True

 A grantha should set forth at the beginning what its main focus is. This is called vishaya. How is the grantha going to benefit those who read it has also to be told. This is prayojana. Who is the adhikari, or the one qualified to expound on the text has also to be mentioned. Sambandha, which is the connection between vishaya, prayojana and adhikari, must also be specified.

Srimad Bhagavatam begins with three mangala slokas, said Valayapet Ramachariar in a discourse. Here the vishaya – that is the main theme of the work – is given as dharma. Vyasa was the author of the work, and it came to us through his son Suka. Vyasa tells us about dharma in this work. There are two kinds of dharma – siddha dharma and sadhya dharma. Siddha dharma is the Supreme One, Lord Narayana. Kathopanishad says that one may be a scholar, or a devotee, but it is Divine will that determines what we should receive. To attain moksha He is the means. Sadhya dharma refers to the means we use to reach Him, like bhakti yoga or Saranagati. Srimad Bhagavatam gives us more peace of mind than the study of Vedanta. It talks about the dharma of virtuous people, whose hearts are pure (nirmatsaraanaam). They are free from pride. Bhagavatam speaks nothing but the truth and adheres to facts (vaasthavam).

The Lord is not just the goal, but the means to attain that goal, and Srimad Bhagavatam shows us this.

new pilgrim

If you’re seeking a spiritual journey, there are several remarkable destinations around the world where you can connect with ancient wisdom, find inner peace, and explore the depths of your soul. Here are some spiritually enriching places you might consider:

Glastonbury

Glastonbury, England: Known as an energy vortex, Glastonbury is believed to be one of the seven earth chakras. Ley lines associated with St. Michael and Mary Magdalene intersect here. Explore sites like Glastonbury Tor and the Glastonbury Abbey1.

Es Vedrà, Ibiza, Spain: This unspoiled limestone island near Ibiza is said to be the third most magnetic place on Earth after the North Pole and the Bermudas. It’s steeped in myths, including connections to the pyramids in Egypt and the lost civilization of Atlantis. Take a boat from Ibiza, explore, and meditate in its mystical aura1.

Monastery of St. Naum, Macedonia: Legend has it that if you press your ear against Saint Naum’s tomb, you can hear his heartbeat. It’s a place where purity of soul is believed to resonate. The serene surroundings and ancient history make it a powerful spiritual spot1.

Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago, Spain: Embark on the famous pilgrimage route known as the Camino de Santiago. The journey to Santiago de Compostela is not only a physical trek but also a profound inner exploration. Walk the path, meet fellow pilgrims, and discover your own insights along the way2.

Varanasi

Varanasi, India: Revered as one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi (also known as Kashi) is a sacred place for Hindus. Along the banks of the Ganges River, witness ancient rituals, immerse yourself in spirituality, and experience the cycle of life and death3.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, Peru: Nestled high in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan citadel. Its breathtaking beauty, mysterious energy, and historical significance draw seekers from all over the world. Hike the Inca Trail or take a train to this awe-inspiring site4.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh, India: Located in the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh is renowned as the “Yoga Capital of the World.” It’s a place where yogis, seekers, and spiritual enthusiasts gather to practice yoga, meditate, and find inner harmony. The Ganges River and the surrounding ashrams add to its spiritual allure.

Remember, a spiritual journey is both internal and external. Trust your intuition, step out of your comfort zone, and allow these sacred places to guide you toward deeper self-understanding and connection with the universe. 🌟🙏

RN

 

Shri Rama Chandra krpalu bhaju mana

Harana bhava bhaya darunam

Navakanja-locana, kanjamukha

Karakanja, pada, kanjarunam.

Kandarpa aganita amita chabi

Navanila-nirada sundaram;

Patapita manahu tarita ruchi shuchi

Naumijanaka-sutavaram.

Bhaju dinabandhu dinesa danava

Daityavamsa - nikandanam;

Raghunanda anandakanda kosalacanda

Dasaratha - nandanam.

Sira mukuta kundala tilaka caru

Udara anga vibhusanam

Ajanubhuja sara - capa - dhara

Sangrama jita kharadusanam.

Iti vadati tulasiidasa sankara

Shesha - muni mana ranjanam

Mama hrdaya kanja nivasa kuru

Kamadi khala - dala - ganjanam.

Jai janaka nandini jagata vandini

Jana anandini sri janaki

Raghubira nayana cakora candini

Shri vallabha priya prana ki.

Tava kanja pada makaranda sobhita

Jogi jana - mana ali ki-e

Kari pana ginata na ana hiya

Nirvana sukha anata hi-e.

Sukhkchani mangala jani jarajiya

Sharana mahi jo jah hai

Tava natha saba sukha satha kari

E-hi hatha rijhi bikata hai.

Brahmadi shiva sanakadi surapati

Adi nija mukha bhakhahi

Tava krpa nayana kataksa chitavasna

Divasa nisi abhilakhahi.

Tanupaya tumahl bihaya jaramati

Ana deva susevahl

Hata bhagya surataru tyaga

Kari anuraga reRahi sevahl.

Yaha asa raghuvara dasa ki

Sukharasi purana kiji-e

Nija carana kamala saneha

Janaka videhaja vara diji-e.

Maharaja kari karuna vilokahu

Dehu yaha vara manga hu

Jehi joni janamahu karmabasa taha

Rama pada anuraga hu.

Manu jahl race-u milihi so baru

Sahaja sundara savaro;

Karuna nidhana sujana silu

Sanehu janata ravaro.

E-hi bhamti gauri asisa suni siya

Sahita hiya harasi ali;

Tulasi bhavanihi puji puni puni

Mudita mana mandira cali.

Jani gauri anukula

Siya hiya harasu na jahi kahi

Manjula manlgala mula

Bama anga pharakana lage.

Siyavara ramacandra ki jaya

आपदामपहरत्ताराम दातारं सर्वसम्पदाम् I

लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यमहम् II

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय मानसे I

रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः II

 

नीलाम्बुजश्यामलकोमलाङ्गं सीतसमारोपतिवामभागम I

पाणौ महासायक चारु चापं नमामि रामं रगुवंशनाथम् II

भवाब्धिपोतं भारताग्रजंतं भक्तप्रियं भानुकुल प्रदीपम्  I

भूतादिनाथं भुवनाधिपत्यम् भजामि रामं भवरोग वैद्यम्  II

लोकाभिरामं रणरंगधीरम् राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम  I

कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरं तं श्री रामचंद्रम् शरणं प्रपद्ये  I

Apadamapaharttaram

Dataram sarvasampadam

Lokabhiramam shriramam

Bhuyo-bhuyo namamyaham

Ramaya ramabhadraya

Ramachandraya manase

Raghunathaya nathaya

Sitayah pataye namah

Nilambujashyamalakomalangam

Sitasamaropitavamabhagam

Panau mahasayaka charu chapam

Namami ramam raghuvanshanatham

Bhavabdhipotam bharatagrajamtam

Bhaktapriyam bhanukula pradipam

Bhutadinatham bhuvanadhipatyam

Bhajami ramam bhavaroga vaidyam

Lokabhiramam ranarangadhiram

Rajivanetram raghuvanshanatham

Karunyarupam karunakaram tam

Shri ramachandram sharanam prapadye

Affirm

 

Faith column of the Hindu daily.

Internalising Rama, as shown by Saint Tyagaraja, by focusing one’s faculties upon Him and chanting his nama, is guaranteed to help realise the Lord and attain moksham, said Suchithra Balasubramanian in a discourse.

He lived his entire life exemplifying Rama bhakti. Born in Tiruvarur, not a day passed without his immersing himself in Rama’s stellar qualities. He had no other ambition but to serve the Lord, sing His praises and chant His name: he chanted Rama nama 96 crore times. For Tyagaraja, life on earth was not defined by material quest, but by the spiritual goal of total supplication to the highest power.

Throughout the ages, the average person is governed by basic wants, but Tyagaraja strongly believed that one’s mission should be to conduct oneself in such a manner as to receive Rama anugraham. His musical compositions were a free flowing river of devotion, appealing to Him for His grace. In the famous kirtanai, Patti viduva radhu, he makes a fervent appeal, Aputtina nade nija bhaktini meda katti guttu cederaka brociceyi. (Having constrained me, like a knot in the neck, with true devotion to You from the day I was born, and having protected my honour from being compromised, it is not proper to leave the hand of this Tyagaraja, Your servant, having held it).

One might wonder if devotion alone is enough to get by in this world, and Tyagaraja proved it to be so. He spurned an extremely lucrative offer to compose poems on royalty, considering it a sacrilege to apply his God-given skill on mere mortals. His life continues to teach ordinary people to walk the path of a virtuous life, despite trials and tribulations, by invoking the name of Rama. One need not be musically proficient or an expert in scriptures to reach God. Faith alone is enough.

___________________________

Sri Papanasam Sivan, in his composition, asks whether a child can live without the merciful care of its mother (‘Thai irangavidil seiyuir vazhumo?’). A child bereft of the mother’s help will display anguish and sadness.

The mother of the Universe, Goddess Mahalakshmi, emerged when celestials and asuras churned the ocean of milk using the Mandhara mountain as the churning staff; Vasuki, the king of serpents, as the cord; and Lord Narayana turning as a tortoise to support the churning. The Goddess made the auspicious bosom of Lord Vishnu her abode. Affluence personified, the Goddess illuminated with Her splendour. She is the Goddess of prosperity, wealth, tolerance, and patience.

Smt. Visaka Hari said in discourse that our backbone is the Mandara mountain, our veins and arteries (nadis) are the Vasuki-like cord, our heart is the ocean of milk, and our sitting posture for penance, the koorma (tortoise) asana, is to derive the nectar-like blessings of the Lord with His divine consort.

When Lord Vishnu descended on Earth as Sri Rama and Sri Krishna, the Goddess also descended as Sri Sita and Sri Rukmini. She is the divine energy of the Lord. He is called in the Sri Vishnushasranama ‘Sridha: Srisa: Srinivasa: Srinidhi, and Srivibhavana’ — prefixing the established name of Mahalakshmi as Sri. She is called Jaganmatha (the mother of the Universe). She will reside where righteousness is upheld

Smt. Visaka Hari said in discourse that our backbone is the Mandara mountain, our veins and arteries (nadis) are the Vasuki-like cord, our heart is the ocean of milk, and our sitting posture for penance, the koorma (tortoise) asana, is to derive the nectar-like blessings of the Lord with His divine consort.

____________________________

Sri Bhagavad Gita dins into us the need to perform our duties. Great men who could undertake ‘jnana yoga’ (realising God through the realisation of self) did not give up the performance of Karma Yoga. They thought that if they did not perform, ordinary people would take it as a lead and an example to not perform. Valayapettai Sri Ramachariar said in a discourse that Lord Krishna told Arjuna he was a great warrior with name and fame, and should not refuse to be in the war with the Kauravas.

Sage Viswamithra asked Dasaratha to send Rama with him to the forest. When Dasaratha hesitated, the sage said he knew better who Rama was (Aham Vedmi Mahatmaanam Ramam Sathya Parakramam — implying that Rama is the Lord). But the same sage asks Lord Rama to wake up in the forest to perform the daily rituals (Kousalya Supraja Rama). Rama stood as an example for others to follow their duties.

Similarly, the Lord performed all His duties as Sri Krishna (Krishnam Dharmam Sanatanam). The Lord told Arjuna that there is nothing in all three worlds that must be done or anything unacquired to be acquired. Still, I keep on working (Chapter III, Sloka 22). The Lord further said that if I did not continue to work unwearied, then people would follow my path (Chapter III, Sloka 23).

When Kaikeyi wanted Rama to go to forest, He was not perturbed. Sage Valmiki says His face had not turned red but was like a lotus just blossomed. Vadagudi Sri Sundararama Dikshithar said in a discourse that Rama asked Kaikeyi to instruct her son Bharatha to render service to King Dasaratha as a son has to take care of his parents, especially in old age. Rama said that is the dharma (Sahi Dharma: Sanatana:).

Lakshmana was burning with anger at Rama’s banishment. When he rebuked Dasaratha, Kaikeyi and Bharatha, Rama said, “I am only obeying my father’s command, and it is a great virtue”.

When Rama informed Kousalya about His going to the forest, she grieved and said she would have been better off with the ill luck of not having a child and being called a barren woman. She insisted on accompanying Rama to the forest, but Rama pacified her and told her that it was the bounden duty of a woman to render service to her husband. She can reach swargaloka through this and need not perform anything else. Kousalya blessed Rama that the dharma of upholding His father’s words (Pithru vakya paripalanam) will shower all good to Him. She told Rama that he would be protected by all the good deeds that she had done.

My all time favourite.

 Krsna begins the chapter with precise definitions of Brahman, Atman and action. He then goes on to highlight the power of thought. You are a product of your thoughts. You sculpt your own future by guiding your thoughts towards your goal. If the goal is worldly, you remain caught up in the vagaries of the world. However, if you have invested your thoughts in the spiritual ideal, you break free from the cycle of birth and death to merge with Brahman.

The spiritual journey begins by redirecting your thoughts from material pursuits to spiritual aspirations. Once this is done, make an effort to master the senses. Follow the practices of Karma Yoga (Path of Action), Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion) and Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge). It is through these practices that the mind becomes calm and free from desire. With a steady mind purified of desire practise meditation under intellectual supervision. You will transcend the world and attain Self Realisation.

As an individual’s personality comes alive during the day and becomes dormant at night, the universe also goes through the cycle of manifestation and folding back into the unmanifest state. This macrocosmic cycle is referred to as the day and night of Lord Brahma where the entire cosmos comes into creation during the day and all creation goes back into the unmanifest form at night. Brahma’s day lasts for 4.32 billion earthly years and his night is of the same duration. Brahman is beyond this macrocosmic cycle.

When I randomly open bg and say I will read what ever chapter comes up it most usually is this. Chapter 8.

Finally, Krsna offers three options to humanity – the path of return, non-return and direct liberation. If you perform desire-driven noble actions, you go to heaven after death to enjoy the fruits. Once this punya (merit) is exhausted, you return to the mortal world. This is the path of return. If you aspire for Realisation but stray into actions motivated by good desires while performing the spiritual practices, you get liberation in phases. You go to heaven, enjoy the heavenly pleasures that accrue to you and then proceed to the fourth plane of Consciousness.

Udhav

M w

 https://youtu.be/hp5QdFDIycs?si=jvHUwft8hcUY4vmY

Must watch.