Amrithavarshini January 2012

Amritha Varshini © [e-Magazine - “The Magazine for the Modern Age”] M r i t y o r M a A m r i t a m G a m a y a - L e a d m e f r o m m o r t a l i t y t o i m m o r t a l i t y

Ragam 1 : Tanam 1 Pallavi 1 Price Rs. 20/- per issue JANUARY 2012

Page 1

Swagatham to all readers !!

Ashirvadam 3

Preface 4

From Editors Desk 5

Pillayar Suzhi 6

Anugraha Bashanam 7

Gurukulam 8

Song of the God 9

Andal - The Divine wakeup call 10

Sthalapuranam 11

Decoding Hinduism 12

Katha Kalakshepam 13

Eppadi Padinaro 14

Sacred 63 16

Saint Tyagaraja Aradhana 19

Inside this issue

M r i t y o r M a A m r i t a m G a m a y a - L e a d m e f r o m m o r t a l i t y t o i m m o r t a l i t y

Amritha Varshini © [e-Magazine - “The Magazine for the Modern Age”]

Teivath Tamizh 20

Ask Ambi Mama 21

Yaksha Prashna 22

Ramanaarpanam 23

Paadum Paniye Paniyaai Arulvaai 24

facebook of Sage Narada 25

INBOX 26

Subscription Details 27

Back Page 28

Cover Page 1

Index 2

Page 2

Please click the Topic to go to that Page

The Internet has come to influence almost every activity in this world and is a combination of

the sublime and distressing. It is sometimes blamed for a lot of ills that society is facing now.

What is less realized is that the Internet is just a medium of communication and a repository of

information; the ills or benefits are dependent entirely on us, the people, who fill this medium

with inputs. In this context, it is laudable that a young person has chosen to use this powerful

medium for the benefit of humanity.

Dear Anand Vasudevan knows this electronic medium well. He realizes its astonishing power

to reach out and connect people. But what makes him different from many others is that he has

chosen to use it to propagate higher-order values that are fast diminishing in this alarmingly

commercial and mercenary world.

This E-magazine, Amritha Varshini launched by him is an unusual but fascinating combina-

tion of spirituality and values for day-to-day living. I say unusual because, most people tend to

view spirituality as a topic for the „old and retired‟. By coming out in electronic form, Amritha

Varshini reaches out to the young as much as the old and breaks any age-bias. Some people

who are Thirukkural „experts‟ tend to speak impressively about the great saint‟s teachings, but

actual practice of these principles is not seen. The Carnatic music trinity were more saints than

„music composers‟. They spoke the language of spirituality and divinity through music.

To a lay man, there is somewhere a disconnect between what is heard in eloquent speeches and

what is practiced around. There seem to be several queries and doubts even before the podium

microphone is switched off, but the eloquent speaker who kindled curiosity is already sur-

rounded by „devotees‟ and whisked away. The lay man continues to nurse a thirsty mind.

Amritha Varshini is intended to bridge this disconnect by presenting in simple, common-

man‟s language, the topics that arouse curiosity.

Hinduism itself is about life and how we go through the spiritual progression to a higher plane

of consciousness. Along this path of progression are the guiding values and traditions that keep

us on course.

Today‟s world has plenty of seekers who need inputs on spirituality and human values in a de-

mystified manner. This e-magazine promises to offer just that.

I pray to the Almighty to give Anand Vasudevan the joyous energy to take this noble initiative

to wider frontiers.

Lokah Samastah sukhino bhavantu.

Chennai

Sarma Sastrigal Dec 26, 2011

[email protected]

Foreword by Sri Sarma Sastrigal

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Ashirvadam

Sri Sarma Sastrigal, an

eminent Sanskrit Vedic

Scholar hails from

Kumbakonam, now

resides at Chennai.

He now devotes in the

noble pursuit of

disseminating the

knowledge of our scripts.

He is the author of

several books including

“The Great Hindu

Tradition” which gives

insights into Vedic

Principles, Sastras and

Heritage.

Home

I am really overwhelmed by the responses I received for our e-Magazine ‗Amritha Varshini‘. Zillion thanks to all my friends, well wishers and respected elders who have supported this new venture. I am also personally touched by some of my friends who have called me and offered to extend any kind of help in this venture. I set off the journey of writing in a diminutive way to clear doubts for some of my friends way back in 2007. What it was in a modest way started growing and later re-sulted in opening up of a blog (www.avdevantimes.blogspot.com) in the year 2009. More than 100+ articles were published so far in the blog which did received a good response. The articles were circulated to my friends and well wishers. Now after writing for more than four years, and based on the responses and encouragement re-ceived from all my readers, I felt the same should be taken to the next level by way of publishing as a e-Magazine. At the outset I would like to submit to all the readers that these articles are only shar-ing of thoughts, ideas and knowledge and I am NOT an elevated soul to advice any-body. I am also a mundane person trying to pursue the path set by our forefathers. In that way I am also one among all of you even though I pretend to compile these divine knowledge. I wish to dedicate this magazine to my parents Sri Vasudeva Subramanian and Smt Padma Vasudeva Subramanian who inculcated whatever few good thoughts I carry. Sri Adisankaraharya in his Bhaja Govindam says satsangatve nissangatvam nissangatve nirmohatvam nirmohatve nishchalatattvam nishchalatattve jeevan muktih

i.e. from satsanga i.e. good association leads to non-attachment, the non-attachment leads to freedom from delusion, the freedom from delusion brings steadfastness and the steadfastness leads one to liberation in this life itself.

I firmly believe that ―Amritha Varshini‖ will address the need of satsanga especially in this modern material world where one spends most of the time just to earn money for survival. While we have adopted to this electronic world where we live on concrete jungles with televisions, computers, laptops , mobile phones, internet, emails, iPods, iPads etc., we have also silently forgotten our tradition, values, and knowledge which our forefathers followed and lived a contended life. To address the need of the mod-ern electronic world I believe ―Amritha Varshini‖ in the electronic form will guide all of us in finding out the lost treasure and leas us from mortality to immortality.

Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya! Anand Vasudevan Editor - Amritha Varshini Chennai – 15/1/2012

Dear Readers!

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I FIRMLY BELIEVE

THAT “AMRITHA

VARSHINI” WILL

ADDRESS THE

NEED OF

SATSANGA

ESPECIALLY IN

THIS MODERN

WORLD….

PREFACE Home

I am indeed extremely happy to present the maiden issue of our e-magazine ―Amritha Varshini‖ on this Pongal day when the Uttarayana Punya Kalam commences. First of all I would request you please don‘t read like any ordinary magazine where we just read and forget. The articles are designed in such a way that they should become part of our life. Sections like Gurukulam, Song of the God, Eppadi Padinaro, Teivath Tamizh, Paadum Paniye Paniyaai Arulvai are structured in such a way which will enable us to understand the classics with meaning so that the same can be taught to our next gen-erations. I sincerely plead all my readers to chant these verses regularly as part of their daily prayers. Being the first issue the magazine‘s first article ―Pillayar Suzhi‖ is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, one who removes obstacles and grants all the needs of his devotees. This article contains the sayings of ―Kanchi Maha Periyava‖ on the significance of writing ―Pillayar Suzhi‖. In the ―Anugraha Bashanam‖ Kanchi Mahaperiyava talks on importance of ―Atma Sad-hana‖ in addition to Sarrera Sadhana. In the Sthalapuranam we shall come to know about a special temple dedicated to Lord Hayagriva one who grants wisdom located at Chettipunyam near Chennai. The month of ‗Margazhi‘ is so sacred that Lord says in Bhagavad Gita among the months he is ‗Margasirsa‘ which is Margazhi in Tamil. Margazhi and Andal’s Thirup-pavai are inseparable. The article ―Andal – the divine wake up call‖ talks on the sig-nificance of reading Tiruppavai. The aradhana of the Saint Composer Tyagaraja is just concluded and we still try to understand the greatness of this saint through the article ―Saint Tyagaraja Aradhana @ Thiruvayyaru‖. The ‗Katha Kalakshepam‖ section carry the article ―Gajendra Stotram and Gajendra Moksham‖ contains the story from Srimad Bhagavadam. The reciting of ‗Gajendra Stotram‘ is every significant which help us to overcome our difficult times. The links to ‘Gajendra Stotram’ both text and audio are given at the end of the article. Kindly make use of this vital links. The Sacred 63 carries the divine life history of ―Thiruneelakanda Nayanar‖ which re-veals the dedication of the potter and how the Lord intervene and reveals the whole world the dedication of the couple. I hope the new sections like ―Ask Ambi Mama‖, ―Yaksha Prashna‖ and ―facebbook of Sage Narada‖ will add interest in knowing deep about our religion.

Wishing you all a very happy Pongal and Blissful Year ahead!

AV Devan Chennai – 15/1/2012

From Editors‘ Desk ….FIRST OF ALL I

WOULD REQUEST

YOU PLEASE

DON'T READ LIKE

ANY ORDINARY

MAGAZINE

WHERE WE JUST

READ AND

FORGET……...

EDITORIAL

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Home

I am commencing the e-Magazine by writing about “Pillayar Suzhi”. The natives of Tamil people whenever they start writing will first write “Pillayar Suzhi”. In Tamilnadu Lord Ga-napathi is fondly called as “Pillayar” being the “Pillai” the first son of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. “Suzhi” in Tamil means “Whirl” or “Swivel”. The activity need not be so great for e.g. even before writing a postcard or making the list of provisions to be purchased people first write the “Pillayar Suzhi” and then only proceed to write the main content. Not only for writing but for any commencing any activity we need the blessings of Maha Ganapathi to complete the activity without any hindrance or obstacles and grants all the wishes of his devotees. The writing of „Pillayar Suzhi‟ is a “written proof” for this. If you see the “Pillayar Suzhi” it starts with zero. The activity which are written subsequently should not end in a Suzhi i.e. Zero and hence the practice of writing the Pillayar Suzhi first. There are people who write “OM” which written in Grantha or Tamil one has to first start with the same „suzhi‟. The „OM‟ is the “Pranava Mantra” and Pillayar is also in the form of “Pranava Swaroopam”. The “Suzhi” is also represents the circle. The earth and all other planets are in the form of a circle and the universe and the galaxies also rotate like a Swirl or „Suzhi‟. Thus Suzhi represents higher truth. The „Pillayar Suzhi‟ which starts with a circle finally ends in a straight line. Thus both the „Vakram‟ (curve) and „Arjavam‟ (straight) are present in the „Pillayar Suzhi‟. The letter „U‟ is the second letter in the Pranava. The letters „A, U and M‟ combine to-gether to form the Pranavam „OM‟. The syllable „A‟ represents „Shrishti‟ (Creation) , „U‟ represents „Sthithi‟ (Maintenance) and „M‟ represents „Samharam‟ (Destruction). The Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva represents the activities of Creation, Maintenance and Destruc-tion respectively. Thus the letter „U‟ if written in Tamil takes the form of „Pillayar Suzhi‟. Thus Pillayar the „Karuna Murthy‟ always engage in „Paripalanam‟ or „Maintenance‟ of his devotees. Since Vishnu also represents the activity of maintenance there is an inherent link of Pillayar with Vaishnavam. While invoking Ganapathi the sloka “Suklam Baratharam Vishnum” is recited. Here the word „Vishnum‟ represents „omnipresence‟. Anything which rotates in circular there will be an axis which represents the force behind the rotation. Thus the axis is base on which every rotates. Like wise for this Universe wherein all the planets and galaxies which are rotating circularly also there is an axis. The axis takes the form of a straight line in a rotation. Similarly the „Pillayar Suzhi‟ first start with a „Suzhi‟ or „Swirl‟ but finally ends in a straight line. We can also relate the „Suzhi‟ to Brahman and the straight line to „Prapancham‟ or „Universe‟. The ancient tamil poet „Avvayar‟ quotes in one of her poem „Kodayuthathaal Kodu Vinai Kalainthe‟. The word „Kodu‟ represents the „tusk' and „Kodu Vinai‟ is the „Prarabtha Karma‟ thus even the „Prarabtha Karma‟ is made to Swirl by the Great Swirl of Pillayar, the “Pillayar Suzhi”. Let us worship Lord „Ganapathi‟ , „Pillayar‟ simply by writing the „Pillayar Suzhi‟ so that all our „Prarabtha Karma‟ i.e. karmas accumulate over previous births are simply viped off by the divine mercy of „Pillayar‟.

Pillayar Suzhi - The Great ‗Swirl‘

THE NATIVES OF

TAMIL PEOPLE

WHENEVER THEY

START WRITING

WILL FIRST WRITE

“PILLAYAR SUZHI”

Significance of Pillayar Suzhi

Nama Prabhavam Dhyaayan Krute Yajan Yajnai Threthaayaam Dwaaparer Archayan Yadaapnothi Thadhaapnothi Kalau Sankeertha Kesavam

The path to reach God in Krutha Yuga was Meditation (Dhyana). In the age of Threthaa Yuga the prescribed path was performing sacrifices (Yagna). In the age of Dwapara Yuga worshipping the Lord through Pooja (Archana) was the method adopted. What-ever achieved in the earlier age can be obtained in this age of Kali through Singing and Chanting the Holy names of the Lord (Kesava).

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If a person works like an ox and spends his entire life only by being a workaholic without even taking effort to understand Atma, Paramatma, Easwara or without allocating time for Dhyana or Bhakti and finally leaves this material world, his janma is not fruitful. While performing our duty or karma is very much essential not only for our sustenance but also to make the mind pure. Those who works by only using their brain like the office goers will not have a deep sleep similar to those who work physically. If you do not have a good sleep the mind wanders and accumulates dirt. Those who work physically however has sound sleep and hence their mind does not wanders. Hence he becomes stronger both physically and mentally. He does not spoils the nervous system which connects the body and mind. Thus while physical work is a must, one should not however restrict oneself to the physical activities alone. From the initial stage itself one should have the „touch‟ with religious activi-ties. That „touch‟ should not be a temporary simple touch but should become a permanent touch. One should spend more time on „Adhyathma Samacharam‟ i.e. on those activities which enables him to under the God. By doing so even if a person attains the highest knowledge i.e. spiritually elevated person even then also he should have touch with the physical activities. One should not completely discard the physical activities till a person reaches the stage of „Jivan Mukti‟ wherein there is no ego, no thinking and no other plans. This is the reason why our forefathers have instructed us „while we hold our one hand on the almighty, with the other hand one should perform his duty‟. In the initial stages we should spend more on the physical activities less on religious activi-ties. Then we should spend equal time on both physical and religious activities. Finally we should spend more time on religious activities and less on physical work. Thus in all the stages both should be present without any of the activity being nil. If we follow this, finally we can feel that „Easwara‟ himself guide us in performing our subsequent activities. After attaining the stage of a „Jnani‟ there are persons who works by putting more efforts and there are also persons who remained like a stone. Thus still we reach that stage one should work while helping others. Thus barring those who are physically weak others should per-form physical activities while those who are physically weak should however, perform those activities which will compensate the non performance of physical activities.

Sri Kanchi Mahaperiyava talks on ―Sareera Sadhana and Athma Sadhana‖

….WHILE

PHYSICAL WORK

IS A MUST ONE

SHOULD NOT

HOWEVER

RESTRICT

ONESELF TO THE

PHYSICAL

ACTIVITIES

ALONE...

Anugraha Bashanam - Talks by spiritual masters

Noble Thoughts

"The mind is by nature rest-

less. Begin liberating it from

its restlessness; give it peace;

make it free from distracted-

ness; train it to look inward;

make this a habit. This is done

by ignoring the external world

and removing the obstacles to

peace of mind."

Bhagavan

Sri Ramana Maharshi

“We are what our thoughts

have made us ; so take care

about what you think.

Words are secondary.

Thoughts live ; they travel far”

– Swami Vivekananda

The waves belong to the

Ganges, not the Ganges to the

waves. A man cannot realize

God unless he gets rid of all

such egotistic ideas as I am

such an important man‟ or „I

am so and so‟. Level the

mound of „I‟ to the ground by

dissolving it with tears of de-

votion.

Sri Ramakrishna

Paramahamsa

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Home

gajaananam bhoota ganaadhi sevitam kapittha jambu phala saara bhakshitam

uma sutam shoka vinaasha karanam namaami vigneshwara paada pankajam

gajaananam – one with the elephant head

bhoota ganaadhi sevitam – one who is worshipped by ‗bhoota ganas‘ kapittha jambu phala saara bhakshitam – who eats the essence of kapitta & jambu

fruits uma sutam – son of Goddess Uma

shoka vinaasha karanam – one who destroys all miseries namaami vigneshwara paada pankajam – I offer my prayers at the divine feet of

Vigneshwara

Lord Ganesha with the elephant head is worshipped by the Bhoota Ganas. One who eats the essence of ‗Kapitta‘ (Vilam Pazham in Tamil) and ‗Jambu‘ (Naaval Pazham in Tamil) fruits. Who is the son of Goddess Uma and one who destroys all the miseries and sorrows I offer my prayer at the divine feet of the Lord Vigheshwara

*****

Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwaraha

Guru Saakshaat Param Brahma Tasmai Shree Guravey Namaha

Guru is Brahma the creator, Guru is Vishnu the preserver and Guru is Maheswar who gives auspiciousness and destroys evils, Guru is Brahman the absolute truth. I offer my salutations to the revered Guru.

*****

Sarasvati namastubhyam Varade kaamarupini

Vidyaarambham karishyaami siddhir bhavatu me sadaa

O Goddess Sarasvati, Salutations to you, the giver of boons, the one who fulfills all

desires. I begin my studies. May there always be accomplishments for me.

*****

Learning of Slokas / Stotras

Sarasvati

GURUKULAM

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Home

Chapter 8 Verse 6

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam tyajaty ante kalevaram

tam tam evaiti kaunteya sada tad bhava bhavitah

yam yam vapi – of whatever being ; smaran – thinks ; bhavam – nature

tyajaty – leaves ; ante – in the end ; kalevaram – body tam tam –that similar ; evaiti – certainly gets ; kaunteya – Son of Kunti (Arjuna)

sada –always ; tad bhava – the same state of being ; bhavitah – absorbed

Meaning of the Sloka Of whatever state of being one is always absorbed to that similar nature or state he will attain, after leaving this body. Explanation This sloka from Bhagavad Gita in a nut shell explains the Karma Theory. Whatever one sows he reaps the same. In this sloka bhagavan Krishna tells Arjuna that ―of whatever state of being one is always absorbed to that similar state he will attain‖. The catch point of the sloka is ‗while leaving this body‘. Anything we need to remember at the end means we should have the practice of thinking those throughout our life without which we cannot even think. May be that this the reason there is a ‗Periyazhvar Pasuram‘ which goes as follows :

thupudayarai adaivathellam sorvidathu thunay avarandre oppilenagilum ninadainthen aanaikku nee arul seithamayal

eipu ennai vanthu naliyum pothu anguethum naan unnai ninaikkamatten appothaikku ippothe solli vaithen arangatharavanai palliyane

The substance of the above sloka is that, ―when we become aged, we depend on some body with the hope that they will help us. O Lord of Rangatha, I have surrendered unto you even though I am not qualified with the hope that you will save me similar to the rescue you have done to the elephant (Gajendran). I may not be able to remember you when I am afflicted with disease. Hence I am chanting your holy name while I am hale and healthy‖ Takeout One should do devotional service while one is hale and healthy and should not postpone that we can do after retirement or at a later stage. There is a saying in Tamil ―Nandre Sei athuvum indre sei‖ Do always Good and that too Now itself. Hence let us start all the good today itself.

Inside Story Headline

Page 9

THE BHAGAVAD

GITA IS ONE OF

THE GREATEST

SCRIPTURES

EXPOUNDING

THE CREED.

DISCIPLINE AND

IDEALS OF

HINDUISM

Song of the God—Verses from Srimad Bhagavad Gita

Home

„Andal‟ the very word when uttered with devotion will transform you to higher planes of

spirituality. That is the level of love and devotion she expressed towards the Lord.

Whenever we think of Andal of South India, we also think of „Meera‟ of North. Both

have similarities in terms of loving Krishna, contemplate always about their divine lover

and finally merging with the supreme. The month of „Margazhi‟ is so sacred that Krishna

says in Bhagavad Gita among the month he is „Margasirsa‟ i.e. Margazhi in Tamil. In

Tamilnadu the Margazhi is permeate with „Thiruppavai‟ throughout the month since the

sacred work of Thiruppavai consists of 30 pasurams or divine poems which is fraught with

sublime devotion towards the lord. As per Srimad Bhagavatam, the Gopikas of Gokulam

performed Kartyayini Vrata with a prayer that let son of Nanda, Krishna be their hus-

band. The young Andal experienced the same bhagavadanubhava and became like a

Gopika and the anubhavam came through her mouth as “Thiruppavai” and in the poem

she goes to her friend‟s home and ask her to wake up. This wakeup call is not only for

her but also for every one of us who are in the deep sleep in the lap of maya. Krishna

says in Bhagavad Gita [Chapter 12 Verse 6-7], “one who worships me always contem-

plating on Me, without deviation for him I am the swift deliverer from this mrithyu samsara

sagara i.e. ocean of birth and death”. Even if we make an attempt to understand with

meaning at least one Thiruppavai pasuram and chant regularly with devotion, we will be

an elevated soul. Let the daughter of Vishnuchittar, Godha (Andal) shower her blessings

on all of us to imbibe the divine bhakti towards the Lord which alone will save us and

help us to cross this mighty ocean of samsara sagara.

Maargazhith Thingal Madhi Niraindha Nannaalaal Neeradap Podhuveer Podhumino Nerizhaiyeer Seer Malgum Aaayppaadich Chelvach Chirumeergaal

Koorvel Kodundhozhilan Nandhagopan Kumaran Eraarndha Kanni Yasodhai Ilam Singam Kaarmeni Chengan Kadhir Madhiyam Pol Mugaththaan Naaraayanane Namakke Parai Tharuvaan Paaror Pugazhap Pandindhelor Empavay

In the sacred month of Margazhi, on an auspicious day of full moon, I (Aandal) beckon all the wealthy young girls of (Aayppadi) Gokulam to take a sacred dip and worship the almighty Lord, son of Nandagopar, who by means of his sharp spear disposes off his ene-mies, mother Yasoda's child who resembles a fierce lion, has a dark cloud like divine com-plexion, with a pair of eyes that resembles a beautiful lotus, whose face shines like a com-bination of the sun and the moon, let us all pray and request the Lord to dictate us the service that He expects us to do.

The divine wakeup call

Tiruppavai - Verse 1

THE YOUNG

ANDAL

EXPERIENCED THE

SAME BHAGAVADA

-ANUBHAVA AND

BECAME LIKE A

GOPIKA AND THE

ANUBHAVAM

CAME THROUGH

HER MOUTH AS

“TIRUPPAVAI”

―ANDAL‖

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Some time back I visited Pondicherry and on my way back to Chennai happened to visit a temple dedicated to Lord Hayagreevar. The temple is located at Chettipunyam, on the outskirts of Chennai on the Chennai to Chengalpattu NH 45. From Chennai it is lo-cated at a distance of 50 Kms just opposite to Mahindra World City. The Lord Hayagriva is an avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is worshipped as the God of knowl-edge and wisdom with a human body with Horse Head, brilliant white in colour with white garments and seated on a white lotus. The avatar of Hayagriva Bhagavan took place to restore the Vedas to Brahma. Brahma became extremely conceited about his power as the creator. Lord Narayana discerning this, decided to rid Brahma of his pride. A couple of water droplets from the lotus seat of the Lord incarnated as two Asuras, Madhu and Kaitabha, who stole the Vedas from Brahma. Unable to carry on his work of creation without the Vedas, Brahma beseeched Lord Narayana for help. Lord Narayana incarnated as Hayagriva and destroyed the Asuras and restored the Vedas to Brahma. Swami Desikan has very eloquently described the greatness of Bhagavan Hayagriva in the Hayagriva Stotram. Many references from the Hayagriva Upanishad are succinctly contained in Swami Desikan's tribute. Though a Sannidhi for Varadaraja Perumal has been in this temple for more than 350 years, with the efforts of Sirasdar Rao Sahib Rangachar that the idol of ‗Devanathaswamy‘ of Tiruvahindrapuram got installed here. Along with Devanathas-wamy the ‗Hyagriva‘ idol a small but bewitching deity was brought here and installed in the year 1848. The idols of Thayar, Sridevi, Boodevi and Andal were installed after this. There is a separate sanctum sanctorum for Lord Sri Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. These idols were brought by one Mudumbai Sri Ramaswamy Iyengar from Tanjore Palace and were initially located at Vandalur in 1868. These idols were later installed at Chettipunyam when Iyengar migrated to Bangalore. The villagers conduct the ‗Tiruparvettai‘ festival in the Tamil month of ‗Thai‘. The temple along with devo-tees organises a number of utsavams like Sri Jayanthi, Vaikunda Ekadasi, Desikan Sathumurai, Adi Pooram, Panguni Uthiram, Udayavar Sathumurai and Sri Ramanavami. Near to this Hayagreeva temple there is also the famous temple for Lord Narasimha at the village called ‗Singa Perumal Koil‘ which is located at a distance of just 5 Kms. Hence you can combine both these temple and have darshan of Lord Hayagreeva and Lord Narasimha. As Lord Hayagriva is the embodiment of knowledge the temple attracts lots of students. Please visit Chettipunyam and receive the bountiful blessings showered by Lord Hayagriva who bestows upon his devotees knowledge, wealth and progress in all walks of life.

Sri Hayagreeva Temple, Chettipunyam

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THE AVATAR OF

HAYAGRIVA

BHAGAVAN

TOOK PLACE TO

RESTORE THE

VEDAS TO

BRAHMA

STHALA PURANAM Information about important and sacred temples

Nama Prabhavam Harer Nama Harer Nama Harer Namaiva Kevalam Kalau Nasty Eva Nasty Eva Nasty Eva Gatir Anyatha – (Brhan Naradiya Purana) The Brhan Naradiya Purana states that in this age of Kali there is no alternative, no al-ternative but no other alternative except the one and only the Divine Names of the Lord

which alone can save us.

Home

While praying to Lord Ga-napati we invoke the Lord with the mantra ―Suklam Baradaram‖ while doing so we hit on both sides of our foreheads with closed fists. This is done to stimulate our brain. That small vibration stimulates the brain to bring focus and concentration to our brain.

This you can corroborate as while somebody when they forget any informa-tion, by nature, they first hit their forehead to recol-lect the information. Thus whenever we em-bark on any rituals we first invoke Lord Ganapathi so that we are at peace and concentrated in carrying out the task such that the activity will be complete without any hindrance.

Why do we gently hit our forehead with closed fits.

Why do we do ―Thoppu Karanam‖ to Lord Ganapathi

The legend behind “Thoppu Karanam” is that Lord Vishnu per-formed this “Thoppu Karanam” in front of Lord Ganapathi to re-cover his “Sudarshan Chakra” which was snatched by Ganapathi.

Thus, Thoppu Karanam is performed as a prayer before Lord Ganesha by holding the hands crosswise across the chest with the fingers holding the earlobes and bending down and then getting up. Interestingly, the “Thoppu Karanam” has now attained international status thanks to fellow Americans who now call this as “Super Brain Yoga”. They have found through medical research that doing these special kind of sit ups while holding the opposite earlobes stimulates the brain power and in-creases the memory power. I hope they will not charge us while we perform Thoppu Karanam.

One can observe that while crossing a Ganesha / Pillayar temple on the road, most peo-ple in Tamilnadu, stop, take off their footwear, perform "Thoppukaranam" and then resume their journey. Many people does Thoppu Karanam as part of their prayer in their homes. The word Thoppu Karanam is derived from the sanskrit words “Dhorbi” meaning with two hands and “Karanam” means Ears.

Page 12

Decoding Hinduism FAQ on Hindu religious practices and customs

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Pandyas were a race of Kshatriyas who ruled the land called „Dravida Desha‟ (now known as Tamilnadu) in Southern India. There was a Pandya King known as „Indrayumna‟. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He took the vow of silence and sat in the moun-tains, deep in meditation. At that time Sage Agastya along with his disciples came to his Ashrama. Since the King was in deep meditation he could not receive the Sage, nay even noticed. Finding the King mute, the Sage Agastya felt that he was being neglected by the King and then cursed the King that he will be born as an Elephant. Thus Indrayumna a Pandya King took birth as an Elephant in the beautiful mountains of „Trikuta‟ which was covered with thick forests. The waves of the ocean lapped at the foot of Trikuta. Over a period „Gajendra‟ became the leader of the heard of elephants and was roaming with female elephants . One day Gajendra was playing with his family and other elephants in a lake in the forest. Suddenly, a Crocodile which was living in that pond caught Gajendra by his leg. Gajendra, despite being a mighty elephant could not break free himself and then called out for help. All his family and other elephants gath-ered around him and tried to help by pulling Gajendra out of the water. The crocodile was stronger than all the elephants put together. They finally gave up. Gajendra too tried for long to escape from clutches of the alligator. Thus Gajendra and the alligator engaged in the tussle for one thousand years and the Gods looked upon this event as something strange. Finally the Elephant said to itself, “These my kith and kin have no power to extricate me, fallen in distress; how can the female elephants do it, entrapped as I am in the snare or providence in the shape of the alligator even I flee to the Supreme, the ultimate refuge of all. Whosoever being the almighty Lord protects on every side a suppliant very much afraid of the powerful serpent in the form of death,possessed of terrible speed and ad-vancing in every direction and from fear of whom death runs to and fro, let us approach Him as our asylum”. Thus saying so the Elephant Gajendra started mentally praying with a Stotra. This Gajen-dra Moksha Sthuthi or Stotra starts with the following verse :

om namo bhagawate tasmay yat etcchidatmakam purushaayaa dibijaay pareshaayaabhi dheemahee yasminnidum yetascchedum yenedum edum swayam

yosmaat parasmaasch parsthum prapadye swayambhuvam

Gajendra thus worshipped the Lord in the following way : “I take refuge at God, who is the base of the entire world, who is the ultimate refuge for everyone. It is difficult to unfold the mysteries of His plays. He takes many guises. Not even the sages and the gods know His appearance and glory. May such a Lord protect me. O Lord, your powers are unending. You are gracious to those who take refuge in you. Illusioned by you, this humble creature does not recognize you. O Lord, I am in your refuge.”

Gajendra Stotram and Gajendra Moksham

Page 13

...The ―Gajendra

Stotra‖ if

chanted with

devotion will

relieve a person

from any form

of danger, this

is the assurance

given by the

Lord himself.

Katha Kalakshepam Tales from Puranas & Ithihasas

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Like this Gajendra prayed with 29 verses calling out the greatness of the God in general without uttering the name of the Lord. Upon completion of the Stotra, Lord Vishnu appeared on his vehicle Garuda and sent the Sudarshana Chakra whirling down. The Chakra killed the crocodile and set Gajendra free. Gajendra offered Lord Narayana a Lotus and thanked him for saving his life. Strange as it may seem, the crocodile then adopted the form of a Gand-harva. He was a Gandharva in his previous life and his name was „Huhu‟. Huhu was once playing with his wife in a lake and at that time Sage Durvasa was offering prayers in the same lake. Huhu pulled his legs playfully into the water. Annoyed by his act the sage cursed Huhu to become a crocodile. Huhu realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness. The sage told tat he will be freed from the curse by Lord Vishnu, which now happened. In fact, the Elephant was also earlier was „Indrayumna‟ as seen earlier and now he too was freed from his curse and became Vishnu‟s companion. Finally Vishnu promised that, “those who recite the Gajendra Stotra in the Brahma Muhurta I grant them, the unclouded memory of myself at the moment of death.”

The Gajendra Stotra if chanted with devotion will relieve a person from any form of danger,

this is the assurance given by the Lord himself.

Please see the below links for “Gajendra Stotra” in text and MP3 Download.

Gajendra Moksha Stotra Text

http://omshivam.wordpress.com/the-maha-mrityunjaya-mantra/gajendra-moksham-gajendras-

prayers-of-surrender-to-lord-vishnu/

Gajendra Moksha Stotra MP3 Download

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/06/gajendra-moksha-stotra-mp3-download.html

Gajendra Moksham

Noble Thoughts

If anyone offends you do not

return tit for tat.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba

Page 14

The mind is purified by

engaging the activities of the

senses in the service of

Bhagawan and his devotees

Bhagavan Swaminarayan

A man's well-being depends

upon his degree of

contentment.

Bhagavan Sri

Sathya Sai Baba

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Composer : Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar Ragam : Hamsadhwani

Pallavi vaathaapi ganapathim bajeham vaaranaasyam varapratham sri

Meaning I sing in praise of Vatapi Ganapathi, who has an Elephant face and one showers boons to his devotees. Anupallavi

bhuthaadhi samsevitha charanam bootha bowthika prapancha bharanam

veetharaaginam vinatha yoginam viswa kaaranam vigna vaaranam

Meaning All the living beings including bootha ganas (attendants of shiva) worship his feet and he pervades the world of the Five elements. He is beyond desires and is glorified by all the yogis. He is the cause of the creation and destroys all the obstacles.

Charanam - 1

buraa kumba munivara prapoojitham thrikona madhya gatham

muraari pramukaadh upaasitham mulaadhaara shetrasthitham

Meaning He who is worshipped by the Sage Agastya, One who resides in the centre of Mystic Triangle. One who is worshipped by Lord Vishnu and other important Gods. One who is present as an important deity in all places.

Charanam – 2

paraathi chatvaari vaagaathmakam pranavasvarupa vakrathundam

nirantharam nitila chandra gandam nijavaa makara vithrutheshu dandam

Meaning

He who is present in the four variations of sound beginning with para. He who pos-sesses a twisted trunk and an original form of a ‗pranava‘. He who permanently bears a crescent on his forehead and he who holds a sugarcane with his left hand.

Vathaapi Ganapatim — Muthuswami Dikshitar Kriti

Page 15

Eppadi Padinaro Understanding divine compositions of legends

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Charanam – 2

paraathi chatvaari vaagaathmakam pranavasvarupa vakrathundam

nirantharam nitila chandra gandam nijavaa makara vithrutheshu dandam

Meaning

He who is present in the four variations of sound beginning with para. He who possesses a twisted trunk and an original form of a „pranava‟. He who permanently bears a cres-cent on his forehead and he who holds a sugarcane with his left hand.

Charanam – 3

karaambuja paasa beejapooram kalusha vithuram bootha kaaram

haraathi guruguha doshida bimbam hamsadhwani booshitha herambam

Meaning

In his lotus like hands he also holds a noose, and a pomegranate fruit. He drives away all evil and has a gigantic form. His form is adored by Hara, Guruguha and others. He who is the Lord Heramba decorated by the Raga Hamsadhwani Foot Note

This composition is in the Raga “Hamasadhwani” which was invented by Dikshitar‟s father

Sri Ramaswamy Dikshitar. It is said that this kriti is considered auspicious to be sung or

heard in the dawn when the sun is visible on the horizon. Vatapi is a reference to the pre-

sent day Badami in Karnataka. When the Pallavas invaded the Chalukya kingdom, they

brought the idol of Ganapati from Badami and installed it in the Tiruvarur temple. Dikshi-

tar glorifies this Ganapati. Paradi, Catvari, Vagatmakam refers to the four types of

speech (vak) described in the shastras (Para, Vykhari, Madhyama and Pashyanti). Gana-

pathi is the Lord of the „Muladhara Chakra‟ located at the base of the spine. There he

resides on a red lotus with four petals, wearing red clothes and jewels with red gem

stones. He holds a sugar cane (Vidhrtekshu Dandam) and guards the Kundalini Shakti.

The Beeja Mantra of Ganapati is Gam. This is significant because Dikshitar begins this

kriti with a Gandhara.

Youtube Link The YouTube link for this song is given under the section “facebook of Narada”

Vatapi Ganapatim (Continuation)

Page 16

THIS RAGA WAS

INVENTED BY

DISKSHITAR‟S

FATHER.

GANAPATHI IS THE

LORD OF

„MULADHARA

CHAKRA‟ LOCATED

AT THE BASE OF

THE SPINE...

Eppadi padinaro…. contd..

Home

Once there lived a devotee of Lord Shiva in Chidambaram and due to his constant chanting of ―Thiruneelakandam‖ he came to be known in this name itself. He was a Potter by profession and as a service to Lord Shiva he used to provide free clay bowls to the devotees of Lord Shiva. He was gifted with an exceedingly beautiful wife, whose physical beauty was only exceeded by her kindness and her love for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva forever abided in her heart and her mind forever dwelled on the feet of the Lord. The potter devotee lived a happy life with his wife. Something extraordinary things needs to happen in everyone‘s life to realize the God. Fate made him to lead once to a lady whose work is to give bodily pleasure. When his wife came to know about this she was unhappy with him for his deed. She did all the responsibilities of the wife but didn't allow him to be with her. To bring down her re-sentment he went with sweet words and tried to hug her. She said immediately, ―Thiruneelakandam aanai emmai thodatheer‖ meaning Thiruneelakandam please don‘t touch me. Generally the word ―emmai‖ in tamizh is used in plural and when his wife told ―emmai‖ he took the word seriously. It is told even a single word can change a person. Thus this utterance from his wife changed him completely and he took a vow that henceforth he will not touch any women in his life including his wife! The couple of wonderful determination and self control did the duties of the married life, but abstained from the base feeling of sex. They also never revealed it to others - the ideal couple. It could be easier to conquer the world, but it is more difficult to conquer the senses and the toughest in presence of the charming spouse. Given that the person had a great amount of desire for that in the past that led him even outside, how difficult it would be to conquer! He did conquer that for the Name of God and there he stands grand for even the sages, who conquered the senses by practice, to look up to! Years rolled down their beauty and charm disappearing they became old but held strongly the feet of the Lord in their heart. The great potter who created this Uni-verse now decided to reveal their devotion to the entire world. He came in the garb of a sage to Nayanar‘s house. Welcoming and worshipping the sage, nayanaar asked in humble words what order the sage had for him. The shankara who came stealthily as sage gave the clay begging bowl to the nayanar and requested him to take care of the bowl till he returns. Nayanaar not suspecting anything took the bowl and promised that he would keep it safe. The mystic Lord removed the bowl from that place and returned the next day as if he doesn‘t know anything and asked for the bowl back.

Thiruneelakanda Nayanar

Page 17

..THE UTTERANCE

FROM HIS WIFE

CHANGED HIM

COMPLETELY AND

HE TOOKA VOW

THAT HENCEFORTH

HE WILL NOT

TOUCH ANY

WOMEN IN HIS

LIFE INCLUDING

HIS WIFE!...

Sacred 63 Divine life history of 63 Nayanmars from Periyapuranam

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The truthful devotee shocked to find out that the bowl disappeared from the specified place, searched the entire place with shivering heart, but couldn't get it. The sage shouted as if He was impatient to make it fast. The devotee begged for pardon to for-give the loss of the bowl and was ready to give a real nice new bowl instead of that old one. But the sage insisted on the same bowl that he had given and refused to accept even if he would give a golden bowl. As he was not able to give, the sage charged him to be cheating. That devotee pleaded Him to trust his honesty. The sage said if he takes a dip in the pond holding the hand of his son He would believe. naayanar told him that he did not have any offspring. The Sage replied that if he doesn‘t have a son let him have a dip holding his wife's hand. For that neelakantam replied that he cannot do that due to a pledge. Acting as if an-gered the Graceful went to the court of the priests of Thillai "It was true that the sage gave the bowl but I am really ignorant of where it disappeared", said the man of im-mense integrity. The court upheld the argument of the sage that naayanar should have a dip in the pond holding his wife's hand. The old couple came to the temple pond. The couple were holding one end of the bam-boo stick since they cannot touch each other. Nayaanar told the reason for not touch-ing his wife to the entire audience who have gathered there and holding the bamboo stick both took the dip. When they arose out of the water the miraculous event took place yes to the astonishment of everyone their old age was vanished and emerged as a young couple. At the same time the Lord who came in the form of Sage disappeared.

There appeared the Lord in the horizon on the holy bull with the consort to bless the

hailing devotee, "You both are very great due to your victory over the five senses.

You be with me in bliss without an end to this youth".

Thiru Neela Kanda Nayanar ...contd..

Page 18

BLESSED ARE WE

TO READ THE

DIVINE LIFE OF

NAYANMAR….

Home

Saint Tyagaraja one of music trinity of carnatic music, composed many kritis in carnatic music. He lived in Thiruvayyaru, near Thanjavur. His entire life is fraught with „Rama Bhakti‟ which one can experience in his compositions. The Saint lived in this world from 1767 to 1847 AD for period of 80 years. These 80 years are the Golden period for the Carnatic Music world as his compositions were melted out from his heart. There were many composers before and after Tyagaraja but it is Tyagaraja alone rules the heart of the Carnatic Musicians. The rea-son for same is the divinity in his compositions. Even a layman without knowing anything about carnatic music if he listens for a while he will be transported to a different world. That is the reason even the Rickshaw pullers in Chennai listen to carnatic music concerts especially during the December Season in the yester years. Gana Raga Pancharatna Kritis “Pancha” in Sanskrit means five and “Ratna” means gem and every song of Tyagaraja is a gem in its own right. Pancharatna kritis are a set of five kritis in carnatic music composed by Tyagaraja. They are popularly referred as “Pancharatna Kritis” or “Ghana Raga Pancharatnam” as they are set in five major Ghana Ragas. These kritis have incredible depth and spectacular musical beauty. These kritis are in praise of his beloved deity, Lord Rama and are long and extremely skilful musical compositions. They are set in the style of Ragam, Tanam and Pallavi with the Charanas substituting for the Kalpana Swaras i.e. improvisatory passages in the Pallavi section of the RTP. The Pancharatna kritis consist of the following compositions :

Jagadanandakaraka – Raga – Natta Duduku gala – Raga – Gaula Sadhinchane – Raga – Arabhi Kanakana ruchira – Raga – Varali Endaro mahanubhavulu – Raga - Sri

As a token of respect the musicians pay homage to the Saint on his aradhana day and sing the Pancharatna Kritis on Pushya Bahula Panchami at Thiruvayyaru. Apart from thousands of songs of kriti type, he composed utsava sampradaya keertanas and divya nama sankeer-tanas which are sung in devotional congregations He has also created two operas, Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam and Nauka charitram. While there are a number of songs in Sanskrit, the ma-jority of them, including the operas, are in Telugu. Tyagaraja's literary genius was as great as his musical genius. His command over Telugu and Sanskrit lent not only an erudite dignity to his songs but gave a rare felicity and homeliness to his diction. Tyagaraja was constantly chanting the Rama Sadakshari Mantra over 21 years and he com-pleted chanting 96 crores of Rama Nama. He got the divine vision was Lord Ram at the age of 42. It was said Tyagaraja got the divine vision of Rama in his home located in the Thiru-mancha Street, at Tiruvayyaru. It is said he had a strange dream wherein Lord Rama ap-peared and informed him that he will attain moksha after ten days. Tyagaraja revealed this to his disciples and relatives during the „Ekadasi Bhajan‟. The saint took Sanyasa order on 5th January 1847 and attained Sidhi on the Pushya Bahula Panchami which corresponds to 6th January 1847. A Brindhavan was built on the bank of the river Kaveri at Thiruvayyaru with the honor and religious rites due to a Sanyasi and a Thulasi plant was put up. The Thyagaraja Aradhana is a tribute to the saint composer Sri Tyagraja Swamy. The main event of rendering „Pancha Ratna Kritis‟ by his devotees just concluded at Thiruvayaru but the saint continue to inspire us throughout our life!.

Inside Story Headline

Page 19

...EVEN A LAYMAN

WITHOUT

KNOWING

ANYTHING

ABOUT CARNATIC

MUSIC IF HE

LISTENS FOR A

WHILE HE WILL BE

TRANSPORTED TO

A DIFFERENT

WORLD...

Saint Tyagaraja Aradhana @ Tiruvayyaru

Home

THIRRUKKURAL [Thiruvalluvar, - Kural 32] Arathinoongu Aakamum Illai Athanai Marathalin Oongillai Kedu

There is no greater wealth one can acquire than the “Dharma” (merit obtained through noble Acts). Similarly it will be great misfortune if he dont follow or forgets it. KONDRAI VENTHAN [Avvaiyar, - Kondrai Venthan 54]

Nool Murai Therinthu Seelathu Ozhugu

Understand clearly those said in the noble books and follow sincerely in your life. THEVARAM [Thirugnaana Sambandar—Thiru Ayinthezhuthu Pathigam]

Kathalaagi Kasinthu Kanneer Malgi Othuvaar Thammai Nanerikku Uipathu Vetham Naanginum Meiporul Aavathu Naathan Naamam Namachivayave

Those who chant the Lords Name “Nama Shivaya” with unalloyed love and devotion with tears rolling down are tread to the virtuous path by it. Indeed, the real meaning of the four Vedas is nothing but divine name of the Lord „Nama Shivaya‟. NALAYIRA DIVYA PRABANTHAM [Kulasekhara Azhwar, Perumal Thirumozhi]

sediyaaya valvinaigal theerkum thirumaale nediyaane vengadava nin koyilin vaasal adiyaarum vaanavarum arambaiyarum kidanthu iyangum padiyaaik kidanthu un pavala vaaik kaanpene The bigger / deeper bad effects of Karma are completely wiped off by Lord Vishnu, one who resides at Venkata Hill. At the entrance of (Tirumala) Temple the devotees, devatas and heavenly dancers congregate to have the glimpse of the Lord. I would like to assume the form of a step at your entrance so that I can always see your coral like lips ( beautiful form.)

Poems from tamil classics

Page 20

Theivath Tamizh

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The temples follow the “Agama Shastra” which deals with construction

of temples, ancillary structures, making of the deities of Gods, conse-

crating it, performing puja, etc., all related to Temple worship. There are three main

divisions of Agama Shastra i.e. The Shaiva, The Shakta and The Vaishnava. The Shaiva

branch of the Agama deals with the worship of the deity in the form of Shiva. This branch

in turn has given rise to Shaiva Siddantha of the South and the Prathyabijnana School of

Kashmir Shaivisim. According to Shaiva Siddantha the God is formless (Arupa). But for

the salvation of lives He took the form of Lingam which is in a formless form. This murti is

called Sadashiva Murti. For the benefit of devotees Lord Shiva assumed many forms

which are called Maheshwara Murtis. There are more than 25 Maheshwara Murtis like

Natarajar, Ardha Narishwar, Lingodhbhavar, Dakshinamurthi etc., As per the Shaiva

Agama Shastra, the Sada Shiva Murti will be be in the sanctum sanctorum and other

Maheshwara Murtis will be located in the Prakarams. Hence the Lord „Dakshinamurthy‟ is

placed in the prakara as per the agama shastra facing south.

Dear Ambi Mama, Thank you for providing a forum for clearing doubts. I have been wondering for a long time, about this and was unable to explain why, when I was asked by my children. In all the Siva temples I had visited, I see Lord Dakshinamoorthy, installed in the pragaram, but not in the main temple. Why? - Gurumoorthy Sankaran, thru [email protected]

Page 21

Ask Ambi Mama

Ambi mama clears your douts/queries

Dear Ambi Mama, Where is the ―Machakkara Murugan‖ temple who grants speedier

marriage alliance is situated in Chennai please? Thank you in advance. - Ramanarayanan

A.R. thru [email protected]

The temple dedicated to Lord Muruga known as “Machakkara” Swaminatha

Bala Murugan is famous for settlement of delayed/prolonged marriage pro-

posals. The temple is located at Mettukuppam near Porur / Vanagaram. The distance to the tem-

ple from Koyambedu is about 7 Kms. The temple can be reached Via Porur through Arcot Road

(1 Km) and also from Vanagaram on the Chennai – Bangalore NH 4 highway near Vanagaram

bus top which is about 1.5 Kms. To know why the Lord is known as “Machakkaran” and more

details about the temple please read the following links.

http://hinduanmeegam.blogspot.com/

http://temple.dinamalar.com/New.php?id=54

Dear Ambi Mama, In sandhyavandanam some say don't face west in the evening and face

always north. What is the correction position Ambi Mama?

V. N. Balakrishna, thru [email protected]

The some portion of the ritual needs to be performed in west in the Sayam

(evening) Sandhyavandhanam.

The Achamanam, Ganapati Dhyanam, Pranayamam, Sankalpam, Tilakam, Marjanam, Apa Pras-

nam, Punarmarjanam, Navagrahadi Tarpanam, Samarpanam and Brahmarpanam needs to be

performed facing North direction.

However, the Argya Pradhanam, Prayachitha Argayam, Gayathri Maha Mantra Japa Sankalpam,

Gayathri Avahanam, Gayathri Maha Mantra Japam, Upastanam, Surya Prarthana and

Namaskaram needs to be performed facing only towards the West, while doing the

Sandhyavandhnam in the evening.

If you have any queries or

doubts please don't wait...

Ask Ambi Mama.

Please mention “Ask Ambi

Mama” in the subject and send

your queries to :

[email protected]

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1. How many “Maha Puranas” are there in Hindu literature?

2. In the epic Ramayana rama asks Hanuman to fetch him a medicinal herb that

grew in Himalayas. What was its name?

3. How many chapters are there in Bhagavad Gita?

4. Which raga was invented by Sri Ramaswami Dikshitar, father of Muthuswami

Dikshitar?

5. What was the name of conch used by Krishna in the Mahabaratha?

6. Who is the Hindu God for Architecture?

7. Which is the vehicle or vahana of Lord Agni?

8. “Polagam Ramaiah” is a famous Carnatic Music Composer who is better

knowns as ______?

9. Which is the sloka taught by sage Agastya to Lord Rama on the battlefield

to regain the strength before fighting with Ravana?

10. With which weapon did Rama finally invoke to kill Ravana?

11. Who was the German born scholar who studied Sanskrit and translated

Hindu literature like „Hitopadesa‟, „Rig Veda‟ etc., and said, “Sanskrit litera-

ture is full of human interests, full of lessons which even Greek could

never teach us”.

The contest is open to all readers and those who those send the maximum cor-

rect answers will be declared as winners. The winners will receive a e-

certificate and their names will be published in the next issue of the „Amritha

Varshini‟.

Among the winners one person will a receive a surprise gift from Amritha Varshini.

Please mail the answers to [email protected] and mention “Yaksha

Prashna” in the subject.

Lobha, Moha, Mada and Mathsarya i.e.

mind will be full of de-

sire, lust, anger, greed, egoistic, self-centered,

envious feelings etc.,). For their living they

earn money through sinful activities. They

are bereft of any sys-

tematic, religious or

Kalu Kalmasha Chithaanaam Paapa Dravyopa Jeevinaam

Vidhikriya Viheenaanaam Gathi : Govinda Keer-thanam

In this age of Kali where the mind of the people

is impure (polluted

with Kaama, Krodha,

pious activities and will be unsystematic in

their approach. How-

ever even to such per-sons the path of salva-

tion is Govinda Keer-thanam i.e. singing the

glories of Govinda.

Amritha Varshini Quiz # 1

Nama Prabhavam

Page 22

PARTICIPATE

AND WIN

EXCITING

PRIZES…….

Yaksha Prashna Quiz on Hinduism

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there’s little left here, Bhagavan, to offer Thee – too poor am I there’s nothing left at all to give, for all achievements vanish at Thy feet and all things dwindle to mere nothingness, so trivial are all forms of life there’s one thing only that with faltering heart I dare to offer Thee if Thou wilt graciously accept it is the tear-drops in my eyes which ever manifest themselves in silent contemplation of Thy Grace they spring from thee they are the Elixir of Bliss let them return to Thee their source, the ocean of pure love as a symbol of my Heart.

Sadhu Ekarasa [Dr. G.H. Mees, M.A., L.L.D.)

The tear drops in my eyes, I offer

Page 23

...THERE‟S

NOTHING LEFT

AT ALL TO GIVE,

FOR ALL

ACHIEVEMENTS

VANISH AT

THY FEET….

Ramanaarpanam

Humble offerings to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi

Home

bathiyaal yan unaip palakaalum patriye maa thirupugazh paadi muthanaa marenaip peruvaazhvin muthiye servathark karulvaye uthamaa thana sargunar neya opilla maamani girivasa vithaga gnaana sathini paatha vetri velayuthap perumale I would like to sing your divine glories [Thirupugazh] out of sheer bhakthi [devotion] towards you for many many years Kindly shower your grace to realize the truth and attain salvation in this life itself

The Lord one who has all the noble qualities One who is incomparable and resides at the hill abode of Rathnagiri

One who has the supreme knowledge and who imprints the supreme knowledge The Lord one who adores the victorious spear [Vetri Vel] !

(Kali Santarana Upanishad)

“The sixteen words-Hare

Krishna, Hare Krishna,

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare

Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-are espe-

cially meant for com-

pletely destroying all

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare. hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare; iti shodashakam nam-nam, kali-kalmasha-nashanam; natah parataropayah, sarva-vedeshu drishyate.

the contamination of Kali. To save oneself

from the contamination

of Kali-yuga, there is no alternative in all the

Vedas except the chanting of this sixteen

-word mantra.

Thirupugazh sung at Ratnagiri (near Vellore)

Nama Prabhavam

Page 24

Paadum Paniye Paniyaai Arulvaai

Divine Thirupugazh Poems of Saint Arunagirinathar

Please click the below link

to hear this

THIRUPUGAZH

sung by Sri K.J. Yesudas

http://

www.youtube.com/

watch?

v=n0FBupfWuto

Home

―Vaathapi Ganapatim‖ – Song by Smt M. S. Subbulakshmi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGuuavo2JHU&feature=related

―Vanamali Radha Ramana‖ – Bhajan by Sri Shenkottai Hari Bagavathar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVcZvlwOBbc&feature=related

―Song on Kanchi Mahaperiyava‖ - By Sri Udayalur Kalyanaraman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft73AUYGE_g

Library of Mahaperiyava related Articles – Blog on Mahaperiyava

http://mahaperiyavaa.wordpress.com/

―Harivarasanam‖ by Sri K.J. Yesudas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcQCkkVKC5w

Published by Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan

Over 1.3 million copies sold.

Soulful Music -

Book recommended - Ramayana by Sri C. Rajagopalachari.

Music Album recommended - ―Ramadarshanam‖ by Sri P. Unnikrishnan

Page 25

facebook of Sage Narada

Narada Shares and recommends soulful music, useful websites, CDs, Books etc., Home

Dear Anand,

Many congratulations and

best wishes on your next noble

venture, the e-Magazine

“Amritha Varshini”. By the

grace of Lord Oppiliappan I

wish you a successful begin-

ning with more success to fol-

low for this. Any help needed

from your side I will gladly

associate and help.

Regards, Narasimhan S

[email protected]

Dear Shri A.V. Devan,

Your noble idea to start a e-

Magazine is noted with pleas-

ure.

Whatever little help can given

by this young man of 72 years

it will be forthcoming to you.

With Regards

Ramanathan SK

[email protected]

Dear Anand

My congratulations on your won-

derful thought of this great pro-

posal of e-Magazine. Have gone

through the entire content and it

looks wonderful coverage. Let us

start this straight away and if

necessary based on the need can

add more information. My best

wishes to you for this wonderful

venture. Life is the greatest

teacher one can have.

Regards

Baskaran S

[email protected]

Feedback and Suggestions from readers

Please do write your feedback to [email protected] You can also SMS your feedback to 9962564044

Zillion Thanks to all those who wished and supported me in this venture. Special Thanks to those who have given their feedback prior to the launch of the magazine. I also hereby thank my family Priya, Ajay and Vijay who spared me for writing this magazine.

Page 26

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Amritha Varshini © published by Mrs. Gayathri Anand

For subscription see Page 27 for details.

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Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya - lead me from mortality to immortality

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