Sri Brahmananda Maharaj's letter on Manasa Pooja

Some time back, Sri Brahmananda Maharaj's letter written in Kannada was published. Thinking that non-kannadiga devotees of Sri Maharaj may be interested to know the content of the letter, it has been translated in to English, and presented here.Many Sanskrit words are retained finding no appropriate English words to substitute,and thinking that, as the readers are mostly Indians, the mix of Sanskrit words may not hamper the understanding.    

Shri Sadguru Brahmananda Maharaja’s Divine Message

Phalguna shuddha Panchami                                             Sri Rama Samartha                                     camp:Harda                                                  

                                                                                                                                                          Date: 22-3-1913

Salutations and Blessings of Sri  Brahmananda Ramadasi,Sri Rama samsthan, Beladadi to Shri Rama Bhakta paraayana  Sarva bhakta mandali

Received your letter and noted the contents. As per the letter, eight lakhs twenty thousand Ram Jap was offered at the feet of Sri Samarth and conveyed the Dandavat Sashtaanga Pranams of all of you. Sri Samarth felt very happy. He blessed with his Poorna  Ashirvad to all of you. Continue to do Ram-Jap like this. How much to write about the immense Mahima of Sri Samarth! How much ever we write can only be a very little. We have heard Sadhus like Ramadasa Swamy, Jnyanoba Maharaj, Purandara Das, Kanaka Das, Chidambara Deekshit took avathaar, uplifted many people, and performed Super human deeds. Now, Sri Samarth has taken re-birth. How can I describe His immense greatness! I am not talented enough. Everyday, miracles are happening! One cannot understand His greatness unless one sees personally. He sowed the seed of Ram-naam all over the country.

 You are now in Betegeri. Sri Samarth is 500 Haridari (1500miles) away in Harda. You are doing Sri Rama namasmarana. Is this by your own strength or by the Grace of Sri Samarth? Like this, people from all over the country do Sri Rama namasmaran. There is no one who can uplift the mankind like Sri Samarth. His talk is sweeter than Amritha. On hearing his Niroopan, even a hard minded atheist will be tempted to do Sri Rama Namasmarana. His charisma is Divine. On seeing Him, every one will know that He is God. He has no ordinary man-like behaviour. Dhairya, kshamaa, shaanthi, vichaara, viveka, vairaagya, jnyaana all are fully abounding in him. All of you have seen Him. Having taken darshan of Sri Maharaj,  do naamasmaran, as per his advice and be blessed. During the time of death, when Yamadeva drags, father, mother, wife, children, relatives and friends, wealth, nobody can free from his clutches. None can guard, except Sri Ram-nam. Yama Deva, cannot come near one who is doing Ram namasmaran always. This is true. Do not think this as false. This has to be deliberated in a very subtle way. No one  tells as much, with concern..

There is one necessary action. Who ever may be, and whatever his profession, he must be doing his job, but while going, while coming , while he sits, while he stands, while he lies down till he gets sleep, let him be chanting Sri Ram, Sri Ram. He should not sleep early in the night. Sit chanting Sri Rama, Sri Rama for half an hour. Again, wake up two hours before Sun-rise, and after finishing morning ablutions, sit with concentration on a mat. Do manasa – pooja. Imagine a Mantap in your heart in which a gem clad Throne is placed. Meditate on Sri Ram sitting on that throne. The dark skinned handsome person, with his body shining like Agase (flax ?) flower, dressed in Peethaambar, with Crown, Ear drops, Bhuja keerti, and Sri vatsa kousthubha vanamaala in the neck, holds bow and arrow in the hand.

Seeta Devi is sitting on Sri Ramachandra’s lap. Lakshmana is standing behind holding an umbrella. Bharata and Shatrughna are  standing, fanning from left and right sides. Maaruti Raaja is standing in front folding his hands in humility, chanting Sri Rama Sri Rama; Vasishtji, Naradji, and saints led by Sanaka are chanting keertans. Meditating like this in mind, do Pooja.

Anoint the God Sri Rama with Perfumed oil. Bathe him with the hot water from Bhaageerati (river), wipe him with clean shining cloth, Dress him with Peetaambara, Anoint him with Saffron scent, and Musk mixed Akshata. Put many types of flower garlands and Tulasi garland. Put Kireeta, Kundala and other Jewels. Decorate Seeta Devi with jewels and female decorations. After Dhoopa, Deepa, desirable eatables like Pancha bhaksha pakwaanna should be served in a golden plate to Sri Rama. Imagine that the God Ramacandra is eating. Then, wash his hand, wipe it, and put Tamboola in his mouth . Do arati chanting Jayadeva Jayadeva Jaya Seetha Rama. After doing Pradakshina, prostrate holding his feet firmly and pray ‘ Sri Rama, Deena Dayaala, Protect me’,

Imagine that God Sri Rama has put his assuring hand on your head. Getting up, look at the smiling face of  the God Sri Rama. The mind should not wander that way or this way. Should be chanting Sri Rama Sri Rama, till day-break. After Sunrise, one should carry on his professional duties. Women while doing their household chores should be chanting Rama Rama. Should not waste the time. Should always be doing Rama Smarana.  Life is transient. Nothing comes with us in death. Always be chanting Sri Rama Sri Rama Sri Rama Sri Rama.       Blessings.

                                                                                                      Brahmananda