Hindu Reflections: July 2019

THOUGHT OF THE DAY, JULY 2019

KENTUCKY TEMPLE'S EFFORTS TO SPIRITUALLY PROGRESS

Kentucky Temple in USA shows us the way as to how to celebrate Gurupurnima Day.

“On the sacred day of Guru Purnima, Pujya Swamiji Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji offered a beautiful program at the Hindu Temple in Louisville, Kentucky. This special event followed the spiritual retreat at Dale Hollow Lake State Park that had been held earlier in the week and many of those present at the retreat joined local temple members for satsang, prasad, and a delicious vegetarian meal.

The temple priests welcomed Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Sadhviji with divine Veda chanting and prayers. This was followed by an inspiring talk by Sadhviji who spoke on the significance of the Guru, as well as what we can offer our Guru or God on this auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima. She emphasized purity of heart and spoke of how Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita beautifully says, that whatever is offered to Him, that which is sattvic and dharmic, such as a leaf, fruit, flower, water, whatever is offered with love and devotion, the Divine accepts it with Love and delight--patram pushpam phalam toyam yo may bhaktya prayacchati…..

In a similar way, Pujya Swamiji reminded attendees that one garland is enough. That he would prefer the beautiful flowers, so many flowers that were offered, stay on the plants and trees to be admired and appreciated and that the funds used to buy so many flowers be donated to help the poor. He also spoke about the qualities and values to cultivate on Guru Purnima, including the importance of staying anchored and grounded with faith to the Divine. He highlighted the laws of karma, and the importance of performing our karmas in such a way that we have faith in ourselves and in the Divine, in such a way that no one is harmed or cheated. He emphasized that each day, we should practice introspection, offering whatever we have done, good and bad, to the Divine.”

The same is true with our Abhisheka ritual about which we discussed a lot though our religious Pundits may not agree and even dismiss us as atheists.

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2014/02/abhishekam-out-flows-are-sacred-treat.html

Swamijis advice reminds us that we should focus on Kamokarsheet and Manyurakarsheet Japa (meditation) and homa every day, not confining to Upakarma Day to be a ritual for few who have undergone Upanayana once a year, about which we will talk about soon.

In the Satsang from the Guru Purnima Retreat in Kentucky, Sadhvi Bhagawatiji enlightens us about the causes and effects of stress, depression and anxiety, calling them such "tragic ironies" when we have so many blessings. The problem, she says, is the mind. The mind is the thing that binds us, or allows us to be free. Suppression of Anger causes stress, anxiety and depression too. Therefore we worship Kama-Krodha as deities in Temples and Home, stooping to conquer Anger and Desire as learnt from wisdom of Vedas. i will talk ab out how to manage and worship anger and desire soon!

On the sacred day of Guru Purnima, Pujya Swamiji Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji offered a beautiful program at the Hindu Temple in Louisville, Kentucy. This special event followed the spiritual retreat at Dale Hollow Lake State Park that had been held earlier in the week and many of those present at the retreat joined local temple members for satsang, prasad, and a delicious vegetarian meal.

Over the course of three peace filled days, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji led a beautiful Guru Purnima retreat at the stately resort overlooking a gorgeous lake in the Dale Hollow State Park, Kentucky. The weekend included multiple satsangs each day that covered topics as varied as achieving conscious dharmic relations, faith versus blind faith, and dealing with stress, depression and anxiety. Participants also had many opportunities to ask questions and to have one-on-one audiences with Swamiji and Sadhviji.

Each satsang began with an inspiring guided meditation led by Sadhviji, and included instructions from Pujya Swamiji on the correct pronunciations of significant mantras and verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The program also included early morning yoga classes and nature walks in the wooded areas surrounding the retreat center. Particularly special were the daily Ganga Aarti ceremonies that were held at sunset overlooking the Dale Hollow Lake.

One enchanted evening, attendees walked in the growing dusk as fire flies emerged to illuminate our path with their flickering lights. Another night was spent immersed in a sound bath that combined gongs, glass bells, and other instruments in a blissful experience.

The site was well chosen because it allowed for meditation and quiet contemplation in proximity to much natural beauty. It allowed those in attendance to act on Pujya Swamiji’s words when he says, “Come to Nature, Be with Nature and Change your Nature.”......

--July 31, 2019

FIVE VERSES ON SELF--EKANMA PANCHAKM

If India had a glorious past, it was because of the seers and sages and saints of this land. Though engaged primarily in a tapasyä of knowledge and self-discipline, the Rishis always did benefit the world.The latest in the galaxy of Maharshis is Ramana Maharshi.

Bhagavan is an expert in Tamil 'venba' meter and once He asked Kavyakanta Ganapati Muni, to try this meter in Sanskrit. Kavyakanta tried it in Sanskrit and left it saying that it is more difficult than 'Arya chandas' of Sanskrit. Then the Muni tried it in Telugu and he also left that. Later in the present Ashram, Suri Nagamma, a Telugu devotee (who is the author of Letters from Sri Ramanasramam) requested Bhagavan to try Telugu verses in 'venba'. He replied, 'Why don't you try? Your mother tongue is Telugu.' Suri Nagamma said 'No’ How can I, when Kavyakanta himself could not succeed.' and she kept quiet. After about 3 days, Bhagavan wrote 3 verses in Telugu 'venba' meter on the Self! Again, on the next day, He wrote 2 more verses in Telugu 'venba' meter! He said that this can be called Atma Panchakam or Anma Panchakam (in Tamil) or Five Verses on the Self, but since Sankara has already got a composition titled Atma Panchakam, we can call it Ekatma Panchakam or Five Verse on the Only Self.

Bhagavan Himself, then, made this Telugu composition into Tamil and Malayalam. About this composition, a touch of melancholy is that this is the last original composition of Bhagavan, which was written on 16/17th February 1947. Poet Muruganar has written a benedictory verse for this compositionin Tamil. Even this benedictory verse has been translated by Bhagavan in Telugu and Malayalam. The verses are Tamil transliteration.

Verse 1

1. When, forgetting the Self, one thinks; That the body is oneself and goes
Through innumerable births; And in the end remembers and becomes
The Self, know this is only like; Awaking from a dream wherein; One has wandered over all the world.

Tannai maṛandu tanuvē tānā-eṇṇi
Eṇṇil piṛavi eḍut tiṛudi – tannai
Uṇarndu tānā-dal ulagasañ charak
Kanavin vizhit-talē kāṇga – anavara-dam

In a dream, one may go on a world-tour and in the dream, itself return home and lie down in one’s own bed; but when one awakes one knows that it was all a dream. In the same way all of one’s reincarnations in Samsara are only a long-drawn out dream, at the end of which only the Self remains, unaffected by all this. There is a difference here, because it was not the Self that dreamed, but only the ego-mind.

Verse 2

2. One ever is the Self. To ask oneself; “Who and whereabouts am I?”;
Is like the drunken man’s enquiring; “Who am I?” and “Where am I?”

Tānirun-dun tānā-gat tannaittā nānevan
Yān-irukkum stānam edu-venakkēt – pānukku
Yānevan evviḍam yānuḷan enḍṛa-madu
Pāna-nai yīḍu pagar-satcid –ānanda

Here the difference is that the drunken man puts the question to others, but the Sadhaka puts the question to his own ignorant, false self. The real Self remains unaffected all the time.

Verse 3

3. The body is within the Self. And yet one thinks one is inside the inert body; Like some spectator who supposes; That the screen on which the picture is thrown is within the picture.

Tannuḷ tanu-virukkat tānach jaḍa-vuḍalan
Tannuḷ irup-padāt tānunnum – anna-van
Chitti-rattin uḷḷuḷada chitti-ratk kādāra
Vastira menḍṛeṇ-ṇuvān pōlvān – vastu-vām

Verse 4

4. Does an ornament of gold exist; Apart from the Self? The ignorant one thinks ‘I am the body’; The Enlightened knows ‘I am the Self’.

Ponnukku vēṛagap bhūsha-ṇam uḷḷadō
Tannai viḍut tanu-vēdu – tannai
Tanu-venbān ajñāni tānā-gak koḷvān

Tanai-yaṛinda jñāni darippāi – tana-doḷiyāl

Here the truth is that the one Self is the substratum of all appearances. This has been explained before. In the true state there is no superimposition, only the substratum remains, but it is no longer a substratum.

Verse 5

5. The Self alone, the Sole Reality Exists for ever; if of yore the First of Teachers Revealed it through unbroken silence; Say who can reveal it in spoken words?

5. Eppō-dum uḷḷadav ēkānma vasttuvē
Appō-dav vasttuvai yādi-Guru – ceppādu
Ceppit teri-yumā ceidanarē levar
Ceppit teri-vippar ceppu-gena – ippōdav

So this is the rationale of the silent teaching by God as Dakshinamurti, the first Guru. Rightly to teach the Self is to be perfectly quiet. That is teaching by being only the Self, without ego and without mind. He who likewise remains as the Self, mind-free and egoless, understands this silent teaching. Thus the truth of non-becoming is confirmed.

Concluding Verse

Guru Ramana, who revels in the form of (pure) jnana, composed these five verses on the Self. Declared in them is the nature of Reality, which destroys the illusion that the body is the Self.

Ekanma vuṇmai yinait-tenat tēṭṛiyan-bar
Dēhānma bāvañ cidai-vittān –ēkānma
Jñāna sorūpa-mā naṇṇuṅ Guru-Ramaṇan
Tān-navinḍṛa ippāviṛtan.

The knowledge thus far imparted is only preparatory to the teaching of the means of obtaining the right awareness. It is not itself that awareness!

--July 28, 2019

Comments:

Thank you for the excellent Sunday e-mail. Deeply appreciate it

--Bala from Atlanta

Thank you for sending this

--Tkp Naig

THE GREATNESS OF RISHI TRADITION IN HINDU CULTURE

The theme for 5th International Yoga Day was ‘Climate Action’. There was a two day celebration of Yoga Day at the United Nation in which there was session called “Yoga with Gurus” followed by a panel discussion on the chosen theme for the Yoga Day.

Since time immemorial, we have seen the tradition of Rishis in Bharatiya Culture. They were creators, educators, guides of men and the life of the Indian people in ancient times was largely developed and directed by their shaping influence. It is important to note that there has always been a continuity of this tradition of Rishis and there has not been any time when they have not taken birth in this land. If India had a glorious past, it was because of the seers and sages and saints of this land. Though engaged primarily in a tapasyä of knowledge and self-discipline, the Rishis always did benefit the world. The following words of Swami Sivananda Saraswati, the founder of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, which he wrote in the introduction to his book on the Lives of Saints of India, present the magnanimous nature of the seers, saints and sages of India:

“Saints and sages are a blessing to the world at large. They are the custodians of superior divine wisdom, spiritual powers and inexhaustible spiritual wealth… Their very existence inspires others and goads them to become like them and attain the same state of bliss achieved by them… Their glory is indescribable. Their wisdom is unfathomable. They are deep like the ocean, steady like the Himalayas, pure like the Himalayan snow, effulgent like the sun…To be in their company is the highest education. To love them is the highest happiness. To be near them is real education.”

Today there are Gurus like Swami Chidanandas of Paramartha Niketan, Fowai Forum etc., Ramakrishna Math., Sree Maa, Karunamayi, Amritamayi, Sadhvi Bhagavati etc. that practice Sevadharma and Sanyasa-yoga while leading a normal life as humans which is not easy. Their mind is inclusivecaring and sharing with the world and not exclusive focused on self-Mukti living in the forest, and are like Vedic Rishis who helped the kings in preserving Dharma as counselors. Our mind should be always with The Supreme Deva, yet our hands should be doing His work. People think that in order to be spiritual, or to “be with God,” one must be sitting in lotus posture in the Himalayas. This is not the only way. In the Gita, Lord Krishna teaches about Karma Yoga, about serving God by doing your duty. It is the choice of a few saints to live in Samadhi in the Himalayas. Their vibrations and the global effect of their Sadhana are extraordinary. Very few can reach them and benefit from them! Fortunately we have a handful of them living with us and guiding us all the time, being active in the Internet. But it is unfortunate Bharat today is also flooded with noodle gurus (Meivazhi samiyar likes) and often we lose our major part of life listening to them in the process of finding a real Guru.

Listen to our modern Rishis and judge yourself:

“The Mandirs have to play a significant role in the growth of the Hindu community in terms of its capacity to uphold Hindu Dharma.” -- SWAMI DAYANANDA SARASWATI (www.arshavidya.org)

“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.” -- SRI SRI RAVI Shankar

“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.” -- SWAMI CHIDANANDA SARASWATI (www.parmarth.com)

"Spirituality (Sanyasa) is not just sitting in lotus posture and meditating X number of hours in a dark room. Sanyasa 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 and keeps you connected to the depth and truth of yourself so that you can truly bring the fullness of yourself to every move. Life and excellence are not just about connecting to the internet and getting the fastest speed but we must remember to connect with the inner-net and get the right direction" says Sadhvi Bhagavati.

"We have worshiped the Creator for so long, but at the same time, we have to preserve, protect, serve, save, and respect the Creation. Protecting the environment and water is not just important for the earth, but for peace itself, as when we run out of water there will be war and suffering. By 2030, India will have half of the water that it needs, and by 2040, the world will have half the water it needs. Let us also vow to protect our sacred rivers, Mother Earth and Mother Nature, just as we would our own family, as without them there is no life. I often say that there can be a Plan A and Plan B - there can be many plans - but there is no Planet B! We have only one planet and we have to protect, preserve and serve it. Let us make this Earth Day a Worth Day by pledging to protect, preserve, and serve our home - Mother Earth - for all beings and all species. Let us pledge to protect all of Mother Nature, for it offers us divine protection through the clean air, water, and soil it provides us. Nature thrives in diversity and oneness. Let us celebrate and actively contribute to protecting this diversity. Let us put our meditation into action and take yoga off the mat and into the world, to be and do the change that the planet needs today." - H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji

"It may be that I shall find it good to get outside of my body – to cast it off as a disused garment; but I shall not cease to work! I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is one with God.’-- Swami Vivekananda on Mahasamadhi Day, July 4, 190

Are they not alive to our problems today and concerned with them?

The GURU is both outside and inside. Appearing outside of us, he pushes our mind inwards. Shining within us, he pulls our mind inwards. He is both impersonal and personal. Vedānta regards GURU on par with Ishwara (God) and Ātma (the Self)--Swami Chidanananda of FOWAI Forum

Don’t you think we should celebrate Gurupurnima Day with great significance expressing our indebtedness to all Rishis in our temples dedicating it to Vedavyasa with the mantra “Vande Guruparamparam”. Somehow Vedavyasa is not called a Rishi while Rishabha (Adinatha) is and Buddha called a Muni. All the three are incarnations of Vishnu and transcend Rishi-hood.

--July 27, 2019

THE NATURE OF BRAHMAN

FOWAI Forum India and STEP USA presents by Pujya Swāmi Chidānandaji WEBINAR-15, THE NATURE OF BRAHMAN, The Absolute Reality on Sunday, July 28, 2019 available on YOUTUBE/fowaiforum)

Gist of the Presentation:

All the Upanishads are mainly concerned with revealing Brahman, the absolute reality. “It is existence, awareness and limitless,” says one of them, found in the Yajurveda. “Awareness is Brahman,” says a second one, from Rg-Veda. The emphasis is on non-duality in a third Upanishad, in the Sāmaveda, which says, “It is that where one does not see or hear any other.” And a fourth one from the Atharva-Veda stresses on, “the peaceful substrate where the pluralistic universe subsides.”

This webinar will attempt a synthetic view of the ultimate truth, which the Vedānta considers to be everyone’s true nature:

-satyam jnānam anantam brahma – Taittiriya, Valli 2, mantra 1

prajnānam brahma – Aitareya, Chapter 3, mantra 1.3

yatra nānyat pashyati, nānyat shrinoti – Chāndogya, Chapter 7, mantra 24.1

prapanchopashamam, shāntam, shivam, advaitam – Māndukya, mantra 7

The word Brahman is neuter only in form according to the Sanskrit grammatical gender but not in meaning. It is absurd to refer to Brahman the all -intelligent and all-bliss and ever abiding Being by the pronoun it as though something unintelligent and unfeeling. Therefore Brahman is always referred by the pronoun He. Brahman is derived from the root brih, “to grow, to grow great” which is undoubtedly only vridh in another form. If so, the English “WORD’ is ultimately the same as Brahman found in Vedas even etymologically. It is worth recalling the Holy Bible stars with; “ in the beginning there was the Word, the word was with GOD and the word was GOD where G= Generator; O=Operator; D=Dissolution which again same as Sathyam where Sat=immortal; thi=mortal; yam=what is being regulated. But that was before walled religions were man-made as Abrahamic Religions!!!

The Upanishads expound Brahman by different names such as Sath, Atman, Akshara, Prana, Jyothi and Narayana. All the general names culminate in the specific name Narayana (Narayana eti samarpayami). He is the one cause of everything in the Universe. He has transcended everything else and has none equal to him or greater than him. In his Immanent aspect he is residing as the“Antaryamin” or the Inner Controller in the cave of the hearts of all people. He is necessarily characterized by all auspicious qualities as opposed to all that is defiling. The Upanishads describe that Brahman has all the five qualities of “Sathyam, Jnanam, Anandam, Amalam and Anantam”. These determine His essential nature. Terms like Nirguna and Niranjana describe that He does not have any defiling quality. Brahman is embodiment of Infinite Knowledge (Prajnanam) that is often simply called as “Knowledge” (like Atman)--part for the whole. He is the supporter, ruler and master of this universe. The entire Universe is subservient to Him and exists only on account of His will. The Chetanas (sentient) and Achetanas (non-sentient) depend upon the Supreme Principle for their very existence, nature and functioning. Brahman is supreme in His nature and is also redeemer of all.

Brahman is all. From Brahman come appearance, sensations, desires, and deeds. But all these are merely name and form. To know Brahman one must experience the identity between him and the Self and the Brahman dwelling within the lotus of the heart. Only by so doing can man escape from sorrow and death and become one with the subtle essence beyond all knowledge--Chhandogya.

The Self is Brahman, and Brahman is all--Isavasya. Isaanah sarvabhootaanam Isvarah sarva vidyaanaam

The power behind every activity of nature and of man is the power of Brahman. To realize this truth is to be immortal to merge with the source--Kena

Man is composed of such elements as vital breath, deeds, thoughts and the senses--all of them deriving their being from the Self. They have come out of the Self, and in the Self they ultimately disappear--even as the waters of the river disappear in the sea--Prasna

The sage distinguishes between Knowledge (Jnaana) and Wisdom (Vijnaana). Knowledge is of things, acts, and relations. But wisdom is of Brahman alone; and beyond all things, acts, and relations, he abides forever. To become one with Him we need only wisdom--Vijnaanena aatmaanam vedayati. Prajnaanam Brahma. Prajnanam is beyond our conception--Mundaka

Brahman, source, sustenance and end of the universe, partakes of every phase phase of existence. He wakes with the waking man, dreams with the dreamer, and sleeps the deep sleep of the dreamless sleeper; but he transcends these three states to become Himself. His true nature is Absolute Consciousness while Self is Attributive Consciousness--Aitreya

Filled with Brahman are the things we see; Filled with Brahman are the things we see not; From out of Brahman flows all that is; From Brahman all--yet he is still the same OM--Brihadaranyaka

Personal Brahman in union with Maya creates, preserves and dissolves the Universe. Impersonal Brahman Transcends all forms of being, is Eternal, and is without attribute and without action--Svetasvatara

Subtler than subtlest, greater than greatest, Supreme Self is hidden in all creatures. Through His grace a man loses his cravings, transcends grief, and realizes him as Brahman Supreme or Paramatman--Mahanarayana

Please get ready for an enlightening lecture for a synthetic view of Brahman Devo Ekah by Swami Chidananda as communicated above.

--July 26, 2019

CHATURMASA, TIME FOR MEDITATION AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS

Chaturmasa starts on Sunday, Jul 7 and ends on Monday, Nov 11, in 2019. You might have dreamt in your sleep; but have you ever meditated or attained spirituality while sleeping? Lord Vishnu was able to do so in Yoga Nidra.

Chaturmas : What One Means By Chaturmasa?

Chaturmas literally means the period of four months. However, this tenure of four months has a strong connection with divinies and people find this a favorable time to attain the blessings of Almighty. Chaturmasa begins on the eleventh day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Hindu month, Asadha (also known as Deva shayani Ekadashi). It continues till the eleventh day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik Month in Hindu calendar which is popular as Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthaana Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu is worshiped during Chaturmasa. The period of Chaturmasa is observed by Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains.

No auspicious functions are performed during the period of Chaturmasa, especially marriage. It is believed that marriages conducted during Chaturmasa might not produce good results. But, how does it affect the nuptial relationship between two people?

If a marriage takes place during Chaturmasa, there are chances of divorce.
A marriage organized in the period between Devshayani Ekadashi and Dev Uthaana Ekadashi, may also lead to chances of infertility.
It might bring in trifling arguments between a husband and wife.

A cluster of Hindu festivals that are celebrated during Chaturmas. They are:

Guru Purnima; Hariyali Teej ; Naga Panchami; Krishna Janmashtami ; Kajari TeejRaksha Bandhan; Upakarma, Ganesh Chaturthi; Navaratri; Durga Puja; Karwa Chauth; Dhanteras; Naraka Chaturdashi; Diwali; Govardhan Puja; Bhai Dooj; Chhath Puja , Thus a fully packed season for festivals and rituals.

Why Is ‘Chaturmasa’ Different from Any Other Period?

The period of Chaturmas signifies extreme spirituality and in this context let us take a look at legends connected with Lord Vishnu.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Devashayani Ekadashi, and wakes up on Dev Uthaana Ekadashi. Since, he sleeps for a period of four months, the same is termed as Chaturmasa. Vishnu’s sleep is considered to the epitome of the best meditating practice. Hence, it is termed as Yoga Nidra.

Importance to Householders[NS1]

Chaturmasa is a time when the gods and goddesses are not meant to be disturbed by the followers devotee, from Deva Sayani Ekadashi to Deva Uthaana Ekadashi. This period is considered to be inauspicious for weddings and other ceremonies. However, it is a suitable time to perform fasts. Devotees also spend their time in recital of Mantras, pilgrimage, bathing in holy rivers etc. Charity during this period is believed to be sacred and beneficial. Fasts and other austerities help a person maintain good health and guards him/her from certain diseases that are caused due to onset of monsoon.

Importance to Sanyasis

Sanyasis observe the period of Chaturmasa with full devotion. Sanyasis also perform Vyasa rituals during the Chaturmasa. During this time, they halt at particular places and give discourses to the public.

Importance to Jains

Jain monks believe that numerous bugs breed during the rainy season that corresponds with the period of Chaturmasa. Moreover, there are insects that cannot be seen with naked eye and there is a possibility that humans may kill them, unknowingly. Hence, to incur minimal harm to other creatures, the monks prefer to stay in a village. There, they perform several austerities that include Mauna Vrata (abstaining from speaking).

Importance to Buddhists

Buddhist monks consider the Chaturmasa period with an almost equal pattern as that of the Jains. The period of Chaturmasa is also believed to be the time when Gautam Buddha stayed at the garden of King Bimbisara of Rajgir and delivered sermons to the general public.

Please go through the narration of Kanchi Kamkoti Peetham on the subject:

Bhagavan Vishnu is stated to rest on ‘Ksheera Sagar’ (Ocean of Milk) during the Chaturmasya (Four Month) period and hence all Oceans, Rivers, Ponds and Water Bodies acquire divinity. Bathing in these Places is thus a significant exercise as Bhagavan Narayana spreads out Himself in water and destroys sins of those who bathe especially in the holy rivers like Pushkar, Prayag, Narmada, Bhaskara Kshetra, Prachi Saraswati, Samudra Sangam, Godavari, or Ganga. For example, bathing in Narmada even for three days with great piety and concentration results in demolition of sins; Godavari baths for a fortnight of early mornings secure devastation of old and current account failings in life and pave the way to Vishnudham. ‘Snaans’with tila and Amla mix or Tulasi or Bilva leaves placed on head and reciting Vishnu namaas on the lips and in mind during as many days as possible during the Chaturmasya would yield instant results by providing physical freshness, mental contentment and purity of thought and action. According to Scriptures, Snaan (bathing) is the first step of physical cleanliness and ‘Anthassuddhi’ (internal purity), before taking up any task to invoke the Almighty. During the four-month period of Sacrifice and Sanctity, ‘Tarpanas’ to Devas, Rishis and Pitras after the holy baths are natural duties, followed by ‘Anushthaana’, Agni havans, Veda Paatha, Satsang, Bhakti, and charities especially of Anna daanas (food charity). The Chaturmasya is the period for abstinence, ‘Ishta Vasthu Parithyaga’ or leaving out material dear to oneself and strict following up of daily ‘niyamas’ and continuous recital of Bhagavan’s glories by way of hymns, Japas, Mantras and Bhakti Songs. Satkarmah Satkathachaiva Satseva Darshanam sathaam, Vishnu Pujarathidaaney Chaaturmasya sudurlabha| (Superior Tasks, Quality Stories in Praise of Vishnu, Pure hearted Service to Noble Persons, Darshanam or Viewing of Saints, Bhagavan Vishnu’s devotion and sincere interest in charities are all stated to yield excellent results during the Chaaturmasya Period). Some of the items of daily utility are avoided during the Holy Period such as eating/drinking in metal plates and vessels; eating in leaves of Vata tree; consumption of hot and sour food, Chillies, pulses like Urad and Chana (black gram and Bengal gram); wearing silks and dark clothes; avoid flowers, beds, and Kesar; shun indulgence of lying, carrying tales, rude conversation and ‘Para ninda’ or criticizing others; observe silence or limited conversation, truthfulness, piety, mercifulness, non-violence, patience and equanimity. It is said that there are eight ways of observing the Chaturmas Vrata is as follows:

Vishno Kathaya Shravanam Vachanam Guna Kirtanam/
Maha Puja Mantra Japah Stotra paatha Pradakshina/
Saashtaanga Pranatischeti niyama uttama mataah/
Eteshvekatamo bhaktaaya dhaaraniiyo Viseshatah/

To listen the Stories of Vishnu Bhagavan or recite them or sing hymns in His Praise, to perform Maha Puja to His Murthi, to chant His Mantras or ‘Naamas’as in ‘Vishnu Sahasranamaa’ or Stotras, to do Pradakshina to His Murthi and bow to Him with veneration are the apt duties to be executed with dedication).

Shodasopacharas: (16 steps of worship)

Bhagavan Narayana is in Yoga Nidra (yogic slumber) during the Chaturmasa period as He lies on water that is omnipresent; water is the root of ‘Anna (food) and the entire Universe is sustained by food which causes ‘Tripti’ (contentment). Thus ‘Anna Brahma’ is the origin of Paramatma or the Supreme Energy. When a devotee appeals to that Great Force, the invocation or Avahana instantly responds to a true and hearty dedication with the recital of the Sixteen Stanza ‘Maha Purusha Suktam’of Yajurveda stating:

Om Sahasra Seersha Purushah Sahasraakshassahasra paath/
Sa Bhumim Viswato Vrutwa Athathishtha Dassangulam/

Please perform 16 steps puja worship as detailed in my discourse!

--July 21, 2019

MY REACTIONS LISTENING TO RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL GURUS

"Are you thinking of “We are retired old hags! We have quit our jobs! In what way we can help others?” “It should be possible for me; certainly I only can do more as a retired person!” --that is what I have been expecting from you as the spontaneous answer. Don’t feel you are an out-lived useless tree; if there is a will you can make this world a divine world with wish-giving trees- Kalpavrikshas. If Divine strength is utilized for world benefit instead of self- benefit you will not feel the old age and weakness and will be as energetic as the youth to work with enthusiasm. This I am telling as an old man.

Those active working men can only spare little time for social services after full-time working in the office; you are blessed that you can spend now your full-time as retired person in serving the public! Those while working fulltime in office had also additional domestic responsibilities. At the time of retirement in most cases one’s direct responsibilities such as child’s education and child’s marriage would have been fulfilled. Then if he drags on further his responsibilities, thinking about grand-child’s education, grand-daughter’s marriage etc., there will be no end to them. When persons worry about domestic problems even after retirement others also have to follow the suit. At least to some extent should we not think of the wisdom of renunciation? Just like those that retire to seclusion towards the last part of life, they should leave the domestic responsibilities to the next generation think about their own Self, turning inwards. After retirement we should not be thinking of starting our own business, build a factory or try for extension but think of means of spiritual advancement for his liberation from this troubled world. What is the use of helping others when you cannot help yourself? Therefore, at least awakening now you should start focusing on your Nityakarmas, Daily rituals that you had neglected so far! Even when you start doing all these, you will have lot of spare time in the afternoon that you should utilize in public service.

Making good use of the spare time with svaadhyaaya (self-study of scriptures) and listening to the learned, you should share the knowledge you gained, with others who are in need. That is a great service to humanity!

Apart from that you can share your professional skills with at least four youngsters to improve the quality of their lives. If you are comfortably and richly settled in life you can share your wealth in poor-feeding some. It is not enough you save the wealth for your own family. At least make the life of one or two poor, happy. You can thus save them from turning violent or thieves. Ridden with poverty and hunger people turn cheats and robbers!

We should not forget our tradition of Seva-dharma-service to all beings! With steadfastness and Pranayama not neglecting mantras, let us dedicate ourselves to the Supreme and practice Karmayoga! We should develop right attitude to discharge our duties with Bhakti and Sraddha--Devotion and Dedication".--Jagadguru Chadrasekhaendra Sarswati

Once I had an opportunity to meet three Sankracharyas form Sringeri, Kanchipuram and Puri with whom I had a long discussion on Hinduism and its future in the wake of growing materialism and atheism in Indore while working for Tata Exports. At the end of our discussion they strongly advised me that I should think of contributing something towards Sanatana Dharma if not Hindu religion, after retirement, leaving my profession. One of the Sankaracharyas who spoke to me in Tamil was this Jagadguru Chandra-sekahrendra Sarwathi. I had neither come across the above wisdom thoughts of his then nor I knew about his greatness then! Today I believe it was a divine message sent through him! In the beginning of this year I was again got surprised by a similar message from Swami Chinmayananda of FOWAI Forum. I wish I had it earlier in my life. Anyhow it serves as a cross-check of the work I am, doing. I also worked hard on this recent message by him:

“Geetā is never tired of guiding us; we should not be tired either, just because we retired from work! Geetā supplies valuable guidance to us till our last breath, as long as we have the capacity to think, reflect and receive. Retired life therefore is as much a good time to study the holy text as any other period of life. Not going to the same work place, where we had gone for 30 to 40 years, really speaking, is a mere superficial change. The inner psychological life is no different after the so-called retirement. Here are 10 pointers to possible applications of Geetā to life after the age of 60 years, which is the typical age group of retired people.

The topic is surely akin to the traditional concept of vānaprastha, the third among the four stations of life as envisaged by Sanātana Dharma. [The other three are, as everyone knows, brahmacharya, grihastha and sannyāsa.] Let me state that vānaprastha today has little to do with going to a forest; it is major changes in lifestyle and important shifts in outlooks or priorities that bring about the third stage, no matter where you live.”--Swami Chinmayananda.

But by then I had almost completed my mission. It is unfortunate that I seriously thought about my after-retirement life at 72 in 2002 in USA while resting in hospital bed after a bye-pass heart surgery though late in life. Anyhow better late than never! Please go through my documents and judge how far I have been able to fulfill their advices in my limited capacity at an advanced age! This should also inspire every one of you to contribute your best after retirement to serve the society, well thought bout and planned, for service to humanity is service to God--Jana seva is Janardhana seva! In this regard I bow my head to the selfless service of our temple fathers, rich and prosperous yet focused on Sevadharma !

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2015/06/imade-my-day-to-interest-you-in-blog-i.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2015/03/classified-discourses-posted-on-blog.html

Swami Chidananda while complimenting my spiritual contributions to the global forum indirectly advised me to continue the work as I was planning to quit, till I was physically able to do, like Swami Sureshananda and not to stop it. “You are indeed practicing “Yudhyasva vigatajvarah”, the Lord's advice in the Geeta (3.30). We appreciate the vibrant and active "writing life" you have always enjoyed. Your spiritual sharing has been valuable to a very large number of people. The wide range of topics you cover has been unparalleled. I glanced at the 27 page document you have created on Retirtement, giving a nice introduction to the topic and then commenting on and elaborating upon the ten pointers that I had supplied on Retired Life, Guidance from Geeta. I very much appreciate the number of enhanced explanations that you have supplied, drawing from Gayatri Mantra, Swami Sureshananda etc. Thank you, and keep up your good work"

I recently received the following Monday Meditation Message(MMM) from Swami Chidananda of Paramartha Niketan for those communicating in English like me, that continues to inspire me:

""Living in the world today, it is nearly impossible to completely remove the sense of “me,” “mine,” and “I“. So the next best option is to take this “I” and change it. When “I” stands vertically it is an obstacle. It creates borders, barriers and boundaries between ourselves and others. But, if we take this “I” and turn it sideways, making it horizontal, it becomes a bridge – a bridge between our families, our communities, and our nations. Let this “I” become a bridge in the service of the world. If we keep standing so straight and tall and proud as the vertical I, then we will always stand alone. If, however, we turn this “I” sideways, we say, “Let me be a bridge, let me bridge chasms instead of creating them, let me stand smaller than others instead of always trying to stand tallest, let me put others in the center instead of myself.” Then we will stand united and peaceful."

Whenever I need inspiration these Gurus are there to guide me enlighten me and to serve you better and brighter! We need to burn before we shine! They burn our ignorance! They have been such a pillar of support for me! I do believe many of you also feel the same way! Please join me in paying our obedience to this Guruparampra starting with Vedavyasa who is also an Avatar of Vishnu & Knowledge \ that is all pervading knowledge!

Wish you all Happy Chaturmasa Season of Meditation and spiritual enlightenment! Tamils started this yesterday the Adi Friday-Adi Velli heralding astrological Dakshinayana whereas spiritual seekers started it on Guru Purnima Day!

“Vijnaanena aatmaanmam vedayati; Aatmanaa vindateveeryam; Uddhyasva vigata jvarah”

Wish you all an enlightened Chaturmasya season invoking the blessings of all Gurus who guide us every day in every one of our thoughts leading us to brighter and better worlds! “Asmadaachhaarya paryantham vande guruparampsaram, gurunam namah!”

--July 20, 2019

AADI VELLI--FRIDAYS IN THE TAMIL MONTH OF AADI

The Tamil term ‘Aadi Velli’ denotes the Fridays that fall during the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August), which glorifies Goddess Shakti - the divine feminine power. Aadi Friday celebration also heralds the onset of the monsoons and signifies the power of the water Goddesses.

Significance of Aadi Velli

According to Vedic astrology, the month of Aadi is marked by the transit of Sun into the sign Cancer , ruled by the Moon. Astronomically, this transit of Sun marks its journey towards the South, a phenomenon called Dakshinayanam. This Tamil month Aadi is auspicious to worship the Goddess, the ruler of Moon, for spiritual progress. Hence, weddings and household functions are not conducted during this month.

Also, with the onset of this month, the heat of the sun reduces, and monsoon commences. It is during this time that the rainfall peaks on the west coast, and the rivers of Tamil Nadu that were shrunken during summer, get replenished, often to near-full levels. Usually, the Tamil months are named based on the Nakshatra (star) that prevails during the full Moon day or Pournami. In Chithirai month, the full Moon day happens during Chithirai Nakshatra, in Vaikasi month during Vishakha Nakshatra, similarly, in Aadi, the full Moon day happens during Ashada Nakshatra, and thus, this month got the name Aash Aadi (in the north) / Aadi (in the south).

Mythology behind Aadi Velli

According to mythology, during the month of Aadi, Goddess Shakti manifested as Goddess Pachai Amman to establish peace and harmony in the world. Pachai Amman or Kanni Amman, by her inherent energy, appeared in many holy centers, and her presence enhanced the divine powers of these localities. In her manifestation at Thirumullaivaayal, she established peace and prosperity in the world. Also called the Goddess of marriage and fertility, she showers her blessings on young maidens aspiring for a suitable groom.

Rituals of Aadi Velli

All the Saktipeethas are very active on this day:

1^st Aadi Friday is dedicated to the Goddess of wealth - Swarnambika
2^nd Aadi Friday is dedicated to the Goddess of intelligence - Angala Amman
3^rd Aadi Friday is dedicated to the Goddess of courage and health - Annai Kalikambal
4^th Aadi Friday is dedicated to the Goddess of relationship - Kamakshi Amman
5^th Aadi Friday is dedicated to the Goddess of overall prosperity - Lakshmi

Tamils popularized this festival by a movie on silver screen named ADI VELLI:

Aadi Velli (a Friday on one of the months as per Tamil Calendar) is a Tamil devotional movie in which a snake and an elephant plays key roles, assisting heroine to overcome the attacks posed by her villainous husband.

The story revolves around a beautiful village girl Seetha who is living with an elephant and a cobra who obey only to her. She is very much attracted and attached to the local village deity and she lives in nearby area around the temple. Then comes the villain Nizhalgal Ravi who wants to abduct all the wealth of the temple. He meets Seetha and was attracted to her at the first sight. He befriends her and makes her to love him too under circumstances but always disliked by the elephant and cobra. Very soon Seetha realizes that her husband is a thief and shocked. Meanwhile, Nizhalgal Ravi along with his computer genius friend plots several attempts to plunder the jewels and precious items from the temple but goes all in vain, saved by the duo. In the climax, the genius friend builds a devil creature called [King Kattari] using his computer to loot the temple. The cobra, by the deity's blessing takes the size of huge anaconda and charges against King Kattari. Meanwhile, during the fight Nizhalgal Ravi realizes his friend plans to loot all properties himself and kill him. Finally the cobra bites the devil and kills him, which in turn kills the computer genius through electro-envenomation.

Please go through the rare sloka sent by Muralidharan Iyengar from Singapore which I gratefully acknowledge on your behalf. The same can be found in my postings of Rare Slokas--July 2019.

--July 18, 2019

Comments:

Very interesting

--Bala from Atlanta

GURU PURNIMA DAY MESSAGES AND GOOD WISHES

It is the sacred time of the year in which we give thanks and offer our humble gratitude, love and devotion to our Gurus. What is a Guru? A Guru is one who removes our darkness. In Sanskrit, “Gu” means darkness and “ru” is that which removes,” so a Guru is one who removes the darkness in our lives, who shines the light of Truth on the illusions in which we live which cause our agony, our pain, and our grudges. The Guru brings the light of true understanding through which our egos, our insatiable desires, our unfulfillable expectations and our illusions dissipate.

Guru Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Ashadha and marks the beginning of the holy period of Chaturmas. After the long, hot, dry months of summer in which innumerable people, animals and crops have perished, the rains come coinciding typically with the time of Guru Purnima, quenching our thirst and bringing us life. And, in India, when the rains come it is not a mere drizzle which lasts for 10 minutes. Rather, the rains are downpours of heavenly nectar, completely saturating the land which

Similarly, on this day, as we find ourselves dying of thirst for knowledge, as we find our hearts and minds have become dry due to ignorance, anger and darkness, the Guru comes, pouring forth upon our lives the rain of wisdom, of love, of light and of life. Just as the flowers which have wilted and yellowed in the never-ending heat of summer, suddenly stand erect and succulent as soon as the rains come, so we, who have become ignorant and “dead” to the divinity within us are immediately born anew due to His grace in our lives.

Yet, just as the soil must allow the rain to penetrate its depths in order to reap the benefits of this life-giving nectar, so we must become porous vessels into which the divine nectar of the Guru can flow.

Guru Purnima is a day of renewing our faith, our shraddha, in He who bestows the light upon our lives. It is a day of re-opening our hearts, our souls and our lives to His divine presence and letting it penetrate and saturate every aspect of our being.

There is a beautiful story told about a man who wanted to walk on water. He begged his guru to give him a secret mantra or a special boon so he could complete this remarkable feat. The man was extremely pious and devoted, and he had been in his guru’s service for many years. Therefore, the guru gave him a leaf, folded many times until it was very small. He told his disciple, “Within this leaf is a secret formula which will enable you to walk on water. However, you must not open it because the formula inside is a secret.”

So the man agreed, and he takes the folded leaf carefully in his hands and begins his journey across the river. He is walking fine on the surface of the water, when suddenly he is overcome by curiosity. What could be this secret formula that has permitted him to accomplish this feat? Is there really a secret inside? Is it a powder or a stone or some holy mantra printed? Where did his guru get it? His doubts get the best of him and he begins slowly to open the leaf as he walks, careful lest any of the secret formula should spill out into the water. As soon as he unfolds the last piece to unveil the secret, he suddenly sinks into the water and drowns. Inside the leaf was written the simple word, “faith.”

It was not the leaf, nor any secret powder or mantra that enabled the devotee to accomplish a miracle. It was the strength of his faith in his guru and in the “boon” his guru had given him. As soon as that faith wavered and doubt crept in, his life was lost. This is the power of faith.

At this time of Guru Purnima, we must look at what really makes up the Guru-Disciple relationship – what makes it so special, so unique, so powerful and life-transforming? That answer is faith. Faith can work true miracles and without it, much of life is futile. The guru might be of infinite power, knowledge and compassion. Yet, without the faith of the disciple, the guru can do very little for him. There is a beautiful poem that says:

As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend I brought my broken dreams to God, because He was my friend. But, instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own. At last I snatched them back and cried, “How could you be so slow? “My child,” He replied. “What could I do? You never did let go.”

That “letting go” is the faith. If we can surrender to the guru with complete faith, the guru will transform our lives. However, if we “hang around” with doubt and suspicions, then we gain nothing. So at this sacred time let us renew our faith, let us replant the seeds of devotion in our hearts and allow them to grow into beautiful blossoming fragrant flowers of love and devotion.

This year let us make our Guru Purnima a Green Guru Purnima. Just as the rain which falls brings greenery and life in the land, let our faith in our Guru bring greenery and life in our own hearts and lives. We are told in the Upanishads that the Divine pervades everything in the universe. So at this time in which we offer our love, our lives, our devotion to our divine gurus, let us remember that that same divine lives also in all of creation – all of the plants, the animals, the rivers, the mountains, the air and the earth. Therefore, let us tend and protect Mother Earth and Mother Nature with the same love and devotion that we prepare the flowers to offer our Guru on this day. The best gift we can give our Guru, the best way to show our devotion is to protect, preserve and serve the Guru’s reflection in all of creation. Let us plant trees in the name and love of our Guru which will bring life to others

As our Guru has brought us life, let us plant trees in the name and love of our Guru which will bring life to others. As our Guru has quenched our thirst for knowledge, understanding and light, let us work to ensure that all of our brothers and sisters on earth have safe and sufficient water to drink to quench the thirst of their bodies. As our Guru has brought us a new, divine life, let us work to help all of our family on earth – of all colors, all countries, all cultures and all creeds – have a life that is free from hunger, thirst and oppression.

Then, not only will we see the Light that our Guru shines on our lives but we will become reflectors of that light, bringing our Guru’s light, life, blessings and grace to so, so many on this earth.

My love and blessings are always with you. In the service of God and humanity,

--Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Paramartha niketan

It is ahappy coincidence Gurupurnima follows Rathayatra of Jagannatha, Here is a Rathayatra Message from another great Guru;

“The ideal society is the vehicle of the indwelling Godhead of a human aggregate, the chariot for the journey of Jagannath. Unity, Freedom, Knowledge and Power constitute the four wheels of this chariot....The day the Self-born unity will come into being by the harmony and integration of knowledge, devotion and work, as impelled by the Will of the Virat Purusha, the Universal Person, on that day the Chartiot of Jagannath will come out on the avenues of the world, radiating its light in all directions. Satya Yuga, the Age of Truth will descend upon earth; the world of mortal man will become the field for the play of the Divine, the temple-city of God, the metropolis of Ananda”

--Sri Aurobindo in the book "The Chariot of Jagannatha"

Hindu dharma is unique in honoring the guru or spiritual master as a principle in itself beyond any particular personality, philosophy or revelation. For Hindus the guru is a cosmic principle taking many names and forms. The guru is a powerful conduit to the universal flow of knowledge. As such, there is only one true guru in all gurus. The guru is the guiding intelligence of the universal and eternal dharma that assumes many names and forms. We must honor the institution of the guru that has a cosmic significance, guiding us to our true Self.--David Frawley

Then is it not a day that calls for a day of worship, meditation and celebration by all traditions as Special Religious Event Day? It is the day to start our Chaturmasa Spiritual Journey that is July 16, if we had forgotten or overlooked astronomical Winter Solstice Day. It is our astrologers’ adapted Dakshinayana Punyakala Day says North American Hindu Panchangam!

Wish you all Happy Gurupurnima Day WISHING YOU A HAPPY GURU PURNIMA DAY and Four Months’ Spiritual Journey!

Devanancha risheenaamcha gurum kaanchana sannibham|

Buddhibhootam trilokesam namaami Brihaspatim ||

Vrishbhadwajaaya vidmahe ghrineehastaaya dheemahi tannoe Guruh prachodayaat

Guru’s Light is our Guide to move on the spiritual path!

-- July 16, 2019

Comments:

Sashraddhayaa Pranam on this Guru Purnima day. Wonderful article for this day.

--Rekha Pattanayek

RARE SLOKA ON LORD VARADARAJA OF KANCHI

Please go through the rare sloka on Lord Varadaraja sent by Muralidharan from Singapore. In this context I have the pleasure to include a rare sloka from Narada Purana and also an anecdote connected with Kanchipuram. May I thank him on your behalf for his continued selfless service!

Shayani ekadashi or devshayani ekadashi is often regarded as the holiest of all ekadashi days by Hindus, especially Vaishnava Hindus who consider Lord Vishnu as the supreme God. Shayani ekadashi is also called Maha ekadashi, Padma ekadashi, Shayana ekadashi. Among Telugu speaking population, this day is known as Tholi Ekadashi’ Shayani Ekadashi or Ashadi Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. This ekadashi falls on the ekadashi tithi (11th day) in the Shukla Paksha (waxing) phase of the moon in the Ashadha month of Indian lunar calendar. For this reason, shayani ekadashi is also called Ashadi Ekadashi (Hindi: आषाढ़ी एकादशी), which is one of the most widely accepted names of this ekadashi. Ashadi Ekadashi comes after Yogini ekadashi and is followed by Kamika ekadashi also considered very auspicious.

On the day of ashadi ekadashi, devotees keep a fast by refraining from specific foods like rice, beans, grains, cereals, specific vegetables and spices. By keeping a fast on this day, the observer will be able to resolve all the problems or tensions in life. Devotees decorate the idol of Lord Vishnu with Gadha, Chakra, Shank and bright yellow clothes.

The greatness of Ashadi Ekadashi was narrated first by Lord Brahma to his son Narad and later by Lord Krishna to King Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas that can be read in the ‘Bhavishyottara Purana’. Shayani Ekadashi is one of the most significant ekadashi vrat that is also observed as the first ekadashi. It is a popular belief that anyone observing this Ekadashi vrat with complete commitment will be blessed with happy, prosperous and peaceful life. After enjoying the worldly pleasures, they will finally attain salvation.

Ashadhi Ekadashi also marks the end of the famous ‘Pandharpur Ashadi Ekadashi Waari Yatra’. Pandharpur is a small district in the state of Maharashtra and here God ‘Vithoba’, a personification Of Lord Vishnu is worshipped with dedication. The yatra or the religious procession is a 17-day long grand event that attracts tourists to this place. Moreover on the day of Ashadi ekadashi, Vaishnava Mutts dress in heated seals and this tradition is known as ‘Tapta Mudra Dharana’.

Ashadi Ekadashi falls during the time when Lord Vishnu sleeps on the ‘Shesha Naag’ (the cosmic servant) in the ‘Ksheersagar’ (cosmic ocean of milk) and therefore the name ‘Hari Shayani Ekadashi’.

As per the Hindu legends, Lord Vishnu finally awakes, four months later, on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi. This slumber period of the lord is known as ‘Chaturmas’ and it concurs with the rainy season. Devshayani Ekadashi or Shayani Ekadashi marks the onset of the Chaturmas period and on this day, devotees keep a holy fast to invoke Lord Vishnu’s blessings. We will talk about Chaturmasa next week. Here is the message from Muralidharan Iyengar:

“Greetings and Namaste. It has been quite sometime since my last posting due to preoccupation with my day's job. Hopefully I will be able to post more frequent in the days ahead. I missed many important occasions during this time and apologies.

Just last Friday, Pandharpur in Maharashtra celebrated Ashadhi Ekadashi (Sayana Ekadashi) with huge crowds thronging the holy city. Many of you might have seen a 100-year old lady dancing to the abhang bhajans while trekking 300 km route to Pandharpur. Definitely it makes us reevaluate our own intensity of devotion to the Lord and obviously the conclusion must be similar - insignificant.

There is another rare once-in-40-year event happening in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. The old deity of Lord Varadaraja made of fig tree root is taken out from the temple tank after 40 years and is open for public darshan for 48 days. Millions have had darshan in the last two weeks and many millions more will be blessed with the darshan in the coming weeks.

If this is missed, the next occasion is 40 years later in 2059. For mortals like myself who might miss this occasion to have darshan in person, we have the option of praying to Lord Varadaraja with the attached Varadaraja Ashtottara Shata namavali (rare 108 names of Lord Varadaraja). This was taken from a very old Telugu manuscript (that too a very ancient version of Telugu alphabet) and translated into Devanagari by my ex-colleague's father, Sri Haranath Jayanti. Thanks to him for this valuable service.

I am not able to understand some of the names - they are either grammatically incorrect or incomprehensible. Please revert to me if you could decipher some/all of them. May we pray to Lord Varadaraja with this unique 108 Names”

--July 15, 2919

HINDU REFLECTIONS ON GURUPURNIMA DAY

Hindu civilization in India is perhaps on the verge of returning back to the dark abyss of the old from which it had started regaining itself only a few decades ago when India finally gained political freedom after centuries of invasions and oppression under Islamic and British Colonial rule. Hindus in India at present feel intimidated by Islamic fanatics that has become a global threat. The desecration and the destruction of Durga temple at New Delhi, the heart of India is a recent incidence and worry. The secular government has no plans to avoid such frequent incidences and Hindu-Muslim fights. The laws are also dd one sided often favoring minority communities. There is a Hindu law and a Muslim law too. The issue of Christian evangelism, rapid Christianization of tribal areas, conversion of minorities and Dalits with incentives, various attacks on Hindu traditions and practices by breaking India and dismantling Hinduism unity by Separatist and Communist State Governments are also worrying them. Though a Secular Government Hindu Temples and their finances are controlled by the governmental agencies but not Mosques and Churches that enjoy special protectionism. Luckily at present the Central Government is in full control of progressive Hindu majority but their hands are tight and time too short with too many problems to restore the past glory of Vedic religion and Universal Oneness that Vivekananda postulated and strived to bring not only to India but to the whole world to live in peace but not in pieces.
“In the beginning the Vedic Religion was prevalent all over the world. Later, over the centuries, it must have gone through a process of change and taken different forms. These forms came to be called the original religions of these various lands which in the subsequent period--during historical times-- came under Buddhism, Christianity or Islam as the case may be” writes HH Chandrasekharendra Saraswati in his book Hindu Dharma in Chapter 2, The Universal Religion.

Islam and Christianity enjoyed Royal patronage and spread like wild fire striking at the very foundation of Vedic religion while Buddhism wisely left the country and spread its wing in Southeast Asia and the Far-East. Islam and Christianity seized the confusion prevailing in Santana Dharma in its degenerated form designated as Hinduism and exploited the situation for their own propagation including the religions that were carved out of Sanatana Dharma like Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism etc.

Champakalakshmi and Kris In their book on Hindu Temples say: “Hinduism is a more recent nomenclature given to a conglomeration of heterogeneous traditions and plurality of beliefs and worships with long history of development from the Vedic sacrificial religion, through the worship of Epic and Puranic heroes and personal deities, cults and sects, as well as philosophical systems rather than a monolithic tradition or a structure based on a single system of beliefs and worship or a single text as scripture”. Buddhism and Jainism sprang out of Vedic Sacrificial religion out of its aversion to sacrificial form of worship which went too far; sacrificial form of worship (Yajna and Homa) has now been blended into the present system of Hindu worship with proper understanding of spirituality on a low key, avoiding extremes, acceptable to orthodoxy, religious followers as well as progressive thinkers.

Our sages always sat together with all and prayed together as is evident from the following Rig- Veda Mantra:

Sanghacchadhvam sam vadadhvam sam vo manaamsi jaanataam/devaa bhaagam yathaa purve sanjanaana upaasate // (Rigveda X-191-20)
Come together! Speak together! Let our minds be all of one accord like the divine community (gods or devas) that sat together in the past in harmony to worship (the one Supreme).

The mantra “Sangacchadvam, samvadadvam samvomanaamsi jaanataam” means “Let us move together, let us speak together, let us think together” in order to encourage community spirit, confused by distortion.

“One atom in this universe cannot move without dragging the whole world along with it. There cannot be any progress without the whole world following in the wake, and it is becoming everyday clearer that the solution of any problem can never be attained on racial, or national, or narrow grounds.
Each is responsible for the evil anywhere in this world....All that unites with the universal is virtue. All that separates is sin. You are a part of the Infinite. This is your nature. Hence you are your brother's keeper....Not one can attain liberty until every being (ant or dog) has liberty. Not one can be happy until all are happy. When you hurt anyone you hurt yourself, for you and your brothers are one. What good is it if we acknowledge in our prayers that God is the Father of us all, and in our daily lives do not treat every man as brother?” Vivekananda said. Hindus in India as well as in the world wherever they are settled need to be guided by these wisdom thoughts to lead the world spiritually to live in peace but not bin pieces.

Fortunately Hindu Americans drawn from Global Hindus are happily blessed to think of such a reform among themselves and lead the world from a foreign soil with least constraints. It is true they too are threatened by the voluntary walk out of their children from Hinduism mostly choosing their life partners from Christianity and often declaring themselves as SBNR. Fortunately this SBNR movement is threatening church-affiliated Christians more than American Hindus. Disillusioned by turbulent Al-Quid-A, peace loving Islam followers walk out of Islam, choose a Christian Partner and join SBNR group too. SBNRs are turning the whole country to a Land of Yoga and Meditation with strong affiliation to Hindu Dharma if not Hinduism including Vegan movement. It is much easier to bring these back to Hindu Dharma if only we reform ourselves to follow Vedic Religion of Universal Oneness that Vivekananda brought to this country. Today it has not only attracted eminent scholars like David Frawley, Phil Goldberg, Peter Arnett, Velan Samy, Maria Wrath, Sadhvi Bhagavati and a host of others but also inspired them to act as volunteer missionaries to spread Vedic Religion strengthening the hands of various Monasteries of India and Swamijis active in USA. The ball therefore lies in our court to quickly reform ourselves and not to run to India for guidance. What makes these Spiritual Gurus and monks focus so much on Hindu Americans in USA? They can change the world! If one Yousef Malala can change the history of women in Pakistan and if one Rima Abbasid can bring to the Focus of the world Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience and change the mind of Pakistan to open Hindu Temples for worship, certainly a group of Hindu American intellectuals can lead the world spiritually and guide them in establishing Universal Oneness breaking all religious walls!
Hindu Americans started very well not only trying to make their temple multi -traditional but also attracting religions that were carved out of Hinduism like Buddhism and Jainism by installing idols of Buddha and Vardhamana but failed in its day to day running where they got bogged down by sectarian traditions imported from India as well as sectarian priests. There is now a tendency to establish their individual identity like JAINA, Swami Narayan Samstha, Gurudvara, Saibaba Temples etc., as in India. This is very dangerous and strikes at the very root of Vedic Religion from which they separated out in the past. But our hope lies in the Emerging SBNR from among Hindu Indians and others if only properly focused. Joint Celebration of festivals like Gurupurnima will promote the concept of Universal Oneness where our sages like Vedavysa, Buddha, Jina etc., showed the way of Dharma and paved the way to live in peace with the motto “sanghacchadvam samvadadvam” “krinvanto viswamaaryam” aatmavat sarvabhooteshu” “Devo Ekah” etc.

This day is celebrated to pay respect to Lord Buddha, who laid the foundation of this religion. According to the Hindu mythology, it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva became a Guru by transmitting the knowledge of yoga to seven followers or the “Sapta Rishis”. Since then, the Hindu devotees celebrate this day as Guru Purnima. Guru Purnima is also called Vyasa Purnima as on this day, Vedavyasa, the great sage was born. Guru Purnima is celebrated as Treenok Guha Purnima to honor Mahavira, the famous 24th Tirthankara in Jainism. The Hindu monks or sanyasis also celebrate this day by performing puja in honor of their gurus in the event of Chaturmas. This festival also has a prominence among the students who are learning Indian classical forms of music and dance.

Guru Purnima is an Eastern Profound Spiritual Convention committed to other worldly and scholarly educators, who are advanced or illuminated people, prepared to share their knowledge, with next to no or no money related desire, in view of Karma Yoga. It is commended as a celebration in Nepal by the Nepalese Hindus and Buddhists. This celebration is generally seen by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains to venerate their picked profound instructors/pioneers and offer their thanks to pray together for Universal peace and harmony.

What better day is there to bring all spiritually inclined and motivated people together to promote Universal Oneness and Peace that Vivekananda conceptualized and promoted transcending all Walled Religions! Please go through an interesting article from agitated Nitin Sridhar from India titled: Agenda for Hindu Survival: What we can do as individuals.

Wish you all happy Gurupurnima Day invoking the blessings of all Gurus who guide us every day in every one of our thoughts leading us to brighter and better worlds!

--July 14, 2015

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2012/06/guru-poornima-celebration.html

Comments:

A very good presentation.

--Srinth Sunderga

BE THE BIG FISH THAT SWIMS FREELY

Fowai Forum presents Webinar-151 BE THE BIG FISH THAT SWIMS FREELY By Pujya Swāmi Chidānandaji on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Gist of the Presentation: is:

Everyone keeps shuttling between the waking state and the dream state, where two different bundles of space, time, names and forms appear and disappear. The Vedānta says the jivātmā does this just as a big fish effortlessly swims from one bank of a river to the other and returns. Self-knowledge is to know the inner truth of the jivātmā, which is the one, unvarying basis for both the states.

tad yathā mahāmatsyah ubhe kule anusancharati (Brihadāranyaka Upanishad 4.3.18) --just as a big fish moves back and forth between the two banks of a river ..

Ātmā is the Purusha that is the impelling force of organs and the effulgence within. When this Puruṣa attains a body, evils (पाप – pāpa) are let loose on to that body and when he leaves the body, the evils are discarded (4.3.8) says Brihadartnyaka Upanishad.

The message is that Ātmā is unaffected by evils; they are only associated with the body. It is also to be understood that when one leaves his body, i.e., when he dies, the evils also vanish with the body; they are not carried over.

Tadyataa mahaatmasya ubhe koole anusancharati poorvam chaaparam chaivamevaayam purusha etavubhaavataavanusancharati svapnaantam cha buddhaanta cha || 4-3-18

4.3.18 As a great fish swims alternately to both the banks (of a river), eastern and western, so does this infinite being move to both these states, the dream and waking states.

Of course, the term "waking sleep" or "waking state" refers to the state we normally call "awake". But due to the reality being that there is a higher fully conscious state, as it were, after gaining liberation from this life cycle our normal awake state is in comparison more accurately described as the "waking state".

Describing the "self" as the "great fish", he moves alternately from waking sleep to dream sleep throughout his life experience just as a fish moves alternately from the eastern river bank to the western iriver bank, but is associated with neither, as it follows its course down the river.

In the previous mantras 15, 16 and 17 it has been stated that the Jivatman goes from the waking state to the dream state, then from the dream state to the waking state and from the waking state again to the dream state. This is meant for showing our movement in the wheel of Samsara (troubled and conflicting world in life’s cycle) where one moves up, comes down and again moves up. The one Self himself moving from one state to another alternately thus. To illustrate this the example of a mighty fish that swims from one bank to the other is given here.

After enjoying himself and roaming, and merely seeing (the results of) good and evil (in dreams), he (stays) in a state of profound sleep, and comes back in the inverse order to his former condition, the dream state. He is untouched by whatever he sees in that state, for this infinite being is unattached. Phenomenal life, this created or projected existence, experiences the states of transient waking, transient dream or transient profound sleep. The Constant immortal (Absolute) Self (Paramatman) maintains, but is untouched by those transient forms that it supports in these states.

In 4.4.22, we find a detailed explanation about the concept of Ātmā. It says thus:

sa vā eṣa mahānaja ātmā yoഽyaṃ vijñānamaya prāṇeṣu ya eṣoഽntarhṛdaya ākāśaḥ tasmiñchete, sarvasya vaśī sarvasyeśānaḥ sarvasyādhipatiḥ sa na sādhunā karmaṇā bhūyānno evāsādhunā kanīyān eṣa sarveśvara eṣa bhūtādhipatireṣa bhūtapāla eṣa seturvidharaṇa eṣām lokanāmasaṃbhedāya ….. sa eṣa neti netyātmā, agṛhyo na hi gṛhyate, aśīryo na hi śīryate, asaṅgo na hi sajyate, asito na vyathate, na riṣyati; etamu haivaite na tarata iti, ataḥ pāpamakaravamiti, ataḥ kalyāṇamakaravamiti, ubhe u haivaiṣa ete tarati, nainaṃ kṛtākṛte tapataḥ)

The mighty, unoriginated Ajah Ātmā is the impelling force of organs; it pervades the subtle interiors of beings; it is the controller, ruler and lord of all; it is unaffected by good as well as bad deeds; it is the protector of all beings; it acts as a bridge connecting all the worlds (worldly/heavenly bodies) and also as a restraining force keeping all of them in proper places; ………. It is described as ‘not this, not this’ (i.e., IT is transcendent); it is imperceptible as it is never perceived, indestructible as it never decays, unattached as it never aspires and it is unfettered too; it never feels pain and never suffers injury; it is never overtaken by the thoughts of having done an evil or good deed and it is not troubled by what has been done or not done.

Swami Chidananda draws our attention to our wandering in the Internet and Intertwined World and wants us to go to our Inner-net through which we can attain liberation and remain permanently in the state of Bliss called Ananda. Only by Vijnnana we can know Atman--Vijnaanena aatmaanam vedayati; atmanaa prajnaanam vedayati; Prajnaanam Brahma. One realizes Supreme Consciousness by knowing Atman or Self.

As Hindu Americans we find no time engaged in the mad race of becominmg rich anmd famous and we often feel all knowledge (jnana) is available in the Internet forgetting Internet (Artificial Intelligence or Kritrima Jnaana) is a parrot of Jnana. But even lower wisdom generally referred as Jnana comes from Gurus that can lead to Vijnaana or higher wisdom of Inner-net and from there to Prajnana (that transcends all wisdom) to be associated with it or in company with it. Therefore please listen to Swamiji on this important topic-- Self-knowledge is to know the inner truth of the jivātmā and then plan your way for liberation. What is the use of gaining the whole world when you have lost your own soul! Gita says:

Tasmaat tvam indriaanyaadau niyamya bharatarshabha | | Paapmaanam prajaahi hyenam jnaana-vijnaananaasanam || 3-41||

Therefore the sense organs must first be controlled and evil thing (viz. desire) must be stuck down. Otherwise, it will destroy both lower wisdom (knowledge obtained from scriptural study and masters--Jnaana) and higher wisdom (Vijnaana-obtained by acquired knowledge, intuition and experience).

Vijnaanena aatmaanam vedayati-- by higher wisdom got by acquired knowledge, intuition and experience, one knows the Self (MNU)

Vedantavijnaana sunischitaartaah suddhasatvaah sanyaasa-yogaad param--uchyanti sarve -- Those pure minded who have ascertained Supreme Reality through the knowledge of the Upanishads obtained by acquired knowledge, intuition and experience practicing Sanyasyoga (yoga of renunciation) become all liberated (MNU).

Wish you all happy Gurupurnima Day invoking the blessings of all Gurus who guide us every day in every single thought of us leading us to brighter and better worlds!

Asmadaachrya paryantaam vande Guruparamparam!

--July 13, 2019

VEDANTA STUDY CIRCLE

We are grateful to Dr. Rekha Paattanayak and Dr. Balachandran trying to open our vision to Vedanta which Dr. Satpathy has been doing for more than a decade at Sri Ganesha Temple! Please do not miss the rare opportunity of listening to Swami Sarvadevanndaji who has kindly consented to visit us and address us opening our vision to Vedanta through Ramkrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. You may have many questions on your mind but may not find time and get an opportunity, to get an answer! Hollywood stars are fortunate to have him all the time. I read through daily Mahanarayana Upanishad by Devarupanandji and explanation by Swami Vimalanandji if not all Upanishads. Don't worry if you have many questions bothering you. Even Naren had many questions before turning Vivekananda,. I have pleasure in attaching a gem conversations that happened between the two greats. This is one of the gem conversations that happened between the two greats. Hope you find this motivating and interesting and help you to prepare your questions!

Conversation between Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna

Swami Vivekananda, a Yogi of the highest order, a Sanyasi, Mystic, or simply put, an intense form of life who just went on to motivate and bless the lives to reach their ultimate destination. Words really fall short to describe the aura of Swamiji. He is the hope if there is any. Swamiji is an experience which is beyond our senses and he is much more than what we have learned and perceived. Vivekananda, the bliss of Wisdom is a phenomenon that this World has witnessed and the very thought of him will make me howl in joy. Salutes to him.

When we say Swami Vivekananda, there is always a mention of his Guru Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Sri Ramakrishna was a sheer enigma and an enchanting Guru who can never and ever be captured in these mere words and I am not exaggerating at all. Naren going through the obstacles of life, finding no answers to his questions, suffering a restless state happens to hear the name of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa by Principal Hastie in one of his classes. Hastie referring this priest of Dakshineshwar as an epitome of spiritual ecstasy, Naren made no delay and rushed to Dakhineshwar to meet the saint.

Ramakrishna being a realized person understood the very purpose of Naren’s life and it took him no time to realize the spiritual potential of this lad. Ramakrishna crying with joy said to Naren that – You made me wait for long. Finally, you are here.

Naren and Ramakrishna were two different poles altogether. It was an intellect vs rationality, educated vs uneducated, wealthy vs poor, logic Vs heart and no God Vs God. Naren went on to ask bountiful of questions before accepting Ramakrishna as his Guru. The latter part of the story is definitely worth checking but we restrict ourselves to this interesting part of the conversation that happened between Swamy Vivekananda and Paramahamsa Ramakrishna in today’s read.

1. Time is a Running Dear

Vivekananda Questions – I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic.

Ramakrishna Answers – Activity gets you busy. Productivity makes you free.

2. Life’s Complexity

Vivekananda Questions – Why has life become complicated now?

Ramakrishna Answers – Stop analyzing life, it gets complicated. Just live it.

3. Slipping Happiness

Vivekananda Questions – Why are we then constantly unhappy?

Ramakrishna Answers – Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.

4. Good v/s Bad

Vivekananda Questions – Why do good people always suffer?

Ramakrishna Answers – Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer. With that experience, their life becomes better, not bitter.

5. Importance of an Experience

Vivekananda Questions – You mean to say such experience is useful?

Ramakrishna Answers – Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons.

6. A Confused Path

Vivekananda Questions – Because of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading…

Ramakrishna Answers – If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Eyes provide sight. The heart provides the way.

7. Pain of Failures

Vivekananda Questions – Does failure hurt?

Ramakrishna Answers – Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you.

8. Not-so-motivating instances

Vivekananda Questions – In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

Ramakrishna Answers – Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

9. Mindset of People

Vivekananda Questions – What surprises you about people?

Ramakrishna Answers – When they suffer they ask, “why me?” When they prosper, they never ask “Why me?”

10. Life Results

Vivekananda Questions – How can I get the best out of life?

Ramakrishna Answers – Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

11. Prayers Unanswered

Vivekananda Questions – One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

Ramakrishna Answers – There are no unanswered prayers. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

--July 9, 2019

YOGAPEDIA ON TRINITY, KARMA AND HEALING AND YOGAVASISHTA FOR THE DEPRESSED

Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva

Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva is the Hindu Trinity, also called the Trimurti. The Supreme Spirit or Universal Truth, called Brahman, is represented in three forms, each corresponding to one cosmic function: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the transformer/destroyer). [GOD in English also stands for G=Generator; O=Operator and D=Dissolver]

Because Hinduism is a collection of different traditions and beliefs, scholars believe Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva was an attempt to reconcile the doctrine of Brahman with different aspects of the Supreme Spirit. In Christianity Trinity is prayed as Holy Father; Holy Son; Holy Spirit.

Of the three incarnations of Brahman, Shiva has a special place in the yogic traditions as he is considered the first yogi, or Adiyogi. Shiva also symbolizes the balancing of awareness and bliss, and the calming effects of yoga practices in general.

Yogapedia explains Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva

Unity with Brahman – which is personified as the Trimurti – is the ultimate goal in yogic philosophy and practice. Today, Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva as the Trimurti is rarely worshiped. Instead, Hindus typically worship one of the three as the supreme deity, and consider the others as incarnations of their supreme god. For example, Vaishnavism holds that Vishnu is the supreme god, while Shaivism believes that Shiva is supreme. Brahma, in comparison, has relatively few devotees as the supreme deity.

In ancient texts, the three gods symbolize earth, water and fire:

Brahma represents earth. He is the originating power and creator of all life. One story claims he is the son of Brahman, while another says he created himself from water and seed.
Vishnu represents water, which symbolizes his role as the sustainer of life. He is the protector side of Brahman, known for upholding goodness and creation, and is identified with his incarnations -- Krishna and Rama.
Shiva represents fire and is identified as the destructive power of the Trimurti. However, he is also viewed as a positive force that cleanses and destroys evil, paving the way for cyclic creation and a fresh start.

Replanting the Seeds: How to Heal Your Karma

Suzy Adra

Takeaway: You don't have to stay trapped by bad karma. Each one of us is capable of planting new karmic seeds and healing our negative karma. Here's how to get started.

How many times have you heard the word karma and yet find that most cannot really explain exactly what it means?

The majority of people think that karma is only about bearing the consequences of negative deeds. There is more to karma than what we do unto others.

What Is Karma?

Karma is the memory of our deeds, emotions, desires, and thoughts. It is information that is stored in our body, and our auric field. Karma is mentioned in the Yoga Sutras as bījas or seeds.

\Karma is memory imprints that we plant in all levels of our being. Karma is not a theory, it is a reality of being a human. We carry, in our physical body, our DNA and our auric field, the imprints of actions and thoughts from our ancestors, whether we like it or not. Remember, energy cannot be destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form to another.

Science has shown that the entire universe is made of energy. This energy gets recycled. The energetic imprints of all we want, all we do, and all we go through are carried in our body. These memories are what make us repeat destructive patterns over and over again.

The bad news is that karma, in the form of trauma, can be carried from generation to generation until it is healed. Research has supported that trauma, if not completed and healed, is inherited and can become part of a person’s DNA. This is the reason there is intergenerational illness that runs in families. The longer it takes to heal it the more our predecessors will suffer.

Dr. David Frawley writes about negative karma saying that it arises from wrong judgment, wrong use of senses, emotions, mind and energy. It is mainly a guna (an attribute of nature) that has been off balance and becomes stored in the psyche. Usually this begins with rajas (passion) and moves into tamas (darkness). It is through Ayurveda and Vedic astrology that we find relief from these karmic patterns, which are called samskaras.

Healing Karma

To get out of such patterns, and imprints, we must look at what western psychology has termed "our shadow" and find the things we have repressed.

Chances are, all the things that trigger us in our life are things we hide from ourselves. Thus, we create blind spots, or plant the karmic seeds, without knowing we did so.

That which we do not see must be brought into our seeing, making the unconscious conscious. Realizing the patterns that no longer serve us is the first step to healing our karma.

However, there are many more things we can do to assist the process of healing. The key is, to stay consistent and try to be the best version of our selves.

Many think they are ready to face their karmic seeds, and yet when given the chance, and the space, they get distracted and run. Some people will do anything they can to numb their pain. This may be in the form of drinking, shopping, eating when not hungry, mindless talking, or many other things.

You have to be ready for this work. It does not happen overnight.

Here are some suggestions that may help get you started. There is no need to do all of these things, but the more of them you can incorporate into your healing journey, the faster you will see results.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Healing Your Karma

Do not take yourself too seriously.
Be willing to let go.
Be willing to see and understand yourself.
Understand that the karma, or seeds that you planted years ago will have to take their course and there is nothing you can do to change that, what you can do is change how you react to your daily reality.
Know that you can plant better seeds for the future.
Know that your future is composed of choices you make in the present moment.
Try to choose unconditional love, as much as you possibly can and to learn and grow from every experience, encounter and event.
Step outside of yourself. View everything that happens to you with equanimity.
Self-Study. Find your triggers, even that which makes you happy, and especially that which you do not want to admit.
Investigate those triggers. What triggers you? Why? Try to find the origin, when was the first time you felt that way?
Learn to see life as it is, not as you were programmed to see it.
Be honest with yourself about what you learn about yourself, and take steps to heal those things.
Try to make the best possible choices for your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others in your life.
Use yoga, meditation, pranayama, and, especially, mantras to help clear and heal the mind.
Incorporate deep sadhana in to your daily routine.
Begin to be the best expression of yourself that you can possibly be.
Offer all your actions to the divine, see yourself as a conduit of divine expression.

Yoga Vasshta

I believe Rama too sought such a healing in his distressed moments!

After embarking on a long and tiresome pilgrimage Prince ‪‎Rama of Ayodhya found himself disillusioned with the world. He was overwhelmed by the pains of the people he met during his travel and found the world around him to be gruesome. He was not sure why the world and life were so “unfair.” He had so many questions which every time he tried to answer them himself landed him in an abyss of confusion. The ones close to him weren’t of any help. Eventually, his enthusiasm in his duties fell steeply, causing great concern to his father and King of ‪Ayodhya – ‪Dasharatha. The concerned king sought help from his ‪Rajaguru Vashistha. ‪Yoga ‎Vashistha is the name of the very document which contains the complete record of the dialogue between Rama and Vashistha. Originally in voluminous Vedic Sanskrit translated by many now available, are often very confusing. However some essential thoughts translated by U. Mahesh Prabhu are worth going through for your enlightenment.

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2019/06/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html

--July 7, 2019

DO OUR PHILOSOPHERS CONFLATE OR CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER

Many orthodox Bhaktimarga followers, so abundant today, would like to misinterpret Adi Shankaracharya's teachings that: “It is without any reflections of the Supreme and its merely stemming out from denial that there is a jeevi or jivatma that they want to bypass and perceive everyone is Brahman but under the influence of Maya... If there is only Brahman then Maya too has to be Brahman and why would Brahman want to know itself through Maya instead of its own qualities?” Sankara came out with his Advaita Philosophy supported by “Ayam Atma Brahma Aham Brahmasmi” to fight many who interpreted Buddha as atheist also misunderstanding him for he was silent on God. Towards the end Sankara composed many slokas on various deities and also apologized for having committed the sin of saying and promoting “You and I are One” standing before the Linga of Kasi Visvantha and worshiping.

The Self--No-self dichotomy means that the philosophical foundations of Hinduism and Buddhism are different. If you really understand the progressive thinking they all mean the same but convince by different interpretations. In Hinduism, consciousness (ātman) is primary and at the analytical level it is different from matter. In Buddhism, on the other hand, consciousness is a phenomenon that emerges on the ground of the body although it survives in the chain of influences it engenders. Therefore, it will surprise many that this dichotomy of ātman versus anātman was declared false by the Buddha on his last day of life. He said: “The Self (ātman) is reality (tattva), the Self is permanent (nitya), the Self is virtue (guṇa), the Self is eternal (śāśvatā), the Self is stable (dhruva), and the Self is auspiciousness (śiva).”

The Buddha had used emptiness to help his disciples separate themselves from earlier attachments. He explains the super-session of the Non-self doctrine by the Self doctrine with this parable:

Consider the story of mother whose infant son is ill. The physician gives her medicine for the boy with the instruction “After the child takes the medicine, do not give him your milk until he has fully digested the medicine.” The mother smears a bitter-tasting substance on her breasts and tells her young child that the breasts have poison on them. Having heard this, the child pulls away from her when he is hungry. But after the medicine has been ingested, the mother washes her breasts and calls out to her son, “Come and I shall give you milk." The Veda is the mother’s milk that the Buddha did not allow his disciples to partake until they had purified themselves with the austere message of emptiness.

Ramanuja who had initially mastered Advaita Vedanta came out with his interpretation that Maya is untenable and opposed to the spirit of Vedic Texts and Bhagavad Gita (mamaivamso Jeevabhootah sanatanah). Ramanuja regards the relation of God to the world as one of Jeevatma to body. He also asserted the existence of a triad principle-- 1. the Supreme Being (Isvara)’ 2. the soul (chit) and 3. the Non-soul (achit)

Later Madhvacharya elaborated further his philosophy extending it to Panchabedha-- According to his philosophy, the Supreme Being is Vishnu or Narayana. Every follower of the Madhva school should have a firm belief in the Pancha-bheda—five real and eternal distinctions—viz.-- Jeevesvara Bheda; Jadesvara Bheda; Jeeva Jeeva Bheda; Jada Jeeva Bheda and Jada Jada vBheda--the distinction between the Supreme Being and the individual soul, between spirit and matter, between one Jiva and another Jiva, between the Jiva and matter, between one piece of matter and another. The phenomenal world is real and eternal. Sankara also said that everyone should focus on the worship of Sustaining Vishnu aspect of Parabrahman both in Tattvabodha and his last composition Bhajagovindam.

Please go through the detailed text on Madhva and his Panchabedha by Sreeram Manojkumar as posted in FB and brought to our attention by the spiritual Guru Sree Maa of New Zealand with my brief introduction as attached.

We may notice here that none of these philosophers denied the existence of Supreme Being nor contradicted Vedas but conveniently picked Veda mantras to suit the times to fight controversies and to lead us to the Supreme. Vedas also are the compilations of Vedavyasa of thoughts of various Rishis as perceived by them by Divine Vision. It is all progressive thinking on Supreme and Upanishadic Thoughts to suit times. Our Modern Gurus are more concerned with our Health and Environment and so naturally focus is on Yoga, Meditation, Ecology, Ayurveda, Communal harmony etc. drawing support from our scriptures, believing Service to Humanity is Service to God!

We should not over -estimate our own limited capacity in understanding these great philosophers, who have all had solid foundation in Advaita philosophy, the fore-runner of all later philosophies. Sankara during his last days started thinking about tri-pad theory of Ramanuja but left that for him to elaborate that later Madhva developed into Pancha-bedha concept. We should not forget they all talk about Universal Oneness and Absolute Consciousness that Vedas talk about.

--July 6, 2019

SITA--RAMA KALYANOTSAVA IN HINDU TEMPLES

Please recall my earlier discourses on Kalyanotsava in Hindu Temples that I would not like to repeat:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2012/02/kalyaana-utsava-ceremony-for-lord-in.html\

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2016/06/hindu-religious-wedding-should-follow.html

Colorful Ksalyanotsava with all fun and frolic celebration in South Indian Hindu Temples is an introduction to temple tradition by the Tamil Culture. There are volumes of justification for that and is also a rich source of income to temples and priests. Ardent devotees dare not miss to attend such popular weddings, sponsor and participate. Venkatesa-Padmavati, Sita-Rama, Siva-Parvati, Subhramaya-Devayanai and Valli, Radha-Krishna weddings are the ones ceremoniously celebrated. It is strange even though Radha is neither the legally wedded wife of Lord Krishna nor you find any such reference in Puranas this wedding is popularly and ceremoniously celebrated. Of course throughout North India only Radha-Krishna Temples are seen promoted by Spiritualists, Pauranikas and Iskcon followers. There are few ancient Hindu temples where Krishna is worshiped (Parthasarathy Temple in Chennai) with his legally wedded Crown Princess Rukmini. It is also strange that there are only shrines of Andal in her bridal dress in many Vishnu temples in South India but her fixed wedding with Krishna is never celebrated though there is ample justification looking at Radha Kalyaanam. Nobody has ever questioned our religious pundits or learned priests on all these things. I would not like to go into detail on all these weddings as elaborated or not mentioned in Puranas but would like to deal with Sita-Rama Kalyana as described in chapter 73 Balakanda of Srimad Ramayana of Valmiki.

Please recall the most popular sloka that is even adopted in Venkatesa suprabhatam: Kausalyaa suprajaa raamaa poorvaasandhyaa pravartaate| uttishtha narasardoola kartavyam daivamaahnikam ||

Oh Rama! Please get up as dawn is approaching and perform your daily obligations and complete the worship of the Lord. Rama is from Ikshvaku dynasty and his Kuladeiva is Lord Jagannatha as revealed later:

Parting advice given by Sri Rama to Vibhishnana in Ramayana is as follows: In Uttarakanda, Sarga 108, Slokas 30-31 he saysa to Vibhishana:

“Rakshasendra Maahaa bala! Aaraadhaya Jagannaatham Ikshvaaku Kuladaivatam | Aaraadhaneeyamanisam devairapi savaasavaih | tatheti pratijagraaha ramavakyam vibhishnah ||”—

O mighty Rakshasa King! Worship Lord Jagannatha the presiding deity of Ikshvaaku dynasty. He (Vishnu) is to be worshiped even by the Devas (divines) including Indra. King Vibhishana implicitly obeyed Srirama”. It is obvious that all Ikshvakus including Srirama worshiped Lord Jagannatha and Rama would not have missed this important Nityakarma on this wedding day.

It is therefore appropriate and proper to start this ceremony with Jagannatha Puja, instead of the customary Ganesha or Vishwaksena puja in temple worships as is in vogue in sectarian traditions in performing Sita-Rama kalyanotsava in multi traditional temples! Also the Upakarya mentioned in the wedding might include proper farewell to Jagannatha (visarjana) invoked at the commencement (avahana) of the ceremony.

As is evident from Balakanda, the ceremony gives enough leverage and scope for all the fun and frolic enjoyed in the pre and post ceremonial Hindu wedding celebrations--Baraat, Vidhaayee, Kasi Yatra, Garland exchange, Nalungu, Aridra darsanam, stepping on stone etc., introduced by our dexterous priests to make the Kalyanotsava a fun and frolic celebration and attractive as in Tamil weddings.

Tamils have also converted devadundhubi (heavenly trumpet announcement) with light and sound to Gattimela. But unfortunately there is no Mangalya dharana in Sita-Rama Wedding as learnt from Ramayana. But devotees blindly believe and wait for the auspicious time of Mangaya dharana and would not like to miss paying their obeisance to Manngalya that is taken around before tying by Rama. Often they offer gold Mangalya to the deity seeking her favor for a happy married life.

There is no mention of Ganesha puja or Gowri puja in Valmiki Ramayana that may be traced to auxiliary Ramayanas of modern days. There is nowhere mention of Ganesha in Valmiki Ramayana but a whole chapter is devoted to Kumarasambhava and his emergence as Devasenapati. Skanda is also mentioned as Sanatkumara in Chandogya Upanishad but not Ganesha. Ganapati in Veda refers to Indra. Rama did worship Surya (Aditya) and Jagannatha. Ganesha is introduced to us as Ekadanta and a scribe only in Dvaparayuga who wrote Mahabarata with his broken tusk and not the Naramukha Vinayaka created as body-guard by Parvati and worshiped still in a lone temple of Adivinayaka in South India. Hence Ganesha puja and Gowri puja is inappropriate in a wedding that took place in Tretayuga.

It is therefore proper and sacred to stick to the actual rituals that were performed in this sacred matrimony expressed in bold letters in the attached text in the various slokas describing Srirama’s Prajapatya Vivaha with Sita devi found in the chapter 73 of Valmiki Ramayana Balakanda. We should be guided by the rituals in this sacred divine wedding conducted by Brahmarishi Vasishta and others rather than forcing our religiously confused and socially indulged wedding guided by religious pundits and priests of modern days as that would be at the expenses of the sanctity of divine weddings intended for Loka Kalyana, universal welfare. Most of the times, important rituals like Kuladaiva puja, Nandi Sraddha, Agni sthapana, Homa, Palikaa puja and visarjan, Panigrahana, Lajja homa etc. as described in Ramayana are forgotten or slipped while highlighting Gattimela and Mangalya Dharana coming from Tamil Tradition, as the focus point of the whole wedding in all the Sita-Rama Kaltyanotsavas in Temples I have attended or participated in India and USA. Please go through the Ramayana text above and cross check it with our current day practices in temples and judge for yourselves.

It is also customary to perform Kalyanotsava on any convenient day as arjita-seva, individual subscribed or for raising temple funds as Sri Rama and Sita are Nityakalyana dampatis. But at the same time temples should not forget Panguni Uttiram or Phalgun Uttar day the holiest day on which this wedding actually took place without consulting the horoscopes of both, being the holiest day on which no such astrological consultation is called for. This day is Divines’ Wedding Day when many heavenly weddings took-place according to Puranas--Subhramanya with Valli Devayanai; Sundaresvarar with Meenakshi; Rama with Sita. Also Andal joined with Krishna on this day in her bridal dress even though actual wedding did not take place as she gave up her ghost while marching to the wedding hall!

One thing that puzzled me in this Kayanotsava is the assembly of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman as is generally worshiped in temples. May be Hanuman being Chiranjeevi and as the inseparable devotee wants to watch the Divine wedding as Ramabhakta all the time. Only we have to keep him at a distance from Sita Rama assembly for the occasion. In Ramayana Hanuman got introduced to Rama in Vanavas after the wedding and also met Seeta in Asokavana only. I wonder why Lakshmana is presented in the assembly. Of course he too got married to Urmila on that day. Also in the description in Ramayana both Rama and Sita face each other in front of Homakunda and later join together afterKanyadana for Panigrahana. I have a rare wedding photograph of Rama and Sita alone with Hanuman standing in my puja room that inspired me with this thought after participating in a recent Sita-Rama Kalyanotsava celebration.

--July 5, 2019

Explanation to the Visitor:

One of my ardent readers visited my house to see the photograph I referred to in my E-mail. Here is further explanation for its exclusive presentation. Why then Hanuman in the painting? The painting seems to be of the couple immediately after the wedding and intended for Rama-Sita Kalynotsava Kalakshepam (religious discourse). I again recall here my sitting and listening to my grandfather who use to do daily reading of a portion of Ramayana placing Ramayana on a book-stand called Vyasa-Peetha. I was curious to know why there was always a blank wooden plank kept just in front of the Vyasapeetha and I was not allowed to pull it out for sitting. He then explained to me that it was a sacred seat for Hanuman who invariably comes and sits and listens to Ramayana whenever and wherever it is given a holy reading (yatra yatra Raghunatha keertanam….). You now know why the artist included Hanuman in the picture though Hanuman was not known to either Rama or Sita till several months after their wedding!

Yatra Yatra Raghunaatha-Kiirtanam Tatra Tatra Krta-Mastaka-Anjalim
baashpa-vaari-Paripuurnnaa-Lochanam Maarutim Namata Raakssasa-Antakam

Wherever the Glories of Raghunatha are Sung, there, with Hands held over His Bowed Head in Salutation, and Eyes Filled with Tears, Maruti (Bhakta Hanuman) is Present; I Salute Maruti Who puts an End to the Rakshasas.
Lord Rama Himself said to Sri Hanuman, "I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty hero! You did marvelous, superhuman deeds. You do not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you have not asked for anything at any time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How can I repay my debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to you. I give you the boon of everlasting life. All will honor and worship you like myself. Your Murti will be placed at the door of My temple and you will be worshipped and sung before mine. You will be able to do anything, even that which I can’t!

JULY 4 AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO HINDU AMERICANS

Today July 4, is America's Independence Day and more importantly it is the Mahasamadhi (death anniversary) of the great Vivekananda. Some of the American Hindu Temple Calendars show this day as Special Religious Event Day keeping the temple open for long hours to facilitate visiting crowds from neighboring crowds to do Arjita seva (paid for individual worships). You may kindly recall July 1 is earmarked as Doctor’ Day paying tribute to All Doctors dedicating the day as Special Religious Worship Day with the mantra Vaidyo Narayano Harih. In a sense doctor’s can also be called Rishis who dedicate their whole life in the service of humanity often sacrificing their personal life of enjoyment and pleasure. USA Spent one week in March celebrating it as National Physicians Week. Motivated by this theme, July 1 celebrated in India as Doctors Day, and July 4 as Independence Day by Hindu Americans in USA we can dedicate July 1 to July 8 as Rishis and Doctors Week offering prayers the whole week and celebrating on a grand scale on the inclusive Sunday at All Hindu American Temples.

Hindus in India are at a crisis point both as a civilization and a people. They have come to this gloomy pass because they have elected to privilege morons who are just actors, either in movies or in media or in politics, over values of Dharma. USA has also followed suit that we are all experiencing. Our respect and obedience is to politicians now, not to Gurus, and naturally we are in a world of pain.

Please recall his words of inspiration on dark and dejected times:

“We Hindus, on the other hand, take pride in being the descendants of Rishis and sages, who lived on roots and fruits in mountains and caves, meditating on the Supreme. We may be degraded and degenerated now; but however degraded and degenerated we may be, we can become great, if only we begin to work in right earnest on behalf of our religion.” In fact he suggests everyone to turn a Rishi and doctor of mental and physical health promoting Yoga.

But, instead of merely singing the glories of the past by remembering the names of the Rishis and worshiping them, what is demanded of every human being now is to rise and attain the state of Rishi-hood. In the words of Swami Sivananda “In ancient times there were, no doubt, many Rishis and Maharshis who came face to face with Truth. But if this recalling of our ancient greatness is to be of real benefit, we too must become Rishis like them. And, not only that, but it is my firm conviction that we shall be even greater Rishis than any that our history presents to us.”
In 1892, Swami Vivekananda stayed with Bhaskara Sethupathy, who was a Raja of Ramnad, when he visited Madurai and he sponsored Vivekananda's visit to Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago.
Let us therefore dedicate the Independence Day week-end to Lord Dhanvantari and Vedavyasa who are both avatars of Vishnu and more than Rishis that brought Sanatana Dharma to Humanity to lead a brighter life to live in Peace but not Pieces.

Please go through the life History of Swami Vivekananda and Our Ancient Rishis and Sages and convince yourself as to how to continue and propagate their mission and fulfill their dreams.

INDEPENDENCE IS A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD WHEREVER WE ARE! MAY WE ALWAYS REMAIN INDEPENDENT AND PRACTICE OUR DHARMA! WISHING YOU A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO LIVE IN PEACE BUT NOT PIECES!

--July 4, 2019

HOW HINDUS CAN CELEBRATE NATIONAL PHYSICIANS WEEK IN USA

While complimenting me for the message sent on Doctor's Day sent to you yesterday as "wonderful" Mr. A. S. Narayana from India has sent the following lyrics paying his tribute to all doctors for their selfless service and philanthropic inclination serving the community medically and spiritually.

HAPPY DOCTORS' DAY
----------------------------------
Cliché’ to say 'apples keep doctors away'
we are happy they are there all the way

From birth till last breath our hands they hold
they save our lives even if we are old

To them, patient's status matters little
for the destitute, their care doesn't whittle

They are bound by the Hippocratic oath
to say 'patient first', they don't loath

Post a stroke, there is just a golden hour
for doctors to save -but battle is dour

Sometimes patient dies under doctor's care
to beat up the doctor, how is it fair?

Doctors are there to help us in a mess
follow his advice and don't get stressed

Doctor-patient bond is lifelong
to find fault with doctors is quite wrong

Grueling task to get a medical degree
we salute doctors, who work with no greed

--A.S. Narayana

This year marks the very first National Physician Week, taking place from March 25th-March 31st and including National Doctor's Day on the 30th. This is a week for all physicians to be recognized by their patients, celebrated by their peers, and take pride in the hard work that they do.

Kim Jackson, MD eschews the 'us vs them' mentality that has come to define healthcare in recent decades. Patients are given the universal label of “healthcare consumer”, playing opposite to the physicians that treat them; physicians themselves are separated by specialty and training into self-contained organizations and networks that are relatively detached from each other. The healthcare players have divided themselves into clusters of disconnected groups that are unable to effectively advocate for either physician or patient causes.

“I wanted to find a way to unify all physicians under an umbrella organization that was blind to specialty or experience level,” says Jackson. “This kind of physician group would link us all together based on our common interests as healers who have dedicated our lives to treating patients effectively, rather than dividing us based on the particular specialty we chose for residency.” With this vision in mind, Jackson founded Physicians Working Together (PWT), an action-driven multispecialty organization comprised of practicing physicians, non-practicing physicians, medical students, residents, and fellows.

As the name implies, PWT provides a forum for any and all physicians to network with peers, learn from each other's’ experiences, share information, and find solutions to universal physician issues by combining advocacy efforts. Says Jason Hoover, a radiologist and member of PWT:

“There was a real need in the medical community to establish a common forum for physicians to come together across all specialties to discuss real issues from our point of view, and with our patients in mind. The physicians in PWT don’t necessarily have one identical voice; rather, we come together as a network of support to voice our common concerns, and not just to be heard but to be regarded.”

Educating the public is one of the primary goals of the organization, as Jackson quickly noticed the damage that had been done to the patient-physician relationship as a result of the societal divide between patient and provider. “One of the things that makes a physician’s work so important is the fact that the positive health outcomes we work for have an effect on many people beyond just the patient - it affects that patient’s family, the community, and ripples throughout society. Almost immediately I realized that just about every member of the group shared frustrations over their patients’ lack of understanding and respect for the physicians who had dedicated their lives to healing. With increasingly high rates of physician burnout and an average of 400 physician suicides a year, this kind of public lack of awareness is just unacceptable.”

As blessed as Jackson feels by her job, she empathizes with the plight of the countless physicians who have been beaten down by the current healthcare system and whose interests have been marginalized in favor of patient satisfaction. “At one of the first PWT meetings, a doctor shared her feelings of depression and helplessness after a patient left a negative online review that was affecting her practice. The complaint was unfounded - the result of the doctor telling them something they didn’t want to hear - but what recourse did she have? I hear stories like this every day. Medicine requires that tough decisions must be made, but the physician’s hands are tied when the patient perceives that as a lack of customer service.” Jackson acknowledges that the wilting relationship between physician and patient doesn’t have a quick fix, but she is optimistic that similar incidents can be prevented once patients have a better understanding of physicians’ roles in their healthcare.

In the spirit of reconnecting patients and providers, Jackson and the members of PWT have spearheaded the creation of National Physician Week, a weeklong holiday designed to rebuild our society’s respect and appreciation for the individuals who devote their lives and made tremendous sacrifices to heal their patients. This grassroots campaign intends to spread a message of positivity and mutual respect, bringing healthcare providers and consumers together to restore the tarnished relationship between patient and physician.

PWT & Medelita invite you to join us in celebrating the first annual National Physicians Week, beginning on March 25^th, including National Doctor's Day on the 30th, and ending on March 31^st. We are asking all medical and non-medical organizations to help spread the word and support this initiative along with our partners at PMG (www.mypmg.com) and Crawford Long Museum.

Patients and physicians alike are encouraged to show your support on social media by using the hashtags #NationalPhysiciansWeek #ThanksDoc #WhiteCoatWonders and to spread appreciation by presenting a red carnation, the traditional flower of Doctors Day, to the hardworking physicians in your life.

LET US START CELEBRATING JULY 1 AS DHANVANTARI DAY AND JULY FOURTH WEEK AS NATIONAL PHYSICIAN'S WEEK HONORING ALL DOCTORS! PLEASE TAKE THE MESSAGE TO HINDU AMERICAN S TEMPLES AND START THE TRADITION!

--July 3, 2019

DOCTOR'S DAY-- WORTHY DAY FOR SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EVENT DAY IN HINDU TEMPLES

We recently celebrated International Yoga Day on Summer Solstice Day though this has not caught the spiritual thoughts of our Temple Authorities to make it a Special Religious Day dedicating to Dakshinamurthy and Adi Yogi. Hindu life is so fabricated that they can’t think of celebrating any social or personal land mark or event without running to a temple for worship. Thus they run to the temple even for a vehicle puja as proud owners and to ward off evil for safety on road. There is yet another day closely following the International Yoga Day is the Doctor’s Day observed in India on July 1, as National Doctor’s Dayto pay tribute to all the doctors who have made relentless efforts towards achieving remarkable improvements in the medical field serving globally irrespective of the odds. Contributions of Indian doctors in USA and their dedicated service is worth appreciating. Many of them are philanthropists and temple fathers too. Perhaps this makes them shy and embarrassed to keep silent on the subject or bringing it to our notice.

India is the earliest country to come up with Life Science called Ayurveda. We invoke god’s mercy while taking medicine pleading to Lord Vishnu--Vaidyo narayano harih. Vishnu is worshiped as Bheshajam Bhishak. Above all, you are all familiar with my discourse on Dhanvantari, Vishnu Avatar of God of Health. Siva is the first surgeon was who successfully transplanted elephant’s head on a mutilated human body and breathed life into it as well as divinity of highest order. He also developed Immunity Science swallowing worst poison and being hailed Neelakantha for saving the world.

What more justification you need to earmark July 1 or March 30 as Dhanvanari Day in temples honoring our doctors. The initiative should come from us and not from temple authorities for obvious reasons. July 1 or March 30 is your choice. Close to Yoga Day more aligning with India seems logical. Before getting ready to plan the same next year realize the importance of this day going through the conceptualization of Doctor’s Day. As a child I still recall the wrong nursery rhyme “Apple a day keeps the doctor away” that I never believed in as we cannot live without a doctor however healthy we may try to keep healthy by our eating habits but can’t avoid living in a polluted atmosphere mentally and physically. But who will bell the cat?

National Doctors' Day

National Doctors' Day is a day celebrated to recognize the contributions of physicians to individual lives and communities. The date may vary from nation to nation depending on the event of commemoration used to mark the day. In some nations the day is marked as a holiday. Although supposed to be celebrated by patients in and benefactors of the healthcare industry it is usually celebrated by health care organizations. Staff may organize a lunch for doctors to present the physicians with tokens of recognition. Historically, a card or red carnation may be sent to physicians and their spouses, along with a flower being placed on the graves of deceased.

India

In India the National Doctors' Day is celebrated on July 1 all across India to honor the legendary physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was born on July 1, 1882 and died on the same date in 1962, aged 80 years. Dr. Roy was honored with the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna on February 4, 1961. The celebration of the Doctors' Day is an attempt to emphasize on the value of doctors in our lives and to offer them our respects by commemorating one of their greatest representatives. India has shown remarkable improvements in the medical field and July 1 pays a perfect tribute to all the doctors who have made relentless efforts towards achieving this goal irrespective of the odds.

The theme of Doctor’s Day 2019 is “Zero tolerance to violence against doctors and clinical establishment”. Indian Medical Association announces the theme every year. The theme will raise awareness about the violence happening with the doctors across India.

United States

In the United States, National Doctors' Day is a day on which the service of physicians to the nation is recognized annually. The idea came from Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, and the date chosen was the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery. On March 30, 1842, in Jefferson, Georgia, Dr. Crawford Long used ether to anesthetize a patient, James Venable, and painlessly excised a tumor from his neck.

History

The first Doctors’ Day observance was March 28, 1933, in Winder, Georgia. This first observance included the mailing of cards to the physicians and their wives, flowers placed on graves of deceased doctors, including Dr. Long, and a formal dinner in the home of Dr. and Mrs. William T. Randolph. After the Barrow County Alliance adopted Mrs. Almond's resolution to pay tribute to the doctors, the plan was presented to the Georgia State Medical Alliance in 1933 by Mrs. E. R. Harris of Winder, president of the Barrow County Alliance. On May 10, 1934, the resolution was adopted at the annual state meeting in Augusta, Georgia. The resolution was introduced to the Women's Alliance of the Southern Medical Association at its 29th annual meeting held in St. Louis, Missouri, November 19–22, 1935, by the Alliance president, Mrs. J. Bonar White. Since then, Doctors' Day has become an integral part of and synonymous with, the Southern Medical Association Alliance.

The United States Senate and House of Representatives passed S.J. RES. #366 during the 101st United States Congress, which President Bush signed on October 30, 1990 (creating Public Law 101-473), designating Doctors' Day as a national holiday to be celebrated on March 30.

Dr. Marion Mass along with Dr. Kimberly Jackson and Dr. Christina Lang applied to officially have physician’s day changed to physicians’ week. This was accepted in March 2017.

In 2017 Physicians Working together (PWT was founded by Dr. Kimberly Jackson) sponsored a series of articles in celebration of National Physicians week that were hosted on Kevin MD. In 2018 PWT along with Open-x-med sponsored a free online conference focusing on physician well-being and advocacy. In 2019, PWT and Open-x-med sponsored a scholarship program for medical students and residents. The week-long event focuses on advocacy and supporting the physician community.

--July 2, 2019

CREATING PEACE IN THE WORLD

"We constantly talk about peace – it is one of the most popular topics of world discussions today. Peace between nations, peace in our societies, peace in our schools, peace in our families, peace within ourselves. Yet, although billions of dollars and millions of hours are spent each year on think-tanks, brainstorming sessions and international conferences, this much-desired peace continues to elude us.

Without peace – both inner and outer – all else is meaningless. We can spend millions of dollars building posh downtown centers in our cities, but if we are at war with another country, they will bomb that center to ashes in a second. We can spend thousands of dollars building beautiful homes, but if our neighborhood is violent, our windows will be smashed and our new lawns destroyed. We can work hard and successfully at our jobs, but if we come home to turmoil in the house, there is no joy in the success obtained at work that day, for there is no one with whom to share. We can devote ourselves to obtaining high education, top credentials and a beautiful figure. However, if we are miserable inside, no outer achievement will ever pacify us.

The mantra of today seems to be “I want peace.” Every day people tell me this. They all say, “Swamiji, all I want is peace. Tell me how to find it.” The root to success in life on all levels – personal, familial, societal, national and international – is first and foremost to be in peace. But how to attain peace? What is the secret to finding this elusive treasure?

"I" is one of the greatest obstacles to peace. I is our ego. I is our sense of ownership, doer-ship and pride. This “I” says, “I want to be in the center.” Isn’t it true? We always want to be the ones getting the glory, the appreciation, and the prestige. Even when we don’t do anything, we still want to be appreciated. This is our downfall.

Living in the world today, it is nearly impossible to completely remove the sense of “me,” “mine,” and “I“. So the next best option is to take this “I” and change it. When “I” stands vertically it is an obstacle. It creates borders, barriers and boundaries between ourselves and others. But, if we take this “I” and turn it sideways, making it horizontal, it becomes a bridge – a bridge between our families, our communities, and our nations. Let this “I” become a bridge in the service of the world. If we keep standing so straight and tall and proud as the vertical I, then we will always stand alone. If, however, we turn this “I” sideways, we say, “Let me be a bridge, let me bridge chasms instead of creating them, let me stand smaller than others instead of always trying to stand tallest, let me put others in the center instead of myself.” Then we will stand united and peaceful.

Above is the customary Message of Monday Meditation from the Mount (MMMM) from HH Chidananda Swamiji of Hrishikesh. Please Stretch your Bridge As Far As You Can. This message is meant for those who like to correspond in English Language as he is symbolically referring to the Capital letter “I” in English well suited to Hindu Americans whose children start their life with English language.(Sadhvi Bhagavati in this Ashram is a USA born Hindu Dharma follower)and so are many from different lands and so reference to English letter I that remarkably suits for this Sermon on the Mount)

Essentially this bridge can be built on the following Wisdom of Vedas:

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.

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 and collected be your mind, in the same way as all the various aspects of the universe exist in togetherness, wholeness.

July 1, 2019

Hindu Reflections

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

THOUGHT OF THE DAY--JULY 2019