May - chinnajeeyar

Engum uzhan kannan enna maganai kka:yundu
Ingu illai a:l ennu iraniyan thu:n pudaippa
Angu appozhude: avan vi:yaththo:nniya en
Singappira:n perumai a:ra:yum si:rmaiththe:
“Lord is everywhere”, said Prahla:d. Hiranyakasipu did not believe it and
built a pillar with his own hands. Thinking Lord is not present there, he hit
it hard, but at once Lord emerged from the pillar in half-lion and half-hu
man form and killed the demon. Who can comprehend such inscrutable,
mysterious nature of Lord? --Namma:lwa:r in Thiruva:ymozhi 2.8.9
May 2nd is birth day of Lord Narasimha
INSIDE
Volume: 08 Issue: 07
02 PRAYER
From Namma:lwa:r Thiruva:ymozhi
05 EDITORIAL
07 VTSEVA BHA:RATH UPDATES
12 BHJAYATHI RA:JA STHO:THRA
14 RA:MA:NUJA LIFE HISTORY
Read Ra:ma:nuja Life Story In Pictures
18 GLORY OF RA:MA:NUJA
Ira:ma:nusa Nu:ththanda:di
Prahla:da: Devotion Unperturbed
Circumstance
21 VTSEVA AUSTRALIA UPDATES
22 HOMEOPATHY REMEDIES
What we can learn from prahla:da
Commone Allergies & Their Treatment
24 VE:NKATA:CHALA
8
BIRDS IN RA:MA:YANA
38
A:CHA:RYA HISTORY
42
DIVYA PRABANDHAM
46
Ra:ma Honors Birds
MA:HA:TMYAM
The History of The Seven Hills & The Lord of
them
28 ARTHA PANCHAKAM
Na:ththamuni reveals future a:cha:rya
The 5 most important things to know in life
30 MORAL LESSONS FROM
Thiruppalli Yezhuchchi
RA:MA:YANA
This wakeup song of Lord Rangana:ttha
was composed by Thondaradippodi A:lwa:r
33 FAQ FROM READERS
How To Be Free of Envy?..MUST READ
36 BHAGAWAD GI:THA
by
LIFE HISTORY OF A:LWA:RS 50
The three A:lwa:rs meet at one place!.
A Voyage Towards Victory
Principles
Serve All Beings As Service To God & Worship Your Own, Respect All
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bhakthinivedana/
CALENDAR - May 2015
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May 14, May 29
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4
OUR SERVICES
May 2- The Appearance Day of Lord Narasimha &
Madhurakavi A:lwa:r Birthday
(Read the inspiring story of prahla:da inside)
May 4 - Annama:cha:rya Jayanthi
May 13 - The Birthday of Hanuman, Hanumajjayanthi
May 19 - Thirukko:shiyu:r Nambi Birthday
May 30 - Ku:rma Jayanthi
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
EDITORIAL
Vichithra: de:ha sampaththihi
i:swara:ya nive:dithum !
It is good to be selfish, said Swamiji in a speech and everyone was alarmed at once! Why
Swamiji is advising all to be selfish? By definition, a selfish person is someone who is always
engaged in just the welfare and profit of one’s own. He wants to use every minute for his
“own” good.
True, but when the purpose of our actions is to reach or please “The Supreme”, that
selfishness turns out be complete selflessness from the wordly perspective.
Our bodies come with an expiration date, albeit unknown. If we are truly selfish, we use that
body for the maximum profit, making use of every minute for the best possible purpose.
While in good health and all our limbs are acting fine, if we remember Lord and repose
our responsibility in Him, He promises to take care of us when we are otherwise. (Sthithe:
manasi susvasthe: sari:re sathiyo: naraha... Lord Vara:ha Swa:my to Bhu:de:vi)
Kulase:khara, a king and a:lwa:r prays to the Lord to let his mind dwell on Lord’s lotus feet
now itself, for at the time of departure from body, when the body is inflicting too much pain
it is not possible to focus on Him. (Krushna thwadi:ya pada pankaja panjara:nthaha...)
Prahla:da, just a five year old, advises his fellow students thus: “my dear friends, right from
early childhood, develop the love and devotion to Lord Vishnu who can deliver us from
this beginningless suffering of repeating births and deaths. Long before the body dwindles,
when it is still healthy, one must endeavor for the highest goal of life, to surrender unto Lord
Na:ra:yana (Kauma:ram a:chare:th pra:jno dharma:n bha:gavatha:n iha...
Upe:tha na:ra:yanam a:di de:vam...Sri:mad Bha:gavatham 7.6.1 and 7.6.18)
This body consisting of legs, hands etc is an amazing wealth bestowed upon us by God
which needs to be utilized in the service of the Supreme Controller, say the scriptures.
(Vichithra: de:ha sampaththihi i:swara:ya nive:dithurn...).
But how do we serve that Supreme Controller in our practical lives is the next immediate
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
5
question. Prahla:da’s story gives us the insights. He identified the same Supreme Power
in everything small and big in the universe. In fact, everything owes their existence to
the presence of the Supreme Lord inside. Realizing the presence of the Supreme Power
everywhere and in everything, one should start serving it from wherever one is.
VTSEVA’s divine motto as given by Swamiji, “Serve All Beings As Service To God” essentially
encompasses this whole understanding. As followers of this motto, we serve all beings as
service to God. And in that service, lies our own welfare and progress.
Often hardships in life bring us close to the reality of the world. The curtain of ego is
removed and we see things as they are. The gift of hardships is that they bring us close
to remembering God and His infinite love upon us. Nepal is hard hit by the earth quake.
Thousands of people died and many more are left homeless. It is a virtue to be strong
hearted in difficulties. But it is a greater virtue to possess a tender, compassionate heart
ready to help others in difficulties, which is a mark of true Vaishnava.
VTSEVA is taking the lead and responsibility in collecting all the donations and making sure
they reach the much needy victims of Nepal earth quake.
http://www.vtsworld.org
Kindly be selfish and do yourself a favor by being part of the relief efforts.
Yours, in service of Swamiji,
Bhakthi Nive:dana.
6
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
VT BHA:RATH UPDATES
KARIMNAGAR (TELANGANA)
Temple cleaning program was conducted
by Yuva Vikas volunteers on 31st March, at
Vavilalapalli and on 7th April at Anjaneyaswami temple at Batti Rajaram colony. They took up
plantation program, spread awareness about
cleanliness. They also conducted Sathsung
highlighting Ramanuja Sahasrabdi.
On Ugadi, panchanga -sravanam was conducted by Vedic Scholar Sreeman Varaprasadji
and vedic students. Hanumat vijayotsavam was
conducted at Korutla Ramalayam. 1000 Hanuman chalisa books and free butter milk was
distributed by VT. Sriramanavami kalyanam
was grandly celebrated at Elikeswaram and
saptagiri colony. Smt.Sunanda Prasad Rao,
Govt. Teachers who are also members of YUVA
VIKAS visited our Jeeyar Gurukuls at Allampalli
and Beersaipet. They interacted with the students from 3rd Std to 10th Std.They examined
the Prefinal examination papers of 10th class
students and gave some valuable suggestions
for better performance.
MIRYA:LA GU:DA (TELANGANA)
VT Housing board branch conducted Prajna
Activites during the year 2014. Prajna exam
was conducted on 19-03-2015. students
actively participated and prizes were given by
Mamidi Ramareddyji. Principal and students of
Prajna of Dowhill school thanked Sri Srinivasji
for conducting the camp in their school.
BHADRA:CHALAM (TELANGANA)
Gowtham Rao, Ram Chandra Rao, Ch.Ayodya
ramarao and Anantha sriramulu collected
Rs.8,371/- and handed over to Netra vidyalaya. Prajna summer camp will be conducted
from May 3rd to 15th from 9 to 11 at four
places. Prajna Module 1 will be taught along
with slokas, yoga, games and many mind
memory techniques.
VT members of Bhadrachalam were
blessed to extend their services during
Kalyanamahotsavam and Pattabhishekam
of Bhadrachala Ram Chandra. They also
extended their services in counting section. Smt.
Vanajabhaskara rao on behalf of our Acharya
offered Pattu Vastrams to Perumal. Sri Ahobala
Jeeyar Swamiji visited on 30th March and gave
mangalasasanams for all VT members for their
services. Sreeman Bhattar, Venkatacharyulu,
Rama, Pullareddy, Purushotham participated.
--VT SEVA Updates continued in pg 13...
Prajna activities are also taken up actively .Sri
M.Rajender Reddy and Sri Venu Gopalachari,
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
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8
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Prahla:da
the foremost among
devotees !
When we go through pura:nas, we come
across incidents in the lives of great people
whose conduct, especially during trying
circumstances makes us dumb founded. It’s
easy to understand God’s incarnations performing extra ordinary tasks. For instance
Lord Vishnu descended to Earth in the
form of four brothers, Ra:ma, Lakshmana,
Bharatha and Satrughna. As they are incarnation of Lord Himself, their exalted behavior to upkeep the ideals can be attributed to
their divinity.
But how to understand the mortals like
Dhruva, Ambari:sha, Sudha:ma, the go:pis
of vrunda:van and a:lwa:rs and a host of
others?
Prahla:da was one such extraordinary
devotee. He was one of the four sons of the
tyrant demon-king Hiranyakashipu. Our
ancestors placed Prahla:ad, in the very first
place in the list of great devotees, as can be
seen through the widely quoted slo:ka:
of devotion for salvation while Prahla:da
was still in the womb of his mother. Na:rada
himself is a great devotee of Lord as he is
“sada: sadbha:va bha:vithaha” (one who is
always immersed in the thought of the Lord).
However, Prahla:da , disciple of Na:rada is
placed in the above stanza before Na:rada
himself.
The reason for Prahla:da to lead the list of
devotees is possibly the intensity of devotion
he was experiencing even as a kid (ba:la).
The others became devotees too, but only
after attaining knowledge through their
worldly experience and as the result of their
good deeds.
Yet another reason is none of the devotees
listed suffered so much as Prahla:da did.
The suffering of Prahla:da is almost unbounded and unparalleled. Father, who is
supposed to take care of the son, subjected
him to unthinkable punishments. In spite
of all this, Prahla:da did not drift from his
path nor developed any hatred towards his
father. This also is a reason for his rightful
place among the great devotees.
The Story of Prahla:da
Prahla:da na:rada para:sara pundari:ka
The story of Prahla:da doesn’t need elaboVya:sa ambari:sha suka shounaka bhi:shma rate narration to anyone who heard about
dalbhya:n
Lord Narasimha, the half lion and half
man incarnation of Lord. The demon king
rukma:ngada, arjuna, vasishta,
Hiranyakashipu treated Lord Vishnu as his
vibhishana:di:n
staunch enemy as He killed Hiranyakapunya:n ima:n parama bha:gavatha:n
shipu’s brother Hiranya:ksha. Hiranyakasmara:mi
shipu obtained boons from Bramha to be
deathless due to any of a long list of perBha:gavatha pura:na tells us that N:rada
sons or objects either in day time or night
has taught Prahla:da about the Supreme
time. Because of this he became extremely
Lord Sri:manna:ra:yana and about the path arrogant and tried to locate Sri: Hari and
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
9
eliminate Him.
big ocean.
Unfortunately his own son Prahla:da,
who was initiated into Vishnu bhakthi by
Na:rada became the bitterest enemy. As is
natural for any good parent, Hiranyakasipu
wanted to put Prahla:da on the ‘ right track’
by educating him under teachers who are
well trained in their own way to please the
demon king. He sent Prahla:da to a hermitage school (gurukula) at a very tender age
and it so happened that instead of getting
educated, Prahla:da tried to educate the
students and teachers there. The fellow
students also learnt considerably from one
among their “equals”!
He survived. Vexed by this, Hiranyakasnipu,
asked Prahla:da “where is your Lord?”.
Prahla:da said “Lord is everywhere.”
Sri:mad Bha:gavatha of Sage Ve:davyasa,
Sri Vishnu Pura:na of Sage Para:sara,
both in Sanskrit and last but not the least,
Po:thana:ma:thya’s Andhra Bha:gavatam
give a graphic description of the developments and Lord’s birth through a pillar in
the form of Lord Narasimha and there after
Killing the demon king Hiranyakasipu.
True vision is to see
Lord everywhere
It is a matter of great wonder that
Prahla:da was not perturbed at any stage at
the furious utterances of his father. He was
not disturbed at the attempts to kill him.
After a lapse of time when Hiranyakashipu
tried to test how far his son was educated
by the teachers, Prahla:da exhibited his
unflinching devotion to the omnipresent and
benevolent Lord Sri:manna:ra:yana and this
made his father furious. We have to note
here that despite several warnings from his
father, Prahla:da continued to worship Lord
Sri:manna:ra:ya instead. His father then decided to kill his own son and poisoned him.
But Prahla:da, survived.
The father ordered his servants to kill him
by any means. They mercilessly tried to
trample the boy with elephants, but the boy
still lived. They placed Prahla:da in a room
with venomous snakes, and the snakes
made a bed for him with their bodies. They
threw him down from the peak of a tall
mountain. He survived. Interestingly, he got
up slowly worrying about the safety of the
Lord who is present as “Antharya:mi” in
himself. He was thrown by the servants into
May 2015
At the “heart” of Prahla:d’s
fearlessness
It is but very natural that a boy of five years
would tremble at the thought of Death.
When elephants run to trample, he did not
have any fear. When venomous serpents
are around him, he had no fear. When he
was dropped from a mountain peak, he
had no fear. When he was thrown into a
furious ocean, he had no problems.
How it is that he is so fearless?! He is called
as “Fearless Prince” by some. If we say that
he is created by God to display this quality
of fearlessness even in dire circumstances
to the human beings and so he is fearless,
then his character does not teach us any
lesson.
His fearlessness is due to his unflinching devotion or steadfast bhakti towards the Lord
who happens to be the cause of creation,
existence, destruction and liberation.
Bhakthinivedana
10
For all those with a body, He is present as
Antharya:mi, as A:thma, controlling/ or
allowing them to continue their actions. He
is all pervading. He has Infinite number
of auspicious qualities (kalya:na guna:s)
like being compassionate (apa:ra karuna),
loving, beautiful etc., in addition to having infinite knowledge, infinite energy,
infinite power to control infinite opulence
with exquisite glory and infinite happiness
(A:nanda).
Due to his unbounded mercy he is approachable irrespective of our age, creed,
birth, sex and attainments. He is capable
of protecting us. This protection (raksha)
includes granting what we want along with
removing or throwing away that which
harms us. He is the only savior.
In Bhagavadgi:tha, Lord Krushna declared:
Ananya:s chinthayantho:ma:m ye:jana:h
paryupa:sathe:
the:sha:m nithya:bhiyuktha:na:m
yo:gakshe:mam vaha:myaham
“Those who always keep Me in their
thoughts with exclusive love and devotion
towards Me, I shall take care of their attainment of supreme bliss (yo:ga) and protection (kshe:ma) in all ways. I provide what
they lack and protect what they have.
Prahla:da stands as a perfect example for
this statement of Lord Krushna. He was
fearless even in the face of the most fearful
circumstance!
Prahla:da’s devotion has no pollution Bhakthi which is just supreme love towards
Prahla:da’s devotion does not have any
pollution of seeking some special thing for
him. At the sight of Lord Narasimha, Brahma and various de:vathas were terrified
and could not approach Him. Even Goddess Lakshmi shivered at the sight of the
unprecedented form of the Lord.
Prahla:da was fearless and requested by
Bramha and de:vathas, he approached
Lord Narasimha, sat in his lap and praised
the Lord.
Lord, if practiced will certainly reduce our
fears. And that Bhakthi comes when the
knowledge of God ripens fully in practice.
Thus Prahla:da stands as the quintessential
example, guide and the inspiration for all
future generation of devotees.
--Contributed by
Sri:ma:n Dr.T.K.V Iyengar Swami,
Warangal, India
Once as a reply to his father’s question,
Prahla:da said, “Oh Father, in my mind the
one who steals all the fears like birth, old
age, disease, death etc is there eternally.
Then where is the question of having Fear?”
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
11
Bhaja Yathira:ja Stho:thram
--Continued from previous issue
6) Nisi vanitha: sukha nidra:lo:laha
pra:thaha paradu:shana patusi:laha
antharya:thi nija:yuhu ka:laha
kim ja:na:thi naraha pasuli:laha
In the night, one longs for sleep and enjoyment with woman, in the morning, he is expert
in the art of blaming others. Spending one’s
entire life time in such animalistic pleasures,
what knowledge is one gaining?
7) Ke:chil li:la: la:lasa gathayaha
ke:chidba:la: la:litha rathayaha
ke:chiddo:la:yitha hatha mathayaha
ke:pi na santhyarchitha yathipathayaha
Some are interested in engaging sports and
some others are desirous of sporting with the
girls. And some, owing to their fickle mindedness, have lost intelligence altogether. But
none are found to worship Yathira:ja, the king
among all ascetics.
quent, full of detachment and wise words of
ve:da:ntha philosophy but in the mind, he is
thinking that another marriage would be very
good!
9) Kalushanika:yam lalana:ka:yam
pashyan myuhyasi sa:yam sa:yam
jahi jahi he:yam thadvyavasa:yam
bhaja nirapa:yam charamo:pa:yam
Though the body of woman is full of scornful
dirt, again and again every evening you are
deluded by looking at it.Give up that abominable effort at once. Worship Ra:ma:nuja, the
ultimate means which bestows ultimate destination (Vaikuntta).
10) Ra:thrim divamapi bhiksha:charya:
kalaha:yaiva: gachchathi bha:rya:
madhye: ba:ndhava se:va: ka:rya:
katthaya kada: thava de:va: saparya:
Night and day, you lead your life by begging.
And wife is preparing to put up an argument
with you. In the middle of all this, you are busy
serving your relatives and dependents. Tell me,
when will you worship God?
8) Ya:va:n abalo: jaraya: de:haha
tha:va:n prabalo: visaye: mo:haha
vachasi virakthis sruthi pariva:ho:
manasi hithasthvaparo:pi viva:haha
As the body is aging and becoming weak,
the desire to enjoy the material pleasures is
gaining strength. In the speech, one is elo-
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
12
--VT SEVA Updates continued from pg 7
VT warangal is conducting Prajna classes from
April 29th to May 31st for children between
5 to 15 Years from 8 A.M to 10 A.M near
Nakkalagutta Bus stop, Hanumakonda.
gaaru. They conducted quiz, essay writing and
Elocution competetitions . S.Sujatha, Akhila,
Girikumari, T.Sunitha won the prizes. Smt.
N.C.Choodamani coordinated the program.
Bhaskaracharya was the judge for the
competitions. Prizes were given by committee
members Sreeman Veeraraghavareddy and
Sattireddy.
GAMPALA GU:DEM (ANDHRA PRADESH)
RA:JAMANDRI (ANDHRA PRADESH)
Swatcha Bharat Program was conducted by
VT members in Venugopala Swamy temple in
Nemaligudem village. They cleaned primary
school and created awareness among public
towards cleanliness. Satsung was conducted
at Talluri Ramakoteswararao garu’s residence
and Smt K.Krishnakumari gave a speech
about Sri Ramanuja charitra and the program
was followed by Tadiyaradhana. VT also
distributed prasadam and panakam during
Sriramachandra kalyanam.
With the Mangalasasanams
of our Acharya Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Ramanuja
chinnajeeyar Swamiji many activities are
conducted at Rajahmundry during the month
of March Ugadi was grandly celebrated at
Srirangadhamam, panchagasravanam was
conducted by Sthanacharya swami. Devotees
attended in good numbers. VT general body
meeting was organized by VT Secretary
Sreeman Sattiraju gaaru.
WARANGAL (TELANGANA)
E:LU:RU (ANDHRA PRADESH)
Regular sathsungs are conducted as a part
of Ramanuja sahasrabdi.Dhatipanchaka
parayana is done and about 1000 devotees
participated.Kovida, a 4 year child surprised
by reciting the same. Even Ramanuja stotrams
and bhajans are also taken up in satsung.
Chi.Tavva Mahati sets up a good example by
celebrating her birthday by feeding about 70
students of Prema:nvitha child development
school(school for the disabled).Sreeman
D.Venkatasuresh organized the program and
VT members extended their services.
ANAPARTHI (ANDHRA PRADESH)
VT members of Anaparthi are conducting
regular activities in Sri SitaRamachandra
Venkateswaraswamy koyal since 9 years.
Satsung is conducted regularly on every
Tuesday. They celebrated their 10th Anniversary
by conducting competetions based on
Ramanuja Charitra written by Smt. Chudamani
May 2015
Sriramanavami also was a grand festivity Sri
Sitaramanchadra kalyanam was celebrated
with great pomp and show. Srirangadhamam
was thronged with devotees and reverberated
with Ramanamam.
On the occasion of Lakshmi tirunakshatram
koti kumkumarchana and gadyatraya
parayana was conducdted. Pusparchana with
8 different kinds of flowers was the highlight
of the day and beauty of diety cannot be
expressed in words. It was the good fortune
for all those who attended to see this. Regular
VT meetings are conducted on every Sunday
from 10 AM to plan for the grand event during
Godavari Pushkarams. Sri Sri Sri Ahobala
Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji visited and gave
instructions in this regard.VT Rajahmundry is
also supporting the educational cause of poor
and needy children with a financial support
of Rs.10,000 which was given to Kumari
B.Poornima Udayasri.
--VT SEVA Updates continued in pg 45...
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Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Ira:ma:nusa
Nu:ththanda:di
Part 2
Purport
nayantharu pe:rinbamella:m
pazhudenru nanninarpa:l
sayantharu kirthi
yira:ma:nusamuni tha:linaime:l
uyarnda gunaththu ththiruvaranga
ththamudo:ngumanba:l
iyambum kaliththurraiyanda:di
yo:davisai nenjame: ||
Meanings
nenjame: = oh! manas!
pe:r inbam ella:m = all pleasures that seem
to be great
nayantharu = caused by senses
pazhudu enru = knowing them as ‘worthless’
thiruvarangaththamudu =
Thiruvarangaththamudana:r
uyarndagunaththu = adorned with divine
attributes
tha:linaime:l = on the divine feet
ira:ma:nusamuni = of Sri:ra:ma:nujamuni
sayantharu ki:rthi = renowned for bestowing
nanninanpa:l = control over senses
iyambum = uttering
o:ngum anna:l = with increased love
kaliththurai = with a meter known as ‘kaliththurai’
anda:di = ira:ma:nusa nu:ththanda:di
isai = bless me!
o:da = to recite at all times
May 2015
Amudana:r is praying to his ‘manas’ , ‘Oh!
Manas! The sensual pleasures from the sense
of touch, vision, taste, smell and sound are
purely temporary. They are momentary and
fleeting. They have to be renounced. Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja is renowned to bestow the
power of control over the senses whoever surrenders to him.
Amudana:r, who fully believed in the divine
lotus feet of A:cha:rya composed a prabandha
using the meter ‘kaliththurai’. Manas! Permit
me to chant that at all times and in all circumstances. Saying so he is pleading his manas to
cooperate with him.
This thaniyan is presented by a great soul
So:ma:jiya:nda:n. It is a custom to recite this thaniyan in divya de:sas like
Thiruna:ra:yanapuram.
sollin thogai kondu unadadi
ppodukku thondu seyyum
nal anbare:ththum
unna:mamella:m endan
na:vinulle: |
allum pagalum amarum padi
nalgu
arrusamaya villum parama
ira:ma:nusa: idu en vinnappame:
||
Bhakthinivedana
19
Meanings
nalgu = bless me!
amarumpadi = to have
endan = on my
na:vinulle: = tongue only
allum pagalum = day and night
un na:mamella:m = Your divine names
nal anbar = great devotee Amudana:r
sollin thogai kondu = deciding to say 108
pa:surams
thondu seyyum = to do verbal service
e:ththum = eulogizing
unadu adi ppo:dukku = your divine feet
arrusamayam villum = who opposed and won
over the six unauthentic faiths.
parama ira:ma:nusa: ! = A:cha:rya:!
Ra:ma:nuja: !
idu =
this is
en vinnappame: = my prayer!
Purport
Ra:ma:nuja:! You proved six religions as unauthentic and won over them! You
propagated the doctrine of ‘Visishta:dwaitha.
Thiruvarangaththamudana:r
composed 108 pa:surams as ‘ira:ma:nusa
nu:ththanda:di’ as a form of verbal service
that reveal your glory! Swa:mi! Bless me so
that all those pa:surams linger on my
tongue all the time. This is my humble request!
Lord Na:ra:yana created this world with just
His own intention. He initiated Bramha
with the Sa:vithri manthra. Amudana:r handed over that essence through the divine
name ‘ira:ma:nusan’. So this prabandha
May 2015
became famous as ‘prapanna ga:yathri’. If
we recite this prabandha, there will be no
dearth of anything.
iniyan kurrai namakku
emberuma:na:r thiruna:maththa:l
muni thanda nu:ththettu
chcha:viththiri yennum nunporulai
|
kani thanda senjo:l kaliththurai
yanda:di pa:diththanda:n
punidan
thiruvarangaththamuda:giya punniyane: ||
Meanings
muni = the muni Sri:manna:ra:yana who always contemplates on creation and all
thanda = gave his son Bramha
nu:ru ettu = to meditate on for 108 times
sa:viththiri ennumnun porulai = the essence
of sa:vithri manthra that is in the
form of ga:yathri manthra
emberuma:na:r thiruna:maththa:l = with the
divine names of Ra:ma:nuja.
punidan thiruvarangaththamudu a:giya punniyan = the divine soul, the
blessed named thiruvanrangththa mudana:r
pa:di = sang
thanda:n = graced us with
kanithanda senjol kaliththurrai anda:di = this
‘anda:di’ prabandha in the
‘kaliththurai’ meter with good words that emanate power through sound.
ini = so
Bhakthinivedana
20
namakku = what do we
korari e:n = lack ?
Purport
Sri:manna:rayana is a ‘muni’ (one who contemplates). He always contemplates on
the creation of this universe. He brought
out Bramha from his navel and initiated him
with the ga:yathri manthra along with the
‘pranava’ (o:m). That ve:damanthra became
famous as ‘ga:yathri:m chhandasa:m…’and
came to be known as ‘ve:dama:tha ga:yathri’.
Amudana:r gave us that essence of Gayathrimanthra as ‘prapanna ga:yathri’ that constitutes the name of Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja.
This prabandha of ira:ma:nusa nu:ththanda:di
is famous as prapanna ga:yathri.
VTSEVA AULSTRALIA UPDATES
1. Organ Donation Stall: JET Melbourne
organised an Organ Donation stall (in liaison
with DonateLife, the federal body promoting organ donation) at Holi Mela organised
by Australia India Innovations Inc(AIII) on 7th
March. JET volunteers distributed organ donation promotion material and registration forms
to the participants in the mela. Our stall was
visited by Dandenong Council Mayor Cr Sean
O’Reilly and appreciated the efforts of JET
Australia. Few thousands participated in the
holi mela.
2. Pallaki Seva: JET Organised Pallaki Seva
with in the Holi Mela event. Lord Sri Seeth-
May 2015
aRamachandra & Lord Venkateshwara
along with Bhagavad Ramanuja on separate
pallaki’s (palanquin) were taken in a procession with singing, dancing and dhol playing.
Rama Naama chanting was played by the AIII
organisers and large gathering had an opportunity to pay respects to the Lord. It was a
unique event where procession was similar to
the one organised at Divya Deshas in India
3. Sri Rama Navami Celebrations: Sri
SeethaRama Kalyanam was celebrated very
grandly on 28th March. It was a whole day
event where many volunteers came in the
morning and took the responsibility of cooking
and organising various other tasks. The Kalyanam was performed in the evening by JET
members itself without hiring external priest.
Prakash and Rajesh explained the Kalyanam
procedure and made everyone to perform
kalyanam to their SeethaRama deities. Many
Bhutanese Nepalese devotees participated
in the event. Pallaki Seva amidst singing and
dancing was organised and all devotees participated with great joy.
4. Felicitation to Baba Ramdev: JET Melbourne felicitated Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on
April 12. We were invited by Abhimanyu ji a
close associate of Baba Ramdev for a private
meeting with him. We took along with us Bhutanese devotees and presented a momento
and garlanded him. Baba Ramdev was very
happy to see the devotees of our Sri Swamiji
and chanted Jai Srimannarayana along with
us.
Bhakthinivedana
21
Homeopathy
Treating Allergies
with
Homeopathy
Why Homeopathy?
Just a recap about homeopathy from the
last edition- it is system of medicine that believes
in the principle “Like cures like.”It originated in
Germany 200 yrs. ago. Very minute amounts
of the drug is used to treat the ailment. It is the
energy released from the drug that cures..
Many people will have some problem with allergies or allergic reactions at some point in
their lives. In this edition we discuss a little about
Homeopathy can help people with Allergies.
again, you may have hives or trouble breathing.
This is caused by the response of the immune
system.
Types of allergies
There are many types of allergies. Some of the
more common ones include:
Food allergies: which are more common in
children than adults. Seen in people who have
an inherited tendency to develop allergic conditions. These people are more likely to have
asthma and other allergies.
Medicine allergies: Many prescription and
What are allergies?
Allergies are an overreaction of the body’s
natural defense system that helps fight infections
(immune system). The immune system normally
protects the body from viruses and bacteria by
producing antibodies to fight them. In an allergic reaction, the immune system starts fighting
substances that are usually harmless (such as
dust mites, pollen, or a drugs) as though these
substances were trying to attack the body. This
overreaction can cause a rash, itchy eyes, a
runny nose, trouble breathing, nausea vomiting,
and diarrhea.
An allergic reaction may not occur the first time
you are exposed to an allergy-producing substance (allergen). For example, the first time you
are stung by a bee, you may have only pain
and redness from the sting. If you are stung
22
---By Dr. Madhuriji, NJ
nonprescription medicines can cause an allergic
reaction. Most common being Pencillin.
Allergies to insect venom. When you are stung
by an insect, poisons and other toxins in the
insect’s venom enter your skin. It is normal to
have some swelling, redness, pain, and itching
at the site of a sting. An allergic reaction to the
sting occurs when your body’s immune system
overreacts to the venom of stinging insects.
Allergies to animals, which are more likely to
cause breathing problems than skin problems.
You may be allergic to your pet’s dead skin
(dander), urine, dried saliva, or hair.
Allergies to natural rubber (latex). Some people
develop allergic reactions after repeated contact
with latex, especially latex gloves.
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Allergies that develop from exposure to a particular inhaled substance in the workplace. These
are called occupational asthma.
Allergies to cosmetics, such as artificial nails,
hair extensions, and henna tattoos.
The pathological symptoms of allergy includes
sneezings,watery nose,red eyes, with itching and
watering. Some have breathing difficulties,dry
cough and skin rash.Those with food allergies
have vomittings, diarrhea or bloating.
Many people are frustrated by taking Claritan,
Allegra,Nasonex,Benadryl etc for years together
and cannot undertake an outdoor activity, children are indoors with no physical activity even
during the spring seasons. This condition can be
gently treated by using Homeopathy medicines
with no side effects even after their prolonged
use.
How often do the patients need to
take their allergy medication?
How is each individual different from In most cases that have been
a Homeopathic treatment perspective treated,improvement is seen in just a weeks
Though there may be a common thread of
symptoms in all the patients they will all not
receive the same drug . Each individual is different, apart from the usual symptoms of Allergies
,there are particular symptoms of every individual. This includes all the factors that modify
these symptoms. For eg. Redness of eyes with
watering accompanied with burning discharge
from nose leads us to prescribe a drug named
Allium cepa- commonly known as Onion. On
the other hand if there are burning discharge
from eyes,and bland watery discharge from
nose then we use Euphrasia.
In some people there is only Sneezings with
thirst of water then we give Ars.iod.
Other factors involved would be the nature of
allergen - whether it is dust pollen,different
type of odors or climatic changes as seen when
it rains a few people suffer from sneezings or
nose block,wheezing,cough etc.
Unlike the conventional treatment which reduce or suppress the symptoms of an allergic
reaction,Homeopathy treats the person so that
the body’s immune system is strengthened by
Homeopathy reducing the intensity and frequency of any disorder. Symptoms then automatically disappear.
23
dose while some take a month. Patients don’t
have to come back for medicine every year.
There is a booster dose just like vaccinations
that prevents their body to react to allergens
in the following yrs. which is suggested to be
taken just before the season starts or end of the
season.
What form is the medicine given inlike inhalers or orally given?
Generally given in the form of pills the size
of mustard seeds ,which need to be taken by
mouth. Medicine dissolves in the saliva from
where it is absorbed. There are some meds.that
homeopaths give which can be taken as inhalers.
How are food allergies treated?
Homeopaths have been successful with milk
and rice allergies,that would help the body
to react less to the allergens gradually over a
period of months. The foods are introduced to
make the body comfortable with it.
---Continued on page 49
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
THE HISTORY OF LORD OF SEVEN HILLS
ITIHA:SAMA:LA
KNOW THE TRUE HISTORY OF TIRUMALA
VE :NKATA :CHALA
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
24
THE HISTORY OF
TIRUMALA
Part 3
Thathra:sthe: Ko:laru:pi:thu
Maha:vishnuvu Sana:thanaha ||
Siva retells his son Skanda clearly about
the sanctity and the Vaishnava history
of Ve:nkatachalam in the following
slo:kam:
Sanctity of Vara:ha Kshe:thram
The realised souls and great seers constantly meditate in this sacred place.
The great Ve:dic followers wouldn’t attempt to touch the pious hills with their
foot by attempting to climb it. Aware of
the holiness of this site, the great seers
Sanctity of Ve:nkata:chalam
like Sukha and Brughu, royal seers like
During the age of Krutha, the Lord in the Prahalada and Ambari:sha would spend
form of Vara:ha Swamy rescued Mother their time at the bottom of these hills,
bathing in the sacred waters and offerEarth by holding her on His tusks. He
ing the rituals.
later developed the earth by arranging
rivers and hills and so on and decided to
This sacred Ve:nkatadri is prominent betake up His residence on the hills
cause the Lord as Vara:ha and Sri:nivasa
of Ve:nkata:dri. This is stated in the
made this the place His residence.
Va:mana Pura:na.
Siddha: Munigana:sthathra Thapa: Kurvanthi Nithyasaha |
The holy place “Ve:nkata:dri” is also
predominantly known as Vara:ha Kshethram. The Lord Vara:ha with Mother
seated on His lap appeared at the banks
of the holy waters of Pushkarini.
Vishno:re:vaparamde:ham manva:na:ha As Swa:mi (Vara:ha Swa:mi) is prese
Thamngo:thamam ||
nt there, the Pushkarini is called Swa:mi
Pushkarini.
Padbhaya:ma:kramithum Bhi:th:ha
Paryanthe:shve:va Varthana:ha |
Uddhrutha:m Dharani:m De:vi
Malingya:nke: Nidhayacha |
Thannirgathandi:shve:va Kurva:na:ha
Snana Tharpane||
A:radhitho Muniganayihi Thrisandhyam
Sreddhaya:nvithyihi ||
Thapaha Kurvanthiva:nchanthaha
sa:ksha:karthum Jana:rdhanam |
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
25
Thada:prabhruthi Thathpunyam
Vara:ha:m Kshetramutchyathe: |
Glory of Ve:nkata:dri Vara:ha
Va:mana Pura:nam declares that anyone who meticulously follows the given
process and faithfully meditates on the
Vara:ha manthram in this holy place will
Sa:sthrothe:ke:na, Vidha:nena Vara:ham be have all the desires fulfilled in addiMantramuttamam |
tion to attaining domestic happiness and
land.
Japanthi Vijitha:thama:no Ma:same:kam
Nirantaram ||
Thasmin Punyathame Kshe:thre:
Vara:he: Ve:nkata:cale: ||
Gruhakshe:tra:dikam The:sha:m
Sadyaha Siddhyathi Va:nchitam ||
26
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
The composition Ve:nkatachala Ithiha:sa
Ma:la narrates the way Ra:ma:nuja
A:cha:rya culls out evidence from
pura:nas and ithiha:sas to convince the
court the Yadava King about the Vaishnava history and the glory of the seven
hills:
1. Se:sha:dri,
2. Garuda:dri,
3. Nara:yana:dri,
4. Vrushabha:dri,
5. Anjanadri,
6. Ve:nkata:dri,
7. Vrusha:dri
which together are called “Sri: Parvatha
Sre:ni”.
--To be continued
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
27
Artha Panchakam For The Ardent Beginner
The 5 most important
truths about our life!
PART -3
Be a good listener!
Ra:vana was one such example. He was
not a good human being although he
was thorough in all Ve:dic knowledge.
He was selfish and not a good listener.
He never listened to the good advice of
his wife, minister, brother, etc. Likewise,
a good heart alone (sans intelligence) is
also not good enough! One should have
an intelligence-based-good heart. This
is possible only by being a good listener.
Whatever good is learnt should first touch
one’s heart and from there it should raise
to enter one’s intelligence. (It should
not directly enter the intelligence.) Such
knowledge obtained is called me:dha.
Di:pa:vali Ama:va:sya is the last newmoon night of a year. It is on this day
that the Supreme Lord awakens from His
Yo:ga-nidra (transcendental sleep). The
following month, viz Ma:rgasira is when
we celebrate the Lord’s glories as
Dhanurma:sa Vratha. It is done as a Any learned person must possess this
me:dha (not Me:dhas as some mistakenly
group-activity.
understand it as). This is why we need
We need to listen, learn and implement to chant this prayer every day,
what we learn during this vratha. We
me:dha:m,
mayi
praja:m,
should become an example for others to “mayi
emulate our good behavior which is got by dadha:thu….
practicing the teachings of Dhanurma:sa
May this fire bless me with me:dha (goodVratha.
heart + intelligence).
To be exemplary one should, in the first
place, be a good listener. One should
listen to good words – even if spoken by a
small kid. Not just listening with ears, but
we must also grasp it with our intelligence
and fill our hearts with this wisdom. With
such goodness in the heart, one feels like
spreading good to the benefit of one and
all. Intelligence alone (sans a good heart)
is not good.
28
Prathibha, Prajna, Mananam
One should also have prathibha - the
ability to recollect a learnt item when
actually needed.
Knowing something very well is called
prajna. Containing this knowledge well
within oneself with a good heart is called
me:dha.
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
The ability to recollect such knowledge
whenever/wherever needed is called
Prathibha. Ve:das are the basis to develop
this Prathibha. One should regularly,
repeatedly listen to and practice it. This
process of repeated learning is called
Mananam.
Hence one should always do
mananam. This should become
prajna which should in turn ripen
one’s knowledge into me:dha.
me:dha should become one’s
prathibha. For all this, one should
be a GOOD LISTENER – have good
ears. One does not stop eating a
day just because he ate the previous
day.
Similarly, one must always keep listening
to good words (Ve:dic knowledge). By
eating, breathing and drinking, a physical
body is maintained. The soul is / should
be maintained by mananam. Just as
one’s body gets exhausted without food/
water even for a day, so also the soul gets
exhausted and loses luster without the
nourishment of mananam.
That being is Indra.
He is the king of all senses. He learnt from
his guru Bruhaspathi who preached Indra
for thousands of years! Until the end,
Indra listened and learnt with the same
interest, zeal and receptiveness.
Both the speaker and listener had the
same enthusiasm and attentiveness
throughout the period. Each one wanted
to listen, teach more and more. A person’s
greatness is determined by his speech and
good words. The words spoken should be
such that the listener feels like listening
continually.
A speaker should be able to melt the
heart of even an angry person ready to
kill! Hanuman was one such example. He
had the ability to melt the heart of even
his enemy who would come to kill him!
Tongue is so powerful that it has the
power to enliven a dead person, kill or
heal someone! The purpose of one’s life
is fulfilled when he is able to speak in such
a way that he inspires people around
him to do good actions. To achieve this,
we need to follow the guidance of one
who is a master in such oration – Indra.
O, Indra:! Please empower our senses.
We need to follow that being who is a Make us speak good, be good and do
master of practicing excellent mananam. good!!
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
29
Moral Lessons For The Modern World
From Sri: Ra:ma:yanam
Part 4
God as Man
By Sri:ma:n Mohan Sagarji
(Inspired by the teachings of His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji)
30
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Like the dictators and terrorists, Ra:vana and
his band of ra:kshasa:s were the most feared
in the land. Having gained powers through intense penance, Ra:vana was virtually immortal
himself. Virtually nothing could conquer him;
virtually nothing could kill him, virtually no being could challenge him, except one.
The de:vathas, led by Indra, sat in counsel to
discuss the situation at hand. Ra:vana had
established armies to attack the main kingdoms
of Bha:rath from all directions: with himself and
his son Indrajit ruling the South, his brother
Lavana:sura plaguing Mathura, and a set of
hoodlums called the Ga:ndharvas plaguing the
people of what is now Afghanistan. In addition, he had ra:khshasa armies raping and pillaging villages, and razing sacred lands to the
ground. Yet, he was no lunatic.
Ra:vana was an intelligent and learned man,
true to the Ve:das, whose selfishness and greed
made him use his vast knowledge to his own
advantage. His very name told of what his
greed was doing to the earth – Ra:vana, one
makes us cry.
The de:vathas reminded themselves of the age
old adage, the difference between a learned
man, sa: akshara and a demon, the letters
reversed as ra:kshasa, depended on whether
he used such wisdom for the good of others or
for selfish gain. It was at that Brahma remembered a key point; in asking for the boon of
near immortality, Ra:vana had failed to list the
human being among the species of life which
could not kill him. It made sense, the de:vathas
thought to themselves; after all human beings
were considered by both the demons and the
gods as being little more than the insects who
feed off the pond scum in stagnant ponds. It
would take little more than one of them to take
human form and kill Ra:vana. But, who among
them would do that? And, if someone would,
could that someone be convincing enough, so
that Ra:vana would not discover their true
identity?
May 2015
People who appreciate movies realize that good
acting lies in being able to convince an audience you are not acting. In the case of a
de:vatha, the slightest hint that he/she were
acting, and that would mean certain death.
The de:vathas often came to Earth as humans,
primarily for seeking out human lovers. But,
knowledge of their true identity was almost
obvious to everyone. The Being necessary for
such a disguise should be someone who was a
master of disguise. It would have to be someone so genuine, he would even sacrifice his
god-hood, become fully human, such that no
one would suspect of being anything else.
It was at that moment, Va:lmi:ki describes the
arrival of the One True God E:thasmin anthare: vishnu upaya:thaha
maha:dhyuthihi: |
Sankha chakra gada pa:ne: pi:tha:va:sa:ha
jagathpati: ||
Without a second passing, the Supreme Being,
the Protector of the Universe, Maha:Vishnu,
appeared, glowing like Pure Light, holding His
Conch, Discuss, Mace, and wearing Golden
Clothing.
The description of how He looked to the
de:vathas tells of the One True God Who Rules
over this Universe, wearing clothing and armaments to show He was ready to take on any
battle, challenge any foe, for the sake of the
Good.
The de:vathas surrendered to the Supreme
God, Maha:Vishnu:, and immediately requested He be born as four human sons to
Dasaratha, the reigning King of A:yo:dhya.
Each of the sons should kill one of the four
great demonic forces, and in doing so redeem
the world of its suffering.
Bhakthinivedana
31
Recalling what the de:vathas thought of humans, the Lord knew only He could redeem
the world. He decided to do so, however, in
His Own Way, taking Ananta, Garuda and
Viswakse:na along with Him as the other three
sons, and bringing all of the de:vathas and the
Ve:das themselves to earth along with His Own
Incarnation as the fourth human being.
The reason was a far greater one than merely
killing demons. Human beings had been on
earth for eons, but somehow had never learned
how to be truly human, to take responsibility for
themselves and others such that the world as a
whole would flourish.
By becoming Ra:ma, a man, a mortal, the
Supreme Lord made the ultimate sacrifice,
removing even His Sole Position of Supremacy
to show by example what it means to be a truly
good human being.
A:nda:l describes this self-sacrificing nature of
Na:ra:yana in Na:cchiya:r Thirumo:li –
Ma:namila:p panni:ya:m, the:sudaiya dhe:var
He has no shame or pride, the Chief among
32
the gods who took the form of a hog.
Ma:nam is a term meaning pride; one can
take pride in having a powerful position –
upama:nam, or one can take pride in being of
help to others – abhima:nam. The Supreme
Being, once as Vara:ha, and now as Ra:ma,
leaves aside His exalted position to bring Himself to Earth, so that He can help all of us.
While Vara:ha is form we cannot fully understand, His birth as a good human being can
serve as a mirror to all of us to understand
what it mean to be good. Ra:ma goes to the
point where He denies to all, including himself,
that he is nothing more than a human being.
He tells Siva –
“a:tma:na:m ma:nusham manye: Ra:mam…”
I think of myself only a a human being named Ra:ma. Such humanness,
the penultimate quality of which is
Sou:si:lyam, is exhibited in how Ra:ma
treated others, as we shall see in next
month’s issue.
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Reader’s Questions Swamiji’s Answers
Ques: One of my uncles said that
Sama:srayanam should not be taken by
anybody and everybody. He also said
that one cannot become a Vaishnavite
just by taking Sama:srayanam. One can
be a Vaishnavite only if his birth takes
place in a Vaishnava family.
Also he said that Bra:mhins should not
take the Sama:srayanam because that
would be equal to getting converted. A
Bra:hmana has to follow the rules according to his birth without stopping
them and should always apply ‘bhasma’
on his fore head. Kindly clarify if it is
true. Adiyen.
Ans: He is a Vaishnavite who feels the presence of God in every being, who, thus, shares
joys and sorrows with every one and who
never takes credit for anything on him and
attributes everything to Lord Vishnu only.
He is a Vaishnavite. Practice and Guru’s
upadesam(Teaching) makes us learn them. Service to fellow beings who are in need is the
humanity. Realize and start practicing. That is
all one needs to do. Ques: At the time of Anushtanam what
should I have in my mind? What and
how should be my bha:vana?
Ans: Realize that you are an inseparable part
of the Lord and He is using you as an instrument for His service.
Ques: What should I always ask the
Peruma:l (Lord)? What should be my
bha:vana (feeling) always towards Him?
Ans: Sama:srayanam is not only to those
people who are born as Vaishnavas. It is
permitted to anyone whoever is interested-- no
matter where one is born. Taking di:ksha is not
considered as conversion as such. Whatever we
are doing other than Lord Vishnu’s service, that
is diversion. Doing something to Lord is coming back to the main path. Applying ‘bhasma’
etc., is for those who worship Lord Siva, but
not Vishnu. But now- a-days, those worshipping Siva are not at all following those rules.
For Vaishnavites, no special rules are said to be
practiced, except leading a normal human life. Ans: Ask Him to keep you as His part at all
times, let Him not leave us astray, even if we try
to go away. Ques: What are the qualities of Vaishnavite and how I can get those qualities? What should I do to acquire them?
What are the qualities as a human being
I should possess and how I can imbibe
them?
Ques: How I can see God in myself
whenever I want to? How I can practice
that? How I can surrender completely
to him? To surrender myself to him what
should I do?
May 2015
Ques: How can I eliminate the bad qualities which I already have and how to be
always alert, not getting new or previous
bad qualities back?
Ans: Be in good company always, who will be
guiding you. And that itself saves one from
bad. Bhakthinivedana
33
Ans: You cannot see God within you at all.
You can see him in a deity form, vigraha.
Have faith in Him and surrender there only.
Do not expect that He should talk to you or
do any other action. His very presence itself is
enough.
Ques: How can I be the instrument of
Peruma:l truly and completely?
Ans: Only by understanding and keeping
yourself, free from ego. You can achieve. Ques: Adiyen I want to be like you,
kindly tell me how I can become like
you?
Ans: Like us?!? Try to be by yourself. You
can do anything. Everybody is able todo good
things. Not only I.
Ques: Kindly tell us about the
important qualities of a prapanna.
(Answered by H.H. Sri Sri Sri Pedda Jeeyar
Swamiji, translated from 2005 Telugu BN.)
Ans: Not having asu:ya (envy) is the primary
quality of a prapanna. This is because, even if
a person has many virtues, a single quality of
Asu:ya would overshadow them. From asu:ya
arise other negative qualities. Amara ko:sam
defines asu:ya as ‘asu:ya: thudo:sha:ro:po:
gune:shvapi’.
Asu:ya is a quality which makes us find fault
even in virtuous people. To be a prapanna, we
must devote our faculties (like seeing, hearing, talking, thinking) to experience company
of devotees of God. We must observe divine
qualities, contemplate on them and practice
them in our own day to day life.
May 2015
How to overcome this quality of asu:ya
Here are several strategies:
1) When we perceive bad in others, we must
realise that the negative qualities are lingering
in our own minds; not in other’s personality.
2) Declaring ones own negativities and limitations. This comes about if we introspect ourselves.
3) When we see somebody who is less fortunate than us, we must have gratitude towards
God and His devotees who have made us
what we are today.
4) Based on our own good and bad deeds,
God facilitates various results to us. Then why
should we envy the fortune of others? Why
should we blame others for our good and bad
experiences? By brooding over negative
thoughts we bring sorrow, pain, blame, physical and mental ailments to ourselves. What
good is there in them? Thus we should think.
5) We must learn to endure patiently all the
good and bad happenings in our day to day
life. God is impartial and all merciful. All our
experiences are ordered by Him for our welfare and growth. Thus we should cultivate
contentment.
6) Normally we envy people who are close to
us. They may be siblings or colleagues or
neighbours. Normally we are not concerned
about people with whom we have no
relationship. So we must practice affection and
love towards those whom we envy. Our
hearts must be kind towards them.
Bhakthinivedana
34
7) When we compare ourselves with younger
ones, we may derive a satisfaction of being
more experienced and knowledgeable. When
we observe our elders we might be ashamed
of our shortcomings. This is also a strategy to
ward off envy.
8) With strenuous efforts we may subdue
asu:ya. With consistent discipline we may even
overcome our natural interest (ruchi) towards
it. But it is impossible to eradicate the deep
seated tendency (va:sana) of asu:ya. These
tendencies spring out in the form of our interests and habits as soon as favourable condition appear around. We must be ever vigilant
and must engage ourselves in listening and
contemplating the words of elderly devotees.
9) God is all compassionate and all powerful.
He has unlimited auspicious qualities. We must
divert our envy towards Him! Inwardly, we
must burn to experience His divine qualities
and to attain that we must every pray to Him
and surrender ourselves to Him. Thus we can
May 2015
turn our foe (envy) into our friend! Our qualities are considered good or bad on the basis
of towards whom they are expressed, how they
are expressed and what results they give.
Turning our envy towards God will ultimately
lead to our own spiritual welfare.
Ques: Please give us the names of eighteen pura:nas.
Ans: The eighteen pura:nas are 1) Matsya
Pura:na 2) Ma:rkande:ya Pura:na 3) Bhavishyath Pura:na 4) Brahma Pura:na 5) Brahmavaivartha Pura:na 6)Brahma:nda Pura:na
7)Bhagavatha 8) Vara:ha Pura:na 9)Va:yu
Pura:na 10) Va:mana Pura:na 11) Vishnu
Pura:na 12) Agni Pura:na 13) Na:rada
Pura:na 14) Padma Pura:na 15) Linga Pura:na
16) Garuda Pura:na 17)Ku:rma Pura:na 18)
Ska:nda Pura:na
Bhakthinivedana
35
Bhagawad Gi:tha
A Voyage Towards Victory
Arjuna’s Concern
Meanings and purport by H.H. Sri Sri Sri Swamiji
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
36
yadyapye:the:
na
pasyanthi
lo:bho:pahatha che:thasaha |
kattham na jne:yam asma:bhihi
pa:pa:d asma:n nivarthithum |
kulakshaya krutham do:sham mithra
dro:he: cha pa:thakam | 1.38
kulakshaya krutham do:sham
prapasyadbhir jana:rdana! ||1.39
Meaning
Meaning
yadi+api = even if
jana:rdana = O Lord Krushna,
e:the: = these Kauravas
nivarthithum = to withdraw
na, pasyanthi = are not able to see
asma:th = from this
do:sham = blunder
pa:pa:th = sin
kula-kshaya-krutham = in destroying the social
kattham = how
order
na, jne:yam = it is ignored
pa:thakam, cha = and sin
asma:bhihi = by us
mithra-dro:he: = in betrayal towards friends
pra-pasyadbhihi = who are envisioning
lo:bha-upahatha-che:thasaha = as their minds are
do:sham = mistake
rotten with covetousness
kula-kshaya-krutham = of eradicating the Social
Order
Purport
Purport
Duryo:dhana failed to be a good relative because
of his excessive greed for the throne.
At least we should become conscious of the fact
He wants to rule by hook or crook. Great people
that if we go ahead with this war, we would be
such as Bhi:shma, Dro:na who were pure by
responsible for the eradication of our lineage. O
nature are also tainted due to their support for the
Jana:rdana! You got that name for protecting
wicked Kauravas. They fail to realize that
your relatives. Then why don’t you prevent us from
this war will destroy their families and relatives. It
committing the sin of destroying
will wipe out our clans and destroy the
the clans?
social order. Great sin will haunt those that are
responsible for such a crime. It is sad that these
Kauravas are not able to realize this fact.
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
37
Sri: Ra:ma:yanam
Birds in
Ra:ma:yanam
38
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Ra:ma Honors Birds
Birds have guided humans in many ways since
times immemorial. Even the Upanishads mention the messages given by birds. It is perhaps
for these reasons that Lord Sri:Ra:ma, Who is
the role model for all humanity, looked up to
birds for guidance on more than one occasion. For instance, in the 18th Sarga of Yuddha Ka:nda, Lord Ra:ma cites the conduct of
a dove as an example of right conduct. Before going there, one needs the context given
below.
Va:naras approach the seashore
After Hanuma:n returned from Lanka with the
news of Si:tha, Sri:Ra:ma along with Sugri:va
and the Va:nara army reached the shores
of the ocean. With his unflagging enery,
Hanuma:n could fly over the ocean to Lanka,
but what about the rest of the va:naras? How
is the the entire army to reach Lanka? How
would Ra:ma and Lakshmana reach the other
shore? Thus, discussions arose.
Vibhi:shana arrives
Meanwhile, ‘a:jaga:ma muhu:rthe:na yathra
ra:massalakshmanaha’( Yuddha Ka:nda, 17th
sarga, 1st slo:ka), ‘......arrived immediately to
the place where Ra:ma was with Lakshmana’.
Who had arrived? It was Vibhi:shana! Brother
of Ra:vana !!
Vibhi:shana had given sound advice to his
brother Ra:vana, but Ra:vana insulted him in
May 2015
public. Unwilling to stay there any longer,
Vibhi:shana left, accompanied by four other
ra:kshasas, and flew across the sky to the
northern shore of the sea where Sri: Ra:ma
camped along with Lakshmana and other
Va:naras.
Vibhi:shana stayed suspended in the ky, as the
slokam clarifies: ‘Uththaram thi:rama:sa:dhya
khasttha e:va vyathishttatha...’ (Yuddha
Ka:nda, 17th sarga, 8th slo:ka). He was waiting for permission to descend to the ground.
His body was shining since leaving the company of Ra:vana filled him with satisfaction and
reaching Sri: Ra:ma filled him with joy. He appeared like a streak of lightening to Sugri:va
and others on the shore.
Vibhi:shana was quaking in fear, so his brilliant body appeared to flicker like lightening.
He was not sure if he would be admitted into
the presence of Sri: Ra:ma. Earlier Ra:vana
had sent a spy by name Suka who tried to
mingle among the Va:naras but was quickly
identified and punished. The spy escaped with
life after he sought protection at Sri:Ra:ma’s
feet. Vibhi:shana was apprehensive if he too
would be treated as an enemy spy. This made
him quiver and look like a flash of lightening.
However, Vibhi:shana firmly believed that if he
can but once reach Ra:ma, his own life would
be blessed.
The Va:naras were in a state of high alertness, prepared to prevent anything that might
threaten the safety of Sri:Ra:ma. They saw
Bhakthinivedana
39
Vibhi:shana and his four companions, Anala,
Sarabha, Sampa:thi and Praghana. They were
not messengers—they were armed. They were
not spies—they stood in open sky. Sugri:va
concluded that they had come to attack.
Sugri:va spoke to Va:nara:s, “Here come
these Ra:kshasas with evil intentions of harming our Lord Ra:ma. If they succeed, our presences here would be meaningless. What is
your opinion?”
Even before their king completed his words,
the Va:nara heroes picked up boulders and
trees and waited eagerly for further orders of
Sugri:va.
proached Lord Ra:ma to take shelter at His
feet. Ra:ma is the protector of the worlds. Will
he not protect me ? I am Vibhi:shana. Will you
recommend my case to him?”
When we have great affection for any person, we tend to suspect anybody who might
interfere with his joy or safety. Sugri:va loved
Ra:ma dearly, so when he heard Vibhi:shana,
he thought thus: ‘Our Lord Ra:ma always
protects whoever seeks shelter at His feet. If
he hears the prayers of Vibhi:shana, without
any further thought He will vow to protect
Vibhi:shana. If the ra:kshasa has any evil intentions, then that could be very dangerous.
Sugri:va opines on Vibhi:shna
Vibhi:shana firmly believed that as he sought
refugee, Lord Sri: Ra:ma would certainly accept him and protect him. He did not budge
at the aggression of the Va:naras. He knew
that the Va:naras were moved not by hatred
towards him but by love towards Sri: Ra:ma,
so he introduced himself and began enumerating his flaws. “O Va:naras ! I am the brother
of the wicked king Ra:vana who stole Mother
Si:tha from Janastthana after killing Jata:yu.
He has kept her captive amidst ra:kshasis.
In many ways I implored Ra:vana to release
Si:tha. Neither my persuasions nor my warnings had any effect on him. When death follows a person like a shadow, he does not pay
heed to any beneficial words of others. Instead
of taking my wise advice, he abused me,
humiliated me, and drove me away. Having
given up everything in Lanka, we have ap-
40
Sugri:va took Lakshmana along with him and
approached Ra:ma. Since Lakshmana too
loved Sri:Ra:ma, wouldn’t his thoughts match
with Sugri:va’s? Thinking thus, Sugri:va took
Lakshmana along with him and approached
Sri:Ra:ma and said, “Lord ! The one who has
come is Vibhi:shana. He is the brother of the
evil Ra:vana. He has come along with four
others to seek shelter at Your feet.”
Sugri:va implied here that Vibhi:shana would
have the same evil tendencies that Ra:vana
did.
Further Sugri:va said, “These ra:kshasas can
take to any form at their will and are experts in
the art of magic and deception. They are not
to be trusted. Perhaps he is sent by Ra:vana to
spy on us! Knowing our key strengths, he may
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
betray us. We must slay Vibhi:shana along
with his men.”
Thus did Sugri:va expressed his opinion and
his affection for Lord Ra:ma.
Hearing this, Lord Ra:ma turned to other
heroes including Hanuma:n and said to them,
“You all are my well wishers. You have heard
Sugri:va’s opinion. Now tell me your view of
this situation.”
Va:naras express their views
The Va:nara heroes were very delighted. They
said, “Lord! What views can we express which
you do not already perceive? You are magnanimous, so You ask our opinion. Since You
ask us, we shall express our thoughts.”
The crown prince Angada said “It is true that
Vibhi:shna has come to seek shelter at Your
feet. However, the vital point to consider is the
place of his origin. It is Lanka, so he may not
be amicable to us. To ascertain his loyalty, we
must observe him. If he is virtuous, he may be
protected.
in an untimely manner. Moreover, he left
the security of Lanka to come to us, and this
makes me suspicious. Is he to be protected?
Consider well before You take such decision.”
Mainda said, “Let us converse with
Vibhi:shana in a sweet and charming way
during which we may extract some information
about Ra:vana. We can observe his attitude
and decide whether he is honest towards us or
not.”
Hanuman heard all these views. Lord Ra:ma
recognised the refined culture and etiquette of
Hanuma:n the moment He met him. This
Hanuma:n spoke.
After Hanuman gave his views, Lord Ra:ma
Himself expressed his decision regarding
Vibhi:shana and narrated an incident of a
dove to illustrate the wisdom of it all. These
will be detailed in the next issue.
Otherwise he should be left out. Even if he has
minor blemishes, he can be accepted by us.”
Sarabha said, “Let us employ a spy with a
subtle mind and test Vibhi:shana. Then we can
come to a decision.”
Ja:mbava:n said, “The evil Ra:vana has
caused us great harm. Vibhi:shana is his
brother. Also he has deserted his elder brother
May 2015
Bhakthinivedana
41
A:cha:rya Charithra
Lineage of A:cha:ryas
In this series of articles we go through the life histories of our pu:rva:cha:ryas.
It is important, particularly for the young readers to learn about the history of
a:cha:ryas, so that they may absorb these principles early in life and strive to
live up to the standards set by them. As you will see, their lives were not a bed
of roses. They teach us by example how to pray to Lord and most importantly
what constitutes true “surrender” (sarana:gathi) to Lord.
We are eternally indebted to them for the invaluable treasure they left behind for us!
Enjoy and collect as many pieces of jewels as you can.
42
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Na:tthamuni reveals the glory of arrived at Vi:rana:ra:yanapuram and sang at
the temple of Lord Ra:jago:pa:la. Sri: Na:ttha
celestial music
Once upon a time were two courtesans- one of
them was proficient in music of this world,
while the other was proficient in music of the
heavens. Desirous of proving themselves
superior over the other, both the women went
to the court of Cho:la king. The king had a
penetrating intellect and called for an assembly
of scholars in music, after hearing the objective
of the two women. By the order of king Krimi
kantta, scholars living at various places
assembled at his court. With due permission
from the king, the courtesans began to sing in
front of a scholarly audience.
The courtesan who was accomplished in
celestial music sang earnestly. The courtesan
who was skilled in music of humans sang to
the best of her abilities. However, the king and
the learned men were very much pleased with
the latter. Being ordinary humans, they were
touched by the rendering of courtesan who sang
music pertaining to this world. They lbestowed
her with gifts and appreciation. They paid no
respect to the singer of celestial music. Even the
king humiliated her.
The courtesan expert in divine music thought
thus, “The humans would never appreciate
these celestial notes of mine. The music that
belongs to realms of divinity must be sung
before the divinity itself!” Pondering thus, the
courtesan went from one holy shrine to another
and rendered celestial music at the altar of
the Lord. During the course of her travel, she
May 2015
yo:gindra, who was well versed in all forms of
divine music, was very much pleased by her
rendering . He arranged for her the consecrated
food, holy water, sacred garland and a head
band of sanctified cloth. The lady bowed low
to Na:tthamuni and took his leave to visit the
Cho:la King.
She said to the king thus, “There lives in
Vi:rana:ra:yanapuram, a Vaishnava of
unparalleled greatness. He is a master
of all intricacies in celestial music. He
alone can judge my sublime singing.”
The king agreed to her suggestion and invited
the venerable Na:tthamuni with due honour.
The sage too arrived at the court on king’s
behest. The king went a long distance out of his
court to receive the sage, worshipped him and
requested him to enter the court.
The king ordered both the courtesans to sing in
the presence of Na:tthamuni. Both of them sang
wonderfully. The earthly music was appreciated
by normal people. Only Natthamuni went
raptures over the heavenly music.
The king asked the sage a pertinent question
“O Na:tthamuni ! Please make it clear to us
what kind of person can appreciate and enjoy
the bliss of this celestial music.”
Bhakthinivedana
43
To this the sage replied, “O King! Hear the
criteria for a person to appreciate this heavenly
music. A person well versed in celestial music
can tell the weight of a cymbal by merely
hearing its clanging sound.”
Hearing this from the sage, the amazed king
ordered three hundred and forty cymbals to be
brought to the court. Desirous of establishing
the profound knowledge of the sage, the king
clanged a cymbal amidst the audience in the
court. He then asked, “O muni! You have heard
the sound of this cymbal of bell metal. Now pray
tell us the weight of this cymbal”. Endowed with
supreme knowledge, Na:tthamuni declared the
weight of the cymbal.
To his wonder, the king found that the weight
May 2015
declared by the sage matched exactly to that
measured by a balance.
The dismayed king worshipped the feet of the
muni and offered him large wealth. The grandeur
of the sage was greater than that of Brahma and
Rudra! Having no attachment to the wealth thus
offered to him, Na:tthamuni said, “ O King! I
have no desire for the wealth you have offered.”
Blessing the king out of affection, Na:tthamuni
returned to Vi:rana:ra:yanapuram.
Blessed by the sage, the courtesan with
proficiency in celestial music attained the
goodwill of the king and was delighted
by it. Na:tthamuni continued to worship
Lord Ra:jago:pa:la (Lord Mannana:r) at
all times, with ardent devotion.
Bhakthinivedana
44
--VT SEVA Updates continued from pg 13
KA:KINA:DA (ANDHRA PRADESH)
Satsung is conducted every week by
VT members. Smt Radha and Andal
gaaru are coordinating the program.
During Vasantotsavam ie., from Ugadi to
Sriramanavami Sundarakanda parayana was
done. Sri rama kalyanam and pattabhishekam
were conducdted. On 31st March
Hanumanchalisa was recited 108 times by 40
devotees.
VISA:KHA PATNAM (ANDHRA PRADESH)
Smt.Padmavathi, Secretary of VT Akkayyapalem
along with other VT members is conducting
sathsungs and conducting programs for
Ramanuja Sahasrabdi. They are spreading
the glory of Ramanuja. They also collected a
fund of Rs. 38,720/ for Statue of Ramanuja at
Samshabad. They also distributed 40 blankets
in Priyadarsini Oldage home. Ugadi was
celebrated in Alwardas college grounds. VT
volunteers advocated about Netravidyalaya,
Ramanuja Sahasrabdi and other VT services.
On Sriramanavami Sita Ram Chandra
Kalyanam was celebrated at Varija Asramam
by Srikanth swamy and Santhosh Kumar.
Nearly 200 devotees attended the same.
Marripalem sathsung is conducted regularly.
Sampoorna Sundarakanda parayana is
conducted in the house of B.Varalakshmi
where 150 devotees attended. Kalyanam and
Pattabhishekam were also performed. Regular
Bhagavadgita parayana is conducted on every
Ekadasi. RA:JAM (ANDHRA PRADESH)
With the Mangalasasanams of our Acharya,
Rajam VT is taking up many activities. For
promoting cleanliness, they adopted a ward
and a nearby village. Two free dustbins were
distributed to every household, separately for
May 2015
wet and dry wastes. They are also teaching
Yoga. They visited Netravidyalaya and donated
Rs.7,000 and also 11 sarees.
Vijayanagaram (Andhra Pradesh)
Prajna activities are conducted in Balanagar.
Spurthi Awards were given to 10 students
and certificates were given to 5 students.
They also conducted Pada Pooja to mothers
putting into practice the concept of Matru Devo
bhava. Smt Aruna, editor of Vikasadarsini
and Sri Padmanabham garu attended the
program. Sathsungs are regularly conducdted
at Ayyannapeta, Dasannapeta, and Narava.
Samskar Vikas convenor Sreeman Narayana
Sharma is coordinating the programs. About
100 volunteers of Yuva Vikas extended their
services in Ramateertham.
--Translated from telugu by Smt. Padmavathi
Ramanujam
Bhakthinivedana
45
Divya Prabandham
Twilight song of Lord Rangana:ttha
Thiruppalli Yezhuchchi
46
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Pa:suram -9
ae:damil thandum maiyekkam maththali,
ya:zhkuzhal muzhavamo: disaidisai
kezhumi,
keethangal pa:dinar kinnarar kerudargal,
kandaru varavar kangulu lella:m,
ma:thavar va:navar sa:rana riyarkar,
sithtarum
mayanginar
thiruvadi
thozhuva:n,
a:thali lavarku na:lo:lakka marula,
arangaththamma! palli yezhundarula:ye:
||
iyakkar = yakshas
mayanginar = enchanted
thozhuva:n = to worship
thiruvadi = Your divine lotus feet
siththarum = stood still like pictures
a:dalil = So
arula = to grace
na:l = early morning
o:lakkam = assembly
avarku = for them
arangaththamma:! = sri:rangana:ttha:!
palliyezhundu = wake up from bed
arula:ye: = and bless!
Purport
Meanings
ella:m = all
kangulul = night
isai disai kezhumi = joining their tones from
all directions
muzhavamo:du = with the sounds of
e:damil = flawless
thannum = mrudangam
maiyekkam = single stringed instrument
maththali = drum also
ya:zh = veena too
kuzhal = flute
kinnarar = kinnaras
garudargal garudas
kandaruvar = gandharvas
pa:dinar = sang
gi:thangal = ki:rthanas
avar = known to them
ma:davar = highly austere
va:navar = de:vathas
sa:ranar = cha:ranas
47
Sri:rangana:ttha:! All the de:vathas sang
lullabies all the night when You slept.
Accompanying different musical instruments,
they sang in their own distinctive manner
from their own places. Some played musical
instruments of rhythm like mrudangam
and drums. Others played single- stringed
‘e:katha:ra’ and multi- stringed veena while
some played on flutes. Great musicians like
kinnaras, gandharvas and garudas sang
sweetly joining those instruments.
Highly austere sages, de:vathas, cha:ranas
and yakshas are waiting to worship Your divine
lotus feet when you wake up. As they stood
still, waiting for your appearance, spell bound
meditating on your enchanting beauty, it soon
dawned. So please wake up from bed and
come to the assembly so that their infatuation
gets relieved.
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
Pa:suram -10
Kadimalar kamalangal malarndana
ivaiyo: ?
Kadiravan
kanaikadal
mulaitthana
nivano:?
thudi yidaiya:r surikulal pizhindudari
thugiludu ththe:rrinar su:zh punalaranga:!
thodaiyoththa thulavamum ku:daiyum
polindu
tho:nriya tho:l thondaradippodi yennum
adiyanai aliya nennaruli unnadiya:rku
a:l
paduththa:y palli ye zhundarula:ye: ||
thondaradippodi a:lwa:r thiruvadigale:
saranam||
Meanings
aranga: = Sri:rangana:ttha: !
su:l = (you are) surrounded by
punal = river Ka:ve:ri.
kamalangal =
lotuses
malarndana = have bloomed
malar =
oozing
kadi =
honey.
Kadiravan = the Sun
mulaiththanan = rising
kanai = from the roaring
kadal = ocean
ivano: = is here.
thudi idaya:r = women with frail waists
pizhindu = have squeezed
udari = and tossed
suri = their knotted
kuzhal = hair,
thugil, uduththu = wore clothes
e:rrinar = climbed the bank.
adiyanai = this servant
48
thondaradippodi
ennum
=
named
Thondaradippodi
tho:nriya tho:l = having the shoulder that
appears
polindu
= holding
ku:daiyum = a basket in hand
thodaiyothth = with beautifully made
thulavamum = thulasi (basil garland).
aruli = with compassion
aliyan enru = considering me fit to be rescued
paduththa:y = made (me)
un =
Your
adiya:rku = servants’
a:l = servant
palli ezhundu = wake up from bed
arula:ye: ! = and grace us!
Purport
Our pu:rva:cha:ryas declared that ‘periya
peruma:l’ the presiding deity of Sr:rangana:ttha
as ‘sri:krushna avatha:ra’ and the processional
deity ‘namberuma:l’ as ‘Sri:ra:ma avatha:ra’!
Oh! Rangana:ttha! Those partially blossomed
lotuses have fully blossomed now oozing
fragrant honey. But Your lotus eyes are still
shut. The sun who first sent his rays to have a
sight of You, realized his folly and he himself
came up over the ocean and is peeping into
Your temple. See! He is waiting there for You!
That day You argued with the go:pikas that
were taking a shower in the river Yamuna and
saved them from committing a blunder in their
‘vratham’ (vow).
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
But that joy is slipping off Your hands now! The
damsels with slender waists finally took their
shower after waiting for You, in the ‘Ubhaya
Ka:very rivers’ that flow around You, squeezed
dry their hair and tossed it, took their clothes
from the shore and wore them themselves and
are leaving.
The conch and discuss are the adornments for
You! For this servant, (the dust of Your servants’
feet) carrying a basket holding beautifully woven
thulasi garlands that suit only you is a decoration
for the (this servant’s) shoulders.
With great compassion on this wicked ‘da:sa’ of
Yours, You diverted me from evil and modelled
me such that the service of Your servants became
my sustenance! Of course, Your ‘yo:ga nidra’ is
for our rescue!
Father! Wake up soon and grace us!
--HOMEOPATHY
Continued from page 23
To quote CNN’s recent report that research
suggests introducing peanuts or allergens like
dust,odors early in life helps the body to overcome the reaction and hence less likely develop
allergies later in life. So this same concept has
been used in Homeopathy 200 yrs ago.Homeopathy can help you achieve that goal of living
in nature without the severe allergic reactions.
Why do homeopaths ask patients
about their taste,thirst, preferences
about climate,etc?
One modifying factor for every individual is in
their thirst levels. Some people drink water in
May 2015
little sips,some glassful at a time. Some are
thirst less In spite of having a dry tongue. The
temperature of water they prefer is also important in selection of the medicine. One may like
drinking cold water, another wants warm or
room temperature. Yet another ice cold water.
These fine distinctions helps us make a complete portrait of the individual.
Do sweat patterns and sleep-dreams
also considered part of the patient
picture?
Of course,dreams are the subconscious thinking
of mind,it helps us understand the various stress
and anxiety levels one is undergoing in life.
Sweat is also an indicator of how the individual
reacts to stress around him, whether it be physical or mental. When we select the drug these
mental and physical details help us understand
how to treat the patient.
How are follows ups important in
treatment?
In Homeopathy follows are very important,
treatment is like peeling onion layers. We have
to observe and understand how each patient
reacts after a dose of medicines. Then act upon
the next step. For eg.if a person has a history
of anxiety,joint pains,and irritable bowel syndrome. After giving the medicine we see that
the anxiety levels have reduced,but the joint
pains and IBS is still there The doctor knows that
the treatment has started and is in the correct
direction.First mind should be happy then the
rest of the body will be cured.
It is Allergies time of the year in the Spring, I
suggest all the suffering people out there to
please try Homeopathy for your benefit ,to relieve you of the symptoms and also to improve
your body’s immune system to combat any
disease.
--To be continued next month
Bhakthinivedana
49
A:LWA:R CHARITHRA
The Life
History of
A:lwa:rs
This series is about the history of A:lwa:rs. A:lwa:r in Tamil means one
who is “immersed” in the love of God. They are held at the highest
regard in our samprada:yam as they are the “chosen ones” by God.
As you will see, A:lwa:rs came from all castes and creed which shows
that birth is never a hindrance to attain the love of God.
To read about their lives is to learn about God and how to love God.
No other teachings can better describe God and His qualities than
A:lwa:r’s songs. In this issue we are going to learn about the fourth
a:lwa:r, Thirumazhisai a:lwa:r story, continued from previous issue.
Come on, let’s read with an open heart so that we too receive a
fraction of their devotion....
50
Bhakthinivedana
May 2015
The life history of Thirumazhisai
a:lwa:r...Continued from previous...
The Lord nurtures Bhakthisa:ra
Kanaka:ngi became wife of Bha:rgava Rishi
and delivered a premature baby who looked
like a lump of meat. Deserted by his parents,
the baby was nurtured by Mother Bhu:de:vi
Herself ! The Lord who showers mercy for no
reason, showered His affection on the baby
boy when he would cry for milk. The Lord
of Mahi:sa:rapura, the Handsome form of
Mangavalli, Jaganna:ttha would come to the
boy and would mitigate his hunger and thirst.
The Lord would feed the baby Bhakthisa:ra with
divine nectar which is hard to obtain and difficult
to get satiated by. The Lord would soothe the
boy with His own tender limbs and then would
return to His abode in Vaikuntta .Thus did the
Lord Vishnu nurture Bhakthisa:ra who was9
son of Bha:rgava.
One whose knowledge of God ripened
into love would become desolate if they are
separated from the Lord. Unable to bear the
pain of separation from the Lord, the baby
Bhakthi:sa:ra would cry in the forest.
A basket weaver is blessed to take
care of the A:lwa:r
There was a basket weaver by name Sri:khadga.
He came to same forest with a sickle in his
hand and footwear on his feet .He moved
through the forest to collect bamboo for his
May 2015
baskets.
Sri:khadga heard the anguished cries of a boy
and rushed there only to please himself by the
sight of a face with sun-like lusture. The basket
weaver took the boy to his wife Pankajavalli as
they were childless themselves. Their joy knew
no bounds. This incident is similar to the one in
which Vasude:va brings Lord Krushna to the
house of Nandago:pa and handovers Him to
yaso:da !
Since the wife was childless, she became
overjoyed to have a baby and showered him
endless affection. Her intense love for him
expressed itself as flowing milk from her bosom.
Even as Yaso:da would feed the baby Krushna
with her milk, Pankajavalli would feed the
boy Bhakthisa:ra. However Bhakthisa:ra did
not recognise the taste of her feed as he was
engrossed in meditating on the Lord Vishnu.
Being satisfied by the taste of divine joy, the boy
did not have any desire for his mother’s milk.
Even as a rising sun, the boy grew up day by
day. The auspicious qualities of the Lord ever
became his strength and succour. He neither
cried, nor spoke, no waste ejected from his
body, he did not have worldly sufferings. Thus
grew up Bhakthisa:ra with his limbs supple.
-- Let’s see what miracles happened in
the life of Thirumazhisai A:lwa:r in the
next article.
Bhakthinivedana
51
Jai
Sri:manna:ra:yana
Thank you very much for reading.
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