Namasankirtan
Programme at Pandharpur Temple
By Shri J Jayaraman
Namaskaram. I write this to express our
heartfelt thanks to you, your wife, Mahesh and other Mandali friends for the
memorable trip to Pandharpur - the abode of Lord Panduranga Vittala and His
consort, Rukmayee. Your rendition of the Harinama Sampradaya Sankirtan evolved
by the saints and sages of Maharashtra through their soul-stirring Abhangs set
to melodious music, provided great insights in knowing of your deep devotion
and sincerity to the cause of Bhakthi and Shraddha - a necessary adjunct and
stepping stone to attaining mental purity and progress further towards the
ultimate goal of imbibing Jnana.
In the spiritual lower level of an aspirant
and participant, this provides God consciousness and reminds us that there is
One above us to punish our misdeeds. In the next level, the practice of Bhakthi
with love ensures mental purity, and to advance further spiritually, he has to
do Bhakthi thinking and acting what all we do is for Him alone. In the ultimate
stage, it is practiced with intensity and one-heartedness leading to the
knowledge that everything is Him alone in all aspects (Saguna) and only His
Anugraha can lead us to the state of true realisation. The path to spiritual
progress is thus vouch-safed by the saints, seers and acharyas like Sri. Sankara
in a simpler way to the multitudes of our countrymen irrespective of caste or
creed.
I must mention here that Sridhar Ayyaval of
Thiruvisanallur in Tamil Nadu and his contemporary Sri. Bodhendra, also known
as Bhagavannama Bodhendra, the 59th in succession to Sri. Kanchi Kamakoti Peeta
were great leaders of the movement for propagating the gospel of Divine Name
composed in Hymns of exquisite beauty and moving devotion stressing the
importance of repeating the Name of the Divine as a potent discipline for securing
liberation. The basic authorities for setting forth this discipline are not
only Puranas but the Vedas themselves. Bodhendra offers six reasons for showing
the utterance of the Divine Name is superior to the other disciplines taught in
the scriptures. In the first place the repetition of the name, which is open to
all irrespective of caste, stage in life and sex, involves no injury to any
living being, Secondly, it does not stand in need of any ancilliary aid.
Thirdly, in providing its result, it does not
require the intercession of a third person. Fourthly, its practice is not
conditioned by the time factor; Nama Japa can be performed at all times.
Fifthly, there are no restrictions as to place and sixthly there are no
ritualistic regulations for practicing the repetition of Divine Name. To a
question as to "why worship of God in the form of prayer is greater than
other modes ?", Sri Sankara says that "the reason for its greatness
that it does not involve causing injury to other beings, does not depend on
other persons, sacrificial material, etc and is not conditioned by place, time,
etc". The declaration of Sri. Bhagavan in Gita "of sacrifices, I am
Japa Yajna". He finally proclaims "on those who are ever united with
Me and worship Me with love, I confer that Yoga of wisdom when they come to
me".
Needless to say that attending Satsanghs like
this provide the Atmanubhava in a capsulised form prompting the aspirant
further. May God bless you and members of your family in your endeavours.
The arrangements made and the excellent
hospitality extended will be cherished by me and my wife. Our regards to you
and your wife once again.
Mumbai
May 15, 2001