During Ram Navami Swamiji spoke about the effect of the name of "Rama".
"The name of RAMA is very special. Because it is said, that just by mere chanting of the name of Rama, if one at the end of life chants this Divine name, one gets liberated from the cycle of life and death. That's why this name is called Taraka Mantra, which is a mantra that can liberate someone. That's why you see in Hindu tradition, when someone dies, they always chant the name of Ram. "Sri Ram Sri Ram Sri Ram."
The word Rama in itself is the fullness of two divine names, which is RA, which is taken from "OM NAMO NARAYANA", and MA comes from "OM NAMAH SHIVAYA". So from the combination of OM NAMA NARAYANA and OM NAMAH SHIVAYA comes the name RAMA. This mantra is not that easy to chant actually, if at the time of death you have not learned to practice chanting. At the time of death very often you are so attached to the world, to things or to people, that to free yourself, even if you are well aware that you should not be taking birth, it is difficult. Because the power that is generated at this time is so strong, that if you don't have the divine name, the last image you have in your mind, you will incarnate as that.”
