Chapter Six: The Rasika Lineage of Rama Worship

Anantananda, the imperishable one, sits upon an auspicious seat. Krishnadas bows and asks about the succession of gurus:

“Bhagavan, best of ascetics, I have surrendered; show me mercy. I wish to know the entire true lineage of our predecessors. By whom was the mantra-king first spoken in ancient times? How did the mantra that bestows liberation become renowned upon earth?”

Hearing Krishnadas’s words, compassionate Anantananda replies:

“Gentle one, listen; I shall tell it in due order. Rama, lotus-eyed and dwelling in the supreme abode, pleased by Janaki’s perfect service, gave her the liberating mantra. Janaki, the Sri of every world, gave it to Hanuman, who always serves Rama’s feet, to remove the suffering of the worlds. Through Hanuman it reached Brahma; in another kalpa, Rama himself also gave it to Brahma.

“By repeating the mantra-king, Brahma became the creator. Vasishtha received from him this supreme essence of the three Vedas. Vasishtha gave the mantra, with ritual seals and consecration, to Parashara, who became fulfilled. Parashara’s virtuous son Vyasa, born of Satyavati, received the six syllables from his father and expanded the Veda. Seeing Shukadeva’s supreme fitness among many disciples, Vyasa gave it to him.

“Purushottama, favoured by Shukadeva’s grace and steadfast in celibacy, attained liberation. He gave the supreme principle of all mantras, the Rama mantra, to Gangadhara. It then passed from Gangadhara to Sadacharya, Rameshvara, and Dvarananda; from Dvarananda to Devananda and Shyamananda; through service to Shrutananda and Chidananda; then to Purnananda, who gave it to Shriyananda; and to the great yogi Haryananda, servant of Shriyananda’s feet—”