AArsha Vani (Voice of Sanatana )

August 2017 Volume: 3 Issue: 7

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Title Page# Title Page# 1. Vandēmātaraṁ 1 7. Sri Ganapati Tattvam 3 2. Vara Lakṣmī Prasannā Mama Sarvadā 2 8. Sri Vallabha Ganapati Temple, Kontamuru. 3 3. Hayagrīva 2 9. Saguṇa Nirguṇa Samaikya Avatāra 4 4. Śrāvaṇa Pourṇima – Rakṣā Bandhana 2 10. Pitr̥ dēvō bhava - Śrīmannārāyaṇa 4 5. Jivanmukta -Sri Sri Sri Chandra Sekara 2 Chaturavinśati Nāmāvaḷi Saraswati MahaSwami 11. śiva jñānaṁ - Aṣṭa Mūrti– Philosophical 5 Inquiry

“सरस्वती श्रुततमहती महीयत 車" "Sarasvatī śrutimahatī mahīyatāṁ"

(The above phrase in Rushipeetham logo is said by King Dushyanta in Sri ’s Abhignana Sakuntalam. “Pravartatāṁ prakr̥tihitāya pārthivaḥ; sarasvatī śrutimahatī mahīyatāṁ; mamāpi ca kṣapayatu nīlalōhitaḥ; punarbhavaṁ...... " - ‘Rulers shall strive to save nature. Education derived from shall become venerable paving the path to universal welfare. Vedic education stipulating the directives of Dharma shall thrive. Let there be no rebirth to me by the grace of Svayambhu Sada Siva’. King Dushyantha aspired for the above.)

‘Samanvaya is San tana – S marasya is Bh rat yata’ © Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma ā ā ā ī

AArsha Vani (Voice of Sanatana Dharma)

August 2017 Volume: 3 Issue: 7

Vandēmātaraṁ Upcoming Pravachanams Since ages, everyone in Bhārata worship their motherland as ‘Vandēmātaraṁ’. Date: Aug 7 - 11, 2017 6:30PM Let’s peek into this a little and understand how Topic: Sri Vishnu Rupaya Namassivaya Bhārata is the form of ‘Divine Mother’ too. At the Venue: Sri Sankara Mutt, top, there are Himalaya mountains. One is Moti Nagar,Hyderabad Contact: TS Rao & C.S.R.Murthy 9848047217 immediately reminded of Mother Parvati, the

daughter of Himavan and Mena Devi. All the Date: Aug 12, 2017 6:00PM states at the foot of Himalayan mountains such Topic: ‘Siva Padam’ – Musical Program as Himachal Pradesh etc. are abundant with Venue: Sri Sringeri Sankara Mutt, abodes of Divine Mother i.e. Śakti pīṭhas. In the Moti Nagar,Hyderabad middle, there are Vindhya mountains, which are Contact: TS Rao & C.S.R.Murthy 9848047217 home to Mother as ‘Vindhya Vāsini’. In this manifestation, She killed demons Shumbha, Date: Aug 13 -19, 2017 10:30AM Nishumbha and others. She is known by the Topic: Chidamabara Rahasyam epithet ‘Nandā Devi’. At the bottom, places such Organised By Rushipeetham Charitable Trust as Kanyakumari, Kerala are domiciles to Mother. In Kerala, there are Malaya Venue: Chidambaram mountains which are home to ‘Bhagawati’ also known as Malayāchala Vāsini. All Date: Aug 22 – Sep 2, 2017 the three are embedded in Sri Lalita Sahasranama stotra – ‘Māta Malayāchala Sri Ganapathi Navaratri Utsavamulu Vāsini..’, ‘Vindhya Vāsini..’, and ‘Umā Śailēndra tanayā..’. If one looks at the map Venue: Konthamuru, Rajahmandry of Bhaarata, It’s all Mother right from the beginning into the middle and at the (For details visit http://rushipeetham.org/ Event Calendar) end. Hence, we worship the Divine Mother as ‘Bhārat Māta’ also. Even Sri Bankim Traditions-Fulfilments Chandra Chatterjee who wrote ‘Vandēmātaraṁ’ extolls India as ‘Tvam Durgā To obtain the grace of Nārāyaṇa, Daśa Prahara Dhāriṇi..’, ‘Saraswati’, and ‘Lakshmi’. As mentioned, it is one divine worship Lord Viṣṇu’s idol as Damōdara and mother that took so many forms such as ‘Durga’, ‘Lakshmi’, ‘Saraswati’, give in charity on Damōdara Dvādaśi day. ‘Bhagawati’, ‘Bhārat Māta’ etc. Even our national theme written by Sri Rabindranath Tagore reflects the same. ‘Jana’ means that which is born. This On Śrī Kr̥ṣṇa Janmāṣṭami day, after includes the Five Elements, planets, stars, demi-gods etc. Each in itself is a ‘Gaṇa’ the puja, pray by chanting i.e. group, group of stars, group of planets. ‘Sarve Jeevā: Gaṇyā: Gaṇāha Tēṣām namastubhyaṁ jagannātha dēvakī Pati Gaṇēśa:’ – The presiding Lord of those groups who are born and can be tanaya prabhō; vasudēvātmaja ananta counted is ‘Gaṇapati’. Hence, ‘Jana Gaṇa Mana Adhināyaka Jayahe..’ is none trāhi māṁ bhavasāgarāt" . Offer arghya other than Gaṇapati. As said, Gaṇapati is ‘Bhārata Bhāgya Vidhāta’ i.e to Lord with sandalwood paste, orchestrator of Bhārat’s augury. Everyone sings His glory across the land right Akshatas, flowers mixed with coconut from Punjab to Kanyakumari seeking His blessings. Our national anthem is water by sitting on the knees while Gaṇapati Mantra. ‘Vandēmātaraṁ’ is veneration of Divine Mother. Entire India reciting “Jātaḥ kansavadhārthāya is abode to Śiva and Śakti. Bhārata is the place of worship in this universal home. bhūbhārōttāraṇāya ca; kauravāṇāṁ Let’s all sing Her glory. Bhārat Māta ki Jai! – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. vināśāya daityānāṁ nidhanāya ca; (Adapted from multiple sources)

gr̥hāṇārghyaṁ mayā dattaṁ dēvakyā Sadhu Vachanam sahitō harē". Also, offer arghya to Lord mīṭhē vacana sukh phailāte hai | kisī kō bhī vaśa mēṁ karne kā ē ēk mantra hō tē haiṁ| Chandra by keeping silver image in a Isaliyē mānava kō cāhiyē ki kaṭhōra vacana chōḍa kara mīṭhā bōlanē kā prayāsa karē || plate.

“Sweet words bring happiness. The constant mantra to make anyone listen to you is to talk softly and sweetly. This is why people should stop using harsh Worship Rati and Manmatha with words and talk in a subtle way”. — Saint Tulasi Das. sacred flowers, red akṣatā and chandana (Sant Tulasi Das was born on Śrāvaṇa śukla saptami 1497) on Śrāvaṇa Śukla Trayōdaśi by reciting the Bharateeyam following sloka. This day is known as "I have carefully and regularly perused the Hindu Scriptures, and am of opinion Anaṅga Trayōdaśi. that the volume contains more sublimity, purer morality, more important history, sarvōpamāna saundaryaṁ and finer strains of eloquence, than can be collected from all other books, in pradyumnā khyō harē: suta: whatever language they may have been written.” mīna kētana kandarpaka - Sir William Jones, English philologist. anaṅgā manmatha: tadā॥

Spiritual Quest (Answers by Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma)

Krishna and Balarama are brothers. Krishna could as well have done everything what Balarama accomplished. What is the role of Balarama and why He also is worshipped as an incarnation? It is inevitable that the Seshu aspect of Vishnu always is by the side in the incarnations of and Krishna. However, Krishna is ‘Purnaavataara’ i.e. the whole, whereas Balarama is the partial aspect. Performing within their respective limits, both accomplished what they should. It is the divine plan of the Lord to accord roles to everyone and accomplish what needs to be achieved. Hence, both are divine incarnations and should be worshipped accordingly. ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ © Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma 1

Vara Lakṣmī Prasannā Mama Sarvadā Hayagrīva Śrāvaṇa is the month when efforts are made to extract riches from earth. In this season ‘Sabda Brahma’ of rains, harvests are initiated. Hence, our ancient sages stipulated this time for the devout

worship of Go ddess Lakshmi on the Friday before the full moon day in the form of ‘Vara Lakshmi’. ‘Vara’ means wish or boon. One who grants whatever is wished for – success, liberation, victory, knowledge, wealth etc., - is ‘Vara Lakshmi’. In the sloka mentioning about six Lakshmis, ‘Siddha lakṣmī mōkṣa lakṣmī jaya lakṣmī sarasvatī Ś rīrlakṣmī vara lakṣmī ca prasannā mama sarvadā ’, Vara Lakshmi is mentioned at the end indicating that the form of Vara Lakshmi is the harmonious form that blends all other forms into Her and in fact is the basis for all the other forms. Though many worship Maha Lakshmi on every day, on this day every woman makes sure to perform the worship of Vara Lakshmi. Indeed, this worship is performed as ‘Vara Lakshmi Vrat’. Though many methods are prescribed for worship such as in idol, lamp, lump of turmeric, kalasa, Sun God etc., it is auspicious to worship Vara Lakshmi in kalasa on this day. Goddess in invoked into this kalasa with proper Lord Vishnu, the embodiment rituals and traditional worship is performed. Indra, the king of celestials, obtained of all the Vedas, gave His other affluence with the grace of Mother. Hence, She is known as ‘Indira’. Since Indra is the form of Vedas to Brahma. Vedas presiding deity of Friday, performing Vara Lakshmi Vrat on Friday is even more auspicious. have phonetic prominence. Friday is also known as ‘Bhrigu vāra’. Mother Lakshmi manifested as the daughter of Accurate pronunciation of Vedic Bhrigu Prajapati and is known as ‘Bhārgavi’. Another meaning of ‘Bhārgavi’ is the mantras in the right meter and effulgence present in the epicenter of Sun. Likewise, Goddess Lakshmi is resplendent with exact voice levels yields great golden hue as said in ‘Hiraṇya varṇāṁ hariṇīṁ suvarṇa rajata srajām’. Let’s worship Vara merits. Hayagrīva’s form is half- Lakshmi and be bestowed with Her grace! - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. horse and half-man. His horse

(Adapted from ‘Varalakshmi Vratam’ Pravachanam) face represents all the root syllables (Bīja Akṣara), whereas ṣ ṁ Varalak mīVrata , Dāmōdara Dvādaśi – It is a great to get Dvādaśi thiti the lower body represents the which is dear to Hari on VaralakṣmīVrata Friday. Cleaning the house, applying remaining letters (Varṇamāla). turmeric and kumkuma, hanging mango leaves to the thresholds are the good Hence, His embodiment is customs given by our ancient sages. To get the grace of Varalakṣmī, worship as combination of root syllables praised by Charumati "Padmāsanē padmakarē sarvalōkēna pūjitē; and letters i.e. the ‘Sabda nārāyaṇapriyē dēvi suprītā bhava sarvadā" in your own traditional way. Brahma’. When Vishnu appeared in the form of Śrāvaṇa Pourṇima – Rakṣā Bandhana ‘Hayagrīva’ and neighed, all the Śrāvaṇa Pourṇima is very auspicious with divine powers. Tying the sacred demons ran away just hearing His neigh. This means that the thread is the symbol of attachment between brothers and sisters. Wearing of very sounds of Bījākṣara auspicious thread gives wholeness to the rituals to be performed and hence frightened the demons. yields desired results and removes evil effects. On the day of Śrāvaṇa Paurṇima On Śrāvaṇa pourṇima day, tie the sacred threads by chanting perform Ṣōḍaśōpacāra puja to

Lord Hayagrīva with the mantra ‘Ēnabaddhō balī rājā dānavēndrō mahābalaḥ; ‘Śrī bhagavatē dharmāya ātma tēnatvāmabhi badhnāmi rakṣamācala mācala". visōdhanāya nāma:’

“Many people talk about Sri Kanchi Paramacharya as a great sage, jivanmukta i.e. liberated while in body, directed many people towards their Swadharma, performed many miracles to help people and instill faith in God etc. But, not many people know that Sri Paramacharya is a great patriot. In fact, sage Veda Vyasa is also a great patriot. In many places in His magnanimous works, He makes special mention about the greatness of Bharata. Srimad Bhagavata contains some verses describing the wish of Gods to be born in Bharata. Following Vyasa’s footsteps, Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada toured the entire country on foot to preach not only Advaita philosophy, but also to infuse confidence and courage into the citizens of Bharata elucidating the greatness of the country they are born in. Sri continued the same tradition and established ‘Vijaya Nagara’ empire also. Shivaji, the great Maratha warrior who rejuvenated Hindu Dharma, was molded and guided by another sage Sri Samartha Ramadas. Inspired by and many others, though war of independence initially began to protect Sanatana Dharma, it gradually transformed into a political movement with less emphasis on the protection of the core of this country. At this critical juncture, Sri Paramacharya emphasized upon the need of patriotism along with devotion. Sri Paramacharya solely worked towards the provisioning of independent status of every Peetham in the Constitution of India. Under His direct guidance, a team met with British Parliamentary Committee working with Indian leaders for development of constitution. Meanwhile, Sri Paramacharya called for an assembly of lawyers and even proposed some amendments to some of their resolutions. Though He was a ‘Mukta’ (liberated soul) by birth, He strived for the welfare of this country. Devotion without any love for the country is like seeking our own welfare trying to live in a house without caring for the falling roof. Hence, everyone should aspire for the progress of this country as much as they seek their own material and spiritual progress.” - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Source ‘Paramacharya Vaibhavam’ Pravachanam) ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ © Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma 2

Vallabha Ganapati emerged from the effulgent sphere of Light that came from the compassionate smile of Mother Śakti when She looked towards Her husband Śiva. Hence, He is the combined form of Śiva and Śakti. Like Śiva, He is three-eyed and has crescent moon on His head. Like Śakti, He is red in color and took the form of Vallabha Devi. ‘Vallabha’ means one who is dear, beloved and cherished by all. In everything and everywhere, everyone finally seeks happiness. Everyone wants to be happy all the time. Hence, ‘Vallabha’ means joy. One can experience joy and bliss only if one is contended – materially and mentally. Material contentment is called ‘Puṣṭi’ i.e. abundance and affluence in worldly riches. Mental contentment is called ‘Tuṣṭi’ i.e. satisfaction, serenity and bliss. described ‘Anandātma Gaṇēśōyaṁ’. Another meaning of ‘Vallabha’ is ‘Sarvaloka Nāyika – Brahma Shakti:’ i.e. the Master of all the worlds and power of Parabrahman. This is also described as ‘Vaināyaki Māya’ i.e. the illusory power of Vināyaka. She is also known as ‘Siddha Lakshmi’. One who has this Vaināyaki māya under His control is ‘Vallabhēśa’. He is also known as ‘Gaṇapati’. Vallabhēśa Upanishad describes – ‘Brahma Vishnu Rudra Ādinām Anādi Brahmanām Mahadādi Tattvānām Pati: Gaṇapati:’ i.e. Gaṇapati is the Supreme Lord of Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra and other Gods, and all the attributes of entire nature. In Śrīmad Bhagavad Gīta, Lord Krishna while elucidating His omnipresence mentions, “Mayi Sarvamidam Protam Sutre Mani Gaṇā Iva” i.e. ‘I am ever present inherently like a thread in a necklace of gems’. The invisible one thread that is keeping everything together is the Lord, whereas the groups of gems are nothing but nature. Anything that can be counted and exists in groups is ‘Gaṇa’. What is the significance of His having an elephant head? Upanishad mentions ‘Narākarā Māyā Gajākāram Puruṣa Prakruti Puruṣa Abhedha Akruti Dharā Gaṇeśa:’. Bottom form is human i.e. Narākāra. Scriptures describe ‘Nara’ as ‘Nruṇām Gacchati Iti Narā’ i.e. one which is transient and illusory. Elephant head symbolizes ‘Puruṣa’. This form of Vallabha Gaṇapati demonstrates the unification of Prakruti and Puruṣa. Among many definitions of ‘Ōṁ’, one in Māndukya Upanishad describes it having four parts – ‘A’, ‘U’, ‘M’ and the ‘Turiya’. ‘A’, ‘U’ and ‘M’ are manifested in the sound when ‘Ōṁ’ pronounced, whereas ‘Turiya’ is that which is beyond these three states in the silence before and after ‘Ōṁ’ is pronounced. But, that state gives consciousness to these three states. Gaṇapati, the combination of manifested Prakruti and unmanifested Puruṣa, is the embodiment of ‘Ōmkāra’. What does the ten hands and the objects holded therein signify? He holds pomegranate fruit filled with seeds, mace, sugarcane bow, trident and disc in five hands on His right side. On His left side, He holds lotus, noose, black lily, paddy filled grass blades, and tusk in five hands. With his trunk, He holds a pot overflowing with gems. His very form depicts the unification of five composite Gods – Śakti and Śiva (noose and trident), Lakshmi and Nārāyaṇa (Lotus and disc), Bhūdēvi and Varāhaswami (paddy and mace), Rati and Manmatha (black lily sugarcane bow) and Puṣṭi and Puṣṭipati (seeded pomogrenate fruit and tusk). His form also demonstrates that He is the fundamental basis for the origin of five elements, five operations, and five tanmatras. Puṣṭi and Puṣṭipati, Rati and Manmatha, Śakti and Śiva, Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa, and Bhūdēvi and Varāhaswami represent Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Manmatha also represents mind. Entire human life is nothing but these fundamental things only. One more interesting note is that each set of composite gods represent one wheel of yoga in human body – Mūlādhāra, Maṇipūra, Swadhiṣṭna, Anāhata and Visuddha. Ājñayā Chakra is represented by mind. Supreme Parabrahman is represented by Sahasrāra. Hence, Gaṇapati is the embodiment of the complete Yoga. Let’s all pray Sri Vallabha Gaṇapati with true devotion and complete concentration and obtain His grace! - Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(‘Sri Vallabha Ganapathi Navaratri Utsavam’ Pravachanam)

SRI VALLABHA GANAPATI TEMPLE, KONTHAMURU, RAJAHMUNDRY Under the auspices and guidance of Brahmasri Yanamandra Venugopala Sastry garu, the Vallabha Ganapati temple established by Smt. and Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma garu along with fifteen other forms of Ganapati in Konthamuru village near Rajahmundry on the Magha Suddha Ekadasi followed by Dwadasi in the year Jaya i.e. January 30 2015, is flourishing day by day and is turning more efficacious with the rituals performed there, fulfilling the wishes of many devotees who are worshipping as their family deity. Few specialties about this temple are: • Principal deity is the same described in Sri Lalita Sahasranama as Sri Vidya Ganapati. Installed on a pedestal of nine inches, the idol of six feet and three and a half inches along with Sri Vallabha Devi, this form is providing many divine ecstasy and experience. • One can have darshan of Ganapati made of Swetaarka (Tella Jilledu). • Along with fifteen forms of Ganapati including Bala Ganapati, installation of Nagabandham and Sri Adi Shankaracharya is also done. • ‘Swaananda Ganesha Vana’ along with Radhakrishna and many other divine trees adds more glory. • Service and protection of cows is done by Rushipeetham Gosala. Special rituals – Special Abhishek to main deity on every Friday; Ganapati Homa on Sankastahara Chaturthi morning; Pancha Avarana and other special archanas on Chaviti of both fortnights. • Samoohika parayana of Ganapati Sahasranama, Aditya Hrudaya on every Sunday • Every third Sunday special musical services under the title ‘Naada Neerajana’ • Besides above, parayana of Sundarakanda, Sri Sita Rama Kalyana are done aspiring for welfare of the universe. Hemalamba Ganapati Navaratri Celebrations starting from Ganesh Chaturthi day August 25, 2017 Those interested in donated towards temple services and other dharmic activities, details are below. Please send emal to [email protected] with name, phone number, address and email - BANK ACCOUNT NAME: MANDIR MAINTENANCE TRUST; ACCOUNT Number: 62507680499; STATE BANK OF INDIA; KONTHAMURU BRACH, IFS CODE NUMBER: SBHY0021806. Darshan timings: Morning 6 am – 11 am; Evening 5 pm – 7 pm Address: Sri Vallabha Ganapati Trust, Near Kalyana Nagar Arch, Jangala Colony Road, Siva Kumar Layout, Konthamuru, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh – 533103 Ph: 9949705166 / 9542122189 For more details, contact Sistu Rama Sastry @ 9652815577 / 9542122189 Visit http://vallabhaganapatitemple.org/index.php

‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ © Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma 3

Incarnation of Kirshna is distinct and unique in many ways. It is multi-dimensional. Killing of Sisupala and Dantavaktra to release His favorite servants Jaya and Vijaya from the curse, is but one small aspect of His entire saga. Krishna protected the virtuous by vanquishing countless demons. He killed the demon Putana when He was barely six days old. His adherence to Dharma in thought and action is distinguished. He not only followed Dharma, but also propagated through His universal teaching . His human aspect in serving for acquiring knowledge, respect towards parents, and relations with His subjects etc. stand out as beacon light for all of us to adapt. Another aspect is His orchestration of the universe and regulating the Gods and demi-gods. Cardinality of all His leelas is His unconditional love for everyone - Gopis, Gopakas, and even cows and nature. One among those many līlas is ‘Vatsa Arbhaka Apaharaṇa’. This describes the prank of Brahma hiding out some cows and cowherd boys for one full year and how the Lord managed this entire episode and correcting Brahma as He is the ‘Dēvādi Dēva’ i.e. the Lord of the Lords. Once Brahma wanted to understand whether Lord is also subjected to the limitations of human body. Hence, he hid out all the cows, cowherds and all their other objects to see what the Lord would do. Krishna acted innocent. He Himself took the form of all these – the cows, cowherds, the bells in their necks, the strings and sticks to control the cows etc. Every boy and every cow returned to their home as usual and just behaved normal. No difference whatsoever was felt by others – their mothers, fathers, and friends. One should pause here and think how this became possible? It is only possible because He is the same supreme Lord who has been the ‘Antaryami’ i.e. the indweller of all these objects before. And He knows everything. One year passed by without anyone even noticing this transformation. Once, Balarama sat in meditation and said to Krishna, “I know that all these cows and calfs are forms of sages, cowherd boys are forms of demi-gods etc. But, off late, I’m seeing only YOU in all of them. Why is it like this?” Krishna smiled and asked Balarama to wait for a while. Meanwhile, Brahma came realizing His mistake asked for pardon of Krishna for his innocence and arrogance. Metaphorically, Brahma represents our brain. We use our intellect to realize God and get lost in debates with ego and pride. He told, “Hey Lord! Grant me that I be a speck of dust on the feet of one of this cowherd boys here.” It is very important to note that Brahma did not ask to be near the feet of Lord Krishna Himself. He asked to be a speck of dust on one of the cowherd boys. That itself indicates how fortunate all those who were associated with Krishna are! Brahama also says that it is even beyond his comprehension to even guess what the Lord is bestowing upon all these creatures who gave Him everything i.e. their body, mind and soul with pure love and without expectation of any return. They were never neither cunning nor crafty or malicious. Scriptures mention that everything and everyone in Gokulam and Brindavan right from a blade of grass to cows to cowherds to Nanda, Yasoda and all the other people got liberated by Krishna. Because, this līla propounds many Upanishadic truths such as Lord is the indwelling soul of everyone, and He is the root cause of every cause and action, Sri Adi Sankara here termed Sri Krishna as ‘Saguṇa Nirguṇa Samaikya Avatāra’. Sage Sukadeva terms at the beginning of Bhagavata Purana that Krishna is the Supreme Lord Himself i.e. ‘Krishnastu Bhagavan Swayam’. – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Adapted from ‘Sri Krishna Charitamrutam’, Chicago June 2017)

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Major Festivals Aug 1, 2017 – Kumarī Dēvi pūja Brahmasri Samavedam Ramamurty Sarmagaru • Worship Goddess Durga with Oleander (1931 – 2013) flowers as Kumarīdēvi by using a silver idol on both Navamis of this month. Offer rice pudding.

Var ṇā śramācārāvatā puruṣaṇa pumāna! panthā: Nānyastattō ṣa kāraka: | •Worship Kumaris, give lunch and offer cloths. Aug 3, 2017 – Putraikaēkādaśi 1. Kēśavāya namaḥ 9. Śrīdharāya namaḥ 17. Puruṣōttamāya namaḥ Aug 4, 2017 – Vara lakṣmī vrata, dāmōdara 2. Nārāya ṇāya namaḥ 10. Hr̥ṣīkēśāya namaḥ 18. Adhōkṣajāya namaḥ dvādaśi 3. Mādhavāya namaḥ 11. Padmanābhāya namaḥ 19. Nārasinhāya namaḥ Aug 5, 2017 – Varāhajayanti, Anaṅga 4. Gōvindāya namaḥ 12. Dāmōdarāya namaḥ 20. Acyutāya namaḥ 5. Viṣṇavē namaḥ 13. Saṅkarṣaṇāya namaḥ 21.Janārdhanāya namaḥ Trayōdaśi • Worship Bhūdēvīsahita varāhasvāmi. 6. Madhusūdanāya namaḥ 14. Vāsudēvāya namaḥ 22. Upēndrāya namaḥ 7. Trivikramāya namaḥ 15. Pradyumnāya namaḥ 23. Harayē namaḥ Aug 7, 2017 – Śrāvaṇa Pourṇima, Jandhyāla

8. Vāmanāya namaḥ 16. Aniruddhāya namaḥ 24. Śrīkr̥ṣṇāya namaḥ Pūrṇima, Rakṣā Bandhanaṁ, Hayagrīva Jayanti, The above 24 nāmas of Lord Vishnu are chanted every day while doing Vaikhānasa Jayanti Achamana before performing any ritual. Detailed significance and Aug 14, 2017 – Śrī Kr̥ṣṇa Janmāṣṭami explanation of each nāma are given below: - • Worshiping Lord Krishna on this day makes everything favorable by removing adverse 1. Kēśavāya namaḥ conditions. 1. “Abhirūpaa: Sundarā: Kēśā: Yasya Sa: Kēśava:” – One who has beautiful • One should fast during the day and perform hair is called Kēśava. puja in the evening. 2. ‘Kēśā’ is made of three syllables – ‘Ka’, ‘Ā’ and ‘īśa’. ‘Kaśca’, ‘Aśca’, • Offer cow milk, butter, cheese and fruits. ‘Eśaśca’ = ‘Kēśā:’ = Trimūrtayā: Brahma ViṣṇuŚivā: Yasya Vase Vartante sa: Aug 21, 2017 – Pōlā Amāvāsya Kēśava: - One who has Brahma, Viṣṇu and Śiva under His control is Kēśava Aug 25, 2017 – Vināyaka Chaviti i.e. the Supreme Parabrahman. • Worship Siddhi Vināyaka with Dūrva, 21 sacred 3. Sloka 23 in 16th chapter of Fifth portion of Vishnu Purana mentions, leaves and offer Modaka, bananas, coconut and “Yasmāt Tvayaiṣa Duṣṭātma Hata: Kesī Janārdhana | Tasmāt Kēśavanāmnā jaggery. Tvam Lokē Khyāto Bhaviṣyasi ||” Sage Nārada said to Śrī Kriṣṇa thus – ‘O • To get protection from calumny - Worship Janardhana! Having killed the demon Kēśi who was horrifying Indra and Gaṇēśa, read Śyamantakōpākhyāna, chant sloka below and place akṣata on head. other gods, henceforth you will be famous as ‘Kēśava’ in all the three "Sinhaḥ prasēnamavadhīḥ sinhā jāmbavatā hataḥ; worlds. O Kēśava! I prostrate to You.’ (To be continued…) sukumāraka mārōdīḥ tavahyēṣa śyamantakaḥ". ‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’ © Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma 4

śiva jñānaṁ – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

AṢṬA MŪRTI– PHILOSOPHICAL INQUIRY Part 22

1 ‘Jagata īśadi yukta sēvanaṁ aṣṭa mūrti hr̥ddēva pūjānaṁ’ (Upadesa Saram) ‘Worship the Eight-Form God with intellect realizing that this entire universe is pervaded by īśwara’, said Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Śrī Ādi Śaṅkara Bhagavatpāda also expressed the same in the Dakṣiṇāmūrti hymn – bhūrambhāṃsyanaloஉniloஉmbara maharnātho himāṃśuḥ pumān ityābhāti carācarātmakamidaṃ yasyaiva mūrtyaṣṭakam | nānyatkiñcana vidyate vimṛśatāṃ yasmātparasmādvibho tasmai gurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrī dakṣiṇāmūrtaye || ‘Whose forms of this movable and immovable universe are five primordial elements, Sun, moon and self and upon discrimination it is understood that there is none supreme than whosoever - To that Dakṣiṇāmūrti who is the embodiment of Guru, I prostrate.’

Jagadguru contends that contemplation upon the aṣṭa mūrti philosophy is principal for the realization of Brahman. ‘Yā sr̥ṣṭi: sraṣṭurācyā vāhaṭi vidhi hataṁ yā haviyāca hōtri Ē dvē kālaṁ vidhattā: Sruti viṣaya guṇā yā sthitā vyāpya viśvaṁ | Yāmāhu: Sarvabīja pakr̥tirīti yāyā prāṇinā: Prāṇavantā: Pratyakṣābhi: Prasannasthāṇubhiḥ rāvatu vastābhirāṣṭābhirīsā:’ ‘That which exists before creation (Water), takes oblations (Fire), exists as sacred offering in Hota (Yajman – Kshetrajna), facilitate day and night (Sun & Moon), pervades the entire universe (Ether), root source of all seeds (Earth), provides life to all creatures (Air) – May these eight directly visible forms of Siva protect us’ – Thus said the great poet Kalidasa in his initiation prayers to ‘Abhijñāna Śākuntalaṁ’ drama. This philosophy not only helps one worship, but also aids unravel the mystery of this universe. Kavi Samraat Vishwanatha Satyanarayana garu envisioned the same even on a grander scale in his ‘Śrīmad Rāmāyaṇa Kalpavr̥kṣaṁ’ as detailed below Pan̄ca bhūtamulu divākaruḍu niśākaruḍu nī tānu saptakambayēni – Ī śarīrambu nīdē ētādhiṣṭāta evvaḍō.. Nī aṣṭama tanuvu vāḍu… Kēraḷa nannēmi migilcitivi svāmi! Biṭṭu nēnanna abhijña kāka! ‘If the Five Elements (Air, Water, Fire, Ether and Earth), Sun, Moon (Intellect & Mind) are Your Seven Forms, this body is Yours. The Soul or the consciousness dwelling within is You eighth form. What did You leave of me except the pride that it is ‘I’?’ This also means that even this ‘I’ is ‘You’. Ignorant as I to still think that I am different from You. ‘I’ is only for namesake. Once this feeling takes over, this leads to the supreme knowledge ‘Śivōham’ i.e. ‘I am Śiva’. Once the realization dawns that all these eight forms are Siva and non-duality is understood, liberation is attained. Another method of worshipping these eight forms is also in vogue –

1. Bhavāya Dēvāya nama: 2. Śarvāya Dēvāya nama: 3. Īśānāya Dēvāya nama: 4. Paśupatayē Dēvāya nama: 5. Rudrāya Dēvāya nama: 6. Ugrāya Dēvāya nama: 7. Bhīmāya Dēvāya nama: 8. Mahātē Dēvāya nama:

Prostrations to great sages who embedded this wonderful philosophical contemplation and the supreme knowledge of Brahman even in our traditional daily worship. (To be continued…)

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Guru Pournima Celebrations at New Jersey ‘Shanmukha Satsangam’ at Bengaluru With the blessings of Brahmasri Dr. Samavedam Shanmukha Sarmagaru, a Satsang was conducted for Universal peace and welfare at Bengaluru on July 1, 2017. Brahmasri Mallampalli Amareswara Prasad garu was pleased to see the attendes at the Satsang. Sri Srihari Sarma garu gave discourse on ‘Ganapati Tatvam’. Prasadam was served to all the ‘Guru Vandanam’ at Rushipeetham devotees. Devotees were happy to receive the blessings of Sri Charitable Trust, Hyderabad Samavedam garu by telephone.

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