Slokam 6

The Paramathmas messengers remind the representative’s of dharma devata that when there is repentance,  all the sins of the past must be forgiven. 

The messengers of the Paramathma,  respond to Yama’s representatives assertion of Ajamila’s guilt by pointing out that the utterance of Sriman Narayana’s name in itself is the atonement and qualifies for redemption of all sins that may have been committed. 

This is why nama sankeerthanam, or chanting of the Paramathma’s name is so powerful.  The Paramathma has recommended nama sankeerthanam as being the most suitable form of prayer in the Kali Yugam.

Ideally,  Nama Sankeerthanam must be performed with complete devotion. Given the distractions in the Kali Yugam,  when we are highly concerned about managing daily uncertainties,  it is often that we chant the name of the Paramathma,  while our attention is elsewhere. 

Like Ajamila’s utterance of the Paramathma’s name was not intentional,  so also nama sankeerthanam may be performed, sometimes mechanically, with worldly worries, fears and insecurity in the mind.  However, the effect of the mere utterance of the Paramathma’s name is so powerful, that it offers complete protection by itself.

When we do nama sankeerthanam,  our location moves from the mind to the consciousness.  The mind begins to quieten and our ahankara or identity is gradually merged with the supreme.

Vishnu Sahasranamam is the most powerful of all slokams in our scriptures. It  is the chanting of the thousand names of the Paramathma. The thousand names of the Paramathma are strung together in a beautiful hymn. The slokams in the Sahasranamam are composed in a rhythmic and poetic sequence of names that are easily assimilated even by children.

Chanting the Sahasranamam everyday helps make our daily lives constructive and progressive. It offers a protective shield from the vagaries of everyday life.

May we, taking the cues from the happenings of Ajamila,  chant the Paramathma’s name incessantly with our every breath.