Article sent from The Hindu on indiaserver.com

[Guest guest]

This article reinforces the importance of 'Devotion' for Self-realization.

=============================================================

This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

=============================================================

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

 

Potency of the names of the Almighty

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 24. The potency of the Divine names can be

appreciated only when one understands that it is possible to

realise the goal of liberation by chanting the different names of

the Lord. While the scriptural texts have elaborated on the means

to attain liberation, they have also categorically stated that

this goal can be realised easily by chanting the Divine names

which is possible for one and all. There cannot be any

efficacious way to realise God than this. Besides, this method is

best suited for this age when it has become difficult to adopt

the other methods.

 

This has been exemplified in the life of Saint Thyagaraja who

lived in recent times and the legacy he has bequeathed to mankind

in the form of his compositions is not only important for its

music but also for its spiritual merit as it is a testament to

his singular spiritual attainment. Traditionally Thyagaraja is

believed to be a reincarnation of Valmiki and the internal

evidence in one of his songs seems to substantiate this.

 

The saint refers to eminent sages like Vasishta, Narada, Saunaka

and Suka as his kin in this song, but he does not mention

Valmiki, the composer of the Ramayana. Being a great devotee of

Rama, on whom he has composed his songs, and as substantiated by

his life, there cannot be any other reason why he failed to

mention Valmiki along with the other sages unless Valmiki was

reborn as Thyagaraja.

 

In his Harikatha, Kalyanapuram Sri R.Aravamudan said that

Thyagaraja's exceptional spiritual progress, as he was blessed

with the vision of his chosen deity, Rama, was possible because

of his intense faith in the words of his spiritual preceptor,

Ramakrishnananda. Though born in Tiruvarur, the Guru and disciple

were brought together in Tiruvaiyaru, which is hallowed as the

``Dakshina Kailas''. The preceptor initiated him into the Taraka

mantra, Rama, with the prophetic words that by chanting it daily

he would envision the Lord.

 

According to biographical accounts Thyagaraja's life then on

centered round the worship of his chosen deity Rama and Sita. He

is believed to have chanted the name Rama 96 crore times spanning

21 years when he attained the fruition of his earnest striving.

His unwavering faith in the Divine name is stamped in many of his

compositions.

 

Initially when a spiritual aspirant starts chanting the Divine

name it is his faith in his preceptor which impels him on but

soon the power of the Divine name itself bewitches the mind into

its practice. Thyagaraja is a standing example of this subtle

truth which can be understood only by a devotee who has practised

this method.

 

 

Copyrights: 2000 The Hindu & Tribeca Internet Initiatives Inc.

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu & Tribeca Internet Initiatives Inc.