Banking on the Name
Keywords:
Ram's Name, Nirgun Bhakti, Sagun Bhakti, Japa, Tulsidas, Kabir, Vaishnavism, Kali Yuga, Name-worshipAbstract
Philip Lutgendorf’s article examines the deep cultural and devotional significance of Ram’s name across Indian traditions. From Gandhiji’s final words to the poetic expressions of Sant poets like Kabir and the theological richness of Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, the essay explores how the Name transcends Nirgun-Sagun divides, functions as mantra and myth, and anchors salvation-focused devotion in the Kali Yuga.