shri ramachandracharanau manasa smaraami
shri ramachandracharanau vachasa gruNaami
shri ramachandracharanau SHirasa namaami
shri ramachandracharanau SHaranam prapadhyae

On Rama’s feet I meditate
With words I praise
With lowered head I pray
At Rama’s feet I seek refuge!

Rama.
During times of cosmic crisis, Vishnu as Preserver and Caretaker of the Universe adopts various avataars or earthly forms, to save Creation from calamity, and rid humankind of suffering. Rama as a model human, is one of Vishnu’s most popular avataars. Rama is revered as a devoted son, faithful husband and a righteous king. To fulfill his father’s promise, he willingly accepts exile and wanders forests for many years. When his wife Sita is abducted, Rama enlists birds, monkeys and other animals to track her to Lanka – kingdom of the villainous Ravana. After a prolonged battle, Rama slays Ravana and saves the world from terror and torture. Rama’s victory is celebrated during the Vijaya Dashami festival, and culminates in the burning of Ravana in effigy.

During festivals, devotees raise their voice to Rama. Temples ring to countless chants of his name. Uniquely, the mere recitation of Rama’s name is said to bring ananda or bliss.

The reason for this can be traced to the Mahabharata, when Bhisma bestows on the victorious Yudhishtra, the Vishnu Sahasranaam (Thousand names of Vishnu). Noting the long sermon, Devi Parvati asks her beloved Shiva, how an ordinary person can attain the same benefits as reciting the Vishnu Sahasranaam. Shiva assures her that uttering but once the name of Shri Rama is equal to chanting the name of any other God, a thousand times. With these invaluable words from Shiva, mankind has been blessed with an easy path to happiness.

In the Rama Raksha Stotra – hymn asking Rama for protection, which millions of devotees recite with fervor everyday, the opening verse affirms that reciting even a single word from the life of Rama is able to destroy the greatest of our sins. Mahatma Gandhi also urged followers to recite the blessed name of Rama. Prophetically, “Hey Ram” were the last words from his dying lips.

Included above is verse 29 from the Rama Raksha Stotra, which resonates well with the theme of bhakti for Rama. As Sant Tyagaraja has written, simply by asking the virtuous Rama to shower his blessing and compassion assures us of experiencing ananda.

Hanuman visits Sita in Ashokvan (Ashoka gardens) Lanka where she is held captive by Ravana. (stone carving stored in the Hampi Museum)

What is Prarthana? and details on how to get your copy, see ArunsPrarthana.com

Grateful for your Translation * * * * *

For those who practice it everyday, the hope is that the ritual of prayer releases love energy and uplifts the entire human race. Arun Shanbhag has reinforced this hope in his book, Prarthana, in which he has done a superb job of transliterating and translating many prayers from their Sanskrit version into English. I was particularly impressed by his mastery in translating the Suprabhatam – a prayer that most of us awake to in South India and is actually intended to awake the divine presence within each of us. The Gayatri mantra, a prayer that is simple and easy to recite, is explained as a way to “invoke the Sun from within oneself.”

The essence of the Sanatana Dharma from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:

“From the unreal lead me to the real,
From darkness lead me to light,
From death lead me to immortality.”

shows us how we can attain final emancipation or ‘moksha.’ These are but a few of the gems contained in Shanbhag’s rendering of Hindu prayers and psalms. The explanations that go hand-in-hand with the actual Sanskrit verses are so easy to read and understand and at the level where I could easily explain them to my children who were both born in the US.

The author has done a great service to the Indian diaspora living abroad, and also to Indians living in India who are not well-versed in Sanskrit. I would recommend this book to everyone who believes in the power of prayer and wants to understand a little bit of the meaning and significance of many popular Hindu hymns.

G. M. Prabhu, Ames, Iowa - Academician, Author

Professor Prabhu is a much-admired professor of computer science at Iowa State University. With over 20 years of academic experience, he is well known for his lucid explanations of complex concepts, earning him kudos: “he’s the best professor I’ve had at ISU.”

Professor Prabhu received his Electrical Engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, India; MS from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India; and PhD from Washington State University. He has been on the faculty at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, since 1983. Dr Prabhu attests that none of these institutions seriously interfered with his education.

Dr Prabhu is the author of Anita’s Legacy.

Wishing you all a Wonderful Dassara

M&A
(murthy of Kamakshi, a form of Durga Devi at the Ramnathi Devasthan in Ponda, Goa.)

Notes excerpted from my book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag 2007

Durga Devi
Devi, Goddess, is the oldest Hindu deity. Clay figurines from the 6th and 5th millennium BCE, attests to her antiquity. Today, Devi is worshipped in all corners of India in various forms, such as Bhu Devi – the earth Goddess; the demure Parvati – beloved consort of Shiva; devoted Sita – Rama’s dearest; and Kali – the ruthless avenger. Durga is the ferocious manifestation of Devi and is revered for slaying the tyrannical buffalo demon Mahisasura, liberating heaven from his clutches and restoring order and discipline in the Universe.

In a popular legend from the Devi Mahatmyam – Glory of Devi, the demon Mahisasura defeated Indra, King of Gods, in battle and conquered heaven. The dejected Indra and his retinue of demi-gods wandered earth as mere mortals, and begged Vishnu and Shiva to end Mahisasura’s tyranny. From the intense anger and focus of the united Gods emerged brilliant rays of light, which combined to bring forth the goddess Durga. Each God contributed their choicest weapons to her. Shiva presented her with a trident, Vishnu his discus. Agni the Fire God, presented his spear and Surya the Sun God illumined the pores of her skin, casting a luminous aura around Durga.

Endowed with an assortment of weapons, and the arms and the strength to wield them, Devi challenges the asura army. With blood curdling roars and a defiant laugh, she demoralizes the demon army and systematically decimates them. When Mahisasura attacks her, she destroys his weapons and captures him with her noose. Devi then traps him under her feet and skewers his neck with her spear; when the human form of Mahisasura emerges, she grasps his hair and decapitates him.

The slaying of Mahisasura is commonly depicted in Durga artwork:. Devi posing calmly on the battlefield, with the demon trapped beneath her feet. The red clothing denotes the spilt blood and alludes to her fertility. Durga thus represents the all-compassionate and fertile woman, yet relentless in battle against evil, energetically defending righteousness against injustice. She is simultaneously approachable and displays motherly love and concern for her devotees. Her close association with the earth and its regenerative ability endears her to even the common laborers and farm workers, making the annual Durga puja and festival, widely popular in India’s rural communities.

Notes are excerpted from my book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag 2007

On Ganesh Chaturthi
Wishing you all
A Blessed Ganesha’s Grace!

M&A

Notes are excerpted from my just released book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag 2007

Ganesha Stotram – Hymn to Ganesha

The visage of Ganesha (or Ganapati) is easily recognizable as the elephant-headed God of Knowledge and Wisdom. A Ganesha murti can be found in the home of every Hindu. Tiny Ganesha figurines also grace the dashboard of new cars; and Ganesha icons in a variety of poses is a popular gift for family and friends. With the ever-growing popularity of Ganesha, devotees start their prayers with this hymn to Ganesha.

Many are familiar with the legend of Ganesha’s coming to life. Once when Shiva was away and Parvati wanted to bathe, she created a male child from the skin of her body and gave it life. She instructed the child to let no one come her way. While she bathed and the child stood guard, Shiva arrived, but was stopped by the child whom Shiva does not recognize. A fight ensued and Shiva beheads the boy and discards the head. When Parvati finds out what happened to her child, her sorrow remains inconsolable. To make amends, Shiva instructs his band of followers to bring the first head they come across. When they return with the head of an elephant, Shiva places it on the child’s body and gives it new life. Thus Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, came to be.

Children are intriqued by the appearance of Ganesha and want to know: “Why does he have a trunk? Why does he have large ears?” and so on. While this hymn does not answer these questions, enlightened people over the ages have guided us to perceive the unique aspects of Ganesha’s form in a manner that is relevant to our own lives.

The elephantine ears guide us to give people our full attention, particularly to our family and friends. The overly large head further guides us to reflect on what people say and to carefully judge the merits of their words. The narrow eyes caution us to focus on our surroundings and be ever watchful.

The small mouth hidden behind the trunk prompts us to speak sparingly, but with clarity and truth; and the enormous stomach symbolizes our need to digest all good and bad experiences life brings our way.

A rear hand holds a noose directing us to control our senses and desires; the other rear hand wields an axe, useful in severing our desires and attachments, which trap us in this materialistic world.

The front right hand is always raised in blessing, in a posture called the abhaya hasta – removing fears of the unknown. Seeing such a posed hand soothes our heart, drives away worries, and reassures us that we are ever in God’s care. And despite all the challenges that come our way, he stands by us and loves us dearly, always!

And finally, with his left hand presenting modaka (rice muffins), Ganesha promises us sweet fruits of our labors and ultimate peace in our spiritual quest.

Excerpted from my book released today (September 15, 2007), Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag 2007

Note:
This is my entry for the Ganesh Chaturthi Special. Thanks to Latha and Lakshmi from the Yum Blog for organizing this!

Wishing you all a
Joyous & Enlightening Gokulashtami!

M&A

Notes are excerpted from my upcoming book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag 2007

Krishna Vandana – Tribute to Krishna,

Krishna is the most beloved of Hindu Gods and a popular avataar of Vishnu, the eternal soul of the Universe. While other incarnations of Vishnu crystallize divine traits in ordinary beings, Krishna’s life and experiences on earth symbolize the humanness of the divine.

Krishna takes a human birth in a prison cell in the city of Mathura, as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Spirited away, Krishna was raised in Vrindavan by foster parents Yashoda and Nanda. His childhood antics endear him to his friends and later devotees, even earning him the epithet of makhan chor – stealer of butter! A baby Krishna digging into a pot of freshly churned butter is commonly depicted in devotional art. At a young age, Krishna subdues the vile snake Kaliya; humbles the Vedic God Indra; defeats his evil uncle Kamsa and liberates his parents.

As a skilled strategist, Krishna plays a central role in the epic Mahabharata; helping the Pandava brothers win the war of dharma. His advise to Arjuna at the beginning of the battle is encapsulated in the Bhagvad Gita (Song of the Blessed One) – one of the most important and popular Indian philosophical treatises. It is in the Bhagvad Gita that Krishna succinctly explains the diverse paths to eternal salvation and harmonizes their ultimate goal of spiritual union with God.

When a young Krishna in Vrindavan plays his flute, the gopikas (milkmaids) are maddeningly drawn by the magical notes and forget their daily chores. Radha in particular, even goes against social norms and secretly pines for union with Krishna. Their ability to intensely love Krishna and be forever devoted to him, even sacrificing other relations, is the exemplary centerpiece of bhakti. In the Bhagvad Gita, Krishna reveals that bhakti – reverent devotion to God, is the easiest path to enlightenment. He implores Arjuna, “Fix your mind on me; be forever devoted to me and you shall come to me. I promise you this, for you are dear to me.”

© Arun Shanbhag 2007

(This masterpiece of Radhakrishna recently arrived in our home to grace us all!)

Notes:
This is entered in The ‘yum’ blog’s Festival Series: Janamashtami. Yaay!

And see Latha’s impressive roundup of all the entries here on her blog! Caution! A lot of desserts! )