My new offering – A Ramayana rendering

I am happy to announce my new book ‘Atma Vidya in Adhyatma Ramayana: Selections on Self-Knowledge from Adhyatma Ramayana’.

 

 

The book is a translation of narratives on Self-Knowledge, selected from the Sanskrit treatise ‘Adhyatma Ramayana’.

The context is this…

As a spiritual epic, Ramayana is perhaps unparalleled in the history of the world. So deep is its  impact across the people of India and Asia, so many are its tellings in so many different languages, that the tale of Rama endures across time, as a voice of consciousness, a quest of righteousness, a seed of cultures, a mirror of mankind…

Contemporary researchers have recorded existence of at least three hundred different Ramayana-s , with at least twenty five in Sanskrit language alone. And among these stars in the cosmos of Ramayana-s. there is ‘One’ treatise that shines as the pole star of ‘Atma Vidya’ – Self-Knowledge. That is the ‘Adhyatma Ramayana’ – literally, the ‘Ramayana of the Self’.

Like all good things in Indian experience, there is no consensus regarding it’s origin. While  the treatise is traditionally attributed to be a part of ‘Brahmanda Purana’, authored by Vyasa, there are other views. However, there is a consensus that ‘Adhyatma Ramayana’ is the treatise on which is based the  Ramacharitamaanasa of Goswami Tulasidas. That by itself should give an indication of the  power and influence of this treatise on Indian Rama consciousness, across time.

The ‘Adhyatma Ramayana’ contains ever so many discourses on spirituality, covering all paths – Karma, Bhakti and Jnana. But the core aim and emphasis is Jnana – ‘Self Knowledge’.

As one more humble offering in the endless garden of this Ramayana, I have attempted to translate into free verse in English, all those parts of this Ramayana wherever there appears any narrative on Self-Knowledge, whichever be the path –  Karma, Bhakti or Jnana. The galaxy of narrators is a beauty in itself, which includes Gods, sages, men, women, animals, even, Rakshasa-s…

Titled as ‘Atma Vidya in Adhyatma Ramayana: Selections on Self-Knowledge from Adhyatma Ramayana’, the book has been published by Ramana Maharshi Centre of Learning, Bengaluru. It is my great good fortune that the book has been blessed with a Srimukha by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. By the Grace of Rama, the book has come out in the ‘Ramayana month’ of Karkidakam / Aadi.

Those who are interested in buying the book can get it from Amazon India.

Click  https://www.amazon.in/dp/8188261602/

Or write to ‘Rasa Experience of Art’ at the email id: rasa.experience@yahoo.in .

Glory to Rama!

Rama Katha… An episode from Sundara Kaanda

Athato…

Hanuman lands on top of Lambaa mountain in Lanka, crashing through the forest tree carpet, and as he lands, he is covered with flowers, so much so that he looks like an ape made of flowers.

More…

Watch. A ustream recording of the katha narration….

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Siyaavar Ramachandra ki Jai… Pawan-sut Hanuman ki Jai…

Neighborhood News

Dear You,

A tidbit, if I may

Sharing a surprise I came across… Some factual goachies but heck, so what…

Click here for a little news item in the neighborhood newspaper…

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Yours almost truly

…

Dear Me

Rajaji on Ramayana

Happy Rama Navami!

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On this Rama Navami day of 2015, I am sharing an audio clip of Rajajai (C Rajagopalachari), speaking in Tamil, on the greatness of Ramayana.

This audio clip is from a Ramayana discourse of Sengalipuram Anantharama Deekshitar, narrated perhaps in the 1950s. Rajaji was a regular listener in Deekshitar’s discourses, and Deekshitar would often ask Rajaji to speak a few words.

In this particular clip, Rajaji speaks of Ramayana as an epic that inspires us to lead a virtuous life. He says that if one were to explain what one should do to lead a life of virtue, then it would not be an easy task. On the other hand, if one were to say just one word – “Rama” – then all would be understood. Likewise, if one were to say “Sita” or “Hanuman”, then one need say no further. The virtues and characteristics of these characters of Ramayana would shine instantly in our minds. Such is the power of the epic.

Rajaji says, that as a person of modern times, he has often wondered about this.. Ramayana is a story after all.. Can one not extract the qualities of the  main characters, and just elaborate on these  and write a book, explaining that ‘these and such’ are the qualities of Rama, Sita, Hanuman etc… He himself responds to this thought saying that such a book would not serve a paisa of purpose. Rama has to be known through Ramayana. Likewise, Sita or Hanuman or Bharata has to be known through Ramayana. Then alone would their character  impress upon our hearts.

He ends by exhorting one and all to listen to and study Ramayana in whatever language one is comfortable with, for Ramayana has been written in almost all major languages of our ancient land…

Signing off this post… Got to prepare for the weekly narration of Ramayana… This afternoon one shares Valmiki’s narration about the aftermath of Vali’s death….

Sri Rama Jayam!

Iyam Sita…

Folks!

How about bringing in the New Year, listening to some Rama Katha… Here is a recording from the Soota archive…

The setting: Mithila

The occasion: The wedding of Rama and Sita

The epic: Valmiki Ramayana

Have posted the narration in the ‘Rasa Culture’ channel in Youtube… A week or two ago, a narration about the ‘Beautiful Kanda” (Sundara Kandam) of Ramayana was uploaded as well… There are some other recordings too in the channel…

Now for the epic wedding… The Baraat has arrived from Ayodhya….

Let’s join the party, shall we….

Click here to go to the Youtube audio link of Rama Sita Wedding

May Sita Devi bless all of us with all Glory and Prosperity!

Jai Siya Ram! Jai Jai Hanuman!

Ramakathaa – glimpses of forest times

For some years now, one has been traversing with Valmiki, sharing the story of Ramayana as seen by that first among poets.

Thought of sharing some of these on youtube.

Here’s a link to a playlist that has links to some videos of narrations from Aranya Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana.

Commencing from Rama returning after slaying Maricha.. carrying on through the search for Sita, the death and liberation of Jatayu, the killing of kabanda, the meeting with great Yogi Shabari…

Click here to access the youtube playlist.

Jai Siya Ram! Jai Jai Hanuman!

Rasa youtube channel

Friends

Rasa ( Ramana Sunritya Aalaya )  is starting off with a youtube channel where they will post this Soota’s narrations of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Some audio, some video. First of these, an audio has now been posted. This is an audio recording of the first session on Valmiki Ramayana… Some ninety or so have been done so far (of Ramayana) and shall be uploaded as one goes along…. Mahabharata has hundreds and shall also be taken up…. Recordings are from ‘live’ narrations at Rasa….The channel is:

https://www.youtube.com/user/indianheritagerasa

Do give it a listen, and share with folks who may be interested.

Subscribe to the channel to get updates of posts.

Maanasa Kailasa Yatra – 18

Nightfall… Maanas…30/June/2013…

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Around 1-30 am…It is an Ashtami night… Ashtami going on to Navami… Month of Ashada…  Soota steps out of the transit house for nature’s call.. He gazes at Maanas, to try to pick any unnatural sightings… He sees none… Dogs are up and are letting out an orchestra of barks… He gets  back in…. Later, around 2:30 am or so, co-yatri-s, Sanjeev and Dasan, step out… There is a Swamiji and his group of disciples who are also staying in the transit house. They too are setting out at that time. Sanjeev and Dasan join them.. The group goes to the banks of Maanas… And they see lights in the sky… On the other side of Maanas… They tell us about that the next morning….

Dawn at Maanas…

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(Pic courtesy Narayan Iyer, from an earlier trip)…

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Morning sees us figuring out how to freshen ourselves…. There are plastic drums with ice cold water outside. Some broken plastic bottles to serve as mugs… Folks manage…. Soota has brought darbha, koorcha, sesame and other items needed for performing tarpanam – libations for forefathers. Shankar too is keen on offering tarpanam.. They set out to Maanas… Its biting cold… Winds make the cold icier…. The two yatri-s walk to Maanas… They fill water in a bottle… Sprinkle a bath… And picking up a few stones… Soota sits down for Tarpanam… One has to do it bare-bodied, as the Yajnopaveeta has to shift often from shoulder to shoulder… With a jacket as cover from time to time, the Tarapanam is done.. Brahma Yajnam is done thereafter. Then Shankar is ready for his… He  has not got pavitram (darbha grass ring needed for taking Samkalpa)…. Soota picks up some grass reeds from the shore and makes a makeshift pavitram.. And then he acts as Purohita and guides Shankar through his offering of libations to his ancestors… It is so satisfying… Perhaps these two are the first in their lineage to have had the blessing of coming to Maanas. And to have the blessing of offering Tarpana to forefathers here… What more can one pray for….

Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer who came to Manasarovar, writes in his book Trans-Himalaya, about a section from Manasa-Khanda of Skanda Purana… The sage Dattatreya describing the duties of a pilgrim at Manasarovar, says: “He should bathe there and pour a libation of water to the shades of his forefathers and worship Mahadeva (Siva) in the form of a royal swan. He should there make parikrama, or the circuit of the holy Manasa lake, gaze at Kailas, and bathe in all the neighbouring rivers.”

We have bathed in Manas. Offered libations to the forefathers…Now to offer worship to Mahadeva…

A hundred yards away from us, a south Indian family is sitting down for Shiva Puja. They are south Indian by origin, but hail now from different parts of the world. They have come together to make this holy trip to Maanas-Kailasa. They send word to us, inviting us to join them in the Shiva Puja, which is being done by the head of the family… He has brought the idols of his holy worship with him, and has brought also, all the articles needed for a proper Shiva puja…

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Shankar and Soota join the puja and are blessed to chant Sri Rudram and Chamakam during the Abhisheka of Shiva…. The plate of worship holds several idols.. There is a sphatika (crystal) Shiva Linga. Then there is  a metal Shiva Linga and Nandi. There is a sphatika Meru, which symbolizes Goddess Parvati and Mt Kailasha as well.. There is a silver Hanuman… There is a metal Ganesha… Beautiful archa-vigraha-s…. We come to know that the family offers Puja with eleven times chanting of Rudram, every Pradosham (Thirteenth day of each lunar fortnight, which is sacred for worship of Shiva)…

Here are  a few pictures taken during the puja. Click the first picture, and use arrow keys to browse….

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The archa vigraha-s

Puja in progress

Puja in progress

Puja in progress

After the puja and alankara

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It is a fine morning…. Shankar goes gets the Salagrama stone idols that we had been given by the priest at Nagapokhri temple in Kathmandu… I too bring mine and also the little idol of my house-worship kula-deiva… We wash the idols in the waters of Manasarovar….

This is Shankar… And he is bathing the salagrama idols, holding a leaf of holy Bilwa that he has brought from India…

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And this is Soota… Bathing the idols with a leaf of the Holy Maha-Bilwa from his home in Chennai… The Maha-Bilwa is a special type of Bilwa… This has eleven or thirteen leaflets to every leaf….

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The salagrama that he holds in his hand, has now found its way to the holy sanctum of Sri Parthasarathi temple in Chennai.. That is another story….

The bathing done, one offers the Maha-bilwa leaf to Goddess Saro Devi….

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Some of the co-yatri-s have taken the opportunity to visit the Spa nearby the Chiu Gompa… There are hot water springs there, and the spa offers a wonderful alternative to the ice cold waters of Maanasarovar… And one understands that it is not that expensive either… It is from somewhere here that the river Sutlej originates…

One of our co-yatri-s is a mystic healer… He has an inner revelation that the Manasarovar is the source of all fresh river waters of the world…. Maanas-Kailasa region sure is the source of some of the major rivers that feed the Indian sub-continent…. It is the source of four of the greatest rivers of Asia – namely – Brahmaputra, Karnali, Sutlej and Indus… Karnali becomes Ghaghra downstream and then joins Sarayu, which then goes and joins the river Ganga…. The belief of some that Ganga originates in Manasarovar has some real basis in the fact that Karnali -> Ghaghara -> Sarayu joins Ganga… And Ghaghara brings more water from the Himalaya than does Ganga…

In Valmiki Ramayana, when young princes Rama and Lakshmana, are  going with Rshi Vishwamitra, traveling in a boat in River Ganga, they hear a tremendous din of waters downstream. Rama questions Vishwamitra about the noise… The sage tells him:

कैलासपर्वते राम मनसा निर्मितं सर:।

ब्रह्मणा नरशार्दूल तेनेदं मानसं सर:।।1.24.8।

तस्मात्सुस्राव सरसस्सायोध्यामुपगूहते ।

सर प्रवृत्ता सरयू: पुण्या ब्रह्मसरश्च्युता।।1.24.9।।

तस्यायमतुलश्शब्दो जाह्नवीमभिवर्तते।

वारिसङ्क्षोभजो राम प्रणामं नियत:कुरु।।1.24.10।।

Vishwamitra says : “In Kailasa, O Rama, there is a lake created by Brahma by an act of mind, known as Manasarovar. From that Saras, comes the holy river Sarayu, which comes from there and hugs Ayodhya. This river goes beyond and joins the Jaahnavi, the great river Ganga. The tremendous noise that you hear is caused by the tumult of the waters as they crash into each other. Make your obeisance of Rama, with a collected mind.”

Let us offer our obeisance to the Holy Manasarovar, whose waters are the holy Katha of Ramacharita, from where flows the waters of the river that goes to Ayodhya, the land of Rama, and which then goes on to join the mighty Ganga! How can words describe the glory of this holiest of lakes!

Let us then offer a tribute through a stream of photographs…

We begin by joining the joy of some birds in the lake…

Here are some chicks of Brahminy ducks…. Chakravaka birds…

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Chakravaka birds are celebrated in Indian mythology. The birds move in pairs during day time, and are said to stay separate during the night. During the day they are inseparable. In night, the suffer the pangs of separation and yearn for sunrise, so they can join the mate again. Thus they epitomize both aspects of Bhakti – Sambhoga and Viraha…. In Ramacharitamanasa, when Hanuman discovers Sita in Ashoka Vana in Lanka, he compares her plight with that of a Chakravaka, suffering intensely, the separation from her mate…

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Next.. Some grey necked gulls…

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And out in waters here, a Great Crested Grebe has carefully crafted a nest, and is ensconced on it….

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Let us see a little gallery story of these birds… Click on the first picture and browse…It is  a story of ‘Creation’….

Gulls in Maanas

Gulls in Maanas

A Grebe nesting in the waters

A Grebe nesting in Manas

As we go near, the bird protests, shrieks continuously, and steps of the nest

Protesting, the grebe moves further out

We go near, and see the eggs

A close-up of the eggs… Creation at Manas

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When we step away from the nest, the Grebe comes back to the nest and resumes her penance of creation…..

Today, the day of this post, is Nov-17-2013.. It is the day of Karthigai Deepam… It is Guruparb, the most Holy day of Advent of Guru Nanak Dev. It is a day of festivity… In Arunachala, a million pilgrims would have gathered to see the Deepam, the beacon light, that will be lit on top of Mt Arunachala… And they will do parikrama (walk around) the holy Arunachala hill tonight, a full moon night… Haro Hara! Bole So Nihal! Greetings on this very special day to all readers… Signing off this post with a Karthikai Deepam and Guruparb gift…. A photo stream of Maanasarovar… A set taken by Narayan Iyer, Shankar, Siva, and Soota…

Click on the a picture.. Use arrow keys to browse the gallery… Lose yourself in the moods of Maanas…

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First rays of Sun on Maanas

Dawn at Maanas

Dawn at Maanas

Wild dogs running around at Maanas

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Signing off this post with one more picture… Photo taken by Narayan Iyer during his trip… Of Mount Kailasa peak, as seen from Chiu Gompa, just after sunrise….

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Next stop… Base camp of Kailasa…

Om Nama Sivaya!

**** To be continued ****

A taste of Tanjore – 4

We are in Shengalipuram.

From Muthannaval’s house, we proceed to Valmiki Parnashala.

Here it is.

This was a house which had some extensions where a Paatashaala for the brahmacharis was conducted during the first part of 20th century, and Anantharama Deekshitar among others have studied here.

This Paatashala was run by V Pancapakesa Iyer. Anantharama Deekshitar’s biography says that as a young boy, he studied Campu Nataka, Alamkara, Prakarana Granthas like Mukthavali, in this Paatashala. The old Paatashala is not used anymore and is in a state of some disrepair. Here’s a picture of it, as it is now.

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Coming back to the new structure in the compound, the Valmiki Parnashala…

More than fifty years ago. Kanchi Paramacharya visited this dwelling, and told the devotees that Sri Rama’s presence is felt here, and that he had visited this place, on the way to Dandakaranya forest. On Paramacharya’s direction, Sri Panchapakesha Iyer, built a temple for Sri Rama in this dwelling, and named it Valmiki Parnashala.

When you enter the main portal, you are in a hall. Every year, Ramayana Navaha is held in this hall. The hall had many pictures. There was one of the founder, V Pancapakesa Iyer. Here it is.

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Going past the hall, one comes to a small open space, beyond which is a room that is the shrine of Rama.

That is the heart of Valmiki Parnashala.

The Adhyatma Ramayana describes how Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, when they came to Dandakaranya, visited Valmiki in his Ashrama, a Parnashala (a hut made of leaves). This place in Sengalipuram is based on that concept.

It was Paramacharya’s direction that Valmiki Ramayana should be read here every single day, at least one Sarga a day. And that has been happening ever since, till date. And again, in obedience to Paramacharya’s advice, detailed diary account is kept of the reading every day.

Sri Pancapakesa Iyer’s son is currently taking care of the place and showed me around.

Rock relief carvings of Sri Rama, Sita, Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Anjanaeya and one separate relief having Valmiki and Lava, Kusa, have been installed here.  Very beautiful to look at. There is Shalagarama of Rama and Sita placed in front of the carving. Worship, everyday, is offered to this Shalagrama.

Lots of Ramayana books were kept there. Among the many Ramayana books, there was one which was completely handwritten – all 24000 verses. An old well thumbed, thick, manuscript. To show it to me, he opened a random page, and I read the verse of the sarga…

It read:

कृतातिथ्योऽथ रामस्तु सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति |
आमन्त्र्य स मुनीन्सर्वान्वनमेवान्वगाहत || १||

“Then, on receiving the hospitality in that hermitage for that day, and on the next day before sunrise, Rama bade farewell to all of the sages, and thus entered the deep forests.”

It was the second sarga of Aranya Kanda.  One random verse from 24000 and that turns out to be this one, where Rama goes to Dandakaranya!

What a remarkable coincidence!

As Einstein has said, “Coincidence is Gods way of remaining anonymous”.

Leaving the Parnashala, I go back to Muthannaval’s samadhi, bow once more, and take leave….

** Concluded **

Vicitra

Sengalipuram Anantharama Deekshitar (1903 – 1969) was one of the finest Pauranikas of the twentieth century. Rooted in Vedic tradition, he was instrumental in spreading Dharma in ever so many ways. His Tamil pravacana of Ramayana, Bhagatavata, Mahabharata, Devi Bhagavata etc, would draw record crowds. His compilation of important Stotras, named Jaya Mangala Stotram, is a well-thumbed book-set in the shelf of many Tamil homes. A great Mantra Jaapaka, he has initiated ever so many people in the way of Dharma.

A few years ago, a book about him was released. Titled “Upanyaasa Chakravarti’, this Tamil book gives his biography in brief, and has tributes and recollections from a cross-section of people. One of the chapters  is about Anantharama Deekshitar and Sri Ratnam Iyer of Venus Pictures.

Here’s a brief from that chapter.

S Gopalaratnam Iyer  (SG Ratnam Iyer) was a man who came up the hard way. Earlier in his life, he was not in a good condition, financially. Also, some of his detractors went about adopting dark-spirit methods to create problems for Ratnam Iyer. Bad, paranormal events started occurring around Ratnam Iyer, and he was driven to acute despair. It was then that he met Anantharama Deekshitar, who gave him Ramayana Upadesha, as a means of overcoming his dark circumstances. After his initiation into Ramayana, Ratnam Iyer’s life took a good turn. His problems were overcome. He then started a film production company, “Venus Pictures”, which went on to make some of the greatest hits of that time. Sri Ratnam Iyer also created a community-venue called “Aasthika Samaajam” in Venus Colony, Chennai. Ever so many Pravacana (Upanyaasa), classical music concerts, Yajnas and such have been held here. Anantharama Deekshitar’s katha was a regular feature in Aasthika Samaajam”. Till date, the “Aasthika Samaajam” remains a great center of Dharma activities in Chennai.

Once, in 1966, Sri Ratnam Iyer had been to the famous Rama temple at Tirupparaiyaar (Thriprayar) in Kerala. On that occasion, the temple chief-priest had a sudden spiritual experience, when he conveyed a divine communication. He told Sri Ratnam Iyer to arrange for a Ramayana Navaha (nine day Ramayan-Katha) at the temple, to be delivered by Anantharama Deekshitar. The Chief Priest, when he came back to his normal state, had no memory of this proclamation, nor did he have any prior knowledge about Anantharama Deekshitar. Taking this divine communication as a command, Sri Ratnam Iyer organized the Ramayana Navaaha by Anantharama Deekshitar. The Sringeri Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyateertha also blessed that Navaaha by his presence.

(Incidentally, the Karkidakam month (July-Aug) is referred to in Kerala as Ramayana month. On all days in the month, Ramayana is read in traditional Hindu homes, and in Vishnu temples. In 2010, the Ramayana Masam begins on July 17 and ends on August 16. Now, therefore, it is Ramayana month).

Coming back to the Tirupparaiyaar Navaaaha –

An interesting episode is related in the book, about this Navaaha. Normally, as per tradition, during Ramayana Navaaha, pure curds are offered as Naivedya. During the Tirupparaiyaar Navaaha, the organizers had completely forgotten to arrange for this. As it happened, two unknown Namboodri boys came, and gave a whole lot of curds to the organizers and went away. After the Naivedya, when Anantarama Deekshitar tasted the curds, he found it so delicious, he enquired about it. The organizers told him the peculiar manner in which they had got the curds. Deekshitar immediately got up and rolled on the ground there (Anga Pradakshina), telling the organizers that the two Namboodri boys could be none other than Rama and Lakshmana, and this place which had been sanctified by the dust of their feet, was most blessed.

Such was the Ramayana Navaaha organized by Sri SG Ratnam Iyer.

And yes, his son too is a very famous film-maker now.

I guess you know who.

He is the maker of Raavan …