Mahalaya Amavasya

The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites.
The renowned hero of the Mahabharata, Karna, when he left the mortal coil, ascended to the higher worlds and the great charity he had done here was returned to him hundredfold. But, it was all gold and silver; there was no food, as he had not done any food-charity! He prayed to the god of death. So, he was sent back to earth for fourteen days, to make up for this deficiency.
For fourteen days, he fed Brahmins and the poor, and offered oblations of water. On his return to the higher regions, he had food in plenty. It is these fourteen days that are commemorated in the Mahalaya Paksha. Due to the grace of the god of death, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls, whether they are connected to you or not.
Charity in the form of food is important during this observance. Life depends upon food. You cannot preach religion to empty stomachs. This human body is the most important vehicle for realising God. How precious must food be which keeps the body fit for Yoga! The gift of food is the greatest gift. Therefore, give food in plenty, not only during the Mahalaya fortnight but all through the year.

விநாயக சதுர்த்தி

Ganesh chaturthi is celebrated with great devotion all over India. People bring home murtis of Lord Ganesha and celebrate the festival by worshiping the Lord in a special way for a day and a half, 5 days, 7 days or 11 days depending on the family tradition and commitment of each individual.On the last day of worship the idol is taken out in a colorful and musical procession to be immersed traditionally at a beach.
This is one of the most popular festivals in the Country. There are several reasons for this. Ganapathi is after all a popular God. His blessings are invoked at most religious ceremonies as He is the one who can remove all obstacles to success. He is the giver of fortune and can help to avoid natural calamities.Ganapathi, the god of wisdom and the benevolent deity of the dynasty of Peshwas who ruled Maharashtra inculcating a special culture in the state. Ganapathi is the herald of auspicious beginnings and is the beloved deity of all.

Sri Krishna Jayanthi

Vishnu, the preservative aspect of the universe and one of the Hindu Trinity, is said to take birth in this mortal world of ours whenever it is overburdened with evil-doers and sinners, who by their wicked actions upset the equilibrium of the earth. One such incarnation is his birth as the son of king Vasudeva and his wife Devaki Devi of bygone ages. He was then given the name of Sri Krishna, and his story is recorded in the famous work of the Hindus known as Bhagavatam.Born to rid the world of the wicked, he was secretly brought up by the chief of the Yadavas (cowherds) to whom he was taken as soon as he was born, since his uncle Kansa considered him an enemy and wanted to get rid of him as soon as he was born, by putting him to death.The birthday of this marvellous child is celebrated as a festive and sacred day on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana called Avani in Tamil which corresponds to the English months of August-September.The festive day is known by different names. Some call it Krishna Jayanti day. A few call it Janma Ashtami day, while a good many call it Gokula Ashtami and Sri Jayanti.

Synonyms: Krishnajayanti, Krishna Jayanthi, Janmashtami, Janmashtam, Gokulashtami, Shri Krushna Jayanthi, Krishnashtami, Kalashtami, Gopalkala.
Significance
According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Lord Krishna was born on the eighth day (ashtami) of the second (dark) fortnight of the month of Shravana.
Five thousand years ago, He incarnated, at the end of the third cosmic era, 'Dwapar Yuga' and the beginning of the present era, 'Kali Yuga'.
The divine principle (tattva) of Lord Krishna is most active on this day of the year.

According to Numerology
The number eight is a reducing number (kshayaank). According to numerology the number eight is responsible for generating revolutionary thoughts. It would not be wrong to say that Sri Krishna’s entire life was an era of revolution.
Celebration
The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated at midnight on Krishna Jayanti. At midnight, the ritual of waving lit lamps (aarti) is performed. His statue is placed in a swing and devotionally offered many sumptuous food dishes, in particular kheer (a sweet dish made from milk, sugar and rice/vermicelli) or halva/sheera (a sweet dish made from semolina, ghee and sugar).
People incorrectly think that Lord Krishna loved butter and so offer butter to Him. In fact, He ate butter because the evil king Kansa taxed the people, and in order to pay their taxes, they were forced to sell butter. To prevent these civilians from suffering and caving into the unrighteous demands of the king, Lord Krishna would eat or spill their butter. In doing so, He taught the people to develop a fighting spirit (kshatravrutti) and not to tolerate injustice in any capacity.
One should fast the whole day before the celebration at midnight. The fast is ended either at midnight by eating the Holy sacrament (prasad) or the next morning by eating an offering of a mixture (dahikala) of curd (yogurt with enzymes retained) with various eatables, milk and butter. When grazing the cattle along with the cowherds at Vraj (a city in ancient India – in modern day North India), Shri Krishna mixed the lunches of His companions with that of His own and ate it along with them. In keeping with this story, later it became customary to prepare dahikala and break a hanging pot containing curd on the day after Gokulashtami.
Temples are decorated for the occasion. Kirtans are sung, bells are rung, the conch is blown, and Sanskrit hymns are recited in praise of Lord Krishna. At Mathura (a city in North India, near the birthplace of Lord Krishna), special spiritual gatherings are organized at this time. Pilgrims from all over India attend these festive gatherings.
Fasting on this day as well as observing Rushipanchami, a vowed religious observance (vrat), reduces the effects of menses, impurity and touch on women. [The effects on men are reduced by performing acts of repentance (prayashchitta karma), such as shaving the head, etc. Performing the ritual of Udakshanti reduces the effects on the premise.]

SMILING MEDITATION

Smiling is a practical yoga. When one smiles, one becomes bright and divine. Smiling applied in all our activities helps us to attain a practical life long, full time meditation. All our activities are done with a total perfect, effortless ease. There is no strain, no stress, no expectations. There is no ego “ I ” imprints – hence no sins so no rebirth. Smile with love, faith and trust.

EFFECTS OF PRAYERS DONE WITH A SMILE :

1. The thought flow stops.
2. Ego “ I ” gets removed from every cell.
3. Sarguru ( THE COSMIC SUPREME MASTER FORCE ) enters into every cell.
4. Thereby lots of bio-current is produced and transmitted into electro magnetic divine current ie. creative energy or divine deposits.
5. This creative energy than becomes the will power or patience.
6. There is no more stress or strain.
7. So when we chant with a smile, it is done with SARGURU awareness. There will be no expectations.
8. The DIVINE COSMIC ENERGY helps to remove all sickness and acute allergic energy.
9. All sins are erased, thus the prayers become meaningful.

PRACTICAL WAYS TO SMILE :

1. Smile at the god within you as you rise up from your bed.
2. Smile and fill up your body with light.
3. Smile and brush your teeth, bathe and comb your hair.
4. Smile and start your morning duties.
5. Smile at family, friends and strangers too.
6. Smile and cook the food - food will be fresh, tasty and energetic.
7. Smile while praying and chanting.
8. Smile while meditating – Smile like a child.

If there is a rebirth, from the very beginning there will be an automatic clarity and life will be totally divine without “ maya ” , earthly struggle and the ego “ I ”. The smiling face comes from within the blossomed heart – so smile within you and become divine.

SWAMI SIVANANDHA

29TH AUGUST 2004

GURU PURNIMA (18th JULY 2008)

What is Guru Purnima?
The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus

Significance of Guru Purnima
On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a 'puja' of their respective spiritual preceptor or 'Gurudevs'.
This day is of deep significance to the farmers, for it heralds the setting in of the much-needed rains, as the advent of cool showers usher in fresh life in the fields. It is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual 'sadhana' from this day.
The period 'Chaturmas' ("four months") begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.

How to Observe the Day
1. All aspirants awake at Brahmamuhurta, at 4 o'clock. They meditate on the Guru and chant his prayers.
2. Later in the day, the sacred worship of the Guru's Feet is performed. Of this worship it is said in the Guru Gita:
Dhyaana moolam guror murtih;
Pooja moolam guror padam;
Mantra moolam guror vakyam;
Moksha moolam guror kripa

"The Guru's form should be meditated upon; the feet of the Guru should be worshipped; his words are to be treated as a sacred Mantra; his Grace ensures final liberation".
3. Sadhus and Sannyasins are then worshipped and fed at noon.
4. There is continuous Satsang during which discourses are held on the glory of devotion to the Guru in particular, and on spiritual topics in general.
5. Deserving aspirants are initiated into the Holy Order of Sannyas, as this is a highly auspicious occasion.
6. Devout disciples fast and spend the whole day in prayer. They also take fresh resolves for spiritual progress.

The Rose Within

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully and before it blossomed, he examined it.
He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns? Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and just before it was ready to bloom... it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth, grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects.
We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.
Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns of another, and find the rose within them.
This is one of the characteristic of love... to look at a person, know their true faults and accepting that person into your life... all the while recognizing the nobility in their soul. Help others to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the "rose" within themselves, they will conquer their thorns. Only then will they blossom many times over.

LAKSHIMI POOJA

Lakshmi Pooja begins with the chanting of mantras given below and ends with silent meditation and satsang. Mahaalakshmi Pooja then starts with the chanting of the following mantras:
Aum……….Aum……….Aum………..

Guru Sthuthi
Gurur brahma guru vishnur
Gurur dhevo maheshvaraha
Guru sakshaath para brahma
Tasmai shree guravae namaha

Aum gum gurubyo namaha (3x)

Vinayaka Sthuthi
Aum shuklaam bharatharam vishnum
Shashi varnam chathur bujam
Prasanna vathanam dhiyaayeth
Sarva vigknoba shaanthayae
Mooshika vaahana modhaka hasthaa
Shamara karnaa vilambitha soothraa
Vaamana rooba mahesvara puthraa
Vigna vinaayaka paadha namasthe

Aum shreem gam ganapathye namaha (3x)

Navagraha Mantras
Aum soorya grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum chandra grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum anggara grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum budha grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum guru grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum sukra grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum saneeswara grahaya sathagaya swaha
Aum ragu grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum kehthu grahaaya sathagaya swaha

Invocation
Aum shree aum durga aum
Hari aum mahalakshmi namaha
Thirumaal maarbil vaazhum lakshmi
Sree vaikundam aalum lakshmi
Thevargal pottrum maha lakshmi
Thiruvarul puriya veettauukku vaa

Sri Mahalakshimi Manthras
Aum sarva mangala maangalye
Shive sarvaartha saathike
Sharanye thriyambike gowri
Naraayani namosthuthe
Aum dhum dhurkaayai namaha
Aum shreem mahalakshimiyai namaha
Aum aim sarasvathyai namaha

Aum Mahaalakshimi Ashtagam
Namasthethu mahaa maayae sri peedae sura poojithae
Sangu chakra gadhaa hasthe mahalakshi namosthuthe
Namasthe garudaaroode kolaasura bayankari
Sarva paapa hare devi mahaalakshi namosthuthe
Sarvaknye sarva varadhe sarva dhushta bayankari
Sarva dhuka hara devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Sidhi budhi prathe devi bukthi mukthi pradhaayani
Manthra moorthe sadhaa devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Aathyantha rahithe devi aadhi shakthi maheswari
Yogagnye yoga sambhoothe mahalakshmi namosthuthe
Sthoola sookshma mahaa rauthre mahaa sakthi mahothare
Mahaa paapa hare devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Pathmaasana sthithe devi para brahma svaroopini
Parameshi jagan mathaha mahalakshmi
Shvethaam barathare devi nanaa alankaara booshithe
Jagasthithe jagan mathaha mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Mahalakshmi ashtaga sthothram yap padeth bhakthi maanaraha
Sarva siddhi mavaapnothi rajyam praapnothi sarvadha
Eka kaalam pade nithyam mahaa paapa vinaashanam
Thwi kaalam yaha pade nithyam dhana dhaanya samanvithaha
Thri kaalam yaha pade nithyam maha shathru vinaashanam
Mahaalakshmi bhave nithyam prasaana varathaa subaa

Aum shreem hreem shreem kamale kamalaalaye
Praseedha praseedha
Shreem hreem shreem aum mahaalakshmiyai namaha (3x)

Aum shreem hreem kleemKamaladharani mahaalakshmi swaha (3x)

Manthra Yoga (Dhaaranas)
The mantras should be chanted by one person while the others listen and chant the mantras mentally, by looking at the form of Devi (Mahalakshmi) placed at the alter. Full attention should be placed on the figure looking sharply with unwavering eyes and a calm mind filled with devotion and bhakthi.

Aum mahaalakshmi namaha
Aum gajalakshmi namaha
Aum jayalakshmi namaha
Aum dhanalakshmi namaha
Aum santhaanalakshmi namaha
Aum seethalakshmi namaha
Aum dhairyalakshmi namaha
Aum dhaanyalakshmi namaha
Aum vidhyaalakshmi namaha
Aum mahaavishnu mahaalakshmi namaha (3x)

Dhyanam (Meditation)
The figure of mahaalakshmi seen outside should be focussed in the space between the eyebrows (eyes closed) and meditated upon only. one person should chant the mantras.

Maha Yogam
Finally mother mahaalakshmi who was focussed between the eyebrows should now be spread and dispersed throughout the body and fill the mind and heart and we should become one and same as mahaalakshmi and do mahaa yoga.

Piraathanai (A Prayer in Tamil)
Ulagellam niraintha thaaye ellaa uyirum nee,
ella selvamum nee, ellavatraiyum nadathuvadhum neeye.
unadhu arul eppothum enggalai kaathu nitkirathu.
intha unmaiyai naangal unara arul purivaai amma.
pasikku unavaavaai. parugum neer aavaai. noiku marundhaavai.
irul pokum oliye, varumai neekum selvame, thavamum gnanamum unadhu naa kodaigal.
anbum aramum unadhu arungkalai padaipugal.
annaiye aadhishakthiye, unnil piranthu unnil valarum ennai unadhaaki uyya arul purivaai amma.
om tat sat!

Shanthi Mantras
svasthip prajaapya paribaala yantham
gnaayena maargena mahim mahishaaha gobrahmanepyap
shuba masthu nithyam loka samasthaa sukhino bhavanthu
kaale varshathu parjanyaha prithvi sasya shaaini
dheshoeyam shoba rahithaha bramana santhu nirpayaaha
aum sarveshaam swastir bhavathu
sarveshaam shantir bhavathu
sarveshaam poornam bhavathu
sarveshaam mangalam bhavathu
sarve bhavanthu sukhina
sarve santhu niraamayaha
sarve bhaathraani pashyanthu
maa kaschith dhukka baakbhaveth
asotho maa sath gamaya
tamoso maa jyothir gamaya
mrithyor maa amirtham gamaya
aum poornamadhah poornmidham
poornaath poorna mudhachayathe
poornasya poorna maadhaaya
poorna mevaa vashishyathe

aum shanthi………shanthi……………..shanthi
loka samasthaa sukhino bhavathu (3x)
inbame soolga….ellorum vaalhga (3x)
nama paarvathi pathaye ………hara hara mahaa deva
jai sithi vinayaga moorthiku - jai
vetri vel muruganuku - aro hara
jai aathi parasakthi mathaavuku - jai
jai mahaalakshmi deviku - jai
jai brahma shri sivananda maharaajiku - jai
arut perum jothi arut perum jothithani perum karunai arut perum jothi (3x)
Naivethyam
brahmaarparnam brahmahavir
brahmaagnor brahmanaahutham
brahmaivatena gandhavyam
brahma karma samaadhinaha
aum praanaaya swaahaaum
apaanaaya swaahaaum
vyanaaya swaahaaum
udhaaanaaya swahaaum
samaanaaya swahaaum
brahmane swaaha
aum tat sath brahmaarpanam asthu

Deepam (aarthi)
aum anthar jyothi bahir jothi
prathyak jyothi kparaath paraha
aathma jyothir swayam jyothir
jyothir jyothir shivosmiyaham (3x)

aum mahaalakshmimee cha vithmahae
sarva sithees cha deemahi
dhanno devi prachodayaath (3x)

aum hreem brahma shree sivananda hamsaaya vithmahae
parama hamsaaya dheemahi
dhanno hamsa prachodayaath (3x)

aum bhur bhuva swaha that savitur varenyam
bhargo dhevasya dheemahidhiyo yona
prachodayaath (3x)

mother's day...

Mother@ அம்மா.......

When you're a child she walks before you,
To set an example.
When you're a teenager she walks behind you
To be there should you need her.

When you're an adult she walks beside you
So that as two friends you can enjoy life together...

Life In National Service

Sarguru Hari Om,
It is 1st January 2007, everyone is excited celebrating NewYear. The atmosphere was filled with lots of joy, fun and laughter. In the midst of that, there were some souls crying silently, forced to leave their best buddies, caring family and home sweet home on the name of National Service (NS).

In the beginning I was looking forward to it but as time passed I was reluctant to leave. I was in the bus at 9a.m. As the bus left, I could see tears rolling down my mother’s cheek. My heart sank but I waved with a smile, hoping it would comfort her some how or rather. I made no friends in the bus except for the girl sitting right beside me. It’s not that I’m ignorant but all my thoughts were at home and mandram of course. It was a safe journey for all forty of us.

I reached Kuala Kubu Baru in less than two hours and my place was known as Kem Bina Semangat. I got down the bus and looked at the place which was going to replace my home for three months long. The place was surrounded with mountains. The green sceneries had some soothing effect on us. We were away from the polluted city air and I would say it was a smooth start for us. They (the trainers) grouped us into four different companies, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta. I was in the first company. Competition was high among the four companies as all of us were contending for the best company title.

I shifted three dorms before they finally placed me in one nearest to the forest. It was tiring as I had to drag my luggage with me. I asked the trainer why is it I had to shift so many times and she gave me one flat answer. What you ask me? Integrity of races and that there were too many Indians in the previous dorms. They gave great importance to unity.

Now that I’m done with the dorm, I have another dilemma to solve. Being a vegetarian, what else can I fear? And yes I’m talking about the food. I prayed everyday and had faith in Swami. I chanted Sarguru Sagalamum Sathagaya Swaha without failing a single day and believed that the mantra will do some magic. True enough wonders happened. Even though the commandant of the camp was a Malay man but both his assistants were Indians. They arranged good vegetarian meal for me and forty of my friends. This is something that I can never forget because without Swami’s blessings this is simply impossible in a Malay dominated camp. Some of you might think that I’m just lucky, to those who think so; you will never realise it until you experience it yourself.

Second day in camp was all about socializing. All of us were keen in making new friends, meeting people from different walks of live, culture and tradition. There were trainees from four different states; Selangor, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak. Camp was the melting-pot of all the races in Malaysia. We all stayed under one roof as a big family, helping out each other during hard times, shared the moments of victory and equally shared the punishments as well. Guess what it reminded me? The Lakshmi family in mandram. Where we use to stay close to each others heart, sharing every moment of our lives, appreciating every second we spent together.

Days passed by, and our bond grew stronger. We adapted to the NS live style, starting from waking up early in the morning, managing daily tasks the best way and rushing through the tight schedule. No matter what I did, my day was considered incomplete without prayers. It was only through prayers and meditation I obtained the inner strength to cope up with the activities, faced the challenges with courage and most importantly realised what I’m capable of. I recited the protection mantra given by Swami everyday.

The outdoor activities required high stamina and all of us were pushing ourselves to the maximum level. One of such activities is the obstacle course which consists of nine elements. Starting from the monkey rack, Tarzan swing, and seven more physically demanding elements. The spirit to win never faded. Thus, creating a healthy competition among the trainees. Failure was something that everyone feared, including me. There was nothing else in our mind other than winning. That was the mistake we all did, even in real live we give importance to achievements and success but some how neglect the key to it- failure. It is through failure that we learn and equipt ourselves with the essential ‘weapon’ in order to face the challenges in future. In a nutshell, in order to win we have to dare to fail. It is not easy to accept failures but with Swami ‘right by my side’, everything went on smooth.

Throughout my training, I knew that Swami had been there for me all the time. I saw him in my friends when I was emotionally down, I saw him in my trainers who were trying to build us up as good citizens and I saw him in every problem as the solution. I also learned that, instead of telling God how big our problems are, we should tell our problems how big God is. And that would be all the difference that we need to come up in live.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all mandram members for their support, encouragement and prayer. To all the youth, there is one thing that I want to say, ‘you need not be a cultural person, giving importance to tradition and rituals but you can be a spiritual person’. This means, the way you dress and the type of music you listen to shouldn’t be stopping you from contributing your service towards Guru. All that matters when you are doing your service is sincerity. If you have that, don’t let anyone or anything to stand in your way. We can build up a hip-hop generation with religious background. Leading a spiritual live and a cultural one are two different things. Once again, we need not be a cultural person but we can still grow spiritually. Give it a thought. It makes a lot of sense if looked at from a different perspective.
Sarguru Hari Om.
GuTzy Gal.

The Right Thought at the Right Time

“Every beauty and greatness in this world is created by a single thought or emotion inside a man,” says the Great Prophet Kahlil Gibran.

I met Brahma Shri Swami Sivanandha as a young child. At that time, I did not know the real meaning of a “GURU”. Neither did I know how to appreciate and love this Divine soul. Each time I heard and saw the word, “GURU”, the only thing that crossed my mind was a man dressed up in a yellow robe and one who always walked barefooted.
As years passed by, I grew up to a teenager. I continuously attended all the prayer gatherings without knowing how my life would be better with a “GURU’s” presence. I had very little believe and emotions towards Swamiji.
One day, my dad and I were having our typical father and son talk. As he was sharing his past experiences, he suddenly uttered this sentence that changed my life and me into a better one. He said, “ An individual’s life will totally change only when he surrenders himself to the Almight or Satguru.” Of course being a teenager, I refused to believe him immediately. Instead I decided to do an experiment. So I walked into the prayer room and sat right in front of Swamiji’s photo.
I looked at him and said, “I’m your child. You know what is good and bad for me. You know what I need rather than what I want. Please accept me as your child and take care of me.” From that very minute, I feel his strong presence with me at all times. He has become my best friend and one whom I share my personal pains and gains. I need not necessarily be in a prayer room but the best part is I am able to communicate with Swamiji wherever I am. He listens to me, shows me the right path and gives me answers in return. Each time I do something right or wrong, my inner voice speaks to me and I strongly believe that is Satguru, talking and guiding me.
I admire and love him for his simplicity and for the unconditional love, which he showers endlessly. I believe what Kahlil Gibran said was right. It only takes an emotion to appreciate the beauty and greatness of this world. This includes the love, trust and respect for a GURU. Nevertheless, I will not deny the fact that only when the right thought comes at the right time, we will meet such great souls. Kahlil Gibran has said, “How good is life to Man, yet how far removed is Man from Life”. Similarly, our Swamiji has blessed us with everything but what have we done in return?

-ratz

Ponggal Celebration

The girls look sweet in their traditional attire.

The guys were very much excited on having
their own ponggal pot…


The girls are busy with their pot.

Ponggalo Ponggal!!!

Arathi