July 12, 2025
There is nothing greater than chanting Lord Rama's name. One may have the tastiest of fruits, milk, curd and butter and yet, that sweetness pales in comparison to Rama nama. When uttered with true devotion, the efficacy of Rama nama is unparalleled. One has to only look at the lives of saints like Bhadrachala Ramadasu, who not only embraced Rama nama as a way of life but also lead a principled life. From his early years he was a true devotee of Rama, and desired to be initiated by Kabirdas, the legendary devotee, who was himself initiated on the steps of Kedar Ghat one night. Kabirdas was keen to receive the Rama mantra from the great Ramananda. To this end, he visited the mahan's ashram every day and begged to be taken to Ramananda's presence in order to place his request. However, the servitors of the ashram rudely turned him away every time.
Ramananda, realising that a devotee was being driven away from his gate every day, through his extraordinary sensory ability, ventured out the very night he came to know of it. Meanwhile, Kabirdas, turned away cruelly, curled up on one of the stairs of the ghat, his mind and heart yearning for Rama mantra. Ramananda, drawn to the same steps in the same ghat, unwittingly stepped on Kabir Das, and exclaimed, 'Siya Ram'. Kabirdas quickly got to his feet and humbly thanked Ramananda, saying he had been waiting to see him and receive the powerful Rama Rameti Mantra.
God always responds to those who truly seek His grace, with full faith, as experienced by Kabirdas.
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