How to become wealthy….
March 24, 2009
“Charity for God’s sake has a hundred signs within the heart—the good deed, a hundred tokens.
Though in charity riches are consumed, a hundred lives come to the earth in return.
A sowing of pure seeds in God’s earth, and then no income…impossible.”
– Mathnawi IV:1757-1759
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
“Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance”
Threshold Books, 1996
(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)
The Story of Subramanyam, Part 2, Podcast #83
March 18, 2009
In this podcast we continue with the story of Subramanyam as told in the Sri Kandha Puranam by Kachiappa Shivacharya.
We present different stories surrounding the birth of Subramanyam; the sparks that emanated from Shiva’s eyes, how Parvati got scared which gave rise to nine shaktis and how Parvati tormented them as well as the other devas.
After Shiva, Parvati and Subramanya moved to Mount Kailas, the youthful boy caused all sorts of trouble by moving mountains, rivers and oceans, which scared both the demons and devas. But all is well in the end, and the stage is set for some big battles with the demons.
To Varuna, Lord of the waters
March 11, 2009
“O sovereign venerable Lord, man tells here many a lie, from that guilt, may you of thousand-fold strength, free us completely. In that we have said O waters, O inviolable, O Varuna, from that sin, may you of thousand fold strength; free us comepletely.”
– Atharva Veda
unity of your hearts…
March 10, 2009
“I hereby bring about unity of your hearts and unity of minds, free from malice. May each one of you love the other as a cow loves its new-born calf.”
–Atharva Veda
The Story of Subramanyam, Part 1, Podcast #82
March 10, 2009
Subramanyam is the son of Shiva and Parvati, and the brother of Ganesha. He embodies the qualities most often associated with the planet Mars; energy, determination, optimism, military might, quick intelligence, youthful exuberance and impulsiveness. Like many deities, he came into existence to meet a specific need; the killing of a demon who had obtained a boon that he could only be killed by a son of Shiva.
This podcast features the story of Subramanyam as told in the Sri Kandha Puranam, a classic work from Tamil Nadu in south India. The first episode of this series tells the story of the Purana’s author, Kachiappa Shivachariar, and the troubles he went through to present his work. Then we begin with the story of Subramanyam’s birth in which the gods have to convince the ascetic Shiva to marry Parvati; a task in which the vedic cupid, Manmatha is turned to ash because he interrupted Shiva’s meditation. Everything turns out well in the end though, and even Manmatha is returned to life, although invisible to all but his wife.
The chanting portion of the show begins with a traditional song about Subramanyam in the style of Tamil Nadu and concludes with the traditional sanskrit recitation of the 108 names of Subramanyam.
invoked from eternity…
March 7, 2009
“We invoke you as you have been constantly invoked from eternity and even now you are prayed for wealth and wisdom. May you respond to our invocation.”
- Rig Veda