Ramcharitmanas
Bala-kanda,18-3
Mahamantra joi japata maheshu, kasi mukuti hetu updesu
“The great Spell muttered by Shiva and which, when imparted by Him at Kasi (City of Varanasi) leads to emancipation.
The scriptures maintain that Lord Siva, the deity presiding over the holy city of Kasi, whispers into the right ear of every creature, dying within its boundaries, the name ‘Rama’ and thereby brings emancipation to the soul of the dying person. By combining the three letters ‘Ra’, ‘Aa’ and ’Ma’, it became a great mantra as compared to other mantras that are ordinary mantras.
Saptakotiyo mahamantra-aschitav-bhramakarka
Eko eva paro mantro ‘Rama’ iti-akshrad-vyam
“There are 7 crore (70 million) mantras, they are very confusing to the mind but ‘Rama’ is a supreme mantra, superior than all mantras. All mantras are contained in it, no mantra is left out, all powers are contained in it.
This ‘Rama Nama’ becomes the reason for liberation for the dying in the city of Kasi where Lord Siva whispers ‘Rama Nama’ in the ear of every dying creature, the creatures attain emancipation as a result. One of the sages pointed out that he had seen that those who die in Kasi, their right ear was slightly elevated.. Swamiji Maharaj wrote that he too had observed this. It is believed that Lord Siva has whispered the rama mantra in the right ear by pulling it up slightly. On this subject, a saint named Salagramji also has said-
Jaga main jinke jada jada jiva jaki anta samyo,
Yama ke jabar yodha khabar liye kare |
Kashipativishwanth varanasi vasin ki,
Phansi yama nashan ko shasan diye kare ||
Meri parja haveke kim pe kall dantrasa,
Salga vichara mahesha yahi hiye kare |
Tarakki bhanak pinaki yate pranin ke,
Prana ke payan samya kan main kiyo kare ||
When the Prana (the life force) leaves the body, at the time Lord Siva whispers ‘Rama Nama’ in the ear. But why should Lord Siva does that? He thinks that the person who is not turned towards God, Lord Yama (the god of death) takes charge of that person and gives punishment but since I (Lord Siva) is presiding over this creation, people call Me ‘Vishwanatha’ (Lord of the world), with Me being thee, it is befitting that Yama should come here to Kasi to give punishment. To give punishment or reward, it is job of the owner of that place. If someone comes from outside and starts to give punishment or reward, it is not justified. If no other place, at least in Kasi where I stay, I cannot allow Yama’s interference.
In Kasi, two rivers ‘Varuna’ and ‘Asi’ merge into the river Ganges. The area between the two is called ‘Varanasi’. In this area –
Manduuakamatsyah, krimyopi kashyan tyakatva sriram shivamapnoti
It may be a fish, frog or any aother creature living in water, in sky, or on land, Lord Siva grants liberation. This is the special glory of living in Kasi. Here in Kasi, Lord Siva is always alert to see that all creatures are saved from the clutches of Lord Yama. Lord Siva does not want His subjects to suffer.
In Adhyatama Ramayana (composed by Veda Vyasa), while singing the glories of Sri Rama, Lord Siva says – for the liberation of living beings I gave them the Rama Nama, the purifier of all, this way they get libarated.
Aham hi kashyam … dishami mantra tava rananama
Janama janama muni jatanu karahin, anta rama kahi aavat nahin
“Calling out ‘Rama Nama’ at the final moments of life, one is no longer subjected to the cycle of life and death.”
Lord Siva has opened a mukti kshetra (field of liberation). Someone opens a food bank for distribution of food, but wealth is needed to accomplish that. Lord Siva says ‘ I have the wealth of ‘Rama Nama’, whosoever wants liberation can have it.
Kishakindha-Kandha, 1st Stotra
Mukti janma mahi jani gyana khani agha hani kara
Jaha basa sambhu bhani so kasi sia kasa na
“Why not dwell at Kasi, the abode of Shambu (Lord Siva) and Bhavani (The Divine Mother), knowing this to be the birth place of salvation, the mine of spiritual wisdom and abolisher of sin?”
This field of Kasi is the Mukti Kshetra (libration field) of Lord Siva. The wealth of Rama Nama is such that it does not get spent. Even after liberation of many, the wealth does not to ab any less because the scope of this wealth is unlimited. While singing the glories of Rama Nama, Sri Goswami Tusidasji said what is considered to be beyond limits.
Bala-Kanda, 25-4
Kaau kaha lagi nama baRai, ramu na sakahi nama guna gai
“But why should I any more extol the Name? Sri Rama Himself cannot adequately glorify the Name.“
There is so much glory of Rama Nama that even Lord Rama cannot exhaust these glories. ‘Mahamantra joi japata maheshu’ – the second meaning this is that this great mantra is such that after constantly chanting of Rama Nama, Isha (Lord Siva) became to be known as Mahesha (Maha Isha). After the recitation of this Mahamantra we too can become equal to Mahesha. Therefore, Swamiji Maharaj is addressing to all, makes an appeal - sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers, recite the Rama Nama at all times, during the night and day, while standing up and sitting down, walking around, at all times. Even though the Lord’s name is very simple but it makes all the happenings very special.
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