A simple technique has helped me overcome insomnia (as of a week now). I know Vishnu Sahasranama by heart so after lying down I start mentally chanting it. Soon I doze off to sleep. As and when I wake up in the middle of the night I start it again. In addition to helping me overcome insomnia, it has also helped give me additional results like a sharper mind and the ability to handle things with more patience the next day. The only drawback I continue to notice is, eventhough refreshed I tend to wake up after 6 am. I am unable to wake up at 4 am or 5 am, without using an alarm clock.
Monday, December 11, 2017
Sunday, December 10, 2017
What kind of a blog is this!
This (personal-spiritual-diary)-kind of blog, which I started in 2008 when my grandma was alive, is now over 9 years old! Sadly, both my grandma and mother have passed away now. Given my inconsistent nature, my continuity with this blog is no mean thing. Am planning to update here more frequently, in the coming days/years.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Back to GM Sadhana!
The good thing that happened recent times is, after a 3 year gap, I restarted my Gayatri sadhana once again. In retrospect, the gap was quite avoidable. But then, I was under some sort of inner tension, due to not seeing any "visible" results from my sadhana. Many a times, I used to wonder whether I was wasting my time, and whether the time couldn't have been used better in some other sadhana. Then I stopped it altogether! I thought of dedicating the time saved, into chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. In a mail sent on april 24, 2014 to my friend Mohan I informed that I had stopped the Gayatri sadhana and then started some other sadhana like that of Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, which used to give me very visible results from the word go. Well, in the immediate aftermath of stopping the sadhana, I didnt notice anything wrong. I continued with my usual Vishnu Sahasranama and Mrityunjaya mantra Sadhana, along with Aditya Hridayam. However, afterwards some negative events happened, like the loss of my mother. And I felt as though I was missing something, as though I am suddenly getting old, as though I somehow lost that spark, that passion for life, passion for all those wonderful things, which albeit simple, make life worth living! Then I got another job, went to a different place, got kind of stuck there, in a routine, though well paying job. Time just flowed. In this period, I had stopped Mrityunjaya mantra too but remained focused on Vishnu Sahasranama that has always been like a close friend to me. Oh what all things I could write about the Vishnu Sahasranama! Mental recitation of it, many times saved me from life threatening accidents. Moreover, many a time I have felt that, after the mental recital of Vishnu Sahasranama, I always get comfortable accommodation to live in, during my travels to various places. On one of these days I also got the realisation that if I mentally recite the VSN before doing Sandhya Vandanam, I would be able to do the Sandhya Vandanam smoothly, undisturbedly, concentratedly.
How did I get back to restarting the Gayatri sadhana? One day in Bengaluru, while seeking a cure to certain mental issues, I thought of starting the Shiva Sahasranama sadhana. Somewhere I had read that lord Shiva is the praty-adhidevata of Jupiter, my lagna lord. But the next day, as I sat down for the recital, I felt as though lord Shiva was asking me to first do the Sandhya Vandanam. So I again took up the practice of offering Arghyam, and soon afterwards went back to following the full process of Sandhyavandanam, including the full recital of the Gayatri. This was around June 2017 - over 3 full years after I had stopped it. Since then I have been in the practice of doing the Gayatri japam regularly. I also stopped my Aditya Hridayam sadhana, since, despite it's obvious health benefits, since I realised that I was getting into more quarrels and more into projecting myself, contrary to my usual humble and self-effacing manner. I also was not getting enough sleep in the night, since I felt extremely alert throughout the day. Doing Aditya Hridayam sadhana without the supportive Gayatri Sadhana, I started getting some vision issues, like many floaters in the eyes. I think, there could also have been some problem with the way I have been reciting Aditya Hridayam. In the 2009 - 2013 period when, along with Aditya Hridayam, I was also doing the all-protective Gayatri, I didn't face these issues. And ever since I stopped the Gayatri Sadhana, I naturally lost that protection, and developed these vision issues afterwards. That is how I understand it now. Anyway I have now restarted Gayatri and am presently into Gayatri and VSN Sadhana only. Sometimes I recite the Hanuman Chalisa. On weekends I am also planning to recite the Siva Mahimna Stotram and Dakshinamoorthy Stotram. Of course the Gayatri is going to be my pivot henceforth.
Life is slowly limping back to "normal" where the "normal" is a mindset akin to those days before 2011, when I was so carefree, fully self assured and ever contented with my connection to that omnipresent Atman, notwithstanding any external circumstances.
I feel like I am slowly getting back that purity and light hearted mindset of the past! May the divine lord bless me with the right understanding!
Meanwhile, a few lessons learnt are,
1) Reciting the Gayatri after nightfall doesn't help, instead might even be harmful. So if one cannot do the evening Sandhya on time, then it's better to do it earlier than the stipulated time, but never afterwards.
2) Doing the morning Sandhya, around 5 am, after taking a bath, can be really good.
3) Never attend to calls on the cellphone, before or during the Sandhya prayers.
4) Always take a bath before reciting the Gayatri orally.
5) Before/During the GM recital feel as though you are in reality the infinite, omnipresent Atman, pervading the entire universe. That Atman, OMkaaram is Varenyam, the sole thing worth seeking after. Meditating on that glorious Bhargah makes our minds perfect and blissful, cures our mental worries and ills, and destroys all things that prevent from directly perceiving that Atman. That Atman illumines our minds and directs us to joyfully manifest ourselves in the outside world, with total detachment, ever contented, self sufficient.
6) After morning Sandhya worship, go out into to the Sunshine for sometime.
How did I get back to restarting the Gayatri sadhana? One day in Bengaluru, while seeking a cure to certain mental issues, I thought of starting the Shiva Sahasranama sadhana. Somewhere I had read that lord Shiva is the praty-adhidevata of Jupiter, my lagna lord. But the next day, as I sat down for the recital, I felt as though lord Shiva was asking me to first do the Sandhya Vandanam. So I again took up the practice of offering Arghyam, and soon afterwards went back to following the full process of Sandhyavandanam, including the full recital of the Gayatri. This was around June 2017 - over 3 full years after I had stopped it. Since then I have been in the practice of doing the Gayatri japam regularly. I also stopped my Aditya Hridayam sadhana, since, despite it's obvious health benefits, since I realised that I was getting into more quarrels and more into projecting myself, contrary to my usual humble and self-effacing manner. I also was not getting enough sleep in the night, since I felt extremely alert throughout the day. Doing Aditya Hridayam sadhana without the supportive Gayatri Sadhana, I started getting some vision issues, like many floaters in the eyes. I think, there could also have been some problem with the way I have been reciting Aditya Hridayam. In the 2009 - 2013 period when, along with Aditya Hridayam, I was also doing the all-protective Gayatri, I didn't face these issues. And ever since I stopped the Gayatri Sadhana, I naturally lost that protection, and developed these vision issues afterwards. That is how I understand it now. Anyway I have now restarted Gayatri and am presently into Gayatri and VSN Sadhana only. Sometimes I recite the Hanuman Chalisa. On weekends I am also planning to recite the Siva Mahimna Stotram and Dakshinamoorthy Stotram. Of course the Gayatri is going to be my pivot henceforth.
Life is slowly limping back to "normal" where the "normal" is a mindset akin to those days before 2011, when I was so carefree, fully self assured and ever contented with my connection to that omnipresent Atman, notwithstanding any external circumstances.
I feel like I am slowly getting back that purity and light hearted mindset of the past! May the divine lord bless me with the right understanding!
Meanwhile, a few lessons learnt are,
1) Reciting the Gayatri after nightfall doesn't help, instead might even be harmful. So if one cannot do the evening Sandhya on time, then it's better to do it earlier than the stipulated time, but never afterwards.
2) Doing the morning Sandhya, around 5 am, after taking a bath, can be really good.
3) Never attend to calls on the cellphone, before or during the Sandhya prayers.
4) Always take a bath before reciting the Gayatri orally.
5) Before/During the GM recital feel as though you are in reality the infinite, omnipresent Atman, pervading the entire universe. That Atman, OMkaaram is Varenyam, the sole thing worth seeking after. Meditating on that glorious Bhargah makes our minds perfect and blissful, cures our mental worries and ills, and destroys all things that prevent from directly perceiving that Atman. That Atman illumines our minds and directs us to joyfully manifest ourselves in the outside world, with total detachment, ever contented, self sufficient.
6) After morning Sandhya worship, go out into to the Sunshine for sometime.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
The Vision I had, of the lord of Tirumala
The Kena Upanishad states
Tasyaisha Adhesho yadetat vidyuto vyadyutadau iti nyamiimishadaau Ityashidaivatam.
[That Brahman can be described thus : That which is the lightning of lightning͵ which makes one wink !]
Such͵ I feel͵ is the experience of Darsan of Tirumala Venkatesha I was blessed with yesterday. Waiting in the huge hall from 1 pm͵ with free food͵ water and other facilities supplied by TTD Devaswom͵ with entertainment in the form of TV playing mythical B & W movies (which I enjoyed a lot) and finally after 11 hours of waiting͵ around 12 am͵the populace is herded into a queue that takes a long winding sequence of paths͵ constantly chanting Govinda Gooovinda !! in response to a voice heard over the PAS... and finally the crowd madly jostles͵ pushes and pulls its way into the temple of gold͵.. dragged on by the temple attendants inside. And at last ! That glimpse most cherished - of the lord͵ like the lightning of the Upanishadͺ of 5 - 10 seconds duration͵ before you are pushed away so that the rest of the crowd gets their chance. Om Namo Venkateshaya! Govinda Gooovinda !!
Tasyaisha Adhesho yadetat vidyuto vyadyutadau iti nyamiimishadaau Ityashidaivatam.
[That Brahman can be described thus : That which is the lightning of lightning͵ which makes one wink !]
Such͵ I feel͵ is the experience of Darsan of Tirumala Venkatesha I was blessed with yesterday. Waiting in the huge hall from 1 pm͵ with free food͵ water and other facilities supplied by TTD Devaswom͵ with entertainment in the form of TV playing mythical B & W movies (which I enjoyed a lot) and finally after 11 hours of waiting͵ around 12 am͵the populace is herded into a queue that takes a long winding sequence of paths͵ constantly chanting Govinda Gooovinda !! in response to a voice heard over the PAS... and finally the crowd madly jostles͵ pushes and pulls its way into the temple of gold͵.. dragged on by the temple attendants inside. And at last ! That glimpse most cherished - of the lord͵ like the lightning of the Upanishadͺ of 5 - 10 seconds duration͵ before you are pushed away so that the rest of the crowd gets their chance. Om Namo Venkateshaya! Govinda Gooovinda !!
This was an experience from my Thirupati visit on 2016 July.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
To enjoy the prattle of one's children
It is an ironic coincidence that neither the lords Krishna nor Rama were able to enjoy the plays and prattle of their children as babies. In the case of Krishna, according to the story, Pradyumna was carried off as a baby, and returns to the Yadavas only after he becomes a grown up man. Whereas in the case of Rama, his children were born in the forest, and he sees them first as young lads, at an age well able to recite a whole kavya by rote.
Not much different was the fate of their parents too. Rama's parents had to bear many years of separation from him, while in the case of Krishna his parents again had to live separated from him until the death of Kamsa.
In the language of the Jyotishis, isn't it some "family karma" at work!
Not much different was the fate of their parents too. Rama's parents had to bear many years of separation from him, while in the case of Krishna his parents again had to live separated from him until the death of Kamsa.
In the language of the Jyotishis, isn't it some "family karma" at work!
Krishna as in the MBH
Due to the popularity of the Bhagavatham and especially the widely organized Saptahams, many stories connected with the childhood exploits of Bhagavan Krishna are well known to people in every nook and corner of the country. But there are many other stories relating to Bhagavan Krishna, often told in his own words, which give us tremendous new insights into his personality. I give below in very brief words, some of these ..... in hopes that it will give rise to further interest in reading the MBH in original and thereby understand more about this many-sided wonderful personality.
1) He spent 12 years in extreme Tapas in the Himalayas, seeking to propitiate Lord Siva, for the boon of getting a son by his wife Rukmini.
2) After the birth of a son named Pradyumna, he was carried away by asuras even as a baby. One of Krishna's other wives Jambavati, also requested him for a son of great exploits. Complying with her request, he again went to Kailasa and did another 12 years Tapas. With the blessings of Mahadeva, got another supremely handsome son named Samba.
3) It is ironic that these two sons of Krishna, Pradyumna and Samba, became the direct cause of the destruction of Vrishni Race, also assisted by Sathyaki and Kritavarma.
4) Despite his divine nature, Krishna in his human birth was unable to prevent the depredations caused by Jarasandha and his army on the Vrishni race then living in Mathura. Hence to prevent further harm, they escaped to the seashore where they built Dwaraka. Krishna mentions this in detail to Yudhishtira when the latter expresses his desire to conduct the Rajasooya yajna.
5) Krishna and Rukmini had great reverence for the Rishis. Once Durvasa himself tested both of them severely including yoking Rukmini to a chariot with himself in it and then making her draw it like a horse. He also lashed her repeatedly. Despite all the pain and humiliation, they successfully overcame all tests posed by the irate Rishi.
5) Krishna, despite his great strategic acumen, was once so depressed and helplessly led by the manipulations going on between the Vrishnis and Bhojas and Andhaka princes. He sought advice from Narada, who in turn politely blamed Krishna himself for ceding the royal power to Ugrasena, instead of taking it himself, which was the root cause of the machinations.
1) He spent 12 years in extreme Tapas in the Himalayas, seeking to propitiate Lord Siva, for the boon of getting a son by his wife Rukmini.
2) After the birth of a son named Pradyumna, he was carried away by asuras even as a baby. One of Krishna's other wives Jambavati, also requested him for a son of great exploits. Complying with her request, he again went to Kailasa and did another 12 years Tapas. With the blessings of Mahadeva, got another supremely handsome son named Samba.
3) It is ironic that these two sons of Krishna, Pradyumna and Samba, became the direct cause of the destruction of Vrishni Race, also assisted by Sathyaki and Kritavarma.
4) Despite his divine nature, Krishna in his human birth was unable to prevent the depredations caused by Jarasandha and his army on the Vrishni race then living in Mathura. Hence to prevent further harm, they escaped to the seashore where they built Dwaraka. Krishna mentions this in detail to Yudhishtira when the latter expresses his desire to conduct the Rajasooya yajna.
5) Krishna and Rukmini had great reverence for the Rishis. Once Durvasa himself tested both of them severely including yoking Rukmini to a chariot with himself in it and then making her draw it like a horse. He also lashed her repeatedly. Despite all the pain and humiliation, they successfully overcame all tests posed by the irate Rishi.
5) Krishna, despite his great strategic acumen, was once so depressed and helplessly led by the manipulations going on between the Vrishnis and Bhojas and Andhaka princes. He sought advice from Narada, who in turn politely blamed Krishna himself for ceding the royal power to Ugrasena, instead of taking it himself, which was the root cause of the machinations.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Sun worship and the Bhagavad Gita
In The Gita 4.1.2 Lord Krishna says, he taught this Yoga first to Vivasvan, the Sun God.
Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku.
Hence the way to gain knowledge about the Gita is to appeal to and worship the Sun God daily. He is the Prathyaksha devata and also the perfect representative of divine splendour.
Further, in 15.2 Lord Krishna states, - The splendor of the sun, which dissipates the darkness of this whole world, comes from Me.
This splendour can be meditated upon, as the Bhargah of the Gayatri mantra.
I have been in the practice of daily Sun worship through recitation of the powerful Aditya Hrudayam multiple times, along with Surya Namaskaram 12 times, for over almost 2 years now. I can confidently say that the Sun God can be depended upon as the Guru who can throw light on the message of the Gita. I am able to get unique insights into some of the slokas, even without a daily reading habit.
God willing, I intend to make Sun worship a daily practice, throughout the rest of my life.
Already I enjoy other benefits such as
1) excellent vitality and health
2) better memory
3) great self confidence, arising from the belief that God is there charting my way throughout
And many more.
Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku.
Hence the way to gain knowledge about the Gita is to appeal to and worship the Sun God daily. He is the Prathyaksha devata and also the perfect representative of divine splendour.
Further, in 15.2 Lord Krishna states, - The splendor of the sun, which dissipates the darkness of this whole world, comes from Me.
This splendour can be meditated upon, as the Bhargah of the Gayatri mantra.
I have been in the practice of daily Sun worship through recitation of the powerful Aditya Hrudayam multiple times, along with Surya Namaskaram 12 times, for over almost 2 years now. I can confidently say that the Sun God can be depended upon as the Guru who can throw light on the message of the Gita. I am able to get unique insights into some of the slokas, even without a daily reading habit.
God willing, I intend to make Sun worship a daily practice, throughout the rest of my life.
Already I enjoy other benefits such as
1) excellent vitality and health
2) better memory
3) great self confidence, arising from the belief that God is there charting my way throughout
And many more.
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