Saturday, March 7, 2015

In this process of chanting or singing the Lord’s Name the mind should keep thinking only of the meaning of what is being uttered.

Nama Article 6th March  2015


Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji on 17th November, 2002


Each god is worshipped in a different manner. Suryanarayana (Sun God) is worshipped through 'namaskăra' (prostration). Surya is pleased with 'namasakăra'. Worship of Surya strengthens eye-sight, bestows good health and a long life. In Ramayana, Rama is given upadesa of 'Ăditya hrudaya' stotra (stotra on Surya) by Sage Agasthya. (Lord) Muruga is pleased with 'vrata' (fasting). People observe 'kanda shashti vrata', 'karthigai vrata'. Lord Siva is pleased with puja. A devotee of Siva is found to perform incessant puja to the Lord.

But, what pleases Vishnu? Perumal? Not 'namaskăra'; not 'vrata' and not puja but 'BHAJANAM!' Bhajanam! What does 'bhaja' mean? Uttering the Name of the Lord incessantly with 'shraddha' and bhakti. 'Văk' (word), 'manas' (mind) and 'kăyam' (body) should all be involved in it - i.e everything should be involved only in uttering the Name of the Lord. Ăndăl also says in her Tiruppăvai (known as Năcchiăr Tirumozhi), 'văyăl pădi manathinăl sindikka' - sing through the mouth and think in your mind. 'Bhaja' is a small word but in Tamizh it is explained in a lengthy manner [by her] as 'văyăl pădi manathinăl sindikka'. It should not be a mechanical process. One should utter the Name of the Lord with devotion. Whatever 'stotra' we chant, whatever kirtan we sing should be performed with the mind harping on its meaning. In this process of chanting or singing the Lord's Name the mind should keep thinking only of the meaning of what is being uttered.


Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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


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