Philosophy of the Divine Name

according to Namdev

1. The Name permeates the entire universe densely.

   Who can tell to what depths in the nether regions and to what heights in the heavens It extends? The ignorant fools undergo the eighty-four lahks of species of births, not knowing the essence of things. The Name is immortal. Forms are innumerable but Name is all that.

2. The Name itself is form and form itself is Name.

   There is no distinction between Name and form. God became manifest and assumed Name and form. Hence the Name the Vedas have established. Beware there is no Mantram beyond the Name. Those who say otherwise are ignorant fools. a href="/docs/the-name" title="citations">Name is Keshava Himself. This is known only to the loving devotee of the Lord.

3. The all-pervading nature of the Name can only be understood when one recognizes one's own 'I'.

   When one's own name is not recognized, it is impossible to get the all-pervading Name. When one knows himself then he finds the Name everywhere.

4. None can realize the Name by the practice of knowledge, meditation or austerity.

   Surrender yourself at first at the feet of the Guru and learn to know who the 'I' in you is. After finding the source of that 'I' merge your individuality in that Oneness – which is Self-existent and devoid of all duality. It is that Name that permeates the three Worlds. The a href="/docs/the-name" title="citations">Name is Para-Brahman itself where there is no action arising out of Dwaita (duality),