BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD

[Guest guest]

Another informative and useful posting from Swamiji. --- On Sun, 22/2/09, Swami sadasivananda <sadasivananda wrote:

Swami sadasivananda <sadasivanandaBLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD

 

 

 

 

 

Question: "Experience shows me that the practice of mantra japa is a central aspect of sadhana, at one time or another, for the majority of those following Sanatana Dharma. Further understanding of Bhagavan affirms that his teaching accentuated the foundations of this eternal religion. However, I have been lead to believe that the teachings of Bhagavan regarding japa state that this practice was prescribed only for those of weak (lacking maturity) minds. Is this assumption true?" A common misunderstanding regarding the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi is the belief that he never advised his disciples to take up a practice that involved mantra japa (continuous repetition of one of many

sound formulas representing a Name of God). The truth is that such advice was given, though rarely, and even given to some of those in the innermost circle. In the memoirs of one of Bhagavan's close disciples such an occurrence is recorded:

"Though Bhagavan rarely gave out mantras, when he did, he generally recommended "Siva, Siva'. Muruganar himself was given this mantra by Bhagavan, as were several other devotees including Annamalai Swami, the brother of Rangan (who was one of Bhagavan's childhood friends), and an unknown harijan." 1 Muruganar continues, making special note of Bhagavan's teachings regarding the use of

mantras:

"Through grace, Padam (Muruganar's epithet for Bhagavan) ensures that there is never any danger to those who remain in their heart, meditating 'Sivaya Nama'." "The mantra 'Sivaya Nama" on which

you meditate will reveal itself within your heart to be your father and mother." (In this verse the father implies Siva, who is Sat [being], while the mother denotes Sakti, who is Chit [consciousness].) "The mind that does japa, 'Siva, Siva,' will later automatically lose itself in ajapa (samadhi)." 2 Though grace is always there, it is natural and simply human to pray to Bhagavan for a physical support of grace. We know that in Bhagavan's physical presence a glance was enough. Though many have come to love him, there are those who feel "born out of time", lacking that heartfelt devotion produced by the power of his presence even though he assured us that:

 

"They say that I am dying but I am not going away. Where could I go? I am here." 3 Through our abhyasa (repeated spiritual practice) and devotion we will experience him and thus know that he is eternally with us. He is for all a jagat guru (world teacher)

who even today for many, through their love of him, is still a physical support of grace. He declared that if we "put his teaching into practice" our qualifing ripeness would be even his very embrace! For those of u whose love for him is still ripening we live with the assurance he gave:

 

"Mount Kailas is the abode of Siva but Arunachala is Siva Himself.He saw the sacred hill as the form assumed by pure Spirit for the support and guidance of men. Now that the physical body of Bhagavan - the most precious of all supports of Grace has been withdrawn from us, the Hill emits power and Grace for his devotees even more than before." 4

 

 

_____________________________

1. Padamalai, Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi Recorded by Muruganar, Avadhuta Foundation 2004, p. 224 - 225.2. Ibid.3. Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge, Arthur Osborne, Sri Ramanashramam 2006, p. 222.4. Be Still, It Is The Wind That Sings, Arthur Osborne, Sri Ramanashramam 2000, p. 78-79.