Velandy Manohar, MD
Past Chairman of the Board- CT. Valley Hindu Temple society
Past Part Time Priest of Sree Satya Narayana swamy Temple, Middletown, CT
Distinguished Life Fellow- Am. Psychiatric Association
Foundational Truths exemplified in the eBook Sadhana Path
This is the link to my newly published book that I have been working on for 45 years.
Amazon.com: Sadhana Path eBook : Manohar MD, Velandy
There are detailed chapters on our Hindu Temple, Sree Satyanarayana Swami Temple in Middletown, Connecticut. Each chapter provides information about the temple structures and symbolism of the iconography presented by the Deities in the sanctums. You will also find explanations of some aspects of Hinduism including performance of traditional prayers, goals of life, matrimony, and the path to enlightenment. You will also learn about my journey and how I applied these spiritual experiences in my career as a psychiatrist and the advocacy work, I’ve done at the local, State, National and international levels.
You can read this eBook on the Kindle app that can be downloaded for free from the Apple App or the Google Store. You can get details about the services offered by Temple Priests and about the Temple at Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple (cvhts.org)
All the highlighted phrases are transliterated Sanskrit words
I
“Samatvam Aradhanam Achyutasya”[SBG II: 48]
Be steadfast in the performance of your duty, O Arjun, abandoning attachment to success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga
II
Paropakara Punyaya, Papaya Para Pidanam {Subhasitam]
The Great sage Vyasa Badarayana said, “ Paropakara Punyaya, Papaya para Pidanam” helping others is the highest virtue or punya and harming others is papa or condemnable sin. Virtue is the very breath of life even as character becomes the backbone. No act will produce results without virtue.
Matthew 25:40 bestows a similar precept.
III
Dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ, dīyate ‘nupakāriṇe
deśhe kāle cha pātre cha, tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam [SBG XVII:20]
Charity given to a worthy person simply because it is right to give, without consideration of anything in return, at the proper time and in the proper place, is stated to be in the mode of goodness
Similar precepts in Ramayana, Skanda Purana and Bhavishva Purana and in Matthew 6: 1-4
IV
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam. { This precept affirms the worthiness of all life forms– human, animal and plants – and the value of their interconnectedness on Earth}
The original verse of Maha Upanishad containing these words is engraved in the entrance hall of the Parliament Of India. Perfect place for this because Elected representatives of all faiths. of all cultural backgrounds make decisions for all of the people. An Untouchable Dalit person Dr. Ambedkar a Jurist wrote the Indian Constitution.
Matthew 5:23-26, and Matthew 6:9-16 bestows similar precepts. The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount foster this sense of connectedness between all created being and between all created beings and our Creator. Matthew 5:1-11
V
Ātmaupamyena sarvatra samam…[SBG VI, V32]”Sama Darshanam”]
I regard them to be perfect yogis who see the true equality of all living beings and respond to the joys and sorrows of others as if they were their own.[This similar to Christian precept- “Do unto others as thou would have them do unto thee” {Matthew 7:12} and Parable of good Samaritan- “Love your neighbor as yourself” in obedience to Jesus admonishment to the lawyer who asked the question who my neighbor is. "Go Thou and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37
VI
“VAASUDEVAH SARVAM ITI…” [SBG VII:19]
After many births of spiritual practice, one who is endowed with knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be all that is. Such a great soul is indeed very rare.
Prophet Micah offers perennial wisdom in this precept 6:8. Matthew 25:35 and Matthew 25:40 offer us deep wisdom that can sustain our efforts to seek Transcendence on our Sadhana Path from Despondency to Enlightenment
VII
OM TAT SAT SRI KRISHNA ARPANAM ASTU
Om Tat Sat means the Absolute Truth is Eternal. And I offer this prayer or all of my actions in creating this book to That which the Eternal Absolute Truth
I offer my Pranams to my elders [I put my hands together, bow down and touch their feet] and teachers and offer my obeisance to our God, all merciful, gracious and beneficent.
Pranams to my Elders and my Teachers- [I bow down and touch the floor by their feet] I silently offer this prayer. 1.Dhyaana-Muulam Gurur-Murtih, 2. Poojaa-Moolam Gurur-Padam, 3. Mantra-Moolam Gurur-Vaakhyam, 4. Moksha-Moolam Gurur-Krpaa
1: The sustaining source of Meditation is the Form of the Guru,2: The sustaining source of Worship is obeisance at the Feet of the Guru 3: The sustaining source of the Mantra is the Word of the Guru, 4: The sustaining source of Liberation is the Grace of the Guru.
Sadhana Path: I have learned over the past four decades especially that Humility and Grace can enhance our chances of achieving our objectives while trudging on the Sadhana Path while being mindful of how we are carrying out our responsibilities to our family and community around us in some of the most difficult circumstances where everything you hold dear is on the line. Velandy Manohar, MD. My website velandymanoharmd.com has related and relevant posts.