Saadhanaa bhaarati  

will meet on

  Sunday, January 6, 2013

at 

The Kalvakolanu Residence  

1770 Heatherwood Way

Sykesville, MD 21784 

Phone number :

410-505-4395

3:30  and 6 pm

Shiva Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram

ఆదౌ కర్మప్రసఙ్గాత్కలయతి కలుషం మాతృకుక్షౌ స్థితం మాం
విణ్మూత్రామేధ్యమధ్యే కథయతి నితరాం జాఠరో జాతవేదాః |
యద్యద్వై తత్ర దుఃఖం వ్యథయతి నితరాం శక్యతే కేన వక్తుం
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౧||

బాల్యే దుఃఖాతిరేకో మలలులితవపుః స్తన్యపానే పిపాసా
నో శక్తశ్చేన్ద్రియేభ్యో భవగుణజనితాః జన్తవో మాం తుదన్తి |
నానారోగాదిదుఃఖాద్రుదనపరవశః శఙ్కరం న స్మరామి
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౨||

ప్రౌఢో‌உహం యౌవనస్థో విషయవిషధరైః పఞ్చభిర్మర్మసన్ధౌ
దష్టో నష్టో‌உవివేకః సుతధనయువతిస్వాదుసౌఖ్యే నిషణ్ణః |
శైవీచిన్తావిహీనం మమ హృదయమహో మానగర్వాధిరూఢం
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౩||

వార్ధక్యే చేన్ద్రియాణాం విగతగతిమతిశ్చాధిదైవాదితాపైః
పాపై రోగైర్వియోగైస్త్వనవసితవపుః ప్రౌఢహీనం చ దీనమ్ |
మిథ్యామోహాభిలాషైర్భ్రమతి మమ మనో ధూర్జటేర్ధ్యానశూన్యం
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౪||

నో శక్యం స్మార్తకర్మ ప్రతిపదగహనప్రత్యవాయాకులాఖ్యం
శ్రౌతే వార్తా కథం మే ద్విజకులవిహితే బ్రహ్మమార్గే‌உసుసారే |
ఙ్ఞాతో ధర్మో విచారైః శ్రవణమననయోః కిం నిదిధ్యాసితవ్యం
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౫||

స్నాత్వా ప్రత్యూషకాలే స్నపనవిధివిధౌ నాహృతం గాఙ్గతోయం
పూజార్థం వా కదాచిద్బహుతరగహనాత్ఖణ్డబిల్వీదలాని |
నానీతా పద్మమాలా సరసి వికసితా గన్ధధూపైః త్వదర్థం
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౬||

దుగ్ధైర్మధ్వాజ్యుతైర్దధిసితసహితైః స్నాపితం నైవ లిఙ్గం
నో లిప్తం చన్దనాద్యైః కనకవిరచితైః పూజితం న ప్రసూనైః |
ధూపైః కర్పూరదీపైర్వివిధరసయుతైర్నైవ భక్ష్యోపహారైః
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౭||

ధ్యాత్వా చిత్తే శివాఖ్యం ప్రచురతరధనం నైవ దత్తం ద్విజేభ్యో
హవ్యం తే లక్షసఙ్ఖ్యైర్హుతవహవదనే నార్పితం బీజమన్త్రైః |
నో తప్తం గాఙ్గాతీరే వ్రతజననియమైః రుద్రజాప్యైర్న వేదైః
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౮||

స్థిత్వా స్థానే సరోజే ప్రణవమయమరుత్కుమ్భకే (కుణ్డలే)సూక్ష్మమార్గే
శాన్తే స్వాన్తే ప్రలీనే ప్రకటితవిభవే జ్యోతిరూపే‌உపరాఖ్యే |
లిఙ్గఙ్ఞే బ్రహ్మవాక్యే సకలతనుగతం శఙ్కరం న స్మరామి
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౯||

నగ్నో నిఃసఙ్గశుద్ధస్త్రిగుణవిరహితో ధ్వస్తమోహాన్ధకారో
నాసాగ్రే న్యస్తదృష్టిర్విదితభవగుణో నైవ దృష్టః కదాచిత్ |
ఉన్మన్యా‌உవస్థయా త్వాం విగతకలిమలం శఙ్కరం న స్మరామి
క్షన్తవ్యో మే‌உపరాధః శివ శివ శివ భో శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౧౦||

చన్ద్రోద్భాసితశేఖరే స్మరహరే గఙ్గాధరే శఙ్కరే
సర్పైర్భూషితకణ్ఠకర్ణయుగలే (వివరే)నేత్రోత్థవైశ్వానరే |
దన్తిత్వక్కృతసున్దరామ్బరధరే త్రైలోక్యసారే హరే
మోక్షార్థం కురు చిత్తవృత్తిమచలామన్యైస్తు కిం కర్మభిః ||౧౧||

కిం వా‌உనేన ధనేన వాజికరిభిః ప్రాప్తేన రాజ్యేన కిం
కిం వా పుత్రకలత్రమిత్రపశుభిర్దేహేన గేహేన కిమ్ |
ఙ్ఞాత్వైతత్క్షణభఙ్గురం సపది రే త్యాజ్యం మనో దూరతః
స్వాత్మార్థం గురువాక్యతో భజ మన శ్రీపార్వతీవల్లభమ్ ||౧౨||

ఆయుర్నశ్యతి పశ్యతాం ప్రతిదినం యాతి క్షయం యౌవనం
ప్రత్యాయాన్తి గతాః పునర్న దివసాః కాలో జగద్భక్షకః |
లక్ష్మీస్తోయతరఙ్గభఙ్గచపలా విద్యుచ్చలం జీవితం
తస్మాత్త్వాం (మాం)శరణాగతం శరణద త్వం రక్ష రక్షాధునా ||౧౩||

కరచరణకృతం వాక్కాయజం కర్మజం వా
శ్రవణనయనజం వా మానసం వా‌உపరాధమ్ |
విహితమవిహితం వా సర్వమేతత్క్ష్మస్వ
శివ శివ కరుణాబ్ధే శ్రీ మహాదేవ శమ్భో ||౧౬||

Jyothi (the true Light) 

 Ambatipudi Sastry 

Divali is a festival of lights (it should correctly be called deepavali, row or group of lights). The lights are symbolic of not only celebrations but means of removing darkness – with light and darkness representing knowledge and ignorance respectively. It is the light that allows us to see things and interpret them. In this context, it is appropriate to remind ourselves of the true Light that enables our perceptions. Sri Adi Sankaracharya, in his famous verse called Eka Sloki (One Verse), highlights this.
 क िं ज्योतिस्िव भानुमानहतन मॆ रात्रौ प्रदीऩादद िं
स्यादॆ विं रववदीऩदर्शनववधौ क िं ज्योतिराख्यादह मॆ
चऺुस्िस्य तनमीऱनाददसमयॆ क िं धॆर्धशयॊ दर्शनॆ क
 िं ित्राहमिॊ भवान्ऩरम िं ज्यॊतिस्िदस्स्म प्रभॊ

Eka Sloki, by Adi Sankaracharya

Kim Jyothisthava bhanumaanahani me ratrau pradeepaadikam.
Syaadevam ravi deepa darsana vidhau kim jyothiraakhyaahi me 
Chakshustasya nimeelanaadi samaye kim dheeh dhiyo darsane 
Kim tatrahamatho bhavaan paramakam jyothisthadasmi prabho. 

The sloka takes the form of questions by the teacher (in italics below) and answers by a student to give the student a glimpse of the true nature of perceptions by all creatures enabled by the universal Light. It goes like this - “By what light do you see?” “Sun in the day and a lamp in the night” “Let it be. By what light do you see the sun and lamp?” “Eyes” “When you close your eyes (as in sleep), what is the light?” “ My intellect” “What light helps the intellect to see?” “ I (Atma, Self).” “So, you are the ultimate source of light (self-luminous universal Self)” “Yes, I now understand so, my Lord”.

The sloka makes the point that it is the Self that is the ultimate entity behind all our perceptions (though the sloka takes eye sight as an example, it applies to other sensors as well). The external sensory organs and the mind are merely transporters of information. Adi Sankara elaborates further on this in his work, Drikdrusya Vivekam. He analyzes drik (who sees) and drusya (object being seen). As we see an object, say a table, the eye transports it to mind, which categorizes it, and the Self is the enabler of the mind. It is also interesting that the information flows only in one direction – table cannot see the eye, eye cannot see the mind, and mind cannot see Self!

 It is this Self that is the source of light in all beings, a Universal presence. We are all driven by the different things we see around us and interpret them. All of us are like identical computers with the same operating system but gathering different data based on circumstances and environment in which we were born and raised. These databases together with the six enemies, (षट्छत्र्, shatchatruhu - ाम, kama, क्रॊध, krodha, ऱॊभ, ु lobha, मॊह, moha, मद, mada, मात्सयश, matsarya) desire, anger, miserliness, attachment, arrogance, and jealousy respectively, play on our mind and make us interpret the gathered data in our own way creating all the different viewpoints even though we are in the same environment. This process makes us feel as though we are different from each other and gives us an egotistical existence. The ego in us makes us feel we are different from all the others and drives us through all our perceived needs; need to be loved and admired, need to feel important over others, pursuit of endless desires, etc. It looks ridiculous if a water bubble in ocean thinks it is different from the rest of the ocean. In the same way, we are all bubbles in this ocean of life and creation, though our egos make us act as though we are different!

It is our ego that makes us ignore the universality underlying all objects and beings. The ego drives us to acquire and keep things around us just to prop up our perceived uniqueness. It is only through the complete cessation of ego that we will be able to see the Oneness among us leading us to universal love (भूिदय, bhoothadaya). The cessation of ego takes us beyond the daily afflictions of life, which is the gateway to true Happiness (आनिंद, Ananda). Thus, let us remember the Universality of that Light that is guiding all of us as we go about in our daily lives. To continually work towards reducing our ego, we need to think of everything we do each day in the name of the Lord, instead of thinking about us. Adi Sankaracharya describes this approach eloquently in the following sloka:

आत्मा त्विं र्िररजा मति् सहचरा् प्राणा् र्रीरिं िहिं
 ृ ऩुजािॆ ववर्योऩभोिरचना तनद्रा समार्धस्स्िति्
सिंचार् ऩदयॊ् प्रदक्षऺणववर्ध् स्िोत्राणण सवाश र्िरॊ रॊमम ित्तदणिऱिं र्िंभॊ िवाराधनिं

Siva Manasa Puja, by Adi Sankaracharya 

Atmaa thvam girijaa mathihi sahacharah praanaah sareeram gruham
pujaathe vishayopabhogarachanaa nidraa samaadhisthithihi
sanchaarah padayoh pradakshinavidhihi stotraani sarvaa giro
yadyatkarma karomi thattadakhilam sambho thavaaraadhanam

 (my) Self is You, Parvathi is my intellect, my five life-forces are Your attendants, my body is Your abode, all my sensory perceptions are Your worship, my sleep is deep meditation on You, all my walk is walking around You, whatever I speak is in praise of You, O Giver of divine joy, whatever I do is in devotion to you! 

ऒ िं िमसॊ मा ज्योतििशमय, Om tamaso maa jyotirgamaya 

From darkness, lead me to Light

This week Saadhana Bhaarati meets at:

Saadhanaa bhaarati  

will meet on

  Sunday, Novermber 11, 2012

at 

The Mallajosyula Residence  

(Hosts: PAvani and ShrIkant) 

3345 N. Chatam Rd, Apt B 

Ellicott City, MD 21042

Phone number :

 

410-465-0045

 240-933-4757

3:30  and 6 pm 

   

   join on line via our Skype ID: saadhanaa.bhaarati

Directions:

Route 29  >> Route 40 West  >> Right on N. Chatam Rd (Gulf gas station)>>Left into  Apartment  complex. 

This apartment is located all the way at the end of the complex.

Why Visit Temples By A. Parasad

WHY VISIT TEMPLES ? (Scientific Reason)

        There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth's magnetic wave path passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here.

        Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "*Garbhagriha*" or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life.

      Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc...Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious. Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation.

       Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.

      The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.

(Collection By Aji Prasad B)