tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83129911555664406352024-02-24T12:46:07.357-08:00Sarvam Sri Krishnarpanam..!!!Om Daamodaraaya Vidhmahe' Vaasudevaaya Dheemahi
Thanno Krishnah Pracho DhayaathUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-66933809609470756832020-10-27T05:08:00.000-07:002020-10-27T05:08:37.738-07:00Andal's Vaaranam Ayiram<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKPcesM0H2QcsckVIkEwNWGoAbp-1PT514jawM6S2RN7ReLSgionr7Yq2wAVq-y6R_YcpVkjRMesPs3s0IVKHfR0gbHA35XHkYrDq7hc6Yg43FNEeUuCs3dA7hWJjxVDe_zHgtZcLBim_/s640/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="399" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKPcesM0H2QcsckVIkEwNWGoAbp-1PT514jawM6S2RN7ReLSgionr7Yq2wAVq-y6R_YcpVkjRMesPs3s0IVKHfR0gbHA35XHkYrDq7hc6Yg43FNEeUuCs3dA7hWJjxVDe_zHgtZcLBim_/w354-h566/1.jpg" width="354" /></span></a></div></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>தனியன்</b><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">அல்லி நாள் தாமரைமே லாரணங்கிநின் துணைவி</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">மல்லி நாடாண்ட மடமயில் -மெல்லியலாள்</div><div style="text-align: center;">ஆயர் குலவேந்தனாகத்தாள் தென்புதுவை</div><div style="text-align: center;">வேயர் பயந்தவிளக்கு .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thaniyan</span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Alli naall tamaraime larananginin thunaivi</div><div style="text-align: center;">malli nadanda madmayil meliyalal</div><div style="text-align: center;">aayar kulavendhanagathal then puduvai</div><div style="text-align: center;">veyar payandhavilakku</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLy2NW6HsjKSWdrpUkL5WQ6HkWuMukOa_N37EzA9aeQd_9T3F_pb18MumZlydVF9RLaqFg_ce8VBqr6tlIVplTs25XttGLkJJLKnmOdmPpidQl0vxe3Gf5gDHXtd5Y9QyC8-qyqMc7W5d/s640/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLy2NW6HsjKSWdrpUkL5WQ6HkWuMukOa_N37EzA9aeQd_9T3F_pb18MumZlydVF9RLaqFg_ce8VBqr6tlIVplTs25XttGLkJJLKnmOdmPpidQl0vxe3Gf5gDHXtd5Y9QyC8-qyqMc7W5d/w368-h550/2.jpg" width="368" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>மாப்பிள்ளை அழைப்பு -</u></b><b><u> Reception of the bride groom (Mappilai azhaippu -Janavasam)</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">வாரணம் ஆயிரம் சூழ வலம் செய்து, </div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நாரண நம்பி நடக்கின்றான் என்றெதிர்,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பூரண பொற்குடம் வைத்துப் புறம் எங்கும், </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தோரணம் நாட்டக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">கல்யாண குணங்கள் நிறைந்த ஸ்ரீமந்நாராயணன், ஆயிரம் யானைகள் புடைசூழ, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">ஊர்வலமாக வருவதால், எதிரே பொன் மயமான பூரண கும்பங்கள் வைத்து, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நகர் முழுவதும் தோரணங்கள் நாட்டியிருப்பதாக நான் கனவு கண்டேன் தோழியே!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">vaaraNam aayiram suuzha valam seidhu</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">naaraNa nambi nadakinraan enredhir</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">pooraNa porkudam veithu puramengum</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">thoraNam naatta kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Sriman Narayana the personification of perfection,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Strode majestically ,surrounded by 1000 elephants,</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the town decorated with festooned poles</div><div style="text-align: center;">And golden pots!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friend! So I saw in my dream!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLTy55KuDVCsy8CUewu8dJhu9rNVL8R766qFKqsgmksLbJp8fH14NnHA0hC_oIDyYVu1-Ssawe5eekR-mLwZUgPtXaE1cUY627rCDf2qVTUzvinj_zG6hY7urLAJSF1jgjks2YLRG17ra/s640/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="407" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLTy55KuDVCsy8CUewu8dJhu9rNVL8R766qFKqsgmksLbJp8fH14NnHA0hC_oIDyYVu1-Ssawe5eekR-mLwZUgPtXaE1cUY627rCDf2qVTUzvinj_zG6hY7urLAJSF1jgjks2YLRG17ra/w339-h532/3.jpg" width="339" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>நிச்சயதார்தம்</u> -<u> </u></b><b><u>Announcement of wedding ceremony (Niscayatartham)</u></b></span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நாளை வதுவை மணம் என்று நாளிட்டு, </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பாளை கமுகு பரிசடைப் பந்தற் கீழ்,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">கோளரி மாதவன் கோவிந்தன் என்பான், ஓர் </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">காளை புகுதக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நாளைக்குத் திருமண முகூர்த்தம் என்று நிச்சயித்து, கமுகம் பாளை </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">முதலியவைகளுடன் அலங்காரம் செய்யப்பட்ட பந்தலில், சிங்கம் போன்ற </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நடையுடன், திருமகள் கேள்வனாகிய கோவிந்தன் என்னும் ஓர் காளை </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">புகுவதை நான் கனவினில் கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">naaLai vadhuvai maNamendru naaLittu</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">paaLai kamugu parisuDai pandarkizh</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">koLari madhavan govindan enbaanor</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">kaaLai pugudha kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Tomorrow is the Muhurtam,It has been thus decided</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">The tender leaves sheathing arcenuts have been weaved ,</div><div style="text-align: center;">to form a canopy over the marriage pandal,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Into this entered a strong youth bearing the names,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Narsimhan, Madhavan and Govindan,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friend ! So I saw in my dream!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLGcjpUrLbGL-keNt7TxE-kACtcNRp-1o6LPVF7eYl_a3UNnQhmrdlAvKKwi2nlXzZcpIUCQN4wHyLSMqeBu7XW_Zm4GgyjEVwLNJbjSMUmkuQATLjl5x2XP6E2MwGb2y6NYhlmSusmiy/s640/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="491" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLGcjpUrLbGL-keNt7TxE-kACtcNRp-1o6LPVF7eYl_a3UNnQhmrdlAvKKwi2nlXzZcpIUCQN4wHyLSMqeBu7XW_Zm4GgyjEVwLNJbjSMUmkuQATLjl5x2XP6E2MwGb2y6NYhlmSusmiy/w374-h487/4.jpg" width="374" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பெரியோர்களின் அனுமதி - Dressing up bride by her sister in law (Nattanar kodi uduttal)</span></u></b></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">இந்திரன் உள்ளிட்ட தேவர் குழாமெல்லாம்,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வந்திருந்து என்னை மகட் பேசி மந்திரித்து,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மந்திரக் கோடியுடுத்தி மண மாலை,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">அந்தரி சூட்டக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">இந்திரன் உள்ளிட்ட தேவர்கள் கூட்டம் இங்கே வந்து, என்னை திருமணப் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பெண்ணாக நிச்சயம் பேச, பெண் வீட்டாரும் பிள்ளை வீட்டாரும் கலந்து பேசி, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பின் தனித் தனியே சென்று பேசி முடிவு செய்து, வேத மந்திரங்கள் ஓதித் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தூய்மையாக்கிய கூறைப் புடவையைக் கொடுத்து என்னை உடுத்தச் செய்து, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">துர்க்கையான நாத்தனார் மணம் மிகுந்த மாலையை எனக்குச் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">சூட்டுவதாக கனவு கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">indiran uLLitta devar kuzhamellaam </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">vandhirindhu ennai magaL pesi mandiriththu </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">mandira kodi uduthi manamaalai </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">andhari sootta kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Indra came along with other Devas and sought my hand for Kannan[Krishna],</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">They discussed the details of the marriage ,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Durga ,my sister in law,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Draped me in the bridal saree and decked my hair with scented flowers.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxZgK9sSg9esd0QFiXXHChvQjkkolbnkz3lgR80wdxLkeUa2kqgbl7XlO_ad25k0eUCyDwr5QwFTCaRKAwKKL2YtkFasuMG7DqkPeyn68uly_mIcatlDGKTIizgRTLVQtj9M7NAedGSCj/s640/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="437" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxZgK9sSg9esd0QFiXXHChvQjkkolbnkz3lgR80wdxLkeUa2kqgbl7XlO_ad25k0eUCyDwr5QwFTCaRKAwKKL2YtkFasuMG7DqkPeyn68uly_mIcatlDGKTIizgRTLVQtj9M7NAedGSCj/w366-h537/5.jpg" width="366" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>காப்பு கட்டுதல் - </u></b><b><u>Tying the protecting band called Kappu(KAppu kattal)</u></b></span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நாற்றிசைத் தீர்த்தங் கொணர்ந்து நனி நல்கி,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பார்ப்பனச் சிட்டர்கள் பல்லார் எடுத்தேத்தி,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பூப்புனை கண்ணிப் புனிதனோ டென்றன்னை,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">காப்பு நாண் கட்டக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வைதிகச் சடங்குகளில் வல்ல நல்ல அந்தணர்கள் பலரும் நான்கு திசைகளில் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">இருந்து புண்ணிய தீர்த்தங்களைக் கொண்டு வந்து தெளித்து, உயர்ந்த குரலில் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மணமக்களுக்கு மங்களாசாசனம் செய்ய, பூக்களைச் சூடிய புனிதனான </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">அந்தக் கண்ணனுடன் என்னைச் சேர்த்து வைத்து, கங்கணக் காப்பு </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">கட்டுவதாக கனவு கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">naaldhisai theertham konardhu naninalgi </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">parpana chittargal pallaar eduthethi </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">poopunai kanni punidhanodendrenai </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">kaappunaaN kaatta kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: start;">From all four directions Brahmins brought sacred water,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Sprinkled it all over the place, Chanting the Vedas loudly and clearly,</span></div><span style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">And bound me with a sacred thread to the Pure One wearing a garland of flowers,</div></span><span style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;">Friend! So I saw in my dream!</div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmaSCnExnnc8wF8SNPLiovvtC2AcNI3dbXmjB0N0VI6yyG8Db6X6WH8MAQoNvGyJsDghwc27cFJdmD2t4e6Hnid3cG3K2xmH8NcAVN53DwzX3d4gQoRB7s9tNFchqAGVBcn8_tcBf_AjM/s640/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="520" height="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmaSCnExnnc8wF8SNPLiovvtC2AcNI3dbXmjB0N0VI6yyG8Db6X6WH8MAQoNvGyJsDghwc27cFJdmD2t4e6Hnid3cG3K2xmH8NcAVN53DwzX3d4gQoRB7s9tNFchqAGVBcn8_tcBf_AjM/w415-h511/6.jpg" width="415" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>பிடி சுற்றுதல் - </u></b><b><u>Removing the obstacles (Pidissurudal )</u></b></span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">கதிரொளி தீபம் கலசம் உடன் ஏந்தி,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">சதிரிள மங்கையர் தாம் வந்து எதிர்கொள்ள,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மதுரையார் மன்னன் அடி நிலை தொட்டு, எங்கும் </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">அதிரப் புகுதக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பருவத்தாலும் வடிவத்தாலும் அழகு மிகுந்த இளம்பெண்கள், </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">சூரிய ஒளி போன்ற மங்கள விளக்கையும் பொற்கலசங்களையும் தங்கள் கைகளில் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தாங்கியவர்களாக எதிர் கொண்டு அழைக்க, மதுரை மன்னன் கண்ணன் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பாதுகைகளை அணிந்தவராக பூமி அதிர கம்பீரமாக நடந்து வந்து, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">உள்ளே புகுவதைக் கனவினில் கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">kadhiroLi deepam kalasamudan yendhi </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">chadhiriLa mangaiyar thaamvandhedhirkolla </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">madhuraiyaar manna aDinilai thottengum </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">adhira pugudha kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">There were beautiful young damsels who held in their hands,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">lamps, that dazzled like streams of sunlight, they were also holding several golden vessels and greeting,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the ruler of all the inhabitants of Mathura,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who came striding with firm footsteps that shook the earth,</div><div style="text-align: center;">My dear friend! so I saw in my dream!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNXsF3XES72PsT9-AC_akoOkY0GJug_xDk2sJCS3kFOtHraArjLOGmYDIOQa2RZ-IdKOGjgMX6J2xntGsVoFeMuqbi23lji06QlToaX35lz6X7syaTrGP1IhEgHQyM76lg3NyUBW2cGm7/s640/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="404" height="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNXsF3XES72PsT9-AC_akoOkY0GJug_xDk2sJCS3kFOtHraArjLOGmYDIOQa2RZ-IdKOGjgMX6J2xntGsVoFeMuqbi23lji06QlToaX35lz6X7syaTrGP1IhEgHQyM76lg3NyUBW2cGm7/w410-h650/7.jpg" width="410" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>பாணி க்ரஹணம் - </u></b><b><u>The groom holding hands of the bride (Panigrahanam)</u></b></span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மத்தளம் கொட்ட வரி சங்கம் நின்றூத,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">முத்துடைத் தாம் நிரை தாழ்ந்த பந்தற் கீழ்,</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மைத்துனன் நம்பி மதுசூதன் வந்து, என்னைக் </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">கைத்தலம் பற்றக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மத்தள மேளங்கள் கொட்ட, வரியுடைய சங்குகளை ஊத, மைத்துனன் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">முறையுள்ள நம்பியான அந்த மதுசூதனன், முத்து மாலைகள் கட்டித் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தொங்க விடப்பட்ட அழகிய பந்தலின் கீழே வந்து நின்று, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">என் கைத் தலத்தைப் பற்றி அருள்வதாகக் கனவு கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">maththaLam kotta varisangam ninroodha </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">muthuDai thamam niRai thazhndha pandharkeezh</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">maithunan nambi madhusudhan vandhennai </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">kaithalam patra kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Mridhangam was beaten,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Conches having two stripes were blown for a long time,</div><div style="text-align: center;">My would be husband the handsome Madhusudhanan came to the pandal,</div><div style="text-align: center;">That was decorated with strings of pearls,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And took my hands in his!</div><div style="text-align: center;">My dear friend! So I saw in my dream!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfpUGj3h1xJ3tumERGsjn9xnSaPMEb0_znBrehQpvBIHUh9e-AeB78s0HqD04KqPxqJeY7JwAKsyB8LZ0uwd8EZQIb4SwiEryNzSJ8nAKVCNgcj3UYW-l7FIrFoAkQx4iQgIGoYo3HSi5/s640/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="406" height="642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfpUGj3h1xJ3tumERGsjn9xnSaPMEb0_znBrehQpvBIHUh9e-AeB78s0HqD04KqPxqJeY7JwAKsyB8LZ0uwd8EZQIb4SwiEryNzSJ8nAKVCNgcj3UYW-l7FIrFoAkQx4iQgIGoYo3HSi5/w407-h642/8.jpg" width="407" /></span></a></div></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>ஸப்தபதி - </u></b><b><u>Taking seven steps together, wedding vows (saptapati)</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வாய் நல்லார் நல்ல மறையோதி மந்திரத்தால்,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பாசிலை நாணல் படுத்துப் பரிதி வைத்து,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">காய்சின மாகளி றன்னான் என் கைப்பற்றி,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தீவலம் செய்யக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வேத உச்சரிப்பில் வல்லவர்களான வேதியர்கள் சிறந்த வேதத் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தொடர்களை ஓத, அந்தந்தச் சடங்குகளுக்கு உரிய மந்திரங்களாலே, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பசுமையான தர்ப்பைகளையும், ஸமித்துகளையும் பரத்தி வைத்து </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வேள்வி செய்து, சினம் கொண்ட மத யானை போன்ற கண்ணன் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">என் கையைப் பிடித்துக் கொண்டு அக்னியை வலம் வருவதை, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">கனவினில் கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">vaai nallaar nalla marai odhi mandhirathaal </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">pachilai naaNal paduthu paridhiveithu </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">kaaichinamaakaLiranran en kai patri </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">theevalam seiya kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Mantras were chanted by priests,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Who recited them clearly with good wishes in their hearts,.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The sacred grass with green leaves were spread and sacred twigs [used in hommam] were laid on them</div><div style="text-align: center;">One who is as proud as a angry elephant clasped my hands tightly and strode majestically around the sacrificial fire with me in tow,</div><div style="text-align: center;">My dear friend ! So I saw in my dream!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlyPp2Ze1V9gwcEN8kwpJbynqlucF8Wlrj3wszHPNtl6opQuIPv7Zdsh18_IzCSzjHEEs2S0WIXRRkjtXTzrDqQ1OcdmjK0snn0xwzzcIe1Owg1TI7mbbxxeNAID-yxl1bI5tzI7LsBJL/s640/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="371" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlyPp2Ze1V9gwcEN8kwpJbynqlucF8Wlrj3wszHPNtl6opQuIPv7Zdsh18_IzCSzjHEEs2S0WIXRRkjtXTzrDqQ1OcdmjK0snn0xwzzcIe1Owg1TI7mbbxxeNAID-yxl1bI5tzI7LsBJL/w368-h632/9.jpg" width="368" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>அம்மி மிதித்தல் - </u></b><b><u>Stepping on the stone (ammi midittal)</u></b></span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">இம்மைக்கும் ஏழேழ் பிறவிக்கும் பற்றாவான்,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நம்மை உடையவன் நாராயணன் நம்பி,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">செம்மை யுடைய திருக்கையால் தாள் பற்றி,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">அம்மி மிதிக்கக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">இந்தப் பிறவிக்கும், மேல் வரும் எல்லாப் பிறவிகளுக்கும் அடைக்கலமான </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பற்றுக்கோடாக, நமக்கு நாயகத் தலைவனாக உள்ள நம்பியான நாராயணன், </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தன் செவ்விய திருக்கையால் எனது கால்களைப் பிடித்து அம்மியின் மேல் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">எடுத்து வைப்பதைக் கனவினில் கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">immaikum ezhezhu piravikkum patravaan </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">nammai udayavan naaraayaNan nambi </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">chemmai udaya thirukaiyaal thazh patri </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">ammi midhikka kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In this birth as well as in all succeeding seven into seven births,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">The protector in all such births,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our leader the one with noble qualities! Perfect and whole!</div><div style="text-align: center;">The handsome Narayana ,</div><div style="text-align: center;">With his reddened hands held and placed my toe on the grinding stone!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friend ! So I saw in my dream!</div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDt6Ge5YoaxOAUcu1uNzp2bKRNp81UGJB4BoxDwEUb_2VYzpr9zp2Ufvd6uVH5vSbhqqPHSRWih04uTfJHCSacQb42Nyvv8NFATLilSpFcYfXgR1DvSfFtsj6WtdzvXbCyzOsLA2I7-iq/s640/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="400" height="649" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDt6Ge5YoaxOAUcu1uNzp2bKRNp81UGJB4BoxDwEUb_2VYzpr9zp2Ufvd6uVH5vSbhqqPHSRWih04uTfJHCSacQb42Nyvv8NFATLilSpFcYfXgR1DvSfFtsj6WtdzvXbCyzOsLA2I7-iq/w406-h649/10.jpg" width="406" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>பொறி இடுதல் - </u></b><b><u>Offering of puffed rice (laja homam)</u></b></span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வரிசிலை வாள்முகத் தென்னைமார் தாம் வந்திட்டு</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">எரிமுகம் பாரித்து என்னை முன்னே நிறுத்தி,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">அரிமுகன் அச்சுதன் கைம்மேலென் கைவைத்து,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பொரிமுகந் தட்டக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வில்லினை ஒத்த புருவமும், ஒளி பொருந்திய முகமும் கொண்ட </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">என் தமையன்மார்கள் வந்து, ஹோம குண்டத்தில் நெருப்பை இட்டு வளர்த்து, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">என்னை அதன் முன்னே நிறுத்தி, அச்சுதனான அந்தக் கண்ணன் கைமேல் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">என் கையை வைத்து, பொரிகளை அள்ளி அக்னியில் சேர்ப்பதைக் கனவினில் கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">varisilai vaaL mugathu ennaimaar thaam vandhittu </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">erimugam paarithu ennai munne nirutthi </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">arimugan achuthan kai mel en kai vaithu </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">pori mugam thatta kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">My brothers bearing bright countenance, eyebrows, arched and bent like a bow,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Kindled the sacrificial fire making it to leap into flames,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And brought me in front of that fire ,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And placed my hands in the hands of Achchuda,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who has the bearing ,that of a majestic lion !</div><div style="text-align: center;">And they [ brothers] showered puffed rice over our clasped hands!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friend ! So I saw in my dream!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGgBZfuzk4LepqErCuIVSigPiBPry6UKGa1ZTKVJhPfcJF_sfWAEl8G2CsKJJ2wCLBB7U-e2o03W6dIZ51dmmRLsV_1cdoWz_pTU0VBA4WTSwqMYSAatb2Q02LPffmBPVOYp42zuaHeR9/s640/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="370" height="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGgBZfuzk4LepqErCuIVSigPiBPry6UKGa1ZTKVJhPfcJF_sfWAEl8G2CsKJJ2wCLBB7U-e2o03W6dIZ51dmmRLsV_1cdoWz_pTU0VBA4WTSwqMYSAatb2Q02LPffmBPVOYp42zuaHeR9/w416-h720/11.jpg" width="416" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>மஞ்சள் நீர் தெளித்தல்-</u></b><b><u>Visiting friends and relatives and taking holy bath (Manjal neerattal )</u></b></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">குங்குமம் அப்பிக் குளிர்ச் சாந்தம் மட்டித்து,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மங்கல வீதி வலம் செய்து மணநீர்,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">அங்கவ னோடு முடஞ்சென்றங் கானைமேல்,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மஞ்சன மாட்டக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">ஹோமப் புகையின் முன்னே நெடுநேரம் நின்றிருந்ததால் ஏற்பட்ட </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வெப்பத்தைத் தணித்து குளிரூட்டும் வகையில் குளிர்ந்த குங்குமக் குழம்பை </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">உடலில் பூசி, சந்தனத்தை நிறையத் தடவி விட்டனர். பின் அங்கிருந்த ஒரு </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">யானையின் மீது நான் கண்ணனுடன் கூடி அமர, அலங்காரம் மிகுந்த தெருக்களிலே </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">திருமண ஊர்வலம் வந்து, நிறைவாக வாசனை நீரில் மஞ்சன </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நீராட்டுவதைக் கனவினில் கண்டேன் தோழி!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">kumkugam appi kuLirchandham mattithu </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">magala veedhi valam seidhy maNaneer </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">angavanodum udanchenranganai mel </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">manjanamaatta kana kanden thozhi naan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Smearing the pastes of kungumam and fragrant and cool chandan all over our bodies ,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Relishing the sprinkling of perfumed water on us, by all those gathered around</div><div style="text-align: center;">I went around the decorated town on a elephant along with him seated by my side!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friend! So I saw in my dream!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6XEPckgoLtkAZuv1YcOgTT2bOmoeRuC6aHMh4gTZK0qeaxmOfKlrLCgnK492zGlwiwKzt4s5B87APiJIvS4TJXXDHAPdDc3hIT3WkgOxZ4vTi-fPVB0JSyVWy-k-5KpnzYtGfx6LKDrv/s640/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="477" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6XEPckgoLtkAZuv1YcOgTT2bOmoeRuC6aHMh4gTZK0qeaxmOfKlrLCgnK492zGlwiwKzt4s5B87APiJIvS4TJXXDHAPdDc3hIT3WkgOxZ4vTi-fPVB0JSyVWy-k-5KpnzYtGfx6LKDrv/w423-h569/12.jpg" width="423" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">பாராயண பலன் - Benefits of the sloka recitation (Parayana palan)</span></u></b></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">ஆயனுக் காகத்தான் கண்ட கனாவினை,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வேயர் புகழ் வில்லி புத்தூர்க்கோன் கோதை சொல்,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தூய தமிழ்மாலை ஈரைந்தும் வல்லவர்,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="border-top-width: medium; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வாயு நன் மக்களைப் பெற்று மகிழ்வரே!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">வேயர் குலத்தில் புகழ் மிக்க திருவில்லிபுத்தூர் தலைவரான பெரியாழ்வாரின் </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">மகள் கோதை, தான் கண்ணனைத் திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டதாகக் கண்ட கனவை, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">தூய தமிழ் மாலையாக அருளினாள். இந்தப் பத்துப் பாசுரங்களையும் பயில வல்லவர்கள், </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">நல்ல குணங்களுடைய குழந்தைகளைப் பெறுவர். </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">கன்னியர் கண்ணனைப் போன்ற கணவனைப் பெற்று மகிழ்வர்.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">aayanukkaga thaan kanDa kanavinai </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">veyar pugazhvillu puththurkon kodai chol </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">thooya tamizh maalai eeraindum vallavar </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">vaayum nan makkalai petru maghizhvare</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Kodhai the daughter of Periaazhwar who is praised by veyyar clan and is the leader of Srivilliputhur, has written her dream about her marriage in a garland of pure </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Tamil</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">,</span></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Those who recite all the 10 verses will lead a happy life as they will be blessed by children of good qualities .</div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You can hear it here @</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #ff00fe;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: white;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Zt8_ASbNZ2U" target="_blank">Pasuram rendered by Malola Kannan</a> </span></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-55112558832580750752011-11-29T04:03:00.001-08:002011-11-29T04:20:20.205-08:00108 Names of Lord Krishna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>108 Names Of Krishna</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvse-lgB0Jgm5E3zWRGVwfEOY7vVmOhdmH7vTKFUC-V2NXyeZodfQy6krGqnpTXwZSH03yyUfygXkYVOPyPA2gnJRUdkZU4HNFBITX7WCFDiW1QlIr1dF-wAyIodRGwO0VrujIFCY7UFa/s1600/Sri+Krishna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvse-lgB0Jgm5E3zWRGVwfEOY7vVmOhdmH7vTKFUC-V2NXyeZodfQy6krGqnpTXwZSH03yyUfygXkYVOPyPA2gnJRUdkZU4HNFBITX7WCFDiW1QlIr1dF-wAyIodRGwO0VrujIFCY7UFa/s1600/Sri+Krishna.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
Name <span> </span>Meaning</b></span><br />
Achala <span> </span>Still Lord<br />
Achyuta <span> </span>Infallible
Lord<br />
Adbhutah <span> </span>Wonderful
God<br />
Adidev <span> </span>The
Lord Of The Lords<br />
Aditya <span> </span>The
Son Of Aditi<br />
Ajanma <span> </span>One
Who Is Limitless And Endless<br />
Ajaya <span> </span>The
Conqueror Of Life And Death<br />
Akshara <span> </span>Indestructible
Lord<br />
Amrut <span> </span>One
Who Is Sweet As Nectar<br />
Anaadih <span> </span>One
Who Is The First Cause<br />
Anandsagar <span> </span>Compassionate Lord<br />
Ananta <span> </span>The
Endless Lord<br />
Anantajit <span> </span>Ever
Victorious Lord<br />
Anaya <span> </span>One
Who Has No Leader<br />
Aniruddha <span> </span>One
Who Cannot Be Obstructed<br />
Aparajeet <span> </span>The
Lord Who Cannot Be Defeated<br />
Avyukta <span> </span>One
Who Is As Clear As Crystal<br />
Balgopal <span> </span>The
Child Krishna, The All Attractive<br />
Bali <span> </span>The
Lord Of Strength<br />
Chaturbhuj <span> </span>Four-Armed Lord<br />
Danavendra <span> </span>Granter Of Boons<br />
Dayalu <span> </span>Repositiory
Of Compassion<br />
Dayanidhi <span> </span>The
Compassionate Lord<br />
Devadidev <span> </span>The
God Of The Gods<br />
Devakinandan <span> </span>Son
Of Mother Devaki<br />
Devesh <span> </span>Lord
Of The Lords<br />
Dharmadhyaksha <span> </span>The
Lord OF Dharma<br />
Dwarkapati <span> </span>Lord Of Dwarka<br />
Gopal <span> </span>One
Who Plays With The Cowherds, The Gopas<br />
Gopalpriya <span> </span>Lover Of Cowherds<br />
Govinda <span> </span>One
Who Pleases The Cows, The Land And The Entire <span> </span><span></span>Nature<br />
Gyaneshwar <span> </span>The Lord Of Knowledge<br />
Hari <span> </span>The
Lord Of Nature<br />
Hiranyagarbha <span> </span>The
All Powerful Creator<br />
Hrishikesh <span> </span>The Lord Of All Senses<br />
Jagadguru <span> </span>Preceptor
Of The Universe<br />
Jagadisha <span> </span><span> </span>Protector Of All<br />
Jagannath <span> </span>Lord
Of The Universe<br />
Janardhana <span> </span>One Who Bestows Boons On One And All<br />
Jayantah <span> </span>Conqueror
Of All Enemies<br />
Jyotiraaditya <span> </span>The
Resplendence Of The Sun<br />
Kamalnath <span> </span>The
Lord Of Goddess Lakshmi<br />
Kamalnayan <span> </span>The Lord With Lotus Shaped Eyes<br />
Kamsantak <span> </span>Slayer
Of Kamsa<br />
Kanjalochana <span> </span>The
Lotus-Eyed God<br />
Keshava <span> </span>One
Who Has Long, Black Matted Locks<br />
Krishna <span> </span>Dark-Complexioned
Lord<br />
Lakshmikantam <span> </span>The Lord Of Goddess Lakshmi<br />
Lokadhyaksha <span> </span>Lord
Of All The Three Lokas (Worlds)<br />
Madan <span> </span>The
Lord Of Love<br />
Madhava <span> </span>Knowledge
Filled God<br />
Madhusudan <span> </span>Slayer Of Demon Madhu<br />
Mahendra <span> </span>Lord
Of Indra<br />
Manmohan <span> </span>All
Pleasing Lord<br />
Manohar <span> </span>Beautiful
Lord<br />
Mayur <span> </span>The
Lord Who Has A Peacock Feathered-Crest<br />
Mohan <span> </span>All
Attractive God<br />
Murali <span> </span>The
Flute Playing Lord<br />
Murlidhar <span> </span>One
Who Holds The Flute<br />
Murlimanohar <span> </span>The
Flute Playing God<br />
Nandgopala <span> </span>The Son Of Nand<br />
Narayana <span> </span>The
Refuge Of Everyone<br />
Niranjana <span> </span>The
Unblemished Lord<br />
Nirguna <span> </span>Without
Any Properties<br />
Padmahasta <span> </span>One Who Has Hands Like Lotus<br />
Padmanabha <span> </span>The Lord Who Has A Lotus Shaped Navel<br />
Parabrahmana <span> </span>The
Supreme Absolute Truth<br />
Paramatma <span> </span>Lord
Of All Beings<br />
Parampurush <span> </span>Supreme Personality<br />
Parthasarthi <span> </span>Charioteer
Of Partha - Arjuna<br />
Prajapati <span> </span>Lord
Of All Creatures<br />
Punyah <span> </span>Supremely
Pure<br />
Purshottam <span> </span>The Supreme Soul<br />
Ravilochana <span> </span>One Who Eye Is The Sun<br />
Sahasraakash <span> </span>Thousand-Eyed
Lord<br />
Sahasrajit <span> </span>One Who Vanquishes Thousands<br />
Sahasrapaat <span> </span>Thousand-Footed Lord<br />
Sakshi <span> </span>All
Witnessing Lord<br />
Sanatana <span> </span>The
Eternal Lord<br />
Sarvajana <span> </span>Omniscient
Lord<br />
Sarvapalaka <span> </span>Protector Of All<br />
Sarveshwar <span> </span>Lord Of All Gods<br />
Satyavachana <span> </span>One
Who Speaks Only The Truth<br />
Satyavrata <span> </span>The Truth Dedicated Lord<br />
Shantah <span> </span>Peaceful
Lord<br />
Shreshta <span> </span>The
Most Glorious Lord<br />
Shrikanta <span> </span>Beautiful
Lord<br />
Shyam <span> </span>Dark-Complexioned
Lord<br />
Shyamsundara <span> </span>Lord
Of The Beautiful Evenings<br />
Sudarshana <span> </span>Handsome Lord<br />
Sumedha <span> </span>Intelligent
Lord<br />
Suresham <span> </span>Lord
Of All Demi-Gods<br />
Swargapati <span> </span>Lord Of Heavens<br />
Trivikrama <span> </span>Conqueror Of All The Three Worlds<br />
Upendra <span> </span>Brother
Of Indra<br />
Vaikunthanatha <span> </span>Lord
Of Vaikuntha, The Heavenly Abode<br />
Vardhamaanah <span> </span>The
Formless Lord<br />
Vasudev <span> </span>All
Prevailing Lord<br />
Vishnu <span> </span>All
Prevailing Lord<br />
Vishwadakshinah <span> </span>Skilfull
And Efficient Lord<br />
Vishwakarma <span> </span>Creator Of The Universe<br />
Vishwamurti <span> </span>Of The Form Of The Entire Universe<br />
Vishwarupa <span> </span>One Who Displays The Universal Form<br />
Vishwatma <span> </span>Soul
Of The Universe<br />
Vrishaparvaa <span> </span>Lord
Of Dharma<br />
Yadavendra <span> </span>King Of The Yadav Clan<br />
Yogi <span> </span>The
Supreme Master<br />
Yoginampati <span> </span>Lord Of The Yogis</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-17815041231510884022011-11-28T03:01:00.001-08:002011-11-28T03:23:27.465-08:00Matsya Avatharam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Macha Avatharam (MATSYA AVATHARAM)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5teWNhKBVhjQB5uQXiGnmMUONmtWGSHlYW5JZRp9wFTDL_HIqCHW-M0bvR-iFneu9hmHL76PGYne5oNPKMIApXzDY5hcRM7GljXW2W553zLdVu8YG_kfupx9IQNvDM20ccVIZIVn3sJpp/s1600/matsya+avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5teWNhKBVhjQB5uQXiGnmMUONmtWGSHlYW5JZRp9wFTDL_HIqCHW-M0bvR-iFneu9hmHL76PGYne5oNPKMIApXzDY5hcRM7GljXW2W553zLdVu8YG_kfupx9IQNvDM20ccVIZIVn3sJpp/s1600/matsya+avatar.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Matsya Avatar or the Fish Incarnation is the first of the
ten Divine Incarnations or Dasavatars of <a href="http://www.indianetzone.com/2/lord_vishnu.htm" title="Lord Vishnu">Lord
Vishnu</a>. Vishnu is the Preserver of the Universe in the Holy Trinity or
Trimurti of <a href="http://www.indianetzone.com/2/lord_brahma.htm" title="Lord Brahma">Brahma</a>, Vishnu and <a href="http://www.indianetzone.com/2/lord_shiva.htm" title="Lord Shiva">Shiva</a>
in Hinduism. Indeed, the renowned Maithali (a region of India) poet , and dedicated devotee
of Shri Vishnu, celebrated the marvelous aura of Matsya Avatar, " All
glories to you, O Lord of the Universe, who took the form of a fish. When the
sacred hyms of the <a href="http://www.indianetzone.com/5/vedas.htm" title="Vedas">Vedas</a> were lost in the waters of universal devastation, you
swam like a boat in that vast ocean to resue them. <br /><br />
A Kalpa, meaning one cycle of existence, with a span of 4320 million years, in
Hindu Mythology, is equal to one day of Brahma, the Creator of the Universe. On
the verge of completion of each Kalpa, and one day of Brahma, Brahma falls
asleep. When he does so all of Creation, dissolves into his sleep, signifying
the end of Creation. Except, the Vedas are immutable and beyond destruction.
Their habitat is inside Brahma. They contain the instructions for Creation, and
are hence indispensable to resume the Divine Creational Process. Bhagvat
Purana, reports, that once Brahma yawned and the precious Vedas, flowed out of
his lips. </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
Meanwhile, Hayagriva, the Asura or demon, scheming to gain the desired
immortality, a prerogative of the Devas or gods, was wandering nearby. He
instantly stole the Vedas and devoured them. Such insidious intent of the
Asura, precipitated a crisis. Vishnu, who feigned Nidra or Sleep, witnessed the
entire offence. He was speculating on how to retrieve the treasured Vedas, when
he located the pious King Satyavrata, offering prayers to Vishnu, with his
waist deep down in water. Satyavrata is also called King Manu. Manu is the
poto-Adam figure, and the progenitor of mankind. Manu and his wife were the
first parents of the Kalpa. </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
Vishnu immediately assumed the shape of a tiny fish and swam into Satyavrata`s
hands. Vishnu, in the disguise of a fish, entreated Manu, who is virtue
personified, to save him from being engulfed by the big fish. The kind Manu put
the small creature inside a vessel, full of water. Overnight, the fish outgrew
on a surprising scale. Manu had to shift him from the vessel into a bigger
tank. But the fish continued growing abnormally. It requested Manu for larger
space to live, and Manu accordingly kept it in a pond. Manu, exhorted by the
enlarging fish, then dropped it in the greater expanse of a large lake.
However, the growth rate did not stop escalating. Finally, the bewildered Manu,
impelled by the fervent appeal of the mammoth fish for enormous space, placed
him in the ocean. But the fish urged Manu, not to leave him in the ocean. Otherwise,
the gigantic ocean-beings would swallow him. It was then that the devout
Satyavrata, already amazed by the extraordinary growth-speed of the magical
fish, pledged it to disclose its actual identity. </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">
Lord Vishnu made his Celestial Revelation before the awed Manu. Satyavrata,
instantly bowed down before him and wished to know the reason behind the Lord`s
appearance in the frame of a fish. The omniscient Lord, informed him about the
forthcoming Pralaya or Destructive Forces that would vanquishing the Earth,
with Great Deluge- "I have manifested for the protection of this universe
and for the destruction of the wicked. Just a week from now, the ocean will
rise and inundate the entire Universe. At that time you will see a spacious
boat approaching you. Do collect all the seeds , plants and animals required
for the next spell of creation and get into the boat and wait for me. Take
Vasuki, the King of Snakes. The Sapta Rishi or the Seven Sages will also be
with you." </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
Matsya Avatar left to accomplish its mission. He tore apart the Asura
Hayagriva, and collected the lost Vedas. </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
As had been predicted by the Divine Fish, an all-annihilating flood occurred.
Meanwhile, a boat appeared where Satyavrata was waiting with the seeds, plants
and animals, and the Sapta Rishi, to take refuge in the boat amidst death`s
clutches. When everybody had boarded the huge boat, the boat was fastened to
the Fish`s horn, with Vasuki serving as the rope. They sailed in the turbulent
water, all through the night of Brahma`s single day. Vishnu thus, rescued life
from ceasing. He also by giving shelter to all the creatures, maintained the
flow of life that will perpetuate in the next Created Cosmos. </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
The Matsya Avatar of Vishnu focuses the perpetual love and concern of the
benevolent Vishnu, for the entire Creation that had sprouted from </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.indianetzone.com/6/ishvara_hinduism.htm" title="Ishvara In Hinduism">Ishvara</a>.<b><span style="color: #003300;"></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE MATSYA PURANA</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdDjDIowfT4IoeiI9PMmD1IOfNM9ObleRhF0kfn-bGTE5mTOzYpIAIK_9SIDpVAx06nKtcRbgqkhwHq38MtB8CE3XV7xTLVzjbLrn6WNlyR2cui82HgAmyDM919y6KFcLAaYNKXAD7oG2/s1600/matsya_avatar_ad87_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdDjDIowfT4IoeiI9PMmD1IOfNM9ObleRhF0kfn-bGTE5mTOzYpIAIK_9SIDpVAx06nKtcRbgqkhwHq38MtB8CE3XV7xTLVzjbLrn6WNlyR2cui82HgAmyDM919y6KFcLAaYNKXAD7oG2/s1600/matsya_avatar_ad87_l.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thre are eighteen major Puranas or mahapuranas, the word
maha, meaning great. There are also several other minor Puranas or
upapuranas, the word upa signifying minor.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Amongst the eighteen mahapuranas, the Matsya Purana is
number sixteen.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Puranas themselves describes the five characteristics
(pancha lakshana) that a text must satisfy before being classified as a
mahapurana. That is, any such text must dscribe five different subjects.
These are the original creation of the universe (sarga), the periodical
process of destruction and re-creation (pratisaryga), the various eras
(manvantara), the histories of the solar dynasty (surya vamsha), and lunar
dynasty (chandra vamsha) and royal genealogies (vamshanucharita). The Matysa
Purana describe these five different subjects.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Traditionally, the Ramayana is believed to have been composed
by the sage Valmiki and the Mahabharata by the sage Vedavyasa. Vedavyasa
was the son of Satyavati and the sage Parashara. His real name was
Krishna Dvaipayana. The word krishna means dark and he came to acquire
the name because he was dark in complexion. The word dvipa means
island and the sage acquired the name of Dvaipayana as he was born on an
island.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Mahabharata has one lakh shlokas or couplets.
After composing the Mahabharata, Vedavyasa composed the eighteen mahapuranas.
These texts have four lakh shlokas between them, although they are not
equal in length. The Matsya Purana is a medium-length Purana, and
consists of fifteen thousand couplets. The longest Purana, the Skanda
Purana, has eighty-one thousand. And the shortest Purana, the Markandeya
Purana, has only nine thousand. The fourteen thousand shlokas of
the Maysya Purana are divided into two hundred and ninety-one chapters
(adhyaya).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The eighteen mahapuranas are sometimes divided into three
groups, with six Puranas in each group. There are 33 million administrative
demigods mentioned in the vedas. But the primary gods are Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is regarded as the creator, Vishnu as the
maintainer, and Shiva the destroyer. Since all three are important
gods, any sacred text will glorify each of them. But the relative
emphasis often varies from text to text. For example, a text which
spends many chapters on the act of creation tends to glorify Brahma relatively
more and is known as a rajasika Purana. A text which describes the
forms (avatara) of Vishnu in great detail tends to glorify Vishnu more
and is known as a sattvika Purana. A text mainly concerned with rituals
and norms tends to attach more importance to Shiva and is known as a tamasika
Purana.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The word matsya means fish. Usually Vishnu is regarded
as having had nine incarnations, with a tenth one, Kalki, due to come in
the future. The names of these incarnations are as follows.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWhHBnWFs3dN0WvQx3zTIbE88sWPRO6BP4TDtdnqiNwHFAOghiprqUzPl01b0NS9hFePEjIBxOtbXgWkS_xOMIBjTjhZ0eJ9WK6b93VfdwfOrprMoxHjpkkDkJGlXWmIQFuEc3dFpVRS5/s1600/250px-Matsya_painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWhHBnWFs3dN0WvQx3zTIbE88sWPRO6BP4TDtdnqiNwHFAOghiprqUzPl01b0NS9hFePEjIBxOtbXgWkS_xOMIBjTjhZ0eJ9WK6b93VfdwfOrprMoxHjpkkDkJGlXWmIQFuEc3dFpVRS5/s400/250px-Matsya_painting.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (i) Matsya or fish.
This is sometimes also referred to as the mina
(fish) avatara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (ii) Kurma or turtle.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (iii) Varaha or boar.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (iv) Nrisimha or narasimha, the half-man
and half-lion.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (v) Vamana or dwarf.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (vi) Parashurama.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (vii) Rama</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (viii) Krishna</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (ix) Buddha</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (x) Kalki.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The Matsya Purana is so named because it was first
recited by Vishnu himself, in his incarnation of a fish.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vedavyasa did much more than compose the Mahabharata and
the Puranas. So far as the Vedas are concerned. Krishna Dvaipayana
had four other disciples. But the Puranas were taught only to Romaharshana.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is what Romaharshana has to say.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRAhKUzpBeyPEVRKaGAUpL2Kijsd3N2XnG_ld5SifNkAtO_4sa7rQt2xqG_wLVWqKncHW7rwJ-lgEN1aCztBXyRy-orqQ1Rym7re7RV88MzytFvWXeHgCJZlNVdvPt-nx4R09mJlPlUfF/s1600/335_sippo41_sippo41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRAhKUzpBeyPEVRKaGAUpL2Kijsd3N2XnG_ld5SifNkAtO_4sa7rQt2xqG_wLVWqKncHW7rwJ-lgEN1aCztBXyRy-orqQ1Rym7re7RV88MzytFvWXeHgCJZlNVdvPt-nx4R09mJlPlUfF/s400/335_sippo41_sippo41.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Romaharshana and the Other Sages ( Setting the scene )</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There was a forest known as naimisharanya. Many
years ago, several sages organized a yajna (sacrifice) in the forest.
After the sacrifice was over, the assembled sages told Romaharshana.
You have recited to us many Puranas. These suject matter is so pleasing
that we would like to hear them once more. Please satisfy our thirst
for hearing.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I will recount for you the most holy of all the Puranas,
replied Romaharshana. This is the great Matsya Purana, told by Vishnu
to Manu. Get prepared for I am about begin.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu and Manu</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There used to be a king named Manu. He was the son
of the sun-god.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In fact, in every era, there are fourteen manus.
The Manu mentioned here is the seventh in the present era and his name
was Vaivasvata Manu. He was the son of the sun-god Vivasvana.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When it was time for Manu to retire to the forest, he
handed over the kingdom to his son. (The son’s name is Ikshvaku.)
Manu then went to the foothills of Mount Malaya and started to perform
tapasya (meditation \ austerity). Thousands and thousands of years
passed. After some time Brahma appeared to him</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I am pleased with your prayers, said Brahma; "what
ever you like you can have just ask".</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have only one boon to ask for, replied Manu. Sooner
or later there will be a destruction (pralaya) and the world will no longer
exist. Please grant me the boon that it will be I who will save the
world. Grant me this service.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Brahma readily granted this boon.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Days passed. On one particular occasion, Manu was performing
ablutions in a pond near his hermitage. He immersed his hands in
the water so that he might offer some water to his ancestors. When
he raised his cupped hands, he found that there was a minnow (shafari)
swimming around in the water. Manu had no desire to kill the minnow.
He placed it carefully in his water-pot (kamandalu).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But the minnow started to grow and within a day, it was
sixteen fingers in length. Save me, king. said the fish. This
water-pot is too small for me.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Manu then placed the fish in a jar. But the fish
continued to grow and, within a day, it was three hands in length.
Save me, king. said the fish. This jar is too small for me.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Manu put the fish in a well, but the well soon became
too small for the fish. Manu transferred the fish to a pond, but
the pond was also too small for the fish. Manu now removed the fish
to the holy river Ganga, but even this was too small for the fish.
Finally, Manu transferred the fish to the ocean. There the fish grew
so much that it soon occupied the entire ocean.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Who are you? asked Manu. I have never seen or heard
of such wonders. Are you a demon that is deluding me with its illusions?
No, I do not think that you are a demon. Perhaps you are great Vishnu
himself. Please tell me the truth and satisfy my curiosity.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu then revealed that it was indeed he who had adopted
the form of a fish. He told Manu that the earth would soon be flooded
with water. Vishnu had a boat built by the gods. When
the earth was flooded, Manu was to place all living beings in the boat
and thus save them. Vishnu would himself arrive in his form of the
fish and Manu was to tie the boat to the fish’s horn. Thus the living
beings would be saved. And when the waters of the flood receded,
Manu could populate the world and rule over it.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu disappeared, and for a hundred years there was
a terrible drought on earth. The drough led to famine and people
died of starvation. Meanwhile, the sun blazed in fury and burnt up
the entire world. When everything had burnt to ashes, dark clouds
loomed in the sky. These are the clouds that appear at the time of
destruction and there are seven classes of such clouds, known as samvarta,
bhimananda, drona, chanda, valahaka, vidyutapataka and kona. From
the clouds, rain began to pour and soon, water engulfed the entire earth.
The land mass was flooded. As instructed by Vishnu, Manu gathered
together living beings inside the boat. And when the fish appeared,
he tied the boat to the fish’s horn.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While the boat was being dragged around by the fish,
Manu asked Vishnu several questions. The answeres that Vishnu
provided form the text of the Matsya Purana.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Creation.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In the beginning, there was nothing in the universe.
The was only darkness.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When the time came for creation to beigin, Vishnu removed
the darkness and expaned into three. These three parts came to be
known as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The first object that appeared
was water and Vishnu slept on this water. Since nara means water
and ayana means resting-place, Vishnu is accordingly also known as Narayana.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In this water next appeared a golden (hiranya) egg (anda).
The egg shone with the radiance of a thousand suns. Inside the egg,
Brahma grew from the navel of Vishnu. The egg was golden. Garbha
means womb, and since Vishnu appeared inside a golden egg, he is also known
as Hiranyagarbha.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For a thousand years Brahma stayed inside the egg.
He then split the shell into two and emerged out. Heaven (svarga)
was made from one half of the shell and the earth from the remaining half.
All the land masses, the oceans, the rivers and the mountains, had been
inside the egg in embryonic form. Brahma made them manifest.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Since he was the first (adi) being to be born, he is known
as Aditya. (The name Aditya is more commonly explained as characterising
the offspring of Aditi, from whom all the gods were descended. The
Matsya Purana refers to this later.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Brahma’s first act was to meditate. It was while
he was meditating that the Vedas were revealed from with in his heart.
He then distributed that knowledge.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ten sons were also born to Brahma. Created from
Brahma’s mental powers, they all became sages. Their names were Marichi,
Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Pracheta, Vashishtha, Bhrigu and
Narada. There were others too who were born. Daksha was born
from Brahma’s right toe. And the god Dharma was born from his chest.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But for further creation to continue, it was essential
that created beings should have proper mothers and fathers. Brahma
accordingly created two beings from his body, one was male and the other
was female. The male half was named Svayambhuva Manu and the female
half was named Shatarupa.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Shatarupa is also referred to as Savitri, Gayatri, Sarasvati
or Brahmani. Since she had been born from Brahma’s body, she was
like Brahma’s daughter. In fact, Vashishtha and the other sages who
were Brahma’s sons welcomed her as their sister. But Shatarupa was
so beautiful that Brahma fell in love with her and wished to marry her.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Shatarupa circled Brahma and showed her respects to him.
When she stood in front of him. Brahma gazed upon her with the face
that he had. But when she went and stood behind him, Brahma could
see her no longer. (Brahma, obviously, did not want to turn his head.)
Another head with another face therefore sprouted behind Brahma’s first
head so that he might be able to see Shatarupa. In similar fashion,
a head sprouted to Brahma’s first head so that he might be able to see
Shatarpa. In similar fashion, a head sprouted to Brahma’s right an
another one to his left.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Brahma married Shatarupa and they lived together as man
and wife for a hundred years. Their son was named Svayambhuva Manu.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Remember that this story was being told by Vishnu to Vaivasvata
Manu.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hearing the account, Vaivasvata Manu exclaimed. What you
have just said is truly amazing.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To continue with the account of the creation, Brahma created
the four kumars from his menatal powers and their names are Sananda, Sanaka,
Sanatana and Sanatakumara, and they became celebate brahmacaries .
Shiva appeared as well.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Brahma asked Shiva to help him in the act of creation.
Why don’t you create some beings as well?’ asked Brahma. Shiva complied
and started to create. But all the beings that he created were just
like him in appearance. That is , they were all immortal.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What are you doing? asked Brahma. Don’t create
immortal beings. Create mortal ones instead.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">That I refuse to do, retorted Shiva. If I am to
create, I shall create only immortals.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please do not create then, requested Brahma. I will
take care of creation myself.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Svayambhuva Manu performed very difficult tapsaya and
obtained a wife named Anati. (In other Puranas, Svayambhuva Manu
is stated to have married Shatarupa.) Svayambhuva Manu and Ananti
had two sons named Priyavrata and Uttanapada.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From Uttanapada was descended Prachinavarhi. Prachinavarahi
married Savarna, the daugther of the ocean, and they had ten sons.
These sons were known as the Prachetas. The ten Prachetas married
a woman named Marisha. That is, all of them had the same wife.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daksha was the son of the Prachetas and Marisha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daksha’s Descendants</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daksha married Panchanjani. (The more usual name,
as given in the other Puranas, is Asikli or Prasuti. Prasuti is said
to have been the daughter of Svayhambhuva Manu and Shatarupa. Asikli
was the daughter of Virana and is also referred to as Vairini.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daksha and Panchajani had one thousand sons. These
were known as the Haryakshas (alternatively, Haryashvas). Daksha
asked his sons to create more living beings.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But the sage Narada came and told the Haryakshas, You
can’t possibly create living beings unless you know where they are going
to live. Have you explored the universe that your creations are going
to populate? Why don’t you start out on a voyage of discovery?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Haryakshas did this and have never been heard of since.
They did not return. Instead became devoted brahmacaries.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daksha and Panchajani now had another thousand sons.
These were name the Shavalas. (The more usual name is the Shavalshvas.)
Narada asked the Shavalas also to explore the universe and they too disappeared.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sixty daughters were next born to Daksha and Panchajani.
Sometimes the number is given as sixty, sometimes as fifty and sometimes
as twenty-four.) Ten of these daughers were married to the god Dharma,
twenty-seven were married to the moon-god Chandra, and thirteen were married
to the sage Kashyapa. The remaining daughters were married to various
other sages.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The thirteen daughters who were married to Kashyapa were
named Aditi, Diti, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha,
Ira, Kadru, Vishva and Muni, (The names of Kashyapa’s wives,
particularly the minor ones, sometimes vary from Purana to Purana.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Aditi’s sons were known as the adityas. There were
twelve of them and they were named Indra, Dhata, Bhaga, Tvashta, Mitra,
Varuna, Yama, Vivasvana, Savita, Pusha, Amshumana and Vishnu. These
were the gods. (Yama is more commonly regarded as having been the
son of the sun-god and his wife Samjna.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Diti’s sons were the daityas (demons). There were
two of them, named Hiranyakshipu and Hiranyaksha. Their sons also
came to be known as the daityas. Hiranyaksha’s sons were Uluka. Shakuni,
Bhutasantapana and Mahanabha. (More commonly, Hiranyaksha’s son is
said to have been Andhaka. In some accounts, Hiranyaksha did not
have a son and Andhaka was adopted as a son.) Hiranyakshipu’s sons
were Prahlada, Anuhlada, Samhlada and Hlada. Prahlada’s son was Virochana,
Virochana’s son was Vali, and Vali’s son was Vanasura.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Danu had a hundred sons. These and their descendants
were known as the danavas (demons). Chief among the hundred sons
was Viprachitti. Maya, the archietect of the demons, was descended
from this line.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tamra had six daughters. These were the mothers
of the birds and of goats, horse, sheep, camels and donkeys.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vinata had two sons, Aruna and Garuda. Aruna’s sons
were Sampati and Jatayu.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Both Surasa and Kadru gave birth to snakes (nagas or sarpas).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Krodhavasha was the mother of rakshasas (demons); Surabhi
of cows and buffaloes; Muni of apsaras (dancers of heaven); Arishta aof
gandharvas (singers of heaven); Ira of trees and herbs; and Vishva of yakashas
(demi-gods).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Maruts</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Although the gods and the demons were cousins, they did
not like each other and fought amongst themselves all the time. Many
daityas were killed by Vishnu and the other gods.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Diti was disturbed to see her children suffer thus. She
resolved that she would meditate so as to obtain a son who would be so
powerful that he would kill Indra, the king of the gods. There was
a tirtha (place of pigrimage) named Syamantapanchaka on the banks of the
sacred river Sarasvati. Diti went there and started to pray to the
sage Kashyapa. She lived on roots and fruits and meditated for a
hundred years.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">These prayers pleased Kashyapa. Ask for a boon,
he said.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please grant me a son who will kill indra, replied Diti.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It shall be as you wish, said Kashyapa. But there
are some conditions. You will have to live in this hermitage for
a hundred years more. Throughout these hundred years you will
bear the baby in your womb. But there are certain conditions of cleanliness
that you must obeserved. You must not eat in the evening, nor must
you sleep under a tree at night. Excercise is not permitted in any
form. Do not sleep with your hair unbraided, or without having had
a bath. If you can observed these rules for a hundred years, you
will have the son you wish for.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kashyapa went away and Diti began to observe the rites
that the sage had prescribed. But Indra had got to know what was
afoot and he was naturally in no mood to permit the birth of a son who
would be the cause of his own destruction. He hung around Diti’s
hermitage, pretending to serve his aunt. He brought her firewood
and fruit and served her in other ways. But in reality, he was merely
waiting for an opportunity. He was waiting for the moment when Diti
would fail to observed the norms of cleaniness that had been laid down
for her.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ninety-nine years and three hundred and sixty-two days
passed. That is, only three days were left for the period of one
hundred years to be over. (In some other Puranas,it is stated that
ninety years had passed uneventfully.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Diti was tired on one particular occasion. Since
the period of her ordeal was soon to end, she had also become somewhat
careless. She fell asleep without washing her hair. What was
worse, she went to sleep without having braided her hair. This was
an act of gross uncleanliness.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Indra seized his chance. Since Diti had committed
an unclean act, her defences had been lowered. Indra entered Diti’s
womb in a trice. Indra has a wonderful weapon named vajra.
(This is sometimes with a club.) With the vajra, Indra sliced the
baby in Diti’s womb into seven parts. These parts started to cry.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ma ruda, said Indra. Don’t cry.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But the parts continued to cry. Indra therefore
chopped up each of the parts into seven more sections, so that there were
forty-nine parts in all.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Since Diti had failed to observe the prescribed rites,
these forty-nine sections were no longer a threat to Indra. When
they were born, they came to be known as the maruts from the words Indra
had used in addressing them. They were elevated to the status of
gods and became Indra’s friends and constant companions.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Manvantaras</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Each manvantara is an age and is ruled over by a Manu.
One of Brahma’s days is known as a kalpa and there are fourteen manvantaras
in every kalpa. At the end of every kalpa, the universe is destroyed
and has to be created afresh.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In the present kalpa, six manvantaras have already passed
and the seventh manvantara is now current. There will be seven more manvantaras
in the future before the universe and its inmates are destroyed.
The gods, the seven great sages (saptarshis) and the individual who holds
the title of Indra, change from one manvantara to another. The fourteen
eras of the present kalpa are as follows.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (1) The first Manu was Svayambhuva. The gods
then were the yamas.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (2) Svarochisha was the second Manu.
The gods were the tushitas and the names of the seven great sages were
Dattoli, Chyavana, Stambha, Prana, Kashyapa, Ourva and Brihaspati.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (3) The third Manu was Outtama. The
gods were named the bhavanas and Koukurundi, Dalbhya, Shankha, Pravahana,
Shiva, Sita and Sasmita were the saptarshis.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (4) Tamas was the fourth Manu. The seven
great sages were Kavi,Prithu, Agni, Akapi, Kapi, Jalpa and Dhimana and
the gods were known as the sadhyas.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (5) The fifth manvantara was ruled over by
a Manu named Raivata. The gods were the abhutarajas and the seven great
sages were Devavahu, Suvahu, Parjanya, Somapa, Munti, Hiranyaroma and
Saptashva.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (6) Chakshusha was the sixth Manu. The
gods were known as the lekhas and the seven great sages were Bhrigu, Sudhama,
Viraja, Sahishnu, Nada, Vivasvana, and Atinama.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (7) The seventh manvantara is the one
that is now current and the name of the Manu is Vaivasvata.
The saptarshis are Atri, Vashishtha, Kashyapa, Goutama, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra
and
Jamadagni. The gods are the sadhyas, the vishvadevas, the maruts,
the vasus, the two ashvinis and the adityas.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (8) The eighth Manu will be Savarni and the
seven great sages of this era will be Ashvatthama, Sharadvana, Koushika,
Galava, Shatananda, Kashyapa and Rama.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (9) The ninth Manu wil be Rouchya.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (10) Bhoutya will be the tenth Manu.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (11) The eleventh Manu will be named Merusavarni.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (12) Rita will be the twelfth Manu.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (13) Ritadhama will be the thirteenth Manu.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> (14) The fourteenth and final Manu will be
named Vishvakasena.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Prithu</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A king named Anga was descended from Svayuambhuva Manu.
Anga married Sunitha, the daughter of Mrityu, and they had a son named
Vena. Mrityu was an evil person. From his childhood, Vena associated
with this maternal grandfather of his and thus came to acquire evil ways.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When Vena became king after Anga, he started to
oppress the world. He stopped all yajnas and the prayers to the gods.
He insisted that people should pray only to Vena. The sages did their
level best to persuade Vena to return to the righteous path, but Vena would
not listen.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The sages then killed Vena. (The Matsya Purana merely
states that Vena died as a result of the curse imposed on him by the sages.
The other Puranas say that the sages actually killed him with some straw
over which incantations had been chanted.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vena had no sons and a kingdom does not flourish in the
absence of a king. Therefore, when Vena was dead, the sages started
to knead the dead body so that a son might be born. The first being
that emerged as a result of this kneading was a dark and dwarfish son.
All the evil that was in Vena’s body entered the body of this son so that
there was no more evil left in the dead body. (Other Puranas state
that this son came to be known as nishada and this name was also passed
on to his descendants. The nishadas became a class of hunters and
fishermen.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When the kneading continued, a handsome son was born from
Vena’s right hand. He was born fully grown and held bows, arrows
and clubs in his hands when he emerged. His entire body was clad
in shining armour. The word prithu means great. Since the son
was born after a great deal of effort, he was given the name Prithu.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The sages made arrangements for Prithu’s coronation.
Prithu was a good king who ruled well.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But Prithu’s subjects still did not have the meansl to
make a living. They asked their king to do something about this.
Prithu decided that since the earth was not providing any foodgrains, he
would kill the earth. The earth adopted the form of a cow and started
to flee.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Wherever the earth went, the king followed in hot pursuit.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The earth finally realized that she could not escape by
running away. She told Prithu, Please do not kill me. Then
your subjects will not even have a place to live in. Your object
is to find a means of living for your subjects. How will that be
accomplished if you kill me? Milk me instead of killing me.
The foodgrains that the milking will yield will provide the sustenance
for your subjects.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Prithu accordingly milked the earth. It is because
of this that the earth is known as prithivi. Prithu also levelled
out the earth with his bow so that his subjects could live in the plains
thus created.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The earth prospered during Prithu’s rule. Poverty,
disease and sins were unknown. Everyone was righteous.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Solar Line</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The sages requested Romaharshana. Please tell us
the history of the solar line.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Romaharshana explained.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Aditi and the sage Kashyapa gave birth to the sun-god,
Vivasvana or Surya, as a son.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Surya had three wives, Samjna, Rajni and Prabha. Rajna
had a son named Revata and Prabha had a son named Prabhata (morning).
(Usually, only Samjna is mentioned in the other Puranas.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Surya and Samjna had two sons and a daughter. The
eldest son was Vaivasvata Manu. And the remaining two offspring were
twins named Yama and Yamuna.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The sun’s radiance was however too much for Samjna to
bear. After a while, she could not bear it any longer. She
therefore created a woman out of her own body. The woman looked exactly
like Samjna and was named Chhaya (shadow). There was no way of telling
the two apart.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Stay here and pretend to be me, said Samjna. Look
after my husband and my children. No one will know the truth unless
you tell them. As for me, I am going away.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Surya did not realize that Samjna had left. He took
Chhaya to be his wife, and Surya and Chhaya had two sons and two daughters.
The sons were Savarni Manu and Shani (Saturn) and the daughters were Tapati
and Vishti. (The second daughter named Vishti does not usually occur
in the other Puranas.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Chhaya was clearly fonder of her own children and neglected
Samjna’s. This did not bother Vaivasvata Manu too much. He
was the eldest and more collected and balanced. But Yama resented
this favouritism of Chhaya’s. In a fit of petulance, he raised his foot
to kick Chhaya.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Chhaya cursed Yama. I curse you that your foot may
be devoured by worms, she said. May it be infected with pus and blood.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This alarmed Yama and he rushed to his father. My
mother has cursed me, he told Surya. I am only a child. Even
if I did commit a sin, does a mother ever curse her children? I have
serious suspicion that she is not our mother at all.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When Surya presented Chhaya with this, she came out with
the truth and Surya learnt that Samjna had left. Samjna’s father
was Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods. Surya went to his father-in-law
to find out if he knew anything of Chhaya’s whereabouts.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Indeed, I do, replied Vishvakarma. When Samjna left
your house, she came to me in the form of a mare. But I refused to
let her live in my house, since she had left her husband’s house without
seeking his permission. She is living at the moment in the desert.
But Samjna did what she did because she could not bear to stand your energy
and radiance. If you permit, I shall shave off some of the excess
energy, so that people can look at you.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vishvakarma shaved off some of the sun’s energy.
With the excess energy were constructed many of the weapons of the gods
such as Vishnu’s chakra (a bladed-discus), Shiva’s trident (trishula)
and Indra’s vajra. This made the sun’s appearance much more pleasant
and bearable. The only parts of Surya’s body that were not thus modified
were the feet. No one can bear to look at Surya’s feet and it is
forbidden to visualise the sun-god’s feet when one is praying to him.
A person who does not follow this injuction is a sinner and is made to
suffer from leprosy.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Surya now went to look for Samjna and found her in the
form of a mare. He too adopted the form of a horse and joined her.
As horses, they had two sons. Since ashva means horse, the
sons were known as the Ashvinis. They became the physicians
of the gods and were also known as Nasatya and Dasra. After
the Ashvinis were born, Surya and Samjna gave up their forms of horses
and returned to their usual forms.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Savarni Manu went away to perform tapasya (meditation)
on Mount Sumeru. He is destined to be one of the future Manus.
Shani became a planet and Yamuna a river. As for Tapati, she too
became a river (Tapai), (The Mahabharata states that Tapati married
King Samvarana and gave birth a son named Kuru. From Kuru the line
came to be known as that of the Kauravas.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Yama had been cursed by Chhaya that his feet would rot
and be infected with worms. To mitigate the effects of the curse,
Surya gave Yama a bird which ate up all the worms. Thereafter, Yama
went to a tirtha named Gokarna and started to pray to Shiva. For
thousands of years he prayed and eventually managed to please Shiva.
Shiva granted Yama the boon that he would be the god of death. He
would mete out punishments to sinners in accordance with the sins (papa)
that they had committed. He would also keep account of the store
of merit (punya) that righteous people accumulated.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vaivasvata Manu ruled as Manu. He had ten sons.
The eldest was named Ila. (In many other Puranas, Ila is said
to have been a daughter.) The other sons were named Ikshvaku, Kushanabha,
Arishta, Dhrishta, Narishyanata, Karusha, Sharyati, Prishadhra and Nabhaga.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The solar line owes its origin to Ikshavaku. In
this line was born king Bhagiratha, who brought the sacred river Ganga
down from heaven. (The story is related in the Mahabharata)
Further down the line was Dasharatha and Dasharatha’s son was Rama.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ila and the Lunar Line</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vaisvasvata Manu’s eldest son was Ila. (As mentioned
earlier, many Puranas state that Ila was a daughter. Vaivasvata Manu
did not have a son and performed a yajna so that a son might be born.
But a daughter was born instead, and Manu brought her up as a son.
This daughter was Ila. Ikshvaku and her other brothers were born
only subsequently.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When Vaivasvata Manu became old, he retired to the forest.
Ila was appointed the ruler in his place. Ila set out on a voyage
of conquest and travelled throughout the world.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There was a forest named sharavana, frequented by Shiva
and Parvati. Shiva had decreed that any man who entered the forest
would become a woman. King Ila did not know about this rule and set
foot in the forest inadvertently he immediaely got transformed into a woman.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What is going to happen to me now? thought Ila.
Where will I live? He even forgot all about his earlier life.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The moon-god, Chandra, had a son named Budha. While
Ila was wandering around. Budha came upon her and fell in love with
her. The two had a son named Pururava and Pururava was the ancestor
of the lunar line.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile, Ikshvaku and the other brothers had started
to look for Ila. When they could find no trace of their brother,
they asked the sage Vashishtha if he knew of Ila’s whereabouts. Vashishtha
used his mental powers to find out what had happened. He asked the
princes
to pray to Shiva and Parvati. That was the only way to make Ila a
man once more.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The prayers pleased Shiva and Parvati and they found out
what the princes want. But what you desire is quite impossible, they
told Ikshvaku and his brother. Ila can never be made a man
once again. At best, we will grant you the following boon.
Ila will alternate between being a man for one month and a woman for one
month.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The princes had to be content with this. As a woman,
Ila continued to be known as Ila. But as a man, he came to known
as Sudyumna and had three sons named Utkala, Gaya and Haritashva.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daksha and Sati</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I will now tell you about Daksha and Sati, Romaharshana
told the sages.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daksha had a daughter named Sati who was married to Shiva.
Daksha did not like his son-in-law at all. When he organized a yajna,
he did not invite Shiva to attend the ceremony. (The story of the
destruction of Daksha’s yajna is mentioned in almost every Purana.
The actual destruction is not described in the Matsya Purana. It
can be found, for example, in the Bhagavata Purana.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But Sati went to the ceremony, although Shiva had not
been invited. Why did you not invite Shiva? Sati asked
her father.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Because your husband is undeserving of such honour, replied
Daksha. He is not fit to be treated on par with the other gods.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">These words angered Sati. I am ashamed that I am
your daughter. She said. Cursed am I that I have had to hear
such abuses of the great Shiva. I no longer wish to be your daughter.
I will therefore give up this physical body that I owe to you, by suicide.
As for you, I curse you that you will be born on earth as the son of the
ten Prachetas. You will then try to perform an ashvamdha yajna
(horse sacrifice). But Shiva will destroy the ceremony.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daksha tried to pacify Sati. Please have mercy on
me, he said. You are the mother of the entire universe. How
will the universe survive if you die? It is only through your good
grace that you manifested as my daughter. Please do not forsake me.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What I have said cannot be negated, replied Sati.
But I will grant you this much. When you are born on earth, you will
continue to be devoted to me.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Where will I pray to you? asked Daksha. At
what tirthas? And what are the names by which I will address you
in the course of my prayers?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sati then told Daksha one hundred and eight of her names.
She also told him the names of one hundred and eight tirthas at which she
was known by these respective names. These names and tirthas are
as follows, witht he names being given first and the tirthas second.</span>
</div>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(1) Vishalakshi at Varanasi</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (2) Lingadharini at Naimisha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (3) Lalitadevi at Prayaga.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (4) Kamakshi at Gandhamadana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (5) Kumuda at Manasa.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (6) Vishvakaya at Ambara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (7) Gomati at Gomanta.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (8) Kamacharini at Mandara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (9) Madotkata at Chaitraratha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (10) Jayanti at Hastinapura.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (11) Gouri at Kanyakuvja.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (12) Rambha at Malayachala.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (13) Kirtimati at Ekamra.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (14) Vishva at Vishveshvara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (15) Puruhuta at Pushkara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (16) Margadayini at Kedara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (17) Nanda at Himalaya.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (18) Bhadrakarnika at Gokarna.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (19) Bhavani at Sthaneshvara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (20) Vilvapatrikat at Vilva.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (21) Madhavi at Shrishaila.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (22) Bhadra at Bhadreshvara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (23) Jaya at Varahashaila.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (24) Kamala at Kamalalalya.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (25) Rudrani at Rudrakoti.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (26) Kali at Kalanjara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (27) Kapila at Mahalinga.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (28) Mukuteshvari at Markata.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (29) Mahadevi at Shalagrama.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (30) Janapriya at Shivalinga.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (31) Kumari at Mayapuri.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (32) Lalita at Santana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (33) Utpalakshi at Sahasraksha</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (34) Mahotpala at Kamalaksha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (35) Mangala at Gangatira.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (36) Vimala at Purushottama.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (37) Amoghakshi at Vipasha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (38) Patala at Pundravarddhana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (39) Narayani at Suparshva.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (40) Bhadrasundari at Vikuta.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (41) Vipula at Vipula.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (42) Kalyani at Malalyachala.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (43) Kotavi at Kotitirtha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (44) Sugandha at Madhavana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (45) Trisandhya at Godasharma.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (46) Ratipriya at Gangadvara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (47) Shivananda at Shivakunda</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (48) Nandini at Devikatata.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (49) Rukmini at Dvaravati.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (50) Radha at Vrindavana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (51) Devaki at Mathura.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (52) Parameshvari at Patala.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (53) Sita at Chitrakuta.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (54) Vindyavasini at Vindhya.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (55) Ekavira at Sahyadri.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (56) Chandrika at Harichandra.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (57) Aroga at Vaidyanatha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (58) Maheshvari at Mahakala.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (59) Abhaya at Ushnatirtha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (60) Amrita at Vindhyakandara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (61) Mandavi at Mandavya.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (62) Svaha at Maheshvarapura.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (63) Prachanda at Chhagalanda.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (64) Chandrika at
Makaranda.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (65) Vararoha at Someshvara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (66) Pushkaravati at Prabhasa.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (67) Devamata at Sarasvati.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (68) Mata at Sagara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (69) Mahabhaga at Mahalaya.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (70) Pingaleshvari at Payoshni.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (71) Simhika at Kritashoucha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (72) Yashaskari at Kartikeya.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (73) Lola at Utapalvarta.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (74) Subhadra at Shonasangama.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (75) Lakshimata at Siddhapura.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (76) Angana at Bharatashrama.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (77) Vishvamukhi at Jalandhara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (78) Tara at Kishkindhyachala.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (79) Pushti at Devadaruvana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (80) Medha at Kashmiramandala.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (81) Bhimadevi at Himachala.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (82) Pushti at Vishveshvara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (83) Shuddhi at Kapalamochana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (84) Sita at Mayavarohana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (85) Dhvani at Shankhoddhara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (86) Dhriti at Pendara.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (87) Kala at Chandrabhaga.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (88) Shivakarini at Achchhodatira.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (89) Amrita at Vena.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (90) Urvashi at Vadrivina</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (91) Oushadhi at Uttarakur.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (92) Kushodaka at Kushavdvipa</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (93) Manmatha at Hemakuta.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (94) Satyavadini at Mukuta.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (95) Vandaniy at Ashvattha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (96) Nidhi at Kuberalaya.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (97) Gayatri at Vedavadana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (98) Parvati at Shivasannidhana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (99) Indrani at Devaloka.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (100) Sarasvati at Brahmamukha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (101) Prabha at Suryabimba.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (102) Vaishnavi at Matrigana.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (103) Arundhati at Satismukha.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (104) Tilottama.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (105) Brahmakala.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> (106) Shakti.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Having recited these names, Sati immolated herself.
She was later reborn as Parvati or Uma, the daughter of Menaka and Himalaya.
She was remarried to Shiva.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As for Daksha, he was born on earth as the son of the
ten Prachetas.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Matsya Pruana now devotes several sections to shradha
(funeral) ceremonies.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Brahmadatta</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There used to be a sage named Koushika. Koushika
had seven sons named Svasripa, Krodhana, Himsra, Pishuna, Kavi, Vagadushta
and Pitrivarti. These sons all became disciples of the sage Garga.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After Koushika died, there was a terrible drought on earth.
Famine raged and people went hungry. Garga had asked his disciples
to tend to his cattle and the seven brothers had taken the cattle to the
forest so that they might browse on the grass that grew there.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The brothers suffered so much from hunger that they decided
to slay one of the cows and eat it.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Killing a cow would be a sin, remarked the youngest.
If we have to kill the cow, let us at least perform its funeral ceremony.
Perhaps that will reduce the severity of the sin that we are committing.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The other brothers agreed to this. The funeral rites
of the cow were observed. It was then killed and eaten. The
brothers returned to Garga and told him. A cow has been killed and
eaten by a tiger.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Garga saw no reason to disbelieve them. But the
sin remained a sin. And as a consequence of having committed a crime,
the brothers were born as hunters in their next lies. They were born as
jatismaras. That is, they remembered the incidents of their earlier
lives.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Since the brothers remembed what they had been in their
earlier lives, they saw no reason to live as hunters. They therefore
fasted until they died. They were next reborn as deer. But
the deer continued to be jatismaras and fasted to death. The brothers
were reborn as birds. Four of the brothers continued to be detached
from material pursuits and spent their time in meditation. But the
three remaining brothers were not so lucky.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The king of Panchala had once come to the forest with
his group. The king’s name was Vibhraja. One of the birds was
struck by the king’s pomp and glory and wished to be born as a king in
his next life. King Vibhraja and two ministers with him and all the
soldiers seemed to be following the instructions of the ministers.
Accordingly, two of the birds desired to be born as ministers in their
next lives.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The one who wished to be a king was born as Brahmadatta,
King Vibhraja’s son. The two who desired to be born as ministers
became Pundarika and Suvalaka, the sons of the two ministers whom they
had seen. The remaining three brothers were not attached to material
pursuits and were born as brahmanas (the first of the four classes).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Brahmadatta married Kalyani. Kayanti had been the
cow whom the brothers had killed.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What was most remarkable was the fact that Brahmadatta
could understand the languages of all living beings.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Brahmadatta and Kalyani were once taking a walk in their
garden. Brahmadata heard two ants conversing. Since he could
understand the languages of all living beings, he could follow what the
ants were saying.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Why are you angry with me?’ asked the male ant. Why are
you refusing to speak to me?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Go away and do not pester me, replied the female ant.
You say you love me very much. And yet, when you got some grains
of sugar yesterday, you gave them to another ant and not to me. I
refuse to speak to you.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">That was my mistake, said the male ant. I thought
that it was you to whom I was giving the grains of sugar. I will
never make such a mistake in the future. Please pardon me and smile.
I cannot bear to see you so angry. The ants made up.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The conversation made Brahmadatta laugh. Kalyani
naturally wanted to know why Brahmadatta was laughing and the king reported
the entire conversation to his wife.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But Kalyani refused to believe her husband. How
can any man understand the language of ants? she wanted to know.
You are lying. You must have been laughing at me.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Brahmadatta tried to convince his wife, but Kalyani would
not listen. The king did not know what to do. But while he
was sleeping, he dreamt that Vishnu appeared before him and told him to
wait till the next morning. Brahmadatta’s mind would be set at rest
then.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Remember the four brothers who had been born as brahmanas
? They were born as the sons of a brahmana named Sudaridra
and were named Dhritimana, Tattvadarshi, Vidyachanda and Tapotsuka.
Since they were born as jatismaras, they remembered their earlier lives
and had no desire to tied down by material pursuits. They wanted
to retire to the forest and meditate.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But Sudaridra tried to restrain his sons. How can
you do that? he asked How can you retire to the forest to meditate?
Your duty is to look after me in my old age. If you do not look after
me, I shall starve to death. Please do not commit that sin.You will
not starve to death, replied his sons. Go to King Brahmadatta and
ask him for wealth. He will give you gold and villages. Tell
him to remember the sage Garga, the hunters, the deer and the birds. The
four sons went away to the foest. Sudarida came to meet the king. He met
the king on the day following Brahmadatta’s dream. Sudaridra’s words
reminded Brahmadatta of what he had been in his earlier lives. He
was ashamed that he had forgotten those incidents and had become addicted
to material pursuits. He decided to join his brothers in the forest.
He gave Sudaridra as much wealth as the brahmana wanted and handed over
the kingdom to the prince, Vishvaksena.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The brothers Pundarika and Suvalaka also accompanied Brahmadatta
to the forest. It was thus that Koushika’s seven sons eventually
attained salvation. There is one thing we do not understnad, said the sages.
How was it that Brahmadatta could understand the languages of all living
beings? That is easily explained. Replied Romaharshana.
King Vibraja had prayed to Vishnu that he might obtain such a son and the
boon was granted.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Matysa Purana now continues with a cataloguing of
the major tirthas.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Chandra and Budha</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You forgot to tell us how Budha was born, remarked the
sages. Nor did you tell us anything about Chandra’s birth.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Romaharshana filled in the blanks. The sage Atri was Brahma’s
son. Atri once performed very difficult tapasya. A tremendous
amount of energy was released as a result of this meditation and the moon-god,
Chandra or Soma, was born from this energy. Brahma appointed Chandra
ruler over all stars, planets and herbs (oshadhi).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Twenty-seven of Daksha’ daughter were married to Chandra.
These were the nakshatras (stars). Chandra performed a rajasuya yajna (royal
sacrifice) and the ceremony was an outstanding success. But all this success
and glory went to Chandra’s head. The preceptor of the gods was the sage
Brihaspati and Brihaspati’s wife was Tara. Chandra’s eyes fell upon
Tara and he forcibly abducted her. On several occasions Brihaspati
asked Chandra to return Tara, but the moon-god would not listen.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">A terrible war then raged between
the gods and demons over Tara. The gods fought on Brihaspati’s side
and the demons aided Chandra. Shiva also fought on the side of the gods.
As the war raged, Shiva let fly a terrible divine weapon named brahmashirsha
at Chandra. Chandra countered this with another terrible divine weapon
named somastra. These two weapons of destruction threatened to burn
up the entire universe. Brahma decided that it was time for him to intervene.
Stop this nonsense at once, he told Chandra. What you have done is
most improper. Return Tara at once. These words ashamed Chandra and
he returned Tara. But Chandra and Tara had already had a handsome
son named Budha. Budha became very skilled in the handling of elephants.
In fact, the knowledge of tackling and handling elephants goes back to
Budha. You already know that Budha married Ila and that they had a son
named Pururava. Pururava and Urvashi Pururava was a very strong king who
ruled the earth well. He performed one hundred ashvamedha yajnas.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The three goals of human life are dharma (righteousness),
artha (wealth) and kama (that which is desired). (Usually, a fourth
goal of moksha salvation) is added.) These three goals wished to see which
of them Pururava desired the most. They therefore adopted human forms
and came to visit Pururava. Pururava treated them with utmost respect
and gave them golden seats to sit on. He offered them all sorts of
offerings. In the process, Dharma received more of the offerings
than Artha and Kama. This angered Artha and Kama. You will be destroyed,
Artha cursed Pururava. You will go mad over Urvashi, Kama cursed Pururava
But Dharma blessed Pururava. You will live for long and you will
never deviate from the righteous path, he said. Your descendants
will rule for ever. Having thus cursed and blessed Pururava, Dharma, Artha
and Kama disappeared. On one particular occasion, Pururava was driving
his chariot through a forest. He suddenly found that a demon named
Keshi was abducting an apsara (dancer of heaven). This apsara was
none other than Urvashi. Pururava defeated the demon and rescued
Urvashi. He restored her to Indra, the king of the gods. Indra
was deligthed at this act and Indra and Pururava became friends.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The sage Bharata taught mankind how to sing and dance.
To celebrate Urvashi’s return, Indra asked Bharata to stage a performance.
As entertainers, Bharata chose three apsaras. They were Menaka, Urvashi
and Rambha. Menaka and Rambha danced as they should. But Urvashiw
was attracted by King Pururava and kept looking at him. The result
was that Urvashi fell out of step. This angered Bharata and he cursed
Urvashi that she would have to spend fifty-five years on earth. On earth,
Urvashi married Pururava and they had eight sons named Ayu, Dridayau, Ashvayu,
Dhanayu, Dhritamana, Vasu, Shuchividya and Shatayu. (The story of how Pururava
lost Urvashi is not given in the Matsya Purana. Apart from the Mahabharata,
it can be found in several other Puranas.)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Yayati</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In the lunar line there was a king named Nahusha and Nahusha’s
son was Yayati. Yayati had two wives , Sharmishtha and Devayani.
Sharmishtha was the daughter of Vrishaparva, the king of the danavas (demons).
And Devayani’s father was Shukracharya, the preceptor of the demons.
Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu and Sharmishtha gave birth to Druhya,
Anu and Puru. Yayati ruled the world extremely well for many years.
He performed many yajnas. But eventually he grew old. The problem
was that although Yayati grew old, he was not yet tired of sensual pleasures.
He still desired to savour the joys that the world had to offer. Yayati
told his five sons.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Because of Shukracharya’s curse, an untimely old age has
come upon me and I am not content with what I have savoured of life.
I request one of you to give me his youth and accept my old age in return.
When I have satified myself with worldly pleasures, I will take back my
old age and return the youth. Except for Puru, the other four sons flatly
refused such an exchange. They had no desire to part with their valued
youth. They were thereupon cursed by their father. (Although
not mentioned in the Matsya Purana., the curse was that they or their descendants
would never be kings.) As for Puru, he said, Please accept my youth and
be happy. It is my duty to serve and I will gladly take upon me your
old age.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For a thousand years Yayati savoured the pleasures of
the world with Puru’s youth. A thousand years were not enough to
satisfy Yayati. He accepted his old age and returned Puru’s youth.
He blessed Puru for his obedience and announced to the word that Puru was
his only true son. Puru inherited the kingdom after Yayati.
His descendants were known as the Pauravas. It was in this line that
King Bharata was born. It is after Bharata that the land we live
in is known as Bharatavarsha.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The sages interrupted Romaharshana. What is this
curse of Shukracharya’s that Yayati referred to?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You have forgotten to tell us about that. I will, replied
Romaharshana. But first, let me tell you about Kacha and Devayani.
Kacha and Devayani The gods and the demons fought with each other all the
time. As you know, Brihaspati was the preceptor of the gods and Shukracharya
was the preceptor of the demons. Shukracharya knew a wonderful art
known as mritasanjivani. This was the knowledge of bringing back
dead people to life. (The Harivamsha tells us that Shukracharya learnt
this art by praying to Shiva and pleasing him. The Matsya Purana
refers to this story later.) Since Shukracharya knew this art, the gods
were terrified.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Any demons whom the gods killed were promptly brought
back to life by Shukracharya. But Brihaspati knew no such art.
So any gods that the demons killed, stayed dead. The gods pondered
about this problem and finally arrived at a solution. Brihaspati had a
son named Kacha. The gods told Kacha. Go and become Shukracharya’s
disciple. Try to learn the art of mritasanjivani from him.
Shukracharya has a beautiful daughter named Devayani. Try to gain
her favour so that your task may become easier. Kacha went to Shukracharya.
Please accept me as your disciple, he said. I am the great
Brihaspati’s son. I will serve you faithfully for a thousand years.
Since no mention was made of mritasanjivani. Shukracharya gladly
agreed to ths proposition. Kacha lived with Shukracharya and served
his guru (teacher). He became friendly with Devayani and Devayani
started to fall in love with Kacha. Five hundred years passed. The
demons got to know that Kacha was Brihaspati’s son. Since they hated
Brihaspati, they hated Kacha as well. Kacha was in the habit of taking
Shukracharya’s cattle to the forest to graze. When Kacha was alone
in the forest, the demons seized their chance. They slew Kacha and
fed his body to the tigers. In the evening, the cattle returned home alone.
Kacha was not with them. Seeing this, Devayani told her father, The
cattle have returned home without Kacha. I am certain that someone
has killed him. I am in love with Kacha and cannot survive without
him. Please do something. Do not worry, Shukracharya
told Devayani. I will bring Kacha back to life with the art of mritasanijivani.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As soon as Shukracharya recited the magical mantra (incantation),
Kacha appeared before them, strong and healthy. Days passed. Kacha
went to the forest once more, this time to get flowers. The demons
killed him again. But this time they burnt the dead body and mixed
the ashes in a goblet of wine. They then served the wine to Shukracharya
to drink. When Kacha did not return, Devayani again told her father.
I am certain that someone has killed Kacha. I cannot survive
without him. Please do something.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Through this powers, Shukracharya discovered what had
happened. He told his daughter, We have a real problem on our hands.
Kacha is inside my stomach. I can revive Kacha by summoning him through
mritasanjivani. But in the process, he will have to tear asunder
my body and I shall die. Tell me, beloved daughter, which do you
want ? Either Kacha or your father ?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I refuse the choice. replied Devayani. Both you
and Kacha must live. I cannot survive without either. Shukracharya
then decided that there was only one way out. He addressed Kacha, who was
inside his stomach, and taught him the words of the mrtasanjivani mantra.
He then recited the words himself and out came Kacha. Shukracharya’s
body was torn apart and the sage died. But Kacha had learnt the words
of the mantra. He now recited them to bring Shukracharya back to
life. Kacha thus learnt what he had set out to achieve. After spending
a thousand years with Shukracharya, he prepared to return to heaven. Where
are you going? asked Devayani. Do you not know that I am in love
with you? Please marry me. I am afraid that I cannot do that, replied
Kacha. You are my guru’s daughter. Therefore, you are my superior
just as my guru is my superior. I cannot marry you. Moreover,
I have spent some time inside his body. And when I came out, it was
as if a son had been born from him. You are therefore my sister.
How can I possibly marry you? Thus spurned. Devayani became very
angry. You are playing with words, she said. I curse you that
although you have learnt the art of mritasanjivani, it will prove to be
of no use to you. You have needlessly cursed me, retorted Kacha.
I too curse you that no brahmana will ever marry you and that you will
never get whatever it is that you wish for.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sharmishtha and Devayani</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sharmishtha was the daughter of Vrishaparva, the king
of the danavas. Sharmishtha and Devayani were great friends, until
Indra played some mischief. The two friends had gone to bathe in a pond
and had left their clothes on the bank. Indra adopted the form of
a breeze and mixed up the clothes. When Sharmishtha got her clothes
after having had her bath, she put on Devayani’s clothes by mistake. Devayani
said, How dare you wear my clothes ? My father is your father’s teacher
and you are my inferior in every respect. You have no business to
put on my clothes. I am not your inferior. replied Sharmishatha.
It is you who are my inferior. My father is the king and your father
thrives on my father’s generoisty. The two friends started to quarrel.
Sharmishtha flung Devayani into a well and left her there, taking her to
be dead. At that time, King Yayati came to the forest on a hunt.
He was thirsty and looked for some water. When he found the well,
he discovered Devayani inside it. He rescued Devayani. Yayati
also fell in love with her, so that the two got married. Shukracharya got
to know about all this and was furious at the treatment that Sharmishtha
had meted out to his daughter. He threatened to leave the demons.
Vrishaparva did his best to persuade Shukracharya not to leave them, but
Shukracharya insisted that he would stay only if Devayani was pacified.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vrishaparva promised to give Devayani whatever it was
that she wished for. Sharmishtha has insulted me, said Devayani.
She has called me her inferior. My mind will be set at rest only
if Sharmishtha serves as a servant. Vrishaparva agree to this conditon
and Sharistha became Devayani’s servant, together with one thousand other
demon women. After Yayati and Devayani got married. Shukracharya
told Yayati, Sharmish is Devayani’s servant and you are married to
Devayani. Under no circumstances marry Sharmishtha, otherwise
I am going to curse you. In due course, Devayani gave birth to Yadu and
Turvasu. Sharmishtha had secretly married Yayati and she too gave
birth to Druhya, Anu and Puru. How come you to have sons? Asked Devayani.
Who is your husband? My husband is a brahmana, replied Sharmishtha.
I do not know his name. But when Devayani asked Druhya, Anu and Puru about
their father, the truth came out. They told her that they were King
Yayati’s sons. You have insulted me,</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Devayani told Yayati.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You have married my servant. Shukracharya was also furious.
Yayati had gone against his wishes and had married Sharmishtha. Shukracharya
cursed Yayati that old age would set upon the king, although he was still
in the prime of youth. Please do not curse me, said Yayati. I am
married to your daughter. I wish to live with her as her husband.
Do you wish your son-in-law to be an old servant? My curse cannot be lifted,
replied Shukracharya. But I will try and mitigate the effects.
I grant you the power that you can pass on this old age to whomsoever you
wish. It was this old age that Puru accepted. The Matsya Purana now
describes the descendants of Yadu, Turvasu, Druhya, Anu and Puru.Mritasanjivani</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But what about mritasanyjivani? asked the sages.
You haven’t told us how Shukracharya came to acquire this wonderful knowledge.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Romaharshana told them the following story.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The gods and the demons fought all the time and the demons
were sometimes beaten up in these encounters. Shukracharya consoled the
demons. Do not worry, he said. I will try and acquire powers
that will make the demons invincible. I am going off to pray.
While I am gone, do not fight with the gods. Give up arms and lead
the lives of hermits. Wait till my return. Shukracharya’s father
was the sage Brhrigu. The demons were instructed to wait in Bhrigu’s
hermitage for Shukracharya’s return. The preceptor of the demons began
to pray to Shiva. When Shiva appeared, Shukracharya told him that
he wished to be taught a mantra that would make the demons invincible.
I will grant your request, said Shiva. But you will have to
observe a difficult vrata (religious rite). For a thousand years
you will have to meditate. And you will have to live only on smoke.
Shukracharya agreed to observe the vrata.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile, the gods got to know what Shukracharya was
up to. They realized that, once Shukracharya returned, they would
be in no position to tackle the demons. The best thing to do was
to attack the demons immediately, while they had given up arms and were
living as hermits. The demons tried to tell the gods that this was
not fair. They should not be attacked when they had forsaken arms.
But the gods would not listen. They started to kill the demons.
The demons fled to Shukracharya’s mother, Bhrigu’s wife, for protecion.
Do not despair, she assured the demons. I will protect you. When
the gods attacked, the lady used her powers to make Indra completely immobile.
Indra could not move at all. He stood there like a statue.
This strange sight scared the gods so much that they started to run away.
Vishnu came to help Indra. He told Indra to enter his body, so that
Vishnu might be able to save him. I will burn both of you up through my
powers, said Shukracharya’s mother. What are you waiting for? Indra asked
Vishnu. Cant you see that this woman will destroy us both?
Kill her at once. Vishnu summoned up his sudarshana chakra and with this,
he neatly severed the lady’s head. The sage Bhrigu was not present at that
time. When he returned and found out what had happened, he was greatly
angered. Vishnu had committed the crime of killing a woman. <a href="" name="avatras due to curse"></a>Bhrigu
therefore cursed Vishnu that he would have to be born several times on
earth. These are Vishnu’s avataras (incarnations). As for his
own wife, Bhrigu resurrected her through his powers.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Indra had a daughter named Jayanti.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Having failed in his attempt to kill the demons, Indra
reasoned that he ought to try and disturb Shukracharya’s meditation.
He therefore sent Jayanti to the place where Shukracharya was praying.
Her instructions were to try and distract the sage. Jayanti served Shukracharya
faithfully throughout the appointed period of a thousand years. When
the vrata was over, Shiva appeared before Shukracharva and taught him the
art of mritasanjivani. It was then that Shukracharya noticed Jayanti.
Who are you? he asked. And why have you been serving me thus?
I am exceedingly pleased with what you have done. Tell me what I
can do for you. If you wish to grant me a boon, marry me and live as my
husband for ten years, replied Jayanti. Shukracharya was lured away by
Jayanti.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Indra was bent upon the destruction of the demons
and he now hit upon a plan. He asked Brihaspati to adopt Shukracharya’s
form and go to the demons. The demons were expecting their guru backafter
the thousand years were over and took Brihaspati to be Shukracharya.
They honoured him and served him faithfully. When the ten years with Jayanti
were over, Shukracharya returned and discovered Brihaspati among the demons.
Who is this upstart?’ he demanded to know. Give him up and seek refuge
with me. I am the real Shukracharya. Not at all, replied Brihaspati.
I am the real Shukracharya. The demons were very upset and confused.
Brihaspati and Shukracharya were as alike as two peas in a pod; there was
no way of telling the apart. They finally reasoned that the person
who had been living with them for the last ten years must be their real
guru. They therefore accepted Brihaspati and chased Shukracharya
away.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Shukracharya cursed the demons that they were bound to
be destroyed. As soon as Shukracharya cursed the demons, Brihaspati
adopted his own form. The demons realized that they had been tricked, but
the harm had been done.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The Puranas ( Histories )</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Romaharshana now gave the sages
a list of the eighteen mahapuranas. In the beginning, there was only one
Purana. The sage Vedavyasa divided this original Purana into eighteen
mahapuranas. The mahapuranas have four lakh shlokas all together
and their names are as follows.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">( I ) The Brahma Purana:
This was originally recited by Brahma to the sage Marichi and has
thirteen thousand shlokas. This text should be donated on a
full moon night (purnima) in the month of Vaishakha. Such a
donation brings undying punya.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">( II ) The Padma Purana:
This has fifty-five thousand shlokas and should be donated in the month
of Jyaishtha.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( III ) The Vishnu Purana: This was first recited
by the sage Parashara and has twenty-three thousand shlokas. It is
auspicious to donate this text in the month of Ashada.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( IV ) The Vayu Purana: This has twenty-four
thousand shlokas and was first recited by the wind-god Vayu.
It should be donated in the month of Shravana.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( V ) The Bhagavata Purana: This has eighteen
thousand shlokas and should be donated in the month of Bhadra, on the night
of the full moon.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( VI ) The Narada Purana: this was first recited
by the sage Narada and has twenty-five thousand shokas. It should
be donated on the night of the new moon (amavasya) in the month of
Ashvina.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( VII ) The Markandeya Purana: This has nine thousand
shlokas. A person desirous of obtaining punya should donate this
text in month of Margashirsa.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( VIII ) The Agni Purana: This was first recited
by the fire-god Agni to the sage Vashishtha. It has sixteen thousand
shlokas and should be donated in the month of Margashirsha.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( IX ) The Bhavishya Purana: Brahma himself
was the first reciter of this Purana and it has fourteen thousand and five
hundred shlokas. It is primarily concerned with what is due to happen
in the future. The text should be donated on the occasion of purnima,
in the month of Pousha.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( X ) The Brahmavaivarta Purana: This was first
recited by Savarni Manu to the sage Narada. It has eighteen thousand
shlokas and should be donated on purnima in the month of Magha.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( XI ) The Linga Purana: Brahma recited this
first and it has eleven thousand sholkas. Punya is acquired if this
text is donated in the month of Falguna.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( XII ) The Varaha Purana: The great Vishnu
first recited this to the earth. It has twenty-four thousand shlokas
and is to be donated in the month of Chaitra.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( XIII ) The Skanda Purana: This was
composed by the god Skanda or Kartikeya. It has eighty-one thousand
shlokas and one desirous of punya donates the text in the month of Chaitra.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( XIV ) The Vamana Purana: Brahma was the
first person to recite this. It has ten thousand shlokas and the
text should be donated in early autumn (sharat).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( XV ) The Kurma Purana: Vishnu recited this in
his form of a turtle. It has eighteen thousand shlokas and should
be donated at the time of the equinoxes.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( XVI ) The Matsya Purana: Vishnu recited
this in his form of a fish to Manu. It has fourteen thousand shlokas
and should be donated at the time of the equinoxes.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( XVII ) The Garuda Purana: Krishna was the
first person to recite this and it has eighteen thousand shlokas.
(When this text is to be donated is not stated.)</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">( XVIII )The Brahmanda Purana: Brahma recited this
and it has twelve thousand and two hundred shlokas. (The time of
donation is again not indicated.) But these Puranas, as stated, are merely
for human consumption. Much longer versions are read by the gods.
The total number of shlokas in the Puranas that the gods read is one hundred
crores.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Matsya Purana now enumerates the details of various
vratas. It continues with a description of the glories of the sacred
city of Prayaga (Allahabad), located at the confluence of the holy rivers
Ganga and Yamuna. Geographical and astronomical details are also
given.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tipura There was a danava named Maya.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Just as Vishvakarma was the architect of the gods,
Maya was the architect of the demons. When the demons were
defeated by the gods, Maya started to perfrom very difficult tapasya so
that the gods might be defeated. Maya’s meditation inspired two other
demons to also meditate. Their names were Vidyunmali and Taraka.
The meditation was so difficult that the world marvelled at the sight of
what the demons were doing. Finally, Brahma was pleased at all this
effort and appeared before the demons.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I am pleased with what you have done, said Brahma.
What boon do you want?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We have been defeated by the gods, replied Maya.
We wish to build a fort that the gods will not be able to destroy.
The fort will be named Tripura and we will live in it and become immortal.
Immortality is a boon that cannot be granted. Said Brahma. If you
want, set difficult conditions for your deaths. Very well then, replied
Maya. We will be killed only if Shiva himself destroys Tripura with
a single arrow. Let that be the appoined method of our deaths. This
boon Brahma granted and Maya began the task of constructing the fort.
In fact, he built three (tri) fortresses (pura).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One was made of iron, the second of silver and the third
of gold.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Normally, the fortresses were distinct. But once
every thousand years, when the nakshatra Pushya was in the sky, the three
cities came together in the sky and were called Tripura. Each of
the fortresses was stocked with diverse weapons as protections against
raids by the gods. Taraka lived in the fort made of iron, Vidyunmali
in the one make o f silver, and Maya himself lived in the one that was
made of gold.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The other demons got to know that three invincible forts
had been built. They came and populated the three cities. But the
demons were not evil at all. They observed all sorts of religious
rites. In particular, they were devoted to Shiva and prayed to him
all the time. They did not want Shiva to be angry with them.
It was, after all, Shiva alone who could be the instrument for their destruction.
Eventually, the demons became intoxicated with their own power and adopted
evil ways. They warred upon other living beings and started to oppress
the universe. Maya did try to persuade them to mend their ways, but
the demons would not listen to Maya’s good advice. All the living beings
in the universe went to Brahma to complain. Please save us from this
oppression, They said; It is because of your boon that the demons have
become so powerful.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I cannot help you, replied Brahma. The boon is such
that Shiva alone can destroy Tripura. Let us all pray to Shiva. The
gods, the sages and the humans started to pray to Shiva.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pleased with these prayers, Shiva promised to destroy
Tripura.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A special chariot was built for Shiva to ride in.
Brahma himself agreed to be the charioteer. The army of the gods
got ready to help Shiva in his war against Tripura. A terrible war raged
between the gods and the demons. Nandi is one of Shiva’s companions.
Nandi fought with Vidyunmali and slew the demon after a fierce battle.
But Maya knew all sorts of magical tricks. He was particularly well-versed
in the use of herbs. Maya gave Vidyunmali a bath in the juice of
magical herbs and Vidyunmali immediately revived.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This act greatly boosted the demons morale and they began
to fight with renewed vigour. Any demons,who were killed, were instantly
revived by Maya. But when Shiva himself entered the area the demons were
put to flight. Even the herbs that resurrected dead demons proved
to be of no avail. Nandi killed Tarakasura after a fierce duel.
The demons were disheartened, but Maya reassured them. Don’t forget the
boon, he said, There are only some special conditions under which Tripura
can be destroyed. Otherwise it is indestructible. Pushya nakshatra
is in the sky now and soon the three cities will come together as one.
The only person who can destroy it then is Shiva. And he must do
it with a single arrow. All we have to do is ensure that Shiva cannot shoot
the arrow and we are safe. But this was easier said than done. It
was no easy task to repel Shiva and his cohorts.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Nandi killed Vidyunmali a second time. As soon as
the three cities came together, Shiva shot a flaming arrow which completely
burnt up Tripura and all the demons who were within. The only one
who was saved was Maya. He did not die because he was extremely devoted
to Shiva. Ever since that day, Maya has lived under the water.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Measurement of Time</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The smallest unit of time is a nimesha; this is the amount
of time it takes to blink. Fifteen nimeshas make one kashtha and
thirty kashthas are one kala. Thirty kalas one muhurta and there
are thirty muhurtas in one divaratra (one day). Fifteen muhurtas
constitute the day and fifteen muhurtas make up the night.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One month for humans is one day for the ancestors (pitri).
Shuklapaksha is the lunar fortnight during which the moon waxes and krishnapaksha
is the lunar fortnight during which the moon wanes. Shuklapaksha
corresponds to night for the ancestors and krishnapaksha corresponds to
day.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thus, thirty human months are merely one month for the
ancestors.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Three hundred and sixty human months are one year for
the ancesotrs. One human year is one divaratara for the gods. The
human year is divided into two ayanas, each consisting of six months.
These are known as uttarayana and dakshinayana. Uttarayana is day
for the gods and dakshinayana is night.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thirty human years are one month for the gods and
three hundred and sixty human years are one year for the gods.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Time is divided into four yugas (eras). These are
known as satya yuga or krita yuga, treta yuga, dvapara yuga and kali yuga.
The lengths of these yugas are defined in terms of years of the gods.
Satya yuga has four thousand years of the gods, treta yuga three thousand,
dvapara yuga two thousand and kali yuga one thousand. A cycle of satya
yuga, treta yuga, dvapara yuga and kali yuga is known as a mahayuga.
Thus, a mahayuga would seem to consist of ten thousand years of the gods.
But this is not quite correct. In between any two yugas are intervening
periods, known as sandhyamshas. For example, the sandhyamsha for
satya yuga is four hundred years, for teta yuga three hundred years, for
dvapara yuga two hundred years and for kali yuga one hundred years.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Once one adds the sandhyamshas, a mahayuga adds up to
twelve thousand years of the gods. A little over seventy-one yugas constitute
one manvantara. Fourteen such manvantaras are one kalpa. A
kalpa is merely one day for Brahma. At the end of Brahma’s day, the
universe is destroyed. It is then created afresh when a new day dawns
for Brahma.The Characteristics of the Yugas As one progressively moves
down the scale from satya yuga to kali yuga, the power of righteous diminishes
and evil starts to triumph.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In treta yuga people were righteous.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The system of varnashrama dharma goes back to teta yuga.
This is typified in the principle of four varnas (classes) and four ashramas
(stages of life). The four varnas are brhamanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas
and shudreas. Each class has its proper place, each its assigned
occupations as determined by the principles of division of labour.
The four ashramas are brhamacharya (celibate studenthood). Garhasthya
(householder stage), vanaprastha (forest-dwelling stage and sannyasa (hermithood).
Everyone followed the tenets of varnashrama aharma in treta yuga.
Individuals were equally handsome and equally wealthy. Poverty and
disease were unknown. The weather was clement and, initialy, there
was no need to build houses. Cities and villages were not known.
People lived freely in the mountains and on the shores of the oceans. But
as people became evil, the weather turned inclement. Houses had to
built so the people might be protected from the heat and the cold.
Cities and villages were planned and constructed.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Evil became even more prevalent in dvapara yuga.
In some cases, individuals began to practise that which was against the
dictates of varnashrama dharma.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To bring men back to the righteous path, the knowledge
of the sacred Vedas had to be disseminated amongst humans. To this
end, the great Vedavyasa divided the Vedas into four. Various other
shastras (sacred texts) were also composed in dvapara yuga. These
include ayurveda (medicine), jyotisha (astronomy) and arthashastra (economics).</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hatred, jealousy, warfare and other evils first originated
in dvapara yuga. Individuals did not stick to their own classes while
marrying, and cross-breeds started to be born. But some remnants
of righteousness could still be found, so that average life expectancies
amounted to two thousand years.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kali yuga is the worst of the four eras. Theft,
hatred, falsehood, fraudulence and egotism become the norm. As a
natural corollary to such evils, drought and famine recur again and again.
Even the brahmans are led astray. They do not study the Vedas, nor
do they perform yajnas. The brahmanas degenerate so much that they
mix with shudras. As for the shudras, they become kings.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Shudras even start to study the Vedas. Evil always
has its effect. Disease becomes rampant and life expectancies go
down.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vajranaga</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Indra had killed many of Diti’s children, the daityas.
Diti had wished to obtain a son who would kill Indra. But because
she had not been able to adhere to the stipulated religious rites, the
sons who had been born had become friends and companions of Indra. But
Indra continued to attack and kill the demons. Diti therefore prayed to
her husband Kashyapa yet again that she might have a son who would defeat
Indra. Your wish will be granted, said Kashyapa. But you will
have to meditate hard for ten thousand years. Indra’s weapon is the
vajra and the son who will be born will have a body (anga) that is as tough
as the vajra will be able to do him no harm. Diti meditated for ten thousand
years and in due course, gave birth to this powerful son. Vajranga was
invincible. When Vajranga grew up, Didti told her son, Indra has
killed many of my sons. I am thirsting for revenge. Go and kill Indra.
Vajranga set for heaven. He defeated Indra very easily and tied him
up. He then brought Indra home to his mother and prepared to kill
the king of the gods.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Indra’s death would have been a great calamity so Brahma
and Kashyapa rushed there. Vajranga, they said. Please do not
kill Indra. Let him go. If someone who deserves respect is
insulted, that is like death for him. Indra has been defeated
by you. He has therefore been insulted and is as good as dead. There
is no need to physically kill him. Moreover, the very fact that you
are letting Indra go at our request will be known to all. Even if
he lives, everyone is going to regard him as dead. Listen to our
request and let him go. I am not averse to that suggestion at all, replied
Vajranga. I have no intention of killing Indra. I was merely obeying
my mother’s instructions. How can I refuse two such revered individuals
like you? One of you is the creator of the whole universe and the
other one is my own father. I will let Indra go. But please
grant me a boon. Grant me the boon that I may be able to perform
a lot of tapasya. This boon was readily granted. In addition, Brahma
created a beautiful woman named Varangi and married her off to Vajranga.
Vajranga went to the forest to meditate. For a thousand years, he
stood with his arms raised up towards the sky. And in this
posture, he meditated. He then stood on his head for a thousand years
more and meditated. As a final part of the tapasya, he wished to
meditate under the water for a thousand years more. When Vajranga
entered the water, his wife Varangi patiently waited for her husband to
return. And all the while, she too meditated.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Indra was not going to forget and wanted to retaliate.
He adopted the form of a monkey and uprooted all the trees in Varangi’s
hermitage. He next adopted the form of a sheep and ate up all the
grass that was there. As a snake, he tried to bite the lady.
Finally, he adopted the form of a cloud and drenched the hermitage in torrents
of rain. Since Varangi was meditating, she was in no position to
retaliate or protect herself. She had to bear all these depredations.
When the thousand years were over, Vajranga returned. He was shocked
to learn of the tortures that his wife had been subjected to by Indra.
He began to meditate again. This time, he wished for a son who would
kill Indra. Brahma appeared and granted Vajranga the desired boon.
You will have a son who will be the terror of the gods, said Brahma.
He will be called Taraka. For a thousand years Varangi bore the baby in
her womb. When Taraka was born, the earth trembled and tidal waves
were created in the ocean. Fierce storms started to rage. Wild
animals rejoiced and the sages shuddered. In due course, Taraka was crowned
the king of the demons.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Taraka’s Tapasya</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tarka was determinded to defeat the gods. But he
realize that, prior to waging war on the gods, he would have to become
powerful. Such powers could be attained through tapasya. Taraka went
to the Pariparta mountains and selected a cave there for his meditation.
For some days Taraka ate nothing, for some more days he survived only on
water, and on other days he ate only leaves, Every day he sliced off some
flesh from his body and offered it to the fire as a token of his devotion.
All this hardship pleased Brahma and he appeared before Taraka. Enough
is enough, said Brahma. I am pleased at your devotion. What
boon can I grant you? I want to fight with the gods, replied Taraka.
The gods have been giving the demons a hard time and I intended to reverse
the tide. Please grant me the boon that I may be invincible and immortal.
Immortality is not a boon that can be granted to any living being. Said
Brahma. All living beings must die. But if you want, set difficult
conditions for your death. In that case, please grant me the boon that
I can only be killed by a seven year old child, requested Taraka. Brahma
gladly granted this boon.The War Between the Gods and the Demons Fortified
with Brahma’s boon, Taraka started to rule the demons. After some
years had passed and after Taraka had raised a strong army, he decided
to attack heaven. A huge army of demons was accordingly raised. There
were thousands of elephants, horses and chariots in the army.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Apart from Taraka, the major generals in the army were
Jambha, Kujambha, Mahisha, Kunjara, Megha, Kalanemi, Nimi, Mathana, Jambhaka
and Shumbha, Diverse were the weapons that the demons armed themselves
with. The gods also prepared themselves for the war, having first appointed
Yama as their general. Yama rode into battle on a bufflao.
Indra had his chariot, driven by his charioteer Matali. The fire-god
Agni rode on a goat and Varuna, the lord of the oceans, rode a snake.
Amongst the other gods who were in the army were Chandra, Surya and Kubera,
the god of prosperity and wealth. The war was terrible to behold.
The trumpeting of elephants, the neighing of horses and the beating of
drums made a terrible racket Above all this there was the noise of
weapons clanging and bows twanging. Chariots fought with Chariots,
elephants with elephants, horses with horses and foot-soldiers with foot-soldiers.
The sky was thick with spears, maces, axes, swords, tridents, clubs and
arrows flying around. Dead bodies littered the battlefield
and rivers of blood began to flow. Yama fought a fierce duel with a demon
named Grasana and Kubera fought with Jambha. Kujambha also fought
with Kubera and put Kubera to flight. Kalanemi fought with both Chandra
and Surya. The two Ashvinis received a good beating from the hands
of Kalanemi’s. The news that the gods were being slaughtered reached Vishnu
so Vishnu decided to join the fight. The demons immediately attacked
Vishnu, but were no match for him. One of Vishnu’s maces knocked
Kalanemi unconscious. Vishnu’s cakra sliced off Grasana’s head.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Jambha did manage to knock Vishnu unconscious with a club.
But Indra slew Jambha with a divine weapon. The trouble however was with
Taraka. When he came to fight, the gods had no option but to flee.
Those who did not, were captured and imprisoned. The demon won a resounding
victory.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Brahma’s Advice</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of the gods who had survived the battle and were still
free started to pray to Brahma.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What can I do for you? asked Brahma. Why are all
of you looking so despondent?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You are the one who is responsible for our misfortune,
replied the gods. You have granted Taraka a boon that has made him virtally
invincible. Armed with this boon, he is oppressing the universe and
has soundly thrashed us. What are we to do now?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There is no cause for such despondency, said Brahma.
Taraka is not immortal. He will be slain by a seven year old child.
Unfortunately that child has not yet been born. He will be the son
of Shiva. The problem is that Shiva is unmarried. He was earlier
married to Sati, but Sati commited suicide at the time of a yajna.
She has now been reborn as Parvati. The task at hand is to get Shiva
and Parvati married. Their son will kill Taraka. It was necessary
to make Shiva fall in love with Parvati.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Madana, the god of love, was sent by Indra to Shiva’s
hermitage so that this might be achieved. But because this disturbed
Shiva’s meditation, Shiva burnt Madana up. Meanwhile, Parvati had begun
to perform tapasya so that she might have Shiva for a husband. For
one hundred years more, she ate only one leaf a day. And for the
final hundred years, she meditated and continued fasting. The seven
great sages went and told Shiva about Parvati’s tapasya and Shiva agreed
to marry Parvati. The marriage took place amidst a great deal of fanfare.
All the rivers and the mountains came to attend the ceremony. So
did the sages, the gods, the gandharvas, the apsaras and the yakshas.
Brahma himself acted as the priest for the marriage ceremony.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kali Becomes Gouri On one particular occasion, Shiva addressed
Parvati as Kali. The word kali means dark and Parvati thought that
Shiva referring to her dark complexion. She did not realize that
Shiva was merely trying to tease her a bit. Greatly incensed at the
imagined slight, Parvarti decided that she would meditate so that
she might become fair. She wore clothing made of barks of trees and
performed tapasya. In the summer she prayed inside a raging fire
and in the winter she prayed under the water. Sometimes, she ate
only roots and fruits. At other times, she fasted. Prior to leaving
for her tapasaya, Parvati had instructed Nandi that he was to stand guard
at Shiva’s door and permit no other woman to enter. There was a demon named
Adi. This fellow had performed a lot of tapasya and had manage to
please Brahma. When Brahma agreed to grant him a boon. Adi
asked for the boon of immortality. Brahma naturally refused this
boon. He however granted Adi the boon that the demon would die only
when he changd his form twice, not otherwise. Adi happened to come to Shiva
and Parvati’s house and discovered Nandi standing guard at the door.
Wondering what there was to be guarded, he adopted the form of a snake
and slithered in. Nandi did not notice the snake, but this was Adi’s
first transformation. Inside the house, Adi encountered Shiva and thought
that he would play a trick on Shiva. He adopted Parvati’s form.
This was his second transformation. In the form of Parvati, Adi went up
to Shiva and greeted him. Initially, Shiva did not realize that this was
not Parvati. He greeted the demon and said, Darling, I am delighted
tht you have returned. I can see that your rage has cooled down.
But in a little while Shiva realized that this was not Parvati. He
slew the demon.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile, Parvati was continuing with her tapsaya and
pleased Brahma with her prayers. Brahma granted her the boon that
she would become fair. Since the word gouri means fair, Parvati was
thereafter known as Gouri. A goddess named Koushiki emerged out of
Parvati’s cells, thus named because the word kosha means cell. The
darkness of Parvti’s complexion entered Koushiki’s body. Brahma requested
the goddess Koushiki to go and live in the Vindhya mountains. She
is therefore also known as Vindhyavasini.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kartikeya and Taraka Kartikeya or Skanda was born after
some days.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The boys shone with the radiance of a thousand suns and
had six (shada) faces (anana). He was therefore also known as Shadanana.
(Some other Puranas like the Brahmavaivarata Purana state that Skanda got
lost when he was small and was brought up by the Krittikas.
That is how he acquired the name of Kartikeya. The Krittikas were
goddesses, also identified as stars (the Pleiades).) The gods armed Kartikeya
with diverse weapons and appointed him their general. They requested
him to kill the demon Taraka and arrangements were made for the battle.
When Taraka saw Kartikeya he said, What is a boy like you doing in a battlefield?
Go and play with a ball instead. A battlefield is not the place for idle
talk, replied Kartikeya. Show me your prowess instead. At these words,
Taraka flung a club at Kartikeya. But Kartikeya easily repelled the
club with a vajra. The demon next hurled an axe, but Kartikeya effortless
caught the axe in his hand. He then struck the demon with a club
of his own. This angered Taraka so much that the demon showered all
sorts of weapons on Kartikeya. But the boy repelled all of these
and started to kill demons with his own weapons. Many demons fled
in dismay. As for Taraka himself, Kartikeya’s spear pierced him in
the chest and killed him. Thus it was that Brahma’s boon became ture.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hiranyakashipu Diti had a son named Hiranyakashipu.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This demon meditated for eleven thousand years under the
water. Throught this period, he did not eat or talk at all. These
meditations pleased Brahma and Brahma offered to grant Hiranyakasipu a
boon. What boon do you wish for? he asked. If you are pleased, grant
me the following boon, replied the demon. I will not be killed by
gods, demons, gandharvas, yakshas, rakshasas or snakes. I will not
be killed by humans or ghosts. The sages will not be able to curse
me. I will not killed by a weapon, a mountain or a tree. I
will not be killed during the day or at night. I will not be killed
by something that is dry or by something that is wet. This rather strange
boon Brahma granted. But the sages, the gods, the gandarvas and the snakes
went and complained to Brahma. What have you done? they asked.
This demon is now going to oppress the entire universe. Don’t worry, replied
Brahma. When the time comes, Vishnu himself will kill Hiranyakashipu.
But true to expectations, the demon started to oppress the world.
He destroyed the hermitages of the sages and drove the gods out of heaven.
All yajnas were stopped. The gods and the sages started praying to Vishnu.
Stirred by these prayers, Vishnu adopted the form of a strange being who
was half-man and half-lion. Since nara means man and simha means
lion, this being was called Narasimha. Narasimha went on a visit to Hiranyakashipu’s
court. Hiranyakashipu had a son named Prahlada and at the sight of
Narasimha. Prahlada exclaimed. I have a strong suspicion that
this being is none other than Vishnu and that we demons will suffer at
his hands. Hiranyakashipu asked his soldiers to capture the creature.
Or, if that proved to be impossible, to kill it. But the soldiers
could do no such thing; Narasimha killed them all. Hiranyakasipu
then himself hurled all sorts of weapons at Narasimha. But great
was his bewilderment at finding that all these weapons could do the strange
creature no harm. Any weapons could do the strange creature no harm.
Any weapon that was hurled was simply swallowed up by Narasimha.
The rocks that were flung at him could not even reach him.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Narasimha grasped Hiranyakashipu and placed him across
his thighs. He then tore apart the demon’s chest with his claws.
Thus, Hiranyakashipu was not killed by a weapon, a mountain or a tree,
or by something that was either wet or dry. Vishnu in his Narasimha
form was not a god, a demon, a gandharva, a yaksha, a rakshasa, a snake,
a human or a ghost. Since the slaying took place in the evening,
it was neither night nor day. All the conditions of Brahma’s boon
were met. The entire world rejoiced at the demon-king’s death.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Matysa Purana now describes the glories of several
tirthas, including the sacred city of Varanasi or Kashi. It also
lists the lineages of various famous sages like Bhrigu, Angira, Atri, Vishvamitra,
Kashyapa, Vashishtha, Parashara and Agastya.Savitri</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There used to be a king named Ashvapati who ruled in the
kingdom of Madra. Ashvapati had no sons. He therefore began
to pray to the goddess Savitri so that he might have a son. He performed
thousands and thousands of yajnas. Eventually the goddess appeared before
the king and said, You will not have a son. But I am going to grant
you a daughter.’ The daughter was named Malati. But since she was
born as a result of a boon received from the goddess Savitri, she was more
popularly known as Savitri. When Savitri grew up, she was married to Satyavana,
the son of King Dyumatsena.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The sage Narada once came to visit them and told them.
Satyavana is going to die within a year. Hearing this, Savitri and Satyavana
went off to the forest to prepare themselves for the impending death.
When only four days of the appointed life span were left, Savitri observed
a religious rite that has now become famous savitri rata. Amongst
other things, this involved fasting for a period of three days On the fourth
and final day, Satyavana went to collect fodder, roots and fruits
in the dense part of the forest and Savitri also accompanied her husband.
When they were tired, Savitri sat down beside a pond to rest. Satyavana
continued to collect fodder and firewood near the pond. While he
was thus engaged, he started to suffer from a splitting headache. Savitri,
he said, I cannot bear this pain any longer. Let me rest for a while with
my head in your lap. While Satyavana was resting with his head on Savitri’s
lap, Yama arrived to claim Satyavana. Yama’s complexion was dark and he
was dressed entirely in yellow. His crown was golden. Armlets graced
his arms and necklaces hung around his neck. In each human body there is
an entity that is only the size of a finger in length. This is the
part of the body that is claimed by Yama and taken to his abode.
When this is done, only the dead body is left. Yama tied up Satyavana’s
minute body in a noose and prepared to take it to his abode. But when Yama
left, Savitri followd him. Where do you think you are going? asked yama.
I am following my husband, replied Savitri. There is no greater duty
for a wife than serving her husband. Since my husband is leaving,
I have to leave with him. I am pleased at your devotion, said Yama.
Ask for a boon and I shall grant it to you. The only thing that you
cannot ask for is that Satyavana be brought back to life. My father-in-law
has become blind, replied Saviti. He can therefore no longer be the
king. Please grant me the boon that his eyesight is restored so that
he can become the king again. I grant you that. Said Yama. Now please
return. You will unnecessarily get tired if you follow me. How I
can get tired if I follow you? asked Savitri. You are the chief of
all the gods. Is it possible to get tired if one follows you? That
pleases me even more, said Yama. Ask for another boon. But
under no circumstances are you allowed to ask that Satyavana be brought
back to life. My father has no sons, replied Savitri. Please grant
me the boon that he may have a hundred sons. I grant you that, said Yama.
Now return. Go and perform your husband’s funeral rites. Serve your
parents and parents-in-law well. You are unnecessarily tiring yourself
by following me around. I thank you for your advice. Replied Savitri.
But I have already told you that I cannot possibly get tired . You
are the lord of dharma, the lord of righteousness. Can one possibly
tire oneself by following such a person? Your devotion is truly amazing,
Ask for another boon. But do not ask for Satyavana’s life. Please
grant me the boon that Satyavana and I may have a hundred sons, requested
Savitri. Yama granted the boon without thinking and Savitri then pointed
out that what Yama had agreed to would be impossible if Satyavana died.
Yama had no option but to restore Satyavana to life. Yama blessed Savitri
and went away.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In due course, Satyavana and Savitri had a hundred sons
named that Malvas. Savitri is a model for all devoted wives to follow.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Matsya Purana follows this up with a recital of the
duties of kings and a cataloguing of various omens. There is also
a section on the interpretation of dreams.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vali</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There was a demon named Vali who was descended from Hiranyakashipu.
Extemely strong, he defeated the gods and drove them out of heaven. The
mother of all the gods was Aditi and Aditi was despondent that her sons
should suffer so at the hands of demons. She therefore began to pray
to Vishnu so that she might have a powerful son who would provide a fitting
reply tot he demons, particularily to Vali. For a thousand years,
Aditi meditated. Vishnu was pleased at these prayers and appeared before
Aditi. What boon do you wish for? he asked. The demons are oppressing
my children, replied Aditi. Please grant me a son who will defeat
the demons. Do not despair, said Vishnu. I myself will be born as
your son. I will take care of the demons.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Aditi’s husband was the sage Kashyapa. Kashyapa
and Aditi accordingly had a son. This son was a dwarf (vamana).
Vali happened to organize a yajna and the dwarf came to attend the ceremony.
On the occasion of the yajna. Vali had decided that he would not
refuse anyone what he asked for.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Shukracharya was the preceptor of the demons and naturally,
he was Vali’ guru as well. Shukracharya saw through the trickery
that was involved and realized that the dwarf was none other than Vishnu.
He tried to put Vali on his guard and warned Vali that he should not grant
what the dwarf asked for. But Vali would not listen. Vishnu is the
lord of everything. He said. I am indeed fortunate if Vishnu
has come to grace my ceremony in the disguise of a dwarf. How can
I refuse what he asks for? Vali welcomed the dwarf with offerings.
What is your desire? he asked. I am duty bound to give you what you
ask for. I desire nothing much, replied the dwarf. I do not want
gold or riches or elephants or horses. All that I ask for is as much
of land as can be covered in three of my footsteps. Granted, said Vail.
No sooner were the words uttered that he dwarf assumed a gigantic form.
His head rose way up into the sky. With each one of his footsteps,
Vishnu covered one of the three worlds. Thus Vali ended up by donating
all of the three worlds to Vishnu and there was nowhere for the demons
to live in. But Vishnu was pleased at Vali’s generosity.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He therefore decreed that, henceforth, the demons would
live in the underworld. As for heaven, it was returned to Indra.
This was the story of Vishnu’s dwarf incarnation.The Boar Incarnation At
the end of the last kalpa, there was a general destruction and the universe
was flooded with water. Vishnu alone slept on this water in his form
of Narayana. When it was time for creation to begin, Brahma appeared inside
an egg. All the worlds that would be there in the universe and all
the beings who would populate these worlds were inside the egg. But
before creation could start, the earth had to be created so that living
beings might have a place to live in. When the earth was first created,
it was full of mountain ranges and these mountains were exceedingly heavy.
The upshot of this was that the earth could not bear the weight of these
mountains and started to get immersed in the water. She went all
the way down to the underworld. The earth started to pray to Vishnu
so that she might be saved. Vishnu adopted the form of a gigantic boar
(varaha). He entered the water and raised the earth up on his tusks.
He laid her to rest on the water, having first levelled out the mountains.
This was the story of Vishnu’s boar incarnation. The pastime of the boar
incarnation is linked to the story of the demon Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha
was Hiranyakashipu’s brother. He sent the earth to the underworld
and also stole the Vedas.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu killed Hiranyaksha in his form of a boar and rescued
the earth and the Vedas. The Hiranyaksha story is found in several
Puranas, such as the Vishnu Purana.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Churning of the Ocean The gods and the demons always
fought with one another. In the process, many demons and gods were
killed. This was no problem for the demons. Their teacher,
Shukracharya, knew the art of mritasanjivani and immediately brought the
dead demons back to life. But the gods who were killed stayed dead.
The gods went to Brahma for his advice. Having a temporaty
truce with the demons, said Brahma. Unite with them and churn the
ocean. This churning will make you immortal and you will have no
reason to fear the demons. The gods went to meet Vali, the king of the
demons, with the proposal and Vali agreed to the temporary truce.
Preparations were made for the churning of the ocean. Mount Mandara
was used as the rod for churning and the great snake Vasuki agreed to be
the churning-rope . The problem however was the Mount Mandara had
no base to rest on. And without a base, the peak would move and the
churning could not proceed. The great Vishnu adopted the form of a huge
turtle (<a href="" name="kurma)."></a>kurma). The back of the turtle provided
the base on which Mount Mandara could rest. The churning started.
The gods held Vasuki’s tail and the demons the head. The churning
went on for a thousand years of the gods. The first object to emerge as
a result of the churning was the moon. Chandra.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His emergence as a result of the churning was thus akin
to are birth.) Shiva accepted Chandra as an adornment for his forehead.
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, emerged next and was united
with Vishnu, Sura, the goddess of wine and drinking, came out next.
She was followed by the divine horse. Uchchaishrava. This was
appropriated
by Indra. (Other accounts of the churning, such as in the Mahabharata,
mention an elephant named Airavata, also appropriated by Indra.)
A beautiful jewel named koustubha came out next and was accepted by Vishnu
as his adornment. After these wonderous objects had come out, smoke started
to billow out and clouded the atmosphere. The cloud was followed
by tongues of fire which threatened to burn up the gods and the demons.
From the fire there came out all sorts of poisonous snakes and venomous
insects. This was followed by a terrible poison known as kalakuta.
No one knew what to do with the poison, it would have killed them all.
The gods and the demons began to pray to Shiva for deliverance. Shiva appeared
and swallowed up the poison. It suck in his throat and made his throat
blue in colour. Since nila means blue and kantha means throat, Shiva
came to be known as Nilakantha.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">With the danger removed, the churning continued and Dhanvantari
came out of the ocean. He was the physician of the gods and the originator
of medicine (ayurveda). Dhanvantari held the pot of amrita in his
hands. The demons immediately started to fight over the possession of the
amrita. But Vishnu adopted the form of a beautiful woman (known as <a href="" name="mohini"></a>mohini).
This woman was so pretty that all the demons fell in love with her and
gladly handed over the pot of amrita to her. But they continued to
fight with the gods. While the fighting went on, Vishnu secretly
fed the gods the amrita. The gods became immortal. The demons
received no amrita, not a single drop except for rahu .</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There was a demon named Rahu. He adopted the form
of a god and managed to get a little bit of the amrita. But Surya
and Chandra spotted the deception and pointed it out to Vishnu. Vishnu
promptly severed Rahu’s head with his chakra. The amrita never
percolated down beyond Rahu’s throat. But the demon’s head had had
its share of the amrita and became immortal. Rahu never forgave Surya and
Chandra for telling on him. Rahu’s head tries to swallow up the sun
and the moon, given a chance. You can see this happening at the time
of the solar and lunar eclipses.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Architecture</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The science of architecture owes its origin to eighteen
great sages. Their names are Bhrigu, Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvakarma,
Maya, Narada, Nagnajita, Vishalaksha, Puranadara, Brahma, Kartikeya, Nandishvara,
Shounaka, Garga, Vasudeva, Aniruddha, Shukra and Brihaspati .</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The building of a house should never be begun in the month
of Chaitra. A person who does this is sure to contract a disease.
The month of Vaishakha is a good time to begin. One who does this
is bound to own many cows.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The months of Agrahayana, Magha and Falguna are also auspicious.
An individual who begins the task in Agrahayana has full granaires, one
who begins it in Magha attains all sorts of riches and one who begins it
in Falguna obtains gold and sons. Ashada is also a good month
to start. Servants and animals are owed by a person who starts the
building in Ashada.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The months of Jyaishtha, Shravana, Bhadra, Ashvina and
Pousha are inauspicious. If you start in Jyaishta, you will
die soon; you will also die if you begin in Shravana; begin in Bhadra and
you will suffer from all manner of losses; your wife will die if you start
the task in the month of Ashvina; and all your goods will be stolen if
you start in the month of Pousha. It is best to begin the building of a
house when the nakshatras Ashvini, Rohini, Mula, Uttarabhadrapada,
Uttarashada, Uttarafalguni or Mrigashira are in the sky. Any day
is permissible with the exception of Sunday and Tuesday. The ground on
which the house is to be build has to be tested. A pit should be
dug and a sapling planted. If the sapling thrives and growns into
a big tree, the ground has been well-chosen. But if the tree withers
away or does not grow into a strong tree, one ought to move somewhere else.
A diagram is then drawn on the ground, in the form of a square with eighty-one
smaller squares inside it. That is the larger square will be subdivided
into nine squares along very side. Nine multiplied by nine gives
the eighty- one smaller squares. In each of these eight-one smaller
squares, a specific god has to be worshipped.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Different types of houses.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A house that has doors on all four sides is known as a
sarvatobhadra. Such a configuration is recommended for palaces or
temples. A house that does not have a door to the west is known as
a nandyavarta; a house that does not have a door to the south is known
as a varddhamana; a house that does not have a door to the east is known
as a svastika; and a house that does not have a door to the north
is known as ruchaka.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A palace should be one hundred and eight cubits
(hand-lenghts) in length. If a prince, and not a king, is to live
in the palace, sixty-six cubits are the recommmended length. Other
recommended lengths are sixty-four cubits for generals, forty-eight cubits
for ministers, twenty-eight cubits for artisans and twelve cubits for messengers
and guards. Priests and physicians are entitled to twenty-four cubits.
An ordinary householder should build a house that is thirty-two cubits
in length. The sole exception is an outcast, he is entitled to only
sixteen cubits. There should not be any trees in the front of the house.
But trees have to be planted towards the back. The wood with which the
house has to be built must be carefully chosen. One must not cut
down a tree that birds have built nests on. Certain trees must
never be chosen. These include those that have been gashed by an
elephant or struck by lightning. They also include trees that grow
near temples or at the of rivers and trees from cremation grounds.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Neem trees and mango trees must never be used for building
houses. The height of the tree should be multiplied by its circumference.
This product should now be divided by eight. If the remainder that
is left is one, the timber can be used in building any part of the house.
Such timber is known as dhvaja. When the remainder is two the timber
is known vrisha and should be used in constructing the western door.
When the remainder is three the timber is called simha and should be used
for the northern door. The name is vrishabha if the remainder is
four and such wood should be used for the eastern door. When the
remainder is five the timber is given the name of hasti and should be used
for the southern door.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dieties must to be installed in temples.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu’s image should have either eight hands or four.
If there are eight hands, the arms to the right should hold a shankha (concha-shell),
a gada (mace), a shara (arrow) and a padma (lotus). The arms to the
left should hold dhanu (bow), a padma, a shankha and a chakra (bladed-discus).
If there are four hands, the mace and the lotus should be to the right
and the chakra and the conch-shell to the left. Vishnu will be shown standing
on the world.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Garuda, the king of the birds, bears him around Garuda
will therefore be shown at Vishnu’s feet, towards the right. Lakshmi’s
image must always be to the left of Vishnu’s image and Lakshmi will hold
a lotus in her hand.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The best dieties are made out of gold, silver, copper,
jewels, stone, wood, from alloys. The proportions of the various
parts of the body must be exactly right. Shiva’s image must have matted
hair and he must wear a crescent moon on his forehead. The dieties
must convey the impression that Shiva is sixteen years old. Shiva
must be dressed in tigerskin and must be garlanded with snakes. A
peacock feather should adorn on ear. If a spear, a rod or a trident
are shown, they must be to the right. And if a skull, a snake or
a sword are shown, they must be to the left. When Shiva is show riding
a bull, his image has two hands. But when he is shown in a dancing
posture, the image has ten hands. If the intention is to show him
destroying Tripura, the image must have sixteen hands.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There is one particular image that deserves special mention.
This is known as arddhanarishvara, half-male and half-female. The
Shiva part of the image will be to the right and the Parvati part of the
image will be to the left. The right hand of the image will hold
a skull or a trident and the left hand of the image will hold a lotus or
a mirror.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There is another type of image known as Uma-Maheshvara.
In this case, there are two separate images, one of Shiva and the other
of Parvati. The dieties of various other gods and goddesses are also described.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pavilions (mandapa)?</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">These are classified in terms of the number of pillars
that are used in their construction, and there are twenty-seven main types
of pavilions.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(I) A pushpaka
pavilion has sixty-four pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(II) A pushpabhadra
pavilion has sixty-two pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(III) A suvrata pavilion
has sixty pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(IV) An amritanandana pavilion
has fifty-eight pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(V) A doushalya pavilion
has fifty-six pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(VI) A buddhisamkirna pavilion
has fifty-four pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(VII) A gajabhadra pavilion has
fifty-two pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(VIII) A jayavaha pavilion has fifty
pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(IX) A shrivatsa pavilion
has forty-eight pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(X) A vijaya pavilion
has forty-six pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XI) A vastukirti pavilion
has forty-four pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XII) A shrutinjaya pavilion
has forty-two pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XIII) A yajnabhadra pavilion has forty
pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XIV) A vishala pavilion has thirty-eight
pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XV) A sushlishta pavilion has
thirty-six pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XVI) A shatrumardana pavilion has
thrity-four pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XVII) A bhagapancha pavilion has thrity-two
pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XVIII) A nandana pavilion has thirty pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XIX) A manava pavilion has twenty-eight
pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XX) A manabhadraka pavilion
has twenty-six pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XXI) A sugriva pavilion has twenty-four
pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XXII) A hairta pavilion has twenty-two pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XXIII) A karnikara pavilion has twenty pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XXIV) A shatarddhika pavilion has eighteen pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XXV) A simha pavilion has sixteen pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XXVI) A shyamabhadra pavilion has fourteen pillars.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">(XXVII) A samudra pavilion has twelve pillars. Pavilions
should be triangular, semi-circular or rectangular.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The kings of the kali era and their dynasties are next
described.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Donations</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There are different methods of donating alms. One
of the most sacred is known as tulapurusha. In this, a pair of scales
is used. The person who is donating the alms ascends on one side
of the scales and gold is placed on the other side until the scales are
exactly balanced. This is the amount of gold that has to be donated
if punya is to be acquired.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A second sort of donation is known as hiranyagarbha.
In this , a pot full of gold is donated.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">In a third form of donation a model of the universe (brahmanda)
is fashioned out of gold and donated. This form of donation
is therfore known as brahmanda.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The fourth form of donation, known as kalpadapa?
In this, a tree is made out of gold and donated.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The fifth form of donation is known as gosahasra and
involves the donation of a thousand cows.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The sixth form of donation is known as kamadhenu.
The object of donation in this case is a cow and calf, both made out of
gold.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The seventh form of donation is similar and is known
as hiranyashva. A horse made out of gold is donated.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The eighth form of donation is called ashvaratha.
A horse (ashva) and four chariots (ratha) have to be donated and both have
to be made out of gold.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Hemahastiratha is the ninth form of donation. The
objects or donation in this case are an elephant and a chariot made out
of gold.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The tenth form of donation is known as panchalngalaka.
In this case, ten ploughs are donated. Five of them have to be made
of wood and the remaining five have to be made of gold.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The eleven form of donation is dhara. Int his case,a
golden model of the earth is donated.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The twelfth form of donation is known as vishvachakra.
The object that is donated is again a model made out of gold. The
model is that of the universe in the shape of a wheel.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The thirteenth form of donation is mahakalapalaka.
Ten creepers made out of god are donated.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The fourteenth form of donation is saptasagara.
Pits are made in the ground, there being seven of them. Each pit
stands for one of the seven oceans. In the first pit is put salt,
in the second milk, in the third clarified butter, in the fourth molasses,
in the fifth curds, in the sixth sugar and in the seventh holy water.
An image of a god or goddess is then placed in each pit- Brahma in the
first, Vishnu in the second, Shiva in the third, Surya in the fourth, Yama
in the fifth. Lakshmi in the sixth and Parvati in the seventh.
The images must be made out of gold. The pits are then filed to the
brim with jewels and the entire contents donated.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The fifteenth form of donation is called ratnadhenu.
In this case, a cow made out of gold is donated. The nose, the eyes,
the brows and various other parts of the cow should be made out of jewels.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The sixteen form of donation is called mahabhutaghata.
A pot is made out of gold, filled with jewels and donated.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">These different forms of donation are superior to all
other forms of donation, and bring undying punya.</span>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Romaharshana completed his recital of the Matsya Purana
by offering respects to the audience.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A person who reads even one chapter of the text goes to
heaven and all his sins are forgiven.</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sages thanked Romaharshana and departed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv1ByAEQ2c__Pe7j1odniUdmSYrFPnK_VoGWDPKyainFMdmFxAOybUqJ4r-C78MbcsMg6HVhhr5Qod_8MhSiPFNoqzm5bJBIXQ82FBbGG4lRoXA0xYh4hbqiC31szTn_nwfQcUxMhJipZ/s1600/TN_144807000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv1ByAEQ2c__Pe7j1odniUdmSYrFPnK_VoGWDPKyainFMdmFxAOybUqJ4r-C78MbcsMg6HVhhr5Qod_8MhSiPFNoqzm5bJBIXQ82FBbGG4lRoXA0xYh4hbqiC31szTn_nwfQcUxMhJipZ/s1600/TN_144807000000.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #003300;">Warns about
Mahapralaya (Deluge)</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The pious man realizes the fish is Narayana and
prostates before it. Matsya then told him that there will be a Mahapralaya in
seven days. Matsya requests him to gather the seeds of all plants and a pair
each of all living beings. He is asked to put them in a ship and wait for the
deluge (Mahapralaya). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Matsya also tells the pious man that it will
again appear during the deluge and he will need to tie the boat to its horn
using Snake Vasuki as the rope. In some versions, Matsya sprouts the horn and
uses Ananta Sesha as the rope and navigates the boat to safety without the help
of the pious man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In Bhagavad Purana, the boat is not build by
the pious man but instead it appears before the deluge and he has to enter it
with the seeds of all plants. When the boat was tossed hither and thither in
the massive flood, Matsya appeared near the boat and Satyavrata tied the boat
to the horn of Matsya using Snake Vasuki as the rope. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Matsya navigated the boat safely to the top of Mount
Meru.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #003300;">Matsya
Rescuing Vedas</span><span style="color: #003300;"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When the deluge was taking place, the Vedas was
forgotten by the pious man. Matsya plunged into the flood to rescue it. A demon
named Damanaka had stolen the Vedas and he had taken refuge in a conch-shell. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After a terrible fight with Damanaka, the Vedas
are restored and returned to the pious man. In some versions, the Vedas are stolen by a
demon named Hayagriva and Matsya Avatara restores it from the demon. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b>Very briefly, this avatar was taken to retrieve the Vedas which had been
stolen by Hayagriva, when the creator Brahma went into slumber. The
Lord took the form of a big whale to restore the Vedas after slaying the
demon Hayagriva and taught the Puranas dealing with Brahma to
Satyavratha (a royal sage son of Vivaswin, exalted to the position of
Manu by the Lord) and other seers. </b></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b>The story goes thus: </b></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b> One
day when Sathyavratha was offering water to the horses standing on the
bank of river Krantamala, he found a small fish in the hollow of his
palm containing water. When he dropped the fish, it requested
Sathyavratha to protect it. Thereupon he put it into the vessel of
water he had brought along with him (kamandala). There it grew and
again requested Sathyavratha to place it in such a place where it can
comfortably live. Then Sathyavratha transferred it to a pitcher; there
also it grew. Thus Sathyavratha went on transferring the fish from the
pitcher to a pond, from a pond to a lake and from a lake to several
lakes as the fish went on growing wherever it was placed. Hence,
finally it was thrown into the ocean. The fish pleaded with
Sathyavratha not to leave it alone, as it was afraid of alligators.
Sathyavratha realised that it was not an ordinary fish; it was the Lord
himself taking the form of a fish for a particular purpose. He then
beseeched the Lord to tell him the true facts. </b></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b> The
Lord pleased by this, told Sathyavratha that on the seventh day all the
three lokas (Bhooloka, Bhoovarloka and the ocean) will be in deluge and
at that time a mysterious boat will come floating. He then directed
Sathyavratha to board the vessels with all types of seeds, herbs and
animal plants and attach the boat by means of serpent snake to his horn.
Eventually when the golden whale with thorns was perceived by
Sathyavratha, he did as directed by the Lord. </b></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b> Sathyavratha
was taught Puranic lore mysteries (Matsya Putana), while on board the
vessel. The Lord then handed over the restored Vedas after killing
Hayagriva to Brahma who woke up from his slumber at the end of Pralaya.
Sathyavratha also called Sraddhadevas was bestowed with spiritual
knowledge and wisdom by Lord Vishnu himself.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-85469554647664027442011-04-26T17:39:00.000-07:002011-04-27T04:17:09.418-07:00Radhai...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qsodDttjiBgaFHOBri3ArtSB7f6uMr-U-ty_qHtXS08x2KdEZ043nSND2-u_e9b5RuaTSaZSFGQ9Blf7gSyyUrh238QptQxXSa1vLzowYlIKfvRUeUVxFP6EsVmPjUuwd3RJB25AYI2h/s1600/RadheMandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qsodDttjiBgaFHOBri3ArtSB7f6uMr-U-ty_qHtXS08x2KdEZ043nSND2-u_e9b5RuaTSaZSFGQ9Blf7gSyyUrh238QptQxXSa1vLzowYlIKfvRUeUVxFP6EsVmPjUuwd3RJB25AYI2h/s1600/RadheMandala.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Srimati Radharani is the Supreme Goddess. She is most always seen with Lord Krishna. It is described that She is the chief associate and devotee of Lord Krishna, and topmost of all goddesses. Her name means that She is the most excellent worshiper of Lord Krishna. However, She is also an expansion of the Lord's energy. Since She is also an extension of Krishna, She is the feminine aspect of God. Thus, in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, God is both male and female. They are one, but Krishna expands into two, Himself and Radharani, for the sake of divine loving pastimes. If They remained as one, then there is no relationship, there are no pastimes, and there can be no dynamic exchange of love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibs4SiISsuFO81Qb4zaPHLVSCloRiWBNFJ03zh-NVba8wObg9n_LsMN_LfYLooGmjdycdgsZfDzZnXF8anqxP6d_1hIV53FpazsHru7Kp5KMr5DZWegcBZhTs5yhcQyx6y4s2XmEbaUiGR/s1600/krishna_and_radha_by_lord_fsan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibs4SiISsuFO81Qb4zaPHLVSCloRiWBNFJ03zh-NVba8wObg9n_LsMN_LfYLooGmjdycdgsZfDzZnXF8anqxP6d_1hIV53FpazsHru7Kp5KMr5DZWegcBZhTs5yhcQyx6y4s2XmEbaUiGR/s640/krishna_and_radha_by_lord_fsan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
In the Brihad-Gautamiya Tantra, Radharani is described as follows: "The transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krishna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord." <br />
<br />
Radharani has many names according to Her qualities and characteristics. Some of the names that Radharani is known by include:<br />
<br />
Govinda-anandini--She who gives pleasure to Govinda [Krishna]; <br />
<br />
Govinda-mohini--She who mystifies Govinda; <br />
<br />
Govinda-sarvasa--the all-in-all of Lord Govinda; <br />
<br />
Shiromani Sarva-kanta--the crown jewel of all the Lord's consorts; and... <br />
<br />
Krishnamayi--the one who sees Krishna both within and without. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgik9Gv8Mcc26Dycp9YfF0FmCOyfDLY4-alF8afWPZoCfUSp4i2xsyNuJfqgidqGu1qT-Cj0FDonbBC5L_vbvCzxNdUiFy8tjSXyKs9wZrnlKPXIlE5T0UkiJm-8wIhdAsPEC7hJScU47-D/s1600/krishna_painting_QD76_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgik9Gv8Mcc26Dycp9YfF0FmCOyfDLY4-alF8afWPZoCfUSp4i2xsyNuJfqgidqGu1qT-Cj0FDonbBC5L_vbvCzxNdUiFy8tjSXyKs9wZrnlKPXIlE5T0UkiJm-8wIhdAsPEC7hJScU47-D/s1600/krishna_painting_QD76_l.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
She is also known as Sarva-kanti, which indicates that all beauty and luster rest in Her body, and all the Lakshmis derive their beauty from Her. Sarva-kanti also means that all the desires of Lord Krishna rest in Srimati Radharani. As Lord Krishna enchants the world with His beauty and charm, Sri Radha enchants Him. Therefore She is the Supreme Goddess. Sri Radha is the full power, and Lord Krishna is the possessor of full power. (Cc.Adi-lila, 4.82, 84, 87-96) Thus, the two are non-different, as the sunshine is nondifferent from the sun, or as the energy is non-different from the energetic or source of energy. <br />
<br />
Srimati Radharani is the source of the other goddesses. Just as Lord Krishna is the source of all other manifestations and incarnations of God, Radharani is the source of all expansions of the energies of God - the shaktis, or other goddesses. Thus, Vishnu, Rama, even Shiva are all expansions of the one Supreme Being, Krishna, and similarly Lakshmi, Sita, and even Durga are all expansions of this Supreme Feminine form of God, Radharani. <br />
<br />
It is explained that the beloved consorts of Lord Krishna are of three kinds, namely the goddesses of fortune or Lakshmis, His queens, and the milkmaids of Vraja called the gopis. All of them proceed from Radharani. The Lakshmis are partial manifestations, or plenary portions, of Srimati Radharani, while the queens in Vaikuntha and in Dvaraka are reflections of Her image. The Vraja-devis or gopis are Her expansions and assist in the increase of rasa, or the divine loving pastimes. Among them there are many groups that have various sentiments and moods, which help Lord Krishna taste the sweetness of the rasa dance and other pastimes. (Cc.Adi-lila. 4. 75-81)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJe6bt_zJIpDj3AhinRUa-HOMWl6HXphY1hNQVINv94QFhLEJYEk_ZK9jJbILnaeQf4KXCnFrkHHDkB7eKNiHdRq71oY4xn-8tM91hbbB85ehFtjFLi6VMkNcJlQBbCD2SguVoImWsrCs/s1600/Radha%252520Krsna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJe6bt_zJIpDj3AhinRUa-HOMWl6HXphY1hNQVINv94QFhLEJYEk_ZK9jJbILnaeQf4KXCnFrkHHDkB7eKNiHdRq71oY4xn-8tM91hbbB85ehFtjFLi6VMkNcJlQBbCD2SguVoImWsrCs/s1600/Radha%252520Krsna.jpg" /></a></div><br />
In this way, without Radha there is no meaning to Krishna and without Krishna there is no meaning to Radha. Because of this, in the Vaishnava tradition we always pay respects first to the Lord's internal energy in the form of Radha, and then to the Lord. Thus They are referred to as Radha-Krishna, or in other names as Sita-Rama, Lakshmi-Narayana, and so on. In this way, Radha and Krishna are one, but when Lord Krishna wants to enjoy, He manifests Himself as Radharani. Otherwise, there is no energy in which Krishna can attain pleasure outside Himself. <br />
<br />
The descriptions of the beauty of Radharani are wonderfully poetic and descriptive. Actually, the residents of Vrindavana care more for Radharani than they do for Lord Krishna. They know that Krishna can be influenced through Radharani. They know that Radha can bring one to Krishna. She is also the compassionate nature of the Lord, and thus more easily approached than trying to reach Lord Krishna directly. And when we read these descriptions of Radha, it is no wonder why they are devoted to Her. For example, it is explained that Srimati Radharani has unlimited transcendental qualities, of which twenty-five are principal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwD_jgvE6ksUSpPFH_ErVuRUJR2tCfaeRXmfOvv_lLiXipDgtK1hJ8B6_ISpn6MgKezpwtpfAS_IJ7dj_QYO0QMq1dmT9-NBmKNpn-c6ExPxt7I7vMHsjw2qlSZ9SlgEMoiMafen-iSMp/s1600/Radha%252520Krsna2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwD_jgvE6ksUSpPFH_ErVuRUJR2tCfaeRXmfOvv_lLiXipDgtK1hJ8B6_ISpn6MgKezpwtpfAS_IJ7dj_QYO0QMq1dmT9-NBmKNpn-c6ExPxt7I7vMHsjw2qlSZ9SlgEMoiMafen-iSMp/s640/Radha%252520Krsna2.jpg" width="465" /></a></div><br />
The Hare Krishna mantra directs one's attention and devotion to Radha as well as Krishna. Radha is also known as Mother Hara, which is the name Hare in the vocative form within the mantra. So in chanting Hare Krishna, we are first approaching the Lord's internal potency and asking Radha to please engage us in the service of Lord Krishna. Concentrating on Krishna through His names is one form of that service. In other words, it is through Radha that one more easily attains Krishna and service to Krishna. This is the advantage of approaching Lord Krishna through Radharani. <br />
<br />
To understand Himself through the agency of Radha, the Lord manifests Himself as Lord Chaitanya, who is Lord Krishna but with the super-excellent emotions of Radharani's love toward Lord Krishna. To fully taste His own sweetness, the Lord accepts the position and emotions of a devotee. Appearing 500 years ago in Bengal, India, Lord Chaitanya propagated the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra as the only means to experience Radha's love for Krishna.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ61oJ-yOeYqlIJH2RWiGFGpd-5Kwp9zmZeUacc_ScUAyyVoRf85mQXG_Rc-Su-EmYQg-vuHZkX1yGa44nm34frNANN7piJIuL0_52nw-G5CJcU7VUO03LjwB-0riNW4BAeGfjKfapMLy/s1600/Radha%252520Krsna3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ61oJ-yOeYqlIJH2RWiGFGpd-5Kwp9zmZeUacc_ScUAyyVoRf85mQXG_Rc-Su-EmYQg-vuHZkX1yGa44nm34frNANN7piJIuL0_52nw-G5CJcU7VUO03LjwB-0riNW4BAeGfjKfapMLy/s1600/Radha%252520Krsna3.jpg" /></a></div>These include: <br />
<br />
1) She is very sweet. <br />
<br />
2) She is always freshly youthful. <br />
<br />
3) Her eyes are restless. <br />
<br />
4) She smiles brightly. <br />
<br />
5) She has beautiful, auspicious lines. <br />
<br />
6) She makes Krishna happy with Her bodily aroma. <br />
<br />
7) She is very expert in singing. <br />
<br />
8) Her speech is charming. <br />
<br />
9) She is very expert in joking and speaking pleasantly. <br />
<br />
10) She is very humble and meek. <br />
<br />
11) She is always full of mercy. <br />
<br />
12) She is cunning. <br />
<br />
13) She is expert in executing Her duties. <br />
<br />
14) She is shy. <br />
<br />
15) She is always respectful. <br />
<br />
16) She is always calm. <br />
<br />
17) She is always grave. <br />
<br />
18) She is expert in enjoying life. <br />
<br />
19) She is situated in the topmost level of ecstatic love. <br />
<br />
20) She is the reservoir of loving affairs in Gokula. <br />
<br />
21) She is the most famous of submissive devotees. <br />
<br />
22) She is very affectionate to elderly people. <br />
<br />
23) She is very submissive to the love of Her friends. <br />
<br />
24) She is the chief gopi. <br />
<br />
25) She always keeps Krishna under Her control. <br />
<br />
In short, She possesses unlimited transcendental qualities, just as Lord Krishna does. (Ujjvala-nilamani, Sri-radha-prakarana 11-15) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhCm9ilnJIARay8B4q6WjeDo3kvuDyZwL3Hso1lPSBtesGUpSFWUSVDRjD8-FfIdbDqHNdtm3psXqHGeNSu4fs8Urato2M3i-N88KPXOHegGaQuk0CqeyDuHZMuYAWhsqH0qv1sn34uH7/s1600/Radha%252520Krsna5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="539" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhCm9ilnJIARay8B4q6WjeDo3kvuDyZwL3Hso1lPSBtesGUpSFWUSVDRjD8-FfIdbDqHNdtm3psXqHGeNSu4fs8Urato2M3i-N88KPXOHegGaQuk0CqeyDuHZMuYAWhsqH0qv1sn34uH7/s640/Radha%252520Krsna5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In describing Srimati Radharani, it is also said in the Vidagdha-madhava (1.32) by Rupa Gosvami, "The beauty of Srimati Radharani's eyes forcibly devours the beauty of newly grown blue lotus flowers, and the beauty of Her face surpasses that of an entire forest of fully blossomed lotuses. Her bodily luster seems to place even gold in a painful situation. Thus the wonderful, unprecedented beauty of Srimati Radharani is awakening Vrindavana." <br />
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"Although the effulgence of the moon is brilliant initially at night, in the daytime it fades away. Similarly, although the lotus is beautiful during the daytime, at night it closes. But, O My friend, the face of My most dear Srimati Radharani is always bright and beautiful, both day and night. Therefore, to what can Her face be compared?" (Vidagdha-madhava 5.20) <br />
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"When Srimati Radharani smiles, waves of joy overtake Her cheeks, and Her arched eyebrows dance like the bow of Cupid. Her glance is so enchanting that it is like a dancing bumblebee, moving unsteadily due to intoxication. That bee has bitten the whorl of My heart." (Vidagdha-madhava 2.51) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhky87U5Pi0RwcV4dRWx-_LtWeVmHRNxAGds_jBXuOQC9fGvLiCLoQ0qt88767PlW-iAOKL90Yw84bcXAm_cYqqQpyTTDIGA_UzHiwt_rTUJUwcYHa9qrq6RIupX9pzYKa5mX6x8Im4gcVw/s1600/Radha%252520playing-vina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhky87U5Pi0RwcV4dRWx-_LtWeVmHRNxAGds_jBXuOQC9fGvLiCLoQ0qt88767PlW-iAOKL90Yw84bcXAm_cYqqQpyTTDIGA_UzHiwt_rTUJUwcYHa9qrq6RIupX9pzYKa5mX6x8Im4gcVw/s640/Radha%252520playing-vina.jpg" width="487" /></a></div>The spiritual exchange of divine love between Radha and Krishna is the display of the internal energy of the Lord, and is very confidential and difficult to understand. No materialist can begin to understand this topic of the relationship between Radharani and Lord Krishna. But the more we awaken our dormant love for God, which is natural state of being for a fully awakened soul, then the more we can comprehend and actually enter into such spiritual loving exchanges.<br />
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When people pray to God, sometimes doubts may arise as to whether and how the Lord will respond. Such doubts arose even in the mind of Radha. But all doubts disappeared when she realised that the whole Universe was the mansion of God and there was no need to keep any door open or closed. All that was needed was complete surrender to God. The mystic significance of the songs of the saints and devotees like Radha and Meera should be rightly understood. <br />
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Radha was like a leader of the gopikas. It was not as if Radha wanted to be the leader but the other gopikas chose her as their leader. Whenever there was difficulty they would go up and tell her. <br />
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Radha should not convey to you the picture of the kind you see in cinemas and dramas today. She was the kind of person who was always in the thought of Krishna and her name itself conveys her greatness and sacredness. If you start with ‘R’ you get Radha, if you start with ‘A’ you get Adhar, if you start with ‘D’ you get dhara and if you read backwards, you get Aradh’. This means that the very basis of Radha is the Aradhana (Adoration) of Krishna. <br />
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She was sent to one of the villages, and in agony she sang, "There is trouble in the village and there is not a shade where I can take shelter! So I have come and I am maintaining this life breath in myself for your sake. Show Yourself atleast in my dream. My mind can not rest even for a moment if I cannot see You. You are like my eye ball within myself, if I am to describe You. But if I have to see You, You are like a small baby who is outside me. But if I have no eyeball in me, then I can not even look at this small baby. You are the One who shows and You are the One whom I aspire to see. In your gross human form, will you show yourself to me atleast once?" At that time Krishna was in Mathura. In the prayer of Radha we notice that even though there was no place for her to take shelter, yet she was maintaining her life breath solely for the sake of Krishna. While she was engaging herself in this kind of introspection, it looked to her as if her companions were playing some games. One group of gopikas were singing and saying that Gopala has returned. As soon as she heard that song, she thought that Gopala had really returned and she jumped out of the bamboo thicket into the hot sand and she was running forward to meet Gopala, not minding the heat of the sand. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBN6_7UEYtyaC-U4hIWgL8Qtf0OU6FgigzzWwa6QoldBT0mNX3mK1R5TFMwDndgHh3nv0Gih398zernsrPDaLnH9BInLfz1WKd5baO7lNweee6F3xHzZA6xE8fNteoGmw2fjrlhn5Qdtp/s1600/radha-kishan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBN6_7UEYtyaC-U4hIWgL8Qtf0OU6FgigzzWwa6QoldBT0mNX3mK1R5TFMwDndgHh3nv0Gih398zernsrPDaLnH9BInLfz1WKd5baO7lNweee6F3xHzZA6xE8fNteoGmw2fjrlhn5Qdtp/s640/radha-kishan.jpeg" width="499" /></a></div>Radha’s bhakti was such that she was always on the banks of river Yamuna, both in the heat and in the cold. In the heat, her body was getting scorched, but she never bothered. <br />
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When she was asked what she wanted from the Lord, she answered that she was content when she had Him and did not seek anything else from Him. She was singing to the Lord praying that He should come to her with the jingling of the anklets which He used to wear at the time of killing of the great serpent. She was singing in ecstasy and addressing her Lord, asking Him to come to her. In such ecstasy she dropped dead. <br />
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You can understand Radha only if you can fathom the depth of that thirst. Radha believed that Krishna is the Adhar (Basis) and she did Aradh (worship) to Krishna in a continuous Dhara (stream). In fact she is dhara or nature which is another form of the Lord or Purusha Himself. Prakrithi is dhara. Think of it always. Pine for dhara, dhara and you find that you are pining for Radha, Radha. So Radha is the becoming and Krishna is the being. <br />
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There is a story about Radha and her faith in Krishna. The elders in Brindavan who revelled in scandalising Krishna set an ordeal for Radha to test her virtue. She was given a mud pot with hundred holes and was asked to bring water in that pot from Yamuna to her house! She was so full of Krishna consciousness that she never knew the condition of the pot. She immersed it in the river repeating the name of Krishna as usual with every intake of the breath and every exhalation. Everytime the name Krishna was uttered, a hole was covered, so that by the time the pot was full, it was whole! That was the measure of her faith. Faith can affect even the inanimate objects. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41f_1oaG1i5WudixYpwm6kZNHUFFmvBbJKfU9ZL-fPUxO5bH5kuJJJ6GkXYrBXC13V9_xYKIjLpbp4RcoKIE-k4cVdU_rF2YmEIp41Xn_0xzwqX8bn4sfAFWHJ8L-TXBVpeTlQvzLHyT3/s1600/Radha-KB-Mandir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41f_1oaG1i5WudixYpwm6kZNHUFFmvBbJKfU9ZL-fPUxO5bH5kuJJJ6GkXYrBXC13V9_xYKIjLpbp4RcoKIE-k4cVdU_rF2YmEIp41Xn_0xzwqX8bn4sfAFWHJ8L-TXBVpeTlQvzLHyT3/s320/Radha-KB-Mandir.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bhava Sankeerthana was illustrated by Radha alone, who expressed her feelings towards God and identified herself with the Divine in every mode of devotion. She expressed her devotion in five forms viz Shanta (Serenity), Sakhya (Friendliness), Vatsalya (Maternal Love), Anurag (Affection) and Madhura (Sweetness). </div><br />
The Radha tathwam is also a deep, inscrutable one as she was ever in the contemplation of the Lord and his glory. She too saw the child Krishna as a Divine manifestation, separate from the human form. Yashoda one day was searching for Krishna, who had strayed away. She sought almost everywhere and at last she went to the house of Radha and asked for help. Radha just closed her eyes, meditated on Krishna for a while and when she called "Krishna," Krishna was there. Then, Yashoda shed tears of joy. She said, "I Love Krishna as a mother, I have a sense of egoism in me that he is my son and that I must save him from harm and give him guidance and protection. But Prema is pure and it has no egoism prompting it...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-44232354095562705442011-04-25T02:51:00.000-07:002011-04-26T03:26:09.324-07:00Ajamilan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMLnaLdzP0C35zTOzmyvUTObR5lFv7KpKudwiact0LYg0TicIuV-4uZZhnLqzLnkJH5LPin_lSdkvmEbMW3ycAU7IDCkXpfIAlpVOxFSyfRXeJr7dRFrR76mqthy1YQtFkUJaE2BfwCJ2/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMLnaLdzP0C35zTOzmyvUTObR5lFv7KpKudwiact0LYg0TicIuV-4uZZhnLqzLnkJH5LPin_lSdkvmEbMW3ycAU7IDCkXpfIAlpVOxFSyfRXeJr7dRFrR76mqthy1YQtFkUJaE2BfwCJ2/s1600/untitled.bmp" /></a></div><strong><em>The story of Ajamila occurs in the sixth skanda of Srimad Bhagavatam.</em></strong> <br />
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Parikshit asks Shukacharya how to avoid naraka (hell) and the horrid experiences of hell that Shukacharya narrated in the fifth skanda. Shuka says the practice of spiritual discipline is the remedy. By means oif austerity, celibacy, control of the mind and the senses one can overcome great sins. Some rare persons however, by the path of devotion, eradicate sins entirely like the sun clearing off the mist :<br />
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<strong><em>Kecit kevalyA bhaktyA vAsudeva-parAyaNAH /</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>aghaM dhunvanti kArtsnyena nIhAramiva bhAskaraH // VI – 1 – 15</em></strong><br />
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If a man, with a feeling of passionate attachment, unites his mind with Krishna’s feet even once, he will not see Yama or his emissaries with noose in hand, even in dreaM (VI – 1 – 19):<br />
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<strong><em>sakRRin-manaH kRRishhNa-padAravindayoH niveshitaM tad-guNa-rAgi yairiha /</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>na te yamaM pAsha-bhRitashca tad-bhaTAn svapne-pi pashyanti hi chIrNa-nishhkRRitAH //</em></strong><br />
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And, sparked by this statement of himself Shukacharya narrates the story of Ajamila.<br />
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Ajamila was once a very noble brahmin, performing his duties and prescribed rituals most sincerely and was also a good husband, good son and good father. Once when he was in the forest to gather the fuel-wood for his rituals, he fell for a woman, heart and soul. Actually the woman was one of very low morals. From that time onwards he lived with her, abandoned his family and his own parents. He got ten children by her, made a living and supported this large family by blackmailing rich people, by cheating, fraud and gambling. He was particularly fond of the youngest child, Narayana, by name. The attachment to the child was so pronounced that whether he was eating, drinking, relaxing or working, he would always want Narayana to be by his side and partake of his food or participate in his enjoyment. When finally the call from Yama, the God of Death, came, it came suddenly and in his agony he called his child to his side and cried: O Narayana. He called aloud with great fear, *plAvitena svareNa ucchaiH* (VI – 1 – 29) says Shuka.<br />
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The messengers of Yama who almost got him in their noose suddenly found from within his heart four well-clad beautiful angel-like figures, each with four hands, preventing the messengers of Yama from discharging their duty. An intense conversation ensued between the messengers of Yama on the one side and the messengers of Narayana - because that is what they were - on the other side. They asked: You are the emissaries of Dharma-raja; then you should know what dharma is and what rules apply for punishment. The messengers of Yama replied: (VI – 1 -40 to 68):<br />
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What is declared by the Vedas is dharma. What is prohibited by Vedas is adharma. The one God who has created this entire world and who has allotted the different duties to varnas and ashramas is Lord Narayana. He has ordained that our Lord Yama take the lives of people when their time is over and punish them according to sins committed by them. There are several witnesses to whatever a man does in his life. They are:<br />
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<strong><em>sUryo’gniH khaM marud-gAvaH somaH sandhyA-hanI dishaH /</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>kam kuH kAlO dharma iti hyete daihyasya sAkshhiNaH // (VI – 1 – 42)</em></strong><br />
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They are the Sun, Agni the Fire-God, Space, the Wind-God, Animals, the Moon, the God of SandhyA the twilight, Day, Night, the eight quarters, Water, Earth, Time and the God of Dharma, who is Yama himself. Nothing can be hidden from any of these. Sitting there in the town of Samyamini, our Lord Yama knows every action of Man by his mental powers, knows all their previous lives, and their future lives. Man thinks that what he has before him, namely his body and mind, is his personality. He has no idea of what went before this life and what is going to come after. He experiences good and bad, performs meritorious as well as sinful actions, by means of his five organs of action and five organs of perception, through which he experiences the five objects of perception, namely, sound touch, smell, form and taste. The sixteenth is his mind and with himself as the seventeenth, he goes through all his experiences, actions and thoughts. His subtle body has these sixteen components. This subtle body is ours once his time is up. We are doing our duty ordained by our boss. <br />
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Back came a pretty long rejoinder from the messengers of Vishnu: Your Master who must show to the world what right action is, has sent messengers like you who do not seem toi know the rules! This Ajamila, though he has forgotten his real divine nature, has pronounced the four-syllabled name of God Narayana at the time of death and by that very action has done the prAyascitta (repentance act) for all his sins. <br />
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A thief of gold, a drinker of wine, a betrayer of a friend, a killer of a brahmin, one who commits adultery with the wife of his Guru, a killer of a woman or of a king, or of a cow or of his father -- all these worst sinners have been declared to be absolved by the recitation of God's name because by that very act he becomes God's protege and deserves to be under His care. <br />
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Not all the penitence-rituals of the scriptures can wash a man's sins off as much as the name Narayana can. The repentance acts only purify past sins; they do not guarantee the non-commission of future sins or the non-repetition of the same acts for which the atonement-ritual was done. But taking God's name on the tongue will eradicate the vAsanAs that are the causes of sinful acts and so the future actions and his entire character will change. There are rituals and rituals (for atonement and purification) of different degrees -- easy ones for elementary sins and difficult ones for deeper sins. But as far as taking the Lord's name is concerned it is only one. The one name of God absolves and purifies sins of all kinds, small or large. Even when he has uttered the name without really intending to call the Supreme Lord, it purifies him just as wood is burnt by fire, irrespective of the intent. <br />
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After all this explanation by the messengers of Vishnu the messengers of Yama felt overpowered and they went back to their overlord. In the meantime Ajamila came back to his senses and remembered all the conversation that went on in the presence of his subtle body between the messengers. He was about to say something, when the messengers of Vishnu also disappeared. It was quite a while before he could take stock of the situation. Here he was. alive and kicking, by the mercy of God Narayana, whose name he had just taken on the point of death, not in remembrance of the Lord but in passionate affection of his child. If this single act of the utterance of a four-syllable word Narayana can make such a difference to life after death, what larger worlds of fullness and majesty he may not conquer by really leading a noble life of Dharma in the memory of the Lord? -- so thought Ajamila. And that very moment he renounced everything to which he was attached, went to Benares and engaged himself in austerities and meditation and in due time reached the abode of the Lord. <br />
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According to Ajamila Charitra in Srimad Bhagavatam, the practice of chanting the Divine Names would uproot all inherent Vasanas, carried over from previous lives, cleanse our mind and take us to the right path. The mind that is pure and free from all negative thoughts would then be able to concentrate on Krishna, the divine Power. The supreme Good that one is able to realize through meditation can now be easily achieved through the means of Nama Sangeerthana. <br />
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<strong><em>"Kalau Kalmasha chittaanaam Paapa Dravyopajeevinaam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Vidhi Kriya viheenaanaam gathir Govinda keertanam" </em></strong><br />
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The scriptures say that the practice of Nama Sangeerthanam would liberate us from past karmas (consequences arising out of past actions) and help us to attain spiritual fulfillment There is a misconception that the people of Kali Yuga are unfortunate because at this age only we witness a general decline in religious and moral values. The Vishnu Purana refutes this belief and says that the people of Kali Yuga are fortunate because they can achieve God Realization (Ishwara Sakshathkaram) through simple means of Nama Sangeerthanam whereas devotees of bygone ages had to undergo extreme hardship and struggle to attain the same end. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>---------------------------- In other Words ---------------------------------------</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ajamila was a man from the far antiquity. He fell to urges of sense gratification, and then was saved by chanting the name of God. His story is found in the Shrimad Bhagavatam (6.1-6.3).<br />
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Ajamila was born to devout Brahmin parents from Kanyakubja (known today Kannauj, a city in central Uttar Pradesh). At one time, Kannauj was a center of Vedic learning, today, it is more known for its attar industry. Some attars are worn as fragrance, like rose attar (rose petal distillate mixed in sandalwood oil), others are used to flavor foods (rose water, kewra water etc). Coming back to our story, Ajamila did not possess Brahmin-like sense of honor and strength of character, but he had studied some parts of the Vedas. His parents recognized his character flaws, and so, they married him to a beautiful, virtuous girl. They hoped that such a wife would be able to keep him straight, particularly after they pass away. For a while, it worked according to plan.<br />
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Then one day, Ajamila’s father sent him to the forest to collect fruits, flowers and samidh (fallen dry sticks of yajna-dumur plants, a type of fig tree) for worship. Samidh is used as firewood in yajnas. <br />
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Ajamila picked these things for the better part of the day. Then, he headed for home. He was almost to the edge of the forest, and there, he saw something. Two people were making out in the open. A loutish guy was tickling a young forest woman, who was intoxicated from drinking maireya madhu (according to the Amarakosha, sweet juice of sugarcane, probably not too fresh; according to the Charaka-samhita, it is made from rice). The two did not particularly care to keep their clothing in place. They were singing crude songs to each other and laughing out of their bellies. Even though they saw Ajamila approaching, they did not bother to control themselves. Instead, seeing Ajamila come, the guy decided to wrap his arms around her. It was gross exhibitionism. <br />
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Such public display of passion is not acceptable behavior in traditional India. However, some forest people have always lived for the passions of life, like the Gond tribe in central India and the Dang tribe in Gujarat. They live exuberantly, and intoxicate themselves by drinking Mohua flower distillate (honey tree flower, Madhuca longifolia). At one time, we had many Mohua forests all over India. The British decided that we should get rid of them and instead, plant teakwood. They had no use for Mohua, they had their own real alcohol. They just wanted to use the land to make money.<br />
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Let’s get back to the story. When Ajamila got there, the young woman glanced at him enchantingly. He was instantly hooked. He tried to control himself for one moment, but gave in to lust. He dropped his load of samidh and joined them. In one moment, he forgot all about his home, his beautiful and pious wife and his parents. Lust is one of our six prime ripus (enemies). It is a mighty enemy. Sages have warned us to not become servants of the genital and the belly (shishnodara-paraayana).<br />
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Unfortunately, Ajamila was a person of weak character. When the other guy left, he decided that he would stay back. He decided that he’d rather spend his life drinking and making wild love with the forest woman than go back to the sedate and structured life at home. He was a closet sex addict, and she was his ticket to explore his desires. So, he stayed with her, and later, married her. He needed money to support his new life and to buy gifts for her and her relatives, but he wasn’t going to spend time in finding honest work. He became a thief. You’d think that his upbringing and his Vedic education would have stopped him. But no, that was not Ajamila. He never ever thought about atoning or going back home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxi_sMptCC5dRSBueRN92RzSyYunuH-z7emyJNArXRQciFIbVwaj5LHRzdgcwBlsnVSm1DkCTinHkxqAU0eZYe8NRHAcvW0tHXY62zKYnqNA7INlVvd2elZpIbX7WEt4xFFyNCcNrHikY/s1600/ajamila+kathai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxi_sMptCC5dRSBueRN92RzSyYunuH-z7emyJNArXRQciFIbVwaj5LHRzdgcwBlsnVSm1DkCTinHkxqAU0eZYe8NRHAcvW0tHXY62zKYnqNA7INlVvd2elZpIbX7WEt4xFFyNCcNrHikY/s1600/ajamila+kathai.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Ajamila grew old, but continued having children with his forest wife. He was in his late seventies when they had their tenth and final child. It was a boy. They named him Narayana. Narayana, as we know, is one the names of God. Now, why should a couple, not too interested in Spiritual life name their child after God? The Bhaktamala grantha describes this part of the story.<br />
<br />
When Ajamila’s wife was carrying this child, a saint visited their house. He took pity on their situation and said to Ajamila’s wife, “I am very pleased with your hospitality. Now you must do me a great favor. Your tenth child will be a boy, name him Narayana.” She agreed with a smile. They did not realize that the saint had planted a seed of holiness in their home.<br />
<br />
Narayana grew up to be a very affectionate and kind-hearted boy. His parents loved him very much. He was their child of their old age, and was around them all the time, unlike his older siblings. Ajamila was not strong enough any more to go out and play with Narayana, but he enjoyed watching Narayana frolic in the yard. He also came to depend upon Narayana for getting his little chores done.<br />
<br />
When Ajamila was 88 years of age, his health started failing him. He lay in bed most of the time. He was resting one morning, when he saw three fierce-looking Yamadutas (agents of Lord Yama) approaching him. They had twisted faces and hairy bodies. They carried the feared noose to tie his jiva in the subtle body and take to afterlife. Ajamila was scared, he wanted to be helped. Narayana was playing with his toys a little far away, Ajamila called out for him, “Narayana! Narayana! Come here!”<br />
<br />
Suddenly, four agents of Lord Vishnu appeared there. They were pleasant-looking, had eyes as beautiful as lotus petals, wore yellow silk and a crown on their heads, wore ear-rings and flower garlands. They had four arms and carried a bow, a quiver, a sword, a mace, a conch, a chakra-disc and a lotus flower. They came because they had heard Ajamila cry out for Narayana, which is a name of Lord Vishnu. They asked the Yamadutas to release the jiva of Ajamila.<br />
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It is said that three agents of Lord Yama came, because Ajamila had sinned with his body, mind and speech; and four agents of Lord Vishnu came because there are four letters in the word Narayana.<br />
<br />
The Yamadutas were extremely surprised. They asked the Vishnudutas why they should not take a sinner like Ajamila. The Vishnudutas answered with a question, “Why do you consider Ajamila a sinner? Do you really understand the finer points of dharma? Do you know how to decide which man is and which man is not to be taken to hell?” The Yamadutas were not scholars, so they said, “Well, we have heard that dharma comes from the Vedas, originating from the breath of Lord Narayana. He is the One who remains without change, while creating the universe. A man’s karma is witnessed by the fire, the sun, the sky, the wind, the moon, the day and the night, the directions, the waters, and above all, by Lord Yama. We know who is a sinner and who is not from the evidence given by these witnesses. People enjoy or suffer in afterlife according to their karmas. Since karmas done over many lifetimes dictate a person’s birth, just by looking at the activities in the current birth, it is possible to judge whether a person has been a sinner all along. Our Lord Yama can see everything people do. Ajamila had a sinful life, so we came to take him to our Lord. We know that Yama will send Ajamila’s jiva to suffer in hell, and that suffering will pay for his sins.”<br />
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The Vishnudutas replied, “What a calamity! Don’t you know that by chanting the name of Lord Hari (Narayana), Ajamila has already paid for all his sins? Now, if you take him to suffer in hell, will it not be a miscarriage of justice? In his last moment, Ajamila had said “Narayana come here.” Even though he only meant to call his son, the power of the name of the Lord has paid for his sins.”<br />
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The word Hari means ‘One who takes away all our blemishes and bad situations’.<br />
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They said further, “Chanting the name of the Lord is better payment of sins than all the rituals for atonement prescribed by the lawgiver sages. Furthermore, by chanting, a person also gets to know the redeeming qualities of the Lord. Conducting atoning rituals is rarely enough, for the tainted mind (sanskaara) can still make a person do bad deeds again. Chanting atones and cleanses a person, because it engages the mind in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord.”<br />
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In the Gita, Sri Krishna confirmed that He purifies a person that thoroughly. He declared that by even if the worst offender comes to worship Him whole-heartedly, he quickly becomes a pure person, and we should consider him so (a dharmatma, a sadhu 9.30-31).<br />
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The Vishnudutas continued, “The power of the name of the Lord is such that even if one says it indirectly (a sanket, like Ajamila did), or in jest, or to add it to a lyric for rhyming, or even dismissively, it will instantly pay for all sins. Even when a person subconsciously says the name of the Lord while falling down from above, or tripping on the street, beaten by someone, or bitten by a snake, or as an exclamation from worldly suffering, he does not have to suffer. The Lord’s name is like fire, if it catches a wood, it will burn it to ashes. Chanting the name of the Lord works like a powerful medicine, acting in people who unknowingly take them.”<br />
<br />
Indeed, the name of the Lord is all-powerful, and very unique. It can be understood in this way. Consider that our mouths do not feel sweet if we say “sugar, sugar” or our bellies become full by saying “food, food” because, those are mere words, just powerless sounds. Those words are not fundamentally one with the objects they describe. Not so the name of the Lord. The Lord’s names are empowerd words. It is often said that “naam” (the name of the Lord) and “naami” (the Lord) are one. Like other Spiritual truths, this cannot be known by rational thought, it needs to be realized through revelation. And it can be done, and it has been done by many. We know the story of sage Valmiki. He was a robber and his name was Ratnaakar. He was so sinful, that he was asked to chant “mara, mara” (which when said quickly, becomes Rama). By doing that chanting, Ratnakar became the pure sage Valmiki. No wonder in the Gita, Sri Krishna said that of all yajnas, chanting is the most special (10. 25).<br />
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God has two kinds of names: guna-names (those which describe His qualities) and karma-names (those which describe His work). God has three qualities: satya (truth), jnana (knowledge) and ananta (infinite). His works are many: visarga-karma (creation-maintenance-dissolution of matter, creation of consciousness and evolution, Gita 8.3, 9.8 etc.), hita-karma (doing good to us, Gita 10.1) such as changing the hearts of bad people (Gita 9.30, 31), liberating devotees (Gita 12.6, 7), as well as His endless lila (sportive activities).<br />
<br />
The Yamadutas had no answer. They returned to Lord Yama to complain about the Vishnudutas. When Lord Yama heard the story, He got up and bowed for Lord Hari and was instantly filled with devotion and said to them, “All my authorities come from Lord Hari. He is the Supreme Lord. Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are his emanations. I have dominion over only the sinners, but I am not independent, I merely serve the Lord. Only twelve personalities, myself included, know dharma well. You do not know dharma in all its subtleties; therefore, you did not understand the actions of the Vishnudutas. They were absolutely correct in releasing Ajamila. Let it be a lesson that you should never bring a devotee to suffer in hell.” Saying so, Lord Yama prayed for forgiveness to Lord Hari on behalf of himself and his agents.<br />
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Meanwhile, Ajamila had revived. Having heard the conversation between Yamadutas and Vishnudutas about him, he started thinking. For the first time after leaving his home, he felt sorry for himself. He repented for his bad deeds. And decided that he will not be involved in sinful activities again. He took vanaprastha (left home) as indicated in Hindu law. He came to Haridwar (today spelt Hardwar) in north India (modern Uttarakhand). There, he devoted himself entirely to worship and finally, died in the river Ganga. The Vishnudutas came again and took him away.<br />
<br />
There could be some questions from this narration. Ajamila must have called for his son Narayana many times before, was he not already purified from that? Commentators do agree. They say that indeed Ajamila atoned by calling for his son earlier. In fact, it had created a new mindset (sanskaar) in him. Only that he did not recognize it himself. Why else when the Yamadutas came, he would think of calling his 10-year old kid? He could not have really expected him to help him at that point. Strange are the secrets of the Spiritual world and how we exist in it. Another question is, did the Yamadutas come for Ajamila earlier than they should have? This question has not been addressed by the major commentators. Clearly, it was not his time to die. It is possible that the Yamadutas might have reasoned that the sins of Ajamila should shorten his lifetime. I leave that for you to decide. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>To know more: </em></strong></span><a href="http://vedabase.net/sb/6/1/en2"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-14962033799452757852011-04-22T17:04:00.000-07:002011-04-23T05:44:43.844-07:00Sudhama@Kuselan - Krishna Bhaktha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC2fYnGGsAQaZxE3rqEJ_Ci0UX0yKvavKRTkc7TK71vZv0KaXTez5MKjYASGC3bgPvvYC1Yg1Ir6LhYFZQ_v0QJdLzsSB-oZH5DAkix1oX2J6LeizmOTn4LZho5d7ObRBGl4AsmJwactA/s1600/2meo46o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC2fYnGGsAQaZxE3rqEJ_Ci0UX0yKvavKRTkc7TK71vZv0KaXTez5MKjYASGC3bgPvvYC1Yg1Ir6LhYFZQ_v0QJdLzsSB-oZH5DAkix1oX2J6LeizmOTn4LZho5d7ObRBGl4AsmJwactA/s1600/2meo46o.jpg" /></a></div>In His childhood Krishna had got a friend Sudama. He was from a poor brahman family. Krishna and Sudama studied together at the same teacher Sandipani. Sudama loved Krishna very much. <br />
<br />
Once Krishna and Sudama went together to the forest to pick up brushwood. It happened that they stayed in the forest quite a long time and Krishna got hungry, Sudama, meanwhile, had some food. Though Krishna told that he was hungry many times, Sudama felt very shy to propose Him his scanty food. “How can I offer my food to the king’s son? Anyhow, he is from a very rich family and is not accustomed to such ordinary food,” thought he. And when Krishna asked him once more “Sudama, you maybe have at least something,” Sudama answered, “Krishna, I have got nothing.”<br />
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Sudama was also hungry. And now when Krishna went aside for a short time, he began to eat stealthily and Krishna noticed it, but he said nothing. Having finished with the brushwood they went apart for homes. Some time passed, studies came to the end. Sudama got married and Krishna took up his king’s throne. Years passed. Sudama got very poor, but he continued loving Krishna very much.<br />
<br />
In the same country there lived one petty knight who arduously hated Krishna. Krishna had got a lot of foes who hated him because of the love which multitude of people felt towards Krishna: these were noble men and commoners, men and women. So the enmity towards Krishna especially was directed to the commoners - Krishna’s bhaktas. <br />
<br />
The same happened with Sudama. That knight was indignant that Sudama loved Krishna so much and all the time chanted His name. Once he told Sudama, “Repeat my name and I will give you wealth, money, whatever you wish.” But Sudama answered, “No, never will I chant your name. Whatever poor I am staying, I will chant only Krishna’s name.” <br />
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Soon it came to the state that Sudama didn’t have any clothes to put on. Children cried of hunger and there were no food to feed them on. Every day wife invoked to Sudama, “You have got so good a friend Krishna. Go to Him and ask for help.” But Sudama answered, “No, He is God, He knows everything. What for shall I go to Him and beg? It is all clear to him anyway!” But his wife insisted, “Still, go and ask Him. It’s even ridiculous, you have got such a friend –the very king, and meanwhile we are so poor. Besides, this knight demands to chant his name and threatens with many troubles. Why do we have to chant his name?”<br />
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And really all Sudama’s family loved Krishna dearly. The wife was also his bhakt and chanted his name all the time “Krishna, Krishna, Krishna.”<br />
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Having seen at last that his threats don’t work, the knight decided to punish Sudama. He came to his house and hit him. <br />
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At this very time Krishna was sitting in His palace together with Rukmini, Sattyabhama and other relatives. Suddenly he felt the pain in the place on which the knight hit Sudama.<br />
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Krishna knew everything that happened to Sudama and his family, but he kept silence and did nothing. He needed that Sudama’s soul responded and opened to meet him. And it was necessary to help Sudama get rid of any shyness. <br />
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The knight hit Sudama again, just that very moment Krishna perceived the blow and exclaimed, “O-o-o!” Everybody got exited. His wives in agitation began asking, “What happened?!” And nevertheless, Krishna kept silence.<br />
<br />
But Sudama even after the punishments of the knight couldn’t come to Krishna and thought as before, that He knows it anyhow and understands everything. <br />
<br />
After this event Sudama’s life became unbearable at all. His wife didn’t know what to undertake, and Sudama didn’t want to obey the knight and proceeded to sing bhajans about Krishna. <br />
<br />
The knight on seeing such steadfast revering Krishna still more got in rage and vent on punishing Sudama. And when Sudama was being punished, Krishna in his kingdom in Dwaraka was also bad.<br />
<br />
At last Sudama’s wife broke down and told, “If you don’t go to Krishna, I myself will go to Krishna to ask for help.” Sudams protested, but the wife was adamant.<br />
<br />
And then Sudama brought himself to go, but there appeared another problem. It is not appropriate to go to a friend empty-handed. But in Sudama’s family there were nothing. “I cannot go to my friend empty-handed,’ said Sudama to his wife, ‘and we haven’t got any money so that to buy something.” Then his wife asked for some rice at their neighbours and simply boiled it. This was the same rice as it was formely in the forest at Sudama. He took it and in his plane clothes, singing as usual bhajans of Krishna went to Dvaraka where his great friend reigned.<br />
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Krishna’s palace was magnificent. It raptured anyone who has ever seen it by its noble delineation, the subtle stone carving and precious mosaic. Shady gardens and parks with a multitude of blooming lanes and fountains surrounded the palace.<br />
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And now Sudama, poor commoner, comes to Dvaraka and finds himself among all this splendour.<br />
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Mighty guards met Sudama at the palace gates and barred the way.<br />
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“Wait, where are you going?” asked they.<br />
<br />
“I want to meet Krishna.”<br />
<br />
“Do you want to meet Krishna?” laughed the guards critically looking over his garment. <br />
<br />
. “But who are you? Krishna doesn’t meet with such ones.”<br />
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“I don’t have other clothes,” answered Sudama modestly, “go and announce Krishna that the friend of his childhood Sudama came,” asked he.<br />
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In those times guards understood that if a man speaks so sincerely, it means that it really is the truth and he is trustworthy. They conveyed everything to Krishna.<br />
<br />
Krishna knew that Sudama would come. All this time he was waiting that Sudama would stop being shy and venture to meet him. And here came Sudama.<br />
<br />
When he entered the palace, Krishna was sitting with Rukmini and other wives and His court circle. On seeing Sudama he swiftly jumped from the throne and dashed to him. “Sudama came!” Enormous joy gripped Krishna. All his wives, the court, friends and guards were astounded by such Krishna’s behavior, “What happened? Who came? A common poor man came, but Krishna is so glad to him,” they were at a loss. He took him for shoulders and told in emotion, “Sudama! I am so glad to see you! How I was waiting for you! How I love you.” They were embracing each other and were both crying. <br />
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Then Krishna took Sudama’s hand and held not releasing it. All His wives, all the princesses who were there and saw it were so touched that they began throwing flowers to Sudama’s feet and asked the permission to rub them with expensive oils and incense. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA9BcQ-LwkAdOMM03GDcOCBfbp3ZOU028zFeHl6jCMCRhdV3VvzKr0AJGfbCfY2q35Ij72hJq_1cp45e7scYgNIxccCW_yhzB37uu8UN3JnSL3Zjhra5_OvnPsNyYhs1uxrw0xt4zdno6/s1600/pbaaae085_krishna_and_sudama_meet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA9BcQ-LwkAdOMM03GDcOCBfbp3ZOU028zFeHl6jCMCRhdV3VvzKr0AJGfbCfY2q35Ij72hJq_1cp45e7scYgNIxccCW_yhzB37uu8UN3JnSL3Zjhra5_OvnPsNyYhs1uxrw0xt4zdno6/s1600/pbaaae085_krishna_and_sudama_meet.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Krishna took Sudama forward, set him in his throne and he himself sat at his feet and asked to bring water: “I myself will wash his feet,” said Krishna. And all those around stood in full perplexity: the Very Krishna washes Sudama’s feet.<br />
<br />
Then Sudama had a rest and Krishna served at his feet: Sudama was dreaming and the very Krishna from one side and Rukmini from another, the very Lakshmi and Narayan served at Sudama’s feet. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CRA0tUXKEAus9fb1W3elVQkWAfnPUxBvCGQeqhqZfIK2bMPDMrwToOMMs3IpzZMDIHkG7rJUIDpi0s5axX9VfUMGbLzDQfxKKeThRHKkymRzwMW8reL0Fqyl9Y-ogdODEje3kx2Mh9Ra/s1600/krishna_sudama3_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CRA0tUXKEAus9fb1W3elVQkWAfnPUxBvCGQeqhqZfIK2bMPDMrwToOMMs3IpzZMDIHkG7rJUIDpi0s5axX9VfUMGbLzDQfxKKeThRHKkymRzwMW8reL0Fqyl9Y-ogdODEje3kx2Mh9Ra/s1600/krishna_sudama3_0.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When Sudama woke up, Krishna asked, “Tell me, Sudama, didn’t your wife give anything for me?” And Sudama again felt embarrassed, but Krishna told, “That’s all, Sudama. If I took your hand into mine, you shouldn’t be shy any more.” Then Sudama passed the rice cooked by his wife. And Krishna, though the most dainty dishes had been served up to his meals, took that rice and ate it. And as soon as he took small handful into his mouth, the situation in Sudama’s home changed immediately. With each handful of rice something changed, as if the old life was finishing and the new one started.<br />
<br />
Look, at his childhood Sudama felt shy to offer Krishna his poor meal and then he had been living in distress for many years. <br />
<br />
Krishna understood all Sudama’s life circumstances. He even sensed the hit on the back. But for the connection of the soul with the Great Soul there must all the bars be obliterated between them. Otherwise, there will be no connection, and until this there will be no moksh, no realization. <br />
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And when the two who love each other so dearly meet, then there isn’t one, isn’t another – both become One (a single). And with such love there is always realization <br />
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That is why Krishna told everybody who loved Him, “We are the one. There isn’t the two. There is one”.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPeE19T0LYoGYUVeL0BLGD80licVRRzv0f2_fidX4GssMT-NE3W5TDMbUo4XbYnRj5sYb09jLvjPsTY0nZ41RTT2g41pMY1fM0Y7rEqYrSeImiA8Wl_9GGVQ04vJ8umBiSmw9jdE8_WdX/s1600/tale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPeE19T0LYoGYUVeL0BLGD80licVRRzv0f2_fidX4GssMT-NE3W5TDMbUo4XbYnRj5sYb09jLvjPsTY0nZ41RTT2g41pMY1fM0Y7rEqYrSeImiA8Wl_9GGVQ04vJ8umBiSmw9jdE8_WdX/s320/tale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And Sudama was the same, - united with Krishna. But in their childhood it happened so, that Krishna sat hungry and Sudama did not share his food with him. He was not greedy, he wanted to share his food with Krishna, but he felt very shy because of his poverty…<br />
<br />
When Sudama returned home, the wellbeing lost by him in the past was restored in his family. <br />
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In fact, the Lord is so merciful, that even if we pray to Him to develop our faith in Him, to plant that seed of devotion in us, He does. All we have to do is ask.<br />
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<br />
Just ask. Just pray. Just chant. Just surrender. Just love. Just take shelter of His lotus feet and everything will be fine.....</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-88590889216366532842011-04-22T16:20:00.000-07:002011-04-23T02:48:52.603-07:00Gajendra Moksham...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtgzHz-IJ8FqvCuAE5dYuRyAEZO1tpWCQ0Q9uC5_B3aCXlw5mCW1pgXwX8-fkBTyY3zzsER_gvzhFAizkHbfzVxX-KfDoL5lml8VSddCX4ms5Vxo0CFrLXIgBSac63bCv3-OJlvPzhca_/s1600/gajendra_moksha_or32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtgzHz-IJ8FqvCuAE5dYuRyAEZO1tpWCQ0Q9uC5_B3aCXlw5mCW1pgXwX8-fkBTyY3zzsER_gvzhFAizkHbfzVxX-KfDoL5lml8VSddCX4ms5Vxo0CFrLXIgBSac63bCv3-OJlvPzhca_/s1600/gajendra_moksha_or32.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Devotion to God is not the forte of men alone. Animals are known to be endowed with keen sense of emotions and faith and devotion are the greatest among these. Tales of pachyderm devotees are common in Kerala and are retold to children to inculcate a religious inclination from a very young age. <strong><em>Gajendra Moksham and Guruvayoor Keshavan</em></strong> are two famous legends of the land. Gajendra and Guruvayoor Keshavan are examples of illustrious devotee elephants whose devotion and reverence to the Lord outdo the human veneration. <br />
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<strong><em><u>Gajendra Moksham:</u></em></strong> <br />
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Gajendra Moksham is the take of a celebrated elephant whose cries for help brought down the Lord Vishnu from his celestial abode. Although the story is set in the Tamil Nadu temple of Kapisthalam, the episode is the theme of many famed Kerala mural paintings and hence is popular in the households of the state. The most famous among these is the mural at the Krishnapuram Palace, on the way from Alleppey to Kollam, at a place known as at Kayamkulam. This is a spectacular, huge mural belonging to the 18th century and is the oldest in the region. <br />
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The Pandya King Indradyumnan is believed to have worshiped Lord Narayana or Vishnu with a fervor that far supersedes ordinary men. Unfortunately, for some reason the king earned the displeasure of Sage Druvasa. The Maharishi cursed the king to be born into the class of animals. Upon hearing this monarch was reduced to tears and beseeched the sage to revoke his curse because as an animal his daily prayers to the lord Vishnu would remain unfulfilled. The king held his prayers and offerings to his deity dearer than his own life. Moved by such piety, the sage blessed King Indradyumnan with life as an elephant and promised that his devotion would remain in such an animal incarnation too. He also promised that the king would receive deliverance through the blessings of the Lord himself. <br />
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A demi-god, Huhu, similarly invited the wrath of Maha rishi Devalar and was cursed to be reborn as a crocodile. It is believed that the sages of ancient India were extremely benevolent. Having cursed another human being, their wrath would immediately be replaced by regret of having given way to the sin of anger. Rishi Devalar too repaired this curse soon by assuring Huhu that he would be liberated from his cursed life as a crocodile by Lord Vishnu’s grace. <br />
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Indradyumnan was reborn as the elephant Gajendra and yet did not lose his devotion. Every morning he would pluck a lotus from a water tank and offer it to the lord. Gajendra was a benevolent elephant king and his herd accompanied him every morning in this ritual. One such dawn as Gajendra entered the sacred tank to bathe and pick a pink blossom that would be his day’s offering to his deity, a crocodile gripped his foot and slowly Gajendra was dragged into the waters. The herd joined in their efforts to extricate their king from the peril at hand but the crocodile proved to be too powerful for them all. It is believed that the crocodile with such virile strength was none other than Huhu reborn. <br />
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After a long and enfeebling struggle, Gajendra’s strength ebbed and faced with impending death he sought his favorite god’s aid. “Adi Moolam”, Gajendra is said to have cried. This call refers to the Lord as the ancient, beginning less source of the universe. To respond to his ardent devotees cries, Lord Vishnu mounted his vehicle, the mighty Garuda and approached the site. The wicked crocodile was slain by the Lord’s discus (chakra) and the lord blessed Gajendra back into his human form. Thus both the prophecies of Gajendra’s liberation (Gajendra Moksha) and Huhu’s redemption came true. <br />
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The famous Hindu epic Srimad Bhagavatham also narrates this episode and holds Gajendra to have composed verses in the Lord’s praise in his moments of crisis. It is believed that all those who narrate this episode of the Bhagavatham and pray to the God are liberated of sufferings and sins just as Gajendra was relieved of his woes. The moral of the legend lies in the powers of faith and devotion towards the Lord. At a very young age such awe and trust in the Divine is ingrained into the child’s mind.<br />
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The prayer recited by the Elephant king before attaining salvation is so called as the <strong><em><u>Gajendra Moksha Sthotra…</u></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>1.Om namo bhagawathe thasmai yathayetha chidhathmakam, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Purushaa yaadhi bheejaaya paresayaabhi dheemahi. </em></strong><br />
<br />
Salutations to the all powerful divine God denoted by “OM”, <br />
Due to whom the body and mind are made conscious, <br />
And he also exists within them in the form of the seed for the spirit. <br />
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<strong><em>2.Yasmin idham yatha schedham tyenedham ya idham swayam, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Yoasmath parasamacha parastham prapadhye swayambhuvam. </em></strong><br />
<br />
I surrender to that God in whom this universe <br />
Was born, exists in essence and was made in to thedivine, <br />
Who becomes all the world that we see, <br />
And who is different from it in his physical and spiritual form. <br />
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<strong><em>3.Ya swathmaneedham nija mayayaa arpitham, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Kwachid vibhatham kwa cha thath thirohitham, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Aviddha druk saksha yubhayam thadheekshathe sa, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Aathma moolo avathu maam parathpara. </em></strong><br />
<br />
May I be protected by the God who revealed himself, <br />
Who reveals himself as the universe at times of creation, <br />
Who keeps the universe as an illusion at the times of deluge, <br />
Thus revealing himself sometimes and hiding himself at other times, <br />
And who sees them as a witness in both these states. <br />
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<strong><em>4.Kaalena panchathwamitheshu kruthsnasao, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Lokeshu paleshu cha sarva hethushu, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Thamas thadha aaseed gahanam gabheeram, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Yasthasya parebhi virajathe Vibhu. </em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>5.Na yasya devaa rishaya padam vidhu, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Janthu puna ko arhathi ganthu meerithum, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Yadhaa natasya aakruthibhir vicheshtatho, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Durathya anukramana sa maavathu. </em></strong><br />
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Over time when all the worlds and their guardians, <br />
Are reduced to the five elements and all their causes, <br />
Only Impenetrable and fathomless darkness , remains, <br />
Coming out of that darkness , the divine Lord shines from within that. <br />
And his form thus exhibited is not understood even by the devas and sages, <br />
Like the actual form of the actor in a drama is not known to the spectator, <br />
And definitely the ordinary beings is at a loss to describe it, <br />
Thus making his actions unfathomable and let that God protect me. <br />
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<strong><em>6.Dhidrukshavo yasya padam su mangalam, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Vimuktha sanghaa munaya susaadhava, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Charanthya loka Vrutha mavranam vane, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Bhoothama bhoothaa shrudh sa may gathi. </em></strong><br />
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He whose auspicious feet is desired even by, <br />
The great sages who are bereft of any attachments , <br />
Who have benevolent feeling towards all beings, <br />
And observe penance and sacred vows in the forest, <br />
Is the divine one who is in all beings , <br />
And is my only source of support. <br />
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<strong><em>7.Na vidhyathe yasya cha janma karma vaa, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Na naama roope guna dosha yeva vaa, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Thadhapi lokaapya ya sambhavaya ya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Swa mayaya thaanyunukala mruchathi. </em></strong><br />
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He does not have either birth or Karmas, <br />
He does not have any name or properties, <br />
And he does not have any faults as he is beyond nature, <br />
And in spite of that he assumes several forms, <br />
At different times to carry out the creation and upkeep of the world. <br />
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<strong><em>8.Thasmai nama paresaaya Brahmane anatha shakthaye, <br />
Aroopyo roopaya nama aascharya karmane. </em></strong><br />
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Salutations to him who does wonderful acts, <br />
Who is beyond birth and death and theBrahman, <br />
The one without endless power and one who , <br />
Neither has a form or is formless. <br />
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<strong><em>9.Nama aathma pradheepaya sakshine paramathmane, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Namo giraam vidhooraya maanasa schethasam api. </em></strong><br />
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My salutations to him who shines within himself, <br />
Who is the witness for all, who is the divine soul, <br />
My salutations to him who is far, far away, <br />
From the activities of the mind and its faculties. <br />
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<strong><em>10.Sathvena prathi labhyaya naishkarmyena vipaschitha, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nama kaivalya nadhaya nirvana sukha samvidhe. </em></strong><br />
Salutations to him who gives us Kaivalya , <br />
And who makes us realize the infinite joy of salvation, <br />
And one who can be seen by the real sages with purity of mind, <br />
By the constant practice of detached activity . <br />
<strong><em>11.Nama santhaya ghoraya , moodaaya guna dharmine, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nirviseshaya samyaya namo Jnana ganaya cha. </em></strong><br />
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Salutations to the one who appears to be serene , ferocious and foolish , <br />
But really the one who is devoid of any qualities and is always alike. <br />
Salutations to the great treasure of wisdom. <br />
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<strong><em>12.Kshethragnaya namasthubhyam Sarvadhyakshaya sakshine , </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Purushaa yaathma moolaya moola prakruthaye nama.</em></strong><br />
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Salutations to one who knows the form , <br />
Who is lord and witness of everything, <br />
Who is the Purusha and who is the seed of every being, <br />
And salutations to the basic nature which exists. <br />
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<strong><em>13.Sarvendrye guna drushte sarva prathyaya hethave , </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Asathaa cchaya yokthaya sadaa basaaya they nama. </em></strong><br />
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Salutations to one who watches the health of all senses, <br />
And also the objectives of all such senses, <br />
And to him who is the one who activates, <br />
The immobile nature that follows you like a shadow. <br />
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<strong><em>14.Namol namasthe akhila kaaranaya nish kaaranaaya adbhutha kaaranaya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Sarvaa gamaamnaya maharnavaya namo apavargaya parayanaya. </em></strong><br />
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Salutations fo him who is the cause of everything, <br />
To him who is not caused by anything and also, <br />
The wonderful cause which does not become what it causes, <br />
Salutations to him who is the ocean of Thanthras, <br />
To the personification of saintliness and refuge of the great. <br />
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<strong><em>15.Gunarani cchanna chidooshmapaaya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Thathkshobha visphoorjitha manasaya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Naishkarmya bhavena vivarjithagama, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Swayam prakasaya namaskaromi. </em></strong><br />
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Salutations to him who hides similar to the fire of consciousness, <br />
That is hid in a piece of wood of qualities and characters , <br />
Whose creative mind is aroused when the characters are disturbed, <br />
Who comes shining before those who do detached actions. <br />
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<strong><em>16. Madruk prapanna pasu pasa vimokshanaya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Mukthaaya bhoori karunaya namo aalayaaya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Swaamsena sarva thanu brun manasi pratheetha, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Prathyag druse bhagwathe bruhathe namasthe. </em></strong><br />
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Salutations to the God of boundless compassion, <br />
Who frees those ignorant beings from the ties of this world, <br />
As soon as they surrender to him though , <br />
He himself is ever free and is endowed to the great mercy, <br />
And he also shines in the minds of all as their own soul, <br />
Though he himself is the limitless Para Brahman. <br />
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<strong><em>17.Athma athmajaaptha Gruha vitha janeshu saakthai, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Dush praapaanaaya guna sanghaa vivarjithaaya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nukthaathmabhi swahrudaye pari bhavithaya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jnanathmane bhagwathe nama Ishwaraya. </em></strong><br />
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Salutations to that God ,who is not attainable to those, <br />
Who are attached to themselves, their sons, house , wealth and friends, <br />
Who himself is completely free of all attachments to senses, <br />
And who is brought in to their own hearts by his devotees, <br />
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<strong><em>18. Yam dharma kama artha vimukthi kaama, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Bhajantha ishtaam gathi mapnuvanthi, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Kim thwaasisho rathyapi deha mavyayam, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Karothu may adha brudhayo vimokshanam. </em></strong><br />
<br />
Whosoever prays you for Dharma, <br />
Desire , wealth or salvation, <br />
They get their desires fulfilled, <br />
And even when your devotees , <br />
Do not ask anything from you, <br />
You give them an imperishable body , <br />
And I request from you salvation for me. <br />
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<strong><em>19.Yekanthino yasya na kanchanarrdhaa, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Vanchasnthi ye vai Bhagawat prapanna, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Athyadbhutham thaccharitham sumangalam, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Gayantha AAnanda samudhra magnaa. </em></strong><br />
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Those devotees who in lonliness , pray you , <br />
Without wanting gold or similar things, <br />
And are not even desirous of salvation, <br />
And sing your wonderful story, <br />
Drown themselves in the ocean of bliss. <br />
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<strong><em>20.Thamaksharam brahma param paresam, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Avyaktha madhyathmika yoga gamyam, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Athheendriyam sookshma mivathi dhooram, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Anantha maadhyam paripoorna meede. </em></strong><br />
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I sauté that complete God who never dies, <br />
Who is the divine God much beyond Lord Brahma, <br />
Who is not clear and is available for spiritual seekers, <br />
Who is beyond senses like the very micro things, <br />
And who does not have an end and is primeval. <br />
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<strong><em>21.Yasya Brahmadayo deva loka scharachara, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nama roopa vibheedheena phalgvyaa cha kalaya krutha. </em></strong><br />
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I salute him from whose very micro form are created. <br />
Brahma and others, devas, all worlds , all moving and stable beings, <br />
Assuming very different names and bear fruit. <br />
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<strong><em>22.Yadharchisho agne savithur gabhasthayo, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Niryanthi samyaanthya sakruth swarochisha, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Thadhaa yathoyam guna sampravaho, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Budhir mana kaani sareera sargaa. </em></strong><br />
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Similar to the heat generating from the fire, <br />
And rays generating from Sun ,ultimately , <br />
Merges in to the form from where they came , <br />
Wisdom, mind , senses and the body, <br />
Originate from you and merge in you. <br />
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<strong><em>23.Sa vain a devaa asura marthaya thiryang, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Na Sthree na shando na puman na janthu, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Naayam guna karma na sanna na chasath, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nishedha sesho jayathad asesha. </em></strong><br />
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He is not god , asura or man or animal, <br />
He is not woman, eunuch or man or animal, <br />
He is not characteristic, nor mobile or immobile, <br />
And he is what is remaining after all these negations. <br />
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<strong><em>24.Jeejee vishe naaha mihaamuyaa kim, Anthar bahi schavrutha ye bhayonyaa, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Icchami kalena na yasya viplava, Thasya aathma loka varanasya moksham. </em></strong><br />
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I do not desire to survive for what I have to do here, <br />
As an elephant enveloped inside out , by ignorance, <br />
I do desire that this veil of ignorance is lifted, <br />
And I get salvation from this world as an elephant. <br />
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<strong><em>25.Soham viswa srujam visamam aviswam Viswa vedhasam , </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Vishwathamanam ajam Brahma pranathosmi param padam. </em></strong><br />
<br />
I salute that God who created the universe , <br />
Who is the universe but is different from it, <br />
Who knows the universe, who is the soul of the universe, <br />
Who is devoid of birth and is the divine Brahmam. <br />
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<strong><em>26.Yoga randhitha karmaano , Hrudhi yoga Vibhavithe, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Yogino yam prapasyanthi, Yogesam tham nathosyam aham </em></strong><br />
<br />
I worship that God of Yoga, <br />
Whom only the Yogis who have burnt their Karma, <br />
Can visualize by their heart, <br />
And see him by the practice of yoga. <br />
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<strong><em>27.Namo namasthubhyam asahya veda Shakthi thrayaya akhiladhi gunaaya, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Prapanna paalaya durantha shakthaye kadheendriyaanamana vapya vaathmane. </em></strong><br />
<br />
Salutations to him whose three fold power is unstoppable , <br />
Who has all the characteristics , Who protects those who surrender to him, <br />
And who cannot be attained by those who have not won over their senses. <br />
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<strong><em>28.Nayam Veda swamaathmaanam yacchakthyaa hamdhiyaa hatham, </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Tham durathyaya maahatmyam bhagawantha mitho asmyaham. </em></strong><br />
<br />
I am searching that God, whose power can never be surpassed, <br />
And due to the illusion of ego created by him , people think that , <br />
Their body is their soul and are not able to understand their real soul.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-17692705817228759492011-04-20T04:50:00.000-07:002011-04-20T04:50:19.380-07:00Siriya Thiruvadi - Sri Hanuman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9mtl-JgNqNfbnDO4tDCTSnI60qC4BvQE8w75rAzkf-n61tWlYvC3bXoy6IdBWqqidkqm0EYmiN28r3BezO09WGkl77UEnFFqC7SccRawxUQzH8VMmbUWeTnywlB9f0UJ7uYSyizB-ZJM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9mtl-JgNqNfbnDO4tDCTSnI60qC4BvQE8w75rAzkf-n61tWlYvC3bXoy6IdBWqqidkqm0EYmiN28r3BezO09WGkl77UEnFFqC7SccRawxUQzH8VMmbUWeTnywlB9f0UJ7uYSyizB-ZJM/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><strong><em>The glories of Hanuman </em></strong><br />
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Ramayana is an epic portraying exemplary characters. Rama is the ideal king, Sita the perfect wife and Hanuman the perfect devotee. The character of Hanuman exemplifies how devotional service is practiced in its perfection, how a pure devotee relates with his worshippable Lord and how the Lord reciprocates. He is also called as the Siriya Thiruvadi by the Vaishnavas...<br />
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<strong><em>Origin of Hanuman</em></strong> <br />
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In Hindu mythology, Shri Hanuman is regarded as the God of power, strength and knowledge. He is known as the ‘parama bhakta’ of lord Rama and is the incarnation of Lord Shiva. He was born to Kesari and Anjanai on the Chaitra Shukla Purnima (Chaitra Shukla Purnima is the Full Moon Day on the Hindu Calendar Month of Chaitra) that is why, he is known as ‘KESERI NANDAN’ and ‘ANJANEYA’. The philosophy of epic Ramayana is incomplete without the understanding of the unfathomable devotion of Lord for Shri Rama. As Hindu Mythology says, He was the incarnation of Lord Shiva the God of Destruction, the Third god of Hindu trinity (All this universe is in the glory of God, of Shiva, the God of Love. The heads and faces of men are His own and He is in the hearts of all - Yajur Veda).<br />
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Lord HANUMAN is regarded to be the son of Hindu deity ‘VAYU’ (the wind). He was taken by 'Vayu' to Lord Sun to gain Vedic, shastra's and moral knowledge. He gained his whole knowledge from Lord Sun, as he was considered as omniscient on the planet earth. <br />
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As per the mythology, Hanuman is invincible and blessed to be immortal. The supremacy possessed by him is very beautifully described in Ramayana, during the Ramayana war of Lord Rama against the mighty Ravana. The Sundara Kanda, the fifth book in the Ramayana, focuses mainly on the adventures of Shri Hanuman.<br />
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When Ravana had become invincible by the boons he had obtained from Brahma, he became a terror to even the powerful demigods. With Lord Brahma at their head, they prayed to the omniscient Lord Vishnu for help. In response, Lord Vishnu confirmed that He would descend as Rama, the son of King Dasaratha. He also ordered the demigods as follows, "Soon My advent on earth will occur. Assisted by all of you I will crush the despicable Ravana. The evil one did not ask for immunity from humans and animals. As promised I will descend as a human. Without leaving your posts as the controllers of the universe, you are capable of expanding yourselves. You should therefore appear on the earth as monkeys." In accordance to the wish of Lord Vishnu, Indra, the king of the demigods, expanded into Vali, Surya, the sun-god, into Sugriva, Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, into Nala and the Ashwini twins into Mainda and Dvivida. Vayu, the wind-god, expanded into the mighty Hanuman. <br />
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When appraised of their role in assisting Lord Vishnu, both Kesari and Anjanai became exceedingly grateful and were soon blessed with the birth of an effulgent and powerful progeny they called Bali, one who is extremely powerful. He was also called Bajrang Bali, Kesari-nandana (son of Kesari), Anjanai-putra and Anjaneya (son of Anjanai). <br />
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<strong><em>Hanuman as a child:</em></strong><br />
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Vayu-deva finally gave up his anger and resumed his function in the universe and the grateful demigods showered many benedictions on Hanuman. Indra gave him the boon of being able to die only when he desired, Brahma gave his protection from his powerful weapon the brahma-astra and the other demigods showered him with many mystic powers and weapons. Since the weapon of Indra and struck and broken the jaw of Hanuman, he got the name by which he would be most famous. Hanuman which means "one with a broken jaw." <br />
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Hanuman accepted the very same Sun god he had tried to swallow as his guru and learned from him the Vedic scriptures and science of war. Later on, Hanuman on several occasions displayed his impeccable grasp on Vedic scriptures, when trying to convince Ravana to give up Sita, when counseling Sugriva and by strictly following the codes of battle in the war against the rakshasas. His strength and skills as a warrior are matched by his keen intellect, knowledge of the scriptures and a deep compassion for all living entities. <br />
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<strong><em>Hanuman looses his powers </em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>Meeting with Lord Rama: </em></strong><br />
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While living in exile with Sugriva, Hanuman first encountered Rama and Lakshmana as they searched for Sita. Hanuman on the orders of Sugriva had disguised himself as a Brahman to try and find out if the two mighty bowmen were sent by Vali, the vengeful brother of Sugriva. However on seeing them, all doubts were immediately wiped from the mind of Hanuman who immediately revealed his true form. <br />
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From this time, Hanuman became completely absorbed in one and only one thing, the service of Rama. Later when Hanuman and his troop of monkeys were stuck on the southern shore of the country, separated from Lanka by the ocean, Jambavana reminds Hanuman of his great powers. The duration of the curse thus ends and a greatly powerful Hanuman jumps across the ocean to wreak havoc in the golden city of Ravana. <br />
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<strong><em>Hanuman the perfect devotee</em></strong> <br />
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The relationship between Rama and Hanuman demonstrates the perfection of devotion in the mood of service (dasya-rasa). In an almost classical manner Hanuman demonstrated the symptoms of pure devotional service. Everything that he did was only for the pleasure of Lord Rama, whether it was building bridges, fighting rakshasas or flying across the country to fetch life saving herbs, his constant meditation was how to best serve Rama. When he sought out Sita in Ravana's Lanka, he was not merely satisfied at delivering to her the message of Lord Rama. He also destroyed the forest, killed many rakshasas and burnt down half of Lanka. That is the mood of a pure devotee. To consciously cultivate everything that is positive to the service of the Lord and reject everything that is not. <br />
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Even though Lord Rama reciprocated very sweetly with gratitude, praise or benedictions for Hanuman, he never had any expectation for them. Hanuman often presented himself as a simple ignorant monkey in front of Rama. When Hanuman returned from Lanka with news of Sita, an overjoyed Rama embraced him tightly. However a clearly uncomfortable Hanuman stated that his position could only be at the feet of his Lord. The highest reward for him was to serve Lord Rama. Service to Rama was the most exalted destination for Hanuman, and he constantly endeavored to perfect himself in this respect. <br />
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<em><strong>Glories to Hanuman </strong></em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IR0mlrymer14KOVX0HSkWwImkhI6Xfu0G-rlMMj3cWk50mtuKoUR3jHPqxbKtNRXwXzho9EYRf-kaymjiyAZlRrOwgrOiYtqNTUBDM8UbqEMTkqAp2o1bJfxeEtLGitIgYRErus7eqPp/s1600/hanuman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IR0mlrymer14KOVX0HSkWwImkhI6Xfu0G-rlMMj3cWk50mtuKoUR3jHPqxbKtNRXwXzho9EYRf-kaymjiyAZlRrOwgrOiYtqNTUBDM8UbqEMTkqAp2o1bJfxeEtLGitIgYRErus7eqPp/s400/hanuman1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Even though Hanuman appeared in the Treta-yuga, millions of years later he made an appearance again in the Dwapara-yuga to help his younger brother Bhima. In order to serve Krishna, in the battle of Mahabharata, Hanuman personally resided in the flag on the chariot of Arjuna. During the battle, the fierce cries of Hanuman struck terror in the hearts of the opposition and greatly encouraged the Pandavas warriors. <br />
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Devotees pray to Hanuman to protect them from material obstacles in the path of devotional service and engage them in the service of the Supreme Lord Rama. <br />
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In the Treta Yuga Sri Vayudev came in his expansion as a special kind of Vanara (monkey), and was known to all as Hanuman. Sri Hanuman took his birth as the child to Anjanai the monkey Queen and Keshari her husband, according to Madhwa Vijaya (1:10.). There are several stories from different Puranas and parts of the Ramayana that give reference to Hanuman's appearance in this world. From the Kambha Ramayana Purvakhanda, Hanuman's mother Anjanai tells her story of how she was previously a maidservant of Brhaspati called Punjikasthala. Once in the forest picking flowers, she saw some other women engaged in amorous activities with their mates. Being disturbed by this, which invoked lusty feelings in her mind, she returned to Brhaspati and threw herself at him, covering him with amorous kisses. Brhaspati the high priest of the demigods, was so furious that he immediately cursed Punjikasthala to become a monkey, but out of concern he also added that after some time the son of the wind god Vayu, with the vitality of Lord Shiva, would come as her child and release her from this curse. At that time she would return to him as Punjikasthala, his maidservant. <br />
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<em><strong>The Lead Up To Hanuman's Birth:</strong></em><br />
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Once Lord Shiva wished to see the most beautiful form of a woman, that being the temporary incarnation of Lord Vishnu called Mohini Murti. Lord Shiva knew that he could not be agitated by any so-called beautiful woman. He thought, "The Daityas may have been bewildered but the demigods could not be agitated, what to speak of me who am the best of all the demigods? I will certainly remain unaffected by seeing Her." Because Lord Shiva wanted to see Lord Vishnu's form as a woman, Lord Vishnu decided to appear as a woman and show him a form that would immediately put him in an ocean of lusty desires. In effect therefore, Lord Vishnu told Lord Shiva, "I will show you my form as a woman, and if you become agitated and lusty, don't blame Me." <br />
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The following is taken from Srimad Bhagavatam (8:12:18-34.), and Bhaja Madhwesam (26.). <br />
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"Thereafter, in a nice forest nearby, full of trees with reddish-pink leaves and varieties of flowers, Lord Siva saw a beautiful woman playing with a ball. Her hips were covered with a shining 'sari' and ornamented with a belt. Because the ball was falling down and bouncing up, as She played with it Her breasts trembled, and because of the weight of those breasts and Her heavy flower garlands, Her waist appeared to be all but breaking at every step, as Her two soft feet, which were reddish like coral, moved here and there. The woman's face was decorated by broad, beautiful restless eyes, which moved as the ball bounced here and there from Her hand. The two brilliant earrings on Her ears decorated Her shining cheeks like bluish reflections, and the hair scattered on Her face made Her even more beautiful to see. As she played with the ball, the 'sari' covering Her body became loose, and Her hair scattered. She tried to bind Her hair with her right hand. This was so attractive that the Supreme Lord, by His internal potency, in this way captivated everyone. <br />
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"While Lord Shiva observed the beautiful woman playing with the ball, She sometimes glanced at him and slightly smiled in bashfulness. As he looked at the beautiful woman and She watched him, he forgot both himself and Uma, his most beautiful wife, as well as his associates nearby. When the ball leaped from Her hand and fell at a distance, the woman began to follow it, but as Lord Shiva observed these activities, a breeze suddenly blew away the fine dress and belt that covered Her. Thus Lord Shiva saw the woman, every part of whose body was beautifully formed, and the beautiful woman also looked at him. Therefore, thinking that She was attracted to him, Lord Shiva became very much attracted to Her. Lord Shiva, his good sense taken away by the woman because of lusty desires to enjoy with Her, became so mad for Her that even in the presence of Bhawani (his wife) he did not hesitate to approach Her. The beautiful woman was already naked, and when She saw Lord Shiva coming toward Her, She became extremely bashful. Thus She kept smiling, but She hid Herself among the trees and did not stand in one place. His senses being agitated, Lord Shiva, victimized by lusty desires, began to follow Her, just as a lusty elephant follows a she-elephant. After following Her with great speed, Lord Shiva caught Her by the braid of Her hair and dragged Her near him. Although She was unwilling, he embraced Her with his arms. Being embraced by Lord Shiva like a female elephant embraced by a male, the woman whose hair was scattered, swirled like a snake. O King, this woman, who had large, high hips, was a woman of Yoga Maya presented by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. She released Herself somehow or other from the fond embrace of Lord Shiva's arms and ran away. As if harassed by an enemy in the form of lusty desires, Lord Shiva followed the path of Lord Vishnu, Who acts very wonderfully and who had taken the form of Mohini. Just as a maddened bull elephant follows a female elephant who is able to conceive pregnancy, Lord Shiva followed the beautiful woman and discharged semen, even though his discharge of semen never goes in vain. O King, whosesoever on the surface of the globe fell the semen of the great personality of Lord Shiva, mines of gold and silver later appeared. Following Mohini, Lord Shiva went everywhere - near the shores of the rivers and lakes, near the mountains, near the forests, near the gardens, and wherever there lived great sages."(Srimad Bhagavatam 8:12:18-34.) <br />
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Some of the semen was carried carefully by Vayu, the wind-god and impregnated into the ear of the monkey Queen Anjanai, and thus Hanuman was conceived, by Vayu. (Shiva Purana, Satarudrasamhita). <br />
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This story of Shiva becoming lusty and following Lord Vishnu in the temporary form of Srimati Mohini Murti is to be found also in the Bhagavatam (8:12. adh.), of Sripad Madhwacarya, and the Shiva Purana, Satarudrasamhita. <br />
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There is another story from the Ananda Ramayana which is also found in the Bhavishya Purana, Pratisagar parva relates how King Dasaratha, who had at that time no children, performed the 'Putrakamesti Yajna'. From that 'Yajna' some 'prasadam' ('payasam'-'caru') was to be given to Dasaratha's wives so that they could be blessed with sons. However, just as King Dasaratha was going to administer the sweet to his wives, a large kite-like bird snatched some of the prasadam in its beak and flew off into the forest. In the forest was the monkey queen who was sitting performing austerities to return to the service of Brhaspati. As the kite-bird flew over some of the 'payasam' fell from its beak landing on the fingers of Anjanai. When Anjanai finished her austerities she put her fingers to her mouth, and thus eating some of the 'payasam' from the 'Putrakamesti Yajna'. Soon after that by the Lord's divine plan Keshari and Anjanai tried to conceive a child. At that time a fierce aspect of Lord Shiva entered Keshari, and then Vayu entered the ear of Anjanai. Anjanai gave birth to a small baby monkey who was so ugly that in disgust, and angry at Shiva and Vayu, Anjanai wanted to throw him into the Tungabhadra River from the top of their mountain, but Vayu deva appeared on the scene and pacified her saying. "This monkey son of yours in not ordinary. He is actually my son and is a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Rama." <br />
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As soon as Hanuman was born, Anjanai was released from the curse of Brhaspati and she wanted to return to her former service. <br />
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The monkey child's first questions to his mother after being born were what was there to eat, what his future was, and how he would maintain himself. Anjanai told the boy not to worry, that he would never be destroyed or die, and that fruits were his food, ripened by the sun. She pointed to the sun, and the monkey child jumped up and tried to reach the sun to eat it, thinking it a fruit. Jumping for the sun and caught it in his mouth, then he saw Rahu, so he jumped at him to eat him, for he was bigger than the sun. Then as he flew through the sky he saw Lord Indra's elephant Airavata and tried to eat him too. Indra, seeing this, threw his mighty thunderbolt at the monkey which hit his chin and he fell to the earth wounded. <br />
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Sri Vayu deva carried him off and comforted and glorified him. Due to the scar made by Indra's Vajrayudha weapon on his chin ('hanu'), the demigods and Lord Vishnu named him Hanuman. Everyone blessed him. Lord Vishnu said: "May you live all your life as my greatest devotee." Indra said: "No weapon of any kind will wound or hit your body." Agni said: "Fire will never affect or disturb you." Kala (time personified) said: "May death never come to find you." Vayu blessed him to have more speed than air. Brahma said: "He will have more strength than even Garuda." <br />
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Sri Brahmaji said, "Don't worry; I will use my mystic powers." And he read Hanuman's mind. Sri Hanuman was thinking "Why is there is no fruit in this world, all I wanted was something to eat?" Brhaspati came to know of his desire and he came forward and said, "Hanuman, I will give you all the fruits in this world, and I will give you the knowledge of Ayurveda by which you will know all the fruits, all the plants, and all the trees. Any plant in the creation, you will know it, what is the proper use of it, and how to apply it. You will know all these things, and what is the medicinal effect of it you will also know. This is my benediction to you." Then Lord Dhanvantari spoke, "I will be at your command. Whatever medicine that you put on anyone they will revive from their ailment and again become alive." So then Hanuman opened his mouth, and the Sun-god was there, he came out and the demigods ('devas') were very much satisfied. <br />
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Sri Hanuman is known as the best of the monkeys and is surrendered to the lotus feet of Lord Rama. Upon their meeting Lord Ramachandra glorified Hanuman for his having studied all the Vedic literatures, knowing perfect presentation of philosophy and grammar, with never any faulty expression. Lord Rama said that Hanuman had captured the essence of all the Vedic studies yet still he remained humble rendering menial service to Lord Rama. <br />
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Hanuman still wasn't sure how he would recognize his worshipful Lord in the pastimes yet to come. So Brahma gave him a diamond necklace, and told him, "This is the highest benediction you can get. You will be always remain the eternal servant of the eternal Lord, and only you’re Lord will be able to recognize this necklace. That means you will be recognized by him, and he will be recognized by you as the one who recognized the necklace." <br />
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Later on when Lord Ramachandra asked the beggar, "What kind of a beggar are you? You have a wonderful necklace on your neck." Then Hanuman immediately recognized that this is my worshippable Lord. And he immediately surrendered to Him... <br />
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Sri Hanuman had so many other exploits too, some we have included when he was a small boy. After the sun-swallowing pastime there were so many other pastimes. He used to take elephants and tigers and play with them. One day he caught hold of a very wise elephant. He was holding it by the tusk, and he was also holding a tiger by the tail, and swinging them around. They were making some sounds. This was the innocent nature of Hanuman's fun. As he played like this with the animals he saw an ashram. The sage who lived here had never gotten angry in his life. He was known for his sense control. Hanuman thought to himself, "Now we will test his sense control." So he put the tiger and the elephant tied up together in front of his ashram. This was early in the morning, during the 'brahma-muhurta' time. So the 'rishi' slowly opened the door and took his 'lota' for taking bath. Then to his surprise as he looked out he saw this tiger, so he immediately ran back inside and closed the door. Up to that time he had constipation, but when he saw this tiger suddenly and by the grace of God, he felt nature calling. But what could he do, there was a tiger outside his door? He looked out the door again, and this time he saw the elephant as well, so he quickly shut the door again. He had to pass. But how could he pass inside? He then had some inspiration to climb out of the window, there was a tree outside of the window, and looking up he saw Hanuman at the top of the tree. Seeing him there the rishi said, "Ah! So you are the cause of this mischief. Come here!" Hanuman thought, "He's becoming angry. I must go." So he came down from the tree, and using his mystic siddhis he became very small and entered the window. The 'rishi' then cursed Hanuman that would limit his strength. "Why did you curse me like this?" Hanuman asked. "This is only for you own good. Your strength has been controlled so that you can use it only for the Lord's service, no more of these pranks. And when it is time for you to render service to Lord Rama, the Lord will arrange for someone to remind you." So then Hanuman said, "I will never tie an elephant to a tiger any more. And I will certainly not put it in front of your ashram." Then he came back to his home, and he didn't go out to play for a whole week. Keshari was asking, "Hanuman, how come there have been no complaints from anyone for a whole week? Have you become a good boy?" Hanuman said, "I don't want to give trouble to anyone." Then they heard a sound, a very nice sound. Keshari said, "What is this? It sounds like the great Narada Muni coming!" Hanuman asked, "Who is this person?" Keshari replied, "He is a very great devotee. He doesn't need any introduction. You just go to him and you will find out his greatness." Immediately Hanuman jumped up just as Narada was on his way past their place, going to see some 'rishis', so Hanuman jumped in his path and paid 'pranams', obeisance’s unto you great sage. "Narada Muni, I heard that you are a very great person, so you must bless me. Without blessing me, you are not allowed to go." Narada said, "What blessing do you want?" Hanuman said, "Already the demigods have given me so many blessings. I cannot think of anything else, so you think of a blessing, and you give it to me." Narada thought, "What blessing does Hanuman not have?" And so Narada said, "You will become expert in music." That was the only benediction left to give. So then Hanuman duly received that benediction, and Narada Muni said, "So I have given you the benediction as you requested, and now I am going." Hanuman said, "One minute, one minute." "What do you want now?" Narada asked. "How will I know that I am the most expert in music?" Hanuman inquired. "My father told me that you are the most expert in music, so you must do me a favour today. Give me the benediction that I will be more expert than you." So Narada said, "All right, I will sit somewhere and listen to you." "Shall I start singing?" Hanuman asked. "Yes." Narada Muni put his 'vina' on a rock, and he sat down on the ground. So Hanuman selected a tune, simply by his singing all wondrous things began to happen. His singing changed the nature of things like the rock on which Narada Muni had rested his 'vina'. The rock melted in ecstasy, and then the 'vina' was there sitting in the liquid. He was singing and singing, and the 'vina' was floating in the liquid rock. Narada was closing his eyes and enjoying, and he said, "All right Hanuman, you are the best musician you even surpass me. You can stop singing now." Hanuman said, "You open your eyes and tell me if I should I stop singing." Narada said, "What, how do you mean?" Hanuman replied, "You open your eyes." So Narada opened his eyes and looked around. He didn't notice the vina floating in the 'rock pool'. "Yes, you can stop singing." So then Hanuman stopped singing, and the liquid stone became again rock, and the 'vina' became stuck. Narada said, "I am going," and he went to take his vina, but it wouldn't move. "What did you do, Hanuman?" Hanuman said, "I only sung a song. You told me to sing a song, and you also gave me the ability. Now why are you complaining? I have been a good boy for a whole week?" Narada said, "One week of doing nothing means that before that week you did too much." And then Hanuman told him all about what he had done, swallowing the sun etc, and Narada became very pleased. Then he said, "Now whatever it was, you please sing the tune again, so I can get my vina out." Hanuman said, "Well, I don't know...." Narada Muni said, "Please do it!" "No I won't", Hanuman said, and he jumped up and ran inside the palace. Narada Muni came in there and called out, "Hanuman, come and get my 'vina' out of the rock! I have to go." Just then Keshari came out, and when he saw Narada Muni he touched his feet. "What is my son doing, he is giving you some trouble?" Narada said, "Oh no, no trouble, just that he got my vina stuck in the rock." Shriman Keshari said, "Oh no, he has started his mischief again. Hanuman, get Narada's 'vina' out of the rock!" Then Hanuman said, "I want Narada Muni's feet to touch every room in this palace that is why I was doing this. Now he has touched all the rooms, I will release his 'vina'. The dust from his lotus feet is so rare that what is the use of just having it in one part of our kingdom? We should have it all over." Narada said, "You are already blessed, because you are Lord Rama's eternal servant." <br />
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Sri Hanuman went and sung for Narada, who quickly took his 'vina' and left. In this way, Hanuman had so many wonderful pastimes. Then he told Keshari, "I want to begin my education. I have so many benedictions, but I need some education too, I need 'Vidhya'. I am very much hankering for 'Vidhya'." Keshari thought out loud and said, "But who could give you 'Vidhya'? You have so many benedictions, but you also have this uncontrollable behavior. I can't find a 'guru' for you, because you are so strong and so naughty also." Hanuman said, "This means that you are not going to perform the duty of the father. You're not giving me the necessary education." Keshari said, "I have to give you education, but I would like you to do one thing. You go to the Sun-god. He is the most powerful. Some time ago he was suppressed by you, but I can't think of anyone else He is most learned. So you go and approach him." Hanuman went to see the Sun-god, and when the Sun-god saw Hanuman coming, he thought, "It's Hanuman again. What is he here for? He's grown up now, so hopefully he would have stopped playing his mischievous deeds." <br />
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Sri Hanuman had changed; he came up and paid his obeisance’s very respectfully. The Sun-god said, "What are you here for now? Whom are you going to swallow?" Hanuman objected, "No, no, all that was because I was a small child in ignorance. I still have so much ignorance, but I want to get some knowledge. I've heard that you are a great 'pandit', so please teach me. I've come to join your 'guru Kula'." So then the Sun-god looked down. He has a big sitting place in the front of his chariot. There, we can understand from 'shastra' that there are six million 'rishis' sitting, and they are constantly reciting Yajur-Veda, Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda and Atharva-veda to the Sun-god. So he looked to see if there was any vacant seat, but the whole place was filled up, so he said, "Sorry, there is no room for admission...” Hanuman said, "If there is no seat then I will stand and learn from you." The Sun-god said, "But I have to keep moving. If you stand in front of me then I won't be able to move and then the various seasons won't be there on time. I will be in trouble, I have my service too." Hanuman said, "Then I will move and learn." The Sun-god said, "All right. But you have to face me and move backwards. In this way you have to listen to me, and whatever I say you have to learn. I won't repeat it." So Hanuman was there in front of the Sun-god, and he was walking backwards. He was so sense-controlled that he could join the orbit of the sun. In 60 orbits he learnt everything, Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva, the Upanishads, Puranas everything. As the Sun-god spoke it, Hanuman heard it and immediately he remembered and realized it. The Sun-god said, "Very good, but you have to give me some dakshina." Hanuman said, "Well what do you want? Do you want Indra's crown? You tell me anything that you want and I will get it for you in a second." The Sun-god said, "No, I don't want anything of that nature. Only one 'guru-dakshina' I need from you. I have a monkey friend. You must become his minister. You must always protect his life." Hanuman said, "Oh? This is only glory for me. I will do it; I will protect him as I would my own life." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJCJuOxI7I7272omAVFS9xuxl8zaM4Jn1zSXE2aIbEEmYEwbwlBsofxBKrcTyAIAKnsEI3Rl1E9S-lu4Gh20anIHQbYKnv5f41WnsGY1iwhbZ5NrMGHTS6zufiO6FifqJasTNgahZIaN1/s1600/lord-hanuman-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJCJuOxI7I7272omAVFS9xuxl8zaM4Jn1zSXE2aIbEEmYEwbwlBsofxBKrcTyAIAKnsEI3Rl1E9S-lu4Gh20anIHQbYKnv5f41WnsGY1iwhbZ5NrMGHTS6zufiO6FifqJasTNgahZIaN1/s640/lord-hanuman-wallpaper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The Sun-god told him who that monkey is. It was Sugriva, and actually he is the son of the Sun-god. How Sugriva became the Sun-god's son in relation to this is in itself a wonderful story. There was one lady who was known as Narayani, and her husband was called Ugra-tapas. That means one who performs "ferocious austerities," but in actuality he never did any austerities. He was only engaged in sense gratification. Due to living a life like that he became so diseased and paralyzed that he had to be carried in a basket. Narayani would carry him in a basket so that he could go to different places and get sense gratification. Ugra-tapas told Narayani, "You must take me to such and such prostitute today." So she was carrying him. While Ugra-tapas was in the basket and Narayani was carrying him, there was one 'rishi' whose name was Bishmanda Rishi, and he had been put on a trident by a king because of some misunderstanding, and was suffering in that condition. He had 'tri-kala-jnan', knowledge of past, present and future, and when he saw Ugra-tapas he knew he was going to a prostitute's place, and even despite the fact that he was crippled and being carried by his wife. So naturally the 'Rishi' got so upset, amazed at this mans stupidity and forgot about his pain. He called out, "Hey Ugra-tapas, what are you doing? Your name is Ugra-tapas, and what is your life like? And now you are asking your wife to carry you to a prostitute's when you are paralyzed. What kind of a person are you? You should die immediately. In fact let me assist. When the sun rises tomorrow you will die." When Narayani heard this she said, "When the sun rises tomorrow my husband will die? Then I curse by my austerity of chastity that the sun will not rise." The sun then became motionless. The Sun-god's charioteer Aruna was getting ready, packing the horses etc., for a normal daily journey of the sun. But then he looked back and saw the sun had become static. "Oh? Is this a vacation for me? I never got any holiday before, because there was never any chance. Let me have some fun." So he went and asked the sages that sit on the Sun-god's chariot, "How come the sun is not moving any more?" "This is the curse of a chaste lady," they replied. "How long will this curse last?" Aruna asked. "At least one day." "That's good," Aruna said. "One day is good enough. I can enjoy nicely in that time." So Aruna got one day's holiday. He was thinking, "How can I enjoy this day? It never happened in the creation before, and it will probably never happen again. The sun never goes on holiday. I only have one day, so I must make the most of this and get the highest enjoyment." So he took a book, like a tourist guide for the heavenly planets, and he found out that Indra was having a special feast banquet and dinner in respect of some great personality, and Menaka the heavenly society girl was dancing at that festival. "Oh I must go and see that," he said. But in this party, only the invited guests were allowed. You had to bring an invitation, and you had to be dressed in a special way. It was known that only Indra's close personal friends were invited. So he was wondering, "How will I go? I know, I will also become a dancer." So he turned himself temporarily into a woman, Aruna became Aruni. This Aruni was so beautiful, because he always sat with the sun and he was shining so brightly. He came in front of Indra's palace. The gateman asked, "Who are you?" "I am Menaka's make-up assistant," she said. Menaka forgot to put one line on her face, so I have to do it. I am the only one who is expert enough." "All right, you may enter." So then Aruni entered the assembly. Menaka was dancing on one side and Aruni was hiding on the other watching. Indra was looking through the crowd, and suddenly he saw Aruni. "She is more beautiful than Menaka," he said. Indra thought that it has been a wonderful party everyone has had a great time, so now we can say that it’s all over, and he immediately wound up the party, and started showing everyone out. Aruni was also going to leave, but Indra caught hold of her affectionately and said, "Wait a minute! Who are you, beautiful celestial maiden?" Aruni said, "I am Menaka's make-up assistant. Please leave me alone! I am going now the party is over." "No you are not going fair maiden, you are staying here with me," Indra said. "I'm staying where?" The beauty recoiled. "With me, I want to enjoy your beauty." Indra said. "No, I am not staying with you. I know your history; you have done this so many times." Aruni said. Indra said, "No, no, I will keep you next to Indrani." Aruni objected, "Even if you keep me more than Indrani, I cannot be here because actually I am a man." Indra said, "Don't play these games with me, I know you are a woman, I can see the alluring shape of your form." Aruni said again, but with much emphasis, "No I am not a woman! I am a man! I just turned myself into this form to come to the party." Indra said, "Even if that is the case, still you are the most beautiful woman that I have seen and I want to enjoy you anyway." Aruni said, "If you were to make me conceive, then who would bring up the child? I am the charioteer of the Sun-god." Indra said, "Whatever or whoever you are, and whatever will come out of it, I don't care, I'm going to enjoy you." Aruni was then overpowered by the lusty desires of Indra, 'she' had little choice but to agree, immediately there was a conception, and a demigod was born. Aruni then ran and shed that illusory feminine beauty, and assumed his normal form, because it was getting late already, and the Sun-god was slowly getting his movement back... At the last possible moment Aruna jumped on the chariot and grabbed the reins. The Sun-god said, "Where did you go?" "Oh, nowhere," Aruna answered. "Tell me!" "Oh, I went to Indra's planet." "Did you meet him? What did he say to you?" the Sun-god asked. "More than say. He seduced me and gave me a child." "How did he give you a child, Arun?" Aruna said, "It's getting late now, we only have a few moments." The Sun-god said, "A few moments is all right. It needs only one moment. Tell me how this came about and what beautiful form captivated the mind of Indra. Show it to me. Let me see that beautiful form." Aruna objected, "No, no. This will only cause more trouble; I don't want to go through all that again." "No, I must see," said the Sun-god. "You are my servant." "All right," said Aruna, and he became Aruni again. In the next moment Surya was also over come by lust, and there was another conception. It is mentioned in the Vishnu Purana that anyone who hears this story loses the attraction for going to the heavenly planets. Anyway. So now two babies were crying. This was not usually the way that birth happened in the heavenly planets, normally they didn't have to undergo this screaming stage as they are usually born full grown, so this time all the demigods were disturbed in their sense gratification. They all went to Brahma, and Brahma approached Indra, saying, "You are the cause of this problem. It is up to you settle this problem down." "I can't have babies crying in the heavenly planets, it’s just not conducive for either meditation or sense gratification" Indra said. "We'll have to give them to someone." Then he remembered the king of Vanaras, Riksharaja, who had no children. Moreover he was performing austerities to please Indra so he could get a son. It’s not unusual to find through history that these kinds of "benedictions" from the demigods are usually something that demigods don't want disturbing them in the heavenly planets, so they give it away. So Riksharaja was standing on one leg to get some children, and Indra came and said, "Your rigid austerities are now fruitful? Here are two babies you can have." So Riksharaja and his queen had two sons, Vali and Sugriva. Vali was the son of Indra, and Sugriva was the son of the Sun-god. And the Sun-god got the benediction of 'guru-dakshina' from Hanuman that he would always protect Sugriva. In this way, when Vali was anointed the king after Riksharaja, Sugriva became his minister, and Hanuman became the minister of Sugriva. <br />
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Sri Hanuman, without haughty thoughts, simply serving his Lord, he jumped across the sea to Lanka to reclaim Sita Devi (Lord Rama's consort) from the wicked King of the Rakshasas, who, like a dog, steals food from his master's house, stole away Srimati Sita Devi by deceit after tricking the loyal Lakshmana away from Her. In the form of a mendicant, the unscrupulous Ravana approached and took the chastest lady to Lanka, his island of gold. The faithful Hanuman searched the city of Lanka and found Sita in the Ashoka grove. Pure, chaste and in separation from Sri Rama, she waited like a beautiful white lotus surrounded by cruel thorny Rakshasas. Hanuman gave Sita Rama's finger-ring to win her confidence, then allowing his own capture by the Nagastra, snake-rope weapon of Indrajit, then caused havoc to the demons in Lanka by jumping from roof top to roof top, his tail acting as a giant fire lighter. When the whole of Lanka was ablaze he sped back to his Lord. <br />
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The Vanaras and bears celebrated Hanuman's return by visiting the honey grove and became intoxicated from the honey. When Sri Rama heard about this, he understood that Hanuman had been successful in finding Sita Devi. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BmSy73aLTdokJBtkczj3gh8baPzuu-R5yk_LLG6QSAPO_jyf762u7_p6YzJC5rkc87eve_EvtQ2sBjEs2Z3-uPLBHX6sxRNAV4KdaWnewlASFvB-hb0c9I_4VvaqTzdncMufUrMaLE4Y/s1600/ram-hanuman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BmSy73aLTdokJBtkczj3gh8baPzuu-R5yk_LLG6QSAPO_jyf762u7_p6YzJC5rkc87eve_EvtQ2sBjEs2Z3-uPLBHX6sxRNAV4KdaWnewlASFvB-hb0c9I_4VvaqTzdncMufUrMaLE4Y/s1600/ram-hanuman.jpg" /></a></div>The war that followed is described as a big 'Yajna', or fire sacrifice - Hanuman as the 'adhvaryu' (the runner who sets things up), and Lakshmana as the 'pratiprasthatri' or first assistant to the 'adhvaryu' (Hanuman). One of the 'pratiprasthatri' special functions is to lead the wife of the sacrificer and to guide her. Knowing the events of the story that took place, we can see that the celebrate Lakshmana the 'brahmachari', carried out his particular sacrificial duties without saying very much. Sri Rama was the form of fire, Sugriva, the King of the monkeys, was the 'yajuman' (the beneficiary), and Angada and the other monkeys were the 'Ritviks' (assistants). <br />
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<strong><em>Hanuman lifting the mountain:</em></strong><br />
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A Setu, bridge of floating stones was placed on the sea and the army advanced quickly towards Lanka. Sri Hanuman carried Rama on his shoulders and Angada carried Lakshmana. Hanuman was the pride of all creatures that came to help Sri Rama retrieve Sita from the demon Ravana. After Lakshmana killed Ravana's son Indrajit, Ravana became extremely angry and personally came to attack Sri Rama and the Vanara army. At the sight of this ferocious demon, many of the Vanaras ran, but not Hanuman. Ravana first tried to kill Vibhisana, his pious brother and friend of Sri Rama, but Lakshmana saved his life. <br />
Ravana turned on Lakshmana and knocked him unconscious. Sushena, the great physician, was sent for, to restore Laksmana's life, the sun had not many more hours in the sky, and the Vanaras had to act fast. According to the pastime, if the sun rose the next day without the Vishalya Karani herb brought from the Gandhamadana Mountain in the Himalayas, Lakshmana would die. Sri Hanuman, being blessed by Vayu to move faster than the wind, leaped into the sky and headed north to look for the golden creeper with blue flowers. Ravana saw Hanuman cross the sky and sent for the magician Kalanemi to trick him. Taking the form of a hermit in the Himalayas, Kalanemi tried to have Hanuman eaten by a crocodile, but Hanuman killed the crocodile, freeing an Apsara who had been cursed to remain in that form until Hanuman came. Hanuman then killed Kalanemi and threw him back to Lanka with a flick of his tail. The powerful Ravana, mad with anger summoned the sun god. He ordered him to appear in the sky, even though it was not yet his scheduled time for him to rise. When the sun god mounted his chariot to rise early, Hanuman expanded himself larger than the largest and captured the sun god, chariot, horses and all, and placed them under his arm pit. <br />
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As he still hadn't found the herb 'sanjivani', and out of deep attachment, affectionate desperation to save Lakshmana he lifted the whole of Gandhamadana Mountain effortlessly with one hand whilst keeping the sun still locked safely under his other arm, and with a single jump flew through the sky and returned to his Lord Rama. Sushena quickly climbed the mountain found the herb and revived Lakshmana by holding it under his nose. Sri Hanuman then flew with the mountain back to the Himalayas and replaced it where he had found it. The sun still had not risen and everyone was confused. Then Hanuman returned, and resuming his normal size, freed the sun god from under his arm to rise into the sky to start the final day for Ravana. Lord Sri Rama killed Ravana that day, and Ravana's pious brother Vibhisana brought Sita from the Ashoka Grove. She was thin and weak, but in her usual natural elegant beauty, and was now free to join her Rama. Everyone was in ecstasy. <br />
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Lord Rama told Hanuman, his greatest devotee, that They Sita and Rama would always stay in his heart, and Hanuman will remain as long as the Ramayana is told. <br />
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<strong><em>yavad ramakatham vira srosye 'ham prthivitale </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>tavat sarire vatsyantu mama prana na samsayah </em></strong><br />
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Hanuman vowed, "O My Lord Rama, O Valiant King, as long as I hear your story told, I will remain in this body for you." <br />
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As stated in the Puranas, Hanuman perfected his life in servitude to his Lord and to this day constantly worships Sri Ramachandra in Kimpurusha varsha, Hanumans' 'eternal' abode.<br />
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<strong><em>After the Ramayana:</em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7FqPp3-9f2XoI0GvDkoP5ft9lU2G0i4kVyN629-hrjZID9msSJTbzrXck1n2oPTViVp2SMSA64QHPYfQGXTfij-oWlu7o9qmjoFqc-ay3iqGtNX5ZAYgRPt6VZIpxbdAtEc2EH6xIIgf/s1600/hanuman-slokas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7FqPp3-9f2XoI0GvDkoP5ft9lU2G0i4kVyN629-hrjZID9msSJTbzrXck1n2oPTViVp2SMSA64QHPYfQGXTfij-oWlu7o9qmjoFqc-ay3iqGtNX5ZAYgRPt6VZIpxbdAtEc2EH6xIIgf/s400/hanuman-slokas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After the war, and after reigning for several years, the time arrived for Rama to depart to his heavenly abode. Many of Rama's entourage, including Vanaras like Sugriva decided to depart with him. Shunning the heavens, Hanuman however, requested to remain on earth as long as Rama's name was venerated by people. Sita accorded Hanuman that desire, and granted that his image would be installed at various public places, so he could listen to people chanting Rama's name. He is one of the Chiranjeevi of Hinduism.<br />
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<strong><em>Prayer to Hanuman - for help: </em></strong><br />
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<strong>Hanuman Kripa mantra: </strong><br />
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<strong><em>Asaadhya Saadhaka Swaamin Asaadhyam Thava Kim Vadha / </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Sri Raama Dhootha Krupaa Sindhoh Muth Kaaryam Saadhaya Prabhoh // </em></strong><br />
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"Oh! SrI RAma dhootha! (Hanuman) You are the one who can accomplish the impossible. Come! Tell me! Is there anything that by the mercy of RAma, you cannot accomplish? Oh! Ocean of mercy! My Lord! Kindly make my wishes come true" <br />
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<strong><em>Prayer to Hanuman - to find lost things: </em></strong><br />
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<strong>SRI HANUMAN MANTRA</strong> <br />
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WHEN ONE HAS / HAD THE GREAT MISFORTUNE TO HAVE LOST SOMETHING , ONE CAN CHANT THE FOLLOWING MANTRA TO RECLAIM THAT OBJECT :----- <br />
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THIS MANTRA WAS CHANTED BY HANUMAN TO RECLAIM LANKA-SITADEVI FROM THE HANDS OF RAVAN, THE ASURA. <br />
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TO GAIN ITS SIDDHI ONE SHOULD CHANT THIS MANTRA FOR ONE LAKHA OF TIMES. (When chanting mantras for attaining fruit, it is imperative that one is familiar with the mantra, it's essence / purpose, and meter - so that one may concentrate upon what one wants to achieve.) <br />
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HOWEVER BY THE MERCY OF SRI HANUMANJI ALSO ALL THAT IS REQUIRED TO GAIN THE EFFECT OF THIS MANTRA IS TO JUST WITH ATTENTION AND FAITH, CHANT THIS MANTRA THRICE, (THREE TIMES), WHILST FACING THE NORTHERN DIRECTION (Hanuman's Direction) WHILST REMEMBERING HOW HANUMAN RECLAIMED MAYASITA FROM LANKHA FOR HIS BELOVED RAMA. <br />
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<strong><em>NAMO STU RAMYA SA LAKSAMANAYA </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>DEVYAI CA TASYAI JANAK ATMA JAYAI </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>NAMO STU RUDENDRA YAMA ANILEBHYO </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>NAMO STU CANDRAYA MARUD GANEBHYAH</em></strong> (X 3 = time three) <br />
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If it is to be found He will find it!!! <br />
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<strong><em>Sri Hanumat Staavam: </em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>atulita-bala-dhaaman hema shilabha deham </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>danujavana-krsnam janina-mgraganyam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>sakalagunaa-nidhaanam vaanaranaa-madhiisam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>raghupati-priya-bhaktam vataa jaatam namaami </em></strong><br />
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I salute the son of the Wind God (Hanuman), the leader of the monkeys and the messenger of Rama, whose strength in matchless, whose body is like a hill of gold, who burns up the forest of asuras (demons) like a jungle fire, who towers among the spiritually illumined ones, and who is a treasure-house of all virtues. <br />
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<strong><em>gospadi-krta-varaasim-masakikrta-raksasaam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>ramaayana-mahaamala-ratnam vande-nilaatmajam </em></strong><br />
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Salutation to the son of the Wind God (Hanuman), who crossed the ocean as if it were a puddle in the hoof-marks of a calf, who squashed the Rakshasas as if they were mosquitoes, and who by his deeds shines like the central gem in the necklace of the Ramayana. <br />
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<strong><em>Anjanai nandanam viram janaki-soka naashanam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>kapisha maksahan taaram vande lanka-bhayankaram </em></strong><br />
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I salute the heroic Hanuman, the leader of the monkeys and the son of Anjanai, who is the slayer of (Ravan’s son) Akshkumara, who was a terror to the inhabitants of Lanka, and who assuaged the grief of Sita. <br />
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<strong><em>ullanghya sindhoh salilam salilam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>yaah shoka vahanim janakat majayah </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>adayaa tenaiva dadahaa lankam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>namaami tam pranjalir-anjaneyam </em></strong><br />
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With palms joined in reverence, I prostrate to the son of Anjanai who leaped across the sea as in sport, removing the fire from Sita’s mind and burning Lanka with that very fire. <br />
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<strong><em>manojavam maruta tulyavegam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>jitendriyam budhimaatam varishitam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>vaatmajam vanaraayutha mukhyam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>srirama dhuutam sharanam prapadhye </em></strong><br />
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I bow my head to hanuman, the Wind God’s Son, Messenger of Rama, Leader of the Monkey Army, who is fast as the wind and quick as the mind, who is the master of his senses and most distinguished and wise. <br />
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<strong><em>anjaneya mati patalaananam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>kanchanadri kamaniya-vigraham </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>parijata tarumula-vasinam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>bhavayaami paavamana-nananam </em></strong><br />
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I meditate on the son of the Wind God and Anjanai, whose face is deep red in complexion, whose body is as fascinating as a mountain of gold, and whose favorite resort is the base of the Parijata tree. <br />
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<strong><em>yatra yatra raghunaatha-kirtanam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>tatra tatra krta masta kaanjalim </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>baspa vaari paripurna-locanam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>maarutim naamata rakshas-antakam</em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><u>GUIDELINES FOR HANUMAN DEVOTEE</u></em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq3hBe4ffB9pCiyAVPwMvijLyB0trYjwe2kFzQj0thRgCqOh3i6o6rqIN0kxjEAdashZL-C0ZCcnzqEH1HVFcsJG3_XYVJl4YX16dmB10jEL6ffkCZfvgUK35HX_r05_p8e41iaBz5SQH/s1600/hanuman-1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq3hBe4ffB9pCiyAVPwMvijLyB0trYjwe2kFzQj0thRgCqOh3i6o6rqIN0kxjEAdashZL-C0ZCcnzqEH1HVFcsJG3_XYVJl4YX16dmB10jEL6ffkCZfvgUK35HX_r05_p8e41iaBz5SQH/s1600/hanuman-1b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Being part of the online group of Jaishrihanuman.org, we should strive to live in a way that reflects our devotion to Lord Hanuman. <br />
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<strong><em>Following are a few suggestions you can follow. </em></strong><br />
• Remember Him always <br />
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• Read Hanuman Chalisa Everyday. Suggested times: As soon as you wake up, during prayer time, before going to sleep <br />
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• Visit Hanuman Temple at least once a week. Suggested days: Tuesday, Saturday or any other day as per your convenience <br />
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• Pray to Lord Sriram. Nothing pleases Lord Hanuman more than a prayer to Lord Sriram. <br />
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• Offer Bananas after prayer as Prasad. <br />
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• Offer Tulasi leaves while doing Archana <br />
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• Offer a garland made out of Betel leaves to Lord Hanuman <br />
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• Offer Vadas once in a while <br />
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• Read Hanuman Chalisa 100 times as suggested by Saint Tulsidas when you want your desires to be fulfilled. <br />
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• Understand meaning of Hanuman Chalisa word for word and remember it while chanting <br />
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• Teach Hanuman Chalisa to children <br />
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• Make donations to Hanuman temples so that they can be maintained well and more devotees can find solace. <br />
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• Form a group of devotees if possible and chant Hanuman Chalisa in a house or at temple <br />
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• Focus on one form of God till your faith becomes ripe. Do not waver from one form of God to another. Pray to Lord Hanuman till He blesses you with His Grace. <br />
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• Fast on Tuesdays or eat less on Tuesdays <br />
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• Practice “Silence”: Suggested frequency: Once a month <br />
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• Print or Distribute booklets of Hanuman Chalisa <br />
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• Donate audio or video material of Hanuman to others when opportunity comes <br />
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• Make donations to needy and thank God for giving an opportunity to serve the needy. <br />
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• Read Sundarakanda <br />
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• Read Ramayana <br />
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• Wear a ring or necklace of Lord Hanuman. <br />
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• Be a devoted devotee of Lord Hanuman <br />
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• Be good and do well. Aim to practice values embodied by Lord Hanuman. When in doubt pray to Him for guidance. <br />
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• Develop mutual respect for others. Show tolerance to people who pray to other forms of God or practice other religions. <br />
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• Keep cleanliness <br />
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• Be Thankful for what you have and try to be content with what you possess. <br />
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• Remember He is always protecting you. <br />
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People should rejoice being in your company. That is a reflection of your spiritual progress and that you are devoted to Lord Hanuman. <br />
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Above all Lord Hanuman will be there in close proximity once we chant HIS beloved hymn: <span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em><u>Sri Ramajeyam </u></em></strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">; </span><br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Jai Sri Ram.........</span></u></em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-18837359221939706982011-04-09T04:55:00.000-07:002011-04-18T04:29:18.785-07:00Periya Thiruvadi - Sri Garudan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC6t9ZAtX6CvZ_-WJh2LObJZov3mYnh2oNY4tx9kSs0pH2P7g9Es_HUeiwOn6E4pZWlPOaE2wbZufC9N_CPie84MuWK5aSKcfCngmGc91k2_coQTPDePuxUD2abJ9SmFhQOwJfmejbV2O/s1600/garuda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC6t9ZAtX6CvZ_-WJh2LObJZov3mYnh2oNY4tx9kSs0pH2P7g9Es_HUeiwOn6E4pZWlPOaE2wbZufC9N_CPie84MuWK5aSKcfCngmGc91k2_coQTPDePuxUD2abJ9SmFhQOwJfmejbV2O/s1600/garuda.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Garuda Bhagwan has also many other names like Kruthman, Suparnan, Padakendran, Pakshirajan, Dharshayan, Modhaka modhar, Malli pushpa priyar, Mangalalayar, Kshemakari, Periya Thiruvadi, Jaya Garudan Pullarsu, Kaluzhan, Suvanan giri etc</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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1. Of all vahanas, in the utsava processions of Emperumaan, Garuda Sevai, is considered most important, because indirectly it gives an explanation of thatvam thryam. The wooden blocks, on which garudan is seated is achit garudan is chit, and Emperumaan is above all these is eshwara thatvam<br />
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It simply emphasizes 3 thatvas of our visishtadvaitha sampradayam and it is a proven fact through Gajendra Moksham that Emperumaan comes swiftly on Garuda vahanam to save chetanas.<br />
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2. Man gala Vadhyas (auspicious sounds of instruments) are totally 16 in number, commonly they are called Aadhodhyam, Garuda bhagwan’s dwani is equal to this Aadhodhyam<br />
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3. Garuda dharsanam pun yam that Hopi dhwaniruchyathey” is the proof which tells us it is auspicious to have dharshan of Garuda and hear his dwani<br />
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4. In the war between Lord Sri Rama and Ravana, it was Garuda, who helped Rama and Lakshmana to come out Nagapasam says Ramayana<br />
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5. When the Milky ocean was churned, it was Garuda who brought Mandira Mountain by the command of the lord and placed it in the milky ocean<br />
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6. Again by the consent of the lord Srinivas, Garuda brought one of the 8 vimanas namely Kiridachalam from the Vaikuntam, and placed it on the hills of Tirumala, and it is the same anandanilaya vimana which we see in Tirumala today to mark this Kainkaryams of Garuda, one of the seven hills is named as Garudachalam.<br />
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7. Eshwara Samhita states “Vaakchindhi mahathibaveth gyanam samahathabnothi yachaandathikkangsheetham” meaning, due to the grace of garuda bhagwan, we can get, good memory, vedantha gyanam and eloquent speech & even a mention of this is made in Padma Purana starting with verses “Chidyachayatha purvam”<br />
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8. Mostly vahanams of Emperumaan don’t have vahanams, for themselves but Garuda Bhagwan being himself the vahanam of Maha Vishnu has vayu as his vahanam this is proved by the verse of “Suparno vayu vahana:” of Vishnu Sahasranamam <br />
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9. In Mahabharata, ultimately the Pandavas got their victory through the Garuda Vyuham<br />
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10. It was garuda again who fought with Virochana and brought back the “vairamudi”(crown) and presented it to Lord krishna, which now can be seen during the Vairmudi festival adorned by Chella pillai in Thirunaryanapuram, Melkote<br />
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11. When Garuda brought the amrutha kalasam, to release his mother from bondage, the grass which was with the kalasam, got the divine touch of amrutha and got a new name called “amrutha veeryam”, which is now called dharbam in this world<br />
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12. Whenever a new city is developed, or vedhis are built in yaga salai, and organizing positions during war, it will done in the style of garuda flying with his large wings, as this position is believed to bring victory. There is also a talk, that Thanjavur was built in this style in olden days, and its former name was “Garudapuri”<br />
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13. Garuda bhagwan is adhistana devathai for the 5 types of vayu which is jeevathara for humans<br />
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14. In his japa we have mala manthram, & according to adharva veda he is given the first place among 32 vidyas<br />
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15. It is said a fragmented piece of Meru Mountain by garuda bhagwan, fell into the ocean, and later came up as Lanka <br />
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16. In the.Bramhotsavams of all Srivaishnava temples .On the first day, the main activity is the “Dhvajarohana,” the hoisting of the Garuda flag at the Dhvajastambham. This signifies the commencement of the Brahmotsavam. It is believed that Garuda goes to Devalokam and invites the Devas to attend the function, and On the last day evening the Garuda flag will be lowered as a mark of completion of the Brahmostavam.which is called Dwajaavarohanam.<br />
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17. Lord Krishna in Bhagavath Gita, states ”Paritranaya Saadhunaam……….”<br />
Lord comes to rescue sadhus by showing them his “Padukas” as their resort, and when it comes to destroy dushtas he uses Garuda Bhagwan.<br />
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18. Garuda Bhagwan is one among Nithyasuris and important devathai for Sanyasis<br />
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19. Garuda bhagwan’s nakshatram(star) is swathi, vedas give much prominence to this swathi nakshatram, and also calls this as “Jyothir” Nakshatram, In this nakshatram was born Perialwar as amsam of garuda bhagwan and Lord Narasimhan took avatharam in this swathi.There is a common belief that when Swati Nakshatra rain comes to earth(when the sun is in Tula rasi) it produces pearl in pearl oysters. The mollusk is then said to open its mouth to receive the first raindrops. The pearls thus produced by the raindrops of Swati Nakshatra are the finest and have no foreign matter in them.<br />
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20. Fear of Garuda made the snake Kaaliyan to shift to Yamuna River from Ramanakam Island.<br />
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21. Lord Maha Vishnu has Garuda Dwajam (flag) that is Garuda sitting on the flag of our Lord, which denotes Lord’s victory over His enemies; from the position on the flag of our Lord, we are able to infer garuda’s glories. who has incarnated as Sankarshana among the four Vyuha Murthys of Sriman Narayana, which are Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradhumna and Aniruddha. <br />
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22. Garuda bhagwan does all the intimate kainkaryas to his Lord Maha Vishnu and is His Antharanga dhaasan. Garuda is devoted always to the Lord and does 7 types of kainkaryams (services)<br />
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23. Garuda is renowned for his great speed. He ranges in the sky like a meteor, throwing the clouds tops The gush of wind produced from his wings causes a tremor in the mountains, a strong flutter in the water of the sea and overturns a large number of trees. Vishnu has a great liking for him on account of his might and speed, and employs him as His conveyance. Garuda not only serves Vishnu as his conveyance, but also assists him in actual fighting. He flung away the Rakshasa Malyavan fighting against Vishnu.<br />
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24. In Sri Villiputtur Garuda Bhagwan shares his aasanam (seat) along with Rangamannar & Andal inside the Garbagraha which is very unique<br />
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25. Garuda bhagwan has 5 vyuha forms namely Sathyan, Suparnan, Garudan, Dhaarshayan and Vihakesvaran and his 5 mantra word has Vishwamitra as its rishi and Sriman Naraynan as its Devatha<br />
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26. Nachiyar Koil is famous for Kal Garaudar Sannadhi, made up of saligrama stone, garudar is a vara prasadhi, especialy in utsavams, Garuda seva is very unique in this kshetra, a magical event occurs during Garuda Sevai, Garuda increases weight in manifold during street processions that takes place at Nachiyar Koil. While only 4 people carry Lord Garuda out of his sannadhi, as the garuda goes out of each layer and prakaram, he said to increase in weight, in geometric proportion that 8,16,32,64 ..people are required to carry Lord Garuda out of the temple, finally when he comes out of the temple his weight increases that 128 people are required to carry him, on his way back, the weight decreases in the same way, and finally when he is back in sannadhi only 4 people are required to carry him <br />
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27. Thirumangai Alwar, Periya Alwar, Poigai Alwar etc have done their Mangalasasanams to Garuda Bhagwan<br />
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28. The Mauryas considered Garuda as “Lucky God” and during the Guptas Period, The kings Kumara Guptan, Samudra Guptan embossed the seal of Garuda in their coins, and Garuda was present in the flag and seal of Devagiri Yadavas, and even Buddhist considerd HIM as their favorite bird.<br />
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29. The shadow of Garuda’s wings, when fall upon the agricultural areas, removes Earth”s Pollution and gives good yield<br />
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30. Coming to worldly affairs sometimes we do get surprised that even after having so much of potentiality, resources, & rich culture etc our country is not flourished but America is so prosperous, Why? it is because The Eagle(Garuda) is the national seal & bird of the United States of America.(even though unaccepted, it is a fact) It appears on most of its official seals, including the Seal of the President of the United States. It is also called “Golden Bird, Lucky Bird” by them<br />
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31. Indonesia has named its air-flights as “Garuda Indonesia” & its logo is also the picture of garuda.<br />
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Thus goes on the list, but as already mentioned by adiyen, words from mere human mouth, cannot sing all the glories of garuda bhagwan and in this context, adiyen would like to mention, adiyen’s grand father used to always recite a sloka when preparing himself for a task,<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“Pakshow they marutha ha: padhu, chandra ha: brustam saputraka I</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Serasthu padhu they vanni hi: baskara ha: sarvamevathu II</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>vishnu hu: sarvagatha ha: sarvanee anganee dhvaicha vahi” III</em></strong> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjtbVvEsM57igORFUk9GiDv7p5dmqHaVSNJfsYl2Rg1v3p435bfi_OdGla2DYYoMh0cEr2eFUGly9rUXMIyzGifFii3x0pXjmWlmGaQQ9_rRha9cUFsSzdZMKiDTuff1i2otC-3aqVYKg/s1600/chaturbhuja_shri_vishnu_on_his_mount_garuda_or39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjtbVvEsM57igORFUk9GiDv7p5dmqHaVSNJfsYl2Rg1v3p435bfi_OdGla2DYYoMh0cEr2eFUGly9rUXMIyzGifFii3x0pXjmWlmGaQQ9_rRha9cUFsSzdZMKiDTuff1i2otC-3aqVYKg/s400/chaturbhuja_shri_vishnu_on_his_mount_garuda_or39.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>The above sloka, is the blessing words which Garuda Bhagwan got from his mother Vinathai when he went to fetch the Amrutham, these same words were told by Kaushalya Devi who blessed her son Lord Rama when he started for Vanavasam.<br />
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Thus by chanting this sloka, we can achieve victory, in all our effiorts. In Siriya Thirumadal Thirumangai Alwar while explaining Gajendra Moksham, says the Elephant called<br />
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<strong><em>“Narayana O Manivanna Nagannayaay Vaarai En Aaridarai Neekai”</em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV_jpfSdZA-0snlJT1raZijRBz08S9-yCQQGxVsaHN1rv1SDtDwxts3bfXOd-uF-E7a9WYtaj79fzs7cWP4QAjTX5pRof92ProdSF2sq-lI7cnDg3kDZjoGXAic6U2UNQ6TrihEG-QLeT/s1600/krish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV_jpfSdZA-0snlJT1raZijRBz08S9-yCQQGxVsaHN1rv1SDtDwxts3bfXOd-uF-E7a9WYtaj79fzs7cWP4QAjTX5pRof92ProdSF2sq-lI7cnDg3kDZjoGXAic6U2UNQ6TrihEG-QLeT/s1600/krish2.jpg" /></a></div>Immediately came Emperumaan on Garuda, and saved Gajendra, thus Periya thiruvadi, is more eager to carry emperumaan, swiftly, in saving chetanas when called with full devotion and faith. Let us all take refugee in the lotus feet of Sriman Narayana which is holded by Garuda Bhagwan, to bless us with unshakable faith & bakthi in our sath sampradayam.<br />
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<strong><em>Glorification of Garuda</em></strong> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJN50nbt01YeXet7Vkw_ZvMccby-PZWWgowSbUfIiGTLi6uDWNPsLjDwqbOY3agMqWbdGgRfkZj3IE1tuXtCC3E2BbSbJqJ8OHIm86aO0NtPehyphenhyphenoK1B580ggd1ux78K6th00QXyJA_oBn/s1600/garuda_with_amrita_kalasha_wk61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJN50nbt01YeXet7Vkw_ZvMccby-PZWWgowSbUfIiGTLi6uDWNPsLjDwqbOY3agMqWbdGgRfkZj3IE1tuXtCC3E2BbSbJqJ8OHIm86aO0NtPehyphenhyphenoK1B580ggd1ux78K6th00QXyJA_oBn/s1600/garuda_with_amrita_kalasha_wk61.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We have offered in this series an introductory tracing of the presence of Sri Garuda from India's southern tip to the northern Himalayas. There is such an abundance of examples of Garuda worship around the world that we can't begin to cover even the finest here. In fact, the presence of Garuda throughout Java, Sumatra, Bali and Cambodia is so great it will require a number of articles dedicated to that region alone. <br />
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Before we complete our series tomorrow with a study of some of the prominent stone sculptures of Garuda in Rajasthan, Central India, and back in the south, in Halebid and Belur, let us first recall some of Sri Garuda's most prominent attributes and pastimes, as noted in Ramashraya Sharma's study of the Valmini Ramayana: <br />
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"Among birds only Garuda (variously known as garutmat, the winged, suparna, of lovely wings, tarkshaya, the son of Tarksha-Kasyapa, paksi-raja and pattagotama, the lord of birds) is noteworthy. He is the son of Vinata, the great-grand-daughter of the Prajapati Kasyapa. Arjuna the charioteer of Surya is his brother and Sumati his sister. Sumati was married to king Sagara and on that account Garuda is called matula (maternal uncle) of the sixty-thousand sons of Sagara. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUIxk8wXbUWicCYvb2xzIJBHsH6H3WMhI1u7SUAWPrWnJLq6t0XPtWnHBYJwzDYRS4RkDTYmPtU0mOyk7-EEhlhuGklyQgErgfwseAdZwz-rqBNP-VpyYn9BX9LSBMt99_jTHhSbVxti3/s1600/garud.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUIxk8wXbUWicCYvb2xzIJBHsH6H3WMhI1u7SUAWPrWnJLq6t0XPtWnHBYJwzDYRS4RkDTYmPtU0mOyk7-EEhlhuGklyQgErgfwseAdZwz-rqBNP-VpyYn9BX9LSBMt99_jTHhSbVxti3/s400/garud.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Garuda bears an everlasting hostility to the serpants -- pannagasana, bhujagiri, and other synonyms are his popular epithets - who are possessed of panic the moment they smell of him and try to slip away from his sight in whichever direction possible. <br />
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His principle feat is the carrying off of ambrosia from the home of Mahendra, disregarding the blazing flames that were set around it as hurdles. He is also glorified for having saved the Balakhilyas from getting crushed under the heavy branch of the Sucandra-nyagrodha as it gave way under his own weight, rendered heavier by the elephant and the huge tortoise whom he was carrying as food on his onward journey to the Mahendra-bhavana for ambrosia. He is said to have carried a long distance the entire branch along with his load (of the elephant and the tortoise) and dropped it over a habitation of the Nishadas. <br />
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Garuda is renowned for his great speed. He ranges in the sky like a meteor, throwing the clouds topsyturvy. The gush of wind produced from his wings causes a tremor in the mountains, a strong flutter in the water of the sea and overturns a large number of trees. Visnu has a great liking for him on account of his might and speed, and employs him as His conveyance. Garuda not only serves Visnu as his conveyance, but also assists him in actual fighting. He flung away the Rakshasa Malyavan fighting against Visnu and released Rama and Laksmana in the Lanka war from the effects of Indrajit's sarpa-bandha." <br />
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And given that we will close this series with examples of Garuda murtis from Karnataka in the South, we also offer an excerpt from Garuda Dandakam, spoken by Tamil Swami Desikan, who was initiated into the Garuda Mantram by his Acarya, Sri Appullar. Incidentally, the Tamil word 'pul' means 'a bird'. Here the reference is to the divine bird, Garuda, who is also known as Pakshi Raja (the king of Birds). The Garuda Mantram includes among its five syllables the two syllables constituted by the word 'pakshi'. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYYGnL-LAzsou4ktiBouXWpJpUgbXGHKbJsOeACT5b0ofHLR8I7qpnYT1u4fvRv_lSmSu2bW6h8ZSOzS5C2wSo7uns6r9HFy17aHcg3m6TP9o4znZrrrxZJOGbhrp-KvOm47b4iEpcYE_/s1600/raviLord-Garuda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYYGnL-LAzsou4ktiBouXWpJpUgbXGHKbJsOeACT5b0ofHLR8I7qpnYT1u4fvRv_lSmSu2bW6h8ZSOzS5C2wSo7uns6r9HFy17aHcg3m6TP9o4znZrrrxZJOGbhrp-KvOm47b4iEpcYE_/s1600/raviLord-Garuda.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Garuda Mantram was a mantram of Appullar's family. After instructing Sri Desikan on all relevant Sri Vaishnava granthas, Rahasyas Tarka and Vyaakarna, Sri Appullar initiated him into the recitation of Garuda Dandakam, which glorifies Garuda by observing the following: </div><br />
• Vedas praising Garuda Bhagavaan <br />
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• Garuda's service to Sriman Narayana as His Vehicle and Flag <br />
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• His matrimonial status with his two wives, Rudrai and Sukeerthi <br />
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• His adornment of great serpents as his jewellery on his limbs <br />
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• His heroic deed in bringing nectar from Indra Loka <br />
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• His other heroic deeds in battles on behalf of his Lord <br />
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• His splendour as the Amsa (aspect) of Para Vasudeva, his Sankarshana Swaroopam <br />
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• His manifestion in five individual forms <br />
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• His conferral of Vedhanta Vidya to his aspiring devotees, i.e., his status as an Acarya <br />
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• The worship of Lord Garudan by learned scholars and saints <br />
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• His power as the Garuda Mantra Moorthy <br />
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• His power to bless one with the four Purusharthas (goals) of life <br />
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• His incarnation as Garudan as a result of the prayers of the Vaalakilya sages <br />
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• His power to bless one with the true knowledge, or Brahma Vidya <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Sri Garuda Dandakam</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Salutations to Sri Garuda with beautiful wings</em></strong></div><strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Sloka 1 </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Nama: pannaganaddhaaya vaikunta vasavardhineh </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Sruti-sindhu Sudhothpaada-mandaraaya Garutmathe</em></strong> </div><br />
Salutations to Garuda with the beautiful wings. His limbs are adorned by the mighty serpents that he has conquered in battle. They are his jewellery. He does all the intimate kainkaryas to his Lord and is His Antharanga dhaasan. Garuda is devoted always to the Lord and His services. He is adept like the Mandara Mountain in churning the milky ocean of Vedas and to bring out the Brahma Vidyas. We can get the benefits of these Brahma Vidyas by offering our worship to him. My salutations are to him.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Dhandakam Paada 1 </em></strong></div><strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Garudamakhila Veda NeeDadhirooDam Dhvishath Peedanothkantithaakunta</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>vaikuntapeetikrta skandhameedhe SvaneeDaa gatipreetha Rudraa Sukeerthi</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>sthanaabhoga-gaaDopakuDa sphuratkantakavraata veda vyataavepamaana</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>dhvijihavaadhikalpa vishppaaryamaaNa sphataavatikaa ratna rochischataa raaji-</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>neerajitham kaanti kallolinee raajitam </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Sri Garudans wives Rudrai, Sukeerthi - Bindignavile </em></strong></div><br />
Garuda Bhagavan has designed the Vedas as his cage and uses that cage as his seat. (This suggests that the Vedas sing his praise). His Lord Sriman Narayana is bent upon destroying the enemies of His devotees. No one can stop Sriman Narayana in these endeavors. When He sets about to destroy the enemies of His devotees, he uses the shoulders of Garuda as his transport. When Garuda transports his Lord on His missions, his wives-Rudrai and Sukeerthi-- miss his absence from home. When the Lord’s mission is successfully concluded, Garuda returns to his wives and they embrace him intimately with affection. In that ecstatic state, the hairs on the body of Garuda become stiff like thorns. This in turn hurts the serpents, which are covering his body. The serpents are overcome with fear and they raise their hoods. On those occasions, the ratnas positioned on their hoods radiate their brilliant red rays. That splendorous group of red rays appear at that time as the mangala Aarathi to Garuda and he sparkles in that flood of red light. <br />
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<strong><em> Dhandakam Paada 2 </em></strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Jaya Garuda Suparna Darveekaraahaara Devaadhipaahaarahaarin diwowkaspati</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Kshipta Dambholi Dhaaraa kinaakalpa Kalpaantha Vatoola Kalpodhayaanalpa</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Veerayithoodhyacchamatkaara Dhaityaari Jaitra Dhwajaarohanirdhaaritothkarsha</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Sankarshanaatman Garutman Marutpanchakaadheesa Sathyaathimurthe na Kascchit</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>samas te namaste punaste nama </em></strong></div><br />
O Garuda Bhagavan! You have been named Suparna, because of the beauty of your wings. Serpents of immense size serve as your food. You brought Nectar, the food of the Devas- from Indra Loka to release your mother from the bonds of servitude. Indra got angry at you during that time and threw his Vajra weapon at you. The sharp edge of that powerful weapon caused wounds on your wings and rest of the body. The welts from those wounds look today as pieces of jewellery on your body and attest to your heroic deed in defeating Indra. Your other heroic deeds stand out like the mighty winds that sweep the universe during the time of the great deluge. You are sitting on the flag of your Lord, which denotes His victory over His enemies; from your position on the flag of your Lord, we are able to infer your glories. You have incarnated as Sankarshana among the four Vyuha Murthys of Sriman Narayana, which are Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradhumna and Aniruddha. <br />
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You have divided yourself into five forms-- Satyar, Suparnar, Garudar, Taarkshyar and Vihageswarar-- and matched those five forms with the five Vayus (Praanan, Apaanan, Samaanan, Udhaanan and Vyaanan) and shine thereafter as a supreme Devan. O Lord with the most exquisitely beautiful golden Wings! There is none, who is equal to you. I offer my salutations to you first and then again repeat my salutations. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Dhandakam Paada 3 </em></strong></div><strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Nama Idhamajahath-saparyaaya Paryaaya-niryaata- pakshaanilaasppalanodhvela</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>PaToti Veechi- chapetaahataagaadha paatala Bhankara sankruttha nagendra</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>peetaasrunee bhaava bhasvannakhasreNayE chandatundaaya nrtyat bhujanga</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>bhruve vajrine dhamshtrayaa thubhyam Adhyaatmavidyaa vidheyaa vidheyaa</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>bhavath dhasyamaapaadhayeta dhayaTaasccha meh </em></strong></div><br />
O Garuda Bhagavan! Learned scholars offer their uninterrupted worships to you. Your wings in flight generate mighty winds that stir up all the oceans and make them flow over their boundaries. The waves that rise and fall from those powerful winds reach down to the netherworld (Paatalam) and the effect is like a violent blow given by the palm of one’s hand. <br />
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A frightening sound heard as "Bhaam" reverberates around the world at that time. The mighty elephants guarding the quarters are shaken up by this mighty sound of "Bhaam" and run to attack you, the generator of that sound. Your rows of sharp nails acting as the elephant goad attack those angry elephants of the quarters and repulse them. Your mighty beak raises terror in the minds of your enemies. When you knot your brows, it looks like the movement of the hood of a Cobra. Your canine teeth look like the Vajra weapon of Indra and strikes terror in the hearts of your enemies. My salutations to you of such limitless glory! May thou bless me so that Brahma Vidyas become easy to be possessed by me! Please bless me out of your infinite compassion so that I can have the good fortune to offer kainkaryams to you. <br />
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<strong><em> Dhandakam Paada 4</em></strong> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Manuranugata Pakshi-vaktra sphurattharakas taavakaschitrabhanupriyaa</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>sekharastthrayathaam nasthrivargaapavarga prasuthi: paravyoma dhaaman</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>valadhveshidharpajjvalath Vaalakilya PratigynaavatheerNa sTiraam tatvabuddhim</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>paraam bhaktidhenum jaganmoolakandhe Mukundhe mahaanandadhogdhreem</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>dhatiTaa mudhaakaamaheenamaheenaanthaka </em></strong></div><br />
O Garuda Bhagavan residing permanently in Sri Vaikuntam! Your mantram confers to the reciters the four fold (Dharma-Artha-Kama -Moksha) goals of Life. That mantram of yours made up of 5 syllables, has the Pranavam as its first syllable. At the end, it carries the syllable associated with the wife of Agni. May the mantram of that structure protect us! Once, Devendran became arrogant over his powers and insulted the Sages with the name of Vaalakilyas. (The sages got angry and cursed Indra. They cursed that Indra’s arrogance be destroyed by an incarnation of Sankarshana (Garuda) on a future date). You were born from the vow made by the Vaalakilyas that you destroy the mighty arrogance of Indra and you made their words come true. You serve as the lord of Death for mighty serpents that challenged you. <br />
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Please bless me with the discriminating knowledge to distinguish between true (superior) and false (inferior) knowledge. Your Lord is the fundamental and principal cause of all the universes. Please bless me to have the cow representing the limitless devotion to your Lord, so that it can yield for me its delectable milk. May that devotion of mine be free from the distractions of the insignificant and evanescent pleasures of life! May thou confer on me the boon of possessing such a superior devotion to your Lord and True Knowledge about Him! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC_GbUBf16qyW6OVkKzozEWD8MQ1_L1oM6WANAZhRxzH8dUmTvma6nJNzXf4sJJzYu4HOgpSm15wSPL5kWOquNNFp3YLTSHE1Iv-2kdCqEHcBLOrwfoZiUbmgHCLplzWOjMZHO3hVqIzQ/s1600/dsc050181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC_GbUBf16qyW6OVkKzozEWD8MQ1_L1oM6WANAZhRxzH8dUmTvma6nJNzXf4sJJzYu4HOgpSm15wSPL5kWOquNNFp3YLTSHE1Iv-2kdCqEHcBLOrwfoZiUbmgHCLplzWOjMZHO3hVqIzQ/s1600/dsc050181.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Sloka 2</em></strong> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Shat-thrhimsathgana-charanoh nara paripaati naveena Ghumbhagana:</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Vishnurata-dhandakoyam Vigatayathu vipaksha Vaahini Vyuham </em></strong></div><br />
This entire Garuda Dhandakam is of the form of one slokam. This has four Paadas. Each of the Paadas has 36 GaNaas. Each Gana has three syllables. This Dhandakam follows strictly the rules of composing Dhandakams and has the NagaNaas and RagaNaas in each of the Paadas and yields novel word constructions. When one recites this Garuda Dhandakam, it will destroy the formations of the enemies, who have assembled to do battle with us and scatter them to the winds. <br />
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<strong><em>Concluding Sloka </em></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboHAm8GV5rbyz9Il7vI88R8HNeUCGo94jOAfUA_YyNrLoPhyphenhyphenrE25mIQ_hvsz8VrNrCrPbnxu_ZvEoL9lxG6UMxQO2Hhl4MHp6tjAQaCdiBUVG6eEG-AeL49569MmCMAsTttrT4KQp1yav/s1600/O3II3CA719X3SCAAGBJD4CA17ON1VCAYDPPDSCA9A3HAJCA3USW78CAZ9ZUFPCALWKX2YCAM1NAH4CAELOEVHCAAMKFQ8CADXNCVCCANL1SZ7CACXGSUUCA1RF4N8CAP7AFFNCAJTYL8Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboHAm8GV5rbyz9Il7vI88R8HNeUCGo94jOAfUA_YyNrLoPhyphenhyphenrE25mIQ_hvsz8VrNrCrPbnxu_ZvEoL9lxG6UMxQO2Hhl4MHp6tjAQaCdiBUVG6eEG-AeL49569MmCMAsTttrT4KQp1yav/s400/O3II3CA719X3SCAAGBJD4CA17ON1VCAYDPPDSCA9A3HAJCA3USW78CAZ9ZUFPCALWKX2YCAM1NAH4CAELOEVHCAAMKFQ8CADXNCVCCANL1SZ7CACXGSUUCA1RF4N8CAP7AFFNCAJTYL8Z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Vichitra siddhidada: soyam Venkatesa Vipascchitaa</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Garudadhwaja-thoshaaya Gheetho Garudadhandaka </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.prapatti.com/slokas/mp3/garudadandaka.mp3"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Garudadandaka.mp3</em></strong></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prapatti.com/slokas/tamil/desika-stotramaala/garudadandaka.pdf"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Garudadandaka - Lyrics in Tamil.Pdf</em></strong></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw3ihs87BJlnB3S6P-2tq9hyEgi6Z1dcYHvr8Jz2saG5GJi5sybT3zIqxBow_nvAeeE-R9dh04V_0dbEzL0E0rLyRsYuBDOew9c4fdzZMY5oTG3yjklpS8InV0KWlzr2mhfU0U-_HMFQ/s1600/bgsingle_red_rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw3ihs87BJlnB3S6P-2tq9hyEgi6Z1dcYHvr8Jz2saG5GJi5sybT3zIqxBow_nvAeeE-R9dh04V_0dbEzL0E0rLyRsYuBDOew9c4fdzZMY5oTG3yjklpS8InV0KWlzr2mhfU0U-_HMFQ/s1600/bgsingle_red_rose.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 132px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 52px; visibility: hidden;" width="92" /> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-30347636210928130782011-04-09T01:23:00.000-07:002011-04-09T01:26:14.936-07:00Thiruman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47w0lI1vb01tcsp8C5dhw8GCC4MJk72EHqgeaXFfHFDuiwliL5V84QRhSqRi9ck_7iujiBLA4121tXIh-mpIXMI0NHQc6CgUTGN7tjrPeMBBmjFmp32qPqtq_YOljK4yqpNRYZrJD9mBN/s1600/Govinda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47w0lI1vb01tcsp8C5dhw8GCC4MJk72EHqgeaXFfHFDuiwliL5V84QRhSqRi9ck_7iujiBLA4121tXIh-mpIXMI0NHQc6CgUTGN7tjrPeMBBmjFmp32qPqtq_YOljK4yqpNRYZrJD9mBN/s1600/Govinda.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzdnek5oyE_1WiqRhwynSPzOAIYupSsK66cKx-f1aGF4R3TCAhRayS1sCo-OYNMu627Hdx9Vv-coi2whiCIZnNOSx04K77PXxzGy-9035HTJQjxvRKbvunEl6F0EpuniYGVxcJGAbHo8H/s1600/candle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzdnek5oyE_1WiqRhwynSPzOAIYupSsK66cKx-f1aGF4R3TCAhRayS1sCo-OYNMu627Hdx9Vv-coi2whiCIZnNOSx04K77PXxzGy-9035HTJQjxvRKbvunEl6F0EpuniYGVxcJGAbHo8H/s1600/candle.gif" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzdnek5oyE_1WiqRhwynSPzOAIYupSsK66cKx-f1aGF4R3TCAhRayS1sCo-OYNMu627Hdx9Vv-coi2whiCIZnNOSx04K77PXxzGy-9035HTJQjxvRKbvunEl6F0EpuniYGVxcJGAbHo8H/s1600/candle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzdnek5oyE_1WiqRhwynSPzOAIYupSsK66cKx-f1aGF4R3TCAhRayS1sCo-OYNMu627Hdx9Vv-coi2whiCIZnNOSx04K77PXxzGy-9035HTJQjxvRKbvunEl6F0EpuniYGVxcJGAbHo8H/s1600/candle.gif" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzdnek5oyE_1WiqRhwynSPzOAIYupSsK66cKx-f1aGF4R3TCAhRayS1sCo-OYNMu627Hdx9Vv-coi2whiCIZnNOSx04K77PXxzGy-9035HTJQjxvRKbvunEl6F0EpuniYGVxcJGAbHo8H/s1600/candle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Vaishnavite Paribhasha (colloquial) for wearing ThirumaN (Auspicious Clay) is ThirumaN Kappu Saatal. The key word here seems to be Kappu or Protection. That protection is achieved thru the Lord’s weapons celebrated in Panchaayudha Sthotram. Like Dig Bhandhanam before Mantra recitation, the request for protection of the limbs of one body and protection from above, behind, sides etc is a well known practice in Ahnikaas (Performance of Daily rituals prescribed).Hence, ThirumaN Kappu can be viewed as a Kavacham, that confers protection on the Vaishnavas wearing that by invoking the weapons and the power of the Lord. The freedom from fear of the ThirumaN Kappu wearing Vaishnavas referred to in Eswar's note relates to the Mahaviswasam of the Vishnu Bhaktas in Lord's protection from the three kinds of afflictions of life. </div><br />
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The 12 names associated with 12 Urdhva Pundarams have been elaborated upon by Swami Desikan in his work known as "Panniru Thirunaamam" dedicated to the celebration of the holy feet of Kanchi Perumaal. <br />
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Examples of that are: Forehead, Presiding lord is Kesavan. His color is invoked as Golden. His weapons are 4 Chakrams. The direction assigned to him is East.` Centre Portion of Stomach, the next site to wear Urdhva Pundram has Sriman Narayana as the presiding deity. His Color is visualized as Blue.His Weapons are 4 Conches .The direction of protection offered by him is West.Thus it goes on for the rest of the 10 Urdhva Pundram. <br />
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Incidentally, Urdhva Pundram is associate with Urdhva Rethas celebrated in the Vedic Passage "Urdhva Retham virupaksham Viswaroopaya Nama:" Urdhva Pundaram is also symbolic of Sattvika Guna by Lord Krishna In Bhagavat Gita ( Urdhvam Gacchanti Satttwasthaa:).Reference to this is from Naaradheeyam.In this context, this souce says that the Vishnu Bhaktaas should not wear Tiryak Pundram(cross , horizontal wearing of the Pundram) even as a playful matter. Vishnu Dharmottaram establishes guidelines as to which finger to use in applying ThirumaN. Pavitram wearing finger and the middle finger are taboo. One should apply ThirumaN , while sitting. The Thirucchornam used must be sanctified. Any vermilion paste wont do. The people , who have had Bharanyaasam should wear the Yellow choornam and others the Vermilion version. The thirumaN wearing has to have the White two lines and the Red line at the centre, housing the Divine couple, who are never separated. The two white lines are like temple for them. Lord Himself says that he and His consort love to reside in the temple created by the two broad white lines of ThirumaN. Narrow crowding of the two lines are not desirable to him, In my other note, I will speculate on the Neuroanatomical significance of the shape of the thirumaN and suggest a reconciliation between the Tenkalai and Vadakalai versions of wearing the ThirumaN. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZRRFtuvj04EHDxJLfnoZmbKk7S3oini7jFKwY1fXO8nYODA-VFvJBS0qFPlZ5jtTG1QNlRoyB70QlUyFrWLea098T0pm2r8i_ThTPIGmfOTR-AjARSoOKEhw-LRlE7merq0xjEoKk7Fj/s1600/Thiruman.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZRRFtuvj04EHDxJLfnoZmbKk7S3oini7jFKwY1fXO8nYODA-VFvJBS0qFPlZ5jtTG1QNlRoyB70QlUyFrWLea098T0pm2r8i_ThTPIGmfOTR-AjARSoOKEhw-LRlE7merq0xjEoKk7Fj/s400/Thiruman.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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On the Sampradhayam(tradion) side, there are number of mantras to create the paste of clay with water in one"s palm.Nrsimha Beejam is to be drawn at the center after completing the preparation of the paste.The Veda Mantras used in the preparatory rituals are 7 in number.Panchopanishad Mantra, Ashtaaksharam,Vishnu Shadakshara Mantram, Dwaadasaaksharam, Dwayam(Mantra ratnam), Vishnu Gayatri are to be included in the appropriate phases of the Pundram wearing ceremony. In between the 12 Names of the Lord to be recited at the time of the decoration of the individual parts of the body, the 12 names of Sri Devi are to be added. They are: Sriyayai nama:., Amrutothbhavaayayai Nama:, Kamalaayayai Nama:,Chandra Sodharyayai nama:, Vishnupatnyayai nama:, Vaishnavyayai nama:, Varaarohayayai nama:,Harivallabhyayai Nama: , Saarnginyayai nama:, Devadevikaayayai nama:, Surasundaryayai nama:. Maha Lakshmyayai Nama:, Sarvaabhishtapalapradhaayayai nama:. Guru vandanaams are also involved. I have seen my grandfather take a minimum of 30 minutes to perform this ThirumaN ceremony sitting at the abnk of Cauvery river after his morning bath. Even today, we can see in the Toopul House Remains of Swami Desikan , the section, where he sat and applied ThirumaN prior to his Abhigamana Araadhanas( Act of Going near the Lord and His consort with Humility and reverence) prescribed by Ramanuja in one of his nine works. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong><em>Neuroanatomical speculation on ThirumaN </em></strong><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBhKnT7prdW-C7U_Z41tykx7AtNb2brNJUjm9oGqcEejVR6_xizC-5y7-oxJdOSmrbzfvDt63VoKinu7QdFnqox8GRcBVWU8lnmo5MGmOVBEsl0AIz3yNCXRYXXtM6bg-FkfqFVmg6HP9/s1600/s1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBhKnT7prdW-C7U_Z41tykx7AtNb2brNJUjm9oGqcEejVR6_xizC-5y7-oxJdOSmrbzfvDt63VoKinu7QdFnqox8GRcBVWU8lnmo5MGmOVBEsl0AIz3yNCXRYXXtM6bg-FkfqFVmg6HP9/s1600/s1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uOCHLzWvnvWEMj-OBaqaaYskXPOeGsDNFLG1zTURKdfOaiJGkc9cbC_ZtZ_y6mPQ-URWu0dTz8l_XuZOG26saWEsZCtS6e22UlAHdHrvt1cirPM3zkXAKFW8buI2zO9jCZswk1y5cD5g/s1600/s1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEopk8SwC9yNTJCEJTMOviM8C5eblzVKhJ1831yHfAAhCgNGszBYury_VKRtQ16Yvam_h6EpwVx5_TTmJIIB_30J4WsM8hbHbmkMXLLbbgocvzTIlv7c2DFtcjYzKKgtiSGw0A82F3u1aB/s1600/s2.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKhedYRbVSfjz-USQl9kav4Q1qgLiVlvonT_hGCkkVlZoRmMFYzqRYSlDjR-yzm7U5jQpyt48pF-ERkyUKHnhvEuKcEN9blUU6tQCnJHQWFC-6_qnoR07RHrUnGN1RLZQ4_jHEs-EQnWL/s1600/s3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKhedYRbVSfjz-USQl9kav4Q1qgLiVlvonT_hGCkkVlZoRmMFYzqRYSlDjR-yzm7U5jQpyt48pF-ERkyUKHnhvEuKcEN9blUU6tQCnJHQWFC-6_qnoR07RHrUnGN1RLZQ4_jHEs-EQnWL/s1600/s3.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>This is fairly fanciful, but please view it a light hearted manner after the heavy traditional intrepretation fro "co(s)mic relief:. Our Central nervous system and its "gray" matter is packed in 3 coverings (dura, Pia etc). for protection against accidents of Life.Theree are a dense arterial and veinous circulation of the fluid of life thru them in a intricate fashion reaching out to all nooks and corners of the brain and its centres , which control every motor , thought processes as long as we live. <br />
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he brain has two hemispheres connected by the collosoal fibre bundle known as corpus collosum, which cross connects the left and the right brain, each odf which have special functions revealed from the Caltech Scientist et al. The cutitng of the Corpus Collosum and its consequences in terms of the calamities in the coordinated functioning of the Brain has also been detailed by the Caltech pioneer. We can view the two lines of the Thiruman connected by the U shaped line as the two lobes of the brain connected by the Corpus collosum. <br />
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The frontal lobes and the feeling states and the emotional aspects they symbolize come closest at the forehead in the area of the Ajna Chakram.That region is covered by the U shaped or the Y shaped portion of the ThirumaN. The Central nervous System (CNS) really extends as we know down to the tip of the spinal chord and the Dura matter covers it as a Sac all the way down to Mooladharqa Chakram. The Vada kalai version might be an abstracted version of the all powerful version of the CNS to remember and retain Bhagavan and the Tenkalai Version the full representation of the CNS . The Cranial Nerves control thru the Sensory and Motor branches the functioning of the limbs in our daily activities. The presence of ThirumaN on the upper limbs can in this model be associated with the Control thru the Cranial Nerves. <br />
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This allegory is mostly for semi-serious Consumption. <br />
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Questions: 1. Why Lord Wears ThirumaN / Why Ramunuja or others applied ThirumaN to The Lord of Thiruvenkatam? He surely does not need it. <br />
2. Why Ramanuja was not welcome at Siva temples ? <br />
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<strong><em>Ramanuja Related Questions: </em></strong><br />
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It is said that Ramanuja requested ThiruVekatamudayan to wear the Sanka and Chakra after entering His Sanctum as a Serpent(Adi Sesha) thru the water hole . The hagiographic account refers to the Archa at Thirupati being that of Sankara or Subramnaya . In this context, One of the Azhwar refers to the blending of the Body of Siva and Vishnu in one at Thirumalai( Third Thiruvanthadhi: Verse 63). Peyazhwar is the One great Azhwar, who saw the form of Divine couple and cried out in Thirukkovalur " Thirukkanden, ponmeni Kanden--". Even today, Bilvarchana at Thirupathi and the nonremoval of the Golden Kavacham for the two weapon-bearing hands of Thiruvekatamudayan even during Thirumanjanam and Adi sankara"s establishment of Dhanaakarshana Yantra at Thirupathi are mysteries. Regarding Ramanuja, There is no reason for him to be unwelcome at Siva Temples, except that he had no reason to go there. <br />
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<strong><em>Why the Lord Wears ThirumaN? </em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtOQYcFlQJu8vnW43BbwNR8FOHxjrqFeuhvPl3ZzEd8lxzJL4GTuTFxtsUYslZ4bF7moBCKo9oR1KU5_do3zIpBvSbrDk-VKzjNoZTTPe8aXu8i6fVfUWkRbNecD4PZQbyK2Nikynfbrb/s1600/thiruman123.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtOQYcFlQJu8vnW43BbwNR8FOHxjrqFeuhvPl3ZzEd8lxzJL4GTuTFxtsUYslZ4bF7moBCKo9oR1KU5_do3zIpBvSbrDk-VKzjNoZTTPe8aXu8i6fVfUWkRbNecD4PZQbyK2Nikynfbrb/s320/thiruman123.gif" width="281" /></a></div><br />
Ramanuja is also known as Godhagraja or the elder to Andaal based on an incident that happpened at Thirumaaliruncholai ( Offering of the 1000 vessels of Akkaravadisal on behalf of Aandal). Ramanuja is also known as Thiuppavai Jeeyar, because of the joy that he experienced in reciting Thiruppavai Verses and the reverence he had for the Philosophy of Aandal. She , unlike other Azhwars reminded Her Lord of his duties and awakened from his slumber (Yoga nidra). She reminded her Lord about his sworn duties to rescue the tormented Jeevans and interceded on their behalf. Ramanuja in the spirit of Andaal might have put the ThirumaN on the Lord to remind Him of His duties to use his weapons to come to the rescue of the Jeevans. I think however the practise of wearing ThirumaN goes to a time much before Ramanuja. <br />
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In conclusion, it can be said that Lord wears Thiruman not as His Lotus feet on His forehead , but as an indication of the power of his weapons and His presence in every one of the directions to protect His devotees. When the Vaishnavas wear the Pundrams , they consider their body as being protected by His weapons and as a temple for the Divine Couple. Thus , there are two separate reasons for the ThirmaN wearing by the Lord and His devotees. <br />
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Vaishnavas (Worshippers of Vishu as the Supreme) wear on their bodies the LORD's external symbols. There are several groups of Vaishnavas, <br />
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<strong><em>Sre: Vaishnava, Chaitanya, Vallabha, ISKON Vaishnavas </em></strong><br />
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Among these Sre: Vaishnavas have their faith in Bhakti & Prapatti for Sre:man Na:ra:yana: (MahaVishnu & MahaLakshmi), and wear on their foreheads the mark of the feet of the LORD, in the vertical position Works like Padma Purana, Marichi, Pancaharatra, Viakhanasa, Parameswara samhita etc explain clearly how the feet of the Lord should be worn on the forehead. They do not though explain the details of the shape very clearly. They do give about 25 objects, which the "Lords feet" should resemble, all these shapes and forms have the authority of the shastras. These 20 to 25 forms can be reduced to two forms, one resembling the english letter "Y" and the other "U" Minor Vedantic differences existed between scholars, subsequent to the age of Purvacharyas, which formed into Vatakalai & Thenkalai groups. Both groups wear the "Lords feet" of different forms U & Y, but they both will quote the same Pancaratra samhita sloka as authority.<br />
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Y & U both denote the lord's feet. (The Bhava of adorning is Dasatvam, Sheshatvsam) Y specifically denotes both the feet of the lord (Charanao, is Dwithia vibhakti) We always say Charanao Sharanam Prapadye in many places. Venkata Nathar in "Saccaritra Raksha" explains that the Mark worn on the forehead of Vaishnavas should not be designated by the name, but be designated "HARIPADAKRITI" The shape of the feet of Hari. If there had been any conrtoversy over this at that time, swami Venkata Nathar would have mentioned this in his work.<br />
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There are scholars who have their (shatstra based) reasons for why U stands only for one foot of the Lord. There are scholars who read the "HARIPADAKRITI" as one foot and not two feet (as it could go either way) So all the controversy we see over Y & U does not have a basis, as different forms of the Lord's feet have been sanctioned by the Sastras. No difference or quarrel should arise on this account. (Shape of Feet of the Lord) The most important thing is why we wear it and the Bhava we need to have. There is a difference in Y and U shape. This mainly arises from interpretation of the same sloka that both groups agree on. In the Phrases : Arabhya Nasika Mulam : Nasikamulam arabhya: "nasadikesa paryantam, anasamulam-arabhya" - From Pancarathra Samhita 1st Interpretation (Literal meaning ) Followed by U mark.<br />
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Adi and Mula indicate the Space between two eyebrows, Nasanta (Nose Tip)<br />
"Feet of the Lord" is from the space between the eye-brows - Bhru Madha to the end of the Hair - Kesanta. 2nd Interpretation (Technical interpretation) Followed by Y mark.<br />
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Since Pancaratra samhita is a highly technical treatise (Not a literary work) the Y groups feels technical interpretation is more appropropriate Nasikamula is one word and not Two words , same as nasamula is one word The nose is divided into two parts : The soft portion of the nost from the tip : Madhvasti Over the Mashvasti, The Hard Part : Nasikamula (or Nasamula) The Y shape comes as the Mark should commence from the "Hard part" of the nose<br />
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<strong><em>Vikhanasa muni :- (Wearing Y Shape) in most Indian Temples.</em></strong><br />
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I have heard some periyavas say (The Thiruvallikeni Chief Priest, Vaikhanasa Scholar)Swamin has quoted some Vaikhanasa slokas and explaines the bottom part as the Stand for the feet of the Lord, as you would not want to just make Maha Vishnu & Lakshmi sit on the floor, you always put a stand on which you will have them grace. So they have a stand shaped like KAMALAM. Some Vikhanasa muni wear it as U and they also have relevant authorities. (Wear Y shape in all cases) Since you see the Y shape on all the ISCON followers when asked some of his followers for the reasons for the Y shape on their forehead All they said was it is per their acharya and his words on this are as per Puranas.<br />
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Now the Presence of MahaLakshmi between the feet of the LORD is acccepted by both U & Y (Tiruppolinda sevadi yen seeninyin mer porittai - PeriAzhwar) Lakshmi is represented as Sre:Churna. This is Turmeric (yellow in color) made red during manufacture.<br />
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According to Pancaratra, in the mystical diagram representing the Lord position of Lakshmi is marked red. Thenkalais and half of the Vadakalais have adopted the red color for sre:churna. The other part of Vadakalai use the Yellow color and they also have relevant authorities. Hiranya Varnam.....(Golden color)<br />
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<strong><em>Each thiruman placed on the body represents a different name of Sriman Narayana: </em></strong><br />
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<strong>Forehead - Kesava</strong><br />
<strong>Belly - Narayana</strong><br />
<strong>Chest - Madhava</strong><br />
<strong>Throat - Govinda</strong><br />
<strong>Right side - Vishnu</strong><br />
<strong>Right arm - Madhusudana</strong><br />
<strong>Right shoulder - Trivikrama</strong><br />
<strong>Left side - Vamana</strong><br />
<strong>Left arm - Sridhara</strong><br />
<strong>Left shoulder - Hrisikesha</strong><br />
<strong>Upper back - Padmanabha</strong><br />
<strong>Lower back - Damodara</strong><br />
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<strong><em>Follow up quesiotns that will come up:</em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>Q. Why we wear Thiruman:</em></strong><br />
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A. To take the feet of the Lord on our forehead and other parts (To indicate we are HIS servants)<br />
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<strong><em>Q. Why do we do that. ?</em></strong><br />
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To make our body a temple for Sre:manna:ra:yana: (Sre: & Narayana) and to identify us as his property. With this we realize & act in accordance to the Lord and are guided by HIM : in our Heart we always have HIM; all our physical actions (On Shoulders we have his sign); in speech we are guided by HIM, in thought we are guided by HIM. And perform "Selfless service" to the Lord and his devotees.<br />
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<strong><em>Q. Why do we put Thiruman on the Lord: (Why put the feet of the Lord on the Lord?)</em></strong><br />
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Lord wears Thiruman as the indication of the ayudhas (weapons) (some say to protect devotees, and universe etc) Also to identify with other devotees as if HE is one of us.<br />
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<strong><em>Prayer 1:</em></strong><br />
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adiye:n prays to Lord Sre:mannara:yana: and Purvacharyas to help with the spreading of Sre: Sampradaya all over the world, without any divisions or quarrels between Y & U, without any concern about caste & race.<br />
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<strong><em>Prayer 2:</em></strong><br />
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We also pray for SadBuddhi so we all treat all devotees with utmost respect and regard (and treat them as you would treat the Lord Incarnate.)<br />
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If we treat all devotees of the lord with utmost respect and regard, we will see our beautiful Sampradaya spread all over the world, we will see our Mayors, Presidents and general public all over taking to this beautiful and logical sampradaya.<br />
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<strong><em>Significance</em></strong><br />
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A lot of interesting comments have been made on The Vaishanavite wearing ThirumaN, Ramunuja"s role in it, The differences in the shape of the ThirumaN worn by the Thenkalai and Vadakalai sects , Smarthas/Vaishanvas worship of Vishnu , Why ThirumaN is seen on the forehead of Archa Murthys in recent notes of Prapatti Group members. <br />
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I will share my views on this : First of All , there is a lot of history to it. Vangipuram Nambi , one of the 74 Simhasanaathipatis summarized Ramanuja"s views on Sadaachaaaras regarding this practise and Swami Desilkan later elaborated on this in his Saccharitra Raksha and linked the sources of his views to Paarameshtya Samhita,Brahmaraatra Samhita et al. Other granthas like Sacchaaritra Sudha Nidhi and the 800 page Monograph approved by the 44Th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt known as "Sri Vaishanava Sadaachara Nirnayam" by Vidwan Villivalam Krishna Dasa (Krishnamacharya) have detailed references to the mantras that go with this daily observance , the right way to apply the ThirumaN and other daily observances by Vaishanavites.. <br />
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Sreekrishna 's note indicated that ThirumaN is some salt of Calcium . I agree. Chalk- Clay has many versions. Mostly , they are made of Calcium carbonate, Sulfates, Oxalates et al in admixture with salts of Magnesium , Barium , Strontium et al. For instance the Kimmergidian Chalk belt ( craie a Belemnites extending from the white Cliffs of Dover in UK across the English channel to Northern France and there on to Champagne district) is said to contain 50 different kinds of Chalks These Chalks are remains of the cephalopods, crustaceans and shell fish that lived and died 600 million years ago, when these regions were covered by sea water.The chalk- clay here is at places 600 feet deep and drains subsurface water and in dry times releases the moisture held by<br />
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them to the vines.Thus their role in draining of moisture , holding it and releasing it has implications for the ThirumaN, which according to Tradition has to be worn thick, so that the underlying skin is not seen. Thirunarayanapuram and regions a round it might have been under the sea in earlier geological times and the chalk origin might come from that. Geologists specializing in Karnataka can comment on that better.<br />
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<strong><em>Chemistry of ThirumaN</em></strong><br />
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As indicated by Sree Krishna, calcium salts have important effects on Circulatory and Brain functions. One can speculate on the Osmosis of Calcium thru the skin to surface blood vessels - and then on to main arteries- during the days, months and years of Thiruman wearing Vaishnavites. It can be a cumulative beneficial effect from the health point of view. <br />
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We can connect the Calcium effects to Calcium’s role at large as a Calcium channel blocker used in many modern day drugs such as Dilitazem, Nifedipine and Verapamil. These drugs thru their Calcium channel blocking activity gives the benefits of (1) antiarrhthymic (2) anti anginal (3) stabilizing of regular heart beat (4) control of high blood pressure (5) increased flow of Oxygen to heart muscle (6) control of spasm of Esophagus (6) check on Osteomalecia/Ricketts and (7) arrest of Osteoporosis . <br />
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It is interesting to observe that many of our ancestors and particularly our revered Acharyas lived long lives, the Vedic prescribed age of 100 or more. Ramanuja lived for 120 years; Swami Desikan lived for 101 years. Their dietary restrictions, Saatvik way of life and observance of daily rituals such as Naama Dharanam (Cumulative effect of Calcium) might be factors in it. <br />
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The goal of a SriVaishnavan is to awaken to the joyous realization that he/she is the simple servant of the Supreme Lord, Shriman Narayana. Such a realization is life changing, affecting every level of our being, taking us to a level where in body, mind and spirit we become humble receptacles to His Divine Grace and simple instruments to His Good Efforts. We want such a realization to be experienced in everything we do, say or feel. Both the desire for this experience and the experience itself is outwardly expressed to ourselves and others through the wearing of Thiruman and sri:chu:rnam in the 12 major energy nodes of our body.<br />
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Two fundamental qualities must be cultivated in a devotee seeking to come to the Divine awakening described above. One is Peace and the other is Divine Love. Peace is only known at the twin Lotus Feet of of Shriman Narayana. These are our only refuge and our True Home. So, these are placed on ourselves as twin vertical white lines. Divine Love can be known only by becoming constantly aware of the Lord's Mercy and Compassion, which reside with Him as His Eternal Consort, Sri, the Divine Mother. Her presence is seen in the red/yellow marking that is known as the sri: Chu: rnam. We could stop here, but, in order for both of these to be known and experienced correctly, a proper foundation is required. Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja becomes this foundation through our Acha: rya paramparai and this is seen as the connector, the base, if you will, on which the three vertical lines rest. This base is represented by either the semi-circular shape or the ""lotus flower"" shape that is placed just under the eye-brows.<br />
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To me, what is important is not whether the Thiruman is shaped U or Y, but rather the philosophical attitude that one must cultivate when one is wearing them. We must recognize and treasure the that our very ability to wear Thiruman is the kind gift of our Acharyas, who provides with us this great honor during our sama: sra: yanam. We must see the Thiruman as a holy sacrament, a ritual that invokes in us the the mood of being simple instruments in the Lord's Loving Hands through the mercy of the Acharya paramparai that finds its foundation and highest ideal in Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-43727566517117113452011-04-08T04:01:00.000-07:002011-04-08T04:18:25.379-07:00Sri Koorathazhwan - Kuresa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1jz8omVPA79IprZijLWOB-qFFmDHy8sbSup9VOHYahbrvxmp2kLH0812sqQsuqDptrNSgV5fV5Edk4YvGRdExPHIMK5caeKQgg8fSSs_RQimRXetS1CktAKHKc50Lmc73AqftEWEEHgB/s1600/flower_11_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsihuxc0aFS3wRE6RVIvbKvFAlk3zbBATUZRG0d-ykAnA09qqI6kcIlK9iG9qIUFn0EajCX6EfMTLLC_TyRdKm_Yq1Eo4Cx30GsqEyVsjrpdXVp3GpTnfX67pFiLQL1wiFNVlKa8V2d_n/s1600/koorathazvan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsihuxc0aFS3wRE6RVIvbKvFAlk3zbBATUZRG0d-ykAnA09qqI6kcIlK9iG9qIUFn0EajCX6EfMTLLC_TyRdKm_Yq1Eo4Cx30GsqEyVsjrpdXVp3GpTnfX67pFiLQL1wiFNVlKa8V2d_n/s400/koorathazvan.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Sri KoorathAzhwan, aka Kuresa, is a dear disciple of Sri Ramanujacharya and great Srivaishna acharya who sacrificed his life and wealth to serve his guru and spread Srivaishnavam…</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Life at Kanchi</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The story of Kuresan's life has been told many times over the centuries. Nonetheless it is a life-story of such nobility and inspiration that it will bear repetition this year on his "tirunakshatram" and in all years to come. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>So here is a sketch of the life-story of Kuresan:</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan hailed from the hamlet of "Kura" (or "kooram") near Kanchipuram. He belonged to the clan of the Haritas and to a well-to-do, land-owning and Propertied family that lived in peace with its neighbours and friends. Kuresan had a gem of a person in his young and comely wife, AndAlammA. They lived a happy and contented life in Kura. They were both known in Kanchi for their unstinting philanthrophy and kindness. They were both ardent devotees of Kanchi Varadan, the presiding deity of the holy city. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Meeting Sri Ramanuja</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Early in his life, Kuresan came under the spell of RamanujAchArya who at that time was living in Kanchi. It was the time when Ramanuja was slowly emerging as the propagator of a new school of thought. He was spreading a whole new philosophy quite different from the sterile monism of Advaita which people at that time were growing weary of. Bands of disciples and followers were already growing around Ramanuja. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan quickly became a disciple of RamanujAchArya.The two took to each other easily and warmly. Under Sri.Ramanuja's guidance, Kuresa was soon initiated into the rigorous study of the ancient Vedic scripture and more especially the "meemAmsa-sutrA-s". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A strange bond of kinship developed between master and student over the years they spent together in Kanchi. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In his mid-life, due to a variety of personal and social reasons, Ramanuja took to "sannyAsA" and was called away by the community of SriVaishnavas in SriRangam to rally them all into a cohesive force there against the onslaught of religious bigotry waged by the Saivite State at that time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thus, in deference to the commandments of his elders in SriRangam like Mahapurna, and Kanchipurna in Kanchi, Ramanuja decided to migrate to SriRangam. He left Kanchi for good never to return in future except for brief visits. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan's close relationship with Ramanuja thus drew to a close. Seeing off his guru Ramanuja to SriRangam, Kuresan returned to his hamlet of Kura and commenced his living his life as before. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But Lord Varadarajan and his Consort Perundevi thAyyAr had other plans for Kuresan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Departing to Srirangam</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">With the departure of his guru Ramanuja to SriRangam, Kuresan and his wife AndAlamma returned to their good, uneventful lives in Kura. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One evening, after they had completed their daily routine of feeding the poor at dusk, they retired for the day. They clanged the big brass doorway to their home shut. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This clanging of the brass door was so loud in the quiet of the night that it was heard some distance away in Kanchi. Lord Varadaraja and Perundevi thAyyAr too were a little startled by it. ThAyyAr queried the Lord as to the cause of the gong reverberating through the night air. The Lord turned to his chief priest, Kanchipurna or Tirukacchi-nambi (also one of the several mentors of Ramanujacharya) and asked,"Pray tell Us, wherefrom this sound of the night, O Sire?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kanchipurna replied,"Lord, it is the doorway of our dear Kuresan's home being shut for the day after the daily alms-giving." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lord and Perundevi-pirAtti, very pleased to know of Kuresa and his piety and charity, commanded that Kuresan be brought to their Presence. Kanchipurna hastened to Kura to beckon Kuresan to Kanchi. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">At Kura, when Kuresan came to know from Kanchipurna the purpose of his visit, he became extremely indignant with himself. "What?! Did the clanging of my doorway disturb the Lord and His Consort in Kanchi?! What a conceited wretch am I that I should let my charity be announced thus to the whole world! What a vain sinner am I!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The incident seemed to rudely awaken Kuresan out of a strange spiritual torpor. He realized that a choice in life had been staring him in his face but which he had been subconsciously avoiding all the while since Ramanuja's departure: Either he could continue to live in Kura and lead a life of pious, vain but ineffectual charity or, he could pursue his guru Ramanuja to SriRangam and serve him in his life's great mission. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan made his choice instantly!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He dispatched Kanchipurna back to Kanchi. He told his wife AndAlammA to immediately renounce all their wealth and belongings and to join him in migrating to SriRangam and wedding themselves forever in the service of SriRamanuja.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a turning point in the life of Kuresan. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The same night husband and wife walked out of their homes with nothing but the clothes they wore. They set out for SriRangam by foot. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Along the way, Kuresan and AndAlamma had to journey through jungle infested with wayside brigands. AndAlamma was mortally afraid of nocturnal robbers and made no secret of her fears to her husband. WHen he heard of his wife's anxieties Kuresan quickly replied,"AndAl, watching your agitation I suspect that your fears are founded in something you have not fully disclosed to me. I asked you to renounce all our belongings back in our village of Kura. Have you renounced everything? I mean really EVERYTHING?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When questioned so intensely by Kuresan, AndAlamma had no choice but to confess,"My Sire, I did renounce everything save for this little golden goblet which I secreted in the folds of my saree. I thought I would need it during the journey to serve you some beverage and relieve you of weariness". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan looked at the golden goblet that his wife pulled out from her saree-folds and then mildly chided her,"My dear woman, when I wanted you to renounce everything I meant this little goblet too!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So saying Kuresan took the vessel from AndAlamma's hands and threw it away into the night and deep into the forest shrubbery.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"There now!", he said turning to his wife, "There now, my dear wife, has been cast away the source of all your fears".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan and AndAlamma were received into Srirangam with great joy and fanfare by SriRamanujAchArya. He welcomed them as if they were his own children, put them up in his quarters and quickly settled them into the life and society of Srirangam. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan started a new chapter in his life in SriRangam as one of the closest disciples of SriRamanuja. He assisted Ramanujacharya in all aspects and affairs of his ministry... the temple of SriRanganatha and the SriVaishnava community. He was Ramanuja's aide in scriptural study, disputations and exegesis. He was at his beck and call. He tended to his minutest needs. He was his factotum. His amanuensis. His valet. His eyes and ears. His conscience keeper. His alter ego.... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan soon became his Master's faithful shadow. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Helping Ramanuja to write Sri BhAsyam</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzyKmf-hGTqIMwySi_HFNCFAAYG7iOXPoFYfVbuwMr0BAp8njg26_J97w7LsaxWGMImTkw5cTO_mafLJM1eMDBE0-m7z-5sLANj1JHw2KR6jioMeMIxPiXDX_oA7c8UgRpygvWlQGsd4V/s1600/cal_2010_en_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzyKmf-hGTqIMwySi_HFNCFAAYG7iOXPoFYfVbuwMr0BAp8njg26_J97w7LsaxWGMImTkw5cTO_mafLJM1eMDBE0-m7z-5sLANj1JHw2KR6jioMeMIxPiXDX_oA7c8UgRpygvWlQGsd4V/s1600/cal_2010_en_5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In SriRangam Kuresan soon became his Master, Sri.Ramanujacharya's faithful shadow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja was by that time the acknowledged leader of a great movement in the religious and social history of India. His following was large and growing in numbers. His new philosophy, called VisishtAdvaitA was attracting universal attention and numberless adherents.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet Ramanuja knew that unless his new philosophy was institutionalised into a system, the newly founded school of thought would soon wither away. To that end, therefore, Ramanuja set about writing down the principles of what later came to be known as "ramanuja darsanam"... the philosophical system of Ramanuja. Ramanuja was assisted greatly in the task of systematizing his philosophy by 4 principal disciples who formed the "inner circle". They were Kuresan, DAsarathi, DevarAt and EmbAr. All 4 were closely involved with their Master in the daily study of scripture, the Vedanta sutras, the 'tiruvoimozhi' and in the formulation of ideological and polemical attacks on Advaita, Jainism and Buddhism. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Master and disciples over many years of deep study and refinement, began to slowly build, brick by brick, the architecture of VisishtAdvaita until they were sure that they could proceed with the raising of its superstructure. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja at last decided to record his commentary on the Brahma-sutras of Vyasa .... the kernel of Truth contained in the vast body of Vedic knowledge. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was Kuresa whom he appointed as his amanuensis. Ramanuja told him,"Kuresa, begin writing down my "bhAshya" as I dictate it, but should you find anything I say to be at variance with what we have all agreed is the considered position of our new system you should immediately cease writing. By this way I may know where to stop dictating and review our positions."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan agreed. And thus began the stupendous task of writing the great Sri-bhAshya of Sri.Ramanuja. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the course of dictation one day, Ramanuja stated that the distinguishing attribute of the atomic soul ("jeeva") is its cognitive power. At this point Kuresa put his writing-quill down and ceased writing. He dumbly looked up at his guru. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The guru RamanujachArya looked at Kuresan and suddenly flew into a temper. The many years of work done and the strain of many days of hard intellectual labor had taken the toll of the ageing guru and his nerves were frayed. When Kuresan stopped writing indicating thereby that his Master was probably straying from right reasoning, Ramanuja mistook it as an affront and flew off the handle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Sir, if you mean to write the "bhAshya" on the "vyAsa-sutras" you may do so", thundered Ramanuja at Kuresan. He then kicked him and stomped out in a fit of rage. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Other disciples who had gathered there were shocked. They began to commisserate with Kuresan who however politely told them,"My friends, I am but a chattel of my guru. He can do what he wants with me or treat me any way he wishes."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After a while Ramanuja reflected upon the incident. And he realised that Kuresan was right in finding fault with his dictated passage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The definition of the "jeeva" as a cognitive entity was no doubt a good but not valid definition in as much as the most essential characteristic of the soul viz. its allegiance or leigeship to God ('seshatva') was a serious ommission. Defining the soul as possessing cognition and bliss without stressing that it was the sole property of God, the Universal Spirit, was like defining light without any reference to the sun. Ramanuja quickly realised that if his original defintion of the jeeva had gone unchallenged by Kuresan then the very superstructure of VisishtAdvaita's theology would have proceeded to be built on thin air. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja grew repentant. He beckoned his Kuresan and told him, "My son, you are absolutely right! Now please write down the true nature of the soul as that which is God's ... and let us proceed with the rest of the work". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In such manner, did Kuresan and Ramanuja proceed to compose the great standard works of "sri-sampradAyam" that have come down to posterity --- "sri-bhAshya", "vedanta-deepa", "vedanta-sAra", "vedArtha-sangraha" and "gita-bhAshya". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Traveling to Kashmir to acuire BrahmasutrAs</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In Srirangam, although Ramanuja and Kuresan succeeded in the stupendous task of systematising an exciting and epochally new philosophy, they both knew that the "sri-bhAshyA" still needed a final coat of brilliant polish.... the polish of irrefutability... before it could go into and earn an unchallenged place in the annals of Vedantic history. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja knew that in order to lend irrefutable authority to his commentaries on the "brahma-sutras", he badly needed to consult with ancient texts and treatises that could be actually shown to expressly affirm some of the the fundamental postulates and theses of VisishtAdvaita.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja knew he must access an ancient parchment or document called "boddhAyana vrutti" --- a rare exegetical treatise on VyAsa's "brahma-sutras" incorporating the insights of other great 'bhAshyakAr-s' of a distant past like Dramida, Guhadeva, Tanka and Bharuchi. The "boddhAyana vrutti", Ramanuja learnt, was lying somewhere in a musty library in the royal library of the then king of an obscure Kashmiri state. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Daunting as the task appeared to him, Ramanuja decided that he must have access to the "vrutti". To that end he, at the advanced age of about 60 odd years, decided that he would undertake a "digvijayam" of the country --- an All-India tour by foot --- which would not only take him to Kashmir in pursuit of the "vrutti" but also enable him to propagate his message throughout the vast land through establishment of several "ramanuja- koodam-s" and "mutts"... his pontificial centres.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja with his disciples thus set out from Srirangam on their formidable expedition. Kuresan was with him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The expedition sojourned through vast provinces --- Tirupati, then south to the Malabar areas, up north along the western coastal belt of India to the eastern regions of Puri, Kasi, NaimishAranyam, Varanasi, Salagrama in Nepal, the West to Dwaraka, Pushkaram and to Bhatti (near Lahore) and finally into the Himalayan districts of Kashmir.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the court of the King of Kashmir, Ramanuja was told that before they gave him access to their library he would first have to prove his credentials as a philosopher genuinely propagating a new school of thought. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja not only put forth his exposition of the new VisihtAdvaita but also engaged the royal pundits in debate to show them the inadequacy of their own monism. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The King was pleased and freely gave permission for Ramanuja and Kuresan to access the archives in the royal library. The royal pundits however were none too happy about the King's generosity and played malicious mischief to frustrate Ramanuja. They held that, notwithstanding the royal assent, Ramanuja would not be permitted to take the "vrutti" out of the library precincts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja and Kuresa then began to study the "vrutti" within the library premises itself. Then the pundits came up with another plot to frustrate them. They held that Ramanuja would not be allowed to take down any notes from the "vrutti". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So Ramanuja and Kuresan proceeded to memorise vast portions of the "vrutti".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The pundits seeing that Ramanuja and Kuresan were thwarting them at every point finally plotted murder. It was then that Ramanuja decided that enough was enough and decided to leave Kashmir... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The expedition slowly wound up and returned south to SriRangam.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In spite of the disappointment faced in Kashmir, Ramanuja however, as it turned out, suffered no loss at all! For, back in Srirangam, when Kuresan and he sat down to complete the "sri-bhAshya" by incorporating authentic references to the "boddhAyana vrutti", Kuresan by the sheer power of his prodigious memory was able to instantly and accurately recall vast passages from the "vrutti"--- word for word! The commentary of Ramanuja on VyAsa's "brahma-sutrA-s" -- the labour of so many, many years --- quickly progressed to its conclusion.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It turned out to be a real miracle of miracles!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja finished his immortal "sri-bhAshyA" with a sense of utter fulfillment thanks to the "vrutti" and even greater thanks to the daring enterprise and phenomenal memory of his chief disciple, Sri.Kuresan! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Birth of Parasara Bhattar and Vyasa Bhattar</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After his great expedition all across India to propagate his fresh Vedantic theology and to also secure the "boddhayana vrutti", Ramanuja settled down in SriRangam once again to consolidate the position of Srivaishnavism. His fame had now spread far and wide over the country. His disciples and followers were now legion. SriRangam and the temple of Lord Ranganatha became the capital city of SriVaishnavites. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja, at that point of time in his life, had indeed fulfilled much of his promise to his own guru, YamunachArya, who had on his death-bed entrusted him with the life-mission of </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">(1) writing a fresh, new commentary on the "brahma-sutrA-s" based on the philosophical premises of the "bhakti" tradition handed down from the times of NammAzhwAr through Nathamuni and </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">(2) to propagate the same through the devotional literature of the ancient AzhwArs known as the 'Tamil Vedas' or the 4000 verses of the "nalayira divya prabhandam".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">At that point of time, Ramanuja's most beloved disciple, Kuresan, however was not a fulfilled man. His wife, AndAlamma and he still went childless. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In SriRangam Kuresan had so thoroughly become involved in the ministry of SriRamanuja that he had very little time to devote to family affairs. His wife AndAlamma too was a very devout lady and too good a soul to rebel against what had become her hard lot in life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan earned his daily bread by the traditional means prescribed for a Vedic "grahasta" (householder) viz. "unchavratti" or the practise of going around one's neighbourhood begging for daily alms and ekeing out a living solely by such means. Kuresan begged from day to day. Nothing was accumulated... be it food or clothes...nothing more was collected than what Kuresan considered as sufficient to satisfy the wants of his family in the space of a single day... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One day it rained heavily and the time for going around on his "unchavratti" came and passed. Kuresan and Andalamma went without any food that day except for a sip of the holy water offered to the household deity. They skipped supper too. Kuresan was unmindful of his hunger since he kept reciting the "tiruvoimozhi" throughout the rainy day, but AndAlamma deeply felt the pangs of pain... pain, not of her own hunger, but the pain of watching her husband starve. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was evening then and just at that moment the temple bells of the Srirangam temple gonged. It was the signal to indicate that Lord Ranganatha was being offered his evening "naivEdyam" or worshipful food. When AndAlamma heard the temple gong she bit her lips in tears. She couldn't help silently muttering,"O Ranga, when your devotee Kuresan goes starving on a day like this, how are you able to enjoy your feast?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The piercing cry of Andalamma's pain was obviously heard by the Deity, for Ranga that same night appeared in the dream of one of His temple-officials, one Sri. Uttama-nambi whom He commanded: "Go forth immediately with my food-offerings to the house of my devotee Kuresan for he has eaten nothing this day! Tell him that We send him our meal and our blessings!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Uttama-nambi woke up startled and drenched in cold sweat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Gathering himself up and summoning all temple staff including pipers, drummers, stewards and ceremonial carriers, he marched in a great procession in the middle of the night to Kuresan's house, carrying trays of food that had previously offered as "naivEdyam" to Lord Ranganatha. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When the procession reached Kuresan's home Uttama-nambi recounted to him Lord Ranga's commandment in his dream and begged Kuresan to accept the Lord's offering of food. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan was too dumbfounded to react!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">AndAlamma however gently advised her husband to accept the temple offerings. "This food has been sent by our Lord Ranga Himself, and we must accept it and rejoice!", she said. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">His job accomplised, Uttama-nambi returned to his abode, utterly relieved that he had carried out Lord Ranga's express orders without further ado. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Back home at Kuresa's place, he suspected that the midnight offer of food by Lord Ranga had something to do with his wife. So Kuresa queried AndAlamma who after much persuasion confessed to what had happened, of how she had shared her anguish with Ranga over the plight of Kuresan going without a morsel of food on that rainy day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"My dear woman", chided Kuresan gently,"what have you done! What have you done! You have tested Divinity's compassion for a mere morsel of food to fill this sinner's belly!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All the same that night, Kuresan and AndAlamma ate the temple food-offerings of Lord Ranganatha and went to bed happily. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That same night, Ranga appeared again in a dream, but this time in Kuresan's sleep and announced,"Kuresa, We trust that our offering of food has pleased you. Our offering was not merely to satisfy your pangs of physical hunger but to meet your desire or greater hunger for the love of children! What you and AndAlamma have just eaten are the seeds of two little children to be born to you! They will Our Own Children! They are blessed indeed! Rejoice in them as you would rejoice in Our Own Presence amongst you!". Ranga vanished and Kuresan excitedly woke up Andalamma to tell her all about the dream. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A year later, two beautiful boy babies were born to Kuresan and Andalamma! Their hearts burst with joy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The news of the birth of Kuresan's boys reached Ramanuja and he was transported with joy!The grand old "AchAryA" himself performed the "nAma-karanam" for Kuresan's 2 boys naming them "VyAsa-bhattar" and "Parashara-Bhattar"! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The latter boy became later in life one of the tallest "AchAryA-s" in the SriVaishnava pantheon of post- amanuja stalwarts! Parashara Bhattar came to be acknowledged by posterity as the natural heir to all of Ramanuja's spiritual kingdom!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thus indeed, had Kuresan, through his offspring, Parashara Bhatta, performed yet another great service or "kainkaryam" to his beloved guru: He gave unto the venerable RamanujachArya's arms his fledgling spiritual heir... one who would carry on unbroken the grand tradition of "sri-sampradAyam" for all times to come! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Meeting Kirimikanda Chozhan</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">By the time SriRamanuja was a septuagenarian, his stature as a giant of an "AchAryA" in the Vedantic galaxy of India became secure. Sri Vaishnavam had reached its pinnacle of development around that time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">While the followers of Ramanuja were multiplying by the day, he also began to make a few enemies. The growing influence of SriVaishnavism once again stoked the malevolent fires of religious bigotry in the land. Amongst some sections of the Saivite population which at that time was concentrated around Gangai-konda- sozha-puram... near Chidambaram ... hatred of SriVaishnavaism and of Sri.Ramanuja began to flare up. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The King of ChozhanAd at that time was a tyrant who was also a Saivite fanatic. His name was Krimikantha Chola of the clan of the Kollutunga kings. This tyrant was hell-bent on rooting out Vaishnavism in his kingdom and the best way to do that, he thought, was to destroy Ramanuja. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He issued royal summons to Ramanuja to appear in his court for the ostensible purpose of engaging him in scholarly debate with his own royal pundits. The real intention however was to coerce Ramanuja to recant from SriVaishnavism and if he refused ... to have him murdered in cold blood. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja's followers got wind of the king's evil designs and promptly dissuaded Ramanuja from going to Gangai- onda-sozha-puram. Fearing for their Master's safety, the disciples of Ramanuja persuaded him to flee from the land of the Cholas. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan then volunteered to go as Ramanuja's proxy and respond to the royal summons. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">With great reluctance Ramanuja thus left Srirangam with a small band of acolytes and fled to the distant but salubrious land of Melkote or Tirunarayanapuram. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja lived in exile there for 12 long years... a difficult period in life for the aged AchArya. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In Melkote Ramanuja however once again re-built his pontifice from scratch. He consecrated a temple of Lord SampathkumAran. He developed a colony of devout SriVaishnavas from amongst the local residents. In good time, Melkote became a thriving centre of Sri vaishnavism second only in glory to Srirangam when Ramanuja had lived there. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One day a Vaishnava member who had travelled very far, and for many days, from Srirangam arrived in Melkote and sought audience with Ramanuja. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The "AchAryA" rushed to meet the visitor from Srirangam, eager to know tidings from his beloved city of Lord Ranga from where he had been so abruptly and violently uprooted by medieval bigotry. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Pray tell me quickly how fare my beloved SriRangam, my beloved mentors and my dearest disciples?", asked Ramanuja. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The visitor replied, "All fare well in the city of Srirangam, Sire, except that you are sorely missed by everyone." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After a few more inquiries and a pregnant pause Ramanuja asked,"And how is my disciple Kuresan?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was then that the visitor, in a voice choked with pent-up emotion, began to narrate to Ramanuja details of the grim fate that had befallen Kuresan at the hands of the Chola tyrant, Krimikanta Chozhan. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Loosing his eyes for Lord Ranganatha</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After a few more polite inquiries about the affairs of Lord Ranganatha's temple, and after a long, pregnant pause Ramanuja asked the Vaishnava visitor from Srirangam,"And how is my disciple Kuresan?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was then that the visitor, in a voice choked with pent emotion, narrated to Ramanuja details of the grim fate that had befallen Kuresan at the hands of the Chola tyrant, Krimikanta Chozhan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is what the gentleman related to Ramanuja who began listening with rapt attention: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Sire, after your departure from Sri Rangam, Sri.Kuresan and Sri.Mahapurna were summoned to the royal court at Gangai-konda-sozha-puram. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">At the court the King thrust a written declaration in their faces which read:"Nothing higher than Siva exists", and commanded them both to affix their signatures to it without protest. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan refused. He launched into a long and magnificent recital of authoritative texts and sources from the Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis and Puranas that proved that Narayana was the Supreme Principle and none was higher than He and hence He was the only object fit for worship and contemplation. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Chola King was incensed. Thrusting a writing-quill into Kuresan's hands he commanded Kuresan again to forthwith sign the declaration swearing allegiance to Siva. "If you refuse we shall have your eyes pulled out here and now!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On hearing this Kuresan flew into a greater rage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He grabbed the quill from the King's hands and said, "But let me save you the trouble, you tyrant, for I shall pluck out my eyes by my own hand! These eyes that have set sights on a sinner such as thee have no further use for me!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So saying Kuresan plunged the sharp writing-quill into his own eyes,and extracting ball from socket threw his eyes on the floor at the King's feet! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The sudden and violent act of martyrdom of Kuresan struck terror into the hearts of all assembled there! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The cruel King remained unfazed! He turned next to Mahapurna and commanded him to sign the declaration of apostasy. The elderly Sire too flatly refused, upon which the vengeful King ordered his courtiers to overpower Mahapurna and gouge out the old 'AchAryA's' eyes without further ado! </div><div style="text-align: left;">And so was it done without much ado! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blood streamed out of the eyeless cavities of Mahapurna and the poignant agony caused may be better imagined than described. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresa being younger compared to Mahapurna, and of stronger will, somehow took hold of Mahapurna and both managed to totter out of the palace with blood and gore trailing them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bearing their pain with a superhuman effort they trudged some distance to the outskirts of Gangai-konda - hozha-puram where they were met by Mahapurna's daughter, the poor girl, AttulAzhAy-piratti. The girl had come all the way from Srirangam looking for them. When she saw her father thus, his face now eyeless and disfigured beyond recognition, she screamed her heart out in shock. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mahapurna being in his declining years, and on meeting his daughter, now collapsed by the roadside. He could proceed no further on the road from the Chola capital to the city of SriRangam. The pain became unendurable. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He lay down with his head resting on Kuresan's lap and his feet resting on his daugter's and told them that his mortal end was nearing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan's heart broke and he began to wail aloud,"O Sire, what cruel fate has befallen us and you especially! Your birthplace is Srirangam and your God is Ranga and your disciple is the great Ramanuja himself! And yet to think that your death should be ordained in a wayside field on the outskirts of Gangai-konda-chozha-puram! Does this cause you grief?".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The old Mahapurna then told Kuresan,"My dear Kuresa, my beloved AtullAzhAy! Have you not heard that wherever a Vaishnavan may chance to die, there God is present with him, even as Rama was present while Jatayu passed away from this world in the wilderness of a jungle? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"And have you not heard, O Kuresa, that the best place to die is on a SriVaishnavan's lap or house? Am I not blessed therefore, O Kuresa, to have you cradle me in your lap as I now breathe my last? Do not gireve! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Also if not dying on the soil of Srirangam is a cause of grief, all posterity would think that death in SriRangam is the only thing in life worthy of attainment! How ridiculous! No! Our rule is that a good soul which has surrendered or performed "prappati" to God may meet its death anywhere and yet be sure of God beside it! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"And besides, where am I dying here now? Is this not the land where my great gurus like Nathamuni and Kurugai-kaval-appan also died? So should I not consider myself fortunate that I die like them? Grieve not!", said the venerable Mahapurna. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He then expired, O Sire, with his thoughts firmly fixed on his guru Yamunacharya.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sire, just then a band of SriVaishnavas happened to pass by. They lent Kuresan a hand and together they solemnly performed for Mahapurna the special last rites, the "brahma-mEdha" for the great soul." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When Ramanuja heard the above account of the visitor from Srirangam he sobbed uncontrollably. His sadness knew no bounds. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja remembered that he owed so much to his mentor Mahapurna. It was for Ramanuja's own sake that the old Master had to give his life! Alas, Ramanuja could not be at his side at the time of his death to perform obsequies like the son Mahapurna never had! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"In death, as in life, O my dearest Master Mahapurna", thought Ramanuja silently, " I remain eternally in debt to you, Sire! How shall I ever repay thee?". Ramanuja wept like a child. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In sadness there was however a tinge of happiness too for Ramanuja. "At least my Master did not die abandoned!", thought Ramanuja, "At least, he was tended to in his last moments by none other than my own dearest disciple,Kuresan!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thus did Kuresa perform one more poignant deed of "kainkaryam": Kuresa performed the 'antima-samskAram' for his guru's guru! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Returning back to Srirangam</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">After Mahapurna's cruel death at the palace of the Chola king at Ganga-konda-sozha-puram, and after he had himself been violently blinded for life, Kuresan returned to SriRangam. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Life in Srirangam without the benign presence of his "achAryA" Ramanuja soon became unbearable for Kuresan. In the meanwhile, all the stalwarts of the times began to pass away, one by one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Goshtipurna, a great mentor of Ramanuja passed away. Tirumalai-AndAn and Tiruvaranga-perumAl-araiyar were next to pass away. The news came to Kuresan that SriSaila-purna in Tirupati, the maternal uncle of Ramanuja and his mentor too, had expired. And finally the news came from Kanchi that Ramanuja's most beloved mentor, Sri.Kanchipurna too had passed away. Kuresan had spent many years of his life in the company of Kanchipurna in Kanchi and in his passing away Kuresan felt a deep and painful void. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The city of Lord Ranga took on the forlorn and eerie appearance of a ghost town in Kuresan's eyes. Ramanuja was in exile, the leading lights of the SriVaishnava movement were all dying one by one around Kuresan, the SriVaishnava movement had suffered a setback, and Vaishnavas everywhere lived in constant fear of the ugly bigotry and fanaticism of those times. Suddenly, Kuresan began to feel extremely lonely and abandoned in life.... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One day the blind Kuresan tottered through his way from home to the temple of Ranganatha to have 'darshan' of the Lord there and to unburden his heart in the presence of God of all the untold grief and loneliness that had piled up within it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The temple guards however stopped him at the gates and told him,"Blind man, we have instructions from the King to let people in only if they swear that they willingly renounce RamanujachAryA as their guru. If you denounce your guru you can enter the temple of Ranganatha. If you won't this holy temple is out of bounds for you!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan told them, "Sires, please tell your King that Kuresan is prepared to forsake Lord Ranganatha in this world and even in the next. But denounce Ramanuja...he never will!" </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The blind Kuresan then hobbled back to his home and told his wife, "AndAl, call the children and pack up to leave Srirangam. We shall live here no more."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan and his family left the holy city of SriRangam and trudged away to the town of TirumAlirunjolai (near Madurai). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">They settled down there and lived in exile as complete recluses for many, many sad years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Meeting Sri Ramanuja again:</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">After living in exile in Melkote for a decade and more, a time came in history when Ramanuja was at last in a position to return to SriRangam.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Chola tyrant, King Krimikantha, died of a deadly tumour that grew inside his neck. After his death, the fanatic fringe of Saivism in the kingdom quickly lost its militant edge and the land of the Cholas again reverted to sanity and its high civilization.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Krimikanta Chola's successor was his son who turned out to be a wise king utterly unlike his father. He discouraged religious bigotry in his kingdom and allowed freedom of faith and worship amongst all his subjects. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Taking leave of his vast following in the Mysore regions of Tirunarayanapuram, and at the ripe old age of around 100, SriRamanuja finally decided to return in triumph to his holy See in SriRangam. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The centenarian's re-entry into Srirangam was a historic moment in the annals of SriVaishnavism. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A great gathering of SriVaishnava laity and orthodoxy lined the streets of SriRangam to welcome their beloved leader as he came in majestic procession with his disciples. Pagaentry and fanfare, excitement and expectation was rife in the air. Vedic chants and loud "prabandhic" recitation filled the air as Ramanuja's great procession wound its way slowly from the outer ramparts of the Srirangam city into the inner courtyards of the temple of Lord Ranganatha. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was the grand return of the Hero of SriVaishnavism to reclaim the papal throne that was rightly his! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After worshipping inside the temple of Lord Ranganatha, Ramanuja went out again into his beloved city of SriRangam to loud cheers ot the population. The street sights and smells, the people and their children, were all familiar to him... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He remembered the glorious days of the past .... a happy and eventful past that had been peopled by so many of his dearest gurus, mentors and disciples....and so many, many wonderful memories... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja's first stop in Srirangam was to call on the house of his most beloved disciple, the blinded Kuresan.... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Having earlier learnt that his guru Ramanuja was returning to SriRangam, Kuresan and his family, exiled in Tirumalirunjolai for several years, had made the greatest haste in themselves returning to their homestead in Srirangam to await their Master's arrival. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Someone rushed ahead of Ramanuja's procession to tell the blind Kuresan that Ramanuja was himself heading straight towards his home after worshipping at the temple. Kuresan's heart leapt with joy. He immediately asked his family to lead him out onto the street outside his home. There he eagerly awaited his guru's arrival. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When Ramanuja arrived, the Master and the disciple faced each utterly transfixed... In each other's presence they suddenly lost themselves in a flood of distant recollections... of their young days together back in Kanchi, of their times in Srirangam composing the "sri-bhAshya", their travels together across India to Kashmir and back .... and the many battles they had together fought and won against ideological adversaries like Advaitins and "mAyAvadins", Jains and Buddhists....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tears welled up in the Master's eyes as he looked at Kuresan who, being eyeless, was unable to vent or shed the tears of utter joy that seemed to inundate his breast. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan tottered forward and fell at Ramanuja's feet and clasped them both tightly to his eyeless and scarred face. He lay there motionless and speechless for several moments. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A great hush of silence descended on the large crowd collected there! It stood dumb witness to probably the most poignant moment ever in the entire history of the SriVaishanavite movement. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja was himself speechless for a while as tears shook his now frail body and rolled down his aged cheeks. Then the old, wizened "AchArya" bent down and lifting Kuresa to his feet held him to his bosom tightly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"My child, my child," whispered Ramanuja to Kuresan,"what have thee done! What have thee done! You have given your eye... the eye of faith... for the sake of Our faith!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When he heard his Master's familiar voice again for the first time after 12 long years Kuresan became simply overwhelmed. But with effort, he somewhat composed himself, recovered quickly and finally replied, </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"My Master, if I had to lose my eyes it was but in atonement perhaps for some sin I may have committed! Perhaps I may have once happened to pass by some good SriVaishnavan and may have said to myself "How clumsily this man has applied his "urdhvapundhram" on his forehead! Hence, Sire, my punishment is rightly deserved!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja said, "My beloved Kuresa! You and sin?!! Never! Rather, my child, it is is all my sin for which you have atoned all these years!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"But let the past be bygone, Kuresa, come with me now! You and I have lots of unfinished work yet to do!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So saying Ramanuja proceeded to his own monastery in Srirangam, personally leading his blind but happy Kuresan by hand.....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All the crowds gathered there in SriRangam that day watched in wide-eyed fascination as the old RamanujachArya led the blind disciple to his papal headquarters .... It was indeed the perfect and most appropriate picture that anybody could have witnessed on that most magnificent occasion ---- the picture of "enlightenment" lovingly leading the "blind".... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Remained his Guru's faithful shadow</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">At the age of well over 100 years, after his triumphant return to Srirangam from Melkote, Sri.RamanujachArya with the help of Kuresan, once again set about resurrecting Sri Vaishnavism and restoring its soaring spirit to former glory. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the 10 odd years of Ramanuja's exile away from SriRangam, and under the rule of the bigoted despot Krimikantan Chola, the temple of Srirangam had fallen upon ill-fated days; many centers of worship belonging to the faith had been vandalised too; Vaishnava associations, libraries, schools and trusts had all been systematically looted and destroyed as well. Corruption, indiscipline and laxity of faith had also set in amongst many SriVaishnavas. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan ably assisted his guru in setting right all the wrongs of the SriVaishnava faith. Together they worked tirelessly to bring order, vigour and rectitude back to their faith. It was during this time that RamanujachArya composed his famous work called "Nithya".... a practical manual to be followed in SriVaishnava "perumAl" temples for daily conduct of rituals and a compendium of administrative matters. The "Nithya" is a very valuable manual in use even today in most "perumAl" temples most notably, in the famous temple of Tirupati- tirumala. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to Ramanuja, SriVaishnavism once again began to flourish in the land where once people had been frightened to even utter the holy name of "NARAYANA"! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan despite his great physical handicap shirked no duty or "kainkaryam" that was thrust upon him by his centenarian guru, SriRamanujachArya. Even in those last years of life on earth, as always, he remained his guru's faithful shadow! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the SriVaishnava tradition, Ramanuja is regarded as an "avatara" of the great Lakshmana of the 'Ramayana' whose extraordinary life of service and dedication ("kainkaryam" and "shraddhai") to Lord Rama was divine legend. It is said that Rama found no better way of repaying his debt to Lakshmana other than to take 'avatar' again as Kuresan during Ramanuja's time on earth and reverse roles i.e. to do unto Ramanuja the same yeoman service that he had been blessed to receive from Lakshmana in an ancient age of the past! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Such was the celebrated "kainkaryam" Kuresan rendered to his guru that the SriVaishnava faith did not hesitate to confer the sacred hood of Rama's "avatara" upon him! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Going back to Sri Vaikunta to receive his Guru Sri Ramanuja</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan worked tirelessly at Srirangam all his life for his guru Ramanuja who was by then more than 110 years old and also for the cause of SriVaishnavaism which had by then become firmly established as a distinctive shool of Vedantic thought and practice in India. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan too had aged considerably. His sons, Parashara and Vyasa Bhattar had quickly grown to be stripling lads who showed great promise as future leaders of the Sri Vaishnavism fold. His wife AndAlamma too had grown into an old but graceful lady. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One day blind Kuresan went all by himself to visit Lord Ranga in the temple. After offering worship Kuresa continued to linger behind in the presence of the Lord. The Deity was a little surprised and asked Kuresan,"You seem to have something to say to Me, Kuresa?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan replied,"No my Lord! I linger here so that I may sing your praise to my hearts content!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ranga was pleased and said,"Kuresa, you have pleased me today! Ask of me any favour you want!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan quickly replied,"O Ranga, you have bestowed me with every blessing and gift in life! There is nothing that I lack! What can I ask thee further?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Deity however pressed Kuresan,"No, once more ask, and ask for more, if not for yourself, then ask for the love that I bear towards my beloved spouse, Ranganayaki, and towards my Ramanuja!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan then had to ask for something, so he asked that he be released from his mortal body and be merged in the Lord's Feet. The Deity however demurred and said,"Ask me anything but that, Kuresan!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan said he had nothing else to ask of God. So Ranga finally relented and said,"Let it be so then! What you have asked of me, Kuresan, shall be boon for not only thee but also a boon conferred upon everyone that has any sort of kinship with thee!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On receiving the supreme blessing from the Deity of Srirangam, Kuresan walked out of the temple with his head held high in pride! He felt like a crown-prince who was about to be coronated in the Kingdom of God! He went home with his spirit soaring!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile news of Kuresan's encounter with Lord Ranganathan quickly reached Ramanuja who was in his monastery. When the old AchArya heard of the incident he was startled! He stood up immediately, and throwing his upper garment in the air, let out a low whoop! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The old achAryA's behaviour was so unusual that a disciple who was standing close-by asked him what the matter was. Ramanuja replied,"My faithful one, do I also not bear kinship with my Kuresan! My salvation too is now assured by the boon that Ranga has granted my Kuresan!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was an ironic but wonderful reversal of roles! Usually it is by the guru's intercession that God's grace is fetched for a disciple. But here in the case of Kuresan and Ramanuja, it was the Master who was benefiting from the disciple's stock with the Almighty!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The old pontiff then left his Mutt and made his way to the quarters of Kuresan in the other part of SriRangam. Kuresan was waiting for his guru. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When the Master met Kuresan he said,"What have you done,Kuresan?! You have gone and done a deed without even consulting me your guru?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja's tone was a bit remonstrative and a bit accusatory too. So Kuresan kept silent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Why do you not speak, Kuresa? What was your purpose in going to our Lord Ranga and begging Him to let go of thee far in advance of someone like me here who is so far gone in age? Do you wish to be gone ahead of me, my dear Kuresa? Why?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan spoke in soft tones, "My Master, my most Holy Sire! My sole purpose was to preserve the order of prededence in "parama-padam".... in God's Kingdom.". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Don't speak to me in riddles and conundrums, Kuresa! I am your Master, speak plainly with me!", gently chided Ramanuja. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Sire, in the "pasuram" "muDiyuDai" it is said that our elders in heaven who preceded us come out of the gates of "parama=padam" to welcome their younger brothers when it is the latter's turn to arrive there.... and then the elders usher the young ones into God's Presence. Sire, but this I consider as being of improper order! It is the younger ones who should always go first and prepare in Heaven to receive and welcome their elders. That is the order of precedence I wish to preserve! Hence, Sire, I go in advance so that I may welcome my Master when he arrives there in good time!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When Ramanuja heard Kuresan's stirring words his whole body shook with tremors of emotion. His spirit melted. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"My most beloved Kuresan, you forget the rule in Heaven that all differences and distinction between elder and young, between wise and ignorant, between saint and sinner simply disappear there! And yet you Kuresan, who has served me here so devotedly as a disciple, wish to perpetuate in Heaven too the same relationship that existed between you and me here on earth! O, my dearest Kuresa, is there anybody to match you in this world! Kuresa, my beloved child!".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The aged Ramanuja could not contain his tears and rushing forward took hold of his disciple and embraced him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Kuresa, my Kuresa, my dearest son, you are my very soul! How can I part with thee? You say you want to leave this old man behind alone in this world! Can you not be kind-earted to this Master of yours of so many years? Take me too with you, my son, to the Kingdom of God! Why do you want to leave me behind to suffer the pangs of separation? While I am yet here upon this earth, how can you be so anxious for Heaven, O Kuresa? Tell me, how can you enjoy "parama-padam" without me?". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On hearing his old guru's wrenching words, Kuresan heart was torn to shreds by emotion. He was stunned into a poignant silence. After a moment Kuresan meekly replied, </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"My Master, my Great Sire, in the depth of my thoughts for the miseries of earthly existence, I completely forgot the point that you have raised! Pray forgive me please, SIre, please pardon for me my thoughtlessness even in the presence of God!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja then said,"If Ranga can grant you a boon such as that which you asked him, Kuresa, surely He can grant me one too! So I will go right now to His temple and ask him to stop you here on earth for my sake!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So saying the old and bent Ramanuja turned and walked a few paces towards the temple of Lord Rangantha.... but then after a short distance paused abruptly and reflected aloud: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"The Will of God is unalterable! What audacity on my part to go and force Him to change it! No! Let me submit and be resigned to the Divine Inevitable!". So saying the old guru retraced his steps towards Kuresan. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ramanuja now faced Kuresan and spoke in a clear voice: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Kuresa! When you are gone how shall I live without thee? Alas, God in "parama-padam" has attracted thee, even though our Ranga here has all attractions too! So then yet have you decided to sever yourself from Ranga here! Happy is the God in "parama-padam" and happy His celestials to claim thee as one of their own! Luckless are we all going to be here, yes luckless Ranga too, who will no longer have thee amongst us....". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"But Kuresa, I am an old and fading man now, let me not change your mind and disturb thy plans! Be it all as thou wishest! All Hail to you, my dearest Kuresa! Go now, go now and proceed to the Blessed Kingdom of God and rule there in eternal Peace and Happiness!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So saying Ramanuja gathered the blind Kuresan in his arms and smothered him with love, stroking his head and shoulders as if he were a but mere a child. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Kuresa, in this moment when you have to depart from me, I salute thee now, my son!". It was moment of divine pathos. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan had no words left in him! Such was his stupefied condition of being that he simply lay motionless in the arms of his great "achAryA" who clasped him in his arms as if he were a tiny infant! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After a while Kuresan disengaged himself slowly and simply fell at Ramanuja's feet like a log of senseless wood. The old guru then bent down and raised his disciple and wiped away his tears. "Go now, my child, go now quickly to the Lord! Thou hast now my leave to depart!". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So saying the aged and venerable Ramanuja turned and slowly made his way to return to his monastery in the other part of SriRangam. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was at that moment that a most excellent and poignant prayer ("tanian") in euphonious Sanskrit sprang spontaneously to Kuresan's lips and which even to this day all devout followers of SriRamanuja recite in their homes daily and at all times: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>"yO nityamachutha padAmbhuja yugmarugma</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>vyAmOhatas-tadi-tarANi trNAya mEnE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>asmath gurOr bhagavatOsya daiyaiyaka sindOhO</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>rAmAnujasya charanow sharanam prapadyE !".</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"The Holy Feet of My Master, Ramanuja, are my sole refuge! For He is an Ocean of Mercy! And for Him all else is dross other than the supreme wealth that is the Feet of God!" </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kuresan passed away peacefully after a few hours in the presence of his loving family, AndAlamma and their two young sons Vyasa and Parashara Bhattar. All of Srirangam gathered and performed all the due obsequies and honours that one so great a soul as Kuresan richly deserved. Ramanuja had many disciples. But there never was one like Sri.Kuresan.... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Srivatsasigna misrEpyO nama ukthimadhImahE </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>yathukthayastrayIkanTE yAnthi manglasUtradhAm </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>Ten Commandments of Sri Koorathalwan:</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimd5LA2YSIm0xDRgK2jYfgDJZzL37MWkpR9nqqYLRHJXIsE9YqJqv_K5PpHzBoFMq6n9LsZRhMvoalc_2ZMvRiTv4XCAmMoG36E26diWNMT9EPciiq0iedGDzAyeRsrI5Oys-Hhq5uP5m/s1600/pledge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimd5LA2YSIm0xDRgK2jYfgDJZzL37MWkpR9nqqYLRHJXIsE9YqJqv_K5PpHzBoFMq6n9LsZRhMvoalc_2ZMvRiTv4XCAmMoG36E26diWNMT9EPciiq0iedGDzAyeRsrI5Oys-Hhq5uP5m/s1600/pledge.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Let us uphold humanitarian traits, compassion and honesty always. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Let us cling to the Lotus feet of our Acharya Sri Ramanuja which is the only way to salvation and liberation from mundane dragnets. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Let us now harm any living being physically, mentally or verbally. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Let us keep distance from those who harm us. If possible, let us help them too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Let us realise the greatness of Sriman Narayana as the supreme Lord. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">6. Let us feed the hungry sages with good food. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">7. Let us cultivate the habit of being patient listeners to everyone. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">8. Let us avoid 'showing off' as 'higher classes' just by virtue of birth, wealth or education. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">9. Let us uphold the good deeds done by our elders and what bad they avoided let us also avoid them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">10. Let us always think of the great qualities of the Lord Sriman Narayana.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg8_Ykdh8_puDU9SdhvhT-x3LM9AJwNOF0as2IIeHrL_X1TEJ1Z-4rUfukT9auDzt3zDvn74oagWrCylWYxA1j-KprWTy8mkyLp3fBklGvNDpsO9D3s0b0DuPCBGhab83aZ_Pdfm4R0-l/s1600/Srimathe+Ramanujaya+Namaha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg8_Ykdh8_puDU9SdhvhT-x3LM9AJwNOF0as2IIeHrL_X1TEJ1Z-4rUfukT9auDzt3zDvn74oagWrCylWYxA1j-KprWTy8mkyLp3fBklGvNDpsO9D3s0b0DuPCBGhab83aZ_Pdfm4R0-l/s1600/Srimathe+Ramanujaya+Namaha.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">ஸ்ரீ கூரத்தாழ்வார் திருவடிகளே சரணம்...!!!</span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1jz8omVPA79IprZijLWOB-qFFmDHy8sbSup9VOHYahbrvxmp2kLH0812sqQsuqDptrNSgV5fV5Edk4YvGRdExPHIMK5caeKQgg8fSSs_RQimRXetS1CktAKHKc50Lmc73AqftEWEEHgB/s1600/flower_11_animated.gif" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 107px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 102px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-32471583766152491822011-04-06T15:53:00.000-07:002011-04-09T03:07:45.415-07:00Sri Sakrathalwar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxiLgdha6v6ckq7dfn1KIG9ByXBbc5Ge79FENonb9JVNsjdc9VeHe8yrw0G-wJRTacBYOMbEyWDtXGBe9T-BEs2_TBvgdXSi99CfAl7xenSg4vzXcOPNc9Rwzx-cusSRFMLBGOpBoJmoi/s1600/sri-chakrathalwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxiLgdha6v6ckq7dfn1KIG9ByXBbc5Ge79FENonb9JVNsjdc9VeHe8yrw0G-wJRTacBYOMbEyWDtXGBe9T-BEs2_TBvgdXSi99CfAl7xenSg4vzXcOPNc9Rwzx-cusSRFMLBGOpBoJmoi/s1600/sri-chakrathalwar.jpg" /></a></div>This is the story of how Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra came into existence. The asuras, or demons, were extremely bad. They always tortured the cosmic gods. At one time, the cosmic gods were suffering so much from the attacks of the demons that they went to see Lord Vishnu. They wanted to seek his help in defeating the demons.<br />
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Vishnu said to them, "I do not have enough power to defeat or destroy the demons. I must seek help from Shiva. I will ask him to give me a special weapon that will help me defeat the demons."<br />
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When Vishnu went to Shiva, he found Lord Shiva in trance. Vishnu did not want to disturb Shiva's meditation, so he started praying and praying to Shiva with the hope that one day he would come out of his trance.<br />
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Every day, for years and years, Vishnu prayed to Shiva, meditated on Shiva and chanted Shiva's name very devotedly. He offered one thousand lotus blossoms to Shiva every day. Each time he offered Shiva a lotus blossom, he would chant Shiva's name.<br />
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This went on for such a long time and still Shiva remained rapt in trance. Poor Vishnu was helpless! The gods were being mercilessly tortured by the demons and he was unable to save them.<br />
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Finally, after many long years, Shiva came out of his trance. Vishnu's joy knew no bounds. He ran to gather one thousand lotus blossoms so that he could worship Lord Shiva and ask for a special boon.<br />
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Shiva had already decided that he would grant Vishnu the boon, but first he wanted to play a trick on Vishnu. He secretly went to the spot where Vishnu had placed the lotus flowers and stole one flower. Now there were only 999 flowers.<br />
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After making all his preparations, Vishnu began to worship Shiva most devotedly. One by one, he offered the lotus flowers and chanted Shiva's name. When he came to the end, he realized that one flower was missing. He had only counted 999. That meant he had to go and find one more lotus. Instead of doing that, he immediately plucked out one of his eyes and placed it before Shiva.<br />
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When Shiva saw that Vishnu had such devotion for him, he said, "I will grant you anything that you ask for."<br />
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"Please give me something that will help me to conquer the asuras," said Vishnu.<br />
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Shiva replied, "I give you this round disc. It will help you to conquer all your enemies. No matter how many demons come to attack you and the other gods, you will be able to defeat them all with this disc."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tv3RfE4hFEj06xPl2hRxPMarcct9f-0XTjyRIv5_TDs4uplV9PYn19EzQXQCw9tvR9lyfshJ7gBHh-Oc9nZ_aTgl-1eHPmpO3b2QGDPtCfsrP6jW3aRiXpZFlqakwbENlv0QroM1ZiPq/s1600/chakra_T.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tv3RfE4hFEj06xPl2hRxPMarcct9f-0XTjyRIv5_TDs4uplV9PYn19EzQXQCw9tvR9lyfshJ7gBHh-Oc9nZ_aTgl-1eHPmpO3b2QGDPtCfsrP6jW3aRiXpZFlqakwbENlv0QroM1ZiPq/s400/chakra_T.gif" width="327" /></a></div><br />
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The name of the disc was the Sudarshana Chakra. When Lord Krishna took incarnation, Vishnu gave him this chakra, because Krishna was the embodiment of Vishnu. Krishna could immediately use the chakra at any time; it was his own property. The Sudarshana Chakra is not thrown. With will-power it is sent against the enemy. It rotates very, very fast after leaving the finger and chases the enemy. The chakra itself is round and has something like the points of arrows all around its edge. It has tremendous occult and spiritual power to destroy everything. Nobody can stand against the Sudarshana Chakra.<br />
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In order to relieve the suffering of people in this world, the devotees prayed to Bramha to create a powerful Shakti. So Bramha took up a serious penance for thousands of years resulting in the creation of, one of the Sri Vishnu's Ayudhapurushas, the extremely powerful Sri Sudarshana. Sri Sudarshana represents the cosmic mind and also Vishnu's infinite power to create and destroy the universe. He also represents Sri Vishnu's will to multiply. He also will neutralize all poisons. There are more than one hundred and eight names to Sri Sudarshana. Among them are Sudarshana, Chakraraja and Sahasrabahu. Prayers to Sri Sudarshana will alleviate serious diseases, avert great dangers and prevent obstacles in any one's efforts to succeed. <br />
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Narasimha Avatara is the fifth re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As Narashimha, He destroyed the demon king Hiranyakashiyapu, the father of Baktha Prahalad. <br />
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Sudarshana and Narasimha are one and the same as two faces of a coin. Both deities benefit the entire human kind by their blessings. <br />
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<strong><em>Sudarshana Ashtakam:</em></strong><br />
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(Sudarshana is the holy wheel which Lord Vishnu uses as his chief weapon. There is a story that the daughter of Viswa Karma, who was the architect of the God’s, was married to the sun God and she left him because of his immense heat. It seems Viswa Karma put Sun God in a cage and churned him to reduce his heat. The heat was reduced and Sudarshana Chakra, Trishoola and Shakthi, respectively the weapons of Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Subrhamnya were born out of the churning. Sudarshana Chakra is given the status of God by the followers of Ramanujacharya. He being a prime devotee is called the Chakrathazhwar. (Sage of the wheel) and worshipped by Vaishnavas.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Pratibhatasreni Bhishana,Varagunasthoma Bhushana</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Janibhyasthana Taarana ,Jagadavasthaana Karana ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nikhiladushkarma Karsaana, Nigamasaddharma Darsana</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jaya Jaya Sri sudarsana ,Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana . 1</em></strong><br />
<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Who is fearsome to hoards of enemies of devotees<br />
Who is ornament for all blessed actions,<br />
Who helps one to cross sea of samsara,<br />
Who stabilizes the entire universe,<br />
Who cuts off accumulated sins of bad actions,<br />
And who teaches righteous conduct.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Subhajagadrupa Mandana, Suraganathrasa Khandana</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Satamakabrahma vandita ,Satapatabrahma Nandita ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Pratitavidvat Sapakshita ,Bhajata Ahirbudhnya Lakshita</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jaya jaya Sri Sudarsana ,Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana . 2</em></strong><br />
<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Who is the ornament of him who is Lord of universe,<br />
Who removes the fear of all asuras towards devas,<br />
Who is worshipped by Lord Brahma and hosts of others,<br />
Who is worshipped by Sat Pada Brahmana,<br />
Who is on the part of devotees for overcoming contestants,<br />
And who is worshipped by Lord Shiva.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Sphutata -Dijjaala Pinjara,Pruthutarajwaala Panjara</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Parigata Pratnavigraha ,Padutaraprajna Durgraha ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Praharana Grama Manditha, Parijana Thraana Panditha</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana, Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana . 3</em></strong><br />
<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Who is surrounded by resplendent light like a halo,<br />
Who is surrounded by forms of Vishnu,<br />
Who is difficult for even great scholars to grasp,<br />
And who helps devotees to cross problems.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Nijapatapreetha saddgana ,Nirupathispeetha Shad Guna</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nigama NirvyuDa Vaibhava ,Nijapara Vyuha Vaibhava ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Hari Haya Dweshi Daarana,Hara Pura Plosha Kaarana</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana , Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana . 4</em></strong><br />
<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Who is firmly attached to righteous people,<br />
Who is the natural home for six good assets,<br />
Who took the form with a horse’s neck,<br />
And who was the reason for destruction of the cities by Shiva.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Dhanuja visthaara Kartana,Janitamisraa Vikartana</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Dhanujavidya Nikartana, Bhajatavidya Nivatana ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Amara drushtasva Vikrama,Samara Jushta Bramikrama</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana, Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana . 5</em></strong><br />
<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Who destroys the spread of asuras,<br />
Who removes the sorrows of birth , aging and death,<br />
Who wins over the art of war of asuras,<br />
Who removes the false knowledge from his devotees,<br />
Whose valour is praised by devas,<br />
And who rotates in various ways in a war.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Prathimukhaaleeta Bandhura, Pruthumahaheti Danthura</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Vikatamaaya Bahishkrutha ,Vividhamaalaa Parishkrutha ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Sthiramahaayantra Tantritha ,Dhruta Daya Tantra Yantrita</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana , Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana . 6</em></strong><br />
<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Who appeared with a fast forward gait,<br />
And whose gait appeared very pretty,<br />
Who is surrounded by several weapons,<br />
And expels the illusions sent by enemy in case of war,<br />
Who decorates himself with several garlands,<br />
Who wears mercy and blesses devotees,<br />
Who worship him through tantra and yantras.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Mahita Sampath Sadhakshara ,Vihitasampath Shatakshara</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Shatarachakra Pratisishtita ,Sakala Tattva Prathishtita ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Vividha Sankalpaka Kalpaka,Vibhudhasankalpa Kalpaka</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana, Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana . 7</em></strong><br />
<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Who gives wealth of salvation to those who,<br />
Chant your six lettered mantra,<br />
Who gives incomparable wealth to those who,<br />
Chant your six lettered mantra,<br />
Who is available in yantra of six corners,<br />
Who is a form in which all knowledge exists,<br />
Who is able to complete all deeds that you take up,<br />
And who is the kalpaka tree fulfilling all wishes.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Bhuvana Netra Trayeemaya , Savanatejastrayeemaya</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Niravadhisvaadhu Chinmaya, Nikhila Sakthe Jaganmaya ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Amita Viswakriyaamaya,Samitavishvagbhayaamaya</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana ,Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana . 8</em></strong><br />
<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,<br />
Who is the three Vedas which are the eye of the world,<br />
Who is the form of the three fires of yagas,<br />
Who is the eternal knowledge of true knowledge,<br />
Who is a form of the power of universe,<br />
Who is accomplisher of deeds that you take up,<br />
And who destroys all fears occurring in the world.<br />
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<strong><em>Phala Sruthi Dwichatushkamidam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Prabhoothasaaram patathaam Venkatanayaka Praneetham ,</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Vishamepi Manorata: Pradhaavan na Vihanyeta Rataangadhuryagupta- 9</em></strong><br />
<br />
This octet which fulfills all desires,<br />
Which gives the inner meaning of Lord Sudarshana,<br />
Composed by Venkata Natha, if read,<br />
Would fulfill desires, remove obstacles,<br />
Because of the glorious boon granting powers of the Lord.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Sri Chakrathalwar Thiruvadigale Saranam...!!!</span></em></strong></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-40235710585362884922011-04-06T03:50:00.000-07:002011-04-09T03:08:14.729-07:00Sri Sangaalwar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Panchajanya – The Conch or Shanka of Lord Vishnu:</u> </span></em></strong><br />
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Panchajanya is the divine conch or Shanka that emerged from the ocean of milk during the Samudra Mantha (the churning of ocean) by the gods and demons for Amrut (Ambrosia). Lord Vishnu received the Panchajanya, which is considered to be a divinity in its own right. <br />
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There is lot of symbolism attributed to Panchajanya. Lord Vishnu himself is said to be represented in the Shamka (Conch). Sun and Moon are said to reside in it, Varuna, the god of waters is said to rest in the middle portion; Prajapati, the first born and the progenitor of all beings in its tail portion; and River Goddess Ganga and Saraswathi in its front portion. <br />
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In Hindu religion, Shankh, or Samkha, is of great importance and symbolizes luster, brilliance, purity and auspicious beginning. It is a pious article and is used in all religious rituals. The most famous Shankha is the Panchajanaya of Lord Vishnu. In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna and the five Pandavas had a separate conch shell and it is referred in the beginning of the Bhagavad Gita. In religious rituals, Shankh is used to announce the beginning of a prayer or arrival of deity and in some places sacred water is collected and distributed in it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEramYq1eD_PGv2uapCGYoyRCg6fBZoyEuxtfTfZ2Qt81NZMQJYoaDUdCrTm3_eZOi0PHam1tfqJ09RXir3EOWDzZTHcCoHoSTwLp1Q3dAsscAtl8Zr4NDXkYI58TkfOxLlyzG9P6ysbkr/s1600/shankha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEramYq1eD_PGv2uapCGYoyRCg6fBZoyEuxtfTfZ2Qt81NZMQJYoaDUdCrTm3_eZOi0PHam1tfqJ09RXir3EOWDzZTHcCoHoSTwLp1Q3dAsscAtl8Zr4NDXkYI58TkfOxLlyzG9P6ysbkr/s1600/shankha.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Shankh literally means ‘pacifying the inauspicious.’ In Hinduism, origin of the conch shell took place during the Samudra Manthan or churning of ocean. There are two types of Shankh – left handed conch shell and right handed conch shell. Valampiri Shankh or Lakshmi Shankh is the right handed conch shell and is considered auspicious. <br />
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Shankha is blown at every festival and auspicious beginning and the sound ushers in freshness and new hope. Right handed conch shell is kept at home by many people as it is believed to bring wealth and prosperity. It is also associated with Kubera, god of wealth. Many institutions and organizations employ conch shell as their symbol. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHS42lmj99el6Oy0IAu1k02L3u0Ci5nxh7pur-VeL1qmYJ724wVxDagzRnFnmqJyOP6vA6BFrL5-4_TmcqXaw6YBTUyNh_sdckXhthWqmSWmbHa-oXEhCOrY02-5jcGjntWD9rhspEubv/s1600/auspicious_conch_engraved_with_figure_of_universal_et49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHS42lmj99el6Oy0IAu1k02L3u0Ci5nxh7pur-VeL1qmYJ724wVxDagzRnFnmqJyOP6vA6BFrL5-4_TmcqXaw6YBTUyNh_sdckXhthWqmSWmbHa-oXEhCOrY02-5jcGjntWD9rhspEubv/s1600/auspicious_conch_engraved_with_figure_of_universal_et49.jpg" /></a></div>Shankha is closely associated with Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Image of Lord Vishnu always has him holding a conch shell. It is believed that during the Samdura Manthan, first conch shell appeared and it was followed by Goddess Lakshmi.<br />
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Usually, right handed conch shell is used for worship. The shell is thoroughly cleaned and is placed on a clean cloth, usually red cloth. Normal puja is performed. In some places, conch shell is placed on a silver or clay pot. A cloth is used to cover the mouth of the pot and it is placed on it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>People usually collect and keep water in conch shell and is sprinkled while performing pujas. While performing Lakshmi Puja, conch shell is filled with milk and then it is poured over the idol. Water collected in Shankh is offered while worshipping sun. <br />
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Shankh is also part of classical Indian musical instruments and there is also a mudra based on it in classical dance. There are also numerous legends and myths associated with the conch shell in the vast Hindu literature.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">He is normally depicted with four arms: In his inner right hand he holds a lotus (padma,) in the outer right is his discus called Beauteous Display (sudarshan chakra) that always returns to his hand, the outer left holds the conch (panchajanya --five-born, ie. of the 5elements,) while the fourth carries a mace (gada.) The discus and mace were prizes in his victorious contests with Indra and Yama, respectively.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLtaX_uXPyQQ_2RwfRV3lLU8exhoevaKCgb4RAnc_RQAuVlsORxuWag9Y5iUOVqq8NU5Wny0589agore6fDPVTycULMQz6wALCTQdZnm_PA0SI0Yu0A2_xQUvVTmy0u_xkMALMwUfFiga/s1600/copper_sangu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLtaX_uXPyQQ_2RwfRV3lLU8exhoevaKCgb4RAnc_RQAuVlsORxuWag9Y5iUOVqq8NU5Wny0589agore6fDPVTycULMQz6wALCTQdZnm_PA0SI0Yu0A2_xQUvVTmy0u_xkMALMwUfFiga/s400/copper_sangu.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em>From the battle scene described in Mahabharata:</em></strong> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbxS9SQ9QOqMWPIxFjV7r3ESGeuCv8uqJFdJxgME9QWOZbsYdPubfagIO6qQyZSQlTgh1qjXzZQcuQsuWkrqFu_0JnLNzy-nb-6R70bTyB_cse3zbjfwuz2ObYn1AuptZsctrmLarvJBw/s1600/Krisha-and-Arjuna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbxS9SQ9QOqMWPIxFjV7r3ESGeuCv8uqJFdJxgME9QWOZbsYdPubfagIO6qQyZSQlTgh1qjXzZQcuQsuWkrqFu_0JnLNzy-nb-6R70bTyB_cse3zbjfwuz2ObYn1AuptZsctrmLarvJBw/s640/Krisha-and-Arjuna.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Standing on their great chariots yoked with white stallions, Krishna and Arjuna, Pandu's son, sounded their divine conches.<br />
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Krishna blew Panc[h]ajanya, won from a demon; Arjuna blew Devadetta, a gift of the gods; fierce wolf-bellied Bhima blew Paundra, his great conch of the east. <br />
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Yudhishthira, Kunti's son, the king, blew Anantavijaya, conch of boundless victory; his twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva blew conches resonant and jewel toned.<br />
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<strong><em>More insight about the conch:</em></strong> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>(1)</strong></div><br />
Intimately associated with the salagramas are the sacred conch-shells known as samkhas, which are also geological and biological specimens of great antiquity. Like the salagramas which are ammonite fossils, the samkhas are marine fossil remains of the large gastropods (stomach footed), especially ‘strombus gigas’. They are shells of bivalve mollusc (conchifera division of the molluscs). Molluscs are animals of the sea-shore, with soft bodies devoid of any bones but having hard shells. The gastropods crawl along on a broad foot (viz., stomachs) carrying shells on their bodies; and into these shells they pull themselves when threatened. Different molluscs have different plans in making their shells, like the moon-shells, cowry-shells, tooth-shells and ordinary bivalves (Lamelli-branchiata) like oysters. Conchifera (the spiral prominent mussels (cavities), with conchi-spires on the outside. <br />
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Since 1776, a separate discipline known as Conchology has grown for the study of conch-shells. In 1828, and instrument known as Conchometer was also designed to measure the spiral arrangements on the fossil–shell, the angles of the spire, and so on. <br />
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Since antiquity these marine shells have been credited with mystic ort occult powerk,k even in Greece and Rome. The Greeks, for instance, are known to have held in great reverence conchites, which were stones resembling the fossil-shells (conches). The conch-shells have also been employed since ancient times as a martial instrument. The conch-shell is perforated at one end, and blown as a wind-instrument, as a horn or trumpet. The use of these shells to announce the commencement of an encounter on the battlefield has been mentioned in the great epic Mahabharata. In Bhagavad-gita, the loud roar of the conch-shells blown by the Pandava army is said to have unnerved the Kauravas (1:19). The Romans and Tritons are also recorded to have used the trumpet like the Indian heroes. They also had their own names given to their favourite conch-shells. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgqELd8QNEvY9Ht-ptFnj32pfaY2U-33iNtsGpuGxDNiegHpVAAb9aqMCFCQ7x4LXGLCpCLcdQHenpywrSwqYTZ_JVNXN3avtkQB7HsLV3LKhq2NqgEVDf8ZikAbyxj0teZYf-eU075N3/s1600/conch1rtfr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgqELd8QNEvY9Ht-ptFnj32pfaY2U-33iNtsGpuGxDNiegHpVAAb9aqMCFCQ7x4LXGLCpCLcdQHenpywrSwqYTZ_JVNXN3avtkQB7HsLV3LKhq2NqgEVDf8ZikAbyxj0teZYf-eU075N3/s400/conch1rtfr.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>In Bhagavad-gita, we read that Krsna’s conch-shell was named ‘Panchajanya’, Arjuna’s ‘Devadatta’, Bhima’s ‘Paundra’. Yudhisthira’s ‘Ananta-vijaya’, Nakula’s ‘Sughosha’ amd Sahadeva’s “Mani-pushpaka’ (1:15-16). Each of the other prominent warriors (Dhrshtadyumna, Satyaki, Sikhandi, Drupada etc) had his own conch-shell trumpet. The loud sound from the conch-shell is described as ‘ghosha’, ‘samkha-rava’, or ‘samkha-svana’. <br />
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In India, a conch-shell horn is regarded as one of the classical pentad of musical instruments (pancha-vadya) of folk character : horn (srnga or kombu), kettle-drum (tammata), conch-shell trumpet (samkha or davala), large drum (bheri) and bronce gong (jayaghanta or jagata). The conch-shell trumpet can be very melodic and is employed in processions and on auspicious occasions. There are two ways of blowing it : (1) dhamana or blowing by holding the perforated end directly to the lips, and (2) purana or filling the air-current into the conch-shell through a small cavity in the shell (symophonic). <br />
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The conch-shells in ancient maritime civilizations have also been used as containers of articles like oil and salt; the conch-shells have provided material and form for ornaments like bracelets and armbands (samkha-valaya), ear-pieces (samkha-patra), and necklace-beads (samkha-mani). <br />
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The convolutions of the conch-shell (the spiral curves) have inspired a large number of designs and decorative motifs. In Rome, an architectural style was modelled after the shell-convolution: domed roof with semi-circular apse. The spiral forms in art and architecture have directly been taken from the conch-shell. <br />
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And in religious lore, especially in Buddhism, it is one of the eight auspicious signs (astha-mangala), the other seven being a parasol (chhatra), vase (kalasa), flower (pushpa), the sacred knot (granthi), wheel (charka), banner (Pataka), and a pair of fish (mina). The conch-shell here symbolizes the dharma-teaching (dharma-smakha), even as the parasol stands for the divine protection, vase for immortality, flower for mercy, knot for eternity, wheel for truth, and banner for victory. <br />
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The form of the conch-shell is imitated in a particular hand-gesture (mudra) employed in classical dance as well as in ritualistic worship. It is known as ‘samkha-mudra’, belonging to the ‘samyuta’ variety (where both the hands are used together). The right thumb is placed in the middle of the left palm, and the left thimb is raised in the sikhara-manner (like the superstructure on the sanctum in a temple), while the other four fingers of the left hand engfold the right thumb. The four fingers of the right hand are enclosed in the left fist, the tip of the right fore-finger touching the tip of the upraised left thumb. The hand posture resembles the conch-shell convolution (samkhavarta). In the religious context, it symbolizes the presence of a conch which is dear to Vishnu. <br />
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Samkha in Indian mythology is also the anme given to one of the nine treasures held by the god of wealth, Kubera. It represents a bundred billion (or 100,000 koti or crore). An attendant of Kubera is called Samkha-nidhi, and he is shown as a corpulent dwarf in an easy posure holding a conch-shell in one of his two hands. His companion is Padma-nidhi, who resembles Samkha-nidhi in all particulars except that he holds a lotus in his hand instead of conch-shell. Another attendant of Kubera bears the name Samkha-chuda (or Samkha-sirsha), which is also the name of a dragon (naga). <br />
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The conch-shell motif is employed for branding cows and buffaloes (samkha-mudrankana). The branding seal is a small metallic plate carrying the cut-out design of a conch-shell (or of a discus, charka), with a handle. It is a curative device that branding is done, when the animals are ill. More often, the conch-shell is sued for pouring out libations of water (samkhodaka_ before an icon; or for giving a ceremonial bath to a monarch (samkha-snana). <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>(2)</strong></div><br />
The Sanskrit word “Samkha’ has the tymological meaning of pacifying the inauspicious (sam, Unadi-sutra, 1:104, ‘samyati asuubham asmat’). It is most characteristically associated with Vishnu, and is one of the four ‘ayudhas’ (literally ‘weapon’, but employed in the sense of whatever is held in the hand) usually found in his hands; the discus (chakra), the mace (gada) and the lotus (padma) being the other three. The conch held by Vishnu is named Panca-janya, even as the discus in his hand is Sudarsana and the mace Kaumodaki. Among the other weapons in Vishnu’s hands, the bow is called Sarnga and the sword Nandaka. <br />
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There is a legend which associated the conch-shell with Vishnu. The conch-shell is supposed to have appeared on earth from the bones of a demon called Samkha-chuda. Owing to a curse from Radha (in Goloka), the chief of Krishna’s attendants (parshada), whose name was Sudama, had to be born on the earth among mortals. He took the form of a mighty monster, who was lustrous and pompous. He. However, performed austerities in the Badari-hermitage on the Himalayan ranges, and obtained from Brahma the boon of an invincible armour (kavacha). The armour would without fail protect his life, until the armour was damaged, and the armour would be damaged only when the chastity of his spouse was violated. <br />
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This was sufficient assurance and encouragement for the wicked titan, whose new name was samkha-chuda, and he began tormenting the three worlds. No one knew how this formidable giant could be overcome; and even the gods were unable to encounter and contain his attacks. <br />
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This story, given in Brahma-vaivarta-purana (Prakrtikhanda), brings out the close relationship that obtains between salagrama stones, tulasi leaves and the conch-shell. There are slight variations in the story, as for instance, in Padma-purana, where Samkha-chuda and Tulasi become Jalandhara and Vrnda. But the involvement of Vishnu in the story is prominent, and the prohibition against the use of conch-shell in the worship of Siva is explained by the fight that Samkha-chuda had with Siva and the subsequent assassination of Samkha-chuda by Siva. The conch-shell is sacred for all other gods, and it especially signified the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. <br />
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The conch-shells are of many kinds, because the boes of Smakha-chuda’s body were of many shapes. Water in the conch-shell is dear to all the gods (except Siva), and is extremely holy. Whoever is bathed with the water from the conch-shell has the merit of taking a bath in all sacred streams in the country. In the conch-shell dwells Vishnu, and wherever the conch-shell is, Visnhu too is there; and there resides Lakshmi, warding off all evil. <br />
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This is also why the conch-shell which is used in worship is never placed on the unconsecrated ground. It is always kept on a special seat, known as ‘samkhadhara’. It is usually a metallic tripod, round in shape, with a hollow on top to accommodate and hold the bottom portion of the conch0-shell. It may have three or four legs (tripado va chatushpadah), lotus shaped (padmakaro) or triangular in shape (trikonah). <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>(3)</strong></div><br />
Salagrams are prescribed to be bathed in water or milk from the conch-shell; and tulasi leaves are then placed not only on the salagrama but on the conch-shell also. Before the worship of Vishnu begins, the conch-shell is duly installed (samkha-sthapana) and after the main worship is over, the conch-shell is now waved three times in front of the worshipped icon (samkha-bhramana) in order to eradicate the ill effects of the shadow of the icon (‘bimba=chhaya-dosha-pariharartham’). The conch-shell is filled with water, and the dhenu-mudra is assumed by the hands, while the eight-lettered mantra (om namo narayanaya’, ashtakshara) is recited. The first waving should be from the feet of the icon to the crown (padadi-mukuta-paryanta), the second from the navel to the crown (nabhyadi-nukuta-paryanta), and the third from the heart to the crown (hrdyadi-mukuta-paryanta). A verse is also uttered to signify that the water in the conch-shell (samhka-tirtha) has now acquired beneficial curative and protective properties. <br />
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The following translation of the Samkha-Sthapana-Vidhi in Meru-Tantra describes the several sequences involved in the installation of the conch-shell during the worship-ritual. <br />
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The procedure for the installation of the conch-shell during the worship ritual, which is itself a minor ritual, is given in the texts like Meru-tantra. The procedure is more or less uniform in the several cultic traditions. <br />
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After the installation of sacred pot (kalasa-sthapana), the sacred conch-shell must be installed for purpose of worship. The procedure is called ‘Samkha-sthapana’. The conch-shell must be located to the right of the kalasa and to the left of the worshipper. <br />
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1. The earth (ground) must be sprinkled with consecrated water (argha-jala), and a mandala involving triangular, square and circular shapes must be dram with matsya-mudra. While doing this, ‘astraya phat’ is to be recited. <br />
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2. The mandala drawn is worshipped with sandal-paste and flowers (gandha-pushpa); and then the area is protected with the utterance of ‘phat’ after worshipping the agneya-corner of the mandala and the other directions with ‘shadanga-mantra’. <br />
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3. The conch-shell-seat (samkhadhara) is then placed on the mandala. The conch-shell seat is a metallic one standing on three or four legs and circular, triangular or square in shape. It has a depression on top to receive the lower portion of the conch-shell. The mantra that is uttered while the seat is placed on the mandala takes this form ‘amuka (name of the deity is mentioned) devata-samkhadharam sthapayami namah’. <br />
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4. The conch-shell-seat is worshipped, along with the ten aspects (kalas) of fire in the circumambulatory order (pradakshinya-krama). <br />
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‘mam ram dharma-prada-dasa-kalatmane <br />
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vahni-mandalayam amuka-devata-samkhadharaya namah’ <br />
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The ten aspects of the fire are worshipped as follows: <br />
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(i) yam dhumrarchishe namah <br />
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(ii) ram ushmayai namah <br />
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(iii) lam jvalinyai namah <br />
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(iv) vam jvalinyai namah <br />
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(v) sam vishphulinginyai namah <br />
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(vi) sham su-sriyai namah <br />
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(vii) sam surupayai namah <br />
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(viii) hum skilayai namah <br />
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(ix) lam havya-vahayai namah <br />
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(x) ksham kavya-vahayai namah<br />
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If one is unable to make these ten rounds of worship separately, he may recite ‘vahner dhumarchir adi dasa-kalarmane namah’. <br />
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5. The the conch-shell is cleaned with water, reciting the mantra ‘phat’, and placed on the sea (adhara) meant for it, reciting ‘amuka-devata-samkham sthapayami-namah’. <br />
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6. The conch-shell thus placed is worshipped, visualizing in it the six-angled figure of earth (shat-kona bhu-bimba), and mentally adoring the six angles with the ‘shadanga-mantra’; the twelve aspects of the solar deity (‘suryasya dvadasa-kalah’) are worshipped beginning with the eastern direction and going in pradakshinya-order. <br />
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(i) kam bham tapinyai namah <br />
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(ii) kham vam tapinyai namah <br />
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(iii) gam pham dhumrayai namah <br />
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(iv) gham pam marichyai namah <br />
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(v) nam nam jvalinyai namah <br />
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(vi) cham dham ruchyai namah <br />
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(vii) chham dham sushumnayai namah <br />
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(viii) jam tham bhogadayai namah <br />
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(ix) jham tam visvayai namah <br />
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(x) nam nam bodhinyai namah <br />
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(xi) tam dham dharinyai namah <br />
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(xii) tham dam kshmayai namah<br />
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If, however, one is unable to recite the twelve mantras separately, he may recite ‘suryasya tapinyadi-dadasa-kalabhyo namah’. <br />
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7. The seed-letters (matrka-varna) are then uttered in the reverse order, beginning with ‘ksham’, ‘ham’, ‘sam’, and so on, and ending with ‘am’. <br />
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8. The conch-shell is then filled with pure water and worshipped with sandal-paste, flower etc, reciting the mantra: <br />
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‘amuka-devata-samkham amrtena purayami namah’ and ‘um sam kama-prada-shodasa-kalatmane chandra-mandalaya namah’. <br />
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The sixteen aspects of the lunar orb mentioned here: <br />
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(i) am amrtayai namah <br />
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(ii) am manadayai namah <br />
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(iii) im pushayai namah <br />
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(iv) im pushtyai namah <br />
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(v) um tushtyai namah <br />
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(vi) um ratyai namah <br />
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(vii) rim dhrtyai namah <br />
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(viii) rim sasinyai namah <br />
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(ix) lrm chandrikayai namah <br />
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(x) lrm kantyai namah <br />
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(xi) em jyotsnayai namah <br />
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(xii) aim sriyai namah <br />
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(xiii) om prityai namah <br />
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(xiv) aum angadayai namah <br />
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(xv) am purnayai namah <br />
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(xvi) ah purnamrtayai namah<br />
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If one is unable to recite the mantras separately, he may recite ‘chandrasya-amrtadi-shodasa-kalabhyo namah’. <br />
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The idea is that the sixteen vowels representing the lunar orb (chandra-mandala) symbolize the conch-shell, whereas the twelve groups of consonants representing the solar orb (surya-mandala) symbolize the seat of the conch-shell (samkhadhara). <br />
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9. Sandal-paste, flowers, conscrated rice, sesamum seeds, tips of kusa-grass and durva-grass, and sarshapa are offered to the conch-shell (viz. placed on the conch-shell), and the Tirtha is invoked from the solar orb with ankusa-mudra, reciting the following mantra: <br />
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‘gange cha yamune chaiva godavari-sarasvati <br />
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narmade sindhu-kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru’ <br />
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To confirm this invocation of all the sacred streams in the water contained in the conch-shell, ‘vaushat’ is uttered, and flowers are put into this water. Galini-mudra is assumed and ‘vashat’ is uttered; assuming the dhenu-mudra, the water is transformed into nectar (amrti-karana). <br />
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10. The specific deity chosen for worship is then invoked to come out of the worshipper’s heart and reside in the conch-shell; while assuming the mudras of avahana etc., the water in the conch-shell is made wholesome (sakali-karana) by the shadanga-mantra, protected in all the directions by the astra-mantra, and covered by the kavacha-mantra. Finally, uttered ‘vaushat’, he looks at the conch-shell and assumed the sankha-mudra, and then places flowers, etc on the conch-shell. He worships his chosen deity; covers the conch-shell with his right hand, assuming matsya-mudra and recites the mula-mantra eight times. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>(4)</strong></div><br />
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The conch-shells that are worship-worthy are obtained on the sea coasts of Madras, Puri (Jagannatha), Ramesvaram and Sri Lanka. Broadly, there are two varieties: (1) those with right-ward convolution (dhaksinavarta) and (2) those with left-ward convolution (vamavarta). The former are said to be rare, and are supposed to occur in two sub-varieties (i) male (purusha), the conch-shells which have thick and coarse crust, and (ii) female (samkhini), the conch-shells which have thinner and finer crust. The right-oriented conch-shells called in Tamil ‘valam-puri’ and in Kannada ‘bala-muri’, are held exceedingly holy, and are themselves worshipped. Varaha-purana (the chapter on Prabhodhini-mahatmya) tells us that water from this conch when sprinkled on one’s head and sipped will eliminate all sins. <br />
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The latter (viz, left-priented ones) are more frequently found, as they occur abundantly on snady beaches. There is also a third variety, known as ganesa-samkha, which are extremely rare in the Indian sea-coasts. It is vermillion-hued on the outer surface as well as in the inner, and has a very short tail-end (quite unlike the usual conch-shells). Because of its rarity, it is also very costly in the market. Its shape resembles the basic form of Ganapati, the elephant-headed deity with the curved trunk; and hence its name. <br />
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There are conch-shells with different colouts (varna) and the colours are related to the classes (jati) of the people in our society. Accordingly, there is a classification of conch-shells into the Brahmana-variety (which are white in colour, smooth in texture and light), the Kshatriya-variety (red-coloured, or brown-hued, heavy, rough and course), the Vaisya-variety (yellowish in hue, glossy, thick and light) and the Sudra-variety (dull gray or dark brown in colour, hard and heavy). <br />
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This classification, however, is neither exhaustive nor accurate. The conch-shells that are available can never be accommodated in these four varieties. It is therefore more textual than actual. Most of the conch-shells are described as white (dhavala), some dazzling, some dull, some of mixed hue. But the preferred variety is milk-white (go-kshira-dhavala). <br />
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According to Skanda-purana, the sacred conch-shell must be dazzling white in colour, like cow’s milk, and must have a long neck and broad body; it must be long in the front portion. When blown, it should emit a long, loud and sonorous sound like ‘om’. On the back of it, there must be a long central line. The right convoluted shell is meritorious. <br />
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Not all forms of conch-shell obtained from the sea are suitable to be used in worship. They are all bivalve shells (sambula), and many occur in many colour. The wise folk will discern the acceptable characteristics (lakshana) in them. The good conch-shells are got only in some places, and not everywhere in the ocean. <br />
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If Skanda-purana lauds the left-oriented conch-shells, as all accomplishing, there are many texts like Samkha-kalpa, which claim that the right-oriented conch-shells are most auspicious and beneficent, and also that it’s worship will bring forth all bebefits. <br />
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The Skanda-purana (setu-mahatmya section) eulogizes the seaside in Ramesvaram in the extreme South and the neighbouring coastal regions, where good conch-shells are obtained. The main stretch of the sea caost for this purpose is said to be five yojanas. The text gives names to the conches obtained in different site: Paudra, where the river Kaveri joins the sea, Ananta-vijaya in the eastern coast near Somanath, Mani-pushpa in Agni-tirtha to the west of ramesvaram in the South, Su-ghosha in Samkha-tirtha in the region between the Vata (a collection of sixteen vata-trees in Vajra-mandala on the banks of the Yamuna) and the sea, Pancha-janya in Kusa-sthali (another name for Dvaraka, more particularly Chakra-tirtha), and Deva-datta in the region where the river Tamra-parni flows and the shrine to Sangamesvara is located. Of these varieties, the text says that Pancha-janya is the best. <br />
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Hari-vamsi (89:15-17) associated Pancha-janya with Vishnu, because Krishna killed the whale-demon called Pancha-jana in the seas, and the conch-shells were formed out of the bones of this demon )’pancha-jane daitya-visishe bhavah pancha-janyah’; ‘pancha-jano nama daityah samudre timira-rupa asit; tad asthi-jatam’ etc). Amara-Kosha gives Vishnu-samkha as the synonym of panch-janya. Sometimes, the name Pnacha-janya is given to a rare and freak formation of a conch-shell in which the cavity contains within it another smaller conch-shell attached to it. A specimen preserved in the Chamundesvari temple atop the hill in Mysore contains still another (third) conch-shell. All good samkhas are said to be pancha-janyas, and the standard verse eulogizing a conch-shell is therefore: <br />
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The conch-shell is said to have the preserve of all the gods and goddesses: Brahma on the seat (samkha-pitha or samkhadhara), Surya in the middle of the conch-shell, and Chandra at the tip. On the right side of the conch-shell are seated Aditya, Varuna, Soma, Vayu and Agni. Samkha is presided over by the twin gods Sun and Moon, and Varuna is it’s deity; at the back of the conch-shell is Prajapati, and in front the river goddesses Ganga and Sarasvati (Vaikhanasagama). So even to look at a conch-shell, or to touch it, would mean eradication of sins, like darkness disappearing on sunrise. <br />
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The bow before the conch-shell, holding it in the hand, and bathing the icon of Vishnu with water from the conch-shell, would secure endless merits. <br />
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Worship of Vishnu without the employment of conch-shell and without adoring it, would take away all the advantages of such worship; and this is the boon that Vishnu himself has bestowed on the conch-shell. Even before the worship of Vishnu commences, one should bow before the conch-shell and worship it briefly. This would secure the fulfilment of all desires and the obtainment of Vishnu’s own realm. Vishnu must be bathed in water through the conch-shell. The use of the conch-shell is prescribed in the worship of all the gods except Siva and Surya. <br />
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<strong><em>Sri Sangaalwar thiruvadigale saranam...!!!</em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-61527289923375074222011-04-05T03:48:00.000-07:002011-04-05T03:48:34.091-07:00Thirumangai Alvar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh32_xMK8MoYxxrnVpXYfd7HfTPwytEFSCxdrwsdzNtmzWT6kBp7VT5zcxDLMykfaGJJupr69UnAq1eNmFUrj-TouGPmAXmHw6UuEfnBvB6OiEUcDbjwxd4We5TArPE9QN8oneGBu1_vfS/s1600/azhwar-tirumangai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh32_xMK8MoYxxrnVpXYfd7HfTPwytEFSCxdrwsdzNtmzWT6kBp7VT5zcxDLMykfaGJJupr69UnAq1eNmFUrj-TouGPmAXmHw6UuEfnBvB6OiEUcDbjwxd4We5TArPE9QN8oneGBu1_vfS/s1600/azhwar-tirumangai.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Period: 8th C. AD<br />
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Place: Thirukurayalur<br />
Month: Kaarthigai<br />
Star (Natshatram): Krithikai (Kritthikaa)<br />
Other Names: Kaliyan, Aalinaadan, NaaluKaviPerumaal,Arulmaari, Parakaalan, Mangaiyarkone<br />
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Chozha Empire, which is famous for its beauty, in wealth and has multiple small empires (small villages). In that Chozha Empire, a small town by named Thiruvaali Nadu is found. This place is also named as "Thiruvaali Thirunagari". Lots of lakes, small flowers surrounded partks, which can attract the attention of people who sees the villages are found. <br />
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In that, there was a small village by named "ThirukKuraiyaloor" is found where all Vishnu bhaktas lived and explained the speciality of Sriman Narayanan are found. Aalinaadaar who was the senai Thalaivar (Chief of the army) for Chozha Empire and had a wife by named "Vallitthiru". They both led their life very peacefully and had much bhakti towards Sriman Narayanan. <br />
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Due to their bhakti and the good life led by the couples, in Nala Varusham (year), Kaarthikai month, in Pournami Thursday - kaarthikai Natshatram (8th century) a child was born to them which is said to be the Hamsam of one of the panja Aayudham, the bow which is called as "The Saarangham". He was named as "Neelan". <br />
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From the childhood, Neelar was taught with proper education and some sanskrit languages too. Since, he was born in the generation of brave persons, he learnt the art of fighting learnt to use sword, bow and arrow. He also had the capability of leading the four different forces, the elephant, the horse, the chariot and the men forces. On hearing about the capability of both the intelligence in knowledge and the braveness, the chozha king, (the thirumangai Naadu) gave him the position as his head of the forces. <br />
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At that time, a great poet by the crowned name "Naarkavip perumal" lived. Since, he being a great poet defeated all the others with his poets and at that he heard about Neelan. (Thirumangai mannan). He wanted to test his intelligence, because of this, he asked Neelar to make victory over him. But at the same, Neelar was also equally qualified poet who can fight with the poet through various poems and finally the poet accepted his defeat and from then, Neelar was crowned with the name "Naarkavipperumal" by the Chozha king. <br />
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Neelar also fought and led the forces on behalf of Chozha Empire and defeated them. For his braveness, the chozha king made him as the king of Aali Nadu, having its capital as "Thirumangai". His fighting nature made all of the enemy kings to think him as "Kaalan" (time which takes all of our lives) and because of this, Neelar was also given the name "Parakaalan". Para kaalar means a person who cannot be reached by anyone and a person who is away from the Kaalan (the time). Inspite of having the name as "Neelar", he was known to the entire chozha naadu, when he became the king of Thirumangai. As a result of this, he was popularly called with the name "Thirumangai Mannan". <br />
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In that time, in Deva lokam, a deva kanni by named "Sumangali" lived and she is the head of the deva mangais. Once, she wanted to visit the bhoolokam. So, Sumangali along with other deva kanniyars came down to the bhoolokam and first visited to Himalayan Mountain. At that time, kapila munivar was explaining about the beauty and greatness of Sriman Narayanan. Lots of Munivars and people were found around Kapila Munivar. One among the munis, is found ugly and his face and body is found to be damaged. On seeing him, along the deva kanniyars and also Sumangalai commented on him and laughted at him. On seeing the bad character of all the kanniyars and specifically of Sumangali, Kapila munivar got angry on them and gave sumangali a sabham as to born as a normal human and to become the wife to a normal human in the earth. <br />
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On hearing this, the deva loka Kanniyar's head, sumangali was worried and realised her mistake. She asked Kapila muni to get back the sabham. <br />
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But on seeing sumangali, as she realised her mistake, Kapila muni told her an alternate way since the given sabham cannot be taken back. Kapila muni explained that the Sabham given to her was due to the fate that's written and she will be got married to a great warrior and an intelligent person, who is said to be the Hamsam of Sriman Narayanan's bow, the Saarngham and he will be king of Thirumangai which is found in Chozha Empire. He also added that his (Thirumangai mannan's) mind is concentrated fully on war and fight and it has to be turned towards her and his mind should be diverted towards the bhakti of Sriman Narayanan. It is done like that, she will be led to the Vinnulagam, finally. On hearing this, Sumangali was so happy. <br />
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After this, Sumangali along with other kanniyar went to Thirunaangoor and were attracted by a pond covered with Alli flowers. Much attracted by the beauty of the flowers, they all got down into the pond and took bath in that. After realising the time, all the other deva Kanniyars left Sumangali. After for a while, Sumangali searched for her friends and thought the actions that are happening are happening according to her fate and finally she changed into a newborn baby and was found near the alli flowers in the pond. <br />
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In that place, an excellent doctor was found, who doesn't have a child. Accidentaly, he came along the pond and was happy to find a new born child in the pond. He thought that the God has gifted him with this child and took her to his house. His wife was also happy to see the child and named her as "Kumudha valli" and they took care of her very much. <br />
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Years past away and one fine day, his father said that Kumudhavalli has attained the age for marriage and asked her about the wish. At that time, she explained her birth secret and explained him that she will be getting married to the Thirumangai Mannan. That's her fate and he will approach her in getting married. <br />
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As the day passed, Thirumangai Mannan heard about the beauty of Kumudhavalli and thought of meeting her and getting married to her. Soon, he went along with his soldiers to Thirunaagoor on his horse, "Aadan Maa". He sent a message to the Vaithiyan (doctor), father of Kumudhavalli that Thirumangai mannan had come to meet him regarding his daughter's wedding towards him. <br />
Kumudhavalli appeared before thirumangai mannan and both of them were attracted towards each other. Kumudhavalli put a condition that if he dedicates his life towards the Emperumaan and he should dedicate himself for doing the service to the bhaktaas of Sri Vishnu, she can marry him. For this conditions and will act according to that. Thirumangai mannan changed himself from the king's character to an ordinary devotee of Sriman Narayanan and smeared Thiruman, Thirunaraiyoor in front of Thriu Naraiyoor Nambi and went towards the Vaithiyar's house. <br />
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Kumudhavalli also added another wish (fasting) that she has and it is that she has to serve food for 100 bhagavadas (bhaktas) of Sri Vishnu and their feets should be cleaned by water. And that water has to be taken and split over her head. If he agrees for his also, she has no objection of getting married to him. For this condition also, he agreed and consulted proper prohits and fixed a date for their marriage. At last, on a very good day, they both got married. <br />
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From then, Thirumangai Mannan as given the words that he will dedicate the food for 1008 bhaghavadas daily. As days passed, since he spent lots of money for the food, his wealth started to decrease. As a result of this, he could not pay the Kappam (money that has to be paid by the small kings to the king of the Empire). <br />
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The Chozha king got angry on him and sent some of his soldiers to ask for it. But, since Parakaalan (Thirumangai mannan) spent lots of money for the Vishnu bhaktaas, he could pay the money to the Chozha Empire. But, at last, the chozha king sent a huge troop towards parakaalan for making a war. But, since he was a very brave man and had enough soldiers, he could not be defeated. But, the king questioned him that inspite of making lot of good thing and making him as a king, the return action performed by him seems to make his mind sorry and he don't want this to happen again. And finally, he warned parakaalan if he fails to pay it, he will be promised. <br />
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Finally, he thought that he can steal money and products from others and can spend that for satisfying the Vishnu Bhaktas. Sriman Narayanan Emperumaan was very much worried of his divertion of the mind and thought of changing it. As a result of it, Sriman Narayanan along with Nammpiratti, sri Lakshmi in wedding kolam went through the forest, where Thirumangai mannan stopped all the persons who are found wealthy and grabbed their ornaments and Money. Likewise, Sriman Vishnu and Sri Lakshmi who were in the form newly married couples were stopped by Thirumangai mannan and his soldiers. Thirumangai Mannan ordered all of them to give their ornaments and money they have with them. <br />
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Hearing this, all the persons and also the Maappillai (Sri Vishnu) and Manamagal (Sri Lakshmi) gave their ornaments. Thirumangai mannan checked whether all of theri ornaments are removed but found a Kanaiyaazhi (an ornament are that is weared on the legs) on the right hand of the Maappillai. Parakaalan asked that should be also removed for which the Maappillai said that he could not remove that and he can try if he can do that. Neelan tried to remove that but he could not do that and finally tried to remove it through his teeth, but also he could not do that. He questioned himself that he might be also a brave and strong person like him and from then, he was named with the name "Kaliyan". Since, Kaliyan has a relationship with the thiruvadi of Sriman Narayanan, this action is performed and to explain this to the world only. <br />
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Since he could not remove the Kanaiyaazhi from his legs, he left that and ordered his main soldier "Thoalavazhakkan" to tie - up all the ornaments and money and get them up. But, he could not lift that sack full of various precious products. Then, Thirumangai mannan tried and he too failed. <br />
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He got angry of the Maapillai and said that he might have made some Mantram, so that they could not lift that. Sriman Narayanan, who has come in the Maappillai kolam asked Kaliyan to come close to him, so that he can explain the Mantram. The perumal explained the Ashtaakshara Mantram, the light words on his right eyes and thanked the perumal. From then, Thirumangai Mannan is popularly named as "Thirumangai alwar". He finally identified that the maappillai and the Manamagan are none other than the Emperumaan and Sri Lakshmi piratti and enjoyed the meaning of the Mantram. <br />
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His eyes were flooded in tears and his hands were raised above his head and started to praise the perumal as <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em>"Kulam Tharum Selvam Thandhidum</em></strong></div><br />
<strong><em>Adiyaar Paduthuyar Aayinavellaam </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nilandharam Seyyum Neel Visumbarulum</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Arulodu Perinilam Alikkum </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Valam tharum mattrum thandhidum Petra </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Thaayinum Aayina Seyyum</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Nalam Tharum Sollai Naan</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Kandukondaen Narayana Ennum Naamam"</em></strong><br />
<br />
meaning, It gives you status, wealth, eliminates sorrow by demolishing them to the ground. It bestows you with lengthy heaven along with lots of land. It blesses you with strength and all sorts of good things. It does more than what a mother would do to a child. And I found that all good bestowing name, Narayana. Here land means not only the materialistic property land, but grounds on which the person is recognised.<br />
<br />
Kulam - status<br />
Tharum, Thandhidum - provides<br />
Selvam - Wealth<br />
Adiyaar - devotees<br />
Paduthuyar - sorrow<br />
Aayinavellaam - all of the sorrows<br />
Nilandharam - ground level<br />
Seyyum - Does<br />
Neel - Lengthy<br />
Visumbu - Heaven<br />
Arulum - Blesses<br />
Arulodu - Along with the blessings<br />
Perunilam - A huge piece of land<br />
Alikkum - Provide<br />
Valam - Strength<br />
Mattrum - Others<br />
Petra Thaai - Mother who begets a child<br />
Nalam - Goodness<br />
Soll - Word,<br />
Kandukondaen - Found and realised<br />
Narayana - Lord Vishnu's name<br />
Naamam - Name<br />
<br />
The next songs illustrate his meekness and great devotion. His acceptance of his mistakes at their face value without any justification, but all he requests was salvation.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em>"Vaadinaen Vaadi Varundhinaen Manaththaal</em></strong></div><br />
<strong><em>Perunthuyar Idumbaiyil Pirandhu</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Koodinaen Koodi Ilayavar Thammodu</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Avartharum Kalaviyae Karudhi</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Odinaen Odi Uyivadhor Porulaal</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Unarvenum Perum Padham Thirindhu</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Naadinaen Naadi Naan Kandukondaen</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Narayana Ennum Naamam"</em></strong><br />
<br />
meaning, I anguished, felt weak and sad in my heart just because I was born in this whole lot of sorrow and distress. I had friendship with the mean and cheap people, just for the mean pleasures they gave me. Then I ran and ran because of the Supreme Being changed my instincts and senses to search for the Supreme Being. Then I because of search I found the Supreme Being in the name of Lord Narayana.<br />
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</div><strong><em>"Maanei Kann Madavaar Mayakkir Pattu Maanilathu </em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>Naane Naanavidha Naragam Pugum Paavam Seidhaen</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Thaenei Poompozhilsuzh Thiruvenkatamaa Malai Enn</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Aanai Vandhadainthaen Adiyaenai Aatkondarulae"</em></strong><br />
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meaning, I fell for the attractive deer like eyes of women and committed sins that will take me to all the four kinds of hell. The Lord, Lord Venkatachalapathy, of the Thiru Venkata mountains, that have flowers bearing nectar; I have come to surrender at your feet, please accept me and bless your devotee.<br />
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</div><br />
<strong><em>"Theriyaen Paalaganai Palatheemaigal Seithumittaen</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Periyaen Aayinapin Pirarkae Uzhaithu Yaezhaiyaanaen</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Karisaer Poompozhilsuzh Kanamaamalai Venkatava</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Ariyae Vandhadainthaen Adiyaenai Aatkondarulae"</em></strong><br />
<br />
meaning, As a young child that commits mistakes, I have committed a lot of sins. And when I grew up (mental maturity), I became a poor fellow just by working for others (Feeding 1000 people daily as per Kumudhavalli's request). The Lord Venkatachalapathy, of the great mountains that have majestic elephants. Lord Hari, I have come to Tirupathi to fall at your feel, grant me an asylum in your heart and bless me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQy1treK2zgLr1K_2xQAQqVGyY6oTsoAAmWCqvG3-9dv6OmoplXBBWtaBPEw-um3i5E5-Q8s7f5ihTW4ey0CckRwvg14SNhrubP9geSgQNqJ8UDdxY6cwj1lvBuri5q9waW5JHVemCgl4/s1600/Thirumangai5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQy1treK2zgLr1K_2xQAQqVGyY6oTsoAAmWCqvG3-9dv6OmoplXBBWtaBPEw-um3i5E5-Q8s7f5ihTW4ey0CckRwvg14SNhrubP9geSgQNqJ8UDdxY6cwj1lvBuri5q9waW5JHVemCgl4/s400/Thirumangai5.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em>"Kondraen Palluyirai Kurikkole Ondrillamayinaal</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Endranum Irandhaarkku Inidhaga Uraiththariyaen</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Kundraei Megamadhir Kulirmaamalai Venkatavaa</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Andrae Vandhadaidhaen Adiyaenai Aatkondarulae"</em></strong><br />
<br />
meaning, I killed many lives aimlessly, I never spoke benignly to those who came for help. Lord Venkatachalapathy, the lord of the mountains covered with misty chill clouds, I have come then to surrender at your feet and take asylum in your heart, bless me.<br />
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And praised about Sriman Narayanan with 10 Paasurams. Finally, on hearing the paasurams, the perumal gave his seva as found along with Sri Lakshmi and on the Garudan and said him to praise about him in all the various sthalams and disappeared. <br />
<br />
From then, he visited almost to all the 108 Divyadesams and praised and sung various paasurams on him. He wrote 6 prabhandham (ie) Periya Thriumozhi, Thirukkurunthandagam, Thirunedunthandagam, Thiru vezhukootirukkai, Siriya Thrumadal, Periya Thirumadal, which includes total of 1137 paasurams. <br />
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He also helped in raising the Madhil Suvar (big walls around the temple) of Sri Rangam, Sri Ranganathar temple. He brought the Nammalwar statue (Iympon silai - Statue made up of 5 different kinds of precious ornaments like Gold, Diamonds, etc.) from Azhwar Thirunagari to SriRangam in Maargazhi Month and a 10 day festival is done and after that he is returned back to Azhwar Thirunagari. <br />
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After Thirumangai Alwar's time the paasurams of other Alwars is done the paarayanam (sung and explained as pagal patthu and Raa patthu utsavam.) <br />
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As already told, the greatness of Thirumangai Azhwar was his simplicity and the attitude to accept his mistakes at their face value, and most of all his endurance and the devotion to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. His poetic eloquence has bestowed us great songs that have to be remembered for days to come and indeed sung in all the Bramhotsavam's celebrated in Tirupathi and various other Dhivyadesams. One such eloquence is the Thiruvelukootrarikkai covered in the earlier post about Chithira Thaer in the Saarangapani temple of Kumbakonam. Thirumangai Azhwar stands as an example of how a devotion to the their God should be, whatever religion be it. Like this, an ordinary person who became a king and turned finally into alwar is best explained through the various aspects in the life of Thirumangai Alwar. Knowing the greatness of Thirumangai Alwar, we can praise him and worship him. <br />
<br />
<strong><em>ஆழ்வார் எம்பெருமானார் திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் திருவடிகளே சரணம்...!!!</em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-78325726307283604592011-04-05T00:52:00.000-07:002011-04-05T00:52:49.512-07:00Thiruppaan Alwar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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Period: 8th C. AD<br />
<br />
Place: Uraiyur<br />
Month: Kaarthigai<br />
Star (Natshatram): Rogini (Rohinee)<br />
Other Names: Paanar, Muni-vaahanar, Yogi-vaahanar, Kaveeswarar <br />
<br />
Cauvery river which flows towards the Chozha Empire, makes the land rich in all of its production and wealth. Lots of Andhanars (Who always thinks of Sriman Narayanan) and good knowledged poets are found here. Lots of poets and Sri Vishnu bhaktas has raised the popularity of the Chozha Empire. <br />
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Uraiyoor is the capital of Chozha Empire at that time and lots of big buildings and houses full of lights are found which is one of the beautiful scene that has to be seen and enjoyed. <br />
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Uraiyoor is found near Sri Rangam. Since, Uraiyoor is rich in all of its wealthness, Sri Emperumaan is found in this sthalam as found in Sri Rangam as "Aranga Naadhan". <br />
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Dharma Varman, who ruled the Chozha Empire, wanted her daughter, Neela Devi to get married to Sri Ranganathan. But, he doesnt know that Neela Devi was the hamsam of Naachiyaar (Uraiyoor Naachiyaar and got married to Sri Ranganathar. <br />
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Sri Rangam, which is called the Bhoologa Vaikundam is surrounded by divine breeze and musical people. Nearer to Sri Rangam, is found a small village named "Alagapuri", where lots of musical people are found. One small place named "Baanar Cheri" is found, where Baanar (or) musicians, who are capable of arresting the minds of all people and even the Devas and Rishis. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dQCJOrVeGZfMXPixtTVxLBuVJxOd_ViQBl5BFF4_NbdBRqkcUHahJtyP58PJMa1oLCwrUczdGYx0amu1XNfYOk9MDtn60ikfmoXpWiJln-ziYGqr6vp6fkGnV1-o7nVNocjSmQA0s1F2/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dQCJOrVeGZfMXPixtTVxLBuVJxOd_ViQBl5BFF4_NbdBRqkcUHahJtyP58PJMa1oLCwrUczdGYx0amu1XNfYOk9MDtn60ikfmoXpWiJln-ziYGqr6vp6fkGnV1-o7nVNocjSmQA0s1F2/s400/untitled.bmp" width="79" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dQCJOrVeGZfMXPixtTVxLBuVJxOd_ViQBl5BFF4_NbdBRqkcUHahJtyP58PJMa1oLCwrUczdGYx0amu1XNfYOk9MDtn60ikfmoXpWiJln-ziYGqr6vp6fkGnV1-o7nVNocjSmQA0s1F2/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 448px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 98px;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dQCJOrVeGZfMXPixtTVxLBuVJxOd_ViQBl5BFF4_NbdBRqkcUHahJtyP58PJMa1oLCwrUczdGYx0amu1XNfYOk9MDtn60ikfmoXpWiJln-ziYGqr6vp6fkGnV1-o7nVNocjSmQA0s1F2/s400/untitled.bmp" width="79" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjVarKF5WLwWmRg9p7keDUlfWPBNps2kwONlk4EOb-zzEJre-8BjGKzNdVxvu4GyFZ_bRy515jxX7AGn_PeoHtkHOkaZE5x48p5fHkQdlNxfL3so6EmI0HwH_N54N1wUNQ5-kDGE-mSL6/s1600/thiruppaanazhwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjVarKF5WLwWmRg9p7keDUlfWPBNps2kwONlk4EOb-zzEJre-8BjGKzNdVxvu4GyFZ_bRy515jxX7AGn_PeoHtkHOkaZE5x48p5fHkQdlNxfL3so6EmI0HwH_N54N1wUNQ5-kDGE-mSL6/s1600/thiruppaanazhwar.jpg" /></a></div><br />
But as the time went on, these baanars are separated and kept as a separate categorised peoples and who were treated as untouchables. But, in that categorised people, as the hamsam of the small mole, called as "Srivatsam" which is found in the chest of Sriman Narayanan, a small child born in this world in Purthurmadhi year, Kaarthigai month, Wednesday in Rohini Natshatram and it is "Thiruppaan Alwar". <br />
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His Characters and all of his activities are same as that of a pure Vaishnavas have. Having a veena in his hand, he always sang on Sri Vishnu and his fame and spread his capabilities and the love he offers to his bhaktas, in his songs. Because of this, he is also named as "Paan perumal". <br />
<br />
The untouchable people are ordered not to keep their feets on Cauvery river. Because of this and to obey the order, Paan Alwar did not touch the cauvery river, but stood along the banks of the river facing Thiruvaragam temple and sung various songs, praising the Lord. <br />
<br />
But, the Emperumaan wanted to explain the greatness and his Bhakthi of Thiruppaan Alwar towards Him and as an action to it, he started to play a small drama. <br />
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The cauvery water is used for the Thirumanjanam for Sri Ranganadhar. Loga Saaranga Maha Muneetharar, who is the strict follower and a devoted bhakta of Sri Ranganathar, daily bring the cauvery water of Thriumanjanam. One day, when he was sleeping, he had a dream in which the Aranganadar explained about Paan Perumal and he should be taken on the shoulders of Loga Saaranga muni, without having the mind that he is an untouchable person. <br />
<br />
Loga Saarangamuni, who being the strong follower of Sri Vishnu, got up early next morning and went to the other side of Cauvery river and met Thiruppaan Alwar. On seeing him, he explained about the dream he had last night and told him that he should climb on his shoulders, so that he can be taken to the other side of the Cauvery river, where Sri Ranganathar is giving his seva. <br />
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On hearing this, thiruppaan Alwar started crying, since he is not the right person, should climb on his shoulder, since Logasaranga Muni is a well known Vaishnavan. <br />
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But, Saranga Muni explained without having any jealous that on behalf of him only, Sriman Narayanan came in his dream and praised him that he is the person who will be honoured if he climbs on his shoulders. <br />
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Thirupaan Alwar could not convince him and finally he sat on on his shoulders. Saranga Muni started walking towards him Sri Arangathan through the Cauvery river. All the people of the village were surprised to see this scene and stood in silence without knowing what to do. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once he reached the sannidhi, Thirupaanar studied the Lord in detail and sang ten songs in ecstasy. This collection is called <i>Amalanaathipiran. </i></span></div><br />
<strong><em>கொண்டல் வண்ணனைக் கோவல னாய்வெண்ணை </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>உண்ட வாயன் என்னுள்ளம் கவர்ந்தானை</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>அண்டர்கோன் அணிஅரங்கன் என் அமுதினைக்</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>கண்ட கண்கள் மற்றோன்றினைக் காணாவே...</em></strong> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK3vd4NY6agjtIVaemUD0caHhdjILqyb8T4Li7-twzjtHNQXYBtLL-gIOYxSH0og9IwpdMZURRCwmz3S9RsYu5blpPvbgNRY-aRy4kDXm-vnSOP2zF-VNkaiLXhRSiCvgIxGuEY8Tkbuy/s1600/tirupanalwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK3vd4NY6agjtIVaemUD0caHhdjILqyb8T4Li7-twzjtHNQXYBtLL-gIOYxSH0og9IwpdMZURRCwmz3S9RsYu5blpPvbgNRY-aRy4kDXm-vnSOP2zF-VNkaiLXhRSiCvgIxGuEY8Tkbuy/s400/tirupanalwar.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>After reaching the temple,Saranga Muni made Thiruppaan Alwar to get down from his shoulders and raising his hands, he went to the corner of the Sannadhi and stood in silence, seeing the Perumal. <br />
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After getting down, Thiruppan Alwar could not believehis eyes because he was seeing Perumal who thinks that he could not see him in his life. His body was cooled and the eyes started to drop the tears. Both of his hands were raised above his head and he started to sing slokas on Sri Arangathan. <br />
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First he saw was the Thiruvadi(lotus feet)of Aranganathan and started to sing the pasuram:- <br />
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"Neel madhil Arangathamman thrukkamalpadham vandhu en Kanninullana okkinrathe." <br />
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After seeing the beaauty of the thiruvadi,he started to see step by step of the whole body of Emperumaan,he sung ten paasurams which explain the beauty of Sri Ranganathar from his thiruvadi (foot) to thirumudi(head). <br />
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He explains in his ten paasuram about the clean safron cloth which is worn on the body of Ranganathar, his jewels the thiru vayiru(stomach) from where Lord Brahma originated, the broad chest, the red lips and finally on explaining the beauty of the two broad eyes, he fell down. After some time, Thiruppaan Alwar was not found and he went in to the body of Thiruvarangathan. Like Andal, whose thought was always on Aranganathan, who was captured by the love of the Perumal, Thiruppaan Alwar was also captured by the love and he went towards the Aranganathan. <br />
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Thiruppaan Alwar has sung only ten paasurams,but in that itself,he has explained about how a human should be. He explains in that ten paasurams tha Perumal is the leader and our aim should be to reach Him and to get the complete Saranagathi(total surrender) in HIs thiruvadi, and that is the final place,where all of us has to reach. <br />
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Inspite of born in an untouchable category, but as a result of his devotion towards Sriman Narayanan,he was listed among the great twelve Alwars. <br />
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Likewise,eventhough if we are not like Thiruppaan Alwar, we can atleast think of him and do our daily duties of helping others. so that we can attain the Perumal's thiruvadi, where all the Alwars reached. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>ஆழ்வார் எம்பெருமானார் திருப்பாணாழ்வார் திருவடிகளே சரணம்...!!!</em></strong> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-64139635223372173332011-04-05T00:21:00.000-07:002011-04-05T00:21:40.881-07:00Thondaradipodi Alwar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTXStaJEryNOvyMB-WbNCvJDigFrbGLtoBqPyOlrqnU8VTJ_z6apAcwdLoTD5-1ck-aDU180MSqcIKcIPPzsngNHdLLXy_GmP1CpGt0meJk3qe1rHcmpyTRKDzln3NvhDmH9G5NV9OxdI/s1600/38546927_ThondaradipodiAzhvar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTXStaJEryNOvyMB-WbNCvJDigFrbGLtoBqPyOlrqnU8VTJ_z6apAcwdLoTD5-1ck-aDU180MSqcIKcIPPzsngNHdLLXy_GmP1CpGt0meJk3qe1rHcmpyTRKDzln3NvhDmH9G5NV9OxdI/s1600/38546927_ThondaradipodiAzhvar.jpg" /></a></div>Period: 8th C. AD<br />
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Place: Thirumandangudi<br />
Month: Maargazhi<br />
Star (Natshatram): Kettai (Jyeshta)<br />
Other Names: Vibranaaraayanar, Thirumandangudiyaar, Bhakthangirirenu, Palliunartthiya-piraan <br />
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Chozha Empire, which is said to be very special and rich in all of its production, was surrounded by the Cauvery River, made the chozha empire very beautiful and vegetative. Beautiful lakes, small rivers, which surrounds the green vegetative lands are found, which is one of the special vision to be seen. In this type of empire, a small village by name "Thiru mandaggudi", where Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana vedas are well explained by the andhanars who lived in this village. In that village, there was one community people called "Kudumi Sozhiyap Brahmanar" also called as "Vipra" people lived, whose routine work is to praise about Sri Vishnu. <br />
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One of the people of that community was an andhanan by name "Veda Visaradhar", who had a great bhakti towards the Emperumaan and dedicated his bhakti towards him by surrendering garlands to him. He did this as his daily work. By the grace of the Emperumaan, Sriman Narayanan, in Prabhava year, Maargazhi month, Krishna chaturthi, Tuesday in Kettai Natshatram (star), as the hamsam of Sri Vaijayanthi Vanamaalai, a beautiful male child was born to him. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qqsfm8K2ngekbDyX1Bje4CFg00cvCCd30-hiYPCnIUppwRJ7vGq2YgXAkeXsbGnh7_WYYNwnEzTc9yzJ2LtXaDJC0dLVS5fSh9qgd67ooRtxKmfOppdX-TQhrkBtFGvslblE_7vQVenG/s1600/51445786_Thondaradipodi_Azwar_at_his_avatara_stalam_ThiruMandangudi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qqsfm8K2ngekbDyX1Bje4CFg00cvCCd30-hiYPCnIUppwRJ7vGq2YgXAkeXsbGnh7_WYYNwnEzTc9yzJ2LtXaDJC0dLVS5fSh9qgd67ooRtxKmfOppdX-TQhrkBtFGvslblE_7vQVenG/s1600/51445786_Thondaradipodi_Azwar_at_his_avatara_stalam_ThiruMandangudi.jpg" /></a></div><br />
On the 12th day after his birth, he was named as "Vipra Narayanar". He was properly taken care of and proper education along with the bhakti towards Sri Vishnu was teached to him. He grew up with all good characters and had a good structured body, too. Inspite of being good and beautiful and dedicated to Sri Vishnu bhakti, he treated all the aged persons and persons who are younger to him in the same way and gave proper respect to them. <br />
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One day, "Seenai Mudaliyaar", who was the leader of Sri Vishnu's troop came down to the earth and explained t "Vipranarayanar", why he was born in this mighty world and what are the things that he should follow to attain Mukthi. <br />
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On hearing the truth of his birth, he showed much love, affection and bhakti towards Sriman Narayanan. As an extension to it, he started thinking what should be the next step to be taken to explore his bhakti. He thought by travelling to all of the temples where the Emperumaan is travelling to all of the temples where the Emperumaan is giving his seva, should be worshipped. But, he had a question that from which sthalam he should start with. After a long thinking, he finally decided that he should start from the greatest of all of the Vishnu sthalams, the Sri Rangam, which is located on the banks of cauvery river should be the starting sthalam he should worship and started travelling towards it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kLgXLEahN01W_xe-OlE-Gc5ZRycXgZiaCtlrtiJA6QuOvYSXeUw0ZPpFrVsxj1SW9Smgn1a5ce5NBccsymOeQ0glEQIkFBIDbrSc87cploAen7b_91nUSqRXyf7GATl2D1etsU22w-Zw/s1600/Photo-1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kLgXLEahN01W_xe-OlE-Gc5ZRycXgZiaCtlrtiJA6QuOvYSXeUw0ZPpFrVsxj1SW9Smgn1a5ce5NBccsymOeQ0glEQIkFBIDbrSc87cploAen7b_91nUSqRXyf7GATl2D1etsU22w-Zw/s1600/Photo-1114.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After reaching the temple, he went inside the moolavar sannadhi and was very happy to see the perumal on the Aadhiseshan (the snake) who is found in sleeping posture. After seeing the beauty of Sri Ranganathar, he doesnt want to see any of the things around and thought his bhaktiand the remaining life should be spent completely for Aranganathan. He thought in what way he can express his bhakti towards the emperumaan and finally he thought he can offer him with the Garland daily to the perumal. <br />
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Soon after this thought, he constructed a bigh Nandhavanam (flower park) in Sri Rangam, where various beautiful and fragrance flower plants are grown. He built a small hut in the midst of the park. Daily, in the morning, as a daily work, he dedicated the Garland to Sri Ranganathar and then only he do his routine jobs. Since, he thought, only Sri Aranganathar is the beautiest thing in this world, he didn't turn up towards any of the women around him. Because of this, all the people thought he doesn't have any feelings towards the people around him. On seeing these kinds of scenes from Sri Vaikundam, thirumagal, Sri Lakshmi questioned Sriman Narayanan that because of having the affection towards him (Sri Ranganathar) and inspite of being a male, he doesnt know how the love should be expressed towards a women and continued that which women can show her love towards a person like Vipra Narayanan? Knowing the future and what is going to happen, Sri Vishnu casually answered Sri Lakshmi that she is going to see what is going to happen for him. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBOJNkbH5HVDyL901ZOgkdQ0zj4bKMOpPQ_5_eE2PmfDwIH_yanItsv1_cQmfyCKmnbT7HqXMWITwvEwcTV4sQZaovLc0_08VxQi7xYLV4MkoMTGjiJWTZ1Nnj_t7wO2U3It4AoQ_h6l4/s1600/thondaridippodi.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBOJNkbH5HVDyL901ZOgkdQ0zj4bKMOpPQ_5_eE2PmfDwIH_yanItsv1_cQmfyCKmnbT7HqXMWITwvEwcTV4sQZaovLc0_08VxQi7xYLV4MkoMTGjiJWTZ1Nnj_t7wO2U3It4AoQ_h6l4/s1600/thondaridippodi.gif" /></a></div><br />
In thirukkarambanoor, there lived two Daasis (Women who dances in front of the king to earn money) by named Devi, who is the elder sister and Devadevi, who is the younger sister. Both of them were very beautiful and can arrest the hearts of the people who are seeing them. They were good in dancing and singing. In that time of their life, having Uraiyoor as the capital, a Chozha king ruled with proper way and as the result of this, the entire empire enriched with wealthiness and all the people were very happy. The king gave the proper respect and prizes to all the Vedic people and people of musical Knowledge. <br />
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On hearing this, Devi and Devadevi thought of showing their skill and capacity towards the dance to the king and to get prize from him. They entered the king's palace in Uraiyoor and danced in front of the king and sang different songs with their beautiful voice.<br />
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On satisfied with their performance, the king gave them lots of very expensive prizes and precious diamonds and pearls. After getting the prizes from the king, they started from Uraiyoor. As a flash, Devadevi said that she wants to worship Sri Ranganathar and both of them went to Sri Rangam temple to worship Aranganathar. <br />
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When they were going to the temple, they had the chance to see the Nandhavanam, which belonged to Vipra Narayanar. The beauty and the silence of the Nandhavanam attracted all of them. Devadevi questioned her sister whether they are actually in the earth (or) in heaven and asked her who might a developed a beautiful, Nandhavanam like this? <br />
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The elder sister answered that this belongs to Vipranarayanar, who was a great Vishnu bhaktar and he daily dedicates the Garlands and for this only he has constructed this Nandhavanam. <br />
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After, hearing this, Devadevi wanted to see him and they both went to the small hut, where he lived Vipranarayanar was pouring water to the plants and on seeing him, his beauty admired both of them. Devadevi, on seeing him, was very much attracted towards him and started loving at the first sight. She expressed her love in words and continued with his work. <br />
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On the action of him, Devadevi said that he will change him towards her and said that she will stay there for a while. On getting the wishes to her sister, Devi left the place. <br />
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Devadevi gave all of her prizes got from the king and changed her dress into an ordinary saffron coloured clothes, what all the muni would wear. <br />
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Devadevi went towards Vipra Narayanar and said to him that so far she has lived in earth without being useful to others and she lived a life like in the Naragham (Hell) and she added that her rest of the life must be spent along with Vipra Narayanar in doing the seva towards the Emperumaan. <br />
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Vipra Narayanar on hearing this became so happy that one more person has joined him for doing the bhakta seva for the Emperumaan and since being kind - hearted, he agreed Devadevi to stay along with him and asked her to enter into the house. <br />
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Days passed and on one day, it rained heavily. Vipra Narayanar was inside the small hut, where Sri Ranganathar was done the daily pooja by him. But, Devadevi did not enter into the hut but instead she waited outside itself and got completely drowned in the rain. Since, he was doing the Pooja, he could not know what is happening outside, since he was completely immersed into the bhakti towards the almighty, Sriman Narayanan. <br />
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After finishing the pooja, he came out and saw Devadevi drouned in the rain. He asked her to get into the hut and gave his over cloth (Uthriyam - a small cloth which is used to cover the body) to Devadevi for wiping. <br />
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After getting the cloth, she asked him that since Vipra Narayanar is taking care of the Nandavanam and at the same time travelling lots of miles to get the food, his legs might become tired. So, she asked whether she could make his legs feel better by giving massage to his legs. Vipra Narayanar agreed for her to do so. Like this, she did some small things to convert him towards her side. She completely turned Vipra Narayanar towards her and they both started to live together. <br />
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One day, Devadevi said to Vipra Narayanar that she wanted to see her parents and her sister. Vipra Narayanar said that he would too come along with her, since he could not live without leaving her for a second and both of them went to Devadevi's house. <br />
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Vipra Narayanar gave all the things to Devadevi and her mother and one day, he doesn't have anything to give them. So her mother asked her to make him out of the house, but Devadevi could not do this, because she really loved him. But her mother did not want him to be in the house and asked Vipra Narayanar to get out of the house. Since, Vipra Narayanar is helpless, he came out of the house and entered a Nandavanam and being so tired, he slept for a while. On seeing this, the Emperumaan wanted him to get of the Maya and wanted <br />
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him to get along with the right path, which leads to the Thiruvadi of him (Sri Vishnu). <br />
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He changed himself to an ordinary human and went straight to Devadevi's house and knocked the door. Her mother questioned who is he? He said that he is one of the sishyaas (Student) of Vipra Narayanar and gave him a big silver vessel given by his Guru to Devadevi. <br />
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On getting that her mother thanked him and asked his Guru, Vipra Narayanar to return back to her house, since Devadevi was feeling worse from the time he left the house. Sri Vishnu, who came as a student went towards Vipra Narayanar and woke him up and said that Devadevi's mother asked him to come back to the house. On hearing this, Vipra Naryanar walked fast to the house and hugged Devadevi. <br />
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The Next morning, the archakar (Who performs the daily pooja for the perumal) entered into the Sri Ranganathar sannadhi and found one Vattal (Vessel which is used to do the daily pooja) was missing and complained to the king about this. The king ordered his servants to go in search of the Vattal and they found that in Devadevi's house. <br />
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So, they caught hold of Devadevi's mother and Vipra Narayanar and took them to the palace. They both were made to stand in front of the King. The King questioned Devadevi's mother from where did she get the Vattal. She answered that it was given by one of the Sishyan of Vipra Narayanar. But, Vipra Narayanar opposed her words by saying that he doesnt have any student as such. After consulting with the great men in the palace, the king ordered Vipra Narayanar to be jailed for one night on the prison and Devadevi's mother was left free. <br />
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On that night, Vipra Narayanar cried and asked the Emperumaan why like this has happened to him and prayed towards him. On the same night, the Emperumaan arise in the dream of the king and explained him what had happened and asked him to free Vipra Narayanar.<br />
The next day in the palace, Vipra Narayanar was given all the respect as what would be given to all the Vishnu bhaktas and gave him lots of precious things. The king also explained that this is a small thiru Vilayaadal (game) of Sri Emperumaan. <br />
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Knowing the real truth why he came to the world, he went to Sri Ranganathar temple and praised the Lord. Then, he worshipped all the bhaktas of Sri Vishnu and put the podi (Small tiny dust particles), which is found under the feet of them in his head and sang songs in praise of Sri Ranganathar. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJChxYNU9NzJNqpgQ3SEwuYPxYUN3hix2rNEq3U3z5SEanF2V_elpNIjI1v8rTqo6t_8k8cnSnhinJ9k-INeh4nEk4kBM258a3ioAiC9Uls8BogVM00kuSKhOhhVlNgbuaic8KprBENrG/s1600/Photo-1117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJChxYNU9NzJNqpgQ3SEwuYPxYUN3hix2rNEq3U3z5SEanF2V_elpNIjI1v8rTqo6t_8k8cnSnhinJ9k-INeh4nEk4kBM258a3ioAiC9Uls8BogVM00kuSKhOhhVlNgbuaic8KprBENrG/s1600/Photo-1117.jpg" /></a></div><br />
From then, he was called as "Thondaradipodi Alwar". Finally he realised for what he came for to the earth and went to all the Vishnu temples to praise him. <br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">ஆழ்வார் எம்பெருமானார் தொண்டரடிப்பொடியாழ்வார் திருவடிகளே சரணம்...!!!</span></em></strong><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-77397209773846174982011-03-29T05:49:00.000-07:002011-03-31T04:05:02.291-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lA2t2Lj8oSCsWS1bxr08RF99Felf6c9GU0N-zrR4nz7twnyaiPAT0G_isrqzeR7TahlZJa06QTjC2GE-YY-4Cbz1NfjR-vUA-E9aSj3OcRxXaUcjtYM-i7kVU3kfIr86YonuB1iVyD3D/s1600/30-venga-kkadal.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lA2t2Lj8oSCsWS1bxr08RF99Felf6c9GU0N-zrR4nz7twnyaiPAT0G_isrqzeR7TahlZJa06QTjC2GE-YY-4Cbz1NfjR-vUA-E9aSj3OcRxXaUcjtYM-i7kVU3kfIr86YonuB1iVyD3D/s1600/30-venga-kkadal.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>vanga(k) kadal kadaindha maadhavanai kEsavanai</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>thingaL thirumugaththu sEy izhaiyaar senRu iRainchi</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>anga(p) paRai konda aatrai aNi pudhuvai(p)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>painkamala(th) thaN theriyal battar piraan kOdhai </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>sanga(th) thamizh maalai muppadhum thappaamE </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>sonnaingu ipparisuraippaar eerirandu maal varai thOL</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>sengaN thirumugaththu(ch) chelva(th) thirumaalaal</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>engum thiruvaruL petru inbuRuvar embaavaay.</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVHJ_Sv4Ufv6mQLmy5EDjmUlE2gxkjB0uK4sVsgGVl9BmbF5XkfBZG8P_JiSKtYc9xsEH9IMhdc-OQcZ-QOO6s4iFemsQ1VKSoStBIQj2VWLhkJPI_LHv_zx_RRyvLjqW_84JUADFrB3-/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVHJ_Sv4Ufv6mQLmy5EDjmUlE2gxkjB0uK4sVsgGVl9BmbF5XkfBZG8P_JiSKtYc9xsEH9IMhdc-OQcZ-QOO6s4iFemsQ1VKSoStBIQj2VWLhkJPI_LHv_zx_RRyvLjqW_84JUADFrB3-/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>வங்கக் கடல்கடைந்த மாதவனைக் கேசவனைத்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>திங்கள் திருமுகத்துச் சேயிழையார் சென்றிறைஞ்சி</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>அங்கப் பறைகொண்ட ஆற்றை, அணி புதுவைப்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பைங்கமலத் தண்தெரியல் பட்டர்பிரான் கோதை சொன்ன</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சங்கத் தமிழ்மாலை முப்பதும் தப்பாமே</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>இங்கிப் பரிசுரைப்பார், ஈரிரண்டு மால்வரைத்தோள்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>செங்கண் திருமுகத்துச் செல்வத் திருமாலால்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>எங்கும் திருவருள்பெற் றின்புறுவ ரெம்பாவாய்.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-----Meaning-----</em></strong></div><br />
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Approaching Him --the Lord Kesavan (of lovely curly locks of hairs), the Lord Maadhavan (the husband of Goddess Sri) who (enabled the gods) to churn the seas abounding in ships, and praying to Him, the Young charming damsels (of Gokulam) with exquisite faces of Moon-like beauty and good ornaments, obtained the unparalleled drum. Describing their observances, prayer and getting the drum (from the Lord), GodhA, the fosterdaughter of Bhattar PirAn adorned with the cool garlands of fresh lotuses, and a resident of beautiful SrivilliputthUr has composed this ThiruppAvai. Whosoever recites this hymn -- referring to the award of paRai, faithfully will get the divine bliss here and hereafter, through the benign grace of the Lord ThirumAl (Sriya: Pathi) endowed with a supreme, divine form, namely four strong mountain-like shoulders, beautiful face with eyes of reddish hue along with other prosperous glory. The thirtieth paasuram is known as Thiru nAma Paattu or Phala Sruthi Paasuram. In this posting, we will enjoy together the padha-Vaakya arthams.<br />
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Just like the gopikas (sEy izhaiyaar), with moon (thingaL) like beauty (thirumugaththu), obtained salvation, by surrendering (senRu iRainchi) to the Lord, who churned (kadaindha) the ocean (vangak kadal) of milk, Sri Andal (kodhai) wearing fresh (pai) lotus flowers (kamalam), who was born in beautiful (aNi) Sri Villiputhoor (pudhuvai), as the daughter of the Brahmin priest (bhattar piraan) Peria aazhwaar, presents this. Those who recite (ingu ipparisuraippar) these thirty (muppadhum) literary (sangath) Tamil (thamizh) garlands (maalai), daily without fail (thappaamE), will obtain the grace (thiruvaruL) and derive pleasures (inbuRuvar) from God (thirumaal), who has beautiful (sen) eyes (kaN) and shoulders (thOL) which can stretch (varai) between two pairs (eerirandu) of mountains (maal), who is accompanied by the beautiful (thirumugaththu) Laxmi (chelva).<br />
<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
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This garland of thirty verses in classical chaste Tamil, celebrating the devotional fervour of the beautiful cowherd women who worshipped Naaraayana, variously incarnating Himself as Maadhava (the Lord who churned the ocean of milk) and Kesava (the Lord who slayed the demon Kesi), has been strung together by Kothai, the daughter of Periaazhwaar, who belongs to the lovely place called Srivillipuththur.<br />
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All those who recite these hymns with passion and sincerity are bound to receive the favour of Naaraayana, the Lord with four mighty arms and resplendent face with crimson eyes. Theirs will be joy eternal and bliss manifold.<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
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Those who study this Tiruppavai are forever acceptable to Sri Mahalakshmi and Sriman Narayana - this is the gist of this stanza. In days of yore, in Dwaapara Yuga, Gopis actually performed this Nonbu. Later on Sri Andal imitated them in her heart. Both Gopis and Andal got the service of the Lord. So also even without performing the rite or imitating it, just by chanting this Divya Prabandha, people will get the same fruit (Kainkarya).Sri PARASARA BHATTAR said, "Just as the mother cow gives milk even in the presence of its dead and stuffed calf (TOL KANRUKKUM IRANGUMAPOLE) so also the Lord will bless us even though we are absolutely devoid of the supreme devotion of Andal, merely because we are repeating her words."<br />
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Gopis had surrendered themselves to Sri Krishna; but their Saranaagati would gain fruit only through the PURUSHAKAARA (recommendation) of Sri Mahalakshmi. The Lord had churned the Milky Ocean to get her; and so the Gopis begin by chanting that Herculean effort of the Lord. VANGAKKADAL was churned only to get Sri Devi who had remained hidden there. Thus He became MAA (Lakshmi's)-DHAVA(husband).In stanza 2 Andal said ADI PAADI- singing the glory of His Feet; here in 30 she says KESAVANAI -of Him who has fascinating locks of hair. Thus she enjoys the Lord's Form from His Holy Feet to His Head (Aa paada choodam).<br />
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The meaning of the POORVA KHANDA (first half) of the DVAYA Mantra is implied in this first line.<br />
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The word "SRIMAT" (He who is ever in the company of SRI) in DVAYA mantra is represented here by MAADAHAVANAI.<br />
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"NARAYANA" in DVAYA means He who has the noble qualities of VAATSALYA, SWAAMITVA, SAUSHILYA, SAULABHYA, GNAANA and SHAKTI.<br />
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These are brought out in the present paasuram as under:<br />
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1. KADAL KADAINDA -Lord Vishnu, turning a blind eye (Kaanaa-kkannittu) towards the blemishes of all the gods and demons, churned the ocean to get them nectar; this is VAATSALYA. <br />
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2. He established His Supremacy by managing the entire operation single-handedly; this is SWAAMITVA. <br />
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3. He even worked in cooperation with worst criminals - the lowliest of the lowly; this is SAUSHILYA.<br />
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4. He took the guise of a charming cherub and personally distributed the nectar; this is SAULABHYA.<br />
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5. He had the requisite knowledge, the know-how to churn the ocean; this is GNAANA.<br />
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6. And He had the required strength to complete the task up to the end; this is SHAKTI.<br />
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KESAVANAI- By referring to the locks of hair, His Form is implied; that is the meaning of "CHARANAU" in the DVAYA.<br />
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Those who recite the Tiruppavai paasurams are sure to be blessed by Him. They will get everything here and finally attain Salvation. Sri PARASARA BHATTAR used to say, "every one should every morning recite all the 30 verses; or at least the 29th one-SITTAM SIRUKALE; if he finds even that difficult, he should at least bring to his mind how much exquisite joy WE added to our days and nights through chanting, understanding, discussing and in fact living with these Divine Verses (Naam irunda iruppai ninaippadu)."<br />
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Those who thus take refuge unto Him will serve Him for ever and ever; no rebirth for them. Let us also chant these sweet songs and make our mother SRI GODA DEVI's appearance in this world useful and purposeful.<br />
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<strong><em><u>Bhavam:</u></em></strong><br />
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Vangak Kadal Kadaintha Maadhavanaik Kesavanai EmperumAn churned the Milky Ocean to gain nectar for the dEvaas and PeNNamuthu (MahA lakshmi)for Himself. KrishNan churned the ocean of curd in Gokulam. The Lord, who used the excuse of churning the milky ocean to gain MahA Lakshmi also used the ThiruppAvai nOnbhu as the VyAjam for gaining the Pancha Laksha Kudis (gOpis) of Gokulam.<br />
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ANDAL addresses the Vangak Kadal kadainthavan as “Maadhavan” and “Kesavan”. She addressed the Lord as “Maadhavan” following the Upadesam of Her AchAryan, PeriyAzhwAr: “Maarvam yenpathOr kOil amaitthu MAADHAVAN yenpathOr Dhaivatthai naatti”. Kesavan is the adhishta Devathai for Maarghazhi month. The reference to the act of churning the Milky ocean (Vangak kadal Kadaintha) by the Lord points out His Bhaktha Vaathsalyam and Omnipotence.<br />
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“angu appaRai koNDavARRai”: “angu” (there) refers to the incident of the Gopis winning paRai (there) at AaypAdi, (there)at Nandha Gruham and(there) at the throne room in presence of NeeLA PirAtti. “appaRai” is to be split in to antha-Parai, appERpatta, VisEsha paRai.<br />
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“paimkamalat taNN teRiyal Bhattar PirAn Godhai Sonna”: Godhai identifies Herself as Bhattar PirAn's (PeriyAzhwAr's) Godhai. He was Her foster father and also Her AchAryan. <br />
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திருவாடிப் பூரத்து செகத்துதித்தாள் வாழியே <br />
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திருப்பாவை முப்பதும் செப்பினாள் வாழியே <br />
பெரியாழ்வார் பெற்றெடுத்த பெண் பிள்ளை வாழியே <br />
பெரும்புதூர் மாமுனிக்குப் பின்னானாள் வாழியே <br />
ஒரு நூட்ரு நாற்பத்து மூன்றுரைத்தாள் வாழியே <br />
உயர் அரங்கற்கே கண்ணியுகந்தருளிதாள் வாழியே <br />
மருவாரும் திருமல்லி வள நாடி வாழியே <br />
வண்புதுவை நகர்க் கோதை மலர்ப் பாதங்கள் வாழியே <br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">ஆண்டாள் திருவடிகளே சரணம்...!!!</span></em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-36418715808606719532011-03-29T05:43:00.000-07:002011-03-29T05:43:15.390-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram29<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42WTgYcjR-hWBj66Gh9ncbweJg3W4w0CM4-mjz4NQzT134CFq-XbVFubSB8s6sf23fTfnO7cQiKKqz2cQP4kB0bsi19Z_O3tmlpFhRD3Oe4HsJA_5mHGLP3TMNaH6J4eeu-gWDh-irxeY/s1600/29-sirram-sirukkale.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42WTgYcjR-hWBj66Gh9ncbweJg3W4w0CM4-mjz4NQzT134CFq-XbVFubSB8s6sf23fTfnO7cQiKKqz2cQP4kB0bsi19Z_O3tmlpFhRD3Oe4HsJA_5mHGLP3TMNaH6J4eeu-gWDh-irxeY/s1600/29-sirram-sirukkale.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>sitram siRu kaalE vandhu unnai sEviththu un</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>potraamarai adiyE pOtrum poruL kELaay</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>petram mEyththu uNNum kulaththil piRandhu nee</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kutREval engaLai(k) koLLaamal pOgaadhu</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>itrai(p) paRai koLvaan anRu kaaN gOvindhaa</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>etraikkum Ezh Ezh piRavikkum un thannOdu</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>utrOmE aavOm unakkE naam aatcheyvOm</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>matrai nam kaamangaL maatrElOr embaavaay</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPceESQwB5P10i_Qn-PZhoETjZz2CB7UtmkenVT8qo-J6xYbVUlMOCdzthyf-KPC_mjAVpmJILl6us-9houF-Vj_LAaVon3GNZI-_d7g2ZbKwl4nXYPfgbHJhVx9lTJQe1vi6rIUWOrvb/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPceESQwB5P10i_Qn-PZhoETjZz2CB7UtmkenVT8qo-J6xYbVUlMOCdzthyf-KPC_mjAVpmJILl6us-9houF-Vj_LAaVon3GNZI-_d7g2ZbKwl4nXYPfgbHJhVx9lTJQe1vi6rIUWOrvb/s400/29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சிற்றம் சிறுகாலே வந்துன்னைச் சேவித்துன்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பொற்றா மரையடியே போற்றும் பொருள் கேளாய்;</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பெற்றம் மேய்த்துண்ணும் குலத்திற் பிறந்து நீ</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>குற்றேவல் எங்களைக் கொள்ளாமல் போகாது;</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>இற்றைப் பறைகொள்வான் அன்று காண் கோவிந்தா!</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>எற்றைக்கும் ஏழேழ் பிறவிக்கும் உன்தன்னோடு</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>உற்றோமே ஆவோம்; உனக்கே நா மாட்செய்வோம்;</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>மற்றைநம் காமங்கள் மாற்றேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-----Meaning-----</em></strong></div><br />
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Until now, the Gopis through ANDAL were seeking “paRai” from the Lord. Now they elaborate the meaning of that paRai is threefold: (1) Our objective (uddhEsyam) is to perform nithya kaimkaryam at Your holy feet (2) We can not live away form You even for a second (3) Please banish any other thought or desire that might interfere with the fulfilment of the above.<br />
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Oh Lord GovindhA! May You listen to us (the cowherd girls) (1) who approach You at the very small hours of the day-dawn, and (2) who bow down to You, the purpose and aim of our singing in praise of Your golden, lotus-like pair of feet. You, who took birth in the race of us, the cowherds, earning our livelihood by grazing and rearing the herd of cattle, can not deny us the humble (divine) service (to be rendered unto You). Hearken, Oh Lord! it is not only that we desire to receive the drum (from You) today (lit. in this sojourn of birth), but we desire, in fact, that let us be ever --throughout the births, sevens of generations --the kith and kin of You, let us perform all kinds of Kaimkaryams to You alone; You make us rid of other desires!<br />
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Govindha!, Listen (kELaay) to the reason (poruL) for our coming (vandhu) and worshipping (sEviththu) you and praising (pOtrum) your golden lotus (pon thaamarai) feet (adi) at such an early hour (sitram siRu kaalE). You (nee), who were born (piRandhu) in the community of people (kulaththil), who eat (uNNum) by rearing (mEyththu) cattle (petram), should not go away (pOgaadhu) refusing our (engaLai) offerings (kutru Eval). Look (kaaN), we are not (anRu) desiring your grace (paRai koLvaan) just for today (itrai). Forever (etraikkum), for sevens (Ezh Ezh) of births (piRavikkum), we will be (aavOm) in peace (utrOmE) with you (un thannOdu). We (naam) will let ourselves be ruled (aatcheyvOm) by you (unakkE). Please remove (maatru) our (nam) other (matrai) desires (kaamangaL).<br />
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<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
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Oh Lord Govinda (Krishna)! Why have we come so early at dawn to worship You and to adore your lotus feet? You have taken birth in our cowherd community and You live amidst us who tend cattle for a living. It is only proper that you permit us to render our humble service to You. It is not only today that we would seek your grace but in all our births to come. You and You alone we shall ever be committed to in servitude. Everything else is of no concern to us.<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
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This stanza clearly tells us of the highest Purushaartha (the end of human life), explaining the meaning of PARAI. Asking for Parai is a pretext; as the cowherds proposed this "nonbu' for getting rain and as it came in handy for Gopis (Andal) to keep looking at the face of Lord Krishna for as long as they liked, they accepted it. Their real intention is to get KAINKARYA (eternal service)at the lotus-feet of the Lord. The word NARAYANANE used in the first stanza was explained in the previous verse; the word PARAI is explained here.<br />
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Both "Means" and "End" are the same in Sri Vaishnava Sampradaaya;it is Sriman Narayana himself. If those who take Him as the "Means' have contact with other "Means" like Karmayoga etc, it is akin to pollution due to contact with a dead body(because Karma Yoga etc are by nature inert and need His Presence to give Result).And if they consider their act of Surrender to the Lord (Prapatti) itself to be the "Means", it is like accretion of sin due to contact with a chandaala (because anything which has the taint of the ego pollutes the purity of the Prapanna).<br />
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Similarly regarding the "End" also there are two mistakes which need to to be avoided: 1) Desiring other mundane things from Him, which would be like desiring to eat poisoned or contaminated food; and 2) serving the Lord for one's own enjoyment rather than exclusively for His pleasure (Swaartha Kainkarya), which would be like eating food left over from another eater (Uchchishtha Bhojana).<br />
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Both these types of Purities (UPAAYA SUDDHI and UPEYA SUDDHI) need to be strictly ensured by a Prapanna. The previous verse (28) speaks of UPAAYA SUDDHI -"UNTANNAI.... PUNNIYAM YAAM UDEYOM"- You ALONE are our Means. The present verse enjoins UPEYA SUDDHI - "UNAKKE NAAM AAT SEYVOM" - We serve you for the sake of your happiness ALONE, and we derive happiness on seeing your enjoyment.<br />
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Even the least trace of selfish enjoyment is to be totally erased in the service of God. It is just as in the case of sandal paste, cool breeze, flowers, ornaments, etc which give pleasure to man, without themselves feeling any; the only difference being that man not being inert like them feels happy looking at the pleasure of the Lord.<br />
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Krishna ordered His servants to bring the huge kettle-drum (PARAI).Then Andal says, "O Wonder! You have not understood us. We require only your everlasting, most enjoyable service. We wish to be always born along with you, and keep company with you always to serve you. (Like Lakshmana who served Rama whether He was in Ayodhya or in the forest.).Kindly guard us from evincing interest in anything except you."<br />
Just as the body serves a man, the Soul, which is the body of the Lord (Yasya aatma sareeram), should serve Him. This is the natural law. This is the message of Andal in this crowning verse.<br />
<strong><em><u>Bhavam:</u></em></strong><br />
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SIRRAM SIRU KAALE VANTHU: AruNodhaya Kaalam is chosen by Gopis to arrive at Lord KrishNA the time at which the Jn~Anam of the Lord happens (siRRam siRu Kaalam). AzhwAr says : “kaalai nann jn~Anat thuRai padinthAdi”. The dawning of the Jn~Anam about EmperumAn through SadAchArya is SiRRam SiRu Kaalai. "SiRRam SiRu Kaalam" is the time from Prapathti to the shaking of the mortal coils is the for the Prapannan, when MunivarkaL and Yogis rise gently and start Hari nAma sankIrthanam. Gopis seem to say that it is difficult to see You (KrishNA) once the day has dawned as he goes to the fields to graze the cows. Andal reminds us of the KshaNa Karthavya upAyam of Praaptthi (that which is done in siRiya kaalam) with the invocation of the words, “siRRam sIRu kaalE”.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">VANTHU UNNAI SEVITTHU: Gopis ask KrishNA to think about the way they came in that cold morning with dew drops on their heads. They remind Him that they have come driven by their fears about their aakinchanyam and ananya gathithvam and have come to worship Him and pray for Kaimkarya Sri. “Sevitthu” refers to the Veda Vaakyam: “BhUyishtAm tE NAMA Ukthim vidhEma”. We have come here with anjali bhaddha hasthams since we know about our mElayAr's saying: “Ohr anjaliyum uNDaRukka maattAthu”. You melt like sugar in water, when a Bhakthan stands before You with anjali mudhrA. That indeed is anjali Vaibhavam. Therefore we have come before You at the early dawn withfolded hands (sEvitthu).</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-1617115976126722492011-03-29T05:36:00.000-07:002011-03-29T05:36:42.592-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram28<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKzZGfhyphenhyphenLf91nvFfvCSVjQiT7nRdYWOSaOEkJ85uF5IrFzue2_3bckzHQfpQG4xAv4X9hyphenhyphenwnkaySfCl-gAJedSa2C7ORqMGrV9Ga8f5ENsXskOMD4huz8AHOx7X1A1geiYLLRZMkF9wxC/s1600/28-karavaigal-pinsenru.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKzZGfhyphenhyphenLf91nvFfvCSVjQiT7nRdYWOSaOEkJ85uF5IrFzue2_3bckzHQfpQG4xAv4X9hyphenhyphenwnkaySfCl-gAJedSa2C7ORqMGrV9Ga8f5ENsXskOMD4huz8AHOx7X1A1geiYLLRZMkF9wxC/s1600/28-karavaigal-pinsenru.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kaRavaigaL pin senRu kaanam sErndhu uNbOm</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>aRivu onRum illaadha aay(k) kulaththu undhannai(p)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>piRavi peRundhanai(p) puNNiyam yaam udaiyOm</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kuRai onRum illaadha gOvindhaa undhannOdu</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>uRavEl namakku ingu ozhikka ozhiyaadhu</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>aRiyaadha piLLaigaLOm anbinaal undhannai</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>siRu pEr azhaiththanamum seeRi aruLaadhE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>iRaivaa nee thaaraay paRaiyElOr embaavaay</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjRONl2nki7rzS3L92XWSs2nqAIYnafLLpZB5TkJ7aMrcYI8cyRhAvSunVTB2qlGlso4V7mH39BeZ6n-GauL13EsMKK_UlIoOohzdyw3nDm2TmXKjo0joXrxNF2PyWLRpmpaI-RRWVSmK/s1600/28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjRONl2nki7rzS3L92XWSs2nqAIYnafLLpZB5TkJ7aMrcYI8cyRhAvSunVTB2qlGlso4V7mH39BeZ6n-GauL13EsMKK_UlIoOohzdyw3nDm2TmXKjo0joXrxNF2PyWLRpmpaI-RRWVSmK/s400/28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>கறவைகள் பின்சென்று கானம் சேர்ந்துண்போம்;</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>அறிவொன்று மில்லாத ஆய்க்குலத்து உன்தன்மைப்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பிறவிப் பெறுந்தனைப் புண்ணியம் யாம் உடையோம்;</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>குறைவொன்று மில்லாத கோவிந்தா! உன்தன்னோடு</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>உறவேல் நமக்கு இங்கு ஒழிக்க ஒழியாது!</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>அறியாத பிள்ளைகளோம் அன்பினால் உன்தன்னைச்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சிறுபேர ழைத்தனவும் சீறி யருளாதே,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>இறைவா, நீ தாராய் பறையேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.</em></strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-----Meaning-----</em></strong></div><br />
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</strong><br />
The Gopis address the Lord as “KuRai OnRum illAtha GovindhA!” and say “We are unsophisticated cowherdesses (aRiyAtha PiLLaikaLom) with the BhAgyam of having You born in our kulam (UnraNNai piRavi perumtanai puNNiyam yaamm udayOm). Out of affection, we have called you by inappropriate names (anbinAl unn tannai siRu per azhaitthanavum). We addressed You as NandhagOpan mahanE and other short names! Please do not be angry at us (seeRi aruLAthE) for that. Our relationship is indestructible (unthannOdu uRavu ozhikka ozhiyAthu). You are sEshi and we are sEshans. Even if we do not have seshathva Jn~Anam, the sEshathvam will not disappear. Sarva Jeeva seshathvam is incorporated in Your Pranavam. Therefore, Oh SarvEswaran who has descended from Sri Vaikuntam in the form of a human being to be with us and bless us! Please grant us the nithya Kaimkarya purushArtham!”.<br />
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The Lord's identity as “PrApya-PrApaka Sangrahan” (essence as means and goal) was revealed succinctly in the First verse (NaarAyaNE namakkE paRai tharuvAn) and that quintessential upadEsam is elaborated.<br />
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Following (pin senRu) the cows (kaRavai), after reaching (sErndhu) the forest (kaanam or kaanagam), we will eat (uNbOm). We, of the cowherd community (aay kulam) without (illaadha) any (onRum) enlightenment (aRivu); what good deeds (puNNiyam) do we (yaam) claim to our credit (udaiyOm) for having (peRundhanai) you (undhannai) born (piRavi) in our community? If we have no relation to you (uRavEl), we (namakku) will not be able (ozhiyaadhu) to bear (ozhikka) it here (ingu). We, the innocent (aRiyaadha) children (piLLai) call (azhai) you (unnai) using your short (siRu) names (pEr) out of affection (anbinaal). Please do not be angry (seeRi aruLaadhE). Oh Lord (iRaivaa)! Please give us (thaaraay) your word (paRai).<br />
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<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
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Oh blemishless Lord! What a great blessing for us that You are one with us! After all, we are unlettered clan of cowherds who tend cattle, sing carelessly and eat their food in the open. The bond between You and us can never be dissolved. If ever we have out of ignorance and our love for you, caused you hurt by calling you by names which belittle your unbounded magnificence, please do not take offence. Oh compassionate Lord, grant us the drum and eternal devotion to you!<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
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In the very first paasuram Sri ANDAL declared unequivocally that Sriman Narayana alone was the Means (UPAAYA) for getting emancipation and His Service. "NarayananE Taruvaan"- the "E" is very significant. Similarly Lord Krishna in His CHARAMA SLOKA commanded "Maam EKAM Saranam Vraja." - "EKAM" = Me ALONE. This is very well brought out By Sri Andal in this verse.<br />
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A Prapanna who firmly believes that the Lord alone is capable of putting an end to our ever-revolving cycle of births and deaths should possess SIX essential characteristics:<br />
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1. He should have no truck with any other "means" like Karmayoga etc (this is his AAKINCHANYA).<br />
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2. Moreover to observe such Yogas he does not have any legitimate right, as sanctioned by the Scriptures. He has to declare his "lowness". (ANANYAGATITVA)<br />
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3. He has to keep thinking constantly of the Fullness or unimaginable capabilities of Lord Almighty who is the "MOOLA SUKRITA".<br />
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4. He should concentrate on the indissoluble relationship that he has with God.<br />
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5. He should beg pardon of the Lord for all his countless acts of misbehavior in the past.<br />
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6. He should pray to God for the realization of his aspiration, namely Service to the Almighty.<br />
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Sri Andal in a very dramatic manner brings out all these in this verse.<br />
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Sri Krishna observed, "O Girls! When your aspiration is for the highest End - my Service (KAINKARYA), you must have also performed the prescribed rites for it like Karma Yoga etc. Have you done so?"<br />
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Gopis: (emphatically) No, O Lord! To perform them we should in the first place have learnt the Vedas by sitting at the holy feet of a great Acharya (Prasaanta- chittaaya samaanvitaya etc) reputed for his erudition and practice of rites. But our "gurus" are the milch cattle and our vocation is tending them to fill our stomachs. (KARAVAIGAL PIN SENRU etc) To add to this we are born of a race which has no claim for knowledge.(ARIVONRUMILOM)<br />
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Krishna: If that is the case I can't help you.<br />
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Gopis: We are imperfect creatures but your perfection should fill up this gap. (KURAIVONRUM etc)<br />
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Krishna: Now you claim a relationship with me, but this can be broken off very easily by performing a rite called "Ghata Sraaddha"<br />
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Gopis: That rite is applicable only to the relationships which are the result of Karma. But our relationship (namely the one between the Soul and God)is indissoluble either by you or us or both together. (UNTHANNODU etc)<br />
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Krishna: Now you correctly understand our relationship and call me "Govinda" signifying my being one amongst you. But in the past you have called me as 'Narayana" which has caused me considerable pain.(NOTE: NARAYANA indicates the Lord's relationship with every created being, prapanna as well as non-prapanna; where as GOVINDA was the title He received indicative of His special Accessibility(SOULABHYA) and compassion towards calves, cows and cowherds.)<br />
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Gopis: we apologize to you for this oversight on our part. But after all we are innocent cowherd girls. Out of our affection for you we lost our balance of mind. Please forgive us. (ARIYAADA PILLAIGALOM etc)<br />
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Krishna then summoned NAPPINNAI and ordered her to give them what they desired.<br />
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Gopis: No! She has played her role by recommending our case to you. (PURUSHAKAARATVA).Now it is your turn. You are the UPAAYA, the bestower of your very valuable and much sought-after Service.(NOTE: in a similar case Sri RAMANUJA in SARANAAGATI GADYA prayed to SRI LAKSHMI for intercession and when she said ,"Astu te; tayaiva sarvam sampatsyate", he proceeded to pray to the Lord for Kainkarya.) Please do it. (IRAIVA etc)<br />
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"Sriman Narayana charanau...etc" - the First Line of the DVAYA Mantra is well illustrated in this paasuram. The stanza needs to be understood with an elaborate explanation by an erudite Guru. The sum and substance of the stanza is that He alone is the sole Means of Salvation; and a person who has no claim for any Sat Karma as the Means of salvation and a refugee, alone is fit for surrendering himself unto the Lord.<br />
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<strong><em>Bhavam:</em></strong><br />
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In each paadam a distinct message is conveyed.<br />
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(1) "karavaikaL pinn senRu ghAnam sErnthuNpOm"), the Gopis describe themselves as the ones, who seek their livelihood by tending to cattle in the forests and thus do NOT have sath-Kaarya Phalan.<br />
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(2) "aRivonRumillA Aaikkulatthu", they reveal their unfitness (apakarsha anusandhAnam) to pursue Bhakthi, Jn~Ana Yogams. We are Tatthva-Hitha-PurushArtha Jn~Ana Soonyars. “Jn~AnEna Heena: pasubhi: samAna:”<br />
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(3) "piRavi peRumtanai puNNiyam yaam udayOm", they refer to the extraordinary BhAgyam of having KrishNA born as sajAthIyan in their Kulam.<br />
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(4) the Gopis address Him as “KuRaivonRumillatha GovindhA”. They celebrate here the moola Sukrutham (the fundamental, quintessential bhAgyam) of Isvara GuNa Poorthy (PrApya-Prapaka sangrahathvam and GuNa Thungathvam).<br />
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(5) "UnRannOduravEl namakku inku ozhikka ozhiyAthu", the Gopis celebrate the sambhandha Jn~Anam<br />
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(6) "aRiyAtha piLLaikaLOm anbinAl", the Gopis identify themselves as the little country girls without awareness of lOka maryAdhai and without Bhakthi or Jn~Anam.<br />
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(7) "UnraNNai siRu pEr azhaithtanavum sseRi aruLAthE", the Gopis seek PoorvAparAdha KshAmanam (forgiveness for previous trespasses).<br />
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(8) the Gopis address te Lord as “IRaivA” and request for Kaimkarya sampath (Nee ThArAi parai). Here UpAya apEkshai is made.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-8834548215181894592011-03-29T05:30:00.000-07:002011-03-29T05:30:28.880-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram27<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8H-VYoSYV4b9DAdK4nc8MMnEwguAeASHQbNSxJfwU8A4Trfi0RjfH2KJqfJm9I70Rj4r4j7Jvrd3cHwsTa1dKKuM391SjLPdAVhUHjcMu1zxTpIgVwQ8bbRpTKVFms7faEiAnpQCgb5u/s1600/27-koodare-vellum.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8H-VYoSYV4b9DAdK4nc8MMnEwguAeASHQbNSxJfwU8A4Trfi0RjfH2KJqfJm9I70Rj4r4j7Jvrd3cHwsTa1dKKuM391SjLPdAVhUHjcMu1zxTpIgVwQ8bbRpTKVFms7faEiAnpQCgb5u/s1600/27-koodare-vellum.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>koodaarai vellum seer gOvindhaa undhannai(p)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>paadi(p) paRai kondu yaam peRum sammaanam</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>naadu pugazhum parisinaal nanRaaga(ch)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>choodagamE thOL vaLaiyE thOdE sevip poovE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>paadagamE enRanaiya palagalanum yaam aNivOm</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>aadai uduppOm adhan pinnE paaR chORu</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>mooda ney peydhu muzhangai vazhi vaara(k)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>koodi irundhu kuLirndhElOr embaavaay</em></strong></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>கூடாரை வெல்லுஞ்சீர்க் கோவிந்தா! உன்தன்னை</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பாடிப் பறைகொண்டு யாம்பெறும் சம்மானம்;</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>நாடு புகழும் பரிசினால் நன்றாக,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சூடகமே தோள்வளையே தோடே செவிப்பூவே</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பாடகமே யென்றனைய பல்கலனும் யாம் அணிவோம்;</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>ஆடை உடுப்போம்; அதன்பின்னே பாற்சோறு(*)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>மூடநெய் பெய்து முழங்கை வழிவார</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>கூடியிருந்து குளிர்ந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்</em></strong></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-----Meaning-----</em></strong> </div><br />
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The Paavai Nonbhu is nearing completion. Andal thinks about SanmAnam (sambhAvanai) from the Lord for the Gopis, who observed this Vratham. <br />
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The exultation of the Gopis is expressed by them, when the Lord listens to their appeal and fulfills their desires). Oh Lord GovindhA! You have the benign supremacy of winning over Your opponents. We shall get the drum (paRai) from You, the sakthi to sing eulogies about You. Thus, we get the reward of great eclat and glory of all the worlds. We will adorn ourselves with many ornaments: bracelets, shoulder ornaments, ear-studs and rings, ornaments in the form of flowers (at the vertex of the ear), anklets et al. We will wear new clothes (as You give us Your divine company). (getting Your personal contact) we will be very joyous, eat food prepared using milk with sumptuous ghee -- (a) that envelops it, and (b) that is flowing so much as to spill over (through one's forearm) up to our elbows, when one eats a morsel of food (ksheerAnnam). (Through the contact with You) We shall ever be united and thus become cool in heart and stay joyous. Great (seer from siRandha) Govinda (gOvindhaa) who wins (vellum) against the enemies (koodaarai)! If you ask us what gift (sammaanam) we (yaam) want to obtain (peRum) for singing (paadi) about you (undhanai) and chanting your names in public (paRai kondu); We (yaam) will wear (aNivOm) jewels worthy (parisinaal) of being praised (pugazhum) by the whole country (naadu), bracelet (choodagam), shoulder (thOL) oranaments (vaLai), earrings (thOdu), ear 'maattal' (sevip poo), anklets (paadagam), and many (pala) other (anaiya) ornaments (kalan) like (enRu) those. We will dress up (uduppOm) with beautiful clothes (aadai). There (adhan) afterwards (pinnE) all of us together (koodi irundhu) will enjoy (kuLirndhElOr) the milk (paal) and rice (chORu) covered (mooda) and dripping (peydhu) in Ghee (ney) flowing (vazhivaara) down to our elbows (muzhangai). (This refers to kaNNamudhu or paayasam).<br />
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<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
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Oh Lord! The protector of cows! You overwhelm your enemies with your valour and virtues! The rewards we get by singing your praise and getting the drum (for spreading your word) are no less than those which the whole country commends us for. Now that our austerities have borne fruit, we shall bedeck ourselves with sparkling jewellery bangles, armlets, anklets and ear-rings. We shall dress ourselves in lovely robes. And then, with Nappinnai and yourself, we shall sit down for a gorgeous meal of rice cooked in milk and suffused with ghee. That will be our bliss!<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
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Sri Krishna,after hearing their list of articles needed for the vow said- "O girls! If there is a God equal to Me then you may find a conch equal to my Paanchajanya. You have asked for 'many conches' I can give the conch blown at the temple PULLARAYAN KOIL you mentioned in St.6, and the one I used to blow to bring back the cattle from grazing and my Paanchajanya. "As regards PARAI - I can give the kettle drum JAAMBAVAAN beat when I measured the whole universe; and the huge drum beaten to celebrate my victory at Lanka;and the big one I tie to my waist to attract all girls to my dance of the pots (Kudakkoottu). "PALLAANDU ISAIPPAAR - are your father Sri Vishnuchittar and Sri Nammaazhwaar. " KOLAVILAKKU - is Nappinnai; KODI - Garuda; and VITAANAM (canopy) is Ananta. Are you satisfied? Now you may go."<br />
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Gopis - "These are for the observance of our vow. But after the vow we have to receive certain honours. They are exclusively for us. You have to give them to all to us."<br />
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This is the prayer of ANDAL in this paasuram; the inner meaning being MUKTA BHOGA - the delivered soul's enjoyment in the Lord's company at Sri Vaikuntha.<br />
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Incidentally Andal leaves a message for posterity. The Lord can punish a soul for a wrong only if the soul is not prepared to take refuge unto Him i.e., only as long the soul is bent on protecting himself by himself.<br />
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The moment he accepts His protection, the Lord cannot punish him for his sins. This is the means to secure a victory over him. This is the inner meaning of the first line KOODAARAI VELLUM SEER. For ex: 1) Parasurama, instead of confronting Rama with a bow and losing, could have come with clasped hands, and won. This, perhaps he was not aware of. 2) Ravana was allowed by Rama to get back to his palace when he had lost everything and stood there unable to defend himself. He came back the next day fully furnished with chariot and weapons, and lost his life.Had he come without weapons he could have conquered Rama. Gopis won Him over by their humble submission to Him.<br />
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The ornaments referred to in this stanza are ornaments not only for the body but the soul also. The food (SORU) is the Lord; ghee and milk are His virtues (KALYANAGUNA). MUKTA BHOGA is the quintessence of this stanza.<br />
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<strong><em><u>Bhavam:</u></em></strong><br />
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KoodAr: These, who are not with the Lord are of four kinds: (a) those with no Jn~Anam at all about EmperumAn (b) Those who chase after material things (c) Those who do not comprehend the soulabhyam (ease of access) guNam of the Lord and stay away from Him (d) those, who can not stand His vaibhavam and are resentful .<br />
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KoodArai vellum seer GovindhA: With His anantha kalyANa gunams (seer), the Lord wins them all over, one by one. He has different prescriptions as Viadhya Veera Raaghavan for each of the vimukhA patients though His The guNams like Souryam, Souseelyam, Soundharyam. Even IndrA, who sent a deluge of rain at Govardhanam ended up recognizing the Supermacy of the Lord & performed Govindha-PattAbhishEkam. Govindhan defeats the KoodAr and is defeated in turn by the Koodinavar through their Bhakthi/ prapatthi anushtAnams. He becomes YathOkthakAri to those devotees (Koodinavar). ANDAL points out that the Lord incarnates to bring back the erring Jeevans under His sway; they stayed away earlier from Him and suffered as a result of their separation from Him. He could not bear with their sufferings. They (vimukhAs) observe later (thru a sadAchAryan) upAya anushtAnam (prapatthi) and get rewarded with parisukaL (SammAnam) that are coveted by the people of world (yaam perum sammAnam nadu puhazhum parisinAl). AntharyAmyAradhanam is celebrated (Bhunjan chinthaya GOVINDHAM). Those who take SaathvIka aahAram with Govindha naamam get the benefits of satthva-JnAnam (Aaahara Suddhou sathtva Sudhdi:, sathva suddhou dhruvA Smruthi:)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-27652606708605840392011-03-29T05:20:00.000-07:002011-04-05T00:02:17.390-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram26<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH0KTkbt5aIAml1MpqFpklhCFpx7PMNRjM-VpHWJPqaSsT5CMCOeo9rUlD5NNT8tPqIIYgts_lltOnJm0SKfydP0yUA0RXgb-mIn6QuL8Ko2qqqK8uz4B8EzMjxxKkwVlr1ny86AESKPb/s1600/26-male-manivanna.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH0KTkbt5aIAml1MpqFpklhCFpx7PMNRjM-VpHWJPqaSsT5CMCOeo9rUlD5NNT8tPqIIYgts_lltOnJm0SKfydP0yUA0RXgb-mIn6QuL8Ko2qqqK8uz4B8EzMjxxKkwVlr1ny86AESKPb/s1600/26-male-manivanna.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>maalE! maNivaNNaa! maargazhi neeraaduvaan</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>mElaiyaar seyvanagaL vEnduvana kEttiyEl</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>NYaalaththai ellaam nadunga muralvana</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>paal anna vaNNaththu un paancha sanniyamE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>pOlvana sankangaL pOy(p) paadudaiyanavE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>saala(p) perum paRaiyE pallaandu isaippaarE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kOla viLakkE kodiyE vidhaanamE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>aalin ilaiyaay aruLElOr embaavaay</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwA7AOUwHjGvvdkg-DuE6EXm7s_KiXo4QsL4vjI2dnLg7d8MjopP19iD4oNRI5svdaFaDQgRMvR1nBsjRAm3e6vGIFTzCNm_ai1XfXqul6r1KUB_YObUwlOcwMAuSjzDF8t8pdGpX4s_9/s1600/26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwA7AOUwHjGvvdkg-DuE6EXm7s_KiXo4QsL4vjI2dnLg7d8MjopP19iD4oNRI5svdaFaDQgRMvR1nBsjRAm3e6vGIFTzCNm_ai1XfXqul6r1KUB_YObUwlOcwMAuSjzDF8t8pdGpX4s_9/s400/26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>மாலே! மணிவண்ணா! மார்கழிநீ ராடுவான்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>மேலையார் செய்வனகள் வேண்டுவன கேட்டியேல்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>ஞாலத்தை யெல்லாம் நடுங்குமுரல்வன</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பாலன்ன வண்ணத்துள் பாஞ்சசன்னியமே</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>போல்வன சங்கங்கள் போய்ப்பாடுடையனவே,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சாலப்பெரும் பறையே, பல்லாண் டிசைப்பாரே,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>கோல விளக்கே, கொடியே, விதானமே,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>ஆலின் இலையாய்! அருளேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-----Meaning-----</em></strong></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Here, the young gOpis request the granting of drum, lamp, flag, canopy et al). Oh the embodiment of pure disinterested love! Oh Lord of wonderful colour of the blue sapphire gem! May You listen to us (1) who perform the “bathing during Maargazhi”, an observance the great ancient people followed and (2) who are in the need of following SIX things (for the vratham): (a) superior conches similar to Your great Paanchajanyam, which have the white hue of milk and which through their tumultuous sound shakes all the worlds (b) giant size drums/bhEris (c) PallANDu singers (d)decorative lamps (e) dhvajam-banner& flags and (f) a big canopy. </div><br />
Oh Lord MaayAvin! the One who just reposed as a baby on a banyan leaf (Vatapathra-saayin) in the waters of PraLayam! Kindly bless us with these six vrathOpakaraNams through Your limitless grace.<br />
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Lord as “MaalE” is to depict the Lord's unlimited love and concern for the Jeevan. It is the stand-in for the word” Maam” (MAmEkam SaraNam Vraja) in the Charama SlOkam. Similarly “AalinilayAi” in the final paadham refers to His immense prowess as revealed by the word “AHAM” in charama slOkam.<br />
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Oh Lord (maale! maNi vaNNaa! aalin ilaiyaay! ) If you ask us (kEttiyEl) what we want (vEnduvana); Bless us (aruLElOr) to endure the penance (neeraaduvaan) as done (seyvanagaL) by elders (mElaiyaar) in the month of december/january (margazhi); We need conchs (sankangal) like (pOlvana) your (un) own milky white (paalanna vaNNaththu) paancha sanyam, the sound (muralvana) of which makes the whole (ellaam) universe (Nyaalam) tremble (nadunga); powerful (pOy paadudaiyana) very (chaala) big (perum) drums (paRai); those who sing (isaippaar) the 'Tamil paasurams'(pallaandu). (The aazhvaar paasuram recitals start with the recital of pallaandu); decorative (kOla) lamps (viLakku); flags (kodi) and other decorations (vidhaanamE).<br />
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<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
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God, you are the embodiment of pure love for your devotees! Oh Lord with the fascinating blue colour of Saphire! Please listen to us as we prepare ourselves for the sacred river-bath in the serene month of Maargazhi! In keeping with the traditions set up by our great forbears, we require, for our austerities, conches similar to your Paanchajanya, shining white like milk and which produces sound that threatens to shatter the entire universe. Also big drums, a group of musicians who would sing your glories, decorative lamps, flags and canopies. Lord, the light of the race of cowherds! You who recline on the banyan leaf, as a child, at the time of the great deluge, please grant us our request!<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
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Lord Krishna: "O Gopis! Your words are self-contradictory. You say you have come for getting materials for the NONBU, and in the same breath that it is for enjoying my company. Those who desire my company need to eschew all other desires. Moreover what is this vow you mention? Who has prescribed it and what are the accessories needed?"<br />
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Gopis - "The cowherds proposed this vow. As it came in handy to see your face and sing your glory and as it is in no way opposed to our primary purpose of enjoying your company we readily responded. We do it also to express our gratitude towards these cowherds who have brought about our union under this pretext.<br />
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"Although there is no direct Vedic injunction, we do it because our ancestors have done it (Melayaar seyvanagal). We give more importance to the practices of our very learned ancestors, than to any other injunctions."<br />
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Age old customs, traditions and practices of our Acharyas are to be respected and observed with great care – is the message of Andal in this paasuram. By enumerating all the accessories for the Nonbu, Andal is actually speaking about SAAMYAAPATTI- where the delivered soul gets emblems similar to the Lord's in Sri Vaikuntha; and the warm welcome it receives there after casting off this human mantle.<br />
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MAALE -depicts the LORD's excessive, boundless and unlimited loving care and affection for the soul. It is the meaning of MAAM in Geeta Charama Sloka.<br />
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AALINILAYAAY -mentioning His immeasurable and most wonderful prowess brings out the sense of AHAM in the same sloka. MAAM shows His SOULABHYA (accessibility) and AHAM His omnipotence.<br />
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<strong><u><em>Bhavam:</em></u></strong><br />
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We perform hrudh-Yaagam (mAnasIka aarAdhanam) first and then engage in BhAhyArAdhanam (external aarAdhanam). Latter has six steps (aasanams) as established by sishtAgresarars (done by the leaders of righteous conduct: mElayAr seyvanakaL). The word group “mElayAr seyvanakaL vENDuvana” is the essence of this paasuram, where sishtAchAram (Conductof the noble ones)is celebrated as the way to follow, whenever one is in doubt.<br />
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The six Aasanams are: (1) manthrAsanam (2) SnAnAsanam (3)alankArAsanam (4) bhOjyAsanam (5) punar-manthrAsanam and (6) paryankAsanam. We have to seat the Lord in each of the six aasanams and offer upachArams. <br />
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The six accessories desired by Gopis for the AaarAdhanam match with the six aasanams: <br />
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(1) blowing of the conch (pranava nAtham) <br />
(2) Vadhya ghOsham performed Thirumanjanam <br />
(3) manthra pushpam and recitation of aruLiccheyalkaL & Vedic chanting. This is equivalent to singing PallANDu <br />
(4) The samarpaNam of NaivEdhyam for the Lord is known as lighting a lamp <br />
(5) vij~nApanam is made whether the Lord desires any sanchaaram on Garudan, His kodi (Dhvajam) and <br />
(6) the vidhAnam (canopy) is spread over the Lord's bed. <br />
<br />
Thus, the six upakaraNams (Sankhu, Parai, PallANDU-isaippAr, Kola ViLakku, Kodi and VidhAnam) are mappable to the six Aasanams prescribed for the six stages of external AarAdhanam for the Lord.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-31788527933941656062011-03-29T05:12:00.000-07:002011-03-29T05:12:08.371-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram25<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-wF9_lV_HXodfA_un5dYju0oFxtNH4_XT75yq4Rk998C9FX_nQs35zRNCRjs6bo484MFbbs1Atd4WY1R2xsHHQPAvMHfHRfqI_6UY6jU2kyP_KRrhHc2_w3mcyv16dH-hsn9-Q4-Wq1D/s1600/25-orrutti.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-wF9_lV_HXodfA_un5dYju0oFxtNH4_XT75yq4Rk998C9FX_nQs35zRNCRjs6bo484MFbbs1Atd4WY1R2xsHHQPAvMHfHRfqI_6UY6jU2kyP_KRrhHc2_w3mcyv16dH-hsn9-Q4-Wq1D/s1600/25-orrutti.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>oruththi maganaay(p) piRandhu Or iravil</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>oruththi maganaay oLiththu vaLara(th)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>tharikkilaan aagi(th) thaan theengu ninaindha</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>karuththai(p) pizhaippiththu(k) kanchan vayitril</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>neruppenna ninRa nedumaalE!, unnai</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>aruththiththu vandhOm paRai tharudhiyaagil</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>thiruththakka selvamum sEvagamum yaam paadi</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>varuththamum theerndhu magizhndhElOr embaavaay</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkb4jwwzSgC6zw09ISRN4qNGe21tPD5ghdN9kt-TB7e4EM_3mMjjwBL2Fsr0ls6FwVueDXAJ__kow9R4uIA5xBZplVAcFjvP2JRYhr2yY4jBxF32c_QlT2uHyeO-eU6zL_Jbb3eZngfug/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkb4jwwzSgC6zw09ISRN4qNGe21tPD5ghdN9kt-TB7e4EM_3mMjjwBL2Fsr0ls6FwVueDXAJ__kow9R4uIA5xBZplVAcFjvP2JRYhr2yY4jBxF32c_QlT2uHyeO-eU6zL_Jbb3eZngfug/s400/25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>ஒருத்தி மகனாய்ப் பிறந்து ஓரிரவில்</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>ஒருத்தி மகனாய் ஒளித்து வளர,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>தரிக்கிலா னாகித் தான் தீங்கு நினைந்த</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>கருத்தைப் பிழைப்பித்துக் கஞ்சன் வயிற்றில்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>நெருப்பென்ன நின்ற நெடுமாலே! உன்னை</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>அருத்தித்து வந்தோம்; பறைதருதி யாகில்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>திருத்தக்க செல்வமும் சேவகமும் யாம்பாடி</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>வருத்தமுந் தீர்ந்து மகிழ்ந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.</em></strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-------Meaning-------</em></strong></div><br />
<br />
Lord KrishNA's avathAra rahasyam is being celebrated here. He is “ajAyamAno BahudhA vijAyathE” (He manifests Himself in many forms although He has no birth). “Devaki mahanAi piRanthu, YasOdhai mahanAi” vaLarnthAn. Swamy NammAzhwAr addresses Him as “piRantha MaayA” (A master-trickster taking birth in this world as one of us) in a ThiruvAimozhi paasuram.<br />
<br />
Orutthi mahanAi piRanthu, Oriravil Orutthi mahanAi oLitthu vaLara”. By choosing the word, “Oriravil”, ANDAL reminds us that the dark night of His birth is the same rainy night, when the waters of YamunA receded to let Him enter Gokuam to take residence (“piRantha nadu nisiyum, puhuntha nadu nisiyum onRE”) in Gokulam.<br />
<br />
AchAryAs are said to be born in Gayathri and to grow up in AshtAkshari; they are also said to be born in Thrumanthiram and grow up in Dhvayam. This AchAryan, who is JagadAchAryan revealing His avathAra rahasyam was born to One and grew up with another.<br />
<br />
Oh Lord (nedumaal), who was born (piRandhu) one (Or) night (iravu) as a son (magan) of one lady (oruththi) and grew up (vaLara) hiding (oLiththu) as the son (magan) of one other lady (oruththi); You made the idea (karuththu) of Kamsa (kanchan), who could not withstand (tharikkilaan aagi) you and thought of (ninaindha) harming (theengu) you (thaam), useless (pizhaipiththu) and stood (ninRa) like a fire (neruppenna) in his belly (vayitril). We have come (vandhOm) with a vital desire (aruththi, arundhu = drink, absorb) towards you (unnai). If you emancipate us (paRai tharudhiyaagil), we will be free of (theerndhu) our sorrows (varuththam) and we (yaam) will happily (magizhndhu) sing (paadi) about your service (sEvagam) and about the beauty (selvam) of your suitable (thakka) match Lakshmi (thiru).<br />
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<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
<br />
Oh Lord of the three worlds! Born of the matchless Queen Devaki, you were taken on the same night in concealment to Gokulam, to be brought up by another peerless noble woman, Yasodha. The evil King Kamsa who would not bear the thought of your growing up, tried many stratagems to harm you. But you foiled all his wily schemes virtually tormenting him like in his stomach. We have come to beseech you for favours. If only you could condescend to give us the drum, we would sing extolling your great prosperity befitting your consort, Mahaalakshmi and your valorous deeds. And then we will rejoice with all our pining coming to an end.<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
<br />
Lord Krishna after hearing their mangalaasaasana said with a melting heart and an affectionate tone: "O girls! By your birth (as the daughter of Periyaazhwaar) you are ever interested in my welfare and pray for that. You have all come here braving the biting cold and unmindful of your health. Have you anything else on your mind except PARAI (accessories for the NONBU rite)?"<br />
<br />
Gopis replied: "We have come under the pretext of petitioning you for the accessories, but actually our request is for your Service only."<br />
<br />
Lord Krishna: "I may find it difficult to grant your request immediately. After all it is not all that simple. There may be so many impediments in the way."<br />
<br />
Gopis: "You were born as the son of Devaki and on the same night you became the son of Yasoda. To the former you gave the pleasure of giving birth to you(avataara rasa), and to the latter the pleasure of enjoying your sport (leela-rasa).Having falsified Kamsa's evil intentions and you made them fall on his own head. All this you did because of your love for your votaries. So nothing is impossible for you. You can do away with all obstructions. The only thing needed is that you should have the mind to bless us with your Service."<br />
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<strong><em><u>Bhavam</u></em></strong><br />
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As UttamAdhikAris, the Gopis knew of this Bhakthi/Prapatthi route to the Lord and declared in His presence “Unnai arutthitthu vanthOm, parai taruthiyAhil, Thiruttakka selvamum sEvakamum yaamm paadi, vaarutthamum theernthu MahizhvOm” <br />
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We have woken up all the gOpis and we have come in a state of great purity to You seeking the greatest of purushArthams. If You would grant us the boons sought by us, we will sing about the great and matching wealth of You and Your PirAtti and engage in sEvaka vruthti to You both and be rid of all of our dukkhams and attain bliss (BrahmAnandham). <br />
“uRREn uhanthu paNi seythu unn paadham peRREn” is One AzhvAr's Sri Sookthi (adiyEn became dear to You and joyfully performed kaimkaryam for You and attained the parama bhAgyam of Your sacred feet). The Gopis say in this context: “Thirutthakka Selvamum, sEvakamum yaam paadi, varutthamum theernthu mahizhvOm”.<br />
Lord KrishNa talks about those born to divine destiny (dhaivI sampadhi) and the others born to demonic destiny (aasuri bhUthA:). The Gopis are the dearest to Him since they have dhaivI sampadhi. The Lord resides in their Hrudh puNDarIkams with great vaathsalyam. Kamsan and his ilk are the aasuri (demonic) type and the lord stays inside their stomach as huge fire (Kanjan karutthai pizhaipitthu vayiRRil neruppu yenna ninRa NedumAlE) to destroy them.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-48792254070114683392011-03-29T05:01:00.000-07:002011-03-29T05:01:34.820-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram24<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WnwEyxEqiybWvv8CH2DdX_BwJNBE4sJABvG7Ybd4Su5vmzinja7TNH32U6_ByZ0cIdxehwCMMB4YSxFNpTT_4xYBrM46Hcq6TUnRm2pIAmRgnZpHNqZnNlR1V-m5EjUXtjYPCui3l2rV/s1600/24-anru-iva-ulagam.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WnwEyxEqiybWvv8CH2DdX_BwJNBE4sJABvG7Ybd4Su5vmzinja7TNH32U6_ByZ0cIdxehwCMMB4YSxFNpTT_4xYBrM46Hcq6TUnRm2pIAmRgnZpHNqZnNlR1V-m5EjUXtjYPCui3l2rV/s1600/24-anru-iva-ulagam.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>anRu iv ulagam aLandhaay adi pOtri</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>senRangu(th) then ilangai setraay thiRal pOtri</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>ponRa(ch) chakatam udhaiththaay pugazh pOtri</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kanRu kuNil aaveRindhaay kazhal pOtri</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kunRu kudaiyaay eduththaay guNam pOtri</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>venRu pagai kedukkum nin kaiyil vEl pOtri</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>enRenRum un sEvagamE Eththi(p) paRai koLvaan</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>inRu yaam vandhOm irangElOr embaavaay</em></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIUJSnPucqOqVBMBxhO8TUx4MxNhZ2Es52FBMzvbuWhQNS8MdGQU1RJJQVpfm1E7NQPF0bHfh4Qi1iZ1qypKWeBWcFJcjgIrVSngjS1_SLiMv5ektJK8qUAp3FGAjLSsggQTLcmTLsjqJ/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIUJSnPucqOqVBMBxhO8TUx4MxNhZ2Es52FBMzvbuWhQNS8MdGQU1RJJQVpfm1E7NQPF0bHfh4Qi1iZ1qypKWeBWcFJcjgIrVSngjS1_SLiMv5ektJK8qUAp3FGAjLSsggQTLcmTLsjqJ/s400/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>அன்று இவ்வுலகம் அளந்தாய்! அடிபோற்றி,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சென்றங்குத் தென்னிலங்கை செற்றாய்! திறல்போற்றி,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பொன்றச் சகடம் உதைத்தாய்! புகழ்போற்றி,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>கன்று குணிலா எறிந்தாய்! கழல்போற்றி,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>குன்று குடையா எடுத்தாய்! குணம்போற்றி,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>வென்று பகைகெடுக்கும் நின்கையில் வேல்போற்றி,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>என்றென்று உன்சேவகமே ஏத்திப் பறைகொள்வான்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>இன்றுயாம் வந்தோம், இரங்கேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.</strong></em></div><strong><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>---- MEANING ----</em></strong></div><strong><br />
</strong>Slowly and gradually, the young gopis could find Lord KrishNA (1) sleeping (2) getting up and (3) walking towards them. They perform mangaLAsAsanam for His ThiruvadigaL: “Earlier--on that day You measured this Universe (with this pair of feet); (now we hail) protection and glory to such a pair of Your feet. You went there to LankA in the Southern region and killed RaavaNA, the aparAdhi; (we proclaim) protection and glory to Your enormous vanquishing power. You gave a kick to sakatAsurA destroyed Him with Your Thiruvadi; You threw the calf (vathsAsuran) like a fierce rock-like stick against KappittAsuran, who had taken the form of a wood-apple tree, and kileed both. (we hail) glory and safety to Your victorious anklet and feet. You have lifted aloft the GovardhanA mountain just as an umbrella; (we sing) hail and safety to Your pristine merits and grace. You hold in Your hand, a powerful spear that completely subjugates and eradicates Your enemies; (we sing) ‘hail and glory to that spear in Your hand’. <br />
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We have come to Your side today now to offer our prayers and to seek the drum (paRai) from You, So Please be compassionate to us, who seek eternal Kaimkaryam to You”.<br />
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We worship (pOtri) your feet (adi) with which you scaled (aLandhaay) this (iv) world (ulagam) once (anRu). (vaamanaavathaaram). We worship (pOtri) your valour (thiRal) with which you conquered (setraay) southern (then) Lanka (ilangai) after going (senRu) there (angu). (raamaavathaaram). We worship (pOtri) your fame (pugazh) that you obtained by kicking (udhaiththaay) and destroying (ponRu) the wheel (chakatam) shaped asura. We worship (pOtri) your feet (kazhal) with which you threw (eRindhaay) the calf (kanRu) shaped asura 'vatsaasuran', at the ebony tree (aa) shaped asura 'kapithaasuran', like a sling (kuNil). We worship (pOtri) your good nature (guNam) for having lifted (eduththay) the hillock (kunRu) like an umbrella (kudai), to protect people against the great rain. (krishNaavathaaram). We worship (pOtri) the spear (vEl) on your (nin) hand (kai), with which you win (venRu) and destroy (kedukkum) the enemies (pagai). Today (inRu) we (yaam) have come (vandhOm) just for your (un) service (sEvakamE) and praise (Eththu) in all these ways (enRenRum), so that we may be emancipatated (paRai kOlvaan). Please show us your mercy (irangEl).<br />
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<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
<br />
Time was when you measured the three worlds with your two feet! Glory to you, Oh Lord! You strode into Lanka in the south and destroyed the evil Raakshasa, Raavana! Glory to your valour, Oh Lord!<br />
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As child Krishna, you kicked the cart with your tender feet and destroyed the demon Sakataasura (in disguise)! Glory to you, Oh Lord! Did you not use the demon Vatsaasura who came in the guise of a calf, as a missile, to destroy demon Kapiththaasura as well, who had taken the form of a wood-apple tree? Glory to you, the matchless Lord!<br />
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Who can forget your great deed of lifting the Govardhana hill and holding it as an umbrella for saving the cowherds from the deluge caused by the irate Indira? Hail to you, Oh Lord! For your compassion! Glory to the spear in your Hands which works the destruction of your foes! We are at your service at all times. Bless our Nonbu! Shower your grace on us!<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
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In days of yore Arjuna ordered Sri Krishna, on the holy battlefield of Kurukshetra, to park his chariot in between the array of the two armies and the charioteer did so. So also now the Gopis earnestly solicited Him to walk out and embellish the royal throne by occupying it. He did it. When He stirred out all the Gopis with Nappinnai followed Him with prayers for His safety (Mangalaasaa-sanam)and when He sat on the throne held His feet with their very tender hands and pressed them to their heart and eyes with veneration. They beheld quickly the change in hue (i.e., the feet became very red owing to the strain of walking and being pressed by their soft hands gently).<br />
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This reminded them of Sri Krishna's former heroic feat of measuring the whole universe with His very delicate feet. They thought they were also as cruel-hearted as Indra and the devas who never thought about His tender-ness (Saukumaarya).<br />
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That Andal is the very worthy daughter of Periyaazhwar is proved in this verse. She says: "O Lord! You measured this universe for the sake of Indra, who was intent on getting back his kingdom; while Bali was after fame. No one gave a thought to your tenderness; so we have come to pray that you must be free from all evils.<br />
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Ravana was worse; he had neither the generosity nor the aesthetic sense of Bali. Just like entering a cave and waking up and fighting a wild beast you walked to Lanka and fought with him. Hence we are afraid for you.<br />
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That was when you were 37 years of age. What about the asura who entered the cart which was there to protect you, at the time when you were an infant and unable to distinguish between friend and foe? So we fear all the more for that.<br />
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Then two asuras assuming the guise of a calf and fruit tried to put an end to your life. They were hidden enemies. We fear that all the more.<br />
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These were evil acts by your foes; but what about Indra for whom you strained every nerve? He suddenly became an adversary, for the flimsy reason that you consumed his food, and rained stony rain for seven days. You lifted up the mountain and saved the entire Gokulam.<br />
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UN SEVAKAME - only your (Krishna's) heroic feat. But it may be remarked that in this paasuram Andal has sung the glory of Vamana, Rama and Krishna. However there is no contradiction here because they were all His own previous births. Similarly her father Sri Vishnuchitta sings of them all - "Varuga varuga inge Vamana nambi.kariya kuzhal. Kaakutta nambi etc." As Sri Nanjeeyar delectably puts it, "Both father and daughter had the habit of building dams after all the water had flown through to the sea."<br />
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<strong><em><u>Bhavam</u></em></strong><br />
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We have arrived today to sing pallANDu for Your valorous deeds in Vibhavam and to seek eternal kaimkaryam to You in Parama Padham (YenRenRum unn sEvakamE yEtthi parai koLLa inRu yaamm vanthOm). Please have dayA for us (irangu).<br />
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We hail the spear like, sharp-edged sankalpam of Yours, which banishes obstructions to gaining Moksha Siddhi (venRu pahai kedukkum ninn kaiyill vEL pORRi). We hail Your lofty guNams as Sri VaikuntanAthan as the SarvEsvaran seated under the white umbrella (yEka ChakrAdhipathi with svEtha Chathram); {kunRu kudayAi yedutthAi guNam pORRi} in Parama Padham. We hail your heroic deeds that destroy like a powerful daNdam thrown at our PuNya Paapams (KuNilA kanRu yeRinthAi, Kazhal pORRi). “Sakatam ponRa uthaitthAi puhazh pORRi”: we hail Your glories that destroy the manOrathams of Jeevans, which are the causes behind the naraga-Svarga anubhavams! “angu senRu tenn Ilankai seRRAi thiRal poRRi”: Hail to Your sakthi which is manifested through Your presence in the universe as antharyAmi, VibhavAtharan and AchAryan and for conferring the power of vivEkam to ward off the moksha virOdhis! “anRu ivvulaham aLanthAi adip pORRi”: Hail to Thee, who created all these Universes and their beings and for making Your Thiruvadi as UpAyam for our Prapatthi! We are eulogizing Your powers of creation, power to control our sanchala manas, power of Your guNams that save us from enjoying the fruits of Paapa-puNyams, power to banish mOksha VirOdhis. We beseech You through our prayers to give us the VrathOpakaranams and to listen to our request for eternal kaimkaryam at Your feet; have mercy on us.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-3894474752613950822011-03-29T04:54:00.000-07:002011-03-29T04:54:40.434-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram23<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcyu_9ufLQ3WehqqQYPzGDstJOZ7Lj47NeDVku5tz4cBn4j8sL7rkIXKyDYoL94ZEz4LqGkELaPtfwoa4YD_FNTuzTJLy-tlTSMczJgjlRFSLT9Yz7DLdW-vPn7mZzSyjNIlDQvEuE91L/s1600/23-marimalai.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcyu_9ufLQ3WehqqQYPzGDstJOZ7Lj47NeDVku5tz4cBn4j8sL7rkIXKyDYoL94ZEz4LqGkELaPtfwoa4YD_FNTuzTJLy-tlTSMczJgjlRFSLT9Yz7DLdW-vPn7mZzSyjNIlDQvEuE91L/s1600/23-marimalai.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>maari malai muzhainchil manni(k) kidandhu uRangum</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>seeriya singam aRivutru(th) thee vizhiththu</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>vEri mayir ponga eppaadum pErndhu udhaRi</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>moori nimirndhu muzhangi(p) puRappattu(p)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>pOdharumaa pOlE nee poovaippoo vaNNaa un</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kOyil ninRu iNGNGanE pOndharuLi(k) kOppudaiya</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>seeriya singaasanaththu irundhu yaam vandha</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kaariyam aaraayndhu aruLElOr embaavaay</em></strong></div><br />
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<strong><em>மாரிமலை முழைஞ்சில் மன்னிக் கிடந்துறங்கும்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சீரியசிங்கம் அறிவுற்றுத் தீவிழித்து,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>வேரிமயிர் பொங்க எப்பாடும் பேர்ந்துதறி,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>மூரிநிமிர்ந்து முழங்கிப் புறப்பட்டுப்,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>போதருமா போலேநீ பூவைப்பூவண்ணா! உன்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>கோயில்நின்றும் இங்ஙனே போந்தருளிக் கோப்புடைய</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சீரியசிங் காசனத்திருந்து யாம்வந்த</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>காரியம் ஆராய்ந் தருளேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>---- MEANING ----</em></strong></div><br />
In the words of the Young girls, ANDAL describes how the Lord should majestically come out of His chamber). Just as the majestic lion (Seeriya Singam) crouching in sleep inside the mountain-cave during the rainy season, on becoming awake, opens its fire-emitting eyes, (looks all around as the King of beasts), sizes vigorously the locks of hairs of its fragrant manes standing erect, shakes itself up, gets up majestically, comes out of the cave with a loud roar (simha Naatham), even so, May You, the Lord of enchanting bluish hue of KaayAmpoo flower, emerge from Your holy shrine (aasthAnam) and come out this way--blessing us by the darsanasoubhAgyam of Your gait --and be seated on the perfectly suited and well-deserving throne; and then, May You kindly look into the aim and purpose of our coming here (and awakening You). Just like (pOlE) a brave (seeriya) lion (singam) lying (manni kidandhu) and sleeping (uRangu) inside a mountain (malai) cave (muzhainchu) comes to his senses (aRivutru): starts (puRapaattu) to comes out (pOdharum) during rainy (maari) season, opening his eyes (vizhi) like fire (thee), shaking (ponga) his mane (vEri mayir), bending (pErndhu) his body on all sides (eppaadum), shaking (udhaRi) and stretching the body to get it into shape (moori), standing erect (nimirndhu), and roaring (muzhangi), You (nee) please come out (pOndhu). You, who are the color (vaNNaa) of the bilberry (poovai) flower (poo), will you please sit (irundhu) on top of the great (seeriya) throne (singaasanam) and examine (aaraayndhu) the purpose (kaariyam) of our (yaam) coming (vandha) to your (un) decorated (kOppudaiya) temple (kOyil), and having come (pOndhu), our standing (ninRu) this way (iNGNGanE), and bless us (aruLElOr).<br />
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<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
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Our Lord, of eternal enchanting bluish hue, the colour of the Kaayambu flower! Just as the Lion wakes up from its winter hibernation in the mountain cave, opening its fiery flashy eyes, shaking all its limbs vigorously, ruffling its mane in the action, standing upright and stepping out with a mighty roar, may you please proceed from your bed-chamber to your lofty ornamented throne! Won't you please grant us your gracious audience and pray, listen to our entreaties?<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
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Sri Krishna felt sad on hearing this pathetic appeal from the Gopis who had come as refugees, when they were attendants of Nappinnai. He also recollected two similar incidents in His previous birth as Rama: 1) The Dandaka forest sages came and exhibited their bodies mutilated by the demons; and He had to apologize for His tardiness 2) When Vibhishana came to Him, He thought He alone was responsible for all the humiliations he had suffered at Ravana's hands.<br />
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When this is His behavior towards even men, what then to speak of women! So Sri Krishna consoled them and promised to do whatever they wanted. They request Him to stir out of His bedchamber with all splendor and grandeur. They had seen His sleeping posture, but now they want to see His grand gait as well as His sitting posture on His royal throne.(Ninravarum Irundavarum Kidandavarum). Like a lion sleeping with a lioness in a mountain cave during the rainy season, you sleep with Nappinnai, being a jewel for Her bosom. Now O Lord, Awake and stride out".<br />
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Krishna asked: "Do you want me to appear before you like RAGHAVA SIMHA or YADAVA SIMHA or NARASIMHA?" Gopis replied: "We merely gave the simile of the lion to stress the fact that your greatness is natural to you, just as a lion cub even at birth is the king of the jungle and doesn't need any coronation. Further it is like calling you POOVAI PPOO VANNA when this comparison of your supreme bodily complexion to this flower's is unworthy and highly improper."<br />
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UN KOYIL is note worthy. In the 16th verse the Gopis said "NANDAGOPAN KOYIL" (Nanda's mansion).Now they say "Krishna's mansion". Strictly speaking to whom does it belong? It belongs to both; just like the Hridaya Kamalam (heart of man) where both the soul and God reside; or like AZHWAR TIRUNAGARI which belongs to both Saint NAMMAZHWAR and the deity POLINDU NINRA BIRAAN.<br />
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<strong><em><u>Bhavam:</u></em></strong><br />
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Maari malai muzhanjil Mannik kidanthuRungum seriya Sigham aRivuRRu Thee Vizhitthu = Receiving the blessing of dhivya Jn~Anam from Lakshmi-narasimha, who is the enduring principle of the rahasyams of Vedams (Upanishads), which pour down (knowledge about) PuNyams and Paapams and awakening as a result of His dhivya anugraham.<br />
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vEri mayir ponga yeppAdum pErnthu udhaRi moori nimirnthu nee muzhanki puRappattu yeppAdum povaip poo VaNNA= May you journey to Sri Vaikuntam to the sound of mangaLa vAdhyams! May You, who never procrastinated about the performance of your nithya karmAs, spread the glories of that Lord of fragrant kEsams and supreme Buddhi VikAsam!<br />
Poovaip Poo VaNNA = Oh Aathma Jn~Ani with blossomed Jn~Anam!<br />
yAmm vantha Kaariyam aarAyntharuL = Please intercede with the Lord for us to be blessed with sarva- vidha Kaimkaryam (nithya Kaimkaryam). The ThiruvadikaL (feet) and the ThirukkaikaL (hands) of the Lord are the key limbs, which are behind His majestic gait and unparalleled generosity to bless us with what we seek according to Abhinava Desikan. Hence, the Gopis praise His gambeera Nadai and boon-granting hands. Indirectly, they praise His souseelyam, Soulabhyam and Paraakramam (valour). Since Thrivikrama, Raama and KrishnAvathArams are dear to them, they take instances from these avathArams to salute His nadai with Srimath GaambhIryam and His auspicious varadhAna hastham. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312991155566440635.post-6408697575913272832011-03-29T04:43:00.000-07:002011-03-29T04:43:14.074-07:00Thiruppavai - Pasuram22<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeeMPfbQ5WGmwNz8MCfh3w-Q1MlOLJ2pcE7CCl94c9gHM6wt5S1yNI40Yp3oEqwgJ8naY1JE5qFiI6nNdPgCXbSJVkj0CUUJ5BZbC3KGbmjpYkNJ6sxwFUAA7grrbpoBuy5vTE2OfX2p6/s1600/22-amkan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeeMPfbQ5WGmwNz8MCfh3w-Q1MlOLJ2pcE7CCl94c9gHM6wt5S1yNI40Yp3oEqwgJ8naY1JE5qFiI6nNdPgCXbSJVkj0CUUJ5BZbC3KGbmjpYkNJ6sxwFUAA7grrbpoBuy5vTE2OfX2p6/s1600/22-amkan.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>am kaN maa NYaalaththu arasar abimaana</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>pangamaay vandhu nin paLLi(k) kattiR keezhE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>sangam iruppaar pOl vandhu thalaippeydhOm</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>kingiNi vaay(ch) cheydha thaamarai(p) poo(p) pOlE</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>sengaN chiRu(ch) chiRidhE emmEl vizhiyaavO</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>thingaLum aadhiththanum ezhundhaaR pOl</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>am kaN irandum kondu engaL mEl nOkkudhiyEl</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>engaL mEl saabam izhindhElOr embaavaay</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>அங்கண் மாஞாலத் தரசர் அபிமான</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>பங்கமாய் வந்துநின் பள்ளிக்கட் டிற்கீழே</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>சங்கமிருப் பார்போல் வந்துதலைப் பெய்தோம்;</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>கிங்கிணி வாய்ச் செய்த தாமரைப் பூப்போலே,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>செங்கண் சிறுச்சிறிதே எம்மேல் விழியாவோ?</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>திங்களும் ஆதித்தியனும் எழுந்தாற் போல்,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>அங்கணி ரண்டும் கொண்டு எங்கள்மேல் நோக்குதியேல்</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>எங்கள்மேல் சாபம் இழிந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>----- MEANING -----</em></strong></div><br />
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The Young girls pray to the Lord in the strain of defeated kings surrendering to the emperor, who is the Supreme Sovereign) Oh Lord! We have come to You just as the kings of the vast beautiful Earth, who stay contented in large groups at the foot of Your cot (throne) after renouncing their haughtiness and self-esteem. Oh Lord! Will You not look at us, with Your gentle and exquisite eyes, resembling the half-blossomed lotus similar to a small kinkiNi (jewel-like little bells) opening little by little (gradually)? If You direct Your glance at us, with Your pair of beautiful eyes that resemble the rising Sun and the Moon, we will be freed from the curse of sins (past, present and future).<br />
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Just like (pOl) the kings (arasar) of this (kaN) beautiful (am) big (maa) world (NYaalam), who came (vandhu) and gathered (sangam iruppaar) under (keezhE) your (nin) sleeping (paLLi) bed (kattil), after relinquising (pangam) their prestige (abimaanan), we have come (vandhu) and approached (eythOm) near you (thalaippu). Please open your sweet sounding (kingiNi) mouth (vaay cheydha) like (pOlE) the lotus (thaamarai) flower (poo). Will you please look (vizhiyaavO) at us (emmEl) through those beautiful (sen) eyes (kaN) a little (siRidhE) bit (siRu). If you look (nOkku) at us with (kondu) those (am) two (irandum) eyes (kaN), which are like (pOl) the moon (thingaL) and the sun (aadhiththan) rising (ezhundhaal), you will releive (izhindhu) us (engaL mEl) from death (saa, saabam).<br />
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<strong><em>Purport</em></strong><br />
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Oh Lord! We have sought refuge at your feet in just the same way as rulers from all over the world, shorn of their pride, gather under your throne, seeking your patronage. Won't you favour us with just a glance with your gentle eyes resembling partially opened lotus buds like kinkinis (bells which adorn the dancer's feet)? If only you cast a glance at us, with your eyes shining like the sun and the moon, all our sins will be wiped out.<br />
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<strong><em>More Insight</em></strong><br />
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Sri Krishna enquires with the Gopis the reason for their visit; and they reply:<br />
O Lord! Even though you know very well that we have approached you as refugees, having no one else to give us protection, you have not condescended to cast your nectarine glances on us. We are born of a family (of Azhwars) whose constant prayer is for your Grace and that you should talk to them by moving your coral-like lips. We, like vanquished arrogant kings, have cast aside our ego and assembled under your bedstead in search of refuge. Our sole ambition is to be the target of your merciful eyes. Your enquiry regarding the purpose of our visit appears to be a new practice in your relations with us. Know that we, who should be always united with you, are today pining in separation. This situation, which appears to be due to some curse, can be modified only by your nectarine glance. It is only for this cool look that we have come to you and not for any other favor. So open your eyes slowly and steadily look at us."<br />
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This is the very pathetic but gentle and sweet prayer of ANDAL to Sri Krishna which would melt even an adamantine heart.<br />
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NOTE: Each limb of the Almighty is capable of nullifying the evil effect of a curse as can be seen in these cases:<br />
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1. HIS FEET - Ahalya's curse by her husband<br />
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2. HIS KNEES- Nala Kubara and Manigriva, sons of Kubera transformed into joined trees. <br />
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3. HIS THIGHS - Madhu and Kaitabha who were crushed to death by them<br />
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4. HIS CHEST - Durvasa's curse on Indra, removed by Sridevi who resides in His bosom<br />
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5. Now HIS EYES -curse of separation in the case of ANDAL<br />
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<strong><em><u>Bhavam:</u></em></strong><br />
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<strong>UPANISHAD BHASHYAKARAR'S LILTING SANSKRIT EXPLANATION</strong><br />
-mahAmaNdalAdhipathaya: nirasthAbhimAnA:santhO sangIbhUya thvadhIya manja --- adhasthAna pradEsE yatho Upavisanthi tathA thvadhguNa vivasA bhUthvA aagathya --- aasrithA:sma --(just as the great kings casting aside their ego have arrived at the foot of Your cot, we are also standing overcome by Your guNAdhisayam and have sought Your protection)”. KinkiNi Vaai seytha thAmari-- “dhara-vikasitha puNDarIka sadhrusa raktha nayanAbhyAm mandham mandham asmAn aalOkaya” (with Your slowly opening red lotus like eyes, please look at us / bless us). <br />
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ThinkaLum --saapam azhinthu: “udhitha Chandra Soorya sadhrusAbhyAm athisundara nayanAbhyAm asmAn pasyasi chEth asmadhIyAni pApAni nasyanthi” (If You look at us with Your Sun and Moon like, most beautiful eyes, all our sins will be destroyed. abhimAna BhangamAi Vanthu = There are 8 kinds of delusions that a human beings have that interferes with their Tatthva Jn~Anam: the Delutions (1) one's SarIram is AathmA (2) one is a svathanthran (3) we are servants to some one other than the Lord. (4) there are bhandhus other than Sriman NaarAyaNan to help us. (5) one can attain purushArtham (mOksham) by seeking UpAyams other than Bhakthi & Prapatthi. (6) deep desire to wallow in perishable pleasures. (7)we do everything by our own power. (8) the tendency to commit apachAram to BhaagavathAs. The release from these eight delusions means that one is Bhaagavatha Seshan (the servant of the devotees of the Lord).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0