H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw: /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw
H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw: /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw
H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw: /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw /H/Oxw
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA:
\h\oXw
NAVANEETHAM
ധ 1184 / December 2008
Devotees Forum
Monthly Newsletter of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum
Dear
ear GuruDevs,
As another year races to an end, it is time for retrospection, thanksgiving and renewal of our
resolutions & promises.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude for all your support, help and hard work that made everything
possible for our extended family - Guruvayur group. I pranam & thank all elders, volunteers and
every member for your dedication and service to Guruvayur group and your Bhakthi. Our prayers
and thanksgiving goes to each of you.
Our group has become much more active this year and successfully completed many wonderful
projects as per Bhagavan's wish. We had excellent discussions, group prayers, question-answers,
touching personal stories, scholarly articles, beautiful audio and videos, many satsungs and
valuable advices from our learned members .
More than ever before now we have place to share our bhakthi related thoughts and get our
spiritual questions answered and a large extended family!
It is great pleasure to every devotee that our ambitious KOTI NAAMA ARCHANA YAGNAM – typing
one crore naamams of OM NAMO NARAYANAYA: - completed ahead of expected time!!!
Guruvayoorappante Kripa! A special thank you to all of you involved in the Koti Naama Japam
Yagnam.
We also completed a Devi Laksharchana during Navarathri and started a Ayyappa Swami
Laksharchana now with Mandalam.
Another new project we started is a Krishna Bhajans audio/video library blog. Again, with
Guruvayoorappan's blessings we had very good works of music from many members for our
listening pursuit added to the library. Thank you.
Our Bangalore group organized a Sampoorna Narayaneeyam recital and sat-sung this year. I thank
everyone worked hard to make it happen and attended the same in Bangalore. Well done!
First batch of Sarojaji's Sanskirt classes are graduated and she has started the second batch and
many of our members are learning Sanskrit.. We Thank Dr. Sarojaji for all her hard work and
dedicated seva!
Dr. AP Sukumar of Canada has sung and recorded the entire Narayaneeyam and we are blessed to
have it on our guruvayoor.com web site. We congratulate Sukumarji for his accomplishment and
thank him for his hard work and dedication.
We have more than 1200 members in our group now and we are growing at a steady pace. We also
have three more groups now - one for nitya naama japam (bhajan group), one for general
knowledge share (Ayurvidya) and one for Sanskrit learning (Guru-Kulam).
Special thanks Chandraji, Shashiji and Veenaji for their excellent support with Koti Naama Japam
and the group moderation.
I also like to thank the spirit and willingness of Hari Prasadji, Dr. Varhsaji, Geethaji and Pravin
Balanji for helping to maintain our Laksharchana blogs.
Our collective feeling as a family is emerging with every passing year. I hear from many of you that
our group has become an integral part of your life - as it has become mine. Please try to help and
support each other as Manava seva is a part of Madhava Seva. Thank you members.
Personally, I got a chance to meet meet some of you and I thank Guruvayoorappan for blessing me
to know such wonderful devotees whom I consider family.
I am very grateful for all members and their family for their help, support and prayers for the group
and personally to me. Thank you dear members.
As the case with any large group and with our busy lives, we do make mistakes and errors at times.
I request your forgiveness in any mistakes, bad behavior or errors from my side. It has been a very
busy & stressful year for me and I apologize for the delay in email/phone replies.
I sincerely pray to Guruvayooorappan to bless each member and their family with
AYURAROGYASOUKHYAM – long life, good health, prosperity, peace and happiness.
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu - May all living beings in all the worlds be happy.
WQxVeL YOâvLpPqÕL!
Navaneetham (freshly churned butter) is a humble attempt by Guruvayur Devotees Forum to create a monthly news letter for our
group. Please send your comments, suggestions and any materials that you wish to publish to editor@guruvayoor.com
What are these objects and what is the significance of it to Krishna Bhakthas ?
Please email your answers to editor@guruvayoor.com
Winner's name will be announced in the next issue.
വിനായക മംഗളം .
രാ വടീ.
വടീ.
മംഗളമി ഗണപതിഭഗവ
ഭംഗവിനാശക ശംേഭാതനയ
സി ിവിനായക േവലസേഹാദര
കരിമഖവദനാ
& േദവി%മാര
പ'മഖാ(ാ & കലിയഗവരദ &
അഷ + വിനായക ,സംര(ക
പ'കരാധര മഷികവാഹന
സ-ചരാചര പജിതപാദ
സി0രവ
ണ
1 ക2ണാസാഗര
വാതാപീശ5 ര ഭ3ജന4ിയ
വിദ6ാവാരിതി കര4ിയ
ഷി44സാദക %ം%മ4ിയ
ആഗമനിഗമ ശാസ8വിശാരദ ്
പാശാം%ശധര േമാദക4ിയ
സകലകലാഗണ നായകധരിണീ
ബ& ിഫലാദി കാരണ,ത
യ<ാദിസ8ധര മനീശ
& 5 രപജിത
സകലപാപവിനാശ കാരണ
മംഗളം ഭവ=: ഭവ=: മംഗളം ഭവ=: ഭവ=:
çÕÆçÕÆÞLæMÞøáæ{æa
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ഓംBാരഹBാര,
ഓംBാരഹBാര, Cിംഗാരനാശന,
Cിംഗാരനാശന,
ശBര െകാ'ിടം
& ചിEയേന.
ഐBരേസാദര,
ഐBരേസാദര, നി-
നി-കഴI േചJേണ,
േചJേണ,
ശംഖനാദ4ിയാ
& , ശബരിനാധാ,
ശബരിനാധാ,
ആ2KീേലാകിെലേL =ണMവാ,
=ണMവാ,
ആധാരം േവറK
& & ശബരിനാധാ,
ആOിലം
& ,േമPിലം
& ,കാPിലം
& ,നീെയേL
കാQെകാRണെമ,
കാQെകാRണെമ, ശബരിനാധാ,
ശബരിനാധാ,
െതOകS
& ചBാIMപOിെയLാകിലം &,
%Oം െപാറJേണ
& , ശബരിനാധാ,
ശബരിനാധാ,
ഞാെKUR,
ഞാെKUR, േബാധമKാകണം
& ,
പാദം നമിJാ അ2I തേരണം,
തേരണം,
'His' abode-Guruvayur
Balagopal Ramakrishnan
The devotees come with heavily laden life like the visit of 'Kuchelan' and forgets all miseries as they
reach the premises of the temple. They come to ask many a things but forgets them all even at a glimpse
of 'him'.
For a moment, may be, 'his' devotees merge in 'him' leaving them with a feeling of 'what more to ask for'!
The light-hearted ones are brimming with joy and peace. None leaves without their hearts and souls filled
with 'his' 'mandahasam'-'the divine smile' wherein ALL ENDS WELL.
All issues are taken care of, none need to worry. The resounding theme is 'don't worry, be happy',
'everything is taken care of by me'.
Call out Krishna, remember him always, and chant the holy name
Will attain all the great glory & grace of lord
Call out Krishna, follow his teachings and karma as advised & meaningfully
Will protect from all the evil deeds rise-up in mind
Call out Krishna; act always trustworthy towards the lord and his command
Will promptly take us to his land in heaven!
Call out Krishna, we belongs to him, who knows our past, present & future
Will provide shelter from all the illusory creation of this material universe
Call out Krishna, surrender completely to lord, offer the pure devotion
Will be pleased, supported, gifted and blessed by the lord!
Call out Krishna, Call out Krishna, Call out Krishna, …. the holy name
Will liberate the human life’s and divert the life in serenity!
(I love you lord, I love you….. without my lord I can not live!!!!)
With pure love to the lotus feet of my lord
MOHAMUDHGARA-BAJAGOVINDAM OF SANKARA
As long as one is intent on earning wealth the relatives and dependents hover around. But when he reaches the old
age with tattered limbs no one in his own house even enquires how he is.
Sankara in this sloka details the state of a man of the world who reaches the old age. Till, yaavath, he is busy
earning money, vitthopaarajanasakthah, to look after his family, all the relatives , nijaparibvaaraH, are
attached to him, rakthaH. Later, paSchaath, when he lives in old age with his limbs weak, JarJaradhehe, the
same persons who clung to him when he was providing for them, do not even look at him or ask him how he is,
vaartaam ko api na prcChathi, only treating as a burden and waiting for him to die. It shows that people do not
love you for yourself but only for what you can do for them. This is the sad state of affairs we find very commonly
in this world.
Sankara says this only to show that all attachments are temporary. There may be some sons who look after their
father in their old age and in those days we believe that the sense of filial duty was foremost. But even in those
days Sankara speaks like this which means that the nature of average human beings who are riddled with selfish
desires does not change normally.
As long as one lives people enquire about you but the moment the life goes from the body, even the wife is afraid of
the body.
Even if there is sincere attachment as between husband and wife , that also lasts till the end of this life only. Once
the life goes away the man becomes a mere body and everyone including his loving wife only wants to dispose of
the body as early as possible.
It should not be misconstrued that Sankara asks one to relinquish his wife or other relations. He only condemns the
moha or illusion that the family attachments are real and permanent. The relationship between husband and wife or
parents and children lasts only as long as there is life in the body.
In this world only true relative is the Lord who remains your close friend in all the lives to come . All the other
relations last only for one life. Even that is not guaranteed as made out in the previous sloka.
Therefore while you are still active and alive chant the name of Govinda. Unless you begin early in life
you cannot think of God later in life when you live in JarJaradheha. It is a myth that one need to think of
God only in old age. Sankara himself shows this in the next sloka.
Shri S.N.Sastri
(Submitted with permission by Balagopal Ramakrishnan)
H.H. : I hope you are pursuing your studies in the Vedanta as usual?
D. : Though not regularly, I do make some occasional study.
H.H. : In the course of your studies, you may have come across many doubts.
D. : Yes, one doubt repeatedly comes up to my mind.
H.H. : What is it?
D. : It is the problem of the eternal conflict between fate and free-will. What are their respective provinces
and how can the conflict be avoided?
H.H. : If presented in the way you have done it, the problem would baffle even the highest of thinkers.
D. : What is wrong with my presentation? I only stated the problem and did not even explain how I find it to
be a difficult one.
H.H. : Your difficulty arises in the very statement of the problem.
D. : How?
H.H. : A conflict arises only if there are two things. There can be no conflict if there is only one thing.
D. : But here there are two things, fate and free-will.
H.H. : Exactly. It is this assumption of yours that is responsible for your problem.
D. : It is not my assumption at all. How can I ignore the fact that the two things exist as independent factors,
whether I grant their existence or not?
H.H. : That is where you are wrong again.
D. : How?
H.H. : As a follower of our Sanatana Dharma, you must know that fate is nothing extraneous to yourself, but
only the sum total of the results of your past actions.
As God is but the dispenser of the fruits of actions, fate, representing those fruits, is not his creation but
only yours. Free-will is what you exercise when you act now.
http://group.yahoo.com/groups/guruvayur \h\oXw Page- 12
Monthly Newsletter of Guruvayoor Devotees Forum
D. : Still I do not see how they are not two distinct things.
H.H. : Have it this way. Fate is past karma; free-will is present karma.
Both are really one, that is, karma, though they may differ in the matter of time. There can be no conflict
when they are really one.
D. : But the difference in time is a vital difference which we cannot possibly overlook.
H.H. : I do not want you to overlook it, but only to study it more deeply.
The present is before you and, by the exercise of free-will, you can attempt to shape it. The past is past
and is therefore beyond your vision and is rightly called adrishta, the unseen. You cannot reasonably
attempt to find out the relative strength of two things unless both of them are before you. But, by our very
definition, free-will, the present
karma, alone is before you and fate, the past karma, is invisible.
Even if you see two wrestlers right in front of you, you cannot decide about their relative strength. For, one
may have weight, the other agility; one muscles and the other tenacity; one the benefit of practice and the
other coolness of judgment and so on. We can go on building arguments on arguments to conclude that a
particular wrestler will be the winner.
But experience shows that each of these qualifications may fail at any time or may prove to be a
disqualification. The only practical method of determining their relative strength will be to make them
wrestle.
While this is so, how do you expect to find by means of arguments a solution to the problem of the relative
value of fate and free-will when the former by its very nature is unseen!
D. : Is there no way then of solving this problem?
H.H. : There is this way. The wrestlers must fight with each other and prove which of them is the stronger.
D. : In other words, the problem of conflict will get solved only at the end of the conflict. But at that time the
problem will have ceased to have any practical significance.
H.H. : Not only so, it will cease to exist.
D. : That is, before the conflict begins, the problem is incapable of solution; and, after the conflict ends, it is
no longer necessary to find a solution.
H.H. : Just so. In either case, it is profitless to embark on the enquiry as to the relative strength of fate and
free-will.
A Guide
D. : Does Your Holiness then mean to say that we must resign ourselves to fate?
H.H. : Certainly not. On the other hand, you must devote yourself to free-will.
D. : How can that be?
H.H. : Fate, as I told you, is the resultant of the past exercise of your free-will. By exercising your free-will in
the past, you brought on the resultant fate. By exercising your free-will in the present, I want you to wipe
out your past record if it hurts you, or to add to it if you find it enjoyable.
In any case, whether for acquiring more happiness or for reducing misery, you have to exercise your free-
will in the present.
D. : But the exercise of free-will however well-directed, very often fails to secure the desired result, as fate
steps in and nullifies the action of free-will.
H.H. : You are again ignoring our definition of fate. It is not an extraneous and a new thing which steps in to
nullify your free-will. On the other hand, it is already in yourself.
Function of Shastras:
D. : But there certainly are many things which are impossible to attain even after the utmost exertion.
H.H. : There you are mistaken. There is nothing which is really unattainable. A thing, however, may be
unattainable to us at the particular stage at which we are, or with the qualifications that we possess.
The attainability or otherwise of a particular thing is thus not an absolute characteristic of that thing but is
relative and proportionate to our capacity to attain it.
D. : The success or failure of an effort can be known definitely only at the end. How are we then to know
beforehand whether with our present capacity we may or may not exert ourselves to attain a particular
object, and whether it is the right kind of exertion for the attainment of that object?
H.H. : Your question is certainly a pertinent one. The whole aim of our Dharma Shastras is to give a
detailed answer to your question. Religion does not fetter man's free-will. It leaves him quite
free to act, but tells him at the same time what is good for him and what is not. The responsibility is entirely
and solely his. He cannot escape it by blaming fate, for fate is of his own making, nor by blaming God, for
he is but the dispenser of fruits in accordance with the merits of actions. You are the master of your own
destiny. It is for you to make it, to better it or to mar it. This is your privilege. This is your responsibility.
D. : I quite realise this. But often it so happens that I am not really master of myself. I know, for instance,
quite well that a particular act is wrong; at the same time, I feel impelled to do it. Similarly, I know that
another act is right; at the same time, however, I feel powerless to do it. It seems that there is some power
which is able to control or defy my free-will. So long as that power is potent, how can I be called the master
of my own destiny? What is that power but fate?
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9: Z[തപസ േകക)
f¡©kz¤ (Phone: 080 28530048 , e-mail kavibalendu@gmail.com )
േദവ, നി നാഭീപ`ം തLിI വാണീടം & Z[ാ- േതാSവളഹാരaളം & ൈകവളയാദ6aളം & ;
േവaനിLിാമരയിaവെLേLാ2വാ
& & മണികS മിLീടL & കാ'ിയം & പീതാംബരം
െതലV & േമ കഴിയാെതെയാUേമ തിരിയാെത മയMം കായാവി വണ 1 മാം കേളബരം!
വാസ് തവം കെKQവാനാസcേയാടനbരം കഴിIിളaL
& & കൗസ് =ഭം മേനാഹരം
നാലചOിലം
& & & േനാJിേയറിടം & കൗeഹലാI െതാഴേL& Z[ാവോS കKതാം ഭവ
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അbമOതാം നീരിI ചാ'ാടമാരിെന & വ6ാപകം ഭവIJീി ൈവഭവം ലക് \ മീപേത
കKിPമാധാരമാം& നിUടI കാണാെതയം & ജയിJ ഹേര 4േഭാ ദശനം! ഭാഗ6ം! ഭാഗ6ം!
ചിbിhാ Z[ാ,"േവക ഞാനാേരാ, ഞാ വാഴമീ & ത5 രിതം 4പ'ി ഷ + ിJായ് െകല് േപകേണ".
പBജെമവിടLാjKായേതേതാെയേbാ & ! 2 ഇaെന പേ`ാoവ പകഴ് & Qം ണം പാരം
"ഉKാവെമാരാധാരം & , കെKാ CമിേJണം" തിaിന ഭഗവാേന, അെaെLJാേJണേമ. 7
എേLവമറായി & ചിbിh& പേ`ാoവ "വിഷ + പ8യം തീJാ ദകനായ് \ ഭവിhീടം &
താമരpലി നാളം തLിലടിറaിനാ ഷ + ാേവ ഭവാേനOമകയം \ ബലോെട;
േയാഗവിദ6കS മOമറിേqാ & & മഹാമതി. മാമകമxഹം ൈകെJാRകതിLായി &
ആയേപാേലെറോയിിരqം & കെKീല താവക ദി C യKായാI & സാ 6ം സ-5 ം;
താവകകേളബരെമ8യം & േഗാ◌ൂഢം പാരം! 3 ധ6ാനവം & മടെJാലാ
& ," എേLവമ2S െചയ് =
പിെLയെമാെLാLായിേPാേരാ2
& നാളം േതാറം & മാനസം %ളിh & & Z[േദവെനബ് ഭവാ. 8
അaെയിരേqേറJാളവം & കഴിqം & േപായ് ദിവ6വ}രം ശതം നീെKാ2 തപസിനാI \
ഒUേമ കെKാെത ഖിLനായ് മടaീP& ൈകവU പ-ാധികം വിധിM തേപാബലം;
താമരാരിURിILിടമറിh & &; ൈകവLിത= െകാK& വ ിh മേനാബലം;
എ8യേമകാxമായ് & hിട് ഠെ നിയzിh& താവകബലിനാേലറി ൈവഭവം പാരം.
ത5 I{പെയാLിLായി ധ6ാനിh& പേ`ാoവ. 4 പവന ജേലാപരിയലയ് & Mം പാേഥാജം ക-
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മാറി മാലിന6ം പാേട മാനസം സം~ മായ് 2കാ2ണ6ാI തവ നാഭീപBജിI നി-
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വാമടിെJPം
& & രഖചിതം കിരീടവം & െചാരിേയണേമ ഭവI{പെയേLയം & കാJാ. 10
EêjêiXðiù hòkù
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തദീ(ണ%eഹലാത4തിദിശം ് വിാനന- & ്
വപസതദയി ഭാവേയ കമലജEേന ദശിതം
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& 009:007
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& & Cീപേത
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ക ഏഷ കമേലാദേര മഹതി നിസഹാേയാഹ6ഹം \ മിതി
ഹിണവണ
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%തഃ സ5 ിദിദമംബജം & സമജനീതി ചിbാമഗാത് മാം
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& േവധസം
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ഭവദബലവിംഭിതഃ പവനപാഥസീ പീതവാ
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Author News:
We are glad to inform you that our Balenduji's Neythiri was read by a group at Rasthapet
Temple, Pune on 28th and 29thof November and later on 6th 7th and 8th at the thrivasara
yajnjam at Kaippillikkaav near Thodupuzha..
The violence and corruption around us definitely tend to unnerve us many a time. What can we, a small
number, do? Will it make a difference at all to the world at large, if a few of us change? No wonder such
questions or doubts make us lose the sense of urgency about change. What is worse, we look out and
expect others to change.
An old story goes that there was a big fool in a certain village, who thought he was very wise. He was
seized by fear one morning, "What if the sky falls down?" He noticed there were no pillars holding the sky
and it seemed to him that humanity was in great danger. The terrible thing could happen anytime.
Everybody laughed at him and many just ignored him as he posed the question to the people of his village.
Somebody at last said to him, "Go to the wise man in the forest; he will answer your doubt."
The fool went straight to the muni (sage) in the forest and said, "Tell me why the sky is not falling. I do not
see any pillars supporting it." The muni asked him to stay for a few days at the forest and he would be given
the right answer. The next day, the muni said to the fool, "Please go to the small town to the north of our
hermitage and beg at the doorsteps of a few houses. Bring some grains, vegetables and such things."
Before the fool could get going, the muni said, "One more thing. Please remember to scold the people of
the house as they bring food to give to you."
The fool did exactly as told. Even as the women of different houses brought rice, wheat, vegetables or fruits
to him, he verbally abused them. As a normal reaction to such behavior on the part of a beggar, the
householders refused to give him any help and many of them rebuked him in return.
Surprisingly, however, there were a few, very few indeed, places where the lady of the house listened
patiently to his irresponsible outbursts and, smiling gently, gave him alms anyway! The fool thus
successfully brought a little food to the muni, to the latter's delight. After this happened a few times, the
muni said to the fool one day, "Look!
People like these ladies are the
pillars that hold the sky. They were
kind to you in spite of your
thoughtless behavior towards them.
They are the invisible pillars that
prevent disasters from happening."
We ask, "We may be loving and compassionate. How will it help when the other person has a knife in his
hand?" The answer is, "Be truly loving and compassionate for a couple of years and see. You will face
successfully a dozen people rushing towards you with knives in hand."
J»¨Ê d¿l« ©d¡k¤¾ ¨h¡¶¤Jw J¤·¢ o¤c¢vQ¢i¤¨T Yk´¤ oh£d« Cy¼¤ L¡h¨¨ce®
otQs¢ dj¢d¥tXl¢Qih¡´¢·£t´©X!
J»¡ Cª L¤yl¡i¥t i¡±Yi¢v J»¨c¸×¢ dsº¤« O¢É¢µ¤« Otµ ¨Oií¤« S¹w F¿¡« hs
´¤¼¤. J»c¡X©¿¡ o¤c¢vQ¢¨i c¢h¢·h¡´¢ Cª ¨oçnv ©f¡L¢i¢v ©Js¡c¤¾ g¡L¬« S¹w
´¤ cvJ¢iY¤? AY¢c¡v J»¡ H¼¤J¥T¢ BÅ¡tZh¡i¢ ±d¡tZ¢´i¡X¤, o¤c¢vQ¢¨i Hy
©d¡sv©d¡k¤« Gvd¢´¡¨Y S¹w´¤ Y¢j¢µ¤ cvJ©X!
c¢sº ©oîp¨·¡¨T
l¢cid¥tl«, Bj¡bc¡d¥tl«, cz¢d¥tl«
L¤tl¡i¥j¸ gÇÁ¡t
(AZl¡ o¤c¢vQ¢i¤¨T g¡ni¢v dsº¡v L¤y©alÁ¡t)
(The following excerpts of Swami Chinmayandaji about his Guru Swami Tapovan
Maharaji's last days can be read from : http://www.chyk.net/Guru/ta.asp)
A boy was born in Palghat Taluk, in Kerala, in a fairly medium sized village called
Kuzholmannam in a house called "Puthan Veedu" (New House) in 1889 to Smt.Balamba
and Sri Achutan Nair. The child was named Subramaniam. He was called bythe parents as
Chippu Kutty, and this pet name was taken lip later on by all his
friends and admirers, all through his life till he took Sanyas.
Again during my last visit, (December 5 & 6, 1956), I was rather crestfallen to see him physically in that condition. By then
he had for days almost stopped taking food, he had grown emaciated to less than one - eighth of his original size. The
lean emaciated, worn out body seemed to get dissolved slowly and steadily into the very elements from which it came. It
was difficult for him even to stand up from his asan without the help and support of others, and yet he would insist that he
must come to his usual seat in the veranda, as ever
before and stay there from 6 a.m. to late at night 10 p.m. Seeing him in this condition, an old devotee of his procured
some pillows and a cushion and the vehemence with which he protested against such pleasures given to the body, even
in that condition, was an education in itself. However, more to satisfy the old
saint from Ahmedabad than to enjoy himself, he allowed those things around him. But the next day, it was
more painful for me to see that he had left the support of even bare wall and was trying to sit upright lest his body might
learn to enjoy the pillow!!!
"I have already left this body. There is nothing in it to regret", were the words that he said to me with a smile, and the
sparkle in his eyes at that time was, to say the least, rather mischievous. My reactions to these words were rather tragic.
Perhaps he created the situation to hammer into me the insignificance of the phenomenon called Death. Looking into my
brimful eyes, he regretted: "So, this is the Vedanta that you had studied from me. What is strange in death? Death is only
one of the experiences which the Atman illumines." I had no words to say, no thoughts to think, no feelings to entertain.
Perhaps, gauging my thoughts, he continued" Supposing there was an old man who had come to you. He, seeing that
you are engaged with others, was so considerate that he had. patiently waited the whole day in the veranda. Till late in
the evening you are buried in your work and the old man waits on withall patience. Would you then close the doors on his
face because you are tired? Or would you not then with all apologies invite the old man in and entertain him? Similarly,
an old man was waiting to meet me for the last 68 years, and seeing me engaged with other preoccupations, he did not
lose his patience and waited on in his instinctive goodness, all these years. Now that I am no more so busy, he is trying to
come forward to meet me. Should I turn him down? Poor Death has been waiting from the moment I was born. Now that
all my other engagements are over, he is trying to come and meet me. I am anxiously waiting to meet him and give him
the interview.
During my last visit in early December 1956, I broke down suddenly and burst out. He saw the tears and softly said
"Chinmaya! It is easy to learn Vedanta, easier to preach Vedanta, hard indeed to live the knowledge. When we are born
death is born with us. He gave me so long a chance to live and experience. Now He, who was waiting so long, is coming
to meet me. You say I must now run to escape Him? How mean? Here how quietly Ilived; now cannot! quietly die, hearing
the Eternal Music of my Mother Ganga. Don't weep. You go and continue the work...come….!"
I returned to my Yagnasala. While I was holding a session in Palghat came the news. The manifested Light Divine was
reabsorbed into the Transcendental Infinitude. In 1957 January, on the full-moon day the Great Master chose to discard
his mortal vesture.
"Narayanayeti Samarpyamai"
"Like oil in the sesame seed, butter in the milk, foam and waves in the water, the supreme Self pervades everything
movable and immovable." - Swami Tapovan Maharaj
Traditionally devotees come to Kurukshetra (Dharmakshetra) and recite Bhagavad Gita from early
morning until the next morning, perform arati to Bhagavad Gita and to Krishna and Arjuna upon the
chariot, offer lamps 'deep daan' at Brahma Sarovar, shloka recitals, shobha yatras and seminars on the
significance of the Gita today.
Devotees who cannot get to Jyotisar Tirtha remember the blessed event by reciting Bhagavad Gita,
performing Bhagavad Gita ahuti of each verse or selected chapters into the sacred fire, and discussing
the subject matter of Bhagavad Gita in the association of devotees. Distribution of Bhagavad Gitas' on
this day is also a very auspicious activity to perform.
The Pandavas army took the western side of the battlefield of Kurukshetra. They were facing the east.
Their army was stationed near a lake. A white royal umbrella was seen in the Kauravas army. The soldiers
started warning up at the thought of the battle ahead. Blowing of conches raised a great tumult and
beating of drums and many other instruments were sounded to announce the readiness for the war.
Excitement was building up.
The warriors of both the sides met and settled the rules of the war. Only equals will fight in personal duels.
Those who surrender, there lives will be spared, No charioteer, animal, or servants who were not soldiers
were to be attacked. These and some other rules that were usual in a Dharma-Yuddha or a righteous war
On the eve of the war, sage Vyasa visited the palace of Dhritarastra, who was his son, now the terrible
days are in store. All your sons and the kings will be killed soon. This is settled by fate. It is ordained so,
do not be sorry. I shall grant you your eyesight so that you may witness the war. Dhritarastra was shaken
by the stark words of the sage. He said, 'My lord, I
have been blind all my life. I do not want to see my sons dying in the battlefield. If someone can give me
an account of the war as it unfolds, I shall be happy. Vyasa said, Sanjaya would get the power to see
everything that happens in the war. He will be able to see during the day as well as in the night. He shall
be even able to know the thoughts of the persons engaged
in the war. He shall not be tired or exhausted. The omens are all against the Kauravas." Saying this the
great sage departed. (After this the entire account of the war is as related by Sanjaya to the blind king
Dhritarastra)
Duryodhana was busy arranging his troops in a battle array. He told Dussashan, 'take care to protect our
grandsire, Bhishma. All the chariots and warriors should be placed in such a position to Bhishma. He
alone is capable of destroying the entire army of the Pandavas led by Dhristadhyumna. We should pay
special attentions to kill Shikhandi. He could be a source of
danger to Bhishma.
Then (one Akshauhini of Army comprises of 21870 chariots, 21870 elephants, 65610 horses and 109350
men.) akshauhinis of the Kauravas army was arranged in Vyuha (battle array) and one akshauhini was
under the direct control of Bhishma. Bhishma chariot was white-silver coloured, it was driven by white
horses and his flag was golden, bearing his personal insignia. The Sun was rising in a golden dawn.
Bhishma spoke to his soldiers, "Today is a very auspicious day. The gates of heavens are open to all the
Kshatriyas who will be fortunate to die in the battle. It is not beckoning of a Kshatriya to die in bed or of
sickness. Battlefield is the only glorious place to die. Without thinking about tomorrow do your best to win
the war. Karna was the only warrior who had not joined the war. Bhishma chief body guard was
Ashwathama, who was supported by seven more warriors. Salya and Bhurishrava were among them.
Duryodhana's banner was proudly fixed a top his chariot.
Looking at the vast army of the Kauravas, Yudhisthira said to Arjuna. Their army is so huge. They have
eleven akshauhinis against them we have only seven. How best can be arrange our army in battle
formation. Bhishma is quite formidable. Arjuna said, that he would arrange the army in a 'Vyuha' named
'Vajra'. This was the favourite arrangement of lord Indra. Dhristadhyumna was in the centre of the army.
Bhima, Yudhisthira, protected him and Arjuna supported Shikhandi. The most prominent banner in the
Pandava side was that of Arjuna, having lord Hanumana himself on it, driven by Krishna, having white
horses. All those who knew the reality, saluted Krishna. Krishna said to Arjuna, 'See the army of the
Kauravas, led by your old grandsire. The lion among the Kaurava heroes, is your first victim.
This is the anniversary day commemorating the day that Srimad Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Sri
Krishna to His dearmost devotee Arjuna at the place now known as Jyotisar Tirtha amid the waring
families of the Kurus and the Pandavas at Kurukshetra. If one wishes one can still go and visit that place
and see the monument erected there with Krishna as Parthasarati (the chariot driver) and Arjuna the
warrior on their chariot. It is claimed by the ashram who maintain the shrine that the tree that is next to
Them is a continum growth of the original tree witness that was there at the actual day of speaking.
Traditionally devotees come to Kurukshetra (Dharmakshetra) and recite Bhagavad Gita from early
morning until the next morning, perform arati to Bhagavad Gita and to Krishna and Arjuna upon the
chariot, offer lamps 'deep daan' at Brahma Sarovar, shloka recitals, shobha yatras and seminars on the
significance of the Gita today.
Devotees who cannot get to Jyotisar Tirtha remember the blessed event by reciting Bhagavad Gita,
The Bhagavad Gita(BG) was spoken by Sri Krishna to His friend and disciple, Arjuna at the beginning of
the epic war, Mahabharata. BG provides the concise conclusion of the millions of verses in all the Vedic
scriptures. In just eighteen chapters containing seven hundred verse, Sri Krishna answers all questions
about the duty of the living entity. In glorifying the BG,
Lord Shiva says in the Gita Mahatmya (Padma Purana) that it is sufficient to lead one to liberation.
Owing to the universal message in the BG, many people take to it instinctively. Unfortunately its
importance has also given rise to many people speculating and misinterpreting it. In order to protect the
trusting people from this kind of cheating, Sri Krishna stresses the importance of Paramapara (disciplic
succession) and Guru (spiritual master) in receiving the knowledge of the BG.
The three paths given by Sri Krishna are Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Bhakti yoga. The first six chapters
primarily discuss Karma yoga, liberation by performing prescribed activities. The last six chapters
primarily talk about Jnana yoga, liberation by worshipping the Lord through one's intelligence. Ensconced
between these two "protective" covers, like a pearl in the oyster,
in the middle six chapters, Krishna reveals the most confidential of all knowledge, Bhakti yoga, the path of
pure, unalloyed devotional service. He declares this to be the highest, the easiest and the fastest path to
Him, and for one who is fortunate to embark on it, the binding illusions of Maya are dispelled in no time.
Performing prescribed duties will earn a person much pious credit, but it will also continue to bind him to
the material world. So Karma can be "sakarma" (done in anticipation of enjoying its fruits) or "nishkarma"
(detached from the results). In both cases a person is attached to performing the activity. However, when
a person performs activities only for the pleasure of the Lord, he has reached the stage of Bhakti. For
instance Sadhna (japa, arati, kirtan) are activities performed with no material motives, simply to glorify or
remember the Lord. Thus Karma yoga can be used to elevate one self to the position of Bhakti yoga by
first performing prescribed activities, then renouncing the fruits of the activities to Krishna and finally by
renouncing the activity in itself to Krishna.
This verse, often considered to be the summary verse of the entire BG, contains the essence of the
existence of a spirit soul. In the material world, trapped in the illusory sense of identifying with the body
and its extensions, a spirit soul remains forever bewildered by the duality of existence. However by simply
surrendering to Krishna, understanding Him to
be the original, primeval cause of all causes and thus worshipping Him without any desires of material
benefit, one can easily go back to Him.
Bhakti yoga does not mean inactivity. Indeed a bhakta is most active, for he sees all his activities now in
relation to the Supreme. But he is detached from the activity and the fruits of the activity, neither happy in
success nor distressed in failure, understanding that all this is ultimately for Krishna and coming from Him
only.
When Krishna explains the path of spiritual advancement by knowledge, Arjuna gets confused between
the Karma (action) and Jnana (inaction). Krishna explains that one must strive for activities performed in
knowledge of Him, which will ultimately lead to Bhakti. Philosophy without faith is speculation, and faith
without philosophy is rituals. The two must complement each other. Thus, Krishna once again stresses
that the ultimate goal of all transcendentalists is Him. They may reach Him directly by Bhakti or first reach
Bhakti through Karma or Jnana.
In reality. Krishna is offering some thing for every one according to their levels of advancement and
inclination. As God, He does not interfere with the free will of a living entity. But as the most
compassionate well wisher He wants every one to leave this material world of misery and return to the
original spiritual abode.
So, for a person attracted to action, there is Karma yoga. For the intellectual there is Jnana yoga. For the
mystic there is astanga yoga. The BG meets the person at the level they are in and gradually elevates
them to the platform where they become qualified to execute Bhakti yoga, pure devotional service. A very
few fortunate souls, by the causeless mercy of
Krishna and His devotees, are able to take directly to Bhakti, and for them the way back to Godhead is
quick and easy.
Conclusion
We hope that these points address your interests and motivate you to read the Bhagavad Gita As It Is.
Holy Devaprayag
Devprayag is the point where the Bhagirathi River and the Alaknanda River join to form the
Ganges River.
It is one of the five sacred confluences in the hills and is an important place of pilgrimage for us.
Cute "Gayathri" with parents Anjeli & Vinod requesting your blessings.
Our apologies for those articles & poems we could not publish this time due to space limitations.
We will have them published in the forthcoming issues.
Please email us at navaneetham@guruvayoor.com with your name and brief introduction to have
your name appear in this section, also please email us your comments, suggestions, articles for
Navaneetham June issue to editor@guruvayoor.com