Synopsis :

Lav and Kush inquire about the power of chanting the Lord's name. Sita explains that repeating the Lord's name awakens Pranic Shakti, vitalizing body and mind. She instructs them on Ram Naam chanting with proper breathing (pranayama), emphasizing that righteous actions (Satkarma) must accompany the mantra for true spiritual progress.

Sita herself embodies devotion, and teaches the twins  to engage in worldly duties while remaining anchored in the Almighty, like a mother focused on her child amidst chores. She introduces the 'nine classic paths of devotion' (Navadha Bhakti), guiding them in diverse ways to connect with the divine. Moved, Lav and Kush resolve to live with unwavering faith and spiritual purity. The chapter underscores that devotion is a meaningful engagement with life , not an escape.

As the poetic verses unfold, one is invited to reflect: Can devotion remain unshaken amidst life’s distractions?

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Lav Kush :

Mother, What is the strength of chanting the name of Lord and what is meant by devotion ?

Link:

There was curiosity on the face of the twins

This Sita had understood

To make everyone enlightened

She gave Lord’s chant good

Song 1 : Ocean of Life

Sita:

The heart is filled with various hues
Oh devotee, the heart is filled with various hues.

An actor changes his guise in a moment,
So does the heart assume different hues?
Be cautious and guide it in God’s purpose.
The heart is filled with various hues

The ocean of life is endless
How will you reach the shore?
Remember the God Almighty,
Do only good deeds,

Purify yourself completely…….
Then, you shall reach the shore.

Song 2: Chant of Rama-Mantra

Sita :

Making your body and mind pure,

Everyday before your meal

Where air moves freely

Sit in such clean place ideal ||1||

Whether the place is inside or outside

Close the eyes gently

Sitting in the 'Padmasan' position

Chant this Lord’s name intently ||2||

Slowly take deep breath inside

And stop it for two moments

Chant this 'Mantra' with concentration

Say ‘Raaaaa’ for four moments ||3||

Contract your stomach inwards

As you exhale the breath

Then closing your lips lightly

utter the sound ‘Mmmm’ at length ||4||

In your chest, throat and nose

Let it echo for two moments

And experience the ‘Pranic Shakti’

By sitting calmly for another two moments ||5||

Chant this 'Mantra' of Lord Rama

Without any expectation from Lord

Rest of the day remember Him

And do the good work of God ||6||

* 'Mantra' means a chant

'Padmasan' is a 'yogic' sitting position in which you sit cross-legged on the ground with the soles of feet facing upwards.

Song 3 : What  fragrance has reached me pure

Sita:

What fragrance has reached me pure? 

Has Rama come to my abode’s door? ||Refrain||

In the depths of my heart.

The name I chant fondly

Has that form now appeared 

Providence smiled kindly   ||1||

Mind  absorbed  in  Rama,

Heart bows in tranquillity.

By  Guru’s grace may faith remain   

This  fortune be till eternity  ||2||

Song 4 : O dear  may Rama, dwell in my heart

Sita:

May Rama's light a shine within impart,

O dear may Rama, dwell in my heart    (Refrain)

Each day I bathe in sun's warm glow,

Basking in its golden light . 

May I ever His name chant, 

O dear may Rama, dwell in heart             ||1||

With morning hymns by tranquil lakes,

Longing  for Him  pure on my part

My heart, itself, His sacred space, 

O dear may Rama, dwell in heart             ||2||

Song 5 : Let us remember Rama

Sita:

Let us remember Rama

Chant his holy name

With a pure heart
Be one with Him, our aim  ||1||

Shri Rama, Hail! Rama, Hail! Rama

In the  morning haze
A gentle  voice we raise,
Sing His  name in hymns
Blessed in sunny  rays  ||2||

Shri Rama, Hail! Rama, Hail! Rama

Hymns forever chant
From a peaceful mind
With righteous deeds
Sing  unceasing kind   ||3||

Shri Rama, Hail! Rama, Hail! Rama

Song 6 : The Temple of My Heart

Sita:

In  temple grand of my heart , 

Shri Rama mine is manifest  || Refrain ||

Gently and with reverence   

 I open doors of shrine, 

 Blessed  with  a vision of 

 His ’ Lotus Feet’ 1 divine ||1||

Though incessant I do chant

His name with great delight

As a mother  I enjoy 

To nurture   twins bright ||2||

Notes: 1. Lotus Feet: The lotus is considered a pure flower, as it grows in muddy water yet remains untouched by impurities. Similarly, the lotus feet of the gods and goddesses are considered pure and untouched by the material world. The lotus feet are sometimes symbolically said to be spiritual wisdom itself, or pure consciousness.

It is said that God's lotus feet are the support of the soul. Lotus feet manifest in the mind through regular spiritual practice, when man's consciousness is concentrated through devotional exercises and disciplines.

Song 7 : Changing Seasons
(A Resilience of life)

Sita:

Verdant leaves once cloaked the Trees,
With autumn’s touch  they barren turn
Their  heart to heaven silent yearn,
‘O! Spring's life-giving touch  return’ ||1||

Dancing joyous , Trees still  sway,
A festival of delight unbound

With changing season, Trees rebound,
Fresh foliage and new life found ||2||

Song 8 : The Pining Soul

Sita:

As a seedling yearns for sunlight,

So does my soul

Pine for the Lord!

Like a mother who does her household chores,

Has her attention focussed on the child

So should you do your worldly duty,

With your heart fixed on the Almighty.

Then shall your pining soul

Be quenched of thirst,

Oh devotee!

Song 9: Oh! Lord Rama Come and meet me  please !

Sita: 

Oh! Lord Rama 

Come and meet me  please !   || Refrain ||

In my heart’s shrine, 

Make Your abode divine, 

May devotion's bloom unfold,

And my spirit feel consoled.   ||1||

I chant Your name with resolve, 

May my mind fully dissolve,

In Your love, so profound,

I wouldn't notice Sun go down. || 2 ||

Link: 

Remembering the Lord,  mind becomes pure, 

Temple of the heart blossoms  holy and calm. 

Where there is contemplation of the mother, 

There too resides spirituality , a healing balm .

Song 10 : My heart, so pure, a sacred whole

Sita: 

In a tranquil stream, I bathe myself,

Chanting my Lord's name all day long,

My heart feels blessed  so pure and  whole,

Purified , I feel in soul  ||1||

Cool waters cascade upon my head,

'Oh Maa !,' a soft sigh escapes.

Remembering  ‘Mother’ a  tender call,

This too feels  pure and always blesses ||2||

Song 11 : Chanting the Divine Name "Hari"

Sita: 

Chanting the Divine Name "Hari"
Inner strength we attain.

A bird perched upon a branch,

If the branch should break by and by ,

With wings of faith and strength of mind,
The bird   soars again into the sky.

Song 12 : Impure to Pure
Enlightened is water
Sita:

Impure to Pure,
Enlightened is water,
By alum’s good quality
In mere measure ||1||

And so in chanting,
People devoutly proclaim,
Mind becomes sublime,
By Shri Rama’s name ||2||

Song 13 : Sublimate Mind

Sita:

Sublimate Mind
Sublimate mind,
In mundane life
Sublimate mind ….. Refrain

With Rama's name,
a sacred song of praise ,
Bringing peace and
cleansing life's dark maze. ||1||

Seated still,
in tranquil pose I find, Remembering Lord ,
a calming peace of mind. ||2||

Reflection deep,
Remembrance ever true,
Of divine teachings,
A vision ever new. ||3||

Link: 

Mother would to her kids explain
To fulfill your life's quest.
Follow the nine ways of worship
And be by God blessed

Song 14 : Ways of Worship

Sita:

Oh! Devotee, listen how you can

Worship the divine Mother,

Your life will sublimate

By revering Her in this manner.

First way is “Namasmaran”,

Silently chanting Her holy name.

Second is “Chintan”,

Meditate on Her divine form.

Third is “Atma-manthan”,

Introspect your own self.

Fourth way is “Poojan”,

Offering incense, fruits and flowers.

Fifth way is “Pathan”,

Reading of the scriptures.

Sixth way is “Kirtan”,

Singing of devotional hymns,

Seventh way is “Vandan”,

Salutation to the Divine in all beings

Eighth way is “Atmasamarpan”,
Submission to the will Divine.

Ninth way is “Sat-Karma”,
Performance of Dharma (Duty) to perfection

Any way of worship, oh! Devotee
Is dear to Divine Mother.

Song 15 : The Ocean of Devotion

Sita:

Like pure water
is elixir of life
So also a pure heart
Contains the ocean of devotion

Song 16 : Happiness of devotion

Sita :

Enjoy the happiness of devotion

Bask in the love of mother Goddess kind

Concentrating yourself at the feet of Lord

Always remember your duties in mind.

Song 17 : Shrine

Sita:

Will anyone ever kneel

In front of an empty edifice, per se?

When you install a sacred artifact,

People will come and pray

This body of material elements

Will anyone call as divine?

When you seat God in your heart

Then your life will be sublime.

Song 18 : HEART’S TEMPLE

In the temple of the heart,
Endless paths unfold,
In our body as His pure manifest,
The mantra echoes bold || Refrain ||

Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.

Recites inner voice ,
Timeless  pristine ,
The  Lord’s name
A Mantra divine ||1||

Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.

Mind a fertile soil,
Fill  wi’  Love Joyful,
Water it with ,
Good Deeds soulful. ||2||

Song 19: Sublimation

Sita: 

Clay, Wood, Stone

Painting or any metal thing,

Where your mind will sublimate,

That is God , That is symbolic of Him.

Song 20 : Beloved Devotee

Sita:

From the light of a lamp,
Several creatures do gain,
But that being is most faithful,
Who jumps into the flame.

God’s love is like this
It benefits all and is constant
But that devotee is beloved
Who is unified every moment?

Song 21 : Full Moon Meditation

Sita :

Find in full Moon meditation,

Peace and calm within your mind,

Bathe in the cool Moon- beams

Serenity is soon  enshrined .       (1)

Seated in effortless ease,

Gaze on Moon to begin ,

Name recall of God you love,

Focus heart deep within.     (2)

In Mother Earth's caring  lap,

All life forms live happily

Showering   love on  all it sees

Moon is pleased abundantly.     (3)

Let these virtues guide your heart

Reflect on them with mind at ease

Seek the good of all you see

Seeker ! You shall dwell in peace.   (4)

Song 22 : Dialogue of soul and mind

Lav and Kush:

Oh my mind, why are you acting as my enemy,
And keeping me away from my Lord?

I have fulfilled all your worldly desires,
Yet you are keeping me away from my Lord,

I allowed you to drift all over the world,
Yet you are keeping me away from my Lord.

Ah! I did not exercise control over you,
So you separated me from my Lord,

I will now act with faith and do good deeds only,
Let me then see how you can separate,
Me from my Lord!!

End of Chapter 10

Om Shanti ! Om Shanti ! Om Shanti !