Song of “Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama”

Der all,

Harihi Om. I came across this beautiful, peaceful and soothing song titled “Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama” on you tube. It is set to tune by Tim Wheater. Please find the video below:

I liked it very much. Hope you all like it.

Yours, In Service of the Lord,
Aparna Hari

Annual Total Solar Eclipse on Jan 15, 2010

Dear All,
Harihi Om.

The Annual Total Solar Eclipse is comong up on Jan 15, on the Kanuma day of the three-day Sankranti celebrations. In a previous post on our website, the importance of a Solar Eclipse is highlighted mentioning that any sadhana, swadhyaya, japa and any other spiritual engagement, any selfless service during this time of solar eclipse is believed to aid immensely for purification and evolution.

Please click on the earlier post on Solar Eclipse and its effect on Sadhana.
The details of solar eclipse, its visibility etc can be obtained from NASA Government website

Yours,
In Service of the Lord,
Aparna Hari

Gold-Mine of Divine Name

Dear All,

Harihi Om.

We have a Gurudwar in our city. We go there sometimes on wednesdays or on sundays. The Bhajans are so melodious and they are followed by a discourse in Punjabi. Being well versed in Hindi, we are able to grasp a little of the wonderful Bhajans. The Divine Name is extolled immensely in these bhajans and one should listen to them to understand the depth and sublime meaning. First time I heard these bhajans, I was transported into a different realm altogether ! Recently I again went, and I was motivated to learn Gurumukhi (I can read now, will need to practice), and I was googling for a compilation of some of the bhajans, when I hit upon a treasure-trove or a Gold-mine of these bhajans – Gurumukhi with Phonetic transliteration and english translation – all in one book. I could not ask for better. I then went into Sikh Sangeet website and listened to some of the most wonderful bhajans on the Divine Name.

Please click on the following image to download the Gurbani Kirtan, which are composed by Gurus (Guru Nanak, Guru Arjun Dev, Guru Nyam Dev et al) and refer to it for increasing your Sadhana of Divine Name. (Please be careful if you want to have a printed copy – The printed copy should be venerated like Sri Guru Granth Sahib and kept in prayer room).

Listen to one sample song – Ram Simar Ram Simar ihai tera kaj hai (Lyrics are found on Page# 3683 of this document):

Yours,
In Service of Lord & Gurudev,
Aparna Hari

Hanuman Chalisa by Sri Avadhutendra Swamiji

Dear All,

Hari Om !

I posted about Pujya Sri Avadhutendra Swamiji yesterday. I am posting the Hanuman Chalisa audio in his voice. It is very nice. Being greatly influenced by Sri Pabhudatta Brahmachariji who is one of the Gurus of Avadhutendra Swamiji, he propagated chanting of Hanuman Chalisa and also erected many Hanuman temples during his time.

Please see the below video for his Hanuman Chalisa:

Yours,
In Service of Lord & Gurudev,
Aparna Hari.

Sri Avadhutendra Swamiji – His Divine Influence on me

Dear All,
Hari Om.
Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram !

I had heard about Sri Avadhutendra Swamiji (did not even know his name at that time) through my mother when I was young. At that time, I did not have enough knowledge or wisdom to enquire further. My mother is the grand-daughter of BrahmaSri Gunturi Peri Sastry, who is a disciple of this Saint and who was an ardent devotee of the Lord. He had composed many Stutis and Stotras in praise of Lord Bhimeswara, Mother Minakshi, and other deities. Recently, my mother and father have published all his compositions in a book form. My great grandfather Sri Peri Sastri was an ardent disciple of Sri Avadhutendra Swamiji. Recently on my trip to India I asked my ammamma (my grand-mother) more about him and she said that many a time, Avadhutendra Swamiji would come and stay in their house. My great grandfather also composed poems in praise of his Guru.

I was googling about Swamiji some months back, because I felt having such a great Guru in our family is an honor and I should know more about him. Then, I came across a website in his honor developed by a devotee, in which my great-grandfather’s poems of praise on Swamiji were included. Truly, my happiness knew no bounds. I was overjoyed. They had uploaded Swamiji’s lectures, his bhajans & kirtans, his photos on their website. This is the first time I saw him. Seeing him reminded me of Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Sri Avadhutendra Swamiji is a great Sankirtan Bhakta. He moved with Rama Nama on his lips and widely propagated the chanting of Hare Rama Mantra kirtan throughout Andhra Pradesh. He always recited Hanuman Chalisa in his spare time (this I came to know through my great-grandfather’s writings). Seeing Swamiji in his photo and hearing him through his kirtans has been a wonderful experience for me. I made a CD of his Kirtanas and keep listening to them.

It is also a matter of utmost joy for me when I read in some books of Late Pujya Swami Chidananda ji (Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, who is a great source of inspiration for me) that he has met Swami Avadhutendra ji many times in his travels to Andhra Pradesh, and he extolled Swamiji as a highly exalted Sankirtan Bhakta. Swami Avadhutendra ji has stayed in Brindavan and has been conducting satsangs throughout many holy places. Also, I was overjoyed to know that Swamiji is strongly associated with Sri Rama Nama Kshetram in Guntur (a place which I want to visit very much, owing to the uninterrupted Rama Nama japa and Kirtan that is being held there).

I am convinced that Pujya Swami Avadhutendra Saraswati’s Divine Influence on our family is a blessing. With the affiliation of my great-grandfather to this great saint, I feel I am truly blessed and my devotion to him and Rama Nama is increased manifold. How true are the words of Lord Siva in Sri RamaCharitaManas that one devotee in a family (like my great-grandfather) is such a spiritual asset to 21 generations before and after ! Through my great-grandfather’s affiliations, we are truly reaping the benefits.

I am greatly influenced by Swamiji. I sincerely pray that he bestows on me devotion to Rama Nama and also chanting of Hanuman chalisa like he did. I will post some of his videos and songs. In the mean-time, please browse this website: Sri Avadhutendra Swamiji

Yours,
In Service of the Lord & Gurudev,
Aparna

Happy New Year 2010 !

Dear All,

Hari Om.

We Wish you all a Very Happy and Joyful New Year 2010 filled with Happiness, Spiritual Wisdom, Satsangs, and Divine Guidance. We have been a little behind in publishing new posts/content/material on our website. This year, we wish to be more active in sharing information and post spiritual literature and info.

Yours,
In Service of the Lord and Gurudev,
Aparna & Hari.

Adhyatma Ramayanam Audio

Dear All,

Harihi Om.

Adhyatma Ramayanam is one of great spiritual texts focusing on Jnana, Bhakti, Vairagya, Vedanta and Upanishad teachings all packed in Sri Rama’s story. It is believed that Sri Veda Vyasa is the author of this book – as a dialogue between Lord Siva and Mother Parvati. It has Sri Rama Hrudayam, Sri Rama Gita which are essentially Advaitic teachings imparted by Lord Rama to Hanuman and to Lakshmana.

The book on Adhyatma Ramayanam from Gita Press Gorakhpur is very nice and it has many Stutis full of wisdom and devotion.

In Kerala, a saint by name Thunchath Ezhuthachan had written/translated the Sanskrit Adhyatama Ramayanam into Malayalam and this book is popularly called Adhyatma Ramayana Killapattu, which is very famous. In the Kartika month, the month-long Parayana of this sacred book is done almost in every household and temple and holy place. In Sree Rama Dasa Ashram, uninterrupted recital of Adhyatma Ramayana is found.

Recently, I found the complete audio recital of Adhyatma Ramayanam (Malayalam by Saint Ezhuttuchan) done by Sri Sudhakar and listened to it. It is very nice. Though I don’t know how to read/write/speak Malayalam, I could understand it well, because I read Sanskrit Adhyatma Ramayana and know the context.

Please Click on the following link to donwload Audio of Adhyatma Ramayanam (Malayalam).
If you know Malayalam, you can download the PDF book of Adhyatma Ramayanam here.

Yours, In Service of the Lord,
Aparna Hari

Spiritual Enrichment Program at Milwaukee – December 2009

Dear Friends,

Hari Om!

H.H. Swami Prakashanandaji of Chinmaya Mission is visiting Milwaukee from 15th to 18th December 2009. During this time, a series of discourses are arranged at Jain Temple Lecture Hall in the HTW premises. The topics are “Sadhana Panchakam”, a composition by Sri Adi Sankaracharya and “Vision of God according to Bhagavad Gita”.

Tuesday, December 15
Topic: Sadhana Panchakam, by Adi Sankara
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM – Introduction
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Lecture I
8:15 PM – 9:15 PM – Lecture II

Wednesday, December 16
Topic: Sadhana Panchakam, by Adi Sankara
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM – Introduction
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Lecture I
8:15 PM – 9:15 PM – Lecture II

Thursday, December 17
Topic: Sadhana Panchakam, by Adi Sankara
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM – Introduction
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Lecture I
8:15 PM – 9:15 PM – Lecture II

Friday, December 18
Topic: Vision of God according to Bhagavad Gita
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM – Introduction
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Lecture I
8:15 PM – 9:15 PM – Lecture II

Venue:
Jain Temple Lecture Hall,
Hindu Temple of Wisconsin,
N4063 W243, Pewaukee Rd,
Pewaukee, WI 53072

For more details, contact:
Raju Ramamurthi & Jayanthi Raju: 262-957-7299
Anil & Jayshree Aggarwal: 262-796-8255
Hari & Aparna: 262-227-0991

Please click here for a downloadable flyer of the program.

With regards,
Hari and Aparna

Retreat in November at Ramakrishna Universal Temple, Chicago

Dear All,

Om Namo Narayanaya.

Details of Retreat with Pujya Swami Brahmarupananda ji:

Retreat Topic: Narada Bhakti Sutras (Narada’s Devotional Aphorisms)
Retreat Dates: 13 November – 15 November, 2009
Location: Ramakrishna Universal Temple, Near Lemont Temple, Homer Glen, IL

Swami Brahmarupananda, Resident monk of Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Maryland, will be holding a weekend retreat on “Narada Bhakti Sutras” or “Narada’s Devotional Aphorisms” at Sri Ramakrishna Universal Temple, HomerGlen, IL (Chicago area) from Friday November 13 – Sunday November 15.

The Retreat will start on evening of Friday, November 13 and conclude in the afternoon of Sunday, November 15. Those of you who are interested can click on the below link and register online for the retreat.

Click here to register online to this retreat.

Yours,
In Service of the Lord & Gurudev,
Aparna & Hari

Maha Sivaratri Wishes

Dear all,

Hari Om !

Hari and I wish you all a Very Happy Maha Sivaratri. May Lord Siva bless us all.

Yours, In the Service of the Lord,
Hari & Aparna