The preliminary sadhanas for a beginner are the following:- (i)Service and doing pooja to God; (ii)Chanting the names of God.....

Nama Article 21st March 2017

BHAGAVATHA DHARMAM – Fifth and Sixth Skandham - Swami Abhedananda

Lord Sri Krishna is the charioteer of your body-chariot. If you realize this truth, your chariot will definitely reach its goal. On the contrary, if the mind controlled by the senses happens to be the charioteer, it will fall into some deep pit and be shattered.

Everyday after taking bath, sit at a solitary place and worship God. The preliminary sadhanas for a beginner are the following:-

(i)Service and doing pooja to God;

(ii)Chanting the names of God:

(iii) Singing the hymns of God;

(iv) Company of holy men and listening to Stories of God.

(v) Reading the scriptural texts;

(vi) Surrendering all actions to God;

(vii) Recompensing for all sins committed;

(viii) Surrendering the fruits of all actions to God.

If your eyes are sparkling with love and your mind is broad, you are dearest to God Do not ask for anything from God. Asking for something is nothing but trading. If you ask for material gains in return to your worship of God, you are a trader. Giving less and taking more is the trait of a trader. Lead a very humble and simple life. Keep the mind out of reach for worldly desires.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

When the end of the cycle of birth and death in the case of a soul is in sight, then (alone) his meeting with some saint takes place

Nama Article 19th March 2017

Srimad Bhagavatham 10:51:54

भवापवर्गो भ्रमतो यदा भवेज् जनस्य तर्ह्य् अचुत सत्-समागमः

सत्-सङ्गमो यर्हि तदैव सद्-गतौ परावरेशे त्वयि जायते मतिः

When the end of the cycle of birth and death in the case of a soul undergoing transmigration is in sight, then (alone) his meeting with some saint takes place, O Lord Who does not lets His devotees to slip away! (And) when there is fellowship with a saint, then alone is engendered devotion to You by Chanting Your Divine Names, the Refuge of saints and the Ruler of the high and the low.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

All does not worship You by Chanting Your Divine Names, but remains attached to the home, which is a (prolific) source of misery (alone), in search of happiness

Nama Article 18th March 2017

Srimad Bhagavatham 10:51:45

विमोहितोऽयं जन ईश मायया

त्वदीयया त्वां न भजत्य् अनर्थ-दृक्

सुखाय दुःख-प्रभवेषु सज्जते

गृहेषु योषित् पुरुषश् च वञ्चितः

Muchukunda prayed : Deluded by Your Maya and blind to the highest Reality (viz., Yourself), O Lord, this creature of man and women is immersed in the worldly happiness and does not worship You by Chanting Your Divine Names, but remains attached to the home, which is a (prolific) source of misery (alone), in search of happiness, of which (however) it is (ever) deprived.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Never change (according to your convenience) Mantra (Name of God given by Guru for recital)

Nama Article 16th March 2017

BHAGAVATHA DHARMAM – Fifth and Sixth Skandham - Swami Abhedananda

Never change (according to your convenience) Mantra (Name of God given by Guru for recital), Moorthy (form of God given by Guru for meditation), and Mala (string of beads given by Guru for counting while reciting God's names).

On whom God showers His special grace, that fortunate man will have no special desires for worldly pleasures. If any hindrance occurs to worldly pleasures, take it that God is going to give you unworldly pleasures.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

The Name of the Lord is an inexhaustible storehouse of spiritual knowledge.

Nama Article 15th March 2017

THE GLORY OF MANTRA DIKSHA

By Swami Sivananda

Japa changes the mind-stuff from worldliness to spirituality, from Rajas and activity to Sattva and illumination.

The Name of the Lord is an inexhaustible storehouse of spiritual knowledge.

Even mechanical repetition of a Mantra plays a great part in the evolution of the soul. Even a simple parrot-like repetition of a Mantra, too, is beneficial. It has got its own effect.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

If one forgets their spiritual practice of meditating and chanting the divine names, he would be caught in the worldly bondages and be born again and again.

Nama Article 11th March 2017

Source: Madhuramurali – May 2016

Brahma's Imprisonment

When destroying Tharakasura, a thought came to Lord Muruga as to why such a cruel demon who gave only distress to everyone had to be created. Muruga's concern was that how such a demon would have been created by Brahma, if he was ever meditating upon the pranava mantra.

Only because Brahma overlooked to meditate on the pranava mantra, such a demon with cruel and impure nature came in his creation. The fact that he did the creation without meditating upon the pranava mantra was the reason for Lord Muruga imprisoning him.

If one forgets their spiritual practice of meditating and chanting the divine names, he would be caught in the worldly bondages and be born again and again. This is akin to Brahma being imprisoned. Also, similar to how the demon Tharakasura was created by Brahma when he had forgotten to meditate on pranavamantra, it is to be noted that if one does not progress spiritually, children born to them would also not lead righteous lives.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

The rhythmical vibration produced through Japa regulates the unsteady vibrations of the five sheaths.

Nama Article 10th March 2017

THE GLORY OF MANTRA DIKSHA

By Swami Sivananda

Japa reinforces the Sadhana-Sakti of the Sadhaka. It makes him morally and spiritually strong.

The vibration produced by the chanting of a Mantra corresponds to the original vibration that arose from Hiranyagarbha.

The rhythmical vibration produced through Japa regulates the unsteady vibrations of the five sheaths.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Wherever I am residing and whatever be the work I have to carry out, may I spread the Holy Name of Vishnu with the least displeasure.

Nama Article 9th March 2017

Purandaradasa kirtan

Pallavi

Narayana, ninna naamada smaraneya,

Sara amruthavenna naligeege bar ali

Charanam

1.Kuduvagali ninthaduvagali mathe haaduvagali, haridaguvagali,

Khoti vinodadi nodadhe na baalu madidha papa bittodi hogo hege.

2.Oorige hogali , oor olage irali karna antharanga lella kadirali,

Vaarija naabha , nara sarathi sannutha sari sarige na besaradhaage.

3.Hasividdagali , hasi villadhagali, rasa kasi irali harusirali ,

Vasudevathmaka , Shishupalakasaya , asuranthaka , ninna hesaru mareyadhage.

4.Kashtadallirali , uthkrishtadallirali, eshtadaremathi kettirali,

Krishna, Krishna endhu sishtaru piluva , ashtaksharada maha manthrada namava.

5.Kanasilogalli kanavalikaagali manasu kottirali munidiralli

Janakajapathi ninna charana kamalavanu manasil olage omme nenasikkollo hage

6.Jwara bandhagai chali bandhagali , marali , marali mathe naduguvagagali,

Hari Narayana duritha nivarana nendu irulu hagalu smarane mareyadhu hege.

7.Santhatha Hari ninna sasira namavu antharanga olagirisi,

Yentho Purandara Vittala rayane . anthya kala dhalli chinthiso hage.

Oh Narayana! May the nectar of essence of your Holy Name always remain in my tongue. Be it a calamity or mental breakdown or prosperity, let the eight lettered Narayanamanthra - Ohm Namo Narayanaya - always remain in my tongue.

May my devotion for you be permanent and free from conceit, regardless of whatever be the activities in which I am engaged, so that my sins gets dispelled at your hands.

Wherever I am residing and whatever be the work I have to carry out, may I spread the Holy Name of Vishnu with the least displeasure.

Regardless of whether I am hungry or have good food to take and irrespective of the fact that I am happy or otherwise, may I always remember the Name of Lord Krishna, who has vanquished Shishubala and several demons. May I bow at the lotus feet of the Lord of Sita, regardless of my state of mind, ie angry, agitated, composed or dreamy.

Even if am sick and unsteady, may I never forget to remember the Divine Name of the Lord every day, so to get my sins dispelled.

Oh Hari! May your countless Names always reside in my mind even at the time of my death.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Japa is a very great purifier. It checks the force of the thought-(current moving towards objects) and forces the mind to move towards God.

Nama Article 8th March 2017

THE GLORY OF MANTRA DIKSHA

By Swami Sivananda

The world without Hari-Sankirtana is only a burial ground.

Japa is a very great purifier. It checks the force of the thought-(current moving towards objects) and forces the mind to move towards God.

Japa eventually helps in obtaining Darshan of God. The Mantra-Chaitanya is hidden in every Mantra.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

if only you will associate with the saintly, You will realise the enjoyment, liberation, and renunciation.

Nama Article 7th March 2017

Sant Samartha Ramdas

महाघोर हा थोर संसार मोठा |

कळे संतसंगें समूळींच खोटा ||

कळे भुक्ति मुक्ती विरक्तीच गा रे |

हरे राम हा मंत्र सोपा जपा रे ||

Fiendish is this great cycle of existence,

Know its inherent falsity, if only you will associate with the saintly,

You will realise the enjoyment, liberation, and renunciation.

Only chant this simple prayer, Hare Rama

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

He who is constant in Japa Sadhana can even change his destiny

Nama Article 6th March 2017

BHAGAVATHA DHARMAM – Fifth and Sixth Skandham - Swami Abhedananda 

Recite God's names at every footstep. If you do so, you can have a meeting with Yagna Purusha. Constant recital of God's names is the most effective method to reach God in Kaliyuga. He who is constant in Japa Sadhana can even change his destiny.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Those who resort to the recital of God’s names will definitely have God realization one day.

Nama Article 5th March 2017

BHAGAVATHA DHARMAM – Fifth and Sixth Skandham - Swami Abhedananda

Meditation of God purifies mind. So, make meditation a regular habit. If you do not get concentration while meditating, take to recital of God's names. If that too is found difficult, surrender everything to God. Those who resort to the recital of God's names will definitely have God realization one day.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Any Name of the Lord is nectar. It is sweeter than sugar-candy. It is the essence of the Vedas.

Nama Article 4th March 2017

THE GLORY OF MANTRA DIKSHA

By Swami Sivananda

The Name of Rama turns impossible into possible. It was by the glory of Rama-Nama that the stones floated in water, and the bridge, the Setu over the sea, was built by Sugriva and his companions at Rameshvaram. It was Rama-Nama that cooled Prahlada, when he was thrown into a conflagration of fire.

Any Name of the Lord is nectar. It is sweeter than sugar-candy. It is the essence of the Vedas. Amrita came out, in days of yore, during the process of the churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras. Even so by churning the four Vedas, the Name of Rama, the nectar, was brought out to quench the three kinds of Taapa (affliction) of the ignorant Jivas. Drink it again and again by constant repetition, just as Valmiki did in days long gone by.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Who has resigned himself to the Lord by Chanting the Divine Names, devotion, realization of the supreme Lord and aversion to other objects – all the three appear at once.

Nama Article 3rd March 2017

Srimad Bhagavatham 11:2:42

भक्तिः परेशानुभवो विरक्तिर् अन्यत्र चैष त्रिक एक-कालः

प्रपद्यमानस्य यथाश्नतः स्युस् तुष्टिः पुष्टिः क्षुद्-अपायोऽनु-घासम्

As one who eats (food) feels satisfied, gets nourishment and relief from hunger with every morsel, (similarly) in him who has resigned himself to the Lord by Chanting the Divine Names, devotion, realization of the supreme Lord and aversion to other objects – all the three appear at once.

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

Food simultaneously gives us taste, satiates our hunger and gives us energy. Chanting the Divine Name simultaneously wipes our sins, accrues good merits and prepares us for the Vision of the Lord

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Who worships uninterruptedly by Chanting the Divine Names as aforesaid the feet of Sri Hari attains (the state of) supreme peace.

Nama Article 2nd March 2017

Srimad Bhagavatham 11:2:43

इत्य् अच्युताङ्घ्रिं भजतोऽनुवृत्त्या भक्तिर् विरक्तिर् भगवत्-प्रबोधः

भवन्ति वै भागवतस्य राजंस् ततः परां शान्तिम् उपैति साक्षात्

 

In the votary of God O king, who worships uninterruptedly by Chanting the Divine Names as aforesaid the feet of Sri Hari (the immortal Lord) Devotion, a distaste for the enjoyments of the world and direct knowledge of God appear (simultaneously); and through them he directly attains (the state of) supreme peace.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Recital of God’s names even without knowing their meaning or importance will be beneficial.

Nama Article 1st March 2017

BHAGAVATHA DHARMAM – Fifth and Sixth Skandham - Swami Abhedananda

Recital of God's names even without knowing their meaning or importance will be beneficial.

When you fall down or some misfortune comes to you, don't cry out "Hayyo" "Hayyo", but say "Hari" Hari". Even the greatest sinner, if he repents for his sinful actions, can transform his life. Therefore, sinners should not be rejected.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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

Feel the wonderful and infinite power the Name of the Lord possesses and chant His Name constantly.

Nama Article 28th Feb 2017

THE GLORY OF MANTRA DIKSHA

By Swami Sivananda

The Name of the Lord has a very great power. It brings you face to face with the Supreme Being and makes you realise your oneness with the Infinite and the whole world at large. It bestows immortality. Feel the wonderful and infinite power the Name of the Lord possesses and chant His Name constantly. Time is fleeting. The best way to utilise it is to remember Him, to chant His Name, sing His glories and meditate on Him.

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

Singing the Naama of the Lord with Bhakti. Singing and dancing His Praises is the easiest way to earn His Grace.

To realize the Lord Krishna within you – that is the aim of life.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

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