Thursday, August 2, 2007

Which is THE BEST DHARMA?

Nama Article - 3rd August 2007
 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Dharmaputra, the very form of Dharma, who is present there beside Bheeshma (who is lying in the bed of arrows) places three questions before the grand old man Bheeshma: "Oh! Sire! You have offered 'upadesa' of innumerable Dharma. A father informs his son of all his possessions but reserves some to be disclosed during the last moment of his life. Is there any subtle Dharma ('sukmamãna Dharma') that you have not yet disclosed to me? Have you reserved it for the last moment?"

 

Dharmaputra then asks, 'Ko Dharmah sarva Dharmanãm?' - which is the best of all Dharma?

 

His first question is, 'Speak to me of that Dharma that is the best of all Dharma; the Dharma following which one can reap the benefits of having followed all Dharma.

 

Secondly, 'Kim japan?' - Whom should I do japa of and what japa should I do?

 

Thirdly, 'Kimekam Deivatam loke?' - Name the God by worshipping whom one reaps the benefit of having worshipped all gods.

The figure 1,00,000 contains within it 10,000, 1000, 10 and 1. Likewise, speak to me of that God within whom all other gods exist. Worshipping this one God, the benefit of having worshipped all gods should be attained. 'kim ekam Deivatam loke'? - do not speak of innumerable gods; speak of just One God ---

 

'Kim ekam'? (which One)

'Ko (Dharmah) sarva Dharmãnãm'? (which Dharma)

'Kim japan'? (what japa)

 

- the questions were three!

 

But, the answer was just one!

Bheeshma provides just one answer to the three questions!

 

एष मे सर्वधर्माणाम् धर्मो अधिकतमो मतः।

यद्भक्त्या पुण्डरीकाक्शं स्तवैरर्चेन्नरः सदा

 

'Yesha me sarvadharmãnãm dharmoadhikatamo mathah

Yadbhaktya Pundariikãksham stavairacchennarah sadã' |

 

-- Bheeshma offered a single answer to the three questions! What was it?

 

"Worship the Lotus eyed Maha Vishnu by Chanting his Divine Names, which is the best Dharma"

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

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