Namasmaran

"Chanting of the Lord's name is the only way

to liberation in the Kali Age.

God's name only will redeem us.

Any mighty task can be achieved by chanting

the divine name."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Namasmaran means Summoning God

Pedda Bottu, the great devotee of Bhagawan Sathya Sai Baba often asked Him, "Swami, what is meditation (dhyan) and how to do it?"

Swami used to put her off.  He would merely say, "Don't bother about dhyan.  You are doing namasmaran.  That is good enough."

One night she was sleeping under a tree opposite Swami's residence.  As it began to drizzle, she removed herself from there and prepared to sleep in the verandah outside Swami's room.  As she was making her bed, she said to herself as a matter of habit, "Om Sri Sai Ram."

Swami came out and pulled her up, "You stupid, won't you allow Me to sleep?"

Pedda Bottu said, "Swami, who stopped You from sleeping?"

Swami retorted, "When you are summoning Me, how can I go to bed and sleep?"  

The poor lady explained, "I am in the habit of doing namasmaran and uttered, 'Om Sri Sai Ram' within myself.  I did not intend to call you."

Bhagawan told her, "What does that japam mean?  It amounts to calling Me.  Namasmaran is no different from summoning the God."

(From the book "Tapovanam" by J.V.Sastry)