Vol IX
Issue 6
February 2012
Annual Subscription
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Maha Shivarathri - 20-02-2012, Monday
Swamiji's Welcome Procession at Ambattur
Swamiji, Chennai Camp
Pushpanjali, Ambattur
Contents
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON
SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
VOL IX
FEBRUARY 2012
ISSUE 5
Founder
His Holiness Srimad Jagadguru Shankaracharya
Sri Sri Swayamprakasha
Sachidananda Saraswathi Swamiji
Sree Math, Hariharapura
Editor
Sri. P.N. Viswanathan
Associate Editor
Smt. Lallitha Krishnamurthy
E-mail: editor@hariharapura.org
Co-ordinators
Dr. M.N. Anantharaman, Bangalore
Illustrations
Raghupathi Sringeri
Design & Layout
Radhakrishna Kalchavadi
M.G. Srinivas
Marketing
Sri. N.G.Prasanna Murthy (Mobile: 98441 30720)
Sri. B. Chandrashekar (Mobile: 94490 32007)
Sri Ramesh Dindodi (Mobile: 94492 04176)
Sri. K.R.Narasimha Murthy (Mobile: 99458 8746)
Sri. B.V. Ramesh (Mobile: 98805 96436)
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February 2012
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20.
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22.
Guru Upadesha Sara
Jagadguru Speaks
Administrator's Desk
Lalitha Parameshwari, Bestower ...
Shankara’s Philosophy
Temple Darshan
Kids Corner
Yoga for You
Yoga Vaasishta
The Gita Way of Life
Meditation
Vedanta in Daily Life
Gita in the eyes of western scholars
Holistic Living
Shiva Bhakta Vilasam
Honesty - Simple and Real
Shivaparadha Kshamapana Stotram
The Thousand Names of Lord Vishnu
Musings of a Tai Chi Master
February Festivals
Miracles from the lives of saints
Rashi Phala
03
04
05
06
07
08
10
12
14
16
18
22
24
25
26
28
30
32
34
35
36
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The contents and views of various
authors of the articles are
not necessarily the views of the publishers.
01
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Thus Spoke The Rishis …
Being with a Master is never
comfortable, because He will break all
your limitations, all your ideologies.
- Jaggi Vasudev
If you just place yourself under the
protection of a Guru, then the path
which is most suitable for you will by
itself open up to you.
- Sri Anandamayi Maa
Ideas of rivalry, jealousy, pity, and
egoism quickly depart from a man who
always thinks of Me in all men.
- Uddhava Gita
Sandalwood perfumes even the axe
that hews it down! The more we rub
sandalwood against a stone, the more
its fragrance spreads; Burn it, and it
wafts its glory in the entire
neighbourhood. Such is the enchanting
beauty of forgiveness.
- Swami Chinmayananda
In ignorance anger is cheap and a
smile is costly. Make your smile
cheaper and you anger expensive.
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Perfect health, sincerity, honesty,
straightforwardness, courage,
disinterestedness, unselfishness,
patience, endurance, perseverance,
peace, calm, self control are all things
that are taught infinitely better by
example than by beautiful speeches.
Editorial
O
f all the Hindu festivals, if there is one festival that
is without any revelry, festivities and noise, it is the
Maha Shivaratri. This is a festival that is purely
dedicated to austerities, where vrat, abhisheka and solemn
puja of the lord are encouraged. When one keeps such a
sincere and devoted fast, bathing the Linga with various
ingredients through the night, and foregoing sleep and
pleasures, it is believed that to such a one the Lord is waiting
to grant all boons.
All rituals make sense when it done with an understanding.
Why do we celebrate Shivaratri? What is the significance?
When was the first Shivaratri celebrated? These are some of
the questions people ask about Maha Shivaratri. In this
issue, we have given answers to all these and more in the
form of small interesting reads spread throughout the
magazine. Seeing as many moorthis of Shiva Linga on
Shivaratri is auspicious. Keeping that in mind, our centre
page is filled with pictures of the most famous Shiva Lingas
found across India.
According to Puranas, it is on Shivaratri, Parvati got
upadesa from Lord Shiva about the ultimate truth. So, it is
deemed that getting an upadesa on this day from a
competent guru or even to get the darshan of one's guru on
Shivaratri is most auspicious and beneficial to a sadhaka. At
Hariharapura, our swamiji's night-long Shiva puja is a
divine treat to devotees, which should be witnessed rather
than be told. All those who can travel should take the
opportunity to see Swamiji's puja first hand on Shivaratri,
get charged with the bhakthi fervour and be blessed by
Acharya.
This Shivaratri, let us all pray to the mighty Lord to grant us
the faith and devotion to perform the Shivaratri Vrat with
utmost sincerity and earn his blessings.
With Pranams at the lotus feet of Swamiji!
- Sri Aurobindo
02
February 2012
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Guru Upadesha Sara
BE HARMONIOUS
Sri Sri Swayamprakasha
Sachidananda Saraswathi Mahaswamiji
I
n Bhagavad Gita, Paramatma says,
Parasparam Bhavayanthaha Sreyas
Parma Avaapsyatha meaning, if
everybody develops a feeling of co-operation,
it is beneficial to everybody. In the Gita,
Paramatma says that there should be feeling of
cooperation between Devathas and human
beings. Human beings should do their duty
with concentration and devotion to repay our
debt to God and similarly all devathas wish
and hope for man's success and well-being.
This mutual co-operation and harmony
between devathas and human beings is just not
enough. Some mutual co-operation and
harmony, love and affection, friendship and
helpfulness, peace and harmony should exist
between each human being, it should exist
between different religions, different
sampradayas. Only then will there be real
This page is sponsored by : Sri
February 2012
progress and harmony in life. And only then
will all have peace of mind and a contended
life.
That is why our shastras says, Aathmavath
Sarvabhootheshu yaha Pasyati sa Pasyati,
meaning one who loves every being as one's
own self knows God well. One who hates
none, loves all beings, friendly with all and
compassionate is most dearest to God. So
according to our Upanishads, to love people is
to love god.
So we must all learn and incorporate in our
lives and is to co-operate and be united, to be
harmonious and helpful towards each other.
And with this alone, we will be happy in both
this life and the here after.
KIRAN N., J.P. Nagar, Bangalore
03
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Jagadguru Speaks
A GURU IS ESSENTIAL
Extracts from the Teachings of
Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Teertha Mahaswamiji
from the book “Inspiring Saint”.
I
n our Indian tradition, a very high position has been
accorded to the Guru. Without the grace of the
Guru, no one can attain fulfilment of the purpose of
life. We all desire Moksha, and the sole means to its
attainment is Jnana (knowledge). The Veda says: “It is
only by knowing the Supreme Brahman that one attains
immortality. There is no other path.”
Numerous Karmas have been enjoined in the Sastra, but
we cannot attain emancipation merely by their
performance. Some opine that liberation can be attained
by a combination of Karma and Jnana. This school of
thought has repeatedly been condemned by
Bhagavatpadal in many portions of His Bhashyas. This
school goes by the name Jnana Karma
Samucchayavada. This conjunction of knowledge and
action is not in accordance with the scriptural injunction
that liberation can be attained only through knowledge.
scriptures and established in the Supreme and making a
request, “O Guru! Please impart Knowledge to me.”
Even though the rishis seeking may have been scholarly,
it is certain that their acquisition of knowledge was
soley dependent on their seeking it from a Guru.
Only that knowledge which is obtained from the divine
mouth of the Guru is potent. Sans a Guru, no matter how
many texts we may delve into, we cannot attain that
knowledge. There is a hoary tradition everywhere
which can be learnt only from the Guru.
How can that knowledge be obtained by us? Can it be
got by perusal of texts? No, this knowledge can be
procured only from a Guru. In the Upanishads we hear
of holy ones going to Gurus who are well versed in the
This page is sponsored by : Sri T.B.
04
MARUTHEESHA, W.O.C. Road, Bangalore
February 2012
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Administrator's Desk
News,
Events &
Announcements
N
welcoming Sri Swamiji by Sri Srinivasa Rao, I took the
opportunity of thanking everyone and wishing all a
happy, prosperous and meaningful New Year. Later all
the devotees were treated to the sweet words of
Swamiji's New Year message.
amaste. With the blessings of Sri Swamiji, the
new 2012 year has commenced with hopes and
possibilities.
The Tamil Nadu yatra of Sri Swamiji, commenced on
Dec 1, 2011 from Coimbatore and culminated at
Chennai on 22nd Dec. Report about the first half, of the
yatra has already been made in Sadguru's Blessings Jan
issue. In Chennai, visit commenced from Sri Sharada
Shakti Peetam, received by Sri Pakirisami, then moved
to Narayani Ammal Kalyana mantapam, RA Puram with
the support of Sri Jayaraman and Sri Vaidyanathan
brothers. A three-day hectic programme at Amabattur
amidst rains and cyclone was arranged by
Sri Sayeeraman, our Dharmakartha and
Sri Lakshminarayanan, who are all ardent devotees of
our Sri Swamji. All the programmes were well attended
in spite of bad weather, and as usual, on the evening of
December 31, 2011, Sri Swamiji arrived at the Sri
Anantha Padmanabha Swami Temple, Adyar to the
grand welcome of all assembled devotees. Sri Srinivasa
Rao, Secretary and other Trustees of Dharma Paripalana
Sabha had made excellent arrangements. After
Sri Swamiji stayed this time, in the refurbished house
provided by Sri Sendhil Karuppiah, Trustee of Dharma
Paripalana Sabha and after Dharshanam on Vaikunta
Edadasi on Jan 5, 2012, Sri Swamiji continued his tour
to Bangalore and Mysore and other places. Our best
wishes to all the persons, who had contributed to the
successful yatra including our Dharmakarthas
Visvanathan, Pandyarajan, Sayeeraman, Advocate
KVS, Balajee, Hari, Ramalakshmi and Srinivasan,
Narayana Kumar and many others.
The work on the rebuilding the temple is going on and I
appeal all devotees to match the work progress with
generous support.
With all input costs going up everywhere, this well
appreciated monthly magazine, Sadguru's Blessings can
be sustained only by increase in subscribers and by
advertisements. In this New Year, kindly act.
Best wishes
Viswanathan
ATTENTION: SUBSCRIBERS
This magazine is being posted at GPO, Bangalore 560 001 on 28th of every month. Subscribers who
are not receiving the magazine every month are requested to lodge a written complaint with their
delivery post office and send a copy of the same to the Sree Math address at Bangalore for initiating
necessary action for rectification.
February 2012
05
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Lalitha Parameshwari, Bestower of Untold Benefits
- Smt. Neeta Rajendra
T
he Lalitha Sahasranama is a sacred and
beautiful text that occurs in the Brahmanda
Purana as a part of the discussion between sage
Agastya and Lord Hayagreeva. The 1000 names of the
Mother in all her aspects as creator, preserver, and
destroyer, and her exceptional beauty are described in
the 1000 names. It is a very powerful shloka and
chanting it will ward of all evils. Although, it is an
impossibly huge task to know, understand and describe
at length the Omniscient and Omnipresent Universal
Mother, let alone in one article and in few words, yet, to
do so in any measure provides both the writer and the
reader with peace and happiness.
Description of the Compassionate Mother
The Lalitha Sahasranama describes Lalitha
Parameshwari, who is the creator, preserver and
destroyer of this universe, as Srimatha (Mother of all,
the creator), Sri Maharajni (the empress who protects
the universe) and Sri Math Simhasaneshwari (sitting on
the lion, she who destroys all evil). She shines like
a1000 rising suns immersing this entire universe in her
shimmering red colour. Her beautiful forehead looks
like half moon and Her tilak looks like black shadow in
the moon.
Her eyes look like fish and her ears like Kadamba
flowers. She has lips like coral and wears sun and moon
as Her ear studs.
Her nose looks like freshly opened Champaka flowers
and she wears flowers like Champaka, Punnaga and
Sowgandhika.
Her crown glitters like Padmaraga stones and Her
cheeks shine more than the mirror made of Padmaraga.
Her teeth radiate true knowledge and her voice is
sweeter than Saraswathi Matha's Veena nodes.
Her golden armlets and necklace are embedded with
precious gems.
She created the 10 avatars of Vishnu from the tip
of Her nails and is prayed by Brahma, Vishnu, Indra
and others.
She is the consort of Lord Shankara and gives good luck
and happiness to all Her devotees.
6
Benefits of Reciting Sri Lalitha Sahasranama:
The phala shruthi of Sri Lalitha Sahasranama is
separate from the main text and is usually not recited
along with the shloka. Surrendering to Lalitha
Parameshwari with full love and devotion will bestow
one with happiness and lead on the path of obtaining
Moksha. But, in this material world, which is
surrounded by Maya, most people yearn for material
benefits and have a thirst within them to be recognized.
God doesn't disappoint such devotees, who expect the
fruits of good deeds in this birth itself. What follows is
the summary of the benefits of reciting the Lalitha
Sahasranama.
Reciting the Lalitha Sahasranama daily and regularly:
• Increases the confidence and faith of the devotee and
brings one closer to God.
• Imparts the same benefits that one procures from
visiting holy places and taking bath in holy rivers.
• Wards off the evils from uncompleted rituals and
evils done by others.
• Bestows success in all the endeavours that one takes
up.
• Increases the longevity of a devotee to lead a healthy
and purposeful life.
• Blesses a devotee with name and fame.
• Purifies the mind and makes it conducive for the
realization of the ultimate truth.
• Grants peace and contentment.
The Lalitha Sahasranama can be read any time, but
reading with devotion is very important. One should
read this shloka everyday or at least on Tuesdays and
Fridays. People who cannot sing it every day or even
twice a week should recite it on Navami or Chaturdasi
and during Navratris for maximum benefit.?
?
It is said
that, chanting Lord Shiva's name once is equal to
chanting Lord Vishnu's name 1000 times; chanting
Lalitha Parameshwari's name once is equal to chanting
Lord Shiva's name 1000 times. Then imagine the
supreme, inconceivable power that one gets from
chanting the goddess's name 1000 times?
February 2012
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
SHANKARA’S PHILOSOPHY
- N.R. Vasudeva Murthy
Dr. N.R. Vasudeva Murthy is a Professor of Economics at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.
One of his hobbies is contemplating on Indian Philosophy.
I
n the history of Indian philosophy, Sri
Sankaracharya (788-820 A.D.) is considered as an
outstanding thinker. He is known to be the founding
father of a unique philosophical doctrine, the Advaita
Philosophy. Sankara is one of the greatest thinkers the
world has produced. As Indians, we should be proud to
be a part of this heritage. Sankara wrote commentaries
on the ancient Indian philosophical texts, the Brahma
Sutras, the Upanishads and the Gita. Sankara’s
philosophy can be summarized in his own words, in
Sanskrit, as:
Brahma Sathyam Jagat Mathya,
Jeevo Brahmaiva Na Aparah.
In English the above words mean that the “Brahman
(God) alone is real, this world is unreal and the
individual soul (Jiva) is identical with Brahman”. Due
to deluding ignorance (Avidya), the individual identifies
himself or herself with the body and mind. But, the
individual is not different from Brahman. The
superimposition of the universe on God or the
changeless Brahman, is due to ignorance which is
caused by the so called Maya or illusion. Maya’s
existence cannot be explained (Anirvachaniya). An
individual’s perception of “Duality” between the self
and God, is because of ignorance and illusion. An
analogy called, “Serpent and the Rope”, given by
Sankara’s teacher’s teacher, Gaudapada helps us
understand this abstract phenomenon. In the twilight, an
individual perceives the rope to be a snake, but once a
torch is brought closer to the rope, he or she will realize
that the object is indeed the rope lying there and the fear
of snake vanishes. By employing a logical method
known as “Vivartha Vada” or the ‘Theory of
Superimposition’ (Adhyasa or mistakes and errors),
Sankara says that just as a snake is supermiposed on the
rope, the world is superimposed on God and once the
February 2012
individual realizes this through the path of knowledge,
and in the mundane world through the path of devotion,
he or she will attain liberation to become one with God.
Other analogies that helps us understand Sankara’s
point, are the ones that deal with the difference between
a bubble and the ocean and a pot and the universe.
[Essentially, there is no real difference, although there is
a perceived difference!] Just as the bubble in the ocean
becomes one with the ocean, the moment the bubble
bursts, and just as when the pot is broken, the space
within the pot becomes one with the universal space,
individuals become one with God (Brahman), when
they realize the knowledge of Brahman. Further more,
Sankara contends that God is eternal and changeless.
Just as the reality of gold is not dependent on the shape it
assumes and in the process of making the ornament,
gold does not turn itself into some thing else. Similarly,
God is without changes. Sankara’s Brahman is Nirguna
(without any salient features), Nirakara (without ant
any forms), Nirvishesha (without any attributes) and
finally, Akarta (being a non-agent).
What are some practical implications of Sankara’s
philosophical thoughts for our every day living? Some
guidelines are that we should recognize our and the
fellow-beings’ divine through the path of knowledge,
and at the same time worship God. It should be
remembered that although Sankara emphasized the path
of knowledge and contended that God does not have any
form, it should not preclude us from gaining knowledge
of God through various ways, including worship of God
through any means, some of which might be having an
Ishta Devatha (Personal God) and respecting the
fellow-beings who are divine in nature, who are, in a
metaphysical sense inseparable from us and with whom
we are connected in a philosophical sense.
7
Temple
Darshan
Hoysalewara Temple
Halebidu-Karnataka
-By Krishnadas
Introduction : The Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples are located in Halebidu, the ancient Hoysala capital in
Karnataka. The city is located at a distance of 149 km from Mysore and 31 km from Hassan. The Hoysaleshwara
Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Sthala Puranam
The Hoysaleswara Temple dates back to the 12th
century. It was built by Ketamalla, a minister in the court
of Vishnuvardhana, the king of Hoysala. Besides this
temple, he built the Belur temple and the
Mahabaleshwar temple at Chamundi Hills in Mysore.
The city's name Halebidu which means “ruined city”,
derives it name from the repeated attacks and
ransacking by the armies of Malik Kafur in 14th century,
thus falling into a state of neglect and ruins.
The Hoysaleswara Temple enshrines the deities
Hoysaleswara and Santaleswara. Hoysaleswara is
named after the builder Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and
Santaleswara after his wife, Queen Santala.
Architecture / Specialities
The Hoysaleswara Temple is a masterpiece, studded
with a profusion of carvings. The sanctum sanctorum of
the temple are built on a stellar plan, with a Sukhanasi,
Navaranga and Nandi Mandapa. Thousands of figures
appear on its walls. The basement of the temple has the
most richly sculptured friezes. Charging horsemen and
war elephants all in stone are all beholders delight.
Scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata add to
the grandeur of the temple.
February 2012
There are pierced windows on the walls, each window
being about a meter high, with divinities set on pedestals
and canopies above. The south door is beautifully
sculptured.
Located just in front of the Hoysaleshwara Temple is the
Shree Lodge. The rooms are clean and averagely priced.
The contact numbers are: 97409-24650, 99640-18372,
08177-317-077.
The temple has four porches for entry and the one
normally used by visitors. The main entry today is
actually a lateral entrance (north). There is one entry on
the south and two on the east, facing two large detached
open pavilions. All entry porches have miniature
shrines flanking on either sides. In addition, there is a
sanctuary for the Sun God Surya, whose image stands 7
ft. (2.1 m) tall. The pavilions enshrine large images of
Nandi.
KSTDC Hotel also is a good option to stay. The rooms
are large. Restaurant on site provides a pleasant garden
setting. It is located right across the road from the
temple, a hundred meters past the bus station. Since
there are only a handful of rooms, it fills up fast,
especially during tourist season.
Other Temples and Tourist Attractions nearby :
The Kedareswara temple built by King Ballala II, at
Halebidu, now in ruins, is considered to be a gem of
architecture. As with the Hoysaleswara temple, this
temple has classic friezes, and scenes from the epics.
There are a hundred and eighty images set under floral
toranas in the upper portions of the walls.
Besides, there are Jain temples dedicated to
Parsvanatha, Santhanatha and Adinatha nearby.
How to Reach Halebidu :
Halebidu is located 16 km. from Belur, which is also a
famous historical place in Karnataka. The city is wellconnected by road and rail to Bangalore, Mysore (149
km) and Mangalore. There are also regular bus
connections to Hassan (31 km).
Accommodation :
One can choose to stay either in a larger town like
Hassan nearby or in simple lodging facilities available
in Halebidu.
February 2012
Best Time to Visit :
Belur and Halebidu is more or less an all round tourist
destination, although the summers months from March
through May can be overbearing to those unaccustomed
to the heat. The monsoon season between June and
September is humid, but relatively okay to travel during
this period. The best time, however, is between October
and April.
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Kids Corner
Surya, the Sun God
- Mrs. Hema Mani
(Mrs. Hema Mani is a homemaker
who was led into spiritual path
by Swami Paramarthanandaji.
Today, she is also a student of
Swami Chidatmanandaji of
Arsha Vidya Sevashram,
Bangalore and with his
guidance contributes articles).
S
ankranti is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu. It
is a harvest festival where we thank the rain god,
the Sun God and cows that help in harvest. In
villages, sweet pongal is prepared outside the house
under the rays of the sun.
Hello kids,
Last month, we celebrated a very important
festival. Do you remember what it is? Yes, that's
right, it is Makara Sankranti. It is celebrated by
Hindus everywhere. I am sure you know which
God is worshipped on that day. That's right, it is
Surya or the Sun God.
10
Now, we shall read a few interesting things about the
Sun God. He has dual form sunlight and shadow, and his
two wives are Sanjana and Chaya. He is depicted as
having a shining face as radiant as pure gold. He is
described as a golden red man with three eyes, four arms
riding a chariot drawn by seven horses. His charioteer is
Aruna and the seven horses represent the rainbow and
the seven days of the week. The twelve chakras on the
wheel are the zodiac signs.
You must have seen or heard people doing Surya
Namaskaram. It is done with folded hands, looking at
the sun and saying Om Surya Narayana and involves 12
different postures. It is the way to pray to the Sun God.
This ancient prayer of the rishis has now become a
popular yoga exercise today that helps us keep our body
and mind healthy.
February 2012
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Aditya is another name for the sun and the Aditya
Hrudayam is a popular prayer invoking the blessings of
the Sun God. It was dictated and taught by sage
Agasthya to Lord Rama in the battlefield. Let us read
and understand the meaning of one of the verses below
of this lengthy poem.
Jayaya Jaya badraya haryaswaya namo namah
Namo namas sahasramaso aditya namo namah
Salutations to him who is the cause of victories;
salutations to him who has green horses; salutations
and salutations to him who has thousand rays;
salutations and salutations to the son of Adithi.
Ratha Sapthami, which comes after Pongal, is
celebrated as the birthday of Sun God, who is the son of
Sage Kasyapa and Adithi. Worshipping the sun on this
day will bestow one with prosperity and health. People
keep Eruku (Ekke) leaves on their head and have a bath
to be blessed by the sun. On this day, the Sun God turns
his chariot towards north. Bheesma who had the boon to
die on the day of his choice chose this day to leave his
mortal coils. The next day is called Bheeshma Ashtami.
There are many temples for the sun. The more popular
ones are Konark (Orissa), Arasavalli (Andhra Pradesh)
and Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu). Arasavalli is near
Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. It is built in such a way
that on Ratha Sapthami day the sun's rays fall directly on
the deity.
Lord Sun is a universal god. Even people who do not
believe in god are blessed by his light. There is no caste
or creed for him. He has many names. The popular ones
are Ravi, Bhaskar, Surya, Adithya and Divakar. Let me
leave you with another sloka to learn.
Bhano Bhaskara Marthanda, Chande Rashmi Divakara
Ayur Arogyam Aiswaryam Sriyam Putramshcha dehi me
Oh god of gods who is the source of light who makes the
day give me longevity, health and wealth and progeny.
So, kids before next Pongal and Ratha Sapthami, ask
your parents to teach you the Adithya Hrudayam and be
blessed by the lord. Bye, till next month.
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Yoga
For
You
YOGA: SKILL IN ACTION,
QUIETUDE IN SILENCE
-By Swahilya Shambhavi
Swahilya Shambhavi is a journalist and Yoga Acharya.
She is the managing trustee of Simply Spiritual Centre and head of Swaha Yoga.
Y
ogaha Chitta Vritti Nirodhaha, says
Maharishi Patanjali. Even if we may have
thousands of ideas about yoga, the primary
and the end result of yoga is to stop the mind's thought
formations. The mind is like a lake. On the lake are
superfine gentle ripples. Sometimes there are big waves
too, caused by tumultous winds of change outside.
When there is a big wave, you can only watch them.
However, if you want to stop the waves, can you do so
by slapping the water with a heavy object? No, it rather
gets aggravated, as more and bigger waves are formed
instead.
The practice of Yoga through its different aspects helps
to bring the waves of the mind under close scrutiny and
thereby makes the mind quiet. The mind likes variety.
Yoga is a way to train the mind and quieten it to make it
fit to realise the truth, and there are many ways of
doing it.
The body is made quiet with Asanas or postures. Asana
is from the root word As, meaning 'To be.' Hatha Yoga
Asanas train the physical body to be steady. If you are
able to sit steadily and comfortably in a meditative
posture, then you have achieved the benefit of all yoga
asanas.
The breath is made quiet and flowing smoothly with
Pranayama and certain kriyas remove the physical,
mental and emotional impurities in the human system.
Yama, Niyama - the do's and don'ts of daily life,
Pratyahara or the withdrawal of the sense organs and
Dharana or concentration, purify and increase the
capacity of the mind's productivity on the outside and
quietude to rest within and seek the truth. Dhyana or
meditation is when the mind really settles down to find
12
the truth within and Samadhi is that state of mind when
the truth is finally discovered.
In the Bhagavad Gita - besides every chapter being a
yoga - the Yoga of Confusion of the first chapter up to
the last chapter called the Yoga of Realisation, the three
main aspects of yoga are the Karma, Bhakti and Jnana
Yoga.
Karma Yoga happens at any place you work, when you
are completely absorbed in your action and not focusing
on the results of the action. Bhakti Yoga is when you
surrender all the good and bad experiences in life as a
gift of the divine and accept anything without a
question. Jnana Yoga is the work of wisdom, where your
individual intellect is connected with the intelligence of
the cosmos. Beyond that, you are not there. The
universe expresses through you.
Yoga is not something to be achieved. It is there in you.
It is a way of life. You remember that the essence of your
being is in a state of yoga all the time and you constantly
stay connected.
While today Asana has become most popular, Patanjali
mentions about it in just one line as Sthiram Sukham
Asanam - a steady and comfortable posture is Asana.
There are at least 84 lakh and may be even more Asanas
and it is really difficult to master all of them, or even a
fraction of them in one lifetime. Yet, perfecting a few of
them helps the body to stay in a state of rest, the breath
flowing smooth and the mind in balance to continue
being in a state of meditation.
There is a yoga for each yuga. In the Satya Yuga, the
most important practice was Dhyana Yoga. People had
to and were able to meditate for many thousands of
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
years. Reaching the truth took a long time then. In the
Tretha and the Dwapara Yugas, it was more of Kriya
Yoga and Karma Yoga to reach to the supreme truth. In
the Kali Yuga, the yoga is very simple. It is Japa Yoga,
which is part of Bhakti Yoga. You just need to repeat the
name of the lord and you see the mind easily dissolves in
the supreme presence soon.
While yoga helps in providing several benefits such as
good health and clarity of mind, its ultimate goal is to
connect the individual consciousness with the cosmic
consciousness and unite the mind in a state of Samadhi
or merging with the cosmic intelligence. The whole
begins to function through you. That is yoga.
Ultimately, with the practice of different forms of yoga,
you begin to move through life, moment-to-moment,
blissfully savouring every second as the mind is merged
in yoga.
Shivaratri Mahima
This is the day
a
Lord Shiva took jyothiswarupa and revealed
his Linga form.
a
Lord Shiva gave his equal half to Mother
Parvati.
a
Paravti learnt the tattvajnana from the Lord.
a
The tribal hunter Kannappa gave his eye to the
bleeding lord and became his dearest devotee.
a
Markandeya got the boon of everlasting
youthfulness and was freed from the clutches
of Lord Yama forever.
a
King Bhageerath brought Ganga to the earth.
a
Sri Krishna killed Narakasura with the help of
Satyabhama. (It was the monthly Shivaratri.)
February 2012
Yoga tip for the month
Take a deep yogic breath: Sit
down in a comfortable posture
wherever you are and learn to
relax and realign your breath.
Place the right hand on the
abdomen and the left on the
chest. Inhale deeply to the count
of four seconds and let the
abdomen expand as you inhale.
Exhale to the count of eight
seconds and consciously draw
the abdomen in as you exhale.
Mrityunjaya Mantra
The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a verse from Yajur
Veda. It is also called as Tryambakam Mantra or the
Rudra Mantra. It thus denotes three aspects of Lord
Shiva: life giver (as Mrityunjaya Mantra), the furious
destroyer of evil (Rudra Mantra), and the three-eyed
Lord (Triyambakeshwara Mantra). Chanting this
mantra regularly bestows one with longevity. When
chanted with full sincerity, faith and piety, it removes
the fear of death, dangers of accidents, incurable
diseases and calamities and grants long life and
immortality. Wealth and prosperity come in search of
the person who chants this mantra with diety.
Om TryambakamYajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat
English Translation
“We worship the three-eyed one (Lord Shiva) who is
fragrant (in a state of supreme bliss), and who
sustains all living beings. May he liberate us from
(the eternal cycle of birth and) death. May he lead us
to immortality, just as the cucumber is released from
its bondage (the vine to which it is attached).”
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
YOGA VAASISHTA
- Sri K.N. Shivashankara Rao
Sri K.N.Shivashankara Rao is a Chief Engineer (retd), GOK, with a clean record.
Interested in Sanatana Dharma and Indian Culture, he is working on Adi Shankara's
works. Being an eloquent writer he has 450+ publications to his credit.
Y
oga Vaasishta is also called Yogavasishta
Ramayana, Maha Ramayana and Jnaana
Vaasishta. It is an extensive philosophical
poem, thought to be composed during the 8th century
AD. Although history assigns it to Valmiki, the
authorship is still unknown. It is an extremely popular
work, which has influenced several later works such as
Annapoorna Upanishad, MahOpanishad, Manas
Ollasa of Sureshwara and Jeevanmukti Viveka of
Vidyaranya.
It contains stories within stories and ends with long
dialogues between Sage Vasishta and Lord Rama. It
expounds subtle spiritual truths by illustrating them
through ingenious stories. Sage Vasishta instructs Sri
Rama on the ultimate nature of reality, knowing which
Rama becomes a Jivanmukta. The discourse between
Rama and Vasishta forms the subject matter of the Yoga
Vaasishta.
THE GIST
The first portion, which is called Vairaagya Prakarana
deals with the intense dispassion of Rama on account of
his disillusionment with the world. Sage Vasishta tries
to enlighten him.
The second section, which is called Mumukshu
Vyavahaara Prakarana tries to suggest that such
disillusionment should lead to wisdom. It should lead to
the cultivation of the four qualities of Shama, Vichaara,
Santosha and Saadhusangamana (tranquility, rational
investigation, contentment and company of the wise
people). Vasishta says that Paurusha Prayathnam
(manly effort) is important and that can overcome even
the effect of past karmas.
14
The third section is Utpatti Prakarana. It deals with
srishti or creation. He says the world is a manifestation
of the mind. Even as the ocean is real and not the waves,
it is Brahman, which is real and not the world.
The fourth is the Sthithi Prakarana. The world
continues till the sankalpa or desire is there. As long as
the mind is active, the world experience is there. It is
vaasanas that are responsible for the continuance of
world experience.
The fifth Upaasana Prakarana teaches the art of
calming the mind. The technique of destruction of the
vaasanas is described. This leads to the destruction of
the tendencies in the mind to rise in the form of mental
waves. Knowledge of the self is the chief technique.
The last chapter is the Nirvana Prakarana. Nirvana or
liberation is the realisation of the identity of the self with
the absolute Brahman. Since bondage appears by the
false identification of the self with the body, only its
reversal through a critical inquiry leads to liberation.
Liberation is possible for every one here and now. The
jeevanmukta (liberated man) continues to live in this
world and fulfill all his duties, but remains equanimous
under all circumstances of life and never attached to
anything.
Yoga Vaasishta advises the aspirant to study the right
kind of scriptures and cleanse the mind by getting rid of
raaga, dvesha, tamas, krodha, madaa and matsarya.
It is said that it is only the vaasanas, which bring the soul
back to other lives and hence obsequies or shraaddhaas
are not of much use.
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Worship of the self through bodha (understanding),
saamya (calmnness of mind), maitri (friendliness to
all), karuna (compassion), mudita (delight), upeksha
(indifference towards evil doers) is advocated. Moorthi
pooja is considered as a baalakreeda or child's play. On
the whole, Yoga Vaasishta challenges the intellect with
its uncompromising logic and it is exhilarating and a
beautiful poetry.
The work on the whole is an Advaitic version of the
understanding of our tradition and is not for very
ordinary people who are at the stages of moorthi poojas
and religious rituals.
Yoga Vaasishta does not attempt to reject any system of
thought, but takes the view that every viewpoint
incorporates perception of reality in certain conditions,
and every doctrine expresses that perception and
concludes that ultimately the end of every religious and
spiritual quest is the same.
Yoga Vaasishta introduces philosophical truths to the
common people who are adhikaris (persons with the
requisite qualifications) to such knowledge. It
penetrates the consciousness by grabbing the attention
through effective stories. It would be very useful to all
of us to read this great work.
A crow was sitting on the branch of a coconut tree.
At that instant, in a very unexpected and accidental
occurrence, a ripe coconut falls on the crow and
kills it instantly. The story indicates that in life
unexpected, coincidental occurrence, happen
whether it be positive or negative, welcome or
unwelcome. This indicates that one should be ready
for the unexpected occurrences and take them as
given by the destiny.
King Shikhidhwaja and his queen Choodaala of
Malwadesha were practicing spiritual disciplines to
get true happiness. With the help of his wife, the
king succeeds. After testing him in various ways to
confirm that he is established in the knowledge of
the Self, she brings him back to the mundane world
to continue ruling the country. He now becomes a
free and wise man. The story indicates that it is only
those who are established in the knowledge of the
self who can be free and wise and do his duties
efficiently without fear or favour.
A few stories from Yoga Vaasishta,
There was a king by name Padma and his wife was
queen Leela. The queen loved her husband so much
that she prayed to Goddess Saraswati for a boon that
if and when her husband dies, his soul should be
confined to her room only. When the king actually
died, the queen sees the action of the soul till it
finally enters the king's body and they are united
again. This is a long story that has many stories
inside it. Leela is a way of describing all reality,
including the cosmos, as the outcome of creative
play by the divine absolute (Brahman). The story
indicates that this world is a manifestation of the
mind even as the ocean alone is real and not the
waves. Likewise Brahman alone is real and not the
world.
February 2012
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15
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
The Gita
Way
of Life
THE VALUE OF
MUTUAL DEPENDENCE
- B. Mahadevan
B. Mahadevan is a Professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. His
interests include understanding the role of ancient Indian wisdom in addressing
contemporary issues.
T
oday's era is characterized by dominance of
individuality as a value of life. Joint families
have given way for nuclear families. Children
are constantly taught the virtue of one's own hard work
leading to excellence in their studies and other pursuits
in life. People with originality (often taken as a good
measure for their individuality) are looked at with awe
and inspiration. The society also views individual rights
as an important element of growth and progress.
Asserting individuals right and space in all matters of
civil society seems to be the way forward to make a
great country. The spirit of questioning everything (as
opposed to the spirit of inquiry) and seeking one's own
understanding of the issue is another aspect promoted
today. In all these matters the common thread is to
promote individuality either directly or indirectly.
Many other developments in the society also promote
individual thinking, encouraging everyone to make
their own choices in life and having an independent
existence in the world. For example, the advent of credit
cards and ATMs have cut several social fabrics and
promoted individuality. Consider a situation where we
face a medical emergency and are in need of cash
urgently. Earlier we used to tap the neighbour or a
relative for help. This way we felt strongly the virtue of
mutual dependence. Today we do not need them as
credit cards and ATMs will do the job for us. It is
increasingly becoming fashionable for young boys and
girls to make their own choices of life partners. Children
at home need their own tables, chairs, bed, bedrooms,
various personal gadgets such as cell phones etc.
Elderly parents also need a separate room and TV for
them. The list of things that breed the culture of
individuality is endless.
Perils of individuality as a value
The idea that begins as individuality will soon transform
into selfishness as people become very sensitive to their
possessions, wants and needs and begin to demand or
bargain for these things in life. This will take away the
culture of sharing as give and take is simply not easier to
practice. Moreover, the way we approach life will be
dominated by “what is in it for me?” An extreme
position in this would be that family as a unit will
become less meaningful as the wife will be as assertive
with her own individuality as the husband and so will be
the children. Broken marriages and homes, orphaned
children, emotionally abused children are some of the
outcomes of this. Slowly this idea will stretch further
and the self centred nature of people will begin to affect
even large systems. People will want their share of
comfort and entitlements even at the cost of creating
damage to nature and large scale social and public
systems.
Mutual dependence is like a lubricating oil in a machine
with multiple moving parts. In order for the parts to
move in a coordinated smooth fashion without creating
noise, friction and heat, oil is applied. Once
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
individuality sets in, the oil is expunged. The machine
will make creaking noise and will one day breakdown.
We are already beginning to see many of these aspects in
our current day living. Where is the problem and how do
we rectify this issue and restore sense and peace in our
minds? Let us turn to Bhagavad Gita for some advise on
this aspect.
Mutual Dependence Critical for Sustainability
If we observe nature carefully we will understand one
aspect very clearly. The whole universe is interconnected. Even mountains, rivers and glaciers in the
polar regions have profound effect on us. The plant
kingdom and the animal kingdom too exert a
considerable influence on us. When we consume
mindlessly the nature and throw all pollutants back into
the nature it will respond with acid rains, earth quakes
and tsunamis. Just because this relationship is too
complicated to understand or hard to see by direct
observation, it does not mean we can ignore them or
push them to the background.
Lord Krishna brings this aspect by advising Arjuna that
in order to achieve ultimate prosperity and success in
whatever we do we need to honour the principle of
mutual dependence. The spirit of sharing and
unconditional giving (the virtue of Yajna) is the basis on
which everything in the world sustains. The Gods bless
the living beings with this virtue and in turn the living
begins give back to the Gods using this principle.
Paraspara Bhava, Lord Krishna says, is the one that
guarantee us ultimate prosperity (Param Shreyas).
The concept of mutual dependence is the corner stone
behind ancient Indian living. Our ancestors were able to
live in unison with other living beings (the plant and
animal kingdom). In the current world order we have
tended to ignore this principle and chosen to largely
follow the western paradigm of exploiting the nature. In
the name of modern living, human beings have lost their
ability to live in harmony with nature and other living
beings in the ecosystem. The number of animals that
have become extinct or endangered in the last 200 years
alone is far more than those in the previous 2000 years!
February 2012
This has landed us in deep trouble and currently the
international political establishments are seriously
engaged in climate summits to find a solution to the
mounting problem.
Mutual Dependence in Other Aspects of Life
If you are a manager or a leader in an organization, the
first lesson you will learn to be successful in discharging
your work is the value of mutual dependence. Your subordinates are as important as you are. A happy and
successful married life revolves around the husband and
the wife understanding the value of mutual dependence.
Particle physicists today have found out that both at the
sub-atomic level (Pinda) and at the cosmos (Anda)
everything works in perfect harmony because of the
universal principle of mutual dependence. Government
and society have to honour the principle of mutual
dependence. If the elected representatives of the
government and the parliament do not honour this
principle, some forces will act and remind them of the
need for this. We recently witnessed this in the case of
Lokapal bill related movement by Anna Hazare.
The principle of mutual dependence pervades much
more than what we normally imagine. The man and
nature have a strong relationship of mutual dependence.
Living entities and non-living entities also are mutually
dependent. Our ancestral wisdom and practices in
everyday living seems to have understood this aspect
and respected it. It is time we wake up to the reality and
adjust our behavioural practices. Only then we will get
prosperity as Lord Krishna proclaimed in the Gita.
Address of our
BANGALORE BRANCH
BHAKTIMANDIRAM
SREE MATH, HARIHARAPURA
# 1370/M, 4th Cross
4th Main Road, Nehru Road,
Girinagar, B'lore – 85
Tel: 080 26426116
Timings: 10 am – 6 pm
17
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
MEDITATION
Excerpts from Action and Reaction by Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
Courtesy & ack Arsha Vidya Centre, Chennai
You sit in a relaxed posture. Close your eyes
Just be yourself
Be yourself, free from roles
visualise the blue sky…
mountains, trees, streams…
you think that destiny has robbed
you of something
or deprived you of something
or death has taken away
somebody from you
Do you want the sky to be different in any way?
No
When you appreciate the blue sky
you are a non-demanding person
Look at those situations to which
you reacted with sadness
anger and so on
Look at yourself
how appreciative you are
A person who is pleased with the
self, that is the person you are
aware and conscious
Think of the stars.
Let the sky be studded with
stars…
Again look at yourself
Think of mountains…
a body of clouds…
the rising sun…
the setting sun…
visualise trees…
flowers, fully blossomed flowers on
the bushes…
look at the birds, the free ones
flying in the sky…
just visualise them, mentally
Now, visualise situations that generally
bring out reactions in you
When you visualised the stars, sky, trees
and so on, they did not cause any reaction
in you
Now, visualise situations to which you
normally react
Suppose there is a person who has
hurt you deeply
18
Meditation is to look at these situations
with the same person
who related to the sky…
who appreciated the stars…
the sky…
the mountains…
the rivers…
the non-demanding
appreciative person
Try to bring that person
to bear upon these situations
that normally bring about reactions
in you
look at the situations
no matter how serious or grave they
may be
If a situation requires a response from you
if the situation needs a change
do whatever has to be done
bring about the change if it makes the
situation easy
or more comfortable for you
It does not require a reaction
it requires action
In meditation
you look at yourself in a situation that you desire, you
wish for something to happen
Look at yourself in a situation that you
dislike, you wish to be rid of
With reference to any of these situations
you see yourself the pleased…
February 2012
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
the non-demanding person…
All those residual, embedded reactions
disappear because they are false
The reactions have no status of their own
if you have some desires, let them be
You are just a simple, conscious
being
This awareness of yourself in every
situation knocks off the piled up
reactions which make a personality
You are just a person
If there is the subconscious
the unconscious
let them be
you are just the simple person
who is free
intrinsically free from any affliction
this is you
A person is always a person who has
appointments to keep…
roles to play…
scripts to follow…
It is very simple and this is action
You do not need to do anything to
be you
fire does not do anything to be hot
The personality is created by
reactions
whereas the person always acts
You do not do anything
for being yourself
Om Tat Sat
12 JYOTIRLINGAS
Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of jyoti or
light on the night of Arudra Nakshatra. Across India there
are 12 Jyotirlingas that are considered very holy. These
are spread out with three Jyotirlingas on sea shore, three
on river banks, fours amidst the heights of mountains,
and three located in meadows of Indian villages.
Saurashtre Somanaatham Cha SreeSaile
Mallikarjunam
Ujjayinyaam Mahaakaalam Omkaare Mamaleswaram
Himalaye to Kedaram Daakinyaam Bhimashankaram
Vaaranaasyaam cha Viswesam Trayambakam
Gowtameethate
Paralyaam Vaidyanaatham cha Naagesam
Daarukaavane
Setubandhe Ramesham Grushnesam cha Shivaalaye ||
The 12 Jyotirlingas are found in:
Somnath (Gujarat),
Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh),
Kashi Viswanatha (Varanasi),
Nageshwar (Gujrat),
February 2012
Mallikarjun (Andhra Pradesh),
Kedarnath (Uttaranchal),
Triambakeshwar (Maharashtra),
Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)
Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain),
Bhimashankar (Maharashtra),
Vaidyanath (Bihar),
Grishneshwar (Maharashtra).
19
SHIVA DARSHAN
Sri Ramanatha Swamy, Rameshwaram
Sri Manjunatha Swamy, Dharmastala
Sri Arunachaleshwara, Thiruvannamalai
Thillai Natraj Swamy, Chidambaram
SHIVA DARSHAN
Sri Sangameshwara Swamy, Kurnool
Sri Kalahasteeshwara, Sri Kalahasti, AP
Sri Kashi Vishwanatha, Kashi
Shivalingam, Amarnath (Ice Lingam)
Sri Someshwara, Somnath, Gujarat
Lord Shiva, Bangalore
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Vedanta
SPIRITUALITY AND PRACTICALITY
in
- Sri Shivakumar Viswanathan
Daily Life
Sri Shivakumar is a student of Vedanta.
A
ll of us who strive to be spiritual in our lives
have faced situations where we have heard the
words 'Be practical.' Either we tell it ourselves
or hear others say it. Haven't we noticed that unless we
are frenetically working and worrying at the same time,
people somehow assume that we are lazy or wasting out
time in impractical pursuits? There seems to be an
implicit assumption in this statement that spirituality
and practicality don't go together, especially when we
are faced with worldly trials and tribulations. Is that a
fact? There seems to be an underlying belief in everyone
that spirituality precludes practicality. Nothing could be
further from the truth.
Swami Chinmayananda in his lecture has said that
spirituality would be a dreamer's fantasy if it did not
give each person a practical approach to everyday
problems. Let's then define 'practical' first. Some of the
dictionary meanings of the word 'practical' are these:
...Of or pertaining to practice or action (Or)
...Consisting of, involving, or resulting from practice or
action
Corporates define a required managerial competency
'Drive for results'. This competency would have us
believe that unless we are actively 'doing' something,
we are not really working towards results. How can
someone's faith or prayer be considered as 'doing' and
by extension how will that qualify as result orientation
and problem solving?
In the modern mind there is a heavy focus on 'doing.'
And essentially this 'doing' is riding on the back of
expectations of results. Sans this desire for results, there
is no action or doing on anyone's part. Let's say some
one is facing some difficulties on the health front. This
22
person prays for relief as even undergoing treatment.
When faced with a choice at a decision point in regards
to the treatment if the person is found to be praying, he
or she is immediately told to be practical. Prayers are not
the solution at that point in time. At least that's what
people will have us believe.
The Lord, in the second chapter of the Gita,
categorically states that we can only act. The results are
out of scope! We cannot control the results. Since that is
the case, the entire belief of 'working' towards results
becomes irrelevant and hence 'impractical'. Does that
mean we should stop working? There need be no fear on
that account. None can stop working. We are driven by
our gunas to keep working unceasingly. There is
definitely a possibility of people making wrong choices
in their everyday lives and that may also be considered
impractical. A 93 year old with failing eyesight and
weak limbs asking to be trained as an astronaut, while
definitely a long stretch of imagination, makes the point
clear.
Truly spiritual people work diligently, without being
worried about the results, fully depending on the Lord
for support. What could be more practical than absolute
surrender? In fact, true surrender is done without
expectation of specific fruits of actions. There is
openness with regard to the dispensation of the Lord,
whatever it may be. The mind may trick one to believing
that 'If I surrender to the Lord, then He will work things
in my favour!' But in case of the true devotee, even this
is absent. Surrender is natural and so is the effort. There
is no internal struggle and conflict.
Being spiritual is a way of life. It calms and settles the
mind and provides clarity of thought. It helps the person
to take powerful action towards the accomplishment of
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
the goals without the accompanying tension and worry
that all of us have come to accept as normal today. This
may or may not meet the modern mind's drive for
frenetic activity based living, keeping-up-with-theJoneses attitude and wearing stress as a badge of honour.
But nothing could be more pragmatic than being
spiritual in its truest sense.
There is a famous incident in the life of Parameshti
Acharyal, Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi
Mahaswamigal that illustrates this. Acharyal in His first
tour of Tamil Nadu in the 1920s was asked by the
devotees to speak in Tamil. Acharyal had never lived or
been to Tamil Nadu before and there was no possibility
of picking up that language. When the devotees
pressurized the mutt officials, they came to Acharyal
and said they were helpless and that they did not know
what to do.
Acharyal calmly asked them not to worry and said that
Sharadambal will take care of every thing. The mutt
officials could only think, 'That Sharadambal will save
us is mere Vedanta vichara. How will we overcome this
problem now?' When Acharyal ascended the dais and
spoke, it was a torrential flow of chaste Tamil. The
audience were drowned in His mellifluous Tamil and
were overjoyed. The 'practical' mutt officials who
worried about the problem prostrated at the feet of
Acharyal after the programme and said that He was
sakshat incarnation of Sharadambal Herself.
Swami Nityananda once said about how people live
these days: 'When people fall ill, they first try allopathy.
When that doesn't work they try homeopathy. When that
also doesn't give relief, they move to naturopathy. When
all efforts fail, they go to Tirupathi and seek the
sympathy of Lord Venkatachalapathy! All they need to
do is reverse the order. First go to Tirupathi and seek the
sympathy of Lord Venkatachalapathy. After that try
allopathy or homeopathy or naturopathy.' Don't great
saints show that path by living it themselves? Their
innate faith in Lord's grace and practical wisdom is a
beacon of light in the dark world of ignorance.
Benefits of keeping Shivratri Vrat:
?
For one who observes the Shivratri Vrat, all the wealth comes in search of him.
?
Happiness is a constant companion to one who keeps the Shivaratri Pooja.
?
Peace and contentment overpowers those who remain awake for the whole night and sincerely follow the
Shivratri fast.
?
Lord Yama stays far away from the one who with steadfast devotion does the Shivaratri pooja.
?
Even the ancestors of the one who keeps Shivratri Vrat with bhakthi will attain moksha.
The first Shivratri Vrat
Once Lord Shiva was in bliss with his eyes closed and oblivious of his surrounding. But the whole world was
consumed by darkness because of this and there was no light anywhere. Loka Matha Parvathi, however, was
saddened that the world was immersed in such darkness because the Lord remained in Himself with his eyes
closed. She begs him to open his eyes and resume the act of creation once again. But, only after doing penance for
many years without sleeping, the Lord finally relents to her request and opens his eyes. Pleased with her
devotion the lord asks her what boon she wants. Parvati asks the lord, “Just like how I was blessed by you, so
should you bless all who worship you by keeping fast and forgoing their sleep.” The Lord replied, “Devi, the
penance that you did is an extreme and very hard tapas. No one can do it. But, if anyone who can remain even for
one night foregoing sleep and thoughts of food and material pleasures, to him I will give all the blessings”. When
the Mother asked which day that would be, the Lord answered, “I will be pleased, if one observe the Vrat on this
day, when the universe was created once again, in the month of Magha (Maasi, Feb-Mar) during the
Krishnapaksha on Chaturdasi.” Thus was born the first Shivratri night.
February 2012
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
GITA IN THE EYES OF WESTERN SCHOLARS
- Prabhuprasad Naduthota
T
he Srimad Bhagavad Gita is found in the
Bheeshma Parva of Mahabharata between
chapters 23-40. It contains the essence of India's
spirituality, culture and thinking. Our Aacharya trayas
wrote authoritative commentary on this. This is relevant
even today as it was even millennia before. It has not
only inspired Indians, but also all the intellectuals from
different parts of the world with different cultural
background, religion and language.
The western world's interest in the Bhagavad Gita
began in the late 1780s, after the first English translation
got published. Charles Wilkins, an English Typographer
and Orientalist completed the first direct translation of
Gita from Sanskrit to English. Friedreich Max Mueller
(1823-1900), the German Philologist and Orientalist,
was the chief editor of the Sacred Books of the East. The
Gita was included in this famous collection. After that
the Gita was appreciated by several western scholars.
Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) was a Swiss
psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology.
Jung is considered the first modern psychiatrist to view
the human psyche as "by nature religious" and make it
the focus of exploration. He wrote about Gita with such
a reverence: "The idea that man is like unto an inverted
tree seems to have been current in by gone ages. The link
with Vedic conceptions is provided by Plato in his
Timaeus in which it states-- behold we are not an earthly
but a heavenly plant." This correlation can be discerned
by what lord Krishna expresses in chapter 15
[Purushottama Yoga] of Gita.
J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967), American
physicist and director of the Manhattan Project, learned
Sanskrit in 1933 and read the Bhagavad Gita in the
original, citing it later as one of the most influential
books to shape his philosophy of life. Upon witnessing
the world's first nuclear test in 1945, he quoted: "Now I
am become Death, the destroyer of worlds", based on
verse 32 from Chapter 11 [Vishvarupa-Darsana Yoga]
of the Gita.
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Albert Einstein (1879-1955) also liked the concepts in
the Gita. He expressed his views on Gita as:"When I
read the Bhagavad Gita and reflect about how God
created this universe everything else seems so
superfluous."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) an American
essayist, lecturer, and famous poet, said: “I owed a
magnificent day to the Bhagavad Gita. It was the first of
books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small
or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of
an old intelligence which in another age and climate
had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions
which exercise us.”
Aldous Leonard Huxley (1894 -1963), a famous
American writer's reflection on Gita summarizes why it
is universally revered: “The Bhagavad-Gita is the most
systematic statement of spiritual evolution of endowing
value to mankind. It is one of the most clear and
comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever
revealed; hence its enduring value is subject not only to
India but to all of humanity.”
These are only among a handful of westerners who have
expressied their appreciation for the Gita. It is still
inspiring many minds across the globe by its message
towards universal brotherhood, Nishkaama-karma
[deeds without expectation], self-respect and many
more humanitarian concepts.
“Whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever
is happening, is happening for the good; whatever will
happen, will also happen for the good only. You need not
have any regrets for the past. You need not worry for the
future. The present is happening.”
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Holistic
Living
ORGANIC Vs HYBRID
- Dr. Ashwin Shastry
Dr. Ashwin Shastry is an Ayurvedic physician, running a panchakarma center Arogyaniketana Ayurvedashrama - at Hariharapura.
He is also specialized in Ayurvedic ophthalmology, E.N.T and Keraleeya panchakarma.
F
ood plays important role in health and treatment.
So in our Ayurvedic hospital we serve food
according to the individual's need. Which means
that I have to put good amount of effort to know what to
give or what not to give for my clients. This brings me
closer to kitchen and to my mother with whom I usually
discuss few things about the food, its preparation and
qualities.
One day I saw my mother cutting some vegetables. I
sneaked into the kitchen to see what she was cooking
and saw a big radish under my mother's knife. By seeing
its size I assumed that it was a good radish. But, my
mother had a different opinion. The particular radish on
her kitchen table was a hybrid variety. According to her,
although this vegetable looked big and robust, only the
natural breed is good for health. That led me to ask her
why she considered the natural variety better than the
hybrid.
What follows is her explanation. “The natural variety
may be small but even when it is cut, it retains its
freshness for as many as three days. Whereas the hybrid
varieties have to be consumed immediately as they start
to decay within a day. The hybrid varieties are
artificially grown with fertilisers and chemicals, and
thus have very low immunity. As it decays quickly it
does not have the necessary immunity to withstand the
diversities of nature and also does not produce enough
energy. Whereas the natural variety, which is grown by
organic forming, even when small, has got good
immunity and will definitely produce good energy
when consumed.”
Next day, in my clinic a couple from Bangalore came
with their six-year-old son with complaint of recurrent
cold, fever and sneezing. They complained that the boy
suffered from one health problem or another always. He
was obese too. The parents were worried that in spite of
giving very high quality food, milk, fruits, Horlicks,
February 2012
almonds, dates and energy rich food he was not healthy.
On further enquiry it was found that he sat in front of
computer often playing games and indulged in
chocolates and pastries.
I remembered my mother telling the logic of hybrid
radish. This child consumed high-energy food, but did
not have enough physical activity for the type of food
that he consumed. He did not play enough or had any
other physical activity, other than playing in front of the
computer and sitting in front of the Idiot box.
With this pattern of food and activity the child possesses
very weak tissues and is not given a chance to grow
natural immunity. Only fat tissue gets accumulated in
unwanted way. Isn't this child like a hybrid radish? As
opposed to this, a child who plays outside the house,
consumes diluted kashaya milk, takes buttermilk in diet,
who walks whenever possible, and avoids junk food
remains healthy and energetic always. He will have less
disease and will have better intellectual capacity. This
child is like the natural (organic) radish.
A final word: As parents its in our hands to choose
healthy food for our children. Opting for organic and
naturally grown vegetables are good both for the nature
and your family as well.
Dr. Ashwin Shastry can be contacted at :
arogyaniketana3@gmail.com
Please visit our revised WEBSITE for
further details about MATH ACTIVITIES
www.hariharapura.org
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
SHIVA BHAKTA VILASAM
- Smt. Anjali Shivakumar
W
ho amongst us have not faced life's curve
balls, been clueless about the future and felt
helpless in the tides of sorrow? In such
moments, we feel absolutely powerless, life begins to
look like a giant boxer knocking you down to your
knees! It is in moments like these we turn to Acharyal or
God for help, guidance, support and strength. As Swami
Paramarthananda said these choice-less situations are
necessary in our lives. They are important lessons in our
lives teaching us to accept things as they are given by the
Lord. These situations strengthen our faith and devotion
in Acharyal or God.
When I first met Acharyal, I knew in my heart that He
would take care of me. I knew that I was saved. But this
feeling lasted only so long I was in Acharyal's presence.
Then, life would take over and I would begin to feel like
I was in control of life and that I was in charge! But,
when faced with an unpleasant situation, I would run to
Acharyal crying about how life has been unjust. I
realised that I have, in the name of devotion, made a
business deal with Acharyal! When life is happy, I am in
charge but if life is difficult let God take
responsibility!!! Now, that's just not fair!
So what is devotion? What is the best form of devotion?
Does a person naturally possess devotion or can it be
cultivated? How do you cultivate devotion? These are
some of the questions to which I found answers in a
book called 'Shiva bhakta vilasam'. It is a Sanskrit
rendering of the great Tamil text Periyapuranam
compiled by Sekkizhar. The original is ascribed to Sage
Agastya who preached it to Sage Upamanyu.
So what does Shivabhaktavilasam talk about?
This book gives a detailed description of the famous
saintly Shiva bhaktas, also called as Nayanmars. Not
many people in this day and age know who they are, so
this is my humble attempt to share what little I have
learnt and understood of them and their bhakthi.
The Nayanmars were sincere and ardent devotees of
Lord Shiva and made absolute self-surrender their goal.
Some of the well known Nayanmars are Sambandar,
26
Appar, Sundarar and Manikkavacakar. Among the 63
saints, only a few had knowledge of the Agama shastras,
the others attained liberation only because of their
devotion and surrender.
In the stories of the great Nayanmars, a common path of
bhakti leads them to attain union with the Lord. So, it is
essential to look at Bhakti a little closely.
Bhakti can be seen in two different ways - Bhakti as
sadhana or spiritual practice (in order to realise our true
nature) and Bhakti as bhavana, Prema svarupa bhakti
(just pure love for God).
Swami Paramarthananda explains beautifully the
Bhakthi Yoga (Ch 12) of Bhagavad Gita. He says that
bhakti is not an exclusive sadhana like karma yoga,
jnana yoga and bhakti yoga, as commonly understood.
Bhakti encompasses all spiritual sadhanas. A sadaka
following karma yoga or jnana yoga, has a feeling of
bhakti or love as the foundation.
Bhakti as a sadhana can be classified into three types.
1. Karma rupa bhakti : This type of bhakti focuses on
physical activities and the involvement of mind is
minimal. For example, various yagas and
austerities. It is further divided into:
a. Sakama karma rupa bhakti : Actions dedicated
for selfish gains or bhakti motivated for material
gain.
b. Nishkama karma rupa bhakti : Actions dedicated
for purification of mind.
2. Upasana rupa bhakti : In this type of bhakti,
physical activities are restricted and the mind is
completely involved. For example, japam and
manasa puja. It is also divided
c. Eka rupa upasana bhakti: Worshiping a
particular form of god ishta devata upasana.
d. Vishwa rupa upasana bhakti: Worshiping god
dwelling equally in all the creatures in the
universe.
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
3. Jnana rupa bhakti : Bhakti in the form of vedanta
shravana, manana and niddhidhyasanam. It is the
systematic and methodical enquiry into the nature of
god.
Bhakti as bhavana can be of three types based on the
motivation for Bhakti 1. Bhakti for material gains (artha and artharthi
bhakti) is called as Manda bhakti.
2. Bhakti for spiritual growth, mental purity or sadana
chatustaya sampathi is called as Madhyama Bhakti.
3. The last type of bhakti is the purest form of bhakti. It
is called as Uttama bhakti because there is no
motive at all; it is unconditional love and surrender
to the Lord. Such a bhakta is a jnani.
Based on this knowledge of bhakti, one can say that the
Nayanmars truly possessed uttama bhakti and showed
us, commoners, how we can rise above our daily,
mundane problems and surrender our love to Guru or
Bhagavan.
The 63 Nayanmars
1. Anaya
2. Adipaththar
3. Aiyadigal Kaadavarkon, PallavaKing
Aiyadigal Perumaanaar
4. Amaraneedi Nayanar
5. Appudhi Adigal
6. Arivattaya
7. Chandeshvara Nayanar
8. DhandiyadigaL
9. Enatinatha
10. Eripaththa
11. Eyarkon Kalikkaama
12. Gananatha
13. Idankazhi
14. Ilayankudi maranar
15. Isaignaniyaar - a woman
16. Iyarpagaiar
17. Kaari
18. Kalikkamba
19. Kaliya
20. Kanampulla
21. Kannappa Nayanar
22. Karaikkal Ammaiyar a woman
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23. Kazharchinga
24. Kazharir-rarivaar, CheraKing, also Cheraman
Perumal
25. Kochengat Cholan, A CholaKing
26. Kootruva
27. Kotpuli
28. Kulachchirai
29. Kungiliyak Kalaya
30. Manakkanychaara Nayanar
31. Mangayarkkarasiyar, a woman
32. Meiporul Nayanar
33. Murkha
34. Murti
35. Munayaduvaar
36. Muruga
37. Nami Nandi Adigal
38. Narasingha Munayaraya
39. Nesa Nayanar
40. Ninra Seer Nedumaara
41. Perumizhalaik Kurumba
42. Pusalar
43. Pugal Chola, A CholaKing
44. Pugazh Thunai Nayanar
45. Saakkiya
46. Sadaiya Nayanar
47. Saththi
48. Seruthtunai
49. Sirappuli
50. Siruttonda
51. Somaachi
52. Sundarar
53. Sambandar (Tirugnaana Sambandar)
54. Tirukkuripput Tonda
55. Tirumular
56. Thirunalai Povar Nayanar, popularly known
as Nandanar
57. Tirunavukkarasar, popularly known as Appar
58. Thiruneelakandar
59. Tirunilakanda Yaazpaana
60. Tirunilanakka
61. Uruttira Pasupati
62. Vaayilaar
63. Viralminda nayanar
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
HONESTY-SIMPLE AND REAL
By Akilam
O
nce there lived a famous king by name
Mahendra and because the king ruled justly,
and looked after his subjects, people in his
kingdom were very happy. But, King Mahendra had no
children and he was worried who will succeed him to the
throne.
The king thought long and hard and finally hit upon a
solution. He called all his subjects to the palace grounds
and announced that from amongst them he will choose
the successor. Thousands of his people assembled on the
appointed day at the palace grounds. The king addressed
them and told that he would hand out a packet of seeds to
each person present there. The seeds are to be planted
and whoever brings back the best-grown plant with most
colourful flowers will be chosen as the next King. So,
the people took the seeds and went home. Each
contestant was asked to bring back the grown plant with
his nametag on it.
After some weeks, people started bringing in the
flowerpots one by one. Soon the entire palace grounds
became like a flower show, where each participant
proudly displayed his attractive and colourful plant. The
whole palace grounds looked like Brindavan Gardens,
with rows and rows of flowers and plants of the most
magnificent varieties.
However, there was one man who stood among them,
with an empty flowerpot. His flowerpot carried neither
fresh leaves, nor colourful flowers. In fact the man
looked pitiable with an empty flowerpot filled only with
sand. The pot was dry and he had not succeeded in
growing anything in that. And his pot without any flower
was drowned in the sea of colourful flowerpots around.
On the judgement day, the entire population turned up
and people sat thinking about whose flowerpot will be
chosen and who will be the future king? Just then the
king entered the grounds. He asked his ministers to brief
him about the efforts of the people and about the variety
of flowers presented. Then the King walked amidst the
presentations to see for himself observing each
flowerpot and made enquiries and completing the tour,
the King returned back to the royal pavilion.
Against pin drop silence and quickened heartbeats, the
whole population waited for final announcement. The
challenge was high, so also the standards of the
flowerpot entries. The final hour had arrived. The king
rose from his throne to address the people. In a sombre
tone, king Mahendra enquired about one failed entry
where the flowerpot had only soil in it and asked its
owner to come forward and explain to him. A man right
at the back of the huge crowd raised his hand and started
making his way towards the royal pavilion. He could
hear people making caustic remarks about him. His ears
were getting full with sarcasm and stinging words that
were being tossed about by the people. An expression of
timidity began to creep upon his countenance as he came
face to face with his majesty, King Mahendra.
The king requested an explanation as to why his
flowerpot had no plant. The man answered that he had
tried his best, even adding more fertilizer and carefully
watering the seeds, but that he was disappointed and
sorry that he could not grow anything. The king stood up
and told the people present that he had chosen his
successor. It was none other than the man who failed in
growing a plant.
The people were stunned. With a look full of puzzle on
their faces, they awaited an explanation from the king.
King Mahendra placed his hand upon the shoulder of the
man that was chosen as his successor and spoke to the
people.
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
The king said: “I was looking for a man with character
and I have found him. The seeds that I gave everyone
were roasted seeds. There was no way that any of the
seeds could grow. But all you people instead bought
seeds from the store and grew them. When I saw that
one flowerpot without any plant, at that moment I knew
that I had found that honest man, the man with the
strength of character displaying purity of heart,
fearlessness, straightforwardness, and truthfulness, all
character needed to be a king”.
Four Yugas, Four Kalas
When Parvati did Tapas and the world was created thence, it was the first yuga called the Krita Yuga. When the
pralaya came, do you know who did tapas to the Lord for creation? It was Lord Subrahmanya. When the next
deluge came it was Lord Ganesh who did tapas to appease the Lord to do the creation. Finally, it was Lord Vishnu
who did tapas to Lord Shiva to bid him to create the universe the fourth time around. Thus these four tapas in the
four yugas denote the four kala-pooja during Shivaratri.
The first kala pooja indicates the pooja done by Paravati. During this kala milk is the most auspicious ingredient
for both abhisheka and for neivedya to the lord. Rig Veda parayana is done during this time. The second kala
represents the pooja done by Lord Subrahmanaya. So his favourite panchamrita is the auspicious neivedya for
the lord during this time of the pooja. During this period, Sama Veda parayana is done. The third kala denotes the
pooja done by Lord Ganesha and til rice is the auspicious prasada to be offered to the lord. Yajur Veda is chanted
during this kala. Since Maha Vishnu himself did tapas for the sake of fourth yuga, this is the most auspicious time
and plain rice is the Lord's favourite prasadam of this time. Atharvana Veda is chanted during the fourth kala.
Lord Shiva is a lover of abhisheka. So, it is easy to please him during Shivaratri by doing various abhisheka with
different flowers and ingredients.
Suggestions and guidelines to
authors, writers and contributors to the magazine
1. All articles should be original, should not be published elsewhere. You can use the Internet
or other sources for research (please do quote the source in that case), but plagiarism is not allowed as it
is unethical and illegal.
2. Articles should be in simple English, in your own words, typed in 'word' format and sent directly to
editor@hariharapura.org or to our Bangalore branch. On top of the page, please add your complete
name, addresses, pincode, email id, telephone number etc for further contacts and communications.
3. Wherever necessary, you can attach either a photo or sketch. Subjects can be anything on our culture,
traditions and the article, relevant to present day; should be informative and interesting to read and
should not exceed 1000 words. No 'to be continued' articles are encouraged. Each article should
sustain itself in each independent issue.
4. When 'Sanskrit' lines are used, it is suggested that you send a hard copy of the article with correct
Sanskrit word to the Bangalore Branch.
I appeal to all respected and valuable authors to kindly follow the above guideline and be part of this noble
cause.
February 2012
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A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Shivaparadha Kshamapana Stotram
- S. Ramasamy
Dr. S. Ramaswamy is a retired Professor of English. He has made an in depth study
of Advaita Philosophy and is an authority on the subject.
T
his stotram is in the form of prayer praying to be
pardoned for all the sins committed, sins of
commission as well as omission. The first ten
stanzas have the refrain: j§Vì¶mo ‘o@namY… {ed {ed {ed ^mo…
lr‘hmXod e§^mo && O Lord Shiva, kindly forgive all my sins.
This is níMmVmn, contrition. More things are wrought by
prayer than are ordinarily thought of. There is no
substitute for begging forgiveness. Awareness of sin
makes an individual tread the right path. But the prayer
must be genuine and truly contrite.
The sinning starts even before birth. Being born itself is
a result of g§{MV H$‘© (Sancitha karma) àmaãY (Prarabdha
karma) is that which has already had a beginning and
started yielding fruit. Even during the stay in the
mother's womb surrounded by excretion and urine, the
fire “Jagarathagni” (OmR>am{¾) is burning in my stomach.
Who can say what other ills are there at that prenatal
time. O Shambo, pardon my sins.
During childhood, the dirtied body, the desire to drink
breast milk, the activity of the weak senses, the various
diseases giving trouble in the middle of all this, O
Shankara, I forgot to recite your holy name. Forgive me.
I who grew up into youth, got bitten by the poisonous
serpents of the five senses - n§Mm{^… - and lost all sense of
discrimination - {ddoH$…. Each one of the senses sound,
touch, form, taste and smellis deadly. What needs to be
said about all the five? I got immersed in the pleasures of
the flesh and filthy lucre. Enjoyment of money and sex
puffed up my mind and I forgot you, pardon me, O Lord!
Now in old age my senses have deteriorated. The body
has shrunken with various kinds of worries, diseases,
loss of dear ones, and bad habits. The mind has lost its
power of memory. My mind is devoid of contemplating
on you. Kindly forgive all my sins.
30
I beg your pardon for not worshipping you in the six
prescribed ways “Panchamrita Abhisheka” (n§Mm‘¥V
A{^foH§$) consisting of anointing the lord with honey,
ghee, curd, jiggery and milk, smearing the idol with
fragrant items, worshipping with flowers, lighting the
sacred flame and offering “naivedya” (Z¡doܶ).
Indulging myself in acts contrary to the prescribed ones
and acquiring the sin of indulging in prohibited acts,
how can I hope to tread the oath of righteousness and the
sanctified “Brahmanamarga” (~« ÷ ‘mJ© ) ? How is
“Nidhidhyasana ({Z{XÚmgmZ) possible for me not having
gone through the process of Sravana (òdU) and Manana
(‘ZZ). Kindly forgive this lapse.
O Shiva, Mahadeva, I have not contemplated on you in
my mind. I have not given generous gifts to Brahmins. I
have not performed yagna, yaga, and offered havis to
Lord Agni. I have not performed tapas on the banks of
River Ganaga at Kashi. I have not even performed the
prescribed rituals and rites with devotion and
dedication. Please forgive this wrong doing.
I know not that ishwara who is characterized as
Digambara ({XJ§~a), one who is uncompromised , totally
pure (ewÔ), one who is beyond the sway of the three
gunas of sattva, rajas, and tamas ({ZJw©wU{da{hV). One who
dispels the darkness of ignorance and attachment, one
who has fixed his look on the end of the noose
(Zmg{¾ì¶ñVö{f…) and one who is endowed with all the
riches, I didn't even remember Shankara with a pure
mind in a state of Samadhi. Do kindly forgive this my
transgression.
Lord Shiva, I beg your forgiveness for not having
contemplated on your form seated in padmasana,
personified as the sacred Om (àUd) and regaining the
February 2012
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
breath (àmUdm¶w) at the sushumna position (gyú‘‘mJ})
. This is the way you look in the mind's eye, you are
parabrahman, immanent and transcendent, omnipresent
and sublime to behold. What can be said about me who
has not remembered this form of yours. I need to be
forgiven for this lapse.
O Mahadeva Shambo, you are auspicious (õÚ§), to be
known by the Upanishads (doXm§VdoY§), one who is shining
in the lotus of the heart, one who is self-luminous, Truth
itself, one who is accessible only to the hearts of sages
and saints, one who is transcendent of the three
'avasthas' jagrat, swapna and sushupthi and the three
gunassattva, rajasm and tamas. Thou are
Auspiciousness itself. I beg forgiveness for not
remembering you.
(The last three stanzas 11 to 13 don't carry the refrain,
but are in the form of injunction and prayer.)
O mind, worship with a pure mind that Lord who wears
the moon on his head (M§ÐeoIa), who put an end to
Manmatha, who bears the sacred Ganga iin his tresses,
who is auspicious (e§ - H$a. ""e§ H$amoVr{V e§H$am), who
wears the serpeants like ornamenmts, who is possessed
of the third eye and one who wears the elephant-skin as
dress. In order to attain liberation (‘moj) surrender your
mind to Him. What is the use of everything else?
O you human being, all the possessions of the world
vehicle, horse, elephant, kingdom, son, wife, friend,
cow, body, house all these are prone to destruction in a
moment. What is the use of any of these? Knowing them
as such keep your mind away from them. Seek the
blessings of a guru, benefit by his searching, obtain the
knowledge of the self and pray to god.
O shambo, years pass by and the life-span is over, youth
melts away day-by-day. Lost days don't come back.
Time consumes away the entire world (H$mbmo OJÐjH$…)
goddess Lakshmi is fickle. This life has the nature of
flashing forth for a second and disappearing! Therefore,
O kind Lord, protect me, do protect me, O
compassionate one.
Swamiji, Chennai Camp
February 2012
31
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
THE THOUSAND NAMES OF LORD VISHNU
- by Smt. Aparna
PUtAtma: One whose essence is pure. The Sruti says
He is non-dual, being untouched by guns. Although the
Purusha assumes relation with the gunas, His real nature
remains unaffected by thoughts, emotions and bodily
perceptions. So he is ever pure.
ParamAtmA: He who is the supreme Atman with no
beginning or end, always awake, ever free and pure.
MuktAnAm paramA gatih: He is the highest goal
(gatih) the liberated ones can reach, attaining Him there
is nothing else to be achieved. In the Bhagavad Gita
(15.6), Bhagavan says
na tad bhasayate suryo
na sasanko na pavakah
yad gatva na nivartante
tad dhama paramam mama
(That abode of mine is not illumined by the sun or moon,
nor by electricity. One who reaches it never returns to
this material world.)
T
he Vishnu Sahasranama occurs in the Shanti
Parva of Mahabharatha. The battle is over, the
Kouravas are slain. The big and the mighty are
dead. Yudhistra is the king now. Yudhishtra, who is
dharma personified, is himself confused of the dharma
that he has to follow. Sri Krishna has already expounded
dharma in detail to Arjuna with his Bhagavad Gita.
Now, it is Bheeshma's turn to come to Yudhistra's
rescue.
Yudhistra asks a series of questions:
Who is the greatest Lord in the world?
Who is the one refuge for all?
By glorifying whom can men reach his ultimate goal?
What is the greatest dharma?
What is that by doing which mean can cross the ocean of
samsara?
Bheeshma's answer to these questions and more forms
the Vishnu Sahasranama. We continue reading the
thousand names of the lord.
32
Elsewhere he again confirms, “O Son of Kunti, having
reached Me, there shall be no more any re-birth”.
Avyayah : The undecaying. Vyaayah means
'destruction'. Avyayah means 'without destruction'.
Purusah: One who abides in the body. The body is the
pura or the fort with nine gates. The Supreme Being
who pervades the body of a living being is also the
controller and one who sustains everything that is inside
and outside.
SAkshi: Witness. He who is the observer of all that
happens and yet remains unaffected like the sun that
remains unaffected by the things it casts its illumination.
Kshetrajnah: The knower of the field or body. The
Brahmapurana says that bodies are fields and the
Atman illumines each body. It is therefore called the
'knower of the field'. As the dwelling spirit, He is known
as Ksetrajnah.
Aksarah eva ca: One who is indestructible. Kshetrajna
and Aksarah are identical metaphysically.
February 2012
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Yogah: One who is attained through yoga.
SRI SWAYAMPRAKASHA TRUST
JnanendriyAni sarvAni nirudhya manasA
saha
Monthly Magazines
Ekatva-bhAvanA yogah ksetrajnaparamAtmanoh
The contemplation of the unity of the
Jivatma and the Paramatma with the
organs of knowledge and the mind
withheld is Yoga.
YOgavidAm NetA: He who is the master
of those established in yoga. In the Gita,
the Lord says, “I bear the welfare of those
who are united with me and contemplate
me with total dedication, and preserve
their worldly interest and spiritual
progress.” (9.22)
PradhAna Purusheshvarah: The lord of
both pradhana (maya) and purusha (jiva).
NArasimha-vapuh: One who took the
Narasimha avatar (in whom the bodies of
man and lion are joined).
SrImAn: One on whose chest the
goddess Sri dwells.
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February 2012
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33
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Musings
of a
Tai Chi
Master
SAVOIR FAIRE - 2012
- Sifu Swathi Iyengar
Shri Swathi Iyengar is a teacher of Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga. He is the first First Indian
Silver Medalist in Tai Chi and Qigong and loves travelling to understand other cultures.
R
esolutions, resolutions and resolutions! The
New Year is the time for resolutions. Some to
keep up with past resolutions and some newer
ones are made just to pep up our spirits and please those
around us. It has almost become a fad to make
resolutions on the New Year day. But, as weeks
progress, most of us forget and move on and such an
exercise is remembered only when the next New Year
comes along. Now, that is so far as individual
resolutions are concerned, what about resolutions for
India, as a whole nation?
Increasingly, India is attempting to showcase the world
as a developed economy, a transition that might need a
few more decades from the present concept of its
'developing economy'. So, is it GDP the only yardstick
to understand the status of economy of a country which
otherwise might be rotting inside out. Why don't we
instead say GDH, Gross Domestic Happiness, which
may indicate better the progress of a country?
I once read a report on 'richest countries' and was
surprised to find Philippines topping the list. I wondered
how Philippines, although lagging behind
economically, was considered a rich country. The report
elucidated further. Philippines was considered rich not
for its money power, but rather for its people power.
People there were more happy and rich from inside.
Clearly the GDH of Philippines exceeded those of the
other countries.
A recent research done by Social Psychologist Jennifer
Stellar at University of California, Berkeley reveals
these findings in the magazine, Emotion, “The latest
results indicate that there's a culture of compassion and
cooperation among lower-class individuals that may be
born out of threats to their well-being. It's not that the
upper classes are cold-hearted. They may just not be as
adept at recognizing the cues and signals of suffering
because they haven't had to deal with as many obstacles
in their lives.”
May be that is the reason why we feel lots of warmth and
hospitality when we are around simple villagers, who
are absolutely contended. I acknowledge the fact they
are slowly becoming endangered species, in the era of
34
development, materialism, lack of spirituality,
conditional bhakti, or bhakti showcased through money
power. What a shame??
In this New Year, let us, both as individuals and as a
nation rise up to the situation. Let us rephrase GDP to
Gross Divine Progress. Let us embrace our own
Swadharma without forgetting our unwritten Vishesa
Dharma for the divine progress. Let us not contaminate
our mind and body with self-serving materialistic
ambitions. Without divine progress, materialistic
progression does not last long. Take the example of the
Arabs. In spite of their rich black gold, the constant
uprising and chaos only shows the lack of GDP in its
rephrased term.
Let us show true divine progress in this New Year. Let
our efforts to progress include empathy and
understanding. Let the rich and mighty give way to the
poor and meek. Let us shun hypocrisy in the name of
divine progress. Let all these be our Savoir Faire for
2012 and years to come.
Will the world end in 2012 following Mayan
Calendar?? I don't buy that fully, but I believe the end of
the materialistic attitude will happen sooner or later.
And, I truly believe that more and more will embark on
spiritual and ethical journey despite many opposing
forces. But this Journey will need atleast few decades to
recoup the damage done in last few years.
I asked God, what would you like to see starting 2012.
He answered, “I hope to see everyone treated equally,
especially in my place of abode. I want to see equality
when people seek my blessing. Everyone is equal in my
eyes. So why let the VIP and VVIP barge in when others
are waiting patiently? Don't jump the queue my dear
boy.”
That's right; waiting in divine presence is a blessing.
Let's not corrupt it. Let's start small and make small
changes. Now that we know what the majority of
Bharatha population need to do now to make this
country a truly developed nation, let's strive to achieve
GDP through GDH and the rephrased GDP.
Adieu
You can contact the writer at
krswathi@gmail.com
February 2012
February Festivals
READY RECKONER
Thai Poosam
When:
February 14
Significance: Thai Poosam is a festival that is
celebrated with much fanfare in the Murugan (Lord
Subramanya) temples. Thai is the Tamil month that
represents the days between January 15 and Feb 15 in
the Gregorian calendar. The Shativel is the knowledge
that destroys the evil spirit or the ignorance in human
minds called Soorapadman. Worshipping Lord Muruga
on this day will bestow one with longevity, wisdom and
wealth.
How is it celebrated: People take up special prayers
and penances like pal kudam (carrying milk pots for
abhiskam), Kavadi, Pada yatra, and insert small vel
inside their mouths and tongue. At Palani Temple,
nearly 10,000 people take kavadi on this day.
Abhiskekas, and special poojas are also part of the
celebrations. People also take up fast on this day.
The story: According to puranas, it is on this day that
Goddess Parvati gave her son Lord Subramanya the
'shaktivel' or divine spear in order to defeat the asura
Soorapadman.
Shivaratri
When:
February 20
Why is it celebrated: Many legends and stories relate
to why Shivaratri is celebrated. It is widely believed that
it is on this day that the Lord manifested in the Linga.
According to some, it is on this night, the Lord performs
the Tandava dance for creation, preservation and
destruction. Some believe that this is the day Shiva and
Paravti married.
Shivaratri Mahima: Once when Sage Ashtavakra
asked the reason for why King Chitrabhanu observed
fast on Shivaratri, the king explained thus. In his
previous birth the king was a hunter. One day, the hunter
February 2012
Where: It is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu and by
Tamil speaking people. It is also very popular in
Malaysia, Singapore, Seychelles and Sri Lanka among
the Tamil speaking community.
could not sell his catch as it became very dark. So he
decided to spend the night on top of a tree in the forest. It
was a bilva tree. Throughout the night, the hunter who
himself had no food thought of his starving wife and
children and shed tears. To while away his time, he
plucked the leaves of the bilva tree and kept throwing
them down. Next day, the hunter sold his previous day's
kill and bought food for his family. But, before he could
eat, a stranger came and begged him for food. The
hunter shared his food. Many years later at the time of
his death, the hunter saw two messengers from Lord
Shiva who told him that he had earned merit because of
Shiva pooja. The hunter who didn't remember doing any
Shiva pooja was then told that on the night the hunter sat
on the bilva tree, there was a Shiva Lingam at the bottom
of the tree. Without knowing the significance, the hunter
kept a fast, washing the Linga with his tears and did
archana with bilva leaves. That is why he was born as a
king in his next birth.
How is it celebrated: Devotees observe strict fast
during the Shivaratri. Many spend the night doing
abisheka and pooja don't even take a sip of water.
35
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Miracles
from the
lives of saints
A COWHERD ATTAINS MOKSHA
O
nce Kanchi Mahaperiyava Sri Chandrashekara
Saraswati Mahaswamiji was camping in a
small village called Sadara in Maharashtra.
There he could not find bilva leaves, which he use daily
for Chandramouleeshwara pooja. Then one day he was
surprised to see a basket full of bilvas leaves kept near
his door. Although he didn't know who kept the leaves
there, he was happy to have received it and used it for
pooja. Then onwards, every morning he would find a
basket full of bilva leaves waiting for him. But, he didn't
know who kept those leaves there and none present with
him knew too.
To find the truth, Mahaperiyava decided to act upon it
himself. One early morning, he waited to see who filled
the basket with the leaves. As early as 4 am he saw a
young cowherd bringing some bilva leaves and filling
the basket.
Acharya looked at him and asked, “Child who are you?
How did you know that I needed bilva leaves for pooja?
Who taught you to serve elders like this?”
The boy replied, “Swamiji, one day I overheard you
telling someone that you are unable to find bilva leaves
for your pooja. I take the cows for grazing into the forest
and there are a lot of bilva trees there. So it was easy for
me. Also, my father has instructed me that I should
always serve elders and swamiji whenever I get a
chance. He has told me the greatness of Shiva pooja
with bilva leaves. That is why I bring the bilva leaves to
you. I brought it anonymously thinking that you would
not accept it if you knew it was from a cowherd. Now
that you know, I hope Swamiji will accept it without
refusing.”
Acharya was extremely pleased with the boy's devotion
and told him, “You are doing such a big service to god at
36
this small age. I am very happy with you. Please ask me
what you want.”
The boy said,” Swamiji, I have two requests. One, you
should allow me to do service to you everyday by letting
me bring you the bilva leaves for your pooja, till the time
you are stationed here. The second I will ask the day you
are leaving this camp.”
Happy with his request, Paramacharya agreed to his
first request and bid him to bring the bilva leaves
everyday for the pooja. Then after many weeks the time
for Acharya to leave the place came. He asked the
cowherd, “Boy, I am leaving now. What is your second
request?”
The boy said, “Swamiji, my father has told me that if
ever I come in contact with a saint in my life, I should
ask them for moksha. So, please grant me moksha in this
birth. God willing I will send you a message in my last
days. Please grant me moksha.” Smiling the swamiji
nodded and left the place.
After about 12 years, one morning Mahaperiyava got up
to do his ablutions and he started feeling uneasy. He
knew some impending news was coming to him. Just
then a message reached the Swamiji that the cowherd in
Sadara was on his deathbed. And that he was thinking of
Swamiji and praying to him.
Swamiji immediately rushed to the river and dipped six
times in it. And each time he continued to do japa. When
he got out he told those near him, “the cowherd has
attained moksha. He had six janmas ahead of him. But,
his faith, guru bhakthi and sincere prayers have given
him the moksha he desired in this birth itself.” So saying
the Swamiji left the room.
February 2012
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Rashi Phala - FEBRUARY 2012
- Sri.V. Geethanath Tagore
This month brings you mental anguish and unrest.
Health also needs attention. Be careful with your
finances. Borrowing and lending should be avoided.
Avoid arguments. Keep a low profile with your
relatives. At work, your effort may go unnoticed.
Watch out for probable hurdles before venturing
into something new. Beware of enemies. Avoid long
distance travel. During the last week the position
reverses and you will come out of these problems.
You will acquire material comfort and other
luxuries.
You will purchase new clothes and other material
comforts. There will be financial gains.
Businessmen will find this period to be smooth
month with satisfactory profits. Students fare well
and find success in education. Health would pose no
problem. You will spend happy times with your
family members. Eligible bachelors may get a
suitable match. You may get a guru who will show
you the spiritual path. Your virtues are recognised
and your reputation will increase. You will be able to
use intuition and intellect to make right decision.
VRISHABA
Worship Goddess Mahalakshmi and Lord
Subramanya.
You will receive relief from debts and find solutions
to your money problems. Your popularity increases
and an over all success is waiting for you now. You
acquire wealth in the form of jewellery or house.
You will spend quality time with your family
members. Professionally it is a very good period.
You may expect a rise or promotion. You will earn
respectable position in the society. Your health will
be very good. During the last week financial
planning and curtailing unnecessary expenditure is
advised. Agriculturists should take extra care. It is a
good time for students.
Chant Vishnu Sahasranama. Students should
worship Lord Lakshminarasimaha.
KATAKA
This month brings you mixed financial prospects,
gains and unforeseen expenses. Take care with
regard to thefts. You will receive good support from
friends and relatives. Be careful with sharp object,
tools and weapons. From second week onwards
there will be all round success. Health will be good.
Socially this is a good time. If you are a student, this
month is a very good period in your field of learning.
You will win over those who oppose you.
Worship lord Subramanya and Chant Sri Raja
Mathangai Namaha.
Worship Lord Dattatreya and Chant Adithya
Hridaya.
All your previous miseries are over. And you may
expect to gain. It is a good period to acquire
immovable property. Eligible bachelors may get
suitable match. Good health is indicated. Students
will progress. Your brilliance will be noticed and
you would command more respect and honour. It is a
good time for professionals too. You will receive
government support. During second week onwards
take care of your health. Avoid arguments and
communication gaps. Dealing with your spouse and
children needs extra care. Avoid travel.
This is a troublesome period caused mostly by
women. Hence avoid litigation with them. Your
wife's health needs extra attention. Financially, it is
not a good period. Keep vigil on those around. Take
care of your health. Professionally be very careful.
This period indicates mixed bag of positive and
negative happenings. From third week onwards your
plans and projects will be successfully
accomplished. You may expect all round success.
Students should put extra hard work and avoid over
confidence.
Chant Vishnu Sahasranama and Adithya Hridaya.
February 2012
KANYA
SIMHA
MITHUNA
MESHA
Sri Geethanath Tagore is a practising astrologer since 1985. He has done his Masters in
Astrology, and Ph.D in Medical Astrology both from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University,
Hyderabad. Has has published many articles in Kannada Astrological magazines.
Worship Lord Lakshminarasimha and students to
chant Sri Hayagrivaya Namaha.
37
You may acquire jewellery, perfumes and new
clothes. Agriculture venture brings a higher profit.
You will spend quality time with your family
members. Socially you will be busy meeting friends
and relatives. Good health is indicated. From second
week onwards be very careful with your superiors at
work place. During last week promotion and rise is
indicated. You will be happy with your children.
Student fare well.
KUMBHA
Sri Lakshinarayan Hridaya parayana is suggested.
This period denotes pecuniary gains. You will spend
happy time with your family. Some of you may
come under family way. You will acquire jewellery.
You may receive favour from higher authorities.
Good health is indicated. During last week keep a
low profile and watch out for unnecessary
expenditure. There may be change of place. You
may feel more irritable tired. Avoid arguments at
home. Put extra attention in avoiding family
disputes. Students will have a very successful
period. On account of debilitated mercury, avoid
confrontations and arguments during last week of
the month.
Worship Navagraha and chant Hanuman Chalisa.
Students to worship Lord Subramanya.
VRISCHIKA
Worship Sri Rama. Students to worship Lord
Dakshinamurthy.
MAKARA
During this month you should be extra careful with
your enemies. Avoid long distance travel. Health
requires extra attention. Keep a low profile in the
work place. Avoid arguments at home. If you are a
student you need to be more determined and focused
in your studies to avoid any kind of distraction.
Financial handling requires proper planning. From
last week onwards the position reverses.
MEENA
DHANU
TULA
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Financial gain, family entertainment, success in
government departmental examination,
promotions, and a rise in position is indicated. You
will enjoy conjugal bliss. You will enjoy good
health. This is the period of steady progress. From
second week onwards you should be extra careful at
your work place and avoid long distance travel. This
is a good period for students and will particularly
excel in mathematics and allied subjects.
Worship Goddess Durga and Lord Subramanya
Swamy.
Your communication skill will be pleasant and
appreciated. Professionally it is a good period and
you may gain authority. Ventures bring good profit.
You will enjoy co-operation all round. You may buy
new clothes. Good health is indicated. Trade and
finance needs extra care. For students this period is
likely to bring in happiness in the form of success in
learning and gaining knowledge. However, you
have to be extra careful with your superiors and
employers.
Worship Lord Ganapathy and chant Adithya
Hridaya.
This period signifies material and sensual comforts.
Eligible bachelors may find a suitable match. You
may acquire clothes, perfumes and vehicles. Your
economic condition improves. Students will do very
well. Watch out for hidden enemies. During last
week take extra care of your health and finances.
Postpone purchases of moveable and immoveable
properties.
Chant Sri Vishnu Sahasranama.
You can contact Sri Geethanath Tagore at : +91-9449115427
You would have noted our continuous endeavour to improvise both form and content of
Sadguru's Blessings. This is the time for you to interact with the magazine by contributing
articles, your personal spiritual experiences, short stories and Letters to the Editor with your
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38
February 2012
SRI ADISHANKARACHARYA SHARADA LAKSHMI NARASIMHA PEETAM
SREE MATH, HARIHARAPURA - 577 120, CHICKMAGALUR DIST., KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA
www.hariharapura.org
E-mail: hariharapura@gmail.com
templerenovations@hariharapura.org
Sri Adi Shankaracharya Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam is situated at Hariharapura, in
Chickmagalur District, Karnataka. This Holy Kshethram is situated on the banks of River Tunga. According
to Skandapuranam, this was the Yagabhoomi of Daksha Prajapathi. It is said that Lord Shiva appeared in the
Yagakundam in this Kshethra.
This is also the Tapovanam of the famed sage Sri Agasthya Maharishi and the Saligramam worshipped by him
is still being worshipped by the Acharyas of this great Peeta Parampara. Sri Adishankaracharya who was the
incarnation of Lord Shiva himself, established the “Sree Chakra Yantra” of Goddess Sharada Parameshwari.
The Peeta Parampara was thus started and continues till today.
Paramapoojya Shrimad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Swayamprakasha Sachidananda
Saraswathi Mahaswami is the present Peetadhipathi. His Holiness has taken a Sankalpa to renovate this
ancient mutt and the temple which are in a dilapidated condition. Bhoomi pooja was performed and the
jeernodharana activities have been started and the work is in progress.
The estimated cost of the project is around Rs. 25 crores. The renovation is proposed to be a granite blocks
structure. It is a rare opportunity for all devotees to participate in this great kainkaryam.
Our Swamiji in his profound karuna wants all devotees to have the opportunity to do their might and hence it
has been decided that every devotee can contribute a minimum humble donation of Rs. 5001/- for a single
stone. Every devotee can contribute Rs. 5001/- or in multiples thereof and be the recipient of Guru and
Devathanugraha.
It is also proposed to bring out a book with a list of such donors along with their photographs. This will be kept
in the temple premises and our Guruji in his extreme kindness will pray for the well being and shreyas of the
devotee and his family after the nithya pooja daily and bless with Manthrakshata on the book.
We appeal to all philanthropists to make use of this rare opportunity by contributing generously for this divine
cause and be the recipients of Sree Sharadamba, Lakshminarasimha and Guru Anugraha.
P.N. Viswanathan
Administrator, Sree Math, Hariharapura
Cheques/DDs may be drawn in favour of “Sree Math, Hariharapura”. Receipts and Prasadam will be
sent to the devotees directly by Sree Math. For more details Contact: 94483 74458 / 94483 68336.
Ms.Sudha Sreedhar : 96327 73900
PUNYA SHILA KAANIKE
Name
Full Address
Rashi & Nakshatram
Number of Stones you are donating
Phone
Amount
E-mail
Cash/DD/Cheque
Date
Date of Birth
Signature
Shiva Deeksha Programme at Various Places in Tamil Nadu
Krishnan Koil
Bhagavathi Koil
Nagar Koil
Chintamani
Aayakudi Ashrama
Tambaram, Chennai
Tenkasi
Kaytaru
Registered with the RNI Reg. No.KARENG/2003/12135, Dated march 2004
Licensed to Post without Prepayment License No. WPP-257 below
Registration No.KA/SK/SKM-659/2010-12
Printed by Shivakumar, Edited & Published by P.N. Viswanathan on behalf of Sri Swayamprakasha Trust,
Printed at Jwalamukhi Mudranalaya Pvt. Ltd., No. 44/1, K.R. Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore - 4
and Published at Sree Math, Hariharapura 577 120, Chickmagalore Dist.
This magazine is being posted at GPO, Bangalore Post Office on 28th of Every month
Sri Swamiji with Devotees, Chennai
Sri Swamiji at the Annual Day Function of Shrungagiri Samskruthika Sangha