The Bhakti movement was a great spiritual revolution that took place in India during the 12thand 13 centuries. Many great saints such as Namdev Maharaj, Kabir, Meera bai, Tulsidas, and Jnaneshwar Maharaj are considered to be part of this movement.

Their beautiful poetic writings expressed their immense love for God and the practice of naam-sankirtan, or singing the Lord’s name with great love, feeling and devotion was greatly emphasized.

In this video Gurumaa sings a beautiful abhang, or bhajan by Namdev Maharaj which describes the state of human mind. The great poet-saint says:

Oh Lord you are even sweeter than amrit- the nectar of immortality! If this is the case why doesn’t my mind dwell on that truth? My mind is engrossed in worldly desires and has no wish to meditate upon your name. Why doesn’t your name penetrate my heart!

In modern times many people are unable to practice austerities and naam sankirtan is a practice which anyone can follow in their daily routine.

While there are many practices that purify the mind, chanting the Lord’s name is one of the simplest ways of experiencing God. If chanting is done properly with proper music, rhythm, harmony and most importantly with great love, one can experience the Lord in a very short period of time.

Naam Sankirtan destroys many mental and physical illnesses and provides mental peace. The power of the Lord’s name cleanses impurities and many accumulated karmas we have created in all our lifetimes.

As the mind becomes purified it delves deeper into its real source and does not need outer material objects to fulfill its happiness. We experience our “true” Self and realize that the supreme bliss, this golden nectar of immortality is right within us!

The name Vitthala is a source of intoxication for the great saints of Maharashtra. He is the form of Vishnu, or Krishna. In this sankirtan video, experience the joy and blissfulness of chanting in deep devotion with the Revered master – Anandmurti Gurumaa.

Pandharpur, a holy city in the state of Maharashtra is the abode of Vitthala, more fondly known by his devotees as Vitthala mauli (Mother Vitthala). He is the form of Vishnu, or Krishna and is predominantly worshiped in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.

The name Vitthala is a source of intoxication for the great saints of Maharashtra. Many devotional hymns or abhangas composed in the Marathi language are dedicated to this adored and beloved deity residing in the city of Pandharpur.

The abhangas composed by saints such as Jnaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram Maharaj expressed great affection for his beautiful dark form. All of their compositions depict their intense longing and pains of separation from the Supreme Lord.

The great saints of India say if the tongue must speak we should use it to sing praises of the Lord. Chanting allows our inner being to be purified from all kinds of negativities and one can experience the highest form of intoxicating bliss that exists within.

Your entire being is rejuvenated and all sorts of sins are destroyed. It also purifies the entire atmosphere of where the chanting is taken place. Hence chanting the Lord’s name is one of the simplest, yet exhilarating ways to remember the Almighty!

Sometimes in our imagination we come across the visual images of the deities and Gods that we believe in. What is the truth behind it? Is that meeting for real?

In a similar question in this video, a devotee asks Anandmurti Gurumaa whether he is in real bhakti and devotion towards God or his mind is just playing games with him!

Mind is a very powerful entity. The games that the mind plays are difficult to comprehend without the help of a true master. One cannot know the power of the mind without the help of a ‘Sad Guru’.

A Guru imparts knowledge and guides the seeker to gently, but firmly become the master of one’s own mind.

Mind can cause many delusions and confuse a person if one starts to discuss and try to analyze the thoughts occurring in the mind. A seeker thus asked the holy master; Anandmurti Gurumaa to clarify whether what he was experiencing were symptoms of true ‘Bhakti’ or was his mind playing games with him.

Being a devotee of Lord Krishna, this person says that he feels the ‘leela’ of the divine almighty all around in the people of this world. When he chants or hears names of God, he is overcome by ecstatic symptoms of tears and the voice gets chocked, body trembles and he begins to lose awareness.

All these are experiences that are generated in the mind and who can truly decipher it or understand it, because the understanding too needs to be done by the mind only.

At times the heart and the mind may not agree with one another. What the heart feels is borne out of love where as the mind thinks intellectually and has the power to manipulate thoughts as it desires.

Gurumaa tells the seeker not to pay attention to what others have to say. If he feels it is love then no need to ask others. Why does the mind need a certificate of approval from others?

There can be many attributes to such a situation. Sometimes it can be simply a disease or disorder of the mind. It may be infatuation. It may be simple conditioning of the mind that the mind wants to believe in.

There is a lot that can happen in the mind. Only the person experiencing those thoughts knows genuinely if they are true. So the need is to be honest to your own self and keep calm and be true.

Rejoice in the true love of divinity and real Bhakti.

Why People have faith in God? This is a Question a seeker put before the Enlightened master Anandmurti Gurumaa. In this video, she shares her insights on how we can handle differences of opinion and faiths that other people might have regarding faith, religion and living.

Faith is indeed a very personal issue. To each one it may mean something different depending on their perception. No two people are identical in their looks ideologies and thinking which is why the meaning of this much used word is so varied.

No one has seen God, yet people believe in His existence. Why?

Because God is not the name of a physical entity, someone one can touch or see but yet one can feel if one wants to. Like the sweetness of a sugar candy can only be felt and enjoyed but not really touched.

It is impossible to separate sweetness and sugar. Sugar is a substance the essence of which is sweetness. They are like two sides of a coin; its one for those who look at it that way and separate for those who choose to look at it from a different perspective.

Another example that Gurumaa often uses to explain this concept is that of gold and gold ornaments. Can the two have separate identities? If Gold maintains its identity in one object or form, then it cannot be shaped into any ornaments.

Gurumaa says that it is each one’s own choice whether or not to believe in God. Everyone is free to make their own choices but at the same time they have no right to question other people’s choice. No one has the right to be judgmental.

To believe or not to believe is based on their own perception. So who is to decide right or wrong?

Make your choice and live with it.

Lord Shiva is one of the most revered and worshiped gods in Hinduism. Followers of Shiva, who are known as Shaivites honor him as the Supreme Being. In fact the lineage of all self-realized masters originates from Shiva, the primordial guru.

Lord Shiva is personified as the destroyer or transformer in the Hindu trinity of gods known as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (also known as Shiva).

The abstract form of Shiva is depicted by a Shiva linga, while the statues which represent him depict him in the form of a beautiful yogi who is adorned with snakes, ashes and tiger skin, and always immersed in deep meditation.

The Sanskrit word Shiva means “the auspicious one” or one who is eternally pure and not affected by the three gunas (qualities) of nature. While there are many hymns and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva, Om Namah Shivaya is one of the most well-known mantras in Shaivism.

Om Namah Shivaya is also known as the Panchakshara mantra (five syllable mantra excluding Om), or great redeeming mantra. The mantra means “I bow to Shiva, the supreme reality and pure consciousness that exists in all”.

These five sacred syllables correspond to the five elements from which the human body is formed. Na is associated with the earth element, ma to the water element, shi to fire, va to air and ya to the ether element.

As we repeat this powerful mantra each syllable purifies its specific element. Ultimately it allows the body and mind become pure, allowing one to obtain full benefits in their spiritual practices.

This mantra has no restrictions and can be chanted by anyone at any time in their life. It has the power to free one from any type of sins and break the bondages of the mind.

As the mind is purified and freed from its ignorance, one experiences the true wisdom: Shiva, the supreme bliss is nowhere but within us!

Aum is the primordial sound from which this entire world was created, and is considered to be the greatest mantra amongst all in Hinduism. Other names for Aum include pranava (humming sound) or udgita (elevating chant) meditation.

According to the sages of India this entire universe is vibrating with the universal cosmic sound Aum. Watch this video by Gurumaa to discover the significance and hidden meanings of the mantra Aum!

Aum is always seen in the beginning of every prayer or mantra, and is also known as a bija (seed) or moola (root) mantra. In fact as Gurumaa says if Aum is not used in the start of an incantation, it is not considered to be a mantra and has no value!

The mantra Aum represents the Hindu trinity, or three principles of existence: A represents Brahma, U is Vishnu, and M is Shiva. The silence felt after chanting Aum signifies the ultimate reality that is present at every moment. This reality is beyond creation (Brahma), sustenance (Vishnu) and destruction (Shiva).

According to Indian scriptures this entire world, along with the human body and mind is made up of three gunas (qualities). A represents the tamas guna (ignorance, darkness), U is rajas guna (passion and dynamism) and M symbolizes the satwwa guna (harmony, clarity). The silence experienced after chanting Aum transcends the three gunas, and represents pure consciousness.

Each letter is connected to a specific area in the body. When chanting Aum, the vibration of A can be felt in the abdomen (navel area), U in the throat and the resonance of M can be experienced in the head. The silence experienced after the chanting of Aum represents the supreme consciousness that is beyond our thinking and comprehension.

These three syllables also represent the three states or bodies that constitute the human system. A represents the waking state (jagrat avastha), U symbolizes the dream state (swapna avastha), while M is related to the dreamless state (susupta avastha). The fourth state is beyond the three levels of consciousness and is known as transcendental state (turiya avastha).

This state is not represented by any letter and occurs when one has finished chanting Aum. In this state of silence only consciousness is present and nothing else exists. This consciousness is the Brahman, or atman that exists within us.

The great sages of India constantly reiterate that Aum is the essence of the four Vedas. Everything has arisen, rests and dissolves in Aum. Anyone can chant this beautiful mantra, and regular chanting eventually leads one to experience God: the pure supreme consciousness, or bliss that exists right within us!

What is your real identity? Who really are you? Watch this video and listen to Gurumaa sing this beautiful hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya as he clearly negates what we are not, and ultimately reveals our divine nature!

Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya is one of the greatest philosophers of India who emerged at a time when India was undergoing a period of immense spiritual, intellectual and social chaos.

During this period Adi Shankaracharya traveled throughout India to elucidate the true knowledge of the Vedas. In his short thirty-two year life-span he united the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, and preserved the teachings of Vedic dharma.

Advaita (non-dualism) Vedanta is a school of Vedanta which believes that only Brahman is real, and this entire world is created by maya, the illusionary power of Brahman. The individual soul and Brahman are not different from one another and when one obtains realization of this supreme knowledge, they are liberated.

Adi Sankaracharya has composed many works such as commentaries, books dealing with the fundamental concepts of Vedanta, along with hymns and meditation verses. One such work is the Atma shatakam, which is also known as Nirvana shatakam.

This great hymn composed of six stanzas summarizes the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and explains what our true nature really is. Sri Adi Shankaracharya says we not the body, mind, intellect, senses nor anything that attaches us to this world.

What are we? We are the formless, absolute, auspicious all-pervading consciousness that exists throughout this entire world!

What is the purpose of mantra jaap and how should naam sumiran (remembrance) be practiced? Watch part two of these videos as Gurumaa elucidates the mysteries of this ancient science!

Mantra is sound, and according to the Vedas this entire universe has been created from sound, or the cosmic sound Aum. The great seers of India discovered the power of sound vibrations in a mantra, and realized that the mantra can help one eradicate the confusions, fantasies and constant fluctuations of the mind.

The word mantra is derived from Sanskrit, and literally is translated as “mind tool”. If done properly, mantra jaap is a tool that frees one from the various bondages and illusions of the mind.

The sound of the mantra permeates the entire body and frees the mind from negative emotions and impressions. It gives rise to pure happiness and allows one to become absorbed in God. Ultimately the spiritual centers in a seeker are awakened, which allows one to enter deep states of meditation.

It is extremely necessary for the body to be balanced and still while practicing mantra jaap. As Gurumaa says if the body is unbalanced how can the mind be stable? The mind becomes restless as the body moves, and therefore it is important to sit in a proper, comfortable posture during this time.

Regular practice of yoga asanas and breathing techniques not only help keep the mind and body strong but allow the body to become prepared for sitting in meditation. After all, a strong, healthy body not only remains disease free, but allows one to perform spiritual practices with ease!

One of the greatest techniques to still and focus the mind is mantra jaap, a method that the sages of India have used for ages. Since the nature of the mind is to think and be engrossed in thoughts, the ancient rishis of India devised a method that uses one thought: the mantra.

A mantra is composed of letters which form words that create positive vibrations within us. If one abusive word can make us upset, or angry it is not surprising that the mantra has the ability to and completely transform a person.

There are four different ways mantra jaap can be practiced. It can be spoken (vaikhari), whispered or hummed (upamsu), repeated in the mind (manasic) and written (likhita).

As Gurumaa says repeating the mantra with the breath is greater than speaking, while manasic repetition is considered to be the highest way to contemplate a mantra.

There are 84 million mantras that can be found in the scriptures or obtained through teachers. It is said the most effective way to receive a mantra is through a self-realized master.

A mantra obtained from a self-realized master is conscious and contains the full force of the master’s realization. It immediately starts to work within a seeker and transform their inner being.

Mantra jaap should be done with great love and devotion and should completely engage the mind. Gurumaa says the mind and heart should be so engrossed in the mantra that no other thoughts are able to appear!

If one wants to fully attain the power of the mantra, they should realize that that there is no difference between the mantra and one’s own Self. The goal of mantra jaap is to become aware of the absolute bliss that exists within us!

Lord Rama is one of the most beloved gods in Hinduism and is considered to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The great epic Ramayana reveals the journey and glory of the Lord, as he had come into the world to destroy evil forces, and restore peace and morality in the world.

Rama was an embodiment of love, and possessed a very charming and genuine personality. He was an ideal son, brother, husband, friend and king. During his rule happiness and prosperity was bestowed upon everyone, and he was adored by the people in his kingdom.

He also enacted the role of a householder and ultimately taught the world about how to live a proper, righteous and honorable life.

The title Marayada Purushotam is always joined to his name because he possessed all the ideal virtues that any human being aspires to have (Purushotam), and always observed the proper rules of conduct and behavior (marayada).

There is so much power in the Lord’s name. In fact in the Ramacaritamanasa, Goswami Tulsidas writes Lord Rama is the supreme Truth the Vedas are praising! It is said that the repetition of Lord Rama’s name is equal to a thousand names of God or repetition of a mantra one thousand times!

This beautiful name purifies the heart and destroys all kinds of sins and ignorance of the mind. Repetition of Lord Rama’s name also allows one to experience true wisdom, happiness and ultimately liberation.

As we chant this divine name with Gurumaa let us pray that we become drenched in the divine ecstasy of the Lord’s name!