The third mode of Bhakti Yoga is Smaranam, the constant and loving remembrance of God. Among the most sincere ways to engage in Smaranam is through Japa—the repetition of a divine mantra or the sacred name of God. In this practice, the sound of the mantra itself becomes the gateway to the divine. According to yogic scriptures, the mantra is not separate from God but is the embodiment of His very essence. God and His name are one, and the vibrations of this sacred sound awaken the practitioner’s soul, drawing it closer to the ultimate reality that dwells within.
Japa holds the power to guide a devotee towards self-realization. Through the rhythmic repetition of God’s name, the mind sheds its restlessness and merges with the divine energy carried by the mantra. Swami Sivananda explains that, while practicing japa, one should also engage in dhyana—meditating on the meaning and form of the mantra. For instance, if the mantra is related to Lord Krishna, one can meditate on His divine form, His boundless compassion, and His playful leelas. Japa thus becomes more than a mechanical repetition; it transforms into an expression of devotion that nourishes and deepens love for God.
This divine practice awakens bhakti, the pure love of God, and it blossoms into a sacred union between the devotee and the divine. Just as remembering a loved one’s name stirs the heart and rekindles affection, so does the remembrance of God through His name awakens an unshakeable bond of love. In his spiritual classic, Bliss Divine, Swami Sivananda poetically captures this essence: "Live in love, breathe in love, sing in love... die in love." To "die in love" is to dissolve entirely into that love, where nothing remains but the presence of the beloved. Like a fire consuming everything in its path, the yoga of love consumes the ego until all that remains is the eternal flame of divine love.
Even if japa begins mechanically, over time, it becomes infused with devotion. As the mantra is repeated, it releases divine energy, gradually transforming the heart and mind of the practitioner. What begins as a simple repetition becomes a bhava, a sacred relationship between the one who repeats the name and the divine who carries that name. Each utterance of the mantra brings the devotee into the immediate presence of God, even if they are not consciously aware of it at first. The transformative power of japa is that it makes God’s presence palpable, tangible, and real in every moment.
The continuous repetition of the mantra leads to darshan, the direct vision of the divine. This vision is not limited to a fleeting spiritual experience; it changes the devotee’s life forever. The divine, once seen within the heart, is also recognized in the world around. As the ancient truth teaches: "As you think, so you become." When one thinks constantly of God and repeats His name, the devotee becomes one with God. In this way, chanting the divine name becomes the simplest and most direct path to realizing God in this Kali Yuga, the current age of spiritual challenges. By repeating God’s name, the devotee not only purifies the mind but also ascends to the highest levels of meditation.
Smarana-bhakti is the divine practice of keeping the Lord's name and presence in your heart and mind, not just during prayer or worship but throughout every moment of life. As one immerses in hearing about God’s glories and chanting His name, a profound yearning to be with Him arises. This yearning becomes so strong that the mind, purified and unattached to worldly distractions, naturally gravitates towards Him in an unbroken stream of thought. The beauty of smarana lies in its simplicity and practicality. You need not retreat to the mountains or forsake your worldly duties. Instead, you can anchor yourself in God's presence by integrating small, meaningful acts of devotion into your daily life. Place a sacred image on your desk, set a divine mantra as your phone’s screensaver, or softly play the chanting of “Om Namo Narayanaya” in the background as you work. These subtle reminders bring God into your consciousness, transforming the mundane into the sacred. With each moment of remembrance, your mind detaches from the world and attaches to the source of all love, God.
Smarana is not bound by any particular circumstance. It is the remembrance of God in every state of being—whether you are awake, dreaming, or in deep sleep. Just as a mother never ceases to think about her newborn child, even amidst the busiest moments, so too does a devotee, absorbed in smarana, never lose sight of God. The practice of smarana is a universal teaching, found in all religions through prayers, chants, meditation, and thanksgiving.
Great saints, like Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, have emphasized the importance of constant remembrance. He would say, “Chant the name of Hari, clap your hands, and watch as your worldly thoughts fly away like startled birds.” His consort, the Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi, echoed this truth, teaching that the name of God purifies the mind, sweeping away the clouds of worldly attachment like a strong wind disperses fog.
This unbroken remembrance of God leads to peace and wisdom. As the mind continually dwells on the greatness of the Lord, it begins to understand the mysteries of life and the workings of the universe. Over time, one no longer questions the ups and downs of existence but accepts everything as part of the divine will, living in a state of blissful surrender.
Among the greatest examples of smarana-bhakti is Prahlad, the young devotee of Lord Narayan. Even before his birth, Prahlad was nurtured by divine teachings of Narada Muni while in his mother’s womb. His father, the demon king Hiranyakashyap, sought to be worshipped as God, but Prahlad, with unwavering faith, refused to chant his father’s name and continued to sing the praises of Lord Vishnu. Despite facing torture and death at his father’s hands, Prahlad’s mind remained fixed on God. His unshakeable devotion saved him from fire, poison, and every form of torment, until finally, Lord Vishnu appeared in His ferocious form as Narasimha to protect him and destroy his father.
Prahlad’s story teaches us that the practice of smarana, even under the harshest conditions, leads to divine protection and ultimate liberation. His constant remembrance of Lord Vishnu filled his heart with peace, joy, and divine wisdom, despite the suffering imposed by his father. Like Prahlad, we too can strive to live in a state of constant remembrance, finding God in every breath, in every heartbeat, and in every thought.
Through smarana, one’s life becomes an offering of love. The mind, once tethered to worldly desires, finds its rest in the divine, just as a river merges into the ocean. This union with God through constant remembrance dissolves the ego, and all that remains is the blissful presence of the divine.
Bhakta Prahlad
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