by Dr. Shantanu Dutta Choudhury

All the scriptures, Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Saints, and our Hindu culture have accepted the glory and greatness of the remembrance, repetition, and chanting of the Divine name of LORD NARAYAN – The supreme personality of Godhead and primeval cause of all events.

Although the great poet Saint Tulsidas ji composed the famous Ramcharitmanas, which contains the epic of Lord Rama (an incarnation of Lord Narayan), in Manglacharan, he beseeches Lord Narayan, resting in the ocean of Divine bliss (Kshir Sagar), to make his heart His own abode and inspire him.

Similarly, Mirabai, who spent her entire life in unending devotion to Lord Sri Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Narayan), declared in the end that she had become the handmaiden of Lord Narayan and was dancing in joy with her anklets.

Contrary to the popular belief that the famous saint Kabirdas ji was a worshipper of Lord Ram without Divine Attributes (Nirguna Upasana), he actually called on everyone to accept Lord Narayan as the chosen ideal and surrender at His feet.

Even Sanyasis, who have renounced the world, greet each other by the Divine name “Namo Narayan.”

Upon comprehending the greatness of the Divine Name – Narayan – Lord Ganesha is worshipped first.

Lord Ram (an incarnation of Lord Narayan) is ever ready to shower mercy on His great devotee, Hanuman ji, as he constantly remembers the Divine Name.

It is by the glory of the Divine Name that Lord Shiva attained the exalted state.

Since there are countless names of the Lord in the Hindu Pantheon, such as Ram, Krishna, Madhava, and Shiva, there is confusion and doubt regarding which name to remember and worship.

But since times immemorial, Saints, Seers, and Scriptures have accepted GOD as one – Lord Narayan Hari.

Once, Guru Nanak Devji (founder of the Sikh sect) was sitting very sad in a pensive mood contemplating which name to remember when his Sadgurudev appeared and understood his predicament.

“Hey Nanak! Do not be upset. You keep in your heart and worship the different names of Lord Narayan Hari like Ram, Govind, Keshav, Madan Gopal without wasting any moment, as human birth is very precious but transitory.”

But remember – Lord Narayan Hari is the ultimate purpose and essence of the entire creation. All the four yugas – Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dwaparyuga, and Kaliyuga, originate from Him, and after the apocalypse (maha pralay), He alone remains.

Out of His navel arises Brahma, who again starts the creation, preserves it as Vishnu, and destroys it as Shiva.

He alone appeared before Swayambhu Manu and his Queen Shatrupa in Satyuga, pleased with their severe abstention and one-pointed devotion, and pursued to be Guru as Lord Ram in Tretayuga to Queen Kaushalya.

Lord Narayan alone was Guru as Lord Krishna in the jail of the tyrant king Kansa of Mathura to provide divine love to Yashoda, Devki, Vasudev, and the Gopis, who underwent severe penance in their previous births to taste the nectar of Divine Love.

Since times immemorial, Lord Narayan has always rushed to the rescue of whoever has called Him with unfailing love, faith, and devotion.

Prahlad, Dhruva, Gajendra, Draupadi, Bhakt Narsi Mehta … the list is endless.

Just like all the rivers, streams, and reservoirs rush towards the great ocean and lose their identity in the great sea, similarly, the utterance of all Divine names, such as Ram, Krishna, Madhava, and Hari, find their culmination in the divine name – Narayan.

Water falls from the sky and forms streams and rivers to find their way into the ocean.

It is to be remembered that all the divine incarnations of Lord Narayan, such as Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, Parshurama, Varaha, Matsya, Kachhap, Vamana, and Kapila, were not born out of the womb as other materially bound Jivatmans.

Their birth, life, and teachings are divine beyond the comprehension of materially derived Jivatmans.

Even sinners like Ajamila and Valmiki were liberated by the continuous utterance of the Divine Name.

The utterance of the Divine name of Lord Narayan not only helps spiritually but also bestows material benefits.

Shrimad Bhagavata, the priceless scripture of Vaishnavas, boldly declares that the mode of God realization used to be meditative as the fever of Lord Narayan, yagnas, or sacrifices used for God realization in Tretayuga. In Dwapar yuga, the worship of Lord Narayan used to be the mode of God realization.

But in this era of conflict and miseries – Kaliyuga – where the mammon of materialism has engulfed the entire world, there is only one way to salvation: singing, chanting, and glorifying the Divine name of Lord Narayan.

The Divine name of Lord Narayan alone can save us from the miseries of the endless cycle of births and deaths. His Holy name can alone save us from the raging fires of hell and the fortunes of Yama (the Lord of Death).

In Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidasji declares:

Kaliyug kewal naam adhara Sumir sumir nar utarahai para.

aa

In Gita, Lord Sri Krishna declares:

Yajnana japa nanjasm.

aa

The chanting and singing of the Divine name of Lord Narayan and His various incarnations like Ram, Krishna, and Narsimha is the only path to salvation in Kaliyuga.

It is astounding to note that the Divine name of Lord Narayan exerts its divine effect even if it is uttered without devotion, in laziness, or even insultingly.

Let us all, therefore, realize the importance of our human birth and its transitoriness and make every moment successful by always remembering the Divine name of Lord Narayan, as explained in various satsangs of our beloved departed Sadguru Bhagwan Swami Sudarshanacharya ji Maharaj, who has mercifully bestowed upon us the Divine gift of the Holy name – Narayan. He is Lord Narayan Himself who came into our lives as Sadguru Maharaj to liberate us from the endless miseries of repeated births and deaths.

Summary:

The article extols the greatness of chanting and remembering the Divine name of Lord Narayan, the supreme deity in Hinduism, and the cause of all creation. Throughout Hindu scriptures, saints, and traditions, the remembrance of Lord Narayan is emphasized as the ultimate spiritual practice. This practice transcends the worship of His various incarnations like Rama, Krishna, and others, uniting them under the supreme name of Narayan. The article recounts examples from Hindu mythology and scriptures, highlighting the transformative power of chanting the name Narayan. It underscores the importance of this practice, especially in the current age of Kaliyuga, as the path to salvation and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Important Points:

• Supreme Name of Narayan: Emphasizes the supreme status of Lord Narayan and the power of His name in Hindu spirituality.
• Scriptural Endorsement: All major Hindu scriptures, including the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas, endorse the chanting of Lord Narayan’s name.
• Saints’ Devotion: Highlights devotion to Lord Narayan by saints like Tulsidas, Mirabai, and Kabirdas.
• Universal Practice: Even renunciates (Sanyasis) greet each other with the name “Namo Narayan.”
• Incarnations’ Devotion: Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, incarnations of Narayan, are worshipped for their devotion to the Divine Name.
• Historical Examples: Examples of devotees like Prahlad, Dhruva, and Draupadi who were saved by their devotion to Narayan.
• Material and Spiritual Benefits: Chanting Narayan’s name bestows both spiritual liberation and material benefits.
• Salvation in Kaliyuga: In the current age of Kaliyuga, chanting the name of Narayan is the most effective means to attain salvation.
• Inclusivity of Names: All divine names like Ram, Krishna, and Hari ultimately culminate in the name Narayan.
• Transformative Power: Even uttered without devotion or in insult, the name Narayan exerts a divine effect.
• Sadguru’s Teachings: Swami Sudarshanacharya ji Maharaj emphasized the power of Narayan’s name and its role in liberation.