about Onam & Mahabali & clips of Onam concert...

September 23, 2009

Hari OM!Thank you for your note. I don't think we are having any differences in our opinions about the celebration of Onam at all. My interest is to ensure that the importance of Vamanavatharam is not to be forgotten as it is ignored in most 'janakeeya sahityams'. Infact Onam celebration is a major economic boost to Kerala and I can't imagine a Keralam without Onam celebrations. As part of Onam celebration in Canada we had a series of Carnatic concerts by Sri Sankaran Namboodiri. He also sang some of my 'krithis' (or vikrithis..) I will post some when I get a clean copy. Please see an excerpt of "nagumo...." from the Vancouver concert. I have also taken part in it.Shankaran

Namboodiri concert in Vancouver - parts in you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sad6pf01Duo Sankaran Namboothiri - Nagumomu (Parts) in VancouverThis is a clip from Sree Sankaran Namboodiri's Carnatic Classical concert in Vancouver. 4 Sept 2009. Sree Raman Iyer Violin; Sree M Lakshman- Mridangam; Dr. A. P. Sukumar, Morsinghari OM!Sukumar--- On Tue, 9/22/09, NVP Menon

<nvpmenon wrote:NVP Menon <nvpmenonRe: [Guruvayur] navaneetham - about Onam & Mahabaliguruvayur Received: Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 3:25 AM

Dear Sukumarji,

I am sorry if I offended you in any way. I do not want to enter into a controversy. I agree with you about what is written in Bhagavatham. But I do not think there is any harm in honouring a benevolent king. I do not know when this celebration of Onam was started. I know it was there when I was born 70years ago.By doing this celebration, we are not dishonouring Vamanamoorthi either. We are doing the pooja to Vamana at the same time too.I do not know about historical accuracy . But I know there is a prathishta of Vamana in Trikkakkara and there is a place called PAthAlam near Alwaye too .

with all best wishes,and prayers,

sreedevi menon

Om Namo narayanaya

--- On Mon, 9/21/09, Sukumar <sukumarcanada@ > wrote:

Sukumar <sukumarcanada@ >Re: [Guruvayur] navaneetham - about Onam & Mahabaliguruvayur@grou ps.comMonday, September 21, 2009, 7:01 PM

Hari OM! Hari OM!

I read Smt. Sreedevi ji's mail regarding my article in Navaneetham about Mahabali. Thank you for your remarks and sorry for the delay in reply. I was away at a conference.

I hope I haven't made anyone uneasy by writing the "mahabali chinthakal". What I did was to quote Bhagavatham to restate the story of mahabali and to show how the modern interpretation of the "chathi" by Mahavishnu (i.e., the Lord's deceitful action) is against the real import of the legend. I am also a real admirer of Mahabali as a king and an ideal bhaktha . But Lord Vishnu showed him the path which is really at a higher realm we can only hope for. My question is why should we merely stop at the material prosperity? We should always hope and aim for the highest ideal and Mahabali's lesson was to attain that with the touch of the Lord's holy feet. That is the missing link in the popular story and I consider it as a real drawback.. I assure that it is not my concept at all. I shamelessly retold it from Bhagavatham.

In other traditions also we see such treatments of great traditions and stories. (I might get into trouble by saying this). Now the fasting is underway (or it is over) for Holy Ramzan. But in newspapers and popular media, more emphasis is placed on the different food items prepared for ending the daily fast. The essence of Ramzan is much more than eating wonderful food. It should be about conservation and giving danam (sakath), right?... Similarly, during X mas, who is popular? Jesus Christ or Santa Claus?

I wish, for Onam we start celebrating the appearance of Lord Vamana first and then the king Mahabali. The Lord took the incarnation to show us the importance of the higher pursuits of life. As I wrote in the article, when one gives everything that he 'owns' to the Lord, that is bhakthi and thus Bali became an ideal example of a bhaktha. When one submits himself then that is vijnanam. Thats the blessing Mahabali recieved.

I am still at a loss at the Kerala connection of Onam....Bhagavatham doesn't mention that.

Gurdevs, Please forgive my 'adhikaprasamgam' and kindly correct if I got it wrong.

hari OM!

sasnEham

Sukumar

--- On Sat, 9/19/09, NVP Menon <nvpmenon > wrote:

NVP Menon <nvpmenon >[Guruvayur] navaneetham"guruvayur " <guruvayur@grou ps.com>Received: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 3:23 PM

Dear GuruDevs,The new navaneetham, september issue has come out very nice again. Our Sunilji has done a great job.Thank you again.We are really happy to see our dear friend, ChandrshekharaMenon and his family..He is doing such an important job of moderating this site and kotiarchana giving opportunity for people like me to write the namajapam every day, giving us peace of mind.My friend, you are never a poojyam by yourself. Remember "Thou are that" You are 100% by yourself. We are very happy to see you as the Member of the month.congratulatio ns and keep up the good work. Thank youIn my opinion ,the best article was of our great Sastriji who explained the human life in such a simple terms. Thank you, Sastriji.I do have an issue with Sukumarji,s concept. I feel it is indeed very approprite to honour Mahabali one day,a king who is supposed to be an embodiment of goodness to the people of Kerala We cannot imagine to see such a great

king EVER. .We should not be looking into the historical accuracy of it. He was God,s favourite devotee anyway.We should remember we are also praying to Trikkakkara Appan who is Vamana moorthi during Onam. Hope Sukumarji will pardon me for writing this opinion. Your kavitha is as usual beautiful.Thank you.with prayers,sreedevi Om Namo Narayanaya

Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Get it Now for Free!

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

September 23, 2009

Thank you, Sukumarji for the mail and the concert and am very glad to see that you are playing morsing and that your krithis are sung by Shankaran Namboothiri. Wish you all the best .Hope to hear those songs also in thhe future.

Wtih all best wishes,

sreedevi menon

Om Namo Narayanaya

--- On Wed, 9/23/09, Sukumar <sukumarcanada wrote:

Sukumar <sukumarcanadaRe: [Guruvayur] about Onam & Mahabali & clips of Onam concert...guruvayur Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 7:24 AM

Hari OM!

Thank you for your note. I don't think we are having any differences in our opinions about the celebration of Onam at all. My interest is to ensure that the importance of Vamanavatharam is not to be forgotten as it is ignored in most 'janakeeya sahityams'. Infact Onam celebration is a major economic boost to Kerala and I can't imagine a Keralam without Onam celebrations.

As part of Onam celebration in Canada we had a series of Carnatic concerts by Sri Sankaran Namboodiri. He also sang some of my 'krithis' (or vikrithis..) I will post some when I get a clean copy. Please see an excerpt of "nagumo...." from the Vancouver concert. I have also taken part in it.

Shankaran Namboodiri concert in Vancouver - parts in you tube

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=sad6pf01Duo

Sankaran Namboothiri - Nagumomu (Parts) in Vancouver

This is a clip from Sree Sankaran Namboodiri's Carnatic Classical concert in Vancouver. 4 Sept 2009. Sree Raman Iyer Violin; Sree M Lakshman- Mridangam; Dr. A. P. Sukumar, Morsing

hari OM!

Sukumar

--- On Tue, 9/22/09, NVP Menon <nvpmenon > wrote:

NVP Menon <nvpmenon >Re: [Guruvayur] navaneetham - about Onam & Mahabaliguruvayur@grou ps.comReceived: Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 3:25 AM

Dear Sukumarji,

I am sorry if I offended you in any way. I do not want to enter into a controversy. I agree with you about what is written in Bhagavatham. But I do not think there is any harm in honouring a benevolent king. I do not know when this celebration of Onam was started. I know it was there when I was born 70years ago.By doing this celebration, we are not dishonouring Vamanamoorthi either. We are doing the pooja to Vamana at the same time too.I do not know about historical accuracy . But I know there is a prathishta of Vamana in Trikkakkara and there is a place called PAthAlam near Alwaye too .

with all best wishes,and prayers,

sreedevi menon

Om Namo narayanaya

--- On Mon, 9/21/09, Sukumar <sukumarcanada@ > wrote:

Sukumar <sukumarcanada@ >Re: [Guruvayur] navaneetham - about Onam & Mahabaliguruvayur@grou ps.comMonday, September 21, 2009, 7:01 PM

Hari OM! Hari OM! I read Smt. Sreedevi ji's mail regarding my article in Navaneetham about Mahabali. Thank you for your remarks and sorry for the delay in reply. I was away at a conference.

I hope I haven't made anyone uneasy by writing the "mahabali chinthakal". What I did was to quote Bhagavatham to restate the story of mahabali and to show how the modern interpretation of the "chathi" by Mahavishnu (i.e., the Lord's deceitful action) is against the real import of the legend. I am also a real admirer of Mahabali as a king and an ideal bhaktha . But Lord Vishnu showed him the path which is really at a higher realm we can only hope for. My question is why should we merely stop at the material prosperity? We should always hope and aim for the highest ideal and Mahabali's lesson was to attain that with the touch of the Lord's holy feet. That is the missing link in the popular story and I consider it as a real drawback... I assure that it is not my concept at all. I shamelessly retold it from Bhagavatham.

In other traditions also we see such treatments of great traditions and stories. (I might get into trouble by saying this). Now the fasting is underway (or it is over) for Holy Ramzan. But in newspapers and popular media, more emphasis is placed on the different food items prepared for ending the daily fast. The essence of Ramzan is much more than eating wonderful food. It should be about conservation and giving danam (sakath), right?... Similarly, during X mas, who is popular? Jesus Christ or Santa Claus?

I wish, for Onam we start celebrating the appearance of Lord Vamana first and then the king Mahabali. The Lord took the incarnation to show us the importance of the higher pursuits of life. As I wrote in the article, when one gives everything that he 'owns' to the Lord, that is bhakthi and thus Bali became an ideal example of a bhaktha. When one submits himself then that is vijnanam. Thats the blessing Mahabali recieved.

I am still at a loss at the Kerala connection of Onam....Bhagavatham doesn't mention that.

Gurdevs, Please forgive my 'adhikaprasamgam' and kindly correct if I got it wrong.

hari OM!

sasnEham

Sukumar

--- On Sat, 9/19/09, NVP Menon <nvpmenon > wrote:

NVP Menon <nvpmenon >[Guruvayur] navaneetham"guruvayur " <guruvayur@grou ps.com>Received: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 3:23 PM

Dear GuruDevs,The new navaneetham, september issue has come out very nice again. Our Sunilji has done a great job.Thank you again.We are really happy to see our dear friend, ChandrshekharaMenon and his family...He is doing such an important job of moderating this site and kotiarchana giving opportunity for people like me to write the namajapam every day, giving us peace of mind.My friend, you are never a poojyam by yourself. Remember "Thou are that" You are 100% by yourself. We are very happy to see you as the Member of the month.congratulatio ns and keep up the good work. Thank youIn my opinion ,the best article was of our great Sastriji who explained the human life in such a simple terms. Thank you, Sastriji.I do have an issue with Sukumarji,s concept. I feel it is indeed very approprite to honour Mahabali one day,a king who is supposed to be an embodiment of goodness to the people of Kerala We cannot imagine to see such a great

king EVER. .We should not be looking into the historical accuracy of it. He was God,s favourite devotee anyway.We should remember we are also praying to Trikkakkara Appan who is Vamana moorthi during Onam. Hope Sukumarji will pardon me for writing this opinion. Your kavitha is as usual beautiful.Thank you.with prayers,sreedevi Om Namo Narayanaya

Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Get it Now for Free!

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

September 29, 2009

Hare KrishnaPlease read more on Onamhttp://sreyas.in/onam-and-mahabali-in-bhagavathamYour ServantMani

On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 5:24 PM, Sukumar <sukumarcanada wrote:

Hari OM!Thank you for your note. I don't think we are having any differences in our opinions about the celebration of Onam at all. My interest is to ensure that the importance of Vamanavatharam is not to be forgotten as it is ignored in most 'janakeeya sahityams'. Infact Onam celebration is a major economic boost to Kerala and I can't imagine a Keralam without Onam celebrations.

As part of Onam celebration in Canada we had a series of Carnatic concerts by Sri Sankaran Namboodiri. He also sang some of my 'krithis' (or vikrithis..) I will post some when I get a clean copy. Please see an excerpt of " nagumo.... " from the Vancouver concert. I have also taken part in it.

Shankaran

Namboodiri concert in Vancouver - parts in you tube

Sankaran Namboothiri - Nagumomu (Parts) in Vancouver

This is a clip from Sree Sankaran Namboodiri's Carnatic Classical concert in Vancouver. 4 Sept 2009. Sree Raman Iyer Violin; Sree M Lakshman- Mridangam; Dr. A. P. Sukumar, Morsing

hari OM!Sukumar--- On Tue, 9/22/09, NVP Menon

<nvpmenon wrote:NVP Menon <nvpmenon

Re: [Guruvayur] navaneetham - about Onam & Mahabaliguruvayur Received: Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 3:25 AM

Dear Sukumarji,

I am sorry if I offended you in any way. I do not want to enter into a controversy. I agree with you about what is written in Bhagavatham. But I do not think there is any harm in honouring a benevolent king. I do not know when this celebration of Onam was started. I know it was there when I was born 70years ago.By doing this celebration, we are not dishonouring Vamanamoorthi either. We are doing the pooja to Vamana at the same time too.I do not know about historical accuracy . But I know there is a prathishta of Vamana in Trikkakkara and there is a place called PAthAlam near Alwaye too .

with all best wishes,and prayers,

sreedevi menon

Om Namo narayanaya

--- On Mon, 9/21/09, Sukumar <sukumarcanada@ > wrote:

Sukumar <sukumarcanada@ >Re: [Guruvayur] navaneetham - about Onam & Mahabali

guruvayur@grou ps.comMonday, September 21, 2009, 7:01 PM

Hari OM! Hari OM!

I read Smt. Sreedevi ji's mail regarding my article in Navaneetham about Mahabali. Thank you for your remarks and sorry for the delay in reply. I was away at a conference.

I hope I haven't made anyone uneasy by writing the " mahabali chinthakal " . What I did was to quote Bhagavatham to restate the story of mahabali and to show how the modern interpretation of the " chathi " by Mahavishnu (i.e., the Lord's deceitful action) is against the real import of the legend. I am also a real admirer of Mahabali as a king and an ideal bhaktha . But Lord Vishnu showed him the path which is really at a higher realm we can only hope for. My question is why should we merely stop at the material prosperity? We should always hope and aim for the highest ideal and Mahabali's lesson was to attain that with the touch of the Lord's holy feet. That is the missing link in the popular story and I consider it as a real drawback.. I assure that it is not my concept at all. I shamelessly retold it from Bhagavatham.

In other traditions also we see such treatments of great traditions and stories. (I might get into trouble by saying this). Now the fasting is underway (or it is over) for Holy Ramzan. But in newspapers and popular media, more emphasis is placed on the different food items prepared for ending the daily fast. The essence of Ramzan is much more than eating wonderful food. It should be about conservation and giving danam (sakath), right?... Similarly, during X mas, who is popular? Jesus Christ or Santa Claus?

I wish, for Onam we start celebrating the appearance of Lord Vamana first and then the king Mahabali. The Lord took the incarnation to show us the importance of the higher pursuits of life. As I wrote in the article, when one gives everything that he 'owns' to the Lord, that is bhakthi and thus Bali became an ideal example of a bhaktha. When one submits himself then that is vijnanam. Thats the blessing Mahabali recieved.

I am still at a loss at the Kerala connection of Onam....Bhagavatham doesn't mention that.

Gurdevs, Please forgive my 'adhikaprasamgam' and kindly correct if I got it wrong.

hari OM!

sasnEham

Sukumar

--- On Sat, 9/19/09, NVP Menon <nvpmenon > wrote:

NVP Menon <nvpmenon >[Guruvayur] navaneetham " guruvayur " <guruvayur@grou ps.com>

Received: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 3:23 PM

Dear GuruDevs,The new navaneetham, september issue has come out very nice again. Our Sunilji has done a great job.Thank you again.We are really happy to see our dear friend, ChandrshekharaMenon and his family..He is doing such an important job of moderating this site and kotiarchana giving opportunity for people like me to write the namajapam every day, giving us peace of mind.My friend, you are never a poojyam by yourself. Remember " Thou are that " You are 100% by yourself. We are very happy to see you as the Member of the month.congratulatio ns and keep up the good work. Thank you

In my opinion ,the best article was of our great Sastriji who explained the human life in such a simple terms. Thank you, Sastriji.I do have an issue with Sukumarji,s concept. I feel it is indeed very approprite to honour Mahabali one day,a king who is supposed to be an embodiment of goodness to the people of Kerala We cannot imagine to see such a great

king EVER. .We should not be looking into the historical accuracy of it. He was God,s favourite devotee anyway.We should remember we are also praying to Trikkakkara Appan who is Vamana moorthi during Onam. Hope Sukumarji will pardon me for writing this opinion. Your kavitha is as usual beautiful.Thank you.

with prayers,sreedevi Om Namo Narayanaya

Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Get it Now for Free!

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

-- At the present moment our minds are polluted with the dirt accumulated over millions and millions of lifetimes of sense gratification. Even though our original pure nature is eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss, due to our mental contamination we are presently suffering in the realm of temporality, ignorance, and misery. By the purificatory process of chanting the holy names of God we can revive our original, pure nature and thus relish the sweetest happiness at every minute.

Chant:Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare HareHare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare