For the New Year - 2013

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

New year is around the corner and I am sure lot of us must be planning on some resolutions. Resolution not to take a resolution or some specific resolutions.

 

In this post I thought I will deviate from my original purpose of this blog and post some little information related to Lunar calendar which probably could be useful to everyone.

 

A Lunar month has two Pakshams – Sukla Paksham and Krishna Paksham. Sukla Paksham is also called Bahula Paksham.

 

Each paksham has 15 tithis (each tithi is approximately 1 day. Can range from 18-24 hours)

 

First half of every month is Sukla Paksham and second half is Krishna Paksham.

 

Sukla Paksham ends with Pournami (Full Moon Day) and Krishna Paksham ends with Amaavaasya (New Moon day)

 

The names of the tithis are: Pratipat, Dwiteeya, Trutheeya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dasami, Ekaadasi, Dwaadasi, Trayodasi, Chaturdasi, Pournami (Or Amaavaasya).

 

The names of the week days are: Bhaanu, Indu, Bhouma, Soumya, Bruhaspati, Sukra, Sthira. Vaasara means week day. In the pooja that we perform, in the Sankalpam, we use this as Bhaanu vaasare (for example), indicating the day of the week. Note that the week days are named after the following bodies: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury,  Jupiter, Venus, Saturn.

Similarly the names of the months are: Chaitram, Vaisaakham, Jyeshtam, Aashaadam, Sravanam, Bhaadrapadam, Aasvayujam, Kaartheekam, Maargasiram, Pushyam, Maagham, Phaalgunam.

 

Generally we celebrate our birthdays as per the English calendar date. It would be good if we are aware of our lunar date as well so that we can celebrate as per that date as well. For the benefit of everyone I am providing a URL (http://111.118.183.227/WebTithis/default.aspx) which will allow you to get the lunar date (Maasam, Paksham, Tithi) for any English calendar date. This is a program that I have written and is not fool proof. So please don’t attempt at testing it J In case you face any issues, please do report so that I can try resolving it. Please note that a tithi is independent of the latitude and longitude (location). The tithi is calculated using the center of the earth unlike planetary positions which are calculated based on latitude and longitude.

 

There is something called Sahasra Chandra darshanam that is performed for elders. Basically someone who has seen 1000 Full moon days is eligible for this celebration. When a person has attained the age of 81 years and 1 month (give and take few days) then that person is supposed to have witnessed 1000 Full moon days. For those interested the calculation is as follows:

Every year, there are 12 Full moon days. So for 81 years it is 972 full moon days.

Every 3 years there will be one adhika maasam. So 27 more days.

One full moon day during the last month totaling to 1000 full moon days.

 

Best wishes for a wonderful New Year for every one. May God bless all.

 

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

Misnomers in Raamayana - 2

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

This is in continuation of my earlier post.

 

1.   Sita is elder to Rama

This is another popular misconception. This is most widely used (rather abused) whenever a groom has to marry a woman elder to him. In Vaalmiki krutha (written) Raamaayana, sita very clearly mentions that she is about 7 years (not 100% sure about the exact number) younger to Sri Raama. Great Brahmarshi Viswamitra would not have taken Raama to Mithila. Sage like king Janaka would not have proposed Sita to Sri Raama. Dasaradha would not have accepted the proposal in front of great sages like Vasishta, Jaabaali, Maarkandeya etc.

 

2.   Sabari

We have heard multiple times and has seen in multiple movies as well, where Sabari is shown as a tribal, illiterate woman living in some forest. But somehow she knows about Sri Raama and when Sri Raama reaches her hut, she gives him some fruits. Importantly, before handing over each fruit to Sri Raama she tastes that fruit and only after she finds it sweet she gives that to Sri Raama. Hats off to the guy who cooked this story and convinced so many people that movies were also taken based on this without verifying with the authentic source.

The reality is this. Sabari is a great sage by herself. She is neither a tribal nor an illiterate woman. She is the disciple of some great sages, who are disciples of the great Sage Matanga Marshi. When the time comes for her gurus to leave the earth, they inform Sabari to continue her life in the same place, as Sri Raama would be visiting her soon. That’s how she comes to know about Sri Raama and continues to wait for him. When Sri Raama visits her, she pays all respects to Sri Raama just like a great sage. No fruit tasting activities.

 

3.   Hanuma not knowing his strength

Whenever a task of greater magnitude needs to accomplished, then Hanuma is not aware that he can actually achieve that. He needs to be reminded about his strength and that’s when he will actually accomplish the task.

This is true but limited to one time. Hanuma, during his childhood, wrecks havoc, after gaining powers (in the forms of boons by various devathas), and troubles various rushis and munis with mischief. They get fed up with him and curse him that he will forget that he has this great strength. By virtue of that he will not be able to use any of his strength. Only when someone reminds him of his strength and abilities, he will once again be able to use his strengths.

 

When the south headed Vaanaras, in search of Sita, reach the ocean, they get depressed. They know that they have to cross the ocean and reach the other side so that they can find sita there in Lanka. Different vaanaras present their abilities in terms of how much distance they can fly, all less than the requirement. Hanuma sits in a corner without mentioning any number. Jaambavanta, who knows about Hanuma, then extols Hanuma’s strengths and states that he is the only one who can go to Lanka and come back. That’s when Hanuma grows his body size and gets prepared to cross the ocean.

After the above, Hanuma never had to be reminded about what his strengths are and what he is capable of.

 

4.   Raavana not touching sita – a virtue

I have heard from some people that though Raavana is a asura (Raakshasa), he has a great character. He never forced Sita to become his wife though he is capable of doing that once he abducts her and keeps her in his kingdom. This looks similar to the below situation.

A murderer kills a person and then sets fire to the body, because he has faith in dahana samskaaram (death rituals). The actual reason could be to cover his crime.

 

Raavana has a curse on him by his great grand father Brahma. Once an apsarasa went to Brahma complaining that Raavana is misbehaving (diplomatic word usage) with every one that he encounters, irrespective of the wish of the woman. Then Brahma cursed Raavana, that if he forces any woman for his pleasure, then his head would break into multiple pieces. This is the reason why he did not push Sita.

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

Misnomers in Raamayana - 1

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

Sri Raamayanam is a great kaavyam by Vaalmeeki maharshi and different authors have written Raamayanam after that. Over the years, different versions (at various junctures of the epic) have been created, which in fact are not part of the original Vaalmiki written Raamayana. Let us look at few of those.

 

1.   Muhurtham by Vasishtha Maharshi

Some people question the greatness of Vasishta (Family guru of Raghu Vamsam – Sri Raama’s clan). When he set the Muhoortham (auspicious time) for the coronation of Sri Raama, how could it fail? How come Sri Raama had to leave for forests without becoming the king despite the Muhoortham set by the great brahmarshi Vasishta?

 

First of all, Vasishta Maharshi never fixed the Muhoortham for the coronation ceremony of Sri Raama. King Dasaradha (father of Sri Raama) decides that Sri Raama should be made the king. Prior to that he consults with his ministers, people, representatives and various others and then reaches the conclusion. But he acts in haste on deciding the time as he somehow feels that the ceremony should be completed before Bharatha returns from his uncle’s kingdom. So instead of asking the family guru on the time, he just informs them that he is conducting the ceremony the following morning and asks everyone to do the needful.

 

Importantly, a Muhoortham for an event doesn’t assure the occurrence of the event. If an event occurs at the time of the good Muhoortham, then the purpose of the event would be successful.

 

2.   Laskhmana Rekha

When Sri Raama goes after Maareecha (in form of Golden deer), Mareecha lets out a cry in the voice of Sri Raama. Sita asks Lakshmana to help his brother. Lakshmana before leaving the parnasaala (hut) draws a line and asks Sita not to cross that line, popularly known as Lakshmana Rekha.

 

In Vaalmeeki Raamayana there is no such line that Lakshmana draws. Lakshmana leaves the parnasaala in anger and frustration because of the allegations made by Sita on him. He tries his level best to convince Sita that nobody in the entire world can cause any harm to his brother and the voice that was let out is a trick by some raakshasa. Inspite of all his efforts Sita starts casting aspersions on him because of which he forces himself out and as they say the rest is history.

 

3.   Raavana abducting sita with the earth

When Raavana came in the form of a sanyaasi to abduct Sita, he lifted Sita along with a mound of earth by which a crate got created. In some places the guides show a crate mentioning that Sita got abducted from that place.

 

When Raavana discloses his real identity to Sita and terrifies her, he shows no decency or care in abducting her. He grabs her by her hair and pulls her along. He lifts her completely and places her on his chariot forcibly. Sita tries a lot to wriggle herself out of his hold, and during the process has her flowers strewn around, hair disturbed etc.

 

Recently I was watching one debate on a TV channel, where there were two participants – Theist and Atheist.

 

“If Sita were such a great pativrata then Raavana should have turned into ashes as soon as he touched Sita at the time of abduction.”

 

The Response, “Raavana knows that very well. That’s why he did not touch Sita directly and instead lifted the mound of earth on which Sita lay unconscious.”

 

"I do not know." - Most toughest statement to make probably :)

 

Few more in the next post…

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

 

Things to follow in temples - Aalaya Niyamaalu

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

There are few things that we have to follow when visiting temples.

1.    When we enter a temple there will be a big pillar (Dhwaja Stambham) obstructing our direct view to the God. The reason for keeping this is that we should not stand directly in front of the God in the temple. Even if there is a place which allows you stand in front of the God, never stand there and pray. One should stand on either side, preferably facing north while praying. The main God of the temple always face East (except Dakshinamurthy who faces South) in temples. Even at home while performing Pooja, its better to face North and perform Pooja. In houses, the vigrahas face west. Look at the picture above to see how Sri Sri Sri Jagadguru Bharathi Theertha Swamiji is performing the pooja.

2.    Pradakshina (going around) should always be in Clockwise direction ensuring that the God is always on our right side. This is the reason why one should stand facing north so that God is on the right hand side, if possible.

3.    When there are other small temples within the main temple compound, never do a saashtanga pranaamam (prostrating - completely lying down on the floor) as your legs might point towards another god in the same vicinity. If there is a great person in the temple, one should not prostrate in front of that person. This can be done just outside the temple.

4.    In a Siva temple, never walk between Nandi and Shiva, even if there is space.

5.    Generally, we are told to sit in the temple for some time before leaving. The reason for that is this. One should have a very good look of the god from head to toe. Whenever we sit for praying and when we remember that god, then we will be able to recollect the entire image as is, which will enable us focus during our meditation. So once we are done with our darshan of the Lord, we should sit there for some time and recollect Gods image and paint the picture once more so that it is imprinted properly. Sitting in the temple after darshan is not for discussing about the quality of Prasaadam or politics.

6.    While leaving the temple, try moving backwards instead of turning back and leaving, as much as possible.

7.    Maintaining silence is a must in temples. This is to ensure that even if we are not able to pray properly, we should atleast not disturb others who are able to. Temple is not a place to talk about general things. Small kids should be educated on this aspect so that they don’t keep shouting there.

8.    Teertham and Prasaadam (offerings) are very important. This is an offering from God. One sixth of the portion that we consume has direct impact on our heart and mind. They get purified.

9.    Also when flowers are offered to us, those should not be thrown on the floor lest someone should step on those. Whatever we are not able to use, we should place them on a wall or somewhere in the temple where people will not be able to place their feet on.

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

 

Significance of Sraddha in Daanam

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

 

Once upon a time in Dwaapara Yuga (during the time of Sri Krishna), Sri Krishna’s sons were playing in a park. After some time they got tired and wanted to drink water. They went to the nearby well and when they looked inside, they found a huge Chameleon in the well. They wanted to get that out of the well and tried in different ways, but did not succeed. They went inside the palace and informed Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna came out and saw the Chameleon and using his left hand pulled the Chameleon out of the well, easily. The Chameleon immediately turned into a wonderful king to everyone’s surprise (needless to say, excluding Sri Krishna).

 

The king started narrating his story

 

“I belong to the ancestry of Ikshwaaku (Sri Raama’s dynasty). I should not be boasting about myself, but I used to be a very good king. I used to do lot of Daana dharmas to various people in and around my kingdom. I used to donate lots and lots of cows apart from various other things every day.

 

One day one poor Brahmin by the name of Kasyapudu came to seek Daanam from me. I donated a cow to him and he happily went home. He used to take care of the cow and used its milk for his livelihood.

 

One day the cow wandered off. He searched quite a lot for it but could not find it.

In the meanwhile this cow got back to my herd somehow and as part of my regular donation of cows, this cow again got donated to another Brahmin. This new Brahmin was taking the cow to his home and Kasyapudu saw his cow and asked the Brahmin to return it.

 

The Brahmin responded that he got the cow from me just then and so it belongs to him, whereas Kasyapudu stated this had already been donated some time back and so it cannot be donated again and hence it belonged to him. There was a dispute and both of them approached me.

 

I told the new Brahmin that I would give him 1000s of cows and asked him to give the cow back to Kasyapudu, but the Brahmin refused. Then I turned to Kasyapudu and mentioned that I would give him whatever he wants in lieu of the cow. Kasyapudu also refused and both the Brahmins went home.

 

After some time just like any other living being I died and the Vishnu Paarsvadulu told me that I had committed one sin in my life for which I have to pay before I can be taken to heaven. I asked them about my mistake and they narrated the cow incident where I had donated a cow which had been already donated and how I disappointed one Brhamin. Because of that mistake I had to take the birth of a chameleon and once you (Sri Krishna) touched me, I am now ready to go to heaven.”

 

After saying this, the messengers from heaven came and took the king in the chariot.

 

Though this one looks pretty simple, two questions arise.

1.    The king was not aware that the cow joined his herd because of which the mistake of “donating the donated” had happened. How could he be penalized for such a small mistake which was not committed intentionally?

2.    Why did both the Brahmins refuse to accommodate the king even though the king promised lot more than what they had actually got? Does not it make them faulty?

 

Let’s first look at the Brahmins’ case.

A Brahmin is one who is content with whatever he has without actually seeking for anything more. In case any of the two Brahmins had accepted the Kings revised offer, they would lose their status of a true Brahmin. Both of them were happy with one cow and that’s all they need for their livelihood and not anything more. So by refusing to accept more from the king, they up kept their status of Brahmin.

 

Now let’s look at the king

1.    The king did not take enough precautions to ensure that donated/other cows do not join his herd. Even though it is a mistake of his worker, it goes to the account of the king. So this is a mistake that he had committed, though unknowingly.

2.    When both the Brahmins came to the king with the dispute, the first thing the king should have done was to immediately ask for a pardon by accepting his mistake. Instead the king proposed 1000s of cows, land etc. This is another mistake.

So obviously the king had to pay for the mistakes.

 

It is imperative as to how much care one has to take before donating anything.

·         The person receiving is God himself and hence utmost care has to be taken in the way we treat him/her.

·         Heart should be extremely pure without any feelings of ego, like thinking less of the person receiving etc. Otherwise the result of the Daanam will not be credit to our account. (It is better if there are no expectations in terms of punyam being credited to your account etc when daanam is done.)

·         Depending on the type of daanam that we do, the appropriate precautions need to be taken, which should be duly noted from the person performing the kriya (Purohit).

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

Nine Types of Bhakthi

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

 

There are nine types of Bhakthis

 

1.    Sravanam

Meaning: Listening. This is the form where the Bhaktha continuously keeps listening to the puranas, kaavyas and various other things related to God. The best example for this is Pareekshit. Pareekshit was Abhimanyu’s son (Grandson of Arjuna) and was a great king. But when he came to know about his death in a weeks time, he started listening to Suka maharshi. Suka maharshi (Son of Vyaasa maharshi) told Bhaagavatham to Pareekshit and Pareekshit attained Moksha just by listening to it whole heartedly, just for a week.

 

2.    Smaranam

Meaning: Thinking. The Bhaktha just cannot stop thinking of God at any point of time. Irrespective of the state or condition, the Bhaktha keeps thinking of God all the time. Prahlaada epitomized this form of Bhakthi. Being in front of elephants about to trample him, or when thrown into sea or when about to be beaten with hunters, he would just not stop thinking of Lord Vishnu.

 

3.    Keerthanam

Meaning: Praising. Narada is a wonderful example for this form of Bhakthi. He goes around various worlds singing various keerthanas with his Tambura. I would probably be not wrong if I include Tyaagaraaja and Annamaachaarya to this clan considering the number of keerthanas and kruthis they have composed.

 

4.    Padasevanam

Meaning: Serving God or Bhaagavathulu. Goddess lakshmi exemplifies this form of bhakthi as she is at the feet of Lord Vishnu all the time. Since god is not accessible to normal people like that, guru Sushrosha (doing the seva for the guru) can be considered as this form of Bhakthi.

 

5.    Archanam

Meaning: Regular Pooja with Shoda shopaachaaraalu. The poojas that we do with the 16 forms of upachaaras is considered as a form of Archana. Prudhu Maharaju epitomized this. When Lord Vishnu asked him for a boon, he asked Lord Vishnu to give him the privilege of serving him in such a way, which would attract the wrath of goddess lakshmi (in jealousy).

 

6.    Daasyam

Meaning: Complete Submission. None other than Hanuman is cited for this form of Bhakthi. He is also worshipped as Daasyaanjaneya. This form of Bhakthi is possible by serving a guru.

 

7.    Sakhyam

Meaning: Friendship. This is possible only for the privileged. For example, Sugreeva/Vibheeshana with Rama, Sri Krishnas friends during his childhood with the Gopaala baalakas, Pandavas etc. Arjuna is cited for this form of Bhakthi as he consulted Sri Krishna like a friend all the time.

భగవంతునికి భాగవతులు చాలా ప్రీతి పాత్రులు. భాగవతుల సఖ్యం భగవంతుని సఖ్యంతో సమానం.

 

8.    Vandanam

Meaning: Inviting. When it comes to this form of Bhakthi, Akroorudu is used as an example. Akroorudu belonged to the kingdom of Kamsa and he was sent by King Kamsa to fetch Krishna and Balaraama to his kingdom. Kamsa planned to kill both of them by hook or crook. Akroorudu was delighted to know that he would be driving Krishna and Balaraama. On Krishnaashtami festival we paint the footsteps of little Krishna inviting him to our homes.

 

9.    Aatma nivedanam

Meaning: Submission of self. When Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Vatuvu (Brahmachaari), Vaamana Avataaram, to get back the kingdom (and everything else) that Bali Chakravarthy had taken from Indra, Bali’s guru Sukraachaarya recognized Vishnu. He warned Bali not to give any boons to that Vatuvu. Bali said, “How can I refuse an opportunity to put my hand above the hands of Vishnu, whose hands are always above every one elses? It doesn’t matter what he asks. I will give it to him even if it means that I have to give my life. My hands will be above his. That’s enough for me.”

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.