QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM FEBRUARY 2009

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) Who is Gautamy?

2) Why do we call Arjuna as Paartha?

3) What was Draupadi’s reaction on seeing Ashwaththama?

4) “ harehe haardam”- what is meant by haardam?

5) What kind of punishment did Arjuna give Ashwaththama ?

ANSWERS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2009

1)What did Ashwathama do?
Ans:He beheaded the 5 sons of Draupadi.

2) What did Arjuna vow before Droupadi?

A: Arjuna vowed to present the head of Ashwattma to Draupadi after killing him.

3) Who is Jishnu?

A: Arjuna

4) Which astra is known by the name Brahma shiras?

A Brahmastra

5) Ashwathama did not know a particular fact in Yudha. What was it?

A:Ashwattma,didnot know how to withdraw Brahmastra.

JANUARY WINNERS:

1.Sethuraman- I -90+10 points
2.Padma Narayanan I-54+10 points
3.Gurumoorty I-46+10 points
4.Thaila I-22+10 points
5.Karthik Venkataraman I-32+10 points
6.Hari Gurumoorty I-28+10 points
7.Radhika Venkataraman I-10 points
8.R.Parthasarathy I-10 points
9.Smirithi Nandakumar II-8 points
10.Natraj punjai III-30+6 points
11.Aparna G III-76+6 points

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH FEBRUARY 20009

SRIRANGAM PART III

Sri Ranganatha began speaking to Brahma. This upadesha is referred to as Ranga Geetha. Just as Lord Krishna taught Arjuna a Bhagavad Gita, just as Lord Rama preached Bharatha a Rama Gita, so did Ranga, the All Merciful Lord gave to the world The Ranga Gita . He spoke as follows:

“ Iam called by different names, Vishnu, Vishwarupa, Vaasudeva, Narayana and many more. Every name of mine denotes my parathathva. 1) Vishnu, Iam called because I exist throughout the whole world right from an atom to the biggest possible space. From a blade of grass to a huge pillar I pervade in all forms. I exist in each and every form. Thus Iam with and without form ( formless). 2) All the parts of every being belong to me and not to him. His nose, eyes and hands are all part of my Universal body. Hence Iam also called Vishvarupi. 3) Devotees call me Vaasudeva because I cover the entire Universe with my cosmic form. ( vasa aachchadane).4) The society of naras ( men) is naaram and Iam the ayana-refuge for such naaram. Thus Iam called Narayana.

Iam the only refuge in this kaliyuga. Those who wish to see me can do so either at temples or at their own houses. I will take the form of archa ( idol). However never should one think of me as just a stone. Let them worship my form and not see my dravya( ingredient). Just as one loves his mother or father by their form ignoring the muscles, bones and blood that they are made of, let them shower their love on me. I shall respond to such selfless love. To my devotee I shall speak, show him mercy and save him from bondage. To a non-devotee who looks at me as a statue I shall remain so. He is the loser. Such a person is indeed unfortunate as he will not be able to experience my boundless love and mercy.” Brahma questions:

( To be continued)

SHLOKA OF THE MONTH JANUARY 2009

Tham Vaishravanasamkasham Upavishtam Svalankrutham

Dadarsha suthaha Paryanke Souvarne Soththarachade

Varaharudhirabhena shuchina cha sugandhina

Svanuliptham pararghyena chandanena paranthapam

Sthithaya paarshvathaschapi vaalavyajanahasthaya

Upetham seethaya bhuyaschitraya shashinam yatha

Tham thapanthamivadithyam upapannam svathejasa

Vavande varadam vandi vinayazho vineethavath

There verses are a description of Sri Rama as seen by Sumantra, Dasaratha’s minister. Rama is with His wife Seetha. The simhasanam shines in golden glitter. A padapeeta lies below. On it Rama has placed one foot, another placed above, Rama is seated majestically, with His ever smiling calm face. His Peetambar shines effulgently, a broad chest, long hands, beautiful forehead smeared with the kasturi tilak, smiling face, curly hair, it is indeed a memorable darshan for Sumantra. Seeta stands adjacent to Him fanning Him with one hand and smearing sandal paste on His broad chest with her other hand.

Valmiki refers to this Rama as Vaishravan samkasham- resembling Kubera. Kubera is not only known for his rich wealth but for his generosity too. Now Rama is also going to give away the entire Ayodhya Samrajya to Bharatha and leave to the forest. Hence valmiki compares him to Kubera. “ Thapanthamivadithyam” he says referring to Rama as the sun and similar comparison to the moon as “ Shashinam Yatha” The sun gives light but his rays are not cool. The moons rays are cool but not effulgent. Rama is however effulgent as the sun and shower of happiness as the moon. The Humble Sumantra prostrates before such a Rama and His consort.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH DECEMBER 2008

I SRIMAD BHAGAVATA SAPTHAHAM, KADAYANALLUR

Kadayanallur is a small, serene village near Thenkasi. Pudukkottai Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar has performed various satsanghs here and hence almost all the people of Kadayanallur sing sampradaya bhajans. Sri Anna has performed pravachanams for the last 40 years lecturing on several topics like Bhagavad Gita, Bhaktha vijayam, sapthahams. Here all people right from children to aged ones sing Sri Anna’s keerthanas. Sri Neelamani nathar temple, Kailasanathar temple, bhajanai mutt are all very traditional and age old. From Nov 28^th to Dec 4^th Sri Hari Anna’s sapthaham was held with great festivity. Nov 28^th there was a street bhajan as a reception to welcome Sri Harianna. There was parayanam and unchavruthi in the morning, astapadhi bhajans and govinda shathakam in the afternoons, 2 sessions pravachanam both in the evening and night concluding with the Divyanamam. Rajapalayam, Kutralam, Thirunelveli, madurai bhakthas attended along with the people of kadayanallur.Sadhu Sangam enthusiastically did annadhanam to all bhakthas. The unchavruthi on the streets of Kadayanallur in the morning breeze was a sight to see and enjoy indeed. One evening there was a heavy rain amidst half the pravachanam. The rain did not seem to stop nor did the pravachanam.. The audience did not move a bit. It seemed as if a competition between Hari anna, the rain and the audience.The heavy rain slashed through the roof tilting the front portion. Sri Hari Anna commented “ Parikshit ignored Takshaka’s curse that he would die in 7 days. Likewise why should we give importance to the rain and the roof. Radhakalyanam was celebrated on Dec3rd. Every house was adorned by a Radhakrishna. All the radhas and krishnas were richly decorated for the Radha kalyanam. It was such a beautiful sight . There was mahilamandali divyanamam on one day. They sang with gopi bhavam. On the concluding day there was nagara sankeerthanam the nama gosha hitting the skies. All the bhakathas enjoyed and danced meerily with great devotion. True peace remains with srimadbhagawatham

II MAHABHARATA PRAVACHANAM ,NANGANALLUR

The venue was the beautiful Narayana Pravachana mandapam hall at Sri Guruvayur temple, Nanganallur, Chennai from Dec 10^th to 19. The Mahabharatha pravachanam was celebrated with grandeur. In his introductory discourse Sri Hari Anna said “ Every being in this world, whichever country he belongs to, whichever religion, caste, creed he is of, whatever language he speaks requires Dharma, ahimsa, truth and selfless service. Ramayana and Mahabharatha are the 2 eyes for every being. The eyes show direction. So do these 2 epics direct our life.” Every one in the audience enjoyed each day lecture. There was Divyanama sankeerthana on Saturday night. Akhila Bharatha Sadhu sangam, nanganallur had made all arrangements beautifully.

EVENTS OF THIS MONTH JANUARY 2009

I UTSAVAM OF THIS MONTH JANUARY 2009

UTSAVAM THEPPOTHSAVAM
DATE: 18TH JANUARY
VILLAGE :PARANUR

II HARI ANNA'S PROGRAM JANUARY 2009

1)BHAGAVATH GUNA PRAVACHANAM,SRI RANGAM
DATE: JAN 9 TO 11TH
VENUE:SRINGERI MUTT,AMMAMANDAPAM ROAD,SRI RANGAM
TOPIC: NAMA MAHIMAI,PRAHLADA CHARITRAM,RUKMINI KALYANAM
TIME: 7 PM TO 9 PM

2)BHAKTA VIJAYAM,CHENNAI
DATE: JAN 20 TO 26TH
VENUE:AYODHYA MANDAPAM,MAMBALAM,CHENNAI
TOPIC:BHAKTHA VIJAYAM
TIME: 7 TO 9 PM

III VISHAKA HARI'S PROGRAM JANUARY 2009

1)PRAVACHANAM AT KUMBAKONAM
DATE: 17TH JANUARY
TOPIC:JAYADEVAR CHARITRAM
VENUE:SRI SRI PREMIKA ARANGAM,VEDA VINAYAKAR VALAKAM,DABIR NADUTHERU,KUMBAKONAM
TIME: 6 PM TO 8 PM

2)PRAVACNANAM AT CHENNAI
DATE: 21 JANUARY
TOPIC:SUBRAMANYA VAIBHAVAM
VENUE:KAMARAJAR HALL
TIME: 6:30 PM

3)DATE: 25 JANUARY
TOPIC: THYAGARAJA CHARITRAM
VENUE: MUSIC ACADEMY
TIME :6: 30 PM

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM(JANUARY 2009)

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) What did Ashwathama do?

2) What did Arjuna vow before Droupadi?

3) Who is Jishnu?

4) Which astra is known by the name Brahma shiras?

5) Ashwathama did not know a particular fact in Yudha. What was it?

ANSWERS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2008:

1.Whom did Vyasacharya see in his mind for the first time?

Ans: Purusha and Maya.

2.What is sathvatha Samhitha?

Ans: Srimad Bhagavatam

3.What type of Bhakthi will the athmaramas do?

Ans: Selfless devotion without any expectation...

4.Was Parikshith a king Raja or a Rajarishi?

Ans: Rajarshi.

5.Who is Drouni?

Ans: Aswatthama...

DECEMBER WINNERS:

1.Sethuraman - I -80+10 points
2.Aparna - I -66+10 points
3.Padma Narayanan I-44+10 points
4.Hari Gurumoorty I-18+10 points
5.Thaila II-14+8 points
6.Gurumoorty II-38+8 points
7.Vittal II-22+8 points
8.Natraj Punjai II-22+points
9.Subramaniyam III-6 points

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2009

SRI RANGAM-PART II

SriRanganatha is in Yogashayanam. What does Yogashyanam refer and why the Lord chose this posture? Why should He sleep on a serpant afterall?

There are three states for a human:

1) jagrath- awaking stature

2) Swapna- Dream

3) sushupthi- Slumber

yoga nidra denotes none of the above states. It is beyond the three mentioned above. It is nothing but Samadhi. The Brahmaswarupa in Samadhi state.

1) The Serpant Adisesha denotes Maya ( Prakruthi- nature). The Lord sleeps on Maya, which is under Him ( under His control).

2) The shanka- conch in His hand is Nadabrahmam- zhnanswarupa

3) Kalachakra running the entire world is Chakra in his hand

4) 5 coloured Vaijayanthi mala on His chest is the panchabuthas.

5) Srivathsa is nothing but the inseparable shakthi of the Lord

6) Jeevathmaswaroopa is the Kousthubhamani

7) Ignorance is His Knife cover

8) Knowledge is His knife

9) His Mind denoted by sharngam the Bow

10) The Thoughts rising in the mind are His arrows

11) Garuda is the Vedas with karma kanda and Gnana Kanda as the two wings

12) Astamahasidhis are the astalakshmis

13) Akandaswaroopa is the Vaikunta

14) 7 avaranas ( fire, water, air, space, land, mahath, ahankaram) are the 7 prakaras

Crossing the sapthaprakaras ( the saptha avaranas) the we can attain the Lord. Thus SriRanganatha’s form is Upanishad Thathva.

Agni Purana and several other puranas extol Lord SriRanganathar.

Lord Brahma wanted the world to live in peace and prosperity. He along with the Devas prayed to the Lord at ksheerabdi. The Lord responded and declared “ I will take the form of archa ( Vigraha swarupa). Those who see Me, think of Me and sing My praises will be freed from the misery of samsara.” As he said thus there was the effulgence of a thousand suns. At the banks of ksheerabdi A beautiful pranavakara Vimana ( OmKara) appeared. Along with the Ranga Vimana a beautiful form of the Lord incarnated. The Lord lay on Adishesha, with one hand as a pillow, the other stretching towards his knees. A broad chest adorned with a garland, a sharp nose, smiling face. The Lord’s form was bewitching. He appeared along with a uthsava murthy with 4 hands holding the shanka, chakra, gada giving Abhaya to the whole world. Along with Him His 2 consorts, Vishwaksena, Yazhna Varaha, Garuda, jaya Vijaya ,Dwarapalakas appeared. 24 pillars denoting the 24 aksharas of the Gaytrhri mantra appeared as the Gayathri mandapam. After which came a mandapa with 2 pillars – denoting the Dvayam- sharanagathi mantra. Crossing these mandapas one could see the Exquiste form of the lord. The Lord began speaking to Brahma.

( to Be continued)