ராதே கிருஷ்ணா 03-07-2015
Smaranam Pada Sevanam
Archanam Vandhanam Dhasyam
Sakyam Athma Nivedhanam”
They are:
1.Sravanam – Listen - பரிஷித் மகாராஜா
2.Keerthanam – Sing - சுக தேவர்
3.Smaranam – Think over / Always Remember ப்ரஹ்லாத
4.Pada Sevanam – Surrender the Lotus Feet - லக்ஷ்மி தேவி
7.Dhasyam – Execute Orders / Dutiful ஹநுமான்
8.Sakyam – Friendly அர்ஜுனன்
9. Athma Nivedhanam – Completely Surrender பலிச் சக்கரவர்த்தி
By : Pandit S. Gowrishankar
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Upanyasam Series: Bhakthi Margam Upanyasam - Part 1 - Festivals / Pandigai
ஸ்ரீராமஜெயம்-ஸர்வம் ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்
This post is based on a Upanyasam called Bhakthi Margam by Swami Velukkudi Krishnan which was telecasted on Vijay TV.
Part 1 - Festivals / Pandigai
This part of the blog talks about the various bhakthi margam and in specific on Festivals i.e. Pandigai and its significance w.r.t Sanathana Dharmam.
WHAT ARE THE WAYS TO PERFORM BHAKTHI ?
Bhakthi can be performed in various ways as follows
1- dhyanam, yogam, thavam, fasting(Upavasam)
2 - Nama sankeerthanam, Dhanam, Theertha Yatrai
3 - Pandigai(festivals) when done as per what is told in the shastram. This includes task for personal happiness along with bhagawad aradhanam.
1) First way i.e dhyanam, yogam, thavam, fasting etc.. looks like this category does not have personal happiness. But actully that is not the case. Yogi's can have personal happiness while they are meditating on BRAHMAM(GOD). So based on one's status yogam/dhyana pakkuvam they can choose this way to do bhakthi.
3) Third way i.e Pandigai is like Sugar coated tablet -"vella paagukkulla marundhu"
Bhagavad aradhanam, pattini kidathal, slogam solluthal, villaku yetruthal, periyavalai namaskarithal,perumalluku kandu arulapannuthal(offering food to god), kovil poitu varathu etc are the medicine in that tablet which has been coated with fun, new clothes, celebration as the outer layer. Note that the third way also gives all the benefits which are obtained in first two ways but in a indirect manner. This is also marundhu for getting us releived from samsara sagaram. This is also a way for brahma gyanam as in the first step. This is the goal/latchiyam of the pandigai's.
We need to understand that Pandigai is not just for us to have fun. It is a way to reach bhagawan. so we can celebrate. Shastram has accepted pandigai. Infact Shastram has ordered us to do the aradhanam/ bhagawad smaranam during pandigai and along with that it is not restricting to celebrate by wearing new clothes.
Laid rule is to do bhagawad Aradhanam - Shastram orders us to do this saying "Aradhanam Pannu" . At the same time Shastram is not restricting us not to wear clothes or avoid celebration. Shastram allows us to celebrate (Panniko) - puthusu pottukarthu ( it does not say don't do it..) but offer to GOD first and then take it.
2)Second way is for bhakthas who are involved in Nama sankeerthanam, Dhanam, theertha yatrai, upavasam etc. on their own irrespective of pandigai.
WHY SHOULD WE OFFER TO GOD BEFORE WE CONSUME ANYTHING?
So now the next question/doubt is - "Can we just offer to GOD and take it and keep on doing it ? yes.. it will bring in sathva gunam in us over a period of time. When we offer to HIM and take it as a prasadam/blessing the contented/satisfied attitude will be developed soon. This contented satisfied attitude will take us to the next level of bhakthi slowly. If we do not offer the envying attitude only keeps growing. This attitude will only increase the desire and one will not be happy how much ever they have.
WHAT ARE THE RITUALS IN A PANDIGAI ?
The activities in a Pandigai are classified into two .
1) Vaithika Karma /Spiritual part - Aradhanam, Bhagawad smaranam.
2) Lowkika kondatam / Celebration part - clothes, maa vilai, padchanam(Sweets/Savories), crackers.
Pandigai is like Sugar coated tablet -"vella paagukkulla marundhu". It is like medicine coated with sugar. All the lowkika kondatam are like the sugar coating and the Vaithika karma's are like the medicine inside the sugar coated tablet. Without that medicine, the tablet is of no help and if it is just sugar it is not going to cure the problem..
WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND CELEBRATING FESTIVAL ?
There is connection/relation between pandigai and BRAHMAM(GOD) when we follow either the Vaithika karma's of the festival or while doing the lowkika kondatam(as prescribed). For this BRAHMA Smaranam, BRAHMA Anubhavam we celebrate festival.
DOES SHASTRAM ACCEPT THE LOWKIKA / Celebration Part in a festival or does it prescribe only the VAIDIKA rituals ?
Shastram is accepting the lowkika kondatam at times because it is helping the individual to stay in focus within the circle. It is like a student taking time out to play inbetween studies. Shastram hence helps us to relax too. So pandigai needs to be celebrated.
Pandigai is like Sugar coated tablet -"vella paagukkulla marundhu". It is like medicine coated with sugar. All the lowkika kondatam are like the sugar coating and the Vaithika karma's are like the medicine inside the sugar coated tablet. Without that medicine, the tablet is of no help and if it is just sugar it is not going to cure the problem..
Shastram as ordered(vithichi irukku) the first part i.e VAIDIKA PART and allowed(anumathichi irukku) the second part i.e LOWKIKA PART but within limits(varambhukul).
If the lowkika celebration goes beyond limits, then the goal will be diluted or digressed. Goal of festivals is Bhagawan smaranam.
WHO CAN CELEBRATE FESTIVALS ?
If one understands this connection between Pandigai and Brahmam, then he can celebrate festivals and there is meaning in celebrating a festival.
If one does not understand what is the reason behind these functions and how it is to be celebrated what is the use in celebrating it.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF NOT UNDERSTANDING THE REASON BEHIND FESTIVALS ?
If we do not understand the connection of festivals with BRAHMAM then what happens is - we end up spending time with our relations, just enjoying, eating out, going out, shopping, movie etc.. We move away from the ultimate goal(Bhagawad smaranam and perumal) by digressing and in doing all these other activities.
For example AkshayaThrithiyai is a function where people are buying GOLD. Actually in Srimad Bhagavatham it is clearly specified that GOLD is one of the 9 places where KALI PURUSHAN will be staying torchering people. But buying gold has become a practice off late which is totally wrong and against shastram.
Actually Akshayathritheeyai is not for gold and it is the day when
- badrikashramam temple is opened after 6 months and we need to think about badri perumal
- vedav vysar started to write mahabharatham on this day.
So we need to think about BADRI perumal on this day and stop buying Gold.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO ON A PANDIGAI ?
First thing to do on a Pandigai is "perumal aradhanam" and one need to do it as per shastram. This will help the individual to get rid of my AZHUKKU. While doing all these rituals the mind gets pure and eventually one will go to the next steps by acquiring all the jnana.
A PERSON IN BHAKTHI MARGAM USUALLY ENDS UP IN LOTS OF CHALLENGES. WHY ?
Bhakthi yoda iruppavanai than perumal sothipar. When someone starts with Bhakthi margam, perumal tries to test him and challenges the individual. One should not get carried away and should not loose hope and should continue to follow the path of BHAKTHI.
During the starting of bhakthi one will be tensed and will be restless(padhatam). Later has the bhakthi evolves/matures, more the bhakthi it will result in peace.
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS OCCASIONS DURING WHICH PANDIGAI ARE CELEBRATED ?
Pandigai means utsavam, kondattam meaning celebration. The reason behind this celebration is because GOD has come down for us, HE was born in this world for us , HE did everything for us.
The various occasions during which we celebrate can be grouped as follows..
1. Festival's marking Bhagawan's INCARNATION DAY:
Perumal avatara dinam related pandigai - rama navami, sita navami which comes one month after rama navami in vaikasi, parusurama jayanthi, varaha jayanthi, vamana jayanthi, Krishna Jayanthi. All these are days when GOD incarnated for us.
Krishna jayanthi : On Krishna jayanthi one need to perform upavasam/fast whole day and do archanai for chinna krishna with thulasi in the evening or mid night. All the aradhanm or vaidika karma need to be done before surya asthamanam usually and one exception is krishna jayanthi.
Narasimha jayanthi : It is celebrated done during sayam kalam also called as Pradosha kalam. Here also we need to do aradhanam in the evening by being upavasam whole day. Nama sankeerthanam is also a form of archanai.
2. Festival's celebrated to remember Bhagawan's acts:
Perumal's sestithangal - like karthigai deepam- Thiruvikraman ulagam thavi alanthathu, panguni uthiram - serthi sevai sita kalyanam, Deepavali - Narakasuran vatham etc.
3. Festival's based on SUN GOD's position :
Suryan charam : Suryan yeppadi gathi(position) irukko athan padi kondadum pandigai. festivals celebrated based on Sun's postion. Chitthirai varusa pirappu(based on sun), ugadi(new year based on moon), uttarayanam(sun starts moving towards north), dakshinayanam(sun moving towards south), Pongal-makarasankramam(sun is entering into makara rasi),MASA PIRAPPU - every month beginning is nothing but suryan moving into one rasi, Aadi masam is uttarayanam, upa raghu punya kalam i.e eclipse.
Note that one these days one needs to give dhanam, cleaning is done.
Sauramanam panchagam means based on suryan's position.
Chandramanam panchagam means based on chandran's position.
4. Festival's celebration related to ACHARYA's - Bhakthargal avathara dinam
This type is celebrating all the pandithar, acharya's who spoke about Perumal. Vedav vyasar Jayanthi, Valmiki Jayanthi , Nammazhvar Thirunatchathiram, Alavandar Thirunatchathiram, Ramanujar Thirunatchathiram etc.. Avathara Natchathiram of our Acharya's. As per GOD - "Though they are human, all these janani's and are like my(GOD) athma. So you need to do pooja's for them like how you do it for me. " We need to celebrate these festivals at home too and not just temples. One need to recite the thaniyan's of those acharyas on those days.
It is mandatory to celebrate the Avathra dinam of Bhagawan. Most important is to celebrate the festival's related to our ACHARYA's i.e Bhakthargal avathara dinam - Bhagawan is happy when we celebrate his Bhakthan.
Note that one need to think of birthday, wedding day as occasion to do Dhanam and aradhanam, namasankeerthanam.
CAN WE CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAY's OR OUR PARENT's BIRTHDAY ?
We can celebrate the birthday of a person only when that person is a BRAHMA JNANI i.e one who is knowledgeable about Brahmam. So only if i am a brahma jnani then i can celebrate my birthday. If our parents were brahma jnani then we can celebrate their birthday else they loose the qualification.
But shradha thithi needs to be celebrated even if parents are brahma janani or not.. Because shastram has laid this rule. so inpsite of how parents were one need to do the pithru kariyam.
Only if there is a relation between Brahmam and the act(here celebrating birthday since the person was a brahma janani) then do it else do not.
WHAT IS DHARMAM ?
"Veda bhoditha istha sadanathvam dharmathvam" - "Vedam naam istapattathai adaivatharkaga sollum sadhanam dharmam" - The means prescribed by the Veda's to reach our end goal is dharma. Dharmam are laid down by the Veda's. One need to follow as per the do's and dont's told in veda to follow the path of Dharmam.
WHAT IS KARMAM / ACTIONS AND HOW ARE KARMAM CLASSIFIED ?
Veda's prescribe certain actions which need to be performed by us and they are referred as KARMAM. Also the veda's have prescribed actions which needs to be performed during an occurence of an event.
They are classified as
1) NITHYA KARMA
2) NITHYA NAIMITHIKA KARMA
There is one more type of karma called as KAMYA KARMA too.
What is NITHYA KARMA ?
Daily rituals like Sandhyavandanam, Aradhanam,Nama Sankeerthanam, Agnihotram , homam, samitha dhanam etc.
What are NAIMITHIKA KARMA and NITHYA NAIMITHIKA KARMA ?
First let us understand what NAIMITHIKA KARMAM means. Naimithika karmam are karmam/actions to be performed during an occurence of an event.
Naimithika karma - " intha Nimitham(karanam) thukaga homam, upavasam, dhanam,tapas". Performing homam, fasting, etc for a occurence of an event. When the occurence of that event is confirmed/decided i.e when the occurence is confirmed - "Nimitham niyamithikam agartho" then it is called as Nithya Naimithika Karma.
Example of Nithya Naimithika karma : Shradham, the thithi occurs on the same time/day.
Example of Naimithika karma which does not fall under nithyam is Grahanam. It does not occur on the same time/day everytime.
e.g darshapoorna masa homam(homam done during amavasai, pournami)
WHAT TYPE OF KARMA DOES PANDIGAI FALL INTO ?
Pandigai is nothing similar to our nithya karma(aradhanam etc..) but done during an occurence of an event or for a reason.
CLASSIFICATION OF PANDIGAI / festivals
Pandigai can be classified as
1) Apara karyam - E.g Tharpanam
2) Ananda karyam - E.g Homam
Note that Aadi masa pirapu, thai amavasai are also celebrated as pithru dinam though they are pandigai. So shradham/amavasai tharpanam is also classified as pandigai.
WRONG NOTIONS PREVAILING IN THE SOCIETY
Shastram does not talk about many mooda nambikai and there are many wrong notions which are totally against shastram.
1) Pithru shraddham should not be looked at with wrong notion/interpretation. Some people do not prefer to do Shraddham in a new house which is not correct.
2) Widow, childless female participating in shubha functions is not accepted in society. Shastram does not talk anything about these and these are wrong notions. Widow(Vidhwa sisthri) life is like a sanyasi's life says shastram. Like our thridhanda sanyasi's we need to respect vidhawa's and one need to take blessings from widow too.
3) One more practice is on the natchathiram's. All natchathiram's are good. God came down has
Kannan & Raman in ashtami, navami thithi. HE will think "inspite of me born on these days these human don't understand or they don't change". There are many great acharya's who are all born in natchathiram's which are considered not good in this society. Like Manavala mamunigal is moolam, Ramanujar is thiruvadirai, Nammazhvar is visagam.
4) Also the practice of seeing the jathagam for every action is wrong. Do not take jathagam often.. They need to be in the box. :) All the jyothidar's have to same something when they see a jathagam and hence they same few things. Think of only perumal and do not rely on seeing Jathagam for everything. This is what one in bhakthi margam will do. Jathagam need to be used during marraige and thats it. Troubles will come in life and one need to get used and face the trouble. Bhakthi is the only way to face all the troubles. Samsaram is full of innal(troubles). That is the nature of Samsaram and only with belief on GOD can one cross this Samsaram peacefully.
We have not read the shastram/veda properly so it is all wrongly interpreted and many wrong practices are prevailing in the society. Just because we have are ignorant on what is told in veda's, we are all stuck with many wrong notions and practices. Similarly, we do not know the importance of the pandigai and reasons behind celebrating festivals which is also a type of mooda nambikai.
To get rid of these mooda nambikai only way is to read and listen. One need to listen to sadh vishayam(good information), dharma shastram.
WHAT ARE THE GOAL/LATCHIYAM IN CELEBRATING PANDIGAI?
1. Acquire punyam by following veda's
Punniyam serum provided we celebrate in the manner as told in the shastram - upavasam, dhanam, nama sankeerthanam.
2. Bhagavad aradhanam
We need to do aradhanam for perumal so that he is happy and inturn he blesses us and we get punyam. Bhagawad smaranam(thinking/meditating) need to be done and one need to do it as per shastram. This will help the individual to get rid of all the dirt(AZHUKKU) and get clear thoughts. While doing all these rituals the mind gets pure and eventually one will go to the next steps by acquiring all the jnana.
When we are celebrating festival as per the prescription in the shastra's the following things happen..
1) First we celebrate festival - Pandigai kondadarom
2) While celebrating we are doing aradhanam for perumal - Kondadum pothu avarai aradhanam pannigirom
3) GOD is satisfied due to the aradhanam which is done by us - aradhanam pannum pothu avarukku thirupthi yerpadugirathu
4) The satisfied GOD blesses us - thiruputhinala avar arul purigirar
5) Due to the GOD's blessing we get happiness in life - antha arul nala nama sukam padugirom
So during pandigai, we need to stay together with good people and elders and be involved in Bhagavad smaranam.
WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED ON A PANDIGAI ?
Pandigai is to acquire puniyam not to just while away time.
If we are not celebrating pandigai in proper way like - not thinking about GOD, by going and eating out, by going around places for fun then it is only going to yield papam/dukham. Pandigai is for sukham but we have end up in dhukham since we went off track.
Pandigai is like Sugar coated tablet -"vella paagukkulla marundhu". ". It is like medicine coated with sugar. All the lowkika kondatam are like the sugar coating and the Vaithika karma's are like the medicine inside the sugar coated tablet. Without that medicine, the tablet is of no help and if it is just sugar it is not going to cure the problem.... here to go to the next higher steps in reaching the bhakthi.
There is no need for patatobhavam or show off when we celebrate pandigai. Focus should be more on Bhagawan. An ordinary man( Oru sanmanya manithan) in Bhakthi margam all he wants is, to think more about GOD on the pandigai day. Pandigai is just a way to start the process of brahma smaranam. So on a pandigai day, we need to think about GOD as much time as possible.
Pandigai are not for gaining sins which is done by rich people.
As stated in gita..
When someone is celebrating without bhagawad aradhanam for selfish reason then he will go to hell.
So during pandigai, we need to stay together with good people and elders and be involved in Bhagavad smaranam.
WRONG ACTIONS DONE TO RELIEVE STRESS & IMPORTANCE OF BRAHMAANUBHAVAM
At times, we are doing lot of things assuming they are stress relievers. But unfortunately, they end up adding more stress since you are moving from a disciplined(ozhukkam) life to indisciplined life (without ozhukkam). Indisciplined activities(Ozhukkam mattra kariyam) results in stress.
For example, when one is EXPERIENCING BRAHMAM(staying/meditaing/thinking/acting on things related to BRAHMAM) there is no pain. The pain starts only when one stops experiencing brahmam - Brahmathai anubhavithu mudithal than vedanai. brahmathai anubhavithukonde irunthal vedanai illai. Brahma smaranam(thinking on BRAHMAM) results in anandam(Bliss).
WHen one is going on a yatra, going for kalakshepam or any such activities, there is total bliss when one is doing all those activity related to Brahmam. The pain is only when the yatra gets over or the kalakshepam gets over. So it is very clear that when one stops experiencing brahmam that is when pain starts. So the pain is not due to expereiecing brahmam infact it is due to stopping the process of experiencing brahmam.
Bhagawan is shakthi's uttru vai, shakthi yin irupidam. It is Brahmam which is the source of energy for this universe. So when one is experience brahmam the energy is drawn from brahmam and hence it is bliss. Moment that is stopped the trouble starts.
PRAYACHITTAM & HOW FESTIVALS ARE OCCASION TO PERFORM PRAYACHITTAMS ?
Praya means papam(sins) - something done to get rid of our sins is called prayachittam.
There are different types of prayachittam i.e Karma's done to get rid of our sins.
There are many prayachittam's for different types of sins. Some example of prayachittam are saying 1lakh gayathri, 12 times perumal pradakshinam, 108 achamanam etc.
Unfortunately finding and doing prayachittam for different types of papam is not feasible. So we need common prayachittam's. Some of them are
1) One of the most common prayachittam is Bhagawat smaranam. The more we think about GOD we get rid of our sins. Festivals are occasions/oppurtunity provided for us to think more about GOD and do more of BHAGAWAD SMARANAM.
2) Next common Prayachittam is going on a Theertha yathirai which is considered to be a punya yatirai. The main reason behind these Theertha yathirai is to mediate more on GOD, to do dhanam.
3) Dhanam is another common Prayachittam. On the Festival days we need to do sambhavanai for scholars and Picchai for needy people. We should cook lots of food, offer it to GOD and should give it to people.
Radha with her 8 friends(sakhi) is cooking in brindavan where 10,000 ppl anadhanam happens everyday. If someone goes and sits to chant Hare rama at Brindavan, they will automatically get clothing and food in 24 hrs. That is the belief prevailing in Brindavan. We should go to these places and do dhanam.
Note that one need to think of birthday, wedding day as occasion to do Dhanam and aradhanam, namasankeerthanam. That is the true use of celebrating them.
ANOTHER CLASSIFICATIONS OF PANDIGAI
Based on where they are celebrated they can be classified as
1) Festivals celebrated at home - Deepavali, pongal, Karthigai, pithru kariyam etc.
2) Festivals celebrated at temples - Vaikunta ekadasi, Panguni uthiram
3) Festivals celebrated in both the places - Navrathiri
We need to ensure to participate in these various festivals
What for does one celebrate festivals for ?
1) Festivals are celebrated for our well being in this world
2) Festivals are celebrated for our well being in that world i.e vaikunta prapti
3) Festivals are also celebrated without any request to GOD. Bhakthan can feel "I am not going to ask anything. GOD knows what to give for me. Like how a parent will take care his son. He will take care of me. I celebrate festivals just to bring anandam for GOD."
OUR RELATION WITH BHAGAWAN
In the prabhandam Thirumalai, azhwar says at any age an individual is related to Srirangam temple. When one is small boy he goes to temple just to play. Then when he is big boy he goes to temple to learn, then at young age to look for girls and at old age Lord Ranganatha himself comes in the street to give darshan to his devotees.
Everyone has samandham with perumal. We need to ensure this samandham does not cease.
Because of this minute samandhan with perumal in whatever way it is, Perumal takes one from one level to the other. Nasthigan to asthigan, asthigan to develop furhter bhakthi to become Parama bhakthan.
WHAT are the other goals BEHIND celebrating FESTIVALS
Inspite of the primary goal of bhagawad anubhavam which is for a parama bhakthan, the festivals also help others who are in various levels of bhakthi.
All these festivals are also to seek attention and develop interest among people. For e.g. going to temple on puratasi saturday. A Nasthigan wishing another asthigan for a deepavali etc.
Once the first interest is developed, then further interest creeps in automatically. So these festivals are a way to develop that first interest in human.
Another example is 10 avatharam of Perumal. 10 is a small number and hence people might get interested to know about the 10 avatharam's. But during this process the interest develop's and
then he himself will seek the rest of the 1000 avatharams of perumal.
One should stay inside the Asthigan /bhaktha circle(vattam). To ensure that people stay focussed these special days and pandigai act as facilitators.
What should we do for our family, parents, relatives, friends, perumal, sanathana dharma during Pandigai ?
1. Family - First ensure that the entire family is there and participating. participation is the first step. e.g Pithru kariyam entire family need to get together. Family members should be present during the bhagawad aradhanam during those special festive days.
2. Parents - We need to give them rest from the usual routine work they do and facilitate them to visit temples.
3. Friends, relatives - We meet friends and relatives often and we talk so many things. But when we meet them during festivals, we need to avoid all the unwanted talks and we need to talk about pandigai, snathana dharma, bhagawan. etc. If they are not interested, we shud not get carried away with them in those wrong talks and if needed even come out or avoid them. It is our duty to educate the friends and relatives on the various aspects of Sanathana dharmam. They might not listen or heed to it. But we should not be bothered about that and still continue to tell. "Solla vendiyathu namma kadamai, kettukarthu athan padi nadakarthu kalam vanthal than nadakum." We need to talk that this pandigai is for Perumal. There are only two groups(jathi) of people 1 - one who is a bhakthan today, 2 - one who is going to become a bhakthan in future. So all those who seem not to listen, will start to listen when time comes. Anugraham kidakum varai katthu irukkanum. Also we should not get angry if they don't listen since getting angry is not as per the rules of Sanathana dharma. Ketkalai na kovichuka kudathu. Kovithundal athu pirani himsai. Porumaiya sollanum.
4. Perumal - We need to do vishesha thirumanjanam, thilagam, pattu, sandhanam, alankaram, and make all those different types of dishes and offer them to god. Perumal niraiya niraiya amudhu seiyanum. Perumal feels good(anandam) when we offer many things to him. Vishesha thaligai(food) needs to be done during festive occasion and we need to offer to GOD and then share it with others too.
5. Sanathana Dharma - We need to talk to people about the greatness of that festival. If there is no one to listen just sit alone and think more about GOD. One does not need great skill to talk about GOD. Are we talking/thinking about GOD is what is important.
How to avoid doing all other unwanted activities like watching TV during a pandigai ?
Only way is to first understand that those are not our end goal/purushartham and they are not going to give happiness. We need to understand that those things do not bring us happiness. THe more we are exposed to perumal things eventually we shall understand more on the happiness that it brings to us. So exposure about Perumal in those things like drama, dance, etc will eventually draw people.
What are various pandigai and why are they celebrated ?
1)Deepavali - Naraka chaturdasi - Narakasuran/Bowmasuran was killed by Krishna on chaturdasi celebrated as deepavali
2) Karthigai Deepam - Thrivikraman ulagathai thavi alantha naal. Deepam vilakku yettrathatkana karanam - neengal yellarum yen sothu, itho yen thiruvadi thamaraigalal un thalai theendaren yendru perumal explains that we are parathantharargal not swathantharargal. We are all slaves for perumal. Acquiring this knowledge that we all belong to HIM is celebrated by lighting lamps in a row.
3) Pongal - Suryan enters into makara rasi
4) VijayaDasami /Dasarathram - North indians celebrate for the significance of the 10 head ravana being killed. This is a debatable topic. Because Raman's pattabhishekam was planned during panguni/chittirai. Then he had to go to exile for 14 years and after killing ravana he hurried back to Ayodhya. So the event of Ram killing Ravana could not have happened in the month of puratasi/appipasi which is 4 months from panguni/chittirai. Hanuman stopped bharathan saying Ram will be back in a day too. Looking at all these this could not be the day when Ram killed Ravanan. But it is sure that vijayadasami is "Perumal jaitha naal", vijayam nichayam.
4) Akshaya thrithriya - Badrikashramam is opened after 6 months, Simhachalathhula Varaha perumal sevai sathikkum naal, Vedav vysar started to write MB in a place called Maana where vysa gufa(cave) is located. Parasurama Jayanthi is also on this day.
5) Thai amavasai is famous for Sethu snanam at thirupullani
When there is a death in a house, these pandigai's are not celebrated for a year. Why ?
That one year is dedicated to the person who has died. On the 12th day we do something called as Sapindikaranam - this is done for joining the deceased mother/father with the pithru group. THere is a ritual for the same using pindam and joining. Actually we need to do this sapindikaranam only at the end of 1 year. Nowdays we do it on the 12th day.
During kretha, thretha or dwapara yugam this was done only after 1 year during the first shradham. But the rishi's and shastram felt "Kaliyugathil oru varusham irukarthu durlabham." and hence for kali yugam it is prescribed to do it on 12th day. No one knows what will happen in a year in kaliyugam. So actually it must be done after 1 year so we stick to not following pandigal for 1 year. Hence people do not go on theertha yathirai, shavaram panna matta, para annanam sappida kudathu i.e. do not eat out for a year. All the restrcitions we follow for first 10 days were followed for first 1 year in those days.
What is the role of each family member during a Pandigai ?
Male : Thirumanjana, aradhanam for Perumal.
Female : Making garlands, cooking, sandal paste making
Youth : To learn from the elders by looking at what they are doing.
Kids : Slogam, Pasuram to be recited
All the members need to wear dhoti(Vezti) and need to have all the religious marks(nerthiku ittundu) and need to do things with acharam. We need to teach our kids to stay hungry for sometime and not to touch others(aacharam) from childhood. Elders should also start following all the acharam. We should teach kids about Ekadasi and avoid eating food for one time from 10 years in childhood. It is difficult to start all these restrictions after 25 years and it is better to involve and expose kids to these practices at young age. We should involve kids by giving them small small responsibilities during perumal aradhanam and need to get them introduced and also need to do things so that they get interested. Kids will be excited on seeing the elders doing and they will love to do it. It is our responsibility to get them involved.
What is the opinion about Pandigai as per our Rishi's, acharya's ? Shastram sishtacharathulam pandigaikalukku idam unda ? periyorgal kondadinargal ?
The pandigai prescribed in the shastram is in line with prakrithi and prakarthum, without hindering or impacting nature. Pandigai should not result in virayam(waste of resources).
Bhagawan has created yagam, yagyam, pandigai. Then created the people. Using those Deva Poojai(one such is Pandigai) the people need to reach HIM. Everyone need to understand that Pandigai's ultimate goal is bhagawad smaranam, which makes HIM happy and inturn gives us sukam. Pandigai is not just for celebration without perumal aradhanam.
Let us all celebrate the festivals in the right spirit by understanding the reason/intention behind the same.
This post is based on a Upanyasam called Bhakthi Margam by Swami Velukkudi Krishnan which was telecasted on Vijay TV.
Part 1 - Festivals / Pandigai
Part 2 - Devotion / Bhakthi
Part 3 - Pooja / Aaradhanam
Part 3 - Pooja / Aaradhanam
WHAT ARE THE WAYS TO PERFORM BHAKTHI ?
Bhakthi can be performed in various ways as follows
1- dhyanam, yogam, thavam, fasting(Upavasam)
2 - Nama sankeerthanam, Dhanam, Theertha Yatrai
3 - Pandigai(festivals) when done as per what is told in the shastram. This includes task for personal happiness along with bhagawad aradhanam.
1) First way i.e dhyanam, yogam, thavam, fasting etc.. looks like this category does not have personal happiness. But actully that is not the case. Yogi's can have personal happiness while they are meditating on BRAHMAM(GOD). So based on one's status yogam/dhyana pakkuvam they can choose this way to do bhakthi.
3) Third way i.e Pandigai is like Sugar coated tablet -"vella paagukkulla marundhu"
Bhagavad aradhanam, pattini kidathal, slogam solluthal, villaku yetruthal, periyavalai namaskarithal,perumalluku kandu arulapannuthal(offering food to god), kovil poitu varathu etc are the medicine in that tablet which has been coated with fun, new clothes, celebration as the outer layer. Note that the third way also gives all the benefits which are obtained in first two ways but in a indirect manner. This is also marundhu for getting us releived from samsara sagaram. This is also a way for brahma gyanam as in the first step. This is the goal/latchiyam of the pandigai's.
We need to understand that Pandigai is not just for us to have fun. It is a way to reach bhagawan. so we can celebrate. Shastram has accepted pandigai. Infact Shastram has ordered us to do the aradhanam/ bhagawad smaranam during pandigai and along with that it is not restricting to celebrate by wearing new clothes.
Laid rule is to do bhagawad Aradhanam - Shastram orders us to do this saying "Aradhanam Pannu" . At the same time Shastram is not restricting us not to wear clothes or avoid celebration. Shastram allows us to celebrate (Panniko) - puthusu pottukarthu ( it does not say don't do it..) but offer to GOD first and then take it.
2)Second way is for bhakthas who are involved in Nama sankeerthanam, Dhanam, theertha yatrai, upavasam etc. on their own irrespective of pandigai.
WHY SHOULD WE OFFER TO GOD BEFORE WE CONSUME ANYTHING?
So now the next question/doubt is - "Can we just offer to GOD and take it and keep on doing it ? yes.. it will bring in sathva gunam in us over a period of time. When we offer to HIM and take it as a prasadam/blessing the contented/satisfied attitude will be developed soon. This contented satisfied attitude will take us to the next level of bhakthi slowly. If we do not offer the envying attitude only keeps growing. This attitude will only increase the desire and one will not be happy how much ever they have.
WHAT ARE THE RITUALS IN A PANDIGAI ?
The activities in a Pandigai are classified into two .
1) Vaithika Karma /Spiritual part - Aradhanam, Bhagawad smaranam.
2) Lowkika kondatam / Celebration part - clothes, maa vilai, padchanam(Sweets/Savories), crackers.
Pandigai is like Sugar coated tablet -"vella paagukkulla marundhu". It is like medicine coated with sugar. All the lowkika kondatam are like the sugar coating and the Vaithika karma's are like the medicine inside the sugar coated tablet. Without that medicine, the tablet is of no help and if it is just sugar it is not going to cure the problem..
WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND CELEBRATING FESTIVAL ?
There is connection/relation between pandigai and BRAHMAM(GOD) when we follow either the Vaithika karma's of the festival or while doing the lowkika kondatam(as prescribed). For this BRAHMA Smaranam, BRAHMA Anubhavam we celebrate festival.
DOES SHASTRAM ACCEPT THE LOWKIKA / Celebration Part in a festival or does it prescribe only the VAIDIKA rituals ?
Shastram is accepting the lowkika kondatam at times because it is helping the individual to stay in focus within the circle. It is like a student taking time out to play inbetween studies. Shastram hence helps us to relax too. So pandigai needs to be celebrated.
Pandigai is like Sugar coated tablet -"vella paagukkulla marundhu". It is like medicine coated with sugar. All the lowkika kondatam are like the sugar coating and the Vaithika karma's are like the medicine inside the sugar coated tablet. Without that medicine, the tablet is of no help and if it is just sugar it is not going to cure the problem..
Shastram as ordered(vithichi irukku) the first part i.e VAIDIKA PART and allowed(anumathichi irukku) the second part i.e LOWKIKA PART but within limits(varambhukul).
If the lowkika celebration goes beyond limits, then the goal will be diluted or digressed. Goal of festivals is Bhagawan smaranam.
WHO CAN CELEBRATE FESTIVALS ?
If one understands this connection between Pandigai and Brahmam, then he can celebrate festivals and there is meaning in celebrating a festival.
If one does not understand what is the reason behind these functions and how it is to be celebrated what is the use in celebrating it.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF NOT UNDERSTANDING THE REASON BEHIND FESTIVALS ?
If we do not understand the connection of festivals with BRAHMAM then what happens is - we end up spending time with our relations, just enjoying, eating out, going out, shopping, movie etc.. We move away from the ultimate goal(Bhagawad smaranam and perumal) by digressing and in doing all these other activities.
For example AkshayaThrithiyai is a function where people are buying GOLD. Actually in Srimad Bhagavatham it is clearly specified that GOLD is one of the 9 places where KALI PURUSHAN will be staying torchering people. But buying gold has become a practice off late which is totally wrong and against shastram.
Actually Akshayathritheeyai is not for gold and it is the day when
- badrikashramam temple is opened after 6 months and we need to think about badri perumal
- vedav vysar started to write mahabharatham on this day.
So we need to think about BADRI perumal on this day and stop buying Gold.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO ON A PANDIGAI ?
First thing to do on a Pandigai is "perumal aradhanam" and one need to do it as per shastram. This will help the individual to get rid of my AZHUKKU. While doing all these rituals the mind gets pure and eventually one will go to the next steps by acquiring all the jnana.
A PERSON IN BHAKTHI MARGAM USUALLY ENDS UP IN LOTS OF CHALLENGES. WHY ?
Bhakthi yoda iruppavanai than perumal sothipar. When someone starts with Bhakthi margam, perumal tries to test him and challenges the individual. One should not get carried away and should not loose hope and should continue to follow the path of BHAKTHI.
During the starting of bhakthi one will be tensed and will be restless(padhatam). Later has the bhakthi evolves/matures, more the bhakthi it will result in peace.
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS OCCASIONS DURING WHICH PANDIGAI ARE CELEBRATED ?
Pandigai means utsavam, kondattam meaning celebration. The reason behind this celebration is because GOD has come down for us, HE was born in this world for us , HE did everything for us.
The various occasions during which we celebrate can be grouped as follows..
1. Festival's marking Bhagawan's INCARNATION DAY:
Perumal avatara dinam related pandigai - rama navami, sita navami which comes one month after rama navami in vaikasi, parusurama jayanthi, varaha jayanthi, vamana jayanthi, Krishna Jayanthi. All these are days when GOD incarnated for us.
Krishna jayanthi : On Krishna jayanthi one need to perform upavasam/fast whole day and do archanai for chinna krishna with thulasi in the evening or mid night. All the aradhanm or vaidika karma need to be done before surya asthamanam usually and one exception is krishna jayanthi.
Narasimha jayanthi : It is celebrated done during sayam kalam also called as Pradosha kalam. Here also we need to do aradhanam in the evening by being upavasam whole day. Nama sankeerthanam is also a form of archanai.
2. Festival's celebrated to remember Bhagawan's acts:
Perumal's sestithangal - like karthigai deepam- Thiruvikraman ulagam thavi alanthathu, panguni uthiram - serthi sevai sita kalyanam, Deepavali - Narakasuran vatham etc.
3. Festival's based on SUN GOD's position :
Suryan charam : Suryan yeppadi gathi(position) irukko athan padi kondadum pandigai. festivals celebrated based on Sun's postion. Chitthirai varusa pirappu(based on sun), ugadi(new year based on moon), uttarayanam(sun starts moving towards north), dakshinayanam(sun moving towards south), Pongal-makarasankramam(sun is entering into makara rasi),MASA PIRAPPU - every month beginning is nothing but suryan moving into one rasi, Aadi masam is uttarayanam, upa raghu punya kalam i.e eclipse.
Note that one these days one needs to give dhanam, cleaning is done.
Sauramanam panchagam means based on suryan's position.
Chandramanam panchagam means based on chandran's position.
4. Festival's celebration related to ACHARYA's - Bhakthargal avathara dinam
This type is celebrating all the pandithar, acharya's who spoke about Perumal. Vedav vyasar Jayanthi, Valmiki Jayanthi , Nammazhvar Thirunatchathiram, Alavandar Thirunatchathiram, Ramanujar Thirunatchathiram etc.. Avathara Natchathiram of our Acharya's. As per GOD - "Though they are human, all these janani's and are like my(GOD) athma. So you need to do pooja's for them like how you do it for me. " We need to celebrate these festivals at home too and not just temples. One need to recite the thaniyan's of those acharyas on those days.
It is mandatory to celebrate the Avathra dinam of Bhagawan. Most important is to celebrate the festival's related to our ACHARYA's i.e Bhakthargal avathara dinam - Bhagawan is happy when we celebrate his Bhakthan.
Note that one need to think of birthday, wedding day as occasion to do Dhanam and aradhanam, namasankeerthanam.
CAN WE CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAY's OR OUR PARENT's BIRTHDAY ?
We can celebrate the birthday of a person only when that person is a BRAHMA JNANI i.e one who is knowledgeable about Brahmam. So only if i am a brahma jnani then i can celebrate my birthday. If our parents were brahma jnani then we can celebrate their birthday else they loose the qualification.
But shradha thithi needs to be celebrated even if parents are brahma janani or not.. Because shastram has laid this rule. so inpsite of how parents were one need to do the pithru kariyam.
Only if there is a relation between Brahmam and the act(here celebrating birthday since the person was a brahma janani) then do it else do not.
WHAT IS DHARMAM ?
"Veda bhoditha istha sadanathvam dharmathvam" - "Vedam naam istapattathai adaivatharkaga sollum sadhanam dharmam" - The means prescribed by the Veda's to reach our end goal is dharma. Dharmam are laid down by the Veda's. One need to follow as per the do's and dont's told in veda to follow the path of Dharmam.
WHAT IS KARMAM / ACTIONS AND HOW ARE KARMAM CLASSIFIED ?
Veda's prescribe certain actions which need to be performed by us and they are referred as KARMAM. Also the veda's have prescribed actions which needs to be performed during an occurence of an event.
They are classified as
1) NITHYA KARMA
2) NITHYA NAIMITHIKA KARMA
There is one more type of karma called as KAMYA KARMA too.
What is NITHYA KARMA ?
Daily rituals like Sandhyavandanam, Aradhanam,Nama Sankeerthanam, Agnihotram , homam, samitha dhanam etc.
What are NAIMITHIKA KARMA and NITHYA NAIMITHIKA KARMA ?
First let us understand what NAIMITHIKA KARMAM means. Naimithika karmam are karmam/actions to be performed during an occurence of an event.
Naimithika karma - " intha Nimitham(karanam) thukaga homam, upavasam, dhanam,tapas". Performing homam, fasting, etc for a occurence of an event. When the occurence of that event is confirmed/decided i.e when the occurence is confirmed - "Nimitham niyamithikam agartho" then it is called as Nithya Naimithika Karma.
Example of Nithya Naimithika karma : Shradham, the thithi occurs on the same time/day.
Example of Naimithika karma which does not fall under nithyam is Grahanam. It does not occur on the same time/day everytime.
e.g darshapoorna masa homam(homam done during amavasai, pournami)
WHAT TYPE OF KARMA DOES PANDIGAI FALL INTO ?
Pandigai is nothing similar to our nithya karma(aradhanam etc..) but done during an occurence of an event or for a reason.
CLASSIFICATION OF PANDIGAI / festivals
Pandigai can be classified as
1) Apara karyam - E.g Tharpanam
2) Ananda karyam - E.g Homam
Note that Aadi masa pirapu, thai amavasai are also celebrated as pithru dinam though they are pandigai. So shradham/amavasai tharpanam is also classified as pandigai.
WRONG NOTIONS PREVAILING IN THE SOCIETY
Shastram does not talk about many mooda nambikai and there are many wrong notions which are totally against shastram.
1) Pithru shraddham should not be looked at with wrong notion/interpretation. Some people do not prefer to do Shraddham in a new house which is not correct.
2) Widow, childless female participating in shubha functions is not accepted in society. Shastram does not talk anything about these and these are wrong notions. Widow(Vidhwa sisthri) life is like a sanyasi's life says shastram. Like our thridhanda sanyasi's we need to respect vidhawa's and one need to take blessings from widow too.
3) One more practice is on the natchathiram's. All natchathiram's are good. God came down has
Kannan & Raman in ashtami, navami thithi. HE will think "inspite of me born on these days these human don't understand or they don't change". There are many great acharya's who are all born in natchathiram's which are considered not good in this society. Like Manavala mamunigal is moolam, Ramanujar is thiruvadirai, Nammazhvar is visagam.
4) Also the practice of seeing the jathagam for every action is wrong. Do not take jathagam often.. They need to be in the box. :) All the jyothidar's have to same something when they see a jathagam and hence they same few things. Think of only perumal and do not rely on seeing Jathagam for everything. This is what one in bhakthi margam will do. Jathagam need to be used during marraige and thats it. Troubles will come in life and one need to get used and face the trouble. Bhakthi is the only way to face all the troubles. Samsaram is full of innal(troubles). That is the nature of Samsaram and only with belief on GOD can one cross this Samsaram peacefully.
We have not read the shastram/veda properly so it is all wrongly interpreted and many wrong practices are prevailing in the society. Just because we have are ignorant on what is told in veda's, we are all stuck with many wrong notions and practices. Similarly, we do not know the importance of the pandigai and reasons behind celebrating festivals which is also a type of mooda nambikai.
To get rid of these mooda nambikai only way is to read and listen. One need to listen to sadh vishayam(good information), dharma shastram.
WHAT ARE THE GOAL/LATCHIYAM IN CELEBRATING PANDIGAI?
1. Acquire punyam by following veda's
Punniyam serum provided we celebrate in the manner as told in the shastram - upavasam, dhanam, nama sankeerthanam.
2. Bhagavad aradhanam
We need to do aradhanam for perumal so that he is happy and inturn he blesses us and we get punyam. Bhagawad smaranam(thinking/meditating) need to be done and one need to do it as per shastram. This will help the individual to get rid of all the dirt(AZHUKKU) and get clear thoughts. While doing all these rituals the mind gets pure and eventually one will go to the next steps by acquiring all the jnana.
When we are celebrating festival as per the prescription in the shastra's the following things happen..
1) First we celebrate festival - Pandigai kondadarom
2) While celebrating we are doing aradhanam for perumal - Kondadum pothu avarai aradhanam pannigirom
3) GOD is satisfied due to the aradhanam which is done by us - aradhanam pannum pothu avarukku thirupthi yerpadugirathu
4) The satisfied GOD blesses us - thiruputhinala avar arul purigirar
5) Due to the GOD's blessing we get happiness in life - antha arul nala nama sukam padugirom
So during pandigai, we need to stay together with good people and elders and be involved in Bhagavad smaranam.
WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED ON A PANDIGAI ?
Pandigai is to acquire puniyam not to just while away time.
If we are not celebrating pandigai in proper way like - not thinking about GOD, by going and eating out, by going around places for fun then it is only going to yield papam/dukham. Pandigai is for sukham but we have end up in dhukham since we went off track.
Pandigai is like Sugar coated tablet -"vella paagukkulla marundhu". ". It is like medicine coated with sugar. All the lowkika kondatam are like the sugar coating and the Vaithika karma's are like the medicine inside the sugar coated tablet. Without that medicine, the tablet is of no help and if it is just sugar it is not going to cure the problem.... here to go to the next higher steps in reaching the bhakthi.
There is no need for patatobhavam or show off when we celebrate pandigai. Focus should be more on Bhagawan. An ordinary man( Oru sanmanya manithan) in Bhakthi margam all he wants is, to think more about GOD on the pandigai day. Pandigai is just a way to start the process of brahma smaranam. So on a pandigai day, we need to think about GOD as much time as possible.
Pandigai are not for gaining sins which is done by rich people.
As stated in gita..
When someone is celebrating without bhagawad aradhanam for selfish reason then he will go to hell.
So during pandigai, we need to stay together with good people and elders and be involved in Bhagavad smaranam.
WRONG ACTIONS DONE TO RELIEVE STRESS & IMPORTANCE OF BRAHMAANUBHAVAM
At times, we are doing lot of things assuming they are stress relievers. But unfortunately, they end up adding more stress since you are moving from a disciplined(ozhukkam) life to indisciplined life (without ozhukkam). Indisciplined activities(Ozhukkam mattra kariyam) results in stress.
For example, when one is EXPERIENCING BRAHMAM(staying/meditaing/thinking/acting on things related to BRAHMAM) there is no pain. The pain starts only when one stops experiencing brahmam - Brahmathai anubhavithu mudithal than vedanai. brahmathai anubhavithukonde irunthal vedanai illai. Brahma smaranam(thinking on BRAHMAM) results in anandam(Bliss).
WHen one is going on a yatra, going for kalakshepam or any such activities, there is total bliss when one is doing all those activity related to Brahmam. The pain is only when the yatra gets over or the kalakshepam gets over. So it is very clear that when one stops experiencing brahmam that is when pain starts. So the pain is not due to expereiecing brahmam infact it is due to stopping the process of experiencing brahmam.
Bhagawan is shakthi's uttru vai, shakthi yin irupidam. It is Brahmam which is the source of energy for this universe. So when one is experience brahmam the energy is drawn from brahmam and hence it is bliss. Moment that is stopped the trouble starts.
PRAYACHITTAM & HOW FESTIVALS ARE OCCASION TO PERFORM PRAYACHITTAMS ?
Praya means papam(sins) - something done to get rid of our sins is called prayachittam.
There are different types of prayachittam i.e Karma's done to get rid of our sins.
There are many prayachittam's for different types of sins. Some example of prayachittam are saying 1lakh gayathri, 12 times perumal pradakshinam, 108 achamanam etc.
Unfortunately finding and doing prayachittam for different types of papam is not feasible. So we need common prayachittam's. Some of them are
1) One of the most common prayachittam is Bhagawat smaranam. The more we think about GOD we get rid of our sins. Festivals are occasions/oppurtunity provided for us to think more about GOD and do more of BHAGAWAD SMARANAM.
2) Next common Prayachittam is going on a Theertha yathirai which is considered to be a punya yatirai. The main reason behind these Theertha yathirai is to mediate more on GOD, to do dhanam.
3) Dhanam is another common Prayachittam. On the Festival days we need to do sambhavanai for scholars and Picchai for needy people. We should cook lots of food, offer it to GOD and should give it to people.
Radha with her 8 friends(sakhi) is cooking in brindavan where 10,000 ppl anadhanam happens everyday. If someone goes and sits to chant Hare rama at Brindavan, they will automatically get clothing and food in 24 hrs. That is the belief prevailing in Brindavan. We should go to these places and do dhanam.
Note that one need to think of birthday, wedding day as occasion to do Dhanam and aradhanam, namasankeerthanam. That is the true use of celebrating them.
ANOTHER CLASSIFICATIONS OF PANDIGAI
Based on where they are celebrated they can be classified as
1) Festivals celebrated at home - Deepavali, pongal, Karthigai, pithru kariyam etc.
2) Festivals celebrated at temples - Vaikunta ekadasi, Panguni uthiram
3) Festivals celebrated in both the places - Navrathiri
We need to ensure to participate in these various festivals
What for does one celebrate festivals for ?
1) Festivals are celebrated for our well being in this world
2) Festivals are celebrated for our well being in that world i.e vaikunta prapti
3) Festivals are also celebrated without any request to GOD. Bhakthan can feel "I am not going to ask anything. GOD knows what to give for me. Like how a parent will take care his son. He will take care of me. I celebrate festivals just to bring anandam for GOD."
OUR RELATION WITH BHAGAWAN
In the prabhandam Thirumalai, azhwar says at any age an individual is related to Srirangam temple. When one is small boy he goes to temple just to play. Then when he is big boy he goes to temple to learn, then at young age to look for girls and at old age Lord Ranganatha himself comes in the street to give darshan to his devotees.
Everyone has samandham with perumal. We need to ensure this samandham does not cease.
Because of this minute samandhan with perumal in whatever way it is, Perumal takes one from one level to the other. Nasthigan to asthigan, asthigan to develop furhter bhakthi to become Parama bhakthan.
WHAT are the other goals BEHIND celebrating FESTIVALS
Inspite of the primary goal of bhagawad anubhavam which is for a parama bhakthan, the festivals also help others who are in various levels of bhakthi.
All these festivals are also to seek attention and develop interest among people. For e.g. going to temple on puratasi saturday. A Nasthigan wishing another asthigan for a deepavali etc.
Once the first interest is developed, then further interest creeps in automatically. So these festivals are a way to develop that first interest in human.
Another example is 10 avatharam of Perumal. 10 is a small number and hence people might get interested to know about the 10 avatharam's. But during this process the interest develop's and
then he himself will seek the rest of the 1000 avatharams of perumal.
One should stay inside the Asthigan /bhaktha circle(vattam). To ensure that people stay focussed these special days and pandigai act as facilitators.
What should we do for our family, parents, relatives, friends, perumal, sanathana dharma during Pandigai ?
1. Family - First ensure that the entire family is there and participating. participation is the first step. e.g Pithru kariyam entire family need to get together. Family members should be present during the bhagawad aradhanam during those special festive days.
2. Parents - We need to give them rest from the usual routine work they do and facilitate them to visit temples.
3. Friends, relatives - We meet friends and relatives often and we talk so many things. But when we meet them during festivals, we need to avoid all the unwanted talks and we need to talk about pandigai, snathana dharma, bhagawan. etc. If they are not interested, we shud not get carried away with them in those wrong talks and if needed even come out or avoid them. It is our duty to educate the friends and relatives on the various aspects of Sanathana dharmam. They might not listen or heed to it. But we should not be bothered about that and still continue to tell. "Solla vendiyathu namma kadamai, kettukarthu athan padi nadakarthu kalam vanthal than nadakum." We need to talk that this pandigai is for Perumal. There are only two groups(jathi) of people 1 - one who is a bhakthan today, 2 - one who is going to become a bhakthan in future. So all those who seem not to listen, will start to listen when time comes. Anugraham kidakum varai katthu irukkanum. Also we should not get angry if they don't listen since getting angry is not as per the rules of Sanathana dharma. Ketkalai na kovichuka kudathu. Kovithundal athu pirani himsai. Porumaiya sollanum.
4. Perumal - We need to do vishesha thirumanjanam, thilagam, pattu, sandhanam, alankaram, and make all those different types of dishes and offer them to god. Perumal niraiya niraiya amudhu seiyanum. Perumal feels good(anandam) when we offer many things to him. Vishesha thaligai(food) needs to be done during festive occasion and we need to offer to GOD and then share it with others too.
5. Sanathana Dharma - We need to talk to people about the greatness of that festival. If there is no one to listen just sit alone and think more about GOD. One does not need great skill to talk about GOD. Are we talking/thinking about GOD is what is important.
How to avoid doing all other unwanted activities like watching TV during a pandigai ?
Only way is to first understand that those are not our end goal/purushartham and they are not going to give happiness. We need to understand that those things do not bring us happiness. THe more we are exposed to perumal things eventually we shall understand more on the happiness that it brings to us. So exposure about Perumal in those things like drama, dance, etc will eventually draw people.
What are various pandigai and why are they celebrated ?
1)Deepavali - Naraka chaturdasi - Narakasuran/Bowmasuran was killed by Krishna on chaturdasi celebrated as deepavali
2) Karthigai Deepam - Thrivikraman ulagathai thavi alantha naal. Deepam vilakku yettrathatkana karanam - neengal yellarum yen sothu, itho yen thiruvadi thamaraigalal un thalai theendaren yendru perumal explains that we are parathantharargal not swathantharargal. We are all slaves for perumal. Acquiring this knowledge that we all belong to HIM is celebrated by lighting lamps in a row.
3) Pongal - Suryan enters into makara rasi
4) VijayaDasami /Dasarathram - North indians celebrate for the significance of the 10 head ravana being killed. This is a debatable topic. Because Raman's pattabhishekam was planned during panguni/chittirai. Then he had to go to exile for 14 years and after killing ravana he hurried back to Ayodhya. So the event of Ram killing Ravana could not have happened in the month of puratasi/appipasi which is 4 months from panguni/chittirai. Hanuman stopped bharathan saying Ram will be back in a day too. Looking at all these this could not be the day when Ram killed Ravanan. But it is sure that vijayadasami is "Perumal jaitha naal", vijayam nichayam.
4) Akshaya thrithriya - Badrikashramam is opened after 6 months, Simhachalathhula Varaha perumal sevai sathikkum naal, Vedav vysar started to write MB in a place called Maana where vysa gufa(cave) is located. Parasurama Jayanthi is also on this day.
5) Thai amavasai is famous for Sethu snanam at thirupullani
When there is a death in a house, these pandigai's are not celebrated for a year. Why ?
That one year is dedicated to the person who has died. On the 12th day we do something called as Sapindikaranam - this is done for joining the deceased mother/father with the pithru group. THere is a ritual for the same using pindam and joining. Actually we need to do this sapindikaranam only at the end of 1 year. Nowdays we do it on the 12th day.
During kretha, thretha or dwapara yugam this was done only after 1 year during the first shradham. But the rishi's and shastram felt "Kaliyugathil oru varusham irukarthu durlabham." and hence for kali yugam it is prescribed to do it on 12th day. No one knows what will happen in a year in kaliyugam. So actually it must be done after 1 year so we stick to not following pandigal for 1 year. Hence people do not go on theertha yathirai, shavaram panna matta, para annanam sappida kudathu i.e. do not eat out for a year. All the restrcitions we follow for first 10 days were followed for first 1 year in those days.
What is the role of each family member during a Pandigai ?
Male : Thirumanjana, aradhanam for Perumal.
Female : Making garlands, cooking, sandal paste making
Youth : To learn from the elders by looking at what they are doing.
Kids : Slogam, Pasuram to be recited
All the members need to wear dhoti(Vezti) and need to have all the religious marks(nerthiku ittundu) and need to do things with acharam. We need to teach our kids to stay hungry for sometime and not to touch others(aacharam) from childhood. Elders should also start following all the acharam. We should teach kids about Ekadasi and avoid eating food for one time from 10 years in childhood. It is difficult to start all these restrictions after 25 years and it is better to involve and expose kids to these practices at young age. We should involve kids by giving them small small responsibilities during perumal aradhanam and need to get them introduced and also need to do things so that they get interested. Kids will be excited on seeing the elders doing and they will love to do it. It is our responsibility to get them involved.
What is the opinion about Pandigai as per our Rishi's, acharya's ? Shastram sishtacharathulam pandigaikalukku idam unda ? periyorgal kondadinargal ?
The pandigai prescribed in the shastram is in line with prakrithi and prakarthum, without hindering or impacting nature. Pandigai should not result in virayam(waste of resources).
Bhagawan has created yagam, yagyam, pandigai. Then created the people. Using those Deva Poojai(one such is Pandigai) the people need to reach HIM. Everyone need to understand that Pandigai's ultimate goal is bhagawad smaranam, which makes HIM happy and inturn gives us sukam. Pandigai is not just for celebration without perumal aradhanam.
Let us all celebrate the festivals in the right spirit by understanding the reason/intention behind the same.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Upanyasam Series: Bhakthi Margam Upanyasam - Part 2 - Devotion / Bhakthi
ஸ்ரீராமஜெயம்-ஸர்வம் ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்
This post is based on a Upanyasam called Bhakthi Margam by Swami Velukkudi Krishnan which was telecasted on Vijay TV.
Part 1 - Festivals / Pandigai
This part of the blog talks about about understanding bhakthi in detail.
WHAT TYPE OF BHAKTHI LEADS US TO GOD ?
This post is based on a Upanyasam called Bhakthi Margam by Swami Velukkudi Krishnan which was telecasted on Vijay TV.
Part 1 - Festivals / Pandigai
Part 2 - Devotion / Bhakthi
Part 3 - Pooja / Aaradhanam
Part 3 - Pooja / Aaradhanam
This part of the blog talks about about understanding bhakthi in detail.
Bhakthi is common to all irrespective of sex, varnam, ashramam. All the Upanishad's were trying to find ways to reach GOD and they found the following.
Upanishad says "Thamevam vidwan amrutha iha bhavathi.nanya pandhaa ayanaaya vidhyathe "
As per the Upanishad,
Step 1: First a person tries to find about GOD
Step 2 : Next the person starts to think and meditate about GOD
Step 3 : Next that meditation grows with love and affection and that is when Bhakthi blossoms or bhakthi fosters.
Step 4 : Only With this bhakthi, Janardhanan can be reached.
1) Gyana - Acquiring Superficial knowledge
2) gyana - Acquiring deep knowledge which is obtained due to meditating more or knowing more about it
3) if one starts to like the same then the person gets attached to that knowledge.
4) That attachment when it matures becomes a desire to reach that knowledge.
Upanishad says "Thamevam vidwan amrutha iha bhavathi.nanya pandhaa ayanaaya vidhyathe "
As per the Upanishad,
Step 1: First a person tries to find about GOD
Step 2 : Next the person starts to think and meditate about GOD
Step 3 : Next that meditation grows with love and affection and that is when Bhakthi blossoms or bhakthi fosters.
Step 4 : Only With this bhakthi, Janardhanan can be reached.
1) Gyana - Acquiring Superficial knowledge
2) gyana - Acquiring deep knowledge which is obtained due to meditating more or knowing more about it
3) if one starts to like the same then the person gets attached to that knowledge.
4) That attachment when it matures becomes a desire to reach that knowledge.
These multi step process is also applicable to reach perumal and everyone needs to climb all these steps of bhakthi. Because of this bhakthi, all the sins which we have acquired over many janmas/births will be lost. Once the karmas are nil then one acquires the permanent abode of god - moksham.
What is the reason for Bhakthi not given importance ? Why are people focussing on wordly pleasures but why are they are not interested towards bhakthi ?
This attitude is because, people think that materialistic things brings pleasure, while bhakthi doesn't bring happiness. This attitude is called as "BHOGYATHA BHUTHI". This bhuthi attracts us towards all the worldly pleasure. This bhuthi is something we have acquired over our many janmas - it is a vasanai which is coming with us across our births. This is referred as "VISHAYA VASANAI". The atma carries the Karma with him, atma carries the vishaya vasanai- anubhavam's of seeing hearing etc... VASANA is "MANA PATHIVU" , as we keep enjoying all these worldly pleasures it causes an imprint/mark in us. For e.g if we keep flower on a cloth, the smell of the flowers lasts on that cloth for a while or till we wash it. Over many years we have experienced many pleasures and these imprints are with us - these mental imprints are called as "VISHAYA VASANA". A new born baby is able to cry, drink milk and attend to nature's call is all due this VASANA which the baby has done across many many births. Across births we have been used to eating, mating, crying etc and hence by default they become our practice and our manas is automatically attracted to all these worldly pleasures. We human's are thinking that all these materialistic things are "BHOGYAM" but bhakthi is not something to enjoy and we think Bhakthi is very difficult and we shall not enjoy bhakthi.
WHAT IS THE REMEDY TO BRING IMPORTANCE TO BHAKTHI ?
This attitude is a big disease and until we find medicine for this disease we cannot proceed further.
The medicine is nothing but the realization that "what we are thinking as ultimate pleasure is not permanent pleasure and it is not real pleasure. True pleasure is BRAHMAM and the one who can provide us that true pleasure is BRAHMAM himself." We need to realize this ultimate truth.
WHAT IS JNANA / KNOWLEDGE ?
"Nayathe Anena Ithi Jnanam "- Jnanam is something which is used to recognize another thing. E.g. Because of the Jnanam we posses one is able to understand that this is a paper, this is a garland, he is a man, that it is a pillar.
Bhakthi is a four step process..
1. First step is acquiring Jnanam/Knowledge.
2. Second step - Once we acquire knowledge we keep thinking more and we keep building our knowledge and we continue to think more on the same. This is the second step where Jnanam matures to Dhyanam. Jnanam is just knowledge. When this knowledge becomes a continous thoughts(thodarchiyana ninaivu) then it is Dhyanam.
3. Third step - When there is affection/love attached to that dhyanam, then it is the third step called Bhakthi. Just knowledge is not sufficient. So when there is love and affection along with that deep knowledge then we take action(thondu purithal).
4. Once we have true bhakthi towards Bhagwan, next step is that bhakthi need to induce the serving attitude. Service to bhagwan is to cook lots of food and offer HIM, offer flowers, offer clothes, We need to show all affection/parivu towards bhagawan in our house and for this doing service(sevai, kainkaryam) to HIM is the only way.
"Sneha-purvam anu-dhyanam bhakt/'r ityobhdhiyate" - Meaning: anbodu koodina idaividatha sindhanaiye bhakthi.
Bhakthi as in third step needs two things -
1. Anbhu koodina sindhanai (meditate with love/affection)
2. Anbhin velipadaga Thondu purithal(Service/Kainkaryam).
If we have respect someone then -
1. we need to think and thank them for all the good things they have done to us,
2. Anbhin velipadaga Thondu purithal.
Bhakthi is totally different than Knowledge. We do not mediate on the knowledge we have. Knowledge along with deep love will only lead us to bhakthi. We do not develop this love on all the knowledge we possess. We can develop this love on Bhagawan.
Bhakthan - Idaividamal anbhodu iravanai yevan dhyanikarono avan Bhakthan.
So we are all just in the initial/pre-requiste stage of Bhakthi and we need to work towards becoming true bhakthan.
Even today there are true bhakthas, who think about bhagwan irrespective of what other work they are into.
Summarizing the 4 steps related to BHAKTHI
1. First step is acquiring Jnanam/Knowledge.
2. Second step - Once we acquire knowledge we keep thinking more and we keep building our knowledge and we continue to think more on the same. This is the second step where Jnanam matures to Dhyanam. Jnanam is just knowledge. When this knowledge becomes a continous thoughts(thodarchiyana ninaivu) then it is Dhyanam.
3. Third step - When there is affection/love attached to that dhyanam, then it is the third step called Bhakthi. Bhakthi is anbodu koodina idaividatha sindhanaiye bhakthi.
4. Fourth step - true bhakthi induces the service attitude i.e Kainkaryam/Sevai to Bhagwan.
BHAKTHI MARGAM AND JNANA MARGAM
There is a wrong perception that Jnana margam is better than bhakthi margam. Also there is a perception that Jnana margam is for learned scholars and bhakthi margam is for common man.
What is the reason for Bhakthi not given importance ? Why are people focussing on wordly pleasures but why are they are not interested towards bhakthi ?
This attitude is because, people think that materialistic things brings pleasure, while bhakthi doesn't bring happiness. This attitude is called as "BHOGYATHA BHUTHI". This bhuthi attracts us towards all the worldly pleasure. This bhuthi is something we have acquired over our many janmas - it is a vasanai which is coming with us across our births. This is referred as "VISHAYA VASANAI". The atma carries the Karma with him, atma carries the vishaya vasanai- anubhavam's of seeing hearing etc... VASANA is "MANA PATHIVU" , as we keep enjoying all these worldly pleasures it causes an imprint/mark in us. For e.g if we keep flower on a cloth, the smell of the flowers lasts on that cloth for a while or till we wash it. Over many years we have experienced many pleasures and these imprints are with us - these mental imprints are called as "VISHAYA VASANA". A new born baby is able to cry, drink milk and attend to nature's call is all due this VASANA which the baby has done across many many births. Across births we have been used to eating, mating, crying etc and hence by default they become our practice and our manas is automatically attracted to all these worldly pleasures. We human's are thinking that all these materialistic things are "BHOGYAM" but bhakthi is not something to enjoy and we think Bhakthi is very difficult and we shall not enjoy bhakthi.
WHAT IS THE REMEDY TO BRING IMPORTANCE TO BHAKTHI ?
This attitude is a big disease and until we find medicine for this disease we cannot proceed further.
The medicine is nothing but the realization that "what we are thinking as ultimate pleasure is not permanent pleasure and it is not real pleasure. True pleasure is BRAHMAM and the one who can provide us that true pleasure is BRAHMAM himself." We need to realize this ultimate truth.
If this realization comes in, then it is easy to foster Bhakthi even from young age. If this realization has not come in or if we are not teaching it is difficult to foster bhakthi. Also for the kids to realize and understand, first the parents need to have this realization on what is true pleasure. Parents need to be role models following all the anusanthanam, need to have athma-paramatma jnanam, need to have viragyam, need to have vivega jnanam. So bhakthi is not just for old people and it is for all ages.
WHAT IS JNANA / KNOWLEDGE ?
"Nayathe Anena Ithi Jnanam "- Jnanam is something which is used to recognize another thing. E.g. Because of the Jnanam we posses one is able to understand that this is a paper, this is a garland, he is a man, that it is a pillar.
WHAT IS BHAKTHI ?
The defintion of bhakthi is "snEha pUrvam anu dyAnam bhakti:" - (meditation with love is known as bhakti). This is a shastram vakyam. "Sneha-purvam anu-dhyanam bhakt/'r ityobhdhiyate" - Meaning: anbodu koodina idaividatha sindhanaiye bhakthi. Bhakthi is a four step process..
1. First step is acquiring Jnanam/Knowledge.
2. Second step - Once we acquire knowledge we keep thinking more and we keep building our knowledge and we continue to think more on the same. This is the second step where Jnanam matures to Dhyanam. Jnanam is just knowledge. When this knowledge becomes a continous thoughts(thodarchiyana ninaivu) then it is Dhyanam.
3. Third step - When there is affection/love attached to that dhyanam, then it is the third step called Bhakthi. Just knowledge is not sufficient. So when there is love and affection along with that deep knowledge then we take action(thondu purithal).
4. Once we have true bhakthi towards Bhagwan, next step is that bhakthi need to induce the serving attitude. Service to bhagwan is to cook lots of food and offer HIM, offer flowers, offer clothes, We need to show all affection/parivu towards bhagawan in our house and for this doing service(sevai, kainkaryam) to HIM is the only way.
"Sneha-purvam anu-dhyanam bhakt/'r ityobhdhiyate" - Meaning: anbodu koodina idaividatha sindhanaiye bhakthi.
Bhakthi as in third step needs two things -
1. Anbhu koodina sindhanai (meditate with love/affection)
2. Anbhin velipadaga Thondu purithal(Service/Kainkaryam).
If we have respect someone then -
1. we need to think and thank them for all the good things they have done to us,
2. Anbhin velipadaga Thondu purithal.
Bhakthi is totally different than Knowledge. We do not mediate on the knowledge we have. Knowledge along with deep love will only lead us to bhakthi. We do not develop this love on all the knowledge we possess. We can develop this love on Bhagawan.
Bhakthan - Idaividamal anbhodu iravanai yevan dhyanikarono avan Bhakthan.
So we are all just in the initial/pre-requiste stage of Bhakthi and we need to work towards becoming true bhakthan.
Even today there are true bhakthas, who think about bhagwan irrespective of what other work they are into.
Summarizing the 4 steps related to BHAKTHI
1. First step is acquiring Jnanam/Knowledge.
2. Second step - Once we acquire knowledge we keep thinking more and we keep building our knowledge and we continue to think more on the same. This is the second step where Jnanam matures to Dhyanam. Jnanam is just knowledge. When this knowledge becomes a continous thoughts(thodarchiyana ninaivu) then it is Dhyanam.
3. Third step - When there is affection/love attached to that dhyanam, then it is the third step called Bhakthi. Bhakthi is anbodu koodina idaividatha sindhanaiye bhakthi.
4. Fourth step - true bhakthi induces the service attitude i.e Kainkaryam/Sevai to Bhagwan.
HOW DOES TRUE BHAKTHI LEADS US TO HAPPINESS ?
If one is meditating on Bhagawan, he will be experiencing true bliss/anandam. The moment one stops meditating on bhagawan, the thoughts digress then he stops experiencing happiness and gets into sadness.
Worldly things lead us to sadness, only bhagawan leads us to happiness. So the more we think about HIM we are in happiness.
There is a wrong perception that Jnana margam is better than bhakthi margam. Also there is a perception that Jnana margam is for learned scholars and bhakthi margam is for common man.
Unfortunately, Jnana margam has its own challenges. As the knowledge (Jnana) grows one need to be more humble(vanakkam, panivu) too. If the person is not humble then that knowledge will lead him to wrong path. This is because of the ahankaram(proud) and not understanding that we are servants to the ultimate master. The immediate impact of knowledge is the independent atttidue which can destruct the individual and the society too. Even a knowledgeable person need to be humble. To develop this humble attitude, bhakthi is the option. If this humble attitude is not developed then one will be back into samsaram again and again. To foster this humble attitude we have practices like taking care of cows, cleaning the place after people of eaten, cleaning elders legs with water. In the bhakthi margam, all are dependent on Bhagawan in all ages and HE is there to take care of us. Perumanukku naan adiyavan. One without Vishnu bhakthi even if he has knowledge does not matter. So jnanam without bhakthi is not going to give us the fruits.
HOW DOES ONE BECOME A BHAKTHAN ?
This is because of perumal's karunai, vathsalyam, anukulam, irakkam.
1- Bhagwan is always there for us with us and he guides us. 2- Bhagawan has given this human birth/life, else we will have been a non living thing or an animal/bird/tree. This life, 5 senses, knowledge, shastram are given to us to guide us. He is also sitting inside us for us.
Vedanta desikan says "yennul ippadi patta idathil irukkiye yenne karunai..which even by parents don't have".
Is Perumal a person who punishes us for our mistakes or does he blesses us ?
In spite of making many mistakes, if we do one good thing in the middle perumal will bless us for the good thing we do.
In the regular world, we need to have good track record for getting even simple thing. In case of perumal one good thing is more than enough for us to become his bhakthan. It is the true attitude i.e true bhakthi which is needed for us to get perumal's blessing.
Swarga(heaven) logam is better or Vaikunta(highest abode) is better ?
Due to one's karma swargam(heaven), naragam(hell) is decided. Good karma leads one to swargam and bad karma leads one to naragam. After experiencing the fruits of good karma and bad karma one continues his cycle of birth in this earth till attaining moksham which is Vaikunta Prapthi.
King Yayathi - goes to swarga logam since he was a king of good deed and he got to sit next to Indran. Indiran does not want Yayathi in the swarga logam and asks who was considered the best king in the world. Yayathi says that he was considered so. Indiran pushes him down from swarga logam since Yayathi praised himself. Even if he had not said his name indiran would have pushed him saying he told lie. The question by Indiran was a double edge sword. Should we aim for such a swarga logam ? Or should we work towards gaining vaikumtam logam which is permanent ? Bhagwan is waiting for us to reach him and he accepts us with great love and affection and keeps us with him forever.
Ramanujar explains in Vaikunta Gadyam about how is perumal in Vaikuntam and about all the warm welcome when we go there. Perumal forgives our mistakes.
What can a bhakthan wish to Bhagawan ?
A bhakthan can be classified as follows based on what he wishes for
1. Aishwaryarthi - A jeevatma who wishes for Aishwaryam
2. Kaivalyarthi - A jeevatma who wishes for Athma anubhavam
3. Bhagawallabarthi - A jeevatma who wishes for Bhagavad anubhavam
Why does bhagawan welcomes aishwaryarthi too ? Bhagawan is happy that jeevatma is reaching him to at least ask for materialistic things . Bhagwan hopes for humans to get attracted towards him during that time so that that jeevatma eventually becomes a true bhakthan.
8 types of bhakthi as in Garuda Puranam and Matsya Puranam
Garuda puranam, Matsya puranam also talk about this - 8 types of bhakthi
Slogam :: "Math bhaktha jana vatsalyam......"
One need to check if they have these 8 types of bhakthi
1) Yen Bhakthargalin kutrangalai parkathe
2) Support people who is doing pooja for me. Bhagawanukku pujai pannaravalai amodikanam
3) Naame perumulluku puja pannanum
4) yen vsihayama dambhathai kattathe - dambham is doing bhakthi to get praise
5) Yen kathai ketka ketka athanale prithi yerpadavendum
6) Bhagawan kathai ketka udaneye than nillai maranthu irukanum
7) Bhagawanidathil prithiyoda irukka vendum
8) Yennidathil yethayum kettu kai yezhunthukakudathu
Though we are not compliant with the above list, we all wish to be there which is a good sign.
---------------Reference material on the above-------------
1) mad bhakta jana vAtsalyam- love, forgiving tendency and mercy upon other devotees ; not pinpointing bhAgavatha dOSham |
2) pUjAyAmsca anumOdanam- sincerely yearning to perform thiruvArAdhanam to the Lord everyday |
3) svayam abhyarchanam caiva- desiring to render personal devotional service to the Lord; “pongum parivu” for one’s perumAL |
4) madarthE Dhamba varjanam- humble in all aspects and not blowing trumpets about one’s kainkaryams |
5) mad kathA shravaNE bhakti: - listens to bhagavath kathA with utmost bhakti and shradhdhA | 6) svara nEtrAnga vikriyA- while absorbed in bhagavth kainkaryam, eyes are filled with tears, the voice falters and the hairs on the body stand erect in transcendental happiness |
7) mamAnusmaranam nityam – mind/consciousness is always engaged in the thoughts of emperumAn; “sindai matRonRin tiRattadallAt tanmai dEvapiRan aRiyum” | சிந்தை மற்றொன்றின் திறத்ததல்லாத் தன்மை * தேவ பிரான் அறியும்* TVM 7-10-10
8 ) yacchamAm nOpa jeevati – unconditionally surrendered to emperumAn, with no desires what so ever.
“sa viprEndO muni: SrImAn, sa yad sa cha panDita: *” - Such a mlEchchan practicing the 8-fold path of bhakti is to be regarded as the most revered brAhmaNa, an auspicious saint/ muni, a panDithan and a true sanyAsI whose mind is detached from material desires and is fixed upon emperumAn.
There are eight ways of devotion(bhakthi Ashta Vidha)
1) Kindness towards devotee - tadh bhaktha Jana vatsalyam
2) The satisfaction of those who worship - tath puja parithoshanam
3) Worshipping God personally - Svayam tath pujanam
4) Doing physical work for God - Deha Chestitham
5) Wanting to and listening to the greatness of God - Tanmahatmaya katha vancha shrava
6) Feeling the devotion to god in the sound of one's voice, seeing it one's eyes and sensing it in all parts one's physical being - Swara netra sharira
7) Constant remembrance of God - Smaranam Sthatham
8) Depending only on God for life - Jeevanam
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Who is responsible for all the good and bad deeds in our life ? Is it Bhagavad sankalpam or our Karma phalan ?
Whenever good things happens it is because of bhagavad sankalpam and whenever bad things happen it is due to one's own karma. Perumal has given us the bhuthi, sareeram, Shakthi and tools(veda) for us to do things. But GOD does not tell us what to do with all those things and it is up to us to make best use and do good things. Though we are responsible on how we do it, all the things needed to act was given to us by Bhagawan. Without him we cannot do anything.
So when a person gets good results he should think - "I made best use of things that GOD provided to me and got 99 marks." When a person gets bad results he should think -"I didn't make use of the things that GOD provided to me and hence got only 35 marks. "
We are all dependent on HIM and we need HIS blessings for us to act.
Foster bhakthi at young age
We should wish for our children to be a better bhakthan than parents like how Sukacharyar was for Vysar. So we need to teach our kids about bhakthi. Because of all the distractions and entertainments which has increased, we might feel that the bhakthi is less as generation goes. We should filter the unwanted in modern day tools like television, internet and make use of it to improve our bhakthi.
Perumal has given all these great tools and he laughs at us when we miss use them. It is all part of his game. Because of the vishaya vasanai, we keep going towards prakruthi-prakrutham and if we do not make use of the golden oppurtunity he just laughs at us and will give one more chance as a next birth. We need to do good things and make him enjoy and need to focus on bhakthi. We need to emphasize all the good things Perumal as done to us and the fact that he is our master.
Are temples crowded due to bhakthi(devotion) or due to bayam(fear) ?
Is bhakthi decreasing when compared to those days? Yes to some extent.
On contrary, Why are there huge queue in temples ? Yes crowd is there but why are they coming ? Why should they come for ? what are they coming for ?
Nowadays, people are going to temple for reasons like mana shanthi, prasadham, meet people etc. They all are coming not because of bhakthi but because of bayam.
The crowd does not prefer to do things like "athma dhyanam, namasankeerthanam, kainkaryam at temple, pray to god that i haven't come for asking anything and instead i have just come to do kainkaryam."
Temples were built to grow the vivega janana(athma is different from sareeram, athma is paramatma's sotthu) and bhakthi.
When we are actually inquiring about a person i.e. during Kusala prasnam we need to check on the following things - bhakthi valarartha ?, sapadu kuraiyartha ?, thookam kuraiyartha ?, udambhu illaikartha ?, nanna irukkiya ? , samsarathula veruppu yerpadugiratha?
Unfortunately, we are thinking that eating more and all the other aspects gives us happiness/sowkiyam.
Temples are not a place where we go with all our wishes/prarthanai. If we have true bhakthi, we will not fight in the temples. We should go to temple to meet other bhagavathas and sit along with them to talk and enjoy perumal.
Temples in kerala have more sanity and follow strict rules. People do Bhagavatha parayanam, narayaneeyam, namasankeerthanam, sahasranamam, people don't talk or touch each other, follow dress code.
Vishwaroopam, kala santhi, Uchi kalam, Saya rakshai, ardha jamam, - known as 5 kala puja or 6 kala puja are done in temples.
Bhakthas need to follow the following
1. Ahara niyamam - food restriction
2. Decide whom to talk to and what to talk about
3. Sagavasam with other bhakthas and stay away from others.
4. Do namasankeerthanam
Enjoy perumal when you go and see him in the temple so that you can meditate on him even after coming back from the temple.
Going to temples is not a regular mechanical routine. Need to go their to meditate and improve the bhakthi.
Does bhagawan foster bhakthi in our minds when we are born?
Jeevatma's need to go to Paramatma. If that is the rule of nature, Why Is not perumal keeping bhakthi in all our minds during our birth ? HE does not keep bhakthi instead he has given us some other things using which we need to foster bhakthi. When we are born we do not have bhakthi instead we have the mind(ullam) and we need to foster bhakthi.
Shastram, Indriya, bhuthi, manas - are the tools given to every one. We need to foster bhakthi , we need to develop all the thoughts that we need to serve HIM who is our master using all these tools he has given to us and finally reach him.
Whoever understands this, is blessed with Dharma, artha, kama, moksham by GOD.
Whoever does not understand that gets into trouble. If we follow the rules as per Shastram then bhagwan blesses us and leads us on the right path.
Today's youth accept the supreme power called GOD but they do not like to come to temples why ?
Just knowing that GOD exists does not help. Instead we need to act beyond that. Just knowing a medicine for a disease will not cure the disease and one need to take the medicine.
They are not coming into bhakthi margam or to temples because they are not used to it.
They are used to worldly pleasure and not used to bhagawan anubhavam. The more the exposure, the more they think and more the interest develops i.e bhakthi develops. It is like starting to drive a car which needs practice after which driving is done subconsciously,.
How to fight against all the entertainment aspects of today which are great hindrance to bhakthi ?
1. Shravanam - hear about GOD - at least 1 hour a day
( Azhwar says i do not know how you spend my life without bhagawad chintanam)
Ensure that you are listening to the right people. Even Ram used to go around to learn from the rishi's. Perumal gets into one person through the ears. So one need to listen about perumal more.
2. Kainkaryam to an Acharyan - Take deekshai, get pancha samskaram done at an acharyan and do service at his feet, Learn everything from him. His blessings will help us and also he will correct in case we move away from the right path.
3. Kainkaryam at Sannidhi : The more we do kainkaryam our body gets purified and will lead us to bhakthi margam.
Youngsters like Knowledge and they listen to facts. But they are not ready for bhakthi why ?
Youngsters are ready to listen/show interest if we say knowledge from gita but if we talk about bhakthi they do not like it. It is natural attitude.
But Krishna does not give moksham to a janani but gives only to a bhakthan.
1. Gita - If a bhakthan gives a kunthu mani it is more than a meru malai, if a non bhakthan gives equivalent to meru malai it is not accepted to bhagawan.
2. Pathram(leaf), pushpam(flower), palam(fruit), thoyam(thanneer) anything if offered by a bhakthan with true bhakthi, perumal accepts it.
Gita : 9:26
patram puspam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam
asnami prayatatmanah
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
Gita : 9:26
patram puspam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam
asnami prayatatmanah
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
3. Vidhurar gave banana skin to krishna which krishna accepted because of vidhuran's bhakthi.
4. Janardhanan bhakthi ku than virkapadugiran - GOD sells him for true Bhakthi.
5. Sahadevan says to Kannan -"if we lock you there will not be any fight." Sahadevan tells that it is kannan who wants the fight and not anyone else. Kannan is tied because of the bhakthi shown by Sahadevan.
6. Krishna says it is not a poo(flower) malai it is a bhakthi malai which he likes.
Elephant showing its leg to a mahout and enabling the mahout to tie it. Like how an elephant moves closer to the pillar and keeps its leg in the chain and all that mahout does, is to just lock the chain. It looks as if the mahout as tied it but it was the elephant who accepted the mahout to tie it. Similarly, perumal give us bhakthi and asks us to tie him thru bhakthi.
Many agree on the existence of Perumal but they do not make an attempt to know him or reach him why ?
Perumal is ready to bless us all. What we need to do is - we need to be ready to receive the blessing.
Youth are not against bhakthi but are against the rituals which are incorrect.
There are people who are doing poli(incorrect) bhakthi. If a doctor is not good does not mean that i will not take medicine for my diesease. Need to find a good doctor. Bhakthi is the medicine for getting rid of this samsaram.
Usually bhakthi is considered for old people why ?
Unfortunately, Bhakthi after 40 years is the current practice. This is because they do not understand the value of bhakthi. If one understands the value they will not postpone it. Are we postponing all the other things which we consider as good ? No. So the moment we understand the importance then bhakthi automatically fosters.
As parents why do we need to teach and foster bhakthi in kids and how do we do that ? Bhakthi why needs to be foster at the young age ?
Polio drops or vaccinations are done for infant to protect from danger. It is done at a young age that too without the knowledge of the child. This protects the child all through its life.
When we are young we are not aware of the external world pleasures. Once exposed to the external world pleasures it is difficult to teach others. So we need to teach all the bhagavad knowledge during young age so that the child will have the exposure to it. If we are not doing this, then the child will be sucked into the wordly pleasures. Once a person gets sucked into wordly pleasure then, there will not be any oppurtunity to teach or learn all these.
Impact of Rajo gunam and thamo gunam is not high in the young age. So if you sow the seeds at this time, then it will have good benefits.
For the next generation to foster bhakthi, what should the parents do and what are the changes that need to come in for the parents so that they are good role models ?
Parents should try our best to foster bhakthi in children. Parents should not worry about other talking about our children who are good bhaktha's. What bhagawan thinks is what matters.
Let us all understand what true bhakthi means and let's start to take our steps to foster bhakthi.
One need to check if they have these 8 types of bhakthi
1) Yen Bhakthargalin kutrangalai parkathe
2) Support people who is doing pooja for me. Bhagawanukku pujai
pannaravalai amodikanam
3) Naame perumulluku puja pannanum
4) yen vsihayama dambhathai kattathe - dambham is doing bhakthi
to get praise
5) Yen kathai ketka ketka athanale prithi yerpadavendum
6) Bhagawan kathai ketka udaneye than nillai maranthu irukanum
7) Bhagawanidathil prithiyoda irukka vendum
8) Yennidathil yethayum kettu kai yezhunthukakudathu
“Sravanam Keerthanam Vishnoo:Smaranam Pada Sevanam
Archanam Vandhanam Dhasyam
Sakyam Athma Nivedhanam”
They are:
1.Sravanam – Listen - பரிஷித் மகாராஜா
2.Keerthanam – Sing - சுக தேவர்
3.Smaranam – Think over / Always Remember ப்ரஹ்லாத
4.Pada Sevanam – Surrender the Lotus Feet - லக்ஷ்மி தேவி
5.Archanam – Worship ப்ரிது மகாராஜ்
6.Vandhanam – Pray அக்ரூரர் 7.Dhasyam – Execute Orders / Dutiful ஹநுமான்
8.Sakyam – Friendly அர்ஜுனன்
9. Athma Nivedhanam – Completely Surrender பலிச் சக்கரவர்த்தி
tuesday, july 14, 2009
Nava Vidha Bhakthi
Om Sad Gurubhyo Namaha:
"Sravanam Keerthanam Vishnoho:
Smaranam Padasevanam,
Archanam Vandanam Dasyam,
Sakhyam Aatma Nivedanam"
Nala Kuubara and Mani Greeva said
"Vaanii Gunanukathane Shravanau Kathayam, Hasthau chaKarmasu, Manasthava Paadayornnaha:, SmrutyamShirasthava Nivasa Jagat praname, Drustihi: sataamDarshanesthu Bhavatthanuunam"
"Sravanam Keerthanam Vishnoho:
Smaranam Padasevanam,
Archanam Vandanam Dasyam,
Sakhyam Aatma Nivedanam"
"Aasakthi" is inborn with every human being. At the time of birth and during the childhood,man is dependent on his parents and hence is in Aasakthi with them,when he becomes a man is attracted to his wife and to his children,when becomes a little older he is attracted towards his grand children and so on. There is no time in his life when he is not in love with the worldly objects, this is perfect. One can not be without it, he has to work to earn hisliving and hence has to be in aasakthi towards his office,hedefinitely has to love his family to be in this world. If only he can divert all this love towards the Lord !! When we are inaasakthi towards the worldly things it can be called "love" and if we can do this love totally towards the God , we can call this "Bhakthi".And Lord wants us to do LOVE Him all the times,even if we offer a leaf, a flower,a fruit or just a few drops of water,but do it with Bhakthi then the Lord is sure to accept it and bless us. He is available to us, not by just doing some Danam, or by some Tapas,or shaucham or some vratam, but just by some Ananya Bhakthi towards Him. That is the Hold or Vidambanam for us.
" Na Danam Na Tapo Nejya, Na Shaucham Na Vratani Cha, PreeyateAmalaya Bhakthya, Hariranyat Vidambanam"
"Sravanam''
But how to do this Bhakthi ?The Bhagavatakarsays 9 types of Bhakthi. In the words of PrahladaBhaagavat, Sravanam,hearing of the Lords Kathasand His Leelas and also His songs , is the first and perhaps the best form of Bhakthi. In this , one need not do anything, just give ones ears to where ever the Bhagavat Discourses are held, or where the Lords Bhajans are sung,as one is sure to get to the proximity of the Lord by just listening to HisNamasankeerthanas. Just listening to theBhagavatam for half a second will take toSakshatkaram for which King Parikshit is the proof. Knowing that he has only 7 days more to live, he did not waste a minute, but was listeningthe Bhagavatam from none else than ShukaBrahma RishiSo why we should waste our time in some mundane matters instead of giving our ears to the Lords Kathas?.
"Asaare Samsaare Vishaya Vishasamgaakuladhiyaha:,
Kshanardham Kshemartham Pibata ShukaGaadhaatulasudam,
Kimartham Vyartham Bho Vrajatha,Kupatakutsithakathe,
Parikshit Saakshi Yaschravana gatamukthiukthi Kathane"
Naamasamkeerthanam is the best way of "Sakshatkaram" in this Kali Yuga. It does not need any stringent penances or preparations, nor it needs any special care for the time and place. It can be done "Sarvatra" and "Sarvada". The "Bhajan", or the "Namasamkeerthanam" can be done by any person irrespective of his/her cast or creed. And this is also one of the ways of Bhakthiis proved beyond doubt by none other than ShukaDev Rishi himself.
In the Bhagavatam, King Parikshit says that even though he had no water or food for days, listening to the discourse by Shuka Deva, he had no thrust or hunger because he was drinking theBhagavatamrutham and those who have thisAmrutam has no worldly longings. But thePravaktha, Shuka Deva Rishi, too had no break forthe food or water and just by the Lord'skeerthanam he too was above these worldly desires. So Shuka Deva Rishi is the perfect example for the Keerthana Bhakthi, though we have many Saints and Sages in this Yuga who lived for, only the Nama Samkeerthanam, and those great sages, paved the way for the SampradayaBhajana Paddhathi which we all follow even today.
Kshanardham Kshemartham Pibata ShukaGaadhaatulasudam,
Kimartham Vyartham Bho Vrajatha,Kupatakutsithakathe,
Parikshit Saakshi Yaschravana gatamukthiukthi Kathane"
"Keerthanam"
Naamasamkeerthanam is the best way of "Sakshatkaram" in this Kali Yuga. It does not need any stringent penances or preparations, nor it needs any special care for the time and place. It can be done "Sarvatra" and "Sarvada". The "Bhajan", or the "Namasamkeerthanam" can be done by any person irrespective of his/her cast or creed. And this is also one of the ways of Bhakthiis proved beyond doubt by none other than ShukaDev Rishi himself.
In the Bhagavatam, King Parikshit says that even though he had no water or food for days, listening to the discourse by Shuka Deva, he had no thrust or hunger because he was drinking theBhagavatamrutham and those who have thisAmrutam has no worldly longings. But thePravaktha, Shuka Deva Rishi, too had no break forthe food or water and just by the Lord'skeerthanam he too was above these worldly desires. So Shuka Deva Rishi is the perfect example for the Keerthana Bhakthi, though we have many Saints and Sages in this Yuga who lived for, only the Nama Samkeerthanam, and those great sages, paved the way for the SampradayaBhajana Paddhathi which we all follow even today.
"Smaranam"
We visit temples to see the Archamoorthies of the Gods there, but we get very little time for the Darshan in the big temples. Not sure we get enough time to see the Lord from the foot to His Head. Then we remain in His Smaran all the times and back home, we still keep remembering HisSwaroopam. The Gopies of Vraj, remained in Lord Krishna'sSmaran through out their lives even after Lord leftVrindavan for Madhura. That is the Smarana Bhakthi. TheGopies could do it because they were living with the Lord inVrindavan and had sweet memories of Him to keep remembering His Leelas and deeds. But the perfect example for the Smarana Bhakthi, in our thoughts is PrahladaBhagavata. Prahlada,we are not sure, had the ArchaMoorthies installed in his house, as his father had banned all the worships of the Lord Vishnu in his kingdom. His onlyoccassion to listen to God's Kathas was from the NaradaMaharshi when he was in his mother's womb. Yet he did thesmaran of the Divine Leelas and firmly believed in thepresense of the Lord. Even when he was ordered to be murdered by his father, he firmly believed that Lord Krishna will save him and hence remained unflinched in his SmaranaBhakthi. And he even educated the Asura Children on the importance of Naamasamkeerthanam and they too followed him. For such a bhakth, the Lord has to appear before him, is the proof of this kind of Bhakthi. In fact, the LordNarasimha did not take the instant Avataram, to protect the Sadhus, destroy the evil-doers, or to establish the Dharma, but just to proove what His Bhaktha said was true."SatyamVidhatum Nija Britya Bhashitam....." We do not know whether Prahlada had this Swaroopam of the Lord in his mind,but such was his Bhakthi that the Lord has to appear to prove that Prahlada should be set as an example for theSmarana Bhakthi.
"Paadasevanam"
"Guru arthe tyakta Rajyah: vyacharat anuvanam,
Padma padbhyam priyayah:,
Paani sparsha akshamabhyam mrijitha patharujah:,
Yah: Harindra Anujabhyam,.........."
Padma padbhyam priyayah:,
Paani sparsha akshamabhyam mrijitha patharujah:,
Yah: Harindra Anujabhyam,.........."
Lord Rama, after Sitaji was kidnapped by Ravanawas wandering forests after forests in search ofSitaji with bare feet. Those feet were so soft,delicate and tender that even the softest touch of Sitaji's fingers would make them red. And to do the Paadasevanam of such lotus feet, is the utmost "Kainkaryam" one can do to the Lord. LordHanumanji was there with Lord Rama to do thatkaikaryam to Him. During the Rama Avatara timesHanumanji did that Seva to the Lord, but in all other times, or always it was Lakshmi Devi who did Paadaseva to the Lord. In the Vaikuntam it was seen that Goddess Lakshmi had not given thatKaikaryam to anyone else. And hence our best example for the Paada seva Bhakthi is none other than Lakshmi Devi. For we, human beings, it can be done only in our Bhavam, to our Archa Moorthies in our homes and ofcourse in the BhoolokaVaikuntam of Pandharpur where Devotees are allowed to touch the Lotus Feet of LordPanduranga. When we are constantly and intensely attached to thinking of the Lotus Feet of the Lord we are said to be in the Param Bhakthi ofPaadasevanam. In the Rajasuya Yagna, Lord Krishna was Himself doing the Paadaseva of the invitees entering the Yagna Shala and so if we do the Paadasevas of our beloved Guruji, it will be considered as the Paadaseva of the God Himself.
"Archanam"
In this Kaliyuga, the best way to worship the lord is by doingArchana to His Archa Vigrahas. This can be done in the various temples in our country or one can do it in his home as well. All one need is one Deity of his liking and some good flowers. There are many Mantras to do the Archana, there is Ashtothara Shada Naamavalies of the Lords and there is Sahasranamas for all the Dieties. The VishnuSahasra Naama is best of them all." Om Viswasmai Namaha: ........Om Sarva Praharanayudhaya Namaha:" These 1008 names of the Lord Vishnu can be easily chanted by theDevaotees and will become the best form of ArchanaBhakthi. If one is not having a Deity at Home, this can be done in the temples as well. Or even one can do a "MaanasaPooja", by imagining a deity in the mind and doing anArchana to Him with Maanasa Pushpam. A SahasranamaArchana by mind on every day will do immense good to our life. For a perfect example for Archana Bhakthi, all we human being, in this kaliyuga who do the Archanas in the temples are eligible. But the Prithu Maharaj, who made this earth livable for us and hence the Name given to earth became "Prithwi", will be a more perfect one for us. He made nearly a 100 Ashwamedha Yagnas, nearly became an Indra, Shatakradhu, and when Bhagavan appeared before him, he asked for a unique boon, "...............VidatswaKarnayudhamesha me Varaha:" , give me a 1000 years for listening to your Uttama Sloka Gunanu Keerthanas !! Then after giving the Kingdom to his children Prithu Maharaj went to Tapovanam and started doing the Tapas alone. Tapas is the form of Archana Bhakthi and more we do it more closer we will be with the Lords.
"Vandanam"
"Vandanam" is another form of "Bhakthi", we can show towards the Lords. Even when a friend does us some favour we "thank" him, we acknowledge his help, say "Namaste" to him whenever see him, and the God has given, all we have now, to us, so is it not our duty to say thanks to Him ? By just folding our hands together, the Lord appreciates us and accepts our "Vandanams". He is happy that His sons are very grateful to Him. Akrura was with Kansa though he was a good devotee of Lord Krishna, he was waiting to pay his tributes to Krishna when King Kansa decided to send him toGokul to bring krishna to Madhura. Akrura knew that Kansahad bad intentions, yet he was sure that Krishna was the Lord and Kansa can not do any harm to Him,and hence e was happy to go to Gokul. The first think he did in Gokulwas to offer his "Vandanam" to Krishna and Balaram, this after waiting for many years. The immense satisfaction he obtained by just folding his hands in front of Sri Krishna was immeseaurable. Hence in our minds the best example for Vandana Bhakthi, Akrura stands above all others.
We are just some faces in the crowd, ordinary common-men, we are in our Grihasta Ashramasand do not know, whether we are the KarmaYogies of whom Geethakar explains in details. A true Karma Yogi, surely is an enlightened man. He considers his daily routine of works as the service to the God and hence converts his worldly adventures as a Yoga Siddhi. So there is Salvation in Karma Marga also. A Gnana Margi is already a realised soul and hence is in the proximity of the Lords all the times. He was in search of the Truth and now he has attained it..And those who are in the Bhakthi Marga are dearests to Lord Krisha as He Himself has spoken about it many times. They know nothing else in this world other than the Gods. If we are to become any one of the above, we have to be real Karma Yogies by devoting our normal day works into the Divine offerings. We do not think, we have enough Virakthi and Vairagyam to go the Gnana Marga and likewise we certainly do not have the total trust in the God to follow the Bhakthi Marga as did Prahlada even when he was put into fire, he had believed that the Lord will save him, we might turn our backs when confronted with disasters.. So what is the way out for us ? The Sreemad Bhagavatham comes to our rescue. It says you make one of the great saints and realised souls from any one of the above three Margas, as your Guru and make him your "Swami" and you become his "servant". This will show you the way for Moksham. This is called the Dasya Bhakthi. Even a well versed and learned one like Hanumanji did the same thing. For him Lord Rama was his swami and he was the loyal servant of Him. Hanuman did all his Karmas for the benefit of Lord Rama and hence made Yoga out of his Karmas,and of course, he was the topmost in the Gnana Marga "Gnaninam Agraganyaha:" as he was referred to always, and his Bhakthi to Ram was unflinching as he carried both Rama and Sita in his heart. So there can be none greater than Hanumanji when we think of Dasya Bhakthi towards the Gods.
"Dasyam"
We are just some faces in the crowd, ordinary common-men, we are in our Grihasta Ashramasand do not know, whether we are the KarmaYogies of whom Geethakar explains in details. A true Karma Yogi, surely is an enlightened man. He considers his daily routine of works as the service to the God and hence converts his worldly adventures as a Yoga Siddhi. So there is Salvation in Karma Marga also. A Gnana Margi is already a realised soul and hence is in the proximity of the Lords all the times. He was in search of the Truth and now he has attained it..And those who are in the Bhakthi Marga are dearests to Lord Krisha as He Himself has spoken about it many times. They know nothing else in this world other than the Gods. If we are to become any one of the above, we have to be real Karma Yogies by devoting our normal day works into the Divine offerings. We do not think, we have enough Virakthi and Vairagyam to go the Gnana Marga and likewise we certainly do not have the total trust in the God to follow the Bhakthi Marga as did Prahlada even when he was put into fire, he had believed that the Lord will save him, we might turn our backs when confronted with disasters.. So what is the way out for us ? The Sreemad Bhagavatham comes to our rescue. It says you make one of the great saints and realised souls from any one of the above three Margas, as your Guru and make him your "Swami" and you become his "servant". This will show you the way for Moksham. This is called the Dasya Bhakthi. Even a well versed and learned one like Hanumanji did the same thing. For him Lord Rama was his swami and he was the loyal servant of Him. Hanuman did all his Karmas for the benefit of Lord Rama and hence made Yoga out of his Karmas,and of course, he was the topmost in the Gnana Marga "Gnaninam Agraganyaha:" as he was referred to always, and his Bhakthi to Ram was unflinching as he carried both Rama and Sita in his heart. So there can be none greater than Hanumanji when we think of Dasya Bhakthi towards the Gods.
"Sakthyam"
Lord Krishna says that whoever remembers Him in what ever form, He will appear to him in that form. For Mother Yasoda, He became the infant Kanhaiyya and for Sugreeva and Arjuna, He gave friend's love as they considered the Lord as their friend. For Arjuna and the Pandavas,the Lord became their Sarathy, driver, and even became their servant at times, sharpening their Swords for the War and cleaning their shoes etc. at times. Sugreeva and Arjuna were equals to the Lord ,as in friendship there is none above or below. they took meals on the same plate and even played on the same fields. The eighth Bhakthi Marga says that Sakthyam or frindship is another way of Bhakthi. And for our example for this type of Bhakthi we have Arjuna. Arjuna never dis -obeyed Krishna, he was always following Him and His advises, when Ashwathama was brought to justice, Arjuna had done exactly what Krishna told him to do, it was a splendid example of friendship. Lord Krishna gave the Divine eyes to Arjuna to see His Virat Roopam and it's history that the Bhagavat Geetha was told to Arjuna directly from Krishna's mouth at the battle fields.
"Aatma Nivedanam"
The last verse of the Bhagavat Geetha says " Sarva Darmaan Pari Tyajya Maamekam Sharanam Vraja......." , when you have exhausted all other ideas to attain the Lord, you simply leave all the Karmas and Dharmas and come to my Sharanagathi, or surrender to me totally, and I will liberate you from all your sins. This is the total sharanagathi perhaps, the last way of devotion or Bhakthi Marga to come nearer to the God. In this Kali Yuga, we are in a thick forest without knowing the way to come out of it and when there is no one in the forest to our help, the only way out is, to totally surrender to Him and then the way will clear for us automatically. Aatma Samarpanam is to give every thing, the Than, Man and the Dhan, to the Lord and to His Divine Works in this world. We have seen Bhakthas giving their Wealth, the Dhan, and in some cases their Man, their minds, to the Divine purposes, but is there any example of anyone giving their Body or Than to the Lord's case. Sreemad Bhagavatam narrates the story of Emperor Bali who even though born in the Asura Kulam was a divine Bhaktha who gave every thing in the name of Daanam and at the end he gave himself to the Lord Vaamana Deva. When Vaamana Deva in the form of a Brahmin came to Bali's yagna, He asked for three feet of land and even when the Guru tried to stop Bali from giving Him the Daanam, Bali Chakravarthy came forward and offered his Head as the third place for the Vaamana Deva, and the Lord who had measured the Heaven and Earth on His first two feet, gave equal or more importance to His Bhaktha's head and considered him as the best example for the Aatma Samarpanam and took his head. King Bali's balidaanam of himself is the kind of Aatma Samarpanam the Lord expects from the Bhakthas forgetting all their Dharmas and Karmas. The Lord gave the boon to Bali that He'll always be at his doorsteps for him to see Him anytime.
This is certainly,only an indication that if one needs to do Bhakthi, or be devoted to the Gods, he can have many ways to do it. The resolution has to be taken by the Devotee himself. One can become the Das of the Lord as Lakshmana did leaving his own wife and accompanying Lord Rama to the Forest and doing all that a Servant would do to Him. This is Dasya Bhakthi, but there will be some distance,obviously, between the Swami and Servant in this form of Bhakthi. Then one can become a friend of the Lord and become the Sakha as did Sugreeva to Lord Rama.Rama treated Sugreeva as His equal in all respects. He gave him the Kingdom of Kishkinda after killing Vaali. Otherwise one can become a Vatsalya Bhaktha of the Lord as Mother Yashoda did. She never believed that Krishna was the God, Krishna was always her "Kanhaiyya" the little son. One can imagine that the Lord is his son and have a parental affection or Vatsalya Bhava towards Him. That is an immense Bahkthi, as did many Alwars of the South India. In this form of Bhakthi one can even beat the little Krishna when He plays some mischief. But the utmost Bhakthi Bhavam is in the Madhurya Bhakthi as shown by the Gopies to Lord Krishna. It's a Prema Bhavam and carries all the sweetness as it's called the "Madhurya" Bhava. Here the Gopies playing the Raasa Creeda with the Bhagavan and when He disappears from the scene they even scold Him in no uncertain words. They blame Him for all the thefts happening in the Gokul and they say all His Leelas are for cheating the Gopies. This is called the "Ninda Sthuthi" as it looks as though the gopies are scolding Krishna, actually they are praising Him for His Leelas in the Vraja Bhoomi. They even say that the Vraja Bhoomi has become prosperous after His birth in Gokul.So this kind of Bhakthi whether, has come in the nine types we discussed earlier or not, seems to be the best of them all. As according to the Bhagavatam all we human beings are Ladies and only the Lord alone is the Purusha, the only Male in this Jagat and our Bhakthi as a Priya bhakthi towards the Loved one is always going to be the best one.
Our words should sing the Lords Gunas all the times, and the ears should hear His Samkeerthanas and our eyes should see only His Vigrahas and our Minds should always be on His Lotus Feet as.......
This is certainly,only an indication that if one needs to do Bhakthi, or be devoted to the Gods, he can have many ways to do it. The resolution has to be taken by the Devotee himself. One can become the Das of the Lord as Lakshmana did leaving his own wife and accompanying Lord Rama to the Forest and doing all that a Servant would do to Him. This is Dasya Bhakthi, but there will be some distance,obviously, between the Swami and Servant in this form of Bhakthi. Then one can become a friend of the Lord and become the Sakha as did Sugreeva to Lord Rama.Rama treated Sugreeva as His equal in all respects. He gave him the Kingdom of Kishkinda after killing Vaali. Otherwise one can become a Vatsalya Bhaktha of the Lord as Mother Yashoda did. She never believed that Krishna was the God, Krishna was always her "Kanhaiyya" the little son. One can imagine that the Lord is his son and have a parental affection or Vatsalya Bhava towards Him. That is an immense Bahkthi, as did many Alwars of the South India. In this form of Bhakthi one can even beat the little Krishna when He plays some mischief. But the utmost Bhakthi Bhavam is in the Madhurya Bhakthi as shown by the Gopies to Lord Krishna. It's a Prema Bhavam and carries all the sweetness as it's called the "Madhurya" Bhava. Here the Gopies playing the Raasa Creeda with the Bhagavan and when He disappears from the scene they even scold Him in no uncertain words. They blame Him for all the thefts happening in the Gokul and they say all His Leelas are for cheating the Gopies. This is called the "Ninda Sthuthi" as it looks as though the gopies are scolding Krishna, actually they are praising Him for His Leelas in the Vraja Bhoomi. They even say that the Vraja Bhoomi has become prosperous after His birth in Gokul.So this kind of Bhakthi whether, has come in the nine types we discussed earlier or not, seems to be the best of them all. As according to the Bhagavatam all we human beings are Ladies and only the Lord alone is the Purusha, the only Male in this Jagat and our Bhakthi as a Priya bhakthi towards the Loved one is always going to be the best one.
Our words should sing the Lords Gunas all the times, and the ears should hear His Samkeerthanas and our eyes should see only His Vigrahas and our Minds should always be on His Lotus Feet as.......
Nala Kuubara and Mani Greeva said
"Vaanii Gunanukathane Shravanau Kathayam, Hasthau chaKarmasu, Manasthava Paadayornnaha:, SmrutyamShirasthava Nivasa Jagat praname, Drustihi: sataamDarshanesthu Bhavatthanuunam"
" Om Rama Krishna Hari"
NAVAVIDHA BHAKTHI
Ea`vaNaM kxIta-naM ivaYNaao: smarNaM paadsaovanama\ |
Aca-naM vaMdnaM dasyaM saKyamaamma inavaodnama\ ||
Aca-naM vaMdnaM dasyaM saKyamaamma inavaodnama\ ||
Ea`I ivaYNaao: Ea`vaNao pairiXata BavaWOyaasaikx: kxIta-nao
pa`lhad: smarNao tad\iÈGa` Bajanao laXmaI: paRqau: paUjanao |
pa`lhad: smarNao tad\iÈGa` Bajanao laXmaI: paRqau: paUjanao |
Ak`UxrsvaiBavandnaoca hnaumaana dasyaoca saKyao#jau-na: |
sava-svaa##tma inavaodnao bailarBaUta kOxvalyamaoYaaM samama\ ||
sava-svaa##tma inavaodnao bailarBaUta kOxvalyamaoYaaM samama\ ||
Meaning
Ways of worshipping the supreme are many. Srimad Bhagavata mentions nine important lakshnas (aspects) of devotion.
The story of the great king Parikshith who attained moksha by listening to the glories of the supreme, as told to him by Srisuka is the leading theme of Bhagavata. The kings days were numbered, thanks to a curse. But he was fortunate to have the stories of the Lord narrated to him by Srisuka. Continuously for seven days. At the end his soul became one with the Lord. Takshaka. The serpent could only bite his physical body which then turns into ash.
Keerthanam. chanting of Lords names, is inseparable from saint Narada. Narada. son of Brahma, was a poor womans son during his earlier birth. Then as a small boy he had the opportunity to serve and to be with four saints for four months. Love for the Supreme developed in him and the saints blessed him with everlasting devotion. The evermoving Narada. never stops chanting the names of Hari. Uninterrupted chanting need not be the only way of worship. Narada once asked Lord Vishnu to identify his most ardent devotee. Vishnu points out to a poor farmer. Narada's curiosity takes him to the farmers house. To his surprise he noticed that the farmer chanted 'Narayana' only twice during the day: once in the morning and once in the evening. In between he was totally engrossed in his household chore. Narada. perplexed, approached Vishnu to clear his doubt. Vishnu hands over to Narada a vessel filled to the brim with oil. He was asked to go round his usual way and come back at the end of the day. but with one condition. Not a drop of oil should spill from the vessel. At the end of the day a jubilant Narada returns with the oil intact. Vishnu has one question to ask him. How many times did he chant 'Narayana'. Alas! since he started with the oil. he had not uttered the name once. for he was fully concentrating on the oil pot. It dawns on Narada, that the farmer, burdened with innumerable household-problems remembered the Lord, atleast twice.
The episode of Prahlada depicts the importance of Smaranam. Prahlada is said to have received the knowledge of Vishnu while he was in his mother's womb. when his mother was in Narada's ashram. As the child grew up. his devotion for Vishnu also grew and it multiplied with even obstruction his father. Hiranyakasipu created. He could even turn his distractors mind towards Vishnu. Finally the Lord appears in the ferocious, awe inspiring form of Narasimha. kills Hiranyakasipu. Only child Prahlada with his devotion could calm the Lord and stop his distruction spree. ahalakshmi the consort of Mahavishnu is always at his feet serving him. While the milky ocean was being churned by the Devas and Asuras for obtaining Amrut many objects like Iravatha the elephant. 'Uchaisravasu' the horse. Parijatha tree deadly poison 'Kalakuda' etc. aroused out of it. Then standing on a fully blossomed lotus flower Mahalakshmi appeared. Holding a garland of celestial flowers, she moved towards Lord Vishnu and garlanded him and the Lord accepted her as his consort.
'Archanam is the offering to the Lord of flowers, water, leaves or anything that one is capable of. The story of Kind Indradyumna who was cursed by Saint Agastya to become an elephant and later attained moksha by offering lotus (lowers to the Lord is well known. The strong, proud elephant was feared and respected by every one in the forest. In the lake he was caught in the hind leg by a crocodile: who again is a gandharva victim of a curse. The elephant slowly loses all his followers and his pride. As he was being pulled deep into the water, he plucked the lotus flowers with his trunk and offered them to the Lord, with full devotion. Lord Vishnu with his consort comes on his vehicle Garuda. Jumping out cuts the crocodile with his discus Sudarshana pulls out the elephant with one hand. The crocodile attains the original form of the Gandhrva and the elephant takes the form of Vishnu himself, that is Sarupya Mukti.
Dhruva. King ‘Uttanapada's son by his first wife was reprimanded b\ his stepmother for sitting on his father's lap. Unable to suffer further humiliation, the small boy. with the consent of his mother goes to the forest to do deep penance. On the way Saint Narada gives him advice. As the penance became harder and harder the elect was felt by the Devas. All his senses w ere cut from the external world to such an extent that when the Lord appeared before the boy he did not see him. Only when the Lord temporarily disappeared from his minds eye did Dhruva notice the Lord standing before him. Touching the boy's cheek with his celestial conch Vishnu blesses him. The boy comes back to the kingdom for a happy re-union.
Uddhava was Krishna's prime minister and his most trusted lieutenant. Uddhava was Krishna's emissary to the Gopis and Gopalas of Vrindavan. He got a chance to understand their devotion towards Krishna and it further increased his humility. Later just before the last days of Krishna: after the destruction of the Yadhava dynasty. Krishna speaks to Uddhava for a long long time akin to the advice he gave to Arjuna at the Kurukshetra. Before parting. Krishna gives his padukas (footwear) to Uddhava as a memento. As directed. Uddhava sets forth to Badri Ashram at the foot hills of Himalaya. A chance meeting between Uddhava and Vidura. old lime friends and both devotees of Krishna brings back the memories of their past spent in the service of Lord Krishna.
Sudama. also known as Kuchela was Krishna's classmate at saint Sandeepani's Gurukulam. As a poor householder unable to make both ends meet. Sudama. proded by his wife visits Krishna. Flabbergasted at the welcome and engrossed in the reveries of the gurukula days neither did Sudama speak nor did Krishna ask about his living condition. Yet when the Lord partook the beaten rice brought by Sudama. he had bestowed his blessings on the family.
The story of the asura king Mahabali is an example of absolute surrender to the Lord. Ball's guru Sukracharya dissuades him from gifting the land asked b\ Vamana. Taking the form of a bee he even tries to stop sanctifying the gift by slopping the flow of water from pooja vessel. But Mahabali with full devotion offers himself at the feet of the Lord. Lord Vishnu as Trivikrama. Ordains Mahabali as the ruler of Sutala. which even excels Surga. The Lord as Vamana is said to be standing in guard at the gates of Mahabali's palace.
By : Pandit S. Gowrishankar
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