श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः

Aum Shri Gurubhyo Nama SOUVENIR

24th and 25th November 2018 NAVNAT Centre, Hayes, UK

With grateful acknowledgements for the support and contribution from all sponsors and volunteers Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav (UK) - 2018

SOUVENIR PUBLICATION SOUVENIR PUBLICATION SOUVENIR PUBLICATION

By the divine grace of GOD and Beginning with the blessed the blessings of our Acharyas, foreword from Jagadguru Shri the Hindu community in the UK Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Sanka- is blessed to have performed racharyar, a number of use- Shri Radha Madhava Kalyana ful articles including valu- Mahotsav in tradional way, for able insights about Shri Radha the irst time in the UK (24th Madhav Kalyanam and a set and 25th November 2018), un- of popular bhajan songs are der the guidance of renowned vakratuṇḍa mahākāya s compiled in this souvenir so Bhagavathar Udaiyalur Brahma ūryakoṭi samaprabha | as to be cherished as a valuable Shri Dr. Kalyanaraman & Party. nirvighnaṁ kuru me deva reference for all. sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā || To mark this grand celebration, The organizers and the edi- the organizers are pleased to O Lord, (Sri Ganesha), Who has torial sub-committee pro- present this souvenir, availa- a curved trunk, large body and foundly thank everyone for ble both in print and electronic the lustre of a million Suns, (we supporting the event and also formats for free distribution to pray) by the divine grace, may making the souvenir possible, all. all our endeavours be free of with their valuable contribu- all obstacles at all times! tions.

The trustees and the volunteers of

Shri Radha Madhava Kalyna Mahotsav (UK) 2018

Gratefully acknowledge and thank

Brahma Shri Udaiyalur Dr. Kalyanaraman & Party

for the guidance and the execution of Shri Radha Madhava Kalyana Mahotsavam

www.radhakalyanam.uk facebook.com/shriradha.madhav.kalyan

2 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) CONTENTS

1 Blessing from Jagadguru - (Shri Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Acharya Swamigal) 4

2 Foreword - Welcome and introduction to the Souvenir 5

3 Shri Radha Madhava Kalyana Invitations - Sampradhaya Patthrika 7

4 Message form Siddhashramam 9

5 Shri Radha Madhava Kalyana Utsavam - Purpose and Tradition 10 (Udaiyalur Dr.Shri K. Kalyanaraman) 6 நாம சங்ீரததன ம்ிமம - The glory of Nama-Sankirtanam 12 (Shri Kalyanasundara Sivacharyar)

7 Bhakta Kavi Jayadeva Goswami - A sketch about Jayadeva and Gita Govindam 14 (Shri Sridhar Aiyangar) 8 Gita Govindam - English transliterartion of the main 24 Ashtapadi 17

9 Nama-Sankirtanam – Bhajans (Udaiyalur Dr.Shri K. Kalyanaraman) 41

10 Hasya rasa in Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam -Examples (Shri E. Balaji) 43

11 Radha & Krishna – As the Eternal Lovers (Shri N. Gopal) 45

12 Vedopathy -Relevance of Ayurveda in this modern age (Shri Dr Sridhar) 47

13 நாலாவு ்டு் ஹுமா் – ்மப் ு்ழாரம - (Shri S. Swaminathan) 49

14 In the Pursuit of God - Addressing some doubts (Shri Mee. Rajagopalan) 51

15 Know about Radha Kalyanam - A summary view (Shri Venkatraman) 56

16 Some Bhajan Groups in the UK - Contacts of the local bhajan groups in the UK 60

17 Popular Krishnar Temples in Tamilnadu - (Shri N. Vedanarayanan) 63

18 Some Popular Bhajan Songs- English transliteration 65

19 Some Important Hindu Festivals - Traditions (Smt. Jayalakshmi Krishnan) 73

20 Thirukkuaral - The greatness of Thirukkural (Shri KR Krishnan) 76

21 Bhāratavarṣa - A Sacred Geography, a Brief histroy (Shri Naresh Joshi) 78

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 3 Blessings From Jagadguru

Message Content in English

His Holiness Shri Shri Acharya Swamigal is delighted to note the united efort of all Hindu Devotees living in and around London for celebrating Shri Radha Madhava Kaly- ana Mahotsavam in the UK for the irst time, and that too following the tradition, involving Muthu-Kuttal, Unjavrit- ti, Thodaya Mangalam, Ashtapadi, Dolotsavam and Divya Nama-Sankirtanam, under the leadership of Udaiyalur Shri Kalyanarama Bhagavathar. His Holiness Shri Shri Acharya Swamigal blesses all participating devotees and the event organizers for attaining all prosperities in their lives and the Souvenir publication for its usefulness to the devotees.

4 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) FOREWORD

od is everywhere and it is in true love incorporating relevant and important Gwhere the divinity abundantly shines Ashtapadis from Jayadeva’s Gita Govin- through. We are truly blessed for being dam and also popular bhajan songs and able to witness the enactment of the divine insightful articles, we hope to make this matrimony of Shir Radha and Shri Mad- Souvenir a useful treasure for all. hav, traditionally done for the irst time in the UK (London on 24th and 25h Novem- The irst article is from UKR setting up the ber 2018). This souvenir is dedicated to context and providing an outline for per- serve as a token for the cherished memory forming Radha Kalyanam according to of the event for many years to come. tradition. Divya Nama-Sankirtanam is the most important part of the ceremony Blessed indeed is this endeavour as we have and singing relevant sections of Jayadeva’s the grace and the foreword from Jagadgu- Gita Govindam is the established tradition. ru HH Shri Shri Sankaracharya Swamigal Our resident Shivacharyar Shri Kalya- of Kanchi. Blessed indeed, as we have the nasundaram endoreses the power and glo- stewardship of Brahma Shri Udaiyalur Dr. ry of Nama-Sankirtanam in a brief article, Kalyanaraman (UKR) and the assemblage reminding us also on the opportunity and of noted Bhagavathars for conducting the the value for being part of such satsang. ceremony according to traditions. The involvement of many of our devotees for Gita Govindam is a master-piece worthy following the tradition is amply demon- of study for the many aspects of its gran- strated, for example, in the ‘uñchavṛtti’ deur - the pure poetry of excellence, the that took places at several places for pro- supreme portrayal of true love and the cu- moting the spirit of Shri Radha Madhav rious insights leading to the essence of Ve- Kalayana Mahotsav.. danta. It provides a perfect context for the seekers to soak in divine love, through the This Souvenir is our humble efort to com- drama of dancing, singing and frolicking memorate this momentous occasion. By of a devotee in pursuit of a perfect com-

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 5 munion with the Lord. three of them in his article.

A sketch illuminating the life and deeds of There are many groups of devotees in the the great poet of Kavi Jayadeva, the author of U.K who meet regularly and sing Bhajans. the magnum-opus Gita Govindam is writ- They also teach them to new comers. A ten by Sridhar Aiyangar. This is followed brief introduction to ive such groups is by the transliterated text of twenty-four se- given with the hope that interested people lected Ashtapadis from Gita Govindam that may join them and enjoy the bliss of Nama- are mainly sung during Shri Radha Madhav Sankirtan. Some simple and popular bhajan Kalayna Mahotsav. songs are also included for the beneit of the readers. In a second article, UKR emphasises the ob- jectives and beneits of Nama-Sankirtan- Smt. Jayalakshmi reminds us of the impor- am, especially for promoting human values, tant Hindu festivals and the associated tra- fraternity and national integration. In his ditions. The glory of Thirukkural through article, Balaji cites examples from Gita Go- a few couplets as examples is outlined by vindam, to show the subtle sense of humor Shri Krishnan. As a itting conclusion, arti- that Jayadeva employs, intriguing the read- cle by Naresh Joshi outlines a brief history ers to read more of Gita Govindam for such of the sacred geography - Bhāratavarṣa, our aesthetic tastes. Mother India.

Radha and Krishna as eternal lovers in Go- We hope that with all these useful contents, pal’s article, while Swaminathan quotes this souviner is a worthy gift to all. We ex- from Kambar, for the appropriateness of press our grateful thanks to all the con- treating Hanuman as the fourth God, an tributors for their valuable articles. We are extension to the generally regarded Trin- also very thankful for the various advertis- ity. Attention to personal wellbeing is also ers who have used this Souvenir to promote a dharma according to Veda and Dr Srid- their products. We wish them all success. har brings out the glory and signiicance of Ayurveda for our well-being in his article. The volunteers who helped to edit, assem- ble, design and print the souvenir are grate- Rajagopalan by the way of taking us in pur- fully acknowledged. Thanks to CM MEDIA suit of GOD, addresses some of the common for printing the Souvenir beautifully at a questions realting to the concept of GOD. short notice. An useful summary based on frequent ques- tions and answers on Radha Kalyanam is God Bless us all. provided by Venkatraman. Though there are On behalf of the Event organizers and the thousands of traditional Vishnu temples in Editorial Sub-Committee Tamilnadu, very few of them are dedicated to Lord Krishna. Vedanarayanan describes

6 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) SAMPRADAYA INVITATION

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 7 PROGRAMME INVITATION

8 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Wishes From Siddhashram

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 9 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsavam

By Dr. Udaiyalur Kalyanaraman

adha Madhava Kalyana Utsavam (or human integration. Rsimply called Radha Kalyanam) is mainly performed to understand the beau- Radhakalyana Utsava Paddhati ty of Jeeva-BrahmaIykkyam on the basis of The Bhajan starts with Thodaya Mangalam the Gita Govinda Maha Kavyam composed (Invocation) composed by Sri Bhadrachala by Sri Jayadeva Kavi during 12th Century. Ramadasar, Sri Annamayya and Sri Vijaya- Each and every one of us is considered as gopala Swamigal. This is followed by Guru Radha (Jivātmā) and to get the Blessings of Kirtanas on Trinities and Guru Abhangs Lord Sri Krishna (Paramātmā) we need our (Marati). Guru’s Blessings. With his guidance only Ashtapadi– Gita Govindam we will be able to realise or experience God. There are 24 Ashtapadis composed by Sri Performing Radha Kalyanam, Sita Kaly- Jayadevar and all Ashtapadis are to be sung anam and Rukmini Kalyanam is part and for kalyana utsavams. On the Radhakaly- parcel of our Sampradaya Bhajan Paddhati. anam-day, the 22nd Ashtapadi popularly These Divine Weddings help us to assem- known as Kalyana Ashtapadi which de- ble all devotees in one place and concen- scribes the Happiness of Radha in uniting trate their minds on Bhakthi that leads to with Lord Krishna after a long separation

10 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) is rendered as the main piece. This is fol- Pravaram: lowed by Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasar’s Slokas explaining the hereditary (Geneal- Kriti ‘Rama Rara’ inviting Lord for His ogy) of Lord Krishna and Radha i.e. Vam- Wedding. sam and Gothrams are recited. Then Kan- Deepa Pradakshinam – DivyaNama- nikadanam (the ofering of the bride) is Sankirtanam: performed.

Here compositions of Sri Bhadrachala Mangalashtakam: Ramadasar, Sri Vijaya Gopala Swamigal, There are eight slokas in Mangalashtakam, Sri Narayana Theerthar and Sri Thiaga- which describes the arrival and presence raja Swamigal are sung. This is followed by of all Gods, Saints, Kings, Holy Mountains, Gopikageetham, Kolaattam and Kummi in Holy Rivers and all the Planets. Then Man- folk dance form. galya Dharanam is performed. Sweets are Seervarisaigal: distributed. Nalangu kritis are sung. Sri Radha then gives Taambula (betel leaves Ladies now bring all the Seervarisai things preparation) to Sri Krishna and the Divine (presents) like Kumkum, Flowers, San- Couple exchange garlands, playing with dal, Sugar, Dhoti and Saree with blouse, balls made of lowers. Sweets, Fruits, Mangala Sutram Etc. Then Bhagavathas ofer all these items to Lord Pooja and Mangala Harati: Radhakrishna. During this, the devotees Shodasa Upachara Poojai and Mangala sing the traditional ‘Gowri Kalyana Vaib- Harati are then performed on the basis of hogame’ song. Bhajan Paddhati. Sri Radhakalyana Utsa- Choornikai: vam is concluded with Mangalam.

Sanskrit Slokas are recited describing the Note: Divine Atmosphere in the Wedding Hall, All the details are usually explained by the beautiful decorations of the Hall, Music by Bhagavathar during the Bhajan perfor- Narada, Tumburu and Gandharvaas and mance so that the devotees can meaning- various Vedic Rituals performed by the fully involve in all the activities and the Great Saints, slokas glorifying the Person- entire event lourishes with the lavour of ality and Virtues of Lord Sri Krishna and a Mass Prayer. Radha are recited. Mangalya pooja is then performed. Jai Radhe Krishna. நாம சங்ீரததன ம்ிமம

சிவ ீ ்ல்ாண ுநதர சிவாசசசாரி்ார

நம: பாரவதீபதக் ஹரஹர மஹாகதவா க்ாபி்ா ஜீவன ஸமரணம- ஜ்ஜ் ராகதஸ்ாம ஸரவதர க்ாவிநத நாம ஸங்ீரததனம க்ாவிநதா க்ாவிநதா पूजाकोटिसमं स्ो्ं स्ो्कोटिसमोजपम् । जपकोटिसमं धयानं धयानकोटिसमो लयः।। र्ाणडपुराणम् । ஜான்ீ்ாநத ஸமரணம - சஜய சஜய ராமராம

ம சங்ீரததனம சசயவு ுணணி்ம ீ வி்ு சஹஸரநாமததில நாஎ்்ால, அமத் க்டபு, நம ீ்மாசசார்ர ப்வானி் நாம பி்வி் பிணிம்த தீரது, ு்திம் ஜபமானு "பவிதரானாம பவிதரமக்ா அளி்ும சபு வலலமம சபற்ு. நாம மங்ளனாஞச மங்ளம", அதாவு ப்வத ப்வாமன அமட்் பல வழி்் உணு. நாம சங்ீரததனம நமமம் ுனிதமா்்ி அவறு் ்ிு்ததிறுத திவ் நாம நம்ு நறபல்்மள எலலாம சங்ீரததனம எ்பகத மி் சி்நத வழி்ா் ச்ாு்ும எ்பதா்ச சசால்ி்ார. நமு ஆசார்ர்ளால ்ாடட்படிு்்ி்ு. இம்வமன எளிதில அமட்் “நாம சங்ீரததனம” எ்பு, நாம சபரிக்ார்் ்ாடி் ்ரம, ஞான, ்மட்பிி்பதறு மி் எளிமம்ானு. ப்தி எ்் ூ்ு மார்்ங்ளில, எனிும சபரி் பல்்மள அளி்் எலகலாு்ும மி் எளிமம்ானு வலலு. திவ் நாம சங்ீரததனததி் “ப்தி” மார்்ம ஆும. இம்வனிடததில சபுமமம்ச சசாலி மாளாு. ஆழநத அ்ு சசுதுவதால, ்டுமள உணுவு எளிதல ம்வர் சபும.

12 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) அநதத சதயீ் உணரமவ் சப் வழிபாு வழிபாடில இமச ுதிடம வ்ி்்ி்்ு. மி் அவசி்ம. ப்தி எ்பு அ்பி் நாம உு்ி இம் நாமதமத் பாுமகபாு சவளி்பாு. ப்தி்ு ுதறகதமவ மமமத நம மனச ுமம்ானு இ்்்்படு இ்மம. எமதும எதிர்பார்்ாத அ்கப மனம கலசா்ிவிு்ி்ு. ்ீரததனது்ு ப்தி ஆும. ப்த், தன்ு கமல ஒுவர அததமன ம்ிமம. அதுமண சபுமம இு்பமத உணரு ூரவமா்் ுரிநு மிுநத நாம ஸங்ீரததனதமதத ச்ாணு, அதனால பணிுட் நட்்ி்ா். தரணிகபாறும வணணம உமட்ாூர ்ுமமீ ்ல்ாணராம பா்வதர அவர்் ப்தி்ில ஒ்பு வம்்் தனு ுுவினுட் உலச்ஙும திவ் உ்ளன. அவறம் விள்ும நாரத நாம ஸங்ீரததனம எும கவ்வி்ா் ப்தி ூதர வடசமாழி் பாடல: நி்ழததி, ப்தர்ு்ு ஆனநத் பரவசம அளிது வு்ி்ார. ஆ்மீ்ததி் உசச ஸரவணம ்ீரததனம வி்கணார நிமல்ு அமழதுச சசலும ஆற்ல நாமஸமரணம பாத கசவனம பமடதது அ்னாுமட் நாதாுபவம. அரசசனம வநதனம தாஸ்ம அதமன் ்ணுறு, சசவிுுறு ச்்ி்ம ஆதம நிகவதனம நலி்பம சபற் அுபவும அதாவு, ஸரவணம: க்டபு; ்ீரததனம: அிக்ு்ு உணு. பாுவு; ஸமரணம: நிமன்பு; பாத அ்கபரி்ப ு் அுபவதமத, நமு கசவனம: திுவி்ளில அமட்்லம இங்ிலாநு நாடில வாும ஆஸதீ்ர்ும அமடவு; அரசசனம: ுதி்பு; வநதனம: சப் கவணுசமன அுமபாுபடு பணிநு வணஙுவு; தாஸ்ம: சதாணடாற்ிவும ீ ராதா மாதவ சசாலவமதச சிரகமற ச்ாணு சசயவு; ்ல்ாண மகஹாதஸவ் ்மிடி்ி் பணி ச்்ி்ம: நடுட் இு்பு; மறும ஆதம மி்ும கபாறுது்ு உரி்ு. நிகவதனம: ுுமம்ான சரணா்தி

எ்பனவாும. இ்பாடில எ்பி் இநத நாம ஸங்ீரததன மஹா்்ஞததில பி்பி்ா் இம்வுட் ஒ்ுவு நாம அமனவும ்லநுச்ாணு எ்பதற்ான எளி் வழி ும்்் அு் சபறு, நமு அுதத சசாலல்படு்ளன. இவற்ில, ுதில தமலும்்ினு்ும நலல வழி்ாடி ஸரவணம – ்ாதால நலலவறம் மடுகம ஆ்மபலம ூடிுகவாம. க்டபு எ்பு ு்ி்பிடதத்்ு. ஸதஸங்தகவ நிஸஸங்தவம சசலவது் சசலவம சசவிசசசலவம நிஸஸங்தகவ நிரகமாஹதவம அசசசலவம சசலவது் எலலாம தமல - நிரகமாஹதகவ நிஶ்சலததவம (திு்ு்்-411) நிஶ்சலததகவ ஜீவ்ு்தி

சபரிக்ார்ளி் நலல வா்ு்மள் எ்் ப்வதபாதாளி் அு் வா்்ி்பி க்டுணரநதாகல வாழவில நறப்மன ீராதா மாதவ ்ல்ாண ்மிடி இு அமடகவாம எ்்ி்ார வ்ுவர. கபா்் ஸனாதன தரம அபிவிுததிம் நலலவறம்் க்டபதில தமல்ா்ு இம் மடுகம மனதில ச்ாணு சதாணடாற்ி நாமதமதும அவரி் ு்மழச சசாலும வும ுுவா் மிளிரவமத எணணி அ் நலல ்மத்மளும ்ீரததனங்மளும ம்ிழ்ிக்ாம. ப்திுட் க்டபு தா். ஸரகவ ஜனாஸஸு்ிகனா பவநு! உல்ிு்ள அமனது மதததிுகம இம்

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 13 Bhakta Kavi Jayadeva Goswami - A Sketch

By Shri Sridhar Aiyangar

hakta Kavi Jayadeva Goswami, was Krishna. Sri Gita Govinda Mahakavyam Ba renowned Sanskrit poet during the declares the beautiful blend and unison 12th century. He is most known for his epic of Jivātmā with Paramātmā. The twelve composition Gita Govinda which vividly chapters of Gita Govinda vividly describe describes Shri Krishna’s love for Gopikas the diferent facets of Shri Krishna: in general and for Radha in particular. The Gita Govindam is organized into twelve 1. Samoda Damodaram (Exuberant chapters with each chapter further sub-di- Krishna) vided into 24 divisions called Prabandhas. 2. Aklesha Keshavam (Blithesome Krish- The Prabandhas contain couplets grouped na) into eights, called Ashtapadis. 3. Mugdha Madhusudanam (Winsome The poems Shri Krishna’s yearning for Krishna) Radha and is considered an important part of the Bhakti movement. The poems also 4. Snigdha Madhusudanam (Tender elaborate the eight moods of the Heroine, Krishna) the Ashta Nayika, which have been an in- spiration for many compositions and cho- 5. Sakankṣa Puṇdarikakṣham (Passionate reographic works in Indian classical danc- Krishna) es. 6. Dhrṣta Vaikuṇṭa (Audacious Krishna) Sri Jayadeva’s Ashtapadi reveals the true 7. Nagara Narayanah (Dexterous Krishna) essence of Love between Radha and Shri

14 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 8. Vilakṣya Lakṣmipatih (Apologetic Jayadeva described Sriman Narayana’s Krishna) Dasha Avataar in his irst Ashtapadi ‘Jaya Jagadeesha Hare!’ He had a visualisation 9. Mugdhada Mukunda (Unpretentious of these ten avatars and was in a trance as Krishna) he witnessed the vast ocean which depicted the presence of God in His vast creation. 10. Chatura Chaturbhujah (Tactful Krishna) Later, he went to Jagannath Puri Temple 11. Sananda Damodaram (Joyful Krishna) with his friend Parasara and spent all his time in prayer, meditation and chanting 12. Suprita Pitambaraj (Exultant Krishna) the name of the Lord.

Jayadeva’s Birth Deva Sharma, a Brahmin in Puri, had a daughter by the name Padmavathi. As he Jayadeva was born to Kamalabai and Naray- was keen to get his daughter married, he ana Sastri, a very pious Brahmin couple. prayed to Lord Jagannath for His blessings. Kamalabai was very devout and longed for The Lord appeared in Deva Sharma’s dream a child. She prayed to the Lord to be blessed and advised him to perform her marriage with a child. with His ardent devotee Jayadeva. One night, Lord Krishna appeared in Sas- Accordingly, Deva Sharma and his wife tri’s dream and told him that his wife's went in search of Jayadeva. When they prayer would be fulilled and they would found him and expressed the Lord’s wish, soon be blessed with an illustrious son. Jayadeva refused as he was leading the Soon, Kamalabai gave birth to Jayadeva. life of Sanyasi and said he was unit for Jayadeva’s Life Grihastha-dharma. But Deva Sharma per- suaded Jayadeva as it was Lord Jagannath’s Jayadeva was very devoted to Shri Krishna order and he could not go against it. Jay- from his childhood and learnt the scriptures adeva married Padmavathi and came back at a very young age. He was incessantly lost to his village Kendybilva and they lived in prayers of Shri Krishna. His parents left happily there and prayed to Radha Madhav for Vanaprastha after sometime and Jay- in their house regularly. adeva led a nomadic life. After sometime Jayadeva went on a pil- One day, he had a divine visualization and grimage. On his way he met King Laksh- went into an ecstatic state. In his divine mana Sena who was very impressed with vision, he saw the Yamuna River lowing Jayadeva and insisted on him to stay with through four Blue Mountains. Beside the him and accepted him as his Guru. Later, river bank, under a tree, Lord Shri Krishna Padmavathi joined Jayadeva, and the King was playing his lute delightfully. The vi- was surprised to learn that his Guru was a sion of Krishna and His music enthralled Grihastha. Jayadeva explained to the King Jayadeva so much that he composed a Sh- that one can be a Sanyasin even as a Gri- loka extempore. This gave birth to the fa- hastha if one performs one’s duties without mous epic, ‘Gita Govinda’, validating the attachment to the fruits. words ‘Poetry is a spontaneous overlow of powerful feelings and emotions’. He explained that renunciation meant

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 15 gaining control over the mind and all the Jagannath during the annual festival even senses. Jayadeva’s life is an example to the to this day. world that God-realisation can be had even as a Grihastha. Jayadeva's last days

Padmavathi was a perfect match for Jay- Jayadeva had taken a vow that he would adeva as she too was a pious lady and was take bath in the Ganga till the end of his life. inspired by her husband’s faith She treated As he became old he became indisposed. him like a God. She spent her hours in spir- Due to his tapas, Ganga herself appeared itual discourses to other ladies in the court. with lotus lowers in the well of Jayadeva’s house. Finally, Jayadeva attained the Lotus Soon Jayadeva came back to his village and feet of Lord Shri Krishna. while residing here, he completed his fa- mous ‘Gita Govinda’. Through Sanskrit Such was the glorious life of Jayadeva, one songs this describes Shri Krishna's court- of the greatest devotees of Lord Shri Krish- ship of Radha. With lucid and tender lyrics, na. He led a simple, humble, unpretentious the Gita Govinda explores the many difer- life with no possessions, and always found ent aspects of love and passion. joy and happiness in meditating on Lord Shri Krishna, and was a perfect embodi- He was deeply involved in his songs and ment of forgiveness. sang them wholeheartedly. The Lord fol- lowed him all the time, to listen to his ren- Glory to Jayadeva Goswami whose life in- ditions. The Ashtakas are sung before Lord spires us all!

Sri Rādha, ‘as an ecstatic concept about an exquisite beauty' is the su- preme love of the Jivatma, long- ing for the union with Shri Madhava, ‘the supreme bliss’, the Paramātmā.

Saint Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam is a lyrical master piece, infused with the divine romantics and poetic aesthet- ics beautifully bringing out the an- guish in separation and joy in uniting of divine pair Shri Rādha and Krishna.

The next few pages provide selected vers- es, each with 8 stanzas (and hence called the Ashtapadi).

16 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetham: 1 (Rāgam: Mālav) pralaya-payodhijale dhṛtavānasi vedaṃ vihita-vahitra-caritram akhedam | keśava dhṛta-mīna-śarīra - jaya jagadīśa hare kṣitirati-vipulatare tava tiṣṭhati pṛṣṭhe dharaṇī-dharaṇa-kina-cakra-gariṣṭhe | keśava dhṛta-kaccapa-rūpa - jaya jagadīśa hare ||1|| vasati daśana-śikhare dharaṇī tava lagnā śaśini kalaṅka-kaleva nimagnā | keśava dhṛta-sūkara-rūpa - jaya jagadīśa hare ||2|| tava kara-kamala-vare nakhaṃ adbhuta-śṛṅgaṃ dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛṅgaṃ | keśava dhṛta-nara-hari-rūpa - jaya jagadīśa hare ||3|| chalayasi vikramaṇe balimadbhuta-vāmana pada-nakha-nīra-janita-jana-pāvana | keśava dhṛta-vāmana-rupa - jaya jagadīśa hare ||4|| kṣatryya-rudhira-maye jagad apagata-pāpaṃ snapayasi payasi śamita-bhava-tāpam | O Keshavā, keśava dhṛta-bhṛgu-pati-rūpa - jaya jagadīśa hare ||5||

Donning the body of a ish you vitarasi dikṣu raṇe dik-pati-kamanīyaṃ daśa-mukha-mauli-bali ramaṇīyam | indefatigably upheld all the four keśava dhṛta-rāma-śarīra - jaya jagadīśa hare ||6|| Vedas; as a tortoise, you still carry the earth on your back; in vahasi vapuṣi viṣade vasanaṃ jaladābhaṃ the form of Narasimha your ever hala-hati-bhīti-milita-yamunābham | shining inger nails tore apart the keśava dhṛta-hala-dhara-rūpa - jaya jagadīśa hare || 7 || evil; as a dwarf you surpass all nindasi yajña-vidheḥ ahaha! śruti-jātam worlds; as the mien of Parashu sadaya-hṛdaya darśita-paśu-ghātam | Ram you came as the saviour; in keśava dhṛta-buddha-śarīra - jaya jagadīśa hare || 8 || Shri Rama you showed dharma; as Balarama, your plough rip- mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavālaṃ pled the resources of Yamunā; in dhūma-ketum iva kim api karālam | the form of Buddhā, you rekin- keśava dhṛta-kalki-śarīra - jaya jagadīśa hare || 9 || dled the spirit of non-violence; śri-jayadeva-kaveridam uditam udāraṃ as Kalki, henceforth you will śṛṇu sukhadaṃ śubhadaṃ bhava-sāram | come wielding the comet like keśava dhṛta-daśavidha-rūpa - jaya jagadīśa hare ||10 || sword to cut asunder the delu- sion! O Hari, I pray to you!

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 17 Geetham: 2 (Rāgam: Bhairavi)

śrita-kamalā-kuca-maṇḍala dhṛta-kuṇḍala kalita-lalita-vana-māla jaya jaya deva hare

dina-maṇi-maṇḍala-maṇḍana bhava-khaṇḍana muni-jana-mānasa-haṃsa jaya jaya deva hare ||1||

kāliya-viṣa-dhara-gañjana jana-rañjana yadukula-nalina-dineśa jaya jaya deva hare ||2||

madhu-mura-naraka-vināśana garuḍāsana sura-kula-keli-nidāna jaya jaya deva hare ||3||

amala-kamala-dala-locana bhava-mocana O Krishnā, tribhuvana-bhuvana-nidhāna jaya jaya deva hare ||4||

Forever caressing Goddess Lak- shmi, you are everywhere as janaka-sutā-kṛta-bhūṣaṇa jita-dūṣaṇa the efulgence of all Suns and as samara-śamita-daśa-kaṇṭha jaya jaya deva hare ||5|| a softly swimming swan in the minds of great devotees. Dancing atop Kālīya, you relieve all from abhinava-jala-dhara-sundara dhṛta-mandara the clutches of Samsarā; You are śrī-mukha-candra-cakora jaya jaya deva hare ||6|| the pendant of Seethā, the anni- hilator of all demons; and like a fresh and vapour blue rain cloud, tava caraṇaṃ praṇatā vayam iti bhāvaya you shower the supreme bliss kuru kuśalaṃ praṇateṣu jaya jaya deva hare ||7|| upon the devotees, who with these verses of Jayadevā, adore śrī-jayadeva-kaver idaṃ kurute mudam thy divine feet! May your grace bestow upon all who sing, listen maṅgalam ujjvala-gītaṃ jaya jaya deva hare ||8|| and rejoice, O God!

18 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 3 (Rāgam: Vasantā) vasante vasantī-kusuma-sukumārair avayavair bhramantīṃ kāntāre bahu-vihita-kṛṣṇānusaraṇām | amandaṃ kandarpa-jvara-janita-cintākulatayā valad-bāḍhaṃ rādhāṃ sarasam idam ūce saha-carī || lalita-lavaṅga-latā-pariśīlana-komala-malaya-samīre | madhukara-nikara-karambita- kokila-kūjita-kuñja-kuṭīre ||1|| viharati haririha sarasa-vasante nṛtyati yuvati-janena samaṃ sakhi virahi-janasya durante ||Pallavi|| unmada-madana-manoratha-pathika- vadhū-jana-janita-vilāpe | ali-kula-saṅkula-kusuma-samūha- nirākula-bakula-kalāpe ||2|| mṛga-mada-saurabha-rabhasa-vaśaṃvada- nava-dala-māla-tamāle | The healing touch of spring- yuva-jana-hṛdaya-vidāraṇa manasija-nakha-ruci-kiṃśuka-jāle ||3|| time is here, the season that heightens the longing of the madana-mahīpati-kanaka-daṇḍa-ruci- lovers who sufer from the hia- kesara-kusuma-vikāse | tus that keep them apart! The milita-śilī-mukha-pāṭala-paṭala- white, yellow and many such kṛta-smara-tūṇa-vilāse ||4|| coloured lowers are carpet- ing the ground; the shower of vigalita-lajjita-jagad-avalokana-taruṇa-karuṇa-kṛta-hāse | soft petals from the trees un- virahi-nikṛntana-kunta-mukhākṛti- ketaka-danturitāśe ||5|| ravel their intense love through the gentle release of their fra- mādhavika-parimala-lalite nava-mālati-jāti-sugandhau | grance; like the bulging Yamu- muni-manasām api mohana-kārīṇi na, the loving hearts bloat with taruṇākaraṇa-bandhau ||6|| the desire to unite! sphurad-atimukta-latā-parirambhana- muku1ita-pulakita-cūte | The yearning soul so infatuated vṛndāvana-vīpine parīsara-parigata-yamunā-jala-pūte ||7|| seeks momentous redemption through the union, O Krishnā, śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇitam idam the frolicking dancer of our udayati hari-caraṇa-smṛti-sāram | hearts! sarasa-vasanta-samaya-vana-varṇanam anugata-madana-vikāram ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 19 Geetham: 4 (Rāgam: Pantuvarali )

candana-carcita-nīla-kalevara- pīta-vasana-vana-mālī | keli-calan-maṇi-kuṇḍala-maṇḍita- gaṇḍa-yuga-smita-śālī ||1||

haririha mugdha-vadhū-nikare vilāsini vilāsati kelī-pare ||Pallavi||

pīna-payodhara-bhāra-bhareṇa hariṃ parirabhya sarāgam | gopa-vadhūranugāyati kācid udañcita-parama-rāgam ||2||

kāpi vilāsa-vilola-vilocana- khelana-janita-manojam | dhyāyati mugdha-vadhūradhikaṃ madhusūdana-vadana-sarojam ||3||

kāpi kapola-tale militā lapituṃ kim api śruti-mūle | cāru cucumba nitambavatī dayitaṃ pulakair anukūle ||4|| O Krishnā, bedaubed with sandal paste, your sapphire keli-kalā-kutukena ca kācid body, garlanded with the arch amuṃ yamunā-jala-kūle | mañjula-vañjula-kuñja-gataṃ of basil leaves and fragrant vicakarṣa kareṇa dukūle ||5|| lowers is in constant touch by the coyly damsels; the restless kara-tala-tāla-tarala-valayāvali- Jeevās, who are singing your kalita-kalasvana-vaṃśe | praise and joyously, you play rāsa-rase saha-nṛtya-parā hariṇa-yuvatī-praśaśaṃse ||6|| and plant your bliss with a kiss on one and many! śliṣyati kām api cumbati kām api kām api ramayati rāmām | paśyati sa-smita-cāru-tarām As you mingle amidst a cote- aparām anugacchati vāmām ||7|| rie of ravishing damsels, one’s lips trying to impart a secret śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇitam idam plea in your ears instead seals adbhuta-keśava-keli-rahasyam | a kiss on thy cheek; Is not my vṛndāvana-vipine lalitaṃ vitanotu śubhāni yaśasyam ||8|| turn to impart a plea? Your glory thus Jayadevā speaks.

20 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 5 (Rāgam: Thodi)

viharati vane rādhā sādhāraṇa-praṇaye harau vigalita-nijotkarṣādīrṣyā-vaśena gatā’nyataḥ | kvacid api latā-kuñje guñjan-madhu-vrata-maṇḍalī mukhara-śikhare līna dīnāpyuvāca rahaḥ sakhīm || sañcarad-adhara-sudhā-madhura-dhvani- mukharita-mohana-vaṃśam | calita-dṛg-añcala-cañcala-mauli- kapola-vilola-vataṃsam | rāse harim iha vihita-vilāsaṃ smarati mano mama kṛta-parihāsam ||Pallavi||1|| candraka-cāru-mayūra-śikhaṇḍaka- maṇḍala-valayita-keśam | pracura-purandara-dhanur-anurañjita- medura-mudira-suveśam ||2|| gopa-kadamba-nitambavatī-mukha- cumbana-lambhita-lobham | bandhujīva-madhurādhara-pallavam ullasita-smita-śobham ||3|| In my heart I still see Hari vipula-pulaka-bhuja-pallava-valayita- dance, in playful merriment ballava-yuvati-sahasram | and scorn of me. Nodding kara-caraṇorasi maṇi-gaṇa-bhūṣaṇa- with every nod of your head, kiraṇa-vibhinna-tamisram ||4|| the peacock feathers dance in jalada-paṭala-calad-indu-vinindaka- tune; with the side glance of candana-tilaka-lalāṭam | your eyes, spanning long to pīna-payodhara-parisara-mardana- your studded ears, the bliss nirdaya-hṛdaya-kapāṭam ||5|| lows, melting my heart, as maṇi-maya-makara-manohara-kuṇḍala- your face beams with an air maṇḍita-gaṇḍam udāram | of curiousness dispelling the pīta-vasanam anugata-muni-manuja- darkness around, all are seek- surāsura-vara-parivāram ||6|| ing your embrace, O Krishnā! viśada-kadamba-tale militaṃ kali-kaluṣa-bhayaṃ śamayantam | As you frolicking around, mām api kim api tarala-taraṅgad- blithely making fun of me, I anaṅga-dṛśā manasā ramayantam ||7|| recite the enchanting songs of śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇitam atisundara- mohana-madhu-ripu-rūpam | Jayadevā. hari-caraṇa-smaraṇaṃ prati samprati puṇyavatām anurūpam ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 21 Geetham: 6 (Rāgam: Khāmboji )

nibhṛta-nikuñja-gṛhaṃ gatayā niśi rahasi nilīya vasantam | cakīta-vilokita-sakala-diśā rati-rabhasa-bhareṇa hasantam ||1||

sakhi he keśī-mathanam udāram ramaya mayā saha madana-manoratha- bhāvitayā sa-vikāram ||Pallavi||

prathama-samāgama-lajjitayā paṭu-cāṭu-śatair anukūlam | mṛdu-madhura-smita-bhāṣitayā śithilī-kṛta-jaghana-dukūlam ||2||

kīsala-śayana-niveśitayā ciram urasi mamaiva śayānam | kṛta-parirambhaṇa-cumbanayā parirabhya kṛtādhara-pānam ||3||

alasa-nimīlita-locanayā pulakāvali-lalita-kapolam | śrama-jala-sakala-kalevarayā vara-madana-madād atilolam ||4|| O Mādhavā, the enemy of evil Keshi, can’t you change your kokila-kala-rava-kūjitayā frolicking ways and meet me jita-manasija-tantra-vicāram | at once, as I am intensely in ślatha-kusumākula-kuntalayā love of your grace! nakaha-likhita-ghana-stana-bhāram ||5||

caraṇa-raṇita-maṇi-nūpurayā Behold, can’t you see my paripūrita-surata-vitānam | dress of ignorance are shed mukhara-viśṛṅkhala-mekhalayā sakaca-graha-cumbana-dānam ||6|| at the very moment of your

thoughts? Uninhibited I am rati-sukha-samaya-rasālasayā as I bare my soul and all for dara-mukulita-nayana-sarojam | you to see! niḥsaha-nipatita-tanu-latayā madhusūdanam udita-manojam ||7||

Can’t you mend your ways to śri-jayadeva-bhaṇitam idam mingle with me, who is sing- atiśaya-madhu-ripu-nidhuvana-śīlam | ing the melodious verses of sukham utkaṇṭhita-gopa-vadhū-kathitaṃ Jayadevā, the ardent devotee vitanotu salilaṃ ||8|| of Maha Lakshmi!

22 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 7 (Rāgam: Thodi) itastatas-tāmanusṛtya rādhikām anaṅga-bāṇa-vraṇa-khinna-mānasaḥ | kṛtānutāpaḥ sa kalinda-nandinī- taṭānta-kuñje viṣasāda mādhavaḥ || (Shlokam) māmiyaṃ calitā vilokya vṛtaṃ vadhū-nicayena | sāparādhatayā mayāpi na vāritā’tibhayena || hari hari hatā’daratayā sā gatā kupiteva ||Pallavi||1|| kiṃ kariṣyati kiṃ vadiṣyati sā ciraṃ viraheṇa | kiṃ dhanena janena kiṃ mama jīvitena gṛheṇa ||2|| cintayāmi tadānanaṃ kuṭila-bhru-kopabhareṇa | śoṇa-padmam ivopari- bhramatākulaṃ bhramareṇa ||3|| tām ahaṃ hṛdi saṅgatām anīśaṃ bhṛśaṃ ramayāmi | O Mādhavā! kiṃ vane’nusarāmi tāmiha kiṃ vṛthā vilapāmi ||4|| May you regret for your tanvi khinnam asūyayā thoughtless act, by which hṛdayaṃ tavākalayāmi | tanna vedmi kuto gatāsi na Rādhā, the wandering Jivā tena te’nunayāmi ||5|| moved apart! dṛśyase purato gatāgatameva me vidadhāsi | May You vow to show with kiṃ pureva sasambhramaṃ courteous words, the healing parirambhaṇaṃ na dadāsi ||6|| touch; may the bows of love kṣamyatām aparaṃ kadāpi pierce thy heart, arousing in tavedṛśaṃ na karomi | you the most shower of grace, dehi sundari darśanaṃ mama to seek and take me as your be- manmathena dunomi ||7|| loved part! varṇitaṃ jayadevakena hareridaṃ pravaṇena | kindu-bilva-samudra-sambhava- rohiṇī-ramaṇena ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 23 Geetham: 8 (Rāgam: Saurāshtram / Kanada )

yamunā-tīra-vānīra-nikuñje mandaṃ āsthitaṃ | prāha-prema-bharodbhrāntaṃ mādhavaṃ rādhikā-sakhī ||

nindati candanam indukiraṇam anu vindati khedam adhīram | vyāla-nilaya-milanena garalam iva kalayati malaya-samīram ||1||

mādhava manasija-viśikha-bhayād iva bhāvanayā tvayi līnā | sā virahe tava dīnā ||Pallavi||

avirala-nipatita-madana-śarādiva bhavadavanāya vīśālam | sva-hṛdaya-marmaṇi varma karoti sajala-nalinī-dala-jālam ||2||

kusuma-viśikha-śara-talpam analpa-vilāsa-kalā-kamanīyam | vratam iva tava parirambha-sukhāya karoti kusuma-śayanīyam ||3||

O Mādhava! Let my Bhakti be vahati ca calita-vilocana-jala-bharam the messenger maid; Do hear ānana-kamalam udāram | her words. vidhum iva vikaṭa-vidhuntuda-danta- dalana-galitāmṛta-dhāram ||4||

In Mādhava’s thoughts is vilikhati rahasi kuraṅga-madena Rādhā’s dread of the love- bhavantam asama-śara-bhūtam | god’s arrows; being apart and praṇamati makaram adho vinidhāya sad, in your thoughts alone she kare ca śaraṃ nava-cūtam ||5|| wanders; as your absence ter- dhyāna-layena puraḥ parikalpya riies in the midst of treach- bhavantam atīva durāpam | erous woods of Samsārā, like vilapati hasati viṣīdati roditi cañcati muñcati tāpam ||6|| a fearsome tiger sporting a helpless deer, don’t you tease! prati-padam idam api nigadati mādhava tava caraṇe patitāham | tvayi vimukhe mayi sapadi sudhā-nidhirapi I sing the words of Jayadevā to tanute tanu-dāham ||7|| please! śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇitam idam adhikaṃ yadi manasā naṭanīyam | hari-virahākula-ballava-yuvati sakhī-vacanaṃ paṭhanīyam ||8||

24 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 9 (Rāgam: Bilahari)

(Shlokam)

āvāso vipināyate priyasakhī-mālāpi jālāyate tāpo’pi śvasitena dāva-dahana-jvālākalāpāyate| sāpi tvad-viraheṇa hanta hariṇī-rūpāyate hā katham kandarpo’pi yamāyate viracayan śārdūlavikrīḍitam|| stana-vinihitam api hāram udāram | sā manute kṛśa-tanuratibhāram | rādhikā kṛṣṇa rādhikā tava virahe keśava ||1|| sarasa-masṛṇam api malayaja-paṅkam | paśyati viṣamiva vapuṣi saśaṅkam | rādhikā kṛṣṇa rādhikā tava virahe keśava ||2||

śvasita-pavanam anupama-pariṇāham | madana-dahanam iva vahati sadāham | rādhikā kṛṣṇa rādhikā tava virahe keśava ||3|| diśi diśi kirati sajala-kaṇa-jālam | nayana-nalinam iva vigalita-nālam | O Mādhava! rādhikā kṛṣṇa rādhikā tava virahe keśava ||4|| nayana-viṣayam api kisalaya-talpam | Don’t you know how Rādhā kalayati vihita-hutāśa-vikalpam | feels deserted. The burden of rādhikā kṛṣṇa rādhikā tava virahe keśava keśava ||5|| not seeing your grace bulges her heart! The pleasure of tyajati na pāṇi-talena kapolam | bāla-śaśinam iva sāyam alolam | worldly objects turn to res- rādhikā kṛṣṇa rādhikā tava virahe keśava ||6|| ervoirs of pain; nothing ele matters, as she scatters her haririti haririti japati sakāmam | tears of love; your absence viraha-vihita-maraṇena nikāmam | brings her death. In the sick- rādhikā kṛṣṇa rādhikā tava virahe keśava ||7|| bed of her longings, she lays śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇitam iti gītam | grieving; as the divine phy- sukhayatu keśava-padam upanītam | sician, with your mere touch, rādhikā kṛṣṇa rādhikā tava virahe keśava ||8|| make her come alive into your chest. May Jayadevā's song so chanted, lead to Krishnā's di- vine feet.

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 25 Geetham: 10 (Rāgam: Ananda Bhairavi)

vahati malaya-samīre madanam upanidhāya | sphuṭati kusuma-nikare virahi-hṛdaya-dalanāya ||1||

tava virahe vanamālī sakhi sīdati radhe ||Pallavi||

dahati śiśira-mayūkhe maraṇam anukaroti | patati madana-viśikhe vilapati vikalataro’ti ||2||

dhvanati madhupa-samūhe śravaṇam api dadhāti | manasi kalita-virahe niśi niśi rujamupayāti ||3||

vasati vipina-vitāne tyajati lalita-dhāma | luṭhati dharaṇi-śayane bahu vilapati tava nāma ||4||

raṇati pika samavāye pratidiśam anuyāti | Like the forest garlanded sit- ting apart, O Mādhava, You hasati manuja nicaye virahamapalapati neti ||5|| and Rādhā (the Paramātmā and Jivātmā) seem far apart. sphurati kalaravarāve smarati maṇitameva |

But as you lay sleepless in the tava ratisukha vibhave gaṇayati suguṇamatīva ||6|| fervent thought of your love, the fragrance of your benign grace spreads and pervades tvadabhidha-śubhada-māsam vadati nāri śruṇoti | like the humming bees re- tamapi japati sarasaṃ yuvatiṣu nāratimupaiti ||7|| lieving the pain of absence in the heart of devoted Rādhā; this the song of versatile poet bhaṇati kavi-jayadeve viraha-vilasitena | Jayadevā melodiously nar- manasi rabhasa-vibhave harirudayatu sukṛitena ||8 || rates.

26 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 11 (Rāgam: Kedāragowlam) rati-sukha-sāre gatam abhisāre madana-manohara-veśam | na kuru nitambini gamana-vilambanam anusara taṃ hṛdayeśam ||1|| dhīra-samīre yamunā-tīre vasati vane vanamālī | gopī-pīna-payodhara-mardana- caṃcala-karayuga-śālī ||Pallavi|| nāma sametaṃ kṛta-saṅketaṃ vādayate mṛduveṇum | bahu manute nanu te tanu-saṅgata- pavana-calitam api reṇum ||2|| patati patatre vicalati patre śaṅkita-bhavad upayānam | racayati śayanaṃ sacakita-nayanaṃ paśyati tava panthānam ||3|| mukharam adhīraṃ tyaja mañjīraṃ ripum iva kelisu lolam | cala sakhi kuñjaṃ satimira-puñjaṃ The Maiden of Bhakti fans śīlaya nīla-nicolam ||4|| the lame of love in Rādhā , the lame so intense to warm urasi murārerupahita-hāre the heart of Mādhav, who is ghana iva tarala-balāke . joyfully playing on the leafy taḍid iva pīte rati-viparīte shorelines of Yamunā! rājasi sukṛta-vipāke ||5|| vigalita-vasanaṃ parihṛta-rasanaṃ He plays your name only, O ghaṭaya jaghanam api dhānam . Rādhā, softly on his lute! kisalaya-śayane paṅkaja-nayane nidhim iva harṣa-nidānam ||6| Arise and let your cladding of ignorance shed; bear your soul harirabhimānī rajaniridānīm and plead as the night of de- iyam api yāti virāmam . lusion is ending, for the mercy kuru mama vacanaṃ satvara-racanaṃ of Krishnā, the enemy of evil pūraya madhuripu-kāmam ||7|| Madhu, as Hari’s compassion śrījayadeve kṛtahariseve bhaṇati is so immense and profound parama-ramaṇīyam . as Jayadevā beautifully nar- pramudita-hṛdayaṃ harim atisadayaṃ rates. namata sukṛta-kamanīyam ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 27 Geetham: 12 (Rāgam: Sankarābharanam)

(Shlokam)

atha tāṃ gantum aśaktāṃ ciram anuraktāṃ latā-gṛhe dṛṣṭvā |

tac-caritaṃ govinde manasija- mande sakhī prāha ||

paśyati diśi diśi rahasi bhavantam | tvad-adhara-madhura-madhūni pibantam ||1||

nātha hare jagan-nātha hare sīdati rādhā vāsa-gṛhe ||Pallavi||

tvad-abhisaraṇa-rabhasena valantī | patati padāni kiyantī calantī ||2||

vihita-viśada-bisa-kisalaya-valayā | The maiden of Bhakti carries jīvati param iha tava rati-kalayā ||3|| the message to Mādhavā for letting the all-knower know muhur avalokita-maṇḍana-līlā | the anguish of Rādhā; as the madhu-ripuraham iti bhāvana-śīlā ||4|| devoted soul, her steps so fragile and she falls; in deep tvaritam upaiti na katham abhisāram | thoughts of you, she stalls. haririti vadati sakhīm anuvāram ||5||

śliṣyati cumbati jala-dhara-kalpam | In love, she kisses the dark- harirupagata iti timiram analpam ||6|| ness, caresses the clouds as if in the colours, the Hari has bhavati vilambini vigalita-lajjā | come! vilapati roditi vāsaka-sajjā ||7||

What modesty is left as her śrī-jayadeva-kaver idam uditam | veil of ignorance utterly fall! rasika-janaṃ tanutām atimuditam ||8|| Baring all she calls! Singing this song, may the pride of Jayadevā spread to all!

28 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 13 (Rāgam: Ahiri)

kathitasamaye’pi harirahaha na yayau vanam | mama viphalam idam amalarūpam api yauvanam ||1|| yāmi he kam iha śaraṇaṃ sakhī-jana-vacana-vañcitā ||Pallavi|| yadanugamanāya niśi gahanam api śīlitam | tena mama hṛdayam idam asama-śara-kīlitam ||2|| mama maraṇam eva varam iti vitatha-ketanā | kim iha viṣahāmi virahānalam acetanā ||3|| mām ahaha vidhurayati madhura-madhu-yāminī | kāpi harim anubhavati O The maiden of Bhakti! kṛta-sukṛta-kāminī ||4|| What refuge is there when a dear friend deceives and de- ahaha kalayāmi serts? Only in vain and great valayādi-maṇi-bhūṣaṇam | hari-viraha-dahana-vahanena pain, I searched along, for the bahu-dūṣaṇam ||5|| elusive Lord, for long! Is my penance utter useless; should kusuma-sukumāra-tanum I hurry to death! While I am atanu-śara-līlayā | cyring in search of Him, the sragapi hṛdi hanti mām Lord sports with those, per- ativiṣama-śilayā ||6|| haps more merited than me! aham iha nivasāmi What am I to do? May the na-gaṇita-vana-vetasā | words of Jaydevā as I sing, fall smarati madhusūdano on His divine feet! mām api na cetasā ||7|| hari-caraṇa-śaraṇa What refuge is there when a jayadeva-kavi-bhāratī | friend deceives and deserts? vasatu hṛdi yuvatiriva komala-kalāvatī ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 29 Geetham: 14 (Rāgam: Sāranga)

smara-samarocita-viracita-veśā | galita-kusuma-dara-vilulita-keśā ||1||

kāpi madhuripuṇā vilasati yuvatiradhika-guṇā ||Pallavi||

hari-parirambhana-calita-vikārā | kuca-kalaśopari taralita-hārā ||2||

vicalad-alaka-lalitānana-candrā | tad-adhara-pāna-rabhasa-kṛta-tandrā ||3||

cañcala-kuṇḍala-dalita-kapolā | mukharita-rasana-jaghana-gati-lolā ||4||

dayita-vilokita-lajjita-hasitā | O The maiden of Bhakti! bahu-vidha-kūjita-rati-rasa-rasitā ||5|| Can’t you see my anguish! Krishna’s garland is some- one’s but not mine! vipula-pulaka-pṛthu-vepathu-bhaṅgā | śvasita-nimīlita-vikasad-anaṅgā ||6|| Exhausted but can I ever dis- lodge the love on Mādhavā! śrama-jala-kaṇa-bhara-subhaga-śarīrā | Yet the Lord does not seem to respond! Sporting with paripatitorasi rati-raṇa-dhīrā ||7|| all, does he ever care for my trembling body, shimmering śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇita-hari-ramitam | in the lustre of divine love? kali-kaluṣaṃ janayatu pariśamitam ||8||

Behold, Krishna’s garland is someone’s and not mine!

30 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 15 (Rāgam: Saverii)

samudita-madane ramaṇī-vadane cumbana-valitādhare | mṛga-mada-tilakaṃ likhati sapulakaṃ mṛgam iva rajanī-kare ||1|| ramate yamunā-pulina-vane vijayī murāriradhunā ||Pallavi|| ghana-caya-rucire racayati cikure taralita-taruṇānane | kurubaka-kusumaṃ capalā suṣamaṃ rati-pati-mṛga-kānane ||2|| ghaṭayati sughane kuca-yuga-gagaṇe mṛga-mada-ruci-rūṣite | maṇi-saram amalaṃ tāraka-paṭalaṃ nakha-pada-śaśi-bhūṣite ||3|| jita-bisa-śakale mṛdu-bhuja-yugale kara-tala-nalinī-dale | O the Maiden of Bhakti! marakata-valayaṃ madhu-kara-nicayaṃ vitarati hima-śītale ||4|| The Lord is triumphantly rev- rati-gṛha-jaghane vipulāpaghane elling in the dense-wooded manasija-kanakāsane | shores of Yamunā with others maṇi-maya-rasanaṃ toraṇa-hasanaṃ while I am at a loss. Every- vikirati kṛta-vāsane||5|| one else is in his embrace;, he caraṇa-kisalaye kamalā-nilaye paints with lac the feet that nakha-maṇi-gaṇa-pūjite | touch his heart and pours the bahir-apavaraṇaṃ yāvaka-bharaṇaṃ wealth of Shri Mahalakshmi. janayati hṛdiyojite ||6|| ramayati subhṛśaṃ kām api sudṛśaṃ While he plays and pleases all, khala-hala-dhara-sodare | why I am alone in this long kim aphalam avaśaṃ ciram iha virasaṃ wall where darkness fall! Let vada sakhi viṭapodare ||7|| this veil of Kali be cut asunder by singing the glory of Hari, as iha rasa-bhaṇane kṛta-hari-guṇane Jayadevā speakes. madhu-ripu-pada-sevake | kali-yuga-racitaṃ na vasatu duritaṃ kavi-nṛpa-jayadevake ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 31 Geetham: 16 (Rāgam: Punnagavarali)

anila-tarala-kuvalaya-nayanena | tapati na sā kisalaya-śayanena ||1||

sakhi yā ramitā vana-mālinā ||Pallavi ||

vikasita-sarasija-lalita-mukhena | sphuṭati na sā manasija-viśikhena ||2||

amṛta-madhura-mṛdu-tara-vacanena | jvalati na sā malayaja-pavanena ||3||

sthala-jala-ruha-ruci-kara-caraṇena | luṭhati na sā hima-kara-kiraṇena ||4||

With Lord’s embrace, the for- sajalajalada-samudaya-rucireṇa | est of Samsara is gone at once! dalati na sā hṛdi cira-viraheṇa ||5|| In his divine touch, the pal- liasse of karma-leaves turn soft that cannot scortch; his kanaka-nikaṣa-ruci-śuci-vasanena | grace of arrow never breaks śvasiti na sā parijana-hasanena ||6|| the hearts so tender but gen- tly opens, no wonder! sakala-bhuvana-jana-vara-taruṇena | With his pleasing words of vahati na sā rujam atikaruṇena ||7|| love, the torturous breeze won’t burn. His touch of gold śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇita-vacanena | will bring radiant clouds with the shower of kindness! Per- praviśatu harir api hṛdayam anena ||8 || haps just for this pain of long- ing, blessed am I, than the whole world of objects. These words of Jayadevā, O my friend, may give the entry of Hari into the heart!

32 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 17 (Rāgam: Arabhi)

atha katham api yāminīṃ vinīya smara-śara-jarjaritā’pi sā prabhāte | anunaya-vacanaṃ vadantam agre praṇatam api priyam āha sābhyasūyam || (Shlokam) rajani-janita-guru-jāgara-rāga-kaṣāyitam alasa-niveśaṃ | vahati nayanam anurāgam iva sphūṭam udita-rasābhiniveśam ||1|| yāhi mādhava yāhi keśava mā vada kaitavavādaṃ | tām anusara sarasīruha-locana yā tava harati viṣādam ||Pallavi|| kajjala-malina-vilocana-cumban a-viracita-nīlima-rūpam | daśana-vasanam aruṇam tava kṛṣṇa tanoti tanoranurūpaṃ ||2|| vapuranuharati tava smara-saṃhara-khara- nakhara-kṣata-rekham | marakata-śakala-kalita-kaladhauta-liperiva ratijaya-lekham ||3|| Enough of the ordeal and caraṇa-kamala-galad-alaktaka-siktam your belated benevolence, O idam tava hṛdayam udāraṃ | Mādhavā! Let me warn you, darsayatīva bahirmadana-druṇa- speak no lies! nava-kisalaya-parivāram ||4|| daśana-padaṃ bhavadadhara-gataṃ O Hari, Krishnā, Keshavā, the mama janayati cetasi khedam | marks of many victories adore kathayati katham adhunāpi your divine body! By suck- mayā saha tava vapuretad abhedam ||5|| ing the poisonous milk, you bathed in blue. Is you mind bahiriva malinataraṃ tava kṛṣṇa mano’pi bhaviṣyati nūnam | darker than your color so as to kathamatha vañcayase janam let your devotees whither out anugatam asamaśara-jvara-dūnam ||6|| in anguish! bhramati bhavān abalā-kavalāya vaneṣu kim atra vicitram | Listen to the words of prathayati pūtanikaiva vadhū- Jayadevā, come to me and vadha-nirdaya-bālacaritram ||7|| speak no lies or plea for an excuse! śrījayadeva-bhaṇita-rativañcita-khaṇḍita yuvati-vilāpam | śṛṇuta sudhāmadhuraṃ vibudhā vibudhālayato’pi durāpam ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 33 Geetham: 18 (Rāgam: Yadukulakāmbhoji)

harirabhisarati vahati madhu-pavane | kim aparam adhika-sukhaṃ sakhi bhavane ||1||

mādhave mā kuru mānini mānam aye ||Pallavi ||

tāla-phalād api gurum atisarasam | kiṃ viphalī-kuruṣe kuca-kalaśam ||2||

kati na kathitam idam anupadam aciram | mā parihara harim atīśaya-ruciram ||3||

kim iti viṣīdasi rodiṣi vikalā | vihasati yuvati-sabhā tava sakalā ||4||

O Rādhā, Why are you scorning sajala-nalinī-dala-śītala-śayane | the divine pursuit of Mādhav? harim avalokaya saphalaya nayane ||5|| Who else can give the supreme bliss? Press your heart at his feet and count on his grace; janayasi manasi kim iti guru-khedam | deem all his apparent deceits śṛṇu mama vacanam anīhita-bhedam ||6|| as only his benevolent gifts

that lame your love! harir upayātu vadatu bahu-madhuram | kim iti karoṣi hṛdayam atividhuram ||7|| Senseless speech of parting is waste! How could you ever śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇitam atilalitaṃ | move away from the ever wit- nessing joy that is so chaste! sukhayatu rasika-janaṃ hari-caritaṃ ||8|| May you not be the laughing stock! Open your lotus eyes and instil in them the locus of Hari, whose glory that the tasteful Jayadevā sings.

34 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 19 (Rāgam: Mukhāri) atrāntare masṛṇa-roṣa-vaśām apāra- niḥśvāsa-niḥsaha-mukhīṃ sumukhīm upetya | savrīḍam īkṣita-sakhī-vadanāṃ dinānte sānanda-gadgada-padaṃ harirityuvāca || (Shlokam) vadasi yadi kiñcidapi danta-ruci-kaumudī harati dara-timiram atighoram | sphurad adhara-sīdhave tava vadana-candramā rocayatu locana-cakoraṃ ||1|| priye cāruśīle muñca mayi mānam anidānaṃ | sapadi madanānalo dahati mama mānasam dehi mukha-kamala-madhupānaṃ ||Pallavi || satyam evāsi yadi sudati mayi kopinī dehi khara-nakhara-śaraghātam | ghaṭaya bhuja-bandhanaṃ janaya rada-khaṇḍanaṃ yena vā bhavati sukha-jātaṃ ||2|| tvamasi mama bhūṣaṇaṃ tvamasi mama jīvanaṃ tvamasi mama bhava-jaladhi-ratnam | bhavatu bhavatīha mayi satatam anurodhinī tatra mama hṛdayam atiyatnaṃ ||3|| O Rādhā, hear the word of nīla-nalinābham api tanvi tava locanaṃ Mādhav, the destroyer of evil dhārayati koka-nada-rūpaṃ | Murā: Curse not Lord, the kusumaśara-bāṇa-bhāvena yadi rañjayasi cause of all causes. Let your kṛṣṇam idam etad anurūpam ||4|| heart that is ajar now be wide open; unlock with the smile sphuratu kuca-kumbhayorupari maṇi-mañjarī rañjayatu tava hṛdaya-deśam | across your beautiful teeth; rasatu raśanāpi tava ghana-jaghana-maṇḍale as the lame of devotion rises, ghoṣayatu manmatha-nideśam ||5|| the nectar of grace abundance pours in your heart! sthala-kamala-gañjanaṃ mama hṛdaya-rañjanaṃ janita-ratiraṅga-para-bhāgam | bhaṇa masṛṇavāṇi karavāṇi caraṇadvayaṃ Fear not, as I hold your soft sarasa-lasad-alaktaka-rāgam ||6|| feet! Needless is this long smara-garala-khaṇḍanaṃ mama śirasi maṇḍanaṃ sad silence! The cure of fe- dehi pada-pallavam udāram | vered longing (for the devo- jvalati mayi dāruṇo madana-kadanāruṇo tees), is in singing the songs haratu tad upāhita-vikāram ||7|| of Jayadevā who wins in the iti caṭula-cāṭupaṭu-cāru muravairiṇo joyful eloquence of Sri Saras- rādhikām adhi vacana-jātam | wathi! jayatu jayadeva-kavi-bhāratī-bhūṣitaṃ māninī-janajanita-śātam ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 35 Geetham: 20 (Rāgam: Kalyāni)

viracita-cāṭu-vacana-racanaṃ caraṇe racita-praṇipātam | samprati mañjula-vañjula-sīmani keli-śayanam anuyātaṃ ||1||

mugdhe madhu-madanam anugatam anusara rādhike ||Pallavi||

ghana-jaghana-stana-bhāra-bhare dara-manthara-caraṇa-vihāram | mukharita-maṇi-mañjīram upaihi vidhehi marāla-vikāram ||2||

śṛṇu ramaṇīyataraṃ taruṇī-jana-mohana- madhupa-virāvam | kusuma-śarāsana-śāsana-bandini pika-nikare bhaja bhāvam ||3||

anila-tarala-kisalaya-nikareṇa kareṇa latā-nikurambam | preraṇam iva karabhoru karoti gatiṃ prati munca vilambam ||4|| The Maiden of Bhakti, the in- timate messenger to take us to God, asserts: sphuritam anaṅga-taraṅga-vaśādiva sūcita-hari-parirambham | pṛccha manohara-hāra-vimala-jala-dhāram O Rādhā, Simply follow the amuṃ kuca-kumbham ||5|| Madhu’s foe, the Mādhav, who is full of love and forev- adhigatam akhila-sakhībhiridaṃ tava er your follower! As the Lord awaits your arrival, tune into vapurapi rati-raṇa-sajjam | your mellowing heart and fol- caṇḍi rasita-rasanā-rava-ḍiṇḍimam low, singing his eternal glory! abhisara sarasam alajjam ||6||

smara-śara-subhaga-nakhena sakhīm May these shining words of avalambya kareṇa salīlam | Jayadevā, like a glittering lace of pearls embellishing cala valaya-kvaṇitairavabodhaya the beautiful neck, adorn the harim api nija-gati-śīlaṃ ||7|| mind that is deeply drawn to Hari! śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇitam adharīkṛta-hāram udāsita-vāmam | hari-viniḥita-manasām adhitiṣṭhatu kaṇṭha-taṭīm avirāmam ||8||

36 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 21 (Rāgam: Ghantā) mañjutara-kuñja tala-keli-sadane | iha vilasa rati-rabhasa hasita-vadane ||1|| praviśa rādhe mādhava-samīpam | kuru murāre maṅgala-śatāni ||Pallavi|| nava-lasad-aśoka dala-śayana-sāre | iha vilasa kuca kalaśa-tarala-hāre ||2|| kusuma-caya-racita śuci-vāsa-gehe | iha vilasa kusuma sukumāra-dehe ||3|| O Rādhā, come to Mādhavā, mṛdu-cala-malaya the bliss-eternal! Pursue your pavana-surabhi-śīte | iha vilasa madana gentle move towards the Lord śara-nikara-bhīte ||4|| of Padmāvmathi for to be blessed with joy many hun- vitata-bahu-valli dreds fold. nava-pallava-ghane | iha vilasa ciram alasa-pīna-jaghane ||5|| Why is still any anguish in you? At the feet of true devo- madhu-mudita-madhupa tees the Lord places His lov- kula-kalita-rāve | ing response and holds! Turn iha vilasa madana your darting glances at where rasa-sarasa-bhāve ||6|| it leads to the absolute sur- render. madhuratara-pīka nikara-ninada-mukhare | iha vilasa daśana O Rādhā, come to Mādhavā! ruci-rucira-śikhare ||7|| vihita-padmāvati-sukha-samāje | bhaṇati jayadeva kavi-rāja-rāje ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 37 Geetham: 22 (Rāgam: Madhyamāvati)

rādhā-vadana-vilokana-vikasita- vividha-vikāra-vibhaṅgam | jala-nidhim iva vidhu-maṇḍala-darśana- taralita-tuṅga-taraṅgam ||1||

harim eka-rasaṃ ciram abhilaṣita-vilāsam | sā dadarśa guru-harṣa-vaśaṃvada-vadanam anaṅga-nivāsaṃ ||Pallavi||

hāram amalatara-tāram urasi dadhataṃ parilambya vidūram | sphuṭatara-phena-kadamba-karambitam iva yamunā-jala-pūram ||2||

śyāmala-mṛdula-kalevara-maṇḍalam adhigata-gaura-dukūlam | nīla-nalinam iva pita-parāga-paṭala- bhara-valayita-mūlam ||3||

tarala-dṛg-añcala-calana-manohara- vadana-janita-rati-rāgam | sphuṭa-kamalodara-khelita-khañjana-yugam On Seeing Rādhā, the eternal iva śaradi taḍāgam ||4|| bliss supremely embodied in Mādhavā lows abundantly vadana-kamala-pariśīlana-milita-mihira- and in his enhanting looks sama-kuṇḍala-śobham | smita-ruci-rucira-samullasitādhara- beamed moon-lit ocean’s -ec pallava-kṛta-rati-lobham ||5|| stasy.

śaśi-kiraṇa-cchuritodara-jaladhara- Rādhā, the beauty of love pro- sundara-sakusuma-keśam | pelled by true devotion has timirodita-vidhu-maṇḍala-nirmala- arrived to unite with the Lord malayaja-tilaka-niveśam ||6|| and at the sight of her, whose vīpula-pulaka-bhara-danturitaṃ union the Lord Hari fervently rati-keli-kalābhiradhīraṃ | seeks, his whole becomes the maṇi-gaṇa-kiraṇa-samūha-samujjvala- purest of joy! bhūṣaṇa-subhaga-śarīram ||7||

śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇita-vibhava- dviguṇīkṛta-bhūṣaṇa-bhāram | praṇamata hṛdi vinidhāya hariṃ suciraṃ sukṛtodaya-sāram ||8||

38 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Geetam: 23 (Rāgam: Nadanāmakriyā) kisalayaśayana-tale kuru kāmini caraṇa-nalina-viniveśam | tava pada-pallava-vairi-parābhavam idam anubhavatu suveśaṃ ||1|| kṣaṇam adhunā nārāyaṇam anugatam anusara rādhike ||Pallavi|| kara-kamalena karomi caraṇam aham āgamitāsi vidūram | kṣaṇam upakuru śayanopari mām iva nūpuram anugati-śūram ||2|| vadana-sudhā-nidhi-galitam amṛtam iva racaya vacanam anukūlam | viraham ivāpanayāmi payodhara- rodhakam urasi dukūlaṃ ||3|| priya-parirambhaṇa-rabhasa-valitam iva pulakitam atiduravāpam | mad-urasi kuca-kalaśaṃ viniveśaya śoṣaya manasija-tāpam ||4|| The joy of divine matrimony adhara-sudhā-rasam upanaya bhāmini ceaselessly lows as the un- jīvaya mṛtam iva dāsam | ion of Shri Rādhā and Shri tvayi vinihita-manasaṃ virahānala- Mādhav, blissfully losing the dagdha-vapuṣam avilāsam ||5|| indulging Self into the su- preme consciousness! śaśi-mukhi mukharaya maṇi-raśanā-guṇam anuguṇa-kaṇṭha-ninādam | śruti-yugale pika-ruta-vikale mama śamaya May the enchanting words of cirād avasādam ||6|| Jayadevā that pleases the Lord mām ativiphala-ruṣā vikalī-kṛtam Krishnā also guide the aspir- avalokitum adhunedam | ants in the path of supreme lajjitam iva nayanaṃ tava viramati love and true surrnder. visṛja vṛthā rati-khedam ||7||

śrī-jayadeva-bhaṇitam idam anupada-nigadita-madhu-ripu-modam | janayatu rasika-janeṣu manorama-rati-rasa-bhāva-vinodam ||8||

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 39 Geetham: 24 (Rāgam: Mangalakaushikam)

kuru yadu-nandana candana-śiśiratareṇa kareṇa payodhare | mṛga-mada-patrakam atra mano-bhava-maṅgala-kalaśa-sahodare ||1||

nijagāda sā yadu-nandane krīḍati hṛdaya-nandane ||Pallavi||

ali-kula-gañjanam añjanakaṃ rati-nāyaka-sāyaka-mocane | tvad-adhara-cumbana-lambita-kajjala ujjvalaya priya locane ||2||

nayana-kuraṅga-taraṅga-vikasa nirāsa-kare śruti-maṇḍale | manasija-pāśa-vilāsa-dhare śubha-veśa niveśaya kuṇḍale ||3||

bhramara-cayaṃ racayantam upari ruciraṃ suciraṃ mama sammukhe | As Mādhav played, delighted jita-kamale vimale parikarmaya Rādhā spoke: narma-janakam alakaṃ mukhe ||4||

mṛga-mada-rasa-valitaṃ lalitaṃ kuru O Mādhavā, like the leap- tilakam alika-rajani-kare | ing freedom of the deer, may vihita-kalaṅka-kalaṃ kamalānana the release of joy be unbound; viśramita-śrama-sīkare ||5|| forever may my presence be with you and should I reclothe, mama rucire cikure kuru mānada may the truth be the cladding manasija-dhvaja-cāmare | and your benign grace the or- rati-galite lalite kusumāni namaents. śikhaṇḍi-śikhaṇḍaka-ḍāmare ||6||

sarasa-ghane jaghane mama Thus the nectar of Jayadevā śambara-dāraṇa-vāraṇa-kandare | enthrals and brings the truly maṇi-raśanā-vasanābharaṇāni compassionate hearts to the śubhāśaya vāsaya sundare ||7|| dinve feet of Hari! śrī-jayadeva-vacasi rucire sadayaṃ hṛdayaṃ kuru maṇḍane | hari-caraṇa-smaraṇāmṛta-nirmita- kali-kaluṣa-jvara-khaṇḍane ||8||

40 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Nama Sankirtanam - Bhajans

By Dr. Udaiyalur Kalyanaraman

In Kaliyuga, Namasankirtanam or chant- songs in diferent Indian languages. Sri ing of the names of God is the easiest path Swamigal visited places all over India and to get the blessings of the Almighty. Many collected many compositions from vari- great saint composers of India have com- ous composers and made a syllabus. This posed great kritis praising Lord with their is called Sampradaya Bhajan. (Sampra- divine music in their regional languages daya – traditional format) to inculcate Bhakthi. Trinities of Namasankirtanam Alwars, Nayanmars and many saints such as Sri Krishna Chaitanyar, Sri Purandara- Sri Bhagavannama Bhodendra Saraswathi dasar, Sri Kabir, Sri Tulsi Dasar, Sri Meera, Swamigal, Govindapuram, Sri Sridhara Sant Tukkaram, Sri Gnanadev, Sri Nam- Iyyaval, Thiruvisainallur (Thanjavur dt. adevar, Sri Jayadevar, Sri Bhadrachala Tamilnadu, India) and Marudanallur Sri Ramadasar, Sri Narayanatheerthar, Sri Sadguru Swamigal are the trinities of Na- Thiagaraja Swamigal, Sri Shyama Sas- masankirtanam. Sri Bhodendra Swamigal trigal, Sri Muthuswamy Dikshidar, Sri belonged to Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Gopalakrishna Bharathi and such great and he emphasized the importance of Mahaneeyas have established the Bhakthi chanting the Rama Nama. Sri Iyyaval cult through their divine music. propagated the importance of chanting the Siva Nama. Both were contemporaries. During 18th century Marudanallur Sri Sadguru Swamigal who is the incarnation Sri Sadguru Swamigal started propagat- of Lord Sri Rama propagated namasankir- ing Bhajans in all languages with musical tanam with a format consisting of many instruments. The music attracted many people and also made it easy for them to

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 41 follow his Bhajans. In this way Sri Swami- Objectives of Namasankirtanam- Bhajans gal made an exclusive syllabus to perform • To create and promote more awareness on Bhajans. As he included songs in many lan- Namasankirtanam as the path to salvation. guages, people spread over a large part of the country started singing Bhajans in a • To efectively propagate Bhakthi uniform format. Till today all Bhagavathas are following the syllabus prescribed by Sri • To understand and appreciate how our great Swamigal. composers used classical Ragas and Talas

Sri Sadguru Swamigal inspired by Kalyana • To unite people irrespective of regional lan- Utsavams – Divine Weddings included Sita guage diferences, caste and creed. Kalyanam (composed by Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasar) Rukmini Kalyanam (composed • To preserve and promote our ancient culture by Sri Narayana Theerthar) and Radha and values for our next generations to lead a Kalyanam into the Bhajan tradition. Sri spiritual way of life and devotion to God. Swamigal established National Integration • Finally to establish the habit of doing Kirtan through this Sampradaya Bhajan Paddha- at home every day at least 10 minutes to get ti and it is essential for us to preserve this positive vibrations and perfect happiness. Paddhati for our future generations. Jai Ram Ram

42 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Hasya-rasa (Humour) in Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam

By Shri E R Balaji

ita Govindam is basically renowned unmissable. Gas supreme love poetry depicting the eternal love between Krishna and Radha Actually Shringara and Hasya are closely and saturated predominantly with the related in the sense that they both bring deep emotion of love or Shringara rasa. out pure and total joy in the heart of the However this epic, apart from being a experiencer unlike the other rasas which musical work of the highest order is also a bring out diferent feelings such as anger, great dance drama. fear, surprise and aversion. This is the reason why Bharata in his work recom- As a drama it kaleidoscopically portrays mends the same type of music to accom- all the navarasas or the nine emotions de- pany both these rasas. ined by Bharata’s Natyashastra. In par- ticular there are some scenes of intense He says ‘Panchamam Madhya bhooy- humour showing Jayadeva’s craftsman- ishtham Haasya Shringarayor Bhavet’ ship as a dramatist. meaning ‘the Panchama raga in madhya- tala is predominant in Hasya and Shrin- Presented merely as an audio form the gara rasas’. humour tends to remain unnoticed by the audience unless they understand the Now we will see a few actual scenes from language. But when it is presented in the Gita Govindam depicting Jayadeva’s touch visual medium of dance and drama, it is of humour.

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 43 A whisper which turns into a kiss: When a Gopi sees the dense dark spot in the forest that resembles a raincloud, she em- (Ashtapadi 4 Verse 4) braces and kisses it thinking, ‘Oh, Hari has kāpi kapola-tale militā lapituṃ come.’ kim api śruti-mūle | Here the audience has a hearty laugh at the cāru cucumba nitambavatī Gopi’s vain attempt to hug an empty space dayitaṃ pulakair anukūle || under the illusion of its being Krishna. A Gopi who is smitten with love for Krish- Krishna, ‘the slayer of helpless women’: na desperately wants to kiss him. Know- ing that he may reject a direct attempt she (Ashtapadi 17 Verse 7) takes her face close to Krishna’s cheek un- der the pretext of whispering a secret in his bhramati bhavān abalā-kavalāya ear. When Krishna turns his face towards vaneṣukim atra vicitram | her to hear the secret, she begins to kiss his prathayati pūtanikaiva cheek with the utmost passion. vadhū-vadha-nirdaya-bālacaritram ||

Krishna dragged by his loincloth: Here Radha is expressing her frustration because Krishna does not seem to recipro- (Ashtapadi 4 Verse 5) cate her love. She says ‘You wander from forest to forest killing innocent women. It keli-kalā-kutukena ca kācid is not surprising because even as a small amuṃ yamunā-jala-kūle | boy you killed Pootana and showed your mañjula-vañjula-kuñja-gataṃ cruel penchant for this’. vicakarṣa kareṇa dukūle || The audience of course knows that Pootana A Gopi who wants the undivided atten- was a cruel demoness who came to kill child tion from Krishna catches hold of him Krishna and was killed by him. Citing this by his yellow loin cloth and drags him as an example Radha in her desperation is away to a secluded spot on the cool banks trying to make out a case as if Krishna has of Yamuna away from the reach of the a track record of killing helpless women. other Gopis. On the stage the audience While experiencing a feeling of sympathy sees the hilarious sight of Krishna run- for Radha, the audience cannot help having ning and the Gopi in pursuit trying to a chuckle at her twisted logic. drag him by catching his loincloth. These examples clearly show that Jayade- Dark patch embraced as Krishna: va was a complete dramatist with mastery (Ashtapadi 12 Verse 6) over the deployment of humour at the ap- propriate situation. śliṣyati cumbati jala-dhara-kalpam | harirupagata iti timiram analpam ||

44 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Radha and Krishna - The Eternal Lovers

By Shri N Gopal

Radha and Krishna are known as the eter- Paramātmā. nal lovers. They are the embodiment of the male and the female aspects of God Their divine love and Krishna’s Rāsalilā Almighty. They are in fact one and the (love sport) with her and other Gopis have same and cannot be separated from each inspired numerous literary works and her other. They are Radha Devi and Madhava dance with Krishna is repeated in many from the Goloka who had incarnated in the types of performing arts. The foremost in Bhooloka as Radha and Krishna. this type of literature is the Magnum Opus ‘GITA GOVINDAM’ of Jayadeva of Orissa Radha and Krishna represent the purest (Twelfth century). form of divine love which is beyond time. The love of Radha and Krishna is often The Gita Govindam has twelve chapters. epitomized as the ultimate pursuit of a Each chapter is further sub-divided into devoted person to unite with the Divine. 24 divisions, known as Prabandhas. The Radha’s longing for union with Krishna Prabandhas contain couplets grouped into is the Jivātmā’s longing for Paramātmā. eights, called Ashtapadis. Krishna represents the Paramātmā (the It is customary to conduct Radha Kalyan- universal self) and Radha represents the am as a prelude to south Indian marriages Jivātmā (the individual self). The Radha in many places. Parents of persons whose Krishna love story is representative of the marriages are getting delayed for want of divine union between the Jivātmā and the

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 45 suitable alliance also make vow and conduct chance he sees Radha going towards home. He Radha Kalyanam. During these functions calls her and asks her to take Krishna home. these Ashtapadis are sung. She holds Balakrishna lovingly close to her bos- The 22nd Ashtapadi is known as Kalyana om and walks towards her house. The truth is Ashtapadi which is sung at the time of ty- that - the heavy rain, Radha’s presence, Nand- ing the knot. There are diferent traditions agopan’s request to Radha - all are Krishna’s (Paddhathis) for conducting Radha Kaly- making only. It is His intention to make Radha anam, but singing Ashtapadi is common to aware of her original self. all of them. The forest and rain vanish. Instead there is During these a Choornika (a long narrative) Goloka with all its pristine glory. Balakrishna is read aloud. The gist of this Choornika is becomes Madhava and Radha becomes Rad- given below. ha Devi. At that time Brahma Deva is called by Krishna and he performs the marriage of Nandagopan goes to the forest for feeding his Radha and Madhava as per Vedic rules. Radha cows. He takes along infant Krishna also with Devi and Madhava enjoy each other’s company him. Unexpectedly there is heavy thunder, eternally. lightning and showers and there is no prop- er safe place to take shelter. He did not want Radha Madhava Kalyanam Vaibhogame! Krishna to get frightened and drenched. By

46 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Vedopathy

By Dr P Sridhar

The irst surgeon to perform cataract sur- ternal inluences or factors that afect the gery and endoscopic procedures was Ma- Prakriti. harishi Sushruta, a sage who lived circa 600BC. Sushruta is the author of the foun- In modern allopathic medicine these are dational texts of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is one equivalent to Human Physiology and Pa- of the oldest systems of medicine in the thology. Whilst in allopathy, doctors pre- world. The literal meaning is “knowledge scribe medicines and perform procedures of life”. based on the pathology to achieve normal or accepted physiology, ayurvedic physi- As Ayurveda is ‘Shruthi’ based there is no cians prescribe individualised treatments, record of when it originated and where it including compounds of herbs or propri- is from. Records of Ayurveda appeared in etary ingredients, diet, exercise, and other Sanskrit later and is currently dated be- lifestyle recommendations based on the tween 5000 and 3000 BC. It is universally ‘Dosha’ to achieve the optimum Prakriti. agreed that many Ayurvedic practices pre- date written records and were handed down Dosha can be either Vata, Pitta or Kapha. by word of mouth. People with Pitta energy are considered iery in temperament, intelligent and fast- Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and paced. They are likely to get arthritis for ex- Astanga Hridaya are the main texts of this ample. Vata energy is said to predominate oldest system of medicine and considered in people who are lively, creative, original as the Trilogy of Ayurveda. Ayurveda has thinkers. They are likely to get heart con- two limbs – Prakriti and Dosha. Prakriti is ditions. Kapha types are considered strong the homeostasis or internal environment and solid in constitution, and generally of the human body and Doshas are the ex- calm in nature. In order to keep healthy,

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 47 we need to balance these Doshas in us. In tion by lifestyle choices that are prescribed Ayurveda, perfect health is deined as a bal- as ‘dinacharya’. ance between body, mind, spirit, and social wellbeing. This principle of lifestyle changes is slowly catching up with modern medicine. For ex- Ayurvedic physicians use a variety of prod- ample, the advice on smoking and physical ucts and practices. Ayurvedic products are activities to prevent heart disease and dia- made either of herbs or a combination of betes. The acceptance of the Vedic princi- herbs, heavy metals and minerals. If used ples by the western culture certainly has without adequate knowledge these prod- had a signiicant inluence in the advent ucts and practices have the potential to be of Yoga centres and teachers around the toxic or harmful. Other approaches used world. in Ayurvedic medicine, such as massages, special diets, and cleansing techniques may In our modern lives we are bombarded by have side efects as well. Allopathic rem- technology, family commitments, stress, edies also carry risks and side efects, and peer pressure and we lead a processed life these are known and documented. ighting nature. This is far from the lives our sages and scholars lived- a life with nature Some examples comparing Ayurveda and and of self-enquiry. Ayurveda promotes Allopathy; self-care. It includes any action one takes to care for physical, mental and emotional • In Schizophrenia comparative studies well-being and that which is self-initiated. are not conclusive on the better method Self-care is often an area we overlook. We of treatment rush from obligation to obligation, hastily eat meals, forgo exercise or meditation be- • For Rheumatoid Arthritis studies show cause we “don’t have time” and more of- both are proved to be equally efective ten than not, put the needs of others before • Turmeric used in Ayurveda is found to ourselves. Being selless is an admirable have anti-inlammatory properties. It is trait but being oneself is much more im- found to be efective for inlammatory perative so that we have the energy to ofer bowel diseases. It is also believed that it those relationships around us the best and may have anti-cancer properties but no full version of ourselves. evidence yet to substantiate this claim. The principle to maintain homeostasis in • Frankincense derived from the Boswell- the body is common to both Ayurveda and ia tree normally is used in incense Allopathy however the method to achieve sticks. According to NCCAM an Ameri- this is diferent. Vedas preach self-aware- can study, patients who had signiicant ness, mindfulness and self-care. It is ac- osteoarthritis declared decrease in pain knowledged that there is more in the Vedas, after using a frankincense remedy. yet to be fully understood that can create a positive impact on modern life. There is Ayurveda concentrates on prevention rath- deinitely a role for Ayurveda in modern er than cure. Importance is given to preven- medicine.

48 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) நாலாவு ்டு் ஹுமா் - ்மப் ு்ழாரம

by Shri S Swaminathan, London

ம்ப ராமா்ணததில ஹுமாமன க்ா் இலா கவதம ூும ்மி்ும உ்ரநத இடததில மவ்்ி்ா் இம்வர்் ூவர எ்பு ்மப். "சசாலி் சசலவ்" எ்் சி்்ு் எண இலார எணணகமதா் படடதமத, அமட சமாழிம், ஹுமாு்ு அம்்ழல அுமகனாும ராம் வழங்ி்மத் பலும அ்ிவர. ுதத நாலவகர ுதலவர அமமா. ்ாணடததில ஓரிடததில எதிரி ூட அுமமன் ு்ும ஒு பாடமல நம ு் மவ்்ி்ா் (மா்ா சீமத் படலம, ுதத ்ாணடம) ்விச ச்ரவரததி ்மப். எலகலாு்ும சபாு் சதரிநத ்டு் திரிூரததி: அதாவு பிரமமா, வி்ு, சிவ். இவர்ு்ு அுததபி்ா் உல்் பமட்பி் ும்க் மா் ்ாராவு உளரா? அ்பி்ானால அவர ்ார? கவணுமானாும, அும், தா் நிமனததமத சசயு ுிது விுவா். ்மப் சசால்ி்ா்: உணு, அவ்தா் அவனிடு்ள ுணங்ு்ு் அும் எ்ு. ஒுவமர நணபர்் ும்விலமல. ுற்மற் கவதங்் ு்ழநதால ூறு்ு எுபததி ஐநு சசாலும ்டுளர ூவரதா் எ்பு மதி்சபண்் ச்ாு்்லாம. ஒுவமன ஆரா்ாகதாரி் ்ுது ஆும. அவுமட் எதிரிக் ு்ழநதால, அவு்ு ூறு்ு ூு மதி்சபண்் ச்ாுததா் ஒி்ும ீர் ்ழமல அணிநத அுமகனாு கவணும அலலவா? ராவண் தர்மபச ுதற ்டுளர நாலவர ஆவர. இு கசரநத மாி்வா் ூற்ா் ்மப் அுமம்ானசதாு பாராடு. அுமனி்்ி சசாலும பாடல இகதா: ராம் சவற்ி சபறு இு்் ுி்ாு. ஆ்கவ ்மப் ூுவு உணமமக். இதறு ும்ச்ட சவ்ு கவணி் ு்னர, ராமகன அுமமன் ு்ழநத நிமனநதகத ுி்ப் ு்னி் ்ாடசிம்ும ்ாணலாம. ராமமனும ும்இமல ுணங்டு எ்கனா லடுமணமனும கநரில பாரதத அும்,

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 49 “சவல்ம ு ்ி்்ிநதா (Welcome to Kishkinda)” – ்டுகம எ்ும ்ாடசி எ்்ி்ா். அதாவு "்வமவ இ்்ா் சசாலலாகல கதா்்ிறு அ்க் ுங்் வரு" (உங்் வரு ு்பமிலலாத ்ாரச்ால இச சசாலி் சசலவ் நல வரு ஆு்) எ்்ி்ா். இ்பி ஒு விலலாஆர கதா் இமள் ீர பிரமமசசாரி் மப்் (அும்) தங்மள விரிஞசகனா விமடவலாகனா வரகவற்ுட் ராம சலடுமணு்ு் சபு ம்ிழசசி. நீ ்ார எ்ு ராம் வினு்ி்ா். இநத உல்ததில எஙும ு்ழ பருமபி உடகன அும், (இமச=ு்ழ), இநத அும் ்ற்ாத ்மல்ும ்டல கபால் பரநத கவதங்ும, ்ா் ்ாற்ி் கவநதறு உல்ில எஙும இலமல எ்ு ூும அஞசமன வ்ிற்ில வநகத், அளு்ு இவு்ு அ்ிு இு்்ி்ு. இு நாமும அும் எ்கப் அவ் கபசி் சசாற்ளால சதரிநுவிடடு அலலவா? விலமலுமட் கதாுமட் ீரகன! எ்ு பதில து்ி்ா். உடகன ராமும இனி் சசாற்மளச சசலவமா் உமட் அுமமன எமட கபாடு விு்ி்ா். இவ் ்ாகரா? நா்ு்கனா (விரிஞச்)? அ்சபாுு ராம் சசா்ன சசாற்் அலலு ்ாமளம் வாஹனமா் உமட் அுமு்ு் ்ிமடதத மி்் சபரி் படடம சிவகனா (விமடவலா்)? இத் ்ாரணமா் ஆும! அுமு்ுச சசாலி் சசலவ் எ்் படடம ்ிமடதது. அுும ராம் வா்ினால இலலாத உல்து எஙும ்ிமடதத படடம! ுபம. இஙு இவ் இமச்் ூ்் ்லலாத ்மலும கவத்

50 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) In the Pursuit of God

By Mee. Rajagopalan

s there a GOD? Even if there is, why But a life of mere self-indulgence is un- Ishould we worship GOD and why there tenable and unfulilling. As the hippy- are there so many forms of worship? On movement of late 60s, a sort of ‘chāruvāk’ what grounds we humanize GOD and ren- life-style had shown, MAN (by which the dering rituals as if GOD too has families? entire human-race is referred to in this article) cannot choose to live only for If such doubts could linger even in the the basic instincts thirst, hunger, fear, minds of those who are religious then sleep and the desire to breed. This is be- surely the questioning younger genera- cause MAN is the most endowed among all tion needs to be duly addressed. sentient species, thanks to the faculty of ‘mind’. If life is reduced to mere survival These questions are not new and have of the ittest, then where is the scope for been around for a long time. There are morality and order and what is the use of those who argue that human life is purely the specially endowed power of MAN, the incidental. For them, there is neither a life thinking mind! hereinafter nor a need for a GOD. Current life is the one and only opportunity to en- The Abrahamic religions view GOD as the joy and so self-indulgence at any cost is controller and the moral authority for es- ine. In the ancient days, such school of tablishing moral codes and social order. thought was known as 'the chāruvāk' or To ensure compliance by all, as history 'the sweet-tongued'. has shown, those religious institutions

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 51 involve with the ruling class and assert cause of your awareness, your world of political inluences. Over time, their codes experience comes to exist. Knowing thy- have become dogmatic and in many cases self as all potential is therefore the human irrelevant; their approach and also the in- goal” herent diferences in their dogma induced conlicts inciting wars; dislike to dogmatic “Knowing all” is thus the goal of human religious codes also have led to vehemently life. This requires knowing the Self as well opposing views about GOD, to the extent of as everything outside of the Self, the World. total rejection of the concept of GOD. In- The World efectively exists; as every ef- stead of providing answers to those key fect must have a cause, there must be a questions, the dogmatic religions, al- cause-of-creation of the World; if we call though were able to instil a level of order this fundamental cause as ‘GOD’, then to and morality within their society, missed achieve complete knowledge, the concept out on delivering the bigger picture. of GOD should also be validated. In oth- However, in the Indian subcontinent, er words, complete knowledge is possible many thousands of years ago, such ques- only when the truth about the existence of tions have been deeply analysed and their the Self, the World and the GOD is realized. answers deliberated for the beneit of the The existence of the Self needs no evidence whole humanity. as no one denies one’s own existence. The Known as ‘Sanātana-Dharmā’, the Hindu existence of the World also requires no religion is centred on Veda, the term born proof as we evidently engage with it. The out the Sanskrit root ‘vid’ or ‘to-know’. diiculty is only with the concept of GOD. Knowledge is the core foundation and the Science objectively views everything perpetual goal in Sanātana-Dharmā. Com- through the concept of cause and efect. pared to other dogmatic religions, the path Every creation needs a creator. However, of Veda is systematic that lends itself for the objective science struggles with the intellectual scrutiny with scientiic rigour cause-efect theory which abruptly ends and experimentation, and through expe- with a compulsive need for a causeless- riential evidences for allowing progressive cause or the notion of the ‘ist-cause’. changes. How does the Sanātana-Dharmā approach Most importantly, while dogmatic religions these questions? stamp into our belief that we are ‘limited’ and we are ‘sinners’ with ‘perpetual grief’ Vedas clarify that to understand the con- as the inevitable nature of existence in this cept of GOD as the causeless-cause of all, world (and the perpetual joy is somewhere our ordinary means of acquiring knowl- in the heavens), the Sanatana-Dharma el- edge are inadequate. evates humanity to divinity. It sees every- one as the depository of ‘all potential’. As GOD is imperceptible by senses and therefore the underlying ‘perceiver’, the Veda Says, “The world exists for you only. ‘mind’ has no real use from the instru- You are the Subject! Everything that is out ments of direct perception for knowing there actually exists for you and only be- GOD.

52 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) ‘Inference’ is another way of deducing of a clay-pot, for example. For the world, knowledge by mental analysis. However GOD is both the material cause and intelli- inference requires a related reference that gent cause, as there cannot be any material is based on some previous direct knowl- available separately from the GOD prior edge. For example, from a distant smoke, to creation. So everything that the world the potential of distant-ire could be in- is made up of must have come from GOD ferred only with the prior knowledge that only. As every efect is the manifestation smoke comes out of ire. To infer GOD, of its cause, every object in the world is what sort of previous knowledge that we GOD only. need and where do we gain? Secondly upon creating the world of ob- This comes from the third source of knowl- jects, GOD also enters into each object as edge, known as ‘Words of the Learned’. its indwelling efulgence, expressing in From those who had direct experiences of various levels of sentiency. Based on the an object, knowledge about the object can level of expression of this indwelling ef- be learnt. This is quite common in our day- fulgence, objects reveal diferent levels of to-day life as we take input from many sentiency, the lowest being the inert ob- sources of knowledge-base. Veda provides jects. Only in MAN, the indwelling eful- knowledge about the supreme truth as ex- gence greatly blossoms. This is what gives perienced by great seers. So Veda is revered the power-to-will, the power-to-know as the source of paramount knowledge in and the power-to-act. Only by its grace, the pursuit of GOD. the inert ‘mind’ also attains sentiency. The true ‘knower’ or the ‘seer’ in MAN is In order to understand the subtlest of truth therefore this indwelling efulgence only. contained in the Veda the quality of ‘know- That is the Self; that is the GOD illuminat- er’ within us, that is the ‘mind’, must be ing and the closest to all. signiicantly sharpened and cleansed. Why then the indwelling GOD is incom- If GOD, the supreme power is somewhere, prehensible to our mind? It is because, like far beyond our perceptive reach, what use the muddy and tidal water that obscures the quality and training of the mind brings? the glittering pearl in the bottom of the According to Veda, GOD is not elsewhere river, the impurities and the vacillations but everywhere; GOD is the closest to us, of our mind hide the indwelling efulgence. at all time. This means, GOD is in every- We need to cleanse the mind and rid of its thing in the world and GOD is inseparably impurities and the undue vacillations in closer to us. the pursuit of GOD.

This can be proven by the causation theory. Only sacriice and self-less actions, known Every efect requires at least two types of as the ‘Karma-yogā’, help MAN to purify causes. One is the ‘intelligent-cause’, the the mind. Also only steadfast devotion and knowledge and the skill to create the ef- contemplation, known as the ‘Upāsana- fect and the other the ‘material-cause’ the yogā’, help the mind to attain the power of elements that constitute and embody the focus. efect. The potter is the intelligent-cause and the clay the material cause in the case When these two virtues are attained, MAN

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 53 is able to clearly understand the falsehood vant. GOD in human-form is the most ac- of self-identity and futility of attachments. commodative for personal surrender. Once These misgivings are known as ‘ahamkāra’ we conceive GOD in human-form, then and ‘mamakāra’ respectively, and when applying human-rituals as part of worship these are given up, we gain the grace of a gains legitimacy and in turn provides for a capable Guru who imparts the right knowl- more reverential perspective to the worldly edge. This is called ‘gnana-yoga’, the path life. to realize the Self, the lustre of indwelling GOD. Only to aid in this process, the rituals In all creations of GOD, the divinity ex- of GOD-worship are prescribed. presses through the masculine and femi- nine energies, and as a pair of mutually But how can we worship the boundless and inclusive and complementary forces in therefore formless GOD? MAN therefore harmony; their most eloquent expression resorted to employ the unique capability of is in man and woman. The union of man mankind, ‘the verbal expression’; through and woman and their harmonious co-ex- divine names, the glory of boundless GOD istence form the embryo of social unit and is expressed. Worship by reciting the ‘di- to a righteous world. A loving family-life vine names’ is thus the primary and the brings peace and prosperity to the society. most relevant means to reach GOD. That is why divine matrimonies such as Seetha Kalyanam, Meenakshi Kalyanam, Yet, to ease our understanding and orient Rukmani Kalyanam etc. that are based on towards the pursuit of GOD, the scriptures various incarnations of GOD are so rever- have prescribed a ‘form’ for the ‘formless’ ently celebrated in Sanatana-Dharma. in the shape of ‘Lingam’, an ellipsoid, the egg of all potential, pregnant with the in- Among these, Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana inite Universe. This supreme representa- Mahotsavam has special signiicance as it tion is loaded with deep insights. For the bring far deeper insights of Vedanta. ease of all, there re also many other divine forms used in Sanatana-Dharma. In this divine matrimony, Shri Radha rep- resents the ‘Jivātmā’, the Self that cease- Using a multitude of images is indeed a lessly yearns for liberation and there- speciality of Sanatana-Dharma. As divin- fore the union with Shri Madhav, the ity is in all that GOD creates, every form is ‘Paramātmā. deemed divine. This is a supremely elegant ideal. Any and every form could therefore Each one of us is Radha! In our pursuit to represent GOD. Trees, Mountains, Rivers, perfect happiness, as we ceaselessley seek Cows, Monkeys, geometric shape – noth- the Lord, the Lord too ceaselessly follow ing is barred from being a igure of worship to blossom in our heart. This is one of the in Sanatana-Dharma. subtlest insights that we learn from Shri Radha Madhav Kalyanam. Depicting GOD in human-form is therefore no exception and it is also the most rele- GOD Bless us all!

54 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) With Best Compliments Know About Radha Kalyanam

By Shri Venkatraman

(Frequently asked questions about Radha Kalyanam and answers to them)

Why do we perform a Kalyanam, a joyful discards it in the inal moment of the jump. pleasurable activity, as a serious religious In very much the same way, whilst cele- activity? brating the kalyanam of Lord Madhav with Radha, one enjoys the festivities and then Happiness is the ultimate objective of our begins to see the Chaitanya Swaroopam of pursuit of life. Each activity we carry out God in everything. The singing and dancing in our day to day lives is in pursuit of hap- makes you forget your body consciousness piness. However most activities give hap- and gradually takes you to a higher plane of piness only for a short time and generally integration with the Universal Soul. cater to our sensual appeasement and do not involve the spiritual side. Radha Kaly- Who is Radha? anam is a means to integrate the pleasur- able activities of the ordinary wedding with Krishna’s wives are only Rukmini and the spiritually uplifting activities of Bhajan Satyabhama. There is no reference to Rad- and chanting. It is a technique wherein one ha in the earlier Puranas including Shrimad uses joyful but mundane activities as a prop Bhagavatam. However there are copious and try to rise up in the spiritual world. The references to Radha in the later Puranas analogy is that of a pole-vaulter who uses especially the Bramha Vaivarta Puranam. his pole as a tool to gain height and then According to this Purana, Radharani is the consort of Lord Krishna in Goloka. But she

56 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) is forced to appear in the world as a human song of Govinda. being called Radha due to a curse but the curse got mitigated when the Lord reincar- Jayadeva has built in 24 beautiful songs nated himself as Krishna and reunites with within the body of the Gita Govindam cor- her. rectly suiting the moods of ecstasy, sorrow, separation, anger and reconciled pleas- Radha is the manifestation of the Maya ure as the love unfolds between Radha and Shakti of the lord, an embodiment of the Madhava. kinetic energy that emanates from the po- tential energy, or the primordial Bramhan. Each song is composed in eight padas (in Radha is the symbol of Jivātmā who can- keeping with rhythms of dance) and there- not live without the Paramātmā and this fore called an Ashtapadi. Several narrative search continues until such time it inds slokas are added to the songs in the begin- him. Ultimately the merger (Aikyam) will ning and in the end weaving it all together take place, if not in this birth, after many into a single majestic musical dance drama. births. We celebrate Radha Madhav Kaly- The Ashtapadis express the soulful yearn- anam to symbolise the union of the Jivātmā ings of love between Radha and Madhav and Paramātmā. and have become synonymous with the What are the various steps in a Radha process of their union. Ever since the tradi- Kalyanam ceremony? tion of Radha Kalyanam began, singing of the Ashtapadis has been part and parcel of The key steps are: Thodaya Man- the ceremony. galam, Singing of Ashtapadis (Gita Govindam), Deepa Pradakshinam – Each Ashtapadi is traditionally sung in a DivyaNama-Sankirtanam, Gopika- particular Raga depending on the mood and geetham, Kolaattam and Kummi, Ofering context of the song, efectively turning the of Seervarisaigal, Choornikai, Pravaram, event into a music and dance festival. The Kannikadanam, Mangalashtakam, Man- full text of all the 24 Ashtapadis is available galya Dharanam, Nalangu kritis, Taambu- in this Souvenir for your ready reference. lam and Garland exchange and inally the What makes Radha Kalyanam so great? Pooja and Mangala Harati It is a joyous occasion like any other wed- All these steps are explained in detail by Dr. ding, only the scale of happiness is much Udaiyalur Kalyanaraman, in this souvenir, higher because the wedding involves not under the article ‘Sri Radha Kalyana Utsa- humans but the divine couple Radha and vam’. Madhav. It is a festival of music and dance What are Ashtapadis? where talents are displayed in harmony and comradeship and not in competition or ri- Jayadeva, a great poet devotee from a place valry. called 'kinthu bilwam' in Orissa has im- mortalised this eternal love between Radha Traditionally Bhakti or Devotion to God is and Krishna, with all the ups and downs manifested through nine diferent pro- culminating in their joyful inal union in his cesses namely Shravanam (Hearing the poetic work called Gita Govindam meaning Lord’s name), Kirtanam (Chanting the

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 57 Lords name), Smaranam (Meditating on form. It is a demonstration of the cultural the Lord), Padasevanam (Staying at His unity of Santana Dharma as there are songs feet), Archanam (Worshipping the Lord), in so many languages and so many musi- Vandanam (Prostration), Dasyam (Serving cal and dance styles all established within the Lord), Sakyam (Befriending the Lord) a Sampradaya framework and catering to and Atma nivedanam (Total surrender of all tastes. oneself to the Lord). I Jaya Radhe Shyam! n the Radha Kalyanam ceremony, there is ample scope for each one of these actions to be performed in a single integrated plat-

58 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK)

Some Bhajan Groups in the UK

MITRASEVA BHAJAN MANDALI

Mitraseva Bhajan group is a part of the Mitraseva organisation that supports the well-being of the Senior citizens in Harrow and Wembley. We meet regularly (normally once or twice a month) in a variety of locations in the above mentioned areas for one hour to sing short and simple namavalis, bhajans and abhangs in San- skrit, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil and other languages. All age group and all levels of participation welcome

• Location: Harrow and Wembley

• Contact: Raj Iyer, Phone: 07539819931, Email: [email protected]

• Website: bhajansinenglish.co.uk, mitraseva.org

LONDON SAMPRADHAYA BHAJAN GROUP (SPONSORED BY THE SOUTH INDIAN SOCIETY - LONDON)

Bhajans are conducted once every month, normally on 3rd Sundays between 2 and 3.30pm. Bhajan format consists of 3 parts, start- ing with Dhyana Slokam, Thodayamangalam and Arathi, followed by singing two Namavalis each on twelve deities, Bhajan songs, Ashtapadi and inally completing with puja rituals involving Sri Bhagawan Thiruvadhanam i.e. Dhoopam, Deepam, Oferings of Prasadam, Mangala Arathi, Manthrapushpam, Vedam, Shanthi Mantram, Mangalam Song. We welcome more devotees to join the group. For further information please feel free to contact us.

• Location: Sri Jayaveera Hanuman Temple, Hanuman Community Centre Trust, Edgware Road, London NW9 5XL

• Contact: Mr and Mrs V. Balasubramanian. Tel: 0208 909 0871, Mob: 0770 244 7563, E-Mail: [email protected]

60 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) SAMPRADAYA BHAJAN GROUP

from CARNATIC-CIRCLE

Focussed on Sampradaya Bhajanai, Carnatic-Circle has been running weekly Bhajans with a work in progress towards a Radha Kalyanam in the future.

The original intention was to sing in our homes to bring positive vibrations. Soon, people started developing interest and we were invited to sing in the local temples as well as midlands based residences in the vicinity. The group has an Adult wing & a Children wing and hopes to spread Sampradaya bhajanai far and wide in the UK. Our traditional weekly bhajanai usually follows Marudanallur Mutt sampradayam. We warmly welcome new participants interested in Sampra- dayam, be it singers/musicians or listeners to join our sessions. • Location: Solihull/Birmingham

• Contact: Santhana Gopal 07906 535762

• Website: http://www.Carnatic-Circle.com

MANTRA GAANAM GROUP

We are a group of like-minded people to maintain and impart the culture and traditions of India with the active participation of children and young adults.

Location: South London

Contact: Jayaram 07905 036286, Sridhar 07729398630, Email: [email protected]

CHINMAYA SWARANJALI Chinmaya Swaranjali is the musical wing of Chinmaya Mission UK that ofers music as a tribute to the divine. Musical recitals are ofered as a service to spread the teachings and vision of Swami Chinmayananda through the invocation and power of divine love (Bhakti). The UK-based musical group meets weekly at our centre, ‘Chinmaya Kirti’ in North London to sing and serve through music. WEEKLY CLASSES: Bal Swaranjali bhajan class, Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End HA5 4EA, Sunday; + Swaranjali Bhajan Class, Chinmaya Mission UK, 2 Egerton Gardens, Hendon, London, NW44BA, Monday

Contact: Madhu Madhusudhan, Tel: 07738 176 932, , Email: [email protected],

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 61 62 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Popular Krishnar Temples in Tamilnadu

By Shri C Vedanarayanan

Though there are thousands of ancient traditional Vishnu temples in Tamilnadu, very few of those are devoted to Lord Krishna. Among those, there are three beautiful temples and a brief description of these three with the photograph is given here. These three temples are well known for their beauty and splendour and therefore everyone should avail the opportunities to visit these holy shrines.

PONNERI KARI KRISHNAN KOIL

Thiru Aayarpaadi is a small village located 3 kms from Ponneri, near Chennai. This village has a beautiful tem- ple for Lord Krishna called Sri Kari Krishna Perumal, on the banks of the Aarani River. The Lord here is a swayam- bu murthy, meaning a self- created image. In Tamizh the term ‘Aayarpaadi’ means ‘shepherd village’, the place where Lord Krishna grew up. This village also has the same name, as the Lord here gives darshan as a Shepherd.

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 63 The main deity Sri Kari Krishna Perumal is seen here in human form, as a Yadava (shepherd), with His right hand holding a shepherd’s whip and left hand rested on the hip. The Lord has Am- rutha Kalasam (bowl containing celestial nectar) on His head.

MANIMANGALAM RAJAGOPALASWAMY TEMPLE

This place is about 12 kms from Tam- baram in Chennai and is 1000 years old. It was built in Chola period and has many inscriptions .

One is dated 1056 CE. Rajendra chola I refers to this temple as Kamakoti vin- nagar and Thiruvaykulam. Chola Rul- ers including Kulothunga I, Vikrama Chola Deva and Raja Raja contributed immensely to the upkeep of the tem- ple but the temple now needs renova- tion and better maintenance.

MANNARGUDI RAJAGOPALASWAMY TEMPLE

The presiding deity is Rajagopalaswamy, a form of Lord Krishna. The temple is spread over an area of 23 acres (93,000 m2) and is one of the most important Vaishnavite shrines in India. The temple is called Dak- shina Dwaraka (Southern Dwaraka) and revered on par with Guruvayoor by Hin- dus. the temple was irst constructed by Kulothunga Chola I(1070-1125 A.D.), with bricks and mortar, as indicated by various stone inscription found in the site. The place Mannargudi is termed Sri Rajathi Raja Chathurvedhi Mangalam.

Subsequent Chola kings developed this temple further and the Thanjavur Nayaks made the tem- ple as their dynastic and primary shrine and made signiicant additions. Jai Shri Krishna!

64 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Some Popular Bhajan Songs

Invocation Sri Durga Devi ki Jai

Sri Lakshmi Devi ki Jai

Govinda Nama Sankeerthanam Sri Saraswathi Devi ki Jai Govindaa, Govindaa!

Sidhi Vinayaka Moorthi Ki - Jai Janaki Kantha Smaranam Jai Jai Rama Rama Hara Hara Nama Parvathi Pathayae Hara Hara Mahadevaa Swamiyae Saranam Ayyappa

Vetri Vel Muruganukku Aro Hara Sri Aanjaneya Swami ki Jai

Sath Guru Swami ki Jai

Namavali Thodaya Mangalam

Hari Narayana, Hari Narayana, These are set of songs composed by saints like Hari Narayana, Durithanivarana Bhadrachala Ramdas, Annamacharya and Vi- jayagopala Swamigal which were compiled by Paramananda, SadasivaSankara, Marudanallur Sadguru Swamigal as the invoca- tory songs in the sampradhya bhajans. BhakthajanaPriya, Pankajalochana

Hari Narayana ThavaDasoham

Narayanam Bhajare maanasa, Naray- Prayer to Ganesa anam Bhajare maanasa (Raga Nata, Thala Jambha) Govindam Bhajaremanasa, Gopalam Bhajaremanasa, Mooshika vahana modhaka hastha, Chadrachooda Bhajarema- Chamarakarna vilambitha suthra, nasa, Sadashivam Bhajare Vamana roopa Maheswara puthra, Vigna vinayaka Pada namasthe. Gopika Jeevanasmaranam Govinda, Govinda

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 65 Song 1 Ganathatho Rambaathi kanthuly gasina reccerikayaa Jaya janaki Ramana, Jaya Vibheeshanasarana, NinnuGoluchu Na reccerikayaa, Jaya saroruhacharana, Jaya SaranuSaranu Hare, Hare Hare dheenakarunajaya, jaya Kamala Dharudunu, Kamala Mithrudu, Jaya lokasaranya, Jaya Bhakthakarunya, Jaya divyalavanya, Jaya jagatpunyajaya, jaya Kamala sathruduputhrudu/Kamaluju, Kramamutho nee koluvikippudu, Sakala loka vasa, Saketha pure vasa, Gasinarecherikkaya. Akalanka nijadasa, abhja- mukha haasa jaya, jaya Goluchu Na reccerikayaa, S aranuSaranu Hare, Hare Hare Shukha muni Sthuthipathra, Subhathanija charithra, Paramapada GovindaMadhava, Makara Kundalakarna, Padmanabha Janardhana, Mekasaama varna jaya, jaya Daranidaravara Garuda Vahana, Daithyabali madha banjana Kamaneeya koteera, Kousthubaalankara, Kamalaksha Raghu veera, NijaDaasa Maanasa Ranjana, kamalaa vihara jaya, jaya SaranuSaranu Hare, Hare Hare

Samara ripujayadheera, Yennagala prahladha bhakthulu, Sakala guna gambheera, Yelamithi mimu koluvakki ppudu, Amalaa hruth sanchara, Vinnappamu Vinavayyadevara, akhilarthi hara jaya, jaya Venkatachala Nayaka, VijayaVenkataNayaka, Roopa nindithamaara, ruchira sadgunasoora, Bhoopa dasaratha kumara, ShriPate Raghu Nayaka, Bhoo bara hara jaya, jaya ShriPate Raghu Nayaka, ShriPate Raghu Nayaka, Papa sangavidhara, SaranuSaranu Hare, Hare Hare

pankthimukha samhara, Song 3 Sripathesukumara, Sitaviharajaya, Radha Vihara, jaya Jaya (Raga Madhyamavathi Thala Aadhi)

Mandhara mole madanabhiramam, Muraharanagadara Mukunda Madhava, Binbhadara pooritha venunadham, Garuda gamana Pankajanabha, Go gopa, Gopijana Madhya samstham, Gopambhaje Gokula oornachandram Parama Purusha bhava banjana Keshava, Naramruga shareera namonamo, Devaa Song 2 (Pallavi) (Raga Arabhi, Thala Chapu) Narayana they namonamo, bhava Saranu saranu surendra sannutha, Naradha sannutha Namonamo, Devaa Saranu srisathivallabha, Narayana they namo namo Saranu Rakshasa GarvaSamhara, Saranu Venkata Nayaka Jaladhi sayana, ravichandravilochana, Jalaruha bhavanutha charanayuga, Swami Shri Raghu Nayaka, SaranuSaranu Hare, Hare Hare Bali bandhana, Gopijanavallabha, Nalino dharathey namonamo, Devaa Animishendrulu munulu digpathulu amara kinnarasidhulu, Sri Vathsalanchana, peethambaradhara,

66 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Devaki nandana Narayana, Song 5 Go vathsapalana, Govardhanadara, GopaPriya they namonama. (Raga Mangala kousika, Thala Adhi)

Kousalyathmaja, Kamidhaphaladha, (Pallavi) Karunasagara, kanthimaya, DasarathaNandana, Danujakulanthaka, Gopala bala, Maaaaadhavaa Kusa lava janakathey namonamo, Devaaa bhavathu they jaya mangalam

Thara pathihara, thapanakulothbhava, Madhava bhavathu they jaya maaangalam, Thapasa muni ganavannNdhyatha, Madhu_mura harathey, jaya Mareechanthaka, maruthisevitha, maaangalam (Gopala) Varidhi bandhana namo namo, Devaa Aravinda lochana, agha brunda mochana, Adhi deva, Sakalagamapoojitha, Sura brunda vandhitha, mangalam (Gopala) Yadhavakula Mohana roopa,Devvaa, Kosalakula Mohana Rooopa Nara vara nandana, naghari_e kethana, Vedhothara Sri VenkataNayaka, Marakatha mani neela Mangalam (Gopala) Nada priyas they namonama Nanda vara kumara, nava neetha dhadhi chora, Mandhara giri dhara, mangalam (Gopala)

Kundha radhanamara, koojitha noopura, Song 4 Sundara vadana mangalam (Gopala)

(Raga Saveri, Thala Roopaka) Dadhi navaneetha chora, tharunee Gopikaa jara, Devesa, ganaradhitha, divyaambuja pada, Madhukaidabha samhara, mangalam Sri Venkata giri Nayaka Srisha Hecharika, Jagadeesha Hecharika_a_a_a Gaja raja paripala, Ghana thulasee vanamala, Nija dasa paripala, mangalam (Gopala) Kalimanusha kalushapaha, kamaneeya sukeerthe, Vruja Sundareee vilola, Vibhu thendra paripala, Alamelu manga mohana, moorthe VijaYa Gopala bala, Mangalam (Gopala) Hecharika, Mohana Moorthe Hecharika

Jalajasana paripalana jagad yeka nidhana, Kalasambudhi thata shobhitha charana Hecharika, shobhitha charana Hecharika Song 6 - Namavali

Vakulasana Harichandana Rama Govinda Rama RamaKalyana Rama vana Madhya vihara, RamaPattttabhi Rama, Raaaaghava, Sakalagama paripalana chathuraa Hecharika,

Narayana nara poshana narakadhi samharana, GovindaMadhava Gopala Kesava, Hey Ravana madha banjana dheera GovindaMadhava Gopala Kesava, Hecharika, Raghu veera Hecharika GovindaMadhava Gopala Kesava, (Higher) Sri Kesava Narayana Govinda murare, Gopala Murare Narasimhaachyuthanarayana, Hey Madhava, Madhu soodhana Dasaradhanandana, SitaManohara, Daamodara soure, Daamodara soure Dhanavasamhaaara, Dhayaanidhe_e_e,

Seshachala nilayavara bhooshana mani valaya, Ramaa_aaRaghava, Rajeeevalochana, Roshadhi Vijayi mouni vidheya Hecharika. Kamidhaphaladhaa, karivaradha_a_a_a, Krishnaa Kesava, Ambhuja lochana, Rajani chara vara nayaka kala vana mala, Vruja palana varaVijaya, gopa- Vanchithaphaladha Yadhuvarada_a_a_a, la Hecharika, GoVinda Hecharika Govindam Bhajare Manasa Gopalam Bhajare

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 67 Hare Rama Gopalam Bhaja, Samsaya Bhe_edhinam Govindam mama jeevanam Govindam mama jeevanam, Sanaka dhi Yogi Jana, Gopalan mama jeevanam Samsaya Bhe_edhinam (Shri)

Govinda, Gopala, Govinda, Gopala, Mouna Vyakya nena, Govinda, Gopala,Govinda, Gopala, Prakatitha Para Thathwam Govinda, Gopala, Govinda, Gopala, Govinda, Gopala, Mouna Vyakya nena, Prakatitha Para Thathwam (Shri) Govinda Nama Sankeerthanm Govinda, Govinda Amitha, VibhavA YudhaaA, Sundhara Vigraham Song 7 – Guru Keerthanam Amitha, VibhavA YudhaaA, Sundhara Vigraham (Shri) Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo MaheshVarah Akhila Jagat Gu_Rum, Guru Shakshath Para Brahma Subramanya Vinutham (Shri) Thasmai Shri Guravae Namah Akhila Jagat Gu_Rum, Sathguru Naadhanae Vaa Vaa Vaa Subramanya Vinutham (Shri) Sachitha Nandanae Vaa Vaa Vaa Sarva Dhayalanae Vaa Vaa Vaa Dakshina Murthe Mam pahi, Shankara Kripakara Vaa Vaa Vaa ShambhoShankara Mam pahi ShambhoShankara Mam pahi, Song 8 – Sri Dakshinamurthy Dakshina Murthe Mam pahi X 2

Vatavitapi Sameepe Sri Dakshinamurthiki Jai! Bhoomi Bhaage Nishannam

Sakala Muni Janaaanaam, Song 9 – Bhagavan Sri Sankaracharyar Jnaana Daataaram Aaraat (Raga Sankarabharanam, Thala Aadhi ) Tribhuvana Gurum eesham, Shri Dakshinaaamoorti Devam (Pallavi ) Janana Marana Duhkha Thiru kumarana_aay avatharithar (Shankara) Chheda Dakshammm Namami Thiru kayilai agandru, Shiva Guru Aryambal Janana Marana Duhkha Chhe- da Dakshammm Namaami (Anu-Pallavi )

Song 9 – Sri Dakshinamurthy Irukkumudhal chatur maraial thazhaikka sakala, (Ragam : Thodi Thalam:Misra Chappu) Jagat guruve Sankara, (Pallavi) jaya jaya yendeu azhaikka - (Sakala)

Shri Dakshinamurthim Jagat guruve Sankara, Bhajare Manasa (Shri) jaya jaya yendeu azhaikka

(Anu-Pallavi) (Charanam)

Rakshiitha Jagathrayam Naasthika panju malaikku Vatamoola Va_a sinam Chooravali yena, Narargal idhaya irulaAra ezhu chudArena, Aasthika madha ppayir, Rakshiitha Jagathrayam chezhikka ezhu mukil ena, Vatamoola Va_a_a sinam (Shri) Aadhi andham illadha shivan, kaladiyil anthana, (Pallavi) (Charanam)

Sanaka dhi Yogi Jana,

68 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Naamavali amruta saandram (Pallavi)

Sankara guru jaya, sankara guru parama bhakta sevya padasarojam, Shanmatha staapaka, sankara guru prati bhata budha vaarana mrugaraajam harihara sutavara kavihrud vilaasam, Apara Mahima Gurunatha, anupam aananda Krupa Sagara Gurunatha shridam mruduhaasam (Pallavi)

Deenadayalo Gurunatha, Namavali Poorna Krupalo Gurunatha Bodhendra Sadguru, Yogindra Sadguro Bodendra - Slokam Govinda Puravaasa, Yogendra Sadguro Sadguru Sadguru, Bodhendra Sadguro Sarveshaam aasramaanaam virachitha Govindanamame dehime Sadguro, Srirama Niyama prouda dharma vrajaanaam, namame Dehime Sadguro Govinda Namaruchim Dehime Rug vedat yagama antha Sravana su- SadguroBodhendra manana Dhyana yogadhi bhaajaam, Sadguru, Yogindra Sadguru

Chandaladwadhi santhyai niravadhi Kru- payaa nama bhakthim bvidhaaya, Gurumurthi Padamule

Srmath Bhodendra yogi bahumahi- (Ragam Shakarabharanam, Jampa taalam) tha Yasathannamasye sadaa aham. Gurumurthi Paadamule Yasya smarana mathrena Gurutugha Dhyaaninchi, nama bhakthi prajayathe, Sthiramaina SukamuBondaindanu Tham namami yathi sreshtam Bho- Hariharillu Iruvaruna dendram jagatham gurum. Okaranuchu Bhathiyu Seyu NararoopaMaina Shridhara Song 10 Venkateswara Sridhara Ramanaamunan Anuraaghamu Buttinchi (Pallavi ) Premato Tama Bhakthi, Keyuniki Jaisi Bhajare Maanasa bodhendra yogeendram, Yemaraka Neeti, Madhuraaksharame Taarakamani bhagavannaama vigraham desikendram Mahima Delipi, Nannu Rakshinchina Sridhara (Anu-Pallavi ) Chinthache Balugaaka Jandi Nenu NannaReeti

Bhujagendra bhushana gajaraaja varada, Anthanyanu Telisi Gurudhantharanga Munnana pankaja sambhavat makam, Santhathamu Nannu rijagat gurum murtim Bhagavanthuni Dalachamani (Charanams) Ananthuni Kalynaana Gunaman- du Nannu Telinchi Sridhara yatim atisundara aakritim oordhva, pundraankita nidilam karadhrujapasutram Shruthi Dharma Shastra, sruti sakalaagama Samatini Harinamame smruti samyak pratibhatita, namaankita rupam Gathiyanuchu Rudamagu, patita paavana murtim (Pallavi) Granthamulu Jesina Atilutudu Shri Venkataaryudai Nejeyu Raghupati padaabja poojaswatantram, Kruithilonu Gopala nikhila shishyambonidhi poornachandram Krishnudai Tochina Sridhara agha sangha bhavanaashana Patha kendram, anavadhi Karunadivya

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 69 Namavali Manam Mozhi Meiyaale Dhinam Unnai Thudhika Gangadhara Hara, Gangadhara Hara- Mangala Isai Undhan Naavinil Udhika Gangadhara Hara Hara Hara Hara Ganapathiye Varuvai, Arul Vai.. Ganapathy Bhajans Ganapathiyae Varuvai

Gajananam bootha ghanathi sevitham Ezhu Swarangalil Innisai Paada kabhitha jamboo palasara pakshitham umaasutham sokha vinasakaranam Enganum Inbamum Pongiye Oda namami vigneshwara patha pankajam Thalamum Bhavamum Thathumbee Koothada Aindhu karathanai aanai mugaththanai indhi ilampirai polum aeyitranai Thariniyil Yaavarum nandi magandanai nyana kozhndhinai Pugalzhu Kondada (Ganapathiye) pundhiyil vaithu adi potrughindrenae Thookiya Thudikai Vazhthugal Alika Prabho Ganapathae Thoniyum ManiEna Ghaneerend Olika

Prabho Ganapathae Ookuha Nallisai Ullam Kalikka Pari Poorana Vazh varul Vaayae Unmai Gnanamum Selva- Prabho Ganapathae mum Kozhika (Ganapathiye) Ganapathae… Ganapathae… Gowri Nandana Charndhu Vanangi Thudhi paadi aadi Undhan Gowri Nandana Gajanana | Sannidhi saran Adaindhomae Girija Nandana Niranjana (x2) Saantha sitha Sowbhagyangal Yaavayum Thandharul Sadhguru Neeyae (Prabho…) Parvathi Nandana Subanana | Gajanana Om Subanana Aadhi Moola Gana Naadha Gajaanana Pahi Prabho Maam Pahi Prasanna Arputha Thavala Swaroopa Gowri Nandana Gajanana | Deva Deva Jaya Vijaya Vinaayaka Girija Nandana Niranjana (x2) Chinmaya Para Shiva Deepa (Prabho…) Pahi Pahi Gajanana Thedi thedi Engo Oodugindraar unnai Pahi Pahi Gajanana thedi kandu kollalaamae Parvathi Putra Gajanana kodi kodi madha yanaigal pani seyya Mooshika Vahana Gajanana kundrena vilangum pemmaane (Prabho…) Modaka Hasta Gajanana Pahi Pahi Gajanana Ganesha Saranam Parvathi Putra GajananaCha

Ganesha Saranam Saranam Ganesha (x3) mara Karna Gajanana Mooshika Vahana Saranam Ganesha | Vilambitha Sutra Gajanana Parvathi Putra Saranam Ganesha Pahi Pahi Gajanana Ganesha Saranam Saranam Ganesha Parvathi Putra Gajanana Modhaka Hasta Saranam Ganesha | Vamana Roopa Gajanana Gowri Putra Saranam Ganesha Maheshwara Putra Gajanana Ganesham Saranam Saranam Ganesha Pahi Pahi Gajanana Gowri Ganesha Uma Mahesha (x2) | Parvathi Putra Gajanana

Parvathi Nandana Shree Ganesha Vigna Vinayaka Gajanana Ganesham Saranam Saranam Ganesha (x3) Padha Namaste Gajanana Gajanana….Gajanana Gajanana….Gajanana Ganapathiyae Varuvai Pahi Pahi Gajanana Parvathi Putra Gajanana Ganapathiye Varuvai Arul Vai (x2) Parvathi Putra Gajanana

70 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Song - Sharade Karunanidhe vidheendranuta vimale salahau, vedasaarE vijayaambikE (Raga: hamir kalyaNi, Thala: Chapu) (Charanam) Composed by HH Sringeri Acharya Shi Chandrashekhara Bharati sarasijaaksi jaganmohini, sarasaraaga manibhooshini, shaaradE karuNaanidhE sakalaanavaamba sadaa janaan harikesha priya bhamini/kaamini, Anandaamrtakarshini charaNadima geeta vaibhava pUritaakhila dictate (chitta swaram) bhasma bhooShaNa bhooSite Snp, pmgs g,s, snpn,s,g,mpn | vara ratna mauLi viraajite SNSG SGM, GSNP SS,p p,sg,mpn || (sudhaa) sharmadaayini karma mOcha- ni nirmalam kuru maanasam Krishna Songs hasta sandhrta pustakaaksha Santhakaram Bujaga sayanam Pad- paTI sudhaa ghaTa mudrikE manabham suresham| kasta vaasti hi varNane c Viswadhaaram Gagana sadrusam haturO narakha charOtava Megha varnam shubangam || Shringapureshwara Vaasa Sharade, Lakshmi kantham kamala nay- Kaladi Pura Vaasa Sharade anam Yogi hrid dyana gamyam | Kashmirapuri Vaasa Sharade, Vaagdevate, VaagDevate Vande Vishnum Bhava bhayaha- ram sarva lokaika natham || Sharada Devi ki Jai Vaagdevatha Devi Ki Jai Gopala Radhalola

Namavali Gopala Radhalola Murali lola Nan- dalala Jaya Murali lola Nandalala Sharade Sharade Veenavani Sharade Sharade Sharade Pustakapaani Sharade Keshava madhava janardhana Sharade Sharade Vedamathe Sharade Vana mala Vrindhavana mala

Vedamatha Sharade, Murali lola nandalala Vaagdevathe Sharade Sharade Sharade Jaya murali lola nandalala Manjubhashini Sharade Sharade Sharade Gopala Radhalola Murali lola Nanda- Mangaladayini Sharade lala Jaya murali lola nandalala…. (x2)

Sharada Devi ki, Jai Shashanka-Chakram Sakreeta-Kundalam Song - Sudhamayi Sudhanidhi Sapeetha-Vasthram (Raga: Amrutavarshini, Thalam: roopakam) Sara-seeru-he-kshanam

Composer: H.N. Muttayyah Bhaagavatar Sahara-Vaksha Sthala-Shobhi-Kausthubam (Pallavi) Namami Vishnum Shirasã Chathurbhujam sudhaamayi sudhanidhi, Vanamali radha ramana sumacharekshu kodande Giridhari govinda

(Anu-Pallavi) Neelamegha sundara

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 71 Narayana govinda Radhe gopala (Govinda…) Bhakta hridaya mandara bhanu koti sundara Hey Murali Sridhara, Hey Murali Sridhara, Nanda nanda gopa (brinda) nan- Radhe Krishna Radhe Shyaam da narayana govinda Keshava Madhava Yadava Nandana Radhe Krishna Radhe Shyaam (Hey) Krishna Bhajo Nandanandana Radhe Shyaam, Navanitha- Krishna Bhajo, Krishna Bhajo chora Radhe Shyaam Murali Gopala Bhajo Keshava Madhava Yadava Nandana Shyama Gopala Bhajo, Murali Gopala Bhajo Radhe Krishna Radhe Shyaam (Hey) Giridhari Shyama Bhajo Radhe Govindha Bhajo Bhakta-vatsala Radhe Shyaam, Bhagava- Madhuvana Sanchara thapriya Radhe Shyaam Shyama Gopala Bhajo (Krishna…) Keshava Madhava Yadava Nandana Rad- he Krishna Radhe Shyaam (Hey )

Hey Govinda Hey Anandha Venu Vilola Radhe Shyaam, Vijaya Gopala Radhe Shyaam Hey govinda Hey anandha nandagopala Keshava Madhava Yadava Nandana Mohana muralee dhara shyama gopala Radhe Krishna Radhe Shyaam (Hey) Sundara giridhari hare natawara lala Madhavaa keshavaa madhana gopala (Hey) Achyutam Keshavam madhava keshava madhana gopala Hey govinda hey anandha nandagopala Achyutam Keshavam Krishna damodaram Mohana muralee dhara shyama gopala (x2) Rama Naraynam Janaki Vallabham Kaun kehte hai bhagvan aate nahi Tum Meera ke jaise bulate nahi (Achyutam …) Radhe Radhe Kaun Kehte hai Bhagvan khaate nahi Radhe Radhe Radhe Radhe Ber Shabri ke jaise khilate nahi (Achyutam …) Radhe Govinda Brindavana Chandra Anathanatha Dheena Bando Kaun Kehte hai Bhagvan Sote nahi Radhe Govinda Maa Yashoda ke jaise Nandakumara Naveenatha Chora sulate nahin (Achyutam …) Radhe Govinda Brindavana Chandra Anathanatha Dheena Bando Kaun Kehte hai Bhagvan Nachthe nahi Radhe Govinda (Radhe...) Gopiyo ki tarah tum Na- chathae nahi (Achyutam …) Pandari nadha paandu ranga Radhe Govindha Brindhavana chandra Govinda Jaya Anathanatha Dheena Bando Govinda Jaya VITALA Radhe Govinda (Radhe...) Hare Gopala Jaya VITALA Radhe Govinda (x2) Govinda Jaya VITALA Hare Gopala Jaya VITALA Govinda madhava Hare Ranga Ranga VITALA Jaya Panduranga VITALA (Govinda) Govinda madhava gopala keshava Jaya nanda mukunda Govinda Jaya MURALI nanda govinda radhe gopala Hare Gopala Jaya MURALI Govinda Jaya MURALI Giridhaari giridhaari Jaya radhe gopalaa Hare Gopala Jaya MURALI Ghana shyam shyam shyam Hare Ranga Ranga MURALI Jaya jaya radhe gopala Jaya Panduranga MURALI (Govinda) Jaya nanda mukunda Nanda govinda

72 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Some Important Hindu Festivals

By Smt. Jayalakshmi Krishnan

ur festivals give us an opportunity to rediscover our internal joy which is our true nature. OThere is also a spiritual signiicance to each festival. Each festival is an opportunity to re- connect with various manifestations of the Lord and contemplate on Divinity. We visit temples, sing Bhajans, chant Mantras and perform speciic Poojas. It is also a chance to indulge in physi- cal pleasures like eating good food, wearing our best clothes and listening to choice music. We also socialise by meeting with friends and relatives and sharing our culinary preparations with them. Our festive season starts with the month of Aadi (Mid July to Mid Aug). Aadi is the month for sowing, rooting, planting of seeds and vegetation since it is peak monsoon time when rain is showered in abundance. In fact the entire month is considered very auspicious and a special month for Devi. We chant Lalitha Sahasranaamam, Devi Mahaatmium etc at houses and temples and perform Pooja.

Aadip Pandigai: The irst of the month Aadi Padinettaam Perukku: This is the 18th day is marked with a special puja, followed by of Aadi. Generally fresh low of water is a feast with 'payasam' prepared with rice expected on this day and river levels start and milk, 'poli' and vadai. Traditionally, rising from this day. People prepare difer- the family of a 'pudhu maappillai' (new ent types of rice dishes, take them to river son-in-law) is invited to the girl's house, front and enjoy group picnics with friends where the couple is gifted new clothes and and relatives. other presents.

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 73 Aavani Avittam: This is the annual cer- Dec). We keep lamps all over the house emony of changing of the sacred thread. both inside and outside. We prepare dishes Generally this is performed in groups un- like appam, pori and adai. der one senior priest. It is an opportunity to take stock of the events of the previous one Thiruvadirai: This is celebrated on the full year and seek pardon for any sins commit- moon day of the month of Margazhi (Mid ted and invoke the blessings of the gods for Dec to Mid Jan). We perform special Pooja the future. We enjoy prasadams like Ap- and Abhishekam for Lord Nataraja. We pam, Sundal, Payasam, Poli and Vadai. prepare special kali (sweet Pongal) and ezhu karik koottu, a delicacy with at least Gokulashtami: This is to celebrate the seven diferent vegetables. In fact Mar- birthday of Lord Krishna. We perform Pooja gazhi is a special month where every day to Krishna Vigraham and ofer diferent we sing bhajans involving Tiruppavai and dishes such as Murukku, Cheedai and Pori Tiruvembavai. Big Kolams (Rangoli) are Urundai as Naivedyam to child Krishna. drawn outside each house and decorated with lowers. Vinayaka Chaturthi: Here we celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha. We set up clay im- Bhogi: This is the last day of Margazhi ages of Pillaiyar or Vinayakar and do Pooja and is celebrated in honour of Indra, the at home. Prasadams include Kozhukkattai, Lord of the gods. We discard old things by Appam, Payasam, Ellurundai and Sundal. burning them and launch new items in the house. Special dishes like Pooran Poli, Dal Navarathri: It is a nine days festival. We Vada and Payasam are made and ofered to keep golu or dolls arrangement at home, the Lord. invite friends and give manjal, kumkumam and vetrilai paaku to them. Also we prepare Pongal: This marks the irst day of the diferent Sundals (with pulses) every day month Thai (Mid Jan to Mid Feb). This is and visit friends. Ladies show their musi- also called Makara Sankranthi where the cal talents during the social visits. On the sun changes direction and starts a north- ninth day we perform Saraswathi Pooja. ward journey from the tropic of Capricorn. The tenth day is celebrated as the Vijaya It coincides with the harvest season. We Dasami, the day of victory of good over evil. give our thanks to the Soorya Bhagavan or It is the most auspicious day for starting the Sun god as the food giver and worship any new learning. him. We prepare Sarkarai Pongal (sweet khichdi) with newly harvested rice. The pot Deepavali: It symbolises the victory of is adorned with sugar cane and turmeric Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. plants while making the Pongal. The sec- We celebrate by getting up early, taking oil ond day of Pongal is called Maattu Pongal bath, wearing new clothes, bursting ire or Kanu. Ladies keep various dishes on tur- crackers and eating sweets like Mysore meric leaves and ofer them to birds. Pak, Laddu and Bari. Going to temple is a must. Thaipoosam: This is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Thai which gen- Karthigai Festival: This is basically a fes- erally coincides with the star Poosam. This tival of lights. It marks the full moon night marks the victory of Lord Muruga over the in the month of Karthigai (Mid Nov to Mid

74 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) demon Soorapadman. Uthram. This is a very auspicious day for Lord Muruga and Lord Ayyppan. Shivaratri: This falls in the month of Maa- si (Mid Feb to Mid Mar). This is dedicated New Year Day: This is the irst day of the to Lord Shiva and is celebrated by whole irst month of the year namely Chithirai night Bhajan and Abhishekam. We observe (Mid Apr to Mid May). This is also called fasting and chant Rudram and Chamkam. Vishu. We get up early morning and pray for all round prosperity and good health Kaaradaiyan Nombu: This is celebrated in the coming new year by keeping fruits, on day one of the month Panguni (Mid vegetables, rice, coconut and lowers in Mar to Mid Apr) in commemoration of Sati front of the deity and chanting Sahasran- Savitri’s vratam to save Satyavan’s life. amam etc. Married ladies wear traditional 9 yard sa- ree, observe Nombu and tie yellow thread In conclusion our festivals are very im- called Saradu. portant in keeping the integrity and iden- tity of our society and culture. Let us keep Panguni Uthram: This is celebrated on the these traditions alive and pass them on to full moon day in the month of Panguni future generations. which generally coincides with the star Thirukkural

By Shri K R Krishnan

hirukkural, written 2000 years ago ity, love and domestic life. Kural is struc- Tby Thiruvalluvar, is a classic poetical tured into 133 chapters, each containing 10 work in Tamil consisting of 1330 couplets Kurals (two lines each) making a total of (Kural) dealing with the day to day code 1330 verses. The 133 chapters are grouped of conduct of an individual. It is consid- into three parts, Book of Dharma, Book of ered to be one of the greatest ever works Artha and Book of Kama. It is a masterpiece written on ethics and moral. Thirukkural of Tamil literature. Each verse is so short emphasizes on the principles of non-vio- but packed with so much meaning that it is lence, human brotherhood, control of de- said that each verse is like a mustard seed sires and living a life of good character. It packed with the seven seas! Some kurals covers wide range of topics such as codes with their meanings in brief are given. of rulers, friendship, agriculture, wisdom, education, knowledge, gratitude, char- Vaiyathul vaazhvaangu vaazbavanVaanuraiyum - Deivathul vaikkap padum He who follows the path of dharma ranks among the Gods in Heaven. Karkka kachadarak karpavai Katrapin Nirka atharkut thaga Whatever you learn, learn it thoroughly and live according to what you have learnt. Nandri marappadu nandrandru nandralladu - Andre marappadu nandru It is not good to forget the good done by one. It is good to forget evil done by one. Karkka kachadarak karpavai Katrapin Nirka atharkut thaga he best punishment to those who do evil to you is to make them ashamed by doing good to them. Yaakaavaaraayinum naakakka kaavaakkaal - Sokaappar sollizhukkuppattu- Control your tongue otherwise you will sufer consequent misery

Thirukkural, the magnum-opus that provides universal values is available in many languages for our learning.

76 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) Srimad Bhagavatam in One Slokam

Aadau Devakidevi garbha-jananam Gopee-grihe Vardhanam Maaya-pootani-jeevi-ta apa-haranam Govardhanadhaaranam Kamsachchedana- kauravaadi-hananam Kuntisutaa-paalanam Hyetat-Bhagavatam Purana Punya-kathitam SriKrishna-leelamritam

Born to Queen Devaki, Brought-up by Gopis, Lib- erated Ogress Poothana, Levitated the Mountain Go- vardhana, Beheaded Kamsa, Saved all by killing Kauravas and guided the children of Kunthi. This is the legend of Bhagawatha, that describes the divine play of Lord Krish- na like nectar. Bhāratavarṣa – A Sacred Geography

By Shri Naresh Joshi

Since the dawn of the modern era of hu- Our culture is deeply rooted in knowledge, man history, Bhāratavarṣa or India as it where it is given the highest of pedestals is known now has fascinated the rest of in the phrase; ‘Satyam śivam suṃdaram’. the world. People from across the globe Here it is hierarchically placed with saty- frequented the great ancient education- am (eternal truth) above śivam (godliness) al centres such as Takṣaśilā, Nālandā, and that further above suṃdaram (beau- Vikramaśilā, Valabhi, Puṣpagiri, Odanta- ty). We aligned our understanding of the puri and Somapur. Maths, Science, Phi- macrocosm with the microcosm through losophy and Art were amongst the most the knowledge of the cosmos around us, popular subjects taught in these learning coupled with the contemplation of the centres. With the spread of knowledge, this self by using vigorous techniques of Yoga, civilizational ethos permeated all the way Sādhana and Dhyāna. This unique outlook to Cambodia in the east, through China, to and practice enabled us to move away from Japan and to modern day Arabia and Azer- the false identiication of the material baijan in the west. body with the real self and trying to seek refuge in temporary objects to attain eter- This incredible advance was achieved not nal ānanda (bliss). with bloodshed and violence but through the quest for Satyam (eternal truth) and In short, we pioneered the process of look- Rtam (observed cosmic laws). This wave ing inwards for answers. Generation by of civilizational expansion was carried out generation from guru (teacher) to śiṣya by the remarkably powerful language of (disciple/student), these intricate prac- Saṃskṛtam, perfect in every way. tices codiied in the śāstra were passed on

78 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) with incredible precision through various the values and knowledge of the world in- oral and cerebral techniques, ensuring the terwoven into this living language are be- accuracy of each character, its pronuncia- ing unravelled by various academic insti- tion and its swara (accent). tutions. NASA is also using Sanskrit and Pāṇini Grammar to program their latest Saṃskṛtam is the very life and very breath computers, using our precise language and of our civilizational fabric, the gate way framework of logic to develop the latest to our ancient wisdom, ranging from the artiicial Intelligence technologies. deeply powerful Vedas to the intensely captivating poetry of Kālidāsa.Saṃskṛtam Bhārata is peppered with many temples, is interwoven in our society and at one time 99% of which are not random placements even the everyday conversation in Bhārata but many with deep purāṇic/tāntric sig- Desha was held in the Devabhāṣā (language niicance, mostly all with a deep dhārmic of the gods). The list of great ancient Rṣis placement. There are at least 51 śakti (seers), Sadhus (saints) and Kavis (poets) pīṭhas, 108 divya deśam and 12 jyotirliṃga of Bhārata is endless. Our civilisation made mandirs distributed throughout India. This many advances and discoveries. It did is not to mention other prominent temples not produce a single doctrine of mindless of Jain, Buddhist and Sikh variance. Each rules or a fear driven regimentation like of these sites carefully preserving an in- our monotheistic counter parts. Instead valuable part of the great dharmic library it came up with a multitude of thought- through its practice, right from the priest provoking texts each unique but sharing down to the humble devotee. a common thread on vital issues such as Dharma, Artha, Kama and Mokṣa. This land of Bhārata, more recently termed as ‘Hindustan’, is more than just a geo- The thoughts and practices emanating out political boundary. As we have just seen, of various Saṃskṛta texts not only gov- Saṃskṛtam is the very prana of Bhārata. In erned the discourse at a philosophical lev- fact the word ‘Hindu’ does not ind a place el but even the lives of the everyday folk in Saṃskṛtam. Many scholars believe it to whom embodied the practices at individ- be a form of the word Sindhu thus describ- ual, family and community levels. Today, ing it as the region of the mighty Indus riv- if you visit even the poorest mud hut of the er. Sadguru Jaggi Vāsudeva puts it simply most remote corner of Bhārata, you will as ‘The word Hindu signiies a geographi- not leave the household thirsty or hungry. cal identity. The land that lies between the Our sacred doctrine is ‘atithidevo bhava’; Himalayas and the Indu Sāgara is called The guest (even if unannounced) is to be Hindu.’ regarded as a deva or a symbol of god. This is clear indication in the rich nature of our However, the immense riches of Bhārata culture, our civilisation and the very notion attracted the attention of aggressive of sellessness embodied in the remotest neighbours from the north of the Himala- of corners of a vast land commonly seen yas. Several waves of invaders came in the throughout. form of the Afghans, Turks and Mughals. This resulted in a terrible level of destruc- Today, we see a great revival in Saṃskṛtam tion of our ancient infrastructure and ulti- particularly here in the West. The clues, mately our traditions. We lost most of our

Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) 79 great educational institutions mentioned technology and resources, our eforts in this earlier and many of our grandest temples direction fall far short of what he achieved through these new ferocious ruling tyrants. in his relatively short lifetime. Most such sites remain yet to be reclaimed (notable mentions; Kāśī Viśvanātha, Rāma Despite constant attempts by our enemies Janmabhūmi Ayodhyā and Kṛṣṇa Janmas- over the last millennium to destroy our cul- than Mathurā). tural traditions, our civilisation has with- stood the test of time. Bhārata thus remains Over the years, many renaissance move- the last surviving ancient civilisation be- ments arrived and of them perhaps the most cause in Bhārata, we possess not just a geo- noted philosophical revivals came with the political boundary, nor just a piece of land advent of none other than śrī Jagad Guru where we live/once lived, but the very foun- Ādi Śaṅkarācārya. In his 33 year lifetime, dation of our Dharma. Bhārata is not just a he became master of both the śruti text, the set of coordinates on a map but the civili- smṛti texts authoring many commentaries sational ethos and identity carried by each and stotrams. He travelled the length and Bhāratiya. It is a continuous chain and a breadth of Bhārata on foot exploring the sa- colourful seamless spectrum carried by the cred geography of this country and estab- past generation namely our pitṛs, the pre- lishing Mathas in strategic centres for the sent generation namely us and each subse- preservation of our cherished way of life. quent generation. Today, even with the support of modern Vande Mātaram.

मि््राणि धन धान्यानि प्रजानां सम्म्ानिव | mitrāṇi dhana dhānyāni prajānāṃ sammatāniva | जननी जन्म भूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी || jananī janma bhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī ||

Rṣi śrī Bhāradvāja said, “The friends, the riches and the grains are highly honoured in this world. Mother and Motherland are far superior to even the heaven.”

80 Shri Radha Madhav Kalyana Mahotsav 2018 (UK) [email protected]