Tuesday 6 October 2015

Bhagvad Gita Chapter 9 Verse 30



What does the Bhagvad Gita mean when it says:-
[[Even if the vilest sinners worship me with exclusive devotion, they are to be considered righteous, for they have made the proper resolve.]] BG 9:30

1] “No matter how far you go in the wrong direction, there's always a chance to turn your life around”

2] “Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear.”

3] “No matter whom you are and what happens in your life, you still have the chance to turn your life around and be great.”

4] “Don't regret the past, just learn from it.”

5] “Don't cry over the past, it's gone. Don't stress about the future, it hasn't arrived. Live in the present and make it count.”

6] “Expect nothing and accept everything and you will never be disappointed.”
OK so these are wonderful words of encouragement. Why do I need the Bhagvad Gita to tell me this?
We all know that it’s not too late to make the change in your lives eg from doing something bad to good.

But often we look to other people to provide us with reassurance, support, motivation, encouragement etc; eg from elders, parents, friends, teachers or in this case Krishna (God).
You may not want to rely on other people –then so be it.

Don’t worry Be happy –easy said then done.
So some simple words of comfort or advice or support is probably just whats needed to boost our self-esteem, confidence to help us along the right path.

If God says it is possible to start afresh –then it is.

What has happened has happened.

There is no use crying over spilt milk.

Everyone makes a mistake.

Dont worry about the consequences of your past ill actions.

What matters now is how you can make the change; be the change.

To me this sloka from Lord Shree Krishna is such a blessing.


The end result is

[[Quickly they become virtuous, and attain lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that no devotee of mine is ever lost.]] BG 9:32

Seeking forgiveness from those whom you have done wrong may be very difficult. So Krishna says “Leave it to Me”.  
By your devotion to God, it is easy to be forgiven from others.

Sunday 23 August 2015

Hindu Prayer ‘Twameva Mata, Cha Pita Twameva’




1] Hindu Prayer ‘Twameva Mata, Cha Pita Twameva’

Twameva mata cha pita twameva
You alone are my mother and my father,

Twameva bandhushcha sakha twameva
You alone are my friend and my beloved companion,

Twameva vidya dravinam twameva
You alone are my knowledge and my wealth,

Twameva sarvam mama deva deva
O Supreme Lord, you alone are everything for me.


2]
Origin of mantra.
The mantra Twameva comes from the Pandava Gita, an anonymously compiled collection of verses from several ancient sacred Hindu texts (Mahabharata, Bhagavata, and Vishnu Purana). It is also called the song of surrender, as the overarching theme of this sacred hymn is complete surrender to the divine. Its verses are widely chanted by those seeking to experience the wisdom said to be contained therein.
The mantra Twameva is one of the most beloved Hindu mantras and comes from verses spoken by Queen Gandhari to Krishna.
The Pandava Gita, Verse 28, translated by Satya Chaitanya
http://www.thespiritualsun.com/practices/texts/hindu/twameva-a-mantra-from-the-pandava-gita


3] Translation of the The Pandava Gita


4]
Recitation of the Mantra as heard on Your Tube

5]
Popular Bollywood version
Sung by Lata Mangeshkar from the film Main Chup Rahungi

6]
Interesting
How to play - Twameva Mata on Harmonium/Keyboard (with notes)


7]
Translating Sanskrit sacred hymns into the English language can often be difficult, because not only do the words themselves have meanings, but also the syllables, the letters, their arrangement, and context, as well as the use of symbols can give the text multiple layers of meanings. The following translation offers an “elucidation” of the verses for further context:

Tvameva Mata: You are my Mother, the Supreme One Without a Second, Who nourishes me with Divine Love and graces my life with Self-Respect (the perception of my self as the Soul-Self, and not just as a body, mind, intellect, or ego).

Cha Pita Tvameva: And you are my Father, the Supreme Being Who protects me by raising my consciousness and transforming my mind into a receptacle of the divine; Who instills in me the sterling qualities of Divine Consciousness.

Tvameva Bandu cha Sakha Tvameva: You are my True Relative with Whom I am eternally related as Atman (Soul-self) with Paramatman (the Supreme Self), and You are my Best Friend, my Eternal Companion and Dearest Confident Who will never leave me.

Tvameva Vidya: You are the Divine Wisdom, the Essence of everything I know, everything I am learning, and everything I do not know but seek to understand and realize (actualize).

Dravinam Tvameva: You are the Highest Wealth (Laxmi) and the Bestower of all the best things in this life and the next. You are the Source of everything good and the Bestower of all Resources we require for our physical sustenance and spiritual enlightenment.  You are the Wealth of Wisdom and the Gift of Liberation (Moksha).

Tvameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva:  You are All-in-All; You are Everything to me, You are the core of my being, the Heart of my heart, the Source of my Self, the Soul of my soul, the Ultimate Reality devoid of duality and partiality; Indivisible, Immutable, Immaculate, the Ultimate Knower and the Absolute Perfect Incomparable Supreme Being.  


 

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Murti Pooja



Certain followers of religious faiths have strong feelings against murti pooja (loosely interpreted as idol worship.)

They often make a case study to the Hindus as to why they are wrong to worship so.

My worship of God through murti pooja makes some people angry, intolerant and show hatred through condemnation, teasing and taunting.

My worship through murti pooja makes them arrogant in thinking that their worship is superior and brings out their ego, pride and false prestige.

They say we worship a false God and is therefore a sin.

They say it makes God jealous and wrathful.

Many say they must fight against this moorti pooja and seek to deface, destroy and vandalise our murtis. 

The sad thing is it makes some of them want to kill us and some have.

Let me tell you why I worship God through murtis and images.

My faith in God through murti pooja makes me Love God and my fellow humans.

It guides me to perform good deeds, good actions, become compassionate, charitable, tolerant and forgiving.

My faith in God through murti pooja elevates me spiritually and strengthens my self-control.

My faith in God through murti pooja helps me to give respect to all, speak truthfully and be free me from hatred and envy.

Above all it brings ananda, bliss and happiness.



Murti pooja is to live in godliness.

Through Murti pooja you experience God in all His forms.

Through Murti pooja you experience God in all His Glory.

Many a saints and Gurus have experienced God through Murti pooja.

The noblest way to worship God is through Murti pooja.


3~' 

 

Quote on God



God is where we choose to see Him.

Adhik Maas


What is Adhik Maas?

The solar year consists of 365 days and 06 hours approx. whereas the lunar year is of 354 days. Thus, the gap between solar and the lunar year is of around 11 days. The gap increases to approximate 1 month in three Lunar years. Hence, to balance the gap between solar and lunar calendar an extra month comes after every third year. It is termed as Adhik Maas or Mal mass or Purshotam Mass.

The word 'adhik' means an extra (extraordinary, more, excess).
The Adhik or Mal Maas is the only time when the Sun does not move into a new sign. This is a unique phenomenon observed during the Adhik Maas. In this reference the concept of Adhika Maas is unique to the traditional Hindu lunar calendars.

In 2015 the duration of Adhik Maas is from 17th June to 16th July.

Significance of Adhik Mass
Every individual has a spiritual entity that comprises up of 5 Bhootas - the air, water, earth, fire, and ether. These are manifested in the forms of the intellect- mind- ego- senses and the soul. One requires meditation to unite one's physical entity with that of the spiritual entity.

Purushottam means a man who is imbibed with all best qualities and this month is devoted to self-development, evaluation, assessment, reflection, retrospection and Introspection. It is a time for the purification of one’s mind, body and soul.
It is a time for one's own soul and spirit to complete all pending work, detoxify the body that remains pending since last three years.
It is month to regain once strength in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual terms. Hence, the month got its name Purshottam Mass.

During Adhik mass naam japa, charity, Bhagavat katha and yagya is done by sadhak to gains Physical strength, mental balance, firmness of thought and actions, calmness and spiritual satisfaction.
The main significance of Adhik Maas is associated with spiritual enlightenment and deliverance from earthly sins.

It is written in the Devi Bhagavat that charitable and meritorious acts and fastings etc. carried out during this Mal Maas (Adhik Maas), inevitably produce results. Just as atomic sized contents within a seed produce a giant and long living Banyan tree, so in the same manner even a little charitable act done during Mal Maas (Adhik Maas) produces big results.
The Puranas also sing high praises about Adhik Maas and indicate Puja, readings of scriptures etc. during Adhik Maas.
Selfless actions, without the expectations of results, are to be performed during Adhik Maas.
In addition to singing and listening to the praises of the Lord (Vishnu), undertake Adhik Maas Vrat also. This Vrat is to begin from the first day and ends on the last day of Adhik Maas. June 17, 2015 to July 16, 2015 as per North Indian Calendar.

If there is a temple nearby then perform puja of whatever deities are usually worshipped therein.
During the entire month of Mal Maas Vrat eat Sattvic food (vegetarian meals, milk, fruits, nuts, grains, vegetables).

It is written in the Bhavishyottar Purana that Sri Krishna Himself has said regarding Adhik Maas Vrat that by carrying out the Vrat with the sole aim of worshipping God, through fasting, cleanliness, charity, puja etc. merits are acquired which produce unfailing results and all sorts of calamities are overcome.
These acts of spirituality bring ample of religious merit and bring transformation for the better in individuals.
It is believed that this month holds a special place in the Hindu religion and, therefore, rectifying planetary effects during this month give positive results 10 times better than performed during any other month.

As per Hindu scriptures
All the main Hindu months have a deity attached to them, but no one agreed to be the governing God of Mal Maas or the extra ‘unclean’ (Mal Maas) month).
Rishi-Munis calculated and facilitated Adhik Maas to balance solar and lunar years.
Lord Vishnu was then approached and decided to assign Adhik Maas to himself. Hence, Lord Vishnu is Lord of this month That is why it is known as the Purushottam Maas.

Further stories from the Legends
As per legends, once Demon Hiranyakashipu had asked for a boon from lord Brahma that no man, animal, sura or asura should cause death to him; further he asked that he should not meet his death in any of the 12 months of the year, in the morning or at night, not inside the house nor outside it, neither by any weapon nor by any object. Bestowed with the boon, Demon Hiranyakashipu thought he had become immortal.
Later Demon Hiranyakashipu meet death at hands of Lord Narasimha who ripped his chest with the claws taking the form of half Lion and Half man , during Adhik Mass around sunset and at the threshold of the palace (neither inside nor outside).

Therefore, during Adhik Maas no auspicious festive activity such as annaprashan, naamkaran, grah pravesh, marriage, etc. are performed. This is because the strength of the effects of the Navgrahas is quite strong during this time. Hence, the month got its name as Mal Maas.

Only naam japa, charity and Bhagavat katha, yagya is done.

For indepth details go to
https://www.facebook.com/notes/sri-satyatma-tirtha-swamiji-info-activity-page/adhik-maas-purshottam-maas/374092249329339
http://www.hinduism.co.za/adhik.htm
http://www.astrospeak.com/…/chanting-vishnu-mantras-for-ove…


 


3~'