Rama Raghava
Chanting with Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
© Ⓟ 1997 SYDA Foundation®. All rights reserved. Please do not copy, record, or distribute.
The full recording of this namasankirtana is available in the Siddha Yoga Bookstore.
I love all our Siddha Yoga chants, but this Rama Raghava chant is definitely closer to my heart. This chant fills my being with the love of a mother for her child. I indeed feel that I am being protected, and I feel the warmth of that protection. I also experience that there are all different names of God but the Shakti is one, without a doubt.
I am so grateful for this stronger faith that is developing inside me with every passing day.
I am so grateful for this stronger faith that is developing inside me with every passing day.
Pune, India
My Siddha Yoga “rituals” during these Christmas and New Year holidays have changed throughout my almost forty years of sadhana.
For many years I attended the singing of the namasankirtana that was celebrated for these occasions in the Siddha Yoga Ashram of Mexico City. I would go a few hours, and return to my family in time for dinner. Before retiring, I went upstairs and walked through each floor of my home, thanking its blessed walls for giving me shelter for my practices. In other years, participating in Sweet Surprise at the Ashram became my ritual, after welcoming the New Year at my family dinner.
Being in satsang with my community, my sangham, and carrying out the practices in this month of happy holidays has been my ritual now for some years. This year I attended a satsang at the Siddha Yoga Study House in Mexico City. As we sang Rama Raghava, our voices joined in sweet prayer, giving and receiving the warmth of the heart.
For many years I attended the singing of the namasankirtana that was celebrated for these occasions in the Siddha Yoga Ashram of Mexico City. I would go a few hours, and return to my family in time for dinner. Before retiring, I went upstairs and walked through each floor of my home, thanking its blessed walls for giving me shelter for my practices. In other years, participating in Sweet Surprise at the Ashram became my ritual, after welcoming the New Year at my family dinner.
Being in satsang with my community, my sangham, and carrying out the practices in this month of happy holidays has been my ritual now for some years. This year I attended a satsang at the Siddha Yoga Study House in Mexico City. As we sang Rama Raghava, our voices joined in sweet prayer, giving and receiving the warmth of the heart.
Mexico City, Mexico
As soon as I heard this chant, my heart was filled with joy, and a big smile appeared on my face.
I feel so grateful for the practice of chanting, for having a Guru in my life, and for belonging to this beautiful, golden, perfect path. My memories of the Ashram, of the community singing and chanting together, are holding me in a warm embrace.
I feel so grateful for the practice of chanting, for having a Guru in my life, and for belonging to this beautiful, golden, perfect path. My memories of the Ashram, of the community singing and chanting together, are holding me in a warm embrace.
Boulogne, France
This is one of my favorite chants. The sweet ease of the melody and the purity of the prayer fill me with a sense of peace and gratitude.
New York, United States
This morning when I got up, I started whistling Rama Raghava without realizing it. Soon afterward, when I connected to the Siddha Yoga path website, I found Rama Raghava. I marvel every time that I experience synchronicities like this. They remind me that the Siddha Yoga path is filled with the amazing and the wonderful.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
It’s very hot today, and instead of eating lunch, I opened the Siddha Yoga path website. When I saw the chant Rama Raghava, I remembered it’s a favorite of mine, so I pressed “play.”
The beautiful image itself worked a spell on me straight away. As I took it all in, listening to Gurumayi’s voice, I felt I was floating in that beautiful sea—going toward the sun while chanting along too. Yes, apparently I can swim and chant at the same time! It went on and on and I was not alarmed that I was not getting any closer to the sun. It was a calming and yet exhilarating feeling. As I swam on and on, I began to cry tears of joy.
When Rama Raghava ended, I sat there in front of my laptop and realized I was on dry land but still calm and so happy. I was aware of the silence at the end of the chant; it was a complete silence, like one I sometimes experience after a deep meditation.
The beautiful image itself worked a spell on me straight away. As I took it all in, listening to Gurumayi’s voice, I felt I was floating in that beautiful sea—going toward the sun while chanting along too. Yes, apparently I can swim and chant at the same time! It went on and on and I was not alarmed that I was not getting any closer to the sun. It was a calming and yet exhilarating feeling. As I swam on and on, I began to cry tears of joy.
When Rama Raghava ended, I sat there in front of my laptop and realized I was on dry land but still calm and so happy. I was aware of the silence at the end of the chant; it was a complete silence, like one I sometimes experience after a deep meditation.
Hampton Hill, United Kingdom
Every night for the past week I have taken my chair outside under the trees and gazed at the almost full moon—and then tonight at the full moon—and I chant with the most melodious chants, such as this one. I do not see another soul at midnight in this heavily populated neighborhood. I become one with the chant, the Guru, the bliss of the Siddha Yoga path, and the love that is so powerful.
I often wonder whether my neighbors are insomniacs and see me chanting with my eyes gazing up at the moon, singing songs they have never heard—but my urge to merge with the great Siddhas is more powerful.
This enchanting ritual is a movable feast for my soul. This evening chanting fest for a party of one is the most auspicious part of my day. I forget my earthly woes and cares and feel myself merging delightfully with the Siddhas.
I often wonder whether my neighbors are insomniacs and see me chanting with my eyes gazing up at the moon, singing songs they have never heard—but my urge to merge with the great Siddhas is more powerful.
This enchanting ritual is a movable feast for my soul. This evening chanting fest for a party of one is the most auspicious part of my day. I forget my earthly woes and cares and feel myself merging delightfully with the Siddhas.
Florida, United States
I feel as though I am swimming in bliss as I listen to this inspiring chant. I’ve been transported into the beautiful satsang hall at Shree Muktananda Ashram at Christmas time.
Hearing Gurumayi’s voice here seems to awaken every cell in my body. I feel connected to and protected by the Guru, and my heart is overflowing with love and gratitude. I feel truly blessed.
Hearing Gurumayi’s voice here seems to awaken every cell in my body. I feel connected to and protected by the Guru, and my heart is overflowing with love and gratitude. I feel truly blessed.
New Jersey, United States
I have this chant playing continuously, and as I sit here, I am slowly becoming enveloped by a wave of gratitude. As a smile forms in my heart, I can only offer my thanks for all of the blessings in my life.
New York, United States
Some years ago, when I first heard the instrumental version of Rama Raghava, it made me smile. I felt cradled in the Guru’s warm, loving embrace. I was not aware of a recording of this namasankirtana, so for several years I just chanted my own words: “Gurumayi, I love you. Gurumayi, I love you. I love you!”
For me, this chant will always be my grateful heart’s song for Gurumayi.
For me, this chant will always be my grateful heart’s song for Gurumayi.
Manila, Philippines
With this namasankirtana, I feel my heart singing in ecstasy to the Lord and praying for protection from negative thoughts. As I chant, I know that I am asking beloved Rama and Krishna to watch over my emotions so that pure love and compassion flow through my heart.
Indore, India
When I read the introduction to this chant, I remembered the many Christmas Eves I celebrated in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. I looked forward eagerly to chanting Rama Raghava on those evenings.
Right after finishing dinner, I would go to the beautifully adorned Guru Chowk courtyard and relish the Christmas decorations and lights. I would take a seat and soak up the deep, scintillating silence. Then when the chant began, I would dive into the sweetness of the melody.
As I cannot visit the Ashram this year, I chose to chant Rama Raghava with this recording. As I chanted, I felt protected. I felt immense love for everything and everyone. It seemed as though my heart became very big and expanded out into the universe as I sent my love to everyone in the world.
Right after finishing dinner, I would go to the beautifully adorned Guru Chowk courtyard and relish the Christmas decorations and lights. I would take a seat and soak up the deep, scintillating silence. Then when the chant began, I would dive into the sweetness of the melody.
As I cannot visit the Ashram this year, I chose to chant Rama Raghava with this recording. As I chanted, I felt protected. I felt immense love for everything and everyone. It seemed as though my heart became very big and expanded out into the universe as I sent my love to everyone in the world.
Gandhinagar, India
Whenever I listen to this powerfully sustaining chant, I can subtly sense arms enfolding me, providing me with a sense of being protected and loved, and also giving me courage to persevere through whatever difficulties I may be experiencing.
Warwick, Australia
This chant is so full of love! The words and music reach into my deepest Self, carrying me away. I feel wrapped in the melody, swirled outward into the universe in one unending spiral.
What a beautiful experience!
What a beautiful experience!
Hawaii, United States