The Glory of the Divine Name “NARAYAN”
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.
In the age of Kali Yuga, the only support is the name of the Lord. By repeatedly chanting and remembering it, people can cross over the ocean of worldly existence.
Ramcharitmanas
In Gita, Lord Sri Krishna declares:
Yajnanam japayajno’smi sthavaranam himalayah Vedanam samavedo’smi devanamasmi vasavah
Among sacrifices, I am the sacrifice of silent repetition (japa). Among immovable things, I am the Himalayas. Among the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda. Among the gods, I am Indra (Vasava).
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10, Verse 25)
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 emphasizes the supreme importance of chanting and remembering the Divine name of Lord Narayan, regarded as the ultimate essence of all creation and the primeval cause of all events. It highlights the unanimous agreement among scriptures, saints, and Hindu culture on the glory of Lord Narayan’s name, which transcends all yugas (epochs) and is the key to spiritual liberation, especially in the present era of Kaliyuga. The article also recounts the lives of various saints and devotees, such as Tulsidas, Mirabai, and Kabirdas, who recognized and worshiped Lord Narayan in different forms. It concludes by urging devotees to embrace the Divine name as the ultimate refuge and path to salvation, as taught by Sadguru Swami Sudarshanacharya ji Maharaj, who is seen as an incarnation of Lord Narayan himself.
Important Points
- The Divine name of Lord Narayan is the ultimate path to spiritual liberation.
- All scriptures and saints have accepted the glory of Lord Narayan’s name.
- Saints like Tulsidas, Mirabai, and Kabirdas devoted their lives to Lord Narayan.
- The Divine name has power even when uttered without devotion.
- In Kaliyuga, chanting Lord Narayan’s name is the only means to salvation.
- Lord Narayan’s incarnations include Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, and others.
- Guru Nanak Devji also emphasized the importance of Lord Narayan’s name.
- The Divine name of Lord Narayan transcends all other divine names.
- The repetition of the Divine name delivers one from the cycle of births and deaths.
- The Bhagavad Gita and Ramcharitmanas affirm the power of the Divine name.
- Saints like Ajamila and Valmiki were liberated through the Divine name.
- The Divine name bestows both spiritual and material benefits.
- The article references the teachings of Sadguru Swami Sudarshanacharya ji Maharaj.
- The Divine name is the support and refuge in the era of Kaliyuga.
- The Lord Narayan’s name alone can save us from the miseries of life and afterlife.
