THE VISION, March 2026, Vol 93, Issue 6:
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Beloved Readers,
The supreme aim of all spiritual discipline is to realise that everything has emerged from Him, is sustained by Him, and unfolds according to His Divine Will. In His compassion, He has revealed the path through realised souls to guide us back to this truth.
Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas has blessed us with the triune path of Nama, Seva and Dhyana, placing special emphasis on Nama. The great advantage of chanting is that it can be practised anywhere, at any time. It requires no special conditions or prerequisites.
Though we may begin with enthusiasm, Nama chanting might gradually become mechanical amidst worldly distractions. Papa lovingly reminds us that the Name is not of a distant God — it is our own true Self. Sincere chanting stills the restless mind and awakens us to our Divine nature. With this sacred understanding, Namostav, being conducted in various places, has been initiated to unite meaningful reflection with chanting, so that remembrance deepens and becomes living and vibrant.
In the coming months, THE VISION will feature articles on the glory of Nama and the spirit of Namostav.
— EDITOR
AS WE SCROLL DOWN...
- ‘Divine Name’ — is all-powerful elucidates Swami Ramdas. It is the surest means to purify and concentrate the restless mind, enabling the devotee to realise the Divine pervading all creation. Through constant, love-filled chanting, the mind is charmed into peace and dissolved in the bliss of God’s all-inclusive Being. With absolute faith in its potency, the Divine Name leads the seeker to union with the Beloved and the summit of the Truth.
- ‘Words of Pujya Mataji Krishnabai’ — conveys that Ram Nam is the very sustenance of the soul and the unfailing protector of the seeker. Constant repetition of the Guru Mantra safeguards one from spiritual downfall and assures liberation. Open to all and free from rigid preconditions, the Divine Name bears fruit when chanted with wholehearted faith and devotion.
- ‘Words of Pujya Swami Satchidananda’ — reveals that the aim of Nama Japa is to free the mind from all thoughts and lead it into Stillness. Through steady practice, chanting dissolves mental agitation and even the God-thought subsides into Silence. By mentally repeating the Divine Name before reacting to situations, one responds with love and calmness, gradually attaining a tension-free, anger-free life rooted in peace.
- ‘Editor Answers’ — explains that the experience of God’s presence through Nama chanting cannot be described but must be lived. Chanting prepares the inner ground when done with sincere remembrance, aligning the mind with the intention of recalling the Divine. As faith deepens and effort becomes wholehearted, guidance arises from within and without, and the sense of His presence unfolds naturally. Listening attentively to one’s own chanting helps tune the mind to the inner sound that leads us to the Stillness within, the Core of our Being.
- ‘The Gita Touch in Daily Life’ — through Ramanathanji’s serene acceptance of terminal illness, illustrates that remembrance of God at life’s end is the fruit of lifelong devotion. Freed from fear and attachment, he turned his final days into prayerful preparation, transforming suffering into peace. The Gita’s assurance shines here: one who remembers the Divine at the last moment, attains Him. True fulfilment lies in seeking the Eternal beyond the fleeting world, so that death itself becomes an act of loving surrender.
- ‘Guidelines for Meaningful Nama Chanting’ — shared during the Namotsav at Tiruvannamalai, outline how Nama awakens the already-present Divine Consciousness within us and deepens our relationship with God. By recognising Him as the Source, Master, constant Companion and inner Doer, chanting dissolves anxiety, ego and possessiveness, and nurtures trust, humility and universal vision. As the heart is purified and awareness expands to see the same Divine in all, the devotee grows calm, cheerful and inwardly free — becoming a transparent seat for God’s presence. (To be continued in the next issue)
- ‘Epistles Of Swami Ramdas’ — affirms the liberating Mahavakya: “Everything happens by God’s will and always for good.” Seeing ourselves as instruments of the Divine dissolves anxiety and fosters cheerfulness, freedom and contentment. Beloved Papa emphasises that the Divine Name surpasses all philosophy, serving as the practical key that opens the gates to abiding peace and immortal bliss in daily life.
- ‘In Memoriam’
- ‘Anandashram News’:
- ‘Thought For The Month’
- ‘Download THE VISION’ in PDF format.
DIVINE NAME
By Swami Ramdas
Divine Love is attained through the realisation of God as dwelling in and pervading all the manifestations, thus granting the freed soul the bliss of universal vision. The difficulty that confronts the devotee on his path to this supreme goal of life is the restless nature of his mind. A mind purified and concentrated upon the great ideal enables the devotee to realise his oneness and union with Him and get the vision of Him in all beings, creatures and things.
God is the beloved of the devotee’s heart, and to attain Him is the one great passion of his life. Constant chanting of His Name attunes his mind with Him who is at once the Lord of his heart and of the universe. The Name charms and lulls the mind, and fills it with purity, peace and bliss — in other words, it dissolves the mind in the blissful nectar of God’s own immortal, all-pervading and all-inclusive being. So God’s all-powerful Name takes the aspiring soul to the highest summit of the Truth. What is required first is an absolute faith in the greatness and potency of the Name. Given this faith, the devotee swiftly reaches His all-merciful feet. Indeed the glory of the Name is simply inexpressible, and its power simply unsurpassable. All success be to thee, O sweet and enchanting Name!
WORDS OF PUJYA MATAJI KRISHNABAI
Keep Ram Nam In Your Heart
Ram Nam is to the soul what food and water are to the body. Ever cherish and keep Ram Nam in your heart. Then your liberation is assured.
***
The Name Protects From Falls
Repeat your Guru-Mantra always. It will protect you and shield you from every danger, wherever you go.
***
No Precondition For Chanting Ram Nam
The Shastras have laid down elaborate rules to be observed while chanting various Mantras. In respect of certain Mantras, the rules are so strict that the aspirant who chants those Mantras has to practise absolute purity, celibacy and so on. Hence, such Mantras are not meant for all. But, Ram Nam is for one and all.
***
Chant The Name With Faith
It is immaterial what Name of God you are taking while telling the beads. It may be “Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram” or “Om Namah Shivaya” or any other Mantra. What is important is that you should chant the Name with all faith and fervour..
WORDS OF PUJYA SWAMI SATCHIDANANDA
Nama Leads To Stillness
The purpose of chanting the Mantra is to make the mind free from all other thoughts. By constant practice, this is possible. Ultimately, the mind will be free from even the God-thought and become still. After a little while, if the mind loses its stillness, you can chant Ram Nam again. This process may go on until the stillness is maintained for longer and longer periods.
***
Chant Before Reacting
When somebody talks to you pleasantly or unpleasantly, before you react to it in the normal way, chant ‘Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’ or any name of God mentally. This will prepare you to deal with the other person in a loving and kindly way. If you are able to meet every situation like this, you can be sure of a tension-free and anger-free life. Others may think it odd that you are not responding immediately (while you are chanting Ram Nam). But all will get used to that in due course.
EDITOR ANSWERS
Question: How can we experience the presence of God while chanting?
Answer: Experiencing the presence of God is beyond words. It cannot be fully expressed, only lived. Nama chanting helps prepare the ground for this inner awakening.
Among the various spiritual practices, chanting the Divine Name is especially recommended because of its simplicity — it can be practised anywhere and at any time. But we must remember that chanting is meant for remembrance. We begin with faith in the words of the Guru. Yet, unless the mind is aligned with the intention of remembering Him, chanting may not yield deeper results.
As our effort to remember Him becomes more sincere and intense, guidance begins to arise — both from within and without. The feeling of His presence is the natural outcome of mindful, heartfelt chanting. It lies beyond intellectual grasp and therefore remains inexpressible. One practical aid is to listen to our own chanting as we chant. Beloved Papa says: “The sound that we hear is what comes out of that Infinite Silence within. When we repeat the Mantra aloud, we tune ourselves to the sound produced by it, and through the sound we enter into the perfect Stillness within us.” That Stillness, as declared by the Shastras and affirmed by realised souls, is the very Core of our Being.
THE GITA TOUCH IN DAILY LIFE
Chapter 8, Shloka 5 — Acceptance
When Ramanathanji came to know that his illness was terminal, he faced his final days with a serenity that surprised those around him. Instead of succumbing to fear, regret or clinging to his past achievements and possessions, he chose to spend his remaining time in prayer and remembrance. With joy, he repeated God’s name, his heart filled with love and trust, preparing himself for the inevitable transition. His room, once filled with anxiety and sorrow, became a space of quiet devotion and peace. Ramanathanji’s acceptance was not born of resignation, but of deep spiritual maturity. He understood that a life lived solely for sensory pleasures is ultimately shallow and unsatisfying. This profound approach to life’s end is beautifully expressed in this Shloka:
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम्।
यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥
“One who remembers Me alone at the time of death and leaves the body,
attains My being — of this, there is no doubt.”
True fulfilment arises only when we seek something beyond the fleeting, material world. For most, the fear of death stems from ignorance and attachment, but for those who have cultivated reflection and devotion, the final moment becomes an opportunity for surrender. Just as in the case of Ramanathanji.
GUIDELINES FOR MEANINGFUL NAMA CHANTING
(A few guidelines to make our chanting more meaningful and effective were shared during the Namotsav at Tiruvannamalai from 20th to 22nd February 2026. Some of them are reproduced here; details of the programmes appear in ANANDASHRAM NEWS.)
1. Awaken the sleeping Divine Consciousness within us:
The Divine Consciousness is not absent from us; it is only asleep. Nama chanting gently awakens this inner awareness and brings the soul into direct contact with God. Nothing new is created — what already exists within us becomes alive and conscious.
- Like a lamp already filled with oil — it only needs to be lit.
- Like a seed already containing the tree — it only needs nurturing.
***
2. Know that He is the Origin of all creation and the Great Provider:
Everything that exists comes from Him and is sustained by Him. Nama chanting with an attitude to recognise God as the true Source and Provider, gradually reduces anxiety. Trust replaces fear.
- Like the sun, which supports all life without being seen everywhere.
- Like soil which feeds every plant, though all plants look different.
***
3. Hammer the truth that He is the Master with a Master Plan for our lives:
Life may appear confusing or unfair at times. But behind every experience, there is a Higher Intelligence at work. Nama chanting reminds us again and again: “I am not the controller — He is the Master.”
- Like a teacher who knows the syllabus though students do not.
- Like a navigator guiding a ship through unseen currents.
***
4. Recognise that He is with us and has always been with us:
God is not someone who comes and goes. He has always been with us — in joy, in pain, in clarity, and in confusion. Chanting strengthens this living awareness of His constant presence.
- Like space which is always present whether we notice it or not.
- Like a shadow that never leaves us in light.
***
5. Remember that He, within us, is doing all:
We often say, “I did this” or “I achieved that.” With deeper reflection, we realise that thought, strength, opportunity, and outcome are all enabled by Him. Chanting nurtures humility and gratitude.
- Like electricity working through different appliances.
- Like breath, which sustains life without our control.
***
6. Realise that nothing is ours; everything belongs to God:
We come into this world with nothing and leave with nothing. What we hold in between is entrusted to us, not owned by us. Nama chanting helps us live as caretakers, not possessors.
- Like a library book — used, not owned.
- Like a caretaker of a garden, not its creator.
***
7. Know that the God in our heart is the same God who dwells in all:
The Divine within me is not different from the Divine in others. This understanding softens judgment, reduces conflict and expands love. Chanting slowly shifts our vision from separation to unity.
- Like water in different vessels — same water, different shapes.
- Like one sky seen from many windows.
***
8. Become calm and cheerful always:
True cheerfulness is not excitement; it is inner steadiness. Nama chanting settles the mind and brings a quiet joy that is not dependent on circumstances.
- Like a deep lake, calm beneath surface ripples.
- Like a child at play, naturally joyful without reason.
***
9. Purify the heart so that God may take His seat in us:
Cravings, likes and dislikes, attachments, and rigid opinions clutter the heart. Chanting gently cleanses these layers, making the heart a clear space where the Divine can dwell naturally.
- Like cleaning a mirror so it can reflect clearly.
- Like clearing weeds so plants can grow.
(To be contd.)
EPISTLES OF SWAMI RAMDAS
Beloved Ram,
‘…Everything happens by God's will and always for good’ is the Mahavakya, which instils into the heart of man, faith, freedom and peace. We are neither weak nor strong — we are merely instruments in the hands of God. Let us be conscious of this and be ever free, cheerful and contented. Let us not worry over anything. The Divine Name is greater than any philosophy in the world. The Divine Name is the key by which we could, in practical life, open the gates that take us into the kingdom of immortal peace and bliss…
IN MEMORIAM
ANANDASHRAM NEWS
15500-CRORE NAMA JAPA YAGNA FOR WORLD PEACE:
The total Japa received in the fourth round of the 15500-Crore Nama Japa Yagna for World Peace in the month of January 2026 is 210 crores, chanted by 183352 devotees.
The grand total of the Japa done so far in this round now stands at 6670 crores.
***
SESSIONS WITH CHILDREN AT ANAND KUTIR IN ANANDASHRAM:
In the month of January 2026, 6 interactive sessions were held with children at Anand Kutir, in which 275 students participated. As the sessions are free from teaching and preaching, they help the children to bring out their own learnings like:
- Fatima Shehla: “At times, my eyes filled with tears. Things that are rarely spoken about were discussed here.”
- Misbah: “I realised that if situations are handled peacefully, many problems can be reduced.”
- Fatima Selma: “The session gave me the opportunity to know, understand and reflect.”
- Shadia: “I felt deep peace during meditation.”
- Anamika: “I realised that for the country to improve, each one of us has to correct ourselves.”
- Karthikeyan: “The class awakened my civic consciousness.”
- Vandana: “I became aware of what we can do for our country.”
- Athira: “The session helped us to know and understand ourselves.”
- Ahalya: “I understood the importance of living with awareness of nature, family and society.”
- Manjusha: “I understood that we must seek answers to life’s unanswered questions through living.”
- Ananthakrishnan: “I learnt new lessons on how a teacher can contribute to nation-building.”
- Nitya: “It made me reflect on what I have done for the world, beyond merely living in it.”
MOUNA SADHANA IN ANANDASHRAM:
A day-long Mouna Sadhana is scheduled on the 8th of March 2026. Devotees interested in participating may kindly inform through WhatsApp (+91-9037466744) or by email (pms.anandashram@gmail.com).
NAMOTSAV IN TIRUVANNAMALAI:
By the abundant grace of Beloved Papa, a three-day Namotsav was held at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram, Tiruvannamalai, from 20th to 22nd February 2026. More than 200 devotees from various places joyously gathered to participate in the programmes.
From the very outset until the culmination of the Namotsav, every aspect of the event was attended to with love, meticulous care, and thoughtful attention to even the minutest details by Revered Maa Devaki and all the Ashram Sevaks.
The Namotsav was further blessed by the gracious presence of Swami Ramanacharana Tirtha (Nochur), who participated in a session.
The central purpose of the Namotsav was to deepen the understanding that Nama chanting is essentially an aid to constant remembrance, thereby making the chanting more meaningful and effective.
With this objective in view, a set of contemplative guidelines was prepared to help focus the mind during chanting. (Some of them have been reproduced on Page 9 in this issue of THE VISION.)
Nama sessions were held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Altogether, 28 half-hour sessions were conducted over two days.
At the beginning of each session, one guideline was shared, enabling devotees to internalise it while chanting. For deeper assimilation, the same point was repeated after fifteen minutes within the session. In this way, Shravana (listening) and Manana (reflection) were harmoniously integrated with chanting.
Each day’s Nama sessions concluded with the chanting of Hanuman Chalisa.
The morning session on 22nd February was devoted to recapitulate the points covered during the previous two days. It was observed that this experiment of integrating contemplative dimensions with chanting was, to a large extent, successful.
In addition, thirty-three thematic boards were displayed at the venue, offering participants further opportunity for reflection during their leisure time.
Thus, the blissful Namotsav drew to a close with the recitation of prayers and the singing of the Arati.
NAMOTSAV IN ANANDASHRAM:
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
“It is not enough to sing the praise of the Name. You must keep it constantly on your lips. Gradually, you will find the Name taking hold of you. Now it is not you who possess the Name, but the Name takes possession of you. Then the mind will refuse to wander here and there. It gets absorbed in the Name and derives great peace and joy.”
— Swami Ramdas
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