Great article by Ganesh Vasudeva Tagore (the famous translator of "Shree Skanda-Purana" in English).
GANESH VASUDEVA TAGORE "GLORIFICATION OF RAMA NAMA IN THE SKANDA PURANA"
The Skanda Purana is considered to be
one of the most important Puranas. This voluminous work contains a number of verses glorifying Rama Nama. The Purana elaborately describes the Efficacy of chanting Rama Nama.
Everyone, irrespective of their status in society can derive spiritual benefit by uttering the Unique Mantra viz. Rama.
Glorification of the Name of Rama is found in so many Indian works ancient and modern.
But while I was translating the Skanda Purana, I found that the following verses from the 276th chapter of the VI Khanda (Nagara Khanda) of the Skanda Purana are generally not known to preachers of Purana and Keertanas.
The simple reason Is that the Skanda Purana is so voluminous (81,000 verses as per traditional belief but actually more than 91,000 verses in the Venkateshwar Press, Bombay edition which we have accepted for translation).
Few dare to read it ceremonially, say in the Chaturmasya.
I give only a few verses in order to avoid repetition of ideas. The object of the author is to glorify the Efficaciousness of the Name of Rama.
Background Usual: The Kailasa Mountain.
Interlocutors: Shiva and Parvati, Shiva describes the Greatness of Rama Name
(The numbers of verses are as in the original text of the Skanda Purana. Verses repeating the same idea are omitted to conserve space)
Women and shudras eligible for Liberation (Moksha)
Every Mantra usually begins with the auspicious syllable OM. The Name of Rama is a Mantra. It should be OM RAMA.
But women are not eligible to utter the syllable OM according to orthodox people. But even if the mantra RAMA is uttered without appending the syllable OM to it, women and shudras will definitely attain Moksha (Liberation from Samsara) by meditating upon and muttering (Japa) of RAMA (the Name Rama).
There is no need of even OMKARA if only the Name RAMA is taken.
Verses 40-41:
The Mantra consists of two syllables RAMA. But its Japa annihilates all sins. In the case of Yoga there are certain restrictions about the time, place, postures etc.
But in the case of the Japa of the name of Rama, one can carry on his Japa in all positions whether one is standing, walking or (even) tying (on the bed). It is due to the efficacy of the Japa of Rama that a man becomes one of the attendants of Lord Shree Hari, after death.
This Mantra consisting of two syllables (RA-MA) is superior to millions of other mantras (Verse 44):
In all the world (Literally: on the surface of this earth) there is nothing which is greater than (The Name) RAMA. Those who resort to the Name of Rama (i.e. perform the Japa of Rama-Mantra) suffer no tortures of the God of Death (Yama).
Verse 47:
RAMA is the Lord (Supreme) of Mantras. He is the Complete Destroyer (Healer) of the disease called Samsara. It gives one complete victory in the battle. And helps in achieving all our undertakings and objectives.
RAMA (Mantra) burns down even the great sins of persons born in low castes. Not only in the inner souls of people but also the entire universe is pervaded by Its Effulgence.
Sins gross or insignificant committed even in previous births Rama-Nama burns it down in a moment and purifies all.
I hope these verses "excavated" from the huge Skanda Purana be now used by our preachers.
Cited from
Ganesh Vasudeva Tagore
"Glorification Of Rama Nama In The Skanda Purana"
