GURU VANDANAM

"Om Namah Pranavartaya Shuddha Gnanaika Murtaye, Nirmalaya Prasantaya Sri Guru Dakshinamurtaye Namah"

My salutations to the one who creates, sustains & dissolves all life,  to the one who is bestower of pure knowledge & wisdom, to the one who is ever free of bondage & who quells ego, to the one who is ever peaceful & calm, my profuse salutations to my supreme master Lord Dakshinamurthy

Ganesha's Three Ideals

Excerpts from  GANAPATHY ATHARVASHIRSHA

Ganapathy Atharvashirsha extols Lord Ganesha as the primordial being. It is a Vedic text in praise of Ganesha and is central to the theme of Gaanaapathyam ( one of the six systems of theistic worship, which uphold one central deity as the supreme being- all equally valid means of moksha. The others are Sauram, Shaivam, Vaishnavam, Shaaktam based on the exclusive worship of Surya, Kumaara or Subrahmanya, Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti or Devi respectively). This particular article focuses on a set of very interesting aspects of Ganesha,  which surely inspire a seeker. Atharvashirsha presents Ganapathy in the most powerful manner as transcendental (nirguna), supreme (para) and all-encompassing (sarvavyapaka) and more...

Here I present, three select and very interesting aspects of Ganesha, upon hearing or meditating, instantly uplift the human mind from feelings/thoughts of entrapment or suffering. True to the name of Vighneshwara, He removes obstacles at every stage of spiritual learning and bestows progress upon hearing or reciting this invocation.

1. "Tvam Kaalatrayatetaha" means " you are above the 3 aspects of time"

Ganesha is beyond the three aspects of time - past, present and future. He is in fact beyond all notional and absolute understandings of temporality. His existence is not contingent upon such divisions or dimensions of time. He is therefore timeless and eternal. There has never been a time when he was not. He is. (Sat - that which is. When one rises above the notions of time-bound existence, one becomes immortal)

2. "Tvam Dehatrayaateetaha" means " you are above the 3 types of bodies"

Ganesha is immeasurable and beyond the grasp of 3 states of embodiments - sthula, sukshma and karana shariras - Gross physical, subtle mental or atomic causal body states. One whose presence is not limited by spatial parameters. Thus, he is formless and limitless in his presence. (Mahakaya). (Cit - undifferentiated pure consciousness. When one rises above the identification with one's name and form one attains and operates from the field of pure consciousness)

3. "Tvam Gunatrayaateetaha" means "you are above the 3 gunas".

Ganapathy is one who transcends the realm of three gunas. The 3 gunas are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. They are the raw material for the manifestation of the primal life force along various forms as well as dispositions. As long as they remain in equilibrium, there is no manifestation of anything mental or material. Ganesha is that transcendental one, who intertwines them in equilibrium as well as triggers them into activity. Whereas He himself remains unaffected by the plays or transmutations of the 3 gunas. (Ananda - bliss. When one is beyond the affectation of 3 gunas, one moves to state of bliss)

Thus, just the above three aspects alone bring out the greatness of Ganesha as SatCitAnandamaya. Many more such wonderful gems are found in this simple incantation. In a way, it brings our attention to our own self and feel the power, peace, and beauty within. A good place to start.

Shivoham Times: The Dancing Duo

Shivoham Times: The Dancing Duo

The Dancing Duo

It is believed that the word 'tandava' has its etymological origins in the word 'tandu' which means 'to jump' using alternate feet. Another interpretation for this word rests in the history of Kailasa, where 'tandu' was one of the disciples of Shiva who passed on the principles of Natya and Nritya to Bharata, who in turn authored the Natya Shastra. There are many kinds of tandava and Lord Shiva is considered unequivocally the master of this form of dance. It is not too difficult to visualize the mesmerizing magic of Shiva's dancing feet after one has had an opportunity to behold him in the form of Nataraja - the king of the art of dance. When I observe Lord Nataraja it seems to me that the tandava must be a dynamic and energetic presentation filled with sweeping movements and flamboyant poses that bring out the essence of being. Nataraja carries himself with utmost elegance and supreme confidence on one foot (eka pada) and presents himself performing the Ananda tandava. I tend to become lost in the presence of Nataraja because I have so many infinite aspects to see and take them in, so I feel the need to be connected with him in totality. At first, I see his raised left foot revealing beautifully curved toes and decorated with 'nupura' or 'anklets'. This sight immediately plays the sound of his anklets in my ears -- like the primordial sound which evolved first in his creation. Then I see him standing with his right foot firmly and aggressively pressed down on a little demon - the asura - 'apasmara' or 'muyalagan'. This little demon is literally crushed under Nataraja's feet and is twisted in eight different parts of his body and bears a contorted look on his face. His hands are raised as though trying to plead for release. I recoil in shock and awe at this sight because beneath such a graceful and beautiful posture of Shiva, little does one expect something as unsettling as this. Why would this Lord performing the happy dance be crushing this little demon under his foot? I put that thought on hold, and move again to his raised foot, get some comfort, and move on to observe the angle in which both his legs are bent at the knee. I try to imitate this posture and find out that it is surpisingly challenging to maintain that stance although Nataraja does it effortlessly. His whole form is an architect's delight I feel. His two back arms are stretched out each carrying fire and 'dumroo' respectively. His two front arms are brought inward to depict some divine 'mudras' or 'signs'. The right hand portrays the 'abhaya' mudra by which he conveys to the souls of the world that he offers his 'protection'. The left hand points downward to his raised foot to indicate that the route map to liberation is via an attitude of 'surrender'. Amidst all this neural synapses running in my mind, when I look up and behold his divine face, I am totally hypnotized by those chiselled features. A face that could launch you into a thousand trances! The three-eyed lord whose breath is the very source of our existence! A smile that reflects the deep resonating vibrations of his divine contemplative silence (mounam) and infinite peace and profound wisdom -- all at once. I feel as though I am sucked into a vortex involuntarily. I give myself to this experience completely. Presently, I zoom out of this view and take a good look of Nataraja in his entirety. Surrounded by a ring of fire and water Nataraja is dancing the Ananda tandava -- his matted locks are rhythmically swaying along in empty space, just like the cyclical movement of time eon after eon. He is obviously enjoying this dance because it gives him the most pleasure and happiness. He is delighted to sustain, nourish and care for his creation. He is readily willing to protect his children from 'muyalagan' the little demon who symbolizes our mental and physical aberrations. The mind is prone to becoming vulnerable to deceit, falsehood, fear, ignorance, jealousy, doubt and other emotional imbalances. the body also is in turn vulnerable to aging, disease, deformation and sensory indulgence. I live in this world surrounded not just by others but also by my own limiting beliefs. Who can protect me from myself better than he? Who can release me from the bondage of my own mental creations than he? Who can cure me of incurable diseases than he? Who can hold my hand, lift me up and take me through a guided tour of life than he? When I bow down my head in surrender to this extreme compassion he exudes constantly, I am humbled and moved. My heart aches when I feel his sense of sacrifice and generosity of spirit. As I turn away, I notice that there is someone standing quietly closeby. I shift my glance and I am cheered to find a coy and kind look radiating from a lady adorning glittering earrings and nosering, and other beautiful ornaments. She is also wearing the divine 'mangalyam' or 'wedding locket' and is draped in a customary outfit. She is holding one hand close to her chest in a mudra as if to beckon you to come towards her. The other hand is held hanging down. When I take a closer look I suspect that there is a secret conversation going on between this goddess and Nataraja. This radiant one is none other than Nataraja's divine consort Goddess Shivakamasundari -- one who has an infectious smile and true to her name is much loved by and in love with Shiva. She radiates a thousand-fold more grace, poise and compassion than her lord because that is her nature -- to offer even before being asked. And she is the lucky one because she is bestowed with divine eyes to behold the Ananda tandava of the lord which is not perceptible to our senses. And, in turn she performs her complementary feminine version of the dance along with the lord. If the face of Nataraja can push me into eternal trance, Shivakamasundari's face hurtles me into limitless bliss and completeness. She is the 'Ananda' aspect of his tandava, I begin to feel. And together this dancing duo open the floodgates of joy and love in my ironheart, and I find my heart is leaping -- performing a mini series of 'ananda tandava'!

Shivoham Times: Great Saints - Sundara Murthy Nayanar

Shivoham Times: Great Saints - Sundara Murthy Nayanar

The Story of Thyagarajar or 'Vidangar' or Somaskanda

There are seven such temples in South India in Tamil Nadu. They are called 'the saptha vidanga sthalangal'. In Thiruvaroor, it is called 'veedhi vidangar'.
Vidangar has different meanings. among them 'one who has swallowed the halahala poison' is one menaing. the other is the 'great lord copresent with uma and skanda'. more interestingly, another meaning: an idol or statue or figurine that has been made without using a scalpel or sculpting tool.

Lord Vishnu once performed penance towards Lord Shiva in order to be blessed with offspring. Pleased with this penance, Lord Shiva appeared before Lord Vishnu along with Umadevi and Skand in between them denoting the blessing of progeny. Lord Vishnu was enthralled by this vision and desired to haave it before him always. So he summoned Visvakarma the celestial architect to create a figurine of Shiva Somaskanda (sa-uma-skanda: iti somaskanda). the resultant statue was so beautiful. lord vishnu alwys kept in his heart and offered pujas to it. now visvakarma used no sculpting tool to create this figurine.

one day the devas were troubled by an asura, who threatened indra's position. lord vishnu gave indra this somaskanda statue to indra and advised him to worship it and soon he will be relieved of troubles.and as expected the devas weer restored in devaloka. again as destiny would have it indra was troubled by a terrible asura called 'valaa'. this time indra was powerless. and this asura could be destroyed only by a human.
the only one who could do it was muchukunda chakravarti who had a monkey face, but was human by birth. the history of muchukunda is that he was a monkey in his previous birth and without his knowledge playfully he had worshipped a siva linga with bilva leaves on a mahashivarathri night. he was blessed by lord shiva and mother parvati with the position of a monarch in his next birth. muchukunda requested that he be born with a monkey face so that he will not get lost in worldly pleasures and he may remember lord shiva and his grace on him, and so that he may continue his shiva bhakti.

now muchukunda helped indra regain his indraloka, and indra asked him what he wanted in return. muchukunda requested for the somaskanda idol as there was nothing like i t on earth and becuse of his shiva bhakti. indra was reluctant to part with the lord and he told that he would give it once he got permission from lord vishnu. lord vishnu approved of it.

indra then summoned visvakarma and asked him to make six more such statues identical to the original. meanwhile, when muchukunda was asleep, lord shiva came in his dreams and warned him about indra's plans. he said that indra would show him seven idols. however, the one on which the bee sits is the one which lord vishnu worshipped. he should take that one.

when muchukunda came, indra showed him all the seven idols and asked the king to choose one. now, as the lord had told him, a bee swarmed around one idol and sat on it. immediately muchukunda picked tht. indra was in a fix. realizing his folly, he offered all the seven idols to the king heartily.

from this history, it is inferable that none of these statues were made on earth. this original idol which lord vishnu propitiated is the one in thiruvaroor. the other six are located in thirunallaaru (naagavidangar), thirunaagaikaaronam (sundaravidangar), thirukaarayil (aadividangar), thirukolili (avanividangar), thiruvaaymoor (neelavidangar)(where appar was born), thirumaraikkaadu (bhuvanividangar).

in temples where there is no vidangar, a spatika lingam is propitiated instead as somaskanda. like in chidambaram.

- SHIVOHAM -

Great Saints - Sundara Murthy Nayanar 2

Sundara Murthy Nayanar and Thriuvaroor

Although Sundarar was born in THiruNaavalur, he lived in Thiruvaaroor. His favorite lord was veedhi vidangar. he used to converse and connect with lord shiva through 'sakhya bhava' as in friendship. Wherever he used to go he always used to come back to Thiruvaroor and could not bear to be separated too long from his lord. he has sung many songs in praise of lord thiruvaroorar as he used to refer. one of the stanzas:

"ponnum meipporulum tharuvaanai, bhogamum thiruvum punarpaanai
pinnai yen pizhayai poruppaanai, pizhai yellaam thavira panippaanai
Inna thanmayan yenru ariyonnaa emmaanai, yelivantha piraanai
annam vaigum vayal pazhanatthu ani aarooraanai marakkalum aame"

he provides not only wordly riches and enjoyment, but he also bestows enlightenment and liberation. not only does he ensure my life in this world and other world is secure, but while i live here, he also forbears with compassion all my mistakes and accepts me with all flaws. he also takes responsibility for my transformation. my lord's nature and qualities are unfathomable and beyond description; yet, he comes to me in such a simple forthright manner that i can understand. such is the greatness of my lord who is unforgettable, and who lives in the ancient thiruvaroor, which boasts of fertile fields delighted by swan birds.


- SHIVOHAM -