Guest guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha // SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha // SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/ SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya// KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: / SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm// ===================================================================== SRI RANGA SRI VOL.07 / ISSUE # 41 dated 17th February 2006 ===================================================================== EDITORIAL Dear Bhagavatas: We have been flooded with messages both in snail-mail and email as well as over phone, some of them congratulating us on the effort to re-educate the aspirants on SV. Some others have offered useful suggestions to deal with the subject. Sri V. Sadagopan Swami has offered to provide us with a DVD prepared under the personal supervision of asmad Achaaryan Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam, Srirangam. We did not expect that the subject would evoke so much spontaneous response among so many readers. We are beholden to all of them and offer our sincere thanks for the encouragement. Several other Bhagavatas who had many questions in their mind but were either afraid or shy of asking have shot a volley of queries in the spirit of Lord KrishNa's dictum "Tad viddhi pratipaatEna pariprasnEna sEvayaa/". (BG IV 34) For example, • One not belonging to the "TraivarNikas" who says that he had his "BharNyaasam" at the feet of Azhagiyasinghar has asked whether any alternative was available for him to observe SV. • Another one has sent a mail attaching the text of SV by Smaartas. • Yet another has asked for coaching in Rik and Saama Veda procedures. • Some have sought further clarifications on topics already dealt with in the earlier issue. (SRS Vol.7-39). Though we cannot claim by any means to be either "Jnaani" or "Tattva Darsi" in terms of KrishNa's second part of the slOka quoted above - "upadEkshyanti tE Jnaanam jnaaninah Tattva darsinah//", we are tempted to provide answers to the best of knowledge and understanding, based on the inputs received during the kaalakshEpams on AnushTaana grantams at the feet of revered Achaaryas. We are surprised that many more young and old (some in their fifties and sixties of age) have come up in the open to honestly acknowledge that they were remiss in doing this Nitya-karma over the years and request to be taught again. When the Upanayanam investiture is made, a Brahmachaari is said to become a (Dvi-ja) meaning "Twice-born". The surge of interest exhibited by these aspirants for "Re-Initiation" would seem to generate a new genre that could be rightfully knighted as "Tri-ja" (Thrice- born)! ---- IN THIS ISSUE SANDHYAA VANDANAM -– Part 2 - 2 FAQs AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VARIOUS OBSERVANCES IN "SANDHYAAVANDANAM" (ANBIL RAMASWAMY) ====================================================================== xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ====================================================================== ISSUES RELEASED So far, 217 Regular issues of SRS have been released apart from Special Issues: 27 Issues of Vol. 1 15 Issues of Vol. 2 42 Issues of Vol. 3 35 Issues of Vol. 4 28 Issues of Vol. 5 30 Issues of Vol. 6 and 40 Issues of Vol. 7 ---- These issues have been archived for public view at - by Sri Diwakar Kannan (diwakark) You may also view the archives at http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia maintained by Sri Srinivasan Sriram (ajiva_rts ) We strongly urge you to kindly peruse the "Regular Issues" archived in the "Files" Section and view the Contents at "srsindex.html" (Not the individual postings allowed for encouraging "Reader participation"). We are sure that you will be convinced of the quality of the contents. IF you are satisfied with the quality and contents of "Sri Ranga Sri"- Tell your friends to join by sending an email to Srirangasri- IF NOT: Tell us, as to how we may improve. Ever at your service Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy, Editor & Publisher, "Sri Ranga Sri" ====================================================================== Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ====================================================================== SANDHYAA VANDANAM -– Part 2 - 2 FAQs AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VARIOUS OBSERVANCES IN "SANDHYAAVANDANAM" (ANBIL RAMASWAMY) ---- Q11. Are there any benefits in doing SV, other than those mentioned in answer to Q 3? A: In answer to Q 3, it was stated that doing SV does not yield any "PuNyam" and not doing it entails "Paapam" and dedicating the act to Bhagavaan through "Saatvika Thyaagam" the fruit accrues not to the practitioner but to Bhagavaan since the act becomes one of "Nishkaamya Karma" (act bereft of desire for fruit). Many Bhaagavatas have pointed out, though not desired by the practitioner, the Karma may bestow on the practitioner several other benefits and desired me to write on this. Here are some of the benefits that SV bestows as a bonus (aanushangikam) 1. It instills a certain discipline because observing the ritual at appropriate times invests a sense of regularity, which in itself is a sin-qua-non for an orderly life. It is discipline that distinguishes an organized regiment from a motley rabble; it is discipline that differentiates a genuine yogi from a fake one. 2. During Maadhyahnikam when we view the Sun, we pray that we should live to see one hundred autumns. This definitely is a bonus, when we consider that ancient sages who adhered to the regular and proper performance of SV lived a 100 years like for example, Bhagavad Ramanuja (120 years) and Swami Desika (101 years). 3. "The Gaayatri Japam" that forms the crux of the Japa Bhaagam prays for "kindling the intellect" (DheeyO Yo nah prachOdayaat) which means that we seek to have clear intellect for properly comprehending the means and goal of human existence. This "kindling of intellect" is the foundation of all knowledge. And, we know "Knowledge is Power". Who does not like to acquire this power? Is this not a rich and valuable benefit for the seeker of truth that SV bestows? Another subtle point to note in this connection is that even a kid of just 8 years of age prays for this knowledge not for himself alone but for all of us (nah). What a universal appeal for all humanity! 4. Sesha Samhitai 14-50 says that one should bring to light the glory of his Achaarya while keeping the Mantra initiated by him a close secret. And, it proceeds to caution that by not publicizing the former and publicizing the mantra would result in the decline of spiritual wealth and spiritual longevity. "gurum prakaasayEt dheemaan mantram yatnEna gOpayEt/ aprakaasa prakaasaabhyaam ksheeyatE Sampad aayushee // " It is clear from the above that one who carefully preserves the mantram (initiated to him during Upanayanam) will be assured of wealth and long life. This should instill confidence in the practitioner to perform SV regularly, if he desires to reap these fruits. 5. There is a PramaaNa slOkam which says that great Mahrishis lived long in the olden days by performing SV. SV ensures not only long life but also Jnaanam (knowledge), Yasas (renown), Keerthim (fame) and Brahma tEjas (luster). Rishaya: dheergha sandhyatvaat dheergham aayuh avaapnuvat/ pragjnaam yasas ch keerthim cha Brahma varchasamEva cha // 6. There is a clear warning that even the Vedas would not purify one who does not do SV: "Aachaara heenam na punanti vEdaah" 7. Another PramaaNam confirms that doing SV confers on a person eligibility to engage in other religious karmas. In other words, one who skips SV is rendered unfit to do any other karma. "Aachaara mita sruti vihita sandhyaavandanaadE: / karmaantaraa adhikaara sampaadanam phalamiti tu sveekritam// » Gaining this eligibility is itself a great benefit lest other karmas like visiting temples, doing PaaraayaNam, donating to charities etc should become futile in the absence of SV. ---- Q.12. How to make sure that these benefits actually accrue? A: This is a hypothetical question. "No man becomes a saint in his sleep" is a popular adage. Ask people who have been doing SV for long without break. The "Brahma tEjas" that they acquire is an indisputable fact. The practitioner would palpably feel a sea change in his perception and attitude, a spiritually elevating experience, a better and clearer understanding of the esoteric nuances - not immediately but over a period of consistent and persistent observance of the "Nitya karma". This experience can be well within your reach, if you also do likewise. ---- Q.13. Is there any evidence to show of any personage in our scriptures having done SV? A: In fact, there are numerous instances in which even Bhagavaan, when he took human form did adhere to SV, apart from other human beings. For example, • Sage Viswaamitra woke up Sri Rama saying that it was time to do SV. "Kousalyaa suprajaa Rama! Poorvaa sandhyaa pravartatE/ uttishTa nara saardoola, kartavyam deivam aahnikam" Is not Sri Rama known as "RamO vigrahavaan Dharmah" – "personification of Dharma" • As KrishNa, we see that he takes permission of RukmiNi and goes to perform SV. In Bhagavad Gita, KrishNa says: that he never gives up doing his "karma" even though there is nothing whatsoever in the three worlds that ought to be done, there is nothing un-obtained that ought to be obtained. "Na mE paartha asti kartavyam trishu lOkEshu kimchana / naan avaaptam avaaptavyam varta Eva cha KarmaNi//" (Bg III.22) He explains why still he does not give up doing "karma". It is because, "If at any time, I do not keep myself engaged in: karma" men will follow my path and I will be guilty of spoiling them" Yadi hi aham na vartEyam jaatu karmaNyatandrita: / Mama vartma anuvartantE manushyaa: paartha! Sarvasa:// (BG III.24) Is not KrishNa known as "KrishNam Dharmam Sanaatanam"? • We learn from Swami Desika's Srimad Rahasya Traya Saaram that Bhagavad Ramanuja, who established our Darsanam, is reported to have got up with great effort o stand for offering arghyam even at a ripe old age of 120 years. This shows that "arghyam" should not be offered while being seated. • PiraaTTi has commanded that we should not transgress Vedic apachaaram even in thought. "maneeshi Vaidika apachaaram manasaapi na langayEt" • VEdam enjoins us to follow Dharma "Dharmam chara" which includes doing SV. • We learn from Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam, that Vaali crushed RaavaNa when the latter troubled him during SV and would not release him till the completion of the Nitya Karma. We also learn that for this fault, he hung RaavaNa like an insect at the canopy of the cradle of his son Angata. • Visravas, father of RaavaNa is also known to have done SV. • When VibheeshaNa was taking the image of Lord Ranganatha to Lanka, placed the image between the two rivers of Kaveri and KoLLiDam for doing SV. • VibheeshaNa prayed to Brahma that even in the face of grave danger, his mind should always be riveted to "Dharma": "Parama aapad gatasyaapi dhrmE mama mathir bhavEt" This shows how even though he was a Raakshasa, his earnestness to tread the path of Dharma. • Akrura is reported to have done SV at a river side when he was proceeding to GOkulam to fetch KrishNa to Mathura. • We also learn that when KarNa was doing SV, someone approached him for food and he directed that person with his left thumb in the direction where he could get food, because he could not interrupt the observance. Why were they all so meticulous about doing SV? It is because, SV is an "Agnjaa kainkaryams" (Obligatory as the very command of the Lord) that cannot be missed under any circumstances. ---- To Continue SV 2-3 ====================================================================== xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ====================================================================== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.