Guest guest Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 The Ramayana contains thousands of slokas. Since it was not possible to remember all the slokas of the Ramayana, the sages recommended the chanting of the Name of Rama. When the disciples of Vasishtha asked him what Divine Name to chant, the sage said, "It is enough if you chant the name 'Rama'. The Name of Rama will make you free from raga (attachment) and roga (disease)." I often tell the students that the name Rama has two syllables, Ra and ma. These two powerful syllables are derived from the names of Vishnu and Siva. The syllable , Ra comes from the ashtakshari (eight syllabled) mantra Om Namo Narayanaya. It is the life-breath of the ashtakshari mantra. Similarly, ma is the very soul of the panchakshari (five lettered) mantra Om Namah Sivaya. The ashtakshari mantra Om Namo Narayanaya and the panchakshari mantra Om Namah Sivaya become meaningless when ra and ma are respectively removed from the words of these mantras. Without ra, the ashtakshari mantra becomes Om Namo Nayanaya, which is meaningless. In the same way, the panchakshari mantra without ma becomes Om Nah Sivaya, which is inauspicious.The Name Rama is the life-breath of both the Vaisanavites and Saivites. - From Swami's 2004 Rama Navami Discourse From Chandigarh to Chennai - find friends all over India. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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