Ramanisblog

Tag: Bhakti

  • Who Has The Courage Of Andal To Address Vishnu Thus

    I have written on the intimate level in which God is held in Hinduism.

    We have many legends historical facts to back this up.

    Sanskrit literature abounds in narrating these instances and , if one is of the right disposition, shall bring tears .

    Andal, Srivilliputtur.jpg
    Andal, Srivilliputtur

    When Tamil takes position on this?

    The result is exquisite.

    There are many who have treated God as a Lover, Meera an example.

    Andal, an Azhwar by her own right steals the show in this lover role Nayaka Nayaki Bhava.

    Her yearning for Vishnu, Krishna is something ephemeral and would melt one’s heart without being erotic.

    Tamil calls the satisfaction  in culmination, consummation of Love as pleasure of the Lowest Order while Realizing Reality or communon with God as ecstasy or Bliss.

    The former is called as Chirinbam(சிற்றின்பம்)

    The latter as Perinbam ( பேரின்பம் )

    Andal of Srivilliputhur has composed many exquisite poems and her father Vishnuchitta, Periyaazhvar in One who Blessed even Vishnu!

    Of most importance is Andal’s Thiruppavai(which incidentally is being celebrated as a function in  South east Asia), thirty poems oozing Bhakthi and Love for Vishnu, Krishna.

    There are such utterances my Andal that bespeaks of her ardent Love.

    She has the Love and audacity (?) to call Krishna/ Vishnu as one who was immersed with his wife Nappinnai and instead of asking him to disengage himself, Andal exhorts Nappinnai, Krishna’s wife?

    This Poem is recited twice when reciting Thiruppavai (Vagak kadla Kadaintha is also recited twice?

    The meaning of the words/sentence in Italics convey more than what has been translated.

    I am sure my readers can understand.

    Tell me, which religion, or Devotee has the courage and conviction to address as Such?

    By the way this is yet another Proof that Lord Krishna married the Pandyan Princess Nappinnai.

    Please read my post on this.

    Rangamannar in the lap of Andal.jpg Rangamannar in the lap of Andal.

    20.முப்பத்து மூவர் அமரர்க்கு முன்சென்று

    கப்பம் தவிர்க்கும் கலியே! துயிலெழாய்;

    செப்பம் உடையாய்! திறலுடையாய்! செற்றார்க்கு

    வெப்பம் கொடுக்கும் விமலா! துயிலெழாய்;

    செப்பன்ன மென்முலை செவ்வாய் சிறுமருங்குல்

    நப்பின்னை நங்காய்! திருவே! துயிலெழாய்;

    உக்கமும் தட்டொளியும் தந்துஉன் மணாளனை

    இப்போதே எம்மை நீராட்டேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.

    Translation   By Dr. V.K.S.N. Raghavan

    Oh Valiant Lord , who removes the tremblings of the thirty three (crores of) gods , by going to battles (on their behalf) and by being in front of them (in such battles)! Kindly awaken from sleep .Oh Lord , who cares about our protection , and is fully equipped with enormous strength and valour ! Oh Lord , blemishless and pure, and the One who defeats with vigour Your enemies ! Kindly awaken. (now turning to His consort, Nappinnai ) Oh the great Lady Nappinnai , possessing a charming physique –with a jar-shaped soft bosom , enchanting rosy lips and slim waist! Oh the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi! Be pleased to rise up. May You give us a fan , a mirror and Your Lord as well , and at this time itself , may You help us to take our (ceremonial) bath .

    muppaththu  mUvar  amararkku                 mun cenRu *
Thirty      three  immortals (gods) (He who) goes to

kappam         thavirkkum            kaliyE                  thuyilezhaay *
fears (theirs) removes    (You That) heroic one (please) wake up .

ceppam  utaiyaay thiRal      utaiyaay * ceRRaarkku
Perfect one      omni-potent one        enemies (He who)

veppam   kotukkum                vimalaa           thuyilezhaay *
burn(s)  gives (up) , (You That) Lord (please) wake up .

ceppenna               men  mulaic  cev vaayc ciRu    maruNGkul *
Like a perfect vessel  soft breasts red lips  slender waist

nappinnai                            naNGkaay thiruvE            thuyilezhaay *
(You) nappinnai (The Lord's consort) lady     beautiful (please) wake up .

ukkamum    thattoLiyum than^thu                           un   maNaaLanai *
Fan (and)  mirror      give (to us) (please also wake up) your husband (The Lord)

ippOthE        emmai       nIraattu
right now (so) us (we can) bathe .

El                                Or empaavaay
Come (Let us do) (the penance of) paavai nOmbu
Citation.
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/vstp20.html
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  • How Does Devi Devotee Behave Abhirami Andhadi

    How Does Devi Devotee Behave Abhirami Andhadi

    God is an Experience.

    He can not be reasoned out.

    He is beyond Mind.

    Tamil calls Him ‘Kadavul’, one who is beyond the Mind.

    You can not hold the Ocean in your palms.

    How does one explain hunger, Pleasure, or Pain?

    They have to be felt.

    Many who have experienced  the ecstasy of God have attempted to explain it.

    The fact is those who explain it in detail have not seen or experienced God,

    Those who have experienced can not explain..

    ‘kandavar Vindilar,

    Vindavar Kandilai'(Tamil)

    But some great souls have attempted to try.

    Ramakrishna Parahamsa was one.

    He was seen as a Lunatic, when He was in Ecstasy!

    Similar descriptions of god may be found in Tamil.

    Abhirami Bhattar was one such.

    He was One who had seen Her, Abhirami of Thirukkadavur.

    I shall write on him and his poem Abirami Andhadai in detail

    The poem is in a special format, Andhadi, where the last word, letter of the preceding verse is the first word or the letter of the succeeding verse, mostly the former.

    The last verse shall end with a word that would be the first word of the Andhadi(Beginning of the End)

    விரும்பித் தொழும் அடியார் விழிநீர் மல்கி, மெய் புளகம்
    அரும்பித் ததும்பிய ஆனந்தம் ஆகி, அறிவு இழந்து
    கரும்பின் களித்து, மொழி தடுமாறி, முன் சொன்ன எல்லாம்
    தரும் பித்தர் ஆவர் என்றால் அபிராமி சமயம் நன்றே.

    அபிராமி அம்மையைப் பக்தியோடு விரும்பித்தொழும் அடியவர்களின் கண்களில் நீரானது பெருகி, மெய்சிலிர்த்து, ஆனந்தம் ததும்பி, அறிவு மறந்து, வண்டைப் போல் களித்து, மொழி தடுமாறி, முன்பு சொல்லிய பித்தரைப் போல் ஆவார்கள் என்றால், அப்பேரானந்தத்திற்கு மூலமான அம்பிகையின் சமயமே மிகச்சிறந்ததாகும்..

    Tamil Poem  explanation by Poet laureate Kannadasan

    ‘Tears stream down from the eyes,

    Loses identity, with goose-pimples,

    Overflowing with ecstasy , loses Mind,Discrimination,

    Language falters, words get jumbled,

    All this for those who immerse themselves in Abhirami and if this be the fruit of Her , it is the Best Religion to follow’

    Well, that’s it.

    As English translations are not available on the web, I have tried translating.

    Definitely does not convey what Abhirami Bhattar intended.

    I have tried.

    Please check for a translation and enjoy the experience.

    http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0026_01.html

  • Rama’s Arrow Made Maru Desert Jaisalmer

    Lord Rama, during his attempt to cross the ocean,prayed Samudra Raja, Lord of the ocean.

    He did not turn up.

    In a rare display anger Lord Rama sent in His arrow and it landed and parched the place it fell.

    Thus was formed the Maru Desert near Jaisalmer.

     

    Maru Mahotsav Jaisalmer,Rajasthan.jpg
    The world famous three-day Maru Mahotsav is the rich and colorful Rajasthani folk culture festival held every year in February at Jaisalmer. Maru Mahotsav also known as the Desert Festival is known for its unique events such as camel race,traditional dance performance, and other cultural events of royal Rajasthan.

    Ramayana says thus.


    ”

    The valiant ocean, the lord of rivers, wearing a wreath of pearls, with his eyes resembling lotus leaves, bearing a beautiful garland made of all kinds of flowers on his head, with ornaments of refined gold, adorned with excellent jewels made of pearls from his domain, decorated with different kinds of gems and metals, resembling Himavat mountain, wearing on his broad chest a locket shedding a white luster, resembling a Kaustubha gem (adorning the blossom of Lord Vishnu) and hanging in the middle of a single string of pearls, with a multitude of waves whirled around him, encircled by the clouds and winds, escorted by rivers mainly the Ganga and Sindhu, endowed with diverse forms resembling various deities, approached Rama with joined palms, who stood with arrows in hand, addressing him first as ‘Rama!’ and spoke the following words: “O, beloved Rama! Earth, wind ether, water and light remain fixed in their own nature, resorting to their eternal path. Therefore, I am fathomless and my nature is that it is impossible of being swum across. It becomes unnatural if I am shallow. I am telling you the following device to cross me. Neither from desire nor ambition nor fear nor from affection, I am able to solidify my waters inhabited by alligators. I shall make it possible to see that you are able to cross over. I will arrange a place for the monkeys to cross me and bear with it. As far as the army crosses me, the crocodiles will not be aggressive to them.”

    Then, Rama spoke to that ocean as follows: “Listen to me. This great arrow should not go in vain. In which region should it be descended?”

    Hearing Rama’s words and seeing that powerful arrow, the large splendid Ocean spoke the following words to Rama: Towards my northern side, there is a holy place. It is well known as Drumatulya, in the same way as you are well known to this world. Numerous robbers of fearful aspect and deeds, having the sinful Abhiras as their chief, drink my waters there. I am not able to bear that touch of those wicked people, the evil doers, O, Rama! Let this excellent arrow with out vain be released over them there.”

     Hearing those words of the high-soled Ocean, Rama released that excellent and splendid arrow towards that place as directed by the ocean. The place where the arrow, whose splendor was akin to that of a thunder and a thunder bolt, was descended by Rama- that place is indeed famous as desert of Maru* on this earth.

    * Maru—Malwar in Rajastan (India)

    The earth there, pierced by the dart, then emitted a sound . The waters of the penultimate subterranean region gushed forth from the mouth of that cleft. Then the hollow became known as Vrana. Water constantly seen, gushing forth from it resembled seawater. A terrific splitting sound was born in that place. Water was dried up in those cavities, as a result of hurling of that arrow by Rama. That desert of Maru became famous in the three worlds. Rama (the son of Dasaratha), a wise man and a valiant man resembling a celestial, made that cavity dried up and gave a boon to that desert of Maru. Due to granting of a boon by Rama, that desert of Maru became the most congenial place for cattle rearing, a place with a little of disease, producing tasty fruits and roots, with a lot of clarified butter, a lot of milk and various kinds of sweet- smelling herbs. Thus it became an auspicious and suitable move, bestowing these merits. While that cavity was burning, Ocean the lord of rivers spoke these words to Rama who knew all scientific treatises.”

    Contributions on this subject welcome.

    Citation.

    http://www.valmikiramayan.net/yuddha/sarga22/yuddha_22_prose.htm

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  • Jesus Is Iswara Prajapathi Christian Misinterpretaion

    Jesus Is Iswara Prajapathi Christian Misinterpretaion

    My Father looks like Me,

     

    This is what Christian Neo Missionaries are attempting to do by seemingly researched, though sheer  nonsense ,work about Hinduism and Christianity,in their attempt to legitimize Christianity and lure the unwary into the Christian fold.

     

    Vatican a Shiva templejpg
    Vatican a Shiva temple

     

    This follows their earlier attempts to spread the canard about Jesus having visited Kashmir, learned Yoga and his grave is in Kashmir.

     

    Please read my post on this.

     

    Now they have gone one step further,

     

    That Jesus had studied in Kashmir.

     

    He was a follower of Rudra.

     

    He,as a carpenter, built a King’s palace in India.

     

    Jesus is Shiva and Prajapathi.

     

    Jesus is Ishwara and this is mentioned in the Bhavishya Purana.

     

    Jesus is mentioned in the Rig Veda.

     

    My rebuttal.

    “The Aryan invasion of India occurred around 1500 BC.  The Aryans were polytheistic, bringing Vishnu, Brahma and the thousands of gods, with them.  Before this, India was monotheistic. Study and dating of different sections of the Rig Veda show that the early monotheistic Semito-Dravidians called God, Rudradeva. There are 75 references to Rudra in the Rig Veda, and these segments are very early, redacted from material dated around 1800 BCE.  There is also a group of hymns to him in the Yajur Veda, today called the Rudram.”

    This spreads the myth of the Aryan Invasion Theory, which stands discredited.

     

    Read my posts on this.

     

    The reference to Shiva i very limited in the Vedas and the term Rudra is am Amsa of Shiva and not Shiva.

     

    “It seems that the Aryans later  took one of Rudra’s epithets, “shiva”, meaning “auspicious”, and over time subsumed him into the polytheistic pantheon under this name as a demi-god called Shiva. A trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma was woven together by the Aryans after 1500 BCE.’

     

    Rudra is an aspect of Shiva and not the other way around

     

    ‘Nama Sivaya cha, Siva Dharaya Cha- Sri Rudram

     

    ‘The Dravidians worshipped Linga in the temples, the Linga which was the amorphous representation of Shiva. They worshipped Linga by sprinkling it with water or milk, by offering prayers, by meditating on the deity. .. They had an idea of death and judgement after death which was the basis of moral life. But to crown all these, they had a concept of the Triad – An, the Supreme Godhead; Amma, the Goddess; and Anil, the Son. These are the later day Shiva, Shakti and Sharana of the Agamas.”[i]’

     

    Linga worship is /was throughout India and not limited to the South.

     

    ”

    This suggests a religious structure compatible with the ancient Hebrew structure, and might explain why Kashmir was visited by Moses  around 1500 BCE and Jesus  in the 1st century CE.   The ancient Hebrew structure comprised God the Father, God the Mother, Shekinah, and God the Son.

    The Spirit of God appears in the Old and New Testaments as the Hebrew feminine noun, Shekinah. Shekinah is related to the Sanskrit word for God the Mother, Shakti, from which comes the Indo-European root for our English word, “she”.

    she pron.   Used to refer to the woman or girl previously mentioned or implied. See Usage Note at ”

     

    Sanskrit was earlier to English by a few thousand Years.

     

    Judaism is later to Hinduism.

     

    So who follow whom?

     

    ”

    n the book The Serpent of Paradise by Miguel Serrano and Frank MacShane, p. 79, it is stated that the Nathanamavali records that Jesus studied with the Natha Yogis from the age of 14, was initiated as one of them, and came to know Shiva as his own Father.  He went to the land of the Hebrews and willingly gave up his body at the age of 49, having mastered yoga.   He then returned to India, and founded the cult of the Lingam and the Yoni in Kashmir.

    It is important to note here  that Jesus advocated monogamy or celibacy (Matthew 19: 11, 12).  If he taught and practiced tantra, it was not a recipe for promiscuity. According to records in Kashmir, Jesus married Maryan in Pahalgam, Kashmir.  They had a son called Jehoiakim, who had a son called Raj Bhishtay, according to an inscription in the temple on Shankriyacarya Hill in Srinagar, Kashmir, dated 3154 Laukika Era, or 78 AD. (Hassnain and Levi, The Fifth Gospel, pp. 247-8)”

     

    Please read my post on Jesus in Kashmir.

     

    Aramaic inscription from Taxila

    As well as the Nathanamavali, there is further evidence that Jesus accepted Shiva as a name for the monotheistic God, while teaching that worship of  the demi-gods is false.  An inscription in Aramaic found in Taxila, Pakistan, describes the foreign carpenter who built the palace of King Gondophares (ruled 25 – 60 AD) from cedar and ivory as a “pious devotee of Rudradeva”. (Hassnain and Levi, The Fifth Gospel, p. 231)   According to records such as the Acts of Thomas, it was St Thomas who built the palace for the king.  Rudradeva was the early Semito-Dravidian name for the monotheistic God, Shiva, in the Indus Valley, before the invasion of the polytheistic Aryans in 1500 BC. In other words, it seems that the inscription is stating that St Thomas was a pious devotee of Rudradeva.

    4. Bhavishya Maha Purana

    In the Bhavishya Maha Purana, internally dated 115 AD, Jesus gives his name as Ishwara Putram, which translates as The Son of the Lord.   Ishwara has now become in Inda  a name of Shiva.

    5. Prajapati as Jesus-figure in Rig Veda.

    There is a prophecy about a Jesus-figure  in the Purusha Hymn, the 90th hymn of the 10th book of the Rig Veda, which  may date from around 1800 BC.  Prajapati is the name given, which translates from the Sanskrit as Lord of Created Beings[ii], and in Hinduism represents the God of gods, the God of all creation. ”

     

    Iswara in Sanskrit means personal God.

     

    There is no mention of Iswara Kumara as Christ in the Bhavishya Purana.

     

    And where it appears it refers to Kaarthikeya, Subrahmanya.

     

    Pathetic attempt to legitimize a Religion which was framed, not founded  three hundred years after the death of Jesus, whose name is not known.

     

    At best Christians can say, we follow Vedas in part, period.

     

    Citation.

    http://ishanathayoga.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/jesus-in-the-rig-veda/

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  • Nada Yoga Nama Sankeertana

    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

    Experience it,
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