Dharmaputra very wisely answered, “The way of the Mahatmas!”

Nama Article 16th August 2013

 

Source: Mahabharata

 

तर्कोऽप्रतिष्ठः श्रुतयो विभिन्नाः नैको मुनिर्यस्य मतं प्रमाणम्।

धर्मस्य तत्त्वं निहितं गुहायां महाजनो येन गतः स पन्थाः ॥

 

Meaning – Science of Logic is not definitive; the scriptures are many and varied; there is no one sage, whose saying can be taken as the norm; code of righteous conduct is enshrined in cave (or in mystery). Hence the way to go is the way a great person has gone by.

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

One of the questions thrown by the Yaksha to Dharmaputra was, "What is the path?" The Yaksha did not mention what was the attainment but only asked the way!

Dharmaputra very wisely answered, "The way of the Mahatmas!"

 

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

 

Which path do you follow?...................What is the greatness of Bhakthi?

 

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Swami Sivananda, Swami Abhedananda, numerous sadhus in Vrindavan, advocate this mantra as the simplest solution in this Yuga. The secret is to hold on to a path advocated by the Guru and proceed doubtlessly with faith in the words of the Guru and experience the bliss Yourself.

 

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

 

This is the way, my son! Chant this Divine Maha Mantra that has been advocated by our Shãstras

 

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

 

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?

 

And, should not the way be the simplest one whence people caught in the turmoil of Kali Yuga cry for a way of escape? And, that simple, easy route of escape is verily NAMASANKIRTAN – chanting the Divine Name of the Lord!

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

All the Mahans who incarnated in our Bharata Desa have always treated love for the Nation and Love of God as one and the same.

Nama Article 15th August 2013

 

Source: Mahans, the true patriots

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

All the Mahans who incarnated in our Bharata Desa have always treated love for the Nation and Love of God as one and the same. Our Mahans have at one time laboured for the freedom of our Country. It is only the Grace of Mahans that is always protecting our country.

 

In 1962 Indo-China war took place. At that time Andavan Pitchai,  who lived in Chennai and was a great devotee of Lord Muruga, composed a 'stotra' - 'Shanmukha Raksha Bandhanam' - on Lord Muruga for the Nation's victory in the war.

 

Similarly, in 1965 when Indo-Pakistan war began, Singapparaja, who led the Indian army approached Kanchi Mahaswami Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamiji for His Blessings. Sri Maha Swamiji instructed him to meet with Andavan Pitchai. So, Singapparaja had darshan of Advan Pitchai and prayed to Her for the victory of the Indian army in the war. At this time Andavan Pitchai had a wonderful vision. In it She saw Ambal moving in a golden chariot drawn by devas and protecting our border! She immediately wrote a 'stotra' 'Kali Kavacham'. 'Kali Kavacham' was printed in tens of thousands and distributed to all.

 

One day in 1999 when Kargil war was going on it rained very heavily in Tiruvannamalai. Sri Yogiramsuratkumar asked a devotee, "Is this North-east monsoon or South-west monsoon?" The devotee said, "In today's morning paper it is mentioned that this is North-east monsoon. You usually read the newspaper completely. In today's issue there are articles of Kanchi Sri Maha Swamiji whom you like very much and also about Sri Rajaji (the great Indian political leader of the past). Have you not read them?" Sri Yogiramsuratkumar replied, "Where was the time for this beggar to read the newspaper? This beggar was busy in Kargil!"

 

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

 

Let a new India sans violence and selfishness but at the same time devoid of lethargy and cowardice be born. Let us all, with this in view, take the Name of the Lord and chant the Maha Mantra; make all chant the Maha Mantra. Fill India to the brim with Naamakirtan. Let Her offer to the world the spiritual bliss that she has found. Let us stand unique by combining any flawless modern way with the ancient one.

 

We have tried our level best. Now let us all chant the Divine Name together. Only that has the power to get us independence.' Not one of his prayers passed without Rama Nama Kirtan

 

At such a time when even the mighty rulers of the princely states of India bowed down to the British rule, Mahatma Gandhi won over them by the sheer power of Rama Nama and by virtue of truthfulness sans any weapon and got us independence.

 

The Nation in which all the citizens sing the praise of the Lord and surrender all their actions to the Lord is known as 'Rama Rajya'.

 

All these attempts have failed to free India from foreign rule, I feel that the last resort is for all the people in every home, every village, every Town to get together and chant Rama Nćma!

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

No amount of effort on man's part will be of any avail unless it is blessed by God's Grace.

Nama Article 14th August 2013

 

Source: Srimad Bhagavatham : Its Message for the Modern Man by Swami Shantananda Puri Maharaj

 

The sixth section, Pushti Skandha (Pushti means Grace, Anugraha, Blessing), deals with the most important factor in man's spiritual journey, namely that no amount of effort on man's part will be of any avail unless it is blessed by God's Grace.

 

Two easy ways of attracting this divine Grace are (1) taking God's name and (2) prayer. The stories in this Skandha illustrate how even the worst sinner or the vilest asura (demon) can easily come within the power of Divine Grace.

 

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

 

What is Bhagavata dharma? Showing the way to the Almighty even to the lowliest of the lowly is Bhagavata dharma.

 

Lord here assures that one who is an ordinary bhaktha and even one who does Bhakthi with out total faith will also not be destroyed.

 

How far is Liberation?

 

Only through causeless mercy does He reveals Him

 

Bodendra swami, in His 'Bhagavan Nama rasodayam' says angrily, 'do you think it the Name of some Tom, Dick and Harry? It is verily the Name of the Lord of the Universe ('Jagadeeshwara's Name)!

 

Essence of Gita - मामेकं शरणं व्रज - The easiest way to surrender is to chant the Mahamantra. Continuously chant the Mahamantra and eventually, you will attain the state of surrender.

 

Does not the Lord surely arrange for securing what they lack and protecting what they have even in the case of other devotees?

 

But, while speaking on Bhakti mărga, Bhagavăn tells Arjuna, 'na chirăt' - it will not take long. You can attain to Me now, in this very janma.

 

One who utters My Name becomes holy very soon

 

Even if you perform the smallest dharma I will protect you from the worst fear

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Instead of asking a person to give up his attachment towards the family, if he is asked to catch hold of God he will attach himself to God and automatically detach himself from everything else

Nama Article 13th August 2013

 

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal

 

ஒரு மரத்தில் ஒரு கிளையில் நிற்பவனை நோக்கி 'மரக்கிளையை விட்டுவிடு' என்றால் விடமாட்டான். 'மேல்கிளையை பிடித்துக்கொள்' என்று சொல்லி அவ்வாறு பிடித்துக்கொண்டே பிறகு 'கீழ்க் கிளையை விட்டுவிடு' என்றால் உடனே விட்டுவிடுவான். அது போல் 'குடும்பத்தில் பற்றுதலை விடு' என்று ஒருவனை சொல்லுவதைவிட 'பகவானைப்பிடி' என்று சொன்னால் பகவானை பிடித்துக் கொண்டவன் தானாகவே எல்லாப் பற்றுதலையும் விட்டுவிடுவான்.

 

A person holding on to a branch of a tree, if asked to give up his hold, will not comply. But if asked to hold the upper branch and then give up the lower one he will readily do so. Likewise instead of asking a person to give up his attachment towards the family, if he is asked to catch hold of God he will attach himself to God and automatically detach himself from everything else.

 

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

 

"I do not ask you all to give up anything. 'Hold Krishna' is what I say.

 

Whatever may be the work we are engaged in this world, we should constantly keep doing Nama Japa

 

As your heart beats as you sleep, dream or being awake let your tongue always Chant the Divine Names of Hari.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

If one places a jewelled lamp on this pedestal, both the outside of the body as well as the inside get light.

Nama Article 12th August 2013

 

Ramcharit Manas - Bala Kanda - 21

 

राम नाम मनिदीप धरु जीह देहरीं द्वार।

तुलसी भीतर बाहेरहुँ जौं चाहसि उजिआर॥

 

Raama Naama manideep dharu Jeeha dehareem dvaara

Tulsi bheetaru baahiraihu jaum chaahasi ujeeaaru

 

Meaning by Swami Purushotamanandaji Maharaj of Vasishta Guha, Himalayas, who is the disciple of Swami Brahmananda (the great disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa) in his Auto biography, The story of Divine compassion

 

A lamp placed on the door step of a room lights up both the outside and the inside. The door to the body is considered to be the mouth. If one places a jewelled lamp on this pedestal, both the outside of the body as well as the inside get light. This jewelled lamp is the Ramanama – go on chanting the Rama Nama – Then both outside and inside, everywhere, there will be the light of knowledge – yes indeed the luster of knowledge.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

As thus all the exit doors are guarded by Ramnam there is no way for her life to get out at all

Nama Article 11th August 2013

 

Source: THE ECSTACY OF LOVE DIVINE (Essence of Narada Bhakti Sutra) by Swami Shantananda Puri Maharaj

 

Prayers as also taking the name of the Lord can draw the Grace of the Lord to such an extent that even an impending death will be afraid to come near such a devotee.

 

When Rama expresses his concern to Hanuman that from the account the latter gave of his trip to Lanka and the pitiable state in which Sita was, by the time he gathers an army and reaches Lanka, Sita might perhaps die of the pangs of separation, Hanuman dismisses the possibility as follows:-

 

नाम पाहरू दिवस निसि ध्यान तुम्हार कपाट !

लोचन निज पद जंत्रित जाहिं प्रान केहिं बाट !!

(Ramcharit Manas Sundarkand 30)

 

"As Sita is chanting Ramnam constantly, Lord's name is the watchman and her meditation on the Lord is the doorway. Her eyes are always chained to Ram's feet which her mind is thinking of. As thus all the exit doors are guarded by Ramnam there is no way for her life to get out at all."

 

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

 

To protect one from five senses one need to keep a vigilant watchman or a ferocious dog and that is nothing but the divine names of the Lord.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

A real Bhakta depends solely on the Lord for all his needs.

Nama Article 10th August 2013

 

Source: THE ECSTACY OF LOVE DIVINE (Essence of Narada Bhakti Sutra) by Swami Shantananda Puri Maharaj

 

To many, these Siddhis come as a natural result of the Sadhana done. A real Bhakta depends solely on the Lord for all his needs.

 

Once, Jnaneswara, a Yogi and Namadeva, a Bhakta were travelling together in a desert-like region. They were both thirsty. After a long time they came across a well which was very deep and the water was at the bottom. Jnaneswara went into the well, by his yogic powers and standing on the waters drank to his heart's content. When he came up, he smiled at Namadeva triumphantly. Namadeva continued to chant the name of the Lord when suddenly the water in the well welled up and came up to the top. Namadeva was able to take the water in his palms and quench his thirst. He looked at Jnaneswara apologetically with a friendly smile.

  

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

 

What is the greatness of Bhakti? One who practices Yoga attains 'siddhis' , one who practices Vedanta enquiry attains 'siddhis', one who practices 'Karmanushtãnas' attains 'siddhis' but the one who is full of devotion does not attain any kind of 'siddhi'. Bhagavãn feels that one who is devoted to Him needs no 'siddhi'. That is because He is the protector ('Rakshaka').

 

For those men who worship Me alone, thinking of no other, for those ever-united, I secure what is not already possessed and preserve what they already possess.

 

To overcome Maya, the bhakta takes shelter under the Mahamantra

 

The Lord is attracted only to devotion

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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