Sanatana Dharma)

Aarsha Vani (Voice of Sanatana Dharma)

June 2019 Volume: 5 Issue: 05

GURUVĀṆI “The pseudo intellectuals with their extremist adaptations, labeled the culture and way of living in Bhārata dēśa, as Hindu Religion. Anything that is ‘Bhāratīya’ – all forms of knowledge, civilization, traditions, and customs etc., are termed as narrow minded, orthodox and uncivilized. But, the holistic and altruistic study of all the ancient and modern history across the world distinctly promulgate the great truth, ‘the one and only religion that has religious tolerance is the Hindu Religion’.” – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Dear Readers, Namaste. Scriptures declare that Lord Title Page# Brahma should be worshipped in this month 1 Kalau Gaṅgaiva Kēvalam 1 of Jyestha. ‘How to reach the abode of 2 Siva Padam – ippaṭṭidā sāmī! nī nā sambandhamu 2 Brahma’ explains the spiritual sadhana ṣṭ 3 Jyē ha: 2 required to attain Satyaloka. 4 Worship Brahma in the month of Jyēṣṭhā 2 Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha 5 Agni Tīrtham – Badarī Kṣētram 3 Sarma garu’s article on ‘Not to get into self- 6 ‘Future’ of Bhārata lies in it’s ‘Past’ 4 deception’, describing about religious 7 Garuḍa Mahā Purāṇa 5 conversions and the treacherous mindset of 8 Major Festivals in This Month 6 others, is thought-provoking and awakening 9 The Eternal - Vivāha Vyavastha 8 for moderates. Sadguru Sri Sivananda 10 Vandēhaṁ Śītalāṁ Dēvīṁ... 9 Murthy garu’s article to journey into the past and embrace it more, for a bright future is 11 Who can reach Satya lōka i.e. the abode of Brahma? 10 an eye-opener about the glorious culture of 12 Śiva jñānaṁ - Nīlakaṇṭhamaham Bhaje 11 Bhārata and the eternity of Sanatana 13 Hindu Dharma – Form, Nature of the Divine 12 Dharma. Details about ‘Agni Tīrtha’ in Badari 14 Do not mix up ‘Lōka vyavahāra’ with ‘Paramārtha’ 13 and ‘Japa Yōga’ explained by Mādhyandina 15 Japa Yōgaṁ 14 Maharshi are must read. ‘Sāvitri 16 Śrī Ādi Śaṅkara Jñāna Yajñaṁ - Bhaja Gōvindam 15 Upākhyānam’ of Mahābhārata not only 17 Incarnation of Bhakthi – Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu 16 narrates the wisdom and freedom of women 18 Sanatana Dharma Around the World 16 in ancient Bhārata, but also their courage in 19 Children’s Corner – fighting even with the God of Death. i. Student Stage – Brahmacharya 17 ii. Vedic Mathematics - Sūtrās 18 We take this opportunity to express our 20 The Mahabharata True Story from Sage 19 gratitude for your continuous support. To express your views about this e-magazine, Veda Vyasa - Sāvitri Upākhyānam please write to 21 Announcements 20 [email protected] 22 North America Jnana Yagnam 2019 - Schedule 21 with the subject line ‘VIEW’. 23 Photo Gallery 22 Thanks & Namaste,

Aarshavani Team. Aarshavani FaceBook

KALAU GAṄGAIVA KĒVALAM SĀMAVĒDĪYAṀ Story of Ganga coming to the earth upon the intense tapas of Bhagiratha (QUINTESSENCE OF SANATANA DHARMA) contains many mystic facts. One has to carefully comprehend Vedic “Obtaining energy from heavens is terminology. ‘Viyat Vishnupadam’ – Cosmos is the abode of Vishnu. ‘Rodasi Rudrapatni’ – It is the energy of Rudra that exists in space. When looked not 'Spiritual Practice'. True downwards, it is ‘Vishnupadam’. In the upward direction, it is ‘Rodasi’, 'Spiritual Practice' is to awaken the because Siva is ‘Vyomakesa’ i.e. energy present within.” one who has space as His hair. It is - Brahmasri Dr.Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. essential to understand that this Upcoming Pravachanams

symbolism is embedded into this Date: May 29 – June 2, 2019 puranic story of River Ganga Venue: Chicago, IL, USA

coming from Vishnupadam and Date: June 3, 2019 falling on the Head of Rudra. Venue: Austin, TX, USA

Ganga fell in Manasa Sarovar area Date: June 5-9, 2019 in Mount Kailasa and started flowing from Gomukham eagerly to reach Venue: Houston, TX, USA

Varanasi for the darshan of Lord Vishwanatha. It is very auspicious to take Date: June 14-16, 2019 a dip in Ganga at Varanasi. One should not bring home the Ganga from Venue: Tampa, FL, USA

Varanasi, as Mother Ganga wanted to stay with the Lord here. However, Date: June 21-23, 2019 Venue: Toronto, Canada one can bring home the Ganga from Prayaga. Lord Siva Himself explains the greatness of River Ganga to Lord Date: June 26-30, 2019 Vishnu – ‘One dip in Ganga is more meritorious than reading many Venue: New Jersey, NJ, USA For details please refer page # 20 portions of Vedas. Just the very darshan of Ganga with sincere veneration (For details visit http://rushipeetham.org/ Event Calendar) and true love removes all the sins committed with body, mind, and speech. Traditions-Fulfilments One can’t live on the banks of Ganga without My grace. Even if one sips in just one drop of Ganga waters, one attains the knowledge of the Brahman. One should not wrap cloth around If one truly repents for one’s evil actions and sincerely wants an atonement, the neck while doing pradakṣiṇa, Ganga is their only refuge. Just one dip in Ganga following prescribed namaskara, puja, and homa, and stipulations such as sankalpa etc. burns all their sins. while taking darshan of gods and Just as meditation in Kruta Yuga, tapas in Treta Yuga, and Yajna in Dwapara Gurus. Yuga are the pathways for attaining everything here in this world and pradakṣiṇē praṇāmē ca liberation hereafter, Ganga is the only means for obtaining everything pūjāyām havanē japē | in Kali Yuga. ‘Kalau gaṅgaiva kēvalam.’ Even all the gods eagerly look na kaṇṭhāvrtḁ vastra: forward to take a dip in Ganga at Varanasi. To take even one dip in the syāt darśanē guradēvayō: River Ganga that touches the city of Varanasi, two things are essential – - Vādhūla smrti̥ . 1. Merits accumulated from many previous births 2. My grace. (Contd.. Page3) One should draw rangoli (patterns

Sadhu Vachanam with rice floor) immediately after cleansing the home with water. "Just as a person needs a staircase to climb seven floors building, or a boat to Women should immediately go across a river, one needs shastra i.e. the books of religion and knowledge decorate themselves with tilak on to obtain the jnana about God and thereby God”. - Sri Akhandananda Saraswati Maharaj. the forehead after taking bath. Similarly, immediately after Bharateeyam lighting the lamp, one should "Yoga is described as the practical, experiential, and spiritual discipline decorate with kumkum. If these are within the Hindu traditions. This system unique to India and spread all over the world later, developed models of psychological and physical growth not done immediately, demonic based on one's goals of spiritual realization. forces such as ghosts take it over. - James Fadiman, Stanford University

Spiritual Quest (Answers by Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma) The very narration about the Dharmas in Kali Yuga mentions that it shall be very terrible and Adharma prevails all around. Is it appropriate even to attempt correcting this situation, when the very Dharma of the age is such? Would it not be proper to flow along with the time? The word ‘Dharma’ has another connotation also. It means ‘Characteristics’. Hence, in this context, the Dharmas of Kali Yuga refers to the characteristics of Kali Yuga. But, it is not appropriate to adopt a laid back approach mentioning that prevalence of Adharma is the feature of this age. Because it rains in rainy season, do we get ourselves wet without carrying an umbrella or a raincoat? Do we not take shelter under a roof? Similarly, do we not attempt to stay in cool environment in summer despite heat outside, which is natural? Adopting such kind of approach that one should flow with what is natural is destructive to oneself. Taking a laid-back approach that Adharma is common in Kali Yuga is dangerous to us also. At least, making an attempt to correct the situation amounts to protection of the world around. Of course, it is not possible to spread carpet all the way when there are thorns all around. At a bare minimum, we should wear footwear. Similarly, we should attempt to the best of our ability from our side, despite the age being dark. Do we not undertake relief activities and provide assistance during floods and cyclone without terming it as play of nature? Likewise, in any yuga, we should strive to the best of our capacity to maintain Dharma. Copyright © 2019 | Rushipeetham Charitable Trust. All Rights Reserved. ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ Aarshavani Vol. 5 – May | 2019 1

SivaPadam

ippaṭidā sāmī! nī nā sambandhamu

eppaṭidō ā lekkala ceppalēnu gānī kappina ajñānammuna kān̄calēnididi ippaṭikainā erukanu īyarāda yēmī..

naḍumavacci van̄cin̄cina nānā laulyamula paḍi iḍumalalō taḍumukonucu nē naḍacēvēḷa saḍiyainā lēka nīvu sāgitivēmūlakō jaḍatamassulōna nannu viḍicitivē gānī...

ainavāḍavīvuṇḍaga adipaṭṭani ajñānamu vēna vēla rītula telivini kammenu sāmī! The ‘Eldest’. ‘Viṣṇu’ is elder than everyone sānabeṭṭalēni buddhi capalata vadalaṅgalēka else. Because, Viṣṇu exists even before time ō nāthā! ninu jērcaga lēnidāye gānī… and space, He is the ‘Oldest’ among all. Per the scriptural decree ‘brahmaiva bhūtānām jyēṣṭha:’ Brahman exists much Our relationship with Īśvara is very ancient and the only true one. This before than any other beings. Atharva is the beyond the calculations of space and time. Due to the veil of vēdaṁ venerated the Supreme Godhead extensively with this name ‘jyēṣṭha:’

yō bhūtaṁ ca bhavyaṁ ca sarvaṁ yaścādhitiṣṭhati | sarvasya ca kēvalaṁ tasmai jyēṣṭhāya brahmaṇē nama: ||

yata: sūrya: udētyastaṁ yatra ca gacchati | tadēva manyēhaṁ jyēṣṭham tadu nātyēti kan̄cana || - atharva vēdaṁ ajñāna, this natural and eternal relationship could not be ‘Depending upon Viṣṇu, everything comprehended. One should pray the Lord to grant the knowledge at including time are moving. Prostrations to least now. ‘Kēvala:’ i.e. the distinct and only one, Immersed in mundane pleasures and pained with those experiences, jyēṣṭha, and brahman.’ it ‘feels’ like Lord is away from oneself. The self is buried deep within ēṣa prakrti̥ ravyakta: the darkness which is inert. He is ‘Ours for Real’. The ‘Intellect’ is kartā caiva sanātana: | enveloped within outwardly affairs leaving the closest relative, the paraśca sarvabhūtēbhya: ‘Self’, without even knowing about It. Unable to train the mind with tasmādvrddhḁ tamōcyuta: || inquiry and leave the cravings, the self is not able to obtain Him. But, - Mahabharata to when does this relationship date back? This relationship is Mahabharata extolled ‘Achyuta’ as immortal. ‘vrddhatamḁ ’ i.e. the oldest among all the This composition is set to tune in ‘Yaman’ raga by Sri beings.

Malladi Suribabu garu and sung by Sri Malladi brothers. ‘Viṣṇu is prakr̥ti i.e. the nature, avyakta: i.e.

(Adapted from ‘Sambadevam Bhaje’ (Siva Padam – 16)’ Album the unmanifested, the eternal, the doer, and composed by Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu) the embodiment of all consciousness. He is For SivaPadam albums, please visit http://sivapadam.org/ distinct among all the creatures. Hence, or contact Rushipeetham local office. ‘Achyuta’ is the oldest for everything among ‘SIVAPADAM’ now In PEn DrIVE everyone.’ ‘SIVAPADAM’ compositions by Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam ‘namō jyēṣṭhāya namō śrēṣṭhāya Shanmukha Sarma garu elucidating Siva’s philosophy are sung by namō..’ says Rudra Namakam. famous singers and presented as musical-dance programs all around the world. For ease of portability and to adapt technological advances, –Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. all 16 albums are now also available in a single pen drive. Rs/- 500. (Adapted from ‘Sri Vishnu Vidya’ Book)

Worship Brahma in the month of Jyēṣṭhā

Scriptures declare that Lord Brahma should be worshipped in this month of Jyēṣṭhā, a month dear to Brahma. One should make an idol of Brahmadeva with flour of rice or wheat, install in puja room, offer clothes, worship with all sixteen upacharas, and astotra shata namavali. Such worship grants pleasures here in this world, and later Suryaloka. Copyright © 2019 | Rushipeetham Charitable Trust. All Rights Reserved. ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ Aarshavani Vol. 5 – May | 2019 2

Agni Tīrtham – Badarī Kṣētram

Badarī Kṣētram is very holy and sacred since ages. The severe tapas of Nara and Nārāyaṇa exponentiated the efficacy of this place multi-fold. This place can be considered as a protected area for tapas, dharma, and jnana. The God of Fire, Agni Bhattāraka, reached the ashram of Nārāyaṇa, bathed in the holy Ganga and performed intense tapas to obtain the darshan of Viṣnu.

Upon the darshan, Agni venerated Bhagawan Sri Maha Viṣnu with the following slokas - ‘viśuddha vijñāna ghanaṁ purāṇaṁ sanātanaṁ viśva srj̥ ām patim gurum | anēkamēkaṁ jagadēkanātham namāmyanantāśrita śuddha buddhiṁ || māyāmayīm śaktimupētya viśvakartāramuddiśya rajōpayuktām | sattvēnacāsya sthitihētumugram adō tamō vikrasitārāmīḍē || avidyayā viśvavimōhitātmā vidyaikarūpam vitataṁ trilōkyām | vidyāśritattva sakalajñamīśaṁ tvavidyayā jīvamahaṁ prapadyē’ || (Note: This is only a part of the complete stotra) ‘O pure, densified knowledge, ancient, eternal, lord and master of the creator, many as well as one, the only lord of the universe! With the strength of Your māyā, You are the creator Brahma with Rajo Guna; You are the sustainer Vishnu with Sattva Guna; And, You are the dissolver Rudra with Tamo Guna. You are creating delusion with Avidya and granting deliverance with Vidya. You are the embodiment of Vidya, whereas I, the self, am the embodiment of Avidya. I seek refuge in You, O Narayana Brahman!’

Pleased with the veneration of the Fire God, Bhagawan Vishnu offered him a boon. Agni said, ‘O Lord! I’m burdened with the sin of swallowing everything and is known as sarvabhakṣaka. Please let me know how I can absolve myself of this sin.’ Bhagawan Nārāyaṇa told that Agni is absolved of his sin the moment he entered in Badari. However, Vishnu also granted the boon that the place whee Agni performed the tapas shall become a holy tīrtham called ‘Agni tīrtham’, which shall remove the sins of all those who took a dip in it.

Lord Siva explains the significance of Agni Tīrtham to Lord Subrahmanya as follows – ‘Dear son, Agni Tīrtham is very efficacious. This contains one of the ‘Kalas’ i.e. shades of Agni that has the effect of removing even the greatest of sins when one simply takes bath in this tīrtham. Even those sins for which one has to perform reparation entire life shall be free once one takes a bath in this tīrtham. Just like gold gets cleansed of all its impurities and becomes purified when put in fire, the gold like self is cleansed of all its impure tendencies and becomes purified upon taking bath in this tīrtham. Merits equal to that earned by performing severe austerities with rigorous intensity in other pilgrimage centers just by drinking water that flows down from the tip of grass blade are obtained here in this tīrtham just with one devout bath. Those who unexpectedly leave their body during the time of fasting in sacred Badari reach the abode of Viṣnu by penetrating the halo of Surya. Merits obtained with just one bath are equivalent to the merits obtained by performing thousands of Chandrayana vrats and crores of Krutya vratams. If one performs ‘Sagarbha Japam’ in this tīrtham i.e. japam holding the breath, they will be absolved of the greatest of sins. But, by mistake, if one knowingly does sin in this sacred tīrtham, they will remain as a ghost for fourteen manvantaras. Even small amount of charity, japam, homam, and other acts like Sandhya Vandanam, worship of gods etc. yields infinite merits. If one stays here for ten days with devotion and performs the bathing in this tīrtham between the five big stones, they will earn infinite merits, because Bhagawan Viṣnu resides between these five stones always’. Lord Subrahmanya enquired about those five stones. Lord Siva said, ‘These five stones are called nāradī, nārasinhī, vārāhī, gāruḍī, and mārkāṇḍēyi. The entire vicinity of Badari Ashram is spread within these five stones.’ –Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Badari Kshetra Mahtmyam’ Pravachanam)

KALAU GAṄGAIVA KĒVALAM– Contd.. from page 1 Here in Varanasi, one more significance of Ganga is that these waters are mixed with the water that flows from the rut of an elephant, who is none other than Dhundhi Ganapati and get mixed with the shades of crescent moon on His head. Whoever chants ‘River Ganga’, ‘River Ganga’, and ‘River Ganga’ (Ganga Nadi) three times immediately after rising from the bed shall have all the sins cleansed, gets rid of ill-wealth, inauspiciousness, bad omens, bad fame, and all hinderances. One shall obtain riches and auspiciousness, gets all desires fulfilled, and attains liberation, because it’s more meritorious than fasting, ashtanga yoga, and other observances. This Ganga is ‘Śivatējōgarbha’ i.e. ‘My Radiance’. One’s nobility in birth, race, position, scholarship etc. are vain if one does not take dip in Ganga. Those whose minds are crooked can never comprehend the greatness of Ganga. One obtains all the merits of devoutly studying all the Vedas along with all the branches if one makes a Siva Linga on the banks of Ganga.’ –Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Kasi Khandam’ Pravachanam)

‘FuturE’ oF BhĀrata lies in it’s ‘Past’

- Sadguru Sivananda Murthy garu.

“The integrated unity of Bhārata is neither geographical nor political. It is cultural.” Everyone says, ‘I’m a patriot.’ Patriotism is not limited just to the protection of the country. Many other aspects are knotted with this. Thousands of citizens of our generation are very depressed at the current situation of Bhārata after four and a half decades of independence. Which field is it that we can declare that we achieved progress? Is it on the industrial front, production of electricity, jobs for everyone, abolition of poverty, or financial self-sufficiency? Truly, we did not achieve progress in any area. Above all, the most important than all these issues, the reconstruction of Bhārata, not only nothing is achieved, but even efforts in that direction are not seen.

Fundamental reason for this is the lack of patriotism and absence of morality. Surprisingly, this pathetic degrade is more in political leaders and higher echelons of bureaucracy than in common people. Helpless commoners are becoming victims to this development. Neither the constitution nor the electioneering processes are not providing protection to the commoner from this unethical power rooted arrogance. Prinicipal cause of this is the illusion of looking political independence as national independence.

National independence means the reconstruction of a nation’s personality, under which the heritage and the eternal values of life of that nation are safeguarded. These values are the basis for the life energy of the society. These values that are linked to Sanatana Dharma are not limited to external religious customs. These eternal values are the foundational energy of the nation. These values were quite distinctly visible till the last generation in politics, legal, military, spirituality, media, and other fields.

These eternal values have to be rejuvenated again. They should be followed. The so-called intellectuals of the society should wage war to eliminate the internal enemies such as thirst for power and selfishness. It is important to remember that the independence of Bhārata should not be sacrificed for this internal enemy called ‘Immorality’. This internal enemy is more powerful than external enemies. Unless we are role models for the future generation, we can’t expect to be respected. We should awaken ourselves looking at the current developments.

Those among our religious customs that are not applicable to an individual or society have to be rejected or reformed. It is the responsibility of political and religious leaders to reconstruct a strong nation with the foundation of eternal values in Sanatana Dharma. Beginning of such introspection at least now certainly helps Bhārata. The Spirituality in our heritage has its basis on Dharma, not on external religious customs. Without following Dharma, being spiritual as an individual or as a society is not proper. Remembering this harsh truth, we should focus on reconstructing Bhāratadēśa culturally.

Unfortunately, serious comments of atheists and modern intellectuals on beliefs of Hindu religion are leading to conflicting consequences. Comprehension of these eternal traditions with right attitude is essential. Craving to earn respect under the umbrella of rationalists, modern intellectuals are insulting these traditions actively supported by media sources.

This trend has to change. The religion, culture, and heritage of Bhāratadēśa should be venerated and protected. This can be construed as the rejuvenation of ‘Bhāratīyata’. This ‘Bhāratīyata’ has been subdued for centuries now and is in a pathetic state. Both tolerance and human values are our inherited treasures. The disrespect and refusal exhibited by the rationalists and intellectuals bought over by foreign schools of thought are more dangerous to ‘Bhāratīyata’. All the Bhāratīyās should recognize this fact. The Bhāratīya Sanatana Dharma should again be established in our lives. It is in fact impossible to reconstruct this nation leaving aside the glorious past. In fact, the future of Bhāratadēśa lies in its past.

This past is not yesterday or day before… Sadguru Sivananda Murty garu attained oneness with Siva on This past is very ancient. June 10, 2015

(Adapted from ‘Rushipeetham’ Magazine – May 2017)

GARUḌA MAHĀ PURĀṆA Part 7

The below sloka describes the colors of Viṣnu along with His consorts and weapons - garuḍāmbujā saṅkāśō gadā caivāsitākrti:̥ | puṭi: śirīṣa puṣpābhā lakṣmī: kān̄cana sannibhā || pūrṇacandra nibhā: śaṅkhā: kaustubhastvaruṇādyuti: | cakraṁ sūrya sahasrābhaṁ śrī vatsa: kunda sannibha: | pan̄ca varṇanibhā mālā hyanantō mēgha sannibha: || Mantras are stipulated as below – ❖ śrī viṣnavē nama: ❖ śrī sudarśanāya nama: ❖ Śrī pān̄cajanyāya nama: ❖ Śrī gadāyai nama: ❖ Śrī śriyai nama: ❖ Śrī puṣṭyai nama: ❖ Śrī vanamālāyai nama: ❖ śrī vatsāya nama: ❖ śrī kaustubhāya nama: ❖ Śrī śārṅgāyai nama: ❖ Śrī iṣudibhyāṁ nama: ❖ Śrī caṁ carmāṇē nama: ❖ Śrī khaḍgāya nandākāya nama: ❖ Śrī vainatēyāya garuḍāya nama: ❖ Nārāyaṇā - Śrī nārāyaṇāya namaḥ - Śrī viṣṇu gayatri can be read. Worship of deity along with prescribed color yields great benefits. ‘vanamālī gadī śārṅgī śaṅkhī cakrī ca nandakī | śrīmannārāyaṇō viṣṇu: vāsudēvōbhi rakṣatu ||’ While reading the above sloka describing the complete form of viṣṇu containing vanamala in His neck, holding the mace, bow, conch, disc, and the sword, one should meditate upon viṣṇu as described above. viṣṇu holding the śārṅga bow is none other than Lord Rama.

Here, Maharshi Veda Vyasa gives the Vishnu Panjara Stotra. Those who read this stotra are shielded and protected as if they were in a cage, around which Lord Vishnu always moves around to guard, besides granting success and victory. Lord Viṣṇu told this stotra to Lord Siva.

ŚRĪ VIṢṆUPAÑJARA STŌTRAM 1. pravakṣyāmyadhunā hyētadvaiṣṇavaṁ pañjaraṁ śubham। namō namastē gōvinda cakraṁ grhyḁ sudarśanam॥ O Gōvinda! I bow to You, please take śudarśana chakra in hand and protect me. 2. prācyāṁ rakṣasva māṁ viṣṇō! Tvāmahaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ। gadāṁ kaumōdakīṁ grh̥ ṇa padmanābha namōఽstutē ॥ O viṣṇu! protect me on the east. I surrender to You. Please take ‘Kaumōdaki’, Your mace in hand. O Padmanābha! I bow to you. 3. yāmyāṁ rakṣasva māṁ viṣṇō! Tvāmahaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ। halamādāya saunandē namastē puruṣōttama॥ O viṣṇu, protect me on the south. I surrender to You. Please take plough ‘Saunanda’ in hand. O Puruṣōttama! I bow to you. 4. pratīcyāṁ rakṣa māṁ viṣṇō! Tvāmahaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ। musalaṁ śātanaṁ grhyḁ puṇḍarīkākṣa rakṣa mām॥ O viṣṇu! protect me on the west. I surrender to You. Please take pestle ‘śātanam’ in hand. O Puṇḍarīkṣa! protect me. 5. uttarasyāṁ jagannātha! Bhavantaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ। khaḍgamādāya carmātha astraśastrādikaṁ harē! ॥ O Jagannātha! I surrender to You. Protect me on the north. O Hari! please take your sword, shield, and other weapons. - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Garuda Mahā Purāṇam’ Pravachanam) (To be continued…)

Major Festivals In This Month

Saturday Vaisakha Bahula Trayodasi to Sunday Jyestha Bahula Trayodasi

VAISAKHA MONTH

01.06.2019 – Saturday - Masa Sivaratri - Performance of Rudrabhishekam and decorating Siva with sandalwood paste and others bestows His grace.

02.06.2019 – Sunday – Vata Savitri Vratam - Divine Mother is kept at the base of banyan tree and worship of Mother along with the tree is performed. This has been the tradition in some places.

03.06.2019 – Amavasya, ‘Amā Somavara’ Vratam - Offering tarpana to ancestors satisfies them. Combination of Monday and Amavasya is mentioned as Alabhya Yoga. Puranas describe the method of performing ‘Amā Somavara’ Vratam on this day.

JYESTHA MONTH

In this month, Surya, the embodiment of star Jyestha, heats the world with nine thousand principal rays and is called ‘Indra’. Vishnu should be worshipped as ‘Vamana’ in this month. Just as Siva is worshipped in the month of Kartika, Vishnu in Dhanurmasa, scriptures prescribe the worship of Brahma in this month.

05.06.2019 Wednesday – Karavira Vratam, Rambha Vratam - Bhavishya Purana mentions that Savitri, Satyabhama, and Damayanti performed this Vratam. Worship of Oleander plant chanting the sloka "Karavīra viṣāsvāsa namastē bhānuvallabha, maulimaṇḍana durgādi dēvānāṁ satataṁ priya", decorating with red cloth, offering sandalwood paste and flowers along with Surya should be done. If there is no Oleander plant in the vicinity, one should worship Surya with Oleander tree flowers.

The celestial damsel Rambha, who came out from the churning of milky ocean, before Sri Maha Lakshmi and other fourteen jewels should be worshipped under a plantain tree. Some even worship a set of bangles in place of Goddess Lakshmi and Rambha. Unmarried women will soon be married, and married women are bestowed with Sowbhagya. This vrata is more prevalent in northern parts of Bhāratadēsa. Those who perform this vratam should not eat rice on that day but can take fruits.

07.06.2019 Friday – Varada Ganesha Puja - Worship of Ganapati mentioned as ‘Jyestha’ in the famous mantra ‘Ganānām Tvā..’ as ‘Pradyumna Ganapati’ and offering roots and fruits as charity bestows the grace of Ganapati.

08.06.2019 Saturday – Aranya Shasti, Vana Gowri Vratam, Sitala Shasti - Along with Gowri Vrata, worship of Sitala Devi with Kartikeya under the shades of Kadamba tree or at home protects pregnancy and grants good progeny. Those already blessed with children get protection. Chanting of ‘Aranya Suktam’ from Rig Veda is meritorious. Performing the Kalyana of Siva and Parvati on this day is also auspicious. This practice is in vogue in Orissa and surrounding areas.

Reading the following stotram and names of Sitala Devi removes troubles from diseases and grants Her grace - Śītalē tvaṁ jaganmātā śītalē tvaṁ jagatpitā। śītalē tvaṁ jagad'dhātrī śītalāyai namō namaḥ || rāsabhō gardabhaścaiva kharō vaiśākhanandanaḥ। śītalāvāhanaścaiva dūrvākandanikrntanḁ ḥ॥

09.06.2019 Sunday – Bhanu Saptami, Varuna Vratam - Combination of Sunday and Saptami is Alabhya Yoga. Even small amount of Surya worship gives higher merits. Worship of Varuna filling water in Kalasa and chanting Varuna mantras on this Varuna Saptami day as prescribed in scriptures provides relief from summer heat, brings in timely rains and bounty of harvest.

10.06.2019 Monday – Shukla Devi Puja - Shukla Devi came from the face of Kalika Devi. In some areas, She is worshipped as the warrior clan deity. She shines in bright white color wearing white garments, jewels, and sandalwood paste. She should be worshipped chanting – Śuklāmbaradharē dēvi śuklamālyādi bhūṣitē | śuklagandhānu liptāṅgi śuklādēvi namōstutē ||

11.06.2019 Tuesday – Brahmani Devi Puja - Worship of Brahmani Devi, one of the seven Matrukas, is done on this day. Riding a swan, Brahmani Devi holds water pitcher and aksha mala in two hands, and boon bestowing and protection poses in other two hands.

12.06.2019 Wednesday – Dasa Papahara Dasami Vratam, Gangavirbhava Dinam - "Jyēṣṭhēmāsi sitē pakṣē

da śamī hasta sanyutā, haratē daśa pāpāni tasmāddaśaharā smrt̥ ā" – Worship of Ganga or a dip in Ganga on this day removes the bad effects of ten kinds of sins. Bathing in any river reminiscing of River Ganga yields same merits. Even while doing bath at home, chanting the sloka below gives the same merits - "nandinī naḷinī sītā mālinī ca mahāpagā, viṣṇupādābja sambhūtā gaṅgā tripathagāminī, bhāgīrathī bhōgavatī jāhnavī tridaśēśvarī" If one can’t perform the worship of Ganga from Padyami to Dasami for ten days, at least invoking River Ganga in kalasa and performing worship with sixteen upacharas chanting "Namō bhagavatyai daśapāpaharāyai gaṅgāyai namō namaḥ" provides relief from many sins. Balls of black sesame, ghee, flour, and jaggery should be left in Ganga or any other river. Worship of Narayana, Siva, Brahma, Surya, Bhagiratha, and Himavan with sandalwood paste and flowers should be done.

13.06.2019 Thursday – Nirjala Ekadashi - Fasting without even taking water except for achamana and worshipping Vishnu as Vamana bestows His grace. Maharshi Veda Vyasa prescribed this Ekadashi when Bhima sought to get the merits of all the Ekadashis with the fasting of only one Ekadashi day. This Ekadashi is also known as ‘Trivikramaikadashi’. After fasting on Ekadashi day, a vessel filled with sugared water should be offered in charity along with yellow gram, rice pudding, ghee, and umbrella chanting the sloka – "Dēva dēva hr̥ṣīkēśa sansārārṇava tāraka, udakumbha pradānēna naya māṁ paramāṁ gatiṁ”

14.06.2019 Friday – Rama Lakshmana Dwadasi, Champaka Dwadasi, Adi Sankara Kailasagamanam - Worship of Rama and Lakshmana on this day bestows the grace of Rama. In some parts of Orissa, on this day called Champaka Dwadasi, Lord Jagannatha is worshipped with Champaka and other flowers. Anyone can worship Vishnu with Champaka and other flowers on this day. Reminiscence and worship of Shanmata Sthpanacharya Sri Adi Sankaracharya on this day of ascending to Kailasa bestows His grace.

16.06.2019 Sunday – Vata Savitri Vratam - Women should perform this Vrata on Trayodasi, Chaturdasi, and Purnima day. This is the day Savitri prayed Lord Yama and got back the life of her husband.

17.06.2019 Monday – Maha Jyeshthi Yeruvaka Purnima, Jyestha Abhishekam - For those not possible to perform Vata Savitri Vratam on above mentioned three days, they can at least perform on Purnima or Amavasya day. This bestows everlasting Sowbhagya. On this day, banyan tree should be worshipped with turmeric and kumkum. A thread smeared with turmeric should be tied around the banyan tree while doing pradakshina. Doing 108 such pradakshinas is extremely meritorious.

Offering sesame on this day grants the merits of performing Aswamedha Yagam. Vishnu Purana mentions that offering of umbrella, footwear, water pitcher, and fan on this day grants affluence here and exalted state later. Special Abhishekams are performed in Tirupati on these three days.

In Puri (Purushottama Kshetra) also, special abhiṣēkaṁ is performed to the main deity Jagannātha along with Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarśana on the Paurṇima day. This is famous as ‘Dēvasnāna Paurṇima’ or ‘Snāna Yātra’. Main deity is brought in a procession from the temple and is placed in a specially prepared hall of 76X76 feet. Later, abhiṣēkaṁ is done with more than 108 vessels of water brought from the ‘Golden Well’ and is sanctified with sandalwood powder, akṣata etc. amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras. In the evening, Jagannātha and Balabhadra are decorated as ‘Gajānana’.

As this is very auspicious day, performing Abhishek at home or temple is prosperous.

20.06.2019 Thursday – Sankasta Hara Chaturthi

29.06.2019 Saturday – Apara/Siddha/Yogini Ekadashi- Worship of Narayana as Vamana should be done on this day. Purana mentions that one of the servants of Kubera, the Lord of wealth, performed great sins during worship, got leprosy, and later got cured of that leprosy by devoutly performing Ekadashi Vratam on this day.

The Eternal Part 2 Sanatana Dharma in practice – Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma Vivāha Vyavastha

The Institution of Marriage One can’t attain spirituality without following the dharma of a grihasta i.e. householder. There is never any debate as to who is superior between a wife and a husband. Life of a householder is to live together in harmony and peace. Any friction or differences should be either resolved amicably or amended to suit the convenience and wish of both. The ultimate goal of following the path of dharma is higher than these petty inconsistencies. It is essential that both wife and husband keep the goal of life in their view always. Along that spiritual path, both of them should cooperate and complement each other with necessary observances and sharing of knowledge. Each partner should not only participate whole heartedly in other’s spiritual activities, but also should completely encourage the other partner to stretch as necessary ready to sacrifice some other mundane pleasure. Each can act as Guru to other. Nothing can be achieved living in separation. Hence, since times immemorial, Maharshis stipulated the same by inculcating the worship of couples – Uma-Maheswara, Lakshmi-Narayana, Vani-Hiranyagarba, Sachi-Purandara, Sita- Rama, and Arundhati-Vasishtha. Even dire situations can be corrected and settled amicably to the satisfaction of both husband and wife with proper guidance, advice, divine worship, and observance of some practices with dharma. One should thoroughly understand that the entire universe is orchestrated and running in harmony, just because of accommodation and adjustments of many involved. Except the Supreme God, there is none perfect and nothing perfect. It’s quite common that each and every individual is making amends and transforming themselves to best suit the surroundings either at work or friends.

‘bhāryā daivakrtḁ̄ sakhā’ – In Mahabharata, describing the role of a wife, Dharmaraja says that wife is the friend gifted by the God. If settlements can be done with friends chosen by us without any major complaints, then what is the problem to accommodate the other partner in marriage, whom God Himself gifted? Even recent court judgements that married women can stay with others is not correct and are not accepted in Sanatana Dharma. In fact, wife and husband staying together for a lifetime is a perfect illustration of their strength to endure, patience to accommodate, and maturity of mind to balance and achieve coherence. With knowledge that is beyond the ken of our senses, Maharshis saw the eternal truths of life and hence postulated the institution of marriage for human beings and led by example. Many Maharshis such as Vasishtha, Agastya, Atri, Chyavana, Kasyapa etc. led disciplined, dedicated and holistic householder life following all the prescribed stipulations and dharma. During these days of undue influences from all possible quarters to destroy the basic foundation of Sanatana Dharma and its underlying fabric of various institutions such as marriage, it is even more essential to understand that achievement of success in spirituality is possible even as a householder.

One should thoroughly understand that the entire universe is orchestrated and running in harmony, just because of accommodation and adjustments of many involved. Except the Supreme God, there is none perfect and nothing perfect.

‘Prapan̄ca mātāpitarau prān̄cau jāyāpatī stumaḥ’ – Goddess Parvati and Lord Siva are Mother and Father to all of us in this world. A mother is perturbed when her child suffers even from little fever and attempts at her best to reduce the pain. Once the pain crosses her human limits, she seeks refuge in Srimāta, the Supreme Divine Mother, making many vows. Mother’s compassionate heart then takes many forms to protect those children. Sri śītalā dēvī is one such form of Motherly heart. Skanda Purana, Kali Purana etc. described Her grandeur in great detail. Even to this day, the practice of praying śītalā dēvī, touching body with neem leaves, smearing turmeric all over the body etc. are in vogue to remove the effect of small pox and other diseases. There are many, whose diseases have warded off significantly. Some scientific thinkers opine that this is due to the curative effect of neem, turmeric etc. rather than the power of Goddess and hence term these as orthodox beliefs. But, almost everyone remembers that they themselves have gone through this experience at least once during their lifetime. Science is not yet mature enough to comprehend the subtle aspects present in divinity. There is as much truth inherent in medicinal values of neem leaves and turmeric as in the compassion of Sri śītalā dēvī. This might not be demonstrable at a physical plane. According to Ayurveda science, the grace of Sri śītalā dēvī is essential for the ailments of 72 types of diseases. If one asks that subsequently there is no need of medicine, Ayurveda prescribes ‘Mani’ (Gem), ‘Mantra’ (Chant), and Aushada (Medicine) for remedy of any disease. Along with medicine, application of different gems and chanting of different mantras provides relief. Puranas mention that a demon named Jwarasura was spreading different diseases troubling all, especially children. When even physicians were not able to find remedies to those diseases, Lord Brahma performed Yaga from which Parvati and Parameswara manifested as śītalā dēvī and Bhairava respectively. While Bhairava went on to fight with Jwarasura, śītalā dēvī provided comfort to the diseased with nectarine waters. Meanwhile, Jwarasura who has been fighting with Bhairava transformed into dust and disappeared suddenly. Then, śītalā dēvī created a disease hitherto unknown even to Jwarasura and sent it to torment him. He then sought refuge from the Mother. Worship of śītalā dēvī removes even those diseases that are supposed to torment due to karmas from previous births. Auspicious tithi for Her worship is the Ashtami in the second half of the month in Chaitra, Vaisakha, Jyeshtha, and Aashada. Worship can be done on any Ashtami day. Mainly people in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh etc. worship śītalā dēvī. Since She is the Mother of the Universe, anyone can worship and obtain Her grace. Many stories related to Vrata are told. Once Shubhakari, a noble woman, was wandering in the forest having lost her way out. śītalā dēvī appeared, took her to a riverbank, and made her perform the vrata of śītalā dēvī. Later, śītalā dēvi gave darshan to Shubhakari and granted a boon. Shubhakari used that boon when she saw a Brahmin woman crying for her dead son, whom śītalā dēvī brought back to life. Those wanting to perform this vrata should keep the cooking stove clean and not light the cooking range on the day of vrata. Sixteen kinds of offerings made previous night, fruits, eatables cooked with wheat, curd etc. should be offered. Mother manifested many times in many forms – once with four hands and at other times with eight hands. She is bright radiating white hue and looks young with three eyes. She holds water pitcher, fan, broom, and winnowing basket in four hands, or trident, broom, disc, pot of nectar, bunch of neem leaves, conch, sword, and boon bestowing pose in eight hands. Her vehicle is donkey. A peek into medical books clarifies many related aspects that donkey dung acts as a remedy to smallpox and other diseases. "Mrṇ̥ ālatantusadrśī̥ ṁ nābhihrnmadhyasansthit̥ ām, yastvāṁ san̄citayēt dēvīṁ tasya mrtyurnḁ jāyatē" – Those who worship Her manifested form of lotus thread hanging in the middle portion of the heart are saved from untimely death. This is the same tattva as mentioned in Mantra Pushpa. True connotation of this form is that those who worship śītalā dēvī deep in their hearts obtain deliverance crossing the pangs of death. Not only due to the actions of past births, everyone in the society today is suffering from unknown diseases, due to the Adharma prevailing around. Hence, worship of śītalā dēvī is even more essential during these critical circumstances. śītalā dēvī is the Mother of the Universe, who not only removes the bodily diseases, but also the three types of afflictions and grants peace and comfort. Following is the hymn told by Lord siva Himself to worship śītalā dēvī. Recitation of this stotra is highly efficacious. Vandēఽhaṁ śītalāṁ dēvīṁ rāsabhasthāṁ digambarām | mārjanīkalaśōpētāṁ śūrpālaṅkr̥tamastakām || Vandēఽhaṁ śītalāṁ dēvīṁ sarvarōgabhayāpahām | yāmāsādya nivartēta visphōṭakabhayaṁ mahat || Śītalē śītalē cēti yō brūyat dāhapīḍitaḥ | visphōṭakabhayaṁ ghōraṁ kṣipraṁ tasya praṇaśyati || Yastvāṁ udakamadhyē tu dhyātvā sampūjayēnnaraḥ | visphōṭakabhayaṁ ghōraṁ gr̥hē tasya na jāyatē || Śītalē jvaradagdhasya pūtigandhayutasya ca | praṇaṣṭacakṣuṣaḥ punsastvāṁ āhurjīvanauṣadham || Śītalē tanujān rōgān nrṇ̥ āṁ harasi dustyajān | visphōṭakavidīrṇānāṁ tvamēkāఽmr̥tavarṣiṇī || Galagaṇḍagrahā rōgā yē cān'yē dāruṇā nrṇ̥ ām | tvadanudhyānamātrēṇa śītalē yānti saṅkṣayam || Na mantrō nauṣadhaṁ tasya pāparōgasya vidyatē | tvāmēkāṁ śītalē dhātrīṁ nānyāṁ paśyāmi dēvatām || Mrṇ̥ ālatantusadr̥śīṁ nābhihr̥nmadhyasansthitām | yastvāṁ san̄cintayēddēvi tasya mr̥tyurna jāyatē || Aṣṭakaṁ śītalādēvyā yō naraḥ prapaṭhēt sadā | visphōṭakabhayaṁ ghōraṁ gr̥hē tasya na jāyatē || Śrōtavyaṁ paṭhitavyaṁ ca śraddhābhaktisamanvitaiḥ | upasargavināśāya paraṁ svastyayanaṁ mahat || Śītalē tvaṁ jaganmātā śītalē tvaṁ jagatpitā | śītalē tvaṁ jagad'dhātrī śītalāyai namō namaḥ || Rāsabhō gardabhaścaiva kharō vaiśākhanandanaḥ | śītalāvāhanaścaiva dūrvākandanikr̥ntanaḥ || Ētāni kharanāmāni śītalāgrē tu yaḥ paṭhēt | tasya gēhē śiśūnāṁ ca śītalāruṅ na jāyatē || Śītalāṣṭakam ēvēdaṁ na dēyaṁ yasyakasyacit | dātavyaṁ ca sadā tasmai śrad'dhābhaktiyutāya vai || - S V S N Sarma.

Reaching Brahmaloka is not an ordinary achievement. Scriptures mention that those who reach Brahmaloka never come back i.e. ‘na punarāvartantē’. The six enemies of man that hinder the spiritual progress - kāma, krōdha, lōbha, mōha, mada, and mātsarya i.e. lust, anger, greed, delusion, arrogance, and envy – do not have any place there. All the four Vedas – Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharvana Veda – are present there in their embodied forms and are duly venerated. Along with them, are the personified forms of Yajña, Dakṣiṇā, Tapa, Satya, Dharma, Brahmacarya, and Vidyā.

Lord Brahma Himself explains who can reach Brahmaloka -

“Following people reach Brahmaloka :-

1. Those who serve both mother and father with steadfast devotion, love, and respect 2. Those chaste women who serve their husband with one mindedness and strictly follow him 3. Those who aid the virtuous with no expectation of any kind of return 4. Those who timely do the daily ritual of Sandhyavandana and others as stipulated 5. Those who always think and delve about the Supreme Brahman i.e. the resolute and austere tapasvins 6. Those who visit and serve great tirthas i.e. holy and sacred places of pilgrimage 7. Those who observe all the vratas in true spirit 8. Those who do not have any longings or desires 9. Those who offer in charity to the erudite in Vedas, and to people living as stipulated in Vedas 10. Those who support people performing Yajñas, although they themselves can’t perform Yajña 11. Those who provide facilities such as shelter, food, clothing etc. to students pursuing the study of Vedas 12. Those who venerate and support Vedic scholars 13. Those who serve and protect cows 14. Those knowers of the Brahman i.e. the realized ones 15. Those who perform religious ablutions in the Panchanada tīrtha of Varanasi in the month of Kartika 16. Those who offer gold in charity in the sacred place of Kurukshetra 17. Those who leave their body in the holy Saraswati tīrtha 18. Those who perform religious ablutions in Prayaga when Sun is in the zodiac of Makara.” Those who live in Brahmaloka merge with the Supreme at the end of Kalpa along with Brahma, who Himself merges with the Supreme. - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Kasi Khandam’ Pravachanam) Rushipeetham - Visishta Sanchika

Every year ‘Rushipeetham’ releases ‘Visishta Sanchika’ focusing on a specific theme. Previous year’s themes have been ‘The Music Grandeur of Bharata’ in 2018, ‘The Divine Mother’ in 2017, ‘The Hindu Dharma’ in 2016 and so forth.

These issues are a compilation of various articles written by Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu himself and many other scholars and intellectuals after thorough and authentic research on multiple branches of Bharateeyata – Vijnana, Mahatmas, Dharma, Gods and much more.

‘Visishta Sanchika’ issues have regularly been receiving wide appreciation and accolades by many patrons here in India as well as abroad with great support through advertisements and donations. PREVIOUS ISSUES E-LINK

For details: Bharatha Rushipeetham, Plot no 1-19-46, Dr. AS Rao Nagar, Hyderabad - 500062, Telangana, India. Ph: 7382430272; 040 27134557, 27132550 Email: [email protected]

‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ Aarshavani Vol. 5 – May | 2019 10

śiva jñānaṁ – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

Nīlakaṇṭhamaham Bhaje Part 39

15. sarvajñam jagadādhāraṁ śūlahastaṁ nāgēśvaraṁ | mukti pradāyakaṁ dēvaṁ nīlakaṇṭha mahaṁ bhajē || One who – is omniscient, is the supporting force of this entire universe, holds a trident in His hand, is the Lord of the Kailasa Mountain, grants liberation, Self-effulgent – I pray to that Nīlakaṇṭha.

16. śambhum pinākinaṁ bālacandrabhūṣaṁ krp̥ ārṇavaṁ| sarva pāpaharaṁ nityaṁ nīlakaṇṭha mahaṁ bhajē|| One who – is the very form of happiness, holds the Pināka bow, is bedecked with crescent moon, an ocean of compassion, who removes all sins, has neither beginning nor end – I pray to that Nīlakaṇṭha.

17. vīrabhadraṁ virūpākṣaṁ nārasimha madāntakaṁ | Ahibhūṣaṁ śubhākāraṁ bhajēhaṁ vīraśēkharaṁ || One who – has unparalleled vision, subdued pride of Narasimha, has snakes as ornaments, has auspicious form, primemost among the chivalrous – I pray to that Vīrabhadra.

18. bhūtēśaṁ sarva bhūtēśaṁ nāyakaṁ sarva nāyakam | dēvaṁdēva mahādēvaṁ śambhūmūrti maham bhajē || One who – is the Lord of ghosts, spirits, demons and all creatures, commander of five elements, controller of entire universe, the God of all gods – I pray to that śambhu.

19. kandarpa nāgapan̄cāsyam gaja daitya vināśanam | mahā tāṇḍava śālīnaṁ liṅgamūrti mahaṁ bhajē || One who – defeated the cupid, destroyed demon Gajāsura, has five faces, adroit in tāṇḍavam - I pray to that Liṅgamūrti.

20. bhairavaṁ bhairavākāraṁ vīraṁ vīrēśvaraṁ prabhum | rudraṁ rudra gaṇādhīśaṁ vīrabhadra mahaṁ bhajē || One who – is called Bhairava, has fearful form, valorous, bravest among brave, lord of the universe, master of the rudra gaṇas – I pray to that Vīrabhadra.

21. bhūrathaṁ mēru kōdaṇḍaṁ vēdāśvam pura nāśakaṁ| sarvalōka patiṁ śambhum liṅgamūrti mahaṁ bhajē || One whose chariot is earth itself, bow is Mēru Mountain itself, horses are Vēdas themselves, destroyed the Tripurāsuras, Master of all the worlds, Śambhu – I pray to that Liṅgamūrti.

22. jagatkāraṇa mīśānam jaṭāmaṇḍala maṇḍitam | vyāghra carmāmbaradharaṁ liṅgamūrti maham bhajē || One who – is the cause of this universe, ruler of this universe, has matted hairlocks, has wore elephant skin as garment – I pray to that Liṅgamūrti.

23. bāla candrakaḷāmauḷim bhujagēndra vibhūṣaṇam | tārakaṁ saccidānandaṁ liṅgamūrti mahaṁ bhajē || One who – is adorned with curved moon on His head, has snakes as jewelry, can ferry this world across, the embodiment of truth, consciousness and bliss in the form of Liṅga – I pray to that Paramēśvara.

24. ambikāpati mīśānam candraśēkhara mamrtam̥ | bhasmōddhūlita sarvāṅgam nīlakaṇṭha mahaṁ bhajē || One who – is the Lord of Pārvati, controls the universe, prettifies with moon on His head, has no end, smeared ashes over all parts of His body – I pray to that Nīlakaṇṭha.

25. viśvanāthaṁ jagannāthaṁ lōkanāthaṁ jagadgurum | sarvajñam pārvatīnāthaṁ liṅgamūrti mahaṁ bhajē || One who – is the Lord of entire world, leader of moving world, controller of immovable world, Master of the universe, omniscient, consort of Pārvati – I pray to that Liṅgamūrti.

Hindu Dharma – Form, Nature and Effect (Adapted from ‘Hindu Dharma Swaroopamu, Swabhavamu, Prabhavamu’ Pravachanam) - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

Nature of the Divine

We continue to discuss the nature of the divine, and how Hinduism described and made it accessible to the individual devotee, for worship.

As explained in the last issue with the illustration of water flowing in canals, drawn from the source of a large lake, the infinite divine is represented in vigrahas and murtis.

Let us examine another analogy. A man went to the Holy Ganga and filled up his pot with Ganga water. As he was returning with the full pot, a stranger came across him. The stranger inquired what is in the pot. This man replied that it was nothing but the Holy Ganga. The stranger who had never seen the Ganga exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, the Holy Ganga is so small!” The man with the pot replied, “No, the real Ganga is a big and mighty river, but this is all I could carry in my pot for my daily purposes.”

As illustrated in this parable, no Hindu, not even a child would confuse a murti as the God and only God – they know that God is infinte and spread throughout the universe, like the Holy Ganga in the analogy - but they worship the murti with the realization that it is a manifestation of the God, for their personal purposes. Swamy Vivekananda put it succinctly when he said that the murti itself is not God, but there is God in the murti.

Even as we use these examples and analogies to illustrate some of the fundamental concepts about the nature of the divine, let us also be aware that the murtis were not mere imagination of some creative individuals.

Why so many Gods? ēkaṁ sat viprāḥ bahudā vadanti The truth is one, but the wise utter it in various ways.

This is one of the most fundamental sayings in Hindu practice.

When the others question us (more like, accuse us, as if it is a crime or something shameful) why we have so many Gods, we often tend to mumble without much thought that it is an individual choice. It is not so. It is not true that we Hindus ‘have’ many Gods. The truth is that there are many Gods in the universe, and Hinduism realized them, recognized them, and worshiped them.

Dr. Vamadeva Sastry (born David Frawley), a famous western scholar and practitioner of Hinduism, presented this idea through a good analogy. The English language has just a few words to describe snow and ice. The Eskimos have a few dozen words to describe and distinguish different kinds of snow. So, when their lives are surrounded by and intertwined with snow so intimately, the Eskimo’s vocabulary swells to describe the various facets and aspects of snow. Similarly, the Hindu rishis (seers, sages) are intimately intertwined with the divine, and therefore, are able to express the same in multiple ways.

If we stop to think about it, the question - “why so many Gods?” - is rather ridiculous. Do we ask, ‘why so many flowers in the garden?’, or, ‘why so many trees in the forest?’ They are simply there.

That is just the way it is. Let’s take a look at how a city is run. At the center is the Mayor’s office. Then, there are councilors. There are several different departments such as water, police, roads, parks, etc. to provide all those services to the citizens. If we need so many departments and positions to run just one city, try to imagine what it takes to run the entire Creation? To run the entire Universe? We may not know where the water supply is, or where the electric power plant is, but as citizens, we are receiving and benefiting from the results produced by them. Similarly, many powers are needed to run the Universe, and we, as part of that Universe, are constantly receiving and benefiting from their munificence. So, what we call Devatalu (plural) are the different energies and capabilities of the Supreme God, spread throughout the creation, manifesting these various phenomena. Iswara is always one, but Devatalu are multiple, because they are various manifestations of the one Iswara.

Translation: Narayanaswamy Sankagiri (To be continued...) Copyright © 2019 | Rushipeetham Charitable Trust. All Rights Reserved. ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ Aarshavani Vol. 5 – May | 2019 12

Do not mix up ‘Lōka vyavahāra’ with ‘Paramārtha’ Recently, an accomplished author and noted Hindu spiritual laureate mentioned the following about religious conversions – 1. Those belonging to other religions and doing conversions are following the Dharma of their own religion. It is not necessary to mistake them. 2. Changing Gods is not new to Hindus. Both Saivas and Vaishnavas organized big revolutions propagating that only their God should be worshipped. 3. For that matter, meditation, philosophy, and Yoga are more important. They are beyond religion. Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi is a philosopher. For philosophy, there is no connection with religion. Such philosophy should be grasped. Other than that, what is all this quarrel for religion?

These questions seem to be asked wisely, but lack of profound thought is quite distinct. 1. If it is dharma for someone else to do conversions, our dharmas are to remain resolute in our dharma and teach a lesson to those doing conversions insulting our dharma. To bite is the dharma of a scorpion and to spit venom is the dharma of a snake. But, it is not dharma for us to lay out our body for a scorpion and snake to do their dharma! We should stay away from the biting scorpion and venom spitting snake. If somehow, they attack, they should be taken away through some means. These are our dharmas. Those spreading their religion just for business purpose never have any respect and proper understanding even about their own religion .

2. Hindus worshipped Hindu Gods only for fulfilling all their wishes. Worship of the same ‘Stone’ by Saivas and Vaishnavas as ‘Linga’ and ‘Saligrama’ respectively are parts of the same Hindu tradition. For that matter, even intellectuals in Hinduism are deriding those, pushing for sub-conversion and worship of only their God leaving out other gods, as enemies to the Hindu Vedic Sanatana Dharma. This is not the deficiency of the doctrine. It is the animosity created, because of the chaos created by the followers. But, one thing to be noted here is that despite all these extremist tendencies, no one ever denied the existence of other gods. Wearing separate clothes for worship, washings, doing achamana, traditions, customs, worship of Fire, the institution of temple etc. are all an integral part of traditional worship in any Hindu ritual. They are distinctions in traditions, but not religious animosities. All those are only branches to the ‘Hindu Dharma’ tree. They are not separate plants. Why all these acrobats by people of other religions to join into or force to join them or break those staying united, when they don’t even accept the existence of so many gods?

3. If only meditation, yoga, and philosophy are important and they are beyond religion, there is not even any necessity to convert religion. Being philosophical, is related to every individual’s mental maturity. At that stage, there is nothing to discuss or question about religion or religious conversions. There are neither stipulations nor barriers. They are beyond the duals of pain and pleasure, heat and cold etc. Following traditions with continuous stream of inquiry, one should reach this state of philosophy. Such philosophy and yoga as profound and vast as in our religion is not found anywhere else. Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, mentioned by that intellectual, read ‘Periya Puranam’ (stories of devotees of Lord Siva), reached Arunachalam, stayed in resolute meditation, became an intense tapasvi, and got transformed into a true philosopher. He is an embodiment of Vedanta propounded in the philosophy of Upanishads. The basis behind this philosophy is Arunachalanatha, who is none other than the Siva worshipped by Hindus. Why then there is any need to change from this religion, which has scope for such profound and great philosophy? Religious conversions are heinous acts to reduce the numbers in Hindu religion and thereby gradually demolish the glorious structure of Bhāratadēśa built on the foundation of Hindu Dharma. At the plane of philosophy, not only religion, but no doctrine stands.

Religious conversions are heinous As an ultimate truth at a higher sense, all this earth is one. Then, can acts to reduce the numbers in we say that why so many countries, all these formalities of travel, visa, Hindu religion and thereby border protection, separate constitutions etc.? gradually demolish the glorious ‘Vyavahāra’ is different from ‘Paramārtha’. structure of Bhāratadēśa built on the foundation of Hindu Dharma. One should not mix both, get confused, and subject to self-deception.

If we encroach, it is sin. But, if we keep quiet while others are encroaching, it is even bigger sin. What is there even to match the noble Hindu Dharma which promulgated ‘Svadharmē nidhanaṁ śrēya:’ with those other dharmas which pull towards other dharmas with violence and treachery?

JAPA YŌgaṀ Long ago, there used to be a Maharshi named Mādhyandina. ‘Mādhyandina’ is a vaidik name. There is a Samhita called ‘Mādhyandina’ Samhita in Shukla Yajurveda. He is a great tapasvin. Such great was his tapas that it looked like tapas is imbibed into grain. He is overflowing with noble qualities such as tapas, satya, śānti, śaucam, and daya i.e. severe austerities, truth, serenity, purity, and kindness respectively. Entire vicinity around this prodigious Maharshi gleamed and attained unique distinction. During the course of time, just like fire comes out of fire, an illustrious son was born to him. The resplendent child is an embodiment of ‘Śiva jñāna’ i.e. complete knowledge of Siva and is bestowed with magnificent capability to provide relief to all the people in the world from all their sins.

Mādhyandina Maharshi was happy with his only son. He performed his upanayana i.e. auspicious sacred thread ceremony, taught Vedas with all branches and sub-branches, and later initiated into Pan̄cākṣarī maha mantra explaining its efficacy, significance, inherent meaning, and supreme philosophy embedded therein. Pan̄cākṣarī mantra is also known as siddha mantra i.e. that which aids in attaining the ultimate goal. Devout chanting of sacred Pan̄cākṣarī mantra removes the bondage of avidya and grants mōkṣa. The sincere pupil he is, immediately asked the Guru to explain the exact methodology to be followed to attain siddhi in the great mantra. He said, ‘What kind of tapas makes Ambikāpati happy? What kind of vows and observances bestow His grace? What it the best time for doing this sādhana?’ Maharshi answers his son,’Dear son, though every season and every time is auspicious for the worship of Lord Siva, some seasons and times are inherently potent and are mentioned specifically to attain His unbounded grace. A perfect combination of space, time, and austere spiritual practice shall achieve everything here and hereafter.

The seasons of spring, autumn and winter i.e. the months of Mārgasirsha, Pushya, Māgha, and Phālguna are good. Among times, ‘śaratkāla’ in Aswiyuja month, solar eclipse times, tithis such as full moon day are propitious. Such place where there is neither intense heat nor intense cold is favorable. Place should be clean and devoid of any impurities. A sand floor not till tilled, rocky floor not till cleansed with water or wet cloth, and a home where there is non-observance of maintaining clean kitchen, menstruation cycles, and death related ablutions are not suitable for sādhana. Sitting on cloth, stone, or wood straight without any seat of either grass or silk should be avoided. Solitary places are welcome, but not those ravaged or in ruins, because they are infested with demonic energies. While doing Japa, one should cover the ‘Japamāla’ to avoid attracting ghosts attempting to snatch away the result of Japa just by looking at it. Japa should not be done with mantra being heard outside. Kṣētras being already energized and pure by nature, even small amount of concentrated japa performed yields enormous merits. ‘sthira sukhamāsanam’ says Patanjali in Yoga Sutras. Comfortability in seat and environment is essential, but does not mean it should be pleasureful. For some mantras, nighttime is conducive to get more concentration and introverted. Places such as mountain tops, seashores, temples, gardens, and riverbanks bestow higher results. Any temple of Siva is meritorious. A place where mind is eased and feels at complete rest is in fact the best place for sādhana. Moderation in eating is absolutely required. Both under eating or over indulgence are not advisable. Attaining concentration of mind in meditation is not easy. It is very common to feel that performing Japa is not reaching anywhere, because mind is not staying still. But, it is not correct. One should continue to perform Japa, though mind feels wandering all around, because mantra is chanted still due to which sound energy is generated ushering positive vibrations within the body. This energy slowly removes evil tendencies, arises positive tendencies within thereby giving purity to mind, and ultimately paving the way to attain true knowledge and realization of the ultimate. One should continue to perform Japa irrespective of state of mind in meditation. Performing Japa and Dhyāna together is called ‘Sagarbha Japa’. This is termed to be the highest state in Japa. Japa of god’s name i.e. nāma is also very efficacious. Any Japa will be successful only if the sādhaka performs the japa with śraddha i.e. utmost confidence in the word of Guru that it is the ultimate truth declared in the scriptures. There is no siddhi without śraddha. Japa is complete only when all the other limbs such as worship, upachara etc. are also devoutly done. You asked me what is the highest tapas? The very desire to do tapas about Siva, serve Him with great devotion, and attain oneness with Siva is in fact the highest tapas. Once your mind has turned towards Siva, you shall gradually be free from all mundane bondages and attain the Lord Himself. ‘Japa Yajñā’ is the best of all Yajñās. ‘Yajñānām Japa Yajñōsmi’ said Lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Let’s all try to follow these directions to the best of our ability while performing Japa and attain siddhi! - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Adapted from ‘Chidambara Rahasyam’ - Pravachanam) International Yoga Day June 21, 2019

ŚRĪ ĀDI ŚAṄKARA JÑĀNA YAJÑAṀ Śrti̥ smrti̥ purāṇānāṁ ālayaṁ karuṇālayam

namāmi bhagavatpādaṁ śaṅkaraṁ lōka śaṅkaraṁ.

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

PART 5 Sankara’s life history makes one feel that Sri Sankara’s favorite deity is Krishna. A few of those very heart-touching incidents are mentioned below – 1. For the sake of His mother Aryamba, Sankara changed the course of river Purna and made it flow behind their home. Recitation of this episode increases grace.

2. With boundless compassion, He composed ‘Kanakadhāra’ stotram for a poor woman, which rained gold coins in her home. Recitation of this episode grants affluence.

3. Sankara finished all that has to be learnt in twelve years by the time He attained the age of six. To remind Him the cause of His descent to earth, Maharshis such as Upamanyu, Dadhichi, Pippalada, Gautama, Yagnyavalkya etc. came. Aryamba saw them and was astonished. She asked them about the lifespan and other details in the life of Sankara. They said, ‘Eight, eight, and another sixteen.’ She fainted. When she was revived, Sankara told His mother that Sanyasa means taking birth again. Hence, He would resort to Sanyasa if she permits, so that His lifespan is extended. And, if it is not extended, at least, He will attain moksha. The beloved mother did not permit Him to take Sanyasa at that moment. But, later when the crocodile caught His leg in Purna river, He again requested His mother to take ‘Atura Sanyasa’ i.e. Sanyasa at that instant, so that He might live more time. Mother Aryamba this time had no choice, but to accept, so that her son might at least remain alive. Sankara immediately took Sanyasa at that instant.

4. Sankara took permission from Mother Aryamba who bade Him tearful farewell. When He was about to leave home, Lord Krishna appeared before Him asking about the temple of Krishna which was washed out when river Purna changed its course. Sankara then took the idol of Krishna on His own shoulders, renovated the temple, and installed safely in the new temple. Likewise, later in His life, He restored the Dharma established by Lord Krishna which has been shattered during the course of time.

5. Sankara set out seeking His Guru Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada on the banks of River Narmada.

6. He worships Lord Narasimha and glorifies His philosophy. Recitation of this episode removes any fear of untimely death and distress.

7. When He encounters the death of a dumb boy in the kshetra of Mother Mūkāmbika, Sankara meditates for a while. When He opens His eyes, His vision fell on that dead boy, who immediately rose to life. Such was the power of His divine vision. Recitation of this episode bestows longevity.

8. There are many episodes across His life enumerating the efficacy of Sri Sankara. But, the most outstanding is the story of Sri Totakacharya. During his early life, Totaka is deemed to be dull-headed fit for nothing except for doing physical service to Guru. But, his devotion towards Guru is extraordinary and outstanding. Once, Sri Sankara’s wait for this disciple to begin lessons gives chance to whispers and giggles among others. Immediately, Sri Sankara’s rains His compassion on Totaka, who composes entire quintessence of Vedanta in five slokas and later Sri Sankara’s efficacy in eight slokas.

9. Sri Sankara ascends the ‘Sarvajna Peetha’ in Kashmir. It’s like the coronation at the highest pedestal of knowledge attested by the entire community of scholars and critics alike.

10. Sri Sankara’s Guru lineage starts directly from Sadasiva or Narayana. Sadāśiva/Lakṣmīnātha samārambhām vyāsa śaṅkara madhyamāṁ asmadācārya paryantaṁ vandē paramparāṁ Above sloka is very popular. Guru Parampara started with Sadasiva or Narayana. There is no difference between both of them. The ‘Guru Parampara’ or Guru lineage is as follows – Sadasiva/Narayana -> Brahma -> Vasishtha -> Shakti -> Parasara -> Vyasa - > Suka -> Gaudapada -> Govinda Bhagavatpada -> Sankara Bhagavatpada - > Chaturamnaya Peethas -> Sringeri, Puri, Badari, and Govardhana.

It is astounding to note that even after two thousand years Sri Sankara left this earth, still the Peethas established by Him are resplendently continuing without any break in the Guru lineage and guiding thousands of sincere spiritual seekers onto the path of spirituality. Undoubtedly, this is due to the power of magnificent tapas of Sri Sankara. Also, every Guru in this lineage is in fact an embodiment of Goddess of Learning, Saraswati. They are also called Sankaracharya. They all are thoroughly established in Dharma and Vedanta, highly pious, outstandingly virtuous, exceedingly pure, extremely learned, greatly compassionate, yet exceptionally detached, and liberated while in this body. - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘ŚRĪ ĀDI ŚAṄKARA JÑĀNA YAJÑAṀ’ – ‘BHAJA GŌVINDAṀ’ - Pravachanam) (To be continued...)

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

Incarnation of Bhakthi – Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu Paramahamsa is describing the spiritual states of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to the assembled devotees – Sri Ramakrishna: Chaitanya Deva used to have these three states. ➢ The conscious state – In this state his mind would roam between the gross and the subtle. ➢ The semi-conscious state – In this state his mind was in the causal state, in the enjoyment of the causal. ➢ The innermost state – His mind would merge into the Great Cause.

“This conforms beautifully to the five sheaths (koshas) of the Vedas. The gross body is concerned with the annamaya and the pranamaya sheaths. The subtle body means the manomaya and the vijnanamaya sheaths. The causal body corresponds to the anandamaya sheath. The Great Cause is beyond the five sheaths. When the mind merges in the Great Cause, it results in what is called nirvikalpa or jada samadhi.

“When Chaitanya Deva was in the conscious state, he would chant the name of God. In the semi-conscious state, he danced with the devotees. And when he experienced the innermost state, he would be absorbed in samadhi.”

Devotee: Is Thakur alluding to his own states? Chaitanya Deva also experienced these states.

Sri Ramakrishna: Chaitanya was an incarnation of prema bhakti - love and devotion. He came to teach love of God to mankind. Have love for God and everything else is done for you. Sri Chaitanya’s merger into Lord Jagannatha at Puri

When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to Puri and was looking at Lord Jagannatha, he became very ecstatic. He started singing and walked towards Lord Jagannatha. Suddenly, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu merged into the Lord. Even his mortal remains were not to be found anywhere in the temple. (Adapted from ‘The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna’ by Mahendranath Gupta) Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu merged into the Lord on June 14, 1534

SANATANA DHARMA Shiva Temple in Portugal PORTUGAL, May 16, 2019: A religious ceremony of blessing of the first stone of what will be the future Temple of Shiva, designed by the professor and architect Troufa Real, who is overseeing the project, with the collaboration of

a group of other technicians who, graciously, have made themselves available to collaborate in the construction of this Hindu temple in the county of Loures. AROUND THE WORLD Among the numerous guests for this ceremony was the Mayor of Loures, Bernardino Soares, who accompanied the chairman of the Shiva Temple, Kantilal Vallabdas, in laying the first stone after receiving the blessing of Mahadeva Shiva. Kantilal Vallabdas did not forget to give a special thanks to the Association of Residents of Santo Antonio dos Cavaleiros who, "for many years have welcomed us and have been a liberal and easy-going host to our community." The construction project has been planned to be done in four phases. The first phase (already completed) is a space for socio-cultural activities; the second phase will encompass the worship activities, with the construction of the temple.

Ancient Hindu Temples found in Cambodia Archaeologists found the remnants of nearly 100 previously undiscovered ancient Hindu temples in the jungles of Cambodia. The temples, which in many cases are just foundations, were unearthed in Kratie Province's historical Samphu Borak area of eastern Cambodia's Kratie Province. The team believe they date back to the 6th and 7th centuries, hundreds of years older than the country's world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex which dates back to the 12th century. Samphu Borak was one of the most densely populated regions of the pre-Angkorian era of Cambodia. Thuy Chanthourn, deputy director of the Institute of Arts and Culture of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the remains of the temples had not been recorded in earlier studies, by either French or Cambodian archaeologists. Alison Carter from the Anthropology Dept at the University of Oregon, said, “We don't know very much about the Pre-Angkorian period. Any new information like this helps us complete a more holistic picture of the past."

Indian deities worshipped in Japan Japan: Scores of Hindu Deities, including Saraswati, Lakshmi, Brahma, Ganesha, and Garuda, are actively worshiped in their temples by the Japanese, preserving Indian traditions that have practically been forgotten in India. It revealed that there are hundreds of shrines of Saraswati in the land of rising sun. Famous photographer and art historian Benoy K. Behl, engaged in research on Hindu Deities in Japan since 1994, said, “Japanese culture is founded on the Indian culture".

Disclaimer: - The information provided under ‘Sanatana Dharma Around the World’ section is collected from various sources. Readers may check for accuracy. Copyright © 2019 | Rushipeetham Charitable Trust. All Rights Reserved. ‘ Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ Aarshavani Vol. 5 – May | 2019 16

ChILDrEn’S CornEr Bāla śikṣa

PART 2 STUDENT STAGE – BRAHMACHARYA - SVSN SARMA Typical daily routine in a Gurukula - There is no doubt that implementation of the following daily routine even now transforms today’s child into tomorrow’s better citizens. ❖ Gurukula is like a University. Students are trained in those disciplines where they can excel based on their talent and worth. Waking up early in the morning, answer the calls of nature, and wear clean clothes. Taking bath is only for cleanliness and purity. They are not allowed to apply any creams to the body for special attraction. Similarly, clothing also is devoid of any special attractions. It used to be simple and in alignment with weather and bodily comfort. ❖ ‘Āhāra śuddhau sattva śuddhi: .. Sattva śuddhāt dhruvā smrti:̥ ’ Both mind and body grow as per the food intake. Hence, pure and clean food is taken in following the injunctions of Ayurveda and other scriptures. Therefore, mind was free from turbulence of lust and hence it was possible to concentrate on education. Without any hindrance, following of Brahmacharya is done. ❖ Once the control of mind is habituated, control of senses becomes easier. For that purpose, Pranayama, postures in Yoga etc. are done as part of Ashtanga Yoga Sadhana. ❖ Because of discipline in eating and control of mind, sleep times are structured to give enough rest to body rather than excessive hours of sleep. ❖ The ‘Power of God’ and the ‘Power of Dharma’ are judiciously taught, which helped blossom a noble character. ❖ Without expecting anything in return, Gurus considered as their duty to educate children not only to ready for worldly life, but also to become purposeful to the society. Disciples used to offer Guru Dakshina according to their might, but Gurus never taught in expectation of Dakshina. ❖ After the completion of education, professionals in trades used to practice them. Kings used to employ them based on their qualifications. ❖ If the most important stage of life, the student life, is organized as mentioned above, it will augur peace and happiness to both individual and society. ❖ Because of TV, cinemas, internet etc. minds of few students are vacillating, making them cross the limits, and preparing for heinous acts. Some others are becoming weaker physically and mentally in the process of attempting to control their mind and body. Today’s educational system brushed moral stories aside teaching stories of sex education in their place. ❖ ‘karmaṇā manasā vācā sarvāvasthāsu sarvadā sarvatra maithunatyāgō brahmacaryaṁ pracakṣatē’ - It’s our culture to strictly follow brahmacharya with body, mind, and speech at all times, at all places, and in all states. ❖ Every student of Bharatadesa should remember that student life is not for pleasures. The goal should be to live with Dharma, Yoga, and joy. Brahmacharya is nothing but sacrificing all pleasures with all three instruments i.e. body, mind, and speech till student life is complete. For that matter, surroundings should be such that sensual desires are not aroused. That should be combined with food habits and moral lessons. ❖ A part of learning is to inculcate the child with traditions and customs of the family right from childhood. ❖ Anyhow, education system of today has little scope to teach Bharateeyata. Even parents also are not teaching the child. It’s great sin towards the entire lineage not to educate the child with the family traditions and customs that are being handed over from many generations. This should be given more importance than just ‘celebrating’ festivals. In fact, it is the responsibility of the parents to mould children into noble citizens of Bharatadesa by observing their behavior right from childhood and teaching them the true history of our country along with human values, while protecting from subduing to sensual lust. VIJÑĀNAṀ -4 SLOKA OF THE MONTH 1. In which sacred kshetra Chaitanya Maha Prabhu merged with God? vandēఽ ha ṁ śītalāṁ dēvīṁ 2. Who authored ‘Yoga Sutras’? rāsabhasthāṁ digambarām, 3. What is the name of River Ganga in Deva Loka? mārjanīkalaśōpētāṁ 4. The abode of this God is Satya Loka. śūrpālaṅkrtamastak̥ ām. 5. Jagannatha and Balabhadra are decorated as this God in Puri after performing Abhishek on Jyestha Pournima day. śītalē tvaṁ jaganmātā 6. Which emperor built the temple of Lord Venkateswara on Tirumala hills? śītalē tvaṁ jagatpitā, 7. From which place Sri Adi Sankara ascended to Kailasa? śītalē tvaṁ jagaddhātrī 8. Which God got the curse of sage Bhrugu, due to which He had to undergo śītalāyai namō namaḥ. separation from His wife? 9. Which God is called ‘Vaishwanara?

10. Nara and Narayana performed tapas in this kshetra. VIJÑĀNAṀ - 3 Answers – 1. Aryamba 2. Vijayanagara or Vidyanagara 3. WORDS OF BENEVOLENCE Pumjikasthala 4. Parasara 5. Kayadu 6. Narasimha 7. Surasa 8. Sureswaracharya 9. Annamacharya 10. Tyagaraja uttamē kṣaṇakōpassyāt | madhyamē ghaṭikādvayam | Pañcāgni adhamēsyādahōrātraṁ | pāpiṣṭē maraṇāntakam || 1. Kālāgni 2. Kṣudhāgni The virtuous show anger just for a second. Mediocre 3. Sītāgni contain for couple of hours. Low minded retain through 4. Kōpāgni one night. Only the wicked carry the anger till their death. 5. Jñānāgni Copyright © 2019 | Rushipeetham Charitable Trust. All Rights Reserved. ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ Aarshavani Vol. 5 – May | 2019 17

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

∞ + π

Vedic mathematics

0 A ≜ ∑

POSITIONAL NOTATION IN LILAVATI GANITHAM

A slightly different notation was mentioned by Bhaskaracharya II:

Table: POSITIONAL NOTATION IN Lilavati Ganitham

ABJA - 10

EKA - 10

10 1

KHARVA - 10 DASA - 10

NIKHRVA - 10 SATA - 10

12 3

MAHADPADMA - 10 SAHASRA - 10

SANKU - 10 AYUTA - 10

14 5

JALADHI - 10

LAKSHA - 10

15 6

ANTYA - 10 PRAYUTA - 10

MADHYA - 10

KOTI - 10

17 8

PARADHA - 10 ARBUDA - 10

KNOWING ABOUT NUMBER

Numbers play an important role in Mathematics

What IS Numeration?

EXAMPLE: In a number 5684,

Writing a number in words is called numeration.

6 is in hundreds place.

Hence place value of 6 in this number is 600

FACE VALUE:

The Face value of a digit in a number is the value of the digit itself.

EXAMPLE: In a number 5684,

the face value of 6 is 6 only

Indian system of Numeration

In every system we use ten symbols (0 to 9) called digits.

A group of digits is called numerals.

In this system we use place value system to represent numbers.

Here we always start from right place that is unit’s place.

Three in one’s place period,

To its left is ten’s place.

Two in thousand place period,

Further to its left is hundred’s place etc..

Two in lakhs place period

In the India system of numeration, there are four periods –

And others in crore’s period.

We put the commas always starting from right side of the given number.

Crores Lakhs Thousands Ones Using

Numbers

TC C TL L T Th Th H T O Commas

International system of Numeration

This is widely used in different countries in the world. In this system periods of one’s, thousand’s,

million’s, billion’s, etc.., used.

Numbers Billions Millions Thousands Ones Using

(B) (M) (Th) (O) Commas

HB TB B HM TM M H- Th T- Th Th H T O (Separating

Periods)

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

SĀVITRI UPĀKHYĀNAM

Sāvitri upākhyānam in Mahabharatam has it’s own distinction. The worship of ‘Sāvitri Agni’ is embedded into this episode. This story inherently has phenomenal secrets of Yajna, magnanimous values of Dharma, subtle aspects of Upāsana, noble ideals, and prodigious altitudes of Jnana. The great Maharshi Aurobindo envisioned the ultimate truths of Veda, Vedanta, and Tattva in this episode and illustrated them in his work ‘Sāvitri’. Magnanimity of this episode is also demonstrated by the very fact that Maharshi Veda Vyasa re-told the same in Devi Bhagavata also. Another important dimension of this story is the rock-solid assurance it provides to those, who submit every happening to fate and sit quiet without any attempt from their side, that one’s efforts shall certainly change one’s fate. Even Bhishma also tells Yudhisthira that sitting quiet without accepting any challenge is in fact a heinous sin. Bhagawan Dattatreya mentions the same to Lord Parasurama that it is highly improper and not correct for a human being to remain idle without substantial endeavor to achieve success. Bhagawan Dattatreya also mentions that just like the ram which has more power wins in a duel, the power of current effort wins over the past fate provided the current effort is done with all might and in all sincerity. Hence, this story resoundingly emphasizes the victory of tapas and determination over fate.

Long ago, Madra dēśa was ruled by the virtuous king Aśwapati. He devoutly worshipped Goddess Gayatri for eighteen years. Highly pleased with the tapas of Aśwapati, Goddess Sāvitri appeared before him. She told the king to ask for his chosen boon. Aśwapati asked for virtuous progeny. Granting the boon, Goddess Sāvitri said that he will initially be blessed with daughter who will be asn aspect of Her own effulgence, and later with sons because of this daughter. Aśwapati was overjoyed. Later, a daughter was born to him fulfilling the boon of Goddess Sāvitri. Because, the daughter was born due to the grace of Goddess Sāvitri, he named his daughter Sāvitri.

Sāvitri flourished like the moon in the bright quarter of the month and slowly grew into a young handsome woman of immaculate character. Based on the news she heard from her maids and other sources about prospective grooms, she developed positive charm towards prince Satyavanta based on his character, valor, and beauty. Satyvanta was the son of king Dyumatsena of Salvadēśa. Sāvitri felt in her mind that Satyavanta might be the right choice as her husband.

Meanwhile, Maharshi Nārada came to king Aśwapati who received him with due honors and requested to bless his daughter Sāvitri. Maharshi Nārada blessed Sāvitri ‘Kalyāṇa prāptirastu dīrgha sumaṅgaḷī bhava’ i.e. ‘May you be tied in a wedlock soon! May you be blessed with a very long marriage life!’ He also enquired if the king is making any efforts from his side to find a suitable groom. When the king sought Nārada’s help, Nārada suggested to first check with Sāvitri if she has anyone in her mind. Being shy, Sāvitri expressed after a while that her heart is all out for the prince Satyavān. The very fact that, the father asked Sāvitri wanting to know her interest, demonstrates the independence and respect women of Bhāratadēśa enjoyed even during those ancient times. It is also important to understand that women also were equally mindful, dharmic, and disciplined in their wishes.

King Aśwapati immediately requested Maharshi Nārada for more intricate details about prince Satyavān. He added that per the recent information available to him, king Dyumatsena, the father of Satyavān, was dethroned, became blind, and is living in forest along with his wife and son. Maharshi Nārada said, ‘O king! What you told is true. But, the prince chosen by your daughter is very noble and worthy. His given name is Chitrāsvudu. But, he is being called Satyavān because of his qualities and character. He is known for speaking truth always. He is also as radiant as the Sun, as wise as the preceptor of Gods, Brihaspati, as chivalrous as Indra, the king of Gods, as patient as Mother Earth, as pleasant as the moon, and as beautiful as the Awini gods. His noble qualities include tapas, control of senses, charity, veneration of gurus and parents etc. But, he has one major deficiency. Right from this day, his life span is only for one year. Shocked, Aśwapati immediately told Sāvitri to forget Satyavān and choose someone else.

Sāvitri answered the king, ‘O Father! You know everything. Out of three – mind, speech, and body – mind is the principal one. Now that I chose Satyavān as my husband with mind, how can I even think of someone else as my husband?’ The loving father tried to convince his daughter,’Sāvitri, I’m not even considering the fact that he is devoid of kingdom and has no riches whatsoever at all or his father is blind or you have to live in forest. My only concern is about his remaining life span.’ But, Sāvitri remained resolute in her decision. Aśwapati counseled Nārada. Nārada said, ‘O king! Your daughter is a heap of virtues and treasure house of merits. What do we know about the merits accumulated by her? You can permit.’ - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Adapted from ‘Mahabharatam lo Manchi Kathalu’ Pravachanam) (To be continued...) Copyright © 2019 | Rushipeetham Charitable Trust. All Rights Reserved. ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ Aarshavani Vol. 5 – May | 2019 19

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‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’

‘Rushipeetham’ a bi-lingual monthly magazine, started in 1999 by Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanukha Sarma garu, being published uninterruptedly for twenty years, is available both in print and e- version. This magazine enumerates the principles and practices of Sanātana Dharma with various articles on Traditions & Fulfilments (āchārālu – ābhīṣṭha siddhulu), highlights of auspicious days of the month (īnela visēṣālu) along with simple and practical ways for celebrating festivals, provides direction and guidance to ideal Hindu. This also elucidates the glorious heritage of many sacred places, rivers, and towering personalities of Bhārata infusing devotion and patriotism. Articles of many writers and works of saint composers and poets are valuable addition. ‘Rushipeetham’ magazine presents Sri Samavedam garu’s spiritual discourses as a ready reckoning recourse to those who really could not listen to all his pravachanams. The magazine also features special section to entertain as well as educate children with our rich cultural and national heritage. Sri Samavedam garu’s answers titled ‘Jijñāsa’, substantiated with apt references from scriptures, act as a beacon light to sādhakas. Thought provoking editorials by Sri Samavedam garu not only provide holistic insight into many contemporary issues, but also give thorough and practical solutions, lifting the magazine to a higher altitude giving it altogether an exalted dimension. Activities propagating Sanātana Dharma all over the world are covered. Features include research facts contributed by western scholars also, demonstrating the underlining rational and scientific basis of Sanātana Dharma. In addition, a special edition emphasizing chosen theme and exclusively selected articles written by eminent writers is released annually. In fact, the magazine is the hand torch of every Hindu with which they can proudly proclaim ‘This is my Bhāratīyata’. CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE SUBSCRIBTION Copyright © 2019 | Rushipeetham Charitable Trust. All Rights Reserved. ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ Aarshavani Vol. 5 – May | 2019 20

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May 9, 2019 – Sri Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti - Panchamruta Abhishekam was performed to Jagadguru with different Suktams. All the devotees present recited Totakashtakam and other Sankara stotrams together. All the attendees experienced joy. May 15, 2019 - Brahmasri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu, the founder of the Mandir, decided to continue the Chandi Yagam performed in March, for every month aspiring the welfare of the universe. Accordingly, Chandi Homam was performed devoutly with all scriptural stipulations at 6 AM.

Bhāratīya Sanskrt̥ ī Pāṭhaśāla

➢ Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu inaguarated ‘Bhāratīya Sanskr̥tī Pāṭhaśāla’ in Rajahmundry on February 6, 2019. ➢ This is an initiative aimed at educating our children with our culture and traditions. ➢ Children learn stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Srimad Bhagavata and slokas from Srimad Bhagavad Gita and others. ➢ Children are also taught moral stories and the ‘Values of Life’ ➢ Multiple centers at Bhavanipuram in Rajahmundry near Sanitorium by Kum. Deepika (Student of Intermediate), Dilsukhnagar and Tarnaka in Hyderabad by Smt. Udaya Lakshmi garu and Smt. Hemalatha garu respectively ➢ Blessing children on April 21, 2019, Brahmasri Samavedam garu told, ‘This humble beginning of today should grow into a worldwide institution soon.’ ➢ Please come, participate, and enroll your children for a bright future ➢ For further information, please contact ‘Bhāratīya Sanskrt̥ ī Pāṭhaśāla’ Working Committee. ➢ Anyone interested to organize the same in their area can contact us directly. ‘Samskruti' Pathashala Organizing Committee Rajahmundry Ph# 986616661, 9441282924, 7680908948

Sri Rama Navami Celebrations at Kontamuru, Rajahmundry – x`

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