Ramanama



The ramanama (रामनाम) is the Hindu practice of ritually chanting the name of the deity Rama, an avatar of Vishnu. Rama's name is often chanted or sung within several traditions of Hinduism in the form of a japa, or meditative repetition.

Literature
In the Ramacharitamanasa, the ramanama is regarded to offer strength to Hanuman.

In the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book and current guru of Sikhism, the name of Rama is the second most commonly used name for the formless God after the name Hari.

In the Vishnu Sahasranama, a popular verse indicates the significance of the name of Rama. In the Padma Purana, Shiva recites the verse to his consort Parvati:

"Śrī rāma rāma rāmeti rame rāme manorame sahasranāma tat-tulyaṁ rāma-nāma varānane""O lovely-faced lady, I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama, and thus constantly enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Rama is equal to the one thousand names of Vishnu."

In popular culture
The mantra was often used by Mahatma Gandhi.

Neem Karoli Baba encouraged the constant repetition of "Ram" in order to become closer to God, saying: "By taking the name of Ram, everything is accomplished."

A popular mantra is Shri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama (often prefixed with "Om"), which was popularised in western India by Samarth Ramdas. Swami Ramdas is said to have attained nirvana through the constant repetition of this mantra. He established Anandashram, where this mantra is chanted continuously from morning to night.

"Ramanama satya hai" is a Hindi phrase commonly chanted by Hindus while carrying a dead body to be cremated.

Tyagaraja, a composer of Carnatic music, mentioned the ramanama in his compositions.