A TurtLe StOry

A turtle family decided to go on a picnic. Turtles, being naturally slow about things, took seven years to prepare for their outing. Finally the turtle family left home looking for a suitable place. During the second year of their journey they found a place ideal for them at last!

For about six months they cleaned the area, unpacked the picnic basket, and completed the arrangements. Then they discovered they had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt would be a disaster, they all agreed. After a lengthy discussion, the youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home. Although he was the fastest of the slow moving turtles, the little turtle whined, cried, and wobbled in his shell. He agreed to go on one condition: that no one would eat until he returned. The family consented and the little turtle left.

Three years passed and the little turtle had not returned. Five years...six years... then on the seventh year of his absence, the oldest turtle could no longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and begun to unwrap a sandwich. At that point the little turtle suddenly popped out from behind a tree shouting, "See! I knew you wouldn"t wait. Now I am not going to go get the salt."

Moral of the Story:

Some of us waste our time waiting for people to live up to our expectations of them. We are so concerned about what others are doing that we don"t do anything ourselves. Often we wait for people to make , what we think are, mistakes so that we can "get back" at them. Its a mindless and fruitless exercise doing so. You do the right thing without waiting for people to do what you think is their bit... 

:)

Dream!

One night I had a dream

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with God and across the sky flashed the scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonged to me, the other to the God.

When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand, I noticed that many times along the path of life, there was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned God about it “God you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way, but I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints, I don’t understand why in times when I needed you most you would leave me.” 

God replied “My precious child, I love you and I would never never leave you during your times of trials and suffering. When you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

~!

Brahma Jnaanavali

1.asangOham asangOham asangOham puna: puna: 

sachidAnandaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 1 ||

Unattached, unattached, unattached am I, again and again; of the nature

eternal Existence-Knowledge-Bliss am I: I am That. That am I, which is the

irreducible, immortal, endless factor.

2.nityaSuddhavimuktOhamNirakarOhamavyaya:

bhoomAnandaswaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 2 ||

Eternal, ever pure, ever liberated am I, formlessness my only form; of

nature I am all pervading, homogeneous mass of ‘Ananda’ (Bliss) am I: That

am I, which is the irreducible,immortal, endless factor.

3.nityOham niravadyOham nirakarOhamachyuta: |

paramAnandaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 3 ||

Eternal, flawless, formless, irreducible am I, of nature Supreme Bliss am I: I

am That. That am I, which is the irreducible, immortal, endless factor.

4.SuddhachaitanyaroopOhamAthmaramOhameva cha |

akhandAnandaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 4 ||

I am of the nature of pure Consciousness and I revel in my own Self; I am by

nature of unbroken ‘Ananada’: I am That. That am I, which is the

irreducible, immortal, endless factor.

5.prathyakchaitanyaroopOham SaantOham prakrute: para: |

SaasvtanandaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 5 ||

I am of the nature of innermost light of intelligence; I am the peace that

lies beyond nature; I am of nature ever abiding ‘Ananda’: I am That. That

am I, which is the irreducible,immortal, endless factor.

6.tathvatheetaa: paraathmAham maayAtheetha: para: Siva: |

maayatheetha: param jyOthirahamahamevAhamavyaya: || 6 ||

I am the Supreme Truth that lies beyond all other truths. I am the Supreme

Siva, ever across the frontiers of delusion (maya: that which is not); I am

the Supreme Light: I am That. That am I, which is the irreducible, immortal,

endless factor.

7.naanAroopavyateetOham chidakarOhamachyuta: |

sukharoopasvaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 7 ||

I am different from the multiple names and forms: pure knowledge alone is

my form; I am the imperishable; I am of nature joyous: I am That. That am

I, which is the irreducible,immortal, endless factor.

8.maayatatkAryadehAdi mama nAstyaeva sarvadA |

svaprakasaikaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya:|| 8 ||

Never, never have I the delusion or the delusion-produced stuffs, such as

body, etc; I am of the form of self-effulgence: I am That. That am I, which

is the irreducible, immortal,endless factor.

9.guNatrayavyateetOham brahmaadeenam cha sakshyaham |

anantAnandaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya:|| 9 ||

I am without the three (gunas), mortal qualities ( sAtvic, rAjasic, tAmasic

qualities); I am a Witness of the very Creator (and the Trinity); I am the

form of endless ‘Ananda’: I am That. That am I, which is the irreducible,

immortal, endless factor.

10.antharyAmisvaroopOham kooTasth: sarvagOsmyaham |

sarvasAkshisvaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya:|| 10 ||

I am of the form of the Inner Ruler; anvil like, changeless and all-pervading.

I am the Witness of everything. I am in my real nature (none other than the

Supreme Self). I am That.That am I, which is the irreducible, immortal,endless factor.

11.dvandvaadi sAkshiroopOhamacalOham sanAtana: |

sarvasAkshisvaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 11 ||

I am of the nature a Witness of all pairs of opposites; motionless, permenant,

in my form.I am the Eternal Witness of everything. I am That. That am I,

which is the irreducible,immortal, eternal factor.

12.prajnaanaghana aevAham vijnAnaghana aeva ca |

akartAhamabhOktAhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 12 ||

I am a dense mass of Consciousness; I am a dense mass of knowledge too; I

am (ever) a non-doer; I am a non-enjoyer I am That. That am I, which is the

irreducible, immortal,eternal factor.

13.nirAdhArasvaroopOham sarvAdharOhameva cha |

aaptakAmasvaroopOhamahamevAhamavyaya: || 13 ||

In my real nature, I need no other foundation or support or substratum, but

at once I am the foundation, support or substratum for all things and beings

(all names and forms); I am of nature self-contented, self-sufficient (in that

I have in me all my desires fulfilled): I am That. That am I, which is the

irreducible, immortal, eternal factor.

14.taapathrayavinirmuktO dehathrayavilakshaNa: |

avasthaathrayasakshyasmi ahamevAhamavyaya: || 14 ||

I am beyond the three agonies (subjective, phenomenal and cosmic); I am

different from the three bodies (the gross, the subtle and the causal); I am

the witness of the three states (the walking, the dreaming, and the

sleeping):I am That.That am I, which is the irreducible,immortal, eternal factor.

15.dugduSyau dvau padArthA sta: parsparavilakshaNau |

dugbrahma duSyam mAyaethi sarvavedantaDindima: || 15 ||

There are only two things in the whole world (all things in the universe can

be brought under these two headings); the subject and the object (the

enjoyer and the enjoyed, or the experiencer and the experienced, or the

seer and the seen) and they are among themselves the most contrary. Of

them the subject (brahman) is the enjoyer or the experiencer or the

seer and the object is mere delusion; thus roars Vedanta.

16.aham sAksheeti yO vidyAdvivichyaivam puna: puna: |

sa aeva mukta: sO vidvAniti vaedaantadindima || 16 ||

Through knowledge and repeated discrimination one comes to realize that

one is but a ‘Witness’. Such a one, established in the ‘I am the witness

consciousness’ is the liberated wise man, so roars Vedanta.

17.ghaTakuDyAdikam sarvam mruttikamathramaeva cha |

tadvadbrahma jagatsarvamiti vedAntadindima: || 17 ||

Pots, mud wall, etc., are in essence nothing but the mud in which they

have been shaped!So too, the entire world of phenomenal objects is

nothing but the Supreme Truth, so roars Vedanta.

18.brahma satyam jaganmithyA jeevO brahmaiva nApara: |

anena vedyam sachastramiti vedantadindima: || 18 ||

Brahman is Truth, the world of objects and beings is false, and the

egocentric sense of separativeness (jeeva) is itself in fact nothing other

than Brahman. That by which this Truth is known is the truest science, the

Science of sciences, thus roars Vedanta.

19.antharjyothi: bahirjyothi: pratyakjyothi: parApara: |

jyothirjyothi: svayamjyothi: aatmajyoti: SivOsmayaham || 19 ||

Within am I Light, without am I Light, deep within the depths of myself am I

Light,beyond the Eternal…Beyond! Light of lights, the self-effulgent Light,

the Self’s own Light…Siva am I… Auspiciousness am I (as there is me none

of the sorrows or limitations or tears of life). I am That: I am That.

!~

Great Sayings in Vedas

This is an attempt to collect some of the Great Sayings in our Vedas:-

1. “Avichara- krito Bandhah, Vicharena Nivartate”- All bondage is due to either total lack of thinking, incomplete thinking or wrong thinking. It can be removed by right and complete thinking. (Tatva Bodham).

2. “Tat Doore, Tat-u-Antike” – It is distant and it is near. This alone can be the definition of the All-Pervading Atman. (Isavasya Upanishad-5). India is not only here, not in Delhi or Kolkata alone; it is there in Cape Comorin and in Mumbai also. The State called India is all-pervading, as far as the frontiers of this Country define it. Similarly, the Pure Consciousness, the Supreme reality, being all-pervading, it is at once near and the most distant.

3. “Sishya Papam, Gurum Vrajet” – For all the sins created by his students, the Guru is morally responsible . (Neethi Sastram).

4. “Yogah, Chitta Vrithi Nirodhah”- Yoga is the control of thought waves in the mind. (Patanjali).

5. “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita” – Dharma will protect the one who protects Dharma. (Artha Sastram).

6. “Satyam Bhootahitam Priyam” – What is good and likable for all beings, by thoughts, speeches and actions, is Satyam(Truth). (Periyaval)

7. “Yadhe Chhasi Tadha Kuru” – Act as you choose. This is what Lord Krishna says to Arjuna at the end of His Gita Upadesam. (Gita: 18-63).

8. ” Raja Rashtra Kritam Papam ” – All the sins created by the people of the State will go to the Raja “. (Neethi Sastram).

9. “Muhurtham Jwalitham Shreyo natu Dhumayitam Chiram” – It is better to flame forth for one instant than to smoke away for ages. The context is- it is better to have such brilliant men like Vivekananda who lived for only 39 years and Adi sankara who lived for only 32 years.

10. “Shrutim Pashyanti Munayah” – The Rishis just saw the Vedas. They have not created them.

11. “Nishekati Shmashanantam” – From the womb to the tomb, a man has to undergo performance of 40 Samskaras. The first one ‘Nishekam’ and the last one ‘Cremation’ both are done with Agni as witness.

12. “Ksheene Punye Martyalokam Vishanti” – On the exhaustion of your ‘Punyams’, you will be pushed back to Earth. This is the limitation of Karma Marg.

13. “Gayatrim Chhandasam Mata” – Chhandas means Vedam. Gayatri is the mother of all Veda Mantras.

14. “Yogasya Prathama Dvaram Vak-nirodha” – The main entrance to the Yoga Empire is through ‘Silence’.

15. “Trividham Narakasyetam Dvaram Nashanam Atmana” – There are 3 gates which lead to the hell called ‘Atma Nasham’ – They are Kama, Krodha and Lobha (Lust, anger and greed).

16. “Athatho Dharma Jijnasah” – Let us therefore start the enquiry of Dharma.The Poorva Mimamsa (Karma Kanda) starts with this ‘Sutra’.

17. “Athatho Brahma Jijnasah” – Let us therefore inquire into the Brahman.The Uttara Mimamsa (Jnana Kanda) starts with this ‘Sutra’.

18. “Aho Niranjan” – O!, I am taintless, Serene- The Mavellous Self. This is how King Janaka expressed his “Joy of Realisation” on hearing the teachings of Sage Ashtavakra. You can tell this to yourself everyday morning, as soon as you wake up, just to boost up your own morale. It serves as ‘Inspiration’ whenever one undergoes depression.

19. “Shraddha-Bhakti-Dhyana-Yogad Avaihi “ – Through Faith, Devotion and Meditation alone, you can know the Truth yourself. (Kaivalya Upanishad-Mantra 2 ).

20. “Me Nasti Kinchana, Athava Me Sarvam” – In fact, one way, nothing belongs to me; or in another way, everything is mine only. This is said by King Janaka in Ashtavakra Gita.

21. “Katham Jnanam Avapnoti” – Teach me this, O Lord, how can knowledge be acquired ?. The famous ‘Ashtavakra Gita’ starts with this Shloka. King Janaka is requesting Sage Ashtavakra.

22. “Ananda-param-anandah, Sah Bodhah Tvam Sukham Chara” – You are that Supreme – Consciousness- Bliss. With this in mind, live happily. This is what Ashtavakra tells Janaka.

23. “Mana eva Manushyanam Karanam Bandha-mokshayoh” – Mind alone is the cause for the state of Bondage or Liberation in man. It is upto us to use this mind for our liberation, by properly controlling it. (Upanishads).

24. “Brahmaveda Brahmaiva Bhavati” – The knower of the Brahman becomes Brahman. (Mundaka Upanishad).

25. “Bhavana Tanavam Moksha, Bandho hi Dridda Bhavana” – Thought- reduction is freedom; Thought-assertion is Bondage. The seeker must learn to rise above his desire-promptings. There is no other escape. (Yoga Vasishta).

26. “Jnana-Hino Gurus Tyajyo” – Reject an incompetent and an ignorant Guru. Apart from knowledege, the essential qualification for a teacher is his own inner awakening, accomplished by the 3 means- of indifference, of equanimity and of logical reasoning. (Guru Gita). According to Ashtavakra, “Brahma nishtatvam”- the direct experience of the Self- is the most valid qualification for a teacher.

27. “Sukshmatvat-tad-Vijneyam” – Because of its subtlity, it (the Infinite Self) is ever incomprehensive. (Gita: 13-15)

28. “Nanavaptam-avaptavyam Varta eva cha Karmani” – Nor is there anything unattained by Me; yet, I engage Myself in action. (Lord Krishna in Gita:3-22). The Man of realisation has nothing to gain for Himself by undertaking an activity; nor, has He to lose anything by not doing. Yet, He is seen to be constantly engaged in various programmes of service.

29. “Dritiyat- vai Bhayam Bhavati” – The perception of the other is, indeed, the source of all fear. (Brahadaranyaka Upanishad)

30. “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” – Evenness of mind is yoga. Equanimity within is spiritual life. (Gita: 2-48).

31. ” Yogah Karmasu Kausalam “ – Yoga is the dexterity in action. ie. Efficiency and dexterity in action is spiritual life. (Gita: 2-50)

32. “Yadrichha Labha Santushta” – He enjoys that “whatever comes to him unasked” (Gita:4-22). The wise one sits happily, sleeps happily, moves happily, speaks happily and eats happily.

33. “Sarva-arambha Parityagi, Gunatitah sa Uchyate” – Abandoning all undertakings, he is said to have crossed beyond the gunas. (Gita:14-25). The Man of Perfection has no vanity of ‘doership’.

34. “Atrana-atmanyaham iti Matir-bandhah” – To identify the Self with the ‘not-self’ – this is bondage of man. (Vivekachudamani: V-139)

35. “Kasminnu Bhagavo Vijnate, Sarvam Idam Vijnatam Bhavatiti” – Sire, what is that knowledge by knowing which all other knowledges become known. (Mundaka upanishad). The Self is “Knowledge of all knowledges”.

36. “Kshurasya Dhara Nishita Duratyaya Durgam Pathas-tat-kavayo Vadanti” – Like the sharp edge of a razor is that path difficult to cross and hard to tread-thus say the wise. (Katopanishad)

37. “Yato Vacho Nivartante, Aprapya Manasa Saha” – The Realm of Reality is there from where the mind along with speech returns disappointed. (Taittiriya Upanishad).

38. “Purnasya Purnam-adaya Purnam Evava Sishyate” – From the Whole, when the whole is negated, what remains is again the Whole. (Upanishadic Shanti Patha).

39. “Pasyamu-achakshuh sa Shrunomy-akarnah” – I see without eyes; hear without ears. (Kaivalya Upanishad, Mantra-21). The Wise-man, in his Self-Realisation, has ended completely his sense of doership and enjoyership.

40. “Na-abhinandati na Dveshti, Tasya Prajna Pratisthita” – Who neither rejoices nor hates, his wisdom is firm. (Gita: 2-57).

41. “Lokan- nodvijate cha yah” – And who cannot be agitated by the world. (Gita:12-15).

42. “Nirdosham hi Samam Brahma” – The Supreme is the flawless state, the same everywhere. (Gita: 5-19)

43. “Yat Chittam Tanmayo Bhavati Purushah” – Whatever springs in mind, man expresses it. (Yoga -Vasishta).

44. “Atmano Mokshartam, Jagat hitayacha” – For the salvation of one’s soul and the welfare of the world. (Vivekananda)

45. “Ekam Sat, Vipra Bahudha Vadanti” – The Truth is one, the wise call it by many names. (Upanishads)

46. “Sarve Santu Sukhina, Sarve Santu Niramaya” – May all beings be happy, may all beings be free from fear.

47. “Nama Sivaya cha Sivataraya cha” – Salutations unto Siva- the auspicious one; unto Sivatara – the one than whom none more auspicious can exist. (Sree Rudram).

48. “Sakaram-anurtam Viddhi, Nirakaram tu Nischalam” – All which have form are false; the formless is the changeless. (Ashtavakra Gita). The world of names and forms is only the imagination(Vikalpana) of the total-mind. It has no existence whasoever. The Self is Undisturbed, Profoundly Peaceful and ever -Formless.

49. “Tathatma – jnana-hinatma Kalo Jnasya na Labhyate” – Thus to the Man-of -Wisdom, there is no time when He is not aware of the Self-in-Him.(Yoga-Vasishta).

50. “Na Tvaham, Teshu te Mayi” – I am not in them; they are in Me. (Krishna says in Gita: 9-4)

ShivManasa Pooja

Rathnai Kalpithamasanam,Himajalai snanam cha divyambaram,

Naana rathna vibhooshitham mruga madha modhanvitham Chandanam,

Jathi champaka bilwa pathra rachitham, pushpam cha deepam Thada,

Deepam deva dayanithe pasupathe, hrud kalpyatham gruhyatham.

I offer you an imaginary throne made of precious jewels,
I offer you bath in the water of melted snow from the Himalayas,
I offer you holy silken cloth to wear,
I adorn you with very many precious jewels,
I offer you musk and sandal,
I offer you Bilwa and Champaka flowers,
And I offer you the holy lamp,
But all these I offer in the portal of my mind,
Please God who is merciful and who is the Lord of all beings,
Accept my offerings and bless me.

Souvarne nava rathna Ganda Rachithe, pathre Grutham Payasam,

Bakshyam pancha vidam Payo dadhiyutham, rambha phalam panakam,

Saaka namayutham jalam ruchikaram, karpoora gandojwalam,

Thamboolam manasa maya virachitham Bhakthyo prabho sweekuru

I offer you Ghee and the sweet payasam in golden vessel ,
Decorated with nine type of precious gems,
I offer you five different dishes made of curd and milk,
I offer you panakam made of sweet fruits,
I offer you tasty sweet scented water to drink,
I offer you the lamp made of camphor along with tinkling bells,
And I offer you betel leaf and nut,
But these are offered by my mind with utter devotion to you,
So Lord Kindly accept and bless.

Chathram Chamarayoryugam vyajanagam, chaa darshakam nirmalam,

Veena bheri mrudanga kahala kala geetha nruthyam thada,

Sasthangam pranthi sthuthir bahu vidha, hyethat samastham maya,

Sankalpena samapitham thava vibho , poojam gruhana prabho.

I offer you a pretty stage,
I offer you couple of decorative fans,
I also offer you shining mirror,
I offer you Veena, kettledrums, Mrudanga and a very big drum,
I offer you song and dance,
I offer you full prostration,
I offer you several types of prayers,
But all these I offer you my Lord, in my mind
So Lord kindly accept this my worship.

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.

My soul is your temple my lord,
My activities are thine attendants,
My body is thine home,
My acts to please my senses are thine worship,
My act of sleep is the deep meditation on thee,
All my walks with my feet are thine perambulations,
What ever falls from my mouth are thine prayers,
Oh Lord, everything I say and do are thine forms of worship.

Kara charana krutham vaak kayajam karmajam vaa,

Sravana nayanajam vaa maanasam vaa aparadham,

Vihithamavihitham vaa sarva methath Kshamaswa,

Jaya Jaya katunabdhe sri Mahadeva Shambho.

Please pardon Oh lord
All those acts committed by me,
By hands, by action, by body or
By hearing, by my sight, or by my mind,
Whether they are proper or improper..
Victory oh victory, Oh, ocean of mercy,
Oh, The greatest of Gods and Oh benevolent one.

~

Chicken a la Carte

It is very important to understand other's hunger, their happiness...

Please check below link to view Award winning Short film. it wont take more than 7 min. A must watch!!!

Spring!

A haiku:

FULLY RESTED,

I OPEN MY EYES;

SPRING.

These beautiful haikus say so much without saying anything at all.

FULLY RESTED -- utterly relaxed,

I OPEN MY EYES -- and My God! the spring has come all over.

The spring comes with your relaxation -- he is talking about the inner spring. Thousands of flowers suddenly start blossoming. You are filled with fragrances of the beyond.

But be relaxed. And when you are utterly relaxed, in that restfulness become a witness and the spring is always there, ready to surround you from all directions.

:)