Durga
July 31, 2009
One of the pundits pointed out to me that one of the names of Durga is “Yagya Priya”, meaning she who is pleased by yagya. Another name is “Yagya Kartri”, meaning she who directs all the acts of yagyas.
Steam Roller
July 30, 2009
This was taken in Tiruvanamalai, a smaller city at the base of Arunachala Mountain and home of Ramana Maharshi a famous Hindu saint. When I was a kid in the 50’s this is what a steam roller looked like. Seeing one for real, working on the streets brought back a ton a childhood memories. I made the driver stop so I could take a photo and he thought I was nuts to be excited about something so ordinary for him.
Guru Paduka Stotram
July 29, 2009
Guru Paduka Stotram by Adi Shankara
Shankara was always very devoted to the value of a guru. Of course in our modern world, it is easy to be rather cynical, but still we can recognize the importance of the principle of “guru”. No matter what we wish to learn, someone has to teach it. Knowledge needs to be passed from person to person in one form or another no matter what the topic. In that largest sense, what can be more valuable or important than a good guru?
Anantha samsara samudhra thara naukayithabhyam guru bhakthithabhyam,
Vairagya samrajyadha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 1
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which are like a boat, which helps me cross the endless ocean of life,
Which endows me, with the sense of devotion to my Guru,
And by worship of which, I attain renunciation
Kavithva varasini sagarabhyam, dourbhagya davambudha malikabhyam,
Dhoorikrutha namra vipathithabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 2
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which is the ocean of knowledge, resembling the full moon,
Which is the water, which puts out the fire of misfortunes,
And which removes distresses of those who prostrate before it.
Natha yayo sripatitam samiyu kadachidapyasu daridra varya,
Mookascha vachaspathitham hi thabhyam ,namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.3
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which make those who prostrate before it,
Possessors of great wealth, even if they are very poor,
And which makes even dumb people into great orators.
Naleeka neekasa pada hrithabhyam, nana vimohadhi nivarikabyam,
Nama janabheeshtathathi pradhabhyam namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 4
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which attracts us, to lotus like feet of our Guru,
Which cures us, of unwanted desires,
And which helps fulfill the desires of those who salute.
Nrupali mouleebraja rathna kanthi sariddha raja jjashakanyakabhyam,
Nrupadvadhabhyam nathaloka pankhthe, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 5
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which shine like gems on the crown of a king,
Which shine like a maid in the crocodile infested stream,
And which make the devotees attain the status of a king.
Papandhakara arka paramparabhyam, thapathryaheendra khageswarabhyam,
Jadyadhi samsoshana vadaveebhyam namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 6
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which is like a series of Suns, driving away the dark sins,
Which is like the king of eagles, driving away the cobra of miseries,
And which is like a terrific fire drying away the ocean of ignorance.
Shamadhi shatka pradha vaibhavabhyam,Samadhi dhana vratha deeksithabhyam,
Ramadhavadeegra sthirha bhakthidabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.7
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which endows us, with the glorious six qualities,
Which gives the students, the ability to go in to eternal trance,
And which helps to obtain perennial devotion to the feet of Vishnu.
Swarchaparana makhileshtathabhyam, swaha sahayaksha durndarabhyam,
Swanthachad bhava pradha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 8
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru
Which bestows all desires of the serving disciples,
Who are ever involved in carrying the burden of service
And which helps the aspirants to the state of realization.
Kaamadhi sarpa vraja garudabhyam, viveka vairagya nidhi pradhabhyam,
Bhodha pradhabhyam drutha mokshathabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 9
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru
Which is the Garuda ,which drives away the serpent of passion,
Which provides one, with the treasure of wisdom and renunciation,
Which blesses one ,with enlightened knowledge,
And blesses the aspirant with speedy salvation.
Increase your need…
July 27, 2009
The mouse-soul is nothing but a nibbler.
To the mouse is given a mind proportionate to its need,
for without need, the Almighty God
doesn’t give anything to anyone.
Need, then, is the net for all things that exist:
man has tools in proportion to his need.
So, quickly, increase your need, needy one,
that the sea of abundance may surge up in loving kindness.
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
“Rumi: Daylight”
Threshold Books, 1994
Shiva!
July 27, 2009
One of the things that I really like about the Vedic tradition is the freedom one has to envision the divine in whatever form you want; male (eg. Shiva), female (eg. Parvati), animal (eg. Hanuman), with attributes (eg. Saguna Brahman) or without (eg. Nirguna Brahman).
On one hand, the Shiva lingam is a symbol of the formlessness of the divine. But in the photo above it is almost shocking to see the image of a face traced out after the lingam has been coated with vibhuti.
Long term benefits…
July 27, 2009
This experience is very inspiring because it confirms for me that what matters most is sincerity and consistency. This person has participated in the yagyas for the past few years on a relatively small scale. She make very little money, but has worked hard to improve her life, all the while doing a yagya here and there.
My theory about yagyas is that as you repeat them, their power to remove obstacles increases with every performance. But you also have to have an appropriate time and place for their effects to manifest. Once that happens, the effects (removal of obstacles) can be quite dramatic.
As always, can one establish a definitive cause and effect? No, but what happened to her is very consistent, although more dramatic, with what has happened to others. So I feel comfortable saying that the events were connected to her yagyas.
“Well, on July 22, 2009 at about 9AM or 10AM I get a call (at work) from the school I started to take this certification (and never finished). They informed me that a small school 55 miles away from where I live was looking for an Art Teacher and that the school would be contacting me. Needless to say, they did 30 minutes later!! I was asked to show up for an interview the next day!!
I showed up 30 minutes early and the principal was very busy dealing with parents and students that morning. The principal having to juggle many upset parents and students quickly introduced himself and took me to a small office where he closed the door behind us and in 1 minute he said: “This is going to be the fasted interview in your life. I have seen your resume and paperwork, you are qualified can you stop by tomorrow to sign the contract?”
I was still standing when he blurted this out!! I think I was still shaking his hand!! All I ever said was “YES!” and “Thank you”. I was in and out in 1 1/2 minutes!! I took the position not even knowing how much it paid!! Everything happened so fast!! I HAD NO INTERVIEW!! WHAT A FEELING!!
On my arrival home I went to their site to see the salary and I realized that it is less than what I am making now!!! UUGHH!! It’s the lowest paid District. Probably because it is such a small town not to mention the size of the school…but I really liked the employees while I sat there and waited for the interview. The school felt cozy and friendly. I felt that for my first year of teaching a small school would probably be best. I signed the contract the following day.
I realize that the drive is long and the gas alone is enough to put a bigger pinch on my budget but I figured that this one school year would be tough. After that I can transfer to something closer. I just need that one chance and this one really felt like it fell from the sky unto my lap.
Three weeks ago the newspaper where I work now, told us we all had to take a 5% pay cut and that maybe in about 2 years they could start giving 2% pay raises!! I have been there 4 years this July and have never been evaluated or given a pay raise but I have gotten many many many more responsibilities since my hire. So, I would have to invest another 4 years to be where I was 3 weeks ago!!
This new Art Teaching position promises a $500.00 pay raise every year!!”
108 names of the Sun (Surya Shathanamavali)
July 25, 2009
The vedic tradition offers many tools to increase the level of harmony between us and the universe. One of them is to listen to, or recite the 108 names of a particular deity or planet. This technique relies on the intimate relationship between name and form (nama rupa) that is present in the Sanskrit language. The theory being that by experiencing the names of the Sun, we naturally become more sensitive attuned to those qualities as the mantras resonate in our own awareness. So by listening to the namas (names) of the Sun, we attract those qualities into our awareness. With sufficient repetition, the effect becomes more and more profound and permanent.
Surya-astottara-shata-nama-vali
(The 108 names of Surya)
Om arunaya namah
Om sharanyaya namah
Om karuna-rasa-sindhave namah
Om asmanabalaya namah
Om arta-raksa-kaya namah
Om adityaya namah
Om adi-bhutaya namah
Om akhila-gamavedine namah
Om acyutaya namah
Om akhilagnaya namah
Om anantaya namah
Om inaya namah
Om visva-rupaya na mah
Om ijyaya namah
Om indraya namah
Om bhanave Namah
Om indriramandiraptaya namah
Om vandaniyaya namah
Om ishaya namah
Om suprasannaya namah
Om sushilaya namah
Om suvarcase namah
Om vasupradaya namah
Om vasave namah
Om vasudevaya namah
Om ujjvalaya namah
Om ugra-rupaya namah
Om urdhvagaya namah
Om vivasvate namah
Om udhatkiranajalaya namah
Om hrishikesaya namah
Om urjasvalaya namah
Om viraya namah
Om nirjaraya namah
Om jayaya namah
Om urudvayavirnimuktanijasarakrashivandyaya namah
Om rugdhantre namah
Om kraksacakracaraya namah
Om krajusvabhavavittaya namah
Om nityastutyaya namah
Om krukaramatrikavarnarupaya ujjvalatejase namah
Om kruksadhinathamitraya namah
Om pushakaraksaya namah
Om luptadantaya namah
Om shantaya namah
Om kantidaya namah Om dhanaya namah
Om kanatkanaka sushanaya namah
Om khalotaya namah
Om lunit-akhila-daityaya namah
Om satya-ananda-svarupine namah
Om apavarga-pradaya namah
Om arta-sharanyaya namah
Om ekakine namah
Om bhagavate namah
Om sushtisthityantakarine namah
Om gunatmane namah
Om dhrinibhrite namah
Om brihate namah
Om brahmane namah
Om esvaryadaya namah
Om sharvaya namah
Om haridashvaya namah
Om shauraye namah
Om dashadiksam-prakashaya namah
Om bhakta-vashyaya namah
Om ojaskaraya namah
Om jayine namah
Om jagad-ananda-hetave namah
Om taya janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-varji
aounnatyapadasamcararathasthaya-asuraraye namah
Om kamaniyakagaya namah
Om abjaballabhaya namah
Om antar-bahih prakashaya namah
Om acintyaya namah
Om atma-rupine namah
Om acyutaya namah
Om amareshaya namah
Om parasmai jyotishe namah
Om ahaskaraya namah
Om ravaye namah
Om haraye namah
Om param-atmane namah
Om tarunaya namah
Om tarenyaya namah
Om grahanam pataye namah
Om bhaskaraya namah
Om adimadhyantara-hitaya namah
Om saukhyapradaya namah
Om sakalajagatam pataye namah
Om suryaya namah
Om kavaye namah
Om narayanaya namah
Om pareshaya namah
Om tejorupaya namah
Om shrim hiranyagarbhaya namah
Om hrim sampatkaraya namah
Om aim istarthadaya namah
Om am suprasannaya namah
Om shrimate namah
Om shreyase namah
Om saukhyadayine namah
Om diptamurtaye namah
Om nikhilagamavedhyaya namah
Om nityanandaya namah
Eclipse
July 25, 2009
This image shows the July 22 eclipse shadow over China/Japan towards the end of the event. For Puja.net, we had over 100 members participate in the yagyas and over 1,000 downloads of the Sun mantras. That’s pretty satisfying. Thanks to all who participated!
Eclipse Yagyas
July 24, 2009
I’ve received a few people describing their experiences during and after the July 21 solar eclipse yagya. Here are a few excerpts:
“I’m not sure what to say really, because the experience was rather subtle and very fill of light. Usually eclipses are pretty dark for me and I have strange meditations and weird dreams. But this time it was fun. During the three hours of the yagyas in India, I spent the time in my room. I did my meditation for 45 minutes, then I did some pujas for the Sun and the other planets. That took about 45 minutes. Then I spent the last 1 1/2 hours doing mantra japa for the Sun, Ketu, and then a Shiva mantra that I like a lot. By the time the 3 hours were up, I was shocked. It felt like 20 minutes. I could easily have gone on for another 3 hours. In the days since I have felt calm and energized, like something has happened, although it is tough to put my finger on it. I suppose I would have to say that I feel like my karma burden has been lightened.”
And another:
“Hey Ben,
For me it was very powerful! I listened to a 1/2 hour of the Surya mantras to start. Then I meditated and did program & flying for 1 1/2 hours. Very deep and blissful. I felt better than I have for a long time. Then I listen to another 45 minutes of the Surya files. The two Aditya stotras seemed especially powerful. Then last night I had a hard time going to sleep, lots of awareness. Anyway, Thanks again for structuring such a wonderful program. Please tell Seetharam how much I enjoyed it and how deep my experiences were. I appreciated that you sent out the Solar Eclipse info email. I wouldn’t have thought to make sure to save that time for meditation and listening to the chanting had you not mentioned that this was the traditional & best way to experience the eclipse.
-T”
Sun (Surya) Mantras for the solar eclipse
July 20, 2009
According to the vedic tradition during an eclipse, mantras can be very effective. But repeating the same mantra over and over for 2+ hours can get a little boring. So I have made a compilation of Sun Mantras that is 1 hour and 18 minutes in length. You are welcome to listen on-line or click where it says download and copy to your own computer.
Surya Mantras:
Ganesha Dhynam
Surya Dhyana Mantra
Surya Gayatri Mantra
Surya Veda Mantra
Surya Mangalam
Surya Stotra
Surya Namavali (108 names)
Surya Ashtakam
Surya Vandanam
Aditya Hridayam
Aditya Kavacham
Surya Bagavan Pooja
Surya Pooja
Rahu Pooja
Ketu Pooja
Mantra Pushpam