Dhyana Vahini

Whatever might be the tangle in which people are caught, if they get immersed in the Nama-smarana (remembrance of the Lord’s name), it will make them free; besides, by this means, they can realise without fail the Name and Form through which they constantly remember the Lord. There is no iota of doubt in this. Sadhanas (Spiritual disciplines) of Yoga, Pranayama (breath-control), or Tapas (Penance) are beset with pitfalls at every step, and they are full of dangers, too. But, in the Sadhanas of Japam (repetition of the Divine name), Dhyanam (Meditation) or Nama-smarana (remembrance of God's name) there is no likelihood of a fall or any other danger. In the former type of spiritual disciplines, i.e., Yoga, Pranayama or Tapas, the practices differ according to the caste or religion. In the practice of the Nama Sadhana, there is not even a trace of such distinction. Hindus, Muslims and Christians might differ on many points, but they are all one in the glorification of the name of the Godhead. All of them take but the name of the one Lord, though the language through which the name is expressed is different. Each one recites, repeats, and remembers the name as formed in his own tongue. Each one turns with his fingers the rosary appropriate to his religion. Therefore, for everyone, there is nothing so permanent, so universal, or so holy among spiritual disciplines as these three: Japam (repetition of the Divine name), Dhyanam (Meditation) and Nama smarana (remembrance of the Lord’s name).

The Lord and His name are both one; but, the sweetness of the name is seldom found in the form. When the name of the flower, ‘the rose’, is remembered, its fragrance, its tender petals, its deep colour, these spring to memory; its thorns and the trouble one has undergone to get the flower are all forgotten. Instead, if its origin and previous story are considered, and if the plant, its leaves and branches are taken into account, the flower which is the most important, the most beautiful and the most attractive is likely to be forgotten and only ‘the plant’ gets discussed. See this from another angle. As soon as the name ‘mango fruit’ is mentioned, one is reminded of an incomparable sweetness. Instead, if an actual mango fruit is held in the hand, the doubt first arises in the mind whether it is sweet or sour; then, we are engaged in distinguishing the skin, the fibre, the juice, the nut, the rind, the seed, etc. When the name alone is repeated, these other nonessential things do not come to mind. Only the sweetness is brought to the memory. Isn’t it? Such is the difference between the Paramatma (Lord) and the Paramatma Nama (Lord’s Name)!

There is the pure essence of sweetness in the Lord’s name. In the case of the form, there is the chance of dread mixed with respect, and sometimes even attributes causing fear, showing themselves.

Again, note another reason why the name of the Lord is to be craved for even more than the form. It is by means of the riches of Nama (Name of God) that the article, ‘the Rupa (Form) of the Lord’ is to be earned. Riches are needed to secure any article in the world. With the riches, articles are got, so it follows that the riches are superior to the articles obtained by means of them, isn’t it? With riches, one can get any article, any time. So too, if the riches called Nama (Name of God) are steadily accumulated, the Lord can be realised through the path of Dhyanam (Meditation), easily and without difficulty.

Another special thing about the Nama smarana (remembrance of the Lord’s name) is this: It is possible to acquire various Siddhis (Occult powers) through Yoga and Tapas (Penance). So, there is every likelihood of the Lord being forgotten when these powers come. Blinded by this pride, a person might even mar the basic fruit or essence won by all his Sadhanas (Spiritual practices). This is not the case with Nama smarana (remembrance of the name), Japam (repetition of the name), and Dhyanam (meditation); no such dangers beset these paths. These three paths make Prema (Love) grow more and more. Through Prema, Shanti (Peace) is achieved. Once peace of mind is achieved, all other desirable conditions are attained automatically. Through Yoga and Tapas (Penance), extraordinary power; through remembrance of the name, repetition of the name and meditation, unconditional Love — this is the difference between the two.

However, one should be careful not to discuss these paths with all and sundry. Because, for each one, his path will appear as the best. If the person consulted is treading the other path, he will decry the practice of remembrance of the name, repetition of the name, and meditation, and treat these with scant respect. He will look down upon them, as if they are very elementary, and as if the Sadhakas are but beginners in school. As a result, one will start doubting the efficacy of one’s chosen path! As a result, one will get concerned where he had joy before, disgust where he had love before. Therefore, reflect within yourself, which among these two is sweeter. Or, you can approach those who have tasted the nectar of that name and ask for the details of their experiences. Do not argue about these things with everyone whom you come across. The time spent in such haphazard disputations is best used for the cultivation of joy and peace through the repeated bringing of the Nama (Name) to memory and the meditation on the Rupa (Form) of the Lord. Mere argumentations and weighing of the pros and cons, like which is greater among the two, will only end with the quick loss of all the success gained after great efforts through Sadhana (Spiritual discipline). Until you become an expert, bring the name of the Lord constantly to memory and repeat it, firm and unruffled, either alone or in the company of the Bhaktas (Devotees). Then, nothing can waver you! Look at the fish! In the early stages, it breeds its newly hatched young ones in a quiet, shallow spot. Then, it pushes them into the wide-open sea, rough and rude with its monstrous denizens! They can then survive there, courageously, and grow without fear. If the young ones were bred in the open sea from the earliest stage itself, certainly they would be swallowed up even by minor fishes! So, Nama-smarana (remembrance of the name), Japam (repetition of the Divine name), and Dhyanam (Meditation) have to be practised in the early stages with a great deal of care, according to a planned routine, and without any discussion with others.

Nowadays, many aspirants are discarding the name and taking up Yoga and Pranayama (breath-control). These are fraught with many dangers. To follow them correctly is difficult. Even if correctly followed, to preserve and protect the fruits achieved, is even more difficult.

If a person gropes in the water, spreading the net on the bank, can he find fishes in the net? To give up Nama-smarana (remembrance of the name of the Lord) and faith in that path, and to sit in Yoga and Tapas is as foolish as hoping to catch fish by this means. If the name of the Lord is taken as the refuge and support, He can be realised tomorrow, if not today. If the name of a thing is known, the thing itself can be easily acquired. But, if the name is not known, even if the thing is right in front, it cannot be recognised. Therefore, repeat the name without intermission and without faltering. By means of the name, Prema (Love) is developed; through love, you can realise God by Dhyanam (Meditation). If love is deeply rooted in you, the Lord who is composed of love becomes your own. However, many the paths for the realisation of the Lord, there is none so easy as this.

Note this! When there is a peculiar disease prevalent in a particular country, the drug that can cure it is also found in that very country, more than anywhere else. Though available after vigorous search in other lands, it will not be so suitable. Similarly, this amazing drug is available now, in this present Kali yuga (Kali Age)! The reason is, it is now in this Yuga (Age), that the ghastly evils of injustice, immorality and falsehood infect the world. That is the reason why the Sastras (Scriptures) have been proclaiming again and again, with greater and greater emphasis, that in this Kali yuga there is no means of salvation other than the name! Of the four Yugas, the Kali yuga is the best, on account of this. Nama-smarana (Remembrance of the name of the Lord), Japam (Repetition of the name of God) and Dhyanam (Meditation) are the ones that strain out the evil and purify the people of Kali yuga. Prakriti (Nature) is guarded and protected by the effects and influence of these three. Hence, the fruits gained of Nama smarana, Japam and Dhyanam are greater than those secured with great difficulty through Yoga, Yajna (sacrifice) or Pranayama (breath-control).