Navaneetham Jan 2011

Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum\h\oXw മകര1186 ം january 2011 http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 1 NAVANEETHAM : MONTHLY E-MAGAZINE OF GURUVAYUR DEVOTEES Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: Hare Krishna!!! narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: narayanaya: നവനത നവനത NAVANEETHAM : MONTHLY E-MAGAZINE OF GURUVAYUR DEVOTEES Submitted at the Lotus Feet of Shri Guruvayoorappan by the World Guruvayoor Devotees Forum www.guruvayoor.com http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 2 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Hare Rama Hare Krishna! Happy New Year, Guruvayur Utsavam and Sastryji's sad demise. Dear GuruDevs, Wish you a very Happy 2011 from the Guruvayur Group facilitators and Editorial team. May Guruvayoorappan Bless you with with bhakthi, health, happiness & prosperity. Our beloved Dr. BGY Sastryji passed away on 9th Jan 2011 . I am extremely saddened with his demise and truly valued his affection and loving nature in the past few years. I will miss his wisdom, advice, kind words, prayers and affection for sure. Sastryji was an example of a true Karma yogi who continued to write to us even when he was faced with extreme health issues. He shared his wisdom and taught us bhakthi & devotion. His writing style was exemplary as you all may have noticed in the group as well as in Navaneetham. We will miss him but never forget him. Our gratitude to KVG-ji, and Dilipji for their kindness to spend some time with Sastryji at the hospital and to them and his family for informing us in time. We pray for Sastryji's soul to attain moksham. Om Namo Narayanaya: क ष"त¬ मगलम नïम यसय वïत¬ पव¬¬ | भसमìभवत¯¬ ¬सयïश महïपï¬ककìटय Guruvayoor Ulsavam is starting on Feb 15 th with Kodiyettam and the final Aaraattu is on Feb 25th. All devotees who will be visiting Guruvayoor during Ulsavam season are requested to pray for all of us in the group as well as post to the group about Ulsavam relatedarticles, travelogue and photos. We will be eager to see Bahagavan’s Ulsavam details. May god bless everyone. Samastha loka sukhino bhavanthu! – Sunil - [email protected] http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 3 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Important days Feb 2 nd Mammiyoor Temple Vishnu prathishta Dinam Feb 15 th Guruvayur Sahasra Kalasham Feb 16 th Kotiyettam. Guruvayur Utsavam Starts. Feb 25th Aaraattu. Guruvayur Utsavam Ending http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 4 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Respectful Obituary In memory of our Dr B.G.Y. Sastry-ji. Our humble pranams. Om Namo Narayanaya: http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 5 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Reproducing an article Sastry-ji had written last year. Dear friends and devotees, Bhakti is eternal. The way to Mukti (Salvation/freedom) Jeevanmukti (salvation/freedom from bondage of birth) is not attained after death. It is the one obtainable in life and while living. Throwing out of ‘ego’ only enable to attain this stage. Mukti is nothing but giving up of egoism like ‘I, me and mine’ and surrendering to Paramatma. If we want to see the ‘Siva’ within us, we should be pure within ourselves. The dirt should be washed off. We should clean the dirt covered the minds. Let me quote a small incident. Once, a sculptor came to a stone trader. He found a big stone in front of the shop and enquired about it. The trader said that the stone is not of good quality and lying there for a long time, obstructing the way to the shop. Then the sculptor demanded the trader to give him the stone at a cheaper cost. The trader felt happy to get rid of the obstruction to the shop and gave away the stone to the sculptor free of cost without taking any amount. The sculptor happily arranged the stone rolled to his house. After some days, the stone trader attended a religious function in the sculptor’s house. There in a corner, he found a sculpture of Lord Krishna. The trader was very much fascinated to see the lively appearance with elegant “Murali Manohara Rupa” of Lord Krishna in the sculpture. The trader said “I have not seen such a beautiful Murthi of Lord so far. How this beautiful sculpture of Sri Krishna is made of! I am really thrilled. Where from you brought?” Commenting like this, he prostrated to Lord Krishna’s sculpture. The sculptor replied “Sir, this is made out of the big stone which was laying waste in front of your shop and given to me free of cost. I did not do anything. Sri Krishna’s figure is already available in the stone. There is some material other than Krishna in the stone. Keeping Krishna as it is, I had removed the other waste material. Finally Lord “Murali Mohana” remained. There is divinity in us also. If we throw of the unwanted material, we will travel from divinity to Godliness. This is the route for MUKTHI. With love and regards, Dr B.G.Y. Sastry http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 6 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Kannu’s our sweat heart O’ Krishna…. our darling son…. you live alive in our heart And made our life meaningful & wonderful !! The pleasure from you lord made our mind & body in peace And filled the fruits of love to our lord……. We call you lord by name.. kannan….kannu’s……any lovely names… with immense love & care from the deepest of our heart…… with all purity… Our day start with a prayer surrendering ourselves to you lord And ends with a prayer to the lotus feet of our lord. A word stays in our tongue day or night is yours our lord “KANNU’s” How many times a day we call our lord is countless… l like a caring parent calling their son! We have lots of purchases for you lord..and you know it’s all secret…only between us! And not to share with anyone which are all our kannu’s favourite… Words cannot express or measure our love to you lord… Our heart is full with love to our kannu’s……… we love… we love.. we love… you a lot … and eager to love my lord more & more………. Endless love to you Lord… We could fee your touch of love all around us.... We enjoy our life with our Lord each and every moment. BY: MANOJ & NEENA; P.O.BOX:1169 – SHARJAH (UAE) http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 7 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 8 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum apdnsshZy³ kmhn{Xn ]pdw PohnX¯n ]e A\niv¨nXmhØvIfpw asäÃmhtcbpw t]mse a[pchpw Xnàhpw Bb Aë`h§fpw AXnPohn¨v ap¸XpIfn F¯nb Hê ktlmZcëw ktlmZcnbpw AhêsS A½tbmSp tNmZn¨p: ""At½, apdnsshZy³ Fì ]dªm bYmÀY¯n F´mWÀYw?'' A½ æd¨p t\cw BtemNn¨p. Pcm\cIfpsS B{IaW§fm Aev¸w £oWn¨ A½ ]dbm³ XpS§n: ""InSm§tf, ]sണms¡ F\n¡o ]Z¯nsâ euInImÀYw am{Xta AdnªnêìÅp. CXnëv Hê B[ymßnI AÀYw Dt ണm Fìw F\n¡dnbnÃy. ]s£ Cìv Fsâ a\Ên hfsc AÀYhym]vXnbpÅ Hê ]Zamév apdnsshZy³. BZyw Rm\Xnsâ euInImÀYw ]dbmw. apdnsshZy³ F¶m thണAdnhnsâ Hê apdn am{Xw, AYhm `mKw am{Xw, AYhm IjvWw am{Xw Adnbp¶ sshZy³. Cw¥ojn \½Ä ''lm^vþss_¡vUv"" Fì ]dbmdptÃm? Asæn \nÊmcamb sNdnb apdnhpt]msebpÅ Imcy§Ä am{Xw NnInÕn¡m³ Adnbp¶ sshZy³ Fìw ]dbmw. C\n Fsâ a\Ên tXmì¶ B[ymßnI AÀY¯nteç IS¡mw. apdnsshZy³ F¶Xns\ apdn+ sshZy³ Fs¶Sp¡mw. apdn F¶ hm¡nëv kµÀ`w Aëkcn¨pv ]e AÀY§fpapv. Fsâ a\Ên tXmì¶ cണpv AÀY§Ä sh¨p Rm\nXns\ hyJym\n¡mw. icnbmsWì tXmììs ണ¦n sImÅpI, Asæn XÅpI. apdnbpsS BZys¯ AÀYw Cw¥njnse ""dqw'' AYhm aebmf¯nse ""Ad'' Fs¶Sp¡mw.A§s\bmsW¦n Hê dqansâ sshZy³. F¶m Cu dqw GXmév? Rm³ k¦ev¸nç¶XpvHê dqw DÅ {]]©amæ¶ apdnbmév. AXnsâ apgph³ sshZy\mÀ? \nÊwibw ]dbmw. B Htc Hê apdnçv Htc Hê sshZy³, AXmév \½psS `Khm³. Cu almsshZyëv Adnbm¯ NnInÕbnÃy, CÃym¯ aêìanÃy. euInImÀY¯nepÅ apdnsshZy\à Ct±lw, kÀhÚ\mév, kmÀh`ua\mév, {]`phmév! Cu almsshZys\ B{ibn¨m icocZp:Jsa¶Ã, at\mZp:Jhpw kwkmcZp:Jhpw A¸msS iançw! A{X ssI¸pWyamév!! C\n ASp¯ AÀY¯nteç IS¡mw. ChnsS \apçv apdn F¶Xnëv apdnhpv AYhm Cw¥njnse ""I«v'' F¶ AÀYsaSp¡mw. At¸mÄ apdnsshZy³ Bcmév? apdnhns\ DW¡n kpJam¡m³ klmbnç¶ sshZy³. Hê Imcyw hyàam¡s«! ChnsS apdnhpv F¶ ]Zw sImണpv Dt±inç¶Xpv lrZb¯nse apdnhpIsfbmév. At¸mÄ lrZb¯nse BgapÅ apdnhpItft¸mepw DW¡n kpJamç¶ sshZy³ F¶ AÀYw hêì. BcmWo sshZy³? \nÊwibw ]dbmw. `Khm³! `Khmë am{Xta Cu ]Wn Adnbq. aämÀçw AdnbnÃy. AYhm aäpÅhÀ sN¿p¶Xmbn \apç tXmììs¦n AhÀ `Khmsâ shdpw D]IcW§Ä Bbn {]hÀ¯nçì Fìv \½Ä a\Ênem¡Ww, AhÀ a\Ênem¡nbnsæn t]mepw. CXmé æ«nItf A½ a\Ênem¡nb AÀYw. "" æ«nIÄ ]dªp: ''At½ \µn. R§fvç a\Ênembn Fì tXmìì. DÄs¡mÅm³ IgnbtW F¶ {]mÀY\bmév."" A½: ''AXpXs¶bmé Ftâbpw {]mÀY\. a\Ên tXm¶nbXpv DÄs¡mÅmëw PohnX¯n ] IÀ¯mëw IgnbtW Fìv. `Khmsâ Aë{Klw Fìw D ണmIs«!"" http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 9 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Editor's note – My HUMBLE apologies to Shr. MPR Nairji for not able to add this article in the last edition of Navaneetham. Om Namo Narayanaya: OHM NAMO BHAGAVATHE VASUDEVAYA: BHAGAVATHA DHARMAM (Continuation from the November 2010 issue of Navaneetham) (Collected by M P R Nair) [ BHAGAVATHA DHARMAM is a Book written in Malayalam, based on Srimad Bhagavatham, by Sadguru Sreemad Abhedanandaji Maharaj of Abhedashramam, Trivandrum, Kerala. Sampoojya Swamiji attained Maha Samadhi and left his mortal coil on 29 th October 1983. The Book, ‘Bhagavatha Dharmam’ contains 1060 Soothras, (Axioms) which bring out the essence of Srimad Bhagavatham. This Book has been translated into English by Shri: P. N. Balakrishnan Nair, (formerly Senior Deputy Accountant General), a devoted disciple of Swamiji Maharaj. 55 Axioms were published in the said September issue; 56 to 176 in the October issue. 177 to 215 were issued in the November issue. In this issue Axioms 216 to 356, which cover the Third SKANDHA of Srimad Bhagavatham are given below] Third Skandha 216. Keep the mind always engaged in spiritual activities. If the mind is allowed to rest even for a short while, it is likely to slip into sinful thoughts. 217. Eating food is not a sin. But self-identification with food and forgetting God for the sake of food are sins. 218. Followers of Sharanagati Dharma (total surrender to God) become more and more humble. So they receive God’s grace. 219. One who has controlled his tongue is the real victor. The life of one who cannot master his tongue will be a failure. 220. If food is pure, simple and limited, it will develop good qualities. Consequently, power of endurance will increase and it will make the intellect steady. 221. Lead a very simple life. Simple life makes you a Sadhu. (Godly man) 222. Food taken from the house of sinners will vitiate the intellect. 223. When a man’s life becomes pure, God visits his house uninvited and stays there always. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 10 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum 224. Chant God’s names with intense devotion so that He will come and knock at our doors. 225. One who has given up ego is honoured by God. 226. Our mind reflects what we are attached to. 227. Man’s mind is pure at the time of birth. Later, it changes in accordance with its associations. Good associations give fulfilment of life, while bad associations bring down-fall. Association with people living in luxuries makes a man greedy of material pleasures. Association with detached people will make him also detached. Bad habits, once acquired cannot be changed easily. So come what may, let the mind and intellect be never allowed to go astray from God. Always remember the following words of Sri Bhagavan:- Mayi eva mana aadhtswa, mayi budhim niveshaya Nivasishyasi mayi eva atha urdhwam na samshaya: (Gita 12-8) (Fix your mind on Me alone, and establish your intellect in Me; thereafter you shall abide in Me. There is no doubt about it) 228. Follow the teachings of great men in your life. 229. Think of the great Rishis early in the morning; their good qualities will then imbibe in our mind. 230. Theft and adultery are great sins. Those addicted to these sins deserve to be rejected, even if they happen to be your parents or brothers. 231. But no one should be rejected; but their sins should be rejected. 232. Bhakti is not accessible to those who wander in pursuit of their senses. 233. By God’s grace we get the pleasure of association with holy men. But it is our own responsibility, to avoid bad company. 234. Unless we give up worldly pleasures, we won’t receive God’s grace. 235. By penance sins are destroyed and life becomes pure. It is the duty of house-holders to do penance in solitude at a holy place for one month in a year, after living in the house for eleven months. 236. The first step of penance is control of tongue. 237. Where there is love, there would be no hesitation even to live on alms. 238. Those who rob the wealth of others are ‘Dhritarashtras’ 239. A son who follows the path of virtue opens the gates of heaven for his parents. 240. One who does no work and lives like a parasite, is thief. One who seizes and lives on the wealth of others is thief. A man who has enough means but does not entertain guests properly is another thief. One who cooks food for himself (without sharing it with others) is thief. One who eats food without offering it to Fire-god is also thief. 241. Greed is the mother of sin and selfishness is its father. 242. One who insults others after inviting them as guests will fall into hell. 243. Those who endure everything, despite having the strength to resist are Mahatmas. 244. Those who misuse their power are Rakshasas (Devilish). Those who make use of their power, wealth and time intelligently are Devas (Godly) 245. Satwik food gives power of endurance. Those who control hunger will become happy. 246. Do not get angry with those who insult you. Take insult as blessing of God or a good omen. 247. Reduce your needs; by that you can reduce your sins also. 248. A pilgrimage well performed in accordance with scriptural injunctions will definitely yield good results. Pilgrimage should be started only after taking vow on the following matters. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 11 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum i) From today I will observe strict celibacy; ii) From today I will not get angry with any one; and iii) From today I will avoid idle talk. 249. Pilgrimage will not bear fruit if Brahmins and Holy men are not respected. 250. If someone insults you and you do not react, your sins are passed on to the person who insulted you and the merits of his past good actions will come to you. 251. Observe fasting on the day you reach a holy place. Never insult Brahmins (those who have realized the Supreme Truth) and other great men. By fasting at the holy place and refraining from insulting others, you lose your sins s and your body becomes pure. Sattwik Bhava will dawn in you. 252. Holy men make Holy waters holy. 253. Too much of wealth brings danger. 254. Make it a habit to think of the cremation ground at least three or four times a day. Your understanding will change. 255. Discussion of worldly matters on the banks of Yamuna is sin. 256. When you see a herd of cows, mentally visualize Lord Sri Krishna standing in their midst. 257. Get your senses wedded to God and not to worldly pleasures. 258. When your pain of separation from God becomes unbearable, you will get Him 259. Grief, delusion and fear will not affect a person who can imagine that he is always in the presence of God. 260. Do not speak about worldly subjects to Mahatmas (godly men). 261. He who has been accepted by God as His own will not revert to the world of miseries. 262. So long as a man belongs to some one in this world, he cannot belong to God. 263. Perform only such acts as would please God. 264. The very sight of a sinner will frighten us. 265 We are not freed from our sins without suffering their results. 266. Surrender your Punya (results of good actions) always to God. 267. Best thing should necessarily be offered to God. 268. A man who commits sins will take rebirth as animal. 269. A man’s mind becomes pure, when God showers His mercy on him. 270. Women should not stay outside their houses after sun set. 271. At sun set, worship Tulasi, by lighting a lamp at its bed, and performing Arati with Deepa (light) and Dhoopa(fragrant smoke) 272. Sun set is the time when Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) visits the house. At that time, if the front door is closed, Lakshmi will go back after saying “Jai Sree Krishna”. 273. Perform Japa (recital of God’s Names) at every evening without fail. 274. Do not pamper the body too much. 275. If husband and wife have no self-control, their children will become sinful. 276. It is essential to observe celibacy on sacred days like Full moon and New moon and the second, fourth, fifth, eighth and eleventh days following them. It should be observed also on other days of special significance like birthday etc. 277. Your devotion will not develop if the persons associating with you have no devotion. 278. Today, much time and wealth are being wasted on account of ‘fashion’ and other weaknesses of man. Those who are under the grip of such weaknesses cannot serve God. Therefore, if you wish to serve God do not get entangled in http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 12 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum ‘fashion’ and other weaknesses. 279. Avoid discrimination in the matter of giving food. 280. Anger and not desire, is what causes down fall even for great men. 281. Error in the path of service will also lead to one’s down fall. 282. Holy men have to continue spiritual practices till their last breath, even after reaching the stage of a Sidha (achiever). 283. Do not bother about what the world speaks about us. But we must always be anxious to know what opinion the Lord of the world is having about us. 284. Give the names of God not only to your children but also to your house. 285. So long as delusion in the matter of names and forms remains in our mind, you cannot have devotion to God. 286. Cause for the down fall of those following the path of Knowledge is their pride on account of knowledge. 287. Greed is what stands in the way of the path of devotion. 288. Desire stands in the way of the path of action. 289. The enemy of the path of knowledge is anger. 290. Desire can be controlled by discriminative understanding, but not anger. 291. It is extremely difficult to overcome anger. 293. If you commit even a small a sin within the premises of a temple, it will have a terrible impact on you. 294. If you do not repent from the bottom of your heart about your sins, you cannot get the vision of God even after many births and deaths. 295. Realisation of one’s own faults will give the same result as realisation of God does. 296. If there is greed in you, it will grow every moment. Growing is the nature of greed. 297. When greed increases, passion for the enjoyment of worldly pleasures also increases. Enjoyment of worldly pleasures results in more and more sin. 298. Greed should be destroyed with the weapon called ‘contentment’. Contentment is a great wealth. 299. All actions done for common good are sacrifices. Such actions will purify y your mind. 300. Speaking only the truth is a great sacrifice. 301. Misuse of your tongue is the root cause for all your sins. 302. A man without sin will definitely enjoy peace and happiness. 303. Intelligence should be used for the worship of God; not merely for earning wealth. 304. Human body has nine openings in it. The soul leaves the body through them. If the senses are used for the service of God, the soul will merge in God. 305. It is a great sacrifice to control oneself so as to cause no grief to anyone by thought, word or deed. This sacrifice will break if you torment your own soul unnecessarily. Always remaining contented is another form of sacrifice. 306. Spiritual Knowledge will not sustain without purity of mind. Bookish knowledge is not the real knowledge. 307. God cannot be experienced by an impure mind. 308. The reason for Spiritual Knowledge not sustaining man is his luxurious life. 309. Those that rely merely on bookish knowledge are the ‘so called pundits’, while those who constantly serve God with pure love are ‘real pundits’. 310. When a man’s mind becomes pure, Knowledge dawns in him. 311. Frequently ask your conscience whether you are eligible for the wealth and comforts granted by God. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 13 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum 312. When Sattwa Guna increases in the body, a flow of knowledge automatically takes place. 313. Sattwa Guna enhances by the association of holy men and performance of righteous acts. 314. Don’t be ever a slave to your tongue. 315. Sleeping on a mattress is not a fault if you get sleep within five minutes after lying on it. If you don’t sleep within that time, it means you are thinking of carnal pleasures. 316. Those who do Sadhana know the value of time. 317. Don’t enjoy the beauty of your body by looking into a mirror. What should be enjoyed is the beauty of your heart. God alone is really beautiful. 318. Shastras (scriptures) describe the wife not as Kama patni (wife for enjoying pleasures) but as Dharma patni (wife for righteous living). 319. Co-habitation with a wife of noble qualities is not a carnal relationship; but a holy relationship. A man who gets such a wife is most fortunate. He should thank God for this great fortune. 320. Man or woman if alone, cannot progress in the path of spirituality. 321. Where the husband and wife lead a pure life, God takes birth in their home as their son. 322. Carnal desires make women narrow-minded. The purpose of marriage is to overcome carnal desires or to defeat Manmatha (the deity of carnal love).The family life of our ancestors; the great Rishis was like that. 323. Too much of carnal pleasures will reduce life span. 324. Devotion and vision of God are impossible without total self control. 325. A woman’s duties include the daily worship of Goddess Sri Parvati and Tulasi plant. 326. Reckless enjoyment of material pleasures causes diseases. 327. Man and woman have two separate bodies; but marriage is the process that fuses their minds together. 328. A real Sannyasin (mendicant) is one who lives exclusively for God. 329. A man’s mind gets polluted by carnal desires by watching pictures and films that arouse those desires. When carnal desires subdue a man, it is his downfall. 330. Looking at bodies and organs will give a momentary experience of pleasure, without knowing that it will soon become poison. Senses are never satisfied with such pleasures. 331. Contact between two bodies is not the source of pleasure; pleasure is experienced only when two souls become one. This being the case, how can we describe the pleasure experienced when our souls become one with God, the protector of all creatures? 332. Union of individual soul (Jeevatma) with Supreme Soul (Paramatma) is Supreme Bliss. 333. Constant recital of God’s Names (Japa) easily brings peace of mind. 334. By Japa, mind becomes pure and unwavering. Therefore, place strong reliance on the holy Names of God. 335. Keep the mind under control by discriminative understanding. Contentment of the soul is not derived from the enjoyment of pleasures. Renunciation is what gives contentment. If the mind strays away from the right path, give it a thrashing with the stick of discrimination. Mind disciplined by discrimination can be controlled easily. 336. The soul can be uplifted only through dispassion (Vairagya) or withdrawal from the enjoyment of worldly pleasures. 337. Keep the company of holy men always. By that you can also become a holy man and have the company of more holy men. 338. Celibacy coupled with the power of God’s holy Names enables you to cross the ocean of Samsara (World of miseries) easily. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 14 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum 339. Your view of the world depends upon your innate culture. 340. Forbearance will give happiness. All great men possess this quality. 341. Give up everything for the sake of God. God will keep you embraced in His bosom. 342. God puts spiritual seekers to acid test before they are accepted as His own. 343. Listening to the stories in Bhagavatam will instil faith and devotion in you. 344. Do not separate yourself from God even for a moment; you will then reign over the empire of devotion. 345. Fascination for worldly pleasures is a symptom of your downfall. 346. Before meditation on God, first cleanse your body, then your mind and finally, your vision. 347. Meditation should be practised at a clean and solitary place. 348. One whose stomach is always full cannot observe celibacy easily. Celibacy is essential for meditation of God. Someone may observe bodily celibacy, but mental celibacy is what leads one to God. If celibacy is broken for a single day, mind cannot be fixed on God for another forty days. 349. Experience of God is not possible without meditation of God. 350. Meditate on that form of God which appeals to you most. While meditating on God, you should forget all worldly objects including your own body. 351. A soul which meditates on God becomes God. The power in that form of God on which you meditate will enter in you. 352. Love is mutually dependant. If you keep thinking of God constantly, God will also think of you constantly. 353. A true devotee of God is more powerful than God Himself. 354. Parents, guru, guest, sun etc. are visible Gods. They should, therefore, be served properly. 355. Body becomes weak in old age. You can control the body only when it is strong and healthy. 356. If you serve your parents properly, your children will care for you in your old age. The old age of sinners will be miserable. (To be continued) http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 15 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Buddhism Dr. Saroja Ramanujam, M.A.,Ph.D Pratheethya samuthpadha- The doctrine of dependent origination. This is the foundation of all teachings of Buddha because this explains the cause of suffering mentioned in the second noble truth and denoted in the third noble truth , cessation of suffering. Pratheethya samuthpadha is the result of the enlightenment of Buddha who went into meditation to find the cause of the sufferings of the world and the ways of removing it. Put in simple words it is as follows. The suffering and pain, disease and old age is due to the fact that we are born. The reason why we are born is the will to be born which arises from the desire to enjoy the worldly pleasures. This clinging to the sense objects is created from the past experience caused by the sense-object contact. This is due to the presence of sense organs and the mind which is the part of physical and mental formation of man. This is spurred by the initial consciousness present in the embryo as a result of past karma, which is caused by ignorance. Buddha traces the cause of origination to twelve links which form the causal wheel of dependent origination as each depends on the previous link for origination. 1.ignorance-avidya 2.impressions of karma- samskara 3.initial consciousness-vijnana 4.psycho physical organism- namarupa 5.six sense organs including the mind-shadaayathana 6.sense-object contact- sparSa 7.senseexperience-vedhana 8.thirst for sense enjoyment-trshNa 9.clinging to this enjoyment-upaadhaana 10.will to be born- bhaava 11.birth or rebirth- jaathi 12. old age and death-jaraamaraNa After this the cycle starts again. The first two are related to past life the last two to future life and the rest to the present life. This wheel can be stopped only with the destruction of ignorance which is the root cause of all. When it is gone there is no more desire and no more will to be born. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 16 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Sri Gurupavanapura Divya Alaya Darsanam. Shri. Nadukaveri Viswanathan Part 1 - Ch - 6 Five Great Devotees (Continued from last issue of Navaneetham.) Sri Bilwa Mangala Swamigal Kurooramma Baby Manjula Sri Poondanam Nambudiri and Sri Narayana Bhattadiri Dear Devotees! Without a mention of the above five Bhakta Siromanis, this book will not be complete. All the above five devotees were contemporaries and Sri Guruvayurappan played with each in different ways. Sri Bilwa Mangala Swamigal: In his Poorvasramam (that is, before he became a devotee of Sri Guruvayurappan), he was a passionate and regular visitor to the house of one prostitute, Chintamani by name. One day, he happened to visit her, late in the evening, amidst heavy rains, lightning and thunder. Seeing his plight, Chintamani, who was herself a devotee of Sri Guruvayurappan chided him; “O great man! If only you divert a small portion of your attachment, from me to Sri Guruvayurappan, you will reach not only the heavens but Sri Vaikuntam Itself! My physical body is subject to http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 17 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum ageing and decay, and finally death. Sri Krishna is Eternal.” Sri Bilwa Mangala Swamigal was touched to the quick. This is the turning moment of his life. He diverted all his focus on, and became an ardent devotee of Sri Guruvayurappan. He gained name and fame very quickly by his deep devotion. Every saint has a turning point in his life. Does this not remind us of Sant Tulasi Das, the Great Rama Bhaktha and Sri Purandaradasa of Karnataka? One day, while taking food in the house of Kurooramma (who was yet another great devote of Sri Krishna) at her invitation, Sri Krishna in the form of a small boy started troubling him when he was taking food. Although Sri Bilwa Mangala Swamigal perfectly knew that the small boy was none other than Sri Krishna, he exhibited a bit of irritation (as we normally react with children who trouble us) and asked him to go away. Hearing this, Sri Krishna told him that he could have His darshan in future only at Ananthan Kadu (forest of Anatha) and vanished. Full of self–reproach, the Swamiji moved southwards (in Kerala) in search of Ananthankadu but he could not find it. One day during his journey, he heard a young mother threatening her child that she would throw it in Ananthankadu; it did not stop its crying immediately. He approached her and she directed him to proceed in a particular direction to reach Ananthankadu. Sri Bilwa Mangala Swami, accordingly, moved some distance in that direction and there he saw a big image of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swami or Sriman Narayana lying on his Sesha. The Swamiji cleared place, and performed pujas to the deity there; so the story goes! This place is now known as Thiru–Anantha Puram and Bhagawan is called Sri Anantha Padmanbha. While living in Guruvayoor, Sri Bilwamangala Swamiji introduced certain innovations to the pooja procedures, such as Seeveli, Udaya–Asthamana pooja etc., which are still in vogue and attracting hundreds of devotees daily. Above all, he composed a book of poems “Sri Krishna Karnamrutham”, in praise of Sri Krishna and dedicated the book to Chintamani, treating her as his Guru. Given below the two beautiful verses from the book: करïर व दन पदïर व दमखïर व द व नवशय ¬ , वठ य प य पठ शयïनबïलमक ु दमनसï मरï म। २.क ¬ र- ¬लक ललïट-फलक व] थलकì ¬भ , नïसï ुनव-मì क कर¬लव"ुकरक क"म। सवï गह र¬ दन¬ कलय¯क ठ ¬ म ुïव ल,ु गìप ुì प रव ¬ì वजय¬गìपïल-¬डïम " ॥ Translit Kararavindena padaravindam, Mukharavinde, vinivesayantham! Vatasya Pathrasya pute sayanam, Balam Mukundam manasa smarami!! Kasthoori- thilakam lalaata phalake vakshsthale’ Kausthubham Nasagre’ Nava moukthikam, karthale Venum Kare Kankanam! Sarvange’ Harichandam cha kalayan, Kante che Mukthavalim Gopasthree Parveshtitho vijayathe’ Gopala Choodamanihi!! Note: This book is different from “Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini” composed by Sri Narayana Teertha and dedicated to Sri Varahamurthi at Varahur, Tanjore Dist. Tamil Nadu. Kurooramma Kurooramma was a lady with great bhakthi in Sri Krishna. She had an idol of Sri Bala Krishna in her house. He used to appear before her quite often, in the form of Sri Balakrishna and saved her from many trials and tribulations. Sri Balakrishna used to come to her house and play with her, like Mother Yasoda! http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 18 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Baby Manjula Not much authentic details are available about this girl Manjula, with whom Sri Guruvayurappan played pranks quite often. She lost her father when she was a child and so her mother treated her as an unlucky child. Whether at home or at the Gurukulam (school), she was meditating about Sri Krishna alone,all the time. People in general considered her as a great devotee, but enlightened souls like Sri Poondanam, Kurooramma and others thought her to be a re-incarnation of Radha , His Divine Consort!. Baby Manjula used to offer a garland daily to Sri Guruvayurappan. One day, she was late and by the time the “Temple Nada” had closed for the day. With tears in her eyes, she went to the foot of the tree where Sri Garuda Bhagawan stands ready for take-off in front of the temple at the end of the East ‘Nada’ and sat there, in grief with the garland in hand. Then, Sri Poondanam happened to come there. Seeing the plight of Manjula, he asked her to place the garland at the tree and consoled her saying that Sri Guruvayurappan would take care of it. She did accordingly and the left for home. Next morning when the Melshanthi (Chief Priest) was removing the garlands from the Moorthi of Sri Guruvayurappan, one by one, after the Nirmalya darsanam, he could not remove the last garland, which was sticking to the Moorthi. Then he prayed to Him who informed him that it was Manjula’s garland collected by Him, after the Temple nada was closed on the previous night! That is why the area is called Manjulal! (Manjula’s aal=Manjula’s banyan tree) He is ever waiting to wipe out all tears of grief from the eyes of His devotees. That is why Sri Narayana Bhattadri addresses Him as (Karunya Sindhu = Ocean of Mercy) (See 100th Dasaka, Sloka No. 10) Sri Poondanam Namboodiri Sri Poondanam Nambudiri was yet another great devotee of Sri Guruvayurappan. He was a great friend of Sri Narayana Bhattadri. He too had vision of Sri Balakrishna occasionally. He was a Gyani simple, unostentatious and unassuming and treated everyone kindly. In his early life, he had a son, who unfortunately fell into a cooking rice pot on its first birthday and died. That was the turning point in his life. This grief, Putra sokam, drove his mind towards Him. From that moment onwards, Poonthanam focussed his mind towards Sri Guruvayurappan alone. Later in his life, he composed a Malaylalam Poem called Gynanappanai (Pot of knowledge) in which he deals with the transient nature of things of this world and exhorts one and all to surrender unto the feet of Sri Guruvayurappan. The Gnappanai song, containing a number of seemingly simple stanzas, but rather difficult to interpret the meaning, is being played daily morning in the Guruvayurappan temple. Even if one does not know Malayalam, no problem. He can still enjoy the simple and melodious refrain sung at the end of each stanza: Krishna Krishna Mukunda Janardhana, Krishna Govinda Narayana Hare!! Achyuthanantha Govinda Madhava, Sachidananda Narayana Hare!! The story goes that Sriman Narayana, appreciating His staunch devotion, Gyaana and Vairagya (Desirelessness) sent a Vimana to take him to Sri Vaikuntam. His wife refused to go with him, but his servant maid accompanied him in the Vimanam, because she was not only a great devotee of Sri Guruvayurappan and but of Sri Poondanam too! SRI NARAYANA BHATTADIRI The glory of Guruvayur and of SRI GURUVAYURAPPAN would perhaps have been confined within the limits of Kerala alone, but for Sri Naryana Bhattadiri’s Magnum Opus Sriman Narayaneeyam in Sanskrit and its exposition by the Late Sengalipuram Anantha http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 19 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Rama Dikshidar. The origin of this sacred shrine Guruvayur is traceable to hoary antiquity. Sri Narada Puranam describes the entire history right from Raja Suthapas. After the great Mahabharatha war, King Yudhistira became the emperor, by Sri Krishna’s Grace, But he very soon, crowned Arjuna’s grand son (Abhimanyu’s son) Parikshit as the king and retired to the Himalayas, along with his four brothers and Devi Draupadi. After some time, Parikshit was bitten by a deadly serpent Takshaka, because of the curse of a muni kumara, son of a Rishi, when Parikshit was already in the Samadhi stage, after listening to the Bhagawatha Saptaham conducted by Suka Brahma Rishi, son of Sri Veda Vyasa Maharishi. Thereafter, Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit became the king. He performed a great serpentsacrifice to avenge the death of his father. Thousands of serpents were attracted by the effect of Yagna and burnt to death. He stopped this yagnya on the advice of one Rishi Astheeka. Nevertheless, Janamejaya was afflicted by a virulent type of leprosy, for the sin of killing innocent serpents and was suffering miserably. Looking at his pitiable state, the sage Atreya once called on him and suggested that he propitiate Sri Krishna at Guruvayur as a means to cure, thus: १.सरï¬ïय- वïय यï¬ क "ïदशïतु न म ¬ । आर धम¬ ु ु यïतग -वïय -परï भधम॥ 1. Suracharaya Vayubhyaam cha Krishnaadesaannimittata:! Arabdha methath kshetram syath Guruvayu purabhidham!! As per the orders of Sri Krishna, this holy place established by Devaguru Bruhaspathi and Vayu Bhagawan, will be well known as Gruruvayupuram; and the Lord here, as Sri Guru Vayu puradhipan! (or simply Sri Guruvayurappan) २.अथ वï न य-सवïथ भ ुïनïभगवïन वयम। वक य व हऽध ¬ï शÏमहनìय¬ïम॥ 2. Atha vaa nithya sevartham bhakthanam Bhagawan svayam! Svakeeye’ vigrahe adhattha taadruseem mahaneeyatham! Bhagawan entered His own Moorthi and presented Himself thru the Moorthi , for the daily worship of the devotees! ३.भ यï सस व¬ न यभगव वय- व हम। कलì नï यïग ¬ पुसï वनï य ¬मï¬ नम॥ Bhaktya samsevitham nithyam Bhagawad divya vigraham! Kalou nanyaa gathih pumsaam, vina yath prathimaarchanam!! For human beings, to pass through the terrible Kali Yuga, the only way is to propitiate Bhagawan’s divine Moorthi, have His darshan and perform Archana to Him! There is no other refuge. ४.रìगï¬रजनïशष-शìक- व वसन मम। ग छ वम प रïज ! प य ु ुरमïप¬ु ॥ Rogathura janaasesha soka vidhvamsanakshamam! Gacha thvamapi Rajendra Punya Kshethram Ramaapatheh!! “O, Rajendra! (Janamejaya)” You too proceed to that holy place of Sri Ramapathi (Lakshmi pathi) for getting cured of this serious disease and for the removal of all sorrows King Janamejaya came down from his capital Hastinapur to Guruvayur, stayed there for a ‘mandalam’ (roughly 42 days) and got himself totally cured of leprosy and all other diseases. Reverting, Sri Narayana Bhattadri hailed from a Nambudiri Brahmin family called Meppathur, situated in Ponnani Taluk, Malabar. He lived around the beginning of the 16th century AD. Though born in a priestly family, he grew up against the family traditions, without any proper education and study of the Vedas in his boyhood. He led a wayward, dissolute life. He left his house and settled down at Thrikandiyur near modern Tirur. Living on temple charity, he contracted an alliance with a girl of the neighbouring Pisharoti family. This family, though http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 20 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum considered inferior in rank and status, was a cultured one. At that time, there was, in that family, a versatile genius, one Achytha Pishoroti, an erudite scholar, poet, grammarian and astrologer, and strict in the performance of his religious duties. When he was, one morning, sitting in the front verandah of his house and pursuing his devotional practices, he noticed the young Narayana Bhattadri, stepping out of the house, by his side, most irreverently. This unseemly behaviour provoked Pishroti who addressed him: “Born at last a Brahman, after several ignoble births and great sufferings, why do you waste your precious life without performing the religious duties enjoined on the Brahmanas?” These words had their magical effect. They appealed to the sensual young Nambudiri and opened a new leaf in his life! He gave up his sensual life, took up the duties enjoined on the Brahmanas, like prayer and religious practices and became a disciple of Pishoroti, who initated him into the rudiments of Sanskrit literature. The soiled lustre of his genius required but a brushing from the preceptor, and it emitted an unparalleled brilliance, which very soon excited the admiration of Pishoroti himself. Very soon, he gained complete mastery over the Sanskrit classics, grammar, rhetoric, logic and other allied branches of learning. The study of the Vedas, essential to every Brahman but neglected in his teens, he took up and attained great proficiency in it too. The admiration of the perceptor for his disciple was unbounded as the devotion of the disciple to his Guru. His Bhakti towards God, which was hitherto dormant, soon appeared to reflect in every phase of his activity. He took up to writing booklets on Bhakti towards the Lord. His Prabandhas, 18 in number, soon attained great popularity. They were short literary works of prose and poetry, mingled, describing famous episodes dealt with in the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharatha and the Puranas. Combined with poetic excellence, sublime ideas, beautiful style and melodious diction; they were more charming owing to the overflowing devotional love to God, which never failed to appeal to the mind of the reader and the listener. It was while thus budding into fame and name, an incident happened to freeze the genial current of his soul. His preceptor, Pisharoti was attacked with rheumatism, which as the public gossip went, was attributed to his studying and teaching the Vedas, for which he was not by birth qualified. The disciple came to know of this and prayed to God that his preceptor might be spared and the sin if there was any, he was ready to suffer. As a result, the preceptor got cured, while the disciple became a victim to the cruel disease. Indeed no preceptor’s fee (Guru-dakshina) can be nobler than that of this worthy disciple. Extremely afflicted as he was, with this acute type of malady, impaired of physical health, bereft of mental peace and unable to move about, he took to that final panacea of fervent devotion to the Lord and betook himself to the temple of Guruvayur, which even now, as ever before, is famous for healing all diseases of metabolism. There, seated on the mandapam, he fervently appealed to the Lord, reciting one dasaka everyday, till he was completely cured. As he closed his last and the hundredth dasaka, he became quite healthy, as he himself concludes his magnum–opus, Sriman Narayaneeyam with the words: long life, good health and happiness! आयरïरì य-सì यम। Legend has it that, when Sri Bhattadri was experiencing acute pain due to rheumatism, he cried before Sri Guruvayurappan, “O Lord! This pain is unbearable. Please let me die.” But, He said that even if he died then, he would have to take one more birth to exhaust his karma balance and asked him to divert his mind by writing about His Incarnations instead. Sri Bhattadri pleaded, “O Lord! This is not such an easy task for me. How do I start and how do I proceed? Nothing is clear to me” Sri Guruvayurappan replied, “Begin by touching the Fish” and then vanished. Sri Bhattadri reflected within himself, “I am a high class Brahman. How can I ever think of touching the fish, even in my dreams?” He did not know what to do. So, he approached Sri Poondanam, who clarified, “It is so simple. Sri Guruvayurappan has directed you to start writing your book from His Matsya Avatharam.” Sri Bhattadri thanked Sri Poondanam profusely. He then realized that Sri Poondanam’s main qualification was his pure and simple Bhakti. He then condensed Srimamad Bhagawatha Mahapuranam of Maharishi Veda Vyasa and composed Sriman Narayaneeyam. This work consists of 100 dasakas, (each dasaka consisting of 10 stanzas approximately) and explains the lofty and the not-so-easily comprehensible ideas of that great work, http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 21 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Srimand Bhagawatha Mahapuranam. It is an exquisite poem, a real masterpiece that testifies to the great scholarship of the author and the intensity of his devotion of an ardent aspiring soul, that flows throughout the poem and never fails to captivate the mind of the devotee reader. Again, legend has it that, After completing each dasakaam, he used to read it out to Sri Krishna for His approval and the Lord used to nod his head in approval; and After completing 99 dasakams (that is after writing more than 1000 verses (1025 slokas to be exact), he wanted to complete the 100th dasakam by expressing his gratitude to the Lord. But the Lord thought otherwise. He appeared before Sri Bhattadri as a boy in the early adolescent stage, with peacock feather in his curly hair, flute in his hand – no conch, no chakrams, no Gada ( or mace) or no Padmam (Lotus). Sri Bhattadri was just thrilled by this Divine Form, (Who will not be?), developed goose-bumps all over his bodyand described Him from head to foot, Kesadi – padantha Varnanam, in the 100th dasaka. After regaining his health, he passed his days as a saintly devotee. Who will be attracted by Maya, after having a vision of His Enchanting Form? He became a Jeevan Muktha! After living a long and healthy life, he cast off his mortal coil and attained Sayujya Mukthi! (Total merger in the Paramatman). This is the story of Sri Narayana Bhattadiri in brief. On reflection, one thing becomes very clear to our mind:- Sri Guruvayurappan employed Guru and Vayu Bhagawans to carry His Moorthi from Dwaraka to Guruvayur: Through the good offices of Devi Parvathi and Sri Parameshwara, He got His sacred temple constructed by Viswakarma, on the bank of Sri Rudra Teertham, sacred to Him and sacred to Sri Parameswara. He got proper Pooja paddhatis, devised and introduced by Sri Adi Sankara, whose sishya – parampara or generation of disciples, perform the Pooja even today; All this for facilitating the Kali Yuga devotees to attain Mukthi! He thought for a while: “This is not enough. The Kali Yuga devotees will be quite busy. He will have no time to study the Vedas, Upanishads, Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam. Sri Vishnu Puranam, Srimad Bhagawatha Mahapuranam etc., So let us drag Sri Narayana Bhattadiri to Guruvayur somehow, have the Bhagawatha Mahapuranam condensed, ( under the name of Sriman Narayaneeyam), so that the Kali Yuga devotees may read it, develop Bhakthi and finally attain Mukthi.” The Earth is after all the transit-house of the Jeevatma! Its starting point and the destination is Paramatma. It is the Paramatma Which travels like this. Thus, the appearances of Sri Narayana Bhattadiri and of Sriman Narayaneeyam through him are just parts of the Divine phenomena! Has he not declared in Srimad Bhagawath Geetha (10-41)? य ¬ वभ ¬ म स व ुìमददज¬ मव वï । ¬ दवïवग छ वमम ¬जìऽ श-सभवम॥ Translit: Yadhyad vibhoothimathsattvam Sreemadoorjithameva vaa! Thatthadeva avagacha thvam mama Tejomsa sambhavam!! Meaning: Arjuna! Whenever your notice something as glorious, brilliant an powerful, know that to be a part manifestation of My Glory! Devotees all over India, and even abroad, learn Sriman Narayaneeyam gradually and recite it at the rate of 1 or 2 dasakams a day. Some perform Akhanda Narayaneeyam–patanam, that is, cover all the 100 dasakams in one day itself starting from morning by reciting, Upto the 61st dasakam Vana Bhojanam, in the pre-lunch session and The rest in the post lunch session Before proceeding further, let us pay our thanks and homage to Sri Narayana Bhattadri, by closing our eyes for a few seconds and chanting “Narayana” namam! ुì हरय http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 22 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Sri Ranganatha Stotram Dr. Saroja Ramanujam, M.A.,Ph.D 6.najaathu peethaamrtha moorcChithaanaam naakoukasaam nanadhanavaatikaasu rangeSvara thvathpuram aaSrithaanaam raThyaaSunaam anyathamo bhaveyam Oh Lord Ranganatha, May I not become one of the devas who drink the nectar in the garden of Nandanavana and become inebriate but I would rather be one among the dogs that roam around your city of Srirangam. Parasarabhatta here, expresses his disdain for the devas sau ying that he does not wish to become one of them who drink nectar and frolick I the Nandanavana immersed in sensual pleasured he would rather be a dog in the streets of Srirangam. This reflects the qwords of Thondaradippodi azvar who has said, icchuvai thavira yaan pOy indiralokam aaLum acchuvai perinum vEndEn arangamaanagaruLaanE, meaning, except to sing your names and be in Srirangam, I do not wish even to go and rule over the heaven. 7.Sreerangam kariSailam anjanagirim thaarkshyaadhrisimhaachalou Sreekoormam purushotthamam cha bhadharee naaraayaNam naimiSam Sreemadhdhvaaravathee prayaaga maDhuraa ayoDhyagayaaH pushkaram saalagraamagirim nishevya ramathe raamanujo ayam muniH The saint Ramanuja enjoys residing in the holy places such as Sreerangam, http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 23 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Kanchi,Thirupathi,ahobilam,Simhachalam,sreekoormam, purushotthmam, badari, naimisaraNyamdvaraka, prayag, Madhura, Ayodhya, Pushkar and salagramam. Parasara Bhattar remembers his acharya’s acharya Ramanuja and the divyadesams he visited. 8.asannikrshtasya nikrshta janthoH miThyaapavaadhena karoshi Saanthim thatho nikrshte mayi sannikrshte kaam nishkrthim rangapathe karoshi Oh Ranganatha, you allowed purification to be done for a lowly being like a dog which was falsely said to have entered the temple. What purification will you do for me who is lowlier than the dog if I come near you! After saying that he would rather be a dog in the streets Srirangam, he remembered the incident in Srirangam temple when some priests who wished to do shanthi homam falsely claimed that a dog has entered the sanctum sanctorum. Parasara Bhatta says that the Lord allowed them to do so and when he enters the temple what sort of purification rites is to be done because he is lowlier than a dog. This shows his humility. N andlal geeth yah jindagi hai adhoori thum bin kaise hogi ye poori thum bin nahi gujrtha ye din-rath thum bin nahi rahtha ye dil sath kabse chali hum there thalash me ban gaye he yadem there avinash me kab se khadi hum there umeed me kab aavoge mere nandlal sath me Sushma Suresh" http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 24 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Story about how Sri Krishna came to wear peacock feathers: Aravind Mohanan The following story will tell how SriKrishna came to wear peacock feathers: When one day Krishna woke first from a rest in the forest with his cowherd friends, he decided to wake everyone and call the cows grazing at a distance by playing his flute. When Krishna blew the nectar of his lips into the flute, a melodious r...aga with a slow rhythm and a deep base emerged from its end. This wonderful vibration enchanted the peacocks in and around the Govardhan hills. Their hearts began to sing in happiness and fill the skies with their own song. The resonant vibrations from the flute encouraged the peacocks to dance. Krishna, who is the source of all dramatic arts, was pleased with their dance and encouraged them by his kind glances and sweet smiling. They cried with joy and it sounded all over the hills. In time, their sounds became indistinguishable from the echoes. They became excited and jumped up and down, flapping their wings. As the peacocks danced, the kings of peacocks made his way to the lotus feet of SriKrishna, touches His holy feet and makes a sound which SriKrishna understands as a thanking note and requesting Him to dance with them. SriKrishna accepts to dance and moves amidst them, dancing like the peacocks increasing the tempo and playing to the rhythm of His steps. The bliss of the peacocks increased multifold when SriKrishna danced with them. It was so overwhelming, that some peacocks fainted. All the animals and cowherds of the Govardhan hills stood transfixed, unable to move their eyes away from the dance of SriKrishna. The flute in SriKrishna's hand seeing the uncommon performance of its master began to sing on its own. The spectacle was extremely splendid when seen from the top of the Govardhan hills, the heaven and even the netherland. They danced for a long time and slowly the tired peacocks stopped dancing. Then Krishna danced to the rhythm of His own steps. After many days, when he stopped dancing, there was an enchanting silence. The king of the peacocks approached SriKrishna with great humility, bowed down his head and said, "You have created a festival of bliss for which we remain eternally indebted to You. It is our duty to offer you 'Gurudakshina'. I request You to accept our only opulence, our plumage. Wear them on your crown as a decoration." With large tears of ecstasy, the king of peacocks dropped many divine feathers. SriKrishna lovingly accepted the offering of the peacocks and picked up the feathers and to everybody's joy, placed a few of them on his turban. Thus he came to wear the peacock feathers. The Peacock feather has all the seven colours in it. He wears it to signify the entire range of colours which portray human beings so different from each other in the periphery yet beyond all distinctions as they are all in Him, the centre. He encompasses the whole universe in Him. Let us surrender to Bhagavan Krishna as the peacocks did and offer oneself to serve the lord of lords Krishna until we are tired and he protects us under his shelter!!! Happy New Year 2011 to all devotees of lord SriKrishna.. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 25 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Shyamantaka Upakhyanam explains the reason for Sri Ganesa Murti Visarjanam or Immersion (By Nadukaveri Viswanathan) Those who have, at least once, witnessed the ‘Visarjanam’ or Immersion ceremony of Sri Ganapathi festival, in Maharashtra in general, and in Bombay, now renamed as Mumbai, in particular, can alone appreciate the fervour, devotion , love and respect with which the beautiful Murthis or images of Sri Ganesa are taken in an orderly procession from the numerous Sri Ganapathi Mandals or centres, situated in different parts of the city, to the various allotted sacred water-points, such as Chowpathi and Juhu beaches,Powai lake etc., and immersed therein, on the tenth day, amid rapturous and joyous shouts of, “ Ganapathi Bapa, Moria; Pudche Varshe lavkar yaa!” (Meaning: O, Sri Ganapathi! Dear and beautiful! Please come back soon next year.) This practice has been, of late, gradually spreading to other major cities also. The Moorthis or images are made in different styles and motifs, right from the One Who grants boons to His devotees (वरद), to the Commander-in chief of the Bhootha Ganas and destroyer of the enemies. The beauty of each image has to be seen and admired. No words are sufficient! In fact, the best image earns a Cash Award of Rs. 1 lakh or so, it is understood. The custom or practice of celebrating Sri Ganesa Chathurthi and Visarjanam was initially started by Lok Manya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a great freedom fighter, many years before the Indian Independence, with a view to forge national unity. Incidentally, for the information of the younger generation of devotees of Sri Krishna, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was arrested by the then British Raj for his active involvement in the freedom struggle and was imprisoned in a place called Pegu, Rangoon, Burma (which was also a British colony those days) (now renamed Myanmar) and kept in solitary confinement, where he died sometime later. While in prison, he wrote a beautiful Bashyam or commentary on Srimad Bhagawat Geetha,and named it as, ‘Srimad Bhagawat Geetha Rahasyam’.Later, after some years, Mahatma Gandhi went through it and was just surprised at the manner in which the Slokas and the subject-matter of each chapter have been interpreted. In fact, he and Jawaharlal Nehru followed his example and made the best use of their prison lives. Mahatma Gandhi’s “My experiments with Truth’ and Nehru’s ‘Discovery of India’ were all written by them, while in prison. Thus, they converted their prison-rooms into a Dhyana Mandapam, like the one in Swami Vivekananda Rock, near Kanya Kumari. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 26 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Four walls do not, after all, a prison make! When once, I was witnessing such a ‘Visarjanam’ or Immersion procession, from a distance, a young friend of mine, Arun , around 35 years of age, married, who was accompanying me came out with a sudden doubt: “ Uncle! Please do not mistake me. I have a doubt, a genuine one. They spend thousands of Rupees in creating each of these beautiful and real-life images of Sri Ganapathi, in decorating the Murthis and performing daily Pujas, morning and evening. Finally, on the tenth day, they immerse the holy Murthis in the various water-points. Why don’t they keep them in their houses and continue their Pujas?” I explained,” I shall clear your doubt, by narrating an episode in the life of Sri Krishna. This episode is known as Shyamantaka Episode or Shyamantaka Upakhyanam and is the subject-matter of chap.56 and 57 of the 10 th Skandam of Srimad Bhagawatha Mahapuranam; and also that of Chap.13 of Amsa 4 of Sri Vishnu Puranam. “Sri Krishna’s queens were eight in number. The eldest of them was Devi Rukmini, considered as an Avatharam or Incarnation of Sri Lakshmi Devi.They were all living in Dwaraka.There was a merchant, Satrajit by name, also living in Dwaraka at that time. He was a great devotee of Bhagawan Sri Surya Narayana, Who, pleased with his deep devotion, presented to him a rare Gem, called Shyamantaka Gem, bright and beautiful.Satrajit tied the Gem around his neck and entered Dwaraka. The Gem was shining so brightly that the people of Dwaraka mistook Satrajit as Bhagawan Surya Himself, come there in person. They reported the matter to Sri Krishna immediately.Sri Krishna looked at Satrajit from the balcony of His palace and then allayed the doubts of the people by explaining that it was Satrajit and not Bhagawan Surya Narayana. Satrajit took the Gem to his house and performed daily Pujas to it, with devotion and care, as instructed by Bhagawan Surya Narayana. That Gem used to give him 8 ‘Bharams’ (roughly 2000kgs.) gold everyday. Moreover, because of the Mahima or glory and Purity of that Gem, the whole of Dwaraka was free from diseases, famine, starvation deaths, and fear of serpents, fire and thieves. On one occasion, Sri Krishna Himself was tempted to seek the Gem from Satrajit, on the ground that the best things in the kingdom belonged to the ruler. But, Satrajit turned it down, stating that it was the ruler’s responsibility to protect not only his subjects but also their possessions.Sri Krishna kept quiet, for the time being. One day, Prasena, younger brother of Satrajit took the Gem and tied it around his neck and rode off to a forest on a horse- back, for hunting. He was not fully aware of the special qualities of the Gem that if its purity was preserved by regular Pujas, it would yield gold; but if used as show-piece, especially by one not observing celibacy, it might cause the death of the wearer. On the way, he and his horse were both attacked and killed by a lion.The lion took away the Gem in its mouth. Again, on the way, Jambhawan, the Great Bear of Srimad Ramayana fame, saw the lion from a distance and attacked and killed the lion and took it away, to his cave, chanting Sri Rama Nama all the time. He gave it to his young son, Sukumar, as if it were a toy. When Prasena, the younger brother of Satrajit did not return after some days, Satrajit spread wild rumours in Dwaraka that Sri Krishna had killed Prasena and taken away the Gem. Sri Krishna was rather rudely shaken by this public scandal (Loka-Apavadam). He had already experienced the bitter taste of public scandal in His Sri Rama Avatharam, when He had http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 27 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum to send Devi Seetha to the forest, and that too when She was pregnant. He decided to prove to the people that He had no hand at all in the disappearance of the Gem. So, He took some of His trusted friends and soldiers with Him and went to the forest, where He saw the hoof-prints of a horse. He followed the hoof-prints and reached the spot, where the dead bodies of Satrajit and his horse were lying on the ground. He then followed the foot-prints of a lion and reached where the lion was lying dead. He then followed the foot-prints of a Bear and finally reached the cave of Jambhawan. Stationing His men outside, near a hill, He went inside the cave and saw the young boy, Sukumar, playing with Shyamantaka Mani. On seeing a stranger entering the cave, the young boy, Sukumar, got afraid and cried out again and again.Jambhawan heard the cries, came out from the inside of the cave and challenged Sri Krishna. A severe fight that ensued between Sri Krishna and Jambhawan lasted for 21 consecutive days. As there was no sign of Sri Krishna returning, even after 10 or 15 days from the cave, all His men stationed outside concluded that Sri Krishna had been killed and returned to Dwaraka, with sorrow writ on their face. At the end of 21 days of fighting, Jambhawan became tired and submitted to Sri Krishna, “O, Lord! You and Your valour look supernatural. You appear to be an Amsa of Sriman Narayana, Who, in His Sri Rama Avatharam enchanted all the worlds. No one has the power to fight against me, as I derive my strength from the chanting of the holy Sri Rama Nama. Who are you, in reality?” Sri Krishna, who could not be conquered by Jambhawan by his Shakthi, (physical strength) was, in a moment conquered by his Rama Bhakthi.He revealed Himself to Jambhawan as Sri Seetha-Rama and narrated the entire story of Sri Krishna Avatharam, right from His birth in Mathura Jail, till that moment. Jambhawan’s joy knew no bounds. He prostrated before Sri Krishna, gave his daughter Jambhawathi in marriage to Him and the Shyamantaka Mani and gave a half-hearted send-off to Him and daughter Jambhawathi. After returning to Dwaraka, He entrusted the Shyamantaka Mani to Satrajit and redeemed His name and fame. The marriage of Jambhawathi and Sri Krishna was celebrated in Dwaraka in a grand manner. Meanwhile, Satrajit repented for all the false accusations he cast on Sri Krishna; and as a prayaschittha or atonement gave his daughter Devi Satyabhama, in marriage to Sri Krishna. Devi Satyabhama was and is considered as an Incarnation of Sri Bhoomi Devi, the Mother Earth. Satrajit offered the Mani or Gem to Sri Krishna, but He asked him to keep it with himself, as it was a special gift of Bhagawan Surya Narayana, in appreciation of His Bhakthi. Earlier, Akrura, Kruthavarma and Satha-dhanwa were in line, each hoping to win the hand of Devi Satyabhama, in marriage. Now that Satrajit had given Her to Sri Krishna in marriage, they felt totally disappointed and developed hatred towards Satrajit.Both Akrura and Krutha Varma instigated Satha-dhanwa to kill Satrajit and take the Shyamantaka Mani away. Meanwhile, Sri Krishna had to go to Varanaavatha city to verify reports that Duryodhana was trying to kill the Pandavas in the house of lac or wax. Taking advantage of Sri Krishna’s absence from Dwaraka, Satha-dhanwa killed Satrajit when the latter was sleeping and took away the Mani from him and ran away. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 28 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum On hearing the sad news of her father’s murder, Devi Satyabhama immediately proceeded to Varanaavatha in a chariot, met Sri Krishna and explained to Him all about her father’s murder and the theft of Shyamantaka Mani by Satha-dhanwa.Sri Krishna consoled Her and returned to Dwaraka with Her. He then took the help of His Brother, Sri Balarama and started chasing Satha-dhanwa. Satha-dhanwa cried to Akrura and KruthaVarma; but both of them turned a deaf ear, mainly because they were afraid of Sri Krishna and Sri BalaRama. He therefore ran away from Dwaraka to Mithila (now in Nepal).Sri Krishna too reached Mithila quickly, cut off the head of Satha-dhanwa with His Sudarsana Chakra and then searched the clothes and the body of the victim, but could not find the Shyamantaka Mani. Meanwhile, Akrura, who had earlier got the Mani from Satha-dhanwa secretly, sneaked out of Dwaraka and went to Kashi, which was suffering from famine and diseases at that time. But, with the arrival of Akrura, the people there became free from famine and diseases. Kashi began prospering again. Sri Krishna noticed this change and correctly concluded that Akrura should be there at Kashi. So, He went to Kashi, caught hold of Akrura and the Shyamantaka Mani, and brought them back to Dwaraka.Sri Krishna then arranged a big meeting of all the famous Yadhavas and announced, “This Shyamantaka Mani was passed on by Satha-dhanwa to Akrura, before his departure to Mithla. Akrura was performing Yagnyaas with the help of this sacred Mani at Kashi, as a result of which Kashi has began prospering again. I am showing the Mani to all of you, just to prove my innocence in this matter. Now, this belongs to my brother, Sri Balarama, and Me (Sri Krishna). This is Satyabhama’s paternal property. No one else has a right over this.” Akrura interfered, “Sri Krishna! This Mani will do good to anyone who is pure, in thought, word and deed, and observes celibacy (strict Brahmachayam).If some one who is impure and does not observe Brahmacharyam or celibacy happens to possess this, it will bring the end of that person and of his country. Now that you have the Mani, I seek your permission to leave this place.” Sri Krishna heard Akrura’s words of caution very carefully and proclaimed: “Any one who is pure and observes strict celibacy (Brahmacharyam) may come forward and take this Mani.But, remember Akrura’s warning. This Mani will destroy not only the keeper but his country as well, if he is not pure, physically and mentally, and does not observe Brahmacharyam or celibacy. I have eight queens and 16000 wives. So I cannot think of Brahmacharyam at all. My Brother Sri Bala Rama is very fond of drinking and so he too cannot maintain purity. So, any one who is confident of maintaining celibacy and purity may come forward and take away the Mani.” On hearing these words, there was total silence in the assembly but a little later, all of them spoke with one voice,” If Sri Krishna Himself cannot fulfil the conditions, then who else can? It is therefore best that this Mani continues to be in the possession of Sri Akrura, but he should remain in Dwaraka, under our affectionate care, respect and protection, as he will bring prosperity to Dwaraka and all its residents.” Sri Krishna nodded His head in total approval. O, what a way to honour a true devotee! No wonder, Akrura’s name finds a place in Sri Vishnu Sahasra Namam! Maharishi Parasara concludes the narration by saying, “Whoever remembers this Shyamantaka Mani episode will get himself rid of all infamy and public criticism and all sins.” I then proceeded: “Arun! You are a married man. Do you now understand why the beautiful Murthis are immersed in the various sacred water points, such as lakes and sea? To maintain the purity of the Murthi by observing strict celibacy (Brahmacharyam) and strength of good habits and to keep away from bad habits, is not such an easy task. Even the great Rishi Viswamitra fell http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 29 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum a victim to Maya! ज|न¬¬|मप9चत|सPदव|भगवत|हAP|। बल|द|क ष¤म|A|¤मA|म|¤|प¤चUनत॥(दव|म|A|तम¤म ) Indeed, it is a great thing that these Poojaris of Sri Ganesh Mandals have been observing self- control and have been devoting themselves, heart and soul, in the worship of Sri Ganapathi for 10 consecutive days. That is why what was, ten days back, a clay or gypsum image at the beginning of the Ganapathi Puja, got itself transformed into a vibrant and powerful Murthi, capable of granting boons to His Devotees, just by the power of the pujas and the mantras and the devotion or Bhakthi of the Pujaris and the devotees. Only a person like Akrura can continue to maintain the purity of such an image! How many Akruras are there in this KaliYuga with self-control? The key is self-control, so beautifully explained by Sri Krishna (B.G. 6).It is, in fact, the gateway to Liberation. Leave alone, the Ganapathi devotees; and come to those of Sri Dharma Sastha, affectionately called as Sri Ayyappa. See how the devotees start their self- control vrata. At the start of every Karthik or Vrischika month, they leave all their bad habits,if any, observe strict Brahmacharyam, take bath twice a day, and visit the temple, morning and evening, wearing a black or blue dress. What a divine transformation, ‘Self control’ or ‘Atma-samyama’ (आतम-Pम¤म) brings about in the minds of these devotees! It elevates ordinary human beings from mundane level to high spiritual levels; from Tamas, Rajas and Sattwa to almost Thuriyam! Last, but not the least, the respectful ‘Melsanthis’ or Chief Priests of Sri Guruvayurappan Temple ( and those of other temples too), who are appointed for a period of 6 months, detach themselves from their wife and children, get up at 2AM every day, take their ‘snan’ or bath, devote themselves totally to the service of the Lord, till the Noon-seeveli and puja, then rest a while and resume their daily sacred activities till the night-seeveli (9.30 or 10PM.) and then retire.They observe strict Brahmacharyam during this period. Their heart and mind are ever focused at the Feet of Sri Guruvayurappan. In short, these are the persons who can really maintain the purity of the Shyamantaka Mani. When they can maintain the purity of Sri Krishna Mani Himself, at Guruvayur, is it a great thing for them to maintain the purity of Shyamantaka Mani?” Arun thought for a while and nodded his head, as if he realized the substance. Our humble Namaskarams to all those Akrooras of this modern age! श|Aर¤¬म: http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 30 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum ]n. cmLh³, ]ÃmhqÀ aëjy³ Aåw ]ptcmKXn {]m]n¨t¸mÄ X§fpsS PohnXw BkzZn¡mëÅXmWv F¶dnªt¸mÄ ]e BtLmj§fpw DÕh§fpw D ണmbn.PohnXw kt´mj{]Zambpw, sFizcy kar²ambpw, B\µXpµneambpw BtLmj]qÀ®ambpw, DÕml]qÀÆambpw, \bn¡m³ DÕh§fpw BtLmj§fpw Aìw Cìw aëjysc klmbnçì. DÕhw F¶ ]Z¯nsâ AÀ°w Xs¶ tatåm«v, DuÀ[z`mKt¯ípÅ Hgp¡v F¶mWv. "khw' F¶m temI kpJmë`hw. DÕhnç¶Xv GtXm AXv DÕhw.Npꡯn kt´mjs¯ Xê¶Xv GtXm, kt´mjs¯ t{]cn¸nç¶Xv GtXm AXv DÕhw F¶À°w. kwKoXw, kmlnXyw, \r¯w, \mSyw, Iq¯v, \mSIw, ]mTIw, XpÅÂ, ssX¿m«w, Xndbm«w, ]m\, IYm{]kwKw, IqSnbm«w, IYIfn, hmZyIeIÄ F¶n§s\ ]eXpw aëjy PohnX¯nse \m\mapJamb ]ptcmKXnbpsS \mgnI¡ÃpIfmWv.ChsbsbÃmw Xmണn C¶v GItZiw ]qÀ®Xsb {]m]n¨ncn¡bmWv. CXns\Ãmw ]pdsa Ne¨n{Xw, Sn.hn. CsXÃmw F´në thണn. aëjy PohnXw t\cs¯ kqNn¸n¨t]mse kt´mjIchpw DÃmk{]Zhpw B¡m³. GItZiw ag¡mew Ignªm hrÝnIamkw apXÂ, CShw hsc ]e ]e BtLmj§fpw, DÕh§fpw \½psS \m«n \Sç¶ ImeL«amWv. aÞeImew hrÝnIw H¶në XpS§pw. tZho t£{X§fn aÞe Imew hmZytLmj§tfmsS http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 31 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Znhtk\ cm{Xn {]tXyI Bcm[m\{Ia§tfmsS \Sçì. t£{X coXnbëkcn¨v the ]m«v, Iq¯v apXembh an¡ t£{X§fnepw \Sç¶ Imew.Npꡯn Cu Imew DÕhImew F¶ t]cn Adnbs¸Spì. ImÀjnI cmPyamb C´ybn sImbvs¯Ãmw Ignªv Hgnªncnç¶ Ahkcw.F¶m C¶v Aåw hyXymkw h¶n«pv.P\§Ä hÀ²n¨t¸mÄ, {]tXyI XmakØew h¶t¸mÄ, A¼e§fpw, ]ÅnIfpw, hnZymeb§fpw aäv Øm]\§fpw D ണmhpt¼mÄ {]hÀ¯\ cwKw kPohamæì.C§ns\sbms¡bmsW¦nepw Aåw kt´mjw In«m³ BtLmj§fn ]s¦Sp¯v a\Êv æfnÀ¸n¡mëÅ Ahkcw BcmWv shdpsX IfbpI. At¸mÄ C§ns\bpÅ BtLmj§Ä Hgn¨p IqSm¯XmsW¶v hêì.B BtLmj§Ä hÀ® i_fam¡m³, B\µn¡m³ aëjyÀ {ianç¶Xn sXänÃsÃm. Hmtcm tZi¯ntebpw Xt±iobamb B{Klw km[nX{]Zam¡mëÅ Hê NS§mWv AXmXp t£{X§fnse DÕhw.A¼e§fnepÅ tZh·msc Xr]vXns¸Sp¯pI F¶XmWv DÕh¯nsâ e£yw.aëjyêsS kw{Xn]vXnbpw t£a sFizcy§fpw \mSnsâ A`nhr²nç thn Aëãnç¶ Hê IÀ½amWv DÕhw.B \m«nse P\§fpsS a\Êv BËmZw sImv kwXr]vXambncnçw. DÕhmcw`w apX t£{Xhpw ]cnkchpw DÕml `cnXambncnçw.hmgçeIfpw, Cf\oÀæeIfpw, æêt¯meIfpw sImv sI«nS§Ä IgnhXpw Ae¦cnçì.t£ {Xhpw ]cnkchpw Ia\obamb ]´epw Iam\§fpw sIm ണv hfsc Dbc¯n s]m¡ns¡«n tim`\amçì.tKm]pc§Ä Ds¦n tamSnbmbn Be¦mcnI Zo]§fm Ae¦cnçì. AXnsæn A¼e¯nsâ apIfn IqSn Npäpw sNdnb sNdnb _Ä_pIÄ LSn¸n¨ ]e \nd¯nepw Xc¯nepw DÅ hbdpIÄ hen¨p sI«n I¯nçì.Ahbn \n¶v {]Iminç¶ _Ä_pIÄ Nph«nteípw apIfnteípw \of¯nepw hoXnbnepw I¯n \o§ns¡mncnçw.B _Ä_pIfn \n¶v {]Iminç¶ civan, At§m«pw Ct§m«pw \o§p¶ ImgvN I®në æfnÀ½bpw, a\Ên³ B\µhpw {]Zm\w sN¿pì.Npꡯn `KhXnbptStbm, `Khmtâtbm DÕhw Kw`ocambpw, BÀ`mS]qÀ®amçhm³ FÃmhcpw DÕmlt¯msS {iançì. DÕhIme¯v ]qPIÄ Nn«tbmSpw, \nãtbmSpw \S¯pì. hÀ®¸In«nsâbpw, \mZ{_Ò¯ntâbpw, BÀ`mS§fpsSbpw, BtLmj§fptSbpw tIfocwKamb DÕhImew aëjylrZb§fnÂ, `àP\§fn AhmNyhpw, A`uahpw, B\µXpµnehpw Bb Aë`qXn DWÀ¯pì.Xm{´nI hn[n {]ImcapÅ Aëãm\ IÀ½§fmb `qX_en \S¯pì.CXv A¼e¯nsâ t{ibÊn\mæì. t£{X ]cnkc¯v Xpfp¼n \nÂç¶ Cuizc ssNX\yw`à·mcn Bthihpw, Dt·jhpw Dmçhm³ t£{XZÀi\w klmbnçì.t£{Xm´co£¯n \ndªp \nÂç¶ \nZm´ ssNX\yw DÄs¡mÅm³ t£{XZÀi\w klmbnç¶p. an¡ Øe§fnepw I®në C¼w \Âæ¶ Icnaêì ]Wnbpw Dണmbncnçw. A¼e§fnse DÕhw am{Xaà IYIfn, IrjvW\m«w Ifn, I®nbmÀ Ifn, Bcymame \r¯\rXy§Ä F¶n§s\ ]eXpw aëjylrZb§fn BkzmZIcn tcmam©hpw, kt´mjhpw, ]pfIhpw, Bß kwXr]vXnbpw Dfhmçì.Npꡯn BËmZ¯nsâbpw, kwXr]vXnbptSbpw, kam[m\¯nsâbpw Hê ImeL«amWv DÕhImew. ************************ http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 32 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum നനയ ര- ( നരയണയനസതനപരഭഷ) 29: വഷമമഹന(കകള) f¡©kz¤ VAISHNAVI #49, Vivekanada Street Udayanagar, Dooravaninagar (PO), Bangalore - 560 016 Phone - 080 28530048, 41260122, 28533785, 09448367896 e-mail [email protected] മതയപരപല%യര'മപമളനയ പയ)ഷകഭപടന,ട%ശരര മപയതമശയമമ0രമരത1നര ആയമടശസപ, % പന'ബ ഭവൻ. നനഹമയബധ, % ടനശരര തമല%ണയകട%തമതര. 29.2 മമനതൻകനയ%പയവ%മനകയൽ ശ1മനയനളമപനരക'മതര മ%0യവമAജകഭഭരനൽ ഒട % നതഗയയ മമഹനരപൽ മ%'ലമറ%ഭവനണഞനപമH ന'രമതകഭമറ'ശരര. പന'വചരമവരകകചകഭ- നമ'തയ , നമ'ടണഞരതദ % ത. 29.3 "മനHയമളവളമ%കഞങളക മണനപH% കകകളൽപയ)ഷ"നമ'വര ആശവവശരയരVനക, "നയങനന- യശരനരനങനളന'നമ%'ദ? ചഞല1മമറ%കലടഞ"നങനന നകഞപറഞ%വളരവശസവ%. 29.4 പയ)ഷകഭമടകനതനനനട കയമലല\,ട % കര'ടനര. "എങൽനമ'തനനഷ ടഭവകകൽ നങളനപറ%കമണ" നയനനകഞട % ടൻ മദവസ%രനനരനവമ`നറപകയ- ലയടരവളമയമbചത 29.5 "നമമട%പAഇവളകണ%നരണeയ" എമ'രfമണനതകതദതസ%തര. തൻഭകവതല1മ%നളരവട%ന- മപനടമയകസ%രനരകമതമയ . വഞന,രൽപകHസരഭനനവ അഞതറ%fസരപഗഹ, % ടൻ. 5 തൻപകൽനനഅമതഹര,ത- നൻനപനന1ശAയസ%രരകനൽകട % അങ%മറഞതമശരരമചരനടൻ സഗരമയസ%രവലതനമയ . മlരമമഹവത'ൽബലതന മയരണൽസ%രനരപതകയൽ മപരfസ%രനരകരAനൽകനടൻ പത1Aനയ ഭവനശതവതലൻ. 29.7 കലമനമ,മലയദയകദത1നര കലനരക'ങയ, ) രണങമണ; ഇനൻവധ, ) മഹബലതന'യ%, ജഭൻ, വലസ%രൻ, പകമനയ%തb; ശഷ കമമസr ഗമമആയ%ളനത'നൽ വദ1നലuനമ)ചനയമvമനന. പ'ങ%നരദൻവ'റയ,മപൽ മ'നറ%യസഗരമനപമH. (29.8-10) (കളകഞ) അമരരപ%നരനയനജലവണ1ധരയ- ലശമമഹപ,തദ ) പമമരവൻ പരമശവനഗജനയട%മ0മലuതള ഭതവനമട%നമഭവൽപമദ. തവമനസകപയയല%മറ%കര,വര ഇഗതനചലuമവയങ%മറഞ%മപയ . ഉടനനയ%പവനനട%വലAകലൿഷ1മയ പനട,ടകളക'മമഹന അതചപലനയനകതമഗജസ തങളൽ കമരനയങല%മദവൻഭമ, % മപയ . ഉട%പ%ടവയHനയയതകമമവഗപ)ണ% ഗഢമയലഗനനചയ തതൽAണ കതറയ%ടനകല%മളവനകനമവ വര1പമമAൽവമവകമ%ദകയൽ ഗരജനയട%തവമഹമമയതഗരശനന മന,നസ തലനഹമരപഹമ (പ%രദഹനമ%രമbനസഗമനഗഹ- മയ%നളരയപ, ശഹമരപഹമ.) http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 33 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum ശനരയണയമ ) ല ദശക29 ©hv¸·¥t c¡j¡iX g¶Y¢j¢-- 029:001 ഉദ ഗച‚തസ തവകരദമതഹരത% കദമത1ഷ%തനശരണനനനയമദവൻ സദ1സ തമരദധbമദവഭവത പഭവദ ഉദ1തയ)b1കലഹദതജബഭവ%ƒ 029:002 ശ1മരചപവയസപതനതദന പപ മതസതഗകചമണലഭഗരത പയ%ഷകഭകലഹപരമ%ച1സരമവ തഷeകലƒപതയയ%സ തദ%മരജകമഭ 029:003 കതമഗAവഭജസസ%ധമമമ- ത1രഢരഗവവശനഭയചമതമ)ൻ വശസ1മതമയകbകലടസ മകദത1 ഇത1ലപ'പസ%വശസതനതനƒ 029:004 മമദത%ധകലശമമഷ%ദദത%സത ദ%മ‡ഷ ടതമമസഹധമതബ % വണ പങ തപമഭദവനമവശതമദവകദത1 ലലവലസഗതഭƒസമദƒസ%ധത 029:005 അസ മസയപണയനത1സ%മരഷ%മതഷ% മജഷസ‰മതഷbസമപ1സ%ധസ%മരഷ% തഭകമലകവശമഗനജരപമമത1 സരഭനമരദപരപതസ%ധവ1ലവƒ 029:006 തƒസ%ധഹരണമയഗ1vലപമരഷ% ദഗമതതയസ%കരƒഖല%മതവ1ഗഹ ണൻ മlമരbമ)ര•തരമണബലകദത1മയ- വ1മമഹമതസ%രഗമണതമഹവരസƒ 029:007 തകലമനമമbമലമ%ഖൻ ജlന‰ ശമŽജlനബലജഭവലൻസപകൻ ശഷ കരദദ%ഷ കരവമധനമ%ച•ചല)മന മvമനനനരദഗരന1രമണരണത 029:008 മയഷവപ%രദനജമമഹനമഹതമത ശ % തവമലകനകതഹലവനമഹശƒ ഭകതസ‘മഗരജയചഗതƒപദമത സ തതബവദഭമതതമമbതമരധƒ 029:009 ആരമസമനചകന%കlതലല- മലലയമനനയനകമനമമനജ തമമഷവA1വഗളദസനമമനഭ- മവഗദനഗരപ%രഗസമലലഗ 029:010 ഭമയപവദ % തവതമ%പധവ1മദമവ വര1പമമAവകസത പരമരVമബധƒ തനനതസ തവമഹതമ%വചമദകവ1 തദശസ തമവവതനമകതനb http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 34 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum LORD GURUVAYURAPPAN REMOVED THE DISEASE M.P. Bhattathiri, Retired Chief Technical Examiner , to The Govt. of Kerala. In the storm of life we struggle through myriads of stimuli of pressure, stress, and muti-problems that seek for a solution and answer. We are so suppressed by the routine of this every life style that most of us seem helpless. However, if we look closely to ancient techniques we shall discover the magnificent way to understand and realize the ones around us and mostly ourselves. If only we could stop for a moment and allow this to happen. Srimad Narayaneeyam is a devotional hymn consisting of 1036 verses written in the 16th century by a scholar-devotee=poet by name Melpathur Narayana Bhattatiri, as an epitome of Srimad Bhagavata Mahapuranam. The immediate need for him to write this hymn, was his suffering from his ailment of paralysis, for the alleviation of which, he prayed to the Lord of Guruvayoor. He wrote one hundred chapters at the rate of one chapter (dasakam--a bunch of 10 verses) per day, sitting in front of the deity. As the story goes, the author, Melpathur Narayana Bhattatiri voluntarily transferred onto himself, the ailment of paralysis from his Guru and relative, Trikandiyur Achuta Pisharoti ritualistically, in order to save him. In the process, he himself became a paralytic. He then got himself carried to the shrine at Guruvayoor where he could take shelter at the feet of Lord Krishna and get divine intervention. As he was continuing to suffer from excruciating pain due to his malady, he sought advice from the celebrated contemporary poet, Thunjath Ezhuthatchan, who suggested that Bhattatiri should start with the fish. Bhattatiri, being quick to understand the implication of this suggestion, viz., that he should compose a hymn in praise of Lord Guruvayoorappan giving an account of all His sportive incarnations beginning with the incarnation as fish (Matsya-avatara), he sat at the feet of the Lord and composed this great work, a dasakam a day, with ardent devotion. At the end of the hundredth day, when he had completed all the one hundred dasakams, it is said that he had a glorious vision of the Lord and he was completely cured of his ailment. Bhattatiri composed Narayaneeyam when he was twenty-seven, completing it on November 27, 1587. It is said that on the hundredth day, when he completed writing the hymn, he had the coveted vision of the Lord and he also got cured of his ailment. Devotees believe that this hymn to Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of Guruvayoor is a panacea for all ailments, arthritic parqlysis in particular, and chant the hymn with all earnestness, sincerity and devotion. They come all the way to Guruvayoor, offer worship and get cured. The expression “Hantha! Bhagyam Jananaam!â€, comprising the last words of the opening sloka of this great work, Srimad Narayaneeyam, has become the watch-word of Guruvayoor, because devotees of Guruvayoorappan believe that Narayaneeyam, known as the http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 35 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum “Gospel of Guruvayoor†is identical with the Lord. They consider themselves extremely fortunate and blessed even to have been able to have a Darsanam of the Lord, who is the same as Brahman, the Supreme Consciousness. One can find the above-cited words inscribed right at the entrance of the shrine. The image of the Lord at Guruvayoor, believed to be of divine origin, is said to have been worshipped by Vasudeva and then by Lord Krishna Himself at Dwaraka. Before the divine ascent of Lord Krishna, He had instructed Uddhava, His devotee and minister, that this image would come floating when Dwaraka would be engulfed by the sea, after His departure. At his behest, Guru (Brihaspati, the Deva-guru), along with Vayu (the Wind-god), looked for a suitable spot which was located by Parasurama, and as instructed by Lord Siva, installed the same at the present location, which later came to be known as “GURU-VAYU-OORâ€, meaning the place of Guru and Vayu, the sanskritised name being “GURU-PAVANA-PURAMâ€. As the Divine ascent was at the beginning of Kali-yuga, the temple is believed to be about 5,100 years old. As the image had its origin in Vaikuntam, the divine abode of Lord Vishnu, devotees consider this shrine as Vaikuntam on earth, or Bhooloka-Vaikuntam. This work, composed in praise of Lord Krishna, and which is said to have received divine intervention at different stages, is considered to be a short and sweet substitute for Srimad Bhagavata Mahapuranam (cream of all Hindu sacred texts) and is recited by devotees all over the world as a general prayer and also as a panacea for all ailments causing impairment or loss of motor function of nerves. Innumerable devotees flock to the Guruvayoor temple and offer worship to the Lord, reciting this hymn of prayer in the firm hope, belief and trust that they would be cured of their ailments. It is available in almost all languages and in the net also can be downloaded. (http://sanskrit.gde.to). The Slokas are very beautiful. May all beings be happy (Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu) http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 36 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Bhaja Govindam By Sankara Bhagvat Pada (Collected by Asha Prasanna, Bangalore) Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam, Govindam Bhaja Mooda Mathe, Samprapthe sannihithe kale, Nahi nahi rakshathi dookrunj karane. Pray Govinda, Pray Govinda, Pray Govinda, You fool, For all the ken with you, Will not be there, When your end is near. 1 Seek him for when the time of death approaches and formula of grammar will not save you Mooda janihi dhanagma trishna Guru sadbhudim mansini trishna Yellba sereja Karmopartham Ithamthena vinodha chitham Fool people do not go after money Take guide from guru Be content with your money Which u will get as per your past deeds. 2 O fool give up thirst to accumulate wealth now get rid of vain desires. Fill the mind with good and holy thoughts. Be content with what comes though actions of the past. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 37 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Yavadvitho parjana saktha, Sthavannija parivaro raktha Paschat jeevathi jarajjara dehe, Varthaam prucchathi ko apina gehe. (Bhaja Govindam) Till you are able to earn, The wealth that everybody yearns, All the family you love, Will love and care. But when the cage of your body gets old, They would not even ask you, “How are you?” (Pray Govinda) 3 As long as u have ability to earn and save your depends r attached to you. Maa kuru dhana jana yowana garwam, Harathi nimishoth kaala sarvam, Maamaya midhamakilam hithwa, Brahmapadam twam pravisa vidhitwa. (Bhaja 4 Proud as peacock are you, Of all the millions that you have, And of all those who are with you, Day in and day out, And of the strength of youth in you. Time, the thief is doing its job, Of stealing them by and by, All these are yes today and no tomorrow. (Pray Govinda) 4 Sura mandhira tharu moola nivaasa, Sayya bhoothala ajinam vaasa, Sarvapariguha bhoga thyaagaha, Kasya sukham na karothi viraaga. (Bhaja Govindam) He lives in the deep dark forest, Or below a big banyan, Sleep he does on the bare floor, He has given up his all, Who in this entire world, so big, Is as happy as he is. (Pray Govinda) 5 Bagavat geetha kinchida thireetha, Gangaajalalava kanikaa peetha, Sukrudhapi yasya murari samarcha, Tasya yama kim kuruthe charchaam. (Bhaja Govindam) Read and imbibe Bhagavat Gita, Drink a drop of the holy Ganga, At least once salute the Lord, Then the God of death, Will not bother you forever. (Pray Govinda) 6 http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 38 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam, Punarapi janani jatare sayanam, Iha samsaare bhalu dusthare, Krupayaa pare pahi murare. (Bhaja Govindam) Again and again one is born, And again and again one dies, And again and again one sleeps in the mother’s womb, Help me to cross, This limitless sea of Life, Which is uncrossable, my Lord (Pray Govinda) 7 Geyam Githa, Nama sahasram, Dhyeyam sri pathi roopamajasram, Neyam sajjana sange chittam, Dheyam deenajanaaya cha vitham. (Bhaja Govindam) 8 Sing the Geetha, And His thousand names, Meditate on the Lord of Lakshmi, Spend time with good souls, Give all the wealth to the poor. (Pray Govinda) 8 Arthamanartham Bhavaya nithyam, Naasthi thatha sukalesa sathyam, Puthraadhapi dhana bhaajam bheethi, Sarvathraisha vihithaareethi. (Bhaja Govindam) Wealth that you earn, Has no meaning in life, The real truth in it, is, That it gives no pleasure, The wealthy are but scared, Even of him whom they beget, (Pray Govinda) 9 Gurucharanaambuja nirbhara bhaktha, Samsarada chirabhava mukthaa, Sendriya maanasa niyamaadevam, Drakshyasi nija hrudayastham devam. (Bhaja Govindam) With your mind trained, By your spiritual guide, You can cross the sea of life, And once you cross the sea, You can see the Govinda in your heart. (Pray Govinda) 10 http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 39 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum What is in a name Achuthan Nair There is a popular saying : A rose by any name smells as good. Not exactly. There is a lot more in a name than name itself. It is a symbol of identity , a personal treasure whether be IT A PERSON, ANIMAL; OR PLANT. IT IS A TAG that distinguishes one thing from the other. A name gives us a mental picture of the substance the name represents. For example an elephant or a cricket. A mango will make our mouth water , pickle, mampazham ? Similarly a person's name is his personal I D. But it is an irony that the individual has to carry all his life a name that was thrust upon him by someone else without his knowing it. A person should have the choice to select the name he prefers, that is my view. Hindus named their children after the multitude of gods that we have. It is a good gesture but that is history. Now a days babies are given fancy names such as Kuku, mimo, nano, riri,Stalin, etc. Some parents to boost their self esteem and personal ego name the baby using portions of each of their names ; e.g. Pramod + Nimmi = Prani. or Krishna + Minakshi = Krimi. Of course there are disadvantages in carrying names like : Anandapadbhanabhan, Gourishankarahimagirinatha, Sreetrivikramanunnikrishnannair or such. So the recent choice of shorter names e.g. Gopal becomes : Go + Pal . Fortunaly for me, my elders named me Achuthan , one out of the thousand plus names of Bhagavan. ACHYUTHA means One who will never lose his inherent nature and powers i.e. INFALLIBLE. It is the 100th and 318th name in the Vishnu Sahasranamam. In the present kali Yug , chanting or uttering Bhagavan's name is the only way to moksha. Anyone calling my name, or say madhav, Govinda etc will get Lord's blessings. Anyone who calls me and those around hears that name being called will get salvation . That was the intention of such names. So be considerate, Give the baby a name that he/she will be proud of all his/her life and a blessing to all who call them bythat name. Jai Shree Krishna ! Hari-Om What a child learns in Kindergarten is wisdom for later life. Contributed by Achuthan Nair 1. Say thank you where appropriate. 2 Share everything. 3 Play fair. 4 Don't hit others. 5 Put things where you found them. 6 Clean up your own mess. 7 Take only what is yours. 8 Apologise when you hurt someone. 9 Wash your hands after visiting the W.C. and before meals. 10 Think, learn, play, and sing and work every day. 11 When you go out watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.. 12 Look before you leap. ======================== Author unknown Jai Shree Krishna ! http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 40 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum A respectful compilation from the series of postings by Dr. BGY Sastry 22 - True devotion Once, Sathyabhama and Rukmini questioned Lord Krishna: "Why do you always make much of the devotion of Draupadi? Is she that great?" The Lord replied with a smile, "I shall let you know by and by." One day, Draupadi came to visit her dear brother Krishna and she was given a suite of rooms. Krishna called Sathyabhama and Rukmini and said: "Let us go to Draupadi's apartment." Draupadi welcomed them with love and excitement. She had just taken oil bath; her long tresses were hanging loose. She was combing her hair. The lord looked at his queens and said: "See! My sister seems to find it difficult to comb her long tresses. Why don't you both help her?" Sathyabhama and Rukmini readily agreed. The tresses were parted; one half was taken care by Sathyabhama and the other by Rukmini. While they were combing, they heard from every hair, "Krishna", "Krishna", in a soft tone. They were surprised and looked at Krishna as if to say they had understood Draupadi's devotion. Krishna sat still enjoying the scene. True devotion is silent and avoids display. 23 - Two minutes There was a famous dacoit once who advised his son while initiating him into the ancestral profession, never for a moment to listen to stories of the Lord. "Do not stay to listen to any Purana or any reading of the Bhagavatha," he exhorted the young aspirant. The son scrupulously observed this injunction for years and amassed a good fortune. One night, however, while running with his loot on his shoulder through a side lane of the city to avoid the police, a piece of glass cut his sole. He sat for a while to pull it off and stop the flow of blood. He was then behind a house, where some one was reading and explaining the Bhagavatha to a small group of listeners; he listened perforce for a short two minutes. The spark fell on the heap of cotton. During that short period, he heard the pundit explaining the nature of God. He has no ears, no eyes, and no limbs: he has a thousand forms; He is without form. "Sarvathah paani-paadam," as the Gita says. That description got fixed in his heart. He could not shake it off. A few days later the police came to know of the depredations made by him as well as his associates and kinsmen. In order to know more about their activities they entered the area incognito, one constable as Kali and some others as the worshippers and priests. They shouted and yelled, cursed and terrified the dacoits and called upon them to come out of their homes and fall at the feet of Kali. Many did so, but the son, who had heard the Bhagavatha, albeit for two minutes, knew just enough to save his skin. He was not terrified at all. He challenged the constable who was acting the role of Kali and tore off his make-up and exposed the plot and instilled courage into the hearts of the gang. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 41 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Then, when the police left discomfited he argued within himself thus: "If two minutes of the forbidden fruit could help me so much, what can I not gain, if I devote myself entirely to the stories of the glories of God?" He left off the evil path and became a Sadhaka. 24 - Greatest sin Once, Jesus was walking along the streets of a city. It was a slum area. He saw a young man rolling in dirt, dead drunk. He went to him, sat by his side and woke him up. The young man opened his eyes and saw Jesus. Jesus asked him: "Son! Why are you wasting your precious youth in drinking?" The young man replied: "Master! I was a leper. You cured me of my leprosy. What else can I do?" Jesus heaved a sigh and walked away. In another street he saw a man madly pursuing a beautiful woman. Jesus caught hold of him and asked him: "Son! Why do you desecrate your body by indulging in such a sinful act?" The man replied: "Master! I was really blind. You gave me vision. What else can I do?" Jesus trudged along another street. He saw an old man crying bitterly. Jesus approached him and gently touched him. The old man wiped his tears and looked at Jesus. Jesus questioned him: "Why are you weeping old man?" The old man said: "Master! I was nearly dead. You granted me life. What else can I do except weep in this old age?" In times of difficulty and distress, we cry out for God's help. But when God, out of His boundless love and compassion, responds to our prayer, we ignore Him and fall back into our self-centered life. One must guard oneself against this greatest sin of ingratitude towards God. 25 - God does everything for the best There was once a Minister to a King who was in the habit of declaring whatever happened was for one's good. One day the King cut his finger while slicing a piece of sugar cane. Seeing the bleeding finger the Minister said as usual "God does everything for the best". The King flew into a rage and said "Here I am suffering with the pain of a bleeding finger and you say God does everything for the best. Enough of your philosophy! Is this the way of consoling me? How can this be for the best when the pain is intense and real? The King immediately committed the Minister to prison. Even then the Minister said calmly "Even this sentence is for my best." A few days later, the King went alone for hunting in a forest. When the hunting expedition was over the King was resting under a tree. Just then the servants of a certain tribal chief of the forest seized the King, bound his hand and foot. The King questioned them: "Why do you bind me? What are you going to do with me?" The tribesmen replied: "We are going to sacrifice you at the altar of our goddess Kali. It is the custom to offer her a human sacrifice once a year. The time has arrived. We have been looking out for a human being. We are fortunate in having found you." The King remonstrated: "Let me go, I am the King of the realm, you cannot kill me for the sacrifice." The tribesmen laughed and said: "We are glad that this year's sacrifice would be unique and our goddess will be highly pleased because we are going to offer as sacrifice a great personage." The King was carried and duly placed on a sacrificial altar. Things were ready for the death blow; the priest noticed the bandage on his left hand forefinger. They removed the bandage only to find that a portion of it was cut. The priest said: "This man is not acceptable as a sacrifice to our goddess. A man with a defect in his body is not fit for sacrifice. Set him free." The King remembered the words of the Minister uttered when his finger was cut "God does everything for the best." He realised that the injury to his finger alone had saved him from death. He at once hurried home and went straight to the prison to set the Minister free. He said, "I seek your forgiveness for the rash and cruel treatment accorded to you." The Minister said: "You’re Majesty; you have done no harm. There is nothing to forgive." The King once again questioned: "Why did you say that my sending you to prison is for your good?" The Minister replied: "If I had not been confined in prison, I would have accompanied you when you went for hunting. I would have been in your Company. When the tribesmen came to know that you were unfit for sacrifice, they would have chosen me and offered me as a sacrifice. So, God does everything for the best." My respectful pranam to Sastry-ji and humbly requesting apologies for all the mistakes from my side. Praying for his Atma to achieve Moksha by Sriman Narayana's blessings. Om Namo Narayanaya: - Sunil http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 42 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Om Namo Narayanaya: Please read and respond with your comments and suggestions to [email protected] www.guruvayoor.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/guruvayur http://navaneetam.blogspot.com Navaneetham (freshly churned butter) is a humble attempt by Guruvayur Devotees Forum to create a monthly news letter for our group. Please send your comments, suggestions and any materials that you wish to publish to [email protected] Om Namo Narayanaya: Om Namo Narayanaya: Om Namo Narayanaya: Our apologies for those articles & poems we could not publish this time due to space limitations. We will have them published in the forthcoming issues. Please email us at [email protected] with your name and brief introduction to have your name appear in this section, also please email us your comments, suggestions, articles for Navaneetham June issue to [email protected] Sources, credits and copyright acknoledgements Manoramaonline.com thehindu.com Krishna pictures/Artwork courtesy of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. http://images.google.com http://www.krishna.com http://www.stephen-knapp.com http://www.swaminarayan.org http://spirituality-meditation-yoga-pictures.blogspot.com/ blogspot.com Google picture results http://www.cmmiami.org http://www.vrindavanart.com http://www.vanamaliashram.org/ http://www.indiapost.gov.in Madhu Ramanujam - http://picasaweb.google.com/madhuraamanujam http://www.flickr.com http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/0400_0499/panthe on/lingam http://www.dollsofindia.com http://gaurangakishore.blogspot.com Submitted at the lotus feet of Shree Guruvayoorappan. Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya! ഓനമമനരയണയ: May God Bless you all. http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 43 Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum Navaneetham Monthly e-magazine of Guruvayur Devotees “lo¤©al o¤Y« ©al« J«o O¡X¥j htÀc« ©alJ£ djh¡cz« J¦nå« l©z QLa® L¤y«” www.guruvayoor.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/guruvayur http://navaneetam.blogspot.com http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 44 Documents Similar To Navaneetham Jan 2011Skip carouselcarousel previouscarousel nextNavaneetham Jun 2010 (2)Navaneetham Oct 2010Navaneetham Apr 2010Video Is The Only Constant 7th April 2010Garfield, Jay L Engaging Buddhism why it matters to philosophy.pdfNavaneetham Dec 2010Navaneetham Jul 2010Navaneetham Aug 2012Navaneetham April / Medam 2011Navaneetham September 2010Listado de Articulos y Libros (S)Navaneetham Nov 2010Navaneetham Aug 2010Navaneetham April 2013Navaneetham Feb 2011 -Guruvayur Devoteess e-magazineVIETNAM CULTURAL IDENTITY (ASSIGNMENT 3) CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION (MGS5640) STUDENT- VU THIEN BACH STUDENT NO. 25697595.docxsayadaw u thitillia quotesHuxkey a - When Manu Met Mahasammata (JIP 96)Teaching Guide 2 (1).pdfThe Weight of Unconfessed SinCatholic Bible 101 - Television and Your SoulJ.Sydney Jones & Michael O’Neal - World Religions RL. 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