Navodaya at the Temple
Wish you Happy New Year 2009!
Visit Hindu Temple of Atlanta on January 1st for the Navodaya Day event between 10A-6PM. Seek Lord’s blessings and Prasadams in New Year. When you are there visit the vendor stalls, kids activities, entertainment and to meet & greet your friends & well wishers in our community.
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SOME GREAT PERSONALITIES- THE THREE GREAT ACHARYAS
1. Acharya shankara:
Shankara was born into a pious and devout family in a village kalady in Kerala. At the age of six, the divine child had accomplished the phenomenal task of composing his first book. Even at this tender age, kings and great men sought to converse with him. At 8, he asked for permission from his mother to take up sanyas (he had lost his father earlier). He traveled alone from Kerala to Madhya Pradesh on foot not knowing where or when his next meal would be. He met his Guru, Govinda bhagavatpada at Narmadeswar.
Shankara with the blessings of his Guru took upon himself the monumental task of writing bhashyas on the vedantic texts such as bhagavadgita, Upanishads and Brahma sutras. His commentaries are an authority to all seekers of Moksha. He went on to compose other original works such as Atmabodha, vivekachoodamani, aparokshaanubhooti, upadesha sahasri and a number of stotras.
He traveled across the country four times convincing people with his clarity on Vedanta through discussions, debates etc., He was an orator par excellance. He established spiritual centres and formed teams to continue his work. He was the first person to start the concept of mutt among the sanatanis. Thus the cultural heritage is being preserved even now. He renovated several temples throughout the country.
By the time he was 32, he had single handedly revived the Hindu culture and brought 75 different schools of thought under his advaitha philosophy. But for his work, Hinduism would not be found in our country. By 32, he had completed his mission in life and he assumed the form of a shivalinga at Kedara in the Himalayas.
Ramanuja:
Ramanuja was a brilliant student who used to point out mistakes in his master Yadavaprakasha’s teachings. Due to the orthodox behaviour of his wife, Ramanuja renounced the worldly life and became a sanyasi. He took over as head of the vaishnavite sect in srirangam after the death of Yamunacharya. He wrote bhashya for brahmasutras as per the vishishtadvaitha theory. He also wrote vedantasara, vedantasangraha,vedantadeepa.
Saint Nambi initiated him to the mantra, “Om namo narayanaya” and advised him to keep it a secret. But Ramanuja immediately called all people and shared the secret mantra. “ I will gladly suffer hell if many people could get salvation by hearin the mantra” he said. Even the depressed classes were given the mantra.
He lived for 120 years and set an order of conduct in vaishnavite temples.
Madhva:
Madhva preached Dvaita philosophy when the caste system was stubbornly practiced in the Indian society. He said one should realize his limitation and surrender to the lord.
Madhva was born in a small village near Udipi and was initiated into sanyas at the age of 12. he urged mankind to be mentally and physically strong.
He wrote commentaries on the bhagavadgita, 10 upanishads and brahma sutras. He left for Badri finally when he was nearing eighty.
VIDYARANYARU
His patriotism and purity was responsible in building the last Indian empire which resisted the foreign invasions. Born in 1268, Madhava was a witness to the attacks by Mallik Kafur on the south Indian temples. His blood boiled on hearing the uncivilized conduct of the invaders. He started a severe penance by living only on water and air to invoke the grace of the goddess. He became saint Vidyaranya and guided Hakka and Bukka to lay the foundation for the great Vijayanagar Empire.
Once the empire became strong, he renounced his position as Prime Minister and took over as peetaadhipati of Sringeri Mutt. He attained Mahasamadhi in 1386.
SWAMI SHIVANANDA
Swami Shivananda dressed to clothe, ate to live and lived to serve humanity. As Kuppuswamy, he graduated as a medical doctor and went to Malaysia. While serving selflessly, a sadhu gave him the book, ”Jeeva Brahma eikyam” which aroused the dormant spirituality in him.
At Rishikesh, Swami Shivananda did tapas along with service. He started the Divine Life Society in 1936 to propagate the message of the Upanishads. This has now grown to a worldwide organization.
Swami Shivananda chaired the World Parliament of Religions in 1953. He attained Mahasamadhi in 1963.
RAMANA MAHARSHI
Venkataramana (who later became Ramana Maharshi) left home when he was 16 and went into the Arunachala in Thiruvannamalai and surrendered himself to the Lord. He stayed in an underground cellar for meditation and absorbed in a trance for 60 days with termites and ants living upon him.
He spoke for the first time after 11 years of silence. Maharshi’s approach which was a direct enquiry into truth, quenched the thirst of many seekers world over. Once a westerner asked him, “what is God”? The maharshi smiled and said, “What is – is God”. He made people think and learn than teaching elaborately. Doubts disappeared in his presence. Upadesha saara and Satdarshana are his most famous works. He passed away on April 24, 1950.
RAMAKRISHNA PARAMA HAMSA.-
At 19, he was appointed as a priest at Dakshineswar kaali temple. He was married to Sharaadadevi. Totaapuri, a reputed monk initiated him into meditation. He remained absorbed in the state of Samadhi for three days.
On meeting Narendra (later known as Vivekananda) for the first time, he exclaimed, “At last, you have come. I have been waiting for you”.
Ramakrishna taught the world through his direct spiritual experience that God could be realized through all religions. He had a unique way of teaching profound vedantic philosophies through simple stories and parables. These are documented in the book, Gospel of Ramakrishna. He left his mortal body in 1886. He was a living image of Godliness.
Swami Vivekananda
The young sanyasi from Bengal showed the world that India was not dead but only sleeping, he burst upon the Indian society like a bombshell to see it awakened. Born in 1863, Narendranath Datta had a sharp intellect with a rational approach which made him doubt any belief that was in practice. He questioned the very existence of God and was in search of a person who had actually seen God. The search ended in Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who quenched his spiritual thirst.
After Sri Ramakrishna, he traveled extensively across India and went to the World Parliament of Religions in USA. His first words, “brothers and sisters of America….”held the audience speechless. He taught the world the Universal outlook.
Back in India, he began the task of rejuvenating the country with youth as the only hope. His clarion call to the youth to work for the liberation of the country had tremendous response. He was “a condensed India”. To his admirers who wanted to give him a gurudakshina, he said,”Love India”. He passed away in 1902.
SADASHIVA BRAHMENDRA:-
Sadashiva Brahmendra’s earlier name was Shivaramakrishna. An intelligent boy, he was physically strong too. Though married, he was not interested in the worldly life. Coming into contact with Paramshivendra saraswati swamiji, he was initiated into Vedanta and yoga. Dipped in Advaitha philosophy, he penned several soul stirring poems extolling the nature of the Atman.
Several miracles are attributed to him indicating the extraordinary powers he had obtained through penance. The fact that Jagadguru Shivaabhinava Nrisimha Bharati swamiji of sringeri peetam penned a prayer on him indicates his greatness (Sadashivendra stuti). His book on Brahmasutras (brahmatatva prakashika), on Patanjala yogasutras (Yoga sudhakara) among many others show his simplicity and greatness.
3.SRI AUROBINDO
Sri. Aurobindo (1871) was sent to England when he was 7 years old with the intention that he forgets the native touch and learn to adopt the western forms. But his love for the motherland inspired him to take to revolution to free India. The famous Alipore Bomb case was the turning point. He was an under trial prisoner in solitary confinement.
This transformed him into a spiritual visionary for India. He realized that to free the Indian psyche is more important in order for the fellow Indians to get the inner freedom.
Retiring to Pondicherry, a French settlement, he chose the path of Yoga and taught the world the art of silencing the mind and freeing it from the constant pressure of thought.
4. SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA
Born in 1916, he obtained a degree in science, a PG degree in English and studied Law. After a short stint as a journalist, he was involved in the freedom struggle and got arrested for his thought provoking articles against the British. He later went to Rishikesh to expose the sages there, but got convinced by the approach of Vedanta and became Swami Chinmayananda.
He established Vedanta Universities in India and abroad and started more than 75 schools. He wrote more than one lakh letters guiding people and started 250 centres worldwide. He trained 600 men and women in Vedanta to carry on the message all over the world. His lectures on Bhagavadgita transformed the lives of millions.
His famous statements are –“Youth are not useless, but used less.” “Youth are not careless, but cared less”. He passed away in 1993.
HOW TO REACH THE GOAL OF LIFE ?
DONOT JUMP SEVERAL STEPS IN REACHING THE GOAL OF LIFE
A scientific and practical approach is necessary to achieve human development in all aspects-Physical, Emotional, Intellectual and Spiritual. It is essential to follow a particular order and by jumping several steps, the achievement becomes difficult, nay, impossible.
The first step is self control (Yama). Then the Niyama or disciplines dealing with practices related to physical and mental disciplines. Asana deals with the practice of physical postures integrating the flexibility of the body and breathing practices- Pranayama deals with the control and regulation of Prana or vital forces. The practice of withdrawing the consciousness from the multiplicity of thoughts and directing it towards the inner self is termed as pratyahara. The development of the ability of the mind to focus and contain a sacred object is dharana.
Then comes the dhyana or meditation which means the continuous concentration on a sacred object. This is compared to the unbroken vertical flow of oil and non flickering flame of a lamp. The nature and quality of the object of meditation is very important. This dhyana leads to Samadhi, the super consciousness.
The systematic approach to reach the spiritual goal of original and normal state of bliss may be summarized as follows:-
- YAMA
-Nonviolence (Ahimsa)
-Truth (Satya)
-Non covetedness (Asteya)
-Continene (Brahmacharya)
-Non receiving (Aparigraha)
2. NIYAMA
-Cleanliness (Shoucha)
-Contentment or happiness (Santosha)
-Austerity (Tapas)
-Study of scriptures (Swadyaya)
-Surrender to God (Ishvara pranidhana)
3. ASANA – Firm posture.
4. PRANAYAMA –vital forces regulation
5. PRATYAHARA- withdrawal of senses from objects.
6. DHARANA- Fixing the mind on a sacred object.
7. DHYANA- Uninterrupted dwelling of mind on the sacred object.
8. SAMADHI- Attainment of the original state of bliss and peace.
Shivashankararao
Sookhi Gobi - Dry Cauliflower Curry
My favorite way of serving cauliflower is this simple stir fry that my mum has been making since ages. Unlike my husband who loves Aloo Gobi, I love this one, mainly because I grew up with this.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
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2 cups of even sized cauliflower florets
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1 cup green peas - fresh/frozen
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2 tsp red chilli powder ( more if you want a bit more heat )
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1 tsp coriander powder
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1 tsp turmeric powder
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1 tsp cumin seeds
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1 tsp grated ginger
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Salt as per taste
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2 tbsp oil
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A pinch of Garam masala (optional)
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1 tsp lemon juice
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Heat oil in a large skillet. When hot, add cumin seeds, when the seeds pop & splutter, add grated ginger, coriander powder, turmeric & red chilli powder. Saute for about 30 seconds on low heat. Do Not burn them.
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Add cauliflower florets & saute until each floret is well coated with spices. This takes about a couple of minutes.
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Add very little water & salt as per taste, & cover with a lid for 5 minutes. Let the cauliflower cook on mediun flame. Keep sauting at regular intervals to avoid the florets from getting burnt.
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Add green peas & mix well. Close the lid again. If necessary add a little bit of water at this stage. Let it cook again.
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When the cauliflower florets & peas are well cooked( This should take about 15 minutes) thrown in a pinch of garam masala & add lemon juice. Mix well.
NOTE: Do Not over cook the cauliflower florets. If overcooked, it tends to get mushy. The florets must retain their crunch
My trip was postponed by a bit & I had enough time to post another favorite recipe of mine. Iam off for a holiday, the day after. I still haven’t started packing & I am happily blogging away my blues, sitting in front of my laptop. I think Iam just Crazy, But I totally enjoy doing things at the last moment, a trait I picked from my husband
Will see you guys real soon.
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