And what is the result of devotion to the Lord ? The immediate relaisation of His Abode and one’s own nature

Nama Article 22nd October 2013

 

Prasna Uttara Malika (A garland of questions and answers) – Adisankara

 

कोऽर्च्यो हि भगवदवतारः .

 

Indeed who is to be worshipped ? Incarnation of God

 

कश्च भगवान्महेशः शञ्करनारायणात्मैकः

 

Who is the Lord ? The Supreme Lord who is both Shankara and Narayana.

 

फलमपि भगवद्भक्तेः किं तल्लोकस्वरुपसाक्षात्त्वं .

 

And what is the result of devotion to the Lord ? The immediate relaisation of His Abode and one's own nature

 

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!

 

What is there in this world that devotion to the Lord cannot do?

 

Guru is God in human form

 

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

 

That love, can sprout only by his grace. His grace descends when we chant the Mahamantra.

 

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.

 

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?

 

The devotion, which he asks the people to offer, must result in the effacement of the self. When devotion is attained pride departs

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

And who is the protector ? It is the preceptor (Guru) Indeed, Who is said to be the World-preceptor ? Siva, How can one get release ? By devotion to Mukunda

Nama Article 21st October 2013

 

Prasna Uttara Malika (A garland of questions and answers) – Adisankara

 

कः शुरो यो भीतत्राता त्राता च कः सद्गुरुः .

को हि जगद्गुरुरुक्तः शंभुः ज्ञानं कुतः शिवादेव

 

मुक्तिं लभेत कस्मान्मुकुन्दभक्तेः मुकुन्दः कः .

यस्तारयेदविद्यां का चाविद्या यदात्मनोऽस्फूर्तिः

 

Who is brave ? One who protect those in fright

And who is the protector ? It is the preceptor (Guru)

Indeed, Who is said to be the World-preceptor ? Siva

Whence Knowledge ? Only from Siva

 

How can one get release ? By devotion to Mukunda

Who is Mukunda ? One who takes us across ignorance

And what is ignorance ? The non-manifestation of the Self

 

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

 

A good teacher is the one who practices what he preaches. It is obvious that Siva, being the Supreme Guru, (Jagadguru) Himself chants the Rama Nama.

 

Does not Lord Shiva Himself always repeat the Name "Rama" and chant the Divine Name into the ears of those dying at Kashi, thereby granting them liberation?

 

Atonce Lord Shiva said "it is enough if one chants the name "Rama."

 

You can chant the 'Rama' mantra to any deity. In fact, Lord Siva Himself chants the 'Rama' mantra all the time.

 

Lord Siva himself does not cease to chant the Divine Name Rama even for a moment out of such taste and love for that Name

 

Greatness of Chanting the Divine Name of Lord Shiva

 

Rama is indeed the highest teaching

 

Our ancient Sages and Rishis have glorified the Rama Nama

 

Rama Nama can grant all wishes at all times. Rama Nama can relieve you from any difficulty. The supreme Rama Nama could bestow all auspicious things. Let this Rama Nama be hailed everywhere.

 

No one can comprehend the glories of the Divine Name of Rama. All should Chant the Divine Name of Rama.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Satsanga is the easiest way to get rid of one's attachment to the world.

Nama Article 20th October 2013

 

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

 

Srimad Bhagavatham 11:12:1, 11:12:2

 

नो रोधयति मां योगो न साङ्ख्यं धर्म एव च

न स्वाध्यायस् तपस् त्यागो नेष्टा-पूर्तं न दक्षिणा

व्रतानि यज्ञश् छन्दांसि तीर्थानि नियमा यमाः

यथावरुन्धे सत्-सङ्गः सर्व-सङ्गापहो हि माम्

 

In his final message to Uddhava, Sri Krishna declares - "No yoga, virtuous deeds, study of scriptures, vows, vedic rituals, pilgrimages, social services to the poor and the needy, or spiritual discipline will ever as easily take us to the Lord as Satsanga can. Satsanga is the easiest way to get rid of one's attachment to the world.''

 

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

 

'What does reaching the feet of the guru actually mean?'

 

God-realisation is possible only by immersing oneself again and again in the dust of the holy feet of saintly persons.

 

Satsanga, the company of and service to holy persons is the direct gateway to liberation.

 

To remain in the Holy Feet of the Guru as a 'nobody' (zero); to remain like a doll in his hand. This is the only effort that can be taken by us

 

"To remain how God wills" – being in this state is Bhagavatha Dharmam.

 

Likewise, God takes hold of his devotee and removes all the hurdles in his/her way.

 

Guru's boundless grace is immeasurable, limitless and infinite.

 

I am not asking you to do giant tasks, but all I ask of you is, let the task be small, but do this with love and sincerity.

 

We would feel that there is none as rich as we are because we have got such a Guru Ratnam

 

Only a liberated person can awaken and liberate the person who is ignorant.

 

The common question that arises in everyone is 'What is essential to attain God – Grace or effort?'

 

God takes the form of a Guru and appears to the devotee; teaches him the Truth; purifies the mind by his teachings and contact

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

God-realisation is possible only by immersing oneself again and again in the dust of the holy feet of saintly persons.

Nama Article 19th October 2013

 

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

 

Srimad Bhagavatham 5:12:12

रहूगणैतत् तपसा न याति न चेज्यया निर्वपणाद् गृहाद् वा

न च्छन्दसा नैव जलाग्नि-सूर्यैर् विना महत्-पाद-रजो-ऽभिषेकम्

 

In the fifth Skandha, Jada Bharata in his exhortation to King Rahugana says - "No one can achieve God-realisation by any amount of penance, meditation, Vedic rituals, worship of the Sun-god, the fire-god or other gods, sacrifices or by renouncing the house-holder's life. God-realisation is possible only by immersing oneself again and again in the dust of the holy feet of saintly persons.''

 

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

 

'What does reaching the feet of the guru actually mean?'

 

Satsanga, the company of and service to holy persons is the direct gateway to liberation.

 

To remain in the Holy Feet of the Guru as a 'nobody' (zero); to remain like a doll in his hand. This is the only effort that can be taken by us

 

"To remain how God wills" – being in this state is Bhagavatha Dharmam.

 

Likewise, God takes hold of his devotee and removes all the hurdles in his/her way.

 

Guru's boundless grace is immeasurable, limitless and infinite.

 

I am not asking you to do giant tasks, but all I ask of you is, let the task be small, but do this with love and sincerity.

 

We would feel that there is none as rich as we are because we have got such a Guru Ratnam

 

Only a liberated person can awaken and liberate the person who is ignorant.

 

The common question that arises in everyone is 'What is essential to attain God – Grace or effort?'

 

God takes the form of a Guru and appears to the devotee; teaches him the Truth; purifies the mind by his teachings and contact

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

This chapter deals with the unknown – but most essential – factor in one's spiritual life, known as the Grace (Anugraha) of the Lord.

Nama Article 18th October 2013

 

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

 

Srimad Bhagavatham – Chapter VI - Pushti Skandha

 

This chapter deals with the unknown – but most essential – factor in one's spiritual life, known as the Grace (Anugraha) of the Lord. Paul Brunton calls it an X-factor as it is both unknown and unpredictable. This Skandha also prescribes "Nama Smaranam'', remembering or chanting any of the names of the Lord – whether from the bottom of one's heart with deep faith and devotion, or even unintentionally – as also prayers from the heart, as the sure means to attain the Grace of the Lord.

 

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

 

By the mere Will of God even the lowliest of the low can, in a matter of a second, receive the Grace and become a Jnăni.

 

Bhagavăn might (without any reason) just bestow liberation on anyone. This is very rare, though.

 

Lord should desire to take you unto Him

 

When one believes in the grace of the Lord alone and totally surrenders to Him, he is liberated in the very same birth.

 

While speaking on Bhakti marga alone Lord Says.........

 

Likewise, it would suffice if we do not block the Grace that is being sent out.

 

God's grace always flows in abundance. It is upto you to be ready to receive it.

 

That love, can sprout only by his grace. His grace descends when we chant the Mahamantra.

 

The Divine Supreme Cheat code

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Satsanga, the company of and service to holy persons is the direct gateway to liberation.

Nama Article 17th October 2013

 

Srimad Bhagavatham 3:25:20

 

प्रसङ्गम् अजरं पाशम् आत्मनः कवयो विदुः

स एव साधुषु कृतो मोक्ष-द्वारम् अपावृतम्

 

The wise consider attachment as an unyielding fetter for the soul. The same, however, serves as an open door to liberation, when it is directed towards saints.

 

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

 

In order to rid the mind of its attachment to worldly objects as "mine'', one must resort to the company of holy persons, Sadhus, which is the direct doorway to liberation. Thus attachment to Satsanga leads finally to detachment.

 

Satsanga, the company of and service to holy persons is the direct gateway to liberation. Thus attachment to Satsanga leads finally to detachment.

 

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

 

To remain in the Holy Feet of the Guru as a 'nobody' (zero); to remain like a doll in his hand. This is the only effort that can be taken by us

 

And for those who cannot follow any of those, He shows the simplest way to all, "Satsanga of a Mahan".

 

"To remain how God wills" – being in this state is Bhagavatha Dharmam.

 

Likewise, God takes hold of his devotee and removes all the hurdles in his/her way.

 

Guru's boundless grace is immeasurable, limitless and infinite.

 

I am not asking you to do giant tasks, but all I ask of you is, let the task be small, but do this with love and sincerity.

 

We would feel that there is none as rich as we are because we have got such a Guru Ratnam

 

Only a liberated person can awaken and liberate the person who is ignorant.

 

The common question that arises in everyone is 'What is essential to attain God – Grace or effort?'

 

God takes the form of a Guru and appears to the devotee; teaches him the Truth; purifies the mind by his teachings and contact

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

And for those who cannot follow any of those, He shows the simplest way to all, “Satsanga of a Mahan”.

Nama Article 16th October 2013

 

Srimad Bhagavatham 2:4:14 to 2:4:18

 

To attain "The One" to whom there is no equal (निरस्त-साम्यातिशयेन राधसा), Sri Suka shows three ways of Bhakti, Jnana and Karma.

 

And for those who cannot follow any of those, He shows the simplest way to all, "Satsanga of a Mahan". Just by taking refuge in such a satsang, one is relieved of all the sins. (येऽन्ये च पापा यद्-अपाश्रयाश्रयाः)

 

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

 

To remain in the Holy Feet of the Guru as a 'nobody' (zero); to remain like a doll in his hand. This is the only effort that can be taken by us

 

"To remain how God wills" – being in this state is Bhagavatha Dharmam.

 

Likewise, God takes hold of his devotee and removes all the hurdles in his/her way.

 

Guru's boundless grace is immeasurable, limitless and infinite.

 

I am not asking you to do giant tasks, but all I ask of you is, let the task be small, but do this with love and sincerity.

 

We would feel that there is none as rich as we are because we have got such a Guru Ratnam

 

Only a liberated person can awaken and liberate the person who is ignorant.

 

The common question that arises in everyone is 'What is essential to attain God – Grace or effort?'

 

God takes the form of a Guru and appears to the devotee; teaches him the Truth; purifies the mind by his teachings and contact

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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