Rama is Ananda (Bliss). Ananda is Rama. Rama Nama (name) will save you, if you have at least the Pitru Bhakti and Matru Bhakti (devotion to father and mother) that Rama had. If not, Rama Nama is merely a movement of the lips. Meditate on the Rama swarupa (Form of Rama) and the Rama swabhava (the true nature of Rama), when you recite or write Rama Nama. That will give exercise to the mind and it will be made healthy and strong, in the spiritual sense. Make this Dharma swarupa your Atma Rama. (SSS Vol.3, p 4)
Come! Oh devotees! Come!
Take the sweet of Rama nama.
Do not buy and eat other sweets out of ignorance,
They will spoil your health.
By mixing the wheat flour of the essence of the Vedas
With the milk of Vedic declarations,
Adding the sugar of Subuddhi (virtues)
And the ghee of Nibaddhi (truth),
Removing the dirt of Abaddhamu (falsehood),
Our ancients Rishis have prepared
This most delicious sweet of Rama nama. (Telugu Song)
The Divine Name of Rama is full of sweetness and it remains sweet forever. There have been many incarnations of God on earth. But the Divine Name of Rama has remained eternal. Since ancient times, Rama nama has remained as the Taraka Mantra (Mantra that liberates) for one and all. Right from children to elders, everyone can derive the bliss of chanting Rama nama. Age is no obstacle in experiencing the sweetness of Rama nama. There is immense sweetness in this name. We should never give up such a sweet, nectarine and blissful Rama nama even for a second. Unfortunately, today people are neglecting the chanting of Rama nama. It is their misfortune. (SS May 06, pp. 144-145)
The sacred name Rama has the potency to lead us from darkness to Light. The word Rama is made up of three syllables: Ra, Aa, and Ma. Ra signifies the fire principle. Aa represents the moon, and Ma represents the sun. The fire principle Ra destroys all evil and sin. The moon principle Aa stills passions and brings peace. The sun principle Ma confers effulgence when evil is destroyed and peace reigns. Thus, the name Rama compactly embodies the whole of wisdom. It has the power to destroy evil, to bring peace, and to confer effulgence. This is the inner significance of the name given by Vashistha to the first-born son of Emperor Dasharatha. The fire principle thus has deep meaning. (SSB 2000, p.30)
Since the Lord pleases all, He is known as Rama. So also, He is Prema swarupa, the embodiment of Love. He is Bhakta-vatsala, full of affection to His devotees. He is Kripa sagara, Ocean of Mercy. In each such name and form, He has vouchsafed Sakshatkara (Direct perception of God) to Bhaktas and blessed them with Sayujya (Merger in the Divine). The Formless God assumes all forms in order to bless Bhaktas. (San Vah, p. 20)
In the word of Rama, there are three letters. They are Ra, aa and ma. These three components can be described as Amrita and Agni Beeja. In these three letters are contained the Surya and Chandra, the sun and the moon. The letter ‘Ra’ is the letter, which can be connected with the sun. The letter ‘aa’ can be connected with the moon and ‘ma’ with fire. The letter, which is connected with the sun, has the potency by which to shed light and remove all ignorance. ‘Aa’ which has been connected with the moon, removes your agitation and gives peace. ‘Ma’ which is connected with fire, burns out all your sins. This one name Rama will thus remove in one stroke all your sins, the agitations in your mind and your ignorance.
Omkara is Rama
‘Listen to the primeval Pranava ‘AUM’ resounding in your heart as well as in the heart of the universe.
Valmiki established that there is nothing greater than one single name Rama. He has also given us a way by which ordinary people can understand and get the benefit out of it. The way by which we utter the word Rama is such that first we open the mouth and out of the mouth, we then send out all that is within us, which is sin and then we close the mouth to say Rama. Nothing thereafter enters that way into your body. (SSS 1977, p.7)
The name of Rama, was once indicated by Rama Himself, as a potent liberator. When Rama was passing through the forests, with Sita and Lakshmana, hermits who recognised Him as Divine gathered around Him with a prayer that they be initiated by Him and given some Mantra which they could repeat for spiritual uplift and victory. Rama replied that He was a prince in exile, wandering in the forests, and so, He could not presume any authority to initiate hermits into spiritual path. He moved on along the jungle tracks. Watching Him walking fast, with Sita immediately behind Him and Lakshmana following in the rear, an aged hermit exclaimed, ‘Friends! See! Rama is initiating us! He is awarding us the Mantra! God is leading, Nature (His constant companion, His shadow) is following; the Individual (Jiva), part of the Lord, the wave of the ocean, is in the rear; he can see the Lord only if the deluding Nature is propitiated or by-passed. This is the indeed a silent lesson in Sadhana. ‘Ra’ is God; ‘ma’is the individual who has fallen behind. ‘Aa’ is nature, prakriti; Rama Rama is the Mantra. He is vouchsafing so graciously. Take it and save yourselves. For me, there is no other course,’ he said. (SSS Vol.6, p.168)
The grace of God descends upon eager sadhakas, who listens attentively to the story of that grace. The name of God if recited with love and faith has that power. Once the mother of Agastya boasted that her son drank all the waters of the ocean; but the mother of Hanuman who was there, said, ‘why go to that extent? My son leaped over it in a trice.’ But there was the mother of Rama with them. She said, ‘Your son leaped over the ocean, uttering my son’s name. Without it, he was helpless.’ The name has that overmastering power. It can award unheard of, unimagined strength and courage. The other two women disputed the fact that it was Rama nama that strengthened Hanuman for the enterprise. So Kausalya asked Rama Himself. He said, ‘Why, it was because this body was called Rama the name that combines the bijaksharas of both Shiva and Vishnu that I Myself was able to conquer Ravana and his hordes!
The name has much efficacy. By repeating the name, the Lord and his attributes can be easily identified. The tongue must be sanctified by the repetition of the name. It has also to use sweet expressions, which will spread contentment and joy. (SSS Vol.6, p.41)
Potent Drug
The wrong notion that the world is real and you as the body has been so deeply implanted in you through birth after birth, that it can be removed only by means of of a very special drug administered continuously. The drug, Ram Ram Ram is to be swallowed and assimilated ad infinitum. Its curative essence will travel into every limb, every sense, every nerve and every drop of blood. Every particle of you will be transmuted into Ram. You must melt in the crucible, be poured into the Ram mould and become Ram. That is the fruition of Jnana. Rama nama, or any other name, if chanted and absorbed in the mind, will help control the vagaries of the senses which drag you away into vanities. (SSS Vol.6, p. 3)
No text had ever taught so much about good character, as Ramayana did. Unfortunately, today several people are not in a position to realise the greatness of Ramayana. Ramayana is verily the heart of Bharatiyas. Not to realise this truth and act accordingly is the reason for all the difficulties faced by Bharatiyas today. Wherever you reside, you cannot escape from difficulties and suffering. Nevertheless, one has to boldly face them reposing one’s faith in God.
God is your sole refuge wherever you may be,
In a forest, in the sky, in a city or a village,
on the top of a mountain or in the middle of deep sea.
(Telugu poem)
(DD on 14.08.06 , p. 7)
Divine Name Has Infinite Power
When Rama reached the seashore to go to Lanka and bring Sita back after killing Ravana, many people felt that it was an impossible task because they thought Ravana was very wicked, fierce and powerful. Moreover, there was a vast sea to be crossed which was not possible. Rama suggested that a bridge across the sea be built. Hanuman, Jambavan and other monkeys asserted that the bridge could be constructed in no time. Agreeing to their suggestion, Rama commanded them to start constructing the bridge. The· monkeys then brought big boulders and parts of mountains from various quarters and started throwing them into the sea, but they all sank in sea water. How could the bridge be made in this way? - It could not be made unless the rocks and boulders settled at one place. So, what could be done for that? Perceiving the difficult situation, Lakshmana said to Rama, ‘Dear elder brother; everything in this world is perishable and bound to sink. But there’ is one thing that does not perish or sink. And that is Your Name. Your Name is everlasting, ever true and ever abiding. It is indestructible. The bridge should be constructed on the foundation of Your Name.’ Rama commended Lakshmana by patting his back and said, ‘Lakshmana, you have suggested the correct method. Hearing this, Hanuman said to Rama, ‘Swami, I can do this work.’
Now the monkeys started bringing the rocks a Hanuman told them to write the word ‘Rama’ on each boulder. The boulders with the Name ‘Rama’ written on them did not sink in water, but started drifting away. Then Hanuman told them that they should write the letter ‘Ra’ on one boulder and ‘ma’ on the other. The monkeys did as commanded and threw the two boulders together in to the sea with devotion and steadfast faith. The waves of the ocean brought the two boulders together to make the word ‘Rama. In this way, the bridge was constructed. No rock did ever sink and such a long bridge was constructed in a short time. What was the foundation of the rocks and boulders? It was Rama’s Name. Since all of them bore the two letters ‘Ra’ and ‘ma’ which constituted the Name Rama they floated on water. As soon as the bridge was constructed, Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman and the entire army crossed over and reached Lanka in no time. Vibhishana also said, ‘Oh Rama! Everything can be achieved by the power of Your Name. Your Name 0f just two letters has enabled the monkeys to build such a long bridge.’ The war with Ravana resulted in his death and the release of Sita from his prison. Thus, is the Name of Rama that is most powerful and eternal. The form will sink at any time, at any place and under any condition. But the Name will not sink and will save you wherever you are. In this way, Rama taught that the Name is ever true and eternal. None can ever damage or destroy it, nor can anyone take it away from you.
The war with Ravana could be won on the strength power of the Name. It is, therefore, enough if you chant Rama’s Name. Then you will be victorious in all your endeavours. Like the Name of Rama, the Names of Krishna, Shiva, Hari and Hara are also constituted by of letters. Make any Name of God as the basis of your life, then you can achieve everything. Name is eternal but form is ephemeral; the form has old age and death. Therefore, it is the Name that is most important. That is what Rama has taught mankind. (SSS Vol. 41, pp.79-81)
Shri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Raame Manorame
Sahasra Naama Tattulyam Rama Naama Vararanane
The repetition of the name ‘Rama’ once is equal to repeating the entire Vishnu Sahasranama (thousand names of Vishnu)
Whatever thought you entertain last, you will achieve that form in your next birth. The contemplation (Smarana) done during your lifetime becomes your ornament (aabharana) after death. If you remember the Lord’s name throughout your life, it will be easy to recall in your last moments. (SSB 1995, pp.81-82)
Tell your Mind! ‘O Mind! Contemplate on the name of Rama in full awareness of it. The same substance can be used for mundane as well sublime purposes. A boulder can be used as a stepping stone, a sa building block and also for carving an idol. The stepping stone is used for walking; the stone block for the building a mansion; and the idol for worship. The stone is the same, but is used for different purposes. (SSB 1996, p.83)
If you have faith and if you keep constant companion, you are in Vaikuntha, Kailasa, or heaven, all the time. These are not distant regions that have to be reached by tortuous travel; they are springs of tranquillity that are in your own heart.
You cannot have this chance of the proximity of the greatest of all sources of joy in any other place. Here it is so near, so easy to attain, so full of grace. If you fall back, you will seldom get the chance again. Ask and get what will save you, not what will bind you. (SSS Vol.42, p.154)
Constant contemplation on Ramayana and singing of the glory of the Divine name of ‘Rama’ confers bliss, peace and prosperity on one and all. There are two ways of contemplating on the divine name and singing its glory – the individual sadhana and the collective sadhana. Of the two, the collective sadhana is better. It was Guru Nanak who had initiated the practice of group singing of the glory of the Divine name. In fact the individual chanting of the divine name is not enough. If thousands of people join together and sing the glory of the divine name in one voice, the prayers of at least one or two individuals will certainly move Divinity. Hence, it is better to follow the collective method. Wherever you are, sing the glory of the Divine Name of Rama in a group. Contemplation on Rama nama confers peace and happiness. It is a Universal sadhana.
The name ‘Rama’ is not limited to particular form. It dwells in every individual as ‘Atma Rama’. The atma which dwells in every individual is given the ‘Rama. Hence, right from a child to a grown up individual, everyone has to undertake the sadhana of constant contemplation on Rama nama, saying ‘Rama Rama’. It is only the divine name that can confer peace and happiness. Nothing else, even wealth and property, can bring happiness and peace. Constant contemplation on the divine name can remove all worries.
To be born is a worry
To live on this earth is a worry
The world is a source of worry
Death too is a worry,
All actions and difficulties cause worry,
Devotion to Srirama is the panacea for worries’. (Telugu poem)
Hence undertake Ramachinthana (contemplation on the divine name of Rama), whenever you find yourself surrounded by worries. The Rama nama has been in the hearts of people since aeons. (DD on 28-07-2008, p.2)
Even after the passage of thousands of years, the name of Rama is known everywhere and is held in high esteem by the people. Nowadays even in Russia people are chanting the name of Rama. In fact, the name of Rama has spread to every nook and corner of the world. The name of Rama is the crest jewel of all names. Everybody can easily chant this. Therefore, whatever task you are engaged in, you should constantly chant the name of Rama while performing that task. When you step out from the home or when you are on your way to college, you should keep chanting the name of Rama all the while. The name of Rama should become your life- breath. (SSS Vol.41, p.63-64)
A third meaning of Rama is from Hara (Shiva) and Uma (His consort), Parvati). It is Ra from Shiva and Ma from Parvati. When you say ‘Rama’ you are worshipping both of them. You do not need to worship God separately. If you say ‘Rama’, she will satisfied, and He will bless you at the same time.
The next meaning is Ra, the cognate soul, the whole, the Divine, the Universal soul and Ma the individual soul, are one and the same. The river and the ocean, the drop and the ocean, the spark and the fire, all are one and the same. That is Rama. (Alarm Bells! Divine, pp. 16-17)
Once, a lady approached Kausalya. When Kausalya enquired who she was, the lady replied: ‘Mother! Don’t you know that my son leapt over the sea in one jump? I am the mother of Hanuman’.
A short while later, another lady came there. She informed Kausalya that the sea over which Hanuman leapt in one hop, was drunk by her son in one gulp. ‘I am the mother of Agastya, who performed this feat’, she said.
Kausalya smiled on hearing their claims. She said: ‘For your son leaping over the sea or for your son drinking the waters in one gulp, it was the name of Ramachandra which made it possible. I am the mother of Rama’.
The three ladies were conversing in this manner. There is a saying that when three ladies meet even the stars will tumble down during the day!
While they were discussing who among them was great, Rama joined them. ‘What are you discussing?’ he asked. Kausalya said: ‘Son! By chanting your name Hanuman was able to leap over the sea. This was possible because of your grace’.
She went on: ‘Again, by the power of your name, Agastya drank the sea in one gulp. This also was by your grace. I am supremely fortunate in giving birth to such a son’.
Rama, who was utterly ego less, then told the three ladies: ‘These feats are not the result of my grace. This body was given the name Rama at birth. It is the power of this name that has enabled them to accomplish such heroic feats. It is because this name was given to me I was able to overcome the valiant Ravana’.
Thus, the name of the Lord is all-powerful. By chanting the name of God, all latent powers in man are awakened. (SS May 97, pp. 126-127)
Rama nama can achieve the impossible; as the saying goes, the dumb can speak, the lame can climb hills (as the wingless Sampati got back its wings and flew into the sky) only through the grace won by recital of the Name. (RKRV, p. 372)
Since time immemorial, the divine name of Rama has been protecting the devotees and leading them on the right path. One can very well imagine the Divine potency of Rama’s name as it has remained etched in the hearts of people through all the ages. This in itself is a mystery. Thousands of years have passed since the advent of Rama, yet His name remains ever fresh and ever new. One may be on the top of the mountain or in a village or in a city, everyone derives immense delight in singing the name of Rama. Ramayathi ithi Ramah (that which delights is the principle of Rama). (SSS Vol.39, p.51)