Sri Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal

Sri Bodendral (pronounced Bodendraal) was born in 1610 AD in Kanva Gotram and given the namam of Purushothaman by his parents, Sri Kesava Panduranga Yogi and Srimati Suguna Bai. Early on, Sri Purushothaman came under the grace of the then Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Acharyal, Sri Athma Bodendra Saraswathi (or Athma Bodendraal), to whom his parents were devoted. Eventually, he was anointed the 59th Acharyal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in 1638 AD. Sri Bodendral was on the forefront of establishing Nama Siddhantam. He was the first Guru in Bhajana Sampradhayam. Sri Bodendral was the contemporary of Sri Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval of Tiruvisanallur and Sri Sadasiva Brahmendral.

Sri Bodendral achieved Jeevan Mukthi on the banks of River Kaveri in 1692 AD. For a while, this place was lost and forgotten. In 1803, Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered the place after hearing Rama namam emanating from water here and had his Shishya, King Sarabhoji divert the river. Even now, there are reports of devotees hearing Rama namam in Sri Bodendral's Adhishtanam in Govindapuram, Tamil Nadu. Sri Bodendral is Sri Guru of Sri Sri Anna

Childhood to Sanyasam

Sri Kesava Panduranga Yogi and his wife Srimati Suguna Bai settled in Tamil Nadu, though originally they hailed from Maharashtra. They lived in Mandana Misra Agraharam in Kanchipuram, serving Sri Atma Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 58th Acharyal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. They named their son as Purushothaman, in accordance with the wishes of Sri Atma Bodendral. Purushothaman became a good friend of Jnanasagaran, born 18 months earlier, who came to Kanchi Matam as an orphan when he was an infant. Both Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman were the darlings of Sri Atma Bodendral. Jnanasagaran was destined to be a Jnani.

Sri Atma Bodendral sent Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman to Srimad Kirvanendra Saraswathi Swamigal to learn Advaitist works. Later, Purushothaman who became Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendral, attributed his works to both Sri Kirvanendra Saraswathi Swamigal and Sri Atma Bodendral. When Sri Atma Bodendral departed for Kashi, he left Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman behind in Kanchi. Soon after, Purushothaman lost both his parents. Now Purushothaman left for Kashi to meet Sri Atma Bodendral, with his closest friend Jnanasagaran. Near Narmada river, Jnanasagaran fell ill and passed away. The distraught Purushothaman buried Jnanasagaran in Narmada and owed to die in Ganga on reaching Kashi.

On the banks of Ganga, Purushothaman received Taraka Mantra Dikshai from Sri Atma Bodendral and then attempted to drown in the river, but Purushothaman survived with Guru Krupa. Sri Atma Bodendral initiated Purushothaman into asceticism, which is considered a rebirth for the person, thereby letting Purushothaman keep his promise to Jnanasagaran on his death bed. Thus Sri Bodendral obtained asceticism in Kashi, a rare event in Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Purushothaman was christened Bhagavan Nama Boda by his Guru. As all Acharyal from Kanchi Peetam have Indra Saraswathi suffix, he came to be known as Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal. Sri Atma Bodendral commanded Sri Bodendral to spread Bhagavan Namam, following the footsteps of Kabirdas, Tulasidas, Mira Bai, Sri Krishna Chitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nama Deva, Sri Eknath and Sri Samartha Ramadas.

Nama Kaumudi

After instructing Sri Bodendral to proceed to Kanchi from Puri, Sri Atma Bodendral remained in Kashi. As his Guru commanded, Sri Bodendral proceeded to Puri Jagannath to obtain Nama Kaumudi, a masterly work written by Lakshmidhara Kavi, which propounded that Nama Japam and Bhajan were in accordance with Vedic scriptures. Kaumudi means Moon. Sri Atma Bodendral asked Sri Bodendral to use Nama Kaumudi to ward off resistance from conservatives, who would claim Nama Siddhantam was contrary to Vedic tradition. Later, Sri Bodendral would use Nama Kaumudi as foundation for many of his own works. Independently, Sri Ananda Deva had written a vyakyanam on Nama Kaumudi called Prakasham.

Sri Bodendral had Darshan of Lords Balarama, Subadra and Jagannath in Puri till the temple closed at night, chanting Govinda Namam. To avoid disturbing anyone late at night, he decided to spend the night outside a house unobtrusively.

Sri Bodendral woke up on hearing a Brahmin banging the door of the house at night, but decided to watch the event from darkness. The Brahmin was accompanied by a Muslim lady covered in veil. When the house-owner opened the door, the Brahmin started narrating his tale in tears: The lady in veil was his wife, although disguised in Islamic outfit. They left Tamil Nadu for Kashi, but were waylaid in Bamani Kingdom. The lady was dishonored and disfigured by Muslim extremists, but she managed to escape the terror and joined her husband months later. When they decided to take their lives, an elderly person advised them to approach Lakshmi Kanth, son of Lakshmidhara Kavi, for purification instead. Thus Sri Bodendral ended up at the right place to seek Nama Kaumudi, by Lord Jagannath's grace.

Per Lakshmi Kanth's advise, the Brahmin couple came to Chandan Talab lake the next day. While everyone was watching, the lady entered the lake and chanted Rama Rama Rama with devotion. When she emerged out of water, her disfiguration and Islamic outfit were gone and she came out as a traditional Brahmin lady exuding saintliness. This miracle established the effectiveness of Rama Namam in popular mind and later Sri Bodendral took the couple with him to Kanchi as living proof for Nama Siddhanta. When Sri Bodendral informed his intent to Lakshmi Kanth, he was given Nama Kaumudi. Its author Lakshmidhara Kavi had instructed his wife before his death to preserve Nama Kaumudi and pass it on to a saint from South India who would approach her years later.

Works of Sri Bodendral

Per his Guru's wishes, Sri Bodendral devoted his life to preach the importance of Nama Japam and Bhajan. Sri Bodendral elaborated Nama Kaumudi and composed 8 books: Namamrutha Rasodayam, Nama Rasayanam, Nama Suryodayam, Nama Tharangam, Namarnavam, Hari Hara Beda Thikaram, Hari Harardvaida Bhooshanam, Murtha Brahma Vivekam. These were dedicated to his Gurus Sri Kirvanendra Swamigal and Sri Atma Bodendral. These books conclusively established Nama Siddhanta. Sri Bodendral gave Rama Nama dikshai to individuals, while asking them to chant Govinda and Hara Namam as groups.

Sri Bodendral ascended Kanchi Peetam

Sri Atma Bodendral returned from Kashi to Kanchi. To complete Kashi Yatra in the traditional manner, he left for Rameswaram with Sri Bodendral. On the way, near Villupuram, in VadaVambalam village, Sri Atma Bodendral passed away, chanting SadaSivom SadaSivom. Thus in 1638, Sri Bodendral ascended Kanchi Peetam. Sri Bodendral continued with his journey to Rameswaram and Dhanushkoti in Tamil Nadu. As an interesting aside, Sri Atma Bodendral's Adhishtanam was unknown till it was dramatically discovered by Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal in 1927. Tanjore King Shahaji became a devotee of Sri Bodendral. In 1677, Tanasha, Nawab of Golconda, paid tributes to Sri Bodendral. Among the miracles attributed to Sri Bodendral, he made a dumb boy chant Bhagavan Namam and he cured a Brahma Rakshas by chanting Rama Namam.

Sri Bodendral met Sri Sridhara Ayyaval

Sri Bodendral had great respect and affection for Sri Ayyaval, who reciprocated the emotion. In his works Namamrutha Rasodayam and Nama Rasayanam, Sri Bodendral had quoted Sri Ayyaval's Bhagavan Nama Bhushanam as reference, even before they met. Sri Bodendral met Sri Ayyaval in Tanjavur province. Sri Bodendral even composed a song for his disciples to worship Sri Ayyaval, who was elder to him. This verse thus ended: "Obeisance to Sri Venkatasa Guru, who is Shiva Incarnate" or "Tam Vande Nara Roopam Andakaripum Sri Venkatesam Gurum". Sri Ayyaval worshipped Sri Bodendral thus: "Yasya Smarana Matrena Nama Bhakthi Prayajathe; Tam Namami Yathi Sreshtam Bodendram Jagatham Gurum".

Sri Bodendral retired to Govindapuram

Sri Bodendral nominated Sri Advaitatma Prakasendra Saraswati Swamigal to succeed him for Kanchi Peetam. In 1685, after leading Kanchi Peetam for 48 years, Sri Bodendral left it to his successor and departed for Govindapuram, a village named after Sri Govinda Dikshithar, a minister in Nayak dynasty. Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal speculated that Sri Bodendral started wearing Vaishnava symbol of Urdhva Pundram instead of the traditional Saivite symbol of Vibhooti during this phase. Per Sri Premika Vijayam, Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal had a darshan of Sri Bodendral wearing Urdhva Pundram. Sri Premika Vijayam also recounts a remarkable vision where Sri Bodendral took Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal to a pond where frogs were croaking 'Hara Hara Hara Hara' and assured that even the frogs were guaranteed Moksham. Such is the power of Nama Siddhantam.

As Sri Bodendral called his successor Govinda on occasions, Sri Advitatma Swamigal was also called Govinda Samyami. In 1692 AD Prajotpathi year Purattasi month full moon day, Sri Bodendral, treating himself as consort to Lord Rama, achieved Jeevan Mukthi, by burying himself in ground, just like Sita Devi had done ages back. Over 100 years later, when Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered the location where Sri Bodendral had attained Jeevan Mukthi, he also found Nama Kaumudi, that Sri Bodendral had carried with him all along.

Reference

http://www.paranur.org/ based on the book “Kamakoti Ramakoti” by Ra. Ganapathy

Importance of Vishnu Sahasranamam

The Vishnu Sahasranamam is found in the Mahabharatha. Literally translated this means thousand names of Vishnu. This is found in the Anushasanika Parvam (chapter relating to orders or rules to the kings) of Mahabharatha. Bheeshma Pitamaha was defeated and grievously wounded by Arjuna. But since he could choose the time of his death as per the boons received by him, he chose to die in Uttarayana and was waiting for the auspicious time. Meanwhile the war was over leading to death of all those male members in his family except the Pancha Pandavas and the unborn child of Abhimanyu. Yudishtra the eldest of the Pandavas became the King of Hasthinapura and went to Bheeshma the great for the advice and asked the following questions:

“Kimekam Daivatham Loke kim vapyegam parayanam Sthuvantha Kam Kamarchanda Prapnuyur Manava Shubham. Ko Dharma Sarva Dharmanam Paramo Matha Kim Japan Muchyathe Jandur Janma Samsara Bhandana”

• Who is the One Supreme Deity?


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  What is the highest goal of life?


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  By praising which Deity's auspicious qualities will human beings attain prosperity in this world as well as bliss in the next?
  


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  By reciting which mantra will man be released from the bondage of the cycle of birth and death?
  


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  Of the three means referred to above (i.e., recitation, praise or archana, and meditation), which is the best means for attaining the grace of the Supreme Deity based on your vast experience and knowledge?
  

Bhishma's response to the above questions follows in the next ten stanzas. In his considered opinion, a person tides over all the sorrows in this world by reciting with undiluted devotion the Thousand Names of the Eternal Person, worshiping Him always with devotion, meditating upon Him, glorifying Him, saluting Him by prostrating before Him, and adoring Him (dhyayan, stuvan, namasyamsca, yajamanas tameva ca).

Bhishma adds that of all the dharmas, the dharma or practice involving service done to the Lotus-eyed Lord Krishna, without any desire for benefit, through worship (archana) and hymnal praise (stava), is the best dharma. Note that praising is easy, involving only speech, and does not involve any material sacrifice or bodily exertion. It is open to all, and does not need help from, or dependence on, others. Other kinds of worship might require money or other resources to perform the worship, or the need to impose on other people for their involvement (e.g., a priest to give instructions on the method of worship etc.).

For the purpose of chanting the name of God, there is also no constraint on the asrama (i.e., brahmacharya, grihasta, etc.) to which a person belongs, unlike, for example, the constraints that the vedas place in performing the ceremonial rites with sacrificial fire. There is also no requirement regarding time, place, status of purity, etc., for the chanting of the stotram. The key element of the act of chanting as a means to attain the Lord's grace is the sincerity and purity of mind, and there is no other constraint or consideration.

In summary, Yudhishthira asks Bhishma: "Given my despair and sorrowful state of mind, I want to expend the least effort and get the most benefit out of it, viz. relief from my despair. Please tell me the means for this." And Bhishma's response is "Chant the thousand names of Lord Krishna WITH DEVOTION. This does not require any effort other than the willingness to chant. This is the best way to get relief from all miseries, sorrows, and sins".

The Thousand Names

The word sahasra in the title of the Stotram means "one thousand". The main body of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram consists of 107 stanzas which contain the thousand names of Sri Maha Vishnu. Every one of the Thousand Names in Vishnu Sahasranamam is full of significance in that it refers to one particular quality, guna, characteristic or attribute of Paramatma. (yani namani gaunani, where the emphasis is that each name is indicative of a guna of Vishnu).

One could legitimately ask the question: Why were these 1000 names chosen? Does the Parama Purusha get absolutely defined by these thousand names? The obvious answer is that God is Infinite and Indescribable, and can only be experienced, but cannot be translated into words and communicated from one to another. The vedas conclude that God is neither accessible to words nor to mind (yato vacho nivartante aprapya manasa saha - Taittiriya Upanishad).

In Isavasya Upanishad, it is said that you cannot reach (understand) the Paramatma with the human mind (reasoning) alone even if you spend all your life. This holds true even though mind can travel (think) faster than anything known to us, including the speed of light (anejadekam manaso javiyo..). Given this Infinite nature of the Paramatma who is not governed or constrained by any of the physical laws as we know them, the choice of a thousand names of Vishnu by Bhishma should be recognized as a representation of some of the better-known qualities of Sriman Narayana that are repeatedly described in our great epics, vedas, puranas, etc., and sung by the devout sages repeatedly.

As was indicated earlier, the thousand names are strung together in a poetic form by Sri Vedavyasa. While identifying the thousand names of Narayana from this poetic composition describing the qualities of the Infinite Paramatma, the different revered acharyas have come up with slightly differing sets of thousand names. This is partly because of the ability of these great acharyas to be able to enjoy the indescribable Parama Purusha in their own ways, based on the unique philosophies which they have propounded.

Of the thousand names, some are repeated for example, in Sri Parasara Bhattar's choice of the thousand names, two names occur four times, 12 names occur three times, and 82 names occur twice. When a name occurs more than once, the revered commentators have interpreted the meaning of the name differently in each instance depending on the context in which the name occurs. They have also quoted extensive evidence from ancient scriptures in support of their interpretation. The commentators have emphasized that the recurrence is not the result of a dosha (deficiency of being repetitive) in the composition.

Importance of Chanting

Some might say that they do not understand the meaning of the Sanskrit words in the stotram and therefore do not feel comfortable chanting it. Sri Chandrasekhara andrasekhara Saraswathi Swami has given us his guidance on this issue in one of his discourses. He advises us that learning the chanting of prayers even without knowing the meaning is a worthwhile act, and can be compared to finding a box of treasure without the key. As long as we have the box, we can open it whenever we get the key of knowledge later, but the treasure will be already there.

The Benefits

As was pointed out earlier, traditionally our prayers end with a phala sruti - a section on the benefits of reciting the prayer. The Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram is no exception. The necessity of cleansing our body regularly to maintain our physical hygiene and good health is recognized by every one. But perhaps because we do not "see" our mind the same way as we see our body (i.e., as an externally visible entity), the necessity of keeping our minds clean is not as clearly recognized. However, those who do not "cleanse" their mind on a regular basis become "mentally" sick over a period of time, just as they become physically sick if they do not cleanse their body on a regular basis. Prayers are a means to mental cleansing when they are chanted with sincerity and devotion. This aspect of the usefulness of prayers in everyone's life is common to all prayers.

The importance of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram is that the deity being worshipped is none other than Vasudeva (Sri Maha vishnuh paramatma sriman narayano devata; saktir devaki nandanah; itidam kirtaniyasya kesavasya mahatmanah namnam sahasram divyanam aseshena prakirtitam; sahasram vasudevasya namnam etat prakirtayet, etc.). Sri Vyasa points out that it is by the power and command of Vasudeva that the sun, the moon, the stars, the world, and the oceans are controlled (sa chandrarka nakshatra kham diso bhur mahodadhih vasudevasya viryena vidhrtani mahatmanah). The whole universe of the Gods, Asuras, Gandharvas, etc., is under the sway of Lord Krishna (sasurasura gandharvam ....). In Bhishma's expert judgment, chanting Vasudeva's name with devotion and sincerity will ensure relief from sorrows and bondage. This in a nutshell is the phala sruti or the benefit of chanting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam.

Saptaaham on Mahaperiyava

I recently attended a Unique Saptaaham (meaning Seven day discourse). Generally the Saptaahams are conducted only for Puranas like Srimad Bhagavatham but this Saptaaham is about a person. Saptaaham for an individual who lived among us is very unique and rare. The Sapataaham is about none other than our Mahaperiyava, Paramacharya Pujyashri Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal, who was referred as “Nadamadum Theivam” or Walking God who have uplifted our society from the clutches of the Maya. The entire credit for the Saptaaham goes to Sri Ganesha Sarma whose way of speech is very natural like an ordinary person but the content of his discourse is very rich. Please read on to know more about the Saptaaham.

How the idea of a Saptaaham was conceived

MahaPeriyava Divya Charitram took shape as Saptaham-a seven day discourse like the Bhagavata Saptaham-without any of those involved in it i.e. members of the SSSMM TRUST or the Upanyasaka himself being conscious of it, so to say! One afternoon, a Trustee was asking Sri Ganesa Sarma whether he could devote himself to writing an authentic, factual account of every fact that went into the birth of the SSSMM Trust and the subsequent events to that day that account for the slow but steady progress of the Satabdhi ManiMantapam in Orirukkai by His Grace so that it can be compiled as a Sthala Purana for record.

As one in the know of things and also a devotee of Pradosham Mama, he is eminently suited to do it - he also readily agreed to carry it out. Another Trustee who is devoting all his attention to plans for the preservation of our Vedic heritage joined Sri Ganesa Sarma enthusiastically to help him in the task but when both of them got to work together, most unexpectedly the idea of these Saptaham discourses came to them. In hindsight, the whole thing looks like entirely Divinely inspired and nothing less! The visible impact Sri Ganesa Sarma makes on his listeners is testimony enough to the Divine inspiration of these Saptaham Discourses.

TAFE Sri Ganesha Sarma

Sri Ganesha Sarma (45) B.A., M.B.A from Madras University has about 21 years of Service in the accounts department of Tractors and Farm Equipments of India Ltd (TAFE). A native of Kumbakonam, he was inducted into the activities of the Kanchi Mutt by his father. Since then he has been an ardent devotee of our MahaPeriyava. He is a Sri Vidya Upasaka who can also render many Sanskrit and Tamil hymns combining melody with meaning.


These Saptaham discourses have earned him the hearty blessings of both Their Holinesses Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal and Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal who do not conceal their admiration for the manner in which he narrates the true story of Sri Kanchi MahaSwami. Sri Ganesha Sarma was fully trained by Sri Pradosam Mama. Late Venkatrama Iyer popularly known as PRADOSAM MAMA, himself soaked in Bakthi of Sri Mahaswami was instrumental in inducting many good souls in the path of Bakthi. His vision of constructing a Mani Mandapam for Sri Mahaswami and propogating Veda resulted in the formation of the SSSMM Trust.


A brief outline of the Saptaaham

The discourse lasts 7 days and contains 7 Kandams.

Avathara Kandam tells the story of MahaPeriyava's early years from the moment of Jayanti.

Vijaya Yatra Kandam is an engaging travelogue of the decades of His pilgrimage on foot across the Bharat Varsha

Arpudha Kandam is a narration of true stories which qualify themselves to be called miracles but which MahaPeriyava would never own as such.

Upadesa Kandam - Not a single day has gone without MahaPeriyava discoursing on some topic or other (as Ra.Ganapati's 7 volumes of Deivathin Kural reveal)-Upadesa Kandam dwells a little on it.

Anugraha Kandam - Countless are the devotees in India and abroad, who have been benefitted by His Grace to this day. Anugraha Kandam gives a glimpse of that marvel to us.

Sarvagna Kandam - Sarvagna Peetam was the name for the sacred Kamakoti Peetam when Adi Sankara Bhagavadpada ascended that Peetam in Kancheepuram as its very first Acharya. Omniscience is what is conveyed by it-how many have experienced it - Sarvagna Kandam gives a brief profile of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal as a Sarvagnya.

Smarana Kandam is meant to explain why we we should adore our MahaPeriyava day in and day out and, incidentally one of the ways to keep that sacred memory alive and glowing in our hearts is to participate in the making of the Manimantapam in Orirukkai. Sri Ganesha Sarma concludes the Saptaham memorably with this Smarana Kandam.

If you get a chance to attend please don’t miss it!

Retta Vada Sangili

Today is “Anusham” the Star of our Paramacharya. This article is being presented as humble offering to our beloved Guru.

Once in Kanchipuram there was an old lady by name Meenakshi Patti who was taking care of her grand daughter “Kamakshi” who had lost her parents in an early age. At the old age Meenakshi Patti want her grand daughter to get married soon so that she can be relieved of her responsibility. However with her little income she some how managed to accumulate a sum of rupees five thousand and two golden bangles for the marriage. But there came a good proposal and the groom was working as a Teacher in a Kanchipuram itself at a salary of Rs. Sixty. The horoscopes were matched perfect. However the groom’s mother was demanding for Golden Chain with 64 grams “Ettu Pavnula Retta Vada Sangili.”

Meenakshi Patti who was an ardent devotee of Mahaperiyava (she goes to Kanchi Mutt daily carrying Parijatha flowers for the puja) was perplexed as to what to do next and decided to go to Mahaperiyava and told Mahaperiyava in short everything and she needed the help of Periyava to carryout her grand daughter’s marriage.

Paramacharya after hearing requested her to carryout “Pancha Sankya Upacharam” i.e. doing circumambulation or pradakshina for five times and then five namaskarams (falling in front of the deity) consecutively five days for Goddess Kamakshi and told her that Ambal will answer her prayers.

On the fifth day morning there was one lady by name Ambujam visited Kanchi Mutt and was visibly happy came with lot of offerings/prasadams for the Acharya and she was telling our Paramacharya that as directed by him she carried out the “Pancha Sankya Upacharam” for Kamakshi Ambal i.e. five pradakshina, five namaskara for five consecutive days and her daughter who was left by her husband due to some misunderstanding and was working in TATA Steel in Jamshedpur came back and took her daughter back and she is very much relieved now and going to Kamakshi Amman Temple to complete her vow.

Meanwhile Meenakshi Patti and her grand daughter were completing the final day final pradakshina on the prakaram and suddenly Kamakshi found a golden chain and showed it her grandma and Meenakshi Patti felt that this is the prasada offered by Goddess Kamakshi herself and secretly kept the Golden Chain with herself and went to the Mahaperiyava without even completing the pradakshina in full.

Mahaperiyava was sitting quietly when Meenakshi patti came and Periyava knowing everything told her that “You have forget to finish your vow simply because you got the golden chain in the prakara are u not feeling bad to take somebody’s property?” while they were discussing Ambujam Mami who was visibly happy in the morning was rushing towards Acharaya with her face very tensed and told Mahaperiyava that she had a vow that if her daughter’s problem got resolved she would offer a Golden Chain to Goddess Kamashi and she could not able to complete as she missed her golden chain while doing the pradakshina.

Acharya listened everything Ambujam told and then smilingly kept quiet. Meenakshi Patti who was there along with Mahaperiyava upon hearing this told the entire story to Ambujam and gave her back the Golden Chain.

Ambujam after hearing this promised in front of the Acharya to Meenakshi Patti not to worry about her grand daughter’s marriage as this Golden Chain belongs to Kamakshi Ambal she will buy a fresh set of Golden Chain (“Ettu Pavnula Retta Vada Sangili) and in addition will give five thousand rupees for the marriage.

In the end both Meenakshi Patti and Ambujam were relieved and paid obeisance to our Mahaperiyava. Mahaperiyava who was by then also requested Meenakshi Patti to complete the Five Pradakshina and Five namaskara to Goddess Kamakshi in the evening along with her grand daughter.

No words are there to express the joy in the face of Meenkashi Patti and her grand daughter!

Radha Ashtami

Radha Ashtami is being celebrated tomorrow (27th August 2009). Radhashtami is a Hindu festival celebrated as the birthday of Srimati Radha, the principal devotee and divine consort of Lord Krishna. Radha Astami is celebrated on Ashtami thithi (eighth day) in Shukla Paksh during the month of Bhadrapad (August – September). Radha Ashtami falls 15 days after Sri Krishna Jayanati.

History of Radha Ashtami Festival

According to Vaishnava tradition, Radha Rani was born in village Barsana (or Rawal) situated 8 km from Vrindavan. Raja Vrishabhano, the king of cowherds, and Rani Kirati (or Kalavati) are the parents of Radha. Legend has it that Raja Vrsabhanu and Kalavati were the partial incarnations of Lord Narayana and Goddess Lakshmi. Radha Rani’s worship is of much importance in Vrindavan (or Brindavan) situated about 15 km from Mathura where Lord Krishna took birth and lived for over 5000 years ago. Vrindavan houses hundreds of temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna. Radha devi is also known by other names as Radharani (Radha Rani), Radhika, Srimati, Gandharvi, Krishnamayi, Vrndavaneshvari, Vrajrani, and Gokula Taruni. Radha Rani is one of the main incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi.

Radha Ashtami Rituals & Celebrations

On Radhastami day, Sri Radha Krishna deities are beautifully decorated with flowers and devotees worship Radha along with Lord Krishna. It must be noted that this is the only day devotees may receive the auspicious darshan of Radha’s lotus feet. All other days Radha Rani’s feet remain covered.Radha Ashtami festival is popular in North Indian states and is celebrated mainly by Vaishnava sect. Devotees fast on this day, recite Radha Stuthi, and sing Hindu devotional songs of Lord Krishna and Radha. In some places, a feast is also severed which includes the famous Radha Red Plum Chutney (a spicy and delicious chutney).

More about Sri Radha…

The divine counterpart of Sri Krishna is known as Sri Radha. Together, according to the ancient Vaishnava tradition, this dual-gendered divinity is God-male and female dimensions of the Absolute Truth. Sri Radha is the complete energy, and Sri Krishna is the complete energetic source. They are non-different from each other, just as musk and its scent are forever merged, or as fire and heat are inseparable.

Radha and Krishna are one, yet They have assumed two separate forms to enjoy loving pastimes. Numerous theological texts explain how this is so, but most thorough are the writings of Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami, great masters in the Vaishnava tradition whose books have been translated and commented upon by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. To understand Sri Radha, then, English readers would do well to turn to Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Sri Radha in Literature

Historically, the ancient Puranas reveal much about Sri Radha’s manifest pastimes, even if the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.30.28), the cream of all such Puranic literature, mentions Her name only once-with the indirect anayaradhitah, indicating that She is “the one who worships Krishna best.” Both the Padma Purana and the Brahma-vaivarta Purana, on the other hand, elaborate on Her pastimes of love with Krishna and reveal how the divine couple is the source of all that is. The Brahma-vaivarta Purana, in fact, reveals an esoteric creation story in which Radha co-creates the material world with Krishna.

Sri Radha’s dominance in Vaishnava theology did not come to light until the twelfth century, when the saintly poet Jayadeva Gosvami wrote his famous Sanskrit work Gita Govinda. Krishna’s spiritual love then became a celebrated theme throughout India, colorfully conveyed in festivals and the arts, with the personality of Radha sometimes eclipsing even Krishna.

It is important to point out that Jayadeva understood the spiritual nature of Radha and Krishna’s love. He knew that people could easily misconstrue it as mundane, comparing his work to erotic love poetry (as many still do). Anticipating this misconception, he commenced his Gita Govinda with a section called Dasha-avatara, in which he clearly outlines Krishna’s divine nature, listing and glorifying His transcendental descents as incarnations (avatara). With this as a preface, it becomes obvious that the loving affairs to follow-the affairs of this same divine Krishna, who incarnates as so many avataras-are not ordinary. Indeed, they represent the zenith of spiritual love.

This love was expressed more fully after Jayadeva’s time. In the fifteenth century, two Bengali poets, Chandidasa and Vidyapati, wrote beautiful Bengali verse about the divine couple. In the sixteenth century, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu-the combined form of Radha and Krishna, in the guise of Their devotee-relished this poetry, along with Jayadeva’s breakthrough Sanskrit work. He also enjoyed hearing the story of Radha and Krishna as expressed in the ancient work of Bilvamangala Thakura, Sri Krishna-karnamrita, and in a contemporary poem, Ramananda Raya’s Jagannatha-vallabha-natakam.

Sri Chaitanya’s followers were quick to add their own realizations and insights based squarely on the earlier literature. Two outstanding examples are the Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi-stotram, composed by Prabhodananda Sarasvati, and Radha-Krishna-ganoddesha-dipika, by Rupa Gosvami, the latter of which is easily the most detailed exposition of Sri Radha’s divine personality ever published.

Her Divine Pastimes

How does Radha’s story unfold in the world of three dimensions? Though there are many versions of this story, the most gripping is found in the Padma Purana (Patala-khanda, Chapter 71): Early one morning, in the country atmosphere of Vraja (ninety miles south of present-day Delhi) some fifty centuries ago, Vrishabhanu Maharaja was taking his morning bath in the holy Yamuna River. Just then, a beautiful baby girl floated by, lying on a radiant and fully blossomed lotus. With intense glee, he embraced the divine infant and carried Her off to his queen, Kirtida Devi.

When Kirtida saw her husband with this magnificent child, she ran over and showered little Radha with unrelenting affection. But the king and queen quickly noticed that the baby’s eyes did not open. This naturally broke their hearts, and they prayed that God might bless Her with the power of sight.

Soon, Nanda Maharaja’s wife, Yashoda Devi, arrived from Gokula, holding young Sri Krishna in her arms. Vrishabhanu and Kirtida, now the parents of Sri Radha, greeted her with due honor, but Yashoda could not take her eyes off the newborn baby girl resting in Kirtida Devi’s arms.
Yashoda drew closer with baby Krishna, and as soon as Krishna came face to face with the baby girl, She opened Her eyes for the first time. Appropriately, Her first sight was the moonlike face of Her beloved Sri Krishna, and She paused as She gazed upon His lovely form. Krishna too was overwhelmed with love as He saw before Him His eternal consort, in the guise of a baby.

In this way, the scriptures relate how the eternal divine couple go about “meeting” each other as They appear, time and again, in the material world. As They “grow in years,” They play with loving friends, swim in the Yamuna, graze their cows, and relish each other’s loving embrace. Sacred texts and the realizations of the sages elaborate on the details, establishing narratives that serve as virtual magnets, attracting all who hear them back to the spiritual realm.

The Circle Dance of Love

Of all such narratives, the rasa-lila, the circular dance of love described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, is in many ways the most important. The divine dance takes place one moonlit autumn night when the cowherd maidens (gopis) of Vrindavana, upon hearing the sound of Krishna’s flute, sneak away from their families to be with Him. The rasa-lila is considered one of the highest and most esoteric of Krishna’s revealed pastimes, and it should never be confused with mundane pastimes of prurient interest. Accordingly, Vaishnava commentators make one thing perfectly clear: romantic love between human beings is a diminished, compromised reflection of the soul’s original, ecstatic love for Krishna, God, in the spiritual world. Studying the rasa-lila under a bona fide spiritual master allows one to realize this as a tangible truth. It also allows one to develop love for God, just as the gopis do in their dance of love.

Radha’s Mercy

In short, the theology of Sri Radha is deep. The scriptures describe that one must go through many lives of pious acts, religious rituals, and yogic perfection before attaining the mercy of Sri Radha. And when one does, Krishna is not far off. In fact, it is through Sri Radha’s mercy that Krishna becomes attainable.

Radha is Krishna’s mercy incarnation, and through Her one can attain the culmination of the spiritual pursuit. Srila Prabhupada sums this up as follows: “Radharani, You are so dear to Krishna. So we offer our respectful obeisances unto You.” Radharani is hari-priya: “very dear to Krishna.” Through the mercy of Radharani we can easily approach Krishna. If Radharani recommends, “This devotee is very nice,” then Krishna immediately accepts me, however great a fool I may be. Because I am recommended by Radharani, Krishna accepts me. Therefore in Vrindavana you’ll find all the devotees chanting Radharani’s name more than Krishna’s. Wherever you’ll go, you’ll find the devotees greeting one another, “Jaya Radhe!” You’ll find this still in Vrindavana. The devotees are glorifying Radharani.

If you go by the speculative process to understand Krishna, it will take many, many lives. But if you take to devotional service and just try to please Radharani, Krishna will be gotten very easily. Radharani can deliver Krishna. She is so great a devotee, the emblem of maha-bhagavata. Even Krishna cannot understand the quality of Radharani’s devotion. Although Krishna says vedaham samatitani-“I know everything”-He fails to understand Radharani. She is so great.
It is in pursuit of these truths that Radha and Krishna descend as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, for in that form They taste the highest mercy and bestow it on others. The chief manifestation of that mercy is the holy name in the form of the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In this mantra both Radha and Krishna are fully manifest. A prayer to Sri Radha (Hare is the vocative form of Hara, another name for Radharani), it beseeches Krishna to be engaged in devotional service, the highest form of yoga. Radha is the medium through which such service is enacted, for She is the embodiment of devotion, the essence of love for Krishna.

Sengalipuram Brahmasri Anantharama Deekshitar

I recently bought an audio CD having a discourse by Sengalipuram Brahmasri Anantarama Dikshitar on “Vishnu Sahasranamam”. The voice of the Dikshitar is so divine and powerful which makes the audience immediately appreciate is way of presentation. The sloka recitation style is too good and one can realize only by hearing. I strongly recommend people to buy this CD pack. Thought of sharing info about Sri Dikshitar.

Anantarama Dikshitar was born on 2nd July 1903. He was a Srauti scholar and also was a great exponent of the art of upanyasas on various subjects in Hinduism. Born in the Thanjavur district as the first son to Sri Subramanya Dikshithar, Anantharaman was initiated into the learning of the Vedas under his father Subramanya Dikshithar, who was also known as chinna Muthannaval. His brother of Sengalipuram Vaidhyanatha Dikshithar was Periya Muthannaval. Anantharama Dikshithar had his Aksharabyasam from Paruthiyur Krishna Sastri. Then he further studied other Shastras and Vedangas from eminent scholars of repute including Kadalangudi Natesa Sastrigal who also was his father in law. He had his course on Tarka Saastra from Sri Vishnupuram Swaminatha Sastrigal who also taught it to Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal (Sri Paramacharyal) of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. Apart from complete knowledge of Saastra, Vedas and Astrology, He mastered our Puranas. In giving discourse he utilized it mainly to propogate Vaidika Dharma and the cult of Bhakthi.

On the divine wishes and direction of Sri Guruvayurappan the presiding deity, He has performed many Srimadh Bhagavatha Saptaahams at Guruvayur. The Sringeri Sankaracharya Sri Abhinava Vidya Teertha Swamigal too eagerly participated in the Navaaham conducted at Tiruprayar (Near Guruvayoor) Sri Rama Temple at Kerala as this was performed as ordered by the presiding deity Sri Rama Himself. In fact every one was thrilled to know the personal involvement of the Lord in the Navaaham. His discourse attracted tens of thousands of apt listeners. His propogation of Srimad Narayaneeyam of Meppattur Narayana Bhattathiri and the glory of Sri Guruvayurappan continues to draw lakhs of devotees to Guruvayoor.

Sri Anantharama Dikshitar also had composed a Sanskrit sloka on Lord Guruvayurappan known as “Guruvaatapurisha Pancharatnam”. This sloka had come to Dikshitar’s mind while having darshan of the Lord and later he told to his disciples that this sloka when properly learnt and chanted will give peace of mind and eternal prosperity. There was a small boy who was born in Poongunnam in a very good and God loving family. But he was suffering from constant headache which he thought was incurable. All the medicines that he took were of no use. So his Grandfather took him to Guruvayur and both of them stayed there for three days and prayed. Everyday they recited this slokam and he was cured of the terrible headache like magic.

The available portions of the recordings of His discourses rendered in public were brought out as cassettes and CDs as per the gracious directions of Sri Kanchi Paramacharya. The proceeds are to be used for Sri Adhishtaanam of Sri Deekshithar who attained Sidhi on 30-10-1969, after taking Sanyasa. Daily poojas are performed at Sri Adhistaanam at Chinnathirupathi, Salem Town. His divine presence is still felt there where He answers the prayers of devotees.


He has been conferred the following Titles:

· Amrutha Vaakvarshi
· Upanyasa Chakravarthi
· Vaidheeka Dharma Samrakshaka
· Pravachana Dhureena
· Vedha Yaaga Paripaalaka
· Raamayana Thathvopadesaka
· Ramaayana Kesari
· Bharatha Simham
· Pravachana Vaakeesa
· Sruthi Saakaram

Available Upanyasams (Cassettes & CDs)

· Srimadh Bhagavatha Sapthaham (set of 24 CDs)
· Sri Sankara Charithram (set of 6 CDs)
· Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam (set of 5 CDs)
· Srimadh Ramayanam (Set of 28 CDs)
· Sri Devi Bhagavatham (Set of 15 CDs)
· Sri Mahabharatham (Set of 90 CDs)

Request of a Sanyasi

Today is Paramacharya’s birth star "Anusham" thought of sharing some of the devotees experience with our Jagadguru. Any body who goes to Mahaperiyava will get a solution. This is one more real life incident which proves it. Please read on to cherish.

One day at around 8.30 pm when Mahaperiyava was about to wind up his regular darshan there entered a couple along with their daughter and gave their offerings like dry fruits etc as a token of respect to the Jagadguru. Mahaperiyava upon seeing the person, “Oh is it Viswanathan from America, nice to see you with family, I Hope you have come here to tell your daughter’s wedding? I could able to see only the dry fruits which you have brought to me, I am not seeing the wedding invitation, where is it?” Viswanathan replied, “Mahaperiyava we are seeking the alliance since she was 17 years and now she is 25 years, all our previous attempts in coming to India and staying here for two months for seeking the alliance had failed and we are very much concerned about her marriage” and viswanathan became emotional which made his wife and daughter crying.

It was around 9.30 p.m. and mahaperiyava could able to feel the pain and tried to console the family, “Ok please sit down here and I know that you are doing lot of good things to temples and poor people, ok tell me how many years now since you went to the US.” Viswanathan replied, “it is now twenty years since I settled in US”. Acharaya then asked “Hope she is your only daughter and what is her name”, Viswanathan replied, “yes she is the only daughter and her name is Aparna”. Mahaperiyava then raised the doubt, “Have you shown her Horoscope (Jathagam) to the Astrologer?” “Yes I have shown to many astrologers and done lots of parikarams” “what are parikarams you have done?” “In Rameshwaram have done pithru dhosha parikaram with thila homam, In Kanjanoor “Sukra Preethi”, in Thiru nageswaram have done the “raghu preethi”, In alangudi did “Guru preethi”, in Thirumanancheri near kuthalam have done “special pooja” , In Thirunallar have completed Sani Preethi with nala theertha snanam…” Mahaperiyava interrupted,” only the “bhala prapthi” i.e. the result is missing”, by looking at Viswanathans wife “have you kept ready the gold and jewellery items?. For that viswanathan replied that, “we have about 30 sovereigns and in addition we have two 20 sovereigns kept separately”. Periyava interestingly enquired, “what for this additional set of 20 sovereigns?” He replied, “We have kept a vow to carryout marriage for two needful ladies if our daughter’s marriage is fixed but even that is not happening. “how many days you need to stay in India” viswanathan replied, “twenty days periyava”, periyava then asked the Mutt cook what is available the cook told, “Arisi Upma and Poosanikai Sambar” Periyava then asked the family to have their dinner in the mutt itself.


After the dinner mahaperiyava told,”Viswanatha you are good hearted person in addition to your daughters you want to help two more poor ladies in their marriage don’t worry goddess kamakshi will help you. I suggest you go to Thiruvanaikka (near trichy) and make your daughter see the Thadangam (Golden Ear Ring) of Goddess Akilandeswari and ask her to sincerely pray. Once you finish the darshan proceed to Tirupathi and perform a Kalyana uthsavam to srinivasa perumal” (marriage for the Lord Srinivasan and Padmavathi) Viswanathan replied “whenever we come to India we have done the kalyana uthsavam to Lord Srinivasa at Tirupathi and I have done eight times so far but not result”. For that Mahaperiyava replied,"sari viswanatha athanala enna korranjura porathu? Intha sanyasi solrathukaka ompathavathu thadavaiya nadathi vaiyen" (ok viswanatha please do it for the nineth time for the request of this sanyasi?!)

Viswanathan then took his family to Thiruvanaikka and had thadanga (Goddess Golden Ear Ring) darshan of Goddess akilandeswari and then came to Tirupathi. In Tirupathi that day many people had given their offerings for the Thiru Kalyanam to the Lord and Viswanathan family also were witnessing the wedding celebration of Srinivasan and Alamelumanaga and Viswanathan’s mind was thinking, “every day you are getting married gorgeously see my status is it fair on your part?” and felt very emotional by shedding his tears in front of the Lord and upon seeing this his wife and daughter were also started weeping.

All this was noticed by a person nearby for quite some time and atlast he decided to enquire and went nearby, “I am Vaidyanthan from Madras am observing you and your family for quite some time, when you are supposed to enjoy the celestial wedding of the God you and your family is in grief which you should not do” Viswanathan then told his pathetic condition to the person who was enquiring him. Vaidyanathan then asked Viswanathan “what is your gothram?” Viswanathan replied “Vathulam” “Nanga Srivathsam .. ok what is your daughter’s age? “twenty five.. why are you asking all these details?” Vaidyanthan then replied that he will inform after the function.

Once the function was over Vaidyanathan took the family of Viswanathan and told, “We hail from Melatoor near Tanjore and I have a son by name Srinivasan who is currently working in US at Ford Motor Co., and he his coming to India tomorrow, and we are seeking alliance for him for the past three years and nothing has progressed” “ we are also devotees of Kanchi Periyava and when we visited the Kanchi Mutt some three months before Mahaperiyava requested us to perform Kalyana Utsavam at Tirupathi and hence we are here and if Mahaperiyava’s blessings is there your daughter can become our daughter-in-law.”

Then both the family exchanged the horoscope and went straight to an astrologer in Tirumala itself. To everyone’s surprise the horoscope matching was perfect. The next day Srinivasan reached India from America and pen parkum padalam took place and finally both liked each other. Within fifteen days they fixed the marriage and even finalized the marriage hall i.e. Raja Rajeswari Kalyana Mandapam. After that both families decided to visit Kanchi Mutt to get the blessings of Maha Periyava. They reached Kanchi Mutt and by the time they had Periyava's darshan it was 9 pm.

Viswanathan then transpired what happened since he left Kanchi Mutt and told that they had darshan in Thiruvanaika and had Thadanga darshan and later went to Tirupathi to perform Kalyana Utsavam for the Lord of Seven Hills and how the marriage got fixed. Mahaperiyava was very happy and told him that since he felt that her daughter might have the “Vivaha prabandiga dosham” he then asked them to go have darshan of Goddesss Akilandeswari’s Thadanga which will ward off the dosha. Then he enquired about who is the groom, Vaidyanthan who was standing behind came in front of Mahaperiyava told “I am going to be his sambanthi I came to you three months before when you have told us to perform the Srinivasa kalyanam at Tirupathi” We both performed the Kalyana Utsavam on the same day and become sambanthis by your grace. Acharya blessed them and told them “please have your dinner in the Mutt and the cook was telling me that today’s menu is “Arisi Upma and Poosanikai Sambar” and then blessed them and went to his room.