3rd August 2003 - ‘Ashtãvadãnam’, Premika Bhavanam
2.30 to 5.00 pm
Sri Kalaichezhian performed ‘Ashtãvadãnam’ (a show of acute concentration, observation and memory power)
7.00 p.m.
H.H. Sri Sri Swamiji participated in the “Vaidika Sri” monthly magazine releasing function at Ayodhya Mantap, West Mambalam. Sri Sri Swamiji gave ‘anugraha bhashana’:
“There are innumerable magazines for ‘loukika’ (worldly) matters. So are there for ‘ãnmiga’ (spiritual). There are several speaking on Bhakti. But, there is none for speaking on Dharma. Earlier, Somadeva Sarma used to run a Vaidika ‘patrika’ (magazine) but it came to a stop. Recently, Sri Rajagopala Shastrigal came to me and spoke to me about starting a magazine of this kind. I am very happy that a magazine of this kind is being brought forth. Adi Sankara has said, ‘Ganga water only when held in a pure vessel is worthy of worship and not when held in a bag of dog’s skin.’ Just so, many people may speak of dharma but only if it comes from the right person will it have weight. The container is of utmost importance.
Anyone who accepts the Vedas is verily a Vaidika - be he of any nationality, caste or creed.
In today’s world we blame our indiscipline on the Age. But, we find that a dog is faithful even today; the peacock dances on seeing dark rain filled clouds; the cock crows at dawn and so on. Their ‘swabhava’ (nature) has not changed with time. It is only Man who has changed. And we put the blame on Time. Let us say that a theft has taken place in our house. We go over to the police station and file a complaint to the effect. Suppose the policeman tells us, ‘Sir! This Age is so. Such thefts will certainly occur. We can do nothing about it.’ Will you accept it? Will you not demand assistance in the matter of catching the thief and redeeming the lost articles? We should, therefore, try to maintain our ‘anushtãnãs’ (religious practices).
Anubhava (Experience [of the Self]) with ‘anushtãna’ (following religious practices as prescribed by the Shastras) is wonderful, indeed. Many Mahans - Appaiya Dikshitar, Mannãrgudi Rajagopla Shastrigal - were such great Mahans who were ‘in experience’ with ‘anushtãna’.
I pray that ‘Vaidika Sri’ blossoms into a great magazine.“
9th to 14th August 2003 - “Bhakta charitra” upanyãs by
His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji
Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai
(7 pm - 9 pm)
H.H. Sri Sri Swamiji performed ‘upanyãs’ on the life histories of great Bhaktãs.
On the inaugural day, the conveners of the programme offered a very warm and reverential welcome to H.H. Sri Sri Swamiji. The well-equipped spacious auditorium named after Kanchi Maha Periyava overflowed with earnest listeners.
H.H. Sri Sri Swamiji opened His 6-day long ‘upanyãs’ with the glory of our country, our religion and the Vedas that is the lifeline of our religion.
His Holiness explained how our country has derived her name viz. Bhãrat. Though it is widely known to have derived its name from its early ruler (of that name) the actual reason is altogether different. ‘Bharatãl’ means one who has known the Brahman. On this Holy soil have been born innumerable Mahatmãs who have known the Brahman. The line continues to this day. Therefore, the name Bhãrat has come about.
H.H. Sri Sri Swamiji then went on to explain that the name ‘Hindu’ to our religion is not the original name but named so by westerners. Our religion had no name, as it was the only one that existed in ancient times. It is Sanatana dharma and if any name is to be given it could be called Vaidika mata. Westerners, finding civilization on the banks of the river Sindu, named the people Sindus and this eventually turned to Hindu.
Our religion has the Vedas as its base. The Vedas is beyond time and is verily the breath of the Lord. It is verily the ‘blue print’ for the Lord for His creation just as we have one for the construction of our house. The Vedas is the pride of our religion. It is a treasure house from which other religions of the world have picked up their ethics. His Holiness pointed out that the western researcher Wilson has declared that all religions would die with the disappearance of the Vedas. Thus, it is the lifeline of not only our religion but also of all other religions of the world.
On the second evening, 10th instant, H.H. Sri Sri Swamiji spoke on Bhakta Mira whom Kanchi Maha Periyava has declared to be equal to a thousand sanyãsi.
On the third evening, 11th instant, the charitra of Tulasidas was rendered by
H.H. Sri Sri Swamiji. While narrating Tulasidas’s life at Vãrãnasi, His Holiness said, ‘Tulasidas seeks Lord Hanuman’s help in acquiring Sri Rama darshan. Lord Hanuman informs Tulasidas that Sri Rama has promised to visit his (Tulasidas’s) home on ‘Punarvasu’ day. Tulasidas awaits His Lord’s visit with bated breath all through the day. But, the Lord does not come. The next day Tulasidas meets with Lord Hanuman and questions him, ‘You said that Sri Rama would visit my home on ‘Punarvasu’ but He did not. He is called a ‘satyasantan’ (Truthful). But, He has failed to keep up His words.’
Lord Hanuman says, ‘He did visit your home. He knocked at the closed door of your home but you did not open the door for Him.’
The aghast Tulasidas shoots back, ‘could not the Lord enter through the closed door? What Lila is this?’
Lord Hanuman points out, ‘what did you seek? You desired Sri Rama to visit your home just as He had visited Sabari’s home. He visited Sabari’s home in human form. In human form the Lord would behave as a human only. Can a man enter through bolted door?’
It was the time of Muslim rule and invasion. Tulasidas explains apologetically, ‘I heard the sound of horse hoofs and feared attack by the Muslims. Hence, I had bolted the door. I mistook the knock of the Lord to be that of the invaders. This is the reason for not opening the door.’
Lord Hanuman says, ‘what can be done for your foolishness?’
His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji explained, “This shows that where there is fear there can be no darshan of God.”
On the 4th evening, 12th instant, H.H. Sri Sri Swamiji spoke on Pãnduranga Bhaktãs, particularly about Pundarika the cause of Lord Panduranga coming to stay at this place on the banks of Bima/Chandrabãga River.
While speaking on meditation of a form of Bhagavan, His Holiness advised, ‘meditate on the form that comes to you easily and naturally. Do not try your hand at one which is difficult to conceive.’
Lord Krishna who was ruling from Dwaraka at the time of Pundarika serving his parents on the banks of the Bima River asks the visiting Narada, “Narada! A son should serve his parents. But, I have not been so fortunate. Is there anyone who is totally devoted to his parents and serves them? If there were one would you take me to him? I desire to see his service to his parents.”
Narada speaks of Pundarika serving his parents lovingly and loyally on the banks of the Bima River. So, at Krishna’s request Narada takes Him to the banks of the Bima River. Rukimini and Krishna’s ministers go along with Him. The highly pleased Krishna asks Pundarika, “I am highly pleased with your service to your parents. Ask any boon of me.”
At first Pundarika refuses any boon, “Oh! Lord! I have been blessed with Your darshan. What boon can I seek from You?”
But, at the insistence of the Lord, Pundarika tells the Lord, “Till such time the Sun and Moon exist the world should know that You came here to enjoy the service of Pundarika to his parents. You should, therefore, stay here along with mother Rukmini.”
At once the Grace rose from Lord Krishna and Rukmini and changed into ‘archãvatãra’ (idol) and remained here. Thus, the idols of Pãnduranga and Rukmini in Pandaripur are not sculptor made idols but one that have come verily out of the Divine body of the Lord and His Consort, respectively.
On the 5th evening, 13th instant, His Holiness spoke on the Guru Bhakti of Ekanãta.
Holiness said, ‘Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, one day, stretched out his hand and said to Kali, ‘Mother! I offer all my kama, krodha…….’ and suddenly he felt a hand taking hold of his outstretched hand. He then heard a voice say, ‘do not offer these to Kali. Whatever you offer to Kali will return to you in multifold.’
“Our offerings to Sadhus do not go a waste. When we offer something to the Guru, to Sadhus, to Bhagavan it comes back to us in multifold.
Click here for more on Guru Bhakti
On the 6th evening, 14th instant, His Holiness narrated the life of Ãndãl who succeeded in marrying ‘archãvatãra’ (God in idol form). His Holiness spoke on the glory of ‘Nãyaka-Nãyaki Bhãva’, the highest of all forms of devotion to the Lord.
On this concluding day of the 6-day long ‘upanyãs’ His Holiness was honoured with a beautiful crown of fragrant, colourful flowers.
15th August 2003 - Independence Day, Premika Bhavanam
8.00 a.m.
The National flag was hoisted at Premika Bhavanam.
6.00 p.m.
His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji performed ‘upanyãs’ at Alsur Shirdi Sai Mandir, Bangalore.
19th to 28th August 2003 - 10th ANNUAL BRAHMOTSAV,
Mathurãprui Ashram, Malaipattu
The 10th Annual Brahmotsav of Mãdhuri Sakhi-Premika Varadan was celebrated at Mathurãpuri Ashram, Malaipattu.
Every morning ‘Bhãgavata pãrãyana’, every afternoon ‘upanyãs’, every evening procession and every night ‘Divya Nãmasankirtan’ was performed.
For visuals-details click here
30th August 2003 - Violin concert
Mahodaya, Sri Seva Mandir, Ashok Nagar, Chennai
His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji presided over the music concert conducted by Carva Trust wherein more than hundred students participated.
31st August 2003, Ayodhya Mantap, West Mambalam, Chennai
His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji was invited to participate in the Maha Ganapati Homam conducted by Shipraprasãda Gananapati Trust in connection with Ganesha Chaturti.
