Nama sankeerthanam: शुद्धब्रह्मपरात्पर राम्

Nama Japam or Nama Sankeertanam is the repetition or Sankirtana of nama (name) of the Almighty. This is one of the time-tested, easiest ways of Bhakti yoga. The devotee chooses Ishta-deva (Sanskrit iṣṭa-deva(tā), literally "cherished divinity" from iṣṭa "desired, liked, cherished" and devatā "godhead, divinity," or deva "deity") and picks up a name of the Ishta deva to repeatedly chant the name vocally or in mind anytime, anywhere.

Devotees can form a group and do sankeertanam or singing together of name of the Almighty. Bhajans are one way of singing the glories of Almighty, thereby contemplating only on the Almighty.

Nama Japa, Sankeertanam, Bhajans all result only in one thing. Nama sankeertanam, helps the devotees identify themselves with their deity of adoration, ultimately resulting in culmination into Paramatman.

The prevailing situations and surroundings we are in, do not help us to meditate peacefully, do the yogas as enshrined in the spiritual scriptures. Hence Nama Japam is the ultimate, and simplest way of seeing Almighty in us and in everything.

Bhishma considered chanting of the Vishnu sahasranama the best and easiest of all dharmas or the

means to attain relief from all bondage.

Adi Sankaracharya, the Advaita enlightened master, in verse 27 of his hymn, Bhaja Govindam, said that the Gita and Vishnu sahasranama should be chanted and the form of

the Lord of Lakshmi-Narayana should always be meditated on. He also said that the Sahasranama bestowed all noble virtues on those who chanted it. The Almighty has mentioned in Srimad Bhagawad Gita, that He resides in the hearts of those who chant and sing His names.


Of all namas of the Almighty, Rama nama is considered to be ideal for nama japam.
sri rama rama rameti rame rame manorame; sahasra nama tat tulyam rama nama varanane

Of all the many avatāra of Vishnu, the maryadha purushothama, Sri Rama's name, had remainined

easy and beautiful source for spiritual enlightenment or moksha. Rama's name is more potent than Rama Himself had been exemplified in many instances of great devotees' lives.

Valmiki, just by repeatedly uttering 'Ma-Ra' (not even Ra-ma), could create the greatest epic Ramayanam. Hanuman, just by doing Rama nama japam could cross seas, fight rakshasas, monsters, carry Sanjeevani parvatham, could save Rama and Lakshmana from Mahiravana, could become Chiranjeevin.


Hanuman, Samarth Ramdas, Tulasidas,Kabirdas, Thyagaraja, Ramadasu, Sai Baba, Papa Ramdas, Gandhi, Yogi Ramsuratkumar are some of the greatest devotees who believed in Sri Rama Japam and could do wonders on their own right, speaks volumes on Nama Japam.

Though the Almighty has thousands of names (sahasranama), Rama nama japam is ideal for

everyone. The name Ra-ma is combination of MaheshwaRA-MAheshwari, denoting one Almighty, who is Ardhanarishvara (Sanskrit: अर्धनारीश्वर, Ardhanārīśvara), who is the single entity of Shiva (Purusha) and Shakthi (Prakriti), one who pervades everything—Antharyami.

Even breathing of all the living beings signify Ra-ma. Purusha (absolute consciousness) / Maheshwa'Ra', initiates the living-beings to use the life force Prakriti (absolute energy) / 'Ma'heshwari. During inhalation and exhalation, both Shiva and Shakthi are in union, or co-exist, so life exists. When we do Rama nama japam, we do Pranayama, or conscious breathing, focussing on 'Ra-ma' (Inhalation/Exhalation), leading to God-realization.

RAMANAMA SANKIRTANAM or chanting the name of Lord Rama is held after the evening arati on all Ekadasi days at all the centres of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. Ramanama Sankirtanam is a traditional hymn portraying of the story of Ramayanam through various names of Lord Ramachandra. This sankirtanam was introduced by Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj, the ‘Spiritual Son’ of Sri Ramakrishna and the first President of the Ramakrishna Order.

Lord Sri Rama is considered the most ideal human being, (ie. ideal son, ideal brother, ideal husband,

and an ideal statesman) who can be of guidance to all human kind. By participating in the Ramanama Sankirtanam, devotees remember all his noble qualities and thus seek to imbibe them in their own lives. Sri Hanuman, who is a constant devotee and companion of Sri Rama is also remembered when Rama is worshiped. Swami Vivekananda wanted the purity, faithfulness, valor, and determination of Mahavira (great hero) Hanuman as an ideal for our youngsters. Hence he wished all should worship Hanuman.

Nama Ramayanam - in sanskrit with meaning

Sankirtan Ramayan