Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. )

CHAPTER- 3 :  HINDU DHARMA-2 That which brings well-being to man is Dharma. Dharma supports this world. The people are upheld by Dharma. That which secures preservation of beings is Dharma. Dharma leads to eternal happiness and immortality. That which is Dharma is verily the Truth. Therefore, whosoever speaks the truth is said to speak Dharma, and whosoever speaks Dharma is said to speak the truth. One and the same thing becomes both. Dharma includes all external deeds, as well as thoughts and other mental practices which tend to elevate the character of man. Dharma comes from the Divine and leads you to the Divine. Next : 3.3. Definition Of Dharma Swami Sivananda      To be continued...

Opinion   30/04/2016.       506.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 3.3      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Third Talk - 3. 3.3. There is a brotherhood between you and every other citizen of India. You must feel, “I am not a stranger here. No one is a stranger to me." Everyone is mine. I am always moving amongst my own

CHAPTER- 3 :  HINDU DHARMA-1 Silent adorations to the Lord, the Embodiment of Dharma, the Controller and Protector of Dharma and the Fountain-head of Dharma. What is Dharma? Dharma is so called, because it holds; Dharma alone holds the people, etc. The word Dharma is derived from the root Dhr—to hold—and its etymological meaning is ‘that which holds’ this world, or the people of the world, or the whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm. It is the eternal Divine Law of the Lord. The entire creation is held together and sustained by the All-powerful Law of God. Practice of Dharma, therefore, means recognition of this Law and abidance by it. Swami Sivananda      To be continued...

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.22&23      1.The Scriptures : 22&23  22. The Natakas & 23. The Alankaras 22. These are marvellously scholastic dramas embodying the Rasas of Sringara, Vira, Karuna, Adbhuta, Hasya, Bhayanaka, Bibhatsa and Raudra. It is told that none can write on the ninth Rasa, viz., Santi. It is attainable only on final Liberation. The best dramas are written by Kalidasa (Sakuntala), Bhavabhuti (Uttara-Rama-Charita), and Visakhadatta (Mudrarakshasa). 23. These are grand rhetorical texts, treating of the science of perfection and beauty of ornamental language and of effective composition with elegance and force, both in poetry and in prose. These are the fundamentals of Sanskrit Sahitya, even superior to the Kavyas and the Natakas. The best Alankara-Granthas are those of Mammata (Kavyaprakasa) and Jagannatha (Rasagangadhara). Conclusion : These constitute the entirety of Sanskrit literature—sacred and secular. The Sruti is the root; the Smr

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.19, 20 & 21.      1.The Scriptures : 19, 20 & 21 19. Other Scriptures,  20. The Secular Writings & 21. The Kavyas. 19. The Tevaram and the Tiruvachakam which are the hymns of the Saiva saints of South India, the Divya-Prabandham of the Alvar saints of South India, the songs of Kabir, the Abhangas of Tukaram and the Ramayana of Tulasi Das—all of which are the outpourings of great realised souls—are wonderful scriptures. They contain the essence of the Vedas. 20. The Subhashitas : - The Subhashitas are wise sayings, instructions and stories, either in poetry or in prose. Examples are Bhartrihari’s three centuries of verses, the Subhashita-Ratna-Bhandagara and Somadeva Bhatta’s Katha-Sarit-Sagara or Kshemendra’s Brihat-Katha-Manjari. The Panchatantra and the Hitopadesa also belong to this category. 21. These are highly scholarly compositions in poetry, prose or both. The greatest of poetical Kavyas are those of Kalidas (The

Opinion   26/04/2016.       500.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 3.2      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Third Talk - 2. 3.2. But you are all born to not only move towards the attainment of divine perfection, but perfection in every other dimension of your life also. If you are a citizen of a city, the city must be richer an

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.17 & 18.      1.The Scriptures : 17 &18. 17. Vyakhyana or Tika & 18. Tippani. 17. A Vyakhyana is a running explanation in an easier language of what is said in the original, with little elucidations here and there. A Vyakhyana, particularly of a Kavya, deals with eight different modes of dissection of the Sloka, like Pada-Chheda, Vigraha, Sandhi, Alankara, Anuvada, etc. This forms an important aspect in the study of Sanskrit Sahitya Sastra. An Anu-Vyakhyana—like the one written by Sri Madhva—is a repetition of what is already written, but in greater detail. An Anuvada is merely a running translation or statement of an abstruse text of the original. Tika is only another name for Vyakhyana. The best Vyakhyanas are of Vachaspati Misra on the Darsanas, especially on Sankara’s Brahmasutra-Bhashya. 18. Tippani is just like a Vritti, but is less orthodox than the Vritti. It is an explanation of difficult words or phrases occurring in

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.15 & 16.      1.The Scriptures : 15 & 16. 15. Vritti & 16. Varttika 15. Sadvrittih sannibandhana A Vritti is a short gloss explaining the aphorisms in a more elaborate way, but not as extensively as a Bhashya. An example is Bodhayana’s Vritti on the Brahma Sutras. 16. Uktanuktaduruktanam Chinta yatra pravartate Tam grantham varttikam prahuh Varttikajnavichakshanah A Varttika is a work where a critical study is made of that which is said and left unsaid or imperfectly said in a Bhashya, and the ways of making it perfect by supplying the omissions therein, are given. Examples are the Varttikas of Katyayana on Panini’s Sutras, of Suresvara on Sankara’s Upanishad-Bhashyas, and of Kumarila Bhatta on the Sabara-Bhashya on the Karma-Mimamsa. Next : 17. Vyakhyana or Tika & 18. Tippani Swami Sivananda      To be continued... Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir (Dwarka, India)

Opinion   24/04/2016.       495.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 3.1      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Third Talk - 1. 3.1. Radiant Immortal Atman! Beloved and blessed children of the Divine! Mumukshus and Jijnasus, devotees of God, Bhaktas, Sadhaks and Yogis engaged in doing spiritual Sadhana in your chosen path of Y

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.14.      1.The Scriptures : 14. 14-Bhashya Sutrartho varnyate yatra Padaih sutranusaribhih Svapadani cha varnyante Bhashyam bhashyavido viduh A Bhashya is an elaborate exposition, a commentary on the Sutras, with word by word meaning of the aphoristic precepts, their running translation, together with the individual views of the commentator or the Bhashyakara. The best and the exemplary Bhashya in Sanskrit literature is the one written by Patanjali on the Vyakarana Sutras of Panini. This Bhashya is so very famous and important that it is called the MAHABHASHYA and its celebrated author is specially called the BHASHYAKARA. Patanjali is the father of Bhashyakaras. The next important Bhashya is the one on the Mimamsa Sutras written by Sabara-Swamin who learnt the art from Patanjali’s commentary. The third important Bhashya was written by Sankara on the Brahma Sutras, in close following with the Sabara-Bhashya. The Bhashyas on the six

Happy Mother with her two children of Chinmaya Vidyalaya Opinion   23/04/2016.       490.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 2.14      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Second Talk - 14. 14. Such lofty ideals actually lived by great ones in the past teach us that we can make our life sublime. They have gone before us and set footp

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.13      1.The Scriptures : 13 13. Sutra- Svalpaksharam-asandigdham Saravad-visvatomukham Astobham-anavadyam cha Sutram sutravido viduh A Sutra or an aphorism is a short formula with the least possible number of letters, without any ambiguity or doubtful assertion, containing the very essence, embracing all meanings, without any stop or obstruction and absolutely faultless in nature. The Sutrakara or the composer of the aphorisms is said to be as happy as one would be while getting the first male child, if he is but able to reduce one letter in his abstruse Sutra of far-fetched words and ideas. The best example of the greatest, the tersest and the most perfect of Sutra literature is the series of aphorisms called the Ashtadhyayi composed by Panini. Panini is the father of all Sutrakaras from whom all others seem to have borrowed the method of composition. The Sutras are meant to explain a big volume of knowledge in short assertions

Opinion   22/04/2016.       484.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 2.13      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Second Talk - 13. 13. Harischandra replies, “But you have that Mangalsutra (the auspicious thread or ornament worn by married women, usually worn hidden to other’s view and only known to the husband).” She suddenly reali

Opinion   21/04/2016.       479.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 2.12      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Second Talk - 12. 12. Shani can bring even the person of the highest fame andgreatest prosperity to the most abject state of disrepute and misfortune. If his shadow comes into one’s horoscope, one goes through a very ba

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.12      1.The Scriptures : 12 12. The Six Darsanas.2 The Sutras are terse and laconic. The Rishis have condensed their thoughts in the aphorisms. It is very difficult to understand them without the help of commentaries by great sages or Rishis. Hence, there arose many commentators or Bhashyakaras. There are glosses, notes and, later, commentaries on the original commentaries. The Shad-Darsanas (the six schools of philosophy) or the Shat-Sastras are: the NYAYA, founded by Gautama Rishi, the VAISESHIKA by Kanada Rishi, the SANKHYA by Kapila Muni, the YOGA by Patanjali Maharshi, the PURVA MIMAMSA by Jaimini, and the UTTARA MIMAMSA or VEDANTA by Badarayana or Vyasa. The Darsanas are divided into three pairs of aphoristic compositions which explain the philosophy of the Vedas in a rationalistic method of approach. They are: 1. the Nyaya and the Vaiseshika,  2. the Sankhya and the Yoga, and the 3. Mimamsa and the Vedanta. Each set of

Opinion   20/04/2016.       474.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 2.11      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Second Talk - 11. 11. In the Hindu religion and society, the name ‘Harishchandra’ has become synonymous with Satya or truth, so much so, that he is called ‘Satya-Harishchandra’. When I think of Harishchandra, I always thi

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.12      1.The Scriptures : 12 12. The Six Darsanas.1 These are the intellectual section of the Hindu writings, while the first four are intuitional, and the fifth inspirational and emotional. Darsanas are schools of philosophy based on the Vedas. The Agamas are theological. The Darsana literature is philosophical. The Darsanas are meant for the erudite scholars who are endowed with acute acumen, good understanding, power of reasoning and subtle intellect. The Itihasas, Puranas and Agamas are meant for the masses. The Darsanas appeal to the intellect, while the Itihasas, Puranas, etc., appeal to the heart. Philosophy has six divisions—Shad-darsana—the six Darsanas or ways of seeing things, usually called the six systems or six different schools of thought. The six schools of philosophy are the six instruments of true teaching or the six demonstrations of Truth. Each school has developed, systematised and correlated the various parts of t

Opinion   18/04/2016.       469.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 2.10      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Second Talk - 10. 10. The second great ideal that we have received is that of keeping one’s word—‘Raghukula reeti ..... Once we give our word there is no going back on it. One may lose one’s life, but never shall the w

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.11.3      1.The Scriptures : 11 11. The Agamas-3 3. The Sakta Agamas There is another group of scriptures known as the Tantras. They belong to the Sakta cult. They glorify Sakti as the World-Mother. They dwell on the Sakti (energy) aspect of God and prescribe numerous courses of ritualistic worship of the Divine Mother in various forms. There are seventy-seven Agamas. These are very much like the Puranas in some respects. The texts are usually in the form of dialogues between Siva and Parvati. In some of these, Siva answers the questions put by Parvati, and in others, Parvati answers, Siva questioning. Mahanirvana, Kularnava, Kulasara, Prapanchasara, Tantraraja, Rudra-Yamala, Brahma-Yamala, Vishnu-Yamala and Todala Tantra are the important works. The Agamas teach several occult practices some of which confer powers, while the others bestow knowledge and freedom. Sakti is the creative power of Lord Siva. Saktism is really a supplement to

Opinion   17/04/2016.       464.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 2.9      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Second Talk - 9. 9. The world is not maintained by Sadhus who are living isolated in the Himalayas! Though the Hindu scriptures have eulogised Sannyasa, they have also boldly declared that the Grihastha is the pivot of th

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.11.2      1.The Scriptures : 11 11. The Agamas-2 2.The Saiva Agamas The Saivas recognise twenty-eight Agamas, of which the chief is Kamika. The Agamas are also the basis of Kashmir Saivism which is called the Pratyabhijna system. The latter works of Pratyabhijna system show a distinct leaning to Advaitism.  The Southern Saivism, i.e., Saiva Siddhanta and the Kashmir Saivism, regard these Agamas as their authority, besides the Vedas. Each Agama has Upa-Agamas. Of these, only fragmentary texts of twenty are extant.  Lord Siva is the central God in the Saiva Agamas. They are suitable to this age, Kali Yoga. They are open to all castes and both the sexes. Next : 3. The Sakta Agamas Swami Sivananda      To be continued....

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.11.1      1.The Scriptures : 11 11. The Agamas-1 1.The Vaishnava Agamas The Vaishnava Agamas are of four kinds: the Vaikhanasa, Pancharatra, Pratishthasara and Vijnanalalita. The Brahma, Saiva Kaumara, Vasishtha, Kapila, Gautamiya and the Naradiya are the seven groups of the Pancharatras. The Naradiya section of the Santi-Parva of the Mahabharata is the earliest source of information about the Pancharatras. Vishnu is the Supreme Lord in the Pancharatra Agamas. The Vaishnavas regard the Pancharatra Agamas to be the most authoritative. They believe that these Agamas were revealed by Lord Vishnu Himself. Narada-Pancharatra says: “Everything from Brahma to a blade of grass is Lord Krishna.” This corresponds to the Upanishadic declaration: “All this is, verily, Brahman—Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma.” There are two hundred and fifteen of these Vaishnava texts. Isvara, Ahirbudhnya, Paushkara, Parama, Sattvata, Brihad-Brahma and Jnanamritasara Samhitas a

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.11.1      1.The Scriptures : 11 11. The Agamas Another class of popular scriptures are the Agamas. The Agamas are theological treatises and practical manuals of divine worship. The Agamas include the Tantras, Mantras and Yantras. These are treatises explaining the external worship of God, in idols, temples, etc. All the Agamas treat of  (i) Jnana or Knowledge,  (ii) Yoga or Concentration,  (iii) Kriya or Esoteric Ritual and (iv) Charya or Exoteric Worship. They also give elaborate details about ontology and cosmology, liberation, devotion, meditation, philosophy of Mantras, mystic diagrams, charms and spells, temple-building, image-making, domestic observances, social rules, public festivals, etc. The Agamas are divided into three sections: The Vaishnava, the Saiva and the Sakta. The three chief sects of Hinduism, viz., Vaishnavism, Saivism and Saktism, base their doctrines and dogmas on their respective Agamas. The Vaishnava Agamas or

Opinion   14/04/2016.       459.             All Members,        Respected family members of this great holy Nation.          *REQUEST ALL  STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS MUST READ THIS TOPIC        **IT IS URGENT IMPORTANCE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION  OF THE NATION          Sub : INDIAN ( Bharatiya ) IDEALS OF LIFE : 2.8      Swami Chidananda           (A series of 3 talks given by Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the mornings of December 20, 21 and 22 1999, at the Sangeet Kala Kendra, Kolkata)           Ref :  Children and Youth of Bharatham are misguided by some evil forces, in the name of student wings sponsored by dirty political parties like Congress, Communists, etc., ..         Dear Children of this Holy Nation -        Second Talk - 8. 8. Within a moment they become three little infants and start crying. She goes inside, takes off her clothes and breast-feeds them! Thus, she passes the test. The gods are so pleased that they grant her

CHAPTER 2. HINDU SCRIPTURES : 1.10.4      1.The Scriptures : 10.4 10. The Eighteen Puranas-4 4. Utility of the Puranas Study of the Puranas, listening to sacred recitals of scriptures, describing and expounding of the transcendent Lilas of the Blessed Lord—these form an important part of Sadhana of the Lord’s devotees. It is most pleasing to the Lord. Sravana is a part of Navavidha-Bhakti. Kathas and Upanyasas open the springs of devotion in the hearts of hearers and develop Prema-Bhakti which confers immortality on the Jiva. The language of the Vedas is archaic, and the subtle philosophy of Vedanta and the Upanishads is extremely difficult to grasp and assimilate. Hence, the Puranas are of special value as they present philosophical truths and precious teachings in an easier manner. They give ready access to the mysteries of life and the key to bliss. Imbibe their teachings. Start a new life of Dharma-Nishtha and Adhyatmic Sadhana from this very day. Next : 11.