Passage 1

Tap any word for its meaning.

In plain words

Embodiments of Prema! For the past seven days the thinking of Rāma has gone on in great joy. Those who came, and the priests, made the week a success with fine Bhakti and śraddhā. Shetty, who arranged it, also made everything easy and brought joy.

To think of the Name together is best of all

When Rāma is thought of without ceasing, the whole village is safe and well. If one sits alone thinking of Rāma, it does not taste so sweet. When many gather in one place and think of Rāma, the heart of some one among them melts the heart of Rāma, and through that, Rāma's grace comes to all. So to think of Rāma together is far better than to do it alone. Thinking of Rāma is something everyone can do. Even those who cannot see keep remembering, ‘Rāma, Rāma, Rāma.’ ‘Rāma’ is not the name of a person. It is not the form of an individual. ‘Rāma’ is the name of the Ātma itself. In all of us is Ātmārāma. So everyone, from little children to the elders, must think of Rāma. Neither money nor possessions bring us Śānti and happiness. Thinking of the Name alone brings happiness and Śānti. Thinking of the Name is the best of all. When we think of the Name, every worry goes.

“Being born is one worry, living on the earth a worry, worldly life a worry, death a worry, all of childhood a worry, old age a worry, to live is a worry, to come to ruin a worry, every action a worry, hardship a worry, joy itself a worry, a strange worry; Bhakti for Rāma, which takes away every worry, take it up even now, O people, to your heart's content!”