The Varaha Charma Sloka
Sthite manasi susvaste
Sarire sathi yo narah!
Dhaatu saamaye sthite smartaa
Visvaroopam cha maam ajam!!
Tatastam mriyamaanam tu
Kaastha paashaana sannibham!
Aham smaraam madbhaktam
Nayaami paramaam gatim!!
Sri NarasimhaCharma sloka.
Satyam braveemi manujaah svayam oordhvabaahuh
Yo maam Mukunda! Narasimha! Janaardana iti
Jeevan japtyanudinam marane rineeva
Paashaana kaastha sadrishaaya dadaami muktim.
The Rama Charma Sloka.
Sakrdeva prapannaaya
Tatvaasmeethi cha yaachate
Abhayam sarva bhootebhyo
Dadaami etad vratam mama.
Sri Krishna Charma Sloka.
Sarva dharman parityajya maam ekam saranam vraja
Aham tvaa sarva paapebhyo mokshayishyammi maa suchah.
Sita Charma Sloka
Paapaanaam vaa subhaanaam vaa
Vadhaarhaanaam plavangama
Kaaryam karunam aaryena
Na kaschit na aparaadhyati.
The Supremacy of Vishnu.
How the concept of Vishnu started and attained its zenith, makes an interesting study. Vishnu who was considered as the supreme being by the time of the itihasas and the puranas was just an ordinary god in the Rigveda.
In rigveda Agni is glorified first. Indra is the king of Gods who is praised in the maximum no of hymns. Vishnu is described as a young and powerful god. helping Indra in his wars against demons. He is compared to a ferocious lion moving on the mountains. His abode is said to be fixed like an eye in the sky. His highest abode is seen by the wise. "tad Visnoh paramam padam sada pasyanti surayah." it is also mentioned that a spring of honey is found in his abode. Honey is another name for amrita nectar. The place of immortality moksha. Vishnu is the supreme being because he who confers liberation alone is the highest brahman.
In the Krishna Yajur Veda Vishnu is described as the creator, protector and pervader of every thing. He is said to protect the sacrifice which occupied an important place in the religious life of a man.\
In Sukla Yajur Veda Vishnu's supramacy is quiet evident. He is said to preside over a sacrifice. He is said to have his abode in the orb of the sun.
The Purusha sukta is called the suppliment of the Rigveda. In this there is the description of a cosmic Purusha who, by performing a sacrifice, became the cosmos itself. He is said to have "Hrisca te Laksmisca patnyau"
In the Brahmanas and Upanishads.
Brahmanas are prose portions which explain the vedic mantras; they too form part of the Vedas. The Aitareya Brahmana opens with the following statement "agnir vai devanam avamah; visnuh paramah"
The Satapatha Brahmana refers to a divinity called "Narayana" who performed the "Pancaratra sattra" and became great. (sacrifice lasting five days and nights.)
In Taittiriya Aranyaka references are made to Narasimha and Vamana.
In the Subala and Maha Narayana Upanishad "Eko ha vai Narayana asit; na Brahma, na isanah"
In the epics Vishnu's supremacy became an established fact.
Ramayana. In the Balakanda we have the story of the dual between Vishnu and siva narrated by Parasurama to Sri Rama. vishnu by mere "Humkara" (frowning) made siva motionless.
"Jrmbhitam tad dhanuh drstva saivam Visnuparamaih adhikaram menire Visnum devah sarsiganah tada"
Rama to Jatayu. "Anujanami te saumya gaccha lokan anuttaman" Killing of Vali and sal tree episode too.
Mahabaratha. The entire story revolves round Krishna.
a. In the Sabha parva is narrated the story of how Sisupala's soul enters the person of Srikrishna, in the presence of all the assembled kings.
b. When Krishna came as an ambassador of the Pandavas, duryodhana and his evil circle of friends decide to arrest him with a rope. Krishna then shows his cosmic form, at the sight of which all faint.
c. when Draupadi is being disrobed Krishna gives her aksaya vastra.
d. Krishna shows Arjuna his Visvaroopa darshan in Kurukshetra and taught the Bhagvad Gita.
e. Chapters 10 and 11 show that the entire universe is but a fraction of His unbounded splendour and that every thing emanates and merges in his Cosmic form.
f. Sarva dharman parityajya. in the 18th chapter.
Vishnu in the Puranas.Srivaishnava acharyas classify puranas as sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. Puranas that glorify vishnu are classified sattvic eg. Vishnu purana, Bhagvatpurana and Garuda purana. those that glorify Brahma are called Rajasic eg. Brahma purana and Brahmanda purana etc. Puranas that glorify Agni, Siva, Kali, and other gods and goddesses are called tamasic. eg Agni purana, Lingapurana, Devibhagavata. The Srivaishnava teachers advise that those who seek liberation should value only the Sattvic Puranas.
Vishnu purana is one of the oldest and most authoritative Vaisnava Purana. Parasara the author glorifies Lord Visnu as the Supreme Being who is always associated with his consort Sri or Lakshmi. They are inseperable. Whatever form the Lord may take Sri also takes a suitable form and joins Him. "Raghavatve abhavat Sita, rukmini, krsna-janmani, anyesu cha avataresu visnoh esa anapayini,"
The Bhagavata Purana Krishna is the highest. "Ete ca amsa kalah Visnoh krisnastu Bhagavan svayam" He is called Bhagvan one who has six perfections namely Jnana, knowledge; sakti,potency; Bala, strength; Aisvarya, lordship; Virya, Virility; and Tejas, splendour;
Sri Krishna exhibits the twin qualities of Paratva and Saulabhya.
"sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada sevanam, arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atmanivedanam"
The importance of devotion to Vishnu.
Temple is considered as a symbol of the isolated entrechment of Omnipresent cosmic energy in mundane environments. Eversince man has started to appreciate the five primordial elements, a sense of veneration and adoration developed in him, which ultimately culminated in the composite form of these five elements, with all his physical resemblences. This unique form was consecrated in a firm place and was called God. The pious man attended to the needs of the Deity in the form of pujas, rituals etc. and thus paved for himself a way to assimilate the symbolism behind the conception of temple and worship.
The abodes of worship, so came into being, have always been the centers of spiritualism. Besides they instilled confidence in the devotees in overcoming the obstacles in all walks of life, be they spiritual or otherwise.
India the birth place of many religions can legitimately be called the land of temples. Every temple in our country declares God's glory and magnificence.
Sriman Narayana, The supreme being is the object of our knowledge. The almighty whom we seek to know fully must be known in his substantial nature as well as in His inseperable nature of relationship with Jivatma and Prakriti. His svarupa (transcendent) Sachidananda and Lordship (isitrtvam) are essentially to be recognised and we realise Him through His traits of Satyam, Jnanam, Anandam, Anantham and Amalathvam. these qualities are known as Svarupanirupaka Dharmas. His immeasurabaly abundant attributes (kalyanagunas) are Aisvarya, Virya, tejas, Sakti, Jnana and Bala. Hence he is anantha. His traits par excellence is his easy accessibility to devotees. (Pranata Saulabhyam).
Lord VISHNU is one of the Lords of the holy trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. the creator the preserver and the destroyer representing easy accessibility (Saulabhya) benign condescension (Sauhitya) and tender solicitude (Vatsalya). Vishnu finds mention in all the four vedas the Rig, Yajur, Sma and Atharvana veda.. He represents Sattvaguna and is the centripetal force responsible for sustenance, protection and maintenance of the universe. Vishnu means one who pervades. one who is to be seen in everything. He is therefore Immanent and Transcendent.
Vishnu means one who pervades. One who is to be seen in everything. He is therefore immanent and transscedent. He is also known as Kesava, Narayana,Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudhana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrishikesha, Padmanabha, Damodara, Samkarshana, Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Anirudha, Purushothama, Adhokshaja, Nrisimha, Achyuta, Janardhana, Upendra, Hari and Sri Krishna.
He is refered to as Antaryami, it connotesHis presence within us as the inner controller of conscience. We do not have to go seeking him elsewhere, True Bhakti and sincere unswerving devotion is only essential to attain His lotus feet.
Types of devotion
1. Sravana listening to the expositions of the glory of God and hearing His divine names mentioned by others.
2. Kirtana where the God is praised through Hymns and chants.
3. Smarana The greatness of the Lord is enjoyed by remembering Him, thinking of Him and contemplating on His effulgence and divine grace.
4. Padaseva worshiping His lotus feet.
5. Archana Fowers are offered to the Lord along with chanting of his name.
6. Vandana offereing obeisance to Him.
7. Dasya unqustioning servitude to the Lord.
8. Sakhya the devotee claims friendship with the Lord and wants to enjoy and command the rights that one exercises with a true friend.
9. Atma nivedana One offers ones own self to the Lord.
Any offering can be bought and given to the Lord but the most precious gift is to offer oneself unconditional surrender. Lord is both the goal and the way.
Vishnu purana states to attain moksha in Kritayuga people took to meditation, in Tretayuga it was achieved through performing sacrifices in Dwapara through ritual worship and in Kaliyuga by mere chanting of his name.
The efficacy of the mere names of the manifold names of Narayana is reflected in the Mahabharatha epic towards the end where Yudhisthira meets Bhishma before he departs. He is requested to instruct on the principles of dharma He is asked six questions.
1. What is that one godhead that is declared in all the knowledge disciplines?
2. What is the sole supreme goal?
3. Worshiping whom do men attain the one and final goal?
4. Worshipping whom do they gain the highest Bliss?
5. Among all dharmas which is the supreme Dharma?
6. By reciting what is the living being liberated from the bondage of the cycle of birth and death?
Bhishma's reply was:
1. By reciting the myriad epithets of Vishnu one can get liberated from the Human bondage,.
2. By worshipping Vishnu with devotion one can gain the supreme good.
3. By praising forever the all pervading Vishnu who is undiminished, unborn, endless, immenent supreme Lord one can get behind all sorrows.
4. Of all the dharmas the greatest dharma is to incessantly and devoutly worship the lotus eyed Vishnu.
5. The supreme good is the Lord who is the final end of all beings. He is the supreme light, supreme tapas, and supreme Brahman, In Him is contained existence, consciousness and bliss.
6. That Supreme God Narayana is the purest of the pure, the most auspicious of all that is auspicious, the imperishable, father of all beings. He destroys the cause of bondage in samsara. He removes all ignorance. He is the creator of all beings yet Himself remains unchanged. He always has our wellbeing in mind.
Bhishma says that Vishnu the victorious the great expanse, the established power, the great overlord with multiform, the destroyer of evil. He refers to VIshnu as Jagat prabhu, Deva deva, Purushothama,anadhi nidanam, Vishnum, sarvaloka maheswaram, Lokadhyaksham, sarva dharmajnam, Lokanatham, Mahadbootham, sarvabhoota bhavodhbhavam, Pundarikaksham, so on all the 1008 names.
yet to come the following.
Efficacy of Saranagathi.
The blessed state of a true devotee
The vanity of worldly achievements
The Bliss that encompasses when one seeks protection at the feet of the Supreme.
Sthite manasi susvaste
Sarire sathi yo narah!
Dhaatu saamaye sthite smartaa
Visvaroopam cha maam ajam!!
Tatastam mriyamaanam tu
Kaastha paashaana sannibham!
Aham smaraam madbhaktam
Nayaami paramaam gatim!!
Sri NarasimhaCharma sloka.
Satyam braveemi manujaah svayam oordhvabaahuh
Yo maam Mukunda! Narasimha! Janaardana iti
Jeevan japtyanudinam marane rineeva
Paashaana kaastha sadrishaaya dadaami muktim.
The Rama Charma Sloka.
Sakrdeva prapannaaya
Tatvaasmeethi cha yaachate
Abhayam sarva bhootebhyo
Dadaami etad vratam mama.
Sri Krishna Charma Sloka.
Sarva dharman parityajya maam ekam saranam vraja
Aham tvaa sarva paapebhyo mokshayishyammi maa suchah.
Sita Charma Sloka
Paapaanaam vaa subhaanaam vaa
Vadhaarhaanaam plavangama
Kaaryam karunam aaryena
Na kaschit na aparaadhyati.
The Supremacy of Vishnu.
How the concept of Vishnu started and attained its zenith, makes an interesting study. Vishnu who was considered as the supreme being by the time of the itihasas and the puranas was just an ordinary god in the Rigveda.
In rigveda Agni is glorified first. Indra is the king of Gods who is praised in the maximum no of hymns. Vishnu is described as a young and powerful god. helping Indra in his wars against demons. He is compared to a ferocious lion moving on the mountains. His abode is said to be fixed like an eye in the sky. His highest abode is seen by the wise. "tad Visnoh paramam padam sada pasyanti surayah." it is also mentioned that a spring of honey is found in his abode. Honey is another name for amrita nectar. The place of immortality moksha. Vishnu is the supreme being because he who confers liberation alone is the highest brahman.
In the Krishna Yajur Veda Vishnu is described as the creator, protector and pervader of every thing. He is said to protect the sacrifice which occupied an important place in the religious life of a man.\
In Sukla Yajur Veda Vishnu's supramacy is quiet evident. He is said to preside over a sacrifice. He is said to have his abode in the orb of the sun.
The Purusha sukta is called the suppliment of the Rigveda. In this there is the description of a cosmic Purusha who, by performing a sacrifice, became the cosmos itself. He is said to have "Hrisca te Laksmisca patnyau"
In the Brahmanas and Upanishads.
Brahmanas are prose portions which explain the vedic mantras; they too form part of the Vedas. The Aitareya Brahmana opens with the following statement "agnir vai devanam avamah; visnuh paramah"
The Satapatha Brahmana refers to a divinity called "Narayana" who performed the "Pancaratra sattra" and became great. (sacrifice lasting five days and nights.)
In Taittiriya Aranyaka references are made to Narasimha and Vamana.
In the Subala and Maha Narayana Upanishad "Eko ha vai Narayana asit; na Brahma, na isanah"
In the epics Vishnu's supremacy became an established fact.
Ramayana. In the Balakanda we have the story of the dual between Vishnu and siva narrated by Parasurama to Sri Rama. vishnu by mere "Humkara" (frowning) made siva motionless.
"Jrmbhitam tad dhanuh drstva saivam Visnuparamaih adhikaram menire Visnum devah sarsiganah tada"
Rama to Jatayu. "Anujanami te saumya gaccha lokan anuttaman" Killing of Vali and sal tree episode too.
Mahabaratha. The entire story revolves round Krishna.
a. In the Sabha parva is narrated the story of how Sisupala's soul enters the person of Srikrishna, in the presence of all the assembled kings.
b. When Krishna came as an ambassador of the Pandavas, duryodhana and his evil circle of friends decide to arrest him with a rope. Krishna then shows his cosmic form, at the sight of which all faint.
c. when Draupadi is being disrobed Krishna gives her aksaya vastra.
d. Krishna shows Arjuna his Visvaroopa darshan in Kurukshetra and taught the Bhagvad Gita.
e. Chapters 10 and 11 show that the entire universe is but a fraction of His unbounded splendour and that every thing emanates and merges in his Cosmic form.
f. Sarva dharman parityajya. in the 18th chapter.
Vishnu in the Puranas.Srivaishnava acharyas classify puranas as sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. Puranas that glorify vishnu are classified sattvic eg. Vishnu purana, Bhagvatpurana and Garuda purana. those that glorify Brahma are called Rajasic eg. Brahma purana and Brahmanda purana etc. Puranas that glorify Agni, Siva, Kali, and other gods and goddesses are called tamasic. eg Agni purana, Lingapurana, Devibhagavata. The Srivaishnava teachers advise that those who seek liberation should value only the Sattvic Puranas.
Vishnu purana is one of the oldest and most authoritative Vaisnava Purana. Parasara the author glorifies Lord Visnu as the Supreme Being who is always associated with his consort Sri or Lakshmi. They are inseperable. Whatever form the Lord may take Sri also takes a suitable form and joins Him. "Raghavatve abhavat Sita, rukmini, krsna-janmani, anyesu cha avataresu visnoh esa anapayini,"
The Bhagavata Purana Krishna is the highest. "Ete ca amsa kalah Visnoh krisnastu Bhagavan svayam" He is called Bhagvan one who has six perfections namely Jnana, knowledge; sakti,potency; Bala, strength; Aisvarya, lordship; Virya, Virility; and Tejas, splendour;
Sri Krishna exhibits the twin qualities of Paratva and Saulabhya.
"sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada sevanam, arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atmanivedanam"
The importance of devotion to Vishnu.
Temple is considered as a symbol of the isolated entrechment of Omnipresent cosmic energy in mundane environments. Eversince man has started to appreciate the five primordial elements, a sense of veneration and adoration developed in him, which ultimately culminated in the composite form of these five elements, with all his physical resemblences. This unique form was consecrated in a firm place and was called God. The pious man attended to the needs of the Deity in the form of pujas, rituals etc. and thus paved for himself a way to assimilate the symbolism behind the conception of temple and worship.
The abodes of worship, so came into being, have always been the centers of spiritualism. Besides they instilled confidence in the devotees in overcoming the obstacles in all walks of life, be they spiritual or otherwise.
India the birth place of many religions can legitimately be called the land of temples. Every temple in our country declares God's glory and magnificence.
Sriman Narayana, The supreme being is the object of our knowledge. The almighty whom we seek to know fully must be known in his substantial nature as well as in His inseperable nature of relationship with Jivatma and Prakriti. His svarupa (transcendent) Sachidananda and Lordship (isitrtvam) are essentially to be recognised and we realise Him through His traits of Satyam, Jnanam, Anandam, Anantham and Amalathvam. these qualities are known as Svarupanirupaka Dharmas. His immeasurabaly abundant attributes (kalyanagunas) are Aisvarya, Virya, tejas, Sakti, Jnana and Bala. Hence he is anantha. His traits par excellence is his easy accessibility to devotees. (Pranata Saulabhyam).
Lord VISHNU is one of the Lords of the holy trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. the creator the preserver and the destroyer representing easy accessibility (Saulabhya) benign condescension (Sauhitya) and tender solicitude (Vatsalya). Vishnu finds mention in all the four vedas the Rig, Yajur, Sma and Atharvana veda.. He represents Sattvaguna and is the centripetal force responsible for sustenance, protection and maintenance of the universe. Vishnu means one who pervades. one who is to be seen in everything. He is therefore Immanent and Transcendent.
Vishnu means one who pervades. One who is to be seen in everything. He is therefore immanent and transscedent. He is also known as Kesava, Narayana,Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudhana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrishikesha, Padmanabha, Damodara, Samkarshana, Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Anirudha, Purushothama, Adhokshaja, Nrisimha, Achyuta, Janardhana, Upendra, Hari and Sri Krishna.
He is refered to as Antaryami, it connotesHis presence within us as the inner controller of conscience. We do not have to go seeking him elsewhere, True Bhakti and sincere unswerving devotion is only essential to attain His lotus feet.
Types of devotion
1. Sravana listening to the expositions of the glory of God and hearing His divine names mentioned by others.
2. Kirtana where the God is praised through Hymns and chants.
3. Smarana The greatness of the Lord is enjoyed by remembering Him, thinking of Him and contemplating on His effulgence and divine grace.
4. Padaseva worshiping His lotus feet.
5. Archana Fowers are offered to the Lord along with chanting of his name.
6. Vandana offereing obeisance to Him.
7. Dasya unqustioning servitude to the Lord.
8. Sakhya the devotee claims friendship with the Lord and wants to enjoy and command the rights that one exercises with a true friend.
9. Atma nivedana One offers ones own self to the Lord.
Any offering can be bought and given to the Lord but the most precious gift is to offer oneself unconditional surrender. Lord is both the goal and the way.
Vishnu purana states to attain moksha in Kritayuga people took to meditation, in Tretayuga it was achieved through performing sacrifices in Dwapara through ritual worship and in Kaliyuga by mere chanting of his name.
The efficacy of the mere names of the manifold names of Narayana is reflected in the Mahabharatha epic towards the end where Yudhisthira meets Bhishma before he departs. He is requested to instruct on the principles of dharma He is asked six questions.
1. What is that one godhead that is declared in all the knowledge disciplines?
2. What is the sole supreme goal?
3. Worshiping whom do men attain the one and final goal?
4. Worshipping whom do they gain the highest Bliss?
5. Among all dharmas which is the supreme Dharma?
6. By reciting what is the living being liberated from the bondage of the cycle of birth and death?
Bhishma's reply was:
1. By reciting the myriad epithets of Vishnu one can get liberated from the Human bondage,.
2. By worshipping Vishnu with devotion one can gain the supreme good.
3. By praising forever the all pervading Vishnu who is undiminished, unborn, endless, immenent supreme Lord one can get behind all sorrows.
4. Of all the dharmas the greatest dharma is to incessantly and devoutly worship the lotus eyed Vishnu.
5. The supreme good is the Lord who is the final end of all beings. He is the supreme light, supreme tapas, and supreme Brahman, In Him is contained existence, consciousness and bliss.
6. That Supreme God Narayana is the purest of the pure, the most auspicious of all that is auspicious, the imperishable, father of all beings. He destroys the cause of bondage in samsara. He removes all ignorance. He is the creator of all beings yet Himself remains unchanged. He always has our wellbeing in mind.
Bhishma says that Vishnu the victorious the great expanse, the established power, the great overlord with multiform, the destroyer of evil. He refers to VIshnu as Jagat prabhu, Deva deva, Purushothama,anadhi nidanam, Vishnum, sarvaloka maheswaram, Lokadhyaksham, sarva dharmajnam, Lokanatham, Mahadbootham, sarvabhoota bhavodhbhavam, Pundarikaksham, so on all the 1008 names.
yet to come the following.
Efficacy of Saranagathi.
The blessed state of a true devotee
The vanity of worldly achievements
The Bliss that encompasses when one seeks protection at the feet of the Supreme.
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