Thursday, January 23, 2014

Oh Rama, the Lord worshipped by Tyagaraja, bestow me profusely the ability to chant your name to think of you always, to worship your feet and the company of your devotees

Nama Article 23rd January 2014


Saint Thyagaraja


In this kruti Tyagaraja prays to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha the omnicient, requestig Him to bestow power to think of and to chant his name always.

 

narasimhA nanu brOvavE Sreelakshmi ||

Oh Lakshmi Narasimha, please protect me.

koramAlina narula goniyADanu nEnu 
parama pAvana nA pAli Srilakshmi ||

I cannot adore worthless people. I seek refuge in the most pious Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.

needu bhaktAgrEsaruDu prahlAduDa 
puDoka kanaka kaSyapu 
vAdulOrvaka ninnu SaraNani AdukOmana gAchinAvu ||

Prahlada your foremost devotee was unable to bear the abusive utterences of his father Hiranyakasipa, sought for protection. You readily saved him.

nee japamu nee smaraNa nee pada 
pooja nee vAri chelimi yosagi 
rAjiga dayasEyu tyAgarAja 
sannuta taramu gAdu ||

Oh Rama, the Lord worshipped by Tyagaraja, bestow me profusely the ability to chant your name, to think of you always, to worship your feet and the company of your devotees.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Birth as a human being is worthy ,if a person recites the countless number of names of the God which are like beautiful flowers.

Nama Article 21st January 2014

 

Saint Thyagaraja

 

In this kruti Tyagaraja implores his own mind to worship the God, uttering his innumerable names which are like beautiful flowers.

 

nAma kusumamulachE poojinchE
nara janmamE janmamu manasA ||

Birth as a human being is worthy ,if a person recites the countless number of names of the God which are like beautiful flowers.

Sriman mAnasa kanaka peeThamuna
chalaga jEsigoni vara Siva rAma ||

Absorb yourself in retaining the names of Siva and Rama on the golden throne of your heart.

nAdaswara manE nava ratnapu
vEdikapai sakala leelA vi
nOduni paramAtmuni Sri rAmuni
pAdamulanu tyAgarAja hrudbhooshaNuni.
||

Oh my heart,worship the feet of the supreme soul Sri Rama the jewel of Tyagaraja's heart. He engrosses in divine leelas gracing on musical notes as stage, dazzling with nine superior gems. He is the ornament of Tyagaraja's heart.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Those who doesn’t even reminisce your Divine Name - What’s the use whether these persons survives or deceases ! Grant refuge, Oh Lord Kachiekambane !

Nama Article 19th January 2014

 

பட்டினத்தார்

 

கல்லார் சிவகதை, நல்லோர் தமக்குக் கனவிலும்மெய்

சொல்லார், பசித்தவர்க் கன்னங் கொடார், குருசொன்னபடி

நில்லார், அறத்தை நினையார், நின்நாமம் நினைவில்சற்றும்

இல்லா ரிருந்தென்? இறந்தென்? புகல், கச்சியேகம்பனே

 

Pattinathar

 

Ignorant of Lord's glories, who doesn't tell truth even in dreams,

Who deny food to those suffering from hunger, who don't stand by Guru's words,

Who do not think righteousness, Those who doesn't even reminisce your Divine Name -

What's the use whether these persons survives or deceases ! Grant refuge, Oh Lord Kachiekambane !

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Papa always would speak about the importance of Bhajan and group-singing of His name as it helped to develop one’s own aspiration faster than if one was to do it all by oneself.

Nama Article 19th January 2014

 

Source: The Vision Dec 2008 - PUJYA MATAJI KRISHNABAI

 

When many sit to chant Ramnam, if one of those present had developed well on the path, his spiritual strength and intensity of aspiration goes to one and all, thereby strengthening their own aspiration. That is why I am always after you all to go and take part in Ramnam being chanted outside, where so many are gathered to take His Name; there may be some whose intensity of aspiration can benefit you also. Papa always would speak about the importance of Bhajan and group-singing of His name as it helped to develop one's own aspiration faster than if one was to do it all by oneself.

 

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Individual chanting Vs group chanting

 

Obstacles can be removed by by congregational hearing and chanting of Divine names and by following the footsteps of the great Masters

 

The object of congregational prayers and Bhajans is to develop broadness of vision.....It is the spirit of brotherhood that takes the aspirant nearer God

 

I introduced the practice of having congregational prayer some time before the commencement of the South African satyagraha struggle.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Saturday, January 18, 2014

While answering Parikshit's question, Sukadeva stresses that taking the names of the Lord and chanting them loudly is an easy path

Nama Article 18th January 2014

 

Source: Srimad Bhagavatham : Its Message for the Modern Man by Swami Shantananda Puri Maharaj

 

While answering Parikshit's question, Sukadeva stresses that taking the names of the Lord and chanting them loudly is an easy path for those who wish to reach the state of fearlessness and desire to cultivate dispassion (Vairagya).

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Friday, January 17, 2014

திருநாமம் அஞ்செழுத்தும் செப்பா ராகில் செத்தும் பிறப்பதற்கே தொழிலாகி இறக்கின் றாரே

Nama Article 17th January 2014

 

ஆறாம் திருமுறை - திருநாவுக்கரசர்

 

திருநாமம் அஞ்செழுத்தும் செப்பா ராகில்

    தீவண்ணர் திறமொருகால் பேசா ராகில்

ஒருகாலுந் திருக்கோயில் சூழா ராகில்

    உண்பதன்முன் மலர்பறித்திட் டுண்ணா ராகில்

அருநோய்கள் கெடவெண்ணீ றணியா ராகில்

    அளியற்றார் பிறந்தவா றேதோ வென்னில்

பெருநோய்கள் மிகநலியப் பெயர்த்துஞ் செத்தும்

    பிறப்பதற்கே தொழிலாகி இறக்கின் றாரே.

 

If they chant not the sacred Divine Name Namashivaya,

If they never praise the greatness of the Lord,

If they never circumambulate the sacred shrine,

if they Eat without Plucking flowers and offering them in worship,

If they wear not the white ash that quells cruel maladies,

They are surely unendowed with grace.

If you ask; "Wherefore are they born?" , "It is only to be cruelly tormented by chronic diseases, and to get born only to die thus."

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Knowing through revelations, if we chart Narayana and his many other names, will not our worship secure for us a place by his side

Nama Article 16th January 2014

 

பூதத்தாழ்வார்

 

ஞானத்தால் நன்குணர்ந்து நாரணன்றன் நாமங்கள்,

தானத்தால் மற்றவன் பேர் சாற்றினால், - வானத்

தணியமர ராக்குவிக்கு மஃதன்றே, நாங்கள்

பணியமரர் கோமான் பரிசு?

 

Boothathazhwar

 

Knowing through revelations, if we chart Narayana and his many other names, in his many shrines, will not our worship secure for us a place by his side in the comity of gods in heaven?

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Easily the Lord will grant you the vision of his lotus feet, O Heart! He came as “Hari” in man-lion form to destroy the ego filled Hiranya. Contemplate his Divine Name.

Nama Article 15th January 2014

 

பொய்கையாழ்வார்

எளிதி லிரண்டையும் காண்பதற்கு, என்னுள்ளம்

தெளியத் தெளிந்தொழியும் செவ்வே, - களியில்

பொருந்தா தவனைப் பொரலுற்று , அரியாய்

இருந்தான் திருநாமம் எண்

 

POIGAI AZHWAR

 

Easily the Lord will grant you the vision of his lotus feet, O Heart! He came as "Hari" in man-lion form to destroy the ego filled Hiranya. Contemplate his Divine Name.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

"Ayanam" meaning route. Uttarayanam means the direction that the Sun takes North or South for Dakshinayanam.

Nama Article 14th January 2014

 

Wish you all a very happy Pongal / Makara Sankaranti 


Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

In the Kshetram of Kumbakonam there is a separate shrine for Sri ChakrathAzhwar. Inside this temple we can see the Lord Suriyanarayanan, the Lord of light who showers his grace upon this world. For whom there is no greater light, this Lord Suriyanarayanan himself stands with folded hands inside the shrine of Sri ChakrathAzhwar. More than the tejas of Lord Suriyanarayana, the chakra in the hands of Perumal is more powerful. This side Sarangapani Aramudhan and on the other side the sannadhi of Sri ChakrathAzhwar. Since the Lord Suriyanarayana himself stands in front of Sri ChakrathAzhwar with folded hands this kshetram goes by the name of "Bhaskara Kshetram". Normally we speak about 2 ways, Uttarayanam and Dakshinayanam. "ayanam" meaning route. Thats why Ramayanam, ayanam meaning route and therefore Ramayanam meaning the route taken by Lord Sri Rama. This does not mean a road route but the path of Dharma taken up by Lord Sri Rama.

 

 Uttarayanam means the direction that the Sun takes North or South for Dakshinayanam. When we say these two we say Krishnapaksham or Shuklapaksham. If we take Rama Krishna avataram we can see a difference. Ramar was born in the daytime and Krishnar was born in the night. At midnight 12am was the avataram of Lord Sri Krishna. Ramar was born in Uttarayana and Krishna was born in Dakshinayana. The word Krishnam meaning black, thats why we talk of Theypirai or Krishnapaksham. Shuklam means bright. Thats why we we talk of Valarpirai we say Shukla paksham. For the child Sri Rama, Sage Vishwamithra takes him to face the three enemies namely Mareechan, Subhahu and tAtakai. Similarly the child Sri Krishna faced the three enemies Trinavarta, Shakata and Poothana. We see the similarities here. Lord Sri Rama tells about his charithram briefly to Soorpanaka in the same manner in the Srimad Bhagavatham the story of muchupanthan is told briefly. These are the similarities between the two avatarams.

 

In the Srimad Bhagavadgita, the Lord says that the Yogis leave their lives behind during the time of the Uttarayana and attain my world. The reason is the atma of the uttamars takes up the path of light and the atma of those who have sinned take up the path of darkness.

 

Srimad Bhagavatam (1:9:29, 30):

 

धर्मं प्रवदतस् तस्य स कालः प्रत्युपस्थितः

यो योगिनश् छन्द-मृत्योर् वाञ्छितस् तूत्तरायणः

तदोपसंहृत्य गिरः सहस्रणीर् विमुक्त-सङ्गं मन आदि-पूरुषे

कृष्णे लसत्-पीत-पटे चतुर्-भुजे पुरः स्थिते'मीलित-दृग् व्यधारयत्

 

While he was thus discoursing on Dharma, there arrived the time Uttarayana, when the Sun changes its course towards the north – a time which is coveted by Yogis who drop their body according to their pleasure. There upon that man who spoke on different subjects of Dharma with thousands of meanings and who fought on thousands of battle fields and protected thousands of man stopped speaking and being completely free from all bondage with drew his mind from everything else and fixed his wide open eyes upon the original personality of godhead Shri Krishna who stood before him four handed dressed in yellow garments that glittered and shined.

 

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Which is THE BEST DHARMA?

 

Nama Kirtan is the King of all Dharmas and is not dependent on any other Dharma for its existence

 

One who Chants the Divine Name should be like a farmer

 

Worship Narayana. Worship Him through Nãmasankirtanam. If you follow this Dharma you will reap the benefit of having followed all Dharma. This is the best of all Dharma.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Monday, January 13, 2014

Those of you who seek Krishna's feet, meditate on his Name; with complete faith on the Lord.

Nama Article 13th January 2014

 

திருவாய் மொழி -  நம்மாழ்வார்

கண்ணன் கழலிணை நண்ணும் மனமுடையீர்

எண்ணும் திருநாமம் திண்ணம் நாரணமே.

 

Thiruvai mozhi - Nammaazhwar

 

Those of you who seek Krishna's feet, meditate on his Name; with complete faith on the Lord.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare


Saturday, January 11, 2014

But on special days, say - Vaikunta Ekădasi (a ‘punya kăla’- auspicious time) the Lord is worshipped all through the night.

Nama Article 12th January 2014

 

 

11th Jan to 19th Jan 2014 "Bhaktha Vijayam" Discourse by HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji – Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet – 6.30 PM onwards.

 

 

Today is Vaikunda Ekadasi

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Early in the morning we should wake up only with the name of 'HARI' on our lips - 'Munivargalum yogigalum Hari enra peraravam kettilayo' - sings Ăndăl. Our Smritis say that Mahălakshmi (consort of Lord Hari and goddess of wealth) rushes to the house where the sound of Hari Nămasankirtan is heard every (early) morning. Therefore, that house overflows with prosperity ('subhiksha').

 

Sadhus wake up early morning only with the name of HARI on their lips. After their ablutions, they chant stotrăs on Bhagavăn. They begin the day with Thiruvărădana (waking up the Lord-their puja murthi), then perform părăyana (reading of the Holy Book), perform Kirtan in the evening followed by dhyăna. This is the daily routine laid down for the Sadhus. In the evenings, they again perform nămasankirtan and finally 'dolotsava' (putting the Lord to bed).

 

The Shastras have laid the time for each - for dhyăna, for thiruvărădana, for părăyana. 'Sattvic' gods should not be worshipped at midnight. It is only 'dur devatăs' - (evil devatăs) who are worshipped at midnight. But on special days, say - Vaikunta Ekădasi (a 'punya kăla'- auspicious time) the Lord is worshipped all through the night. But, regular worship of 'Sattvic' gods is performed only at the prescribed time and never at midnight.

 

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

'Upa văsam' means to be (live) near Bhagavăn. Similarly, mere fasting on Vaikunta Ekădasi is of no use. Along with the fast one should meditate on Bhagavăn

 

By fasting, your mind becomes calm. It is easier to contemplate on God in a calm mind than in a tumultuous mind.

 

On auspicious days like Ekadasi people go on the streets singing the Divine Name of the Lord. This is called 'Nagara Sankirtan'. The Divine Name is spread in this manner especially in the Tamizh month of 'MArgazhi' [mid-December to mid-January]

 

When we fast and don't eat we should keep feeding our mouth with a tastier thing of Chanting His Divine Names and speaking about His glories by engaging ourselves in Japa, Bhajan and reading our scriptures.

 

 

Performance of Nama kirtan during auspicious days will destroy these ten sinful errors

 

Every Ekadasi Akanda Namakirtan (Chanting Mahamantra from 6 am to 6 pm is done in most of our Namadwaars)

 

 

 

On auspicious days like Ekadasi people go on the streets singing the Divine Name of the Lord.

 

Every day in Marghazhi month and on Sundays people go on the streets singing the Divine Name of the Lord in all Namadwaars and GOD Satsangs

 

 

 

Every Saturday and on every Ekadasi people would get together in this Bhajan mutt/hall and do Bhajan [Nama Sankirtan], i.e. sing the Divine Names of the Lord.

 

Every week people in hundres of GOD satsangs across the globe join and sing the Divine Names of the Lord

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare