Glories of Hari Nama Sankeerthanam

GLORIES OF HARI NAMA SANKEERTANAM

From Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami’s Upanyasam in Seattle, 2008

Introduction:

The means available to us to get liberated and to reach Sriman Narayana’s eternal abode is different  in the 4 yugas. It is summarized in the following sloka:

“Dhyayan krite yajan yajnais, tretayam dwapare archayan

yad apnoti tad apnoti kalau sankirtya keshavam”

Translation:

Whatever is achieved by meditation in satya-yuga, by the performance of yajna in tretha-yuga or by the worship of Sriman Narayanan’s lotus feet in Dwapara yuga is obtained very easily in the age of kali simply by chanting the Supreme God’s name.

Our ability to perform different sadhanas differ in different yugas. In kritha yuga, people lived for long and so they were able to do sever penances to reach Sri Vaikuntam. But, after kritha yuga, it started deteriorating.

Prescription for liberation in different yugas:

Yuga	Means
Kritha	Dyana marga
Tretha	Performance of yaga and yagna
Dwapara	Performing archana (offering flowers)
Kali	Chanting of His holy names

Dyana marga involves mind power and meditation. Physical offering is simpler compared to controlling the mind and thoughts. So, performing physical offering to fire God was prescribed in tretha yuga. Offering flowers with ashtothra namavali or sahasra namavali was prescribed as a means to reach eternal abode in dwapara yuga, i.e performing archana without expecting anything in return. In kali yuga, Namasankeerthanam alone is prescribed as the means for liberation. It is even enough, if you can recite the Kesavadhi dwadasa namangal of Sriman Narayana.

In Srimad Bhagawadam, Prahladha revealed the 9 devotional practices that we should follow to realize Bhagawan.

“Sravanam kirtanam vishoh

            Smaranam paada sevanam

Archanam vandanam dasyam

            Sakhyam atma nivedanam

Iti pumsarpita visnau bhaktiscen nava-lakshana”

The nine process of devotional service are:

1. Hearing the name and glories of Sriman Narayana
2. Chanting His glories
3. Remembering the Lord all the time
4. Serving Lord’s feet
5. Worshipping the deity form
6.  Offering obeisance unto the Lord
7.  Acting as the Lord’s servant
8.  Making friends with the Lord
9.  Surrendering oneself fully to the Lord

•  Sravanam is to listen to the lilas or the life history and His graceful deeds
•  Kirtanam is chanting the holy names and His holy deeds and talking His glories
•  Smarana is to remember the Lord always throughout the day and night in mind and heart so that nothing mundane would disturb or distract the bhakta from right path
•  Pada sevanam is to serve the divine in all respect
•  Archanam is to worship the Lord by offering Him flowers, sandalwood paste, lighting lamp etc
•  Vandanam is to decorate the idol and please the Lord in all respect
•   Dasyam is a mental state of attainment when the sadhaka thinks himself as a servant of God
•   Sakhyam is also a mental state when a sadhaka thinks himself to be the most intimate friend of God
•   Atma nivedanam is absolute surrender under the feet of the Lord

Reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam is the easy way of reciting His names every day. Sahasranamam is the 1008 names of Sri Maha Vishnu. There will be a question as to whether we should know the meaning of very name before we start chanting Sahasranamam. The answer is “NO”!

This was a wonderful example given by Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swamin with regards to understanding the meaning before chanting Sahasranamam:

            “A 2 year old baby may not understand that if he/she touches the fire it will burn him/her. Even if the mother advises not to touch it, the child, if out of curiosity touches the fire, the fire will of course cause injury to the child. Because it is the nature of fire to burn the object that comes in contact with it, the fire is surely going to hurt the child. It does not matter if the child did it knowingly or unknowingly.

            Likewise, it is the nature of the Namas to make Sriman Narayana happy, even if you do not know the meanings of the Namas. Chanting His names will give a taste of sweetness to your tongue, at the same time, since you are praising the Supreme God by reciting His namas, He is going to be happy and will surely deliver you from this samsara.”

We will now briefly some of the names and meanings of Sriman Narayana. When we remember these names and chant them, we will automatically remember the stories associated with each name. Instead of spending our precious time in watching too much TV or talking about others, it is worthy to remember the Lord’s stories through His names.

Kesava – This nama has 4 beautiful meanings

a.      Kesi hantha – killer of demon kesi

b.      Kesavaha klesha nashanah – one who gets rid of all our agonies

c.       Ka+esa – Ka refers to Brahma and Esa refers to Shiva, va – controller of both Brahma and Shiva

d.      Kesa pasaha – one who has beautiful hair

Narayana – Nara means atman. Ayana – both means (Upaaya) and end (Upeya). Narayana means “He 

is the means and He is the goal"

Madhava

a.       Husband of Sri Maha Lakshmi.

b.       Mind needs to be controlled from getting dissipated by sense organs. The 3 methods of controlling mind are silence, meditation and practice of yoga. One who channelizes the mind away from sense objects is Madhava.

           Govindha

a.      Protector of cows (“Go” means cows)

b.      “Go” means Vedas. He confers wisdom of Vedas on us, so He is called Govinda

c.       “Go” also means earth. In Varaha avatara He saved mother earth from Hiranyaksha. So, He is Govinda.

Vishnu - Protecting God

6      Madhusudhana – killer of demon Madhu and Kaitabha. They stole the Vedas from Brahma. Sri Maha Vishnu killed them and brought them back.

7      Trivikrama, Vamana – He came as dwarf avatara (Vamana) and asked 3 feet of land from King Bali. He extended His feet to the three worlds (Trivikrama)

8      Sridhara – He holds Sri Maha Lakshmi in His Divine chest. She is the most proximate to the Lord.

9      Hrishikesa – Controller of all our senses.

1       Padmanabha – padma – lotus, nabhi – navel. He, in whose navel stands the lotus from which creator Brahma originated.

1        Damodhara – Dama means rope, Udhara means the waist. He got tied to a mortar with a rope by mother Yashodha. Dama also means abode, He is abode of the whole universe. Udhara – also means compassionate. He is compassionate towards even sinful people.

.          Parthasarathi – He was the charioteer to Arjuna in Kurukshethra war

 

Azhwars Prescription For Liberation

Azhwars prescription for liberation

From Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami’s Upanyasam in Houston, 2008

  

 Introduction:

AzhwArgal vAzhi aruLichcheyal vAzhi
thAzhvAdhumil kuravar thAm vAzhi – yEzhpArum
uyya avargaL uraiththavaigaL thAm vAzhi
seyyamaRai thannudanE sErndhu

Explanation:

May the divine azhwars live long!
May their works, the divya prabandhams, live long!
May the spotless poorvacharyas live long!
May their accurate commentaries, which were generously offered so that people of the seven worlds can benefit from them; live long along with the sanskrit vedas!

This song is benedictory verse of Manavala Mamunigal in his work Upadesarathina malai. He hails azhwars and their glorious collection 4000 Divya Prabhandham. The collection of azhwars’ works, devotional outpour is called Divya Prabandham. We all live in this material world, we should transcend, raise ourselves to reach Sri Vaikuntam.

Atmas are categorized as 3:

1. Baddha Atma – Bonded souls – All of us who are bound with our karmas
2. Muktha Atma –liberated souls – due to grace of Sriman Narayana and we reach Srivaikuntam
3. Nithya Atma – ever liberated souls – they are also called nithya suris. They ever remain with Sriman Narayana.

Sriman Narayana has 2 vibuthis (properties):

1.        Leela vibuthi – it is play ground for Bhagawan – He creates and destroys the universe cyclically
2.       Nithya vibuthi – Sri Vaikuntam – Permanent abode of Sriman Narayana, it is never created or destroyed

Why do we want to go back to Sri Vaikuntam if we are happy in this material world?

The truth is we never experience pleasure alone in this world or we go through pain alone. Pain and pleasure alternate in all our lives. The human end for each is to reach the eternal abode of Sriman Narayana.

We will discuss about Azhwars and their works called Nalayira Divya Prabandham and try to find the means/prescription to liberate from this world. Azhwars have given us the ways to live well in the dharmic path in this world and have also given us the means to leave this world peacefully to go back to Sriman Narayana.

Who are Azhwars and what is their purpose of birth?

They are poets absorbed in the bhakti/devotion to Sriman Narayana. Since they were always immersed (Azhndhu) in kalyana gunas (the most auspicious attributes) of Sriman Narayana they are called Azhwars. They guide us to get immersed in bhakti as well.

They were also bonded souls like us, but, Bhagawan chose them and showered His eternal grace on them. He chose one of the Nithyasuris and ordered him to shower their powers on the chosen souls and sent them as azhwars to guide the humans.

Every azhwar was an incarnation of Nithyasuri (pancha janya, chakra, Garuda, Vishwaksenar, Adiseshan etc). Some of the azhwars lived during the same period, but some were born in different time periods. Their divine poems/hymns were collected and made into 4000 divya prabandham by a noble soul called Sriman Nathamunigal.

Azhwars are 12 in number and the names of the azhwars are

1.       Poigai Azhwar
2.       Boothath Azhwar
3.       Peyazhwar
4.       Tirumazhisai Azhwar
5.       Nammazhwar
6.       Periazhwar
7.       Madura kavi Azhwar
8.       Thondaradipodi Azhwar
9.       Kulasekara Azhwar
10.      TirupAnAzhwar
11.       Andal
12.       Tirumangai Azhwar

 poigayAr boodhathAr pEyAr pugazhmazhisai

ayyan aruLmARan sEralarkOn – thuyyabhatta
nAthan anbar thAL thooLi naRpANan naRkaliyan
eedhivar thorRRath thadaivAmingu

Explanation:

In this pasuram, Manavala Mamunigal explains the order of incarnation of the Azhwars on this earth. The first three azhwars to incarnate in this world were poigai AzhwAr, bhoodhathAzhwAr and pEyAzhwar. Then came the reputed Thirumazhisai AzhwAr, the illustrious grace of NammAzhwAr, Kulasekara AzhwAr, the spotless periyAzhwAr, thondaradippodi AzhwAr, the epitome of naichchyam – thiruppAn AzhwAr and Thirumangai Azhwar.

Are Azhwars 10 or 12 in number?

Except for Andal and Madurakavi Azhwar, other Azhwars were immersed in the bhakti of Sriman Narayana. They believed Bhagawan to be ultimate Supreme person and sung in praise of Him.

But, for Andal and Madura kavi azhwar, their Acharyas(Gurus) were the ultimate God for them. For them, Acharya is equal to Bhagawan and they sung in praise of their Acharyas.

Purpose of Azhwars birth:

1. To mend the bound atman’s ways and show us the right path to reach Bhagawan
2.  To import difficult meanings found in Sanskrit Vedas into easy tamil language
3.  To emphasize the easy accessibility of Bhagawan rather than the supremacy of Paramatma
4.   To convey the significance of Bhagawan’s kalyana guNa and meditate upon His guNAs and forms
5.   To assure Saranagathi is the simplest and best method to reach Sri Vaikuntam compared to practicing karma yoga or jnana yoga.

 Poigai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Maha Vishnu’s panchajanyam (divine conch). He appeared on a lotus bud in a pond in Tiruve:ka near Kanchipuram, during the Ayippasi month in Tiruvonam birth star.

Prabandham sung by Poigai Azhwar is known as Mudhal Tiruvandhadhi (it has 100 songs). Andhadhi means the first word of one verse will be the last word of the previous verse.

Message from his prabandham:

1.  Atman is subservient to Paramatma
2. We should serve Him and His devotees with utmost devotion till our last breath

Boothath Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Divine mace (called kaumOdaki) of Sriman Narayana. He appeared in a flower called kurukkathi in a garden at Tirukadalmallai (Mahabalipuram), during the month of Ayippasi and in birth star Avittam.

He sang Irandam Tiruvandhadhi (it has 100 songs).

Message from his prabandham: 

Sriman Narayana’s compassion is the only means for reaching Sri Vaikuntam.

A very good example given by Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami:

We build water tanks for storing water when it rains. But, it is not going to rain, since we have built the tanks. We have to wait for the clouds to shower the rain. But, if we don’t have a tank, we won’t be able to store the water when it rains.

Likewise, after we do Saranagathi/surrender, we have to make Bhagawan reside in our mind all the time and wait for Bhagawan to shower His blessings.

Pey Azhwar:

He was born as an incarnation of sword of Maha Vishnu (Nandaki). He appeared in sevvalli flower in a well in Adikesava Perumal koil at Mylapore in Chennai during Ayippasi month, in the birth star Sadhayam.

He sang the Moondram Tiruvandhadhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Considering the essential nature of the atman and paramatman, Saranagathi (surrender) is natural and simple. Abstain from strenuous austerities. If we have understood that Paramatma, Sriman Narayana is ever willing to protect us and have accepted that we are totally dependent on Him, it is quite natural that He needs to protect us. For example, it is natural for our parents to protect us, give us food, good education and a good life. Likewise, Sriman Narayana is the Supreme Father for all the jeevatmas. So, He will protect us naturally.

Offer flowers to the lotus feet of Bhagawan with utmost devotion and He will shower His grace and will protect you.

Tirumazhisai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Sudarsana Chakram. He was born at Tirumazhisai to Bhargava rishi and his patni kanakangi during the month of Thai and in Maga nakshatram.

He sang Tiruchanda virutham and Nanmugan Tiruvandhadhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Bhagawan is so intimate and dear that He resides in us for ever waiting for an opportunity to help us.

He is inside every jeevatma whether it is a non-living thing or an animal or a human being. His favourite abode is our mind. We should reciprocate this by showing our love to Him and surrender unto Him.

Nammazhwar:

He was born as an incarnation of Vishwaksenar, the Chief administrator of Maha Vishnu. He was born to Kaari and Udayanangai in Azhwar Tirunagari during the month of Vaikasi in the birth star Visagam.

He sang 4 prabandham which is considered as an essence of 4 vedas:

1. Tiruvirutham – essence of Rig Veda
2. Tiruvasiriyam – essence of Yajur Veda
3.  Periya Tiruvandhadhi – essence of Atharvana Veda
4. Tiruvaimozhi – essence of Sama Veda

Message from his prabandham:

Bhagawan treats everyone equally. Lord Varaha, who saved Bhoomi Devi submerged in the ocean, is the only savior to all the atmans in this world.

Saranagathi can be performed by anyone. Example, in Yuddha Kanda, Vibeeshana performed saranagathi to Rama and Rama accepted him immediately even though he was a demon by birth and was Ravana’s brother. Rama gave moksham to Jatayu (a bird), Sabhari (a hunter woman) when they did Saranagathi. He never discriminates between people based on birth, education or wealth.

Kulasekara Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Kaustubham (a jewel). He was born as a prince to Chera king Dhidavradhan and nAdhanAyagi in TiruvanchikaLam (Kerala) during the month of Masi in birth star Punarpoosam.

He sang Perumal Tirumozhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Do not blame Bhagawan for our sufferings. Work for permanent relief from this world.

Example:

A patient pays a huge sum of money to a surgeon who does his surgery and is ever thankful to him for saving his life, even though the surgeon has cut open his parts of the body to perform the surgery. Similarly, when Bhagawan gives us some obstacles in life, we should not blame Him; we have to accept the challenge as they will become stepping stone to attain permanent happiness.

Periyazhwar:

He was an incarnation of nithya suri, Garudan. He was born in Sri Villiputhur, during the month of Aani in birth star Swathi.

He sang TiruPallandu and Periyazhwar Tirumozhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Be confident and wait eagerly that once you have surrendered to Bhagawan, He would grant liberation for sure.

He talks about Acharya samasrayanam in his hymns to convey that we are wedded to Bhagawan. His prabandham confirms the relationship between Bhagawan Sriman Narayana and a jeevatma. We do not have to worry about out liberation after we get our samasrayanam done. He will grant us liberation one day for sure.

Thondaradipodi Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Vaijayanthi mala (divine garland of Maha Vishnu). He was born to a vedic brahmin by name, Vedavisarathar in Thirumandangudi in the month of Margazhi and in kEttai nakshathram.

He sang Tirumaalai and Tirupalliyezhuchi.

Message from his prabandham:

Namasankeertanam is medicine as well as elixir for this Kali yuga. Chanting His holy names is the only way for liberation.

TirupAn Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Srivatsam (the divine mole on Lord’s chest). He was born in Urayur (Trichi) during the month of Karthigai in birth star Rohini.

He sang Amalanathipiran.

Message from his prabandham:

To control our senses and employ them in the right path, rest the sensual organs and mind in the divine body of Bhagawan.

Bhagawan’s body is made of pure quality of serenity (suddha sathvam). If we look at Bhagawan, we will gain jnana and it will transcend us to ternal abode. Looking at Him promotes wisdom and joy.

Tirumangai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Sarngam (divine bow). He was born in TiruVALi (TirukuRayalUr) during the month of Karthigai in birth star Kirthigai.

He sang Periya Tirumozhi, Periya Tirumadal, Siriya Tirumadal, TirunedunthAndakam, TirukurunthAndakam and Tiruvezhukootrirukai.

Message from his prabandham:

Spend your time till liberation by enjoying the deities in Divya Desams and serving Perumal and His devotees. Archa form is easily accessible. He is visible to us. So, go prostrate before the deities and serve Him.

Madurakavi Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Garudan. He was born in TirukOvalur during the month of Chithirai and in birth star Chithirai.

He sang Kanninun SiruthAmbu.

Message from his prabandham:

Preceptors who introduce Bhagawan to us are our Acharyas. So, we should show ultimate respect to our Acharyas. Nammazhwar was God to Madura kavi Azhwar. He spent his life singing Nammazhwar’s Tiruvaimozhi.

Andal:

She was an incarnation of Bhoomi Devi. She appeared under the Tulasi plant in Periyazhwar’s garden during the month of Aadi in the birth star Pooram.

She sang Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi.

Message from his prabandham:

All of us are spiritually related. Let us join together and realize that human end is Bhagawan and enjoy His divine attributes.

We are all servants of the same Lord Narayana and enjoy His divine qualities as “Sakkarai Pongal (sweet rice)”.

Conclusion:

Message from all 12 Azhwars:

Sriman Narayana is the ultimate human end. He is the only means for liberation. He is the end as well as the means to reach the end. He is Upaya (means) and He is Prapyam (end) as well.

Morals in Ramayana

MORALS IN RAMAYANA

From Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami’s Upanyasam in New Jersey, 2008 

Introduction:
Rama avataram is anushtana pradhana avataram. In Ramayana, Bhagawan Sri Rama has shown as the proper way to lead our lives. The entire epic of Ramayana contains six books known as kandas. Each of the kandas teaches us one particular moral. We must follow these morals to lead a proper life according to the wishes of Bhagawan.

Bala Kanda: 

The moral of Bala Kanda is obedience. Bhagawan incarnated as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga because obedience was waning in society. Youngsters stopped listening to the elders. It is important to obey elders when they try to lead us on the path of dharma. The only time we can choose to disobey our elders is if their advice is against the dharmashastras and would make us commit adharma.

It is important to listen to our parents and acharya. There is no temple more important than our mother and the words our father are the best manthras in life.

In Bala Kanda, when sage Vishwamitra requested for Rama’s help and asked King Dasaratha to send Sri Rama with him, king Dasaratha refuses. He suggests that he would come in stead of sri rama in order to help sage Vishwamitra. King Dasaratha politely refused to send Sri Rama with sage Vishwamitra. Sage Vashishta then advices king Dasaratha to send Sri Rama with sage Vishwamitra. The moment the king heard the words of his acharyan sage Vashishta, he agreed to send Sri Rama along with Lakshmana without further arguments. Similarly Sri Rama agreed to accompany the sage without arguing with his father.

In Tatakavana, sage Vishwamitra asks Rama to kill the demoness Tataka. Sri Rama asked the sage if it was okay to kill a woman. Immediately He regretted asking this question for He had been asked to obey the sage by His father. Sage Vishwamitra wanted Sri Rama to kill Tataka to save humanity. For the sake of protecting the people it was dharmam to kill Tataka. After duly apologizing to sage Vishwamitra, Sri Rama killed Tataka.

Ayodhya Kanda: 

In Ayodhya Kanda, Bhagawan teaches us to accept pain and pleasure with equal outlook. In life pain and pleasure, profit and loss come in cycles. Noone is continuously happy forever. If we are happy today we know that tomorrow something might happen to make us feel sad. Sri Rama was happy when King Dasaratha told Him that He was to be crowned as the next king. The day of the coronation ceremony, early in the morning, His stepmother Kaikeyi told Sri Rama to go live in the forest. She told Him that Bharata would be crowned as the next king. Sri Rama did not feel sad or angry when He heard Kaikeyi’s words. In fact He was happier. He accepted both profit and loss equally. He was happy when He was told that He would inherit the kingdom but He was happier when He was told that He wouldn’t inherit the kingdom. 

Bhagawan preached the same concept in Bhagawat geetha when He instructed everyone to have equal outlook towards profit-loss and pain-pleasure.

Aranya Kanda: 

In Aranya Kanda Bhagawan shows us the value of Sat Sangam. He shows that it is important to stay close to Bhagawathas and learn about Bhagawat Vishayams. Sri Rama wandered through Dandakaranya seeking the company of the sages. He has showed us that we must listen to the same Bhagawatha repeatedly as well as listen to other Bhagawathas.

We can find true joy only through Sat Sangam.

Kishkinda Kandam: 

Bhagawan has showed us that we must not discriminate amongst Bhagawathas. Sri Rama accepted Sugreeva as His friend. He did not discriminate against Sugreeva because he was a vanara. Throughout Ramayana Bhagawan has displayed His quality of Sauseelyam by treating His Bhagawathas equally. He accepted the hunter Guha as his friend , accepted the vanara king Sugreeva and finally He accepted Vibhishana the brother of the sinner Ravana. He treated His friends the same way He treated His brothers. To Him, Bharata, Shatrugana, Lakshmana, Guha, Sugreeva and Vibhishana were all equal.

We must follow Sri Rama’s example and treat all Bhagawatas equally with respect irrespective of their financial status, societal status, caste, family back ground etc.

Sundara Kanda: 

The central figure in Sundara Kanda is Hanuman. He is an acharya. He is mighty, strong and intelligent but above all he is humble. He never credits himself to have found Sita. When he was unable to find Sita in Sri Lanka he felt that he had committed a sin by thinking that he would be able to locate her. He prays to Sita to reveal herself to him. He realised that we cannot find Perumaal or Piratti; it is their grace towards us which makes us reach them. Perumaal and Piratti have to reveal themselves to us for us to be able to reach them. Our efforts don’t reach us to their divine feet but it is their grace which makes it possible.

Humility and realising that we depend on the divine grace of Perumaal and Piratti are important qualities of a Bhagawata.

Yudha Kanda: 

This kanda is about forgiving our enemies. Bhagawan instructs Vibhishana to perform the last rites for Ravana. When Vibhishana refuses, Bhagawan teaches him that we can only hate someone when they are alive. We must forgive a person and let go of our hate when that person dies. The esoteric meaning of this incident is that Ravana thought that he was independent when he was alive. He didn’t realise that he depended on Bhagawan. Sri Rama was willing to protect even Ravana but Ravana did not want Bhagawan’s protection. After death, Ravana’s atma is freed from his body and no longer stops Bhagawan from protecting him.

The moral to take from this kandam is that we must love all and wish good things even to our enemies. Everyone is dear to Bhagawan and is under His protection.