EVENTS OF THIS MONTH(OCTOBER 2008)

I UTSAVAM OF THIS MONTH

Date: Sep 30 to oct 8

Village:paranur

Utsavam:Navaratri Utsavam

II HARI ANNA'S PROGRAMS(OCTOBER 2008)

1.Srimad Ramayana pravachanam,paranoor

Date: Sep 30 to oct 10

Village:Paranoor

Topic:Srimad Ramayana

Time: 4pm to 6 pm

2.Srimad Bhagavata Sapthaham,Mumbai

Date: oct 14 to oct 21

City:Mumbai

Venue:Subramanaya swamy temple,CHEMBUR ,CHEDDA NAGAR

Topic: Srimad Bhagavatm

Time: 6 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 6 pm

III VISHAKA HARI'S PROGRAM (OCTOBER2008)

1.Krishna Leela Pravachanam, Chennai

Date: oct 17,18

City:Chennai

Venue:Uttara Guruvayoorappan temple,Nanganalloor

Time:6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

2.Meera charitram Pravachanam,chennai

Date:oct 20

City:Chennai

Venue: Krishna Gana Sabha,T.nagar

Time:6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM(OCTOBER 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)      Which part of the Lord’s Divine Body did Naradha mediatate upon the very first time?

2)      How did the ashariravak ( anonymous call) of the Lord sound?

3)      What did the Lord anonymously say?

4)      “Mathkamaha………Hruthchayan”—What removes the anger and desire from one’s mind?

5)      Nobody in this world has knowledge of the previous births. How did Naradha become an exception?

ANSWER FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2008

1) Svaayambuva kaya vruthya… Who is Swaayambuva in this context?

A: Narada

2) How did Narada’s mother die?

A: Snake bite.

3) How did Narada perceive his mother’s death?

A:He considered his mother's death as Bhagavath krupa

.4) Which direction did Narada proceed after his mother’s death?

A: North

5) Narada meditated on the Lord’s feet ,the very first time under a particular tree. Which tree is it?

A: Banyan tree/ pipal tree

SEPTEMBER WINNERS

1)Sethuraman I -10+50 points

2)Aparna I -10+40 points

3)Karthik Venkataraman I -10+8 points

4)Radhai, Madurai I -10+8 points

5)Padma Narayanan I -10+18 points

6)Vittal, Banglore I -10+12 points

7)Vijay, Banglore I- 10 points

8)Ramaswamy, Sri Rangam I - 10 poinys

9)Nandini ,Delhi I- 10 points

10)Hari Gurumoorty I -10 points

11) Gurumoorty Gopal Swamy  II- 8 +16 points

12)Sriraman III-6 points

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2008

                                         THIRUMOGUR

A serene village 7 miles to the east of Madurai lies Thirumohur. Kalameghaperumal and Mohanavalli thayar grace all the devotees with their nectairine glance. The kethakivimanam shines in the morning sunlight. Beside it is the sheerabdipushkarani- the theertha of this kshetra. Nammazhwar does the mangalashasana- “ Thondeer vammin”. He must have enjoyed the sugarcane groves and huge rice fields which he portrays as “ Karumbodu perunchennelvilaya” in this pasuram. It is indeed our greatest fortune that we are able to see this very same Lord who was extolled by the azhwars. 

                    The lore goes as follows: The Devas tormented by the asuras took refuge at the feet of Brahma, at satyaloka. “Oh Lord Brahma, we are unable to fulfill our responsibilities of protecting the world and its dharma. We had previously killed the asuras who prevented us from carrying out our dharmic duties. However Shukracharya has enlivened them through his mruthasanjeevani. Now we stay weakened and hapless. Lord Brahma at once replied “ Worry not. Water poured at the roots automatically reaches the leaves, flowers, branches and fruits of the tree. So does our ablutions to Lord Vishnu. He will indeed bestow on us and the world prosperity and peace.” Thus pacificied and led by Brahma the devas  then sought refuge under the feet of the omnipotent and omniscient Lord Vishnu- oru thani mudalvan- Nammazhwar calls Him.. The Lord is a lover and maker of infinite leelas. He suggested that the Devas better churn the milky ocean( ksheerabdi) with the Manthara mountain as the churner and the snake- Vasuki as the rope. 

The Kurmavatar:

Both the Devas and the asuras began the mammoth task of churning the ocean. Nev ertheless the mountain stuck at its base. The Lord took the form of a huge tortoise ( kurma) and gave His back to level the base. Through this incarnation He shows the world that this very body of ours exists to help all others around us in thought, word and deed. 

Halasya Sundarar:

As they all churned and churned and churned out came the halahala poison filled all the quarters with its smoke. Everybody took to their heels, this time falling at the feet of Lord Siva. The latter consumed the poison unassumingly only reiterating the fact that if one has to help others one should do so even if he were to take poison. The Devas could turn powerful only if they were to partake of the amrutha (nectar), but Lord Siva was empowered even if he consumed poison. There lies His greatness and generosity. Lord Siva’s neck was coloured blue because of the poison which did not budge further than the neck portion. He came to be called Halasya sundaran, Neelakantan and so on. 

Lakshmi Kalyanam

              The churning continues and this time out come the kalpakatree, Kamadenu, Airavatha, Uchaisravas, Kousthubham, Apsaras etc. The Lord distributed them equally to the Devas and the asuras. The greatest of all the treasures is yet to come. And now it comes…no not the nectar but even better. On a thousand petalled lotus the mother of all the worlds incarnates to the awe of all the Devas. Straight she went to the Lord and garlanded Him. The Divine marriage was an extraordinary sight to see. The Lord gave her the best residence possible…His own heart.

 Danvanthri Avathar

The churning goes on. Finally there is a mahapurusha standing with the amrutha pot in His Hand. He is none other than another avathar of the Lord- Danvanthri. The Devas began extolling Him while the asuras snatched away the pot from His hands and fled to Thirumohur, near Madurai. There they were caught in a huge fight as to who should give away the amrutha to all.

 Mohini Avathar

Help the innocent and deceive the wicked is the ruling of the Lord. The cheated are to be blamed for their ignorance rather than the cheats for their malice. The Lord decided to hoodwink the cheats. Let this be a lesson to the world. He took the most gorgeous form of a lady ever possible and came to Thirumohur. The Asuras stunned at this striking beauty handed over to “Her”  the pot almost instantaneously. As if dancing this astonishing lady imparted the amrutha to the devas and misled the asuras who were all the time watching her breathtaking beauty. An asura by name Swarbhanu  gauged  this trick and immediately sat along with the Devas. The Lord gave him amrutha, knowingly. However the two illuminary devas, Surya and Chandra confronted that he was an asura. The Lord smilingly hit him and he was now torn into two. As he had partaken the amrutha he did not lose his life. Both his parts were live.  He came to be called Rahu and Kethu. From then on the planets became 9. Till then there were only 7 as the days are only seven in number. However Rahu and Kethu take the form of shadows and catch the sun and moon as eclipses.

This kshetra is the place where the Lord took the form of mohini and imparted the Devas with the nectar. Whoever sees this Lord Kalameghaperumal will be bestowed with robust health, free from the miseries of old age and will remain young forever.

 

SHLOKA OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER 2008

Sa thu nithyam prashanthathma mrudupoorvam cha bhashathe
Uchyamanopi parusham noththaram prathipadyathe

Sa thu nithyam prashanthama
Sri Ram is the embodiment of peace. His mental peace was not disturbed at any time, in any state and by anybody. The laymen are disturbed and face mental agony even for trivial losses. SriRam was different. The previous day he was informed about his coronation. The arrangements were being made with great festivity. The very next day Kaikeyi called him to say” You will not be coronated king; nor can you earn on your own. You should retire to the forest for 14 full years.” Sri Ram’s face did not wither. He accepted it calmly, without any kind of resentment and proceeded to the forest. The loss of a kingdom, the sufferings of the forest life did not afflict any disturbance on his mental peace.He remained in absolute peace and contentment.

Mrudupoorvam cha bhashathe
“ One word well spoken is better than a thousand unneccessary words”- so say great men.
SriRam spoke very kind words to one and all. He was amicable, social and friendly. He used to start a vista(conversation) on his own accord. He conversed according to one’s ability and comprehension. He spoke to Sabari on Dharmas, to Bharatha on political laws, to Kousalya on the Law of Women ( Sthree Dharmam). To Sita he conversed about the greatness of Kshatriya Dharma ( the Law of Warriorship). His speech was always gentle, beneficial, soft and laden with truth.

Uchyamanopi parusham noththaram prathipadyathe
If ever anybody admonished Ram he never retarded. For example Dasaratha had once instructed Ram to complete a political affair. Sri Ram had at once executed it. However Dasaratha thought that the work remained unfinished. He admonished Ram for his negligence. However Ram did not retaliate. He remained silent. Sri Ram would never for instance ask “ Why do you unnecessarily admonish me. I have completed the given task”. However Dasaratha would somehow come to know of the completion of the work by Ram and would repent for having scolded him.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH AUGUST 2008

I SRIMAD RAMAYANA NAVAHA MAHASAMRAJYA ATTABHISHEKAM,CHENNAI

On behalf of Asthika Seva Samithi a grand mahasamrajyapattabhishekam of Srimad Ramayanam was conducted at Ayodhya Mandapam, Mambalam, Chennai from July 21 st to 29th. The very first day an immaculate reception was given to Sri Anna. There were more than 1000 devotees assembled, hence the premises was overfilled with people and suffered from want of space. Everywhere there were only heads visible. It was indeed an impeccable sight. Sri Anna inaugurated the function and in his inaugural speech began “Here is assembled a huge audience which shows your pure love towards me. This affection is only called by the name “ Rama”.
Mahasamrajya Pattabhisekam is the recitation of Ramayanam 125 times. Here 125 devotees gathered and recited the Ramayana in one sweet voice. Every day Sri Hari anna delivered the pravachanams in the evenings and Sri Ranganna in the nights. The devotees enjoyed the pravachanams and felt as if they were transported to Ayodhya. Smt Vishakha delivered Shabari moksham and Sow Subadra rendered Sita kalyanam. Sri Anna concluded the function with the Pattabhisheka mahothsavam. Sri Anna performed the abhishekam to Lord Rama of ayodhya mandapam. Everyday Raghava shathaka bhajan, Divyanamam and Unchavruthi went on with grandeur. Ayodhya mandapam was immersed in the ocean of people.

II BHAGAVATA SAPTAHAM KANCHIPURAM

Kanchipuram is one among the 7 mokshapuris ( cities of salvation). This Mahakshetra is also a divyadesham. Srimad Bhagavatham declares that Sri Balarama swamy while touring the length and breadth of India visited Kanchipuram also. Here there are almost 70 temples.The sampradayas of Ramanuja and Sankara prosper here.Sri Harianna’s sapthaham at kanchipuram was conducted by KanchiKamakoti Sanakara mutt from July 30 th to Aug 5th. Sri Anna inaugrated the sapthaham with an inaugural upanyasam on the very first day. An extract from his speech is as follows; “ Srimad Bhagavatham is a paramahamsa samhitha. Now it is the time of Chathurmasya. It is very special that this sapthaham is held during the chathurmasya of Periyaval”. The parayanam and pravachanam was held in the very premises of mahaperiyaval’s adhistanam. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal attended and graced each and every pravachanam. Bala periyaval too blessed the sapthahm with his presence. Hari Anna’s pravachanams were filled with Vedantham. He interspersed the pravachanams with slokas of Acharyal. Everyday he reminded one and all of Kanchi Varadan. Andal kalyanauthsavam with Varadan was celebrated with grandeur on the day of Adi puram. Hari anna went for the darshan.

III SRIMAD BHAGAVATA SAPTAHAM ,GURUVAYUR

Every year in July/Aug sapthahams are being conducted in Guruvayur on behalf of Sapthaha samithi, Mumbai. This year the sapthaham at Guruvayur was being conducted from Aug3 to 10th. Sri Anna discoursed the first three days. Hari anna followed. Parayanam and pravachanam was conducted from morning 7.00 to evening 7.00. In between it was blissful to have Sri Guruvayurappan’s darshan.. The devotees were all immersed in the nectar of Bhagavatham. Dates they knew not, days they knew not, the outer world they knew not.. Sri Hari anna while concluding spoke as follows: “ Heart filled with the darshan of Guruvayurappan, ears filled with nectarine Bhagavatham, mouth filled with His Divine name, hands laden with the Bhagavatha book we return home. We have no craving. We desire nothing else.” More than 500 to 600 devotees attended the sapthaham. They were provided accommodation, boarding and lodging. All the devotees were well taken care of by the sapthaha samithi.

EVENTS OF THIS MONTH (SEPTEMBER 2008)

I UTSAVAM OF THIS MONTH ( SEPTEMBER 2008)

DATE: SEPTEMBER 5 TO 10
TOWN: BRINDAVAN
UTSAVAM: RADHASHTAMI

II HARI ANNA'S PROGRAMS (SEPTEMBER 2008)

1.BHAGAVAD GITA PRAVACHNAM, MUMBAI

DATE: SEPTEMBER 13 TO 22
CITY: MUMBAI
VENUE : SIES COLLEGE, SECTOR 5,NERUL EAST,NEW MUMBAI
TIME : 6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM
TOPIC: BHAGAVAD GITA

III VISHAKA HARI'S PROGRAM (SEPTEMBER 2008)

1. VENKATACHALA MAHATHMYAM PRAVACHANAM ,MUMBAI

DATE: SEPTEMBER 13 ,14

CITY: MUMBAI

VENUE : SHANMUGA NANDA SANGEETA SABHA ,SION

TIME : 6:30 PM TO 9 PM

TOPIC: VENKATACHALA MAHATHMYAM

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM (SEPTEMBER 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) Svaayambuva kaya vruthya… Who is Swaayambuva in this context?
2) How did Narada’s mother die?
3) How did Narada perceive his mother’s death?
4) Which direction did Narada proceed after his mother’s death?
5) Narada meditated on the Lord’s feet ,the very first time under a particular tree. Which tree is it?
Answers for the month of August:
1. Devarshi: praha viprarshim – Who is Devarshi and who is viprarshi in this phrase?
A: Devarshi -Narada ,viprarshi - Vyasa
2. How old was Narada in his previous birth when he was blessed with Satsangam?
A: 5 years old
3. Did Narada have brothers and sisters in his previous birth?
A: No
4. How many times did Narada partake the prasadam offered by these Sadhus?
A: Only once.
5. During Narada’s previous birth Sadhus stayed at his place. Which season did they stay there?
A: Autumn season and rainy season.
AUGUST WINNERS:
1. Sethuraman- I-40+10 points
2.Padma narayanan -I-8+10 points
3.Usha shekar- I-10+10 points
4.Aparna Ganesh -II-32+8 points
5.Shri vidhya shri-II-8 points
6.Karthik venkataraman-II -8 points
7.Natraj Punjai -III-6 points