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

 

Efficacy of chanting Lord's holy names

 

CHENNAI, JAN. 6 One of the familiar questions raised by some is

about the existence of God. ``Is He (physically) present, and if

so, why not I see Him'' is their doubt. A king was no exception

to that and he did not believe in God as he could not have His

direct vision with his eyes. A saint took him out and asked him

to look at the Sun right at noon. Naturally he could not because

of the Sun's dazzle. If it is impossible to face one Sun

directly, how can a man see God who is thousand times brighter

and when His kingdom consists of several other illuminous

objects, the saint pointed out. So, God does exist and He can be

approached by one simple way, of chanting His name with faith and

sincere devotion.

 

God is the completion or the fullness of existence and the

``Nama'' or name which denotes Him too is perfect. The power of

destroying sins and bringing an aspirant into blissful union with

the Lord can be achieved through incessant chanting. The name of

God removes the dirt in the mind enabling one to retain His

vision in one's heart. Its potency can be established only

through pure devotion, faith and its constant repetition. In this

Kali age meditation with ``Nama Japa'' is the easiest, quickest,

safest and surest way to reach God and experience perennial joy.

One beneficiary who could achieve the unbelievable and who could

overcome several obstacles was Anjaneya whose glorious role in

the Ramayana provides us concrete proof of the power of the name,

``Rama''.

 

``Japa'' (meditation) gives a nice, refreshing, exhilarating

spiritual bath. Anjaneya performed great deeds of valour with

admirable thoroughness of execution. His exploits and thoughts

about the fruits which can be reaped by prayers offered to Him

and the ecstasy one can get by chanting His glory are contained

in one of the most sublime hymns, ``Hanuman Chalisa'' with 40

verses which reflect how he stands as our guide. One who chants

this prayer a hundred times will be liberated from earthly

bondage, says Tulasidas.

 

In one of these verses, the poet says that ``Keeping the Lord's

ring in your mouth, you jumped over the mighty ocean'' (in search

of Sita). This feat was possible because of his chanting Rama's

name. Devotees can cross the ``ocean of misery'' in which they

are immersed from adopting this step which can fetch peace, as

the mind will be purged of all impurities, said Swami Mitrananda

in a discourse. With Anjaneya's grace, all impediments, problems

and difficulties in the world can be easily overcome.

 

Anjaneya has been blessed by the Divine Mother to grant anyone

with any supernatural power and all treasures, adds another

verse.

 

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