Why Am I
Sitting on a lonely planet
he wondered about his birth
looking at the sky Oh god!
he wondered its origin
The man felt to himself every time
Who Am I ? and where From ?
He could always end up with nothing
well, life will tell him the past
looking at the river, the optimist
smiled with joy,and ever lived in peace
springs up somewhere ,with great battle
reaches its life time goal "The Ocean"
Life did tell him this-day
He has found his holy way
life will tell him one day
to help find others their way
The man with unknown origin
has found a great Destiny
Alas!,millions live on this earth
wondering about their Destiny
Kidambi Narayanan
Fear
Came down right here, My fate
Took the rights in her hands,
made me dance to her crazy wish,
the devil binded her, in my nerves.
Stole my heart, the troublesome,
waved me along the windway,
It was no wish of mine
But a cause of stupid work.
The sneaker was in progressively
In days took my nerves in hand,
to satisfy her is no man's triumph
there was no exception than to bow her
No play, No sleep, No sleep, but
for trouble had no limits
she wouldn't leave me with no satisfaction
the cause of true man's guilt
Kidambi Narayanan
Ekadasi Fastings
Why not other days ? Why only on Ekadasi ? Significance of Ekadasi From time immemorial, Srivaishnavites have been observing fasts twice a month on Ekadasi days. This fasting is, in general, for everyone. Ekadasi is the 11th day in the moon cycle, i.e. from the new moon day and also from the full moon day. It is a proven scientific matter, that the air pressure in the atmosphere rapidly changes in the surroundings on a full moon day or on the new moon day. The sun-moon-earth combination in the orbital path, when distances itselves at every particular interval, (i.e. every 24 Hrs or for every full circle the earth rotates). When it occurs, accordingly pressure in atmosphere too changes and varies.0ne can observe this from the increasing high tidal waves in the ocean. 0n any given New moon day or Amavasya the pressure increases in the ocean and the tidal waves are very rough and high.But from the next day onwards the pressure recedes gradually thus proving that the atmospheric pressure too reduces. So, practically on the 11th day from new/full moon days, the pressure is somewhat very light or nil.If one has to go with an empty stomach on any other day the atmospheric pressures will put on him or her more strain wherein on the Ekadasi day the problem is minimal or nil. So the body never takes the pain while we cleanse the bowel system and thus refreshing the whole body mechanism, specifically the liver-stomach-bowel and the system movements.But on the immediate next day (called Dwaadasi - i.e. 12th day from full/new moon), to avoid any pressure on the body system, Srivaishnavites used to eat food in the morning as early as possible. Thus avoiding any system collapse. So it is advisable to observe fasting only on the Ekadasi day and to give scope for refreshing the body mechanism. But one must eat food immediately the next morning to avoid any complications. As the atmospheric pressure builds up faster and doubly on the 12th day from Amavasya & Poornima days, it is strongly recommended to consume food on the Dwadasi day in the early morning.Those who observe on Ekadasi days are keeping fittest health, cleansing their bowel system and mostly free from frequent ailments. Also, those who are the Bhakta's of Lord Krishna, observing fasting on Ekadasi days, have lot more mental peace, by way of self realization and inner soul! That reflects them to more and more devote to the spiritual path! Yes, this sort of penance also give them a more stronger feeling towards spirituality, thus making them pure in body and mind.
Diwali (Deepavali)
Diwali (Dipavali) Diwali – the Hindu New Year – is a five-day festival.
Anecdotes from the Puranas abound for each of the days.
Diwali can be observed by illuminating hundreds of candles in
different parts of the temple and offering various preparations
of food to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants
of Ayodhya while Lord Rama was in exile, away from His kingdom.
The joyful day on which Lord Rama returned is observed as Diwali,
or Dipavali ("dipa" means candles, and "vali" means numerous.)
During a different era, this was also the day on which Lord Krishna
performed His childhood pastime of breaking the pots of yogurt and
letting Himself be bound by Mother Yashoda.
The Five Days of Diwali (Dipavali)
The First Day of Diwali
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Trayodasi, also Dhan Theras. It is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh (the dark fortnight) of the month of Kartika. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari appeared, delivering Ayurvedic medicine for mankind.
This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, Hindus bathe and offer oil lamps with prasada (sanctified food) to Yamaraja (the Lord of Death) and pray for protection from untimely death.
The Second Day of Diwali
The second day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika and the eve of Diwali. On this day, Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura and liberated the 16,000 princesses which the demon held captive.
The Third Day of Diwali (actual Diwali)
This is the actual day of Diwali, the Hindu New Year, when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, and triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Historically, Bali Maharaja, who had captured Laksmi, was defeated on this day by Lord Krishna's dwarf brahmana incarnation, Vamanadeva. This is also the day on which Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, having successfully rescued Sita and defeated the demon, Ravana. (See: "Origins of Diwali," below.)
The Fourth Day of Diwali
On this day, Govardhana Puja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhana Puja. From then on, every year, Hindus worship Govardhana to honour that first Puja done by the people of Vraja.
It is written in the Ramayana that when the bridge to Lanka was being built by the Vanara army, Hanuman (a divine loyal servant of Lord Rama possessing enormous strength) was bringing a mountain as material to help with the construction of the bridge. When a call was given that enough materials had already been obtained, Hanuman placed the mountain down before He reached the construction site. Due to lack of time, he did not return the mountain to its original place.
The deity presiding over this mountain spoke to Hanuman asking of his reason for leaving the mountain there. Hanuman replied that the mountain should remain there until the age of Dvapara when Lord Rama incarnates as Lord Krishna, who will shower His grace on the mountain, and will instruct that the mountain be worshiped not only in that age but but in ages to come. This deity whom Hanuman spoke to was none other than Govardhana (an incarnation of Lord Krishna), who manifested Himself in the form of the mountain.
To fulfill this decree, Govardhan Puja was performed and this celebration is continued to this day.
The Fifth Day of Diwali
The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. This is the day after Govardhana Puja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters day.
Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamaraja, the Lord of Death) visited His sister, Yamuna, on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (boon) that whoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve moksha, or liberation.
From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare, and many faithful bathe in the holy waters of the Yamuna river.
This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.
This day is also known as Bhai Fota among Bengalis. Bhai Fota is an event especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother's safety, success and well being.
The Origin of Diwali
According to the epic Ramayana, Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Krishna and the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after killing Ravana, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks to celebrate the return of their king.
In rural areas of India, Diwali, which occurs at the end of a growing season, signifies Harvest Festival. Harvests normally spelt prosperity. After reaping their harvest, farmers celebrated with joy and offered praises to God for granting them a good crop.
At the time of the reign of Emperor Prithu, for example, there was a worldwide famine. He ordered that all available cultivatable lands be ploughed. When the rains came, the land became very fertile and grains were planted. The harvest provided food not only to feed all of India, but for all civilisation at the time. This harvest was close to Diwali time and was a good reason to celebrate Diwali with great joy and merriment by a wider community.
When Lord Krishna destroyed Narakasura on the day before Diwali, the news of it travelled very rapidly throught the land. It gave people who were already in a joyful mood another reason for celebrating Diwali with greater pride and elaboration.
In the Adi Parva of the Mahabarata, the Pandavas returned from the forest during Diwali time. Once more, the celebrations extended beyond the boundaries of India to wherever Hindus lived.
Pavithram
The general meaning of the word pavithram is purity.
The pavithram worn in the finger is that which makes one pure by
removing the dosham or impurity or mistakes or sins etc.
In the word Pavithram - the `thra' shows that it is to do with
protecting.
Like in manthra ( man - thra = that which protects the manas)
In puthra (pu - thra = he who protects one from the hell called `pu')
In gayathri (gaya-ti -traya -te= she who protects the one who sings
(gaayaka:) about her)
The object here is pavi or pavam.
What is the root word in Sanskrit? Pavi or pavam or something else?
These two words do exist in Tamil.
Pavam means sin (paavam) or to form or be born
`pavitthal' means that which is formed.
I am not sure whether this is originally taken from Sanskrit or
whether this exists in this meaning in Sanskrit.
Or is it something else in Sanskrit?
It will be enlightening if someone can shed light on the derivation
of the term.
Vedic Connotation of "Pavithram"
***********************************
There are three Rg Veda Manthrams that contains the word "Pavithram":
A. Rg Vedam: 9.83.1( Pavithram tE vithatham-- -- )
*********************************************************
The whole Manthram is worthy of study since it is close to
the meaning for "Pavithram" :
Pavithram tE vithatham BrahmaNaspathe prabhur-gAthrANi paryEshi viswatha:
ataptatanUr na tadh aamO aSnuthE SruthAsa idh vahantas tath samaasatha
(Meaning) : " Oh Lord of divine enlightenment , Your processes of
purification are widely strtched out (in cosmos) ; You are the Soverign ,
who rules over the entire creation from all sides .You never get tired
(become hot) in Your work .Your divine bliss is not obtainable to those ,
who are unripened . Only the mature ones recieve the graces from You ."
B. Rg Vedam: 9.73.3 ( Pavithravantha: pari- - - )
****************************************************
Pavithravantha: means "with the potential for purification ".
While the Soma Juice is being filtered and purified , this manthram
is recited .
C.Rg Vedam : 9. 97.24 ( PavithrObhi: pavamAnO- - - )
***********************************************************
The purification f the elixir (Soma Rasam) thru cosmic filters
is the subject of this Manthram .
This topic of " Pavithram " might be of wider interest to members of
many Aasthika groups.Hence I am copying them as well.
D. The 63rd Sri VishNu Sahasra Naamam: "Pavithram"
*******************************************************
" PavithrAya Nama: " The essential nature of the Lord as Purity incarnate
is referred to here according to Swamy ParAsara Bhattar.He says that
the affix "itra" comes after the verb "poo " ( to purify) in the sense of
the agent or the instrument , when it is employed in connection with
"rishi" , which signifies a Veda Mantra or a deity .(when appliedto Rishi ,
the force is that of an instrument and when applied to a DevathA ,
the force is that of an agent .
General Comments on Pavithram & SambhAvanA Manthrams :
******************************************************************
(1) The word Pavithram comes from the root "Poo " .
Poo is synanomous with pavathE , PooyathE , PoonAthi
meaning to cleanse , purify .Pootha means white Kusa grass
as well as an epithet for VishNu . PavamAna means wind
and also a sacred fire ( Gaarhapathya) .The Vedic usage of
"pavi" is the tire of a wheel .
(2) Thus there are several approaches one can take in
extracting the meaning of "Pavithram " standing for
sacred , holy , sanctified or two blades of Kusa grass
used for purification during Vedic ceremonies . Pavithra
PaaNi is One who hold Kusa grass in the hand .
(3) Pavithram is also the sacred thread worn by members
of three VarNAs : "Yaj~nOpavetham Paramam Pavithram
PrajApathE : yath sahajam purasthAth" etc .
(4) Pava: means purification and wind ; Pavana/Paavana means pure.
(5) In AzhwAr -AchArya SambhAvanA Manthrams , one comes across
" Pavithram" again . " PavithrENa " also appears in the second line :
" CharaNam Pavithram vithatham purANam yEna poothastarathy dhushkruthAni
***********
tEna PavithrENa suddhEna poothA: athi pApmAnamarAthim tarEma "
************************************
---- ---- ---- Manthram I
(Meaning) : The Lord who has the roopam of a wheel of a chariot and who
leads us to utthama gathy protects us after purifying us. He protects us
( thrANam) from powerful weapons of the enemies like Vajram. He has
no birth (anAdhi & timeless). He is present in newly consecrated Chakrams
and He is eulogized by Vedams and other PramANams.He is celebrated amongst
the Tatthva Jn~Anis and is a friend of them . He has vyApthi across the
world . Those who carry His mark on the right upper arm become sanctified
and get rid of their accumulated sins.Moksha VirOdhis are chased away by
this Sudarsanar and we get closer to Lord Sriman NaarAyaNa ,
whose sankalpa sakthi is the Purifying Sudarsanar . May we jump over all
ills with Sudarsanar's blessings !
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
lOkasya dhvAramarchimath Pavithram jyOthishmadh bhAjamAnam mahasvath
**********
amruthasya dhArA BahudhA dhOhamAnam charaNam nO lOkE sudhithAn dadhAthu
--- --- --- Manthram II
(Meaning): Sudarsanar is valuable in journeying to the Suddha Satthvamaya
Sri Vaikuntam and many other desired phalans . He is surrounded by radiant
rays that spreads in all directions. He is beautiful to look at . This
sacred
Sudarsanar chases away disease, hunger , old age and death and grants us
lasting blessings just as a mother cow feeds its calf with affection .May
this
Sudarsana make us all happy as we eulogize Him at the appropriate times !
WHAT IS SAARRUMURAI ?
WHAT IS SAARRUMURAI ?
****************************
SaaRRu MuRai stands for SaaRRum ( pORRum ) MuRai , the time honored
and traditional way ( muRai/kramam/sequence ) of standing before
the SarvEswaran to express our aakinchanyam , ananyagathithvam and
eulogize Him as the Lord of the Universe and seek Kaimkarya PrApthi
as ANDAL showed us the way in Her " SiRRam SiRukAlE vanthunnai sEvitthu "
Paasuram . She says there " UnakkE Naam Aat cheyvOm , MaRRai namm
KaamngaL mARRElO YempAvAi " . She reminds the Lord of the Uravu
to Him and wiht that urimai asks for Kaimkarya BhAgyam . The SaaRRumuRai
ends with the Phala Sruthi ThiruppAvai Paasuram : " Vangak-Kadal Kadaintha "
.
This is the time honored SaaRRum ( pORRum ) MuRai .
We seek from Him the blessings of uninterrupted Kaimkarya PrApthi
to Him during this dEha Yaathrai and remind Him that we will not
serve anyone but Him at any time . SaaRRum means SaaRRuvathu or
stating some thing in a formal and time honored manner established by
AzhwArs and AchAryAs .
These SaaRRumuRais can be short or long . When it is a long SaaRRumuRai ,
it contains excerpts from Vedam , PurANam and Dhivya Prabhandham and
concludes with the Vaazhi ThirunAmams particular to a specific AchArya
Paramparai .
The inner Meaning of SaaRRumuRai/SevA Kaalam
****************************************************
It is all about Tatthva-Hitha-PurushArTam as revealed by
the Rahasya Thrayams .
We believe that Sriman NaarAyaNa is Para Tatthvam (Supreme Tatthvam).
We believe that holding on to His sacred feet as rakshaNam is
Parama Hitham .
We believe that the performance of Prapatthi at His Sacred feet and travel
at the end of the earthly life via archirAdhi mArgam to Sri Vaikuntam and
joining with the GhOshtio of Nithya Sooris /MukthAs and AchAryAs to perform
blemishless Kaimkaryam to the Dhivya Dampathis and enjoying BrahmAnandham
THERE on a par with the Lord as PARAMA PURUSHARTAM .
The Three MahA Manthrams (AshtAksharam , Dhvayam and Charama slOkam )
reveal to us succinctly the triad of Tatthva-Hitha-PurushArTams.
The VedAs , Upanishads , IthihAsams , PurANAs , Geethai , Brahma
Soothrams and Dhivya Prabhandhams elaborate on the condensed
meanings of the above Rahasya Thrayams .
In one sampradhAyam , Sri BhAshyam , GeethA BhAshyam , Srimath
Rahasya Thraya Saaram and Bhagavath Vishayam are considered as
the Grantha Chathushtayam to be learnt at the sacred feet of SadAchAryAs
thru UpadEsa/KaalakshEpa maargam .
In that spirit of gratitude for the MahOpakAram done by our AchAryAs and
for refreshing the Jn~Anam that has been bequeathed to us , we recite
the Sri Kosams of Veda Mantra DhrushtAs ( Maha Rishis) , AzhwArs and
AchAryAs .
We recite the passages from the beginning and the end of the above Sri
Kosams in front of the PraTama AchAryan ( The Aadhya Guru of the Guru
Paramparai) , Sriman Narayanan and become dhanyAs .This practise is
known as SaaRRumuRai or SevA Kaalam ".
Kaisika Ekadasi
Kaisika Ekadasi was the day when a bhagavtha named
"Nambaaduvaan" who was involved in the Bhagavadh
Anubhavam in Thirukkurungudi over Nambi. On this day
when he was about to carry his nama sankeerthanam at
the temple he was caught by a brahma raakshasa.
Nambaaduvaan was born in a lower caste. He use to sing
emperumaan's praise staying outside the temple itself.
This brahma raakshas said nambaaduvaan that he is
going to eat him. But nambaaduvaan humbly said that he
has to finish his duty of nama sankeerthanam as it was
kaisika ekadasi and hence he will finish that and then
will become a prey for the raakshas. But Brahma
Raakshas continued telling that how can a person come
back going away from my grip ? If he says so then he
is lieing. But namabaaduvaan started saying that "If i
dont return back to you then let me get all the sins
that a person who lies will get et. etc.". Nambaduvaan
lists a whole lots of sins that he may get if he
doesnt turn back to raakshas. Hearing this the Brahma
Raakshas got impressed and allowed nambaaduvaan to go
and finish his duty. After finishing his nama
sankeerthanam he came back to the brahma raakshas and
surrendered himself to him asking him to eat him now.
Impressed by this honesty the brahma raakshas told
that he was actualy brahmana in his previous birth but
due to sins committed during his yagna he got this
janmam of Brahma Raakshas. Hence the raakshas
requested nambaaduvaan to give the fruits of his nama
sankeerthanam so that he can get back his original
form and get a relief to his soul. After such dialogs
nambaaduvaan accepted to give the fruits of his
sankeerthanam because of which the raakshas attined
good place leaving his current form. This story was
told by emperumaan "Varaaha Moorthy" to "Bhooma Devi"
when he brought her from oceans and finally emperumaan
tells thaayaar a phalasruthi that those who read
Kaisika Puraanam on the Kaisika Dwadasi day will get
Parama Pada Praapthi like Nambaaduvaan. This story of
Nambaaduvaan is a part of Varaaha Puraanam which was
told as a story by emperumaan to bhoomaa devi.
Even today on Kaisika Dwadasi in every temple Kaisika
Puranam is read in front of emperumaan by the Mudal
Theertha Kaarars of the temple. Specifically this is
very famous in Thirukkurungudi Nambi temple at
Thirukkurungudi. So it is being told that on Kaisika
Ekadasi this incident of nambaaduvaan happened.
As usual you may want to be on upavaasam and do nama
sankeerthanam on Kaisika Ekadasi day and read Kaisika
Puraanam on the Kaisika Dwadasi day.
Hope emperumaan shower on you with lots and lots of
bhagavath and bhagavatha anubhavam on you.
