Happy Buddha Purnima!

Belated Buddha Purnima Wishes to all of you! This post is dedicated to Gautama Buddha on the ocaasion of Buddha Purnima!

Budhham Sharanam Gachchhaami

Dharmam Sharanam Gachchhaami

Sangham Sharanam Gachchhaami.

It is said that one of the greatest spiritual teachers of mankind the world has ever seen is Gautam Buddha. Buddha was born around 543 BC as Siddhartha, the only son of Shuddhodana, the King of Kapilavastu. He is believed to have lived a very sheltered and protected life till the age of 29. He was completely ignorant of what miseries and sorrows were all about. He did not know the tragedies of everyday life. One day the prince desired to see the city. The King ordered that the city should be all gay and grand, so that everywhere his son would meet with only pleasing sights. In spite of the preparation, Siddhaartha witnessed some startling glimpses of life- he was shocked to see the harsh realities of life when he viewed an old man, a sick and disabled person and a dead body for the first time in his life. The fourth vision was of an ascetic who looked at peace with himself, which led Siddharth to search for the true meaning of life, renouncethe luxury and worldly pleasures and look for enlightenment. He wandered to many places and ultimately attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya under a 'pipal' tree. Since then he was known as Gautam Buddha or the 'Enlightened One', who is completely free from all faults and mental obstructions. Lord Buddha is considered the ninth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu ('Preserver' in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer).

Buddha Jayanti (also known as Buddha Purnima ) is the most sacred festivals of Buddhists,which is celebrated in remembrance Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. This day is the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. It falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month (month of Vaisakh) i.e. April or May. This day commemorates three important events of Buddha's life

- His birth in 623 BC.

- His enlightment i.e. attainment of supreme wisdom, in 588 BC.

- His attainment of Nirvana, i.e. the complete extinction of his self at the age of 80.

Thus, it is a thrice blessed day. On this day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate these three great events. They reaffirm their faith in the Buddha Dharma, to lead a noble religious life. It is a day for meditation and for radiating Loving-Kindness.

The teachings of the Buddha are solely to liberate human beings from the misery and sufferings of life. According to the Buddhism, sorrow and desire are the maincause of all the evil and suffering of this world. Lord Buddha advocated theEightfold Path consisting of precepts like right conduct, right motive, right speech, right effort, right resolve, right livelihood, right attention and right meditation to gain mastery over suffering. It is only after following this path one can reach the ultimate aim of 'Nirvana', which is the 'transcendental state of complete liberation'.

Buddha travelled many places teaching hundreds of followers. Even after death his disciples continued to spread his teachings. Rich and poor alike were attracted by the simplicity of Buddha's teaching and his emphasis on complete equality of all, a notion antithetical to the 'existing' Hindu caste system. The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka supported the Buddhist religion in the 3rd century B.C. and helped in spreading it far and wide. Sarnath and Bodhgaya are two of the most important pilgrimage centres for the Buddhists. Buddhism originated in India and later, it has gained tremendous popularity throughout the Far East in Asia.

(Source:- http://festivals.igiftstoindia.com/buddha-jayanti/index.html,

http://festivals.iloveindia.com/buddha-purnima/index.html,

http://www.buddhaofcompassion.org/buddha_purnima.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha )

I have always Loved the philosophies of Gautama Buddha, from the time I read about them in History books during my school days. Somehow, all these Four 'Aarya Satyas' (Four Noble Truths:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths) and the 'Ashangika Maarg'(Noble Eightfold Path :- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path ) always attracted me. I used to get surprised to think about Siddhartha, who, in spite of being a Prince, felt disgusted with the riches of a royal life, went for the search of Truth, his determined attempts of finding the Truth, the Enlightnment, the Lessons, the Peace, Calmness in his face, the 'Pragyna' in him- all these have attracted me towards Gautama Buddha from the childhood. Great are his teachings, make us feel so elevated and fills us with Peace when we try to follow them in our daily life!

Lots and Lots of Best Wishes to all of you on this Pious Occasion!

Ramanujacharya Jayanti!

Dear Friends,

We had Ramanujacharaya Jayanti on 7^th or 9^th May (different info given in different sites ), he explained to us the concept of 'Vishishtadwaitvaad'. A Great Seer!!

Here are some links on Ramanujacharya:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramanuja

http://www.saranagathi.org/acharyas/ramanuja/

http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Ramanuja/Ramanuja&vaishna.html

About Ramanujacharya Jayanati:

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/04/sri-ramanuja-jayanti-2009.html

Recently, 'The Times of India' had a special article on Ramanujacharya. An excerpt from that:

(To read the full article please visit:- http://ujalaa.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/trob/ )

The Revival Of Bhakti

By Sangeeta Venkatesh

A guru wondered whether his student was worthy of receiving the 'ashtakshara mantra' that would release him from earthly ills. After much deliberation, he finally disclosed it, but only after wresting a promise from him that it would not be revealed to others. The student pondered over the mantra and the next day, went atop the village temple and announced the mantra to a large gathering that had collected there. The guru, furious, said that the worst hell awaited him. To which the student replied, 'If this act of mine delivers thousands to heaven, i do not mind going to hell.' Thrilled, the guru hugged his disciple. The guru was Saint Tirukkottiyur Nambi and Ramanujacharya, his disciple, lived for 102 years.

Ramanuja was born in a Vaishnava family at Sriperambudur, near Kanchipuram. His own teacher, Yadavaprakash, felt threatened by the clarity and extent of his knowledge and so decided to kill him. However, due to divine grace Ramanujacharya survived. Ramanujacharya was against the caste system. He took an illiterate but knowledgeable saint, Kanchipurna as his teacher. One night Ramanuja invited Kanchipurna to his house. After serving him food, Ramanuja offered to wash his feet. Kanchipurna was embarrassed as Ramanuja was a Brahmin. An upset Ramanuja declared that one who was devoted to God was beyond any social order. Soon after, Ramanujacharya gave up the life of a householder and proceeded towards Srirangam.

Best Wishes for all of you on this occasion.

Shankaracharya Jayanti

Dear Friends,

8^th May is Shankaracharya Jayanti, the Great Seer who explained the concept of 'Adwaitvaad', and also wrote about all the ancient scriptures!

"The 'Knot of Ignorance' in the heart is finally removed, when one comes to see one's own 'True Non-dual Nature', by means of imageless Samadhi" - Shankara.

Here are some links about Shakaracharya:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara

http://www.sankaracharya.org/

And here is a link about Shankaracharya Jayanti:

http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2009/04/adi-shankaracharya-jayanti-in-april.html

Now here is a film, made on the life of Shankaracharya in Sanskrit (this particular upload has English Subtitiles). It is the Most Most Important Spiritual Film ever watched by me!! It has awesome Knowledge and Devotion in it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ePzneq-Wnk

Lots of Best Wishes to you all!

Jai Shri Krishna!

Bhagwan Parashuram Jayanti

Dear Friends, 5th May was Bhagwan Parashuram Jayanti, who was the sixth avataar of Shri Hari.

Here are some links on Bhagwan Parashuram:

http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/understanding/glory-hindu-dharma/parshuram-jayanti

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parshuram

http://sitagita.com/mind-body-and-soul/grandma-stories/parashuram-avtaar.html

Lots of Best Wishes to all of you on this Pious Occasion! May Lord Parashuram Bless you with Power, Courage and Achievements!

Hari Om!

Navadha Bhakti: The Nine ways of Devotion

This is an excellent topic I was thinking to write about for a long time. Recently one of my Dear Sister Vedo from IF posted the Lyrics with English Translation. So thought to share it with all of you.

Shabri Ma wanted to learn more from Sri Ram about the path of Bhakti (Devotion). Thus Sri Ram explained:

1) Pratham Bhagati Santan kar sangaa

The first step to devotion (Bhakti) is to keep company of the Saintly

2) Doosri rati mam kathaa prasangaa

The second step is to enjoy listening to discourses pertaining to the Lord.

3) Guru pankaj seva, teesri bhakti amaan

The third step, is to believe, humbly in Guru/God.

4) Chouthi Bhagati mam gun gaan, karai kapat tajee gaan

The fourth step is earnestly (without hypocrisy) sing the praises of the Lord.

5) Mantra jaap mam dridh Visvaasaa, Pancham, bhajan jo Ved Prakaasaa

Chant the Vedic Mantras with immense faith.

6) Chattha dasa seela birati bahu karmaa, nirat nirantara sajjan dharma

The sixth step is not to react in adverse circumstances, yet act, perform ones karma, like the great ones do.

7) Saatvam sam mohi main jag dekhaa, motey sant adhik kar lekhaa

The seventh step is to perceive the world as God Himself. And believe the saintly to be greater than the Lord.

8) Aathvam jathaa laabh santoshaa, sapneu nahin, dekhai par doshaa

The eighth, is a state (which one arrives at when one travels the first seven steps) where there is no desire left, but the gift of perfect peace. (In this state) one does not see fault in others, even in a dream.

9) Navam saral sab san chhal heena, mam bharos heenya harash na deenaa

In this state one has full faith in the Lord, becomes (child-like) simple with no hypocrisy. In this state, he does not fly high or sink low (but becomes equanimous).

These lines are from Tulsidasji's RamcharitManas. Ramnanad Sagarji used a modified version of this part in his TV Serial Ramayan. Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKGbq6Y0PGI

And the Lyrics from the serial, posted by Shivang:

Navdha bhagati kahahun tohin paahi, Saavdhaan sunu, dhar man maahi.
Now I am telling you about 9 types of devotion to which you carefully pay attention and imbibe into heart.


Pratham bhagati santan kar sangaa, Dusari rati Prabhu kathaa prasangaa.
First type of devotion is 'To seek company of saint people', and the second type is 'To develop love for attending the events of story telling about Lord.'

Gurupad pankaj sevaa, teesari bhagati amaan,
Chauthi bhagati Prabhu gun-gan, karai kapat tyaji gaan.
Third is 'To serve the lotus feet of Guru without any pride/ego', and fourth is 'To sing the virtues of Lord leaving aside all the cunningness/decietfulness.'

Mantra-jaap Prabhu dradh biswaasaa, Pancham bhajan suved-prakaashaa.
Fifth well known in Vedas is 'To chant the mantras of Lord keeping faith on that Supreme power of Universe',

Chhath dam sheel virati bahu karmaa, Nirat nirantar sajjan dharmaa.
Sixth type is 'To regulate senses, to have pure character & nature, detachment from excessive works/ambitions and to follow continuously duties of noble man'.

Saatam sam Harimay jag dekhaa, Hari te sant adhik kari lekhaa.
Seventh is 'To see the entire universe equally staying in Lord and to treat devotee saints more than God'.

Aatham jathaa laabh santoshaa, Swapanehu nahi dekhahi pardoshaa.
Eighth is 'To feel contented with whatever available and not to look at anyone's faults to be one's faults even in dreams.'

Navam saral sab san chhal heenaa, Hari bharos hiy harash n deenaa.
Ninth is 'To follow simplicity and innocence in behaviour with all without cheating anyone ever and to keep faith in heart in all situations with neutrality of reactions in both joyful & sorrowful situations.

Navdha bhagati sabari kehe denhi, Saadar Sabari sis dhari linhi.
Thus, HE conveyed the knowledge of nine types of devotion to Shabari and Shabari also grasped the message like an order of Lord with total respect.

Jai Shri Ram!