the contemplation of Your holy feet, our heads in prostrating to the entire world which is Your dwelling, and our eyes in the vision of the holy persons who are Your embodiments.''

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

By such remembrance we become aware of His light and His power within us.

Nama Article 25th November 2013

 

Swami Papa Ramdas

 

By constantly repeating the Name of God who resides in our heart, gradually we become conscious of Him. That consciousness purifies our heart, fills our mind and senses with a strange and powerful light of the Divine, which eradicates all the low desires lurking within us. Ultimately, we become perfectly conscious that God is dwelling within us. This is the greatest gain. By such remembrance we become aware of His light and His power within us.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

In the ocean of desire Rama's support is a ship

Nama Article 23rd November 2013

 

Sant Kabir

 

इच्छोके भव सागरै, वोहित राम अधार।

कहॅ कवीर हरिशरण गहु, गो बछखुर विस्तार।।

 

In the ocean of desire Rama's support is a ship.

Kabir says, Find Hari's refuge, then you will cross it as if it were no bigger than the print of a calf's hoof.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

If someone forgets the Beloved Lord, even for an instant, what sort of devotion is that?

Nama Article 22nd November 2013

 

Sri Guru Granth Sahib

 

जे वेला वखतु वीचारीऐ ता कितु वेला भगति होइ ॥
अनदिनु नामे रतिआ सचे सची सोइ ॥
इकु तिलु पिआरा विसरै भगति किनेही होइ ॥
मनु तनु सीतलु साच सिउ सासु न बिरथा कोइ ॥
मेरे मन हरि का नामु धिआइ ॥
साची भगति ता थीऐ जा हरि वसै मनि आइ ॥

Consider the time and the moment-when should we worship the Lord?

Night and day, one who is attuned to the Name of the True Lord is true.

If someone forgets the Beloved Lord, even for an instant, what sort of devotion is that?

One whose mind and body are cooled and soothed by the True Lord-no breath of his is wasted. ||

O my mind, meditate on the Name of the Lord.

True devotional worship is performed when the Lord comes to dwell in the mind. ||

 

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

If you want God alone, why do you accept the existence of anything else ?

 

As your heart beats as you sleep, dream or being awake let your tongue always Chant the Divine Names of Hari.

 

If you become that anxious on forgetting to chant the Divine Name even for a second, then you are blessed.

 

One should constantly repeat the names of God irrespective of any activity that he might be involved in

 

We should Chant and remember the Divine Name every breath we intake and we need not try to do anything else.

 

kalakshebo na kartavyah, kshenamaayuh kshane kshane, yamasya karuna naasti, kartavyam hari kirtanam.

 

Every moment of your life should be taken as His gift.  Be rest assured that every incident that happens is by His grace and happens for your well-being.

 

Guru Nanak felt that it would be improper to postpone Nama Smarana or remembering the Name of the Lord, even by a single breath

 

The thought that seize out one's mind for life long period would surely, strongly surface during the last breath

 

That unshakable faith in Rama Nama remained with him till his last breath.

 

The human body is a rare boon to embodied souls and that too is very transient (momentary, short-lived, temporary)

 

Your last breath should ensure that this is your last birth

 

The thought that seize out one's mind for life long period would surely, strongly surface during the last breath. Likewise we ourselves can have a test to determine whether it's possible to have an active remembrance of the lord when our soul departs the body.

 

This exercise should go on continually until doing japa has become as natural as breathing.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

I am a sacrifice to my Guru, who has implanted the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, within me.

Nama Article 21st November 2013

 

Sri Guru Granth Sahib

 

बारि जाउ गुर अपुने ऊपरि जिनि हरि हरि नामु द्रिड़्हाया ॥

महा उदिआन अंधकार महि जिनि सीधा मारगु दिखाया ॥१॥

हमरे प्रान गुपाल गोबिंद ॥

ईहा ऊहा सरब थोक की जिसहि हमारी चिंद ॥१॥

जा कै सिमरनि सरब निधाना मानु महतु पति पूरी ॥

नामु लैत कोटि अघ नासे भगत बाछहि सभि धूरी ॥२॥

सरब मनोरथ जे को चाहै सेवै एकु निधाना ॥

पारब्रहम अपर्मपर सुआमी सिमरत पारि पराना ॥३॥

सीतल सांति महा सुखु पाइआ संतसंगि रहिओ ओल्हा ॥

हरि धनु संचनु हरि नामु भोजनु इहु नानक कीनो चोल्हा ॥४॥

 

I am a sacrifice to my Guru, who has implanted the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, within me.

In the utter darkness of the wilderness, He showed me the straight path. ||1||

The Lord of the universe, the Cherisher of the world, He is my breath of life.

Here and hereafter, he takes care of everything for me. ||1||

Meditating on Him in remembrance, I have found all treasures, respect, greatness and perfect honor.

Remembering His Name, millions of sins are erased; all His devotees long for the dust of His feet. ||2||

If someone wishes for the fulfillment of all his hopes and desires, he should serve the one supreme treasure.

He is the Supreme Lord God, infinite Lord and Master; meditating on Him in remembrance, one is carried across. ||3||

I have found total peace and tranquility in the Society of the Saints; my honor has been preserved.

To gather in the Lord's wealth, and to taste the food of the Lord's Name - Nanak has made this his feast. ||4||

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

This is the best Support, This is the highest Support. This sacred Word is the highest symbol of the Absolute.

Nama Article 20th November 2013

 

कठ_उपनिषद्

 

एतदालम्बन˘ श्रेष्ठमेतदालम्बनं परम् ।

एतदालम्बनं ज्ञात्वा ब्रह्मलोके महीयते ॥

 

This is the best Support, This is the highest Support;

He who knows this Support is glorified in the world of Brahman.

 

This sacred Word is the highest symbol of the Absolute. He who through meditating on It grasps Its full significance, realizes the glory of God and at once has all his desires satisfied, because God is the fulfilment of all desires.

 

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

 

Rama Nama is accorded the same power and potency in Bhakti Shastras as is accorded the Pranava Mantra in Vedanta Shastras.

 

Rama Nama gets exactly the same importance in Saguna Upasana as does the Pranava ('Om') Mantra in Nirguna Upasana

 

Why is the Divine Name of 'Rama' known as 'Tăraka Mantra'?

 

So all these forms of worship are rendered futile unless accompanied by the 'sound' aspect in the form of Mantras.

 

It is a Mantra, just like the 'Pranava' Mantra (Om). The great Sage Vashishta chanted this mantra for a very long time.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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