The Celestial
Sound of Ram Naam
Explaining the mysticism of Shree
Shree Ram Sharnam, Swami Dr. Vishwamitter
Ji Maharaj explained in an exclusive interview with Discover
India at Manali.
Dr. Gautam Chatterjee
In Manualaya, the
land of God and sages, lies Shree
Shree Ram Sharnam Ashram. It stands amidst a tranquil
environ of apple orchards that are laden with fruit throughout the
year.

Swami Satyanand Saraswati was born in 1868 on Shukla Purnima (full
moon day) in Rawalpindi (modern Pakistan). Before long, he lost his
parents and he was brought up by his uncle. By the time he was 17, he
got the opportunity to interact with Jain Munis. Empowered with a sharp
memory and dedication, he mastered the literary brought him name and
fame. But, with the passage of time, he decided to move on and so he
entered the Arya Samaj which preached the Vedas.
There after he
preached the philosophy of 'Ram', the eternal sound, so that the common
man could get an attainable spiritual direction without dogmas or
ritualistic worship. Today, this sacred name besmears millions around
the world under the auspicious banner of 'Shree Shree Ram Saharnam'
which literally means 'taking refuge in Ram'.
Swami Satyanand
Saraswtai propounds the theory of Naam Japa (reciting a
name) on a scientific line of 'sound' phenomenon within and outside every
human being. He looked into it more as a 'research scientist' of name
theosophy where the end result remains a matter of 'experiencing' the
bliss and living through it to attain enlightenment. There are no rituals
or dogmas. The central theme is worshipping the name of Ram and the
utterance is the method of attainment of enlightenment.
In the doctrine
of Naam Yoga one has to install the celestial sound in one's
heart as the 'sound idol'. Though the process of loud and silent chanting
within it envelops the mind and body. Then it works as a system of
'theosophical medication' curing ailments caused by chaos within and
restores peace and tranquillity.
In the Shree
Shree Ram Sharnam school of thought the name of Ram a certain number of
times is not prescribed as a 108 or 1001 which is prevalent in other
systems. Rather, one may chant the name as many times as possible even
while working. And then there is the concept of Ajapa Jaap.
This is a state of mind where internally the name continues to resound
even when one is in deep sleep. Chanting name an unlimited number of times
leads to creation of 'sacred space' which throws away the 'evil' of the
mind and body thus purifyng the soul. This is a method of 'sound' bathing.
The sound 'Ram' works as a creative sonic energy within and wipes out
human weaknesses to strive for the attainment of enlightenment.
Swami Satyanand
attained parinirvana on November 13, 1960. Thereafter, a close
disciple, Premji Maharaj, a homoeopath and
spiritual healer, took the lead to expand the philosophy of Naam Daan. After him, the trust appointed
Dr. Vishwamitter Ji Maharaj, a renowned ocular micro-biologist who has
22 years of service at the All India Medical Sciences in Delhi.
Explaining the
mysticism of Shree Shree Ram Sharnam, Swami Dr. Vishwamitter explained in
an exclusive interview with Discover India at Manali that there are three
primary Ss in Naam Japa:
Simran
- taking the name of the Lord ceaselessly. Through this process the
attributes of Lord Rama Besmear the soul. Thus Rama dwells in the heart
of the devout.
The second 'S'
is samyam (self control) which develops ethical and moral
refinement.
And the last 'S'
is sewa (service). This service does not mean donation of
money or offering one's service but service to God by means of japa
(counting the beads) and praying for others. Thus Shree Shree Ram
Sharnam also propounds the theory of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
(the whole world is one family).