There exists a close link between a person’s name and the fame he or she achieves in life. It is believed a person's fate and fortune is largely dependent on his or her name.
By the influence of the magnetic power associated with a name, negative factors in life can be kept at bay. In addition, such a person can venture into new fields of activity. For instance, the transformation of Narendranath when he became Swami Vivekanananda is sparkling. But one needs to be lucky to be given such a good name.
A name that brings fame has to match the date, year and star sign of a child. Each of these aspects needs to be studied thoroughly before giving the newborn a name that radiates energy.
As per the law a child’s name has to be registered with the relevant government body within a few days of its birth. But many people feel later that they should change the child’s name as it grows up. To avoid such a situation, the couple needs to prepare a list of female and male names for their baby before its birth.
With this list, they can approach an expert in name prediction and select the apt name as soon as the baby is born. When this name registered, legal hassles can be avoided later.
More examples of the importance of names can be obtained from history and epics. Lives changed when Padmanabha Pillai became Mannathu Padmanbhan, Nanu Asan turned Sree Narayana Guru and Kunjan Pillai took on the name of Vidyadhiraja Swami.
In mythology too, names can be seen closely linked to the fortunes of a person. Sakuni, Aswathama, Khadolkacha, Mandhara, Kamsa and Kumbhakarna can be remembered to notice how their name and actions influenced each other.
Yet another striking example is Pareekshit, son of Abhimanyu. His entire life was a ‘pareeksha’, a test. When in the womb, Aswathama directed the deadly weapon ‘Brahmasthra’ at him, but Pareekshit was saved by Lord Krishna, who destroyed the Brahmastra with his ‘Chakrayudha’.
Pareekshit had to take over heavy responsibilities of ruling the country after his grandparents, the Pandavas, abdicated and left for the forest.
Once Pareekshit was wandering in a forest. Exhausted of thirst and hunger he saw a sage meditating under a tree. The king pleaded with the sage for water, but neither did he get water nor did the sage utter a word in response.
Enraged, Pareekshit took a dead snake and hung it on the sage's neck. The hermit woke up from meditation and cursed the king that he would die of a bite from the snake Thaksha.
Pareekshit would undergo another trial. In this case, Shuka, the son of Sage Vyasa, approached Pareekshit and conducted the first public discourse on the Bhagavatha (Bhagavatha sathram). This was not aimed at avoiding Pareekshit’s inevitable death, but to fix his mind on devotion and equanimity and overcoming the curse and sin.
Note Shuka’s name also. It means a parrot, a bird which is known for its attractive speech. But he led a lonely life and finally merged with the creator, achieving salvation.
We realise that a name and fate of a person are interlinked. Parents can ensure a fruitful life for their child by selecting the apt name for them.
