SHLOKA OF THE MONTH DEC 2009

Kousalya Supraja Rama Poorva Sandhya pravarthathe

Uththishta narashaardula karthavyam deivamaanhikam

The entire world is filled with love. Love is one’s nature. Parents show love to their children. Children love their parents.. Brotherly affection, friendly love is seen all over. The husband loves his wife and the wife her husband. Servants love their master and the master loves his servants. This love is not love of the body but of the soul.The Upanishads say so.” Anyasmath sarvasmath yadayamaathma. The body devoid of soul is not loved by anybody. That soul does not have form. None has ever seen it. Everyone show love towards this soul which uses the body as an upaadhi. If that be so, if that same soul takes the form bearing the Kodanda in hand, shining as a blue cloud, decked with pithambar as Ramachandra who will not love Him? “Sarvalokapriyaha” says Valmiki. Thus right from a squirrel to Lord Brahma everybody poured their affection on Lord Rama.

Those sages who never lost themselves in any material pleasure lost their heart on the very sight of Rama. Vishwamithra came to Dasaratha’s sabha and proclaimed “ Aham vedmi mahaathmanam”- Sri Rama is none other than paramathma Himself. He knew the thathva of Rama. Yet his affection exceeded his love for Rama. Hence he preached to him the mantras bala and Athibala- mantras to keep a person hunger free and tiredness free. He took them both ( Rama and Lakshmana ) towards Sidhdhasrama and stayed at the banks of Sarayu the very first night. The next morning he has to wake them up. He does so saying the above sloka.

Kousalya supraja: He does not call Rama as the son of Dasaratha instead he says Kousalyanandana. This is because Dasaratha hesitated to send Rama when Viswamithra asked for him.Only after vasishta recommended did he send Him.But Kousalya sent him immediately without any grudge. Thus Vishwamithra had more concern for Kousalya.Thus the phrase “KOUSALYA NANDANA”.

Some children when rising from sleep call out for their mother. Rama is still a child. In case he calls out for his mother let him realize that Kousalya is not here at present. Thus thinking the sage says “ kousalya nandana”

Rama: Rama looks beautiful whether he is asleep or awake.When both merge, when He is about to arise His face looks all the more beautiful. Hence immersed in the ocean of His beauty he says “ Rama”.

Uththishta Narashaardula Karthavyam Deivam aanhikam.

It is time for anushtaanam.. May you rise soon. All those who perform ablutions meditate on me as “ Dhyeya sada savithrymandalamadhyavarthi” Why should I do such ablutions? If ever Rama had this query in mind, Vishwamithra says “ You have nothing to perform if you are at Vaikunta but as an incarnation you have to. Only then others will follow.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH NOV 2009

I SRIMAD RAMAYANA NAVAHAM ,CHENNAI

Kasi Vishwanathar chants the Rama Nama in the ear of every creature that dies in Kasi. One who dies hearing the Rama nama is sure to attain salvation. Hence Lord Siva out of boundless mercy does this great deed.It was He who told Parvathi the prabhavam of Rama Namam.” Sri Ramaramaramethi” The very chant of one Rama nama is equivalent to 1000Rama namas.. Tulasidasr began writing a grantha in Sanskrit. When he did so Lord Siva appeared before him and asked him to write in Hindi. Valmiki has already written in Sanskrit. If his work was in Hindi even laymen could understand Ramayan better.. Immediately Tulasidas began writing the Ramacharithamanas. Thus there is much relationship between Shiva and Lord Rama. Hence Lord Siva is immensely pleased if Srimad Ramayanam navaham is conducted at Lord Siva’s temple. Oct 27^th to Nov 4^th Sri Hari Anna’s Ramayana mahothsavam was organized at Chennai Ardhanareswarar temple, Chennai, Nanganallur. There was a huge gathering. The temple was overflowing with huge crowds. The audience was fullof rasikas and bhavukas. On the day of Paduka Pattabhishekam Sri Hari Anna said “ The Lord gives all prosperity to one who takes shelter under Him. He made Bharatha king of Ayodhya, Shatrugna the king of Mathura, Sugriva the King of Kishkinda, Vibheeshana the king of Lanka. Even a footwear that lies at the feet of the Lord got the status of a king. The Paduka ruled Ayodhya. What fortune will the Lord not bestow.” The audience went into a rapture on hearing this. Ardhanaareshwarar charitable trust beautifully organized the function

II HYDERABAD PROGRAM

Oct 31^st and Nov 1^st witnessed a mammoth gathering of more than 1500 devotees at Keyes High school, Hyderabad. Vishakha Hari delivered sangeetha Upanyasam on Kuchelopakyanam and Rukmini kalyanam. She sang Sri Krishnam Bhaja manasa and Rangapuravihara as the main pieces for the two days. The audience were enriched by the 2 programmes.The function was organized very well by Chandrasekhara Society, ThyagaBrahmothsava committee, SriChandrasekar.

EVENTS OF THIS MONTH (DEC 2009)

I UTSAVAM OF THIS MONTH (DEC 2009)

DATE : DEC 16 TO 22
VILLAGE :PARANOOR
UTSAVAM :ADYAYANA UTSAVAM

II HARI ANNA'S PROGRAM1.SRIMAD BHAGAVATHA SAPTHAHAM, CHENNAI

DATE: 10 DEC TO 16 DEC

CITY :CHENNAI
TIME : 7 PM TO 9 PM
TOPIC: SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM
VENUE : SHIVA VISHNU TEMPLE,NATESAN NAGAR,VIRUGAMBAKKAM ,CHENNAI

2.SRIMAD RAMAYANA NAVAHAM ,MUMBAI

DATE: 24 DEC TO 1ST JAN

CITY : MUMBAI
TIME : 7 AM TO 12 NOON AND 2 PM TO 6:30 PM
TOPIC: SRIMAD VALMIKI RAMAYANAM
VENUE: VANI VIDHYALAYA, MULUND

III SMT.VISHAKA HARI'S PROGRAM (DEC 2009)

1.
DATE :DEC 11
TIME :6 30 PM
ORGANISER : KARTHIKFINEARTS
VENUE :NARADA GHANA SABHA

2.
DATE :DEC 15
TIME :6 30 PM
ORGANISER : JAYA TV
VENUE : CHETTINAD VIDHYASHRAM

3.
DATE :DEC 18
TIME :7 PM
ORGANISER : MUSIC ACADEMY
VENUE : MUSIC ACADEMY,CHENNAI

4.
DATE :DEC 20
TIME :7 PM
ORGANISER : KAMARAJA ARANGAM
VENUE : KAMARAJAR ARANGAM,CHENNAI

5.
DATE :DEC 22
TIME :7 PM
ORGANISER : NARADA GHANA SABHA
VENUE : NARADA GHANA SABHA,CHENNAI

6.
DATE :DEC 23 & 24
TIME : 9:30 AM
ORGANISER : KRISHNA GHANA SABHA
VENUE : KRISHNA GHANA SABHA,CHENNAI

7.
DATE :DEC 28
TIME :7 PM
ORGANISER : MYLAPORE FINE ARTS
VENUE : MYLAPORE FINE ARTS,CHENNAI

8.
DATE :DEC 31 & JAN 1
TIME :7 PM
ORGANISER : SHANMUGA NANDA SABHA
VENUE : SHANMUGA NANDA SABHA,MUMBAI

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM DEC 2009

RULES AND REGULATION:
1. The answers should be mailed within 25th of the month to annahariji@gmail.com
2. Points will be alloted for the First, second and Third prizes.First - 10 Second - 8 Third - 6
3. The points will be cumulated every month if you get first, second or third.
4. The participants with the maximum points will be awarded first, second and third prizes at the end of the year.
5. The prizes will be distributed by Hariji at a grand function held at the end of the year.


QUESTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2009

1) How do the sadhus sanctify kshetras and teerthas?

2) Vidura after his teerthayathra did not convey a message to Yudhistira. What was it?

3) Whose incarnation is Vidura?

4) Who is the daughter of Subala?

5) Which is Sapthsrothas?

ANSWERS FOR THE MONTH OF NOV 2009

1) The Lord in Uttarakumari’s womb was of the size of a thumb.

2) He was swirling the mace.

3) A) kaarthaveeryarjunan b) Arjuna, the pandava

4) He was saved from death by Lord Vishnu. Hence the name Vishnuraatha.

5) “Parikshetha nareshwiha”- Even after his birth Parikshit used to examine ( did Pariksha) of each and everyone he saw, whether he was the Lord whom he saw in his mother’s womb. Hence the name “Parikshit”.

NOVEMBER WINNERS

1.Sethuraman --I 44+10 points
2.karthik venkataraman --I 46+10points
3.Radhika Venkataraman --I 58+10 points
4.Padma Narayanan --I 42+10 points
5.Gopika Sampath --I 40+10 points
6.Girija Setharaman --I 50+10 points
7.Sudarshana Narayanaswamy --II 8 points
8.Srinivasan --III 6 points

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2009

SRI RANGAM PART XI

Lord Ranganatha thus came from ksheerabdhi to Brahma’s hands and from Brahma to Vaivaswatha manu. Vaivasvatha manu’s race right from Ikshvaku to Sree Rama worshipped Him as their kuladeiva at Ayodhya. Lord Rama gave Ranganatha to Vibheeshana who while carrying Him placed him on his way at SriRangam. Dharmavarma who did penance there to bring the Lord to Srirangam was overwhelmed to see the Lord in front of his eyes. The Lord chose Srirangam as His permanent residence. Thus three main persons worshipped the Lord i.e., Brahma, Rama and Dharmavarma.

The devotees next question the Sadguru, “Oh Gurudeva please tell us how Goddess Ranganayaki appeared in the present form. How did she marry the Lord? Did she also exhibit her divine form from the ksheerabdi when the Lord manifested His archaavathara. The Sadguru replies:

“ Oh Rasikas May you now listen to the wonderful episode of the Avathar of Ranganayaki thayar.Dharmavarma performed all the rituals and worship of the Lord with great sincerity and dedication.One day on the dawn of panguni uththaram Goddess Ranganayaki appeared in Dharmavarma’s dream and instructed him to find her beautiful archa form below a Bilva tree on the banks of Chandrapushkarani. An ecstatic Dharmavarma woke up to his excitement, he ran to the Bilva tree and as dreamt found the magnificient svayam vyaktha form of the Goddess. ( Svayamvyaktha- not sculpted by a mortal but found on its own). Sree Devi thayar was found with sandal paste, kumkum, flowers, manjal, beautifully decorated seated on a lotus flower with lotuses held in two of her hands and two more of her hands showing the abhaya, Varada hastha. DEvas Gandharvas beat the drums, sing her glory, 2 Airavatha elephants perform abhishekam with Deva ganga. Dharmavarma does the ashoththaram, glorifies Her boundless mercy brings Her and Lord Ranganatha to the serthi mandapam. There in an ekasana he performs the wedding of the divyadampathi ( Serthi uthsavam).

( Concluding part of Ranga mahathmyam next issue)