For the bird in mid-ocean flying over the dark deep blue waters, the only resting place is the mast of a ship that sails across. In the same way, the Lord is the only refuge for man who is swept by storms over a restless sea. However far the bird may fly, it knows where it can rest; that knowledge gives it confidence. It has the picture of that mast steady in its mind; its form is fixed in the eye. The Name of the Lord is the mast for you; remember it even Associate it with the Form and have that Form fixed in the mind s eye. It is a Lamp shedding light in the recesses of your heart. Have the Name on the tongue and it will drive away the inner darkness as well as the outer. Peace within, brotherliness without---that is the sign of a person engaged in Namajapam (repeating the Name of the Lord).
The Name of the Lord has vast potentiality. Let me tell you an incident about this. Once Jnanadev and Namadev together walked across a forest tract, and both were afflicted with unbearable thirst. They discovered a well, but they found no rope or vessel with which they could draw the precious liquid within reach. It was a deep well with no steps and the water was far far beneath. Jnanadev, who had attained Brahmajnana (knowledge of the Supreme Being), identified himself with a bird that flew down the well and drank its fill. His thirst was quenched that way. Namadev called upon the Lord by name; the Lord answered, the water in the well rose; yes, rose, until he could reach it with his hands and slake his thirst. (SSS Vol.2)
A bar of iron sinks in water; but, beat it into a hollow vessel, and it will easily float and even carry some weight of things. So, too man’s mind, as it is, sinks easily in the sea of life; but beat it hollow, hammering it with the Name of the Lord, and a floats, unaffected by worry and sorrow; it can even help some others to see Light! (SSS Vol.2)
If you engage yourself in the constant meditation of the Name of the Lord, with devotion, humility and faith, the Lord will stand at the door of your Puuja room, awaiting your wish. Only, you should not allow your mind to waver. Genuine yearning will make your heart pure. (SSS Vol.2)
Where the singing of the Name of the Lord fills the air with its splendour and fragrance, that place indeed is Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu). (SSS Vol.2)
Do not get disheartened, if you do not progress in meditation. Utter the Name of the Lord, dwelling on the Glory and the Grace; that is equally effective. No one particular Name is necessary; all names denote only the One. The steadiness, the faith, the love that you cultivate in the heart and express through your words, deeds and thoughts are the essential requisites for
earning the Grace of God. (SSS Vol.12)
Man should chant the name of the Lord from the core of his heart and take refuge in the feet of the Lord. (SSS Vol.26)
The Name of God on your tongue will guide you
Whenever an idea of hurting others or taking someone else s belongings or spreading falsehood about others enters your mind, turn to God for help. Ask Him to give you strength, for all these ideas are born of fear and cowardice, qualities which in turn come from weakness. Repeat the name of God or hum a bhajan, and you will find that all your bad thoughts will flee, leaving you free from evil. (SSS Vol.14)
Resolve to be good and loving from this moment. Do your duties gladly and well, to the satisfaction to your well-wishers. If you feel sorry for the wrongs you did, that itself will please God and He will pardon you. If you endeavour to turn a new leaf and become better, God will shower His Grace on you. (SSS Vol.14)
Do not have any ill feeling amongst yourselves. Help others when they need your help and when you can really help them. Do not think that it is enough if you just sing bhajans (congregational singing) when the people from the Seva Samiti come and join you. Sing them in your minds, silently and sincerely, when you are at work with your friends, or even alone by yourself. Just as a torch in your hand shows you the way if you are walking at night in the dark, the name of God on your tongue will guide you through the night of ignorance in your journey of life. (SSS Vol.14)