Aradhika and Anugami-Radharani and Mirabai

Dear members,

I am not being able to upload images in blog for a few days so please bear with me and do access the links provided for the image relating to the articles.

Two ladies, two names, two ages but one thing is common in both of them-the passion, the longing, the love, the madness, the pain, the sorrow, the fulfillment, the devotion for only One, their all, their God, their Love-Krishna.

Krishna wouldn't have been Krishna if not for these two women.

Many have written pages about these two women. I will not repeat the same. Almost everyone knows their story but I will just request everyone who reads this article to just listen to two bhajans that are enough to describe the passion of these two outstanding women in Krishna's life.

Radharani:

Image from here & here

File from here

Mirabai:

Image from here & here

File from here

Even in this kali yuga I am almost certain that when you listen to these two bhajans with emotion and bhakti, tears of joy will roll down your cheeks.

Happy listening!

Regards,

Souvik

Alochana-Rakshan Bandhan

Dear readers,

Wish you all a very happy Raksha Bandhan Day (Rakhi).

Here are some stories about the origin of this festival.

Enjoy today with loved ones!

Regards,

Souvik

Origins
The origin of the festival is mostly attributed to one of following mythological incidents:
1. Indra's fight with Vritra - Indra, the king of devtas (gods), had lost his kingdom to the asura (demon) Vritra. At the behest of his Guru Brihaspati, Indra's wife Sachi tied a thread around her husband's wrist to ensure his victory in the upcoming duel.
2. Draupadi and Krishna during the Rajsuya yagya - After Shishupal's death, Krishna was left with a bleeding finger. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the flow of blood. Touched by her concern, Krishna had declared himself bound to her by her love. He further promised to repay the debt manifold, and spent the next 25 years of his life doing just that. For all that Draupadi was the daughter of a powerful monarch, sister to a legendary warrior, and wife to five warrior princes, Krishna remained the only man she could ever truly depend on.

History of Raksha bandhan
Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun The ealiest origins of Rakshabandhan in documented history can be traced to the medieval era. During this period the Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. Rakhi at that time was a spiritual symbol associated with protection of the sister. History has it that when Queen Karnawati the widow of the then King of Chittor realised that she could in no way defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor touched by the gesture, accepted the rakhi thereby accepting Queen Karnawati as a "sister" and immediately started off with his vast troops to protect Queen Karnavati.

Alexander The Great and King Puru One of the oldest reference to the festival of Rakhi goes back to 300 B.C. At this time Alexander the Great, was invading India. It is said that the great conqueror, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of the Indian king Puru in his first attempt. Upset by this, Alexander's wife, who had heard of the Rakhi festival, approached King Puru. King Puru accepted her as his sister and when the opportunity came during the war, he refrained from fighting Alexander.

The Legend of Raksha bandhan
There are innumerable references to the significance of the Rakhi festival in Hindu mythology.

Vrita-Indra

The origin of this festival is usually traced back to the mythological incidents of Indira's fight with Vritra-Indra that resulted in Indra's (king of the Gods) loss. Then, his wife had tied a thread around his wrist and empowered it with divine powers to make sure Indra emerged victorious in the duel that followed.

Kunti-Abhimanyu

During the battle of Mahabharat, Queen Kunti tied a raksha on her grandson Abhimanyu to protect him in battle.

Krishna and Draupadi

Another incident is the one that concerns Krishna and Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas. She had torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to stop the flow of blood Krishna was so touched by her action that he found himself bound to her by love. He promised to repay the debt and then spent the next 25 years doing just that. Draupadi inspite of being married to 5 great warriors and being a daughter of a powerful monarch only trusted and depended wholly on Krishna.

King Bali and Goddess Laxmi

According to another legend Demon King Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu had taken up the task to guard his kingdom leaving his own abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Laxmi wished to be with her lord back in her abode. She went to Bali disguised as a Brahmin woman to seek refuge till her husband came back.
During the Shravan Purnima celebrations, Laxmiji tied the sacred thread to the King. Upon being asked she revealed who she was and why she was there. The king was touched by her goodwill for his family and her purpose and requested the Lord to accompany her. He sacrificed all he had for the Lord and his devoted wife.
Thus the festival is also called Baleva that is Bali Raja's devotion to the Lord.It is said that since then it has been a tradition to invite sisters in Shravan Purnima for the thread tying ceremony or the Raksha Bandhan

Yama and the Yamuna

It is said that the Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved by the serenity of the occasion that he declared thar whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection will become immortal.

How is Rakshabandhan celebrated in different parts of India
India is a diverse country with various cultures. While Rakhsabandhan is celebrated pretty much all over the country, different parts of the country celebrate the festival in different ways with a different significance.

Tying of Rakhi

Perhaps the single most important way of celebrating Rakshabandhan is by tying the rakhi. A sister ties a rakhi to the wrist of her brother. The tying of a rakhi signifies her asking of her brother for his protection and love for the sister. The brother is turn, accepts the rakhi, confirms his love and affection for his sister and showers her with gifts and money. It is a family event where all members of family, dressed in all finery, gather and celebrate this event. The tying of rakhi is followed by a family feast.

Rakhi Purnima

Rakhi is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima in North India as well as in parts of Northwest India. The word "Purnima" means a full moon night.

Nariyal Purnima

It western India and parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka, this day is celebrated as Nariyal Purnima. On this day an offering of a coconut (nariyal) is made to the sea, as a mark of respect to Lord Varun (God of the Sea). Nariyal Purnima marks the beginning of the fishing season and the fisherman, who depend on the sea for a living, make an offering to Lord Varun so that they can reap bountiful fish from the sea.

Avani Avittam / Upakarman

In southers parts of India such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Orissa this day is celebrated by the Brahmin community as Avani Avittam. On this day they change their sacred threads (Janeyu)

Kajari Purnima

In central parts of India such as Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkand and Bihar this day is celebrated as Kajari Purnima. It is an important day for the farmers and women blessed with a son. On the ninth day after Shravana Amavasya, the preparations of the Kajari festival start. This ninth day is called Kajari Navami. The rituals are performed by the ladies blessed with a son. The rituals continye till the Kajri Purnima or the full moon day.
PavitropanaIn parts of Gujarat this day is celebrated as Pavitropana. On this day people perform the grand pooja or the worship of the three eyed God, Lord Shiva. It is the culmination of the prayers done through out the year.

Amar Prem

"hai aankh woh jo shyam ka darshan kiya karey I

hai sheesh jo prabhu charan mein bandan kiya karey II

bekar woh mukh hai jo rahey byarth batayo mein I

mukh woh hai jo hari naam ka sumiran kiya karey II

hirey moti sey nahi shobha hai haath ki I

hai haath jo bhagwan ka pujan kiya karey II

mar kar bhi amar naam hai us jeev ka jag mein I

prabhu prem mein balidan jo jeevan kiya karey II"

~ Sung by Pankaj Udas

Alochana-Krishna

Dear members,

16th. August, 2006 is Janmashthami.

Just by speaking the name "Krishna", humans can cleanse their sins in Kali Yuga.



What always astonished me about Sri Krishna was his ability to simultaneously exist in different planes and play each role to the fullest.










Krishna, the lover; Krishna, the guide; Krishna, the yogi; Krishna, the master-politician; Krishna, the redeemer; Krishna, the enchanter; Krishna, the savior of women's modesty; Krishna, the husband; Krishna, the brother; Krishna, the friend and the list goes on.







At one point I feel as if all the planets gave selflessly all their qualities to the savior of human souls from the darkness of Kali Yuga.

Sun-leadership, uprightness
Moon-emotion, immense feelings
Mars-an obedient and duty-bound brother
Mercury-an excellent politician and orator
Jupiter-made him a Guru and made his words worshipped in the form of Bhagwat Geeta
Venus-love, looks and an enchanter
Saturn-endurance and patience
Rahu-knowledge of Maya
Ketu-a yogi

"Sree Krishna Govinda Hare Murali,
Hey Nath Narayan Vasudeva
Radhe Krishna Radhe Krishna
Radhe Radhe Krishna Krishna"


Regards,

Souvik

Anandapurti

(Image from here)

Dear readers,

Sometimes we do things which are beyond logic and reasoning.

The same happened with me today.

I woke up in the morning and felt like posting an article of Maa Mahishashurmurdini, Jagat Janini Maa Durga.

This is the reason I called this posting "Anandapurti".

The picture adjacent is the Durga madala with the Durga Yantra inside it.

It is a very powerful yantra to remove obstacles and win over enemies. This yantra can be worshipped with Durga Beeja mantras during Navratris or Ashtami tithis. However, I would recommend one to do so only after consultation with an experienced astrologer.

The Durga Beeja Mantra is "AING HRING KLEENG CHAMUNDAYE VICHCHEY". This mantra can be prefixed and suffixed by AUM. Also please consult an astrologer before starting the recitation of this mantra.

However, for bhakti for Maa Durga, you need not consult an astrologer. Bhakti is beyond logic and reasoning and if done in the right spirit can be more effective than other rituals.

(Durga Image from here)

Durga saptashati (from here)

Durga Saptashati is a Mantra of 700 verses on the Mother Goddess.It forms a part of the Markandeya Purana, one of the 18 important puranas of Hinduism.
It is also known as Chandi Path, Devi Mahatmyam or just Saptashati. It is considered as a very potent mantra and its is widely read in all devi temples in India and abroad.It is in the form of a conversion between a king,a trader and a saint. This mantra is believed to have several esoteric meanings and interpretations.It is divided into 3 parts , dedicated to the Goddess - Kali,Lakshmi and Saraswati.
There are have been several saints well versed in the metaphysical interpretations of this Mantra like Sri Ramakrishna,The Paramacharyal of Kanchi, The Sringeri Acaryals,Sri Venkatesa Battar and several others.
Durga Saptashati is also translated into easy to recite Hindi verses by Dr.M.L.Sharma. Details of his book "Neeras Ki Shri Durga Upasana" can be found at http://durgasaptashati.discoveryofindia.com

Jai Maa Durga, Durgati nashini!

Regards,

Souvik

Anushthan-Guru Purnima

Dear readers,

11th. July 2006 is Guru Purnima.

Regards,

Souvik

From here.

Guru Purnima is traditionally held to be Bhagawan Vyasa's birthday. According to the Indian calendar IT falls on the 15th of the month of Ashada. Bhagawan Vyasa is called Veda Vyasa - or the Compiler of the Vedas. Bhagawan Vyasa saw that, in the coming yugas, men would be of grosser mind and would lack the ability to learn and retain all of the Vedas. So he compiled the Vedas into four parts - the Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Veda.Furthermore he wrote the Puranas so that the common people could also benefit from the knowledge of the Vedas - he conveyed the same spiritual principles through the medium of stories and parables. He is also the author of the Brahma Sutras - the quintessence of Vedanta. So it is but fitting that his birthday is celebrated as Guru Purnima. What is it that you are supposed to know on this day of Guru Purnima?You must understand that God is in you, with you, around you, above you, below you. In fact, you are God. Recognise this truth in the first instance. Do not entertain excessive desires and become beggars. Do your duty sincerely. That is the true Sadhana. When you are in office, do office work only; do not think of your family matters. Likewise, when you are at home, take care of the needs of your wife and children. Do not make your home an office. But today because of too much work in office, people take office-papers to their homes to complete their work. They are thus facing difficulties because they mix up their office work, household work, business and spiritual matters.

Right from this day, try to reduce your attachment to the world to the extent possible. Be happy and make others happy. Do not hurt anybody. Consider difficulties as passing clouds. You have developed family relationships and there are bound to be some worries. But do not be perturbed by them. When you look at the vast sky, you find many clouds. Likewise, in the sky of your heart there are clouds of attachment. They just come and go. Do not worry about them. What is the shape of worry? It is a mentally created fear. It is the result of your imagination. Every man is bound to encounter difficulties and losses. We should face them with courage. From this day of Guru Purnima, make your hearts sacred. Just as you wave away the mosquitoes that bite you, brush aside any difficulties that assail you. Do not be depressed by sorrow nor be elated by happiness. Develop equanimity and strive to attain Divinity. Today is described as Guru Purnima Day. This is not quite correct. The day got its name because of some gurus who wanted to have an occasion for receiving offerings from their disciples. The right name for this day is Vyasa Purnima.

Vyaasa was born on this full moon day. He completed the codification of the four Vedas on this day. He completed the writing of the eighteen puranas on this day. Owing to the passage of time Vyasa Purnima came to be called Guru Purnima. Serving the GuruAccording to Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6/23) :Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau Tasyaite kathitaa hi arthaaha prakashante mahatmanaha Translation:Guru be worshipped in the same manner as the deity - God, to attain all there is to attain on the path of God-realization:

When this Self is within you where is the need to search for someone to teach you? A teacher who teaches others has had a teacher himself. The one who has no Guru above him is the true Guru. The Sanskrit stanza which hails the Guru as Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara and as Parabrahman is misinterpreted. The right approach is to consider Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara as the Guru. These three are symbolised by the three gunas: Brahma is Rajas, Vishnu is Sathva and Siva is Thamas. The whole cosmos is constituted by the three gunas. The three gunas are present in man. The trinity are present in the form of the three gunas in every human heart.

Adi Anadi

"Although Nirguna (formless), I am Saguna (with form) too and the author of dissolution, maintenance and creation. I am the Supreme Brahmn without decay and change. Existence, knowledge and bliss are my characteristics... I manifest myself in the forms of Brahma, Vishnu and Hara."

~Shiva, Rudra Samhita, Shiva Purana

"The seer and the object are like the rope and the snake. Just as the know-ledge of the rope which is the substratum will not arise unless the false knowledge of the illusory serpent goes, so the realisation of the Self which is the substratum will not be gained unless the belief that the world's real is removed."

~Ramana Maharshi

"I am neither death nor doubt. I do not possess the distinction of any species. Neither do I have a father or mother, nor birth. Neither a relative nor a friend, nor a disciple.I am verily the auspiciousness of the form of consciousness-bliss. I am indeterminate, not having any form because (I am) the Lord of all the organs everywhere. I am neither that which is disunited nor liberation nor bondage. I am verily the auspiciousness of the form of consciousness-bliss. "

~Adi Sankara, Nirvanasatkam

Alochana-Some news

Dear readers,
Some news (few unpleasant incidents as well).
Regards,Souvik

1) Lightning strikes idol of Lord Shiva at Murdeshwar (here), June 18th. 2006
Bhatkal: The 123-foot idol of Lord Shiva at the Murdeshwar, claimed to be Asia’s third biggest, was struck by lightning in the wee hours of Saturday. Later in the evening one of the four hands bearing the small drum broke into pieces. It is understood that on Saturday between 3 and 4 am, lightning struck Bhatkal; the idol, made of cement and steel, was not spared. By Saturday evening one of the hands shattered. As the hand collapsed, tourists ran helter skelter. There was so much debris that it needed a lorry to cart it away. The cement debris fell on an adjoining pipeline, which too broke and water started gushing out. Engineers from Hubli have arrived and are investigating. The sculptor who created the idol Kashinath, from Bangalore, is also expected to arrive. It is learnt that the sculptor had guaranteed that the Shiva idol was lightning-proof and that it would stand for 100 years.

2) Ancient Hindu Temple Damaged in Indonesian Earthquake (here), June 4th. 2006
Parts of the world famous Prambanan temple complex in Central Java crumbled during last week's 6.3 magnitude earthquake. Archaeologists are assessing damage to the UNESCO World Heritage site, but fear the foundations of the ancient stone structures may be severely weakened.This is the largest temple complex in Indonesia dedicated to the Hindu divinity of Shiva. It has eight main structures and more than 250 smaller ones. The compound underwent extensive reconstruction from 1918 to 1953 and now much of that work has been undone.

3) Man-made Shiva lingam betrays faith at Amarnath caves (here and here), June 18th.,2006
AMRITSAR/SRINAGAR: It's a story of faith betrayed. Pilgrims braving a dangerous journey to the Amarnath caves this year found to their utter shock that the natural Shiva lingam was missing. In its place was a crude man-made ice stupa that was being passed off as the holy lingam. The shocking discovery has caused widespread outrage with pilgrims accusing the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board of trifling with their faith.

4)Demolition men call on temple (here), May 18th.,2006
It took more than two hours for the BMC demolition squad to demolish a temple near Vikhroli bus depot on LBS Marg. The Nateshwar temple of Lord Shiva located near the BEST depot on LBS Marg was demolished on Thursday after the civic body had given instruction to take action against illegal shrines and temples obstructing roads and footpaths. The BMC had prepared a new list of around 300 illegal shrines and temples across the city obstructing the road and footpaths, which will be demolished. Assistant Municipal Commissioner from ‘N ward Govind Rathod said, "The demolition was completed peacefully without any untoward incident. There were no protests either from local residents. Seventy personnel attached with the State Reserve Police Force, including senior police officers from the Vikhroli Park Site police stations, were present." Municipal commissioner Johny Joseph said, "We’ve given instruction to ward officers in the city to take action against illegal shrines and temples obstructing road and footpaths."

5)Hindu deity's statue made whole again (here) May 19th.,2006
PARIS, May 19 (UPI) -- It was as if the 500-year-old headless statue of a Cambodian Hindu goddess at a Paris museum had willed the discovery of her head to become whole again. The museum Musee Guiment is ecstatic over a chance chain of events leading to the restoration of the 15th-century Cambodian masterpiece dedicated to the wife of Hinduism's most revered god Shiva.

6)Local history, Shiva among the nominees (here) June 11th., 2006
FIVE-FACED LINGAM (EIGHTH CENTURY) God head: The Indian red sandstone lingam illustrates the various aspects of the Hindu god Shiva as the absolute totality, who creates, defines and encompasses the universe. Air sign: The primary image, the youthful Tatpurusa (right), is associated with air. His hairstyle is that of an ascetic: thick, matted locks adorned with a diadem. Water maiden: To the left is the elegant Vamadeva, the goddess associated with water. Not seen: Aghora, or Bhairava, the demonic form of Shiva, who is associated with fire. The fourth face, which has been defaced, depicts Sadyojata, the manifestation of Shiva associated with earth. The creator: The fifth aspect of Shiva, Isana, is not a literal face. It's represented by the curved summit of the phallus. Associated with ether or space, it represents Shiva as creator.

Aagaman

Image from here

Dear readers,

June 6th., 2006 is Ganga Dashami.

This day Ganga descended to Earth.

Please find a wonderful picture story from here.

Image from here

Please do accept a small gift from me on this ocassion.

It is wonderful stotra from the "Om 2" album of Swagata Lakshmi Dasgupta.

The file can be downloaded from here

Devi Sureshwari Bhagawati Gangey

Tribhuvana tarini tarala tarangey

Shankara mouli nivasini vimaley

Mamamati rastang taba pada kamaley!!

Jay Maa Ganga!!

~ Souvik

Anada Utsav

(Here)

Celestial wedding in Orissa town Sambalpur (Orissa): Lakhs of people poured into this western Orissa cultural hub to witness the 'celestial wedding' of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati today with priests chanting slokas on 'Sital Sashthi'.The 'wedding' took place at three places in the city with the rituals continuing through the night to culminate this morning.As per tradition, couples from different localities in the town don the role of bride Parvati's parents and the barat accompanying the idol of Lord Shiva is taken out with much pomp and ceremony.Sambalpur city has been teeming with large crowds since yesterday as the region celebrated its biggest religious event with hundreds of people arriving to take part in the night-long festivities.But the highpoint of the celebration would be the procession to be taken out tonight when the town would throb to the beats of the 'madal' and a variety of instruments.

(Here)

Celestial wedding
Lakhs of people poured into Sambalpur, Orissa, to witness the 'celestial wedding' of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on Thursday with priests chanting slokas on 'Sital Sashthi'.
The 'wedding' took place at three places in the city with the rituals continuing through the night to culminate this morning. As per tradition, couples from different localities in the town don the role of bride Parvati's parents and the barat accompanying the idol of Lord Shiva is taken out with much pomp and ceremony.
While one barat was taken out from the Balunkeswar temple at Nandapada, the other two processions began from the Loknath temple at Jhaduapada and Jageswar temple in the city. Feasts were thrown by the host couples to celebrate the event in the same fashion as traditional marriages are held. New couples are chosen to be hosts every year. About Rs 23 lakh is spent on the weddings.

Thanks

Souvik

Advaita, Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita

"Advaita" literally means "not two", and is often called a monistic or non-dualistic system which essentially refers to the indivisibility of the Self (Atman) from the Whole (Brahman). The key texts from which all Vedanta (literally, "end or the goal of the Vedas") texts draw are the Upanishads (twelve or thirteen in particular), which are usually at the end of the Vedas, and the Brahma Sutras (also known as Vedanta Sutras), which in turn discuss the essence of the Upanishads.

Adi Shankara's thoughts in a summary
Adi Shankara's treatises on the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras are his principal and almost undeniably his own works. Although he mostly adhered to traditional means of commenting on the Brahma Sutra, there are a number of original ideas and arguments. He taught that it was only through knowledge and wisdom of nonduality that one could be enlightened.
Shankara's opponents accused him of teaching Buddhism in the garb of Hinduism, because his non-dualistic ideals were a bit radical to contemporary Hindu philosophy. However, it may be noted that while the Later Buddhists arrived at a changeless, deathless, absolute truth after their insightful understanding of the unreality of samsara, historically Vedantins never liked this idea. Although Advaita also proposes the theory of Maya, explaining the universe as a "trick of a magician", Shankara and his followers see this as a consequence of their basic premise that Brahman is real. Their idea of Maya emerges from their belief in the reality of Brahman, rather than the other way around.
Shankara was a peripatetic orthodox Hindu monk who traveled the length and breadth of India. The more enthusiastic followers of the Advaita tradition claim that he was chiefly responsible for "driving the Buddhists away". Historically the decline of Buddhism in India is known to have taken place long after Shankara or even Kumarila Bhatta (who according to a legend had "driven the Buddhists away" by defeating them in debates), sometime before the Muslim invasion into Afghanistan (earlier Gandhara).
Although today's most enthusiastic followers of Advaita believe Shankara argued against Buddhists in person, a historical source, the Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam, indicates that Shankara sought debates with Mimamsa, Samkhya, Nyaya, Vaisheshika and Yoga scholars as keenly as with any Buddhists. In fact his arguments against the Buddhists are quite mild in the Upanishad Bhashyas, while they border on the acrimonious in the Brahma Sutra Bhashya.
The Vishistadvaita and Dvaita schools believed in an ultimately saguna Brahman. They differ passionately with Advaita, and believe that his nirguna Brahman is not different from the Buddhist Sunyata (wholeness or zeroness) — much to the dismay of the Advaita school. A careful study of the Buddhist Sunyata will show that it is in some ways metaphysically similar as Brahman. Whether Shankara agrees with the Buddhists is not very clear from his commentaries on the Upanishads. His arguments against Buddhism in the Brahma Sutra Bhashyas are more a representation of Vedantic traditional debate with Buddhists than a true representation of his own individual belief. (See link: Shankara's arguments against Buddhism)

Dvaita, a school of Vedanta (the most widespread Hindu philosophy) founded by Shri Madhvacharya, stresses a strict distinction between God and souls. According to Madhva, souls are not created by God but depend on Him to evolve or transform. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami explains dualism in his book, Dancing with Siva, by stating that in dualism, God is seen as the efficient cause of the universe and not as the material cause. He is the potter causing the clay to emerge, rather than serving as the source of the clay itself.

Dvaita philosophy
Like Ramanuja Shri Madhvacharya espoused a Vaishnava theology that understands Brahman to be endowed with attributes and a personal God, Vishnu. By Brahman, he referred to Vishnu, as per his statement (brahmashabdashcha vishhnaveva) that Brahman can only refer to Vishnu. Madhva states that Vishnu is not just any other deity, but is rather the singular, all-important and supreme one. Vishnu is always the primary object of worship, and all others are regarded as subordinate to Him. The deities and other sentient beings are graded among themselves, with Vayu, the god of life, being the highest, and Vishnu is eternally above them.
Dvaita, or Dualistic philosophy, also known as Bheda-vâda, Tattva-vâda, and Bimba-pratibimba-vâda, is the doctrine propounded by Ananda Tîrtha (also known as Madhvacharya) that asserts that the difference between the individual soul or jîva, and God,(Îshvara or Vishnu), is eternal and real. Actually, this is just one of the five differences that are so stated -- all five differences that constitute the universe are eternal.
The Dvaita doctrine was summarized by Vyasa Tirtha as comprising nine tenets or prameyas.

Vishisthadvaita is a qualified monism in which God alone exists but admits plurality. By holding such beliefs, Vishisthadvaita is midway between Advaita and Dvaita. The book, "All about Hinduism" by Swami Sivananda discusses aspects of Vishisthadvaita, a theological school whose most important proponent was Ramanuja.

The Philosophy
In more specific terms Vishishtadvaita conclusions may be briefly summarised as below.
The Absolute Supreme Reality referred to as Brahman, is a Transcendent Personality with infinite superlative qualities. He is Lord Vishnu, also known as Narayana. He creates the other two members of the Trimurti, namely, Creator Brahma and Shiva, the Lord of Deluge.
Narayana is the Absolute God. The Soul and the Universe are only parts of this Absolute and hence, Vishishtadvaita is panentheistic. The relationship of God to the Soul and the Universe is like the relationship of the Soul of Man to the body of Man. Individual souls are only parts of Brahman. God, Soul and Universe together form an inseparable unity which is one and has no second. This is the non-duality part.
Matter and Souls inhere in that Ultimate Reality as attributes to a substance. This is the qualification part of the non-duality.
Souls and Matter are only the body of God. Creation is a real act of God. It is the expansion of intelligence. Matter is fundamentally real and undergoes real revelation. The Soul is a higher mode than Matter, because it is conscious. It is also eternally real and eternally distinct. Final release, that comes, by the Lord's Grace, after the death of the body is a Communion with God. This philosophy believes in liberation through one's Karmas (actions) in accordiance with the Vedas, the Varna (caste or class) system and the four Ashramas (stages of life), along with intense devotion to Vishnu. Individual Souls retain their separate identities even after moksha. They live in Fellowship with God either serving Him or meditating on Him. The philosophy of this school is SriVaishnavism, a branch of Vaishnavism.
The succession of great Master-Expositors and spiritual giants of Vishishtadvaita school starts with the twelve Alwars, who left behind an imperishable legacy of Tamil devotional poetry in the form of 4000 songs, now called the Nalayira-prabandham.

Alochana-Deity, God or something more

Dear readers,

God is a hot topic around specially due to the recent burning controversy over the yet to release film "Da Vinci Code".

In this situation I would surely like to add my thoughts on this topic.

And ofcourse, my respect to the complete womankind on "Mother's Day".

Have fun!

Souvik

Who is Shiva? Did he live in flesh and blood on Earth? Was he an invading Alien who like a few other fellow astronauts (Vishnu , Brahma etc.) planned to help humans and then left back to his planet? Or is he God as we the Hindus believe and lives on Kailash mountain? Or is this whole God episode much bigger than this? Or was it the politics of the Aryan to include a Dravidian God?

Much more ideas crossed my mind when I sat to write this article. Some of them will be irrelevant here and some too technical but the conclusion is that the end still remains inconclusive and it will till eternity (or atleast I would think it should).

However, my point here is above all these. My point can co-exist with each of these theories. My point is that there is no need to debate over what history is and whether or not it is true, my point is that to all questions lie just one answer-the answer of faith.

If we believe in something and that belief is strong enough to give us some "miraculous" force in life, then it does not matter if there is truth (I mean historical) in that belief.

I have always said that Shiva is much more than kailash-vasi damrudhari Shiv, much more than Sada Shiva who spoke the vedas.

Shiva is us.

When we talk of deities then we can perceive the same Shiva in different forms-each being a deity-Rudra, Umashankar, Mahakaal, Nilakantha, Sarbeshwar.

When we talk of God-we mean Shiva as God. Shiva as the Almighty.

But in both the cases we separate Shiva from us and thus when any individual says something that shakes the foundation of His (Shiva's) existence, we rage up with anger, become sorrowful or critical of that individual or group.

Now if we remove that separation of Him being separate from us, this whole concept dissapears.

If every Hindu thinks himself to be a God (Hindu deity) then can any such criticism hit us?

If someone claims that there was no historical or archelogical evidence of Rama, the Rama bhakt will have laugh and say "So you mean I donot exist"?

Religion and beliefs can never be fought to defend. They are much superior than any one's claim.

I hope the church realises that Jesus himself said "The temple of God is within".

Regards,

Souvik

Alochana-Nudity in religious paintings

Dear readers,

Nudity in religious paintings is a controversial topic.

This is what one of the controversial artists, MF Husain, has to say.

Please do post your views.

Thanks

Souvik

Link is from here.

Here nudity is not nakedness
M F Husain Sunday, May 07, 2006 01:50 IST

We Indians are proud to create a civilisation of art and culture, enshrined in the sanctity of the Ajanta and Ellora caves and temples for the last 5,000 years. Here the goddesses are pure and uncovered. Here the nudity is not nakedness, it’s a form of innocence and maturity. Take the monumental form of Mahaveera and the carvings of Khajuraho. They evoke spirituality.
We, the Indian painters of significance, are the direct descendants of that golden era of great vision which transcends mundane reality into eternity.

The ultimate presence of Shiva-Parvati exists in cosmic space not hedged in by boundaries of the tiny planet called Earth. Michelangelo’s Pieta, in marble, is a masterpiece in recreating reality but Shiva-Parvati in bronze go beyond reality.

For the last 50 years, an enlightened body of Indian painters has been engaged in reconnecting the reality of the ancient cultural heritage to our time. As in every human endeavour, Faith is at the core of it all. With great care and reverence for all faiths, the Indian sub-continent has evolved a unique secular culture.

I am a humble contributor towards the creation of a great Indian composite culture. I would like to pinpoint certain factors of my 70-year-long journey as a painter. A childhood fascination for the white horse of the Muharram duldul. And the Ashwamedha horse of Luv-Kush.
A panel on Indian village life titled Zameen at the Museum of Modern Art in New Delhi.
About 150 works painted on the versions of the Ramayana by Valmiki and Tulsidas, for a foundation in Hyderabad. Dr Dharamvir Bharati published this series under the title of Husain’s Ramayana.

29 works on the Mahabharat exhibited along with Picasso in Brazil in 1971. Painted Teorema, nine panels depicting various faiths including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. These panels were exhibited at the UN in New York.

Aanga Vadya

What instrument comes closest to the human voice? In the West, most people would say the cello, the violin or the guitar.

In India, traditionalists maintain it's the sarangi, a stringed instrument with a squat body and a soundboard of goat skin, played with a bow.
Sarangi is believed to mean "a hundred colours," reflecting its stylistic adaptability and huge emotional palette. But there is a good reason why this extraordinary instrument is rarely heard.

"The challenge is to be able to play it in tune," says Sultan Khan, a sarangi master. "This is not easy, because apart from the three main strings made of gut, there are 36 sympathetic strings made of metal. This gives the sarangi a built-in resonance chamber, and the sympathetic strings can be heard clearly. It becomes very obvious if the musician is out of tune."
Khan, originally from Rajasthan and now living in Mumbai, is a ninth-generation sarangi player who began learning the instrument at the age of 3. He comes to Vancouver with tabla legend Zakir Hussain's Masters of Percussion. The program features several virtuosic Indian artists, including dancing-drummers from Manipur.

Khan remained primarily an instrumentalist until a few years ago. Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali asked him to sing for one of his Bollywood movies. Soon after, Khan hit major commercial success with the resulting album, Piya Basanti.
"Since sarangi is the instrument used to accompany vocal music, many players have also become singers. In the concert, I will also be doing a vocal piece based on either a bhajan [Hindu devotional song] or a folk melody."

In one sense, Khan is returning to the roots of the sarangi -- the mythical ones, anyway. "It traces its origin to Ravana, a great worshipper of Lord Shiva. He is said to have made the instrument with strings from his own veins in order to sing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva."

Aakaar

From here

Ignorance dwarfs Asia’s largest Shiva Linga

Friday May 5 2006 11:35 IST
BALASORE: No travel or tourism website features it. No popular history book mentions Baba Bhusandeswar, claimed to be the largest Shiva Linga of Asia, which is being worshipped for years in a remote village in the district.Though nestled in dense forest, it has been drawing people from the State and outside for their belief in its miraculous prowess. On the banks of the river Subarnarekha in Kumbhirgadi village of Bhogarai block stands the unique Shiva Linga, named Bhusandeswar for its sheer size. Carved out of black granite, only half of the 12-foot linga is visible. The rest of it has remained buried for years.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva granted demon King Ravana the atmalinga after he invoked the deity for days. Afraid that he would misuse its divine power, other deities sent Lord Ganesh to snatch it away. And offering to hold it while Ravana quenched his thirst during his journey to Lanka with the linga, Ganesh placed it on the ground. As per Lord Shiva’s warning, it did not budge when Ravana tried to remove it. It only grew in size as he tried to uproot it. He stopped after Lord Shiva asked him to let it stay at the place. And that place happened to be Kumbhirgadi. But historians maintain that the linga was being carried on a ship and broke when it docked in the district. It could not be removed because of its size. For centuries it lay eight feet below the ground. Sukhal Jayram, a businessman of Jaleswar, attempted to pull it by crane in 1964, but the linga is still a little tilted.Despite its uniqueness, the linga was being worshipped in a thatched hut until the then MP of Balasore Kartikeswar Patra constructed a temple in 1984. But the dilapidated approach road has been an obstacle for tourists and devotees who flock during Shivaratri, Bisuva Sankranti and Chadak Jatra.Though the road work under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana connecting the temple is in progress, funds crunch comes in the way of performing temple rituals. Meanwhile, locals have pinned hopes on Balasore MP Kharabela Swain who has sought funds from the Centre for its development. Balasore district administration has also mooted a plan to develop it along with Talasari, Chandipur beaches and Panchalingeswar Shiva peetha.

Alochana-FAQs

Dear readers,

some FAQs on Shiva...

Thanks

Souvik


1) Why girls will pray to Lord Shiva for a husband?

Shiva rules Hara Sthana of human life-i.e astrologically, the 7th. House of the natal horoscope. Shiva is all about union. Shiva Ratri a "family" worship. Shiva ALWAYS worshipped with Shakti .

In Indian itihaas, Mahabharata, Draupadi (in the previous incarnation) worshipped Shiva to get a husband like Shiva (Panchamukhi). No one human can have all the great five tattwas in exact balance like Shiva, so Draupadi landed up having five husbands.

Bengali girls fast on this day to get a husband like Shiva.

Wouldn't a girl want a husband who is shava (corpse) without her? Shiva is the epitome of love? It is Shiva's selfless love that makes everyone want him as their "swamy" (master).

Can there be ANYONE so selfless, so loving as Shiva.

When one reaches a level of Bhakti, he/she becomes Parvati, Shiva cannot live without that soul.

2) What is specific name of Lord Shiva as a teacher?

Dakshinamurty. Teaches by mauna (silence). The soul knows all the answers. Shiva is all about discovering the soul.

3) Where can I find any pastimes of Lord Shiva as a young adult?

There is no Shiva when there is no Shakti. We all know the stories of Shiva from time of Sati's penance till Vishnu using the sudarshan to cut Sati's corpse into Shakti peeths.

We donot hear about what happened from then and till the time Parvati started her penance.

We only know Shiva was in mahasamadhi. There can be NO tales of Shiva before adulthood because Shakti-Shiva = Shava (corpse).

The story of birth of Rudra from the forehead of Brahma is symbolic of ignorance of man.

Alaap

Dear readers,

Following is the extract from chapter 8 of Vishnu Puran.

I found this quite interesting.

Regards,

Souvik

CHAP. VIII.

Origin of Rudra: his becoming eight Rudras: their wives and children.

Sacrifice of Daksha.
PARÁŚARA.--I have described to you, oh great Muni, the creation of Brahmá, in which the quality of darkness prevailed. I will now explain to you the creation of Rudra

In the beginning of the Kalpa, as Brahmá purposed to create a son, who should be like himself, a youth of a purple complexion appeared, crying with a low cry, and running about Brahmá, when he beheld him thus afflicted, said to him, "Why dost thou weep?" "Give me a name," replied the boy. "Rudra be thy name," rejoined the great father of all creatures: "be composed; desist from tears." But, thus addressed, the boy still wept seven times, and Brahmá therefore gave to him seven other denominations; and to these eight persons regions and wives and posterity belong. The eight manifestations, then, are named Rudra, Bhava, Śarva, Iśána, Paśupati, Bhíma, Ugra, and Mahádeva, which were given to them by their great progenitor. He also assigned to them their respective stations, the sun, water, earth, air, fire, ether, the ministrant Brahman, and the moon; for these are their several forms The wives of the sun and the other manifestations, termed Rudra and the rest, were respectively, Suverchalá, Ushá, Vikesí, Sivá, Swáhá, Diśá, Díkshá, and Rohiní. Now hear an account of their progeny, by whose successive generations this world has been peopled. Their sons, then, were severally, Sanaiśchara (Saturn), Śukra (Venus), the fiery-bodied Mars, Manojava (Hanumán), Skanda, Swarga, Santána, and Budha (Mercury).
It was the Rudra of this description that married Satí, who abandoned her corporeal existence in consequence of the displeasure of Daksha 5. She afterwards was the daughter of Himaván (the snowy mountains) by Mená; and in that character, as the only Umá, the mighty Bhava again married her.

Aakash nivasi

Dear readers,

Here is a story from Vamana Puran.

Regards,

Souvik

Once, Sati requested Lord Shankar to make arrangements for a permanent abode. At that time, Lord Shankar had his abode at Mandaar Mountain. Summer season was approaching and Sati quite rightly had apprehensions of living in the open. Lord Shankar told her that as he was a recluse, he never felt a need of a permanent dwelling. Though Sati was not satisfied by his answers yet she kept quiet. This way, both of them continued to live there. The summer season had passed and now it was the turn of rainy season to arrive. Sati made the same request to Lord Shankar. This time, Lord Shankar told her that it was impossible for him to construct a house, as he had no wealth. He also told her that he had only a tiger skin as his clothing, the king cobra- his sacred thread, Padma and Pingal (snakes)- his ear-rings and Keval and Dhananjay as his armlets.
After hearing this, Sati became worried as to how she would pass the rainy season without a home. Lord Shankar then assured her that this problem would be easily solved if she lived above the clouds. This way, she would remain untouched by the showers. After this, both of them ascended towards the sky and started living above the clouds. From that day onwards, Lord Shankar came to be known as Jeebhootvaahan (one whose vehicle is the cloud).

Aashray

(Image from here)

(Article from here)

Shiva status at Bangalore

"I haven't yet seen a mainstream travel guide that includes Bangalore's enormous recently built Shiva idol as part of the sights to see. Maybe the guides just haven't gotten to it, and maybe its newness counts against it -- all I know is that I would take visitors here before heading to the interesting but overrated Bull Temple, on the other side of town. The statue -- over 60 feet tall! -- was built by the owners of the Kemp Fort chain of department stores. They placed it behind their Kemp Fort branch on Airport Road. Look for the huge fort-like building as you take your taxi into town -- Shiva's waiting for you in back. "

-- John Rambow

(Article from here)

Shiva temple to come up at Georgia
Coimbatore, March 29 (PTI): A landmark Lord Shiva temple would come up shortly at Nor Cross Bruke Hallow Parkway in Georgia, a commercial hub of the United States.
A sprawling 9.5 acres of land at a cost of Rs 37 crore has been acquired for the Rs 100 crore temple, the idols for which were being readied at nearby Thirumuruganpoondi.
With the construction of the temple, expected to be ready within a year, Georgia, home for a nearly 40,000-strong Indian population, would become a major tourist attraction, besides a religious centre, Sri Selvam Siddar, the man behind the mega project, on Tuesday told reporters through videoconference from California.
Claiming that the temple, to be built by 'The Hindu Temple of Georgia Trust', would be the World's first Shiva temple with 108 idols, Siddar said that all the statues, being sculpted at Swamimalai, Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu would be shipped to the US by the end of this month.
The 'Moola Vigraha,' (main idol) is being sculpted at Navabharathi Sirpa Kalaikoodam, Thirumuruganpoondi, about 50 kms from here, under the chief sculptor, Sambandam, he said.
About 1,600 feet of the 4,000-feet fencing work for the project has been completed, he said, adding that two gates and an arch were ready for shipment from here.
Stating that the temple has received clearance from the Georgian authorities, Siddar said clearance for all the idols and statues would be obtained from the Indian Archepological Department, Council of Handicrafts and Customs.

Ananda upobhog

Dear readers,

I wanted to share with you two wonderful videos I came across.

Here are the links:

Link1 : A dance video

Link2 : A Shiva Ratri kirtan

Hope you like them!

Souvik