Glory of Nama Sankeertanam

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Krishna, Guruvayoorappa !

 

There are two categories of mantras delineated in the shastras. One is the vaidika-mantra, or mantras of the Vedas (such as Gayatri, etc.), and the other is the nama-mantra, or mantras composed of the Lord's names. By definition a vaidika-mantra will possess three aspects, namely a seed letter (such as 'om', 'srim', 'hrim', etc.) which invokes the divinity, a deity to whom the mantra is directed, and a function or offering to the deity (such as 'namah', 'svaha', etc.). Such vaidika-mantras must be received directly from the guru through the process of upadesha, or initiation. This category of mantra has many rules and regulations associated with the chanting of the mantra. It is not that one may chant the mantra at any time or at any place. Prior to the chanting of the mantra one must undergo purification both externally and internally. This involves bathing (and other procedures from the 'yama' and 'niyama'), meditational postures (asana), breath control to make the mind peaceful (pranayama), withdrawal of the senses from the sense objects (pratyahara), and absorption on the deity (dharana). These six steps of yoga help one to purify oneself, first externally, and then internally. Once situated in purity one may then begin one's mantrasadhana, provided one finds a suitably pure and peaceful location.Such mantras require one to be completely dedicated to their sadhana under the guidance of a qualified guru. These mantras should not be chanted whimsically, as there is all chance of committing mistakes in our sadhana, resulting in us incurring negative reactions.Nama-mantras are quite different from the vaidika-mantras, as they are composed only of the Lord's name. Such mantras carry the exact same potency as the vaidika mantras, but in a manner accessible to all. When we analyse the power source of all mantras, we will come to understand it is the name alone which empowers the mantra. For example, one may take a mantra such as 'Om namo bhagavate Vasudevaya'. If one were to just chant 'om namo, om namo, om namo', one will not receive the effect of the mantra. On the other hand, if one were to just chant 'Vasudeva, Vasudeva, Vasudeva', one would receive the benefit of the mantra, for it is Vasudeva's name which empowers the mantra. We find countless examples in the Puranas of people calling out the name of the Lord and receiving His full anugraha, His merciful glance, despite not being trained in Vedic mantras. Draupadi was saved by Lord Krishna in the assembly of the Kurus simply by invoking His divine name. Similarly, Ajamila was saved from the messengers of Yama simply by calling Narayana at the time of death. The great rishi, Valmiki, was previously a sinful hunter, but by chanting the name of Rama he was transformed into a great saint. The power of the Lord's name has been demonstrated through countless histories as recorded in the ancient Puranas. The full potency of the Lord is present within His holy name :Namnam akari bahudha nija sarva shaktih"In the names of the Lord exist all of the Lord's energies."The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is a nama-mantra, a mantra composed only of the Lord's names. Hari, Krishna, and Rama, along with their eternal consorts, are invoked with this divine chant. Being a nama- mantra, there are no hard and fast rules for chanting this maha-mantra, nor does one need to receive the mantra from a guru through upadesha :Tatrarpita niyamita smarane na kalah"There are no restrictions (niyamas) for chanting the Lord's name; neither must one take consideration of the time or circumstances."The nama-mantras are the Lord's special mercy to the fallen souls of the Kali-yuga. Those of us with no proper spiritual qualification can still attain the Lord and associate with Him through His divine name.In this present age of Kali-yuga, it is especially recommended that one chant this Hare Krishna maha-mantra. It is described in the shastras that this hari-nama-sankirtana is the yuga-dharma (religious process) for this age :krite yad dhyayato vishnumtretayam yajato makhaihdvapare paricaryayamkalau tad dhari-kirtanat"Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord's lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the names of Sri Hari."Kalau tad dhari-kirtanat - in the age of Kali, it is Hari-kirtana, the chanting of the Lord's names, that delivers us. In fact, due to our own disqualifications, no other process of self-realization will be effective in this age of Kali, other than the chanting of the Lord's names :harer nama harer namaharer namaiva kevalamkalau nasty eva nasty evanasty eva gatir anyatha"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting of the holy name of Sri Hari. There is no other way, no other way, no other way."Seeing our very fallen condition in the age of Kali, the Lord blesses us with the simplest and most powerful of religious processes, nama-sankirtana. It is for this reason that Sukadeva Goswami describes the Kali-yuga as follows :kaler dosha-nidhe rajanasti hy eko mahan gunahkirtanad eva krishnasyamukta-sangah param vrajet"My dear king, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one great quality about this age : simply by chanting the names of Krishna, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom."In the Srimad Bhagavatam we even find that the age of Kali is actually considered the best of all ages. Though the age is full of sins and faults, it remains the best of all ages by virtue of the yuga-dharma being so powerful :kalim sabhajayanty aryaguna jnah sara-bhaginahyatra sankirtanenaivasarva-svartho 'bhilabhyate"Those who are actually advanced in knowledge are able to appreciate the essential value of this age of Kali. Such enlightened persons worship Kali-yuga because in this fallen age all perfection of life can easily be achieved by the performance of sankirtana (chanting of the Lord's names)."According to the Kali-santarana Upanishad, the Hare Krishna mahamantra is the taraka-mantra for this age. It is the great mantra of deliverence for all, and anyone may take to its chanting regardless of birth, caste, religion or qualification.The Upanishad instructs us as follows :hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare harehare rama hare rama rama rama hare hareity shodashakam namnam kali-kalmasha-nashanam natah parataropayah sarva-vedeshu drishyate"The Hare Krishna maha-mantra, composed of 16 names and 32 syllables, is the only means to counteract the evil-effects of Kali-yuga.

 

To cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the Lord's holy names."Bhagavan Sri Krishna says in Srimad Bhagavatam :

 

SB 11.20.6: The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Uddhava, because I desire that human beings may achieve perfection, I have presented three paths of advancement — the path of knowledge, the path of work and the path of devotion. Besides these three there is absolutely no other means of elevation.

SB 11.20.7 : Among these three paths, jñana-yoga, the path of philosophical speculation, is recommended for those who are disgusted with material life and are thus detached from ordinary, fruitive activities. Those who are not disgusted with material life, having many desires yet to fulfill, should seek perfection through the path of karma-yoga.

SB 11.20.8 : If somehow or other by good fortune one develops faith in hearing and chanting My glories, such a person, being neither very disgusted with nor attached to material life, should achieve perfection through the path of loving devotion to Me.

SB 11.20.11 : One who is situated in his prescribed duty, free from sinful activities and cleansed of material contamination, in this very life obtains transcendental knowledge or, by fortune, devotional service unto Me.

SB 11.20.27-28 : Having awakened faith in the narrations of My glories, being disgusted with all material activities, knowing that all sense gratification leads to misery, but still being unable to renounce all sense enjoyment, My devotee should remain happy and worship Me with great faith and conviction. Even though he is sometimes engaged in sense enjoyment, My devotee knows that all sense gratification leads to a miserable result, and he sincerely repents such activities.

SB 11.20.31 : Therefore, for a devotee engaged in My loving service, with mind fixed on Me, the cultivation of knowledge and renunciation is generally not the means of achieving the highest perfection within this world.

SB 11.20.32-33 : Everything that can be achieved by fruitive activities, penance, knowledge, detachment, mystic yoga, charity, religious duties and all other means of perfecting life is easily achieved by My devotee through loving service unto Me.

 

Conclusion

Let us have full faith in the revelations of the sacred scriptures ; and negative interpretations of it to be avoided. Srimad Bhagavatham and Narayaneeyam should guide us in our spiritual endeavours .

 

A humble servant of Sri Guruvayoorappan