Why To Recite God’s Name ? | A Short Story
Let’s understand the topic Why To Recite God’s Name with the following story.
A Short Story on ” Why To Recite God’s Name ? “
A young IAS officer came to know about the arrival of a Brahmnishta Saint in the town. Under the influence of his saatvic (virtuous) sanskaars, he went to meet the Saint. The Saint was sitting in a room with about a dozen devotees and talking about the significance of reciting the holy name (Naam japa).
At the end of the discussion, the Saint told the devotees to clarify their doubts and ask questions. The Officer asked, “Dear Sir, please tell us an easy and practical method of realizing our Aatman and the God.”
With a smile of his face, the Saint said, “Son, reciting the holy name of God while contemplating upon his essence is the easiest and practical way to realize the true Self. Recite Ram… Ram … Ram every day and fill your heart with the love and devotion for that holy name.”
“Sir, we already know that. Please tell us something new.”
“Oh you donkey, don’t just keep on asking questions for the sake of asking.”
There was a complete silence in the room. Even the Saint closed his eyes in silence. With a heavy heart, the Officer stood up and left the scene.”
After about the week, the Officer’s friend dragged him once again to the Saint. Once again at the end of the spiritual discourse of the Saint, the Saint asked the devotees to clarify their doubts and ask questions. The
Officer said, “Dear Sir, what can we ask? If we ask then you refer us as donkey.”
The Saint started laughing and so does everyone else. Filled with compassion, the Saint said, “Son, just as you know the meaning of the word “donkey”, you don’t know the true essence of the holy name “Raam”. When I referred to you as donkey, you heart got hurt. Similarly, when you recite the holy name “Raam” even once, your heart should be filled with devotion, compassion and love for Ram. If you have the deep understanding of the holy name and then only your heart will be filled with associated bliss. “Raam” refers to your true essence, your true Self. “Ram” is the one that resides in your every part – “Rom Rom mein basane wale Raam”. It is the Sat-Chita-Ananda. It is Omkara swarupa all- embracing absolute consciousness. Know that to be your true nature, your essence.”
“Sir, can you please explain it a little more.”
“Give importance to your own experience. Your true nature is Sat-Chit-Ananda (Eternal-Conscious-Blissful). No one tries to change anything that exists naturally. For example, water flow downward, salt taste salty, sugarcane is sweet, dog barks etc. If anything is unnatural, we always try to change it – for example if you have something stuck in your teeth, it will continue to bother you till you remove it.”
Everyone nodded in affirmation.
The Saint continued, “Now let’s look at your true nature. Every living being tries to live longer and no one wants to die. This proves that your true nature is Eternal –the one that is never born and will never die. Everyone is curious to know the answers and the reasoning behind every phenomenon. This proves that your nature is Conscious. Everyone wants peace and seeks happiness – not for short time, but forever. This proves that our true nature is Blissful. Try to understand and realize the true nature of your own Self and that is “Raam”. Recite His holy name and He will help you in such realization. With the progress in your faith and understanding, your love, compassion and devotion will also grow on its own.”
After a moment of silence, the Saint starting chanting slowly again.
The Science & Spirituality Behind Reciting God’s Name
Why To Recite God’s Name ?
The science is one of the effect of sound vibration on the consciousness. Everyone knows that if you have no sound track to a movie it’s more difficult to create the effect you want. A sand blaster purifies by blowing earth on a surface. Water purifies by dissolving and removing dirt and contamination. Fire purifies by burning or separating with heat the impurities. Spiritual sound vibration purifies our consciousness. Due to chanting, unnecessary thoughts of the individual reduce and he is able to experience peace of mind. Constant chanting with love and devotion helps destroy the numerous impressions on the subconscious mind of the individual. This leads to development of faith in the ‘Name’ and the Deity. When we have the belief, bhav for the Deity develops swiftly. ‘God exists where there is bhav’. And, in Spirituality, developing bhav has the utmost importance.
Another way to understand the benefit of japa is to think about attunement. Paramhansa Yogananda ( know more about him here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramahansa_Yogananda said thoughts are universally not individually rooted. Our subconscious thought habits actually have their source, not internally, but in dark, negative or low consciousness thought patterns in the universe. Japa attunes the radio of our consciousness to positive, uplifting and God-reminding thought patterns. What station do we want our radio tuned to?
Final Takeaway
Why To Recite God’s Name ?
Although easy to do, this simple practice can have amazing effects. The glory of the Name of God cannot be established through reasoning. It can certainly be experienced through faith, devotion and constant repetition. It fills in idle times with a constantly uplifting force. You can do it any time you don’t need full concentration on the task at hand. Train yourself to look for opportunities to do your japa, such as when you are commuting, or waiting in line, or cooking. Japa can transform mundane activities into spiritual experiences and take you to the new heights.
तन्मुखं तु महत्तीर्थं तन्मुखं क्षेत्रमेव च ।
यन्मुखे राम रामेति तन्मुखं सार्वकामिकम् ।।
– Padmapuran, Uttarkhanda, Adhyaya 72, Shloka 32
Meaning : When chanting is continuous, our mouth itself becomes a pilgrimage. That itself becomes the location of purity, which can fulfil all our desires.
Read also : How to practice Kundalini Meditation ( https://thebrightdelights.com/how-to-practice-kundalini-meditation/ )