power of rama nama

http://mayavaramguru.blogspot.in/2012/02/8.html

Which naama is best?

Courtesy:Mr.RaviShankar

====================

Radhe Krishna To all,

Chanting the Lord's Name gives eternal bliss and happiness.

Now the question arises, 'There are so many Gods and Goddesses in my
faith and each of them has umpteen names! Which one should I pick and
choose?'  Infact Yudishtira himself had this doubt and, questions
Bhishma in the prelude to Vishnu Sahasranama,

"kim ekam daivatam lokE kimvApekam parAyaNam

stuvantam kam prApnuyu: mAnavA:

subham ko dharma sarvadharmAnAm bhavata: paramO matah:

kim japan muchyatE jantu: janma samsAra bandanAt

"Who is the greatest Lord in the world? Who is the one refuge for all?
By extolling whom can one reach happiness and prosperity?

Which is the faith that is the best of all the religions?

By chanting whose Name can the beings cross the sea of Samsara? "

And Bhishmacharya answers,

jagat prabhum dEvadEvam anantam purushOttamam|

stuvan nAma sahasrENa purusha: sathatothitha:

"The endless Supreme Powerful Being, and protector of all - Sri Vishnu
-- By singing his Names, man attains prosperity and happiness."

Thus speaks Vishnu Sahasranama. However, given the current busy day,
where one finds it difficult to even sing a thousand names, we are
forced to turn to our scriptures for an easier way.

The Upanishads are considered to be the Knowledge portion of the Vedas. One such

upanishad, "Kali Santarana Upanishad" resolves this predicament of ours!

The following conversation between Sri Narada Maharishi and Lord Brahma is found in Kali Santarana Upanishad.

At the end of Dwapara Yuga, Narada, after traveling around the world,
approached Lord Brahma and asked him, "How may I overcome (the evil
effects of) Kali Yuga?"

Lord Brahma said: "You have asked me an excellent question. I shall
reveal to you the secret of all the Vedas by which you will cross over
the 'samsara' (ocean of life) filled with the bad effects of the Kali
Yuga. This secret must be preserved and protected."

"Bhagavata Adipurushasya nArAyaNasya nAmoccAraNamAtreNa nirdhrtakalir bhavati |

nAradah punah papraccha tannAma kimiti,"

Said Lord Brahma, 'By merely uttering the names of the Primeval
'Purusha', who is Bhagavan Narayana, one is freed from the clutches of
Kali."

Narada asked further, "sa hovaca hiranyagarbhah" | What are those names of Narayana?"

"HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE |

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE"

iti shodashakam nAmnAm kalikalmashanAshanam |

natah parataropAyah sarvavedeshu drushyate ||

Lord Brahma said, "This collection of the sixteen Names (of Narayana)
destroys the evils of the Kali Yuga. I don't see any other effective
means (of liberation) in the Vedas.

Narada further clarifies for the sake of us, 'O Lord, what are the rules to be observed with reference to it ?"

Brahma replied that there were no rules for it. Whoever in a pure or an
impure state, utters these always, attains the same world of, or
proximity with, or the same form of, or absorption into the divine.

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji says that though all Names of God are
divine and have the power to deliver us from the evils of this age,
this particular Maha Mantra is prescribed in the Shastras and has been
chanted, followed, preached and lived for by great Mahans like Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and ascertains so,

"Wherever Maha Mantra Nama kirtan is performed, the cosmic changes there. Waves of the Lord's Presence exist there. There will be peace in that home. All auspicious happenings will take place!"

---------------------------------

1. Sri Ramanuja & Adi Shankara Jayanti Celebrations in the Middle-East

Sri Ramanujamji and Sri Balaji Bhagavata are visiting the Middle-East countries for satsangs in May-June 2010.

Please click the link below for the schedules and pass this on to anyone in the Middle-East who wishes to attend satsangs.

http://www.namadwaar.org/events/middleeast2010.html

2. Special Satsangs in Mumbai in May and June 2010

 Ms. Poornimaji will be performing satsangs at various places in Mumbai

during May-June '10. To check the schedule. Pl click the link below.....

http://www.namadwaar.org/events/bombay2010.html

-----------------------------------------------

Regards & Chant The Maha mantra:

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Source: http://www.namadwaar.org/home.php   

 

knr

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

 Every moment, thank God

The power of divine name!

A tiger gave chase to a monk who had been walking peacefully near a cliff, and the monk, running as fast as he could, had no choice but to leap off the edge of the cliff to avoid being eaten. He was able, as he leapt, to grab hold of a vine trailing over the cliff. He dangled in mid-air with the tiger snarling at him overhead and under him a very long fall into a rushing river full of boulders. Then he noticed a mouse gnawing at the vine. He also noticed, growing out of a cleft in a rock in front of him, a strawberry plant with one ripe berry. He ate it. He said, "This is a very good strawberry."

tiger- The deadly assault from this samsara

Rat- The kaala deva or time which is eluding from us every second

The vine creeper-Poorva janma punyam/paapam

Strawberry- Vishaya sukas of the samsara which is very shortlived

Cliff- Death or yama waiting to conume this physical mortal

Man does not realize that every day is a step towards death. If he understands that, then he will be more compassionate and will concentrate on the Divine. 
 
knr

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

 Every moment, thank God

An insight of Rama Nama

Pl visit this.

Article link
http://www.lightonvedicastrology.com/dailyjyotish-040606.htm
 
 
Reciting Ramnam as a Remedial Measure
April 6, 2006 

Listen to Audio

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram
(Sung by Swami Ramdas)

Today is Ram Navami, the birthday of Sri Ram, the avatar of Lord Vishnu. Traditionally on this day there is recitation of the Ramayana in Sanskrit, or the Ramacharitamanas in Hindu, the epic story of Sri Ram. There is also the chanting of Ramnam (also called Rama Nama), or the name of Ram, a sacred name of God in the Hindu tradition (pronounced Rahm, rhymes with Tom).

Reciting mantras is an important remedial measure in Vedic astrology. It can be done by anyone, at anytime, it costs nothing, and is incredibly effective. The word mantra means to protect the mind. "Manas" means the mind and "Tra" means to protect. Mantras are one of the many tools for spiritual transformation, like hatha yoga, that is a gift to the world from India.

Sage Parashara, considered to be the father of Vedic astrology, frequently
recommends mantra recitation in his classic text, Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. However, many of the mantras he recommends are quite long stotras or hymns of praise, like the Vishnu Sahasranam or thousand names of Vishnu, which are often difficult for Westerners to pronounce correctly. Fortunately, there is a famous verse that is often sung after reciting the Vishnu Sahasranam:

Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Rame Manorame,
Sahasranama Tattulyam, Rama Nama Varanane.

This basically means, "Chanting the name of 'Sri Rama' is equal to reciting the entire thousand names of Lord Vishnu."

The reciting of Ramnam, also called Ramnam Japa or Rama Nama, is a very popular and common practice in India. It became even more popularized by Mahatma Gandhi for whom Ramnam was a constant practice. When he was assassinated his last words were 'Rama, Rama.' Just a few months
before he died he said, "Even if I am killed, I will not give up repeating the names of Ram and Rahim, which mean to me the same God. With these names on my lips, I will die cheerfully."

The practice of Ramnam is an effective tool, but is not necessarily the best mantra for everyone. Gandhi said, "One may repeat any mantra one pleases. I have suggested Ramanama as I have been familiar with it since childhood, and as it is my constant support in my struggles. One must be completely absorbed in whatever mantra one selects. The mantra becomes one's staff of life and carries one through every ordeal."

There are many Ram mantras that are used. Perhaps the most common is 'Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram,' which means, "Om, Salutations to Sri Ram, victory to Ram, victory victory to Ram."

Recently, I spoke with Dr. Ramdas Lamb, Professor of Religion at the University of Hawaii, and
author of "Rapt in the Name" a book about the practice of Ramnam, and the Ram Bhakti tradition in India. He explained that repeating the name of Ram balances the masculine and feminine energies in our being. "R" represents the Sun (Ravi) or masculine energy, which is radiated light. "M" stands for the Moon (Chandra) or feminine energy, which is reflected light. "Ah" represents Agni or fire that is within the individual soul (jivatma), which is internal light. The "Ah" sound is also considered to be the sound of the heart in various sacred traditions. Reciting Ramnam increases courage (masculine) and compassion (feminine) and balances these qualities in the heart. The Sun, Moon and fire are also the sources of light in the physical world, so by chanting the name of Ram we
are increasing light in our being.

He also shared a famous quote by the mystic poet Kabir:

Ek Ram Dasharath ke beta - One Ram is the son of Dasharath.
Ek Ram ghat-ghat mein baitha - One Ram resides in the heart.
Ek Ram sab ke pyara - One Ram is the Beloved of all.
Ek Ram sab se nyara - One Ram transcends everything.

There are four levels to Ramnam practice. The first level is the physical form of Ram that can be depicted in a painting or statue. The second level is Ram that resides within our innermost being, our heart. The third level is Ram that resides everywhere. The fourth level is Ram that is transcendant. When we recite Ramnam we connect with all four levels at once, according to Lamb.

Traditionally it is recited at least 108 times as a daily practice, or one mala (prayer bead neclace), since the number 108 has special significance.

Ram is existence, consciousness and bliss,
Unborn, wisdom incarnate, abode of all strength.
Pervading and pervaded, infinite and eternal,
Whole and perfect Lord of unfailing power.
Formless, spotless, immortal, imperceptible,
All-seeing, flawless, and invincible. . .
Untouched by matter but lives in every heart,
Desireless Brahman, dispassionate and endless.

from the Ramacharitamanas by Tulsidas

Happy Ram Navami!!

knr


--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

 Every moment, thank God

Lord's name

Lord Vishnu was telling his consort Lakshmi, "Even if the humans are
not able to conceive the idea of a Lord or a God, they must be able to
know what Love is by experience, is it not? They have experienced the
love of parents, of a friend, or of a brother or sister, or towards
their own children. That love is itself a spark of God. God could
respond if one cries longingly even for a physical mother or father if
not God's name."

One dark night when Vishnu and Lakshmi were journeying through the
sky, they saw a man perched on the branch of a tree, about to fall on
the ground through sheer exhaustion of limbs. Lakshmi pleaded on his
behalf and wanted that Vishnu should save him; and Vishnu preferred
that she should save him, instead since she has equal or even more
powers than him!!!

Meanwhile, the fall became imminent and so Vishnu & Lakshmi decided
that if the man shouted "Amma (mother)," while falling down, Lakshmi
should hasten to arrest his fall and if he shouted, "Appa (father),"
Vishnu should help and see that no bones are broken & that he doesn't
get injured!

The man fell, but he shouted neither `Amma nor Appa', but screamed
`Ayyo' (a sigh of misery)! And so he had to be left severely alone in
agony with some broken bones!!! After some time he passed away!"

In the sixth skanda of Srimad Bhagavatam, Parikshit asks Shukacharya
how to avoid hell and its' horrid experiences. Shuka says the practice
of spiritual discipline is the remedy. He said, "If a man, with a
feeling of passionate attachment, unites his mind with Krishna's feet
even once, he will not see Yama or his emissaries with noose in hand,
even in a dream!"

Shukacharya then narrated the story of Ajamila. Ajamila was once a
very noble brahmin, performing his duties and prescribed rituals most
sincerely and was also a good husband, good son and good father. Once
when he was in the forest to gather the fuel-wood for his rituals, he
fell for a woman, heart and soul. Actually the woman was one of very
low morals.

From that time onwards he lived with her, abandoned his family and his
own parents. He got ten children by her, made a living and supported
this large family by blackmailing rich people, by cheating, fraud and
gambling. He was particularly fond of the youngest child, Narayana, by
name. The attachment to the child was so pronounced that whether he
was eating, drinking, relaxing or working, he would always want
Narayana to be by his side and partake of his food or participate in
his enjoyment.

When finally the call from Yama, the God of Death, came, it came
suddenly and in his agony he cried: O Narayana. Narayana!!! He called
aloud with great fear.

The messengers of Yama who almost got him in their noose suddenly
found from within his heart four well-clad beautiful angel-like
figures, each with four hands, preventing the messengers of Yama from
discharging their duty. They said, "The one name of God absolves and
purifies sins of all kinds, small or large. Even when he has uttered
the name without really intending to call the Supreme Lord, it
purifies him!!!" Thus they prevented Yama from taking away his soul!

That's why we have the habit of giving our children names of Gods &
Goddesses! It is a question of practice. When we are thirsty, we don't
want all the water from the well. One glass will suffice. Here is a
match box with some 60 matches; if we want to light a fire we need to
strike one match, not the entire box of matches.

knr

__._,_.___

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God

Faith & belief

There was once a saadhaka (spiritual seeker) who approached a guru for
guidance. The guru gave him an idol of VISHNU and also necessary
instructions for daily worship. But the saadhaka found that, even
after some months of meticulous puja, he did not get any spiritual
reward or elation.

So, he reported his dissatisfaction and the guru gave him another
idol, this time of SHIVA and asked him to have another try. The
disciple came after another six months demanding another idol, because
even Shiva had failed him. This time, he got a GANESHA idol, which he
duly installed in his domestic shrine. The two previous idols were
standing, dust-ridden and neglected, on the window-sill.

After a few months he was quite disgusted at the progress he made &
went to the Guru again for the 4th time. This time the Guru gave him
an idol of DURGA & the Saadhaka said if this also doesn't work, he
wouldn't bother the Guru again!

One day, while performing Durga-puja, the disciple found that the
perfumed smoke from the incense-stick was being wafted by the breeze
towards the dusty idol of SHIVA on the window-sill. He got wild that
the ungrateful stonehearted SHIVA who was deaf to his powerful prayers
earlier should get the perfume intended for his latest idol that was
DURGA!!!

So, he took a piece of cloth and tied it round the face of SHIVA,
closing up the nostrils that were inhaling the perfume & continued
with his DURGA puja.

Suddenly, to his immense surprise LORD SHIVA appeared in all His
splendor and Glory & stood before the saadhaka! The man was
dumb-founded & stunned that in spite of the ill-treatment that he had
given to SHIVA, the LORD gave him darshan.

So he asked SHIVA, "When I was doing DURGA puja, why are you giving me
darshan & why didn't you come before me when I was worshipping you
earlier?"

LORD SHIVA answered, "My dear devotee, for the first time you believed
that the SHIVA idol was alive, conscious & full of life and it was
that belief which forced you to tie the bandage around my nose! The
moment you realized that the idol was full of consciousness you got
the realization that you were struggling to get all along!!!"

SHIVA continued, "Therefore, you should see, not the stone which is
the material stuff of the idol, but the Power that is inherent in it,
that is symbolized by it, is the same DIVINE Power that is inherent in
your own heart and that pervades and transcends all creation. It's the
same power in the whole UNIVERSE!!!"

"This time you believed the stone image to be God while earlier you
used to bring God down to the level of a stone image! You may worship
a picture as God, but you should not worship God as a picture!!!
That's essentially the difference! Wood, stone or mud may be assumed
to be Divine, but Divinity should not be limited to wood, stone or
mud" concluded SHIVA.

knr
__._,_.___

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God