Aug 19, 2009

Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)

This illustrious patriot-saint of modern India was born in Calcutta on 12 January, 1863. He was named Narendra. His father, Viswanath Datta, was a brilliant lawyer. He was highly respected for his intelligence and culture. His mother, Devi Bhuvaneshwari, was a devout woman with a great ability for training her children. As a boy, Narendra was very naughty and self-willed, and often had to be placed under a water tap to curb his mischief. Nevertheless, he was very generous, loving and devoted, with a strange attraction for wandering Sadhus. He enjoyed doing worship of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna with his mother. After his matriculation, Narendra went to college. He was rarely absent from social parties. He was the "soul of social circles" and no gathering was deemed complete without his presence. One day, his neighbour received a surprise visit from the saint of Dakshineshwar, Sri Ramakrishna. Narendra was also invited to sing devotional songs. As he sang, he sent thrill after thrill through Sri Ramakrishna until the saint fell into a state of ecstasy. When he became normal again, he made Narendra sit beside him and enquired lovingly of the boy. With time their friendship grew. The death of his father forced Narendra to find work and support the family. During these years of great struggle, his sheet anchor was his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna. Narendra yearned intensely for God and began to plague the Master for realisation. Narendra, now known as Swami Vivekananda, founded an Ashram near Calcutta, in order to organise better the Master's mission. This was the beginning of the Ramakrishna Mission. From 1888 to 1890 Swami Vivekananda travelled widely. He went on a pilgrimage all over the country, studying the conditions of the people. Wherever he went, his magnetic personality created a great impression. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda went to America to attend the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. His powerful speech at the opening session of the Parliament brought him instant fame and acclaimed him as a great orator and the most ideal interpreter of India's wisdom. He instantly became very popular in America. Swami Vivekananda's powerful personality and his passionate call of service of the poor, is still influencing people all over India and the world. Swami Vivekananda arrived in America penniless and depending only on God's Grace. After the Parliament he began to receive the homage and hospitality of all America. He lectured at all the important centres. As a true Sannyasin he refused to sell religion for the sake of amassing money. He preached the gospel of unity of faiths and scattered the seeds of purity, knowledge and faith. After his stay of two years in America he toured England and Europe for three months. The tremendous ovation he received on his return to India in no way took his mind away from his mission of bringing religion to the doors of the poorest. His aim was to awaken the masses by reviving Vedic religion, and to clean it of the dross and impurity that had clung to it for so many centuries. In 1902 Swami Vivekananda entered Mahasamadhi. Six years of discipleship under Sri Ramakrishna had taken him to the realms of God-vision. Seven years of travelling in India had broadened his outlook on life. Nine years of a national and international career were all that were left for him; yet, how filled with glorious work those nine years were! Swami Vivekananda's gospel was one of hope, faith and strength. He never succumbed to despair, for he knew that India was capable of expansion and growth. His clarion call to the nation was: "Awake, arise, and stop not till the goal is reached." ************ Related Links

Rabindranath Tagore [1861 - 1941 / Calcutta -India]

Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate poet, writer, philosopher was the ambassador of Indian culture to the rest of the world. He is probably the most prominent figure in the cultural world of Indian subcontinent and the first Asian person to be awarded with the Nobel prize. Even though he is mainly known as a poet, his multifaceted talent showered upon different branches of art, such as, novels, short stories, dramas, articles, essays, painting etc. And his songs, popularly known as Rabindrasangeet, have an eternal appeal and is permanently placed in the heart of the Bengalis. He was a social reformer, patriot and above all, a great humanitarian and philosopher. India and Bangladesh - the national anthems of these two countries are taken from his composition. ___________________________________________________________________
Tagore was born on Tuesday, 7th May 1861 in a wealthy family in Calcutta at the address of 6, Dwarakanath Thakur Lane, Calcutta. He was the ninth son of Debenadranath and Sarada Devi. His grand father Dwarakanath Tagore was a rich landlord and social reformer. Even though he was from a very wealthy family, in those days Jorasanko house ( Tagore house ) was a center of culture.
He was first admitted into Oriental Seminary School. But he did not like the conventional education and started home study under several teachers. Later he went to Normal School, Bengal Academy and St Xaviers School, but all lasted for brief periods. At the age of 7 he wrote a rhyme. Went to visit Northern part of India and Himalayas with this father.
In 1874, his first published poem Abhilaash(Desire) was published anonymously in a magazine called Tattobodhini. Poet's mother Sarada Devi expired in 1875 when he was 13 years old. For the first time a poem with credit to his name was published in Amritabazar Patrika (weekly). He translated Macbeth into Bengali verse which was later published in Bharati magazine. Following the style of Vaisnava Padalvali (verses), he wrote Bhanusingher Padavali under the penname of Bhanusingha. In the beginning of his literary works, there was impact of his elder brother Jyotirindranath and his wife Kadambari Devi. Two magazines, Bharati and Balaka - were used to get published from the Tagore house and he regularly contributed to those.
His first book of poems, Kabi Kahini ( tale of a poet ) was published in 1878. In the same year, he sailed to England with his brother Satyandranath. He got admitted into the University College in England and started studying under Prof Henry Morley. Retuned to India on 1880. Wrote two musical plays - Valmiki Prativa (The Genius of Valmiki) and Kalmrigaya (The Fatal Hunt ). Acted in these plays too. Left for England in 1881, but changed his mind and came back from Madras and went to Mussorie to meet his father. In 1882, he wrote Sandhya Sangeet ( Evening Songs ) which impressed Bankim Chandra Chatterjee so much that he conferred his garland on Tagore in a function. Wrote a famous poem - Nirjharer Swapnabhanga ( The Fountain Awakened from its Dream ).
Got married to Bhabatarini Devi in 1883 at the age of 22. Later her name was changed to Mrinalini Devi. In 1884 wrote a collection of poem - Kori-o-kamal (Sharp and Flats). Continued writing in different forms. His first child (daughter) Madhurilata was born in 1886. Wrote musical drama - Mayar Khela. Also wrote dramas - Raja-o-rani ( King and Queen) and Visarjan (Sacrifice). In 1890 daughter Renuka was born.
In 1890, Tagore went to Shilaidaha (now in Bangladesh) to look after the family estate. Here, he was influenced by the natural beauty and simple but elegant life of rural Bengal. Attended session of Indian National Congress and sang the song Vandemataram on the opening day. Wrote famous dance/musical drama - Chitrangada. His youngest daughter Mira was born in 1892. In 1894 , wrote famous collection poems - Sonar Tari (The Golden Boat). Son Samindra was born in 1894.
In 1901 he took the editorial charge of the magazine Bangadarshan. Got involved with freedom fighting movement. Established Bolpur Bramhacharyaashram at Shantiniketan, a school in the pattern of old Indian Ashrama. In 1902, his wife Mrinalini died. Composed Smaran ( In Memoriam ), a collection of poems, dedicated to his wife. Within six months from this incident his daughter Renuka expired. The demise of father Debendranath happened in 1905. He strongly protested Lord Curzon's decision to divide Bengal on the basis of religion. Wrote a number of national songs and attended protest meetings. He introduced the Rakhibandhan ceremony , symbolizing the underlying unity in undivided Bengal. Was shocked by the sudden death of son Samindra in 1907. In 1909 started writing Gitanjali from Silaidaha. Composed Janaganamana in 1911 which later was selected as the national anthem of India.
In 1912, journeyed to Europe for the second time. On the journey to London he translated some of his poems/songs from Gitanjali to English. He met William Rothenstein, a noted British painter, in London. He was first introduced to Rothenstein in Calcutta in a gathering at Abanindranath Tagore's house. Rothenstien was impressed by the poems, made copies and gave to Yeats and other English poets. Rothenstien arranged a reading in his house where Yeats read Tagore's poems in front of a distinguished audience comprising of Ezra Pound, May Sinclair, Ernest Rhys etc. Tagore sailed for America ( for the first time) from England. Reached New York, came to Urbana, Illinois, gave a lecture and then went to Chicago. In the mean time, India Society of London published Gitanjali (song offerings) containing 103 translated poems of Tagore. Yeats wrote the introduction for this book and Rothenstein did a pencil sketch for the cover page. The book created a sensation in English literary world. Tagore was traveling America then. Delivered lectures in Rochester, Boston, Harvard University.
Ezra Pound's Poetry Magazine published from Chicago had the honor of publishing first English poem of Tagore. His six Gitanjali poems appeared in Poetry in December, 1912 issue. Th epoet returned back to Calcutta. In 13th November of 1913, Indians came to know that the Nobel prize for literature has been awarded to Tagore for Gitanjali. On 26th Decemeber, University of Calcutta conferred on him the honorary degree of "D.Litt.". Received Knighthood in 1915.
Proceeded to Japan in 1916. On the way gave speech at Rangoon, Singapore, Hongkong. In Sep 1916, got invitation from different institutions in USA and reached Seattle (Washington). Lectured at Portland, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Iowa, Milwakee, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston. At Columbia Theatre, New York read translation from his novel Raja. Returned to Calcutta in 1917. In 1918, his eldest daughter Madhurilata passed away.
In 1919, the poet started a tour to South India. Delivered lectures on different topics at Bangalore, Mysroe, Ooty, Coimbatore, Palghat, Salem, Trichy, Sirangapatnam, Kumbakonam, Tanjore and Madras. At Madras spoke as Chancellor of National University, founded by Annie Besant and stayed as a guest of Mr. Besant at Adyar. In 1919, he wrote a historic letter to Lord Chelmsford repudiating his Knighthood in protest of the massacre at Jalianwalabag, Punjab. In 1920 he went to Gandhiji's Sabarmati Ashram and visited Ahmedabad, Surat and Bombay. Call came from Europe again in 1920. Toured different places in England and Paris, Hague , Brussells. Travelled from Europe to America. Delivered lectures at New York, Princeton, Chicago and came back to Europe. His effort to raise fund for Viswabharati was not very fruitful in America, mostly because he was seen as anti-British and pro-German. He continued talks at Geneva, Zurich, Humburg, Copenhaegen, Stockholm, Berlin, Frankfurt, Vienna, Prague and in other cities.
In 1921, established Viswabharati University. He gave all his money from Nobel Prize and royalty money from his books to this University. Went to Bombay and from there to Poona. Visited and lectured at Mysore, Bangalore,Coimbatore, Trivandam, Cochin and Colombo. Got invitation from China and visited Sanghai, Peiking. Visited Japan again in this tour. Went to South America. Met Argentine poet Madam Victoria Ocampo at Buenos Ayres. The poet gave her a name ,Vijaya and wrote Purabi - a collection of poems dedicated to her. On the return journey visited Italy and lectured in Milan, Venice, Florence. Mahatma Gandhi visited Santiniketan in poet's birthday. In 1926 visited Dacca, Moimonsingha, Comilla (all now in Bangladesh). Visited Europe again and this time went to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Czechslovakia, Huungary, Bulgaria, Rumania, Greece and Egypt. In 1927 went to Malayasia, Java, Thailand. In 1929 Canada. In 1930 Russia. In 1932 Iran, Iraq. And in 1934 to SriLanka.
In 1940 Oxford University arranged a special ceremony in Santiniketan to honor the poet with Doctorate Of Literature. Tagore passed away on 7th August, 1941 in his ancestral home in Calcutta, the house where he was born.
A collection of Tagore's Poems: You may click on the link below to view the e-book

Aug 17, 2009

Shirdi Sai Baba

Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur, a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. Gopalrao wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the Mandir became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Mandir is built with stones and Baba's Samadhi is built with white marble stones. A railing is built in marble around the Samadhi and is full of ornamental decorations. In front of the Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai Baba's marvelous statue made of Italian marble, which shows him seated on a throne. Late Balaji Vasant made this idol.
Dwarkamai: Shri Sai Baba came to Shridhi with a marriage procession. He stayed at Dwarkamai till the very end of his life. Dwarkamai is situated on the right side of the entrance of Samadhi Mandir. Here he solved problems of the people, cured their sickness and worries. Before Baba's arrival in Shridhi, Dwarkamai was an old mosque in a dilapidated condition. Baba turned it into Dwarkamai and proved that God is one. The first level of Dwarkamai has a portrait of Baba and a big stone on which Baba used to sit. This level has two rooms. One contains the chariot and the second a palkhi. Just in front of the room where the chariot is kept is a small temple. A saffron flag flies over it.
The second level of Dwarkamai has a square stool made of stone, which Baba used for taking a bath. The main attraction of this place is the oil painting of Shri Sai Baba sitting in a carved wooden shrine. This level also has the grinding stone and the wooden vessel called Kolamba in which Baba used to keep the Bhiksha brought from the village.
Gurusthan: Sai Baba first came to Shridhi in the form of Bal Yogi - a child ascetic. He was first spotted seated under a Neem tree. This place came to be known as Gurusthan. The renovation of Gurusthan was made on 30th September 1941. The present temple was built after this period. There is a small shrine in Gurusthan. On a elevated platform of this shrine a big portrait of Baba is placed. On the side is a marble statue of Baba. In front of the portrait are a Shivling and the Nandi. Photos of twelve Jyotirlingas are kept in the temple. The branches of the Neem tree have come out through the roof of the temple.
At a short distance lies Baba's CHAVADI. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him.There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. Abdul Baba looked after the Lendi Baug. There are photos and various things, which were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba in the cottage.
Lendi Baug: At some distance from Gurusthan there is the Lendi Baug. This Baug was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a Nalla (a drain), which used to previously flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a Neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the Neem tree and kept a Deep lit in that pit. One octangular Deepgriha called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the Deepgriha is a Peepal tree and on the other side is a Neem tree. Some distance away is a Datta Mandir below an Audumbar tree. In the Mandir there is a statue of Datta built in marble stone. The statue of Datta was installed on 6th December 1976. Just behind the Datta Mandir is a Samadhi of the horse, Shyamsundar which belonged to Baba and which used to bow to him.
Khandoba Mandir: This temple is situated on the main road. In front of this temple Baba was welcomed by Poojari Mhalsapati, of this temple, saying "Aao Sai", when Baba stepped in Shridi. In this temple there are icons of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai.
How to reach there: By Air The nearest airport to Shirdi is at Nashik, 75kms away, Aurangabad is at a distance of 150kms, which is connected by all the major towns of India. You can also come till Mumbai by air and travel down to 296kms to reach Shirdi. Mumbai has both international and domestic airports that grant connectivity to the world. Domestic airport in Pune is about 231kms from Shirdi. There are regular public and private transport operators that ensure your easy access to the sanctum of Saibaba. By Rail/Train Kopergaon on Daund-Manmad Line is an important railway station about 16kms from Shirdi. This station is on the route of the Karnataka Express from New Delhi to Bangalore. Manmad is another important station about 58kms from Shirdi which carries a number trains from Mumbai and Delhi. Shirdi has a computerized Railway Ticket Booking Center within the temple premises. From here you can have railway tickets of whichever destination all through India.
By Road Shirdi can be reached by taking a Bus from almost all major cities of Maharashtra. Shirdi is on the Ahmednagar-Manmad Highway, 250 km from Mumbai and 75 km from Nashik. MTDC runs buses from all major destinations.
******************************** Listen sai bhajan:- by Anoop Jalota

Jun 9, 2009

NANDANAAR

The Tamizh month of ‘Purattasi’ when the star ‘Rohini’ is on the ascent is said to be the day whence Nandanaar mingled with His Beloved Lord Siva in Chidambaram. Let me bring before you the divine life history of the great devotee Nandanaar! A Holy place ('kshetra’) is remembered not so much for the Deity there as for the devotee associated with the place. When we visit any holy place, we are at once reminded of the name and life-sketch of the devotees who were devoted to the deity there. Thus the name of the holy Chidambaram (a temple-town in Tamil Nadu) brings to our mind Nandanaar, one of the 63 ‘Nayanmars’ (the prominent devotees of Lord Siva). The life history of Nandanaar, in ‘Periyapuranam’ (a piece of literature that extols the lives of the 63 ‘Nayanmars’), depicts the deep devotion that this humble devotee had for Lord Siva and the grace of Lord Siva in conferring His love on His devotees, going beyond all worldly considerations like caste and creed.
Nandanaar was born in what was then classified as a low caste, in a slum in Adhanur village on the banks of River Kollidam (in Tamil Nadu). He worked as a farm hand of a landlord in the village. Exemplary in character, born out of his devotion to his Lord, he served his landlord sincerely. He served Lord Siva as much as he could. He made drums out of cow hide and also musical instruments such as 'yaazh', 'iyazhai' from the guts of animals and offered them to the temple for use in worship. Deeply devoted to Lord Siva, the Divine Name of his favorite Lord constantly played on his tongue. How deep was Nandanaar’s yearning for his Lord! Today, we speak of ‘Nama Siddantha’. It was Nandanaar who first propounded ‘Nama siddhanta’! He gathered the people in his neighborhood and pleaded with them to sing the Name of the Lord He pleaded, “Chant Namah SivAya! Namah SivAya! Chant Umapathe! Chant SAmbasivAya!” The people of the slum objected and refused to chant the Name of Lord Siva while they had their own deities. They said to him, “Nanda! Why do you insist on our chanting tongue twisting Names?” But Nandanaar was not to be bogged down by their disinterest and opposition. Amidst them lived a dumb girl who everyone called ‘Oomacchhi’ (dumb girl in Tamil language). Nandanaar advised the people, “Say ‘Oomacchi vA’!” (oh, the dumb! come!). So, they all called out to her, “Oomacchi vA! Oomacchi va!” and it sounded as ‘Uma Ch(S)iva!’ Nandanaar thus succeeded in making the Lord’s Divine Name play on the tongue of those who could not even utter it! In this way all the people around began chanting the Name of the Lord. Quite frequently he gathered the people of his slum around him and engaged them in chanting the Divine Names of the Lord. Ever since people joined Nandanaar in performing Nama Kirtan, none went to attend to his work in the fields, on time. So those affected by this tried to bring ‘sense’ into Nanda through a local leader of their slum. All of them together approached Nandanaar. They said to him, “Nanda! You are forever singing the Nama. Will singing the Nama earn food?” (‘Namam pAdi kondirundAl soru kidaikuma?’) Nanda replied, “Even the dog eats food. But can it chant ‘Bhagavan Nama’ - the Name of the Lord? (‘nAyum kooda choru thinnum Namam pAdumo?’) Nandanaar nurtured the deep desire to visit Lord Siva's Temple at Thiruppungur. Thiruppungur is about 4 kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil (a famous temple town in Tamil Nadu). Here, Lord Siva bears the name ‘Sivalokanathan’. One day, picking up courage, Nandanaar spoke about his desire to his landlord and sought his permission to visit Thiruppungur to have darshan of his beloved Lord. It was only that day the 40 acres of land had been ploughed and seeds sown. It would take at least another six months for the harvest. To put him off, the landlord told Nandanaar, “Hey, Nanda! Once they are ready for harvest you may leave for Thiruppungur!” A disappointed and grief stricken Nandanaar went to bed. In a divine dream he saw that the grains had grown to full and the vast field of his employer was all set for harvest! He immediately rushed to the fields and found it to be true and not just a dream. He could not believe his eyes. In that hour of the night he ran up to his landlord's house and called out to him, "Sir! Please come out. Come with me to the fields. They are ready for harvest!" Hearing the loud call of his farm hand, the landlord rushed out and hearing him repeat his request said to him, "Oh, mad fellow! Have you lost your wits totally due to your devotion to Lord Siva?" But Nandanaar insisted on the landlord accompanying him to the field. The landlord accompanied him and lo! What did his eyes behold? The field was all set for harvest! He could not believe what he saw. Well! How did these fields get ready for harvest overnight? The Lord is omnipotent. Is anything impossible for the Almighty? However, an interesting feature is shown here. Inside the Temple of Madurai Meenakshi is the sanctum of Lord Ganesha bearing the name Mukkuruni Pillaiyar. Three ‘kurunni’ (a measure) of grains are used to make ‘modaka’ ( a dish made of rice flour) for offering to this Ganesha, and hence the name. Legends have it that everyone teased Ganesha for sitting idle with his pot belly. So, Ganesha decided to find some employment! Taking the form of a young boy, he approached a devotee of his who was working on the fields and offered to assist him. This man asked, "How much wage do you expect?" Ganesha in the form of a young boy said, "Three ('moonru') 'kurunnai' grains”. At the end of the work he earned the grains and returned home happily. Ganesha went to his father Lord Siva and gave it to him. Lord Siva who behaves like a mad one (‘pithhan’) knows not what He does. He took the grains from Ganesha and emptied the whole sack on his own head! Lord Siva's head was already filled with sand that He had thrown over His head in play while participating in the construction of the embankment on behalf of His devotee Vandi (the famous episode which talk about Lord Siva carrying sand during the floods in the Vaigai river, in return for ‘pittu’). He held the Ganga on His head. When the Lord now emptied the sack of grains over His head, it sprouted up! So, when he wondered what to do with these, Nandanaar’s dire requirement came in and the Lord blessed him with these! The landlord realizing the greatness of Nandanaar's Bhakti fell at his feet, seeking his pardon. The landlord also helped him in his journey to Tiruppungur. Nandanaar gathered all the people from his slum and went to have darshan of Lord Sivalokanatha in Tiruppungur. There is a Ganesha here known by the name ‘kullam vettiya Vinayakar’ (Ganesha who dug a pond). It is said that this Ganesha dug a pond for Nandanaar and his people to bathe! In those days people considered to be from low caste were not permitted to enter temples. So, they had to have darshan of the Lord from outside the gate. To the dismay of Nandanaar the huge ‘Nandi’ (the Divine Bull of Lord Siva) in this temple obstructed his view of the Lord. The great carnatic music composer,Gopalakrishna Bharati has sung the kirtan: ‘chatre vilagiyirum pillAi! sannidhi maraikudu’ (Oh! ‘Nandi;! Please move aside, for, you are blocking the Sanctum Sanctorum!). It is not Nandanaar who requested ‘Nandi’ to move aside but it was Lord Siva who made the request as He desired to see His devotee!' This is the reason that the ‘Nandi’ here sits aside, even today (and not in straight line with Lord Siva in the sactum sactorum). And, one can also find the two 'dwArapAlAs' (sentinels at the Lord's Sanctum Sanctorum) in a bending position, as if trying to see this great devotee that their Lord desired to see! This is the Holy place where ‘Nandi’ moved aside so that Nandanaar and his people could have the Lord’s darshan. It is said that Nandanaar earned this name as he made Nandi move! Nandanaar's joy knew no bounds on receiving darshan of his Beloved Lord. Elated, he wished to offer his services to the Lord in some way. He, therefore, dug a pond before returning to his village with his people. Nandanaar now deeply yearned to visit Chidambaram (the Holy Place of Lord Siva known as 'Bhoo loka KailAs' - Kailash on earth). Chidambaram was not too far from the village where he lived. Somehow this remained only a dream for a long time. People knew of his deep yearning to visit Chidambaram and would, therefore, ask him, "Hey, Nanda! when do you propose to leave for Chidambaram?" Nandanaar would say, "Tomorrow!" This was his reply every time anybody enquired this of him. Thus he earned the name ‘ThirunALaipovAr!” - one who would leave for Chidambaram on the morrow ('nALai povAr' means 'go on the morrow'). He kept saying, “I am leaving for 'Thillai' (Chidambaram) tomorrow!” Poor Nanda was criticized by everyone and he earned the name ‘ThirunAllaipovAr’!
While Nandanaar worked on the field some pilgrims would come up to him and enquire of him, “Thillai ambalathukku pogumo ivazhi" - does this road lead to the temple at Chidambaram?" Feeling thrilled to hear the very name 'Thillai' (Chidambaram) he woud yearn to hear it again. So, instead offering a reply, he would plead with them, "Innum oru dharam solungallaiya!" - please utter that Name ('Thillai') once again! "oh, what did you say? Please say it again!” Thinking that he had not heard him, the pilgrims would repeat their question, "Does this road lead to 'Thillai' (Chidambaram)?" The very name 'Thillai' would throw him into ecstasy! The very sound ‘Thillai’ was melodious to his ears due to his deep desire to have darshan of Lord Nataraja (Siva). He would, therefore, tell them, "Oh, please repeat your question once more!" It would go on like this and those who had stopped to enquire would leave, mistaking him to be a crazy fellow! At last one fine day his dream came true. He set out for Chidambaram by foot. The deep desire to have darshan of the Lord inside the Sanctum Sanctorum of Chidambaram temple took hold of him. But when Nandanaar reached Chidambaram, remembering his birth in what was then considered a low caste, he hesitated to step into the holy town. Tired after the long walk he slumped down outside the holy town. But would the gracious, compassionate Lord, a devotee of the devotees, turn a blind eye to the plight of His devotee? Is He not verily the indweller of all? Would He then not hear the murmur of the devotee's loved filled heart? Lord Siva deeply moved by His beloved devotee appeared in the dream of the temple priests and informed them of his great devotee outside and instructed them to build a fire through which His devotee would enter and come out unscathed. This was only to illustrate the glory of His devotee to the world. The priests rushed out in all eagerness to meet this great devotee who the Lord Himself desired to receive. They informed him of the Lord's order. The priests then built a fire which Nandanaar entered and came out unscathed. With due respect and honor, the priests guided him through the town to the temple. Nandanaar had darshan of the 'gopuram' (Tower) of the temple and entered the temple. Nandanaar rushed to the Sanctum Sanctorum in all eagerness to meet his Lord and mingled with Him and attained beatitude.

SRI NARAYANA THIRTHAR

There are numerous devotees who have sung the glory of Lord Krishna in their native tongues – Oothukkaadu Venkata Subbaiyer in Tamil, Purandaradasa in Kannada, Pandarpur devotees in Marathi, Meera Bai in Hindi, etc. These devotees’ songs don’t accord as much importance to the raga and tala of the music as it does to the meaning and the divine emotions conveyed. Yet, many a Mahan has given equal weightage to music and divine emotions in their songs, Saint Thiyagaraja being an example. It is the same with Muthuswamy Deekshitar and Shyama Shastri also. Jayadeva composed the Gita Govinda (Ashtapadi) in Sanskrit. Another great Saint was Sri Narayana Thirthar. He has composed kirtans in Telugu and Sanskrit. The Krishna Janmashtami festival is celebrated in a grand manner in a hamlet called Varahur, near Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu, thanks to Sri Narayana Thirthar. His compositions called “Krishna Lila Tarangini” are accorded great respect and recognition in Nama Sankirtan and music concerts alike. Although these songs portray the divine plays of young Lord Krishna, scholars opine that it is verily the essence of Srimad Bhagavatam. In the village called Villathur in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh was born Sri Narayana Thirthar to Sri Neelakanta Shastri. When he reached the marriageable age, Sri Narayana Thirthar entered into wedlock and ran the household. Once when he was about to cross a river, Narayana Thirthar was caught in the raging floods. He immediately prayed to the Lord and embraced ‘Aapat Sanyasa’ right there. (‘Aapat Sanyasa’ is vow of sanyas undertaken for relief from some grave danger). The waters immediately subsided and Narayana Thirthar returned home forgetting his vow. His wife, who knew through divine intuition that her husband had embraced Sanyasa, questioned him as to why he came home after having taken Sanyasa Deeksha! Such is the power of the truth in Mahans’ words that the moment they utter a statement, it becomes truth. Later, he was formally initiated into Sanyasa through a guru. Following his Guru’s instruction, Narayana Thirthar undertook pilgrimage. After visits to holy shrines like Tirupati he came to Govindapuram, near Kumbakonam, in Tamil Nadu. As per his Guru’s wish, he came there to have darshan of Sri Bodendra Swami; but unfortunately Sri Bodendra Swami had already attained ‘Jiva Samadhi’. He then visited various holy towns in and around the banks of river Kaveri. At this point of time he contracted severe stomach ache. In spite of visiting many holy places, he was not cured of his stomach ache. Once, when he was sleeping in a Ganesha temple in a village called Nadukkaveri, Lord Krishna appeared in his dreams and said, “When you wake up, you will see an animal. Follow the animal and you will be relieved of your stomach ache.” When Narayana Thirthar woke up, he saw a boar. It is considered a bad omen to sight a boar on waking up! And now, he had to follow the boar! As it was a divine instruction, he sincerely followed the white boar for about a distance of 4 kms. He became too tired to follow the boar further. Just then, the animal disappeared into the temple and he heard a voice: “Search not for me! It is I who brought you here!” Narayana Thirthar's joy knew no bounds when he realized that the Lord who had incarnated as a boar had taken the form of a boar now and had led him there! Strange are the ways the Lord adopts to win over His devotees. That very moment, Narayana Thirthar’s stomach ache vanished. The incident in which Lord Siva appeared as a Brahmin to Sundaramurthy Nayanar and disappeared into a temple, another involving Tirunavukkarasar where Lord Siva cured him of his stomach ache and this incident in the Life of Narayana Thirthar, all go to show that the Lord is indeed a conjurer of divine plays! Thenceforth that town Bhoopatirajapuram was called Varahur. Lord Venkatesa Perumal decorates the temple here. It is said that He had given ‘Viswaroopa Darshan’ (darshan of the colossal form of the Lord) to Narayana Thirthar. Narayana Thirthar’s kirtans on Lord Krishna are filled with devotion and warmth. It is said that he would hear the jingling of anklets of the Divine Couple Radha-Krishna whenever he sang. Through his numerous kirtans, Sri Narayana Thirthar encouraged the traditional Bhajana Sampradhaya and shone as a Guru to a huge number of followers. `Sri Krishna Leela Tharangini," is his narration of the story of Sri Krishna from His birth up to His marriage with Rukmini. It is a literary masterpiece, composed in Yakshagana style with 12 Tarangams, consisting of 145 kirtans, 267 verses, 30 gadyams (prose passages) and 30 darus (narrative songs). Legends have it that Sri Narayana Tirthar attained Siddhi at a nearby village called Tirupoonthuruti under a huge mango tree, on the banks of river Kudamurutti, on the Masi Sukla Ashtami day when the Kritika star was on the ascent. A small shrine has been constructed on this hallowed spot, under the sprawling mango tree. Those who visit the holy kshetra of Varahur with devotion and faith are sure to reap the grace of Lord Venkatesa Perumal and the blessings of the Guru.

BHAKTA CHOKAMELA

Pandarpur is glorified as the bazaar of Nama. The most favorite of the presiding deity, Panduranga is Nama Kirtan. There have not been as many bhaktas for any other deities as there have been for Panduranga. The icing on the cake is the fact that these great devotee-saints have belonged to different castes, creeds, races and sects - a standing example to show that the Lord does not distinguish based on such mundane worldly classifications. The sketch of a Bhakta by name Chokamela...
Bhakta Chokamela:
Long ago, in the holy Kshetra of Pandarpur(in present day Maharashtra), there lived a great devotee of Lord Sri Panduranga (who was none other than Lord Sri Krishna himself) by name Chokamela. Sri Chokamela’s hailed from a slum and as was customary those days the inhabitants were not permitted to enter the temple. Though Lord Panduranga saw no difference between his devotees based on their birth, colour, race, wealth, region or religion, the selfish world did! To the Lord, the only thing that mattered was the depth of one’s devotion. The friends, relatives and neighbours of Chokamela led lives without any values, orderliness or sense of direction. They ate whatever they wanted; slept whenever/wherever they wished and were addicted to all sorts of bad habits such as alcoholism. Like a beautiful lotus that blooms in a stinking marsh, Chokamela though, led the life of a pure Vaishnava. He would wake early in the morning, have a bath, wear Tulsi maala and Gopi chandan and chant the divine names of the Lord. As he was not permitted to enter the temple of Lord Sri Panduranga, he stood near the compound wall and sang the divine names joyfully. Constantly, he advised his kith and kin to mend their ways and about how it was very easy to win the grace of God by simply chanting his Divine Names. Though they all mocked at him in the beginning, gradually his purity and goodwill won their hearts and they gave all their vices. Following his example, all of them woke up early in the morning and accompanied him to the temple where they all stood outside the compound wall chanting the lord’s glorious names. Lord Panduranga Himself relished every nama they chanted, much more than the puja offered by the priests. Like Nandanar, the great devotee of Lord Sri Shiva, Chokamela too, had transformed the entire slum. They were all a group of pure-hearted bhagavatas now.
Naturally, this was not liked by the priests of the temple. Though Chokamela and his group did not in any way interfere with the temple proceedings, the priests hurled abuses at them and told them that they had no right to worship to God. As is the nature of any Sadhu, Chokamela too, did not want to argue with the priests or fight with them. He thought if that was the way that Panduranga wanted it, he would stay at home and worship the Lord. From that day onwards, Chokamela stopped going to the temple. He would stay at home and meditate upon the Lord. He saw all the pujas in his mind’s eye itself. The experience was blissful. Time came when Panduranga decided to enact his divine play. One night, after the priests had completed the puja and locked the temple, Panduranga came to Chokamela’s humble abode. Chokamela’s joy knew no bounds. He cried thinking of the Lord’s compassion and totally lost himself in the happiness. The Lord told Chokamela that he would fulfill any wish of his. Chokamela immediately replied “Lord! There can be no greater thing to wish for, than your darshan. Now that you have blessed me with that, I beg of you to show me your temple. I have never been inside even once in my lifetime” In a flash, the Lord took him inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and they talked with each other all night long. The conversation was so fascinating that time flew away and it was morning already. The priests opened the doors of the temple and were shocked to find Chokamela inside the sanctum sanctorum. They cursed him and took him to the King. “This man who hails from the slum has entered the temple. Your majesty should punish him appropriately” they said. Chokamela replied “I did not go there on my own. How could I have gone inside after the door was locked? The Lord himself took me inside”. Nobody was willing to believe his words and they all alleged that he was a magician. The king, without proper enquiry, punished him by banishing him from Pandarpur. He ordered that Chokamela should not live inside Pandarpur and that none from the town should have any contact with him. Chokamela silently accepted this also as the will of God. He put up a hut on the opposite banks of the river Chandrabhaga and continued with his life as before. He and his wife would fast on Ekadasi day and on Dwadasi day, they had the most special visitor one can ever wish for to have a meal at their abode – the Lord himself. This became a routine affair.
On a particular Dwadasi day, Chokamela was seen beating and cursing his wife. The priests from the temple who had come to the river witnessed that scene and felt sorry for the poor woman. “ You have lost all your respect and commitment. Is this the way to serve the Lord? You have committed a great sin by spilling curd on his robe, careless woman!” Chokamela screamed. These words of Chokamela shocked the priest. They told each other “Oh! What is he saying? He is saying that the Lord has come to take food in his place. How can that be? He is definitely mocking at us. The punishment has not taught him a lesson. He has become more arrogant! We should report him to the king again’ Saying so, they went to the temple and opened the doors. What they witnessed was the most unbelievable sight. The robes of the Lord were drenched in curd. They could not believe their own eyes. “Chokamela was right after all. Lord Panduranga had been to his place. Oh! What a blunder we have committed by insulting and ill-treating a true Mahatma. Let us all go and seek his pardon. Only then the Lord will accept us” they all said in one voice and rushed to Sri Chokamela’s hut. They all narrated the happenings and fell at Chokamela’s feet. Chokamela though, was embarrassed by this act of the priests. He said with tears in his eyes ‘Great Priests! I am just a humble servant of Panduranga. Please do not fall at my feet. I am speck of dust!”
The entire town and the king realized the greatness of Sri Chokamela and hailed his bhakti. The Lord had once again enacted a divine play to make the world understand true devotion.

May 21, 2009

RECOMMENDED LINKS ON SRI RAMANA MAHASHRI

Sri RamanasramamThe website of the ashram where Ramana Maharshi lived. This is the main website for information and books regarding him. David Godman's Writings on Ramana MaharshiEssays and interviews by David Godman, author of thirteen books about Ramana Maharshi and other jnanis. Who Are You?Superb web animation that illustrates many of Ramana's ideas. By Kees Schreuders and and Jan van Delden. The Maharshi NewslettersPublished by a Canadian ashram and reproduced on Amber's Advaita website. Arunachaleswar TempleInformation about the temple where Ramana lived. Includes photograph. On the website of anthropologist-photographer Martin Gray. Arunachala Ashrama American ashram affiliated with Sri Ramanashramam in India. Located in New York City. Telephone (718) 575-3215. Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK Monthly meetings are open to the public; triannual journal and newsletter.

RECOMMENDED CD OF SRI RAMANA MAHASHRI

  • Arunachala-Ramana · · · · · · · · · · · ·This CD contains an enormous archive of information related to Ramana Maharshi. It includes 1400 restored photographs of Sri Ramana, his ashram, Mount Arunachala, Arunachaleswara Temple, and more; the complete set of The Maharshi Newsletter going back to 1991; the first four issues of The Mountain Path; four complete written works by Sri Ramana; extracts of 39 other books published by Sri Ramanasramam; video previews in Quicktime format; a Giripradakshina map; a notated photo tour of Sri Ramanasramam; and more. Written works and photographs are in PDF format. The CD is beautifully produced by Graham Boyd, creator of the Ramana-Maharshi.org website, and published by Sri Ramanasramam.

RECOMMENDED WRITINGS OF SRI RAMANA MAHASHRI

  • RECOMMENDED WRITINGS: Be As You AreEdited by David Godman· · · · · · · · · · · ·This superb compilation of Ramana Maharshi's writings and dialogues is the best available single volume about his teachings. It covers all aspects of Sri Ramana's teachings and arranges them in the order preferred by Sri Ramana himself, with the most important or highest teachings first. The editor, David Godman, is one of the world's foremost experts on Sri Ramana.
  • Talks with Sri Ramana MaharshiBy Sri Ramana Maharshi· · · · · · · · · · · ·For serious students of Ramana Maharshi, this is the Bible, the most comprehensive single volume of Sri Ramana's teachings. It contains 668 pages of transcripts of conversations he held between 1935 and 1939 with visitors who traveled to south India from all over the world to ask for advice from the man whom many regard as the greatest realized teacher of the twentieth century. The text, translated here into English from the three Indian languages used by Ramana, is slightly stilted but nonetheless lucid, direct, literate, and pleasant to read.
  • Ramana Maharshi and His Philosophy of ExistenceBy T.M.P. Mahadevan· · · · · · · · · · · ·This small book contains the best English translation of Ramana Maharshi's most important work and the most sophisticated academic discussion of Ramana Maharshi's teachings that have been done to date. The book's author, T.M.P. Mahadevan, was a devotee of Ramana Maharshi and a distinguished academic expert on Advaita. The book contains a variety of interesting pieces: Mahadevan's biography of Sri Ramana; Mahadevan's translation with commentary of Sri Ramanas's Forty Verses on Existence (including the Supplement) which is Sri Ramana's most complete statement of his teachings; four fascinating essays about Sri Ramana by Mahadevan; the Tamil texts of Forty Verses and its Supplement in transliterated roman type; and a glossary of Sanskrit terms. For devotees of Sri Ramana who have a sophisticated interest in philosophy or an intellectual bent, this book is indispensable
  • Who Am I?by Sri Ramana Maharshi One of Ramana's earliest works, dictated to a student in 1902. Explains the method of self-enquiry in question-and-answer form.
  • Spiritual Instructionby Sri Ramana Maharshi Another compilation of questions and answers by a student.

BOOKS AND VIDEOS ON SRI RAMANA MAHASHRI

The ashram founded by Sri Ramana publishes all his writings and many books about him. You can purchase directly from the ashram in India or from its American affiliate. Several online bookstores carry a large number of publications by and about Sri Ramana. In the U.S. contact AHAM, Blue Dove, Books Beyond Words, and Kalpataru. In France, contact InnerQuest.

BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA MAHASHRI -HIS SELF-REALISATION

  • SELF REALISATION; At age 16, he heard somebody mention "Arunachala." Although he didn't know what the word meant (it's the name of a holy hill associated with the god Shiva) he became greatly excited. At about the same time he came across a copy of Sekkilar's Periyapuranam, a book that describes the lives of Shaivite saints, and became fascinated by it. In the middle of 1896, at age 16, he was suddenly overcome by the feeling that he was about to die. He lay down on the floor, made his body stiff, and held his breath. "My body is dead now," he said to himself, "but I am still alive." In a flood of spiritual awareness he realized he was spirit, not his body.His Guru Ramana Maharshi didn't have a human guru (other than himself). He often said that his guru was Arunachala, a holy mountain in South India. His Teachings: Ramana Maharshi taught a method called self-inquiry in which the seeker focuses continuous attention on the I-thought in order to find its source. In the beginning this requires effort, but eventually something deeper than the ego takes over and the mind dissolves in the heart center. For more information, see our page on Self-Inquiry.

BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI - 1879 –1950

  • Sri Ramana Maharshi 1879 –1950 Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi was probably the most famous Indian sage of the twentieth century. He was renowned for his saintly life, for the fullness of his self-realization, and for the feelings of deep peace that visitors experienced in his presence. So many people came to see him at the holy hill of Arunchala where he spent his adult life that an ashram had to be built around him. He answered questions for hours every day, but never considered himself to be anyone's guru
  • BIOGRAPHY:
  • He was born on December 30, 1879 in a village called Tirucculi about 30 miles south of Madurai in southern India. His middle-class parents named him Venkataraman. His father died when he was twelve, and he went to live with his uncle in Madurai, where he attended American Mission High School. At age 16, he became spontaneously self-realized. Six weeks later he ran away to the holy hill of Arunachala where he would remain for the rest of his life. For several years he stopped talking and spent many hours each day in samadhi. When he began speaking again, people came to ask him questions, and he soon acquired a reputation as a sage. In 1907, when he was 28, one of his early devotees named him Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, Divine Eminent Ramana the Great Seer, and the name stuck. Eventually he became world-famous and an ashram was built around him. He died of cancer in 1950 at the age of 70. ***************************************************************************

The Divine Name is God - Papa Ramdas - நாமமே இறைவன்!

Swami Ramdas (Papa Ramdas) was known as Vittal Rao in his pre-Sanyas days. Around the year 1920, he was made to think deeply on the futility of worldly pursuits and the absolute necessity of pursuing the divine path for realizing his identity with the Supreme Being, as a result of which alone he can get eternal peace. He placed himself totally at the altar of God. Intense aspiration coupled with intense practice to attain the Highest quickened his spiritual progress and in a short time he had the vision of beholding his Beloved God everywhere, both within and outside. This resulted in getting himself established in unending Bliss. His whole life then hinged around the Lord and wherever he went, what ever He did, the Lord was all along with him. He strongly advocated the chanting of the divine Name of the Lord. This is an article published by "Ananda Ashram" of Kanchangad", Kerala, an ashram set up by Papa Ramdas. http://www.anandashram.org/ நாமமே இறைவன்! இறைவனும் அவருடைய திருநாமமும் வெவ்வேறு அல்ல. திருநாமம் இறைவனே. அவருடைய திருநாமம் மனதில் தோன்றியவுடன், உள்ளம் இறைவனின் சாந்நித்தியதினால் நிரம்புகிறது. நமது சிந்தனைகளை இறைவன்பால் நிறுத்த அவருடைய திருநாமத்தை இடையறாமல் நினைவு கூர்வதைவிட எளிமையான வழி வேறேதும் இல்லை. இறைவனின் நாமத்தை உரக்க ஜபம் செய்யும் போது, நமது இதயத்தில் ப்ரேமை என்னும் வெள்ளம் பெருக்கெடுத்து பரவச நிலை அடைவதை உணரலாகிறோம். ஏனெனில் திருநாமத்தின் ஒலி நம் மனதை விழிப்புறச் செய்து இறைவனின் அன்பையும் பேரானந்தத்தையும் உணரச் செய்கிறது. இறைவனின் திவ்யநாமததை உரக்கச் சொல்வதைவிட மனதில் ஜபம் செய்வது மிக சிறந்ததாயினும், நாமத்தை உரக்கச் சொல்வதில் எழும் இனிமையும், ஆனந்தமும் ஒப்பற்கரிய அனுபவம் ஆகும். பக்தனின் மனம் இசையில் லயிக்கும்பொழுது மெய்சிலிர்த்து அவனுக்கு நாமமே ப்ரம்மம் என்ற அனுபவம் கிட்டுச்கிறது. இறைவன் ஸ்ருஷ்டிக்கு உட்பட்டவரும் அதே சமயம் ஸ்ருஷ்டிக்கு அப்பாற்பட்டவரும் ஆவார். திருநாமம் இத்தகைய இறைவனைக் குறிக்கிறது. இங்கு எங்கும் நிறைந்த எல்லையில்லாத மாற்ற்மே இல்லாத அமைதியான தத்துவமே ஸ்ருஷ்டிக்கு அப்பாற்பட்ட இறைவன் ஆகும். நாம ரூப சலங்கள் கூடிய அனைத்து ஜீவராசிகளையும் வஸ்துக்களையும் அகத்தே உடைய இந்த ப்ரபஞ்சமே இறைவனின் ஸ்ருஷ்டிக்கு உட்பட்ட அம்சம் ஆகும். திருநாமம் எல்லாவற்றையும் தனக்குள் அடக்கி, அதே சமயம் எல்லாவற்றிக்கும் அப்பாற்பட்டதாகி தனித்துவமும் தனித்துவதிற்கு அப்பாற்பட்ட்துமாகிய இறைவனைக் குறிக்கிறது. இத்தகைய திவ்யநாமம் அனைத்து ஸ்ருஷ்டிக்கும் ஆதியே இல்லாத மூலகாரணமும், அதே சமயத்தில் ஸ்ருஷ்டியும் ஆகும். பூரண பொருளாகிய கடவுள் அநாமியாகிய நாமமே. திருநாமம் ஜீவனை பந்ததிலிருந்து விடுவிக்கிறது. திருநாமம் அவனை ஆன்மீக வாழ்வின் உச்ச நிலைக்கு இட்டுச் செல்கிறது. இருளில் மூழ்கிய குருட்டு ஜீவனுக்கு திவ்ய த்ருஷ்டியை அளிக்கிறது. இறைவனின் திருநாமம் உன்னதம் பொருந்திய விஸ்வ ரூப தரிசனத்தை அளிக்க வல்லது. திவ்யநாமம் ஜீவனை சிந்தனைக்கு எட்டாத இறை அனுபூதி என்னும் மஹோன்னத சிகரதிற்கு உயர்த்த வல்லது. இறைவனின் திருநாமத்தின் சக்தி வெல்ல முடியாதது. வெல்லற்கரியது என்று கருதப்பட்டாலும் மனம் நாமத்தின் இதமான இசையில் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டு பணிவுள்ளதாகவும் மென்மையாகவும் இணக்கமுள்ளதாகவும் மாறுகிறது. நாம மஹிமையால் மனமே இறைவனாக மாறுகிறது. இறைவனின் திருநாமத்தில் தஞ்சம் அடைந்தவன் பல அதிசயங்களை ஆற்ற முடியும். அவன் இயற்க்கையின் சக்திகளை வென்று மனித ஜீவன்களின் மனதில் ஆன்மீக எழுச்சியை ஏற்படுத்த முடியும். திவ்யநாமம் மனித ஜீவனை நித்யானந்த ப்ரேம ஸ்வரூபமாக மாற்ற முடியும். நாமம் ஒரு தனிப்பட்ட ஜீவனை விராட் ஸ்வரூபனாக (cosmic reality) - அறிவிலியான ஜீவனை இறைவனாக மாற்ற முடியும். திவ்யநாம பஜனை செய்யும் இடத்தில், நாமத்தின் இசை நயம் ப்ரேமையின் மஹிமையைப் பரப்பி அந்த சூழ்நிலையை தூய்மை, அமைதி பேரானந்தம் ஆகியவற்றால் நிரம்பச் செய்கிறது. திவ்யநாமம் பூரணத்துவம் பொருந்தியது. நாமத்தை சொல்வதே த்யானம். அதனால் ஏற்படும் பரவச நிலையே சமாதி. திவ்யநாமம் தான் அன்பு, ஒலி, சக்தி, பேரானந்தம். இறைவனின் திவ்யநாமத்தைப்போல் அனைவரும் ஒருங்கே பின்பற்றக்கூடியதும் அதே சமயம் இறைவனை அடைய எளியதுமாகிய சாதனை முறை வேறெதுவுமில்லை. ஒரு மஹான் கூறியதுபோல் எவருடைய நாவில் எப்பொழுதும் இறைவனின் திவ்யநாமம் குடி கொண்டுள்ளதோ அவரே பந்தத்திலிருந்து விடுபட்டவர் அல்லது ஜீவன் முக்தர் என்பது உண்மையான கூற்றே. எனவே, அருமை தோழர்களே! நீங்கள் எந்த இனம், குலம், கோட்பாடு அல்லது நிறத்தைச் சார்ந்தவராயினும் இறைவனின் நாமத்தை ஏற்றி அதன் இனிய உறவை உணர்ந்து கொள்ளுங்கள். நாமம் என்னும் அமுதத்தில் இடையறாமல் மூழ்கும் உங்கள் ஆன்மா தூய்மையுருவது மட்டும் அல்லாமல் யாவும் அறிந்த எங்கும் நிறைந்த இறைவனின் பேரொளியாலும், அன்பாலும் ப்ரகாசிக்கும் என்பது உறுதி. திவ்யநாமத்தை இடையறாமல் ஓதும் பயிற்சி கீழ்ப்படியாமல் நிற்கும் மனதை இறைவனின் திருச்சித்ததிற்கும் வல்லமைக்கும் அடிமையாக்குகிறது. முதலில் திருநாமத்தை ஒருவன் ச்ரத்தை, நம்பிககை ஒருமனப்பாடு ஆகியவற்றுடன் ஜபம் செய்யும் போது முகமும் சரீரமும் ஒரு அஸாதாரண ஒளியுடன் ப்ரகாசிக்கிறது. அவனுடய மனம் விவேகத்தாலும், இதயம் அன்பாலும் நிரம்புகிறது. இவை யாவும் சாதகனின் மனதில் சத்வ குணம் மேலோங்குவதால் ஏற்படுகின்றன. பின்னர் நாம ஜபத்தை அதே உற்சாகத்துடன் பின்பற்றும்போது, அவன் இந்த ப்ரபஞ்சம் அனைத்தையும் இறைவனின் உருவமாகக் காண்கிறான். இறைவனுடன் ஒருமித்து அவன் எங்கும் இறைவனின் தரிசனத்தையே காண்கிறான். உண்மையில் நாமமே இறைவன். -ஸ்வாமி ராம்தாஸ்

'The Glory of the Divine Name' - நாம மஹிமை -- காஞ்சி மஹாஸ்வாமிகள்

His Holiness Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal was the 68th Pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. One of the most glorified saints the history has ever witnessed, He was a Realized Soul. Humility and simplicity were hallmarks of this great Avatara Purusha. Lovingly called as 'Maha Periyava' or 'Paramacharya', the Mahaswami ascended the Peetam in 1907 at the age of 13. Intensively educated in all the Vedas and Shastras, He was multi-lingual too. Throughout the century that He was in his mortal form, gracing the world, He traveled the length and breadth of the country by foot spreading the fragrance of Sanathana Dharma and the glory of the Vedas. A unique collection of His various lectures and discourses is compiled into volumes of literature entitled 'Deivathin Kural' ('The Voice of the Lord') in tamil. The article below is a small excerpt from the first part of these set of books. This goes to show how Maha Periyava extolled the power of the Divine Name.
நாம மஹிமை தியானம், ஜபம், பூஜை, யக்ஞம் க்ஷேத்திராடனம் ஆகியவற்றைப் போலவே நம் தேசத்தில் நீண்ட காலமாக பகவன் நாமாக்களைக் கோஷ்டியாகப் பாடி பஜனை செய்கின்ற பழக்கமும் இருந்து வருகிறது. இந்த ஜீவாத்மாவானது அந்த பரமாத்மாவுடன் தொடர்பு கொள்வதற்கு ஒரு பெரிய உபாயமாக நாம பஜனை தொன்று தொட்டு தேசத்தில் அனுஷ்டிக்கப்பட்டு வந்திருக்கிறது. அநேகமாக கிராமம், நகரம் எல்லாவற்றிலும் பஜனை மடம், அல்லது பஜனைக்கூடம் என்றே ஒன்று காணக்கிடைப்படுவதிலிருந்து, பஜனை பத்ததி நம் நாட்டில் எவ்வளவு செழிப்பாக இருக்கின்றது என்று ஊகிக்கலாம். இந்த பஜனை மடங்களில் சனிக்கிழமை தோறும், ஏகாதசி தோறும் ஜனங்கள் எல்லோரும் சேர்ந்து பஜனை செய்வார்கள். கோயில்களில் பூஜையைப் பார்க்கிறோம். தெய்வத்தைத் தியானிக்கிறோம். பஜனையிலோ நாமே வாய்விட்டுத் தெய்வத்தின் நாமங்களையும் குணங்களையும், லீலைகளையும் பாடி ஈஸ்வரபரமாக மனஸை ஈடுபடுத்துகிறோம். பலர் சேர்ந்து கொண்டு சமூதாய வாழ்க்கை அடிப்படையில் பக்தி செய்கிற சிறப்பு பஜனைக்கு உண்டு. அவரவரும் ஆத்ம க்ஷேமத்தை அடைந்து, அதனாலேயே ஜீவ கோடிகளுக்கு க்ஷேமத்தைத் தரவேண்டும் என்று, தனி மனிதர் அடிப்படையிலேயே (individual basis) ஹிந்து மதம் முக்கியமாக அமைந்திருந்தாலும், கோயில், உத்ஸவம், பஜனை இவற்றில் கூட்டு வழிபாட்டு முறை (congregational worship) யும் இருக்கிறது. இன்னிசையுடனும், வாத்திய கோஷத்துடனும் செய்கிற பஜனை எல்லா உள்ளங்களயும் சுலபமாக இழுத்து பகவத் ஸ்மரணத்தில் செலுத்துகிறது. "ரகுபதி ராகவ ராஜாராம்", "ஹரே ராம ஹரே ராம ராம ராம ஹரே ஹரே" என்பது போல் சுலபமான வார்த்தைகளை மதுரமான ஸங்கீதத்தோடு கலந்து செய்கிற பஜனையால் எளிதாகத் தெய்வத்தை நினைவு கொள்ள முடிகிறது. பஜனைக்கூடம் என்ற ஓர் இடத்தில் அமர்ந்து பஜனை செய்வதோடு, நகர ஸங்கீர்த்தனம் செய்கிற பழக்கமும் உண்டு. வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசி போன்ற புண்ணிய காலங்களில் ஜனங்கள் எல்லோரும் பகவன்நாமாக்களை பஜனை செய்தபடி வீதி வீதியாகச் செல்வதுதான் நகர ஸங்கீர்த்தனம் எனப்படுவது. விசேஷமாக மார்கழி மாததில் தினந்தோறும் அதிகாலையில் இப்படி வீதி வீதியாக பஜனை செய்து ஊர் முழுவதும் திவ்ய நாமங்களைப் பரப்புவதுண்டு. இந்த நல்ல பழக்கம் மறுபடியும் நன்றாக உயிர் பெற்று வளரவேண்டும். கிராமங்களில் உள்ள பஜனை மடங்களில் பகவன்நாமம் இல்லாமல் வெறுமையாக போகவிடக்கூடாது. சமீப காலத்தில் பஜனை முறை நன்றாக விருத்தியடைந்து வருவதைப் பார்க்க சந்தோஷமாக இருக்கிறது. நம் வேதம், ஆகமம், ஆசாரம், எல்லாம் ரொம்பவும் க்ஷீணமாக போயிருக்கிற இந்த நாளிலும் நம் மத அம்சமாக ஏதாவது ஒன்றாவது க்ஷீணிக்காமல், தினந்தினம் விருத்தியாகி வருகிறது என்றால் அது ராம பஜனைதான். இன்று நம் மதத்துக்காக ஒவ்வொர் ஊரிலும் இருக்கிற ஸத்சங்கமே பஜனை கோஷ்டிதான். அந்த மட்டும் சந்தோஷம். பகவானிடம் பக்தியை விருத்தி செய்வதினால் பகவானின் நாம ஸங்கீர்த்தனமும் பகவத் குணங்களைப் பாடுவதும் முக்கியமான ஸ்தானம் பெற்றுள்ளது. ஸ்ரீ பகவன்நாம போதேந்திரர்கள், ஸதானந்த ஸ்வரூபியான பரமாத்மா ஜகத்தின் க்ஷேமத்தைக் கருதித் தனிப்பெரும் கருணை கூர்ந்து, ஸ்ரீ விஷ்ணு, ஸ்ரீ பரமேஷ்வரன் முதலிய ரூபங்களை எடுத்துக் கொண்டான். உலகை உய்விக்க அந்த மூர்த்திகள் மட்டும் போதாது என்று கருதி, ஹரி, சிவ முதலிய நாமங்களாகவும் ஆகி, அவற்றில் எப்போதும் விழித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறான் என்கிறார். அதாவது, நாமங்கள் வெறும் பெயர் மட்டுமில்லை. மூர்த்தியை போல அவையும் ஸாக்ஷாத் பகவானே. பகவானுக்கு உள்ள அத்தனை சக்தியும் நாமத்துக்கு உண்டு. இவ்வாறு நாம ஸ்ங்கீர்த்தனத்தின் மூலம் பகவத் ஸ்வரூபத்தை ஸாக்ஷாத்காரம் செய்த புண்ணிய புருஷர்களின் முகாரவிந்தத்திலிருந்து உற்பத்தியான புனித கானங்களைப் பாடுவதால், பாபம் விலகி, புண்ணியம் கை கூடுகிறது. ஜயதேவர், தீர்த்த நாராயணர், ராமதாஸர், புரந்தர தாஸர், தியாகப்பிரம்மம், ஸதாசிவப் பிரம்மேந்திராள் ஆகியோரின் கீதங்கள், தமிழ்ப் பாடல்கள், ஹிந்தி, மஹாராஷ்டிர பக்தி கீர்த்தனம் எல்லாம் மருதாநல்லூர் ஸத்குரு ஸ்வாமிகள் வகுத்துத் தந்த பத்ததியான ஸம்பிரதாய பஜனையில் பாடப்படுகின்றன. டோலோத்ஸவம், கொட்டனோத்ஸவம், வஸந்த கேளி என்றெல்லாம் பஜனையைப் பெரிய திருவிழாவாகக் கொண்டாடுவார்கள். கஷ்டமான சாதனையாக இல்லாமல், ஆனந்தமாக ஆடிப்பாடிக்கொண்டு பகவதநுபவத்தில் இருப்பது இதெல்லாம் வழிகள். பாகவதாதி சாஸ்திரங்களிலேயே, எந்த சிரமமான சாதனையும் செய்ய சக்தியும் சௌகரியமும் இல்லாத கலி காலத்தில், நாம ஸங்கீர்தனம் தான் மோக்ஷ உபாயம் என்று சொல்லி இருக்கிறது -- 'கலௌ ஸங்கீர்த்ய கேசவம்'. பலர் சேர்ந்து பண்ணுகிற பஜனை ஒருபுறம் இருக்கட்டும். ஒவ்வொரு குடும்பத்திலும் உள்ள அனைவரும் மாலை வேளைகளில் வீட்டிலேயே ஒரு பத்து நிமிஷமாவது பகவத் நாமங்களைப் பாடி பஜனை செய்ய வேண்டும். இதில் காரிய சாத்தியமில்லாத சிரமம் எதுவும் இல்லை. குடும்பத்தினர் எல்லோரும் பூஜை அறையில் -- அல்லது பூஜைக்கென்று அறை இல்லாவிட்டால், ஒரு குத்து விளக்கை ஏற்றி வைத்து அதன் முன் உட்கார்ந்து கீர்தனங்களைப் பாட வேண்டும். நாமாவளிகளை கானம் செய்ய வேண்டும். அவரவர்களும் தங்களுக்குறிய நித்ய கர்மாநுஷ்டானங்களை விடாமல் செய்துவிட்டு, அதோடு பஜனையும் செய்ய வேண்டும். பகவானைப் பாடுவதற்கு வெட்கமே வேண்டாம். கருணையே உருவான கடவுளின் நாமத்தைச் சொல்வதில் வெட்கத்துக்கு ஏது இடம்? பெரிய ஸங்கீத ஞானம், ராக பாவம், சரீர வசதி இல்லாவிட்டாலும் பரவாயில்லை. பக்தி பாவனைதான் முக்கியம். ஏதேதோ விளையாட்டுகளில் திரிந்து கொண்டிருக்கிற குழந்தை அம்மாவின் நினைப்பு வந்ததும், அவளிடம் வந்து, 'அம்மா! அம்மா!' என்று கத்துகிறதல்லவா? அதில் வெட்கமோ, ஸங்கீத அழகோ இல்லை. லோக மாதாவான பரமாத்மாவை லௌகிக வ்யாபாரங்களிடையே சிறிது நேரமாவது நினைத்து இப்படியே ராமா, க்ருஷ்ணா, சிவா, அம்பா, என்று கத்த வேண்டும். இந்தப் பழக்கம் ரொம்பவும் நல்லது. நம் நித்திய க்ஷேமத்தையும், ஆனந்தத்தையும் பெருக்கவல்ல பெரிய நிதி இது. -காஞ்சி மஹாஸ்வாமிகள்
நன்றி: தெய்வத்தின் குரல்

'The Glory of the Divine Name' - Kanchi Mahaswami

His Holiness Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal was the 68th Pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. One of the most glorified saints the history has ever witnessed, He was a Realized Soul. Humility and simplicity were hallmarks of this great Avatara Purusha. Lovingly called as 'Maha Periyava' or 'Paramacharya', the Mahaswami ascended the Peetam in 1907 at the age of 13. Intensively educated in all the Vedas and Shastras, He was multi-lingual too. Throughout the century that He was in his mortal form, gracing the world, He traveled the length and breadth of the country by foot spreading the fragrance of Sanathana Dharma and the glory of the Vedas. A unique collection of His various lectures and discourses is compiled into volumes of literature entitled 'Deivathin Kural' ('The Voice of the Lord'). The article below is a small excerpt from the first part of these set of books. This goes to show how Maha Periyava extolled the power of the Divine Name.
'The Glory of the Divine Name' Like dhyana, japa, puja, yajna and pilgrimage, the practice of getting together to sing the Divine Name of the Lord is a long standing practice in our country. Singing the Divine Name of the Lord is being practiced in our country since ancient times, as a great means for the ‘jivAtma’ [the ordinary soul] to commune with the ‘ParamAtma’ [the Lord]. The existence of rich tradition of Bhajan [Nama Sankirtan] in our country can be deduced from the fact that almost in every Village and Town a Bhajan mutt/hall has been established. Every Saturday and on every Ekadasi people would get together in this Bhajan mutt/hall and do Bhajan [Nama Sankirtan], i.e. sing the Divine Names of the Lord. In temples, we watch the performance of puja; we meditate on the Deity; whereas, in Bhajan we fix our mind on the Lord by singing His Divine Names, His ‘gunas’ [dispositions] and His Lilas [Divine Plays]. Bhajan has the unique feature of doing Bhakti involving the whole community. Even though the Hindu Religion is predominantly structured on individual basis [i.e. every individual should attain the Self and thus bring about the welfare of humanity] there is also congregational worship as in Temples, Utsavs and Bhajans. Melodious Bhajan with musical accompaniments easily draws all minds and hearts to the Lord. The thought of the Lord is easily brought up by melodiously singing simple words like ‘Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram!’, ‘Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!’ and so on. Apart from performing Bhajan in a Bhajan hall there has also been the practice of ‘Nagara Sankirtan’. On auspicious days like Ekadasi people go on the streets singing the Divine Name of the Lord. This is called ‘Nagara Sankirtan’. The Divine Name is spread in this manner especially in the Tamizh month of ‘MArgazhi’ [mid-December to mid-January]. During this month, every day, people wake up very early and go on the streets singing the Divine Names. This good habit [of singing the Divine Names of the Lord] should revive and spread. The Bhajan mutts in Villages should not be allowed to go empty of the Divine Names of the Lord. It makes me happy to find rejuvenation of Bhajan tradition in recent times. Even in this day whence our Vedas, Aagamas, scriptural injunctions [‘AchAra’], etc. have almost disappeared, the only phase of our Religion that has not died out but is growing day by day is ‘Rama Bhajan’. Today, the only Satsang for our Religion in every village or town is the Nama Sankirtan groups. One feels happy about this. As Bhakti for the Lord spreads, performance of Bhagavan Nama Kirtan and singing the Lord’s ‘gunas’ [qualities] have occupied the prime position. Sri BhagavanNama Bodendra Swamigal says, “The ever-blissful Supreme Lord, out of sheer compassion, and towards the welfare of the world, took up forms such as Sri Vishnu, Sri Siva, etc. Feeling that these Forms alone will not suffice for redemption of the world He also became the Divine Names such as ‘Hari!’ ‘Siva!’ and is ever alive in these Names.” That is, the Divine Names are not mere names. Like the Deities they are also verily the Lord. ‘Nama’ possesses all the powers of the Lord. By singing the Kirtans that have been born out of the lips of those holy souls who have attained God-Realization through Nama Sankirtan, sins [‘pApa’] are eradicated and merits [‘punya’] earned. The kirtans of Jayadev, Narayana Thirtha, Ramadasa, Purandara dasa, Sri Thiagaraja, Sadasiva Brahmendra, Tamizh kirtans, Hindi and Maratti Bhakti kirtans are sung in the Sampradaya Bhajan [traditional way of performing Bhajan] set by Sri Marudaanallur Sadguru Swamigal. Bhajans are conducted as big festivals with Dolotsav, Kottanotsav, Vasanta keli, etc. These are not difficult but easy sadhanas to fix the thoughts of the Lord in the mind, by dancing and singing blissfully. ShAstras like Srimad Bhagavatam themselves say that Nama Sankirtan is the only way to Liberation [‘Moksha upAya’] in this Age of Kali whence there is not the requisite strength and favourable circumstances for practicing difficult Sadhanas – ‘kalau sankirtya Kesavam’. Apart from people coming together to do Bhajan, every family should get together at home, every evening, and do Nama Sankirtan for at least ten minutes. This entails no obstacle of any kind. All the members of the family should gather in the puja room and, in a home which has no separate puja room light an oil lamp and sitting in front of the lamp, sing kirtans. They must sing the Divine Names [‘Namaavalis’]. In addition to the prescribed daily routine prayers, one should also perform Bhajan. One need not feel self-conscious or shy about singing the Divine Names of the Lord. Does embarrassment have any place in uttering the Name of the Lord who is the very form of compassion? The only criterion for the performance of Nama Sankirtan is the feeling of devotion [‘Bhakti bhavana’] and not deep knowledge of music, raga bhava and melodious voice. Does not a child who is busy playing some sports and games, on suddenly remembering the mother, rush to her crying out, ‘oh, Amma, Amma’? There is neither embarrassment nor musical splendor in it. Likewise, even amidst our worldly businesses, we should think of the Universal Mother, God, for at least a few minutes and cry out ‘Rama! Krishna! Siva! Amba!’ This is a very healthy habit. It is a treasure that is capable of swelling our day-to-day life’s comforts and joy. -Kanchi Mahaswami
Courtesy: 'Deivathin Kural' **********************
The Tamil Version of the above Text will be available to all readers in my next Post........

May 20, 2009

'The greatness of Mahamantra' - மஹாமந்திர மாஹாத்ம்யம்-- ஸ்ரீ அபிநவ வித்யா தீர்த்த ஸ்வாமிகள்

His Holiness Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Swamigal was the 35th Jagadguru of Sringeri Sri Saradha Peetam. Born on November 13, 1917 the young Srinivasa was an illustrious student. At the age of 14, he was ordained into Sanyasa Asrama by the then Peetadhipati and Jivan Mukta Sri Chandrasekara Bharati. An great tapasvi and and yogi, Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Swamigal was an able administrator too. He traveled across the country spreading the ideals of Sanathana Dharma and Sri Adi Sankara. A beautiful compilation of the Acharya's discourses has been published in a book called 'karuNai kaDal thandha kanivAna muthukkaL'. The following is a short excerpt from this book:
'The Greatness of Mahamantra' The Divine Name of the Lord rescues even the wickedest of the wicked. Fire when touched, either knowingly or unknowingly, burns the hand. Likewise, it is the nature of the Divine Name of the Lord to destroy the sins of the one who utters it. Therefore, regardless of the time and work we are involved in, we should always keep chanting the Divine Name of the Lord mentally. All are desirous of doing Mantra japa. There is a Mantra for this. This Mantra can be chanted in any manner. It has been said that this Mantra can be chanted by all – whether one is of pure mind or not, whether one follows religious discipline or not. Well! What is that Mantra? It is verily “HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE! HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE!” All can chant this Mantra. Regular chanting of this Mantra would earn the blessings of the Lord, purify us and we would attain the purpose of life. Nevertheless, commonly, what do people do? They eat, sleep, loiter around and finally die. Animals lead this kind of life. Is there any difference between the animals and us if our lives were also spent in the same way? Therefore, we should always be chanting the Divine Name of the Lord. -Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha SwamigalCourtesy: 'karuNai kaDal thandha kanivAna muthukkaL'(a composition of the Swamigal's discourses) *************************************************************************************
(The Tamil Version)
மஹாமந்திர மாஹாத்ம்யம்: எப்பேர்ப்பட்ட தீயவனாக ஒருவன் இருந்தாலும், பகவானுடைய நாமா (பெயர்) அவனைக் காப்பாற்றிவிடும். நெருப்பு என்று தெரிந்து கையை வைத்தாலும் , நெருப்பு கையை எரித்துவிடத்தான் செய்யும். அதேபோல் பகவான் நாமாவின் ஸ்வபாவம் என்னவென்றால், எவர் பகவானின் நாமத்தைச் சொல்வாரோ, அவருடைய பாவத்தை அந்த நாமா நாசம் செய்துவிடும். ஆகையால், நாம் எந்தக் காரியத்தை எப்போது செய்து கொண்டிருந்தாலும் மனதால் மட்டும் பகவான் நாமாவை எப்போதும் சொல்லிக் கொண்டிருக்க வேண்டும். எல்லோருக்கும் தாம் ஏதாவது ஒரு மந்திரத்தை- ஜபத்தைச் செய்து கொண்டு வந்தால் நல்லது என்ற ஆசை ஏற்படுகிறது. இதற்காக மந்திரம் ஒன்று இருக்கிறது. எப்படி வேண்டுமோ அப்படி இம்ம்ந்திரத்தைச் சொல்லலாம். ஒரு புனிதமானவனானாலும், அவ்வாறு இல்லாவிட்டாலும், ஆச்சார சீலனாயிருந்தாலும், இல்லாவிட்டாலும், அவன் அந்த மந்திரத்தைச் சொல்ல்லாம் என்று சொல்லியிருக்கிறது. அது என்ன மந்திரம்? “ஹரே ராம ஹரே ராம ராம ராம ஹரே ஹரே | ஹரே க்ருஷ்ண ஹரே க்ருஷ்ண க்ருஷ்ண க்ருஷ்ண ஹரே ஹரே ||” என்ற மந்திரமேயாகும். இந்த மந்திரத்தை எல்லோரும் சொல்லலாம். அப்படிச் சொல்லிக்கொண்டு வந்தால், நாம் பகவானின் அருள் பெற்று புனிதமடைந்து ஜன்ம ஸாபல்யம் அடைவோம். ஆனால் சாமான்யமாக மனிதர்கள் என்ன செய்வார்கள்? சாப்பிடுவார்கள், தூங்குவார்கள், எங்கேயாவது சுற்றிக் கொண்டிருப்பார்கள். பிறகு ஒரு நாள் செத்துப்போய்விடுவார்கள்.இவ்வாறு தான் பிராணிகள் வாழ்கின்றன. நாமும் அப்படியே வாழ்ந்தால் நமக்கும் பிராணிகளுக்கும் என்ன வித்தியாஸம்? ஆகவே, எப்போதும் பகவான் நாமாவை நாம் சொல்லிக்கொண்டே இருக்க வேண்டும்.
(-ஸ்ரீ அபிநவ வித்யா தீர்த்த ஸ்வாமிகள்நன்றி: 'கருணைக்கடல் தந்த கனிவான முத்துக்கள்'ஸ்வாமிகளின் ப்ரவசனங்களின் தொகுப்பு)

Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal

Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal:
Today being an auspecious day for me, I would like to start a section about the great Mahans and Bhaktas in the glorious past. I will take one Saint at a time and make an earnest attempt to give a brief history and life of the great Saint. The first in the series is "Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal". A great Mahan who had lived and still lives, spreading the fragrance of the Divine Name throughout the world. Can there be a more apt Mahan to reminisce and glorify to the people all over ..?
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kAshAya danda karakAdi vibhUshitAngAmvairAgyabhAgya jaladE karuNAnidhE tvam |samsArakUpapatitasya samAkulasyabodEndra dEva mama dEhi karAvalambam || yasyassmaraNa mAtrENa nAmabhaktiH prajAyatE |tam namAmi yati srEshTam bOdEndram jagatAm gurum || bhagavan nAma sAmrAjya lakshmI sarvasva vigraham |srimad bodEndra yogIndra dEshikEndram upAsmahE ||
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Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal In this Kali Yuga, all the great saints who have incarnated in this holy ‘Bharata’ Desa have chiefly shown us one of the easiest paths to liberation – singing the Divine Names of God. The chief among them was the great saint from South India by the name Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal. All the Mahans who have ascended the Kanchi Kamaktoti Mutt have belonged to Adi Sankara’s lineage, Bodendra Swamigal being one of the most prominent among them. More than 300 years ago, in the ‘Mandana Misra Agraharam’ of Kanchipuram, Suguna Devi, the wife of Sri Mohana Pandurangan gave birth to a handsome baby boy. They named him Purushottaman. The little boy grew up by leaps and bounds. Even in his childhood, he possessed all the qualities of an ‘Avatara Purusha’. The parents were very happy about this. Sri Mohana Pandurangan worked in Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in the service of the then Peetadhipati, Sri Viswadhikendra Saraswati Swamigal. One day, when the father was leaving home for his work at the Mutt , Purushottaman cried adamantly that he would accompany his father. No sooner had the Peetadhipati seen Purushottaman’s radiant face and his lustrous form than he enquired as to whose child it was. Sri Mohana Pandurangan at once said that the child belonged to the Mutt! That was because the child was born after the couple was blessed by the Guru. Pleasantly surprised by the response, Sri Viswadhikendra Saraswati Swamigal asked if he really meant it, or if he was just joking. The father said that he was serious and subsequently, the couple happily gave away the child to the Mutt. The Guru arranged for the education of Purushottaman and left for Varanasi. The child, along with another mate named Jnanasagaran, learnt the Vedas, Shastras, Itihasas, Puranas and all the scriptures. After having mastered the scriptures, both the students desired to have the darshan of their Guru, who was then in Varanasi. The intensity of their desire made them undertake a journey to Varanasi by foot. Thus both Jnanasagaran and Purushottaman started out from Kanchi for Varanasi. Jnanasagaran was an expert in ‘jyotisha’ (astrology).From his astrological calculations based on the time of departure, he predicted that they wouldn’t reach Varanasi together and that one would die on the way. The two young boys were grief stricken. Then and there they decided and took the vow that the one who survived would, after the performance of last rites of the dead friend, proceed to Varanasi, have darshan of the Guru and then give up his life by falling into the Holy Ganga. Just as foreseen, Jnanasagaran passed away en route. Purushottaman reached Varanasi, had darshan of his Guru and paid his respects. Narrating the story about his journey along with Jnansagaran, their vow and his friend’s death, he said that he was going to jump into the Ganges and give up his life. His Master stopped him and advised him that one had no right to commit suicide. This earthly body is a gift of God and we do not have any right to destroy it ourselves. By commiting suicide, one suffers unsaid tortures after death. The Guru explained to Purushottaman in detail why he should not end his life. But Purushottaman insisted in falling into the Holy Ganga and end his life as he had given his word to his friend. Then his Guru said, ‘You have been born in this world to liberate those millions of souls who are struggling in the ocean called Samsara. Take up Sanyasa. According to Shastras, taking up Sanyasa is akin to taking a new birth. Thus, both your promise and my wish shall be fulfilled. Purushottaman agreed. The next morning, on the banks of the Ganges in the holy city of Varanasi, Purushottaman was accorded Sanyasa. He was given the name, ‘Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati’. For a while, the Guru kept Sri Bodendra with himself and gave him mantropadesa. One day, the guru called Sri Bodendra Saraswati and asked him to go out to the world and spread the greatness of the Divine Name of God. He said, ‘the Vidwans are well learned and would question the statement that mere Divine Name can lead to liberation. You are to properly argue with them based on Shastras and establish the greatness of Bhagavan Nama.” He instructed his disciple to go to Puri Kshetra and meet a Mahan by the name Lakshmidhara Kavi in order to obtain the book “Bhagavan Nama Kaumudi” which dealt with the greatness of Bhagavan Nama. The Guru asked him to write Granthas based on this Text. Adhering to his guru’s words, Bodendra Saraswati set out to Puri. It was about midnight when he reached Lakshmidhara Kavi’s home. Not willing to disturb the household at night, the ascetic rested in the pyol outside the house.That night, a strange incident happened. A Brahmin accompanied by a woman whose form and features resembled one of a lowly caste knocked the door of Sri Lakshmidhara Kavi. A young man came out of the house and enquired what they wanted. The visitor said that he had a doubt that he wanted clarified from Lakshmidhara Kavi. The young man said that he was Lakshmidhara Kavi ‘s son, Jagannatha Kavi. He said that his father was out of town. However he had taught him all the Shastras and that he could clarify the visitor’s doubt. The Brahmin said, ‘I hail from South India. I went on a pilgrimage to the north and when I returned, could not find my wife. It is just now that I found her. However, she has the form and features of one from a lowly caste. I wanted to know if I could lead a family life with this lady again.” Jagannatha Kavi immediately said, ‘Tomorrow morning, take her to the pond adjoining the Jagannath Temple. Dip her in the pond chanting the “Rama” Nama thrice. When she emerges, she will be purified and you can lead family life with her again. His mother, who peeped from the house, corrected him saying that, uttering Rama Nama once would do! Sri Bodendra was taken aback witnessing this incident. He immediately introduced himself to them and requested them for the book and studied it thoroughly. The next morning, the whole city was gathered around the pond adjoining the temple. The Brahmin brought the lady and dipped her in the pond chanting the Taraka Mantra. To everyone’s surprise, when the woman emerged out of water, she had shed her current form, and had exactly the same form and features when she lived with the Brahmin earlier, clearly illustrating the power of the Rama Nama. To prove that she had been purified by the Rama Nama, Sri Bodendra Swamigal asked her to cook the meals for the day, and he himself partook of it. Later Sri Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal returned to Kanchipuram and wrote 8 different Texts that spoke about the greatness of Bhagavan Nama. “Bhagavan Nama Rasodayam” was the most important among them. He instated his successor to the Peetam and set out to live like a real ascetic, relinquishing all pomp and grandeur. Independent in his own way, he reached out to every nook and corner of Tamil Nadu and spread the glory of Taraka Mantra. He initiated everyone who came to him with Rama Nama, irrespective of caste, creed or religion and purified them. It would not be an exaggeration to say that there is virtually no place in Tamil Nadu where he has not set his foot. One day, Sri Bodendra Swamigal was camping in a village called Perambur in Needamangalam, a place adjacent to Raja Mannarkudi in Tamizh Nadu. A couple came to have his darshan and invited him to their home for lunch. The Swamigal also agreed to come the next day. On the following day, Sri Bodendra Swamigal arrived at the couple’s residence. He sat down to eat. A plantain leaf was laid and food was served. Just then, he noticed a little boy in the house and asked him to sit down beside him and have his food too. In spite of his repeated requests, the little boy was unresponsive. The parents slowly explained to the Swamigal that the boy could neither hear nor speak. He was deaf and dumb by birth. Hearing this, tears rolled down Swamigal’s eyes. He cried uncontrollably because, just a while back, he had made a proclamation in one of his works that one would escape the fear of death if he sings or hears the Taraka Nama even once. He had thought that the Taraka Nama could spare none as everyone would at least hear the Divine Name knowingly or unknowingly during their lifetime. He felt bad that for this little boy because the little one could neither utter nor hear the Lord’s Name during his lifetime and there was no way out for him! The devoted couple consoled the Swamigal, "This is our karma and we have accepted it. Swamigal should not shed tears on this account. Please do accept the 'bhiksha' [food]." At the tearful pleadings of the hosts Sri Bodendra Swamigal had three handful of food and then took leave of them. The couple reverentially accompanied the Swamigal to the entrance to the village. Hungry that this boy was, he reached out to the leaf that Swamigal had eaten from, and ate from the remnants. No sooner had he eaten the ‘Uchchishta’ from Sri Bodendral’s leaf than he began singing the Names of the Lord! When the parents returned to the house, they could not believe their eyes seeing their hitherto deaf and dumb child jumping in joy crying out Bhagavan Nama in Bhakti. Indeed, the Uchchishta of the great saint had performed this miracle! One evening, in the place called Govindapuram, next to Tiruvidaimarudur, Sri Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal sat on the banks of river Cauvery after his regular ‘anushtanas’ . He watched the small kids playing and joined them. He asked them to bury him in the sand and said that he would come out of another place. Fascinated by this play, the kids wanted to do it again and again. This continued for some time. At one point, Swamigal was covered under the sand and he did not come out of the other end. The kids were panicked and called the elders nearby. The elders rushed in and decided to dig the ground in search of the Swami. Just then, a voice came from inside asking them not to do so and that Swamigal had gone into Jiva Samadhi there and wished to be so forever.
It was in 1692 AD Prajotpathi year Purattasi month full moon day, Sri Bodendral, treating himself as consort to Lord Rama, achieved Jeevan Mukthi, by burying himself in ground, just like Sita Devi had done ages back. Over 100 years later, when Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered the location where Sri Bodendral had attained Jeevan Mukthi, he also found Nama Kaumudi, that Sri Bodendral had carried with him all along. Even today, we have Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal’s Jiva Samadhi in Govindapuram, a place between Aduthurai and Tiruvidaimarudur, next to Kumbakonam. It is said that Bodendra Swamigal lives there chanting the Rama Nama all 24 hours and round the year. Devotees who go there and chant the Taraka Mantra in His Samadhi can hear Rama Nama emanating from the Samadhi when they spend their night there. A few can even see the form of the Mahan in Danda and Kamandala circumambulating the Samadhi chanting the Rama Nama. Today, anyone going to Sri Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal’s Samadhi Govindapuram with problems and sufferings in their heart and pray with Bhakti are ridden of their ills. That is the greatness of the Mahan who lived more than three hundred years back, and lives in his Samadhi even today. Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Sadguru Maharaj ki! Jai!

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