Which is better - chanting mantras and slokas vs. chanting the lord's name

[vidyarp]

Friends - i have a question. I have been going through a low phase in life and turned towards god and spirituality to seek solace. During this time, many people suggested many things like - praying to Lord Hanuman, Ganesh, Durga, Vishnu and fasting etc. I started all this but still did not feel the connection with God. Finally, after blundering through many months, i finally found peace with my dear sai baba.
Now i have another concern. I saw many posts which said that reading sai satcharita was sure to help, some read the sai prerna, we have the guru mantras, so many other slokas etc.....What i do is close my eyes everyday for 5 mintues in the morning and call out sai's name. I just say - "Om shri sainathaya namaha". I do it with faith. Nothing beyond this. Is this ok? Would it be better if i memorised the mantras and chanted them regularly? I keep speaking to the lord and chant his name throughout the day...but no mantras...
what do u think?

[saib]

Chanting Lord Names is always great and connect directly to lord. Mantras are good if you have any specification aim in mind, most of the time either for some specific sadhnas, might be some tantra sadhna or any ritual requirement.

Difference between both I feel, Chanting lord name is like landline connection, always keep you connected with lord, as you might keep on remembering him every time, at each meals, starting any task, finishing any job, bathing, cooking, even drinking water. Mantra chanting is just like Mobile set, you have to charge again and again.

But, the best one is use combination of both, like chanting your favorite mantra in the morning like Gaytri Mantra or Hanuman Chalisa and keep on chanting Lord’s name when ever can and as maximum as possible.

Also reading Upanishads / Scriptures like Sai Satcharitra, Gita, Ramayan has own importance. It make us feels presence of God near us.

But above all this, If God really need something It is pure love and devotion towards Lord and nothing else. Merely chanting Mantras and just chanting Lord Name one can attain worldly pleasures even a blissful life, but not God. So, Keep on chanting Lord name but with upmost devotion and Love!

om sri sai ram!

[vidyarp]

Thank you so much for putting my mind to ease. You have correctly said that a combination of both is ideal. That brings me to the next question - i am not sure which mantras or slokas i should recite? I know a lot of people swear by Hanuman chalisa, some read the sunder kand, i have been told to read vishnu sahasranamam, some proposed the satcharita....i am confused. Which one to follow? Should the prayers be specific to an objective like getting a good job, buying a property, good health etc. Shouldn't it be to be in tune with the lord rather than asking him for things...

[saib]

There are some mantras for specific purpose like for Job, Business, marriage, peace etc. some just for worshipping, You can use any Mantras but effect will depend on the way you recite.

refer the link on How to use the Mantra:

http://forum.spiritualindia.org/how-to-use-a-mantra-t17284.0.html

Moreover Whatsoever Mantra Use, First Try to understand the meaning of the same. Chanting you can do anytime but for some Mantras there is specific time to recite.  Again you can use any mantra, some are common, but some for praise of incarnation forms of lord, if you have affection for any particular form of lord, choose Mantra related to him. Some Mantras are really powerful and can control the planet if other than Karmas cause the bad circumstances in life. But same time wrong use of Mantras can also bring evil in life. So, Be careful if want to go for Mantras for specific task. First gain knowledge or seek guidance if have any doubt.

Otherwise Hanuman Chalisa, it is always helpful.  Vishnu Sahasranama again to mediate using or calling by many names with meaning to admire or concentrating on various attributes and powers of Lord. Sundar Kand is Good, but it might not be easy to complete on daily basis, can go weekly. Can read a chapter from Gita on daily basis. Do recite aarti of Sai Baba daily. Do what please your mind and you gain inner peace of mind by reciting, but with upmost devotion and sticking to one Mantra instead of changing frequently. Even if you choose only “AUM” or “OM” with control over vibration of Mind.

Without Devotion and Concentration Mantras are just a set of words, But with Devotion and Concentration, Power of Mantras are beyond descriptions.

Following Links will be useful:

http://www.indianetzone.com/19/types_mantra.htm

http://www.spiritualsatanist.com/articles/magick/mantra.html

http://kaalpurush.tripod.com/id21.html

At Last, Thanks for your question, Even I too come to know about some new things.

May Sai Bless You!

om sri sai ram!