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"

Greatness of Sri Rama

Sri Rama is the role model of Vedic faith . The very purpose of Maha-Vishnu' s Rama-avatar was to illustrate by personal example , how to lead a *Dharmic* life , according to the injunctions of the Vedas .

Let us observe Sri Rama's roles from the beginning :

1. Sri Rama as a son obeyed his father's wishes without any question. As per the Vedic law of the Land at that time, Rama has got every right to acquire the kingdom as First Son of King Dasaratha. Even the entire people of Ayodhya wanted Rama to be the king. Rama has sacrificed this right. He accepted gracefully the order of his father with smile.

Sri Rama could have easily exposed His father Dasa-ratha and seized power . The act of Rama's father Dasa-ratha in making a rash promise to one of his three queens, was not in accordance with Raja-Dhrama. No queen had any right to interfere with the matters of state to promote her own interest. A seeker of a boon has limitations. One may seek all well being for self but cannot seek a grant to harm others. Kaikyee and Kaushalya both were equally wives of the king. Asking the kingdom for one's won son is reasonable wish of any mother but seeking other's son to be sent to the forest for a life term ( of 14 years) was clearly *Adharma*. Asking such a boon is *Adhrama* and granting such a boon too was *Adhrama*. However, Sri Rama ignored all these aspects and devotedly adhered to His *Dharma* which was to fulfill the order of His father without raising any question .

2. Sri Rama as husband with tremendous love to his spouse Sita. Throughout his period in forest after losing Sita, Rama has searched her and see that Ravana who has taken away Sita was killed with the help of his friends and regained her.

3.Sri Rama as Good Disciple of his Gurus Vasishta and Vishvamithra . Risking own life , He with the lone support of Lakshmana fought against the immensely powerful armies of Rakshasas to protect the yagnas and Rishis in Forest.

4. Sri Rama as Good Brother asked his brother Bharatha not to accompany him and take care of the kingdom till he comes back as per the wishes of his father. Rama did His level best to discourage Lakshmana too from following Him and finally agreed only to avoid Lakshmana's suicide .

5. Sri Rama as a good friend helped Sugriva to acquire his kingdom after killing Vali. Before dying, Vali asked Rama as to why he attacked from behind and un-announced when he had no enemity with him and was it not against Kshtriya Dharma. Rama replied " if you answer my question why did you entertain a desire for your brother's wife, who is like a mother to you, you will find my reply in it ". Vali said being Raakshasa the relationships mentioned by Rama were not known much less followed in their society. Rama smiled and said, " If so , the benefits of Kshatriay Dharma too is not applicable to Raakshasas and therefore He has every right to eliminate such a sinful Rakshasa at the first opportunity without giving him any benefits of *Dharma*. ( Had the Indian rulers like Nehru , the so-called followers of Rama-rajya exponent Gandhiji , followed this personal example of Sri Rama, Kashmir trajedy would never have destroyed India.)

6 Sri Rama as a good protector of Dharma has handed over Lanka to Vibhishana who is real successor to Ravana. He has not claimed even an inch of land even through he has killed Ravana in a war.

7 Rama as a king who has to rule the land without any grievance for his people, having heard a complaint from Dhobi who has doubted his morality has conducted the Agnipariksha. Present day, can you expect any minister do such *prayachitha* ( atonement) for any of his immoral and illegal and criminal activities if they are pointed out ordinary resident like "Dhobi of Ramayana"?

Sri Rama is right in His approach to play his role as an ideal man in various capacities as mentioned above.

Please chant :

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama , Hare Hare,

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna , Hare Hare

and , be happy !!!!

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!! !!