‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

August 2016 Volume: 2 Issue: 07

AArsha Vani ( V o i c e o f S a n a t a n a D h a r m a )

“Mahā Lakṣmī Namōstutē” ‘‘Lakshmi is the embodiment of grandeur, knowledge, prosperity, success and

bliss. She is manifestation of Lord’s ‘Power of Will’. ‘Śrī mahālakṣmyai nama:’ in itself is a very powerful mantra. ‘Maha Lakshmi’ is the seventh name in the Sahasranama stotra. The very word ‘Lakshmi’ is very distinct and powerful. Devi Bhagavatam gave exact definition of ‘Lakshmi’ - ‘Lakṣyatē dr̥śyatē viśvaṁ snigdhā dr̥ṣṭyā ya yāniśaṁ dēvī bhūtāśca mahati mahā lakṣmī prakīrtitāḥ’. Lakshmi is one who always ‘looks’ at this universe benevolently and affectionately. Similarly, everybody looks towards Lakshmi for benignity. Her ‘looking over’ is orchestrating the entire universe. It

is by Her compassionate ‘looks’, everything in this universe is organized. Just like a cow watches over its calf and a mother over her child, Mother Lakshmi is watching over the entire universe with Her ‘Vision’. While She does not get entangled within this universe and remains detached as the witness of every action of everyone, She takes care of everyone with the power of Her ‘Vision’ (Īkṣaṇa śakti). ‘Maha’ means the most exalted and the highest one. As the Mother of this Universe, Lakshmi is the most illustrious and superior one. Opening of Her eyes is creation, keeping them open is sustenance and closing is dissolution. Sri Lalita Sahasranama mentions the same as ‘unmēṣa nimiṣōtpanna vipanna bhuvanāvaḷi’. Another meaning of ‘Lakshmi’ is ‘lakṣyālakṣya rūpiṇīṁ lakṣmi’. She is the form of ‘lakṣya’ and ‘alakṣya’ i.e that which can be seen and can’t be seen respectively. Whatever seen is limited, whereas whatever unseen is unlimited. Many are familiar with the phrase ‘Lakṣmī kaṭākṣaṁ’. The very word ‘kaṭākṣaṁ’ means glances from the edge. Śrī Ādi Śaṅkara, in Kanakadhārā Stōtra, requested Mother to cast compassionate glances towards devotees because, just Her kind glances bestow affluence, prosperity, knowledge and bliss. Hence, obtaining Her grace is the ‘lakṣya’ i.e. ultimate objective for everyone in their life. The very glance of Mother Lakshmi grants everything here and hereafter. Let’s all pray Mother ‘Maha Lakshmi’ to cast Her gracious looks on all of us.”

– Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Sri Lakshmi Sahasra Nama’ discourse)

Upcoming Pravachanams

Date: Aug 2 - 9, 2016 Venue: Maryland, USA Contact: Venkat Adavi - 1 301 801 6296 adavi.venkat@gmail.com

Date: Aug 15-22, 2016 6:30PM Topic: Sri Gauri-Sankara Kalyanam

Pravachana Yagnam Venue: Sri Gauri Panchayatana Devalayam, Anakapalli. Contact: Temple Committee - 9291445974 9701344232, 9290266759

(For details visit http://rushipeetham.org/ Event Calendar

– USA Tour)

Traditions-Fulfilments

vanamālī gadī śārṅgī śaṅkhī cakrī ca nandakī. śrīmān nārāyaṇō

viṣṇurvāsudēvōb̕hirakṣatu ॥ Sriman Narayana (Nārāyaṇa along with

Lakṣmī), who wears the garland of flowers

(vanamālī) and who has the mace (śārṅgī),

conch, discus and the sword (nandakī) – may

that all pervasive Vāsudēva protect us all.

This is a Kavacha (armour) Stotra. This stotra is a ‘Rakṣā Stuti’ which makes everything favorable by removing adverse conditions. This ‘Rakṣā Kavacha’ contains three divine names ‘Nārāyaṇa’, ‘Viṣṇu’, and ‘Vāsudēva’ from ‘Viṣṇu Gāyatri’ Mantra.

On the day of Śrāvaṇa pourṇima, perform Ṣōḍaśōpacāra puja to Lord Hayagrīva with the mantra ‘Śrī bhagavatē dharmāya ātma visōdhanāya nāma:’. By doing this, one will get good education and opportunity to learn Ātma Vidya depending on their spiritual practice.

Worship Rati and Manmatha with sacred flowers, red akṣatā and chandana on Śrāvaṇa Śukla Trayōdaśi by reciting the following sloka. This day is known as Ananga Trayodasi.

sarvōpamāna saundaryaṁ pradyumnā khyō harē: suta: mīna kētana kandarpaka

anaṅgā manmatha: tadā॥

Sadhu Vachanam “It is always the false that makes you suffer, the false desires and fears, the false values and ideas, the false relationships between people. Abandon the false and you are free of pain; truth makes happy, truth liberates.” ― Nisargadatta Maharaj.

Bharateeyam "India has left indelible imprints on one fourth of the human race in the course of a long

succession of centuries. She has the right to reclaim ... Her place amongst the great

nations summarizing and symbolizing the spirit of humanity. From Persia to the Chinese

sea, from the icy regions of Siberia to Islands of Java and Borneo, India has propagated

Her beliefs, Her tales, and Her civilization!" - Sylvia Levi, French Scholar.

Spiritual Quest (Answers by Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma)

In Vēdas many mantras such as Lakshmi Astotra, Lakshmi Sahasranama Stotra etc. have phalasruti (effect of devout

reading) as yielding riches, bestowing material comforts etc. Will just the reading of stotras grants everything without

making any efforts from our side? Please explain the intricate meaning.

“It is commonly observed that all those who work hard, sometimes don’t get proportionate benefit. Some get everything

just with little effort. Some get exactly what they aspire for. These discrepancies clearly suggest that there is ‘Something

Higher’ beyond our comprehension, which is granting merits to everyone according to their actions. That ‘Supreme’ thing

is nothing but ‘God’s grace’. Reading stotras with devotion understanding the real meaning shall definitely yield God’s grace

thereby bestowing proportionate benefits here and hereafter.’

‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

Incarnation of Śrī Kr̥ṣṇa is the direct answer to perceive the God walking on earth. The philosophy of Kr̥ṣṇa is very wide and deep. Primary purpose in Varāha, Nārasimha, and Rāma incarnations seems to be vanquishing demons such as Hiraṇyākṣa, Hiraṇyakaśipa, Ravāṇā and Kumbhakarṇa. But, the episode of slaying Śiśupāla and Dantavaktra, the forms of Jaya & Vijaya, is very small portion of entire Kr̥ṣṇa līlās. Lord Śrīhari displayed His ‘Nārāyaṇatva’ (Oneness with Nārāyaṇa) quite prominently in this incarnation. Līlās of Kr̥ṣṇa are amalgamation of ‘ādarśa and ārādhya’ - which have to be followed and adored respectively. Līlās such as Kr̥ṣṇa taking the forms of calfs and cowherd boys to teach Brahma a lesson, punishing the serpent Kaliya, lifting the mountain Govardhana, killing demons such as Pūtana, Rāsa Līlā, manifesting in His cosmic form, appearing in multiple places at the same time, restoring the life of dead son of His Guru Sāndīpani etc. can’t be performed by others. One has to reminisce these Līlās and derive bliss accordingly. Kr̥ṣṇa’s veneration towards His parents, steadfastness in Dharma, Yoga etc. have to be followed. Vāsudēva harmonized these two effortlessly in totality. He is the perfect combination of Nara and Narayana. Another specialty of this incarnation is being the ‘Guru’. As Jagadguru, the Master of the Universe, He delivered ‘Bhagavad Gīta’, the quintessence of all the Vedas and Vedanta. All His Līlās are direct expressions of the supreme Upanishadic truths. Multiple forms of Kr̥ṣṇa with manifold variations as a child to His all-pervading cosmic form are very popular. He is the central theme of all the fine arts in Indian culture. Irrespective of language, culture, and tradition, the story of Kr̥ṣṇa is depicted as songs, dances, festivals all across Bhāratā. His actions and teachings are the treasure house of profound philosophical thoughts and Yoga. Right from childhood to prime of life, the philosophy of Kr̥ṣṇa touches our lives at every stage. Kr̥ṣṇa is the basis for all kinds of emotions in devotion such as parental affection, friendship, love, knowledge seeking, distress etc. His life is an exemplary example of His teaching in Bhagavad Gita, ‘yē yathā māṁ prapadyantē tāṁ sthadaiva bhajāmyahaṁ’ – ‘I shall grace them the same way they seek refuge in Me.’ Howsoever a metal touches the philosopher stone, it shall turn into gold. Likewise, everyone got liberated when they approached Kr̥ṣṇa. Feelings are their own. He always remained detached and was beyond any feelings. Hence, their feelings got transformed into Yoga, as He is the Lord of Yoga

- Yōgēśvarēśvara. This incarnation is viewed from multitudinous angles with distinct names such as – 1. Paripūrṇa Avatāra - The Complete One 2. Mukunda Avatāra – The Liberator 3. Yōgīśvara Avatāra – The Lord of Yoga 4. Tattva Avatāra – The Philosopher 5. Dharma Avatāra – The Upholder of Dharma 6. Amr̥ta Avatāra – The Form of Nectar (His form, Līlās, story, Vēṇu nāda.) 7. Āchārya Avatāra – The Preceptor Many such as Dēvaki, Vāsudēva, Yaśōda, Nanda, cows, cowherd boys, Gopikās, Akrūra, Uddhava, Kubja, Kuchēla, Pandavas, Draupadi, Bhīṣmācārya, Śr̥tadēva, Bahuśāśva, sages like Nārada and others are blessed to

sink in the ocean of Kr̥ṣṇa’s love and compassion. Even now, many devotees such as Mīrabai, Tukaram, Sūradās etc. attained salvation with His devotion. Many divine souls such as Nārāyaṇa Tīrtha, Līlāśuka, and Chaitanya Mahāprabhu immersed in Kr̥ṣṇa Tattva and became one with ‘That’. This ‘Nādasvarūpa’ Supreme Parabrahman who mesmerized all with His melodious music on flute, also awakened everyone with His clarion call of Pān̄cajanya. Śrī Kr̥ṣṇa is that supreme Godhead who can console, make us ecstatic, pat on the back standing as support, and provide direction to reach our goal. Some meanings of ‘Kr̥ṣṇa’ are ‘One who charms with His dark completion’, ’God who enthralls everyone’, ‘Embodiment of Truth – Existence – Bliss’, and ‘Destroyer of Sins’. Our humble prostrations to Śrī Kr̥ṣṇa Bhagavān!

-Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma. (Adapted from ‘Rushipeetham’ Magazine article)

Śrī Hayagrīvaṁ Upāsmahē

Jñānānanda mayaṁ dēvaṁ nirmalaṁ spaṭikākr̥tim ādhāraṁ sarva vidyānāṁ hayagrīvaṁ upāsmahē

Mahā Śrāvaṇī or Śrāvaṇa Paurṇima day is celebrated as ‘Hayagrīva Jayanti’ because Bhagāvan Nārāyaṇa incarnated as ‘Hayagrīva’ on this auspicious day. Hayagrīva is the first incarnation, hence known as ‘Ādyāvatārā’. When all the demi-gods prayed Lord Nārāyaṇā along with Brahma seeking direction about their responsibility, they heard voice asking them to perform Yajña. At the completion of Yajña, Nārāyaṇā told them, “Yajña is My Form. Yajña is the basis for you to get śakti and there by bestow grace upon mankind.” Brahma prayed for darshan of Nārāyaṇa who has been invisible till then but was only audible. Then, the Lord manifested before Brahma in the form of ‘Hayagrīva’. His form, an embodiment of knowledge and bliss, pure like crystal, is the origin of all knowledge (Vidya). He is resplendent with luster, had disc and conch in two hands and granting fearlessness and bestowing boons with other two hands. He gave Vēdas, the supreme repository of all forms of knowledge – yajña, creation and orchestration of this entire universe - to Brahma. Being the Lord of knowledge, worship of Hayagrīva gives intelligence. He grants everything here and hereafter. Recitation mentioned below bestows the grace of Hayagrīva.

Śrī hayagrīvāya nāma:

viśvōtīrṇa svarūpāya ।

cinmayānanda rūpiṇē।

tubhyaṁ namō hayagrīva ।

vidyārājāya viṣṇavē ॥

udgītha praṇavōdgītha ।

sarva vāgīśvarēśvara।

sarva vēdamayā cintya ।

sarvaṁ bōdhaya bōdhaya ॥ -Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

(Adapted from multiple sources)

Celebrating Krishna Janmashtami… In Skānda Purāṇa it is mentioned that observance of Kr̥ṣṇāṣṭami gets rid of all the sins and grants great victories along with chaturvidha puruṣārtha. Observe fast during the day and worship Krishna in the evening. Offer milk, butter, creamy layer on milk, and fruits. After worship, kneel down and chant ‘Namastubhyaṁ jagannātha dēvakī tanaya prabhō; vasudēvātmaja ananta trāhi māṁ bhavasāgarāt’. Offer arghya with sandal paste, akṣatās, flowers and coconut water while saying ‘Jātaḥ kansavadhārthāya bhūbhārōttāraṇāya ca; kauravāṇāṁ vināśāya daityānāṁ nidhanāya ca; gr̥hāṇārghyaṁ mayā dattaṁ dēvakyā sahitō harē’.

‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

Śrāvaṇa - The Abode of Auspiciousness In this month, the star on Full Moon day is Śravaṇa. ‘Śravaṇa’ means to hear and absorb. That month in which one hears and absorbs the sounds of ‘Śruti’ (Vēdas) is called ‘Śravaṇa’. Hence, Yajurvēda Upākarma is done on Paurṇima in this month. Jagadguru Śrī Kr̥ṣṇa, the embodiment of all the Vedas, was also born in this month. His dark cloud complexion indicates His compassion to shower anytime. This month is also auspicious to harvesters, because they get rains. Sage Sanatkumāra described the greatness of Śrāvaṇa month in Skānda Purāṇa, as told by Śiva Himself, “Whoever does anything small that is stipulated to be done in this month shall always be dear to Me. If someone worships Me desiring something, I shall certainly fulfill their objective. If someone worships me without any desire, they will get salvation. Make no mistake that every Tithi and Vāra (Lunar Calendar day and day of the week) in this month are sacred and empowered with divinity.” Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the second Friday of this month. This ‘Vara lakṣmī’ vrat is in vogue all across Bhārata. This year, this Friday occurred in combination with Navami tithi, which in itself is great Yoga. Sundays – Draw Sūrya on betel leaf with red sandal paste and worship Him along with His consort San̄jñā. Offer Arghya with water mixed with red sandalwood paste and red flowers for twelve times. Offer coconut and jaggery. Mondays – Performing vrata on all Mondays in this month yields the results of performing ‘Somavāra’ vrata all through the year. Worship of Śiva with Ṣōḍaśōpacāra and partaking food only after the first star appears on the horizon (Nakta Vrata) bestows immense benefits and bliss. Reciting ‘śarvāya bhavanāśāya mahādēvāya dhīmahi; ugrāya ca ugranāthāya bhavāya śaśimauḷinē; rudrāya nīlakaṇṭhāya śivāya bhavahāriṇē’ gets rids of sins and yields great benefits. Tuesdays – Women observe the ‘Maṅgaḷavāra’ vrata in this month very judiciously, at least for five years after the marriage. Chant the sloka “maṅgaḷaṁ maṅgaḷādhārē māṅgaḷyē maṅgaḷapradē; maṅgaḷārthaṁ maṅgaḷēśi māṅgaḷyaṁ dēhi mē sadā". Wednesdays & Thursdays – Worship of Moon and Jupiter (Chandra & Guru) grants everything. Fridays – Along with Goddess Maha Lakshmi, Skānda Purāṇa mentions about the worship of ‘Jīvantikā’ for the prosperity of children. One should draw a picture of goddess along with a child on the wall with turmeric and should worship with flowers. Light five lamps, offer sweet made of wheat cream as prasad. Give a green color sari along with blouse to women after offering to goddess. With this one can get the blessings of goddess ‘Jīvantikā dēvi’. Saturday – Worship of Narasimha, Saturn and Hanuman yields great results.

Major Festivals

Śrāvaṇa Śukla Tadiya– Svarṇagaurī vrataṁ: August 5, 2016

Worship Sri Parvati Parameswara with Ṣōḍaśōpacāras. Chant the sloka "Jayadēvi namastubhyaṁ jaya bhakta vara pradē jaya śaṅkara vāmāṅgē jaya maṅgala maṅgaḷē"

Tie sacred thread with 16 knots by chanting ‘guṇaiḥ ṣōḍaśibhiryuktaṁ dōrakaṁ dakṣiṇē karē badhnāmi dēvadēvēśi prasādaṁ kuru mē varaṁ". Men to right and women to left hand.

Śrāvaṇa Śukla Chaviti- Dūrvā Gaṇapati vrataṁ: August 6, 2016

Worship Gaṇēśā with Dūrva, pan̄capallava and red flowers for progeny.

Śrāvaṇa Śukla Navami- Varalakshmi Vrata: August 12, 2016

To get the grace of Varalakshmi like Charumati, chant the sloka. "Padmāsanē padmakarē sarvalōkaina pūjitē; nārāyaṇapriyē dēvi suprītā bhava sarvadā"

Śrāvaṇa Śukla Trayōdaśi - Varāhajayanti, Anaṅga Trayōdaśi – August 16, 2016

Śrāvaṇa Pūrṇima, Jandhyāla Pūrṇima, Rakṣā Bandhanaṁ, Hayagrīva Jayanti, Vaikhānasa Jayanti – August 18, 2016

Śrāvaṇa Bahuḷa Aṣṭami – Śrī Kr̥ṣṇa Janmāṣṭami - August 25, 2016

Kṣīrābdhikanyē! Supadmāsanasthē! Mahādēvi! Nārāyaṇī! Vaiṣṇavī! Nīdu

tattvambun ūhimpagā nērikin śakyamaunamma! Kādan̄cu bhāvin̄cuyun gūḍa

nīdaina kāruṇyamunbonda nīmūrti nūhin̄ci vāk karmalan bhāvanā paddhatin

boṅkagārāni nī mūrtikin stōtramul jēya nēbūniyuṇṭin nanun brōci

mannimpumō dēvi! Yuṣmatkaṭākṣambu bondaṅga pātr̥ṇḍadevvāḍo vāḍē

supātr̥ṇḍu dhīruṇḍu śūruṇḍu vidvānsuḍennan vadānyuṇḍu

sarvajñuḍaunamma! Dhanyuṇḍu mānyuṇḍu saundarya gāmbhīrya susthairya

yuktuṇḍu lōkaika pūjyuṇḍu dēvī! Mahālakṣmi! Nī yanśamunnan

supūjyambadaunamma sarvambu, pārśvambulandun karul

pūrṇakumbhabulan dālci nīrambulan bōsi kaṇṭhambunan pūlamālal mahā

prītigājērci sēvin̄cucuṇḍaṅga śaṅkhādulau sannidhul sannidhin jēri nin golcu

divyāṅganal siddhagandharva guhyāṅganal nāgakanyal mahā prītigājērci

sēvin̄cucuṇḍan mahēśuṇḍu sūryuṇḍu candruṇḍu vahnīndrulun dēvatal

bhūsurul ninnugolvaṅga nīvimpugā bharmapaṅkēja satkarṇikā bhadra

pīṭhāgramanduṇḍiyun niṇḍukolvuṇḍi īlōkavargambu pālin̄cucun

velgucunnaṭṭi nīmūrtin impāra bhāvin̄cedan dēvi! hē kambukaṇṭhī!

Sukaḷyāṇamūrtī! Namastē mahādēvi! Bhaktāḷi sanrakṣaṇīṁ śrīṁ prakr̥tyai

namaḥ śrīṁ vikr̥tyai namaḥ śrīṁ suvidyāmayīṁ hrīṁ subhāsāṁ surūpāṁ

suśōbhāmayīṁ sarvasampatkarīṁ sarvalōkēśvarīṁ viṣṇupatnīṁ prasannāṁ

mahādēvi vācāmayī! Sarva sarvansahā pālanī! Sarva sargasthitul nīve lēkunna

lēvamma lōkēśvarī! Dīna samrakṣaṇī! Lakṣmi! Māpāli daivambavē mammu

brōvaṅga rāvamma śrī viṣṇupatnī! Prasannākṣi! Dēvī! Namastē namastē

namastē namaḥ

Brahmasri Samavedam Ramamurty Sarmagaru (1931 – 2013)

Scriptures prescribe ‘Rakṣābandhanam’ as an essential ritual before performing any auspicious rituals such as Yagas, Yagnas etc. Intertwining thread in multiples, offering it to God and then wearing it is auspicious. This offering can be done to

Śiva, Shakti and Viṣṇu. Wearing of this auspicious thread gives wholeness to the rituals to be performed and hence yields desired results. On the day of Śrāvaṇa Paurṇima tie the sacred threads by chanting

‘Ēnabaddhō balī rājā dānavēndrō mahābalaḥ; tēnatvāmabhi badhnāmi rakṣamācala mācala".

Śrāvaṇa Paurṇima – Rakṣā Bandhana

Krishna Pushkharas

Krishna Pushkaras begin on August 12, 2016 and end on August 23, 2016

Jīvantikā dēvi

‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

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śiva jñānaṁ – Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma.

Philosophy of Śiva liṅga

Part 10 1

Rudrasya paramēśāni raudrī śaktiritīritā raudrītu paramēśāni ādyā kuṇḍalinī bhavēt vartatē paramēśānī brahma viṣṇu śivātmakā sārdha trivalayākārai: Śivaṁ vēṣṭya sadāsthitā śaktiṁ vinā mahēśāni prētatvaṁ tasya niścitaṁ śakti sanyōga mātrēna karmakartā sadāśiva: Ata ēva mahēśāni pujayēccivaliṅgakam (Liṅgārcana tantraṁ) That Kundalini energy which encircles Śiva in three and a half rounds is called ‘Raudri Śakti’. Because of this union of Sadāśiva with this energy that is responsible for creation, sustenance, and dissolution, He is transforming Himself into Action and Actor (Karma, Karta). The thought (Iccha) of ‘Ēkōhaṁ bahusyaṁ’ (The One Me shall become Many) is the prime most vibration (thought – Saṅkalpa) of the Parabrahman. That Itself is His first expression of Form i.e. Union of Śiva and Śakti composed of Nāda (sound) and Bindu (note). That is the ‘liṅga’ Form. The philosophy (Tattva) in Arthanārīśvara (Śiva & Śakti), Agniṣōmātmaka (Fire & Spirit), Nādabinduvātmaka (Sound & Note), and Vāgarthasvarūpa (Speech & Meaning) is the philosophy of Śiva liṅga. This is the philosophy of Īśvara (The Supreme Lord) propounded in Vēdas and Vēdānta treatises. liṅgārthaṁ gamakaṁ cihnaṁ liṅgamityabhidhīyatē | liṅgamarthaṁ hi puruṣaṁ śivaṁ gamayatītyata || That sign which when worshipped transports a soul to Śiva is ‘liṅga’. Worship of Śiva liṅga is the medium to reach Śiva.

liṅgavēdī mahādēvī liṅgaṁ sākṣānmahēśvara: । tayō: sampūjānnityaṁ dēvīdēvaśca pūjitau || liṅga vēdi (Pedestal of the Śiva liṅga) is Pārvati. liṅga is Mahēśvara. Worship of Śiva liṅga is nothing but the worship of Mother and Father of this Universe. Scriptures promulgate that liṅga is the form of that supreme effulgence comprising Brahma, Viṣṇu and Rudra.

mūlē brahmā tathā madhyē viṣṇu: tribhuvanēśvara: । rudrōpari mahādēva: praṇavākhya: sadāśiva: || Brahma at the base, Viṣṇu at the center and the embodiment of Om & Rudra, SadaŚiva is at the top of the liṅga. Hence, liṅga is the ‘Paran̄jyōti’ (Supreme Light) embedded with Śakti and containing Brahma, Viṣṇu and Rudra. Just as a lamp flare envisions all the directions, the omni-directional Śivajyoti manifested in the form of ‘Śiva liṅga’ with Sadyōjāta, vāmadēva, aghōra, īśāna and tatpuruṣa faces. Īśvara manifests as 1. āhuta 2. Sannihita and 3. Vyāpaka at the time of worship, either in an idol or liṅga. 1. āhuta – This means one who is invited. With the yearning of mind (Bhāva in Manas) and Mantra (chanting of the invocation), He is invited. 2. Sannihita – This means one who is intimate. Then, He comes closer in the idol or liṅga (representation of worship). 3. Vyāpaka – This means one who is permeated. Later, He permeates Himself within every atom of that representation (idol or liṅga) and receives the worship. There is no greater spiritual practice than worship of Śiva liṅga. This has the power to reduce all our sins to ashes, grant every mundane opulence, and ultimately grant liberation. Ēkata: Sarvadānāni vratāni vividhāni ca tīrthāni niyamā yajñā liṅgārādhana mēkata: Bhukti mukti pradaṁ liṅgaṁ vividhāpannivāraṇaṁ Scriptures granted an exalted state to the worship of Śiva liṅga mentioning that this equals the merits of performing of all kinds of charities (dāna) and Yajña (sacrificial rituals), undertaking all vows (vratas), visiting all tīrthas (pilgrimages) and observing all stipulations. (To be continued…)

"Continue your spiritual practices. Apart from our own spiritual practice, we should think and put forth

our part of effort towards protecting Dharma in the society. When anyone thinks of contributing

something to society, it shall hit upon themselves what they should do. The goal of the life should be

'Spiritual practice at self-level’ and ‘Protection of Dharma at society level'. Both are very important."

‘Samanvaya is Sanātana – Sāmarasya is Bhāratīyata’

© Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

Vedanta Society, Ganges, MI Pravachanams at Detroit, MI

‘Śiva Padam’, Saratoga, CA. Choreographer: Smt.Vishal Ramani Pravachanams at Pittsburgh, PA

Guru Pournima Celebrations at Rushipeetham Charitable Trust

On the holy occasion of Guru Pournima Tuesday July 19, 2016, Rushipeetham Charitable Trust conducted 'Guru Parampara Araadhanotsava' at main office in Hyderabad. Program began at 5:30 PM. Apart from Rushipeetham members, many others participated in Puja with great enthusiasm and recited stotras of Sri Dakshinamurti, Vyasa, Adi Sankara etc. They also performed Geetarchana i.e. sang songs melodiously. At Visakhapatnam office, Guru Puja was performed at 10 AM in the morning. In Rajahmundry office, Acharya Salaka Raghunatha Sarma garu gave discourse on 'Dakshinamurthy Vaibhavam'. He explained that the form of 'Dakshinamurthy' is the complete embodiment of knowledge. He elaborated about the form one should concentrate in worship, the first slokas 'Mouna Vyaakhya..Vruddha Sishyaa', and ‘Sri Dakshinamurty Chinmudra’.

Children reciting Dakshinamurty Stotram on the day of Guru Pournima and Pravachanams at Raleigh, NC

Pravachanams, Charlotte, NC

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July 2016 Events

Homam and Pravachanams at New York and New Jersey

Hyderabad Visakhapatnam Rajahmundry