Melody

https://youtu.be/9QxAer2ahGo?si=cuSMbS2cNF2TbBLa https://youtu.be/Bjsimv4fxII?si=_-US_qljU7cex6rB

Sri vraja raja sut astakam.

Sri Vraja-Raja-Sutastakam Eight Prayers Glorifying the Son of the King of Vraja (1) nava-nIrada-nindita-kAnti-dharaM rasa-sAgara-nAgara-bhUpa-varam zubha-vaGkima-cAru-zikhaNDa-zikhaM bhaja kRSNa-nidhiM vraja-rAja-sutam (2) bhru-vizaGkita-vaGkima-zakru-dhanuM mukha-candra-vinindita-koTi-vidhum mRdu-manda-suhAsya-subhASya-yutaM bhaja kRSNa-nidhiM vraja-rAja-sutam (3) suvikampad-anaGga-sad-aGga-dharaM vraja-vAsI-manohara-veza-karam bhRza-lAJchita-nIla-saroja-dRzaM bhaja kRSNa-nidhiM vraja-rAja-sutam (4) alakAvali-maNDita-bhAla-taTaM zruti-dolita-mAkara-kuNDalakam kaTi-veSTita-pIta-paTaM sudhaTaM bhaja kRSNa-nidhiM vraja-rAja-sutam (5) kala-nUpura-rAjita-cAru-padaM maNi-raJjita-gaJjita-bhRGga-madam dhvaja-vajra-jhaSAGkita-pAda-yugaM bhaja kRSNa-nidhiM vraja-rAja-sutam (6) bhRza-candana-carcita-cAru-tanuM maNi-kaustubha-garhita-bhAnu-tanum vrAja-bAla-ziromaNi-rUpa-dhRtaM bhaja kRSNa-nidhiM vraja-rAja-sutam (7) sura-vRnda-suvandya-mukunda-hariM sura-nAtha-ziromaNi-sarva-gurum giridhAri-murAri-purAri-paraM bhaja kRSNa-nidhiM vraja-rAja-sutam (8) vRSabhAnu-sutA-vara-keli paraM rasa-rAja-ziromaNi-veza-dharam jagadIzvaram-Izvaram-IDya-varaM bhaja kRSNa-nidhiM vraja-rAja-sutam (1) He Whose complexion conquers that of a fresh new raincloud Who is the best King of Paramours, the ocean of ecstatic mellows Whose crown is adorned with a lovely peacock feather and is auspiciously tilted to one side�Just worship KRSNa, the Dark Jewel, the son of the King of Vraja (2) He Whose broadly-bending eyebrows appear like arched rainbows Whose pure moonlike face belittles millions of ordinary moons Who is endowed with sweet gentle smiles and pleasant speech�Just worship KRSNa, the Dark Jewel, the son of the King of Vraja (3) He Whose divine bodily limbs tremble profusely with Cupid�s agitations Who dresses enchantingly just to fascinate the Vraja-vAsIs Who is decorated with extraordinary eyes like blue lotus blossoms�Just worship KRSNa, the Dark Jewel, the son of the King of Vraja (4) He Whose forehead is surrounded by a fringe of wavy locks Whose earlobes are embellished with swaying shark-shaped earrings Who is adorned with yellow silk embracing His charming hips�Just worship KRSNa, the Dark Jewel, the son of the King of Vraja (5) He Whose beautiful feet resound with softly tinkling anklebells that madden all the bees with their vibration of swinging gemstones Whose soles are marked with the flag, thunderbolt, fish, and more�Just worship KRSNa, the Dark Jewel, the son of the King of Vraja (6) He Whose graceful form is smeared with profuse sandalwood paste Whose body glows with the Kaustubha gem, eclipsing the sun Whose personal beauty represents the topmost zenith of Vraja-youths�Just worship KRSNa, the Dark Jewel, the son of the King of Vraja (7) He Who is Mukunda and Hari, worshipable for all the demigods and sages Who is the guru of all created beings, the crest jewel of all Lords Who is known as GiridhAri and MurAri, more exalted even than Lord ziva�Just worship KRSNa, the Dark Jewel, the son of the King of Vraja (8) He Who is most fond of sporting with the Daughter of VrishabhAnu Who dresses impeccably as the Crown Prince of Mellow-Relishers Who is the most praiseworthy Lord of Lords in the entire universe�Just worship KRSNa, the Dark Jewel, the son of the King of Vraja

Chitha shudhi.

 “सदा तव पादारविन्दे स्मरामि।”

Keep me simple in heart,

Sincere in thought,

And graceful in deed.

Let me walk with You always—

In silence, in speech, in service,

Breath by breath, moment by moment.

May my life be a gentle offering

At Your holy feet.

हे भगवन् ।

हृदि सरलतां देहि,

चित्ते सत्यतां देहि,

कर्मणि माधुर्यं देहि ।

त्वया सह सर्वदा सञ्चरामि—

मौनम्, वचनम्, सेवा च।

प्रत्येकश्वासे, प्रत्येकक्षणे ।

मम जीवनम् भवतु

तव पादयोः समर्पणम् ॥

To be simple, sincere, and graceful is really the essence of staying close to the Lord always:

Simple – keeping the heart uncluttered, free from pride, complications, or unnecessary pretenses.

Sincere – letting devotion flow naturally, whether in prayer, service, or daily actions, without show or expectation.

Graceful – allowing the Lord’s presence to reflect in our words, conduct, and compassion, making life itself a gentle offering.

Such a life becomes a constant companionship with the Divine, not just in temples or rituals, but in every moment—breath by breath.

Chita shudhi.

 

Teachers day.

Sri Muralidhara Swamigal said in a discourse that Srimad Bhagavatam shares the teachings of the Gurus throughout its narrative. These teachings appear in order by Skanda (chapter). In the first Skanda, sage Narada teaches Veda Vyasa. In the second Skanda, sage Suka teaches King Parikshit. Here, Suka notes that a person should think of God at least during his last moment. In the third Skanda, God as Kapila teaches his mother. Kapila explains how the fetus in the womb cries, remembers previous births, and prays for a noble Guru in this birth for liberation. The fourth Skanda shares sage Narada’s teachings to Dhruva. The fifth Skanda features Rishabhayogeeswara. He teaches that a guru cannot be called so if he fails to show the way to reach God. In the sixth Skanda, Yama, the God of death, instructs his subordinates. He tells them not to disturb or approach the devotees of God as explained in the story of Ajamila.

In the seventh Skanda, child devotee Prahlada acts as a guru and tries to explain nine types of devotion. In the eighth Skanda, Sukracharya, the preceptor of the Asuras, tries to stop King Mahabali from giving charity. However, he fails. Meanwhile, King Mahabali becomes a guru and advises Sukracharya. King Ambarisha, as a guru, demonstrates the essential features of surrender to the world. The tenth Skanda contains the Gopikas teaching Uddhava “Bhramara Geetham.” In the eleventh Skanda, the Navayogis provide a detailed explanation of Srimad Bhagavatam. Lord Krishna tells Uddhava that his devotees are more dear to him like Mahalakshmi, His divine consort, who never separates from him. In the twelfth Skanda, it is said that if a person cannot follow any other path of bhakti, he can choose the simplest way: chanting the names of God. This will wipe out all his sins (Nama Sankeerthanam yasya Sarva Papa Pranasanam).

 

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Pancha Veera Kshetram – The Eternal Glory of Parthasarathy Swamy Temple, Triplicane

In the bustling heart of Chennai, where the city’s pulse beats fast with modern life, there stands a timeless sanctuary – Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple at Triplicane. This sacred shrine is hailed as a Pancha Veera Kshetram, the only temple where five heroic forms of Lord Vishnu are worshipped together. More than stone and sculpture, it is a living river of tradition, poetry, and faith.

The Five Veeras – Guardians of Dharma

Inside the temple, the soul encounters five forms of the Lord:

Parthasarathy Perumal – Krishna as Arjuna’s divine charioteer. His face bears the scars of the Mahabharata war, a rare and moving portrayal of a Lord who chooses to share the burdens of His devotees. He is known for the veera with his mustache. 

Yoga Narasimha – The lion-man seated in yogic calm, ferocity contained in meditation.

Ranganatha (Venkatakrishnan) – Reclining on Adisesha, the cosmic protector who offers rest to the weary.

Rama – The ideal king, with Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and Hanuman, making this a rare family shrine of the Ramayana.

Varadaraja Perumal – The granter of boons, embodying benevolence and grace.

Together, these five veeras are a spiritual panorama – courage, compassion, guidance, rest, and blessings, all under one sacred roof.

Āṇḍāḷ’s Shrine – The Soul of Devotion

No account of this temple is complete without Āṇḍāḷ, the only woman among the twelve Āḻvārs. Her shrine here glows with love and surrender, echoing her immortal Tiruppāvai. Each Margazhi dawn, her verses resound in the temple streets, awakening both city and soul. She reminds every devotee that devotion is not only heroic but also tender – the soul’s yearning for union with the Divine.

Poetry and Living Tradition

The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, celebrated in the Nālāyira Divya Prabandham by saints like Pey Āḻvār and Tirumangai Āḻvār. During festivals, the air fills with these hymns, woven into daily worship like a living necklace of song.

Festivals that Bind the City

The Brahmotsavam in April–May and the grand Vaikunta Ekadasi are the lifeblood of Triplicane. The temple car, pulled by countless hands along the Mada streets, becomes a symbol of Chennai’s unity in devotion. The temple tank, Kairavini Pushkarini, reflects gopurams and lamps, turning water into poetry.

To this day, the temple remains Chennai’s spiritual heart. The scent of jasmine garlands, the echo of conches, the glow of oil lamps, and the cadence of Tamil hymns turn every visit into an experience of eternity.

Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple

Location: Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Deities: Five forms of Vishnu – Parthasarathy, Yoga Narasimha, Ranganatha, Rama, Varadaraja

Special Shrine: Āṇḍāḷ, the only female Āḻvār

Built by: Pallavas (8th century CE), expanded by Cholas, Vijayanagar kings, Nayaks

Significance: One of the 108 Divya Desams, praised in the Divya Prabandham

Temple Tank: Kairavini Pushkarini

Major Festivals: Brahmotsavam (April–May), Vaikunta Ekadasi, Margazhi celebrations with Tiruppāvai

To stand before Parthasarathy Swamy is to feel the assurance of the Lord who guided Arjuna – still guiding every soul through the battles of life. With the Pancha Veeras as guardians, and Āṇḍāḷ as the tender voice of divine love, this temple is Chennai’s eternal jewel, where history, devotion, and poetry live forever.

Granthamala. Synopsis orderly.

 The Rāmānuja Granthamālā is a collection of the principal works of Śrī Rāmānuja (1017–1137 CE), the great Ācārya of the Śrī Vaiṣṇava tradition. These works collectively establish and explain Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta—its philosophy, theology, and practice. A synopsis of the main works is as follows:

1. Śrībhāṣya

Nature: Commentary on the Brahmasūtras of Bādarāyaṇa.

Content: Establishes Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta as a qualified non-dual system.

Highlights:

Refutes Advaita and other rival schools.

Proves Brahman as Nārāyaṇa with infinite auspicious attributes (kalyāṇa guṇas).

Stresses śeṣatva (servitude) and prapatti (surrender) as the means to liberation.

2. Gītābhāṣya

Nature: Commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā.

Content: Practical guide for spiritual life.

Highlights:

Reconciles karma, jñāna, and bhakti yogas.

Advocates prapatti as a simple, universal path for all.

Interprets Gītā as a dialogue of grace and surrender.

3. Vedārtha Saṅgraha

Nature: Independent treatise.

Content: A systematic exposition of Upaniṣadic philosophy.

Highlights:

Shows how the Upaniṣads consistently affirm a personal Brahman (Nārāyaṇa).

Resolves apparent contradictions in Vedāntic statements.

Lays foundation for Viśiṣṭādvaita hermeneutics.

4. Vedānta Saṅgraha / Vedānta Dīpa (attributed)

Shorter works explaining Vedāntic concepts in summary fashion.

5. Vedānta Sara

Nature: A concise manual.

Content: Abstract of Vedānta principles for beginners.

6. Śaraṇāgati Gadyam

Nature: Prose hymn.

Content: Rāmānuja’s direct prayer of surrender at Śrī Raṅgam.

Highlights: Models prapatti as heartfelt, unconditional surrender to Śrīman Nārāyaṇa and Śrī Mahālakṣmī.

7. Śrīraṅga Gadyam

Nature: Prose hymn.

Content: Prayer to Lord Raṅganātha for eternal service.

Highlights: Overflow of devotion and yearning for liberation.

8. Vaikuṇṭha Gadyam

Nature: Visionary hymn.

Content: Describes Vaikuṇṭha, the supreme abode, in great detail.

Highlights: A theological picture of the bliss of service to the Lord.

9. Nitya Grantham

Nature: Manual of daily worship.

Content: Prescribes the Śrī Vaiṣṇava nityakarma—pujā, prayers, and discipline.

Highlights: Ensures practical integration of philosophy into life.

10. Commentaries (Vārtikas / Glosses)

On minor Upaniṣads and stotras.

Clarify ritual and philosophical points for disciples.

Overall Themes

Philosophy: Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta—Brahman as Nārāyaṇa with body–soul relation to the universe.

Practice: Bhakti and Prapatti as soteriological paths.

Devotion: Loving surrender as the soul’s natural state.

Community: Integration of all seekers, regardless of caste or status, into the fold of Śrī Vaiṣṇava dharma.

In short, the Rāmānuja Granthamālā unites deep Vedāntic philosophy, devotional outpourings, and practical guidance into a complete system of spiritual life.