Tuesday, December 29, 2015

VEDIC PRAYERS FOR UNIVERSAL PEACE, HARMONY AND WELL-BEING

Vedic Prayer I
mahAnArAyaNa upanishad xxxix-3

madhu vAtA rutAyate
(Let the air be pleasant)
madhu ksharanti sindhavah
(Let the rivers be pleasant)
mAdhvIrnas santvoshadhIh
(Let the plants and creepers be pleasant)
Madhu naktamutoshasi
(Let the day and night be pleasant)
Madhumat pArthivam rajah
(Let the dust of the earth be pleasant)
Madhu dyaurastu nah pitA
(Let our father-like Sky be pleasant)
madhu mAnno vanaspatih
(Let the herbs be pleasant)
madhumAm astu sUryah
(Let the Sun be pleasant)
mAdhvIr gAvo bhavantu nah

 (Let the cows be pleasant to us)
Vedic Prayer II
Aitareya Upanishad
Om Vang Me Manasi Pratishthita Mano Me Vachi Pratishthitam !
Averaverma Edhi!
Vedasya Ma Aanisthah! 
Shrutam Me Ma Prahaseh!
Anenadhetena Ahoratran Samdadhami!
Ritam Vadishyami!
Satyam Vadishyam!i
Tanmamavatu !
Tadvaktaaramavatu !
Avatu Maam Avatu Vaktaaram Avatu Vaktaaram! 
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih!

Let my speech be in accordance with the mind. May my mind be based on my speech. May the Self-effulgent reveal to me. May both the speech and mind carry the Vedas to me. Let not all that I have heard depart from me. I join together through this study day and the night. I speak what is right. I speak the truth. May that {Brahman} protect me. May that protect the speaker. May that protect me. May that protect the speaker.
Vedic Prayer III

Kenopanishad / Chandogyopanishad
Om Apyayantu Mamangani Vak Pranascakshuh Srotramatho Balamindriyani Ca Sarvani!

Sarvam Brahmopanishadam Maham Brahma Nirakuryam Ma Ma Brahma Nirakarod Nirakaranamastvanirakaranam Me Astu!

Tadatmani Nirate Ya Upanishatsu Dharmas Te Mayi Santu Te Mayi Santu!!
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih!


Let my limbs, speech, vital force, eyes, ears, strength and organs develop well.
Upanishads reveal all about Brahman. May I not deny Brahman nor Brahman deny me. Let me not spurn or reject the Brahman. May all the righteousness contained in theUpanishads repose in me, engaged in Self-Pursuit, may they repose in me.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

 Vedic Prayer IV
Taittiriya Upanishad - Brahmanandavalli --Shanti Mantra
Sahanavavatu!

Sahanau Bhunaktu!
Saha Viryam Karavavahai!
Tejasvinavadhitamastu Mavidvishavahai!
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih!

May He Protect both of us.
May He help us to enjoy .
May both of us exert together. 
May our studies be fruitful.
May we not hate each other.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

This Shanti (Peace) invocation is used at the beginning of scriptural study every time. This is intended to foster goodwill, harmony and bondage between the Teacher and the Student.
All the Vedic Peace Chants end with the prayer for protection from theTapatrayas (Threefold miseries) Adhyatmika (Body, Mind), Adhi Bhautika (Animals, other living Beings) andAdhi Daivika ( Natural calamities like Earthquake, Flood, Tsunami, etc.)

जय जय श्रीराधे 

Thursday, December 17, 2015

RADHASHTAMI CELEBRATIONS AT SRIRANGAM - 21 SEPTEMBER 2015 - RADHA TATTVAM

RADHASHTAMI  CELEBRATIONS AT SRIRANGAM - 21 SEPTEMBER 2015 - MONDAY-  PART I OF IV
RADHASHTAMI  CELEBRATIONS AT SRIRANGAM - 21 SEPTEMBER 2015 - MONDAY-  PART II OF IV
RADHASHTAMI  CELEBRATIONS AT SRIRANGAM - 21 SEPTEMBER 2015 - MONDAY-  PART III OF IV
RADHASHTAMI  CELEBRATIONS AT SRIRANGAM - 21 SEPTEMBER 2015 - MONDAY-  PART IV OF IV 
जय जय श्रीराधे 

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

VEDIC CANONS OF PHILANTHROPY -- DANAM

As per TaittirIya Upanishad i-11, the canons of Philanthropy ( DAnam) are as follows:
1.Give with faith ( SraddhaYA deyam)
2.Do not give without faith. (aSraddhayA adeyam)
3.Give in plenty (SriyA deyam)
4.Give with modesty (hriyA deyam)
5.Give with sympathy ( bhiyA deyam)
6.Give with knowledge (samvidA deyam).
जयजय श्रीराधे

Saturday, November 28, 2015

ONE DAY WORKSHOP ON VEDIC SELF-MANAGEMENT

IEEE Computer Society, 
Madras IEEE Professional Communication Society, 
Madras Computer Society of India
Chennai Chapter IIT Madras Alumni Association, 
Chennai Chapter 

One Day Workshop on Vedic Self-Management
An Interactive Program based on Ancient Indian Wisdom 
Saturday :: 19th Dec 2015 :: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m ::
 Registration at 9.00 a.m. onwards
 Seminar Hall, CSI Education Directorate, Taramani, Chennai - 600113 


जय जय श्रीराधे 

Monday, November 23, 2015

HOLISTIC VEDIC APPROACH TO SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Presented a Paper titled "Holistic Vedic Approach to Skill Development" on 20 November 2015 at the International Conference on Veda Science organized by Sri Venkateswara Vedic University at Tirupati.
http://www.svvedicuniversity.ac.in
जय जय श्रीराधे

Friday, November 13, 2015

DEEPAVALI - SOME MORE INFORMATION

Deepavali is referred to variedly  in the  Puranas and Dharma Sastras.
(1) A five day festival symbolising  victory over Narakasura, worship of  Mahalakshmi, victory of Vishnu over Bali and dice play and exchange of brotherly and sisterly affection. Bali Pratipada –Dhanteras.
(2) Naraka Caturdasi snanam  with oil bath  / apamarga twigs for those who fear Hell – Crushing of a bitter fruit called KarIt by foot - Performance of Yama tarpanam – Worshipping of Cows- Lighting of Lamp for avoidance of Naraka - Eating of 14 types of vegetables - In the evening lighting of lamps for the deities and decorating houses and public places
(3) On the evening of Caturdasi and Deepavali – lighting of firebrands in hand and show the way for the Pitrus who have come for Mahalaya back to their own worlds.

There are many other detailed  practices  which have been referred to in the scriptures.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

SVVU TIRUPATI- INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VEDA SCIENCE 18 TO 21 NOVEMBER 2015

Sri Venkateswara Vedic University Tirupati will be  conducting an International Conference on Veda Science at Tirupati from 18 to 21 November 2015 covering a host of subjects. Those interested may attend the same and be immensely benefited.
http://www.svvedicuniversity.ac.in/
जय जय श्रीराधे

Saturday, October 24, 2015

RADHA- THE SECRET OF ALL SECRETS

Radha is unique, divine, authentic, mystic, subtle, esoteric as well as mysterious. In spite of worshipping Radha for a long time, still it is very difficult for many to understand her in the proper perspective. She is undoubtedly the secret of all secrets. Radha  represents the hladini  sakti  in terms of holistic bliss. The loving relationship between Radha and  Krishna can be viewed from multiple dimensions in terms of Prakruti and Purusha, Sakti and Saktiman, whiteness and milk,  heat and  fire, fragrance and earth and so on. Radha is the Prana Sakti of Krishna and is considered as  his dear Atma. Radha lovingly worships Krishna and Krishna too worships her intimately.
जय जय श्रीराधे

Sunday, October 11, 2015

WHETHER SRADDHA AND MAHALAYA TARPANA HAVE TO BE PERFORMED BY THE SON OF A SANYASI ?

Performance of SrAddha and MAhAlaya tarpaNa has been ordained in the Scriptures in the case of a deceased SanyAsi also . Thus the  son of a Sanyasi has to perform  for his deceased sanyAsi father pratyAbdika SrAddha as well as MahAlaya TarpaNa in the form of   PArvaNa SrAddham on dvAdaSi tithi in MahAlaya paksha.

सन्यासिनोप्याब्दिकादि  पुत्रः कुर्यात्यथाविधि
महालये तु यत् श्राद्धं द्वादश्यां पार्वणेन तु ।।
 -- वाराह
द्वादश्यां पार्वणेनैव श्राद्धं कुर्यान् महालये
सुतस्सन्यासिनोन्यत्र  यथा तिथि समाचरेत् ।।

 --  संग्रह     

जय जय श्रीराधे

Friday, September 11, 2015

WHAT ARE THE ASHTA BRAHMANAS OF SAMA VEDA?

The following are the eight BrAhmaNas of  Kauthuma sAkhA  of SAma veda:-  
ताण्ड्य ब्राह्मणम्
षड्विंश ब्राह्मणम्
सामविधान ब्राह्मणम्
आर्षेय ब्राह्मणम्
देवताध्याय ब्राह्मणम्
छान्दोग्योपनिषत् छन्दोग ब्राह्मणम्
संहितोपनिषत् ब्राह्मणम्
वंश ब्राह्मणम्


जय जय श्रीराधे

Friday, September 4, 2015

SRI KRISHNA JAYANTI MAHOTSAVAM

Let us sing the exalted glories of Sri Krishna on the most auspicious day of his divine avatara:-
राधाप्रियसुधारूपं राधाचरणकामुकम् ।
राधाप्रेमालयंदेवं राधापतिं नमाम्यहम् ।।
जय जय श्रीराधे

Friday, August 28, 2015

RADHASHTAMI Celebrations - 21 September 2015 - Monday


Sri  Radha is none other than Sri Mahalakshmi, who out of great compassion, facilitates the individual Self to get the divine grace of the Supreme Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the glorious Yogesvara. According to the Scriptures, the best way to approach Sri Krishna is through first obtaining the grace of Sri Radha. Even a grave sinner gets redemption through her ceaseless divine grace and becomes purified to serve the lotus feet of Sri Radhakrishna. Let us not miss this opportunity to offer our humble and sincere prayers to the ever fresh and fragrant queen of Brindavan. On this most auspicious Radhashtami  day, may Sri Radha shower Her blessings on all. 

श्रीगोविन्दप्रियां राज्ञीं वृन्दावन मनोहरीम् !
कृपास्वरूपिणीं दिव्यां राधा देवीं नमाम्यहम् !!
माधुर्यरससंपूर्णां माधवमनमोहिनीम् !
महाभावनिमग्नां तां मधुराधां नमाम्यहम् !!

Sri Radha Krupa Kataksha Stava Raja Stotram
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGFMOC-gua4&feature=channel

 Sri Krishna  Krupa Kataksha  Stava Raja Stotram

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5JGqtIbrH8&feature=channel

 Barsane Wali Radhe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_3wRRbg7c&feature=channel
 Paramadhan Radhe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Y2dInVlLc&feature=channel 

जय जय श्रीराधे 

Thursday, August 13, 2015

SIGNIFICANCE OF VEDANGAS

The VedAngas are very important as illustrated by the following verse from PANinIya sikshA:-

छन्दः पादौ तु वेदस्य हस्तौ कल्पोथ पठ्यते ।
ज्योतिषामयनं चक्षुर्निरुक्तं श्रोत्रमुच्यते ।।
शिक्षा घ्राणं तु वेदस्य मुखं व्याकरणं स्मृतम् ।
तस्मात्साङ्गमधीत्यैव ब्रह्मलोके महीयते ।।

--- पाणिनीय शिक्षा 41,42
Chandah: - Legs
kalpa: - Hands
JyotiSa- Eyes
nirukta- Ears
sikshA - Nose
vyAkaranam- Face

One who studies Vedas with the six-fold limbs as above reaches the abode of the Supreme.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

WHETHER THERE ARE VEDA MANTRAS REGARDING PITRU TARPANAM SRADDHAM AND FUNERAL RITES?

Veda Mantras regarding Funeral rites, SraddhA and Pitru tarpaNam are available in plenty. One can refer to the following ( These are only some of many such veda mantras):

पञ्च वा एता महा यज्ञाः ---- देव यज्ञः पितृ यज्ञः भूत यज्ञः मनुष्य यज्ञो ब्रह्म यज्ञ इति ----
यत्पितृभ्यस् स्वधा करोति तत् पितृ यज्ञः संतिष्ठते----
पितृन् स्वधा अभिवहन्ति ----
--- तैत्तिरीय आरण्यक ii-13

श्राद्ध मन्त्र-
यन्मे माता ---
ये चेह पितरः ----
एष ते तत मधुमान् ----
---एकाग्नि काण्ड ii-19
पृथिवी ते पात्रं द्यौरभिधानं----
---एकाग्नि काण्ड ii-20

एकोद्दिष्ट मन्त्र-
ऋचां प्राची महती दिगुच्यते -----
---तैत्तिरीय काठक iii-49

ब्रह्ममेध संकार:-
सुवर्णम् घर्मं -----
---तैत्तिरीय आरण्यक iii-20

पितृ मेध मन्त्राः-
यम् ते अग्निममन्थाम------
यमाय सोमं सुनुत -----
अपनश्शोशुचदघमस्ते------
--- तैत्तिरीय आरण्यक vi

यमाय सोमः पवत यमाय क्रियते हविः------
यमाय मधुमत्तमं ----
एनं परिददात् पितृभ्यः.....
---अथर्व वेद संहिता xviii-1,2....


पितृ तर्पण मन्त्र-
मधुवाता ऋतायते ----
मधु नक्त----
मधुमान्नो----
---तैत्तिरीय आरण्यक x-57

Monday, June 29, 2015

ENCOURAGING SPECIAL CHILDREN

Arts Culture India Foundation as part of its endeavour to encourage special children presented drawing  materials to all the special children of Sri Sakthi Academy, Chennai -600015 on 29th June 2015. It is proposed to have an orientation program about our ancient monuments and heritage locations and encourage those students to draw the pictures of the same. Sri Sakthi Academy deserves all appreciation for its continued  dedicated service to the special children.





Saturday, May 16, 2015

WHETHER ALL ARE ELIGIBLE TO STUDY SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA AND VISHNU SAHASRANAMA?

Eligibility for Studying Srimad Bhagavad GItA and VishNu SahasranAma

SrImad BhAgavatam i-4-25 empowers Women and those belonging to the fourth caste to study MahAbhAratam. As SrImad Bhagavad GItA and  VishNu SahasranAma are  parts of MahAbhAratam, women and those belonging to the fourth caste who have faith in BhagavAn  can recite them  after learning from a Guru.

The intrinsic meaning of the adage “ BhAratah pancamo vedah” is that MahabhArata is a ceaseless treasurehouse of holistic knowledge like the Vedas  which contains various subtle exposition of dharma. It does not mean that only dvijas are  entitled to study MahabhArata. This injunction applies only in the case of study of the four Vedas comprising of  samhitA.  BrAhmaNa, AraNyaka and Upanishad and  VedAnta vicAra.

It is to be noted that a plain and unbiased reading of the VishNu sahasranAma phalaSruti shows that it can be chanted by all the four VarNas for which the benefits acrrue differently based on one's VarNa.

Vedantago brAhmaNah syAd kshatriyo vijayI bhavet !
vaiSyo dhana samruddhas syAt  SUdras sukhamavApnuyAt !!

On similar lines, this is another pramANa from SrI vAlmIkI RAmAyaNa:

paThan dvijo vAk RishabhatvamIyAt |
syAt kShatriyo bhUmi patitvamIyAt ||
vaNik janaH paNya phalatvamIyAt |
janasa SUdro'pi mahatvamIyAt ||       1-1-100

By reading this RAmAyaNa,
 ---A BrAhmaNa attains excellence in speech
 ---A Kshatriya attains lordship over land
 ---A VaiSya attains monetary gains
 ---A SUdra attains personal excellence.

Please note the word "paThan" (reading) used in SrI ValmiKI RAmAyaNa. This in addition to  the quote from SRimad bhAgavatam (given below) proves the eligibility of Women and  SUdras in reading the text of the ItihAsas like RAmAyaNa and MahAbhArata.
   
SrImad BhAgavatam i-4-25 empowers Women and SUdras to study MahAbhAratam .

                        strI SUdra dvijabandhUnAm
                        trayI na Sruti gocarA
                        karma Sreyasi mUDhAnAm
                        SreyA  evam bhaved iha
                        Iti bhAratam AkhyAnam
                        krupayA muninA krutam !!
  
SrI Sankara bhAshyam on SrI VishNu sahasranamam on the sloka "vedantago brAhmaNas syAt" goes in a circle and tries to connect performance of yajna and the SUdra varNa and says that the SUdras can only hear but not chant. This stringent  view also held by someAcAryas does not bring out the true spirit behind the purpose of creating itihAsa purANas. These are intended for the benefit of  all including women and SUdras ,irrespective of the VarNa, as BhagavAn is common to all and He can be reached by any one irrespective of one's caste through unconditional love.

Different types of BrAhmaNas
We need to understand more about who is a BrAhmaNa. 
Vipra means BrAhmaNa.
A person is born as a BrAhmaNa.
As the first born among the mortals, he is known as agrajanmA.
After Upanayana. he becomes a dvija.
As one learned in Vedas, he is known as a Srotriya.
As a deity upon earth, he is known as BhUdeva.
As one who has emanated from the mukha of the Supreme, he is known as Mukhaja.
A BrAhmaNa who is only by birth and not by performance of duties is known as BrAhmaNabruva.
According to Devala, there are eight types of BrAhmaNas as follows in the ascending order of greatness:
(1)MAtra
(2)BrAhmaNa
(3)Srotiya
(4)anUcAna
(5)BhrUNA
(6)Rishikalpa
(7)Rishi
(8)Muni
MAtra means one who is born in a BrAhmaNa family who has not undergone upanayanam and not following any ansuhthAna.
BrAhmaNa is one who has done some veda adhyayana, who has ACara, SAnti, Satyam, dayA.
Srotriya is one who has done the Veda adhyayanam of one SakhA along with kalpasUtra or six vedAngas, knower of dharma, performer of six karmas like yajanam.
anUCAna is one who is vedavedAnga tatvajna, Suddha citta, devoid of Sins and having the qualities of Srotriya.
BhruNa is one who is vrataguNopeta, follower of niyamas in yajnas and vedAdhyayana, devapitruSishtAnna BhojI, jitendriya.
Rishikalpa is one who has all vaidika and laukika jnAna, Asramastha, jitendriya.
Rishi is one who is Urdharetas, tapasvI, follower of AhAra niyama, powerful to give SApa and anugraha, satyasandha.
Muni is one who is not attached towards vishayas, knower of all tatvas, without KAma and krodha, dhyAnastha, nishkriya, jitendriya, viewer of gold or sand equally.
Learning of Vedas
In matters regarding learning and teaching of Vedas , we have to go based on what is stated in the Vedic Scriptures and concluded by our great Rishis. One should not confuse what is stated in the SAstras with our limited materialistic knowledge. It is safer and better to align with the upadeSa of smrutis in  this regard.
Vedas are no doubt meant for Universal peace, Universal development and Universal welfare. But the Vedic yajnas have to be performed by those who are qualified by the SAstras to perform. While Vedic knowledge can be freely disseminated for the benefit of all, teaching and learning the Vedic Mantras with VarNa and svara have to be based on tradition only.
Vipras have protected the Vedas from time immemorial by making personal sacrifice and by leading a simple and austere life devoted to propagation of Vedas (sVadhyAya pravacanam). We have to offer our deep sense of  gratitude to them who have selflessly carried it so far despite numerous hurdles. In the name of modernity, let us not fiddle with it.
When we daily recite the SAnti PATha as below, we pray for the well-being of not only human beings but also animals and plants. ThereforeVedic Prayers have an Universal outlook.
Urdhvam jigAtu bheshajam !
Sam no astu dvipade !
Sam catushpade !
Om SAntih SAntih SAntih !
The following Mantra also recited while offering oblations to our forefathers show how caring are the Vedas about environmental order.
Madhu vAtA rutAyate(Let the air be pleasant)
Madhu ksharanti sindhavah(Let the rivers be pleasant)
MAdhvIrnas santvoshadhIh(Let the plants and creepers be pleasant)
Madhu naktamutoshasi(Let the day and night be pleasant)
Madhumat pArthivam rajah(Let the dust of the earth be pleasant)
Madhu dyaurastu nah pitA(Let our father-like Sky be pleasant)
Madhu mAnno vanaspatih(Let the herbs be pleasant)
MadhumAm astu sUryah(Let the Sun be pleasant)
MAdhvIr gAvo bhavantu nah(Let the cows be pleasant to us)
--- mahAnArAyaNa upanishad xxxix-3
Let all the dvijas take the initiative in learning and propagating the Vedic knowledge for the benefit of all Beings within the framework ofSAstras.
Else the prediction in SrImad BhAgavatam that "VedAh PAshaNda dUshitAh" would become a reality very soon.
Let us pray more Vipras do whatever they can for protecting and nourishing the Vedas and the Srotriyas.
Yadyat Acarati Sreshthah tadtadevetaro janah !
sa yat pramANam kurute lokas tadanuvartate !! ( Bh. G . iii- 21)
Summary
All people who have faith in the Supreme are eligible to study SrImad Bhagavad GItA and SrI VishNu sahasranAma. While Vedas and Vipras are to be held in high esteem, we need to understand that for approaching the Supreme, Vedas are not the only route for people belonging to all castes. Taking into consideration various aspects, BhagavAn has so kindly made him easily accessible to people of other VarNas as well through the path of unconditional love popularly  known as  bhakti yoga.
There are two broad routes to reach the Supreme. One path is approaching him while duly following the VarNASrama dharma (as far as practicable) as stipulated in Vedas and SAstras. This is mainly applicable for the first three VarNas. Another one is the BhAgavata dharma which does not have the Vedic injunctions thereby opening the door to all irrespective of caste or creed. That is why we can find many BrAhmaNas lovingly worshipping Non-BrAhmANa Azhvars and NAyanmars in the Bhakti tradition of the South.  If some one from any caste or creed  is so passionate and craving to know the Supreme BhagavAn , there is nothing which stops him if he follows the second path. Such a noble soul has to be deeply respected by all. The confusion has arisen mainly because we are mixing up the two and trying to apply the rules and injunctions of the first path to the second. Those who tread by the second path always honour those following the first path of VarNAsrama dharma and vice versa as the ultimate objective of reaching the Supreme BhagavAn is the same in both cases. 
குலம் தாங்கு சாதிகள் நாலிலும் கீழ் இழிந்து எத்தனை 
நலம் தான் இலாத சண்டாள சண்டாளர்கள் ஆகிலும் 
வலம் தாங்கு சக்கரத்து அண்ணல் மணிவண்ணற்கு ஆள் என்று உள் 
கலந்தார் அடியார் தம் அடியார் எம் அடிகளே !
---NammAzhvAr TiruvAimozhi
जय जय श्रीराधे