Rama himself redeemed one ascetic’s wife (Ahalya), but the Name has converted the sinful hearts of millions of sinners. For the seer’s (Vishvamitra’s) sake Rama put an end to Suketu’s daughter (Tadaka), her army and her son (Subahu), but the Name destroys its servants’ sins and woes and despairs as the sun puts an end to night. With his own hand Rama broke the bow of Shiva; but the glory of the Name dispels the fear of death and rebirth.

The Lord made beautiful only the Dandaka forest; but the Name has sanctified the souls of countless votaries. Raghunatha massacred the demon host; but the Name has destroyed all the sins of the Kaliyuga.

Raghunatha granted the bliss of final release to Shabari, the vulture Jatayu and other righteous servants; but the Name has delivered innumerable evil-doers, and the story of its virtues is celebrated in the Vedas.

Rama, as everyone knows, took both Sugriva and Vibhishana under his protection; but the Name has protected many a poor supplicant, shining forth gloriously both in the world and in the Vedas.

Rama assembled a host of bears and monkeys and laboured hard to build a bridge; but at the mention of the Name the ocean of birth and death is dried up; mediate thereon, O you saints!

Rama slew Ravana with all his family in battle and returned to his own city with Sita; he was then crowned king in the capital of Ayodhya, and gods and sages hymned his virtues in melodious strains; but by devoutly thinking on the Name his servants overcome the mighty forces of ignorance without effort and, absorbed in devotion, wander in the paths of their own joy, by the grace of the Name they live at ease without even a dream of sorrow.

Therefore the Name is greater than either the impersonal Absolute or the personal Rama and blesses even those that bless. This Shiva knew well when he chose it from among the thousand million verses in the Ramayana.