Miscellaneous - Religion   

Bliss of God's name

CHENNAI : The bliss of chanting the Divine name has to be experienced to appreciate its adulation by saints and mystics. This method has attained the status of an independent means to liberation and the scriptures recommend this as the most suitable to realise God in this age. Its practice does not have stringent regulations and anybody can follow it. Saint Tyagaraja experienced the ecstasy of the Divine name Rama and sung His glory in moving compositions. He attests to the bliss of the name Rama in a Kirtana in which he also testifies to it as the `Taraka nama' capable of liberating the devotee from worldly bondage. Adi Sankara also says that Lord Siva initiates this Taraka mantra to the devotee who is fortunate to shed his mortal coil in Kasi.

In his Harikatha, Kalyanapuram Sri R.Aravamudachariar said Sage Viswamitra was one of those who knew Rama's divine nature during His advent in the world and hence he wished to have the benefit of the Lord's company like Sage Vasishta enjoyed as the royal preceptor. He also wanted the privilege of bringing about the marriage of the Divine couple, Rama and Sita. Without divulging his real intention he used the pretext of his sacrifice being disturbed by the demons to seek Dasaratha's permission to allow Rama to guard it and ask Him to kill them when they surfaced. His task was made easier because when he arrived at the palace in Ayodhya, Dasaratha welcomed him ceremoniously and graciously offered to fulfil the objective of his visit without even waiting for him to express his mind.

But, the moment the sage expressed his wish the king fainted as Rama was his very life and he could not even bear the thought of separation from Him. Viswamitra was furious when the king went back on his word and it was Vasishta's timely intervention that made Dasaratha see reason and agree to send Rama and Lakshmana, who refused to be separated from Him. The Ramayana notes that accompanied by the brothers the sage went post-haste along the bank of the river, Sarayu, for 12 miles before halting to offer the evening ablutions. Without wasting any time the sage endearingly addressed the Lord by His name and, asked Rama and Lakshmana to receive initiation in to the mantras Bala and Atibala thus gaining the status of His preceptor.

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