Sri Ramanujaya Namaha .
Sri Vedhantha Desikaya Namaha .
Srimate Sri Lakshminrisimha Divyapadukasevaka Srivan Satakopa Sri
NarayanaYatindra Mahadesikaya namaha .
Dear Bhagavathas ,
Now we all recently celeberated the Thirukkalyanam of Sri Andal with Sri
Ranganathar after the succeeful completion of the Marghazhi month. The only way
we could show our reverence to Sri Andal is to understand the "Efficacy of
Prayer / Namasankeerthanam " to Sriman Narayanan . Hence , the writer submits
the following for the benefit of our modern youth . Trust this would be of
some benefit to all of us.
Adiyen , Ramanuja Dasan - G.Sampath.
quote
Efficacy of Prayer / Namasankeerthanam .
What do we understand by the word " Prayer " ?
The word in sanskrit "Prarthana " denotes Prayer in Indian culture . This word
is also used to mean , to request, or to ask or to seek something politely from
some one. One way of interpreting is "Prar" + "dhana" . "Prar" means to ask
orto seek or to request. " Dhana " means wealth or something most valuable .
Why , this Prayer ?
During Vedic times , people used to ray to Lord before each harvest season for
a good crop so that there would be plenty of food grains for all . The Vedic
Aryans were pastoral people, who usually prayed to various Gods for some
material gain, such as the wealth of cattle, good harvest, victory in war, good
health, progeny, success in some venture and so on . Vedic Aryans listed the
following four to be the most important aim in their life. They are Dharma (
righteousness ), Artha ( wealth or security ) , Kama ( fulfillment of all forms
of enjoyment and desires ) and Moksha ( Salvation ) . Thus in Vedic parlance ,
prayer was a mode by which humans were seeking some kind of wealth from
Almighty.
Having said that we should not undermine the Vedic Aryans and term them as
materialistic people. They were also deeply spiritual minded and tried to
integrate and harmonize the various aspects of life in a very religious and
agreeable way , as per the laid down norms in Vedas . The wealth they were
longing for , were the wealth of all kinds - spiritual wealth, physical wealth,
personal wealth, universal wealth, wealth of character, wealth of power and
prestige, wealth of name and fame, wealth of happiness and joy and so on.
They were very clear in their minds that these would enrich their life and make
it more pleasant for them , to live and experience. They prayed not only for
the welfare of themselves, but for the welfare of the entire community to which
they belonged. They believed in the doctrine " Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu " ,
in its real sense. Hence through Prayers to Lord , they were able to get all
the happiness they wanted .
>From time immemorial there is a saying " More things are wrought by Prayer
>than this world dreams of " .
There is nothing wrong in our asking something to God during our prayers , so
long as it is beneficial to society and does not harm any one. One can seek
salvation for himself , which is the highest form of gift one can get from the
Almighty. God responding depends on , how desperate one seeks this gift and how
sincere one is in his prayers , devotion and approach . The Divine is nothing
but love and compassion in their highest form. HE therefore would respond
promptly , to fulfill HIS devotee?s desire . This is the experience of every
genuine devotee. HE is in constant touch with each and every aspect of HIS
creations , from within as well as without. This aspect of the Lord is very
well brought out in the Vedas in " Narayana Sukhtam " in the following line. "
Anthar Bhahischa Thath Sarvam Vyapya Narayanaha Sthithaha " .
When ever there is a genuine call from HIS ardent devotee , He responds very
promptly and provides necessary help. There are plenty of examples , which we
can cite from the Epics and the Puranas to substantiate this. Gajendra Moksham,
Droupathi Manasamrakshnam , Prahalada Charithram are some of the classic
examples.
How do we do this Prayer and to whom ?
Only thing is , we should know how to pray , how to approach HIM and make
ourselves heard. Here implicit faith , in HIM , total surrender unto HIM ,
courage and conviction in our prayers are very important. We have to make it
happen with HIS blessings . WE have to break the barriers of egoism and
selfishness in us, for us to be heard by HIM. Prayer would be the most
effective , if it is intended for the welfare of all or when we have intention
to get spiritual knowledge. If the prayer is done without any expectations or
without any desire for the results , it would indeed be the best form of
Prayer.
God created this universe , through HIS MAYA and also the four yugas through
Brahma , viz. Krithayugam , Threthayugam , Dwaparayugam and kaliyugam .
Krithayugam is characterized by virtue , wisdom and Religion . In the
Threthayugam , vice is introduced. In the Dwaparayugam greater decline of
virtue and Religion are noticed coupled with increase in vices. Finally in
kaliyugam , one would notice in abundance strife, ignorance , irreligious
activities and increase in vices , true virtue being practically nonexistent.
In Krithayugam , being filled with Sathviga gunas ( mode of goodness ) , people
resorted to Thapas ( meditation ) , the highest and most difficult path to
reach the Supreme. In Threthayugam , some Rajoguna ( mode of passion ) is added
to Sathviga guna , there by people resorted to Yagnam or Yagam to invoke the
blessings of Almighty. In Dwapara Yugam , more of Rajoguna is added along with
a bit of Thamoguna ( mode of ignorance and passion ) with lessening of
Sathvaguna .
Hence people resorted to listening to the glory of the Lord and doing Archana
to HIM to invoke HIS blessings . In Kaliyugam , presence of Thamoguna is much
more predominant than the other two and in fact Sathvigaguna becoming
practically nonexistent . So in this Yugam , one can reach the abode of
Almighty by the most simplest way of singing His glories or Namasamkeerthanam.
This is explained very well in the following lines from our puranas.
"Dyayan Krithe YagnanYagnais stotrayam Dwapare Archayan !
Yadapnothi Tadhapnothi Kalow Sankeerthya Kesavam !! "
Our Prayer should have no desire to accumulate wealth , nor to enjoy beautiful
women or to seek plenty of followers. It should be our endeavor to seek HIS
mercy for getting the opportunity to do devotional service to HIM alone, in the
remaining part of this life and there after , for HIS satisfaction. The Karmas
we do should be basically " Nishkamakarmas " as explained by Lord Krishna in
the Bhagavad Gita.
" Yajnnaarthaat Karmanos Nyatra Lokos Yam Karma Bhandhanaha !
Tad Artham Karma Kaunteya Mukhtha Sangha Samaachara !! "
---Bhagavad Gita--- Chapter 3, Slokam-9.
The Lord goes by the sincere love and devotion shown than what is offered to
HIM during prayers , as explained in,
Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam Yo Me Bhaktyaa Prayacchati !
Tad Aham Bhaktyupahrtam Asnaami Prayataatmanaha !!
---Bhagavad Gita--- Chapter 9, Slokam-26.
The Lord believes in making HIM the supreme goal of life of a devotee as
explained in ,
" Math Karma Krun Math Paramo Madh Bhakthaha Sanga Varjithaha !
Nirvairaha Sarva Bhuutheshu Yaha Sa Maam Eti Pandava !! "
----Bhagavad Gita ?Chapter 11, Slokam ?55.
There are nine ways in which we can invoke God?s blessings , as mentioned by
Prahlad . Hearing the glory of Lord, chanting HIS glories and HIS names,
worshipping HIS form , remembering HIM in all our activities , serving the
Lotus feet of the LORD , offering prayers to HIM , Making friends with HIM,
carrying out the order of the LORD , and surrendering everything to HIM. Out of
the above two activities Viz. Chanting HIS glories and HIS names and Offering
Prayers to HIM are the easiest ways in Kaliyugam to get HIS blessings in full.
In Thiruppavai , SRI ANDAL , has brought out this mode of singing the glory of
LORD very well in all the 30 verses and emphasizing the same . It is amazing to
note that , at that young age , the commitment and conviction Sri Andal had in
her devotion to Lord Ranganatha .No wonder she is ranked along with other
Alwars and also termed as their best offspring ( to call in modern parlance ,
just for understanding ) by excelling other Alwars through her works . Andal
gave the garland to Lord Ranganatha after wearing it ( Soodikodutha Sudarkodi)
and gave us all , the garland of 30 verses ( Paamalai ) through Thiruppavai .
Through this mode of Prayer / Namasankeertanam to Sriman Narayanan ,we all will
get only good thoughts , speak only good things , develop good habits and
indulge in good deeds , which will take us nearer to the LORD.
So let us all adopt this mode for the Satisfaction of SRIMAN NARAYANAN and for
the benefit of the community as a whole.
Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu ! Adiyen . Ramanuja Dasan- G.Sampath .
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