Thursday, August 28, 2008

Sri Krishna says; I protect those who have surrendered unto me and look up to me for their protection

Nama Article 28th August 2008
 

Excerpts from discourse of Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

The food offerings were made to Govardana Giri instead of Indra based on Sri Krishna's suggestion. Sri Krishna, taking a huge form, consumed the offerings. No sooner had this been done than Indra, to whom the news about the change had reached, retaliated with thunderstorms. He used the best of his weapons to teach the gullible villagers and the blind followers of Sri Krishna a lesson. The whole village, undaunted by the repercussion, looked up to Sri Krishna who lifted the huge Govardana Giri with His little finger as one lifts a simple umbrella. He protected His people from Indra's wrath through all the seven days.

 

('tasmaath macharanam ghoshtam mannatham mathparigraham' - Srimad Bhagavatham - 10:25 - which means I protect those who have surrendered unto me and look up to me for their protection )

 

It is to be noted here that the people of Gokula had accepted Sri Krishna's verdict to make the offerings to Govardhana, unquestioningly, and had no complaints whatsoever to the repercussions faced. Instead, they only looked up to Him in whom they had their placed everything - love and faith. It is unto such devotees that the Lord gives full protection.

  

Chanting the Name is surrender

 

Visit : http://namadwaar.org/home.html

15th Annual Brahmotsav of  Sri Madhuri Sakhi sameta Sri Premika Varadan

 

Venue: Mathurapuri Ashram

Date: 23rd August - 1st Sept 2008

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

Like last year, the Video of the Utsav will be telecast 'almost live' on NAMADWAAR!

Each day's proceedings will be telecast by the next day afternoon!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

For all questions he had only one reply, "One should perform Krishna Namakirtan"

Nama Article 27th August 2008

Source: http://www.madhuramurali.org/mm/year2001/aug2001/aug01_chait12.हटमल


Excerpts from discourse of Sri Sri Muralidhara स्वामीजी


The state of Mahaprabhu after his return from the Gaya pilgrimage was strange, indeed। While eating or walking on the street or while lying down he would suddenly sing loudly, "Ha! Krishna! Ha! Krishna!" and begin to dance about. He had lost his sleep at night. He was not in a position to carry out any sort of work.


In the Patasala he would repeatedly tell his students, "It is only Sri Krishna who is the shelter for all creatures of this world. Of all Names it is only the Name of Sri Krishna that is full of essence. What is contained in this dry Shastra jnana?" For all questions he had only one reply, "One should perform Krishna Namakirtan"


Visit : http://namadwaar.org/home.html

15th Annual Brahmotsav of Sri Madhuri Sakhi sameta Sri Premika Varadan

Venue: Mathurapuri Ashram

Date: 23rd August - 1st Sept 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT

Like last year, the Video of the Utsav will be telecast 'almost live' on NAMADWAAR!

Each day's proceedings will be telecast by the next day afternoon!

When you chant do not bother whether your mind wavers or not. Nama will take care of that.....proceed doubtlessly with faith in the words of the Guru

Nama Article 26th August 2008

Source:
http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/questions.html

We have heard of great Mahans chanting the Rama Nama or the Krishna Nama towards attaining God-Realization. Are there other Mahans besides Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who have chanted the Maha Mantra to attain the Lord? Moreover I have read that a Sadhak should stick to one name and form. The Mahamantra has both Rama and Krishna's names. So to avoid the mind from wavering can I contemplate on my Guru while chanting the Maha Mantra?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

The beauty and power of the Divine Name is that it completely takes over. All you need to do is chant. When you chant do not bother whether your mind wavers or not. Nama will take care of that.

Though there maybe so many names and mantras, this mantra is specifically prescribed by the Upanishad for this age (Kali Santarana Upanishad). Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Swami Sivananda, Swami Abhedananda, numerous sadhus in Vrindavan, advocate this mantra as the simplest solution in this Yuga.

Bhagavan Ramana used to say that the doubt whether one would be able to attain liberation is the greatest hurdle and nothing else. Faith is the bedrock of anything in this world. For certain questions, any amount of intellectual analysis will not help find a decisive answer and they will always remain.

The secret is to hold on to a path advocated by the Guru and proceed doubtlessly with faith in the words of the Guru and the experience the bliss Yourself.
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Visit :
http://namadwaar.org/home.html
15th Annual Brahmotsav of Sri Madhuri Sakhi sameta Sri Premika Varadan

Venue: Mathurapuri Ashram
Date: 23rd August - 1st Sept 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT
Like last year, the Video of the Utsav will be telecast 'almost live' on NAMADWAAR!
Each day's proceedings will be telecast by the next day afternoon!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Those who hear, recite and contemplate on and help others remember your auspicious names and forms are the ones who attains the Supreme Bliss

Nama Article 25th August 2008

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

The purpose of Incarnation of Sri Krishna is to give to the world - His Name, His attractive Form and His various leelas (Divine plays) which will enable all to attain the Supereme Bliss.

Srimad Bhagavatham 10:2:37 - Meaning

Even while engaged in various activities, devotees whose minds are completely absorbed at Your lotus feet and who hear, recite and contemplate on and help others remember your auspicious names and forms are the ones who attains the Supreme Bliss.

Transliteration

zruNvan gruNan samsmarayaMzca cintayan nAmAni rUpAni ca maGgalAnI te
kriyAsu yasvaccaraNAravindayorAviSTacetA na bhavAya kalpate

Srimad Bhagavatha Sloka

श्रुण्वन् ग्रुणन् सम्स्मरयंश्च चिन्तयन् नामानि रूपानि च मङ्गलानी ते
क्रियासु यस्वच्चरणारविन्दयोराविष्टचेता न भवाय कल्पते

Visit : http://namadwaar.org/home.html
15th Annual Brahmotsav of Sri Madhuri Sakhi sameta Sri Premika Varadan

Venue: Mathurapuri Ashram
Date: 23rd August - 1st Sept 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT
Like last year, the Video of the Utsav will be telecast 'almost live' on NAMADWAAR!
Each day's proceedings will be telecast by the next day afternoon!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

If you think of one God , sing and hear his glories only , mingle with HIS devotees and do service only to him, your mind would attain one-pointedness

Nama Article 24th August 2008

Swamiji, You talk only of Bhakti towards Krishna. Why?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

It is possible for everyone to see God. Even you can talk to him. Great saints like Sri Ramakrishna, Meera Bai have experienced this. This experience between a Bhaktha and God is very personal. But their songs (Krithis) and their sayings are impersonal. With that it is possible for us to understand their proximity with God.

If you want to have darshan of God , your mind should be one-pointed. If you think of one God , sing and hear his glories only , mingle with HIS devotees and do service only to him, your mind would attain one-pointedness effortlessly. This aids in getting the darshan of God easily.

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

So , Swamiji, are you doing bhakthi in this way towards Lord Krishna ?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

Yes... I am.

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Visit : http://namadwaar.org/home.html

15th Annual Brahmotsav of Sri Madhuri Sakhi sameta Sri Premika Varadan

Venue: Mathurapuri Ashram

Date: 23rd August - 1st Sept 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT

Like last year, the Video of the Utsav will be telecast 'almost live' on NAMADWAAR!

Each day's proceedings will be telecast by the next day afternoon!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Meaning of Krishna - “Karshati iti Krishna” – Krishna is the one who attracts!..Happy Krishna Jayanthi to all!


Nama Article 23rd August 2008
Meaning of Krishna - "Karshati iti Krishna" – Krishna is the one who attracts!
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Question
Guru Nanak says that Nama is such a vehicle that whosoever rides on it will be successful in crossing this ocean of Samsara। It is similar to our Nama Dwaar about chanting the Maha Mantra. How do I continuously chant so I never get off this ship until I get past this ocean?

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji
Don't worry! The moment you have started chanting the Nama, you are already on this ship. The Nama is verily the propeller of the ship. The captain of this ship is none other than Sri Krishna Himself! The Nama Dwaar team members are your co-travelers. The destination is Vaikunta! The mundane matters of the life are the like munching during the journey which may have a variety of tastes, sweet, sour, salty, tangy, bitter and spicy.

The captain is and experienced navigator and belongs to the place where we go! So we can rest assured that our journey will be safe and sound! At times He does mischief, but he is not harmful at all! One has to be careful not to fall in love with Him, for, His form, His style, His language, His dress – all of them are unimaginably beautiful!
-----------------------------------------
Visit : http://namadwaar.org/home.html
15th Annual Brahmotsav of Sri Madhuri Sakhi sameta Sri Premika Varadan
Venue: Mathurapuri Ashram
Date: 23rd August - 1st Sept 2008
ANNOUNCEMENT
Like last year, the Video of the Utsav will be telecast 'almost live' on NAMADWAAR!
Each day's proceedings will be telecast by the next day afternoon!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Ours is to do the work entrusted to us by Him in the field of action in which He has chosen to place us.

Nama Article 21st August 2008
 

Swami Papa Ramdas

 

Let us know once for all that we are merely, instruments in His hands. He is the Sutradhari and we are 'every second-being made to dance like puppets to His will'. Consciousness of this truth must be with us always.

 

Earthly honour and dishonour, praise and blame, loss and gain, should have no importance for us. Ours is to do the work entrusted to us by Him in the field of action in which He has chosen to place us.

 

Let us give up all doubts, fears and anxieties, and merge our mind in the sweet sound of His glorious name. Let us, sing, with all love and devotion, His great attributes. He is our Mother. We are His children. He is our all in all. Life is sweet and blessed when it is lived for His sake. There is nothing so blissful as, devotion to His lotus feet All glory to Him and His name.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I will set him on high because he hath known my name

Nama Article 20th August 2008
 
The Bible
 
I will set him on high because he hath known my name.
 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Hearing ('sravanam') yields the same moral merit (punya) as chanting the Maha Mantra

Nama Article 19th August 2008
 
 

I feel lazy to chant the Maha Mantra. So I play a Maha Mantra audio CD and keep listening to it. Is it as good as chanting?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

It has been said that hearing ('sravanam') yields the same punya (moral merit) as chanting the Maha Mantra.

 

That is the reason behind 'karna mantra' (chanting the Lord's Name in the ears in one's deathbed).

 

However, if you slowly practice chanting it, then in due course, you will taste the sweetness of the Maha Mantra in your tongue.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Four Vedas = Divine Name "Hari"

Nama Article 17th August 2008
 
Haryashtakam
 
The one who chants the Divine Name "Ha ri" consisting of two letters gets the benefit of chanting all the four Vedas.

Rigvedhapi Yajurveda Sama vedhopyadharvana

Adheenasthana yenoktham hari rithyakshara dwayam

ॠग्वेदोऽथ यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽप्यथर्वणः ।
अधीतस्तेन येनोक्तं हरिरित्यक्षर द्वयम् ॥

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The Nation in which all the citizens sing the praise of the Lord and surrender all their actions to the Lord is known as 'Rama Rajya'

Nama Article 14th August 2008
 

Source: http://www.madhuramurali.org/mm/year2000/oct2000/oct00_qa.html

 

Though I decide to do 'japa' everyday, for a certain number of times, I am unable to meet the vow taken. What am I to do?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Normally, it is only the strong-willed who can fulfill the vow made. Always vow to do the 'japa' much higher - double or thrice - than the actual number that you aspire. Only then will you be able to meet atleast a little of it!

 

For example, all those who toiled for our Nation's independence did so with a single-minded effort. But once it had been attained we were at a loss to know what has to be done next. However, had the effort been towards the attainment of 'Rama Rajya' we would not have reached the goal till date and would have continued to work for it. Therefore, we should always keep our motive (goal) beyond reach!

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What is 'Rama Rajya?'

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

The Nation in which all the citizens sing the praise of the Lord and surrender all their actions to the Lord is known as 'Rama Rajya'.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

I have found, yes, I have found the wealth of the “Divine Name – Rama” the gem; My true guru gave me a priceless thing.

Nama Article 13th August 2008
 

Meerabai's Song

Translation

Payo ji maine Rama-ratana dhana payo

I have found, yes, I have found the wealth of the "Divine Name – Rama" the gem

Vastu amolika di mere sataguru

kirpa kara apanayo, payo ji maine

My true guru gave me a priceless thing.

With his grace, I accepted it.

Janama janama ki puji pai

I found the capital of my several births

jaga me sabhi khovayo payo ji maine

I have lost the whole rest of the world

Kharaca na khute, cora na lute

No one can spend it, no one can steal it

dina dina barhata savayo, payo ji maine

Day by day its accumulating as I chant

Sata ki nava khevatiya sataguru

On the boat of truth, the boatman was my true guru

bhava-sagara tara ayo, payo ji maine

I crossed the ocean of births and deaths

Mira ke Prabhu Ghiridhara Nagara, harasha harasha jasa gayo, payo ji maine

Mira's Lord is the Mountain-Holder, the suave lover, of whom I merrily, merrily sing

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Monday, August 11, 2008

Existence of God, Janma, papa, punya, life after death -- in all these matters, only the Shastras are to be considered the final verdict and not talent, intellect or your friend's argument

Nama Article 11th August 2008
 

Source: http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/questions.html

My friend tells me that performing Nama Kirtan and Bhakti will only take one to another janma or the state where one will start getting into yogic discipline and the study of Vedanta could be undertaken which would eventually lead to liberation. Hence doing Nama Kirtan will only lead to the path of Vedanta Vichara and not grant Moksha.


I believe in prapatti and Nama Kirtan. Which is correct?

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

Existence of God, Janma, papa, punya, life after death -- in all these matters, only the Shastras are to be considered the final verdict and not talent, intellect or your friend's argument.

 

The Shastras clearly say that one can attain the highest state by Nama Kirtan alone. Any amount of other Sadhanas will not give liberation.

 

It is only by Bhagavan Sri Krishna's grace that it can be attained. One day He will be pleased with the Nama Kirtan and provide us with the highest state of bliss.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Saturday, August 9, 2008

As my chanting intensified, it lent me strength to do Dhyana and then, in its train, came Seva

Nama Article 10th August 2008
 

Mother Krishnabai

 

Papa (Swami Papa Ramdas) asked me to do Nama, Dhyana and Seva simultaneously. In the beginning, Papa asked me to concentrate only on chanting of the Name.

 

As my chanting intensified, it lent me strength to do Dhyana and then, in its train, came Seva.

 

Thus, Papa enabled me to do all the three together and it took me directly to Him.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Friday, August 8, 2008

Japa is the repetition of any mantra or name of the Lord. Mantra Yoga is an exact science. The sacred mantra or the divine name is a vital symbol of the supreme divinity directly revealed in the innermost depths of divine communion to the sages of Se

Nama Article 9th August 2008
 

Swami Sivananda

 

Japa is the repetition of any mantra or name of the Lord.

 

Mantra Yoga is an exact science. "Mananat trayate iti mantrah - by the manana (constant thinking or recollection) of which one is protected or is released from the round of births and deaths, is mantra." That is called mantra by the meditation (manana) on which the jiva or the individual soul attains freedom from sin, enjoyment in heaven and final liberation, and by the aid of which it attains in full the fourfold fruit (chaturvarga), i.e., dharma, artha, kama and moksha. A mantra is so called because it is achieved by the mental process. The first syllable of the word mantra comes from root 'man' meaning 'to think' and 'tra' from 'trai' meaning 'to protect' or 'free' from the bondage of samsara or the phenomenal world.

 

The mantra is a mass of radiant tejas or energy. Mantra awakens supernatural powers. A mantra is divinity. It is divine power or daiva sakti manifesting in a sound body. The mantra itself is devata (deity).

 

Sounds are vibrations. They give rise to definite forms. Each sound produces a form in the invisible world, and combinations of sound create complicated shapes. Thus repeated singing of the name of the Lord builds up gradually the form of the devata or the special manifestation of the deity whom you seek to worship, and this acts as a focus to concentrate the benign influence of the divine being, which radiating from the centre, penetrates the worshipper.

 

The repetition of the panchakshara mantra, 'Om Namah Sivaya' produces the form of Lord Siva. The repetition of 'Om Namo Narayanaya,' the ashtakshara mantra of Vishnu, produces the form of Vishnu.

 

There is the dictum of the Mimamsa philosophers that the gods do not exist apart from the mantras (Mantratmako devah). This really means that when a particular mantra appropriated to a particular god is properly recited, the vibrations so set up create in the higher planes a special form which that God en-souls for the time being.

 

The sacred mantra or the divine name is a vital symbol of the supreme divinity directly revealed in the innermost depths of divine communion to the sages of Self-realisation in the hoary Vedic and Upanishadic times.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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