RAMA

The derivation of words from their root syllables each of which is the root of a verb signifying an action, is, in the Sanskrit language a very instructive excercise. Hindu religious literature is replete with such derivations for almost every word that it uses. Each of the names of God like Rama, Krishna, Siva , Narayana, etc. -- in fact, each one of the names of God in the various lists of thousand names of God (= sahasra-naamas) has been assigned several derivations from their root syllables. 'The one in whose memory yogis revel in the bliss of brahman' -- is the meaning of the word Rama. ramante yogino-nante brahmaanande chidaatmani -- is the declaration in the Padma-purana. 'ramante' (they revel, enjoy) is the action which forms the root verb for 'Rama'. The greatness of the word 'Rama' is not just because what the son of Dasaratha did what he did. Preceptor Vasishta hit upon the name for the child of Dasaratha because he knew that it was already a 'taaraka-mantra' -- that is, the mantra which takes you across the ocean of samsaara.

“I greet the name ‘Rama’ of the chief of Raghus, which is composed of seed-letters representing the sun-god, fire-god, and moon-god. (i.e. Ra, A, Ma respectively).”

In the footnote it explains that every letter/sound of the Sanskrit alphabet is a bija or seed mantra that invokes a quality of the divine (diety). When you break down the name of Rama there are two syllables, but three bija mantras: ‘Ra’, ‘A’, and ‘Ma’. ‘Ra’ represents the Sun, ‘A’ represents Agni or fire, and ‘Ma’represents the Moon. Since the three sources of light on earth come from the Sun, fire, and the Moon, repeating the name of Rama is a method for invoking light, the supreme light of God.

“Sri Rama, who is Truth, Consciousness, and Bliss combined (Sat-Chit-Ananda) is like the sun; the night of ignorance cannot subsist in Him even to the smallest degree. He is the Lord whose very being is light.”

“Install the luminous gem in the shape of the divine name ‘Rama’ on the threshold of the tongue at the doorway of your mouth if you would have light both inside and outside, O Tulasidasa.”

“His Name puts on end to the devotee’s vain hopes along with his errors and sorrows even as the Sun terminates the night.”

Rama is primarily associated with the Sun, and the first syllable ‘Ra’ can be found in various languages representing the Sun. For instance, Ravi is one of the Sanskrit names for the Sun. Raghu is the solar dynasty or lineage that Rama belonged to, that traces its origins to the Sun. The ancient Egyptian GodRa was their Sun god and a major deity in the ancient Egyptian religion. There are also the English words radiate, radiance, and ray(as in the Sun’s rays), further suggesting an etymological origin with the syllable ‘Ra.’Another example is that ‘raw’ food is defined as food that has been ripened by the Sun.

It’s easy to limit the meaning of the name of Rama to the male Hindu God Rama who lived many thousands of years ago. But understanding this inner mystical meaning of invoking Light, makes the practice universal. Also, when you take a deeper look at the qualities inherent in the two syllables, ‘Ra’ and‘Ma’, you’ll see that father and mother, the masculine and feminine, the Sun and Moon, exist in perfect androgynous balance. It’s this universal and androgynous quality that makes the name of Rama unique as a name of God, since God is described as Light and containing both masculine and feminine qualities.

Shiva as Reciting ‘Rama‘

The Ramcharitmanas also draws from the classic scriptures of India to validate the mystical power of Rama’s name. Here’s one such quote:

“The scriptures maintain that Lord Shiva, the deity presiding over the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi), whispers into the right ear of every creature dying within its boundaries, the name ‘Rama’ and thereby brings emancipation to the dying soul.”

When I first went to Varanasi in 1992 I heard people chant “Ram Nam Satya Hai,”while carrying a dead body to the Manikarnika Ghat cremation grounds on the banks of the ganges river. This means, “The name of Ram is truth” in Hindi. At the time I wondered why they didn’t chant the name of Shiva, since after all this was Shiva’s city. It wasn’t until I read the Ramcharitmanas that I realized that Shiva is considered Rama’s best devotee, and incessantly invokes His name for the benefit of others.

“The saints as well as the Puranas and the Upanishads too declare that the potency of the name ‘Rama’ is unlimited. The Immortal Lord Shiva, who is the fountain of joy and a storehouse of wisdom and goodness, incessantly repeats it.”

Narada’s Advice to Ganesha

There are other stories that point to the efficacy of the name of Rama. For instance, it’s common knowledge that Ganesha is typically worshipped first in the Hindu tradition before other deities. The Ramcharitmanas explains why:

We read in the Puranas how there was a scramble for precedence among the gods, each of whom claimed the first position for himself. They approached Brahma for a ruling. He told them that they should race around the world and that whoever finished the round the quickest of all would be accounted the highest. Ganesha, who rode on no better animal than a rat, naturally lagged behind. He met on the way the celestial sage Narada, who advised him to scratch the word ‘Rama’ on the ground and pace around It, since the word comprised in Itself the entire creation. Ganesha did accordingly and was naturally the first to finish the round of the universe. Brahma appreciated this act and conceded his title of precedence over all the other gods. Since then Ganesha has uninterruptedly enjoyed the right of being worshipped first of all.

The Name of Rama as a Remedial Measure

When people ask me about remedial measures I often first suggest reciting the name of Rama as a japa mantra, which is a mantra that’s recited repeatedly for at least 108 times.It’s the best general, all-purpose remedial measure that I know of. 

Any spiritual practice is useful as a remedial measure, but a japa mantra is very convenient in our busy lives since it can be repeated anywhere at any time. Since mantras are sounds that invoke a vibration, to invoke the name of Rama will bring light and wholeness to the mind, which can only be beneficial. Here is a list of common Rama japa mantras:

Om Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram

Om Ram Ramaya Namah

Shri Rama Sharanam Mama

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

The Mahamantra and the Kali Santarana Upanishad

Regarding this last mantra, also called the mahamantra or great mantra, theKali Santarana Upanishad praises its effectiveness during the kali yuga which is the current age we live in. Please see this quote from the text translated by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar:

Hari Om! At the end of Dvapara-Yuga, Narada went to Brahma and addressed him thus: “O Lord, how shall I, roaming over the earth, be able to get across Kali?” To which Brahma thus replied: “Well asked. Hearken to that which all Shrutis (the Vedas) keep secret and hidden, through which one may cross the Samsara (mundane existence) of Kali. He shakes off the evil effects of Kali through the mere uttering of the name of the Lord Narayana, who is the primeval Purusha”. Again Narada asked Brahma: “What is the name?” To which Hiranyagarbha (Brahma) replied thus:

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

These sixteen names (words) are destructive of the evil effects of Kali. No better means than this is to be seen in all the Vedas. These sixteen names destroy the Avarana (or the centripetal force which produces the sense of individuality) of Jiva surrounded by the sixteen Kalas (rays). Then like the sphere of the sun which shines fully after the clouds disperse, Parabrahman alone shines.” Narada asked: ‘O Lord, what are the rules to be observed with reference to it?” To which Brahma replied that there were no rules for it. Whoever in a pure or an impure state, utters these always, attains the same world of, or proximity with, or the same form of, or absorption into Brahma.

RamaSethu story.

Rama worships the god of the ocean, Varuna and requests him to make way. When Varuna does not appear before Rama, Rama starts shooting various weapons at the sea, which starts drying up. A terrified Varuna pleads to Rama. Though he refuses to give way, he gives Rama a solution. He tells Rama that Nala, the son of Vishwakarma - the architect of the gods, is amongst his vanara army; Nala has the necessary expertise of an architect, owing to a boon from his divine father. Varuna suggests that Rama construct a bridge across the ocean to Lanka, under the supervision of Nala. Nala volunteers for the task and also comments that the arrogance of the Ocean (Varuna) was tamed by Rama with a threat when love had failed. The vanaras fell mighty trees, and collect logs of wood and giant boulders and cast them in the sea. With the help of the vanara army, Nala completes the 80 miles (130 km) (ten yojana) bridge in just five days. Rama and his army pass over it and reach Lanka, where they prepare to fight 
Nala is said to have the power to make stones float and, thus, easily makes the sea-bridge.^[3] In other versions, another vanara called Nila is also said to have this power and both Nala and Nila are described as builders of the bridge. The tale justifying this power states that in their youth, these monkeys were very mischievous and used to throw the murtis (holy images) worshipped by the sages in the water. As a remedy, the sages decreed that any stone thrown by them in water will not drown, thus saving the murtis. Another tale narrates as assured by Varuna, the stones dropped by Nala and Nila float, but they drift in the sea and do not form a continuous structure, Hanuman, Rama's devotee and monkey lieutenant suggests that the name of Rama be written, so they stick together; the remedy worked.