Velandy Manohar, MD.,
My website velandymanoharmd.com has several related links.
Aa No Bhadraha, Krutvo Yantu Vishwataha
Let Noble thoughts come to us from every side. [ RkVeda] I.18.1
Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”
Nobelist Rabindranath Tagore
“To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower, to hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.” Auguries of Innocence- William Blake
“Hrudaye kalaye vimalam Charanam,
Bhava Sankara Desika me sharanam”
On Thy faultless feet I meditate in my heart,
Be Thou my refuge O Master, Sankara!
Totakashtakam
Totakashtakam (kamakoti.org)
“Sadasiva samarambham Sankaracharya madhyamam asmad acarya paryantam vande guru paramparam”
Salutation to the lineage starting with Lord Sadasiva, with Adi Sankara in the middle and continuing up to my immediate teacher.
“Narayana samarambham Vyasa Sankara madhyamam asmad acarya paryantam vande Guru parampara”
Salutation to the lineage starting with Lord Narayana, with Vyasa and Adi Sankara in the middle and continuing up to my immediate te
Dhyaana-Muulam Gurur-Muurtih
Puujaa-Muulam Gurur-Padam |
Mantra-Muulam Gurur-Vaakyam
Mokssa-Muulam Guruur-Krpaa ||
The Root of Meditation is the Form of the Guru,
The Root of Worship is the Feet of the Guru,
The Root of Mantra is the Word of the Guru,
The Root of Liberation is the Grace of the Guru.
Darshan Do Ghanashyam Nath More… Hemant Kumar - Darshan do Ghanshyam naath lyrics + English translation (lyricstranslate.com)
Dwaar daya ka jab tu khole, Pancham sur mein guga bole
Dwaar daya ka jab tu khole, Pancham sur mein guga bole
Andha dekhe lagada chal kar,Pahunche kaasi re, Darshan do Ghanshyam
When you finally open gates of your compassion
Even the mute starts to speak in highest melody
The blind starts to see, one legged walks to Kashi to offer obeisance
Grace me with your presence, oh Lord Ghanshyam
Finding My Guru Launched The Adventure Of A Lifetime (msn.com)
Lakshmi Seshadri March 28, 2024
My guru, the musician
I clearly remember the day I met my music teacher, Vidushi Neela Bhagwat, for the first time. In between careers, having retired from working at an investment bank in London and with some free time on my hands, I was checking things off my bucket list. I remember singing a verse from a Hindi film song to her in her Mumbai apartment and thinking to myself that she did not seem very impressed. I had no idea that I was about to embark upon one of the great adventures of my life.
It was during one of my sessions with my mindfulness teacher, describing to her the experience I had when I first heard Neelaji sing, that she told me about the mirror principle. In essence, we recognize in others that which we are, not just what we seek. Neelaji’s singing reflected to me that which was in me all along – a love for an elevating form of music. Strangely enough, maybe that is what Gayathri was reflecting back to me – peaceful exchanges that were somehow buried in me underneath the turmoil of coping with teenage anxiety and hormones. After many years of practicing mindfulness and learning to live less reactively, peaceful exchanges are the norm in my life.
All this is leading me to wonder – rather than seek partners who represent our repressed traits, why not recognize those traits in ourselves and hone them on our own? The journey of coming home then is simply looking in the mirror, with new eyes. And this is what great teachers do – teach us to see ourselves in a whole new light. The beautiful verse that Swami Vivekananda wrote also holds for these two great teachers, and all great teachers. After all, they also reflect the divine in all of us.
“Oh Lord, You are the Inner Witness, Please reveal yourself, oh Almighty
Oh Mind, look upon everyone with love, Showing compassion is serving the Lord
Do not go looking for the Lord, Oh Lord, You are the Inner Witness.”.
Your eloquent narrative and especially this beautiful poem you shared brought back wonderful memories from 2022 especially when I was preparing the materials that I was considering to include in my proposed book. These materials were essays and reports produced and shared for about 40 years from the first days of formation of the CT Valley Hindu Temple Society and the through the process of planning and building our sacred Sree Satyanarayana Temple Swamy Temple, in Middletown, CT. I would like to share specific aspects of my Spiritual Journey . Item A.2 is the opening chapter- “The Touch Stones on the Path from Vishad [despondency] to Enlightenment” may be of interest to you because it describes my Sadhana Path and the spiritual resources that guided me and sustained my journey.
A. This is a list of links that represents my spiritual journey. There are eBooks, “Sadhana Path” and the companion book, “The Wonder of it All, Amen.” These books are the culmination of nearly a lifetime of prayer and meditation but especially the past 45 plus years when I was blessed with the once in a lifetime opportunity to organize people and resources to build and grown a Sree Satyanarayana Swami Temple community. At age 10 when I began to read about my lord Adi Shankara Acharya Bhagavata of Kaladi, Kerala in Bhavan’s journal I was somehow attracted to the Advaita conceptualization of the relationship between the Creator, the Jiva [ the indwelling, imperishable Soul] and all Created entities.
A key precept of Advaita Philosophy in Sanskrit enunciated by Srimad Adi Sankaracharya Bhagavata : “Brahman Satyam, Jagat Mithyam, Jivo Brahmaiva Na Parah!” Srimad Adi Sankara acharya has used three orders of realities in his explanation of Advaita-Vedänta - i) prätibhäshika (ii) vyävahärika (iii) päramärthika. This has already been discussed. The appearance of the snake on the rope, or the objects seen in the dream-state, which is negated in waking-state, belongs to prätibhäshika - subjective reality. Before knowledge of Brahman/Ätmä, whatever appears as real, and wherein transaction is possible, is vyävahärika - objective reality. And Nirguna-Brahman from whom Ätmä is non-different, that can never be negated is päramärthika - absolute reality.
Thus, the jagat has some kind of reality that is neither prätibhäshika, nor päramärthika. Therefore, while trying to understand the mithyätvam of the jagat, one should not lose sight of this vyävahärika reality. That this jagat is not real, is the purport of the doctrine of jagat-mithyä.
1. Book Promotion 2023 (velandymanoharmd.com) This offers brief sketches on both the Books. A. “Sadhana Path” and its companion book, B. “ The Wonder of it All, Amen” The website of the Temple is cvhts.org. The temple structures are the subject matter of my first book. Both these books have been issued Certificates by the US Copyright Office in 2023.
Our Sree Satyanarayana Swamy Temple structures we planned and constructed on Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT opposite the Middlesex Community College are the subject matter of my first book -Sadhana Path. One of the sections in my eBook-Sadhana Path includes documentation of the generous response of the Tirupathi Temple. I was sent a cheque after they chose to publish a few of my essays on the Deities we had installed in our Temple including Lord Venkateswara entitled “Tirumalai Balaji.” There is another important reference to the spiritually infused and informed clinical work I have been doing for decades. Mr. Joe O’Donnell in the 5th Chapter of his Honors thesis at Wesleyan University- The God Solution: Spirituality as a Coping Mechanism and Healing Tool for Mental Illness and Addiction | Digital Collections (wesleyan.edu).
One of my primary goals in writing this book was to provide everyone the access to the photos of each of Deities installed in our Temple and achieve the benefits of Darshan. I have also provided prayers to each of the deities. Regardless of whether one chose to mediate and chant the prayers of their choice they could choose to chant the prayers I have provided wherever and whenever they are able to seek darshan. It makes very happy to learn people have the eBook Sadhana Path on their Smartphones and do what they are wont to do to inform themselves of various aspects of Santana Dharma.
2. https://www.velandymanoharmd.com/TempleBookTouchstonesonthepathfromdespondencytoliberationandTranscendence.en.html.
This is from the opening chapter of “Sadhana Path”–“ The Touchstones on the Path from Despondency to Enlightenment. The Pupil Arjuna went from Vishad at the end of First Discourse to the realization of Moksha [Salvation form and end of cycle of births and deaths] at the end of the Eighteenth Discourse in the text of the Bhagavad Gita. This provides the structure for my own Sadhana Path as I worked during past 6 decades, towards personal enlightenment and contributing what I can to advancing the public good. The last chapter and appendix section describes and documents my contributions to the public good while I worked on my own spiritual development.
3. Foundational Truths exemplified in the eBook Sadhana Path (velandymanoharmd.com)
4. The Wonder of It All, Amen (velandymanoharmd.com) This is the whole Companion book focused on promoting Inter- faith awareness and sustaining discussions about Spiritual traditions around the world.
Your spiritual journey and this evocative, inspiring poem resonated with many other major spiritual resources.
B. Moko kahan Dhundhe Re Bande- “Mey Tere Pas me.”
Moko Kahaan Dundhe Re Bande - Lyrics English Meaning/Translation - New Sense (chandrahasa.com) Good meaning
Moko kahan dhunde re bande -- Kabir Bhajan -- Pt Ajoy Chakrabarty -- Mayar Madhuri 2012 - YouTube. This rendition of poojya Kabir Das Ji’s wonderful composition has offered me mush support and is a source of inspiration.
The Words of this beautiful song composed by poojya Kabir das Ji, “Moko Kahan Dhundo Re Bande”
“I am always with you
Not in prayers, nor in meditation
Neither in fasting
Not in yogic exercises
Neither in renunciation
Neither in the soul, nor in the body
Not even in the infinite space
Seek earnestly and you will discover me
In but a moment of search
Listen with care, says Kabir
Where your faith is, I am there.”
C. Jheeni Jheeni Bheeni Chadariyaa
Jheeni Jheeni Bheeni Chadariyaa-The Divine Weaving by Kabir Das Ji (spiritualitypedia.com)
Jheeni Jheeni Bheeni Chadariyaa-The Divine Weaving by Kabir Das Ji (spiritualitypedia.com)
“Jheeni Jheeni Bheeni Chadariyaa.
kah ke Tana, kah ke Bharni,
Kaun Taar se Bheeni Chadariyaa
Ingla Pingla Taana Bharni,
Sushumna Taar se Bheeni Chadariyaa.
Ashta kamal Dal Charkha Doley,
Paanch Tatvaa, Gun Tini chadariya
Saiin ko siyat maas duss laagey,
Thonk-Thonk ke Bheeni Chadariya.
So Chaadar Sur, Nar Muni odhi,
odhi ke Mailee keeni Chadariya
Daas Kabir Jatan Kari odhi,
Jyon ki Tyon Dhar Deeni Chadariya.”
“The body is compared to a fabric sheet, and the three important pulses in the body, Ida, Pingala and Sushumna, are like the warp, filling and wire used in weaving cloth.
The body has eight chakras, five elements and three gunas, and the character of a person is determined by the effect of these qualities. The ultimate truth is attained when the energy flows upwards, and all the chakras rise upwards like lotuses.
The body is made up of a gross and subtle body, and it takes ten months for the divine to weave it. However, the body is polluted by the enjoyment and renunciation of deities, sages, and ordinary humans. Kabir Das ji advises to be aware of the value of the body and to live with awareness to preserve.”
Spiritual meaning
“Kabir Das ji has conveyed profound wisdom in this verse, with each word holding significant meaning. “Jhini-jhini bini chadariya” suggests that the creator has crafted our bodies with utmost precision and awareness.
Therefore, the more we live with mindfulness, the more we can perceive the intricacies of life. By cultivating subtlety in our perception, we become more awakened. This life is fragile, and the more we recognize its delicate nature, the more intimately we can comprehend its essence.
The ultimate truth is revealed when the lotus blooms in full glory. The Vedas refer to this state as Urdhvaretas. When a person becomes Urdhvaretas, their energy rises upwards, and all the lotuses bloom upwards. While some people count seven, eight, nine, or eleven kavalas, the significance of the chakras lies in understanding them properly, not in the counting of their numbers.
This physical form is composed of a gross and subtle body, meticulously woven by the divine over a ten-month period. Despite the care and attention put into its creation, many fail to recognize its inherent value.
According to Kabir Saheb Ji, this body, fashioned by nature, has been tainted by the influences of Sur (heavenly beings), Nar (ordinary humans), and Muni (renunciates). Deities spoil themselves through indulgence, while sages do so through abstention.
As for humans, they are caught in a constant state of flux, alternating between renunciation and enjoyment throughout the day. A Bhogi is someone who has become so enmeshed in their desires that there is no longer any separation between them and their cravings. Tyagi and Bhogi are two sides of the same coin, each seeking what the other has. This perpetual longing is why even renunciates the dream of pleasure.
In the end, Kabir Saheb Ji asserts that both Tyagi and Bhogi ultimately destroy their chadariya, or sheet of purity.”
D. Maneesha Panchakam Composed by Srimad Adi Shankaracharya Bhagavata.
Maneesha Panchakam (youtube.com) Chanting of the full divinely inspired Composition of My Lord Adi Shankara Acharya Bhagavata. Chanting Maneesha Panchakam Mantras diligently, systematically with full concentration will lead you to a state of complete positive energy, and this will allow your body to regain its natural state. Chanting these Mantras allows you to reconnect with the spiritual world from which you emerged."
Manisha Panchakam Lyrics in English With Meaning (templesinindiainfo.com)
4 Maha Vakyas from the four Vedas are explored in the Maneesha Panchakam.
Manisha Panchakam Lyrics in English With Meaning (templesinindiainfo.com)
“If one is convinced firmly, that he is that very Soul which manifests itself in all the conditions of sleep, wakefulness and dream, in all the objects from the great Brahma (the creator) to the tiny ant and which is also the vibrant, but invisible, witnesser of all, then as per my clear conclusion, he is the great teacher/preceptor, be he a twice-born (i.e higher castes) or an outcast 1.
If one is convinced firmly, that he is that very Soul which manifests itself in all the conditions of sleep, wakefulness and dream, in all the objects from the great Brahma (the creator) to the tiny ant and which is also the vibrant, but invisible, witnesser of all, then as per my clear conclusion, he is the great teacher/preceptor, be he a twice-born (i.e. higher castes) or an outcast 2.
I am convinced that whoever has his mind dwelling upon the Great Being who is being worshipped by Indra and other gods and is thus completely at peace with himself has not only understood Brahman, but he is himself that great Brahman! 4
Oh Lord ! In the form of body, I am your servant. In the form of life, O three-eyed one, I am part of yourself. In the form of soul, you are within me and in every other soul. I have arrived at this conclusion through my intellect and on the authority of the various scriptures. 6.”
E. Atma Shatakam
Atma-Shatakam by Adi Shankaracharya (youtube.com) This is a wonderful rendition of this divinely composition by Srimad Adi Shankara Acharya Bhagavata
Atma-Shatakam / Nirvana Shatakam The Song of the Self by Adi Shankara 788-820 CE
Atma Shatakam of Adi Shankara | The Song of Self-Realization | Technology of the Heart (techofheart.com)
“I am all embracing,
without any attributes, without any form.
I have neither attachment to the world,
nor to liberation.
I have no wishes for anything
because I am everything,
everywhere, every time,
always in equilibrium.
I am indeed, That eternal knowing and bliss,
That unfathomable grace.
One who knows himself, knows his Lord.
This is a very high stage of meditation on the true nature of self, which is not graspable by the mind alone or intellectualization of philosophies. Mind is like a horse that can only take us up to the door of the King's Palace, but to enter there, the horse (mind) must be left out. The grand door of the palace only opens to those who are loved by the King by their love for the King (God loves them and they love God, as hints the Final Testament). May our self-realization be accepted and sanctified and may that door of the gardened Palace of the Eternal King be opened to us. So be it.”
F. I have found this poem by Nobelist Rabindranath Tagore from Th Gitanjali to especially uplifting, inspiring and affirming in various moments in my Spiritual Journey.
Where The Mind Is Without Fear by Rabindranath Tagore - Famous poems, famous poets. - All Poetry
Where the mind is without fear:
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
“It reflects Tagore’s vision of a new and awakened India, free from fear and oppression, and is a prayer to the Almighty for the country’s enlightenment and progress.
This poem, written in the early 20th century, reflects the political and social struggles of India during the period of British rule. The poet envisions a nation where intellectual freedom, unity, and the pursuit of knowledge are valued. It emphasizes the importance of breaking down barriers and embracing diversity, fostering a society where individuals can strive for perfection without hindrance.”
G.
These are some of thoughts that were evoked by your informative, inspiring and very helpful story about your Sadhana path.
1.
Om Saha Nau-Avatu | Saha Nau Bhunaktu | Saha Viiryam Karava-Avahai |
Tejasvi Nau-Adhii-Tam-Astu Maa Vidviss-Aavahai |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Om, May God Protect us Both (the Teacher and the Student), May God Nourish us Both,
May we Work Together with Energy and Vigor, May our Study be Enlightening, not giving rise to Hostility,
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
2.
Om asato ma sadgamaya
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
Mrtyor ma amrtam gamaya
Om shanti, shanti, shantihi.
Asato ma Sadgamaya, Tamaso ma Jyotirgamaya, Mrtyor ma Amritam Gamaya.” Shanti Mantra from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad I:3;28
O Lord lead me from the phenomenal world of Unreality to the Eternal, from the darkness of Ignorance to enlightenment from Spiritual understanding, from the of Mortality, attachment to material objects, lead thou me to the state of immortality emerging from self-realization. Om Asato Ma Sadgamaya - In sanskrit with meaning (greenmesg.org)
3.
Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam Poornnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate
Puurnnashya Puurnnam-Aadaaya Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Thou art the fullness. Fullness is present over there and, here too there is fullness. From that fullness, this fullness is born. When you remove this fullness from that fullness, fullness alone remains.”[I have made my edits to improve the flow of the English rendition of the context and content of the Mantra from my study and lived experience. VM]
4.
Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini,
Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Swaha Swadha Namostute.
Om. She Who Conquers Over All,
All-Auspicious,
The Remover of Darkness,
The Excellent One Beyond Time,
The Bearer of the Skulls of impure thought,
The Reliever of difficulties,
Loving, Forgiveness,
Supporter of the Universe,
may You accept the oblations of the devotee,
may You the oblations of ancestral praise,
We bow to You.
5.
Aparadha sahasrani kriyanthe aaharnisam maya,
Daso aayamithi maam mathwa kshamaswa parameshwari
O! great Goddess, I commit thousands of offences routinely,
So please think of me as your slave and please pardon me.
6.
The entire Shiva Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram composed by Adi Sankaracharya Bhagavata is an important prayer to center one self and sustain our spiritual Journey.
Chinmaya Publications. Sivaparadha Kshamapana Stotram (Forgive Me) Eng
In verses VIII and XI these pleas resonates deeply as does the text of the entire Shiva aparadham Kshamapana Stotram
a. Verse VIII.
The last line reads:
“…Kshantavyo me Aparadha Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, bhoh Sri Mahadev Sambho.”
b. Verse XI
The last line reads.
Tasmanamaam Sharanagatam sharanada tvam raksha rakshadhuna
c. Verse XII
Kara-Caranna Krtam Vaak-Kaaya-Jam Karma-Jam Vaa |
Shravanna-Nayana-Jam Vaa Maanasam Va-Aparaadham |
Vihitam-Avihitam Vaa Sarvam-Etat-Kssamasva |
Jaya Jaya Karunna-Abdhe Shrii-Mahaadeva Shambho ||
Whatever Sins have been Committed by Actions Performed by my Hands and Feet, Produced by my Speech and Body, Or my Works,
Produced by my Ears and Eyes, Or Sins Committed by my Mind (i.e. Thoughts),
While Performing Actions which are Prescribed (i.e. duties prescribed by tradition or allotted duties in one's station of life), As Well as All other Actions which are Not explicitly Prescribed (i.e. actions done by self-judgement, by mere habit, without much thinking, unknowingly etc.); Please Forgive Them All,
Victory, Victory to You, O Sri Mahadeva Shambho, I Surrender to You, You are an Ocean of Compassion
7
sivananda lahari by kamala chidambaram - Biblio.com This is the commentary I was blessed to create and share in 2022. Dharma - Shiva Ananda Lahari Commentary (velandymanoharmd.com).
I refer to pages and verses from Dr. Kamala Chidambaram’s illuminating inspiring masterpiece.
a. Page 1 and 2: Verse 1, Maya Devi is a consort of Lord Shiva, but she resists devotees disappearing into the Ananda saga and losing their individual identities and drive to offer transaction worship of a devoted bhakta.
So, for the Bhakta to find a way to get beyond the distracting effects of the razzle -dazzle Maya Devi can proliferate effortlessly prayers must be offered to both Devi and Ishwara. Jagat Guru Sri Shankaracharya, in the first of the100 verses offers obeisance to both Shiva and Parvati together as one. The Jagat Guru seeks their permission to take the bhaktas who wish to pursue their devotion in the Ocean of Bliss. The Lord and the Guru are so compassionate that without any reservation wants the devoted bhakta whether he is at the lowest rungs of bhakti or the highest to continue to evolve and try to get liberated as best as they can. Durjana sajjana Bhooyaath… “Verse 1: “I offer prostration to Shiva and Parvati…
b.1. Page 6,7 and 8, V 3: “Sad Eva Shubham edam agre aasith”
Lord Shiva is the SAT principle which was present before the creation of anything, and He was thus before the unmanifested and manifested worlds and before the cause for these two which is Maya.
To one who has gained the knowledge of Brahman there is no otherness, and his desires are burnt down- like the burning of Kama [Ablation of desire] by the rays from third eye. The two of the three eyes of Lord Shiva represent the Sun and Moon and it is outwardly directed. The sight from these eyes differentiates one from another. The third integrates these perceptions in a different way and makes one aware of the presence of one Brahman in everything in the universe.
8.
sharadapeetham
Sri Adi Shankaracharya Ashtotra Shatanamavali Rendered by Smt. Sharada Ramanan at Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Kalady, Kerala.
shrI-Adi-sha~NkarAchArya-aShTottara-shatanAmAvaliH - Sri Sringeri Sharada PeethamSri Sringeri Sharada Peetham
1. There are several names that are very appealing and goes to core of the search for the Ultimate through life addressing all the challenges from every direction. I have documented some of these in my eBook Sadhana Path especially in the opening Chapter The Touchstones on the Path from Despondency to Enlightenment; https://www.velandymanoharmd.com/TempleBookTouchstonesonthepathfromdespondencytoliberationandTranscendence.en.html and in these chapters: Awards and Contributions, Guideposts, Milestones, Affirmations , About the Author. These are a few from among the many ennobling phrases that rose from the pages and touched me: Ajñānatimirādityāya namaḥ[3]. Sūkṣmatattvarahasyajñāya namaḥ 10. Satyātmane namaḥ 46,Puṇyaśīlāya namaḥ 47. SrīBrahmasūtropaniṣadbhāṣyādigranthakalpakāya namaḥ 84, Saundaryalaharīmukhyabahustotravidhāyakāya namaḥ96. I add this during my prayers; Sivaanada Lahari mukhyabhaustotravidhayakaya namah, Brahmarākṣasamokṣadāya namaḥ 98,and these 4 blessed phrases, Advaitasthāpanācāryāya namaḥ16, Sākṣācchaṅkararūpadhṛte namaḥ17, Jagad pūjyāya namaha 107 Jagadgurave namaḥ 108. . Srīmacchaṅkarabhagavatpādācāryasvāmine namaḥ .
9.
Sree Bhagavad Gita Arati
Gita Aarti and 2 youth - Krishna Murari Bhajans (wordpress.com)
Each of the seven verses provides great truths that can hold us up, when we are weary, inspire, and nourish us, educate and guide us during our all-out efforts to achieve our goals along the long winding and sometimes tortuous paths we have chosen to get through periods of Despondency [ Vishad ] experience moments of transcendence and glimpses flashes of Enlightenment while experience Liberation as envisaged by my Lord Adi Sankara Acharya Bhagavata in his Nirvana Shatakam and Shivananda Lahari. This Arati prayer outlines the Sadhana Path of a deeply committed devotee.
Verse 2: Enlightener of all the secrets of action, Remover of all attachment to desires, Enlightener of intuitional knowledge Thou art knowledge of Brahman itself.
Verse 4: Remover of all likes and dislikes, Giver of happiness and bliss always, Dispeller of all fear of birth and death, Thou who helps us to cross (the ocean of samsara), Giver of supreme bliss.
Verse 5: Destroyer of all sorts of demonical thoughts, Dispeller of darkness, giver of divine qualities and divine vision, The beloved of Lord Hari, in whom He rejoices.
Verse 6: Bestower of equanimity and the spirit of renunciation, Thou art the very words which come out of Lord Hari’s mouth. Repository of all scriptures, Queen of all the Vedas
10.a.
“Durjanah Sajjano Bhooyaath, Sajjanah Shantim Aapnuyaath
Shaanto Moochyeth Bandebhyo, Muktaascha anyaan vimochyet.”
May the wicked become virtuous, May the virtuous attain tranquility. May the Tranquil be free from bonds. May the liberated help undo the bonds of others
10.b.
Om Sarvesham Swastirbhavatu - In sanskrit with meaning (greenmesg.org)
Om Sarveshaam Svastir-Bhavatu |
Sarveshaam Shaantir-Bhavatu |
Sarveshaam Puurnnam-Bhavatu |
Sarveshaam Manggalam-Bhavatu |
Om Shaantih, Shaantih, Shaantih ||
Loka samastha Sukhino Bhavantu, Sarve Janana Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shaantih, Shaantih, Shaantih ||
May there be Well-Being in All, May there be Peace in All, May there be Fulfilment in All,
May there be Auspiciousness in All, May all the World be blessed with comfort and joy happy,
May all of Humanity be blessed with comfort and joy. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
Om Tat Sat Sarvam Sree Krishna Arpanam Astu
11.a.
Anaadi nidhanam Vishnum sarvaloka maheswaram ।
Lokadhyaksham stuvannityam sarvadhuhkhatigo bhavet।। Vishnu Sahasranam Stotram.
“By always praising the all-pervading Vishnu, who is without beginning or end, who is the Supreme Lord of all the Worlds, and who is the Eternal controller of the Universe, one gets beyond all grief.
Our Body, Mind and Spirit can be prepared to fully engage in the processes of imbibing gradually and assimilating the nourishment that God bestows on us when we seek His Grace by striving to better serve Him and His Creation by listening to Chanting these Stotram:
11.b.
A sloka from Guru Paduka Stotram offered by Adi Sankara Acharya to his Blessed Guru Govinda Bhagavad Pada
i. Salutations and salutations to the sandal of the Guru, Which is the water in the lake that washes and cleans, The stained knowledge created by false arguments, Which is not dependent on any other thing, And which is depended upon by every other thing.
ii. Salutations and salutations to the sandal of the Guru, Which provides shade, which is very cool, To those burnt by the three types of sufferings, And which has assumed protection of those affected, By dangers as its primary duty.
A sloka from second Stotram composed by Adi Sankara Acharya paying obeisance to one’s Guru:
iii. Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru, Which is the Garuda, which drives away the serpent of passion, Which provides one, with the treasure of wisdom and renunciation, Which blesses one with enlightened knowledge, And blesses the aspirant with speedy salvation.
iv. Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru. Which bestows all desires of the serving disciples, Who are ever involved in carrying the burden of service. And which helps the aspirants to the state of realization.
12.
Karuna cheyvan - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
Karuna cheyvan yendu thamsam Krishna,
Kazhalina kai thouzhunnen
Why this delay in showing mercy, Krishna,
I am saluting at your feet.
Sarnagatharkku ishta vara dhanam cheythu chemme,
Guruvayupram thannil maruvum akhila duritha harana Bhagawan.
Granting boons to those who surrender to you,
You are the God, who destroys all sufferings,
And stand in the temple at Guruvayur.
Om Tat Sat Sarvam Sri Krshnaarpanan Astu..
Satyam, Sivam, Sundaram, Kaantam, Shaantam, Sivam, Advaitam.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi
I am grateful for your selfless effort to share your wisdom and experiences on your successful, eventful and rewarding spiritual journey.
I welcome your esteemed and informed reflective perspectives.
Respectfully offered for your review and responses.
Velandy Manohar, MD.,
Past Chairman of Board of Trustees of CT. Valley Hindu Temple Society and Past part-time volunteer Priest before and after our community based beloved Satyanarayana Swamy Temple was constructed in Middletown, CT 06457 extending back to 1978 to approximately 2000. My wife Prema and I still participate in specific religious functions on weekly and monthly basis.
I still endeavor to chant inaudible and audible prayers including chanting verses from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and the glorious Ashtotra Shatanamavali stotram of my Lord Adi Sankara Acharya Bhagavata. I remember visiting the Kalady - Sri Sringeri Sharada PeethamSri Sringeri Sharada Peetham and offering my Obeisance to the Samadi of Smt. Aryamba, the blessed mother of the great Acharya and offering my prayers on the Banks of Periyar a few yards from the building.
The mighty Periyar River had followed the little footsteps of the 8-year-old Sri Sankara who had offered prayers to Achyutha to make it easier for his aging mother to conduct her ablutions without having to walk out for a distance to the river. This phenomenon was commemorated by naming the site Kalady. The footsteps of the 8-year-old Sri Sankara was followed by the Periyar River to where it has been since about 796 CE [788 to 820 CE] It was in the Sringeri Kshetram offering prayers at the sanctums to a. Shakti Ganapati, b. Sharadamba c. Adi Sankaracharya that I noticed the Ashtotra Shatanamavali of my Lord Adi Sankaracharya on the far wall opposite to the Samadhi of the blessed mother- Smt. Aryamba.
After I finished my planned prayers I sat and slowly and carefully chanted the Namavalli dedicated to my Lord Srimad Adi Sankaracharya Bhagavata, one by one, while glancing at the wall. Since that day I have been eager to chant the Namavalli. I have been blessed with the resolve and capacity to do so daily for some time. This is great blessing conferred by God’s grace and Guru’s sustaining support.
Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association. [APA]
Founding and Past Steering committee member of Psychotherapy Caucus of the APA,
Founding member- Community Resilience Collaborative of Middlesex, County, CT. focused on identifying, successfully engaging and managing the consequences of Adverse Childhood experiences.
Member, Middlesex Coalition for Children focused on identifying major adverse consequences of specific Social/Systemic Determinants of Health on the longevity, health, safety and wellbeing of children and families.