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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/03/02/stories/2002030200140800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Merit of chanting divine names

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

MARCH.2.

 

Change is the law of nature and God has designed His creation that way. The

scriptures postulate that the whole process of creation, sustenance and

dissolution of the universe is a cyclic process and hence change is intrinsic to

this scheme. Man is part of this divine plan but the Lord has endowed him with a

free will and intellect.

 

As long as he is in tune with the divine will he will be acting true to his

nature. It is only when he does not submit to God's will that he faces problems

and suffers as a consequence because divine will ultimately prevails. Devotion

will enable one to perceive God in everything and His will in all that he

experiences in life.

 

In his discourse, Sri S.V.Radhakrishna Sastrigal said chanting the divine names

was the easiest way to enhance one's devotion to God. Though the scriptures

mention that Dharma declines in the present Kali yuga and will not be conducive

to stringent austerities, an advantage afforded to man is that the effort

required on his part is very little when compared to the earlier Yugas. This is

the reason that simple methods like chanting the divine names, which can be

practised by one and all, have been recommended for this Yuga.

 

The hymn, Vishnu Sahasranama, which comprises a selection of a thousand names of

the Lord, appears in the Mahabharata. Preceptors of the various philosophical

traditions and scholars have commented on it as each divine name lends itself to

be interpreted in many ways. The hymn has a sequel in the form of a conversation

between Lord Siva and His consort Parvati.

 

The Divine Mother had requested Him to recommend the easiest among the means to

realise God for the sake of humanity out of compassion. And, it was in answer

that He prescribed chanting the name ``Rama''.

 

There is an interesting incident throwing light on the merit of Rama nama in

the life of the saint, Bhodendra, who propagated the efficacy of chanting the

divine name in the Bhajan tradition in South India. His Guru directed him to the

house of Sridhara, another great saint, where he happened to overhear a

conversation between the saint's wife and his son. She prescribed with great

conviction the name Rama to be chanted once as antidote for a sin committed by

someone which assuaged all his doubts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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