Nama Japam or Nama Sankeerthanam is the repitition of nama (name) of the Almighty. This is one of the time-tested, easiest ways of Bhakti yoga. The devotee chooses Ishta-deva or Ishta devata (Sanskrit iṣṭa-deva(tā), literally "cherished divinity" from iṣṭa "desired, liked, cherished" and devatā "godhead, divinity," or deva "deity") and picks up a name of the Ishta deva to repeatedly chant the name vocally or in mind anytime, anywhere. Devotees can form a group and do sankeerthanam or singing together of name of the Almighty. Bhajans are one way of singing the glories of Almighty, thereby contemplating only on the Almighty. Nama Japa, Sankeerthanam, Bhajans all result only in one thing - sublimation of one's super-ego to ego-less. Nama sankeerthanam, helps the devotees identify themselves with their deity of adoration, ultimately resulting in culmination into Paramatman. Many Hindu scritpures and philosphers could portend the difficulties people will face, to evolve spiritually in Kali yuga. For Kali yuga, this is the best, or the simplest way of God Realization. The prevailing situations and surroundings we are in, do not help us to meditate peacefully, do the yogas as enshrined in the spiritual scriptures. Hence Nama Japam is the ultimate, and simplest way of seeing Almighty in us and in everything. The Almighty has mentioned in Srimad Bhagawad Gita, that He resides in the hearts of those who chant and sing His namas. Rama Nama Mahima:
Of all namas of the Almighty, Rama nama is considered to be ideal for nama japam. Shiva (Purusha) and Shakthi (Prakriti) are the manifestations of one Antharyami. Of all the many avatars or avatāra (Devanagari अवतार, Sanskrit) of Antharyami, the maryadha purushothama, Sri Rama's name, had remainined easy and beautiful source for spiritual enlightenment or moksha (Sanskrit: मोक्ष mokṣa) or mukti (Sanskrit: मुक्ति). Rama's name is more potent than Rama Himself had been exemplified in many instances of great devotees' lives. Valmiki, just by repeatedly uttering 'Ma-Ra' (not even Ra-ma), could create the greatest epic Ramayanam. Hanuman, who is a Shiva swaroopa, just by doing Rama nama japam could cross seas, fight rakshasas, monsters, carry Sanjeevani parvatham, could save Rama and Lakshmana from Mahiravana, could become Chiranjeevin. Hanuman, Samarth Ramdas, Tulasidas, Kabirdas, Thyagaraja, Ramadasu, Sai Baba, Papa Ramdas, Gandhi, Yogi Ramsuratkumar are some of the greatest devotees who believed in Sri Rama Japam and could do wonders on their own right, speaks volumes on Nama Japam. Though the Almighty has thousands of names (sahasranama), Rama nama japam is ideal for everyone. The name Ra-ma is combination of MaheshwaRa-Maheshwari, denoting one Almighty, who is Ardhanarishvara (Sanskrit: अर्धनारीश्वर, Ardhanārīśvara), who is the single entity of Shiva (Purusha) and Shakthi (Prakriti), one who pervades everything - known and unknown - Antharyami. Even breathing of all the living beings signify Ra-ma. Purusha (absolute consciousness) / Maheshwa'Ra', initiates the living-beings to use the life force Prakriti (absolute energy) / 'Ma'heshwari. During inhalation and exhalation, both Shiva and Shakthi are in union, or co-exist, so life exists. When we do Rama nama japam, we do Pranayama, or conscious breathing, focussing on 'Ra-ma' (Inhalation/Exhalation), leading to God-realization.
* In Brhad-visnu-sahasranama-stotra, Uttara-khanda, Padma Purana 72.335, Lord Shiva addressed his wife, Parvati:
sri rama rama rameti rame rame manorame; sahasra nama tat tulyam rama nama varanane
"O Varanana (lovely-faced woman), I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama and thus constantly enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Ramachandra is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu." In Vedic Sanskrit RA=2; Ma=5; 2*5*2*5*2*5=1000 (RAMa RAMa RAMaeti). Hence, chanting RAMa 3 times is equal to 1000 nama of
Sri VishnuVishnu Sahasranama, the 1000 names describe the Antharyamin - RAMA, or RAMA the maryadha-purushotoma has 1000 attributes described in Vishnu Sahasranama. Paramacharyal (former Kanchi Kamakoti Peetathipathi), Sri Chandrasekhara Swamigal, has said:
"There are two powerful 'araka Namas'. All mantras have to be prefixed with Aum for obtaining the benefits of those mantras, whereas there is no need to prefix Aum when the name 'Ram' is recited because the name itself is 'Tarka Namam' "
Divine poet, composser and singer Tyagaraja, who recited Rama Nama, 960 million times and had His darshan, has said:
"The life letter of the five letter word 'Nama Sivaya' is 'MA'. Similarly the life letter (Jeevaksharam) of the eight letter word 'Narayanaya' is "RA". It is the combination of these two aksharas (letters) that produced the nama 'RAMA'." Rama is the maryadha purushothama, one who is revered for being the IDEAL KARMA YOGI. Rama lived to show us how to lead a Dharmic life of Principles. Rama has an IDEAL devotee in Hanuman. Hanuman shows us how to be an IDEAL DEVOTEE. SitaRama resides in Hanuman's heart. He should be our GURU for this and all the ages to come, and ...no one else. For Hanuman is one of the seven Chiranjeevins, who is still living in this earth. If Hanuman is Chiranjeevin, and if Antharyamin resides in His heart, RAMA is now in this world!! Why do we need other gurus of this age??!! Keep chanting RA (whilst breathing in) and MA (whilst breathing out). When we do this consciously, this becomes Pranayama. As long as we live we will breathe, we will chant RAMA and remember HIM all our life. Our life remains in constant rememberance of the MaheshwaRAMAheshwari (Antharyamin). Have complete faith, Hanuman (Guru), who is a daya swaroopa, will surely take us to MaheshwaRAMAheshwari (Antharyamin).
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ராம நாமம் சொல்வதே கலியில் கதியாம்!
அதையும் மறந்தால் அதோ கதியாம்!
ராம நாமம் சொல்ல சொல்ல நன்மை பெருகுமே! - நாவும் இனிக்குமே!
பாமரன் முதல் பண்டிதன் வரை புனிதம் ஆக்குமே!
சிவனும் பார்வதியும் சொல்லும் நாமமாம்!
கவலையை போக்கி சாந்தி நல்குமாம்!
ராம நாமம் சொல்லி அனுமன் கடலைத் தாண்டினான்! - மலையை தூக்கினான்!
மலை போன்ற கவலையும் பனி போல் விலகுமாம்!
ராம நாமம் சொல்லி சபரி முக்தி எய்தினாள்!
நாமமும் நாமியும் வேறு வேறு இல்லவே இல்லையாம்!
ராம நாமம் சொல்வதற்கு எந்த தடையும் இல்லையாம்!
சொல்ல சொல்லச் தடைகள் எல்லாம் தானே விலகுமாம்!
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Every other mantra in our scriptures have their own names. Rama Nama is the only Mantra that is called 'Taraka Mantra'. The word 'taraka' means the one that helps us cross. It helps us cross the ocean of 'samsara'. It helps us cross the cycles of birth and death. Our ancient Sages and Rishis have glorified the Rama Nama. Rama Nama gets exactly the same importance in Saguna Upasana (worshipping the Absolute Truth as a Being with a form) as does the Pranava ('Om') Mantra in
Nirguna Upasana (worshipping the Absolute Truth as formless). Rishi Manu shows that the Rama Nama has links to all the other mantras that ever exist. In Syavana Smriti (Syavana is the name of a rishi), Syavana says that the Rama Nama is the essence of all the Vedas, Shastras, Itihasas and Puranas. Sage Vasishta meditated on the Rama Nama for quite a long time. Hence he wanted to name the Almighty with the same Mantra that he had chanted. The Yoga Connection
In the philosophy of the Yoga, 'Ra' is considered the 'Mooladhara' (the point of origin of the power of Kundalini) and 'Ma' is the 'Sahasrara' (the destination) . Hence, when the Rama Nama is chanted in the right tone and manner, the serpent power rises and hits the head or the 'kapala' Thus, by merely chanting the
Rama Nama, one can become a Yogi. Shiva's family Mantra
We are all aware of the story of the competition between Lord Ganesha and Subramanya on who will get the divine fruit. Lord Subramanya, angry that the
fruit was not given to him, went to Palani. In order to appease his anger, the competition was conducted again, when Muruga diligently circumambulated his parents on his peacock at great speed. Ganesha, on his part, wrote 'RAMA' on the sand and circumambulated it, as that is equivalent of going around the whole world! Pleased, Siva honoured him by crowning him the leader of all his minions - the 'bhoota ganas' and thus he acquired the name 'Ganapathy' and 'Gana Nayaka'
In Vishnu Sahasranamam, Lord Siva asks Parvati to chant the Rama Nama all the time. A good teacher is the one who practices what he preaches. It is obvious
that Siva, being the Supreme Guru, (Jagadguru) Himself chants the Rama Nama. When parents do something noble, would not the son follow the same? Lord Subramanya and Ganesha chant the Rama Nama always. That is verily their 'Kula Mantra'. The 'sthala purana' of Kasi says that the deity Kasi Viswanatha initiates the Rama Nama to each and every being at the time of their death, in their right ear.The Lord Dhakshinamurthy observes silence because He doesn't want to waste any time without chanting the Rama Nama. The Sun God ever chants the Rama Nama as he is proud that Sri Rama came in his dynasty. The Devatas' favorite
Sage Vishwamitra took Sri Rama and Lakshmana to the forests for 'yagna samrakshana' (protecting their fire austerities from the demons). Out of the boundless love for Sri Rama, Viswamnitra wanted to gift Him something. A sage that he was, he had no worldly possessions, nevertheless, he had performed abundance of austerities. He had penanced for a very long time on the 33 crore 'Devatas' with mantras for each of them. He initiated Sri Rama with these Mantras. Ramayana is filled with instances where merely the Name 'Rama' has solved so many miseries and disentangled so many situations. One Name for all Gods
Generally people can be divided into two broad categories: the Shaivites, who worship Lord Shiva as the supreme, and the Vaishnavites, who worship Lord
Vishnu and His forms as the the supreme Being. The most significant Mantra for any Vaishnavite is the 'Ashtakshari' (it contains eight letters in sanskrit) mantra 'Om Namo Narayana' . The chief among the Mantras for the Shaivites is the Panchakshari (5 lettered) mantra, 'Om Nama Shivaya'. Without the letter 'ra', 'Narayana' would read as 'Nayana' that means one without a way ('gati'); without the letter 'ma', 'Namasivaya' would read as 'Nasivaya' that means inauspicious. So the jiva akshara (life giving letters) 'Ra' and 'Ma' of these two Mantras are put together to form the Rama Nama! Anyone chanting this Divine Name thus worships both Shiva and Vishnu at the same time.
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The meaning of Chanting
Chanting means repeating the Name of God. It is the most convenient spiritual practice. As per the science of Spirituality, chanting the Name of God, is the foundation of spiritual practice in the current era. FHA founder, His Holiness Dr. Jayant Athavale once asked the following question to His Guru, His Holiness Bhaktaraj Maharaj (Baba), regarding meditation and chanting. His Holiness Dr. Jayant Athavale: Out of the spiritual practices of meditation and chanting, which is superior? Baba: Chanting is superior due to the following reasons:
Continuity of spiritual practice: Meditation [super conscious state (samādhi)] is not continuous but chanting can occur continuously. In order to blend with The Infinite Principle continuous spiritual practice is essential. The true 'waking state' [Self-realisation (ātmānubhūtī)]: The seeker comes to the waking state from the state of meditation since there is an attraction to the gross dimension. On the contrary the one chanting is continuously in the 'waking state', that is in a way he is in a continuous state of meditation! Attraction to the gross dimension: Attraction to the gross dimension is due to impressions on the subconscious mind. During meditation there is only suppression and not annihilation of the tendencies of the subconscious mind. However with chanting annihilation occurs to a major extent. Surfacing of subtle thoughts: Keeping the mind thoughtless means not paying attention to the outside or inside. This is incorrect as in this state subtle impressions do surface at sometime or the other. However, when one concentrates on the Name, subtle impressions do not surface. Hence, chanting God's Name is superior to a thoughtless mind. Spiritual experiences and the spiritual level: The spiritual experiences in meditation are not indicative of one's spiritual level whereas those in chanting God's Name are indicative of it. True and false spiritual experiences: The spiritual experiences obtained through chanting are real as the one chanting has blended with the Name. On the other hand the experience of the null state obtained in meditation is illusory as here only dissolution of the mind has occurred. The corpse-like state (mrutāvasthā) and the state of divine consciousness (Chaitanyāvasthā): Meditation gives the experience of the corpse-like state while with chanting one gets the experience of Divine consciousness (Chaitanya). Ego: In the Path of Meditation (Dhyānyoga) the ego persists due to subtle thoughts like 'I do meditation,' 'I returned to the waking state from the super conscious state (samādhi),' etc. However in chanting, due to the spiritual emotion that the Guru is instrumental in getting the chanting done through oneself, not only does the ego of spiritual practice not develop, on the contrary it undergoes dissolution. The artificial and the natural states: Meditation is an artificial state whereas through chanting of God's Name the natural state of communion with God (sahajāvasthā) is attained. Chanting God's Name: The supreme spiritual practice.
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"Apadam-apahartaram dataram sarva sampadam; Lokabhiramam Sri Ramam bhuyo bhuyo namamyaham"
I prostrate myself, again and again, before Sri Rama, the Saviour from all calamities, the Giver of all prosperity, the Delight of the world." Such is the glory of Rama Namam. It bestows on one the beatitude of Absolute Independence or Kaivalya. But Rama Namam should not be used for the sake of obtaining worldly ends. Rama Namam is the saviour of man from the afflictions of mortality itself. It raises man from all penury and exalts him to the status of an undaunted sovereign over himself. Why do you use a gun to destroy a mosquito? Rama Namam can cure the disease of Samsara itself; what to speak of lesser wants and turmoils. Therefore, use Rama Namam as a Moksha Mantra and not as a servant to fetch you the glittering glass-pieces shining in the form of the objects of the world. Ram Nam is the guardian in your body, protecting you at all times against all attacks, preserving your purity and virtue, and warding off the inimical urges of desire, passion and anger. The repetition of the Mantra should be done with Bhava or deep feeling. A tremendous effect is produced when repetition of the name is attended with a consciousness of the relation of the chanter to the deity of the Name. This, however, does not mean that a mechanical repetition of the Mantra without feeling is absolutely devoid of all beneficial results. The Name is potent enough to cause a change in the psychological and the physical being of man even when it is mechanically repeated. Ram Nam is a Mantra, and a Mantra is formed by significant letters, which by the very fact of their being uttered, produce a result, even if this result may not be directly connected with the consciousness of the chanter of the Mantra. There is a very peculiar process of physical and psychical transformation taking place at the time when the Mantra is repeated. Unconscious and mechanical repetition produces no direct psychical change, but causes biological change through the nervous system which is immediately influenced by the vibrations set up by the chanting of the Mantra, and these biological changes indirectly, bring about psychological changes; for these two natures in man are related to each other as effect and cause, respectively and the effects are so intimately related to their causes that any change in the effects will be felt by the causes, and vice versa.
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With or without knowledge, correctly or incorrectly, when the word ‘Rama’ is pronounced, it showers a rain of good upon the devotee. Rama is Brahman. Rama is the Self within. Rama-nama, chanting of Rama’s name, burns ignorance and passion. The mantra Om Shri Ramaya Namah is the anti-gossip tonic. When you find that you are wasting your time in gossip, repeat it several times. You can make up for the time lost, and the mind will be slowly weaned away from the habit of gossiping. The utterance of Rama-nama is a wish-fulfilling tree. It will bestow upon you whatever you want. Lord Shiva further says: “The seat of all good things, the destroyer of all impurities of this age of darkness, purer than purity itself, the food for the journey of aspirants on the path to salvation, their only resting place, the very life-breath of virtuous men, is the divine name of Shri Rama. So say the sages.”
The name of Lord Rama is the greatest purifier of the heart. It wipes away all one’s sins. Not only this, but it wipes away the sinful tendencies as well. Rama’s name is sweeter than the sweetest of objects. It is a haven of peace. It is the very life of pure souls. It is the purifier of all purifying agencies. It quenches the consuming fire of worldly desires. It awakens the knowledge of God. It bathes the aspirant in the ocean of divine bliss. Through Rama smarana, remembrance at all times, all attachments due to egoism will disappear. The surrendered devotee of Shri Rama knows no fear. He is full of self-bliss. Rama loves his lover, and thus the devotee is initiated into Rama-nama by Rama himself. Pingala was a ganika, prostitute. She obtained a parrot as a present from a thief. The parrot was trained to utter the words, ‘Shri Rama, Shri Rama’. Pingala knew nothing of Rama-nama. She heard the sound ‘Rama, Rama’ from the mouth of the parrot. It was very melodious and charming, and Pingala was much attracted to it. She fixed her mind on the Rama-nama uttered by the parrot and mysteriously entered into bhava samadhi, union with Rama. Recite his name, sing his glory and serve at his lotus feet. Enthrone in your heart Lord Rama of dark hue, whose image is reflected in the heart of Lord Shiva. Blessed is the pious soul who uninterruptedly drinks the nectar of Shri Rama’s name, which has been churned out of the ocean of the Vedas, which removes the impurities of the Kali Yuga, which lives constantly on the lips of Lord Shiva, which is a sovereign remedy for diseases of worldly existence and which is the life of Mother Sita.
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According to Brahma Vaivarta Purana...
विष्णुनारायणादीनि नामानि चामितान्यपि |
तानि सर्वाणि देवर्षे जानाति रामनामतः ||
Divine glories of all the Divine names like Vishnu, Narayana are all contained in the Divine Name of Rama
सर्वेषां हरिनाम्नां हि वैभवं रामनामतः |
ज्ञातुं मया विशेषेण तस्माच्छ्रीनाम सञ्जप ||
All glories of the Divine Names of Hari have emanated only from the Divine Name of Rama. No one can comprehend the glories of the Divine Name of Rama. All should Chant the Divine Name of Rama.
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A description of the glory of the Divine Name occurs in the Kalisantaranopansad. Saint NArada once approached Lord BrahmA and enquired how one could achieve salvation in the Kali age. BrahmA replied that one could do so by chanting the Divine Name. Saint NArada further enquired which name one should chant. Lord BrahmA suggested the following mantra - "Hare RAma, Hare RAma, RAma-RAma Hare-Hare, Hare Krshna, Hare Krshna, Krshna-Krshna Hare-Hare". Saint NAradafurther asked Him about the method of chanting to which the latter replied that there was no method of chanting as such. He simply told him that one could chant it at any time and in any condition. Now this is a 'Mantra' from the 'Upanishad' but... RAma, is very simple and easy. It is known as 'SAbara Mantra'. It is one of the numerous Mantras propounded by Lord Shiva. What is there in it? This 'SAbara Mantra' does not follow any rules of scansion. Whatever came from the mouth of Lord Shiva became a 'Mantra'. It is potent because Lord Shiva propounded it. The Divine Name is so efficacious. There are seven crores of such long bewildering 'Mantras'. But this simple Mantra consisting of just two letters RA Ma is the best of all. By chanting this 'MahAmantra' Lord Vishnu identified Himself with Lord Shiva. Not only that Kashi has been declared as the land dedicated to 'NAma-MahArAja' Lord Shiva has opened the door to salvation. Whosoever breathes his last in the holy city of KAsi attains salvation. Lord Shiva was able to do it on the strength of the Divine Name. lord Shiva Himself chants this holy 'Mantra'. In the AdhyAtma RAmAyana lord Shankara Himself tells Lord RAMa, "O Lord, I reside in KAsi with Goddess BhawAnI. I confer a gift of Your Divine Name upon those who are breathing their last in KAsI so that they may attain salvation". We too can chant the same holy name. How fortunate we are! How great its glory is! We, the creatures of Kali age can chant the name of the favorite God of Lord Shiva. It is all due to Divine grace. It is something very simple. Start chanting "RAMa, RAMa, RAMa"
RAM is a mixture of 2 sounds RA & OM. So the mantra is RAM. RA is the sound of the 3rd chakra and OM is the sound of the 6th chakra the 3rd eye (also the Guru center). While chanting RA try to concentrate on your navel center (3rd chakra) and then while chanting OM bring your attention to the 3rd eye (6th chakra). After a while of chanting you might feel energy moving up to the 3rd eye. If there are any health issues then bring the RAM mantra to that area of the body that is having this problem and let the solution come to you. You will get a solution come to you in some form. If there is any other problem that you are facing then let the mantra flow to that problem and watch for a solution. It will come to you. " Once Lord Rama asked Hanuman, "How do you contemplate on Me?" "At the physical level, You are my Master and I am Your servant. At the mental level, I am a spark of thy Divine Self. At the Atmic level, You and I are one," said Hanuman. Pleased with Hanuman’s reply, Lord Rama presented him with a pearl necklace, which was given to Mother Sita by her father, King Janaka, at the time of her marriage. Hanuman held this very valuable necklace in his hand, began to remove all the pearls one by one from the necklace, and kept it near his ear for some time and then after biting each one of them, threw them away. Sita was surprised to see Hanuman behaving thus. She thought that Hanuman had not given up his monkey traits. Rama knew the intention behind this act of Hanuman. However, in order to make Sita understand this, He asked, "Hanuman, why are you biting and throwing away such precious pearls?" Hanuman replied, "O Lord, I am examining whether I could listen to Your name in the pearls. Since I could not hear, I am throwing away. The pearl is no better than a stone if there is no Rama Nama in it. I want only You." Listening to this statement of Hanuman, Rama offered Himself by embracing Hanuman. The inner meaning of this is Rama is where Hanuman is and vice-versa. Hanuman is one who realized the unity of the individual and God. Consequently, Hanuman was always in a state of bliss. Hanuman is given various appellations such as Santhudu, Gunavanthudu, Balavantadu (one of peace, virtues and strength). He derived his strength from the Divine name of Lord Rama. Many people confine the Divine Name only to the lips but Hanuman chanted the name of Rama from the depth of his heart. "May we all come to recognize Lord Rama as our Master and serve Him in the attitude of His great devotee Sri Hanuman? May we ever revel in singing the holy name of our dear Lord Rama..." RAMA nama chanting on regular basis, you will notice that even without your volunteering it, the mantra goes on repeating itself at the back of your mind all the time - even when you are asleep. That is called "ajapa japam". Rama namam will take over controls of the dying person's thought process and he/she will die remembering the Almighty's name...
Always chant 'RAMA' like Rama Nama Prema Alaya Anjaneyaswamy...
