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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Name that delivers man from bondage

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 12. The glory and purpose of the Almighty's

manifestations in the world have been immortalised in the epics

and the Puranas by sages like Veda Vyasa and Valmiki for the

benefit of humanity. Though these incarnations happened ages ago

they continue to benefit mankind because their teachings have

perennial appeal. Each manifestation was with a specific

objective and in the process Dharma was reinforced in the world.

 

A unique feature of the Lord's incarnation as Rama is that He not

only established Dharma on a firm footing during His advent but

also advocated it personally. He has been described as the very

personification of Dharma. It must be always borne in mind that

the Lord's births are divine in nature unlike the birth of His

creations. Lord Krishna has made this clear in the Bhagavad Gita,

``My birth and activities are divine. He who knows this in

reality is not reborn on leaving this body, but comes to Me.''

 

In his discourse on the Ramayana, Sri B.Sundar Kumar said that

the Supreme Being was worshipped in many forms. Adi Sankara

systematised the worship of the six deities (Shanmatha) and this

differentiation is for the sake of devotees. That there is no

difference between the deities can be seen from the fact that it

was Lord Siva who has proclaimed the greatness of the divine name

Rama to the world.

 

The northern recension of the Skanda Purana contains a canto

depicting the spiritual significance of Kasi which is believed to

confer liberation on one who draws his last breath there.

According to this Purana Lord Siva wanders through every nook and

corner of this pilgrim town chanting the name Rama so that every

individual coming there will receive initiation into it from Him

directly. Thus Rama is not just a name of Lord Vishnu but a

Taraka mantra capable of delivering man from bondage.

 

Another oft-quoted instance to highlight the glory of the name

Rama is the instruction received by the Divine Mother, Parvati,

from Her consort that chanting this divine name was equivalent to

reciting all the thousand divine names enshrined in the Vishnu

Sahasranama.

 

The potency of Rama nama is derived from the two syllables ``Ra''

and ``Ma'' which are in it. ``Ra'' is the syllable which gives

meaning to the Ashtakshara mantra, held sacred by Vaishnavas.

Likewise the syllable ``Ma'' in the Panchakshara mantra, revered

by Saivas, is the most important syllable in this mantra. Hence

the combination of these two syllables to form Rama makes it a

mantra for the followers of both Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu.

 

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