Why should one chant the Name 'Sree Ram' instead of 'Ram'?

Lord Rama

Contents

• 1. Worship of Rama and seekers
  • 1.1 Chanting of ‘Hare Rama’ (हरे राम)
  • 1.2 Spiritual experiences obtained when chanting the Names Rama and Sree Rama
  • 1.3 Differences between various Names
  • 1.4 Spiritual practice of which form of Rama is useful for a seeker at a particular spiritual level % ?
  • 1.5 Beneficial to go from many to one
  • 1.6 Ritualistic worship (puja) and celebration of religious festivals
  • 1.7 Rama and Sita Gayatri
• 2. The Ramayan in our lives

1. Worship of Rama and seekers

1.1 Chanting of ‘Hare Rama’ (हरे राम)

The Kalisantaran Upanishad is a part of the Krushnayajurveda. Its other name is Harinamopanishad. This Upanishad was narrated by Lord Brahma to Sage Narad towards the culmination of the Dvaparyug. In short, it says mere chanting of Lord Narayan’s Name eliminates the ill effects due to the influence of Kali. This mantra consists of sixteen words -

These sixteen words are associated with the sixteen kalas of the embodied soul. Thus it is a mantra which destroys the covering of the embodied soul. Some sects worshipping Lord Krushna chant the second half of the mantra first.’

1.2 Spiritual experiences obtained when chanting the Names Rama and Sree Rama

Chant the Names Rama and Sree Rama each for two minutes and record your spiritual experiences, that is note with which Name you feel pleasant or distressed. Then read the following paragraph. The table below enlists the spiritual experiences of seekers who were attending a workshop on Spirituality, in Mumbai.

* Since the spiritual experience of Bliss or Serenity is new for an average seeker chanting the Name Shrirama can cause him distress.

The majority felt more pleasant when chanting Shrirama rather than Rama. This will clarify the difference between the two Names. Despite this, five individuals experienced distress when chanting Shrirama. To avoid this a seeker is advised not to chant a Name meant for a spiritual level higher than his.

The words in the mantra ‘Shrirama jai Rama jai jai Rama (श्री राम जय राम जय जय राम)’ mean the following -

1.3 Differences between various Names

1.4 Spiritual practice of which form of Rama is useful for a seeker at a particular spiritual level %?

1.5 Beneficial to go from many to one

Once the stage of worship of the family deity is completed, the spiritual practice of Rama who is true to His word, devoted to only one wife and who attains the target with just one arrow is useful for many a seeker to go from many to one..

1.6 Ritualistic worship (puja) and celebration of religious festivals

Since Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, He too is worshipped like Vishnu. (Refer ‘Why are tulsi leaves offered to Lord Vishnu?’.) The birth of Shrirama is celebrated on the ninth day (navami) of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra, at twelve noon.

1.7 Rama and Sita Gayatri

Meaning: We are quite familiar with Rama, the son of Dasharath. We meditate on Rama, the husband of Sita. May that Rama inspire our intellect benevolently.

Meaning: We are quite familiar with Sita, the daughter of Janak. We meditate on Sita, the daughter of the Earth. May that Janaki inspire our intellect benevolently.

2. The Ramayan in our lives

If one is disinterested in something one says there is no charm (Rama nahi) in it. From some Names in the Ramayan one will realise how the Ramayan is going on in the day-to-day life of a seeker.

• A. Rama: Atmaram is the soul principle.

• B. Sita: Adimaya is the Great Illusion. The abduction by Ravan, Her entering the fire were all a part of the play of the Great Illusion. In one’s life too the play of the Great Illusion in the form of happiness and unhappiness continues.

• C. Lakshman: Laksha (लक्ष) which means attention and man (मन) meaning mind constitute the name Lakshman (लक्षमण). One’s attention should always be concentrated on the soul.

• D. Bharat: The name Bharat (भरत) is derived from bha (भ) meaning radiance and rat (रत) meaning engrossed. A seeker is thus one who is engrossed in the worship of radiance.

• E. Shatrughna: The name Shatrughna (शत्रुघ्‍न) is derived from shatru (शत्रु) and ghna (घ्‍न). Shatru means the enemy and ghna the destroyer. The six foes of the soul (shadripu) are one’s enemies.

• F. Rama, Sita and Lakshman: Rama means spiritual knowledge, Sita means devotion and Lakshman means detachment.

• G. Hanuman: The activated spiritual energy (kundalini).

• H. Ravan: The six foes of the soul (shadripu) - desire, anger, greed, attachment, vanity and envy.

• I. Kumbhakarna: Laziness

Thus like the Ramayan, the Mahabharat too goes on in one’s day-to-day life !

Reference: ‘Vishnu and His forms’, published by Sanatan Sanstha.