Bhakthadasi

Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad has a wonderful explanation about "self" the fifth and ultimate source of light available for human beings.  A self realized soul, a great sage, came to King Janaka's court. King Janaka requested the sage to talk about the light of lights that lights a man's way in the world. Sage said:  There are five lights: Sun lights a man's way during the day, Moon at night, Fire lights his way when there is neither the sun nor the moon and Voice can help to some extend to know a man's way. ( When it is dark, sounds can help us move to that place from which the sound came). But when it is pitch dark, and all sounds have stopped, "Self" or the "knowing one" or "inner light" is the light that lights a man's way.  Then he continued the explanation of this "seer" or "master of all" or the "ultimate controller" of everything. It is this "self" who sees us

Disciple:  GurO, I have been going through a lot of suffering in my life. I have not cheated anyone, I have not hurt anyone purposely and I try to lead a righteous life. Why is it that life is unfair to me and showering so much problems on my path? Please tell me what did I do to go through this traumas of life one after another?   Guru:  Dear Disciple, one man was walking through the jungle and immediately from nowhere a ferocious hungry lion appeared and was about to jump on him. He screamed and told the lion: "Please lion, I am a pure vegetarian. I never eat any animals. So please spare me and eat something else. It is not fair to eat me knowing that I do not hurt anybody".   Lion said:  I do not care whether you are a vegetarian or not. I am hungry and I will eat whatever happens to come in front of me whether it is a vegetarian or meat eater. I often eat the most pious vegetarian deers. What difference does it make for me whether you are a

This is an imaginary interview between Jeevathma and the vast oceans of the world.  Jeevathma : Respected Ocean or Samudram, I have a question for you. Samudram:  Who are you? What is your question? Jeevaathma : I am an ordinary Jeevathma. Thank you for giving an opportunity to talk to you. Can I ask you what is the meaning of your name "samudram"? Samudram : Jeevaathma, I am not surprised that you do not know the meaning. The dictionary meaning will tell you that I am "a collection of waters" or "a confluence" or something like that. That meaning is not wrong. But I am much more than that. I am Bhagavaan's nature it self. " In the beginning, there was darkness hidden in darkness, all the Universe was unillumined sea" this is what Rig Veda says about me. There existed nothing other than Paramaathma thatvam and then I came into existence from that Chaithanyam or I rest with in Bhagavaans'nature just as you rest in Bhaga

When sage Narada told Kamsa that the so called daughter of his cousin Devaki whom he unsuccessfully tried to kill by smashing on a rock was actually Yasoda's daughter and the boy growing with Yasoda in Gokulam was Devaki's eighth son Krishna, Kamsa was scared to death. He thanked Narada for the valuable information and with out realizing that Narada was opening the door to his own death, he called all the prominent members left in his army, like Chaanoora, Mushtika, Keshi, Shalan, Thoshalan, mahout of the ferocious elephant called Kuvalayapeedam etc and gave instructions to kill Krishna and and all His friends and well wishers . Now Kamsa realized how the little boy of Gokulam could effortlessly kill all his assistants like Putana, Shakataasuran, Thrunaavarttham, Dhenukaasuran etc. He was nobody other than Lord Vishnu! Kamsa thought: "I will please Lord Shiva and may be His power can match Vishnu's power!" He made announcement about an elaborate yaag

A ccording to the great scholar, K.P.N. Pisharady, great sages of the past planted a  Kalpavruksham ('Wish-yielding tree) in Himalaya mountains.   The root of that tree is Aumkaaram, trunk is Gaayathri, branches are Vedaas, small branches are Vedaangaas, fruits are Puraanaas and  Ithihaasaas'. Several people when get tired or disillusioned of the "samsaara-yaathra" or journey of life, come and rest under this Kalpavruksha.    Some people stay there for ever for the welfare of the world and eventually attain salvation, but some people collect the fruits, enjoys themselves and distributes among like minded and interested fellow beings!

Often we talk to our parents, siblings or friends about our problems to get relief. Sometimes they console us, advise us or tell us that they too share our sorrow as helpless as we are. Even when they just listen, we get relief. Their mere presence makes us feel better. There is a small story which tells that often just the feeling of a kind listener's presence is the best relief one can get. One man was sitting on a river bank by himself. An old and lonely man came and started talking to him continuously. He kept on talking about his sad experiences and disappointments to him and never gave him a chance to respond. He very patiently listened to all of the old man's stories and after some time the old man thanked him and slowly walked away. Also the old man said that he felt much better after talking to him because he gave him the most precious gift, his presence. Now imagine Bhagavaan as the kind listener giving us His divine presence and we are the people who te

As an addendum to the post Kaalaswaroopan, let us look at a story of Lord Brahma's ego and the reason behind why Lord Brahma is not commonly worshiped in temples? Brahma and Vishnu together were travelling for fun through the Universe and one day they found an extremely long lighted pole. The lighted stick was so long that they could not find the beginning or end of the stick. Both of them wanted to know the source and end and they decided to go and look in two different directions. Vishnu took a long time and tried to find the source and came back very tired with out finding the beginning of the pole of light. Brahma also came back, but he had the ego of creation and he did not want to admit that he could not find the end of the stick. So he said that he found where the stick ended (or it can be said as the beginning too). He was lying.  Immediately at the end of the lighted pole Shiva appeared and cursed Brahma for lying that he would never be worshipped along with

Bhagavaan is often referred to as Kaalaswaroopan.   Let us explore the  Kaalachakram. Kaliyugam lasts for 4,32,000 years Dwapara yugam lasts for 432000 times 2= 864000 years Thretha yugam lasts for 432000 times 3= 1296000 years Krutha yugam lasts for 432000 times 4= 1728000 years Total is chatur yiugam or Mahayugam =4320000 years = 4.32 million years One Manwantharam is 72 chathur yugaas or mahagugaas which is equal to 4.32 times 72 million years , that is 311.04 million years. 14 manwantharas is one day time for Brahma and this is called kalpam which will be 4.35456 billion years. Another 4.35456 billion years is Brahma's night. So one day of Brahma is 8.70912 billion years. And Brahma's life lasts 100 such years. That means we have to multiply 8.70912 billion years with 365 and then with 100 to get Brahma's length of life. This will be equal to 317. 89188 trillion years or 317891880000000 human years. Then the cosmic dissolution

Ten messages from Bhagavaan (by an unknown author)   1. QUIT WORRYING: Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way? Action is important, do your best in the given circumstances. 2. PUT IT ON THE LIST: Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list alone. Put it on MY to-do-list also. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize. Again, I will direct you and do your best in the given circumstances. 3. TRUST ME: Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have th

What is an "avathaaram"? The literal meaning of "avathaaram" is "come descending down". That means the formless and attributeless Absolute takes a form with divine attributes and descends down to appear on earth. What is the purpose of "avathaarams"? The purpose is to elevate humans to the level of Absolute. (in addition to eradicate Adhanrmis and establish Dharmam )! During the Upanishadic age, Absolute incarnated as divine sages like Dakshinaamoorthy and Datthaathreyan. in Daarshanic periods, Absolute is known as Easwaran. In Puranic periods, Absolute descended as several different humans as well as a few animal forms to protect the devotees. Lord's incarnation can be compared to a ship, which would help us to cross the ocean of life. But out of all the incarnations, the full incarnation or poornaavathaaram is of Lord Krishna. Krishna never was a king, but He was the King of Kings who helped others to climb to the king's ch

We know the story of King Parikshith who was cursed by Sringi, the son of Shameeka maharshi to die with in seven days by the bite of the venomous snake Thakshaka. If somebody could give him Amrutham or nectar he could have conquered death. Devendra who owns the Amrutha kumbham, misunderstood that King Parikshith who had started "praayopavesham" ( This is an age old tradition where an individual who is determined to leave this mundane world denies Himself food and water to sustain the body and immerse in deep meditation of the Absolute until he attains His goal.) wanted to live longer and enjoy his kingdom. Meanwhile Suka maharshi happened to come there (all by the divine plan) and King Parikshith was very pleased to see this great Jeevanmuktha in front of him. He asked Suka maharshi about how he should spend the last seven days left in his life to attain moksham. Suka maharshi was about to start the Bhagavtha Sapthaham to help Parikshith attain moksham. During thi

Once Shankaraacharya Swamikal came to the Periyaar riverbank in Kerala (not too far from Kochi). That was Shivaraathri day. He finished Sandhyaa vandanam and went into deep meditation. When he opened his eyes he saw a poor Muslim boy called Aali. He just happened to be there while roaming around the neighbourhood. But with in moments, because of the satsangam of Swamikal, the boy felt an unexplainable feeling of peace and comfort. He was attracted to Swamiji and stood there staring at him for several moments.   Swamikal smiled at the boy and immediately the boy fell at his feet. Swamiji asked him what he wanted from him. The boy said that he wanted to pray and meditate like Swamiji. Shankaraachaaryar put his hands on his head and advised him the naamam "Shiva Shiva"He asked him to repeat it as many times as he could. Swamikal disappeared and the boy Aali started chanting Shiva Shiva all the time for several years. People noticed his devotion and enlightenment and wa

Nothing is eternal except Bhakthi and Bhagagavaan. This story illustrates how Lord Krishna  after accomplishing His purpose of incarnation, executed His divine plans to destroy the arrogant members of His own Yadavakulam and went back to His permanent abode. Once all the children of Dwaraka were playing in Pindaaraka theertha. A group of children including Bhagavaan's son Saamban decided to wear some fancy dresses and act as different characters. Probably they had what we call a fancy dress competition! So Saamban decided to act as a pregnant woman and dressed accordingly. During that time a few divine Rishis were returning  after a Mahaayagnam and had to cross through the play fields of children. When the children saw the Rishis, they decided to go and pay respect to them. Some mischievous ones, in a satiric mood,  wanted to test the knowledge and power of these great sages . They made Saamban who was dressed as a pregnant woman, stand in front of them  and asked them

Once Narada Muni went to Kailasam for the divine darshanam of Lord Shiva and Parvathy. They were very pleased to see Bhaktha Narada and blessed him with any boon he desired. Then Narada Muni said: "Lord, I do not want anything. But I would be delighted if you could tell me the story behind "Ekadashi vratha anushtaanam" or observing Ekadashi vratham. Lord Shiva told Narada Muni that he would be very happy to tell the story because it would benefit not only Narada, but all the devotees of all time. Lord Shiva said that in the past, Dharma Raja (Yama) asked Bhagavaan Shree Krishna about the same story and He would narrate to Narada Muni the same story Bhagavaan told Yama. He added: "Narada Muni, please listen carefully, I am exactly repeating the story Bhagavaan told Yama. It is very auspicious because it came straight from Bhagavaan. You travel through all 14 worlds so frequently and please share this story with all devotees of Bhagavaan." 

The most misunderstood word in the universe is perhaps the word "Yoga". Even though the word Yoga means "union" it should ideally be used only to denote the union of Jeevaathma and Paramaathma. For Yoga, control of all the senses and hence the mind is essential. When the mind is completely under control, the ultmate knowledge that Jeevaathma and Paramaathma are one and the same dawns and this is called Yoga. Because of avidya or ignorance or Maaya, Jeevathma and Parmaathma are separated ( Ignorance or Maaya is the screen between them) and when that obstacle is removed, they unite and that is yoga. As per Pathanajali yoga suthra, Yogam is the cessation of the thoughts of he mind. (yoga: chittha vrutthi norodha:) Yoga has actually nothing to do with the physical exercise.   When the word is added to other words like Karma, Jnaana and Bhakthi it means that through the above three paths one can remove the obstacle of Maaya and reach Paramaathma. There is a very

Bhagavaan is known as  Nithya- Shuddha- Buddha- Muktha- Svabhaavan . Let us explore the meaning of each adjective given to Him.   Why is He called  Nithyan ? He is the Lord of the past, present and future (Bhootha-Bhavya-Bhavannathhan) . He is beyond Kaalam or Time and hence is Eternal or  nithyan .   How does the adjective  Shuddha  is appropriate? He is untouched by all the negative qualities like kaamam, krodham, madam, moham, lobham maathsaryam etc. He is eternally pure or  Shuddhan.   He is the storehouse of all knowledge and source of eternal happiness. His blessings enlighten all living beings. He is  Buddhan . He is an ever burning lamp from which countless transient lamps can be lit and when these lamps die down, the light from all of them merge back with the light of the eternal lamp.   Why is He called  Mukthan?  Bhagavaan is not in the grasp of Avidya or Maaya. He is completely free. One who is beyond the power of Maaya is called  Mukthan .   What is

Adi Shankara's commentary of Vishnu Sahasranaamam defines the name Vishnu as that energy or power pervading everything in the universe and He is not limited by time, space or substance. He is called Vishnu Bhagavaan because he possesses all the six Bhagaas or positive qualities namely,   1. Jnaana or power to know everything 2.Aishvarya  or Sovereignty 3.Shakthi or strength to make even the impossible, possible 4.Bala or again the strength to support everything for ever 5.Veerya or vigour 6. Tejas or splendour   Now let us extrapolate the meaning of the name Vishnu to one of the deadliest negative qualities of ordinary people. As per Bhagavaan's words in Bhagavad Gita, anger is that deadliest quality which eventually leads one to countless miseries.   To connect and understand Bhagavaan and the emotion anger, Shankaraachaaryaa's lines from Bhajagovindam are very helpful:  Tvayi Mayi Chaanyatraiko Vishnuh Vyartham Kupyasi Mayyasahishnuh ത്വയി

Devotees call Krishna by the name Kaarvarnan, meaning one who has the color of clouds. Clouds are darker when they are holding more water and showers on earth when She needs it.   The dark color of Krishna is due to the endless love He is carrying with Him. When our mind becomes pure, He showers the rain of love on us, cooling us and giving us fresh energy and zest for life. Just like the clouds illuminate the earth with lightning, Bhagavaan shows us the bright light of knowledge or Jnjaanam. Just like rains save the earth from drought, Bhagavaan's love protects us from the sorrows of this material world and leads us from darkness to light. So His name Kaarvarnan is very appropriate.   May our prayer   Asatho maam sadgamaya Thamaso maam jyothirgamaya Mruthyor maam amrutham gamaya.   reach Kaarvarnan and may His Vaamanaavathaara shower the rain of blessings on us on this day of Thiruvonam and always! Let Vaamana murthy's divine feet touch our bowing head

In Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavaan tells Arjuna to remember Him always and then fight " thasmaath sarveshu kaaleshu maam anusmara". So remembering Him all through life and as a result being able to remember Him at the time death enables one to attain moksham. It is interesting to note that in Bhagavatham Bhagavaan says :  kaamam krodham bhayam sneham aikyam sauhrdam eva ca nityam harau vidadhato yaanti tan-mayataam hi te People who constantly direct their desire, anger, fear, love, feeling of oneness or friendship toward Bhagavaan are sure to get salvation or ultimately reach Him. Bhagavaan does not mind what the attitude is or what the feelings are towards Him as long as one thinks of Him constantly. Example for filling their hearts with kaamam is Gopikaas. Shishupaala and Danthavakthra were constantly connected to Bhagavaan with krodham or anger and both of them attained moksham by embracing death by His hands.  Kamsan attained moksham by continuously remembering

Hiranyaaksha was killed by Bhagavaan's Varaha avathaaram and mother Earth was retrieved from the ocean bed. When Hiranyaaksha was killed, his brother Hiramyakashipu, Bhaktha Prahlada's father, tried to console the family of his brother. Even though he was an Asura himself, momentarily he felt the greatness of Lord Vishnu and quoted the words of Yamadharma Raja to the bereaved family. These words are impregnated with deep meaning and helps all the bhakthaas to reinforce their faith in the boundless mercy of Bhagavaan. It is interesting to note that in spite of knowing the greatness of Bhagavaan, he was driven by fate to go against all Vishnu Bhakthaas including his own son. Hiranyakashipu quoted Yamadharmaraja's words: pathhi chyutham thishtathi dishtarakshitham gruhe sthitham thad vihatham vinashyathi jeevathyanaathhopi thadeekshitho vane gruhepi gupthosya hatho na jeevathi പഥി  ച്യുതം തിഷ്ടതി  ദിഷ്ടര്‍ക്ഷിതം  ഗൃഹേ  സ്ഥിതം തദ് വിഹതം വിനശ്യതി   ജീവത്യനാ

There is an interesting story about Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. This I read in an article about Vrajam by the great devotee of Guruvayoorappan, the late Paaleri Namboodiri. I am just retelling the essence of the story in English.   In Gokulam, when they started seeing all the bad omens like the attempt of Poothana, Shakatasuran and Thrunnavartthan to kill Krishna, Nandadevar and Yashodadevi decided to move to Vrindaavanam where there were many hills covered with green grass and water was plenty for the cows and calves. They moved to a small place and named it Nanda Gaav surrounded by hills and nourished by river Yamuna. When they moved there, Lord Shiva came to see Krishna. Yashoda devi was hesitant to introduce Lord Shiva to the little boy Krishna because she was afraid that Krishna would be scared to see Lord Shiva with three eyes, live snakes around His neck, vibhoothi or ash smeared all over His body and wearing the skin of a leopard (or tiger?). Because of the powerul Ma

"You are a blue pearl. Blue is beautiful; blue is something that is big, vast and infinite. All that is immense and infinite in creation and that which has depth expresses itself, in blue. The sky is blue, the ocean is blue. You are a blue pearl, in the sense that you can't be measured. You are so deep in your being. Though you are in the body, nobody can measure your being. The being in you is not just the blue infinity; it's a shining radiant infinity that is deep and immense. Blue pearl means that which is shining, that which is radiant, that which is infinite; yet, it seems to be finite." Shri Shri Ravi Shankar

Once Sitadevi was applying Kumkumam on her forehead and Hanumanji asked Sitadevi why she was doing that. Sitadevi replied that if she applied kumkumam on her forehead it would increase Ramaa's longevity and overall happiness. That would bring "sarvamangalam" to her husband. When Hanumanji heard this he went ahead and applied kumkumam all over his body so that the results would be many fold stronger! Tha is why offering of Kumkuma lepanam for Hanumanji is considered to be very auspicious.  May God bless us to have a complete attitude of surrender like Hanumanji!

9/2/09 Today is Thiruvonam and on this auspicious day of Vamanaavathaaram, I humbly offer the last part of the Njanappana explanation at Bhagavaan's Lotus feet. Let Bhagavaan's blessings transform my humble attempt of sharing what I understood with my extremely limited knowledge and capability, into a Naivedyam! Let His endless mercy or Apaara kaarunyam accept the Naivedyam and let the prasaadam or Lord's grace fill the hearts of all devotees.  Anantha koti Namskaaram at the feet of Bhakthakavi Shri Poonthaanam Nambudiri! May his divine soul forgive me for all my mistakes and may his blessings inspire all of us to chant Bhagavaan's naamam! Happy Onam to all ! Let Vaamana avathaaram remove all our "darpam" or pride and purify our hearts !  Mathiyundenkilokke mathiyithu Thiru naamathin maahathmayamaamithu Pizhayaakilum Pizhakedennakilum Thiruvullamarulka bhagavaane ! മതിയുണ്ടെകിലൊക്കെ മതിയിതു  തിരുനാമത്തിൻ മാഹാത്മ്യമാമിതു  പിഴയ

Aamodam poondu choolluvin naamangal Aanandam poondu brahmathil cheruvaan ആമോദം പൂണ്ടു ചൊല്ലുവിൻ നാമങ്ങൾ  ആനന്ദം പൂണ്ടു ബ്രഹ്മത്തിൽ ചേരുവിൻ  Chant (divine) names happily and enjoy the bliss of merging with the Brahmam. The words "aamodam poondu" indirectly suggests that all other paths for salvation are harder than this path and Naamasankeerthanam is the most enjoyable path. What is the result of happily chanting divine names? You attain the bliss of Brahmasaayujyam or the bliss of being one with the Supreme. By chanting naamam we attain eternal happiness.   Naama sankeerthanam is capable of burning even the ten types of naama aparadhams or offenses against Lord's name. Chaitanya Charithamrutham says that there is a great difference between other sins and offense against Bhagavaan and His divine names. Even a glimpse of devotion destroys heaps of other sins as fire easily burns heaps of cotton. But offense against divine names and Lord are not destroye