SARVOTTAMA

In Shri Ramcharitmanas, 1.19-28, Tulsidas ji venerates and extols the virtues and greatness of Rāma-nāma, and in 1.25, he elevates Rāma-nāma to the highest position (sarvottama). He states:

Brahma ………… dāni, Rāmacarita ………… jāni

“Rāma-nāma is greater than both Brahm and Shri Ram. It bestows blessings even on the bestowers of boons. Knowing this in His heart, the great Lord Śiva chose Rāma-nāma for Himself from Shri Ram kathā.”

But what makes Rāma-nāma Sarvottam? It is its effectiveness, accessibility and universality. Tulsidasji says it possesses all the qualities of both the Nirguṇa Nirākāra Brahm and the Saguṇa Sākāra Shri Ram, and indeed even more. All their attributes, such as compassion (karuṇā), potency (śakti), love (prema) and knowledge (jñāna), reside in Rāma-nāma and, when invoked through it, become infinite, easily accessible and ever-flowing.

While the formless absolute reality remains an elusive goal for the sādhakas, the embodied avatāra is a tangible reality, in whose līlās the bhakta revels and whom the bhakta longs for. Thus, only the Rāma-nāma is the compassionate and most accessible manifestation for a sādhaka, one that brings succour to him. In Gita 9.32, Shri Krishna also highlights the accessibility of HIS bhakti to all.

Our spiritual literature is replete with instances in which the name has enabled millions of bhaktas to cross the ocean of transmigratory existence without erudition or complex spiritual practices, thereby transcending all barriers of form, caste, or creed. The only requirements are śraddhā (faith) and anurāga (devotion) – a promise Shri Krishna makes to HIS bhaktas in Gita 9.34 and 18.65. It is the strength of Rāma-nāma that enables Lord Siva to grant liberation to all alike in Kāśī at the time of their death. We hear an echo of this in Gita 8.5. Rāma-nāma is the causal śakti behind the function of the Celestial Trinity.

Rāma-nāma is the unstruck, infinite sound – the Anāhata nāda. It is HIS embodiment in vibrational energy. It is the Śabda Brahm! / DAILY WORLD /

( The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com )