Recitation of Lord's name

An effective "passport" for attaining salvation is the constant recitation of the names of the Lord and chanting His glory. No restriction of any kind is imposed on this method of liberation (Bhagawan Nama Sankirtanam).

Tirukkudanthai Srimad Andavan in his discourse pointed out that even Brahma and Indra were not exempted from being bound by the shackles of Maya. Brahma was taught a lesson for hiding the cowherd boys and cattle in a cave, by the Lord Himself taking as many forms as the missing lot and continuing to assume the same for one year. Indra went to the extent of showing his wrath against Sri Krishna for not getting his due puja from the people, without knowing that it was also God's act. In spite of ample proof of His greatness, people still get shrouded in Maya.

Sri Krishna took his friends to the banks of the Yamuna and enjoyed eating in their company. It is something astounding that when attempts are being made of offer Him the Havis by performing Yagnas (sacrifices), the Lord takes the form of an ordinary human being and mixes freely with humble folk. Periyazhwar revels in expounding Krishnavatara and the many facets of the Lord's playful manifestations. One easily accessible, without being tied by any inhibition, to those in the lower rungs and intermingle with them freely, to a particular extent. Sri Rama a strict disciplinarian, partakes of eatables with Sabari.

The great saint (Periyazhwar) in one of his works had mentioned the path leading to Moksha. Just as people work hard in the field for eight months in a year and take rest during the remaining months (the monsoon) and as one toils during his youth to lead a comfortable life in the declining period, so too, people who desire to reach the Lord's feet, should ceaselessly think of Him during the present life. The Lord who directs Periyazhwar to explain to a congregation of scholars that Paramatma is synonymous with Narayana, later doubts whether the saint had become possessed with ego. It is Panchajanya (Sankham) who tells the Lord that the saint sang Pallandu (Mangalasasana) out of sheer love (Preethi) towards the Lord and not out of arrogance.

There should always be an Acharya to detail the glory of God. All that Sri Krishna told Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita was of no avial and in the end, the Lord asks him to surrender to God. If the Lord takes up teaching lessons directly, He has perforce to deal with His own greatness. On the other hand, an Acharya will be in an advantageous position, as a third person, to extol His manifestations effectively. Thus, even centuries after the exit of great savants, their teachings still remain with us.
                                                                                  June 22, 1964

Mirage of life

One who realises that life is ephemeral will be able to achieve mental poise. For this he should cultivate detachment towards transient objects and seek the association of men endowed with noble and Divine qualities.

Swami Purushothama Tirtha in his discourses on Bhaja Govindam (containing 31 verses written by Adi Sankara bringing out the essence of Vedanta), said, pleasures we presume to enjoy are but fleeting and mirage-like. To overcome Maya (delusion), we should understand, the "Self" and Brahmam. It calls for a determined effort and the training of the mind to concentrate on God.

The bonds of attachment can be broken by seeking the company of the Sadhus, who can distinguish between Real and Unreal and who will show us the royal road to Godhead. They will help us to wipe out the ill effects of illusion and enable us to see the light continuously burning within us but not visible because of ignorance. Once darkness is dispelled, we will be able to become introverts when good or bad, pleasure or pain, elation or depression will have no effect on us. The lecturer quoted from the Bhagavad Gita to show the need to discard desire, which breeds anger and ultimately leads us into conflicts and imbalance. We can attain a stage of mental equilibrium even while remaining amidst the worldly turmoil by developing the virtue of contentment, by controlling the Senses and by not giving room to desire and by realising that the so-called happiness is after all a myth. The two essential qualities required for this purpose are discrimination and detachment. An ageing man loses the capacity to enjoy pleasures. Men without wealth will not be cared for by their own kith and kin. When external influences cease to have any impact on us, we can break ourselves away from the shackles of Samsara.
                                                                                  March 12, 1965

Devotion as described in Sivananda Lahari

Vacillation is repugnant to the concept of Bhakti. The mind of a true devotee will not relent from its concentration on God's feet under pressure of adverse circumstance or extraneous influences. But to discipline the inherently fickle mind to cent percent perfection is an arduous task. Sri Appayya Dikshitar compares the mind to a monkey, which will not rest quiet even for a moment. Pleading his inability to control and train the mind not to swerve from thoughts about God, he prays to the all-powerful Lord Nataraja to take the initiative Himself and take his heart as His permanent abode.

Sri Thiruvaiyaru Annaswami Srowthigal, in a discourse said Adi Sankara, in his "Sivananda Lahari" had described the true nature of devotion by means of five examples, which represented different stages of Bhakti-the Ankola tree and its seeds (it is said the seeds that fall to the ground again stick to the tree); magnet and iron; husband and wife; creeper and prop; river and sea. The devotee's love for God would be above the limitation of space, his heart pining for union. He would not tolerate any obstruction to his service to the Lord. In the end, by His grace, God would take the devotee to His fold and, even as river-water becomes inseparable from seawater, the two become one. The tongue that does not speak or sing the Lord's names and glory, the ears that do not listen to songs Divine, the hands that do not make offerings or perform puja to Him, the legs which do not tread the temple corridors and the eyes that do not enjoy the beauty of His form to the heart's content -- all forfeit the very purpose of their existence. To Sri Adi Sankara, the Almighty is Sri Parameswara, by worshipping whom a Jiva could attain liberation from the vicious cycle of birth and death.
                                                                                  June 24, 1966

Efficacy of Sri Narayana Kavacham

Mantras-special chants in which are embedded the secrets of God's real form-are an effective medium of worship. Recited with sincerity and devotion, they help us to achieve perfect communion with the Creator. They are also potent antidotes to nullify the evil influences and deadly effects of black magic and other occult faculties. Mantras enable us to develop supernatural powers, confer on us mental quietude and give us the strength to withstand the impact of inimical forces.

In his discourse, Sri Karpangadu Venkatachariar said when the demons gained enormous might by learning special mantras through their religious head Sukracharya, Indra and the other Devas sought the assistance of a scholar Viswarupa, and mastered equally forceful chants and got back the status which they had earlier lost. The 'Narayana Kavacham", which the purohit taught them contain three specific mantras in praise of God. Also termed the "Vaishnavi Vidya", it was Armour providing eternal protection against attack from any quarter. Its repetition redeemed one from all ills and sins.

The detailed account of the efficacy of the Narayana Kavacham also gave a description of the minimum rites one was expected to perform daily, as well as gist of the ten incarnations of God. Recitation of the verses, which contained the Avataras, would keep off all malefic forces. For instance, meditation on Sri Narasimha would help one to face any danger and on Sri Rama, (while on tour) would enable one to get general protection.
                                                                            December 16, 1966

A simple recipe to realise God

Even centuries ago, sages could foresee the trend of worldly events and could anticipate the attitude of people towards religion. Aware that they may not be inclined to go through the strict spiritual austerities and yet in a bid to help them, they had prescribed a simple recipe to realise God, namely, incessantly reciting God's names. This formula will cleanse the mind of impurities and enable God to reside within one's heart.

The names bear significance but even as a patient will not attempt to analyse the constituents of the medicine that he is advised to swallow, there is no need to find out what they connote. Uttered with devotion, the very names of God will fetch Bliss. The efficacy of this measure has been shown through Draupadi's appeal to "Govinda". The Bhagavatham is specially intended to highlight the beneficial result of chanting God's "Nama".

Sri. S. Jayarama Sarma in his discourse narrated the manner in which a scholar-turned-renegade. Ajamila, was saved from death's clutches though he casually called his affectionate son named after God. Again, the child Dhruva could see God by virtue of his penance repeating God's name.

In recent times, emperor Shivaji in hiding, stealthily joined Thukkaram's congregational prayers. Getting scent of this his enemies lay in wait outside but God, assuming the form of Shivaji lured them away. The emperor could escape, thanks to his chanting the names of "Panduranga" and "Vittala". Likewise, a sentry in an ammunition factory, unable to control his desire to join a bhajan by devotees, left his post late in the night. He later confessed about his dereliction of duty before his officer, who was surprised at the statement because he had made an inspection and found him alert. It was obvious that God had saved His devotee by taking his place.
                                                                                  April 2, 1980