Monday, March 12, 2012

Tantra in daily life (Part 9)

SHIVA-UMA

Many of us may vaguely remember a well-meant advice or suggestion given to us by an elderly relative, parent or even an acquaintance during our childhood or sometime back in the past. A few of us may not have been able to implement the advice/suggestion received. Even while wondering why we never took the advice seriously, our thoughts drift to other areas and we quickly forget about the advice and the incident.
Those advices from the distant past are not meant to be trashed in the back of our minds, but meant for us to USE at sometime in our lives. Never mind if a lot of time has lapsed since the time of receiving the advice/suggestion. We would be astounded to realise that an advice received well back in time acts as a perfect solution to a critical problem, even after many years and decades! That is how cosmos works! You only have to tune your inner radar system to decode and interpret messages, however vague they may seem! Following are few cosmic interpretations (within brackets).
"How is your mother?""("Take care of her health.")
"Have you read any epic so far?"(Please read some epic.")
"Have you been to that temple any time?"(Please go to that temple.")
"We want to present you the Lifetime Achievement award."("Take a clean break from the performing scenario.")
"Hello, I am calling from Tiruvannamalai."("Ramana Maharshi inviting you to Tiruvannamalai.")
"I love you" (Your Higher self telling yourself "I love you".)
"Please don't talk so hurtfully", "why are you being so stubborn?", "I wish you could change.." etc. (such observations and comments are all messages coming from the Higher Self).
Even an inclination or tendency towards promiscuity for finding one's ideal lover is translated as "the inner quest", ""soul-search" or "the longing for one's Higher Self" as nothing can surpass the joy or spiritual exhilaration achieved by the merging of oneself with the Higher Self. The divine union (Shiva-Shakthi) takes place within oneself.
Even the natal charts at the time of birth could be altered through conscious karma-management. The worst evils in a horoscope are eradicated by good deeds (like healing, charity (towards deserving cause), helping the aged/destitutes/orphans/physically challenged/serving the terminally ill/social work in the most distressing atmospheres and conditions etc. Food charity, meditation, reading scriptures, prayers, chanting mantras etc. especially during brahma muhurtham, likhitha japam (written mantra), nama japam (mental chanting of mantras) are extremely good karma.
Kindness towards everybody, humility and simplicity, smile from the depths of one's heart and the ability to interact with anybody on his/her level also amounts to good karma. Soft spoken and gentle behaviour, making people feel comfortable and happy, good sense of humour, ability to laugh in the face of adversity, maintaining silence while being unfairly blamed, calmness during crisis, equanimity of mind in general are great ways to nullify bad karma.
Similarly the best yogas in any horoscope are rendered ineffective by negative deeds or attitude.Bad karma is caused by rudeness, aggressive behaviour, loud talk, using bad words, arrogance, pomposity, subjugating others, hurting anybody verbally/mentally/physically.Stealing money, property (material or personal like somebody's wife/husband), cheating, enormous anger, mentally controlling others, harassment, torture and abuse (mental/physical) and so on.
The wise one would want NO KARMA, neither good nor bad. A karmaless soul is eligible for soul-liberation and this state can be attained by performing one's duties ('dharma') without attachment, by learning to forget and forgive and finally by tuning oneself strictly to "NOW" (the present, existing moment) simultaneously drawing shutters over the past and the future. The best and only way towards Truth and Light!
(To be continued.....)

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Sri Venkatachala Mahatyam (wedding chapter 157-166)


ASHTADIKPAALAKAAS
(Continued from Sri Venkatachala Mahathyam article dated June 18th, 2011).

157)Paathraani Vyasthrunochchambhuhu Paathraapaathravichakshanaha
Paandutheertham Samaarabhya Shreeshailaavadhi Bhoosuraaha.

Meaning:
Lord Rudra, an expert in distinguishing the good from the bad was incharge of arranging plates for meals. From Pandu theertham (in Seven Hills) to Srisailam (in Andhra Pradesh, situated in Nallamalla Hills, Kurnool District)brahmins,

158)Devaascha Nibideebhoothaaha Thasmin Krishnamahothsavey
Sthithaa Devadwijaasthathra
Swaswapaathraanthikey Prudhak.

Meaning:
Devas arrived in several groups. Devas and brahmins sat in front of the meals plates assigned for each of them.

159)Thadaaha Bhagavaan Raajan! Brahmaanam Chathuraananam.
Shree Bhagavaan:-
Anarpitham Na Daathavyam Devaanaancha Dwijanmanaam.

Meaning:
At that time Lord Srinivasa instructed Lord Brahma not to serve food for the Devas and brahmins without first offering the food to God, for which Lord Brahma responded...

160)Brahmaa:-
Sarvagyam Sarvabhokthaaram Sarvalokeshvareshvaram
Thvaameva Vedmi Govinda! Na Thvaththulyo Na Chaadhikaha.

Meaning:
''Govinda! You know everything and you are all-pervading. You enjoy every creation in this Universe and are the Dictator in all the worlds! Is there anybody equal to You or more powerful than You?

161)Kasmai Nivedayeyam Bhoho Prashaadhi Kamalaapathey
Sa Puthravachanam Shruthvaa Puthramaaha Hasanniva.

Meaning:
Tell me then whom do You order me to offer this food to??" Lord Brahma questioned. Lord Srinivasa replied with a smile...

162) Shree Bhagavaan:-
Ahobilanrusimhasya Poojaam Kruthvaa Nivedaya
Ithyuktho Vaasudevena Nrusimhasyaarpanam Nrupa.

Meaning:
The Lord instructed that the food should be offered to Lord Narasimha of Ahobilam....

163)Brahmaa Chakaara Sarveshaam Muneenaamapi Sammatham
Gruhaaraadhanadevaamscha Manthryaanarcha Thathah Param.

Meaning:
Lord Brahma did as he was instructed and also performed great rituals and pooja to the deities at home. All the monks who were assembled there were greatly pleased.

164)Akshathaarghyaambugandhaischa Dhoopadeepaadilepanaihi
Vipraanaamarchanam Chakrey Brahmaa Cha Vidhipoorvakam.

Meaning:
Lord Brahma felicitated the brahmins with turmeric-coated rice, perfumed rose water, sandal paste, incense and oil lamps.

165)Nanaamaanandasampoorno Haristhaan Loukikai ssamaha
Parivesham Thathaschakruhu Ashtau Dikpaalakaasthadaa.

Meaning:
Lord Srinivasa, acting like an ordinary mortal prostrated to the brahmins. Ans as the Äshtadikpaalakaas"( Guardians of the eight directions:- (1)Kubera-North (man), 2) Yama-South (male buffalo), 3) Indra-East (Airaavatha-white elephant), 4) Varuna-West (crocodile), 5) Eeshaana- Northeast (bull), 6) Agni-Southeast (male goat), 7) Vaayu- Northwest (spotted deer) and 8) Nairuthi-Southwest (horse)...

166)Paathrasamskaarapoorvancha Chakrusthey Pariveshanam
Pariveshancha Sampoornam Akarnyaagnimukhaaddarihi.

Meaning:
cleaned the vessels and started to serve the food, Lord Srinivasa being duly informed of the news (the the Áshtadikpaalakas were cleaning vessels and serving food) informed Lord Agnihothra...
(To be continued.......)

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