Guru and Namakirtan: These people who opine so should then be greater than the Nãyanmãrs (the 63 prime devotees of Lord Siva), Ãzhwãrs (the 12 prime devotees of Lord Vishnu) and the great people who have given us the Shastras!

Nama Article 11th June 2013

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

" Nãma kirtan and Nãma japam' - 'performance of these two are not sadhanãs to attain God. Dhyana, yoga and severe penance have to be performed for the attainment of God,' is the opinion of many people. These people who opine so should then be greater than the Nãyanmãrs (the 63 prime devotees of Lord Siva), Ãzhwãrs (the 12 prime devotees of Lord Vishnu) and the great people who have given us the Shastras!

When we look into the 'pathikams' (praises on Lord Siva) of Nãyanmãrs we find that they speak of the glory of 'Siva Nãma' in several places. The whole of the 'pathikams' contains only the glory of 'Nãma'. Only songs in praises of the Lord, oozing and melting with love (for the Lord) are found in these 'pathikams'. In the case of Ãzhwãrs' 'pãsurams' (praises on Lord Vishnu) also we find that they speak only on the greatness of 'Bhagavãn Nãma' (the Name of the Lord). The need to sing the praises of Bhagavãn is also spoken in them. Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi who advocated Atma vichara (Self-enquiry) to all has in many places spoken on the glory of doing japa of 'Bhagavan Nãma'.

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Let the one who cannot do Bhakti go out to do tapas!

What is there in this world that devotion to the Lord cannot do?

Man feels that only the most difficult is the highest, the most difficult way is the best way. This is a very wrong notion

That love, can sprout only by his grace. His grace descends when we chant the Mahamantra.

When can one earn Guru krupa? When God decides to bless a person, he receives Guru's grace. One has to be blessed with Bhakti; and that is blessed only by God/Guru.

Reciting the Divine Names of Lord Hari, one can overcome the most formidable delusion of mind.

There are many ways. But the simplest and the easiest way is by chanting the "Hare Rama.." Mahamantra.

They are for those who don't believe in simple prayers.

Bhagawan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal puts forth his findings in the following words, "Since it is so easy and simple, none takes to it!

Would it not amount to grave injustice if one shows a difficult path to the world?

God gives whatever is required (by His devotee), removes whatever is not needed, leads the devotee in the path suited to him/her; Since Bhagavãn takes utmost interest in the devotee's needs the latter will not earn/attain any 'siddhi'