Nama Dwaar Nibbles

‘Jataka Paarijatham’ is a Tamil Astrology book written by Shri Vedalingabhattar.
There is a verse as below:

ஈராறுக்குடையோன் வாக்கில் இருந்திட சசியும் கேதும்
ஓராறும் மூன்றில் சார்ந்திட கதிர்பார்க்க உதயம் தன்னைப்
பேரான பொண்ணன் நோக்க பெருஞானி ஜீவன் முக்தன்
நேரான சான்றோர் அன்று நிகழ்த்தினர் உணர்வாய் மாதே

Its meaning :

When the owner of the twelfth house is in the second house, Moon and Ketu together in the ninth house with Sun aspecting (seeing) them and Jupiter aspecting the ‘Lagna’ (ascendant), then that ‘Jatakan’ (person having the horoscope) shall live to be a great Jnani and Jivan Mukta!

As an exercise, if we observe Ramana Maharshi’s horoscope, we observe the following:

When we see all the characteristics of being a Jivan Mukta in the horoscope of a great Jivan Mukta - Sri Ramana Maharshi, does this only vindicate that Sri Ramana Maharshi is a jivan Mukta? Doesn’t it also vindicate the veracity of astrology itself?

In the ancient times, sages who lived in the forest used to carry a Kamandalu (a small pitcher) filled with water). Many paintings that depict these sages too show this. Even today many who perform Japa (chanting of divine names or incantations) or meditation are seen to be carrying a kamandalu with water. What is the purpose and significance of carrying this pitcher filled with water?Everyone is aware that water is a cleanser. It is used for purifying purposes. Water plays a major role in external cleanliness. But the attributes of water do not stop there! It’s cleansing attribute works at subtler levels too! Water has the power to wipe off even unseen subtle vibrations that may cause harm to us. Indeed, it offers us greater protection than we perceive.This subtle attribute of water can be observed in many instances when we care to look at it. We know that the police usually take the help of a trained dog to track a thief. The dog catches some scent of the thief and starts following the scent. The dog can trace the track of the thief so long as the thief has not crossed a river or any kind of a water reservoir. If the thief takes a dip in a water source he gets cleansed at a subtler level and the dog can trace him no more! That’s how deep water cleanses one!This was known to our great seers and sages of past and thus they always had a pitcher filled with water with them. When we place such a pitcher in front of us while walking or performing Japa/meditation, the negative vibrations of the person who come near us is barred by the water in the pitcher and thus we stand protected from it! This is why when we eat we protect our plate by pouring water around it (’pariseshanam’). That protects our food from being contaminated by the negative thoughts of one who sees us eating.

The third and fourth canto which essentially details creation of the universe is of usual dialogue between Sri Shuka and Parikshit.

It is because it would be apt if Bhagavan- the Creator, Himself extolls this and hence it is a dialogue between Vidura and Sage Maithreya- who was directly instructed by Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself.

[During Sri Swamiji’s exposition of Srimad Bhagavatam at Madhurapuri Ashram - May 2011]

The spiritual enlightenment is effected in any person through the 72000 nadis as per yoga shastra. Only the ayurveda system - being vedic in letter and spirit, of medicine treats the body ailments without interfering with this system of spiritual flowering.

‘Ekapatni Vrat’ (vow of loyalty to one’s wife) is a unique characteristic of a genuine householder. In today’s world, this is known as monogamy. Srimad Ramayana portrays Sri Rama as following ‘ekapatni Vrat’. Being loyal to one’s wife is not an uncommon characteristic. Therefore, is it not surprising that this feature of Lord Rama should be acclaimed by one and all?During His discourse (in Nov 2010), Sri Swamiji  gave a unique explanation to this feature of Sri Rama.Lord Vishnu has two Consorts – Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. In the several incarnations of His, the Lord was accompanied by both His Consorts. However, His Avatar as Rama has been exceptional. In this Avatar of the Lord as Rama when Sri Devi (Sita) was with Him, His other Consort – Bhoo Devi – was not with Him. Bhoo Devi, in this instance, is represented by the kingdom of Ayodhya. During his time in the forest only Sri Devi (Sita) was with him. Bhoo Devi was not with him.After he returned from the forest and became the king of Ayodhya, only Bhoo Devi (the kingdom) was with him; Sri Devi (Sita) left him. Thus, Lord Rama was with only one wife (either Sri Devi [Sita] or Bhoo Devi [the kingdom of Ayodhya]) – ‘eka patni’.

In India, three places are very famous for Devi – Madurai Meenakshi, Kashi Visalakshi and Kanchi Kamakshi. Sri Seshadri Swamigal who came from Kamakshi’s Kanchi, Sri Ramana who came from Meenakshi’s Madurai and Yogi Ramsuratkumar who came from Visalakshi’s Kashi - all the three were accepted and absorbed by this great Arunachala –hill. So this Arunachaleswara is truly a ‘Maha’ Siva![Mentioned by Sri Sri Swamiji during one of His discourses in Bhagavan Yogiramsuratkumar Ashram in Tiruvannamalai between Nov 22 - Nov 30, 2010]

Srimad Ramayana goes to show the Dharmas through its each and every sloka.  For instance, if we take Bala Kanda, Sri Rama goes along to protect the sacrifice of Viswamitra from demons (’Yagna Samrakshana’).  This shows us the Vaideeka Dharma.Further, during his sojourn with Viswamitra,  Sage Viswamitra narrates numerous stories to Sri Rama, including those of the kings of the solar dynasty, the birth of Lord Kartikeya and the story of the birth of the Ganges.  And Lord Rama listens to these stories intently, with utmost interest and longing.  This goes to show ‘Katha Shravana’ - which is part and parcel of the Bhagavata Dharma.By liberating Ahalya from the curse of her husband that she will remain invisible for the sins she committed, Lord Rama seemingly shows us that, if we are unable to catch hold of any Dharma, especially in this age, by merely chanting His Name, ‘Rama’, we shall be liberated from our sins.[Excerpted from Sri Sri Swamiji’s discourse on Srimad Ramayana in November 2010]

The Pranava Mantra consists of three syllables ‘A’ ‘U’ and ‘M’.Many points of significance have been mentioned regarding these three syllables.   Our Sri Swamiji mentioned the following in one of His recent lectures.The first syllable of the first mantra of Rig Veda is ‘A’ (agnimeele…)The sandhi (central) syllable connecting the Shaka and Samhita portions of the Yajur Veda is ‘U’.The  last syllable of the last Mantra in Sama Veda is ‘M’.Thus the Pranava Mantra is a summary of all the three Vedas, literally.

Tiruvanmiyur is a famous temple town in Chennai.  The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva as  ”Marundeeshwara”.  He is also referred to as “Valmikeeshwara”.’Valmikam’ in Sanskrit refers to an anthill.  The Shiva Lingam here is made out of an anthill.  The name ‘Tiruvanmiyur’ also comes from this root.

Modern medicine says that the tendencies for most diseases are inherited by man at birth itself and diseases manifest much later in life. There is an instance in Kamba Ramayanam where the great Kambar refers to the same fact as an example very beautifully, thousands of years ago, without the help of modern technology or scientific advancements while describing Soorpanaka.Kambar says the Soorpanaka was born as sister to Ravana and at the appropriate time, she played a vital role in bringing about Ravana’s destruction similar to a disease that is inherited at birth and manifests later in life to destroy the individual.[- By Sri Sri Swamiji during His Ramayana Lectures]