Pollachi Jayam Patti's blessed Godavari Pushkarani Snanam! It is here in 2015...

Once I was in Andhra Pradesh to have His darshan. After 2 or 3 days I told Him I wanted to go home and requested Him to give me Prasadam. He said, "Stay for one more day and leave tomorrow!" No more words from me! Paanaampettai Kannan, His Kaingaryam, also wanted to leave with me that day. He refused him too.
The next day, we got up very early and all of us started to walk with Him to the Godavari river. He walked up to the Koti Lingam temple by the banks and started to climb the steps into Godavari. We followed.

As usual, He drew a Chakra on the waters and had a dip! We also had our dips immediately!
And then He told me, "Do you know why I asked you not to leave yesterday? Today is Godavari Pushkarani Day. Kannan, you also wanted to go yesterday to do Hiranya Sraartham for your ancestors. But all of you who had snanams with Me now, all your deceased Ancestors' souls have transcended today as a result your Snanams in Holy Godavari! So it is not necessary to do any Sraarthams at all. But you may do it for your own satisfaction!"

Shankara.

After the snanams we came back to the Mutt. He completed all the Poojas by 9 am. He called me aside and said, "You wanted to go home yesterday, but if you had done so, would you have got the Bhagyam of today's snanam! That is why I did not allow you to go. Also, yesterday only Kannan would have escorted you. But today you have Natarajan (another Kaingaryam) also!!"
I was so innocent that I could not even tell Him, "When I have You, why do I need those two"!

*****

I am simply dumbfounded at Pollachi Jayam Patti's blessings. Shankara.

Godavari Pushkarani occurs once in 12 years.The pushkaram festival was last held in the year 2003. This year 2015 it is supposed to be between July 14th to July 25th, but please do check the exact dates with our Periyavas in Kanchi Matam.

Received a communication from Shri D Sivasubramanian of Kanchi Matam that Puskara Pravesham is on July 14th, 2015 at 6.26 am and ending on July 25th, 2015 until Surya asthamam on that day.

This year Pushkarams is called Maha Kumbhamela, which occurs once in 144 years. The first 12 days of Godavari pushkaram is called Aadhi pushkaram and the last 12 days of Godavari pushkaram is called Anthya pushkaram. These 24 days are very pious to devotees,as pushkaradu travels during these days. 

During Godavari pushkaram pilgrims from all over the country will have a holy dip with the belief that they would be relieved from all sins, and perform rituals to departed souls.It is believed that during pushkaram all deities and rishies take holy dip, a holy dip in Godavari which will enhance one's spritual, mental and physical abilities. 

"But all of you who had snanams with Me now, all your deceased Ancestors' souls have transcended today as a result your Snanams in Holy Godavari! So it is not necessary to do any Sraarthams at all!"

Like Swamigal has said above, please do not miss this golden opportunity to have a Dip and be blessed!

"There is a surprise awaiting you!"

Jan 31st, 2015 was easily one of the happiest days of my life.

Four days prior to that date, there was a mail from one Anila Thomas at office to the Indians Mailing list, requesting if anyone knew a good cook who can make 50 Rotis and a non-vegetarian Biryani for 40 people. She wanted the food to be delivered to her home in Foster City, which is about 30 miles away from my place.

Nothing unusual about the mail, it was a routine request. But what was not routine was, it was the first time I replied to such emails! 

Before replying to the email I called up Rachana and asked if she would be willing to make 50 Rotis for my office person. She was very happy to do it, but she excused herself saying she will not be able to drive that far to Foster City to deliver the food. It was understandable. 

Well, who is Rachana?

I replied to Anila (who, by the way, was not my acquaintance that time), saying my wife's friend Rachana Sharma is a good cook. That she was suffering in a bad marriage. That her husband had deserted her and her two children. That their divorce proceedings were afoot. That she was managing the household somehow, by cooking at other people's homes etc. And that she can make the 50 Rotis. And I wrote something which I have never done before in my life: I told Anila that I will drive to her home and deliver the food! (Anila's home was approximately 30 miles from my Apartment).

Her situation is much worse than what I had written, and I will leave it there. Rachana is originally from Madhya Pradesh. Concerned for her, my wife had even advised her to do a Suvasini Pooja; she helped and guided her to do the pooja approximately three months back! And per advice of Kanchi Swamigal, my wife suggested that Rachana recite Shiva Sahasranamam so that problems in a family are alleviated.

Moved by my email, Anila replied to me within 2 hours, saying she would love to place a bigger order with Rachana, for an appetizer, a vegetable curry and the rotis! Two days later Anila called up Rachana and altered the order, now for a much bigger one!

This time it was for:

--- Vegetable biryani - 1 full tray

--- Muttar paneer - half tray
--- Kheer - half tray
--- 60 Rotis

--- Pakoras -1 full tray

Shankara!

The above order was modestly priced by Rachana at $173 US dollars. 

Saturday January 31st had arrived. My wife and myself went to Rachana's home at 4 pm.  (Not sure how long she can call that home, as plans are in place by her husband to sell it). We carefully loaded the aromatic trays of the food in our car and started for Foster City. I have never driven so slowly in my life! As I wanted the food to be intact and not spill. It was as if a new born baby was in the car.

Reached Anila's place by 5 pm. Carefully took all the trays and placed them on the kitchen counter in her house. This was the first time I am meeting Anila. She is a Malayali Christian and she said there was a prayer meeting that evening at her place and that is why she ordered the food! 

Now here is how an act of kindness is contagious and how it spreads.

Despite being a non-vegetarian she cared enough to place a full vegetarian order with Rachana! And when I was about to leave, Anila gave me $200 US dollars, 27 more than what the order was priced at!

My wife and self  were on cloud 9, flush with happiness. True Happiness. While driving back I was telling my wife that I wanted to taste Rachana's food. And that when we plan to go to a restaurant next time, we must skip that and instead order the food from Rachana. But we will tell her that the food is for someone else, for only then she will accept the money from us.

We came to Rachana's place and handed her over the $200 dollars. "Please, 200 dollars is a lot of money for me", she said. I said, it was Anila's way of showing her kindness. She said she earns $400 to $600 per month by making food, but now she got $200 in just one day! Very rarely have I seen a more contented and happy face, that was on Rachana. And then I broke away from my plan and told Rachana that one day I wanted to taste her food. She gave me a knowing, joyful smile and said, "Go to your home and see. There is a surprise awaiting you!"

We rushed home. And on the table we saw a packet of Muttar Paneer, a packet of Biryani and a portion of Kheer. Given the context of the whole thing, they had never tasted better!

Let us live for others, without expecting anything in return. It is pure, unalloyed happiness. And kindness spreads. These are not mere empty words.

Shankara.

Chandi Pooja details (in English and Tamil)!

Those of us who want to have phalan of Chandi Homam without doing any sacrifice, we can perform a following pooja with only pooja dravyams and a deepam with 13 mukham. This pooja I learnt from a Shree Vidya Upasaka Shri Venkatesha shastrigal who had His adhyayanam from our Kanchi Matam.

To drive away all the bad spirit, bad vibration around us Chandala Sumangali dosham and have the full blessings of Chandi Devi who is in roudra (full of anger) as she destroys all the demons in the universe to give peace and harmony to the people , we perform this pooja. All cannot perform Homam as it needs a lot of preparation and time too. For this Devi mahamtyam which describes Devi's destruction of all asuras can be chanted with a good pandit who is well versed in Sanskrit , followed with a Deepa puja chanting Lalitha sahasranamam by 10 sumangalis doing Archana too.

Devimahatmyam consists of 3 parts, Kavacham, Keelakam and Argala being the 1st part that is the preface, 2nd part being the main 13 chapters 700 shlokas in which 4th and 11 th are Devi sthuti and the rest all vadham (destruction) of Asuras that all we know. The 3rd part is Pradhanya rahasyam, Vaikrutika rahasya and moorthi rahasyam and to end with Devi kshama prarthana (begging pardon of Devi for what all mistakes we did while doing pooja and chanting.

The pooja thus starts with Ganapathi pooja and Book Devimahatmyam. Place a very big Deepam with 13 mukha and ghee full , decorated with flowers ornaments and a small skirt so as to look like a girl. Prepare 13 different offerings(naivadyam) like chitrannam, vadai, sarkarai pongal panchamrutam, panakam, different kinds of fruits and so on. Invite 10 Sumangalis , do pada puja to them and shodasopachara to those ladies. Do aavahanam of Devi in the Deepam. When the Pandit is doing parayanam each chapter ends do a neivadyam and Harathi. In this way we can offer 13 types of offerings to Devi.

When the parayanam is done start with Sahasranama archana with kumkumam by all the 10 ladies starts. finally offer Suddhannam, Panakam coconut, betel leaves with nut ,milk with haldi(manjal) elaichi powder and sugar. With Harathi and prostration the Devi pooja ends. Then serve food for the ladies invited with utter dedication. Do prostration and circumbulation to the ladies and do Harathi too. Provide them with all mangala dravyams like betel leaves, nuts, manjal 5 in counts coconut and fruits and blouse piece or saree whichever possible .

13 Mukhams lit in the Deepam represent 13 main chapters . For sumangalis at the end of puja mehandi (marutani) also must be given along with other mangala dravyams.

Thus the elaborate pooja comes to an end. This way you can please Devi in rudra roopam and get rid of all the hurdles in your life and the bad spirits around us. This way I follow as per Venkatesha Shastrigal's advice. I have suggested people around me and some of them followed this.

Please click on this link for details in Tamil: Chandi Pooja details in Tamil

Devi sharanam.

Ya Devi sarva bhutheshu Mathru roopena samstitha Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha||

*****
Thanks a bunch to Saraswathi Thygarajan Mami for meticulously compiling the pooja details!

"Bhajare Gurunatham" --- Song on Mahaperiyava, composed by Periyava

The song Bhajare Gurunatham was composed by Sri Periyava, within a couple of months of Sri Mahaperiyava attaining Maha Samadhi. We (me, my brothers and sisters) were witnesses to HIS composing the lines. He just dictated the lines to a devotee and taught us to sing it in the same tune as Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra's "Bhajare Yadunatham" set to Misra Peelu raaga and Adi tala (by Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer). Initilally, He always asked us to sing "Bhajare Yadunatham" first and then "Bhajare Gurunatham", so that we got the tune correct.

The above was narrated by a Devotee, I forget who.

Bhajare Gurunaatham, maanasa bhajare gurunaatham 
Bhasma rudraakshaadi alankruta sareeram 
Bilva maalaadi alankruta siraskam 
Bhajare Gurunaatham maanasa bhajare gurunaatham 

Manthra mahaamani manthra swaroopam 
Pranava payodhara pranava swaroopam,pranava swaroopam 
Bhajare Gurunaatham maanasa bhajare gurunaatham 

Mandahaasa mukham mandaaksha veekshanam 
Raajaadhi raajam jagadguru roopam kaamakoti roopam 
Bhajare Gurunaatham maanasa bhajare gurunaatham


Here it is in Shri T.M. Krishna's melodious voice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqQsh6nzRb8


Here is my crude translation with help from others:

*****

Oh Mind, chant the name of the Guru
The One whose body is decorated with Rudraksham beads and Vibhuti Holy Ash
The One on whose Head adorns Vilvam Leaves

The One who is the Form of the Holy Manthras
The One who is the embodiment of Omkara. He is Pranava himself like the water-bearing cloud.

The One whose Face is enveloped in Bliss
The One who is King of Kings
The One who is the Jagadguru
The One who is Kamakoti!
Oh Mind, chant the name of the Guru


*****

Sringeri's New Bala Periyava!

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Sri Guru Pahimam - Paramadhayalo Pahimam!

Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peethadhipati Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati 

Tirtha Mahaswamigal has announced His Shishya Sweekara. Sri Kuppa Venkatesha 

Prasada Sharma to be His Uttaradhikari - the successor-designate to the Dakshinamnaya 

Sri Sharada Peetham. He will be the 37th Acharya in the Sringeri  lineage of Acharyas. He 

is 22 years Aged. He had his school education at Hyderabad,and then studied at Veda 

Patashala at Tirupathi. For the last 5 years He is in Sringeri and expertised on Sasthras, 

Thargam, Meemamsam etc.,

His parents are Sri Siva Subramanya Avadhanigal and Smt Sita Nagalakshmi.The would-

be Acharya's parents and family are very well known to Kanchi Periyavas. He 

used to fluently chant 'Atharvana Veda' during the present Sringeri Acharya's 

chathurmasya stay in Madras couple of years ago.The present Swamiji's parents (along 

with their Son before becoming Sanyasi) have done Pada Puja to HH Sri Mahaperiyava 

when HH toured AP with HH Pudhu Periayava.

Brahmachari Sri Kuppa Venkateshwara Prasada Sharma was born in Tirupati in 1993 to Sri 

Kuppa Shivasubrahmanya Avadhani and Smt. Seetha Nagalakshmi. He belongs to the 

Kaundinya Gotra and is a native of Anantavaram, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. The 

Brahmachari had his Upanayanam at the age of five and began his first lessons in Krishna 

Yajur Veda under his grandfather and Yajur Vedic scholar, Sri Kuppa Ramagopala 

Vajapeyayaaji. He continued his Vedic education up to Krishna Yajur Veda Kramanta under 

his illustrious father, who is currently serving as Principal of TTD Veda Pathashala in 

Tirumala and as Project Officer in Dharma Prachara Parishad managed by TTD.

Born in a family of disciples of the Sringeri Jagadguru, the Brahmachari had accompanied 

his father while the latter had come to Sringeri to participate in Dharmic activities in the 

years 2006, 2008 and 2009. The Darshan of Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji 

during these visits made a profound impact on the Brahmachari. The Brahmachari 

expressed his desire of studying Shastras directly under the Jagadguru in early 2009. With 

the blessings and consent of Jagadguru Mahaswamiji, the Brahmachari took refuge under 

His Lotus Feet of the in June 2009. Under the tutelage of the Jagadguru, the Brahmachari 

mastered the Sanskrit language. Then, the Jagadguru Himself taught the Brahmachari the 

entire Tarka Shastra. The Brahmachari is endowed with Guru Bhakti, scholarship in the 

Vedas and Shastras, adherence to tradition and dispassion.

Sishya sweekaram is slated to be on Jan 22nd and Jan 23rd, and Sanyasa day is on Jan 

23rd, 2015 at Sringeri!. The next 3 days are the 125th year celebrations of Sringeri 

Patashala which was started by His Holiness Sri Sri Sachidananda Shivabinava Narasimha 

Bharathi Mahaswamigal.

All are requested to attend the function and obtain the Graces of the Acharyas and be 

blessed!

He is Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji now!

.

Sri Guru Pahimam

Paramadayalo Pahimam

Sringeri Jagathguru Pahimam

Bharathi Theertha Pahimam!

*****

Source Sringeri.net and many others in Facebook.

"He signalled me to sit down!"

Over 20 years ago, I had a short stint in the tinsel world as a motorcycle stuntman and an actor. Just before the completion of the shooting of my first film in which I acted, I had a major road accident and suffered very serious injuries. It was Divine Grace that prevented my soul from departing my body at that time. I would not like to say much about my injuries because my description of them may tend to turn graphic and gory. Thanks to the blessings, love and support of my family and friends, I could stand up and move around a bit about 4 months after the accident. I completed the work and the film was released to become a hit. After the release of the film, which was my first one as an actor, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had fans and followers.

Among them was a young man from Kanchipuram. He was from the IT field but he was very closely connected to the Kanchi Mutt. After coming to know about my modest but spiritual family background, he asked me one day, if I would be interested in meeting the Sankaracharyas of Kanchi. He told me that if my destiny would support me, I would not only get to have the darshan of the Mahaperiyava, Nadu Periyava and Chinna Periyava, but also get to speak with Them. As I worked in the film industry, my friend was somehow a bit hesitant while he proposed his idea to me. This was because he was unsure of my own spiritual leanings. He was pleased when I immediately agreed and asked him when we could go to Kanchipuram. We lived in Madras then. He then quickly went into his room and made a few calls and told me that we could leave for Kanchi at 5 AM the following morning. That was unbelievable! I thanked my Karma.

The next day we reached the Mutt and my friend took me inside. He led me straight to the area where Chinna Periyava was seated. My friend introduced me to the young sage and briefed Him about me and my interesting profession. Chinna Periyava , my friend and I spoke about general topics. After having spent an hour there, we walked to another section of the Mutt and we saw Nadu Periyava there. My friend introduced me to Him too and I sought his blessings. Deep in my mind I was longing to see Mahaperiyava and I strongly believed that I would be seeing him that day. But I was not destined to see Him that day. My friend told me that due to various reasons, it would not be possible to meet Mahaperiyava and that we had to return to Madras without his darshan.

My friend told me, ‘varuthap padaadheengo Anna, dhyaanam pannungo, azhaippu kandippaaga varum’ and we returned to Madras. During the drive back, I visualised myself sitting at the feet of Mahaperiyava and him blessing me with both his hands.

A week after that, I started to notice unpleasant symptoms in my nasal area and palate. One of the injuries I had in the accident was a broken palate and jawbones. Little bone fragments that were dislodged had remained in the sinuses and nasal septum and they caused infection. My face was swollen and I could feel the infection. It was terrible. As I said, I will not describe beyond this. The specialist gave me a date for the surgery. I stood at a point from where I could even see the ladder of success in my new career in the film world. But I also knew that infection inside the face near such sensitive areas could be dangerous and it could destroy my face forever.

My friend from Kanchi suggested that we went to the Mutt at the earliest to seek the blessings of Mahaperiyava. My parents had made a vow to visit Tirupati after I was saved from the risk that I was suffering from. That night, I meditated upon Mahaperiyava and pleaded Him to bless me and save my life, which was about to be ruined right at the beginning of my career and my life as a youth.

My friend rang my doorbell early the following morning and we along with my parents and sister, left for Kanchi. We arrived at the Mutt and we walked in. That experience, that feeling of my heart racing, my longing to see Mahaperiyava, my devotion and my strong faith gave me a dream like feeling.

This time we could go straight to Mahaperiyava, while my parents and sister waited outside. I was taken deep inside the Mutt. There I saw Him for the first time in flesh and blood, he was about 97 years old. What a divine feeling I experienced around Him! I felt as if I was about to meet God. I felt very nervous. On one hand the fear caused by the infection that I was suffering from, and on the other, coming to terms with the reality that I was actually standing there in such proximity to the one and only living Sage, the Great Paramaacharya! He was getting ready to step out to see the hundreds of devotees who had gathered outside. But He signalled me to sit down. I sat down at His feet and it was almost exactly as I had visualised during my previous drive back to Madras! My friend whispered my problem to Nadu Periyava and he communicated it to Mahaaswamy.

Paramacharya asked me, ‘Un peyar enna?’ I told Him my name and He asked me for my father’s name. ‘Engappa peyar Venkatakrishnan’, I said. My friend explained to him again the seriousness of the infection that I had. His Holiness closed His eyes for few seconds, put His hand into a cloth bag beside Him and took an apple out of it. He raised both his hands and blessed me as I prostrated before Him. He dropped the apple into my cupped hands that I held out. I was choked with emotion. Paramaacharya said to me ‘Deergaayushmaan bhava, kavalai padaadhey’, and He left to give his darshan to his devotees waiting outside.

We returned to Madras thrilled and excited. I went for the surgery in a few days that followed and the bone fragments were removed by the surgeon. It’s now been 23 years since then and I live a healthy life!

The friend who actually took me to the Ashram lost contact with me over the years. I guess it was his Karma to lead me (as per my Karma) to the feet of the Great Sage of Kanchi. I must have collected some amazing positive Karma during my previous lifetime.

Mahaperiyava is always there for his devotees. Contemplating upon him with total concentration for about 15 minutes is enough to mentally connect a true devotee to Sage of Kanchi.

I am still looking for my friend. Shankaranarayanan is his name.

Om Namah Shivaya.

*****

Sarveshwara. What Bhakhi to have realized even in those days itself, that Swamigal was a
Living God! How beautifully narrated and what infinite blessings. Unfathomable, really!

"I was shocked when He immediately recognized me!"

Raja told me that once my brother (Shri L Vaidyanathan) took him to Mookambika. My

brother used to go there regularly. My brother told him, 'Even though you do not believe in 

God, you just accompany me once!'.


Raja told me once he stepped in, something happened to him and he felt some vibrations. 

Even though he was already a composer by that time, post his visit, there was a big change 

and transition in his compositions. From then on, everything he composed clicked with the 

public and his life changed. Raja then also went to Tiruvannamalai and he told me that after 

going there, whatever questions he had, got answered. Raja became completely spiritual 

and used to go to these two places from that time onwards. Raja has been one of my 

closest friends.


Once he came to my concert and told me:

'Tomorrow, I am going to meet all three Shankaracharyas. Would you like to come?'

I went with him and that is the first time I met all three of Them together. I had once played 

for the senior Shankaracharya many years back and I was shocked when He looked at me 

and immediately recognised me!


Raja and me sat with Him in the dark with just a little candle for a lot of time and Raja also 

contributed to the building of His Gopuram (top part of the Srirangam temple).


*****

Source: Times of India

Narrated by eminent violinist Shri L Subramanian. 'Raja' is legendary music composer Shri 

Ilayaraja! The occasion was, when for the first time in the history of the Sri Kanchi Matam, 

the three Acharyas performed Vyasa puja at Kurnool in the year 1983.

Shri L Subramanian was honoured with the title 'Tantri Nada Mani' by Kanchi Kamakoti 

Peetham, Kanchipuram in 2009