Swami Shivapadananda on the power of Japa to realise God
SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
563
[Pictured: Painting of Swami Brahmananda Puri, direct monastic disciple of Paramahamsa Sri Ramakrishna]
You must cry to God: 'Lord, Lord, why have you misled me with the toys of this world? Am I such a sinner? You have brought many sinners, with heinous sins, to the throne of your kingdom. I am not even as bad a person as Valmiki who, from a thief and a highwayman, became a bhakta [devotee] by your grace.'
That is what God can do with you too. A thing that is worthless He can make worthy. That is the miracle of the whole thing. From sand He can make gold. Call upon Him with every breath you breathe. Know that you are breathing God's name. It will suffice if you go from here with some inspiration to seek Him out in your daily duties. Where else can you find an easier method?
Swami Brahmananda [pictured above] said, 'The easiest way to get God is japa, japa, japa.' [repetition of a mantra or one of God's many names]
You may have seen the fruit of japa but you do not know the miracle of it yet. The fruit of japa was seen in Hanumanji, Prahlada and others. But we neglect the greatest jewel: japa. When you do japa the qualities of the Lord automatically transmit themselves to your mind and therefore to your heart. When your heart is coloured by the qualities of the Lord you become so transparent that mankind can see God through you.
'I shall go on the pilgrimage of this life by Thy grace and Thy glory alone.' These are not mere words. These words were recorded in the Vedas [ancient Indian scriptures], they were sung by great bhaktas after realizing God.
Do not criticise anybody's method of worship because it is not your business. It is the business of the Lord and his bhaktas. Do not think of anyone's religion as low in any way but encourage him on his path and encourage yourself similarly. For all paths must lead to the pathless path and then to God.
1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji's
words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave
was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time.
2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in
red in the posting for further explanation
or links.
There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order. Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.