JOIN USThe power of japam, or chanting the holy name of God, is inestimable. People who are unused to the practice of chanting the name of the Lord have a habit of scoffing at it. They consider the practice mechanical, empty and repetitive.
Consider these utterances of Babuji, who established the Srikaligardens Ashram in Guntur: “The vasanas (blemishes acquired over several births) that hamper spiritual progress are, like oil, sticky. Put into the mind the wick of a name – the name of the Lord – and burn it quick and fast by repeating the name with intense devotion and faith. The oil will soon be exhausted. That is the way to success.”
In the troubled times we live, nama smaranam – remembering the sacred Name – is the surest means of calming the mind and securing salvation. This explains why the power of the Name is extolled in our scriptures. It is the boat that takes seekers across the ocean of worldly existence.
The story of Hanuman is both inspiring and uplifting. When gifted with a garland of pearls by Sita Devi, he placed it upon his ear and bit into it with his teeth.
When Sri Rama who was quite taken aback by this behaviour asked him what he was doing, he replied by saying, “I want to see whether I can see your form in these pearls. Otherwise they are of no use to me. Your Name alone is what I want.”
On hearing these words, it is said that Lord Rama embraced this peerless devotee saying: “Maruti! What other gift can I give you? I shall give you myself as the gift. Accept Me.”
This is why it is said that we can be sure of Rama’s presence through Hanuman.
It is also said that Lord Rama conferred upon Hanuman the gift of immortality and said that as long as His name survived in the world, the name of Hanuman would survive with Him.
Nama smaranam differs in importance in the four yugas. The chariot of Dharma for example moves upon all four wheels in the Satya Yuga, including fidelity to truth, purity, rituals and chanting the Name.
In the Treta Yuga, the wheel of truth fell and people gave up on listening to rishis and elders. In the Dwapara Yuga, the second wheel of purity breaks away and rituals become devoid of meaning.
In Kali Yuga, the third wheel of rituals falls off leaving behind the only wheel of Nama.
The chariot of Dharma is so weak in Kali Yuga that good is called evil and evil is called good.
Yet it is Dharma that endures since it has withstood all the four yugas and stands strong to this day.