Friday, February 27, 2009

SVS 258 [Sadhu: 244] (26.7)

244. OM SADHAVE NAMA:
Fulfills any desire of devotees.

Sri Keerti Narayana temple has to be appreciated in detail and so one should not be in a hurry. Both the Lord and Sri Thayar are large icons with splendid sculpture. Seeing the temple, we can imagine how grandly festivals must have been celebrated in ancient times. Sadhu normally is used to denote either harmless person or ignorant person. But here Swami Parasara Bhattar is using it to denote the simplicity of the Lord to carry out the desires of devotees. Dasaratha deputed Sri Rama and Lakshmana, along with sage Viswamitra to protect the yagna performed by Viswamitra at Siddhasrama, for Six days. After the successful completion of the yagna, Sri Rama and Lakshmana, with folded hands, prayed Viswamitra to order any other service to be performed, as They claimed to be his servants! He went all the way to Duryodana, to plead for Pandava's share. When Duryodana asked Sri Krishna, Who He was, He replied that He was the Messenger of Pandavas! He did not mention that He was the Almighty or King of Dwaraka. For the sake of His devotees He would come down to any level!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

SVS 257 [Satkarta - 242, Satkruta: -243] (26.5, 26.6)

242. OM SATKARTRE NAMA: सत्कर्त्रे नम:
Supports sadhus or noble devotees.

243. OM SATKRUTAYA NAMA: सत्कृताय नम:
Worshiped by Sadhus.

There was a King ruling from Srirangapatna and the Queen was highly devoted to the Lord there. Every ornament was donated by her. It seems even the pearl of the nose ring of Sri Thayar was bigger than a lemon! When the King died, enemies tried to loot the Kingdom and Queen fled; but being a woman she could not go far off and when she was cornered, she committed suicide in Kaveri; but before that she cursed that the enemy King should not have any heirs and that Talakkad should turn into a desert. This is even now evident.





Sri Moolavar is large with Dasavatara sculpted around.
Satkarta means the Lord worships His noble devotees. In Gita He says Gyani is His atma! In Srimad Ramayana, when sages came to worship Him, He said He was duty bound to protect them. It was because of sages' meditation that Kings were prospering. He worshiped Kuchela and Akrura. Once Narada went to see the Lord in Dwaraka. There He had Thousands of wives! In every house he saw the Lord with one wife. In one house He was doing pooja and Narada found the Lord was worshiping the dust from the feet of His noble devotees!

SVS 256 [Viswabhugvibhu: - 241] (26.4)

242. OM VISHWABHUGVIBHAVE NAMA: विश्वभुग्विभवे नम:
Pervades and protects entire Universe.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2611648629_23efb81df6.jpg









Keerti Narayana temple is very important place in Talakkad, Karnataka. Like Srirangapatna, it has a very hoary historical background. Its sculptures are very famous. Due to the curse of a Queen, this place has become a sandy desert. Swamy Ramanuja had worshiped here. This temple had been taken over by Government and renovation works are going on, after about Ten years. The Lord is a large icon in standing pose with discus, conch and mace. The Lord pervades all without exception. Like ghee is invisible in milk, the Lord is within us. To get ghee, milk has to undergo many transitions and processes. Similarly, to view the Lord in us we have to undergo a detailed process! Purusha sooktam tells this. By clearly understanding the 16 riks in Purusha sooktam, we can clearly understand. In pralayam, all lose images and names. Later in creation, everything gets image and name.

Friday, February 20, 2009

SVS 255 [Viswasrug - 240] (26.3)

240. OM VISHVASRUJE NAMA: विश्वस्रुजे नम:
Created Universes.

Today's [20th February 2009] lecture is also from Hembige, where sage Mrugaseersha, meditated. In the main sannidhi are Two palm held idols of Lord Sri Narasimha, which were obtained while digging the premises for construction works. One is Sri Yoga Narasimha and the other is a rare standing Sri Narasimha with Ubhaya Nacchiyars, and with abhaya and varada hastham! The Archakas show these tiny idols outside the garbhagruha, to the devotees. It is an ancient temple very well maintained. Swami Adi Shankar has counted this divine name as Viswadruk, meaning He is above all, including lords Brahma and Shiva. Swami Parashara Bhatta, on the other hand, counts this as Viswasruj, meaning the Lord creates the Universe out of compassion [dayaदया]. Swami Desika says that without daya, all other qualities of the Lord are of no use to us! During pralayam, all atman are subtle and are like achetanam. Then the Lord out of mercy on us, gives us bodies so that we can do good work and perform bhakti and reach the Lord!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

SVS 254 [Prasannatma - 239] (26.2)

239. OM PRASANNATMANE NAMA: प्रसन्नात्मने नम:
Always clear minded without love or hatred.

WE are in Hembige. Great Acharyas like Kozhiyalam Swami [கோழியாலம் சுவாமி] lived in this place for many years. Many Acharyas of Srimad Andavan Ashramam have performed Chaturmasa sankalpam here. Swami Vedanta Desika's son Swami Kumara Varadacharya aka Swami Naynacharya, established Swami Desika's idol here as he did in Thanjavur in Vennatrankarai temple. Suprasada means blessing well. Compassion is His hallmark. The Lord feels that people do not pray Him for greater things like moksham, but smaller benefits only. He is ready to offer anything for His devotees. He is so happy if His devotees come to Him, that is prasannatma!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

SVS 253 [Suprasada: - 238] (26.1)

238. OM SUPRASADAYA NAMA: ॐ सुप्रसादाय नम:
Profusely blesses devotees.

We are at Hemmige Kshetram [http://www.karnatakavaishnavatemples.net/Mysore/Hemmige.htm] near Nanjangud in Mysore district, Karnataka. It is perhaps deformed name of Hemambuja Nayika puram. It is on Kaveri. Lord is SRi Varadaraja and Sri Thayar is Sri Perundevi. Some noble persons from Kanchi arrived and established this agraharam, afyter enchanted by the beauty of the place. King helped and granted the place. Onr great woman devotee was Hemembuja Nayaki, and this place was named after her.


Suprasada means abundantly gifts. Prasadam means not merely the eatables distributed after offering to the Lord; but it means His blessings. In temples we should eat Prasadams, without spoiling the sanctity and cleanliness of the temple and surroundings. Even to Sisupala, with such a wicked mind, was granted Moksham, suprasadam!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

SVS 252 [Anilo - 236, Dharanidhara: - 237] (25.7,25.8)

236. OM ANILAYA NAMA: अनिलाय नम:
He is like wind, the sustainer.


237. DHARANIDHARAYA NAMA: धरणीधराय नम:
Supports all, like Earth.

T.Narasimhapura is considered at least a 'kundhumani [குந்துமணி]' measure more sacred than Kasi. Therefore, the Lord is called Sri Kunja Narasimhaswamy [ஸ்ரீ குஞ்சா நரஸிம்ஹ சுவாமி]! Lord Shiva has a temple here as in Kasi. In vahni the Lord was said to be like fire and now in anila, the Lord is like wind! Pranavayu is essential for sustaining. Thus He is the sustainer for the Universe. Wind gets its power from the Lord. Upanishads say that wind blows as per His command. Sun shines on His command. In Sri Varaha Avatara, He supported Mother Earth. We have to remember this while adding Thiruman on our forehead and on our body.

AvarthanO nivruthAthmA samvrthah sampramardanah | ahah samvarthakO vanhir anilO dharaNeedharah ||(25)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

SVS 251 [Vahni: - 235] (25.6)

235. OM VAHNAYE NAMA: वह्नये नम:
Supports everyone.

Thalaikkadu Narasimhapura, gives slightly more punya than attained in Kasi. This temple is more than Thousand years old. Due to carelessness of devotees, the place is polluted. Should not the offerings be cleared and keep the place clean? A washer man once dreamt, thousand years back, and the Lord Sri Narasimha appeared and asked him to re-establish Him, available in the forest. When he expressed his difficulty to raise funds, the Lord told him to remove the stone on which he was daily washing the clothes. Next day morning the washer man got up and found a treasure below the washing stone and he built a temple for the Lord. He prayed for a boon to bathe in Triveni near Kasi; the Lord said He would bless him with slightly more if he bathed in this kshetram itself. Washer man is sculpted as prostrating to the Lord, on the entrance in Garbhagruha. Like in Kanchi, a lizard is sculpted and touching it removes our sins. Vanhi normally denotes fire and also a tree. But vahni here means supporter or sustainer. The Lord sustains the Universe. Thread in a Pearl necklace supports all the pearls, but is invisible. All wonders of the world are sustained by the Lord, invisibly. From vahni is derived vahanam.

SVS 250 [Ahasamvartako - 233] (25.5)

233. OM AHASAMVARTAKAYA NAMA: अहसम्वर्तकाय नम:
Rotates the Time wheel, consisting of days, etc.

We are in T.Narasimhapura in Karnataka, about 30 KMs from Mysore. A small but very powerful temple. The temple is in shambles and many great persons were born here. Three rivers converge here, like Triveni - Kaveri, Kapila and Antarvahini rivers. It resembles Allahabad Triveni. Lord is Sri Lakshminarasimha. Since this place is more sacred than Triveni in North at least by a gram, the Lord displays a 'kundhumani [குந்துமணி]'! The Lord is beyond time. He can not be perceived by time or place or material. He is in every place, always and in all objects. We can not remain simultaneously at two places. In Vaikuntam, time is not a factor. Our actions are dominated by time. Aha means day time.

SVS 249 [Sampramardana: - 233] (25.4)

233. OM SAMPRAMARDANAYA NAMA: सम्प्रमर्दनाया नम:
Removes illusion from His devotees.

In Gunaseelam, the Lord is Sri Prasanna Venkatesa. On February 21 and 22, Sahasranama Yagna is being performed. Mardana means destroying. The Lord destroys the darkness of ignorance. A worm living in bitter neem seed, will not be able to live on sweet like badam halwa! Similarly, we are in ignorance for many, many years; and, so we do not understand advices of elders that easily! The Lord only can remove this darkness. Along with our education, we should ensure that our children know our sanathana dharma. This ignorance should be removed.

Friday, February 13, 2009

SVS 248 [Samvruta: - 232 continued] (25.3contd)

232. OM SAMVRUTAYA NAMA:

The Lord appeared to sage Gunaseela, who was meditating on the Lord Sri Prasanna Venkatesa. Normally, one is praised for one's qualities; but the qualities are praised for their presence in the Lord. He possesses infinite auspicious qualities. Seelam is His magnanimous quality of hiding all His greatness and moving with us to help and redeem us! Samvruta means well hidden. He has hidden His Supreme qualities and makes Himself available for ordinary persons like us to worship and benefit. Recently this temple at Gunaseelam has been renovated and so is bright with cleanliness. On 21st and 22nd February, 2009, a holy Yagna is to be performed at Gunaseelam. Earlier this Yagna was performed in Madurai city.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

SVS 247 [ Nivrutatma - 231 continued] (25.2 contd.)

231. OM NIVRUTATMANE NAMA:

Today [10th February 2009] is Thirumazhisai Alwar Thirunakshatram [birth day]. Today's lecture is from Gunaseelam, near Srirangam. The Lord here is Sri Prasanna Venkatesa [ஸ்ரீ பிரசன்ன வேங்கடேச பெருமாள்]. It is a prarthana Kshetram. It is in a very peaceful atmosphere and many persons suffering from mental disorders get their problems solved here, by worshiping the Lord. The Lord is not contaminated by the qualities of this Universe. He is detached from prakrutam. All in this Universe right from lord Brahma to tiny mosquitoes have to suffer because of contact with this Universe. Anything born will have to end one day. But these rules do not apply to the Lord as He is not born out of past Karma.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

SVS 246 [Nivrutatma - 231, Samvruta - 232] (25.2, 25.3)

231. OM NIVRUTATMANE NAMA: निवृतात्मने नम:
Possesses qualities beyond prakrutam related. That is with Divine qualities.

232. OM SAMVRUTAYA NAMA: संवृताय नम:
Hidden from fools and can not be perceived by them.

Lifco publishes not only books on religion but in other useful fields. People like Rajaji and Dr.CV Raman have praised publisher's dedication. Our body is made of prakrutam, that is the Five great elements -space, air, fire, water and earth. The Lord's body, on the other hand, is aprakrutam. But have not Sri Rama and Sri Krishna suffered like us? It is an illusion and the Lord never suffers like us. We are born because of our past karma; while the Lord is born out of His will and not due to any karma. Those with tamo qualities will never be able to realize Him. They will never understand His avatara!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

SVS 245 [Avartanao - 230] (25.1)

230. OM AVARTANAYA NAMA: ॐ आवर्तनाय नम:
Continuously rotates the samsaram cycle.

Avartana means turning. Lifco was a turning point in astikam, by publishing books on religion. Sri Sarmaji also contribute silver satari in more than 2500 Vishnu temples. Lifco has sold more tha 2.5 Million Tamil - English dictionaries. In the samsaram cycle happiness and sorrows are experienced. Cycle also represents birth-death cycle.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

SVS 244 [Sahasraksha: - 228, Sahasrapat - 229] (24.9. 24.10)

228. OM SAHASRAKSHAYA NAMA:
Possesses countless eyes.


229. OM SAHASRAPADE NAMA:
Possesses countless feet.

Aastikam is belief in existence of God. It is corruption of the Sanskrit word Aanmhikam, meaning discipline. Asti in Sanskrit is existence [of God]; opposite is naasti or non-existence [of God]. Following His directives is discipline. For this we have to follow elders' advice and rishis' preachings. This can not be achieved by mere going to Temples; we have to read many books. Lifco publishers are doing a great service in bringing out many valuable works in the print media. It was started about 80 years back and the founder Sri Sharmaji's centenary is being celebrated now. Lifco has revolutionised aastika experience!
Sahasraksha indicates the Lord has infinite eyes. Indra is called Sahasraksha; but here it indicates the Lord. During Sri Rama - Sri Sita marriage, both the Bride and Groom parties praise the beauty of the Couples. Mitila people say that Sri Rama needed Thousands of eyes every second to appreciate the beauty of Sri Sita!


agraNeer grAmaNeeh shreemAn nyAyO nethA sameeranaNah | sahasra-moordhA vishvAthma sahasrAkSHa sahasra-pAth || (24)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

SVS 243 [Viswatma - 227] (24.8)

227. OM VISWATMANE NAMA: विस्वात्माने नम:
Pervades entire Universe, by His Power of Gyana.





Main deity Sri Aprameya, graces with Sri Aravindanayaki Thayar. Corridors are decorated by beautiful sculptures and paintings. Swami Vidyaneswara, who wrote beautiful commentary on Yagyavalkya smruti, worshiped here before writing his commentary. Sri Krishna beckons us to visit this temple. By Viswatma it is meant that He pervades all over the Universe, with nothing not pervaded by Him! This is what Prahalada says to Hiranyakasipu. Swami Nampillai says that those not accepting His all pervading nature, would suffer like Hiranyakasipu! Viswatma also means He is the Antaratma of this Universe. By crawling all over Nandgaon [aayarpaadi ஆயர்பாடி], He proclaimed all were His property!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

SVS 242 [Sahasramoordha - 226] (24.7)

226. OM SAHASRAMOORDHNE NAMA: सहस्रमूर्ध्ने नम:
Has countless heads.



Sri Aprameya is the Sri Moolavar and Sri Utsavar. Couples desiring to have children come here and pray at Sri Ambekaal Krishna [ஸ்ரீ அம்பே கால் கிருஷ்ணன்]. Their requests are fulfilled immediately. Ambekaal means folded legs in crawling pose. It is a captivating sight and the Lord holds butter in one hand. He is so beautiful, that we feel like fondling Him! Sri Ambekaal Krishna sannidhi is behind Sri Aprameya sannidhi. Poet Purandara Dasa composed the famous Keertana 'Jagatodhaarana..' here on Sri Krishna. His power to bless children to couples is very famous. We pray all those experiencing this lecture to be blessed with all prosperity and children devoted to the Lord. Sahasra means Thousand; here it does not mean number but countless, like infinity. It is like thousands of couples were blessed with children. Sahasranamam does not mean the Lord has just thousand names. Thousand names were told by Bhishma. But there are more and it is said every syllable in Vedas can be interpreted to represent a Divine name of the Lord. In Sri Ambekaal Krishna, we see countless curls of hair on His head. In Sri Varahavatara, countless Universes were seen, every hair on His body was supporting one Universe! In Sri Krishna Avatar, He displayed thousands of pranks!

Monday, February 2, 2009

SVS 241 [Sameerana: - 225] (24.6)

225. OM SAMEERANAYA NAMA: सामीरणाय नम:
Displays finest Divine actions.

We are in Doddamallur, 60 KMs from Bangalore on the Bangalore-Mysore highway. The Lord is Sri Aprameya.


The temple is very well maintained. Sri Aprameya was the 46th Divine name and it means measureless gyana and eminence. It is a very prominent prartana sthala - for begetting children. Sri Thayar is Sri Aravindanayaki Thayar. The Lord came from Vaikuntam and continues to stay here! Sameerana means unimaginable actions. The Lord's every action is fascinating and awe inspiring! In the Matsya Avatar, a tiny fish became so large to be grown in Ocean - all in seconds! Even redeeming sinners like us is a wonder, that too in one second! The enchanting beauty of the Lord here is another wonder! He appears as we want! He resides in our filthy body! All these are wonders!