Upanishads

Rama-rahasya Upanishad

Atharvaveda, a group of Upanishads – Vaishnava

The title of this Upanishad means "The Mystery of Rama".

[This great Upanishad is found in the Atharvana Veda and is the authoritative source for the methods of worshiping Lord Rama.]

Om! O devas, let our ears listen to what is auspicious;
May our eyes see what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship!
May we enjoy the life span allotted to us by the devas,
Praising them unwaveringly with our bodies and limbs!
May the glorious Indra bless us!
May the omniscient Sun bless us!
May Garuda, the thunderstorm of the evil and wicked, bless us!
May Brihaspati grant us prosperity and good fortune!
Om! Let peace be in me!
May peace be in my surroundings!
Let there be peace in those forces that act upon me!

I salute Lord Rama, who is the personification of salvation, a great king, a great man who destroys all his enemies.

Chapter One

1-2. Great sages like Mudgala, Sandilya, Paingala, Bhikshu, Sanaka and Prahlada approached Lord Hanuman, who was a great devotee of Vishnu, and asked him:

3-4. "What is the greatest principle among the four Vedas, 18 Puranas, 18 Smritis, Shastras, all knowledge and among the great powers governed by the Sun and the Moon?"

5-6 He replied: "O great sages and devotees of Lord Vishnu! Please listen to my words which cut off all attachments; the greatest principle among them is the principle of Brahma-taraka (OM; "taraka" means "that which helps to cross [samsara]"). Rama is Para-Brahman and the highest austerity, and Rama is the Supreme Self and Brahma-taraka."

7. They again asked Lord Hanuman, “Please tell us about the angas (aspects) of Lord Rama.”

Lord Hanuman said, "Please understand that Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Durga, all the kshetra-palakas, the Sun, the Moon, Lord Narayana, Lord Narasimha, Lord Vasudeva, Lord Varaha, Lord Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Bharata, Vibhishana, Sugriva, Angada, Jambavanta and Pranava are the angas (parts, aspects) of Lord Rama. Without these angas, Lord Rama will not remove all obstacles. They again asked, "How will the brahmins and householders get the opportunity to chant the pranava (OM)?" He said, "All persons (even if they are not eligible to chant 'Om') who chant the six-letter (in Sanskrit; six-syllable) mantra (Ram Ramaya namah) will get the opportunity to meditate on the pranava. Those who repeat the Rama mantra silently will get the same effect as repeating the letter 'Om'. After the name of the rishi, devata and metre, the japa of the Rama mantra will give the same effect as repeating the pranava, and he further explained that Rama himself said that the pranava is a part of the Rama mantra.

8. Another time , in response to Vibhishana's question: "How can I make my angas easy to worship? Please tell me the easy way."

Rama replied, "Japa (repetition) of my name 'Rama' removes all sins. Suppose someone meditates on my six-letter mantra or reads my Gita or thinks of me with devotional fervor, he will get the same effect. He will be freed from the five great sins, namely, father-killing, mother-killing, brother-killing, teacher-killing, husband-killing, or even other known great sins, if he repeats my six-letter mantra ten million times. He will also get immortal and eternal bliss."

Vibhishana again asked him, "What is the path for people who are not able to do this?"

Rama replied, “They can either read my Gita or my thousand names, or meditate on my Vishvarupa (universal form) or my 108 names, or repeat my name 100 times, or read the queen of stotras written by the sage Narada, or read the great prayer called Mantra-raja-stavam written by Hanuman, or read the prayer to Sita, or pray to Me daily by repeating My name; they will certainly attain Me.”

And so ends the first chapter.

Chapter Two

The great sages headed by Sanaka again asked Hanuman, "Please tell us the mantra for meditation (or worship) of Brahma-taraka-Rama."

Hanuman replied:

1. This queen of mantras is Ekakshara (monosyllabic mantra), which is the storehouse of fire, which is Lord Vishnu who lies down, and which is Lord Shiva who is adorned with the crescent moon.

2. The sage of this mantra is Brahma, the metre is gayatri, the deity is Lord Rama, its anga is the waxing crescent moon and its mind is the soul of fire,

3. Its root (bija) is Shakti, and it must be repeated to fulfill desires.

[The prayer (dhyana sloka) for the mantra is:-]

He who sits on a lotus flower on the bank of the Sarayu River,

4. He who is black, who sits on the throne of heroes, who shines in the jnana-mudra which he shows, whose left side is adorned with Sita and Lakshmana,

5. He who shines as their soul for those souls who pray to him, who is like pure crystal, who is the only source for those who desire salvation,

6. He who is Paramatma for the thinkers, who shines like millions of suns, who is like Narayana, who is in the nadis, who is the digestive fire.

7. The queen of mantras with two syllables (Rama) will bring about the fulfillment of all desires, and together with the suffix of one letter it becomes six different mantras, [these are Om, Hrim, Shrim, Klim, Aim and Ram.]

8. These queens of mantras, consisting of three syllables, will also fulfill all desires.

9. Two four-letter mantras - Ramachandra and Ramabhadra.

10. They can be repeated with rishis and others, as stated earlier; Vishwamitra is its rishi, the size is pankti, the deity (devata) is Ramabhadra, the bija is Shakti.

11. This mantra should be mentally invoked at the eyebrows, head, navel, thighs and feet.

12. One should go to the middle of the forest and sit under a kalpa-vriksha (a wish-fulfilling tree or an eternal tree ) and take the pose of "pushpalata" (a flowering liana), perform anganyasa and repeat mantras,

13. With Lakshmana correctly positioning the arrow and the Lord fanned by Sita.

14. Dhyana Mantra: I salute Rama, who has glossy matted hair, who is bluish in color, who is surrounded by sages, who is fanned by Janaki, who is protected by Lakshmana, who holds an umbrella,

15. He who has killed Ravana, who is extremely peaceful, and who has Sugriva and Vibhishana before him. To achieve victory, one should repeat this sloka ten million times.

16. Five-letter mantras are formed by adding the root letters for Manmatha (Kamadeva), Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi at the beginning of a four-letter mantra [adding OM to make it six-syllable] and lead to the realization of the four purusharthas (goals of life; dharma, artha, kama and moksha).

17. When each of the fifty mystic syllables of the Sanskrit alphabet (Devanagari), as well as the root letters Lakshmi, Saraswati, Manmathi and OM are added as the first syllable, several varieties of six-letter mantras are formed.

18. Repetition of four-letter mantras with the addition of the root letters Sri, Maya and Manmatha as the prefix and suffix of the four- and six-letter mantras fulfills all desires.

19. Adding "svaha" or "hum phat" or "namah" at the end in various combinations makes 18-letter mantras.

20. In these mantras, Brahma is the sammohana-shakti, Dakshinamurti, Agastya and Shiva are the ascetics in that order.

21. The meter (chanda) is gayatri and the deity is Sri Rama. The bija at the beginning is Kama (Kama-bija) and the rishi is Vishwamitra.

22. The metre is the gayatri mantra of various deities, and the deity is Ramabhadra. The Shakti-bija is invoked in the same way as in the case of the 6-letter mantra.

23. Touching the crown of the head, the middle between the eyebrows, the heart, the thighs and the feet, the mantras are recited with bijas and anganyasas.

24. Dhyana:

I worship Sri Rama,

Whose body shines with various ornaments,

Who shines like lightning,

Whoever assumes the Virasana (Hero) pose,

He who shows jnana mudra with one hand,

Who keeps the other hand on the hip,

And who wears the crown.

25. Then one should prostrate and recite "Ramachandraya and Ramabhadraya namah", the queen of seven-letter mantras and the fulfiller of all desires.

26. Eight-letter Mantra: Adding OM at the beginning to two seven-letter mantras gives two eight-letter mantras. OM added to the four-letter Ramaya and Hum Phat Svaha is another eight-letter mantra.

27. The rishis and other additions for the eight-letter mantra are the same as for the six-letter ones. Again, the eight-letter mantra also has Rama as a rishi.

28. Size – Gayatri, Deity – Rama, OM, pair of Shri beeja, Shakti beeja and others also (added).

29. After this, read the mantras with the 6-membered nyasa and read "Ramaya Namah" with OM and a pair of Sri-bija.

31. Rishi is Sadashiva, the size is Gayatri, and the deity Shiva is OM-Ramachandra.

Dhyanam:

I worship Rama,

Who has three eyes,

Who wears the crescent moon,

Who holds the trident,

Who is all anointed with ashes,

And who has tangled hair.

32. I worship the three-eyed one ,

Who is the most beautiful,

Who wears the crescent moon as an earring,

And whoever holds the noose, the goad, the bow and arrow,

34. Thus meditating, fully devoting oneself to recitation and offerings, one should recite the mantras one hundred thousand times, offering bilva leaves, fruits, flowers, sesame seeds and lotuses.

35. Rama-Brahma Gayatri : Even the treasures and powers desired by the celestials come by themselves when the 8-letter Raghava-Brahma-gayatri is (repeated).

36. Rishis who know Sri Bija as my Shakti repeat mantras with their body parts as Viniyoga ("performance of yoga/merging") for her worship.

37. Dhyanam:

I bow to that Rama of blue complexion,

Who wears a bracelet on the shoulder and a bracelet,

Studded with sparkling gems,

Who holds the royal umbrella over his head,

Who shines like millions of waxing moons,

Who sits in the hall of one thousand sixteen golden columns,

And who is surrounded by Bharata and others.

38. Rama-sharana-mantra: The repetition of the mantra "Sri Ramah sharanam mama" (i.e. "Rama is my refuge") enables one to achieve much more than many other mantras which with difficulty lead to mere ephemeral attainments and to samsaric sufferings due to greed for temporary fruits. This mantra gives the fruits of all of them without a trace of greed and other defects. There is also an 8-letter mantra which is well known in its seven-letter form. It is formed by adding OM to the seven-letter mantra.

39. Other mantras with more letters: 8-syllable mantra (repeated) as a seven-syllable mantra with the addition of OM at the beginning and at the end of the seven-letter (mantra).

40. Nine-Letter Mantra: This 9-letter mantra is offered, like the 6-letter mantra, to Sita at the beginning of the mantra and to Janaki's consort at the end of the mantra.

41. Ten-letter Mantra: The 10-letter mantra gives all the desired fruits . The great Vasishtha is the rishi of this 10-letter mantra; the meter is virat,

42. Deity - Rama holding Sita's hand; Initial bija visarga - shakti. With anga-nyasa for desires,

43. The 10-letter mantra is offered mentally to the head, forehead, between the eyebrows, palate, ears, heart, navel, thighs, knees and feet.

44. Dhyanam:

I think of that Rama,

Who is in the city of Ayodhya,

Who is adorned with various precious stones,

Who sits under the golden canopy

Whose doors are decorated with mandara flowers,

45. Who sits on the throne,

Surrounded by celestial chariots,

46. Whom the sages praise with reverence,

Who is adorned by Sita on the left,

Whom does Lakshmana serve,

47. Who has a blue complexion,

Who has a calm face,

And who is adorned with ornaments.

This mantra should be recited one hundred thousand times with exceptional devotion.

48. The form of Rama holding a bow in his hands and Sita inside. Brahma is the rishi of the 10-letter mantra. The meter is virat,

49. Deity - Rama, the slayer of demons. The rest of the worship is similar to the previous one. Rama should be remembered holding a bow and arrow.

50. Eleven-letter mantra: with six-fold addition of the bij OM-Maya-Rama-Kama-Vach-Swa- , and recite the ten-letter mantra for Rudra.

51. The remaining part (ritual) is the same as for the six-letter mantra; nyasa and dhyana as prescribed. The Rishi of the twelve-letter mantra is Sri Rama;

52. The metre is jagati and the deity is Sri Rama; pranava is considered as bija, klim as shakti and hrim as kilaka (protector).

53. Repeating the mantras with anga-nyasa, the rest is done as before. Also OM, Klim and also Bharatagraja should be added.

54. Twelve Letter Mantra: This 12 letter mantra ends with Rama, Klim and Svaha. OM Hridbhagavate Ramachandrabhadraya;

55. Meter – jagati; rishi and dhyana – as before; mantras with anga-nyasa.

56. Then repeating the names "Sri Rama" and "Jayarama", the sage twice pronounces "jaya"; Rama is the master of the mind.

57. Thirteen Letter Mantra: The 13-letter mantra has the same rishi and other aspects as before; this mantra is the fulfiller of all desires. Repeat the mantra twice with angas and dhyana as before.

58. Fourteen-letter mantra: When Om is added, the mantra becomes 14-letter. After repeating the 13-letter mantra, (the name of) Rama is added;

59. Fifteen Letter Mantra: This is a 15 letter wish fulfilling tree. Add "namah" to "Sitapataya Ramaya Khana Khana ";

60. Sixteen-letter mantra: After this, the 16-letter one ends with a kavacha and an astra. The rishi is Agastya, the meter is brihati, and the deity is Rama.

61. The bija is Ram, the astra is shakti, and the hum is kilaka. The 10-15 letter mantras are offered sequentially with anganyasas.

62. Seventeen Letter Mantra: By adding OM, the mantra becomes 17 letters. "OM namo bhagavate Ram" at the end.

63. Eighteen-letter Mantra: By adding 'purushaya' at the end, it becomes an 18-letter mantra, with Vishwamitra as the rishi and the Gayatri meter, and Rama as the deity.

64. Nineteen-letter mantra: With Kama-bija the mantra consists of 19 letters. It should be recited "OM namo bhagavate Ramaya".

65. Twenty-letter mantra: After reciting all the mantras, one asks for all the beneficial things. The mantra becomes 20-letter with the addition of "svaha".

66. One should recite "OM Namo Bhagavate Ramaya". Then "Swaha" for protection from dangers.

67. Twenty-one letter mantra: The 21 letter mantra fulfills all desires. After that "OM Rama svabija Dasharathaya".

68. Twenty-two-letter mantra: Then one chants the all-auspicious mantra "Sitavallabhaya" (addressing the husband of Sita). Then this 22-letter mantra.

69. Twenty-three-letter mantra: one should repeat "OM namo bhagavate vira-Ramaya". Then one should silently chant "hana hana svaha".

70. 23-letter mantra - killer of all enemies. Rishi is Vishwamitra and the meter is gayatri.

71. Deity – Vira (hero) Rama, bijas and other (aspects) – as before. The wise one , having performed the anga-nyasa of the mula-mantra in parts,

72. silently meditates on Rama, who has put an arrow on his bow and, turning to face Ravana, holds a thunderbolt in his hand and has mounted the chariot.

73. A person recites "OM namo bhagavate Sri Ramaya" and after saying "OM brahmane ", he adds the words "mam taraya" ("protect me").

74. Twenty-four letter mantra: With the addition of "nama OM" the mantra becomes 24 letters. The bijas and other aspects are the same as before.

75. Klim, OM, namah and bhagavate Ramachandraya, after this the word “everything” is pronounced.

76. The twenty-five letter mantra: "janavasyakaraya" ( conquering people), "svaha" and "klim" should be pronounced mentally. The 25-letter mantra should include "sarvavasyakara" (conquering all).

77. Twenty-six and twenty-seven letter mantras: adding OM at the beginning makes the mantra 26 letters. Adding OM at the end makes it 27 letters.

78. "OM namo bhagavate rakshoghnavishadaya" (worship to Bhagavan, the killer of demons), "sarvavighat nivaraya" (protection from all obstacles), repeat twice;

79. Twenty-eight and twenty-nine letter mantra: adding "svaha" at the end creates this queen of 28 letter mantras. When combined with OM, the mantra becomes a 29 letter mantra.

80. The thirty and thirty-one letter mantra: Starting with the bija "swa", it consists of 30 letters. With OM at the end, it has 31 letters.

81. O Ramabhadra, the great archer! O Raghuvira, the best of kings and the slayer of Ravana! Grant me wealth!

82. Rishi – Rama, size – anushtubh, bija – Ram, yam – shakti, deity – ishta-devata (personal, favorite deity).

83. Nyasa mantras are made in the heart, on the head, with a 5-letter shikha, and a 3-letter kavacha.

84. For the eyes with the 5-letter mantra called astra. Holding a bow and arrow, with a blue complexion, accompanied by Sugriva and Vibhishana.

85. After killing Ravana, having come to protect the three worlds; meditating on Rama in the heart, one repeats (the mantra) mentally a million times;

86. Then the Rama Gayatri is recited with the line "Dasarathaya vidmahe" followed by "Sita-vallabhaya dhimahi" and

87. "Tanno Ramah prachodayat." [May we know the son of Dasharatha; meditate on the husband of Sita; may Rama enlighten our intellect.]

88. To enchant the earth and gain experience in love, add 'madana' (cupid) to 'Sri Rama' along with maya-bhija.

89. With 15-letter and 12-letter (mantras), and also for the 16-letter mantra, one must perform anganyasa.

90. While repeating the bijas, meditation etc., the same sequence should be followed for them as for the 6-letter mantra. "OM namo bhagavate raghunandanaya".

91. Similarly, after this one should pronounce "rakshoghnavishad" and "madhura" ( sweet ); "prasannavadanam" (with a peaceful face), "amita-tejaseo" (to one who has immeasurable brightness/radiance).

92. After this, say namah (worship) to Balarama and Vishnu and mentally pronounce the 47 letters.

93. The Rishi is Brahma, the size is anushtubh, and the deity is Raghava. Seven times 17, with 6 Rudras and 6 parts;

94. When meditating on the 10-letter mantra, it is repeated 100,000 times. It begins with "Shriyam Sita", followed by the six-letter mantra and ends with "svaha".

95. The rishi of this mantra is Janaka, the metre is gayatri, the deity is Sita Bhagavati, the bija is shrim and the shakti is namah.

96. Sita - kilaka, viniyoga is done for ishta (ishta-devata). Repeating with long accents at the beginning, 6-membered nyasa is done.

97. One should meditate on Rama in the center of the hexagon (yantra), visualizing him in the mind with a body shining like gold, holding a lotus, and then look at Rama as the highest refuge.

98. For the Lakshmana mantra, pronounce the sound lam and bow to Lakshmana. For this (mantra) Agastya is the rishi, the meter is gayatri,

99. The deity is Lakshmana, the bija is lam, and the shakti is namah; the 4 purusharthas are viniyoga.

100. The long final sound with "Ram" as the bija is recited with the 6-membered nyasa. With 2 hands representing his body of golden hue and resembling a lotus.

101. For the mantra of Bharata, holding the bow and arrow, fully devoted to Rama as the Supreme, one should pronounce the sound "bha" and bow to Bharata.

102. Rishi - Agastya, the rest is done as before to Bharata - blue-green, who is calm and serves Rama with all his heart.

103. For the Shatrughna mantra, say "I bow to the brave son of Kaikeyi, who holds the bow and arrow"; say the bija "sham" and end with "shatrughnaya namah"; rishi and other additions as before, and viniyoga for controlling enemies.

104. Two-armed, bright golden, devoted to the service of Rama, the slayer of Lavanasura, I worship the son of Sumitra.

105. The Hanuman mantra, "hrim hanumate" is the queen of mantras, for which the rishi is Ramachandra and other rituals should be performed as before.

106. One should meditate on the two-armed one who shines like gold, is devoted to the service of Rama, wears a belt of munja grass and is the servant of Rama.

And so ends the second chapter.

Third chapter

Sanaka and other ascetics asked Hanuman:

" O mighty son of Anjana (Anjaneya)! Tell us about the altar (yantra) for worship with the above-mentioned mantras."

Hanuman replied:

To begin with, the altar is hexagonal and in the center is written the seed letter (bija-akshara) of Rama (Ram) with "shrim".

Below it, in the second corner, is the sadhya (food offering).

Above it on the sixth corner is sadhakam (constant devotion).

On the sides are the seed letters jiva-prana-shakti.

All this surrounds OM.

In the southeast, northeast, northwest and southwest, in the front corners, cooked rice is stored.

Then the heart mantras are read in sequence, namely Ram, Rim, Rum, Raim, Raum, Rah bija-akshara, heart "astra-mantras".

Around the corners are the bija-akshara of Rama and maya, in the corners is "varaham hum"; above it is the Kama-bija (Ram), and around it is the vach (klim).

Then come three circles of eight leaves. On the leaves are inscribed garlands of syllables in eight groups of six-letter mantras.

End with a five-letter mantra.

On the front side of each sheet are eight-letter (mantras).

Again the 8-petal lotus.

On the petals is the 8-letter mantra of Narayana ("OM namo Narayanaya").

On the front side of each petal is the bija "sri".

Then the first circle.

Then 12-petal.

They have the 12-letter mantra of Vasudeva ("OM namo bhagavate Vasudeva")

And also on their front sides in all directions, in a circle.

On the petals "hum phat" with the 12-letter mantra of Rama ("OM namo bhagavate Ramachandraya")

In front of the petal, maya-bija (klim).

In front of each in two circles the mantras "temple", "sram", "bhram", "bram", "bhramam", "shroom", "jram". Then in a circle.

Then 32-petal.

They have the queen of mantras - "Nrisimha", the size is anushtubh.

In front of them are 8 vasus, 11 rudra mantras, 12 aditya mantras, along with pranava (OM) and namo, in sequence, in the dative case.

Outside and around – vasat (an exclamation used when making an offering to a deity).

Then a bhupura (turret made of earth) of three lines.

In 12 directions, decorated with rashi (zodiac signs).

There are 8 nagas (snakes) there.

In 4 directions, bija of Narasimha.

In the intermediate directions, the bija of Varahi.

This all-encompassing yantra fulfills all desires and grants liberation.

Yantra starts with 1-letter and ends with 9-letter (mantras), and the tenth (mantra) becomes an avarana (covering for it).

Raghava should be worshipped with 'anga-nyasa' in the centre of the hexagon.

In the first round, anga-nyasa is performed in all corners.

At the base of 8 petals, the initial covering itself.

Then coverage by Vasudeva and others.

At the base of the second 8 petals, "cow cover".

Then the coverings of Hanuman and others.

For 12 petal, Vasishtha cover.

For 16 petal, blue lotus cover.

For 32 petal, Dhruva coating.

In bhupura, covering of Indra.

Outside – vajra covering.

While offering in this way, one should mentally repeat the mantras.

Now the altar is described for mantras starting with 10 syllables and ending with 32 syllables.

First a hexagon.

In its center is the name of the ishta-devata.

Surrounded by Kama-bija.

The other nine surround him.

In six corners, 6-fold anga-nyasa, in front and behind the intermediate directions (SE, NE , NW, SW).

On the face, Sri Maya (bija)

In the corners, krodha (literally "anger", "fury"; in the Sanskrit original: कोणाग्रे क्रोधम्, koNAgre krodham).

Then the first circle.

Then 8 petals; on the petals, garlands of syllables, multiples of 6. In a circular manner.

Surrounding it, in all directions.

Outside this bhupura, with 8 spearheads (spearhead, 8).

In all directions Narasimha and Varaha.

This is a great yantra.

Adhara-shakti (primary power) is the place of worship of Vishnu.

The first circle is anganyasa.

In the center is Rama.

On the left is Sita.

Ahead is a bow and arrow.

At the base there are 8 petals - two avaranas of Hanuman.

The third is the cow's avarana.

The fourth is Indra.

Fifth – Vajras.

Thus, while worshiping the yantra with devotion, one should recite the 10-letter and other mantras.

Thus ends the third chapter.

Chapter four

Sanaka and other ascetics asked Hanuman: "Describe the ritual of reciting Rama's mantras."

Hanuman replied, "One who intends to recite this mantra should follow the following procedures:

1. He should perform ablution three times a day.

2. He should take only sattvic food such as milk, roots, fruits or naivedya (rice pudding offered to God)

3. He must follow the prescribed karmas of his stage of life (brahmacari, grihastha, vanaprastha or sannyasi)

4. He should give up the six negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, etc.

5. He should observe cleanliness and practice dispassionate speech.

6. He should also observe impassive actions and show respect to all women.

7. He must remain celibate and sleep on the bare ground.

8. He should not have any desires.

9. He must be devoted to his teacher.

10. He should carefully observe ablution, worship, repetition of mantras, meditation and offering to the fire.

11. He should meditate with utmost concentration on Rama, as instructed by his teacher,

12. Surrounded by the sun, the moon (day and night, that is, always), the teacher, lamps, cows, brahmins (everywhere in auspicious places), etc.

13. The ascetic performing this japa (repetition of mantras) should sit on a tiger skin and assume swastikasana ("auspicious/comfortable sitting position ", in different sources varies from the Turkish pose to the half-lotus siddhasana) and other recommended poses.

14. He should sit under plants like tulasi (basil), or trees like parijata (a tall shrub or small tree called nyctanthes, night jasmine), bilva (Bengal quince; in Shaivism, the bilva leaves, growing in threes on a petiole and therefore resembling Shiva's trident, are strewn on the Shiva linga), etc.

15. He should count using a rosary, the beads of which are made either of the tulasi plant or of rudraksha.

16. The counting should be done mentally using beads and it should be done one hundred thousand times on the altar of Maha Vishnu.

17. The ritual of Tarpana should be performed after every tenth count. After ten counts, make an offering of rice pudding, pour ghee made from cow's milk over it, and eat what remains after the next tenth portion.

18. After this, along with the repetition of mantras, flowers should be offered along with the repetition of the mula mantra.

The ascetic who does this japa becomes liberated while alive, and supernatural powers ("anima {infinite reduction in size of anything} and others") follow him, as a bride follows her bridegroom.

This Rama Mantra is not only a means of liberation, because if you remember me (i.e. Hanuman), the servant of Rama, then it will also ensure success in worldly affairs.

For one who always remembers Rama with full devotion as the supreme refuge of the mind, I am empowered to fulfill all his desires.

In regard to the task of fulfilling the desires of Rama's devotees, I - as an expert in carrying out Rama's orders - am always alert.

Thus ends the fourth chapter.

Chapter 5

Sanaka and other ascetics asked Hanuman, "Tell us the meaning of the mantra of Sri Rama."

Hanuman replied, "Among the mantras of Rama, the six-letter one is the queen of all; though, as mentioned earlier, they exist as one- , or two-, or three-, or four-, or five-syllable, or even as six-, or seven-, or eight-, or even more syllables. Lord Shiva knows the essence of the glory of the six-syllable (mantra; "Sri Ramah sharanam mamah" - "Auspicious Rama is my refuge").

The true meaning of the queen among the Rama mantras, as well as the eight-letter mantras of Narayana and the five-letter mantras of Shiva, is said thus:

Rama's two-syllable mantra, " Ra-ma ," is where yogis revel. The syllable "ra" signifies the fire in which enlightenment resides.

His nature as Existence-Consciousness-Bliss is considered as the highest meaning; the consonant letter "r" signifies the immutable Brahman, and the syllable "ra" signifies the energy of manifestation.

Know that consonants connected with syllables are used in breathing; the sound "r", having the nature of light, is therefore used in action.

The sound 'ma' is known as 'maya', indicating prosperity; being itself a seed letter (bija-akshara), it is also equal to Brahman itself.

With "bindu" (anusvara) Purusha takes the form of Shiva-Sun-Moon, flame as a comb, and sound as prakriti (the manifested nature of the universe).

Both Purusha and Prakriti together are considered Brahman; bindu, sound and the inner seed letter are like fire and the phases of the moon.

Fire and OM are by nature contained in the seed syllables of Rama, just as the great tree in worldly life is contained in its seed.

Similarly, in the seed-syllables of the name "Rama" is contained this entire moving and unmoving world. Thus the name "Rama" is considered as a seed with both these meanings.

The seed (bija) freed from illusion (maya) is called the Supreme Spirit (Parabrahman). It grants liberation to the aspirants, and the sound "ma" is considered the liberator.

The formless "ma" in the name "Rama" bestows pleasure and liberation. The first Sanskrit letter "ra" denotes the term "tat" (That), and "ma" denotes the term "tvam" (you).

The wise knower of truth declares that the fusion of the two above-mentioned terms ends in the meaning of "asi" (there is). The word "namah" has the meaning of tvam (you), and tat is denoted by the word "Rama".

When used in the dative case of Sanskrit (Ramaia), the meaning of the mantra is asi (there is). Therefore, the sentence "tat tvam asi" grants universal salvation.

Therefore this (mantra), which bestows pleasure and liberation, is superior to the above-mentioned sentence (tat tvam asi). All embodied persons are qualified to chant this mantra.

For those who desire liberation, the dispassionate, as well as householders and at all stages of life, constant meditation on OM is prescribed, and especially for ascetics; for one who knows the meaning of the Rama-mantra certainly becomes liberated during life.

He who studies this Upanishad is purified by fire, purified by air, freed from the sin of taking intoxicants or stealing gold or killing a Brahmin.

One who repeats the Rama Mantra repeatedly becomes Ramachandra himself.

Thus says the scripture: "Those who say, 'I am always Rama in reality,' will feel no need in this world, and they are undoubtedly Rama himself."

This is the truth. This is an Upanishad.

Om! O devas, let our ears listen to what is auspicious;
May our eyes see what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship!
May we enjoy the life span allotted to us by the devas,
Praising them unwaveringly with our bodies and limbs!
May the glorious Indra bless us!
May the omniscient Sun bless us!
May Garuda, the thunderstorm of the evil and wicked, bless us!
May Brihaspati grant us prosperity and good fortune!
Om! Let peace be in me!
May peace be in my surroundings!
Let there be peace in those forces that act upon me!

Thus ends the Ramarahasya Upanishad, which belongs to the Atharva-veda.