Rama Nama

The Name of Rāma (Sanskrit “Rāma Nāma”) 

There are many devatās (deities) in the Vedic pantheon, but there is only one supreme God. That one God (which some call “Shiva-Shakti”) is all there is, nothing else exists. However, God has many aspects and manifestations. Rāma is one of the most well-loved and beneficent aspects of God. Also, “Rāma” is an equivalent name for the supreme God, as well as being the hero of the Vedic epic called “The Ramayana”.

One of the advantages of Rāma over other devatās is the ease of which He can be called on and given devotion (“Bhakti”). All one needs to do is say the word “Rāma” in a mantra. This web page presents an easy mantra that can be used by anyone, any time, anywhere.

The Name of Rāma provides both spiritual and material benefits to those who chant it. It has the same power as chanting the thousand names of Vishnu (the laws of nature which support and maintain the universe). When Shiva is asked (by his wife Parvati) which of Vishnu’s thousand names is the most beneficial, He replies: “Rāma, Rāma, Rāma! I delight in that name, so pleasing to the mind. The Name of Rāma is equal to a thousand names of Vishnu.”[1]

The Name of Rāma encapsulates the entire Ramayana. If the name of Rāma is equivalent to the thousand names of Vishnu, then it is certainly worth many thousand words of the Ramayana. The traditional invocation of the Ramayana says that the Name of Rāma contains the Ramayana in the form of a seed.[2] So, if one chants the Name of Rāma enough times, one will obtain the benefit of listening to the entire Ramayana.

What is the benefit of hearing the Ramayana? The last verse of Valmiki’s Ramayana says: To wise people who regularly listen to this wonderful story it will grant health, longevity, good reputation, goodwill, intelligence, good fortune, energy, and prosperity.[3]

So, What is the best mantra to chant (for a 21st century human), in order to invoke Rāma’s name as much as possible? Here it is (in Sanskrit):

Rāma Rāma Jaya Śrī Rāma

For variety one can alternate the above mantra with this:  Rāma Rāma namo’stu te Rāma

This mantra is intended for use in activity (or while resting), but it is not intended for meditation. This mantra gives dynamism for activity and accomplishment. One can chant this mantra mentally and continuously, whenever the mind can easily do it. Don’t force yourself to chant it, and don’t count the number of times. Don’t chant any mantra when you are doing a task that requires focus and concentration. But, there’s lots of time throughout the day when your mind is free enough to easily chant this Rāma mantra.

Because the Name of Rāma is the Ramayana in seed form, every chanting of the Rāma mantra gives you some of the benefit that comes from listening to the entire Ramayana. Of course, one can speed things up by actually listening to the Ramayana, but currently, that’s not so easy. So, we will soon begin providing audio of Sanskrit recitations and English translations in formats that will be easy to use, and effective. But first things first. Just start chanting the Rāma mantra.

Also, anyone who wants success in life would be wise to offer water to Shiva every day using this very simple procedure. It only take a couple of minutes, and will yield boons from Shiva. Rāma himself worshiped Shiva for success in his mission to destroy the forces of darkness and evil that were plaguing the world.[4]

Rāma is the Solar deity par excellence. Even the ancient Egyptians used the syllable “Rā” to name the Sun god. In the epic Ramayana, the hero Rāma is descended from the Solar dynasty of kings. He possesses the solar qualities of warmth and brilliant light, and the ability to accomplish great feats.

By contrast, Krishna is a Lunar deity, and a member the Lunar dynasty. Krishna is dark and cool. The primary definition of the Sanskrit word “krishna” means “dark” (as in the waning half of the moon’s cycle). Another contrast is with Shiva, who is also dark and cool, he’s the ultimate ascetic Yogi. Shiva is also a Lunar deity, he wears the crescent moon on his head. People who are fiery and have excess Solar quality might do well to worship Shiva or Krishna for the coolness.

The current time of history is called “Kali Yuga”, and it’s a dark, cold, harsh, dangerous, and fearful time for the human race. Rāma Nama is very valuable for dispelling the darkness of Kali Yuga, and bringing the Solar qualities of light and warmth into our lives. Tulsidas said that Rāma Nama was the best and most effective way to achieve one’s goals (both material and spiritual) in Kali Yuga.[5]

If you chant the name of Rāma, you also gain Hanuman as an ally. Hanuman has the power and speed of the wind, and (as the Ramayana shows) Hanuman is the best ally and assistant you can find to help you achieve your objectives.

If you have grasped the importance of what this web page is saying, then you will start to chant the Name of Rāma right now.

Rāma Rāma Jaya Śrī Rāma
Rāma Rāma namo’stu te Rāma

Notes and References

  1. Padma Purana, Uttara khanda, chapter 71, Vishnu Sahasranam. Sanskrit: “īśvara uvāca | śrī rāma rāma rāmeti rame rāme manorame | sahasranāma tat tulyaṁ rāma nāma varānane || 331 ||”
  2. Ramacaritamanasa (the Ramayana of Tulsidas), Gita Press, page xiv, the Invocation. Sanskrit: “Śrī Rāma-nāma bījam”.
  3. Ramayana of Valmiki, Yuddha khanda, last chapter, last verse. Sanskrit: “āyuṣyam ārogyakaraṃ yaśasyaṃ | saubhrātṛkaṃ buddhikaraṃ śubhaṃ ca | śrotavyam etan niyamena sadbhir | ākhyānam ojaskaram ṛddhikāmaiḥ ||”
  4. Adhyatma Ramaya, Book 6, chapter 4, verses 1-2. English translation: On starting the construction of the bridge (Setu), Rama, for the successful completion of the work as also for the good of the world, established there the icon of Shiva, known as Rameshwara, and performing worship to that Shiva icon, said: “Whoever sees and makes prostrations to this bridge and this icon of Shiva called Rameshwara, will by my blessings be free from all sins.”
  5. Ramacaritamanasa, Gita Press, page 54.