In the beginning we may find chanting to be very bitter

A patient suffering from jaundice is advised to take sugarcane juice daily by the doctor. Due to the disease of jaundice the patient finds the sugarcane juice very bitter and feels like giving up. However having faith in the doctor that the sugarcane juice is hastening his recovery he patiently keeps on having it daily though in the beginning he practically does not realize that the sugarcane juice is hastening his recovery. As he continues to have the juice and his disease vanishes he starts relishing the taste of the sugarcane juice. Thus he realizes that the sugarcane juice is extremely sweet but he was not able to relish it before because of his disease.

Similarly we should have faith in the words of our guru and acharyas and continue to chant the Holy Names of Nityananda, Gauranga and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra with patience. The greatest disease is our desire for material enjoyment and the greatest medicine is chanting of Nityananda, Gauranga and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily. In the beginning we may find chanting to be very bitter but having faith in the words of our acharyas and guru we should continue chanting with patience knowing that the medicinal effect is taking place though in the beginning we don't realize it practically. As the disease of desire for material enjoyment vanishes we start relishing the Holy Names and with a higher taste of the Holy Names the lower taste of sense gratification is lost. The Holy Names are always sweet but it is the disease that is not allowing us to relish the Holy Names in the beginning which is realized later on as the disease is vanished and one relishes the Holy Names.

Grace of God is showering uninterruptedly on us

God's Amazing Grace

 Grace of God is showering uninterruptedly on us, but we simply do not look towards that!  We disregard this grace, we disrespect it,  we dishonor it,  then too God does not leave His compassionate and merciful nature.  He continues to shower His grace.   A child does not disrespect the mother any less, for he urinates and excretes somewhere, he spits other times,  but mother constantly protects him. Similarly, we too are clever like the child in following the wrong path.  But God is not any less sharp than the mother in showering His grace,  rather he is very quick.  Therefore we must have faith in His grace. 

Even if the worst of all situations befalls,  in that too His grace is ever the same.  If illness overcomes us, if we suffer financial losses,  if someone dies, if sickness takes hold,  if we are dishonored or disgraced, in all of these situations, there is God's grace.  We must have faith in His grace. 

Laalane taadane maaturnaakaarunyam yathaarbhake |

Tadvadeva maheshasya niyanturgunadoshayoh ||

Just as while caring for the child and also while  reprimanding the child, in both these incidents, there is never a time that mother's is never not gracing the child, similarly God who is governing our good and bad qualities, can never not be gracing us.  

In this way,  sometimes without any cause God showers His grace on us and gives us this human body - 

Kabahunak kari karunaa nar dehi

Det is binu hetu sanehi ||  (Manas, Uttar.  44/3) 

Sins amassed in the past (sanchit) never come to an end;  because every being has been committing these sins from time immemorial.  However, in between, inspite of  being sinful, God blesses us with a human body, and in the midst He gives us an opportunity for our salvation.   This is God's extra-ordinary grace.  God's nature is such that he continues to shower His grace without any cause, then this is His two-fold grace!  On having faith in His infinite grace, if one engages in spiritual disciplines, then there will be much blessedness, unique and natural, self-evident divinity and progress.   We do not take shelter of that grace, therefore that grace is less fruitful.  If we yield to that grace, then the grace will bare abundant fruits.  Therefore while offering praises to the Lord,  Brahmaji says - 

Tatte-nukampaam susameekshamaano bhunjaan evaatmakrutam vipaakam |

Hrdvagvapurbhirvirddhannmaste jeevet yo muktipade sa daayabhaak ||  (Srimad Bhagwat  10/14/8) 

He who while enjoying the fruits of his actions,  at every moment continues to look only towards Your grace, and with his heart, speech and body, time and again prostrates to You, he becomes the one eligible to Your Eternal Abode, just like a child becomes the rightful heir to the father's wealth! 

From "Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti"  by Swami Ramsukhdasji

How will others know what the Name really is?

He who is interested in the name of the Lord, he alone knows the greatness of the Lord's name. How will others know what the Name really is? What will each person understand? When one does "bhajan" (worship, remembrance, adoration), becomes immersed in it, repeats the divine Name, then one is more deeply inclined towards the Divine Name. Thos extra-ordinary points that come in saint's and great soul's speech, will automatically become part of one's experience. Saints have written about their different experiences at different times and places.

There was a lady, who said such amazing things about naam japa, which is not heard of even in saint's talks. She said that by repeating the Lord's names, the body feels cool, and in the entire body a cool fountain of water flows, and some form of sweetness and bliss is felt. I have read in saint's stories, but such descriptions have not been provided as this lady has experienced. There are such transcendental magical things that saints and great souls have written. To what extent are these written? That which one experiences is difficult to describe in words. They themselves only know.

So such jaanayi mana aru kaanaa |
Nahin rasanaa pahin jaayi bakhaanaa ||

That cannot be told in words. You simply engage your self in this. Brothers, sisters, it is my sincere prayer to all that become engaged in "nama japa". You will be greatly benefited and the world will also be benefited. All will be influenced by that and what to speak of you yourself? Your life will become blessed! There is great glories of the divine name of the Lord. Goswamiji Maharaj further elaborates -


Varsha ritu raghupati bhagavati tualsi saali sudaas |

Raam naam bar baran jug saavan bhaadav maas || (Maanas, Balakand 19)

First name of "Ram" was elaborated on, then the Mahamantra was described. Now there is description of the two alphabets. "Ra" and "Ma". Those who are loving devotees of the Lord, they are like the best rice fields, and the love and devotion in the rain season is the Lord Shri Raghunathji Maharaj. There is ample of rain in the rainy season. The grain fields become drenched and soaked. In Rajasthan if there is water in the fields then the grass dries up, but in the rice paddies there is water logging all the time. Even the fish are swimming around in the waters. Such "saalike" rice is delicious. The superior the quality of rice, that much more water it needs. They need water all the time. "Ra" and "Ma" these two are superior sounds. Similarly the rainy season of the month of "Shraavan" (july-august) and "bhaadrapad" (third-fourth lunar months). For a great devotee, rain in the form of the Name of the Lord "Ram" continues to pour continuously.

From "Manas mein Naam Vandana"

Sharing and listening to the greatness of the Lord's Name

. By listening to the glories, one can become interested in the Name of the Lord, but its real greatness is known only by "japa" - repeating of the Lord's name. By sharing and listening to the greatness of the Lord's Name, one develops interest in it and by "japa" (repeating the Lord's name ) one actually experiences, therefore it is invaluable. The truth about it is known only by doing "japa". Complete understanding is simply by doing japa. Just as when discussing about food with a hungry man, then his attention and engrossment is significant. But without hunger, one is not that much attentive or interested in the food. When there is immense hunger then one is fully aware of how delicious the meal is! That meal of the hungry man is much relished, devoured, and easily digested. It is savored and the hungry man gains a lot of energy from it. Similarly, by reciting the name of the Lord with much interest, one comprehends its true greatness. Therefore the more one repeats the name of the Lord, the more he benefits.

Just as when there is a lot of money hoarded, then the greed for money increases even more. But in the end it leads to downfall, because the money is perishable and destructible. Let us say that an ordinary man feels less deficiency of money, whereas a rich man feels more scarcity of money. An ordinary man feels the shortage in hundreds, whereas a rich man in thousands, and even more wealthy person, in the millions. And some of the richest men feel the deficiency in billions. Similarly even those that are engaged in "bhajan" (devotion and worship of the Lord), they too have a need for "bhajan". Those who understand the greatness of "bhajan," experience a great need for it, feeling that they have not been able to do as much bhajan. However, those people who do not do Bhajan, they do not know this at all. They do not know its greatness. But as they feel something lacking within themselves, they begin to understand the greatness of "bhajan". It has been said about those that recognize the greatness of bhajan, that simply by articulation and vocalization of the Divine Name, one attains salvation.

There is a holy book by the name of "Bhagvannaam-Koumudi". In it there is detailed elaboration of the edicts of the scriptures. Those who recite the name of the Lord, become eligible to that Name. Just as Gajendra called out the Name of the Lord with deep distress, then the Lord manifested immediately. Calling out the Name of the Lord, loudy, hollering in distress, you will see the greatness very quickly. Similarly with deep sentiments if one takes the name of the Lord then it has extraordinary affect. It is said in a couplet -

Krishna naam jab shravan sune ri mein aali


Bhooli ri bhavan houn to baavari bhai ri

The hearts of those gopikas (cowherd girls) that were filled with love for the Lord, were overwhelmed and crazy simply by listening to the Lord's name. They used to lose consciousness and not know who they were, where they were! One's state likewise becomes the same on reciting the name of the Lord. The editor of "Kalyan" brother Shri Hanumanprasadji Poddar had steadfast loyalty towards the Lord's name. This incident is even before Kalyan had started. Someone said – "What can come about by repeating the name of the Lord? He replied - you will attain "kalyaan" (salvation). They said, what is the point without knowing its meaning? The name Ram in English can mean multiple things… it can mean slamming or it can mean a kind of animal. At that time with great passion he said that with the divine name Ram one can surely attain salvation. He said it with such zeal, that he lost consciousness for the next 24 hours. No food, drink, visits to the bathroom or anything . His mother was deeply sad and distressed thinking what could have happened to my son? In the same way, he who takes the name of the Lord they become remarkable and extra-ordinary.

From "Manas mein Naam Vandana"

Accept with a simple heart I am God 's

First Step is 'Acceptance' ....Accept with a simple heart ( Just As you accepted  'I am Brahmin' or 'I am married' or ' I am son of Mr....' )

I am God 's , Only God is mine, Nothing else is mine.

And then 'surrender' all your actions/deeds...your mind...everything to Him.
Surrender Karmas ...surrender results...surrender everything.

Keep doing your duty as always BUT

1 DO NOT worry ..Become NISCHINTA

2 DO NOT grieve ... Become NISSHOKA

3 DO NOT fear ... Become NIRBHAY

4 DO NOT doubt like whether I have actually surrendered or not , whether God has
taken me into His shelter etc...Become NISSANDEH / NISSHANK

5 DO NOT set any yardsticks

Simply leave every result to God.

GIVE full freedom ( KHULLI CHHUTI) to world , to fate and to God....Let whatever
is to happen ...happen. Give Khulli chhutti ... Simply let the results flow.
Focus on what you CAN do and what you SHOULD do. No focus on results at all.
Look at God...believe firmly whatever will happen will be auspicious and will be
WILL of God !!!

You keep doing your DUTY with complete care and stop worrying/grieving/doubting
and become fearless.

NEVER NEVER NEVER WORRY ...If you worry, where have you surrendered ? If you
have surrendered , where is the question of worry ?

MA SUCHAH .... MA SUCHAH !!!
TULSI SITA RAM KAHO, DRIDH RAKHO VISVAASH ! KABHU NA BIGREE NA SUNI RAMCHANDRA
KE DAAS !!

Says Tulsi : (O Jeeva) Say 'Sita Raam' ( Keep saying ...Sita Raam... Sita Raam
...Sita Raam) and keep believing in Him solidly (Have solid faith ... NO DOUBT
PLEASE... Become NISSHANK !!).

Says Tulsi : I have never heard an incidence ( a news) that something wrong ever
( ever ..ever) happened to a 'daas' ( surrendered Jeeva) of Ramchandra ( Jeeva)
!!!

What a beautiful statement !! How Divine !! Said Lord Krishna in 9:31... Na me
Bhaktah Pranasyati ..Never My devotee ( surrendered) falls ...

Never Doubt ...Never Worry...Never Grieve...Be fearless ..!! Once surrendered
...where is scope for fear/sorrow/worry/doubt ? Be MAST... Give KHULLI CHHUTTI
to ALL. Enjoy ...!! Be MAST ... Be MAST ...!!

ANDHADHUND SARKAAR HAI, TULSI BHAJO 'NISSHANK' ! KHEEJE DET HAI PARAM PAD,
REEJHE DET HAI LANK !!

Sita Raam...Sita Raam...Sita Raam..Sita Raam...Sita Raam ...!

( Pravachan of Swamiji on 15/5/97 at 5 AM)

Stay Free Of Attachment

Stay Free Of Attachment

One day a rich man came to Gautama Buddha and said, “I see that you are the Awakened One. I am coming to you for some advice.”
The Buddha asked him to share what was on his mind.
The rich man continued, “My life is focussed on my work. Although i have made a lot of money, i am preoccupied with worry. Many people work for me and i am responsible for them. They depend on me for their success. Yet, i enjoy my work and enjoy working hard. When i met your followers they spoke of the importance of living the life of a recluse. I also notice that you yourself were the son of a king, living in wealth and splendour, but you gave it up to wander as a homeless recluse looking for enlightenment. I want to know if i should do the same thing and give up my wealth. I want to do the right thing and be a blessing to my people. Should i also give up everything i have to find truth?”
The compassionate Buddha told him, “Anyone can receive the bliss of finding truth as long as he follows the path of unselfishness. If you are going to cling to your wealth, then it is better to throw it away than let it poison your heart. But if you do not cling to it, and use it wisely, then you will be a blessing to people. It is not wealth and power that make people slaves, but clinging to them.”
The Buddha explained to him that his teaching did not require anyone to become homeless or give up the world unless he wants to. But it did require people to free themselves from the illusion that the body and world are their permanent and true home. He said his teaching required people to lead an ethical life.
The Buddha said: “Whatever people do, either in the world or as a recluse, they should put their whole heart into it. People should be committed to whatever they do but full of energy. If they face struggles, they should do so without hatred or envy. People should live a life not of ego, but of truth, and then bliss will fill their soul.”
Non-attachment does not mean we have to give up our homes, wealth, families and what we have received in life. It only requires that we give up attachment to these things. Whatever situation in which we find ourselves has come to us due to our karma. Our attachment should be with God. Our attention should be on making sure our soul attains communion with God.
Those who are blessed with wealth should make the best use of it by taking care of their family responsibilities and then sharing with others. We need not give up everything. We can live in the world and do the best we can, but keep our focus and attention on finding God. Our hearts can develop purity and an attitude of selfless service and sharing with others. We need not be attached to our outer situation. We can work to make a living while also working to develop spiritually. If we are blessed with wealth, we need not throw it away, but we should use it to help others, and to benefit from having more free time to meditate and do selfless service. The key is to live in the world, but not be attached to it.

By Sant Rajinder Singh

It's Better to Work for Krishna.

 It's Better to Work for Krishna.

Working in devotion is better than renunciation of work because the idle mind is the devil's workshop. Since the living entity is active by nature both mentally and physically, to stop acting and stop thinking is an artificial position, which cannot be maintained. Therefore instead of trying to become free from material existence by artificially trying to stop acting and thinking, one can be immediately liberated from material existence simply by engaging in devotional service to Lord Sri Krishna. This is confirmed by Srila Rupa Goswami as follows:

īhā yasya harer dāsye
karmaṇā manasā girā
nikhilāsv apy avasthāsu
jīvan-muktaḥ sa ucyate

"One who engages in the transcendental service of the Lord in body, mind and word is to be considered liberated in all conditions of material existence."--Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.187

Since even to maintain this material body. work cannot be given up, the best system for both material and spiritual success is to absorb one's life fully in acts of devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna.

By Sankarshan Das Adhikari

How to get love of God, Radhanath Swami Answers

How to get love of God, Radhanath Swami Answers with an example from Mahabharata

Swami Ji, we hear about so many learned and dignified personalities from scriptures but I find it difficult to understand that why such learned men go against Lord. For e.g. Bhisma in Mahabharata was a man with high character and knowledge; still he chose to fight against Krishna… please shed some light on this?
Radhanath Swami: Bhisma was always upright, loyal and true in the service of the lord. Although as an instrument in the lord’s hands he had to play a thankless role and be misunderstood forever. Generally, people think that Bhisma was obliged to Duryodhana because he was receiving food from him and thus he had to be in his side.
The real reason that Bhisma accepted the side of Kurus was the will of Lord Krishna. Because when Krishna wants to show a fantastic example to the whole world, He uses His devotee.
Even if His devotee has to temporally become His enemy, the devotee accepts that position out of love. So Bhisma understood Krishna’s plan. He wanted to show the whole world in the coming ages that the most important principle in life – “whoever you are, however wealthy you are, however powerful you are, however famous you are, however beautiful you are, however learned you are, however renounced you are? If you are not on the side of Krishna, then you will be defeated.”
And irrespective of whom you are, if you are on the side of Krishna you will be victorious because Krishna is Achyuta. Achyuta means unconquerable. But the unconquerable Krishna agrees to be conquered by the love of His devotees.
Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita
“kaunteya pratijanehi na me bhakti pranashyati”
Bhagavad-Gita 9.31
“Arjuna, you should know that my devotee will never perish; I will always protect my devotees. But how I protect you is not according to your choice. That is according to my choice. I may protect you by kicking you, punching you, taking everything away from you, or I may protect you by giving you the whole world.”

--

One's memory of Krishna is revived by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one's ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord.

Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

There is sins spreading with great force all over

Just as waters from a river are gravitating towards the ocean, similarly at this time and age, the world and people in it are gravitating with great force towards hell. In studies, in pleasures, customs and rituals, in law and legal matters, in trading and business and various activities, whatever you see, there is sin taking place with great force and intensity.

Goswamiji has described this -

Kali kewal mal mool malin |
Paap payonidhi jan man meenaa || (Manas, Balkand, 27/4)

There is sins spreading with great force all over, such that man's mind will play away like fish in water. In other words, just like the fish when it is taken out of the water becomes restless. And if she were made to understand ahead of time that she will be separated from the water, then she will become fearful; because she cannot live without the water, similarly, "paap payonidhi" - the ocean is the form of sins, where as the mind of a man has become like the fish "jan man meena".

If today one is told that do not do "black" (engage in businesses that are off the books), do not lie or cheat, do not be dishonest, work honestly then they say "Maharaj! Work cannot carryon without lying and cheating in this day and age. If one works honestly then it will result in much difficulty. We cannot follow through with what you are saying." On hearing talks about being free from sins, they begin to tremble. They say that it will be awesome if we can leave sinning, but it will not be possible to sustain our livelihood. We are only able to carry on our living and livelihood, because of lying, cheating and dishonesty.



From such talks we must not believe that those with bad conduct, sinful and unlawful men cannot engage in devotion and worship of the Lord. Gita says -


Apichet suduraacharo bhajate maamananyabhaak |
Saadhureva samantavyah samyagvyavasito hi saha || (Gita 9/30)


Even if the worst of all sinners, makes a firm determination and engages in devotion and worship of the Lord, then he should not be considered an ordinary man. God says - He should be considered a "sadhu" (ascetic); because he has firmly resolved.


In Gita, God has talked about four types of devotees of the Lord - "Aarto jigyaasuarthaarthi jnaani cha bharatarshabh" - a devotee "bhakt" in distress or needing financial assistance, takes the name of the Lord. A devotee who has quest for knowledge also takes the name of the Lord. But a loving devotee "jnani" to whom "prabhuji biseshi piyaaraa" "jnana tvaatmaiva me matam", such a devotee is very dear to God. He is the Lord's very own Self (atma, spirit, inner being).

From "Manas mein Naam Vandana"

Glories of the Divine Name of Lord Ram

Glories of the Divine Name of Lord Ram

Why did Valmikiji not be able to get a non-aspirate "alpapraan" name? Pay attention! The Name of Lord Ram is easy to recite; however he who is very sinful, for him it is difficult to recite the name of the Lord. There is a saying -

"Majaal kyaa hai jeev ki, jo Raam Naam leve; Paap deve thaap ki, jo mundo phor deve."

He who is not very virtuous, he is unable to take the name of the Lord. It is said in the Bhagavad Gita -


"Yesham tvantagatam paapam janaanaam punyakarmanaam |
Te dvandvamohanirmuktaa bhajate maam dradhvrataah || (7/28)


He whose sins are wiped out, he alone can with a firm determination become engaged in worship and devotion of God. On the subject of the divine name "Ram" it has been said in the scriptures and saints have also shared such things. There is a similar incident that I had heard -

This is about Baankuda, where there was a gentleman named Sri Badridasji Goenka. They were sharing their past incidents. An old Bengali man was catching fish in the coastal areas of the ocean. Shri Jayadayalji Goyandka and Badridasji saw the man and said - " this man has become old, poor soul, if he were to engage himself in devotion and worship of the Lord, it would be good." They told him to recite the name of the Lord, but he was unable to say the name "Ram". He was asked, how much money do you make each day? He said by killing that many fish, I get this much money. Then they told the old man, that we will give you as much rice for the money that you make, you simply have to sit in your shop and recite Hari Hari all day. With some effort, he was taken to the shop. He sat there for one day. On the second day he came late, and the third day he did not show up at all. Then after two-three days when we went back to the coastal front, he was once again found in the same spot, in the scorching Sun, catching fish. We told him that you were comfortably sitting in the shade in your shop, what was the issue or problem? Whatever you are earning doing this work, we are giving you that much in grains, only you have to sit all day and chant "Hari Hari" He said, it is not possible for me to do this. He could not sit at the shop. Such incidents have occurred. I then believed that the point is valid Brother! It is very difficult for a sinner to engage in good and divine work. Shri Tulasidasji Maharaj has said -


Tulasi purab paap te Hari charcha na suhaat |
Jaise jwarke jor se bhook bidaa ho jaat ||


When the fever is burning high, then food is not appetizing. There is odor even in the foods. Just as when the fever is high then food is not palatable, similarly he whose sins are many, he is unable to engage in devotion and worship of God. He is unable to go to satsang (company of holy men and/or association with truth)


Therefore Gentlemen! Pay attention to this one point. Those brothers who are interested in satsang, who go to satsang, who say the divine name of the Lord, who do japa (repetition of the Lord's name), such individuals should not be considered as ordinary. These are not ordinary people. They are doing "bhajan" (worship and devotion) of the Lord, they are pure and are deserving of God's grace. However, those who walk the path towards the Lord, they should not consider themselves great that they are very good people. One should believe that it is due to God's grace, by which we have received the opportunity for satsang, bhajan, meditation etc. We must understand that in such times of Kaliyug we are getting an opportunity to listen to the divine tales of the Lord, we are taking the name of the Lord. Immense grace of the Lord is showering on us.


From "Manas mein Naam Vandana"

The Miracle Of The Word

The Miracle Of The Word

Such is the importance of Nam simran in Sikhism that Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith, proclaims, “I have no miracles except the name of God.” Nam japna or Nam simran is the repetitive remembrance of the Supreme, the Satnam, the only true Word. Nam is the Ultimate reality which manifests itself in the form of Creation and Nam, like Nature, is all-pervasive.
Nam is not name, identification or combination of words to address God like Hari, Ram, Allah; it is more than that. Nam is the representation of the Almighty, manifestation of His attributes. Nam is expression for the whole nature of Akal Purakh, the timeless, infinite and all-pervasive. To be linked with the divine name is to grow in likeness to God – being merciful, compassionate and loving until it results in divine union.
Satnam is not eternal silence; it takes the form of the divine Word, Vaheguru, the divine light, dispeller of darkness. In Sikh tradition, the Supreme is referred to as Vaheguru. Absorption in Nam, constant remembrance of Vaheguru, is recommended. As the believer meditates on the Word, bondage to the world, fear and injustice is overcome. Nam simran has the power of freeing us from the self-centredness that leads to endless cycles of reincarnation. All gains, spiritual and material, flow from concentration on Nam. Nam simran, chanting of ‘Satnam Vaheguru’ in congregation or in solitude is one of the three cardinal principles of Sikhism, along with kirat karni or honest labour and vand chhakna or sharing with the needy.
Nam japna can be performed at the individual level, in private meditation. It involves the practice of repeating the sacred word which helps you internalise the meaning of the Word. Guru Nanak believed that by repetition of Nam, one can overcome the ego. Nama marga, the path of the divine Word, is the way to liberation.
Nam simran can also be performed collectively in sadhsangat, when devotees sing together hymns of praise or the shabad in the form of kirtan. Guru Nanak says satsangat is where the divine Nam is cherished. This is where virtues are learnt, where godlike qualities are cultivated. In sangat devotees seek unity with God through recitation of Bani as well as hearing His Word. Nam simran is related to hearing or listening to the Word as well as becoming aware of what has been heard.
Remembrance of Nam does not bind the person to any place or time. One can recite it while walking, driving or while performing household chores. It sets you free. Guru Arjan says, “Nam is mukti, liberation, jugati, way to attain liberation, fulfilment, tripati as well as bhugati, enjoyment. All who follow the pathway of Nam experience vismad, the incredible awe and wonder of knowing the greatness of the Supreme Being – vismad nad vismad ved, wondrous is the sound, wondrous the wisdom.
But mechanical repetition of Nam is not enough. One has to realise the Divine as a reality and be in harmony with him. When we recite gurbani or the divine Word we are in fact remembering the attributes of God and as a result the followers also try to imbibe good qualities like love for all creatures, sewa, forgiveness, universal brotherhood, fearlessness etc. Nam simran is the ultimate path of bliss, of liberation.

Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ [Bs. 5.1]

The Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, is the dearest in both the conditioned and liberated states. When a person does not know that the Lord is the only dearmost object, then he is in the conditioned state of life, and when one knows perfectly well that the Lord is the only dearmost object, he is considered to be liberated. There are degrees of knowing one’s relationship with the Lord, depending on the degree of realization as to why the Supreme Lord is the dearmost object of every living being. The real reason is clearly stated in Bhagavad-gītā (15.7). Mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ: the living entities are eternally parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. The living entity is called the ātmā, and the Lord is called the Paramātmā. The living entity is called Brahman, and the Lord is called the Parabrahman, or the Parameśvara. Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ [Bs. 5.1]. The conditioned souls, who do not have self-realization, accept the material body as the dearmost. The idea of the dearmost is then spread all over the body, both concentrated and extended. The attachment for one’s own body and its extensions like children and relatives is actually developed on the basis of the real living entity. As soon as the real living entity is out of the body, even the body of the most dear son is no longer attractive. Therefore the living spark, or eternal part of the Supreme, is the real basis of affection, and not the body. Because the living entities are also parts of the whole living entity, that supreme living entity is the factual basis of affection for all. One who has forgotten the basic principle of his love for everything has only flickering love because he is in māyā. The more one is affected by the principle of māyā, the more he is detached from the basic principle of love. One cannot factually love anything unless he is fully developed in the loving service of the Lord.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

The Revival Of Bhakti

Aguru wondered whether his student was worthy of receiving the ashtakshara mantra that would release him from earthly ills. After much deliberation, he finally disclosed it, but only after wresting a promise from him that it would not be revealed to others. The student pondered over the mantra and the next day, went atop the village temple and announced the mantra to a large gathering that had collected there. The guru, furious, said that the worst hell awaited him. To which the student replied, ‘If this act of mine delivers thousands to heaven, i do not mind going to hell.’ Thrilled, the guru hugged his disciple. The guru was Saint Tirukkottiyur Nambi.
Ramanuja was born in a Vaishnava family at Sriperambudur, near Kanchipuram. His own teacher, Yadavaprakash, felt threatened by the clarity and extent of his knowledge and so decided to kill him. However, due to divine grace Ramanujacharya survived. Ramanujacharya was against the caste system. He took an illiterate but knowledgeable saint, Kanchipurna as his teacher. One night Ramanuja invited Kanchipurna to his house. After serving him food, Ramanuja offered to wash his feet. Kanchipurna was embarrassed as Ramanuja was a Brahmin. An upset Ramanuja declared that one who was devoted to God was beyond any social order.
Ramanuja expounded the Vishishtha Advaita philosophy – qualified non-dualism. It talks of a personal God who is one and only one (non-dual), but vishishtha, one with unique attributes. It says that the Supreme Being is ‘soul of all souls’. He explained that there were three factors of interplay: God or Brahmn, we or jivatmas, nature or prakriti. He further explained that God manifests in two modes: Chit or sentient, living beings and achit or non-sentient, without consciousness. Brahmn along with these two modes formed the Tattva Traya or the threefold doctrine of Vishishtha Advaita philosophy that established an organic relationship of oneness of the universe and individual souls along with Brahmn. Individual selves are sparks of the divine and the world is no illusion. This philosophy is an integral part of Sri Vaishnavism, which says that Sriman Narayana is Paratattva, Supreme Truth. He is the abode of all life and is antaryamin, the internal controller. He is easily approachable and responds to his devotee’s loving devotion. The philosophy is theistic and says Brahmn is the union of Vishnu and Lakshmi (Sri), the father and mother elements, respectively.
Ramanuja was deeply influenced by the 12 alwars or Vaishnavite poet-saints, who were immersed in bhakti or devotion towards Narayana. Through bhakti, Ramanujacharya advocated saranagati or total surrender to God. Indeed, Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita advises Arjuna to rise above the lesser dharmas or duties which keep the soul bound to matter. He urges Arjuna to 'surrender all unto me and I shall free you from fears, bondage and sorrows'. The act of surrender is termed as saranagati, which forms the nucleus of the vishistha advaita philosophy, and is referred to as the prapatti yoga. In deference to Yamunacharya’s wishes, Ramanujacharya wrote the Sribhashya, a commentary on the Brahmasutras, Gita Bhashya, Saranagati Gadyam, among many other works. He travelled all over India and standardised the liturgy at many temples including the Sri Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati, and the Cheluvanarayana temple at Melkote, Karnataka, where he spent a major part of his life.