The Hindu : Efficacy of chanting 'Rama Nama'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 14, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Efficacy of chanting 'Rama Nama'

CHENNAI APRIL 14 . While human nature tends to deify men of heroic qualities, it is God, who is humanised in the great scriptural work, the Ramayana. Replete with drama and poetry, the epic is soul-stirring with the hero — God in human garb, exemplifying a person who should raise himself to a perfect level through his efforts and thus serves as a role model for the entire world. A disciplinarian and a leader, Rama never compromised in upholding the Law of Virtue.

That even the very utterance of His name, as He is a replica of Dharma, can cure us of all ills is revealed in a story concerning Saint Kabir, a herbalist too, in whose absence, his son once prescribed a dose of basil water and the chanting of Rama's name thrice to a patient. Coming back to thank as he became all right he was aghast to see Kabir thrashing his son. What made Kabir angry was that his son had advised the patient to chant Rama's name thrice, when just chanting the Lord's name once would have served the purpose. Despite facing severe jolts, Rama never failed to stick to the Law of Righteousness. By emulating His life, a mortal can get closer to God and reach perfection.

There are three types of devotees — those who listen to the Lord's glory as narrated in holy texts; those who begin their journey of inner progression and thirdly those to whom God comes to extend His grace, Rama displaying this gesture by going all the way to Lanka to bless Vibhishana. The Ramayana chronicles three types of civilisations based on "Thapas, Yagna, Dhana". In Ayodhya, men led a pious life with absolute self-control adhering to scriptural injunctions. In Kishkinda, we meet sub-humans, yet their loyalty to God was praiseworthy. Lanka represents selfishness. The Ramayana brings out the true relationship and the bond between brothers. It highlights the absolute control over the powerful internal enemies through Shatrughna.

More than all the ideals projected, the epic refers to the contribution by Anjaneya, a combination of brain, brawn, beauty and bravery, said Smt. Prema Pandurang in a lecture. A nonpareil, Anjaneya was gifted with a graceful turn of phrase and diplomatic finesse. Rama admired his eloquence, mastery over the Vedas and his humility. He came to be praised both by the Lord and the Divine Mother.

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