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.

Call Out to God - Surrender at His Lotus Feet

Gist: Taking refuge in God, is considering only God as our very own. Thereafter everything will change automatically. Worldly affairs cannot touch us. God is the only One that is always with us. Therefore let us pray to God to remain always at His lotus feet, to provide help and direction. Let us pray for His love and rememberance at all times.

Call Out to God - Surrender at His Lotus Feet

Question: How to surrender entirely to God ? How to bring this inner expression in our lives ?

Swamiji: Just like your daughter who once considered your home as hers, but when she marries and goes to her husband's home, she begins to consider that home as her home. It is the same. We are God's, by considering God as our very own, everything will change automatically thereafter. Is there any doubt about this? Just like when your married daughter who is visiting your house, worries about her husband, whether he has eaten properly. She does not worry about her father having eaten. Her worries about her own husband, make her think about returning back to her own home. Similarly when God is ours, our entire focus will change, it will be on God and not on the world. Worldly matters will no longer worry us or concern us. "Yat gatvaa na nivartante, tat dhaam paramam mama" God's home will become our only home. God will become the only one in our life. Once we reach there, nothing worldly can touch us. After all there is nothing in this world that is ours, nothing goes
with us, isn't that the truth? Absolutely nothing is ours. Now what is false in what I am stating ?

See brothers, God has said "You are part of my very own being" "mameva ansh" "Ishvar ansh jeev avinaashi" "Sau maya bas ..gosaayi" Do not be trapped in the illusory powers (maya), as all of this will surely leave you. Do you have any doubt about everything in this world leaving you? God will never leave you, even in hell, in all the different life forms, wherever you go, God is always with you. Is there anyone else you know who will be with you at all times? Wherever it is you go, he is with you at all times. If you have the courage, confront me and tell me if you know of anyone who will be with you at all times?

Therefore call out to the One and Only. Pray that He always appears sweet to you. Pray that Oh Lord, Let me never forget You. "He Naath, He mere Naath, mein bhooloo nahi." Pray "Let my mind never stray away from You." "Sab per maange ek bal, ram sharan gati ho, jinke man mandir baso, sia ram mangal ho." Pray to God and you will have tremendous gains. Pray to Him, to bless you such that your mind never leaves His lotus feet. Pray "Let me never forget You, let me never forget You, let me feel sad when I forget You." There is nothing more that cleanses like sorrow. All worldly happiness is nothing but on it's way to ending. Therefore grace me such that I do not become happy in favorable times and unhappy in unfavorable times.

Pray that we do not sin. Pray that we do not think we are something special and can do this and that. By getting trapped in attachment, we will incur sin. Therefore call out to God, with a true and simple heart. Say to Him - Oh Lord, " hu haaryo bahu biddhi jatan kari" After trying and trying for a long time, I have failed, I am defeated. I am unable to do this on my own, where can I go for help? Who can help me? What should I do? Where should I go? Try calling out to God. Do this and surely you will gain. Do not have attachment or aversion. There is no gain in it. Have attachment and aversion for only God. Fight with God, enjoy with God, get angry with God, and you will see the magic. Experience the love of God. Remember God at all times. There is no one else that is ours.

Wherever My devotees sing My name, I am there

On one occasion Narada went to the Lord. In the course of their conversation, Lord Narayana asked Narada, "You are moving around all the three worlds, what news have you brought for Me from your wanderings? Have you seen anything new in creation?"
"What is greater than yourself in creation", replied Narada.
" I am asking about My creation and not about Myself", said Lord Narayana.
Narada replied, "I do not understand the question."
"There are five elements, the Pancha Bhutas. Which is the greatest among them? " Lord Narayana asked.
Narada said, "The earth is the biggest."
Lord Narayana said, "In the earth three fourths are occupied by water."
Narada agreed that water is greater than the earth. But Lord Narayana observed, "All oceans were drunk by the sage Agasthya in one gulp. Therefore who is greater, water or Agasthya? " Narada agreed that Agasthya was greater. But Lord Narayana again observed that "Agasthya is remaining as a star in the sky. In the vast firmament, Agasthya is merely twinkling like a small star; is not the firmament greater than the star?" Narada agreed that firmament is greater than Agasthya. Again Lord Narayana said, "In My Avatar as Vamana I covered the entire earth and sky with one foot of Mine. So is the firmament greater or My foot? Then Narada said, "Your foot". "If My foot itself is so great, am I not greater than My foot? ", Lord Narayana asked. Narada agreed.

Then Lord Narayana said, "Although I am great, I am confined in the heart of My devotees. So the devotees are greater than Myself. Therefore, wherever My devotees sing My name, I am there."

Sri Krishna didn't commit any "Adharma" , in Kurukshetra War

Many people of this era including the non-vedic modern scholars have wrong ideas about the great epic "Mahabharatam" . They believe that, Pandavas have killed their key foes Bhisma , Drona, Karna and Duryodhana by unrighteous trickery . Let us look into these aspects .

First of all , we need to understand the invincibility of Arjuna who was protected by Sri Krishna , the God of Gods . Arjuna himself was the incarnation of the divine Saint Nara , a manifestation of Maha-Vishnu . Even after taking the human form , he possessed all his divine power ; and his supreme weapons like `Pasupatastra' could easily kill any non-godly opponent such as Bhishma , Drona , Karna or Duryodhana . As such , there was no necessity for him to use any unrighteous trickery in the war .

Bhishma

Bhishma ,son of Ganga devi was a pious person and an ardent devotee of Sri Krishna . He lived an auspicious life ; and his only blemish was his forced alliance to the unrighteous Kauravas . His one enemy (princess Amba) had received a boon from Lord Shiva that that in her next birth she could cause Bhishma's death . Accordingly , she incarnated as Sikhandi ( who was born as a girl but later changed to boy) .

In accordance with the mentioned boon , Sikhandi became the cause of Bhishma's death . Here, we can see Bhagavan Krishna's compassion to His Devotee Bhishma . Bhagavan mercifully glorified him in the concluding fight wherein Arjuna used light power against him . Had Bhagavan advised to use , a divine weapon like "Pasupathastra" on the first instant , Bhishma wouldn't have survived .


Drona

Drona , the incarnation of Deva Guru Brihaspati , was also a great Devotee of Sri Krishna . King Drupada, Drona's friend turned foe had begot from a Yajna a divine son Drishatadyumna who would kill Drona . Even after knowing this fact, Drona accepted Drishtadyumna as a disciple and taught him .

Later, because of this bad association with the evil Kauravas , Drona took part in the treacherous war against Abhimanyu and helped to kill him by cheating . Also he was guilty of using divine arrows against army men on foot . These crimes deserved death .

However, Bhagavan Krishna , as usual had a soft corner to His Devotee and therefore He glorified Drona in the final war . Instead of humiliating him by divine means , Bhagavan arranged Bhima to kill an elephant named Aswathama thereby enabling Yudhishtira to say " Aswathama is dead" . Upon hearing this , Drona willingly gave up his weapon and was killed by Drishtadyumna, thus fulfilling Drupada's boon .

Karna

Karna , the illegitimate son of Surya-deva , was an anti-hero . He had certain good qualities as well as bad traits . An impartial critic can compare Karna and Arjuna in a few words . Arjuna was a blessed disciple of His Guru whereas Karna was a cursed one . Arjuna had a perfect `dharmic' character whereas Karna excelled in charity and loyalty but failed to have humility as well as respect to elders .

In his personal life , Karna did lot of charity , but he did it in a mood of arrogance . His vengeance against the social system made him conspire with the evil minded Kauravas. Karna was cursed by his Guru Parasurama for cheating him . Also, he was cursed by a Brahmana for killing his cow . He was destined to die by becoming a victim of these curses .

However, he was lucky to have a well wisher in Sri Krishna . In his heart Karna respected Sri Krishna as the Supreme God . Knowing this hidden `bhakti' , Bhagavan glorified Karna's last moments disregarding his evil deeds such as his obscene public comments against Draupadi and his role in the unrighteous slaying of Abhimanyu .

Before, the Kurukshetra war whenever Arjuna and Karna fought each other , the former won convincingly . However, prior to the commencement of Kurukshetra war , the evil `Asuras' provided their combined power to Karna . This extra power boosted Karna's performance in the last war and Krishna had to intervene to nullify his "Naga-Astra" ( in which dwelled a venomous Demon-Snake hostile to Arjuna) .

When the curses worked on Karna ( he forgot what he learnt ) and his chariot got struck in earth , he reached a hopeless state . Any further war after that would have been meaningless as Arjuna could have easily killed the weaponless Karna . It was at this juncture that the merciful Sri Krishna out of consideration towards His secret devotee Karna decided to bless him by converting the unavoidable death to a heroic event that would bring eternal fame to him . Accordingly , Arjuna hesitatingly shot an arrow at Karna while he was lifting the chariot out of mud .

Duryodhana

Duryodhana was the dreadful incarnation of `Kali' . When he was born, numerous inauspicious omens appeared which revealed that this child would cause disaster. However, king Dritarashtra out of blind love to his son , decided not to abandon this horrible child .

Duryodhana was the symbol of evil . He did all types of `adharmic' ( unrighteous) acts that deserved capital punishment of death . When he tried to violate the modesty of Daupadi , she cursed him that , Bhima would kill him by breaking his thighs .

The cunning Duryodhana knew very well the infinite power of Sri Krishna . When Bhagavan arrived at Hastinapura for trying a last diplomatic effort to avoid the imminent war , Duroyodhana invited Him for dinner . But, Bhagavan refused by saying :

" Duryodhana , Pandavas are my Devotees and you have already harmed them . If I eat your food now , that will cause an obligation which you don't deserve " .

Duryodhana was an expert in black magic and other evil means of fighting . Furthermore , before the war , the `Asuras' had armed him with their demonic power . Also, he received from his mother Gandhari ( a Siva Devotee) a boon that made his entire body except thighs unbreakable .

There was no point in using righteous means against such an evil personality . And Bhagavan promptly instructed Bhima to break those sinful thighs which Duryodhana had exposed obscenely to Draupadi .

Bhagavan teaches the Vedic followers a precious lesson in this episode . After being struck down by Bhima , Duryodhana complained that he was felled by `adharmic' ( `unrighteous' ) means . And then Krishna replied to him :

" O Duryodhana ! Where was your `dharma' when you cheated the Pandavas, when you ordered Dushassana to disrobe Draupadi and when you killed Abhimanyu by cheating ?. An enemy who has violated `dharma' ; and who thus deserves capital punishment , should be destroyed at the first opportunity by any means" .



It is an absolute fact that , Bhagavan Sri Krishna's philosophy and instructions are eternal and for the benefit of those who follow Him . Bhagavan is absolutely 'Dharma' personified .

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!! !