Ganapati Bappa!

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Lord Ganesha's big annual holiday has past us this week. Guru-ji has permitted the mission to post this little video of him explaining a little of the ceremony and the basis for it. Please use headphones to listen… and a transcript is provided below. The puja ceremony interspersed in the video took place in the Jagadishwara Mandir on Sandeepany ashram.

It is such a beautiful thing that on this day we bring Lord Ganesha - such a simple thing; what a beautiful idea that YOU invite that God in your house; you see, if we all the time go on saying that God is absolute, formless, nameless and all that you know...you keep on gazing into space and then get spaced out!  Why, why? Give a shape, give a form and give a name and in that way Bhagwan comes to your house. Little children will say 'my friend has come!', other people will say, 'the Lord has come to my house!'. You see some people keep that murti there for one day, two days… some for ten days. And the idea is that a guest has come to your house to stay and it is not that the Lord is all the time 'beyond, beyond, beyond'… no He is here only. When the Lord comes as guest He cannot be kept by one thing… This God is so wonderful, he can visit soooo many houses all at the same time! And He gives joy to everyone equally. We say welcome, but we say goodbye also - in the West it is 'Hi - Bye!'. Welcome and then we farewell, and that (the murti) is taken and it is immersed (in the waters). All the time what they say?  "You go, but please come quickly next year… in Maraathi we say Ganapati Bappa - Moriya!... Please come quickly come soon and now you are going we are not feeling happy".

So the idea here is of Bhagwan coming to your house and you entertain him as you would any honoured guest and for that time you are distracted from all your usual occupations such as hobby and such.

Now how we make this spiritual activity also? Think how is the idol made? Earth is there, water, fire, air… all the panchamahaabhutas are there; all five elements. Then we invoke the presence of the Spirit into that form. Then all that panchamahaabhutas are returned to their base elements, but the Spirit, the essence of presence, remains with us (as we remember in our daily prayers and worship).

Lineage and Purpose

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Last week we had seen an item on Sri Tapovan Maharaj, who was the शिक्षा /shikshaa Gurudev of Swami Chinmayayanda - the pure teacher. Prior to sitting with Tapovan-ji, however, our Gurudev had first taken researches with Swami Sivaananda Maharaj of Rishikesh; initially going there to discredit the 'guru fraud', only to discover a true master and convincing, logical arguments which he could not ignore and subsequently became a student of that Master. Sivaananda-ji then initiated Balakrishnan Menon into sannyaasa and gave the name of Chinmayananda. Thus Sw. Sivananda-ji is the दीक्षा /diikshaa guru.

Swami Sivananda's life can be read HERE; no need to recycle what is already provided so well at a sister site. What is important to note, though, is how the parampara is working. As has been mentioned prior, lineage and authority - 'provenance', if you will - is important. It is the lack of adherence to parampara which leads to mischief-making and self-agrandizement amongst those who would mislead the needy and the poor and to 'fleece' the wealthy… a phenomenon which Balakrishnan Menon/Gurudev was determined to expose. Even if the intention is well meant from one who would call themselves 'guru', unless they are firmly rooted in such a parampara and not twisting it to meet perceived needs or to their own ends, there is risk to the seeker. A True Guru has only the interests of the student at heart and focuses ever and always on the key purpose in life - to attain moksha.

To illustrate this, here is a short video with a recording from the 1950's of Swami Sivananda (with written transcription to aid you) urging devotees on to the primary purpose of Vedanta.

Saadhana Panchakam - 1

Hari OM

'Text-days' are for delving into the words and theory of Advaita Vedanta

SAADHANA PANCHAKAM.

FIVE VERSES ON SPIRITUAL PRACTICE. Written by Sri Adi Shankaraachaarya, this small 'hymn' of instruction is packed full of pointers to enhance ourselves in pursuit of knowledge.

Forty simple instructions, to be precise.  Each  श्लोक /shloka (verse) is broken into eight separate points.  We shall take our time over this.  It is a foundational text.  Last week when the basic texts were given, one 'set' which was not mentioned is the   प्रकरण  ग्रन्थ /prakarana grantha; pra - first, before or early; karana - actions, doings; grantha - text.  Bhashya-kaara wrote many such texts in order that the benefits of advaita could reach a greater audience.  Just as in any subject you care to name, there must be foundations laid for improved understanding, correcting misconception, setting a framework of discipline and tuning the thinking process.

In some respects the Saadhana Panchakam (SP), could also be considered an advanced text.  By listing the forty सोपान  /sopaana (steps), the aachaarya is assuming certain understanding is already in place; ie, that of what is the purpose of life.  In Sanskrit tradition this has always been, and remains, very clear.  Once born, we must go through the four stages of life;  ब्रह्मचार्य /brahmachaarya (childhood),  गृहस्त /grhasta (householder),  वान प्रस्थ /vaana prastha (retirement),  संयास /sanyaasa (withdrawal). [We shall be looking at these in detail on Choose-days.] Following this path, spiritual adherence is built into each area of life as the ultimate purpose is to traverse संसार/samsaara (ocean of life) in the best manner we can with a view to gaining liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth. Even if you do not subscribe to the idea of more than one life, the study of spiritual philosophy and the application of at least some of the principles can only be of  benefit. 

In the study group situation, SP is often used as a first approach text even for those entirely new to vedanta. This is because it is uncompromising.  It is clear. It is practical.  Similar things will be found in all paths of knowledge. Furthermore, (one of the great joys of vedantic study), the steps can be applied within your own familiar backgrounds...especially shloka one of SP.

Over the next few weeks we shall make this text our study.  At the beginning of each shloka, the whole stanza will be given. You are encouraged to listen to the audio and make attempts to emulate the chanting. This is mainly to get the mind working in something of the Sanskrit, that it becomes more comfortable. Following this, each  पाद /paada (sentence) within the shloka will be analysed. Please do not simply read; take notes, raise questions, ponder further!

वेदो नित्यमधीयतां तदुदितं कर्म स्वनुष्ठियतां

तेनेशस्य विधीयतां-अपचितिः काम्ये मतिस्त्यज्यतां।

पापौघः परिधूयतां भवसुखे दोषोऽनुसंधीयतां

आत्मेच्छा व्य्व्सीयतां निजगृहात्तुर्ण्ं विनिर्गम्यताम्॥

vedo nityamadhIyatAM taduditaM karma svanuSThiyatAM

teneshasya vidhIyatAM-apacitiH kAmye matistyajyatAM.

pApaughaH paridhUyatAM bhavasukhe doSo.anusaMdhIyatAM

aatmecChaa vyvsIyatAM nijagR^ihAtturNM vinirgamyatAm..

Translation;

Study the Vedas daily

Perform duties and actions given by them (scriptures) diligently

Dedicate all action as worship unto Lord

Renounce all desires in the mind

Wash away the hoards of sins in the bosom

Recognise that the pleasure of sense-objects are riddled with pain

Seek the self with consistent endeavour

Escape from the bondage of 'home'.

Today we shall take up the first of these only.  It is something which is familiar. In every form of learning, not least that of how best to live life, we have to take advice from those who went before.  This may take the form of instruction from our elders.  More than this though, is the philosophy provided in our scriptures.  Whatever your chosen scripture is.

Often-times, we run from this.  Somewhere inside we have found scripture to be harsh, forced upon us, used as a weapon rather than a guide.  There are some of us who reject scriptures simply because we are seeking to reject the institution which has brought them to us; there are others who have a love for spiritual pursuit but for some reason are dissatisfied, believing there is something more than is being presented.  The need of spirit remains among many, even when they reject the idea of religion…. They reach for the 'new age' and 'self-help' books and oracles of all kinds.  There is nothing in 'new age' which does not come from the ancient wisdoms; there is nothing self-help which benefits other than that which properly helps us understand Self. (You will have noted, it is hoped, that capitalised Self is used when the greater soul is being addressed and not the small 's' of the ego-self.)

In context of SP, then, the scriptures are the Vedas and in the deeper context of advaita, the Upanishads.  To read and reflect fully, taking in the so ancient yet surprisingly modern ideas we find there, is to bring sparks of inspiration and/or solace to our hearts.  Truly, the more we read of the shruti and smriti, it is amazing how the very nature of mankind is portrayed before us; all these centuries and we are constantly relearning the truth of us! To become absorbed in the reading is not only edifying for the intellect, it stays with us.  We can continue to ponder throughout our daily life and the teachings can become our armour against the vicissitudes of life.

Those of you who are musicians know, not to practice daily tends to bring rust to our performance.  Housewives know, work not done immediately becomes large and daunting; the more it is left the worse the task becomes and the more we turn our back on it. The school student pays a price for only seeking to be out with friends when the assignment is to be done.

As for any of these, to read scriptures on a daily basis, especially when new at it, can seem like a chore. The more it is practiced however, the easier it becomes and, indeed, we find a gap, an emptiness, when for any reason it is missed. 

SAADHANA;

It does not have to be a long passage.  It can be only one verse.  What is important is that it is thought about at more than word-glance level.  There will be the 'upfront' meaning; then the meaning contained in each word; there can be the pertinence to our lives to be assessed; there can be comparison.  What to choose?  Where to begin? You can make a commitment right here and now! Take up a scripture of your own choosing.  Look one up online if you wish.  Flick the pages (or scroll screen) until you find that there is a natural pause.  Your eye will fall on a part of the passage before you. Do not question why, for now, simply read one verse, or a few, but not more than a dozen.  Ponder what you have read.  At this stage, consider only these two things; 1) did the reading have any particular significance for you and 2) what was the key message you got from the reading?

Seek to do this each day; allot a period of time dedicated to this, either early morning or in the evening before eating, say. Regular time aids regular behaviour.

First of Navratri

Sri Hanuman Chalisa

Hari OM

Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.

Today, as promised yesterday, a rendition of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa as rendered in the CM style.  If you read devanagari then please enjoy it 'raw'.  Beneath the vid-clip though, courtesy of Mauritian   Shiv Shakti Mandir site, are placed the transliteration to chant along with and an English interpretation.

Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj	After cleansing the mirror of my mind with the pollen
Nij mane mukure sudhar	dust of holy Guru's Lotus feet. I Profess the pure,
Varnao Raghuvar Vimal Jasu	untainted glory of Shri Raghuvar which bestows the four-
Jo dayaku phal char	fold fruits of life.(Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha).
Budhi Hin Tanu Janike	Fully aware of the deficiency of my intelligence, I
Sumirau Pavan Kumar	concentrate my attention on Pavan Kumar and humbly
Bal budhi Vidya dehu mohe	ask for strength, intelligence and true knowledge to
Harahu Kalesa Vikar	relieve me of all blemishes, causing pain.
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar	Victory to thee, O'Hanuman! Ocean of Wisdom-All
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar	hail to you O'Kapisa! (fountain-head of power,wisdom
	and Shiva-Shakti) You illuminate all the three worlds
	(Entire cosmos) with your glory.
Ram doot atulit bal dhama	You are the divine messenger of Shri Ram. The
Anjani-putra Pavan sut nama	repository of immeasurable strength, though known
	only as Son of Pavan (Wind), born of Anjani.
Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi	With Limbs as sturdy as Vajra (The mace of God Indra)
Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi	you are valiant and brave. On you attends good Sense
	and Wisdom. You dispel the darkness of evil thoughts.
Kanchan varan viraj subesa	Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress
Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa	is pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair.
Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje	You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory
Kandhe moonj janehu sajai	(kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder.
Sankar suvan kesri Nandan	As a descendant of Lord Sankar, you are a comfort and pride
Tej pratap maha jag vandan	of Shri Kesari. With the lustre of your Vast Sway, you are
	propitiated all over the universe.
Vidyavan guni ati chatur	You are the repository of learning, virtuous and fully accom-
Ram kaj karibe ko aatur	plished, always keen to carry out the behest's of Shri Ram.
Prabu charitra sunibe ko rasiya	You are an ardent listener, always so keen to listen to the
Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya	narration of Shri Ram's Life Stories. Your heart is filled with
	what Shri Ram stood for. You therefore always dwell in the
	hearts of Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava	You appeared before Sita in a Diminutive form and spoke to
Vikat roop dhari lanka jarava	her in humility. You assumed an awesome form and struck
	terror by setting Lanka on fire.
Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare	With over-whelming might you destroyed the Asuras
Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare	(demons) and performed all tasks assigned to you by Shri Ram
	with great skill.
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye	You brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored
Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye	Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram) cheerfully
	embraced you with his heart full of joy.
Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai	Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) lustily extolled your excellence and
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai	said: "You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat."
Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave	Thousands of living beings are chanting hymns of your glories;
Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave	saying thus, Shri Ram warmly hugged him (Shri Hanuman).
Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa	When prophets like Sanka, even the Sage like Lord Brahma,
Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa	the great hermit Narad himself, Goddess Saraswati and Ahisha
	(one of immeasurable dimensions).
Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te	Even Yamraj (God of Death) Kuber (God of Wealth) and the
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te	Digpals (deputies guarding the four corners of the Universe)
	have been vying with one another in offering homage to your
	glories. How then, can a mere poet give adequate expression
	of your super excellence.
Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha	You rendered a great service to Sugriv. You united him with
Ram milaye rajpad deenha	Shri Ram and he installed him on the Royal Throne. By heeding
Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan mana	your advice, Vibhishan became Lord of Lanka. This is known
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana	all over the Universe.
Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu	On your own you dashed upon the Sun, which is at a fabulous
Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu	distance of thousands of miles, thinking it to be a sweet
	luscious fruit.
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee	Carrying the Lord's Signet Ring in your mouth, there is
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee	hardly any wonder that you easily leapt across the ocean.
Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete	The burden of all difficult tasks of the world become light
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete	with your kind grace.
Ram dware tum rakhvare,	You are the sentry at the door of Shri Ram's Divine Abode.
Hoat na agya binu paisare	No one can enter it without your permission,
Sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna	All comforts of the world lie at your feet. The devotees enjoy all
Tum rakshak kahu ko dar na	divine pleasures and feel fearless under your benign Protection.
Aapan tej samharo aapai	You alone are befitted to carry your own splendid valour. All the
Teenhon lok hank te kanpai	three worlds (entire universe) tremor at your thunderous call.
Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai	All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the
Mahavir jab naam sunavai	sheer mention of your great name, O'Mahaveer!!
Nase rog harai sab peera	All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera	Shri Hanuman's holy name.
Sankat se Hanuman chudavai	Those who remember Shri Hanuman in thought, words and deeds
Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai	with Sincerity and Faith, are rescued from all crises in life.
Sub par Ram tapasvee raja	All who hail, worship and have faith in Shri Ram as the Supreme
Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja	Lord and the king of penance. You make all their difficult tasks
	very easy.
Aur manorath jo koi lavai	Whosoever comes to you for fulfillment of any desire with faith
Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai	and sincerity, Will he alone secure the imperishable fruit of
	human life.
Charon Yug partap tumhara	All through the four ages your magnificent glory is acclaimed far
Hai persidh jagat ujiyara	and wide. Your fame is Radiantly acclaimed all over the Cosmos.
Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware	You are Saviour and the guardian angel of Saints and Sages and
Asur nikandan Ram dulhare	destroy all Demons. You are the angelic darling of Shri Ram.
Ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata	You can grant to any one, any yogic power of Eight Siddhis
Us var deen Janki mata	(power to become light and heavy at will) and Nine Nidhis
	(Riches,comfort,power,prestige,fame,sweet relationship etc.)
	This boon has been conferred upon you by Mother Janki.
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa	You possess the power of devotion to Shri Ram. In all rebirths
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa	you will always remain Shri Raghupati's most dedicated disciple.
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai	Through hymns sung in devotion to you, one can find Shri Ram
Janam janam ke dukh bisravai	and become free from sufferings of several births.
Anth kaal Raghuvir pur jayee	If at the time of death one enters the Divine Abode of Shri Ram,
Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee	thereafter in all future births he is born as the Lord's devotee.
Aur Devta Chit na dharehi	One need not entertain any other deity for Propitiation, as
Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi	devotion of Shri Hanuman alone can give all happiness.
Sankat kate mite sab peera	One is freed from all the sufferings and ill fated contingencies of
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera	rebirths in the world. One who adores and remembers Shri Hanuman.
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin	Hail, Hail, Hail, Shri Hanuman, Lord of senses. Let your victory
Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin	over the evil be firm and final. Bless me in the capacity as my
	supreme guru (teacher).
Jo sat bar path kare kohi	One who recites Chalisa one hundred times, becomes free from the
Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi	bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last.
Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa	All those who recite Hanuman Chalisa (The forty Chaupais)
Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa	regularly are sure to be benedicted. Such is the evidence of no less a
	witness as Bhagwan Sankar.
Tulsidas sada hari chera	Tulsidas as a bonded slave of the Divine Master, stays perpetually at
Keejai Das Hrdaye mein dera	his feet, he prays "Oh Lord! You enshrine within my heart & soul."
Pavantnai sankar haran,	Oh! conqueror of the Wind, Destroyer of all miseries, you are a
Mangal murti roop.	symbol of Auspiciousness.
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,	Along with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita, reside in my heart.
Hrdaye basahu sur bhoop.	Oh! King of Gods.

Kindle Life

Hari Om

'Freedays' are the 'gather our thoughts' days; Q&As; a general page reviewing the week so far…

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Recently Ganesha Chaturthi was celebrated (see the tabs at right to read posts); as a small addenda, the following links are provided.  First is a blogging friend who was present at this year's 10th day march to the sea in Mumbai (Visarjan - lovely bright images) and the second is a useful and very thorough explanation of the imagery.

THE WANDERER 

GANESH FORMS chapter 1 from which you can continue to chapters 2 and 3. 

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Some words to add to The Book. These are are some basic terms relating to saadhana.

ब्रह्मचर्य  /brahmacharya; living in a degree of self-control and moderation

अहिंसा /ahimnsaa; non-injury; live and let live

सत्यं /satyam; living in truth; with integrity and adhering to principles. 

These are the subjects take up in the video presentation here today.  Why do these get put here now? As you will see, this is directly addressed in a book which is the foundational text of study groups. It is going to be the focus of "Workings-days" and it was felt this is a pleasant introduction.  Having read as far as you have already on these pages, it will start to fit things into place.  Please take time to practice shravanam with this half hour presentation.  The pages under discussion are copied for you below but Sw. Mitrananda adds his own elucidation.

Please do remember that whilst the teachings here are based in the Sanskrit tradition, the principles are universal. 

The chapter referred to in this video is now provided for you in scanned image format so that you may read it for yourself.  

The book Kindle Life reaches out to all. It is heartily recommended that a copy be obtained.  For readers in India, this may be purchased through the CM Publications (see side bar for link).  Elsewhere, readers may obtain copies from their nearest CM centre (it is a staple publication and almost always available).

Additionally, it is available via Amazon through this link. 

SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL!!!

YAM has one copy (and one only) of Kindle Life surplus to library. It can be forwarded to anywhere in the UK or to the US/Canada.  If you would like to be a recipient please advise via comments or email.  If more than one makes request, then a draw from hat will be made. 

Request is open until the next Free-day post.