Learning to chant with the heart
I have been chanting God’s names for a long time, but mostly inattentively. It is not that I did so intentionally, but it used to happen helplessly. I did not know how to get over this weakness, despite the fact that I knew that I was not reaping the full advantage of chanting.
To my credit, I never gave up chanting, doing it day after day. Finally, my Lord revealed why I was not attentive. The first reason became clear from the following three examples.
Hanumanji had just returned from Lanka, having met Mother Sita and burned Lanka. Obviously, Lord Ramachandra was very pleased. Seeing the Lord’s mood, Hanumanji prayed, “O my Lord, please be kind enough to grant me Your unwavering ‘bhakti’ (devotion), which is the giver of immense ‘sukha’ (bliss).” (Shri Ramcharitmanas, Sunderkanda 33) Another example is that of Goswami Tulsidas, who prayed at the beginning of this Kanda, “O Raghukul Shrestha, please grant me Your unmixed bhakti.” (SRS 2)
The third example is that of Vibhishanji, who, after meeting Lord Ramachandra, prayed, “O Merciful Lord, please grant me Your pure bhakti.” (SRS 48)
Are these famous examples not indicating something? They are: bhakti can only be granted by God and God alone. No one can attain bhakti on his own, which I was trying to do. The second reason is equally compelling. Lord Krishna has cautioned in Verse 7.14: “This Maya (illusory nature) of Mine, consisting of the three ‘gunas’ (modes), is divine and very difficult to overcome.”
What is the Lord cautioning about? Two facts: Maya is created by God and consists of three modes - goodness, passion, and darkness. These are all-pervading in this material world, and everyone, without exception, is under their influence to varying degrees. (18.40) What happens due to such influence? The mind, which is fickle, forceful, strong, and obstinate (6.34), drags attention away from chanting to somewhere, anywhere. And we are helpless about it.
What is the solution? The Lord gives it: “Those who take shelter in Me alone are able to transcend this Maya.” Mark the word alone, because God is the only option.
What is my experience? I have started to seek help before I begin chanting. It works until the mind wanders again. Then I pray for help once more and bring the mind back to chanting. It is working. From a very low percentage of attention, it has risen to a high percentage. I am over the moon about this transformation.
Is not chanting the highest ‘yajna’ (sacrifice), as described by Lord Krishna in Verse 10.25? This being so, it will yield maximum benefits if done properly, which I am hoping to gain. One more thing I am doing to increase my devotion is to begin thanking my Lord for all the successes that are coming my way. This thankfulness has started to enhance my love for God. Are we not, as small souls, quite helpless and largely ignorant, yet overwhelmed by such mercy? As a matter of fact, it makes all the difference.
The writer is a spiritual teacher and a popular columnist; Views presented are personal.
