கலியுகம்

சனாதன தர்மத்தின் காலகணக்கு:-

.

1 நாள் = 60 நாழிகை (24 மணி)

1 மணி = 2.5 நாழிகை = 60 நிமிடங்கள்

1 நாழிகை = 24 நிமிடங்கள்

1 நாழிகை = 60 விநாழிகை = 24 நிமிடங்கள்

1 நிமிடம் = 2.5 விநாழிகை = 60 விநாடிகள்

1 விநாழிகை = 24 விநாடிகள்

 .

1 விநாழிகை = 60 லிப்தம்

.

24 விநாடிகள்

1 விநாடி = 2.5 லிப்தம் = 100 செண்டி விநாடிகள்

1 லிப்தம் = 40 செண்டி விநாடிகள்

1 லிப்தம் = 60 விலிப்தம்

 .

40 செண்டி விநாடிகள்

1 செண்டி விநாடி = 1.5 விலிப்தம் = 10 மில்லி விநாடிகள்

1 விலிப்தம் = 6.6666 அல்லது 6.7 மில்லி விநாடிகள்

 .

1 விலிப்தம் = 60 பரா 6.7 மில்லி விநாடிகள்

1 மில்லி விநாடி = 8.95 அல்லது 9 பரா = 1000 மைக்ரோ விநாடிகள்

1 பரா = 111 மைக்ரோ விநாடிகள்

1 பரா = 60 தத்பர

111 மைக்ரோ விநாடிகள்

1 மைக்ரோ விநாடி = .5 தத்பரா = 1000 நானோ விநாடிகள்

1 தத்பரா = 2000 நானோ விநாடிகள்

 .

 30 நாள் = 1 மாதம்

 12 மாதங்கள் = 1வருடம்

 60 வருடங்கள் = 1 சுழற்சி (பிரபவ முதல் அக்ஷய வரை)

 3000 சுழற்சிகள் = 1 யுகம்

 4 யுகங்கள் = 1 சதுர்யுகம்

 71 சதுர்யுகங்கள் = 1 மன்வந்தரம்

 14 மன்வந்த்ரங்கள் = 1 கல்பம்

 .

ஒரு கல்பம் என்பது நானூற்று முப்பத்து இரண்டு கோடி மனுட வருடங்கள் (கணக்கதிகாரம்). இதில் பாதி முடிந்து விட்டது.

இப்பொழுது நடந்துகொண்டிருப்பது, த்விதீய பரார்த்தம் – இரண்டாவது பரார்த்தம்.

.

.ஸ்வேதவராஹ கல்பம்* – இரண்டாவது பரார்த்தத்தின் பிரம்மாவின் முதல் நாள் ஸ்வேத வராஹ கல்பம் எனப்படும். வாயு புராணத்தின் கணக்குப்படி மொத்தம் 36 கல்பங்கள் உள்ளன. இந்த உலகத்தை விஷ்ணு வெள்ளைப் பன்றி உருவம் (ஸ்வேத வராஹம்) கொண்டு வெளிக்கொணர்ந்த காலவெள்ளத்தில் உட்பட்டது என்பதால் இது ஸ்வேத வராஹ கல்பம் எனப்பட்டது.

 .

வைவஸ்வத மன்வந்தரம்*  – நடந்து கொண்டிருக்கும் ஸ்வேத வராஹ கல்பம் 14 மன்வந்திரங்களை உள்ளடக்கியது. ஒரு மன்வந்தரம் என்பது 71 சதுர் யுகங்கள் கொண்டது.

 .

14 மன்வந்திரங்களாவன*

 .

1.ஸ்வாயம்புவ மன்வந்திரம்,

2.ஸ்வரோசிஷ மன்வந்திரம்,

3.உத்தம மன்வந்திரம்,

4.தாமச மன்வந்திரம்,

5.ரைவத மன்வந்திரம்,

6.சாக்ஷ¤ஷ மன்வந்திரம்,

7.வைவஸ்வத மன்வந்திரம்,

8.சாவர்ணிக மன்வந்திரம்,

9.தக்ஷ சாவர்ணிக மன்வந்திரம்,

10.ப்ரமஹா சாவர்ணிக மன்வந்திரம்,

11.தர்ம சாவர்ணிக மன்வந்திரம்,

12.ருத்ர சாவர்ணிக மன்வந்திரம்,

13.தேவ சாவர்ணிக மன்வந்திரம்,

14.சந்திர சாவர்ணிக மன்வந்திரம்.

.

ஏழாவது மன்வந்திரமாகிய வைவஸ்வத மன்வந்திரத்தில் இருக்கின்றோம்.

 .

அஷ்டாவிம்சதி (28) தமே கலியுகே –

71 சதுர்யுகங்கள் கொண்டது ஒரு மன்வந்திரம் .

வைவஸ்வத மன்வந்திரத்தினுடைய 71 சதுர்யுகங்கள் கொண்ட பாதையில் 28வது சதுர்யுகத்திலிருக்கும் நான்கு யுகங்களான

.

கிருத யுகம்,

திரேதா யுகம்,

துவாபர யுகம்,

கலியுகம்

என்பதில் வரும் கடைசி யுகமான கலியுகம் நடந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறது.

.

இந்தக் கலியுகம் முடிந்து அடுத்த சதுர்யுகம் தொடங்கும். அது 29 வது சதுர்யுகத்தின் கிருத யுகத்தில் தொடங்கும்.

 .

இதுவரை வந்தது கால அளவைகள் அடுத்தது நாம் இருக்கும் இடத்தின் அளவைகள்.

 .

 .*ஜம்பூத்வீபே* –

பரந்த பால்வெளியின் பல அண்டங்களில் ஒரு அண்டத்தின் சின்னஞ்சிறு பாகத்தின் ஒரு மூலையில் வாழ்ந்துகொண்டிருக்கின்றோம். த்வீபம் என்பது தீவு என்று அர்த்தம். பரந்த பால்வெளிக் கடலில் உள்ள ஒவ்வொரு அண்டமும் ஒரு தீவு போலத்தான். ஏழு தீவுகள் உள்ளன.

 .

1. ஜம்பூ த்வீபம் (நாம் வசிப்பது – நீரால் சூழப்பட்டுள்ளது),

2. பிலக்ஷ த்வீபம்,

3. சான்மலி த்வீபம்,

4. குச த்வீபம்,

5. க்ரௌஞ்ச த்வீபம்,

6. சாக த்வீபம்,

7. புஷ்கர த்வீபம்)

 .

 பாரத வர்ஷே* –

.

த்.வீபங்கள் எனும் தீவுகளுள் ஒன்றான ஜம்புத்வீபம் ஒன்பது வர்ஷங்களாக பிரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதில் பாரத வர்ஷத்தில் தான் நாம் வசிக்கின்றோம்.

 .

1. பாரத வர்ஷம்,

2.ஹேமகூட வர்ஷம்,

3. நைஷத வர்ஷத்ம்,

4.இளாவ்ருத வர்ஷம்,

5. ரம்ய வர்ஷம்,

6. ச்வேத வர்ஷம்,

7. குரு வர்ஷம்,

8. பத்ராச்வ வர்ஷம்,

9.கந்தமாதன வர்ஷம்)

 .

 பரத கண்டே –

.

பாரத வர்ஷம் ஒன்பது கண்டங்களாகப் பிரிக்கப் பட்டுள்ளது.

 .

1. பரதகண்டம்,

2. கிம்புருகண்டம்,

3. அரிவருடகண்டம்,

4. இளாவிரதகண்டம்,

5. இரமியகண்டம்,

6. இரணியகண்டம்,

7. குருகண்டம்,

8. கேதுமாலகண்டம்,

9.  பத்திராசுவகண்டம

.

இதில் நாம் பரத கண்டத்தில் வசிக்கின்றோம்.

 .

மேரோர் தக்ஷணே பார்ச்வே –

.

பரத கண்டத்திலிருக்கும் மேரு எனும் மலையின் தெற்கு புறத்திலிருக்கின்றோம்.

 .

 எண்ணற்ற பிரம்மாக்களின் சிருஷ்டி வரிசைகளில், ஒரு பிரம்மாவின் படைப்பில், அவரின் இரண்டாவது காலத்தின், முதல் தினத்தில் (கோடிக்கணக்கான வருடங்களுக்கு இடையில்) வாழ்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கின்றோம்.

Venkat’s travel diary – Singapore – day 2

Our second day in Singapore was reserved specifically for interaction with wildlife. We began the day with a visit to the Jurong bird park, a bird sanctuary housing a large collection of birds from various parts of the world. This place is known for its interactive bird shows where we are visually treated to a plethora of birds performing various amazing stunts and tricks that can make any onlooker wonder whether they are real or not (I had that doubt initially and took me some time to confirm that it was indeed real tricks performed by real birds) .The first show called the “the kings of the skies” is a half an hour show which is a must watch for everyone who visits this park. In this show various carnivorous birds like vultures, eagles etc perform various stunts on the commands of the host. There are just two shows in a day one at 10 am and the other at 4 pm, so ensure that you make it to one of the two shows. We made it to the 10 am show so that we could see the next show at 11am called the “birds and buddies”. This is another interactive show that you should not miss at any cost. This show has a talking parrot, flamingos, parakeets and many other friendly birds performing various tricks including singing songs, playing with each other etc. After these two shows we went around the park seeing various other attractions in a monorail (you heard it right, the park has its own train system). Some of the interesting ones were penguin coast where you can see different types of penguins, lorry loft where you can feed a lory (a small colourful bird) and parakeets in the largest man made aviary built. Rest of the attractions were not great and you can find it in any normal zoo or bird sanctuary.

After having a super lunch at Hotel Saravana Bhavan in Little India we went back to our hotel to take some rest as our next sightseeing place can be visited only at night. Our next sightseeing trip was to the night safari which is one of its kinds in the world. It is a haven for animal lovers as you are shown what animals do at night in their own habitat. Once we entered the park we came to know about a fire dance that was going to take place in sometime, so we waited for it half heartedly as we were eager to see the night safari. But when the show started we found out it in few minutes that the wait was worthwhile as the fire dance turned out to be a visual paradise as the fire dancers did things with fire that we couldn’t even imagine. After getting spell bounded by this performance, we left for the night safari.  In this we were taken in a tram around the park with the driver giving a detailed explanation of what each animal is doing at that time, the details about their habitats etc. But after the high standards set by the fire dance performance, we felt disappointed by this tram ride as it did not meet our expectations since it was specifically designed for animal lovers and our affinity for animals was usually repulsive. If you are a true animal lover I advise you to cover the park on foot as in tram you tend to miss a few animals and also you miss the chance to study them closely. After this we went to the amphitheatre at 9 pm for the last program of the day which was an animal show featuring various nocturnal/non nocturnal animals and birds displaying their skills in a moonlit background. Our day ended with a dinner at the famous Chettinadu restaurant Ponnusamy.

Venkat’s travel diary – Singapore – day 1

Phew! Finally made the first cross country trip of my life after a wait of 21years. It was a suddenly planned trip and we decided about it just a few days before the actual D-day, giving just enough time for our travel agent to arrange everything. He had arranged for us a five days five nights trip to Singapore including accommodation at 3 star hotel, local transport in a luxury car with a personal chauffeur, sightseeing trips and return air tickets.

DAY 1:

Our Silk Air flight which is the sister airline of the famous Singapore airlines was a clear disappointment having none of the in flight luxuries that we expected. The only consoling fact was the good looking air hostesses who for a change wished me (in India the air hostess wishes the person in front of me and the one behind me but ignores me completely)when I entered the aircraft and took good care of us all through the 4 hour journey. On arrival at Singapore we were astounded by the enormousness of the Singapore airport more commonly known as the Changi airport. Comprising of three floors, this airport has its own train shuttle system for transfers from one terminal to another, an infinite number of shops and a record number of restaurants one of them being Ananda Bhavan,an Indian restaurant serving tasty South Indian food. This restaurant or for that matter any restaurant in Singapore is not recommended for the faint hearted Indian travellers specifically the ones who try to convert the dollars into rupees after every time they spend. After our light in quantity and heavy in cost breakfast (sorry I am a true Indian) we went to the meeting point at arrival hall to meet the chauffeur and the luxury car promised to us by the travel agent. The driver happened to be an old Filipino guy and the luxury car an older than the driver, Nissan van which looked something like a mini version of our Indian tempo traveller which gave a jerk periodically after every kilometer it travelled.

The first day was reserved for the guided city tour of Singapore which comprised of a visit to the famous Merlion, sightings of Singapore flyer (a giant wheel like structure giving a bird’s eye view of Singapore), Raffles hotel and Raffles hospital, some government buildings including the Singapore court. At Merlion we took some photogaraphs in front of the national emblem of Singapore which is the Merlion( upper part of a lion and lower part of a fish for those who couldn’t guess it with the help of the name). Other than the photography session and view of the Singapore river there is nothing much to do here, hence we continued our city tour to the next destination which was China town(as the name suggests it is a Chinese locality located in the heart of Singapore). Here we visited a couple of Chinese temples which was  truly beautiful and is a must see for everyone. We  also visited the famous flea market known for its cheap goods, but the so called cheap items were ten times costlier than what we get in India. Hence obviously we left China town swaying our empty hands. Our final stop was at Singapore gems museum where we were shown how the gems are cut and designed to give the final product( the most boring part of the day). Having no interest in gems or how they are cut we left this place in a time faster than the time that I would spend in the loo.  After this we were dropped at our hotel in Little India which is another locality in Singapore inhabited mainly by the Indians. The three star hotel turned out to be a service apartment converted to a hotel. It took us an enormous effort to find our hotel as it was not a hotel at all and no one knew about it. Fortunately the rooms were very comfortable with all the facilities that were required in a good room. After keeping the luggage in our room, we began our search for an Indian restaurant for a good south Indian lunch. Being in Little India, this mission didn’t prove to be very difficult as in five minutes we found out a nice restaurant known as Komalas  serving nice south Indian lunch. After lunch we returned back to our hotel to take some much needed rest after the 4 hours flight and nonstop sightseeing. In the evening we visited the world famous 24X7  Mustafa’s shopping centre. As far as we could see, there was not a single item that we couldn’t find here. The place was so huge that we couldn’t decide what to buy( nice excuse for not spending money) and we ultimately decided that this is one place that we should visit again before leaving Singapore. Just opposite Mustafa’s we found a chain of famous Indian restaurants including the likes of Saravana Bhavan, Sagar Ratna, Hot chips, Ponnusamy, Anjappar, Copper Chimney etc. We decided to try all the restaurants before we leave Singapore and hence began our short term goal in Singapore with a visit to Hot Chips. After an excellent dinner we ended our first day in Singapore when we retired to our hotel for the night.

Swarna Oushadha Seva at Nelliakkattu Bhagavathy Temple

 

Swarna Oushadha Seva at Nelliakkattu Bhagavathy Temple

Nelliakkattu Bhagavathy temple is located at Koothattukulam in Ernakulam district. Sri Bhadrakali and Sri Dhanwanthari are the main deities at this temple.  The devotees believe that the Ousahadas (medicine), which are part of the nivedyam offered at this temple, cure all diseases.

Though the Oushada Seva is performed at the temple throughout the year, the ‘Swarna Oushadha Seva’ during Navarathri festival is considered to be very special and popular. The devotees from all over the state visit the temple during the nine days of Navarathri for worship and also to participate in the Swarna Oushadha Seva.   This Seva not only cures the illness, but also rejuvenates, brings prosperity and helps the children to do well in education.

The Oushadha Seva is conducted at ‘Oushadha Seva Mandapam’ and the devotees are advised to chant mantras before taking the medicine. The Oushadha consists of a divine mix of around ten ingredients and gold.   It also includes ‘Vayambu’ which is given to the devotees as prasadam.

The prasadam being given to the devotee has to be taken in the presence of the Bhagavathy and the devotees have to come back to the temple after their wishes are fulfilled.

After the Oushadha Seva there will be ‘Kanji Vazhipadu’ at the temple oottupura and Kanji is served to all the devotees who participated in the Seva

The Nelliakkattu Bhagavathy presents here in a happy mood (Santha swaroopini).  The most auspicious days are the annual Thiru utsavam and Navarathri celebrations.

The Nellikkattu Mana in this village is very famous for Ayurvedic treatment, particularly for eye related ailments.

Anugraha daayini prakaasa varshiny Nelliakaattamme saranam

 

 

 

Hantha Bhagayam Janaanam

 

Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam!

This is the last line of the first sloka of Sriman Narayaneeyam. The last line is Guru Pavana Purey, hantha bhagyam jananam. It literally means being able to visit Guruvayoor is the biggest fortune of this life time.

This is the tag line of Guruvayoor and devotees can see this line at the entrance of the Guruvayoor temple and at many places inside the temple also. The sanskritised name of Guruvayoor is Gurupavanapuram. The temple is supposed to be 5100 years old. As the image had its origin at Vaikuntam, devotees consider this shrine as Vaikuntam on earth, or Bhooloka-Vaikuntam.

After slaying Kamsa, Lord Krishna installed His own idol at Dwaraka. This idol was given by Brahma to Prisni Suthapas, then to Adithi Kasyapa who then gave it to Devaki and Vasudeva. Later at the time of the ascent of the Lord Krishna at the conclusion of His incarnation, the idol was taken by Guru and Vayu (Pavana) and was installed at the present location at Guruvayoor.

First sloka of Sri Narayaneeyam

Saandra nanda vabhodaat makam Anupa mitham kaala desha vaadibhyam
nirmuktam nithya muktam nigama shathasaaha srenha nirbhaasya maanam
aspashtam drustamathre punaruru purushaarthath makam
bhrahma thatvam tthathavadbhathi saakshaad 
gurupavanapure hantha bhaagyam janaanam

Meaning

Sri Bhattadri describes the Brahma-tatvam or the Parabrahmam in the first three lines and and then he exclaims that the Brahmatatvam which cannot be described by hundreds and thousands of Vedas, Shastras and Upanishads, is verily present in the form of Sri Guruvayurappan even for the simple Devotee to see for himself!! How shall I describe the Bhagyam (good luck) of the Devotees!

Hantha! Bhagyam Jananam

Atham Pathinu Pon Onam

Atham Pathinu Pon Onam

Significance of Atham

Atham Pathinu Pon Onam. It means Counting 10 from Atha Nakshathram (Astham in Tamil) when the Onam will be celebrated. The day of Atham in the Malayalam month of Chingam, marks the beginning of Onam season and each of the next 10 days thereafter has its own significance. The making of Pookkalam (Floral Carpet) starts on this day. The Pookkalam will get bigger every day and on the Thiruonam day it turns out to be the largest.

Athachamayam

Athachamayam is a spectacular Onam procession at Tripunithura, near Kochi, conducted on the Atham day to welcome King Mahabali. The legend is that the King Mahabali who was pushed down to Pathalam by Lord Vamana, was given a boon to visit his kingdom and his people once in a year on the Onam day. Caparisoned elephants and folk art forms add to the splendor of this procession. This colourful carnival is connected to the erstwhile royal family of Kochi.

Thiru Onam

Thiruonam is regarded as the birth star of Lord Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Maha Vishnu. On the Thiruonam day a conical figure made up of clay and painted with rice flour paste, is placed in the courtyard. This is called Thrikkakarai Appan, who is Lord Vamana.

Onam is a harvest festival and it represents happiness and prosperity for every malayalee. The entire family gets together during this period and celebrates Onam. The children pick flowers from the neighbourhood and arrange Pookalam with the help of elder members of the family. The air is mixed with the aroma of Adapradhaman, Chakka varatti and Sarkara Upperi. Family members dressed up in their Ona Kodis will visit temple and offer prayers on this day.

To fully understand the Onam festival, one has to be familiar with the Onam terminology. Ona Kodi (New dress), Ona Sadhya (Onam Feast), Ona Kaligal (Onam Games) are all integral part of this festival.

Dances associated with Onam

Thiruvadhirai Kali (Kaikotti Kali)

Thiruvadhirai Kali is a unique dance form where the ladies wearing traditional Kerala white sarees dance around a pookkalam and a lamp (Nila Vilakku). They form a circle and dance to the song, clapping in unison.

Thumbi Thullal

Another dance, which is performed again by the woman folk, is the Thumbithullal where the women wearing traditional sarees sit down in a circle around the lead dancer and sing.

Kummati Kali

In Kummati Kali dance, the performers don heavily painted wooden masks and apparel made of plaited grass, and dance to the tune of traditional songs.

Ona Sadhya (Onam Feast)

This is the major attraction of the Onam Celebrations. There is a saying in Malayalam – “Kanam Vittum Onam Unnanam”. It means you should sell everything if needed to have the Onam Feast. Ona sadhya will be served at all Malayalee homes on all 10 days and on the Thiru Onam day there will be four types of Adapradhaman. The food will be strictly vegetarian and it will always be served on plantain leaves. The elaborate meal will contain 11 to 13 dishes. There is a fixed order for serving the meal and a set place to serve the various dishes on the leaf.

Ona Pudava (Ona Saree)

On the Uthiradam day, the Karanavar (elder member) of the family receives Ona Kazhcha, which are gifts mostly in the form of farm produce received from the farmers. In return the Karanavar presents the Ona Pudava or Ona Kodi (new Onam dress) to all family members and his servants

Ona Kalligal (Onam Games)

The games associated with Onam festival are called Ona Kalligal.

Pulikkali or Kaduva Kali

In Pulikkali the artists act as tigers, goats and hunters and dance to the beats of udukku and thakil. The artists who play the role of tiger are painted with yellow, red and black on their bodies. This dance form is very popular in Trissur and Palakkad districts.

Thalappanthukali

Thalapanthukali is a combination of football, volleyball and handball. The ball, which is used in this game, is made up of dried plantain leaves and coconut fibre wrapped around pebbles.

Onathallu (Onam Fight)

This is a stylish way to fight during Onam where men at their ruffian best take it out on the other.

Ona Pattukal (Onam Songs)

The Ona Pattuakal is supposed to be sung aloud, inviting people and prosperity into the house. These songs reflect the rich old tradition of Onam festivities.

Aranmula Boat Race and Valla Sadhya

Aranmula Vallam kali (boat race) is one of the most famous boat races in Kerala. Aranmula is a small town on the banks of Pamba river in Pathanamthitta district. On every Thiruonam day in Chingam month, Valla Sadhya is offered to the deity in the Aranmula temple and after the puja, the food is distributed among all the devotees. The rice, vegetables and other ingredients, which are required for conducting Valla Sadhya, are carried in a boat called Thiruona thoni, which is accompanied, by snake boats. It is a spectacular event, which no one should miss. Four days after the Thiruonam day, on the Uthirittathi day, the grand boat race takes place on the backwaters.

Modern day Onam

Some elders remember their olden days with nostalgia and observe that the Onam celebrations have changed over the last few decades. Some look at the modern day Onam celebration as more of a Government function than as a family function. This may be due to the disappearance of family bonding, joint family system and the emergence of nuclear families. It is partly true that the modern day Onam is celebrated with a shopping spree followed by ready to eat sadhyas and watching movies in television sitting at home.

But one can never disagree that despite the widespread commercialization of the Onam festival, it is still bringing people and families together. So one can conclude that the excitement and the feeling of oneness that Onam brings among people still remain intact.

20 words to change your life

.

 

1.       Begin

Take charge of your life by beginning something you have always wanted to do. If your goal seems overwhelming, start small.

2.       Imagine

Your imagination has no boundaries.. “Dreaming about something is the first step toward achieving it.”

3.       Laugh

“Laughter is a direct route to the soul. It broadens your perspective, keeps you healthy, and makes an unbearable situation easier to deal with.”

4.       Believe

Set your mind to predict success. Tell yourself you will succeed at whatever you are doing at the moment.

5.       Seek

Allow yourself to grow by exposing your vulnerability and insecurity. Don’t live strictly inside your comfort zone- don’t always play it safe.

6.       Play

We can always find something that “needs to be done” and we forget how to have fun. Make a conscious effort to take time off. You will feel refreshed and able to think more clearly afterwards

7.       Trust

Being paralyzed by indecision is worse than making the wrong decision. You can’t grow if you don’t trust your inner voice.

8.       Listen

Try listening carefully to the other person’s point of view first, without being preoccupied or distracted. You will really hear what is being said and the other person is more likely to pay attention to your views.

9.       Create

Creativity maintains the balance in our lives. The more we use our creativity, the more it develops

10.   Connect

Relationships are what pull us through the hard times, and make the good times meaningful. Take time to nurture the connections that uplift you.

11.   Touch

Humans need touch to survive and thrive. Don’t forget to hug your loved ones. Pat your friends on the back, literally and figuratively.

12.   Forgive

Forgiveness is life giving because it puts you in charge. You become empowered.

13.   Pray

Prayer is asking God to transform the situation and become the heart of your life. Take time each day to nurture this connection.

14.   Hope

Hope is the knowledge that even in the worst of times we can triumph over hardship and sorrow and grow in spirit. Hope is what sustains humanity.

15.   Choose

We can’t always choose our circumstances. But we can choose our attitudes towards them.

16.   Appreciate

Admire the good in yourself and in those around you

17.   Give

Happiness involves giving freely to others and not necessarily wanting something in return.

18.   Read

Reading removes boundaries

19.   Write

Words are freedom. Words are power

20.   Release

Avoid doing something just because everyone thinks you should. Give yourself permission to relax.

Harivarasanam

 

Sri Hariharathmajashtakam (Harivarasanam)

Sri Hariharatmajashtakam popularly known as Harivarasanam is a devotional song recited at Sabarimalai at the time of closing the temple at night after the final puja. It is a lullaby for Lord Ayyappa. ‘Hariharatmaja” means the son of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara (Lord Shiva). Ashtagam means a  sloka which contains eight parts. There are many Ashtagams in praise of various gods.  Another popular Ashtagam is  Lingashtakam which is in praise of Lord Shiva

This song was written by Kambamgudi Kulathur Iyer in a highly sanskritised Malayalam. In 1955, Swami Vimochanananda sang it for the first time at Sabarimalai.

Later this song was sung by VR Gopala Menon every day at the sannidhanam. He was a staunch devotee of Swamy Ayyappa and used to stay at the temple even after it was closed after the season. When Gopala Menon passed away, the Head Priest Eashwaran Namboodhiri heard about his death, and sang Harivarasanam at the time of closing the temple on that day. Thereafter this song was sung everyday without a break at the Sabarimalai Sannidhanam.

The temple now plays the song sung by KJ Yesudas every day. When the final verses are sung, the Keezh Santhis (assistant priests) leave the Sanctum Sanctorum one by one and when the song is completed the Mel Santhi (Head priest) extinguishes the lamps and closes the door.

Verses

Harivarasanam Viswamohanam
Haridadheeswaram Aaradhyapadukam
Arivimarddanam Nithyanarthanam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Sharanakirthanam Bhakthamanasam
Bharanalolupam Narthanalasam
Arunabhasuram Bhoothanayakam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Pranayasathyakam Praananayakam
Pranathakalpakam Suprabhanchitham
Pranavamandiram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Thuragavahanam Sundarananam
Varagadayudham Vedavarnitham
Gurukrupakaram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Thribhuvanarchitham Devathathmakam
Thrinayanam Prabhum Divyadeshikam
Thridashapoojitham Chinthithapradam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham
Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam
Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Kalamridusmitham Sundarananam
Kalabhakomalam Gathramohanam
Kalabhakesari Vaajivahanam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Shrithajanapriyam Chinthithapradam
Shruthivibhushanam Sadhujeevanam
Shruthimanoharam Geethalalasam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

panchadreeshwari mangalam
hari hara premakruthey mangalam
pinchalamkrutha mangalam
pranamathaam chinthamani mangalam
panchasyadwaja mangalam
thrujagadhamadhya prabhoo mangalam
panchastropama mangalam
shruthisirolankaara san mangalam

Nama Sankeerthanam

There are 4 Yugas, namely Kritha Yuga, Thretha Yugam, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. They are collectively called Chathur Yuga meaning 4 Yugas. Each Yuga has its own dharma called as Yuga Dharma. Yuga dharma is that aspect of dharma that is valid for that Yuga through which the Jeevas (living beings) can realize The Lord. Following are the dharmas prescribed by the Vedas for the 4 Yugas:

In the KRITHA YUGA (SATYA YUGA), the mind of the people was very pure. They had no distraction and meditation was easy & natural for them. That is the reason why contemplation was prescribed for Kritha Yuga.

In the THRETHA Yuga, the materials for the performance of Yajnas or sacrifices were easily available and also the people were competent to perform the Pujas. Therefore it was easy for them to perform Agnihotra, Jyotistoma, Darsa-Paurnimas, and other Yajnas. Hence Yajna has been described as the external form for the Sanatana Dharma in that age.

In the DWAPARA Yuga, there was manifestation of Avatars and people could easily have direct worship of God. Hence, worship was prescribed as the principal form of Sadhana in that age.

In the KALI Yuga, there are many distractions for the mind. People lack strength of will, power of enquiry or rational investigation. It is very difficult to procure materials for the performance of sacrifices. People are incapable of doing any Dharmas. Following are the few traits, which can be noticed in the Kali Yuga

•  People will do what they are not supposed to do. 
• Tradition would be modified to suit the comfort of own. 
• Virtues like righteousness and Puja Vidhi would be interpreted according to the whims and fancies.
• People will no longer be able to devote time for the performance of daily duties and virtues. 
• People would become slave to their senses and will not perform the rituals or respect the same

However in some corner the Dharma will survive in form of temples and preaches.  Therefore in KALI Yuga NAMA SANKEERTHANAM (i.e. Loud chanting of Divine name) has been prescribed and the sole source of Sadhana where in by just remembering the name of god and calling him loud will help us overcome the evil and attain salvation. Some of the famous names in Nama Sankeerthanam are Meerabai, Purandhardas, Tulsidas, Sant Ramdas, Sant Tukaram, Sant Kabir, Thyagarajar and many more. They devoted their entire life in Nama Sankeerthanam and have given us a treasure of divine Abhangs, Bhajans & Keerthans. One can realise the divine bliss by hearing & singing these songs. Nama Sankeerthanam can be done by anyone, anywhere and anytime either in group or in solo. However one can experience the true essence of Bhakti when it is done in groups.

                                                                                                                                                                             – Usha Ramachandran

Ona Villu

Ona Villu

Ona Villu is part of the Onam festival rituals and closely associated with Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple of Trivandrum. Ona Villu is a bow shaped wooden piece tapering on both sides. On this wooden piece miniature painting is portrayed.

The descendants of Puthanangadi Kannelan Madhavan Asari who lived in Travancore state during the 16th century do these paintings. This family, which resides even now in Vilayil Veedu, Karamana at Trivandrum, continues the tradition of making the Ona Villu for Sri Padmanabhaswamy. They observe vratha (penance) for 41 days prior to the commencement of this work until Thiruonam day.

On the Thiruonam day, the Ona Villus are taken to the Padmanabhaswamy temple and displayed at the Nataka sala . At the auspicious hour the Ona villus are handed over to the priests who place them on either side of the idol and conduct puja for three days. Each villu is dedicated to one deity. The Anantha Sayanam (reclining pose of Lord Vishnu) version of the villu is consecrated to Lord Padmanabha (Vishnu); the one with the Dasavathram painting is offered to Lord Narasimha; the one showing the Krishna-leela is dedicated to Lord Krishna; the one with the painting of Shri Rama Pattabhishekam is consecrated to the idol of Shri Rama. Similarly the Sastha painting is consecrated to Sri Dharma Sastha.

According to legend, when King Mahabali was being pushed into the earth by Vamana, Lord Vishnu appeared before him. King Mahabali asked that each year he could be allowed to visit his native land and to see the Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu granted him the boon, but said that the King would be able to see him and his avatars only as painted images. Lord Vishvakarman was ordered to paint images of Dasavatharam on pieces of kadambu wood. This was the origin of the Onavillu, which is put on display every year for King Mahabali to see.

Ona Villu is available in 3 sizes – 4.5 ft x 6 inches, 3.5 ft x 5.5 inches, 3 ft x 4 inches. The thickness of the ona villu will be half inch. The woods used are yellow kadambu, jack fruit, maruthu and aanjali. The painters use only vegetable colours for these paintings. Only four colours red yellow, blue, green and black are used for these paintings. The artisans use a wooden dye to cut the villu in the stipulated dimensions. This dye is centuries old and it is designed in such a way that all the three dimensions can be cut using a single dye. Another interesting feature is that the convicts in Poojappura jail (Trivandrum central jail) make the red tassels used to adorn the bows.

After the puja at the Padmanabhaswamy temple, the ona villu is available for distribution among the devotees. The devotees consider them as the symbol of prosperity. Advance booking is required for Ona Villu, which has already started this year. Devotees can book for buying the Ona Villu by paying Rs 1500 at the temple counters.