Friday, December 07, 2018
My humble spiritual concept
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
Some of the ' Balaleelas' (Childhood pranks) of Krishna and message they convey.
Putana for instance, the most fierce demoness, Kamsa sent to kill baby Krishna, attained Moksha in the last. That is the beauty of it. Even the very sinner becomes pure with the contact of Paramathma.
Yasodama was fondling child Krishna in her lap. Suddenly the child became very heavy in weight like one made out of iron. She was unable to bear the weight and so she laid down the child on the ground and went to some household work. As directed by Kamsa, a fierce demon Thrinavartha suddenly came there in the form of a whirlwind and carried away the child.The whole Gokula was filled with dust and darkness. As the demon reached the sky, he could not proceed further because of the heaviness of the child. He became powerless and since the child was holding on the demon's neck tightly, the demon fell flat breathless on his back, carrying the child on his chest. All his limbs were scattered here and there.The Gopees and Gopaas watched the scene with awe and wonder.He was also given Moksha in the last.
Baby Krishna was very naughty. He would untie the calves of the Gopees before the milking time . He would steal their milk, butter and curds and divide them among monkeys, after eating , what they want. He made wholes in the pots hanging in the tripod. With the help of a mortar, he reaches them. The dark rooms were illumined by the glitter of his own body and jewels. Once a Gopi took hold of him red-hand and went to Yasodamma, about this mischief. Surprisingly she found child Krishna standing by his mother's side. She felt ashamed and went home.
On another day, brother Balaramaswamy and some other boys complained to Yasodamma that baby Krishna had eaten earth.She got afraid that this will impair his health. When asked why he did so, he replied that he didn't eat earth and if she wanted she could examine his mouth. Baby Krishna opened his mouth and Yasodamma saw the the whole universe of sentient and insentient objects , the sky, the cardinal points, the mountains, continents, seas, the whole earth, air, fire, the Sun, the moon and the stars , the seven dweeps, planets, Devas, the mind, the senses, Karma and seeds, even Brindavan and herself in his mouth. She was really surprised and understood the truth that it was Paramathma, standing before her. She lost her memory of the vision by His Yoga Maya.
She knew Krishna to be her own son and put him on her lap.
The above story exhorts the four Sidhanthas enunciated in our Sanathana Dharma Shasthra , known also by other names like the breath of Lord, our religious constitution, the strong edifice of Indian Philosophy and the like.
The Sidhanthas are:
1. The entire phenomenal world we see around us, is the manifestation of Brahman
2. With the process of continuous, contemplation, profound and repeated meditation and internalzation (Nithidhyanam) , one can commune with the Universal Force (Prapancha Shakthi) or Brahman. Other examples from Srimad Bhagvatham, are Prince Dhruva talking with Lord Sri Hari, Prahladakumara taliking with Lord NrisimhaMoorthy and Naradarshi communicating with all Devas.
3. There are two kinds of egos ( aham bodham) in man: a) the .phenomenal ego or normal ego b) higher ego (nithanda ahambodham) or eternal ego. With the blessing of a Sad Guru, using the higher ego, a true disciple can realize his identity with the Brahman.(Swaswaroopa Sanddhanam), and ,
4. The ultimate aim of human birth is none other than realizing his identity with the Eternal Self and attain Brahma. It is the only way for 'Brahma Nirvana'.
Child Krishna liberated two Arjuna trees , in Brindaban, who were the sons of Kubera- Nala koobara and Manigreeva - and who were cursed to become trees on account of their pride by Naradarshi. Krishna got the name 'Damodara' from that incident.
Child Krishna's escape from Shaktasura, Vatsaura, Bakasura, Aghasura, Dhenukasura, Pralambasura, Chanooran, Mushtikan, Arishtan, Keshi, Bhouman, Vani, Narakasura, Gardabhasura, Vyomasura, to name a few, killing all of them and giving Moksha in the end are few other stories of great interest.
He suppressed the pride of Kaliya and saved the people around the place.
He killed the huge Elephant 'Kuvalayapeeddam' of Kamsa and later Kamsa.
He swallowed the whole Forest Fire two times, that occurred in Vraja and Bdharika, and saved hundreds of thousands of people and cattle.
Stealing of Clothes of Gopikas is a very interesting story and the Gopika Geetham is very sweet and melodious.
His charming Music from his Flute was so wonderful that every thing in the world seemed to listen to it and enjoy.
Govardhana was blessed by Him, in a story of a conflict with Indraji.
Likewise hundreds of thousands of Balaleelas are there in Srimad Bhagavatham and in many Scriptural texts. Iscon has an exhaustive repository of them. Still, even in these days, new stories are pouring in from almost every where and they flourish ubiquitously. I am certain that Krishna is among us and that is why new stories are coming out every day. In Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple, which is known as 'Bhooloka Vaikuntam', miracles are happening almost every day; sometimes only few stories come out.
Do you think that we can evaluate Krishna's immense potentiality and power from these stories, and His similar Avathara Leelas? They are really only a very minute part of His Supreme Power,which is beyond our imagination.
Srimad Bhagvatham testifies to it in Verse 21, Chapter 87, Canto 10 (Utharardham) as:
"duravagamaathmatatvanigamaaya thavaathathano :
charitha mahamruthaabdhi parivartha parisramanaa :
na parilashanthi kechidapavarggamapeeswara the
charanasarojahamsakulasangavisrushtagruhaa :
(While reading the above verse, kindly pronounce all syllables as such)
Please see even the first word used is 'duravagam', meaning so difficult to realize (in the sense unimaginable, immeasurable, immensely strong and voluminous). We cannot even dream of His power. The verse continues to say that some people who got over there tiredness due to the cycling of births and deaths, by immersing into the ocean of nectar-like stories relating to Him, who assumed numerous personal forms for revealing the truth about His own Self, which is very difficult to realize, and who renounced their home as a result of their company with devotees, do not aspire even for liberation. We should never try to evaluate His power. It will end like the story of the salt doll, tried to measure the depth of the sea.
His power is Anantham, Ajnatham, Avarnaneeyam. The only way out is total and unconditional surrender (sampoorna sharanagathy) at His Lotus Feet.
"Padaravindame sharanam, Guruvayoorappa Sharanam"
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Kerala Nair Wedding, Simplified.
Ohm Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya:
Kerala Nair Wedding Ceremony.
(mprnair)
Hindu wedding ceremony had its origin from the ancient Vedic period. Kerala Nair Wedding Ceremony is also conducted imbibing the spirit and sanctity of Vedic Rituals. It can be summarized, especially for Malayalees abroad to follow, in eight paragraphs, as below: (It is nice to announce this procedure to the audience before beginning the wedding celebrations or to inform the invitees in advance, exhorting them also for sharing the Maha Prasadam at the end of the function)
1. Seeking God’s blessings: At the outset the bride / the groom visits her / his respective Kula Devatha Temple (or any God / Goddess Temple for that sake) with a pure mind, heart and body, in the early morning on the wedding day, and perform worship of the Deity, according as they like, with their preceptor’s advice.
2. Giving Dakshina to elders: Before starting from home for the wedding ceremony, they give Dakshina to their elders present there, for their blessings. (Dakshina to father and mother, also mutually, is given in front of the Kathirmandapam, just before the wedding).
3. Receiving Groom: As soon as the groom and party arrive at the place of marriage, the brass oil lamps at the Kathirmandapam are lit, colorful pageantry of thalappoli (each tray of Thalappoli contains rice, thamboolam, arecanut, arecanut peduncle (kamukin poonkula), mirror, folded kasavu neriyathu, kumkum cheppu, coconut halves, and small lamp) led by the brides’ maternal aunt, who holds the Ashta mangala deepam in her both hands, along with Nagaswara melam, are made ready to greet him at the door step. The Brides party moves towards the Groom’s party with Peedham (piece of plank for the Groom to stand while washing his feet), Kindi with water, Floral Garland, Bouquet, Sandalwood paste, Limes, Rose Water etc., led by the would be brother-in-law. He washes the Groom’s feet at the peedham first, puts the garland, gives the bouquet, puts a thilakam on his forehead, gives the lime fruit, sprays the rose water, shakes hands with him, hugs and brings the groom near the Kathirmandapam, in a procession, accompanied by thalappoli and melam, along with his party, greeted properly by giving limes etc. especially to the ladies of the Groom’s party.
4. Entering Kathirmandapam: The Groom before entering Kathirmandapam, gives dakshina to elders if any remains there, to both the parents, and then bows and welcomes all invitees around with folded hands, to get their blessings. He is then brought to the Kathirmandapam, adorned by nilavilakku and nirapara, held in hands by his father. After a small worship of the Deity at the entrance of the Kathirmandapam (supposing Lord Ganapathy at the orukku, Goddess Saraswathy and Gurudevs at the lamp) the Groom steps on with his right leg and sits at the peedham there, arranged for the purpose, leaving enough space on his left for the bride to sit.
5. Arranging Mantrakodi: In the meantime, the Groom’s uncle, close elders and immediate relations sit on a blanket / mat near the Kathirmandapam and arrange in a tray the Manthrakodi, and golden chain etc., which are to be given to the Bride by the Groom, at the wedding, immediately after mutual exchange of the floral garlands.
6. Here comes the Bride: Now the Bride’s father holds her hand and brings her accompanied by thalappoli and melam followed by relatives. She also gives Dakshina to both the parents. After greeting all the invitees with folded hands and bowed head, she is also brought to the Kathirmandapam by her father holding her hands. She also worships the Deity there, in the same way as the Groom did, offering flowers etc., and with her right leg enters the Kathirmandapam and sits on the left side of the Groom, who is waiting for her to sit by his side.
7. Wedding: The father of the Groom gives him the Mangalya sutram (Thali) appropriately, after showing it to the lamp and praying for their deergha sumangali yoga. The Groom in turn ties the mangalya sutram around the Bride’s neck, at the most auspicious muhurtha proposed for the wedding, and Groom’s sister standing behind, ties it tight. Vaikkurava and Gatti melam (Mangalyam thandunanena mamajeevana hethuna …..) are to be played at the background. Now the Bride gets up and stands in front of the Groom. The father of the Bride gives her the garland, which she puts on to his neck. Next the Groom puts the other garland given to him by his father on her neck. He then puts the golden chain, obtained from his father, on to her neck. Now she puts the ring, got from her father, on Groom’s right ring finger and he puts another in exchange. Now the father of the Groom gives him the tray with the Manthra Kodi. After asking three times “pudava kodukkatto” the Groom gives her the Manthra kodi. In the same way asking three times “pudava vangatto” she bows and receives the tray with the Mantrakodi. They stand back. Now the father of the Bride comes behind the couple, places a thamboolam in the right palm of the Groom and places the right hand of the Bride on top of it. After this Panigrahanam they stand there for a while. The mother of the Groom now puts 'kumkum' on the forehead of the Bride. This is called 'seemanda rekhayil sindooram aniyikkal'. Holding hands the couple walks around the Kathirmandapam three times and then they step down from the Kathirmandapam, and walk into a room nearby where they are given milk and plantain fruit by the bride’s mother first, followed by others. The couple change their costumes. She now wears the manthrakodi. After the ordeal of photos etc., they take part in the Feast (sadya) there after.
8. Bharthru Gruhapravesham: At the proposed muhurtha, the couple enters the groom’s house where they are welcomed with lighted lamp and treated by rituals and greeted by all. Milk and fruits are given again by the groom’s mother and others.
Reception: A reception is arranged for the invitees in connection with the marriage thereafter.
Subham
Sunday, July 01, 2012
Engagement, before Nair Wedding.
Engagement before Nair Wedding
(mprnair)
The Engagement is done imbibing the spirit of Vedic Culture. It consists of three phases:-
1-The Announcement.
Just before starting of the Muhurtha for Engagement, standing in front of the stage set for the function, the father of the Bride or the person authorized for the purpose, after welcoming the audience, should announce to the invitees that engagement for marriage is going to take place here, between (Bride’s name and Groom’s name) and then he should introduce the family of the Bride and Groom to the public, in detail.
2- Exchange of Birth Charts (Jathakam Koda)
After Aarathy at the Ganapathy orukku, the father of the bride and the father of the groom should sit face to face in the seats allotted for them, in front of the lighted lamp. Then, he should ask the relations and audience present there three times, “ Jathakam Kodukkatto”, and then handover the tray with the ‘Thalakkuri’ of his daughter (Bride) to the father of the Groom. After asking “ Jathakam Vangatto”, the father of the Groom, should get the tray with the Thalakkuri, from the father of the Bride. Then he can give his Son’s(Groom), Thalakkuri , in return, in the same way to the father of the Bride. Here ends the exchange of birth charts.
3-Ring Exchange (Mothiram Mattam)
Now, the Groom is escorted by thalppoli, melam, vaikkurava etc. to the Dias, and after getting the blessings of his dear ones, especially of his parents, he worships his Kula Devatha and Lord Ganapathy at the lighted lamp and the ‘orukku’ there, and sits at the place earmarked for him, leaving enough space on his left for the Bride to come and sit. The Bride is brought to the stage in the same way as the Groom is brought, and after getting blessings from her relations and dear ones and worshipping at the lamp, she sits in the place, reserved for her on the left-side of the Groom. Then, the father of the Groom gives the blessed Ring to him and he puts it on the left ring finger of the Bride. In return, she puts the blessed Ring given to her by her father, on the right ring finger of the Bride. People can now shower flowers on them in token of their joy and blessings. The Groom's mother, can then put kumkum on the Brides seemantha rekha.
Now, the father of the Bride or the person authorized for the purpose, should read the ‘Muhurtha Charthu’ for wedding, containing the details of the marriage such as the addresses of the Bride’s and the Groom’s families; date, time and place of marriage etc. He can also express his profound gratitude to the public in having come and blessed the function. He can also humbly request them to kindly share the Mahaprasad arranged for the function invariably before leaving.
Subham”
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Housewarming
Housewarming, Kerala Style, Simplified:
(mprnair)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Last Rites of Hindus, For Malayalees abroad.
(mprnair)
(അന്ത്യേഷ്ടി അഥവാ അന്തിമോപചാര കര്മ്മം)
(Simplified for those, especially Malayalees, abroad)
“ അബ്ദ ദീക്ഷാദി ലോപേന പ്രേതാ യാതാ പിശാചതാം,
സ്വജനാല് ബാധമാനാസ്തെ ചരന്തീതി ഖലു സ്മൃതി ”
It means , if we do not observe obsequies, it is supposed that the soul of the dead will not be eligible for
Moksha and also it will wander to enter into the body of any one closely related to it and will obsess that
person. Whether it is true or false, we are expected to do the rituals as a mark of our love and respect to the
dead one, not of fear of the dead, also since it it is being done from time immemorial. These Rites enable the
soul of the dead to transit successfully from the stage of ‘Preta’ to that of ‘Pitru’, which is eventually
supposed to be merged into ‘Devamsa’, in due course, provided we do the obsequies properly. At the
death bed itself, keeping the body clean, it is nice if possible we give drops of ‘Ganga water’, if the person
drinks the same. “Basil (Tulasi) water’, can be used as substitute. The following things, as far as possible,
may be collected for the procedure of the funeral, especially involving cremation: ഗംഗാ ജലം, തുളസിഇല,
അരി, ചന്ദനത്തിരി, രാമച്ചം , അകില്, ദര്ഭ, പ്ലാശ്, അശ്വത്ഥം മണ്കുടം, മൂടിയുള്ള കലശം, വെട്ടുകത്തി,
കിണ്ടിയും വെള്ളവും, ചുവന്ന പട്ടു്, നിലവിളക്ക്, എണ്ണ, തിരി , കൊള്ളി.(small dried twigs). അസ്ഥി
സഞ്ചയനത്തിന്: തോര്ത്ത്, പാല്, തൈര്, പനിനീര്, ഗോമൂത്രം , ഉതിര് പൂവ്, പൂമാല, സ്വര്ണ്ണം In case
there was no medical assistance, immediately after the death, family members can close the mouth and eyes
of the deceased, and put the arms straight. The body is cleaned and usually placed on the floor with the feet
pointing towards the South which is supposed to be the direction of the dead. The right and left toes are tied
together. (This should be untied just before cremation). An oil lamp is lit and placed at the head portion on
the North. Most often the body is bathed by purified water, and then dressed in new clothes. Sandalwood
paste is applied on the forehead. A new Cloth (Kodi Vasthram) may be put on the body from the family.
Garlands, wreaths and flowers can be placed on the body. Ladies and Children, after cleaning their bodies,
put wet rice and basil leaves at the mouth of the dead, before taking the body to cemetery or crematorium.
All the others who are bound to offer the same, do it at the crematorium floor. The body is then taken to the
crematorium or cemetery. The rightful person authorized to do the Karma, bathed and in wet cloth, puts as
the last, wet rice and basil leaves at the mouth of the dead. He then carries the pot of water three times
circum ambulating the body, while one lightly hits and breaks the sides of the water pot with the big knife
(വെട്ടുകത്തി).and on completing three rounds the pot is dropped out at the feet of the dead. A small piece
each from the cloths put on the dead body, may be torn out and kept. രാമച്ചം, അകില്, പ്ലാശ്, അശ്വത്ഥം,ദര്ഭ, all those things may be placed on and around the body, before burial or cremation. It may be set on fire or buried, as the case may be. All may bathe thereafter. If the body is cremated, ashes may be collected in the ‘Kalasham’, bought for the purpose, after neatly cleaning it with enough water, milk, curd, rose water, cow-urine, using the towel. The Kalasham may be wrapped in the piece of cloth taken from the dead body and the Kalsham may be decorated and taken with due respect, accompanied by lamp and lighted bathi to any punya river or sea, and immersed therein, with deep prayers for the rest of the soul and liberation. He may bathe thereafter. It is nice he does the ‘bali’ for 16 days, if possible. Thereafter, ‘Aandu bali’ or ‘Sradham’ may be done yearly, preferably on the ‘Thithi’, on which the person deceased. If it is convenient, after the first year, a ‘Kshethra Pind bali’, a ‘Thila Homam’ and a ‘Sayoojya Pooja’ may be done in any good temple, doing such poojas. One may get enough ‘Pitr-preethi’, because of these sat-karmas.
'Subham’
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
My Bio
M. P. R. Nair has retired as Joint Secretary to the Kerala Public Service Commission. He is also a practising Astrologer for a little over 30 years. Originally hailing from the southern Indian state of Kerala, India, he and his wife are now settled in Pearland, Texas, along with his Son, Jeevan and his family.
Beside his post graduate degree in Literature, he has also obtained a post graduate diploma in Epigraphy and was awarded the title of Jyothisha Bhooshan after completing the necessary studies under the tutelage of learned persons and practitioners of this science. He is also well versed in the language of Sanskrit.
After his retirement as Joint Secretary, he actively pursued further studies in the subject of Astrology and has successfully provided consultation to thousands who have sought his advice, and is still doing it professionally well. He also has also a daughter and her family in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
M. P. R. Nair has retired as Joint Secretary to the Kerala Public Service Commission. He is also a practising Astrologer for a little over 30 years. Originally hailing from the southern Indian state of Kerala, India, he and his wife are now settled in Pearland, Texas, along with his Son, Jeevan and his family.
Beside his post graduate degree in Literature, he has also obtained a post graduate diploma in Epigraphy and was awarded the title of Jyothisha Bhooshan after completing the necessary studies under the tutelage of learned persons and practitioners of this science. He is also well versed in the language of Sanskrit.
After his retirement as Joint Secretary, he actively pursued further studies in the subject of Astrology and has successfully provided consultation to thousands who have sought his advice, and is still doing it professionally well. He also has also a daughter and her family in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.