The Ultimate aim of Human Life, according to Hinduism , is Self Realization .
To see God in Yourself is Realization.
To realize God with Name and Form is Realization.
To see God in every living thing is Realization.
To see God in everything, animate and Inanimate is Realization.
The Reality is without name and Form.
One needs to take the first step of Realizing God with Name and Form.
Human Mind, as it is , can realize God with Name and Form easily.
It is emotional and it is emotion that drives us all.
Nama Sankirtana.
This short cut to Realizing God is given the name Bhakti Yoga, in Hinduism.
Yoga means Union.
In Bhakthi,Devotion, one identifies oneself with God.
Some times language is required, Art is required to kindle this emotional aspect.
Bhakti cult in Hinduism, has mastered this art.
This is a Part of Yoga, called Nada Yoga, where one gets lost in Music,no language, cultural barrier.
Music moves all.
Music when combined with suitable emotional content expressed through the medium of language, strikes a chord in you.
You are moved.
You do not need logic here.
Hinduism as I said earlier has developed this into an Art form.
Songs, lyrics have been composed for this.
The accompaniments are minimal .
Great Sanits like Thygaraja,Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Appayya Dikshitra, Sant Thukaram, Samartha Ramadas are some who have realized God through this form.
Their Keerthans, lyrics set to Carnatic music, are sung even to day in Music festivals, and on auspicious occasions.
There is another form of this where the slokas and Keerthanas, either written by the singer or they use the Keerthnas of Saints.
There have been great practitioners of this from. the latest being Swami Haridas Giri.
The other name for this Nama Sankirthana, chanting of the Lord’s name.
Colloquially it is called Bhajan.
Meera excelled in this form.
Special format for this type is found in Marathi,called Abhang.
Nama Sankeerthana is practiced even today at various places.
One such is being held at Malleswaram, Bangalore.
”
BHAJANA MELA 2014
On Sunday, 21st September, 2014
at Sringeri Shankara Mutt Complex,
6th Main, 11th Cross, Malleswaram,
Bangalore08:00 AM to 11:00 AM Sri J.S. Sriram & Party – Secunderabad11:00 AM to 02:30 PM Sri Chengottai Hari & Party02:30 PM to 05:30 PM Bhaktha Meera Bhajana Mandali – Lead by Smt. Chitra Jairam, Thrippunithara, Chochin.
05:30 PM to 08:30 PM
Sri Sattanathar & Party – (Disciple of Sri Sri Murlidhar Swamijee) Chennai
Keertana Yoga (Music Theraphy) is one of the best ways to beat stress and overcome tension. It is needless to mention about the importance of the access to Keertana Yoga to everyone living in Metro Cities like Bangalore. To preserve traditions, MBBM explores the possibility of spreading NAMASANKEERTHANAM by creating expanded platforms for Bhajans.
There is an association between the seed letter (Beejaaksharas) and Raagas with the presiding deities. Hence, devotees are encouraged to sing the Bhajans in that particular raga.
Let us cultivate the habit of singing, listening and learning God’s name with Love and Compassion.
Invitation to everyone to be part of this unique and august gathering.
Please call Girish Krishnan
for any further assistance in this respect at +91 – 97427 35307 or
Mail to pkg.blr@gmail.com
For the approach to Godhead depends on one’s attitude and aptitude, Bhava.
Broadly speaking they have been classified as The Path Of Knowledge(Gyana Yoga),Bhakti Yoga(Path Of Devotion),Karma Yoga( Path Of Action, and Raja Yoga(Through meditation and regulation of sense organs.
Under each are various sub paths.
Again there are different instruments of reaching this goal through these steps.
Many a times we have some intention to speak our mind , knowing well that it would crate problems, we try to keep quiet; we fail to control, we speak out face the consequences and regret having spoken.
We say we cold not help speaking out.
This is the path of ‘Dhikbrama’ which is determined by his/her Karma.
When this speech comes from a Realized Soul it is called ‘Deva Vaaku’
Once it is kindled , Speech emanates.
We may observe this when we watch children attempting to speak.
They would struggle with sounds, choose a couple of them , mix them, produce the words, see our approval and choose such sounds that are approved by those around.
This Dormant Speech Vak is controlled by Vakdevi/Savitri , a form of Goddess Sarasvati.
Gayathri is the Driving Force, Savitri is the Dormant Speech and Sarasvati , expressed Speech.
This is the reason we have in the Sanshyavandan Aavaahava Mantra,,
‘Upasana’ in Sanskrit literally means “Sitting near” but normally the term is used in Hinduism to denote a prescribed method for approaching a Deity or God or getting close to a deity/deities. In the Vedas, some Upasanas are prescribed whereby one meditates on the all-pervading Brahman as some aspect of creation, such as fire, water, directions, food, mind, joy, etc. Thus, Upasana can be described as a systematic practice of a prescribed method of worship for pleasing and winning the attention of the deity or it can be a deity-less practice of austerities involving meditating upon some aspect of nature as told in specific texts.
“The seeker of knowledge does not achieve his end merely by a study of scriptures. Without upasana there cannot be attainment for him, this is definite.”—Sri Ramana Leela, Ramana Gita I.22, quoted in Sri Krishna Bihkshu, Sri Ramana Leela (Pingali Surya Sundaram tr. 2004), p. 80.
Pooja and external disciplines are essential in the path of attaining Godhead or Realizing Brahman.
All are not Ramana Maharishi, to say I have known Reality.
We are at the lowest level and have to evolve by practice by way of the practices mentioned in the Sruthi and Smritis.
I have mentioned in my earlier Post ‘Lalitha Sahasranama, An Introduction’, I listed the different ways of worshipping The Divine Mother, Sri Lalitha Devi.
I am planning to post articles on the Varivasya Rahasyam of Bhaskararaya.
To understand the Varivasya Form of worship, familiarity with the worship of Devi in this Form will be helpful.
The Sri Vidya is to be practised by any of the following Four ways,traditions
1.Samayacharam. Worshiping in The Mind.
Worship is done mentally, internally and no object is used in this tradition
2.Dakshinacharam,Worshiping through an Object, Sri Chakra or an Idol.
3.Vamacharam is worshiping through the terrible aspects of The Divine, Laya Pradhana
4.Kaulacharam is worshiping through the Human Body/parts.
This includes Rituals some which are erotic in nature.
This Mode of worship is considered by some the Ultimate practice of Bhakti Yoga, while the Advaitins consider this to be best form of Advaita in full flow.
I am making this as a passing remark as my purpose is to familiarize the Practice of Tantra;so let us not get nto the philosophical discussions on this subject.
“Shakti is the power of Shiva.
Her activity at will towards manifestation becomes evident while Shiva, the source of all power remains in volute.
As such, the Eternal Shakti emanates as form and assumes different phases while the Eternal Shiva remains in the subtle state of Chaitanya.
This is depicted in the Shakta lore as Shiva lying as if dead and Shakti stands on him in full vigor of awareness.
The sleeping Sadashiva forms the berth of the palanquin in which Sri Mahatripurasundari is borne by the four powerful deities:
Her four arms represent the powers of four prominent parts (Kalaa) of the creative divinity.”
Her three eyes connote the three luminary powers i.e. the sun, the moon and the fire, which correspond to knowledge (Pramaana), object of knowledge (Prameya) and empirical experiencer (Pramaata).
The Third Eye also connotes Wisdom.
Her breasts connote the meaning of alert awareness of light and sound or Prakasha and Vimarsha.
Her bending waist is the sign of inclination towards manifestation.
Decoding this symbolism, we obtain the nine enclosures of the Srichakra.
1. valiitrayaa~Nkitatanum – Moolaadhaara Chakra – Bhoopura Trailokyamohana Chakra.
2. madhye nimna – Swadhishthana Chakra – Sodasha dala Padma – Sarvashaparipooraka Chakra.
3. aapiinottu~Ngastaniim – Manipooraka Chakra – Ashtadala Padma Sarvasamkshobhana Chakra.
4. trinayanaam – Anahata Chakra – Chaturdashara Sarvasaubhagyadayaka Chakra.
5. chaturbhujaam – Visuddhi Chakra – Bahirdasara Sarvarthasadhaka Chakra.
6. pretaasanaadhyaasiniim – Ajna Chakra – Antardashara Sarvarakshakara Chakra.
7. bandhuukaprasavaaruNaambaradharaam – Manasa Chakra – Ashtara Sarvarogahara Chakra.
8. nR^imuNDasrajam – Soma Chakra – Trikona sarvasiddhiprada Chakra.
Note: This is the Samhara Krama accepted by Dakshinamurthy sampradaaya.
Hayagriva tradition and Anandabhairava traditions omit triple girdle from Sri Chakra.
The three worlds (of which she is the supreme queen) refer in the microcosm to BhuH, BhuvaH and SvaH (earth, space and heaven) or to Vishwa, Praajna and Taijasa or Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Ishwara in terms of Vedanta.
Sridevi is the supreme ruler of these and hence she is Turiya, the incomprehensible fourth.
There are basically only three castes, as there are the three Vedas, the three Gunas etc.
The three castes represent the three qualities viz. Satva, rajas and Tamas, as suggested by the pet offerings made by devotees who are quite established in their respective modes of worship.
A Brahmana should offer Tarpana only with milk and sugar during Navavarana Pooja.
Using other articles is banned by the Agamas. Ghee and honey are prescribed for the other two castes.
These may not necessarily mean castes, but instead may refer to different stages of spiritual advancement.
More information on this may be obtained in a work called `Srividya Sudhodaya’, a classic by Deepakanatha Siddha.
This also finds sanction in the Shubhagama Panchaka.
As mentioned earlier, milk, ghee and honey represent Satva, rajas and Tamas in the devotees belonging to different levels of consciousness.
In offering oblations or doing any kind of worship to the Divine Mother, one must not involve oneself in the desire of a return or fruit thereof.
If one does, the earnestness and one-pointed ness required for its success lose their intensity.
puujaa naama na puShpaadyairyaa matiH kriyate dR^iDhaa | nirvikalpe mahaavyomni saa puujaa hyaadaraallayaH ||
`Worship does not mean merely offering of flowers etc. It rather consists in setting one’s heart on that highest ether of consciousness, which is above all thoughtconstructs. It is dissolution of individuality with perfect ardor’.
Before performing the Pooja, Sandhyavandana must be performed by all the Three varnas.
Ladies are allowed to perform Pujas and they also must perform Sandhyavandana,
On this.please read my post on Can Women Learn Vedas?;Upakarma for
Hinduism holds the view every one to be a Sanadhani who is Pure and a Believer.
One is always a Hindu by disposition at Birth.
6.Hinduism does not have room for conversions and reconversion.
Hinduism does not talk about Religious conversion at all.
If you follow it for your good, if not ‘No comments’
7.Hinduism absorbs facts that are Good.
Hinduism is like a reed.
It does not stand rigid against the Tide.
It bends and stands up once the water drains.
When onslaught is made on it, it seems to bend, later it absorbs what is good or proceeds as it has been hitherto.
As it has done to the Agamas,Buddhism and Jainism
8.Hinduism does not advocate Collective worship or temple worship.
Essentially it advises on Personal worship.
But if you want to worship collective and need a place, yes you have it, The Temples.
9.Hinduism does not condemn you to Hell if you do not believe in it.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna, after explaining the Hindu Thoughts to Arjuna, says towards the end of the Gita , to follow what Arjuna Thinks as Right and what would suit him!
10.Everything, living and presumed Nonliving should be happy, that is Hinduism,
Adi Sankaracharya,as Rajaji puts it in his introduction to MS rendering of The Bhaja Govindam,who drank the nectar of Knowledge as one wold a sip of water from one’s palm, extols the virtues of Bhakti in his famous song/sloka Bhaja Govinda,(Repeat ‘Govinda’, a Name of Lord Vishnu)
Adi Shankaracharya,t he proponent of Advaita, Non Dualism, is one who seems to advocate Gnana Yoga, The Path Of Knowledge.
Bhaja Govindam
He assigns a great importance to the understanding of The Reality, Gnana Yoga.
But Sankaracharaya, who is such an ardent protagonist of the Path of Knowledge, reverts to Bhakti in his Bhaja Govindam.
It is, as decreed in the scriptures,, rare to be born a Human being, where limited Freedom Of Choice is offered to realize Godhood.
Depending on one’s mental attitude and dispositions. various paths for realizing Godhood are proposed in Hinduism.
1 Seek Govinda, Seek Govinda,
Seek Govinda, O Fool!
When the appointed times comes (death),
grammar rules surely will not save you.”
One may be well versed in Philosophy.
This, at best, can only satisfy the Intellectual curiosity.
May be in some, reinforce Faith.
But a faith that needs reinforcement, is no faith at all.
And mind and Logic ‘ being what they are can change and argue both ways.
So one can never know or understand Reality or God.
One, can feel Him, Experience Him.
All the knowledge one possesses would be of no use to one as one lies Dying.
It is said that one’s Life flashes before him at that point of time and nothing more.
It is very rare that one remembers God when one is acute Physical agony.
Scriptures say one is reborn based one’s last thoughts.
In tune with this, it is better to remember God as frequently as possible with the hope that we would remember His Name as we lie dying, at least by force of Habit.
In Tamil there is a Line,
-அப்போதைக்கிப்போதே சொல்லி வைத்தேன்,,
என்னை ஆண்டருள்வாய் ‘நாராயணா ‘
‘I have called out your name in advance,
Please save me Narayana’
It is very significant to note that Adi Shankaracharya uses the name ‘Govinda’
Not any other name of Vishnu or Krishna.
Govinda is one of the Names of Vishnu.
Lord Krishna was anointed as the King by Indra, as King of Cattle.
This, Vishnu Purana says, is the name which is very dear to lord Naranyana, , the other name being ‘
Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasu Devaya’ The Dwadasa Nama of Vishnu(12 Letters).
One may note that in the Apara Karma, including Sraradha, Govinda is used, even if one is a worshiper of Lord Siva: those who worship Vishnu use Narayan for auspicious occasions only.
The reason is Lord Govinda is the One who is responsible for Life after death.
Sankara uses the term ‘Samprapthe’, the good remnants of impressions of Life.
One’s death is not in one’s hands,
No body knows how or where one will die.
The impressions of the good deeds determine the manner and the time of one’s death.
Under these circumstances, one’knowledge is useless.
Only Govinda’s name alone will help.
(Literal translation is ,
‘Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, Oh fool ! Rules of grammar will not save you at the time of your death.
In Vedanga all Sciences are taught, including Linguistics, Logic(Tharka)Chandas(Meters) Niruktha(How words are combined)
Even such analysis will not help at the time of death)
You must be logged in to post a comment.