DEVA RISHI SRI NARADA PRARTHANA

देवर्षि श्रीनारदप्रार्थना
नारयणकृपापात्रं ज्ञानवैराग्यसंयुतम्।
प्रेमभक्तिप्रवीणं तं देवर्षिं नारदं भजे॥
nārāyaṇa-kṛpā-pātraṁ jñāna-vairāgya-saṁyutam ।
prema-bhakti-pravīṇaṁ taṁ devarṣiṁ nāradaṁ bhaje ॥
I worship Nārada, the divine sage,
who is the recipient of Nārāyaṇa’s grace,
endowed with knowledge and detachment,
and skilled in loving devotion.
जय जय श्रीराधे

BHAGAVAN SRI VEDAVYASA GURU PURNIMA PRARTHANA

भगवान् श्रीवेदव्यास गुरुपूर्णिमा प्रार्थना
महाभारतकर्तारं महाकारुण्यसागरम् ।
वेदव्यासमुनिं श्रेष्ठं वेदमूर्तिं नमामि तम् ॥
जय जय श्रीराधे

TALK ON "CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN SRIMAD VALMIKI RAMAYANAM"

Gave a talk on "Conflict Resolution in Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam " on 5th April 2025 at the Vedic Cultural Center Bellevue, Seattle as part of Srirama Navami celebrations.
जय श्रीराम
जय जय श्रीराधे

WHO IS VALMIKI MUNI?

According to Valmiki Ramayana, Valmiki Muni is the son of Rishi Prechetas as evidenced in the following Slokas of Uttara Ramayana:-
एतदाख्यानमायुष्यं सभविष्यं सहोत्तरम्।
कृतवान् प्रचेतस:पुत्रस्तद्ब्रह्माप्यन्वमन्यत॥
इति संदिश्य बहुशो मुनि: प्राचेतसस्तदा ।
वाल्मीकि: परमोदारस्तूष्णीमासीन्महायशा:॥
प्रचेतसोऽहं दशम: पुत्रो राघवनन्दन ।
न स्मराम्यनृतं वाक्यं तथेमौ तव पुत्रकौ॥
जय जय श्रीराधे

BHAGAVAN SRI VEDAVYASA GURU PURNIMA PRARTHANA

भगवान् श्रीवेदव्यास गुरुपूर्णिमा प्रार्थना
वेदपुराणदातारं विराट्विष्णुस्वरूपिणम्।
वेदान्तसूत्रकर्तारं वेदव्यासमहं भजे॥
जय जय श्रीराधे

WHETHER VEDA MANTRAS CAN BE SET TO MUSIC AND SUNG?

Vedic Mantra Chanting has to be done orally only by competent persons who have undergone the studies from the Vedacharyas. According to tradition, the Veda mantras have to be duly chanted in line with the Varna and Svara . Thus Akshara suddhi (proper pronunciation of letters), Svara suddhi (proper usage of Svaras) along with proper Matra (metrical unit of time) are required. The Vedic heritage has to be duly protected and nourished. Improper rendition of the Veda Mantras reduces the life span and leads to diesease. Hence it is important to preserve the integrity and authenticity of the Veda Mantras passed on from the ancient great Rishis.
अवक्षरमनायुष्यं विस्वरं व्याधिपीडितम् ।
अक्षता शस्त्ररूपेण वज्रं पतति मस्तके ॥
--- पाणिनीयशिक्षा
गीती शीघ्री शिरःकम्पी तथा लिखित पाठकः।
अनर्थज्ञः अल्पकण्ठश्च षडेते पाठकाधमाः ॥
--- पाणिनीयशिक्षा
जय जय श्रीराधे

GURU PURNIMA PRANAM TO SRI VEDAVYASA MAHARSHI

धर्मे  अर्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च भरतर्षभ ।

यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत्क्वचित् ॥

Whatever is to be known regarding the four Puruusharthas constituting dharma, artha,  kama and moksha, all are available in the great epic Mahabharatam. Whatever is not seen here cannot be seen in any other sacred text.

Our Gurupurnima obeisance to the great Vedavyasa Maharshi who is the esteemed author of the priceless epic Mahabharatam and Puranas.

व्यासं वसिष्ठनप्तारं शक्तेः पौत्रमकल्मषम् ।

पराशरात्मजं वन्दे शुकतातं तपोनिधिम् ॥

व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।

नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठाय नमो नमः ॥

स होवाच व्यासः पा॑राश॒र्यः ।

--- तैत्तिरीयारण्यकम्

ॐ नम​: परम ऋषिभ्यो नम​: परम ऋषिभ्य​:।

जय जय श्रीराधे 

How was Sagotra determined in ancient times ?

Sagotra  was determined  in ancient times   when  any one of the following  parameters is true:-    

(1)    Both Bridegroom and Bride   belong to the same Gotra

(2)    Both Bridegroom and Bride   belong to the same   Pravara

(3)    Both Bridegroom and Bride have even one Rishi as common in their  Pravara

(4)    Bride is the Sapinda of the Bridegroom’s mother

(5)    Bride belongs to the Gotra of the Bridegroom’s mother

जय जय श्रीराधे 

WHO ARE THE KEY RISHIKAS?

The following are the key Rishikas based on Vedic Scriptures:-

Ø  Brahmavadini Apala

Ø  Brahmavadini Ghosha

Ø  Brahmavadini Mamata

Ø  Brahmavadini Surya

Ø  Brahmavadini Vak 

Ø  Brahmavadini Vishvavara

Ø  Devasamrajni Saci

Ø  Vacaknavi Gargi

जय जय श्रीराधे  

SAGE DURVASA

रुद्रांशस्तु महाभाग: तपोधनो द्विजोत्तम: ।

दुर्वासेति प्रसिद्धश्च मुनिर्मन्युस्वभावज:॥

Of the form of Rudra , of great fortune,  with austerity 

as wealth, venerable Brahmana popularly known as

Durvasa , Sage of the highest order,  embodiment of

anger .

जय जय श्रीराधे  

RISHI DEVATA CHANDAS FOR VEDA MANTRAS

यस्य वाक्यं स ऋषिः।

या तेनोच्यते सा देवता।

यदक्षरपरिमाणं तच्छन्दः।

जय जय श्रीराधे 

WHO ARE THE SAPTA RISHIS?

According to Matsya Purāṇa, the following are the great  Sapta Rṣis:
 (1) Atri
(2) Vasiṣtha
(3) Kaśyapa
(4) Gautama
(5) Bharadvāja
(6) Viśvāmitra
(7) Jamadagni

WHETHER SMRUTI VAKYAS CAN BE REJECTED NOW ON THE GROUND THAT THEY ARE NOT MENTIONED IN THE VEDAS?

Both Sruti and smrutis constitute valid pramANas. We have to keep in view that smrutis have only Sruti as the base. Though there were many SAkhAs (recensions) of the Vedas in the days of  yonder, only a few are available now due to various reasons.

anantA vai vedAh ! ---- TaittirIya KAthaka

The Vedas are infinite. Thus while a particular aspect (for example, mandatory performance of trikAla sandhyA including  mAdhyAnikam) specifically covered in the smrutis could have been  based on a Vedic statement which was existing  in a particular Vedic recension at that point of time but not now, it may not be correct for us to conclude that the particular aspect is not backed by Vedas. Hence it would be very difficult to overlook what is stated in the smrutis as being something which is not mentioned in the Vedas and hence need not be followed.

One cannot properly understand the intended and intrinsic meaning of Vedas. As Vedas are complex and innumerable, the Rishis through their great tapas composed the Smrutis which define what is dharma for a particular Yuga.

In order to understand the Sruti in the proper perspective, one requires the guidance of smruti. Interpreting the original Vedic Mantras on our own accord is dangerous in the modern environment.

For each Mantra, there is a Rishi, a Chandas and the devatA. One cannot overlook the Rishi and chant any Mantra including GAyatrI MahA Mantra. As Rishis are the Seers of Vedic Mantras and the authors of smrutis, we hold them in high esteem. Rishi TarpaNam is offered to them. KAnda Rishi TarpaNam is also there. All the Srauta, grihya and smArta PrayogAs are done even today based on the statements of great Rishis like Apastamba, BodhAyana, ASvalAya, Jaimini, LAtyAyana, KAtyAyana and so on. In addition, we have sanakAdi Rishis, Sapta Rishis , NArada, BharadvAja, Veda VyAsa and so many others.

Each BrAhmaNa (however materially he may be rich) is born only as a debtor with triple debts. He is indebted to the Rishis, DevAs and Pitrus. The Rishi debt is discharged through brahmacarya, Deva debt through performance of yajnas and Pitru debt through progeny.

JAyamAno ha vai brAhmaNah tribhir rNa vA jAyate !

brahmacaryena rishibhyah !

yajnena devebhyah!

prajayA pitrubhyah!

The Rishis including Rishi Patnis are to be respectfully worshipped. Without them, the Vedas would have disappeared. The smrutis, which are Rishi Proktam are therefore equally valid like Sruti.

namah parama Rishibhyo namah parama Rishibhyah !

Whatever one feels like doing according to his mental make-up does not constitute dharma. That is why in Bhagavad GItA , BhagavAn advises all to follow dharma as ordained in the Scriptures :

tasmacchAstram pramAnam te karYAkArya vyavasthitau!

jnAtvA SAstra vidhinoktam karma kartum ihArhasi !!

-----Bhagavad gItA ! 16.24

One who does not follow SAstras gains not Sukham or Siddhi or parama gati.

yah Sastra vidhim utsrijya vartate KAma kAratah !

na sa siddhim avApnoti na sukham na parAm gatim !!

---Bhagavad gItA 16.23

Learned sees through the eye of SAstras

" ----kavibhih SAstra cakshushA ---"

---- SrImad BhAgavatam x-84-36

Sruti smruti mamaivAjnA yad tad ullanghya vartate !

AjnAcchedhe mama drOhi mat bhaktOpi na vaishNava !!

--- VishNu

vedamUlAh smrutayah !

---- Sankha

durbodhA vaidikASSabdAh prakIrNatvacca ye khilAh !

tatraita eva drushtArthAh smruti tantrai pratishthitAh !!

---- MarIci

Srutim paSyanti munayah smaranti ca tathA smrutim !

tasmAt pramANamubhayam pramANaih pramitam bhuvi !!

---- Manu

According to Angiras, those who are learned in pramANas should duly take care of them. Otherwise, authentic pramANas would get destroyed by baseless pramANas.

pramANAni pramANajnaih paripAlyAni yatnatah !

sIdanti pramANAni pramANairavyavasthitaih !!

--------Angiras

WHAT ARE THE 12 CAKRAS OF 72 MELAKARTA RAGAS?

The 72 Melakarta Ragas constitute the basic  and fundamental Ragas from which other Ragas can be generated.

The Melakarta Ragas are classified into 12 divisions known as Cakras comprising 6 Ragas each as follows:

 Indu

 Netra

 Agni

 Veda

 Bana

 Ritu

 Rishi

 Vasu

 Brahma

 Disi

 Rudra

 Aditya

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP MODERN VIPRAS WHO ARE UNABLE TO STRICTLY FOLLOW THE DHARMA SASTRAS?

The stipulations are numerous in the dharma SAstras in respect of every aspect of human life starting from birth to death. Different Rishis have said in different time periods so many varied things based on the yuga dharma. On an analysis of all these, I have come to the conclusion that there are more points of divergence rather than convergence based on the opinions of these Rishis. Of course, on the substratum of dharma there is uniformity. But on the detailed procedures to be followed, there are so many differences. This is there not only in the Grihya SUtras but also in the Srauta SUtras which deal with performance of yajnas. There are variations based on region, philosophy, sub-sect, kula AcAra and so on.

A brAhmaNa has to perform 40 samskAras besides the daily routines of karmanushthAna from dawn to dusk. This includes 7 pAka yajna, 7 havir yajna and 7 soma yajna. There is also the panca mahA yajnas in terms of deva yajna, pitru yajna, bhUta yajna, manushya yajna and brahma yajna. One has to do 96 pitru tarpaNas in a year. In addition, the SrAddhas have to be done. All these become mind-boggling in the modern times considering the fact that there are no kings to support the veda brAhmaNas and each one has to struggle to earn and maintain his family. Thus "udara nimittam bahu kruta vesham" is the order of the day.

In the modern world, most of the productive time in one's life is spent in materialistic learning and earning. In addition, he has to do the nitya, naimittika and kAmya karmAnushthAnas and also something to take care of his own salvation in terms of understanding Atma vidyA, Bhakti marga and so on.

Even by performance of all the 21 yajnas after learning the 4 vedas and 6 VedAngas, one does not attain the abode of the Supreme. He can rejoice in Heaven for a stipulated period but he has to take birth thereafter. Here the question of approaching a particular upAsana devatA comes to the forefront. There also a lot of approaches exist.

The life of a human being is too short to handle all these properly and before he comes to some definite conclusion, he passes away abruptly due to disease or accident. The vicious circle of samsAra hounds him for ever.

Considering the problems confronted by the modern vipra, we have to devise some ways and means of helping him out within the ambit of the dharma SAstras by following the essence and spirit of the same. Over a period of time a lot of practices have undergone changes. In the modern times, what is to be done by a person, how and when is something that we have to examine seriously and cautiously.

In my humble view, something more focused on the essence rather than on the form of karmAnushthAna could be worked out within the parameters of the dharma SAstras. This is a very serious, massive and long-term exercise which cannot be done through on-line forums. We need to have the guidance and collaboration of existing authorities on dharma SAstras so that some thing more pragmatic can be worked out as an alternative to those who are not in a position to fulfil the rigors of dharma SAstras due to various factors beyond their control.

Kindly note that we are not suggesting changes to dharma SAstras per se but we are trying to guide people as to what best they can do as an alternative if they are under circumstances where it is not possible to comply strictly with the stringent provisions of dharma SAstras. This will be a great and timely effort which requires the co-operation and support of all vipras so that something tangible and meaningful can be attempted with the grace of the Supreme.

SRI YAJNAVALKYA JAYANTI

SrI YAjnavalkya Jayanti will be celebrated on KArtika MAsa , Sukla Paksha DvAdaSI which falls on Monday the 7th November 2011. This day is also known as YogISvara dvAdaSI. It is very important for all those who believe in Vedic tradition to remember with gratitude this great Rishi par excellence . With the direct blessings of SUrya Deva, he propagated SuKla Yajur Veda which contains the ISAvAsyopanishad. He along with his two dharma Patnis MaitreyI and KatyAyanI are referred to in BrihadAraNyaka Upanishad. His debate with GArgI, the daughter of VAcaknu stimulates the intellect. The philosophical expositions of SrI YAjnavalkya in the Assembly of Emperor Janaka are deep- rooted in spiritual knowledge which transcend time and place.

Om namah parama Rishibhyo nama: parama Rishibhya:!

WHETHER DHARMA SASTRAS CAN BE ALTERED TO SUIT MODERN TIMES?

In order to suit modern times, Dharma SAstras as applicable to Kali yuga should not be altered.

On the other hand, considering the modern age, total compliance with dharma SAstras is too difficult for many of us.

As an alternative, those who feel that they are not in a position to comply with certain stipulations of dharma SAstras should take the advice from those well-versed in dharma SAstras and act accordingly. Such guidance is valid only for that particular person as applicable to his case under certain circumstances. We should not generalise these guidelines and make them universally applicable in all other cases without any reference to the facts and circumstances involved. Such personal one to one advice has to be respected and should not be discussed in open Forums. I offer this suggestion only for those who are interested in following dharma SAstras as far as possible.

WHETHER WHILE DOING SANDHYA VANDANAM ANGANYASA HAS TO BE DONE FIRST?

In traditional way of doing sandhyA vandanam, the karanyAsam is done first and thereafter the anganyAsam is done. This is the practice of those who are following dharma SAstras.

WHAT ARE APASTAMBA AND BODHAYANA SUTRAS?

Apastamba and BodhAyana are the two prominent SUtras of those who are born in the family of KrishNa yajurvedis.

The SUtras are named after the great Rishis Apastamba and BodhAyana

Though both SUtras follow KrishNa Yajurveda texts, the two grihya SUtras are different in prayoga in certain respects.

As the SUtra is determined by birth, one has to follow the SUtra belonging to his family while performing the various Vedic karmas.

WHAT ARE THE FIVE TYPES OF YAJNAS?

There are five types of yajnas as follows:
ahutam -- veda japam
hutam -- homam
prahutam -- BhUta bali
brAhmahutam -- brAhmaNa pUja
prASitam -- pitru pUja
One has to worship Rishis by veda adhyayana, Devas by homas, Pitrus by SrAddham, BrAhmaNas by food and bhUtas by bali dAnam