Surrender: Is it the Way of Cowards?

This day is Sri Rama Navami, Birthday of Sri Ram;

Rama the ideal man demonstrated what righteousness is;

Of all His traits, protection to the surrendered person was exemplary.

Surrender is a simple word but is a nuclear Bomb in dimension;

Is surrender acceptance of the current situation? is it just giving up a fight?

There is a beautiful book by Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now.

two of his wonderful quotes:

"Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry — all forms of fear — are caused  by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence"

"Wherever you are, be there totally. If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally"

This is what Rama did:

see the sequence of Surrenders

Bharata's surrender to Rama, when he pleaded Him to return to Ayodhya.

Surrender of the sages to Lord in the forest to protect them from the demons.

Sugriva's submission/sharanagathi to Rama to protect him from his brother Vali who had inflicted untold suffering on him

Rama's sharanagathi to samudra rajan

Hanuman also brings out his total surrender to Rama and his exemplary devotion to Him

Sita Devi advises Ravana to surrender to Rama.

Every canto of the Ramayana, except the last one, highlights the concept of surrender.

Before closing I want to share one thing—Rama killed Vali by hiding himself behind the trees; Many think that Rama faltered; on his chosen swadharma, that is way of Life,  that is protection to the surrendered person, Rama could never make a mistake.

Assume if Rama came out and fought with Vali; on seeing Rama Vali would have surrendered; Vali was Ravana’s friend; this would have upset so many divine dramas; God never alters the pre-set Drama

रामो राजमणिः सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे
रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमूः रामाय तस्मै नमः ।रामान्नास्ति परायणंपरतरं रामस्य दासोस्म्यहं
रामे चित्तलयस्सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर ॥

Raamo Raja-Mannih Sadaa Vijayate Raamam Ramesham Bhaje
Raamenna-Abhihataa Nishaacara-Camuuh Raamaaya Tasmai Namah|
Raamaan-Naasti Paraayannam-Parataram Raamasya Daasosmy-Aham
Raame Citta-Layas-Sadaa Bhavatu Me Bho Raama Maam-Uddhara ||

 I contemplate on Sri Rama, Who is the Jewel among the Kings, Who always Emerges Victorious, and Who is the Lord of Sita Devi.

 I Salute Sri Rama who Destroys the mighty Armies of Demons.
 There is no greater Refuge than Sri Rama. I am a humble Servant of Sri Rama.
 Let my mind ever Meditate on Rama. O Sri Rama. Kindly grant me Salvation.

Ramoa—Oh Rama( : combining with soft consonant Ra becomes Ramoa

raja—king

mani—gem/jewel

sada—always

vijaya—victory; vijayatae means—turns victorious

ramam—on rama

ramaa—Goddess Lakshmi

isha—Lord( Ramesam meams lord of Lakshmi and ramesam means on Rama)

bhajae—(I )medidate upon

ramaena—by Rama

abihata—killed

nisachara—demons

chamoohu—army

ramaya—to Rama

thasmai—to Him ( means avarukku, andha Ramanukku)

namaha—salutations

Rama—Rama

na—no

ashthi—is

parayanam—final end/ultimate aim

para—other/another

tharam—is the comparative degree

Ramasya—of Rama

Dasaha—servant

asmi—am

aham—I

Rame—on Rama

chitta—mind

laya—absorbed in

sada—always

bhavatu—be it so

mei—my

bho—oh/hello

Rama—hey Rama

Maa—me

udhdhara—redeem/elevate

 I am at your feet Rama

धन्यवाद:

See you in the next episode

With lots of love

rajagopal

31.03.2012

An Ear To The Ground-- Drunken Almighty……

Embodiments of Love!

Drunken Almighty……
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I am dedicating this to my Sister Shrimathi Janaki Seshadri, fondly called as “ Myli” (variant of Mythili) by us who left us on 16.3.2008; Her Annual Ceremony falls on 1.04.2012; She was a star to us; Her Bhakti cannot be fathomed even by Shyamala Devi! she left at an early age of 54 but has left a legacy of a 1000 years!

Akka, I submit at your feet; Bless this useless brother so that I learn something before I leave this earth after completing my Mission Impossible!

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this I am sharing for multiple reason; as time is trickling out I want to share as many beauties as possible

this is a part of Shyamala Dhandakam ॥ श्यामळा दण्डकम् ॥ composed by the Great Kalidasa

Dandakam is a poetry form similar to prose

the purpose is to seek the meaning of the second line—madalasam—which means lazy from drunkenness

let us see the slogam

माणिक्यवीणामुपलालयन्तीं
मदालसां मञ्जुळवाग्विलासाम् ।
माहेन्द्रनीलद्युतिकोमलाङ्गीं
मातङ्गकन्यां मनसा स्मरामि ॥ १ ॥

Transliteration

māṇikyavīṇāmupalālayantīṁ
madālasāṁ mañjuḻavāgvilāsām |
māhendranīladyutikomalāṅgīṁ
mātaṅgakanyāṁ manasā smarāmi || 1 ||

the rough meaning is

Who plays/fondles the veena made of precious gems,

lazy and with sweet words

who has an expression ( of the inner spiritual beauty) that shines like a blue gem

daughter of Matanga, I mediatate upon

my interest is the second line

मदालस--lazy from drunkenness

मञ्जुल—pleasing, charming

She is lazy from drunkenness?!..........

It is not that my Mother Shyamala has taken some Alcoholic beverage.

when we listen to something pleasing, say from the mouth of our Lady Love, even though it could be such a useless stuff in a coarse voice, we say it is Honey poured into our ears; same with a child’s blabbering;

So Kalidas shares that his words are Honey to Shyamala Devi who is intoxicated because of the praise He is showering.

Beauty is that, immediately after the word comes Manjula Vaag Vilaasam—means (Lady with) pleasing speech manifestation;

That means my Mother speaks out after listening to Her Child

I assure you that My Mother is ready to speak to anybody, if we keep An Ear to the Ground!

धन्यवाद:

See you in the next episode

With lots of love
rajagopal

31 .03.2012

Laws of Water: The drop is water, but water is not the drop!

Embodiments of Love! 

Gnaana Dev and Naama Dev were walking through a forest.

They felt very thirsty.

they saw a well and ran towards it. They eagerly looked into it. There was water in the well.

But how could they drink? There was neither a rope nor a vessel to draw water. There was no question of somehow going into the well as the well was in a dilapidated condition.

Gnaana Dev simply closed his eyes as if in prayer. Soon he was transformed into a bird. He flew into the well and drank water to his fill.

Naama Dev began chanting the name of Lord Vittal with intense devotion. The water level began to rise slowly until at last the level of water was within the reach of Naama Dev. He just put his hands into the well and drank water to his fill.

Such is the power of Naamasmarana.

    ---  Courtesy: My Mentor&Guru-Bhagavan Shri Satya Sai Baba

Narada Bhakti Sutram-7

सा न कामयमाना निरोधरूपत्वात्

Transliteration

saa na kaamayamaanaa niroadharoopatwaat

Word by word meaning:

saa—that (Devotion)

na—no/not

kaamaya—full of desire

maana—rate, measure, like

niradha—rejection, renunciation, aversion

roopatvat—because of having figure or form

Meaning

Because Devotion is of the nature of renunciation, there is no lust or element of desire

My Explanation

Frithjof Schuon shares a vital clue: 

 The drop is water, but water is not the drop.

I read this 2 days back; I was really shaken as this challenged my strong Love for Advaita;

you know how I got the explanation?

I picked “ Matruvani” a monthly journal from Mata Amritanandhamayi Mutt; it was January 2012 issue

I saw a translation for a Malayalam poem

Even though a drop of water is water, think of the vast expanse of the ocean; the supreme happiness is contained in the spiritual happiness only

This means drop of water is our lower lever satisfactions; it is also a part of the greater happiness but ocean is the spiritual enlightenment which gives the bliss, everlasting happiness

 ( yath bhavam that bhavati --what you think you become; i thought of water; Amma gave me water in a nutshell; what else do i need?)

धन्यवाद:

See you in the next episode

With lots of love

rajagopal

30.03.2012

Esoterism—Is it only for a Few?

Embodiments Of Love!

Jesus and His disciples were caught in a severe storm on the Lake of Galilee. The boat seemed in danger of sinking. Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat, when His disciples, in panic, awakened him. He asked, ’’Why are you afraid?  Have you no faith?''   He is reported to have calmed both the sea and the disciples by His word-- Mark 4:35-41 (Bible)

Let the waters of the sea represent the sea of life over which we are making our life's voyage; the boat, our lower self or body; the raging storm, the emotional disturbances we may encounter; the disciples, the many aspects of our consciousness. The most important passenger in our boat ---- our life ---- is the Christ within. Why do we wait until some crisis seems to threaten us before awakening this Christ consciousness? But when this Christ life is awakened within us, what power it has to quiet the surging billows of our emotions ---- including the fears aroused by life's threatening storms!--- Geoffrey Hodson, a theosophical writer in The Hidden Wisdom in the Holy Bible, Vol. I,

According to Adi Sankara,

Whatever is, is Brahman. Brahman Itself is absolutely homogeneous.

All difference and plurality are illusory. 

His maxim is very famous

ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन् मिथ्या जीवो ब्रह्मैव न अपराः

Transliteration

“Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya Jivo Brahmaiva Na Aparah

Meaning

The Supreme is the only truth, the world is illusion and the Soul and that Supreme are one and not different

Brahma Satyam----The eternal Truth/ Supreme
Jagan Mitya----illusory world
Jivo Brahmaiva Na Aparah: “The jivas  are not different from Brahmam, the Supreme self

Frithjof Schuon who was a native of Switzerland and a philosopher gives a clear explanation for Esoterism

The prerogative of the human state is objectivity;

the essential content of which is the Absolute.

There is no knowledge without objectivity of the intelligence;

there is no freedom without objectivity of the will;

and there is no nobility without objectivity of the soul…

Esoterism seeks to realize pure and direct objectivity!

Dear friends …STILL CONFUSED

Let us take a discussion on Quran

Without exoterism, the truth is "invisible". Light in itself is a revelation, but unless it illuminates forms, it "shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not".

It is only, through form, in the sense of exoterism and also of a defined corpus of revelation, that it is possible to attain to formless truth( ref Quran-- (18:65-82), (20;92-93), (20:94-96)

The higher the spiritual aspiration, the more important and strict the observance of religious law becomes

We will talk more on this


धन्यवाद:

See you in the next episode

With lots of love
rajagopal

29.03.2012

Sivamanasa Puja--शिवमानसपूजा

Sivamanasa Puja

Embodiments of Love!


I must thank my Daughter Nandhini for introducing me to Manasa Puja By Adi Shankara; the beauty is that my father is Kumba Rasi and she is also Kumba Rasi; so my father, who was my Guru, is still guiding me through her; May Siva bless both my Daughters with everything auspicious!

I love Advaita Philosophy; if my Life permits I will make more articles on that; let me share, how my Visionary Leader,  Sankara proposes a prayer!

I am astonished by the way Sankara thinks; he shares points stooping to the level of a lower person like me and suggests  how even Rajagopal can offer prayers to Paramatma, Lord SIVA

शिवमानसपूजा

आत्मा त्वं गिरिजा मतिः सहचराः प्राणाः शरीरं गृहं

पूजा तॆ विषयॊपभॊगरचना निद्रा समाधिस्थितिः ।

सञ्चारः पदयॊः प्रदक्षिणविधिः स्तॊत्राणि सर्वा गिरॊ

यद्यत् कर्म करॊमि तत्तदखिलं शंभॊ तवाराधनम् ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

Aathma thwam Girija Mathi sahacharaa, prana sarreram gruham,
Pooja theey vishayopa bhoga rachana, nidhra samadhi sthithi,
Sanchara padayo pradakshina vidhi, , sthothrani sarva giraa,
Yadyath karma karomi thathad akhilam, shambho thavaradhanam.

Word by Word Meaning:

aatma—soul

thwam--you

Girija—Parvathy Devi

mathi—mind

sareeram—body

gruham—residence/home

puja—prayer

te—your

vishaya—sensuality

apa—away, off

bhoga—indulgence

rachana—disposition, act of making

nidra—sleep

samaadhi—meditation

sthithi—state

sanchaaraha—roaming, walking

padayoho—with 2 feet

pradhikshina vidhi—circumambulation; Prathikshinam; that is going around the Idol of Almighty in reverence as a respect

stotraani---eulogy in praise of God

sarva—every, each

giro—words, speech

yatyat—whatever

karma—act, work

karomi—I do

tattat-that is all

akilam—whole, entire, without a gap

Sambho—Sambho( Mahadeva)

thava—your

aaradhanam—adoration, worship

Meaning:

Sambho MahaDeva, You are my Ātman, Girijā is my mind, Your accompaniments are my life-forces, Your body is my residence. My various enjoyment and constructions be Your prayer. My sleep be the state of meditation. My walking be Your circumambulation and my spoken words be Your eulogies. And whatever I do, that all may be Your adoration
ONE SPECIAL EXPLANATION on Girija is my Mind; I wanted to share more on this; would be an overdose; so stopping here.
धन्यवाद:

See you in the next episode

With lots of love
rajagopal

28 .03.2012

मम​ अन्तरिक्षयात्रा---My Space Travel

Embodiments of Love!

This is my second Poem in Sanskrit with its English Translation 
i dedicate this poem to the Goddess of Knowledge

मम​ अन्तरिक्षयात्रा

देवालयं   गच्छन्ति  जनाः

एतेषां  देवताः  ईक्क्षितुम् !

मम  मानस​ देवि ग्रुहम् आगच्छ्ति !

तस्य  कनकमयशरीरं विद्यया  भ्राजते !

एषा मम पुरतः पृष्ठतः पक्षः सर्वत्रः च​ पूरयति !

तत् मम मालिन्यं विनुदते !

स्प्रृश देवि ! तव पादाभ्यां,

ते अङ्कगतं मम सरीरं निरतरमं शयितुं पूर्वम्!

Transliteration

mama antariksha yaatra

devaalayam gachchandi janaaha

aeteshaam devataaha eekshitum

mama maanasa devi graham aagachchati

tasya kanakamaya sareeram vidyayaa bhraajatae

aesha mama purataha prustataha pakshaha

                           sarvatraha cha poorayati

tat mama maalinyam vinudatae

sprusa Devi tava paataabhyaam

te angakatam mama sareeram nirantaram sayitum poorvam

Translation

My Space Travel

People go to temple

To see their Goddess!

Goddess of my mind comes home!

Her golden body glitters with knowledge

She fills my front, back, sides and everywhere

That dispels my darkness

Touch me Devi with your feet

Before my body goes for the final sleep on your lap!

धन्यवाद:

See you in the next episode

With lots of love

rajagopal

28.1.12 

Is it Self-Hypnotism or a big Fraud?

Embodiments of Love!

There was a guru; a family man visited him one day.
Man: Swami, I want wisdom, please bless me with a methodology for achieving the same.
Guru: Read Bhagavad Gita daily; at the end of chanting offer dried grape fruits to Lord Krishna and pray; you will attain Wisdom and Nirvana.
This man felt happy and left the place; after a while, he came back; guru was surprised and doubted if that man got the wisdom that fast.
Guru: My dear Son, what is the good news you are going to share? Have you started reading Bhagavad Gita?
Man: Yes Guru, I just started; before that I got a doubt.
Guru: is it? Come on come on, normally doubts come after reading; your case is peculiar; tell me what is eating up your mind?
Man: Swami, you said that I should offer fruits to Almighty; you did not specify the number of fruits per session!
Guru: You fool, get lost; if you have asked me on the number slogans to be read, at least you would stand a chance of getting nearer Wisdom! For a glutton like you, Wisdom cannot appear even in the wildest dream!

Naradha Bhakti Sutram 6

यज्ज्ञात्वा मत्तो भवति

स्त्ब्धो भवति

आत्मारामो नभवति---- ६

                                                 

Transliteration

yaj jnatva matto bhavati

stabdho bhavaty

atmaramo bhavati--—6

Word by word meaning

यज्ज्ञात्वा—yajJnaathwa—having known

मत्तो भवति—mattaha bhavati—becomes Mad

स्त्ब्धो भवति--stambhaha Bhavati—becomes silent

आत्मारामो नभवति----aatma Ramo Bhavati—becomes unified with the soul

Meaning

Having known which (here denotes Bhakti-devotion) one becomes intoxicated, silent and enjoys in the self

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Tail-end Bonus:

in Ganapathi Atharva Seersha there is a beautiful portion; it gives the essence of what is “ Brahmam” and gives its qualifications: those who can afford please listen to its recitation; you will forget food for 2 days

Thwam gunathrayatheetha , thwam avastha thrayatheetha,
Thwam deha thrayatheetha, thwam kala thrayatheetha,
Thwam moola dhara sthitho aasi nithyam,
Thwam shakthi thrayathmaka,
Thwam yogino dhyayathi nithyam,
Thwam brahma thwam vishnusthwam,
Rudhrasthwam , indrasthwam , agnisthwam,
Vayusthwam sooryasthwam chandramasthwam,
Brahma bhoorbhuva swarom.

You are beyond Sathva, Rajas and Thamas,
You are beyond three types of experiences-waking , sleep and dream,
You are beyond the body states of Gross, subtle and casual,
You are beyond the three divisions of time-past, present and future,
You always and daily stay in mooladhara Chakra,
You are the three states of energy-creation, maintenance and destruction,
You are being daily meditated upon by sages,
Yo are Brahma , you are Vishnu , you are Shiva.
You are Indra, You are fire , you are wind.
You are the Sun, You are the moon,
You are all inclusive and all pervading.

धन्यवाद:

See you in the next episode

With lots of love
rajagopal

27 .03.2012