SLOKA FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2010

THATHAH PASHYATHI DHARMATHMA THATH SARVAM YOGAMAASTHITHAHA
PURA YATH THATHRA NIRVRUTHTHAM PAANAVAAMALAKAM YATHA
SA YATHA KATHITHAM PURVAM NAARADENA MAHATHMANA
RAGHUVAMSASYA CHARITHAM CHAKARA BHAGAVAN MUNIHI

There are two types of poets 1) Sramakavis and 2) aashukavis. The sramakavi takes a lot of effort in composing. The ashukavi effortlessly composes slokas. Kalidasa was an ashukavi. For those great men like Kalidasa when the mind concentrates on a particular thing it takes the form of a poem. If he looks at a mountain for instance he composes on the mountain. If he appreciates the beauty of a sea instantly he composes a sloka on the sea. Or if it is the sun rise he composes on it. Such poems are full of hasya rasa, sringara rasa, and karuna rasa. This was what Wordworth meant in his phrase” poetry is the spontaneous overflow of the powerful feelings of the poet.”
When the hunter hit the krouncha bird instantaneously Valmiki composed a sloka. He is an adikavi, ashukavi and a brahmarishi Brahma requested Valmiki to write the Ramayana. As Valmiki was a Brahmarishi he could see through his gnanadhrishti the Rama charitra which had just then taken place.” Samudramiva Rathnadyam”- Ramayana is like the samudra. The ocean is beautified by the rathnas. Similarly the ocean of Ramayana is beautified by Ramagunarathnas. “Sarvasruthimanoharam”—In this world nobody likes extolling or abusing a third person in front of a huge gathering. But Ramayana steals the heart of one and all and gives eternal bliss when recited before a huge audience.
Thus Sage Valmiki instantly composed 24000slokas as heard from narada through his yogasidhdhi.

SRIMAD BHAGAVATHA SAPTHAHAM

The pravachanam at Besant nagar Ratnagiriswarar temple, Chennai was on Srimad Bhagavatham from June 28th to July 4th. Sri Hari Anna delivered the entire sapthaham enthusiastically. Hundreds of devotees attended the sapthaham and wre benefited by it. Radha Kalyanam was conducted on July 4th morning. Bhaktha mandali members, Sri Venkataramani and Ramakrishnan and otheres enthusiastically involved themselves. 26th and 27th Smt Vishakha Hari deliverd sangeetha upanyasam on Subramanya vaibhavam and Rama nama prabhavam.

PAST EVENTS

BHAKTHAVIJAYA PRAVACHANAM- CHENNAI
Just as in Thiruvananthapuram there is a beautiful Padmanabhaswamy temple at Adayar, Chennai.In the serene temple of that Padmanabhaswamy Sri Hari Anna’s pravachanam was held from June 10th to 12th. The very first day Sri Hari Anna began the pravachanam extolling the greatness of padmanabhaswamy. He said “ We should have darshan of Padmanabhaswamy through three gates. Through one entrance we see His feet, through another His Nabhikamala and through the third entrance His divine face. “ Bhoorbhuvasuvaha”- these three are called vyahruthi. This vyahruthi is the quintessence of the entire Vedas.The way to Brahmashathkaram is the aavruthi( repetition) of the vyahruthi and the pranava. Thus “ Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Suvaha- the vyahruthi are the 3 gates to the darshan of Padmanabhaparabruhmam.
Consequently he lectured on Ekanatha, Kabeerdas, Thulasidas in his own inimitable style. Huge gathering of audience enjoyed it.The auditorium is a beautiful and calm one. Sree Venkatraman, Srinivasa Rao of DharmaParipalana sabha organized the function with great sincerity.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH SEPTEBER 2010

I UTHSAVAM OF THIS MONTH
1) GOKULASHTAMI UTHSAVAM

DATE: 1ST SEP TO 10TH SEP

VILLAGE: PARANOOR

2) RADHASTAMI UTHSAVAM

DATE: SEP 14TH TO 20TH

TOWN : BRINDAVANAM

II HARI ANNA'S PROGRAMS- SEP 2010

SRIMAD BHAGAVATHA SAPTHAHAM-VILLUPURAM

DATE: 29TH SEP TO OCT 5TH

TOPIC: SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM

VENUE: VAIKUNTAVASA PERUMAL KOVIL

TIME: 7.00 P.M TO 9.00 P.M

III VISHAKHA HARI'S PROGRAM- SEP 2010

PROGRAM AT CHENNAI

DATE: SEP 23RD TO 25TH

VENUE: INFOSYS HALL, RAMAKRISHNA MISSION SCHOOL, T.NAGAR

TOPIC: Vruthropakyanam, Surdas, Gajendra Moksham respectively

TIME: 6.30 TO 8.30

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM- SEP 2010

1) What is that which the saints consider as their bed?
2) What is that which is considered by the renunciated souls as the bikshapathram?
3) For the yogis the pranan which goes through the urdhvanaadi passes through 6 sthanas. Name the 6 sthana.
4) When the pranashakthi comes between the two eyebrow of a yogi 7 exits are closed. Name the seven exits.
5) “Veda geethe”- What is the mukthi referred to in this adhyaya as well as the Vedas.

WINNERS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2010

1) Srinivasan Sujatha S.-- I--34+10 points

2) Gopika Sampath-------I---34+10 points

3) Sudarshana Narayanaswamy--I--18+10 points

4) Radhakrishnan Ramamurthy-I--10+10 points

5) Sriram-----------------------II--8 points

6) Sundar-----------------------III--6 points

NOTE: Owing to hectic schedule, August quiz has been evaluated on 20.08.10. However answers can be sent hereafter too. It will be evaluated and included with September marks. Therefore Answers for August quiz are not yet declared.

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2010

UDIPI KSHETRA
The state of Karnataka. Kshetra –Udipi. Udipi is a beautiful, serene place sanctified by the presence of Lord Krishna who stands there with the churning rod. The Lord of Dwaraka played many sports with his 16108 wives. Yet Dwaraka Krishnan did not forget Gokulam. He did not forget Yashoda though fondled by Devaki. Though nourished by vasudeva he never for a second forgot Nandagopa. Though Rukmini worshipped him He was always reminded of Radha. Thus he was always reciting his pastimes at Gokula. Hearing these tales Rukmini wanted to see GokulaKrishna. Immediately the All knowing Lord showed her the form holding the churning stick in one hand and the rope in the other hand. He made it an archa form and Rukmini worshipped this Krishna everyday along with her friends. One fine day He also did the rasakreeda with His pattamahishis as requested by Narada. This happened in the waters of the sea at Dwaraka. All the sandal paste of the women folk together became a small hill. This is what the vaisnavas refer to as Gopichandanam.
By the force of the brahamana shapam the yadavas fought with each other and attained their respective abodes( Swarga). The Lord also ascended vaikunta and Dwaraka was plunged in the sea. The murthy worshipped by Rukmini too was immersed in the sea and got hidden admist the gopichandam. Afet a long while boatmen took the gopichandam on their boat for the sake of balancing their boat. A sudden storm hit the boat. Madhwacharya who was then doing meditation on the banks of the sea saved the boat and its passengers through his thapobala. The boatmen offered their goods and valuables. Madhwacharaya refused to accept them but asked for the gopichandam alone. There he did a dwadasha sthothra of the Lord. Lord Krishna immediately came out bursting the gopichandam. Udipi means boat. As the Lord manifested Himself from a boat Madhwacharya built a beautiful temple for him at that place which came to be known as Udupi. Thus the Lord of Udipi showed Himself before the great Dwaitha philosopher Madwacharya.

SLOKA FOR THE MONTH AUGUST 2010

Akardamamidam theertham Bharadwaja Nishaamaya
Ramaneeyam Prasannambu Sanmanushyamano yatha
The sages used to spend most of their life time in forests. Forests are apt for their penance. These sages showed immense affection towards all animals and birds living in those forests. Thyaga buddhi ( sacrifice) is the foundation stone for affection.How does one show affection to another. Only when one sacrifices something for the sake of another does that affection sprout. We can learn this best from nature.The trees give fruits to even those who hit them with stones. It gives shelter to all but itself standing in the heat. Rivers give water, in return we pollute them. Dogs stay guard for our house even if we usher them away. Medicinal herbs cure even chronic diseases. In return we destroy them right from their roots.If we protect nature, in return the nature will protect us. Nature is the best treasure that God has bestowed to man.
Sages knew the value and worth of nature. They appreciated the natural beauty around them. In the above sloka Sage Valmiki’s appreciation of nature is illustrated. Sage Narada in a nutshell recited Ramayana to Valmiki.He then left. Sage Valmiki came to the banks of river Thamasa to do his anushtanam. The atmosphere was very serene with trees filled with fruits and flowers in full bloom. The birds played as couplets. The bees were busy drinking the nectar of the flowers. The waters of the river Thamasa were clear and pure. Valmiki looked at his disciple Bharadwaja and said “ Hey Bharadwaja, Look at the crystal clear waters of the Tamasa river. It is as pure as the heart of a sadhu.”

PAST EVENTS

SANGEETHA UPANYASAM AT HYDERABAD

Smt Vishakha hari delivered Sangeetha Upanyasams on Badrachala Ramadas and Gajendra Moksham at Hyderabad Keyes High School on June 5th and 6th. She was accompanied by Ananthakrishnan and Arjun ganesh on the violin and mrudangam respectively. Both the days the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and his wife attended the function and listened to her for full 3 hours daily. The program was conducted by Rama Navami Cultural festival, Sridhar Subhasree.

EVENTS OF THE MONTHS- JUNE AND JULY 2010

SRIMAD BHAGAVATHA SAPTHAHAM- KUMBAKONAM

July 11th to 18th witnessed a grand sapthaham by Hari Anna at sankara Mutt, Kumbakonam. It was organised on behalf of Ilaignar Bhajanai Samaj. Everyday Sri Hari Anna delivered enthusiastic lectures remembering Sarangapani of Kumbakonam. A huge section of audience enjoyed the program. On the first day Smt Vishakha Hari gave a sangeetha upanyasam on " Purandaradas charitram". accompanied by Ananthakrishnan and Arjun Ganesh. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal inaugrated the function and blessed the function. Everyday there was dolothsovam too.

EVENTS OF THIS MONTH- AUGUST 2010

I HARI ANNA'S PROGRAM ( AUGUST 2010)

1) Bhaktha Vijayam Pravachanam, New Delhi

Date: 26th Aug to 31st Aug

City: New Delhi

Venue: Kamakshi Mandir, Aruna Asif Ali Marg

Topic: Bhaktha Vijayam

Time: 7.00 p.m to 9.00 p.m

II VISHAKHA HARI'S PROGRAM

1) Program at Vridhachalam

Date: 8th Aug

Venue: G.N Mahal

Town: Vridhachalam

Topic: Nandanar Charitram

Time: 6.30 to 9.00 p.m

2) Program at Bangalore

Date: 28th and 29th Aug

Venue: Unnathi centre, SGBS, Shathananda Nagar,

City: Bangalore

Topic: Krishna leelas

Time: 6.30 to 9.00

3) Program at Chennai

Date: 31st Aug

Venue: Guruvayurappan temple, nanganallur

City: Chennai

Topic: Kunthi sthuthi, Bheeshma sthuthi

Time: 6.30 to 9.00p.m

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM- AUGUST 2010

QUESTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2010

1) Which is the loka that is considered as the head of Viratpurusha?
2) Who is the deva existing in the sight of the Viratroopi?
3) Who is the deva in the mind ( manaha) of the Viratroopi?
4) Which deva exists in the nose of the Viratrupi?
5) The breath of the Viratrupi is a deva. Who is it?

ANSWERS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2010
1) Sri Suka appreciated Parikshit’s questions as benefetting the entire world and acceptable to athmagnanis too
2) Ethannirvidyamaananam ichchatham akuthobhayam
Yoginam Nrupa Nirneetam Harernamanukeerthanam
3) Parinishtithopi Nairgunye Uththamaslokaleelaya
Gruheethachetha Rajarshe Aakyanam yadadheethavaan
4) Those born in this world are sure to die. Death is compulsory and unavoidable. The agnanis look at men dying. Still they do not realize that this death is sure to strike them too. Also they do not realize the temporary nature of the prapancha. They choose to sink the mire of samsara.
5) By aathmagnana, Yogabhyasa, following dharma and by the grace of the Lord one can get the smarana of Narayana during the end of his life.

JULY MONTH WINNERS

1) Grija Seetharaman- I--- 30+10 points

2) Gopika Sampath - I----24+10 points

3) Srinivasan Sujatha S.-II---26+8 point

4) Padma Narayanan---III---12+6 point

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2010

MADURAI- PART 4- MEENAKSHI SUNDAREWSWARAR

Madurai is famous right at the outset for the wonderful Meenakshi temple. Who is this Meenakshi? Why is there a temple for her at Madurai. Going back to Malayadwaja Pandian, the Pandya ruler, he was a childless for a very long time. He approached the maharishis for a solution. They advised that he worship Lord Azhagar of azhagarmalai. He would bless him with a child. He did so. The Lord ordered that His yoga maya who is Bruhmavidyaswaroopini should be born to him.Soon a girl child was born to the Pandya ruler. He was overjoyed. He named her Meenakshi because of her beautiful fish like eyes. Meenakshi became proficient in music, dance, elephant riding, horse riding, charioteering, archery etc. The king pleased by her prowess coronated her as the next ruler. Thus Meenakshi became RajaRajeshwari. She began conquering all the kingdoms. It was her wish that she should get married to the one who conquers her. However wherever she went she achieved success. Finally she reached Kailasam itself. There she fought with Lord Shiva Himself who came in the guise of a prince. Lord Shiva won the battle. He came to know of her oath that the one who wins the battle also wins over her hand. Lord Shiva atonce consented to marry her.
The marriage preparations went on a grand scale at Madurai. As Meenakshi’s father had died soon after he begot a son, somebody else had to do the kannikadanam. Who was that somebody. The Lord of Azhagarmalai, Meenakshi’s brother Himself came to Madurai and did the kannnikadaanam. He gave Meenakshi to Sundareswarar, all the three are embodiments of beauty indeed as their very names suggest- the beautiful Meenakshi, the Handsome- Azhagar and the majestic Sundareswarar.
Thus ends Meenakshi kalyanam which is an important part of the mahathmya of Madurai.