Chanting Sri Suktam

April 1, 2002

I am verymuch agreeing with u. i quote an example

my sisters daughter learnt the suktham through a

guru and when u hear her chanting in the early morning

4.00 hrs, u r simply mesmerised. i could visualise mother

further she was so poor financially when she started this.

but to day she is showered with wealth like anything

i have read the translation of this in Bhavan's journal

many years back. what is said as palasruthi is absolutely

true to the word.her chanting is so excellent,even great

pandits cannot achieve it. Women r more powerful

in the worship of Devi as u have correctly said it as

Devis embodiment. they r very near to Devi.

kaushik

-

"Colin" <colin

<>

Sunday, March 31, 2002 12:28 PM

Chanting Sri Suktam

> My understanding is the Sri Suktam is not limited to Lakshmi. Sri Suktam

> chanting can be done for any form of the Mother. I don't believe Sri

Suktam

> as a vidhi for Devi puja to be uncommon. If my tradition we chant a

> Samputita Sri Suktam fenced with verses from the Durga Saptasloki. I pass

> this on as advice from a qualified guru to those who own Sri Chakras.

> Yes, Sri Suktam should be learned and chanted properly, but how you can

> forbid women, Devi's embodiment on earth, from chanting her praises? I

will

> never understand this thinking. This is a tradition who's root is to keep

> knowlege away from women to keep power, something my sampradaya does not

> to.

>

> Colin

>

> <SNIP>:Take for instance your suggestion, according to the

> tradition only male dvija-s (twice born) who are initiated to

> upanayana and who taught by a guru to chant correctly according to

> svara-s can say shrii suuktam. This is not withstanding the fact the

> shriisuktam is traditionally considered to be addressed to

> mahalaaxmi**. However, there is specific form of shrii chakram for

> mahaalaxmi, but the normal shrii chakram is representation of shiva-

> shakti (see lalita trishatii -- phala shruti). On the contrary one

> may be better chanting works like umAmaheshvara stotram or

> ardhanaariishvara stotram ( both are works of shankara).

> My 2c.

>

> Ravi

>

> ** there is a shiva-vishishhTaadvaita interpretation of shrii suuktam

> as being addressed to gauri.

>

> > Colin

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 5

> Thu, 28 Mar 2002 22:23:22 -0000

> "miinalochanii" <miinalochanii

> Re: paN^guni uttiram

>

> , "miinalochanii" <miinalochanii> wrote:

> > namaH shivAbhyAm

> >

> > Tomorrow (Thursday March 28th 2002) is the auspicious paN^guNi

> > uttiram. It occurs during the miina maasa (tamil paN^guni) when the

> > naxatra is uttira phalguni. This day is also known as kalyaaNa

> > vratam. You can find more details on how to observe it, etc. on the

> > shaivam page.

>

> The date I quoted is correct only for countries such as India. For

> the US, it was on 27th. Probably, the specific guideline on how to

> arrive at the date should be available in the purana which discusses

> this. I looked for a general guideline (since I did not know the

> specific). VaidyanAtha diixitiyam says this under the section called

> panchadashi (for paurnami and amaavasya) nirNayam. If the event is

> based on the naxatra instead of the tithi -- then things like snAna

> and dAna is determined based on udaya vyApti, and vrata-s etc. are

> observed based on astamana or nishi vyApti-s. I guess (probably)

> that is the reason why even though on 28th (at New York) uttara

> phalguni naxatra was there till 7:00+ am (I think after sunrise) --

> New York temple panchangam has panguni uttiram on 27th. Any

> comments/corrections?

>

> TIA.

>

> Ravi

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 6

> Thu, 28 Mar 2002 22:27:08 -0000

> "miinalochanii" <miinalochanii

> Re: ThirumuRai Series - 79

>

> The following reminded me of the verse "karasthe hemAdrau" of

> shivAnandalahari.

>

> > Notes:

> > 1. Isn't it this Lord Who gave kubera all the

> > covetous wealth ? Isn't it this Lord Who gave

> > Indra airAvatham to ride and the nectar to the

> > divines but took nothing but poision from the

> > ocean ? If it was not for this Lord - the

> > auspicious - how would have the divines and the

> > daemons survived the poison ? Isn't He the One Who

> > stands alone in spite of eating poison when even

> > the divines who ate the nectar die ? Isn't that

> > Eternal Lord the most affluent ? For the ones who

> > need to establish their well being all the external

> > adornation is required. Why should the Peerless

> > Supreme that is the source of all our prosperities

> > need external show off, while It Itself is the

> > Ultimate Auspiciousness !

> > 2. cf. shivanenum Ochai - appar

> > 3. eeRu - bull; kaaDu - forst (here cemetry);

> > peRRi - asset/prosperity

> >

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 7

> Thu, 28 Mar 2002 22:19:18 -0600

> "Aravind Krishna" <seeksha

> ..Alokaye miinaxi kalyaaNa kaamesham..

>

> .kAmeshvareNa samrakshitoham .

>

> kamaleshakR^ita kanyakAdAnena karuNAmR^ita rasapravAhena .

> kAmeshvarI pANigrahaNena kAmAdi mukti yashaskena..

>

> . kamaleshakR^ita kanyakAdAnena .

>

> The sustainer of the entire creation, shriiman naarayaNa (pavaza kanivai

> perumal from tiruparamkundram) offered his sister the divine bride miinaxi

> to the lord of the universe. He washed the holy feet of somasundareshvara

> and offered madhu-parkam.

>

> . karuNAmR^ita rasapravAhena .

>

> Compassion (KaaruNya rasam) gushed out of the lotus eyes of Lord

> Sundareshvara and blessed the entire universe.

>

> .kAmeshvarI pANigrahaNena .

>

> Facing west, miinaxi had her right hand fingers joined together like a

coral

> kuvalaya puShpa. Turning east, Parameshvara lowed his right palm and

gently

> held kaameshvari's hand. The entire creation was blessed due to this

> paaNigrahaNam.

>

> .kAmAdi mukti yashaskena..

>

> The clutches of the cupid, and other internal enemies vanishes from the

> heart of those who constantly meditate on this divine form of '

> kalyaaNa-sundareshvara'.

>

> kAmeshvareNa samrakshitoham .

>

> Let the divine couple shrii miinakshi devi and sundareshvari bless us all.

>

> ..Alokaye miinaxi kalyaaNa kaamesham..

>

> Aravind

>

> Your eyes could feast on these Tanjure pictures.

> http://www.thanjavurpaintings.com/cmeenakshi.html

>

> _______________

> Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 8

> Fri, 29 Mar 2002 04:45:34 -0800 (PST)

> Subramanian Ganesh <sgesh

> ThirumuRai Series - 81

>

> thirunyAna sambandhar thirukkaDaikkAppu

> thalam podhu (Common)

> paN kauchikam

> muunRaam thirumuRai

>

> thiruppAsuram

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> aaTpaalavarkku aruLum aadhi maaNbum

> keeTpaanpugil aLavillai kiLakkavENDaa

> kooTpaalanavum vinaiyum kuRugaamai en^dhai

> thaaTpaal vaNaN^gith thalain^inRu ivai keeTkath

> thakkaar

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> Meaning:

> Grace for those who are owned (devotees) and

> the Grandeur of the Source is limitless, if

> started to listen to ! So don't merely investigate

> (to see the end of the same). The planetary effects

> and the deeds (karma) will not near those who

> salute our Lord's Feet and listen to these (Fame)

> sincerely (with devotion).

>

> Notes:

> 1. The Glory of God is boundless. It is beyond

> the limits of even brahma and viShNu leave alone

> the humans to completely explore. While analysis

> is needed the mere research without essence will

> lead nowhere in that great ocean. So instead of

> trying to drain out the ocean with a small bowl

> and measure its depth, should enjoy whatever handful

> of that nectar of Lord shiva's Glory loosing

> ourselves into It !

> 2. This is a very valuable piece sambandhar

> perumAn has given us. Many people do lots of

> researches on various philosophies and compare

> some very minute (and often least significant)

> details and just end up in a confused boat. If

> atleast some effort has been made put some

> devotion to the Supreme in action, it would have

> brought in great returns !!

>

> =====

> ---------------------------

> Visit Shaivism Home Page at http://www.shaivam.org

> ---------------------------

>

> Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover

> http://greetings./

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 9

> Sat, 30 Mar 2002 06:01:12 -0800 (PST)

> Subramanian Ganesh <sgesh

> ThirumuRai Series - 82

>

> (thiruppAchuram is the padhikam sambandhar told

> pANDiyan n^inRa chIr n^eDumARan as a guru. The

> meaning of this padhikam is intense. chEkkizAr

> has written quite some elaborations for this

> whole padhikam, while no other padhikam has got

> this kind of special commentary in periya purANam.

> Given such great importance of this padhikam all

> the hymns in this padhikam are being presented in

> ThirumuRai Series (from 89 to 90). So there would

> be many sent in these two days to cover complete

> padhikam before April. The explanations here would be

> very little compared to the deep meanings this

> enlightening poem gives. So please contemplate on each

> of these verses to get more out.

> "pAchuram pADinAr para chamayaN^gaL pARA")

>

> thirunyAna sambandhar thirukkaDaikkAppu

> thalam podhu (Common)

> paN kauchikam

> muunRaam thirumuRai

>

> thiruppAsuram

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> eedhukkaLaalum eDuththa moziyaalum mikkuch

> choodhikka veeNDaa chuDarviTTuLan eN^gaL choodhi

> maadhukkam n^iiN^galuRuviir manampaRRi vaazmin

> chaadhukkaL mikkiir iRaiyee van^dhu chaarminkaLee

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> Meaning:

> With cause, reasoning and with the words used

> for presenting don't get too much into

> examination, because our Lord is explicitly

> glowing resplendently ! You will be removed of

> your great sorrows, hold on to Him and live !

> Oh serene ones and all others come and hinge

> only on the God !

>

> Notes:

> 1. One cannot and mostly should not go just

> by faith. If the one believed turns out to be

> the truth it is safe, with least effort most

> returns are got. But it happens to be not true

> the result will be detrimental depending upon

> how bad it is. So one has to check to ones own

> satisfaction that the chosen thing is not the wrong

> one. On the other hand when one keeps on

> questioning without getting satisfied at some

> point, fine the Truth will certainly keep

> answering either immediately or with whatever

> delays, but the seeker by then could have wasted

> all the time in knowing what without looking at how

> that truth could be utilized !

> For example if one wants to find the presence

> of a heat source there is a way to keep calculating

> the difference in heat levels at various points

> and finally arrive at the burning point. But when

> one is able to see a huge flame dazzling, why go

> for such laborious techniques ? (unless one really

> wants to)

> The divine language of saint thirunyAna sambandhar

> has used the chosen word "mikkuch chOdhikka vENDA".

> There are religions that call for "just faith" and

> there is another class (including rationalism) that

> just insists on digging on and on without translating

> the truths observed into practice. kuravar sambandhar

> clarly drives away our quandary, "Analyze to get the

> first concepts right. Then You can feel our Lord shiva

> and stay in that Luminance ! There will be no doubts

> any more ! Hold on to That Supreme ! That is your way

> to the Bliss !!"

> 2. iRaiyE could also be interpreted as atleast a bit.

> In that case the meaning could be, "Oh serene ones

> and all others at least hold on to the Lord a bit.

> (You will be benefited accordingly)"

>

> =====

> ---------------------------

> Visit Shaivism Home Page at http://www.shaivam.org

> ---------------------------

>

> Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover

> http://greetings./

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 10

> Sat, 30 Mar 2002 07:29:13 -0800 (PST)

> Subramanian Ganesh <sgesh

> ThirumuRai Series - 83

>

> thirunyAna sambandhar thirukkaDaikkAppu

> thalam podhu (Common)

> paN kauchikam

> muunRaam thirumuRai

>

> thiruppAchuram

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> aaDum enavum arun^kuuRRam udhaiththu veedham

> paaDum enavum pugazalladhu paavam n^iiN^gak

> keeDum piRappum aRukkum enakkeeTTiraagil

> n^aaDum thiRaththaarkku aruLalladhu n^aaTTalaamee

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> Meaning:

> If you hear that It Dances, that It kicks

> the death and sings the words of wisdom,

> that keeping the fame removing the sins

> It destroys the devastation and birth,

> will It bestow anything other than Grace

> on those who seek ?!

>

> Notes:

> 1. Who got dismayed worshipping our God shiva ?

> It dances in Bliss putting us also into bliss.

> It kicks even the death when the devotion is

> flawless. Ultimately It is the only One who can

> cut off our births ! It is more than the mother,

> whether It gives sweet or sour medicine for those

> who seek It will always benefit. Other than

> shiva (auspicious) who else can be more

> auspicious to us ?

>

> =====

> ---------------------------

> Visit Shaivism Home Page at http://www.shaivam.org

> ---------------------------

>

> Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover

> http://greetings./

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 11

> Sat, 30 Mar 2002 07:30:06 -0800 (PST)

> Subramanian Ganesh <sgesh

> ThirumuRai Series - 84

>

> thirunyAna sambandhar thirukkaDaikkAppu

> thalam podhu (Common)

> paN kauchikam

> muunRaam thirumuRai

>

> thiruppAchuram

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> kaDicheern^dha poodhu malaraana kaikkoNDu n^alla

> paDicheern^dha paalkoNDaN^gu aaTTiDath thaadhai paNDu

> muDicheern^dha kaalai aRa veTTiDa mukkaN muurthi

> aDicheern^dha vaNNam aRivaar cholak keeTTumanRee

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> Meaning:

> Offering the fragrant flowers in hand, bathing

> (the Lord) with the pure milk, when worshipping,

> the father who tried to kick (the shivalingam),

> cutting those legs off one who reached the

> Holy Feet of the Three-eyed Lord, that story

> don't we hear from the wise ?!

>

> Notes:

> 1. One of the two very talked about nAyanmAr,

> chaNDIsar's great devotion and the reward for

> the same is depicted here. The peerless young

> child chaNDIsar who steadfast in his devotion,

> without even bothering it was his own father

> who was doing the misdeed at the beloved God,

> removed the hindrance and focussed on the

> worship ! If so is the devotion how much could

> be the reward from the Gracious Lord ? He got

> an unthinkable place and rights at the abode of

> God. He comes along with shiva kuTumba as

> panychamUrthi representing all the devotees

> with the deer, axe and bull vAhana like the God !

> The devotion at the altar of Lord siva will be

> suitably rewarded, is beyond doubt.

>

> =====

> ---------------------------

> Visit Shaivism Home Page at http://www.shaivam.org

> ---------------------------

>

> Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover

> http://greetings./

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 12

> Sat, 30 Mar 2002 07:31:01 -0800 (PST)

> Subramanian Ganesh <sgesh

> ThirumuRai Series - 85

>

> thirunyAna sambandhar thirukkaDaikkAppu

> thalam podhu (Common)

> paN kauchikam

> muunRaam thirumuRai

>

> thiruppAsuram

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> veedha mudhalvan mudhalaaga viLaN^gi vaiyam

> eedhap paDaamai ulagaththavar eeththal cheyyap

> puudha mudhalvan mudhalee mudhalaagap polin^dha

> chuudhan olimaalai enRee kalikkoovai chollee

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> Meaning:

> The Source of the supreme wisdom being the

> Source of this world, without much troubled

> with the difficulties for the people to praise

> (and elevate themselves), maintaining the

> supremacy of the Supreme Lord of elements to

> be the supreme thing the words of sUdhar

> (purANas) beautifully narrate. (Lord shiva's

> Glory)

>

> Notes:

> 1. The purANas hail the Supremacy of Lord shiva.

> They describe the splendid deeds of the Lord

> and the great benefits the seekers got by

> worshipping that Lord. It is quite interesting

> to note that 10 of the currently available 18

> purANas clearly talk of the supremacy of Lord

> shiva.

>

> =====

> ---------------------------

> Visit Shaivism Home Page at http://www.shaivam.org

> ---------------------------

>

> Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover

> http://greetings./

>

> ______________________

>

> Message: 13

> Sat, 30 Mar 2002 07:31:47 -0800 (PST)

> Subramanian Ganesh <sgesh

> ThirumuRai Series - 86

>

> thirunyAna sambandhar thirukkaDaikkAppu

> thalam podhu (Common)

> paN kauchikam

> muunRaam thirumuRai

>

> thiruppAsuram

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> paaraazi vaTTam pagaiyaal n^alin^dhaaTTa ADip

> peeraaziyaanadhiDar kaNDu aruL cheydhal peeNi

> n^iiraazi viTTeeRi n^enychiDam koNDaarkkup

> pooraazi iin^dha pugazum pugazuRRadhanRee

>

> thiruchchiRRambalam

>

> Meaning:

> The ocean surrounded world suffering a lot

> with enmity, wanting to shower Grace (bestow

> peace) as the world was in the ocean of

> suffering, providing the great disc arm to the

> one who rose from the ocean and held the Lord

> in his heart (mahAviShNu), isn't that fame

> renowned ?!

>

> Notes:

> 1. The receipt of sudarshana chakra from the

> Lord by mahAviShNu is depicted here. Highly

> reverend viShNu with lots of devotion offered

> even his eye as a flower to the Lord shiva Feet.

> The Lord blessed viShNu with the sudarshana

> chakra, with which mahA viShNu protects this

> world and brings in stability.

> 2. Azi - ocean, disc.

>

> =====

> ---------------------------

> Visit Shaivism Home Page at http://www.shaivam.org

> ---------------------------

>

> Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover

> http://greetings./

>

> ______________________

>

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April 1, 2002

Hi,

I think we would all agree that the wealth of spiritual knowledge that has

been handed over to us along the generations has been through the traditions

that came along with the knowledge and the literature. But for the gurukulas and

the Sruti

discipline the vedas, upanishads and the innumerable bhashyas and commentaries,

stotras, gadhyas, tantras and slokas would not have been with us...

Contemplating upon it, it also sometimes feels that traditions that seem

competing are actually complementary and the more these are rigidly followed by

the upasakas, even at the denial and unacceptance of the others, the more has it

aided the

preservation of the tradition in its true pristine glory... Of course, all these

paths ultimately lead to the realization of the One and it is until such a point

does one need these.

The vedas and the vedic tradition is one such. The sri-vidhya is another.

In both these, there are prescriptions as to the audiences and the austerities

to be observed and followed. In both these traditions it is the guru that is of

the utmost

importance and what the Guru says is final to be observed by the disciple.

These are not the only two paths to the Devi and there are many other stotras

and slokas which do not require a Guru or other austerities / requirements. "Yad

BhAvam Tad Bhavati"

is an upanishad vAkya (sentence) meaning "what you believe, that you become".

Thus, it is belief that is much more important than anything else when reciting

a stotra / mantra. Even in a tradition such as Sri-vidya it is the faith and

bhakthi in the guru

that ultimately leads to the disciple to follow the guru to the word and hence

reach the objective. Traditions should thus be followed in their true form and

belief.

In the Bhagvad-gita, Bhagavan Sri Krishna states that "One's own

prescribed duty, half-done is much better that someone else's tradition / dharma

done perfectly" and will ultimately lend more help in self-realization. Thus,

following the traditions

prescribed for one will help much more than borrowing others without the proper

guidance of a Guru. Excelling in a chanting / creating a spiritual effect are

all boons that the devi grants to her children and she doesn't discriminate

between the sexes

while doing so. Anybody, who has the sradda(dedication) gets the immediate

reward. After all, she is the power who makes everything (including Shiva) move.

She is the one who made Muka sing. Shankara says "TvadIyabir vAkbhis tava janani

vachAm stutih" in

which he states that vak starts and ends with Her and all the sounds we make is

Her form. And anybody who surrenders to her is immediately given Her form (leave

alone "women being near to Devi"), as the great Adi Sankara observes in "Bhavani

tvam dAse

...." in Soundarya Lahari. In that verse, he goes a step further and says that

even before a devotee completes saying "I surrender in Thy feet" the Mother

gives sAyujya...

Devi is beyond vak (speech) and Manas (the mind). This is asserted

repeatedly in the Upanishads and many other puranas / stotras etc. These are

instruments to pour our heart to the Devi and make her always occupy our minds.

Therefore, it is not to

be assumed that if one is not asked to chant something, it is benig guarded for

greed of power etc.,. Nobody can chain / guard or restrain God from reaching

anybody or anybody from reaching it. It is only by the Divine will that the

Damodara gets chained

and it's by one's own will that the God is forgotten in these silly worries. I

sometimes feel whether this is what SankarAchArya alludes to in the opening

verse of Bhaja Govindam.

I am not a learned person nor am I initiated into the Sri-vidhya

tradition, but this is what my Guru told me. I am no one to question / offend

anybody's personal experiences / opinions, but just set forth one of mine, in

the words that the Devi is

herself a manifestation of. May the mother forgive any excesses and mistakes

from this child of hers.

Om Shakthi,

Koushik.

=====================================

JAYA JAYA SANKARA! HARA HARA SANKARA!

=====================================

"kaushik"

<kaushik@nettlin

<>

x.com> cc: (bcc: Koushik

MS/BTC/SC/PHILIPS)

Re:

Chanting Sri Suktam

04/02/02 06:36

AM Classification:

Please respond

to