C O N T E N T S - dharmishta mithran
Transcription
C O N T E N T S - dharmishta mithran
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY ;n~oD= ekullj% izfryC/ktUe& Hkk";kjfoUn edjUnjla ficfUr A izR;k'keqUeq[kfouhrfous; Hk`³~x% rku~ Hkk";foÙkd xq:u~ iz.kekfe Hk~/uZ AA Mind, give up your restlessness, hold the balance evenly before you. On one scale of the balance, place all the objects of the world, and on the other God Himself, the Lord of Prosperity. As between these two, reflect wherein lies greater peace and greater good. From reasoning C O N T E N T S ISSUE - XXXXXV JAN - MAR 2016 Editorial 3 Sharpen your intellect with your Problems 6 Dasoupadesam The Ten Commandments 7 Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi 8 Shiva Amaanasa Poojaa 10 Poem 14 Anamika : This Religion Had no Name 17 Clippings from Eternal Bliss 19 A Primer on Vedas and their Adjuncts 20 Kalyanams 25 Shradhaanjali 28 Spiritual Calendar 30 Helplines 32 and experience, whatever appeals to you as the repository of bliss, take it with all your heart. AANANDA MITHRAN 1 With best compliments from : Process Control Technology (India) Pvt. Ltd. 3, Mezzanine Floor, ‘Devprayag’ Ravi Industries Compound, Hajuri Lane, Panchpakhadi, Thane (West) Pin code - 400 602 (Instrumentation Engineers and Contructors) Tel. : 2542 2303 / 2541 5338 Fax : 2542 5356 E-mail : [email protected] 2 AANANDA MITHRAN OM NAMA SHIVAYA SHRI GURUBHYO NAMAHA From the Editorial Board... On the wonderful occasion of the Gudi Padva / Tamil New Year and Vishukkani, Mithran wishes each of you all happiness and prosperity. We are into the 15th year and have been living up to the standards we have set for ourselves in the service to the society. With your support & participation, we will surely scale newer heights. Being the fifteenth year, it is planned that the Annual Day Celebrations during Nov 2016 will culminate on 27 Nov 2016 with a Maharudram performed for the welfare and Peace of all and the Society and Nation. Details will be informed to you in the coming months. We will certainly look forward to your help to raise the required funds for the function from your circle of likeminded persons. Our website now enables interested persons to apply for membership directly by downloading the application form and opt for suitable mode of payment of membership fees from anywhere. It is our sincere request to all our members that they help us enroll as members those who are inclined towards joining and supporting activities of Mithran. It is also our sincere appeal to you for sharing the Website details www.dharmishtamithran.org with your kith and kin including those residing outside India and seek their support to our Healthcare programme for which we have secured permission from Ministry of Home Affairs & RBI to open and operate FCRA facility which can receive foreign AANANDA MITHRAN remittances for healthcare assistance to needy through Mithran. Presently Mithran is also providing some amount of financial support to the needy in the conduct of marriage of their daughters. Continuing its efforts to support to extend support to several of the parents of eligible sons and daughters for marriage, Mithran will soon establish a platform for collection and distribution of horoscopes which can then be taken up for matching etc by the parents seeking alliances for their children. Our sister organization Bharatiya Adhyathmic Society (BAS) has initiated discourses on relevant spiritual topics for which all DM members are given standing invitation. They recently held a discourse titled “ Sri Kanchi Mahaswamigal ” by Upanyasa Tilakam Sri P.R.Kannan, Sanpada on 29th March 2016 at Sri Siddhivinayakar Temple, Chheda Nagar on the occasion of Maha Periyaval's Jayanti. Earlier during our Annual Day function, BAS had felicitated 25 children from the Veda Patashala, Nerul by presenting them with school stationery and personal kits. We seek your active physical participation in assisting families during times of bereavement as the younger generation joining with enthusiasm will help Mithran reach out wider and effectively meeting its Objects. Once again, we wish you all a very Happy Vishu, Prosperous Padva & Tamil New Year. 3 My Dear Muthumani, Having known you for the last several years, my admiration for your work in the field of Aparakriya and other related matters, which normally nobody would like to undertake, has grown by leaps and bounds. It is a tremendous sacrifice on one's part to immediately come to the succour of the grieved ones and console them at the time of crisis. I and my family members are extremely grateful to you at the time of my wife K V Bagyalakshmi's death on Jan 1, 2016.Incidentally when she was alive, she was also holding you and Mithran in very high esteem. As an ardent admirer of Dharmishta Mithran, I shall continue to be of any help to you in future also whenever need arises. Sincerely yours, N. Parameswaran 1402, Sri Nalini Chembur Mumbai 400071 4 AANANDA MITHRAN DHARMISHTA MITHRAN (NGO) A Company Registered under section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956. Jai Ambe Nagar, Mankhurd-Ghatkopar Link Road, Chakyar Rajan Marg, Off Chhedanagar, Chembur (W), Mumbai - 400089 • Cell : 9322298120 Tel.: 25256589 E-mail : [email protected] Dear Anand & Fly, We are pained at the sad demise of your father, our dear N S K Murthy in spite of all the efforts and medical attention you all had provided to him. He was dear to all of us through his dedicated service to the Society, to the spiritual endeavors in the neighborhood of Chheda Nagar and the Mithran's activities which call for high mental strength and determination to assist the families in grief. We pray to the Almighty to bestow His Grace on the departed soul and give you all the mental strength to overcome the tragedy. As an Executive Committee Member Murthy had always been ready and willing to be present at our establishments at Jai Ambe Nagar and Deonar and made valuable contributions. We are sure all the Funeral rites will be conducted by you in a befitting manner for the noble soul. Please do not hesitate to contact us in case you need anything to be organized during the rites. Sharing your grief, Yours sincerely, On behalf of all Members of DM V G Parameswaran (Muthumani) & all members of the Executive Committee Dharmishta Mithran 09 Feb. 2016 AANANDA MITHRAN 5 Sharpen Your Intellect with Your Problems Every individual wants peace of mind. But it is hard to find a person who can say that he has attained such a state of mental equilibrium as will allow him to live a life of tranquility. Peace of mind is a distant dream for all of us. What is the reason forth is? The reason is that people banker after ideal peace, that is, pure peace - a peace that is free from all kinds of non-peace items. But this kind of absolute peace is not in nature's storehouse. Let us take the analogy of the rose. A rose is a very beautiful flower, but every stem has its thorns. Indeed, thorns are an integral part of the rose plant. A poet has rightly said that thorns serve as security guards for the flower. The translation of his Urdu lines is: The safety of the flower would become impossible if the thorns were silk like.' So flowers have to be accompanied by thorns. There must be hard thorns a long with soft flowers - that is, there must be nonpeace items along with peaceful items. A peaceful mind is a very precious aspect of human nature and it too needs safety to maintain its sublime quality. Studies in psychology show that an untroubled mind very soon becomes stagnant. It loses its creativity. For this reason, nature always lends people into challenging situations. It is a non-peace item which acts as a challenge for the mind. This guarantees that the creativity of a peaceful mind never comes to an end. A creative mind is always alive. 6 It is a common phenomenon that one who is born in affluence and has a problem free life, very soon finds his mind becoming dull, while the one who is born into a life of problems and hardship, has an active mind. Such a person develops creative thinking and his intellectual development continues unhindered. Here, i would like to cite a personal experience, concerning a politician who had two sons. He loved one of his sons very much. He got this son married to someone of his choice and presented him with a farmhouse in which to live a life of comfort, just as he pleased. I met this son and conversed with him. It seemed as if i were talking to a dull person. He did tell some jokes but could not utter a word of wisdom. I have met the other son also. He was not given a comfortable life by his father and so left town for another place. After a few years of struggle, he emerged as a successful person. When I met him, i found that his whole conversation was full of wisdom. The human mind needs constant challenges. In the environment of challenge, it continues to grow till it becomes a supermind. On the other an environment where there is no challenge, the human mind becomes like a stunted plant and gradually, it shrivels away into a state of underdevelopment. Peace is not a ready-made item. It is a contd... page.. AANANDA MITHRAN DASOUPADESAM THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal 1. One of our duties as human beings is to avail ourselves of every opportunity to do good to others. The poor can serve others by their loyal work to the country and the rich by their wealth to help the poor. Those who are influential can use their influence to better the condition of the poor. That way we can keep alive in our hearts a sense of social service. 2. Man by himself cannot create a blade of grass. We will be guilty of gross ingratitude if we do not offer first to God what we eat or wear. Only the best choicest should be offered to Him. 3. Life without love is a waste. Everyone should cultivate “Prema” or love towards all human beings, birds and beasts. 4. Wealth amassed by a person whose heart is closed to charity, is generally dissipated by the inheritors; but the family of philanthropists will always be blessed with happiness. 5. A person who has done a meritorious deed will lose the resulting merit if he listens to the praise of others or himself boasts of his deeds. 6. It will do no good to grieve over what has happened. If we learn to discriminate between good and evil, that will guard us from falling into the evil again. 7. We should utilize to good purpose, the days of our life-time. We should engage ourselves in acts which will contribute to the welfare of others rather than to selfish desires. 8. We should perform duties that have been prescribed for our daily life and also be filled with devotion to God. 9. One attains one's goal by performance of one's duties. 10. Jnana is the only solvent of our troubles and sufferings. AANANDA MITHRAN 5 TALKS with SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI M. : Silence is never-ending speech. Vocal speech obstructs the other speech of silence. In silence one is in intimate Contact with the surroundings. The silence of Dakshinamurti removed the doubts of the four sages. Mouna vyakhya prakatita tatvam (Truth expounded by silence.) Silence is said to be exposition. Silence is so potent. For vocal speech, organs of speech are necessary and they precede speech. But the other speech lies even beyond thought_ It is in short transcendent speech or unspoken words, para vak. D. : Is there knowledge in Realisation ? M. : Absence of knowledge is sleep. There is knowledge in Realisation. But this knowledge differs from the ordinary one of the relation of subject and object. It is absolute knowledge. Knowledge has two meanings : (1) vachyartha=vritti=Literal meaning. (2) Iakshyartha=Jnana =Self=Swarupa= Secondary significance. D. : With vritti one sees knowledge M: Quite so, he also confounds vritti with knowledge. Vritti is a mode of mind. You are not the mind. You are beyond it: The Lady : There is sometimes an 8 irresistible desire to' remain in Brahma-akaravritti. M : It is good. It must be cultivated until it becomes sahaja (natural). Then it culminates as swarupa, one's own self. Later Sri Bhagavan explained : Vritti is often mistaken for consciousness. It is only a phenomenon and operates in the region of abhasa (reflected consciousness). The knowledge lies beyond relative knowledge and ignorance. It is not in the shape of vritti. There are no subject and object in it. Vritti belongs to the rajasic (active) mind. AANANDA MITHRAN The satvic mind (mind is repose) is free from it. The satvic is the witness of the rajasic. It is no doubt true consciousness. Still it is called satvic mind because the knowledge of being witness is the function of abhasa (reflected consciousness) only. Mind is the abhasa. Such knowledge implies mind. But the mind is by itself inoperative. Therefore it is called satvic mind. Such is the jivanmukta's is also said that his mind is dead. Is it not a paradox that a jivanmukta has a mind and that it is dead ? This has to be conceded in argument with ignorant folk. It is also said that Brahman is only the jivannrukta's mind. How can one speak of him as Brahmavid (knower of Brahman). Brahman can never be an object to be known. This is, however, in accordance with common parlance. Satvic mind is surmised of the jivanmukta and of lswara. "Otherwise," they argue, "how does the jivanmukta live and act ?" The satvic mind has to be admitted as a concession to argument. The satvic mind is in fact the Absolute consciousness. The object to be witnessed and the witness finally rnerge together and Absolute consciousness alone reigns supreme. It is not a state of sunya (blank) or ignorance. It is the swarupa (Real Self). Some say that mind arises from consciousness followed by reflection (abhasa) ; others say that the abhasa (reflection) arises first followed by the mind. In fact both are simultaneous. The Professor asked Sri Bhagavan to extend His Grace to him although he would soon be a thousand miles off. Sri Bhagavan said that time and space are only concepts of mind. But swarupa (the Real Self) lies beyond mind, time and space. Distance does not count in the Self. The lady with him was most reluctant to leave the Master and return home. The Master said, " Think that you are always in my presence. That will make you feel right." They left after dusk. There were reports of the above said Professor's University lectures in the Hindu. The lecturer had emphaised thesity for birth control and discussed the various possbilities of' making the man feel his responsibilities so that birth control might be automatic. The Master, on hearing it, casually remarked. " Let them find out the method of dying." [I few death refers to that of the ego (ahankar).] to be continued 9 AANANDA MITHRAN 9 SHIVA AMAANASA POOJAA by Adi Shankaracharya Translated by Suchetha Srivathsan Many of you might have heard the story of Pusalar. Pusalar was a Shiva Bhakta. He wanted to built a temple for Lord Shiva , but he did not have money. He built a temple in his mind and also fixed a date for the Kumbhabhishekam. At the same time, a Pallava king also built a temple and fixed the same date. The lord appeared in his dream and told the king that he will not be available on that particulate date and time and as had to attend another Kumbhabhishekam. The king went to the Pusalar's place but could not see any temple. He saw Pusalar sitting there and praying to the gods of his temple, Ganapati, Murugan , Shiva and other Gods created in his mind and that's where the Gods were present. Pusalar did not have money, but was full of devotion. The God considered his bhakti superior to that of the King, who was also a devotee. In this poem the Acharya, creating out of his imagination, various items for a detailed worship and offers them all to God, and finally surrenders to the almighty. jRuS% dfYireklua fgetyS% Lukua p fnO;kEcje~ ukukjRu foHkwf’kra e`xenkeksnkafdra pUnue~ A tkrhpaid fcYoi= jfpra iq’ia p /kwia rFkk nhia nso n;kfu/ks i”kqirs âRdfYira x`árke~ AA ratnaai: kalpitamaasanam himajalaaihi snaanam cha divyaambaram naanaaratna vibhooSHitam mrugamadaamOdaankitam chandanam jaateechampaka bilvapatra rachitam puSHpam cha dhoopam tathaa deepam dEvam dayaaniDhE pashupatE hRutkalpitam gRhyataam. O All merciful Lord PashupatE, Master of all beings, in my minds' creation, I offer you a throne made of precious stones, a bath with rose water, divine robes made of silk, ornaments made of nine gems, , sandal paste scented with kasturi, flowers of jaati, champaka (names of various flowers ), Bilwa leaves, incense and lamp, Please accept them. 10 AANANDA MITHRAN lkSo.ksZ uojRu [k.Mjfprs ik=s ?k`ra ik;la Hk{;a i#kfo/ka i;snf/k;qra jaHkkQya ikude~ A “kkdkuke;qra tyA #fpdja diZwj [k.MksTToya rkEcwya eulk e;k fojfpra Hkäîk izHkks Lohdq# AA sauvarNa navaratna khaNdarachitE paatrE ghRtam paayasam bhKSHayam panchavidham payOdadhiyutam rambhaaphalam paanakam shaakaa naamayutam jalam ruchikaram karpoora khaNdOjjvalam taamboolam manasaa mayaa virachitam bhaktyaa prabhO sveekuru O Lord ( PrabhO), in my mind, with great devotion, I offer you, in a gold container studded with nine precious gems, ghee, payasam ( a sweet dish), , five types of sweets, milk, curd, bananas, paanakam, ( a juice made of jaggery and dried ginger), large varieties of cooked vegetables, , purified water flavoured with spices, a plate of betel leaves along with edible spices ( pachhai karpooram). Please accept it. N=a pkej;ks;qZxa O;tuda pkn”kZda fueZya oh.kkHksfj e`n“dkgy dykxhra p u`R;a rFkk A lk’Vk“az iz.kfr% LrqfrcZgqfo/kk áksrRleLra e;k ladYisu lefiZra rofoHkks iwtka x`gk.k izHkks AA cHatram chaamarayOryugam vyajanakam chaadarshakam nirmalam veeNaabhEri mRdanga kaahala kalaageetam cha nRTyam tatha saaSHTaangam prNati: stutirbahuvidhaa hyEtatsamastam mayaa sankalpEna samarpitam tavavibhO poojaam gRuhaaNaa prabhO. 3. O Almighty Lord, in my mind, I offer you, an umbrella, a pair of hand fans, (called chamused in olden days for kings and Gods, ), a spotless mirror, I propitiate you with music along with accompaniments, like veena, bheri, percussion instruments, like, mridanga, kahala etc. with full prostration ( saashtangam means with all the eight parts of our body touching the ground, doing prostration, that is total surrender) and recitation of hymns. Kindly accept this mental worship. vkRek Roa fxfjtk efr% lgpjk% izk.kk% “kjhja x`ga iwtk rs fo’k;ksiHkksxjpuk funzk lekf/kfLFkfr% A lapkj% in;ks% iznf{k.k fof/k% Lrks=kf.k fxjks ;|RdeZ djksfe rŸknf[kya “kaHkks rokjk/kue~ AA AANANDA MITHRAN 11 aatmaaa tvam girijaa mati: sahacharaah praaNa: shareeram gRham poojaa tE viSHayOpa bhOgarachanaa nidraa samaadhisthitihi sanchaara:padayO: pradaKSHiNa vidhi: stotraaNi sarva giro yadyatkarma karOmi tattadakhilam shambhO tavaaraadhanam 4. O ShambhO!, you are my soul, Goddess Paarvati ( Girija) is my intellect, , my life breaths are my companions, my body is my house, my worship is to you is my pleasure, sleep is my meditation, my leg movements are acts of circumambulation, all my speeches are hymns in praise of you, in short, whatever i do is my prayer to you. dj pj.k d`ra okôl;ta deZta ok Jo.k u;uta ok ekula okijk/ke~ A fofgra vfofgra ok loZesrr~ {keLo f”ko f”ko d#.kkC/ks Jhegknso “kEHkks AA kar charaNa kRtam vaakkaayajam karmajam vaa sRvaNa nayanajam vaa maanasam vaaparaadham vihitam svihitam vaa sarvamEtat KSHamasva Shiva Shiva karuNabdhE srimahaadEva shambhO. 5. O, the embodiment of mercy, the great, the giver of bliss, abode of tranquillity, pardon all lapses committed by me knowingly or unknowingly, through the acts of my hands, legs, words, body, ears, and eyes, (senses and through my thoughts. Victory be to Thee. 12 AANANDA MITHRAN DHARMISHTA MITHRAN (NGO) A Company Registered under section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956. Jai Ambe Nagar, Mankhurd-Ghatkopar Link Road, Chakyar Rajan Marg, Off Chhedanagar, Chembur (W), Mumbai - 400089 • Cell : 9322298120 Tel.: 25256589 E-mail : [email protected] MITHRAN'S APARAKRIYA CENTRE IS LOCATED AT JAI AMBE NAGAR, OFF GHATKOPAR MANKHURD LINK ROAD, CHEMBUR, MUMBAI - 400089. Cell : 09967265049 (Sri Rakesh) For bookings and other details for 1. Aparakriya 2. Only for Eka Homam (11th Day) 3. Only for Kuzhi Tharpanam 4. Maintenance / Upkeep 5. Shraadham MITHRAN'S SHRAADHA CENTRE LOCATED AT RAJ DARSHAN RESIDENCY PLOT NO.4, ENTER PANJARAPOLE ROAD FIRST LEFT AFTER SANEESWARA TEMPLE, (BEHIND GREEN ACRE BUNGALOWS), DEONAR, MUMBAI - 400 088. Tel.: 2555 4633 / 9322298120 Muthuswamy - 9702243412 Please contact at the above address / numbers. Karthas will do well to intimate the office bearers of Dharmishta Mithran sufficiently in advance for Aparakriya or Shraadha being performed. Donations are welcome. Executive Committee The following books are available with Dharmishta Mithran 1. Death & After Rs. 15/2. Shraadha Samskara Rs. 50/3. What my family should known Rs. 50/(When I am not around) - WILL 4. Iyer Vivaha Rs. 50/(Contact : 2525 6589 / 9322298120) AANANDA MITHRAN 13 TAMIL, TAMILIANS, TAMIL NADU, ANCIENT AND MODERN With mythological origin from God Muruga through Agastiyar, though dated 3800 BC, Tami l is sweet Retaining primordial culture & old traditions, Tamils have mastered latest Sci -Tech, they tweet Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu's tip is serene where Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal & Indian Ocean meet In thousands are ancient Temples, Muruga is the Tamil God, vanakkam Tamils say, when they greet Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural is guide for moral life & wisdom overflows from Aathichudi of Avvaiyar Kambar 's Ramayanam, other poets include Thayumanavar, Bharatidasan, Pattukottai & Bharathiyar Sangam's Tholkappiyam, Silappadikaram, Manimekalai, Kundalakesi, Jeevaka Chintamani, Naladiyar Trinity of carnatic music are Thyagarajar, Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Shyama Shastri from Thiruvaiyyar Temple towns-Tiruvarur Madurai, Kumbakonam, Rameshwaram Srirangam, Tanjore & Kanchipuram Courtlam waterfalls, Pichavaram lake, Chittanavasal painting & the rock temples of Mahabalipuram Appar, Sambandar, Manickavasagar, Perialwar & Andal are great saints, Amman is at Samayapuram Arunagirinadhar, Vallalar, Periaval, Bhagavan Ramana all divine souls & the temples have a gopuram According to legend, Tamil is mother of Telugu, Malayalam & Kannada, being born in Pothigai Malai Hill stations are Kodai & Ooty, Sanctuaries --Satyamangalam, Mudumalai, Indira Gandhi & Anamalai Murugan abodes- Palani,Tiruttani,Tirupparamkundram, Tiruchendur,Pazhamuthircholai & Swamimalai Univs are MGR, Shastra, Amrita, Tamil, TNAU, PESU, Barathiyar, Barathidasan, Alagappa & Annamalai Kanda shashti kavacham, Thevaram, Divyaprabandam, Thiruppukazh, Thiruvasakam, Tiruppavai & such Devotional songs, sung by Pithukuli, Sulamangalam sisters, TMS, Sirkazhi MS,,they all our hearts touch Famous are Shankara Mattam ,Madurai Aadhinam, Ramana Ashramam, Sivananda Ashramam & more Pongal,Thaipoosam, Nombu, KarthigaI deepam, Kolu, Divali &,Temple festivals,Tamils love to the core Bharatha natyam's Padma, Carnatic musicians--MS, GNB, MLV, Pattammal, Chembai & Semmangudi Palghat Mani is for mridangam, Balachandar for Veenai, Nadaswaram's Rajaratnam & Violin's Lalgudi Anna's funeral (15 ml. mourners) is a world record, Kalidas in 1931 is 1st talkie, AVM born in Karaikudi Shivaji Savitri, MGR are legends, Aachi won Guinness record for 1500+ films & born in Mannargudi State Capital Chennai is an auto hub & Detroit of Asia & its Marina is the world's second longest beach Salem is for mangoes, steel, Tiruppur for T-shirts, hosiery, Erode for turmeric, & paper needing bleach Hosur for watches, Karur for Bus body, Coimbatore for cotton textiles & pumps for water within reach. State's population includes Tamil Hindus, Christians & Muslims, practicing what their religions preach Companies are TVS, TTK, Murugappa, Sanmar, Amalgamation, Hinduja, Mahindra, L&T, TATA iconic MNC s are Sony -Ericsson, Moser-Baer, Samsung, Cognizant, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Ford, Panasonic Mfg .autos, cement, silk, Grinders, mixies, jewellery, tractors, gas stoves, paper & gadgets electronic For power generated by thermal, hydro-electric, nuclear, wind & less by solar, the shortage is chronic Nobelists are Sir C.V.Raman, Chandra, Ramakrishnan & the World chess champ, Anand Viswanathan Organic chemists are Govindachari, Seshadri, Venkatraman & Green Revolution's M.S Swaminathan Judges are Muthuswamy, Alladi, RBI-governor Rangarajan, great orator Sashtri & novelist Jagannathan Greatest mathematician is Ramanujam, Geologist Krishnan & father of Library science is Rangnathan Google's head Pitchai, Pepsico's is Nooyi, E-mail Iinventor Ayyadurai, all Tamilians with fame,distinction Tamilians are greatly indebted to Tamil Tatha for saving many of ancient Tamil Classics from extinction All the Tamil Sangams, Manrams & global Tamil bodies should work for Tamil 's cause with dedication Muthumani's Dharmishta Mithran is for the needy 's last rites, shraada, food, marriage, illness, education Submitted By Dr.S.R. VENKATACHALAM This poem is dedicated to all heroes, who saved lives during the recent deluge and also pays homage to those who met with a watery grave. (Contd on opposite page) 14 AANANDA MITHRAN ADDENDA HISTORICAL 2000year-old Thirukkural with1330 couplets is translated into all major world languages Aathichudi of Avvaiyar, a contemporary of Thiruvalluvar is an international icon, with NASA exhibiting her couplet that reads” what is learned is a mere handful, what haven't learned is the size of the world”. Ancient Tamil kings are Cheras, Pallavas, Pandyas and Cholas. Raja Raja Chola built majestic Brihadishwara Temple (1010AD) in Tanjore while his son Rajendra ruled Ceylon, and invaded South-East Asia, crossing seas with a powerful naval fleet. Sekkizhar in Periyapuranam chronicled lives of 63 Shaivaite Nayanmars (7th to 10th century AD). Karaikkal Ammaiyar is famous among three women Nayanmars. Nadamuni gave us insight into contemporary 12 Vaishnavite Azhwars like Periazhwar, Peyazhwar and the only woman, Andal. Siddhars are 18, including the earliest Agastiyar, and subsequent Patanjali, Thirumoolar Bhogar & Pattinathar who are mystics with supernatural powers. Siddhars established herbal Siddha medical system. Sangam age is 300 BC–300 AD. Patanjali yoga is world-famous while Thirumandiram by Thirumoolar is a precious Siddha text. MODERN Tamil Nadu with 32 districts was born in 1969. Chennai the capital, has many automobile majors, some also made in Hosur. Tractors & farm equipments from TAFE & Coromandel fertilizers help the farming sector. L&T shines in construction & valves. Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Chennai is the biggest of its kind in the world. Chennai's Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is Asia's biggest rail coach builder. AVADI (Armoured Vehicles Ammunition Depot of India)) in Chennai makes guns & army vehicles. Chennai has reputed Maritime University, International Maritime Academy & Mahindra World City with IT Park. Apollo, Fortis-Malar hospitals are biggest super specialty private hospitals, latter a role model for organ transplants, Shankara Netralaya is the nation's best managed charitable eye hospital. Damro furniture is largest in S- E Asia. MRF makes superior tyres & gives all-round care for tyres. Loyola College, Chennai has mark of excellence & the Koyambedu bus depot is Asia's biggest. Koyambedu market for fruits, vegetables is among the biggest. Kalyan Jewellers has the world's biggest outlet in Chennai where lives India's maximum health insured.. Sanmar group of Chennai is a multinational Chemical, Engineering & Shipping Co. with plants also in US, Egypt & Mexico. Hosur makes Titan watches & Tanishq jewellary. For kitchen wares like pressure cookers, gas stoves. Mixies, and grinders Prestige & Premier are household names. Coimbatore is the Manchester of South, is pump city of Asia & has Amrita, best private University. Sivakasi is Little Japan, globally famous for fireworks and printing industry. Tiruppur has maximum % people employed in India. Namakkal, a leading poultry centre while . Vellore has golden temple, Central Jail and famous CMC Kanchipuram silk is globally famous for its excellence & this ancient city of 1000 temples as a melting pot of cultures , is unparalleled, Turmeric city Erode along with Tiruppur, Karur and Coimbatore is India's textile valley. Co-optex is synonymous with best handloom items. Kumbakonam is famous for Mahamagam festival, Thanjavur is the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. Meenakshi Temple apart, Madurai is famous for granite, jasmine & its perfume. Tamil Nadu leads in banana production. HCL, a top computer firm is founded by Shiv Nadar. R.K Laxman is a cartoonist in English, R. K. Narayan, an English Novelist, Kastuti, founder of Hindu, Sadanand of Free Press and Ulloor, Malayalam's Mahakavi. Sundarii was Indian army chief, Sathasivam, ex-chief justice of SC and Seshan was CEC. BARC Directors, P. K. Iyengar and R. Chidambaram, Rocket scientist Abdul Kalam. B. K. Iyengar is world-famous for Iyengar style of yoga. More Univs., are Thiruvalluvar, Ambedkar and Madurai-Kamaraj. Outside India, Rajaratnam was foreign minister of Singapore which has Tamil as official language with a number of cabinet ministers. Ananda Krishnan of Malaysia is a billionaire ($ 10 billion) and is associated with Petronas Towers. Famous US organic heterocycle expert is B.S.Thyagarajan & GE's global innovator is Govindarajan. Tamil diaspora covers globe with significant population in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Mauritius, South Africa, Europe, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Sri Lanka. Tamilians like Ramanathans, Viswanathans, Ramamoorthys, Krishnamoorthys, Appaduraisis, Jayaramans, Varadarajans, Govindarajans & hundreds of others especially in developed countries such as USA, Canada, UK, Australia have got global name& fame as doctors, scientists, researchers, professors, software engineers, in shipping and in other frontline areas, a feat beyond belief. All this proves that Tamilians are intellectuals par excellence. Jaya Amma is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. For millions of Tamils, MGR is My God Ramachandran. Ashamed must be a Tamilian who is ashamed to talk in Tamil. To me. Thirukkural, Avvaiyar, Muthumani, Intelligence and Literature, is expanded version for TAMIL. Tamil communities-- Iyer, Iyengar, Mudaliar, Chettiyar, Nadar, Pillai, Goundar, Shastri, Vanniyar, Naickar, Thevar and more..Saurashtrian Tamils include TMS,Maharashtrian Tamils include Superstar---Dr. S.R.V AANANDA MITHRAN 15 Friends. I deem it my privilege to express about my dear Murthimama who left us to his heavenly abode on 4th February, 2016. It has indeed been a gruelling thirteen days for many of us since that momentous day when it seems incredulous that someone who seemed immortal could in fact depart from his worldly duties. Mr. N. S. Krishnamurthy, NSK to few, Murthy to many was a quintessential foot soldier who left his indelible imprint on whatever he undertook with his sobriety, simplicity and above all solidity. Born on 23rd March,1944 Murthimama, after an indifferent childhood, came down to this metropolis in mid60s and like many who came from that part of our country soon became a loyal Bombayite and thereafter a veritable Mumbaikar. His stay in Mohan Nivas was part of a bygone era which witnessed common washrooms, community living, terrace night outs, Sunday card games, coexistence of the sublime and the profane, the laity and the lordships, the brilliant and the dimwit, the forbidden and the forsaken and many such idiosyncratic pairs of opposites! What stood out Murthimama's USP was his unique ability to befriend those who were confirmed to be very difficult persons to contend and deal with besides positioning contrasting poles like both Tilak Raghavan and his father A. G. Raghavan, Anandu and Balu, Kicha and Chunda, Nagalingam and Vichu's Athimber and a host of others who made the stay memorable. Murthimama's marriage to Annapoorni on 10th February, 1974 was again made memorable by the vast number of well wishers who attended the event despite the prevalence of rations in rice and shortages in many commodities. Murthimama was, for the record, employed 16 for a large part of his life in Andrew Yule India Limited and Tide Water Oil Limited. His sincerity and devotion to duty earned him all round praise and approbation. Murthimama's shift to Chedda Nagar, one of the first building complexes created in suburbs of Mumbai beyond Sion soon became a happy hunting ground with his penchant for doing good to others. His qualities of head and heart found very useful vehicles initially in the Murugan temple a landmark destination to the devoted and later on in Dharmishta Mithran of which he was one of the founders, a selfless forum to lead the departed to the divine!!!i Murthimama's forays to institutionalise matchmaking in Subramania Samaj was indeed legendary; hundreds and thousands of horoscopes got exchanged; the 'parties' as they are referred to never returned to the Samaj after their marriage even as their horoscopes circled; yet Murthimama as only few can was the embodiment of patience as he carried on gamely, week after week every week on Saturday. A void has been created which hopefully the authorities will fill soon. As for Dharmishta Mithran Murthimama became a permanent member of the Gang of Four as it were and made his mark across Chembur and nearby areas for his clinical approach to problem solving, immaculate coordination skills and above all for lending a shoulder to the deprived at their most desolate hour of grief. Murthimama's post-retirement occupations was indeed exemplary as he demonstrated with felicity and ease the ways and means to straddle contrasting behaviours of many who otherwise were leaders who surmounted many an obstacle in their journeys. He was a quiet, unassuming achiever who could be in comfort with the most endowed and the virtually hapless and it was this endearing quality brought so many to pay respects to him on 4th February in Chedda Nagar. AANANDA MITHRAN Anamika : This Religion Had No Name Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal We speak of the “Hindu religion”, but the religion denoted by the term did not in fact have such a name originally According to some, the word “Hindu“ means “love"; others say a Hindu is one who disapproves of himsa or violence. The term “Hindu religion” does not occur in any ancient shastra... The name “Hindu” was given to us by foreigners. People from the West came to our land across the Sindhu River which they called “Indus” or “Hind” and the land adjacent to it by the name “India”. The religion of this land came to be called “Hindu”. The name of a neighbouring country is sometimes applied to the land adjacent to it ... However it may be, “Hinduism” was not the name of our religion in the distant past. Nor was it known as “Vaidika Mata” (vedic religion oras “sanatana dharma” the ancient or timeless religion). Our basic texts do not refer to our faith by any name. When I thought about it I felt that there was something deficient about our religion. All religions barring our own (Hindu religion) were established by single individuals. “Buddhism” is named after Gautama Buddha; Jainism was founded by the Jina called Mahavira. Christianity has its origin in Jesus Christ. Our religion predating all AANANDA MITHRAN these had spread all over the world. Since there was no other religion to speak about then it was not necessary to give it a name. When I recognised this fact I felt at once that there was no need to be ashamed of the fact that our religion had no name in the past. On the contrary, I felt proud about it ... Then who established it? Who was the founder of the Hindu religion? Was it Vyasa, who composed the Brahmasutra? Or was it Krishna Paramatman who gave us the Bhagwad Gita? But both Vyasa and Krishna state that the vedas existed before them. 1f that be the case, are we to point to the rishis, the seers who gave us vedic mantras, as founders of our religion? But they themselves declare: "We did not create the vedas. When we chant a mantra we touch our head with our hand mentioning the name of one seer or another.” But the sages themselves say: “It is true that the mantras became manifest to the world through us. That is why we are mentioned as the `mantra rishis’. But the mantras were not composed by us but revealed to us. When we sat meditating with our minds under control, the mantras were perceived by us in space. Indeed we saw them (hence the term mantra-drastas). We did not compose them 17 JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA H. H. Pujyashri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA HARA HARA SHANKARA 18 AANANDA MITHRAN A part from matters relating to the Shastras of old, happen to speak about things, connected with the new sciences, about history, epigraphy, linguistics etc. People learned in all these disciplines come to me. They come to speak to me about their personal problems. In between I just provoke them to speak on subjects in which they are experts so that I too may learn a little from them. It is in this way that I have got to know the A B C of a number of subjects and learned to lecture on them! Listening to me you marvel at my performance and sing my praises, describing me as ‘omniscient’; as a ‘treasure house of all arts’, and as ‘one possessing insight into all knowledge.’ I mention this to impress on you that, when the disciples are learned, the Guru, so as to keep pace with them, is compelled to rise to a higher level of vidhya. ^ ^ ^ T here is only one sun. But if a little water is sprinkled on a smooth surface, the sun is seen reflected in every drop of water, looking as if they are different entities. Similarly the little sparks of intelligence that shine in all beings are the reflections of the only Brahman. Tic transcendental energy, the intelligence which is the basis for everything, shows itself as little parts within us, is what the Vedanta refers to as ‘Thath’. ‘Thath’ means what is tar away and above everything. But the Vedas declare (-Thath Thvam)'That is you yourself. ^ ^ ^ T he state of ripeness when one realizes that he is one with ‘that; is reached only after going through the stages Of the bud, the flower, the tender sprouts and the raw fruit. One has to be patient until the state of ripeness is reached. If we arc in a hurry the raw fruit would only get spoiled instead of ripening. Saint Ramalingar refers to this and expresses fear. We should also have such fear. Till the ripened stage is reached, that is till we reach the state of Ultimate truth declared by Vedanta - puja, meditation, penance etc are necessary. Clippings from ETERNAL BLISS AANANDA MITHRAN 19 A PRIMER ON VEDAS AND THEIR ADJUNCTS Author’s Preface The present booklet is only a primer on Vedas consisting of information culled from different sources, which are acknowledged at the end. The idea is to give a synoptic view of the Hindu scriptures, notably the Vedas, the foundation of Hindu religion and Hindu religious thought. As is known, every religion has a scripture or sacred writings. The Hindu religion has the Vedas, Christianity, the Bible, Zorastrianism, the Zend Avesta, Mohammedanism, the Quoran and so on. It is said of the Vedas that they are as old as 2,000 B.C. As for the importance of scriptures in man's life, I can do no better than quote the following passage from Max Mueller, the great great Orientalist:“The, fact should be realized that scriptures belong to a class of writing, unique in the world and recognized only by the symbolism peculiar to them. The sacred language will be noticed as the only instance where supernatural intrusion into human affairs is recognizable. It could not have been invented or applied by man. Even conceding it as the work of man, the revelation of eternal truths therein are beyond the scope of human inspiration. They are the outcome of cosmic, dreams and relate to the experience of the soul. They purport to be revelations of unseen potencies. The world of inspiration is not the physical world or the world of 20 G. H. Ananthanarayanan history but the inner World of'the spirit. It is a world wherein Gods, angels and devils move about freely in a manner unknown to human beings. It is a world in which the ideals of truth and goodness (the Gods) and their opposites (the devils) are active. It is here that the tragedy of each life is enacted crud therefore beyond the scope of ordinary modes of analysis, criticism, relevant to human writings.” Viewed thus, much that appears grotesque, unmeaning and artificial will cease to be so and their inner meaning will be revealed. As a lay man I am far from equipped to expound the inner meaning of our scriptures, except to point out that there is something very profound in them and if this booklet inspires any one to delve deep into the subject, the object of this booklet would have been fulfilled. I once again record my appreciation of the sources of this book. I dedicate this book to the memory of my mother, the late N.A. Parvathi Animal (Palu Mami) of Wadakanchery, an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan. VEDAS Vedas are the holy books, which are the foundation of Hindu religion. They are said to be the emanations of the breath of Brahma, the soul of the universe. They are, AANANDA MITHRAN therefore, Apourushuya, not authored by Purusha or man, man being only an instrument of God to spread His words. They are, therefore, called revealed texts. They are believed to be vibrations in space and synthesized some 5,000 years ago in the beginning of Kaliyuga by Bhagwan Veda Vyasa. Of the 1131 rescensions, 21 are in Rig, 102 in Yajur (Shukla 17 and Krishna 85), 1,000 in Sama and 9 in Atharva. At present only 10 rescensions are available. The Vedas are four in number: (i) Rig, (ii) Yajur, (iii) Sama and (iv) Atharva. The first three are said to have been milked out as it were “from fire, air and the sun”. The original Veda is said to be the Rig-Veda; the Yajur and the Sama are merely different arrangements of its hymns for special purposes. Each veda is divided into two parts, Mantra and the Brahmana. The Mantra or the instrument of conveying thought consists of prayer and praise embodied in metrical hymns. The Brahmana a collective term for the treatises called “Brahmanas”, is of later date than the Mantras. It is written in prose and contains explanation and application of the hymns, Illustrated by numerous legends. To the Brahmanas are added the Aranyakas and the Upanishads, mystical treatises in verse and prose, which speculated upon the nature of spirit and God. All the Vedic writings are classified in two great divisions, the Karmakanda, “department of works”, the ceremonial; and the “Jnanakanda”, “department of knowledge”. The hymns and the prayers of the Mantra come under the first, the philosophical speculations of the AANANDA MITHRAN Brahmanas, and especially of the Upanishads, under the second division. The Mantras in which the hymns are collected are called Samhitas . The Rig-Veda and the Sama-Veda have each one Samhita, while the Yajur-Veda has two Samhitas (see Appendix ‘A’). A brief note on the power of Mantras is given in Appendix ‘B’. The whole of the Rig-Veda Samhita is in verses. What in later stages came to be called as slokas (stanzas) was earlier known as Rik or a hymn or praise. A number of Riks constitute a Sookta. Rig-Veda contains 10,170 Riks. It begins with a Sookta on Agni and also ends with it. Agni is taken to mean the light of the soul’s consciousness - the glow of the soul’s awakening. All the hymns are in praise of the soul’s consciousness the glow of the soul's awakening. All the hymns are in praise of the various powers of nature -the, sky, fire, wind and so forth worshipped as powers of gods. The mantra, the first one in Rigveda; is as follows: Om agnim ile purohitam Yagnasya devam rtvijam Hotaram ratnadadamum I magnify God, the divine Fire. The priest, Minister of Sacrifice, The office of oblations, supreme giver of treasure. Of all elements constituting this World of ours, Agni is known for its purificatory qualities and also witnessing our actions and reactions. Fire represents heat and light and therefore has great symbolic significance in our rituals and daily life. A few hymns of the Rigveda appear to contain some vague, hazy conception of 21 one Supreme Being, but as a whole they are addressed to certain personifications of the powers of nature, which were worshipped as deities having those physical powers under their control.. From those powers, the Vedic poets invoked prosperity on themselves and their flocks. Chief among the deities so praised and worshipped are Agni, Indra and Surya., explained at some length in Appendix ‘C’. To each hymn of the Rigveda is prefixed the name of the Rishi to whom it was revealed, as Vasishta, Viswamitra, Bharadwaja and many others, and these sages frequently spoken of as authors of the hymns bearing their names. They were transmitted orally from generation to generation and continued to be so handed down even after they had been collected and arranged by Krishna Dwaipayana, ‘the arranger’. three Vedas. Those whose duty it was to recite the Vedas were called Hotrs or Bahvrcas, and they were required to know the whole Veda. The priests of the Yajur who muttered its formulas at sacrifices were called Adhvaryus, and the chanter of the verses of Samaveda called Udgatrs. The Atharva-Veda (“Atharva” means “Purohit”) or the fourth Veda is of later origin than the others. About one-sixth of the hymns is also found among the hymns of the Rigveda; the rest is peculiar to the Athar va. The most prominent characteristic of Atharva is the multitude of incantations which it contains. They are aimed at achieving desirable ends such as long life or recovery from serious sickness, the attainment of wealth and power, the downfall of enemies, success in whatever venture one undertakes. The Mantras are both in prose and poetry. The hymn, which extols the wonder of creation called the “Prithvi Sooktam” appears in this Veda. This Veda is also called Brahmana Veda, because it claims to be the Veda for the sacrificial priest, ‘the Brahmana’. It has a ‘Brahmana’ called Gopatha and many Upanishads. The Yajur-Veda has two Samhitas, one called the Taittiriya Samhita and the other, Vajasaneyi Samhita, commonly known as Black and White Yajur. These Samhitas contain upon the whole the same matter, but the arrangement is different. The White Yajur is the more orderly and systematic and it contains some texts which are not in the Black. GAYATRI The Samaveda Samhita is wholly metrical. “Sama” means to bring “Shanti” or peace to the mind The verses of the Sama have been arranged for the Purpose of being chanted at the sacrifices or offerings of the Soma. (see App. 'D'). Many of the invocations are addressed to Soma, some to Agni and some to Indra. There were different priests for each of the 22 Gayatri, which is regarded as the greatest of Mantras, is said to be the essence of the three Vedas, Viz., Rig, Yajur and Sama. It forms part of the daily devotion of Brahmins. This word occurs thrice in YajurVeda, twice in the Rig-Veda and once in the Sama-Veda. The Gayatri to which boys are initiated during Upanayana is called Tripada Gayatri, since it has three limbs. AtharvaAANANDA MITHRAN Veda, however, has a Gayatri of its own. Hence it is necessary to get initiated into Atharva-Gayatri and then learn the Veda. More about Gayatri is given in Appendix ‘E’.. A distinguishing feature of the Vedas is that no Veda says, ‘This is the only way’, ‘This is the only God’. All of them say that any path followed with faith, loyalty and perseverence as prescribed generally and any Devata worshipped in whatever manner will lead one to the true goal. The Vedas alone have such a breadth of vision, Such a catholicity of outlook, so as to say that the same truth can be realized in many ways by pursuing diverse routes. This is the greatness of the Vedas. HOW VEDA MANTRAS ARE TO BE RECITED The Veda mantras are to be recited in a certain specified cadence or rhythm to produce the necessary vibrations. The Swara or pitch or amplitude of the sound should be perfect. The sounds while chanting them activate our nerve centres and also affects the atmosphere, resulting in individual as well as collective well being of the world. It is because of these that it has been stipulated that the Vedas should be learnt through the ear from a Guru. They should also be audibly chanted so that it can spread far and wide in the atmosphere. Cosmic breathing controlled through Yoga and Tapas (penance) enables one to acquire such an ability similar to the spiritual experience of the Rishis of yore. self-managed item. One should be intelligent enough to develop one's mind a long positive lines so that one may deal effectively with unwanted situations. A peaceful mind is only the other name of a positive mind. British author Samuel Smiles said: 'It is not ease, but effort, not facility but difficulty that makes a man.' It is a fact that ease and facility are constant obstacles to intellectual development, while effort and difficulties are like stepping stones to the sharpening of the intellect. Courtesy - Speaking tree, Times of India Anamika :This Religion Had ... contd. of them to the world. (the seers are not mantra-kartas).” If we know this truth, we have reason to be proud of the fact that we do not know who founded our religion. In fact we must feel happy that we have the great good fortune to be heirs to a religion that is eternal, a religion containing the vedas which are the very breath of the Paramatman. Sharpen Your Intellect... contd All sounds originate in space. From them arose creation. According to science, the cosmos was produced from vibrations in space. By virtue of their austerities, sages had the gift of seeing the mantras in space, mantras that liberate men from this creation. The vedas are apauruseya (not the (Abridged from ‘Deivatthin Kural’ by work of any human author) and are the very Kanchi Periyaval, courtesy: Kanchi breath of the Paramatman in his form as Kamakoti Peetam, ) space. The sages saw them and made a gift Courtesy - Speaking tree, Times of India AANANDA MITHRAN 23 Chi. Vignesh (Son of Smt. Ganga and Shri J. Santhanam) with Sow. Pavithra (daughter Smt. Janaki Vijayagopal & Late Shri S. Vijaygopal) Mithran wishes the above couple a Happy Married Life. 24 AANANDA MITHRAN KALYANAMS Smt. Parimala Sivakumar & Shri Kunnath Sivakumar, Well Wisher Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the marriage of their daughter Sow. Amrita with Chi. Rathish son of Smt Komalam Chandran & Late Shri Kaliyamveettil Chandran Nair on Sunday, 17th January 2016 at Lavender Bough, Garodida Nagar, Ghatkopar. Mithran wishes the loving young couple a very happy and a long married life. Smt. Radha Vaidyanathan & Shri Mahadevan Vaidyanathan Well Wisher Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the marriage of their son Chi. Harish (Hariharan) with Sow.Sneha daughter of Smt. Savitri Krishnaswamy & Shri K. S. Krishnaswamy on Thursday, 21st January 2016 at Subramania Samaj Temple Complex, Chhedanagar, Mumbai 400089. Mithran wishes the loving young couple a very happy and a long married life. Smt. Ganga and Shri J. Santhanam, Life Member & Executive Committee Member, Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the marriage of their son Chi. Vignesh with Sow. Pavithra daughter of Smt. Janaki Vijayagopal & Late Shri S. Vijaygopal on Thursday, 10th of March 2016 at Taralbalu Kalyana Kendra, 3rd Main Road, 2nd Block, R. T. Nagar, Bangalore and Reception on Saturday 19th March, 2016 at Lavender bough, Garogia Nagar, Ghatopar (E). Mithran wishes the loving young couple a very happy and a long married life. Smt. Radha Vaidyanathan & Shri Mahadevan Vaidyanathan Well Wisher Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the marriage of their son Chi. Harish (Hariharan) with Sow.Sneha daughter of Smt. Savitri Krishnaswamy & Shri K. S. Krishnaswamy on Thursday, 21st January 2016 at Subramania Samaj Temple Complex, Chhedanagar, Mumbai 400089. Mithran wishes the loving young couple a very happy and a long married life. Smt. Latha Gamaswamy & Shri P. V. Ramaswamy Well Wisher Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the marriage of their son Chi. Viswanath (Mukund) with Sow. Deepa daughter of Smt. Lata Venkatraman and Shri N. Venkatraman on Friday, 25th March 2016 at Fine Arts Hall, Fine Arts Chowk, R. C. Marg, Mumbai 400071. Mithran wishes the loving young couple a very happy and a long married life. Smt. Lakshmi & Shri T. K. Subramaniam, Life Member Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the marriage of their daughter Sow. Anisha with Chi. Aditya son of Smt. Lakshmi and Shri M. V. Ramachandran on Friday, 25th March, 2016 at Shree Kutch Gurjar Jain Samaj, Swastik Park, Chembur, Mumbai 400071. Mithran wishes the loving young couple a very happy and a long married life. AANANDA MITHRAN 25 With best compliments from : A Well Wisher 26 AANANDA MITHRAN UPANAYANAM Rishabh SHASHTIABDAPOORTHI The fortunate children and grand children of Shri Kumar Subramaniam Nochur - Well Wisher of Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the Shashtiabdapoorthi function on Monday, 28th December 2015 at Sri Subramania Samaj, Basement Hall, Chhedanagar, Mumbai 400089. A large gathering of invtees attended the function. All from Mithran pray God that Shri Subramaniam live a longer life. Smt. Krutika Parameswaran & Shri Parameswaran Krishnan, Life Member of Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the Shashtiabdapoorthi function of their father Shri M. P. Krishnan on Saturday, 16th January 2016 at Sri Ahobila Mutt Hall, Near Diamond Garden, Chembur 400071. A large gathering of invtees attended the function. All from Mithran pray God that Shri Krishnan live a longer life. SATHABHISHEKAM VAIBHAVAM The fortunate children and Grand Children of Shri N. S. Parasuram & Smt. Vijayam Parasuram resident of Shreyas, Chhedanagar, Mumbai - Life Member of Dharmishta Mithran celebrated the "Sathabhishekam" function on Sunday, 3rd January 2016 at Sri Subramania Samaj Temple, Chembur. A large gathering of invitees attended the function, exchanged greetings and received his blessings. All from Mithran pray God that Smt. & Shri Parasuram live longer and provide guidance in all our social initiatives. SEEMANTHAM Smt. Radha Natesh daughter of Shri K. R. S. Mani, Well Wisher Dharmishta Mithran conducted seemantham on 10th March, 2016 at Subramania Samaj Temple Complex, Chhedanagar, Mumbai. The article A Compendium on Aparakriyas and Shraadham, written by Thodupuzha K Shankar and published in Ananda Mithran in the December 2015 issue has now been published with color photos in the Global media in their March 16 news item. The online news link of the article, is with Dharmishta Mithran. Those who wish to view and read can contact Dharmishta Mithran - [email protected] or [email protected] Thank you. Dharmishta Mithran AANANDA MITHRAN 27 shradhaanjali Smt. Usha Vishwanathan, wife of Shri Vishwanathan (Life Member) Twinkle Star Bldg. No.2, Ghatla Village, Chembur, passed away on 1st October, 2015. She left behind her family members, friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest her soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. Smt. Bhagyalakshmi, wife of Shri N. Parameswaran (Life Member) resident of Nalini Co-op. Society, Chembur, passed away on 1st January, 2016. She left behind her family members, friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest her soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. Smt. Shantha Ramanathan, mother of Shri Devarajan (Life Member) resident of A-603, Gundecha Altura, LBS Marg, Kanjurmarg, passed away on 4th January, 2016. She left behind her family members, friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest her soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. Smt. S. Jayalakshmi, wife of Late Shri Narayanan (Well Wisher) resident of Asha CHS, Govandi Road, Chembur, passed away on 16th January, 2016. She left behind her family members, friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest her soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. Smt. Rani Raja, wife of Shri Ronak Raja (Well Wisher) resident of White Castle, Chembur, passed away on 26th January, 2016. She left behind her family members, friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest her soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. Shri N.S.K. Murthy, Life Member and Executive Committee Member of Mithran resident of Krishna, Chhedanagar, passed away on 4th February, 2016. He left behind his family members, innumerable friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest his soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss. Smt. Ammu Velayudhan mother of Smt. Parvathy Chandrasekhar (Life Mmebr) residing at Alanknanda Co-op. Society, Nerul passed away on 7th February, 2016. She left behind her family members, friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest her soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. Sri Ramaswamy (Member) residing at A-6, Deshbhushan, Pestom Sagar Road No.4, Chembur passed away on 10th February, 2016. She left behind his family members, friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest his soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss. Smt. Sivakami wife of Ananthanarayanan (Life Memebr) resident of Savitha Bldg., Pestom Sagar, Chembur passed away on 11th February, 2016. She left behind her family members, friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest her soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. Shri Subramanian (Chuppamani) Life Member, resident of Apsara, Road No.21, Chembur, passed away on 17th February, 2016. He left behind his family members, innumerable friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest his soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss. Shri Ramachandran, Well Wisher, resident of Balakrishna, Pestom Sagar Road No.4, passed away on 2nd March, 2016. He left behind his family members, innumerable friends and relatives. We from Mithran family pray God to rest his soul in peace and provide sufficient strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss. 28 AANANDA MITHRAN An Appeal to Ordinary members, Mithran is gaining in strength with each passing day. Correspondingly, the pressure on its functioning is mounting. The administration is stretching to the maximum to keep its machinery moving. One area where there can be some reform is the renewal of membership. It is a task to have the membership of nearly 900 renewed every year. Here is what these can do to ease things for Mithran. If the members can have the membership converted into life from ordinary, then, (a) Mithran will be relieved of much of the work connected with getting memberships renewed and (b) with Mithran coming into limelight, of two projects, now on the drawing board, can take off Please accept this Dial: 9322298120, 2525 4385 or 2525 6043 or 2521 0107 Mithran's Volunteer Corps There is a dearth of volunteers making matters difficult for Mithran when it comes to discharging its primary duties. The existing team is made up of men who are not only not in the prime of youth, but are on the wrong side of sixties. These men have given their all so that Mithran could become a reality. To expect them to continue with a rigorous routine tantamount to cruelty. It is time young people volunteered to perform tasks meant for them. Is someone listening to this clarion call? Mithran thanks the trustees of Siddhivinayagar Temple, Modern English School, Advertisers, Government agencies (including the local self government), members and well wishers for lending unstinted support to it. Mithran on the other hand solemnly affirms that it will make every effort to live upto its credentials.. AANANDA MITHRAN 29 SPIRITUAL CALENDAR April 2016 14 Thu 15 17 19 21 25 28 30 Fri Sun Tue Thu Mon Thu Sat Durmuki Nama Samvatsaram, Chitrai / Masam month begins (Vasantha Ruthu) Sri Rama Navami Ekadasi Vratham Pradosham Chithra Powrnami Sankatahara Chaturthi Sashti Vratham (Kri. Bha.) Sravana Vratham May, 2016 30 03 04 05 06 07 09 10 11 12 14 Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Mon Tue Wed Thu Sat 17 19 20 21 22 25 27 28 Tue Thu Fri Sat Sun Wed Fri Sat Ekadasi Vratham Pradosham / Agninakshatram begins Madha Sivaratri Amavasai Tarpanam Krithigai Vratham Akshaya Thiruthigai Chathurthi Vratham Sreemath Sankara Jayanthi Sashti Vratham (Suk. Bha.) Vaikasi I Rishabha month begins (Vasantha Ruthu) Ekadasi Vratham Pradosham Narasimha Jayanthi Budha Powrnami / Vaikasi Visakam Kanchi Sri Maha Periyava Jayanthi Sankatahara Chaturthi Sravana / Sashti Vratham (Kri. Bha.) Agninakshatram ends AANANDA MITHRAN June, 2016 01 Wed Ekadasi Vratham 02 03 04 08 10 15 Thu Fri Sat Wed Fri Wed 16 17 19 23 24 26 30 Thu Fri Sun Thu Fri Sun Thu Pradosham Madha Sivaratri / Krithigai Vratham Amavasai Tarpanam Chathurthi Vratham Sashti Vratham (Suk. Bha.) Aani / Mithuna month begins (Gireeshma Ruthu) Ekadasi Vratham Pradosham Powrnami Sankatahara Chaturthi Sravana Vratham Sashti Vratham (Kri. Bha.) Ekadasi Vratham Dharmishta Mithran takes the pleasure of announcing the receipt of the Registration No. 083781297 dated 5/12/2011 under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act ( FCRA ) received from Home Ministry, Govt. Of India. All NRI Donors are hereby requested to take advantage and contribute. Remittances to be made to Indian Overseas Bank, Chheda Nagar Branch, Mumbai -,400 089 - SB A/C No. 048701000014688 - this is exclusively for FCRA remittance. IFS Code : IOBA0000487 MICR No. 400020025 Branch Code : 487 - Dharmishta Mithran. SWIFT CODE NO. IOBAINBB301 Note : NRI Donors from US may kindly send their remittances by NRE cheques payable by Indian rupees in India. AANANDA MITHRAN 31 HELPLINES Police Fire Ambulance Disaster Management (BMC) Sr.Citizens Helpline Heart Lifeline Eye Donation Anti Corruption Bureau Police-Chembur Police Stn. Police-Tilaknagar P.Station Police –Pantnagar P.Stn. Police-Ghatkopar P, Stn. Fire- Chembur Civic complaints Ambulance-Dharmishta Mithran Mount Mary Ambulance MTNL Directory Enquiry Railway Enquiry Consumer Helpline JUST DIAL Animal Ambulance(free) Meru Taxi Meru Plus Taxi Tab Cab Reliance Energy BEST Power Fortis Emergency Medical Indian Airlines Spice Jet Jet Airlines Go Air Indigo Air India 100 101 102 108 1090 / 103 105 24922897 22884433 25232044/25221613/25295677 25229345 / 7293 21028941 / 9087 25113968 / 25153543 25224824 1916 9322298120/9324276342 9821104480 (James) 197 / 1297 139 1800 114 0000 8888888888 65252573 44224422 33993399 63636363 18002003030/30303030 22843939 41114111 26156162 26156747 28888888 26156226/6833 26156240/6422 22824267 DHARMISHTA MITHRAN CO-ORDINATORS V G Parameswaran (Muthu Mani) K V Subramaniam N N Rajagopalan N Hariharan N S K Moorthy S Swaminathan A V Anantharaman Ms. Satyabhama Velayudhan S Kannan Shankaranarayanan D Radhakrishnan K Parameswaran BSS Subramaniam R N Ananthanarayanan Neelakantan R. P Krishnamoorthy Chandran J. Santhanam S. Ganesan, Pestom Sagar 9322298120 / 2525 6589 2525 8091 9619645533 / 2521 0107 9867289926 2525 6043 / 09820429014 2525 5530 9820077792 / 2525 0596 2525 5881 2525 0540 2525 8466 2506 4475 8652058199 2506 0036 2525 4385 8082631978 2525 4892 / 9820083408 9869482065 9820152113 2525 3535 Compiled by : K. P. 32 AANANDA MITHRAN