Dear Readers,
Namaste. We wish you all a very joyous and spiritually uplifting Sivaratri. May Lord Siva bless us with Knowledge and Wisdom of the Self.
There is SriSaila Linga Satakan written by Srimati Bellamkonda Kanakamma garu in Telugu in praise of Srisaila Mallikarjuna in Srisailam.
Please click below image for reading SriSaila Linga Stotram:
Yours,
Aparna & Hari
Dear Friends,
Hari Om.
We convey our best wishes to our readers on the happy, holy and auspicious occasion of Ganesha Chaturdhi. May Lord Ganesha remove any obstacles on our spiritual path – physical, mental, emotional, social, gross, subtle – and help us in progressing onward. The difficulties one encounters in undertaking a task and completing it are enormous, more so in the field of disciplining mind and assimilating spiritual teachings. Ganesha Chaturdhi gives us the opportunity to worship that aspect of Lord through which we can remove these obstacles. Hence Ganesha is called “Vigneswara” or “Vighna Vinaasaka.”
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The Ganapathi Atharvasirshopanishad, a hymn in praise of Lord Ganesha, was taught to us by Swami Pratyagbodhananda ji few years back. The Text and Audio file are attached for your use. Please use them for chanting the stotra on this festival day and be benefitted.
Yours,
In Service of the Lord,
Aparna & Hari
Dear All,
We wish you all a very Happy Sri Rama Navami.
Salutations unto Rama, whose divine name even by mere utterance, dispels the darkest of ignorance.
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Best wishes,
Aparna & Hari
Dear All,
Hari Om. Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama ! Saints, Sages and Scriptures have proclaimed that the Divine Name is Sabda Brahma and superior to the Divine Form itself. All glories to the Divine Name ! Let us celebrate it during this auspicious Navaratri season with the fervor of Sri Hanuman ji.
Personally for me, Swamiji’s voice resonates with everything that is sublime and divine. His voice sounds with that brilliance that at once makes you alert and dive into sublime thoughts. Hear the introduction to the “Padhu Pothi Me Ram” song and you will know this for yourself. One of my greatest inspirers and healers is Swamiji’s voice. Though I have never seen Swami Chidananda ji, his voice is something that I cherish.
The below songs are the best and my most favourite songs.
Padhu Pothii mein Ram
Song of Immanence of Ram
Song of Salutations
I came across the very beautiful Sampradaya Kritis and Bhajans on Raaga 3-4 years back. Since then, this rendering of Sampradaya Kirtans on Lord Rama are one of my favorites.
Click below on the images of the albums to listen to the audio.
Recently my friend Sripriya has sent me some links to melodious and devotional rendering of Bhajans by Sri Purushottamdas Jalota (Sri Anoop Jalota’s father). They are very soothing and devotional to hear.
Click below on the image of the album to listen to the audio. 
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Hope you enjoy all the audio as I did !
Yours,
In Service of the Lord,
Aparna & Hari.
Dear All.
Hari Om ! Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama !
The Navaratri for Sri Rama Navami has begun on the first day of Chaitra – on Ugaadi day. During this special time, we want to provide for our Telugu readers two valuable E-Books which we found on archive.org and which are a treasure !
Sri Rama Manatranushthanam
by Sri Rama Saran
(Purvashram name is Sri Kundurti Venkata Narasayya)
Click to download:
This book was published by Rama Nama Kshetram, Guntur in 1958. At that time, the price of this book is: Rs:2.80. Can you imagine buying a diamond for Rs 2.00 ? Well, here you go ! I found this E-book three years back and recently when I went to India, I asked my father to get this book and many other books penned down by Sri Rama Saran for me from Rama Nama Kshetram. Rama Mantra Anushthanam book is an elaborate treasure trove of wisdom about Rama Tattwa. It also details about the methods of Purascarana and Anushthana for purification of mind and for cultivating devotion for the Divine Supreme. I find this book to be extremely valuable for spiritual seekers.
Sri Rama Navaratri Utsava Kalpah
by Sri Ramaka Rama Sarma
Click to download:
This book was published in 1993 and this is actually in Sanskrit but in Telugu script. It is not difficult Sanskrit at all. This book covers the 9-day worship of Lord Rama during Navaratri and Mantra Japa of Lord Rama’s Divine Name. It contains a detailed schedule of Parayana, Stotras for each day in this 9-day worship along with celebration procedures of Sri Rama’s Birth, Sri Rama’s wedding, Sri Rama’s crowning etc. It contains wonderful and powerful Stotras like Sri Rama Hrudayam.
I think these two books will be of great significance and help for spiritual seekers in their Sadhana.
We will post Special Part 2 tomorrow.
Yours,
In Service of the Lord,
Aparna Hari.
Hari Om !
Today is Full Moon Day (Pournami) and also happens to be the Jayanthi (birth anniversary) of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, one of the greatest saints of Bhakti path born in Bengal who has spread the Nama Sankirtan or devotional chanting of Lord’s glories and Divine Names. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has revived the fervor for chanting the Mahamantra:
“Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare,
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.”
Sri Chaitnya is considered to be the incarnation of Radha-Krishna according to many. He has made freely available the path of Nama Chanting and Devotion to Divine form as the way to Supreme Peace. An account of his life and his Leelas is compiled in the volume “Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam” which is recommended for spiritual seekers on the path of devotion. Sri Chaitanya is the ideal for the seekers to cultivate and pursue the path of Devotion.
Hari and I have watched a very inspiring Black & White movie on the life of Sri Chaitnya Mahaprabhu in Bengali at Ramakrishna Mission’s Ganges Monastery in Michigan. We both really liked it and felt it to be very elevating. Since then, we have been very fond of the line “Jagannatha Swami.. Nayana Patha Gaami.. Nayana Patha Gaami Bhavatu Me..” and sing it often.
Fortunately, I found the movie in Youtube !! Below is the link for the youtube movie. I am sure you will like it and enjoy it immensely. (If you cannot find play button on this video in your email, please go to original post on saranaagathi blog to click it).
“Shishtashtak” by Sri Chaitanya is 6 verses of instructions and it became very famous. One of the verses, which Swami Chidananda ji often recites in his talks is the following:
तृणादपि सुनीचेन तरोरपि सहिष्णुना ।
अमानिना मानदेन कीर्तनीयः सदा हरिः ।।
Oh, my mind,
Be humbler than a blade of grass,
Be patient and forbearing like a tree,
Take no honor to thyself,
Give honor to all,
Chant unceasingly the name of the Lord.
Click on the image below to download the Shishtashtakam:
Yours,
In Service of the Lord & Gurudev,
Aparna & Hari.
Dear All,
Hari Om !
Jai Kailasavasa Sankara Bhagavan ki !
We convey to all our readers Mahasivaratri wishes. May Lord Siva bless us all with wisdom, spiritual strength and Self-knowledge.
(Image is courtesy of Hinduim Today Magazine)
The Divine Supreme in the form of Siva is easily pleased like a father pleased with even the smallest act of his child, and hence he is called Bhole Baba ! In all the temples in India and abroad, chanting of Rudram – Namakam & Chamakam is performed throughout day and night on the auspicious Maha Sivaratri day, and the devotees generally fast and do vigil in the night spending their time in worship, prayer and meditation.
Sivaratri is an auspicious occasion to please Lord Siva. He will be very pleased with Japa, Dhyana and Abhisheka today. Generally Upavas (fast) and Jaagaran (Night Vigil) are carried on today by devotees. Japa of Panchakshari mantra (Om Namah Sivaya) will benefit immensely. The worship of Lord Siva will remove all impurities and make our mind and hearts pure and clean.
The following can be done today according to the feasibility of the devotee:
1. Fast
2. Abhishekam (holy bath of Siva Linga) of Siva, with pure water, milk, honey, Ghee, Banana – Panchamruta Snanam
3. Decorate with flowers, Sandal paste and if available Bael leaves (Bilva or Maredu)
4. Offer Naivedyam and Arati
5. Recite Ligashtakam, Rudram, Purushasuktam, Rudrashtakam, Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantram
6. Engage in Kirtan of Lord Siva
7. Do Japa of Panchakshari or Mrutyunjaya Mantra
8. Perform Japa throughout night and do Japa with Dhyana of Lord Siva
9. Try praying only for Spiritual Upliftment, and not any material gains.
10. Offer all your worship and prayers unto Lord Siva.
We are presenting here a book by Swami Sivananda ji on ” Lord Siva and His Worship.” It is a wonderful source for understanding Siva Tattwa and for sadhana unto Lord Siva.
Also, please find the following links for a beautiful rendition of Rudrashtakam by Swami Tejomayananda ji.
Download Rudrashtakam Audio here !
(In the Voice of Param Pujya Swami Tejomayananda, President of Chinmaya Mission).
Dowload Rudrashtakam Text here !
(Author: Goswami Tulasidas in RamacharitManas)
Yours,
In Service of the Lord & Gurudev,
Aparna & Hari.
Dear All,
Hari Om.
The auspicious day of Ratha Saptami falls on 30th January (tomorrow) in the year 2012. Ratha Saptami falls on the seventh day in the Shukla Paksha of Magha month. This day is marked by Sun’s northerly movement (Uttarayana) of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara). It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses (representing seven colours) towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction.
Sun is the life-source for all life on this earth. It is auspicious to daily do salutation to Sun who is the life-giving Source of brilliance and light.
On Ratha Saptami day, a stotra in praise of Sun called “Aditya Hrudayam” is chanted. This Stotra was taught to Lord Rama by Sage Agastha on the battlefield. This Stotra is known for its extreme power in bestowing good health and brilliance in life. In our childhood, I clearly remember taking a special head bath with Jilledu leaf on head along with 2 paise coin 🙂 on this Rathe Sapatmi day. Jilledu leaf is supposed to take off heat from the body and restore balance.
Watch Youtube Video containing a nice rendition of this Stotram.
Please download the PDF of Aditya Hrudayam (in Sanskrit with English Translation obtained from http://sanskrit.safire.com/) by clicking below:
Yours,
In Service of the Lord & Gurudev,
Aparna & Hari.
Dear All,
Hari Om !
Yesterday we celebrated the 93rd Birth Anniversary of Holy Gurudev Swami Chidananda ji Maharaj at our house in Milwaukee. We recited Guru Stotra, Purusha Sukta, Santi Mantras along with 108 Names of Guruji. We then sang few kirtans and Bhajans in praise of Guru. We had a very wonderful Celebration at our house.
Guruji Maharaj has merged in the Absolute on 28th August 2008, but he in his Virat Swarup will guide each and everyone of us towards God-realization.
Yours, In Service of the Lord and Gurudev,
Aparna & Hari
Dear All,
Hari Om !
Jai Kailasavasa Sankara Bhagavan ki !
Download Rudrashtakam Audio here ! (In the Voice of Param Pujya Swami Tejomayananda, President of Chinmaya Mission).
Dowload Rudrashtakam Text here ! (Author: Goswami Tulasidas in RamacharitManas)
Today is the holy occasion of Maha Sivaratri. Some people celebrated yesterday, March 5th and some people are celebrating today, March 6th, depending on calendar specifics.
Sivaratri is an auspicious occasion to please Lord Siva. He will be very pleased with Japa, Dhyana and Abhisheka today. Generally Upavas (fast) and Jaagaran (Night Vigil) are carried on today by devotees. Japa of Panchakshari mantra will benefit immensely. Those who are devotees of Lord Rama, should especially use this occasion to carry out Puja and Worship of Lord Siva and doing the Panchakshari Japa, as Rama is immensely pleased with this.
In Ramacharitmanas, Lord Rama tells the secret of having his devotion and darshan to the people of Ayodhya. “Those who want to develop devotion to me and have my darshan should worship Siva and do his service as there is no one who is dearer to me than Siva.” Also, our Gurudev Swami Sivananda ji Maharaj has specified that, any devotee of Rama, should engage himself in the worship of Lord Siva atleast for three months before engaging in worship of Rama. The worship of Lord Siva will remove all impurities and make our mind and hearts pure and clean.
The following can be done today according to the feasibility of the devotee:
1. Fast
2. Abhishek of Siva, with pure water, milk, honey, Ghee, Banana – Panchamruta Snanam
3. Decorate with flowers, Sandal paste and if available Bael leaves (Bilva or Maredu)
4. Offer Naivedyam and Arati
5. Recite Ligashtakam, Rudram, Purushasuktam, Rudrashtakam, Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantram
6. Engage in Kirtan of Lord Siva
7. Do Japa of Panchakshari or Mrutyunjaya Mantra
8. Perform Japa throughout night and do Japa with Dhyana of Lord Siva
9. Try praying only for Spiritual Upliftment, and not any material gains.
10. Offer all your worship and prayers unto Lord Siva.
Download Gurudev Swami Sivananda ji Maharaj’s article on Siva Yoga Sadhana .
Also, please hear the Audio of Siva Dhunis and simple kirtans by Gurudev Swami Chidananda ji Maharaj here.
Jai Bholenath Sankar Bhagavan ki !
Jai Viswanath Bhagavan ki !
Yours, In Service of the Lord and Gurudev,
Aparna Hari
Saranaagathi 