Sunday, September 28, 2008

An offense committed against the sadhus who have become one with Lord Krishna and who look at all with an even eye, certainly recoils soon on the offender

 
Nama Article 29th September 2008
 

An offense committed against the sadhus who have become one with Lord Krishna and who look at all with an even eye, certainly recoils soon on the offender.

 

Source: Vaishnava Samhita

 

Some diabolical Kaapalikas were desrirous of slaying the acharya and hence they approached him to make him offer his body to Shri Rudra.

 

The Kaapalikas said:

 

Is it not true that you have no attachment to this perishable body? For, you know well that the Aatma (the soul) is immortal and the physical body is mortal.

 

Hence, Oh! Shankar! Please make this body an offering to Shri Rudra. We long to obtain magical powers by making a human sacrifice to Shri Rudra.

 

Shri Shankara replied:

 

Let it be so. When I knowing the Aatma, become oblivious of this physical body which is the home to all sorrows and get deeply rooted in the samadhi state then you can make an offering of my body to Lord Shiva.

 

What joy is there for me in this physical body? In reality I am existing as the Supreme Soul that is Immortal and All-Pervading.

 

Shri Sadguru Continued:

 

Having spoken thus, the Jagadguru (the universal preceptor) concentrated on the Truth, `I am the Supreme Soul'. Deeply immersed in meditation he reached the samadhi state and then the turiya state and became oblivious of the three worlds and totally unconscious of his physical existence.

 

At that time the wicked Kaapalikas approached Shri Shankara with their lips quivering in anger and with all excitement, holding the sword to kill him.

 

The very moment Bhagavan Shri Narasimha (Lord Vishnu in the human form with the head of a lion), the slayer of the wicked and the Protector of His devotees entered into the body of Shri Padmapada.

 

 

He had once tore to pieces the demon Hiranyakashipu impelled by His love for Prahlada. He killed the wicked now too, just as Garuda tears a snake into pieces.

 

Astunded all the disciples ran towards Shri Shankara. Shankara regained consciousness and prayed to Lord Purushottama.

 

Thus, an offense committed against the sadhus who have become one with Lord Krishna and who look at all with an even eye, certainly recoils soon on the offender.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Honour or dishonour, happiness or distress whatever befalls a Vaishnava he should remember Lord Hari and accept them all.

Nama Article 28th September 2008
 

Vaishnava Samhita: Vol. I, Book 2 Chp 24 Shloka 1

 

Avamaanepi Sammane Sukhe Duhkhepi Vaishnavah

Pashyatyeva Hareh Leelaam Gunadoshau Na Pashyati

 

Honour or dishonour, happiness or distress whatever befalls a Vaishnava he should remember Lord Hari and accept them all.

 

He should not think that other people are responsible for them and hence praise them or blame them.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Friday, September 26, 2008

Even while involved in service in this way we should keep doing japa without giving it up. It was in this manner that Hanuman worked tirelessly for Rama.

Nama Article 27th September 2008
 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

More than glorifying the Guru or live with the Guru serving him just as Lakshmana did living alongside Rama we should, just as Bharata who held Rama's words in great respect and ruled the Kingdom, take all effort to fulfill our Guru's 'lakshya' (aim) and desire. This is what I truly desire.

 

Even while involved in service in this way we should keep doing japa without giving it up. It was in this manner that Hanuman worked tirelessly for Rama. He also performed incessant Rama japa. We should also be like this.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Divine Name is pregnant with a great power to transform the world. It can create light where there is darkness, love where there is hate, order where there is chaos, and happiness where there is misery.

Nama Article 24th September 2008
 

As Ramdas had attained realization by taking to uninterrupted chanting of the divine name Ram, coupled with contemplation of the attributes of God, he always extolled the virtue of nama-japa in Sadhana. Based upon personal experience, Ramdas assured all seekers that nama-japa would lead them to the supreme heights of realization of one's oneness with the Almighty.

 

On the power of the Divine Name he has this to say: "The Divine Name is pregnant with a great power to transform the world. It can create light where there is darkness, love where there is hate, order where there is chaos, and happiness where there is misery.

 

The Name can change the entire atmosphere of the world from one of bitterness, ill will and that of mutual love, goodwill and trust. For the Name is God Himself. To bring nearer the day of human liberation from the sway of hatred and misery, the way is the recognition of the supremacy of God over all things and keeping the mind in tune with the Universal by the chanting of the Divine Name."


Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan : 

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

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the sheer mention of your great name

Nama Article 23rd September 2008
 
Source: Hanuman Chalisa - Sant Tulaidas

Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai

Mahavir jab naam sunavai

All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the sheer mention of your great name, O'Mahaveer!!

Nase rog harai sab peera

Japat nirantar Hanumant beera

All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly Shri Hanuman's holy name.

Sankat se Hanuman chudavai

Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai

Those who remember Shri Hanuman in thought, words and deeds with Sincerity and Faith, are rescued from all crises in life.

Sub par Ram tapasvee raja

Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja

You are the foremost among devotees of Lord Ram and You make all difficult tasks

very easy

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan : 

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

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Continuously chant the Nama -- as much as you can, whenever you can and leave the rest to Him. He will take care of you

Nama Article 20th September 2008
 
 

I seem to understand that everything else except Nama is immaterial in this world. However I am not able to concentrate on my chanting for a long period of time.

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

Continuously chant the Nama -- as much as you can, whenever you can and leave the rest to Him. He will take care of you.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Friday, September 19, 2008

Paramahamsa Yogananda often said, "Chanting is half the battle."

Nama Article 19th September 2008
 
Source: How to Meditate - John Novak
 
Paramahamsa Yogananda often said, "Chanting is half the battle."
 

Chanting is one of the best ways to awaken spiritual fervour. We will make little progress in the spiritual path until we can direct the natural love of the heart towards God. Chanting also helps direct and focus the mind.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Power of Faith! Story of a Hunter, who ceaselessly with a single pointed focus, with all other thoughts removed from mind, had the vision of Lord.

Nama Article 18th September 2008
 

Power of Faith!

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

"Padmapada Acharya" was one of the four disciples of Sri Adi Shankara. An incident in his life demonstrates the power of faith.

 

Once, when he was a young boy, he was called "Sanandana" and was instructed a "Manthra (Divine Name)" on Lord Narasimha by a sage and was told on recitation of that "Manthra" he can get the darshan of Lord Narasimha Swami. On the desire of seeing the lord, he entered into a cave in a forest and started chanting the "Manthra" repeatedly.

 

There came a hunter who felt pity for the young boy and advised him to go back home as it was dangerous to be alone in the forest. He asked the boy "what are you searching for in this forest?" The boy replied "I am searching for an animal" thinking its difficult to describe about seeking God to the hunter.

 

The hunter replied "Which animal you want, I can catch any animal as I have been living in this forest for about 40 years." The boy replied "No, you cannot catch the animal I am looking for. It has human body and lion head and it is very ferocious to catch and it is called Narahari". Though the hunter was perplexed by the description of the animal, he believed in that young boys words and promised him "I have not seen such animal ever. But you being a pious person I believe you will speak only truth. So I will catch that animal by sunset, else I will die". Sanandana was sure that hunter could not be successful in his effort.

 

The hunter went searching and his mind was totally obsessed about that "Human body and lion face" and had no other thought. He was shouting "Narahari, Narahari" all the time. The animal was elusive to him and it was about to sunset. To keep up the promise he decided to hang himself up with a rope. He was about to pull the noose, there appeared that "Animal". His joy knew no bounds. He tied the "Animal" with the same noose and rushed to "Sanandana".

 

He shouted from outside the cave "Oh pious person! Come and see the animal you are looking for. I have trapped it". The boy came out and saw just the rope not the "Animal". He told the same to the hunter. Hunter was perplexed and whacked the "Animal", it set out a huge roar. Sanadana was awestruck and hugged the hunter and fell on his feet.

 

Then there came an "Ashariri" (Divine voice), "Oh Sanandana, when you search for me ceaselessly with a single pointed focus of reaching me, with all other thoughts removed from your mind, like this hunter did, you can get my darshan. Time is not yet ripe for you to reach me . However your devotion has enabled you to hear my voice. I promise you that I will come to your rescue whenever you call me. Now go back to your town and wait for your Guru. He will show you the path". Sanandana prostrated in the direction of voice and followed the advise.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

My mind wanders, but still the mouth chants Mahamantra. Will there be any effect?......Definitely. Continue it. You will experience the bliss by yourself.

Nama Article 17th September 2008
 

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

 

While chanting the Mahamantra, my mind wanders, but still the mouth chants. Will there be any effect?

  

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji:

 

Definitely. Continue it. You will experience the bliss by yourself.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The object of congregational prayers and Bhajans is to develop broadness of vision.....It is the spirit of brotherhood that takes the aspirant nearer God

Nama Article 11th September 2008
 

Swami Papa Ramdas

 

The object of congregational prayers and Bhajans is to develop broadness of vision and expand the heart so that it may embrace all people as members of a common family. It is the spirit of brotherhood that takes the aspirant nearer God. So long as a human being is obsessed by egoism, thus making him feel that he is an individual separate from the world existence, he lives, as it were, in a mental prison shutting out the light, power, and joy of the Divine.

 

When devotees sing the Name and glories of God together or sit in a prayerful attitude and in meditation of the Supreme Being, they should transcend the physical limitations and rise to the divine ecstasy which dissolves all distinctions and grants them the knowledge of their identity with the Highest.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

When its recitation commences with the Divine Name Hari and concludes with the same, it is a clear and significant indication that the essence of all Vedas is about chanting the Divine Name of Hari.

Nama Article 10th September 2008
 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

The Divine Name Hari is the essence of all Vedas. In fact, all Veda parayanam begins with this name of the Lord - "Hari: Om"-and ends with it too. Anyone who recites the Vedas, irrespective of his sector denomination, invariably commences the exercise with the aforesaid prelude and concludes also with the same.

 

Why should this be so?

 

Scholars say that matters mentioned in the beginning and the end ("upakramam and upasamharam") of any work, are a fair indication of the contents of the same.

 

When its recitation commences with the Divine Name Hari and concludes with the same, it is a clear and significant indication that the essence of all Vedas is about chanting the Divine Name of Hari.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Monday, September 8, 2008

The dumb cannot explain the taste of the sugar he tastes. Likewise the one who is immersed in the Divine bliss will not be able to explain the eternal happiness being experienced

Nama Article 9th September 2008
 

Sant Kabir

अकथ कहानी प्रेम की, कहता कही नहिं जाई।
गूंगा के रि सरकरा, खाय औ मुसुकाई।

 

The dumb cannot explain the taste of the sugar he tastes. Likewise the one who is immersed in the Divine bliss will not be able to explain the eternal happiness being experienced.

 

Sri Sri Muralidharaswamji says;

 

The benefits of chanting the Divine Name and the taste one could experience out of it cannot be explained in words.

 

Rather than speak at length about the greatness of the divine name, prove it by chanting.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

One should constantly repeat the names of God irrespective of any activity that he might be involved in

Nama Article 8th September 2008
 

One should constantly repeat the names of God irrespective of any activity that he might be involved in.

 

Every moment of our life that is spent without the thought of God is indeed a waste.

 

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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

Thursday, September 4, 2008

If you light a piece of camphor, it produces a bright flame; but after a while, both camphor and flame disappear.....When one receives the grace of a saint, His ego-consciousness dissolves; eventually, leading to a state of Eternal bliss

Nama Article 5th September 2008

 

Haripath - Sant Gnyaneshwar

 

Meaning

 

When one receives the grace of a saint, His ego-consciousness dissolves; eventually, leading to a state of Eternal bliss.

 

If you light a piece of camphor, it produces a bright flame; but after a while, both camphor and flame disappear.

 

He joins the company of saints, becomes a devotee of Hari and engages in the pursuit of final emancipation. One who comes under the influence of a saint has arrived at the gates of Liberation; He will attain all glory.

 

Jnanadev says: I delight in the company of the saints! It is due to their grace that I see Hari everywhere In the jungle, in the crowds, and also in myself.

 

Transliteration

 

saadhubodha jhaalaa to nuroniyaa.n Thelaa . Thaayii.ncha muraalaa anubhave.n .. 1..

kaapuraachii vaatii ujaLalii jyotii . Thaayii.ncha samaaptii jhaalii jaisii .. 2..

moxarekhe.n aalaa bhaagye vinaTalaa . saadhuuchaa a.nkilaa haribhakta .. 3..

GYaanadevaa goDii sa.ngatii sajjanii.n . hari dise janii.n aatmatattvii.n .. 4..

 

Abhang

 

साधुबोध झाला नुरोनिया ठेला ।

ठायीच मुराला अनुभवे ॥ १ ॥

कापुराची वाती उजळली ज्योति ।

ठायीच समाप्ती झाली जैसी ॥ २ ॥

मोक्षरेखे आला भाग्ये विनटला ।

साधूंचा अंकिला हरिभक्‍त ॥ ३ ॥

ज्ञानदेवा गोडी संगती सज्जनी ।

हरि दिसे जनी वनी आत्मतत्त्वी ॥ ४ ॥

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

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