Hindu Culture Q&A

Q. WHAT ARE THE SCRIPTURES OF HINDUS?


A. The very foundations of Hinduism lie on the four pillars, known as the Vedas. Veda is the sanskrit word for "knowledge".



They are the following:-

1) Rig-veda

2) Yajur-veda

3) Sam-veda

4) Atharva-Veda



Within the Vedas, four Purusharths (human pursuits/goals) are spoken of.

They are:-

1) kAmam - desires

2) Artham - securities

3) Dharmam - ethics

4) Moksham - liberation ( THIS is the pursuit we are concerned with)



The portions of the Vedas that give the teachings of Moksham are also called Vedanta. Bhagavad Gita too is considered Vedanta, because Krishna bhagwan himself says in the Gita, that all that he teaches is present in the Vedas

------



Then we have the Itihasas (historical epics)



1) The Ramayana

2) The Mahabharata



These epics assimilate the teachings of the last two Purusharths (Dharmam and Moksham), and are full of morals and values, for adults and children alike.

------



Next come the 'Puranas'. They may have some truth basis to them, but often go into mythology.



Just as Aesop's fables or Panchatantra are stories with good morals, but we all know that the animals don't really talk ! Similarly, one can extract good morals out of the Puranas, but please do not take them literally, their purpose is purely allegorical, not historical.



They are good for chitta shuddhi (mental purity), and are fine as long as one doesn't take them too literally.



So there you have it, the classification of our scriptures. One thing to note is, every single scripture attempts either to clarify, or expand on the teachings of Vedas, but anything that is contradictory to the Vedas must be rejected.



------------------------------

------------------------------​------



Q. WHO IS A GURU?



A. Guru comes from the two sanskrit roots



'Gu', which means darkness

'Ru', which means 'the remover of'



Here darkness signifies ignorance. The Guru gives us knowledge.



------------------------------​-----------------------------



Q. DO WE NEED A GURU TO LEARN THESE TEACHINGS?



A. YES! 99.999% of us do need a Guru. Under the rare case that you find someone extraordinary who gains moksham on his own without learning the scriptures under the guidance of a Guru, he has probably had a Guru in his previous birth and completed most of his teachings.



Such individuals are few and rare, and I can assure you that most of us are not in that league, so certainly, find a qualified Guru. No task is perfectly learnt without a Guru, especially not Vedanta.



------------------------------​------------------------------​-----



Q. HOW TO FIND A GURU?



A. This depends on two things.



1) Your free will - the effort you put into finding one

2) Your past karma- which will determine whether or not you are supposed to find one



Both of these work hand in hand, and can speed up or slow down your process. So while your past karma isn't in your hands, at least take the necessary efforts to prepare yourself, and approach a Guru



------------------------------​------------------------------​-----



Q. HOW TO KNOW IF THE GURU IS RIGHT FOR ME



A. Simply put, one who makes you "see", is a Guru. If somebody is saying something, and no matter how well respected or famous he is, if it does NOT make sense to you, he is not a Guru for you, and you must look elsewhere



If the person, instead of removing your confusion just adds to your confusion, and talks in a mysterious language and expects you to understand, he is NOT a Guru for you.



If the person says he will put his hand on your head and get you enlightened, he is NOT the right Guru for you



If someone says he will teach you Vedas for a fee, he is NOT a Guru...





So who would make a right Guru? If what a person says makes absolute sense to you, if you are less confused after talking to him, than you were before you approached him, if he connects well with you, if what he says seems rational, if he is speaking in a clear language that you can understand, then that person is fit to be your Guru



If you still have difficulty finding a Guru who fits your criteria, I can tell you who mine are, and you can take a look at their teachings and judge for yourself. Entirely up to you.



Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji (of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, *not* the Arya Samaj one)

Swami Paramarthananda ji

Swami Viditatmananda ji

Swami Tattvavidananda ji

Swami Pratyagbodhananda ji



here is a website with their teachings



www.avgsatsang.org



Click on any of their pictures and you will find a plethora of online resources on various topics



------------------------------​------------------------------​---



Q. HOW TO BE A GOOD STUDENT?



A. Now that you (hopefully) picked a right Guru for you, having absolute faith in Dev (God), Guru (teacher), Shastra (scripture) is a must.



For the gain of knowledge, four graces are a must



God's grace

Guru's grace

Scripture's grace

Self grace



God's grace is always flowing, Guru's grace will flow once you find one, scriptural grace will be there as long as you respect knowledge, books, etc, and Self grace will be there as long as you are motivated to seek the ultimate end, which is Moksha.



Not having Self grace, is like being in possession of a Ferrari, but not pressing your foot down on the accelerator



------------------------------​------------------------------​-



Q. WHO AM I?



I am the AtmA. AtmA iis sat chit ananda bramhan



SAT =



a) Does not change in time



b) Is independent of anything else for existence, but everything is dependent on it



c) Can never be negated. You can negate anything in the world, close your eyes, and you can say the sun and clouds don't exist, but try saying "I do not exist", and you will realize it is impossible, because even to say that I have to exist.



d) Cannot be objectified. Everything else is an object of your knowledge. You, the AtmA, are the sole witness, and nothing can objectify you



CHIT = Awareness, consciousness, chEtana, sAkshi, jnAtA, observer, witness... all of these words mean the same thing...



ANANDA = limitlessness (most people wrongly interpret it as 'bliss' or 'happiness'... ananda actually means limitlessness. AtmA has no limitations of space or time, as space and time too are dependent on AtmA



I know this answer is a little heavy, and if it doesn't make sense right now it is fine, it is not supposed to, for that you will have to do additional reading



The answer given here is too short



Please read my blog, I have transcribed Swamijis lectures in almost 45-50 pages over here, on "Who am I?"



http://atma-jnan.blogspot.com/



------------------------------​----------------------------



2. WHAT IS THIS UNIVERSE?





The creator, the act of creation, and the created, is one and the same. This universe is simply a manifestation of bramhan, which is nothing but you.



Some of you might be in disbelief, and that is exactly why we need the right teacher to teach us the right things :)



Most of us have been brought up to believe you are a "part" of God, or a "seed" of God, when in reality you, the AtmA, are the self of all beings in this universe. Just as space present in 10 pots are not separate from one another, but the pots just appear to separate them, same way, AtmA, the consciousness, is non-separate, non-dual.



Again, for this, please go through the blog I gave the link to above, not enough space to explain it all here



------------------------------​------------------------------​---------------------



3. WHAT IS GOD?



Compare God to the ocean



Compare the individual to the wave



and Compare the self, the AtmA, to the water



The very content of the wave (water), is also the content of the ocean (water)...



You, the self, manifest as jeev (individual), jagat (universe), and ishvara (God)



Imagine, in a dream the dream floor, the dream sky, the dream people, the dream mountain etc, they are all manifested from you alone, and yet inside the dream they appear to be outside of you, when in reality they are all within you, a projection of your mind.



This entire universe is a projection of the self.



Again, this will not be digested by many of you, and might be considered as blasphemy, but these are the teachings of the Vedas, and here is the evidence :)



Sarvam khalvidam brahman- All that there is, is brahman (chAndogya Upanishad, chapter 6 verse 2, from the Sama Veda)



Ayam AtmA Brahman - This self (AtmA) is brahman (Mandukya Upanishad 1.2 of the Atharva Veda)



Prajnanam Brahman - Consciousness is brahman ((Aitareya Upanishad 3.3 of the Rig Veda)



Tat tvam asi - You (the self) are that (brahman)...Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 of the Sama Veda)



Aham Brahman Asmi - I am brahman (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yajur Veda)



------------------------------​------------------------------​----------



Q. WHAT IS BONDAGE?



A cowherd had two cows, he took them grazing and returned back. When he was about to tie them up he saw one rope was missing. A sadhu was passing by, he asked him what he should do, the sAdhu said that tie the first cow, and pretend to tie the second cow up. So the cowherd does that, and goes to sleep...



Next morning, both cows are still there. Then he unties the first one to go grazing, but the seoncd one doesnt follow, again the sadhu was meditating there, so now he says "pretend to untie the second cow", so he does that, and then the cow follows. We aren't bonded, we have simply been programmed by society, by our own ignorance, that we are tied down and "require to be freed"... you are ever free, you are the omniscient, omnipresent bramhan



------------------------------​------------------------------​------------



Q. WHAT IS LIBERATION?



A. Freedom from limitations. AtmA is asangha (untouched), mukta (free), shuddha (pure), akhanda (whole), purnam (complete)



I am ever liberated, I just need to accept it :)



------------------------------​------------------------



A. WHAT IS THE MEANS TO LIBERATION?





A. Remove the ignorance that "i am not free", don't be like the cow who thinks he is tied down... remove this ignorance through vedanta, with the guidance of a proper Guru.



------------------------------​------------



Q. AN EXCELLENT IDEA FOR CHARITY?





A. Any charity earns punia (goodwill/ merit), and all punia comes to us in the form of joy, when the time is right to fructify



Here are some ideas



Donate your organs upon death. You are not going to use them, why not allow a deprived individual to have access to your eyes, or kidneys, or a heart, or a liver? The amount of punia, you and your family will earn from this is enormous.



Do consider donating your organs, even if you don't, it is fine, but it is always a nice thing to do :)



Also think of donating blood if you don't feel too weak from it, it could help save a life, one never knows...



Donate money to orphans. By providing food, clothing, shelter and education to orphans, you are paving their way into a world in which they will grow, prosper and always be thankful for. It goes without saying that.



These are reliable places, where your funds go directly to the orphans, nothing is lost in between, if you know what I mean.



www.helpfoundation.org (HELP FOUNDATION)

www.aimforseva.org (AIM FOR SEVA)



Donate to old age homes, abandoned fathers and mothers, or those whose children have passed away, NEED your help, as they have no one else to look after them. Just as orphans are children, these old people are orphans of one kind. It is up to people like us to make a difference towards the end of their lives



Donate to Veda Pathshalas, where they teach the chanting of the Vedas to children, who carry forward our uninterrupted tradition. It takes 12 years for the best of students to master one branch of Vedic chanting, and a lifetime to understand it. Support them in their commendable pursuit, help them preserve our tradition, and donate for their livelihood



These are some of the most potent ways to donate one's excess wealth.



One's wealth is measured by how many lives he positively touches, not his bank balance.



------------------------------​------------





Q. WHAT IS THE BEST COMMENTARY ON THE GITA, THAT ONE CAN READ?



A. The best version of the Gita is one that correctly preserves the message of the Vedas, and does not contradict it by even a tiny bit.



So far I have found flaws in almost all of them. I find



'Bhagavad Gita Home Study' by Swami Dayananda (of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam) to be the most reliable commentary on the Gita that exists today. It is a book complied by his devotees based on 363 fantastic lectures on the Gita that he delivered in the 1980s. It is over 2000+ pages, and is the best version.



This book is not available for free download online, so the next best thing I can think of, is reading



'The Holy Geeta' by Swami Chinmayananda



Here you can find a free copy, there is also a download button to store it on your computer



http://www.scribd.com/doc/1374​2761/HOLY-GEETA-by-Swami-Chinm​ayananda





*I do not recommend* reading Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita 'As it is', because truth be told, it is not "as it is', and has a lot of interpolations, and is not loyal to the message of the Gita, or the Vedas. Forgive me for saying so.



------------------------------​-------------------



Q. IS VISHNU GREATER THAN SHIVA? OR IS SHIVA GREATER THAN VISHNU?



A. No. There is no greater or lesser comparison here. Ishvara is Ishvara, and he comes to the devotee in whichever form the devotee wishes to invoke.



These are meaningless quarrels that people pick up. Krishna Bhagwan says in the Gita "pray to God with any name, with any form, and your prayers will go through"



I wish not to go into further details here, if you have doubts feel free to send me a message



------------------------------​------------------------------



Q. CAN BHAKTI ALONE GIVE MOKSHA?



A. No. Bhakti is an action.



An action is a karma.



A karma bears a positive result or a negative result



Bhakti bears a positive result



Every result is limited



Moksha is a limitless/infinite gain, and once it is achieved there is no turning back.



A limited action cannot give a limitless result, and hence moksha can only come through self knowledge, by learning the teachings of the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.



Chanting will help purify one's mind, it will prepare one to gain knowledge, it will make you ready to understand what are learning, and it will give you positive results in the way of finding a proper guru, giving birth in a family that supports your learning, to be born in the right place, and so on. Bhakti will give you all that you to get you ready for knowledge, but it is knowledge alone, and its firm assimilation, that will give moksha to you.



If you are searching for your car keys, and you keep on and on praying for them, God will send you a person (a Guru) to tell you



Hey child, your car keys are in your pocket. Then this knowledge will help you achieve that which is already yours



Moksh is called praptasya praptihih. It is already there, you just need the right knowledge to understand it, the right effort to assimilate it.



Bhakti will aid in this, but on its own, without knowledge, bhakti cannot give moksh.



To know more about prayers, please read my blog 'Purpose of Prayer', where I have transcribed Swamijis lectures for us, and again, message me for more details



http://purpose-of-prayer.blogs​pot.com/



-----------------------



The topic of 'Gurus' is still full of misconceptions, so amongst other things I would like to clarify some more here



Q. DOES A GURU HAVE TO BE A LIVING ONE?



A. Yes, a Guru MUST be alive, in order to be called one. A dead Guru cannot clear your doubts, can he? No matter how great a Guru he might have been during his times, sadly you need someone today, in front of you, to take your questions one by one, and clear them.



The message or the intention of a great human being in the past can only reveal so much, but beyond a point you still have the need to clear matters with a person who you can interact with.



Ramana Maharishi, Swami Vivekanananda, Ramakrishna Paramhansa etc may have been good for their times, but simply relying on their books is not going to help.



This might come across as a bit strong, but it is the absolute truth. Even in our historical epics, everyone had a Guru '"in flesh". Arjuna had Krishna, Rama and his brothers had Sage Vashishta, and even your Guru will have a Guru, who will have a Guru, and so on. The tradition continues uninterrupted, this is called the Guru-shishya parampara, which is one of the most beautiful things in our culture.



So my suggestion is not to pick up books by random authors this way. Find someone to clear your doubts, I cannot stress it enough :)



--------------------------



Q. CAN I FIND ANSWERS TO VEDANTA ON WIKIPEDIA OR BY GOOGLING?



A. No way. Our of thousands of unreliable websites, only a handful are good, and it takes a lot of discriminative prowess to even be able to know which is good and which isn't.



www.avgsatsang.org is one such fantastic website where you can learn.



------------------------------



----------

Q. CAN ONE BECOME A JEEVAN-MUKTA (AN ENLIGHTENED BEING) JUST BY MEDITATION?



A. No, you need to remove self ignorance in the form of knowledge.



Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 38 says there is nothing more purifying than knowledge.



Gyanam (knowledge) alone gives Moksha. Bhakti and karma help attain Gyanam.



-----------------------------



Q. BUT LORD KRISHNA SAYS THAT IN KALYUG BHAKTI IS THE EASIEST WAY TO ACHIEVE MOKSHA



A. He doesn't. This is a misconception that has been passed on for generations now. Bhakti helps in the acquisition of knowledge, but only chanting the Lords name day and night will not be enough.



The gain of knowledge is a must, the Gita is extremely clear about this.



---------------------------



Q. DO ALL RELIGIONS LEAD TO THE SAME GOAL?



A. Never. Every religion prescribes a different goal for their followers.

Sometimes even though the name of the goal may be the same, the description of that goal will differ



For example, in Hinduism and Jainism, the goal is moksha, but the definition and consequences of moksha are worlds apart, so the goal is not the same here, though the word seems to be the same one.



Then in Islam, Christianity and Judaism, the goal is attainment of heaven, which as Hindus, we consider a very temporary and useless goal for several reasons



Western religions believe heaven and hell are permanent states, law of karma very easily establishes that heaven and hell are results of paap and punia (demerit and merit), and no result is permanent. Hence heaven and hell are temporary stages.



Secondly, heaven is not absolute, and does not put an end to helplessness completely. No state of birth sets you free from limitations, moksha alone achieves that.



So no, all religions lead to different goals



------------------------------​---



Q. WHAT IS SUPERIOR? KARMA YOGA, UPASANA YOGA OR GYAN YOGA?



A. All three are equally important. Karma yoga is basically doing the right actions with the right mental attitude. Bhakti too is a karma (as prayer is an action)



upAsana yoga is meditation, mental cleansing, focus, concentration and other such tasks.



gyAn yoga is the pursuit of knowledge, more specifically self knowledge



karma yoga is like the first rung of the ladder, which leads to the second rung called upAsana yoga, which leads to the third rung called gyAn yoga.



karma and upAsana lead to gyAn, and once gyAnam is firmly assimilated, that gives moksha.



So you cannot skip karma and upAsana, one MUST perform the right actions with the right attitude, and work towards mental purity, in order to gain self knowledge and get moksha



------------------------------​--------



Q. IF I SPEND MY LIFETIME STUDYING SCRIPTURES, BUT I DIE BEFORE I GAIN MOKSHA, WILL IT BE WASTED?



A. No, Lord Krishna promises that every effort put toward self upliftment, will never go wasted. The fruits of your results will carry forward to the next birth. You may have seen there are some children who grasp this knowledge very quickly for no apparent reason, even despite their parents not being very well aware.



If you have put enough effort in this life, knowledge will come flowing readily to you in the next life, if by chance you dont attain moksha towards the end of your previous life, so dont worry, your efforts aren't wasted.



-----------------------------



Q. I HAVE HEARD ONE MUST NOT STUDY THE MAHABHARATA AS IT LEADS TO QUARRELS IN THE FAMILY



A. Nonsense :)



This is pure superstition, one who understands the mAhAbhArata well, will actually refrain from getting into petty quarrels, because he will have learnt from the wisdom and mistakes of all the characters in the epic.



Do yourself a favour and study the mAhAbhArata from start to finish, it is my guarantee your family will not fight with you :)



---------------------



Q. IS EATING MEAT WRONG?



A. Any form of violence is wrong. Animals feel tremendous pains, due to their developed nervous system. They have pain receptors, which plants lack. Hence when you kill a goat, or a chicken, or any other sentient animal, the injury and pain caused to them will come back to you.



One of the Upanishads define food only as "plants".



If you wish to eat meat, go ahead, it is your personal choice, but especially if you are learning the scriptures, it is strongly recommended to be a vegetarian, but again it is up to you. No arm twisting involved here



In any case, take a look at this video and decide for yourself



http://video.google.com/videop​lay?docid=2273569508770398194#



------------------------------



Q. DO DEVAS IN HEAVEN LIVE FOREVER?



A. No, they have a limited lifespan, just like any of us. Yes they may live many years longer, much longer, but still not permanently.



Devas such as Indra etc, are actually titles, not names. Just as we have Prime Ministers and Presidents, Indra is the title for the King of the heavenly realm. It is a position, and different people can inhabit it



-------------------------



Q. WHAT IS A HIGHER GOAL, HEAVEN OR MOKSHA?



A. Moksha, definitely. Heaven is temporary, moksha is eternal

=================

jivAtmA is *not* the same as jivA



AtmA = self

...

jivAtmA = the AtmA perceived on a micro (individual level)



paramAtmA = the very same AtmA, perceived on a macro (universal level)



jivA = mind+body complex enlivened by the AtmA



Hence the verse in kenopanishad "kenshitam patati preshitam manah"

In the presence of what entity does the mind move towards its sense objects



and the rest of the upanishad answers this question elaborately, as the self (non dual) of all beings.



how else do you explain the following verses from the vedAs and upanishads?



sarvam khalvidam brahman - All that there is, is brahman (sAma veda, chAndogyopanishad ch 6, verse 2)



Ayam AtmA brahman - this self is brahman (mAndukyopanishad atharva veda)



ekam advityam brahman - one non dual brahman alone



aham brahman asmi - I am brahman Br. upanishad, yajur veda)



prajnAnam brahman - consciousness is brahman (aitreyopanishad, rig veda)



tat tvam asi - you are that (brahman) (chAndogyopanishad, sAma veda



====================



Q. SOME SAY IDOL WORSHIP IS BAD, IS THAT TRUE?



A. No, that isn't true. Every means of worship is different. Some worship God through an idol, others worship God as the forces of nature, or as the residing entity of every living being. The best type of worship is a state of advaita, where you know that there is no separation between Self and God. Sometimes it is not possible to achieve this, especially when we are not in the best frames of mind, and idol worship is a highly effective bridge.

Q. CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT IS MEDITATION?

A. Dear Shirapthi



This is regarding the question you asked about meditation, in the Bhagavad Gita group....



There are 4 broad types of meditation



Relaxation

Concentration

Transformation

Expansion



Relaxation meditation is when you simply sit, and empty all your thoughts. What you are trying to do here is to not think of anything, and allowing the mind and body to relax... if thoughts go through your head, allow them to pass by and merely witness them, but dont become disturbed.... let them flow past you like a river, and observe them, slowly they will stop and you will feel relaxed



Concentration meditation is when you are trying to build- as the name says- concentration and focus. In relaxation, you were letting go of all thoughts, here you are purposely trying to hold on to them, this is called dhArana. The longer you are able to hold on to a thought, the more focusing capacity you have, the more you are in control of your mind



Transformation is the third type, where you are trying to transform your thinking from wrong to right, from good to bad. In this kind of meditation, you first gain knowledge, and then you try to replace your old conradictory thoughts with this newly gained knowledge, and bring about a transformation in thoughts



The last is expansion meditation. Here I would like to tell you, almost everywhere you read, the AtmA is described as a part or parcel of God. In reality, everything is the AtmA alone, and there is only ONE AtmA, which is you, the self. You are neither part nor product of God, all that there is, is the self alone, one all pervading chetanA... consciousness.



When consciousness is expressed through the body, we call it a jeeva. When consciousness is expressed through the entire universe as a whole, we call it ishvara, but in reality it is consciousness alone, which is the AtmA...



So in expansion meditation, you sit, and imagine that you are first one little point in the head... then you expand and imagine that you are covering your whole body, then the whole room, then the entire floor, the full building...



Then you imagine you, the AtmA, are covering the entire street, the city, the state, the country, the continent, the earth, the sun, the solar system, the galaxy...the universe



Imagine that everything that exists is you alone, because you are existence... Space is you, time is you, matter is you, energy is you. There is you alone, and this AtmA is expressed differently from different life forms



These are the 4 main types of meditations, I have simplified it as much as possible, hope it helps :)

Q. HOW DO PRAYERS BRING RESULTS?

Statutory Warning: Long reply ahead :D



Prayer is a karma.



Karma is an action



Actions can be dhArmic (the right sort) or adhArmic (the wrong kind)



An action earns a result



Every result can either be a favourable result (punia) or an unfavourable result (pApam)



dhArmic actions bring punia, adhArmic actions bring pApam...



Prayer is a dhArmic action, which is an acknowledgement of one's weakness, as well as a desire to get over it. When we pray, we are not giving into our weakness, rather we are identifying it, and praying for that weakness or debility to go away. This comes forth as a result which helps us attain a result if that is what we want, or to avert a result, if that is something we don't want...



So God does not get "pleased" with you because you pray, and give you goodies, rather God simply gives you a result of your own actions (which were in the form of prayers)...



Now some prayers may be fulfilled, some may not be fulfilled. Why? Think of it this way...If you have a 100 K debt, and you pray for it to go away, now instead of 100 K you just have 80 K debt, you will feel your prayer was useless and did not work, but you won't realize that the prayer helped you get rid of 20 K debt... this is just an example to understand, that even when we get bad results, if we had not prayer, the results would be worse, so one cannot dismiss the efficacy of prayers just because we don't always get what we pray for...



Suppose you love somebody a lot, and if your karma does not allow you to get married to that person, the debt example doesn't apply, right? Because you can't get a "part" of that person, so in such a case, the prayer helps you get over the person and causes a reduction in mental agony :) So prayers are ALWAYS GOOD



now coming to your specific questions



A)Yes, prayers can be for spiritual, mental, physical growth, as well as the well being of others... you can pray for anything that is good for yourself or for others, but you should never pray for the harm of others, because if you do that, be sure that the same result will come to you too...



B) A "wise man" who has gained enlightenment through self knowledge has no need to pray, but UNTIL we become wise men, we should pray for wisdom and knowledge.



However, though a wise man does not need to pray, he will still pray. Why? It is called shishtAchAr- to set an example for others... people follow their teachers. If the teacher who is enlightened doesn't pray, the non-enlightened students will copy the same and stop, hence as a social responsibility, and out of compassion for the less fortunate, the wise man who has totally owned up to his true nature will still continue praying, so that others may follow his example...

Q. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF AND GOD?

2) This requires some reading of Tattva Bodha, to be entirely consistent, but I will give a very brief answer here, otherwise an entire book could be written about it...



Think of the Ocean as God/ Ishvara

Think of the wave as the individual

Think of the water, as the self (AtmA)



The very content of God, is also the content of the wave, and that is you, the self...



There are billions and trillions and quadrillions of living beings in the universe, countless really, and yet the AtmA, the self of them all is one alone. (ekam advityam brahman)



Hence, while physical bodies (sthula sharira) are many, subtle bodies (the mind complex, which is what reincarnates from birth to nbirth) are many, the self (consciousness) is just one...



Just as the waves are many, its content is water alone.



The entire sum total of all that there is in this universe is God. The sum total of everything that is sentient, everything that is inert, which comes alive in the presence of you, the self, is God... This is what God is... You are the content of God, as well as of the individual. Everything is the self. Zero contradictions



Q. WHY PRAY TO GOD IN THE FORM OF AN IDOL?



Having a form of God helps in focusing and concentration. Praying to a formless God is so difficult. God is formless, in reality, but a form is what allows us to personalize, focus on and feel connected with a God...



If you are comfortable, you can even pray to God as a formless entity. When everything in the universe is God alone, God can both bear a form, as well as be without one... Space is God, time is God, matter is God, energy is God... everything is the ocean, and the substance of this ocean is the water, same way everything in this universe is God, and you the AtmA are the substance of it





Q. On rebirth

To clarify, when we talk about "your actions", it is not the self performing actions, but the mind-body complex that is enlivened by the self, that does an action.



Having said that, based on the actions you perform, you take an appropriate birth.



If you have gathered a LOT of puniam, you will go to heaven to expend it. Heaven is like a 8-star place where you go to expend the fruits of your good action. It's like a holiday, from which you have to come back



if you have gathered a LOT of pApam, you will go to hell, to expend it. Hell is like a prison where you suffer for your wrong deeds.



When I use the words "holiday" and "prison", im giving you an analogy of how you would enjoy or suffer over there...



Now if you have done mildly bad actions, you may be born as a human but with a not so great life as you have right now. If you have done mildly good actions, you will be born in another human form that experiences more pleasure than you do now



So how is it determined whether due to pApam you go to hell, or are born as an animal or plant or a microscopic being? This is based entirely on the balance of pApa and punia in your sanchit karma bag, and there is no general rule for saying do this karma and you go to hell, do that karma and you are born as an animal, etc.



This only ishvara knows, and we accept it as such.



Now the actions i spoke about so far, are materialistic actions, and their corresponding results.



There are other actions called sakAm karma, which give an even better result, a spiritual result



We've been a cockroach, a dustmite, a crab, a donkey, and several other

creatures, as per the 84 lakh yonis defined in the vedAs.



We've been to narak several times whenever our pApam baggage was high



We've also been to svarg when our puNia was particularly overflowing



Out of all these varities of species we were born into, and places we could

go to, there were several instances when we were born as human beings



Our first few human births were the ones we would expect to see, animal like

instincts... chasing after pleasures, sex, assets, doing wrong things to

people to gain selfish ends...



Often we've been demoted to lower species or even hell, due to our inhumane,

humanly actions...



then after making back and forth trips, possible there was a human birth

where we stopped doing things that were wrong to others... we still chased

pleasures, but in an honest manner...



we worked hard and fulfilled these pleasures, our puNia ran out, and so did

these pleasures



a few births of doing this, then we decided to do good karma along with

enjoying these pleasures, so now we help others... not only are we honest,

but also helpful... the pleasures still come and go



even more births pass by, and then we begin getting disillusioned by too

many pleasures, and instead of doing karma for materialistic gain, we start

doing karma for gaining CHITTA SHUDDHI . We pray, we selflessly help others,

we set a good example through our behaviour etc...



Now, the puNia we receive through these actions are of a shuddh kind, as

opposed to the pleasurable puNias such as a mercedes benz, winning a jackpot

etc...



This new wonderful Punia presents itself miraculously. Now you begin

wondering "who am I?", and the puNia was just waiting for you to ask this,

now it presents to you dev-guru-shAstra, and a curious mind to learn from

them



the puNia you performed for purification of your mind, is now going to

propel you towards Atma gyAnam...



some more time passes by, with the grace of bhagwan, with the grace of your

guru, with the grace of vedA mAtA, and your own grace (AtmA anugrAm), you

finally understand the nature of jeev-jagat-ishwar



after doing adhyanan and abhyAs, you are finally a gyAni, the bonds of

sansAram have been broken, you are already liberated while alive (jeevan

mukta), now your prarabdh simply plays its course, and when it runs out,

just like a spinning top loses its momentum, your body falls and is ready to

be taken to the crematory, and the long beginingless cycle of birth and

rebirth has ended, your physical body returns back to the pancha bhutA (five

elements), your sukshma sharir dissolves into bramhan, and your kArana

sharrir was destroyed the moment you became a gyAni. You are now the

universe and so much more, that you always were, but never quite understood

how. Shrishti mAtA itself is within you



This is why Chitta Shuddhi is so important, without it there is no gyAnam,

and without gyAnam, there is no moksh.

Slokas

This is a nice collection of Slokas I came across somewhere on the web, I have copied it underneath.

*********************************************************************************
Shanti Mantra – Om Sahana Vavatu


Om Sahana Vavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu
Sahaveeryam Karavavahai

Tejas Vinavati Tamastuma vidhwishavahai

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi



Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Saha- both; nau-us; avatu- may he protect; bhunaktu-may he nourish; viryam karavavahai-may we acquire the capacity; tejasvi-be brilliant; nau-for us; adhitam- what is studied;astu-let it be; ma vidvisavahai-may we not argue with each other.



Translation

May He protect both of us. May He nourish both of us. May we both acquire the capacity (to study and understand the scriptures). May our study be brilliant. May we not argue with each other. Om peace, peace, peace.



Brief explanation

At the beginning of a class, the teacher and students generally recite this peace invocation together. Both seek the Lord’s blessings for study that is free of obstacles, such as poor memory, or the inability to concentrate or poor health. They also seek blessings for a conducive relationship, without which communication of any subject matter is difficult. Therefore, this prayer is important for both the teacher and the student.



Ganesha Shlokams


Gajananam Bhuta Ganathi Sevitam
Kapittha Jambu Palasara Bhaksitam

Uma Sutam Shoka Vinasha Karanam

Namami Vignesvara Pada Pankajam



He who has the face of an elephant, one who is worshipped by the Bhootha ganam, He who eats the essence of kapitha and Jumbu fruits, He who is the son of Uma Devi and He who allieviates the ill feelings in us. O! Lord Vigneshwara who is an embodiment of all the above, we offer our Namaskarams at your Divine feet.



Shuklambara Dharam Vishnum

Shashivarnam Chatur Bhujam

Prasanna Vadanam Dhyayet

Sarva Vignopa Santaye



Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Suklambaradaram-one who wears a white garmetn; visnum; all pervading; sasivarnam; who ahs a brilliant complexion; chaturbhujam-who had four hands; prasannavadanam- who has an ever smiling face; dhyayet- I meditate upon; sarvavighnopashantaye- for the removal of all obstacles



Translation

Lord Vigneshwara, who wears a white garment, who is all pervading, who has a bright complexion (like a full moon), who has four hands (representing all power), who has an ever-smiling face, upon that deity I meditate, for the removal of all obstacles.



Brief Explanation

Lord Ganesha is the older son of Lord Shiva son Goddess Parvati. He is invoked before any undertaking for the removal of obstacles. He is also worshipped for knowledge and wisdom that he bestows upon devotees.



Sri Vakratunda Mahakaaya

Koti-soorya samaprabha

Nirvighnam kuru me Deva

Sarva-karyeshu Sarvadaa



O, Lord Ganesha of the curved trunk and massive body, the one whose splendor is equal to millions of Suns, please bless me to that I do not face any obstacles in my endeavors.



Mooshika vahana modaka hasta
Chamara karna vilambita sootra

Vamana roopa Maheswara putra

Vigna-vinayaka paada namaste



He who has the mouse as his vahana(vehicle),

He who always keeps Modhakam (a traditional type of sweet)

He who has ears that resemble a hand held fan,

He who wears a chain-like ornament around his waist,

He who is short in stature,

He who is the son of Parameshwar,

O Lord Vinayaka who is all the above and he who always removes our obstacles,

We worship your Divine Feet.



Gajavaktram Sura-shreshtam

Karna-chaamara-bhooshitam

Paashaankusha-dharam Devam

Vandeham Gana-naayakam



I bow before that God, who is the leader of Shiva’s ghosts, whose face resembles that of an elephant. Who is supreme among the deities, Who sports ears that look like fans and Who is armed with noose and goad.





Ekadantam Mahakayam

Lambodara Gajananam

Vigna Nashakarma Devam

He Rambam Prana Mamyaham



I bow to that God, Who has one tusk, one Who has a large body, one Who has a big stomach, one Who has the face of an elephant; He who destroys all obstacles and Who is also called Herambh (beloved of the Mother).



Guru Shlokam
Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu

Gurur Devo Maheshvarah
Guru Shakshat Param Brahma

Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah



Know The Guru To Be Brahma Himself. He Is Vishnu. He Is Also Shiva. Know Him To Be The Supreme Brahman, And Offer Thy Adoration Unto That Peerless Guru.



Saraswathi Shlokams
Saraswathi Namastubhyam

Varade Kamarupini

Vidyarambam Karishyami

Siddhir Bhavatu Me Sada



Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Saraswathi- O Goddess of Knowledge Saraswathi, Namstubhyam-salutatiosn to you; varade-one who gives boons; kamarupini- one who fulfills desires; vidyarambaham-to begin my studies; karisyami-I am going; siddhirbhavatu-may there be accomplishment; me- for me; sada- always.



Translation

O Goddess Saraswathi; salutations to you, the giver of boons, the one who fulfills desires. I shall begin my studies. May there always be accomplishment for me.



Brief Explanation

This prayer is chanted before beginning a class or at the beginning of one’s studies so that all learning may resolve in knowledge alone. It is addresses to Goddess Saraswathi, who symbolizes all forms of knowledge, including the knowledge of the performing arts. Knowledge is a fundamental pursuit of human life, and a life of study and learning provides nourishment and discipline to the human intellect. In the Vedic culture, study is considered one’s duty.



Krishna Shlokams
Krishnaya Vasudevaya

Devaki Nanda Nayacha

Nandagopa Kumaraya

Sri Govindaya Namo Namaha



I bow and pray to lord Krishna, son of Vasudeva and Devaki, also the son of Nandagopa, who takes away sorrows, sufferings, pain and trouble.



Vasudeva sutam devam

Kamsa-Chanoora mardanam

Devaki parama-anandam

Krishnam vande Jagatgurum



I do vandana (glorification) of Lord Krishna, the resplendent son of Vasudev, who killed the great tormentors like Kamsa and Chanoora, who is a source of greatest joy to Devaki, and who is indeed a world teacher.



Mookam karoti vaachalam

Panghum langhayate girim

Yat kripa tam-aham-vande

Paramananda Madhavam



Explanation

Lord Krisna is the avatara of Lord Visnu who personifies ananda,joy.He established dharma and also gave us the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita.



Translation

Mukam(mute) karoti(makes) vacalam(eloquent), Pangum(lame) langhayate(cross) girim(mountain), yatkrupa (whose grace) tamaham vande(I salute Him), paramananda (one whose form is ananda) madhavam (Lord Krisna).



Vishnu Shlokam
Shanta Karam Bhujaga Shayanam

Padmanabham Suresham

Vishvadharam Gagana Sadrsham

Megha Varnam Shubhangam

Lakshmi Kantam Kamala Nayanam

Yogibhir Dhyana Gamyam

Vande Vishnum Bhava Bhaya Haram

Sarva Lokaiaka Natham



I adore Vishnu, the embodiment of Peace, who sleeps on the serpent,

Whose naval is the lotus of the Universe

Who is the Lord of the Gods, who is the support of the Universe, Who is in the form of Space (the Omnipresent)

Whose color resembles that of clouds, Whose body is auspicious

Who is the Lord of Lakshmi, whose eyes are like lotuses

Who is attainable by Yogis through meditation

Who is the destroyer of the fear of birth and death

And who is the One Lord of all the Worlds



Rama Shlokam
Ramaya Rama Bhadraya

Ramachandraya Vedhase

Raghu Nathaya Nathaya

Sitayah Pataye Namaha



To Rama, Ramabhadra, Raghunatha(These are different names of Lord Rama), the Lord, the Consort of Seetha, our salutations to him.



Sri Rama Rama Rameti

Rame Raame Manorame

Sahasra Nama Tat Tulyam

Rama Nama Varanane



Lord Shiva told this shloka to Parvati I meditate upon Sri Ram as Sri Rama Rama Rama, the thrice recital of Rama’s name is equal to Recitation of the thousand names of Lord Vishnu (Vishnu Sahasranama)



Shiva Shlokam
Sivam Sivakaram Shantam

Shivat Manam Sivottamam

Shiva Marga Pranetaram

Pranatosmi Sada Sivam



Karpoora-gauram karuna-avataram

Samsara-saaram Bhujagendra-haaram

Sadaa-vasantam Hridaya-aravinde

Bhavam Bhavanee-sahitam Namami



I salute to that Ishwara along with Bhavani (Shiva and parvati) who is as white as Karpur(camphor), an incarnation of compassion, the essence of this world, who wears a bhujagendra(snake or serpent) around his neck and is ever present in the lotus abode of our

hearts.



Maha-Mrityumjaya Shlokam
Om Trayambakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urva-rukamiva Bhandhanaat

Mrityor-mukshiya ma amritat

Om Klim Nama Shivaya

Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthihi



Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Tryambakam – three-eyed; Yajamahe – worship; Sugandhim – beautiful smelling; Pusti – well nourished, (prosperity; Vardhanam – increaser; Urvarukam – cucumber; Ive – like; Bandhana – from bondage of worldly attachments; Mrtyor – mortality; Muksiya – may you liberate; Ma- me; Amrat – for the sake of immortality



Translation:

We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Shiva), Who is fragrant and Who nourishes all beings; may He liberate me from death, for the sake of Immortality, even as the cucmber is severed from its bondage of the vine. Om Peace, Peace, Peace



Navagraha Shlokam
Om Namah Sooryaya Chandraya Mangalaya Budhaya Cha

Guru Shukra Shanibhyascha Raahave Ketave Namo Namaha



My Salutations to Soorya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars) and Budha (Mercury). I also salute Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn) as well as Rahu and Ketu.



Subramanya Shlokam
Shadaananam Kumkuma-rakta-varnam

Mahaamayam Divya-mayoora-vahanam

Rudrasya Soonam Sura-sainya-natham

Guham Sadaa Sharanam-aham Prapadye



I seek Sharan (refuge) in Guha (one who resides in the cave of the heart; another name for Subramanya), Who has 6 faces, Who adorns the color of Kumkum or Blood (red), one Who is a great warrior (?), one Whose vahana is the divine peacock, one Who is Rudra’s (Shiva’s) son, one Who is the leader of the army of devas.



Devi/Durga Shlokam
Sarva-mangala-mangalye Shive Sarvaartha-sadhake

Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayani Namostute



Explanation

Goddess Parvati is the consort of Lord Siva and is worshipped as Sakti. The Puranic literature describes her as having many forms, including Durga, Candi, Kali and Uma.While Siva symbolizes the efficient cause of the creation, Sakti symbolizes the material cause.



Translation

The one who is the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious (sarvamangalamangalye), the consort of Siva (Sive), who is the means of accomplishing all desires sarvarthasadhake), who is the refuge of all (saranye), the three eyed one(tryambake),the fair complexioned one(Gouri), Salutations to you, Narayani(narayani namostute).



Salutations to the consort of Sri Narayana (Sri Lakshmi Devi), who is all auspicisous, who is the Mastress of all, who blesses devotees succeed in their efforts and who is the refuge of all.



Annapoorna Shlokam
Annapoorne Sada poorne, Shankara Pranavallabhe

Gyana Vairagya Sidyartham, Bhikshaam Dehi cha Parvati

Mata cha Parvati Devi, Pita Devo Maheswarah

Baandava Shiva Bhaktyascha, Svadeso Bhuvanatrayam



Annapoorne – the wife of Lord Shiva; She who is full of food; Sadapoorne – who is always full of resources; Sankara – of Lord Sankara(Shiva); Prana – the life-force; energy; Vallabhe – the beloved; Jnana – knowledge; Vairagya – attitude of renunciation; Siddhyartham – to fulfill the purpose of; Bhiksham – alms, food; Dehi – giveus; Namostute – we bow down to You



O Annapurna, Who art ever full, the beloved life-force of Lord Sankara (Shive, O’ Parvathi – grant me alms that I be firmly established in Knowledge and Renunciation. Mother is shakti, father is shiva, relatives are the devotees of shiva and own country is all the three worlds



Lakshmi Shlokam
Ya Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Lakshmi Roopena Samsthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha



Salutations again and again to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of good fortune.



Tulasi Shlokam
Yenmoole Sarvatheerthaani Yenmadhye Sarvadevatha

Yadagre Sarva Vedaascha Thulaseem-tham Namamyaham



I bow down to the Tulasi at whose base are all the holy places, at whose top reside all deities and on whose middle are all the Vedas.



Hyagreevar Shlokam
(This sloka is to be recited before children start their daily school work/studies)

Gyaananandamayam Devam

Nirmala Spadikakruthim

Aadaram Sarva Vidyanaam

Hyagreevam Upasmahe



Vidyaarambam begins with a prayer to Sri Hyagreeva (Lord with the Horse’s face) Haya-horse; greeva-neck. You are the presiding deity for all knowledge. We pray to you to bless us with all the knowledge.



Ayyappa shlokam
Bhoota-natha Sadaananda Sarva-boota Dayaapara

Raksha Raksha Maha-bahor Shastre-tubhyam Namo Namaha











Hanuman shlokams
Buddhir Balam Yasho Dhairyam

Nir Bhayatvam Arogata

Ajatyam Vak Patutvam Cha

Hanumat Smaranat Bhavet



By remembering Hanuman, one can gain wisdom, strength, success, courage, fearlessness, lack of ill health, lack of sluggishness, and Oratory skills.



Manoj-avam Maruti Tulya Vegam

Jitendriyam Bhudhi-mataam Varishtam

Vaataatmajam Vaanara-yoota-mukhyam

Sri Ramadootam Sharanam Prapadye OR Sri Ramadootam Shirasaa Namami





I surrender to Hanuman, the messenger of Lord Rama, whose speed is as swift as the mind and as swift as the wind, who has controlled his sense organs and is the most intelligent among the intelligent ones; who is the son of Vayu and the chief of the monkey tribe.



Anjaneyam ati-paata-lananam

Kaanchanaadri Kamaneeya Vigraham

Paarijaata-tarumoola vasinam

Bhavayami pavamana nandanam



Anjana’s son, his face deep red,

His body shining like a golden mountain,

Dwelling always at the root of the Parijata tree,

On him, I meditate; the Wind-god’s son.



Yatra yatra Raghunatha Keertanam

Tatra tatra Krita mastakanjalim

Bhaashpa-vaari paripoorna lochanam

Marutim namada rakshasa-antakam



In all those nooks and corners, where the lord of Raghunath (Rama)* is sung about, In all such nooks and corners is he (Hanuman), With tears flooding from the eyes, Salutations to my Lord Maruthi*, He who saw the end of all evil ones.



Garuda Shlokams
Kumkum-ankita Gaathraaya Kundendu-dhavalaaya cha

Vishnu-vahana Namastubhyam Kshemam Kuru Sadaa Mama

Kalyanam-avahatu Kaamyaphalam Dadaatu

Mishtaanam-avahatu Mrutyum-apaakarotu

Dukhaani Hantu Duritaani Niraakarotu

Gaambheeryam-avahatu Gaaruda-darshanam Me



One whose body adorns the color of Kumkum, one who shines like the bright moon

I bow to the vahana of Vishnu, please bring forth my welfare always.

Bless me with welfare, grant me my wishes

Bless me with bountiful food, make me immortal.

Destroy sadness, remove my obstacles (worries)

Bless me with courage, Hey Garuda, give me your darshan



Kumkumankitha Varnaya Kundendu Davalayacha

Vishnu Vahanamsthubyam Pakshirajaya Thenamaha



One who has the complexion of Kumkum, one who shines like the bright moon

I pray to the Vahana of Vishnu, who is the king of the Birds.



Lamp Shlokam
(This sloka is to be recited while lighting lamp)

Subham Karoti Kalyanam

Arogyam Dhana Sampadah

Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya

Dipa Jyotir Namostute



Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Subham- auspiciousness; karoti – which brings; kalyanam- prosperity; arogyam- good health; dhanasampadah- abundance of wealth; satrubuddhi- of the intellect’s enemy (ignorance); vinasaya- for the destruction; dipajyotir- that lamplight; namosthuthe- I salute thee.



Translation

I salute the One who is the lamplight that brings auspiciousness; prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and the destruction of the intellect’s enemy.



Brief explanation

This prayer is chanted before lighting the lamplight. Light is considered a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity, and abundance in many cultures. Light brings with it brightness, but how does it destroy the intellect’s enemy? The intellect’s enemy is ignorance, which is likened to darkness. Light removes the darkness and makes it possible to see things clearly.



Deepajyothi Parabrahma

Deepajyothi Janardhana

Deepo me hara tu paapam

Deepaa Jyothir Namostute



I salute the Lord, the sustainer of the creation, in the form of this light. I salute this light (the Lord), may He destroy afflictions resulting from my omissions and commissions.



Prabhata shlokam
Karagre Vasate Lakshmi

Kara Mule Saraswathi

Kara Madhye Tu Govindah

Prabate Kara Darshanam



Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Karagre-on the tip of your fingers; vasate- dwells; Lakshmi- the Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi; karamule- on the base of your hands; Saraswathi- the Goddess of Knowledge Saraswathi; karamadhye- in the middle of your hands; tu-whereas; Govindah-the Lord Govindah; prabhate-in the morning; karadarshanam-look at your palm.



Translation

On the tip of your fingers is Goddess Lakshmi; on the base of your fingers is Goddess Sarasvati; in the middle of your fingers is Lord Govinda. In this manner, look at your palm



Brief Explanation
This is a Morning Prayer called “karadarshana”. One begins the day with this prayer. ‘kara” means the palm of the hand and it stands for the five karmendriyas, or the organs of action. While looking at the palm, one invokes the Lord in the form of various deities, thus sanctifying all the actions that will be done during the day. By acknowledging the Lord as the giver of the capacity to perform actions and as the giver of the fruits of those actions, one sanctifies the actions. Thus, one prays in the morning to reinforce the attitude that all actions are performed as a service to the Lord.



Other shlokas
Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havir

Brahmagnau Braahmanaa Hutam

Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam

Brahma Karma Samadhina



Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

Brahma- Brahman; arpanam- the means of offering; havih-oblation; brahmagnau-unto the fire that is Brahman; brahmana-by brahman; hutam- is offered; eva- indeed; tena- by him; gantavyam- to be reached; brahma-karma-samadhina-who is abiding in Brahman



Translation

Any means of offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, the fire in which the offering is made is Brahman, and the one who offers is Brahman. Such a person who abides in Brahman indeed gains Brahman



Brief Explanation

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita (chapter 4, verse 24) and is traditionally chanted before meals. Brahman is the name of the Lord, the cause of the whole creation. Looking at the whole creation as an effect, Brahman is seen as the cause of everything. The effect does not exist separate from its cause. This verse likens food that is eaten to an oblation poured into the fire during ritual. By chanting this prayer before meals, the food that is eaten is offered to Brahman, the Lord.



Namochcharan
Asato Ma Sadgamaya

Tamaso Ma Jyotir gamaya

Mrityorma Amritam gamaya

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi



Sanskrit to English Word Meaning

asato-from unreal; ma-me;sad-to the real; gamaya –lead; tamaso – from darkness (of ignorance), ma-me; jyothih-to light; gamaya-lead; mrtyoh- from death ; amrtam- immortality; gamaya –lead to immortality



Translation

Lead me (by giving knowledge) from the unreal to the real; from darkness (of ignorance) to the light (of knowledge); from death (sense of limitation) to immortality (limitless liberation)



Achutananda Govinda, Namoscharena Beshajak

Nashyanti Sakalan Rogan, Satyam Satyam Vadamyaham



By always chanting the name of the Lord, it will destroy all bad health and disease. What I say is the truth.



Tvameva Mata Cha Pita Tvameva

Tvameva Bandhuscha Sakha Tvameva

Tvameva Vidya Dravinam Tvameva

Tvameva Sarvam mama Deva Deva



O Supreme Lord (deva-dev, Master of all demigods), You are our mother, father, brother, and friend.

You are the knowledge and You are the only wealth. You are our everything.



Om Poornamadah Poornamidam

Poornaat Poornamudachyate

Poornasya Poornamaadaya

Poornameva Vashishyate



That is perfect - this is perfect. What comes from such perfection truly is perfect. What remains after perfection from perfection is yet perfect. May there be peace, peace and perfect peace.



Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha

Sarve Santu Niramayah

Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu
Mas Kaschid Dhuka Bhag Bhavet



Sanskrit to English Translation

Sarve-all; bhavantu-may be; sukhinah-happy; niramayah-free from disease; badrani-prosprity; pashyantu- may enjoy; ma-not;kaschit- anybody; dukkshbhag-one who suffers; bhavet-may be



Translation:

May all be happy. May all enjoy health and freedom from disease. May all enjoy prosperity. May none suffer.



Brief explanation

These are prayers for the prosperity and welfare of humanity. To achieve anything in life, one has to make an effort and await the results. In addition, many unknown factors and laws influence the outcome of that effort. By praying to the Lord, one acknowledges these laws as the natural order inseparable from the Lord, and one acknowledges the Lord as the giver of all results of actions.



Kaayenavaacha Manasendriyerva

Budhyadmanava Prakrite Swabhavat

Karomi Yadyat Sakalam Parasmai

Narayanayeti Samarpayami



Unto Lord Narayana, I dedicate all the acts that I perform with my body, speech, mind, senses and intellect that are born of deliberation and natural tendencies.





Guru Shlokam
Yasya prasaadaat ahameva Vishnu:

Mayyeva sarvam parikalpitam cha

Itham vijaanaami sadaatma-roopam

Tasyaamkhri padmam pranatosmi nityam



He by whose grace I came to know that I alone am the all-pervading divinity, and on Me alone is everything imposed. This knowledge was bestowed right here in this very life, to the lotus feet of that teacher I always love to do many namaskarams.



Saraswati Shlokams
Yaa kundendu Tushaara-haara-dhavala

Yaa Shubhra-vastraavritaa

Yaa Veena-varadanda manditakara

Yaa Shwetaa Padmaasanaa

Yaa Brahmaachyuta Shankara Prabhritibhihi

Devaihi Sada Vanditaa

Saa maam paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee

Nih-shesha jaadyaapahaa



Goddess Saraswati Is All White Like The Kunda Blossom, The Moon, Snow, And Pearl. She Is Dressed In Pure White. While Two Of Her Hands Play The Veena, The Two Other Hands Are Poised To Give Boons, And Award Punishments As Needed. She Is Seated On A White Lotus. She Is Ever Worshipped By All The Celestials Including Brahma, Vishnu And Maheshwara. May This Saraswati Remove My Obstacles And Protect Me.

Shiva shlokam
Karacharana Krtam Vak

Kaayajam Karmajam Va

Sravana Nayanajam Va

Maanasam Va Aparaadham

Vihitam Avihitam Va

Sarvame Tat Kshamasva

Jaya Jaya Karunabdhe

Sri Maha Deva Shambo



Sanskrit to English word meaning

Kara-hands; charana-feet, krtham-done; vak-organ of speech;kayajam-of the physical body;karmajam-born of the performace of actions; va-or;sravana-nayana-jam- born of eyes and ears; va- or; manasam- born of mind; va-or; aparadam- omissions and commissions; vihitam-enjoined acts; avihitam-prohibited acts; va-or; sarvametat- all these; kshamasva-forgive; jaya-glory; karunabdhe-ocean of kindness;sri mahadeva-great Lord Shiva; shambo-one hwo causes happiness, Smabhu-Shiva



Translation

Lord, kindly forgive all the omissions and commissions born of my eyes, ears, mind and organ of speech, or done by my hands and feet, and the omissions and commissions in the performance of my duties, wither enjoined or prohibited. Glory to you, Mahadeva, the one who is the ocean of kindness and the cause of happiness.

Before going to sleep, one ends the day with this prayer. One asks the Lord for forgiveness for inappropriate actions that one may have knowingly or unknowingly done during the day.



O Lord, kindly forgive the wrong actions I have done knowingly or unknowingly, either through my organs of action(hands, feet, speech) or through my organs of perception (ear, eyes) or by my mind. Glory unto Thee, Oh Lord, who is the ocean of compassion.



Rama Shlokam
Neelambuja shyamala komalaangam

Sita-samaaropita vamabhagam

Paanau-mahaa-saayaka charu-chaapam

Namami Raamam Raghu-vamsha naatham



I do namaskarams to Lord Rama, who was the best amongst the great kings of Raghu-kula, who wields his great bow and arrows, who has a complexion and softness like that of a blue-lotus, and on whose left sits Goddess Sitaji, his dear consort.



Devi shlokams
Maanikya-veenam Upalaalayanteem

Madaalasaam Manjula-vagvilaasaam

Maahendra-neela-dyuti Komalaangeem

Maatanga-kanyaam Manasaa-smaraami



She who plays a Veena* of emerald,
She who is tired with activity,
She who can talk honeyed words,
She who is beautiful,
She who is the daughter of Matanga*,
She who is pretty beyond compare,
I meditate on Thee.

*Veena- a musical instrument
*Matanga- A sage of ancient times

Chaturbhuje Chandra-kalavathamse

Kuchonathe Kumkuma-raga-shone

Pundreshu Pashaankusha Pushpabaana Haste

Namaste Jagatega Mataha



Oh, you with the four arms, wearing the digit of the moon,

With raised breasts, whost face is the color of kumkum,

Holding the bow of sugar cane, the pasa, the ankusa and the five flower arrows

I bown down to you, who are the One Mother of the Universe



Eka Shlokam Ramayanam
Poorvam Rama-tapo-vanaadi-gamanam Hatva Mrugam Kaanchanam

Vaidehee-haranam Jatayu-maranam Sugreeva-sambhashanam

Balee-nigrahanam Samudra-taranam Lankapuri-daahanam

Paschaat Raavana-kumbhakarna-hananam Etatdhi Ramayanam.



Lord Rama went to the forest in order to fulfill the promise his father had given to one of his wives (Kaikeyi). In the forest, Seeta was attracted by the golden deer and Rama went after it. At that time, the wicked Ravana kidnapped Seeta. Jatayu tried to defend Seeta and save her, but was killed by Ravana. Lord Rama then befriended Sugriva and killed Vali, the unrighteous. He crossed the ocean and entered the city of Lanka. He then destroyed the city of Lanka, killed the wicked demons Ravana and Kumbhakarna and set Seeta free. This is the story contained in the Ramayana.











Eka Shlokam Bhagavatam
Aadau Devakidevi-garba-jananam Gopee-grihe Vardhanam

Maaya-pootana-jeeva-ta apa-haranam Govardhanodhaaranam

Kamsachchedana-kauravaadi-hananam Kuntisutaa-paalanam

Etat-Bhagavatam Purana-kadhitam SriKrishna-leelamritam



In the beginning, Krishna was born from Devaki’s womb, he grew up in the house of Gopikas. Then he slayed Maya and Pootana, sanctified Govardhana mountain. He slayed Kamsa, ended the Kauravas, took care of Kunti’s sons. This is the leela (?) of Krishna that is narrated in Bhagavatam in the Puranas



Vishnu Shodasha Nama Shlokam (16 names)
This sloka reveals the 16 different names of Vishnu that one must chant when doing different activities in one’s life



Aushadhe Chintayét Vishnum Bhojané cha Janardanam

Shayane Padmanabham cha Vivahé cha Prajapatim



While taking medication remember Vishnu. Consuming food – Janardana

Sleeping remember – Padmanabha, during wedding – Prajapati



Yudhe Chakradharam Devam Pravase cha Trivikramam

Naraayanam Tanur-tyagé Sreedharam Priya-sangamé



At war – Chakradhari, Travel – Trivikrama

Death bed – Narayana, when meeting loved ones – Sreedhara



Du-swapne Smara Govindam Sankate Madhusoodanam

Kaanane Naarasimham cha Paavake Jalashaayinam



Bad dreams remember Govinda, in troubled times – Madhusoodana

In a forest remember Narasimha, In the midst of fire remember Jalashayina



Jalamadhye Varaham cha Parvate Raghunandanam

Gamane Vamanam chaiva Sarva-kaaryeshu Madhavam

In the middle of water (water activities or travel ) – Varaha, On a mountain (trekking) – Raghunandana (Rama). Travel by foot – Vamana, when you start any deed remember Madhava.



Shodashaitaani Naamani Pratarudhaya ya: padeth

Sarva-papa-vinirmukhto Vishnu-loke Maheeyate



One who reads these 16 names every morning will be rid of all sins and will attain Vishnu loka (Moksha).



Ganesha Dwaadasha Nama shlokam (12 names)
Pranamya Shirasa Devam

Gauriputram Vinaayakam
Bhakataavaasam Smare Nityam
Aayush Kaamartha Siddhaye



Every day, I bow down to that Lord, the son of Gowri, the Lord one who lives in the heart of the devotees, blessing them always with good health and prosperity.



Prathamam Vakratundam Cha
Ekadantam Dwiteeyakam
Thriteeyam Krishna Pingaaksham
Gajavaktram Chaturthakam



Starting from here the twelve names of Ganesha are mentioned and he is worshipped in those different forms. The first as the Lord with the curved trunk; second, as the one with only one tusk, third, as the one with black (red/brown) eyes, fourth, as the one with giant structure.



Lambodaram Panchamaam Cha
Shashtam Vikatameva Cha
Saptamam Vighnaraajendram
Dhoomravarnam Tathaashtamam



Fifth, as the one with a big (long) stomach, six, as the one with a huge body Seven, as the remover of obstacles, eight, as the one with smoke gray color



Navamam Phaalachandram Cha
Dasamam Tu Vinaayakam
Ekaadasam Ganapatim
Dvaadasam Tu Gajaananam



Ninth, as the one with moon on the front of His head, tenth, as the foremost leader, eleventh, as the leader of the ganas, twelfth as the one with elephant face.



Dvaadasaitaani Naamaani
Trisandhyam Yah Pathernnarah
Na Cha Vighna Bhayam Tasya
Sarva Siddhikaram Prabho



Any person, who remembers these twelve names of Ganesha, three times in a day, will have all their obstacles and fear removed and will attain success. (This group of verses is said to be sage Narada's offering to Lord Ganesh.)



Vidyarthi Labhate Vidyaam

Dhanaarthi Labhate Dhanam

Putrarthi Labhate Putraan

Mokshaarthi Labhate Gatim



Anyone seeking knowledge (students) will receive knowledge, one who seeks wealth will receive wealth, one who seeks progeny, will be blessed with offsprings, one who seeks moksha shall attain salvation.



Japet-Ganapati Stotram

Shatbhir-masaihi Phalam Labeth

Samvatsarena Sidhim cha

Labhate Na-atra Samshayaha



If you recite Ganapathi’s Stotram, you will reap the fruits for all the seasons and within the year you will achieve, without doubt, what you desire.



Ashtebhyo Brahmanebhyascha

Likhitva ya: Samarpayet

Tasya Vidya Bhavet-sarvaa

Ganeshasya Prasadataha



With the blessing of Lord Ganesha, One who gets this sloka written by eight Brahmins, will be blessed with knowledge and power of learning forever.



Ithi Narada Purane Shri Ganesha Stotram Sampoornam



Thus ends the song of praise of Lord Ganesha composed by Narada.



Navagraha Sloka
(this is a dyana shlokam for all Navagrahas)



aarogyam pradhathu noh dinakaraha
chandroh yasho nirmalam
bhoodim bhoomisudhaha sudhaam sudhanyaha
pragnyaam gurur gowravam kaanya
komala vaak vilaasa madhulam
mandho mudham sarvadha
raghur bhaahubalam virodha shamanam
ketuhu kulasyonadhim

Let us pray to Lord Surya who bestows well-being and health
Let us pray to Lord Chandra to bestow eminence and recognition
Let us pray to Lord Kuja to bestow opulence and prosperity
Let us pray to Lord Bhudhan to bless us with astuteness and wisdom
Let us pray to Lord Guru for knowledge and good judgment
Let us pray to Lord Shukra for graciousness and enhancement
Let us pray to Lord Shanishwara for harmony and contentment
Let us pray to Lord Rahu for vigour and valour
Let us pray to Lord Ketu for progeny, kith and kin

Surya or Sun is the most powerful living God - whom everyone can see, perceive and pray. Though he is visible, he also has been presented in a variety of forms. Lord of this planet is God Siva

Chandra or Moon is a lovable God - Pleasing to the children as well as elders, universally appealing to everyone whatever may be the religion. Goddess Parvathi rules the planet.

Angaraka or Mars is regarded as a God of martial character, red in every aspect. Even the Romans held him as their Guru. He is the Son of Earth and is ruled by Lord Subramanya.

Budha or Mercury is considered as the greatest among the wise. This Devata bestows wisdom and wealth on his devotees. He is ruled by Lord Maha Vishnu.

Brihaspati is the Guru (Jupiter). He results in a cure from ailments and helps one to ward off his/her sins and gives strength, valour, longevity, etc. He grants the boon of fatherhood to the childless, good education (Vidya). He is ruled by Lord Dakshinamurthy.

Sukra or Venus is the bestower of long life, wealth, happiness, children, property and good education. He is ruled by Goddess Mahalakshmi.

Saniswara or Saturn, is generally known to affect one adversely on occasions when he occupies certain positions in one's horoscope. A prayer to him, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate the hardships one will have to face during these periods. Saniswara is considered equally a bestower of all benefits to the devotees who pray sincerely to him. He is ruled by Lord Yama.

Rahu is instrumental in strengthening one's power and converting even an enemy into a friend. He is ruled by Goddess Durga.

Ketu brings prosperity to the devotee's family. He grants good health, wealth, cattle and all around prosperity. He is ruled by Lord Ganesha and Indra



Dashavathara Shlokam
Vedaanuddharate Jagannivahate Bhoogolam Udbibhrate

Daityam Daaryate Balim Chhalyate Kshatrakshayam Kurvate

Paulaastyam Jayate Halam Kalyate Kaarunyamaatnavate

Mlechchhaan Moorchyate Dashaakrutikrute Krishnaya

Tubhyam Namah



The Ten incarnations of Lord Hari are described in the above stanza:

Vedaanudharate – Matsya; Jagannivahate – Kurma; Bhoogolom udbibhrate – Varaha; Daityam Daaryate – Narasimha; Balim Chhalyate – Vamana;

Kshatrakshayam Kurvate – Parashuraam; Paulastyam Jayate – Rama; Halam Kalyate – Balarama; Kaarunyamaatnavate – Buddha; Mlechchhaan Moorchyate – Kalki; These are the 10 forms of Krishna (Lord Hari)





SHRI NAMA RAMAYANAM


1. BALA KAANDAM



SHUDHA BRAHMA PARATPARA RAM

Lord Rama, Who is Pure and absolute Brahman,

KALATHMAGA PARAMESHWARA RAM

Rama, the essence of Time, the Lord Supreme,

SHESHADALPA SUKANITHRITHA RAM

Rama, blissfully reposing on Shesha as his bed,

BRAHMATYAMARA PRARTHITHA RAM

Rama, worshipped by all Gods, beginning from Brahma

CHANDAKIRANAKULA MANDANA RAM

Rama, who adorned the solor race,

SHRIMATH DASHARATHA NANDANA RAM

Rama,(Who manifested as) the Son of Dasaratha,

KOUSALYA SUKAVARTHANA RAM

Rama, who enhanced the (peace and) happiness of Kaushalya (His mother),

VISHVAMITHRA PRIYATHANA RAM

Rama, the beloved wealth of Viswamitra (sage teacher)

GORA THADAKA KATHAKA RAM

Rama, Who destroyed the (demoness) Tataka, the ferocious,

MARICHATHI NIPATHAKA RAM

Rama, Who(also) overcame the demons Maricha and others,

KOUSHIKA MAKA SAMRAKSHAKA RAM

Rama, Who protected the sacrifice of the Sage Kaushika,

SHRIMATH HALYOTHARAKA RAM

Rama, Who gave Salvation to Ahalya,

GOUTAMA MUNI SAMPOOJITHA RAM

Rama, Who was worshipped by sages like Gautama,

SURAMUNIVARAGANA SAMSTHUTHA RAM

Rama, Who was Praised By great Gods and sages alike,

NAVIKATHAVITHA MRUTHAPATHA RAM

Rama, Who(having very) soft feet, was carried across water by a boatman,

MITHILAPURAJANA MOHAKA RAM

Rama, Who was the object of infatuation of the citizens of Mithila,

VIDEHA MANASA RANJAKA RAM

Rama, Who was source of great joy for Janaka’s mind,

THRIYAMBAKA KARMUKA PANCHAKA RAM

Rama, Who broke the bow of Siva (which others could not lift),

SEETHARPITHA VARAMAALIKA RAM

Rama, Who was offered the garland by Sita (in Marriage)

KRUTHAVAIVAHIKA KOUTHUKA RAM

Rama, Who was applauded by all for this wonderful marriage,

BARGAVA DARPA VINACHAKA RAM

Rama, Who chastised the pride of Bhargava,

SHRIMATHYODHYA BALAKA RAM

Rama, Who Protected the Citizens of Ayodhya



RAMA RAMA JAYA RAJARAM

RAMA RAMA JAYA SITARAM (Repeat both lines 2 times)



Shrimad: “ having divine Grace” used throughout text as term of respect

Ahalya: A sage who had been turned into stone by curse of the irascible yogi, Durvasa

-Gana : means “Crowds of “ or Congregations of” … throughout this text

Videha : “Without body-idea “ --- here it may thus mean “Janaka” or “those who have transcended body – Consciousness. Bhargava : Parasuram – the haughty champion of the Brahmins.



2. AYODHYA KAANDAM



AGANITHA GUNA GANA BHOOSHITHA RAM

Rama, endowed with innumerable divine qualities,

AVANEE THANAYAA KAAMITHA RAM

Rama, sought in marriage by the daughter – of Earth(sita),

RAGAA CHANDRA SAMAANANA RAM

Rama, bright as the moon on a pitch dark night,

PITHRU VAAKYA SRUTHA KAANANA RAM

Rama,Who while in the forest literally followed His father’s Commands,

PRIYA GUHA VINIVEDHITHA PADHA RAM

Rama, to Whom the beloved Guha surrendered himself at His feet,

THATHKSHALITHA NIJA MRUTHUPATHA RAM

Rama, whose tender feet were gently washed by Guha,

BHARADWAAJA MUKHA NANDHANA RAM

Rama, Who brought great delight to Bharadwaja,

CHITHRA KUTAADHRI NIKETHANA RAM

Rama, Who resorted to the Chitrakut mountain,

DHASARATHA SANTHATHA CHINTHITHA RAM

Rama, Who was constantly remembered bt Dasaratha,

KAIKEYEE THANA YAARTHITHA RAM

Rama, Who was venerated By Kaikeyi’ Son Bharatha,

VIRACHITHA NIJA PITHRU KARMAKA RAM

Rama, Who performed devotedly (though in exile) His parents last rites,

BHARATHAARPITHA NIJA PAADHUKA RAM

Rama, Who gave his own sandals to Bharata.



RAMA RAMA JAYA RAJARAM

RAMA RAMA JAYA SITARAM (Repeat both lines 2 times)



3. AARANYA KAANDAM



DHANDA KAAVANA JANA PAAVANA RAM

Rama, the Savior of the people of the forest Dandaka,

DHUSHTA VIRAAGHA VINAASANA RAM

Rama, Killer of the mischievous Rakshasha, Viradha,

SARA BHANGA SUDHEEKSHINA AARCHEETHARAM

Rama, worshipped by the rishis Sharabhanga and Sutikshna,

AGASTHYA NUGRAHA VARDHITHA RAM

Rama, who was helped towards greatness by Agastya’s (a sage’s) kindness,

KRUDHRAA DHIPA SAM SEVITHA RAM

Rama, Who was served by the birds king (Jatayu)

PANCHA VATEE THATA SUSTHITHA RAM

Rama, Who lived happily in the edge of the forest Panchavati,

SOORPANAKAARTHI VIDHAAYAKA RAM

Rama,Who was the cause of Shurpanakha’s misery,

KHARA DHOOSHANA MUKHA SOODHAKA RAM

Rama,Who dried up the faces of (killed) the demons Khara and Dushana (“avengers” of Shurpanakha),

SEETHA PITHA HARI NAANUGA RAM

Rama, Who followed the deer that was dear to Sita,

MAAREECHAARTHI KRUDHAA SUGA RAM

Rama, Who caused by his arrows, Maricha’s (a Rakshasa’s )suffering

VINISHTA SEETHAAN VESHAKA RAM

Rama, the Seeker of the stolen Sita,

KRUDHRAADHIPA GATHI DHAAYAKA RAM

Rama, Who was the giver of Salvation to jatayu

SABAREE DHATHA PALAASANA RAM

Rama, Who are the Fruits given by Shabari,

KABANDHA BAAHUCH CHEDANA RAM

Rama, Who cut off the arms of Kabandha (a Rakshasa)



RAMA RAMA JAYA RAJARAM

RAMA RAMA JAYA SITARAM (Repeat both lines 2 times)



RAKSHASHA = Demon (enemies of Rama)

Shurpanakha : Sister of Ravana, (demon king of Ceylon) whose nose Lakshmana Cut off because she was about to swallow Sita.

Shabari : An aged hermitess who had waited for Rama since youth, and kept fruits for Him.



4. KISHKINDA KAANDAM



HANUMATH SEVITHA NIJA PADHA RAM

Rama, Whose own feet were served by Hanuman,

NATHA SUGREEVA BHEESHTADHA RAM

Rama, Who fulfilled the desires of the humble Sugriva (King of the monkeys)

GARVITHA VAALI SAMHAARAKA RAM

Rama, the Killer of Proud Vali,

VAANARA DHOOTHA PRESHAKA RAM

Rama, Who sent the monkey-messengers (to Ceylon),

HITHAKARA LAKSHMANA SAMYUTHA RAM

Rama, always accompanied by Lakshmana (doer of good)



RAMA RAMA JAYA RAJARAM

RAMA RAMA JAYA SITARAM (Repeat both lines 2 times)



Humble: here implies “taking refuge at Rama’s feet”



5. SUNDARA KAANDAM

KAPIVARA SAMTHATHA SAMSRUTHA RAM

Rama, Whom the great monkey (Hanumaan) always meditated on,

THATHGATHI VIGHNA DHVAMSHAKA RAM

Rama, by Whom his journey’s obstacles were destroyed

SEETHAA PRAANAA DHAARAKA RAM

Rama, the Refuge of Sita’s life(Prana)

DHUSHTA DHASAANANA DHOOSITHA RAM

Rama, by the wicked Ten-faced Ravana reviled,

SISHTA HANUMADH BHOOSITHA RAM

Rama, by the good natured Hanumaan praised,

SEETHAA VEDHITHA KAAKAA VANA RAM

Rama, (Who heard), told by Sita, (the story of) the Crow’s rescue,

KRUTHA CHOODAAMANI DHARSANA RAM

Rama, Who saw the Crest – jewel (of Sita) (brought by Hanumaan)

KAPI VARA VACHANA SWASTHITHA RAM

Rama, Whom Hanuman’s words comforted.



RAMA RAMA JAYA RAJARAM

RAMA RAMA JAYA SITARAM (Repeat both lines 2 times)



“His” (Hanuman’s) “journey” : “movements” = his journey to ceylon

“Crow’s rescue: The crow jayanta wanted to injure Sita, hence Hanuman was about to kill the bird, but Sita saved its life.



6. YUDDHA KAANDAM



RAAVANA NIDHANA PRASTHITHA RAM

Rama, Who went to kill Ravana,

VAANARA SAINYA SAMAAVRUTHA RAM

Rama, by mionkey soldiers accompanied

SOPITHA SARIDHEE SARTHITHA RAM

Rama, to whom (the king of) dried up Ocean prayed,

VIBHEESHANAA BHAYA DHAAYAKA RAM

Rama, Who gave Bibhishana freedom from fear,

PARVATHA SETHU NIBANDHAKA RAM

Rama, Who with mountains built a bridge (to ceylon),

KUMBHA KARNA SIRA CHEDAKA RAM

Rama, Who severed Kumbhakarna’s head( from Body),

RAAKSHASA SANGHA VIMARDHANA RAM

Rama, the killer of a host of Rakshasas,

AHI MAHI RAAVANA CHAARANA RAM

Rama, Who pushed down Ahi-Ravana into the nether-World,

SAMHRUTHA DHASA MUKHA RAVANA RAM

Rama, Who killed the ten-faced Ravana,

VIDHI BHAVA MUKHA SURA SAMSTHUTHA RAM

Rama, Who was praised by the gods, led by Brahma (VIDHI) and Siva (BHAVA)

SWASTHITHA DHASARATHA VEEKSHITHA RAM

Rama, Who was seen by the Sky-dweller Dasharatha,

SEETHAA DHARSANA MODITHA RAM

Rama, Who was happy to see Sita (after Conquering Ceylon)

ABHI SHIKTHA VIBHEESHANA NATHA RAM

Rama, to whom Bibhishana bowed (i.e became His vassal) after being crowned,

PUSHPAKA YAANAA ROHANA RAM

Rama, Who travelled well in vehicle called Pushpaka

BHARADHWAJAABHI NISHEVANA RAM

Rama, Who was served well by Bharadwaja,

BHARATHA PRAANAA PRIYAKARA RAM

Rama, Who did things pleasing to the heart of Bharata,

SAKETHA PURI BHOOSHANA RAM

Rama, Ornament of the city Saketa (=Ayodhya)

SAKALA SVEYA SAMAANATHA RAM

Rama, to Whom all His own(relations) submitted,

RATHNA LASATH PEETHASTHITHA RAM

Rama, Who sat on the jewel – bedecked throne,

PATTAABHI SHEKA LAMKRUTHA RAM

Rama, decorated with garlands for coronation,

PAARTHIVA KULA SAM MAANITHA RAM

Rama, by many kings honored,

VIBHEESHANAAR PITHA RANGAKA RAM

Rama, to Whom Bibhishana gave many varieties of offerings,

KEECHAKULA NUGRUHAKARA RAM

Rama, Who showed grace (anugraha) to all (many)monkeys,

SAKALA JEEVA SAMRAKSHAKA RAM

Rama, the Protector of all Jivas (creatures),

SAMASTHA LOKAA DHAARAKA RAM

Rama, Who is the basis (support) of all the World.



RAMA RAMA JAYA RAJARAM

RAMA RAMA JAYA SITARAM (Repeat both lines 2 times)



Prayed: i.e an appeal to Rama to repair damage done when He dried up the Ocean to cross to Ceylon.

Bibhishana : Youngest brother of Ravana, exiled for his devotion to Rama

Kumbhakarna : Second Brother of Ravana

AHI-RAVANA : was grandson of Ravana. Rama “pushed him down” into neither world (MAHI) instead of killing Him.

Dasharatha : i.e after his death, saw Rama, from heaven.



7. UTTHARA KAANDAM



AAGATHA MUNI GANA SAMSTHUTHA RAM

Rama, Praised by groups of sages who came to see him,

VISRUTHA DHASA KANDOTH BHAVA RAM

Rama, Who head (from the sages) of Ravana’s birth,

SEETHA LINGANA NIRVRUTHA RAM

Rama, Happy in Sita’s embrace,

NEETHI SURAKSHITHA JANA PADHA RAM

Rama, Who preserved (ruled) with impartiality His Kingdom,

VIPINA THYAAJITHA JANAKAJA RAM

Rama, Who banished (renounced) to the forest, Janaka’s daughter (Sita),

KAARITHA LAVANA SURA VADHA RAM

Rama, Who caused lavana’s death,

SVARGATHA SAMBUKA SAMSTHUTHA RAM

Rama, Whom Shambuka praised before going to heaven (dying)

SVATHA NAYA KUSA LAVA NANDITHA RAM

Rama, Who got much joy (by meeting) His Own sons, Kusha and Lava

ASVAMEGHA KRATHU DHEEKSHITHA RAM

Rama, Who was initiated into the Horse – Sacrifice,

KAALA VEDITHA SURA PADHA RAM

Rama, to Whom Kala(god of Time) spoke about His divinity,

AAYODHYAKA JANA MUKTHIDHA RAM

Rama, Giver of Liberation to ayodhya’s people,

VIDHI MUKHA VIBHUDHA NANDAKA RAM

Rama,Who gave joy to the Gods, Led by Brahma,

THEJO MAYA NIJA ROOPAKA RAM

Rama, Whose own form if full of luminosity,

SAMSRUTHI BANDHA VIMOCHAKA RAM

Rama, the Loosener of the World’s

DHARMA STHAAPANA THATH PARA RAM

Rama, engaged in establishing Dharma,

BHAKTI PARAAYANA MUKTHIDHA RAM

Rama, Giver of Liberation to devotees,

SARVA CHARAA CHARA PAALAKA RAM

Rama, Protector of all moving and unmoving,

SARVA BHAVAMAYA VAARAKA RAM

Rama, Curer of all world’s ills,

VAIKUNTAALAYA SAMSTHITHA RAM

Rama, established in His home of Vaikuntha,

NITHYAA NANDTHA PADHA STHITHA RAM

Rama, Who lives in the State of eternal bliss

107. RAMA RAMA JAYA RAJA RAM

Rama, Victory to Rama, the King

108. RAMA RAMA JAYA SEETHA RAM

Rama, Victory to Rama, Sita’s Ram



RAMA RAMA JAYA RAJARAM

RAMA RAMA JAYA SITARAM (Repeat both lines 2 times)





“Ravana’s” : “Ten –throated…”

“Lavana’s” : Rama had his youngest brother Satrughna, kill Lavana (as Asura) “His Divinity”, i.e that He soon would have to go back (dying) to his own state as Vishnu. “ ”: Samsara Lit: “Those in devotion – engaged”











Namaavali
LORD GANESHA
OM SUMUKAAYA NAMAH

OM EKADANTAAYA NAMAH

OM KAPILAAYA NAMAH

OM GAJAKARNAKAAYA NAMAH

OM LAMBODARAAYA NAMAH

OM VIKATAAYA NAMAH

OM VIGNARAJAAYA NAMAH

OM GANAATI PAAYA NAMAH

OM DHOOMRA KETAVE NAMAH

OM GANA DHYAKSHAAYA NAMAH

OM PHALA CHANDRAAYA NAMAH

OM VAKRATHUNDAAYA NAMAH

OM SKANDA POORVAJAYA NAMAH

OM SOORPA KARNAAYA NAMAH

OM HE RAMBHAAYA NAMAH

OM GAJANANAAYA NAMAH

OM SRI MAHAGNAPATAYE NAMAH

OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTIH



LORD VISHNU
OM ACHUTAAYA NAMAH

OM ANANTHAAYA NAMAH

OM GOVINDAAYA NAMAH

OM KESAVAAYA NAMAH

OM TRIVIKRAMAAYA NAMAH

OM NARAYANAAYA NAMAH

OM VAMANAAYA NAMAH

OM MADHAVAAYA NAMAH

OM SREEDHARAAYA NAMAH

OM HRISHIKESAAYA NAMAH

OM VISHNAVE NAMAH

OM PADMANABHAAYA NAMAH

OM MADHUSOODANAAYA NAMAH

OM DAMODHARAAYA NAMAH

OM SRI HARAAYA NAMAH

OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTIH

శ్రీ ఆది శంకరాచార్య - ప్రతి సంగ్రహం (Sree Adi Shankaraacharya - A Brief Transcript)

ముమూక్షువులు సంధ్యావందనం ఆచరిస్తూంటారు, సూర్యునికి ఆర్ఘ్యం ఇస్తూంటారు.
मित्रस्य चर्षणी धॄत: श्रवो देवस्य सानसिम् । सत्यं चित्रश्रवस्तमम्॥
మిత్రస్య చర్షణీ దృత: శ్రవో దేవస్య సానసిం।
సత్యం చిత్ర్రశ్రవస్తవం ॥[ఋగ్వేదం ౩.౫౯.౬;కృష్ణయజుర్వేదం
౩.౪.౧౧.౫;౪.౧.౬.౩;శుక్లయజుర్వేదం ౧౧.౬౨]
मित्रो जनान् यातयति प्रजानन् मित्री दाधार पॄथिवीमुहद्यम्।
मित्र: कॄष्टीरनिमिषाभिचष्टे सत्याय हव्यं घॄतवद्विधेम॥
మిత్రో జనాన్ యాతయతి ప్రజానన్ మిత్రో దాధార పృధివీముతద్యం।
మిత్ర: కృష్టీరనిమిషాభిచష్టె సత్యాయ హవ్యం ఘృతవద్విధెమ॥
[ఋగ్వేదం ౩.౫౯.౧]

ఇలా చేస్తుండగా రకరకాల మార్గాలావారు అనగా శైవులు, జైనులు, బౌద్ధులు తమతమ శ్రవంతులతో, భాష్యాలతో సంచరిస్తూ ఉంటారు.(ఇది ఆనాటి దేశాకాలమానాల్ని ప్రతిబింబించటంకొరకు)

శివగురు గాయత్రీ మంత్రంతో స్నానమాచరిస్తూ ఆ సూర్యభగవానుకి అర్ఘ్యం ఇస్తూ ఉంటాడు. ఇంతలో, ఆర్యాంబ, శంకరుల తల్లి, తులసికోటలో నీరుపోస్తుంటుంది. శివగురు తన సూర్యకార్యం ముగించుకుని ఇంటికిజేరుకుని సంధ్యావందనానికి
ఉద్యుక్తుడైన సమయంలో, మృత్యువు వచ్చి, కార్యాలూ అన్నీ అయ్యాయా అని అడిగితే, అయ్యాయి అని జవాబిచ్చిన శివగురునితో ఇలా అంటాడు మృత్యువు "అంత్యేచ సర్వం కృష్ణార్పితం, ఏమంటారు" అని, వెళ్లిపోతాడు.
అతను వెళ్లిన వైపు చూస్తున్నంతలో నేపధ్యంలో ఈ శ్లోకం:
परात्मानमेकं जगद्बीजमाद्यं
निरीहं निराकारमोंकारवेद्यम्
పరాత్మానమేకం జగత్బీజమాద్యం
నిరీహం నిరాకారమొంకారవెద్యం |

అలా వెళ్లిపోయిన మృత్యువు కోసం వెతికిన శివగురు, తన నిత్య కర్మలని ముగించుకుని, తనకి ఆ పరమాత్మలో మమేకమయ్యే సమయం ఆసన్నమైందని గ్రహించి కొంచెం భారమైన వదనంతో అక్కడి యజ్ఞజ్యాలల్ని చూసి, తనచితిమంటని ఊహించుకుంటాడు.
యజ్ఞజ్వాల, చితిమంట - జ్వాల మనిషిలోని మాటని, చూపుని మేధని తనలోకి ఇమిడ్చేసుకుంటుంది అని గ్రహించి ఇలా గుర్తిస్తాడు:
यतो जायते पाल्यते येन विश्वं
तमीशं भजे लीयते यत्र विश्वम्

యతో జాయతే పాల్యతే యేన విశ్వం
తమీషంభజే లీయతే యేన విశ్వం ॥

అతనికి కనువిప్పు కలుగుతుంది. తన పుత్రుణ్ణి పిలిచి, ఇలా చెప్తాడు "ఇదమస్య శరీరం అశాశ్వతం, అహం గమిష్యామి శాశ్వతం పదం". ఇలా చెప్పి మృత్యుని మితృడిలా భావించు అని చెప్పి, తాను నేర్పిన శ్లోకాన్ని చెప్పమని
చెప్తాడు. శంకరులు ఈ శ్లోకాన్ని పఠిస్తూంటారు
"आकाशात पतितं तोयं यथा गच्छति सागरम्
सर्व देव नमस्कारः केशवम् प्रति गच्छति"
"ఆకాశాత్ పతితం తోయం యధా గచ్ఛతి సాగరం
సర్వ దేవ నమస్కార: కేశవం ప్రతి గచ్ఛతి"
ఈ శ్లోకం చెప్పేలోపే శివగురు ఆ కేశవునిలో కలసిపోతాడు.
నియమానుసారం వేదాధ్యనానికి ఉద్యుక్తులౌతున్నప్పుడు "ప్రజ్ఞాన శర్మ" మితృడిలా జత చేరుతాడు శంకరులతో. మృత్యు, ప్రజ్ఞాన శర్మ లతో ఉన్న శంకరులు రెండు పక్షులని చూస్తారు, ఒకటి కాకి, ఇంకోటి పావురం.
ఉపనిషత్తుల్లో చిత్రించినట్లుగా, కాకి - చేయువాడు(Doer), పావురం - చూసేది (Observer).
द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परिषस्वजाते ।
तयारन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्त्यश्रत्रन्न्यो अभिचाकशीहि ॥
ద్వా సుపర్ణా సయుజా సఖాయా సమానం వృక్షం పరిషస్వజాతె
తయోరన్యా: పిప్పలం స్వద్వత్తి అనశ్నన్నన్యో అభిచాకశీహి
[ఋగ్వేదం ౧.౧౬౪.౨౦].
రెండు పక్షులూ ఒకే చెట్టుపై ఉంటాయి. ఒకటి దొరికిందల్లా తింటూ ఉంటుంది. ఇంకోటి గమనిస్తూ ఉంటుంది. గమనించేదే ఆత్మ అని తెలుసుకుంటారు శంకరులు.
శంకరులు తన మితృలను తన గురువుకి పరిచయం చేస్తారు. సరె, వెళ్లి కూర్చో ఆంటారు గురువు శంకరులతో. ప్రజ్ఞాన శర్మ, మృత్యు గురువుదగ్గరకి వెళ్లి ఆచార్యా, నా పేరు ప్రజ్ఞాన శర్మ, నా పేరు మృత్యు అని విన్నవించుకుంటారు,
ఆయన, అబ్బాయిలూ మృత్యవుకి, జ్ఞానాకీ
శరీరం ఉండదూ, అవి కేవలం మీ పేర్లే అని వెళ్లి కూర్చోండి మీరూనూ అంటాడు. మృత్యు ఇలా అంటాడు - అజ్ఞానులు కేవలం నశ్వరమైన శరీరం గురించి మాత్రమే ఆలోచిస్తారు అని.

ఒకానొక రోజున మాధుకరం కోసం ఓ బీద బ్రాహ్మణ గృహానికి భిక్షకి వెళతారు.
శ్లోకం:
निगमकल्पतरोर्गलितं फलं शुकमुखादमृतद्रवसंयुतम्।
पिबत भागवतं रसमालयं मुहुरहो रसिका भुवि भावुकाः
నిగమకల్పతరోర్గళితం ఫలం శుకముఖాదమృతద్రవసంయుతం
పిబత భాగవతం రసమాలయం ముహురహొ రసికా భువి భావుకా:
Ah (aho), men full of feeling (rāsikāḥ) who have a taste for the beautiful and poetical (bhāvukāḥ) on the earth (bhuvi), drink pibata) constantly (múhur) till dissolution (ā-layam) the elixir or sap (rasam) (called) Śrīmadbhāgavatapurāṇa (bhāgavatam), which consists (samyutam) of the nectarean (amṛta) fluid (dravá) (that came out) from the mouth (mukhāt) of Śúka --the son of Vyāsa-- (śúka) (and is) the fruit (phalam) fallen down (galitam) from the wishing tree (kalpa-taroḥ) (known as) Nigama --i.e. the Veda-s-- (nigama)

ఆ ఇల్లాలు భిక్ష పెట్టటానికి తనవద్ద ఏమీలేక పోవటంతో ఉసిరికాయల్నిని భిక్షలా పెట్టటానికి వస్తుంది. పెట్టి కన్నీరు పెట్టుకుంటుంది. అమ్మా!! మీరు మా అమ్మతో సమానం, దేనికి ఈ కన్నీరు అని అడిగిన శంకరులతో, బిడ్డా, నా పతి, మా కుటుంబ అవసరాలకి సరిపోను పదార్ధాలని మాత్రమే తెస్తారు. ఆయన దృష్టిలో "అవసారానికన్నా ఎక్కువ కూడాబెట్టటం మహా పాపం". అందుకే నీకు ఇంతకన్నా భిక్ష పెట్టలేకపోతున్నా అంటుంది.
ఆ భిక్షతో చలించిపోయిన శంకరులు ఇరవైఒక్క పన్నాలతో ఆ లక్ష్మీదేవిని స్తుతిస్తారు (కనకధారాస్తోత్రం).
अंगं हरे: पुलकभूषण माश्रयन्ती भृगांगनैव मुकुलाभरणं तमालम।
अंगीकृताखिल विभूतिरपांगलीला मांगल्यदास्तु मम मंगलदेवताया:
అంగం హరే: పులక భూషణ మాశ్రయంతీ భృంగాంగనైవ ముకుళాభరణం తమాలమ్ ।
అంగీకృతాఖిల విభూతి రపాంగలీలా మాంగల్యదా౭స్తు మమ మంగళదేవతాయా: ॥

ఆమెవద్దనుండి భిక్షని స్వీకరించిన శంకరులు, ఆ పక్క ఇంటికి వెళ్తారు భిక్ష కోసం.

శ్లోకం:

విజ్ఞానవతితం సర్వం పశ్యత్యాంతర చక్షుషా
కరామలకవద్విశ్వం భూతభవ్య భవత్ప్రభు:

అక్కడ చాలా మంది భిక్షని స్వీకరిస్తూంటారు. శంకరుల వంతువచ్చేసరికి, శంకరులు "మీ భిక్ష నాకు వద్దు" అని వెళ్లి పోతుంటారు. ఏమీ? దేనికి వద్దు అంటున్నావు అని ప్రశ్నిస్తాడు ఆ ఇంటి యజమాని, మీ పొరిగింటివారు ఇలా విశ్వసిస్థున్నారు - "అనవసరమైన దానికన్నా ఎక్కువ కూడాబెట్టుటా పాపం" అని, "కానీ ఇక్కడ మీరు అవసరానికి మించి కూడబెట్టారు, అందుకు" అని భికషని స్వీకరించకుండా తిరిగివెళ్లిపోతారు.

అప్పుడా ధనికుడు నిజం గ్రహించి తన సంపాదనంతా దానధర్మాలు చేస్తాడు.

(కనకధారా స్తోత్రం చదివినప్పుడు కనకం ధారాపాతంగా ఆ బీదరాలి ఇంట కురిసింది అని అందరూ అంటారు. కానీ నాకు అది అంతగా అర్ధం కాలేదు. దేనికంటే, నిజమైన ధనం బంగారం కాదు. మరియూ ఆమె/ఆమె పతీ నమ్మిన, శంకరులు వారి పొరుగు ధనికునికి చెప్పిన సిద్ధాంతం - అవసరంకన్నా ఎక్కువ వద్దూ అని. మరి అలాంటప్పుడు ఆమె ఇంటా బంగారం వానకురిసిందా లేకా ఆ దేవి ఆశీస్సుల వాన కురిసిందా?)

శంకరులు తమ గురువు నుండి "సన్యాసం సమభావము, సహిష్ణుత, శాంతము, నిబ్బరము, నిశ్చింతలకు మార్గం" అనితెల్సుకుంటారు. ఆ గురువు సన్యాసాశ్రమం గురించి, బ్రహ్మచర్యం గురించి,
గోవిందభగవత్పాదుల గురించీ వివరిస్తాడు. శంకరులు సన్యసించాలని ఆశిస్తారు. కానీ తల్లి ఒప్పుకోదు.
శంకరులు తమకు తెలిసిన ఒక బ్రాహ్మణున్ని గమనిస్తారు. అతను తన ఇంట కొబ్బరికాయలు దొంగలించటానికి వచ్చిన దొంగకి తిండిపెట్టి, కావాల్సిన పదార్ధాలు, కొబ్బరికాయలూ ఇచ్చి పంపిస్తాడు. ఆ దొంగ చేత ప్రమాణం కూడా చేయించుకుంటాడు, ఇక దొంగతనం వద్దూ అని. శంకరులు ఆశ్చర్యంతో అతన్ని అడిగితే ఇలా చెప్తాడు ఆ బ్రాహ్మణుడు -దేహస్య దండనం క్షణికం, మనో దండనం చిరాస్థయి (*) అని.
అక్కడి సంవాదం
దోంగచేత ప్రమాణం చేయించుకున్నా ఆ బ్రాహ్మణుణ్ని శంకరులు ప్రశ్నిస్తారు
"ఈదశ్య మిదం దందనం?"
"వత్సా!! దేహస్య దండనం క్షణికం, మనో డండనం ఛిరస్థాయి, ఇత:పరం నైవ చోరయతిసహ"
"కోవిశ్వాసహ?"
"సోయం విశ్వాసహ, సచ వైదికో ధర్మ:, ఇదానిం తత్సర్వం శిధిలాయతే"
అప్పుడు శంకరులు "మన నిజమైన వైదిక ధర్మం శిధిలమౌతున్నదీ" అని తెల్సుకుంటారు.

శంకరుల గురువు నిజాన్ని కనుగొనటానికీ అర్ధం చేసుకొనటానికీ మార్గం - renunciation అంటే పరిత్యాగం, లేక విసర్జనంఅని బోధిస్తాడు. పరిత్యాగం అంటే సన్యసించటం అని. అంటే కాషాయం ధరించటం. ప్రజ్ఞాన శర్మ తల్లిని ఒప్పిస్తాడు. ఇంతలో "నచికేత-మృత్యు" అనే ఓ రూపకం చూస్తారు శంకరులు. తల్లి యొక్క అనుమతితో గురువుని వెతుక్కుంటూ దేశాటనకి బయలుదేరతారు.
[నచికేతుడి తండ్రి యజ్ఞకాలంలో దానం చేస్తుంటాడు. "నచికేత" ని ఎవ్వరికిస్తాఊ అని అడుగుతాడు నచికేతుడు తండ్రిని, ఆయన సహాధానం చెప్పడు. మళ్లీ మళ్లీ అడుగుతాడు నచికేతుడు. ఆయనకి కోపం వచ్చి, "నిన్ను ఎముడికి ఇస్తా" అంటాడు. నచికేతుడు తండ్రి మాటపై, యముడు వద్దకు వెళ్తాడు. యముడు అతన్ని మాటల్తో మభ్యపెట్టానికి చూస్తాడు, కానీ నచికేతుడు తెలివిగా యముడి గారడీలో పడకుండా, చావు అవతల ఏంటో తెలుకోగోరతాడు. చావుకవతల భగవంతుడే కాబట్టి, నచికేతుడు మోక్షం పొందుతాడు.]
శంకరులు గురువుని వెత్తుకుంటూ బయలుదేరతారు. ఆయన ప్రయాణంలో ఎన్నో విషయాలను తెల్సుకుంటూ ముందుకి సాగుతుంటారు. చావు ఎంత బలమైనదో తెల్సుకుంటారు, కానీ జనులు చావుని జనులు సరిగ్గా అర్ధం చేసుకోవటంలేదనీ గమనిస్తారు. అలా ప్రయాణిస్తున్న శంకరులు ఉత్తర కర్ణాటక లోని గోకర్ణానికి చేరుకుంటారు. అక్కడ విష్ణు శంకరులతో కలిస్తాడు. వాళ్లిరువురూ, మధ్యప్రదేశ్ గుండా ప్రయాణం సాగిస్తూంటారు. ఆ ప్రయాణంలో విష్ణు శంకరా, సన్యసిస్తే వేదంలో చెప్పినట్టుగా ధర్మ అర్ధ కామ మోక్షాలనే చతుర్విధ పురుషార్ధాలను ఛేధించినట్లేకదా అని ప్రశ్నిస్తే, శంకరులు బ్రహ్మచర్యం తర్వాత ఎవ్వరైనా
సన్యసించవచ్చని చెప్తారు (౨). అలా ప్రయాణం సాగించిన మితృలు ఇద్దరూ నర్మదా నదీ తీరానికి చేరుకుంటారు. అక్కడ విష్ణు నర్మదా నదిలో కొట్టుకుపోతాడు(౩) (తర్వాత మళ్లీ కాశీలో శంకరుల శిష్యునిగా స్వీకరింపబడి శంకరులచే
పద్మపాదాచార్య గా నామకరణం చేయబడతాడు).
त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम्।
वेत्तासि वेद्यं परं च धामत्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरुप।।
త్వమాదిదేవ: పురుష: పురాణస్త్వమస్య విశ్వస్య పరం నిధానం
వెత్తాసి వేద్యం పరం చ ధామత్వయా తతం విశ్వమనంతరూప

శంకరులు నర్మదానదిని ప్రార్ధించి శాంతింపజేస్తారు. అటునుండి గోవిందపాదుల పాఠశాలకు చేరుకుంటారు. గోవిందపాదులను వివేకచూడామణి లోని మొదటి శ్లోకంతో ఆకట్టుకుంటారు.
सर्व वेदांत सिद्धान्त गोचरं तमगोचरं ।
गोविन्द परमानन्दं सत्गुरुं प्रणतोस्म्यहम् ॥
సర్వ వేదాంత సిద్ధాన్త గోచరం తమగోచరం ।
గోవిన్ద పరమానన్దం సత్గురుం ప్రణతోస్మ్యహం॥

గోవిందపాదులు శంకరులని ఇలా పరీక్షిస్తారు
"నశ్వరమైన ఈ శరీరంతో జీవన సముద్రాన్ని ఎలా దాటతావు"
శంకరులు ఇలా బదులిస్తారు
"దేహానికి ఈ చావు బతుకులూ, ఆత్మకి కాదు."
గోవిందపాదులు సంతసించి, "పరమహంసో భవిష్యసి" అని దీవించి సన్యాసాన్ని ఇచ్చి, తన శిష్యునిగా చేర్చుకుంటారు.
శ్లోకం:
स एवाधस्तात्स उपरिष्टात्स पश्चात्स पुरस्तात्स
दक्षिणतः स उत्तरतः स एवेदँ सर्वमित्यथातोऽहंकारादेश
एवाहमेवाधस्तादहमुपरिष्टादहं पश्चादहं पुरस्तादहं
दक्षिणतोऽहमुत्तरतोऽहमेवेदँ सर्वमिति॥७.२५.१॥

अथात आत्मादेश एवात्मैवाधस्तादात्मोपरिष्टादात्मा
पश्चादात्मा पुरस्तादात्मा दक्षिणत आत्मोत्तरत
आत्मैवेदँ सर्वमिति स वा एष एवं पश्यन्नेवं मन्वान एवं
विजानन्नात्मरतिरात्मक्रीड आत्ममिथुन आत्मानन्दः स
स्वराड्भवति तस्य सर्वेषु लोकेषु कामचारो भवति
अथ येऽन्यथातो विदुरन्यराजानस्ते क्षय्यलोका भवन्ति
तेषाँ सर्वेषु लोकेष्वकामचारो भवति

అలా గోవిందపాదుల శిష్యునిగా చేరిన శంకరులు, బాదరాయణ, వ్యాస విరచితాలైన వేదాలు గ్రంధాలు దుమ్ముకొట్టుకుపోయి శిధిలావస్థలో ఉండటాన్ని గమనించి ఆయన అనుమతితో పునరుద్ధరించటానికి, భాష్యం రచించటానికీ ఉద్యుక్తులౌతారు.
శంకరుల సహవిద్యార్ధులు ఆయన ప్రయత్నాన్ని మెచ్చుకుంటారు కానీ, "సర్వం బ్రహ్మ" ఎలా అవుతుందీ అని ప్రశ్నిస్తారు. శంకరులు మృత్తిక ఏవ సత్యం అని చెప్పు, సత్యకామ-జాబాలి ల కధ ద్వారా వారిని ఒప్పిస్తారు.
శ్లోకం:
सत्यकामो ह जाबालो जबालां मातरमामन्त्रयांचक्रे
ब्रह्मचर्यं भवति विवत्स्यामि किंगोत्रो न्वहमस्मीति
సత్యకామో హ జాబాలో జబాలాం మాతరమామన్త్రయాంచక్రే
బ్రహ్మచర్యం భవతి వివత్స్యామి కింగోత్రో న్వహమస్మీతి