This shows that anyone who has a strong mind can do tapas. But, Jnăna can be attained only with the help of a Guru.

Nama Article 18th May 2013

 

There are innumerable books that detail how to do Vedanta Vichăra (Self-enquiry), and Dhyana. Many a book also gives the Mantra for the Japa. While these are so easily available why do we need the guidance of a Guru to perform these?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

A well posed question, indeed! You are very right. Today such informations are available in varied details in books. Anyone who is interested in achieving his goal should be able to perform his sadhana just by adhering to any of the paths shown in such books. We can also follow the same. As a result of intense practice such persons may attain siddhis (special faculties) and may thus become powerful. However, their Ego will be intact and not destroyed. Maya would not have left them. They will be attracted by name and fame! Therefore, they may declare themselves to be God - an incarnation of God. Many would believe and accept them as such! Since they would possess wonderful siddhis the world would be astounded by them. But, they will never attain Jnăna (True knowledge).

 

There lived in the past the great Kăvyakanta Ganapati Muni. He was an adept in Sanskrit, Poetics, Astrology, Vedas, Vedanta and Shastra. Moreover, he possessed great siddhis. He used to meditate for long hours without any awareness of his own body. He performed intense tapas. He has written many a wonderful Grantăs. He had a large following. But, such a great man sought Sri Ramana Bhagavan to attain Jnăna! This is because he had realized that all the qualities that he possessed were no sign of Jnăna!

 

Therefore, only if we perform sadhana with the help of a Guru can we attain Jnăna. If we take a look into our Epics we find that even asurăs like Hiranyakashipu and Padmăsura had performed intense tapas. This shows that anyone who has a strong mind can do tapas. But, Jnăna can be attained only with the help of a Guru.

 

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

 

What does this Lord's Name that is got through Guru Upadesa, do?

 

Mahamantra can be chanted anytime, anywhere and by anyone. However it gives multi-fold benefits if chanted after initiation from a Guru.

 

When the Guru gives you 'upadesa' of the Divine Name, He bestows His 'tapas' along with it.

 

Likewise, when a person, however impure he may be, when touched by the initiation of a Guru, he is purified.

 

Do not give up chanting of any Naama of Bhagavaan that you have been chanting on your own. This will certainly lead you to a Sadguru who will give 'upadesa' (initiation) of a Mantra

 

For the un-initiated, it is important to be initiated. However, you do not need to wait until you get initiated by a proper Guru

 

If the fruit of the upadesa received from a Mahan could work into an inert thing what can it not bestow on one who does japa of it?

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Through japa, we control all thoughts and try to concentrate on a single thought.

Nama Article 17th May 2013

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

An ordinary man (not a sădhak) thinks that he has only one thought at a time. But, it is not so. Innumerable thoughts keep rising up in him and they compete with each other to take hold. A particular thought takes hold and the person thinks that he has only this single thought in him. But, when we sit to do japa or ătma vichăra we find that countless thoughts keep raising one after another, in a gush. Through japa, we control all thoughts and try to concentrate on a single thought.

 

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

 

In the same way, when the mind imagines, it is called 'manas'. When it thinks, it is called 'intellect'. It is the same person who chants the Mantra as well as gets those thoughts.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

But in telling you to repeat the Name of Ram, I am giving you a name worshipped since countless generations by the people of this land – a Name familiar to the very animals and birds, the very trees and stones of Hindustan through many thousand years.

Nama Article 16th May 2013

 

RAM NAM, By Mahatma Gandhi

 

You must learn to take the Name of Ram with full devotion and faith.

 

When you study the Ramayan, you will learn from Tulsidas the divine power of that blessed Name.

 

You might ask me why I tell you to use the word and not one of the many other Names of the Creator. True His Names are as many as and more than the leaves on a tree, and I might, for instance, ask you to use the word God. But what meaning, what associations would it have for you here? In order to enable you to feel anything when repeating the word God, I should have to teach you some English. I should have to explain to you the foreign peoples' thoughts and associations.

 

But in telling you to repeat the Name of Ram, I am giving you a name worshipped since countless generations by the people of this land – a Name familiar to the very animals and birds, the very trees and stones of Hindustan through many thousand years.

 

You know the story of Ahalya? No, I see you don't. But you will soon learn it when you study the Ramayan - learn how a stone by the road-side sprung to life at the touch of Ram's foot as he passed by. You must learn to repeat the blessed Name of Ram with such sweetness and such devotion that the birds will pause in their singing to listen to you - that the very trees will bend their leaves towards you, stirred by the divine melody of that Name.

 

And when you are able to do this, I tell you I will come all the way on foot from Bombay, as on a pilgrimage, to hear you. In His sweet Name lies a power which can cure all our ills.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

But, you must do incessant chanting of that Rama Năma (‘uru yettri kollavendum’). ‘uru yera yera tiru arul kai koodum’ - as you do repeated japa of the mantra you receive the blessings of the Lord.

Nama Article 15th May 2013

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Rama Năma is 'kalpaka vruksha' (the [divine] tree bounty)! It bestows on you everything that you ask standing below it. Standing below a 'kalpaka vruksha' if a person does not know that it is a 'kalpaka vruksha' is he not the most unfortunate? Is there anyone as unfortunate as the one who stands below the 'kalpaka vruksha' and mistakes it to be some other tree? Similarly, if through a Guru you have been initiated into Rama Năma you will get the 'Kalpaka vruksha' - you will get all that you seek. But, you must do incessant chanting of that Rama Năma ('uru yettri kollavendum'). 'uru yera yera tiru arul kai koodum' - as you do repeated japa of the mantra you receive the blessings of the Lord. You receive as much blessings as the japa performed. Just by the mere chanting of Rama Năma all the difficulties that you wish to be removed in your life will all be removed, all your desires will be fulfilled, your tapas will even develop to the extent of blessing others! You tapas will not diminish if you bless another through Rama Năma. If the tongue is used to chanting Rama Năma, if the person who is in the habit of chanting Rama Năma blesses another, the 'phala' of Rama Năma will not diminish. Rama Nămă alone possesses this 'shakti' (power). Therefore, Rama Năma is a 'kalpaka vruksha'.

 

At the same time, since I advocate chanting of Rama Năma you should not question me, 'You asked me to chant Rama Năma and I have. But nothing has come about!' after having chanted for just three or four times. You should keep chanting it incessantly with one-pointed mind and as long as possible.

 

Rama Năma is a 'kalapaka vruksha'. If you have received it through a Guru ('Guru mukhena'), if a Guru has given it to you, hold on to it tightly. That one (Năma) is enough. Do not take several mantras. Do not perform japa of several mantras. There is no need.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Rama Năma is a ‘kalapaka vruksha’. If you have received it through a Guru (‘Guru mukhena’), if a Guru has given it to you, hold on to it tightly. That one (Năma) is enough. Do not take several mantras. Do not perform japa of several mantras. There is no need.

Nama Article 13th May 2013

 

You advocate incessant chanting of Rama Năma. (Lets us say that) A person suffers from some disease and is also facing financial problems. Should different slokas be chanted for the different kinds of sorrows suffered, viz. disease, debt problem, etc.? - some sloka like the Navagraha sloka (be chanted)? Or is it enough if we chant Rama Nama as advocated by you?"

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

'In Kali Yuga keep chanting some Name of the Lord. This is the only way to attain liberation in Kali Yuga.' This is what I have been stressing time and again.

 

This devotee is asking, "while going through some sloka book we find the words above each sloka -'for getting out of debt problems', 'for getting married', 'to safeguard oneself from enemies', 'for being successful in examination', 'for success of trips being undertaken' - such wordings are put up. You will find the words, 'you stand to benefit by chanting these.' Is it enough if I, who have been chanting Rama Năm, chant only this Rama Năma or should I do japa of some other mantra for these problems?"

 

This is his doubt/question. The answer for this is that Rama Năma is the name of 'Parabrahma' (Brahman). That is the root mantra ('moola mantra'), first mantra ('ădi mantra') and the highest mantra ('uyarnda mantra'). Whatever is contained in all other mantras is found in this Rama Năma itself. Rama Mantra is the 'ădhăra' (base) for all other mantras. While speaking of the glory of Rama Mantra I have said, 'Thiagaraja swami says, 'the letter 'Ra' has been taken from the Năma 'Nărayana' and the letter 'Ma' has been taken from the Năma 'Namasivaya'.' I have also said that by chanting Rama Năma one gains the 'phala' (fruit) of chanting all other Mantras. I have said that by worshipping Rama one earns the 'punya' (good merit) of the worship of all other gods.

 

Rama Năma is a 'kalapaka vruksha'. If you have received it through a Guru ('Guru mukhena'), if a Guru has given it to you, hold on to it tightly. That one (Năma) is enough. Do not take several mantras. Do not perform japa of several mantras. There is no need.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

This applies to chanting of the Divine Name of the Lord ('Bhagavan Nãma') and reading of Holy Texts like the Bhagavata, Ramayana as well.

Nama Article 12th May 2013

 

What is the 'phala' (benefit) behind repeated performance of Veda 'pãrãyana' (chanting of the Vedas)?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

The sound of the Vedas ('Veda shabda') fills the space to this day. By repeated 'pãrãyana' of the Vedas the potency of these Mantras get strengthened. If, however, 'pãrãyana' is not done at all, the potency of these Mantras would get diminished. Thus, the 'phala' for which the Veda Mantras are chanted do not come about.

 

This applies to chanting of the Divine Name of the Lord ('Bhagavan Nãma') and reading of Holy Texts like the Bhagavata, Ramayana as well.

 

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

 

"You advocate that only Nãmasankirtan is the way to attain Liberation ('Moksha'). Why then should we protect the Vedas? What is the need for learning the Vedas?" ………

If by any chance the Vedas die, then there would be no base to demark the right from the wrong.

 

Dhyana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Jnana - All these paths need to be taught, but only Nama Sankirtan can be propagated. That verily shows its simplicity.

 

We don't have the capability to perform either Dhyana, Ritual rites and Pooja. We are capable only to Chant the Divine names of "Krishna, Rama". Its true that Divine names alone would protect us.

 

Though a great marga, in today's world, it is just impossible to follow the Karma marga as prescribed in our Vedas

 

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

 

We have little capacity to meditate, perform rituals and puja. But we are capable of chanting the names of the Lord - Krishna, Rama, and so on. It is true that by muttering the names of the Lord we will be liberated.

 

What is the essence of all the Shastras, the Brahma Sutra, the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, etc.

 

"I lay in a kneeling posture in the cart itself, shocked as I was, repeating RAMA RAMA, the only spiritual prayer I knew, during the rest of my journey"

 

The truth of the four Vedas is the Nama of the Lord "Namachivaya" and the one who chants the Divine Name with selfless love is uplifted to the glorious path

 

Karma Yoga is indeed very hard. Bhakti Yoga indeed is the law of this age

 

The ONLY religion for this age

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Similarly, those who come and spend their time here regularly may as well show more concentration in their Năma japa or chanting 'Hare Răma Hare Krishna' or whatever path shown to them. Would it not help them progress spiritually?

Nama Article 10th May 2013

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Bhagavăn might (without any reason) just bestow liberation on anyone. This is very rare, though. This is akin to offering cooked food. There are some who await only Bhagavăn's 'kripa' (God's grace). They are ever weeping and crying for His grace, "Oh! Lord! When would you bestow Your grace on me?" They have no other thought and practise no sădhana. Gopis belonged to this category. Just as the Chakora (bird that existed in days gone by) used to cry for 'Chandra' (the Moon) the Gopis awaited the arrival of Bhagavăn. The whole day the Chakora bird would look up at the sky awaiting the Moon. This is a very rare case indeed. Instead of cooked food, you may be provided with stove, rice, dhal, etc. to cook and eat. The sădhakas are like these who have to practise the sădhana taught to them. Bhagavăn Ramana gave liberation to his mother, a cow, a crow and a dog. They did not do any sădhana. But, it was not so in the case of others.

 

There are people who come here regularly, morning and evening. Such people should practise their sădhana with concentration. There are many who come here seeking some solace or solution to their worldly problems. Well! The question of spiritual practice does not arise in their case. But, the darshan of a Mahătma is not wasted on them! One day it will work in them, too. A boy sits with his book for an hour or two, under compulsion, due to fear of his father. He keeps leafing through the pages of his books without actually studying. The boy who spends two hours just leafing through the pages may as well study with concentration. This would do him a lot of good. Would it not? Similarly, those who come and spend their time here regularly may as well show more concentration in their Năma japa or chanting 'Hare Răma Hare Krishna' or whatever path shown to them. Would it not help them progress spiritually?

 

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

 

Chanting the Mahamantra Vs Atma Vichara?

 

You may do crores of japa, dhaya; do anything; but, unless Bhagavăn Wills to take you unto Him no amount of your sadhana will bear fruit.

 

To want to be happy..........Easiest way

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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