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Re: Tiruppavai, Namam

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pradeepjanakiraman • August 28, 2002 


Actually you have raised multiple questions. Let me try to answer 
them one by one:

1) Thaarakam - means to cross. Here Rama Nama is called as 
the "thaaraka mantram" because it helps man cross the ocean 
of "samsara" or misery. Even Sri Tyagaraja brings this out in the 
Charanam of "Ksheera Sagara" song (Devagandhari Ragam)

Rama naamam is extremely potent though very simple at the same time. 
It is available for all to chant which sometimes creates an illusion 
in the mind,
a) whether it is really that great ? or
b) some great tapas and bigger sadhanas need to be done ?

The answer is Rama naamam is enough for everyone. 

In another of Tyagaraja's songs (Evaranni), he says that the Rama 
naamam comes from 2 great Mahamantrams:
1) From Ashtakshari (Om Namo Narayana) it takes the "Ra"
2) From Panchakshari (Nama Shivaya) it takes the "Ma"

This is because, by taking out "Ra" it renders the Ashtakshari as "Na 
ayana" which means one without support. By taking out "Ma" from 
Panchakshari, it renders it as "Na Shivaya" means unholy and 
worthless. 

Thus goes the glory of Rama Nama. One cannot do so many Aparaadhams 
(sins) that one single Rama Nama cannot compensate for. 

For the next question about Andal's "Yaam ketta porul Aaraindhu 
arulelor embaavaai"...
What it means is that she says, Ranganatha you are the sarvagnan, you 
know everything, the past, present and the future, you sustain all 
the worlds and all the creatures in it, AND I have surrendered to you 
completely. 

And you know what best to give to me. Dont just give me something 
because I ask for it. I dont even know what to ask for. So please 
analyze what I ask and give me only the right thing. 

A child might keep asking a mother for chocolates, and she wont give 
it, but the neighbouring house aunt might give the child the 
chocolate. She doesnt care about this child as much as her Mother 
does. The mother always knows the best and when to give what. 

I dont know enough to answer the "nirhetu kripa" question. I hope 
someone in this list would be able to explain that. 

Radhe Krishna

-- Pradeep 


--- In bhakti-list@y..., RAJI SRIDHAR  wrote:
> Pranams to all
> 
> I was going through Vishnu Sahasranam - 74 .....
> ..'Shiva always do dhyanam by uttering Rama
> Namam'(taraka mantram).
> Can someone clarify what is the meaning of "Taraka"
> and why "Rama" namam choosen as Taraka Mantram.
> 
> Lord Rama says "Mitrabhavena .....DOSHOYADHYAPI tasya
> syath sadhametatakarhitam" means even if he  has
> dosham I will not leave him (hope I understood the
> meaning correctly). Then why Andal says (twice)
> "AAraindu". If there is "aaraindu" then will the
> "dhosham" not be seen?  What is the meaning of
> "Nirhetu Kripa"?
> 
> Hope someone will clarify my doubts.
> 
> pranams once again
> raji sridhar
> 
> 
> 
> 
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