Chanting Of God's Name - The Royal Path To Liberation-Tamil New Year DAY

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

 

CHANTING OF GOD'S NAME - THE ROYAL PATH TO LIBERATION

 

Forbearance is the real beauty in this sacred land of Bharat. Of all

the vows, adherence to truth is the greatest vow. The nectarine

feeling in this country is the feeling of motherhood. Self-respect

is

valued far more than the very life itself. People have forgotten the

basic principles of this great culture and in the name of freedom

are

imitating Western culture today. Alas! What can I speak of the

governance of this country? The Bharatiyas are not aware of the

greatness of their cultural heritage just as a mighty elephant is

not

aware of its own strength.

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

Today everyone is rejoicing celebrating Tamil New Year's day.

Swabhanu is the name of this year. 'Swa' means Atma. In the

spiritual

parlance, we have four stages towards liberation: Salokya, Sameepya,

Sarupya and Sayujya (mental proximity to the Divine, physical

proximity to the Divine, identifying oneself with the Divine,

becoming one with the Divine). The letter 'Sa' is associated with

the

Atmic feeling. With the onset of the New Year 'Swabhanu', one should

also develop new and divine feelings. Many New Years have gone by.

But to what extent man has transformed himself? Man should tread a

new and noble path and set an ideal to others. Only then would he

have celebrated the arrival of New Year in the true sense. He should

practice and propagate newer ideals in his daily life. Vedanta

declares, Aham Etat Na (I am not this). Aham means 'I', the Atmic

principle and 'this' refers to body. Man should not give scope to

Ahamkara (ego) by identifying himself with the body. 'I' does not

correspond to the body. 'I' corresponds to the eternal and immortal

Atma, which is not tainted by ego, pomposity and immorality. Only

when man develops such Atma Viswasa (Self-confidence), can he set an

ideal to others. Man today does not understand the meaning of Self-

confidence. First of all, man should have faith in himself.

 

Where there is confidence, there is love;

Where there is love, there is truth;

Where there is truth, there is peace;

Where there is peace, there is bliss;

Where there is bliss, there is God.

 

Truth is the direct manifestation of God. People attribute various

names to God. Sahasra Seersha Purusha Sahasraksha Sahasra Pad (God

has thousands of heads, eyes and feet). Names are many, but God is

one. Be it any State or country, God is one. Ekam Sath Viprah

Bahudha

Vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names).

What is truth? It is not merely reporting what is seen, heard or

experienced. It is the transcendental truth, which is not bound by

time, space and circumstances. Be it any nation, any time, any

circumstances, Truth is Truth.

 

The creation emerges from truth and merges into truth,

Is there a place where truth does not exist?

Visualise such pure and unsullied truth

 

Truth cannot be different from nation to nation like American Truth,

Russian Truth, Pakistani Truth, Indian Truth, etc. Truth is one and

the same for all nations. Hence, we should recognise that Truth is

God and worship Truth by strictly adhering to it. We find unrest and

agitation in the world today because people have forgotten truth.

Sathyam Bruyath, Priyam Bruyath, Na Bruyath Sathyamapriyam (speak

truth, speak pleasantly and do not speak unpalatable truth). Only

truth and righteousness can confer peace and prosperity on the world

today. Sathyam Vada; Dharmam Chara (speak truth; practice

righteousness). This is the most important principle of Indian

culture. Once you develop truth and righteousness, peace and love

will automatically follow. Righteousness is the head of Indian

culture and, Truth its feet. But today people have severed the head

and feet of Indian culture. They are clinging on to the trunk of

Artha and Kama (wealth and desire). What is the use of mere trunk

without the head and the feet? People are striving to protect the

country. If you protect and practice truth and righteousness, they

will in turn protect the country. You don't need to make any special

efforts to protect the country. It is enough if you protect truth

and

righteousness. The entire world is based on these two principles.

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

New Year does not bring new principles of truth and righteousness.

They are changeless and eternal. When they are practiced, the whole

world will be taken care of. Hence, we have to always keep in mind

these two principles. For man, truth and righteousness are his two

eyes. In fact, they are his very life principles. He may undertake

any activity, he may do any job or business, but he should make

truth

and righteousness as the undercurrent of all his endeavors.

 

Man has to take to a newer path. Years have rolled by, but man has

not given up his old and mean feelings. He has to purify his heart.

Humanness will blossom only when there is transformation of the

heart. Merely putting on new clothes is not enough, man has to

change

his character and behavior. His conduct should be based on truth and

righteousness. He has to understand the principle of Transcendental

Truth. It is present in everyone. In fact, man is not a mere mortal,

he is God. The Vedas say, Raso Vai Sah (God pervades everything in

the form of essence). God moves about in the form of Rasa (essence)

in every limb and every cell and protects the body. Hence, He is

known as Angirasa. If God does not protect the body, who else can?

Body is not permanent.

 

This body is a den of dirt, and prone to diseases; it is subject to

change from time to time; it cannot cross the ocean of Samsara. It

is

nothing but a quiver of bones. Oh mind! Do not be under the delusion

that body is permanent. Instead take refuge at the Divine Lotus Feet.

 

Body is like a water bubble. Mind is like a mad monkey. Do not

follow

the body; do not follow the mind. Follow the conscience. Conscience

is your God. You are forgetting God who is present in you in the

form

of conscience and who is protecting your body in the form of

Angirasa. God is changeless, pure and eternal. He has absolutely no

trace of selfishness in Him. He is always concerned about the

welfare

of the devotees. Do not superimpose your selfishness on God and get

deluded. When everything is in His hand, how can there be

selfishness

in Him? Whatever He does is for the welfare of all. Loka Samasta

Sukhino Bhavantu (May all the people of the world be happy!) This is

what God aspires for. He is known as Aprameya as He is beyond all

measure. He is present in man's Hridaya in the form of bliss. He

shines as Prema Swarupa (embodiment of love). He practices Dharma,

being the embodiment of Dharma. He leads from the front setting an

ideal for humanity and helping everyone. He says, "Oh man! Why fear

when I am here. Follow Me." Why should one fear when God has given

such an assurance? If you follow Him, He will certainly bestow on

you

pure and unsullied bliss. Saints and Sages of yore performed intense

penance in order to have the vision of God. Some of them died during

their penance, but the others did not give up their resolve. They

continued their penance with unflinching faith and determination.

Ultimately, they had the Divine vision. Then they declared to the

world that they had seen God. Vedahametham Purusham Mahantham

Adityavarnam Thamasa Parasthath (I have visualised the Supreme Being

who shines with the effulgence of a billion suns and who is beyond

Thamas - the darkness of ignorance). They exhorted people to make

efforts to see God and experience bliss. If you contemplate on God

with pure and selfless love, you can also see Him. Today, many are

in

the quest of God. God is everywhere but you should have the eyes to

see Him. Today people are trying to see God with their Charma

Chakshu

(physical eye). That is why they are unable to see Him. One can see

God only with Jnana Chakshu (the eye of wisdom). Sarvatah Panipadam

Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham, Sarvatah Sruthimalloke Sarvamavruthya

Tishthati (with hands, feet, eyes, heads, mouth and ears pervading

everything, He permeates the entire universe). Where is the need to

search for God who is everywhere? What we have to search for is not

God but a true human being! But he is not to be seen anywhere.

Nowadays We find only Akara Manavas (human beings in form), not

Achara Manavas (human beings in practice). Practice is very

essential. Without Acharana (practice), what is the use of merely

having Akara (form)? Do not repose your faith in the body and

consider it to be permanent. It is merely an instrument given by

God.

Make proper use of this instrument by discharging your duties and

serving society. Help the needy and the forlorn. Take good care of

the destitute and the poor with love. Dedicate your life for the

cause of Sathya and Dharma. That is how you have to celebrate the

arrival of New Year. You should give up your old and mean thoughts,

fill your heart with novel, fresh and noble feelings and lead a new

life. But where is such a new life in the present-day world? Days

have changed but feelings have not. Guddalu (clothes) are changed

every day but Gunamu (character) has not changed. Merely donning

ochre robes will not make a Sannyasi (renunciant). You should

develop

good qualities and become a Sarvasanga Parithyagi (totally devoid of

attachment). Only then can you be called a true Sannyasi.

 

Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Thyagenaike Amrutatthwamanasuh

(immortality is not attained through action, progeny or wealth; it

is

attained only by sacrifice). Who has this quality of sacrifice in

the

present-day world? One in a hundred or in a million is endowed with

such a noble quality. Though God is present in everyone, He

manifests

Himself in a man of sacrifice. Sacrifice is of paramount importance

to man. He should become a Thyaga Jeevi (one of sacrifice), not a

Bhoga Jeevi (one who leads a life of pleasures). Thyaga leads to

Yoga, whereas Bhoga gives rise to Roga (disease). So, give up Bhoga

and take to the path of Yoga. There are people who do Rama Chintana

(contemplation of Rama) day in and day out. Every moment of their

life and every cell of their body is filled with the name of Rama.

Such a life is a life of fulfillment. Indeed their lives are

sanctified. Man should contemplate on God, his only savior

incessantly. The world will never come to your rescue. The world has

witnessed many changes in the fields of Politics and Philosophy. Old

Siddhantas (Schools of Thought) have given way to new ones. Many

political parties have come and gone. But in what way has the world

benefited from all these changes? There is no progress whatsoever.

The world is where it has been. Everyone is interested in only

filling his/her belly. No one is making any effort to understand the

principle of Divinity.

 

You have to think of God every moment. If you win the grace of God,

you can overcome any obstacle and acquire any type of wealth. Once

Ramdas prayed, "Oh Lord! What did I do to deserve Your bounteous

grace? I have not offered anything to You, yet You shower Your grace

on me." Then the Lord replied, "My dear, the spirit of Thyaga that

you have developed is the true Yoga. I know the sense of sacrifice

that is there in your mind, you may not be aware of it. Only God can

understand the sacrifice you have made mentally. Others need not

understand; they cannot understand any way. Only God can understand

your Thyaga, Yoga and Prema."

 

Saint Thyagaraja composed a song in praise of Rama, the meaning of

which is as follows:

 

But for the power of Rama, could a mere monkey cross the mighty

ocean? Would Lakshmi Devi, the goddess of wealth, become His

consort?

Would Lakshmana worship Him? Would the intelligent Bharata offer his

salutations to Him? But for the mighty power of Rama, would all this

happen? Indeed, Rama's power is beyond all description.

 

Nobody can estimate the infinite power of Rama. It can only be

experienced in the heart. Love is the only yardstick to measure the

power of Divinity. Hence, we have to develop love to experience

Divinity. Hanuman could jump across the vast ocean because he

chanted

the Name of Rama always. With the power of Rama's Name, he could

lift

mighty mountains. How could the monkeys build a bridge across the

ocean? In the beginning, the boulders were getting drowned in the

ocean and the monkeys were frustrated. Then Hanuman thought of a

plan. He inscribed the letter 'Ra' on one boulder and 'ma' on

another

and threw them in the ocean one after the other. They stuck together

to make the Name 'Rama'. With the help of many such boulders bearing

the letters 'Ra' and 'ma', a bridge was constructed. The boulders

became light and floated on water only due to the power of Rama's

Name. There is an intimate and inseparable relationship between the

love of a devotee and the grace of God. Only love can win the divine

grace. You have to practice righteousness and tread the path of

sacrifice to experience everlasting happiness. The Name and

principle

of Rama will give you tremendous strength and power. The divine

principle underlying the Avatars of Rama and Krishna can neither be

explained in words nor understood with the help of worldly

education.

It is only through love one can understand them. Fill your heart

with

love and chant the Name of Rama forgetting yourself in bliss. Then

Rama will certainly give you His divine Darshan.

 

Once there lived an ardent devotee of Rama in Chengalpat near

Madras.

He wanted to attend the marriage of Thyagaraja's daughter in

Thiruvayyar. He wanted to present a picture of Rama to the bride. In

those days, there were no buses, cars or aeroplanes. Therefore, he

walked all the way from Chengalpat to Thiruvayyar, carrying the

picture of Rama. On seeing the picture, Thyagaraja was ecstatic and

burst into a song - "Oh Rama! You walked all the way in order to

protect me. You have taken so much trouble Oh Lord." In this manner,

he went on extolling Rama's love and compassion. He experienced

unity

with Rama's Divinity. He considered Rama his dear old friend. You

don't need to observe any formalities or use respectful words when

you address your old friend. Thyagaraja addressed Rama with the same

intimacy in the song, "Ra Ra Ma Inti Daaka …" (Oh Rama! Come to my

house). There is another song which reflects the feeling of

friendship: "Enta Vedukondu Raghava … Panthamelara Oh Raghava …"

(How

long should I plead with You, Oh Raghava! Why are You so obstinate

and not responding…) Thyagaraja felt, "It is my duty to pray till

Your heart melts. But the warmth of my prayer does not seem to have

touched Your heart. One day or the other, Your heart will surely

melt. I will wait till such time. I am in no hurry." In this manner,

he consoled himself. It was only then that Rama granted him His

divine vision. No one can comprehend, how and when God is going to

shower His grace on a Sadhaka and what type of boons He is going to

grant him. He gives so many gifts and ultimately gives Himself and

makes you ecstatic. Why then are you distancing yourself from such

all-merciful Lord?

 

You are aware that everyday you chant the following prayer before

partaking your food:

 

Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir

Brahmagnou Brahmanahutam

Brahmaiva Thena Ganthavyam

Brahma Karma Samadhina.

 

You say that the food is an offering to Brahman. Then where is

Brahman? He is within. So, immediately God replies from within:

 

Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva

Praninam Dehamasrita

Pranapana Samayukta

Pachamyannam Chaturvidham

 

God says "My dear one, I am in you in the form of Vaishvanara. I

receive and digest the four types of food that you partake of. You

don't need to send any special invitation to Me nor extol Me. I am

yours and you are Mine. I am with you, in you, above you, below you,

around you." God has given you such a great assurance. He has

promised that He will be always with you. But you are not able to

understand this.

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

God is the ocean of love and compassion. He is sweetest and most

enchanting. That is why Rama is described as Pumsam Mohana Rupaya

(One who enchants even the males). He captivates and attracts

everyone. There is divinity in every object in this world. But man

is

unable to understand this divine principle. In spite of all his

education and listening to the discourses of saints and holy men, he

is unable to comprehend the nature of the divine. There is only one

way by which you can understand God. Love Him wholeheartedly. Do not

hate anyone. If you come across a person who hates you, do not

reciprocate the same feeling. Greet him saying, "Hello friend, how

are you?" Then all the hatred in him will vanish. He too will

develop

love towards you. God is your true friend and most intimately

related

to you. Love is the only path that can take you to God. When you

develop love, God will give Himself up to you and will protect you

always.

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

It is a grave mistake on your part to consider yourself a mere human

being. Contemplate on the fundamental principle of wisdom, Aham Etat

Na [i am not this (body)]. You and I are one. When you understand

and

experience such intimate relationship with God, there will be no

differences whatsoever.

 

In this New Year, develop new and noble feelings; contemplate on God

with full faith that He will grant you all comforts and happiness.

Lead your life with love and enjoy peace and happiness. You should

strive for the happiness of not merely yourself, your friends and

relatives, but for the welfare of all. Strive to make everyone happy

with the constant prayer, Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (May all the

people of the world be happy!) Then you will certainly experience

true peace and bliss. Those who help others will always be helped in

turn; they will never be put to harm.

 

Bhagawan sang the Bhajan, "Rama Rama Rama Sita …" and then

continued

the Discourse.

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

When you chant the Divine Name with love at least once, you will

experience inexplicable and overwhelming bliss in your heart. Divine

Name melts even a stone-hearted person. Even ice takes some time to

melt, but God's heart melts instantaneously when you chant His Name

with love. So, chant the Name of God. Even while you are traveling,

you can chant His Name silently without attracting others'

attention.

Sarvada Sarva Kaleshu Sarvatra Rama Chintanam (everywhere, at all

times and under all circumstances, contemplate on the divine name of

Rama). There is no greater Sadhana than this. The essence of all

Sadhana is contained in this. In the Kali Yuga, chanting of God's

Name is the royal path to liberation. Harer Nama Harer Nama Harer

Namaiva Kevalam, Kalau Nastyeva Nastyeva Nastyeva Gathiranyatha

(chanting of the Divine Name is the only path to liberation in this

Age of Kali).

 

Jai Sai Ram

Swamy Mahadevan

Bow to Shri Sai-Peace be to all

Baba Bless you ever!!!