THOUGHT FOR THE DAY— SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2018

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY— SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2018

 NEWS FROM HINDUISM TODAY

GRAND OPENING OF SOUTH DAKOTA’S Hindu temple

 TEA, SOUTH DAKOTA, October 15, 2018 (KSFY) - It's the first of its kind here in South Dakota. Oct. 14th was the grand opening of the Hindu Temple of Sioux land. After almost ten years, people who practice the Hindu faith were finally able to enter their newly finished Temple. The celebration was open to the public. Temple members say everyone is always welcome to the Temple regardless of your religion. "We have been dreaming about this temple for the last nine years, and today our dream has come true," Ramesh Singh, Hindu Temple of Sioux land president, said. "So, we all are very excited."

 More than 100 people gathered at the Hindu Temple of Sioux land for the opening. Traveling for miles to practice their faith. But, the temple is not just for people who already practice the Hindu faith. "Our Temple is a Hindu Temple it's open to everybody," Singh said. "Anybody in the community they can come, they can just watch, they can worship." With gaining interest in the religion in South Dakota, many practicing the faith have seen it grow the past few years substantially. "Our community is growing, a lot of people there," Singh said. "And it's not only for those who have parents, but our second generation, our third generation. We wanted to teach our  kids our future generation what is Hinduism.

India Prepares to Inaugurate the World's Tallest Statue

NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 25, 2018 (CNN): India is set to unveil the world's tallest statue next week, the towering figure of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a popular political and social leader, who was part of the freedom struggle that resulted in India's independence from British colonial rule in 1947. Looming 182 meters (597 feet) above the Narmada River in the western Indian state of Gujarat, the statue is set to be unveiled on October 31, revealing a figure molded from approximately 1,850 metric tons of bronze.

"In the world, people talk about America's Statue of Liberty. We want to make a statue of Sardar Patel at twice the size of the statue of Liberty," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2013. The Statue of Liberty is 93 meters (305 feet) high, including its pedestal. The ambitious project was announced by Modi in 2010, when he was still the chief minister for the state of Gujarat. Built with funds allocated by the Gujarat State Government, it has also received support from the federal government and individual contributions. The Statue of Unity is not the only one that is waiting to break records. A new statue dedicated to a famous Maharashtrian warrior, Shivaji, is being built in the Arabian ocean, just off the coast of Mumbai, set to reach a height of 212 meters (695 feet).

--October 29, 2018

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Namaste. Your stamina is amazing. I enjoyed reading today's report by you on the opening of a Hindu temple in the Sioux Land! (And of course on the Statue of Unity, which will be declared open in two days.)

Keep it up, sir. Loving regards and best wishes!

--Swami Chidananda of FOWAI Forum

HH CHANDRASEKAHRENDRA SARASWATI ON YAJNOPAVEETA THAT WILL SOON BE VANIHING FROM HINDU AMERICANS

Please recall the Veda mantra on Gayatri Mantra “ojoci sahoci balamaci……… panchaseersha upanayane viniyogah”.  

Ojoci Sahosi balamaci bhraaajoci devaanaam dhaamanaamaci viswamaci visvaayuh sarvamaci  sarvaayuh abhibhoorom gaayatreem aavaahayaami saavitreem aavaahayaami sarsvateem aavaahayaami  chchandarsheen aavaahayaami gaayatriyaa gaayatree chando viswaamitra rishih savitaa devataagnirmukham brahmaa  siroe vishnur hridayah rudrah sikhaa prithavee yonih praana-apaana-vyaana-udaana-samaana sapraanaa svetavarnaa sankhyaayana gotraa gayatree chaturvimsatyaksharaa shatkukshih panchaseersha upanayane viniyogah ||

Oh Gayatree! Thou art the essence of strength. Thou art patience or the subduing power. Thou art physical capacity. Thou art splendor. Thou art abode of Gods and their name. Thou art the insentient Universe.  Thou art the full span of life or the lord of all.  Thou art every living thing.  Thou art the life span of all. Thou art the vanquisher of all that is hostile to us.   Thou art the Truth denoted by the Pranava OM. I invoke Gayatree into my heart. I invoke Savitri. I invoke Sarasvati. I invoke the meters, the   Rishis and the Gods. I invoke the splendor of all the Gods. Gaayatree is the meter of Gayatree; the Rishi is Viswamitra; the deity is Savitar. Fire represents the mouth; the four-faced Brahma, the head; Vishnu, the heart; Rudra, the crown of hairs. (We sanctify and electrify these parts during sandhyavandana).  Earth, the source; the in-breath, the out breath, the diffused breath; the up-breath and the middle breath, and the breath.   Gaayatree is fair in hue and is of the same family as Paramaatman attained by the Sakhyaas—the illumined sages. The deity Gaayatree has twenty four syllables, comprised in three feet, six sheaths or cavities and five heads. It is employed in Upanayana ceremony or the initiation into Vedic studentship. (Three feet of eight syllables each=24 syllables; six sheaths are six Vedangas; five heads represent  the four  Vedas and   the fifth head as Itihasas and Puranas)

This Mantra is employed in Upanayana Samskara for initiation into Vedic studentship. This Samskara is taken lightly, its mandates   neglected, misinterpreted and also the one that is denied to those who do not claim Brahmana title as their birth-right in India by  Hindu religious authorities.   Hindu girls do not undergo this ceremony, given up over a long period, except in  small pockets of Namboodari Brahmins in Kerala. Religious authorities do not approve the use of Gayatri Mantra by others than those who have completed the formality of Upanayana ceremony. Here is an important message from his Holiness Jagadguru Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, popularly known as “Periyava” on  upaveetam, praacheenaavetam and niveetam  prescribed in Sastras for performing worships and rituals directed to the divines and ancestors as well as how to wear the sacred thread at normal times when those rituals and worships  are  not  being performed. 

HIS HOLINESS CHANDRASEKHARENDRA SARASWATI ON YAJNOPAVEETA

In performing Hindu rituals and worships why do we wear  the sacred threads on the left shoulder?--Maha Periyava (Jagadguru Chandrasekharendra  Saraswati)

 We need devotion in divine worships and rituals; we need dedication (sraddha) in worships and rituals of ancestors (pitrus). What is done with sraddha is Sraadham (anniversary to ancestors). When worships and rituals are directed with reverence to the divines the sacred thread is  worn on the left shoulder with the tuft of hair well knotted.

Mendicants (Sanyasis) do not have these both. They   have renounced all worships and rituals to ancestors with a sense of detachment and also worships and rituals of various gods (devatas)  focusing on Parabnahman (supreme Being) only  denouncing all worldly transactions and their needs with a sense of desire-less-ness.

 I will now describe why we should wear sacred thread on left shoulder when focused on gods (devatas) and on the righty shoulder when focused on   ancestors:

All worships and rituals are ordained to be performed facing the East direction. North is the direction we proceed to reach gods. That is called Uttarayana (winter solstice).  Uttaram means North.  South is the direction in which the departed souls of our ancestors (pitrus) reside.  Indeed even  Tiruvalluvar addresses  our departed ancestors as Southern Residents!   Dakshinam means South and Dakshinayan is the Southern path (summer solstice).

Bhaghawan in Gita has thrown light on these divine paths of Uttarayana and ancestral path of Dakshinayana. When we stand facing east and perform rituals and worships what shoulder is to our south?--It is the right shoulder. Therefore for ancestral worships and rituals the sacred thread is ordained to be on the right shoulder by our scriptures.

Pradaksinam in Sanskrit means “Towards South”.  Invariably in all Hindu temples the main Gopuram (main gate entrance) is in the East. When we enter through this main   entrance and start our circum-ambulation (pradakshinam), we first start with South only. [You may here recall that in typical South Indian practice   we make the final circular-ambulation round the consecrated area of the temple and then sit at a convenient place in the mid-south in the outer prakara and gaze at the Kalasa of the sanctum-sanctorum paying our obeisance to the Akasa element raising our vision to the Northern direction before we leave the temple.]

In the same manner when we perform rituals and worship to the divines facing east the left shoulder is the first to face the North,  and therefore we wear the sacred thread on the left shoulder  as ordained by our scriptures.

When we do not perform   worships and rituals for either gods (devatas) or ancestors (pitrus) otherwise at all other times that include while working for a living we should wear the sacred thread  around the neck in a garland (necklace) form says the scriptures. Nobody seems to follow this directive. They wear the sacred thread always on the left shoulder except when they perform worships and rituals to ancestors wearing the sacred thread on the right shoulder!

Wearing the sacred thread on left shoulder during the worships and rituals of the divines  is called  yajnopaveetam or simply upaveetam; wearing the sacred thread on the right shoulder during worships  and rituals for ancestors is called praacheenaaveetam; When dsischrging all other duties as humans wearing  of the sacred thread in the necklace form is called niveetam.

In Brihadaranyaka Upanishad an enlightened leaving all these sorts of dispositions  and departing as a begging mendicant is mentioned in III-5-1. Commenting on the mantra our Gurus explain that a householder needs to wear sacred thread only to perform divine-ancestral-human services and a recluse (sanyasi)   who does not perform these acts is not obligated to wear the sacred thread according to Upanishads. In this context it is appropriate to have the mantra “niveetam manushyaanaam”—when performing human services one should wear sacred thread as Niveeti; that is the intention of Vedas as implied says the knowledgeable commentator! Despite this scriptural citation, in practice, no one complies to this scriptural injunction bemoans HH Chandrasekahrendra Saraswati!

Atha hainam kaholah  kausheetakeyah prapaccha  |   yajnavalkyeti hovaacha yadeva saakshaad parokshad brahma ya aatmaa sarvaantaraste may vyaachakshveti| Esha ta aatmaa sarvaantarah| katamo yaajnavalkya sarvaantaro yoe asanaayaapipaase sokam moham jaraam mrityumatyeti| Etam vai tamaatmaanam viditvaa braahmanaah putraishanaayaascha vittaishanaayaascha lokaishamaanaascha vyutthaayaatha bhikshaacharyam  charanti| yaa hyova putraishana saa    vittaishanaa yaa   vittaishanaa saa  lokaishanaa ubhe hyote eshane eva bhavatah | tasmaad braahmanah paandityam nirvidya baalyena tishthaaset | baalyam cha paandityam cha nirvidyaatha muniramaunam cha maunam cha nirvidyaatha braahmanah | sa braahmanah kena syaadyena syaattenaadrisa eva  ato anyadartam| tato ha kaholah kausheetakeya upararaama || 3-5-1 ||

Which Self, O Yajnavalkya is within us? Asks Kahola. Yajnvalkya replies: That which is beyond hunger, thirst, grief, delusion and death. Having realized this Self, the sages renounce the craving for progeny, wealth, and live the life of mendicants. The craving for progeny leads to craving for wealth, and the craving for wealth to the craving of existence in the other worlds. Thus there are two cravings—craving for a life of enjoyment here and craving for a life of greater enjoyment hereafter. Therefore should a sage, when he has fully attained the knowledge of the Self, desire to live with that knowledge as his only refuge. When he has fully attained that knowledge, and realized it as his only refuge, he should devote himself exclusively to contemplation of the Self. He alone is the true know-er of Brahman who directs his mind towards the Self and shuns all other thoughts as distraction. How does such a know-er of Brahman act and conduct himself? Whatever he may do or howsoever he may conduct himself, he is free from craving, and is forever established in the knowledge of Brahman. Anything that is not the Self perishes.

[The mantra emphatically says; a know-er of the Vedas (Brahmana) gaining knowledge, must wish to lead an innocent and child-like life. (A child needs no yajnopaveeta or study of Vedas and hence the comparison). Having gained amouna (panditya and baalya)—that are other than meditation, mauna, he becomes a Brahmana (a realiz-er of Brahman).  Sanyasis  are those who have risen above the three cravings (eshana)-- progeny , wealth and existence.]

 It is clear from the   above a Sanyasi like a child has no use for sacred threads or study of Vedas further. They have transcended caste system! Most Hindu Americans transcending caste system by choice or by forced circumstances as a   result of inter-faith married life also have no need for sacred thread or Upanayana ceremony for their children as they believe that study of Vedas is not mandatory. In due course Upanayana sacrament will have its swan’s song for Hindu Americans. They may also in due course give up rituals and worships directed to  various devatas  like Sanyasis and may not go to temples!  But Sanyasis   give up Yajnopaveeta and Devata worship being focused on Self and Brahman through meditation. So the alternatives left for Hindu Americans is to turn  either atheist or turn spiritual like Sanyasis if they still like to be called Hindus and want to follow Hindu Dharma and promote it. Then Vedanta becomes their religion that has universal appeal and not the Hinduism of rituals and worships as is today!

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2016/05/vedanta-religion-everlasting-universal.html

--October 28, 2018

LOVE RAISED TO THE STATUS OF RESPECT LEADS TO BRAHMAN

FOWAI FORUM (INDIA) AND STEP (USA) invite you to join the WEBINAR 134 on DECIPHERING LOVE Glimpses of Brihadāranyaka Upanishad – Part 2 to be presented by: Pūjya Swāmi Chidānandaji on Sunday 28, 2018.

The Gist of presentation

The word ‘love’ is used by everybody everywhere in numerous contexts. People say they love their children, their house, a certain language, some particular food etc. Romantic love also finds its place in the lives of people, and is the main ingredient of a lot of poetry, plays and movies.

What is ‘love’? When do we say something is very dear to us? What is really involved in holding something or somebody very dear to us?

Sage Yājnavalkya helps us understand the hidden dimension of love, as he speaks to Maitreyi, his wife. “Everybody loves himself in the first place,” he declares and then goes on to say1, “Anything else or anybody else becomes dear to us when that object or person brings happiness to us.”

This opens the door to the enquiry who we are. The great rishi therefore goes from his comments on love to the means to Self-knowledge2, where universal love can be discovered.

1. ātmanas-tu kāmāya sarvam priyam bhavati; 2 ātmā vā are dristhavyah shrotavyo mantavyo nididhyasitavyah (Br. Up. 2.4.5)

Supreme is the very embodiment of Prema (Love).  This Love (Kaama) created the Universe. Man is the spark of the Divine. You may find a man without anger, without truth or without peace, but you cannot find anyone in the world devoid of love. Love is present equally in all human beings as the one effulgent divine quality. This love may be expressed in different ways, but its nature is the same. Man is thus an aspect of the Cosmic Consciousness. Unfortunately, however, because man directs his love towards worldly objects, he is unable to recognize his divinity. His mind gets polluted because of association with the external world. As a result, even his love gets tainted and his mind becomes incapable of cherishing the beauteous form of the Lord. Only when he directs his love towards Supreme will man be able to experience the Divine within him.

The nine emotions included in Navarasa are: Sringara (love/beauty), Hasya (laughter), Karuna (sorrow), Raudra (anger), Veera ( heroism/courage), Bhayanaka (terror/fear), Bibhatsya (disgust), Adbutha (surprise/wonder), and Shantha (peace or tranquility).  Here Sringara leads all other emotions like Dharma leads all Purusharthas.  Upanishads also talk about shadripus--Six enemies that ruin our lives. These are: 1. Lust (Sanskrit: Kama); 2.Greed (Sanskrit: Lobha); 3. Anger (Sanskrit: Krodha); 4. Pride (Sanskrit: Mada) 5. Attachment (Sanskrit: Moha): 6.Covetousness (Sanskrit: Matsarya). Thus Vedanta deals with the theme of Kaama both beneficial and detrimental.

 Naasdiya sookta says: In the beginning arose desire (Kaama) which was the first offshoot of the thought. This desire sages found out to    be the link between the existent and non-existent, after searching with the wisdom of the heart that started creation that I explained in detail while discussing the theory of Evolution. No doubt Yajnavalkya was very much in love with his two wives Maitreyi and Katyayini but was resolved to give up the world and begin the life of renunciation and therefore wanted to divide his property between the two.  He wished to raise this love long cherished to higher level of respect to unite with Brahman (isvara-prema).  The Vedantin Maitreyi also felt that this property is useless to attain immortality as no one can possibly attain immortality through wealth. Therefore she wanted to know about the way to immortality.  Then Yajnavalkya turning his thoughts to kaama that is the link between the existent and non-existent explains how this “Isvara kaama’ or Kamadevata can be reached in the mantra 2-4-5:

Sa hovacha| na vaa arae patyuh kaamaaya patih priyo bhavatyaatmanastu kaamaaya patih priyo bhavati | na vaa area jaayaayai kaamaaya jaayaa priyaa bhavatyaatmanastu kaamaaya jaayaa priyaa bhavati  | na vaa arae putraanaam kaamaaya putraah priyaa bhavatyaatmanastu kaamaaya putraah priyaa bhavati | na vaa arae vittasya kaamaaya vittam priyam bhavatyaatmanastu kaamaaya vittam priyam bhavati |na vaa arae brahmanah kaamaayaa brahma priyam bhavatyaatmanastu kaamaaya brahma priyam bhavati |na vaa arae kshatrasya kaamaaya kshatram  priyam bhavantyaatmanastu kaamaaya kshatram  priyam bhavati | na vaa arae lokaanaam kaamaaya lokah priya bhavanti | aatmanastu kaamaaya  lokaah priya bhavanti |na bvaa arae devaanaam kaamaaya devaah priyaa bhavanti| aatmanastu kaamaaya devaah priyaa bhavanti | Na vaa arae bhootaanaam kaamaaya bhootaani priyaani bhavanti | Aatmanastu kaamaaya bhootaani priyaani bhavantI | na vaa arae sarvasya kaamaaya sarvam priyam bhavatyaatmanastu kaamaaya sarvam priyam bhavati | aatmaa vaa arae drashtavyah srotavyo mantavyo nididhyaasitavyo maitreyyaatmano vaa arae darsanena sravanena matyaa vijnaanenedam sarvam viditam bhavanti ||

Dear to me have you always been, Maitreyi, you are united together with me by the universal binding force of love, and now want to learn the truth which is nearest my heart. Come, sit by me. I will explain it to you. Meditate on what I say!

“It is not for the sake of husband, my beloved, that the husband is dear, but for the sake of the Suprteme. It is not for the sake of the wife, my beloved. That is the wife is dear, but for the sake of the Supreme.   

[Here Kama means Sankalpa or divine resolve hence the reference to Supreme. Kama was not created.  It was an inherent quality of Brahaman. All things happens according to His desire only that is revealed in  Nasadeeya sookta.  Aatmanastu kaamaaya patih   means it is for fulfilling the will of Parmaatman I am your husband. Upanishads are not shy to talk about sex-life or intercourse but says all that should be guided by Dharma; that is why it talks about Garbhaadaanana ceremony and also prescribes mantras to beget a good progeny that you also find in this Upanishad in chapter six about which I talked to you in detail in my discourse on Garbhasdaana.In Western thinking also they say  "Marriages are made in Heaven!"]

It is not for the sake of the children, my beloved that children are dear, but for the sake of the Supreme;   It is not for the sake of wealth, my beloved, that wealth is dear, but for the sake of Supreme. It is not for the sake of  Brahmins, my beloved, that the Brahmins are held in reverence, but for the sake of the Supreme; it is not for the sake  of the Kshatriyas, my beloved, that the  Kshatriyas are held in honor, but for the sake of the Supreme; It is not for the sake of higher world, my beloved, that the higher worlds, my beloved, the higher worlds are desired, but for the sake of the Supreme; It is not for the sake of the gods, my beloved, that the gods are worshiped, but for the sake of Supreme; It is not  for the sake of creatures, my beloved, the creatures are prized, but for the sake of Supreme; it is not for the sake of itself, my beloved, that anything whatever  is esteemed, but for the sake of Supreme  (Everything exists and acts because of Bhagavat Sankalpa-- Divine resolution directed by the KAMA that coexisted in Him in the beginning before creation started)

Paramaatman, Maitreyi, is to be known.  Hear about it, Reflect upon it, and Meditate upon it. By knowing the Supreme, my beloved, through hearing, reflection, and meditation, one comes to know all things.

Let the Brahmin ignore him who thinks that the Brahmin is different from the Supreme; Let the Kshatriya ignore him who thinks that the   Kshatriya is different from the Supreme; Let the higher worlds ignore him who thinks that the higher worlds are different form the Supreme; Let the gods  ignore him who thinks that the gods are different from Supreme; Let the creatures ignore him, who thinks that the creatures are different from the Supreme; ,Let all ignore him who think that anything whatever is different from the Supreme (Eesaavasyamidam sarvam- Everything is Paramaatman --it is for the Supreme, by the Supreme  and to the Supreme  only).

The priest, the warrior, the higher worlds, the gods, the creatures, whatever things there be--these are all Supreme Being only for He pervades them all”.

 The Priyatva (loving impulse) of the husband, the wife and others is depending upon the will of Pramaatman.  So for the gaining the   grace of that Parmaatman, (what the Holy Bible guided by Vedic wisdom mentions as Love of GOD) He is to be realized. Yajnavalkya here is teaching Maitreyi the technique of meditation upon Brahman. So Aatman in the above mantra refers to Paramaatman or Brahman only.   Often Upanishads address Paramaatman as simply Aatman (part for the whole). While Atmaan and Parmaatman both are Sat-Chit-Ananda Paramatman is Sathyam Jnaanam Anantam  Amalam (Chhandogya). Part can represent Whole but not vice-versa!

It is therefore no surprise Kama is deified and oblations are offered with the mantra Kaamaaya Swaahaa. It is also interesting to note there is no such term as Akaama similar to Alakshmi. For the Supreme did not create Kaama. It was an urge in Him that started creation when He felt lonely. That is why Vishnu as well Krishna are worshiped as Kaama or Madana (VSN). Puraanas  glorify lord Krishna as the role model of Love Radhe-Shyam and his son Pradyumna was an avatar of Kamadeva. Our temples are kept open  for long hours on Valentine's Day designated as Special Religious Event Day to match churches that hold special Religious Mass on this day.

Why not dedicate this day to lord Krishna as ideal husband who kept all his 16008 marriages in tact with no single divorce despite revealing publicly his prime love to Radha.Thus we can raise the love of passion and emotions to divine levels to respectability, as Brahman was visualized as Embodiment of Love that started creation by our sages.

I hope the above explanation will help you in understanding Swami Chidananda better and prepare you for a lively discussion within the short time available. Please also go through my related discourse on the subject:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2016/02/love-is-binding-force-of-universe.html

--October 27 2018

SHOULD WE MISS THE GRAND CELEBRATION OF MANY GODS OF DIFFERENT TRADITIONS ON SHARAD PURNIMA DAY IN HINDU AMERICAN TEMPLES?

May I recall your memories to the colorful Karva Chuth ceremony celebrated by Sri Ganesha Temple Nashville followed by Dolotsvam of Sri Venkateswara. The atmosphere was filled with music all around.  I wonder how    Sharad Purnima  on 24^thPurnmima celebration was missed  Perhaps Karva chauth fallinmg on a week end Saturday made it more important  I believe Sharad  Purnima has greater religious significance for different traditions than  Karva chauth which is more  a personal home ritual.  I give below the significance of both of these rituals for your future consideration and to decide why we should not celebrate this day of great religious significance in templesa. Dandiya ras with both male d female participation would have made it more colorful than Karva Chauth festival!

Importance of Sharad Purnima 2018 in Hinduism

The term Sharad signifies the Sharad Ritu or autumn season of the year. Sharad Purnima is celebrated as a harvest festival and has huge religious significance. It is believed that Mother Lakshmi was born on this day and if devotees stay vigil all night and offer special prayers to  Lakshmi, she bestows them with wealth and prosperity even if there is no Lakshmi yoga is predicted in their horoscope by astrologers.  Many devotees fast in reverence to Goddess Lakshmi on this day as well.

Sharad Purnima 2018

This year Sharad Purnima fell on Tuesday, 24^TH October 2018.   On the day of Sharad Purnima, it is believed that the moon is at its fullest brilliance. It is also believed that it drips Amrita on planet earth on this day. Therefore, the moonlight on Sharad Purnima is believed to possess amazing medical and nourishing properties. By staying awake throughout the night on this day under the moonlight is believed to rejuvenate the body. People make kheer or milk rice and place it under the open sky to absorb the moonlight throughout the night and consume it in the morning to get the miraculous powers of moonlight for health and happiness.

Kojagara Purnima

The Kojagari Purnima concerns the observance of the Kojagara Vrata. People perform this vrata under the moonlight after fasting for the day. Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, is significantly worshipped on this day as it is believed to be her birthday.  Lord Indra, the God of Rains, seated on his elephant, Airavata is also worshipped as also is Lord Shiva with his consort Parvati and carrier Nandi. The devotee breaks the fast at night by taking parched rice and milk after offering them to the moon-god. Vivid descriptions of this night are given in Brahma Purana, Skanda Purana, and the Linga Purana. It is said in these Puranas that Goddess Lakshmi takes rounds of the earth to watch the actions of human beings during this night.

In the Sharad season, the days are hot and the nights are cool and in such a mixed weather, acidity or pittha is a common occurrence. Therefore, cold milk mixed with rice flakes is a simple remedy to keep this problem at bay.

The different dimensions of Sharad Purnima 2018

This festival is important in Gujarat as well as West Bengal. Known as Sharad Poonam in the west coast, it is one of the major festivals celebrated in the east after Durga Puja. In Odisha, it is celebrated as Kumar Purnima, i.e. the birthday of Lord Kartikeya.

Sharad Purnima 2018 Vrat to get a suitable groom

On this day unmarried girls observe fast and Puja to seek desired soul mates and worship Lord Kumara,   the most handsome and intelligent. Many believe that no one particular god or goddess is worshipped on this day but the Sun and the Moon are worshipped. All can observe the Purnima fast. The fast starts on the morning of the Purnima day and concludes on the next day morning during sunrise.

Sri Krishna’s Rasaleela on Sharad Purnima
 

It is also believed that on Sharad Purnima, Lord Krishna began his Raasleela with Radha and his Gopis. Rasaleela is a very interesting miracle performed by Krishna. It is said that the gods who had to be given the fruits of their merits were born as Gopis to enjoy the divine leelas of Krishna. On the day of Sharad Purnima, Krishna played his divine flute and all the Gopis gathered around him. Krishna multiplied himself and danced with each Gopi throughout the night. It is said that through His divine powers, Krishna stretched the night so long for them as though they felt dancing with him for a thousand years.

This day is celebrated on a grand scale by all Swami Narayan Temples!

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2017/10/popular-karwa-chauth-teej-rfestivals-of.html

The day brings together two major aspects in the lives of farmers - prosperity promised by good harvests, and spiritual blessings from a divine power which oversees all human achievement and endeavor.

--October 28, 2018

We in odisha celebrate the Sarat Purnima. We celebrate Laxmi puja that day and call it Kumar Purnima. The unwed girls that evening pray to the Full Moon and wish for a husband comparable to Lord Kartik, hence the name Kumar Purnima.

--Prabir Dash

 I like it very much

--Maa Shree

HALF-A-MILLION LANDMARK OF HINDU REFLECTIONS ON VIJAYA DASDAMI--2018    

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1. HINDU VIEWS ON CONCEPTION AND CHILD-BIRTH & NISHEKA KARMA (D)—31227 (7/14)      
2. SOME VEDIC MANTRAS USED IN HINDU RITUALS AND WORSHIPS    (F) –28106 (2/12)
3. HINDU RITES FOR THE DECEASED PARENTS AND ANCESTORS (C) –14312 (11/11)
4. HINDU REFLECTIONS ON ECLIPSES AND BLOOD MOON (J)—10771 (4/14)
5. NAVAGRAHA DEVATAS—NINE HINDU DEITIES OF SOLAR SYSTEM (E)—10143 (12/11)
6. SANI PEYARCHI—SATURN’S TRANSIT THROUGH THE BIRTH-CHARTS (J)—9006 (12/11
7. THE VEDIC HYMN THAT HYPNOTIZEDTHE WORLD GATHERING (J)—8648 (2/13)
8. MANTRAS &HYMNS FOR TEMPLE AND HOME WORSHIP OF HINDU (F)—8089 (8/13)
9. PRADOSHAM-ITS SIGNIFICANCE (B)—7407 (2/12)
10. UPANISHADS—THEIR BASIC THOUGHTS AND TEACHINGS (D)—7403 (8/11)
11.  KNOWLEDGE OF BRAHMAN AND THE PRAYER MANTRAS (K)—5791 (2/12)
12. MANGALYA DHARANAM & SUMANGALI KRIYA IN HINDU WEDDING (C)—5029 (9/14)
13. HINDU SAMSKARA FOR CHILDREN PERFORMED BY THEIR    Parents (c)—4969 (7/14)
14. HOMA MANTRAS FROM MAHANARAYANA UPANISHAD (D)—4952 (2/12)
15. VISWAKSAENA   (E)—4563 (8/12)
16. UPANAYANA SAMSKARAM (C)—4376 (9/11)
17. WHY HINDUS RESORT TO ENIGMATIC 108 AND 1008 NAMES OF DEITY (J)—4320 (11/14)
18. SRIVIDYA—SRI LALITA AND BAALAA    TRipuraSundai (E)—4193 (11/11)
19. IN HINDU CULTURE WHY DO WE DO (J)—4181 (2/12)
20.  ABHIVADANAM, GOTRAS AND CHARANA SPARS (J)—3857 (2/12)
21. HINDU BABY SHOWER (C)—3495 (9/11)
22. pROLOGUE TO SANDHYAVANDANA RITUALS OF HINDUS  (F)–3458(10/14)
23.  HINDU SAMSKARAS (SACRAMENTS)  (C)—3063 (9/11)
24. PHILOSOPHICALLY THINKING   ABOUT FATHER’S DAY (M)—2950 (6/14)
25. WHY DO WE REVERE RAMAYAN PARAYANA AND PATH (J)—2852  (4/14)
26. GARUDA PANCHAMI & NAAGA PANCHAMI (b)—2764 (7/12)
27. NAVAKSHARI AND TRIPURASUNDARI MANTRAS (F)—2626 (10/11)
28. WHAT DO THE ODD AND EVEN NUMBERS OF CHAMAKAM SIGNIFY (J)—2451 (1/12)
29. KEDARA GOWRI VRATAM—WORSHIP OF DEVI AS SAKTI OF SIva (B)—2363 (9/12)
30. shodasha upachara puja vudhanam-16 steps hindu worship (F)—2321 (8/13)
31. NAMAKARANAM RITUAL—HINDU NAMING CEREMONY(C)—2234 (3/14)
32. YAJNAS-THE VEDIC FIRE SACRIFICES (F)—2125 (10/11)
33. vISHNU’S INCARNATION AS NARASIMHA (E)—2039 (5/12)
34. LINGA AND SALAGRAMA  (E)–2028 (2/12)
35. WHY TEMPLE OUTSIDE PRAKARAS ARE PAINTED RED AND wHITE (J)—2026 (2/14)
36. aBHISHEKAM OUTFLOWS ARE SACRED—TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT (J)—2021 (2/14)

DISTRIBUTION OF INTERESTS ON TOP 10% TOPICS (FROM CLASSIFIED LIST)

B. HINDU RITUALS—3; C. HINDU SAMSKAARAS—6; D. DISCOURSES ON UPANISHADS AND BHAGAVAD GITA—3; E.  HINDU GODS AND GODDESSES --5; F.  YAJNA, HOMA AND SELECTED MANTRAS IN HINDU WORSHIP—6; J. DISCOURSES ON SELECTED TOPICS OF HINDUISM—11; K.  SELECTED HINDU SPIRITUAL DISCOURSES –1;   M. HINDU AMERICAN HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS--1

COUNTRYWISE TOP TEN BLOG VISITORS

INDIA—197576; USA—148510; RUSSIA—41550; MALAYSIA—9410; UK—8560; CANADA—4972; FRANCE—4884; SINGAPORE—3849; AUSTRALIA—3694 AND GERMANY—2676.

Among the discourses and topics posted under 14   categories, interest is equally distributed   among topics on Samskaras, Yajna-Homa-Mantras in Hindu Worship leading the rest. Other interests lie on Hindu Rituals, Gita, Upanishads, Hindu Gods and Goddesses, special topics on Hinduism not usually explained in literature, Spirituality and Hindu American Festivals celebrated in Temples.  There is thus all round interest in all the topics I covered. It is interesting that major visitors of the blog and commentators are from India   even though such or perhaps even better  information is available from various Gurus and Pundits   in plenty to them, followed by USA to whom these discourses were directed. May be it is where the Hindu concentration is?  But why Russia in the third place? The statistics provided here should guide our philosophers, religious followers, philanthropists and spiritual enthusiasts to know where the need and interest of Hindu community   lies and serve the community in USA better. It is also surprising that there was not a single adverse comment and all appreciations including from the spiritual Gurus, religious pundits, Vedic scholars and philanthropists on my participants list.   I am also grateful that spiritual leaders like Swami Chidananda, Phil Goldberg and Sree Maa have taken some time and complimented me.  I am honored and humbled.  I am happy to have opened the minds of a cross section of people round the globe to the study of our scriptures and spiritually progress.

I pay my obeisance (sraddhnjali) to  the UNKNOWN for its  guidance  at the back-ground, for I know my limitations,  that had also helped me too to  get rid of some of my ignorance in the process. It also amazes me that this landmark of half-a million came on the auspicious Vijaya Dasami Day and Friday. I strongly believe this was not accidental  but consider intentional and the blessings from the Unknown for all my efforts well over a decade! I am also happy to note that the rate of reading and interest has almost doubled and at this rate we may reach the Million Mark by 2024, though I may or may not be there! It is all His Will!

I generally do not indulge in negative topics, discussing hate, crime, intimidation, class hatred, Inter-faith quarrels and fights, conversion etc., but on incidences that help interfaith dialogues and Universal Oneness. I am glad that I brought to your particular attention: Dussehra celebration in Scotland—medley of Hindu and Scottish culture; Reema Abbasi’s “Historic Temples of Pakistan: A Call to Conscience” documents the country's pluralistic heritage; Jeernoddharana Ceremony of all Gods and Kalyanotsavas of all Gods for Communal harmony and world peace in Nashville; Upanishadic Thoughts that helped the Vedanta in the Holy Bible etc. To this I may add the burning of the effigy of Ravana in Nashville in which all Hindu traditions and inter-faith (Christian-Hindu etc.) families participated for the first time.

But why did Nashville Ganesha Temple thought of this suddenly? “Vijaya Dasami also means the triumph over of the ten varied vices that flourish in humans --Kama vasana (Lust); Krodha (Anger); Moha (Attraction); Lobha (Greed); Garva (Over Pride); Irshya (Jealousy);  Swartha (Selfishness); Anyaaya (Injustice);  Amanavata (Cruelty) and Ahankara (Ego). Only when human beings overcome their shortcomings, they will emerge victorious and the ultimate goal is to attain truth and achieve the absolute liberation(Sree Maa).”  So let this Vijaya Dasami, vanquish our shortcomings to emerge as a finer person. And hence it is an important day for all humans to take a Resolution to give up all these ten vices. Such joint celebrations promote the Vedic wisdom, “sanghachadvam sam vadadvam” and “vasudhaiva kutmbakam”.

Which religion or what God can oppose this burning of Ravana with in us?

"Vijaydasami means the day when all the distortions of the mind and negative tendencies fall away. This day symbolizes victory over all cravings and aversions of the mind that we had gathered through the year.-- Gurudev Ravi Shankar

If you have any suggestion as to how I can serve the global Hindu community further in promoting spirituality and Universal Oneness, please do not hesitate to write to me. Remember 40% of once religious followers and church-goers today in this country say they are Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR). Swami Vivekananda said “Vedanta is the Religion of the Future”,   a century ago addressing the World Gathering of Religions in Chicago which was greatly applauded.  I thank you for your patience and indulgence in supporting the cause. Wish you all happy Holiday Season and Spiritual Progress to contribute Peace, Harmony and Happiness in the World!  

October 20, 2018

Unknown is Parabrahmam.  He is always with you and makes you function.

Prof. G. Nagarajan

I noted with great thrill and joy the great milestone-crossing of Half million mark of your HR Writing. Heartiest Congratulations and best wishes for more laurels, so well deserved. It is not only in the numbers that your achievement can be seen but also in the wide variety of subjects and the extremely effective way your writing appeals to people of all ages and strata. They are very inspirational and thought-provoking. I consider myself singular blessed in being in your privileged company and getting enriched and enlarged in my knowledge base. I sincerely pray God to bless you with long life, good health and energy to be able to carry on your yeomen service to the community.

--BRG Iyengar from Bengaluru

UPANISHADIC THOUGHTS THAT INSPIRED THE HOLY BIBLE

Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) is one of the outstanding Vedanta Gurus of modern times. He had his awakening at the age of 16, which he later recognized as enlightenment. In response to questions on self-liberation and the classic texts on Yoga and Vedanta, Ramana recommended self-enquiry as the principal way to awaken to the “I-I”, realizing the Self and attaining liberation. He also recommended Bhakti, and gave his approval to a variety of paths and practices. Paul Brunton, Carl Jung and Heinrich Zimmer were among the first Westerners to pick up Ramana’s teachings.       

Ramana Maharshi often cited the Bible, and in particular the statement ‘I am that I am’, to support his contention that God’s real nature was ‘I am’.

‘I am’ is the name of God. Of all the definitions of God, none is so well put as the Biblical statement ‘I am that I am’ in Exodus chapter three. There are other statements such as brahmavaiham [Brahman am I], aham brahmasmi [I am Brahman] and soham [I am He]. But none is as direct as Jehovah (Yehweh) which means ‘I am’. This one statement shows that the guiding principle of th Holy Bible and Abrahamic religions. is Vedanta!  Islam means submission, that is Nyasa in Vedanta or Saranagati, surrender to the Supreme or merge with the Supreme!

Moses asks what he is to say to the Israelites when they ask what God has sent him to them, and Yahweh replies, "I am who I am," adding, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I am has sent me to you.”--Its context is the encounter of the burning bush (Exodus 3:14)

Psalm 46:10 New International Version (NIV): He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Compare these with the memorable expression that appears in the Brihadaranyaka Upanmishad (BAU) --when the sage, in the context of meditation on the Self, in reply to the query – What did that Brahma know by which It became all, states:

Brahma vaa idamagra aseet, tadaatmaanamevavaith, aham brahmaasmi iti | tasamaat tat sartvam abhavat | tadyo yo devaanaam pratyabudhyata sa eva tad abhavat| tatharsheenaam tathaa m anushyaanaam….

"ब्रह्म वा इदमग्र आसीत्, तदात्मनामेवावेत्, अहं ब्रह्मास्मीति | तस्मात्तत्सर्वमभवत्; तद्यो यो देवानां प्रत्यबुध्यत स एव तदभवत्, तदषीर्णाम् तथा मनुष्याणाम्,........"

This Universe, before it was created, existed as Brahman. “I am Brahman’: thus did Brahman know himself. Knowing himself, he became the Self of all beings. Among the gods (devas), He who awakened to the knowledge of the Self became Brahman; the same was true among the seers and people………… (BAU 1-4-10)

In his comment on this passage Sankara explains that here Brahman is not the conditioned Brahma (saguna), that a transitory entity cannot be eternal, that knowledge about

Brahma, the infinite all-pervading entity, has been enjoined, that knowledge of unity alone dispels ignorance and that the meditation based on resemblance is only an idea. He also tells us that the expression Aham Brahmaasmi is the explanation of the mantra –

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते | पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते|| ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

Om pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidaṃ pūrṇātpūrṇamudacyate; pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate | om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

Mantra Meaning: That is Pūrṇam, this is Pūrṇam. Pūrṇam emerges from Pūrṇam. Pūrṇam on having merged to Pūrṇam, remains as Pūrṇam alone.

"That ('Brahma') is infinite, and this ('universe') is infinite; the infinite proceeds from the infinite. (Then) taking the infinitude of the infinite ('universe'), it remains as the infinite ('Brahma') alone."

This Mantra, though short in size, actually presents one of the important basic tenets of Upaniṣadic philosophy. Upaniṣads say that this universe emerged from the ultimate principle, Ātmā and that it will finally merge into Ātmā. In other words, the universe is only an expression of Ātmā. It is well settled that Ātmā is absolute, ultimate and the whole; that means it is Pūrṇam. The words ‘that’ and ‘this’ in the Mantra indicate worldly objects there and here or far and near. All worldly objects are said to be body parts of Ātmā; they are manifestations of Ātmā. They are pervaded by Ātmā; they are actually Ātmā itself appearing in those forms. So, both are Pūrṇam; ‘that’ and ‘this’ are Pūrṇam. They emerged from Ātmā, the Pūrṇam; from Pūrṇam, only Pūrṇam can come out. So, it is said: ‘pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate’. What happens if all these merge into Ātmā? It will remain as such, as Pūrṇam only. Hence the Mantra declaration, “pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate” (Pūrṇam on having merged to Pūrṇam, remains as Pūrṇam alone)

In January the spring semester starts at Banares Hindu University. As part of the Master’s program there is a requirement to have several weeks on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  This program  will focus on “I am that I am” [Exodus 3:14] as showing that God is ultimate Brahman, that only Moses was the realized being who attained this insight therefore the Israelites will accept him, and that unfortunately Judaism does not teach that the goal of the soul should be to identify and merge with this “I am.” It will also teach about the names of God and those that can still be pronounced and those that cannot be pronounced. Its source is Ramana Maharshi. 

Is the thought “I am God” or “I am the Supreme Being” helpful?

Sri Ramana Maharshi answers to this in his talk 357 on February 8, 1937: “I am that I am” [Exodus 3:14]. “I am” is God – not thinking, “I am God”.  Realize “I am” and do not think I am. “Know I am God” – it is said, and not “Think I am God.” 

The essence of mind is only awareness or consciousness. When the ego, however, dominates it, it functions as the reasoning, thinking or sensing faculty. The cosmic mind, being not limited by the ego, has nothing separate from itself and is therefore only aware. That is what the Bible means by ‘I am that I am’.

"Brahman is the abiding reality; he is pure knowledge and he is infinity. He who knows that Brahman dwells within the lotus of the heart becomes one with him and enjoys all blessings. Out of Brahman, who is the Self, came ether; out of ether, air; out of air, fire; out of fire, water; out of water, earth; out of earth, vegetation; out of vegetation, food; out of food, the body of man. The body of man composed of the essence of food, is the physical sheath of the Self. Man in his ignorance, identifies himself with the material sheaths that encompass his true Self, Transcending these, he becomes one with Brahman, who is pure Bliss—Ananda."

 The Word that is God

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.—John 1:1

Om itekaksharam Brahma" says the Veda, meaning "that the one word Om is indeed Brahman". Om (Pranava) is the name of the Nameless and form of the Formless. Pranava is not only a sound that existed before the creation, but also one that still exists, and will continue to exist, even after Pralaya.  Pranava is the naada-rupa, the Form of Sound of the Supreme. The great yogis meditate upon the Pranava as the path to Eternal Bliss of the Formless, Nameless Truth.

In the aspect of manifesting the universe the most usual name mentioned in Vedas is Brahman sometimes mentioned as “the Word” (AUM) that literally means “word THAT which grows great”. Brahman in Sanskrit is derived from the root brih to grow, which is undoubtedly only vridh in another form. If so, the Biblical English “Word’ is ultimately the same as Vedic Brahman even etymologically.

October 20, 2018

DUSSEHRA CELEBRATION IN SCOTLAND-- MEDLEY OF HINDU AND SCOTTISH CULTURE

Hindu astrologers ensure that during every 13th Moon, you can dissolve bad karma by observing Pradosham and praying to Shiva. A 13th Moon that falls on a Saturday is called Sani Pradosham (Sani means Saturn) and it is special, because the Pradosham occurred on a Saturday.  So    Sani Pradosham (Saturn Pradosham) that occurred on October 6, 2018 was identified as Maha Pradosham   intentionally   by some Hindu American Temples  to make it attractive for devotees of all traditions to come to temple. But I was surprised to note that the next Pradosham that falls on October 22, 2018 is also being called Maha Pradosham.   As I said before Pradosha Puja on 13^th Moon is equally important to Vaishnavites also dedicated to Lord Narasimha. Usually Saivites are serious about pradosha puja and religious Saivites would not like to miss it at any cost to improve their balance sheet of Karmas. Probably American Hindu Temple Authorities are thinking of bringing together all sectarian oriented Hindus together for a common Pradosha Puja in Temple Tradition!

Maha Pradhosham is a yearly rite which falls during February – March (Magha in Sanskrit, Kumbha Masam in Malayalam, and Maasi in Tamil) before Maha Sivarathri.  Magha is the holiest month in Hindu calendar celebrated in \ Gita.  Bhagawan says in Gita “among months I  am Magha (custodian of Time)”.   Pradosham is carried out regularly[NS1]  in all Lord Shiva Temples only across the country in INDIA but not in Vishnu Temples. Hindu Temples in America have also kept their temple open for all those who believe in Sanathana Dharma and also suitably adopted certain American religious holidays as Special Religious Event Day (SRED) in Hindu Temples.  But what is amazing is what is happening in Scotland, a conservative country, as reported below. Christians are not only participating in the burning of the Ravana effigy on Vijaya Dasami Day together with Hindus but also in raising the effigy willingly contributing!

 NEWS FROM HINDUISM TODAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, October 13, 2018 (Edinburgh News): For more than two decades thousands of people have gathered to enjoy the medley of Hindu and Scottish culture in the free event organized by the Scottish India Arts Forum (SIAF). The charity, which has been actively promoting Indian arts and culture in Scotland since 1994, returns on Sunday, October 21 with a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary Hindu God Rama's tussle between good and evil at its heart. The celebrations will also include flaming 25-foot effigies of demons built by volunteer prisoners from Saughton Prison, set alight as part of the fireworks display. Revelers will be treated to a taste of India with food stalls and a showcase of performances of more than 100 amateur and professional artists.

Dusherra, one of the largest festivals in India commemorates a 10-day war between the Gods and demons thousands of years ago. It is celebrated with gusto by communities across the country with music, dance, food and a symbolic burning of effigies. President of SIAF Rajnish Singh said: "We at SIAF are extremely proud of Dusherra celebration over the years in a format where it is open to all with free entry despite all the challenges."We are very grateful for the continued support from our funders for this year as well. It is one of the most popular Indian events in the city and we highly appreciate the support of local Indian and Scottish community who participate in the celebration in big numbers."

WISH YOU ALL HAPPY DUSHERRA AND VIJAYA DASAMI!

October 18, 2018

GLIMPSES OF BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD

WEBINAR 133 presents Glimpses of Briadaranyaka Upanishad (Key Takeaways from a Major Scripture) by: Pūjya Swāmi Chidānandaji on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

Gist of the Presentation:

From popular mantras like – Lead me from the false to the real1 – to lofty messages like – not this, not this2 – this bulky scripture has a lot to offer to keen Vedānta students. A famous great statement – I am Brahman3 – also is found in this Upanishad. The profound dialogues that Sage Yājnavalkya has with King Janaka, with his own wife Maitreyi and with Gārgi, a surprise female participant in a prominent meeting of scholars, are indeed rich food for thought. Many illustrative stories make the study all the more delightful. An arrogant Brahmin scholar goes to teach a Kshatriya but ends up learning from the latter4. Gods, human beings and demons go to Prajāpati and receive a single instruction ‘da’ that gives each of them the most valuable guidance in their life5.

This webinar will be the first of a 4-part series: Glimpses of Brihadāranyaka Upanishad.

1. asato ma sad-gamaya 1.3.28; 2. neti, neti 4.2.4; 3. aham brahmāsmi 1.4.10; 4. Bālāki and Ajātashatru 2.1.1; 5. dāmyata, datta, dayadhwam – 5.2.3

In this Webnair Swami Chidanada draws our attention to 5 mantras of Brihadarnyaka Upanishad. I have explained 3 of them at length before in my discourses indicated below. The other two are explained below for your preliminary understanding for a better grasp of Swamiji’s discourse:

Sa esha neti neti aatmaagrihyo na hi grihyate aaseeryo na hi seeryate asango na sajyate asito na vyathate na rishyati abhayam vai janaka praapto aseeti hovacha yajnavalkyah || 4-2-4 ||

The Supreme Self is beyond Self—he that has been described as not this, not that. He is incomprehensible, for he cannot be comprehended; he is un-decaying, for he never decays; he is unattached, for he does not attach himself; he is unfettered, for nothing can fetter him. He is never hurt. You have attained him who is free from fear, O Janaka, and free from both birth and death.

The individual souls (Jivatmas) are having sense organs as instruments of grasping objects in the different directions. But there is a distinction in respect of the Purusha in the right eye. His capacity is not limited as the capacity of soul in bondage due to the impact of Karma. That atman or Paramatman can be described only as “Not this much; Not this much”

Chapter 2 opens with a reference to one Bālāki of Garga clan, well versed in Vedas, approaching Ajātaśatru, King of Kāśi for elucidating the fact of Brahman being the cause of this Universe. For this Balaki wasa willing to offer one thousand cows to Ajtrasastru and was glad he met him, as knowledgeable as Janaka. Ajātaśatru was only happy hear what Bālāki had to say. Bālāki at first said that Brahma was the Being in the sun; but Ajātaśatru rejected it. Bālāki continued in the same way, by citing moon, lightning, fire, air, etc. instead of sun, each of them being promptly rejected (2.1.1 to 2.1.13). At last, he requested Ajātaśatru for proper instruction about Brahma. Ajātaśatru took Bālāki to a sleeping person and called him several times to wake up. But he did not. At last, the king pushed him with his hands again and again; then he got up (2.1.15). Ajātaśatru asked Bālāki, “Where was the knowing being (the faculty of cognition, powered by pure consciousness within) when the person was asleep and how did it return?” Bālāki had no answer (2.1.16). Ajātaśatru explained thus: ‘when the person was asleep, the knowing being absorbed the cognitive power of all the senses and lay dormant in the inner heart of consciousness’ (2.1.17). (This inner heart is the Thalamus in modern physiology, which is the center of information exchange in the body). He continued, “When the person is fast asleep, the cognitive functions of the inner organs of action (the four antaḥkaraṇas namely Manas, Buddhi, Chitta and Ahaṃkāra) are also cut off” (2.1.19). In other words, when a person sleeps, his senses are shut down and when he enters deep sleep his antaḥkaraṇas also are shut down, reducing him to a state of pure consciousness shining inside.

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/…/da-da-dadama-daya-and-daana.h…
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/…/invocation-and-conclusion-wor…
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/…/mahaavaakyas-of-upanishadsrev…

 October 14, 2018

HOW CAN WE MAKE OUR SECTARIAN RITUALS AND WORSHIPS ATTRACTIVE AND APPROPRIATE TO ALL IN HINDU AMERICAN TEMPLES

 THIS CALLS FOR DEEP STUDY OF OUR PURANAS, VEDAS AND UPANISHADS AND SOUL SEARCHING!

In USA usually there is only one temple for all Hindu Traditions. In order to satisfy the religious needs of these people, even though the temple is focused on a main deity as decided by the temple fathers at the time of its creation, you come across a galaxy of deities to please the sectarian traditions.  Rituals and festivals are also focused on these deities and at any function you do not come across total participation of all the people. However Sunday worship attracts good crowd whose main purpose is a social week-end meet combined with the visit to their favorite deity to pay customary salutation. All efforts to  collect them together like the major culture Christianity in churches for common worship, at least on special religious worship days   seems to be a herculean task.

The problem can be broadly solved if we have deities acceptable to all traditions only based on past historical worship and practices in India and if the festivals and rituals are made more meaningful for their serious worship.  It is unfortunate the most regular monthly worships like Pradosham is misunderstood as purely sectarian and only Saivites gather around Siva altar to worship on that day though it has universal appeal to all Hindus. There is a need to identify such rituals and festivals that attract participation by all. While there is such a need for vertical integration there is also need for horizontal integration. Hindu philanthropists made some attempts here to bring together all Dharma based religions like Jainism , Buddhism , Sikhism  and sects like   Swaminarain, Sai, Iskcon etc., but such attempts have been very sporadic focused by few temples; also they are not getting   the needed  cooperation from Indian migrants of these religions and sects.

Hindu temples have been kept open for all those who respect Sanatana dharma irrespective of their religious leanings   including those who have chosen their partners from other religions as well as their Spiritual education program that promotes the concept of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam --whole world is one family. They keep the temple open on all American Religious holidays and also declare them often as Special Religious Event Day.

All these noble thoughts of Universal oneness and promotion of Vedanta Religion for All need  a serious look into our festivals and rituals as well as worship pattern observed in temples for mass appeal and participation. Fortunately Hinduism has a broad provision for all these reforms based on the wisdom of Vedas and at the same time not disturbing the conventional practice of agama worship. We need to study Vedas and Puranas deeply and bring in the necessary changes. With this objectives in view I have examined one very conservative Hindu ritual   and one most popular American social event that is difficult to imagine as a religious festival in Hindu Temples that could be brought under the discipline of Aagma scriptures for celebration in Hindu American temples.

I draw your kind attention to the following in my article: “America has made some social holidays as religious holidays  and vice versa too for worship in churches like New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving day, Mother’s day, Father’s day, Valentine’s day etc. In fact Hinduism has more religious reasoning and broader scope than Christianity to make such days more meaningful as Special Religious Worship Days.    Christianity has struggled hard to make them as religious worship days. I have explained  how  Valentine’s   Day could be observed as a Special Religious Worship Day with Puranic, Vedic and Aagama support and could be celebrated with Radha -Krishna Kalyanotsva also appealing to Spiritual groups like ISKCON fitting very well to the theme of religious   Valentine’s Day! Hindu Americans mostly drawn from Hindu Indians feel embarrassed to speak about love openly or to demonstrate it based on their culture with which they have been brought up.  At the same time they do not want to miss this day for worship in temples while churches are busy and may attract their children married to a Christian and their grand-children too! So our Sunday schools dedicate this day to the worship of Siva and Parvati as “jagatahpitarau” universal parents and want children to observe this day dedicated to   Parental Love moving away from the main theme of Valentine’s Day as the true love between husband and wife.”

Please go through the detailed discourse posted on the blog:

 http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2018/10/make-rituals-and-worships-attractive.html

--October 13, 2018

NINE GODDESSES WORSHIPED DURING NAVARATRI AND GREATNESS OF DEVIS

Bhanumat Narasimhan in her article on Navaratri says "During the nine nights of Navaratri, Devi is worshiped in all her names and forms each of which has a special significance. We remember a sandalwood tree by the memory of its perfume. Each name and form of the Devi refers to a specific quality or attribute of the Divine. By remembering the form or by chanting the many names of Devi, we enliven those qualities in our consciousness and they manifest in us according to the need. The Divine Mother Devi is the womb of all Creation. She is the seed of all dynamism, radiance, beauty, equanimity, peace and nourishment. She is the life force energy. The Divine Mother has unconditional and infinite love for Her children, that is, every being in entire Creation".

Symbolism in the Nine Forms of Goddesses Durga Worshipped During Navaratri

The nine goddess worshipped during Navratri are known as Nav Durga and they have hidden symbolism attached to them. The Navadurga are Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kala Ratri (Kaalratri), Maha Gowri and Siddhi Dayini.

Goddess Shailputri is symbolically associated with Shradha (concentration, devotion, veneration and faith).

Brahmacharini is associated with dispassion towards feelings caused by the senses. She helps a devotee achieve control over the senses.

Chandraghanta is associated with clean and pure mind, which is filled with God consciousness. She helps a devotee in mastering the mind. A person who has control over the mind is always in bliss.

Maa Kushmanda is dedicated to victory over the evil thoughts that rise in the mind. She crushes all kinds of unwanted desires that make life unhappy. She uproots illusion or Maya.

Skanda Mata protects the godliness and goodness in the mind of a devotee. She nourishes good thoughts in the mind of a devotee. She takes care of children. She nourishes both physically and mentally.

Maa Katyayani represents Sattva Guna among the three gunas. Dharma - love – compassion – empathy. She helps a devotee to understand the tough terrain of worldly matters. She helps her children flourish on earth.

Goddess Kalratri she annihilates all that forces that rise against the Sattva Guna. She protects the Sattva Guna and Dharma. She devours all those that try to unsettle Dharma following children of hers. She is the guardian of all those who follow Dharma.

Mahagauri resides in a person who is filled with Sattva Guna and Dharma. The halo that appears around such a person is the representation of Mahagauri. She is the one who helps a devotee to settle worldly matters and enter the world of spirituality.  A devotee successfully completes his/her duty in the world and enters into the life of dispassion and contemplation.

Goddess Siddhi Dayini or Siddhidatri represents self-realization. The ultimate objective from which there is no return to the world of birth and death. She helps a devotee escape the endless cycle of birth and death.  

--Abhilash Rajendran, Hindu Blog

Please go through the various thoughts on Devi from our modern spiritual Gurus as attached :

 http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2016/09/in-praise-and-worship-of-primordal.html

Wish you all A Happy Navratri for Navachaitanya by Navasaktis and Happy Dusshera for getting rid of all ten bad characteristics to Progress in life!  Ravana got rid of his ten heads of Ego at the hands of Sri Rama and attained Bliss at the hands of Rama!

--October 11, 2018

VALUE OF SECULARISM AND STAYING UNITED TAUGHT BY OUR RISHIS

Secularism is a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship but stresses on moral values that is called as Dharma in Hinduism.  Vedas say Dharma is Sathyam and Sathyam is Brahman.  It is therefore logical to conclude our Rishis were secular though not politicians but Puranas often reveal ideal kings were always guided by the Council of Rishis.--Vasishtha Vaamana Jaamdajnya.......

 Please go through the thought provoking article by David Frawley “Why India has lost its value of Secularism” as attached. Our Rishis had focused on dharma and spread the message of secularism more effectively than our political Pundits with their law enforcement.    This was influenced by the Hindu philosophy of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam drawing the moral not from the Pundits or Gurus but from the animal kingdom that lives in peace and harmony practicing their Dharma.    Our Rishis had shown us the path of   secularism by following Dharma as is evident from the Veda mantras given below  and their explanation that I have brought to your attention.  

The collection of Indian Indigenous religions now known as Hinduism got evolved over time,   starting out as primitive pagans then became Henotheists and now just whatever their followers feel like that is also mixed   with some Sanatana dharma  in piece meal that Rishis practiced. All this is often used to project Hinduism’s image as World Religion, secular in principle guided by Devo Ekah and “sarvejanah sukhino bhavantu”  

Hinduism is a more recent nomenclature given to a conglomeration of heterogeneous tradition and plurality of beliefs and worship with a long history from the Vedic sacrificial religion of Aryans through the worship of Epic and Puranic heroes and personal deities, cults and sects, as well as philosophical systems rather than to a monolithic tradition or a structure based on a single   system of beliefs and worship or a single text as scripture.

No doubt our purānas are a rich source of distilled knowledge about the art of living.  As this wisdom shines through the wonderful stories of lives of great heroes, they have an impact on the masses and children in particular.   The Mahābhārata declares, “Here you will find certain things which cannot be found anywhere else; and what is not here, is nowhere else.”  But we have to pick up only such gems that have great relevance for the modern life and not literally attach importance to all that is conveyed. Please recall commenting on such Puranic details and indulgence Ramakrihna Pramahmsa deplored “Hindu Religion has entered the kitchen too”.

 If we are really serious to spiritually advance it will be wiser to be guided by the wisdom of Vedas than morals we often wrongly conclude from Puranas. These wisdom of Vedas should also reflect in our worship of Puranic deities and their portrayal.  It is therefore wiser for the intellectual crowd of Hindu Americans to concentrate on few deities like Jaganntha, Venkatesvara, Skanda   backed by their historic worship by all for initial training of mind, making it also attractive for all dharma based religions   through Bhakti Vedanta and then switch cover to Yoga and meditation of universal appeal, the sure path of success to  live in peace  but not in pieces and harmony  and to spiritually progress.   

Sangacchadhvam sam vadadhvam; Samaano mantrah samitih; Samaano vaa aakootih:

[These mantras say that a person not only should take care of himself but also look after the welfare of the society he lives in].

Sangacchadhvam sam vadadhvam sam vo manaamsi jaanataam/ devaa bhaagam yathaa purve sanjanaana upaasate // (X-191-20)

Come together! Speak together! Let our minds be all of one accord like the divines that sat together in the past in harmony to worship.

[All people should live with one mind without enmity and this can be achieved only by the divine grace says the mantra]

Samaano mantra: samiti: samaani samaanam mana: saha chittamesam / samaanam mantramabhi mantraye va: samaanena vo havisha juhomi  // (X-191-3)

Let our speech be one; united be our voices! May our minds be in union with the thoughts  of  the wise people!  Sharing a common purpose; we worship as one.

[Vedanta Religion is universal. It did not promote walled religions.  Bhagavad Gita later said these religion need bridges to connect to the Supreme. All rivers seek refuge in the vast Ocean. All religions seek universal Lord Brahman only who is ever expanding and indescribable to accommodate all]

Samaani vaa aakootih samaana hridayaani vah / Samaanam astu vo mano yathaa vah susahaasati // (X-191-4)

United be your purpose, harmonious be your feelings, collected\ be your mind, in the same way as all the various aspects of the universe exist in togetherness, wholeness.

[We should act in a manner with no ill-will towards others, causing no harm and causing no pain. Let us learn from the nature as to how to live in peace and exist together in harmony that pleases the Lord says the mantra]

--October 7, 2018

Comments:

What Religions are controlled Religion and What Religions are Free Questing?

--Anil Pandey

Answer:

Usually Dharma based religions should be questing. But they too are tending to be controlled including Hinduism, as we often here "Do as I say or Acharya says" turning ritualistic.  Our Rishis did not practice religion for there was no concept of religion then. Even today there is no word in Sanskrit that can define religion. It was all Dharma based. If we  want a religion of free questing that is VEDANTA RELIGION that Swami Vivekananda presented to world religious forum in Chicago 125 years ago that I have explained very elaborately—(NRS)

UPADESHASAARA—ITS KEY MESSAGE

FOWAI FORUM (INDIA) AND STEP (USA) invites all to join the WEBINAR 132 Upadeshasāra – Its key messages to be presented by Mr. Jnān Ranjan Dash on Sunday, October 7, 2018.

In this webinar, Maharshi Ramana's text Upadeshasāra (Essence of the Teachings) will be covered in brief. First the structure of the 30 verses will be touched upon covering all the four yogas (karma, bhakti, rāja, and jnāna). The major part of the discussion will be on the last portion on the path of knowledge. A few selected verses will be elaborated to convey the key message.

 The message Upadesasara conveys is: Connect with Inner-net (Self), Not with Internet. Holy Bible also says “what is the use of gaining the whole world when you have lost your own soul?”

We in our ignorance believe that liberation can be attained by rituals alone following Bhakti Marga uncoordinated with Jnaana or Knowledge. Despite gaining many Siddhis (yogic powers) once the ascetics in Darukavana experienced a sense of incompleteness and dissatisfaction. Lord Siva appeared before these Siddhas as handsome young mendicant, desiring to remove their delusion and sorrow. The ascetics continued with their rituals undisturbed. But their wives, infatuated by the handsome mendicant   followed him leaving their husbands.  Enraged they went in search of their wives. There appeared before them   Lord Visahnu as Mohini, the Enchantress. They in turn followed her. When she disappeared suddenly, they realized the young mendicant alone was behind the mischief. Through their yogic powers the mendicants created various weapons to destroy the lad. The Lord` of Yoga smiled. Realizing the mendicant was none other than Siva they took refuge at his feet. The Lords explained that the root cause was not lack of power, but the lack of Self-Knowledge. The most powerful Internet is no match to Inner-net!  The Lord thereafter imparted the Knowledge (Vedanta as Jnaana) to them.

Poet Muruganar was trying to write the above Puranic lore in the verse form. He wanted to write about the Knowledge that Bhagavan imparted. The poet felt he was not fit to do so and so approached Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.  Ramana Maharshi thereafter composed Upadesa Sara-The Essence of Self-Knowledge.

Going through various discourses by now you would have realized Vedanta is a deep and serious subject to explain in simple terms is beyond my capacity. Don’t be disappointed! Bhagavan  Ramana Maharshi has succeeded  in presenting this serious subject in an extremely simple, attractive and beautiful way in the Upadesa Saara.  Vedantin Jnaan Ranjan Dash with his 25 years of experience will be making it even simpler for you to understand Vedanta. Don't miss the golden opportunity! The giant Internet will not help you!

TRUST ON YOUR OWN INNER-NET (SELF) THAN WORLDLY INTERNET! Nirmala Tattve nischala Bhaktih!  Knowledge devoid of all impurities leads to steadfast devotion!

Atmanaa vindate veeryam--One attains Vigor through the INNERNET-Self

  --October 5, 2018

Thanks a lot for sharing. 

--Sudhakar Naig

YOUSUF MALALA THEN REEMA ABBASI—MAY THEIR TRIBE INCREASE

Ajo nityah SASvato'yam purANah" (kaThopanishad) – Aja representing “a” is permanent and eternal;  aksharANaAm akAro'smi - (gItA 10.33) - I am 'a" among the alphabets;  Vedas poclaim  'akAro vai sarvA vAk".  In Tirukkural we have "akara mudalAya ezhutthellAm Adi bhaghavan mudatre ulagu".  Here Tiruvcalluvar  is addressing Bhagavan as “a” and “mudal ezhuttu” which is being quoted in the Bible also —In the beginning there was the word the word was with God and the word was God-That was AUM that is Amen or Amin: isaavasyam sarvam--- whatever that continues to  exist (U) the Vishnu aspect, exists between A (beginning) and  m  (close) that is AUM.  Here again A represents Supreme as Brahma aspect, the creator and M as Siva aspect, the destroyer.  

The above explains why all languages have “A” as their first letter. Knowledge begins with"A" Life begins with "A".   A child opens its mouth with “a” maa, amma mam etc. announcing its arrival from the unknown that is symbolically “A”  Abraham , Allah, Aja,  Adimudalvan all starts with A  for DevA .

Reema Abbasi believes in one descent as The Eternal Avatar that also begins with “A” for Avatar to which all followers of Allah are supposed  submit,  for Islam means submission. She just reminds her countrymen to realize this Awareness. Better to live in the past for the Future!

Reema Abbasi’s “Historic Temples of Pakistan: A Call to Conscience” documents the country's pluralistic heritage

For Pakistan-based writer and journalist Reema Abbasi, the last decade has been spent in the pursuit of a “utopia called pluralism.” Like all utopias, hers has also been shaped by a hostile present — one that threatens the past as much as the future. The battle, she says, “is to free hope from the fringes of the conscience and consciousness; erase malignant apathy; to rescue Islam’s secular values from Islamism, and to celebrate divinity by pledging consecration for its prime avatar — Humanity.”

With her new book, “Historic Temples of Pakistan: A Call to Conscience”, she accomplishes all these. A labor of love and conviction, the book presents a side of the country not many would be familiar with.

Published by Niyogi Books, the book travels through the four provinces of Pakistan — Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh — detailing their landscapes, local populations and temples as well as their keepers. Also incorporated are asides about the celebration of Hindu festivals, and an idol maker in Sindh. These accounts are supplemented with nearly 400 photographs by Madiha Aijaz, the writer’s companion in a year of travels to these sites, as well as archival research. Such dedication might seem misplaced, or even astound, but as Abbasi says, “History is worth worshipping in itself”.

Some of these sites are the 1500-year-old Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir in Karachi, “perhaps the only shrine on the globe that houses a natural, non-manmade idol of Hanuman...” and one of the few to survive the onslaught on temples in the area that followed the demolition of Babri Masjid; Katas Raj in Chakwal district in Punjab, considered one of the holiest sites of Hindusim for being a place of refuge for the Pandavas for four of their 14 years in exile; the Kalka Cave Temple in Arore, Sindh, where devotees testify to the power of the deity. “These sites are imbued with so much faith and history that they are naturally valuable to all. They have a pull which we witnessed,” says Abbasi.

Madiha Aijaz, who has been interested in photographing rituals and understanding what they signify, says, “My primary concern was to capture the architectural value, and the diversity of the communities who visit. There’s Sindhis, there’s Maharashtrians, there’s Balochis, there’s all kinds of different communities visiting. To be able to show that cross section required multiple visits, multiple permissions.”

The writer says the journey to these sites was surprisingly obstacle-free. “One would assume that it was the influential who were helping us but actually we were facilitated by the people who were part of the community there...We were just taken into the fold and really welcomed.” Aijaz adds, “We worked in a guerrilla style, the two of us. I would carry my lenses, tripod lights and we’d just walk up a mountain or go under a cave.”

Although Abbasi has consistently upheld the ideals of secularism in her writings, recent events have lent the book a greater urgency. Earlier this year, a temple in Sindh was burnt down by extremists. Last year saw over 500 Hindus fleeing the country. In this atmosphere of communal discord, the temples documented in the book stand as a sobering reminder of the pluralistic heritage of Pakistan. “Not only are they vestiges of ancient lore in Hindu mythology, they also stand like warriors of Time; pitted testaments of a peaceful, pluralistic past,” the author writes.

Through the book, the writer says she is issuing a call to the nation’s collective conscience.

“We have to respect and preserve and take forward a society that answers all calls to prayer, and gives them the same kind of importance. Basically, I am talking about the supremacy of all faiths and not a single faith.”--The Hindu

            --October 4, 2018

CONNECT WITH INNERNET (SELF) AND NOT INTERNET

A Kannada proverb says "Janasevaye janardhanana seyvae"--Service to humanity is service to God. Paramartha Niketan is a well-known spiritual institution in Hrishikesh that is deeply involved in Social service spreading the message of Cleanliness, Truthfulness and High Thinking that Mahatma Gandhi Propagated. Our Philanthropists in USA have built several temples and established Hindu Community Cultural Centers. To their noble task of service to humanity  Paramartha Niketan serves as a Lodestar!

Paramartha Niketan has dedicated to serve people socially involving while spreading the message of spirituality. Their spiritual philosophy is that no Spiritual activity should be segregated from the divine thoughts of Cleanliness, Truthfulness and Service to Humanity. I draw your attention to few of their recent activities. If interested you may go through the other messages contained therein and for more details.

“World Raksha Bandhan Day" was especially dedicated to spread the message against female feticide, dowry, corruption, terrorism, racism, sectarian and communal violence, intoxication, casteism, whilst spreading the message for world brotherhood, peace and welfare of human and nature.

A vital two day International Conference with the theme of “Saving the Himalayas through Science and Spirituality” in Leh, Ladakh.    The three day conference was an effort to bring organizations and individuals together, across government, CSO, faith based organizations, scholars, experts and various other stakeholders, to find and implement solutions that can help preserve and protect ecological biodiverse Himalayan regions like Ladakh.

“The real GDP of India is the Gandhian thought. Gandhiji was of the view that the real change in the world can be brought about if those who champion change truly live the change. This is the culture that we need today, something that blends self-abnegation with social action. Over 150 million people are expected to gather for the mammoth summit which would propagate three core principles espoused by Gandhiji: Safai (cleanliness), Sacchai (truthfulness) and Unchai (high thinking),”  Swami  Chidananda said.

While observing religious ceremonies like Gauri/Ganesh Visarjan let us keep in mind the message of Swamiji “Clean and green pilgrimage is crucially important for a Swachh Bharat (Clean India), as our pilgrimage sites are frequently visited by lakhs of pilgrims and hence trash is often seen strewn across these sacred spaces of worship especially after major festivals and holidays”.

Various projects contemplated on Krishna Janmashtami Day that would help develop Braj Vrindavan region as a clean, green and sustainable tourism destination. One of the projects was a large Biodiversity Park being planned in Vrindavan, a portion of the park would be highlighting the different yoga styles, lineages and would inspire and encourage pilgrims to understand their rich yogic heritage.

Sadhvi Bhagawatiji shared, “At Times of India we need excellence in sharing, spreading and disseminating inspiration as well as information; we need excellence in not just reporting news but in making the news! To achieve this vision of excellence, we must melt the thick borders between work, spirituality and life. Otherwise if what you do is drudgery and you're counting hours till the end of the day or the weekend, then we will never achieve excellence.” She also emphasized the importance of a spiritual connection in order to achieve true excellence in life. She said: “Spirituality is not just sitting in lotus posture and meditating X number of hours in a dark room. Spirituality doesn’t take you out of the world but allows you to be in the world in such a way that every minute, every moment you are achieving excellence, because the fullness of who you are, your intention, attention, sincerity and commitment is there. Spirituality enables keeps you connected to the depth and truth of yourself so that you can truly bring the fullness of yourself to every moment.” Pujya Swamiji gave several sutras and mantras  for excellence saying, "Create the news, make news, no problem. This is great and it's your job. But also make sure you are checking your own news! Go on Facebook, no problem. But, remember at the end of the day, you have to face your own book. The multivitamin every day that you must take is: meditation, no reaction and introspection. This multivitamin is the key to spiritual excellence. Life and excellence are not just about connecting to the internet and getting the fastest speed but we must remember to connect with the innernet (Self) and get the right direction." Pujya Swamiji also emphasized the importance of service and living with the attitude of not "what for me" but rather "what through me," becoming a tool and an instrument of the Divine will. He said, "I think time has come for Times FOR India not just Times of India. Let us all work together to serve our nation and make it cleaner and greener for all."

--October 3, 2018

Comments:

I love the concept of InnerNet

--A. S. Narayana

AJAH IN VSN MEANS “A’’ THE ALPHABET IN SANSKRIT

In Vishnu Sahasranama Vishnu is addressed as AJAH at three places. There are number of explanation why he is Addressed so. One explanation given for aja is akAravAcyatayA jAtah - One who is known through the letter "a".   In the gItA we have "aksharANaAm akAro'smi - (gItA 10.33) - I am 'a" among the alphabets. Sri rAdhAkrhNa SAstri points out that at the time of pralaya the panca bhUtas coalesce into ether (the reverse of AkASAt vAyuh, vAyoragnih, aganerApah, adbhyah pethivI, etc.)., and the ether coalesces into its tanmAtra, the sound, and Sabda ultimately dissolves into the sound "a", which is the form of BhagavAn at the conclusion of pralaya. The sruti is 'akAro vai sarvA vAk".

You may kindly recall that I quoted Thiruvalluvar to explain to that Adi Bhagvan may refer to Adinatha, who enunciated Jain philosophy who was none other than Rishabha an incarnation of Vishnu and probably Tiruvalluvar also was a Jain. I equally believe he had also Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita in mind being a profound scholar in composing Tirukkural. Here he is addressing Bhagavan as “a” and “mudal ezhuttu” which is being quoted in the Bible also —In the beginning there was the word the word was with God and the word was God-That was AUM.

In Tirukkural we have "akaramudalAya ezhutthellAm Adi bhaghavan mudatre ulagu". Thus Tirukkural is  based on wisdom of Vedas and Gita!

--October 1, 2018

Comments:

God bless you, Sir.  Excellent explanation.  When crocodile pulled the Gajamugan, the elephant cried as "Aadimuulame".  Maha Vishnu immediately came and killed the crocodile and saved the elephant.  Both crocodile and elephant were saved from "Saapam" by Maha Vishnu.  Everything begins from Maha Vishnu.  There is a proverb from this as follows:  "Kuuppidum Duuratthil Vaikundam, Kai Ettum Duuratthil Kailaayam".  Our sound travels 1100 feet per second.  Vaikundam is only 1100 feet from us.  If we call for help, Parabrahmam will come immediately to help us.  Kai Ettum Duuratthil is Lord Shiva, and Kuuppidum Duuratthil is Maha Vishnu.  

 --Prof. Govindaswamy Nagarajan

ALL DHARMA BASED RELIGIONS SHOULD COME TOGETHER AND WORSHP TOGETHER

Hindu Americans united by dedication to Dharma and seeking Saranagati (submission) to Nirguna Brahaman may be interested in the Contributions of Jain Association of America that is not focused on Indian Jains alone though inspired and motivated by Indian Jains from Gujarat mainly. Though initially Jains from India joined Hindu Americans in worshiping together in Hindu Dharma Temples where the idols of Mahavir Vardhamana were consecrated in Temples like Albany (NY) and Huntsville (TN), now this Gujarat pocket of Jains wants to separate out as is evident from the programs you see. Hindu temple in Albany also consecrated Swami Narayan idol in Albany Temple. All Dharma based religions thus joined together that included Buddha in Albany, and worshiped together not only their individual deities but presiding deity Narayana who is Saguna Brahman in this Temple of Unity. Hindus would have preferred Adinatha who is Rishabha, an Avatar of Vishnu who gave Jain philosophy of Dharma and Ahimsa to the world.  Adinatha was motivated by Vedas that declared Dhrma is Sathyam (BAU) and Sathyam is Parabrahman or Nirguna Brahman. Jains do not believe in Saguna Brahman in any form for physical worship but meditate on Dharma which they don’t realize as Parabraahman (CHANDOGYA) but they do worship Vardhamana including his Padapuja in physical form. This disintegration is not only with Jains but also with Khalsa Group of Puritan Sikhs, Swami Narayan Group, Saibaba Group, Aiyappan Group etc., who have raised their own temples in USA  and run to White House for President’s Benediction.

Jains are trying to establish their own empire and identity as Global Jains in America. Jainism is very strong in Rajasathan and Karnataka too in India but they have not joined this group.They do visit Hindu Temples in US often. Jains can't be blamed for this disintegration but also Hindus who have not organized themselves as Sanatana Dharma followers moving away from the sectarian Hinduism approaches copied from India. Nevertheless the following information may be helpful in rethinking to organize themselves and bring together all Dharma based religions as Vedanta religion of Universal Oneness that Swami Vivekananda presented to the World Religions Congress 125 years ago.  

Wisdom lies in all Dharma based religions joining together and follow the Vedic dictum “Sanghacchadvam samvadadam…” and “Tamaso maa jyotirgamaya…” with which all rishis sat together and prayed to the unknown from which Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism were carved out as philosophies that later the followers compartmentalized. If this is made possible Abrahamic religions who have their origin in GOD (The Holy Spirit) and Abraham will regret their separation, and join together giving up  conversion, intimidation, senseless brutal killings, violations, hatred and  abuses and join the crowd of those who believe in “Vasudhaiva Kutuimbakam—The Whole World is One Family!”

 http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2018/08/our-spiritual-goal-is-unity-not.html

 http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2018/09/will-vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-remain-in.html

"I have received several requests from the community that they cannot attend the workshop personally, but they would like to have the copy of all presentations. 

Hence, I have uploaded the twelve Presentations, which I will be using in Workshop#6 in the following link folder. The folder contains all Power point presentations (pptx and pdf file) of the Workshop6.  Please download these files (one file at a time - by right clicking the file name) for your use.

www.jainelibrary.org/$workshop6_pptx/

List of Presentations for Workshop 6 at JCSC Jain Center (Buena Park CA)

1	Fundamental Concepts of Jainism
2	Four Anuyogs and their limitations to Properly understand the principles of Jain Religion
3	Universe and its Substances
4	Philosophy of Karma and Proper understanding of Mithyätva, Kashäy, Punya, and Päp Karma
5	Misinterpretation of Jain Karma Philosophy
6	Holistic Spirituality – Comprehensive Approach to Ahimsa, Health, Diet, and Spirituality
7	Stages of Spiritual Development
8	Five Great Vows of Ascetics and 12 Vows of Lay-people
9	Jain Universe and its comparison with the current knowledge of the Universe (Discussion)
10	Jain Agam Literature and the discussion on the development of various sects in Jainism
11	Diversity of World Religious Expression – comparison between Eastern and Western Religions
12	Diversity of World Religious Expression – comparison among Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism

Pravin K Shah

Jaina Education Committee"

Moving away from Hindu conservatism and sectarianism our temples in USa have made great progress  faster and better than India  in keeping the temple open to all who respect  Sanatana dharma and also promoting Vedanta through our spiritual classes. In India Supreme Court had to decide whether Sabari Malai should be kept open to women or not? I wonder why government has to interfere in our practice of religion! We are not bogged down with such problems here.  Hindu American temples in a way focus on Panchayatana puja making one deity to focus on a particular festival or ritual. Our rituals are more misunderstood than understood.  They need to be explained to the multi-racial and mixed racial crowd that attend our temples. 

In order to preserve Hindu Dharma in USA for future generation without degeneration, propagate Universal Oneness Swami Vivekanada prescribed to the World 125 years ago on this soil to live in peace but not pieces and to progress spiritually we have to follow the advice of great spiritual    Gurus of modern times Swami Dayananda, Swami Chidananda and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

“The Mandirs have to play a significant role in the growth of the Hindu community in terms of its capacity to uphold Hindu Dharma. We need to make temples not just a center of rituals and congregation but lighthouses of philosophy and knowledge, which are the basis of Hindu Dharma. Creating an environment where the youth understand, appreciate and love their Hindu culture is a crucial need today, as is uniting all Hindu temples under one umbrella”   

Perhaps if we go by these wise advice, all Dharma based religions will continue to live with us as in the beginning rather than the recent thinking of disintegration.

-- September 30, 2018

Thanks for the explanation of the important topic very clearly.

--Dr. Brahm Parsh

EMERGING ETERNAL DHARMA ON WESTERN MIND

Please recall my discourse

 http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2012/01/sanatana-dharma-is-for-humanity-not-for.html

Watch "Sanatana Dharma is Best Option for Humanity - A Talk by Maria Wirth" on YouTube

Look at the thoughts from Rev. Connie Habbash and John Smallman!

TO AWAKEN IS TO LET GO OF FEAR OF JOHN SMALLMAN ECHOES "ATMANAA VINDATE VEERYAM-"

“Ideally, spiritual awakening is your transition to the next level of awareness, sometimes referred to as Self Realization. Self-Realization first surfaces when the spiritual initiate transitions beyond the mistaken need to attain just another definition, identity, or imagined self, and realizes that the true high Self cannot be captured or known within the limits of the thinking mind. It begins with a simple realization: “To define the true high Self is to also fail that Self!” To pursue your high Self in an effort to merge with it will achieve little more than to create another illusion. How does one merge with what one already is, without effectively affirming an illusion of separation—the very thing that stands in the way of your true enlightenment? For many of you who have realized the futility of labeling or defining the high Self, a new path may for a while intrigue you—a path that says, do the opposite—let anything go that might be construed as an identity. This approach is referred to as neti, neti, which means, not this, not that. It’ll require you to declare, in meditation, thought and deed, “I am not this body, I am not this personality, I am not my thoughts—I am not even this mind that is thinking that I am not this” says Rev. Connie Habbash of Awakening Self   program Blog. Please recall my E-mail on the subject in this regard.

 I have talked to you about the Awakening   that has started in USA-   by the work carried out by Rev. Connie L. Habash-- Personal and spiritual growth-- to enjoy sacred community, yoga, nature, meditation, and transformation, influenced by Upanishadic thoughts.  John Smallman now comes with his own theme "To Awaken is to Let Go of Fear”. This is essentially the same as what we talked about based on the upanishadic statement Aatmanaa Vindate veeryam. They all are discussing the same subject turning inside within and find out who am I on which Ramana Maharshi repeatedly spoke (Upadesa Sara) that we discussed. All these clearly show the changing of sermonized compartmentalized religious mind towards spirituality and thinking to live in peace and not pieces. 

What has brought this spiritual focus among church goers united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ to turn inwards and focus on Aatman? About40% churchgoers have lost interest in routine church worship and hearing to the sermon delivered by a priest. They say they are SBNR. The religiously pious are afraid that the church will be soon empty. They fear in the future there children may not go to church at all and may use it for wedding and cremation if they declare themselves as Christians.  So they are busy elsewhere in proselytizing to keep Christianity in its prime position as Number 1 religion in the world!

Let us tune with this new wave of spirituality in our practice of Hinduism with more focus on Dharma and Teachings of Upanishads that gave inspiration to a new thought "Vasudhiva Kutumbakam" based on Panchtantra which formed the subject matter of the speech of Venkaiah,  Vice President,  World Hindu Congress, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the historic speech of Swami Vivekananda in Chicago in 1893.   Please go through the article by John Smallman. He also says we are all divine meaning the same Self abides in all and the unfolding of this divine within you is severely limited, meaning the Self within you is clouded by Maya and therefore not recognized easily. Please go through his Blog:   TO AWAKEN IS TO LET GO OF FEAR that echoes Aatmanaa Vindate Veeryam I talked about some time back.

--September 28, 2018

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE GREAT EPIC MAHABHAARATA (by Cdr. H C Guruprasad on Sunday, September 30, 2018)

Our purānas and smritis are a rich source of distilled knowledge about the art of living.  As this wisdom shines through the wonderful stories of lives of great heroes, they have an impact on the masses.  The Mahābhārata declares, “Here you will find certain things which cannot be found anywhere else; and what is not here, is nowhere else.” In this webinar, some such gems that have great relevance for the modern man are presented through some lesser known incidents of the great epic. Video clips from the serialised version of the epic add an extra charm to the narrative. (Available on YOUTUBE/fowaiforum) 

 --September 27, 2018

HINDU CULTURE OF KICHOJI AND INFLUENCE OF SANSKRIT ON JAPANESE

Not many of us know, but 'Kichijoji', a town near Tokyo in Japan, was named after Hindu goddess Lakshmi, consort of Hindu god Vishnu. Takayuki Kitagawa, Consul General of Japan said, "You will be surprised to know that the town near Tokyo has its origin from Lakshmi temple. Kichijoji means Lakshmi temple in Japanese."

 Maa Durga Wallpaper in Japan Travel IN India may surprise visitors instead of Buddha !

Kitagawa said that people usually believe that the culture of Japan and India are different, but that is not the case as many temples in Japan are dedicated to Hindu Gods.

"There are many more Hindu gods who are revered in the Land of the Rising Sun. For ages, we have been praying to Hindu gods," said the diplomat, who began his delightful speech in Kannada, leaving the audience spellbound.

The Consul General also noted that the Japanese language has many words taken from Sanskrit which again it indicates that both cultures had deep connections in past. "For instance, Japanese dish sushi is made of rice and vinegar. Sushi is also associated with shari, which is from Sanskrit word 'zaali', meaning rice," the Consul added.

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As per the Japanese scholars, the origin of about 500 Japanese words can be traced to Sanskrit and Tamil. "It is not just the Indian culture, but even Indian languages had a great influence on our language and tradition of worship," added Kitawaga.

 Reuters

"As there is a great demand for skilled professionals in Japan, knowledge of its language will help Indian graduates find jobs in the land of rising sun."

  --September 25, 2018

Comments: 

I am surprised

Prof. G. Nagarajan

PERFORMING GANESHA RATHOTSAVA AND VISARJANAM

My E-mails are meant for global readers. Yet I would like to describe here my experiences with Sri   Ganesha Temple Jeernoddharana ceremony and related celebrations that I visited in Nashville that would help you in understanding Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrations and Ganesha Visarjana Ceremony in the right perspective. You may see such lapses in plenty in Indian Hindus but coming from highly intellectual American crowd it makes it deplorable!    Some of you might have your own story to tell which I welcome to add to my knowledge. 

It is customary to conclude 10 days of Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrations with Ratha Yatra in South Indian Temples and so did Nashville Temple. I have explained this under Jaganntha Ratha yatra. Before the Ratha Yatra God is taken in procession and then brought to the Ratha or Chariot and the Lord is seated with appropriate Pooja. To ward off evil on the journey usually lemons are crushed on the wheel as well pumpkin smeared with vermilion (Kumkum) is broken on the ground as well as cocoanut broken. This cocoanut which is broken on the street to ward off evil is not the same as cocoanut we break inside sanctum sanctorum about which I have explained in detail my discourse “In Hindu Culture Why do we do”. I was saddened to see the ignorance of most intellectuals who carried this cocoanut home thinking it to be Prasad. They even rushed to collect pieces. This is Bhakti running into madness. Someone who is equally ignorant of it has captivated them in the video and published it in FB. Here I was reminded of a subhashita: “Masaka kvanitam yatra veenaasvana vikalpitm tatra mounam khalu suvarnataa vivekataa”—where mosquito humming is appreciated as exposition of Music silent is golden! You may see video people rushing to collect cocoanut pieces and a lady leading Ratha pullers with \ the  “Ganapatibappa Morya”  slogan as if she was taking Ratha to Visarjan in FB!

Thank god they did not carry broken pumpkin home as it was smeared with red vermilion. In Tirupati in reality Ganesha in His form of Dvidanta (Vishvaksena) is taken in procession before Ratha Yatra along with Garuda to look after the safety of the road as his two sentinel deities. In Prabhasa Kshetra famous for its Jyotirlinga    Ganesha is glorified as Ekadantam Dvidantam Tridantam  Chrturdantam and Chturbhujam”. For some unknown reasons Ekadanta of Mudgil Purana from among the 32 Ganesha-forms is the most popular form (mutilated form of Ganesha) who is worshiped supported by Purana stories popularly and glorified and not the Ganesha Siva presented to us with his two tusks as Avighnaraja! No one can stop this   Bhakti madness galore. Even the Vedic Ganesha Gayatri is pushed aside; Tat purushaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya dheemahi tannoe Dantee (two tusks) prachodayat” (MNU and Rigveda) by “Ekadantaya vidmahe vakra tundaya dheemahi  tannoe dantih (one tusk) prachodayat”.  The latter mantra was popularized widely based on Atharvaseershopanishat which itself is a later Upanishad  that got introduced   into Atharvaveda during the Puranic period.  Yet we hate the word mythology pointed at us by others!   Please refer to my discourse on Atharvaseershopanishat.  I believe Sankara also played to the gallery with his mastery of Sanskrit knowledge—Ekadantam for blind believers which spiritually advanced understood as Ekadam+tam. Similarly Anekadantam and Anekadam+Tam in his famous sloka Mudakarartha Modakm.  This Ekadanta caught like wildfire imagination of our artists who have come up with multi-faced   Ekadantas.   Ekadantam and Vighnaraja are impossible to be dislodged   from the mind of our religious Pundits! I often wonder why they did not glorify Alakshmi mentioned in Vedas and also glorified in Puranas as being born along with Lakshmi in Samudra Mathana (churning of the milky ocean).  Vedas say: “Alakshmeem nasyamyaham”; “alakshmeerme nasyatu”—Veda.

One more thing that surprised was Maharashtra devotees present in the multi traditional crowd   in their enthusiasm started raising their voices to heaven with the prayer “Ganapati Bappa Morya” knowingly or unknowingly deleting the latter part, guiding the Rathyatra rope pullers vying with each other. This is not the proper slogan for Ratha yatra for the deity there is a temple deity after Jeernoddhara ceremony taken in procession.  Probably Ganesha Gayatri is more apt!

During Ganesh Chaturti they infuse mantras in the Ganesha vigraha to install Self, made out of mother earth clay temporarily and then withdraw the Self from the artifact with appropriate mantras and return the clay to mother earth that they have plundered with due Kshamaapana, apologies.  A self-dissolving Ganesha artifact in USA costs $30 that dissolves itself in water in 8 to 10 hours but yet their enthusiasm is not dampened. I will talk about it in detail later as our temple   has not developed a detailed Visarjana ceremony Puja Viidhanam (worship procedure)*. Our priest simply carried the idol to the water tank and Ganesha idol was immersed with the farewell slogan Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukar ya"  that  means "O Lord/Father Ganesha, come again next year fast", that has become almost a visarjan-mantra in Maharashtra.  Karnataka has also a similar magic mantra:  "Ganesha came; ate the sweet pudding; had sandal paste on his belly; fell in the small water source and got up in the large water source”.  "ಗಣೇಶ ಬಂದ, ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ಮೇಲೆ ಗಂಧ, ಕಾಯಿ ಕಡುಬು ತಿಂದ , ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಕೆರೇಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದ , ದೊಡ್ಡ ಕೆರೇಲಿ ಎದ್ದ”  I believe all cultures have similar slogans too but they had not gathered enough strength to match  the Maharashtra crowd. As I often told you in Multi traditional Hindu society each tradition monopolizes their favorite festival or ritual refraining from equal participation  approach !  This you can find in all rituals and festivals but for a few like Divali, Krishna jayanthi, Ram Navami etc.

The word Morya has nothing to do with Ganesha but refers to a famous devotee of Lord Ganesha in the fourteenth century called Morya Gosavi, originally from village called Shaligram in Karnataka where his devotion was looked upon as madness!! He later travelled and settled in Chinchvad, near Pune and invoked the Lord with severe penance. He attained siddhi (special powers and blessings) at Shree Chintamani and his son built the temple to commemorate the event. It is said that Moryaji also performed penances at Siddhi Vinayak in Ahmedabad and in Moreshwar/Mayureshwar at Moregoan where he also built the temple. Maharashtrians here woe a debt to Kannadigas who brought Ganesha worship to the forefront!  That is why Morya is not referred in the translation.

Here our temples have a vital role to play:  Bring the right concept of the Worship through their news media like Aaradhana, proper code of practice for ceremonies like Visarjan that are not covered by Aagama Sastras, but American Temples are obligated to do,    and to educate and guide the young minds in Bal Vihar, Vedic Heritage Classes, Sunday Schools etc., on such festivals and rituals if not in Vedanta Class for the matured.

*http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2018/09/bidding-farewell-to-ganesha-with.htmlComments:

--September 29, 2018

Very informative and detailed exposition! I have my parallel motive- to see if I can render a small part of your work into poetry. I need some short stories. The part that I liked: “where mosquito humming is appreciated as exposition of Music silence is golden”

--A.S. Narayana

I feel compelled to let everyone know that the reason all devotees at Sri Ganesha Temple “rushed” to get the coconut pieces outside was so that hundreds of devotees who were pulling the ratha barefoot did not get injured by the shards. The coconut pieces were promptly collected and disposed. I think one thing America has taught us is to not be too obsessed with our own interpretation that we close ourselves to an alternate explanation of things happening around us. 

--Pankaj Srivastava, Member and Ex--Chairman of Temple Board.  

My Replies:

Thank you very much. I was actually watching a family directing the son to collect the cocoanuts and also consuming to whom I explained the meaning of breaking the cocoanuts on the street. This is not the first time. It happens every year. That is why I wrote this. I don't comment unnecessarily.  I have seen also many eating it!

Initially I circulated this exclusively to temple authorities only. None responded. You too received it.  In fact one member present felt that temple should properly explain such things and talked to me. I told him to convey to proper people. Whether we like it or not many such things can be seen. Wisdom lies in educating the young minds properly. I am not obsessed, I am glad I have brought this to the proper authorities like you to educate the masses, I repeatedly wrote on such obvious things happening and people eating cocoanut as prasad year after year. In order not to embarrass authorities I am not circulating your comments to my participants eventhough you have done it.  I do not mind being charged with obsessed with my own interpretation. I commented on what I constantly observed year after year and also reveling on it based on facts. Also these crowds are not religious Hindus alone. It is multi traditional and multi-racial and mixed racial too who need to be guided properly!

--NRS

Your observation of the recent celebration and comments about its importance, significance and correctness deserve my congratulations.

I believe in GOD and its intellectual and spiritual powers. However, many times, we miss the point and try to defend our bad behaviors in the name of rituals.

I also have an issue with idiotic rituals, especially when they creates filthiness and wastefulness.

Prime examples of such are visarjan of Ganesh in water bodies across India causing painful picture of our deities lying in a filthy muds and water banks. They do not breakdown and remains as an eyesore with broken legs, hands, head and other part of our beloved deities.  You may visit my Facebook page to see how our deities are being dumped after the celebration. Is this our love and respect or is it our extreme stupidity?

Our temple adopted a dramatic change during the annual Maha Shivratri celebration after I published my request not to waste milk and other liquid products. However, in India, collectively they still pour millions of gallons of milk over Shivlinga and peanut/cotton oil on Sunnydev.

It pains me to see that millions of children in India and around the world have no access to milk or oil in their daily diets. I wish all our temples shift their focus and changed their rituals so the waste can be stopped/minimized and be distributed to those who are in need. I am very proud that BAPS has changed many of these idiotic rituals just to add new ones like their annual wasteful event called “ANNKUT’. It is impossible to take out the idiocrasy and filthiness out of Hindu regardless their intellectual level.

Lastly, I wish our religion stop promoting dispersing everything into the water bodies. It has polluted our waters so badly that no water is flowing freely. Instead, let us promote recycling of all the waste created by rituals.

Our local temple has many intellectual board members, however, they are more ritualistic and lesser modernistic or realistic. I also wish they become more modernistic and apply the ancient ritual in a modernistic way where it reduces wastefulness and filthiness.

--Tarun N Surti

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention on things we could improve or facts that we are not aware of.  We constantly strive to improve our services and take your suggestions serious

The accompanying blog was informative and well written. However, we would appreciate avoiding terms such as "ABCD" and have a healthy discussion. 

--Jyotheen Karan, Chairman, Ganesha Temple

PATIENCE PAYS

Let me introduce you to Arani Series, Spark 49 of FOWAI Forum! It is beyond my capabilities to guess what is there in the minds of Swamiji?  I believe as a student trying to understand Vedanta it is all about liberation to be attained with patience and perseverance. Swamiji himself says it is all complex! However I would like to draw your attention to the quotes of great thinkers  and  Bhagavad  Gita as follows:

Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Patience is not simply the ability to wait- It is how we behave while we are waiting—Joyce Meyer

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time—Leo Tolstoy

Patience, persistence and perception make an unbeatable combination for success—Napolean Hill

Great works are not performed by strength but by perseverance—Samuel Johnson

Beware the fury of a patient man—John Dryden

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy--Saddi

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet—Jean Jacques Rousseau

Be patient and understanding. Life is  too short to be vengeful or malicious—Philips Brooks

A  trusting attitude and a patient attitude go hand in hand—Joyce Meyer

I believe that a trusting attitude and a patient attitude go hand in hand.  That comes with Jnaana. That is why Bhagavan said in Gita “na hi jnaanena sadrisam”  But this Jnaana is spiritual understanding.  Ignorance is the cause of our bondage and knowledge is the cause of our liberation. This knowledge comes with patience and is the mature fruit of devotional service to humanity and in turn to God. This knowledge and peace culminate in Consciousness gained with Patience and Perseverance. Once you realize Consciousness turning inwards you are in the vicinity of God or one with God which I understand is Liberation!

You see, when you let go and learn to trust God, it releases joy in your life. And when you trust God, you're able to be more patient. Patience is not just about waiting for something... it's about how you wait, or your attitude while waiting.

Let us visit the Blog of Swami Chidananda for the wisdom thoughts from Swami Chidananda to get a better and fuller understanding on the subject.  

Shanti Nilava Vendum; Aatmana Vindate Veeryam

(Peace should prevail;  The Self should Gain Strength) 

By Sethumadhava Rao

Shanthi nilava vendum , ulagile, Athma shakthi onga vendum
Peace should prevail in this world, The strength of the soul should increase

Gandhi mahathma kattalai adhuve, Karunai orumai, kadir oli parvai
It is the order of the great Gandhi, Mercy, unity and clear sight

Kodumai cheythathor manam athu thirunda, Nargunam athu pugattiduvom; Madamai, acham aruppom, makkalin, Masila nallozhukkam valarppom.

To correct the mind that did evil; we would teach them good character; We would cut away foolishness and fear, And nurture good stainl-free character of people.

Dhidam tharum ahimsa yogi naam, Tandai athmanandam perave , Kadamai maravom , avar kadan theerpom, Kalakkamindri aram valappom endrum

We are practitioners of ahimsa which gives strength; for our father (Gandhi) to get divine joy; we would not forget our duty; we would repay his debts, and always nurture dharma without any fear.

   --Translated by P. R. Ramachandra Rao

ARANI SERIES--Spark 49

 PATIENCE PAYS

Understanding Our Own Psyche Requires Careful Watching

The inner world is as complex, if not more, as the universe outside. Our psyche is the storehouse of countless impressions of the past, which may include previous lives too. We cannot change our perception of the world by making a ‘birthday resolution’! The power of will in the context of deep, inner change is sadly limited. We must nurture will-power to an extent so that certain factors like laziness or impulsive tendencies do not throw us overboard. For example, we maintain a degree of efficiency in all our work by gentle self-persuasion to adhere to timelines. “Make a plan and go by the plan,” is an advice that certainly has much merit in the transactional realm but spiritual growth is to be brought about by exercising faculties that are subtler than the will.

Watching requires patience

Patience is one quality that facilitates self-knowing. We often talk about giving up likes and dislikes (rāga-dvesha) but have we understood the structure of our attachments and aversions? These movements of our mind are sophisticated and comparable with modern gadgets, which have very intricate programming. An old-time lock, if we have lost its key, can be opened by using force and breaking it. A machine, protected by a password, does not open by the use of force! Our mind, with its numerous beliefs and conditionings, will not open if we merely get charged by emotions. Careful observation of our own behavior and understanding various errors in judgment can pave the way to transformation.

Desiring fruits fast, a gardener may pour more water at the base of the plants; will that work if the season for the fruits to come up is two months away? Saint Kabir highlights the need for patience, using the very metaphor, in the following couplet¹.

Dheere dheere re manā, dheere sab kuch hoye |mālee seenche sau ghadā, ritu āye phal hoye |

Go slow, go slow, O mind; you will achieve everything by going slow. Please remember the fruits will show up only when the season arrives, even though the gardener may pour a hundred pots of water!

The wisdom of the words of Kabir has relevance to both mundane activities and to the search for peace.

The highest intelligence defies time

By appealing for patience, we are not making a virtue of time. Insights that set us free are not products of time. It is puzzling to note that time is not a player in the profound game of searching for the timeless truth! The riddle gets resolved when we discover that patience is neither investment in time nor dismissal of it. When we neither hurry nor believe that time will heal our wounds, but rather exercise attention that is free of bias, we begin to see what we had always missed.

 In the Vedānta, virtues like patience constitute enhanced ‘purity of mind’ (chitta-shuddhi). While it is highly valued, the science of the Upanishads uncompromisingly says that jnāna (right seeing), and not any amount of chitta-shuddhi, sets us free². What is more, liberation is not an effect at all. It is not caused by anything. It does not happen! It is not an event or a phenomenon. Moksha is nitya-siddha, ever accomplished!—[jnānād-eva tu kaivalyam – Liberation is through right seeing only. (Old saying --Swami Chidananda)]

Please visit the BLOG – www.chidananda9.blogspot.in

--September 23, 2018

SHANTHI NILAVA VENDUM, ULAGILE...…..ATHMA SHAKTHI ONGA VENDUM......

This is the famous song sung by D. K. Pasttammaal in August 1947, when we got Indendence.I was studying in the Srinivasa Rao High School at Thiruvaiyaru. D. K. Pattammaal, the famous Karnatak Musician was the first singer on stage, and she is the grand-mother of Nithyas Sri, another famous singer. D. K. Pattammaal's song "Eppadi Paadinaro…" is the best song, and nobody can sing this song like her. She was as famous as M. S. Subalakshmi.  

--Prof.G Nagarajan

WILL “VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM” REMAIN IN OUR EGO-CENTER ONLY TO GLOAT OR BECOME REALITY?

Indian migrants that are followers of Dharma based religions, dominated by Hindu majority are not sectarian oriented or adherents of caste system so prevalent in India. That brought some sort of a cohesion and they all visit Hindu Temples in USA and participate in all cultural  activities that runs with religious under-current  and spiritual education programs like Gita Class, Vedanta class etc.     Hindu way of life is so intertwined with religion that no social activity is possible without some   Religious impact that they practice. 

This progressively take their thoughts to the Hindu Philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam unlike in India. Their children actively participate in the celebration of Halloween and Christmas Season with lighting and decorating the house with Christmas tree if not worshiped which even Christians don’t do. Hindu temples keep the temple open for all visitors irrespective of caste, creed, religion or race on all national religious biased days like New Year’s Day, Fathers’ Day, Mothers’ day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas etc. Only thing they expect is the visitors to follow temple etiquette and respect Sanatana Dharma they practice in their worship as well as social events.

Such a change of mind coming out of Hindu conservatism in India is made possible by the tireless work of Spiritual Monasteries so active in USA spreading the message of Santana Dharma  that includes some Sanatana dharma practitioners who are  spiritually inclined like David Frawley, Phil Goldberg, Velan Samy etc., as well as spiritual Forums like FOAWAI  Forum, International Divine Society, ISKCON etc., and spiritual Gurus like Chidananda, Jaggi Vasudev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar etc., that appeals to the highly intellectuals. Its proof can be seen in the wide popularity of Yoga and Meditation and the creation of International Yoga Day.

Children of these Dharma based religions mostly choose their partners from Christianity being actively involved with major culture and influenced by it but yet prefer a Hindu Wedding in temples and also continue to take interest with their base religious  following  influenced by their parents.

Much has been done to bring home the philosophy of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam, whole world is one family inspired by the Vedic wisdom of--sanghacchadvam samvadadvam, aatmavat sarvabhooteshu, krinvanto viswamaaryam, sarve shantih etc., but more needs to be done to bring in the concept of Devo Ekah,    Universal Oneness and Vedanta as the Religion of the Future that Swami Vivekananda addressed to  the World Religions Gathering 125 years ago that won all round applause from all of them.

 I have focused on this theme tracing back the history, struggle and efforts taken by Hindu Americans with my limited capacity  to make the dream of Swami Vivekananda come true in the article  as  attached for your close scrutiny,  further contribution and implementation progressively.

HINDU TEMPLE GOPURAMS AND KOLU DISPLAY THE SPIRIT OF VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM

“Hailed as the ‘state of temple cities in India’, Tamil Nadu is home to many age-old iconic temples with rich cultural heritage and splendid architectural work. Thanjavur’s Brihadisvara Temple is one of the largest temples in South India built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century. The temple has several Gods and saints sculpted on its outer side and its Tamil architecture is an exemplary display of unmatched craftsmanship. One of the carved figures looks like a European person who bears an uncanny resemblance to the 9th century France King, Robert II. Also, the temple’s sculpture features the engraving of a Chinese man Historians across the world have confirmed that the world was not connected until the 15th-century. Even Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route from Europe to India in the 15th century. Taking all these factors into consideration, many history buffs speculate that Raja Raja Chola I must have established trade connections with Europe and China even before Vasco da Gama set his foot on Indian soil.’ Says Ramaswamy Subramony.

I believe Raja Raja Chola had in mind the Rig Veda mantra “Sanghacchadvam samvadadvam” when he planned the Gopuram and displayed the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. Tamil Nadu is equally famous for its Navaratri Kolu. This spirit of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam is also displayed in Kolu display of Navaratri displaying the whole world and its cultures ruled by trinities Durga Lakshmi Sarasvati. The last 3 steps in Kolu displays all People from the globe and their culture, Animal kingdom and Plant kingdom, artifacts, dance, music. In fact it is the display of the entire Universe like the Gopuram conceptualized for Brihadisvara Temple by the pious King. I still recall many dolls of foreigners (Chinese, Japanese, African etc) bought from the Temple Kolu shops and displayed  during Navaratri in Chennai in my boyhood  days.

I believe being a philanthropic king he had displayed the spirit of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam in the Gopuram of this historic temple.

 http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/…/amazing-temples-and-thrilling…

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/…/navaraatri-kolu-festival-of-d…

Indian spirituality, stemming from the teachings of the Vedas, the source of ancient yoga philosophy, stresses the truth of inwardness. Within the Indian belief system, divinity is to be found by accessing the divine Self (atman) within the self. Liberation can be attained through realizing the unity of atman and Brahman (the whole of the universe).

According to “American Veda” author Philip Goldberg, this inward-facing spirituality that has spread out from India is creating radical change in the West.  

“We’re becoming a nation of yogis. What I mean by that is that there are people whose orientation towards life and their orientation towards their spiritual life is very yogic. They may never set foot on a yoga mat, they may never do an asana in their lives. They have a meditation practice and turn inwards in their approach to whatever they define as spiritual –- their relation to the universe and their development of an inner connection to something bigger than themselves. People united together with common loyalty to "OM Tad Brahman" are taking charge of their spiritual lives in a very yogic way.”  

Please go through the consolidated article of all E-mails, now posted on the Blog:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2018/09/will-vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-remain-in.html

--September 22, 2018

Comments

Thanks for the enlightenment!  Our world needs peace. The only way is to take everyone along.

'Vasudaiva kutumbakam' shows us the way.

--A. S. Narayana

Eight miles from Thiruvaiyaru.  We can see the Gopuram and pray daily.  Cheaters never go through the front entrance with small Gopuram and they always go through left-side entrance without Gopuram.  Karunanithi and his groups went through the left-side entrance and celebrated 1000 year celebrations.  If the cheaters go through the front entrance with Gopuram, their families will suffer and slowly disappear.  I went a few times through only the front entrance with Gopuram.  Please note down this.  Front entrance for non-cheaters and side entrance for cheaters.  Even today.  People openly do not talk about this.  

M. G. Ramachandran went to the temple through the front entrance with small Gopuram.  He got kidney problem and died.  Late President Venkataraman, a resident of Thanjavur, never went to this temple.  All the politicians and business men visiting Thanjavur never went to this temple, because of the fear of their life and their families.  Only in recent years, the temple authorities made hole on the northern wall, and made a small entrance with door, like our house.  There is a small beautiful children park, attached with this door.  The sinners or cheaters go to the children park and go to the temple through this side door.  When Karunanithi was the CM, he and his groups went through this side door and celebrated 1000th year celebrations for 10 days.  People were making fun of him and criticizing him for not going through the main entrance of the temple, when he claimed that there is no God and Hindus are thieves.  The temple has four walls with only one entrance in the east with a small Gopuram.  Now the sinners can go through the small door carved out of the northern wall, near the famous children park.  Even though it looks like a superstition, it is a fact that many famous sinners died, shortly after their visit to this world famous temple

--Prof. G. Nagarajan

I too had been to this temple but not knowing the history went through the Main door

--NRS

Perumalum, and Beddha Perumalum saved your life.  Be happy for being a good human being.  Perumal and Beddha Perumal be always with you.  That is why you are doing wonderful service to humanity.

--Prof. G. Nagarajan

JEERNODDHAARANA CEREMONY IN NASHVILLE CARRIES OUR THOUGHTS TO MOST AUSPICIOUS ALL DEVATAS KALYANA DAY-- PANGUNI UTTIRAM

 We celebrated Panguni Uttiram quietly on March 30 this year.  Even Andal was ignored. Next 

 Panguni Uttiram falls on Marach 21 in 2019. This festival is celebrated every year in Hindu Temples in USA to satisfy few Vaishnavites.  Vishnu Temples in USA have not yet caught up with the idea of deifying   Azhvars and worshipping them in American Hindu Temples as they do Swami Narayan, Saibaba and other saints. In India the holy city of Tiruvaiyaru has removed all Navagraha and Nayanmars’ altars as redundant from its Siva Temple.  So we may have a second thought?  Our local Hindus have not understood the great spiritual significance of this most auspicious day Valmiki projects in Ramayana and which only the Tamils have understood and practice without compelling others,   a typical approach of Hinduism of Non -interference and non-proselytizing.  But others in India are not awakened to the message, this Iyengar Festival sends by way of   Panguni Uttiram of Saint Andal. I do not say we should install her deity but certainly think why she waited for this day to join Rangantha without consulting horoscope for her marriage.  So our priests using their ingenuity dress Lakshmi as Andaal and worship is conducted. Generally a Hindu Temple in USA is One Temple for All Traditions and they hope devotees from all traditions  will take interest  also  however  sectarian it may be! Diwali is the only Hindu festival in which all actively participate, a natural instinct and drive. Lord Krishna and Rama are behind it! That is why I wrote Rama-Krishna mantra is very powerful!    

I was overwhelmed and appreciative of the wisdom of Temple authorities of Nashville Sri Ganesha Temple in conducting the wedding ceremonies of the two main deities of the temple and Lord Subhramanya as well as Rama for Loka Kalyana (all round peace and prosperity) for the first time all at the same time simultaneously that was not thought of  in the last Kumbhabhishekam and perhaps not also in conventional orthodox Kumbhabhishekam ceremonies.    Perhaps we could have done it later after Mandala Puja as Grand Finale! But such a wonderful thought should not be confined to Kumbhabhishekam alone, for a day more sacred than Divali, that deserves to be perpetuated annually on Panguni Uttiram Day as Sarvadevata  Sakalakalyana Day.

Panguni month for Tamils   is special because the Utthira  nakshatra  coincides with the full moon. This full moon signifies the marriage of Parvati and Parameswara (Lord Shiva), Murugan and Deivanai, and Aandaal (also known as Kothai) and Rangamannar that took place on that day.  On Panguni Uthiram, Narayana marries Komalavalli Naachiyar and gives his Kalyana Kola Seva to his Bhakthas.  Again, Valmiki's Ramayana says it is on this day and Nakshatra that Sita's marriage with Rama was celebrated along with his three brothers. From Brahmanda Puranam we learn that on Panguni Uthiram every holy water joins Thumburu teertha (also spelt as Tirtha), one of seven sacred tanks in Tirupati Tirumala. The day is intended to underline the glory of grihasta dharma (or the married life of a householder). The Almighty manifests in the marital state as Uma Maheswara, Sita Rama, and Rukmini Satyabhama Krishna, Radha Krishna – despite his changelessness-- childhood or youth or old age. The Lord is indeed a Nitya Kalyana Murthi. It is our duty to celebrate this day when the Lord, in both Shiva and Vishnu temples, appears to devotees in his married state. On Panguni Uthiram, in all places where Lord Subrahmanya has a temple, his devotees carry in a kavadi the requisites for puja for him, in fulfilment of vows. Such vow fulfilment by devotees carrying kavadis is a special feature of Subrahmanya temples wherever they happen to be. On this day Goddess Mahalakshmi incarnated on earth from the ocean of milk (after the ocean was churned by the Gods and the demons) and hence it is celebrated as Mahalakshmi Jayanti. On this day Goddess Parvati in the form of Gowri married Lord Siva in Kanchipuram and hence this day is also celebrated as the Gowri Kalyanam day. It is the Jayanti (Day of Incarnation) of Lord Ayyappan. Panguni Uthram Vasanthotsavam is quite popular in Tamil Nadu.  Mostly it coincides with the end of Rang Panchami;   the day of Panguni Uthiram is of special significance to the worship of earth element, Prithvi lingam of Ekambareswarar Temple, where festivities last for 13 days.  

It can also be celebrated as Phalgun Uttar sometimes together. The month of Panguni when coinciding with Phalguna, sees the festival of Holi too. It is celebrated in the Braj region, which includes locations traditionally connected to the Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana, Kumaoni (Uttarakhand); also as Basantotsav (Bengal), Phagwah (Bihar), Doḷajātra (Oriya), Ganga Mela (UP), Dol Purnima (Bengal), Śigmo (Konkani), Rangapanchami (MP), Yaosang (Manipur), Basnata Panchami (AP), Phakuwa (Assam), Shimga (Maharashtra), Manjal Kuli (Kerala), Fagu Poornima (Nepal). Please see my discourse for these South and North celebrations as Panguni Uttiram and Phalgun Uttar respectively.

The noble thought of Sanghacchadvam samvadadvam--Rigveda (come together speak together) with which our Rishis raised their voices to the Supreme while praying together is a lesson to Hindu Americans to come together on all festivals and rituals and pray to the Supreme breaking all sectarian walls within Hinduism and then think of breaking all religious walls to bring in  the concept of Vedanta Religion of Devo Ekah. So I will soon put these  thoughts   in an article for kindling the thoughts of my global readers and Various Temple Fathers in USA.

In spite of few spiritual wants needed by the Hindu American society,   I must say    this Jeernodhharana ceremony was very well planned. It was well planned Financially and Spiritually (Management Techniques of a Temple) with added Music and Dance festivals that included  Journey through Bhakti Marga rendered by the  notable artist Chitra  from Columbus , Ohio and her team.

My   only other thought was on Ganesha Homa wondering why our priests should have come out with sectarian focus of Ganesha in performing   Ekadanta  Homa, popular with Saivas only. The mantra that was employed was: "Ekadantaaya Vidmahe vakratundaya dheemahi tanno dantih Prachodayat", repeated several times. But   MNU reveals Rigveda Gayatri: Tatpurushaaya vidmahe vakratundaya dheemahi  tanno Dantee prachodyaat || “dantee” here is very meaningful as two tusks.  This brings to our focus the sloka on Prabhas Vinayaka in Skanda purana   and also how he was an Avatar of Vinayaka as the son of Lord Krishna and Rukmini who had ten sons, and Vinayaka was one.    I brought these details to your   focus as well as   Ashtasloka from Skanda Purana, which the people in Nashville  had no time to go through engaged in Grand Ceremony of Jeernoddharana Kumbhabhishekam. It is this Gajananna son of Krishna whom Vaishnavites worship as Vishwaksena hailed in VSN as the one who removes all vighnas (obstacles).  It is this Vishvakesena  or Gajaanana who is the sentinel for Lord Venkatesvara along with Garuda whose deities are taken first in procession   before the main deity to ward off all vighnas (obstacles)  symbolically which we demonstrate by  breaking a coconut and Pumpkin in Utsavas which we often mistake as Prasadam. There is nothing wrong in glorifying a Puranic devata Ekadanta who got mutilated as a consequence of his anger, but why can't we take the right focus and right mantra in our worship and in educating our children appealing to all traditions.  Sankara also meant in his sloka Mudakaraartha  Modakam,   Ekadam+Tam who should be understood as Anekadam+Tam and not Ekadantam.  You may perhaps dismiss me for my Sanskrit knowledge but look into the sloka in Skanda purana and convince yourself. Veda Gayatri Mantra and Prabhasa Kshetra Ganesha Ashtashtaka brings all traditions together if properly explained to Hindu Americans. Our priests may help in its meaning and also employ them with no prejudice to Agamas.  You do not worship him as Vighnakara—Anarchito Vighna kara but as Avighnakara.

Ekadantaṁ dvidantaṁ ca caturdantaṁ caturbhujam || 5 ||

tryakṣaṁ ca śūla-hastaṁ ca rakta-netraṁ vara-pradam |

ajeyaṁ śaṅkukarṇaṁ ca pracaṇḍaṁ daṇḍa-nāyakam || 6 ||

āyaskadaṇḍinaṁ caiva huta-vaktraṁ huta-priyam || 7 ||

anarcito-vighnakaraḥ sarva-kāryeṣu yo nṛṇām |

I was also wondering why Krishna was forgotten for the occasion. Though Krishna was not married to Radha legally, temples in Tamil Nadu most popularly celebrate Radha Kalyanam only.   Our Vaishnava priests explain this as symbolic union of Jivatman with Paramatman as they are not Advaitic and thus spiritually solemnize this illegal wedding to the annoyance of Rukmini and seven other legal wives of Krishna though Puranas add another 1600. This may take complete year to conduct Krishna Kalyanotsavas with no disrespect to Krishna’s value for married life to treat all wives with equality and to live   happily with them at the same time! But it should be appreciated that   the priest from Wisconsin employed a Gayatri Mantra propitiating Radha and Krishna in the invocation of Kalyanotsava ceremony. I wonder how many would have observed it and also understood the meaning of it—Mahaadevyai cha vidmahe krishnapatnyais cha dheemahi tannoe Radha prachodayaat”

Valmiki Ramayana

Ekaahaa rajaputreenaam chatasreeenaam, mahaamune | paneen grihnaan chatvaro rajaputraa mahaabale || Uttare divase brahman phalguneebhyaam maneesahinah | vaivaahikam prasamsanti bhago yatra prajaapatih (Bala, 72-13-14) 

Let all the four very mighty princes marry the four princesses at the same day, O mighty sage! The wise commend a wedding to all people on the Uttara Naksahtra in the month of  Phalgun presided over by Prajapati, the God of Procreation.

Please note this Nakshatra (Star) is also presided by Prajapati who is the God of Procreation and apt for the occasion as the purpose of wedding is to bring forth good children as good citizens to keep the continuity.  Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna were all married on the same Muhurta and date with no reference to their horoscopes.

hhttp://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2012/03/panguni-uttiram_26.html

ttp://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2012/03/phaalgun-poornima-festivals.html

--September 22, 2018

KALYANOTSAVA AND VISVASHANTI DAY

Today is The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) that is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution 36/37, the General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.” 

Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.  Secretary-General Antonio Goiters has sent us the following message for the year 2018:

“It is time all nations and all people live up to the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race. This year marks the 70th anniversary of that landmark document.”           

But philosophically thinking I feel our temple in Nashville also decided to conduct Mahakumbabhishekam on September 16 coinciding with the Jeernoddharana Kumbhabhishekam done this year in Tirumala Thirupathi Desvathanam for Lord Venkatesvara as the Universal Lord. I do not know whether our temple authorities had in mind the temple inauguration date in mind in so deciding  but I strongly feel they had a divine force behind this great thinking to  end this auspicious  Jeernoddhaarana ritual with Mass Marriage of the Divines that is not obligated by Aagma sasstra injunctions and also the timing. Jeernoddharan can be done any time after 12 years but before the end of 13^th year. Since Jeernoddaharana is meant for All Round Peace it was the Divine Will that influenced the thoughts of our authorities to conduct this Unique Sarvadevataah Kayanotysavas just preceding 70^th International Peace Day for Visvashanti though this day is not marked as Special Religious Event Day (SRED). Also today is the 5^th Day of Mandalaabhishekha Day, another auspicious occasion!

Basic Poojaa vidhaanam (worship ritual) at homes consists of five steps or five-fold offerings—Sankalpa, dhoopa-deepa, naivedya, archana and aarati. A more elaborate Poojaa conducted in temples consists of sixteen steps, known as Shodasoepachaara Pooja. The most elaborate Pooja is sixty-four steps Pooja, where offerings include music, dance, chariots, elephants and other items. Kalyaanoetsava or Wedding ceremony ritual, recalling the incidence from the Puraanas and following Vedic ritualistic tradition  of marriage occupies a prominent place in the elaborate pooja rituals in the Temple Tradition. Devotees perform this elaborate pooja with lively celebrations and reverence   for the welfare of the family and friends. Often temples themselves conduct such rituals with public support and goodwill for universal peace and prosperity and the benefit of all mankind.

It is often humorously mentioned that there is one relationship that the Lord misses. Since the Lord is the "causeless-cause", he has no cause and hence no parents, as it were! When we perform a Kalyana utsava for the Lord or his Sakti (Power aspect), in effect, He or She gets to enjoy the role of being our son or daughter!

For us, it is the Lord's saulabhya (sweet will) that we get the immense pleasure to be His parents when we perform the Kalyana utsava! It is like the bhaagya (fortune) that Yashoda enjoyed in being the Lord's own mother in Krishna avatara. In the Srinivasa Kalyana Mahatmyam, it is said that Yashoda wanted to witness the Lord's wedding, an opportunity she never had in Krishna Avatara. In effect, she engineered Lord Srinivasa's wedding to Padmavati and had the opportunity to witness this blissful event. Such is the pleasure of performing or witnessing the Kalyana Utsavam. It should be remembered that we are the performers of this ritual and the priest just guides us!

So Nashville Sri Ganesha Temple decided to conduct Kalyanotsava for all the Deities installed simultaneously at the end of the Mahabhishekam of Kalasas as the concluding celebration and grand finale of Jeernoddharana Kumbhabhishekam which is not a normal practice in Temple Tradition. It was   celebrated for the welfare of   the devout society in the locality, invoking divine blessings for universal welfare, peace, and prosperity. 

Every ritual provides an opportunity to fine-tune the mind for later Jnaana. The Kalyana Utsavam provides this benefit- a prepared mind, a key pre-requisite for Jnaana and the resultant fruit of moksha.

As with any ritual, the variety of acts provide a wide canvas for the mind to rest. Our attention is riveted on the Lord and His consort for the entire duration of the Kalyana utsavam. It enables the mind to develop single-pointedness (ekaagrata). A prepared mind becomes the right vehicle to absorb the teaching (Jnaana) and attain realization (moksha).

The Lord's consort is taken as a metaphor for the "Jivatmabn", the individual Self. The Lord is   Paramatman, the total Self. The Jivatman gets deluded by moha (as Sita did when aspiring for the golden deer) and gets separated from the Paramatman. Further, the Jivatman suffers from the tyranny of the ten sense organs which go hay-wire (as symbolized by Ravana) and gets imprisoned in the ocean of samsara. To restore the Jivatman back to its rightful owner- the Paramatman, we need an acharya, a guru. Hanuman in the Ramayana symbolizes the guru who helps the Jivatmabn to again unite with the Paramatman. The union of the divine couple can be taken as a symbolic union of the Jivaatman and the Paramatman. The Kalyana Utsavam can be interpreted on these philosophical lines as well. Adi Shankara in the Atma Bodha and Sadashiva Brahmendra in the popular song "khelati mama hridaye" have interpreted the union  with Kalyanotsava back ground.

Let us therefore dedicate this day for All Round Peace (Visvasahanti) to live in Peace but not in Pieces. Also let us celebrate Panguni Uttiram Day the most sacred day in Hindu Calendar on which all Divines decided to marry without running to an astrologers for subha-muhurta (auspicious date and time) and horoscope matching as Sarvadevataanaam Kalyanotsava Subha Dina.

Uttare divase brahman phalguneebhyaam maneesahinah |  vaivaahikam prasamsanti bhago yatra prajaapatih (Bala, 72-13)

The wise commend a wedding to all people on the  Uttara Naksahtra in the month of  Phalgun presided over by Prajapati, the God of Creation.

Please note this Nakshatra (Star) is also presided by Prajapati who is the God of Procreation and apt for the occasion as the purpose of wedding is  to bring forth good children as good citizens to keep the continuity. 

--September 21, 2018

Comments

‘Kalyana‘ probably means let good happen to one and all; ‘utsava’ is celebration 

 --A.S. Narayana

Hindus know how to approach and please deities materially to get short time benefits.  I once visited Sri Kurma with my co-brother. First thing he did was to grease the palm of the priest and catch him in his happiest mood. We had a preferential treatment and close Darsan. Saivites attach too much importance to Pradosha Puja to catch Siva in his happiest mood to get his favor. I believe Kalyanotsva is also to catch the deities in their happiest mood to get maximum favors. Focused on Vedanta I believe in turning inwards and Meditation on the Supreme to get into the Bliss Mood which is perennial joy and not temporary happiness.

-- Reply by NRS

Turning inward is the way out

--Sree Maa

  

 Mandala puja

 Please recall my article on Jeernoddharana and consequent Manadala Puja. I am neither a Religious Pundit nor an Astrologer to fix Muhurtas as per saastric injunctions. But I have a reason   why I wrote 45 days? For this I give below two Mandala pujas and their Religious values enumerated by the religious authorities of two popular, sacred and ancient temples. If you have any other explanation please let me know. The number of days in a Mandala can be 41, 45 or 48 days.May be Sri Ganesha Temple in  Nashville  might have better explanation?    I quote:

“According to the Aagama sastras that guide temple rituals “Mandala Abhishekam” must be performed for over a month (normally 45 days) after the completion of the Mahaa-Samprokshanam or Maha Kumbhabhishekam.”

On 16th August morning, Maha Kumbhabhishekham was performed in TT Devasthanam. Subsequently, ‘Mandalabhishekha Pooja’ was performed for 45 days until 3rd October.

Mandala Puja in Sabarimalai

Mandala Puja is an important ritual observed at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. It is observed from the 1st day of the ‘Vrishchikam’ month till the 11th or 12th day of the ‘Dhanu’ masam in the traditional Malayalam calendar. The day of Mandala Puja marks the end of the 41 days long austerity that is observed by the followers or devotees of Lord Ayyappa (who are males.) The fast begins  41 days  before the observance of Mandala Puja, that is, the first day of the Malayalam month of ‘Vrishchikam’. Mandala Puja along with ‘Makar Vilakku’ are the two major events held at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple that draws devotees from all over Kerala and neighboring states. During this time the temple remains open on most of the days for the devotees. As a tradition, devotees visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple during the Mandala Puja also visit the ‘Guruvayur Temple’. During this time special ‘Abhishekam’ ceremony is organized in the ‘Guruvayur Temple’.

41 Days Mandala Pooja in Balaji Temple

|| Om Shree Venkateshwaraya Namaha ||

Do you have a serious medical condition? Are you suffering financial losses? Is your kid missing? Have you been looking for a life partner without much luck? So, you tag yourself as unfortunate! And you believe that it is destiny and that you cannot go against the power of fate! Wrong! It is true that life comes to a standstill when various misfortunes and tragedies surround us. We feel lost and deceived of our happiness. But it can be changed! Absolutely the way You want it to be! As written in our Puranas, fortune can be changed by following a divine process called MANDALA POOJA. MANDALA POOJA It is unreasonable that the various poojas we get done by the Pujaris and Bhatjis, they get to reap 95% of the benefits of the pooja and a mere 5% is passed on to us, since we simply sponsor the entire process. MAHAMANDAL POOJA will be done by you, which will earn you 100% benefit, without having to pay at all! This pooja is to be performed solely by anybody who wants to have his one wish fulfilled, in a PranPratishta temple built with uncompromised SHILPA SHAHSTRA, VASTU SHASTRA and AGAMA SHASTRA, like the Shree Balaji Temple in Mumbai…without the need to step out of Mumbai! Procedure to be followed for MANDALA POOJA MANDALA POOJA is a 41 days process The devotee has to select a time, either during the first half or the second half of the day, when Shree Balaji Temple is open (between 6 am to 10 pm) The devotee has to visit Shree Balaji Temple in Mumbai regularly for 41 days during the selected time slot, without missing a single day for any given reason, to complete the process Once you have decided on the time, enter the temple with a whole ‘supari’ (beetle nut) and a beetle leaf with the stem intact and attached to the leaf and hand it to the pujari or the priest Bring that one deepest desire you wish to be fulfilled, to your mind (do not speak it out) Take 7 rounds of the temple while constantly chanting “OM VENKATESHWARYA NAMAHA” and keep your desire in your mind while doing so After your 7 rounds are complete, take the beetle nut and leaf back from the pujari Take it home and place it in your home temple for the next 41 days Visit the temple every day for the next 41 days on the same time as the first day. Important points to remember: It is mandatory to visit the temple at the same time for the next 41 days. It is the most important practice to help manifest your desires faster. There is an extension of 5 days for ladies due to their physiological system as they cannot visit the temple at that time. During those 5 days, ladies should write ‘Om Venkateshwaraya Namaha’ 108 times on a piece of paper, every day. After the 5 days are complete, they can visit the temple and put the paper in the hundi. Stay very clean for 41 days. do not eat non-vegetarian food or outside food for 41 days remain a ‘Bhramachari’ for 41 days do the Mandala Pooja with utmost faith and devotion. You will see the effects of your efforts from the 9th day itself, however, it varies from person to person This pooja can be performed just once in your entire life time, hence, choose your wish carefully. Mandala Pooja is free of cost and can be performed by anybody Shree Balaji Temple at Charkop, Mumbai. Shree Balaji Temple in Mumbai is a perfect example of a temple built with uncompromised SHILPA SHAHSTRA, VASTU SHASTRA and AGAMA SHASTRA. Here, Lord Venkateshwara’s idol was installed with proper PRANA PRATISHTA. Hence, this is the perfect Temple in Mumbai to perform Mandala Pooja. Over the years, we have witnessed thousands of devotees who have faithfully completed their Mandala Pooja and have seen their dreams miraculously coming true! There have been people who found their lost children, found their perfect life partner, and people whose business have taken off brilliantly after performing the Mandala Pooja. There had been a terminally ill patient in the 3rd stage of cancer who managed to visit the temple, perform the Mandala Pooja for 41 days and found that his illness had reduced from 80% to 20%. Doctors claim it to be nothing less than a miracle!

 Please recall a similar CHRISTIAN faith of Lentil Ritual which is also done for 40 days:

Lent Fasting

Lent is the period of forty days prior to Easter Sunday. These forty days represent the time that Jesus Christ had spent in the desert, before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan. The word Lent has been derived from Anglo-Saxon words Lenten, which means "spring" and lenctentid which means "springtide" as well as "March". Hence, Lent mostly falls in the month of March. The Easter fast depends on the date of Easter. The fast always begins on a Wednesday, no earlier than 8th February and no later than 14th March. This Wednesday is traditionally known as Ash Wednesday. However, nowadays, it is also called Spy Wednesday, Black or Mad Wednesday.

 --September 20, 2018

 HINDU TEMPLE GOPURAMS AND KOLU DISPLAY THE SPIRIT OF VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM

“Hailed as the ‘state of temple cities in India’, Tamil Nadu is home to many age-old iconic temples with rich cultural heritage and splendid architectural work. Thanjavur’s Brihadisvara Temple is one of the largest temples in South India built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century. The temple has several Gods and saints sculpted on its outer side and its Tamil architecture is an exemplary display of unmatched craftsmanship. One of the carved figures looks like a European person who bears an uncanny resemblance to the 9th century France King, Robert II. Also, the temple’s sculpture features the engraving of a Chinese man Historians across the world have confirmed that the world was not connected until the 15th-century. Even Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route from Europe to India in the 15th century. Taking all these factors into consideration, many history buffs speculate that Raja Raja Chola I must have established trade connections with Europe and China even before Vasco da Gama set his foot on Indian soil.’ Says Ramaswamy Subramony.

I believe Raja Raja Chola had in mind the Rig Veda mantra “Sanghacchadvam samvadadvam” when he planned the Gopuram and displayed the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.  Tamil Nadu is equally famous for its Navaratri Kolu. This spirit of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam is also displayed in Kolu display of Navaratri displaying the whole world and its cultures ruled by trinities Durga Lakshmi Sarasvati. The last 3 steps in Kolu  displays all People from the globe and their culture,  Animal kingdom and Plant kingdom, artifacts, dance, music. In fact it is the display of the entire Universe like the Gopuram conceptualized for Brihadisvara Temple by the pious King.

 I believe being a philanthropic king he had displayed the spirit of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam in the Gopuram of this historic temple.

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2011/09/navaraatri-kolu-festival-of-dolls-and.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2016/11/amazing-temples-and-thrilling_17.html

--September 19, 2018

WHAT MOTIVATED NASHVILLE JEERNODDHARA KUMBHABHISHEKAM?

You may still not got out of the   thrilling experience in reaching the height to watch the Jeernoddhara Kumbhabhishekam in Nashville watching the priests hoisted to the top with modern engineering expertise inspired by Viswakarma whom we rarely remember. There is no saastric injunction to do it exactly after 12 years but can be any convenient date thereafter. Our Chairman influenced by Vishnu Tattva planned it in September this year perhaps  motivated by the Kumbhabhishekam that was done in Tirumala Tirupati this year last month whose details  I would like you to recall. 

Being aged 88 and driven by the wisdom I reached to a convenient height in the Northern part of the temple and did not dare to get into the hoist along with priests who would not have prevented me. But why did I stop in the middle of North direction along with a philanthropist and Temple Trustee   to whom I could reveal my feelings? You may here recall my description of visiting temple for getting divine charged and paying our obeisance to five elements Pancha bhootas,  the last station being the mid-north where you have  to rest for a while gazing at the Vimana paying obeisance to the element " Akasa" and think of kalasa as akasa linga and leave the temple with the Gayatri "Om Tad Brahma tad vaayu tad aatmaa tat Sathyam tat sarvam tat puror namha"  that I had explained several times.

As the divine charged waters from seven rivers trickled down from Kalasas to Garbhagriha through the silver wire  devotees still bound  by their sectarian faiths  raised their voices to heavens Harahara Mahadeva that was loud enough  --Namah Parvatee Paramesvarah! Vaishnavites being least represented and were even shy to open their mouth to Lord Venkatesvara silently chanted Srimad Ramaaramana Govinda Govinda--Yedukondalavada Govinda! And prayed ‘Vina venkateso na nathah   na Naathah-- sadaa vekatesam smaraami smaraami”.   Probably they were preserving their energy for Srinivasa Kalyanotsava! But the vibrant Ganesha crowd shouted Ganapati Bappa Morya already thinking of Ganesha Visarjan. Usually American Hindus forget the latter part of this popular slogan during Ganesha procession for visarjan!  Tamils not knowing Marathi shouted Ganapati Appa Poria! Are you leaving us Oh! Our father Ganapati!  The entire stanza "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukar ya" is needed, which means "O Lord/Father Ganesha, come again next year fast".

 I do not know whether they purposely deleted latter part or were ignorant of it! During Ganesh Chaturti they infuse mantras in Ganesha vigraha to install Self, made out of mother earth clay temporarily and then withdraw the Self from the artifact with appropriate mantras and return the clay to mother earth that they have plundered with due Kshamaapana, apologies.  A self-dissolving Ganesha artifact in USA costs $30 but yet there enthusiasm is not dampened. I always remember Gowri Visarjan of Saktas as well as Elephant visarjan my mother made and did the send-off with Kadmbam and curd rice after Vishnu Kartikai festival!  Visarjan is the reverse process of Jeernoddhara in a sense! Probably $50 was the annual  income of my father in those days related to dollar value then when I was born ?

The word Morya refers to a famous devotee of Lord Ganesha in the fourteenth century called Morya Gosavi, originally from village called Shaligram in Karnataka where his devotion was looked upon as madness!! He later travelled and settled in Chinchvad, near Pune and invoked the Lord with severe penance. He attained siddhi (special powers and blessings) at Shree Chintamani and his son built the temple to commemorate the event. It is said that Moryaji also performed penances at Siddhi Vinayak in Ahmedabad and in Moreshwar/Mayureshwar at Moregoan where he also built the temple. Maharashtrians here woe a debt to Kannadigas who brought Ganesha worship to the forefront.  I miss my Kaikadubu in USA and always look at him as Mudaakara as Sankara explained! Please go through my detailed discourse on Ganapati Visarjan:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2013/09/ganapati-moortivisarjanam-warm-send-off.html

--September 17, 2018

Comments: 

It is always a pleasure to read your e-mails which is so full of information for which I am always thankful. May Lord Ganesha bless you and keep you healthy to continue to share your spiritual knowledge and enlighten us.

--Dr. Brahm Parsh

YOGA IS OGAM IN TAMIL

Thirumoolar is the guru for Pranayamam, he revealed the secret of breathing. The ratio of breathing should be 1:4:2.  Normally other pranayama apps teaches you only Inhale and Exhale, but the secret is once you inhaled the air should stay in lungs for quite some time so that the oxygen is fully absorbed then exhale the CO2. The ratio is for Inhale 1, Holding 4 and Exhale 2.  This app operates in 2 modes one is Beginner and another one is Expert.

Tirumular (also spelt Thirumoolar etc., originally known as Suntaranāthar) was a Tamil Shaivite mystic and writer, considered one of the sixty-three Nayanmars and one of the 18 Siddhars. His main work, the Tirumantiram (also sometimes written Tirumanthiram, Tirumandhiram, etc.), which consists of over 3000 verses, forms a part of the key text of the Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta, the Tirumurai.

The dates of Tirumular's life are controversial, and because his work makes reference to so many currents of religious thought, the dates that different scholars assign are often appealed to for anchoring the relative chronology of other religious literature in Tamil and Sanskrit. Verse 74 of the Tirumantiram makes the tall  claim that Tirumular lived for 7 yugas before composing the Tirumantiram.   The scholar and lexicographer S. Vaiyapuripillai, however, suggested that he probably belonged to the beginning of the eighth-century CE, pointing out that Tirumular could not very well be placed earlier given that he appears to refer to the Tevaram hymns of Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar, that he used "very late words" and that he made mention of the weekdays.

The Tamil Saivite group is very strong right from the Sangam Period. They go  out of the way to prove that Tamil is older than Sanskrit and also can stand  independent of Sanskrit.  They have  also drawn lot of help from the Tamil fanatic self assumed Dravida group of Periyar who support Aryan –Dravidiyan invasion theory that is being disproved by the recent archeological findings as well as historic records in Avesta.

Ogam (Yoga)

More than 5,000 years ago, "Ogam" started its journey as an ancient Tamil Nadu science of exercise and healing, passed along from teacher to student through oral tradition and physical practice.

Ogam is also known as one of the oldest holistic health care systems, not just because of its fundamental healing approach, but also because of its many benefits for physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

What is Okam?

The word “Okam” is from the Tamil Language, okam means unique understand inner and outer knowledge like a Body, Sathi, Life and Soul. Knowledge person known in existence with God, When the individual person understand keep practice own life in okam, they will understand real nature, the person will get highest consciousness and increase inner, outer quality.

Okam (yoga) = body + Sathi (energy) + life + soul

 Thirumoolar [Tamil:திருமூலர்] was a great Tamil Shaivite mystic. He is considered one of the 63 Nayanars and one of the 18 Siddhars. His magnum opus, Thirumandhiram (Tamil:திரு மந்திரம்) is the tenth thirumurai in the Tamil Shaivaite Panniru Thirumurai. It deals extensively with Yoga and is also called Chathiram. It consists of over three thousand verses dealing with various aspects of spirituality, ethics and the praise of God Shiva. Thirumandiram is the first known Tamil work to use the term Shaiva Siddhanta and the earliest known exposition of the Shaiva Agamas in Tamil. It brings out the differences between Vedanta and Siddhanta.

The deep inner meanings of the mantras may be learnt only from a Guru.  We shall consider here a sample verse where the meaning is apparently clear:

 Yaavarkkum aam Iraivarkku oru pachilai---All can [offer] a green leaf in worship to God

Yaavarkkum aam pasuvukku oru vaayurai--All can [offer] a mouthful of grass to the cow

Yaavarkkum aam uNNum podu oru kaipidi--All can [offer] a handful, sitting down to eat

Yaavarkkum aam pirarkku innurai thanE--All can [offer] sweet and kind words to others

All people want to be happy, healthy, peaceful, free from sorrow and free from all strains.

Saint Thirumoolar says that all can achieve these by doing just four simple things:

1. Always offer a green [bilva] leaf to God with prayerful attitude

2. Always offer a mouthful of grass to a cow with compassion

3. Always offer a handful of food to the hungry, when eating and

4. Always offer sweet and kind words to all in need of them.

What a simple solution! What a profound result!

http://www.learning-living.com/…/thirumandiram-of-thirumool…

.....

 105 YOGA POSES IN OGAM

1.   SALUTE TO THE SUN; 2.   SALUTE THE SUN ON ONE LEG; 3. CRESCENT POSTURE;
4.   MOUNTAIN POSTURE; 5.   MOUNTAIN ERECT POSTURE

 PLANTS POSTURE

6.   LOTUS POSTURE; 7.   RAISED LOTUS POSTURE; 8.   LOCKED LOTUS POSTURE;
9.   BACK ERECTING POSTURE; 10. TREE POSTURE;   11. HAND AND FOOT POSTURE

CREATURES--AQUATICS POSTURE

12.   FROG POSTURE; 13.   FISH POSTURE; 14.   SHARK POSTURE; 15.   CROCADILE POSTURE; 16.   SEA SHELL POSTURE; 17.   TORTOISE POSTURE; 18.   HAND STRETCHED TORTOISE POSTURE

REPTILES POSTURE

19. SCORPION POSTURE; 20. SERPENT POSTURE

VERTEBRATE POSTURE

21. COW FACE POSTURE; 22. COW POSTURE; 23. CAT POSTURE; 24. CAMEL POSTURE; 25. DOG FACE POSTURE; 26. TIGER POSTURE; 27. LION POSTURE
28. BRA; 29. RABBIT POSTURE; 30. FOX POSTURE

AVES & INSECTS POSTURE

31. GRASSHOPPER (LOCUST) POSTURE; 32. SEMI GRASSHOPPER POSTURE; 33. PEA-COCK POSTURE; 34. DOVE POSTURE;   35. FLYNG DOVE POSTURE; 36. CRANE POSTURE; 37. -SINGLE FOOTED CRANE POSTURE; 38. EAGLE POSTURE; 39. COCK POSTURE; 40. STANDING PEACOCK POSTURE; 41. DUCK POSTURE

DANCE POSTURE

42. POSTURE OF NATARASA; 43. PLEASURE DANCE POSTURE; 44. KING OF DANCE POSTURE; 45. BRAVE STEP POSTURE

GESTURE POSTURE

46. OGAM GESTURE; 47. GREAT GESTURE; 48. HOMAGE GESTURE; 49. HORSE’S ANAL GESTURE; 50. HEXAGON GESTURE

 TOOLS POSTURE

51. CHAIR POSTURE; 52. THRONE POSTURE; 53. WHEEL POSTURE; 54. SEMI WHEEL POSTURE; 55. BOW POSTURE; 56. EXTENDED BOW POSTURE; 57. BOAT POSTURE
58. TRIANGLE POSTURE; 59. TRANSFER TRIANGLE POSTURE;   60. PLOUGH POSTURE

ACTIVITIES POSTURE

61. WORSHIP POSTURE; 62. BRAVE POSTURE; 63. GLABELLA VIEW POSTURE; 64. GRINDING POSTURE; 65. SHOEMAKER POSTURE; 66. CHARIOT RIDER POSTURE
67. HORIZONTAL U POSTURE, MAKING GARLAND POSTURE.

 ORGANS OF HUMAN BODY POSTURE

68. PARRALLEL FOOT POSTURE; 69. -SINGLE LEG POSTURE; 70. ANGLED POSTURE;
71. RIBSIDE ANGLED POSTURE; 72. FIRM KNEELING POSTURE; 73. CHILD POSTURE;
74. SUPINE ANKLE POSTURE; 75. OVERHEAD RAISING OF ARMS AT LOTUS; POSTURE; 77. CONTRA SITTING POSTURE; 78.  LOCKED ANGLE POSTURE; 79. RAISED FOOT ERECT; 80. OGAM SLEEP; 81. HIP STAND POSTURE; 82. SHOULDER STAND; 83. SEMI SHOULDER STAND; 84. STAGE POSTURE; 85. SEMI INVERTTED
86. INVERTTE

CLEANSING POSTU

87. WIND RELEASING TECHNIQUE; 88. FLYUP LOCK; 89. BOWEL CIRCULATING POSTURE; 90. ORDER OF BREATH; 91. CLEANSING OF BRAIN; 92. BELLOW BREATH
93. WHISTLING; 94. WATER CLEANSING; 95. COOL WHISTLE; 96. ANAL CONTRACTION; 97. HONEY BEE HISSING; 99. EYE CLEANSING; 100. INHALING THROUGH CLEANCHED TEETH; 101. INHALING; 102. EXHALING; 103. HISSING OF PHARYNX

PACIFICATION

104. AT EASE POSTURE; 105. LYING RELAX POSTURE

[Note: Those who can read and write Tamil may go through the original version as attached in Tamil that  has been translated to English]

--September 2018

Comments:

Excellent Translation.  The pictures for most of these are given in the world famous BKS Iyengar Book.  I am at 87, doing a very few simple ones.

--Prof.G.Nagarajan

Thank you mama, so informative. 

--Aparna Arcot

KOYAMBEDU VAIKUNDAVASA TEMPLE NEAR CHENNAI AND TAMIL TOLL CLAIMS

May I draw your kind attention to an interesting episode on a historic temple from Tamil Nadu near Chennai claiming to be the birth place of twin sons of Sri Rama Lava and Kusa as well as the dwelling place where Valmiki had his Asram citing a huge ant-hill nearby   for justification claiming Valmiki did his penance here. Such toll claims by the Tamils is nothing new. While there is all justification for Adi Jaganntha Temple near Tiruppullani about which I had talked about quoting Ramayana there is no justification to substantiate Rama worshiped Navagraha near Ramesvaram and a sea temple flourishes exploiting the faithfuls. Rahu and Ketu are not mentioned in Vedic Astrology and recently Navagraha altars were removed from the sacred temple of Tiruvaiyaru as redundant about which also I reported.

 I lived in Kanpur for well over 10 years and I had visited Bithoor on several occasions. Because this town is located on the banks of the River Ganges and its proximity to Ayodhya I strongly believe in the Sthalapurana (local story) and I do not believe in the story about Valmiki Asram reported by IndiaDivine.Org. It beats my wits further as the narration says Arunagirinathar, in his Thiruppugazh, has referred to the place as Kosai Nagar?

From Sangam Times Tamils have been very vociferous to go to any extent in proving that Tamil Culture is older than Sanskrit and Vedic Culture and also strongly contributed to the Aryan_Dravidian Conflict promoted by Periyar based on the Theory promoted by Pope Coldwell whose motive behind was mass conversion of uneducated Tamils  about which I have talked about earlier. It is such made-up Puranas make Hinduism a laughing stock and a target for other religions to call it a Religion of Pagans--Myths and Beliefs avoiding Vedas and recent Archeological evidences but referring to past false   History of India from hired Historians like Max Mueller, Pope Coldwell etc. It was not True History but History to prove Christianity Great and British Great with divide and rule policy who for long time paraded with the slogan “The Sun Never Sets In The  British Empire” . Soon you will hear another story By Tamils that Yoga sprang from Tamil culture and probably older than Patanjali’s  Yogasastra though it has lot of merits of its own!

Tamils take pride in, that includes me, that  "Siva worship in the south of Vindhya Mountains in India, preceded the Sanatana Dharma of the North. While only one mention of Siva is found in the Vedas, which are the most ancient literature available to us now, there are numerous references in Tamil, a language of India, which runs parallel to Sanskrit, in texts which are old by about 74,000 years".  This is also not correct. There is a site in Chennai, India, where an advanced civilization has been found, dating back to One Million Years! They quote the Vedas. The Vedas, in turn quote Tamil! It is difficult to find which precedes the other. Yet people ascribe 5000 BC as the date for the Rig Veda!

The Sanskrit word drāviḍa that Tamils take pride  is used to denote the geographical region of South India  It was coined by Adi Sankaracharya (590—477 BCE) when he was questioned as to where he had come from by locals in Mandhata to which he proclaimed himself to be a "Drāviḍa Śiśu," with shishu meaning 'child' or 'child of' and dravida being a sandhi word combining the elements dravya, meaning water, and vida, meaning meeting place. Therefore, drāviḍa means "the place where the three waters meet" with those "three waters" being the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. That implies whole of present Inda since Gijrat in the West and Bengal in the East are also connected by these seas!   May be they had some other name for India then?   Southern Brahmins are known as Pancha Dravida while Northern Brahmins are known as Pancha Gauda, denoting geographical region. At the time Sankara lived on this earth the word Hindu or Hinduism did not exist and he was therefore a DRAVIDA BRAHMANA who postulated Advaita Philosophy of Sanatana Dharma.

--September 14, 2018

I truly enjoy reading your articles. The constant struggle by Southerners, especially Tamils, to prove superiority over the Northerners is waste of time. Instead, what is important for all of us is to remember that we are all HINDU, born and raised in HINDUSTAN. Her extra-ordinary history belongs to all of us. We also need to remember that there are historical facts and to distort them without physical evidence that is scientifically authenticated is wrong. To claim one million years history of Tamil civilization is hard to justify.  Recently they claim to have found a small stone in Africa that has some marking resembling of # sign.  They claim that it is the oldest physical evidence ever found in the word. It is about 70,000 years old. There is a big difference between 70,000 and one million years.  So if we want to prove that Hindustani civilization is older, we must find such evidence and scientifically prove its authenticity. I will be glad to sponsor such efforts.

--Tarun Surti

  

WHAT IS REAL—BRAHMA SATHYAM JAGAN MITHYAM

"Brahman is the abiding reality; he is pure knowledge and he is infinity. He who knows that Brahman dwells within the lotus of the heart becomes one with him and enjoys all blessings. Out of Brahman, who is the Self, came ether; out of ether, air; out of air, fire; out of fire, water; out of water, earth; out of earth, vegetation; out of vegetation, food; out of food, the body of man. The body of man composed of the essence of food, is the physical sheath of the Self. Man in his ignorance, identifies himself with the material sheaths that encompass his true Self, Transcending these, he becomes one with Brahman, who is pure Bliss—Ananda”

Annam na nindyaat; Annam na parichaksaheeta; Annam bahu kurveeta--Don't abuse Food; Don't discard Food; Grow Food Plenty

May I draw your kind attention to this very important discourse on the ultimate Knowledge that will lead us to Liberation: Please recall my discourses given in the past:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2016/04/uncommon-understanding-of-unknown-his.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-critical-study-of-self-and-supreme.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-supreme-is-anantha-that-is-bhuma.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2017/10/bhriguvidyaathe-knowledge-of-brahman.html

What I have been struggling hard to explain in all these discourses will be summarized and delivered to you for easy assimilation by Swamiji.   Earlier he said that all this is contained in three words as Thrikaljnaana—Knowlede for all times—Isavasyamidam Sarvam—The entire Universe is He alone that I understood as the Supreme Being having  created the Universe entered into all Chit (immortal) and  Achit (mortal) as Isvara as Antaryamin as Inner Self. Probably that   confused us in understanding  Upanishadic statement Aatmavat sarvabhooteshu which Sankara explained the  Self is Brahman which other religions understood as “God is within you” later standing before Kasi Visvanatha Sankara clarified the difference and said the Self within us has the same auspicious qualities as Brahman which we need to recognize. But later egoistic Advaitins misinterpreted “Aham Brahmasmi”  and slowly made us forget that Brahman who is Sathyam Jnnanam  Anantam to which Chandogya added Amalam while the Self within us is Sat Chit Ananda! With my limited knowledge I understood Brahman Supreme Being is SATHIYAM while Atman  Self within us is SAT that needs Ananda while Brahman does not need it  as He is the very embodiment of it. Also SAT is not exclusive but inclusive in SATHYAM. While Sat means Reality or Truth Sathyam means, Sat+Thi+Yam  where Sat=immortal,  Thi=mortal and Yam=what is  being regulated

Without further confusing you I shall refer to the Science of Upanishads as explained by Kartikeyan Sreedharan:

Brahmavidāpnoti param. tadeṣāഽbhyuktā. satyaṃ jñānaṃ anantaṃ brahma. yo veda nihitaṃ guhāyāṃ parame vyoman. soഽśnute sarvān kāmān saha brahmaṇā vipaściteti. (2.1.1)

Word meaning: brahmavid- the knower of Brahma; āpnoti- attains to; param- the Ultimate; tad- that; eṣā- thus; abhyuktā- declared with reference to; satyaṃ- Satyam; jñānaṃ- knowledge; anantaṃ- infinity; brahma- Brahma; yo- whoever; veda- knows; nihitaṃ- situated, located; parame guhāyāṃ- deep in the cavity; in the depth of the Heart; vyoman- space; saḥ- he; aśnute- realises, attains; sarvān- all; kāmān-desires; saha brahmaṇā – along with Brahma; vipaścit- the Omniscient; eti- approaches.

Verse meaning: The knower of Brahma attains to the Ultimate. With reference to that, it is declared thus: ‘Brahma is Satyam-Jñānam-Anantam. He, who knows the space situated in the depth of the Heart, attains all his desires; further, along with Brahma, he attains to the Omniscient.

In Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.2.9 we saw that he who knows Brahma becomes Brahma itself. Here it is stated that the knower of Brahma attains to the Ultimate. We know that the Ultimate is Ātmā; so the assertion here is that the knower of Brahma finally attains to Ātmā. The differentiation between the two is explained in the remaining part. It is stated that Brahma is Satyam-Jñānam-Anantam; in contrast to this, Ātmā is SAT-CHIT-ĀNANDA. There is a clear difference between the two. Satyam is the manifested form or derivative of SAT, as it is Asat sustained by SAT; similarly, Jñānam (Knowledge) is that of CHIT, since it is the result of application of CHIT; and Anandam (infinity) is that of ĀNANDA vide Chāndogya 7.23.1 & 7.24.1. Chāndogya also says in 8.1.1 that in the Brahmapura (city of Brahma, which is simply the Heart) there is a small lotus chamber wherein there is a small space (Ākāśa) and what is there in that Ākāśa is to be sought after and realised. The expression ‘what is there in that Ākāśa’ evidently refers to Ātmā. This small Ākāśa is such that all that exists outside exists therein too, obviously in an abstract form. This inner Ākāśa and the contents thereof constitute the Brahma. One who knows this Ākāśa goes further and attains to the Ultimate within; thus, after knowing Brahma he proceeds further and attains to the Omniscient Ātmā. This is what Taittirīya says here. We can see the same idea in Gīta 18.54 & 18.55, which assert that one who is absorbed in Brahma gets endowed with devotion to me (Ātmā) and with that devotion he knows Ātmā and finally attains to Ātmā.

Please note the statement that whatever exists in the outer Ākāśa exists in the inner Ākāśa also; it is further stated that the entity within the inner Ākāśa (which is nothing but Ātmā) is to be sought after and realized. The first statement implies the uninterrupted pervasion of the Ākāśa inside and outside, while the second implies the same of Ātmā.

In the remaining part of the verse, it is stated that from this Ātmā originated all the five basic elements, from which food got generated; from food, man came into being. The phrase, ‘from this Ātmā’ is a sufficient indication that what was implied by ‘Ultimate’ and ‘Omniscient’ in the first part was definitely the Ātmā.

The idea is very clear; no further explanation is deemed necessary. But, the expression ‘From food arose Man’ requires some clarification to facilitate easy grasping of the true spirit of the verse. It implies the nature of physical constitution of Man. The subtlest form of physical constitution of Man is admittedly a cell and it is from this he evolves into a full-fledged being. This subtlest form and also the grossest form that evolves therefrom are essence of food only; the change in physical constitution, from the subtle to the gross, comes from the essence of food consumed. This is why it is said that Man arose from food.

Discourse by Swami Chidananda

FOWAI FORUM (INDIA) AND STEP (USA) invites you to join the WEBINAR 130 in understanding WHAT IS REAL? Is the unreal to be simply discarded? | kim satyam? kim asatyam tuccham? Pūjya Swāmi Chidānandaji will present his lecture via YouTube on Sunday, September 16, 2018.

 Gist of the Presentation:  The search for “the real, the true and the ever-lasting” is at the center of the spirituality of the Upanishads. The first pointer to Brahman, supplied by the famous Taittiriya Shruti, is - sathyam. Outside and inside, the Vedānta asserts, there is Brahman only, which alone is real. An error in perception - which itself is ignorance or avidyā - has this apparently infinite universe as its fallout. That the sun doesn’t move (but it’s the earth that rotates around its axis) is the truth; the splendid colors and the spectacular sky follow the illusion of sunrise and sunset. Similarly birth, old age, death, celebration and mourning follow the misconception that we are the body. The webinar examines various approaches towards understanding SATHYAM- “sathyam jnānam anantam brahma” The Absolute Reality is truth, knowledge and limitless. (Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1)

Comments:

Your work is admirable

  --Sree Maa

Thank you for sharing the information. In fact the goal of all the religions is to convey the same to everyone in their own way. God Bless you.

--Dr. Brahm Parsh

God Bless you for this exposition

--Prof. G. Nagaraj

REMEMBERING PRABHASA GANESHA ON THIS CHATURTHI DAY

A Ganesh Mandir is enshrined in Somnath Temple in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India, famous for the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. This legendary temple has been destroyed   by Islamic kings and rebuilt by Hindu kings repeatedly. Later by a joint effort of the Peshwa of Pune, Raja Bhonsle of Nagpur, Chhatrapati Bhonsle of Kolhapur, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore & Shrimant Patilbuwa Shinde of Gwalior, it was rebuilt in 1783.  The Shiva linga in Somnath is believed to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, where Lord Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. It is also believed that this is the place where Lord Krishna ended his Avatar  on earth and left for his heavenly abode and also Balarama. Prabhasa Kanda of Skand purana includes a rare composition on Sri Ganesha probably of Prabhasa Kshetra of Gujarat known for its famous Siva Temple.   This Ganesha is also Ekadanta, the later edition of Ganesha popular with the devotees focused in Mudgila Purana, and not the one Siva found after removing the guard of Parvati creation and planted as Ganapati or Gajanana whom Vaishnavites also throng  to worship as Vishvaksena.  This Vishwaksena was  instaled by Vaishnavites in Tirupati Temple as sentinel to Lord Venkatewsvara, and also included in Vishnu Sahasranama introduction --vighnam nighnanti satatam  Vishvaksenam  tamasraye.  I believe they did not call him Vighnaraja. I believe Ganesha we worship was one of the shodasa-forms described  by Mudgil Purana  and was called  Vighnaraja when he broke one of his tusks in anger  causing Vighna for Himself.  But this broken tusk Ganesha got pleased with the prayers of devotees directed by Siva as Prathama Vandita, took care of our Vighnas (obstacles) as Vighnaraja.     It is also said that  Vishvaksena also descended as Vinyaka Avatar as one of the ten sons of Rukmini and  brother of Pradyumna, the eldest,  which goes well with the sthala purana of Prabhaskshetra and  the  Ganesha Temple located there. I believe also the original Ganesha,  the son of Rukmini with both the tusks, was destroyed by Muslims in Somanath and was later replaced by Ekadanta or they may have broken one of his tusks in the attack, to add another story on Ekadantaa Ganesha! 

Please recall the line ekadantaṁ dvidantaṁ ca caturdantaṁ caturbhujam in the above sloka. With our limited understanding at kindergarten level we stop praising him as  ekadantam. Actually it is Ekadam+TAM and progressively Chrturdam+tam.... anekadam +tam (Sankara explainedin Mudakarartha Modakam)  guarding all directions. That is why he is taken in procession first in Tirupati as Vishvaksena followed by Venkateswara where he is not seen as Ekadanta! Our prayer has to reach Parabrahman whom He is guarding as Sathyam Jnaanam  Amalam Anantam! (Yaanti devavratan devan----maam yanti madbhaktah--Gita). So don't stop at the gate thinking of Prathamvandita only!

May the Wisdom of Sri Ganesaha raise us beyond Ekadaanta and lead to His better and fuller understanding as Anekadanta!

Here is the message from Muralidharan Iyengar

“Greetings and Namaste. As Sri Vinayaka Chaturthi falls on 13-Sep-2018 (Thu), I am delighted to share a very rare hymn on Lord Vinaya titled Kapardi Vinayaka Stotram as told by Goddess Parvati. It is taken from Skanda Puranam, Prabhasa Khandam, Chapter 39 titled Kapardi Vinayaka Mahatmyam. Presumably this hymn is on Lord Vinayaka in a temple in Prabhasa Kshetra in Gujarat.

The brief Phalashruti mentions that one who chants this hymn once/twice/thrice a day for 6 months gets one's rightful wishes fulfilled and attains Siddhi of this stotra in one year. He is removed of all obstacles, gets the benefit of bathing in all holy waters and performing all Yajnas. He never faces any setbacks.

Readers might remember that Lord Narayana mentions Lord Vinayaka to be an Amsa of Lord Krishna in Brahma Vaivarta Purana. The same point is mentioned in Garga Samhita, Vishvajit Khanda, Chapter 25 as below by Pradyumna (Lord Krishna's son to Sage Narada).

shrIkRRiShNasya kalA sAxAt gaNesho.ayaM mahAbalaH ||

Meaning : Lord Ganesha is indeed the Kala (Amsa) of Lord Krishna. ...

So, it is needless to repeat that the apparent deity differences and their relative superiority/inferiority are pure hallucinations of the uninitiated and dull-witted who would do well to spend their precious time on useful pursuits that will benefit themselves and mankind! We have seen tons of references in puranas corroborating this point.

May we pray to Lord Ganesha with a prayer to remove all obstacles we face towards attaining true knowledge! With best regards and pranams,

K. Muralidharan Iyengar (Murali)”

--September 11, 2018

Comments:

 Yes we did the Darshans of Sri Ekdanta Vinayaka of PrabhasKshetra when we were there in Jan 2017. Islam followers are deluded and turning into more dangerous asurs with each passing life.  Aum gam ganapataye namo namah

--Sree Maa

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 DECLARED AS SWAMI VIVEKANANDA DAY

Can we make Sanatana Dharma once again Viswa Guru in USA and make the dream of Vivekananda 125 years ago come true--"Vedanta is the Religion of The Future".  We need to think why the word Hindu has become "intolerable" and "untouchable"?  First of all we were wrongly named as Hindus by others and over a long period moved away from the Wisdom of Vedas and neglected the Mother of all Religions including Hinduism-- Sanatana Dharma-- that is Truth and that is Sathyam--a principle that holds Immortals (sat) , Mortals (Thi) Together (yam)--Sat+thi+yam=SATHYAM  (Chandogya Upanishad)

Are we still cherishing this Historic Event  125  Years ago or are we bogged  down by the Horror of 9/11 of 2001?

In a proclamation, the Governor of Illinois declared September 11, 2018 as Swami Vivekananda Day

In his keynote address, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said that “ill-informed opinions and attitudes need to be altered” to preserve the values of Hinduism.

Chicago: Some people are trying to make the word Hindu “untouchable” and “intolerable”, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Sunday as he stressed on the need of preserving the true values of Hinduism to alter “ill-informed” opinions and attitudes.

 In his keynote address to the concluding session of the second World Hindu Congress, Naidu said India believed in universal tolerance and accepted all religions as true.  Share and care is the core of the Hindu philosophy, he said, outlining the important aspects of Hinduism. Naidu ruled that a lot of disinformation (about Hinduism) is going around.  “Some people are trying to make the very word Hindu untouchable, intolerable. That’s why, one has to articulate and see the values that espouse and present the bucket of ideas in correct perspective so that the world has the most authentic perspective,” he said. The authentic perspective will prevent the distortions and any erroneous perception gaining ground, he said.

Acknowledging that certain weaknesses has crept into the society, he said that this has to be dealt by reformers from inside.  “We should also know others’ experience and try to improve upon others’ philosophy,” he said, adding the Indian culture and religion has given the liberty to imbibe the best practices from other communities. He said “ill-informed opinions and attitudes need to be altered” to the real significance of the religion. “The philosophy that the entire world is the whole family, the whole world is the manifestation of the divine and that the God lives in each living and non-living entity of the world; tolerance and acceptance of plurality, realization that there us unity in diversity, and the ability to adopt and absorb, are some of the key aspects of Hinduism,” he said.

Hindu Dharma, he asserted, teaches how to co-exist harmoniously with nature. “True nationalism is preservation of this invaluable heritage,” he said and called upon the delegate to preserve the true values of Hinduism as shown by seers like Swami Vivekananda. Empowerment and respect of women is another key aspect of Hinduism, he said.

More than 2,500 delegates and 250 speakers from over 60 countries participated in the three-day World Hindu Congress coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the historic speech of Swami Vivekananda in Chicago in 1893. "Swamiji was an embodiment of Hindu culture. As Swami Vivekananda said in his inaugural speech at Chicago on September 11, 1893, ours is a country that has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance,” he said.   India, he said could provide to the world the honey of wisdom.  “The values we all cherish, as Indians, can be the guideposts for our individual growth and collective advancement,” he said.

“We also care for the preservation of natural resources and environment. We help create a more sustainable planet,” he said. India, he said, once upon a time was known as the Vishwa Guru (the world teacher). “In a world of unprecedented changes, we need a sheet anchor and a spiritual compass. India could offer those to the world. In a world that is filled with bitterness, India could provide the honey of wisdom gathered from different flowers by different bees,” Naidu said.

In a passionate appeal, he urged the delegates to preserve their mother tongue and culture.  Do not forget your mother tongue,” he added.

Please read through the following discourses in this regard:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2016/05/vedanta-religion-everlasting-universal.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2014/09/satanic-nineeleven-and-spiritual.html

--September 10, 2018

Comments:

Excellent points covered. Much appreciated!

--Sarvopari Shreeji

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 REMINDS US 3 IMPORTANT EVENTS 

1.      Descent of Kalki on Earth and his Jayanti on September 11^th this year.

2.      The Horror Mission of Mass Destruction (HMMD) started on this day in 2001 that    no one is able to stop till today. 

3.      The Parliament of World's Religion that started on 11 September 1893, 125 years ago  when  Vivekananda gave his first lecture.  

Let me recall   this year 9/11 (September 11) The Parliament of World's Religion  that started on 11 September 1893, 125 years ago  when  Vivekananda gave his first lecture:   “The   Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth. He finished his series of speeches with appeal "Help and not Fight," "Assimilation and not Destruction, Harmony and Peace and not Dissension”. Please recall the speech of Tulsi Gabbard that I sent you recently in this context.

 Yet today Christian missionaries are vigorously active in the fertile soils of India, particularly, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Orissa since their church attendance is depleting in the Western World with the alarmingly growing SBNR (Spiritual but not religious) to which Hindu youths with their Christian partners are attracted.

Muralidharan while sending his new research work sloka on Kalki Jayanti bemoans how ignorant and illiterate   Hindus in general and Tamils in particular are being exploited by Christian Missionaries.  Tamils have been brain washed that Tirukkural of Tiruvalluvar is the essence of Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ. This calls for an explanation as to which situation Christian Missionaries are exploiting? 

Christian Missionary George Aglow Pope claimed that the Tirukkuṛaḷ shows Christian influence.    He theorized that Valluvar came into contact with Christian teachers  in Maylapore, Chennai   and incorporated the ideas from the Christian scriptures in his text.   Since the 1960s, some South Indian Christians led by M. Deivanayagam at the Madras Christian College, have even characterized Valluvar as a disciple of St. Thomas the Apostle who was killed in Chennai and after whom the Mountain in Chennai is named with its history behind.  According to this theory, Thomas visited present-day Chennai, where Valluvar listened to his lectures of the Sermon on the Mount.  Several Tamil scholars, both Christian and Hindu, have criticized this claim as inaccurate.    The chapters on the ethics of Vegetarians (Chapter 26) and  Ahimsa (Chapter 33), which the Kural emphasizes emphatically and unambiguously unlike the  Holy Bible or other  Abrahamic religious texts, suggest that the ethics of the Kural is rather a reflection of the  Jaina Dharma  than  of Christian sermons.  This is further supported by his writing-- Agara muthala ezhuthellam, Aadi bhagawan muthatre ulagu' from Thirukural, means Like the first of the letters, the divine is the first in this world--where he makes a reference to Adhibagawan  indicative of Adinatha or Rishabha,  the Ford founder who founded the Jain philosophy.

It is therefore logical to conclude that Tiruvalluvar was a Tamil Hindu poet and Saint who got attracted to Jain Philosophy of Rishabha who is an incarnation of Vishnu. This philosophy remained popular as part of Hindu philosophy for centuries. It got organized under the 24^th Tirthankara Mahavir Vardhamana.  The   followers of Mahavir Vardhamana because of their extreme Ahimsa Policy and Vegetarianism fought for minority Religion Status in India and got recognition only in 2014, otherwise in Hindu-fold till then and were major builders of modern Hindu Temples in India besides Jain temples. Majority of Hindus are Non-vegetarians. Buddhists in the Far-East have also become pork and beef-eaters.

Christian Missionaries are still very active among Tamils and Malayalis who first gave refuge to fleeing Christians from Europe in India who built their first church in Kerala in 54 A.D., and also in pockets in the North like Orissa, Bengal and Assam regions. The ideology of the Dravidian movement can be traced back to the works of Bishop Robert Caldwell, an evangelist and a linguist who aggressively popularized the idea of an Aryan invasion of India. In Caldwell’s analysis, the Aryans sent their agents, the sly Brahmins who through their faith now known as Hinduism enslaved the Dravidian people who were given the title of ‘Shudra.’ The main aim of Caldwell in projecting the Aryan-Dravidian divide was to make way for mass conversions because many in South India were led to believe that Hinduism is a racist cult dominated by the Aryan Brahmins.

This belief was turned into a combative political ideology by Periyar. He saw all of South India as a separate nation from rest of what he called the ‘Aryanstan.’  To the bulk of his Tamil and other South Indian admirers, he presented Hinduism as a racist, Aryan-Brahminical cult as per Caldwell’s diktat.  His Hatred policy is still dominant among Tamils while Kerala has turned communist with convert Muslim and Christian domination.

I think Periyar’s speeches and writings were passionate enough to inspire a whole generation of Tamils to believe in his cause. In modern day Tamil Nadu, politics is dominated by parties which subscribe to the “Dravidian” ideology crafted by Periyar—the ideology is paid lip service today, but none in that state can dare criticize it without incurring significant costs. 

 --September 10,   2018

MYSTERIOUS NINE/ ELEVEN --A DAY OF SPIRITUAL AWAKENING, HORROR AND WORSHIP

On Sri Kalki Jayanti Day Sep 11, 2018 (Tuesday), Muralidharan Iyengar from Singapore draws our attention to a rare hymn on Lord Kalki taken from Chapter 3 of Kalki Puranam.  This hymn is in prose form and essentially a Dashavatara Stuti (hymn on ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu). 

In the Sanatana Dharma context, prayer to Lord Kalki is very timely as we see many of the prognostications that were supposed to be manifested at the end of the Kali Yuga are already manifest today, although we are in very early stages of Kali Yuga. 

While the awareness of Hindu religion and concepts is on the slow rise among Hindus and others, the assault on Sanatana Dharma in myriad ways is exponentially high and therefore it is at a critical juncture. One can't help oscillating between hope and despair. In 2018 alone, we have seen events that sent chill down the spine leading to despair - e.g. blasphemous comments/assaults on Goddess Andal and the ugly events that followed, feverish pitch of evangelists to convert Hindus and their shameless efforts to mimic Hindu faith to facilitate conversion including an attempt to appropriate Carnatic musicians recently, etc. -- just to mention a few. Thiruvalluvar has become a Christian and therefore Thirukkural is a Christian literature, in case you are not aware. There are many claims that puranas are not actually about Hinduism or Hindu gods - they are actually about Christiandom. 

 May we pray to Lord Kalki, who has foretold that he does not trust human beings to protect Dharma and therefore has taken this onto himself! Apart from slaying the evil, may He also slay our ignorance, ineptitude, and I neglect of action.”

Sometime back there was a sensational news in Chennai that Kalki has just arrived. But none could find where he is? Bhagavad Gita says: "paritraanaaya saadhoonaam vinaasaaya cha dushkritaam dharma smsthpanaarthaaya sambhvaami yuge yuge". I believe this time the Lord is too impatient to wait for the crisis of the Yuga and He is  already there with us.  Our Religious Pundits have started His Birth Day celebration. Our astrology pundits say that September 11 is his birth day.   Unlike Krishna who descended on earth at the closure of Dvapara Yuga Kalki seems to have had a premature birth and seems to be with us as Buddha has gone long back and none to take care of us. Our pundits say don't question our Puranas though old   they are always fresh--Pura nava iti. Let us therefore not question the wisdom of Puranas. I believe this Purana has not yet caught up the attention of Vedavyasa who is believed to be in Himalayas whom Madhva met! He may edit it further!

Whether Hindus in India believe it or not 9/11 Hindu Americans remember as the deadliest day.  The Horror Mission of Mass Destruction (HMMD) started on that day is no one able to stop. 

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (also known as the 9/11 Memorial & Museum) is a memorial and museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks, which killed 2,977 people, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which killed six.The memorial is located at the World Trade Center site, the former location of the Twin Towers that were destroyed during the September 11 attacks. It is operated by a non-profit institution whose mission is to raise funds for, program, and operate the memorial and museum at the World Trade Center site.

All Nations are trying to end this HMMD but are helpless. Hindu Americans who are not actively involved  pray to Lord  Kalki on this day. Unfortunately it has not yet caught up our Temple authorities to call it a Special Religious Event Day (SRED). But please chant this sloka for Universal Peace-- "sarvejanah sukhino bhavantu" at your homes that I received through courtesy Muralidharan Iyengar from Singapore who surprise  me also that  there is already  a Kalki Purana dedicated to Kalki  like Bhagavata Purana  dedicated to Avatar of Lord Krishna. I have not come across a Bauddha Purana  also and so I am content with the History of Buddha, like Jayadeva,  whose idol you can find in some Hindu American Temples.  Of course you have the iconic representation of Kalki whose description in Puranas  and Avesta  matches with the details in Holy Bible and so Christians claim He is a resurrection in Christianity. I don't blame them because up to Krishnavatar there was  only Sanatana Dharma  and no Hinduism. From Buddha Avatar -ism  (Hindsi-ism) or -ity   (Christian-ity) religions started and the each Avatar is viewed differently by different religions, in pieces if not peace,  though GOD is one and His Avatar is also one. I believe this is what Our Muralidharan talks about as Hindu God, Christian God and the fight in the East that has not yet reached us.  Some time back I talked to you about Sanat Kumara as the Son of God in detail. In this context I quote from Revelations of the Holy Bible and also from Puranas;

“The Coming of Christ 

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes area flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.   And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORD”

Who would not agree that Earth has undergone an extraordinary deterioration of its biosphere? Who could argue that living a pure life on earth becomes more difficult and challenging with each passing year? Who has not cried out about the social degeneration and political turmoil, financial chaos and pain and suffering caused by unending wars? Keeping aside every statement, counter statement and arguments regarding the predictions and prophecies about Kalki, I really wish that He is out there, somewhere…!

[Lord Shiva said to Lord Kalki:] "This white horse was manifested from Garuda, and it can go anywhere at will and assume many different forms. Here also is a parrot [ Shuka ] that knows everything - past, present, and future. I would like to offer You both the horse and the parrot and so please accept them  I would also like to present You this sharp, strong sword and so please accept it. The handle of this sword is bedecked with jewels, and it is extremely powerful. As such, the sword will help You to reduce the heavy burden of the earth."

Probably this is what our friend Muralidharan Iyengar is referring to. Our Interfaith experts say they will be meeting with each other? Please go through the inspiring message from Muralidharan Iyengar and the sloka on Kalki 

Let me recall on this year 9/11 (September 11) The Parliament of World's Religion  that started on 11 September 1893, 125 years ago  when  Vivekananda gave his first lecture   “The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth. He finished his series of speeches with appeal "Help and not Fight," "Assimilation and not Destruction," "Harmony and Peace and not Dissension. Please recall the speech of Tulsi Gabbard  that  I  sent you recently commemmorating 125th year of this Historic Event    

Please go through my interesting discourse to know about this Mysterious 9/11:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2014/09/satanic-nineeleven-and-spiritual.html

--September 9, 2018

WHERE IS OUR CONCEPT OF VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM (ALL WORLD IS ONE FAMILY)?

Anandibai Joshi is believed to be the first Hindu woman to set foot on American soil, arriving in New York in June 1883 at the age of 19. She graduated with an MD from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania on 11 March 1886, becoming the first female of South Asian origin to graduate with a degree in Western medicine from the United States. Joshi returned to India in late 1886 but died within months of her return.

One of the first major discussions of Hinduism in the United States was Swami Vivekananda's address to the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. He spent two years in the United States, and lectured in several cities including Detroit, Boston, and New York. In 1902 Swami Rama Tirtha visited the US for about two years lecturing on the philosophy of Vedanta. In 1920 Paramahansa Yogananda was India's delegate at the International Congress of Religious Liberals held in Boston.

Prior to 1965, Hindu immigration to the United States was minuscule and isolated, with fewer than fifty thousand Indians immigrating before 1965. It is worth noting that although most of these immigrants were Punjabi Sikhs, they were incorrectly and derogatorily referred to as "Hindoo" by many Americans, as well as in some official immigration documents. It was so in India too! The Bellingham Riots in Bellingham, Washington on September 5, 1907 epitomized the low tolerance in the USA for Indians and Hindus The Immigration Act of 1924 prohibited the immigration of Asians such as Middle Easterners and Indians. This further prevented Hindus from immigrating to the United States. Despite such events, some people, including professionals, stayed and worked until the Immigration and Nationality Services (INS) Act of 1965 was passed. This opened the doors to Hindu immigrants who wished to work and start families in the United States. It included Hindu preachers as well, who spread awareness of the religion among the people who had little or no contact with it.

A joint session of the United States Congress was opened with a prayer in Sanskrit (with some Hindi and English added), read by Venkatachalapathi Samudrala, in September 2000, to honor the visit of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The historic gesture was an initiative by Ohio Congressman Sherrod Brown who requested the US Congress House Chaplain to invite the Hindu priest from the Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple in Parma, Ohio. Another Hindu prayer was read in the United States Senate on July 12, 2007, by Rajan Zed, a Hindu chaplain from Nevada. His prayer was interrupted by a couple and their daughter who claimed to be "Christian patriots", which prompted a criticism of candidates in the upcoming presidential election for not criticizing the remarks. 92,323 exiled Bhutanese refugee have been resettled in USA since 2008 (As per the date of Feb, 2017) and many more Bhutanese refugee are resettling in United State of America continuously. Hinduism is the major religion of Bhutanese refugees who resettle in USA. In October 2009, President Barack Obama lit a ceremonial Diwali lamp at the White House to symbolize victory of light over darkness.

Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists including Neo-Buddhists united by a common dedication to Dharma and Ahimsa worked together and celebrated Diwali in the White House. American Hindu temples willingly consecrated Buddha and Mahavira idols in Hindu Temples and also accommodated sectarian worships like Swami Narayana and Saibaba. Unshaven Sikhs joined willingly Hindus in worship in Hindu Temples. Perhaps you all know in many Punjabi Hindu family the first son is given away to Sikhism to support the cause of Guru Nanak Sikhism. The bearded Sikh group being the earliest migrants mostly in Canada who later migrated to USA encouraged by Hindus are reluctant to join the Dharma Group. Buddha is an Avatar of Vishnu and so is Rishabha. The cohesion of these into Hindu Fold was easy to start with.

But encouraged by the separatist tendencies of Bearded Sikhs, Swami Narayan Group, ISKCON Group and Saibaba Group Jains have now started to separate out breaking the cohesion. Moving with the wind of VEGANS they now want to separate out from Hindus and show their Puritanism of Ahimsa in USA and probably also establish their own Temples. Suddenly dairy products have become Himsa products, a late realization among American Jains. They have to atone for their past sins, who knows how long? “So they have started Save the Kid” Can they? For their kids moving away from Jain Dharma finding their partners that are White Christians who are beef eaters. They can’t always find suitable Vegan Westerner.

You know Birla temples and JK Modern Hindu temples all over India. Here the reversal is taking place. You know Dairy products are strongly promoted by Jain community in India through their sweets, Rajasthani Thalis and Mahamastkabhishekha for Gomateswara. I still recall dinner at a Jain's place in Tonk with a katori full of ghee! Still most Jains in USA throng Hindu temples as seen in Lakshmi Puja during Diwaali, and their youth invariably picks a Hindu reluctantly as partner but mostly choose a BEEF EATING White Christian which is around 70%. Thus their very Dharma base itself threatened encouraging SBNR.

Wisdom lies in all Dharma based religions join together and promote Dharma focused Spirituality among SBNR, which is about 40% among church-goers and fast growing. Why then this separatist trend from Dharma Union purely to run to White House with Jainism Ego like Bearded Sikhs and raise sectarian walls like Khalistan that started after the murder of Indira Gandhi. Buddhism in USA is strong as Viswa Buddhism who are not vegetarians whom Indian Buddhists do not want to join. Only in 2014 India granted Minority Religion Status to Jainism. That was a great blunder, like partition. Lingayats are now agitating. It would have been wiser for Hindus to get back to their base of Vedic culture and Sanatana Dharma uniting all Dharma based Religions. USA can do it and show the way! This would open the eyes of all Abrahamic Religions to come together which process is far easier as they have the same God as their origin if not their later prophets after whom the religion has been named.

Please go through the   announcement from JAINA an organization of Jains of USA raising its head and separatism as they know Hindus love dairy products as Jains in India and no ritual can avoid Ghee and Milk in Hindu Worship. They recommend restrictive use of milk avoiding at least during Paryushana and Daslakshan Parva. I do not know how this Adharma can be tolerated? I am not sure whether dairy practices are different in India than in USA that permits use of dairy products in India. May be it may not apply to Buffalo Milk production?  Probably they may recommend popular Dalda? Only Jain Munis in India can tell!

"Major Points – Why Jains Should not Consume Milk and other dairy products

We earnestly request you not to consume dairy products at least during Paryushana and Das-lakshan parva.

Universal Law of Mother Nature

The following law of Mother Nature is true for mothers of human beings as well as for animals under natural environment.

· No mother (cow and human) produces milk unless she delivers a calf/baby first.

 . After birth of the calf there is just enough milk that is needed for her calf under natural environment (same is true for human mothers).

· The cow slowly stops producing milk after her calf reaches a weaning age which is about 15 months (same as human).

· Nature has not made any provision for mother cows to produce more milk for human consumption than the need of their calves under natural environment.

In conclusion, we can safely state that--meant for her baby calf under natural environment. Hence no human being and particularly Jains should not drink milk or use dairy products at all.

Contemporary Dairy Industry Practices:

· To receive continuous supply of milk, the cows are made pregnant within 3 months after the birth of a 1st calf. Cows are subject to artificial insemination or some other practices that ensure the maximum production of milk. In its natural course, at earliest, the cow would get pregnant after her calf is weaned, which is about 15 months or later.

· Approximately 95% of male and 65% of female baby calves are sold to the veal or beef industry, where they are slaughtered between six months to three years of age.

· All small and large commercial dairies fed hormones and antibiotics daily to increase the milk yield (except – in organic dairy farms). With hormones, cow produces 3 to 4 times more milk than its natural ability. The long-term effect of hormone to cow’s body is such that after 3 deliveries, the cow’s milk yield drops about 30% or more. At this time the cows are slaughtered even though her life expectancy is 15 to 20 years.

In summary, the cows are slaughtered immediately during meat production, while in commercial milk production the cows are tortured and forced them to produce 3 to 4 times more milk for 5 years and then slaughtered after their milk yield drops, even though their life expectancy is around 15 to 20 years.

This indicates that the cruelty in the production of milk is as bad as the cruelty associated with the production of meat".

At present JAINA is focused on animal source for food vis-a-vis Dharma. Next they will focus on Plant. In the context of Jain Dharma you can survive only on vegetable that are released from the base (urvarukmiva bandhanaat) or fallen and not even rice or wheat for here the whole plant is uprooted and killed to release the grain.

The lack of teachings of Dharma to our children results in practically no knowledge about Dharma which increases inferiority complex in children as they grow up and they end up being Pseudo Seculars and bash their own Dharma. It is therefore very necessary to focus on Sanatana Dharma and Wisdom of Vedas in influencing and educating Young Minds in our  Religious Practices and Educational Programs like  JAINA., may be not  with that impractical approach moving away from the teachings of Jain Munis in India.

--September 8, 2018

Comments:
Nicely analyzed History. We have to thank the Black African American Community for fighting the Racism in this Country that enabled the Civil Rights bill that brought the changes in the Immigration Laws. Sadly, it bleeds me to see some Indians looking down on Black Americans. Under God, everyone should be EQUAL!

 --ANIL Pandey

I like  the thinking.  We should promote commonness in the Dharmic religions, and not necessarily pay attention to the divisions that heed to sectarian interests. I believe our faith should promote harmony and spiritual well-being and not sow disharmony and guilt. Fanatic and extreme practices may seem appropriate for the pious, but should not be used to condemn the masses.

--Dr. Vedavyas Biliyar

AWAKENING sELF--DEDICATED TO AWAKENING THE GREATEST POTENTIAL WITHIN YOU

Please see the Awakening Program that has started in USA- coming from Rev. Connie L. Habash-- Personal and spiritual growth-- to enjoy sacred community, yoga, nature, meditation, and transformation. Let us tune with this new wave of spirituality in our practice of Hinduism with focus on Dharma and Teachings of Upanishads that gave inspiration to a new thought "Vasudhiva Kutumbakam" base on Panchtantra.

From: Rev. Connie L. Habash, MA, LMFT.  Sent To Srinivasan --Subject:   Awakening Self  

  Sacred Journey Women's Group

Sacred Journey is a women's spiritual psychotherapy group - A group of women who deeply support you on your spiritual path and nurture your personal growth, healing, and transformation.

 Each session we meditate, share presence in the moment with each other, and explore spiritual themes and practices to heal, grow, and awaken.  It's a special, sacred place to discover your authenticity, empowerment, inner truth, and self-compassion. To speak from your heart, deeply connect with others, and live more joyfully.

Members have generally done a fair amount of personal and spiritual growth and want to deepen into their True Self.

A weekend of renewal through meaningful connection in a group of women dedicated to personal and spiritual growth. Together, we foster this through yoga, meditation, cultivating community, deep nature connection practices, and a sprinkling of sacred solitude.

The Fall Women’s Retreat includes:

• Daily yoga classes
• Moderate hiking and nature exploration
• Daily meditation and breath work
• Group exercises, discussion, and creative practices (including a drumming circle!)

 --September 7, 2018

KAILASH-IRAQ-ROMANIA INTERCONNECTED

“As we observe the 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s enlightening speech at the first Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893, where he brought to the world the message of universal love of Raja Yoga, may we continue to share this message with the world and be inspired to live our lives guided by God’s peace and unconditional love.

Some people make the mistake of thinking that Hinduism is a race or nationality. But this is a misunderstanding. The beauty of Hinduism or yoga is that it is transcendental. It is the universal religion of humble love for God. It is the spiritual path which knows that God is one and He has many names, and that we're all His children, regardless of our race, nationality, ethnicity, political party, or the particular faith or scripture that we follow.

But he also offered a solution: universal acceptance and mutual respect amongs all religions. He described, “if there is ever to be a universal religion … it will be a religion which will have no place for persecution or intolerance in its polity, which will recognize divinity in every man and woman, and whose whole scope, whose whole force, will be centered in aiding humanity to realize its own true, divine nature.”

The great yoga spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, once said, “Party spirit is the greatest enemy of mankind.” In this age of Kali, quarrel, chaos and confusion, we need to make an extra effort not to be sucked into the whirlpool of anger, hatred, and sectarianism that surrounds us. We must hold tightly to the transcendental essence of Hinduism, which is pure love for God and all living beings

May our love for God and love for others always be our  compass.  This is the true meaning of Aloha and Dharma. By recognizing that we are all brothers and sisters — that we are all children of God no matter whether we consider ourselves to be Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, or atheist—this is the path to peace, this is the path of Aloha. This is the path of Dharma.”

--Speech of Tulsi Gabbard

I have pleasure in bringing back to your memory on this memorable day to remind you how we stayed connected  with the world in the recent past also  if we dismiss   what Vedas say “Sanghachadvam Samavadadvam” as philosphical !

Highly advanced concepts in Science are found in the Vedas and they are validated by latest developments in Modern Science. It is no surprise that there exists a maze of tunnel networks throughout the world. All of these have one thing in common. Mount Kailash. The Abode of Lord Siva was reported to contain a Huge Pyramid underneath and there were beings from another dimensions.  

Now Ramani, known for his research on Sanatana Dhrama and Hindu Culture  received information from a source in the US, who does not want to be identified  (he is not an Indian) and from a reader of his  blogs from France, about the existence of a maze of underground tunnels in the land of Dracula, Rumania.

He is providing excerpts from the research papers of Mr. Peter Moon, at the close of the Post.

There are Nazca Lines in Peru, resembling Shiva’s Trishul.  We have ancient Egyptians, Aborigines of Australia sporting Vaishnava marks. The Trident dance of Shiva is being performed by the Australian Aborigines even to-day. All the cultures Incas, Sumerians, Incas, Mayans, Celtic, Mesopotamians trace their roots to Sanatana Dharma.

The present findings talk about a mountain find dating back to 50,000 years, where location was found, which was blocked by mysterious energy.  On entering this field, with great difficulty, it is found to have rooms with tables.

While some of them analyze your DNA others dealt with the History of the Cosmos, scientific concepts, Aliens, medicine, most of which we are unable to decipher. One could see everything in a Hologram in the room! Remember this Mountain relics have been dated only 50, 000 years whereas the Sanatana Dharma is at least a Million years Old.

Let us get back to the world of Universal Oneness about which Vivekananda spoke to the Western World and not Universal Brotherhood as Tulsi Gabbard projects for Dharma in Universal that is Sarthyam and that is BRAHMA

--September 7, 2018

US TROOPS FIND MAHABHARATA VIMANA DISAPPEAR

Sometimes events take place and they make you wonder whether what we know as Science is really adequate in explaining Nature’s Mysteries. Is our present state of civilization is really an advanced one? The facts, events mentioned in the Vedas, Scriptures of the Hindus, The Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Great Epics sound so advanced as to make one dismiss them as figments of Imagination, and it is being dismissed as such by the so-called Elites.

Please look at the Cave in Afghanistan, where ancient Vimana was found. What we speak of is about the events, some of them date back to thousands of years and the information found are, Interstellar Travel; Advanced Quantum Mechanics; Organic and Inorganic Chemistry; Advanced Mathematics; Calculus; Anti -Gravity Theory; Advanced Surgery; Plastic Surgery; Medicine; Electricity; Magnetis; Atomic Theory; Neutron Bombs; Radar; Stem Cell Research; Prediction and measurement of Rain; Movement of Stars; Architecture; Music; Dance; Planets; Mental exercises;  Control of Consciousness….

Ramani's Blog has posted articles on each of these and more. They can be found under Hinduism, Astrophysics, Science. For more details and photographs on this topic please go through his Blog.  http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/index1432.htm 

                                                                                                           --September 9, 2018

CHAKRAS OF THE HUMAN BODY AND YOGA PRACTICE

"There are the two nerve-currents one on either side of the spinal column. The left one is called Ida and the right is known as Pingala. These are Nadis. Tentatively, some take these as the right and the left sympathetic cords, but they are subtle tubes that carry Prana. The Moon moves in the Ida and the Sun in the Pingala. Ida is cooling.

Pingala is heating. Ida flows through the left nostril and the Pingala through the right nostril. The breath flows through the right nostril for one hour and then through the left nostril for one hour. Man is busily engaged in worldly activities, when the breath flows through Ida and Pingala. When Sushumna operates, he becomes dead to the world, and enters into Samadhi. A Yogi tries his level best to make the Prana run in the Sushumna Nadi, which is known as the central Brahman Nadi also. On the left of Sushumna is situated Ida and on the right is Pingala. The moon is of the nature of Tamas and the sun is that of the Rajas. The poison share is of the sun and the nectar is of the moon. Ida and Pingala indicate time. Sushumna is the consumer of time.

Then there are Shat Chakras

  Kundalini is the serpent power or sleeping Sakti, that has 3 1/2 coils with face downwards, in the Muladhara Chakra, at the base of the spine. No Samadhi is possible without its being awakened. The practice of Kumbhaka in Pranayama produces heat and thereby Kundalini is awakened and passes upwards along the Sushumna Nadi. The Yogic practitioner experiences various visions. Then the Kundalini passes along the Six Chakras and eventually gets united with Lord Siva, seated on the Sahasrara or thousand-petalled lotus, at the crown of the head. Nirvikalpa Samadhi ensues now and the Yogi gets liberation and all the divine Aishvaryas. One should practice control of breath with concentration of mind. The awakened Kundalini that is taken up to Manipura Chakra may drop down again to Muladhara. It has to be raised again with effort. One should become perfectly desireless and should be full of Vairagya before he attempts to awaken Kundalini. Kundalini is like a thread and is resplendent. When it is awakened it hisses like a serpent beaten with a stick and enters the hole of Sushumna. When it travels from Chakra to Chakra, layer after layer of the mind becomes open and the Yogi acquires various Siddhis (psychic powers)"

Saivites thinking of Yoga  propitiate Lord Siva. They do not talk about Yoga Hayagriva and Yoga Narasimha! May be Vishnavites too do not talk about Siva!  Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev  does not talk about these deities but talks about Guru only. Having been brought with Kanandiga Culture in his pre-monk life his focus is Dakshinamurty or Dattatreya the popular deities of Karnataka and so talks of guru. One more thing puzzles me. Why he alone is addressed as Sadguru?  I thought a guru gets his title only when he is embodiment of truth! So we address them as Guruparmapara and not as Sadguru Pampara. Of course I have come across an article Noodle Gurus of India in Economist. I understand many Gurus are engaged in business and are selling noodles instead distributing free to the starving! This may call for a separate grouping of Sat Gurus and Asat Gurus! In Hindu philosophy we always speak of pairs of opposites__Sukha duhkha, sat asat, lakshmi alakshmi, seeta ushna, sun moon etc.to arrive at perfect understanding?" Bouddhavatara was that of a false Guru! Purnas talkmof False Vasudeva too. 

I have discussed about Kundalni power in detail in my discourse:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2015/05/kundalinee-power-powerful-enigmatic.html

Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, a modern Guru of ISHA Foundation is a different Guru who does not go by what other Gurus say. He says people do not go to temple for worship but get their human battery charged. Sadguru talks about  7 chakras, which are the major junction points of the Nadis in the body, and explore various mystical aspects of these seven fundamental chakras in his article: “7 Chakras: Mystical Dimensions of the Body’s Seven Chakras”

"Fundamentally, any spiritual path can be described as a journey from the Muladhara to the Sahasrara. This journey is an evolution from one dimension to another; these are just seven different levels of intensity. He also brings forth importance of Guru –Disciple relationship while practicing Kundalini Yoga

“To move your energies from Muladhara to Ajna, there are many spiritual processes and several ways, but to move from Ajna to Sahasrara, there is no path. There is no particular way. One has to either jump or fall into a bottomless pit. This is called “falling upward.” says Sadguru.
 

In yoga, they say unless you are willing to fall upward, you won’t get there. This is why so many so-called spiritual people have come to the conclusion that peace is the highest possibility – because they got stuck in Ajna. Peace is not the highest possibility. You can become ecstatic, so ecstatic that the whole world becomes a big joke in your understanding and experience. Everything that is dead serious for everybody is just a joke for you.

To move your energies from Muladhara to Ajna, there are many spiritual processes and several ways, but to move from Ajna to Sahasrara, there is no path. But people come and stop at the Ajna for a long time, just to make up their mind to jump. This is why in the spiritual traditions, so much stress was always laid on the Guru-shishya relationship – the master-disciple relationship. This is simply because if you have to take this jump, you need deep trust in the Guru. 99.9% of the people need trust, otherwise they cannot jump. This is the reason why so much stress is laid on this relationship, because without trust, one will never take that jump.”

Please go through the article “Ida, Pingala, Sushumna and the Shat-Chakras” by Swami Sivananda  above and  “7 Chakras: Mystical Dimensions of the Body’s Seven Chakras” by Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev of ISHA Foundation as attached.

---September 3, 2018

Comments:

  Thanks for the excellent information which is very enlightening.

---Dr. Brahma Parsh

I truly enjoyed educating myself about CHAKRAS after reading your article, and inspired me to learn more details about CHAKRAS, which I will do by reading your detailed discourse and other articles related to CHAKRAS. Thank you again, blessed we are to have a scholar like you who can write articles in detail about Hinduism,  its culture and customs traditions and anything and everything related to Vedas, Upanishads and everything associated to Hinduism,,,,thank you again, and may God bless you with good health every single day so you can keep on writing more precious discourses,,,,,for a long, long time--your ardent fan                                                                                  

--Dr. Ram Prasad

VEDA MANTRA THAT DIRECTS TO SEEK A GURU AND WORSHIP THREE DEVIS

Upanayan Samskara, at one time was obligatory for all upper classes for both sexes in Hindu community  except Sudras who were exempted as they had no time to study Vedas being busy with their field activities. Even among them few mastered Vedas and taught the community Vedas as Azhvars and Nayanmars. In turn they were deified when they left the mortal world and their idols were consecrated and worshiped in temples. Vajasaneyis use this section for the invocation of Gayatri instead of the mantra “Aayatu varadaa devi” that I had explained in my very popular discourse on Sandhyavandana ritual:

This is a Guide -line mantra for a disciplined (Brahmacharya) life. The Gist of the mantra is:

Disciplined by Upanayana  begin the day with morning prayer (Pratah Sandhya) dedicated to Gayatri, mid-day prayer (Madhyahneekam) to Savitri and evening prayer  (Sayam Sandhya) to Sarasvati after body and self-purification (Snana and Aachamana). These prayers guide you in your study of five Vedas of six branches."tripaada (3)   shatkukshih (6) panchaseersha (5) upanayane viniyogah  "--Three prayers to 3 Devis to guide us in our study of Five Vedas of Six branches.

 Ojoci Sahosi balamaci bhrajoci devaanaam dhaamanaamaci viswamaci visvaayuh sarvamaci  sarvaayuh abhibhoorom Gaayatreem aavaahayaami Saavitreem aavaahayaami Sarsvateem aavaahayaami  chchandarsheen aavaahayaami gaayatriyaa gaayatree chchndo viswaamitra rishih savitaa devataagnirmukham brahmaa  siroe vishnur hridayah rudrah sikhaa prithavee yonih praana-apaana-vyaana-udaana samaana sapraanaa svetavarnaa sankhyaayana gotraa gayatree chaturvimsatyaksharaa tripaada  shatkukshih panchaseersha upanayane viniyogah ||

The meaning of the above mantra is as follows:

Thou art the physical capacity. Thou art splendor. Thou art abode of gods and their name. Thou art the insentient universe. Thou art the full span of life or the Lords of all. Thou art every living thing. Thou art the life span of all. Thou art the vanquisher of all that is hostile to us. Thou art the Truth denoted by the Pranava. I invoke Gayatri (into my heart).  I invoke   Savitri.  I invoke Sarasvati. I invoke the meters, the rishis (and the gods). I invoke the splendor (of all the gods).  Of Gayatri-- the meter is Gatyatri, the Rishi is Visvamitra and the Deity is   Savitar.  Fire represents the mouth; the four faced Brahma the head; Vishnu the heart; Rudra, the crown-hair; Earth, the source; the in-breath, the out-breath, the diffused-breath, the up-breath  and  the middle-breath, the Breath (praana). Gayatri is fair in hue and is of the family of Paramaatman attained by the Sankhyas—the illumined sages. The deity Gayatri (explained further as a formula) has twenty four syllables, comprised in three feet, six sheaths or cavities and five heads. It is employed in Upanayana ceremony or initiation into Vedic studentship.

Only a person who is humble, penitent and eager for purity and freedom can receive the divine glory in its unsullied splendor. Such an aspiring soul looks to the Divine for all its needs and exclaims: “Thou art my strength, Thou art my Power, Thou art my Glory, Thou art my all” So the Gayatri conceived as non-different from Brahman is eulogized as the various excellence and attributes loaded above in the Mantra. The Supreme Being as the indweller and impeller of all Creation is known as Savitar (Solar Energy) and hence the passage in praise of this is called Savitri.  The Vedas are represented as a lake or Saras that gives the waters  of life and hence  Gaaytri and as the essence of Vedas is called Sarsvati. The two terms Savitri and Sarasvati magnify Gayatri as the object of worship.  So we worship Trinity Shakti aspects of Parabrahman.

Traditionally Gayatri is the name given to That Deity in the forenoon, Savitri in the Mid-day and Sarasvati in the Evening. Gayatri is explained as that which protects the person who chants it (gaayantm traayate iti) from the various sins. The epithet Savitri is given because it represents Savitar who illumines the creation; and Sarasvati because in that aspect it expresses the world in the shape of speech. These three also represented as Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu as well as red, black and   white. Whatever may be the details of worship, The Supreme alone is worshiped through the Gayatri mantra. 

The principal part of this devotion consists in the meditation of Gayatri in the orb of the sun visualized in one’s own heart non-different from Paramaatman.   Being the essence of all mantras, Gayatri embodies in it mystically all the meters, all the Rishis, all the gods as well as their splendor.  So by the invocation of Gayatri all these are invoked within oneself.  No mantra is efficient for employment in religious acts unless the meter, the deity and the seer are also remembered. So Gayatri, Visvamitra ans Savitar are next mentioned. Then the formula of Gayatri is personified for meditation;--Agni the first of Gods is the mouth, Brahma the first born is the head, Vishnu is the heart and Rudra is the Sikha or flame causing the final dissolution (or what is placed on the top of all). The earth is the yoni that is the source, the winds, the breath. Fitness in hue is indicative of the highest purity.  The knowledge of family background is necessary to assess the greatness of an individual and so it is stated that Gayatri is of the same Gotra as that of Brahman (sankhyaih eeyate jnaanibhih praapyate iti saankhyaayanah sanmaatram Brahma). The form of Gayatri mantra is then described.  It has three feet of eight syllables each, six sheaths or auxiliaries to  the  Vedas   which protect the Vedas represented by Gayatri like a sheath,  five heads consisting of four Vedas and Itihasa and Purana known as fifth Veda.

The Gayatri Mantra above is recited and explained before the individual is initiated into studentship.     Gayatri is administered to commence Vedaadhyana or study of Vedas in the Upanayana Ceremony.           

It is believed that each of the letter of the Gayatri mantra is represented by one of the twenty-four forms of Vishnu.  While performing the daily ritual of Sandhya, it is customary to recite the names of these twenty-four forms and consecrate the twenty-four spots in the body (Tantra-saara, 1, 43, 44). Gayatri Sara Sangraha identifies the twenty four letters of the Mantra with the ruling Abhimana devatas (presiding deities) and the names of Vishnu. The order of the twenty-four forms here is also what is in vogue Sandhyavandana.

1. Ta--Agni—Kesava                                    
2. Tsa--Prajapati—Narayana
3. Vi—Soma—Madhava
4. Tu---Isana—Govinda
5. Rva—Savitar—Vishnu
6. Re—Brihaspati—Madhusudha
7. Ni—Paitru devata—Trivikrama
8. Yam—Bhaga—Vamana
9. Bha—Aryamaa—Sridhara
10. Rgo—Savitri—Hrishikes
11. Dae—Tvashtar—Padmanabh
12. Va—Pushan—Damodara
13. Sya—Indra—Samkarshan
14.  Dhee—Agni—Vasudev
15. Ma—Vayu—Pradyumna
16. Hi—Mitra-Varuna—Aniruddha
17. Dhi—Bhratrudeva---Purushottama
18. Yoe—Visvedeva—Adhokshaja
19. Yoe—Vishnu—Narasimha
20. Nah—Vaasava—Achyuta
21.  Pra—Tushtaba—Janardhana
22. Choe—Kubera—Upendra
23. Da—Dasra—Hari
24. Yaat—Brahma—Sri Krishna

But in the present day Sandhyavandana we only recite first twelve names identifying them with our body parts! May be the other twelve need more bending and straining?  Orthodox Brahmins also wear Namam   or Vibhuti on different parts of the body identifying them as sacred spots! 

--September , 2018

HINDU-WAY OF LIFE IS TO BE MODELED AFTER LORD KRISHNA      

We will be celebrating Krishna Janmashtami on Friday September 2 and 3.  Have you ever tried to compare Sri Rama at one end and Buddha on the other to Krishna in the middle as Avatars?   Both resorted to extremes unlike Lord Krishna.  One was a stricter on Ksahtriya Dharma who neglected his family and the other who ran away from the family as a recluse.    Krishna as perfect avatar was very much down to earth as Swami Chidananda explains sharing and caring with family and friends and dealing with practicalities of life.    He showed the world how Karma is inevitable, born in prison, lived with foster parents and being killed by an arrow.  Did he brood over them?  He showed the way how to enjoy life whatever be the set-backs. He did not carry sudarsanachakra always with him like Rama ever ready to fight with his Kodanda. He carried his flute all the time to cheer up the gloomy and broody.  II am reminded of a story my mother used to tell me when I was a child. It seems Tippu Sultan, the Muslim ruler of Mysore was attracted to Mahabharata story and so hired a scholar to tell him the whole story to which he keenly listened.   At the end of the narration Panditji asked him, who were the people that impressed the king most.  Sultan at once replied “Ek Buddha, Ek Chokra aur ek Chaalaakee”.  By this he meant Bhisma, Abhimanyu and Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna had  Eight wives legally wedded. He had another 16000 wives,   girls in distress,   adopted as wives after releasing them from Narakasura's prison,   out of compassion and listening to their prayers as Bhaktavatsala.  He treated all of them equally and impartially as witnessed and reported by Sage Narada, divine gossip monger and trouble maker.   Lord Krishna demonstrated his impartiality towards all the wives as demonstrated by having 10 sons for each of his wives. Srimad Bhagavata says that  the  first son of Queen Rukmini was Pradyumna, and also born of her were Charudeshna, Sudeshna and the powerful Charudeha, along with Sucharu, Charugupta, Bhadracharu, Charuchandra, Vicharu and Charu (SB 10.61.8-9).  Charudeshna mentioned here is an incarnation of Ganesha or Vinayaka according ISKCON whom Siva appointed as Vighnesa or Vighnaraja or Lord of Obstacles.  

If you see the assembly of Gods worshiped as Krishna Avatar,  all in one sanctum worshiped together,  you come across three popular sets, unlike Rama which was always he and his brothers, Sita and Hanuman sometimes Lakshmana and Bharata being omitted. In Chennai in Parthasarathy Temple you will find Krishna, Balarama, Rukmini, Aniruddha, Pradyumna and Satyaki. Satyaki was a friend who fought Mahabharata war on the side of Pandavas leading one Aksahuheeni.  Arjuna or Kuchela are not seen in this assembly. Satyaki belong to Vrishni Class and was a Yadava.  Here Krishna chose a friend and Vrishni clan member. Hindus always invite family and friends for any celebration and that too from their own clan mostly. This tradition comes from Lord Krishna. Let us see another famous assembly on Ratnavedi in Puri Jagannath. Here again we have Balarama and Subhadra. Her he did not choose Radha, Rukmini or Satyabhama. May be he did not want to bring in all his 16008 wives whom   He treated equally well! His concern was for his brothers and sisters. That is why Rakhi and Bhai Duj is very much focused in North Indian Tradition.  The third popular assembly in the North is Radha Krishna. Though Lord Krishna had 16008 wives he did not cheat on any one of them. He was open with his calf-love with Radha which did not materialize.  He did not cheat any of his legally wedded wives keeping his love for Radha a secret.  Narada once wanted to surprise Krishna to find out what he was doing with such a large number of wives.  He was astonished to find Lord Krishna was leading a normal life with every one of his wives equally enjoying life wherever he went. Lord Krishna even appreciates the  popular worship of Radha Krishna and the celebration of this wedding in temples which never took place. Thus he was   very practical to human life, aspirations and realizations. The motivation for Father’s day Mother’s day, Brother’s day, Sister’s day and Grand-parent’s day all look for Krishna as role model.    He was very much attached to his foster parents even when he knew his real parents were different. He was equally attached and in love with them. He did not hate his real parents for abandoning him as a baby nor neglected his foster parents later. He was always with them sharing and caring.  He was very   much attached to Balarama and Subhadra, his cousins though they were not born to Devaki and Vasudeva and always sought there advice and love.  He was a role model for all married people. He did not discard any one of them as Rama discarded Sita nor any one of his wives deserted Him like Padmavati leaving Venkatesvara and living separately! Krishna thus guides the Ideal Hindu-way of life.  

I believe Krishna's Birthday was celebrated both in Nandagokula as Janmashtami with his fostered parents and in Mathura as Sri Jayanthi with his real parents! That is way we celebrate both one on Ashtami the other on Navami. I also believe Vasudeva and Devaki celebrated Gokulashtami and Nanda and Yasoda Sri Jayanti to honor the families with mutual admiration!  It is no wonder we always end our worship with the words “Sarvam Krishnaarppanamstu”.

WISH YOU ALL HAPPY GOKULASHTAMI AND SRI JAYANTI INVOKING HIS DIVINE BLESSINGS!

--September 2, 2018

Many thanks for timely sharing of details on Sri Krishna

--A.P.Koil Saptagirisan

SADHANAS—WAYS TO REACH GOD

The Bhagavad Gita, an epitome of the Upanishads, has set out three main Yogas namely Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga and left the choice to the taste, the temper and the capacity of the individual. There is also a fourth yoga called the Raja Yoga which is a graded course of physical and mental exercises so as to achieve concentration and control of mind but it is in reality  an ancillary to the other three. Spiritual fulfillment of Mukti cannot be attained without Bhakti which according to Sankara, is not mere spiritual knowledge or speculation but is the exhilarating experience of love when the mind is reverted to the feet of the Lord.  

After vehemently   promoting his Advaita Philosophy and Jnana Marga Sankara strongly advised his followers to worship Lord Vishnu in his Bhaja Govindam and Atmabodha as Para Brahman in his Saguna form as long as we have to live in this practical world (Karma Bhoomi) and progress towards Liberation. Ramanuja continued the task which Sankara began towards the end of his life which Madhva fine-tuned.  It was Ramanuja who presented a religion of love and redemption through Bhakti and prayer   linked to knowledge to the common masses at large. By preaching this universal love of Vishnu, he brought to them such a God as they were yearning for. Stretch without Strain was his approach to Bhakti and jnana.

Jnana or spiritual knowledge without Bhakti or devotion is a waste. Bhakti without Jnana makes you an orphan. You no doubt get the sympathy of various gods or Devatas to live happy   but in the process waste time and miss your goal to join the source from which you came and got into confusion—a case of the prodigal son.  Bhakti coordinated with Jnana will lead you to your source. Karma Yoga is the   vehicle that carries Bhakti coordinated with Jnaana. In fact it is wrong to think that we can miss any of the three if we want to succeed. They are all integrated. They are separately talked about to stress the important role of   each in its harmonious application.  Our spiritual Gurus are coming with new names for these Yogas and confuse us more like Hatha Yoga Hot Yoga etc. But Gita says:

Yanti devavrataan devan pitrun byanti pitrivratah |bhootaani yaanti bhootejyaa yaanti madyaajino api maam||

The worshipers of gods go to the gods the worshipers of manes reach the manes and of the evil spirits (bhutas) go to the evil spirits, those who worship GOD alone, they surely go to GOD. (I hope you know the difference between god and GOD that I explained in my previous E-mail).

But please listen to the Spiritual neuro-surgeon who is an adept both in diagnosis and cure. Probably he may say the cure depends on the diagnosis. We have talked about Bhishak Siva and his patient Ganesha last week. As we all know Lord Siva is the God that promoted  Ayurveda   and transplantation who transplanted an elephant’ s head with so much wisdom on the body created from body paste of Parvati to which life was infused. Today Lord Siva has made some of these doctors Spiritual Gurus who can practically guide us spiritually. We in USA are happy because their tribe is increasing and I am personally blessed having such philanthropic and spiritual inclined physicians and surgeons in the city of Nashville.

FOWAI FORUM (India) AND STEP (USA) invite you to join the  WEBINAR- 129 Sādhanās - Ways to God to be presented by:  Dr. Thimappa Hegde, a reputed Nuero-surgeon who is a spiritual Guru at the same time,  on Sunday, 2^nd September, 2018. The same is available on YouTube.

  Gist of the Presentation:

Any accomplishment, material or spiritual involves years of hard work. Sādhanā is a spiritual exercise done regularly to help a spiritual seeker, the sādhaka to reach or attain the goal, the sādhyam, and become spiritually accomplished, a siddha.

The three main sādhanās prescribed by our scriptures are Karma Yoga, Upāsanā Yoga and Jnāna Yoga. Upāsanā yoga includes various forms of meditations also called dhyāna yoga. Bhakti Yoga is not a separate sādhanā but includes karma, upāsanā and jnāna yoga. These three sādhanās are not alternative or optional but to be practiced sequentially. Karma yoga and upāsanā yoga practiced over a long period of time makes us eligible or qualified to the final sādhanā, jnāna yoga.

Our scriptures, the Vedas, are broadly classified into two portions: veda-pūrva and veda-anta. Veda pūrva deals with various sādhanās which come under karma yoga and upāsanā yoga. Vedānta deals mainly with jnāna yoga sādhana. Sādhanā help us to attain all human goals, the purushārthas.

--September 1 2018

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