Apr - chinnajeeyar

Thruni:krutha virincha:di
nirankusa vubhu:thayaha
ra:ma:nuja pada:mbho:ja
sama:srayana sa:linaha
All the opulence of Bramha and other
such de:vathas is as valueless as
a blade of grass for one who
takes refuge in the lotus feet of
Ra:ma:nuja.
The incomparable treasure for
the surrendered is only Ra:ma:nuja’s
lotus feet, rest all has no value
whatsoever.
Sathyam sathyam punassathyam
yathira:jo: jagadguruhu
sa e:va sarvalo:ka:na:m
uddharttha: na:sthi samsayaha
It is true, true and true again that the king of ascetics, Ra:ma:nuja
is the a:cha:rya for the whole world. He alone is capable of uplifting
all the worlds [which are sunk with the burden of sin].
There is not least doubt about this.
Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja’s 998th birthday on April 24
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
2
INSIDE
Volume: 08 Issue: 06
02 PRAYER
From Bhajayathira:ja Stho:thram
05 EDITORIAL
Uga:di and Sri: Ra:ma Navami
07 VTSEVA USA UPDATES
Information about Ra:ga event, Bay Area
08 INSPIRING INCIDENTS
Village gets rains after contunuous bhajans
15 BHJAYATHI RA:JA STHO:THRA
16 BIRDS IN RA:MA:YANAM
20 GLORY OF RA:MA:NUJA
Ira:ma:nusa Nu:ththanda:di
Udayavar’s 998th
Oh mind, let us call upon His divine names!
10
BHAGAWAD GI:THA 38
23 HOMEOPATHY REMEDIES
A Voyage towards victory
A new series on homeo medication
A:CHA:RYA HISTORY
40
RA:MA:NUJA LIFE HISTORY
44
DIVYA PRABANDHAM
48
24 VE:NKATA:CHALA
Na:ththamuni reveals future a:cha:rya
MA:HA:TMYAM
The History of The Seven Hills & The Lord of
them
Read Ra:ma:nuja life story In pictures
30 ARTHA PANCHAKAM
The 5 most important things to know in life
Thiruppalli Yezhuchchi
32 MORAL LESSONS FROM
This wakeup song of Lord Rangana:ttha
was composed by Thondaradippodi A:lwa:r
RA:MA:YANA
LIFE HISTORY OF A:LWA:RS 52
35 FAQ FROM READERS
56
appearance day
The three A:lwa:rs meet at one place!.
VT SEVA BHA:RATH UPDATES
VTSEVA updates from all across India
Principles
Serve All Beings As Service To God & Worship Your Own, Respect All
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4
OUR SERVICES
Apr 4- Hanumad Vijayo:tsava, Full Lunar Eclpise
Apr 21 - Akshaya Truti:ya, Chandano:tsava in Simhachalam
Apr 23 - Sankaracha:rya birth day
Apr 24 - Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya birth day
(Read the anecdotes from the life of Bhagavad
Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya in this issue)
Apr 27 - Divya Sa:ketham Bramho:tsava Ankura:ro:pana
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
EDITORIAL
Sowing the seeds in paramapadam !
O
nce, a poor but devoted couple were visited by Ra:ma:nuja and His entourage. The
husband was out of village, so wife received their a:cha:rya with great reverence and
devotion. She felt very much blessed to receive Ra:ma:nuja and the go:shtti of great
devotees along with Him. At the same time, she was very sad as she didn’t have any grains
to cook and offer to them.
Upong searching, fortunately she found a bag of paddy lying in the corner of a room, ready
to be sown for the upcoming fertile season. Without second thought, she used those grains
and prepared very nice feast, offered to Ra:ma:nuja and thre go:shti (group of devotees).
Ra:ma:nuja felt very happy to see her dedication in pleasing a:cha:rya, blessed her and left
with the entourage.
After a while, her husband came home and found that the stored paddy was not there.
Surprised, he asked his wife, “what did you do to the grains? I preserved them to sow for the
next growing season”. The wife smilingly replied, “ I sowed them in the permanent place of
paramapadam. We shall reap the eternal crop from that”. (paramapadam or vaikuntta is
the permanent abode where all emancipated souls enjoy the blissful, uninterrupted service
to Lord). Husband appreciated his wife very much and replied, “I am blessed to have such a
wise and devoted wife”.
This incident tells us that we reap unending, permanent benefits by investing our wealth in
the service of a:cha:rya.
On April 24, we are celebrating the 998th birthday of Ra:ma:nuja. Ra:ma:nuja appeared
in the year 1017 in Sri:perumbudur of present day Tamilna:du. Ra:ma:nuja revived all 106
divine temples in Bha:rath, regularized the worship in them, broke the caste barriers and
propounded that “all are equal before God”. All the ve:dic scriptures, bhagavad gi:tha
and a:lwa:r’s divine utterances are only speaking of equality of all living beings and their
subservience to God in a loving way. He spread the real frgrances of ve:dic teachings far
and wide and that they only glorify the divine qualities of Lord. Ra:ma:nuja stressed that the
world and our experience of it is not an illusion but very much real.
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
5
A Vaishnava is one who understands His eternal relationship with all pervading Vishnu and
treats all others in the same relationship. Ra:ma:nuja’s most celebrated commentary on
“bramha su:thras” uproots the impersonalist, voidist and other atheistic forms of philosophy.
This commentary is so extraordinary that the goddess of knowledge, Saraswathi herself,
conferred the title “Bha:shyaka:ra” upon Ra:ma:nuja. People from all walks of life sought
Ra:ma:nuja’s lotus feet and got deliverance.
It’s said that the title of “a:cha:rya” suits only to Ra:ma:nuja and none else.
“thasmin ra:ma:nuja:rye: gururithicha padam bha:thi na:nyathra...”
If it is not for Ra:ma:nuja, the sanctity of temples like Sri: Rangam, Thirumala, Kanchi,
Me:lko:te and many others would’ve long been compromised. And its’s not least
exaggeration to say that that the temples sustained the cruel atrocities of foreign invaders in
the last thousand years only becuase of the efforts of Ra:ma:nuja and His discplic lineage.
We seek help from God when we are in trouble. And here is Ra:ma:nuja who brought that
God into light for all of us. We go and take darshan of Him in all the temples, worship Him
and seek boons from Him.
How blessed are we that we can take part in the millennium celebrations of such a
revolutionary a:cha:rya. The real fortune is to spread Ra:ma:nuja’s glory and see that
generations to come, remember the contributions of the greatest a:cha:rya of all time.
Please visit www.sriramanujasahasrabdi.org for the latest updates on the millennium
birthday celebrations of Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya.
Yours, in service of Swamiji,
Bhakthi Nive:dana
6
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
VTSEVA USA UPDATE
VTSEVA BAY AREA ORGANIZES RA:GA
VTSeva Bay Area has finalized the date and time for its annual
fundraiser for Netra Vidyalaya, a school for the blind and visually disadvantaged. We will have performances and a full dinner on May 2 from 6-8pm at the Jain Cultural Center in Milipitas, CA. For the group’s first event in 2014, over $25,000 was
raised. This year, a goal of $50,000 has been set!
Support the cause here: http://ww.vtsworld.org/bayarea
7
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
INSPIRING INCIDENT
VILLAGE GETS RAINS AFTER
BHAJANS
Letter from a devotee: Phani Kumar Yerasaani
Subject: Village’s Thank You For Visit
Jai Sri:manna:ra:yana
Pujya, Priya Sri Swamiji,
Humble salutations to the Lotus Feet of beloved
Acharya
Visit to village: It’s a miracle that adiyen ever
imagined that the village will get Devaravaru’s
Mangala:sa:sanams with the visit on Feb 05,
2015 and we are ever thankful for it.
Your advice of doing Bajans at the village Temple
contributed immensely to the discussion in the
people and Bajans were done for 11 days from
the very next day of Devaravaru’s visit. We are
now able to see the results in the form of Rains
which started off since 5 days, irrespective of
not being the rainy season.
Starting from the very idea which came to
Adiyen’s mind to invite Devaravaru to the
village, organising things with the help of
committed friends and finally everything going
smooth, was clearly felt that Devaravaru made
all the things done using Adiyen as a tool.
8
Adiyen understands that it was time for the village
to take Devaravaru’s Mangala:sa:sanams and
very confident that good things are on it’s way
to the village. Additionally, the blessings are
extended further by having bought SriRama
and His Parivaram to the village Temple in
the form Utsava Murthi’s which were not there
earlieI have enclosed the copy of SriRama and
His Parivaram for Your Mangala:sa:sanams.
Adiyen is ever indebted to Devaravaru’s
Mangala:sa:sanams to have such good things
happen. Leaving everything at the Lotus Feet.
Adiyen sincerely apologise for any mistakes or
inconvenience that happened during the visit
and kindly request to keep an eye on everything
I do, nothing else is required.
Adiyen wishes Devaravaru a very Happy Holi.
Adiyen,
Phani Kumar Ramanuja Dasa
HH Swamiji’s reply for the above
letter:
Jai srimannarayana Phaniji!
It is really interesting to know that there was rain
in your village after the bhajans. It is sincere
devotion and faith all people have there and
did with sincerity that resulted in rains.
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Let things go in this way always and Glories to
our Lord Ramachendra always.
Our trip from Yerpedu to Ananthapur was
though a bit longer but we enjoyed after
coming to your village and meeting with the
people there. Today we were again in Pileru for
Sri Chenna Kesava Swamy Temple Prathishtta.
We did it and now heading to Vijayawada for
Golden Jubilee of Panditha Sabhas there from
tomorrow through 13th of this month.
Mangalasasanams to you all.
=chinnajeeyar=
VT BHA:RATH
Apr 2015
UPDATES...Continued on pg 56
Bhakthinivedana
9
10
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Incidents from the life of
Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya
Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja’s appearance was very
eagerly awaited and predicted by Namma:lwa:r
almost 5,000 years ago. A:lawanda:r
(Ya:muna:cha:rya) also told His disciples to
await the appearance of Jagada:rcha:rya who
would reform society, defeat atheists and reestablish Visista:dvaitha (qualified non-dualism).
Lord Sri:manna:ra:yana, the treasure
house of all auspicious qualities and the
Consort of Sri: De:vi, in His compassion wanted to send help to the suffering
humanity in the grip of samsa:ra in this
age of Kali. Thus, according to th will of
the Lord, Ra:ma:nuja was born to the
blessed couple Ke:sava So:maya:ji and
Ka:nthimathi under the star A:rdra in the
month of Chaithra in 1017 to uplift the
society.
Ra:ma:nuja holds the unique position of
the pendant in a:cha:rya rathnaha:ram,
starting with Lakshmi:na:ra:yana and
ending in Manava:la Maha:muni.
The pendant connects both sides, so
does Ra:ma:nuja connect His previous
a:cha:ryas and His disciples with His holy
head and lotus feet on the other side.
We are celebrating 998th birthday of
Ra:ma:nuja on April 24 this year.
Oh mind! Let us call His divine
names
On this auspicious occasion, let us try to understand some of the glorious names of
Ra:ma:nuja and briefly, the incidents that conferred those titles upon Ra:ma:nuja.
Emberuma:na:r
One of the most popular and beloved names
of Ra:ma:nuja is Emberuma:na:r. The circumstances relating to this name are as follows:
Go:shti:pu:rna was one of A:lawanda:r’s
highly learned disciples living in the village
of Go:shti:puri in present day Tamilna:du.
Ra:ma:nuja was instructed by His a:cha:rya
to learn the meanings of thirumanthra from
Go:shti:pu:rna. In those days, the sacred
knowledge was guarded very tightly and many
tests were given to ascertain the worthiness
of the recipient. Ra:ma:nuja too was tested
many times. After 18 trips to Thirukko:shtiyu:r,
Go:shtipu:rna finally set the time to pass on the
sacred knowledge he was trusted with by his
acha:rya, A:lwanda:r. Filled with pleasurable
anticipation, Ra:ma:nuja sat humbly in front
of Go:shti:pu:rna A:cha:rya.
The A:cha:rya whispered the sacred syllables in
his right ear. Ra:ma:nuja was ecstatic. His face
lit up. He bowed to his A:cha:rya and left. As he
walked on, numerous thoughts occupied him.
“I had to wait for a very long period to get the
sacred manthram. I had to keep my interest extraordinarily keen to wait for this long patiently.
How will ordinary people ever get an opportunity to get this manthram if they are interested
but are not strong-willed to wait patiently, tossed
as they are by the waves of life?
The manthra is more than powerful to uplift
these masses. But for this manthram, how will
they ever get an easy, safe, and grand way
to liberation? I will give out this manthram with-
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
11
out delay to anyone who is interested in accepting this. I will do it right now by climbing the
temple tower!”
Having made up his mind, Ra:ma:nuja climbed
the temple tower and called one and all and
announced that he was giving out the manthram to anyone interested in the spiritual upliftment. Many thronged to hear him. Ra:ma:nuja
gave the essence of the manthra to them.
The news spread like wildfire, and
Go:shti:pu:rna A:cha:rya came to know of it.
He summoned Ra:ma:nuja to him and confronted him thunderously.
“How dare you give out the sacred manthram
safely guarded all this while!”
Ra:ma:nuja was silent.
“Do you think you have done a grand deed?”
Ra:ma:nuja said, “Acharya, believing that it
is a sacred deed, I did it.” “You disobeyed an
a:cha:rya. Are you aware of the consequences?” Ra:ma:nuja quietly said, “Yes, A:cha:rya. It
is hell.” “Are you prepared to go to hell?”
Ra:ma:nuja meekly closed his eyes and
said, “A:cha:rya! If I must suffer hellish
tortures so that many thousands can attain blissful liberation, I am prepared to
do so.”
Go:shti:pu:rna was spellbound. “Even after
studying so many scriptures and practicing the
precepts, I have not succeeded in cultivating a
heart as generous and soft as Ra:ma:nuja’s!”
With eyes filled with tears of joy, he embraced
Ra:ma:nuja and said, “Emberuma:na:r! The
greater one!”
Since that day, Ra:ma:nuja came to be
called as Emperuma:na:r.
Apr 2015
Sri: Bha:shyaka:ra
Yet another name of Ra:ma:nuja is Sri:
Bha:shyaka:ra. This name was bestowed upon
him by none other than Sa:rada: De:vi. Here is
the account of it.
As promised to A:lawanda:r, Ra:ma:nuja completed his commentary on the Brahmasu:thras
in keeping with the Visishtadvaitha tradition,
and his disciple Ku:re:sa wrote it down. As
per norms then, Ra:ma:nuja set out on a tour
and was on his way to the acclaimed Sa:rada:
pi:tam in Kashmi:r.
Sa:rada: De:vi came out of her temple to greet
Ra:ma:nuja and asked him, “Ra:ma:nuja!
You composed your commentary on the
Brahmasu:thras. Explain the word, kapya:sa,
in ‘yatha: kapya:sam pundari:ka me:va
makshi:ni:’” Ra:ma;nuja said, “Mother! There is
nothing that you do not know. You merely want
to hear the meaning from me. I am honored to
explain.
Kam means ‘water’ and pibathi means
‘one that drinks.’ Kapi means ‘the stalk
that takes in water and the pundari:kam
that is upon it.’ In other words, it is the
lotus flower with a robust stalk.
The reference can also be to the un as the
one who drinks water and enables the lotus to
bloom. The lotus is on a strong stalk and is in
full bloom due to the sun’s rays. The Lord’s eyes
are like that of the petals of such a lotus. Mother, this is my interpretation.” Then, he bowed
down to her.
De:vi’s eyes moistened in joy. “Ra:ma:nuja,
you have given such a lucid, limpid, perspicacious explanation! It would indeed be
a delight to hear the rest of your commentary. From now on, you will be renowned as
Sri:Bha:shyaka:ra for your skill of commentary
on Brahmasu:thras.”
Bhakthinivedana
12
Since then, Ra:ma:nuja is also well
known as Sri: Bha:shyaka:ra. His
composition came to be called
Sri:Bha:shyam and was blessed by
Sa:rada: De:vi of Kashmi:r pi:tam.
ILAYA:LVA:R: He was born in Sri:perumbudu:r
in year 1017, to parents Ke:sava So:maya:ji
and Ka:nthimathi. His birth star Ardhra, month
Chithra. Coming to know of the birth of a
baby to Ke:sava So:maya:ji and Ka:nthimathi,
Ra:ma:nuja’s uncle paid a visit. Seeing the
baby Ra:ma:nuja endowed with all auspicious
qualities, he said, “Lakshmano: lakshmi sampannaha”! This little one has all the good lakshanas or qualities one can ever desire.” Thus,
the baby came to be called Ilaya:lva:r or the
one with all the good qualities (Lakshmana).
A:MUDA:LVA:N: A:lwanda:r once came to
the place where Ra:ma:nuja was learning lessons along with many other students. Spotting
Ra:manuja in that crowd, A:lwanda:r said to
Thirukachchi Nambi, “This boy all the signs
of a grand pioneer. This A:muda:lvan (the
first one) will establish Srivaishnavism firmly.”
Thus was the name given to Ra:ma:nuja by
A:lwanda:r.
RA:MA:NUJA: This is the da:sya nama given
to Ilaya:lva:r upon formal initiation with pancha
samska:ra (formal initiation). Lord Varadara:ja
through Ka:nchipu:rna instructed Ilaya:lva:r to
seek pancha samska:rams from Maha:purna,
a disciple of A:lwanda:r. As part of the nama
samska:ra, Maha:purna give Ilaya:lvar this
name. Thus, this became the signature name.
He saw the Lord Who was being carried by
the priests near His sannidhi. There, the Lord
gifted both the nithya and li:la vibhu:thi or
ubhaya vibhu:thi to Ra:ma:nuja. Since then,
Ra:ma:nuja is called Udayavar (the owner of
both worlds, the temporary world we live in and
the permanent world of Vaikuntta)
LAKSHMANA MUNI: Thiruaranga Perumal
Arayar taught Ra:ma:nuja, Peria Thirumozhi by
Kaliyan, Thiruvoimozhi by Nummazhvar, Kanninun Chiruththambhu by Mathura Kavi, the
meaning of Dwayam and named Him Lakshmana Muni.
SATTAKO:PA PONNADI: Thiruma:lai A:nda:n
taught Ra:ma:nuja the intricate meanings of
Divya Prabandham and named Him Sattako:pa
Ponnadi. (The Holy lotus feet of Namma:lva:r),
and in Ra:ma:nuja Nu:ththanda:di thaniyan,
Ra:ma:nuja is mentioned as “Valarthathai’, one
who brought up Thiruva:ymozhi, like Yaso:da
brought up Krushna.
KO:IL ANNA: Ra:ma:nuja fulfilled A:nda:l’s
wish of offering prasa:dam to Sundaraba:hu
peruma:l (Azhagar). Very pleased with this,
A:nda:l lovingly called Ra:ma:nuja as Her
brother, Ko:il Anna:.
DE:SIKE:NDRA: Thirumala Sri:niva:sa called
Him De:sike:ndra (great scholar).
There are many other names of Ra:ma:nuja.
He is known as, Swa:mi, Ra:ma:nuja Muni
Vezham (an elephant), Bhavishyada:cha:rya, Y
Yathisa:rvabhauma, Yathi Chakravarthi, Yathipathi, Yathina:tha, Yo:gindra, Krupa:ma:thra
prasanna:cha:rya and Thiruppa:vai Jeeyar.
YATHIRA:JA: Lord Varadara:ja Himself bestowed this name upon Ra:ma:nuja when he
entered the sanya:sa a:srama or the renounced
order. He is the best of the yathis or the renunciates.
One cannot forget Me:lko:te, where
Ra:ma:nuja is considered the king while still
acknowledged an ascetic. Selvapillai, the processional deity in Me:lko:te, is thus Yuvara:ja
(the crown prince).
UDAYAVAR: Ra:ma:nuja went to Sri:Rangam
to have the darsanam of Lord Rangana:ttha.
--Contributed by: Smt. Sumithra Pothurazuji &
Ramapriyan Ramanuja Dasi
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
13
Our previous a:cha:ryas have bestowed a wonderful slo:ka glorifying
how Ra:ma:nuja built an everlasting
bridge between the Earth and the
eternal world of paramapadam.
Ka:sa:ra:dima divyasu:ri krutha
sathso:pa:na baddha:m
dvaya sri:manthro:bhaya danda pa:rshva ghatti:tha:m
sri:bha:shya ki:lastthila:m vidhi nisre:ni: paramo:janasya
paramavyo:mastthali:
pra:pika:m
svasva:cha:rya niru:pitha:rttha
vachagaha pra:pya adhiro:he
sada:
14
Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya built an
everlasting staircase from Earth to Vaikuntta, the permanent, blissful realm of
the Lord. Let’s see how he put together
this wonderful staircase.
The divine works of a:lwa:rs, “divya prabandham” make the rising steps of the
staircase. The two suporting handrails
for people to hold while climbing up are
the dvaya and ashta:kshri: manthra. To
build an everlasting, strong structure,
Ra:ma:nuja fixed it with the “untamperable” nails of Sri: Bha:shya.
How to access that staircase? It becomes
accessible by hearing and practicing the
teachings of one’s own a:cha:rya.
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Bhaja Yathira:ja Stho:thram
1.
Bhaja yathira:jam bhaja yathira:jam
bhaja yathira:jam bhava bhi:ro:
All, who are afraid of this samsa:ra, worship Yathira:ja, worship Yathira:ja, worship
Yathira:ja.
Samsa:ra is the most fearful, unending cycle
of life and death. We are all trapped in this
and are clueless as to how to get out of it to
experience the eternal joy. The best means to
get rid of the suffering is revealed here. It is
the worship of Yathira:ja (the king of ascetics,
Ra:ma:nuja)
2.
Sri:range:sa jaya:sraya ke:thuhu
srithajana samrakshana ji:va:thuhu
bhavabhaya jaladhe: re:shahi se:thuhu
padma:ne:thuh pranathau he:thuhu
thandanthara mabhavadguru
re:shaha
In the beginning, He incarnated as A:dise:sha
to support the whole universe. Thereafter He
came down as Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra. Then, He appeared as Balara:ma, carrying the plough on his shoulder. And now, He
appeared as the guru, Ra:ma:nuja.
4.
Bhunkthe: vaishayikam sukhamanyaha
prachaka:sthye:va: nashnan nanyaha
ithi yasthathvam pra:ha vada:nyaha
thasma:dadhikaha ko:nu vada:nyaha
In all the embodied souls, the ji:va (soul) is enjoying the fruits of this material world. But the
super soul (parama:thma), though present in
the same body along with ji:va, is always brilliantly shining without attachment to the fruits.
The most compassionate Ra:ma:nuja revealed
such valuable truths to all with wonderful
clarity. Is there anyone else who did a greater
benefit to us than Ra:ma:nuja?
Ra:ma:nuja is the flag representing the victory of Sri: Rangana:ttha, the life sustaining
medicine for the surrendered, the bridge to
cross the fearful ocean of samsa:ra and the
cause for rendering service unto the Lord of
Sri: (Padma:)
5.
Nashtte: nayane: kasya: lo:kaha
chiththe: maththe: kasya vive:kaha
kshi:ne: punye: kassuralo:kaha
ka:me:dhu:the: kasthava so:kaha
3.
A:dau jagadha:dha:ras se:shaha
thadhanu sumithra: nandana ve:shaha
thadupari dhruthahala musala
vise:shaha
When eyes don’t function, how can one see?
When the mind is intoxicated, how can one
discern? When all the good deeds are exhausted, how can one remain in the heaven?
When all desires are extinguished, how can
one have sorrow?
-- To be continued....
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
15
Sri: Ra:ma:yanam
Birds in
Ra:ma:yanam
16
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
SUNDARAKA:NDA
RELEVANCE & REFLECTIONS
-
Sri: Ra:ma:yana is the first literary work (a:di
ka:vya). It is also a work of great depth. Ordinary poetry merely sets a story to metre.
Refined poetry is that in which the story is narrated artistically and underneath the surface
are embedded profound ideas and secrets.
Sri: Ra:ma:yana is the best of such refined poetry. Rich spiritual insights are intertwined with
poetry in every ka:nda, every slo:ka, and even
in every word of Sri: Ra:ma:yana !
Sundaraka:nda - Celebration of the glory
of a:cha:ryas
Sundaraka:nda emphasises on the glory of
a:cha:ryas. We ji:vas (souls) have an eternal
relationship with God. However due to our
ignorance and ahanka:ra (egoistic tendency,
self centeredness and haughty idea of being
independent of God), we are entrapped in the
worldly pursuits. We get distanced from God.
When we desire to free ourselves from this
worldly bondage, the means employed by a
teacher to uplift us are portrayed by Va:lmi:ki,
in the analogy of a bird.
Our body is analogous to Lanka
Our body which prevents us from gaining self
knowledge is the city of Lanka. This body is
ruled by ahanka:ra—Ra:vana. Also Kumbhakarna representing mamaka:ra ( the attitude
that all things are my possessions) rules it .
From ahamka:ra are born traits like desire ,
Apr 2015
anger, greed, infatuation, arrogance, jealousy, ostentation etc. These are the children
of Ra:vana like Indrajit and others. Goaded
by these traits, the sense organs go unbridled
and become enemies to the ji:va and harass
it. The demons E:ka:kshi, E:kakarni etc are
these senses. Our body is like the city of Lanka
which is filled with diabolic and terrifying
demons. The soul which is bound to body
yet connected to God is like Si:tha who was
bound in Lanka yet belonged to Sri:Rama.
Portrayal of an a:cha:rya in pingalika bird.
Despite being bound in a body, when a soul
keeps itself away from the traits like ahanka:ra
and relates itself to God, the a:cha:ryas bestow ultimate knowledge to it. Though forced
to stay at Lanka, Si:tha rejected Ra:vana and
sought protection in Sri:Ra:ma alone. Sage
Va:lmi:ki depicts the qualities of an a:cha:rya
by analogy of a bird in the following verse
pakshi: cha sa:kha:nilayah prahrushtaha punaha punascho:ththama sa:nthvava:di: |
susva:gatha:m va:chamudi:raya:naha punaha
punascho:dayathi:va hrushtaha||
On the surface, the verse tells us of a bird on
branches singing again and again soothingly.
However due to the compassion of our elders,
we can realize how the sage hints at the qualities of an a:cha:rya in this very verse.
The wings which support a bird to fly are
called pakshas. A pakshi( bird) is one which
has pakshas (wings) on it. The sky which
Bhakthinivedana
17
permeates everywhere is like God’s omnipresence. A:cha:ryas endlessly saunter in the
skies of divinity. Comprehensive knowledge
of scriptures and their practice are their two
wings. Apart from living a life of knowledge
and practice, they also guide their disciples
onto the path of good. Hence they are entitled
to be called a:cha:ryas and are indicated by
the word ‘pakshi’.
The a:cha:ryas reside on sa:khas ( branches).
These are the branches of Ve:das. They are
devoted to teach that branch of Ve:da which
they have mastered. In other words, an
a:cha:rya must be firm in living the Ve:dic way
of life and must have studied his branch of
Ve:da. Without being so, one cannot be an an
a:cha:rya. One should not forget the learnt
Ve:da. Forgetting it is a great sin according to
Dharma sa:sthra (Scripture of right conduct)
That is the reason why the study of Ve:da and
its practice is the first sign of an a:cha:rya.
a:cha:ryo:ve:dasampanno: vishnubhaktho:
vimathsaraha manthrajno: manthrabhakthascha sada:manthra:sraya ssuchihi |
the sacred manthra (Manthra is that sacred
formula of words which when contemplated
on relieves us from the strong bondage)
which uplifts the soul. Out of reverence for
the manthra, he must be keeping it safe. Not
only imparting it to others, he himself must be
practicing the same manthra. Though attained
the fruit of such manthra, he must keep his
heart free from pride. He must have humility
to realize that all his attainments are due to his
a:cha:rya’s grace.
The meaning of ve:da is to be arrived
at by considering it in the light of the
related pura:nas. Otherwise, such
knowledge is incomplete. One who
fulfils all these conditions can be an
a:charya. He is a guru who dispels the
darkness of our ignorance.
Such a:cha:rya is ever ‘prahrushtaha’, is ever
joyous due to mellowed knowledge. Scriptures
say ‘drashtavyaha sarvade:hibhihi’- that such
a:cha:ryas must be approached to get enlightened.
The analogy is explained further:
gurubhakthi sama:yukthaha pura:najno:
vise:shathaha e:vam laskhana sampanno:
gururithyabhidhi:yathe: ||
18
An a:cha:rya is one for whom the ve:da is
his all in all. He alone deserves to be an
Such a:charya is ‘uththama sa:mthvava:di:’.
Let us understand it. God is denoted by the
term ‘Uththama’ (the best). He is called so
because He is superior to the bound souls
and also to the free-souls. Bound by our own
a:cha:rya who has devotion to Vishnu- the
Knower of Ve:da and also the Essence of
Ve:da. He must be happy for the success
and fame of others. He must have known
deeds, unable to recognise God, we wander
about considering ourselves equal to God.
Seeing us in such fallen state, the a:cha:ryas
draw our attention to God and make us
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
agree to the fact of God being the Master
and our being His servants. They prevent us
from quarrelling with God due to our egoism. So they are called sa:mthvava:di: But we
do not understand this when it is said to us
only once. We simply do not agree. Despite
that, an a:cha:rya never gets frustrated of us.
‘punaha punaha cha’- again and again they
strive. Even as a farmer desirous of a good
crop strives again and again, an a:cha:rya too
strives to uplift us. At one time, the crops may
be pest infested. Another yield may be affected due to drought or floods. The farmer puts
efforts, ‘krushi’, without any intermission. That
is the reason a farmer is known as ‘karshaka’.
An a:cha:rya too never considers his
responsibility fulfilled just because he
has delivered once his message to us.
Again and again he puts forth the effort
till we grasp the essence of
scripture. This makes an a:cha:rya superior to God Himself.
Lord has once instructed Arjuna with
Bhagavadgi:tha. Arjuna could not grasp it
completely. After the completion of the war,
Lord Krushna realize it. Lord became impatient. “Such carelessness? --durme:dha:schi
pa:ndava“ . Saying so, he revealed the essence of Bhagavadgi:tha once again. Not so
impatient is the a:cha:rya ! Again and again
the a:cha:ryas instruct us, till the knowledge
sinks into our heart and we experience the
divinity. Also his instruction is ‘susva:gatha:m
va:chamudi:raya:naha’. When interpreted,
‘su+ sva+a:gatham’ would come to mean
Apr 2015
that he passes on the knowledge to his disciples which has come to him undistorted from
the times of the teachers of yore. This is what
is called ‘sam + pra + da:yam’, the tradition.
Starting from our own, the lineage of
our a:cha:ryas escalates up to the First Teacher, our Lord, Sriyah pathi. The king among the
manthras, Sri:madashta:kshari maha:mantra
(The great Eight lettered manthra), has been
revealed to us by this tradition of a:cha:ryas (
a:cha:rya parampara). The a:chra:yas instruct
us this manathra till we practice the meaning of it! They do not just say it once. Out of
benevolence, ‘punaha punascho:dayathi:va’
again and again they make us contemplate on
it till we get uplifted.
When we trip about due to false steps, our
teachers bring us to the right path by showing
us a stick or a carrot. When our lives turn better due to their efforts, they find delight in it.
‘hrushtaha’—even as a mother who considers
the joy of her child as her own, the a:cha:ryas
too take delight in our spiritual growth considering it as if it was their own gain.
It is the profoundness of Sri:Ra:ma:yana
that a pingalika bird sitting on branches and repeatedly singing in delight
should strike resemblance with an
a:cha:rya, residing on the branch of
Ve:da, repeatedly instructing us the
spiritual lessons and taking delight in it!
---Continued in page 35
Bhakthinivedana
19
20
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Introduction
Nu:ththanda:di
to
Ira:ma:nusa
Sri:mathe: ra:ma:nuja:ya namaha!
O:m asmad gurubhyo: namaha!
Bhagawad Ra:ma:nuja, a great preceptor
of Ve:dic culture is the foremost among the
preachers of Ve:dic dharma propagating it
far and wide expounding on the doctrine of
Visishta:dwaitha philosophy.
The Prabandha that extols Ra:ma:nuja’s
glory is ‘ira:ma:nusa nuththanda:di’
composed by a great devotee
Thiruvarangaththamudana:r.
He belongs to the ‘mu:ngil vamsa’ in
Sri:rangam, the ardent devotees serving Lord Rangana:ttha. His father was
Aniyarangaththamudana:r a great devotee
of Lord. Thiruvarangaththamudana:r , also
known as ‘Mu:ngil kudi amudana:r’ was
an erudite scholar and writer. Initially he was
not aware of Ra:ma:nuja Swamy’s greatness but fortunately he was blessed to receive
Ra:ma:nuja’s grace. Ra:ma:nuja called his
disciple Ku:re:sa and instructed him to reform
Amudana:r as a ‘bha:gawatho:ththama’
(great devotee of Lord). Accordingly
Ku:re:sa initiated him with the manthra doing ‘pancha samska:ras’. He instilled in
him love and devotion towards ‘a:cha:rya
Udayavar’. Ira:manusa Nu:ththanda:di
is the great devotional work on A:cha:rya
Ra:ma:nuja composed by this great devotee
Apr 2015
Thiruvarangaththamudana:r.
Anda:di means the next pa:suram starts with
(a:di) with the last word (antha) of the current pa:suram. As the ‘antham’ (end) of one
pa:suram becomes the a:di (beginning) of
the next it is called anda:di. There are 108
pa:surams in this work. He composed the
whole work using the word ‘ira:ma:nusa’ in
every pa:suram enjoying its nectar, amrutham, and hence came to be known as
Amudana:r.
This divya prabandham is truly ‘amrutham’.
For those devotees who are petrified about
their condition if they had not got four lettered ‘rama:nuja’ denoting the association
of Ra:ma:nuja with the a:lwa:r-a:cha:ryas,
Ira:ma:nusanu:ththanda:di which expounds
their divine relationship and magnificence
is truly a pail of amrutham only. With our
A:cha:rya Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji’s blessings,
our modest trial took this form of a series of
articles to enjoy this divine nectar of this prabandha. Let us enjoy it and be elevated.
Let us experience this divine prabandha famously known as ‘prapanna ga:yathri’.
Thaniyan:
1. mi:ne: hastha: samudbhu:tham
sri:ranga:mrutha ma:sraye: |
kavim prapanna ga:yathrya:ha ku:re:sa pada
samsritham ||
Bhakthinivedana
21
2. sri:range: mi:na hasthe: cha ja:tham
ranga:rya nandanam |
rangana:ttha gurum vande: ra:ma:nuja
pada:sritham ||
ennukku = why would I
kadavu udaiye:n = fear
thenpulaththa:rku = the servants of Yama in
the south/yama kinkaras
ya:n = when I have them (his lotus feet)
Purport:
Let us first know the thaniyans graced by
Ve:dappira:n Bhattar on Amudana:r.
Pa:suram:
munnaivinai yagala
mu:ngirrkudiyamudan
Thiruvarangaththamudana:r was born in the
‘mu:ngil’ vamsa. His divine feet are invaluable
like the precious gold. I wear both his lotus
feet on my head to get all my past sins committed over all my past births wiped off.
ponnam kazharrkamala ppo:dirandum,
ennudaiya
When it is so, why would I panic about the
Yama’s servants’ that stay in the south? I am
fearless!
sennikkaniya:ga chche:rthine:n, then
pulaththa:rku
A:cha:rya’s divine feet are our sole solace!
They are our protectors!
ennu kkada vudaiye:n ya:n.
Word to word meanings:
se:rthine:n = I wore
ennudaiya = on my
sennikku = head
ani a:ka = like an ornament
irandum =both
pon am kazhal = feet endearing and beautiful like gold
mu:ngilkudi amudan = of
Thiruvarangaththamudana:r born in
‘mu:ngilkudi vamsa’
agala = to get rid off
munnaivinai = mass of sins committed so far.
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
22
Homeopathy
Effective
Treatment for
Common Ailments
Why Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is one of the most widely
used systems of medicine in the world. Even in
the United States, it gained significant interest
over the last decade.
Homeopathy’s success is fueled by the following
key factors:
∙ Homeopathy is extremely effective. When the
correct remedy is taken, results can be rapid,
complete and permanent.
∙ Is completely safe. Even babies and pregnant
women can use Homeopathy without the worry
of adverse side effects. Homeopathic remedies
can also be taken alongside other medication
without producing unwanted interactions.
∙ Remedies are normally based on natural ingredients.
∙ Homeopathy works in harmony with your immune system, unlike conventional medicines
which suppress the immune system. (For example, cough medicines suppress the cough reflex,
which is your body’s attempt to clear the lungs)
∙ Remedies are not addictive ­once relief is felt,
you should stop taking them. If no relief is felt,
you are probably taking the wrong homeopathic remedy.
23
---By Dr. Madhuriji, NJ
∙ Homeopathy is holistic. It treats all the symptoms combined, which in practical terms
means that it addresses the cause, not the
symptoms. This often means that symptoms
tackled with Homeopathy do not recur.
Origins of Homeopathy
Homeopathy was developed by Dr. Samuel
Hahnemann (1755­-1843) starting with his
recognition of the Law of Similia as a general
therapeutic law. He discovered that a substance
which will create the symptoms of a disease in a
healthy person will actually cure the symptoms
of the disease in a sick person. Hahnemann
called this principle “similia similibus curentur”
(“let like be cured by like”). By experimentation,
he also found that with successive dilutions of a
substance, it became progressively more medicinally active as well as less toxic.
How does it differ from conventional medicine?
Modern science recognizes that an organism’s
response to stress occurs in a highly organized
and interrelated manner. In homeopathy the
concept of homeostatic balance on physical
levels is expanded to include the mental and
emotional realms as well.
--Continued on page 51
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
THE HISTORY OF LORD OF SEVEN HILLS
ITIHA:SAMA:LA
KNOW THE TRUE HISTORY OF TIRUMALA
VE :NKATA :CHALA
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
24
THE HISTORY OF
TIRUMALA
Part 2
An uninterrupted pictorial reading treat for Bhakthi Nive:dana
readers
Sri Anantha:cha:rya composed the
work ‘Sri: Ve:nkata:chale:thiha:sama:la’
with seven units. The first three depict
Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja’s arguments
with the opposing saivaites etc., winning over them and establishing Sri:
Venkate:swara as Sri:niva:sa alone.
From the fourth unit onwards Bhagavad
Ra:ma:nuja’s instructions regarding
temple practices, services, regulations
and restrictions are stated with regard to
Thirumala temple.
In the beginning of the treatise,
Anantha:rya presented a eulogy on
Sri:niva:sa and established the incarnation of Ra:ma:nuja. The following slo:ka
expounds the greatness of Bhagavad
Ra:ma:nuja’s incarnation.
kalyabde:shu praya:the:shvahaha!
vasunisa:na:ttha chandra:bdhisankhye:
shva:ya:the:, pingala:bde:, savithari cha
gathe: me:shara:sim, mruga:nke: |
rvija:grya:th
sri:mathya:m bhu:thapurya: madhidharanithalam se:sha a:virbhabhu:va ||
We can consider this slo:ka as the
‘nithya thaniyan’. It is symbolically
denoted – after the years of vasunisa:na:ttha – chandra – abdi- had
passed in the age of Kali. The word
‘vasu’ denotes ‘ashtavasus’ the
Vasu de:vathas who are ‘eight’ in number. ‘nisa:na:ttha’ is the moon and it
points out to number ‘one’.
The word ‘chandra’ also signifies number one. ‘abdhi’ means ‘ocean’. It is
well known ‘chathussamudra
mudritham dhara:thalam’ indicating
number ‘four’. Hence it becomes 8114.
As is the practice to count the numbers
from left ‘anka:na:m va:mathogathihi’ it
is read as 4118 yrs.
After 4118 years had passed in the Kali
age, in the year ‘pingala’ when the sun
entered the ‘me:sha ra:si’ (astrological sign of Me:sha) and the Moon was
with the star Ardra, A:dise:sha himself
took birth as son to Ke:savaso:maya:ji of
‘haritha’ go:thra. A:dise:sha incarnated
as Ra:ma:nuja in Bhu:thapuri in Thundiramandalam on the banks of Payaswini
in the Tamilnadu area. Anantha:cha:rya
confirmed the birth year of Swamy as
939 in the Sa:liva:hanasaka.
a:rdra:tha:ra:dhiru:dhe:
harithakulamane:h ke:sava:khya:th
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
25
Sri: Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya, born to establish properly the principles ordained in
Ve:das, stayed in Sri:rangam
- contradicting the fallacious arguments
of ‘pa:shandas’ who were opposed to
Ve:das; condemning the corrupt temple
practices and laying the right rules for a
sound proper temple administration and
establishing firmly the purest doctrine of
Vaishnavam.
26
During that time he visited Thirupathi to
revive the glory of Tirumala shrine, declared that Sri:thirumale:sa is none other
than Sri:niva:sa Himself in the assembly
of Yadava king, contradicting the callous statements and ideas of other faith
advocators with logical arguments based
on evidences from Pura:nas.
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
The debate in the court of Yadava king
went on as follows –
The argument put forth by opponents –
The Lord of Tirumala Hills is ‘Skanda’
only “O King! The God present on the
southern shore of Lake Swamy Pushkarini is Skanda only. The word ‘Kumaraswamy’ constitutes a word ‘swamy’. The
lake by which Kumaraswamy did penance is ‘Swami pushkarini’.
debate.
Anantha:lwa:n had recorded the details
of the whole process of debate that went
on for three four days in his work.
Ramanuja’s counter argument to the
saivaite opponents -
“Oh! King! The words are from the
Va:mana Pura:na. If we carefully consider the previous and later incidents, SkanThe Va:mana Purana clearly states this in da wanted to eradicate his sin of killing
the following slo:ka :
Tha:raka:sura. He asked his father who
already had the experience, for a suit‘skandaha sruthva: pithurva:kyam man- able place on earth to do penance. Siva
galam pa:pana:sanam|
explained to him about the sacred
Vaishnava shrine. The discussion beKruthasna:naha sarasthi:re: kuma:ra
tween Skanda and Parama Siva and
ssamupa:visath ||’”
Skanda’s penance are quoted in puranas like Va:mana in the form of slo:kas
The saivites explained to the ya:dava
as conversation between sages Na:rada
king –‘listening to his father Siva’s ausand Va:lmi:ki .
picious and sanctifying words, Skanda
selecting the best place to do penance
Narada and Va:lmi:ki’s talk clearly
reached Se:sha:dri, took bath and sat
proves that Ve:kata:dri is nothing but a
on the banks of the pond meditating on Vaishnava Shrine.
Lord keeping away his weapons. So this
is Skanda’s shrine and the presiding de- thrailo:kye: vaishnavam kshe:thram kim
ity on the southern side of Swamy Push- sre:shttam bhuvina:rada |
karini is Skanda himself only. The pond
‘pushkarini’ became famous as ‘Swami- yathra:sthe: bhagava:n vishnuhu sa sri:
pushkarini’ taking the word ‘swami’ from bhu: purushoththamaha ||
his other name ‘kumaraswami’.’
Deciding that Ra:ma:nuja who had
come from Sri:rangam can only argue
with them with profound statements and
combat their arguments, the king arranged the assembly and conducted the
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
27
(Which is the best amongst the
Vaishnava shrines in the three
worlds? This question is about
the holiest place where Lord
Vishnu resides with Sri:devi and
Bhu:de:vi)
Na:rada and Va:lmi:ki’s conversation
clearly states and clarifies that they mentioned only about the Vaishnava shrine,”
thus Ra:ma:nuja explained. He also said
that ‘this is also the Vara:ha Kshe:thram
Apr 2015
as Vara:ha Swami dwells here’ and
further confirmed how ‘Na:rada’s words
to Valmi:ki quoting Skanda and Siva’s
talk revealed the fact that Ve:nkata:dri is
proved to be the Vaishnava shrine and
Skanda performed his penance in the
Vaishnava shrine only.
This verse makes it clear Na:ra:yana:dri
is the place of Na:ra:yana and there is
none superior to it.’
Bhakthinivedana
28
na:rayana:dri rithye:th na:maiva vadathi sswayam|
na:ra:yanasya stha:ne:shu naithasma:
dvidyathe: param ||
In the same context, Su:tha expresses
the greatness of this shrine called
Ve:kata:chala in the form of a conversation between Vara:haswamy and Dharani in the Vara:hapura:na. Ra:ma:nuja
also quoted the verses from Padma
Pura:na that state that Sage Suka visited
this sacred place only. Ra:ma:nuja also
referred to the discussion between
Arundhathi and Vasishta confirming
these hills as Ve:nkatachala hills
on the banks of Suvarnamukhari river
in Garuda Pura:na. He also cited the
words from the Bramha:ndapura:na
that clearly state the fact. “Since this is a
great sacred Vaishnava shrine, there is
no
Apr 2015
doubt that Skanda preferred this place
to do thapas. Va:mana purana mentions the place of Skanda’s penance as
‘Kuma:radha:rika’.
‘kuma:radha:rika:na:ma thathra nirgharini: subha: |
mayu:rava:hako: de:vi! thasya:sthi:re:
vasathyaho: ||
‘Hence it is frivolous to argue the place
of Na:ra:yana who blessed Skanda as
the place of Skanda who came there
to do penance. So it is clear the Lord
by the side of Swa:mi pushkarini on
the Ve:nkata:dri hills that lie by the side
of river Suvarnamukhi: is Na:ra:yana
Himself. So say all the pura:nas’ –
Ra:ma:nuja clarified and cleared their
doubts.
Bhakthinivedana
29
Artha Panchakam For The Ardent Beginner
The 5 most important
truths about our life!
PART -2
O God! Empower our senses…towards divinity!
Why does the Supreme Lord always
help only the De:vathas? He is said to
be impartial. Why then, does He take
sides of the De:vathas? If God is equal
to everyone, why does He not help the
Asuras (non-believers)? The answer to
these questions follows…
(not a Ra:kshasa). Ra:vana was an asura, his
brother Vibhi:shana was a great devotee who is
worshipped even today as a deity in the temple
at Sri Rangam!
Similarly, Prahla:da was born in a clan of
Ra:kshasas, but he is one of the greatest devotees
of the Lord! His father, however was an asura.
The asuras at no period of time surrender to
God. But the de:vathas think of God at least in
times of distress!
The ideal behavior is to surrender to God
at all times – irrespective of difficult and
happy times.
One should always remember that He is the allpervading factor in everything and everyone.
Since de:vathas pray and seek help of the
Supreme One at least in times of need, God
God helps de:vathas and also Ra:kshasas at
helps them when needed. His help doesn’t come
times; but never the Asuras. Note that Ra:kshasas
for asuras because they never want Him, never
are different from Asuras.
think of or surrender to Him, they never ask for
His help at all!
While Ra:kshasas are a clan from birth, Asuras
are made so by their mentality; they are not
Sisupa:la was publicly beheaded by Lord
believers of God. De:vatha is someone with
Krushna’s divine conch. In the witness of everyone
good mind. Now, the next question pops up present, his soul reached the Lotus Feet of the
how to baseline what is good and what is bad?
Supreme Lord! The reason why he reached the
Lord was that Sisupa:la remembered the Lord’s
Sri Para:sara says that any action done by
name and form at all times, without missing a
someone who believes and loves the allsingle moment of his life!! The remembrance
pervading God is said to be in the mode of
however was in the form of hatred. He hated
goodness. One who does not love God is in the
God so much that he was busy thinking of Him
mode of a:surathvam (demoniac). Irrespective of
day and night - in absolute anger and enmity.
the Ja:thi (creed, clan or caste) one is born in,
Nevertheless, since he perennially remembered
he/she can be a de:vatha or an asura. In simple
the Supreme Lord, he reached His lotus feet.
words, one who denies or hates God is an asura
30
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
This shows that God accepts even those who Indra is a great devotee of the Supreme Lord
think of Him in the mode of hatred. But He does who unconditionally listens and follows His
not go to those who just don’t call or remember instructions. In fact the Vedas say,
Him at all (like the asuras).
Svasthi na indro:, vruddha srava:ha…|
God is so kind that He does not think
Indra is the best listener. Among all living entities
twice to bend down to any level in front that succeed in their lives by heeding to the
of His devotees. He goes all out for instructions of God, Indra is the best. One needs
them. The Supreme Lord took the role to have good, receptive ears like Indra.
of a charioteer, a messenger during His Let us pray to that Lord Indra to empower our
incarnation as Lord Krushna. All He waits senses with the ability to assimilate wisdom and
for is an unconditional love for Him. Once divine teachings. Thus, may we walk in the path
of goodness, in a way that pleases the Supreme
He sees such love, He does anything for Lord Sri:manna:ra:yana!
such a person.
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
31
Moral Lessons For The Modern World
From Sri: Ra:ma:yanam
Part 3
What’s in a name?
By Sri:ma:n Mohan Sagarji
(Inspired by the teachings of His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji)
32
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
ko:nvasmin sa:mpratham lo:ke gunava:n kascha vi:ryava:n |
sollum kramamozhiyas sonna:lum tha:n
svaru:pam keda nilla:thu.
dharmagnascha kruthagnascha satyava:kyo:
dhruddavrathaha ||
If a person, with faith and surrender, slips on
the proper method of reciting, it still will not fail
him. The Name of the Lord is most effective if it
is imparted to us by our A:cha:rya as a mantra.
After years of meditating on the mere Name,
Ra:ma, Va:lmi:ki gained wisdom and peace
to ask a proper question, a pari:prasna to
Na:ra:da Muni:. Surprisingly, the question has
nothing to do with God.
Although all of us would like to see and experience God in this life, and although He remains
very much a part of our very existence, God remains a mystery. Our A:cha:ryas describe how
God has taken five different forms with which
we can interact. However, in Vaikuntam, He is
beyond the reach of anyone but the ones who
have freed themselves from this world; as Creation, He remains a wonder; as an A:vatara,
He can be seen only by a few people at some
point in time, as Antarya:mi, our inner self, He
is hidden behind countless layers of ego and
suffering; and as archa, the form in our prayer
altars and temples, He is at one place for us to
visit him when and where we need.
But, it is in His Name where He is with us always, irrespective of time, place or condition;
always there for us, in whatever way we see
Him, in whatever way we wish to call Him. In
Mu:mukshupadi:, Swami: Loka:cha:rya describes how it was the Name of God who saved
Drau:padi: from harm –
avan dhu:rasthan ana:na:lum ithu kitti ninru
uthavum.
drau:padikku a:baththile: pudavai suranthathu
thiruna:mamire:.
(transliteration by Sri. T C A Venkatesan)
Even if He is far away, His Name stays with us,
giving us all which He can give. Drau:padi was
saved by chanting His Name alone.
Even if we are to say the name incorrectly or in
a funny way, out of affection, the power of His
name still helps us -
Apr 2015
ko:nvasmin sa:mpratam lo:ke gunava:n
kaha…
In this point of time in the world, is there someone who possesses Gunam?
Va:lmi:ki asked a question not about
God, about existence or about the
meaning of life. He simply asks if
there is anybody that Na:rada knows
who possesses a certain quality which
Na:rada calls “gunam”.
Gunam in Sanskrit means a quality or a personality trait. It has to be a human trait because Val:mi:ki is wanting to know if it belongs
to someone in this world who is living in his
time. Because Va:lmi:ki asked about this trait
first among the 16 qualities he would ask
about, this one must be the most important.
A:nda:l speaks of this quality in describing
Krishna as “…si:r Go:vinda”. “Si:r” in Tamil
is “silam” in Telugu – something which draws
our attention, something which offers affection,
goodness. In Sanskrit, the world is “si:lam”. If
it is really good it becomes “su-si:lam” or simply “sou:si:lyam”.
Sou:si:lyam is our ability to treat each other
as equals. It stems for an affection for other
people, empathizing with the common humanity they share with us, and out of friendship,
Bhakthinivedana
33
treat them on equal footing with ourselves.
This quality is what defines all others; without
this one simple quality, which lies latent in all of
us, all other qualities and all other virtues are
worthless. In fact, without this quality, we are
not human beings at all.
If this quality is one Va:lmi:ki asked about in
God or a de:vatha, it would be something
which is otherworldly, something we would not
be qualified to have. So, Va:lmi:ki makes it
clear it is a human quality, and seeks insight on
to someone possessing this quality. By knowing
someone who has it, we can all strive to be like
that person and hence cultivate the same humanity in ourselves.
It is in having this one quality which all other
noble qualities come to us naturally. So,
it is the foremost personality trait asked by
Va:lmi:ki.
34
After asking about this and 15 other qualities,
Va:lmi:ki received good news from Na:rada.
There is indeed a man who has the one special
quality, as well as the others, whom Va:lmi:ki
can see as role model for the world –
Iksva:ku vamsa prabhavo: ra:mo na:ma janais
srutaha |
In the family of the I:ksva:ku, there is a man
called Ra:ma. Ra:ma; a man born into the family of the lineage of the great kings of I:ksva:ku,
is the role model we should seek to teach us
the quality called gunam. But, all our lives, we
have worshiped Ra:ma as God, an incarnation
of Vishnu. How is He a man?
Bhakthinivedana
--To be continued...
Apr 2015
Questions from readers
6)Thala:thala,
7)Pa:tha:la.
Ques : Pa:ndavas and Draupadi were
Sri: Vaishnavas whom Lord Krushna
loved so much. Then why did they visit
swarga or naraka without going to vaikuntta ?
The seven higher worlds are 1) Bhu:lo:ka, 2)
Bhuvarlo:ka, 3) Buvarlo:ka, 4)Maha:lo:ka, 5)
Jano:lo:ka 6)Thapo:loka, 7)Sathyalo:ka. Depending on the accumulated merits and demerits by the actions, the souls journey to the
various worlds. There is no other relation of the
souls with these worlds. With our human
Ans: Pa:ndavas and Draupadi were also good
Sri: Vaishnavas. Because of their worldly concerns they were forced to pay a short visit to
swarga etc.
Ques: After every chaturyuga ( a set of
four yugas) there is Pralayam (dissolution) . Then, how did Jambava:n of the
Ra:ma:yana survived ?
body, we can access only a part of the
bhu:lo:ka, our world. The other worlds can be
reached only after we discard this body. This
law does not apply to the men of austerities.
Ques: There is a special joy associated
with the word Ra:dha-Krushna which is
not found in words like Rukmini-Krushna
or Satyabha:ma Krushna. What is the
Ans: Maha Pralaya will not be there in all the
significance of Ra:dha? How did she
places. In some places it will be there. Yet, it
will not occur after every Yuga or every chathur- obtain Lord Krushna?
yuga. Even during yugas also it might happen. We have experienced Tsunami etc., right! It
was mini pralayam. Maha Pralayam occurs
only after 71 chatur yugas. Jambavan survived
just because of his thapas and boons only. Ques: What are the 14 spheres ( bhuvanas) created by Brahma? How are souls
related to these worlds? Can we reach
these worlds with our human bodies ?
Ans: Each world system of the universe consists
of 14 worlds in it. Having earth in the middle
there are 7 worlds below it. In these worlds,
the souls exhaust their demerits ( pa:pa) .In the
worlds above to earth, the souls exhaust their
merits ( punya).
The seven nether worlds are
1) Athala,
2) Vithala,
3)Suthala ,
4) Rasa:thala,
5) Maha:thala,
Apr 2015
Ans: The character of Ra:dha is not mentioned
in Bha:gavatham. However it is a name depicting unselfish love for God. Even God has
extreme attachment with such devotees. The joy
of the word Ra:dha-Krushna is due to the association of the word with the affectionate bond
between God and His devotee.
Ques: It is said that the fast of the
e:ka:dasi is to be broken on dva:dasi by
taking preparations of a:mla and avisi
(Telugu word for flax) leaves. What is the
significance these food
Ans: Apart from scriptural injunctions, these
items have medical properties too. While a:mla
increases digestive power, avisi improves alertness of mind. That is why e:kadasi fast is broken by taking these items. Ending the e:ka:dasi
fast is called ‘pa:rana’.
Bhakthinivedana
35
Ques: Kindly explain the meaning of
‘thrikarana suddhi’.
Ans: ‘karana’ implies a tool. To enable a soul
to express its intelligence and live in a body,
God has bestowed three kinds of
tools(karana). These are called ‘thri-karana’.
They are 1) mind (manas), 2) Speech ( va:k)
Since speech represents an organ of action,
other organs of action can be included under
this head. 3) body (ka:ya). Thus manas, va:k
and ka:ya are the thrikaranas. They should
work in synchronism. The thoughts in our
mind are to be executed by our body and the
organs must cooperate in this. Such harmony
is called thrikarana suddhi. It implies it should
not be a case with us we think something,
speak different and do something else! We
may ask why is that speech alone is considered to represent the organs? Speech is the
only organ which can decide and declare if
the thoughts in our mind and deeds of our
body are in harmony.
Ques: Kindly give us the details of the
procedures involved in sacred repetition
(japa) of the Na:rayana manthra.
Ans: The procedure for chanting manthra is to
be obtained as instruction from a teacher
(guru). Such japa should not be performed by
reading instructions in a book.
Ques: What does it mean by repeating
Thirumanthra till its meaning is realised? Also what does it mean by reflecting the Dvaya manthram along with
its meaning?
Ans: Each manthra proposes the essential nature of an entity. To clearly visualise that entity
in our hearts is to attain the meaning of that
Apr 2015
manthra. As a general example, let us take
the word ‘dog’. What does it mean? It is a
word, group of letters. When we utter it, we
visualise an animal. If we say that ‘dog’ means
‘sva’or ‘kukka’or ‘na:i’or ‘kuththa’, we are not
explaining its meaning but only expressing it in
a different language. Only when we visualise
a four-legged animal with a crooked tail and
making ‘bhou-wou’ sounds, we have realised
its meaning !
Every word has a meaning or object it describes. Manthra too consist of words. When
we chant a manthra, we must be able to see
in our minds the meaning/entity proposed by
it. We must experience the relation between
ourselves and the ‘entity’.
Once we recognise our relationship with the
entity, we begin to love it. As love blooms in
our hearts, there arises a desire to serve it.
When there is a desire to serve in the heart, a
person tries to serve in his day to day life with
the things that he has with him. As this love
grows, every activity of the person becomes a
service to the meaning of the manthra. He can
not be otherwise. Such a life is indeed blessed.
In both the cases of Thirumanthra and Dvaya
manthra, we must contemplate on the auspicious qualities of Lord Na:ra:yana along with
Mother Lakshmi. We must recognise the nine
kinds of relationship between God and us. We
must offer each of our activity as His service.
This is the realisation of meaning of the manthra.
The japa of thirumanthram is performed during the worship. Also, by reflecting over its
meaning, the japa is performed before taking food. Along with its meaning, the dvaya
manthra can contemplated at any time. The
more we practice, the better clarity we must
have. That is why no guideline is prescribed
for the number times the manthras are to be
repeated.
Bhakthinivedana
36
Ques: Kindly explain the characteristics of the three qualities (guna) of
Sathva, Rajas and
Thamas. Guide us a path by which we
can fix our minds on God.
Ans: Read the 14th and 17th chapters of
Bhagavadgi:tha. The qualities, their influence on us, how they lead us towards various
objects, how to rectify their influence—all these
are found in those chapters.` Sathva guna’
gives us health, joy and knowledge of what
really is. ‘Rajo:guna ‘
inflames our desires, anger, aversion and
ostentation. ‘Thamo:guna’ makes us recognise one thing as another, robs away our
knowledge and makes us desire objects that
increase ‘Thamo:guna’. We must increase the
quality of Sathva. To fix our minds on God, we
must firmly believe that we are related to Him
in every way and that He is our protector. If we
incessantly think on His qualities revealing His
beauty, gradually our mind gets fixed on Him.
Ques: What are the nine literary works
by Sri Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya which are
called ‘nine steps” ?
Ans: From earth to Heavens Sri
Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya had built a
ladder(so:pa:na). It is called
Jna:na so:pa:na. It has nine literary works as
its steps.
Ques: Are desires the root cause for
human birth?
Ans: Rajo:guna and Thamo:guna are the
cause of our desires. These quaulities of Rajas and Thamas forge the bonds of ‘ karma’.
Based on this ‘karma’ we attain a body.
-- Birds in Ra:ma:yana
Continued from page 13
Such are the multiple facets of this great work.
The song of the sakuna bird (bird of good
omen) made Si:tha to give up her efforts to
end her life .This made her liste n to the chanting of Hanu:ma:n. This is the episode of the
pingalika bird in Sundaraka:nda.
They are 1) sri:bha:shyam,
2) ve:da:ntha di:pam,
3) ve:da:ntha sa:ram,
4) ve:da:rtha samgraham,
5) gi:tha:bha:shyam,
6) nithya granttha ( regarding ara:dhanaworship),
7) sarana:gathi gadhya,
8) sri:ranga gadhya and
9) vaikumtta gadhya.
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
37
Bhagawad Gi:tha
A Voyage Towards Victory
Arjuna’s Concern
Meanings and purport by H.H. Sri Sri Sri Swamiji
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
38
nihathya dha:rthara:shtra:n naha
ka: pri:thissya:th jana:rdana! |
pa:pame:va:sraye:d asma:n
hathwaitha:n a:thatha:yinaha|| 1.36
They are certainly ruthless criminals and such
people should be punished but this does not
mean we should sully our hands by killing such
sinners. Their own sins will attract suitable penalty
Meaning
in due course of time. If we are to kill these sinners,
jana:rdana ! = O punisher of enemies!
our cousins – the terrible act will haunt us forever.
nihathya = after killing
sya:th = will be there
thasma:n na:rha: vayam hanthum
dha:rthara:shtra:n sa ba:ndhava:n |
swajanam hi kattham hathwa:
sukhinas sya:ma ma:dhava! || 1.37
Meaning
naha = to us?
thasma:th = hence
pa:pam+ e:va = only sin
vayam = we
a:sraye:th = will catch
na, arha:ha = unfit
asma:n = us
hanthum = to kill
hathwa: = after killing
saba:ndhava:n = near and dear
e:tha:n = these
dha:rthara:shtra:n
a:thatha:yinaha = ruthless criminals
Dhruthara:shtra
dha:rthara:shtra:n
=
all
the
supporters
of
Dhruthara:shtra
ka: = what
pri:thihi = joy
=
who
are
supporting
ma:dhava! = O The spouse of Maha:lakshmi,
Purport
Krushna !
kattham = how
Kauravas were referred to as a:thatha:yinaha.
sya:ma = can we be
a:thatha:yi is the one
sukhinaha = happy
1. who sets others’ houses on fire
hathwa: = by killing
2. who poisons others to kill
swa-janam = our own people?
3. who kills unarmed warriors
hi = it is absurdPurport
4. who loots wealth of others
5. who grabs land of others
Purport
6. who assaults women in public
Although they are supporting Dhruthra:shtra, our
uncle who wants the war, they are related to us.
Kauravas committed all these sins against us. It is a
Killing them is not an option. Oh Krushna, the
sin to even utter the name of such a:thatha:yi. Yet,
divine spouse of Goddess Lakshmi! Is it not absurd
they are our cousins. How can there be any joy in
to seek happiness by killing our own people? Then,
killing such kith and kin?
there will be no one left to share our joy and sorrow.
How can we live peacefully for the rest of our lives?
Apr 2015
Bhakthinivedana
39
A:cha:rya Charithra
Lineage of A:cha:ryas
In this series of articles we go through the life histories of our pu:rva:cha:ryas.
It is important, particularly for the young readers to learn about the history of
a:cha:ryas, so that they may absorb these principles early in life and strive to
live up to the standards set by them. As you will see, their lives were not a bed
of roses. They teach us by example how to pray to Lord and most importantly
what constitutes true “surrender” (sarana:gathi) to Lord.
We are eternally indebted to them for the invaluable treasure they left behind for us!
Enjoy and collect as many pieces of jewels as you can.
40
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Namma:lwa:r hands over the deity [just like he saw in his dream] and gave it to
Na:thamuni.
of “Future A:cha:rya”, Ra:ma:nuja
Ma:dhava Da:sa then spoke to Bhatta:rya
- “Swamy! Saththa:ri gave very detailed
instructions to Na:thamuni. Now, how did he
present the deity of the ‘Future-A:cha:rya’ to
him? Who is that A:cha:rya?
The deity was then passed on to his disciples
like below:
Where is the deity located? O! Merciful One!
Please clearly elaborate everything to me. “
[Sri:ra:mamisra
To which Bhatta:rya replied - “Ve:danthi! O!
Revered Scholar! This subject concerning
Na:thamuni is a profound secret and
undisclosed to many. So, listen to me very
attentively with your senses under control...”
Once, Na:thamuni prayed to Sattha:ri
That deity was eventually given to
Ya:muna:cha:rya
of
by
was
Pundari:ka:skha,
Ra:mamisra.
a
disciple
the
disciple
Na:tthamuni]. Ya:muna:cha:rya passed
it on to Gostipu:rna.
Go:stipu:rna gave this deity of ‘FutureA;cha:rya’ to his loving daughter De:vaki Sri
who is like a personification of knowledge and
devotion!
thus - “O! Swa:my! There is a verse Once, the great a:cha:rya Ra:ma:nuja was
(Poliga Poliga) in the Sahasra Gi:tha, taking initiation from his guru Go:stipu:rna,
that describes the appearance of a great
person. Kindly reveal to me the meaning
when suddenly the deity disappeared! [So it is
said that the ‘Future A:cha:rya’ is none other
than Ra:ma:nuja]
of that verse.”
Namma:lwa:r was pleased with Na:thamuni
and accepted his request. So, he took the
form of an deity of the ‘future-a:cha:rya’ and
appeared in the dream of a sculptor and said
- “O! Sculptor! Make an deity of the form you
are seeing and give it to my Na:thamuni who
worships me in my Shrine”
The sculptor was stunned and immediately
woke up from his dream. He made an deity
Apr 2015
And hence, Ra:ma:nuja is considered an
expansion of Srimanna:rayana. May you know
that this esoteric incident that you heard from
me is undoubtedly true.
Whoever is associated with Ra:ma:nuja will
attain the divine abode of Srimanna:rayana
(Parama Padam). The essence of the verse
‘poliga poliga’ is Sri Ra:ma:nuja himself and
hence he alone can grant salvation. Since the
deity simply vanished in Ra:ma:nuja, there is
Bhakthinivedana
41
no other a:cha:rya greater than him in this
world! It is only because of Ra:manuja that
even his gurus/predecessors Sri Sattha:rya
and Na:thamuni attain salvation! along with
millions of others who get associated with him.
There is no doubt about this.
Once the Lord said, “Oh Bramha! When the era
of Kali approaches, righteousness as detailed in
the scriptures gets destroyed. And then a highly
learned devotee, shall appear in the clan of
‘Ha:ri:tha’. He will become a great protagonist
with restraint over his senses and shall author
the work ‘Sa:ri:raka Maha:bha:shya’ . Whoever
associates with my devotee shall attain my
abode even without seeking my refuge”.
became very pleased with his devotion, one
day appeared in his dreams and said “O!
Na:thamuni, take the permission of your guru
Namma:lwa:r and immediately leave for my
town. You must advocate the knowledge of
the divine-prabandham for the welfare of the
world and hence must teach it to my devotees
who possess the 6 qualities called ‘sama:di
guna. [They are: Peace Tranquility, Self-Control,
Self-Withdrawal, Forbearance,Faith, Onepointedness].
Being thus instructed, Na:thamuni took the
permission of Namma:lwa:r and the Lord of
Kuruka:nagaram and left for the town of Lord
Ra:jago:pala - Vi:rana:ra:yanpuram. On the
way he visited the town of Lord Sa:rangapa:ni
- Kumbhako:nam and served the Lord with
devotion.
The great A:di Se:sha in his original form
is known as Anantha. He has incarnated
in two other forms as Lakshmana and
Balara:ma. My devotee Ra:ma:nuja will
be born as his fourth expansion to protect The Lord here, is known as
the Earth. [It is said that this secret has ‘Aparya:ptha:mrutha’ because He is like
been revealed by Ra:ma:nuja himself to insatiable nectar!
his confidants]
When Nanji:yar heard his guru Bhatta:rya
narrate the life of Ra:ma:nuja, he further
requested him to tell what Na:thamuni did after
he obtained the knowledge from Satta:rya.
The Lord Sa:rangapa:ni became immensely
pleased with Na:thamuni for he revived the
lost knowledge of Divya-Prabandham and
so christened him as ‘Divyasu:ri’. Since then,
great scholars called the saint Na:thamuni as
aparya:ptha:mrutha:rya!
Bhatta:rtya continued...
Later, Na:thamuni, reached the town of
O! Ve:da:nti, Na:thamuni sincerely learnt the
Prabandham and spent a long time serving
Satta:rya with immense love, even forgetting
the Lord Ra:jago:pa:la. Then, the Lord who
Apr 2015
Lord Ra:jago:pala - Vi:rana:ra:yanpuram.
He worshipped the Lord with devotion and
recounted his experiences to the people in the
Shrine. He then taught the divine hymns of
Bhakthinivedana
42
‘divya-prabandham’ to the earnest devotees
of Vishnu. Soon Na:thamuni got the entire
prabandham musically set to tune, by his
nephews me:laiyukath a:lwa:n and ki:laiyukath
a:lwa:n.
day and night. Their musical expositions of
the prabandham were like the divine renditions
of Ra:ma:yanam by the sons of Lord Ra:ma Lava and Kusa!
Even today, the Divya-Prabandham are
Just like how the ve:das are set to Ve:dic-meters regularly recited in the temple of Sri
called ‘uda:ththa’ and ‘anuda:ththa’, these Rangana:tha.
hymns, also called ‘Dra:vida Ve:dam’ were
similarly set to the perfect musical meters called
svaras.
In this way, Na:thamuni with immense
devotion towards his guru, revived and
spread the divine knowledge of the
Blessed by their uncle Na:thamuni, the prabandham, to his disciples and the
nephews, rendered the divine prabandham like devotees of Vishnu.
a celestial-song, in the Shrine of Ra:jago:pala,
Divya De:sam = Any of the 108 places of appearance of Lord Vishnu sung by at least one
of 12 A:lwa:rs. Sri Rangam, Tirumala, Aho:balam are examples. Note that couple of them are
not on Earth!
Na:tthamuni = The first ach:arya of our purva:cha:rya lineage, whose unprecedented efforts
brought back the divine songs of A:lwa:rs into vogue (Divya prabandham)
Pundari:ka:ksha = Disciple of Na:tthamuni
Sri:ra:mamisra = Disciple of Pundari:ka:ksha
Ya:muna:cha:rya = Grandson of Na:tthamuni and disciple of Sri Ra:mamisra. Indirect a:charya
and inspirer of Ra:manuja.
Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya = The great reformer of Vaishnavism who spread it across the length and
breadth of India.
Bhattar (Para:sara) = Post-Ra:manuja period, one of the greatest ach:aryas in our lineage.
Nanji:yar (Ve:da:nthi) = Disciple of Bhattar, a great scholar known for his knowledge in
Ve:da:ntha.
Apr 2015
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45
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Apr 2015
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47
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Divya Prabandham
Twilight song of Lord Rangana:ttha
Thiruppalli Yezhuchchi
48
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Pa:suram -7
andara ththamarargal ku:ttanga livayo:
arun thava munivarum arutharu mivaro:
indira na:naiyum tha:num vandivano:,
emberuma:n una ko:yilin va:sal
sundarar nerukka vichchadarar nu:kka
eyakkarum
mayaginar
thiruvadi
thozhuva:n
andaram pa:ridamillai maththiduvo:
arangaththamma: palli ezhundarula:ye
Meanings
ku:ttangal = groups of
amarargal = de:vathas
andaraththu = the beings of higher worlds
ivaiyo: = are here!
arum = extraordinary
thava = austere
munivarum = maharshies like Sanaka etc.,
marudarum ivaro: ! = 49 groups of maruthths
are here
emberuma:n = Oh! My Lord!
un ko:yilin va:sal = in front of your temple
indiran tha:num = Indra too
a:naiyum = along with his mount Aira:vatham
vandu ivano: = has come here!
sundarar = gandharvas
nerukka = are crammed in.
nu:kka = pushed (by)
vichcha:darar = vidya:dharas
iyakkarum = yakshas too
mayanginar = passionate
thozhuva:n = to worship
thiruvadi = Your divine Lotus Feet
idivo: = are here.
idam illai = no space
49
andaram = in the skies,
pa:r = (or) on the earth,
maththu =(or) anywhere else.
arangaththamma: ! = Sri: Rangana:ttha:!
palli yezhundu = wake up from bed
arula:ye: = grace us!
Purport
All the celestials are here with great humility.
Highly austere rushies like Sanaka and all are
one side, groups of Maruthths are one side
and even Indra has come now and is standing
in front of your temple with all his attendants
and Aira:vatha. Swamy! It is jam packed with
singers Gandharvas. The strong Vidya:dharas
are pushing each other. In the rush the delicate
Yakshas are passing out. The guards are
finding it highly difficult to control the crowded
devotees who are impatient with eagerness to
worship Your Lotus Feet! The earth and sky are
alike. Lord! Is it fair on Your part to test them
like this for so long! Please leave Your bed and
bless us!
Pa:suram -8
vambavizh va:navar va:yurai vazhanga
ma:nithi kapilai yun kanna:di muthala:
emberuma:n padimaikkalam ka:ndaruku
e:rpanavayina kondu nan munivar
thumburu na:radar pukundana rivaro:
tho:nri niraviyum thulangoli parappi
ambara thalaththil ninru akalkinra thirul
po:y
arangaththama: palli ezhundarula:ye:!||
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Meanings
emberuma:n = Oh! Lord! You
ka:ndarku = to grace
va:navar vazhanga = de:vathas, to offer you
kondu = brought
e:rpana va:yina = all suitable
padimaikkalam = things
ambu anizh = fragrant
va:yurrai = grass,
ma: = great
nidhi = conch, lotuses and wealth,
kapilai = ka:madhe:nu,
one = shining
kanna:di mudala: = tall mirror.
nal munivar = devoted rushies
thumburu na:radar = Thumbura and Na:rada
pugundanar = have entered.
ivaro: = here!
iraviyum = the sun
thulangu oli pparappi
= spreading his
brilliance
tho:nrrinan = has risen.
irul = darkness
ambara thalaththil ninrru
= from the sky
po:y, agal ginrradu = is dispelling completely!
arangaththamma: ! = Sri:rangana:ttha: !
palliyezhundu = wake up from bed
arula:ye: ! = and grace us!
conches and lotuses, precious gems, kapila
cows, a tall mirror for You and many more that
are suitable to You Swamy! Nithya mukthas
and great singers Na:rada and Thumbura
have also arrived to sing lullabies to put You
to sleep and to sing auspicious wake up songs
when You wake up. The sun’s rays are getting
warmer and spreading all over. No more
darkness can be found in the sky.
Rangana:ttha! You also wake up to dispel our
inner darkness! Accept our offerings Father!
Purport
Oh! Lord! We feel You may not wake up without
having all the wake up instruments! Of course,
You are the Lord of Lords! These youthful
de:vathas are already here with tender fresh
grass! They have also brought great wealth of
50
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
--Continued from page 23
Because the body, mind and emotions respond
in unity to stress, the homeopathic approach to
understanding disease is holistic. This means an
attempt is made to evaluate any problem in the
context of the whole person – physically, mentally and emotionally – and to understand how
the person is limited.
An example of this difference between conventional and homeopathic practice can be made
by looking at how each would approach an
inflammatory condition. Conventional practitioners might view a chronic inflammatory disease
as the result of an overly­aggressive immune system, and could make a diagnosis based upon a
pattern of common symptoms. They could then
choose from any number of anti­inflammatory or
immune­modulating agents, hoping to suppress
the problem.
For a homeopath, the signs and symptoms of
inflammation are just a tip of the ice berg, a
body’s response to an underlying problem that
needs a broader understanding. The improvement must also be in line with a general ‘direction of cure’ – if a person’s chief complaint
is resolved, one should not see a subsequent
problem develop at a deeper or more vital level
of function.
phy states that if the organism is brought back
into balance, the symptoms of disease (imbalance) will resolve accordingly, it looks for a
broad and unique picture of imbalance specific
to each person.
Spring brings tears and snuffles to some who
are on unable to enjoy outdoor life after a long
bitter winter. Very few of them know that Homeopathy has a an array of medicines that help in
allergies to pollen,dust,flowers,smells and the
like. The common medicines are Alliumcepa,E
uphrasia,Pulstilla,Sabadiila,Dulcamara,Arsen
ic iod,Arsenic alb,Apis,Iris, Sulphur,and many
more.Seek a professional advice from a Homeopathic doctor before you take any one the
medicines.
Look out for more about
Homeopathy in our next
edition where we will talk
about specific conditions.
What are the common ailments that Homeopathy can
treat?
Among the various conditions that can be
treated with homeopathy remedies are Skin diseases, Allergies, Menstrual abnormalities, Emotional disturbances, Behavioral problems, Joint
and muscular pains, Urinary tract infections and
stones. Most of the treatment is not based on
the pathological diagnosis but rather on how
the individual perceives it by bodily changes,
expressed as “I feel”. The homeopathic philoso-
51
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
A:LWA:R CHARITHRA
The Life
History of
A:lwa:rs
This series is about the history of A:lwa:rs. A:lwa:r in Tamil means one
who is “immersed” in the love of God. They are held at the highest
regard in our samprada:yam as they are the “chosen ones” by God.
As you will see, A:lwa:rs came from all castes and creed which shows
that birth is never a hindrance to attain the love of God.
To read about their lives is to learn about God and how to love God.
No other teachings can better describe God and His qualities than
A:lwa:r’s songs. In this issue we are going to learn about the fourth
a:lwa:r, Thirumazhisai a:lwa:r.
Come on, let’s read with an open heart so that we too receive a
fraction of their devotion....
52
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
The life history of Thirumazhisai a:lwa:r,
also called Bhakthisa:ra
different place by helping and caring for the
people. Para:sara Bhattar narated the life history of the
three A:lwars to Nanji:yar. Nanji:yar offered his
prostrations to Bhatta:rya and said- “Swamy!
You have beautifully narrated the illustrious life
of Ka:sa:ra Yogi. A:cha:rya! Your have, with
your lotus like face, recounted the lives of the
three A:lwa:rs and it was like nectar and
extremely pleasing. I now wish to hear the life
of Bhakthisa:ra. Pleased with the earnest
request of Nanji:yar, Sri: Bhatta:rya agree to
tell the story of Bhakthisa:ra. The greatness of Mahi:sa:ra Kshe:tra
Bhatta:rya said...
I pay my obeisance unto Bhakthisa:ra who
possesses a divine body; who sought refuge
in the divine feet of the Lord - the granter of
salvation. Once, great sages like Pulasthya, Angi:rasa,
Athri wen to Bramha and prostrated
before him - who was shining brilliantly. With
folded hands the sages prayed, “O! Bramha!
We would like to perform a great penance at
an excellent location on the Earth. O! Merciful
One! Please think well, consider and decide
such a distinguished place for us” To which Bramha, the master of the three worlds,
called Viswakarma and said “The Earth is a huge
measure is 8 Crores with enormous hills and
valleys. Now, you must weigh this Earth against
a place called Mahi:sa:ra Kshe:thram on your
scales. Show these great sages the distinctions
of these two!” O!Ve:danti! Sri Krushna was born at one Viswakarma did as instructed by Bramha.
place and grew up elsewhere; The ‘sun’ He placed the Earth on one of
called Srimanna:raya appeared in the the scales and Mah:sa:rakshe:thram on the other.
‘Eastern Direction’ called De:vaki De:vi to The side which had the Mah:sa:rakshe:thram
awaken
the
‘lotuses’
called
the weighed down against the scale that had the
people! When Lord Krushna descended on the Earth! Accordingly, Bramha named this most
Earth and lived happily in the dynasty of Nanda, significant place as Mahi:sa:ra. all the barren, lackluster objects turned fresh
and lively; the withered plants sprouted new
Thereupon, the sages went to the sacred
leaves and the cows gave abundant place Mahi:sa:ra and began practicing their
milk. Similarly, the great Bhakthisa:ra was born penance. to Kanaka:ngi and Bha:rgava.
He first appeared in a Basket-Weaving family
and later, like Krushna, he spent his life in a
Apr 2015
To the west of the Mah:sa:rakshe:thram,
about 1/2 Yo:jana distance far, there is
a forest governed by Vide:ha. In that
Bhakthinivedana
53
forest, lived a sage named Bha:rgava.
Once, the sage wished to worship the
primeval Lord Srimanna:rayana who
was proclaimed as the eternal Supreme being
by a sacrifice called ‘Di:rghasathra’. [This
episode is wonderfully elaborated in
‘Bramha:nda pura:na’…] And
so, Bha:rgava began the
extraordinary penance for
the
Lord, at Mahi:sa:ra. The penance turned to
be very powerful! The celestial beings grew
terrified and apprehensive. They sent forth
several beautiful nymphs to distract the sage
and by that repress the penance! The heavenly fairies descended on the Earth
at Mahi:sa:ra, along with the God of Love
- Manmaththa - in the month of Spring. When the
beautiful amorous women tried to approach the
sage, they became frightened of him! However,
there was one woman Kanaka:ngi, who
was known to be very adept in attracting
and beguiling anyone. Kanaka:ngi started
seducing
the
sage with
the
help
of Manmaththa and Vasantha. She successfully
thwarted the sage’s concentration with her
tantalizing songs and moves. The sage Bha:rgava, became astonished
and gently opened his eyes. He saw her and
became immensely pleased. Kanaka:ngi,
then started dancing in various ways flashing
her body lustfully! She, with her dazzling
body, attracted the sage with her songs and
moves. When the sage saw that beautiful
voluptuous form, he at once gave-in to the
‘God-Of-Love’ Manmaththa!
In
this
way,
the
great
ascetic Bha:rgava abandoned religious
austerities; sported and wandered with
the woman Kanaka:ngi for some time, in
the forest Chithra, during the spring
season. Kanaka:ngi too conferred the sage
with heavenly pleasures that can be obtained
only by performing sacrifices! Eventually, Kanaka:ngi became his wife and
delivered a baby boy by name Bhakthisa:ra who
is considered as an expansion of the Lord’s
Discus. Bhakthisa:ra
appeared in
the
Year Vibhava; in the Month Pushya;
on the 10th Day of the waning moon
period; in the Zodiac-Sign of Tula/Libra;
on Thursday; in the Star Makha. “O! Ve:danti! It is impossible to
conquer the delusional woman-form
of Vishnu” The sage was fixed on his
penance like a mound of hill. Yet he
was unable to restrain himself, when
he heard Kanaka:ngi sing with an
amazing, melodious voice tuned
to a euphonic music like Krushna’s flute! 54
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
However, Kanaka:ngi delivered
a
premature baby. She was aghast to see a
baby with no limbs and that looked like a
lump of meat! She left the boy in the thick
forests surrounded by reeds of bamboos and
ascended to the heavens! Later, Bha:rgava felt
ashamed and aggrieved at the ruination of his
penance and austerities. So, he too left the
forest and moved on to another one close
by, to continue his practices. Meanwhile, the boy who was deserted in the
forest began to mature and develop gradually.
One day, he broke open the coverings that
enveloped him and amidst the silence of the
forest, he gave a loud cry for milk! By
the
grace
of
Mother
Lakshmi,
Mother Bhu:devi nurtured the baby boy. Let us learn more of the life history of
the Bhakthisa:ra in the coming issues.
55
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
VT BHA:RATH UPDATES
Translated from telugu by Smt. Padmavathiramanujam
KARIMNAGAR (TELANGANA)
Karim Nagar VT which is operating with 53
branches and 3000 members is setting up a
very good example. The 53rd branch of VT
is recently started at Vavilalapalli,Varalashmi
Nagar
.
Moving forward with the noble aim envisaged
by our Acharya SERVE ALL BEINGS AS SERVICE
TO GOD Free Veternary camps are organised
every month since Gita Jyothi and Krishnam
Vande Jagadgurum Programs.. Sri Yadav Krishnaji in coordination with KarimNagar Dairy
conducted a veternary camp on February 21st
where 141 cattle were served. Dr.Chari volunteered his services in the camp. They also sent
grass for Gosala at Samshabad
YUVA VIKAS team of Karimnagar are also
doing excellent services. As a part of Swatcha
Bharat Program they are cleaning temples on
every Tuesday. They are also conducting Plantation programs. As a part of this activity they
cleaned Sri Anjaneyaswami temple at Makaramuram on 3rd March and Prasannanjaneya
swami temple at Prasanth Nagar on 10th. After
extending their services they are organizing a
satsung there and learning Stotrams also. They
are also planning their next week programs in
the satsung and moving on.
Prajna activities are also taken up actively .Sri
M.Rajender Reddy and Sri Venu Gopalachari,
Govt. Teachers who are also members of YUVA
VIKAS visited our Jeeyar Gurukuls at Allampalli
and Beersaipet. They interacted with the students from 3rd Std to 10th Std.They examined
the Prefinal examination papers of 10th class
students and gave some valuable suggestions
for better performance.
56
As a part of MAHILA AROGRYA VIKAS a free
Medical camp for women was conducted in
Rudravaram.
In addition to all these they are also participating in the activities conducted at Vedabhavanam and receiving the blessings of Perumal
and our Acharya.
BHADRACHALAM- KHAMMMAM DISTRICT
(TELANGANA)
Bhadrachalam VT is a privileged branch which
receives the blessings of Sri Ramachandra
Prabhu. Sri Swamiji visited the holy shrine to
present the Golden crown to the Lord donated
by Smt Vanajabhaskararao. Swamiji gave a
Pravchanam highlighting the glory of Sri Rama.
This branch of VT extends its services not only
to the Lord but also to the devotees all throughout the year. Swamiji also inaugurated the
new hospital premises of Dr.G.V.Sudarsan and
Dr.Jayabharathi who regularly extend their services in our VT Medical camps.
A free Eye Camp was conducted on 20th February. Sri S.L.Kanta Rao coordinated with several other service organizations and organized
the same.
On 1st March a Power point presentation was
given by Dr.Jayabharathi at SAMKSHEMA
GURUKULA PATASALA on Blood less ness. 480
students participated. Free blood tests were
conducted and Medicines were given free of
cost.
K.P.H.B COLONY HYDERABAD (TELANGANA)
A free Homeo Medical camp is organized by
Dr.Krishnamacharyulu and Smt.Vijayalakshmi
every day from 5.00P.M to 6.00 P.M in K.P.H.B
Colony.Prajna classes are also conducted by
them in Orphan Homes.
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
VISAKHAPATNAM (ANDHRA PRADESH)
RAJAMAHENDRI (ANDHRA PRADESH)
Prajna classes were conducted by Prajna Coordinator Smt Padmavathi Ramanujam all
throughout the academic year on every Sundays from 10A.M to 11 A.M. Module 1 was
taught to the students. About 50 students took
their examination in Module 1 for this year
on 1st March Hall tickets were issued and Sri
Vijayasrinivas and Dr. Mythili Prasad chowdary
were the external examiners. Results were declared and students were promoted to Module
2 .Prajna teachers participated in the program.
SIDDANTHAM- WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT
(ANDHRA PRADESH)
Sri Vamguri Venkataramayya an aged volunteer of our VT stands as a unique example for
his zeal in extending his services. He is organizing satsungs every Saturday . He also conducted Lakshmi Narayana kalyanam on 7th
March on the occasion of Uttara nakshatram in
Phalguna Masam in the house of Sri Kantarao
garu.
VIJAYAWADA MUTYALAMPADU (ANDHRAPRADESH)
Prajna Coordinator Smt K.Venkata Raghavamma is conducting prajna activities. As a part of
Prajna Activity a Free Medical Eye camp was
conducted in GSRMCH school and 225 students benefited out of it. Free Homeo medical
camp was coducted and medicines were given
to 100 students. They also took up temple
cleaning activity as a part of Swacha Bha:rath
On February 6th free homeo medicine for
Swine flu was distributed in some private
schools. 400 Kgs of Goose berry pickle was
sent to Sriyagam at Hyderabad and 100 Kgs
pickle was also sent to Sitanagaram Asramam.
57
About 60 members participated in the Yuva Vikas meet organized on February 12th at Varija
Asramam. The meet was organized by Yuva
vikas convenor Sri Raghuji. Sreeman Bhavaniprasad, Central organizing secretary of VT. Smt
Aruna, Central coordinator for Samskar vikas
and District VT President Sri PSN Raju also attended.
Sri Sundarakanda prayanam followed by Pattabhishekam and tadiyaaradhana was conducted for 6 days at Marripalem by Smt. Padmaji Smt Lataji coordinator of samskar vikas is
also standing as a good example and organizing satsungs and inspiring others.
VIJAYANAGARAM (ANDHRA PRADESH)
Mahila Arogya Vikas Convenor Smt. Sakuntalaji with her team of volunteers is extending
good services all throughout the year in the entire district. Her services are recognized by other service organizations as well. VIVEKANANDA
SPOORTI KENDRAM, BALAJIWALKERSASSOCIATION felicitated her. Dr.Sri Ramamurthyji
appreciated her services and also volunteered
to send his doctors and staff to assist in her
service activities.Councillor Smt Meka Anantalakshmi also appreciated her services
SRIKAKULAM (ANDHRA PRADESH)
A free medical camp was conducted in ZPH
school Kothapeta. 407 students were benefited
from the camp. The services were appreciated by Jems hospital. The holistic services
integrating moral and spiritual values with
service activities of VT was appreciated. Sri
Suryanarayana,Chakravarthi and other members participated. Dr. Pradeepji extended his
services.
Bhakthinivedana
Apr 2015
Jai
Sri:manna:ra:yana
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