Guru Bhakthi - Story from life of Adi Shankaracharya

Vaishaka Masa Shukla Panchami (5th day of bright half of Vaishaka month - April 26th, 2012) is an auspicious day marking the Jayanthi of our Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya.
On this auspicious day, let us take few minutes to know about one of the four main disciples of Sri Shankaracharya and his beautiful composition on his Guru.

Sri Shankaracharya had four disciples namely Sri Sureshwaracharya, Sri Padmapadacharya, Sri Thotakachaarya and Sri Hasthamalakacharya similar to Lord Dakshinamurthy who had four disciples - Sri Sanaka, Sri Sananda, Sri Sanath Kumara, and Sri Sanatna.

 Sri Bagavathpaadha after successfully completing his bhashyam on the Brahma Sutras by the graces of Sri Parameshrara at Kashi, used to deliver Vyakyanam (discourse) on the Bhasyas, Vedhas, Upanishads and the Advaitham daily to his disciples. Sri Shankaracharya had abundant compassion for his disciples & he would start his Vyakyanam and Paatam (lectures) only after all four of them had come. Among all four of them, Sri Thotakachaarya was a little bit silent and was not out-spoken like the rest of them. However, he had deep devotion towards his Guru. Sri Bagavathpaadha understood this, and he wanted to make the rest of the three disciples understand the fact that, Sri Thotakachaarya's devotion to the Lotus Feet of Guru is much greater than the knowledge of all of them. Surrendering everything at the Lotus feet of the Sadguru and doing bakthy or devotion to the Lotus Feet of the Sadguru itself would present one, with the complete wisdom of Self-Knowledge, which is the essence of all the Vedas. Sri Bagavathpaadha wanted to convey the message that, Guru Padha Seva is superior even to the Seva to the Almighty himself.

One morning, Sri Thotakachaarya was a couple of minutes late and our JagadGuru Bagavathpaadha was waiting for his arrival. The rest of the three disciples were wondering why would Sri Bagavathpaadha wait for someone, who is not as "bright" as them. Sri Bagavathpaadha had blessed Sri Thotakachaarya and Sri Thotakachaarya came walking, singing a hymn with wonderfully rhythmic words. Sri Thotakachaarya’s words were showing his over flowing Guru Bakthi. This hymn was metered with very complex poetic meter called Thotaka meter. The rest of Sri Acharya's disciples, now understood the deep Gnanam (Poorna Gnanam) and Guru Bakthy of Sri Thotakachaarya and they regretted for their ignorance and they all praised Sri Thotakachaarya’s knowledge and his fervent Guru Bakthi. Since then he was called as Sri Thotakachaarya although his deeksha namam was Giri.

Here is the composition made by Thotakacharya

Thotakashtakam:

Vidhithakila Shaasthra Sudha Jhaladhe Mahithopanishadh Kathithartha Nidhe
Hrudhaye Kalaye Vimalam Charnam Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharnam

Karuna Varunalaya Paalayamam Bhava Saagara Dhukka Vidhoona Hrudham
Rachayakila Darshana Tathva Vidham Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharnam

Bhavatha Janatha Sukitha Bhavitha Nija Bhodha Vichaarana Chaarumathe
Kalayeshwara Jeeva Viveka Vidham Bhava Shanakara Deshika Mey Sharanam

Bhava Eva BhavaaNidhi Me Nitharam Sama Jaayatha Chethasi Kouthukitha
Mama Vaaraya Moha Maha Jaladhim Bhava Shanakara Deshika Mey Sharanam

Sukruthe Dhikruthe Bahudha Bhavatho Bhavitha Sama Darshana Laalasatha
Athi dheenam imam paripaalayamam Bhava Shanakara Deshika Mey Sharanam

Jagadtheem Avithum Kalitha Kruthayo Vicharanthi Mahaamaha Shachalathah
Ahi Mamshuri Vathra Vibhaasi Guro Bhava Shanakara Deshika Mey Sharanam

Guru Pungava Pungava Kethana The Samatha Mayatham Nahi Kopi Sudhee
Sharanaagatha Vatsala Tathvanidhe Bhava Shanakara Deshika Mey Sharanam

Vidhithaa Na Maya Visha Dhaika Kala Nacha Kinchana Kaanchanam Asthi Guro
Drutham Eva Vidhehi Krupaam Sahajaam Bhava Shanakara Deshika Mey Sharanam

Sri Thotakachaarya has enlisted all the divine qualities of Sri Bagavathpaadha
in his 8 verses.

Kathithartha Nidhe (Vaibhavam of Sri Bagavathpaadha's writing commentary to all
the Upanishads, Vedas.., which are like the waves of milky ocean.)
Vimalam Charanam (preaches all of us to bear or to think of
the divine feet of Sri Bagavathpaadha, which he says would give us the knowledge of all
the darshanas and the Vivekam of Jeeva-Eshwara Vidham )
Krupaam Sahajaam (quality of daya or compassion by birth)
Tathvanidhe (sole authority for all the Thathvas or the philosophies)
Sukitha Bhavitha (Many householders are delighted by your grace and renderings)
Chaarumathe (pure consciousness moon)
Karuna Varunalayam (ocean of compassion)
Guru Pungava (JagadGuru or the Guru for all the "local" Gurus, who have been emerging from time to time in various parts of the Universe)
Samathamaya tham Nahi (one who does not have any one equal to His intellect)
Sharanaagatha Vatsala (one who always protects His refugees)
Ahimamsurivatra Vibhaasi Guro (Shines like a sun amidst the group of monks)





This incidence is a proof that Guru always recognize immense devotion and faith rather than the knowledge. It also emphasizes the importance of observing or putting into action in our lives whatever knowledge we possess, otherwise knowledge serves no purpose, but increases our ego.

Listen to this wonderful rendition of Thotakashtakam by M.S. Subbulakshmi amma.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUGg29s0IQs

Satyavan-Savitri: The story of persistence, belief and wisdom

The story of the couple Satyavan and Savitri speaks the power of persistence and belief. The story is associated with a fasting ritual called "Karadayan Nonbu" in Tamil. Today, marks the transition of Tamil month Masi to Panguni and people celebrate it as "Karadayan Nonbu". Eager to know the story behind it!! Continue reading below..

King Ashvapati had no children and prayed towards Sun God "Savitr" (another name for Sun God) to bless him with a progeny for his lineage (a son). Soon his prayer was answered and he was blessed with a daughter. He named her "Savitri".

Savitri was very wise and beautiful. When she attained marriage age, her father asked her to choose her husband. She went in search out to woods and found Satyavan serving his parents with utmost dedication. Even before she knew that Satyavan was a Prince with his parents being thrown out of their kingdom, she fell in love with him and decided to marry him. Satyavan's parents & Satyavan also accepted her proposal. On her way back to her kingdom,  Narada told her that Satyavan has limited lifespan of one year from now and it would be better if she change her mind about the marriage. Savitri did not pay importance to Narada's words and replied that she has decided to spend her life serving Satyavan and his parents.

Later, she went and informed her father Ashvapati about her choice of Satyavan and he consented to it as well. Narada again came to his father and briefed him about Satyavan's lifespan. The news made Ashvapari worrisome and he talked to his daughter and told not to marry Satyavan. But Savitri was persistent in her decision and replied the same way as she did to Narada.

Soon the marriage of Satyavan and Savitri took place and Savitri accompanied her husband and in-laws to the forest.

When she knew that Satyavan's lifespan is going to end, three days before the destined death date, she started her fasting and prayer. Though her in-laws were hesitant initially, later they supported her vratam (fasting). On the destined day, she decided to accompany Satyavan wherever he go. Satyavan went to the forest to cut trees and Savitri accompanied him. Suddenly, Satyavan felt dizzy and fell down. Savitri knew that he is going to die, laid him to her lap. Satyavan died the very next moment. Savitri could see that Lord YamaDharma is approaching Satyavan's body with a rope. She went towards him and bowed down.

At first YamaDharma was surprised to know that he was recognized by a human. Because, YamaDharma cannot be perceived through human eyes. He enquired about her and she being a Pativrata (noble wife), begged and prayed to Him to give back life to her husband, so that they can live together and serve their parents. But YamaDharma denied saying its impossible for him to give life back to a mortal and also it is against nature laws. Savitri kept on saying verses from literature in praise of belief, obedience and noble conduct and presented her request again. YamaDharma pleased with her approach and her choice of marrying Satyavan even after knowing his limited lifespan, offered her 3 boons to make except the life of Satyavan.

Wise Savitri proceeded asking him, "May my in-laws be blessed with eye vision and kingdom they lost! May my parents are blessed with hundred sons to continue their lineage! May I be blessed with hundred sons as well!"

YamaDharma replied, "Dadastu (Done)"  and later realized the trick in her boon, that she wanted hundred sons for herself, which would mean Satyavan to be alive.

YamaDharma then replied her that he was impressed with her persistence and Pativratvam (noble chastity) and he would give life back to Satyavan. Savitri paid her obeisance to YamaDharma and was happy to see his husband waking up from his drowsy state. On return to her in-laws, she was happy to see them with eye vision and a news that they got their kingdom back.

People in South India (especially Tamil Nadu) observe this time of the year (when the month transition from Masi to Panguni) as "Karadayan Nonbu", the same way as Savitri did her 3 days pooja and fasting. They make sweet adai made of rice and offer it to Goddess Shakti, Durga or Ambal  and draw inspiration from Savitri's belief and persistence. Married women pray for their husband's long life and unmarried women pray for a good devoted husband.

Simple pattern matching game

We had borrowed from library a Finnish book on numbers and pictures corresponding to the numbers.
The picture below is a page for number 100 listing 100 items.

While Barathraam enquire asking names of each objects, slowly he also started identifying that there are more dogs, bears in it and started recognizing the patterns.
Then I realised how wonderful game it was for him to identify star shapes, dog shapes in this picture of random objects.

And I thought I could share here, for kids of all ages would love to recognize patterns and locate objects. Try it out and share your ideas.

-- Sheer joy of sharing

Introducing Numbers - fun way

One day, we just came across the number train rhymes in youtube website and it became Barathraam's one of the favorite videos. He could count from 1-10 in Tamil & English now.. So I just thought of making a number train at home using color charts, that way he could associate the numbers he tell with the way it is written.
And, it turned out to be good that he could now point to the correct number as he tells it [ah, yes provided he is in a good mood :-)]

I read in "Baby Minds" by Linda Acredolo et al, that kids find it interesting to see patterns in what they see.. To aid this skill, they suggested drawing some simple figures from numbers and alphabets. I could come up with my limited creativity the below figures associating it to numbers.. Barathraam does enjoy it and hope he could come up with better ones as he grow.

-- Sheer joy of sharing

Introducing days

I just came across some website which mentioned a fun way to introduce days to kids..

I thought I could introduce the days to Barathraam along with the significance of the day by representing a God deity.

Here it goes,

In the small carboard box we used to put the current day's significant deity  while telling name of the day..
like for example, picture of sun and tell that it is Sunday..
We can alter it slightly with any specific activities like music/reading/drama and let them guess name of the day..

Try out and do let me know if you have any suggestions..

-- Sheer joy of sharing

Navarathri Special - Story of Kalidasa

The festival Navarathri commences from today (which is day after full moon during the month of Puratasi in Tamil calendar month). The word "Navarathri" means nine days which corresponds to worship of three forms of Goddess Devi namely, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi; three days each for three forms of Devi.
During Navarathri, people display the idols of Gods in their home and invite neighbours and friends to visit. Children used to visit their friend's home and sing songs at their places and get some Prasad (food which is offered to God) usually called "Sundal".
During this auspicious time of worshipping Goddess Devi, let us listen to stories of Her great Bhakthas and Her divine grace.

Kalidasa is a well known poet in Sanskrit literature. He was not born intelligent, but was blessed with poetic prowess by Goddess Kali. There is an interesting story behind Kalidasa being blessed by Goddess Kali.

The King of Tejavathi had a well-learned daughter named Vidhyakumari. When the king wanted to arrange marriage of Vidhyakumari, she told that she will marry the person who defeats her in a debate on Shastras. A minister from the King's court wanted to make Vidhyakumari as his daughter-in-law, but his son was demeaned by her during the debate on Shastras. The minister kept vengence on her and wanted to teach her a lesson. He was set in search of a dumb man and found one near a forest. The man was cutting a tree branch while sitting on the branch edge. Seeing this the minister understood him to be a fool and plot a trick to make him marry Vidhyakumari.

The minister took the dumb man to Princess and introduced that he is one of the brilliant citizen of their country. He added that the dumb man would not speak anything, but could answer her questions. Princess got interested and the debate started. The princess showed him one finger saying `shakti is one'. He thought she will poke his one eye, so he showed her two fingers. She accepted it as valid answer, since `shakti' is manifest in duality (shiv-shakti, nar-naaree etc). She showed her the palm with fingers extended like symbolising a slap. He showed her the fist. She accepted it as answer to her question. She said `five elements' and he said `make the body' (earth, water, fire, air, and void). The mute debate continued and finally the Princess agreed that the dumb man is indeed a scholar and told that she would like to marry him.

Soon after the marriage got over, the Princess could understand that her husband is indeed not a scholar but a naive, dumb person. She felt grief-stricken and realized her mistake. However she did not deserted him, instead she tried to cultivate the knowledge in him. However being dumb he could not understand anything. Being a devotee of Goddess Kali, she asked him to pray to Her to bless with knowledge. The dumb man prayed to Kali everyday, but seeing that Kali did not bless him with knowledge, he decided he could sacrifice himself. Seeing his devout, Goddess Kali appeared before him and wrote Om syllable on his tongue and blessed that he will become a Sanskrit scholar. He is none other than Kalidasa (Devotee of Kali).

Kalidasa gained prowess in Sanskrit literature and became a poet with Kali's blessings.

Let us pray Goddess Kali to bless us with prowess in our field of knowledge and remove our fear.

Alongside, let us listen to this Shyamala Thandakam from movie Mahakavi Kalidasa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kVnRlyhqAk

Source: Movie Mahakavi Kalidasa, Discourse of Sri Muralidhara swamigal

Big & small

Here is another interesting activity for toddlers around 15 months old to teach them big & small.

There are nice jungle animals, safari animals and polar animal picture layout available from the craft website,
http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/jungleanimals.html

Here goes the simple easy steps:
1. I printed these animal picture layouts in two sizes; same image size as given and 30 % reduced size.

2. Cut these pictures and cut the same shapes into to some carton boxes/chart paper/cardboard sheet. The carton boxes containing groceries, corn flakes etc are good to use for this.

3. Glue the print outs over the carton layouts and dry it.

4. You and your kid is now ready to explode your creative games..
 like mixing them all and showing him big elephant, identify and match it with the smaller one.

Here is the picture of our big & small game.

I made from Black & White layouts.. Its also fun to have colored ones, or uncolored ones (and colored by your kid with crayons)!