(This is a literal translation of an essay originally written in Tamil by Sri Swamigal.) In this kaliyuga whence dharma (righteousness) is at its lowest, quite like the saying, Kalau kalmasha siddhanam(the mischievous mind), human mind is filled with impure thoughts, dishonest ways of acquiring wealth and whence no religious ritual can be conducted as per norms, it is said that the best suited path for this age is Naama Japa (chanting the Name of the Lord). To show that this path is in no way inferior to other paths it has been declared undoubtedly that the highest status, which was attained through Dhyana (meditation) in Kritha Yuga, through Yaga/Yagnas (sacrifice) in Thretha Yuga and through Archana (offer of flowers at the feet of the Lord while chanting His glory) in Dwapara Yuga, shall be attained through Naama Sankeerthanam (singing the praise of the Lord) in the Kali Yuga. Though Naama Sankeerthanam was prevalent in all the four Yugas, it is especially meant for the Kali Yuga. To save one from the boredom of repeating a single Name of the Lord continuously, singing His various names with raaga (tune) and taala (beat) was introduced. The mantra given in the Vedas for Naama Sankeerthanam is: HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE Click here for Audio Hare Rama This mantram consists of Three Namas - Rama, Krishna and Hari. This is the mantra that Sri Krishna Chaitanya MahaPrabhu also advocated. One of the pontiffs of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Sri Bhagawan Naama Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal, has coined the Rama Naama Sidhantha. In order to stress the Power of the utterance of a single Name of the Lord, the Swamigal has said that a single Name is so powerful that one cannot commit as many sins as it can erase even if he were to take a vow to commit only sins. Just as an arrow travelling towards its target, the Naama does not stop its work until it shows God to us. What is the use of only sins being erased? The Naama Japam has the power to change our ways to the extent that no impure thought arises in us and thus purifies us thoroughly. Though the Sun's rays are spread equally all over, yet when they are passed through a lens thus directing them through a single point they have the power to burn up the object directed at. Likewise, by chanting a particular Name of the Lord repeatedly single-pointedness of the mind is achieved. Hence, great Saints deeply desire that such forceful Name of the Lord be always chanted by one and all. The jewel of the puranas, Srimad Bhagavatham, also popularly speaks on the greatness of Naama. Bhagavatham means Sri Krishna's Charitra (life). EKAM SHASTRAM DEVAKI PUTHRA GEETHAM EKO DEVO DEVAKI PUTHRA EVA EKO MANTHRASYA NAAMAANI YAAMI KARMAMBHYEKAM THASYA DEVASYA SEVA which means The only scripture is Devaki's son's (Lord Krishna's) words The only God is Devaki's son (Lord Krishna) The only Mantra is His Naama (name of the Lord - Krishna) The only Karma (work) is service to the Lord (Krishna) As quoted above, listening to the efficacy of Naama at the beginning of the Bhagavatham, Parikshit desired liberation. The Bhagavatham is full of life histories of saints. Their upadesa (teaching) is only Naama Japam. The last sloka of Bhagavatham describes the chant of Hari Naama as, NAAMA SANKIRTHANAM YASYA SARVAPAPA PRANAASHANAM PRANAMO DUKKHA SHAMANAHA THAM NAMAAMI HARIM PARAM Which means, HE, the Lord, whose Name when chanted destroys all sins, HE, who removes all sorrows when one prostrates, Unto such Hari, I bow down. Externally, Bhagavatha Dharma is to treat the Lord as one amongst us and to wake Him up in the morning and conduct worship as prescribed till putting Him to sleep at night. Internally, these give us knowledge, devotion and dispassion. Other paths give the desired results only if followed strictly in accordance with the norms. But in this age it is very difficult to follow other paths as per the prescribed rules. However, Naama Japam gives such joy even while doing it that even the goal becomes only secondary. In order to give us a taste of the joy of Naama Sankeethanam our Guruji Sri Muralidhara Swamigal has ordained that the sound of Naama reverberate in various places.