Showing posts with label Vedic Philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vedic Philosophy. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

ONE DAY WORKSHOP ON VEDIC SELF-MANAGEMENT 14 DECEMBER 2016 AT CHENNAI

Program Objective: To make the participants understand the nuances of Self –Management based on Vedic Scriptures and inspire them to transform themselves through self-exploration. The Program is designed to provide strong theoretical as well as practical exposure to Karma Yoga and conflict resolution in the midst of moral or ethical dilemmas. Vedic Self-Management refers to the art of managing the self as a wholesome entity at the physical, emotional, intellectual and creative levels. At the micro level, the individual human being has to manage oneself properly in terms of his body, mind and intellect throughout his existence. The inherent Vasanas and the individual qualities constituting one’s core personality have to be clearly understood through self-introspection for tapping and harnessing the vast potentials. Vedic Self- Management is built on a holistic understanding of the nuances of Vedic scriptures for achieving internal transformation.
Programme Coverage ; Sessions: Holistic Vedic Management – An Introduction; Nuances of Body, Mind, Intellect and Meditation; Personality Mapping based on Trigunas, Panca Kosas and Cakras;Achieving Managerial Excellence through Karma Yoga; Dilemmas, Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution; Internal Transformation; and Case Study.
Brochure:
http://ieeecs-madras.managedbiz.com/pgms/2016/ws-vsm/ws-vsm-brochure.pdf
Registration Form:
http://ieeecs-madras.managedbiz.com/pgms/2016/ws-vsm/ws-vsm-regn-form.pdf
OR https://goo.gl/Q0W5E8
जयजय श्रीराधे

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 

Sunday, July 14, 2013

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.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

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
 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

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   

Friday, March 15, 2013

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  

Sunday, February 24, 2013

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

Sunday, February 17, 2013

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

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

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

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

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

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

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 !

Saturday, November 5, 2011

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:!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

WHETHER IN THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER YAJUR UPAKARMA, 1008 GAYATRI JAPAM HAS TO BE DONE AS PART OF SANDHYA VANDANAM ?


gAyatrI japam has to be performed after doing the normal prAtah SandhyA vandanam with a separate sankalpa as "mithyAdhIta samvatsara prayascittArtham doshavatsu apatanIya dosha nirharaNArtham astottara sahasra sanhkyayA gAyatrI mahAmantra japam karishye."
PraNavasya Rishi brahma -----
AyAtu ityanuvakasya --- savitA devatA
upasthAnam

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR YAJUR VEDA UPAKARMA ?

UpAkarma Procedure for Yajur Vedis is as follows:


1. Vapanam ( hair-cut ) only for BrahmacAri
2. snAnam
3. sandhyavandanam
4. samitAdhAnam only for BrahmacAri
5. AupAsanam for Gruhastha
6. KamokarishIt Mantra Japam ( Not applicable in the first year of upanayanam)
7. MAdhyAnikam
8. Brahma yajnam
9. snAna mahAsankalpam
10.snAnam
11.YajnopavIta dhAraNam
12.Maunji, ajina, danda dhAraNam only for BrahmacAri
13.Kandarishi tarpaNam
14.Upakarma homam
15.nAndI SrAddham ( only in the first year of upanayanam)
16.VedArambham
17.namaskAram

This year on 13th August 2011, Sukra maudya SAnti homam also to be performed.

Notes:
1. As there is no SandhyA vandanam without gAyatrI japam, gAyatrI japam should be chanted in prAtah / MAdhyAnika sandhyA vandanam .
2. No food is to be taken before fully completing the upAkarma as above.
3. vapanam ( hair-cut) only for BrahmacAri

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF USING MANGO LEAVES IN RITUALS?

Significance of using mango leaves in rituals and PUjas:
(1) Symbolic of MahAlakshmI
(2) Prevents negative energy
(3) Sign of Auspiciousness
(4) Helps against drushti dosham
(5) Full of Oxygen
(6) Promotes hygiene and health
(7) Symbol of fertility

Sunday, June 26, 2011

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.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED DURING CANDRA GRAHANAM ON 15-06-2011

Procedure for this candra GrahaNam on 15/06/2011 11.52 p.m to
16/06/2011 3.32 a.m. IST:

1.On Start of GrahaNam : snAnam
2.During GrahaNam : Mantra Japam / DEvatA ArAdhanam
3.Between 2.42 a.m. and 3.32 a.m. : Pitru TarpaNam

4. After 3.32 a.m. : vimocana snAnam

GrahaNa dosha parihAra Sloka
indro analo dandadharasca Ruksha: pASAyudho vAyu kubera ISA: !
kurvantu sarve mama janmarksha rASistha candra graha dosha SAntim !!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

WHETHER UPANAYANAM CAN BE PERFORMED AT THE AGE OF FIVE?

We have to always keep in mind that in respect of any karma, dharma SAstras provide for multiple options .

According to Manu, a BrAhmaNa who is desirous of brahmavarcas can be performed Upanayanam at the age of five.

brahmavarcasa kAmasya kAryam viprasya pancame !
--- Manu

According to Angiras, a BrAhmaNa who is desirous of brahmaVarcas can be performed Upanayanam at the age of five.

brahmavarcasa kAmasya pancame abde agrajanmanah !!

--- Angiras

Sunday, May 1, 2011

WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES TO BE DONE ON AKSHAYA TRUTIYA?

According to dharma SAstras, the following are to be done on Akshaya TruTIya :

1.Taking bath in holy rivers
2.Japam
3.Homam (AupAsanam)
4.Vedic recitation
5.pitru tarpaNam
6.DAnam

yasYAm SnAnam japo homah svAdhyAyah pitrutarpaNam !
dAnam ca kriyate kincit tat sarvam syAdihAkshayam !!