Aarsha Vani - Rushipeetham

August 2019 Volume: 5 Issue: 07

Aarsha Vani ( V o i c e o f S a n a t a n a D h a r m a )

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Title Page#

1 Bhārata Dēśa - The Treasure House of Knowledge

1

2 Siva Padam – diggajamulu karamulatō divyasvarṇakalaśamulanu

2

3 Gaja Lakṣmī 2

4 Apathy and lack of responsiveness towards ‘Dharma’leads to the downfall of the society

3

5 Traditions – Fulfilments 5

6 Garuḍa Mahā Purāṇa 6

7 Major Festivals in This Month 7

8 The Eternal - Significance of ‘ārdrākṣatārōpaṇam’ – Talambrālu

9

9 Vāsudeva: Sarvamiti… 10

10 Different Forms of Lakṣmī Permeated All Across the Embodiment of Śrīnivāsa

11

11 Śiva jñānaṁ - Gaṅgādhara 12

12 Hindu Dharma – Form, Nature and Effect 13

13 Vyūha Lakṣmi 14

14 Atulita Baladhāmaṁ Svarṇaśailābha Dēhaṁ… 15

15 Śrī Ādi Śaṅkara Jñāna Yajñaṁ - Bhaja Gōvindam

16

16 Greatness of ‘Sanskrit’ 17

17 Sanatana Dharma Around the World 17

18 Children’s Corner – i. National Pledge - ‘Chātra Pratijña’ ii. Vedic Mathematics - Sūtrās

18 19

19 The Mahabharata True Story from Sage 20

Veda Vyasa - Sāvitri Upākhyānam

20 Announcements 22

21 Photo Gallery 23

Copyright © 2019 | Rushipeetham Charitable Trust. All Rights Reserved.

‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’

Aarshavani Vol. 5 August | 2019

Dear Readers, Namaste.

During the North America Jnana Yagnam 2019,

Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu

rejuvenated many with his words of ambrosia to

remain steadfast in the path of Dharma and motivated

them to apply the ‘Vedanta Knowledge’ in their day-

to-day life. To many new attendees, he was an ocean

of infinite knowledge on various aspects ranging from

Puranas to Itihasas to Kavyas to Sanatana Dharma

subtleties. He also infused courage, confidence and

pride in the children and youth alike about the great

cultural heritage of Bhāratadēśa.

Guru Pournima was celebrated with great pomp and

splendor at Irvine, CA. Many devotees from all over NA

attended the celebrations. Please don't miss to watch

Brahmasri Samavedam garu's Guru Pournima

Anugraha Bhashanam. Please visit picture gallery for

Guru Pournima celebrations.

In this month of Shravana, Janmashtami, the birthday

of Bhagavan Krishna is celebrated by Hindu diaspora

across the world with great fervor and enthusiasm.

Brahmasri Samavedam garu expounds Srimad

Bhagavad Gita and beautifully explains how one

should conduct himself to become dear to Govinda.

The story of king Vena from Hari Vamsam highlights

the responsibility of intellectuals and society towards

atrocious and unjust rule.

We take this opportunity to express our gratitude for

your continuous support. To express your views

about this e-magazine, please write to

[email protected] with the subject line

‘VIEW’.

Thanks & Namaste,

Aarshavani Team.

Aarshavani FaceBook

GURUVĀṆI

Let’s all re-dedicate ourselves to bring back the glorious heritage of Bhāratadēśa! Let’s all work together to spread the great knowledge given by our Maharṣis for the welfare of the entire mankind! Let’s all pray God that none shall abuse their position and power to encourage religious conversions disturbing the very fabric of this great nation! Let’s all, at least now, realize that it is only in this country every caste, creed, religion, occupation were accorded due respect, due to which they all lived together in total peace and complete harmony since ages! – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

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Aarshavani Vol. 5 – August | 2019 1

Bhārata Dēśa – The Treasure House of Knowledge

The very term ‘Bhāratīyata’ in itself means ‘A heap of all kinds of knowledge’.

Our civilization is so amazing that astounding knowledge related to the

sciences of physics, dharma, and spirituality has been unraveled in the form

of innumerable scriptures even during

very ancient times. Such independent

advancement achieved ages before is

now gradually moving into oblivion

due to foreign invasions. ‘Innovative

Bhārata’ is transforming into

‘Imitating India’. Today’s youth are

not even aware of the grandeur of the

glorious past. Youth of today have no

comprehension about ancient

scientists such as Aryabhatta in

astronomy, Chanakya who wrote

Arthasastra, Varahamihira who was the master of astrology, Kalidasa whose

works such as Raghuvamsam, Meghasandesam expound many mysterious

and complex aspects about nature and environment, Atreya who postulated

excellent doctrines in the science of dreams, Gautama who authored the

treatise on justice, Kanada whose research on atoms and other finite particles

unearths many scientific truths unearthed many centuries later, Kapila who

is the father of Sankhya school of thought, Patanjali whose work on Yoga is

now followed by the entire world, Bharadwaja’s research work on aviation

sciences and many more. Physicians such as Dhanvantari who gave Ayurveda

to the mankind, surgeons such as Charaka, Sushruta, many sculptors who

created eternal works of art and beauty in stone, wood, and other materials,

painters who brought to life many an episodes with their astounding skill,

architects with mind boggling engineering skill who could calculate the

exact position of Sun in different zodiacs, who were able to construct

gigantic temples like Brihadiswara temple in Tanjavur, Rameswaram temple,

Lepakshi temple and many others without any machinery or equipment of

today’s ultra-modern world etc., (Contd.. Page 3)

SĀMAVĒDĪYAṀ (QUINTESSENCE OF SANATANA DHARMA)

“Sanātana Dharma doctrine propounds

that an individual without the quality of

gratitude should not even be

reminisced. Waiting for an apt

opportunity to return multi-fold even

for the small help received earlier is true

‘Sadāchāra’. Ancient scriptures decree

that one should leave out the tendency

of showing more inclination towards

revenge than returning the help.” - Brahmasri Dr.Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

Upcoming Pravachanams

Date: Aug 4, 2019 10:00 PM Topic: "Significance of Garuda and Improtance of Vainateya Homam” Venue: Sri Venkateswara Temple, 18109 NE 76th St. Redmond, WA, 98052, USA. Contact: N Jairam 4258941579 Date: Aug 11 - 17, 2019 6:00 PM Topic: "Hanumat-Sarvasvam” Venue: Rama Mandir, Opposite to Bus Stand N.R. Colony, Bengaluru.

Organized by Rushipeetham Charitable Trust, Bengaluru Branch

Contact: VA Sastry 98450 25121 Radha Krishna 98450 43927 P Sridhar 93412 14797 JVR Prasad Rao 78928 70615 V Raghuram 98661 89025 Date: Aug 21 - 25, 2019 7:30 AM; 4:30 PM Topic: "Viveka Chudamani” Venue: Tapovan Kuteer Ashram, Chinmaya Mission, Himalayas, Uttara Kasi

Organized by Chinmaya Prabha, Bhimavaram Contact: B Subbarao 92466 33676

Adhyatmika Pravachanams Venue: Sri Vallabha Gaṇapati Devalayam,

Kontamuru, Rajamahendravaram Contact: Dr. TV Narayana Rao 9393939379 Ravindranath 9110320236 Rama Sastry 9652815577

Vara Prasad 9849660056

(For details visit http://rushipeetham.org/ Event Calendar) Traditions-Fulfilments

When making sandalwood paste rubbing on a stone, one should turn the sandalwood in clockwise direction only. Else, it would have negative effects.

Sadhu Vachanam “An aimless life is always a troubled life. Every individual should have an aim. But do not forget that the quality of your aim will decide the quality of your life. Your aim should be high and wide, generous and disinterested; this will make your life precious to yourself and to others. Whatever your ideal, it cannot be perfectly realized unless you have realized perfection in yourself.” – Sri Aurobindo Ghosh

Bharateeyam “The Hindu systems of astronomy are much more ancient than those of the Egyptians - even the Jews derived from the Hindus. The movement of stars which was calculated by Hindus 4500 years ago, does not differ even by a minute from the tables which we are using today.” - Francois Gautier, Frenchman

Spiritual Quest (Answers by Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma)

What is the significance of numbers in ‘Aṣṭōttara śataṁ’ (108) ‘Aṣṭōttara sahasraṁ’ (1008)?

These numbers denote totality. ‘yēkaṁ advitīyaṁ brahma’ – ‘1’ denotes the ‘ONE’ Parabrahman. ‘0’ or ‘00’ denotes

the transient world. ‘8’ denotes prakrti i.e. Nature consisting of the Five Elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and

Earth), Mind, Intellect, and the ego of the self. ‘Bhūmi rāpōnalō vāyu: Khaṁ manō buddhirēvaca ahaṅkāra

itīyaṁ bhinnā prakrtiraṣṭadhā’ said Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

Scholars described that ‘Parabrahman – World – Nature’ are indicated by the above numbers. Mahābhārata says,

‘Viśvaṁ śataṁ sahasraṁ sarvaṁ akṣaya vācakaṁ’ i.e. śataṁ (100), sahasraṁ (1000), sarvaṁ - All these words

denote infiniteness. The Supreme God as well as His efficacies (mahima), plays (līlās), and characteristics (guṇās)

are infinite. But, humans lack the infinite capacity to venerate this infiniteness of the Supreme. Hence, recitation

and chanting of stotras with this number aids in connecting our mind with the infiniteness present therein. That’s

why the numbers śataṁ and sahasraṁ became very prominent in worship. Once ‘8’ is added to these numbers (100,

1000), they add up to ‘9’. ‘9’ number is the total and complete energy. All numbers are present in the number ‘9’.

Thus, 108/1008 became symbolic for being holistic.

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SivaPadam

diggajamulu karamulatō divyasvarṇakalaśamulanu

amrtālu tecci ninu abhiṣēkincenu śivā! padmakarā! padmāsana! varadābhaya hastā! paramaiśvarya svarūpa! hiraṇyamayavarṇā! śivā....

aṣṭasiddhulanni cēri arcincenu ninnē navanidhulē centacēri nānārītula kolicenu nī vibhūtulē jagamuna niṇḍi naḍupucunnavayā śaktirūpa! viṣṇuhrdaya! sampatkara! candradharā!

nī cētanu carācaram'mella lakṣitamu bhavā! nī kaṭākṣavīkṣaṇalē nikhiladhanapu mūlam'mulu īśvara! ninu talacu yiṇṭa aiśvarya paramparalē manasu pālakaḍali vennavayyā ṣaṇmukhāvanā!

This composition venerates Lord Śiva in the form of Mahā

lakṣmi. ‘padmakarā, padmāsanā, varadābhayahastā,

hiraṇmaya varṇa’ – Not only all these are the form

elucidations in terms of Mahālakṣmi, but also describe the

form of Śiva embedded in the halo of āditya. Since Īśvara

is the embodiment of all gods, this veneration is along the

same lines looking that same Swāmi as the goddess of affluence.

"digghastibhiḥ: Kanaka kumbha

mukhāvasrṣṭa svarvāhini vimala cāru jalaplu

tāṅgīm..." – Scriptures describe that the

elephants of the quarters are bathing the Divine

Mother with the golden pitchers held with their

trunks. In the form of Mrityunjaya, Śiva also is wet bodied with nectar. He

is called Īśvara, because He has all kinds of wealth. All the eight siddhis and

nine nidhis are with Him only. Entire world is filled with His ‘Vibhutis’ i.e.

occurrences.

‘Viṣṇōśca hrdayaṁ śiva:’ says Aarshavani i.e. Scriptures say ‘Śiva is the heart

of Viṣṇu’. Lakṣmi, the root cause of all kinds of wealth, is also the heart of

Viṣṇu. Holding a crescent moon on the head is mentioned for Lakṣmi also.

‘Lakṣmi’ is that Śakti which protects this entire universe. Having that power,

Īśvara Himself is the embodiment of Lakṣmi. Scriptures also demonstrate

that wealth is acquired due to Īśvara only. Divine Mother Lakṣmi Dēvi is the

butter that came out of the churning of milky ocean. Likewise, ‘Śiva Tattva’

is the butter that is obtained by churning the mind with devotion. In Lakṣmi

Aṣtottara stotra, there are descriptions such as ‘Vibhūtim…, Śivām,

Śivakarīm’. Lakṣmi Sahasranama stotra also contains descriptions of Śiva

such as ‘Sadāśivā', 'pañcavaktrā', 'daśabhujāśuddhasphaṭikasannibhā',

'aghōrā rudrarūpiṇī', 'rudraikādaśinī', 'sadyōjātādi pancāgnirūpā'.

Apart from these scriptural substantiations, this composition belongs to

that tradition of Bhakti, wherein all the other gods are envisioned in one’s

chosen favorite deity. If one form of ‘Single-minded devotion’ or ‘Ananya

Bhakti’ is to reminisce only one’s favorite deity leaving out all other gods,

another form of the same is to visualize that all the other gods are the form

of one’s chosen deity. The second one is distinguished and excellent. This is

the path accepted by Vedas.

ārdrāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ puṣṭim piṅgaḷām padmamālinīṁ | candrāṁ hiraṇmayīm lakṣmīm jātavēdō ma āvaha ||

Goddess Mahalakshmi is always wet because of the abhiṣēkam. ‘Puṣkariṇi’ also means one who gives abundance and plumpness.

This mantra describes the form of ‘Gaja Lakṣmī’. This form of Goddess Mahālakṣmī wet with the abhiṣēkam of two elephants should be meditated upon. ‘Sri Tattva’ treatise wonderfully narrates the tattva of Gaja Lakṣmī.

mamakārō madaścēti vartatē pārśvayōrdvayō: | dēvatau gajarūpiṇyau śrīdēvīmabhiṣincata | tayōśśuṇḍāgrayōrjāta āśā prītyāhvayā vubhau suvarṇakalaśau tābhyāṁ trpti pūrṇāmbha sānvahaṁ | hrtpadmavāsinī dēvī cidrūpiṇyabhiṣicyatē dēhē grhātmakē tiṣṭhē sahānandēna viṣṇunā ||

‘The two qualities, interest of self and arrogance, are in the forms of two elephants on both sides. Their trunks have greed and affection as golden pitchers containing contentment and completeness as waters. With that, they are performing the sacred bathing to Divine Mother residing in the lotus of the heart as the embodiment of ‘Chit’ i.e. consciousness. May Vishnu, the embodiment of bliss, along with Divine Mother make my body as His abode!’

Above slokas describe how one should contemplate upon the form of Gaja Lakṣmi. Dissolving the emotions of ‘Mama’ i.e. me, mine, indulgence (arrogance), greed, contentment, completeness etc. in the cosmic energy of the Self i.e. Supreme Consciousness is the philosophical significance of this form.

–Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Sri Suktham Paramartham’ Book)

For SivaPadam albums, please visit http://sivapadam.org/

or contact Rushipeetham local office.

‘SIVAPADAM’ compositions by Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu elucidating Siva’s philosophy are sung by famous singers and presented as musical-dance programs all around the world. So far, ‘SivaPadam’ is released in 16 albums ‘SIVAPADAM’ now In PEn DrIVE - For ease of portability adapting technological advances, all 16 albums are now also available in a single pen drive.

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(The story of king Vēna from ‘Hari Vamsa’)

This episode is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavata and Vishnu Purana also. But, in Hari Vamsa, this story has been placed on par with those episodes which should not be left out while reading and listening. That itself elucidates the significance of this episode in expounding Dharma, Jnana, and Bhakti. Along with them, this episode highlights the magnanimity and prudence of Bhāratiya Maharṣis in administration, civilization, medical sciences etc., illustrates the profound and well-rounded system of true democracy that was followed in Bhāratadēśa since ages, and details the principles and responsibility that have to be the bedrock foundation of an egalitarian society.

Among the Manus, Svayambhuva Manu was the foremost. He had two sons, Priyavrata and Uttānapāda. The great devotee of Lord Nārāyana, Dhruva, is the son of Uttānapāda. Some generations down the clan, there was a great king named Angudu whose wife is Sunītha, the daughter of Mrutyu (God of Death). Their son is Vēna. Till now, the dynasty is replete with kings who are virtuous, devout followers of Dharma performing Yagnas, ruling over the subjects with love and justness. Now, Vēna turned out otherwise. He decreed that Yagnas need not be performed to offer the sacred havis to gods. He instructed that all the wealth, taxes etc. should be surrendered unto him with utmost trust, since they made him their ruler giving all the powers of command. In short, king Vēna tormented the followers of Sanatana Dharma and ridiculed Vedic dictums. He appointed some people to act as his agents, whose atrocious behavior and conduct terribly terrified the subjects. The Maharṣis gave the dictum to perform yajña to propitiate the different kinds of energies present in nature. Upon gratification, these energies who are none other than different forms of gods, in turn deliver all that is benevolent to the mankind.

Bhārata Dēśa - The Treasure House of Knowledge – Contd.. from page 1 The contribution of philosophers such as Gaudapada, Shankara, Ramanuja,

Madhva, Jaimini, Agastya, Vyasa, Valmiki, and many Maharshis to mankind

ranging from polity to behavioral sciences to warfare to cosmology to psychology

to neurology including the thought process of human mind to unraveling the

profound truths of universe to ultimate Vedanta is phenomenal and monumental

to even dare comment, forget about comprehending them in totality. Today’s

youth does not even have respect towards the country. Many elders also

look down ‘Bhāratīyata’ from the viewpoint of religion. In the field of

education, the so-called intellectuals and professors in our country have formed definitive bad opinions

about everything that is ‘Bhāratīya’. With a determination that opposing the nation itself is the characteristic of

an intellectual, these group started vandalizing even magnanimous concepts with vulgarity using obscene

vocabulary and transmitting the same among the newer generations. In complete contrast to acts of these kind of

people, many western scientists and philosophers, after a profound study of religions and civilizations across the

world, venerated the Hindu Dharma from the Bhāratīya philosophical inquest.

– Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

Once a society becomes devoid of the consciousness of God and ‘The Ultimate Supreme’, that society is sure to collapse. Lack of fear towards God and evil, and sympathy towards Dharma leads to the downfall of the society. Governance without dharmic appeal and dharmic foundation is that governance, which brings the entire society to a grinding halt and makes it kneel down. A careful observation with the developments of the day makes this closer to current concepts of so called ‘Pseudo-secularism’. But, the great and wise Maharṣis of ancient Bhāratadēśa, whose intellectual capacity and power of thought are far beyond and above the level of a commoner, evolved the aphorism to keep the nature and mankind in complete harmony and blissful ages ago.

Even Lord Krishna mentioned the same in Srimad Bhagavadgita –

‘saha yajña: praja sr ṣṭvā purōvācā prajāpatiḥ anēnā prasaviṣyadhvaṁ ēṣavōtsa viṣṭa kāmadhuk’ "Be happy by the yajna [sacrifice], because its performance will bestow upon you all desirable things."

This entire cycle of yajña is for the expansion and well-being of this creation. Lord also said in Srimad Bhagavadgita, ‘aghāyu: indriyārāmō mōgha pārtha: sajīvatī’ i.e. those who do not submit themselves to this cycle are leading a life of evil and in fact, their life and very existence is in vain. With such life filled with yajña, humans connect themselves with divinity. On the other side, leaving out yajña takes their life closer to the life of a beast. The true definition of ‘yajña’ is to perform all actions with an attitude of sacrifice without any self-interest. Scriptures also described about ‘Pancha yajñas’. It is imperative here to comprehend that, just like a charitable offering does not provide anything in return immediately but shall certainly come back in some other propitious form at some other time, there is an orderly system of things in this universe managed by gods which returns auspiciousness for all yajñas that are performed.




Of course, king Vēna is no exception to this law of the universe. Unable to control son’s wickedness, his father Angudu took to asceticism. Once Vēna stopped doing yajñas and behaved recklessly, famine kicked in. The harmony and balance in nature was disturbed due to the pollution of Dharma.

All the Maharṣis went to the king and demanded explanation from him for all his brutal actions, because those are the days when the kings submitted themselves to the intellectuals and thinkers of the land, respected them, sought advices from time to time, and implemented them judiciously, unlike today wherein the so called intellectuals dance to the tunes of the government and do a complete metamorphosis of truth to package and present as it suits their political masters’ selfishness.

Vēna is no mood to oblige them. Moreover, he was arrogant saying that the entire land is at his command. Disappointed at the attitude of such uncompromising and rude king, since they had no other alternative, Maharṣis killed Vēna with the power of their tapas. But, they are aware of the fact that lack of king of the land kicks in more disorder in the society and gives rise to all kinds of evils. Hence, they all went to Sunītha, mother of Vēna, who preserved the body. They churned the shoulders of Vēna, from which emperor Prthu, an aspect of Lord Vishnu, along with Archi, an aspect of Goddess Lakshmi emerged. Lord Brahma Himself along with Indra and other gods coronated Prthu as emperor. Like his ancestors, Prthu ruled over the entire land with truth, justness, and wisdom. He restored all the Vedic practices of Yajna and rejuvenated the society with peace and joy all

around. Meanwhile, some elders in the kingdom went to the king and requested him to restore all the occupations that were thriving before Vēna destroyed them during his tyrannical rule.

When one is judiciously following dharma according to the stipulations of Vedas and scriptures while venerating the Gurus, one can even command the nature and gods as appropriate. Since Brahma Himself commended his rule, Prthu became confident, put the raudrastra on his bow, and demanded Mother Earth as to why She is not providing all the required auṣadhis i.e. resources that will let all the occupations flourish. Mother Earth took the form of a cow and started running to Brahmaloka. Restrained by Prthu, She explained that She became barren due to the unjust deeds performed by his father for a long time. She said that She is happy with the Dharma of Prthu and let him take what he needs by milking Her udders, but asked him to first make Her even and balanced. Emperor Prthu immediately employed some craftsmen to make the land even and remove the irregularities by organizing villages, towns, cities, farm lands, communities for people engaged in different occupations or following same customs and traditions for cooperative living. Prthu obtained everything from Mother Earth. Thus, the whole of the earth was thoroughly transformed. Henceforth, it flourished with lush green farms and abundance of resources with people of all trades self-sufficient and co-existing in perfect harmony thus eliminating all evils such as robbery and violence. Just the reminiscence of emperor Prthu makes the day auspicious and grants success in all the endeavors of the day including travel and others. Also, in this episode, Maharshi Veda Vyasa taught us to follow Dharma for individual and universal well-being.

– Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

One should not behave according to their own will thrashing the decrees of scriptures thinking that gods are neither seen nor do they see the happenings around. Lack of spirituality leads to increase in corruption in all walks of life at all levels. Once there is lack of Dharma in day to day life because of lack of trust in the ultimate, society becomes unruly. Hence, Dharma is required not only for those who are ready to retire, but also for those who are young and are in active life. Here, it is essential to recollect the words of Swami Vivekananda that it is only ‘Haindava Dharma’ or ‘Sanatana Dharma’ that can bring glory and peace to Bhāratadēśa at all times. The fundamental principle that gods are always watching everything that goes around in this universe and bestow rewards on the virtuous and punish the wicked should never be forgotten. It is extremely essential that everyone should be mindful of this fact and conduct accordingly.

This one instance should loudly proclaim to the entire world that since times immemorial, true democracy has been embedded into the polity and political system of Bhāratadēśa at its highest level. Bhāratadēśa has always been ruled not just by kings, but by rajarṣis i.e. kings who conducted themselves like ascetics with dispassion and non-attachment towards everything, while remaining firm in their Dharma.

In modern day terms, it can be considered that emperor Prthu is the first to plan modernization, execute town planning and constructively exploit the nature without disturbing the equanimity to create new occupations and professions such as agriculture, business, farming, trade, protection of cows etc.




Traditions – Fulfilments

1. na nakhaiḥ vilikhēt bhūmiṁ (kūrma purāṇaṁ)

na nakhēna likhēt bhūmiṁ (padma purāṇaṁ)

=> One should not write on the earth with nail(s).

2. nāpō bhūmiṁ va pāṇipādēnābhihanyāt (suśruta sanhita)

=> One should not hit hard on either floor or earth with hands or legs.

3. ambuvābhyāṁ bhūkaraṇaṁ yaḥ karōti ca mānavaḥ, sa yāti krmidanśaṁ ca sthitistatra

caturyugaṁ. Bhūkampē grahaṇē yōhi karōti khananaṁ bhuvaḥ,

janmāntarē mahāpāpōhyaṅgahīnō bhavēddhrvaṁ.

=> Since the first part of ārdrā star is the menstruation period for Mother Earth, during

earthquakes, and eclipse times, one should not dig the earth.

4. pradīpaṁ śivaliṅgaṁ ca śālagrāmaṁ maṇiṁ tathā, pratimāṁ yajñasūtraṁ ca suvarṇaṁ

śaṅkhamēva ca. Hīrakaṁ ca tathā muktāṁ gōmūtraṁ gōmayaṁ ghrtaṁ, śālagrāma

śilātōyaṁ bhūmau tyaktvā vrajēdadhaḥ, daridraḥ krpaṇaḥ kuṣṭhī

vanśahīnōఽpyabhāryakaḥ,bhavēt kramēṇa pāpāsa hyētān bhūmau tyajēt yaḥ

(brahmavaivartapurāṇaṁ)

=> Putting dīpaṁ, śivaliṅga, śālagrāma, gem, idol of deity, conch, pearl, ruby, diamond, gold,

Tulasi, Rudraksha, garland, beads used to do chanting, book, sacred thread, yantra, flowers,

camphor, Cow products such as urine, dung, ghee etc., bundle of sacred darbha grass on bare floor

is great sin.

5. Malaṁ mūtraṁ purīṣaṁ ca ślēṣma niṣṭhīnāśruca, gaṇḍūṣāścaiva muncanti yē tē brahmahaṇaiḥ samaḥ (skandapurāṇaṁ) => One accumulates more sin even than committing the murder of Brahman, when one leaves urine, stool, phlegm, tears, gargled water, spit into rivers and water reservoirs.

6. ambunakṣōbhayēdaṅgaiḥ pādēnōtsādayēnniva (śāṇḍilya smrti). na pādēna pāṇinā vā jalamabhihanyānna jalēna jalaṁ (vasiṣṭha smrti) => One should not hit the water hard with either hands or legs.

7. na praśansēnnadītōyē nadīmanyāṁ kathaṁ cana, na girau parvataṁ rāma na rājñaḥ puratō nrpaṁ (Viṣṇudharmōttarapurāṇaṁ) => One should not adulate or discuss about other river(s) or mountain(s) in the vicinity of another river or mountain.

Jananī Prthvī Kāmadhuk… Mother Earth is the kāmadhuk. She can provide everything for everyone according to their needs and wishes. Emperor Prthu made Manu the calf and his own hands the container for milk. Here, Prthu represents entire mankind. Manu represents Dharma. Hands represent one’s own efforts. Hence, Prthu demonstrated that one can acquire all the riches from Mother Earth with sustained and focused effort, while resolutely following the stipulated Dharma. Similarly, it has been mentioned in great detail what everybody obtained from the kāmadhuk Mother Earth.

Vatsa (Calf)

Pātra (Container)

Dōhaka (Representative)

Lābha (Benefits)

Labhya: (Benefactor)

Manu Hands Prthu auṣadhis Mankind

Soma (Yajna offering) Chandas (Mantras) Brihaspati (Intellect) Brahmam (Vedas) Sadhakas

Devendra Hiranmaya Savita (Sun God) Tejas (Effulgence) Gods

Vaivasvata Silver vessel Pitru Milk Pitru Ganas

Chitraratha Lotus leaf Vasuruchi Knowledge of Music as Milk

Gandharvas, Celestial damsels

Mountain Himavan Rock vessel Mountain Meru Herbs and gems Mountains

Plaksha tree Moduga vessel Sala tree Puna Praroha Sakti (blossom repeatedly)

Trees

Above episode illustrates that earth is the epicenter of the entire cosmos. Even gods, trees, pitrus – everyone has to obtain their essentials from Mother Earth only. Only here, one can perform Yajnas and other karmas. At the same time, the significance of being human is epitomized here in mentioning that it is first Prthu who milked the earth followed by others. Hence, all Bhāratiyas venerate Mother Earth prostrating ‘Vandē Bhumātaram’.




GARUḌA MAHĀ PURĀṆA - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Pravachanam Translation)

Part 9

ŚRĪ VIṢṆUPAÑJARA STŌTRAM (Contd…)

In Sanskrit, ‘Panjara’ means cage or armor. Recitation of this stotra protects devotee from all sides- East-West-North-South / South-east-South-west-North-east-North-west, and from above and down. Anybody who recites this stotra every day with faith, concentration and devotion receives a strong body, and thus become victorious by defeating one’s enemies. Here, the efficacy of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra is mentioned. Few slokas are given below – vāsudēvō mahāviṣṇu: vāmanō vasavō vasu: | bālacandranibhō bālō balabhadrō balādhipa: || balibandhanakrtdvēdhā varēṇyō vēdavitkavi: | vēdakartā vēdarūpō vēdyō vēdaparipluta: || This Vishnu Sahsaranama Stotra is mentioned in Garuda Purana, which is different from what is mentioned in Mahabharata. Both are equally efficacious and reciting anyone is meritorious. It should be noted that Sanatana Dharma emphasizes the worship of all other gods along with the worship of one’s chosen deity. Gayatri Mantras as pertained to Vishnu also find a mention here. Elaborate description about the worship of Surya and Siva are also mentioned here in many chapters. Especially, worship of Siva in Mrityunjaya form, His five-faced form, significance, methods of worship etc. are described in detail.

Worship of Surya Principally, worship of Surya, the direct manifestation of God Himself in front of humans, is important, because worship of any other form of God will not yield merit if Sun is not worshipped properly. Among the many mantras of Surya, one mantra that finds distinct mention is ‘Śrī khakōlkā ādityāya nama:’ This means ‘Salutations to that Aditya who is making the sky effulgent’. In Kasi, there is a temple dedicated to khakōlkā āditya. Worship of Surya with this mantra is termed preeminent. Aditya Gayatri – ‘Ādityāya vidmahē viśvabhāvāya dhīmahī tanna: Sūrya pracōdayāt’. Everyone can chant this mantra. Along with this mantra, the names of the twelve Adityas known as Dwadasa Adityas are also told here – 1. Mitrāya nama: 2. Ravayē nama: 3. Sūryāya nama: 4. Bhānavē nama: 5. Khagāya nama: 6. Pūṣṇē nama: 7. Hiraṇya garbhāya nama: 8. Marīcayē nama: 9. Ādityāya nama: 10. Arkāya nama: 11. Savitrē nama: 12. Bhāskarāya nama:

It is stipulated that everyone shall worship Surya at twilight times both at dawn and dusk. Especially, those decreed to perform shall lose their cadence, if they don’t perform Sandhyavandana regularly. Lord Vishnu here tells Garuda a sloka that everyone should recite every day at the times of Sandhya – ‘śrī khakōlkāya śāntāyā kāraṇatraya hētavē | nivēdayāmi cātmānaṁ namastē jñānarūpiṇē || tvamēva brahma paramamāpō jyōtīrasōmrtaṁ | bhūrbhuvastva ōṅkāra: sarvō rudra sanātana: || O the effulgent one! The peaceful one! You are the root cause of all the three causes. I offer myself and my prostrations to You, O the embodiment of jñāna! You are Brahman, the Supreme who is the nectarine light. You are the form of Bhu:, Bhuva:, Suva:, and the Omkara. You are the eternal Rudra. One can notice how tactfully Maharshi Vedavyasa embedded the Veda mantra into the sloka for the benefit of everyone. This sloka describes Surya as the Supreme Brahman and the embodiment of all the gods. Sri Adi Sankaracharya restored the worship of six principal deities in the form of ‘Panchāyatana’ i.e. Siva, Vishnu, Amba, Ganapati, and Surya, as elaborated by Maharshi Veda Vyasa in all the major eighteen puranas. Accordingly, in this purana also, Sri Vedavyasa detailed out everything – the yantra, mantra, method of worship, benefits etc., for each of the deities mentioned above.

(To be continued…)

Aditya Temples in Varanasi Based on Kasi Khandam from Skhanda Puranam




Major Festivals In This Month

Affluence bestowing month of śrāvaṇa

Thursday August 1, 2019 Ashadha Amavasya/Sravana Suddha Padyami – Friday August 30, 2019 Sravana Amavasya

"Asmin māsē krtaṁ yadyattadanantāya kalpatē" i.e. ‘Puja and other meritorious deeds performed in the month of Sravana yield infinite results’, said Lord Iswara Himself mentioning about the efficacy of this month. Skanda and many other Puranas mention that every day of the week and tithi are conjoined with explicit divine powers and hence grace the worshippers. Worship of Sun along with Sanjna on every Sunday and Siva observing Nakta Vrata are prescribed. Also, worship of Goddess Lakshmi on Fridays along with ‘Jeevantika Vratam’ are mentioned in Skanda Purana. Worship of Saturn, Narasimha, Anjaneya along with traditional household deities on Saturdays is mentioned in scriptures.

ĀṢĀḌA MONTH

August 1, 2019 Thursday – Chukkala Amavasya, Gowri Vratam - Since this Amavasya occurs before the month of Sravana which is filled with Goddess Lakshmi worship, Dharma treatises decree it augurs auspiciousness to worship Goddess Lakshmi Devi on this day putting more number of lamps. Since this Amavasya being the first one in Dakshinayana, the second half of the year, offering of this many lamps also gladdens the Pitru Devatas.

Also, Gowri Vratam is prescribed on this day. Invoking Gowri Devi in a lump of turmeric, doing Puja with all the sixteen Upacharas, and offering of Kudums (an offering made with flour) is stipulated. As a part of this puja, one should prepare two rakshasa (sacred threads chanting mantras), offer one to Gowri Devi, and wear the other one. Unmarried women might soon get into wedlock and married women are bestowed auspiciousness.

ŚRĀVAṆA MONTH

August 2, 2019 Friday – Audumbara Vruksha Puja - One should worship Siva and Sukra in Audumbara tree on this day. If Audumbara tree is not in the vicinity, one should draw the picture of that tree on a wall and pray chanting the below sloka –

"Udumbara namastubhyaṁ namastē hēmapuṣpaka, sajantuphalayuktāya namō raktāṇḍaśālinē."

August 3, 2019, Saturday – Madhusrava Vratam, Swarna Gowri Vratam - Newlywed women should perform this Madhusrava Vratam worshipping the ‘Naga Devata’ in their maternal home. All the eatables and offerings prepared thereby should be shared with husband and in-laws. This is more prevalent in northern parts of Bharatadesa. Because scriptures mentioned keeping in view the entire mankind, people of all parts of Bharatadesa can perform this Vratam. For harmonious married life, worship of Sri Parvati and Sankara called ‘Swarna Gowri Vratam’ should be done with all sixteen upacharas. One should tie the sacred thread with sixteen knots to right and left hands for male and female respectively chanting the following mantra "Guṇaiḥ ṣōḍaśibhiryuktaṁ dōrakaṁ dakṣiṇēkarē, badhnāmi dēvadēvēśi prasādaṁ kuru mē varaṁ". Prostrate to Gowri Devi chanting the mantra,

"jayadēvi namastubhyaṁ jaya bhaktavarapradē, jaya śaṅkara vāmāṅgē jaya maṅgalamaṅgaḷē"

August 4, 2019, Sunday – Durva Ganapati Vratam - Invoke Lord Ganapati in idol or kalasa and worship with blades of grass, red flowers, and tender leaves of Raavi, Marri, Juvvi, Neredu, and Medi (Pancha Pallavas). If possible, offer grass blade made with gold. Because of this, one’s lineage shall prosper just like grass blades connect with one another and expand, and they will thrive with all kinds of prosperity. August 5, 2019, Monday – Naga Panchami, Somavara Vrata begins - Draw Naga Devata pictures on wall with powder mixed with turmeric and sandalwood. Perform worship with blades of grass, flowers, akshata and offer wheat flour sweet. This removes the malefic effects of serpents and bestows the grace of God. One should not use iron skillet for preparing frying foods this day. This is the first Monday on which Nakta Vratam begins. August 6, 2019, Tuesday – Tuesday nomulu, Surya Shasti Puja Women should worship Mangala Gowri performing Mangala Gowri Vratam on all Tuesdays for begetting Saubagya chanting "Maṅgaḷaṁ maṅgaḷādhārē māṅgaḷyē maṅgaḷapradē, maṅgaḷārthaṁ maṅgaḷēśi māṅgaḷyaṁ dēhi mē sadā". Worship of Sun on this day bestows the grace of Surya and grants longevity and health.




August 9, 2019, Friday - Vara Lakshmi Vratam Following the household tradition, invoke Goddess Lakshmi Devi in Kalasa and perform due worship with all sixteen upacharas. Since Charumati obtained Mother’s grace chanting the sloka below, everyone should chant the same sloka - "Padmāsanē padmakarē sarvalōkaina pūjitē, nārāyaṇapriyē dēvi suprītā bhava sarvadā". Whoever conducts themselves as Charumati are certain to obtain the grace of Goddess Vara Lakshmi Devi. August 11, 2019, Sunday – Putraikadashi - Shuddha Ekadasi in the month of Sravana is termed as ‘Putraikadasi’. Worship Vishnu with ‘Sridhara’ nama and observe Ekadashi Vratam. Offering umbrella in charity on this day bestows great merits.

August 12, 2019, Monday – Damodara Dwadasi - Worship Vishnu with ‘Damodara’ nama and offer the idol of Vishnu in charity. This bestows the grace of Vishnu.

August 15, 2019, Thursday – Jandhyala Purnima, Rakshabandhan, Hayagriva Jayanti, Vighanasa Jayanti This tithi is conjoined with many divine energies. As a symbol of harmonious relationship between brother and sister, rakshabandhana is also done on this day. Wearing ‘Raksha’ is a distinct feature of Bharatiya tradition. Especially, the Raksha tied by sister removes all malefic influences. One should tie Raksha chanting

"yēna baddhō balīrājā dānavēndrō mahābalaḥ, tēnatvāmabhi badhnāmi rakṣamācala mācala"

Those invested with sacred thread wear new sacred threads and begin the study of Vedas. Since it is on this day Narayana manifested as Hayagriva to resuscitate the Vedas from demonic forces, worship of Hayagriva, the bestower of all kinds of knowledge, grants progress in education.

August 19, 2019, Saturday – Sankashta Hara Chaturthi - Those who are unable to perform Sankashta Chaturthi Vratam in every month can at least perform on this day, obtain the grace of Ganapati, and get relief from all kinds of hardships.

August 23, 2019, Friday – Sri Krishnashtami Auspicious day on which Sri Maha Vishnu manifested on earth with all His sixteen aspects (Kalas). Worship of Krishna on this day destroys all kinds of sins, bestows Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, and grants great victory in all endeavors, says Skanda Purana. Fast all day, worship Sri Krishna in the evening, and offer cow milk, butter, milk cream, fruits dear to Krishna. After the completion of worship, kneel down and pray to Krishna as below –

"namastubhyaṁ jagannātha dēvakītanaya prabhō, vasudēvātmaja ananta trāhi māṁ bhavasāgarāt”.

Offer arghya with coconut waters mixed with sandalwood paste, akshata, and flowers chanting "jātaḥ kansavadhārthāya bhūbhārōttāraṇāya ca, kauravāṇāṁ vināśāya daityānāṁ nidhanāya ca, grhāṇārghyaṁ mayā dattaṁ dēvakyā sahitō harē".

Bhavishyottara Purana mentions that one should offer arghya to Moon made with silver with waters from a clear and clean vessel.

August 26, 2019, Monday – Bahula Ekadashi - Observe Ekadashi Vrata worshipping Narayana with ‘Janardhana’ nama.

August 28, 2019, Wednesday – Masa Sivaratri - Though this entire month is dear to Siva, worship of Siva on this day grants great merits.

August 30, 2019, Friday – Kusa Grahanam, Pola Vratam, Offer Arghya to Agastya - This day is highly auspicious for the collection of sacred darbha grass. Since Lord Siva decreed to worship Nandi along with cows for his valor exhibited in the war with Andhakasura granting Him the tile ‘Pola’, this day ‘Pola Vratam’ in which cows and bulls are worshipped offering foods and clothes is celebrated.

‘Aṣṭa lakṣmī Gīta Mālika’ Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu composed ‘Aṣṭa lakṣmī Gīta Mālika’, a garland of eight compositions venerating the Eight Forms of Śrī Mahālakṣmī. Embedded with root syllables (Bījakshara) and secrets of Mahālakṣmī mantras, these compositions are also pregnant with profound philosophy and can be tuned to music. These compositions were sung by famous singer Smt. Vani Jayaram garu as musical album with the name ‘Sri Ashtalakshmi Sthuthi’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuhgXi6DfE4&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuhgXi6DfE4&feature=youtu.be




The Eternal S a n a t a n a D h a r m a i n p r a c t i c e

– Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

Vivāha Vyavastha The Institution of Marriage

Significance of ‘ārdrākṣatārōpaṇam’ – talambrālu

akṣatānśca mahādēvī tulasī bhāgyadāyakē | arpayāmi sadā bhaktyā sukha santati labdhayē ||

‘akṣata’ have an incredible significance in our puja rituals. Not only akṣatās themselves are

offered, but they are also offered as an effective substitute for other upacārās such as vastram,

yajñōpavītam etc. akṣatās are made mixing rice with turmeric. Some slokas mention that even

gems are offered as akṣatās. Even in marriages also, an event called ‘akṣatārōpaṇam’ is

celebrated. This has been in vogue since very ancient times, for which substantiation is found

in the works of great poet Kālidāsa.

trptōpacārām caturasravēdīm tāvēccha paścāt gaṇakāsanāścau

jāyāpatī laukika mēṣanīyāṁ ārdrākṣatārōpaṇamanvabhūtāṁ

As a part of the marriage rituals, Pārvatī and Paramēśvara, present on the rectangular mounted platform,

performed the ārdrākṣatārōpaṇam. The same ritual is being celebrated as ‘talambrālu’ now. This word is

composite and made up of ‘tala’ and ‘prālu’ meaning head and rice respectively. Rice poured over the head

chanting mantras is called ‘‘talambrālu’. Another name for ‘talambrālu’ is ‘sēsabrālu’. The beauty and joy

of this ritual has been described elaborately in many kavyas and itihasas. A very popular sloka describing

the akṣatārōpaṇam of Lord Rama and Sita is as below –

jānakyā: kamalāmalānjali puṭē yā padmarāgāyitāḥ: |

nyastā rāghava mastakēca vilasatkunda prasūnāyitā: ||

syastā śyāmala kōmala kāyakānti kalitā yā indranīlāyitā: |

muktāssadā śubhadā bhavantu bhavantu śrī rāma vaivāhikā: ||

‘Lord Rama and Sita performed akṣatārōpaṇam with pearls. When Mother held pearls in Her hand, they

looked red like rubies because of the color of Her hands. When they were poured on Rama, they dazzled

like blue gems reflecting the blue color of Rama’s body. Let those pearls grant us auspiciousness!’

Rice and pearl have something in common. Presiding deity of both is

Moon, as rice is the prescribed grain and pearl is the prescribed gem

for Moon. Among the planets, Moon represents the mind. ‘Candramā

manasō jāta: ‘says Veda. If rice is used, it should not be broken into

pieces. To remediate any such errors, rice is mixed with milk and

turmeric. Pouring unbroken sanctified rice over the head while the

sacred mantras are chanted, is done to indicate that the relationship

between the wife and husband also should remain forever without any

break and must be holistic. Pouring them with hands holding in

‘anjali’ mudra represents the offering of one’s heart to other. ‘akṣata’

is made up of two words – ‘a’ and ‘kṣata’. ‘kṣata’ means that which is

destroyed or perished. ‘a’ –‘kṣata’ means that which is imperishable.

Hence, conducting the ritual of akṣatārōpaṇam with akṣatas is in aspiration to bestow an ever-lasting

relationship between wife and husband.

Part 4

What is called a ‘Grha’? Who is worthy to be called a ‘Grhasthu’? One who does not perform the ‘panca yajña’ i.e. the ‘Five Yajñas’ is not worthy to be called a ‘Grhasthu’. 1. Dēva Yajña - Traditional deities, family deities, and favorite deities should be worshipped. Worship should

be done at all times. First, this should be done. 2. Pitr Yajña -Worship of Pitr dēvatās has to be done. Just some decades before, everyone used to perform Pitr

Tarpanam, though parents are alive. One should perform Pitr Tarpanam to all the ancestors above one’s father. 3. Rṣi Yajña should happen i.e. devout study of literature by Maharṣis and attempts to put the same into practice. 4. Manuṣya Yajña – Serving guests and the needy with food and other requirements to their satisfaction. 5. BhūtaYajna - Protect all the creatures around that depend upon the house – plants, trees, animals such as

cow and catle and Birds. That house where all the above five Yajñas are performed is called ‘Grha’. ‘Grha’ is not a shelter for pleasures. It’s a place for performing Dharma. - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.




VĀSUDEVA: SARVAMITI…

In Chapter 7, jñāna vijñāna yōga of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna mentions about four kinds of devotees.

chatur-vidhā bhajantē māṁ | janāḥ sukṛitinōఽrjuna ||

ārtō jijñāsur arthārthī | jñānī ca bharatarṣhabha || - 7.16 O best amongst the Bharatas, four kinds of pious people engage in my

devotion—the distressed, the seekers after knowledge, the seekers of

worldly possessions, and those who are situated in knowledge.

In the very next sloka, Lord also mentions who is dear to Him and why.

tēṣhāṁ jñānī nitya-yukta | yēka-bhaktir viśhiṣhyatē |

priyō hi jñāninō tyartham | ahaṁ sa cha mama priyaḥ || - 7.17

Amongst these, I consider them to be the highest, who worship Me with knowledge,

and are steadfastly and exclusively devoted to Me. I am very dear to them and they are

dear to Me.

Lord says that ‘jñāni’ is dear to Him. At the stage when the devotee is ārta i.e. distressed, jijñāsu i.e. curious, arthārthi

i.e. seeker of worldly possessions, there exists something else for the devotee. But, for a jñāni devotee, it is only God

all around, always, and everywhere. Examples of such jñāna devotees are Prahlada, Narada, Vyasa, Suka, Bhishma

etc. Some commentators felt that the term ‘ca’ i.e. also here refers to those devotees who love God unconditionally

with single-minded devotion. This can be termed as ‘Prema Bhakti’. Example of such devotees who had Prema

bhakti are Gopikas. Lord Krishna here expounds why He likes a

Jñāni. Jñāni has two fundamental characteristics – 1. nitya-

yuktata – Ever remains attached to God without even a moment

of discontinuance. 2. yēka-bhakti – Unflinching devotion

towards God with resolute faith. Accepting everything as the

grace of the Supreme is not as easy as said. Parā bhakti, or divine

love, is very different from worldly love. Divine love is imbued

with the desire for the happiness of the Divine beloved; Worldly

love is motivated by the desire for self-happiness. Divine love is

imbued with the giving attitude, and sacrifice in service of the

Beloved; worldly love is characterized by the receiving attitude, where the ultimate goal is to receive something

from the beloved. Bhagavan says such Jñāni devotees are dear to Him and He is dear to them. A Jñāni like Prahlada

never asked for anything from Lord, even when he was tortured by his tyrant father except reminiscing

the Lord and remaining firm about His omnipresence and omnipotence. Looking at the innocent cowherd

children who loved, played, ate, slept and did everything only with Krishna, remained always thinking about

Krishna, offered their little everything to Krishna, even Brahma felt that His dignity as Brahma is nothing in front

of this continuous association with the Lord who is affectionately returning all their emotions and protecting them.

udārāḥ sarva evaite | jñānī tvātmaiva mē ||

matam āsthitaḥ sa hi yuktātmā | mām ēvān uttamāṁ gatim || - 7.18

Indeed, all those who are devoted to Me are noble. But those in knowledge, who are of steadfast mind, whose

intellect is merged in Me, and who have made Me alone as their supreme goal, I consider as My very Self.

Bhagavan here says that indeed all those devoted to Him are noble, because instead of taking recourse in other

means, they chose to take refuge in the Lord. As Annamayya said, it is not easy to leave out desires, because of the

wobbling mind. But, gradually, as a devotee realizes that it is God who is fulfilling those desires, and develops an

attachment towards God leaving out attachment towards the mundane, they raise to the level of Jñāni. Even Kunti

Devi says if it is only troubles and tribulations that help reminisce Lord Krishna continuously, she says she wants

more troubles so that she always remains in continuous union with God. Though all the other kinds of devotees

are dear to Bhagavan, He explicitly mentioned that He considers jñāni as His very Self. Because, a jñāni experiences

God in everything and everywhere at every moment. For a jñāni, the experience of God is ‘aparōkṣānubhūti’

i.e. not indirect. Experience of God is direct and holistic. Instead of calling it ‘pratyakṣa’ i.e. direct, it is

mentioned as ‘aparōkṣa’ i.e. God is omniscient, beyond the senses, mind, and intellect.

He is present everywhere. In fact, it is only He is who is in everything

and everywhere. For a jñāni, there is nothing higher than God. A jñāni

dissolves the mind into the Supreme and merges his self with the

Supreme Self, at which stage, there are no two separate entities, but only

one. Then, how is it possible some are dear and some or not? Just like a

dazzling fire assuages the cold and provides heat and comfort to those

who sit in the vicinity, God also comforts only those who come near Him

and seek refuge in Him. The very same fire appears like a lump of light




v

DIFFERENT FORMS OF LAKṢMĪ

PERMEATED ALL ACROSS THE EMBODIMENT OF ŚRĪNIVĀSA

vaktrābjē bhāgyalakṣmī: | karatala kamalē sarvadā dānalakṣmī: |

dōrdamḍē vīralakṣmī: | hrdaya sarasijē bhūta kāruṇya lakṣmī: |

khaḍgāgrē śauryalakṣmī: | nikhila guṇagaṇāḍambarē kīrti lakṣmī: |

sarvāṅgē saumya lakṣmī: | mayitu vijayatāṁ sarva sāmrājya lakṣmī: ||

‘In the lotus like face, there is bhāgyalakṣmī i.e. lakṣmī in the form of fortune; At the tip of lotus like hands, there is dānalakṣmī i.e. lakṣmī: in the form of giving always; In the shoulders, there is vīralakṣmī i.e. lakṣmī in the form of bravery; In the lotus of heart, lakṣmī is in the form of compassion i.e. kāruṇya lakṣmī; At the tip of the sword, lakṣmī is in the form of valor i.e. śauryalakṣmī. Spread across all the qualities, kīrti lakṣmī is present i.e. the lakṣmī of fame; In all the parts of the body, saumya lakṣmī is present i.e. lakṣmī is in the form of pleasantness. May that sāmrājya lakṣmī grant me victory always!’ - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Adapted from ‘Srinivasa Sarvaswam’ Pravachanam)

to those at some distance. For some at even farther distance, the very same fire appears like specks of fire. For those

who do not even want to look in that direction, obviously only darkness is experienced. A jijñāsu and arthārthi are

like those who are enjoying the light from a distance, whereas a jñāni yearns for its radiance, moves closer and

closer, and experiences more and more warm and comfort, finally becoming the fire itself, as decreed in the

scriptures ‘brahmavit brahmaiva bhavati’.

A river remains focused without swerving in any other direction though there

are diversions, obstacles like stones and mountains, sub-flows, canals etc. It

flows continuously towards the sea from where it came. Similarly, a jñāni,

though staying in this transitory world of ‘nāma-rūpa’ helping others,

conducting duties, and performing other worldly chores, remains steadfast

in his resolution to reach the Supreme as soon as possible without wasting

even a single second. River is a transformed form of sea itself. The sea

evaporated, raised as a cloud, poured as rain, stayed as a creek, and became

a river, finally to become one with where it came from. It is the bounden

responsibility and duty of every being in this world to attain detachment with ‘nāma-rūpa’, comprehend the

philosophy beyond that, and finally become one with the Supreme from where it came from.

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante | jñānavān māṁ prapadyatē || vāsudeva: sarvamiti | sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ || - 7.19

After many births of spiritual practice, one who is endowed with knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be all that is. Such a great soul is indeed very rare.

Bhagavan said ‘sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ’ i.e. it is very rare to find such great souls who visualizes the world as ‘vāsudēva: sarvamiti’ i.e. everything is vāsudēva. At the end of many births, after rigorous stipulated practices, one is endowed with the supreme knowledge, upon which one realizes ‘vāsudēva: sarvamiti’. Indeed, such great soul is very rare, Lord says. Though everyone says and thinks that everything in this world is nothing but vāsudēva, only the jñāni experiences it.

‘vāsudēva’ is not just a name. It is a truth, a philosophy, a knowledge, and the ultimate Brahman. To expound this entire knowledge of ‘vāsudēva’, Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana have come into existence. Efficacy of ‘vāsudēva’ can be comprehended just by looking at its repetition multiple times in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra, in the episode of Dhruva, Vedas and many other places. 1. Name wise, the meaning can be explained as the son of Vasudēva. 2. In philosophical sense, ‘vāsudēva’ means one who lives and is effulgent i.e. none

other than the complete embodiment of ‘chit’, the Supreme Consciousness. 3. There is neither lethargy nor inertness in ‘vāsudēva’. Another meaning of ‘vāsudēva’

is one who lives in everything and everything lives because of Him i.e. He is the source of energy to the entire universe.

4. ‘vāsu’ denotes existence i.e. ‘sat’ or truth. ‘dēva’ denotes resplendence or ‘chit’. Hence, ‘vāsudēva’ means the embodiment of ‘Sat’ and ‘Chit’. Upanishad described the same as ‘Asti’ and ‘Bhāti’ i.e. existence and radiance, which is ever blissful. Hence, ‘vāsudēva’ is none other than the embodiment of ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’ i.e. ‘Truth-Consciousness-Bliss’.

Let’s always reminisce ‘vāsudeva: sarvamiti’ as a maha mantra and attain the Supreme!

(Adapted from ‘Srimad Bhagavad Gita’ Pravachanam)

- Samavedam Shanmukha Samra.




śiva jñānaṁ – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

Gaṅgādhara Part 41 Gaṅga descended from that divine plane, which means that this sacred flow belongs to something beyond this world

to the infinite galaxies in cosmos. Gaṅga’s epithets include ‘Viṣṇupādōdbhava’, ‘Śiva Jaṭājūṭa Sancāriṇi.

Moreover, Mother of the universe first entered into Brahma’s Kamaṇḍalu. When Nārāyaṇa took incarnation as

Vamāna and later started occupying the worlds as Trivikrama, His one foot reached Satyalōka, the abode of Brahma,

to which Brahma performed abhishekam with Gaṅga waters from his Kamaṇḍalu. ‘Brahma kaḍigina nī pādamu -

brahmamu tānē nī pādamu i.e. That foot washed by Brahma, That foot which in Itself is Brahman’. That is

Viṣṇupadam.

Later, Bhagīratha performed tapas for that Gaṅga settled in Viṣṇupadam. He again performed tapas for Śiva

following Viṣṇu’s words that only Viśwanātha can bear the burden of Gaṅga’s descent from that cosmic worlds. The

compassionate Śiva expanded His cosmic hairs and contained Gaṅga, thereby becoming Gaṅgādhara. Gradually,

Śiva left only one stream of Gaṅga after calming down the gush. That stream followed Bhagīratha, purified all the

three worlds and still purifying.

This story is narrated in Purāṇas. Some of the important aspects are –

1.Gaṅga is the energy flow of Brahma, Viṣṇu and Śiva. In Yōgic parlance, Gaṅga is the Kuṇḍalini energy surpassing

the Brahma, Viṣṇu and Rudra granthis (knots) from Mūlādhāra to Sahasrāra and in opposite direction also. She is

‘Cidēka Rasa Roopini’ - i.e. the embodiment of the nectar of consciousness moving in Suṣumna.

2.Another great dimension to this story is devotion and dedication of

Bhagīratha to clear his debt towards his ancestors.

3.Gaṅga, though surfacially seen as water, is surrounded by many other

river goddesses and venerated as the presiding deity of water. Rṣis

described the form of Gaṅga sitting on a crocodile holding a pot of

nectar as worthy of worship.

4. Dēvi Bhāgavata mentions that Nārāyaṇa transformed Himself into

Gaṅga. The melted form of Nārāyaṇa due to the music of Śiva is described as Gaṅga.

On a whole, the divine knowledge of our sages who envisioned the holy Gaṅga’s divinity in multitudes is being

experienced even today. (To be continued…)

UTTIṢṬHA BHĀRATĀ! (Arousing National consciousness)

“Today I find myself dealing with Indians, many of who do not feel proud of their Indianness. Indian Americans

represent the most affluent minority in America, ahead of Jewish Americans and Japanese Americans. This is a

statistic and not an opinion. Indians are recognized throughout America as technically superior. And yet as a

group, they lack national pride. Indians are not proud of their nationality as Indians. Something I realized many

years ago. Something that puzzled me, I have frequently talked to Indians of their lack of national pride, with

telling results. Invariably, after making this assertion from the lecture podium, I find myself surrounded by

Indians: Engineers, scientists, doctors, even lawyers, all asserting the correctness of my observations.

Since the day Indians learn pride, India will rapidly move out of its third world status…

And corruption will decline. Even though these root causes of corruption transcend

the bases of lack of Indian pride of which I speak, nevertheless a proud man will pause,

more than a man without pride, before extending his hand to receive a bribe.”

- Adam Osborne, author, software publisher, and computer designer in the United States.

http://www.saamavedam.org/images/Books/ShivajnanamBook.pdf




Deep Philosophical Concepts

As you may have gleaned from the discussion so far, Hinduism distinguishes itself from the other world religions by the deep philosophical concepts embodied by it and embedded in it. We covered ideas like Viswaroopam earlier. Please note that what the Lord showed in His Viswaroopam is not some miracle, but the truth, the universal truth that the whole universe is nothing but Him. We also discussed logically the truth of multiple Devatas in two aspects: a) The One God manifests in multiple forms as needed for the purpose of fulfilling the worship of His devotees, and b) The multiple Devatas are the multiple energies of the One God that are needed to run the various functions in creation.

upasakānāṁ kāryārdhaṁ brahmaṇō rūpa kalpanā

We can elaborate on this by another example. There are many fundamental ideas that are prevalent in this creation: intelligence, wealth, valor, etc. It is not a matter of imagination, these qualities are just there, in the various forms of life we see around us. One devotee may be worshiping intelligence as Saraswathi, another may be worshiping wealth in the form of Lakshmi and yet another may worship valor as Durga. However, all three aspects are coming from the same divine source. Say, a child is hungry, so the mother feeds it – at that moment, the mother is Goddess Annapurna. When her daughter needs to buy some books, and the mother pays for them, she becomes Lakshmi. Later in the evening, when she teaches the kids, the same mother

becomes Saraswathi. When she has to protect them from danger, she is Durga and Kali. All these different energies are coming from the same mother. Similarly, the various manifest Devatas come from The One God.

All religions talk about life after death and Heaven and Hell. Only Hinduism has the concepts like rebirth (we will elaborate on this further at a later stage), and that goes beyond even Heaven and Hell. It states that Heaven and Hell are also temporary states that are part of creation. And only Hindusim talks about moksha, liberation. We already learned that the creation comes from God and God pervades all of creation. Very simply put, identifying with the material world (including Heaven and Hell) as truth is nothing but bondage. The opposite is liberation, which is to realize experientially that the material creation is manifestation of the divine. Identifying completely with that inner divine is the true liberation, moksha. This is what we call aikyam, “unifying with God!”

The Six Paths of Agama As we discussed in the beginning of this discourse, Hindu Dharma as a spiritual path and as a religious practice is rooted in knowledge. We also discussed that the Vedas are the root of all knowledge. Another word for the Vedas is nigama, meaning a sacred precept, root and certainty. There is another branch of knowledge called the agama. While the nigama (the Vedas) define and meditate upon the nature of the God, the agama gives practical lessons on how to worship that God, with the goal of attaining moksha. The sages have given us six such paths from the agama for worship:

1. Saiva agama = to worship Siva 2. Vaishnava agama = to worship Vishnu 3. Shaakteya = to worship the Goddess or Shakti 4. Gaanaapatya = to worship Ganapati 5. Skaanda = to worship Skanda or Subrahmanya 6. Soura = to worship Surya, the Sun god

Please note that the agamas are not creating anything new. They are not creating new gods, or multiple gods. They have taken the principles, the central ideas from the Vedas and developed them into practical knowledge that is useful for a devotee to follow and practice. Each of the agamas are the mantra sastra dedicated to that particular deity. For the follower of Saiva agama, Siva is the One God, the Supreme God, above everything. For the follower of Vaishnava agama, Vishnu is the One God. The question here is not whether Siva is greater than Vishnu or Vishnu is greater than Siva. Whatever path the devotee chooses, the deity presiding over that path is worshipped as the One God.

Translation: Narayanaswamy Sankagiri

Hindu Dharma – Form, Nature and Effect (Adapted from ‘Hindu Dharma Swaroopamu, Swabhavamu, Prabhavamu’ Pravachanam)

- Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(To be continued...)

S I X

P A T H S




Divine Mother residing within the heart of śrīnivāsa is called ‘vyūha lakṣmi’. Mantra treatises described this form,

related mantras, methods of worship etc. in great detail. Those who worship vyūha lakṣmi as stipulated in scriptures

shall be blessed with affluence and propitiousness. The great maharṣi sanatkumāra

initiates a poor Brahmin into this mantra and elucidates its significance. The abode

of vyūha lakṣmi is the heart of Lord Nārāyaṇa.

She also manifested Herself in the pond down the hill called ‘Padma Sarōvara’ and

hence known as ‘Padmāvati’. She is also called ‘alarmēl maṅga’ in Dravidian

vernacular, which later got transformed as ‘Alamēl maṅga’ in

Telugu. ‘Alar’ means lotus,’ mēl’ is on or above, and ‘maṅga’

is goddess. The goddess who sat on the lotus is ‘alarmēl

maṅga’. Thus, it is important to understand that there is no

difference between ‘Padmāvati’ and ‘alarmēl maṅga’. In fact,

both refer to the same goddess. Because, vyūha lakṣmi resides

in Himself, Vishnu is called ‘śrīnivāsa’. The Supreme Lord

grants everything i.e. good, bad, wealth, poverty, relations

etc. to all creatures based on their accumuluated actions. It is

imperative that Lord has guileless, untold and unreasonable compassion towards the creatures in His heart. The

embodiment of this compassion will to give, and affluence to provide is none other than mahā lakṣmi living in His

heart. Great devotee and composer Annamacharya said, “When white camphor is sprinkled over, Lord is resplendent

in white color. But, is He looking white due to camphor or due to lakṣmi residing in His heart whose body

complexion is bright like white or Her compassion cool and white like moonlight?”

Once upon a time, there lived a Brahmin named Atmaram in central province of Bhārata. He was bogged down with

poverty and was unable to provide even for his family. In order to get rid of poverty, he visited many holy kṣētrās

and tīrthās. During this pilgrimage, he took a dip in Kapila tīrtha in Tirumala and wandered around the caves. By

his fortune, he saw an embodiment of great effulgence in one of the caves, a boy aged around five years, shining with

resplendent eyes. He looked like the very form of Brahman. Amazed and

attentive, Atmaram bowed down in great humility to the great personality,

submitted himself before him and said, “Looking at you, with the limited

knowledge of Puranas and other scriptures I have, my mind is contemplating

of one person. If you kindness permits, please bless me letting know your

identity.” The boy said, “I am Sanatkumara”. Overjoyed, Atmaram requested

the great sage to be initiated into Brahmajnana i.e. the Knowledge of the

Supreme. Smiling, Sanatkumara said, ‘You ventured out to obtain riches, of

course, not for you. I’m aware of your Dharma to provide for the family, serve

the holy, feeding the guests, attending to the necessary rites for the ancestors

and conduct all the necessary rituals apt for a householder. Aspiring for wealth to perform Dharma is not any fault.

Hence, I’m giving you a mantra now –

Śrī lakṣmyai parama lakṣmyai viṣṇu vakṣasthitāyai nama:’.

The dhyāna mūrti of this sloka is described as follows –

dayā lōla taraṅgākṣī pūrṇa candra nibhānanā | jananī sarva lōkānāṁ mahā lakṣmī haripriyā ||

sarva pāpa harā caiva prārabdhasya karmaṇā | sanhrtautu kṣamā caiva sarva sampatpradāyini ||

ētatrayā vyūha lakṣmī: sā mugdā kāruṇya vigrahā sarvaiśvarya pradaṁ nityaṁ imām mantraṁ śrṇu ||

‘With face lustrous like a full moon and eyes raining compassion, Maha Lakshmi, who is dear to Hari and the Mother

of all worlds, can remove all the sins accumulated even in past births because She is an embodiment of forgiveness.

She, none other than the Vyuha Lakshmi, grants all kinds of affluence.’

Following austerity and discipline, you perform tapas near the Swami Puṣkarini

devoutly. Mother is an embodiment of compassion and forbearance. She shall certainly

grace you. She is called ‘vyūha lakṣmi’, because She orchestrates the entire universe with

a strategy along with Her entire retinue consisting of lakṣmi, kīrtī, jayā i.e. wealth, fame,

and victory.’

Atamram performed the tapas as stipulated with great devotion. Sri Maha Lakshmi

appeared before him, and bestowed with all riches necessary to perform dharma. She

also blessed him with dispassion, detachment, and knowledge to attain liberation later.


(Adapted from ‘ Srinivasa Sarvasvam’ Pravachanam)




ATULITA BALADHĀMAṀ SVARṆAŚAILĀBHA DĒHAṀ… (Sant Tulsi Das was born on Śrāvaṇa śukla saptami 1497)

The great saint, poet and composer Sri Tulsidas, apart from his magnum opus ‘Sri Rāmacharita Mānas’, authored many works on Hanumān. A Bhairava worshipper following the vāmāchāra tantra cast spell on Tulsidas, a devotee of Hanuman, and froze both his shoulders. Immediately, Tulsidas venerated Hanuman composing ‘Hanuman Bāhuk’ in Avadhi, a Hindi vernacular. Immediately, not only Tulsidas was relieved from his pain and his shoulders became normal, the person who cast the spell on him was afflicted with the same pain from frozen shoulders.

Hence, one should continuously reminisce Hanuman to get rid of this external distress such as Parayantra, Paramantra, and Paratantra. Another efficacious and astounding composition of Tulsidas is ‘Bajarang Bāṇ’, though looks like simple Hindi, into which many seed letters (Bījakṣaras) are embedded. Apart from these, ‘Hanumān Chālisā’ is quite famous. Among the many wonderful slokas he composed, below sloka is amazing –

atulita baladhāmaṁ svarṇaśailābha dēhaṁ | danuja vanakrśānuṁ jñāninā magragaṇyam || sakala guṇa nidhānaṁ vānarāṇā madhīśaṁ | raghupati priyabhaktaṁ vātajātaṁ namāmi ||

This is the dhyāna sloka for Sundarakānda in Sri Rāmacharita Mānas. The complete quintessence of Hanumān philosophy is infused into this sloka.

atulita baladhāmaṁ - House of indomitable power with no comparison to His prowess. Because, His father the Wind God vāyu is known as ‘Mahābala’.

svarṇaśailābha dēhaṁ - His body is resplendent like a mountain of gold. This term also explains the philosophy of His form. He is the most beautiful person i.e. sundara. Hence, the entire chapter is named ‘Sundara Kanda’. He is also described as ‘kāncanādri kamanīya vigrahaṁ’ i.e. charming form like a golden mountain.

danuja vanakrśānuṁ - The fire that destroyed the forest of demons

jñāninā magragaṇyam – Foremost among the jñānis i.e. the knowledgeable

sakala guṇa nidhānaṁ - Repository of all virtuous qualities

vānarāṇā madhīśaṁ - Prominent among the vānarās

raghupati priyabhaktaṁ - A devotee dear to Rāma

vātajātaṁ namāmi – Prostrations to the son of Wind God

The characteristic features of Hanumān are unparalleled and worthy of universal praise. These are ‘Īśvarī’ virtues i.e. divine qualities possessed by Paramēśvara. Then, who is Hanumān? He is none other than Paramēśvara Himself. He exhibited super-human valor.

‘Hanumatsūktam’ venerates Hanumān as ‘Kāmarūpa:’, ‘Kāmachari:’ i.e. He can come anywhere in any form at any time. No one can even gauge where He will be present. Because He is pervading all around, He can just show Himself wherever one reminisces Him. Many such astounding facts about Hanumān reveal Him as the ‘Brahman’. Hence, He is also called ‘Pratyakṣa dēvata’ i.e. He can be experienced by our human senses. This does not just mean His appearance before our eyes. ‘akṣa’ means senses. Hence, ‘Pratyakṣa’ means one who can be felt by senses. With the grace of Hanumān, one can experience Him. While other gods can only be experienced in a state beyond the senses, Hanumān can be experienced with these senses itself.

Expounding the form of Hanumān, mantra treatises described Him as below - udyadāditya saṅkāśaṁ udāra bhuja vikramaṁ | kandarpa kōṭi lāvaṇyaṁ sarva vidyā viśāradaṁ| śrī rāma hrdayānandaṁ bhakta kalpa mahīruhaṁ | abhayaṁ varadaṁ dorbhyāṁ kalayē vandē mārutātmajaṁ ||

I prostrate to the son of vāyu who – is lustrous with an effulgence of rising Sun, has unbounded courage, is beautiful and charismatic like millions of cupids, is adept in all branches of knowledge, gives happiness to the heart of Rāma, is like the wish fulfilling celestial tree Kalpavrkṣa to devotees, is holding the poses of fearlessness and boon giving i.e. abhaya and varada respectively. His beauty can be experienced only by His devout worship. Let’s all pray Hanuman and seek His grace!


(Adapted from ‘Panchamukha Anjaneya Tattvam’ - Pravachanam)




ŚRĪ ĀDI ŚAṄKARA JÑĀNA YAJÑAṀ Śrti smrti purāṇānāṁ ālayaṁ karuṇālayam

namāmi bhagavatpādaṁ śaṅkaraṁ lōka śaṅkaraṁ.

Why Sri Sankara picked ‘gōvinda’ among all the names of Lord Visnu? In this stotra, though Murāri and Srīpati are also used, the stotram induces one to reminisce the Lord with the name ‘gōvinda’. Though all the thousand names envisioned by the maharsis are sacred and divine, ‘gōvinda’ name has great significance. It is essential to pronounce, comprehend, and contemplate i.e. Uccāraṇa, vicāraṇa, and smaraṇa the names of God.

‘vinda’ has three meanings – 1. One who is to be known through 2. One who knows about them 3. One who protects them. ‘gō’ means cows. Applying the meaning of the word ‘vinda’ to this -

1. One who is known through cows is gōvinda. When a herd of cows is seen, it is certain that there is a cowherd who is taking care and putting the herd in discipline. Hence, one who is known through the cows is gōvinda.

2. Similarly, the cowherd knows everything about the cows in his herd. Hence, one who knows about the cows i.e. characteristics, features, needs, emotions etc. is gōvinda.

3. A cowherd always protects his flock. Hence, one who protects the cows is gōvinda. But, even the word ‘gō’ also has multiple meanings – 1. Gau: - Cows 2. Indrīya, Prāṇā – Sense organs, Lifes’ 3. Raśmi: - Sun rays 4. Vēda vākya: - Statements in Vedas. 5. Bhūmi: - Earth. Just as the meaning ‘Cows’ is applied to gōvinda, it has to be applied to all the remaining meanings of the word ‘gō’ in combination with ‘vinda’. Hence, one who is known by sense organs and lifes’, rays of Sun, statements of Vedas, and earth, one who knows about the sense organs, lifes’, rays of Sun, statements of Vedas, and earth, and one who protects sense organs, lifes’, rays of Sun, statements of Vedas, and earth is ‘gōvinda’.

Modern scientific researches reveal that though all rays of Sun look alike, there are many variations in them. Vedas described that just like flocks of cows come together, the rays of Sun are descending together onto the earth protecting the mankind and providing them life, just as a cow provides milk and protects. ‘Prāṇān raśmiṣu sannidhattē’ – Rays of Sun provide life. The same is mentioned in Aditya Hrudayam stotram as ‘raśmimantaṁ samudyantaṁ dēvāsuranamaskrtaṁ..’ The Supreme inherently present in the halo of Sun is none other than ‘gōvinda’. Hence, Sun is also called ‘Suryanārāyaṇa’, who is extolled in Vedas as ‘Gōpatē’. Following sloka also mentions the same -

‘dhyēyassadā savitr maṇḍala madhyavartī nārāyaṇa sarasijāsana viṣṭa: kēyūravān makarakuṇḍalavān kirīṭī hārī hiraṇmaya vapu: dhrta śaṅkha cakra:’

‘Meditate upon the nārāyaṇa, wearing armlets, ear rings, crown, and necklaces, sitting in a lotus in the center of halo of Sun, radiating golden hues and carrying conch and disc’

As mentioned above, ‘gō’ also means Vēda vākya: i.e. statements in Vedas. These Vedic statements have two kinds of energies – Śabda’ and ‘Jñāna’ – phonetic (vibrational) and mantra (meaning) energies respectively, with which they protect those who chant, listen, comprehend, and contemplate. To safeguard the purity inherent therein, a rigorous, pristine, and sacred style of life has been prescribed for those willing to learn Vedas directly in its original form. But, to ensure that the knowledge present therein reaches even the common man, the same knowledge has been disseminated in Puranas and Itihasas, There is none high nor low here, but only the underlying emphasis should be comprehended clearly to understand the distinctions practiced. ‘Yasya niśvasitaṁ vēdā:’ – Vedas are nothing but the inhalations and exhalations of the Supreme God. Hence, they are also called the ‘Sound Form’ of the God. Highly devout Maharshis grasped these eternal truths with their knowledge beyond the ken of senses of this world in the utmost depth of their tapas and exposed them for the benefit of mankind. ‘Vēdaiścasarvai rahamēva vēdya: Vēdānta krdvēda vidēhacāhaṁ’ said Lord Krishna in Chapter 15, Sri Purushottama Prapti Yoga in Srimad Bhagavad Gita. It is humanly impossible to comprehend the entire Vedas. It is only the Lord who can grasp the Vedas in entirety.

Lord manifested whenever it is necessary and protected Vedas. ‘Vēdōkhilō dharma mūlaṁ’ i.e. Vedas mentioned many Dharmas about human life, conduct, human relations, society etc. Protection of Vedas means to make sure that the dharmas mentioned therein are practiced rigorously by one and all without any exception or exhibition of neither fear nor favor towards anyone.

Similarly, ‘gōvinda’ protects the earth, sky and all elements. It is mind boggling and one just remains astounded, if one even attempts to understand about the power that is holding this entire universe, innumerable objects in galaxies in the infinite cosmos, and causing their definite and uniform movement in the free space without any clash and failure. Scriptures named that power of ‘Karṣaṇa’ as ‘Krṣṇa’. His celestial song, the Bhagavad Gita, is the clarion call awakening those deep in slumber forgetting their duty with the thunderous sound of His conch Pāncajanya. Because, this power is omnipresent, He is also called ‘Viṣṇu’. - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Adapted from ‘ŚRĪ ĀDI ŚAṄKARA JÑĀNA YAJÑAṀ’ – ‘BHAJA GŌVINDAṀ’ - Pravachanam)

Sri Adi Sankara does not belong to any sect. He is the ‘Samanvaya Karta’ (harmonizer) of the holistic Bharateeyata and Sanatana Dharma in totality.

(To be continued...)

PART 7




Hindu A merican F oundation E xecutive Director Suhag Shukla launche d ‘Shakti Initiative’. As the name suggests, in her own wor ds, about the initiative, “When scouring the Inter net for hours t o Hindu Wome n, Religion and their i mme nse contribution, I was frustrated beca use most of the we bsites are politically or religiously motivated, stereotyped with outright lies, and misrepre sent the scriptural quotes with social evils completely juxtaposing the trut h. This initiative aims to bring into bright light the life stories and contributions of some of the most re markable women human hi story has ever see n si nce Vedi c times. T his should i nspire both women a nd men to get reacquainte d with and rea ssert, in ma ny fa cets of life where we have fallen short, the bala nce a nd har mony our traditions advocate for between man and woma n, and ultimately realize their potential to the highe st.”

Disclaimer: - The information provided under ‘Sanatana Dharma Around the World’ section is collected from various sources. Readers may check for accuracy.

Siva temple in Hombruch Germany celebrates Annual Ten-day

Festival From the outside, the temple at 24 Kieferstrasse seems a bit

inconspicuous. Behind the red and white facade of this building in the

commercial warehouse district, is the Siva Temple. The temple is managed

by the Hindu Tamil Cultural Center of Dortmund Association. The temple in

Hombruch has existed for ten years, and the annual parade, as part of ten

day celebrations, is being conducted for the ninth time this year. The parade

will take a little over 2 hours. It starts at 12 o'clock with a greeting from District

Mayor Hans Semmler. It's expected to be back by 2:30 pm, says chariman

Jegatheesvaran Shanmugam: "Then the celebrations will continue in the

temple." The community is expecting around 1,500 visitors coming to

Hombruch from all over Germany. Most will arrive from other parts of

Dortmund. All the visitors are served traditional free Indian food after the

parade.

1500-pound Marble Flying Hanuman Statue installed in Taos, New Mexcio

Thousands of people visited and experienced bliss and happiness in Taos, New Mexico on July 20-22, for the opening of the new Neem Karoli Baba Temple. This temple features a 1,500-pound marble statue carved in Jaipur, India. It's said to be the only Hanuman statue so big and in the pose of flying Hanuman in the U.S.

Jagannatha Rath Yatra around the world By the grace of Sri Jagannatha, apart from Puri, Ratha Yatra happened in 192 countries in cities including Moscow, New York, Chicago, London, Rome, Zurich, Kolkota, Mumbai, Karachi, Belin, Pubela, Ottawa, Cardiff, Toronto, Dublin, Los Angles, Wimbledon, Manchester, Milan, Jerusalem, Serbia, Puerto, Bristol, Kyoto etc. Photo Gallery.

SANATANA DHARMA

AROUND THE WORLD

Greatness of ‘Sanskrit’ World Sanskrit Day is on 15th August

William Jones, a judge in Calcutta Supreme Court in 1781, who learnt Sanskrit from Kavibhushana Ramalochana, was so profoundly astounded by the great poet Kalidasa’s ‘Sakuntalam’, that he translated it into English. This is the first attempt to introduce Sanskrit literature to Europe and English-speaking world. This translation of ‘Sakuntalam’ created great commotion across the entire Europe in those days. Intellectuals as well as critics all across Europe acclaimed Sanskrit literature profusely. Gradually, the study of Sanskrit literature expanded all over Europe. In fact, study of Sanskrit literature is to understand the culture of Bhārata. Notable countries that developed love and passion for the culture of Bhārata and advanced considerable strides in study of Sanskrit literature are England, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, and Greece. Many research scholars opine that Sanskrit attained the status of leading languages of the day such as Latin, Greek etc. and paved the foundation for a second renaissance. (Reference: Ralph T Griffith). Herder (1744-1803), one of the foremost European intellectuals of the day, said, ‘I have received a truer and more real notion of the manner of thinking among the ancient Indians from the Sakuntalam’. It’s not an exaggeration to mention here that Valmiki’s ‘Ramayana’ in Sanskrit has been translated into almost every language on Earth due to the universality of the concept, poetic as well as content beauty, profundity of thought, cordiality of human relations expressed therein, knowledge about many sciences such as management, town planning, administration, polity, architecture etc. and above all the subtle and deep philosophy it emphasizes upon. Similarly, Kant who is considered the father of western philosophy, admitted that Srimad Bhagavad Gita has very deep impressions upon his thought process and philosophical views, after reading Srimad Bhagavad Gita in original Sanskrit. In fact, some of his earlier editions contained various quotations from Gita, which were removed afterwards in later editions. Apart from expounding the nature’s mystery and intricacy very sharply, subtly, and accurately, many ancient works in Sanskrit are abundant repositories of astonishing scientific knowledge. ’Jīva Sandīpti’ or ‘Bio-luminescence’ – a recent scientific discovery that discusses about the emission of light from insects as well as trees was elucidated lucidly in works such as ‘Ramayana’ (description that the herbs on Sanjivani mountain are radiating light) ‘Meghadutam’ (insects emitting light) and ‘Kumarasambhavam’ (trees glowing spreading light all around).

(Adapted from ‘Illu Alikina Eega’ - Book)

Sri Khandavalli Satyadeva Prasad garu is prominent among those set of untainted intellectuals who can present the truths of history and science with impeccability and specificity. Distinction of his works is the research, observation, clarity in grasp, and easy to follow style. Though all the essays in this book are on different topics, the cardinal principle among all is the ‘Magnificence of Bhārata’. These essays should reach thinkers and youth alike. More works are yet to come from Sri Satyadeva Prasad garu. - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

Book Link

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CHILDrEn’S CornEr

NATIONAL PLEDGE - ‘CHĀTRA PRATIJÑA’ - SVSN SARMA

* The very word ‘Bhārata’ connotes that this country always is knowledge oriented. As declared by many freedom

fighters, this country is holistically civilized even before those many others claiming to be civilized today have

opened eyes.

* To lead the life as a human being, four means – Dharma, Artha, Kāma, and Moksha have been ordained. Since

ages, it has been propagated wrongly that education system of Bhārata teaches only renunciation without any

pleasures. But, all the branches of knowledge in Bhārata taught that Artha (Wealth) and Kāma (Pleasures) are an

essential part of education. Artha includes wealth acquisition, means, methods etc. Kāma means enjoying pleasures

with the wealth thus obtained. Dharma means conducting life without

harming either humans or nature in the attempt to acquire both Artha and

Kāma. These three enumerate how to organize the living of human life and

aid in long, happy life without any physical and mental problems. Without

stopping with these three means, ancient Bhāratiya knowledge even

educated about ‘Moksha’, another purpose in life, thousands of years ago.

This knowledge of ‘Moksha’ elucidates how the ‘Being’, who does not

change though the bodies change in multiple lifes between birth and

death, can obtain the eternal joy.

All systems of education in Bhārata lead to the attainment of these four

purposes of life. These have been destroyed by foreign invaders and

rulers with the objective of making them not available to people of

Bhārata. But, they transported some of these scientific literature to

their homelands, and are unveiling marvels after thorough research.

Even to this day, this research is happening in Germany, Japan, and

America etc.

Despite the loss of much valuable treasure, it is the responsibility of the

current generation to at least safeguard those that are still available.

Learning about the ancient knowledge of Bhārata can happen in parallel

with the current western education.

It is important that first children comprehend the greatness of this

knowledge, upon which later they themselves can dedicate to

devoutly study them.

(To be continued…)

daridrāya krtaṁ dānaṁ | śūnya liṅgasya pūjānaṁ || anātha prēta sanskāraṁ | aśvamēdha samaṁ vidu ||

Charity to poor, worship of śiva linga in a dilapidated temple, performing the last rites of orphaned bestows the merits of performing an aśwamēdha yāgam. Charity to impoverished is highly meritorious.

Krṣṇasya aṣṭa patnyaḥ

1. Rukmiṇi 2. Satyabhāma

3. Jāmbavati 4. Kālindi

5. Mitravinda 6. Nāgnajiti

7. Bhadra 8. Lakṣaṇa

Bāla śikṣa

1. Who is the Guru of Krishna and Balarama?

2. Which goddess aspect incarnation is Archi, the wife of emperor Prithu?

3. Who wrote ‘Harivamsam’ in Telugu?

4. In Chandi Saptashati, the story of this goddess killing Mahishasura is described.

5. In which incarnation did Lord Vishnu liberate everyone associated with Him?

6. Since ages, what is the way of life in Bhāratadēśa called?

7. Krishna, tied with rope around His waist by Yasoda, is known by this name.

8. What is the name of Vishnu’s incarnation with a horse face to restore Vedas to

Brahma?

9. Who wrote ‘Sri Rama Charita Manas’?

10. Krishna as the protector of cows is called by this name.

WORDS OF BENEVOLENCE VIJÑĀNAṀ -6 Answers – 1. Vārahi Devi 2. Śayana 3. Puri 4. Brhaspati 5. 1893 6. Dakṣināmūrti 7. Aindri 8. Dūrvāsa 9. Veda Vyasa 10. Kapardini

VIJÑĀNAṀ -7 SLOKA OF THE MONTH

lakṣmīrmēdhā dhārā

puṣṭīrgaurī tuṣṭi: prabhādhrti: |

ētābhi: āhitanubhiraṣṭā -

bhirmāṁ sarasvatī ||

lakṣmi, dhāraṇā, bhūmi, puṣṭi,

gauri, ānandaṁ, tējassu,

dhairyaṁ - May goddess Sarasvati

protect me in these eight forms.

PART 2




COMPLEMENT - NIKHILAM

The number system is made up of only 9 digits (1-9) and a zero.

NIKHILAM / COMPLEMENT: Here we convert our big numbers into small numbers and perform the

same operation from it. This makes it fast and enjoyable.

In case of 5 we can use two groups of complementary numbers. and

In case of 10 we can use five groups of complementary numbers.

BASE: The number which has one as the first digit on LHS followed by zero’s on RHS are called bases like

10, 100, 1000, ….

SUTRA – NIKHILAM NAVATASCARAMAM DASATAH Meaning: All from nine and last from ten

Although this sutra looks complicated, its usage is very simple. It is the most used sutra and the easier

one to understand. It is very useful to find out the complement of a bigger number.

Let us understand it with the help of few examples.

EXAMPLE 1: Find the complement of 8 5 4

This is a three-digit number. Therefore, its base is 1 followed by 3 zeros, means 1000. Base = 1000

Instead of subtracting it from 1000 we use this sutra to find the complement. We subtract each digit starting from right.

Step 1: Subtract 4 from 10. 10-4 = 6 (6 is the last digit of the complement on right side).

Step 2: Subtract 5 from 9. 9 – 5 = 4. 4 is the second digit of answer from right side.

Step 3: Subtract 8 from 9. 9 – 8 = 1 (1 is the first digit of the answer). Hence, complement of 854 is 146.

Back to Unity: If we add 854 + 146 = 1000. We will get back our BASE.

EXAMPLE 2: Find the complement of 6 4 8 9 BASE = 10000.

We subtract individual digits by using sutra. All from 9 and last from 10.

3 5 1 1 is the complement of 6 4 8 9

If we add the numbers, we will get back the BASE.

EXAMPLE 3: Find the complement of 7 6 8 0. Here our number ends with ZERO.

We just write 0 as the last digit of the complement. We take next digit as the last digit and subtract it from 10.

GIVEN NUMBER = 7 6 8 0; BASE = 10 0 0 0

2 3 2 0 is the complement of 7 6 8 0

Back to Unity: If we add 7680 + 232 = 10000.

R U L E S:

❖ To find the complement of any number we subtract individual digits.

❖ The last digit in one’s place has to be subtracted from 10.

❖ If the number ends in 0, then we take the next digit from the right as the last digit and subtract it from 10.

❖ We just write 0 as the last digit of complement.

❖ All the other digits on LHS have to be subtracted from 9.

❖ To check the answer, we add the given number and the complement obtained. We should get back our BASE.

❖

(Sutras adapted from ‘Vedic Mathematics – 1’ www.shrivedabharathi.in )

American Foundati on Executive Director Suhag Shukla launched ‘Shakti Initiative’. As the na me sugge sts, in her own words, abo ut the initiative, “When scouri ng the Internet for hours to Hi ndu Women, Religion a nd their imme nse contribution, I was frust rated beca use most of the websites are politicall y or religiously motivated, stere otyped with outright lies, and misrepre sent the s criptural quotes with social evils completely juxtaposing the truth. This initiative aims to bring into brig ht light the life stories a nd contributi ons of some of the most remarkable wome n human hi story has ever see n since Ve dic times . This shoul d inspire both wome n and men to get rea cquai nted with and reassert, in many fa cets of life where we have fallen short, the balance and har mony our traditions advocate for between man and woman, and ultimately realize their potential to the highest.” American Foundati on Executive Director Suhag Shukla launched ‘Shakti Initiative’. As the na me sugge sts, in her own words, abo ut the initiative, “When scouri ng the Internet for hours to Hi ndu Women, Religion a nd their imme nse contribution, I was frust rated beca use most of the websites are politicall y or religiously motivated, stere otyped with outright lies, and misrepre sent the s criptural quotes with social evils completely juxtaposing the truth. This initiative aims to bring into brig ht light the life stories a nd contributi ons of some of the most remarkable wome n human hi story has ever see n since Ve dic times . This shoul d inspire both wome n and men to get rea cquai nted with and reassert, in many fa cets of life where we have fallen short, the balance and har mony our traditions advocate for between man and woman, and ultimately realize their potential to the highest.”

Vedic mathematics ∞ + π

0 AT≜ ∑

4 & 1 3 & 2

9 & 1 8 & 2 7 & 3

6 & 4 5 & 5

9 9 10

- 8 5 4

1 4 6

9 9 9 10

- 6 4 8 9

3 5 1 1

6 4 8 9

+ 3 5 1 1

10 0 0 0

9 9 10

- 7 6 8 0

2 3 2 0

7 6 8 0

+ 2 3 2 0

10 0 0 0

http://www.shrivedabharathi.in/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiQ-YL86PLfAhWJ3YMKHb6MBhwQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https://www.sanatan.org/kannada/95.html/rushi&psig=AOvVaw3GkG842pjNEuo8kupO7Jn0&ust=1547745875400816




SĀVITRI UPĀKHYĀNAM

Sāvitri started following Yama. One has to really stop and ponder here. Is it possible for everyone to follow Yama? Is it like walking together with another person on an earthly plane? Certainly not. This movement of Sāvitri is being done with Yoga, tapas, and power of dharma and chasteness. Upanishads describe some of these secrets saying that it requires a special body called ‘ativāhikadēha’ to perform this kind of acts. It is like walking into the infinite time along with the very controller of time.

Yama noticed that Sāvitri is following him. He told her, ‘Sāvitri, this is the law of nature. There is nothing neither you nor I can do about this. Souls take birth, grow up in the world, perform karmas ordained to them, enjoy the fruits, and over a period of time leave the body. Earthly relationship ends at this point. Souls then enjoy the pleasures of higher worlds or suffer the pains of the lower worlds according to their karmas, and then take a new body based on their karmas and vasanas. This is a perpetual cycle that has been going on for ages now. There is nothing neither you nor I can change. Hence, please do not follow me.’

Sāvitri, in a very pleasing voice, replied modestly, ‘O Yama! It is the duty of a chaste woman to follow her husband wherever he goes. Because of your grace and my single-minded devotion towards my husband, are there any places where I can’t come? Let me follow my dharma to follow him till wherever I can. Also, as you know, it is the Satpuruṣas i.e.the virtuous and honest people who are the basis for dharma. It is not the scriptures, but those righteous and upright people who resolutely follow dharma are the true basis for dharma. Today, it is my great fortune that I had the darshan of such great Satpuruṣa. Who else, other than you, can be a greater Satpuruṣa? Darshan of Satpuruṣa is sure to bestow auspiciousness and great fortune. Will Satpuruṣas like you send people back empty handed?’

Here, it is very important to understand the philosophy of a god. A god is always delighted at the devotee’s humbleness, truth, modesty, honesty, dharma, and other virtues. Pleased with Sāvitri’s words, Yama offered her a boon, of course except the life of Satyavān. Sāvitri then asked to restore the vision for her blind father-in-law. Yama was even happier for her dharmic wish, immediately granted the boon and asked her to return back.

Sāvitri continued to follow Yama, talking, ‘Adrōha: Sarvabhūtēṣu karmaṇā manasā girā anugrahācca dānam ca satām dharma sanātana: i.e.,

• Satpuruṣas, who always follow the sanātana dharma, are embodied with great virtues such as not harming any being with action, mind, and speech, ready grace on all, and overflowing generosity.

• Once such Satpuruṣas are seen, one should not leave their company.

• Scriptures mention that just staying in the very presence of such Satpuruṣas bestows all auspiciousness. Your name is ‘Dharmadevata’, as you are the very embodiment of dharma. You are the one who decide the state of every being in this creation based on their dharma. Because of your impartial attitude and equal treatment towards everyone, you are also called ‘Samavarti’. You are also called ‘Yama’, because you regulate and control. Because you remove everything, you are called ‘Śamana’.’

Here, Sāvitri prays Yama with a hymn. Gods are pleased when the devotee venerates them comprehending the true nature (guna), efficacy (mahima), play (leela), and tattva (philosophy), because this reveals the true, complete, and proper understanding of the devotee about the God. Hence, this hymn is also called ‘rk’ i.e. eternal truths. Yama told Sāvitri, ‘Whoever hears these words of yours shall get rid of all their evils. I’m pleased with your words. I grant you another boon. Ask whatever you want except the life of your husband Satyavān.’ Offering deep obeisance to Yama, Sāvitri asked back the lost kingdom of her father-in-law. Yama granted the boon and told her that it will be very difficult to follow him further along the dreadful path and advised Sāvitri to return back.

Sāvitri continued to follow Yama saying that nothing shall be impossible for those who follow Satpuruṣas who are very kind and grant everything. Her grit and determination to follow Yama till she gets what she wants is adorable. She told Yama, ‘‘sakhyaṁ sāptapadīnaṁ’ – When seven steps are walked together, a relationship of friendship is established. Now, because of your grace, I established a relationship of friendship with you. And, because of tapas, devotion towards Gurus, and above all your grace, is making the impossible possible for me.

Once it is

very clear to me that my husband is at the tip of your noose, how can I return back without following him?’ The compassionate Yama, filled with affection for her, told that she is getting too tired. He also granted one more boon except the life of Satyavān. Sāvitri asked to grant sons to her father. Yama granted one hundred sons and told her to return back. - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Adapted from ‘Mahabharatam lo Manchi Kathalu’ Pravachanam) (To be continued...)




‘Sri Gurubhyo Namaha’ is an online adult group created and coordinated by Smt. Tadanki Vidya garu to study and understand pravachanams and books in a systematic and timely manner with students from India, UK, USA, and Australia. This group motto is

i.e. ‘Let’s realize the world to be the form of the Lord; Let’s learn through Satsangam’.

Till now, topics such as ‘Ashtadasa Shakti Peetha Rahasyalu’, ‘Sri Siva Maha Puranam’, ‘Srimad Bhagavad Gita’, and ‘Srimad Bhagavatam’ Pravachanams and ‘Sri Vishnu Vidya’ and ‘Samaadhanam’ books are taken as course syllabus. These students procure these books, audio CDs etc. from Rushipeetham Charitable Trust aiding in raising revenue to the organization.

Entire curriculum is structured as ‘Shravanam’ (Devout listening of Pravachanam), ‘Mananam’ (Contemplating the Pravachanam contents), and ‘Lekhanam’ (Presentation of Pravachanam gist as papers) through an online Satsang named ‘Murali’. This name is also very apt. ‘Murali’ i.e. Flute by itself is hollow but can produce melodious music only when the wind is blew within, by Bhagawan Sri Krishna.

Recently, 88 students of this group compiled and released ‘Sri Shanmukha Murali Bhagavata Makarandam’, after completing the study of Srimad Bhagavata Pravachanam. This book contains sections named ‘Nandakam’, ‘Kaustubham’, ‘Taravali’, ‘Panchajanyam’, ‘Sarangam’, ‘Sudarshanam’ etc. This is an exquisite presentation of various articles in different formats such as question-answers, cardinal principles for personality development, dramas and skits, poems from Potana’s Andhra Bhagavatam, Sanskrit hymns and stotras from original Sri Veda Vyasa’s Srimad Bhagavatam, musical compositions, precious gems etc. The group took the entire onus of compiling, proof reading, designing, and printing, apart from donating considerable amount towards the noble cause of ‘Go Seva’ on this momentous occasion. Blessings to all the members of this group to continue the activities with the same zeal and momentum!

- Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. For more details about ‘Sri Gurubhyo Namaha’, please visit http://gurujnanam.org This site contains all the information about enrollment, participation, guidelines, course materials, Satsang material and current news. Sri Shanmukha Murali Bhagavata Makarandam – e-download Book Link

Explaining the distinction of the special annual issue ‘Visishta Sanchika’, Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu mentioned that these issues are treasure houses of research articles exclusively written by various intellectuals and exquisite paintings by artists. He also added that Rushipeetham Charitable Trust is publishing these special issues with great effort and cost. This year issue titled

has the picture of Divine Mother with magnanimous effulgence all around and holding weapons, on the cover page.

Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam garu wanted everyone to avail this rare opportunity to procure an issue for themselves and also gift others to bring awareness, spread the truth, and expressed that it is the need of the hour that this book reaches the nook and corner of every village in Bharatadesa.

Anyone interested in sponsorship and distribution of this

‘Matha Samarasya Visishta Sanchika’, please contact [email protected]

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‘Rushipeetham’ a bi-lingual monthly magazine, started in 1999 by Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanukha Sarma garu, being

published uninterruptedly for twenty years, is available both in print and e- version.

This magazine enumerates the principles and practices of Sanātana Dharma with various articles on Traditions & Fulfilments

(āchārālu – ābhīṣṭha siddhulu), highlights of auspicious days of the month (īnela visēṣālu) along with simple and practical ways

for celebrating festivals, provides direction and guidance to ideal Hindu. This also elucidates the glorious heritage of many

sacred places, rivers, and towering personalities of Bhārata infusing devotion and patriotism. Articles of many writers and

works of saint composers and poets are valuable addition. ‘Rushipeetham’ magazine presents Sri Samavedam garu’s spiritual

discourses as a ready reckoning recourse to those who really could not listen to all his pravachanams. The magazine also

features special section to entertain as well as educate children with our rich cultural and national heritage. Sri Samavedam

garu’s answers titled ‘Jijñāsa’, substantiated with apt references from scriptures, act as a beacon light to sādhakas. Thought

provoking editorials by Sri Samavedam garu not only provide holistic insight into many contemporary issues, but also give

thorough and practical solutions, lifting the magazine to a higher altitude giving it altogether an exalted dimension. Activities

propagating Sanātana Dharma all over the world are covered. Features include research facts contributed by western scholars

also, demonstrating the underlining rational and scientific basis of Sanātana Dharma. In addition, a special edition emphasizing

chosen theme and exclusively selected articles written by eminent writers is released annually.

In fact, the magazine is the hand torch of every Hindu with which they can proudly proclaim ‘This is my Bhāratīyata’.

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