Ones who are ‘ananya sharanaha’ – those who have nothing else to hold on to, but the Lord’s Lotus Feet.

Nama Article 28^th Sep 2016

Source: Bhakti Yoga: Part 1

In this sloka Arjuna says 'satatayuktA' – meaning devotees who don't just perform saguna upasana, but ones who are 'ananya sharanaha' – those who have nothing else to hold on to, but the Lord's Lotus Feet. This does not refer to the Bhakti done by worldly people, this question is about those who have an extra ordinary love and selfless devotion to the Lord, which cannot be compared to the Bhakti done by people with worldly desires. Since Srimad Bhagavad Gita is meant only for those who wish for liberation, it is only those who practice Bhakti for the sole purpose of attaining liberation that are referred here. Bhakti is made of love, not of desire. Bhakti is blissful and nectarine. Hence, before treading on the path of Bhakti, one must understand what Bhakti really is. If we are already in the path of Bhakti, we have to analyse if our concept of Bhakti is right. This is because, the Lord may forgive even a sinner, but He will never forgive one that pretends to be a bhakta (devotee).

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

“O God, keep Thy sweet name always on my lips; may my heart be ever filled with Thy Prem!”

Nama Article 25^th Sep 2016

SOURCE: THE VISION

EPISTLES OF SWAMI RAMDAS

Beloved Ram,

…The only prayer of a Bhakta to God is made in this strain: "O God, keep Thy sweet name always on my lips; may my heart be ever filled with Thy Prem!"

…To love Him with all our heart is the supreme joy of this life. Let us exclaim with rapture, "O Sri Ram, Thou art mine, and I am Thine, for ever and for ever."

Nowadays, Ramdas can scarcely stand on his legs without his starting on a dance. Sri Ram's Prem is tingling in every vein of his body; and Ramdas dances, lost in ecstasy. The mere sound of His name sends thrills of joy through Ramdas. Sri Ram is 'Prem'.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

If Nama is for the purpose of seeing God, that desire alone should be kept in mind

Nama Article 24^th Sep 2016

Source: Madhuramurali

Answers & Beyond –

HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji answers questions from devotees

Q: Isn't Nama for the purpose of seeing God??

If Nama is for the purpose of seeing God, that desire alone should be kept in mind, with out any other desire, and should be chanted day and night for years together.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan : 

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

For a healthy mind, let us keep chanting a lot of Nama

Nama Article 23rd Sep 2016

Source: Madhuramurali

Answers & Beyond –

HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji answers questions from devotees

Q: What is the purpose of chanting Nama, if I am not going to face any difficulty in future?

Eventhough we are in good health, keeping our general health in mind, we take many vitamin tablets. Similarly, for a healthy mind, let us keep chanting a lot of Nama.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Likewise, let us chant the Nama now, to prevent difficulties from coming later.

Nama Article 21st Sep 2016

Source: Madhuramurali

Answers & Beyond –

HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji answers questions from devotees

Q: I do not have any difficulty now. So, I do not have to chant the Nama now, do I?

 When a child is born, even if it is normal (has no disease), it is given vaccines, to prevent the disease from coming later. Likewise, let us chant the Nama now, to prevent difficulties from coming later.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

To be redeemed of those sins, I ask you to chant Nama. Moreover, even if Nama that you start to chant for a specific, catches hold of you, it is for your good

Nama Article 20th Sep 2016

Source: Madhuramurali

Answers & Beyond –

HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji answers questions from devotees

There are so many people in this world who do not chant Nama. However, whenever some one tells you about any problem, you say,"Chant Nama; Your prayers will be answered". Why should we alone chant Nama. There are so many people who are doing good with out chanting Nama!?

Most couples are blessed with a child soon after marriage. For some, a child isn't born even after along time of marriage. They do not leave it like that. Some, perform remedies prescribed by astrology. Some take medical treatment. Then a child is born. It is some sin that has been committed in the past, that obstructs a normal happening from taking place in their lives. To be redeemed of those sins, I ask you to chant Nama. Moreover, even if Nama that you start to chant for a specific, catches hold of you, it is for your good.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Q: What is the goal? A: To attain Ram.

Nama Article 18^th Sep 2016

SOURCE: THE VISION

TALKS WITH THE MOTHER By Swami Ramdas

Q: What is the goal?

A: To attain Ram.

Q: What is self-surrender?

A: Resignation to the Will of God.

Q: How can we attain this?

A: By continued remembrance of God.

Q: What is Ram?

A: He is at once Light, Love and Bliss. He is the only eternal Truth.

Q: What is the result of self-surrender?

A: Self-surrender brings pure everlasting bliss.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

mareya bEDa manavE neenu hariya sharaNeya, parama purusha srI purandara viThala nAma bhajana mAdo

Nama Article 17^th Sep 2016

Sant Purandaradasa kirtan

Pallavi

mareya bEDa  manavE neenu

hariya sharaNeya

yaaga yagnya  maaDa lEke

yOgi yaTiyu  aaga lEke

naaga shayana naarada vandyana

kUdi bhajane maaDO                  (mareya)

Saadhu sajjana sangava madi

veda shastra odi nodi

Modadindali veda gamyana

pAda pankaja dhyaniso               (mareya)

satiyu suTaru  iTaru yendu

matiyu keTTu  keDali beda

gatiyu tappi hOda mEle

satiyu suturu BaruvarE               (mareya)

hariya smaraNeya maatra dindali

ghora durita vella naasha

parama purusha srI purandara viThala

nAma bhajana mAdo                  (mareya)

 

Pallavi

Oh mind please never forget,

The feet of Lord  Hari

What is the need of Yaagas and yagnas  ,

Why should you become yogi or a saint,

Join  together and sing about,

The god who sleeps on a serpent and is  saluted by Narada.

 

Make association of devotees and saints,

Try to read the Vedas,

But before all that meditate  ,

On the lotus feet of the God to whom Vedas go.

Thinking that wife and sons are there,

Do no spoil your brain and go in bad ways,

After you miss your proper way,

Would the wife and sons come to you?

Only by taking resort to meditating on Hari  ,

Great sufferings get destroyed ,

Please sing the Names of,

The divine God Purandhara vittala.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

It is verily your, the Lord’s, blessing and will which is the reason behind a person’s achievement.

Nama Article 14^th Sep 2016

Source: Madhuramurali

Rare it is for a person to even earn serene devotion for Lord Hari (sattvic Hari Bhakti). Rarer still it is to sustain it. For the lush growth of such Bhakti one should, first of all, abstain from self-praise. In Srimad Ramayana, nowhere does Hanuman, inspite of performing great feats, brag.

What is the response of Hanuman when Sri Rama said to him 'how great a feat you have achieved'? Hanuman told Rama, "O Lord! You speak of my having achieved some great feat. I do not think so. O Lord! Even an ordinary monkey in this crowd would have successfully done this if you had willed so and blessed him. It is verily your, the Lord's, blessing and will which is the reason behind a person's achievement."

Only if one is, like Hanuman, with out self-praise will the crop of Bhakti grow.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Who are those that do Saatvika Bhakthi? Those who give prominence to Keertanam (singing divine names) and Shravanam

Nama Article 13^th Sep 2016

Source: Namadwaar

HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

1.       Whose company should we seek?

The Theists'...(Those who believe in God)

2.       Who are Theists?

The Virtuous...(Those who have divine good qualities.)

3.       Who are the Virtuous?

The Devotees of Sri Hari...(Those who are devoted to Hari)

4.       Who are the devotees of Hari?

The Krishna devotees...(Those who are devoted to Krishna)

5.       Who are the devotees of Krishna?

Those who do devotion in a Saatvika manner...('gentle/selfless/harmonious' devotion)

6.       Who are those that do Saatvika Bhakthi?

Those who give prominence to Keertanam (singing divine names) and Shravanam (listening to divine exploits of Krishna and his true devotees) for its divine sweetness alone!

7.       Who are those that do such Keertanam and Shravanam?

The Bhagavatha Paramahamsas (The God realized/loving souls of the highest order) who have attained Krishna even without their knowledge!

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

No sin will touch the Devotee (Bhakta) who surrenders unto the Lord’s Divine Name and incessantly chants the Divine Name.

Nama Article 12^th Sep 2016

Source: Madhuramurali

A little boy lived in a town. Good looking and cheerful he was affectionate towards all. Once,there was heavy rain in this town and its surrounding areas. Hearing a moaning sound close to his house the boy rushed out. It was coming from a lion cub getting drenched in the heavy rain. Being compassionate by nature he brought the cub home and brought it up. The cub grew in to a lion and behaved like a pet animal. The big lion followed the boy wherever he went.

Once, he happened to pass a forest near his town. Is not a forest filled with wild and dangerous animals like tiger, bear and leopard? These wild animals thinking that the boy was alone came up to kill and devour him. But going near him they were shocked to find a lion playing so closely withhim.

All the animals who came to make a meal of the boy ran away out of fear on seeing the lion with him. The boy had no power to control these wild animals of the jungle: yet, these cruel animals feared this little boy because the lion, the king of the forest, was with him.

In the sameway, the wild and dangerous animals of desire and hate are waiting to take hold of us and pull us away who are passing through the forest of life (samsaara). To protect ourselves from it we have to surrender verily unto the Lord's Divine Name (BhagavanNaama).

No sin will touch the Devotee (Bhakta) who surrenders unto the Lord's Divine Name and incessantly chants the Divine Name. Sins will flee from one who has the Divine Name with him.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

What a mighty power is latent in Ram Nam! Only those who are endowed with devotion know it

Nama Article 11^th Sep 2016

POWER OF 'RAM NAM' by Swami Sivananda

What a mighty power is latent in Ram Nam! Only those who are endowed with devotion know it. The scientists now declare that sound vibrations have such a tremendous force that they can direct this power to silk fabrics and clean them of all dirt more thoroughly than a washerman can.

The moment you utter the word Rama, the form of the Lord is aroused in your consciousness. So the advanced devotees say that the Divine Name is the exclusive support of those afflicted by the tribulations of Samsara.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Therefore, having obtained this (human) body, in which (alone) Knowledge and Realization (of Truth) can be had one should Chant the Divine Names

Nama Article 10^th Sep 2016

Srimad Bhagavatham 11:25:33

तस्माद् देहम् इमं लब्ध्वा ज्ञान-विज्ञान-सम्भवम्

गुण-सङ्गं विनिर्धूय मां भजन्तु विचक्षणाः

Therefore, having obtained this (human) body, in which (alone) Knowledge and Realization (of Truth) can be had, and completely shaking off (all) attachment to the (three) Gunas, let the wise worship Me by Chanting my Divine Names.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

His one overwhelming passion and aim of life was to live for God and God alone. God’s powerful Name was indelibly stamped on his tongue.

Nama Article 9^th Sep 2016

SOURCE: THE VISION

Swami Papa Ramdas On His Early Days Of Sadhana

It was in the year 1921, in Mangalore, that the all-merciful Lord of the universe first fired Ramdas' bosom with a keen longing to realise Him. From that time his life was undergoing a marvellous change. His one overwhelming passion and aim of life was to live for God and God alone. God's powerful Name was indelibly stamped on his tongue. Now it was that he was becoming conscious of a Divine influence working silently but irresistibly in him gradually dominating and possessing him. He felt an awakening within the very core of his being. With steady steps and unflagging zeal he now entered upon a path of rigorous selfdiscipline. The trials and hardships of the path did not daunt him. Repeated appeals, persuasions and remonstrances could not make him swerve an inch from this path. He was calm, earnest and determined. As time passed in prayer, fasting and repetition of God's Name, the consciousness of Divine possession and guidance assumed such predominance that at last the Divine voice within him drove him forth from Mangalore into the wide world.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Be careful to avoid break while performing Japa (recital) of the Names of God.

Nama Article 8^th Sep 2016

BHAGAVATHA DHARMAM - First Skandham - Swami Abhedananda

Be careful to avoid break while performing Japa (recital) of the Names of God. God dwells in those who perform Japa regularly. When the number of Japa reaches 32 lakhs, destiny can be overcome. All your sins get rooted out by that time. Always maintain the feeling that 'Lord Sri Krishna revels in me' and 'I too revel in the Lord Sri Krishna.'

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Rama gave salvation to two of his faithful servants, Jatayu and Sabari, but His Name has been the saviour of countless wicked persons.

Nama Article 7^th Sep 2016

POWER OF 'RAM NAM' by Swami Sivananda

Saint Tulasidas says: The name is even superior to the Lord, because the Nirguna and Saguna aspects of Brahman are tasted and realised by the power of the Name. Rama delivered a single woman, Ahalya, while His Name has purified crores of wicked people. Rama gave salvation to two of his faithful servants, Jatayu and Sabari, but His Name has been the saviour of countless wicked persons.

Blessed is the son and blessed are his parents who remember Sri Rama in whatsoever way it may be. Blessed are even the Chandalas who repeat the Name of Rama day and night. What is the use of high birth to one who does not repeat Ram Nam!

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

To repeat Your name is to string pearls together.

Nama Article 6^th Sep 2016

Sant Tukaram

To repeat Your name is to string pearls together.

The pleasure in your manifested form is always new.

I have ceased to desire the unembodied God.

Your worshippers do not seek liberation.

With You, it is still possible to give and to receive.

What use is the place where a dish sat when it is taken away?

Tuka says, give me the gift of freedom from fear.

After all, O Lord who pervades the world, I have given the world You. 

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

In the sameway, one who finds no peace due to mental agony caused by life's travails will realize the worth of the Mahamantra quite well.

The more Ramdas meditated on and uttered His name, the greater the relief and joy he felt.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

The more Ramdas meditated on and uttered His name, the greater the relief and joy he felt.

Nama Article 5^th Sep 2016

Source: The Vision

STRUGGLE AND INITIATION

Swami Papa Ramdas

For nearly a year, Ramdas struggled on in a world full of cares, anxieties and pains. It was a period of terrible stress and restlessness — all of his own making. In this utterly helpless condition, full of misery: "Where is relief? Where is rest?" this was the heart's cry of Ramdas. The cry was heard, and from the Great Void came the voice: "Despair not! Trust Me and thou shalt be free!" — and this was the voice of Ram. These encouraging words of Ram proved like a plank thrown towards a man struggling for very life in the stormy waves of a raging sea. The great assurance soothed the aching heart of helpless Ramdas, like gentle rain on thirsting earth.

Thenceforward, a part of the time that was formerly totally devoted to worldly affairs was taken up for the meditation of Ram who, for that period, gave him real peace and relief. Gradually love for Ram — the Giver of peace — increased. The more Ramdas meditated on and uttered His name, the greater the relief and joy he felt. Nights, which are free from worldly duties, were, in course of time, utilised for Ram Bhajan with scarcely one or two hours' rest. His devotion for Ram progressed by leaps and bounds.

During the day, when cares and anxieties were besetting him due to monetary and other troubles, Ram was coming to his aid in unexpected ways. So, whenever free from worldly duties, be the period ever so small, he would meditate on Ram and utter His name. Walking in the streets he would be uttering, "Ram, Ram". Ramdas was now losing attraction for the objects of the world. Sleep, except for one or two hours in the night, was given up for the sake of Ram. Fineries in clothes and dress were replaced by coarse Khaddar. Bed was substituted by a bare mat. Food, first, two meals were reduced to one meal a day and after sometime this too was given up for plantains and boiled potatoes — chillies and salt were totally eschewed. No taste but for Ram; meditation of Ram continued apace. It encroached upon the hours of the day and the so-called worldly duties.

At this stage one day, Ramdas' father came to him, sent by Ram, and calling him aside, gave him the Upadesh of Ram-Mantram — "Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram!" assuring him that if he repeated this Mantram at all times, Ram would give him eternal happiness. This initiation from the father — who has thereafter been looked upon by Ramdas as Gurudev — hastened on the aspirant in his spiritual progress. Off and on he was prompted by Ram to read the teachings of Sri Krishna — THE BHAGAVAD GITA, Buddha — LIGHT OF ASIA, Jesus Christ — NEW TESTAMENT, Mahatma Gandhi — YOUNG INDIA and ETHICAL RELIGION. The young plant of Bhakti of Ram was thus nurtured in the electric atmosphere created by the influence of these great men on the mind of humble Ramdas. It was at this time that it slowly dawned upon his mind that Ram was the only Reality and all else was false. Whilst desires for the enjoyment of worldly things were fast falling off, the consideration of 'me' and 'mine' was also wearing out. The sense of possession and relationship was vanishing. All thought, all mind, all heart, all soul was concentrated on Ram, Ram covering up and absorbing everything.

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

In the sameway, one who finds no peace due to mental agony caused by life's travails will realize the worth of the Mahamantra quite well.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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