When can one earn Guru krupa? When God decides to bless a person, he receives Guru's grace. One has to be blessed with Bhakti; and that is blessed only by God/Guru.

Nama Article 17th December 2011

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

One cannot do Bhakti by his own endeavor; Bhakti is earned only by virtue of Guru 'krupa' (grace) or Bhagavan's 'krupa'. Bhakti has to be born (out of Bhagavan's or Guru's grace). It cannot be developed through our own effort. Bhakti is not born in that manner.

 

If a man is asked to clap his hands, he can clap his hands; if he is asked to stand up he can; if he is asked to sit, he can sit. But, if he were asked to do Bhakti how would he do it? Bhakti is not something that is to be 'done' but it has to be born (from within). Bhakti should be born. How will that Bhakti be born? Through Guru's grace!

 

Well! When can one earn Guru krupa? When God decides to bless a person, he receives Guru's grace. One has to be blessed with Bhakti; and that is blessed only by God/Guru.

 

One can perform tapas. One can go without food for 10 days. One can go without sleep; one who has mental strength ('mano bala') can go without sleep or food. There are many who clap their hands for seventy days to have their names entered in the Guinness Book of World Record. There are some who keep standing the whole day. Do not people try all such gimmicks just to have their names entered in the Guinness Book? In the same manner tapas is easy to do. But, earning Bhakti is rare.

 

Only one who cannot do Bhakti should go to Vedanta and we do not accept/appreciate the statement that Bhakti is for those who are unable to do Vedanta vichara.

 

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

 

Let the one who cannot do Bhakti go out to do tapas!

 

Man feels that only the most difficult is the highest, the most difficult way is the best way. This is a very wrong notion

 

Reciting the Divine Names of Lord Hari, one can overcome the most formidable delusion of mind.

 

There are many ways. But the simplest and the easiest way is by chanting the "Hare Rama.." Mahamantra.

 

They are for those who don't believe in simple prayers.

 

Bhagawan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal puts forth his findings in the following words, "Since it is so easy and simple, none takes to it!

 

Would it not amount to grave injustice if one shows a difficult path to the world?

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Even if you have no good habit (‘sadăcchăra’) do not take to wicked ways. Chant the Name of the Lord

Nama Article 15th December 2011

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Bhagavăn says, "It is I who has given the Vedas, the Shastras. Lead your life accordingly." But Bhagavăn is not ready to give up those 'jivas' who are unable to lead their lives on the lines of dharmic principles.

 

Bhagavăn, therefore, sends Mahătmas to the world who tell the jivas - 'At least utter the Lord's Nămas and get ashore'.

 

Here, the Mahătma is the mother. "You need not listen to your father's words but at least avoid wicked ways ('durăcchăra'). Even if you have no good habit ('sadăcchăra') do not take to wicked ways. Chant the Name of the Lord", says the mother. If the son refuses to do even this, he is not given up, but is sent elsewhere, provided with the necessities of life and is brought back at the appropriate time. He will definitely transform one day.

 

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

 

Other margas and Nama kirtan

 

 

But all I know is that 'Năma sankirtanam' (singing Lord's names) is the correct path for all.

 

 

Naamasankirtan is also a way advocated by the Vedas. Hence, we follow this path.

 

 

They might hesitate and ask, 'Can I, who have committed innumerable grievous sins, utter the pure Name of the Lord?' Such people need not hesitate or feel shy on this ground; they CAN sing the Divine Name of the Lord boldly and cheerfully!"

 

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

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Singing the glory of the One who appears foremost in the Vedas and dance about in the streets

Nama Article 13th December 2011

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

'Veda mudalvanai pãdi veedhigal thorum thullãdãr'

 

(singing the glory of the One who appears foremost in the Vedas and dance about the streets)

 

Why did he say that one should dance about on the streets (singing the glory of the Lord)?

 

Well! When you go about the streets singing the Name of the Lord those passing by might criticize you, "Oh! Look at this fellow going about shouting Govinda! Govinda!" and they would mimic you, 'Govinda! Govinda!' Be happy when you hear them.

 

Their criticism and mimicking should gladden your heart. Why? When they criticize you in this manner they utter the Name of the Lord (Bhagavan Nãma)!

 

Sadhus are very merciful ('krupãlu'). When they move about on the streets they might come across a leprosy patient in a very bad state. They look at him with overflowing compassion and sing Govinda! Govinda! Their hearts melt looking at the state he is in. Looking at him they would feel truly sorry for him, 'oh! This jiva is suffering.'

 

And what happens? This leprosy patient attains Vaikuntam after his life here ends. He himself would not have any idea of who has bestowed this state on him.

 

Nammazhvar Tiruvoimozhi 3.5.5

சாது சனத்தை நலியும் கஞ்சனைச் சாதிப்ப தற்கு,

ஆதியஞ் சோதி யுருவை அங்குவைத் திங்குப் பிறந்த,

வேத முதல்வ னைப் பாடி வீதிகள் தோறும்துள் ளாதார்,

ஓதி யுணர்ந்தவர் முன்னா என்சவிப் பார்ம னிசரே?

 

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

 

Why did he say that one should dance about on the streets (singing the glory of the Lord)?

 

On auspicious days like Ekadasi people go on the streets singing the Divine Name of the Lord. This is called 'Nagara Sankirtan'. The Divine Name is spread in this manner especially in the Tamizh month of 'MArgazhi' [mid-December to mid-January]

 

Just like You protect me always, I earnestly pray to you to protect your children also, who are working diligently to spread your Divine Name

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

It is shown that Bhakti alone is capable of leading to Moksha without any hindrance and the path of Jñāna dissasociated with bhakti is difficult to be trodden being beset with many pitfalls and dangers.

Nama Article 13th December 2011

 

Shankaracharya of Sringeri, Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekara Bharati Mahaswami on path of devotion

श्रेयःस्रुतिं भक्तिमुपेक्ष्य ते विभो क्लिश्यन्ति ये केवलबोधलब्धये ।

तेषामसौ क्लेशल एव शिष्यते नान्यद्यथा स्थूलतुषावघातिनाम् ॥

 

"O Lord! To those who tire themselves to obtain 'Bodha' regardless of Bhakti, remains, just as those who pound the outer husk."

 

In these and other simple beautiful sayings which are the outcome of ecstasy of Bhakti, it is shown that Bhakti alone is capable of leading to Moksha without any hindrance and the path of Jñāna dissasociated with bhakti is difficult to be trodden being beset with many pitfalls and dangers.

 

There is not the slightest doubt that, if we pursue properly by all means, the path of Bhakti is not difficult. It is capable of yeilding unlimited benefits and we will become the recipients of greatest happiness.

 

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

 

Other margas and Nama kirtan

 

 

But all I know is that 'Năma sankirtanam' (singing Lord's names) is the correct path for all.

 

 

Naamasankirtan is also a way advocated by the Vedas. Hence, we follow this path.

 

 

They might hesitate and ask, 'Can I, who have committed innumerable grievous sins, utter the pure Name of the Lord?' Such people need not hesitate or feel shy on this ground; they CAN sing the Divine Name of the Lord boldly and cheerfully!"

 

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

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

But all I know is that 'Năma sankirtanam' (singing Lord's names) is the correct path for all.

Nama Article 12th December 2011

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

"Some, just by the virtue of coming from a lineage subscribing to the Sri Sankara's philosophy, claim that Advaita (Monism) is correct. Some, just because they are born in a Sri Vaishnava family claim that only Vishistadvaitham (qualified Monism) is true. Some others hailing from a Madhva family maintain that Dwaitham (Dualism) is correct.

 

I don't know which is true. But all I know is that 'Năma sankirtanam' (singing Lord's names) is the correct path for all."

 

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

 

We believe in Nama

 

I want to know about your Bhakti Advaita Siddhanta

 

For this communion you need no philosophy, no rigorous discipline, no learning, no worldly wealth and position

 

Opinion of Krishna on essence of Gita

 

The only one I know is You! It is up to You to see to it that I experience the Ultimate!

 

In Srimad Bhagavatham it is fully stressed that only Namakirtan is enough.

 

For you and for this beggar Rama Năm is enough

 

This beggar has no other message to give. Let them remember the name of Rama, Krishna and Shiva

 

PHILOSOPHY OF THE DIVINE NAME ACCORDING TO SAINT NAMDEV

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Naamasankirtan is also a way advocated by the Vedas. Hence, we follow this path.

Nama Article 12th December 2011

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

In our day-to-day life we approach a lawyer to know the right and wrong. Based on Social law he points to us the right and the wrong. Only the Vedas are the testimony ('pramaana') for the existence of God. The Vedas are the 'Eternal law' that show the right path to a man who desires to reach God. Therefore, only by following the path shown by the Vedas can one have darshan of God. Naamasankirtan is also a way advocated by the Vedas. Hence, we follow this path.

 

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

 

When its recitation commences with the Divine Name Hari and concludes with the same, it is a clear and significant indication that the essence of all Vedas is about chanting the Divine Name of Hari.

 

It is for this purpose that he blessed us with Srimad Bhagavatham like a Nama Siddathantam

 

Sri Narayana Tirtha's Krishna Leela Tarangini - Namasiddhanta Gitam

 

The essence of the endless Vedas is this : Seek the shelter of God and repeat His name with all thy heart.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

I sit under the Kalpataru (wish fulfilling tree) of Sri Rama Whenever I desire any fruit I get it.

Nama Article 10th December 2011

 

Source: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

 

During the conversation they talk of Hanuman, the great bhakta. There is a picture of Hanuman on the wall of Thakur's room. Thakur says: See, the state of mind of Hanuman! He wants none of these: Wealth, honour, bodily comforts. He only longs for Bhagavan. When he was running away with Brahmastra (a heavenly weapon of the Brahma) taken from the crystalline pillar, Mandodari started showing him many kinds of fruits. She thought that tempted by fruits he might climb down and drop the weapon, but Hanuman could not be tricked. He said ­

 

Sri Rama, the Kalpataru (wish fulfilling tree)

Do I stand in need of fruits?

I have got the fruit that has made my life fruitful,

The tree of the fruit of liberation ­ Rama ­ is planted in my heart.

I sit under the Kalpataru (wish fulfilling tree) of Sri Rama

Whenever I desire any fruit I get it.

But you speak of the fruit; O woman, I am not bargaining for.

I go leaving the bitter fruit to you.

 

Thakur sings this very song. And again he goes into the same samadhi. Again his body is motionless, eyes fixed, and he sits still. He is seated the way as if a picture in the photograph. Only just now the bhaktas were laughing and making merry, now they are all gazing at this unique state of Thakur. It is for the second time that M. sees the state of samadhi. After some time a change comes in this state ­ his body is relaxed and a smile plays on his face. The senses begin to function again in a normal way. Shedding tears of joy from the corners of his eyes, he utters the name, "Rama!  Rama!"

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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