Mother's Day

There is a lot being said and heard about Mother's Day in the recent days all over the world.A specific day chosen to honour and make one's mother feel truly special.
Indian culture has always given the highest honour and position to a Mother."Mathru Devo Bhava, Pithru Devo Bhava ,Acharya Devo Bhava"!Mother is honoured first ,then father and then Guru in that order.So a mother is above all for every child.The first face a baby recognizes is the mothers face and she is the one who introduces the father and other members of the family to the child.So a child grew up with a very special bond and place for his/her mother in her heart.In our days generally we would always approach our mom to get permission for anything we wanted from dad.So she was the one who was always there for every child, knowing exactly what her child needs without even having to tell her.Only a mother can recognize what her child is going through from the expressions of her child.God has instilled such amazing qualities in a mother,it is simply unbeilevable and indeed amazing.
We have over the centuries read about some amazing Mother's,who devoted
their lives for the service of mankind.
Florence Nightingale comes to my mind at this point.Inspite of being born in a very rich family she dedicated her life to nurse the wounded,and was popularly known as "The Lady With The Lamp"
Then more recently we had Sarada Maa ,Mother Teresa,and they taught what service to mankind actually means.
Well I could go on and on because there is so much that I could write on the greatness of mother's.
On a lighter note,in the present days, a specific day in a year(usually the second Sunday in May) is celebrated as Mothers'Day,where mothers' are treated with flowers, chocloates, a special dinner or in whatever way one thinks fit and special for his or her mom. This is a way of Thanking mothers for being there always to guide,understand and share the difficult and happy moments of their children.
I personally though firmly believe that every day is Mother's Day for children,and it is important that we pray for our mothers each and every day and thank god for giving us such awesome mothers,and be ever greatful to our mother.It is impossible to give back even a small percent we have received from our mothers, the least we can do is be greatful for all that they have gone through to make our lives so comfortable and wonderful.
GOD BLESS ALL WOMEN!!!!!
Jai Gurudev...

Akshaya Trithiya

Akshaya Tritiya, also spelt Akshaya Trithiya ,is a highly auspicious day in the Vedic Calendar which falls on the 3rd day of the new moon month (third Tithi of Sukhla Paksha) of Hindu month of Vaisakha (April – May). Akshaya Trithiya is also known as Akha Teej festival. According to Hindu astrology it is said that there is no need to check for any good ‘muhurat’ or ‘muhurtham’ on Akshaya Trithiya as every second of Akshaya Trithiya day is favorable. In 2011, Akshaya Tritiya is on 6th May and is said to be even more auspicious being a Friday.

The Chardham Yatra temples, Gangotri Temple and Yamunotri Temple in Himalayas will open on Akshaya Trithiya Day.

Importance of Akshaya Trithiya Festival

In Sanskrit, the word Akshaya means “never diminishing” and any new venture started on this day is believed to bring success and prosperity. Akshaya Trithiya is considered as the most ideal day to start new business ventures, ground breaking for construction, buying gold, diamond, and other precious ornaments, marriages and ring exchanges, and real estate property.

Jainism is one of the oldest known religion of world. Rishabhadeva alias Adinath is the first Tirthankara of the Jain. The Day of Akshay Trithiya is said to be auspicious in Jainism because -

Tirthankara Rshabhdeva was king of Ayodhya. He,being enlightened gave up all earthly pleasures and chose to lead the life of an ascetic and become a Jain monk. Jain monks do not possess anything,not even food. They do not even cook food for themselves. While hungry or thirsty, they go to people and ask for food or drinking water. Tirthankara Rshabhdeva also went to people and asked food. However, the people of that time did not know anything about the acts of monks, as he was the first monk in this era. People of Ayodhya offered gold, jewellery, gemstones, elephants, horses, expensive garments and even their daughters to honour their beloved king. Rshabhdeva was not in quest of all these. He wanted only a few morsels of food,and that no body offered him. No body at that time could guess that their king was asking for food. As there was no choice, he had to fast for long time until his grand son Shreyansha kumara understood his need. Shreyansha kumara, finally, offered him sugar cane juice and Rshabhdeva broke his fast with that juice after 1 year. The incident happened on the day of Akshaya Trithiya. This is considered by the Jains as one of the best offerings.Jains, even today, observe long term fast to commemorate their first Tirthankara Rshabhadeva and break their fast on Akshaya Trithiya with sugar cane juice.

Akshaya Trithiya also known as Aakha Teej or Akha Teej,is traditionally the birthday of Lord Parasurama,the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu,and also of Lord Balarama. People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.

It is believed that Lord Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, the richest deity, even Lord Kubera,it is believed prays to goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu, on this day. On this day, a day-long Kubera Lakshmi Puja is performed in which an Lakshmi Devi is worshipped along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra, symbolising Kubera.

Akshaya Trithiya also marks the beginning of the "SatyaYug" or the Golden Age - the first of the four Yugas.
In the Puranas, the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a legend that says that on this day of Akshay Trithiya, Veda Vyasa along with Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata.
Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also descended on earth on this day.

The Vedic scriptures say that knowledge gained or charity done on this day is very fruitful.
The religious merit that is acquired by giving charity on this day is considered inexhaustible.

There are also many myths attached to this very auspicious day.

According to a legend, during the time of the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna, on this day, presented them an 'Akshaya Patra,' a bowl which would never go empty and produce an unlimited supply of food on demand.

Perhaps, the most famous of the Akshaya Trithiya stories is the legend of Lord Krishna and Sudama, his poor Brahmin childhood friend. On this day, as the tale goes, Sudama came over to Krishna's palace to request him for some financial help. As a gift for his friend, Sudama had nothing more than a handful of beaten rice or 'poha'. So, he felt alittle awkward and hesitant to give it to Krishna, but Krishna took the pouch of 'poha' from him and relished having it. Krishna followed the principle of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' or 'the Guest is like God' and treated Sudama like a king. His poor friend was so overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality shown by Krishna, that he could not ask for the financial favor and came home empty handed. Lo and behold! When he reached his place, Sudama's old hut was transformed into a palace! He found his family dressed in royal attire and everything around was new and expensive. Sudama knew that it was a boon from Krishna, who blessed him with more than the wealth he actually intended to ask for. Therefore, Akshaya Tritiya is associated with material gains and wealth acquisition.

Astrologically, Lord Surya and Lord Chandra are most radiant and best placed on Akshya Trutheeya day, which is believed to be most auspicious. The Hindu Puranas provides numerous religious importance to Akshaya Trithiya and link it to several important occasions. Parasurama Jayanti and Balarama Jayanti falls of Aksaya Trithiya Day and it is also on Akshaya Tritiya day Guru Adi Shankaracharya recited Sri Kanakadhara Stavam standing outside a poor woman's hut. The poor woman was indeed very upset and sad that she had nothing but a small piece of dry goose berry to offer to the brahmin boy(AdiShanakara) asking for alms.Adi Shankaracharya out of grace for the poor woman sang the Kanakadhara Stavam and Goddess Lakshmi rained golden goose berries on the poor woman’s hut.

It is also believed that people born during this time shine bright in life. Many luminaries were born during this period: Basaveshwara born on May 4,Lord Buddha on May 16, Ramanujacharya and Adi Shankaracharya on May 6, Swami Chinmayananda on May 8,and our dear Guruji Sri Sri Ravishankarji on May 13th to name a few.

Happy Akshya Trithiya to all and may all of us be blessed by the Lord to gain true knowledge and LIVE IN KNOWLEDGE Always....

Jai Gurudev.....

Bhakta Purandara dasa

Bhakta Purandaradas – Karnataka Sangeeta Pitaamaha.

Bhakta Purandaradas – Karnataka Sangeeta Pitaamaha.

Bhakta Purandaradaasa, the Karnataka Sangeeta Pitaamaha, belonged to the 17th century. The story of how he became a Bhakta is very unusual.

Navanidhi Shrinivaasa Naayaka was a great dhanavan. However he was a parama-lobhi. His dharma patni, Saravasti Bai was a Bhakta and Daanagunashiili. When she used to do namaskaar to Shrinivaasa Naayaka, he used to say “What aashiirvaadam shall i give you? Shall I say do more daana-dharmas?” Sarasvati Bai used to reply “after taking your anugnya only I am doing the vratam”. “Aa! aa! you took my anugnya. I thought it was Tulasi-puja only and hence no expenditure will be there. But in that name you did dampati-puuja, many daanas, so on. I came to know only when our suputra, Varada, told the accounts today. If you do 4 more of these, each of us must take a bhiksha-paatra and beg on the streets”. “Please donot say like that. If we dont give when God gives us, then can we give when He doesnt?” said Sarasvati. Naayaka used to reply “Now what is there that God gave in this? I, my father and ancestors earned it doing day and night hard-work”. “Dhanam which is not used for Daana-dharmas is it not waste? Also the Saadhu-sajjanas say that these are our stepping stones for satgatis in param” replied Sarasvati. “Aa! Leave these hita-bodhas of Saadhusanyaasis. We will get nothing in Iham if we listen to them. Look Sarasvati! Only a wealthy person is an uttama, uddanda and unnata. One who doesnt have it is a alpa, niicha, adhama. The importance will be realized by a person who earned it”. This was a small example of the kind of talks the two had.

Because of Shrinivaasa Naayaka’s puurva janma punyam and because of the saushiilyam of Sarasvati Bai, Shri Paanduranga Vittala wanted to change Shrinivaasa Naayaka into Purandaradaasa. Everyday Shri Paanduranga Vittala used to come as a deena-braahmana, ask Naayaka for help. Everyday Naayaka used to send him away without giving anything. Sometimes he used to bring a baalaka and ask Naayaka to help do his son’s Upanayanam. However Naayaka’s reply was all the while “no”. Aaha! It is difficult to imagine how many pains the Lord took to change the lobhi. One day Shrinivaasa Naayaka told bluntly “I will not give You anything”. Vittala Nath replied “Ayya! some shubha-kaaryam. First I came to you only. Give me something. I will take whatever you give Me”. After confirming repeatedly that Vittala, who is in disguise of a Braahmana, will take anything he gives and goes away, he searched his entire house and finally brought a rusted coin and gave it to Paanduranga Vittala.

After Naayaka left to his shop, Vittala Nath came back to Naayaka’s house and told Sarasvati Bai that Naayaka gave Him a rusted coin, which how much ever He cleaned could not make out the denomination. With a lot of shame, Sarasvati Bai hide her head. Paramaatma replied “Amma! If you give that nose-ring to Me, My purpose will be solved”. Seeing the dainyata of the poor Braahmana, Sarasvati Bai gave away her nose-ring. Lord went to Naayaka’s and wanted to sell the nose ring. Nayaka recognized his Wife’s nose ring and kept in the treasure box and locked it. He asked Bramhana to wait and went to home to check himself.

Naayaka went home and immediately noticed that her nose-ring was missing and asked for it. Sarasvati Bai did not know what to say, how to convince him. Naayaka asked her to bring it if she kept it somewhere. Sarasvati Bai went inside. She thought it is not Satyayugam for miracles to happen and decided to take poison and did Deva prarthana. Suddenly she heard a voice of falling something in the poision. On checking she found her ring was present.

There were no limits to Sarasvati Bai’s aanandam. Shrinivaasa Naayaka was shocked to see the nose-ring, when he went back and saw the Brahmmin and the ring both were missing. Couple realized that it was Lord Vittala himself who came as the Braahmana.

The Punya-dampatis from then onwards became great Bhaagavatottamas and always did Bhagavannaama sankeertanam. Bhakta Purandaradaasa wrote around 4 lakh Keerthanas!! and gained the name of “Karnataka Sangeeta Pitaamaha”

Morals in the story:

Paapam nor Punyam will be destroyed. Because of Naayaka’s purva janma Punyam, the Lord wanted to change him.

Our elders many times stress the importance of the Gruhini having sadgunas. A purusha, by being good can save himself. But a Gruhini, who is a Saushiilavati like Sarasvati Bai, can change the entire family. Such a women will also be able to bring-up the children well.

Lobham is a very dangerous durgunam. Even Paramaatma had to put so much effort to change Naayaka.

Jai Gurudev....

The Camel's Satisfaction

The Camel's Satisfaction

The Camel's Satisfaction

A merchant had to cross a desert. He engaged a camel to carry his heavy luggage. He loaded all his luggage on to the camel.s back; and put a small empty tin also. The camel was breaking under this load and was unwilling to move. The merchant now removed the empty tin and threw it down. The camel felt that the load on his back had been greatly decreased and started to go, crossing the burning sands of the desert, without any further discontent.

The desert is like Samsara, a place where Maya carries on her business. She throws the poor Jiva into the desert with its burning sands of endless pains and sufferings. The Jiva is loaded with countless cares, worries and anxieties, innumerable pains, diseases and sufferings.

Occasionally, Maya removes a petty misery from the back of the Jiva; and a little pleasure is thus given to the Jiva. The Jiva foolishly imagines that it has been completely freed from all the miseries of the world and rushes headlong into the desert of Samsara. Poor deluded soul! The load is all the time there on it. It has been deluded by Maya.s trick.

Jai Gurudev...

PUSH

Push

PUSH
A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. So, this the man did, day after day.

For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all of his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.

Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough." So that's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a Matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing? The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so?

"Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.

"True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock."

**At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.**

When everything seems to go wrong .... just P.U.S.H.!
When the job gets you down ... just P.U.S.H.!
When people don't react the way you think they should.... just P.U.S.H.
When your money is "gone" and the bills are due.... just P.U.S.H.!
When people just don't understand you .... just... P.U.S.H.!

P= Pray
U= Until
S= Something
H= Happens

Jai Gurudev...