Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Monday, January 13, 2020
Sri Brahmachaithanya Pravachan-Jan.13
Nama and Righteous Actions
Nama is the foundation of righteous actions and their crown as well. Only actions performed in remembrance of the Supreme Being may be called righteous actions, not those performed without such remembrance. Imagine a person chanting "Rama" but not in remembrance of the Supreme Being; will this action be a righteous one? In reality, nama is self-existent, and therefore, chanting of nama may be called a righteous action, whether chanted with awareness or without it; for, God has said, "I, Purushottama, am present where nama is chanted." Hence the utterance of nama and the presence of the Supreme Being may not be separated from one another. He who chants nama, may or may not be in remembrance of the Supreme Being, but the action must surely be called a righteous one. The main difference between the act of chanting nama and other actions is, that while other actions derive perfection or righteousness on being associated with nama, imperfection and nama cannot co-exist; thus it becomes futile to ask whether or not nama is chanted in remembrance of the Supreme Being. Indeed, if one chants nama, righteous deeds must follow. Delivering a child is naturally followed by its mother's yearning to feed it, to indulge it, and to shower love upon it, without being taught these things; so does it happen to a person who chants nama. Indeed, just as one cannot prevent a mother from loving her child, the person who chants nama cannot avoid doing righteous actions even if he were to so try.
God has spoken to us: "Do you have a desire to belong to me? Then carry out your worldly duties with utmost care, without sparing any efforts, and yet, do believe that it is I who will reward them. Let no situation disturb your mind. The medicine that I will give you, will cure you of all diseases; and that medicine is my nama." So, do practice chanting nama. Do resolve that your life shall not be without nama. I earnestly feel that no life should be without nama. Only he who chants nama devotedly will understand how such devotedness works. And I solemnly affirm that God looks after him who lovingly chants the nama of the Supreme Being. If only once, do call out "Rama" in such earnestness, that God will want to be with you.
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Sunday, January 12, 2020
Sri Brahmachaithanya Pravachan-Jan.12
Nama and the Supreme Being
It is futile to ask how one could reach Rama merely by chanting His name. On the other hand, one may argue that it is not possible to reach Rama unless one chants His name. Such also is one's experience in ordinary life. Imagine that one goes to a railway station and describes the place he-wishes to go to, but cannot name the place; can he buy a ticket for the place? On the other hand, if one does not know anything about that place but knows only its name, then one may buy a ticket for that place. This means, it is of no use knowing the place but not remembering its name. Thus, if one does many other things but does not chant nama, then the efforts will not bear fruit; it is, therefore, essential to chant nama. One may rest assured that one will reach the Supreme Being through chanting of nama.
There is a twofold necessity for the name of the Supreme Being; firstly, for understanding the nature of worldly life, and secondly, for reaching the Supreme Being. We cannot understand why a man is worried and restless even if he is wellfed, has a family, and is also provided with a house and such other worldly things, which means, we do not understand where unhappiness originates. To understand that, one needs to chant the name of the Supreme Being. Nama is a necessity until one sincerely yearns to reach the Supreme Being; thereafter, one must chant nama because one has none to depend on but the Supreme Being and finally one attains the Supreme Being, nama continues by itself, through habit. Thus, it is the name of the Supreme Being that endures from the beginning to the end. A spontaneous desire for the knowledge of the Supreme Being will arise in one who chants nama and maintains an awareness of the Supreme Being. Chant nama for its own sake, and you will realize that it contains Rama, the essence. While chanting nama, one should rest assured that what happens is good, and for one's welfare.
The name of the Supreme Being is the Ultimate Reality, satchidanand in nature. He who forgets himself in chanting the name of the Supreme Being is called jeevanmukta. This is the goal to be reached. All else is like a dream, experienced but non-existent.
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