Why is one naama better than another

Updated on August 12, 2021 in Avatars
18 on August 5, 2021

Namaskarams Swami,

Adiyen has one doubt regarding bhagavan naamas. We hear so many devotees glorifying particular names of the Lord more than others. For example, in Vishnu Sahasranamam, Lord Shiva says reciting Rama 3 times is equivalent to chanting 1000 names of Lord Vishnu. Similarly we say that Narayana naamam is best of all names of the Lord. Or thirumantram is the best of all mantras. In another Vedic sampradayam, they will glorify another mantras related to perumal. For example in ISKCON they say Hare Krishna mantra is the best.

Like this different namas are glorified as being better than others. But how can this be so? Aren’t all naamas, names of the Lord after all? Are they not all equal? Why are certain names considered better than other when they are all names of one God? Why are certain mantras considered better than others when they glorify the same Lord?

Please forgive adiyen if I have made any mistakes while asking this question.

 
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Swamy, I have a different question related to this topic. Several years ago, the Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare singing used to be common among SriVaishnavas. 

But in the recent years I don’t see many SriVaishnavas sing this. In a sense this mantra is seen as a trademanrk of SriMuralidhara swamy’s followers (see godivinity.org) while the Hare Krishna mahamantra is seen as a trademark of followers of Srila Prabhupada (and other Gaudiya Vaishnavas).

What leads to such drawing boundaries even among those who are well informed in the spiritual science? How can we overcome these artificial boundaries and glorify our Lord together?

adiyen dasan.

on August 6, 2021

Srimate Raamanujaye Namaha,

“What leads to such drawing boundaries even among those who are well informed in the spiritual science?”

Interesting question Swamy. I believe it is based on what their  Acharyas have thought them perhaps. And each acharya gets a certain revelation as suitable to their followers perhaps. Not sure. eager to hear from Shri Velukkudi swami

Narayana swami , “Why are certain mantras considered better than others when they glorify the same Lord?”

Regarding this question, i can share what  i understand theoretically, (as i don’t have a practical realized answer. With respect to Naamas).. few weeks later we will all celebrate Janmashtami. Hopefully Sri Krishna will bless us all with multiple type of sweets – say paalkova and Mysorepaak etc.. both are sweet but different types of sweet and each person likes one more than the other. So in that way depending on which mood one is in perhaps one may have more liking to one particular sweet.

Also for some with weak digestion , like small children or baby the best sweet may be just sweetened milk. 

Also each soul needs a certain type of mercy from the Lord to be progressive- each Naama has a different type of quality and is required or important  for different souls at different points of their evolution. (food is medicine for diseased person and food is just a past time for a healthy person. so for an advanced devotee he may recite Naamas just for pleasing the lord and whereas for souls with Karma it may help to clear the karma)

So depending on one’s level of maturity and one’s mood of devotion, and the need of the hour – different Naamas are suggested perhaps.

This is a possible perspective but i am sure there may be many more reasons for this.

Dhanysomi

Thirukachidaasanudasan

 

Interesting question Swamy. I believe it is based on what their  Acharyas have taught them perhapsFrom enpanifan

Swamy, I am unable to conceive that only acharyas in the past taught people to sing these mantras but the present day acharyas somehow draw the boundary for people to not sing these mantras. This can not be true. 

I feel the reason for this artificial boundary must be sociological factors and not sampradaya/ acharya based factors.

adiyen dasan.

on August 6, 2021

Srimate Raamanujaye Namaha,

Swamy i have not heard of any acharayas restricting people from specific mantras.

Also there are few other perspectives which are discussed in this regard.

That mantra will bear fruit only when recited under the order of an acharya. (Though true, there seems to be some example where one accidentally recites and gets benefitted as well)

Secondly many of us may not find time to recite the initiated mantra , so to help focus, this could have come.

Thirdly by reciting the same  mantra , one gets mantra siddhi perhaps, so to sharpen the knife one perhaps needs focus.

But if one is able to do one’s intended practice well, in the free or spare time , instead of using in worldly matters , it is indeed good to recite other extra mantras as well.

Adiyen

Thiruckachidaasanudasan.

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0 on August 6, 2021

Nahi NindA nyAyam swAmy.

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8 on August 6, 2021

Srimathe Rangaramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

Apologies Swamies,

The further discussion seems to be like asking why Thiyagarajar liked only SriRam? Adiyen already posted one question why there is difference in nAma ruchi?

As Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swamy rightly pointed out in VishistAdvaita audio EnPaNi 2188.

Each tree is liked for their fruit taste.

LoKO Bhinna Ruchi:

Adiyen used to tell to a boy:

Even though incarnations as that of Sriman NArAyaNa
We should follow what the incarnation followed

Eg: Radhey Krishna
SitA RAmA

We should not exchange even the names because we will be doing the same mistake as SriRavana.

Dasanudasan

Vikram swamy! for first time I am seeing “Sri” written in front of Ravana’s name.

Is it an error? If intentionally written that way, could you kindly explain the significance? Thank you.

adiyen.

on August 7, 2021

Srimathe Rangaramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

SriRama has said to Vibheeshana, after a person is dead, we should not carry forward the enemity.

The shareerAthma Bandham is lost.

Adiyen wrote it, posted it, then realiized the Sri but didin’t correct it, but now simply giving justification.

Sorry if it is wrong. Adiyen wrote it in a flow. It came like that. Thought why correct it if MahAlakshmi thAyAr want to bless that soul?

Dasanudasan

on August 7, 2021

The entire world is filled with Sri கடாக்ஷம்

The entire world is filled with Sri கடாக்ஷம்From vikraminside

logic may seem alright. But if acharyas/ scriptures have not indicated so, it is not appropriate for us to introduce new ways of address. If there is scriptural or acharyas’ precept, then we follow; if not, we do not.

In this case I am not aware of any prior reference from authorities where Ravana is addressed in this manner. If you come across any please let me know. Thank you.

adiyen dasan.

on August 10, 2021

Ravana’s birth

His father was Vishwashrava, a rishi belonging to the Pulastya clan, and mother Kaikasi belonged to a demon clan

He was a Brahmin.

What’s wrong in addressing “Thiru Thirudan”?
Dasanudasan

What’s wrong in addressing “Thiru Thirudan”?From vikraminside

if acharyas have addressed so before, it is not wrong for us too to do so.

If acharyas have not addressed so before, it is indeed wrong to invent something on our own. Such tendency will sow seeds for further loss of sampradaya-system in ourselves and in those who may consider us as exemplary.

 

If we want to side-step the principle of preserving what acharyas’ have given us, the principle of preserving the purity of knowledge received through  ஓர்-ஆண் வழி, but instead depend upon our “logic” to decide on how to present traditional knowledge, then ANYTHING is okay. Because that is the nature of our logical mind; one time it will argue one way and another time another way. Our mind is fickle and therefore such logic which are not in line with acharyas’ teachings are worthless.

adiyen. 

on August 11, 2021

Ok Swamy Sorry if it is not inline with AchAryA’s teachings
Dasanudasan

Vikaram swamy, I still don’t know whether any poorvacharyas have referred to Ravana (or other such characters) with the prefix ‘Sri’. So, I can not say whether it is correct or not. But as long as I have not seen a precedence set by acharyas, I will not use such an address for such characters.

In short, I don’t know whether what you said is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

 

Can I branch off to a different discussion, please?

Vikaram swamy, I still don’t know whether any poorvacharyas have referred to Ravana (or other such characters) with the prefix ‘Sri’. So, I can not say whether it is correct or not. But as long as I have not seen a precedence set by acharyas, I will not use such an address for such characters.

In short, I don’t know whether what you said is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

 

Can I branch off to a different discussion, please?

He was a Brahmin.
What’s wrong in addressing “Thiru Thirudan”?From vikraminside

Does this mean that someone deserves respect because he is born in a brahminical family? I don’t think so. I feel, if someone is not manifesting the qualities that define a brahmana, he deserves no special respect. We should not disrespect him; but we need not give him any special respect either. Just remain detached from such person until they reinstate themselves to proper qualities.

When Ashwaththama murdered sleeping children, Arjuna did capture him and give him appropraite punishment.

I have also heard that once Bheesma wanted to test Yudhisthira and Duryodhana. He brought to them a case where 4 individuals had committed a crime together. Duryodhana gave all four individual the same punishment. But Yudhisthira gave the most severe punishment to the brahmana and least severe punishment to the sudhara in the group. He explalined that the brahmana did the crime despite being knowledgable of sastric injunctions, hence he deserves the most severe punishment, whereas the sudhara among the four is least knowledgable in sastric injunctions; therefore he gets the least punishment.

 

adiyen dasan. 

 

 

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0 on August 6, 2021
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0 on August 6, 2021
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0 on August 6, 2021

Enaku enga Amma pidikkum.
Ungalukku unga Amma pidikkum.

Amma appomey Amma dhan

Thaimai is universal there is no Bedham in it.
– Sri Ilangai Jeyaraj Swamy

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0 on August 7, 2021

Srimathe Rangaramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha
One more point

Ruchi is increased by mahAn who are engrossed in that particular incarnation.

When Thirukkudanthai Andavan says we feel

கற்பார் ராம பிரானை அல்லால் மற்றும் கற்பரோ ?

When Swamy NammAzhwAr says

கேட்பார் கேசவன் கீர்த்தி அல்லால் மற்றும் கேட்பாரா?

சொல்றவாள பொறுத்து ரசனை மாறும்

If we simply say about an avatAr, adhu ருசிக்காது

We have to feel the avatAr

We can actually experience the interaction between SriRama & Thyagaraja swamy

Dasanudasan

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