SriSri ChakraChakra The Source of the Cosmos

The Journal of the Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam, Rush, NY

Bl ossom 10 Pet a l 4 August 2006 All Saint’s Day OurOur OurOurthoughtsthoughtsthoughtsthoughts Dear Devotees,

People who regularly attend the temple will invariably notice at one time or another a person asking Aiya a variation of the age-old question: “Why doesn’t God hear my prayers?” Sometimes the question has to do with the person not being able to hear God, or God not answering the person. Whatever the exact wording, the issue always has to do with a communication gap between the worshiper and the deity. Aiya often says that Devi is talking all the time to each and every one of us, but we are the ones who are not listening. Sometimes it is due to our focus on our everyday lives, like keeping our doctor’s appointments, doing our homework, getting dinner on the table, taking the garbage out, and feeding the dog. Sometimes our spiritual hearing problem has to do with inner noise, or our repeated thinking about taking the garbage out and feeding the dog. A lot of the time, we don’t hear Devi because we’re analyzing the process too much instead of just worshiping her without a goal in mind. Am I saying this mantra correctly? I’ve been chanting this for two weeks and it’s not doing anything! How come so-and-so can hear things and I can’t? I’m much older than her; this should be happening to me first! The goal of our sadhana is to not have a goal. It is to surrender to Devi and do everything we can for Her without expecting or even hoping to get anything in return. It’s a lifestyle that we must re-train our minds to comply with because in today’s modern world, everything has become a tool with which to achieve an end. But this lifestyle is entirely possible, which is what this issue shows with stories about the miracles of modern-day saints. The mahans in the feature section this month have all transcended outer and inner noise, and have served God just for the sake of doing so. Their goals were not to achieve the levels they have achieved, but to stay fervently concentrated on Devi forever. They have not only seen and heard Devi, they have become one with Her. One could argue that these souls were born holy and were destined to be great right from the beginning. This is true, but their destinies would not have been fulfilled without a focus that they, as humans in this earthly birth, have had to train themselves to adopt. If they did not have to endure some kind of hardship and go through spiritual journeys (no matter how small or large), their teachings could not resonate so deeply with so many of us on a human level. Another powerful group whose stories Aiya has been telling for years now are the Nayanmars, or 63 Tamil saints. From this issue on, the Sri Chakra will be publishing one story each month to re-tell the tales of devotion that these souls have lived. Please see their stories and enjoy the rest of this issue. Deepest thanks goes out to our contributors, Aiya, Kathy Allen, Venugopala Rao Ganji, Professor V. Krishnamurthy, Suhir Ponncchamy, and Dr. Somaskanda, who worked tirelessly to fill this issue. An extra special thanks to Soumitra Sengupta! Feel free to send your feedback to [email protected] because we are desperate for some e- mail! We welcome any comments, suggestions, questions, discussion, pictures, offers to volunteer, or anything you feel like sending us. This is your magazine!

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha! The Sri Chakra staff

2 All Saint’s Day AAugustugust NewsletNewsletNewsletNewsletterterterter

Since the last issue... Aiya bounced off the end of the the ritual. Every person offered May festival with a lot of travel to the three balls, a flower, and a different areas around New York. fruit into the Genesee river and He first went to Toronto teach his then performed abhishekam to monthly Sunday class for the the Kasi . Following local children. He also performed alankaram and a final arathi, two cremations in the first couple everyone was served lunch. of weeks in June, but was present Aiya also offered a plate of at the temple in mid-June for the several cooked curries and rice to Pratyangira homam sponsored the deceased. by Mr. Subbarao, the chosen successor to Guruji in Devipuram. Aiya and Amma welcomed with an Aadi Pooram and Chandi Throughout the latter weekends aarathi Homam, June 28 by Abhi Somaskanda in June, Aiya spent a lot of time in Aiya and Amma performed puja New Jersey and performed two to Guruji and Guru Garu, and This year’s Aadi Pooram began weddings and two private pujas then had Sodasaupachara puja with a Chandi Homam at 9am, led there. During the Gurupoornima performed to them. Bhaktas then by Aiya and Dr. Vishwanathan. weekend on July 8, he performed a got the chance to put flower petals The homam’s sponsors offered the local wedding and then took off to on Aiya’s and Amma’s feet during elaborate ahuthis, which included Toronto for another kids class on th the chanting of the Dattatreya 13 cotton saris, one for each the 9 . He returned in time for the Stavam, Guru Stotram, and the chapter of the Chandi Path (Durga Gurupoornima festivities and singing of bhajans. Selected Saptasasthi), along with coconuts, enjoyed an evening of bhajans devotees then personally got to dravyam and a after the celebrations. After express their feelings to Aiya and thirumangalyam among other conducting Aadi Amavasya and Amma, and some of the temple offerings. Aadi Puram in the last week of children put on a small play Vishnu Durga sat in front of the July, Aiya left for Dallas, Texas for homa kunda throughout the th about the birth of Dattatreya. a housewarming puja on the 29 . (Please visit www.srividya.org morning, presiding over the Past Month Events for more pictures). event. During homam, Aadi Amavasya, June 24 abhishekam to Her commenced. Gurupoornima, July 10 Once the homam’s Bhairava bali by Abhi Somaskanda by Kamya Ramaswamy was given, everyone returned to Gurupoornima was organized The temple hosted about about the yajnashala to offer at least 7 by the devotees from Hamilton 50 people registered to have a different palaharam and foods and London (in Canada), and ran Srardham done on behalf of their toVishnu Durga. from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on deceased fathers. Aadi Amavasya Traditionally, Aadi Pooram is Monday July 10. The focus was on is a day that tarpanam is offered celebrated as the day Devi the unity of the temple family, to the paternal side of the family. attained womanhood. Many also and the theme was the Guru Chitra purnami, celebrated earlier celebrate this day as the day Parampara. Portraits of gurus in the year, is for the maternal Mahalakshmi was born in the from past and present adorned side. form of Aandal. the windowsill on the north Everyone had a chance to make Chandi Homams will be now side of the yajnashala, and five three pindam balls each, performed on this festival every naga hoods stood tall behind consisting of banana, white flour, year. Amma’s and Aiya’s seats at the black sesame, ghee, and jaggery. eastern doors. After the balls were made, the After they were welcomed in, group headed down to Kasi for

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Varalakshmi Vratham, Aug 4 by Kamya Ramaswamy From top to bottom: Devotees sang ceremony) on September 15, Married women were bhajans alternating with the Navaratri will begin. The encouraged to participate in the Dattatreya Stavam; Devotees celebrations this year will focus Varalakshmi puja on the evening received blessings as they offered on Balatripurasundari and the 36 of Friday August 4.Ladies flower petals at Aiya and Amma’s Tattvas. Each day, the entire feet; A huge rainbow appeared performed puja to Varalakshmi Navarathri malar will be chanted after a heavy downpour once the herself (in the form of a ghee with different variations on the festivities were over. deepam) for the well-being of pujas for every day of the festival. their households and spouses. Abhishekams will happen daily With all ladies surrounding a as they do on regular Saturdays. large lamp dressed as Devi, over Different homams will be 50 women sponsored the event. performed throughout each day of Following the puja, women tied the festival, with Aiya presiding the thread, and had delicious as the main pujari. However, prasadam. Aiya and Amma also volunteers will be able to blessed every lady with vibhuthi, participate within each puja and/ kumkuma, and a fruit. or homam. Vibhuthi Saivaite Immersion Vijayadasami/Kedaragowri Camp, Aug 5 - 12 begins, Oct 1 by Abhi Somaskanda by Kamya Ramaswamy The third year of the camp, ran The last day of Navarathri is from August 5-12. Children usually jam-packed with Chandi learned Hindu cultural games, Homam at 5 am, abhishekam, the the Tamil prayer Sivapuranam, procession of the Navaratri stories, crafts, cooking and other kalasam, and finally the Ratha, arts. With a new facility for pulled by all the devotees. campers, the camp rounded out at In the evening, Kedaragowri almost 60 children. Paired with commences. The Kedaragowri an outing, bhajans, dancing, and celebration is undertaken by learning, every camper left women who wish to pray for the wanting to add another week to longevity and well-being of their the camp! husbands. It commemorates the Ganapathi Chaturthi, Aug 27 vratham and austerities Devi by sAbhi Somaskanda undertook to merge with . Along with Kedara Gowri This year’s Chaturthi happened Vratham, which lasts for 21 days, inside the yajnashala due to October 2nd and 3rd are the final weather constraints. Along with rites of Navaratri. This includes offering 1008 modakams into the Devi’s Kulurthi (“cooling down”), fire, and abhisheka to the uttsava bringing down the flag, Ganapathi, devotees got to do udvasanam of all the festival’s Dig tarpanam 3 times to a coconut- Devata kalsams, and Bhairava sized Vinayaka shaped out of bali. turmeric. This Ganapathi was In Two Months later washed into the river down The next issue of the at Kasi Sri Chakra Magazine After lunch, Aiya led bhajans Devi willing, the next issue of the Sri Chakra Magazine will be up on until the evening procession of the temple’s website (www.srividya.org) at the beginning of uttsava Ganapathi. Afterwards, Novermber 2006. The next issue will focus on Balatripurasundari. As everyone enjoyed maha part of this year’s Navarathri festivities, the issue will include articles prasadam and lively music. on Bala, Her sadhana, and Her worship. If you are interested in writing articles or taking pictures, please e- Upcoming Events mail us at [email protected]. If you would like to contribute, the deadline for submissions Sharada Navaratri, Sept 22 - Oct 1 (photographs and/or articles) is Friday, October 20. Please be a part of by Kamya Ramaswamy this effort. We look forward to seeing your contributions and Eight days following the suggestions to help make this magazine the best it can be! dvajarohanam (flag raising Sri Gurubhyo Namah!

The Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam ~ 6980 East River Road ~ Rush, NY 14543 ~ Phone: (585) 533 - 1970 4 All Saint’s Day krishna krishna krishna krishna krishna krishna krishna krishna krishna krishna

By Dr. A. Somaskanda balamurali balamurali balamurali balamurali balamurali balamurali balamurali balamurali balamurali balamurali Aficionados of carnatic music were treated to a in Gambhira Natta. Although traditionally a vira musical extravaganza on the 6th of June, 2006 at the rasa pradhana raga, it sparkled with vinaya bhava Sri Rajarajeswari temple in Rush, New York. The and devotional fervor. evening featured the legendary maestro, Dr. The second composition, “Amba Mamava,” was a Balamurali Krishna, a musician/composer non delightful swara mala in three ranjanis (Ranjam, Sri pareil, who has been entrancing connoisseurs of Ranjani, and Janaranjani). There was no elaborate music for more than 60 years. This peerless musical delineation of the ragas with alapana and neraval, colossus with a deceptively diminutive figure and a but his seemless glide from one raga to the next was mischievous smile has a booming voice laced with a an amazing feat be behold. thousand tonal warps and woofs and a majestic The third composition “Aaya Kalaigal,” in timbre. Mohanam was the only song in Tamil. Mohanam is a Lasting close to 90 minutes, the concert more than universal raga that has its equivalent scales in lived up to its expectations and kept the audience several cultures of the world. It is a mellifluous spellbound. All but one of the compositions was audava raga with five swaras in both arohanam and chosen from his own rich repertoire. avarohanam. It has elaborate and virtually limitless The maestro commenced his concert with a scope for alapanas and swara prastharas. Dr. captivating composition “Amma Ananda Dhayini” Balamurali Krishan’s exposition of this raga is

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always electrifying, as he plays piece segued into a mangalam, the magic with kalpanaswaras in only song not composed by Dr. myriad permutations and Balamurali Krishna. It was in the combinations. Although this cadent Madhyamavathi raga, rendition was somewhat which is a pentatonic scale with abbreviated, it was nevertheless numerous compositions and semi- delightful and heartwarming. classical numbers to its credit. The most elaborate of his Veteran violinist Vittal renditions was the fourth Ramamurthy was outstanding in composition, “Charanam,” giving his own right and a perfect spoil full scope for alapana, neraval, for the maestro. and kalpanaswaras. It was set in The ebullient mridangist, raga Kamavarthini Ramakrishna, disciple of Ghatam- (Panthuvarali), a mela raga. This great,Vikku Vinayakaram, brought to the fore the maestro’s accompanied the maestro with incredible vocal dexterity. Violin verve, blinding speed, and was equal to the task with solo adroitness. His thaniavarthanam versions and swara repartees in with its infinite rhythmic this ornate raga. Tiptoeing behind variations was a treat to savor. the maestro’s resonant voice, the This concert will remain fresh in violin danced across the swara our memory for a long time to scale with a flurry of glissandos, come. capturing the essence of the raga. The rapport between the voice and violin was uncanny. I think the maestro’s piece de resistance, was his prosodic masterpiece “Omkara Karini,” set in an incredibily lilting raga Lavangi that he himself created out of four swaras (a svarantara raga). The scale for this raga is Sa Ri1 Ma1 Dha1 Sa (arohanam) and Sa Dha1 Ma1 Ri1 Sa (avarohanam, omitting Gandharam (Ga), Panchamam (Pa), and Nishadam (Ni). This sahitya is a spine tingling rhapsody in praise of Devi, the Universal Mother, wherein the bhaktha, in blissful ecstasy, describes the two faces of Devi – one of roudra (rage), that destroys the ego, and the other of abhayaka shubangi (auspiciousness and compassion). His voice rose in serpentine ascent Above: Violinist Vittal Ramamurthy though three octaves to Below: Mridangist Ramakrishna a crescendo and cascades down to accompanies Balamuralikrishna a diminuendo with a thousand dazzling nuances that can only be possible by this maestro. Tears welled up in my eyes and I felt goose bumps as his intonations and variations seemingly spoke to the Goddess. His concluding kriti, preceded by a short number in raga Punnakavarali, and a delightful Tillana in Kathanakuthukalam, was “Dharma Samvarthini.” This

6 All Saint’s Day TTTTempleempleempleemple

A Toronto devotee attended the Sri Kamakshi LoreLoreLoreLore temple in , one of the most ancient temples in all of India. As she was going around the The stories of the devotees at the Sri temple with her family, a mysterious sannyasi Rajarajeswari Peetam create the very appeared and seemed to be walking faster than all of them. He was very small and had a very peaceful essence of the temple’s soul. expression on his face. He smiled at them, passed Aiya has verified all these talesfor their them as they circumambulated the temple, and authenticity, and he urges devotees to entered the sanctum sanctorum through a back door. The family later asked the priest of the temple to share their experiences for the benefit of show them that back door. He said he had been future generations. All identities will be working there for 30 years, and the temple was 3500 kept in thestrictest confidentiality unless years old—there was no back door. After the family otherwise informed. told him what happened, he laughed and said Adi compiled by Kamya Ramaswamy Shankara, himself, had given them his darshanam! CCCCCCCCC

Volunteers at the temple were setting up for evening puja during a minor festival day and found they didn’t have enough fruits for all the sannidhis. The new policy at the temple was to give every sannidhi a large fruit (like an apple or orange) and a small fruit (like grapes or cherries). There were no small fruits left in the temple and the evening puja had already begun. Just when the volunteers thought it was Devi’s will to only have one fruit at each sannidhi this time, a female visitor who had just arrived from Toronto walked up to them and handed them a bag of cherries! The volunteers were stunned! CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC DidDidDidDid you you you you know?know?know?know? *That many holy saints were often considered lunatics? *About 10 % of all sadhus in India are female and they are called sadhvis? *That many rishis and saints of previous yugas are still alive and practicing japam in hidden areas all over India? *That amsams and rishis sometimes choose to be reborn in kali yuga because a little bit of japam now is equal to thousands of years of penance in previous yugas? *Saints are not always naturally born, but are holy because they follow dharma and the truth at any cost? *The defining characteristic of saints is that they have broken the boundary of third-dimensional thought—this lets them see everyone the same and express great love and joy to all of God’s creations? *Saints always live simple lives and have conquered their emotions? *Many saints are responsible for breaking down the caste and gender barriers in traditional Hindu society—Swami Dayananda and Vivekananda are two examples *Sadhus typically live off bhiksha provided by families, and spend most of their time in meditation

7 All Saint’s Day 636363 NaNaNaNayyyyanmarsanmarsanmarsanmars Starting with this issue, The sri chakra journal will be pppublishing one Nayyyanmar story per issue. This month’s story focuses on Nandanar. august 2006 Thirunalaipovar (Nandanar)

Born in Adanur on the banks of the river During a public discourse, he heard about the Kolleedam as an untouchable, Nandanar could not wonderous shrine at Chidambaram, regarded as one enter the temples nearby because of his caste. As a of the most important Shivalayams. Passionately, he great devotee of Shiva he prayed and yearned to be desired to see Chidambaram, but let the days go by able to visit Thiruppankoor, a Shiva temple about an out of fear of rejection. He kept saying he would hour away from Chidambaram. When he inquired begin the journey the next day. The villagers nearby about making the trip, the landlord Nandanar thus named him Thirunalaipovaar (in Tamil, “he’ll worked for refused to allow him to go without go tomorrow”). tilling 40 acres of land in one day. Nandanar prayed Finally, Nandanar set off for Chidambaram. He to Lord Shiva that night and pleaded with him to stood outside the gates of the Nataraja temple and help fulfill his dream of visiting Shiva’s temple. By cried—even other devotees prayed to Nataraja to the next day, Shiva himself tilled all 40 acres and have mercy on him. Because of his caste, he was Nandanar’s landlord realized he was no ordinary unable to cross the gates. Seeing His devotee’s devotee of Shiva. anguish, Nataraja came into all of the At Thiruppankoor, Nandanar realized he could Chidambaram priests’ dreams one night. He told the not go inside because of his caste, so he prayed every priests to walk Nandanar through a sacrificial fire day to see a vision of the Shivalingam inside the the next morning, after bathing. Nandanar entered temple. But Nandanar could not see the lingam the fire and was bathed by the flames until he because Nandi, Shiva’s vahana, was blocking it. became golden. He emerged a Brahmin, wearing a Praying to Shiva again, Nandanar asked that Nandi yajnopavitam (sacredthread). The Tillai Brahmins move aside so that he could see the lingam. carried him on a palanquin toward the Nataraja. He Amazingly, the Nandi moved aside, and even today, placed his foot on the first step leading up to the he remains a few feet from the center! temple and, in front of everyone’s eye, he Overwhelmed with gratitude and love, Nandanar disappeared! built Thiruppankoor its own temple tank.

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modernmodernmodern dadadadayyyy

SaintsSaintsSaints

“WHENEVER AND WHEREVER A DECLINE OF

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PREDOMINANCE OF

UNRIGHTEOUSNESS PREVAILS;

AT THAT TIME I MANIFEST MYSELF PERSONALLY...

FOR PROTECTION OF THE DEVOTEES AND THE

ANNIHILATION OF THE WICKED AND TO FULLY

ESTABLISH RIGHTEOUSNESS,

I APPEAR MILLENIUM AFTER MILLENIUM”

- BHAGAVAD GITA

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It is often said that special souls Maragatham conceived and gave His family worried about his have the ability, unlike the rest of birth to a son, Sesha, on Saturday lack of personal care and unkempt us, to choose their parents and January 22, 1870, during Hasta appearance, along with strange family lineage. In the latter half of nakshatram of Thai maasam. habits like meditating in burial the 1800s, the family of Kamakoti Sesha enraptured the people of grounds (this was highly Shastri was one of the few his village and grew up learning unbecoming to members of the surviving bloodlines Adi slokams with precision. His old Brahmin caste back then). Yet, he Shankara had chosen to inhabit soul shone through a young body continued his sadhana Kanchipuram more than 2000 in the extreme calm and unperturbed. years prior. Again, this family concentration he showed while On a trip to the Sri Kamakshi was chosen to raise the child who worshiping. On the way to the temple, he met his future guru, would grow up to be one of the temple one day, a street vendor Balaji Swami and the connection most endearing and unusual gifted Sesha a small Krishna was electric. He tirelessly served sages of Tamil Nadu. statue. The next day, the Balaji Swami and discussed with Kamakoti Shastri was the head shopkeeper ran to meet Sesha and him endless spiritual topics. It of the famed Sri Kamakshi temple his mother and told them he had marked the transformation of in Kanchipuram and had but one sold a thousand of the same Seshadri Swamigal from a boy biological child, a daughter statues that same day. He kissed into a saint. Balaji Swami named Seshammal. His older Sesha and called him “Thanga initiated the young man of 18 into brother, Chitambara Shastri, was kai” (golden hands). sannyasm. also a priest but had four siddhasiddhasiddha p p purushaurushaurusha THE DIVINITY OF SRI SESHADRI SWAMIGAL by Kamya Ramaswamy, with notes from Ms. Indhu

children. The youngest, a girl Sesha’s future mimicked the Reaching Thiruvannamalai was named Maragatham, had the very divinity of his childhood, but he now the saint’s primary goal. His air of Devi, Herself. She was smart learned detachment quickly. His family tried to lock him up in a and beautiful, and she had an father, realizing his own untimely room, convinced he had gone mad extremely close bond with her death, forewarned Sesha to care with the deaths of his loved ones. uncle, Kamakoti Shastri. for the family when he was still a But when they looked out the Kamakoti unofficially assumed teenager. Maragatham, now a window, there he was running the role of her adopted father. widow, took Sesha to care for the away! His feats told them he was His love for her was so great aging Kamakoti Shastri until his not insane, but a highly developed that he arranged her marriage to passing less than two years later. soul that could not be restrained. a young man named Varadarajar, Unable to bear the demise of her Upon arriving in , he who was handsome and decent. husband and father, Maragatham entered into the temple of Years after they were married, shouted, “Arunachalam” thrice Arunachaleshwar and Unnamalai however, the young couple found before she too passed. and simultaneously entered into a that they had no luck conceiving From the moment he heard the state of permanent bliss. The year children. sacred word on his mother’s lips, was 1889 and Seshadri Swamigal Coming from a long line of Sri Seshadri was immersed in would stay in Arunachalam for Vidya upasakas, the two prayed dispassion and set out to find the the next 40 years. and undertook severe fasts and holy land of Thiruvannamalai. He was an individual with austerities for a baby. Even the His family tried to stop him and/ several striking peculiarities. His detached Kamakoti Shastri could or get him married, but his dynamic voice was sometimes not bear to see their suffering and horoscope said he was destined to heard singing the hymns quietly implored his Mother, Sri be a great yogi. He chanted the composed by his grandfather, Kamakshi, to relieve them. She mantras he learned from Kamakoti Shastri. He interacted told Kamakoti to feed childhood without a break and lovingly with villagers and Maragatham the butter prasadam rigorously performed Sandhya especially small children but offered to Her in puja. In due time, Vandhanam every day. never grew attached to anyone.

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He taught them to never place importance on caste, for it would prevent focus on one’s sadhana. He advocated total concentration and control of the five senses. In the late 1920s, he posed a question to one of his students, Subalakshmi Ammal in his usual indirect style. He asked her if he should build another house for himself. She told him to go ahead, unaware that he was asking her opinion on whether it was time for him to leave his body. In a subsequent celebration, Swamigal’s bhaktas wished to perform abhishekam on him, despite his protests. He knew his time was near and wished to spend his last days in peace. But to appease them, he told them they could do whatever they wanted except for putting water on his head. They intended to follow their guru’s wishes but in their overzealousness got caught up in the abhishekam until pots and pots of water had been poured on Swamigal’s entire body. Soon after, the fever broke out. Swamigal was feverish for 40 days straight, sometimes walking around like normal but looking He would wear rags and quickly some men at the weak and wane. He would frolic dirty new clothes given to him to Arunachaleshwar temple to find a about as usual in the rain, eschew the bonds of materialism. boy in the depths of the property sometimes slipping in the mud He rarely slept and ate little–the who was doing intense penance and unable to get up, but refusing food he did eat was often stale and and to bring him above-ground. anyone’s help. He also refused to foul-smelling. Behind a shivalingam in the be bedridden and only stayed Shopkeepers would wait for him temple cellar, the men found a inside when he no longer had the and invite him to toss the cash young boy who would later be strength to move. Scores of from their registers because it known as , but doctors came from far and wide, was a guarantee that business was now gravely injured by rats but could do nothing when Devi would boom. Sick and ailing and insects that had eaten his had decided to bring Her son back villagers would take any remedy body. He did not know it because to his rightful place. he prescribed, even if it was a he was lost in tapas. On Friday January 4, 1929, handful of sand because it would Seshadri Swamigal revived the Seshadri Swamigal lay still with be an instant cure. A cot given to child with the same protection he peace on his face. He attained him to sleep on largely went gave to all his bhaktas. He Maha at the exact time ignored and gathered dust until comforted grieving parents with when the planets were identical the giver begged him to at least sit more children, blessed prostitutes to the moment of his birth 59 on it. After he did, the villagers with financial security, and even years ago. He was buried where gathered the dust and took it made sour foods taste sweet with his ashram stands today and still home to use as an all-purpose one touch. His oneness with the makes appearances in certain medicine. Mother restored a blind boy’s devotees. Those who visit Some years after Seshadri sight, brought several people back Thiruvannamalai will surely feel Swamigal came to Annamalai, he from the brink of death, and his presence. realized the presence of another inspired suffering in anyone who great soul in the area. He told dared harm his students.

11 All Saint’s Day thethethe Jiv Jiv Jivan-an-an- mukmukmuktttaaa by Professor V. Krishnamurthy E-mail: [email protected]

Descriptions of a Jivan-mukta persons inside the Mutt hoping to (self-realized person) abound be able to see the Mahaswamigal profusely in advaitic literature. in due course. But suddenly I They actually cover a wide heard a bustle of movement; spectrum. Here is an interesting every one was rushing to the gate. description from Shivananda- And then I knew something was lahari (#81), which is relevant in happening there and I also moved the context of this article: with the crowd. Lo and behold! Oh Lord! To spend some time in The sight that I saw there was offering archanas to Your lotus scintillating. feet, to spend some time in The Mahaswamigal had al, al, al, al, al, al, al, al, al, al, dhyana and samadhi and in problems of vision those days. prostrations to You, to spend Maybe he could see very little at a some time in listening to stories distance. So he was there standing about You, to spend again some at the gate, in fact on the road time in viewing Your beautiful near the gate, almost very near Forms and in prayerful stotras to the palanquin of the divine deity. them–Whoever thus spends his Heavy searchlights were being time and enjoys the beatific focused on the deity for the immersement in You, is he not Acharya to see Her clearly. Of amig amig amig amig amig amig amig amig amig amig already a Jivan-mukta? course, She had been decorated to I have a personal experience of the fullest, what with gold, seeing the Kanchi Mahaswamigal diamond, pearl, ruby and (1894-1994) in such a jivan-mukta emerald. And what an abundance stage around 1989. I was visiting of flowers of all colours on Her! the Kanchi Mutt for a dharshan of The Acharya was standing on the three Acharyas. It was an the ground with his hands evening (around 7 p.m.) when the cupped over his eyes for him to Kamakshi deity of Kanchipuram see clearly. Perhaps on one side was having the 10-day annual the lights were blinding his eyes. festival and that was the day of He was straining hard to have a the “Kudirai-vAhanaM” (i.e., the vision of the majesty of the deity deity would be taken in a that was presented before him. He procession seated on the was moving his head this side palanquin riding a horse). and that side to optimize his view. And it appears before the deity Everyone was silent. It was is taken round the town for the difficult to decide, for us mahasw mahasw mahasw mahasw mahasw mahasw mahasw mahasw mahasw mahasw procession, they had the habit of spectators, whether the Acharya bringing the palanquin to the gate was there to have dharshan of of the Kanchi Mutt so that the Kamakshi or whether Kamakshi Mahaswamigal could have a was there to have a dharshan of darshan of the deity. And thus the the Acharya! This serene silence procession appeared at the gate of and the drama of the the Mutt. Mahaswamigal slapping his anchi anchi anchi anchi anchi anchi anchi

anchi Being totally unaware of the cheeks in traditional token of his anchi anchi day’s routine, I was just mingling having dharshan of the Goddess and conversing with a few continued for probably a full four k k k k k k k k k k

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or five minutes or so. And at last men and women, prince and diversions of the so-called he turned to walk inside the mutt pauper, around the world. civilised urban life and and the disciples led him on. Through a major part of his life environment. It protects one from I came back to earth realizing he talked to us masses in million the distractions that invade a just then that I had been ways and was never tired of celibate discipline. witnessing all along a divine telling us to mend our ways, The insistence that the sishya scene which I can never forget! telling us how and why. His should reside with the Guru all Mark Ye, all devotees! What great lessons to us are known to fill up the time ensures that he imbibes necessity was there for this Jivan- volumes. I am reproducing just not only the oral teachings of the mukta to have a dharshan of the one of those million lessons in the Guru but has the fullest deity with such great difficulty? following paragraphs, purely as a opportunity of a total And what did he achieve? But sample and a homage. Being a apprenticeship in the practice of a that is the characteristic of a summary of a speech of his on disciplined life. And most of all, Jivan-mukta! modern ways of education, it is the humility that one learns and But don’t think that a Jivan- just a drop of honey certainly, absorbs as a part of his own mukta is just only a spectacle for from the ocean of his divine behaviour is the greatest asset for us, ordinary mortals. This Jivan- counsel. one’s education. mukta, the Kanchi He traces the modern erosion in The tough life of the Gurukula Mahaswamigal, was so simple, moral values to our moving away residency is the surest way of humble, profound, enlightened, from the Gurukula system of taming one’s ego, if not of totally compassionate, scholarly and full education. It is the Gurukula eradicating it. In addition, every of Grace that he naturally and system, he says, that takes one bit of learning had a basis or a effortlessly touched the hearts of away from the pressures and background of Divinity associated

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with it either as part of tradition gurukulas should be more than or as part of the learning itself, adequately compensated for their and this certainly helps to dedication and effort. confront and counter the These pockets of gurukulas arrogance of scholarship and the should be spread across the aham-kâra that creep in. country in hundreds, nay, On the other hand, the greatest thousands, of rural locations and ill of the system of present-day in some sense the gurus of these education is a syllabus that has places need not be permanent for no human or cultural values life. They may work in ‘secular’ dove-tailed into it. Actually the jobs elsewhere but they may modern fashion has dichotomized come and go just as we indent learning and behaviour. One may foreign professors for specific jobs or may not profess what he learns in specific educational but in both cases one’s behaviour institutions. has come to mean something that While the Gurukula system will is independent of the learning certainly not be a substitute for amassed; so completely the modern system of education, independent that the incidence of in due course of time it should crime and misbehaviour is far prove to be a good supplement to higher among the educated urban whatever educational system that population than among the rural is in vogue for ‘secular’ purposes; uneducated. It is clear that we in fact the course of history must have been miseducating rather be shaped in such a manner as than educating! would eradicate this disease of The Mahaswamigal therefore separating the ‘secular’ purpose recommends, in fact strongly from the value-oriented insists, that, as a minimum education. programme: Though these gurukulas may be As many ‘educated’ people as in distinct pockets of physical possible should go through the locations, they must be operated process of Gurukula residentship in such a way that in the course of for some period in their active life. probably half-a-century or so The traditional sastras should they must have become part of be learnt mostly through the the life-style of the country. Just as Gurukula system. during the time of war some The Gurukula locations should, countries insist that all their as far as possible, be away from citizens should have gone through the din and dust of the ‘pollution’ a specific period of service in the of modern civilization. military, so also we should be able The disciples who go for whole to insist that every ‘educated’ time Gurukula system should be citizen should have gone through supported lavishly by stipends, the Gurukula at least for one or without however being polluted two years in their life either as a by the sin of affluence. Towards guru or a sishya! this objective they should be You can see how the Acharya wholly involved in putting in ‘descends,’ for our sake, from his physical labour towards Jivan-mukta heights to our maintaining the system and in mundane level and talks to us in ‘begging’ their Bikshâ, at times. our own language on our While scholars of the various problems, for our benefit. Our subjects should be ready to do benefit was his concern and that some bit of sacrifice to give their is the unexplainable greatness of time and energy to make the Jivan-muktas like the schemes of Gurukula system Mahaswamigal, for whom, what work, it is the responsibility of the we see as jagat, is actually general public to see that those Brahman, because, they ‘are scholars who are prepared to always in Brahman’ — *brahmani te spend their time as gurus in these sthitAH* (B.G. V – 19).

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Sri Sathya Sai Baba is one of the most revered spiritual Masters of today’s world, who has millions of followers spread all over the continents. Born on 23rd November 1926 in a tiny hamlet Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh in the South of India, Baba or Swami as His devotees affectionately call him, never set foot in the Western world. Yet, Baba’s simple, practical, relevant and spiritually powerful teachings, which are universal in nature and aimed at uniting the mankind, have been positively impacting varying faiths and races alike for the last six decades. KKKaliyugaliyugaliyugaaa A A Avvvaaatttar:ar:ar: SriSriSri SaSaSathythythyaaa SaiSaiSai

BabaBabaBababy Venugopala Rao Ganji

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Through His timeless and As a child, Sri Sathya Sai Baba costs and were inconceivable even universal message of love, Baba is demonstrated the divine qualities for governments. Of the quietly transforming the world of compassion, wisdom, innumerable humanitarian by re-establishing in everyday generosity, the desire to serve projects/activities, Baba made it living the eternal human values others and great respect for possible to: of... elders. He also displayed incredible miraculous powers be *Establish scores of schools, Truth (Sathya) it materializing sacred ash colleges and a university named Righteousness (Dharma) (Vibhuti), a diamond, reviving the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Peace (Shanthi) dead, transcending space and Learning (1981), where education Love (Prema) and time or defying all physical laws. is provided totally free from Non-violence (Ahimsa) He could quote extensively from Kindergarten to Post-Graduation. and comprehensively discuss the Baba says, “Education is for the The pursuit of Truth will lead to spiritual texts without ever mind and therefore, should be Righteous conduct, Righteous having studied them; nor had he given free.” conduct promotes Peace; Peace any formal higher education or a enables one to Love, and Love is Guru. He established his spiritual *Execute mammoth ongoing God. Baba exhorts us to Live in headquarters (ashram) known as drinking water supply projects Love. Prashanthi Nilayam (The Abode costing over $150 million. There of the Highest Peace) at are about three in Andhra Baba says: Puttaparthi. On October 29, 1940, at the age I have come to light the lamp of of 14, he declared to his family Love in your hearts, to see that it and to the people of his village shines day by day with added that his mission was to bring luster. I have not come on any about the spiritual regeneration of mission of publicity for any sect humanity by demonstrating and or creed or cause, nor have I come teaching the highest principles of to collect followers for my truth, righteous conduct, peace, doctrine. I have come to tell you of and divine love. the Universal unitary faith, the His mission was further path of Love. Believe that all amplified in a letter he wrote to ANDHRA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT Hearts are motivated by the one his brother in 1947. “I have a One of Sathya Sai Baba’s greatest and only God, that all names in all task,” he said, “to foster all service projects has been his languages and all forms man can mankind and ensure for all of amazing ongoing project to supply conceive, denote the one and only them lives full of bliss. I have a fresh drinking water to remote God. Cultivate the attitude of vow: to lead all who stray away villages in rural India. The people of oneness between people of all from the straight path again into these impoverished villages had for creeds, all countries and all goodness and save them. I am many years been without drinkable continents. This is the message of attached to a work that I love: To water until 1995 when Swami began Love I bring. remove the sufferings of the poor construction on this massive and grant them what they lack.” undertaking. Emphasizing that all religions By exhorting “Love All—Serve are facets of the same Truth, Baba All, Help Ever—Hurt Never,” Pradesh (1995 & 2000), one in proclaims, “Let the different faiths which is the quintessence of the Tamil Nadu (2004) and currently exist, let them flourish... Respect Holy Scriptures, Baba prescribes in Karnataka, catering to the difference between the faiths and urges mankind to take up thousands of parched villages and recognize them, so long as Service (seva) activities to with free drinking water. Baba they do not extinguish the flame ameliorate the downtrodden, the says, “Water is needed for of Unity.” He often reminds us all dispossessed and the forlorn, survival, and therefore should be that, recognizing the God in them. provided free.” “My Life is My Message,” says There is only ONE religion; the Baba who lives by precept. *Build scores of clinics and religion of Love Perhaps never before in the hospitals—and notably two There is only ONE language; the history of mankind were such Super Specialty Hospitals in language of the Heart gigantic humanitarian and Puttaparthi (1995) and Bangalore There is only ONE race, the race selfless activities initiated and (2000)—operating on state-of-the of Humanity successfully accomplished, than art technology, where all the There is only ONE God and He is by Baba in his lifetime. These treatment including Omnipresent. endeavours incurred stupendous transplantation of kidneys, and

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open heart surgeries are *Encouraged students and performed free. Baba says, devotees to form teams of “Health is needed for well-being volunteers called Messengers of of the body and therefore should Sri Sathya Sai to undertake be given free.” disaster relief work wherever there is a need (Gujarat *Establish over 5000 Sai Earthquake, Tsunami relief, etc.), Centres throughout the world to who serve silently with love. serve all spiritual seekers, where Baba says, “Hands that serve are membership is offered free holier than the lips that pray.” regardless of religion, creed or race or gender. This is to Through His inspirational help people realize their discourses and writings, innate divinity through Sathya Sai Baba has offered a spiritual, educational and veritable ocean of knowledge service activities and guidance on all aspects of promoting human values spiritual, religious, social, and encouraging people to economic, and value-oriented undertake charitable tasks living. He has often repeated to reach out to that it is not necessary to communities everywhere. drink the whole ocean to Baba says, “Spirit of Love know its taste, that it is not is Spirituality.” necessary to read all scriptures to live a life of joy, *Lay special emphasis peace, and love; it is enough to on Education in Human put into practice one aspect of Values (EHV) to be spiritual teaching. imparted in all schools Baba has given His life, integrating with the selflessly and curriculum to build strong moral magnanimously, to the service of character in children who will be mankind. His formula for world the citizens of tomorrow. Over peace: 140 countries world-wide accepted to implement this aim. If there is righteousness in the Baba says, “The end of Education heart, there will be beauty in the is Character.” character. If there is beauty in the *Initiate Village Service, character, there will be harmony serving hundreds of the poorest of in the home. the poor, providing them with If there is harmony in the home, free housing, food, and further there will be order in the nation. providing them with some When there is order in the regular income. Baba says, nation, there will be peace in the “Grama Seva is Rama Seva”– world. Service to mankind is Service to the Lord.

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SrSr i G u u r r u u bhy bhy o o N N a ma a ma h h

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