O.N. Bhat ‘Kuthari’
The fear of the death is the most overwhelming and frightening sensation in the minds of most of the people, especially when they grow older. At the time of death people become very anxious to save themselves, especially those who have been sinful. Remembering the Lord at the time of death is the surest way to reach Him. But only he who strives all through his life with an one pointed mind will be able to remember God at the deathbed. Chanting of his holy name gives the technique of realizing him at the last moment of life, so that one could attain divine bliss, peace and immorality. In Gita Lord Krishna states that ‘At the time of death, chant OM and leave the body, thus one could reach the highest state wherefrom there will be no return to sansara (world).
No one could save Drupadi in trouble, not even her five husbands, but only the Sumiran (remembrance) of the holy name of the Lord gave her protection. Sure means of attaining the Lord is remembering Him, in thinking about Him, meditating on him.
Thousands of years ago in India, the story of Ajamila, as recorded in the Sixth Canto of Sanskrit classic Srimad Bhagvatam reveals that sinful Ajamila called his son Narayana, through parental affection, when he was dying and Yamadutashad come to drag him to the court of Yamaraja. Out of fear, dying Ajamila cried Narayana, the name of his dearest and youngest son. Extremely bewildered by the dreadful sight of Yamadutas, tears rolled down from his eyes. He somehow or the other cried the holy name of Narayana (though the name of his younger son). Because somehow or the other Ajamila uttered the name of Narayana at the time of death, he became eligible for liberation, even though he was sinful throughout his life. Vishnudutas also came, as they heard Ajamila chanting the name of their Lord Narayana and gave him protection from the Yamadutas and did not allow them to drag him to hell, but took him to the heaven. Therefore, it should be understood that one is easily relieved from all sinful reactions by chanting the holy name of God, his qualities and divine actions. Chanting of the holy name of God is so easy, sublime and effective that one can readily achieve all the benefits of spiritual life, simply by following this process.
What cannot be achieved through the performance of vedic rituals can easily be achieved through the chanting of lords holy name with prefix OM, OM is the nearest symbol of the Supreme Lord. Chant OM all through the life and especially at the time of leaving this mortal coil-concentrate on the heart centre and chant OM for as much time as possible. All our spiritual actions like austerities and charity start with chanting of OM purifies all acts.
Mantra japa is a very effective mental discipline for spiritual progress. Performance of mantra japa makes one spiritually rich. In grahastashrama emphasis is on japa yoga, while in sanyasashrama emphasis is laid on jnana yoga and vairagya. Unless we chant the holy name of God, our delusion is not dispelled, our moha, our wrong understanding do not go away. The surest way to remove our moha is to remember God at all times by reciting his holy name with OM. This does not happen unless we strive to do the practice. Unless moha is removed, we do not develop love for God, will power and moral strength is required to achieve the goal. The three pre-requisite on our spiritual journey are: Shraddha, Satsangha and Intense love for God. Our devotion and love for God should be so intense that no power on the earth can defeat our resolve to realize Him. Anything in the universe can be achieved by proper effort. Seek the company of good books, for they can be very inspiring. The mind purified by desireless actions should be steadied by one point devotion. Desire less devotion is must for the seeker to gain all the merit of Japa Yoga for the knowledge of the self in all its true glory. Some purify their heart by going on pilgrimage to the sacred places or by worshipping deites like Rama or Krishna, others through Japa, Tapa, prayers or singing of hymns, yet others by self study or contemplation of the scriptures. Some prefer to do Pranayama and some others resort to meditation, some do it by doing charity or service to the mankind. Thus desirelessly they worship God and purify their minds.
The Hindu scriptures say, the objective of the human birth is God realization, so from early life a spiritual practice is required to achieve this goal. Try to realize as early as possible. Lasting joy can not come by fulfilling material desires, turning God ward alone brings cheer to the disillusioned materialist. Do intense meditation zealously as long as possible. Try to increase the hours progressively. Keep your mind peaceful. Try to keep your senses under control. Do not react with fear, anger and joy etc. to any external happenings. Do not be overjoyed on your comforts and pleasures or depressed when something bad happens. Do not be overjoyed on your comforts and pleasures or depressed when something bad happenens. God’s will is always for your ultimate good. Whenever you are attracted by any sense object, withdraw your sense organ from this sight with deliberate effort. Surrender to the lord for his grace to lead you on the right path. Just as you come to this world with no possessions, so also you go out of it without taking anything with you. One should divinize all day to day actions as a duty to the lord. One’s mind should remain equipoised without likes or dislikes towards a friend or a foe, joy or sorrow, praise or censure etc. The mind full of the feelings of hatred, hostility, comfort, distress and selfish attachments, cannot concentrate on God. One should, therefore, seek solitude with serene mind free from desires, greed, attachment and sense of possession. One should keep himself clean externally by washing, taking bath etc, and internally by avoiding negative tendencies. Unconditional surrender with devotion to the Lord, accepting whatever happens through his will as supreme, is the only way. One should choose a clean place for meditation, neither too high nor too low and cover the place for seating by spreading kusha grass, deer skin and a cloth one over the other. This is necessary to avoid dissipationb of the energy by getting earthed, kusha grass etc. serving the purpose of insulation. One shouild keep the body, neck and head up right to ensure free activity of heart, lungs and pranic energy. Keep the eyes closed and mentally fixing the sight on the tip of the nose andconcentrate on the lord. This type of posture is necessary to guide the mind upwardly.
In this modern age, it is very difficult to perform all the heard ritualistic ceremonies of the liberation. Therefore, in this kaliyuga, chanting of the holy name is recommended by the Sastras. It is to be concluded that with a strong vow, one should chant the holy name of the lord. General complaint of the spiritual seekers is that restless mind full of various thoughts refuses to do the japa or think of the God continously. So long, we remain salves of desires for wordly enjoyments, wealth, power etc. Our mind can never concentrate on God or get established in any type of meditation. There shall be setbacks, but continue the practice with faith and devotion. Anything in the universe can be achieved by proper efforts. There shall be no failures, if the purpose is honest and the effort are sincere.
Firm devotion and intense contemplation with deep faith are certain to lead all aspirants to their goal of attaining absolute bliss through the grace of God.
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