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 

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

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 

For the brochure pl. visit
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For the registration form pl. visit
http://ieeecs-madras.managedbiz.com/ws-vsm-regn-form.pdf

जय जय श्रीराधे 

VEDIC VALUES FOR MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

The Vedas, which represent the treasure house of our ancient value systems, mention about the significance of key human values which are important for modern managers and administrators as well. These are:
(a)    satyam — Truth
(b)    tapah — Austerity
(c)    damah — Sense control
(d)    Samah — Tranquility of mind
(e)    dharmah — Righteousness;
(f)     dAnam — Charity
(g)    dayA — Mercy;
(h)    nyAsah — Renunciation.
The Bhagavad GItA specifies twenty values which are immensely relevant for any manager or adminstrator in the modern day corporate context  also. All these are very useful for proper governance:
(a)   amAnitvam — Humility
(b)   adambhitvam — Pridelessness
(c)    ahimsA — Non-violence
(d)    kshAnti — Tolerance
(e)    Arjavam — Simplicity
(f)     AcaryopAsanam — Service to the teacher
(g)    Saucam — Cleanliness (internal and external)
(h)    sthairyam — Steadfastness
(i)     Atma vinigraha — Self-control
(j)     vairAgyam – Renunciation
(k)    anahankAra — Absence of ego
(l)     janmamrtyu jarAvyAdhi duhkha doshAnudarSanam — Reflection of the sufferings of life-death, old age-disease, and distress
(m)  Asakti — Non-attachment
(n)    anabhishvanga putradAragrhAdishu — Detachment towards son and wife
(o)   nityam samacittatvam ishtanishtopapattishu — Equanimity amidst pleasant and unpleasant happenings
(p)   mayi cAnanyayogena bhaktiravyabhicariNI — Constant and unalloyed devotion towards God
(q)    vivikta deSa sevitvam — Love for solitary life
(r)    aratir janasamsadi — Detachment towards company of people
(s)    adhyAtmajnana nityatvam — Understanding the importance of self-realisation
(t)     tattvajnAnArtha darSanam — Philosophical search of the ultimate truth.

UNIVERSAL EXCELLENCE THROUGH RIG VEDA

स॒मा॒नी व॒ आकू॑तिः समा॒ना हृद॑यानि वः|
स॒मा॒नम॑स्तु वो॒ मनो॒ यथा॑ वः॒ सुस॒हास॑ति||

Rg Veda x- 191-4

The aforesaid Mantra is the last Mantra of Rg Veda samhitA.

The context is regarding a common and harmonious resolution, heart and thought among the Ritvigs (Priests who conduct the sacrifice) while performance of the Yajna.

This talks about seamless integration among intellect, mind and heart for bringing out unity and harmony.

There is always a dichotomy between the head and the heart. The head goes for a particular path. The heart says it may bring problems to others and let us not take undue advantage. Let us be fair and equitable to all.

This means that perfect harmony among the stakeholders leads to managerial excellence.

Excellence is achieved by harmonious resolution (intention), harmonious heart (wishes) and harmonious thought. This is important for achieving Unity and peaceful co-existence in a collaborative manner. This principle of holistic Vedic harmony can be applied at an organizational level or societal level or national level or Universal level.

WHAT ARE THE 27 YOGAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PANCANGA ?

The following are the 27 Yogas  for the purpose of PancAnga:

• vishkambham
• prIti
• AyushmAn
• saubhAgyam
• Sobhanam
• atigandam
• sukarma
• dhrti
• SUlam
• gandam
• vrddhi
• dhruvam
• vyAghAtam
• harshaNam
• vajram
• siddhi
• vyatIpAtam
• varIyAn
• parigham
• Sivam
• siddham
• sAdhyam,
• Subham
• Subhram
• brAhmyam
• mAhendram
• vaidhrti

 

SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU JAYANTI

SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu’s  Jayanti will be celebrated by the devotees across the Globe with special devotional fervor on Wednesday, the 27th March, 2013.
महामन्त्रप्रदातारं माधुर्यभावसागरम् !
मधुकृष्णस्वरूपं तं महाप्रभुं नमाम्यहम् !!

MahAmantrapradAtAram mAdhuryabhAva sAgaram !
MadhukrshNasvarUpam tam mahAprabhum namAmyaham !!

I offer my respectful obeisance to SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu,

The bestower of the MahAmantra,
The ocean of MAdhurya bhAva,
The honeyed form of SrI RAdhAkrshNa.

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे !

हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे !!
जय जय  श्रीराधे   

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF REAL HAPPINESS?

This question arises as the objects-oriented happiness is only temporary and finite. Seeking the real and supreme happiness is the sincere pursuit of a true seeler.

Yo vai bhUmA tat sukham, nalpe sukham asti, bhUmaiva sukham !

This is the declaration of the Chandogya Upanishad, the intricacies of which should be learnt from the Guru in person. BhUmA in a nutshell is BrahmAnanda. The Brahman which is eternal, infinite, wholesome and is of the nature of satcidAnanda is the abode of real happiness. If one looks for happiness elsewhere, it is bound to bring disappointment sooner or later.

जय जय श्रीराधे  

WHEN NANDI SRADDHA SHOULD BE DONE?

NAndI SrAddha is a naimittika karma which is part of the karma being performed (karmAnga).

According to dharma SAstra, nAndI SrAddha should be done during nAmakaraNa, annaprASana, caula, Go dAna,  somayAga, upanayana, pumsavana, snAnakarma, agni AdhAna and  vivAha.

namAnna caula godAna somopanayapumsave !

snAnAdhAnavivAheshu nAndI SraAdham vidhIyate !!

---lokAkshi

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS NAMES FOR A RIVER IN SANSKRIT?

The following are  the various names in sanskrit for a river:

(1) NadI

(2) sarit

(3) tarangiNi

(4) SaivalinI

(5) tatinI

(6) hrAdinI

(7)dhunI

(8)srotasvinI

(9)dvIpavatI

(10)sravantI

(11)nimnagA

(12) apagA

(13)kUlankashA

(14) nirjhariNI

(15) rodhovakrA

(16) sarasvatI

WHETHER KNOWING THE MEANING OF VEDIC MANTRAS IS MANDATORY FOR PERFORMANCE OF VEDIC KARMAS?

Though it is important to know the meaning of the Vedic Mantras, it is not  mandatory for performance of the Vedic karmas. As many cannot understand and comprehend the inherent meaning of the Vedas, it is enough if they do the Vedic rituals with full faith. 

arthajnAnam na karmAngam !

 na ca avidusha: karmANi anadhikArah,  aushastye  kANde avidushAmapi Artvijya darSanAt !

--- SankarAcAryah

tasmAt avidushopi  karmaNI adhikArah !

--- Anandagiri

Thus a dvija who is not aware of the meaning of the Vedas is fully qualified for performance of Vedic rituals. What is more  important is SraddhA (utmost faith) in Vedic scriptures.

जय जय श्रीराधे

Vedic Management - The Holistic Approach to Managerial Excellence

PPT on "Vedic Management - The Holistic Approach to Managerial Excellence"

http://www.slideshare.net/kannansrinivas/vedic-management-presentation-827499 

KUMBH MELA 2013 AT PRAYAG

The Kumbh Mela at PrayAg this Year has been a grand spectacular spiritual and cultural event   demonstrating the multi-faceted dynamism of sanAtana dharma.

 

I was  fortunate to be present in PrayAg and take a holy dip in TriveNI Sangamam along with my family. The sacred banks of  GangA / YamunA got further sanctified with the sacred dust from the holy feet of a multitude of mystic SAdhus . The  wide spectrum of  sanAtana  dharma is picturized vividly there. The fragrant aroma of SraddhA is manifested all through.

 

The Government of  Uttar Pradesh has done a very commendable job in maintaining the cleanliness, orderlines and sacredness of  PrayAg Kumbh Mela. Our deep sense of   gratitude is due to them.

 

Om namah parama Rishibhyo namah parama Rishibhyah !

जय जय श्रीराधे

WHAT ARE THE FIVE KEY CONSTITUENTS OF VEDIC VIVAHA?

The following are the five key constituents of Vedic VivAha:

(1)VAk dAnam

(2) KanyA dAnam

(3) VaraNam

(4) PANigrahaNam

(5) saptapadI

vAgdAnam ca pradAnam ca varaNam PANi PIdaNam !

saptapAdIti pancAngo vivAha; parikIrtita: !!

By proper performance of the vivAha as per Vedic scriptures with sraddhA (faith), all the graha doshas (planetary deficiencies) get fully neutralised and the couple lead a joyful, prosperous and harmonious long life.

mAngalyam tantunAnena mama jIvanahetunA !

kaNthe badhnAmi subhage sanjIva Saradah Satam !!

जय जय श्रीराधे 

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF VEDIC VIVAHA?

The following are the important aspects of Vedic VivAha (Wedding) :

1. vAk dAnam

2. kanyA dAnam

3. vara prekshaNam

4. mangala snAnam

5. mAngalya dhAraNam

6. pAni grahaNam

7. saptapadi

8. pradhAna homam

9. aSma ArohaNam

10. lAja homam

11. gruha praveSam

12. praviSya homam

By proper performance of the vivAha as per Vedic scriptures with sraddhA (faith), all the graha doshas(planetary deficiencies) get fully neutralised and the couple lead a joyful, prosperous and harmonious life.

mAngalyam tantunAnena mama jIvanahetunA !

kaNthe badhnAmi subhage sanjIva Saradah Satam !!

जय जय श्रीराधे

WHO IS A SROTRIYA?

According to Devala, a  Srotriya is one  who is born as a BrAhmaNa , who has duly performed all the samskAras(Dvija) as ordained in the SAstras and one who is  well-versed in the Vedic Scriptures (Vipra). 

janmanA brAhmaNo jneya: samskArai: dvija ucyate!

vipratvam vidyayAcApi  tribhi: Srotriya ucyate !!

 ---- Devala

WHETHER PARASARA SMRUTI CAN ALONE BE FOLLOWED IN KALI YUGA TO THE EXCLUSION OF THE VEDA SAKHA SUTRAS AND OTHER DHARMA SASTRAS?

With the efflux of time, the practice of dharma undergoes certain changes and this is well recognized in the dharma SAstras.

As the yugas change, the yuga dharma also changes as determined by the great Rishis. Accordingly, the major shift has happened as follows in the four yugas:

Kruta yuga = DhyAnam

TretA yuga = YAga

dvApara yuga = PUjA

Kali yuga = nAma sankIrtanam (keSava)

dhyAyan krute yajan yajnaih tretAyAm dvAparercayan !

yadApnoti tadApnoti kalau sankIrtya keSavam !!

---- vYAsa

YAvanna kIrtayet rAmam kalikalmasha sambhavam !

tAvattishthati dehesmin bhayam cAtra pravartate !!

---- Sivasarvasvam

SrutismrutipurANeshu rAma nAma samIritam !

tannAma kIrtanam bhUyas tApatrayavinASanam !!

---- cyavana smruti

sarvapApa prasaktopi dhyAyannimishamacyutam !

punastapasvI bhavati panktipAvana pAvanah !!

---- PaiThInasI

na tAvatpApamedhena yannAma hatam hareh !

atireka bhayAdAhuh prAyascittAntaram vrithA !!

----YogayAjnavalkya

prAyascittAnyaSeshANi tapah karmAtmakAni vai !

yAni teshAmaSeshANAm krishNAnus smaraNam param !!

----SrI vishNu purANa

One should not condemn the changing yuga dharmas and those dvijas who follow those, as the dvijAs are suited to the yuga concerned.

yuge yuge ca ye dharmAs tatra tatra ye dvijAh !

teshAm nindA na kartavYA yugarUpa hi te dvijAh !!

------- parAsara

krute tu mAnavA dharma: tretAyAm gautamA: smrutAh !

dvApare SAnkha likhitAh kalau pArASarAh smrutAh !!

It is said that Manu smruti is applicable in Kruta yuga, Gautama smruti in tretA yuga, Sankha and Likhita smrutis in dvApara yuga and ParASara smruti in kali yuga.

Let us take the case of performance of SrAddha and see whether we can go fully  by only what is stated in ParASara Smruti. But ParASara smruti does not deal with the elaborate provisions regarding performance of SrAddha. A smruti is like a policy document. Only in the grhya sUtras, the detailed procedures are explained. We cannot ignore what is said by the sUtrakAras. The Sraddha prayoga that we practise today is a digested form based on various relevant smrutis and the sUtras. Hence we have to take this as the benchmark and try to follow to the extent possible.

It is to be noted that  in many places what we find is that the smrutis differ in the subtle aspects of performance of samskAras, karmAnushtHAnas and so on depending on the yuga dharma about which only the great Rishis deeply know. If a particular aspect has not been dealt with in a smruti, but is contained in another smruti, it can be considered  for guidance. There are areas of conflicts as well. All these call for proper reconciliation and resolution by experts in dharma SAstras from time to time. Hence we have to go by what is based on traditional practice wherever there is conflict in the statement of the various smrutis.

kalau kalmasha chittAnAm pApadravyopa jIvinAm !

vidhikriyA vihInAnAm gatir govinda kIrtanam !!

nama: parama Rishibhyo nama: parama Rishibhyah !

WHAT IS SAMA VEDA UPAKARMA PROCEDURE ?

sAma Veda upAkarma procedure is as follows:

1. prAtah sandhyA vandanam

2. samitAdhAnam only for BrahmacAri

3. AupAsanam for Gruhastha

4. MAdhyAnikam

5. mahA sankalpam

6. snAnam

7. Brahma yajnam

8. puNyAha vAcanam

9. Rshi PujA

10. Rshi tarpaNam

11. Rshi punah puja and yathA SthAnam

12. Homa

13. sapta Rshi pUja in kalaSa

14. yajnopavIta dhAraNam

15. vedArambham

16. KalaSa tIrtha pRokshaNam

16. PrasAda

17. Wearing the YajnopavIta offered to Rshis in the right hand

18. namskAram

WHETHER FOR MADHYAHNIKA SANDHYA VANDANAM, ONE CAN USE THE TERM "UPASISHYE" DURING SANKALPA?

Based on traditional practices, we use the sankalpa "MAdhyAnika sandhyAm upAsishye." There is no difference in the sandhyA sankalpam whether prAtah, MAdhyAhnika or SAyam sandhyA. We use the term "upAsishye" all across . The term " MAdhyAhnika sandhyopAsanam," has been used by traditional scholars.

According to atri:-

sandhyA trayam tu kartavyam dvijenAtmavidA sadA iti !

atra sandhyA Sabdena sandhyopAsana rUpa karmopalakshyate !

anyathA devatAyAh kartavyatvA yogAt!!

WHETHER VAPANAM IS MANDATORY FOR BRAHMACARIS ON THE UPAKARMA DAY ?

 Vapanam (Hair-cut) is mandatory for brahmacAris on the day of upAkarma. This is especially applicable to the BrahmacAris of  Yajurveda - Apastamba SUtra.