SHLOKA OF THE MONTH

Baalyath prabruthi Susnigdhaha Lakshmano Lakshmivardhanaha

Ramasya Lokaramasya Brathuhu Jyeshtasya Nithyashaha

Sarvapriyakarasthasya Ramsyaapi Shareerathaha

Lakshmano Lakshmisampanno Bahiprana Ivaaparaha

Na cha thena vina nidram labhathe purushothamaha

Mrushtamannam Upaaneetham Ashnaathi na hi tham vina.

“ Sesho Lakshmana Uchyathe”- Adishesha incarnated as Lakshmana swamy. When the Lord stood Aadisesha became an umbrella himself to protect the Lord. When the Lord lied down Aadisesha became his bed. If the Lord was seated Sesha became His asana. Thus His swaroopam is to serve the Lord by all means. When the Lord took an avathar Aadisesha too incarnated along with him in every avathar and served Him.

Aadisesha incarnated as Lakshmanaswamy in Ramaavathar. He did not leave Rama even for a second. He left behind Rama when Vishwamithra called Rama to his siddhasrama. He was attached to Sri Rama right from his birth. When Rama left for exile Lakshmana followed him leaving all pleasures. He served him all the 14 years in the forest. His goal was to serve Rama. Rama wanted to cross the river Yamuna. Lakshmanaswamy built a boat for him. In Panchavati he himself built an ashram. When he was crying for his lost Sita Lakshmana consoled Him. Hence Valmiki describes him as “ Rama’s praanan ( life)” . Lakshmanaswamy is a bestower of prosperity. Sugriva lost his first battle against Vali. Rama asked Lakshmana to garland Sugriva. That bestowed him prosperity. Only then Vali was killed. Hence Valmiki says “ Lakshmano Lakshmivardhanaha”. Rama was comfortable even during the nights only if he slept by Lakshmana’s side. If he came across some sweets or savouries he was satisfied only if lakshmana partook it. He never ate without Lakshmana. All these show Rama’s affection towards Lakshmana.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH APRIL 2010

CHENNAI PRAVACHANAM

Bhaktha Vijaya pravachanam was conducted at Ayodhya mandapam on behalf of Santh Arana Premika Seva Samithi from April 25^th to May 2^nd. Sri Radhakrishnan had organized the entire series with great sincerity and eagerness. The first day Hari Anna began the pravachanam with Rama nama mahima as the topic for the day was Bodhendral. He explained the sloka “ Dhyayan kruthe”. The same phalan is obtained by chanting the rama nama which was obtained in the krutha yugam by tapas, tretha yugam by yagam and dwaparayugam by pooja. But it is difficult in kali yuga to do tapas or yagam or pooja. But it is very easy to chant Rama namam. In Kabir das charitram he said “ there is no restriction or rules and regulations in Bhakthi. An asura by name Vruthrasuran was a bhaktha, Vibheeshana, a rakshasa, Sugriva, a monkey, Jambavan- a bear, Jatayu- an eagle, - all of them were bhakthas. Kabeer, Raheem, Raskhan who belonged to other castes were also bhakthas.” During Rukmangada charitram he said “ The devotee must be perseverant in his devotion. Whether it is sravanam ( listening to katha), or keerthanam, japam, pooja or pravachanam the devotee must be sincere in it. Even if there may be obstacles, we must cross them. Rukmangada was perseverant in following Ekadasi vratham. Mohini wanted him to deter from it. He did not relent. From April 30^th to May 2^nd Smt Vishakha Hari rendered musical discourses on Badrachala Ramadass, Sadashiva Brahmendral and Narayana teerthar. Many devotees thronged to listen to them all.

EVENTS OF THIS MONTH JUNE 2010

UTSAVAM OF THIS MONTH

UTSAVAM : ANDAL KALYANAM

DATE : 18 TO 20 JUNE

TOWM : MELKOTE

VENUE: KRISHNASOORI BAJANA AASHRAMAM

HARI ANNA'S PROGRAM

1.BHAKTHA VIJAYAM PRAVACHNAM CHENNAI

TOPIC : BHAKTHA VIJAYAM
DATE : 10 TO 12 JUN
TIME : 7 TO 9PM
VENUE : SRI PADMANABHA SWAMY TEMPLE,ADAYAR
CITY : CHENNAI

2.SRIMAD BHAGAVATHA SAPTHAHAM CHENNAI

TOPIC: SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM
DATE : 28 JUN TO 4 JULY
TIME : 7 TO 9 PM
VENUE: SRI RATNAGIRISVARAR TEMPLE,BESANT NAGAR
CITY: CHENNAI

SMT VISHAKA HARI'S PROGRAM

1. HYDERABAD PROGRAM

TOPIC: GAJENDRA MOKSHAM,RUKMINI KALYANAM
DATE: 5 AND 6TH JUNE
TIME: 6:30 TO 9 PM
VENUE : KEY'S HIGH SCHOOL
CITY: HYDERABAD

2.CHENNAI PROGRAM

DATE: 26 AND 27TH JUNE
TIME: 7 TO 9 PM
VENUE: SRI RATNA GIRISVARAR TEMPLE ,BESANT NAGAR
CITY: CHENNAI

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM JUNE 2010

QUESTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2010 :

1) Parikshith sat on the banks of river Ganges. Which side was it?

2) “ Nijalabhathushtaha”- What was the profit that Sri Suka obtained?

3) What was Sri Sukar’s colour?

4) Suka was radiant and shone admist the maharishis. Suthar describes him. What was the example that he gave to describe him?

5) “ Vishnoriva suretharaha”- explain the example.

ANSWERS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2010

1) Sringi cursed Parikshith. Samikar said it was wrong to curse so. He felt that Sringi had committed a mistake.

2) Saints have the power to curse back but they do not out of compassion.

3) Ganga

4) a) Let Thakshaka bite well

b) Let the charitram of the Lord be rendered well.

Alam dashathu

Alam Gayatha

5) 16 years

MAY WINNERS :

1.Girija sitaraman I 10+10 points

2.Gopika Sampath I 6+10 points

3.Srinivasan Sujata I 6+10 points

4.Lakshmi K P II 6+8 points

5.Radhika Venkataraman III 6+6 points

6.Karthik Venkataraman III 6+6 points

7.Padma Narayanan III 6 points

8.Sudarshana Narayanaswamy III 6+6 points

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2010

AZHAGAR KOVIL PART II

PART 2- MADURAI- AZHAGAR

North of madurai is Vrishabhachalam. The Lord of kallars( kallar is a caste in TamilNadu) called kallazhagar lives there admist the dense forests. Once a sage by name Manduka did severe penance immersing himself in the river Kruthamala. One day Azhagar rode on a horse back . He was beautifully dressed up and bedecked with golden ornaments. He came to the river Vaigai and entered the river so as to quench his thurst. The sage Manduka, wonderstruck at the sight of this handsome young man, left his penance mid way and questioned him. “ Who are you, Young man”? .The Lord replies” Iam the leader of the kallars here. My name is Sundarabahu. I was hunting all this while and suddenly came upon this place. Iam fortunate to see such a sage. But may I know why you are immersed in this water like a mandukam( frog). The sage replied “ Oh Lord May you not cheat me. I know that you the Lord of Lords.Please give me your divyadarshanam. Iam tired of this samsara. You must give me moksha. By your grace alone it can be achieved. The Lord immediately showed the sage his divine form. Bearing the conch and chakra, like a rain bearing cloud as the Lord shows His resplendent form, the sage manduka praises the Lord. He does a Vedanthagarbhitha sthothra. This became Maandukyopanishad because it was made by sage Manduka. The Lord gives moksha to the sage as requested. He went back to azhagar malai on his horse back. Those who visit this shrine are sure to get liberation. This uthsava ( the Lord going to river Vaigai on horse back) is celebrated even today. Lakhs of people attend this uthsava and return with fulfilled desires.

SLOKA OF THE MONTH MAY 2010

“ Sarve Vedavidaha Shooraha Sarve Lokahithe Rathaha
Sarve Gnanopasampannaha Sarve Samuditha Gunaihi
Theshamapi Mahathejaha Ramaha Sathyaparakramaha
Ishtaha Sarvasya Lokasya Sashaanka Iva Nirmalaha
Gajaskandheswaprushte cha Rathacharyaasu Sammathaha
Danurvede cha Nirathaha Pithuhu sushrushane Rathaha

Dasaratha did a puthrakaameshti yaga for the sake of begetting progeny. He was fortunate to have got the Lord Himself as his son. The very Lord Sriyapathi chose Dasaratha as His father. The Lord was born to dasaratha in 4 forms. Valmiki Bhagavan gives the greatness of all four of them in the first sloka and then proceeds to illustrate Sri Rama’s greatness.
Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna knew the Vedas entirely. They were capable of doing anything and everything. Their only goal was the welfare of the world. They were all brilliant and virtuous. Out of the four of them Sri Rama was exudingly radiant and staunch follower of truth. His principle was truth and it was his parakrama. Thus Valmiki refers to Him as “ Sathyaparakramaha”.
1) He stood by truth when he went for vanavasa for the sake of his father’s boon to kaikeyi.2) He promised the maharishis that he would destroy all the rakshasas and he kept his word.3) To Sugriva he vowed that he will kill vali and free Sugriva. He did so.4) To Vibheeshana he said “ Lanka belongs to you”. He kept his word. Thus it is very apt that Valmiki calls him sathyaparakrama.
Those suffereing in the scorching heat will enjoy the cool showers of the moon at night.Likewise those suffering form the bondage of samsara will get peace looking at the face of ramachandra. He was loved by one and all. He practiced elephant riding, horse riding and archery. He was above all a great pithrubaktha.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH MARCH 2010

CHENNAI PROGRAM

For this year’s Rama Navami Garbhothsavam, Sri Hariji conducted Ramayana navaham at asthika Samaj, Venus Colony, Alwarpet at Naimisharanya mandapam from March 14th to 22nd. Asthika Samaj is a beautiful place meant for pravachanam.Sri Anna’s sapthaham has been conducted here previously. Many great pouranikas have lectured here. Sri Hari Anna also has delivered a sapthaham here previously. His pravachanam of Ramayanam was very vibrant, majestic and soul piercing. Sabari Moksham, Vaali vadam, Sundara kandam and Agni pariksha were all highly emotional. Many devotees listened to them all and took home many points from ramayanam. Smt Vishakha hari gave musical discourses on Kousalya mangalasasanam and Guha sakyam on March 16th and 17th. During the Rama Janana pravachanam Sri hari Anna said “ each one of the Lord’s avtharam is to establish Dharma. Be it Mathsya Avathara or Koorma avathara where he incarnates as Water animals or other avathars like man-lion ( Nrusimha). He established Dharma in all such avathars in his own style but He couldn’t follow complete Dharma because of the avathars as animals. If he should show to the world completely what Dharma meant He should incarnate as a man, as a warrior, as a house-holder. Hence He took the avathars as Rama and Krishna. Thus Rama is an adarshapurusha ( ideal person).

EVENTS OF THE MONTH MAY 2010

UTHSAVAM OF THIS MONTH

UTHSAVAM- VASANTHOTHSAVAM
DATE: 18th May- to 27th May
VILLAGE: PARANOOR

2) KALYANA UTHSAVAM

UTHSAVAM: RADHA KALYANAM
DATE; 21ST TO 27TH MAY
TOWN: BRINDAVAN
VENUE: PREMA MADHURI KUNJ

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM- MAY 2010

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 FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2010
1) Papam Krutham- Chapter 18, Sloka 47. Who did the vice( papa karma)?
2) What is the reaction of saints towards curse?
3) Kasthaam Na sevetha.Whoever will not take refuge under her? Who is referred to here?
4) Thakshako va dashathvalam Gaayatha Vishnugaathaha. Write the two meanings associated with this phrase.
5) How old was Sri Suka when he visited Parikshith?

ANSWERS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2010
1) In this kali yuga the good deeds ( punya karma) are immediately rewarded.The papa karmas take effect only after sometime.Hence Parikshith did not despise kalipurusha.
2) 1) He has immense strength. Hence the name Anantha. 2) His virtues are infinite, countless. Hence He is referred to as Anantha.
3) Jagrath, Swapna, Sushubti
4) Brahmarishi
5) Aangiras

WINNERS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2010

1) Shrikanya Srinivasan- I - 10 points

2) Sivakanya Srinivasa n- I- 10 points

3) Girija Seetharaman- I- 10 points

4) Sethuraman Swaminathan- II- 8 points

5) Radhika Venkatraman- III- 6 points

6) karthik Venkatraman- III- 6 points

7) Lakshmi K.P- III- 6 points

8) Gopika sampath- III- 6 points

9) Sujatha Srinivasan- III -6 points

10) Sudarshana Narayanaswamy- III- 6 points

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2010

MADURAI- PART I

This is the month of Chitra ( April- May). Madurai is always associated with the Chitra Pournami festival. Azhagar Perumal of Azhagar kovil visits the Vaigai river on a horse back. Lakhs of people throng to see this great festivity. Madurai is an ancient kshetra. The capital city of Pandya desha, it is famous for the Tamil Sangam literature, pearls, many temples and wonderful art forms.The flag of Pandya desha had the symbol of a fish. The story behind it:

There was a king by name Sathyavratha. He was the ruler of the Pandya empire. He was a strong and intelligent ruler. He chose to retire to the forest in his last years. In the forest he used to have his bath everyday in the river of kruthamala. One fine day as he was performing his daily ablutions, he took water in his hand and was astonished to see a fish swim in his hand. With a feel of disgust he immediately threw it back into the river. The fish at once spoke in Sanskrit “ Oh Satyavratha, I take refuge in you. Please show mercy upon me and protect me. I do not want to live here as fishes are the enemies of fishes themselves. I fear some fish or shark might eat me up. Please save me from danger.” Feeling pity the king took the fish in his kamandalu and as he reached his house he was surprised to see the small fish grow in size. It filled the entire kamandalu space. For fear of suffocatuion the king decided to put it into the well. As he threw it into the well he was further surprised to see the fish grow hugely in size. It filled the entire well. He then threw it into a small pond nearby and aghast the entire pond was fully filled by this single fish. The king along with many of his well wishers lifted the huge fish and threw it back into the Indian ocean. The fish immediately said “ Oh King.It is not fair on your part to let down a refugee. I have taken refuge under your feet and it is your duy to protect me. Alligators would eat me up any time in this sea. Take me out from here.
The king with fold d hands said “ I bow down before you. I do not know who you are. Nor do I know your greatness. You cannot be an ordinary fish indeed. You talk in Sanskrit. You seem to be a magical fish. Are you that Matsya Avathar of the Lord whom I worship everyday.
The fish immediately acknowledged “ Oh King, I shall speak out the truth. Iam indeed that Lord whom you offer worship everyday. Pleased by your devotion I , Lord Narayana decided to bless you and at the same time show the world a message that Those who seek refuge should always be protected at any cost. Iam that same Matshya moorthy who previously slayed Madhu kaitabha and protected the Vedas. Seven days from now there will be a pralaya. Think of me and I will save you.
As already instructed by the lord there indeed was a pralaya and Satyavratha thought of the Lord at once. He arrived as Matsyamoorthy along with the saptharishis. He lifted the world like a boat on His horn ( Matsyamoorthy is a horned avathar). Along with the sapthariushis the Lord saves Sathyavratha too.

Sathyavratha after the pralaya hence installed the diety of Lord Vishnu, built a huge temple for Him and worshipped Him there.This Lord is Koodal Azhagar , who stands in the heart of the city of Madurai.He calls all of us and gives His blessings to us with His aahvana mudra. Satyavratha in his next birth became Vaivaswatha manu who rules us right now. This manvanthara is named after him as vaivaswatha manvanthara.

(To be continued)