What is in a name ?- a thought.

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Sri Ramanujaya Namaha

 

Sri Vedhantha Desikaya Namaha

 

Srimate Sri Lakshminrisimha Divyapadukasevaka Srivan Satakopa Sri

NarayanaYatindra Mahadesikaya namaha

 

Dear Bhagavathas !

 

Kindly read the article below , which was prepared , keeping in mind the

youth of today , for their understanding of the topic , based on

informations collected after reading books and listening to various lectures.

Trust all would find it interesting and useful.

May Sriyapathi bless us all.

Regards

yours- Ramanuja Dasan G.Sampath.

 

Quote

 

What is in a name ?

 

In Sanskrit the word " Namam " , corresponds to the word "Name" in English. It

is the word by which an individual or a thing or a place is spoken about. Also

it denotes a symbol that is applied by a sect or a community , on their forehead

identifying them clearly from the rest. So by any way " Namam " is used for

indicating some one .

 

In that case , any word , with any meaning could be used to denote an individual

or a place or a thing. But when it comes to individuals , it is our Indian

culture to use words with proper inner meaning for naming an individual. Since

we all would be using those words often and utter them while addressing the

particular person , it would be prudent on our part to use the names of Almighty

for naming individuals . In that case , whenever we call the individuals by

those names , it would amount to chanting the names of Almighty automatically .

 

Also it would be wise to use the full names while calling , instead of shortened

names for convenience , so that the basic meaning of the names do not change .

For example, " Narayanan " is one of the specific name of Mahavishnu , which

only denotes HIM. It means ( Nara plus Ayana = Narayana) the Lord who exhibits

Parathvam , by engulfing all those in the Universe and also Sowlabhyam by being

inside in every thing in the Universe as Antharyami , however small it could be

.. Narayanan is one of the great names of Mahavishnu. If we shorten it and

address as "Nana" or "Nanu" for an individual , the meaning completely changes.

Similarly " Narasimhan " is another great name of Vishnu. It means (Nara plus

simhan = Narasimhan) the mixture of Human and lion form , which denotes a

special skill of Mahavishnu , knows as "AKADITHAGATANA SAMARTHYAM " , meaning a

skill by which two different opposite things , which cannot be united , can be

coupled only by Lord Vishnu . This special skill

reinforces in us a confidence that Mahavishnu will save all of us from any

misery once we surrender sincerely to HIM. If we shorten this name and address

as " Nachu" , the meaning changes entirely . In another name " Srinivasan " (

Sri plus Nivasan =Srinivasan ) , it means that the Lord , in whose chest Sridevi

is seated permanently ( Ahalahillen ). Because of this feature only , we the

devotees are greatly relieved and reassured that we will be able to get Moksha

through our Saranagathi to Him through Piratti , since She will recommend to Him

our case for pardoning our sins and offer Mokshaprapthi. If we shorten this name

as "Cheenu " , "Cheechu " , " Cheeni " , the entire meaning will change. So

while handling Lord’s names we have to be very very careful in pronouncing them

properly so that the desired positive effect of such meditation takes place.

 

Vishnu Sahasranamam and Lakshmi Sahasranamam provide us enough alternative names

for all of us to use , to name a child. These names also have profound inner

meanings , as they are used to address the Almighty Sriman Narayanan and His

consort Mahalakshmi . As these names are in Sanskrit origin , it would be wise

to keep them as it is instead of translations. Translations , many times may

change the meaning totally. Then instead of positive vibrations we will land up

with negative vibrations. For Tamil versions we could refer to Alwars " Nalayira

Divya Prabandams, to get exact translations ."

 

Our Puranas have narrated clearly that " Bhagavan Nama " has more glory and

bring in more benefits than Bhagavan Himself. In many places this has been

brought out. For example , in Mahabharath , it was Lord Krishna’s name that

saved Droupathi from shame , ( when she cried "Dwaraka Nilaya Achutha" for help)

, in the couryard of Duriyodhana . Here the help did not come till she lifted

both her hands and cried to Lord for help , after realizing that HE alone could

be the savior in distress and no personal attempts from her side would help.

Total unconditional surrender to Lord gave her the help. Krishna was not

present personally in the courtyard to render this help. His " NAMA " did the

wonders. Infact , it is said in fun , if Krishna was present , there could have

been a possibility of losing the sarees, as in the case of Gopikas , in

Krishnaleela during Rasakreedai.

 

Similarly in the case of Ajamilan , at the time of his death , when he saw

yamakinkaras , who have come to take him away to hell after his death , Ajamilan

, in fear , called his last son " Oh! Narayana" . The moment he uttered this

word , Vishnukinkaras were present to take him to heaven after death. At that

time arguments took place between yamakinkaras and vishnukinkaras and to know

the right action , they both went back to their respective heads to consult , as

what to do in such a situation. In the mean time, Ajamilan in death bed starts

to think his past illegal and improper actions and starts repenting for all his

bad acts . Because of his short association for a few seconds with the kinkaras

( sadhu samagam) , which was brought about by his action of uttering the name of

Narayanan , he could change his situation in respect of his ultimate abode .

Even here the Lord’s " Thirunama vaibhavam " alone has saved Ajamilan from going

to hell. The utterance of Lord’s name brought him

sadhu sangamam and that led to his repenting action for the past bad deeds . (

sadhu sangamam plus anuthapam for his past mistakes )

 

Where as Droupathi uttered the name of Krishna with full knowledge of asking

Lord for help , Ajamilan uttered the name of Narayanan , only to call his son ,

in fear. Still the utterance gave the positive results. So the Thirunama

Vaibhavam of Lord is great because it can give all the benefits whether we utter

with full knowledge or not. Lord’s name would give benefit even if we utter it

to scold some one, irritate some one, abuse some one, criticize some one or to

make fun of some one. In all cases the utterance would give the benefit for the

person who utters Lord’s name. This is the supremacy of Lord’s name.

 

Uttering the names of Lord brings glory to all concerned is clearly explained by

Prahalad , when he explains the glory of " Nama Sankeerthanam " as one of the

best modes of Bhakthi to Lord , to attain Moksha.

 

In Kaliyug , " Namasankeerthanam " after Saranagathi is the only way to attain

Moksha as per the writings and so it would always be beneficial for all of us

to name any one by Lord’s name . It is not necessary that one should possess the

quality , features or accomplishments or achievements denoted by that name ,

when that person gets named . For the person , who carries that name , when he/

she starts slowly understanding the inner meaning and glory of that name over a

period , automatically the person will reorient his / her thoughts and his/her

way of life , so that he / she would dare not bring apakeerti to that name. Thus

these " Namas " also act as guard to the individual carrying those names .

 

It will slowly lead that individual in a Sathviga marg and finally make that

individual do Saranagathi to Lord Sriman Narayanan. This is our philosophy and

culture.

 

Thus we can note that , one need not have a feeling that there is nothing in a

name. Proper meaningful names can bring positive vibrations and can make our

lives enjoyable and meaningful . So let us revive the ancient culture , that

started diminishing with advancement in time under the pretext of modernization

and growth , and bring in some basic disciplines in our lives so that this earth

becomes a better place to live in to do our prescribed Karma peacefully.

 

Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu !

 

-G.Sampath

 

Unquote.

 

 

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