SPIRITUALITY

Why To Visit Temples ?

2012-01-18T00:43:00.000-08:00

WHY TO VISIT TEMPLES ?

There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way . Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth's magnetic wave path passes through densely . It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop .

The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here .

Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust . The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "Garbhagriha" or Moolasthanam .

In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed . This Moolasthanam is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum . We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol . What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the shlokas .

The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings .. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it . This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy . Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life ..

Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides . This increases the effect of all energies . The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or poojaris performing the pooja . The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver . When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress . The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura . The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the Moolasthanam /Garbagraham .

Theertham, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not plain water cleaning the dust off an idol . It is a concoction of Cardamom, Karpura (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Clove, etc . . . Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values . Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees .

Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy . Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & Tulsi leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and Pachha Karpuram (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners . It is proved that Theertham is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized . Hence it is given as prasadam to the devotees .

This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples . This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments . They were not always superstitious . Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities . When people go to a temple for the Deepaaraadhana, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there . The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all . This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits . It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women . Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings .

This act is now justified after reading this article . This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation .

Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly . The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind .

Our practices are NOT some hard & fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams.

All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life .

The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains .

Miracle Do Happen Believe In GOD

2012-01-17T00:15:00.001-08:00

जा तू मेरै वलि है ता किआ मुहछंदा ॥

Jā ṯū merai val hai ṯā kiā muhcẖẖanḏā.

When You are on my side, Lord, what do
I need to worry about?

Transcribed hereunder from SikhiWiki – the 'Free Sikh Encyclopaedia' is an autobiographical account of Late Mr. Vasu Bhardwaj, erstwhile Special Correspondent of the Gujarati Daily, "Mitr", published from Surat, India. Mr Bhardwaj, a Science Researcher with an American educational background was working in India when in 2001 he was diagnosed suffering from Bone Cancer, which his Oncologists and Haematologists soon opined was Incurable…

"When recitation of Gurbani cured me of deadly cancer, I experienced God." If God is with me, who can harm me? : Not even the deadliest disease of cancer can take my life away and that is exactly the divinely inspiring message of the truly miraculous story of my victorious battle against bone cancer which was medically diagnosed to be 'Multiple Melanomas'.

It was the continuous recitation of Gurbani that not only cured me of bone cancer that had already destroyed most of my bones in my skeleton, but also shattered my will to live. The blessings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib not only triggered and accelerated the processes of complete and total cure in my body, but the Guru also enabled me to experience God. This also inspired me to pursue 'Naam Therapy' to totally and permanently get rid of otherwise fatal bone cancer.

Can Shabad-Kirtan and faithful recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib save me from fatal clutches of cancer?

Can such a miracle happen?
These were the questions that repeatedly crossed my mind and also dominated my dreams. Initially, I dismissed such ideas and being a science researcher with American educational background, I did not even believe in the existence of god. I have always been taught by my American scientists, teachers and professors that our life and the universe are governed by the irrefutable and irreversible laws of science and that God was nothing but a 'concept' or an illusion invented by timid and non-scientific minds. Hence, I have never been to any place of worship and also never prayed. But not anymore.

Medical History
It was April 27th 2002 when three different teams of oncologists and haematologists from Mumbai, Surat and Ahmedabad presented me with the unanimous medical investigation reports based on their repeatedly unanimous findings, they passed their judgment with one voice that my life is going to end in a few days as the deadly cancer called 'Multiple Melanomas' has ruined most of my bones that are functionally vital for my survival. On April 29th 2002, I had completed three and half years of painful life as a terminally bed-ridden cancer patient. I was slowly dying of cancer. The bony structures of my right ear had been eaten away by bone cancer that gave me total deafness in my right ear. Repeated audio graphs done by several E.N.T. surgeons proved beyond doubt that the decibel loss was irreversible and so immense that Dr. A.B.R. Desai in Mumbai, who is reputed to be the final authority on E.N.T. ailments, told me that there was something very tragically wrong with the bones in my right year and after trying several treatments, Dr. Desai told me that he has no medicine for my ailment and that I will never be able to hear with my right ear. The reputed E.N.T. surgeon Dr. Farida Wadia of civil hospital was of the opinion that if the loss of hearing in the right year was not due to nerve deafness and was really a symptomatic manifestation of some un-diagnosed ailment then the hearing will return after that un-diagnosed ailment is cured. Is she blessed with 6th, 7th and 8th sense? I guess say so because that is exactly how the events ran their course.

Medical Prognosis Poor
Dr. Farida Wadia was also using her imagination like telescope in time and exactly predicting things which were yet to come. Later, it was Dr. Kiran Shah, the senior most reputed Oncologist and Haematologist in Surat who himself performed bone marrow analysis and gave me the shocking news that I am not only suffering from bone cancer called multiple melanomas but the cancer has already destroyed much my vital bones. As per his advice, electrophoresis of the blood and MRI - [magnetic resonance imaging] – of brain and skull as well as CT-Scan were also done at Mahavir General Hospital which confirmed beyond doubt that I am slowly but surely dying of Bone Cancer. I had been loosing appetite and had developed dislike for food. [Anorexia Nervosa] in between, I had also suffered from tumour on the right side of my head which gave me excruciating headache and giddiness. I lost orientation and would fall after walking for 30 seconds. As soon as cancer was diagnosed, I was immediately admitted to Government Civil Hospital. There they administered six chemotherapy sessions – one every 28th day. This further destroyed my appetite and all the hair on my head and body were gone. I suffered these agonies for more than three and half years when on April 27th 2002, three teams of Doctors and Oncologists advised me that I should prepare my will as I had only a few days left.

Beginning of the Miracle
Now, this was the phase when the divine miracle began to take shape. It was Sardar Kesar Singh, the owner of reputed "Kwality Group of Hotels and Restaurants" in Surat and his son Sardar Manjeet Singh, who suggested to me that I should undertake a pilgrimage to the holy Golden Temple at Amritsar and offer Akhand Path and Ardas with complete faith and total devotion and pray before Sri Guru Granth Sahib to cure me of my cancer and bless me with good vibrant health and long life to remain in his service. I initially, took this suggestion very lightly and argued back that I do not understand Punjabi or Gurumukhi and would therefore, not follow any word of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and whatever brief knowledge of Sikhism and Sri Guru Granth Sahib I acquired was in April of 1999, when I wrote six researched articles on the 300 years of Khalsa celebrations published in the Indian press. But, Sardar Kesar Singh, who is also the president of Gurdwara at Udhana – Surat, convinced me that Sri Guru Granth Sahib's blessings are not restricted to those who speak or understand Punjabi or Gurumukhi. It is the faith and sincere devotion to the Guru which makes you worthy of his blessings.

Inspiration and Dedication
I found Sardar Kesar Singh's advice very much inspiring. Moreover, my sister-in-law Miss Kunti, a staunch devotee of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and a faithful follower of principles of Sikhism since her childhood, was equally instrumental in motivating me to undertake this pilgrimage. she taught me the basic philosophy of Sikhism and brought me a copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in English. My mother-in-law Ms. Shanti Hotchand Khatri, have a separate room at their bungalows at Baroda where they offer prayers, Ardas and listen to Shabad Kirtans every early morning. Their persuasion proved to be decisive.

The Miracle
So we left by Golden Temple Mail express train which departed from Surat at around 1-15 a.m. on April 29th 2002. We were received by the staff of Golden Temple and particularly Sardar Diljeet Singh Bedi who is in charge of liaisons with press and the public. Myself being a leading journalist, foreign-educated researcher and U.S.A. trained science writer, was given a VIP treatment and given accommodation in room no. 16 of Sri Arjan Dev Niwas. Since I had only a few days to live according to my doctors, they quickly made preparations for Akhand Path and Ardas after I paid Rs 2100 as fees. My wife Kanta, my daughter Halley and my brother-in-law's daughter Puja also sat with me. I was permitted to photograph and tape-record entire Akhand Path as well as Shabad Kirtans which I wanted to keep listening till I was to breathe my last on my death–bed.

Blessings
But I was never to be lying on my death-bed because the moment the Granthi started reciting the Akhand Path, I began to feel streams of energy entering and flowing thru my body. It rose majestically from the pages of Sri Guru Granth Sahib like a serene cool flame of light entering my body through my fingers. The excruciating pain which I had suffered while struggling to reach the Golden Temple also disappeared. After 48 hours, I got up on my own two feet and began to feel and enjoy such vibrant health that I almost ran with joy towards Sri Arjan Dev Niwas and quickly climbed the stairs to my room no. 16. My appetite returned. I first took bath and then visited Jaliyanwala Bagh and then went to the 'Hotel Cityheart' and for the first time in three and half years I enjoyed a variety of Punjabi and Chinese foods which I had missed like deserts miss the rains.

Return to Surat
We returned to Surat on 18th May 2002 and on 25th May again 'Bone Marrow Analysis' and 'Electrophoresis Tests' were done on my body. No cancer was detected. Hence, to obtain second medical opinion, the samples were sent to Mumbai and Ahmedabad and medical doctors there also confirmed that the 'Bone Cancer' is gone. My Oncologist at Ahemedabad Dr. Pankaj Shah was preparing for 'Stem Cells Transplant' on me, which was to have cost me Rs. nine lakhs. The entire medical world was taken by surprise. All doctors agreed that this is, indeed, a miracle because there is no medicine in Allopathy that can cure deadly cancer within 48 hours and effect a 180 degree change. The latest 'Electrophoresis' : 'Serum Protein Test' done is dated April 7th 2003 at Abha Clinical Laboratory. The doctors have signed this medical test report with comments : "No Melanomas Band."

Post-Miracle Analysis
I have preserved all the medical reports and x-rays done before and after the Akhand Path and Ardas at Golden Temple and they all tell the true story of my miraculous cure. Ever since this miracle, I am not only experiencing Guru's vibrations within me but also feel God's spiritual energy within me which inspires me and guides me in thought and deed, and vibrate in unison with him. I am joyfully back to "Cheers and Gears of Life", soulfully sharing my God-Given Spiritual Energy with those who love and faithfully listens to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and enrich their mind, body and soul with divinely vibrant health.

Chardi-Kala
Now, I am enjoying the life of guru-inspired faith and taking Sri Guru Granth Sahib and God as my constant companion. It is the miracle and the divine magnetic spell of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which I also realized through 'Naam Therapy' that has not only blessed me with healthy life but considering my greatly vibrant health, spiritual strength and new youthful looks and glamorous shining black hair, the same oncologists tell me that I am totally free of all kinds of diseases. I myself feel so close to the Guru that something tells me that I will live for 125 years and remain in Guru's service and bring true love, happiness and inspiration to all my friends.

My life has taken a spiritual turn. I get sound sleep without any sleeping pills. Since 25th April 2002, I am no longer on any medicine. I read Nitnem and get sound sleep and get up early to read Paath and enjoy Shabad Kirtan on Punjabi TV channel. Guru's teachings have gone a long way in dispelling the darkness of ignorance. Guru has not only changed my destiny but made me a devotee with the faith that is not blind but enlightened.

Conclusion
So often, I see and meet Gurus in my dreams and they taught me a new healthy life-style to give happiness to others. I am never angry. I have no bad habits and always remain jovial. Now, my motto is: 'people enjoy the happiness they feel. But I enjoy the happiness I give. Guru's one of the teachings says : "Kirat Karani and Wand Chhakana" – Meaning, earn the fruits of your hard work 'Naam Japana'; and share your fruits with others with love. I believe in the Sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when not feeling it. I believe in God even when he is silent. There is one God. God is truth. He is the creator of the universe and all beings. He is without fear and without hatred. He is the eternal being and the divine soul, birth less, self enlightened. He is enemy to none. Through grace of the Satguru he is met. Diseases and sins are destroyed by hearing the name of God says Guru Nanak. The Name, revealed to me by Guru's advice, is the breath of my life and the praise of the lord is my life's vocation. "Truth is great but greater than truth is truthful living" says Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Khalsa belongs to [the Wondrous Guru] God; all victory of is the victory of [the Wondrous Guru] Wahe Guruji ka Khalsa – Wahe Guruji ki Fateh.

Seeker Of Truth

2012-01-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

After years of searching, the seeker was told to go to a cave, in which he would find a well. 'Ask the well what is truth', he was advised, 'and the well will reveal it to you'. Having found the well, the seeker asked that most fundamental question. And from the depths came the answer, 'Go to the village crossroad: there you shall find what you are seeking'.

Full of hope and anticipation the man ran to the crossroad to find only three rather uninteresting shops. One shop was selling pieces of metal, another sold wood, and thin wires were for sale in the third. Nothing and no one there seemed to have much to do with the revelation of truth.

Disappointed, the seeker returned to the well to demand an explanation, but he was told only, 'You will understand in the future.' When the man protested, all he got in return were the echoes of his own shouts. Indignant for having been made a fool of - or so he thought at the time - the seeker continued his wanderings in search of truth.. As years went by, the memory of his experience at the well gradually faded until one night, while he was walking in the moonlight, the sound of sitar music caught his attention. It was wonderful music and it was played with great mastery and inspiration.

Profoundly moved, the truth seeker felt drawn towards the player. He looked at the fingers dancing over the strings. He became aware of the sitar itself. And then suddenly he exploded in a cry of joyous recognition: the sitar was made out of wires and pieces of metal and wood just like those he had once seen in the three stores and had thought it to be without any particular significance.

At last he understood the message of the well: we have already been given everything we need: our task is to assemble and use it in the appropriate way. Nothing is meaningful so long as we perceive only separate fragments. But as soon as the fragments come together into a cohesive combination, a new entity emerges, whose nature we could not have foreseen by considering the fragments alone.

Meditation is Action, Feeling, Understanding and Being

2012-01-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

By Swami Nikhilananda
The first step in meditation is at the level of action. It is being mindful of what we are doing. Learn to meditate whilst performing action. This is done with a sense of service and an awareness of being an instrument in the hands of a higher power.
Any action done with an attitude of offering bestows feelings of joy. It is not necessary to sit at one place or go to Rishikesh in order to meditate. With the right attitude kept in mind, even when a person fights for his country, he is in meditation.
Observe great singers, dancers and artists - when they perform, free of any ego or pride, they tune themselves, becoming instruments in the hands of the Lord. Then what flow through is perfect. This is meditation in action.
The next step in meditation is at the level of feeling - to experience the feeling of love for God and for all His creatures. Meera Bai and Tulsidas were in a constant state of meditation, because they loved and saw God in everything around them.
Being in a state of love is to be in a state of meditation. Then, even with our eyes open, going about our daily work in the world, we are ‘in meditation’. When we express deep feelings of love and respect towards what we love and revere, in thought, word or action, we are in meditation. Seeing the whole world as an expression of God, and being in love with Nature or the inner Self is being in meditation.
Once Narada Muni saw a gopi sitting alone lost in her thoughts. The gopi was yearning to be with her beloved Lord Krishna. The muni asked if she had studied the Scriptures and learnt how to reach the Lord, or whether she had gone through the different stages of meditation to attain the ultimate state of oneness with Him. The gopi innocently said that she only knew that she was in love with Krishna, and whenever and wherever she thought of her Lord, she found herself with Him. Her love was her meditation and not the study of the Scriptures. Through devotion and love alone she experienced ultimate bliss.
Meditation is feeling compassion, friendship, humility, and love for that principle of Oneness pervading all beings and objects of this world. When Jesus Christ was being crucified, he cried out in prayer, “Oh Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. They are acting out of ignorance.” In that state of forgiveness, Jesus was in meditation. Meditation is not just sitting erect, controlling the breath and fighting the mind. We are in meditation by loving God, Nature and upholding higher values in our heart.

We experience meditation in understanding the true nature of the Universe, through the intellect or buddhi. The philosophy of division sees differences, creates hatred, violence, misery, and agitation in the mind. This cannot give us peace and quietude. The Vedanta philosophy of Advaita views the whole cosmos and every thing in it as pervaded with Ishwara or God. Through touching, seeing, smelling, hearing and tasting we transact with God alone. See the whole Universe as one family---Vasudhaiva kutumbakam. In this understanding of Oneness, we are in a state of meditation.
The highest state of meditation is at the level of being. To reach that state of meditation, we do not have to do anything, because just being is meditation. That is why we are called human beings! In this state we identify with the core or divinity in us - the Principle of Consciousness and Bliss. A person in this state of joy is in a state of meditation. All realized masters reached that state of effortless meditation, by just being aware of the present moment. Learn from the past, plan for the future but live in the present, in the ‘now’, aware of your real Self. Living in the present alone, gives the necessary alertness to effectively respond to all kinds of situations.
To experience peace, happiness and fulfillment in life, practice meditation - in action, feeling, understanding and just being. To achieve the best, perform actions with complete awareness and mindfulness, combined with a sense of service. Consider yourself an instrument in the hands of a higher power. Recognize negative emotions such as greed, jealously, fear and anger. Endeavour to overcome them with feelings of love. Love is divine; love is giving, not demanding. We do not fall in love; we rise in love with God. Realize your oneness with all living beings, nature, and the cosmos. Succeed in the practice of meditation and experience the joy and bliss of being.

Proper Meditation

2012-01-01T23:08:00.001-08:00

By Sri. D.Gnanasundaram
Meditation goes a long way in helping us realise God. But we spend a great part of every day gossiping and indulging in meaningless conversations. Constant talking keeps us from resorting to dhyana.

A bee buzzes around a flower searching for honey. As long as it is circling the flower, it doesn't resort to drawing of honey from it. But the moment it stops buzzing and alights on the flower, it sucks honey.

Likewise, as long as we indulge in prattling about something or the other, we will never be able to approach God. But the moment we stop talking, we are able to introspect and ultimately, this kind of silent meditation is what will take us nearer God.
God cannot be sought in books. Scholarship cannot make a person God-realised. God has to be experienced. Once speech ceases, the process of understanding begins.

When we fry something in oil, a sizzling sound is heard, until whatever is being fried is done. After that, the oil stops spluttering. Similarly, a talkative person is shallow and is a half-baked seeker of God. Those who meditate on Him silently are the ones who will realise Him.

God is simple and, therefore, does not require us to resort to severe penance to reach Him. If He were so demanding, most of us would never be released from the cycle of births and deaths. He shows us the easy way of reaching Him, through prayer and meditation. Proper meditation comes only with practice.

There are many who make a mockery of vows of silence. Those who resort to mouna vrata are sometimes more distracted when they are silent than they are at other times. While they observe mouna vrata, they ask for paper and pen and write down their questions and observations.

This kind of writing sometimes is so extensive that it is obvious that the person observes the vrata only as a formality. It is almost as if he could not wait for the period of silence to be over.

He is so involved in observing what is going on around him and can hardly wait to participate in the conversations others have. Such a person's silence will yield him no benefits.

Bhai Sree's Message

2011-12-26T22:53:00.000-08:00

Jai Shri Krishna,

In this month Sandesh, Pujya Bhaishri explains the interpretation of dharmakshetra and kurukshetra from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. His message is as follows:

The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the means by which Lord Shri Krishna has shown the whole world the path to one's welfare in one's life. In the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Lord Shri Krishna talks about dharmakshetra and kurukshetra (fields of religion and battle). In one sense, our body is a dharmakshetra and kurukshetra. To elaborate, our bodies begin to do 'kuru kuru' as soon as we wake up in the morning, meaning, our bodies begin to perform on task after another as soon as we wake up. In addition, if we wouldn't have obtained these bodies, how would we perform all our deeds?

All our deeds must abide by dharma. For instance, dharma must be present when a housewife prepares food for the family, or, one must abide by dharma in their employed jobs. In fact, all our deeds will turn into pooja if they abide by dharma.

Furthermore, in our body, which is a dharmakshetra, lives Lord Shri Krishna in the form of aatmaa (the soul); Shri Krishna lives inside us and provides brightness and protects us.

Our life is also a battlefield. Life is filled with conflicts and therefore we are bound to encounter conflict in our lives all the time. We need to become Arjun and get ready to fight. However, remember, during this battle, Lord Shri Krishna is with us; he is not for us, but with us. This battle is ours, hence we must fight it ourselves.

With Blessings,
Bhaishri

UNDERSTANDING GOD

2011-12-13T06:14:00.000-08:00

How can we understand the ways of God with our limited intelligence? God is Omnipotent and He is the One who has no limits, no beginning or end.

How can such a One be understood by those with limited intelligence? We not only have limited intelligence, but we use only a small fraction of our intellectual capacity.

That being the case, how can we fathom God, the limitless? But there is a quality of God that makes it possible for us to approach Him. Whatever we imagine Him to be, He appears so.

His simplicity makes Him look upon us with kindness, for He knows that we will never be able to understand Him entirely, said D. Gnanasundaram.

An example would serve to illustrate. Suppose there is a group of people who had not seen an elephant in their lives; not even a picture of it.

If they are blindfolded, made to feel an elephant and describe it, the person who touches the animal's legs will say it is a huge pillar. One who touches the tail will say it is a broom. Each one will describe the elephant according to whichever part he touches.

However, none of the descriptions is a complete description of the elephant's appearance. They are correct, in so far as the experience of that particular person is concerned, but do not tell the whole story.

Thus it is in God's case. It is said those who saw Rama's shoulders only saw His shoulders. So beautiful were the shoulders that those who saw them never got beyond them. So it was with His eyes and so on.

He is within us

One does not have to search the world for God. We can find Him residing inside every one of us. If we meditate on Him, we can realise that He is within us and He does not have to be sought elsewhere.

God has to be experienced. He cannot be discovered through research. He who is without attachments can realise Him easily.

Worldly attachments pull us down. Detachment will uplift us and take us closer to God.

Why Do Good People Suffer ?

2011-12-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

By Swami Tejomayananda
“Why do good people suffer or why do bad things happen to good people?” This question seems to be very common these days. It seems as though good people get the brunt of all suffering, while evil-doers enjoy life. But if we observe closely, we see that everyone undergoes suffering in some form. Keeping this in mind, our question becomes meaningless. Just because a person is good does not mean there would be no suffering in his/her life.

But what do we mean by ‘good’? In Sanskrit, ‘sadhu’ is the word used for a good person. Sadhu comes from the word ‘saadh’, meaning ‘to accomplish’. If we work for ourselves and achieve great things, there is nothing laudable about it, but if we help others to achieve their goals, then it is an accomplishment. If someone is good to you and you reciprocate, that is common courtesy. But if someone is harming you, and despite that you continue to wish that person well without expecting anything in return, it is real goodness. A sadhu bathing in the river saw a drowning insect. He saved it from drowning and was stung in return. Again, the insect fell back into the river and the sadhu pulled it out of the water and placed it under a shady tree. On seeing this, a person asked the sadhu, “Why did you do that?” He replied, “The insect did not give up its nature, so why should I?”

How can we achieve this goodness in our lives? To reach any target, we must first have a goal. Similarly, for achieving goodness, we must have a standard of goodness which is known to us, because only then can we rise up to the required levels. As long as we see differences in the world around us, true goodness will not manifest. This can be achieved only when we become aware of our oneness with others. An example will illustrate this point better. Every organ of my body is part of one whole. If the finger goes into the eye, there is instant forgiveness, because of the complete identification with the finger.

Now that we know what is good, let us see what suffering is. Objective suffering befalls all people, good or bad. Situations leading to suffering could have their roots in past actions. Objectively, the existence of pain or any other physical handicap cannot be denied, but the degree of sorrow this leads to is entirely subjective. Riches or positions of power do not guarantee happiness. People become miserable over small matters. If a person claims that he is good and is suffering, while the dishonest person is flourishing, we can be very sure that the person is not good. For a good man, the real suffering is to do something against his convictions. Suppose a pure vegetarian is faced with a situation of remaining hungry or eating beef, the chances are that the former option would be more acceptable.

All our spiritual practices cannot eliminate suffering, but they protect the mind and make suffering acceptable, just as on a rainy day, we cannot stop the rain, but can protect ourselves from getting wet with an umbrella. Bhagavan Krishna says, “A good person never suffers.” By some logic we feel that suffering and enjoyment is related to past actions. If we observe at the subtle level, we find immediate results of our actions. The moment a good thought enters our mind, we feel elation, and similarly a wicked thought causes agitation.

Real suffering is when we lose our goodness. Compromising with goodness is the greatest suffering. Even though superficially it may appear that evil doers are flourishing, it should not be an excuse to compromise. The problem arises when one does not have an ideal or when one is not able to live up to one’s ideal. But the greatest problem is when one believes that the ideal is not worth living up to and has lost its utility. Remember, a good man will stand by his convictions, because “If you do not stand for something, you will fall for everything.”

GOD IS NEVER WRONG

2011-12-08T04:50:00.001-08:00

A king who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all circumstances, said: My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes!

One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty losing a finger.

Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."

The slave replied: "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows "why" of all these things. What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"

Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.

Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.

In the altar, ready to sacrifice the nobleman, the savages found that the victim had not one of his fingers, so he was released. According to them, it was not so complete to be offered to the gods.

Upon his return to the palace, he authorized the release of his slave that he received very affectionately.

"My dear, God was really good to me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: if God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail?"

"My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger, therefore, remember everything God does is perfect. He is never wrong."

Often we complain about life, and negative things that happen to us, forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose.

Every morning, offer your day to God, don't be in a rush.

Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, and ease your feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong!

You know why this message is 4 u? I do not know, but God knows, because he never makes mistakes.......

The path of God and his word is perfect, without impurities. He is the way of all those who trust in Him.
God is never wrong.

Rankapur Temples

2011-12-07T02:20:00.000-08:00

Ranakpur Temples are acclaimed world-wide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains. Located in village of Ranakpur near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan, Ranakpur temple lies at a distance of 95 kms in the north of Udaipur city. The temple is easily accessible from the city of Udaipur as regular buses are easily available. Built in the 15th century, Ranakpur temples are known for being the largest and most important temples of the Jain cult.

The temple is said to have been built by Seth Dharna Sah (a Jain businessman) with the aid of Rana Kumbha, who ruled Mewar in the 15th century. Ranakpur got its name after the name of the Rajput Monarch and likewise the temples. The temple complex is positioned in an isolated valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range. The Jain Temples of Ranakpur are certainly creditable for their splendid architecture. This temple is wholly constructed in light colored marble and comprises a basement covering an area of 48000 sq feet. There are more than 1400 exquisitely carved pillars that support the temple.

The temple is a masterpiece of architecture and boasts of not less than four additional shrines. It has 24 pillared halls with 80 domes that are supported by 400 columns. The upper and lower parts of the domes are linked by brackets that have deities' sculptures. Above all, you would be amazed to see at a height of 45 feet engraved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures. Each column is intricately carved and it is surprising to know that no two columns have the similar design.

Apart from this, another stunning act about these columns is that they change their color from golden to pale blue after every hour during the day. In the mandap (prayer hall), the two big bells of 108 kg each produce a harmonious sound on the movement. Chaumukha temple is formed like a Nalinigulm Vimana (heavenly aircraft) and provides this whole structure a celestial appearance. Conceivably, it is due to the intricacy of the structure that the temple took approximately 65 years to complete.

In the complex, there are several temples including Chaumukha temple, Parsavanath temple, Amba Mata Temple and Surya Temple. Amongst all of them, Chaumukha Temple is the most important and as the term Chaumukha suggests, this temple is four-faced. Chaumukha temple is dedicated to Lord Adinath, who is the first 'Tirthankara' of the Jains. The Temple structure is highly compound having four different doorways to get into the chambers. These chambers ultimately take you to the main hall where the image of Adinath is positioned.

The four faced image also symbolizes the Tirthankara's quest for the four directions and ultimately the cosmos. The image is surrounded by many small shrines and domes. One more range of cells with separate roofs encircles these shrines and domes all over again. The five spires elevate above the walls and around 20 cupolas rise from roof of the pillared hall. Each spire houses a shrine and the largest shrine is the important one that addresses the central altar. The temple ceilings are festooned with foliate scrollwork and geometric patterns.

The Temple of Parsavanath is another attraction that is worth visiting. Built in the mid 15th century, the temple is renowned for its engraved windows embellished with Jain figures. Parsavanath Temple is also known as Patriyon Ka Mandir. In close proximity to this temple, you can trace two other temples dedicated to Neminath (22nd saint) and Surya Narayan (Sun God) respectively. Here, Surya Narayan Temple has innumerable wall projections with circular structure. The sight of Lord Surya driven in his chariot of seven horses is truly pleasing.
The dating of this temple is controversial but it is largely considered to be anywhere between the late 14th to mid-15th centuries. Inspired by a dream of a celestial vehicle, Dhanna Shah, a Porwad, is said to have commissioned it, under the patronage of Rana kumbha, then ruler of Mewar. The architect who oversaw the project is said to have been named Deepaka. There is an inscription on a pillar near the main shrine stating that in 1439 Deepaka, an architect, constructed the temple at the direction of Dharanka, a devoted Jain

The origins of Jainism can be traced back to the Indus River valley civilization of 3000 B.C. Jains believe that there were 24 great teachers the last of whom was Lord Mahavira who lived during 6th century B.C. These twenty-four teachers are called Tirthankaras-people who had attained all knowledge while living (Moksha) and preached it to the people. Thus, there is not one all-powerful supreme being that controls all. Jains believe in reincarnation. Their souls, which are believed to be a unique substance in the universe, take different living forms in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This cycle has been going on forever, the universe has no beginning or end, it has always been and always will be. The ultimate goal is to get rid of one's karma on their soul so that they may end this cycle. Once this goal is reached their soul has attained all knowledge and it rests in the heavens forever (Nirvana). Karma theory is about actions and the results they bring to the soul's path. It is the simply the law of cause and effect with respect to the soul.
E.G. One's actions for today will effect what will happen to them in this or their future lives. The way to get rid of one's karma is to follow certain rules of doing good somewhat similar to the ten commandments. These include the principles of:
Ahimsa - To protect all life (non-violence)
Satya - To speak truth
Asteya - To not steal
Brahmacharya - To not commit adultery
Aparigraha - To limit one's possessions
Jains uphold these principles by practicing vegetarianism, non-violence in thought, deed, and action. Jains perform their sacred rituals at the temple or Derasar. Some of these rituals are:
Puja - Concentrating on one's soul through intense prayer sometimes in the presence of sculptures of the teachers to serve as an example of how to attain Moksha.
Samayik - Forty-eight minute ritual that asks for forgiveness for one's sins
Namokar Mantra - A short prayer that can be said at any time that shows obeisance to the perfect souls that have achieved Nirvana.
The biggest event in the Jain calendar is the holy week (8-10 days) of Paryushan where Jains reflect upon their actions throughout the past year. The week takes place in August or September and is concluded by a three hour prayer called Pratikraman.

Namokar Mantra: Elixir Itself
Namo ArihantanamI bow in reverence to Arihants Namo SiddhanamI bow in reverence to Siddhas Namo AyariyanamI bow in reverence to Acharyas Namo UvajjhayanamI bow in reverence to Upadhyayas Namo Loye Savva SahunamI bow in reverence to all Sadhus
Eso Panch Namoyaro
This five-fold salutation
Savva PavappanasanoDestroys all sins Mangalanam Cha Savvesim And amongst all auspicious things Padhamam Havai Mangalam Is the most auspicious one

The ultimate power of a Mantra uttered in words and meter depends on the one who recites it, his feelings at the time and the place where it is recites. However, the Namokar Mantra while it controls our behaviour pattern and destroys our sins (Karmanashak), upon being recited increases our inner spiritual strength. It releases us from crisis, and it generates our well-being. Jain scriptures tell of its endless magical manifestation: A dog who was about to die, heard the Mantra recited by Jeevandhar and became a handsome Yaksha. A pair of serpents heard the Mantra recited by Parshva Kumar and metamorphosed into Darnendra and Padmavati. A bull while in physical agony, heard the Mantra recited by Seth Padmaruchi and in his next life became Prince Vrishabhdhvaj - the same prince was known as Sugriva later on. The nobleman Dhananjai's son dying from snakebite heard the Mantra and regained life. Anjan the thief running from sure death learnt this Mantra and became a learned man. Aj while dying patiently heard the Mantra recited by Charudutt and reached heaven. There are endless legends about the power of this Mantra. The one who recites this sure Mantra with real faith, scales the heights of the everlasting pits of hell. In this context it would be well to recall Suhom Chakravarti's fate.
May we all learn from the teachings and beliefs of Jainism and make our souls pure and sacred so that it is ready to become one with God.
__._,_.___

Guruvayur Ekadashi

2011-12-06T10:43:00.000-08:00

Guruvayur Krishna!
“Guruvayur Ekadasi is on Dec 6th 2011, Tuesday. On Dashami day (5thDec 2011,Monday)after Nirmalya darshan ( 3.00AM ), the temple is closed only at 9.00 am on Dwadasi Day (12th day), thus Sree Guruvayurappan allows continuous “Darshan” for devotees throughout Dasami and Ekadasi Days. Jay Sree Guruvayurappa….. This day is also regarded as “Geethopadesam day”.. ....the day on which Bhagavan Krishna revealed Gita to Arjuna. Jay ParthaSaradhee……. Ekadasi is the name of the Goddess that arose from Lord Vishnu to defeat Demon Mura.The Legend is like this. Once while Bhagwan Narayan was resting a demon named Murdanav came and challenged Him to a duel. Suddenly a damsel appeared, evolved out of the Ekadash indriyas of God --.(The ten indriyas (sense organs) comprise the five karma indriyas (mouth, hands, feet, anus and genital organs) and five gnan indriyas (eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue). The ten indriyas along with the mind are collectively known as “Ekadash indriyas”.) Murdanav was so attracted to this damsel that he asked her to marry him. The damsel agreed, but only if he agreed to a duel with her, Blinded by passion, he fought with her & she killed him. Pleased with her, God granted her a boon. She asked, "O Prabhu! As I have manifested from your Ekadash indriyas, let my name be Ekadashi. I am wedded to tap (austerity) and I desire that people should observe the Ekadashi vrat (fast) and control their Ekadash indriyas on this day. Pleased with her divine act, Bhagavan Vishnu blessed her that “anyone who observes Ekadasi fast will be freed of their sins and will attain Moksha”…..Narayana … Narayana… Ever since, we Hindus fast on Ekadashi. Ekadashi occurs twice a month in the Hindu calendar - on the eleventh day of the bright half - called Shukla Paksha and on the eleventh of the dark half called Vad Paksha ....After the morning seeveli, on Ekadasi there is a grant elephant procession to the Parthasarathi temple. Also on the Dwadasi day(12th day), there is a unique custom of offering a token amount called Dwadasi Panam in Koothambalam for the welfare of the family and it is considered highly auspicious. … Jay Sree Guruvayurappa…… On Ekadasi day, the Udayasthamana Pooja (continuous pooja) is conducted by the Devaswom itself .
Guruvayur ekadasi is also known as Vaikunta Ekadashi or Mukkoti Ekadashi as it is said believed that ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to Bhagavan’s Inner Sanctum’ is opened on this auspicious day. On this day, the Vaikunta Dwaram or the Swarga Vaasal, 'The Gates of Heaven' are believed to be kept open. The area encircling the sanctum is referred to Swarga Vaasal and devotees throng to gain entry into the temple, to seek the Lord. According to Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis. On Vaikunta Ekadasi Fasting is an important aspect of the dos associated with it. People fast the whole day and keep vigil. Special prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu and devotees engage in Japa (Chanting of the Lord's name) and Dhyana (Meditation). On 'Dasami', the previous day of the observance, devotees who take up Vaikunta Ekadasi fasting are to take only lunch. On Ekadasi, the next day, they have to maintain a complete fast and engage in prayers and meditation of the Lord. They are strictly prohibited from taking rice. That night, people keep vigil the whole night and visit the temple of Lord Vishnu, mostly in the wee hours of the morning. All are welcome to the Sreelakam of PonnuGuruvayurappan…..SreeKrishnarppanamasthu……. —

Sabrimala

2011-11-30T01:41:00.000-08:00

View the enlarged picture by clicking on the Ayyappa picture below.

Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is one of the most ancient and prominent Sastha temples in the country. Located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faiths. The shrine of Sabarimala is one of the most remote shrines in southern India yet it still draws three to four million pilgrims each year. Surrounded by mountains and dense forest Sabarimala is believed to be the place where Ayyappan meditated. Perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala is Sabarimala. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha Temples. It is believed that "Parasurama Maharshi" who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa.

The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad. The shrine gets thronged with devotees especially during the main pilgrim season from November to January. Mandala pooja (November16,2009) and Makaravilakku(Jan.14th) are the two main events of the pilgrim season. The temple stays closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during Vishu (April).

Certain customs are to be strictly observed if one has to undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. A pilgrim attending the Mandalapooja should observe austerities for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non vegetarian food and carnal pleasures. Pilgrims set out in groups under a leader, and each carry a cloth bundle called Irumudi kettu containing traditional offerings. Unlike certain Hindu temples, Sabarimala temple has no restrictions of caste or creed. The temple is open to males of all age groups and to women who have either passed their fertility age and those before reaching the stage of puberty. The easiest route is via Chalakkayam, by which one can reach the banks of the river Pamba by vehicle. Pamba is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala. From here one has to trek 4 to 5 kms to reach the temple.

Please visit the website by copy pasting the same to your browser a panorama of Sabrimala.
http://www.p4panorama.com/panos/sabarimala/index.html

Spiritual Relatives

2011-11-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

Please visit the following you tube site and listen to Sri TT.Rangarajan on spiritual relatives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-3CQmT0EHk

Don’t look in to what you don’t have. Look how much you can do with what we have & out of that what can be done.
In a platform with Kapil Dev before sharing he expressed that he will not be able to share more than 5 minutes, but that 5 minutes what he shared was the content discussed over all.
Sachin Tendulkar & Bradman never felt that they are short, instead they made the world to talk every thing bigger about them by their achievements in life.
To do business if you require 2 crores & you don’t have today, think with what the Rs.2 lakhs what you have today how to make that in to 10 lakhs, then 1 crore then 2 crores eventually you will get your own ways to achieve what you want. So just need to focus with what we have & out of that how much we can achieve. Once we start focusing with what we have automatically things will unfold to reach where we have to,
You will ask ok, how to know how much I have & how to find out this. Simple Count your blessings not your curses.
Always ask yourself Why Me God for all these blessings & not Why me God for all the sufferings.
My Blessings in my life so far, What I feel is

Spouse = I got the BEST one. Today I am what ever I am because of her without her sacrifice & understanding me I could have not made.
Children = Beautiful Kids, Very understanding, upcoming Legendry people.

Father = In his 45 years of life he has created a name for himself in the world. Today we are recognised in the social community all because of his efforts. My r Grandma will always say it is easy to make money with money. Your dad has made money without money in hand. The way you people are doing business today even a lady sitting will earn that use to be her quote whenever we come late for the lunch or dinner or we come home late from the office. That kind of hard work my father worked & not only created wealth for us but even he created good name for him in the social so that for us it was easy to walk his path.

Mother = Very Loving, If there is any difference of opinion(or arguments) with in our 3 brothers her heart will cry still we become normalcy. She will always tell I don’t want any thing other than you people or together and live a long Happy life. In todays world more than this what we want from our mother such a lovely person from the heart.

Brothers = When I matured enough my 2 brothers are in the roll of my father and today I am what I am all because of their love, they never said no to me for any thing. 10 years when I was striving to get back in to the automobile industry I have applied each & every company and had spent money in lakhs only for application, Presentations all these things. But for not even a single time they have stopped me what ever I was doing. They where so co-operative & the BEST they gave me in my life.

Friends, Relatives = WOW, I can say I have got the best of all as without their love & wishes we could have not been any where.

Business = Today I am running SKODA dealership in bangalore but for me 10 years of striving I got in to a business where my heart was, but that 10 years of in explainable experience I got out of it now I am feeling that is required for me to work on my vision & mission today. Yes I have got the BEST business opportunity and today with this platform I am going to create a new world in near future.

Teachers & Mentors = Till today I have come acrossed only with the BEST teachers, I am in the best of best in hands and be sharpened by every one. I am really proud that all my achievements in my life is their hard work on me to make my self what I am today.

GURU = Yes without HIS blessings even I cannot move my fingure. He is the one who plays his role through me. I am just a instrument of HIM & I know very well HE will take me HIGHER, give me DEEPER & Lead me Beyond. Through me he will make that the surroundings of me to TAKE them HIGHER, Give them Deeper & Lead them Beyond. All this will not happen if HIS blessings are not their.

After today’s 52 Thoughts program it took more than 45 minutes to come out of the impact from the program. Yes. I am sure that I know how much blessings I have in my life & with what I have and I will make the BEST of it.

To conclude if I don’t express my gratitude to all of my blessings I feel I will be incomplete. Thank you so Much.

Loving you so much,

Thanks & Regards,

Suresh Bafna.

Good Morning

2011-11-18T22:38:00.001-08:00

GOOD MORNING ...

Relationship is like an onion
Which has many layers of TRUST AND CARE .
If You will try to Cut it
you will find nothing except
TEARS in your Eyes . . . .
HAVE A NICE DAY
AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK END TOO ...

BE GOOD IN THE WEEK END . .
GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Reward For Humility

2011-11-15T06:10:00.000-08:00

Lord Krishna enters Hastinapura as a messenger of the Pandavas. Knowing the purpose of His visit, the Kauravas are not ready to welcome Him. But Bhishma, Drona and others go to welcome Him.

As Krishna passes through the streets, He points to each palace and asks as to whom it belongs. One is Bhishma's, one is Drona's, and so they tell Him . When He nears Vidura's palace, He asks whose it is and Vidura says it belongs to Krishna's.

Best reply

That indeed, is the best reply. For, does not everything in the world belong to the Lord? Everything comes from Him and it is our ignorance that makes us claim possession over everything. It is our pride that sees us as owners, when in fact it is the Lord who is the owner of everything.

Vidura's reply shows his humility and devotion and it is not surprising that the Lord chooses to stay with him. The Lord's presence in his palace is the reward he gets for his humility, said C.V. Seshadri in a lecture.

Vidura welcomes Krishna. He has appointed many cooks to cater to those who had accompanied the Lord.

An overjoyed Vidura wonders if his house had once been the milky ocean. Is that why the Lord is so comfortable here? Or had this house once been Adisesha, the Lord's serpent bed? Or had it been it once the leaf of a banyan tree on which the Lord Krishna reposed?

One who has bhakti towards the Lord also is respectful to His devotees. Such bhaktas refer to their own houses as huts, even if they live in mansions. But if a learned scholar and devotee of the Lord lives in a hut, bhaktas refer to it as a palace. Such is the respect that is shown to great men.

One has to be humble and remember that everything that we enjoy in this life has come from the Lord. We cannot claim anything as our own.

Vidura knows this truth, which we tend to forget. So he refers to his palace as one that belongs to the Lord. His humility is rewarded by the Lord's decision to spend the night in his palace, than in the palace of Duryodhana, whose heart is filled with pride.

Maths Award For A Monk

2011-10-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

Mahan Maharaj
A mathematician exploring rubber-sheet geometry at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Belur, and a cryptologist at the Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta, have won the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes, often dubbed the nation’s highest science awards, for 2011.

Both win the annual award from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for their contributions to the mathematical sciences. The CSIR on Monday also announced the names of nine other scientists who will get the prizes for biological sciences, chemical sciences, earth sciences, engineering sciences, medical sciences and physical sciences.

Mahan Maharaj, who studied at IIT Kanpur and the University of California, Berkeley, before joining the Vivekananda University in 1998, has made fundamental contributions to the study of curved geometry in three-dimensions, his associates said.

Palash Sarkar, at the ISI’s applied statistics unit, has been involved in the design of mathematical rules that allow information to be exchanged securely between distant geographic sites over an insecure network. One of his research initiatives has led to a set of rules to enhance the security and speed of data accessible through laptops.

“Maharaj has been exploring properties of geometrical spaces that do not change when they are stretched or pulled or twisted,” said Harish Seshadri, a mathematician at IISc, Bangalore, who has collaborated with the monk in a forthcoming research paper on multi-dimensional geometrical spaces.

Mahan Maharaj, who teaches MSc students and takes course work for PhD students, joined the RK Mission institution in 1998 after a PhD from the UCB. “This is a joyful day for us,” said the university’s vice-chancellor, Swami Atmapriyananda.

Sarkar’s research on encryption techniques — mathematical rules for coding and decoding information — has led to a new algorithm (a set of rules) that can improve the speeds of existing algorithms, some of which are used in commercial laptops to encrypt data while maintaining speed of accessing data.

“In a short span of time, Sarkar has also guided four PhD students,” said Rana Barua, a professor at the ISI’s statistics and mathematics unit, who also works on cryptology.

Swami Atamapriyananda said the award to Mahan Maharaj should also be seen as a tribute to the vision of Swami Vivekananda who had more than a century ago thought of an institution that could maintain ancient Indian wisdom and pursue research in the natural and humanistic sciences.
The 45-year-old is fluent in English, Hindi and Bengali. Born Mahan Mitra, he studied in St Xavier's Collegiate School till Class XII and cracked IITJEE to enter the prestigious IIT Kanpur to study electrical engineering. Soon, he realized that he was not enjoying this field of study and changed to mathematics. After completing his MSc, he went to University of California, Berkeley. After coming back from US, he renounced the world and became a monk.

In communion with God

2011-10-27T06:44:00.001-07:00

By Padma Narayanan
The Hindu devotee's God is endowed with all beauty. He is a paragon of all qualities ever conceived by the imperfect human mind and yet He is in some special way part of the devotee's psyche. If a devotee occasionally forgets all mores of propriety and sees the divine form as someone dearer than anyone or anything else, that very closeness making all apparent inequalities disappear; and if all kinds of liberties are taken with that God, can that familiarity be faulted? Would it amount to sacrilege or blasphemy to bless God Himself or take Him to task for not coming to the devotee in his/her time of need?

Our poetry is rich with any number of songs that, under the veil of ridicule adore our Gods and Goddesses, display a unique intimacy. Do we not have a Vaishnavite saint losing himself in the beauty of the Lord that he breaks out spontaneously with verses blessing the Lord that He may live for many years?

WE HAVE AN ENTIRE TREASURE OF SONGS AND POEMS BELONGING TO THIS UNIQUE GENRE. WE HAVE DEVOTEES WHO CHIDE THEIR GODS FOR BEING INDIFFERENT TO THEIR NEEDS, SO MUCH SO THAT THEY ASK FOR THE INTERVENTION OF THE LORD'S CONSORT TO ADVOCATE THEIR CASES BEFORE HER HUSBAND. ‘WHEN HE IS ALONE WITH YOU, HAPPY IN YOUR COMPANY, WILL YOU REMIND HIM OF HIS OBLIGATION TO PROTECT ME?' SINGS RAMADAS (‘NANNU BROVAMANI CHEPPAVE').

DEVOTEE NONPAREIL

Saint Tyagaraja's language is always direct and conversational. His identification with the Lord is so complete that now and then the dividing line between the master and the servant disappears. This servant of Rama has known his master so well and for so long that he indulges in certain leniencies in the way he communicates with Him.

Very often, there is a tone of impatient mockery in Tyagaraja's voice that is so endearing. The saint-poet wonders in one of his songs if Rama is indifferent towards him heeding the advice of someone. “Who did you listen to and so will not come to my help? Or are you not here?” (‘Evarimata' - Khambodi). In another song the saint makes a bold attempt to ask the Lord, “Have you not yet considered coming to my protection? At this time of my agony, how can you bring yourself to sport merrily with your wife?'” (‘Mathilo Yochan' - Kolahalam). The devotee-divinity relationship is so personal and intimate that the devotee is able to question the implied indifference that the Lord displays towards His bhakta. Wondering what could have caused such indifference, Tyagaraja questions, “Are you scared you'll lose your wealth if you appear before me?” (‘Ethita Nilachite,' - Sankarabharanam) and “Perhaps your grace will fall on me only if I own elephants and wealth?” (‘Tharithapu Lekha' - Saveri).

“REMEMBER YOU OWE ALL YOUR GRANDEUR TO HAVING MARRIED OUR JANAKI.” (‘MAA JANAKI' - KHAMBODI) REMINDS TYAGARAJA. IN ANOTHER SONG HE EVEN DOUBTS IF RAMA HAS LOST ALL CONTROL OVER HIS SUBORDINATES: HE ASKS, “HAS YOUR MOUNT, THE BIRD-KING GARUDA, REFUSED TO BRING YOU TO MY SIDE SAYING THAT THE EARTH IS TOO FAR FROM THE CELESTIAL SKIES?” (‘NAGUMOMU' - ABHERI.) “RAMA! HAS ANYONE WHO ASKED YOU FOR HAPPINESS EVER GOT IT? … SURPANAKA EXPRESSED HER DESIRE FOR YOU AND HAD HER NOSE CHOPPED OFF. DURVASA CAME EXPECTING A SUMPTUOUS MEAL AND FELT FULL EVEN BEFORE HE HAD EATEN,” CRIES THE POET IN DESPAIR.

SRI RAMA IS EVEN ACCUSED OF BEING A CHEAT! “O, YES! HE PREACHES WELL. BUT HIS FAME AS ONE WHO GRANTS BOONS AND PROTECTS HIS DEVOTEES ARE ALL EMPTY WORDS.” (‘VARIJANAYANUDA' - KEDARAGOWLA). AND MORE DIRECTLY, “YOU SAY SO MANY CONTRADICTORY THINGS. WHAT CAN I DO? YOU ARE LIKE THE ONE WHO ROCKS THE BABY AND PINCHES IT AS WELL!” (‘ATLA PALUKUTHU' – ATANA). THERE ARE MANY MORE SUCH GEMS IN THE OCEAN OF TYAGARAJA'S SONGS THAT BRING A SMILE TO ONE'S LIPS.

THE DEVOTEE IS IN SUCH TOTAL COMMUNION WITH HIS CHOSEN LORD AND LIKE A FOND MOTHER, LOVING WIFE AND INTIMATE FRIEND DOES NOT SEE THE NEED TO HAVE ANY RESERVATION IN EXPRESSING HIS EMOTIONS OF THE MOMENT. THE DEVOTEE-GOD RELATIONSHIP IS AS MUCH SACRED AS IT IS PERSONAL. SUCH IS THE TEXTURE OF A HINDU DEVOTEE'S LOVE FOR HIS PERSONAL GOD THAT THEY ARE ALMOST ONE.

IS THIS KIND OF UNINHIBITED LOVE, A PREREQUISITE FOR THE ULTIMATE REALISATION OF ONE BEING DIVINITY ITSELF, AFFIRMING AN ADVAITIC STATE?

Knowledge Sheet From Art Of Living

2011-10-26T22:41:00.000-07:00

At this time of the year people around the world are getting ready to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. One of the biggest festivals of the East, Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

For an oil lamp to burn, the wick has to be partially immersed in the oil. If the wick is completely drowned in oil, it cannot bring light. Life is like the wick of the lamp, you have to be in the world and yet remain untouched by it. If you are drowned in the materialism of the world, you cannot bring joy and knowledge in your life. By being in the world, yet not drowning in the worldly aspect of it, we can be the light of joy and knowledge.

Diwali is the commemoration of the light of wisdom in our lives. Lamps are lit on this day not just to decorate homes, but also to communicate this profound truth of life. Light the lamp of wisdom and love in every heart and bring a radiant smile on every face.

Diwali is also called Deepavali, which literally means rows of lights. Life has many facets and stages to it and it is important that you throw light on each of them, for life to be fully expressed. The rows of lights remind you that every aspect of life needs your attention and the light of knowledge.

Every human being has some good qualities. And every lamp that you light is symbolic of this. Some people have forbearance, some have love, strength, generosity, while others have the ability to unite people. The latent values in you are like a lamp. Don't be satisfied with lighting just one lamp; light a thousand! You need to light many lights to dispel the darkness of ignorance. By lighting the lamp of wisdom in yourself and acquiring knowledge, you awaken all facets of your being. When they are lit and awakened, it is Diwali.

Another profound symbolism is in the firecrackers that are burnt on this day. In life, you often become like a firecracker, waiting to explode with your pent-up emotions, frustration and anger. When you keep suppressing your emotions, cravings and aversions, they are bound to reach a bursting point. Bursting crackers is a psychological exercise created by the ancient people to release bottled-up emotions. When you see an explosion outside, you feel similar sensations within you as well. Along with the explosion, there is so much light. When you let go of these emotions, serenity dawns.

There is also symbolism in the exchange of gifts and the distribution of sweets during Diwali. Sweets and gift exchanges symbolize the dispelling of the bitterness of the past, and renewal of friendship for the times to come.

Any celebration is incomplete without the spirit of service. Whatever we have received from the Divine, we should share it with others because it is in giving that we receive -- that is true celebration. Happiness and wisdom have to spread and it can happen when people come together in knowledge.

Diwali means to be in the present, so drop the regrets of the past and the worries of the future and live in the moment. It is a time to forget the bickering and negativities that have happened through the year. It is a time when you throw light on the wisdom you have gained and welcome a new beginning. When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration.

Celebration is the nature of the spirit. The ancient sages brought sacredness in every celebration, so that you don't lose the focus in the hustle-bustle of the activity. Observing rituals and religious practices (called Puja) is simply showing one's gratitude to the Divine. This brings depth to the celebration. The tradition is to put all the wealth you have earned in front of you and feel the abundance. When you feel lack, the lack grows but when you put your attention on abundance, then the abundance grows. In the Arthashastra, Chanakya says, "Dharmasya Moolam Arthah," which means, "prosperity is the root of righteousness."

For the one who does not have spiritual knowledge, Diwali comes only once a year, but for the wise, Diwali is every moment and every day. Wisdom is needed everywhere. Even if one member of the family is shrouded in darkness, we cannot be happy. We need to ignite the light of wisdom in every member of your family, extend it to every member of society and every person on the planet. When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration.

The Yajurveda says, "Tanme Manaha Shivasankalpam astu" -- let noble intentions flow from this mind of ours. This Diwali, celebrate with knowledge and take an intention to serve humanity. Light the lamp of love in your heart; the lamp of abundance in your home; the lamp of compassion to serve others; the lamp of Knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance; and the lamp of gratitude for the abundance that the Divine has bestowed on us.

|| Jai Guru Dev ||

Paramacharaya Of Kanchipuram

2011-10-23T23:31:00.000-07:00

Parmacharya Sri Chandrashekhar Saraswati - God in human form

Parmacharya Sri Chandrashekhar Saraswati - God in human form

I have bowed before only one sanyasi in my life, and that is Sri Chandrasekhar Saraswathi, known to the world as the Parmacharya. It is not that I am arrogant or that I have no respect for sanyasis and sadhus. In fact I respect many sadhus in this country for their learning and social services. But my upbringing, first in an English convent school, and then ten years in USA had created a distance between me and traditional Hindu culture of bowing and prostrating before any elder, or anyone in saffron clothes. Therefore, I was the "modern" Indian, believer in science, and with little concern for spiritual diversions.

In fact till the age of 30, I had not even heard of a god like human being called Sri Chandrasekhar Saraswathi. It was a chance meeting with an Indian student at Harvard in his room in the university hostel, that I saw a picture of Parmacharya on top of this student's TV set. I asked him: "Who is he? And why are you keeping his picture?" The student just avoided the question. I also forgot about it, except that Parmacharya shining smiling face in that photograph got etched in my memory. Six years later, as my Pan American Airways plane was about to land at Delhi airport during the Emergency, I saw that smiling Parmacharya's face reappear before me for a brief second for no reason at that time. I was coming to Delhi surreptitiously to make my now famous appearance in Parliament and subsequent disappearance, while a MISA warrant was pending for my arrest in the Emergency. At that moment, as the plane landed, I resolved that whenever the Emergency gets over, I shall search for Parmacharya and meet him.

In 1977, after the Emergency was over, and the Janata Party in Power I went to Kanchipuram to see the Parmacharya. It was in sheer curiosity that I went. Some friends arranged for me to come before him. It was a hot June evening, and Parmacharya was sitting in a cottage, a few kilometers outside Kanchipuram. As soon as he saw me, he abruptly got up, and turned his back on me, and went inside the cottage. My friends who took me there were greatly embarrassed, and I was puzzled. Since no body including the other sadhus at that ashram had any idea what went wrong, I told my friends that we should leave, since Parmacharya was not interested in giving me "darshan".

From the cottage, we walked a few hundred yards to where my car, by which I had come to the ashram, had been parked. Just as I was getting into the car, a priest came running to me. He said "Parmacharya wants to see you, so please come back". Again puzzled, I walked back to the cottage.

Back at the cottage, a smiling Parmacharya was waiting for me. He first asked me in Tamil: "Do you understand Tamil?" I nodded. In those days, I hardly knew much Tamil, but I hoped the Parmacharya would speak in the simplest Tamil to make it easy to understand.

He then asked me another question: "Who gave you permission to leave my cottage?" The Tamil word he used for "permission" was of Sanskrit origin, which I immediately understood. So in my broken Tamil with a mixture of English words, I replied: "Since you turned your back on me and went inside the cottage, I thought you did not want to see me." This reply greatly irritated the priest standing in attendance on the Parmacharya.

He said "You cannot talk like this to the Parmacharya". But Parmacharya asked him to be silent, and then said that when he saw me, he was reminded of a press cutting he had been keeping in store inside the cottage and he had gone inside to fetch it.

"Here it is" he said. "Open it and read it. I opened the folded press cutting, and with some difficulty, I read the Tamil question answer piece printed in Dinamani Kadir, a magazine of Indian Express group. The press cutting had a photograph of me and below it the question asked by a reader: "Is the hero of the Emergency struggle, Dr.Subramanian Swamy a Tamilian?" And the answer given was, "Yes he is a native of Cholavandhan of Madurai District."

Parmacharya asked me, "Is this your photograph, and is the answer given to the question correct?" I nodded. Then Parmacharya said: "Now you may go. But in the future when you come, you cannot leave till I give you permission to leave." Everyone around me was naturally very impressed, that Parmacharya had given so much special attention especially since in those days, he often went on manuvvat (silence vow). As I left a sense of elation at the meeting with Parmacharya. I wanted to come back again. I could not understand why a "modern" person like me should want to see a sanyasi, but I felt the urge strongly.

A month later, the Tamilnadu Assembly elections were on, and I was passing Kanchipuram in the campaign rail. So I told the Janata Party workers to spare me some time to pay a visit to the Parmacharya.

When I again reached the same cottage, a priest was waiting for me. He said: "Parmacharya is expecting you." I asked: "How is this possible, when I decided at that last minute to come, without appointment?" The priest replied. "That is a silly thing to ask. Parmacharya is divine. He knows every thing".

Sure enough a radiant smiling Parmacharya received me. I thought that this time too, our meeting would last a few minutes, and after a few pleasantries, I can continue on my election campaign. But not so. Parmacharya spoke to me for 1-1 1/2 hours on all important subjects. He gave me guidelines on how to conduct myself in politics and what was necessary to protect the national interest of the country.

He told me that in politics, I should never bother about money or position, because both would follow me whenever an occasion demanded. But I should not be afraid to stand alone. He told me that all great persons of India were those who changed the thinking of the people from a particular set way of thought to a new way of thinking. "That is the permanent achievement for a politician, not merely becoming Minister or Prime Minister. Great persons, starting with Adi Shankara, to Mahatma Gandhi dared to stand alone and change the trend of people's thought. But did either hold a government position?" he asked me. He said "If you dare to think out fresh solutions for current problems, without bothering about your popularity, and without caring for whether a government position comes to you or not, you will have my blessings." When he said that I felt a strange sensation of happiness. I suddenly felt very strong.

During the period since my first meeting with the Parmacharya, I had thought a lot about him, heard his praise from so many people. From what I learnt and what I saw of him, I began to feel his divinity. There was no other human like him. If nothing else, he was one sadhu who did not bless Indira Gandhi during the Emergency when in the height of her power and at the height if the nation's sycophancy, she came and prostrated before him. And yet when Indira Gandhi was down during the Janata rule, he received her and gave his blessings to her after she repented for the Emergency.

It is this thought, every time (that if I do something sincerely, and for what is for the good of the people) that Parmacharya's blessings will be with me and see me through the interim period of public and media criticism and unpopularity, that has given me this courage that today even my enemies do not deny that I possess. In such endeavours, even though in the beginning when most thought that I was doomed, I came out it successful in the end because of his blessing.

In the next few instalments I shall, without drawing the Parmacharya's name into the controversy, reveal many such initiatives that I took with his blessings. From 1977 to his day of Samadhi, I met the Parmacharya so many times and received his oral benediction and advice. But I never gave it publicity or got myself photographed. During his life time, I did not boast of my proximity to him either, although whenever I came to the Kanchi Mutt, always without appointment, he would see me. If he was asleep, he was awakened by his close helpers to whom he had obviously given instructions about me. There may not be another god in human form for another 100 years, but it was my honour to have known him and received his blessings. He may not be here today in human form, but because of what he had instructed me, I know and feel his is around.

Parmacharya - Part II
Subramanian Swamy

After wonderful discourse from Maha Periyawal Sri Chandrashekhara Saraswathi in 1977, I went to have Parmacharya's darshan numerous times. Whenever I had a difficult question that I could not answer, I would go and ask him for guidance. He gave me audience also in abundance. I got to see him whenever I came to Kanchipuram, or at Belgam in Karnataka or at Satara in Maharashtra or wherever else he was. But I did not publicize these darshan sessions in the newspapers as some others were doing. This was greatly appreciated by the Mutt officials and pujaris.

When Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980, defeating the Janata Party, I was upset, and wondered if Emergency would be declared again. So I went with a group of Janata workers to the Karnataka - Maharashtra border, where Sri Parmacharya was camping on his walking tour. When I reached him, he was sitting in a hut almost as if he was waiting for me. As soon as he saw me, he got up and started briskly walking to a nearby temple. I just stood there watching him. Soon he stopped walking and sent someone to ask me to come to him alone.

When I reached where he was standing, he said to me anticipating my question; "It is a good thing that Indira Gandhi has got an absolute majority. At this juncture, the country needs a stable government, and only Indira Gandhi is in a position to give that stability." "But what if she declares another Emergency and tries to put us all in jail?" I asked.

To this question, Parmacharya only smiled and put his hand up in his known style of bestowing his blessings. I did not realize at that time, that Indira Gandhi had before elections, gone to Hubli in Karnataka where he was camping and prostrated before the Parmacharya. On her own, she had vowed to him and had said that if she came back to power, she will not repeat the mistakes of the past of declaring an Emergency. Then she asked for his blessings, which the Parmacharya had given by raising his hand and showing his palm.

As I was leaving, Parmacharya asked me if I could work to unite the opposition and include the communists in it. "Communists!" I asked in utter incredulity. I added: "The Soviet Union has just invaded Afghanistan (December 27, 1979), and are preparing to capture Pakistan, and then soon they will swallow India. How can we believe the Communists?"

"Not like that at all" said Parmacharya to me. He clearly gave me a hint that Communists will never be a danger to India. In fact he gave me a clear indication that in some years to come the Soviet Union will not be there at all. I just could not believe what I heard. But eleven years later, that is exactly what happened. The Soviet Union broke up in 1991 into 16 countries, a development no human being foresaw. Parmacharya was above human, a divine soul. He could see it. To this day I regret that I did not act on his advice because I spent nearly a decade (ten years 1980 -90) opposing Communism, little realizing that it was going to collapse of its own weight. I earned the Communists enmity for nothing. That is the only advice of Parmacharya I did not act on. On other occasions, I blindly followed whatever he told me. Of course, the golden rule with Parmacharya was that he would not on his own offer any advice, but when I asked him, he showed me the way. When my mind was made up on anything, I did not ask him what I should do. Of course if I did not have his blessings, I rarely succeeded.

In 1987 for example, I tried to land with some fisherman in the island of Katchathivu to assert the rights of fisherman under the Indo-Sri Lanka accord. MGR was Chief Minister then. He had me arrested in Madurai and put me up in Tamilnadu Hotel instead of Madurai jail. The then DGP, told me clearly that unless I give up the Katchathivu trip and agreed to return to Chennai, they would keep me under arrest. Those days I knew little criminal Law, so I agreed to return to Chennai not knowing my rights. After arriving in the city I drove to Kanchipuram and saw the Parmacharya. I told him of my humiliation and my inability to go to Katchathivu. Parmacharya smiled at me as if I was a child. He told me: "You go to Delhi and file a case in the Supreme Court against the arrest, and ask the court to direct the Tamilnadu government to make arrangements for you to go Katchathivu".

So I flew that evening to Delhi. My wife is an advocate in the Supreme Court, so I asked her to draft my writ petition. She was shocked by my request, "The Supreme Court will laugh at you if you come directly on a question of arrest. You must first go before Magistrate in Madurai, then Sessions Court, the High Court, and then only to Supreme Court" she said.

I insisted that she draft the petition. So finally she said "As an advocate, I don't want to look foolish in the Court. So I will draft your petition but the rest you do. I won't associate with it." But my blind faith in Parmacharya kept me going. With the petition filed, I appeared in the Court of the Chief Justice Venkataramiah. I arrived in the Court a few minutes before the Chief Justice took his seat. Many lawyers who recognized me met me to ask why I had come, they all laughed. All of them said: "Your Petition will not only be dismissed, but also the Chief Justice will pass remarks against your stupidity, and for wasting the time of the Supreme Court."

When my Petition came up for hearing, a miracle happened. Chief Justice Venkataramaiah asked the Tamilnadu Counsel (then Kuldip Singh, who became a famous Judge himself later) why the Government had arrested me. Taken by surprise at the Petition not being dismissed, Kuldip Singh stammered. "Kuldip Singh went on to explain that a pro-LTTE mob was against me going to Katchathivu, and the LTTE had also issued a threat to finish me. Chief Justice Venkataramaiah then burst out at Kuldip Singh. He thundered "Are you fit to call yourself a democratic government? If mob wants to stop Dr.Swamy, you arrest the mob not Dr.Swamy."

The Chief Justice then passed an order that the Government should make all the necessary arrangements for me to go to Katchathivu. No one in court could believe it. Some asked me: "Are you related to Venkataramaiah?" I am not only not related, but those days I did not even know him. But I had the blessings of Parmacharya, and I was doing as he asked me to.

That was the divine power of Parmacharya ; when he asked you to do anything, he also took measures to see that the right thing happened.

After the Supreme Court verdict, I met Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Parliament House. Kuldip Singh had already informed him of the court verdict. So he told me: "Why did you not speak to me first? I would have told MGR to allow you. In any case, when you plan to go to Katchathivu, the navy and air force will give you cover. But the fishing boat on which you travel has to be provided by you."

On May 8, 1988, I landed on Katchathivu and planted the Janata Party's saffron and green flag, and prayed at the St.Anthony Church there. As I approached the island, there were navel patrol boats on either side of my fishing vessel which I had taken on hire. Two air force planes were flying over me. I felt grand like a king. My salutations went to the Parmacharya. He made the impossible possible. From being arrested in Madurai to being royally escorted to Katchathivu, only Parmacharya could arrange.

Parmacharya- Part III
Subramanian Swamy

In 1981, I became successful in persuading the Chinese government in re-opening for Hindu pilgrims the route to Kailash and Manasarovar. After 3 years of persuading the Chinese, in April 1981 the Chinese strongman Deng Xiao Ping invited me to China to meet him. In that meeting, he told me that as a "special favour to me and my efforts and in recognition of my steady advocacy of improved Sino-Indian relations [ he used the term "lao peng yeou" 'meeting old friend' ] he was asking the officials to meet Indian counter parts to work out the arrangements for pilgrims to visit Kailash. Deng had in jest asked me "But you must go first". He had said it jokingly, but I was keen to see Kailash and Manasarovar. So when I met Mrs. Gandhi in Delhi to tell her of my meeting with Deng, I told her that I will lead the first batch of pilgrims and that she should agree. She laughed and said "of course. I wish I could go too."

The opening of Kailash and Manasarovar had been considered impossible by our Foreign Ministry officials. China is a communist country and Kailash and Manasarovar is in the most sensitive area of Tibet. Therefore how could China allow Indians, even if as Pilgrims, to walk into Tibet? But the impossible happened because throughout the three years of talks with the Chinese, Parmacharya not only gave his blessings to me for this venture but encouraged me. "We must be friends with China and Israel" he would keep telling me whenever I came to him for darshan and anugraha (blessings).

When the Kailash and Manasarovar re-opening was announced, the first batch consisting of 20 pilgrims was slated to go in the end of August. That meant in 30 days of walking from the end of August to late September. By the time, we return, it would be end of September. At those heights in the Himalayas, September meant snow and ice cold temperatures, and that we would have to walk! Foreign ministry officials told me that since the route had not been in use for nearly 25 years, it would be a rough walk. We would have to clear bushes on the way, and perhaps encounter animals and snakes!

To make matters worse, Inderjit Gupta, then a CPI Lok Sabha MP, and good friend of many years, asked my wife to prevent me from going on this trip since I would not return. "It requires mountaineers to trek this route, not people like us" he told her. Others told me that I should think of my family (of two daughters then age 11 and 8) and not venture on such foolishness. In fact one BJP MP, perhaps more out of jealousy than concern, told me that it is punya (blessing) to die on the route to Kailash. If that were so, I wondered, why not a single BJP or RSS leader has ever gone on a pilgrimage to Kailash? Perhaps because there are no Muslims there, nor a Masjid to demolish! BJP is anti-Muslim but not pro -Hindu, so Kailash means nothing of political value to them.

But the net result of all this was that a scare was created in my family and social circles. Many urged me to forget going to Kailash. I had done my duty, they said, in getting the route opened, but it is not necessary to go there. My daughters reminded me of my promise made the previous year that I would be with them on my birthday, which fell on September 15th. The previous year I had to be away to address a meeting in Bihar. If I went to Kailash I would again not be in Delhi on my birthday. This troubled me.

So anguished and confused by all this I flew to Bangalore, and drove down to where Parmacharya was camping. He was reading a book when I saw him. He put down his book and glasses, and asked me what brought me to him. "Kailash and Manasarovar route has been opened with your blessings. I have been asked by our Government to lead the first batch of pilgrims. But all my colleagues in Parliament are scaring me with stories of what can go wrong with me on this hazardous trip". Parmacharya said in a comforting voice "Nothing will happen. You go and come. The opening of Kailash route is a great achievement for our country"

"I have only regret. That I will not be able to be with my daughters in Delhi on my birthday" I added. "When is your birthday?" He asked. "September 15th. But the journey back will not be completed before September 30th." Parmacharya only smiled. He puts his palm in blessing and merely said: "you go and come". I left on September 1st on my journey.

My journey to Manasarovar lake and then for a darshan of Kailash went very smoothly thanks to Parmacharya's blessings. I returned to the Tibet-India border on September 13th, and camped that night at Kalapani, a military cantonment on the Indian side. That night, faraway from Delhi on the Himalayas, I could not help thinking of my daughters and my promise to them to be with them on my birthday. It would be another 15 days of walking before I could reach the plains and then Delhi.

Next morning at breakfast, the camp commandant came to me with a telex from Delhi. It said that on Prime Minister's instruction, an air force helicopter would be coming that morning at 10 AM from Bareilly to pick me up and take me back to Bareilly, from where I will be taken by car to Delhi. I was thrilled. This meant that I would be in Delhi on September 14th evening, and be with my family on the next day for my birthday! What a miracle!

I was that time just an MP, and that too from the opposition. And yet this privilege was extended to me. The only reason for this was the blessing of Parmacharya. With this blessing, any miracle could happen. I was honoured to witness it. I prayed to Lord Shiva and Durga at the Kalapani temple at 18,000 feet above sea level, with snow all around. I said a special thanks to Parmacharya. When I returned to Delhi, and thereafter went to see Parmacharya, I explained all that happened. He merely smiled.

In 1986, I was passing Kanchipuram, so I made a detour and went to the Kanchi Mutt. Parmacharya was there giving Darshan to hundreds of people. I also stood in the crowd. But the pujaris saw me and whispered to the Parmacharya that I had come. So he asked me to come close and sit before him. After the crowds had left, he looked at me as if to ask me why I had come. The Babri Masjid issue then was hotting up, and so I said Parmacharya that I was planning to visit Ayodhya to study the situation. I asked the Mahaswami what stand should I take.

Parmacharya looked at me very sternly and said "you are a politician. Why do you have to take a stand on a religious issue? You stay out of it. You spend your energies on improving our economy or our relations with China and Israel." I was taken aback by his stern remarks. But I persisted and said "At least the Government will have to take a stand". He said: "Let the government make it possible for the religious leaders of both religions to come together and work out a compromise. But you stay out of it.

I then told Parmacharya that my friend, and leading Babri Masjid agitator Mr.Syed Shahabuddin wanted to see his holiness, and whether I could do bring him next time. The pujaris around the Parmacharya protested. They said that Shahabuddin was anti-Hindu, and he should not be allowed inside the Mutt.

The Parmacharya waved away their objections. He gave me permission to bring him to the Mutt. Then he said to the Pujaris. "Only Subramanian Swamy knows the art of befriending Americans, Chinese and Israelis at the same time. He can also be a friend of Shahabuddin." Then turning to me, he said: "Keep this quality. Never be afraid of making friends with anyone." I have followed this advice despite heavy criticism from the media. I have made friends with Morarji, Chandrasekhar and Indira Gandhi after terrific quarrels with them. Sometimes one needs to quarrel to come to an understanding of each other's strength. Generally, I love to oppose those in authority because for a strong democracy, opposition is necessary. But Indian society being feudal, those in power underestimate who oppose them. And in my case, people in power have always underestimated me because they think I am alone. But they don't realize I have friends everywhere, in all political parties and in all important countries. That is why I have won all my battles against Government. Because I have never betrayed anyone, these friendships remain for a long time. In 1990, I could have betrayed Chandrasekhar and fallen for temptation offered by Rajiv Gandhi to become PM. But when I discouraged this idea, Rajv Gandhi's esteem of me and trust in me went sky high. Because of the trust I develop my friends from all over the world confide in me. People ask me often "How do you get so much accurate information". This is the answer. I have secret friends and open enemies. Most other people have the opposite: secret enemies and open friends.

Thus Shahabuddin trusted me to bring him to the Mutt with honour. In early 1987, I brought Shahabuddin to see Parmacharya.

Parmacharya -Part IV
Subramanian Swamy

I brought the fierce Muslims-rights agitator Mr.Syed Shahabuddin to Kanchipuram to have a darshan of the Parmacharya. Shahabuddin had told me many a times that he had a urge to see the Parmacharya. He never explained why. Nor I asked him why since I assumed everyone would like to see a living God on earth.

Although Shahabuddin is a strict Muslim, he accepted two fundamental points defining a patriotic Indian Muslim. The first point, a patriot would accept that though he is a Muslim, his ancestors are Hindus since 99.9 percent of Muslims of India are descendents of converts. Muslims who think that their ancestors are Persians or Arabs or from Tajikistan, can never be patriotic Indians, because they live in a myth. They are psychologically uprooted from India. The second point is that although the present day Indian culture is composite, in which all communities and religions have contributed, the core of this culture is Hindu in character and substance. Hence even if one changes one religion, it need not lead to a change of culture. Religion is personal, culture belongs to the nation.

Shahabuddin had accepted the two points and that is why I defended him against the charge that he was communal. But the RSS [which is not pro-Hindu, but merely anti-Muslim], saw in Shahabuddin a convenient hate figure, and dubbed him a "second Jinnah". Naturally bigots of the RSS protested when they came to know that I was bringing Shahabuddin to meet Parmacharya. When we arrived at the Kanchi Mutt, the Mutt-Pujaris told me that Parmacharya had wanted me to bring Shahabuddin right into the inner part of the Mutt where he was staying. We were made to sit before a shut door, and told Parmacharya would come soon.

The door was opened by Parmacharya himself. When Shahabuddin saw him, he started to weep, with tears rolling down his cheeks. He folded his hands in a 'namaste' and said "Oh my Lord Parmacharya, please save my community and save the nation". I was taken aback [Much later when we were back on our way to Chennai, I asked Shahabuddin why he broke down , before the Parmacharya. He simply said that he could not control himself when he saw the radiant face of the Parmacharya.]

Parmacharya asked Shahabuddin what troubled him. He said "The Babri Masjid has been shut to Muslims by a Court Order and I pray to you to help us open it to us". [At that time, 1988 there was no talk of its demolition by RSS]. Parmacharya told him that Hindus and Muslims should work out a compromise. He suggested a number of proposals, such as joint prayers, or Hindu Prayers on Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Muslims Namaz on other days with Sunday being denied to both. All these compromise proposals, Shahabuddin said, would be unacceptable to devout Muslims.

I added in my proposal. Koran prohibits Namaz in constructions built by demolishing other religions holy places : therefore if it can be proved that a temple was demolished by Babar's men to build the mosque in Ayodhya, and then the Muslims themselves should agree to the Babri Masjid demolition.

Parmacharya looked at me with a benign smile. He had earlier warned me to stay away from this issue, instead asked me to concentrate on political and economic issues. But Shahabuddin quickly agreed that Koran prohibited reading namaz in such places, but contested that Babri Masjid was built on a temple site. He said he had construction blue prints to prove his point. Two hours of discussion had taken place, and therefore the Mutt pujaris were getting impatient. A big crowd was waiting for the Parmacharya's darshan. So Parmacharya closed his discussion by asking Shahabuddin to bring his blue prints and come again. Surprisingly, again Shahabuddin prostrated before him, and then we both left.

Shahabuddin never came back again. But two years later, I became the Law Minister. I confronted the Muslim organizations with a proposal that the Government would appoint a Supreme Court Judge in a one man Commission of inquiry to determine whether or not there was a temple before the Babri Masjid was built. And if the conclusion was that there was a temple, then Muslims must agree to give up the Masjid. If not, then the Hindus would vacate the masjid.

Surprisingly, while all the Muslim organisations agreed to my proposal, the fanatic Hindu organizations refused to agree. Our government did not last long enough for me to go ahead with the Commission of Inquiry anyway disregarding the fanatics. Nor could I persuade the successor Narasimha Rao Government to follow my proposal. It would have amicably resolved the issue. But alas, Babri Masjid was finally demolished in bitterness.

Perhaps Parmacharya was telling me not to get involved from the beginning because he foresaw that it would be demolished as a part of destiny. If Babar's violence was undone 450 years later, then RSS violence on December 6, 1992 could also be undone someday, but I hope, by understanding and love. Otherwise the cycle of violence will continue in the country, with the Hindus and Muslims not reconciled to each other.

In April 1990, I received an urgent summons from Parmacharya to come to Kanchipuram. So I rushed. When I saw him, he merely smiled, put up his palm in blessing and then waved me on to go away! I was puzzled. Why was I asked to rush to the Kanchi Mutt from Delhi, merely to be sent away? The Mutt pujaris told me that on Parmacharya's instructions the Mutt had decided that I was to share the dais with Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of Parmacharya's 97th birthday in May that year, to be celebrated in Kanchipuram. It turned out that no other politician except Rajiv and myself were to share the platform. It was a great honour, not only that I would be with Rajiv, but more that it was on Parmacharya's instructions. But why did he so honour me?

That May meeting turned out to be crucial for me, because it created a rapport with Rajiv which I did not have before. Rajiv too had great regard for the Parmacharya and therefore his selection of me to pair with Rajiv, meant for Rajiv that I could be trusted. From that date onwards, Rajiv trusted me blindly with no reservations.

Parmacharya thus not only altered my outlook, but he also ensured from time to time that I came on the right path. Once for example, in 1992, the two junior swamis, Jayendra Saraswati and Vijendra Saraswati had asked me to collect some funds for a Ghatikasthanam library that they wanted to build in honour of the Parmacharya. They even printed letter heads to make me the "Patron" of the project, but insisted on a donation.

With great difficulty, I collected Rs.15 lakhs and gave it to them as Janata Party's gift. When Parmacharya came to know about it, he sent me a query: "Why should you donate to the Mutt when you are yourself begging for funds from the people to run your party? Please do not do it in the future". Since then I have stopped giving donations to any cause. Beggars cannot donate.

Naturally, when Parmacharya attained samadhi in 1994, I felt like an orphan in public life. HE was always there when I had a dilemma to set things right. But I had the God's grace to see him, a living divinity, for 17 years. Many of his opinions and directions I can never reveal, because he said them knowing fully well that I will keep it to myself. But by guided and listening to him, I have become so strong mentally as a person, that I feel that no one can cow me down or demoralize me no matter how bad a situation I am in.

Parmacharya taught me that the easiest way to finish an enemy is to make him a friend. He had urged me not to hate the sin, but the sinner. Of course, sometimes the easiest way is not available because of ego clash, and so the sinner has to fought to be made to realize the sin. But one has to keep in mind that there is a God's scheme, redemption for the sinner what we call as prayaschitam. The ultimate revenge belongs to the divine. As human beings we have no right to revenge; only self-defence and righteous struggle. As Hindus, this is easy to understand because we believe in the law of Karma. People who see me fighting fiercely with Indira Gandhi, Chandrasekhar and Jayalalitha and then working with them get confused or even disgusted at what they perceive as my opportunism. I do not make up with those I quarrel with at height of their power, but when they cease to be in office. The reason for this flexibility in making friends out of enemies of yester year is the advice that Parmacharya once gave me in 1977: "India is plagued by divisions, and the egos of our rajas had played havoc with our national security, making it easy for foreigners to conquer us. Therefore, never hesitate to create unity, without of course compromising on the fundamental concepts of morality. India has never forgotten those who unite the nation." I have defined three such fundamental moral principles.

These three fundamental concepts of morality are

I shall not speak lie, even if I withhold truth.

I shall practice what I shall preach.

What I do will be transparent for all to see. I consider myself therefore free to plan my political strategy as I see best, without regard to criticism from my political opponents, but within these three moral limits.

The Spiritual significance of celebrating navaratri

2011-10-03T00:46:00.000-07:00

The Spiritual significance of celebrating navaratri
By T.Madhavan
Navaratri is one of the important festivals being celebrated across the world by people from various sects of hindu religion. The word ‘ratri ‘implies change.
One of the names of the female deity (Devi) is kaalaratri. Kaalaratri is the one who brings about change in the absolute being of time (kaalpurush).
Rotation is the inherent nature of earth. Changes such as day and night occur on account of the rotation of earth. To be able to withstand such changes effectively, religious observances such as navaratri are undertaken.
Significance
Throughout these nine days, various spiritual practices such as recitation of holy verses in praise of the Goddess, continuous burning of ghee or oil lamp, garlanding of the goddesses, etc, are performed.
Rituals and penance that help in spiritual progress are also undertaken with ardent devotion. During navaratri, one should chant ‘sree Durgadevi Namah’ as much as possible.
According to orator nagai mukundhan, the Tamil calendar year has been divided into six ‘rudhus’and the ‘navaratri’is being celebrated throughout the year.
According to hinduism, the special worship of goddess shankti is done twice a year in the following seasons:Vasantha navaratri (worship during spring )and sharath navaratri (worship during autumn). The scientific reason for this is that during the twilight periods, when one season ends and the next begins, the position of plants and atmosphere are both very conducive for the spiritual progress of human brings.
If one could not do ‘navaratri’ poojas in a grand manner at least they can chant Lalitha sahas ranama, sakalakalavalli Maalai, Abhirami Andhathi or Meenakshi Ammai pillai Thamizh during the nine days to derive the benefits of performing a puja.
Those well-versed in music could recite Muthuswami Dikshithar’s Navavaranam kritis to get the blessings of the goddess. Orator S.Madhivannan puts the significance of Navaratri thus: The nine days /nights of Navaratri are divided into three days each and dedicated to goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi respectively, goddess Durga offers ‘Veeram’ (valour/courage), while goddess Lakshmi offers ‘selvam’(wealth/treasure)and goddess saraswathi offers Knowledge through education.
Persons with enough wealth and Knowledge could not survive in this worlds without courage.
Hence, our ancestors placed shakti worship for the first three days of Navaratri .
In Hinduism, wherever we worship a god, we need the divine blessings of mother goddess to get rid of our sins.
For example, while Lord Narayana the saves us with his divine blessings, Goddess Mahalakshmi gives wealth, to protect us. Lord Siva, often tests his devotees, whereas goddess parvathi saves us with her motherly affection.
Worshipping the goddesses during the Navaratri is sure to bring in happiness in the family and it also paves the way for societal harmony.

Parsuit Of Excellence

2011-09-29T04:35:00.000-07:00

The statements of the Upanishads were pronounced millions of years ago; but these statements are relevant even today. Yet there is a perennial doubt about knowing one's Self (Atma) or the Supreme Brahman because scriptures state that it has no qualities or attributes, and that it cannot be known by the sense organs; moreover, it is also stated that it is not an object to be known. So one may ask whether such a quest to know the Self is worth all the effort.

Lord Krishna allays these doubts in the Bhagavad Gita, asserting that this knowledge can be gained by approaching a Guru who is knowledgeable in the scriptures and is a knower of the Truth (Tatva Darshina). The Bhagavad Gita may be a political and administrative gospel where Krishna represents the country's culture and thought process in its climax, while it unfolds the ideal of excellence that every individual would aspire for, pointed out Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha in a lecture.

This excellence is made possible only with the individual's will power and strength. Purity of mind is important for excellence in performance.

Every individual is a psycho-physical complex being where the two aspects are seamlessly melded. Speaking, walking, or sleeping involve the coordination of the physical and the mental powers. But it is the subtle Self (Atma) pervading the entire individual's personality that is responsible for activating these physical and mental faculties.

The crucial message is that the mind is the crux of one's personality and it can be moulded. It is the inner instrument that can look and assimilate the external world on the one hand and also help us to look inwards to realise our inner Self. All the excellences based on thoughts and feelings pertain to the mind. It is capable of building the inner personality and giving the impetus for excellence.

God's power of Sankalpa is tremendous. While this manifested universe of matter and energy depends on God, He remains a supra-material presence and is the essence of consciousness, bliss and eternal existence. This same consciousness is also within us.

An Avatar to cherish

2011-09-18T05:15:00.001-07:00

Trying to grapple with the sacred and secular thought in the Vedas is as formidable as navigating one's way through a thickly wooded forest. Maybe that is why people tend to give up hopes of accessing the inner import of these scriptures. But Azhwars and devout poets such as Jayadeva and Leelasuka claim that the essence of these scriptures is easily available to those who empathise with the lives of the Gopis and meditate on the greatness of the Krishna Avatar. Here was the Supreme Lord who made Himself accessible to people and even allowed Himself to be tied to a grinding stone. Granting salvation is His sole privilege, and it is up to us to seek this highest goal from Him through love and devotion to Him, said Sri L. Sampathkumar in a lecture.

The Vedas are compared to a Kalpaka tree because the knowledge contained in them is comprehensive — from the mundane to the sublime, from the material to the spiritual. The essence of Vedic knowledge is contained in the Bhagavata Purana and hence it is the ripened fruit of the tree of the Vedas. This text deals exhaustively with the life of Krishna. The Supreme Being promised Brahma and other celestials that He would eventually be born to reduce the burden that Bhu Devi was finding difficult to bear.

When the newly married Devaki and Vasudeva were driven in a chariot by Kamsa, a celestial voice predicted Kamsa's fall at the hands of the eighth child of Devaki. The Lord sought Yogamaya's help to plan the birth of Balarama (an incarnation of Adisesha) in the womb of Rohini (wife of Vasudeva); and ensured His own safety after birth by requesting her to be born as Yasodha's daughter at the same time when He would be born.

The Lord was born as the most attractive child and immediately gave orders to Vasudeva to exchange the newborns. Kamsa was surprised to see a girl baby, but he tried to kill her too. She escaped his clutches and warned him once again that his killer was safe and would seek him at the appropriate time.

The childhood of Krishna is full of dangers to His life; and the child had to protect Himself from Kamsa's emissaries.

Ganapathy Everywhere

2011-09-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

OM GAM GANAPATHYE NAMAH

See Enlarged Picture By Clicking On The Picture

Perception of a Jnani

2011-08-21T23:13:00.000-07:00

SriMani Dravid Sastrigal

Courtesy The Hindu

A sure clue to one's spiritual quotient is present in the answer to the question “Who am I.” If one is conscious of his position as a man, in the context of his birth, status, society, education, etc., it is indicative of bondage. A Jnani always perceives the Atma Swaroopam and the concept of the involvement with the material world does not occupy any space in his consciousness. To detach oneself from bondage, we have to understand this truth and be able to see the Jnani's viewpoint regarding one's true identity, pointed out Sri Mani Dravid Sastrigal in a lecture.

The Upanishads describe the omnipresence of the Supreme Brahman by stating that He is smaller than the smallest atom, and bigger than the biggest ever presence. The Isavasya emphasises that God is accessible to those who realise His presence in everything and everywhere — from the mundane to the profound.

But it is difficult for the Jivatma, who is caught in the cycle of birth, to be aware of this truth always, though sometimes it is realised in flashes (for brief spells) in one's consciousness. The involvement with the daily activities in the material world keeps us immersed in joy and sorrow. These worldly experiences delude and obstruct us from realising the essential truth of God. It is similar to our inevitable reactions, when in darkness, a rope is misconstrued to be a serpent. We are relieved only when the light reveals the absence of the serpent.

When in sorrow we do think of God and seek His grace for alleviation of sorrow. Kunti prayed for difficulties to enable her to think of God at all times.

God is both far and near says the Upanishad. He is far to those who are preoccupied with the material world and near to those who are always established in His presence. A Jnani seeks God for His sake and revels in His sheer glory at all times. He perceives only Him as the ever present reality and remains detached to the happenings of the world.

Our lifetime becomes fruitful if we strive to seek Him — using the opportunities before us. The ability to learn to comprehend the views of realised sages is a faculty available only to human beings.

A family tradition

2011-08-10T23:42:00.000-07:00

By Padma Ramachandran

Varalakshmi pooja, which falls tomorrow, is observed with rituals, music, and a delicious spread of eats,Varalakshmi pooja falls on Friday, August 12. Hindus believe that Goddess Lakshmi comes visiting on that day. The pooja is generally on the last Friday in the Tamil month of Aadi or Shravan.

Many married women fast on that day and in many a home, it is a tradition that is handed down from mother-in-law to daughter-in law.
Many married women in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka observe this ritual. Several eats are made, the chief among them being ‘kozhakattai'(also known as ‘modakam'), which has a rice flour coating, and a variety of fillings such as jaggery and coconut, jaggery and ground chana dal, powdered gingelly and gud, or steamed urad dal and coconut – a savoury filling. Athirasam, idli, vada and payasams are also made. The goddess is offered a variety of fruits and flowers.
Decorating the courtyard
Early in the morning, the courtyard of the house is decorated with kolam and a kalasam containing rice, betelnut and leaves, a couple of lemons, and coins (usually one preserves the same coins year after year).The kalasam is decorated with haldi-kumkum, a coconut and mango leaves.
A ‘face' in silver (representing the Goddess) is affixed to this. This symbol of Goddess Lakshmi is brought into the house along with a lamp, to the accompaniment of a song – ‘Lakshmi, rave ma intiki….shri rabdiputri varalakshmi, rave ma intiki, bhagyalakshmi, rave ma intiki' – a Telugu invocation inviting the goddess inside the home. The kalasam is placed (on a banana leaf which has rice spread on it) in a makeshift ‘mantapam.'
The pooja involves the chanting of ‘Lakshmi ashtothram' and shlokas in praise of Lord Ganesh. After the poojas are done, a yellow thread is tied on the woman's hand by her husband or other women.
The evening is joyous with music and women visiting the house for haldi-kumkum.
Next day a small pooja called punar poojai is done to bring the rituals to a close. But you have to wait till Sunday morning to lift the Goddess with the kalasam and place her in a rice bin, to be kept safe for next year's Varalakshmi pooja.

The Idol and the Stepping Stone

2011-08-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Once, in a Hindu temple, when the priest had gone for a lunch, the Stepping Stone of the temple had a conversation with the idol. The Stepping Stone told the Idol: What a good fortune you have? We both were the same lump of rock for millions of years. Now, The sculptor had carved an idol out of you and everyone is worshipping you. And look at me, I am just a stepping stone and every one stamps and stands on me. I am suffering here but you are enjoying all the time. What kind of life is this?

The Idol kept smiling, didn't bother to answer this question, but the stepping stone just couldn't keep quiet. Then the Idol slowly remarked: “Do you remember when the sculptor set out to carve an idol, he chose you first. But then, you were so impatient. You couldn't tolerate the strikes of the hammer and within a few strikes, you broke into two. On the other hand, when he tried on me, I grinned, I smiled, I beamed with joy and bore all the hammers and chisel strikes with patience and persistence. Here I am the worshipful and the happy”

Guidelines for Spiritual Practice

2011-08-09T23:47:00.000-07:00

Spiritual practices should not be done in public or for show. If you do them before others, that will be harmful to you. People will pass comments and make fun of you and offer you unsolicited advice and conflicting suggestions, as a result of which various doubts will arise in your mind and your spiritual progress will be obstructed. The ideal sadhaka behaves thus – he goes to bed at night with the mosquito curtain drawn down. Everybody thinks that he is sleeping, but as a matter of fact, he spends the whole night in Japa and medication, lying quietly on his bed.
While you are young, you must try hard to get a taste of divine bliss. When once you have got this taste of divine bliss. When once you have got this taste, you can never forsake your Sadhana. Even at the risk of your life, you will continue your spiritual practices. Those who are troubled with too much sleep in the night will do well to sleep during the day, with a view to devote the night to meditation. The best time for meditation is dawn, dusk and midnight. Too often people waste these valuable periods in useless ways.
Sri Ramakrishna never spent the night in sleep, nor would he allow the young devotees who stayed with him to sleep at night. When others had gone to bed, he would wake up his disciples saying,' Why are you sleeping? Have you come here to sleep?' He would give them definite instructions and send them to the Panchavati, or the Mother's temple, or the Siva temples for meditation. They would spend the whole night in Sadhana as directed, and take rest during the day. It was in this way that Sri Ramakrishna used to take them through various spiritual exercises. Often he used to say,' Three classes of people keep awake in the night – Yogis, Bhogis and Rogis. You are all yogis. You should by no means sleep away the night'.
Source: Eternal Companion - Life and Teachings of Swami Brahmananda

Skanda Vale Temple Wales England

2011-08-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

Skanda Vale is a multi-faith ashram (or monastery) near Carmarthen in Wales. It was founded on pure Sanathana Dharma; the Timeless Consciousness of God, as taught by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. We believe that all religions stem from, and merge into the one Reality; God is One, though His forms are many.

The ashram was established here in Wales in 1973, though our roots can be traced back to Sri Lanka, for that is where our founder, Guru Sri Subramanium was born. You can find out more about the history of Skanda Vale here.

We have three temples; the Murugan Temple, the Maha Shakti Temple and the Sri Ranganatha Temple, and hold six pujas every single day of the year. Skanda Vale is the name of our organisation, whilst the people that live here are known collectively as the Community of the Many Names of God.

Nobody at Skanda Vale is paid. All Community members live here full time, and are entirely dependent on the Grace of God for all their daily needs. Skanda Vale is funded solely through voluntary, anonymous donations. We do not charge anyone for food, accommodation or services, and everything is offered completely free of charge. The Community is very self-sufficient, and completely independent from any religious or commercial organisations.

The vast majority of Community members live as ‘sannyasa’ – unmarried renunciants who have dedicated their lives to loving, serving and experiencing God through karma yoga and bhakti yoga. We take the Franciscan monastic vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Senior monks are known as Swamis – they lead the higher forms of worship in the temples and take a more exacting form of vow.

Our work is of a routine and generally simple nature; cooking, cleaning and caring for an annual congregation of 90,000 pilgrims. An important area of our work is animal care. We have a large number of different animals, including Valli the Temple elephant, a herd of cows, buffalo, deer, goats, plus many birds, rabbits and dogs – many of whom have been rescued from slaughter or neglect.

One of our main areas of work is Skanda Vale Hospice, where we offer a high standard of personal care for people with life-threatening illnesses, completely free of charge. The Hospice is staffed entirely by volunteers, mostly from the Skanda Vale sisterhood.

Skanda Vale has been built with and is sustained only through the Community’s trust in, and love for God. We are here to help people of all faiths experience God – not just believe, but come to discover for themselves the freedom, peace and joy of living in the consciousness of the Divine.

A victim of vices

2011-08-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

By Jaya Srinivasan

The human mind falls an easy prey to the pulls of vices such as jealousy or anger that bring down a person's moral worth in no time. When Manthara, the hunchbacked nursemaid of Kaikeyi, tempted her with the attractive prospect of her becoming the queen mother only if Bharata ascended the throne, Kaikeyi's spontaneous response reflects her basic noble nature.Such an idea had never crossed her mind at any point of time prior to Manthara raising the issue.

In fact, Kaikeyi was delighted about the coronation preparations that were in the offing for Rama. We see in Kaikeyi not only a mother's innocent and unalloyed love for her son, but also a remarkable perception of truth in her assessment of Rama. She confesses that she considers Rama as her own son. Rama is as dear as Bharata, if not even more. She finds great pride in the way Rama serves her — on a par with the way He serves Kausalya.

Rama's penchant for Truth is unparalleled. As the eldest son of Dasaratha is He not the rightful heir? If Rama has the kingdom, then it is equal to Bharata having it as well.

Kaikeyi chides Manthara for her jealous feelings. How can anyone be disappointed when the entire city rejoices at the joyful tidings of Rama's coronation? Manthara highlights the danger for Kaikeyi, if Rama ascends the throne. It would make Kausalya the queen mother and Kaikeyi would lose her edge and must be content to toe the lower rungs in the palace.

Kaikeyi begins to believe Manthara's viewpoint and in a short while, she begins to see eye to eye with her. Her earlier goodness disappears and her only intent now is to send Rama to the forest and win the kingdom for Bharata.

The motive for Manthara's grouse against Rama finds mention in the Azhwar's hymns and in Kamban's. There is a reference to Rama's childhood when He used to shoot mud-balls from his bow and at times He would aim it on the hunchbacked maid. Other sources imply that both Kaikeyi and Manthara were divine agents sent to accelerate the annihilation of Ravana.

Riding On A Calm Wave With Spirituality

2011-07-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

By Shailaja Kumar

From sleek leather bags we've seen a shift to jholas. From funky pumps we've seen those feet slip into kolhapuris. From leadership schools we're seeing a jump towards spirituality. Is it just another way of looking cool or is it a practice here to stay? We have seen the young drifting towards seemingly western ways of living but a growing number of youngsters are coming back to their own roots. Sailaja Kumar, an Isha volunteer, mentions that young people are involved in spiritual and meditation programmes more because of stress revival than spiritual revival. But the biggest reason to turn to spirituality is that the younger generation is getting tired of material things very early. She adds that many young students are attracted to these programmes because of the volunteering involved. “They want to give others the experience that they are having,” she adds. True, when Macbooks, fancy cameras and iPads are available to the young, enlightenment is the only thing left to achieve! Anupama Ralegaonkar, a student, says, “I came into this spiritual exercise as a way to achieve an alternative perspective on life. Peer pressure and competition messed me up in the head; this has given me a new lease on my life.” Anupama is a 22-year-old on her way to becoming a chartered accountant. Ramnarayan, 25, says that all he wanted to do was to make his own decisions in life and that being spiritually alive is only helping him. The Art of Living sessions he has been attending brought him clarity and sense, he says.

Deepa Prem, marketing professional, says, “I was a party person but I always felt that there was something missing and that there was much more to life than just eating, sleeping, studying, partying, job, marriage. The way I experience life has changed, now I am full of love, joy, peace and completely at ease with everything.”

Satyapal G., a member of Vipassana, said that many youngsters participate in the meditation programmes. “It's primarily because of the simplicity of our technique, which focuses on washing out the suffering from one's life and helps in coping with difficulties,” he adds. Akshita Sahgal, a 21-year-old interior designer, got into a spiritual programme to cope with her frustration and suffering. “My mother left me for over five years and I had trouble coping with it. I could never confront her about it. But connecting with my spiritual side has really helped channelise that frustration into doing something good and it helped me open up to my emotions.” Indu K.B.'s tryst with spirituality isn't new—she hails from a spiritually active family—but her experience of spirituality is different. She says, “From being completely pampered by my family, when I moved to another town, I was left completely alone. It was a lonely time for me. While I wasn't depressed, I just felt like I had too many things to deal with. That's when I really began to take spirituality seriously.” The younger generation also sees this as a positive way of getting over a bad break-up. Vineetha K., a 22-year-old, confesses that after her break-up with her boyfriend, she couldn't focus and found that spiritual awakening brought a much needed discipline back to her life. Whether it is a passing trend or a lasting change, the current generation is opening up to the concepts of spirituality and self-help.

Seek His help

2011-07-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

By Swami Gautamananda

The percentage of spiritual quotient in a person's life time depends on how much time he devotes to God and thoughts of God. Naturally, for one who gets involved in worldly activities in all earnestness, this allotment of time to God may not be much. Sri Ramakrishna advised his disciples to sincerely seek God's help before delving into this quest because only He can guide them to this spiritual realisation.

A mother who is in the advanced stage of pregnancy will find a reduction in her daily chores; and after child birth, her time is totally devoted to looking after the baby. A sincere seeker of God finds himself in a similar situation. When the yearning is strong, by God's grace, worldly responsibilities that seemed to consume one's time would somehow get decreased and the individual would get time for total involvement with God.

That is why great sages and realised souls seek true Bhakti from God. Even the devout Narada sought this favour alone from God. The state of Bhakti ensures that one remains in close union with God in one's thoughts. Those who have attained realisation do not get attracted to worldly objects. Their state of mind is called Samadhi. Some of these realised souls are chosen by God to lead mankind through the spiritual path. Sri Ramakrishna's close disciples knew the times when he had direct vision of God and would be in a state of trance; and through this preceptor's guidance were motivated to seek God.

If one does not catch a glimpse of God's presence, one remains under a delusion that one is acting speaking and thinking, etc. We tend to think that we are able to differentiate between good and bad, right and wrong. One is not aware of the inner Self that remains a witness to the behaviour of the individual and thinks that this body, mind complex is an independent entity with all these faculties.

It is God's Maya that casts a spell on us and prevents us from grasping the true Jnana.

It is through God's grace that one can transcend this Maya. Great devotees like Bhishma and Kunti, understood the power of Lord's Maya and seek His help to save them from its distracting influence.

Principles Of Spirituality

2011-06-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

First Principle: Whoever you encounter is the right one.
This means that no one comes into our life by chance.
Everyone who is around us, anyone with whom we interact, represents something, whether to teach us something or to help us improve a current situation.

Second Principle: Whatever happened is the only thing that could have happened.
Nothing, absolutely nothing of that which we experienced could have been any other way.
Not even in the least important detail. There is no “If only I had done that differently….., then it would have been different….”.
No. What happened is the only thing that could have taken place and must have taken place, for us to learn our lesson in order to move forward.
Every single situation in life which we encounter is absolutely perfect, even when it defies our understanding and our ego.

Third Principle: Each moment in which something begins is the right moment.
Everything begins at exactly the right moment, neither earlier nor later.
When we are ready for it, for that something new in our life, it is there, ready to begin.

Fourth Principle: What is over, is over.
It is that simple.
When something in our life ends, it helps our evolution.
That is why, enriched by the recent experience, it is better to let go and move
__._,_.___

Wise Use Of Wealth.

2011-06-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

By Prema Pandurangan
There is a deep-seated desire for wealth in every individual and sastras accept wealth as a legitimate aspiration. It is included in the four main goals of life (Purusharthas) — righteousness (Dharma), wealth (Artha), desire (Kama) and liberation (Moksha). Scriptures teach us to evaluate wealth in philosophical and secular terms.
Though renunciation is the ideal to be practised in one's lifetime for the attainment of salvation, wealth is shown as necessary for worldly upkeep. Scriptures teach us that wealth has to be earned by rightful means and warn us of its dangers. An excess of wealth can make one inebriate, become a constant worry and, if put to wrong uses, can destroy one's peace of mind.

When Bali began an Asvamedha Yaga to gain mastery over the worlds, the Lord incarnated as Vamana and approached Him for alms. Bali was impressed by the handsome youth and was willing to give him whatever he wanted. The boy wanted only that much of land he could cover with three paces. Sukracharya warned Bali not to give all in haste. His insightful advice at this juncture is practical and teaches us how to use wealth in a wise manner. Charity should not endanger one's life and livelihood.

Wealth has to be used for the practice of one's religion. A part of our earnings has to be set aside for selfless acts that will bring us fame even after we die — such as protection of the scriptures, cows, etc. Acts of charity for the purpose of people's welfare, for the family and for the needy are also encouraged. This paves the way for the growth of a welfare society. There are long-term benefits as well for those who engage in such deeds — for their generous acts take care of their well-being in this world and hereafter. Such is the power of righteous deeds.

But Bali had already committed himself to the youth and found himself shorn of the immense wealth that had been his just a minute ago. He had to offer his head in all humility to fulfil his promise. This shows that wealth is slippery especially when one lacks humility.

Aarti On Shridi Sai Baba

2011-06-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

Click on the image above to see the Aarti

The Seven Day Parayan has been posted once again,you may copy the same in a word document and take a print out of the same and make booklet so that you can read the same daily.
May the readers and devotees get complete and whole hearted devotion to Sai's Feet.May His form be ever fixed in their eyes and may they see Sai (The Lord)in all beings.Amen!

Sai Sat Charita Parayan Wednesday

2011-06-17T07:23:00.000-07:00

Om Sri Sai Ram
Wednesday’s Parayan
Maha Yogis and Saints hold each other in high esteem and bear brotherly love and affection for one another. Vasudevanand Saraswati, the saint of the Datta Dynasty, was living in Rajamandhury in Andhra Pradesh, and one of his devotees expressed a desire to go to Shirdi. Saint Vasudevanand gave a coconut to his devotee, Pundalikar Rao, and requested him to give the coconut to his “brother Shri Sai Baba” and to convey his pranams. Vasudevanand Saraswati held Sri Sai Baba in high regard. On the way to Shirdi Pundalikar Rao unthinkingly broke the coconut and consumed the same. Later when he realized his mistake Pundalikar Rao was very upset. When he reached Shirdi and went for Baba’s darshan, Baba asked for the coconut. Pundalikar Rao profusely apologized to Baba for his mistake and wished to offer Baba another coconut. Baba told him that no coconut could be a substitute for the coconut sent with love by his brother, Saint Vasudevanand. Kind hearted Baba however forgave Pundalikar Rao.
Shri Sapatnekar, a lawyer, was extremely heartbroken on losing his only son. Then one day he remembered that his friend had mentioned how Sri Sai Baba helped devotees overcome their troubles and sufferings. He decided to visit Shirdi with his wife. When Baba saw Sapatnekar he became very angry and began to shout saying that Sapatnekar holds him responsible for his son’s death but he was wrong. After a while Baba calmed down and said that whoever steps into the masjid will be free of sorrow and suffering and he would take care of them. He asked Sapatnekar and his wife to have faith and that they would be blessed with a child again. Within another year the Sapatenkars were blessed with a baby boy. Sapatnekar and his wife were blessed by Baba.
Once Baba narrated a story about a frog and a snake. The moral of the story was that sins committed in the past birth have to be paid for in this birth. It is therefore important that we tread on the path of good deeds and thoughts.
Once the great bhakta, Shama wanted to go to Gwalior, Kasi Prayag and Gaya, to which Baba said that he would reach Gaya before Shama. When Shama reached Gaya after visiting Gwalior and Kasi Prayag, he found a big picture of Baba hung on one of the walls of the temple priest’s house. Shama remembered the remark by Baba that he will be there in Gaya before him. When Shama enquired about the picture, the priest told him that it was he who had given him the picture about 12 years ago when they met at Shirdi. Shama could remember the episode and felt very happy.
Kaka Sahib Dikshit was asked to read the Eknath Srimad Bhagwath and Bhavarth Ramayana daily by Sri Sai Baba. Kaka Sahib continued this practice even after Baba attained Samadhi and one day when he was reading the section where it was mentioned that a devotee was once very anxious to receive the blessings of his Guru, he was reminded of his own anxiety. Shama, Baba’s devout disciple, consoled Kaka Sahib saying there was no need to worry since Kaka Sahib had reached the very high pedestal of the Sadhguru. Shama narrated the vision that Anand Rao, one of Baba’s devotees once had. Anand Rao Patil had a vision in which he saw Baba sitting on a throne studded with diamonds in the middle of the sea. Then Shama who was also there asked Anand Rao to touch the feet of Baba. Anand Rao wondered how he could touch Baba’s feet as they were underwater. Shama asked Baba to lift his feet and Baba obliged immediately. Anand Rao clutched Baba’s feet and placed his head on them, thus receiving Baba’s blessings. On hearing the tale Kaka Sahib felt relieved and realized that if one desires for and makes the effort to receive the Guru’s blessings he would never be disappointed.
Baba would say, “he who insults others hurts me most, and he who treats others with kindness is always near me. He who loves me and sees me always is nearer to God. He who always chants the name of God to him I am indebted and will help him attain salvation and thereby repay my debt. He who comes to my durbar and offers me food I will never forget. He who always with a pure heart seeks salvation I will make his life full of bliss. One need not go to distant places in search of me for I am everywhere. He who sees with true love and compassion every creature in this world will find me there in them. You will find me inanimate and animate things,” Baba would tell his devotees.
Once Baba narrated an incident involving him and his friends. Baba and three of his friends were once wandering in the jungle in search of God when a man appeared from nowhere and asked what they were searching for. He said that it would be very difficult to find one’s way through the jungle and if they wished he would guide them and it may not be very difficult for them to achieve their mission. None of the four members was willing to believe the stranger and started to walk away from him. After a while they found themselves back at the same spot and found that the stranger was still there. This time the man offered them some food. Baba’s friends did not accept the food and started on their search again. Baba stayed back and ate the food offered by the stranger. Baba told him about their mission to find God. On hearing this, the stranger took Baba to a nearby well and hung him upside down from the frame of the well and left him there in that position for a few hours. He returned after a while and freed Baba. All the while that Baba hung upside down in the well he was not able to touch the water in the well even though he was so near to it. When Baba came out of the well, the stranger asked Baba how he felt to which Baba said he could not describe the experience in words but it was complete bliss. Through this story, Baba wanted to convey that we should never ignore anybody who offers something with love and that food is parabrahama. Even when we are equipped with route maps and directions many of us are unable to get to the destination. Similarly, in order to reach God we should have a Guru who will take us through the difficult path and help us reach our destination.
The author of Shri Sai Sat Charita, Hemandpant said that Sai Baba used to help his devotees in every aspect of their lives and Baba wanted them to love all the creations of God and always remember God. He who reads and assimilates the lessons contained in the Sai Sat Charita will receive the blessings of Baba.
Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Baba, my prostration to you at your feet. With your blessings I could complete the Parayan for Wednesday. Please bless me with good health, peace and prosperity. Bless me that I remember you always and receive the Prasad of your blessings everyday.
Om Sadhguru Sainathay Namah.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Sai Sat Charita Parayan Tuesday

2011-06-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

Om Sri Sai Ram
Tuesday’s Parayan
B V Dev, Thasildar of Dahnu, was a great devotee of Baba. Once his mother had observed a fast and on the concluding day wanted to feed some people. B V Dev sent an invitation to Sri Sai Baba on his mother’s behalf, to which Baba replied that he would come for the feast with two of his disciples. On the day of the feast BV Dev and his family waited for Baba and while they were anxiously waiting a Sanyasi with two of his disciples arrived and sought permission to take part in the feast. Mr Dev warmly welcomed them into house and served them food. After the guests left, partaking of the delicious food prepared by B V Dev’s family, B V Dev wrote a letter to Bapu Sahib Jog at Shirdi saying Baba did not keep his promise and never came for the feast with his disciples. Bapu Saheb Jog conveyed B V Dev’s message to Baba to which Baba replied that he did visit B V Dev’s home with two of his disciples but Dev did not recognize them. On hearing this from Bapu Sahib Jog realized it was Baba who had visited his house in the garb of a Sanyasi. B V Dev regretted not having recognized Baba.
Once Hemandpant had a dream that Baba was coming to his house to partake in a feast. It was the day of Holi and there were guests for lunch at Hemandpant’s house. As the guests sat down for lunch, Hemandpant and his wife reserved a place for Baba in expectation of his visit. The guests were being served lunch when there was a knock on the door. At the door were Muhammed and Moulana and they were carrying a picture of Baba which they gave to Hemandpant. Hemandpant’s joy knew no bounds and he joyfully took the picture and placed it where he and his wife had reserved a place for Baba. Hemandpant and his wife offered a plate with all the delicacies prepared for the feast to the picture of Baba. Thus Baba kept his promise of coming to Hemandpant’s house for lunch made in a dream.
Every day Sai Baba would visit about three or four few houses in Shirdi asking for food. He would collect all the food in a tin, would eat a little and give all of the rest to people in need of food. Whenever he felt like doing Anna daan he would go to the market and buy some rice and spices. He would then cook the rice and spices in a big vessel on a open hearth and would feed the poor with his own hands.
Once Nana Saheb Chandorkar was reciting a verse from the Bhagwad Gita while he was washing Baba’s feet when Baba asked for an explanation of the shloka. Nana Saheb was unable to properly explain the meaning of the Shloka so Baba explained the shloka. The devotees and Nana Saheb who heard Baba’s explanation were surprised to learn about Baba’s knowledge of Sanskrit.
Once a millionaire devotee of Shri Sai Baba, Sriman Bapu Saheb Buti, and Shama had a vision in which Baba appeared and asked them to build a temple. Soon Shri Buti with the blessings of Sai Baba started building a temple. While the construction was underway Sriman Buti wanted to install an idol of Murlidhar, to which Baba consented. Before the idol could be installed Baba left his mortal coil and his devotees built his Samadhi where the idol of Muralidhar was to be installed.
One day in 1916 Baba was very agitated and he declared that it was the day for Simhalogan. It was a while before he calmed down. In 1918, Ramachandra Patil, a devotee of Baba became very ill, Baba went to him and assured him that his death warrant was taken away and he will soon become all right. Baba, however, was concerned about the health of Tatya Patil and feared that he would soon leave the world. Baba thereafter informed some of his devotees in strict confidence that he will pass away on Vijaya Dasami day. The two devotees who knew this were Ramchandra Patil and Bala Shilpi. As prophesied by Baba, Ramachandra Patil became all right. In 1918 Baba had fever for three days (from 28th September) and he asked Shri Vajey to read the Ram Vijayi grantha for some days.
One day the boy who cleaned the area where Baba used to sit dropped the brick which Baba had been using for several years during his meditation. When the brick broke Baba remarked that something that was dear to him had parted and it was now impossible for him to live. Three days before Vijaya Dasami Baba stopped going out for alms and at the same Tatya became seriously ill. Seeing this both Patil and Shilpi feared that the death of Tatya was nearing. However on Vijaya Dasami day Tatya became all right and Baba left his mortal coil at 2.30pm on 15th October 1918. The mortal remains of Baba was interred in the temple which was built for Muralidhar, thus Baba became Muralidhar. Tatya completely recovered and all devotees realized that Baba had given up his life to keep Tatya Patil alive.
A day after Baba’s passing away, it was a Wednesday, Baba appeared in the dream of Lakshman Mama Joshi and instructed him to do the puja and arati as was normally done. Baba also appeared in the dream of Das Ganu and asked him to come to the masjid and decorate the place with flowers. Both Joshi and Das Ganu followed the instructions of Baba and did the pooja and arati as per the usual schedule.
In 1886, 32 years before Baba’s Samadhi, on Marrishi poornima day, Baba called Mahasalpati and told him that he would leave this world for three days and that Mahasalpati should preserve his body for the next three days and after the third day, if he did not come back, he should be buried opposite the masjid. He requested that a Samadhi be constructed and two flags be hoisted there. As he was saying this Baba left his mortal coil and put his head on Mahasalpati’s lap. As advised by Baba, Mahasalpati looked after the Body for three days without sleep and food and on the third day Baba woke up from his unconscious state to life as if he were waking up from deep sleep. This proved that Sai Baba was an immortal soul.
Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Dear Baba, my prostration to you at your feet. With your blessings I could complete the Parayan for Tuesday. Please bless me and the people around me with good health and prosperity. Bless me with the Prasad of your daily remembrance.
Om Satguru Sainathay Namah.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Sai Sat Charita Parayan Monday

2011-06-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

Om Sri Sai Ram
Monday’s Parayan
There lived a devotee by name Ram Gir Bua, whom Baba used to address as Bapugir with affection. One day Bapu Gir wanted to go to his village. When he went to seek Baba’s permission, Baba gave him a piece of paper on which there was an arati written and packet of Udi (sacred ash) and asked him to first go to Jamnagar and hand over the arati and the udi to one Nana Saheb Chandorkar. Ram Gir Bua told Baba that he had just enough money to go upto Jalgaon, to which Baba assured him that arrangements will be made for him to go to Jamnagar from Jalgaon. When Ramgir Bua got down at Jalgaon a man on a horse cart came asking for Ramgir Bua and informed Bapugir that he has been sent by Nana Saheb. The man took Bapugir on the tonga to Jamnagar. On reaching the entry point of Jamnagar, Bapugir got down to attend nature’s call and when he returned he found that neither the tonga nor the cart man was there. Bapugir went to the local court and got Nana Saheb’s address and went to his house to deliver the Udi and the arati. At that time Nana Saheb’s daughter was in labour and she was in a serious condition. On receiving the udi and the arati from Bapugir, Nana Sahib immediately called his wife and asked asked her to mix the udi with water and give it to their daughter, Naina tai. After giving the udi mixed with water, all of them recited the arati. To everyone’s relief the delivery of the baby was smooth and thus Naina tai came out of the difficult situation.
Bapugir thanked Nana Saheb for sending the tonga to the station, to which Nana Saheb replied that he did not send anybody or any tonga to the station. Both Bapugir and Nana Saheb recognized this as Baba’s leela.
One devotee by name Bala Bua Sutar saw a picture of Baba at his friend’s place and prostrated before the picture. After some years when he went in person to see Sai Baba, Baba told the devotees present there that he had known Bala Bua for the last four years. Bala Bua remembered that it was fours ago when he had seen Baba’s picture at his friend’s place and had bowed before it. Through this episode Baba conveyed that seeing his picture is like seeing him in person.
A devotee who had undergone surgery but was not relieved of his suffering was brought to the masjid and the parents of the devotee were very worried. Baba took pity on them and told them that he who enters the Dawrakamai will be cured. He said the masjid is Dwarkamai who gives happiness and health to all who come there. The Dwarkamai is very considerate and compassionate, Baba said. He asked the parents to apply Udi on the wound and it healed within some time.
A great devotee of Baba, Sriman Pillay, suffered from ulcer on one of his feet and he told Baba that he is prepared to take ten more births if he were freed of the terrible pain in this birth. To which Baba told him not to worry and said that he will be cured of his malady within ten days as a crow would come and peck his ulcerated foot. While Baba was telling this, Abdulla who was cleaning the masjid, unknowingly stepped on Sriman Pillay’s injured foot, no sooner he did that seven guinea worms came out of the wound and Pillay started crying in pain. Soon he felt the pain gone from his foot and he became calm. Baba asked him to use Udi on his wound and within ten days Sriman Pillay found himself cured. Baba had lovingly referred to Abdullah as the crow who would peck at Sriman Pilay’s feet.
One person from Bandra was having visions of his dead father whenever he went to sleep and his father used to scold him. This devotee was given Udi by Baba and was asked to keep the same under his pillow. This person was soon cured of visions that troubled him in sleep.
Balaji Patil used to come to Shirdi after every harvest and used to offer all the produce to Baba. He would carry back whatever was returned to him and he used to feed his family with that. He used to sweep the street through which Baba walked. One day there was a Bhagwat discourse in his house and he invited many people. It was found that there were three times more the number of people than invited and Balaji Patil’s family was worried that the food prepared may not be enough to feed all the guests. Balaji’s mother asked his wife put some Udi in all the eatables before distribution and to keep the vessels covered with udi sprinkled on the lids. After all the guests were fed, Balaji’s family found that there was still some food left. Balaji Patil’s knew that this was the miracle of the Udi from Baba. Baba used to distribute Udi as Prasad to his devotees and he would apply some on their forehead. Whenever he was in a pleasant mood he would sing “please bring sack full of Udi and praise Lord Ram for the same.”
Balaram Mankar became dejected after his wife’s death and after handing over all his responsibilities to his son, he came to Shirdi. Baba advised him to go to Manchindergad and to do meditation there in order to get peace. While at Machindrgad, Baba appeared before Balaram Mankar and said that his body of three and half cubits was there in Shirdi, but he could be present anywhere. Through this Baba conveyed that devotees could have the comfort of Baba’s presence wherever they be.
Once a sick tiger was brought to Shirdi and taken to the masjid. Baba advised the owners to immediately release the tiger from chains. The tiger dragged itself to where Baba was sitting, moved its tail thrice and fell to the ground dead. It is said that whoever dies in the presence of a Mahatma attains salvation.
Once two friends from Goa came to Shirdi and Baba asked one of them to give Rs.15/- as dakshina. The other friend who was watching wanted to give Rs 35/- but Baba refused. The devotee then told people present there that he had lost around Rs.35000/-. His cook who had stolen it returned it apologizing for his deed. The devotee said that all this was due to the grace of Baba. The other friend said he had got a job with Baba’s grace. He had started with a salary of Rs.15/- which gradually rose to Rs. 700/-. He had vowed to offer Baba Rs.15/- as Dakshina once he got a job, so now Baba had helped him remember and fulfill his vow by asking for Rs.15/- as dakshina.
A couple in Aurangabad was childless and they came to Baba seeking his blessing for a child. Shama, Baba’s devotee insisted that Baba bless the couple with a child. Baba gave a coconut to the couple and blessed them, after some time the couple had a child. When the infant was 5 months old the couple brought the child to Shirdi and thanked Baba for the blessings.
Sai Baba would sleep at the masjid and the Chavdi on alternate days. After some time this ritual began to be celebrated in a big way and was called the Chavdi Utsav. Many people joined the Chavdi procession where Baba was carried on a palanquin from the masjid to Chavdi. At the chavdi , Baba would make his own bed and sleep. Devotees are requested to remember the Chavdi procession every day before going to bed.

Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Baba, my prostrations to you at your feet. With your blessings I could complete the Parayan for Monday. Please bless my family and friends with long life, health, wealth and peace. Please bless me with your remembrance always.
Om Satguru Sainathay Namah.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Sai Sat Charita Parayan Sunday

2011-06-10T10:06:00.001-07:00

Sunday’s parayan
Sai devotees used to come to Baba and seek his pardon for mistakes committed by them and sought his blessings for an end to their sufferings. Baba understood their needs and blessed them.
Today you will read about the experiences of some devotees and people who were drawn to Baba even before they had met him or heard about him. The pujari (priest) of the Saptashringi temple at Nasik was mentally troubled and fervently sought the Devi’s help in overcoming his difficulties. One day the Goddess of the Saptashringi temple appeared to him in his dream and instructed him to go to Shirdi. The pujari, Kakaji Vaid, decided to do as instructed by his Devi and began to plan for his trip to Shirdi when Shama, the great devotee of Baba, came for the darshan of Saptshringi devi. Shama immediately offered to take Kakaji Vaid to Shirdi with him. On getting Baba’s Darshan at Shirdi, Kakaji Vaid was awestruck and surrendered himself at Baba’s feet. He returned to Nasik after spending a week at Shirdi with Baba’s vibhuti Prasad and amazingly free of the tensions he had travelled with to Shirdi.
Ramlal Punjabi once had a dream in which a mahatma (saint) came to him and told him to go to Shirdi. Ramlal, however, did not know where Shirdi was and did not know the Mahatma who had appeared in his dream. He spent his waking hours wondering who the Mahatma was and how he could get to Shirdi and to his surprise he saw a picture of the same mahatma at a shop. When he asked the shopkeeper about the person in the picture, the shopkeeper told him the picture was of Shirdi Sai Baba and gave instructions about the route to Shirdi. Ramlal immediately set out for Shirdi. Baba’s darshan filled him with immense peace and joy and he thereafter decided to spend the rest of his life in Shirdi.
Once Kaka Saheb Dikshit had a dream in which Baba asked him to go to Rahata and bring Sri Kushalchand to Shirdi. Kaka hired a tonga (horse carriage) and went to Kushalchand’s house at Rahata. While Kaka was on his way to Rahata, Kushalchand also had a vision in which Baba asked him to come to Shirdi. As he was preparing to leave for Shirdi he realized that his horse was unwell and just at that very moment Kaka arrived at his house and told him he had come to accompany him to Shirdi. This is the amazing leela of Baba, he communicated with his devotees without sending any letters or telegrams.
Master Tendulkar once consulted an astrologer who told him that it was not a good time for him to take his exams as he may fail the tests. When Master Tendulkar’s mother met Baba and told about the prediction of the astrologer, Baba said her son should have complete faith in him and should start preparing for the exams. As advised by Baba, Master Tendulkar prepared for his exams and he passed the exams without any difficulty. His faith in Baba got him success.
Once members of the Madras Bhakta Samaj came to Shirdi and sang bhajans at the Shirdi shrine. While in Shirdi, the head lady of the bhajan mandali had a dream in which Baba appeared as Sri Ram, her ishta devta. When she told her husband about her dream he dismissed it as just a dream. He in turn had a dream in which he saw himself in prison and was released through the blessings of Baba who appeared as Ramdas swamy. His wife’s dream where Baba appeared as her istha devta and his dream in which Baba set him free from prison appearing as Ramdas Swamy made him a devotee of Baba. He received the blessings of Baba and was told that he would receive plenty of money through the grace of Allah.
The first time Shiva Bhakt Megha went to see Baba, he hesitated to prostrate before Baba because he thought Baba was a muslim. On seeing him Baba got wild and did not allow him to enter the masjid, and angrily told Megha that since he was a high caste Brahmin and Baba a Muslim, he would lose his identity if he came near Baba. On hearing this Megha immediately knew that Baba had read his mind and he found himself spontaneously prostrating at Baba’s feet seeking his blessings. Thereafter, he stayed in Shirdi for some time and his affection and devotion for Baba deepened. While at Shirdi he would visit all the temples everyday and then come to Baba for the Pada tirtha (holy water). Once he expressed a desire to do abhisheka of Baba as was done to Shiva Lingas. He walked about eight kilometers to fetch water from the Gomati river and did the abhisheka of Baba. Baba had requested him not to pour water on any other part of the body other than his head. Megha poured water on Baba’s head chanting Har Har Gange, and to the amazement of everyone who was a witness to this beautiful spectacle not a drop of water fell on any other part of Baba’s body.
Once a devotee by the name Lala Lakshmichand had a vision of an old man with beard and when he attended a discourse by Das Ganu he saw a picture of Sai Baba kept there. It struck him that the old man he had seen in his dream resembled the person in the picture. This made him very eager to see Baba and so he borrowed rupees fifteen and arrived at Shirdi to see Baba. On seeing him Baba said “if you wanted to come to Shirdi why did you have to borrow money?” He advised him not to borrow money anymore. On seeing Baba’s love and affection, Lakshmichand was moved and he decided to spend rest of his life at Shirdi.
A Ramdasi- a devotee of Lord Ram, lived in Shirdi and everyday he recited the Vishnu Sahasranam (thousand names of Lord Vishnu) after taking bath. One day Baba sent the Ramdasi to the market to bring Sena pods. While the Ramdasi was away, Baba took his Vishnu Sahasranam book and gave it to Shama, a great devotee of Baba. On his return when the Ramadasi found that his Vishnu Sahasranam book was with Shama, he got wild and said he will die if the book was not returned to him immediately. On hearing the Ramadasi scream thus Baba called him and told him not fight and asked him to be considerate, affectionate and not have any attachment for material things. Baba said “you are not able to give away a small book whose contents you have memorized fully, how can you give yourself away when it is required. The Ramdasi understood significance of Baba’s message, and the meaning of life. This brought him peace and tranquility.
Gopal Narayan Ambedkar would come to Shirdi and used to share his grief and happiness with Baba. Once he was so overcome by troubles that he decided to commit suicide by jumping into the well at Shirdi. Just when he was about to take this drastic step, another devotee came there and gave a book which had the biography of Akalkot Maharaj. In the book it was mentioned that the Maharaj had saved a person from drowning in the well and told him he had to suffer for all bad deeds committed in his past birth in this life itself, and one cannot escape the same by committing suicide. The book further said that if one tries to escape the sufferings and pain in this life by ending one’s life then one has to take several rebirths to atone for sins committed. This left a deep impression on Ambedkar and he realized that taking one’s own life is a sin. Over a period of time he mastered astrology and spent the latter part of his life immersed in astrological studies.
Harshchandra Pitle’s son used to faint very often and so Harshchandra brought him to Baba’s masjid hoping that his child would get cured. However, the boy fainted as soon as they entered the masjid. Both Harshchandra and his wife were inconsolable on seeing their son’s plight and began to lament that they had brought their son to Baba hoping he would be cured but it seems there was no help. Baba asked them to be calm and assured them that the boy will regain consciousness soon, and God definitely helps those who have Shraddha and Saburi - faith and patience. As assured by Baba, the boy recovered and was completely cured of his sickness.
Shri Pitle was given three rupees by Baba and was told that he should keep the same in the shrine at home and worship it to attain happiness. Baba also told Shri Pitle that he had been given two rupees earlier. Shri Pitle, however, did not remember receiving the two rupees. Morever, that was his first visit to Shirdi. When he returned home and narrated his conversation with Baba to his mother, she told him that as a young boy he had visited Akalkot Maharaj with his father. At that time his father had received two rupees from the maharaj. His father used to worship the coins. Thus Baba conveyed to Shri Pitle that he knows the past of people and one Mahatma knows about the other because of their visionary power.
Once someone sent a box of mangoes for Baba at Shirdi. From the box, Baba set aside four mangoes for Damu anna. Baba asked Damu anna to give the mangoes to his second wife and said that Damu anna will be blessed with a child once his wife eats the mangoes. Damu anna who has been childless for a long time was blessed with a child through Baba’s amra (mango) leela. After sometime Damu Anna wanted Baba to join his business as a partner. Baba declined the offer saying that he did not want to entangle himself in worldly affairs.
Baba had said that even after he takes Samadhi he would take care of his devotees. He may not be physically present but His spirit would continue to guide his devotees, He would talk to His devotees and take care of their wellbeing. He asked his devotees to always remember Him and have faith. “Good things will happen to you,” thus spoke Shri Sai Baba.
Once Hemandpant was washing Baba’s feet when some peanuts fell from his coat pocket. He was puzzled as to how there were peanuts in his coat pocket. Baba remarked that since it was the day of the baazar (weekly market) Hemandpant may have gone to the bazaar, bought some peanuts and eaten them all by himself. On hearing this Hemandpant told Baba that he never ate anything without sharing and it was wrong to say that he had brought peanuts to eat them all by himself. To this Baba replied that he knew that Hemandpant always shared and would never eat anything without giving to others. He advised all present there to remember that God is always with them and before anything is eaten it should be offered to God as all that we had or receive is provided by His grace and blessings.
Once Shama, a devotee of Baba was bitten by a snake, and as was the custom people wanted him to be rushed to the temple of Khandoba. Shama refused and said his God and doctor was Baba, so they should take him to the Masjid. When he was entering the Masjid, Sai Baba started to scream “Oh thankless Brahmin get down and get out.” Shama was taken aback by Baba’s reaction and as he lay at the Masjid wondered why Baba was not helping him. However, he soon found himself feeling better, cured of the effects of poisoning without any medicine. He came to realize, as did the other devotees present there, that Baba was not shouting at Shama but commanding the snake to get out.
Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Baba Sai, my prostration to you at your feet. With your blessings I could complete the Parayan for Sunday. Please bless me with a life well lived, with good health, with the means to take care of my life and of those around me, and peace for the world. Please bless me with your remembrance always and to receive the Prasad of your blessings daily.
Om Satguru Sainathay Namah.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Sai Sat Charita Parayan Saturday

2011-06-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

Om Sri Sai Ram
Saturday’s Parayan
Once Baba Saheb Mirikar, who was on his way to Chitali, came for Baba’s Darshan. Baba asked Mirikar if had seen a long baba, warned him that it was like death but it would not harm devotees of the Dwarakamai. The masjid is very kind, Baba said. Baba Saheb Mirikar was puzzled by Baba’s question and warning. Later when Shama and Baba Saheb Mirikar were sitting at a temple courtyard in Chitali, a serpent unnoticed, came and coiled itself on Baba Saheb Mirikar’s lap. A temple staff noticed the snake and began to scream “serpent, serpent.” To everyone’s relief, after a few minutes the serpent slithered away without harming anyone and Baba Saheb Mirikar knew Baba’s blessing had saved him from harm. Neither scorpion nor any serpent can cause any harm unless ordered by God. So we should never harm any of these creatures as God will take care of us, Baba would tell devotees.
Mahatma Apa once gave a book titled Vichar Sagar to Sri Thakur and asked him to read it saying his wishes will be fulfilled after reading it and in due course of time a saint from north India will show him the path to salvation. After some years, Sri Thakur came to Shirdi and on seeing him Baba said that the spiritual path was not all that easy as told by Mahatma Apa. Spiritual knowledge gained in real life is essential to achieving salvation, Baba said.
Once Radhakrishna mai, a devotee of Sri Sai was shivering with fever. Baba untold went near her house and asked for a ladder. He then climbed the roof of her house and crossed over to the other side. While Baba was doing this Radhakrishna mai’s fever began to subside and she was well soon. After climbing down the roof, Baba gave Rs.2/-to the person who had brought the ladder. When people asked Baba why he gave so much money, Baba replied that one should never take any service free and must pay whatever was due.
Baba once told a devotee who was known to be rude and ruthless that he was like a pig that lives in and eats filth and there was no point in him coming to a sacred place like Shirdi. The devotee soon realized the significance of Baba’s message. The devotee realized that his actions, and words said with the intention of hurting others would come back to hurt him.
Once Das Ganu Maharaj was translating the Isha Upanishad in Marathi but he could not get the essence of one of the sections in the scripture so he went to Baba and asked for his help in understanding the Upanishad. Baba told him that the meaning of the Upanishad would be taught to him by the maid at Kaka Saheb Dikshit’s place in Ville Parle, Bombay. Baba’s instructions surprised Das Ganu Maharaj but he decided to follow it. He went to Kaka Saheb’s house at Ville Parle and he saw the maid dressed in rags and wondered how this girl would teach him the meaning of the Upanishad. Das Ganu felt sad for the girl and asked Kaka Dikshit to buy her a new sari. The next day, Das Ganu saw that the girl in a new saree, singing merrily as she was washing utensils. The following day, Das Ganu saw that the girl was wearing her old torn dress but she was still singing happily as she did her work. On seeing this Das Ganu in an instant realized that both happiness and sorrow depend on our own attitude and mindset, and he understood why Baba had sent him to Kaka Saheb Dikshit’s house.
Sri Patankar, a learned man, came to Shirdi to seek Baba’s blessings. Baba told Sri Patankar that without devotion all knowledge gathered was a waste and that the right way was to have devotion with love and respect and that in turn will give him the mental peace and tranquility he was looking for. Sri Patankar understood the meaning of Baba’s message and felt blessed and at ease.
Once a rich man came to Baba seeking Brahma Gyan. Baba told him that a person whose intention was to only earn money for the sake of hoarding and does not use the money earned in good work should not aspire for Brahma Gyan. He advised the rich man to have faith in his guru, overcome his greed for money, and practise pancha prana and panch indriyas to be blessed with Brahma Gyan.
Once Sri Sathe came to Shirdi feeling troubled and anxious. Baba advised him to read the Sat Charita for seven days and said that his miseries will end thereafter. Sri Sathe started reading the Sat Charita as advised by Baba and one day Baba appeared in his dream with the Sat Charita and asked him to do the Parayan for another seven days. Another devotee of Baba, Hemandpant, who heard about Baba’s assurance to Sri Sathe, felt upset that even though he had been reading the Sat Charita for several years, he had not been blessed by Baba. Baba, the Omniscient, could read Hemandpant’s mind. Baba asked Hemandpant to visit Shama and to chat with him for a while. During their conversation, Shama told Hemandpant about an old lady called Radha Bai Deshmukh. Radha Bai Deshmukh once came to Shirdi and began a fast to seek Baba’s blessings. On hearing of her fast, Baba called her and asked her to eat. He told her that his guru who was in Samadhi never gave any mantra, he only asked for a dakshina of two paise – that is the paise of Shraddha and Saburi (devotion and patience). Baba further explained to Radha Bai Deshmukh that he had dedicated himself to the service of his guru and aspired for nothing more. He said patience will wipe away all our sins and difficulties, determination will take us through this life and give us peace. Baba also told her that his guru’s blessing was the reason for all that he had or learned. He asked her to similarly devote herself to the service of her guru and she was sure to achieve Mukti. On hearing about Baba’s advice to Radha Bai Deshmukh, Hemandpant realized that he would receive Baba’s blessing one day and his prayers and devotion will be heard and answered by Baba. After a while Shama and Hemandpant went to the Dwarakamai on hearing the sound of bells for the arti. After the arti, Baba placed some sugar candies in Hemandpant’s palm and asked him to always remember the story of Radha Bai Deshmukh and said it would remove the barriers between the guru and his disciple. Baba assured Hemandpant that his life would be as sweet as sugar candy. Thus Hemandpant received blessings from Baba.
Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Baba, my prostration to you at your feet. With your blessings I could complete the Parayan for Saturday. Please bless my family, my friends and others around me with long life, peace, good health, and enough wealth to take of their needs. Please bless me with your remembrance and to receive the Prasad of your blessings daily.
Om Satguru Sainathaya Namah.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Sai Sat Charita Parayan Friday

2011-06-08T22:45:00.001-07:00

The edited versions now you can copy in word document and take a print out to make as booklet for ease of reading the same daily.
Om Sri Sai Ram
Friday’s Parayan
The people of Shirdi, while doing their daily chores, used to sing Baba’s praise. They were blessed. They regarded Sai as their God. One day, Baba lost in the wrestling game of khushti against Thamboli, and as per the rules of the game he had to leave Shirdi and live in another place for a few days. During this period Baba would wander in the jungles and Baijabai, an elderly lady, would go searching for him with homemade food. Sai Baba remembered Baijabai’s devotion and took care of her son Tatya all his life. On his return to Shirdi, Baba started going around Shridi begging for food. Baba would visit about two or three houses and from the food received he would eat a little and the rest he would distribute to the poor. Baba used to say that he was the servant of his devotees.
Once Nanavalli, a devotee of Baba, ordered Baba to get down from his throne and he went and sat on the throne and after a while got up and went away. Baba did not mind Nanavali’s behaviour at all and without any hesitation allowed his bhakta’s desire to sit on the throne to be fulfilled.
Baba never expected anything from anybody and was always sympathetic towards everyone. One day while Mrs Tharakad, another devotee of Baba, was having lunch when a dog came to her door. Mrs.Tharakad gave him some of her food and appeased his hunger. Later during the day when Mrs. Tharakad met Baba at the Masjid, Baba said “you appeased my hunger and you fed me well.” By this Baba wanted to convey to her that the hunger of the dog and his hunger were not different and whoever feeds the hungry and then eats himself will achieve salvation. “Whoever sees me in every living being is my true devotee,” Baba told Mrs. Tharakad.
Once Mrs.Tharakad sent a peda (the only eatable available in her house on that day) for Baba through Govind Balram Bhasker. On reaching Shirdi, Govind Balaram Bhaskar forgot about the peda and remembered only when Baba asked him for the peda. Baba eagerly ate the peda like he was waiting for it for a long time.
Sai Baba used to sleep in Dwarkamai (the masjid) on a small wooden plank presented by a devotee by the name of Dengle. The plank was hung from the roof with the help of strings made of rags and people who saw it wondered how Baba managed to sleep on the plank and they would often gather at night to watch Baba sleep. One day when a crowd gathered to watch Baba sleep Baba pulled down the plank and broke it into pieces and threw it into the burning dhuni.
Sai Baba knew the past, present and future of his bhaktas. Kaka Mahajani who had come to Shirdi to stay for a week was asked by Baba to leave for his home town immediately. On his return Kaka Mahajani found that he was urgently needed by his employer as the manager of the firm had fallen sick.
Dhumal, a pleader in the village, once came to see Baba on his way to the court and was asked by Baba to stay and not leave Shirdi for a week. When Dhumal went back to court a week later he came to know that the case had been postponed the previous week.
Once Tatya Patil ignoring Baba’s advice left for the mandi and he met with an accident when his horse cart toppled over and his horse suffered a sprain. Tatya also received minor injuries and had to call off his trip to the mandi. Once a foreigner came for Baba’s darshan and he was asked to sit on the floor. The foreigner felt insulted and wanted to leave Shridi immediately. Baba read his mind and asked him to stay back for one more day. But the foreigner ignored Baba’s advice and left Shirdi. He met with an accident and had to stay in hospital for some time.

One day Baba informed his devotees that he would don the orange robe that day. The people there did not get the meaning of what Baba meant by orange robe. In the evening a Nasik Brahmin by the name Mule Shastri offered flowers to Baba and as he was prostrating before Baba he saw his Guru Dholup Swamy with orange robe, where Baba was standing. When Mule Shastri got up he saw Baba again standing in front of him. Similarly, to a doctor who was a Ramabhakta Baba appeared as his guru Sri Ramachandra Murti. These incidents tell us about the omniscient nature of Baba.
Baba would always advise the people of Shirdi to stay united and live in harmony, irrespective of the religion they followed. God will always save you, try to achieve salvation, without salvation life is meaningless, Baba would say. He would ask his devotees to forgive those who hurt them and to help each other.
Once during summer holidays Mrs.Tharakad came to Shirdi. One day when Mrs Tharakad came to the Masjid for Baba’s darshan, Baba told her that he had been to her house in Bandra that day but there was nothing there for him to eat.
Everyday Mrs. Tharakad would offer naivedya to the photo of Sai Baba at the shrine in her house in Bandra. However, while she was away at Shirdi, Mr. Tharakad had forgotten to offer naivedya. Thus, Baba informed his devotees that praying to his picture was equal to doing his puja in person. Baba was omniscient and he experienced the love of his devotees and tasted the food offered by them even when they were far away from him.
Sai Baba never allowed anyone to put sandal paste on his forehead, but one day Dr.Pandit applied sandal paste on Baba’s forehead and Baba did not object. Seeing this people asked Baba why he did not object to Dr.Pandit’s action. To this Baba replied that Dr. Pandit saw his guru Raghunath maharaj in him thus he did not object. Dr. Pandit later confirmed this by saying he saw his guru Raghunath maharaj in Baba. Sai Baba used to chant God’s name and used to distribute the sacred ash – vibhuti to people. The vibhuti cured even those diseases that were thought to be incurable. Bimaji Patil once contracted tuberculosis and it became so severe that he began to vomit blood. He came to Baba seeking help. Baba asked him not to worry and said that all his difficulties will be over soon. Baba said that whoever steps into Dwarkamai with true devotion will see an end to all pain and suffering. “The fakir at this place is very compassionate and he takes care of everyone who has true devotion,” Baba said to Bimaji Patil. That night Baba appeared in his dream and blessed him and the next day when Bimaji woke up he found himself cured and free of all the symptoms of tuberculosis. In order to express his gratitude Bimaji Patil started a vrata called Sai Vrata similar to the Satyanarayana vrata.
Sriman Baba Saheb Buti once suffered from diahorrea and Baba saw him rush to the toilet many times during the day. On seeing this Baba pointed a finger towards Mr Buti and said he was cured of diahorrea at that very instant. Within seconds Mr Buti felt cured. Baba was known to cure many devotees by making them eat things that were said to aggravate to those conditions, like almond and pistachio paste for people suffering from an upset stomach. Once Baba cured a Sanyasi who came to Baba complaining of severe earache, simply by saying “Allah will take care of you.” Dutta Pant got cured of the stomach pain he was suffering from for nearly fourteen years by eating the Udi given by Baba. Shama, another devotee of Baba, who was suffering from piles was cured with the essence of Sonamukhi seeds. After sometime Shama again got piles and he decided to cure himself by taking some sonamukhi seeds. And to his surprise his condition became severe and he had to seek Baba’s help. Pandit Gangadhar was cured of his stomach pain when Baba placed his hand on his stomach and said “God will take away your pain.
Hardik Sidique Phalke who had been to Mecca on pilgrimage was not allowed to enter the Masjid for nine months. He was allowed to enter only when his ego and pride were gone. Baba embraced him and welcomed him into the masjid.
Once Das Ganu wore a fancy robe and some jewellery for a Harikatha recital. Baba called him and asked him to be simple and do the Harikatha like Narad rishi. Das Ganu understood the significance of what Baba said and immediately changed into the simple everyday attire of dhoti and angavastra.
Sri Sai Baba never offered any mantra to chant or ask his devotees to do yoga. He only asked them to chant God’s name with a pure heart and to remember God always. Baba had control over natural elements too. Once when heavy thunder and storm raged over Shirdi, Baba pointed his finger towards the sky and asked the thunder and storm to calm down. The storm immediately subsided. Once the fire in the dhuni flared up and the flames leapt up to the ceiling. Baba hit his satka on the ground and asked the fire to calm down. Within seconds the fire stopped raging, the flames subsided and the people around were relieved.
Whenever devotees felt jealous or had bad thoughts, Baba would read their minds and in a subtle way teach them how to be rid of their unpleasant thoughts and feelings. In order to instil in his devotees the feeling of compassion he would take dakshina from them and by evening he would distribute the money collected as daskshina amongst his bhaktas or spend it on the upkeep of Dwarakamai. The two rupees he took from him devotees signified patience and devotion, Baba said. Once he asked Sri Narke for fifteen rupees. Mr Narke told Baba that he did not have money, to which Baba said that he did not want the money, he only wanted Sri Narke to practice the yog nishta he was studying.
Sometimes Baba used to refuse to take dakshina from devotees and when they brought expensive presents he would scold them. One Sri Jholkar came to Shirdi for Baba’s darshan and for the trip he had saved money by not consuming sugar. On seeing Sri Jholkar, Baba immediately ordered that Sri Jholkar be given tea with a lot of sugar. Sri Jholkar was moved to tears and he realised that God took care of those who worshipped him with pure devotion.
Om Sri Samarth Sadguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki Jai.
Baba, I bow before you. Please bless my family and friends with good health and happiness. With your grace and blessings I was able to complete the parayan for Friday. Please bless me with your remembrance, today and always.
Om Satguru Sainathay Namah.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Sai Sat Charita Parayan Thursday

2011-06-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

As the earlier version was posted in haste,the same is edited once again and posted here.We shall post the other days parayan with in few days.
Sai Sat Charita Thursday's Parayan
Param Guru Sainath ! I salute you a thousand times and bow before you. I depend on you completely and have full faith in you. I seek your blessings. Your grace protects my life. Parameswar, please keep me with you, and let not any evil spirit distract me from your guidance and please give me the strength to be with you, always. Please give me the ability to understand all your teachings and let me acquire the qualities of a good human being. Sainath, I prostrate before you a thousand times.

In the district of Kopergaon in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, there is a small village called Shirdi and in that village under a neem tree Sai Baba appeared as a sixteen year old boy. Baba lived there for many years and his kindness and miracles transformed Shirdi into a holy place. No one knows where Baba was born or who his parents were. Baba never spoke to anyone about his past, his family or his early years. He was affected by neither rain nor scorching heat nor the cold weather in winter. He would sit under the neem tree unaffected by the changes in weather. He would often be seen in padmasan mudra, in deep meditation (tapas).

Once the people of Khandoba dug up a portion near the neem tree where they found a cave with four lamps burning. Baba informed the people there that his Guru had resided in that cave and asked the people of Khandoba to always protect it. After this incident Sai Baba left Shirdi and he came back after three years with a marriage party. Baba thereafter stayed in Shirdi till his samadhi.

Once Chand Patil, a rich man from a village called Dhoop, was searching for his mare when he saw a fakir wearing turban and kafni sitting under a mango tree. The fakir told Chand Patil that his mare was near the nullah. To Chand Patil’s surprise and joy the mare was found near the nullah. When he returned to the mango tree to thank the fakir, he saw the fakir striking the ground with his satka and out came a burning ember with which the fakir lit a chillum and with a wet piece of cloth he held the hukkah pipe. The fakir offered Chand Patil a smoke from the hukkah. Chand Patil realised that the fakir was not an ordinary human being. He requested the fakir to accompany his family to Shirdi for the wedding of his brother in law. When the marriage party reached the entrance to Shirdi, the priest of Khandoba temple welcomed the fakir saying “O SAI, please come” and from that day on he was called SAI by one and all and in due course he became SAI BABA.

In Shirdi, Baba stayed in a masjid made of mud. He wore a turban and kafani and his only possessions were a tin pot, a satka and chillum. Sai dressed like a Muslim, followed Hindu rituals and practices; like a Hindu he had his ears pierced and he resided in a masjid which he called Dwarakamai. He always kept a dhuni burning in the masjid like an ever burning agnihotra. He used to grind wheat between the two stones of a handmill. Devotees used to ring the bell before entering the masjid and would offer things in the dhuni to keep it burning. Brahmins used to visit the masjid and bow their heads before SAI BABA. Sai Baba would always chant “Narayan, Narayan” and “Allah Malik” (Allah is the sole owner of this world). In Shirdi the Hindus celebrated Ramanavami festival and the Muslims celebrated the sandal procession on the same day. Sometimes Baba would wear bells on his ankles and dance as if in a trance all through the day and night and people would stand watching him, mesmerised.

Many people returned to good health on seeing SAI BABA and many had their desires fulfilled. Baba’s touch helped blind people regain their vision and the lame were able to start walking. His grace ensured that there was no dearth of food or clothing in the house of his devotees. Sai Baba used to say that those who chanted his name or remembered him would always have their needs taken care of. He always blessed his devotees.

Baba talked to everyone very affectionately and never discriminated between the rich and the poor. Even though he lived in Shirdi he knew about events that were happening in distant places. He used to remove evil thoughts from the minds of his devotees and would urge them to nurture good thoughts. He directed them onto the spiritual path.

Baba’s fame spread far and wide, drawing devotees from different parts of the world. His presence gave immense solace to people who came to see him. At Dwarkamai, Baba used to light earthen lamps with oil borrowed from shop keepers at Shirdi. One day the shopkeepers refused to give Baba oil to light the lamps, saying that there was no oil in their stores. This behaviour of the shopkeepers did not upset Baba, instead he went about calmly pouring water in the lamps and to the utter bewilderment of the shopkeepers, Baba managed to light the lamps filled with water. The shopkeepers were ashamed of their behaviour towards Baba and they requested him to forgive them. Baba said that they were free to give or refuse but they should never lie.

An old man called Gouli Bua was a devotee of Lord Vittal and when he saw Baba at Shirdi he knew in his heart that Sai Baba was the incarnation of Vittal. He knew that Baba was not an ordinary person. During his early days in Shirdi Baba created a beautiful garden in the courtyard of the masjid and everyday he would water the plants with water from an earthen pot. Baba would fetch water from a well that was far away from the masjid and after watering the plants he would break the earthen pot at the foot of the neem tree. Baba was given a fresh earthen pot everyday by Tatya Patil. In due course of time a lovely garden came into being at the masjid.

Gangadhari, a sadhu, on seeing Baba watering the plants in the garden predicted that the boy would one day be a precious jewel of Shirdi. Shri Anand Rao Maharaj, a devotee of Akalkot Maharaj said the boy was a gem and the people would realise this one day in the near future. Once Shri Krishnaji, a devotee of Akalkot maharaj wanted to do a puja of the padukas of the Swami in Akalkot. In his dream he saw Baba who asked him to come to Shirdi and perform the paduka pooja. As instructed Krishnaji did the prathishta of the padukas under the neem tree after seeking Baba’s blessings. Sri Upasini Baba wrote a prayer and the same was engraved near the padukas under the neem tree.

In Shirdi, Baba was the doctor people sought help from for their ailments. People with no vision regained sight with the help of Baba’s medication made of biba seed paste which was applied over the eyes and the eyes were thereafter bandaged. When the bandage was removed the patient found his/her sight restored. Sometimes Baba would take the sufferings of his devotees upon himself and would suffer along with them. Mr Kharpade’s son once got bubonic plague and Mr Kharpade came to Baba seeking his help. Baba told Mr Kharpade that he was aware that his son was ill and had already started the process of treating the boy. Baba showed Mr and Mrs Kharpade Bubos of Plague on his body and said that he had taken the same on himself to cure the boy. Baba used to treat devotees who were ill even when they were far away from him. One day Baba thrust his hand into the dhuni, severely burning his whole arm. When questioned why he had done that Baba said that in a far away place a blacksmith’s wife who was working near fire had suddenly got up without remembering that she was holding her little baby in her lap. The baby was falling into the fire when, as the mother later recounted, an invisible hand stopped her son from falling into the fire and was thus saved. People in Shirdi realised that Baba was omniscient and knew if his devotees were in trouble and would rush to help them no matter where they be. Bhagoji Shinde, who was afflicted by leprosy, used to apply ghee to Baba’s wound caused by the fire and gently massaged Baba’s injured hand after it started to heal. Bhagoji Shinde continued with this practice till the Samadhi of Sai Baba. Bhagoji Shinde’s devotion towards Baba and Baba’s affection for him showed that Baba treated all his devotees alike and never discriminated on the grounds of caste, creed or physical affliction.

Sai Baba’s devotee, Das Ganu Maharaj, once wished to go to Prayag for a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam. Baba asked Das Ganu Maharaj to have faith in him and that he would soon be able to visit Prayag. Baba said that as Das Ganu was prostrating at his feet when water began to flow from Baba’s feet. Das Ganu beheld the holy rivers of the Sangam sitting at Baba’s feet.

For some time a bachelor called Rohilla stayed at the masjid with Baba and he used to do the aajan every day shouting Allah O Akbar and used to read aloud verses from the Koran. This disturbed the peace and tranquillity of the place and many devotees complained to Baba about this and asked him to stop Rohilla from shouting. Baba asked his devotees to be patient with Rohilla saying that the bachelor was being troubled by his wife (bad thoughts) causing him to wail out loud the Lord’s name. As assured by Baba, Rohilla recovered and stopped screaming.

A devotee of Baba, Sheerasagar worshipped Lord Vittal till his death but his son discontinued the puja thereafter and never offered any Naivedya. Baba passed on a message to Sheerasagar’s son saying that his father was a great friend of his and scolded the son for ignoring the puja and Naivedya of Vittal Bhagwan. Sheerasagar’s son realised his mistake and in earnest started the puja of Lord Vittal, observing all the practices his father had followed including the offering of naivedya everyday.

Anna Saheb Dabolkar once came to Shirdi and offered his pranam to Baba by prostrating at his feet. Anna Saheb witnessed several changes in his life thereafter. While he was at Shirdi Anna Saheb once saw Baba grinding wheat at the masjid. Some ladies who were also witness to this sat down with Baba and began to help him grind the wheat. And while they did this they began to sing beautiful songs in praise of the miracles Baba had shown. When all the wheat was ground they began to gather the flour to take home with them. Seeing this Baba got angry and directed the ladies to take the flour and spread it in the four directions across the village. This, the devotees later realised, was done to prevent a cholera epidemic from spreading into the village. Seeing this and the other miracles of Baba, Anna Saheb Dhabolkar wanted to write a book about them and he sought Baba’s permission through Shama, the great devotee of Baba. Baba granted Anna Saheb permission by applying udi on his forehead. Baba told Anna that he was would be a tool for writing the book while he (Baba) would write his own biography as a living example. “Once my devotees listen to my leelas and preaching they will take the spiritual path and even an atheist will learn to respect me and begin to have faith in me,” Baba told Anna Saheb. He also said that no one who believes in him will ever go hungry. Baba used to lovingly address Anna Saheb as Hemandpant.

Both Gopal Rao and Damu Anna Kesar, who were childless for a long time, were blessed with children by Baba’s grace. And in order to express their gratitude, Gopal Rao and Anna Kesar decided to start celebration of the Ramanavami festival and flag hoisting at the Masjid. Damu Anna Kesar and Nana Saheb together donated two flags which were taken out in a procession around Shirdi and thereafter they were placed at the masjid. During this time a Muslim gentleman decided to start the Sandal paste procession. At Shirdi Ram katha, the cradle festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna and the Sandal procession were held in a spirit of harmony between members of the Hindu and Muslim communities. A weekly reading of the Nam Saptah was also held and on the concluding day the poor were fed a sumptuous meal.

Om Sri Sathguru Sainath Maharaj Ji Ki Jai.

O Sri Sainath, I prostrate at your feet and seek your blessings. Today I have completed the first day’s reading of your Satcharita. Please bestow your blessings on me to complete the weekly reading of your Satcharita. Please bless me and those around me with peace, tranquillity, and devotion towards you. I pray for your Grace all through my life.

Sat Guru Sainathaya Namah
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Hanuman As Seen

2011-05-27T23:03:00.000-07:00

Sai Ram All,
This is to be Seen to be Believed !!

This happened in Kalika Mata temple in Ratlam, M.P., last month.

Pictures tell the true story. The Saint was telling the story of Ramayana and "Hanumanji" appeared in the form of langur !! The langur first went and sat near the singers and listened to the kirtan, held the mic of the mahantji, got blessed by him, then "blessed" the saints and then sat in front of Shri Ramji's photo and took some of the flowers (note similar position to Shri Hanumanji in the framed picture) and left quietly.
Bolo Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai. Pavanasuta Hanuman ki Jai.

Significance Of Tulasi

2011-05-07T23:37:00.000-07:00

By Kamala Murthy
The leaves of the tulsi plant are important in worship. They are superior even to fragrant flowers. Flowers are fragrant only when they bloom. But every part of the tulsi plant has fragrance. Its seeds, it leaves, its stem, its roots- all have fragrance. Even the soil in which it is planted acquires the fragrant smell of the plant. All we need to do is to use a single tulsi leaf in worship. Nothing will please Lord Narayana more. Using tulsi leaves in worship will bring prosperity.

One day, Tulsi went to the Lord with a complaint. She had a grievance, she said. Like Goddess Mahalakshmi, Tulsi too came from the milky ocean. But while Lakshmi adorned His chest, which was Her permanent abode, what honour had she (Tulsi) been given? Tulsi had come from the scattered drops of nectar. Why was it that she was not honoured, while Lakshmi was, Tulsi wondered.

The Lord said that Lakshmi had done penance and had thus reached Him. Lakshmi, however, was going to appear on the Earth, as the daughter of Sage Markandeya. Tulsi should go to the Earth too, and there spread herself as a bush, that would shelter Lakshmi, who would appear under the bush. Lakshmi would be brought up by Sage Markandeya. The Lord would come down too, and would marry Lakshmi later on.

As per the Lord's instructions, Tulsi appeared on the bank of the Cauvery river. She appeared in such profusion, that the whole place resembled a tulsi forest. So dense was the vegetation. Sage Markandeya, who was on a pilgrimage, reached the place where Tulsi had taken root. He bathed in the river, and began to meditate. In his mind's eye, the sage could see the Lord. And as long as the image of the Lord filled the sage's mind, he was oblivious to everything else around him. He did not even notice the child who was under the tulsi bush.

This child was none other than Goddess Mahalakshmi. In order that the sage should open his eyes and see Her, the Lord caused His image to disappear from the sage's mind. Only then did the sage open his eyes, and upon seeing the child, he picked her up, brought her up, and later got Her married to the Lord.

Practice Bhakti

2011-05-02T23:31:00.000-07:00

By Swami Gautmananda
How does one practise Bhakti to the Supreme Brahman whose infinite glory is hailed by the scriptures as beyond description? They state that He is formless and that He is the very essence of Eternal Truth, Consciousness and Bliss. How does a simple Jivatma establish contact with such a great personality?

Sri Ramakrishna used to answer this legitimate doubt in the hearts of many of his devotees by advocating the practice of meditating on any one of the forms of the Lord, say Rama, Krishna or Siva. Is there any need for a thirsty person to know the extent of water available in a lake or a pond when a cup of water is enough to slake his thirst? Though the Lord's greatness is limitless, any form of God is enough for us to cultivate Bhakti. When a picture of the Lord or the stories of His Avatars can help one to meditate on Him, there is no need to take the trouble of trying to comprehend His infinite greatness.

The Bhagavad Gita extols the quality of Bhakti as a sure path to salvation and Lord Krishna holds the Bhakta in great esteem. What the Lord expects from the Bhakta is sincerity, faith and true devotion. The Lord accepts whatever a devotee offers — a fruit, leaf, flower or a drop of water — looking only for his love and devotion to Him.

The path of Jnana is difficult and it is easy for even the Jnani to succumb to the pulls of worldly attractions. All our sorrows are gone if we identify ourselves with the Atma rather than the body. This feeling liberates us from the limiting forces of worldly life. In Kali Yuga, doing one's duties in an unattached matter can lead to Bhakti. This attitude to one's day-to-day activities gradually leads our mind and thoughts to God. When we remember that all our actions, thoughts and words are on behalf of God and we just act as an instrument of God, there is no sense of ego with regard to the action. We also understand that the result of all our acts also is for the sake of God and not for any personal gain.

The ultimate aim of every Jivatma is to get liberated from the cycle of birth. This is attainable through devotion.

Adi Shankaracharya Quotes and Sayings

2011-04-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

Adi Shankaracharya Quotes and Sayings

Seek Govinda(god)! Seek Govinda! Seek Govinda! Oh ignoramus, at the time of death the rules of grammer, which you are trying to cram and master, will not be able to rescue you at all.

The world which is full of attachments, aversions, etc., is like a dream. It appears to be real, as long as it continues but appears to be unreal when one is awake (i.e., when true wisdom dawns).

Day and night, dawn and dusk, winter and spring, all these are flitting across the stage of the world. While time thus is frolicking and befooling us, our life span is also running out; yet we do not , even a little, give up the clinging to our desires, nor do we let the desires loosen their grip on us.

Free yourself from lust, anger, greed and delusion. Contemplate on 'who you are'. Enquire within yourself, who am I ? The fools who fail to apprehend the Self are caught in hell-fire even here and now itself and suffer torture.

Among the contributory factors of liberation, devotion stands supreme, and it is the search for one's own true nature that is meant by devotion.

Reality can be experienced only with the eye of understanding, not just by a scholar. What the moon is like must be seen with one's own eyes. How can others do it for you?

Only those who have achieved samadhi and who have withdrawn the external senses, the mind and their sense of doership into their true nature as consciousness are free from being trapped in the snare of samsara, not those who just repeat the statements of others.

Direct the mind resolutely towards God, restraining the senses in their various seats, and looking on the state of the body as a matter of indifference. Realise your oneness with God, remaining continually intent on identifying with its nature, and joyfully drink the bliss of God within, for what use is there in other, empty things?

Sai Sat Charita

2011-03-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

Would like to put summarised version of Sai Sat Charita of Sri Shridi Sai Baba, which is being prepared and will be posted shortly, you can read the same for all the seven days which can be read from Thursday to Wednesday, of the week. Hope the same will be useful for all the people interested in the same.

Clay Balls

2011-02-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by theSeashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside.. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE
THING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!
Do not ask GOD to Guide your Footsteps if you are not willing to MOVE your Feet'

Value Of Satsang

2011-01-23T21:45:00.000-08:00

By Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal
The company of learned and virtuous people (Satsang) is what we should seek. Just being in their company, rids us of our ignorance (agnana). Gnanis do not indulge in unnecessary talk. They discuss only matters relating to the atma. They speak the truth, and thus we too imbibe the quality of honesty.

Honesty, in turn, confers peace of mind on us. One who utters lies can know no peace. He is always in a state of agitation, for fear that he might be found out. To cover up one lie, he utters another, and thus he is caught in a cycle of lies, from which he cannot get out of. Our association with gnanis also earns for us the respect of society. If we count the learned as our friends, then that says a lot about our own good qualities.

Gnanis help us in ways we cannot even think of. There was a poor man who, every day, provided food to a gnani engaged in penance. One day, the poor man had to perform his father's death anniversary, but he had no money to perform the rituals. His wife asked him to approach the gnani for help. The gnani, being a man of God, had no money to give the poor man. All he had was an ash gourd, which he gave to the poor man. Obviously, the vegetable was going to be of no use to the man in conducting his father's death anniversary. So he laid it aside and managed to go ahead with what little money he had.

The gourd shrivelled up after some days. The poor man's wife cut open the gourd to see if something could be salvaged, and inside the gourd she found diamonds. The gnani had not put the diamonds there. How could he, when he had nothing to call his own? But such was the power of the gnani's penance that the poor man had been rewarded for serving the gnani throughout the year.

Our minds are constantly in a state of worry and confusion because of the pressures of life. This confusion is wiped out when we are with gnanis. We are no longer faced with dilemmas, for now decision-making becomes easier for us, since we think clearly. Since gnanis always speak only about the scriptures, and of matters pertaining to the atma, we derive mental strength from their words.

Hanuman Jayanthi 2011

2011-01-04T06:40:00.004-08:00

Yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam;
Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim;
Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam;
Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam

Meaning : "We bow to Maruti, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded above his forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the Names of Lord Rama are sung".

Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over India-either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatara of Lord Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.

He is the living embodiment of Ram-Nam. He was an ideal selfless worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly and dynamically. He was a great devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. He served Sri Rama with pure love and devotion, without expecting any fruit in return. He lived to serve Sri Rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He did what others could not do-crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the city of Lanka, and bringing the sanjeevini herb and restoring Lakshmana to life again. He brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the nether world after killing Ahiravana.

He had devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of celibacy, and desirelessness. He never boasted of his bravery and intelligence.

He said to Ravana, "I am a humble messenger of Sri Rama. I have come here to serve Rama, to do His work. By the command of Lord Rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the Grace of Lord Rama. I am not afraid of death. I welcome it if it comes while serving Lord Rama."

Mark here how humble Hanuman was! How very devoted he was to Lord Rama! He never said, "I am the brave Hanuman. I can do anything and everything."

Lord Rama Himself said to Sri Hanuman, "I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty hero! You did marvellous, superhuman deeds. You do not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you have not asked for anything at any time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How can I repay My debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to you. I give you the boon of everlasting life. All will honour and worship you like Myself. Your murti will be placed at the door of My temple and you will be worshipped and honoured first. Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung, your glory will be sung before Mine. You will be able to do anything, even that which I will not be able to!"

Thus did Lord Rama praise Hanuman when the latter returned to Him after finding Sita in Lanka. Hanuman was not a bit elated. He fell in prostration at the holy feet of Lord Rama.

Lord Rama asked him, "O mighty hero, how did you cross the ocean?"

Hanuman humbly replied, "By the power and glory of Thy Name, my Lord."

Again the Lord asked, "How did you burn Lanka? How did you save yourself?"

And Hanuman replied, "By Thy Grace, my Lord."

What humility Sri Hanuman embodied!

On this holy day worship Sri Hanuman. Fast on this day. Read the Hanuman Chalisa. Spend the whole day in the Japa of Ram-Nam. Sri Hanuman will be highly pleased and will bless you with success in all your undertakings.

Glory to Hanuman! Glory to his Lord, Sri Rama!

The Art Of Giving

2010-12-26T20:43:00.000-08:00

"Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do tree eat their own fruit, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others?

Even after accepting that giving is good and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.

The first question is when should one give?

We all know the famous incident from the Mahabharata.

Yudhisthir, asks a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. On this, Bhim rejoices, that Yudhisthir his brother, has conquered death! For he is sure that he will be around tomorrow to give. Yudhisthir gets the message.

One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give! The time to give therefore is now.

The next question is how much to give.

One recalls the famous incident from history. Rana Pratap was reeling after defeat from the Moghals. He had lost his army, he had lost his wealth, and most important he had lost hope, his will to fight. At that time in his darkest hour, his erstwhile minister Bhamasha came seeking him and placed his entire fortune at the disposal of Rana Pratap. With this, Rana Pratap raised an army and lived to fight another day.

The answer to this question how much to give is "Give as much as you can!

The next question is what to give.

It is not only money that can be given. It could be a flower or even a smile.

It is not how much one gives but how one gives that really matters. When you give a smile to a stranger that may be the only good thing received by him in days and weeks! "You can give anything but you must give with your heart!

One also needs answer to this question whom to give.

Many times we avoid giving by finding fault with the person who is seeking. However, being judgmental and rejecting a person on the presumption that he may not be the most deserving is not justified. Give without being judgmental!

Next we have to answer How to give.

Coming to the manner of giving, one has to ensure that the receiver does not feel humiliated, nor does the giver feel proud by giving.

In giving follow the advice, Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives? Charity without publicity and fanfare is the highest form of charity. 'Give quietly!

While giving let not the recipient feel small or humiliated. After all what we give never really belonged to us. We come to this world with nothing and will go with nothing. The thing gifted was only with us for a temporary period. Why then take pride in giving away something which really did not belong to us? Give with grace and with a feeling of gratitude.

* When you help someone in need, give it before he asks for it; for if you place him under the necessity of stretching out his hand, you take away from him his self-respect which is worth more than the value of your alms.

What should one feel after giving?

We all know the story of Eklavya. When Dronacharya asked him for his right thumb as "Guru Dakshina", he unhesitatingly cut off the thumb and gave it to Dronacharya.

There is a little known sequel to this story. Eklavya was asked whether he ever regretted the act of giving away his thumb. He replied, and the reply has to be believed to be true, as it was asked to him when he was dying.

His reply was "Yes! I regretted this only once in my life. It was when Pandavas were coming in to kill Dronacharya who was broken hearted on the false news of death of his son Ashwathama and had stopped fighting. It was then that I regretted the loss of my thumb. If the thumb was there, no one could have dared hurt my Guru.

The message to us is clear. Give and never regret giving!

And the last question is How much should we provide for our heirs?

Ask yourself 'are we taking away from them the gift of work'? - A source of happiness! The answer is given by Warren Buffett: "Leave your kids enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing!”

I would conclude by saying: let us learn the Art of Giving, and quoting Saint Kabir:

"When the wealth in the house increases, when water fills a boat, Throw them out with both hands "

Make life simple

2010-12-12T01:22:00.000-08:00

By Chitrangada Singh
believe that spirituality is a quest to reach a deeper sense of consciousness It’s a journey to simplify the complexities of lifeWhat brand of clothes you wear, your bank balance or the profession you chose are factors in life which affect one's understanding of spirituality Whether you are clad in a Gucci or flash an expensive brand - if you can save a part of yourself, your innocence and a part of your silence, you can see God or experience Him anywhere If you see goodness in people,.you find goodness coming into your life.

This positivity in your own life translates into a sense of well being and joy that probably no amount of manipulations and strategies can get you Life needs to be simple I probably lack the level of consciousness to remember exactly when my life was touched by the Divine But I can say when I have felt special Many times when I’ve stumbled in life, I’ve felt that I was being guided A lot of times when I have felt terribly weak and unable to go on — my weakness was transformed to my anger.and subsequently my anger became strength.

ll the people in my life who supported me in those moments were nothing but a divine blessing I believe one has to experience sadness to value happiness When we see the bottomless pit of materialism, we open our minds’ doors to spirituality which is nothing but a quest to satiate one’s mind Spirituality is extremely personal and individualistic, and has nothing to do with a talisman or Cavalli briefs with images of God that you wearIn a day-to-day context, spirituality means keeping malice.and negativity at bay, seeing goodness in others and saving yourself from the set rules of the world.

The Monks of Kauai's Hindu Monastery

2010-12-03T06:58:00.000-08:00

Kauai Aadheenam is the spiritual home and theological seminary for 21 monks from five nations. They are the ministers of Saiva Siddhanta Church overseeing an international religious mission, while living a strict lifestyle of daily religious worship, meditation, yoga and service. Morning worship begins before dawn in the temple with rites to Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan and then Lord Siva. Young, single men under 25 years of age who are interested in traditional Hindu monastic life can explore our How to Become a Monk page.

Following the daily worship, at 6:00am the monks sit together for a one-hour guided meditation followed by singing and guidance from the abbot. This daily spiritual activity is the anchor for the coming day of service to dedicated spiritual seekers and the Hindu world at large.

The monks are involved daily with the Hindu temple that is the center of their life, performing three-hour vigils 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in the sacred precincts. Classes, seminars and training take place throughout the week as they study together the philosophical and metaphysical teachings of the founder, chant Sanskrit mantras, sing traditional devotional hymns and celebrate the festivals of their lineage.

Self-sufficiency is a prime principle for Hindu monastics, and thus each monk is called upon to help with the daily chores of the monastery, whether in the kitchen, the gardens, the temple or the offices.

Now we introduce ever so briefly the founder of Kauai's Hindu Monastery and the 20 monks whom he initiated and who now carry on the spiritual work of his lineage.

For over five decades Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, affectionately known as Gurudeva, taught Hinduism to Hindus and seekers from all faiths. In the line of successorship, he was the 162nd Jagadacharya of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara and the founding Guru Mahasannidhanam of Kauai Aadheenam (also known as Kauai's Hindu Monastery), a 458-acre temple-monastery complex on Hawaii's Garden Island. Gurudeva's mission, received from his satguru, Siva Yogaswami of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, was to protect, preserve and promote the Saivite Hindu religion as expressed through its three pillars: temples, satgurus and scripture. That mission is now carried forward by his monastic and family communities.

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami is Gurudeva's designated successor, having spent 37 years training and serving at Gurudeva's side. On November 13, 2001, he was installed as Guru Mahasannidhanam of Kauai Aadheenam and the 163rd preceptor of the Kailasa Parampara. Bodhinatha is the spiritual head of Saiva Siddhanta Church, Himalayan Academy and Hindu Heritage Endowment. As publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, he carries forward Gurudeva's vision to inform, strengthen and connect Hindus around the world. Read a more thorough biography here.

Tatva Bodh of Adi Shankaracharya

2010-11-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

Lectures by Swami Nikhilanandaji,
Tatva Bodh was written by Adi Shankaracharya. Shankaracharyaji salutes his guru Shri Krishna before he starts the text. This is important because before we undertake any study of the scriptures, we have to surrender our ego and identify with the Supreme Reality.

Tatva Bodh is not a text for those who are curious or for those who want worldly knowledge. It is not merely a book of theories to be read. It is meant for people who desire Moksha. We all have desires that we try to fulfill in our past time because we think we get happiness when they are fulfilled. The degree of happiness is proportionate to the intensity of the desire. But there are always more unfulfilled desires than fulfilled desires. These desires always give rise to restlessness. Where there is restlessness, there is no peace. Example: “I want water. I am thirsty.” Once this desire has entered your mind, you can not sit peacefully. You go to where this water and drink it or if there is none, you think about where to go and get some.

It is natural that we have desires and they propel us. It is even written in the scriptures. (Kaama cheshta – everything is propelled by desire) The rishis analyzed these desires and wondered if one can fulfill all his desires, will he be happy. They classified the desires into four types.

1. Desire to be secure (Survival instinct):

This is the first and foremost desire among all living beings. We want to survive. This desire arises from deep within us. Eons ago, the caveman lived in caves and killed animals to survive. Today, we desire to own a house, car, and credit cards to feel secure. (Arthapurushaartha – desire for security)

We think money will provide security and so we desire to earn more, own a house with security alarms and smoke detectors. Or we may be physically, socially and financially secure but we feel psychological insecurities. “Why won’t he smile at me? Why doesn’t she like me? Let me make cookies for her.” We may also feel intellectual insecurities. We then use philosophy to feel more secure. “I am an Advaiti. I am a Hindu. I am a Muslim.” We may join a movement or a mission to feel intellectually secure. We must take care to not just calm our insecurities but try to learn and move towards the goal.

We also feel secure doing what a lot of people do. We feel more secure with a crowd. We do not want to be alone. Even if God is there and everyone is going towards Him, we prefer to go with everyone rather than go alone to God.

These insecurities will remain with us until we have “atma gnana”. Therefore, in Bhagavad Gita, Bhagwan says “Have faith in me. I will make you secure. I will take care of all your needs.” “Yogakshemaam vahaamyaham” – whatever needs to be protected, I shall protect.” Till we understand the greatness of God and till we understand that the greatest security is God within us, we will be insecure and desire for security.

2. Desire to gain pleasure:

This is a very strong desire. Almost everything is propelled by these two desires – security and pleasure. We are propelled by fear or pleasure and so many religions use this – “Do this and go to heaven. Don’t do this, you will go to hell.” They create fear or give pleasure to make people do things. There are pleasures at all levels: physically, senses etc. The drawback is pleasure is always followed by pain. There is insecurity in the pleasure - “Will we feel it tomorrow?” Also, a person who always seeks pleasure becomes dull. His thinking capacity is diminished because he becomes totally focussed on acquiring pleasures. It is said in the scriptures: If you want to gain knowledge, forget about pleasure. If you want to gain pleasure, forget about knowledge.

Even after trying to gain security and pleasure, we are not happy. So, we desire to gain a superior type of security and happiness – that which is more lasting. This is the third ty pe of desire.

3. Desire to be good:

This is the desire to become a better and more righteous person. There is pleasure in eating but there is more pleasure in feeding others. There is pleasure in being protected but there is greater pleasure in protecting others. This indicates rise of Dharma and goodness and giving up of selfishness. We should try to gain security without making the other person insecure. We should try to be happy without making others miserable.

Dharma says – “Live and let live.” If you want to gain something, do so by adhering to certain rules (“niyams”) so that you do not harm others. Even the worst person has this desire to be good in him. He has the potential that is deep within him and that is inborn in him to be a saint. The Gita says the moment an evil person desires to be good, he becomes a saadhu. (Example: Valmiki)

When a person follows Dharma, he feels more secure and happier in this world. This seems very strange but is true. A dharmic person feels very secure (Example: Sitaji, Ramji). An adharmic person feels very insecure. (Raavan, despite all his strength and wealth he felt insecure all the time.)

Dharmorakshathi rakshathaha One, who follows Dharma, is protected by Dharma. He feels God, Goodness, Righteousness is on his side and so he gains unshakeable strength. Nothing can affect him. Mahatma Gandhi was small, frail, without money, without even the full complement of garment to cover his body, not owning even as much earth as might be held on the point of a needle, yet he was so much stronger than the mightiest of empires. The British feared him.

One who follows truth: His words gain power, even the Gods must obey him. Example: Anasuya. When someone approached her for help, her husband was cursed to die at sunrise the next day, Anasuya had the power to stop the Sun from rising because she followed dharma.

When a person follows dharma, he feels more secure and happier, he feels joy in just being and existing (Example: Mahatmas). They work not because of sense of duty and not because of aspiration but because of inspiration.

But a Dharmic person still feels a sense of bondage, a sense of limitation by rules. He will have to be born in this body, eat, sleep and drink with this body. Living in this world becomes bondage. Mumukshatwam (desire to be free from bondage) arises in him.

4. Desire to gain Moksha:

This is the desire to free from bondage of desires, body etc. It is subtlest of all desires. Example: No matter how much pleasure we gain from being awake, we do not want to turn away from sleep. We always want rest and sleep. A mumukshu is one who has intense desire for freedom, liberation and Moksha. The Tatva Bodh is written for such a mumukshu. This liberation that he seeks can be gained from knowing the Self. There is no need to go elsewhere or outwards. The liberation lies within. Knowing the true self is freedom.
Transcribed by Neena Venugopalan

Explanation Of God By A Child

2010-11-26T20:28:00.001-08:00

THIS IS FABULOUS!!!

It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
(and he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen!)
EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'

'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'

'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'

'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church.'

'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.'

'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.'

'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'

'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!

Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'

'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'

'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.

And...that's why I believe in God.'

THE SAGE OF KANCHI [1894-1994]

2010-11-20T18:28:00.000-08:00

THE SAGE OF KANCHI [1894-1994]
--Was there anything which he did not know?
By B.N.Murthy
Among the path- finders to the Eternal, Acharya Shankara stands pre-eminent. He spent his entire life, short though it was, in urging his fellowmen to turn from the ephemeral to the abiding, from the fleeting phenomena of the temporal world to the spiritual felicity of the Eternal life. He taught the path to the Eternal not merely by precept but also by his own shining example. Cast in the image of Shankara, the Sage of Kanchi, also popular as the Paramacharya, followed in the footsteps of Shankara and carried forward the message of Shankara and consolidated Advaita in the 20th century at a time when materialism was gaining the upper hand in society. A well known Professor of Religion and Philosophy from the University of Chicago, after having met the Paramacharya, observed “Before I went to India, I had heard and read much about the great sages and saints of India and I had assumed that it was something belonging to the ancient past. And it was not till I had met the Sage of Kanchi in 1955 that I realized that it was still a part of the living force of Hinduism even today”

The Sage of Kanchi always reminded anyone who met him for the first time about our ancient Rishis of the past. The simplicity of his living was proverbial. His simplicity, amenability and humility belied the fact that he was a store- house of all knowledge, both spiritual as well as secular. The versatility of his knowledge even in such secular subjects like Music, Dance, Drama, English Literature, Foreign Language, Sculpture and Architecture was something amazing, as the following incidents testify. The Paramacharya’s formal education ended when he was 13 years of age when he took up Sanyasa.

Shelly, The English Poet: Years ago when the Sage was camping in the Mylapore Sanskrit College, Madras, a discussion was going on between a retired Professor of English, fairly advanced in age, and the Sage on the subject “Traces of Advaita in English Literature” The Professor referred to some lines in Shakespeare’s drama “As you Like It” and some lines from Wordswoth’s poem “Tintern Abbey”. The Sage asked the Professor if there was any clearer reference in Shelly’s works. The Professor could not recollect immediately. The Achrya quipped “Have you not heard Shelly’s “Adonais?”. The Professor said “Yes”. The Acharya then observed “Perhaps you have forgotten the line “The One remains, the many change and pass”. The Professor submitted that due to his advanced age, his memory had failed him.

Shakespeare: Sometime in 1988 some devotees, including a few foreigners went to Kanchi to have the darshan of the Paramacharya. A little girl about 3 years old, daughter of one of the devotees, was playing merrily, often putting her hand in the interspace between the railings. A sudden gush of wind caused the screen besides the railing to flutter. The child screamed. The father rushed towards the child to console.
The Acharya, who was watching the child all along, asked the father if he had read Shakespeare’s drama ‘Tempest’. When he said no, the Acharya asked one of the attendants to enquire the small group of foreigners sitting close by and find out if they have read. Two said they had read. The Acharya then explained that the child, while playing, got frightened because of the strong wind, even as Miranda, the little daughter of Prospero, had been portrayed by Shakespeare as having been terrified when the vessel in which they were sailing got tossed by the gale, in his drama ‘Tempest’.

Russian Language: An oriental scholar by name Prof. Ribakov from Moscow, accompanied by the famous dancer Dr. Padma Subramanian, once went to have the darshan of the Paramachrya at Kanchi.. The Professor had brought a questionnaire with him for which he wanted the Sage’s clarifications. After a brief introduction, His Holiness asked the Professor “Does not the northernmost part of Russia use a dialect which has a large content of Sanskrit?” As it was so, the Professor was stunned at the Paramacharya’s close acquaintance with the Russian language and its dialects..

Music: Many decades back, when the Paramacharya was camping in Madras, he visited the house of Madurai Mani Iyer, a doyen of Carnatic music, early in the morning without notice. Mani Iyer was doing his Sadhana practicing Sangitha, deeply immersed in it. When some one announced that the Paramacharya was entering his house, Mani Iyer was stunned and it took sometime for him to react. When Iyer came and met the Sage, the Sage asked him to sing a song. Iyer replied hesitatingly that he had not even had his bath. The Sage replied “You always swim in the Sangitha Sagaram [Ocean of music]. You do not have to have a bath to sing before me!” Moved to tears, Madurai Mani fell at his feet, crying “Parmeshwara!” “Now, start” said the Acharya. “You saw the mridangam man leave just now. How do I sing?” pleaded Madurai Mani. “Don’t worry. I will keep the talam for you!” Paramacharya began keeping the beats with his hands and Mani Iyer sang.

Sculpture : When a memorial was conceived in memory of Swami Vivekananda to be put up in Kanyakumari in 1962 [ A year ahead of his birth centenary], a group of Swamiji’s disciples were having the idea of putting up a statue on the rock, now popular as the Vivekananda Rock, which is about 500 meters away from the coast. This is the rock sitting on which Swamiji meditated for three days from on 26th December 1882 before he left for Chicago in 1893. The local Christians opposed the idea as they wanted a memorial in the same place for St.Xavier. When the proposal became controversial with communal overtones, a patriot and dynamic social worker by name Ekanath Ranade entered the scene. He got in touch with almost all the top national leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajaji, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Dr.S.Radhakrishnan etc and convinced them about the propriety of putting up Swamiji’s statue. When all agreed, Ranade went to the Paramacharya with a well known Sthapathi [Sculptor] and got complete guidance from the Paramacharya and got the blueprint prepared. Finally, he called on the then Chief Minister Sri. M. Bhaktavatsalam and requested the CM to give his approval in consultation with the Government Architect. The Chief Minister simply remarked “When the Paramacharya has himself approved the design, there is no need to consult anyone else”.

Even though the Sage of Kanchi appeared immersed in mundane affairs, all along he was deeply immersed in the Eternal Bliss of Self-Realization. It would be easy to visualize such a noble soul, if only we study Oliver Goldsmith’s famous poem ‘The Deserted Village” wherein the poet refers to the Village Preacher in these memorable lines:

“As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,
Though round the breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head”.

Removing the poison

2010-11-20T00:58:00.001-08:00

By Adur Asuri Madhavachari
God thinks of the welfare of all. So everyone can worship Him, and crave salvation. There is no distinction of caste or creed or gender when it comes to seeking the Lord's protection. When the Lord states His willingness to liberate us and further demonstrates it by liberating even a venomous snake like Kalinga that wrought havoc among the people, surely there is no reason to doubt His words.

And yet, we never tire of asking questions and doubting the Lord. So it was with the disciples of the Vaishnavite Acharya Vedanta Desika. They first asked their preceptor how the Lord could let off Kalinga. When the Acharya answered citing further examples of the Lord's benevolence, they had a further query. Why did the Lord have to make the snake spit out the poison? The Lord danced on each hood and made the snake spew out all its poison through each of its mouths, until it no longer had any poison. Why did He do this, the disciples wondered. The Lord is the remover of all manner of poison. So what is there to be surprised at His removal of the snake's poison? Is there a bigger poison than samsara? Does the Lord not rid us of this poison, if we request Him to? So getting rid of Kalinga's poison was but a minor matter for the Lord.

The list of people saved by the Lord is big. Kshatrabandhu, a robber, Kakasura, who hurt Sita, Guha, Sugriva, Vibhsihana are some of the many liberated by Him. And it can be seen that this is just a sample of a heterogeneous set of those liberated by the Lord. He blesses sinners too, if they place their faith in Him.

Few of us can see the Lord in everything. Lord Krishna Himself points to this. Attachment to the Lord does not come easily. We may have to take several births before we realise that we need Him to grant us moksha. But moksha is our birthright, and we must seek what is rightfully ours. But every right carries with it responsibilities and duties. Our duty is to surrender to Him unconditionally, and then moksha automatically follows. The Lord shall not waver in His promise to liberate us, if we surrender to Him.

Spirituality Made Him Indian

2010-11-05T17:43:00.001-07:00

He has authored several books which are well known internationally. His book, ‘A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy,' initially published by the New York State University Press, is already into its third edition.

Jhon Grimes Family
‘Ganapati' (on Lord Ganesha) was his first book and so far he has released a dozen titles, the latest being ‘Ramana Maharishi - The Crown Jewel Of Advaita.' The author is an American, who knew India only on the world map in school. John Grimes, today, is a recognised authority on Advaita Vedanta.

It is during an interview at his sprawling apartment in Poonamalli High Road that details of his spiritual pursuit come to light. “I say I have the samskaras ( latent Impressions) to do all this,” begins Grimes. “I was a pucca American up to the point of my graduation from the University of Washington, U.S., where I learnt western philosophy. One day I was overwhelmed by a desire to go to India to learn philosophy,” he continues.

“It was in the 1970s, when people from the West set foot in India in the course of their spiritual quest. I wanted to learn about Indian sages, who were embodiment of Indian philosophy. The day I left for India, my father Johnson Alan Grimes, who was a city attorney in Beverley Hills, got initiated into the order of Swami Paramahamsa Yogananada. My sister was already a devotee of an Indian saint.”

And how was he received here? “ I met several sages wandering around India and they had one word to sum up my inclination - ‘samskara. Some even felt it was the continuance of an old relationship when they saw me. My thirst to learn Indian mythology grew.” Today John Grimes calls himself an Indian when it comes to Indian spirituality.

What was the search for and where did it end? “In the course of my search for a Guru, a Russian Yoga Instructor showed me the life-size portrait of a person in her studio that moved me. It was Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, of whom I had never heard of till then. I wanted to meet him and I set off for Puttaparthi.

“I met him and on his advice went to Varanasi to study Sanskrit. I was asked to leave the country during Emergency in 1975. Returning to Baba's Bangalore ashram, I was asked to attend his summer courses. Nine months later, he instructed me to go to Madras and do my masters in Philosophy at the University of Madras. My life changed course from that of a sadhak to a student of philosophy and I went on to earn a Ph.D at the Radhakrishnan Institute of Advanced Study in Philosophy, University of Madras.”

It was during his student days in the mid 1970s that John met the child prodigy Bala Meera (Hari Katha exponent), whom he married later. The couple have a son named Isa, who is a Management scholar living in the U.S.

On Sai Baba
On Baba as his Guru. “The moment I saw his portrait, my desire was fulfilled. There wasn't any direct learning. Many of my spiritual experiences happened outside the boundary of Puttaparthi.” How did he dare to do a treatise on Adi Sankara's ‘Viveka Choodamani.' “I had learnt Sanskrit by then and was fascinated by Adi Sankara's Advaita Philosophy. It took almost 10 years for me to complete the book which I wrote in an inclusive style. I have also written a book on Sureshwara's Naikarma Siddhi.”

It was Professor R. Balasubramanian, Director, Radhakrishnan Institute of Advanced Philopshy, who inspired him to write a book on Ramana.

“I would not have embarked upon this without someone prompting me. I have read about Ramana and studied his teachings for the past three years. Earlier, I was looking at it from a sadhak's view point but now it has changed to an intellectual and analytical perspective. Arunachala the mountain, stole my heart.”

Grimes describes the experience. “My sister, a staunch Visishtadvaitin, and I travelled to Tiruvannamalai. During the trip, we argued about the philosophies we learnt. As the silhouette of Arunachala began to emerge, we felt overpowered by a strong force. We became silent. We went to Skandasram and the Virupakshi cave, yet the impact never left us. We could feel the sakti. Arunuchala is a symbol of Brahman and in spite of being an Advaitik, I feel both Ramana and Arunachala are synonymous.”

Close to the heart
Which of his works are close to his heart? “‘Ganapati.' I have read it several times. Many people around the world use it as a reference. In New York when I was teaching Advaita at the University, I was given a grant to do research on Ganesa. It is more of a devotional offering than a book for academicians and students of philosophy. Ganesa is not just an elephant headed deity. He is the beginning of all good things and is present everywhere including the Mooladhara Chakra,” John asserts.

On future plans: “I want to write a book on all the sages and saints of India whom I have met during my spiritual quest and also a book on the gurukula system.

John turns nostalgic when he says he misses the fun he had at Bangalore and Puttaparthi as a budding sadhak with young Baba.

Keywords: John Grimes, Advaita

Jaku Hanuman Temple Shimla

2010-10-29T12:25:00.001-07:00

At the top of the famous Jakhu hill is located the famous Jakhu Temple of Shimla. It is hardly 2 kilometers from the Ridge and is an uphill climb through the beautiful deodar trees. The Jakhu Temple of Simla is dedicated to the monkey God, Hanuman. The Jakhu temple is located at a height of 2455 meters and is situated on the highest peak in Shimla. The scenic view that surrounds this beautiful temple of India is absolutely breath taking and splendid.

The temple has an interesting legend behind it. It is said that a deadly arrow injured Lord Rama's brother Lakshmana when he was fighting the battle with the demon king Ravana. A priest diagnosed Lakshmana and said that he needed a particular Sanjeevani herb from the Himalayas to cure Lakshmana. Hanuman was sent to get that herb from he lofty mountains. Upon reaching the Himalayas, Hanuman couldn't make out as to which herb was the Sanjeevani. So he dug up the entire mountain and flew back to where Lakshmana was lying injured.

After Lakshmana was cured, Hanuman went back to place the mountain in its original site. He rested on top of the Jakhu hill for sometime. It is said that the top of the hill got flattened due to Hanuman's weight! The temple has been built around the place that is supposed to have the footprints of Hanuman. It is a highly revered religious place of Shimla and devotees throng in huge numbers to pray. The shrine is a hotspot for monkeys who flock here in great numbers and generously accept eatables that are given to them by devotees and tourists.

CEO KALYANA RAMAN RAGOTO RICHES STORY

2010-10-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

What a story presented here let us all try to do something to the society what ever little we can, we know non of our politicians can match what Kalayana Raman Srinivasan is doin to the society, really commandable !

From studying under the streetlights to CEO of a US firm!

Here is the rags-to-riches story of an extremely talented boy from a small village in Tamil Nadu who has risen to be the chief executive officer of a company in Seattle, USA.
It is also the story of how Kalyana Raman Srinivasan, who was so indigent that he had to study under a streetlight, but then managed to score excellent marks, rose in life and became today's Kal Raman.
At every turn in his life, he took the difficult path and it turned out to be the right one and in the right direction. His rise to the top is more dramatic than a thriller. Today, he is a very successful entrepreneur and the founder-CEO of GlobalScholar.
Read his extraordinary story of triumph and determination . . .

Difficult childhood
Kal Raman was born and brought up in a small village called Mannarakoil in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It was a comfortable normal middle class life for him and his siblings as his father was a Tahasildar there.
But the sudden death of his father at the age of 45 changed everything overnight.
Kal was 15 then. "My mother got a pension of Rs 420 a month and you can imagine how tough it is to educate four children and feed five mouths with Rs 420?"
Hi life changed dramatically after his father's death. The family moved from the rented house to a hut that had no proper water supply or electricity. Kal Raman remembers, "All of us used to study under the streetlight and, thank god, the streetlights used to work those days! MGR (M G Ramachandran) was the chief minister then. We had to sell the plates to buy rice to eat and my mother used to give us rice in our hands. That bad was our situation."
But his mother, who had studied till the 8th standard, was very particular that her children studied. "All our relatives wanted my elder brother to stop studying and take up the small job offered by the government but my mother wanted him to continue studying."
"Then they wanted me to learn typewriting and shorthand so that I could get some job after the 10th standard. But mother said, 'My children are going to get the best education I can offer. Education is our salvation.' She was my hero for her vision and she still is my hero."
What kept the family going? "We were sad but because we accepted our fate, we were at peace with whatever that happened to us. We knew our father would not come back to lift us up from poverty. We also knew our salvation was a long way away."
He didn't know why he used to tell his mother, "One day I will give you so much money that you will not know what to do with it!" Years later, he did exactly that!
First turning point in life
Kal Raman believes that God played a hand in all the major turning points in his life. The first turning point in life was after his 12th standard. He got good marks in both the engineering and medicine entrance exams, and for engineering, he got admission at the Anna University in Chennai while for medicine, it was in the Tirunelveli Medical College.
"While going in the bus with my mother to join the medical college, I told her, "If I join for medicine here, the high probability is that my life may begin and end in Tirunelveli. I really want to see the world.' She agreed with my decision to go to Chennai and join Anna University and study Electrical Engineering and Electronics."
So, he stepped into a new world outside Tirunelveli, and that was Chennai. Though he had got merit scholarship and a lot of good people helped him pay the initial fee, the scholarship amount never used to reach him regularly or on time.
"The mess fee was Rs 250 a month and I used to be a defaulter in the mess at least six months in a year. Till you pay the mess fee, you cannot eat in the mess. So, I used to live on day scholars' lunch boxes and also use to fast. That is when I learnt to fast ! I must say a lot of friends helped me with money and food."
Scarcity of money was so bad that he had no money to buy food just before the final semester exams. When he gave his final semester exams, he had not eaten for a day-and-a-half. "After finishing the exam, I almost fainted."
The day after the exams came all the scholarship money that was due and it was around Rs 5,000. "So, I went home a rich man and that helped us repay some loans."

First job
Like opting for Chennai and joining Anna University instead of a college in Tirunelveli, Kal Raman took another risk with his first job also. His first job was with Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and he had a choice of joining either Chennai or Mumbai.
Although he knew nobody in Mumbai, he chose the capital of Maharashtra.
He remembered the first day. "It was interesting. With bag and baggage, I went to the TCE office after taking a shower at the railway station as I had no money to go to any hotel. After the first introduction at the office, the manager noticed that I was wearing slippers to the office. He called me and said, "I don't care which college you are coming from but this is not acceptable. You should come in shoes tomorrow."
I said I couldn't come in shoes the next day and this the manager construed as arrogance. "How could you talk like this?" he asked me. I said, "Sir, it is not that I don't want to, but I can't afford to buy shoes. Only after I get my first pay cheque, can I buy shoes. Sir, I request you not to terminate my job because of this. I and my family need this job."
Shocked to hear the explanation, the manager asked, "Where are you staying?" and the reply was, "Dadar Railway Station."
So distressed was the manager to hear Kal speak that he immediately released a month's salary in advance and also arranged for him to be at his friend's place till he could find a place to stay.
"He bought me a pair of shoes and those were my first shoes. The next day, I sent Rs 1,500 from the advance to my mother."

From electrical engineering to programming
Kal's rise in career was meteoric in a short span of time. Within a month, he got a chance to move to Bengaluru (then Bangalore) and also to programming.
Soon, he was in Chennai with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Within a few months, he was sent to Edinburgh, UK.
From Edinburgh, his next stop was the United States. In 1992, he went to the US as an entry level contractor with Wal-Mart. In two years, he was a director running a division.
When he left Wal-Mart after six years, he was a man running the information systems for the International Division of the retail giant.
In 1998, he joined drugstore.com Online Pharmacy as the chief information officer and in 2001 at the age of 30, he was the CEO of the company.
He was at the right place at the right time. "God was there at every step guiding me to take the right decisions. I was also willing to take risks and tread new paths," Kal says.

Starting GlobalScholar
Philanthropist Mike Milken who had donated more than a billion dollars to education, wanted to use technology so that high quality education was accessible to ordinary people.
Milken convinced Kal to join him. That was the time Kal was building schools in his village for poor students.
In October 2007, GlobalScholar was launched targetting both teachers and students by acquiring four companies -- National Scholar (USA), Classof1 (India), Excelsior (USA), and Ex-Logica (USA) -- that were into education.
"Three months after the launch, I travelled all over the US, India, Singapore and China talking to teachers and companies and the public. I found that the only way to impact education was by impressing teachers. The biggest scarcity in the world is good teachers. We decided to help teachers with teaching practices and kids, learning practices."
Kal Raman decided to concentrate on the US market as the US is more advanced in using technology. "They are also willing to pay money for technology. At present, schools buy the material which can be used by teachers, students and parents."
Today, they have 200 people working for GlobalScholar in Chennai and 150 in the US. The study material is prepared in the Chennai office.
The company that was started with $50 million will have in excess of $32 million and will generate $5 million of profits. In 2008, the turnover of the company was Rs 40 crore (Rs 400 million) and in 2009, it was Rs 80 crore (Rs 800 million). In the current year it will be 150-160 crore (Rs 1.5-1.6 billion).
"GlobalScholar is growing at 200 per cent every year. We have 1,000 schools and 10 million students, which is one out of 10 kids in the US, using our study material. This is almost 18 per cent of the US population. We are the fastest growing education company in the US."
GlobalScholar will soon introduce a pilot project in India and China. In the course of all this, Kalyana Raman became Kal Raman. "The country gave me everything and took half my name."
Giving back to society
Kal Raman is in India now for the Kumbhabhishekam of the temple at his village Mannarkoil. "It is taking place after 500 years. It is the culmination of two-and-a-half years of work. I have spent more than one and a half crore rupees (Rs 15 million) to renovate the temple and do the Kumbhabhishekam. More than anything else, I have given jobs to all my friends in the village who are masons and carpenters."
Other than this, he has also adopted all the orphanages around his village and he takes care of around 2,000 kids, some of whom are physically handicapped.
"I feel if I can educate these children, eventually we can make a difference in the society. We also help 100 children in their higher education. Around my village, everyone knows that if a kid who studies well cannot afford to pay fees, he has to only come to my house; his education will be taken care of."
"I do not do this as charity; its my responsibility. I am giving something back to the society that fed me, taught me, and took care of me and gave me hopes. "

Desire For Liberation

2010-10-21T04:20:00.000-07:00

By Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
The course of the Jivatma's journey towards liberation passes through many births. At some point of time, due to past Karma and more importantly through God's grace, the Jivatma realises the ultimate purpose and begins the search for this goal. The Bhagavata Purana, that is the essence of Vedic literature, provides the necessary assistance to the Jivatma in this regard.As one starts listening to the narratives not only are one's sins wiped away gradually, but the desire for liberation takes root as well.

Parikshit, who got the valuable opportunity of listening to the Bhagavata Purana from Sage Suka and attained liberation, exemplifies the successful spiritual aspirant. This king had inadvertently thrown a dead snake on a sage in deep meditation, and immediately regretted this act. Though the sage himself remained unruffled, it was his son who cursed the king that he would die of snake bite within seven days. Parikshit accepted this curse willingly as a fit punishment for his act. He undertook penance for the remaining period of his life and did not want to get immersed in worldly life. This Vairagya is to be emulated by the Jivatma who has to turn his back to worldly attractions and look inwards for seeking liberation.

Dhruva and Prahlada also teach valuable lessons. Dhruva had desired to sit on the lap of his father but the stepmother refused to grant this rightful wish. Dhruva felt insulted and his mother, who also suffered indignities in the palace, saw no other way than ask the child to seek God through penance and propitiation. God is the only enduring relative for every one. He alone remains with us always and protects us unfailingly.

In the case of Prahlada, the father was tooth and nail against his son who implicitly believed in God. He advised his young friends to get involved in seeking God and not fritter away the life in wasteful pursuits. From one's childhood the dharma of devotional service to God is to be practised. Attachment to perishable things only leads to physical and mental strain. We have to cultivate the discrimination by which the body and the soul are perceived as two entities.

Golden Durga Puja @ Cuttack

2010-10-15T04:46:00.000-07:00

Kolkata may host the most lavish Durga puja pandals in the country complete with elaborate decoration and dazzling illumination, but in Cuttack the puja is popular for the extravagance in style reflected in gold and silver work.

Lakhs of people visit the puja pandals organised by three main puja organisers who compete with each other to put gold crowns on the heads of the deities.

It all started a few years back when the three organisers put up silver tableaux or ‘Chandi Medha’ in the pandals imparting a sparkling aura.

But gold? Nobody thought of it till Choudhury Bazar puja committee made gold crowns for the deities in 2002 to coincide with its golden jubilee.

Thereafter the three organisers are vying with each other to give the ‘golden’ touch to their worship of Durga. The budget for the Mangalabag Puja Committee this year is a whopping Rs one crore, the major chunk of which would be spent on making gold crowns.

Not just the Durga idol, all the other deities that flank her will sport gold crowns this year including Ganesh, Kartik, Laxmi and Saraswati.

While the main crown of Goddess Durga is made up of 2.5 kg of gold, the remaining four crowns weigh a little over 2.5 kg. The total cost for the crowns, including making charges, has crossed the Rs one crore mark, said a member of the puja committee overseeing the work.

Two other two puja committees -- Choudhury Bazar and Sheikh Bazar -- have also made gold crowns for Durga idols this year. The crown for Mahisasura was made of 7.6 kg gold at a cost of Rs 50 lakh.

Besides the crown, they have ordered gold necklaces for the Goddess Durga as well.

Sheikh Bazaar had also made a gold crown for Goddess Durga in 2008. A crown of 3.5 kg gold was made at a cost of Rs 28 lakh which continues to be the star attraction of Cuttack Dusshera.

Known for their impeccable dexterity, filigree artisans of Cuttack have always received appreciation worldwide.

At a time when silversmiths of the city were deprived of government support, non-existence of cooperatives, poor entrepreneurship, professional rivalries and invasion of machine-finished products in markets, the competition to go for silver tableaus and golden crowns have given them a new lease of life.
Click On Picture To Enlarged Image

Saptashrungi Devi Temple Nasik

2010-10-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

The Saptashrungi Devi temple is located at Vani near Nashik in Maharashtra. This temple is one among the 51 Shakti peethas located on the Indian subcontinent.

The Devi is said be swayambhu (self-manifested) on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain. She is surrounded by seven (sapta-in Sanskrit) peaks (shrunga-in Sanskrit), hence the name- Sapta Shrungi Mata (mother of the seven peaks). The image of the Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding various weapons. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered auspicious in this region. She is believed to be Mahishasur Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasur, who took the form of a buffalo. Hence, at the foot of the hill, from where one starts climbing the steps, there is the head of a buffalo, made is stone, and believed to be that of the demon.
Mahishasur Mandir
Mahishasur Mandir

It is believed that the Devi Mahatmya, a sacred book which extols the greatness of Devi and her exploits was composed at this place by the sage Markandeya, who performed rigorous penance on a hill opposite the one on which the Devi resides, which is now named after him.

The temple, which sort of sticks to the cliff, is 1230 meters above sea level. There is an old path with steps cut out of the mountain, which starts right at the foothills, at Vani and goes all the way to the mountain. However, now, a motorable road has been built, which goes up to an altitude of 1150 meters. From this place one has to climb around 500 steps to reach the shrine, which only takes about forty five minutes

The Good You Do Comes Back To You

2010-10-04T04:53:00.000-07:00

THE EVIL YOU DO REMAINS WITH YOU,
THE GOOD YOU DO, COMES BACK TO YOU.
A woman baked chapati for members of her family and
an extra one for a hungry passerby.
She kept the extra chapati on the window sill, for
whosoever would take it away.
Everyday, a hunchback cums and took away the chapati.
Instead of expressing gratitude,
he muttered the following words
as he went his way:
"The evil you do remains with you:
The good you do, comes back to you!"
This went on, day after day.
Everyday, the hunchback came,
picked up the chapati and uttered the words:
"The evil you do, remains with you:
The good you do, comes back to you!"
The woman felt irritated. "Not a word of gratitude,"
she said to herself...
"Everyday this hunchback utters this jingle!
What does he mean?"
One day, exasperated, she decided to do away with him.
"I shall get rid of this hunchback," she said.
And what did she do?
She added poison to the chapatti as
she prepared for him!
As she was about to keep it on the window sill, her hands trembled.
"What is this I am doing?" she said. Immediately,
she threw the chapati into the fire, prepared another one
and kept it on the window sill.
As usual, the hunchback came, picked up the chapati
and muttered the words:
"The evil you do, remains with you:
The good you do, comes back to you!"
The hunchback proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware
of the war raging in the mind of the woman.
Everyday, as the woman placed the chapati on the window sill,
she offered a prayer for her son who had gone to a distant place
to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him.....
She prayed for his safe return. That same evening, there was a knock on
the door.
As she opened it, she was surprised
to find her son standing in the doorway.
He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn.
He was hungry, starved and weak.
As he saw his mother, he said,
"Mom, it's a miracle I'm here.
While I was but a few miles away,
I was so famished that I collapsed.
I would have died, but
just then an old hunchback passed by.
I begged of him for a morsel of food,
and he was kind enough
to give me a whole chapati.
As he gave it to me, he said,
"This is what I eat everyday:
today,
I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!" "
As the mother heard those words,
her face turned pale.
She leaned against the door for support.
She remembered the poisoned chapati that
she had made that morning.
Had she not burnt it in the fire,
it would have been
eaten by her own son,
and he would have lost his life!
It was then that she realized
the significance of the words:
"The evil you do remains with you:
The good you do, comes back to you!"
Do good and Don't ever stop doing good,
even if it?s not appreciated at that time
Hope you remember a saying in urdu which says NEKI KAR DARYA MEIN DAL

If you are expecting some favours in return of the good deed you have done, your deed ceases to be a deed then, it's business then. Do you call a food merchant your 'annadata'? No, because he doesn't donate, he sells. So don't sell your 'neki'.

Pndurang Shastri Athavale

2010-09-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

Pandurang Shastri Athavale, popularly known as Dada, is a philosopher cum social reformer. He is credited with being the founder of the Swadhyay Movement. Not present in the world anymore, Pandurang Shastri Vaijnath Athavale was known for giving extremely moving discourses on Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. Infact, he tried to motivate his followers to spread the thoughts of Geeta in the society. Given below is the complete biography of Pandurang Shastri Athavale

His Life History
Pandurang Shastri Athavale was born on 19th October 1920, in the Roha village near Mumbai city. His grandfather was Laxman Rao, a renowned scholar and Brahmin who was involved in the spread of Bhagavad Gita amongst the Dalits. Pandurang grew up watching his grandfather go to the Dalit area and then take a bath after coming back home. Surprised by this act, he asked Laxman "If in the Bhagavad Gita the Lord exclaims that God exists within all human hearts, then how can anyone, including the so-called 'untouchables', be considered inferior to anyone else?"

After that, he made a vow to himself that he would always try to see the God within others. Hence, he became the proponent of the concept of "In-dwelling God". By the age of 22 years, Pandurang Shastri Athavale started giving discourses at the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Pathshala, a school that was set up by his father. In the year 1954, he attended the Second World Religions Conference, which was held in Japan. At the conference, he delivered a speech on the concepts of Vedic ideals as well as the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

Even though most of the people rebuffed his views; there was one person who was very impressed with him. He was Dr. Wilson Compton, who then offered Pandurang a post in the USA to spread his ideas and views. However, Pandurang politely turned down the offer. He then devoted himself in establishing a model community, through the spread of Vedic thoughts and message of the Bhagavad Gita. Thus was born the Swadhyay (meaning 'self study') Movement, which spread the message of the holy book not only in India, but the whole world.

The family members of the Swadhyay Pariwar are called 'Swadhyayees' and include people from the upper as well as the lower classes. The Swadhyayees who spread the ideas of Athavale throughout the country are known as "Krutisheels' or the people of action. Pandurang Shastri Athavale also founded an institute, known as Tatvagyan Vidhyapeeth, where young people study and learn his views and ideas. Pandurang left for the holy abode on 25th October 2003, in Mumbai. His adopted daughter, Jayshree Talwalkar, is carrying on his work today.

Recognition

* Ramon Magsaysay Award in Manila, Philippines (1996) - for community leadership
* Templeton Prize in Westminster Abbey, London (1997)
* Padma Vibhushan (1998) - for his efforts towards social reform

Pictorial Representation Of Dada Bhagwan's Sayings

2010-09-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

Please Click on the pictures to see the message and enlarged pictures.

Stones That Speak

2010-09-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

Stones that speak
GOWRI RAMNARAYAN

A MARVEL OF MAHABALIPURAM: Shiva instructing his disciple Tandu who gave the name Tandava to the art.
city of ponds and lakes’ A bridge with a view
TOPICS
arts, culture and entertainment culture (general)
history

After 32 years in IIT, Delhi, what inspired Professor S. Swaminathan to write about Mahabalipuram? Gowri Ramnarayan meets the engineer-turned-author

How did a mechanical engineer turn into an expert in ancient monuments? How did Professor S. Swaminathan, after 32 years at IIT, Delhi produce a coffee table book on “Mahabalipuram: Unfinished Poetry in Stone” with photographs by Ashok Krishnaswamy?

A casual trip to Ajanta in 1963 triggered a life-changing experience. Swaminathan realised that he had no background on the breathtaking wonders of the 29 caves. “Our monuments have become picnic spots. We have no understanding of heritage.” His anguish took positive shape when he devised a course in art and technology. “IIT is an export zone. The student's mind is in the U.S., he knows Cincinnati, not Tiruchirapalli. But a 5,000-year-old heritage cannot be trivial! Where is identity without culture?”

Five years of research on Ajanta resulted in a book with exhaustive details about every cave and fresco — location, layout, stylistic phases, politics, patronage, theme, composition, technique, pigment — even details about portrayal of women and methods of rendering limbs.

He has documented Ajanta in sleeve notes that “you can enjoy sitting in the drawing room,” he laughs, admitting that “you” is really himself. Pulling out more unpublished sleeve notes and “books” he adds, “Until age 70 my name was printed only on the IIT prospectus. Now I find it on the cover of Mahabalipuram.” It was preceded by an elaborate source book and months of photography. “We're planning a cheaper edition; the people I write for can't buy a book for Rs. 2,500.”

He continues reflectively, “I'm a loner, like doing things for myself. Nothing commercial. Whatever I find is on the public domain, on my website. Many download stuff when they travel to Ajanta or Nalanda or Sittannavasal”. The engineer in Swaminathan gravitates to the material and craft methods of the past. He probes into the growth and direction of thought in the community that shapes its art forms. “We look at the wrong end of the telescope. What we see in heritage sites is not art, but the outcome of extended meditation.”

Studying a bewildering range of subjects from Tamil prosody to cartoons and Gandhian philosophy, Swaminathan is fascinated by Brahmi, the mother of all Indian and most south Asian scripts, and Grantha, developed by the Pallavas to write Sanskrit.

“I dream,” said the retired professor when a man he met by chance asked, “What do you do?” He was probably thinking about cultural centre Sudarshanam, launched in hometown Pudukkottai. But the questioner, industrialist GRK Reddy, persisted in knowing more and Swaminathan found himself supported by Marg Swarnabhoomi to publish Mahabalipuram. “I've been given an office too, to work on any project I like.” A crucial interest is starting heritage clubs with location specific cultural study in village/district schools.

The Taj Mahal is everywhere. What do we know of the greater marvels of Mahabalipuram?” asks Professor Swaminathan. “Every one of its motifs is singular, unique, no repetition. A lion with a Mahishasuramardhini carved on its stomach! Every ratham (chariot) is fashioned differently. The Arjuna Penance is the pinnacle of sculptural vision. Spare ornamentation and subtle details achieve superb classicism. Can you find a more accomplished emperor, Mahendra Pallava?” he wonders. His “Mahendra trail” of the visionary king titled Vichitrachitta, has become well-known. He has conducted courses in the old port for tourist guides, as also residence seminars involving eight hours spent daily in front of bas relief, monolith and cave. “Nowhere else do we find all three in one spot.”

Swaminathan does not see himself as a scholar, but a rasika who wants to introduce what he enjoys to others. “I'm no author jumping from book to book. But I do want to write on the Kailasanatha temple, Kanchi.” No, he has not set specific goals for himself. “My greatest joy is that I have sensitised many students to the value of our heritage. Many write and say I have transformed their way of thinking. What more can I want?”

The Book:

Mahabalipuram: Unfinished poetry in Stone

Beginning with the first cave temples excavated in south India (Mandagapattu) by Mahendra Pallava (590-630 CE), the book looks at the countless works of art scattered on the Mahabalipuram shore. To the breath stopping parade of cave shrine, bas relief, monolith and even regional flora, quaintness and riddles add spice — an inscription of a Saivite curse on a Vaishnava shrine, the mystery of the tiger cave, speculation on whether Arjuna or Bhagiratha is the central ascetic in the Great Penance…

No jargon in the chatty ‘in' style. The visual close-ups engender empathy and intimacy. What stands out is the writer's and lensman's eagerness to share their passion for the sweep of imagination and craft splendour in these Pallava marvels, as the author traces the legend, composition, and details on the walls. Turning the pages is to watch stone springing to life in this magnificent sculpture garden.

The images of Mahendra Pallava, flanked by his queens, or cleverly representing himself and Lord Siva in the same figure at Lalitankura Pallavagriham (Rockfort, Tiruchi), establish an irresistible human interest in this saga of unnamed sthapatis who left by the rolling waves their exquisite odes to the gods, and to the human spirit.

The Photographer

A visual communications professor who works with some of the highest brands in India and overseas, a trainer in graphic art tools, photography, visual design and animation, Ashok Krishnaswamy was prompted by an associate's query, “What have you done for society?” to document old temples as a quiet personal mission.

As a young man Krishnaswami learnt photography at Mahabalipuram, with a cheap camera and scrounged film rolls. Despite the immense advances since then, the project posed its challenges. The Arjuna Penance bas relief had to be captured in multiple frames. Negotiating the narrow space at the Dharmaraja chariot was quite a task. The huge Govardhan panel in the Krishna mandapam? “I took each portion between the pillars and stitched them together.”

Song Of The Spirit

2010-09-18T04:27:00.001-07:00

Like the protagonist of his solo play on Swami Vivekananda, singer-actor Shekhar Sen won the hearts of one and all.

The life and vision of the man divine, Swami Vivekananda was presented by Impresario India in an incredible musical play written, composed and enacted by the renowned actor-singer Shekhar Sen from Mumbai at Kamani auditorium this past week. The outstanding performance of this gifted artiste encompassed the life of the patriot saint whose vision of shared spirituality and eloquent message at the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago conquered the hearts of people from across the world. Disclosing the making of this dynamic saint, the two-hour long riveting play unfolds the stories of his childhood, the impact of the Brahmo-Samaj on him, his eagerness to find God and meeting his revered mentor Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, his unforgettable Chicago speech, and so on.

A talented singer, composer, lyricist and actor, Sen left the audience awestruck, debating whether he was a better singer or actor, after his spellbinding performance as Vivekananda. With a solid background provided by his initial training in classical music from an early age under his parents Anita and Arun Kumar Sen, both renowned vocalists of the Gwaliar gharana, Shekhar later established his distinct identity by singing poetry of the medieval poets. He has done more than 1500 shows across the world. With 190 cassettes and CDs to his credit, he has also sung for the record-breaking serial “Ramayana”. After the resounding success of his musical mono-acts on Goswami Tulsidas and Kabeer, “Vivekananda” represents yet another milestone for this gem of an artiste.

The thoughtfully conceived solo play “Vivekananda” comes alive with moving dialogues and melodious music offering a rich variety from simple traditional folk tunes to classical to Bangla geet , along with the authentic khol and manjira accompaniment.

The Meera bhajan “Daras bin dookhan laage nain” based on raga Hamsadhwani conveys Naren's poignant yearning to see God. The first song he sings for Swami Ramakrishna is a Bangla song in raga Desh with the folk fragrance of Bengal. “Nirgun Nirakar” in raga Jog set to drut Ek tala offer a comely contrast next. When asked by his mentor to sing “pukka gaana” (classical music), he impresses with an impeccable Bhairavi bandish “Maa Kaalika” set to drut Teen tala.

If “Prabhu mere avagun chit na dharo”, composed in Chandrakauns and sung by the tawaif in the court of Khetri Maharaja, has all the pathos to evoke Vivekananda's remorse and compassion, the dhrupad in raga Darbari, “Har Har Mahadeva” is the ideal composition to be sung as an invocation to Lord Shiva at Amarnath.

The delightfully difficult syncopation in “Tahi aheer ki chhoharia, chhachhiya bhar chhachh pen ach nachavai” showcased Sen's immaculate command over the rhythmic aspect as well. The concluding Bhairavi bhajan “Itana to karna Swami jab pran tan se nikale” gave the intimation of Swami Vivekananda's nirvikalpak samadhi.

Impresario India deserves kudos for bringing this outstanding presentation to the art loving audience of the Capital.

Maitryee The Vedic Village

2010-09-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

Maitreyi — The Vedic Village

Near Pollachi

USP: Rejuvenating the mind, body and soul

It is like looking through absinthe — everything is awash in green. Undulating swatches of lawns, coconut plantations, vegetable patches, tulsi in brindavans in front of every cottage — just green, green and then some more. The eyes feel rested. The quiet is heady.

The unwinding begins even before we reach Maitreyi Vedic Resort. In fact, a little out of Pollachi and the tension begins to ebb. Thoughts of giving it all up and migrating to this patch of rural bliss become urgent.

The resort is sanctuary-like, keeping the mad, bad world at bay. Twenty five acres of freshness, and a view that includes the Anamalai Hills, in the Western Ghats. What else does one need?

Plonk down on the charming red oxide benches outside your cottage. You have a ringside seat to Mother Nature's lavish production. A concert of bird song, where insects provide the background score; streams gurgle and trees shush, keeping time.

Like the ashrams of yore, Maitreyi has been created following Vastu Shastra. Everything has a reason to be where it is. The cottages are elegant, simple and very comfortable.

So, what do you do all day? Several things, only if you want to. Transcendental meditation is one of them. The resort offers its guests a short course. According to Uwe, who is German, and runs The Vedic Village, “The idea is to spread the knowledge contained in the Vedas.” So, it is about simple living and high thinking. A ramble around the property and we spot neatly laid out vegetable plots (all organic), fruit trees and beaming cows in their shed. There is yoga for those who prefer to deep breathe their way into the day.

If all that pure air and scenery gets too much, seek refuge in a massage. Just book yourself for an Ayurvedic spa. Maitreyi offers its guests a variety, ranging from an hour-long rejuvenating session to one that lasts up to three weeks for specific health-related treatments.

If it is detox of the mind, body and soul you are looking for, then Maitreyi is pretty much your place. Simple meals are served in the dining room. The resort is pure vegetarian and, for all you satvik souls out there, onions and garlic are not used either.

A big hall doubles as a conference room, or in case of music and dance concerts, as an auditorium.

Vishakha Hari The Harikatha Exponent

2010-09-03T04:40:00.001-07:00

From a CA topper to a sought-after harikatha artiste. Vishakha Hari tells Chitra Swaminathan that kathakalakshepam is a way of life for her

Vishakha Hari is in her early thirties but walks in a madisar (nine-yard sari) with the élan of a veteran. She is an all-India rank-holder in chartered accountancy but revels being a raconteur. She grew up in Chennai but prefers the spiritual aura and serenity of Srirangam. She travels widely for her performances but leisure is spent studying scriptures and rehearsing upanyasam and sangeetham.

In this e-driven world, Vishakha is an anachronism; drawing full houses with her musical discourses. And at a time when snazzy pictures and sound bytes are a must for success, Vishakha insists “what have I achieved, why are you clicking so many pictures? One small photograph and a short write-up focussing on harikatha should do.”

So the brief photo shoot-cum-interview begins late in the morning at Nageshwara Rao Park, (after we convince her that the outdoors would be better) where walkers stop to greet her with a namaskaram. After a few shots are taken, she is ready to leave. “Enough?” she asks and we nod rather hesitantly. It's time anyway for the park to be closed. We then gently suggest taking a few more pictures at the nearby Kapaleeswarar temple tank. Anxious about the packed day ahead and her late evening trip to Bangalore for a performance, Vishakha reluctantly agrees. And as she alights the steps to the temple tank, her face suddenly lights up and with child-like charm she remarks, “Oh, this is so serene and wonderful. I could read and sing here the whole day.”

Evidently, she instantly connects to places with spiritual vibrations. Vishakha then turns to tell you she never visits beaches or parks. Anyway, there is not much scope for sightseeing in her hectic travel itineraries.

Does she not think about life beyond the humdrum of performances and practice? “For me, kathakalakshepam is not just about performance. It stays with me even when I get off stage. There is no such thing as professional or personal life. They blend seamlessly. And I have chosen this way of life out of passion for the art form. So where is the need to think beyond it?” she philosophises with flair.
Inspiration from home

She was 22 when she took to this age-old art form after marrying into the family of celebrated harikatha exponent Krishna Premi. Vishakha's husband Hariji also conducts discourses.

A disciple of violin maestro Lalgudi Jayaraman, Vishakha's early and elaborate training in classical music helps her convey eloquently the essence of the ancient texts.

“Home is where inspiration comes from. I draw from my father-in-law's experience, rich repertoire of stories and the numerous books penned by him. Observation, reading, research and rehearsal are essential to upanyasam,” says Vishakha, clad in a blue pattu sari with a bold peacock-shaped brooch pinned on the talapu (pallu). The simple accessories — mookuthi and jhumki — have the same old-world appeal as her art.

Doesn't she find draping the nine-yard every day cumbersome? “It is all in the mind. In Chennai or Cleveland, I am always clad in it. It was extremely cold when I visited the U.S. for a recital, but I stuck to my dress code,” smiles Vishakha.

Though kathakalakshepam conjures up images of a serious religious discourse attended by a small gathering of elders, Vishakha's harikatha performances have a huge following. Her distinctive and vibrant style of coherently weaving stories from the past, peppering them with contemporary metaphors and punctuating them suitably with classical compositions keep the audience, comprising the old and the young, engaged till the last word is uttered. Her reach is wider because she performs in English outside Chennai. She spoke on “Role of education in international development” at the House of Commons in the U.K. She has also released six DVDs that are quite a sell out.

How does she react to criticism that there is more music than discourse in her upanyasam? “There are such evocative verses and compositions by great saints that lend themselves beautifully to the stories from epics and mythology and make it easy to convey the inherent message or philosophy,” she replies with schoolgirl-earnestness.

Does she plan to introduce new elements into her performances to make them more appealing to the young? “That's not warranted if youngsters have a basic awareness about our arts. They will eventually learn to appreciate their beauty. Parents need to introduce children to our heritage, art and culture. You know the phrase ‘catch them young' has reference in mythology too. Prahlada talks about it in ‘Koumara achareth pragyaha' when he reforms asura kids and talks about inculcating good achar in children for them to lead a wholesome life,” she says lovingly patting her son, Rajagopala.

Many Happy Returns...........Krishna

2010-09-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

A News Item In The Hindu

ISKCON temple is all set to usher in Krishna Janmashtmi

If there is a god for all seasons, it is Krishna. His teachings, his personality and his aura transcends generations. As we celebrate one more birth anniversary of the loveable god, temples are decked up for Krishna Janmashtmi. One of the biggest centres of activity is ISKCON temple in East of Kailash.

Formed by a group of Hare Rama Hare Krishna followers in 1998, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness propagates Krishna's beliefs and path to attain enlightenment.

According to Vrajendra Nandan Prabhu, ISKCON India Communications, for the first time there will be a Radha Krishna swing pastime (jhulan yatra jhaanki).

“It is one of the top most attractions with life size forms of Radha and Krishna seated on a swing under a kadamba tree. Thousands are expected to rock the swing and receive transcendental mercy of their lordships.”

In the mini amphitheatre of the temple there is all encompassing Krishna dancing on the multiple hoods of the serpent Kaliya crushing his false ego. The transparent blue waters add to the mystique of this timeless tale.

During the celebrations, a play on ‘Krishna Leela' was staged by Bhakta Prahlad School.

Science and spirituality

In an interesting mix of science and spirituality, a committed team of IIT and DTU students have set up a multimedia presentation stall with a question and answer booth where principles of Vedic wisdom are scientifically answered. For the inquisitive, ISKCON's Youth Forum wing has designed presentations on various themes like God, peace, Vedic culture, etc to give the celebrations an intellectual tone.

At midnight, there will be maha-abhisheka of the lord in the midst of sankirtan, dance and prasadam. The lord's attire has come from Vrindavan. The altar of Krishna has been decorated with flowers and fruits from India and abroad.

“Last year, we witnessed four lakh devotees and this year we expect half a million devotees. One of the biggest challenges that we face is people getting carried away. They start dancing in a trance. Security and traffic issues become a problem, but this year security will be extra-tight,” assures Prabhu.

Siva Temple Murdeswar Karnataka

2010-08-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

Puranic Story of the Murudeshwar Temple

The history of the Murudeshwara temple dates back to the period of Ramayana. Legend says that Ravana (the Lanka King), prayed Lord Shiva in a strong devotion to attain immortality by getting the AtmaLinga. Atma Linga is the divine Lingam of Shiva that gains immortality to the Hindu Gods. As a result of the worship by Ravana, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him for a boon. Ravana requested the AtmaLinga as his boon. Lord Shiva agreed to give him the boon but on a condition that the AtmaLinga should never be kept on the ground. It is believed that if the AtmaLinga was placed on the ground, all the powers would return to Lord Shiva. Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka with the AtmaLinga.

However, Sage Narada realized that Ravana may obtain immortality and create ruin on earth with the AtmaLinga. He approached Lord Ganesh to help him. When Ravana neared Gokarna, Lord Vishnu blocked the sun and made it as dusk. Ravana wanted to perform his evening rituals. He was worried because the AtmaLinga was in his hands and he would not be able to do his rituals. At that moment, Lord Ganesh came near him in the mask of a Brahmin boy. Ravana requested him to keep the AtmaLinga until he performed the rituals. He told the boy not to place it on the ground. But Lord Ganesh fixed a deal with him. He said he would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return, he would place the AtmaLinga on the ground. As decided, Ravana could not return all of a sudden and Ganesh placed the Atma-Linga on the ground. The angered Ravana tried to pull up the AtmaLinga and destroy it but failed. He threw the holder of the linga to a place called Sajjeshwara which is 23 miles away and the lid of the case to a place called Gunavanthe (earlier known as Guneshwara) and Dhareshwara, 10-12 miles away. At last, he threw the cloth covering the AtmaLinga to a place called Mrideshwara in Kanduka Hill (Kanduka-Giri). Mrideshwara is later renamed as Murudeshwara.

Knowledge Is Power

2010-08-29T10:02:00.001-07:00

Valmiki Rishi
By M.Elangovan

Behind every right there is a duty. And when a person has more rights than others, then that would mean he has more responsibilities too.

A king, whose word was law, commanded the respect of everyone, even if the king happened to be young. But his power also meant that his responsibilities were greater, and the rules laid down for him were that much more stringent. Tamil Sangam literature talks of the duties of a ruler.
It is laid down that a king should promote knowledge that is required for the welfare of his subjects. In those days, what was required for the prosperity of the land, was good yield from agriculture. So the king had to seek out experts in the field and take their advice.

If the elders in the agricultural community did not have the requisite knowledge, but someone much younger in age did, then he would have to approach this person for advice and help with regard to cultivation in the country.

There is a verse in the Thirukkural that speaks of how a person should seek knowledge. One must approach the teacher or instructor humbly. The attitude of the seeker must be one of humility. He must be as humble in his approach as a beggar would be with a rich man.

The scholar is the rich man from whom one seeks the wealth of knowledge. One must therefore be suitably modest. So even if a king were to seek the advice of a person, the king had to be humble and respectful towards the one whose advice was sought. The one who is a repository of knowledge is worthy of respect at all times.

All this is evidence of the high regard that was accorded to learned men in the past. Knowledge was sought not with a view to merely making money, but it was sought for its own sake. When we seek knowledge, it must not only to find a suitable job and to have material prosperity, but we must seek knowledge for knowledge's sake.

He who values knowledge for its own sake, stands to benefit in the long run. Instant results are not lasting. If even kings had to bow before those with knowledge, it becomes evident that nothing can equal knowledge, not even power.

Web Site On Varanasi

2010-08-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

Please visit the site and have good brief about Kashi-Varanasi
Some devotees from Canada have developed the site www.Varanasi-Temples.com after considerable research. The site gives brief details of various temples in Varanasi (Kashi) as mentioned in Kashi Khand (Skanda Puran). The site will be uploaded regularly and in due course, it may become a good inter-active web-site.

If a person worships one deity in Kashi (Varanasi) he will derive some amount of Punya. If he worships several deities, the punya earned grows manifold. According to Pundits, he will derive the same amount of Punya if he publicises about the temples. I request you to kindly read about each and every temple (159 photos uploaded till now). More and more people shouljavascript:void(0)d come to know about this. Circulate about this site to your near and dear ones. Be a part of this holy task.

Velukkudi Krishnan

2010-08-19T14:29:00.000-07:00

Velukkudi Krishnan shares his experience, Bliss, to be specific, through upanyasam.

People's taste may vary when it comes to small screen entertainment in the evening, with soaps and cinema topping the list. But mornings, 6-7, are generally dominated by one voice. Gruff and soothing at once, the Tamil is both chaste and familiar.

The style is lucid, diction clear and the content rich. All of these makes the audience, drawing room or public halls, listen to Velukkudi Krishnan in rapt attention.

His lineage

“My grandfather wanted at least one of his five sons to be brought up the traditional way, acquiring knowledge in Vedanta and Sastra and spreading Dharma,” Krishnan traces his lineage when this writer meets him at his residence on Bheema Sena Garden Road, Royapettah, Chennai.

After completing Class V, Vidwan Velukkudi Varadachariar Swamigal was trained at the patasala on Narayana Mudali Street, in George Town. He then shifted to Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, for higher education. Karapangadu Venkatacharya Swami, Tirupati Jeeyar Swami Sadhu Ramachar and Sri Rangam Desika Varadachariar Swami were his gurus. “He was into Upanyasam when he was 32, thus fulfilling my grandfather's most cherished dream,” says Krishnan.

Bhagavad Gita and Nammazhwar's Tiruvoimozhi were close to the Senior's heart. He presented over 80 month-long lectures on Andal's Tiruppavai, with different interpretations each time.

Born to his parents after sixteen years of their marital life, Krishnan got the best of both forms of education. He was trained at home in the Vedas, Divya Prabhandam, Sanskrit and other related scriptures apart from regular school. Initiation into lectures began when he was eight. He was asked to speak on the last day of a series of his father's lectures for about 10 minutes. The text prepared by his father had to be memorised. This happened throughout his school days and college days too (Vivekananda College, Mylapore, Chennai). Krishnan went on to complete C.A. and ICWA courses before joining the top rung of an MNC. Never did he venture to make solo presentations during his father's life time. A great devotee of Sri Ranganatha, Sri Varadachariar Swamigal breathed his last inside the Srirangam temple after having darshan of the deity one January morning in 1991. That marked the launch of Velukkudi Krishnan on the upanyasam scene. But he found it difficult to strike a balance between his job and lifestyle. Long hauls on business meetings outside Chennai were coming in the way of his nitya karma. Rushing to the Upanyasam stage from corporate meetings well after dusk added to the stress and the decision had to be taken. “I quit lucrative job to dedicate myself to Upanyasam and related activities.”

Sharing thoughts

Krishnan gently shakes his head when reference is made to a “change in profession.” “Please don't call Upanyasam my profession. It is just sharing my own experience. It is neither a trade nor a job. Experiencing the Brahman is bliss and I only want to share it with everyone. Spiritualism does not need special skill or intelligence. Nor can you achieve salvation by memorising the 4,000 verses. The Lord only expects unconditional love. Throughout his life, my father was only trying to make people understand this. If you read the works of the Acharyas, Azhwars and Nayanmars you will see that love was the underlying factor of all their immortal works.

How is he able to quote from scriptures in Tamil and Sanskrit with such precision? “There is no special effort besides deep involvement.” Irrespective of the subject to be dealt with, he recommends at least four hours of reading authentic texts every day. “I am lucky, for all I have to do is read my father's extensive notes on all the subjects. These are my invaluable assets.”

Response to his upanyasams? “Overwhelming. Being the son of an illustrious father, the platform was ready for me but then I had the responsibility of maintaining the standards set by him.” He is deeply worried about orators changing concepts to suit the trend while dealing with scriptures. For instance, using the Gita to explain management principles. “The scriptures should be followed to realise the Brahman,” he asserts.

Krishnan's two sons are budding technocrats and he has not tried to influence them. However, he has been teaching them Sanskrit and other subjects. Velukkudi Krishnan's discourses have been digitally documented. These CDs and DVDs are also tools that help in http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifthe development of his two sons. “My duty is to make them enlightened bhaktas and not trained orators.”

“Many feel that Bhakti is for the old. On the contrary, one should attain Atma Gnanam at a very young age like Prahalada. The Bhagavad Gita is one text that should be read by everyone. Assimilating the content may be a difficult task initially, but constant reading will lead to eternal bliss. Tiruppavai too helps in fostering Gnanam.”

How does Krishnan preserve his energy and voice? “I enjoy what I speak. It is Ananda for me. While in Ananda, the inflow of positive energy is infinite. This is true in respect of the devotees who also sit through such lectures,” Krishnan concludes in typical simple style.

Cahturmasya Vrata

2010-08-18T10:53:00.000-07:00

The Poornima (full moon day) in the month of Ashadha is called ‘Guru Poornima’. On this sacred day, worship is offered to Brahma Vidyacharyas - the great luminaries of hoary antiquity, who through their Supreme grace, have handed over the knowledge of Brahman - Brahma Vidya - through a long, continuous and uninterrupted line of Acharyas, to the world of seekers of Self. Special pujas are performed to the hierarchy of Gurus, Parama Gurus, Parameshti Gurus, Parapara Gurus and all Brahma Vidya Acharyas, seeking their inestimable blessings to realise the Supreme Truth. This is also
called ‘Vyasa Puja’, for, Sri Vedavyasa stands foremost in the line of these preceptors. It was Vyasa who codified the Vedas into four divisions and integrated the messages of the Upanishads relating to Brahman, Jiva and the Universe in his great book, the Brahmasutras. He is rightly addressed as one of ‘vast intellect’ (???????????) ‘the ancient sage’ (??????????) by whom was lit the lamp of knowledge, feeding it with the oil of Mahabharata.
Suka, Gaudapada and Govindabhagavatpada kept this light burning; then came the Great Master Sri Sankaracharya, who carried it far and wide throughout Bharata Varsha.

A popular verse compendiously expresses the many dimensioned greatness of Veda Vyasa and Sri Sankaracharya and offers obeisance to them:
The term Chaturmasya means four months. The term Chaturmasya Vrata is a Vrata to be observed for a period of four months. But according to the Vedic dictum one ‘paksha’ or a fortnight is taken as one month, and traditionally the Vrata is observed only for two months. During the rainy season, Sannyasins observe Chaturmasya and stay at one place to meditate on the Absolute Reality and instruct their disciples in the spiritual lore.
so expresses the Srimukha issued by the Acharyas of Sringeri Math.

Before observing the Chaturmasya Sankalpa, they perform Vyasa Puja and pay homage to Dakshinamurti, Sadasiva and to the Acharyas who came after him, to the framers of the canons of Brahma Vidya - the knowledge of Brahman - to the great seers of the parampara and to the preceptors. The Narada Parivrajakopanishad which codifies the conduct of the Sannyasins in detail, lays down that Sannyasins must be moving from place to place, to avoid getting entangled with the dealings and habits of the people of the village or town. But during the rainy season, they must halt at one place for a period of four months and observe the Chaturmasya Vrata.
The mendicant monk, except in the rainy season, may stay one night in a village and five nights in a city; during the rains, he may stay four months in a village or town. He shall not stay for two nights in a villages; if he stays, affection, lust, etc., may find scope to deflect him and thereby he may go to hell. In the outskirts of a village, in a secluded spot, he may pitch his camp and go about for alms like a worm on the ground; during the rains, he shall stay at one place.
If, during the rainy season, the Sannyasins move from one place to another, they may cause injury to many insects and worms that breed and move about on the ground during the season. But as the Sannyasins have taken the vow of non-injury to all creatures (Ahimsa and Abhaya), they should refrain from causing harm to any living being. Moreover, constant travel will also come in the way of Sannyasins having any time for ‘Brahma-vichara’ or for continued profound meditation; So, they halt at one place once in a year for four months and engage themselves in the meditation of the Supreme Brahman, in the company of their Gurus and other Sannyasins, clearing their doubts on complex metaphysical problems.
During the Chaturmasya Vrata,

Saint Thyagaraja

2010-08-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

Saint Thyagaraja was an extraordinary Carnatic Music composer and a devotee of Sri Rama of highest order. His contruibutions to Carnatic Music, the classical music of South India are immense, so much so, that he was considered as one of the three personalities (known as thr trinity of Carnatic Music) responsible for the growth and spread of Carnatic Music. He made unique contributions to the cultural growth of South India and even today his compositions (kritis) are very popular among the students and lovers of South Indian classical music. He had composed several Kritis in various raghas.

Saint Thyagaraja was born in Tiruvarur in the Thanjavur District on 27th Chaitra, Srvajit, a Sukla Saptami corresponding to 4th May, 1767 according to one tradition and 1759 according to another tradition and named after the presiding deity (Lord Thyagaraja) of that temple town. The name THYAGA-RAJA means the 'Prince of Renunciation'. Thyagarajar was born as the third son of Ramabrahmam whose family profession was story telling (Katha Kalashepem) and a distinguished exponent of Ramayana who was patronised by the King of Thanjavur. His mother was Seethamma, the daughter of the asthana vidwan Veena Kalahastayya.

The bulwark of a great culture, the Vijayanagara Empire fell at the end of the 16th Century. The invasion from the North brought in its wake. Quite a few Hindu families had to flee to southern areas which were still peaceful. Many found shelter under the benign rule of the Nayakas and the Maratha Kings of Tamilnadu. Particularly, a number of Telugu families went to South and formed nuclei of art and culture and Thyagaraja’s ancestors belonged to one such stock, as he describes himself as descending from a family of immigrant Vaidiga Brahmins of the Muriginadu sect belonging to Kakarla family (Kakarla is a village in the Kurnool District of Andhra). They moved to Tamil Nadu Country during the Vijayanagar period in early 1600’s.

Very soon after the birth of the saint, the family shifted to Thiruvaiyaru. The king of Tanjavur had gifted a house to him in this village and here Thyagaraja not only spent the major part of his life but also attained samadhi. Saint Thyagarajar completed the study of Sanskrit and Telugu and mastered Valmiki Ramayanam and other religious literatures. His mother had a collection of the Purandaradasa and taught them to her son. He was thus introduced to the Sangita Pitamaha at a very early age and worishipped him as his adiguru. His precocity in music could not escape the notice of his father who put him under the tutelage of the court musician Sonti Venkataramanayya at the age of 16. Thyagaraja absorbed all that the guru could teach him within a year. After that he was on his own, perfecting his technique by immersing himself in the study of musicology from various treatises. Since from the age of 17, he started singing small kritis. He also showed a flair for composing music and while in his teens composed his first song Namo Namo Raghavaya in Desikatodi and inscribed it on the walls of the house. He studied NARADIAM a treatise on music which he got from his grand father, Giri Raja Kavi.

In 1784, when he was 18 years, he married Parvathi. In 1785 at the royal court of Pudukottai Ramachandira Thontaiman, Thyagaraja had sung in Jothiswararupeni raga. In 1787, when Thyagaraja was 21 his father Ramabrahmam passed away. In 1787 at his age of 21, he got spiritual initiation into "Rama Shadakshari" mantra from a saint called Ramakrishnananda. In 1789, when he was 23 years old, his wife, Parvathi passed away. He married her sister Kamala in 1790. He had a daughter called Seethalakshmi.

In 1802, his guru, Sonti Venkataramanayya arranged for his arangetram where the vidwands of the palace were assembled. Thyagaraja sang his own composition, Dorakuna ituvanti in Bilahari. The song starts by asking, 'It is possible to get darshan of Hari?'. At the end of the recital his guru, overwhelmed with emotion at his shishya’s performance. Thayagara’s fame as a composer of music was spreading fast. On hearing about him, King Sarabhoji II invited Thyagaraja to the palace to sing before him and also offered him the position of samasthana vidwan at the durbar. But Thyagaraja, who was very clear about his mission in life, refused and declined the offer. Thyagaraja's reputation as an outstanding musician and composer was due to his desire to compose only to serve Rama and not any human being. In the presence of leading musicians he was asked to sing at Thiruvaiyaru and Thanjavur on two occasions. His mudra is 'Thyagaraja'.

In 1804 at his age of 37, his mother, Seethamma passed way.

Thyagaraja was constantly repeating the Rama Shadakshari mantra over 21 years and he completed in 1808 chanting 96 crores of Rama Nama.

In 1810, Thyagaraja’s daughter seethalakshmi was given in marriage to Kuppuswami. Thyagaraja's disciple Walajapettai Vekataramana Bhaagavatar brought a painting of Kothandarama, walking all the way from Walajapettai to Thiruvaiyaru and offered it to his guru.

Seethalakshmi and Kuppuswami begot a boy who was named Thyagaraja who died issueless; thus came to an end the direct lineage of the composer.

In 1827, at the age 60, he celebrated Sastiaptha Purthi. In 1839 during the month of April, he visited Tirupati, but when he went to the temple, it was closed. In sadness, he sang "Teratiyagaraadaa" and the temple officials gathered round in admiration when they saw the door opening by itself and the screen falling aside. He sang "VenkaTEsha ninu sEvimpa" in his happiness at seeing the Lord.

While returning to Thiruvaiyaru, he visited Chennai-Kovur, where he composed Kovur Pancharatna during his stay with Kovur Sundara Mudaliar. Later he composed Thiruvetriyur Pancharatna while he was staying with Veena Kuppier. At the invitation of his disciple LaalguDi Raamayya, he composed the Laalgudi Pancharatna. He also composed the Shreeranga Pancharatna in praise of Ranganaata of Shreerangam and 5 kritis in praise of Sage Naarada.

On completion of this spiritual tour he reached Thiruvaiyaru at the end of October, 1839. In 1841, Gopalakrishna Bharathi visited Thyagaraja at his residence in Thiruvaiyaru. The Ghana Pancharatina Kriti, 'Endaro mahanubhavulu..' was composed when Chatkalam Govindamaarar visited him in 1843.

It was said that Lord Rama appeared before him on 27-12-1846 in his dream and offered him Motsa after 10 days. Next day he revealed this to his disciples and relatives during 'Egadesi Bhajanai'. Accordingly everyone believed that 6-1-1847 would be the day when he was excepted to become Mukdhi. The Saint took to Sanyasa on 5-1-1847 when he felt the premonition of his approaching end to his mortal life and called himself Nadha Premmananther. He attained Siddhi on the Pushya Bahula Panchami day in the year Parabhava 1847 A.D. (6-1-1847). His mortal remains were interred at a spot on the left bank of the river Cauvery at Thiruvaiyaru with the honor and religious rites due to a Sanyasi. A brindavan consisting of a conventional brick structure and Thulasi plant was put up.

Saint Thyagaraja is stated to have composed several Kritis. Two plays of him of Yakshagana type are available now. He had employed over 200 raghas. The Pancharatna Kritis are the most representative of Saint Thyagaraja's art as a composer. The Divyanama and Utsava Samprathaya Kritis composed by him are melodies. Though an ardent Ramabakthi he was, Saint Thyagaraja had also sung in praise of other deities as well. To him music was Nadopasana. The vanity of wealth or the pomp of power never tempted him.

Smt.Gaythri Venkataraghavan @ Australia

2010-08-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

Smt. Gayathri Venkataraghavan,began her training in carnatic music at a young age under the tutelage of Smt.Rajalakshmi and then under Smt. Padma Veeraraghavan, a disciple of Palaghat Sri.K.V.Narayanaswamy. She was also trained in various Kritis by Smt.Rukmini Ramani, Sri.V.Subramaniam and Smt.Lakshmi Natarajan.

Her advanced training was under Acharya Choodamani Late Sri.A.Sundaresan . He was an outstanding musician and a dedicated Guru, and a disciple of Sri.C.V.Krishnamurthy Iyer, Sri.Ramnad Krishnan and Alathur Sri.Sivasubramanya Iyer.

Gayathri is presently under the guidance of Padma Bhushan Sri. P.S.Narayanaswamy.

At an young age as Gayathri Ramani, she has won a number of prizes in inter-school and Inter-college competitions and also in competitions held by Music Academy, Indian Fine Arts Society, Mylapore Fine Arts, Saraswathi Vageeyakara Trust Etc.

Gayathri Venkataraghavan is an ‘A’ grade accredited artiste of All India Radio. She won the All India Radio National level competition in 1993. Her regular performances for the A I R include a prestigious National Broadcast in 2006.She has sung various themes for Archival purposes for the AIR.

She has performed for Doordarshan national and regional telecasts, and for various other television channels. She has had the honour of anchoring a documentary feature “Engum Nirai Nada Bhrahmam” a tribute to the immortal icon of Carnatic music Bharath Ratna Smt.M.S.Subbulakshmi for Doordarshan. The concert prizes that she has won by the Grace of Almighty at the Music Academy conference, include The D.K.Pattammal award for Lady vocalist in 2001, T.T.Rangaswamy award in 2002, H.Natarajan Prize 2003 and 2004 , The Pappu Kamakshi Award in 2006 and the Award for Swara singing during 2007.

She has been performing regularly at various centres in India . Her performances abroad include ones at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival 2005 and 2008 at Ohio State, USA and Toronto in Canada. She also performed at the SIFA annual festival at Singapore in Feb 2007. She has also toured the United States and Canada extensively for a concert tour in September and October 2007.

In 2003 she was awarded the Kalki Krishnamoorthy award and in the same year she was given the Nada Oli title by Nada Inbam, Madras. She was awarded the SIMANA award instituted by The Carnatic Music Association of North America, Inc.NJ (USA) Dr.MLV Endowment by Narada Gana Sabha 2006.

She has been awarded the Shanmuka Sangita Shironmani title by Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai and the Isai Peroli title by The Karthik Fine Arts Chennai.

Namah Shivaya

2010-08-02T04:38:00.001-07:00

Namah Shivaya Lecture By Sri Rajarathinam Courtesy The Hindu
Lord Siva Himself was the guru of the Saivite saint Manickavachagar. He taught Manickavachagar the ‘Namasivaya' mantra. Manickavachagar sang in praise of Siva, and his verses are moving.
Every letter in the Panchakshara mantra has significance. The letter ‘na' indicates Lord Siva's control of happenings in all the worlds. He is in charge of everything that occurs in the three worlds. The ‘ma' is a reference to the deluge, by which everything is engulfed. The ‘si' refers to the act of protection by the Lord. The letter ‘va' refers to the fact that He created all that we see in Nature. The ‘ya' shows that he created all living things. There are five aksharas in the Panchakshara mantra, and each of these five letters indicates an act of Lord Siva. The Lord is said to have five duties — creation, protection, destruction, bringing on the deluge, and showering us with mercy. These five acts of His are shown to us through the Panchakshara. Another way to look at the Panchakshara is to see each of the letters as representing the five faces of Lord Siva. Yet another meaning is to see the ‘na' as representing the earth, the ‘ma' as representing water, the ‘si' as representing fire, the ‘va' as representing the air, and the ‘ya' as representing the sky. The five letters could also be taken to indicate Siva's five colours. He is said to be golden hued, white, red, black and grey in colour.

Just as each letter in the Panchakshara has great significance, each word in the Tiruvachagam of Manickvachagar has significance. Manickavachagar uses one particular word six times. This is to indicate the six inner conflicts we have. He uses yet another word five times, to show that our five senses must go on the right path. He uses another word eight times, to show the eight qualities of Lord Siva.

He is the embodiment of gnana, mercy, joy and love. He is Omniscient. He has infinite capacity to accomplish anything. He created Nature, and is Himself Nature. He also loves Nature. That is why every temple has a sthala vriksha — a tree auspicious to that temple. That is why we also maintain gardens in temples