Focus on Hinduism in the Context of Spiritual Traditions of the World –
Foundational Materials to foster Interfaith discussions and to better understand one’s own faith more deeply and fully .
by Velandy Manohar, MD
Introduction
I have it on the best authority that the identical Divine, Pure, Serene Spirit resides within all of God’s creatures- amazingly and happily for us both those whom we consider as “other” and we/us are folded into His embrace.
Invocation
a.
We begin with prayer to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati
Om Ganeshaaya Namah
Om Saraswatiye Namaha
b.
Next we meditate on the Gayatri Mantra
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Suvaha
Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt
General meaning: We meditate on that most adored Supreme Lord, the creator, whose effulgence (divine light) illumines all realms (physical, mental and spiritual). May this divine light illumine our intellect.
c.
We bow to Lord Krishna- the Supreme teacher our Preceptor in Kaliyuga as Gita Acharya
SBG Discourse 10, Verse 41 “Whatever you see as beautiful, glorious, or powerful, know it to spring from but a spark of My splendor.”
Chapter 10, Verse 41 – Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda (holy-bhagavad-gita.org)
d.
Aa no Bhadraha, krutva Yantu Vishwataha. RK Veda I.18 1
Let Noble thoughts come to us from every side!
Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita (8.13) teaches the vital significance of meditating on Aum:
e.
For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light. “In Lumine- Tuo Videbimus Lumen- Psalm 36.9 KJV
f.
Om ity eka Aksharam brahma vyaharan mam anusmaran
Yah prayati tyajan deham sa yati paramam gatim SBG Discourse 8,Verse 13.
Having closed all the gates, having confined mind in the heart, having fixed his life-breath in the head, engaged in firm Yoga, uttering Brahman, the One syllabled “Om”, thinking of Me, who so ever departs, leaving the body, he reaches the Supreme goal. Bhagvad Gita – Adi Shankaracharya Bhashya. The significance of Om and Gayatri Mantra are taught in the Upanishad. [Mandukya Upanishad from first Verse educates us about AUM.]
Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”
Nobelist Rabindranath Tagore
I offer this moving Intercessory prayer from the Book by Dr. R. Ramnarine #11
Om Srim Lakshmiayai Namaha,
Mangalam Dishtu Me Vinayaka,
Mangala Dishtu Me Saraswati,
Mangalam Dishtu Me Maheswari.
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi.
Strinaam Paadatalam Drishtva, Guruvad Bhaavayet Sadaa:
Who has observed the feet of women, regard them respectfully like you would your Guru’s feet. Kubjika Tantra
Om, Asato ma Sadgamaya
Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
Mrityor mâ amritam gamaya
Om shanti, shanti, shanti!
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Om,
Lead me from the unreal to the real,
Lead me from darkness to light,
Lead me from death to immortality.
This prayer epitomizes the yearnings of penitents on their Sadhana Path.
This is a prayer of all human beings everywhere and in this Upanishad it has been so briefly and beautifully expressed. In this short prayer all the aspirations of the human heart have been included. We all want to go from darkness to light, from untruth to truth and from death to immortality. This is a prayer for total cessation of all attachment and false identifications. A prayer to take us from death to immortality. Immortality cannot be achieved unless one is free from the lower impulses of lust, anger and other such demonic qualities. Unless these devils are destroyed and divinity restored, until evil is annihilated and death is transcended by establishing purity in thought, word and deed, one cannot hope to attain immortality. Thus, the human heart here pours out in prayer.
Yaksha Prashna, the Story of the Righteous Crane - DocsLib
Yaksha Prasna- more information -Items 53 a, b, and c.
“Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah…”
Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah.[Those who protect Dharma are protected by Dharma] Yudhistara offered this rationale for the choosing Nakula as the sibling he wanted the Yaksha to restore to Life. Yaksha offered Yudhistara a boon for responding to all the challenging philosophical enquiries made by the Yaksha instead one of the Heroic brothers Arjuna or Bhima particularly since the clouds of War was on the Horizon. Arjuna, Bhima and Yudhistara were children of Kunti, Nakula and Sahadeva are children of Madri. They were the two wives of their father King Pandu. Yaksha asks Why dost thou wish Nakula to revive?” Yudhishthira said,—“If virtue is sacrificed, he that sacrificest it, is himself lost. So, virtue also cherisheth the cherisher. Therefore, taking care that virtue by being sacrificed may not sacrifice us, I never forsake virtue. Abstention from injury is the highest virtue, and is, I mean, even higher than the highest object of attainment. I endeavor to practice that virtue. Therefore, let Nakula, O Yaksha, revive! Let men know that the king is always virtuous! I will never depart from my duty. Let Nakula, therefore, revive! My father had two wives, Kunti and Madri. Let both of them have children. This is what I wish. As Kunti is to me, so also is Madri. There is no difference between them in my eye. I desire to act equally towards my mothers. Therefore, let Nakula live?” The Yaksha said, —“Since abstention from injury is regarded by thee as higher than both profit and pleasure, therefore, let all thy brothers live, O bull of Bharata race!” Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah.[Those who protect Dharma are protected by Dharma.
Presenting an Anthology of Annotated resources
to explore the domains of the Hindu spiritual Traditions in the Context of Spiritual traditions formulated and practices through the ages and across the World.
I am offering in companion volume to my eBook Sadhana Path a comprehensive of archived resources for Students of all ages who wish to become more knowledgeable about Hinduism specifically and also about great Religions of the world. This can provide the necessary foundational material to provide context to understand better the unique aspects of the Eternal Dharma that is known as Apauruseya: Not of a man [ uncreated].
As per Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, not just Vedas but all our scriptures are the breath of the Supreme being.
Annotated Resources on Faith Traditions in General and Sanatana Dharma/Hinduism in particular
I a. Explaining Hindu Dharma- A guide for Teachers- Vishwa Hindu Parishad -Edited by Dr. Nawal K. Prinja. Vishwa Hindu Parishad. “ This book has been prepared by British Hindus with the main objective of presenting an accurate picture of Hinduism as part of their Religious Education Course.” … “Hinduism by its nature defies simple Definition…owing to its very ancient Hindu scriptures that refer to astronomical events dating Hinduism earlier than the conventional view of Human History. Owing to its very ancient history and gradual development over many thousands of years, Hinduism has acquired in a great deal of Diversity, to such an extent, that sometimes one can come across views within Hinduism that appear to contradict each other. This has created many misunderstandings which have been perpetrated by authors attempting to explain Hinduism in the West; as a result, Hinduism has become the most misunderstood of all religions.
I trust my efforts to share my personal experience of religious practices and Research into Sanatana Dharma over the past 45 years in the recent eBook Amazon.com: Sadhana Path eBook : Manohar MD, Velandy will help to establish some foundational precepts. This eBook has detailed chapters on our sacred Hindu Temple, Sree Satya Narayana Swami Temple in Middletown, CT. Each Chapter provides information about Temple Structures and symbolism of the Iconography presented by the Deities in the Sanctums. The readers will also find explanations of some aspects of Hinduism including performance of Traditional prayers, goals of life, matrimony and the path of enlightenment that traverses all aspects of my professional, personal and citizenship roles.
2. The Light of Hinduism By Ganga Somany. O.M. Somany Charity trust. Foreword By Hon. Karan Singh. “The Light of Hinduism by Ganga Somany is an Illustrative Introduction to this great Religious Tradition. With an initial attempt to define Hinduism, It goes on to encapsulate many aspects of this Religion which originated in the hoary and mythical past. Though having no strict formal divisions, the book deals first with scriptural parameters of Hinduism—The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata,-- and then with its ritualistic Dimensions—the Gods and Goddesses and their modes of worship, the samskaras, and festivals. “This profusely educational and appealing illustrations is free of Scholarly Pretensions and is eminently readable and should appeal to all those, especially younger people, in India, and abroad, who look for an introduction to Hinduism, the World’s oldest Living Faith.”
3. a. The Power of Myth- Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyer, Beth Sue Flowers, Editor. Doubleday New York. Introduction by Bill Moyers. This manuscript has 8 parts: I. Myth and Modern World, II. The Journey Inward, 111. The first Storytellers, IV. Sacrifice and Bliss, V. The Heroes Adventure, VI. Office of the Goddess, VII. Tales of Love and Marriage, VIII. Masks of Eternity.
b. Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth with Bill Moyers Videocassette Set Programs 1-6, Program1- The Hero’s Adventure, 2. The Message of the Myth, 3. The First Story Tellers, 4. Sacrifice and bliss, Love and Goddess, 6 Masks of Eternity. .Great World Religions- Hinduism. Great Courses- Prof. Mark Muesse. Ph.D. Twelve Parts Introduction to Hinduism
4. On Searching the Scriptures- Our Own or Someone Else’s A readers guide to Sacred Writings and methods of studying them By Jaroslav Pelikan. The Introduction is most instructive,” Understandest Thou What Thou readest. This is the explanatory introduction to the six-book series of the Sacred Writings
5. Introduction to the Study of Religion By Charles B. Jones. Great Courses, Part 1 and 2., 24 Lectures, The Teaching Company, Chantilly, VA.
6. The Religions of the Axial Age: An Approach to World Religions. By Mark W. Meuse, Great Courses: Part 1 and 2. 24 Lectures. The Teaching Company, Chantilly, VA
7. Science and Religion: By Lawrence M. Principe, Great Courses, 12 Lectures. Great Courses. The Teaching Company, Chantilly, VA
8. Sacred Writings: Volume 5, of 6.Edited by Jaroslav Pelikan, “Hinduism: The Rig Veda.” Translated by Ralph Griffith BOMC, New York. There are 10 parts to this Comprehensive presentation.
9. Am I a Hindu By Ed Viswanathan- This book fills the gap on our shelf for a definitive primer on Hinduism. This Book is written in a Q and A format between a teenager and his father.
10. Sacred Literature of the World Inspirational passages selected and read by Ekanath Easwaran on 2 Cassettes.
a. Side One:`. a. Prayer of St. Francis, b. Invocations to the Upanishads, c The Illumined Man -Closing verses from the second Discourse of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. d. The Shema. These three Segments of Torah have been recited together since biblical Times e. Adon Olam [ The Lord of the Universe: After the Psalms, this is perhaps the most popular hymn in Jewish Liturgy. f. Tao Te Ching. A collection of Verses about Tao-“ The Way” the indivisible unity- is ascribed to Lao Tzu, who lived in 6th century BCE.
b. Side Two: a. Prayers from Rig Veda. The four Vedas are the oldest of Hindu Scriptures and the Rig Veda is the most ancient. Two selections offered. b. Poems of Saint Teresa of Avila. c. Hymns to the Divine Mother: In the Hindu tradition the Lord is often regarded as possessing two aspects, One masculine , one feminine. The latter, which represent the Creative power of Godhead, is worshipped under several names as the Divine Mother of the Universe of the World. The Hymn presented is from the Chandi which is also called sapta Satti [ there are 700 verses.] d. Dhammapada- Twin Verses from the opening Chapter. The Dhammapada is a book – length collection of sayings in verse forms e. The Wonderful Effects of Divine Love. These verses are selected from Book III, Chapter 5 of the Imitation of Christ. It is attributed to Thomas Kempis. His work has inspired by more people than any other spiritual work than the Bible. f. Katha Upanishad. The story of Nachiketa a courageous teenager who goes to the King of Death-Yama Deva to learn the secrets of life. The selections are from Part 1, Cantos 2 and 3. Yama Deva tested Nachiketas piety and earnestness and found him worthy of Instructions. g. Discourse on Goodwill [Metta Sutta].From the Sutta Nipata, a collection of dialogues with the buddha said to be among the oldest parts of the Pali Buddhist Canon. h. Psalms. King James Version Psalms 22 and 23 are psalms of King David. i. The Practice of Presence of the Presence of God. This from a letter by Brother Lawrence who lived as an obscure Lay brother among Carmelites in Paris. j. Entering into Joy. St. Augustine lived in th last stages of the Collapse of the Roman Empire. His Confessions is one of the greatest pieces of autobiographical Literature tells the story of a brilliant, passionate young man who learned to channel his passion towards God.
c. Side Three: a. The Isavaasya Upanishad. Bapu [ Mahatma Gandhi said this contains the summit of Human Wisdom. b. The Invocations: Abdullah al-Ansari referred to as Ansari of Herat was a Persian poet and Sufi Mystic. c. Four things that bring much Inward Peace. The selection is from Book III, Chapter 23 of the imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis Side [2,e.] d. The Central Truth. This is a selection from Swami Ramdas’s Book “ In Quest of God, the Vision of God, e. The Whole World is your own. The words offered are revered as the last message of Sri Sarada Devi also known as Holy Mother and the hallowed wife of Swāmī Ramakrishna Parama Hamsa and helpmate in his own works. f. The Path. This is from a collection Mahatma Gandhiji, Bapu’s writings entitled Religion. g. Believing in Mind. Seng Ts’an, the third Patriarch of the Ch ‘an Buddhism, which passed into Japan as Zen. h. The Way of Love: Is from Discourse XII. i. The Sermon on the Mount. The Gospel according to St. Matthew, 5: 3-16, 43-48, 6:9-13. j. Christ be with me. This a Hymn ascribed to St. Patrick, 5th C, ACE ,k. The Brahmin This is from the concluding Chapter of Dhammapada of the Compassionate Buddha. ‘Brahmin is used in a Root sense here: One who is worthy of knowing God [Brahman] l. “Whatever You do.” The Concluding Verses of Chapter 9 of the Bhagvad Gita. m. The Kena Upanishad. Keno means “By Whom” the first word of the question with which it opens.
d. Side Four: a. Poems of Kabir. Nobelist Rabindranath Tagore has published a translation, in “One Hundred Poems of Kabir.” Kabir was claimed by Hindus and Muslims enthusiastically. He had found a way to infuse the mysticism of the Upanishads with the Ecstatic Love of Sufism. b. Lord that Giveth Strength. This from the Imitation of Christ, Book III, Chapter 30, please see Side 2.e and Side 3 c above. c. Songs of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. He taught and lived out in his own sadhana path- that God can be realized by adherents of all faith Traditions if one Seeks Gods with completely single pointed devotion. He worshipped the Divine Mother [see 3e] These songs are composed by multiple authors. They are selected form the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna by “M.” a disciple.[In 3 e the last message of Sarada Devi – spouse of Ramakrishna Maharishi is offered] d. Shvetashvatara Upanishad. This is not counted in the list of Principal Upanishad. . However, it is regarded as being very beautiful. It is dedicated once because it is unusually to One Deity – Lord Shiva, who considered the Lord who can bestow immortality. The verses are from Canto 1 and all of Canto 2. e. Epistle on Love: Saul was Jew in Tarsus who persecuted Christians. Until he experienced a cataclysmic vision while traveling to Damascus. He later explained- I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” He traveled throughout Greece and Asis Minor until he died in Rome around 65 ACE. f. “Be Aware of Me Always “The concluding verses of the Bhagvad Gita are presented Chapter XVII, Verses 49 -73. g. Prayer for Peace: This verse composed by swami omkar, who headed the Shanti Ashram In Andhra Pradesh and Peace Center in Nilgiris, South India.
11. Great World Religions: Beliefs, Practices, Histories. Part V of V. Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Sikh: the Religions of India. Prof. Diana Eck. [Harvard] There are Ten Lessons: 1. Religions of India- Points of View, 2. Creating a World: Two Cultures of Ancient India, 3. The Upanishads: Teachings on Wisdom. 4. Maha Vira and Buddha: Their Lives and Legacies. 5. The Teachings of the Buddha: The Way Out of Suffering. 6. The Bhagavad Gita: The Field of Dharma and Revolution of Bhakti. 7. Through Women’s Eyes- Dharma and the Devi 8. Myth on Earth: Three Tales fo faith of Hindu Pilgrims. 9. Sufis, Sants, and Sikhs. 10. Gandhi: All religions are True.
12. Bede Griffiths- An introduction to the Interspiritual Thought by Wayne Teasdale Foreword by Bede Griffiths, Published by Skylight Paths Publishing, Vermont.
13. Hindu Myths- A Source Book translated from Sanskrit- Edited by Betty Radice, with introduction by Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty- Penguin Books- NYC,NY
14. Windows into Infinite- A guide to Hindu Scriptures- Barbara Powell. There are Ten Parts with Glossary , Illustrations, pronunciation of sanskrit Guide and extensive Bibliography I. Getting Started, II. The Vedas, III. The Bhagavad Gita IV. The Upanishads, Part V The Puranas, Part VI Shorter Scriptures derived from the Puranas, e.g., Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi, or Sapta Satti, Lalitha Sahasranam. VII The Itihaasas, VIII Scriptures of Yoga, Bhakti and Vedanta.
15. The Vedas- by HH. Pujya Sri Chandrasekhar Saraswati. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. This saintly person was deeply revered and widely cherished and was popularly known as the Periava. Has long since attained samadhi in the Himalayas to which he repaired after he handed over his role as Peetadipathi [Sankaracharya] of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet with the Saint present our preliminary plans to build a Temple in CT and obtain his blessings and encouragement for our plans to build a Hindu Temple in distant lands. His successor as Peetadipathi HH. Pujya Sri Jayendra Saraswati and I had the opportunity to establish a good working relationship. Some of his comments about my essays and work in America are in the appendix section of my eBook: Sadhana Path. In addition to the profound wisdom in the Text there is large foldout document attached entitled Chatur Dasa Vidya Sthana which is a comprehensive presentation of Hindu Sacred texts.
16. Introduction to Vedanta- Understanding the Fundamental Problems by Swami Dayananda. Vision Books Incorporating Orient Paper backs.
17. Our Culture:- By C. Rajagopalachari,[Former Gov.-General of India] Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. This is the account of the three Lectures Rajaji offered on Our Culture In her eloquent Foreword Smt. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit who once the President of The UN General Assembly writes, “ Rajaji defines Culture as the Habits of successful self-control.” “After the needs of the body and mind have been met , culture Is the third dimension which lends depth to a man’s personality.”
18. Hinduism- Doctrine and Way of Life: By C. Rajagopalachari- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. The Preface by Kulapati about the publication by the scholarly Sri. K.M. Munshi and the Foreword by Rajaji are very instructive as is the text is very informative and edifying.
19. Chaitanya Bharati Special Publication- The Hindu Vishwa – Vishwa Dharma Digest , No 1, 2006 Vol XXXIII, Jan- Mar 2006. Equality is our Birthright. No one is superior or inferior. All are Brothers. All should strive for the Interests of all and should progress collectively- Rig Veda, Mandala 5, Sukta 60, Mantra 5.[Page 11.] Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Inc.
20. Some concepts of Hinduism-An Introduction by Dr. R. Ramnarine-Printed in Great Britain by The Book Factory.
21. Narada’s Way of Divine Love by Swami Prabhavananda- Introduction by Christopher Isherwood. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.
22. Our Heritage- Book 1. By R.S. Nathan, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust. This provides a very comprehensive and beneficial set of Questions and Answers about Sanatana Dharma.
23. Sanatana Dharma: I have included two essays in my eBook Sadhana Path. a. I prepared at the request of P2P Ambassador Delegation of members of the AM. Psychiatric Association after a visit to Viet Nam and Cambodia in 2008. Sanatana Dharma-P2P-Pedro Ruiz (velandymanoharmd.com)b. The second essay was prepared and shared during specific events at our Sacred Temple. SANATANA DHARMA VAK - MOKSHA NAAVAM (velandymanoharmd.com)
24. Sanatana Dharma By Jagadguruji -Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha. Sankaracharya of Govardhan Muut, Puri. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
25. Our Heritage by HH. Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal, Peetadipathi.- Kanchi Math, Published by Published by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Matam Samsthanam, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India. He was successor to HH Periava- The Legendary Saint and Long term Peetadipathi of the Kanchi Matt who found samadhi in the Himalayas.
26. Heritage of Bharata Varsha and Sanatana Dharma Vol II and Vol III: Discourses by HH. Shri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal and HH Shri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal. HH Shri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati succeeded HH Jayendra Saraswati as Peetadipathi. Published by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Matam Samsthanam, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India.
27. Our Heritage: Gods, Saints, Prayers By S.S. Iyer, 1803 Tyburn lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15241, USA.
28. K. Rajaji has published very accessible books on The Bhagvad Gita, The Mahabharata, The Ramayana, The Upanishads. These are all published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
29. Valmiki Ramayana in Pictures. It starts with a pivotal event presaging the emergence of Slokas that constitute the Ramayana. These slokas are accrued from the Shoka of the Surviving Krauncha Bird. Purpose of the avatar - The Hindu. The Ramayana is also known as ‘Sitaayaa Charitam Mahat’, the magnificent life story of Sita, and Paulastya Vadam, the killing of the son of Pulastya, Ravana. The former title is the poet’s heartfelt tribute to the Divine Mother, who, as Sita, is a cut above in many respects, especially in Her compassion towards all. An embodiment of patience and penance, she, like Rama, is committed to the truth and dharma that is central to the epic. The book includes the illustration of Lord Sri Rama accepting with equanimity and respect his father’s injunction that he and Sita Devi to go into Exile for 14 years and comforting his mother Kausalya about hs decision to leave Ayodhya with Sita Devi and key events in their exile including meeting with Guha when they returned after their exile was completed. Guha prostrated himself and said, Welcome or mighty armed warrior, this Kingdom is yours. We are your servants and yo are our master.” It also illustrates the Honorable brother Bharata who brought Lord Rama’s Sandals back to Ayodhya, placed them on the Throne and retired to Nandigrama and ruled the Kingdom in Lord Rama’s name. All the key events in Maharishi Valmiki’s Epic are portrayed in this Book. It is one of the largest ancient epics in world literature and consists of nearly 24,000 verses (mostly set in the Shloka/Anustubh meter). by tradition, is known as the Adi Kavya (Adi = original, first; kavya = poem). The Epic is divided into seven Khandas (parts) the first and the seventh being later additions. Bala Kanda, Ayodhya Kanda, Kishkinda Kand, Sundara Kanda, Yuddha Kanda and Uttara Kanda. It belongs to the genre of Itihasa, [History]. The narratives of past events (purāvṛtta), interspersed with teachings on the goals of human life.
30. Upanishads – T.M.P. Mahadevan, Published by Arnold Heinemann.
31. Vishnu Sahasra-nama By T.M.P. Mahadevan- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, India
32. Sri Lalita Saharsranama with Text, Transliteration and translation Edited By Swami Tapasyananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.
33. Devi Mahatmyam [Gory of the Divine Mother] English Translation by Swami Jagadishwara Ananda- Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.
34. Essence of Sri Vidya By Chaganti Suryanarayana Murthy. Bhavan’s Book University, Mumbai, India.
35. A Garland of Hymns to Mukunda- Mukunda Mala By Raja Kulasekhara, Translated by Swami Gabhirananda. Sri Ramakrishna Math. Chennai, India.
36. Upaadesa Saara of Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi. Commentary by Swami Tejomayananda. Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.
37. Chakra Mantras- Liberate your Spiritual Genius through Chanting. By Thomas Ashley- Farrand Namadeva Weiser Books, California and MA.
38. A. Siva Ananda Lahiri by Adi Shankaracharya. Translation and commentary by Dr. Kamala Chidambaram- Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai. India.
39. B. Dharma - Shiva Ananda Lahari Commentary (velandymanoharmd.com). I have shared my meditations on Shiva Ananda Lahiri.
40. Forgive Me. SivaAparadhaKshamapanaStotram-By by Adi Shankaracharya Printed by Shri M.K. Kulkarni at Displaycraft, Mumbai. India.
41. Maneesha Panchakam By Adi Shankaracharya – Each verse Commentary by HH. Swami Chinmayananda- Central Chinmaya Mission Trust. In the five verses Adi Sankara Guru reveals the Wisdom of the Vedas as lived and experienced by him in his direct insight. He formulates his response to the chandalas in the framework of the four Maha Vaakhyas that are embed in the four Vedas. The First Verse exemplifies the Maha Vakya from Aitreya Upanishad of the Rik Veda “Pragnanam Brahman”, Consciousness is Brahman, In the second Verse the Maha Vakya from the Brihad Aranyaka Up of Yajur Veda this truth is revealed, “Aham Brahmasmi’- “I am Brahman”, In the third Verse the Maha Vakya from the Chaandogya Up. of the Sama Veda, we learn the injunction of the Gurus- Tat Tvam Asi, “That Thou Art”, and finally in the 4th Verse we are taught this Maha Vakya from the Mandukya Up of the Atharvan Veda, Ayam Atma Brahman, we are made aware of the silent serene experience of the Highest consciousness that resides in me as stated in this teaching “Ayam Atma Brahman. “ The Highest Consciousness is within my Soul”
42. Aditya Hrudayam
a. Aditya Hrudayam - In Sanskrit, English with Translation, Meaning and Notes (shlokam.org)
b. This hymn is dedicated to Aditya or Sūrya (the Sun God) found in the Yuddha Kanda of Vālmīki’s Rāmāyana. It was recited by the sage Agastya to Rama in the battlefield before fighting with the asura king Ravana. In it, Agastya teaches Rama (who is fatigued after the long battle with various warriors of Lanka, ) the procedure of worshiping Aditya ( for strength ) to defeat the enemy.
43. Nirvana Shatakam [Atma Shatakam] By Adi Shankaracharya Commentary and Notes Translated by S. N. Sastri. Nirvana Shatakam - In Sanskrit, English with Translation, Meaning and Notes (shlokam.org).
44. Healing Mantras By Thomas Ashley- Farrand. Ballantine Publishing Group, New York.
45. Narayana Upanishad. It is written in Sanskrit language, attached to the Krishna (Black) Yajurveda, is one of 14 Vaishnava Upanishads, and it recommends the Bhakti of Lord Narayana (Vishnu). The Narayana Upanishad posits the formula, "Aum Namo Narayanaya", a mantra as a means of reaching salvation, which is communion with Vishnu. The Veda teaches us there are 4 means of attaining Liberation and gaining Moksha: “Saalokyam “-dwelling in the same realm of the Lord, “Saroopyam “- the devotee attains similar form, “Saamipyam.” The soul attains proximity to our Lord. Finally,” Saayujyam” which indicates there is merging /unification with our Lord. This is asserted in the fifth verse. The Commentary by Sri Ram Ramanuja Achari is extremely perceptive, instructive and helpful. There are five verses, Each verse highlights a specific precept from the four Vedas. The first verse ends thus: “etad Rg Veda sirodhite”, the second verse ends thus, “ etad Yajur Veda sirodhite.” The third verse ends thus, “etad Saama Veda sirodhite” the fifth verse begins thus, etad Atharva Siro yo’dhite.”Loosely translated each verse asserts- this is taught by the head of the specified Veda.
a. The Gita Sermon -Essence in Brief. Srinivasa Gita Satsangh Trust, Chennai, India
b. The Teaching of Bhagavad Gita- Ten Essential Verses. By Swami Dayananda. Sri Gangadeshwara Trust, Ahmedabad. India.
46. Narayaneeyam – Srimad Bhagavatam is condensed to 100 eloquent and wonderful verses by Mepattur Narayana Bhattatiri, Translated By Swami Tapasyananda. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.
47. Njanappana By Poondhanam Namboodiri. njanappaana.pdf I offer these important lessons from the Njanappana: Gurunaadhan thuNa chaika santhatham thirunaamangal naavinmel eppozhum Piriyaatheyirikkanam nammude nara janmam saphalamaakkiduvaan
a. ‘”May my Gurunathan help me (thuna chaika) to keep the auspicious names of Lord continuously on my tongue (naavinmel eppozhum) and to make this human life (Nara Janmam) meaningful and fruitful!(saphalamaakkituvaan). The only way to make human life fruitful and meaningful is to constantly chant the auspicious names of the Lord. So, the poet is seeking the blessings of his Gurunaathan to help him retain the naamam on his tongue forever. G U R U A preceptor who clears darkness of ignorance. Who is Poonthanam’s Guru? He is a great Bhakta of Guruvayoorappan and scholar. He is considering Guruvayurappan as his Guru because Lord is both the remover of the darkness of Anjaanam or avidya (Guru) and the protector and savior of all (Naathan). After innumerable births in lower species, we finally got Nara Janmam in Kaliyuga. Kali santharan opanishad and many other scriptures reinforce the importance of naama sankeerthanam in Kaliyuga. Naama sankeerthanam can be done any time anywhere.
b. “Harernaama Harernaama Harernaamaiva kaevalam,
c. kalau naasthyeva naasthyeva naasthyeva gathiranyadha
d. Krishna! Krishna! Mukunda! Janardana! Krishna! Govinda! Naaraayana! Hare! Achyuthaananda! Govinda! Maadhava! Satchidananda! Naarayana! Hare!
48. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also said that there are no hard and fast rules for chanting naamaas. Anytime one can chant and under any circumstances one is allowed to chant.
“Shuchir va ashuchir va sarva avasthaasu Sarvada” meaning in any condition clean (purified) or dirty (impure) one can chant the auspicious names of Lord.
49. In V 51, the Poet/Saint offers this proposition to us who face grievous losses and are trying to build resilience. This Poem and Maharishi Narada offer us much support and guidance. Maharishi Narada lost his beloved mother by snake bite while Poondhanam Namboodiri’s baby died of suffocation before he could partake fo his first grain consumption on his Anna Prasana day. By stoically absorbing the tragedy with a sense of reality, Poondhanam submitted himself to the will of Guruvayoor Krishna .During his prayer he was at once blessed with a glorious vision of the Divine Child Sree BalaKrishna, inspiring him to sing the famous verse V 51:“While baby Krishna is playing in my mind, do I need another baby of my own?
50. Bala Bhagavatam By Chinmaya and Bharati. Central Chinmaya Trust, Mumbai, India.
51. Bhaagavata- A Study by Swami Harshananda. Sri Ramkrishna Ashrama, Bangalore, India.[A short, small sized text -53 pages.]
a. 48The Thousand Names of Vishnu. By Eknath Easwaran- A selection with commentary. Nilgiri Press. Blue Mountain Center for Meditation. Inc.
b. Kaivalya Upanishad -Journey to Aloneness- Commentaries on Kaivalya Upanishad By Dr. M.N. Parthasarathy. Eshwar is an imprint of BPI, India[PVT] Ltd. The Kaivalya Upanishad belongs to the Atharva Upanishad. This Upanishad is unique in its Poetic beauty and orderly development of Ides. It is primarily concerned with the understanding of Reality and is particularly suited for Beginners in the study of the Upanishads because of the relative absence of speculative metaphysical topics. It is particularly suited for chanting before the start of meditation because of its beautiful poetry, the various ideas which have been developed and which deserve to be constantly meditated on.
52. Tales and teachings of the Mahabharata by Janaki Abhisheki. Illustrated by Vaijayanti Ranade Bharata Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, India
53. Yaksha Prasna. I offer three sources
a. Yaksha Prasna Sanskrit English | Sanskrit eBooks: This link provides a short description of Yaksha Prasna and a detailed listing of the questions and answers. This is an episode taken from Mahabharata. Yaksha Prasna is a dialogue between Yudhishthira and Yama, the Lord of Death who disguises as a Yaksha. Both the Sanskrit text and translation are provided. In this interlocution Dharmaputra Yudhishthira gives amazing and enlightening answers to very difficult questions asked by Yama.”
b. . Yaksha Prashna, the Story of the Righteous Crane - DocsLib In this comprehensive monograph the text is in English
c. Yaksha Prashna A Hindu Primer: Retold and Translated by Dr. A.V. Srinivasan. IND-US Inc. “ This is an excellent short, succinct, interesting book to diligently share with our Children, especially and people of all ages all over the world the essence of the Ancient Rich, Enlightened Hindu Spiritual tradition. The Mahabharata and especially the Yaksha Prasna illustrates clearly how qualities such as righteousness, virtue, self-sacrifice and self-discipline are the foundations for peaceful, and spiritually satisfying life through trials and tribulations that life presents during anyone’s Sadhana Path.
d. Dictionary of Ancient Deities By Patricia Turner and Charles Russell Coulter. Oxford University Press. It is a most helpful dictionary that can be immeasurably useful in our efforts to understand the world of objects and belief system that we need to engage within our Sadhana Path while being guided by these precepts from the Rig Veda, “Aa na Bhadraha krutvo yantu Viswataha,” Let noble thoughts come from all directions. And Ekam Sat, Bahuda Vipraha Vadanti: EKAM SAT VIPRA BAHUDA VADANTI (speakingtree.in) “That which exists is ONE sages call it by various names. There is more detailed sutra; What is the explanation of Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda Vadanti, an Upanishad verse? - Quora. “Indram Mitram Varunam Agnim aahur atho divyaha sa suparno garutmaan, Ekam Sad vipraah bahudhaa vadanti agnim yamam Matarishvaanam aahuhu.” “They call Him Indra/King of heavens, Mitra/the sun-god, Varuna/the regent of ocean, Agni/the fire god, and He is the beautiful winged heavenly Garuda. The Truth is one but the wise describe It variously. They call Him Agni/god of fire, Yama/god of death, Maatarishvaan/wind-god.”
54. A handbook of Living Religions: Edited by John R. Hinnells, Penguin Books. This Book was dedicated to the Staff of Wrightington Hospital, as a token of respect and gratitude for their work. This reminds every one we all have advertent and inadvertent interactions which can influence state of being of the other and ourselves when we establish relationships based on positive regard of the other and diligent effort to understand their perspective from their spiritual and cultural frames as we partner the other to achieve mutually acceptable goals.
55. The World Treasury of Modern Religious thoughts. Edited by Jaroslav Pelikan. Little Brown and Co.
56. God in all Worlds. An Anthology of Contemporary Spiritual Writings. Edited and with introduction by Lucinda Vardey. Chatto and Windus, London, UK
57. World Religions- From American History to the Present- Edited By Geoffrey Parrinder. Facts of File publications- NY and UK.
58. The Story of Civilization By Will Durant Vol 1; Our Oriental Heritage-Book Two: India and her Neighbors. Published By Simon and Schuster. NY, NY. He provides at out set a Chronological Table of Indian History from 4000,B.CE to 1931. This Encyclopedia includes these sections, a. Foundations of India, b. Buddha, c. From Alexander to Aurangzeb. d. The life of the People. e. The Paradise of the Gods. f. The Life of the Mind, g. The Literature of India. h. Indian Art. i. a Christian Epilogue. Book One explores the civilizations of the Near East and Book Three explores the Civilization of China.
a. Will Durant introduces us to the Civilization on the Indian Subcontinent with these inspiring and Noble l insights of Swami Vivekananda: “The Highest truth is this: God is present in all beings. They [we] are his multiple forms. There is other God to seek…It is man-making [building] religion that we want… Give up these weakening mysticisms and be strong…For the next fifty years…let all other Gods disappear from our minds. This is the only God that is awake., our own race, everywhere His ears; He covers everything,… The first of all worships is the worship of all those around us. … He alone Serves God who serves all other beings.
59. World Religions- The great Faiths explored and explained By. John Bowker. A DK Publishing Book.
60. Beliefs that Changed the World- The History and Ideas of the Great religions- By John Bowker, Quercus Publishing, London, UK.
61. The Illustrated World Religions- Our Guide to Our Wisdom traditions by Huston Smith Best Selling Book- Harper Collins.
62. The Handy Religion Answer Book By John Renard. Visible Ink Press, Detroit.
63. Ancient World- A new Look. Edited by N. Mahalingam. Published by International Society for Investigation of Ancient Civilization , Chennai, India
64. The Atlas of World Archaeology. Foreword by. B. Cunliffe, Edited by Paul G. Bahn. Includes section on South, Central and East Asia.
65. Why Religion Matters- The fate of the Human Spirit in an age of Disbelief. By Huston Smith. Harper Collins.
66. Philosophy of Religion- Transcripts Parts 1-3. Prof. James Hall, The Great Courses-The Teaching Company, Virginia,
67. Is There an Universal Grammar of Religion-H. Rosemont Jr. and Huston Smith. Fifth Master Hsuan Hua Memorial Lecture. Open Court. Chicago, Illinois.
68. One River, Many Wells. Wisdom springing from Global Faiths By Matthew Fox. Jeremy p. Tarcher/Putnam
69. The Wisdom of India and China. Edited by Lin Yutang. The Modern Library. NY. [Part I. Wisdom of India, Part II-Wisdom of China.]
70. Death, Dying and the Afterlife- Lessons from World Cultures. By Prof. Mark Berkson. The Great Courses from the Teaching Company, Virginia, USA.
71. The Book of Calamities- Five Questions about Suffering and its meaning By. Peter Trachtenberg, Little Brown and Com. Boston, MA.
72. Amen- Prayers and blessings from around the World. [Text focuses on specific vital events in a person’s life with multiple evocative photographs] Viking Studio Books.
73. The Symbolism of Hindu Gods and Rituals By. A. Parthasarathy- Published By Shailesh Printers, Mumbai. India.
74. The Book of Hindu Imagery- The Gods and their Symbols. By Eva R. Jansen, Binkey Koh Publication BV, Havelte, Holland.
75. Darshan- Seeing the Divine Image in India by Diana l. Eck.
76. Encyclopedia of Semiotics- [The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.] Oxford University Press.
77. Signs and Symbols – Complete Encyclopedia- Mark O’Connell and Raje Airey. Hermes House
78. Myths and Symbols of Indian Art and Civilization by Heinrich Zimmer edited by Joseph Campbell. Harper and Row, New York
79. Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization by Heinrich Zimmer, Edited by Joseph Campbell. Harper Torch Books.
80. Myths of Light- Eastern Metaphors of the Eternal- Joseph Campbell Edited by and Foreword by David Keller. New World Library, Novato, California.
81. Philosophies of India.-By Heinrich Zimmer. Edited By Joseph Campbell.
82. The Hero with a Thousand Faces By Joseph Campbell, New World library , Novato, California.
83. Hindu Fasts and Festivals: No.5 Sivananda Centenary [1887-1987] by Swami Sivananda.
84. The Mantra Handbook- By Ekanath Easwaran: “I have written this book because I want to share with you a simple spiritual practice that you can begin to use today, no matter what your situation, to tap into your deeper resources in all the Ups and Downs of daily Life. It does NOT require any , and you don’t need any special gifts to follow any systematic program. You can begin using and benefitting from this simple spiritual practice, called a Mantram, right now.
85. Rig Veda: One hundred and eight Hymns, selected, translated and annotated by Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty. Penguin Books
86. Sacred Songs of India. By. V.K. Subramaniam. Abhinav Publications, New Delhi, India.
87. Hindu Mythology: Vedic and Puranic by W.J. Wilkins Rupa and Co.
88. Dasavatara , The Ten Incarnations By Sri-La-Sri Pandrimalai Swamigal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, India
89. Hindu Sastras and Samskaras By V.A.K. Ayer. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. There is an essay on Hindu Samskaras in Part 2 of my eBook, Sadhana Path.
90. All About Hindu Temples: By Swami Harshananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math.
91. Power in Temples: A New look through Modern Science- by Srikant. Integral Books.
92. Science and Religion- Are they Compatible. Edited by Paul Kurtz, with the assistance of B. Karr and Ranjit Sandhu. Published by Center for Inquiry. Prometheus Books, New York.
93. Ashtanga Yoga “ The Practice Manual” An Illustrated Guide To Personal Practice. The Primary and Intermediate Series plus three Short Forms, By David Swenson. Ashta means Eight, Anga means Limbs Yoga connotes Union. The Eight Limbs are 1. Yama- Ethical disciplines, 2.Niyama- Self Observation, 3. Asana- Postures 4. Pranayama- Breath Control, 5. Pratyahara- sense withdrawal, 6. Dharana- concentration,7. Dhyana- Mediation 8. Samadhi- A State of Joy and Peace. This book can teach and coach those who are interested in developing skills set that will build resilience and wellness.
94. Vedanta Treatise By A. Parthasarathy Vakil and Sons Ltd Mumbai. There are 9 extremely valuable precepts on the Inside Cover. E.g., Spiritual Practice is not a part-time hobby but a full-time awareness of the Truth [within and without], Give your personality a lift to your real inner Self; you will then lift the whole world.
95. Modern Trends in Hinduism By Philip H. Ashby. Columbia University Press.
96. Modern Indian Responses to Religious Pluralism. Edited by Harold G. Coward. State University of New York.
97. Meeting God- Elements of Hindu Devotion. Foreword by Thomas Moore. Text and Photographs by Stephen Huyler. Yale University Press.
98. Manifestations of Shiva By Stella Kramrisch, Philadelphia Museum of Art.
99. Hindu Temples By Jean-Louis Nou. Foreword by Paul Martin- Dubost, Vilo Inc, NY. He ends the foreword with these evocative words, “ … the Almighty Sun slides like Oil over the white sands and blinds us on the Eternal snow of the Mountain- the very heart of the Veda and the Gayatri, that which the faithful prays to in his heart every morning- The very symbol of the infinite World. India is the Soul on Fire- Paul Martin-Dubost.
100. Banaras- City of Light By Dianna L. Eck. A Borzoi Book, Published by Alfred A. Knopf.
101. Cultures of the World: India the Spiritual Kingdom By Radhika Srinivasan/Leslie Jermyn. Times Editions. There are numerous really useful resources to understand their perspectives, especially a Historical timelines of major eras and events from the time Alexander the Great Invaded India.
102. A Photographic Pilgrimage to Vrindavan- Doorway to Eternity-Celebrating the Land of Krishna. Text by Arjen Van Der Kooij, Photography by Ramon Dekkers. Foreword by Dr. William E. Ryan, Mandala Publishing, San Raphael, CA. Dr Ryan writes, “The Author’s mindful words bridge nicely to Dekkers Imagery and vice versa. Together they juxtapose a splendid balance that provides the reader with a swirl of religious fervor, devotion and spirituality that is the Pilgrimage to Vrindavan. They accomplish that feat by holding a mirror up to India, Hindu Philosophy, Krishna devotion, Bhakti Yoga, and the pilgrimage and through Vrindavan. The Author lays out a compelling and well-crafted overview of Hinduism: its history, mystery, geography, etymology, rituals and philosophy. Together, the words and images present a most lucid and enlightening portal into India and the pilgrimage to Vrindavan, “the place where Krishna once lived.”
103. Foundational Truths exemplified in the eBook Sadhana by Velandy Manohar, MD
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
a.
“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
b.
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.
3. III
c
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
d.
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
e.
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
f
“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
g
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. Pooja-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.
My website velandymanoharmd.com has related and relevant posts.
4.
Apraadha Shodhana. Prayers for forgiveness.
a.
Mantra-hinam kriya-hinam bhakti-hinam Sureshwara yat pujitam maya deva paripurnam tad astu me English Meaning: O my Lord, O Sureshwara*,
Whatever little puja or worship that has been performed by me, Lord of the Gods – Krsna although it is without devotion, without proper mantras, and without the proper performance, please let that become complete.
Source: https://mahabharat.life/index.php?/topic/43-mantra-hinam-kriya-mantra-lyrics-english-meaning-%E2%9C%85/
b.
SBG Discourse IX, Verse 26, If one offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I delightfully partake of that item offered with love by My devotee in pure consciousness.
Chapter 9, Verse 26 – Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda (holy-bhagavad-gita.org)
c.
Yad dattam Bhakti matrena patram puspam phalam jalam,
Aveditam nivedyan tu tad grihanaukampaya.
Whatever has been offered with devotion- the leaf, the flower, the water, the fruit, the food offering -please accept it out of Your causeless mercy
d.
Vidhi hinam mantra hinam, kiñcad upapaditam,
Kriya mantra vihinam va tat sarvam kshantum arhasi.
Whatever has happened without proper chanting of the mantra, or without following the proper procedure, kindly forgive all that.
https://mahabharat.life/index.php?/topic/43-mantra-hinam-kriya-mantra-lyrics-english-meaning-
e.
Original Lyrics: mantra-hinam kriya-hinam bhakti-hinam Sureshwara yat pujitam maya deva paripurnam tad astu me English Meaning: O my Lord, O Sureshwara*, whatever little puja or worship that has been performed by me, /Lord of the Gods - Krsna/ although it is without devotion, without proper mantras, and without the proper performance, please let that become complete.
Source: https://mahabharat.life/index.php?/topic/43-mantra-hinam-kriya-mantra-lyrics-english-meaning-%E2%9C%85/
f.
SBG Discourse IX Verse 27: Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as oblation to the sacred fire, whatever you bestow as a gift, and whatever austerities you perform, O son of Kunti, do them as an offering to Me.
Chapter 9, Verse 27 – Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda (holy-bhagavad-gita.org)
g.
Brahmārpanam Brahmahavir Brahmāgnau Brahmanāhutam Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahmakarma Samādhinā
“Brahman is the offering, Brahman is the oblation, by Brahman is the oblation poured into the fire of Brahman; Brahman shall verily be reached by him who always sees Brahman in all actions.
Srimad Bhagvad Gita 4:24.Gita Bhaasya- Adi Guru Srimad Sankaracharya.
h.
Stri Naam Paadatalam Drustva, Guruvad Bhaavayet Sadaa
Who has observed the feet of women, regard them respectfully like you would your Guru’s feet. Kubjika Tantra
i.
Priyataam Pundarikaksha, Sarva Yagneswaro harihi, Tasmin Tushte, Jagat Tushte, Prinite Prinitaam Jagat.
Beloved Lotus Eyed Lord of the Sacrifice, when You are satisfied the world is satisfied and when You are pleased the whole world is pleased with our sacrifice.
j.
SBG Discourse 10, Verse 42 .What need is there for all this detailed knowledge, O Arjun? Simply know that by one fraction of My being, I pervade and support this entire creation.
Chapter 10, Verse 42 – Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda (holy-bhagavad-gita.org)
Concluding Prayers
a.
Om! Saha Na Vavatu, Saha Now Bhunaktu, Saha veeryam Karavavahai, Tejas vinavadheetham Astu, Ma Vidwisha vahai. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.
Om! Oh! Mind and speech enable me to grasp the Truth that the Vedas teach.
Let not what I have heard forsake me. Let me continuously live my days and nights in my studies.
I am thinking of the Truth. I speak the Truth. May That – the Truth protect me.
May That –the Truth protect my teacher. May that protect me, May that protect my teacher.
These are prayers that are chanted at the end of prayers at home or at a Temple or Shrine.
b.
Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudacyate, Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavasisyate
Om, shanti, shanti, shanti.”
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 edits to improve the flow of the English rendition of the context and content of the Mantra from my study and lived experience. VM]
c.
Durjanah sajjano bhūyātsajjanah śāntimāpnuyāt
śānto mucyeta bandhebhyo,muktaścānyān vimochyet
May evil minded individuals be transformed into good persons. May good persons attain peace within. May those who have attained to Peace achieve freedom from bondage and may those who have achieved liberation work to set free persons from their bonds"
d.
Samaano mantra; Samiti Samani, Samanam mana: Saha cittamesam, Samani va Aakuti; Samana hrdayani vah, Samanam Astu vo mano, yatha va: susahasati
Let our speech be one; united our voices! May our minds be in union with the thoughts of the Wise. Sharing a common purpose; we worship as one.
Let our aim be one! Let our hearts be joined as one. United be our thoughts. At peace with all, may we be together in harmony
May peace prevail in all three spheres.
e.
Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu, Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu, Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu, Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu
Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥa, Sarve santu niraamayaha, Sarve Bhadraani pasyanti, Mā kaścit dukkha bhāgbhavet.
f.
Sarve Janana Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantiihi
May there be happiness in all, May there be peace in all, May there be completeness in all, May there be success in all. Om, May all be happy. May all be healthy. May we all experience what is good and let no one suffer. May peace prevail in all the spheres. May all Humanity be blessed with Comfort and Joy. May everyone, in the whole world, be happy. May peace prevail in all the 3 spheres.
A. Benedictions from the Christian Faith Tradition:
I offer these prayers from the Christian Faith tradition that have been sources of guidance and nourishment through my journey from despondency through periods of tumult towards enlightenment in my Sadhana Path.
1.Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
1. Luke 10:27
“Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbor as thyself. KJV.
2. Corinthians 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. [Generosity of Spirit- connotes Love for God and fellow man]
3. Matthew 22:39 Context
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38
This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40
4. John 13:13
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” This is the last commandment Jesus bestowed on his disciples when he appeared before them after Easter.
These are benedictions from the Hindu Faith Tradition:
A. Paropakaraya Punyaya, Papaya Parapeedanam. This is part of a longer stotram
Amidst all the 18 Puranas, know only two gospels of Maharshi Vyas to be true, that doing good to others conduces to merit and doing harm to them leads to Sin.
B. Iswarah Sarva Bhutanam Itruddesha Arjuna Tishtati SBG Discourse 18, Verse 61
“The same God who is present in me is also present in other human beings.”
C. Shatahasta Samahara, Sahasrashasta Sankira
“Earn with hundreds of hands, and distribute with thousands.”
D. Datavyamiti Yaddanam Deeyatenupa KarineDeshe Kale cha Patercha Taddanam Sattvikam Smarutam
“That gift which is made to one who can make no return, with the feeling that it is one’s duty to give, and which is given at the right place and time and to a worthy person, that gift is held sattvik.”[Virtuous]
We can all do the same!!
E. Dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇe
deśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam SBG Discourse 17: Verse 20
When Charity is 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.
We can all emulate this! Can we, But Will we when the time is at hand, right Now.! What stops Us?!
I have chanted this prayer that occurred to me while reflecting on what I was saying in my routine prayers, audibly or inaudibly repeating these attributes of Almighty God. I offer a brief explanation. I can share the resources by contact me through my website velandymanoharmd.com
Brahman Satyam, Jagat Mithyam, Jivo Brahmaiva näparah, Nityam Shuddham, Sarvam Shantam, Satyam Jnanam Amrutam, Anantam, Brahman
“Brahman Satyam, Jagat Mithyam, Jivo brahmaiva näparah,[ the individual is none other than Brahman itself, taken with the first, would then imply that the Brahman is Absolute Reality; the mithyä universe is Brahman, the mithya individual (Jiva)is Brahman. There is only Brahman ], Nithyam [ Constant] Shuddham [Pure ], Sarvam Shantam [ Peaceful in its entirety], Satyam [True essence of all], Jnanam [Transcendental Knowledge], Amrutam [Without Impurities], Anantam [No limits in space, time] Brahman [ Omnipresent, Omnipotent Omnipresent] Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi”[May Peace prevail in all the three domains- the waters, the land and vast expanse of the sky, as well as in our body, mind and body]
I offer with reverence of all my prayers, my thoughts, words, feelings and wishes to Almighty God who permeates all aspects of my existence and interactions in all domains.
Om, Asato ma Sadgamaya
Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
Mrityor mâ amritam gamaya
Om shanti, shanti, shanti!
Om,
Lead me from the unreal to the real,
Lead me from darkness to light,
Lead me from death to immortality.
This is a prayer of all human beings everywhere and in this Upanishad it has been so briefly and beautifully expressed. In this short prayer all the aspirations of the human heart have been included. We all want to go from darkness to light, from untruth to truth and from death to immortality. This is a prayer for total cessation of all attachment and false identifications. A prayer to take us from death to immortality. Immortality cannot be achieved unless one is free from the lower impulses of lust, anger and other such demonic qualities. Unless these devils are destroyed and divinity restored, until evil is annihilated and death is transcended by establishing purity in thought, word and deed, one cannot hope to attain immortality. Thus, the human heart here pours out in prayer.
SBG Discourse 10, Verse 41: What need is there for all this detailed knowledge, O Arjun? Simply know that by one fraction of My being, I pervade and support this entire creation.
Chapter 10, Verse 42 – Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda (holy-bhagavad-gita.org)
“Vaasudev Sarvam Iti…”
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.
Chapter 7, Verse 19 – Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda (holy-bhagavad-gita.org)
Om Tat Sat Sree Krishna arpanam Astu
Om Tat Sat Sree SatyaNarayana Swamy arpanam astu
Velandy Manohar, MD
*Posted on my website The Wonder of It All, Amen (velandymanoharmd.com)