UNFOLDING THE GLORY OF SRI RAMA
ARVIND K.PANDEY
Effect Of Chanting Rama Nama
Chanting the Name of Rama is the only way out in this Age of Kali!
if one cannot do even this (simple thing) one is completely doomed!
Repeated chanting of the Name of Rama enhances prosperity! — sweetens the tongue, too!
it purifies all - from the common man to the scholar!
It is the Name that Lord Siva and His Consort Parvati chant!
that removes sorrow and bestows peace!
Chanting the Name of Rama, Hanuman crossed the ocean! — and, lifted the mountain!
mountain sized sorrows melt away like the fog!
Chanting the Name of Rama, Sabari attained Liberation!
the Name and the Named are not different!
there is no barrier for chanting the Name of Rama!
all barriers are removed as one repeatedly chants the Name of Rama!
Source: http://www.namadwaar.org/articles/ramanama.html
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NEVER FORGET THE GLORY OF SITARAMA
Once Saint Thyagaraja sang a song
extolling the mighty power of Rama “But
for the power of Rama, could a mere
monkey cross the mighty ocean? Would
Lakshmi Devi, the goddess of wealth,
become his consort? Would Lakshmana
worship him? Would the intelligent
Bharata offer his salutations to him? But
for the mighty power of Rama, would all
this happen? Indeed, Rama’s power is
beyond all description.”
There is no Amruta (Divine ambrosia)
greater than Rama’s Name. Today people
have forgotten Nama Chinthana
(contemplating on the Divine Name).
They repeat the names of cinemas, but do
not repeat God’s Name. That is why the
country is facing hardships. The educated,
intellects and scientists do not think of
God at all. Some people deem it below
their dignity to apply Vibhuti on their
foreheads. They have it on their foreheads
when they are at home and rub it off the
moment they step outside. This has
become a fashion! Why should one be
afraid of chanting God’s Name? Let
people talk as they like. You don’t need to
be afraid. Spread the glory of Rama’s
Name in every nook and corner of the
world. You can chant any Name of your
choice - Rama, Krishna, Govinda, Siva,
etc. As people have forgotten the Divine
Name, every home is in turmoil. There are
conflicts even among brothers. As there is
no purity within, unsacred feelings have
crept in. People are running after money
and power. Can money and power give
you protection? You find so many in this
world who have plenty of money and are
occupying positions of authority. Are they
able to enjoy peace and happiness? No,
no. Only the Divine Name can grant you
peace and happiness. One who neglects
God’s Name is bound to be ruined.
The letter ‘Ma’ is the life force of the Siva
Panchakshari Mantra Om Namah Sivaya. If
‘Ma’ is removed from this, it reads as Na
Sivaya, meaning inauspicious. Likewise, the
letter ‘Ra’ is the life-force of the
Ashtakshari Mantra Om Namo Narayanaya.
The life-force of the Panchakshari Mantra
‘Ma’, and that of the Ashtakshari Mantra
‘Ra’ together have formed the Divine
Name RAMA.
Source: http://sathyasai.org/discour/2002/d020421.pdf
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NEVER HAVE FALSE IMPRESSIONS
I just want to briefly narrate here an interesting anecdote that happened during the coronation (Pattaabhisehkam) ceremony of Sri Rama after His return to Ayodhya from the 14 years of “vanavas” (living in forest)
All were busy on the coronation day revealing their extreme happiness. Sri Rama was seated with Sita on the throne with Angathan (son of Vaali who was killed by Sri Rama) standing on one side with a drawn sword and on the back was standing Bharatha holding an umbrella above the head of Sri Rama. There was Vasishta Maha Rishi preparing for the Yaga for the incoronation.
As the coronation ceremony started, all those who had a look at Lakshmana were awe struck. Lakshmana was looking at the ceremony with his eyes wide open, and with his mouth slightly open and with a sarcastic smile on his face. Everyone was visibly upset, for, Lakhsmana, everyone knew was the most vociferous in trying to get the throne for Sri Rama and how anxiously he awaited this day of coronating Sri Rama. Now looking at Lakshmana’s posture like this, every one in the Mantapa (hall) made his/her own interpretation for the sarcastic smile worn on the face of Lakshmana.
Vasishta Rishi thought like this:
“Oh, after consulting the Almanac, I fixed the date of coronation 14 yearsback and the coronation did not take place, and so many calamities took place thereafter. Now, I have again fixed the date for coronation. So he is making mockery of me.”
Vaali’s son Angathan interpreted Lakshmana’s sarcastice smile this:
” He is mocking at me because I am holding the raised sword in the service of Rama who killed my father”
Bharatan intepreted the smile like this:
“Lakshmana is scoffing at me probably because that even though I had theAyodhya Kingdom in my hand I did not hold on to it and instead holding theumbrella to Rama.”
And Sita thought:
“He must be mocking at me because, I am not worthy of sitting on this throne having been Ravana’s captive for a year in Lanka.”
And what did Sri Rama, the Avathaar in human form think of Lakshmana:
“Lakshmana must be wondering how I deserve to sit on this throne having asked Sita to prove to the whole world that she was “pathiviratha” by entering into Agni (Fire), after she was released from the capitivity of Ravana.”
Thus every one made his/her own interpretation to Lakshmana’s sarcastic smile and in a chorus shouted “Lakshmana! Why are you smiling sarcastically like this?”
Lakshmana suddenly jumped up hearing the calls of all, and profusely apologised to every one for his behaviour, explaining the reason therefore.
At the time when Sri Rama was made to go to the forest for 14 years, Lakshmana made a vow that he also would accompany Sri Rama to the forest and stay with him for all the 14 years, then bring him back safely and make him the King of Ayodhya which would be his sole purpose of living and until that was achieved he would not sleep. Lakshmana was well known for his unflinching devotion to his brother Sri Rama
On the first night in the forest, he was standing in vigil outside the”Parnashalai” (hut) where Sri Rama and Sita were asleep. He started feeling sleepy. He tried his best to drive away his sleep but could not. Immediately he invoked “Nithra Devi” (goddess of sleep), and getting her darshan told her his vow and prayed to her not come near him for these 14 years.” She said she had to do her duty but since Lakshmana was on a special divine mission, she allowed him to go without sleep for the fourteen years but on one condition that she would sweep on him any time she pleased thereafter and he should not stop her. Lakshmana agreed and also promised to co-operate with her.
Accordingly when every one was busy in the coronation celebration, NitraDevi suddenly announced to Laskhmana that she was going to make him sleep. Lakshmana requested her to allow him to witness the coronation and thereafter he would go into sleep for any period. Nithra Devi however, did not listen to him but gave him a concession that his eyes would remain open and everyone would be thinking that he was awake but actually he would be asleep. Because of Nithra Devi Lakshmana was actually asleep, even though he looked wide awake and because he was asleep he had that sarcastic smile on his face.
When Lakhsmana thus explained the reason for his apparently strange behaviour and sought the forgiveness, every one burst into tears including Sri Rama and embraced him seeking his forgiveness for having misunderstood him.
So the disease of misunderstanding others has been prevalent from time immemorial and even the Avathars were not left untouched by this disease.
Let us always think noble of other’s actions. If at all we have to pass judgements.
Let us make thorough enquiries and then only pass the judgements and just as thumb rule.
V. Krishnan
Source:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/7153/lakshmana.html
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