SHLOKA OF THE MONTH(JULY 2008)

SHLOKA OF THE MONTH(JULY 2008)

Vaduvoor SriRamar

Sa cha sarvagunopethaha Kausalyanandavardhanaha |

Samudra iva gambhirye dhairyena himavaniva ||

Sa cha sarvagunopethaha:

SriRama is the reservoir of all great virtues. Love grows as virtues grow. As one hears more and more about the virtues of Rama the devotion in him swells. There is no limit to his virtues. It is indeed rare to see such a virtuous person even in the race of Ikshvakus – (Rama’s predecessors).

Kausalyanandavardhanaha:

Rama bestows happiness to one and all in this world,by his boundful virtues. Kausalya devi felt enormously happy on seeing Rama’s devotion to his father, respect to his mother, his truth, sincerity and commitment.

Samudraiva gambhirye:

Sri Rama is as deep as the ocean. It is a wonderful sight to look at the ocean. So is Rama, by his captivating beauty. He is of blue hue just as the ocean. The ocean tides swell as the moon rises. So does Rama on seeing sadhus. The ocean is the repository of gems and pearls. The gems of virtues shine in the ocean of Rama. However there is a striking difference between Rama and the ocean. The sea waters are salty but Rama is always sweet.

Dhairyena himavaniva:

He is as perseverant and sturdy as the Himalayas mountains. The Himalayas are nothing but stones. But Rama is ocean of compassion.

Event of the month (June 2008)

1. Srimad Bhagavatha Sapthaham, Hyderabad

SriVenkatrama ganapadigal has established an institution by name “Veda Bhavanam” at Secunderabad. He runs a Veda patashala. This patashala trains almost 100 students at a time. Sri HariAnna’s saptaham was beautifully organized at Veda Bhavanam from june 4^th to 10^th. Sri HariAnna commenced the saptaham with a beautiful introduction on the greatness of Vedas. Vedas are eternal. It is beyond time and tide. The age of puranas and ithihasas has been deciphered. However the age of Vedas is still under research. Bhagavatham is the fruit of Vedas. If Vedas be a tree the Bag2.avatham is its fruit. There is no fruit without a tree. There is no Bagavatham without Vedas – thus he said. Every day he quoted Veda mantras during his pravachan. Krishna leelas were full of bhava and rasa. It was joyous to patashala students. Always Divyanama is grandeur at Veda Bhavanam. Almost 50 students participate in the Divyanama with enthusiasm. The unchvruthi went on from 10.00 to 10.45A.M. on Sunday. It was followed by a grand RadhaKalyanam from 11.00 to 12.30. Everyday there was parayanam, astapathi, govinda shatakam, dolothsavam etc.

2. Srimad Bhagavatha Sapthaham, Srirangam

It is the streets of Srirangam, Vadakku Chithrai veedy to be specific. There is a huge crowd of devotees gathered to hear HariAnna’s lecture series on Bhagavatham from june 19^th to 27^th. Sri HariAnna began the first day lecture meditating upon the Ranganatha. “There are several sayanas of the Lord – Bhoga sayana, Yoga sayana, Chala sayana, Jala sayanam, Sthala sayanam. Out of these the lord is at Yoga sayanam in Srirangam. This is the form the lord assumes before srushti, controlling within Him all matter. He alone exists. Vyasar begins the Bhagavatham by meditating upon that very swaroopa. That swaroopa created Brahma himself, and bestowed Brahma with gnanam(wisdom). Maya pushes us into samsara taking us away from this swaroopa. However this swaroopa shines well beyond Maya.

Thus the very first sloka represents Lord Ranganatha” continued HariAnna. He showered quotations from Azhwar pasurams and spoke much about Namperumal. “At other places the pravachanams are conducted at halls are sabhas. It is only at Srirangam veedhi that we are fortunate to listen to and conduct pravachanam at the very feet of Namperumal”- thus said HariAnna. The audience was highly excited.

3. Venkatachala Mahatmiyam, Chennai

By the bountiful grace of Lord Srinivasa and goddess Padmavathy the Venkatadri Mahatmyam series by smt. VishakaHari at Asthika samaj, Alwarpet, Chennai was a grand success. The function was held for 3 days at a stretch. The Harikatha was attended by an overflowing crowd of 2,500 devotees. Smt. Vishaka presented the sangeetha upanyasam from SriSriAnna’s DivyaDesha vaibhavam, Anna’s telgu keerthanas, Annamacharya, Dikishitar, Tyagarajar, Papanasam sivam, Pattinam SubramaniIyer, Purandaradas songs interspersed with Azhwar pasurams. The program was very well organized by Shri A.K.Ramamurthy, founder of Vedic Sangeetha Foundation. 2 big plasma screens, 2 small LCD TVS, 4 screens in all facilitated all devotees to enjoy the harikatha in closer view. Prasadams were distributed to all everyday. On the concluding day a huge Srinivasa momento from Tirupathi was presented to her as prasadam.

EVENTS OF THIS MONTH( JULY 2008)

EVENTS OF THIS MONTH( JULY 2008)

I UTSAVAM OF THIS MONTH(JULY 2008)

Date: July 15th to 17th
Town: Melkote
Venue: Krishnasuri Ramanuja koodam
Sri Chellapillai arrives at our Ashram on 16th evening. Radhakalyana utsavam on 17th Morning. Reception to SrisriAnna on 16th morning

II HariAnna's programs(July 2008)

1. Srimad Ramayana Navaham, Bangalore:

Date: July 4th to 12th
City : Bangalore
Venue: Sri Venugopala swamy temple, Malleswaram
Time : 6.30 P.M to 8.30 P.M

2. Srimad Ramayana Mahasamrajya pattabhishekam, Chennai:

Date: July 24,25,27,28
City : Chennai
Venue: Ayodhya Mandapam, Mambalam
Time: 4.00 P.M to 6.00 P.M

3. Srimad Bhagavatha Saptaham, Kancheepuram:

Date: July 30th to Aug 5th
Town: Kancheepuram
Venue: Kanchi Kamakoti Sankara Mutt
Time: 6.30 P.M to 8.30 P.M

III VishakaHari's Programs (July 2008)

1. Chennai Program
Date: July 26th
Topic: Sabari Moksham
Venue: Ayodhya Mandapam, Mambalam
Time: 4.00P.M to 6.00 P.M

2. Chennai Program
Date: July 31st, August 1st
Venue: Image Auditorium
Time: 7.00P.M to 9.00 P.M

Quiz On Srimad Bhagavatham [ JULY 2008]

Quiz On Srimad Bhagavatham[JULY 2008]

Rules and Regulations:
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:

1. In which yuga did Vyasa avathara take place?
2. What is the name of Vyasa’s mother?
3. Who are the five disciples of Vyasa?
4. Which sastras did Vyasa preach to his diciples. Specify individually to which disciple each shastra was taught?
5. Vyasa met Narada on the banks of a river. Name the river.

Answers for the month of June:

1)WHO IS BADARAYANA ?
Ans: Sri VedaVyasa

2)WHO IS BADARAYANI ?
Ans: Sri Suka Brahmam

3)WHAT WERE THE QUESTIONS THAT THE SAUNAKAS ASKED OF SUTHAR ?

a. Which is the path to Shreyas (Welfare) for a human being?
b. What is the essence of the Shastras?
c. Tell us in detail about Krishna avatara.
d. Elucidate the Leelas of Bhagavan pertaining to creation etc.
e. Please narrate the avatars of Bhagavan.
f. Whom did Dharma seek refuge after the lord Krishna ascended vaikunta.

4)WHY DID NOT SUKACHARYA RESPOND TO VYASA’S CALL ?
Ans: Sukacharya is a Gnani who sees brahmam in all. Hence he did not differentiate between the person being called, the person calling, and the actual call. He beheld brahmam in himself who was being called. He visualised brahmam in Vyasa who was calling and also in the address "Puthra". Hence he did not respond to Vyasa's call.

5)IS IT POSSIBLE FOR GNYANIS TO DO BHAKTI ?
Ans: Yes. The wise can resort to devotion. Bhagavan has quoted this in Bhagavath gita himself by the phrase "Gnani cha bharatharshaba". Vyasa has pointed out "Atmaramascha munayaha". Sukar himself is a gnani. Has he not soaked himself in the ocean of devotion.

June Winners:

1) SETHURAMAN-FIRST-10+20 =30 POINTS
2) APARNA GANESH-SECOND -8+16=24 POINTS
3) GURUMURTHY - THIRD - 6POINTS

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2008
SriVilliputhur - Part - I

Sri Andal and Rangamannar

SriVilliputur is otherwise known as Dhanvipuram in Sanskrit. Dhanvi denotes one who handles the bow with dexterity. Lord Vishnu once exhibited his prowess over his Sharngam – the bow at Dhanvipuram. Once there was an asura by name Kalanemi. His demoniac rule harassed one and all. The Devas too overpowered by him, took refuge at SriVilliputhur. By the advice of Brahma the Devas surrendered at the feet of Lord Vishnu. Blessed by the lord, the Devas fought against Kalanemi, however in vain. This time too they could not win over Kalanemi. It was at this juncture that Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of Devas. He shielded the bow and struck Kalanemi with just a single arrow. Kalanemi was dead, victory to the lord. Thus the deity Sarangapani has been installed at SriVilliputhur.

It was at SriVilliputur under a banyan tree that sage Markandeya meditated upon the Lord for several years in succession. One fortunate day the lord appeared before the sage and spoke thus “Oh! Sage may you ask of a boon”. The sage humbly replied “Oh Lord The greatest boon of all boons is to have your Darshan. How can I ever ask of a greater boon. However I would like to know and see Maya. I’am unaware of what Maya is. I would like to see it.” Strange indeed is this boon. All people in this materialistic world know of only maya, not the lord. Contrarily Markandeya is knower of the Lord and not the clutches of maya.

On one fine day while the sage was performing his morning ablutions he had a strange vision. There was water all around, in the streets, through the village, overflowing through all the cities and towns. It looked as if it was the Pralaya waters – waters of destruction. The water grew in size, volume and magnitude destroying everything, all around, the trees, animals, soil, people, house almost everything. The world was engulfed by the enormous flow of the waters. Markandeya gazed with dizziness. The waters came close as if engulfing him and ho! He was now floating in the midst of a huge ocean of water. Markandeya now trembled in fear, now a wave of fear, now in ecstasy, now in awe, in fright in deflusion. There in the midst of the huge water, small baby lay on single banyan leaf – Alilai. The wonderful, lovely baby was sucking his toe. The baby blue in complexion, radiant as the sun and cool as the moon. All the waters seamed to flow into this baby’s mouth. The vision disappeared. All was over. Now Markandeya stood as before in his own small house before his kamandelu and dhanda. Herealised Oh! All this was just Maya. The Lord has fulfilled my wish. This lord however for the sake of Markandeya graced `SriVilliputhur as Vatapathracayi in the form of Archa Thirumeni.