Thursday, April 30, 2009

SVS 309 [Jagatassetu: - 289] (31.6)

289. OM JAGATASSETAVE NAMA: जगतस्सेतवे नम:
Never fails to grant punya/papa to the World.

The Lord is reclining at Thiruvekkha [in Kanchi] as a check dam [anai அணை] or bridge [sethu सेतु]. Earlier, He was told as both medicine and Doctor. Here, He is the barrier between good and eveil things. When Saraswati came speedily as a river to spoil the Yagna performed by her husband Brahma, the Lord remained as a barrier and prevented the mishap. Thus He acted according to the prayers of Brahma. He is thus called Sri Yatoktakari [श्री यतोक्तकारि ] or Sri Sonna vannam seyyum Perumal [ஸ்ரீ சொன்ன வண்ணம் செய்யும் பெருமாள்]. This Kshetram is also not maintained neatly, by visitors. We lack the responsibility to preserve our heritage!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

SVS 308 [Aushadham - 288] (31.5)

288. OM AUSHADHAYA NAMA: औषधाय नम:
He is the cure for rebirths.

Srimad ramanuja charanou sharanam prabhatye Srimate ramanujaya nama:
In 2017, we would be fortunate to celebrate Swami Ramanuja's 1001st Birthday! We should follow his teachings and celebrate. Aushadham means medicine. For every disease there is a particular medicine. Similarly, there are medicines for rescuing from death, as we see Hanuman bringing Sanjivini to rescue Lakshmana. Alwar says the Lord is both medicine and Doctor. Swami Ramanuja was able to cure the disease caused to Vedas, by people who interpreted Vedas wrongly and made Vedas to suffer. Half baked people are more dangerous! While the Lord is Veda Vedyan [knows all Vedas], Swami Ramanuja is Veda Vaidyan [doctor for Vedas]!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

SVS 307 [Sureswara: - 287] (31.4)

287. OM SURESWARAYA NAMA: सुरेश्वराय नम:
Uplifts further, those on right path.


Swami Ramanuja wanted to seek Swami Periya Nambi and so he proceeded from Kanchi to Srirangam. At the same time Swami Periya Nambi proceeded from Srirangam to Kanchi to meet Swami Ramanuja! This is Divine act of the God and both accidentally met in Madurantakam. Here Swami Periya Nambi preached Swami Ramanuja, who is seen not with safron robes but ordinary white robes. Sureswara means the Lord encourages devotees on right path to go further up, to greater heights! If we follow Shastras, the Lord encourages. Swami Ramanuja wanted to follow the Lord's 'aaru vaarthai', and the Lord helped in bringing Swami Periya Nambi nearer to him! The Lord provides opportunities equally to all; but He encourages those following right path.

Monday, April 27, 2009

SVS 306 [Shashabindu: - 286] (31.3)

286. OM SHASHABINDAVE NAMA: शशबिन्दवे नम:
Destroys those treading evil path.

We are at Poovirundavalli popularly known as Poonamalle. Our country boasts of many noble persons. Swami Ramanuja told that all can reach Moksham, provided they had the following of good Acharya. Commentaries on Brahma sootram were made by Swami Ad Sankaracharya, Swami Ramanuja and Swami Madvacharya. The birth days of Swami Adi Sankara and Swami Ramanuja fall on the same day [this year it is on 29th April, 2009]. Swami Ramanuja got his doubts clarified through Swami Thirukkacchi Nambi, who was born in Poovirundavalli and who was gifted to converse with Lord Sri Varadaraja of Kanchipuram! He got the clarifications as:
  1. He, the Lord of Sri Lakshmi, is the Paratatvam or the God.
  2. Bhedam or difference in jeevatman and Paramatman, is the right philosophy.
  3. Prapatti or ultimate surrender to God, is the way for Moksham.
  4. Not necessary to remember God at the last moments [after doing prapatti].
  5. Moksham after soul leaves current body [for those having done prapatti].
  6. [Swami Ramanuja] to approach Swami Periya Nambi as Acharya.
These are called aaru varthai [ஆறு வார்த்தை] and are the backbone of Swami Ramanuja Sampradhaya. Shashabindu means removing evils. The Lord removes evils to rescue good. His main determination is to save bhaktas or good people, who had surrendered to Him. In the process, evil is removed.

Friday, April 24, 2009

SVS 305

It was repeat of lecture SVS 4, today [24th April, 2009].

Thursday, April 23, 2009

SVS 304 [Amrutamshudbhavo - 284, Bhanu: - 285] (31.1, 31.2)

284. OM AMRUTAMSHUDBHAVAYA NAMA: अम्रुताम्शूद्भवाय नम:
He is the origin of Moon, which originated from His mind.


285. OM BHANAVE NAMA: भानवे नम:
He grants brightness to Sun and other such luminous objects.

Sri Varaha grants us Gyana. Vedas say Moon originated from the mind of the Lord. Krishna indicates both Sri Varaha and Sri Krishna. While painting our forehead with Thiruman [திருமண்], we have to pray to Sri Bhudevi - Mother Earth, to protect us! There Sri Varaha is indicated by the word Krishna!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

SVS 303 [Bhaskaradhyuti: - 283] (30.8)

283. OM BHASKARADHUYTAYE NAMA: भास्करध्युतये नम:
Has the valour to dispel enemies, like darkness dispelled by the Sun.

Mahabalipuram is the birthplace of Boothathalwar. The Lord is reclining in the ground and so He is Sri Sthalasayana Perumal. Chandramshu indicated that the Lord is able to shower cool blessings like amrut! Bha means brilliance. Enemies are unable to bear His brilliance. Sri Rama was able to destroy 14,000 rakshasas in Janasthana. He was angry, when His devotees were harmed. Anger should be shown at appropriate place and time. Being angry always is not good. In sandyavandanam, we imagine the Lord to be at the core of the Sun! In Mahabalipuram also, like in Thiruppullani, sea bath [samudra snanam] can be had anytime. Many disputes are resolved by worshiping here.

Ojas-thejO-dyuthidharah prakAshAtmA prathApanah | Rddhah spaSHtAkSHarO manthrash-chandrAmshur-bhAskara-dyuthih || (30)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

SVS 302 [Chandramshur - 282] (30.7)

282. OM CHANDRAMSHAVE NAMA: चंद्राम्शावे नम:
Like the Moon, He showers prosperity on His devotees and delights them.

The Lord is gracing as Sri Sthalasayana Perumal in Thirukkadalmallai [திருக் கடல்மல்லை], popularly known as Mahabalipuram. When we come to this place from Chennai, we come across another Kshetram, Thiruvidavendai [திரு இடவெந்தை], where the Lord is Sri Varaha aka Sri Nitya Kalyana Perumal. In Mahabalipuram, near the main sannidhi is another sannidhi of Thiruvalavendai [திரு வலவெந்தை]. He is also called Sri Gyanapiran [ஸ்ரீ ஞானப் பிரான்].



In Thiruvidavendhai, the Lord Sri Varaha is holding Sri Bhudevi on His left hand, while as Thiruvalavendhai, He is holding Her in His right hand! Chittirai - Utthirattadhi [சித்திரை-உத்திரட்டாதி] is Sri Varaha Jayanti. Chandramsu means like the Moon, He showers the nectar or amrut. Sages meditating on Him, are happy to see Moon. Sri Rama is compared to the Moon, as everyone wants to see Him again and again! Bird Chakora [சகோர பட்சி] is said to live by drinking the Moon rays! Moon has limitations; but the Lord has nil. He was attractive even to sages, who had renounced all desires!

Monday, April 20, 2009

SVS 301 [Mantra: - 281] (30.6)

281. OM MANTRAYA NAMA: मन्त्राय नम:
Protects those meditating on Him.




Vadapalli is near Miriyalguda in Andhra Pradesh. The Lord is personified by mantras and so can be meditated with mantrams. Spashtakshara means words formed by clears syllables. Or, the Lord speaks only clear syllables. We worship the Lord with mantras of Vedas. These sacred syllables are in Vedas and in Itihasa and Puranas. Sri Narasimha is in Vadapalli, which is at the convergence of Two sacred rivers. We see Two lamps, one near His feet and the other near His nose. While the lamp at His feet is steady, one near the nose is wavering, indicating His breath. It is a great wonder. Sage Agastya meditated here and Agastya is the founder of Tamil language. In Thirumogur, Sri Sudarsana is engraved with Sudarsana mantra and so is very sacred. In Sri Ahobila Mutt, the Man Deity and Sri Dolai Kannan are sanctified with mantras. Mantra means again and again the Lord is worshiped with mantras acquired properly from Acharyas. He protects people who worship Him with such mantras. In Varaha Charama sloka, the Lord Sri Bhuvaraha tells that if one worships Him, when all organs are properly functioning, then He takes care of them, when they are in death bed like a wood or stone.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

SVS 300 [Spashtaksharo - 280] (30.5)

280. OM SPASHTAKSHARAYA NAMA: स्पष्टाक्षराय नम:

[Due to problem in Cable operator's equipment or cable, there was no transmission of programs and so I could not listen to SVS lecture today, 17th April, 2009.]

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

SVS 299 [Ruddha - 279] (30.4)

279. OM RUDDHAYA NAMA: ऋद्धाया नम:
Always prosperous.

Sri Nrusimha came out of pillar. His dwajasthambam is magnificent in Sri Mattapalli. Going around Dwajasthambam, Eleven times, brings us prosperity. Sitting in the cave inside garbhagruha, enthralls us. The mountain is Adisesha and its shape reveals this. Sri Utsavar is dazzling with Ratnangi. The Lord is worshiped with aare leaves [ஆரே பத்ரம் आरे पत्र . Here the great devotee Susroni attained supreme place after performing pooja with aare leaves. Ruddha means bountiful. There is no deficiency nor defect!

SVS 298 [Pratapana - 278] (30.3)

278. OM PRATAPANAYA NAMA: प्रतापनाय नम:
Capable of burning enemies.

Today's lecture is also from Sri Mattapalli.
Ekameva kshetram mattapalli kshetram | Nanyatu kshetram mattapalli tulyam ||

Sri Mattapalli is the only Kshetram and none equals it! It was worshiped by Sapta Rishis [seven great sages]. Maha advaryu UVe. Sri Mukkur Lakshmi Narasimhachariyar was greatly attached to this Kshetram. We can see a cave where sage Bharadwaja is still meditating. Entrance is very small and we are asked not to go in and disturb the meditation! This Kshetram is a prayaschitta or parikara sthalam - that is we can come here and make amends to our papa! Hiranyakasipu fell into the fire of Sri Narasimha and got killed. Hiranyam means gold and to purify gold, one puts it in fire! Pratapa means burning away. Bahradwaja, even in Three hundred years could not master Vedas. Indra showed him handful of mud and said what the sage had learnt was only that much, while what was yet to be learnt was like huge mountains yonder, Indra showed! Realizing his limitation, sage Bharadwaja came here and is still meditating on the Lord Sri Narasimha!

Monday, April 13, 2009

SVS 297 [Prakashatma - 277] (30.2)

277. OM PRAKASHATMANE NAMA: प्रकाशात्मने नम:
His eminence is well exhibited even to ignorants!





















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Today's [13th April 2009] lecture is from Sri Mattapalli Kshetram.
Rajyalakshmyasametaya ragadwesha vinasine| Mattapalli nivasaya sri nrusimhaya mangalam ||
Sri Mattapalli Kshetram is on the banks of river Krishna, in Andhra Pradesh. Visit to this Kshetram will rid us of all bad things and grant us all good things in life. We will also, talk about the glory of UVe. Sri Mukkur LakshmiNarasimhachariyar, who had chanted more than a Million times, the Divine name of Sri Narasimha and who had performed Sri Nrusimha Yagna, more than Hundred times! After destroying Hiranyakasipu, the Brilliance of Sri Narasimha was too difficult for all to bear and Prahalada was requested to pacify the Lord. Heeding to the prayers of Prahalada, His prakasam [brilliance] was bearable in the World. He is now gracing at many temples like Sri Mattapalli. Sri Krishna made Arjuna to worship His Viswaroopam, by donating divine eyes to Arjuna. Not only that. Dridarashtra, who, according to Swami Ramanuja, was blind externally and internally, the Lord made Himself available to be seen. Yes, Dridarashtra was ignorant of the greatness of the Lord. That is Prakashatma! He is gracing at Sri Mattapalli.

Friday, April 10, 2009

SVS 296 [Ojastejodhyutidhara: - 276] (30.1)

276. OM OJASTEJODHYUTIDHARAYA NAMA: ओजसतेजोध्युतिधराय नम:
Possesses might, strength and brilliance.

In this divine name Three qualities are mentioned. This is common in Sankara and Madwa commentaries also. Only He, Who possesses Six qualities - Gyanam, Shakti, Balam, Aiswaryam, Veeryam and Tejas - is called Bhagavan [भगवान]. Only the Lord possesses all these Six qualities and so He is the only Bhagavan. But we use this title for others also out of respect only! His brilliance causes shivers in enemies and enthuses devotees! Sri Rama destroyed 14,000 rakshasas, alone and His valour was appreciated by Sri Sita with an embrace!
[Due to power breakdown, further part of the lecture could not be listened to]

Thursday, April 9, 2009

SVS 295 [Prakashana: - 275] (29.10)

275. OM PRAKASHANAYA NAMA: प्रकाशनाय नम:
For devotees desiring to view Him, presents brightly.

Every year Sri Rama navami festival is celebrated grandly. Here Pattabhishekam is celebrated as Kanakabhishekam. Shipivishta indicated His radiance. This Divine name prakashanaya also indicates His brightness. Arjuna wanted to view the Lord's Vishwaroopam; the Lord granted Arjuna Divine eyes to worship Him! To Mandodari, the Lord presented Himself with Four arms! Sages of Dandakaranya, were delighted to see the Lord in robes of sages!


subhujO durdhrO vAgmee mahEndrO vasudO vasuh | naikaroopO brhadroopah shipiviSHtah prakAshanAh || (29)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

SVS 294 [Shipivishta: - 274] (29.9)

274. OM SHIPIVISHTAYA NAMA: शिपिविष्टाय नम:
Through rays, pervading everywhere.

Today's [8th April 2009] lecture is also from Sri Oppiliappan Koil. In most of the temples, the Lord's idols [bhera] are in Five forms: Moola bhera, Utsava bhera, Stapana bhera, Nityotsava bhera and Yaga bhera. This is indicated by naikaroopa [SVS 292]. The Lord is the cause of brilliance of all luminous objects like the Sun, fire,etc. Swami Desika says prabhavan sitaya devya paramavyoma bhaskara [Raghuveera gatyam]. We notice brilliance on the face of great devotees. Sri Sita says She can never part Sri Rama and is like luminescence of light- inseparable! In Oppiliappan Koil, no function is celebrated without Swami Desika! When Ravana is beaten, he sees Sriman Narayana in Sri Rama!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

SVS 293 [Bruhadrupa: - 273] (29.8)

273. OM BRUHADROOPAYA NAMA: ब्रुहद्रूपाय नम:
In such forms, each Form spreads over all directions, upper worlds and the in between.

Vaikuntam is also called Thiruvinnagar as Oppiliappan Koil. Like Viraja there, Nattaru flows here. Nammalwar says Sri Oppiliyappan is all for him.



In bruhadroopa, the Lord's very large and all pervading image is indicated.The Lord took Viswaroopam in Gita. In Duryodana's assembly, He took a large form and defeated the evil designs of Duryodana.

Monday, April 6, 2009

SVS 292 [Naikaroopo - 272] (29.7)

272. OM NAIKAROOPAYA NAMA: नैकरूपाय नम:
He graces in Vishvaroopam, with many, many forms!

Till now we saw various Divine names explaining His name Narayana. From now on, Swami Parasara Bhatta explains the Divine names with respect to the Lord's Vishwaroopam. This is the next petal in the lotus of SVS. We are in Sri Oppiliyappan koil, where we are worshiping Sri Rama in the temple. Here for Ten days Sri Rama Navami is celebrated. Especially, Putrakameshti yaga is performed here. Devotees can worship and get the blessings of the Lord. Naikaroopa = na + eka roopa, that is not one image. The Lord Himself was born as Sri Rama and His brothers. When Devas were suffering because of Ravana, they prayed lord Brahma to help them; but having granted the boons, Brahma could not do anything and all of them prayed the Lord, Who appeared on Garuda. Devas prayed the Lord to take Avatar as a Human and kill Ravana. Here we have to remember, Devas could have prayed for killing Ravana only; because the Lord controlled lord Brahma, and the boons granted by Brahma were not binding on the Lord. Yet, to please Devas He took Sri Rama avatar! He appears as desired by the devotees and He is not restricting to any single image!

Friday, April 3, 2009

SVS 291 [Vasu: - 271] (29.6)

271. OM VASAVE NAMA: ॐ वसवे नम:
For those not desiring anything, He is the desired Objective.

We are in Pullambutamkudi, near Kumbakonam. The Lord here is Sri Dhruda Dhanvi Rama or Sri Val Vil Rama [ஸ்ரீ வல் வில் இராமன்].
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It is no wonder that friends praise a person. But it is almost unheard that enemies praise a person. Such great qualities were possessed by Sri Rama and He was praised by enemies like Vaali, Ravana, Soorpanaka, etc. In killing Vaali, Vaali himself finally agreed that Sri Rama did the right thing; but unfortunately, even now people debate whether what Sri Rama did was right or not! Today [3rd April 2009] being Sriramanavami, we offer the Divine name vasu at His feet.The name Sri Rama itself is a mangala or auspicious name. Vasu means wealth. The Lord Himself is wealth to His devotees! This wealth never diminishes! Sri Sita tells that wherever Sri Rama is, that place was Ayodya for Her!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

SVS 290 [Vasudo - 270] (29.5)

270. OM VASUDAYA NAMA: वसुदाय नम:
Grants material comforts to those desiring.

Today's [2ndApril 2009] lecture is from Ponpadirkoodam [பொன் பதிர் கூடம்] near Chengalput. Here the Lord appears with Four arms and so is called Sri Chaturbhuja Rama. Mandodari arrives at the battlefield to look at the dead body of Ravana, her husband. When she looks up at Sri Rama, He appeared to her as the Lord Sriman Narayana with Four arms, appreciating Her chastity! That scene is depicted here! He grants anything to anyone. Before departing to forest, obeying His parents' order, Sri Rama donates. One very poor Brahmin requests Sri Rama for wealth. Sri Rama gave him a stick and asked the Brahmin to throw it as far as possible; and, Sri Rama promised He would grant all wealth upto the place where the stick fell. Sri Rama told that He did not ask the Brahmin to do that as a test, but to satisfy Brahmin's mind! Vasu [வஸு वसु] means wealth. He grants wealth in this world and the most superior wealth of Moksham also.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

SVS 289 [Vagmi - 268, Mahendro - 269] (29.3, 29.4)

268. OM VAGMINE NAMA: वाग्मिने नम:
In Vibhavavatara, speaks sweet words.


269. OM MAHENDRAYA NAMA: महेन्द्राय नम:
Possesses Parameswara [Supreme Lord] qualities.

Today's [1st April 2009] is from Maduranthakam, also known as Dwayam vilainda Tirupati [த்வயம் விளைந்த திருப்பதி]. This is a historically important Kshetram.



Rajagopuram - view of the place and lake - Bhashyakara bathing ghat.

In this Kshetram Swami Periya Nambi performed Pancha samskaram for Swami Ramanuja. An unique feature of this temple is Sri Utsavar, Lord Sri Rama appears with bow and arrow, but not the receptacle for arrows [Tamil amburathuni அம்புராத்துணி] on His right shoulder; while Lakshmana has it! This minute detail has to be carefully observed.





Swami Ramanuja had his panchasamskaram beneath a magizha [மகிழ] tree, behind Sri Andal sannidhi.

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Here Swami Ramanuja is with white robes, that is before he renunciated and became a sanyasi.
Sri Moolavar, Lord Sri Rama, has also an unique feature. Here the Lord is holding the hand of Sri Sita and is said to be when Sri Sita alighted from Pushpaka vimanam! The wealth, the Lord grants is everlasting. He is described as jangama parijata - mobile karpaka vruksham. Karpaka vruksham, grants anything to those who go to it. But the Lord grants anything to His devotees and He arrives at their place to grant! Because He is Mahendra, He was able to grant Vibheeshana, the Kingdom of Lanka, even before killing Ravana!