Shri Appanacharya - Greatest Devotee to our Guru Ragavendra Swamy

As a devotee of Guru Ragavendra Swamy, we all know that Shri Appanacharya was the greatest diciple of our Guru. This is the very main reason why Guru Rayaru sent him to Mantralaya during his Brindavana Praveshem since Guru felt Appanacharya will not let him into Brindavana if he is around.Guru Ragavendra Swamy stayed in Bichchali for a long time with Appanacharya in his house. Appanacharya performed the Seva of Rayaru with great Affection. Based on the website www.appanacharya.com, Shri Appanacharya was grinding the Dal Chatni for Rayaru, that Varalu and Rubbu gundu are still in Bichchale and we can see them in the links provided below. Appi Paayasa and Dal Chatni were very dear to Rayaru. Guru Ragavendra swamy lived in the house of Appanacharya. At the time of Rayaru that house was sixty years old. Rayaru liked Bichchali the house of Appanacharya very much.Rayaru will sit on the Japadakatti and Appanacharya will simply squat with Devotion at the feet of Rayaru. Appanacharya used to massage the Sacred legs of Rayaru. How great and Fortunate was our Appanacharya.

Rayaru wanted Appanacharya to be his successor to Rayara Mutt. But owing to the beetle habit of Appanacharya it did not happen. Appanacharya was two years elder to Rayaru.

As per appanacharya.com,

Shri Appanacharya's had a son Subbanacharya and

Subbanacharya's Son Gundachary

Gundacharya's Son Narasimhacharya

Narasimhacharya's Son Gundacharya

Gundacharya's Son Narasimhacharya.

Now Sri Narasimhacharya a retired Professor of  Osmania University, a great Scholar is residing in Hyderabad. He had four sons by name:Sri Raghavendracharya, Sri Ramacharya, Sri Krishnacharya and Sri Shamacharya. Thus the Sacred family of Sri Appanacharya is continued by the Blessings of Rayaru.Sri Ramacharya the second son is the Archaka of the Famous Japadakatte Ek Shila Brindavana.

Sri Ramacharya Badadha is residing in Bichchali and looking after the Sacred House of Sri Appanacharya which is Four Hundred Years old.

Below are the pictures of Appanacharya's house where our Guru Ragavendra Swamy spent few years.
Thanks to www.gururaghavendra1.org for posting these pictures for the benefit of Guru Ragavendra Swamy devotees.

Entrance for Appanacharya house.

http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/appana/gallery/target17.html

Hand grinder used by Appanacharya for Guru Ragavendraswamy

http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/appana/gallery/target16.html

Place where Guru Ragavendra swamy slept at Appanacharya's house

http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/appana/gallery/target19.html

Place where Guru Ragavendra swamy did Moola Rama pooja

http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/appana/gallery/target26.html

Courtesy : http://www.appanacharya.org/
                 http://www.gururaghavendra1.org

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Why Lord Brahma is not workshipped in Bhuloka... - Hinduism Series - 3

In my previous post, we have seen an introduction to Lord Brahma. In this post we will see why Lord Brahma is not workshipped in the earth. Various puranas indicate various reasons.

Though Brahmā is one of the three major Gods in Hinduism, few Hindus actually worship him. Today, India has very few temples dedicated to Brahmā, as opposed to thousands of temples dedicated to the other deities in the Trimurti, namely Vishnu and Shiva. Among the few that exist today,

- the most famous is the temple in Pushkar in Rajasthan. Others include
- one in the temple town of Kumbakonam, (Thanjavur District) in Tamil Nadu;
- in Kodumudi, Erode district, Tamil Nadu;
- Nerur village in Kudal taluka of Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.
- Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple is located at Thirupattur, near Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu,

Curse from Lord Shiva:

According to Shiva Purana, Lord Brahm and Vishu had a debate on who is superior. Both were not convinced on their argument and went to Lord Siva. Understanding the situation, Lord Siva became a huge Shiva linga and both Lord Brahma and Lord Vishu set out to find its beginning and end. Vishnu was appointed to seek the end and Brahma the beginning. Taking the form of a Varaha, Vishnu began digging downwards into the earth, while Brahma took the form of a swan and began flying upwards. However, both could not find their appointed destination. Vishnu, satisfied, came up to Shiva and told the truth that he cannot find the end of the Linga. Brahmā did not give up so easily. As He was going up, he saw a ketaki flower, dear to Shiva. His ego forced him to ask the flower to bear false witness about Brahmā's discovery of Shiva's beginning. When Brahmā told his tale, Shiva, the all-knowing, was angered by the former's ego. Shiva thus cursed him that no beings in the three worlds will worship him.


Curse from Bhrigu Rishi:

According to another legend, Brahmā is not worshiped because of a curse by the great sage Brahmarishi Bhrigu. The high priest Bhrigu was organising a great yajna on Earth. It was decided that the greatest among all Gods would be made the presiding deity. Bhrigu then set off to find the greatest among the Trimurti. When he went to Brahmā, the god was so immersed in the music played by Saraswati that he could hardly hear Bhrigu's calls. The enraged Bhrigu then cursed Brahmā that no person on Earth would ever invoke him or worship him again.

Why Brahma has four heads:

Another story in connection with Brahma's four heads is that when Brahmā was creating the Universe, He made a female deity known as Shatarupā Brahmā became immediately infatuated with Her. Shatarupā moved in various directions to avoid the gaze of Brahmā. But wherever She went, Brahmā developed a head. Thus, Brahmā developed five heads, one on each side and one above the others. In order to control Brahmā, Shiva cut off one of the heads. Also, Shiva felt that Shatarupā was Brahmā's daughter, having been created by Him. Therefore, Shiva determined it was wrong for Brahmā to become obsessed with Her. Shiva directed that there be no proper worship on earth for the "unholy" Brahmā. Thus, only Vishnu and Shiva continued to be worshiped, while Brahmā is almost totally ignored. Ever since this incident, Brahmā has been believed to be reciting the four Vedas in His attempt at repentance.

Yet in most of the Siva & Vishnu temples, there is an image of Lord Brahma on the northern wall

and he is one of the important Parivara devata.

As we have seen about Lord Brahma in the next post, we will discuss about what are these 14 lokas are all about...

courtesy : Wikipedia

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Guru Ragavendra Swamy - Japadakatti Ek Shila Brindavana

Most of our Guru Ragavendra Swamy devotees will be aware of Mantralaya Series from Ragavendra Patwari. I have been included in the email distribution list by the grace of Guru Ragavendra Swamy.

Recently I read the email content of Mantralaya series 369 and I thought to post this for the benefit of all our Guru devotees.

Here I have included the initial content of Mantralaya Series number 369 where our beloved Guru Ragavendra Swamy came in the dream of devotee Sajjana and requested to construct a big strong wall at the back side of the Japadakatti Ek Shila Brindavana.

I am just playing a messenger role by providing the below content written by Ragavendra Patwari in his Mantralayam Series 369.

**********************************************************************************

Mantralaya(369):

Overwhelmed with joy and tears rolling on the cheek I Simply surrender to
our great Yatiraja Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateertha Gurusarvabhoumaru and
wish to share the great Miracle to our world devotees which happened on
Tuesday Morning.

Background:

  A Great Divine Experience to a Satvika, Sajjana, Aastika, Sudha Pandit and
a great devotee of Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateertharu on Tuesday early
morning sharp at Braahmee Muhurta and the kind concern of Rayaru to the next
generation are described here in Mantralaya(369).

Meaning:

  Tuesday Bhaadrapada Shuddha Trayodashi September 21.2010 a very important
and an auspicious day to the Devotees of Mantralaya. Sri
Raghavendrateertharu's kind concern, care and the affection is expressed by
our Rayaru to a devotee in his dream. Last week Thursday Bhaadrapada Shuddha
Navami the Aaradhana  Celebartion took place in Manvi of  Sri
Jagannathadasaru the author Sri Harikathhaamruta Saara,  the younger brother
of Sri Prahlada by name Sahlada in Prahlada Avatara. For this auspicious
occasion the great Sudha Pandit Satvika Sajjana received the invitation for
Pravachana. The Sajjana Aastika desired to vist Bichali Japadakatti and stay
for four days prior to the AardhanaMahotsava. The Devotee is highly
principled. He never accepts food from anybody. Para Annya Tyaaga. Prepares
his own food, offers Naivedya, Viashwadeva, Hastodaka and then takes the
meal prepared by himself. As already said the Satvika is so principled that
he always carries
rice, dal, oil,ghee, charcoal and charcoal stove, match box with him. Never
accepts anything from any body.  At the same time a great Scholar,
Chaturveda Pandita, Sudha Pandita, a great devotee of Mantralaya Sri
Raghavendrateertharu. The daily routine at Bichali is simple, pure and full
of  noble ideas with satisfaction and gratitude.

When ever this Sajjana arrives to Bichali Japadakatti the following is the
routine. Early morning after the Praatarvidhi Holy Dip in Tungabhadra  at
the Bichali  Japadakatti that too near the Madhwarayara Gundu. Performs
Sandhyavandana, Japa, Pooja and prepares the food himself, offers Naivedya,
Vaishwadeva Hastodaka as already said. After meals cleans all the vessels
and will not take others help. Always in the Chintana and the Manthhana of
Sri Acharya Philosophy.

After completing the Aaradhana Function at Manvi on Saturday with a heavy
heart from Bichali Japadakatti  bade  farewell to the Vamshathharu of Sri
Appanacharyaru. Reached his native  place on Sunday. Monday whole day the
schedule was quite busy. Students Paathha after that clarification of doubts
etc. went on late till night and slept. During night sharp at Muhurta This
Satvika got a Divine Dream owing his Punya and the selfless Seva to
Mantralaya Sri Raghavendraru and Bichali Japadakatti Sri Appanacharyaru in
the early morning hours exactly at 4.00a.mSri Gurusarvabhoumaru appeared in
his dream.

   Rayaru standing at the  Sanctum - Bichali Japadakatti Rayaru said in the
dream Acharya look here the Water of Tungabhadra is flowing here  always
very adjacent to the EkShila Brindavana. The overflow and  the spate during
rainy season will be severe. The forceful flow of Tungabhadra as our
Appanacharya has said Rangottunga Taranga of the holy river will cause
damage to the Sanctum and purity Suddha Madi will not be maintained, as so
many unwanted things will be floating and will pollute the sanctity of the
Divine Centre of Japadakatti Ek Shila Brindavana Siddhi Kshetra. Construct a
big strong wall at the back side of the Japadakatti Ek Shila Brindavana. So
that directly the forceful flood will not dash the Brindavana and the all
waste floating materials will come at the Sanctum. Rayaru a VayoVruddha
wearing Kaashaaya Vastra told that it is highly necessary to have this wall.
No roof it should be open to the sky - Bayalu Brindavana.

Sudha Pandit Acharya immediately got up from his bed. Looked at the watch
it was 4.00a.m early morning. Soon the devotee came to the conclusion that
this Tejomaya VayoVruddha is none but Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateertharu.
Really amazed to understand the foresight of Rayaru, the kind concern and
the affection towards our next generation. That in the coming years the
heavy incessant rains will get more water to Tungabhadra, there by flood. As
the ozone layer is deplating  means becoming thin day by day, Nature is
experiencing imbalance. This may damage the rich heritage of the  divinity
of Japadakatti.

  On that day Tuesday Bhaadrapada Shuddha Trayodashi early morning Braahmee
Muhurta Sri Raghavendrateertharu came from Mantralaya to Bichali
Japadakatti. Took a holy dip in Tungabhadra at the Madhwarayara Gundu. Then
Sitting at the Japadakatti EkShilaBrindavana looked at the most sacred idols
of Sri Narasimhaswami Sri Maruti
Installed by Sri Sripadarajaru and Sri Vyasarajaru Rayaru performed
Sandhyavandana, Aahneeka and the Japa of Pranava Mantra. After completing
this holy routine the kind Yatiraat Gururaat Sri Raghavendrateertharu
appeared in the dream of this great devotee and told the entire practical
situation and the urgent need to SAVE and PROTECT THE PARAM SIDDHI KSHETRA
of Bichali Japadakatti.

 Though Rayaru is sitting below the Brindavana in Mantralaya as our
Appanacharyaru has said in Sri Raghavendra Mangalashtaka :

Rangottunga Taranga Mangalakara Sri Tungabhadra Tata

Pratyasthha Dwija Pungavaalaya Lasan Mantralayakhyaapure

Navyendropala Neela Bhavya kara SatBrindavanaantargataha

SriMatSadguruRaghavendraYatiraat Kuryaat Dhruvam Mangalam.

Always thinks about all of us. Already said this Bhaagavata that Rayaru is
highly interested in the Uddhaara of us. So only for the sake of this not
ready to go alone for Moksha when Sri offered happily.

Naitaan Vihaaya Krupanaan ViMumuksha Eko Na Anyam.

Residing in Mantralaya distributing the abundant Punya of Himalayan height
to the world devotees and engaged in the betterment of Manukula.

We call this Tuesday as MANGALADA MUMBELAGU MANGALAVAARA  to all of us a
Divine Aadesha by Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateertharu. This is very clear
that our Guruaat Rayaru is very dear to our Bichali Japadakatti, the Vidya
Kendra  of Appanaryaru Open University  in those days. The affectionate
attachment of Bhaktaanugraha Premi Rayaru to Bichali Japadakatti EkShila
Brindavana cannot be described in words.

The next series is only about the importance of this Siddhi Kshetra and
what is the reason to save and handover the rich heritage to our coming
generations.

  Early morning Tuesday Sudha Sajjana immediately called Sri Ramacharyaru
the Vamshasthharu of Bichali Sri Appanacharyaru who was at Japadakatti  with
joy and devotional ecstasy rolling tears said Ramacharya GuruRayaru appeared
in my dream. Standing at the Japadakatti, Tejomaya Vayovruddha Ajja wearing
Kaashaaya Vastra  showed  pointing with his fingers that this back portion
of EkShila Brindavana  a big strong wall has to be constructed. So that the
forceful flood water will not damage the EkShilaBrindavana. It is heartening
to note that GuruRayaru standing at the  Japadakatti Siddhi Spot with a
smile talked with me. Further said I am really fortunate to see our Rayaru
at Japadakatti. Attainment of Siddhi and Moksha can be acquired here in
Bichali. So lived here several years and agreed to the kind request of
Appanacharya. R ayaru said, now the PROTECTION OF THIS JAPADAKATTI SANCTUM
IS THE PRIME DUTY.

  Devotees we have to ponder that why Sri Raghavendrateertharu said this
Divine Sandesha to This Satvika Sajjana and not to Sri Ramacharya. If this
call is from the Vamshasthharu, it will look that to safe guard the Sanctum
the Vamshasthharu is pleading. But this is a Divine Dandesha ORDER by
GuruRayaru to a Satvika Sajjana Sudha Pandita who leads like a Rushi and
capable of becoming a SWAMIJI in all respects. Such a Chetana got this
Message by Rayaru. One more  important thing is that this personality knows
the whole Siddhi Shuddhi Vruddhi of Bichali Japadakatti. Freqently visits
Bichali Japadakatti and stays here for four days. Dear world Devoteesa
Really Amazed to know that even after 339 years the affection and the
fondness of Japadakatti is not decreased on the contrary it has increased
considerably.

  In this Kaliyuga, in the age of Science and Technology, though the
computer software is well advanced the Devotees Belief towards our
Mantralaya Rayaru have bent with gratitude to the Divine Power of Blessing
multifariously. Rayaru is a Boon to all of us. We are greatly indebted to
Sri Hari for his kindness in arranging Rayaru to our Uddhaara:

MANTRAM TAE MANTRALAYA DHAAMAN BHUVI JAPTUHU

PAATU PAADAMBHO LAGHU NASHYATI ATI DUKHKHAM SWAMIN

MANTRALAYA SWAMIN

The wordings of Sri Krishnavadhootaru is true.

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Guru Ragavendra Swami Stotram / Guru Stotram / Sri Poornabodha Stotram

In this post I have given Guru Ragavendra swamy stotram which is also called as Sri Poornabodha stotram. This stotram was composed by Shri Appanacharya. Appanacharya has authored many shlokas on Guru Raghavendra. Few to mention are Guru Raghavendra Stotra, Guru Raghavendra Kavacha, Guru Raghavendra Manglasthaka, Guru Raghavendra Gadhya.Shri Appanacharya is the top devotee of our Guru Ragavendra swamy.Guru Raghavendra and Appanacharya spent time together near mantralayam called bikshalaya and this place is being visited by most of the devotees who travel to Mantralayam.
I found this stotra in the net and hence I am providing this here ( Note : I am just doing the messenger role). I am still trying to get the meaning of this stotra in tamil, however the english & kannada traslation is available in the below link

http://www.patwari.org/GuruStotra/RayaraStotra_English_kannda_meaning.pdf

Audio file of our Guru Stotra can be found at

Kannadaaudio.com

Background of this Guru Ragavendra Swamy Stotra :

Rayaru decided to enter the Brindavana in 1671 A.D.Friday and sent Appanacharya for Madhwa Sanchara away from Mantralaya. If Appanacharya would have been on that day he would have not allowed Rayaru to Enter Brindavana. So Guru Ragavendra Swamy sent Shri Appanacharya away from Mantralaya and immediately planned the Brindavana Pravesha and asked Diwan Venkanna to make all the arrangements. Appanacharya somehow came to know the news and decided to go to Mantralaya. But the river Tungbhadra was in full spate, overflowing. Appanacharya never cared for this. He loved Guru Ragavendra swamy so much and decided to cross Tungabadra river and went on crying. As He knew Guru Ragavendra Swamy completely he started Gurustotra Sripurnabodha Guruteertha Payobdhipaara from JAPADAKATTE, Tungabadra river paved the way, by the time Appanacharya reached Mantralaya the last stone of the Brindavana was placed at the Brindavana. His Stotra immediately stopped after:

YoBhaktyaGuruRaghavendraCharanaDwandam Smaran
YahaPathaet
StotramDivyamidamsadaNahiBhavaettasyaAsukhamKinchan
KimtvishtarthaSamruddhirevaKamalaNathaPrasadodayaat
KeertiDigviditaVibhutiratula..

Could not speak anything more. Guru Ragavendra Swamy sitting in the`Brindavana has listened the Gurustotra fully, and completed the Stotra by saying SAAKSHIHAYASTOTRAHI from the Brindavana. At that time Rayaru was Chanting Hayagreeva Mantra, said Hayagreeva Roopi Sri Hari is the witness for all this what has been told in the Gurustotra.This shows the amount of affection Guru Ragavendra Swamy has towards Appanacharya. Appanacharya composed this Stotra Gurustotra on the day of Ragavendra Swamy brindavana pravesha. It has come out fluently with Devotional ecstasy.This is the unforgettable contribution of Bichchali Appanacharya to all Guru Ragavendra Swamy devotees of this Universe.

Reciting this stotram helps us to get closer to Guru Raghavendra Swamy; Guru helps us to grant all our wishes; the reason to help and meet all our wishes is to attain a stage where we will not have any wishes and will get into a next stage of spiritual journey of reciting OM GURU RAGHAVENDRAYA NAMAHA

Guru Stotram / Sri Poornabodha Stotram

Sri poorna bodha guru theertha payobdhi para,
Kamari maksha vishamaksha sira sprusanthi,
Poorvotharamitha tharanga charath suhamsa,
Devali sevitha parangri ugra payo jalagna., 1

Jeevesa bedha guna poorthi jagath susathwa,
Neechaocha bhava mukha nakra ganai sametha,
Durvadhya japathi gilai guru raghavendra,
Vag devatha saridhamum vimali karothu., 2


Sri Raghavendra sakala pradhatha,
Swa pada kancha dwaya bhakthi magbhyam,
Adhadri sammodhana drushti vajra,
Kshama surendra aavatthu maam sadaayam., 3

Sri Raghavendro hari pada kancha,
Nishevann labdha samastha sampath,
Deva swabhavo divija dhrumo,
Ayam ishta pradho may sathatham sa bhooyath., 4


Bhavya swaroopo bhava dukha thoola,
Sanga agni charya sukha dairya shali,
Samastha dushta graham nigraheso,
Durathya yopa plava Sindhu sethu., 5

Nirastha dhosho niravadhya vesha,
Prathyarthi mookhtwa nidhana bhasha,
Vidhwath parigneya maha visesho,
Vaghwaiswari nirjjatha bhavya sesha., 6

Santhana sampath parishuddha bhakthi,
Vignana vag deha supata vadhin,
Dathwa sarerothdha samastha doshan,
Hathwa sa no avyadh Guru Raghavendra., 7

Yad padodhaka sanchaya sura nadhi mukhya paga sadhitha,
Asankhya anuthama punya sankha vilasad prakhata punyavaha,
Dus thapa thraya nasano bhuvi maha vandhyaya suputhra pradho,
Vyanga swanga samrudhidho graha maha papa hastham sraye., 8

Yad pada kanja rajasa parii bhooshithanga,
Yad pad padma Madhu payitha manasa ye
Yad pada padma parikeerthana jeernavacha,
Thad darshanam duritha kanana davamrutham., 9

Sarva thanthra swathanthrosou
sri madhwa matha vardhana,
Vijayeendra karabhjothdha
sudheendra vara puthraka., 10

Sri Raghavendro yathi rat
gurur may syath bhaya pahaa
Jnana Bhkthi suputrayuh,
Yasa sri Punya vardhana., 11

Prathivadi jaya swantha bhedha china dharo guru,
Sarva vidha pranenenyo Raghavendranna vidhyathe., 12

Aparokshi krutha shreesa samupekshitha bhavaja,
Apekshitha pradhat anyo raghavendranna vidhyathe., 13

Daya dakhinya vairagya, vak patava mukhangitha,
Shapanugraha sakthanyo raghavendranna vidhyathe., 14

Agnana vismrithi bhranthi samashyapasmriti kshaya,
Thanthra kampa vacha kountya mukha ye chendriyongava,
Doshasthe nasa mayanthi Raghavendra prasadatha., 15

“Om Sri Raghavendraya nama” ihyashtakshara manthratha,
Japithad bhanga vidhath nithyam, ishatha syur na samsaya., 16

Hanthu na kayajan doshan Athmameeya samud bhavan,
Sarvan api pumarthascha dadathu guru rathma vidh., 17

Ithi kala thraye nithyam prarthaanaam ya karothi sa,
Iha muthraptha sarveshto modathe nathra samsaya., 18

Aagamya mahima loke Raghavendro maha yasa,
Sri madhwa matha dughdhabdhi Chandro aavatha sada anagha., 19

Sarva yathra phala vyapthyai yada shakthi pradakshinm,
Karomi thava sidhasya vrundavana gatham jalam,
Shirasa dharayamyadhya sarva theertha phalapthaye., 20

Sarvabheeshata sidhyartha namaskaram karomyaham,
Thava sankeethanam Veda shasthrartha phala sidhaye., 21

Samsare aksha sagare prakrthitho agahade dusthare,
Sarva vidhya jala grahairanupame kamadhi bhanga kule,
Nana vibhrama drubhrame amitha bhayasthomadhi phenothkate,
Dukhothkrushte vishe samudhara guro maam magna roopam sada., 22

Raghavendra Guru stotram ya padeth Bhakthi poorvakam,
Thasya kushtadhi roganam Nivruthi stwaraya Bhaved., 23

Andhobhi divya drushti, syadheda mookopi vagpati,
Poorna ayu poorna sampathi, stotrasyaasya japangaveth., 24

Ya pibhe jjalamethena stotrenaivapi manthritham,
Thasya kukshi gatha dosha saerve nasyanthi thath kshanath., 25

Yad vrundavana masadhya pangu kanchopi vaa jana,
Storenanena ya kuryath pradakshina namaskruthi,
Sa jangalo bhave deva guru raj prasadatha., 26

Soma soorya parogo cha pushyarkadhi samagame,
Yo anuthamam idham stotramashtothara satham japeth,
Bootha pretha pisachadhi peeda thasya na jayathe., 27

Yethad stotram samucharya guror vrundavananthike,
Deepa samyojana jnanam puthra labho bhaved druvam., 28

Paravadhi jayo diva jnana bhakthya yadhi vardhanam,
Sarvabhishta pravrudhisyannathra karya vicharana., 29

Raja chora maha vyagra sarpa nakradhi peedanam,
Na jayathe asya stotrasya prabhavannathra samsaya., 30

Yo bhkthya guru raghavedra charana dwandham smaran. ya padeth,
Stotram divyamidham sada nahi bhaved thasya asukham kinchna., 31

Kim thwishtartha samrudhireva kamala nadha prasadhodhayath,
Keerthir dig vidhitha vibhoothirathula sakshee hyastotra hi., 32

Ithi sree Raghavendrarya guru prasadatha,
Krutham storamidham punyam srimad appanna aabhidai.

Ithi Sri Appanna virachitham Sri Raghavendra stotram sampoornam.
Bharathi ramana mukhya pranathargatha Sri Krishnarpanamasthu.

Guru will bless us all by his divine power.Kannadaaudio.com

Meaning of Stotra is provided in one of my other post. Click here to get the meaning of this divine stotra

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Hinduism - Lord Brahma - Series 2

Lord Brahma

Before we discuss about Lord Brahma, In Series 1, you might have read the term Brahman. First lets understand what Brahman is and then we can talk about Lord Brahma.

There are several views from different vedas, puranas, dvaita on what Brahman is about. Overall the summary from various source is "Brahman is the eternal, unchanging, infinite and transcendent reality which is the Divine of all matter, energy, time, space, and everything beyond in this Universe. ".

The trimurthy's namely Brahma, Vishnu and Siva were formed from Brahman.

Lord Brahma is god of creation. According to Brahma purana, he is the father of Manu from wher e all the human beings are decended. Goddess Saraswati sits besime him, the goodess of learning. Brahma is often identified with Prajapati.

At the beginning of creation Lord Brahma created Prajapatis who are fathers of human rase. He also created seven great sages called Saptarishi to help him to create the universe. Both these Prajapatis and Saptarishes were created from his mind rathan than body and then they are called as Manasputras.

Lord Brahma is typically depicted with four heads and four arms/ with each head facing each direction. He contually recites one of the four vedas. Unlike other gods, Brahma do not hold any weapons.

According to puranas Lord Brahma was self born. One source states that Lord Brahma was born from Lotus flower. Other source indicate that he was born from water. A seed later became a golden egg from which Lord Brahma born. The egg was split into two from which both heaven and hell were formed and Lord Brahma created the 14 lokas and many living beings came there in 8400000 kinds of material bodies according to their past desires.

Lord Brahma's vehicle is divine swan. Swan has a ability to differentiate water and milk in the mix of two. This also indicates one should identify the difference between good and bad things
that exist in the world.

Brahma Samhita contains the verses of prayer spoken by Lord Brahma glorfying the supreme Lord Krishna at the beginning of creation.

Brahma, created all knowledge, sciences, arts, music, dance and drama. He also officiated over the wedding of Shiva and Parvati.

Puranas & vedas indicate Lord Brahmā's day, consisting of his 12 hours, lasts 4 billion 320 million years, and his night is of the same duration.

Brahma lives in ‘Brahmaloka’, a celestial universe that contains many splendors. Hindu cosmology reveals that the universe exists for a period known as ‘Brahmakalpa’ or four billion earth years. At the end of this period, creation is dissolved by a process called ‘pralaya’. After this, Brahma is reborn again and creates the cosmos anew.

Though Lord Brahma created the universe he was not being workshiped by most of the people.
In the next post we will see why he is not being workshipped like other two Gods ( Vishnu & Siva).

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Raghavendra Swamy - 2010 Aradhana Pictures

The final set of Aradhana 2010 photos are available in the below link

Hundreds of photos taken during the grand Uttara Aradhana Ratha Yatra.
http://www.sriraghavendramutt.org/srsm/node/661/

The unique Sarva Samarpanotsava Pictures are given here.
http://www.sriraghavendramutt.org/srsm/node/662/

If link does not work, please visit http://www.srsmutt.org


[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Evolution of universe - What Hinduism says - Series 1

I have been doing some research on this particular topic. My initial readings gave me interesting inputs and this made me to write a post on this topic. I  will start writing a series of posts on this starting from Evolution of universe, About Lord Brahma, manvantara, Who are Devas , Who are Asuras , Different Yugas, Life span of each Yuga,different incarnation of Lord Vishnu  etc, and ofcourse these are based on the puranas and other information that I had read through while going through several articles relation to Hinduism.

Human race have been doing several research on this and we might have advanced a lot in scientific side , however my article is more on the Hindu belief through various Vedas and Puranas.

Let me start this first post on how the universe was created by Lord Brahma and these information are based on the details through puranas. Before understanding on how the universe was created, we need to know how the Trimurthy's ( Brahma , Vishnu , Siva) were created.

Initially there was nothing in the universe other than Brahmana ( existance of Divine). From Brahmana the three God's Brahma, Vishnu and Siva were created. Initially universe were created and filled with water. Water is termed as Nara and lord Vishnu was lying (yana) on AdiSesha and hence he is been termed as Narayana. A golden egg came out of the ocean in the universe in which Lord Brahma was staying in for an year. Brahma was created by himself and hence he is also called as Hiranyagarbha and he came out of the golden egg by splitting it into two. By spliting the egg Lord Brahma has created the earth and swarga. Both earth and Swarga were created with Skies, air, water etc.

After this Lord Brahma gave a birth to 14 prajapatis who will take care of the world. These prajapatis were born from the mind of Lord Brahma.  They are
Daksha,
Prachetas,
Pulaha,
Marichi,
Kasyapa,
Bhrigu,
Atri,
Vasistha,
Gautama,
Angiras,
Pulastya,
Kratu,
Prahlada and
Kardama who are the caretakers of the fourteen worlds - seven lokas and seven talas.

Also as some may be curious to know what are these 14 lokas means. They are
Higher Lokas (Heaven) which are 7 lokas and lower lokas (Hell) which are 7 lokas again.

Higher ( Heaven)
-----------------
Bhur Loka
Bhuvar Loka
Svar Loka
Mahar Loka
Jana Loka
Tapo Loka
Satya Loka

Lower (Hell)
-----------------
Atalam
Vitalam
Sutalam
Talaa-Talam
Rasaa-Talam
Mahaa-Talam
Paataalam

We are currently in Bhur Loka ( should read as Bhu Loka).

In my next blog, we will know more details of Lord Brahma followed by each of the Prajapatis ( may be 10 of them as I am unable to find the details for all the 14) who were created by Brahma to take care of the 14 lokas.

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Bagavat Gita - What is the right age to read Gita

Gita is not meant for any one person or nation. It is meant for humanity. Gita is one of the most ancient religious scriptures of the world. It contains the direct message of GOD. It is a dialogue between God and his closest devotee. This was originally delivered in sanskrit, but
today it is available in almost every language with translations. It is connected to the life of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who played a key role in Mahabharata.

Usually there is a myth that Gita should be read only after the age of 60. However I am writing this blog to indicate that Gita can be heard or read at anytime in life. Also I have not read the entire Gita. I have just completed chapter 1, but before doing that I have heard a lot about the right age to read Gita.

Gita delivers the messages that are still good for the current era and will hold good for years to come. Gita tells you how to lead a life to reach moksha. These are the words that are delivered by God to Arjuna. There are messages that Lord Krishna states in Gita which holds good for Arjuna and also for current generation of man kind. Gita takes about Athma , what death means, what should a human do to reach Moksha etc. If a person reads Gita at the age of 60, he is almost at the end of his life and he will not have enough time to follow the steps that Lord Krishna delivers in Gita. Even if someone reads at the age of 20, he cannot follow the entire Gita for his remaining life because there is a need for a complete transformation from what one does currently and what he is been asked to do through Gita.

So my advise would be to read Gita at the earliest so that we can understand what human life is,
why one is born as a human, what are his tasks in his current birth, what are the best ways to lead a life inorder to reach God. These are my personal opinion after reading the first chapter of Gita.

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Guru Raghavendra Swami's quotes before attaining Jeeva Samadhi

Raghavendra Swami gave a soul-stirring speech to hundreds of devotees who had gathered to watch the event. Some quotes from that speech are as follows -

• "Without right living, right thinking will never come. Right living is performing one's ordained duties according to one's station in life without hankering after the fruits of the actions and on the other hand offering all one's activities to the Lord. This is real sadachara (right living). This is real karma yoga."

• "Social work done for the good of worthy people should also be considered as the Lord's worship. In short, our life itself is a worship. Every action is a puja. This life is precious. Every second of our life is precious. Not even a second that has gone will come back. Listening to the right shastras and always remembering Him is the highest duty."

• "Always keep away from people who merely perform miracles without following the shastras and yet call themselves God or guru. I have performed miracles, and so have great persons like Srimadvacharya. These are based on yoga siddhi and the shastras. There is no fraud or trickery at all. These miracles were performed only to show the greatness of God and the wonderful powers that one can attain with His grace. "

• "Right knowledge (jnana) is greater than any miracle. Without this no real miracle can take place. Any miracle performed without this right knowledge is only sorcery. No good will come to those who perform such miracles and also those who believe in them."

• "Have devotion to the Lord. This devotion should never be blind faith. Accepting the Lord's supremacy wholeheartedly is true devotion. Blind faith is not devotion. It is only stupidity. We should have devotion, not only for the Lord, but also for all other deities and preceptors in keeping with their status."

After this speech, Sri Raghavendra entered the Brindavana specially constructed for him with stone brought from Madavara village, near Manchale and attained Jeeva Samadhi. This date is celebrated each year as Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana at Brindavans all over the world.

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

My Guru

I would like to start my first post to talk about the grace and divine power of Guru Ragavendra Swamy. There is a saying in Bagavat Gita from Lord Krishna that easiest way to reach God is through Guru. Even in Hindu mythology there is a proverb Mother, Father, Guru and God.Guru here denotes teachers. I have heard a lot of Guru Ragavendra Swamy in my early days. However in the last 2 years I started to realise his power. May be this is when Guru wanted me to be his devotee. In 2009, I have been going through several problems in my life. Nothing was going my way and my problems grew day by day. This is when I was reading some 

books and watching some speech where devotees of Guru were praising him. Then something happened in me and my mind was forcing me to surrender to Guru Ragavendra swamy.

From the moment I surrendered to Guru, though my problems were there my heart felt light as Guru will take care of things. I do not want to explain about my problem but in just 3 months time, Guru completely solved all my problems. This was a true miracle in my life and from then even though i encounter problems, I will never worry about that as I believe Guru will have something in place for me. Its been 2 yrs of my journey with Guru and i have changed a lot as a person individually. 

Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy (1595–1671) is a respected 16th century Hindu saint who advocated Madhvism (worship of Vishnu as the supreme God) and Sri Madhvacharya's Dvaita philosophy. He ascended Brindavana at Mantralayam in present day Andhra Pradesh in 1671.

His devotees' faith regarding his continued presence at his Brindavanam in Mantralayam situated in Andhra Pradesh, in metaphysical form makes it a very popular religious destination in India.

It is believed he would live for

76 years physically on the Earth.

300 years in the Brindavana , through his literary work among the people.

400 years in the Brindavana without a physical form.

Totally 700 years in the Bridavana helping the society and the mankind to come-out from troubles and miseries

Guru has been doing several miracles in devotees life which are in-numerous and all his devotees will cherish this for all their life time.

To know more about Guru

pls visit http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/

            www.srsmutt.org


[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]