Thus Spake the Divine - Significance of Chanting Names of God

Thus Spake the Divine

Significance of Chanting Names of God

In this chapter, Poojyasri Maha Periyava highlights Nama Sankirtanam as another form of Bhakti, which requires the least exertion.

Apart from Meditation, Japam, Pooja, Yajnyam and Pilgrimage, chanting or reciting the names of God repeatedly in the form of a Bhajan has also been in vogue. This Bhajan has been a connecting point between human beings (Jeevatma) and God (Paramatma). We can see Bhajan halls in cities and villages. People assemble there on auspicious days, such as Ekadashi, and recite the names of God. When we go to temples, we observe Poojas being conducted there and also see people meditating on God. In Bhajans, we assimilate our minds through reciting God’s names vocally. There is a special significance for Bhajans, as they represent Bhakti towards God as a joint effort of several people. Though Hinduism insists on individual worship aimed at self-wellbeing leading to global wellbeing, it also encourages congregational worship in the form of worship in temples, organising Bhajans and celebrating religious festivals.

When Bhajans are synchronised with musical instruments, it is easier to draw the minds of people in reciting the names of God. People can easily memorise verses of Gods, such as “Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare, Hare” or “Raghupati Raghava Rajaram” etc.

Apart from Bhajans, Nama Sankirtanam (repetition of the name of Almighty) has also been the practice of devotees to exhibit their Bhakti. People recite the name of God repeatedly and walk through the streets. During the Tamil month of Margazhi, people walk through the streets of their villages and towns spreading the sacred name of God Almighty.

Nowadays, we hardly see one or two Bhajan halls in cities. This reveals the sorry state of this form of Bhakti in our cities. We should revive the practice of Bhajans and Nama Sankeertanam. Of late, however, I am happy the way Bhajans are flourishing. While all our Vedas, scriptures and religious practices are dwindling, Bhajans are flourishing by the day. This is a sign of prosperity for our religion.

Bhajans and Nama Sankerthanam occupy a predominant place in our religion for enhancing the feeling of Bhakti among people. Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Swamigal, a 17 th Century Hindu pontiff and 60 th Jagad Guru of the Kanchi Matha, Kanchipuram says:

“The eternal Paramatma absorbs the forms of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu for welfare and prosperity of the mankind. Apart from that, Paramatma, the embodiment of compassion, transforms himself into the names of “Hari” and “Shiva” and rests in them eternally with conscious awakening. This means that they are not mere names; the names are identical to different forms of God. All powers possessed by God are also possessed by His names.”

Nama Sankirtanam by holy men relieves man from sins and accumulates his punya. Nama Sankirtanam practised by Jayadevar, Theertha Narayan, Ramadasar, Puranthara Dasar, Thyagabrahmam and Sadashiva Bramendrar have all been based on traditional Bhajans defined by Marudhanallur Sadhguru Swamigal. These Bhajans are sung on different festivals viz. Dolothsav, Kottanothsav and Vasanthothsav. Bhajan and Nama Sankirtanam are practices that don’t require any physical effort or exertion. They involve just vocals that bring happiness within devotees. At a time when the present generation is really finding it difficult to engage in any strenuous religious activities, Nama Sankirtanam is an easy tool for attaining the state of Moksha.

Apart from participating in Bhajans and Nama Sankirtanam in groups, each and every family should spend at least 10 minutes in Bhajan every day at their home and recite the name of God Almighty. All family members should assemble in a place, light the lamp and sing and recite the name of God. There must be no inhibition in reciting the name of God. Bhajan does not need any expertise in music. All it requires is the feeling of Bhakti. Just like a child returning home shouts “Amma”, we should also spend some time amidst our other activities in ‘shouting’ the name of God, such as “Rama” “Krishna” or “Amba”. This practice is a treasure that will ensure absolute wellbeing and happiness.

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.