Devotion of Thotakacharya

Thotakacharya is one of the favourite shishya of Adhi Shankara.Shankaracharya used to conduct his satsangh at various places along the riverbanks or at mountains. Thotaka' main job was to do seva to AdiShankara like washing his saffron robes. one day the students were ready for the class of vedanta. Shankara was uncomfortable and was looking here and there, but did not start. his scholarly shishya padmapadha was looked upon by others to ask ADI SHANKARA, why the class is not yet sarted.Shankara replied where is my GIRI!  it seems THOTAKAS'S SRADDHA WAS  SO GREAT THAT HE IMMEDIATELY REMEMBERED THAT HIS TEACHER WANTS HIM.he ran towards BHAGAVATPADHA  and sat down . Padmapadha commented why wait for one who is not there at the moment? to this shankara replied you don't know about the shraddha of Thotaka who places immence faith in guru vakhya and veda. it seems shankara asked thotaka what he understood all these days. He presented a ashtakam in thotaka metre. then on this became a famous work  called thotakaashtakam which is very famous work. what i mean to say is your immence faith in vedas and guru vakyas, can make you t5o gain knowledge of self.shraddha alone can save you from this world of samsara.

TATWA BODHA

Tatwa Bodha of Adi Shankara is the basic text that vedantists  start, so that many of the defenitions that Shankara uses is explained very lucidly and clearly. say for example. Maya is defined as ya ma' sa maya.-----THAT WHICH IS NOT REAL.does it mean it's unreal, no, it's not unreal. as you see it right in front of your eyes.it's apparent reality like my tee-shirt. tee shirt has a form and name. but ot depends upon the fibre which is satyam. hence fibre is the reality with respect to tee shirt. in the same way this jagat which you see is also maya, since it has name and form. but it depends upon conciousness which is the reality. hence that which is not real is maya.it's also called anirvachaneeya, that which cannot be explained in a single shot.that which you experience in this world is also maya only.

SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO VEDIC WISDOM

Dear friends i have been always thinking to start a vedanta class at my residence by any eminent sanyasi. I am now fortunate enough to start the same under ACHARYA VASUDHA.The classes aim at systematic unfolding of the ancient Indian wisdom to all participants centered on the principles of 3 L'S[LISTENING,LEARNING AND LIVING].Acharya vasudha is aphd in clinical Hypnotherapy who practised as a therapist for several years.Earlier she worked in the Events Management Division of the TImes of India group.Eventually when the call call to explore mysteries of universe and it's function intensified in her, she dedicated herself to the studies of vedas and today she is an accomplished Acharya holding several classes to the benefit of Navi MUMBAI spiritually.her e mail---vivavedanta@gmail.com her blog is acharyavasudha.blogspot.com------The vednta classes will start from 21st April on all Thursdays from 6.30 p.m to 7.30 p.m-the subject is TATVA BODHA OF ADHI SHANKARA.The venue is my residence. This for your information .

ANNA HAZARE PEOPLE'S GANDHI

Dear friends, after nearly 63 years of long slumber many citizens want to feel the real freedom.they have already seen the corrupt governments of Egypt,Lybia, Yemen,  and several other small nations whos'e sincere citizens being fed up of their governments have been organizing several protests against corrupt rulers.In India too Anna Hazre has started  a movement to teach a lesson to the corrupt politicians[both Ruling and OPPOSITION]. Anna  has started a fast unto death from 5th april at Delhi against corruption.He is supported by Swami Agnivesh, kiranbedi and several other non political leaders. They have not allowed single political party in their stage and their fight against corruption.Govt already has given in  to agree to form commission of civil society members. , which is the first demand of  Anna.Here in vashi we have started a movement  to support Anna. from tommorrow onwards at 8.30 a.m daily at the public garden of sector-9. Kiran bedi says that it's not only businessmen and industrialists are paying taxes. the common poor people of India are paying taxes even on match boxes.Hence they are answerable to people. corruption is rampant in this country. HERE is the sincere movement of Anna Hazare against corruption. It's our duty to support such sincere non political leaders, otherwise the country will go to dogs. IN this country opposition always organises walkouts  even when th budgets of the nation which is the   most important agenda for the nation. The ruling party passes the bill since it's their own majority is present in the house.Thus both ruling and opposition are corrupt. I  am really glad  that NOW COMMON MEN ARE ON THE STREET TO FIGHT OUT CORRUPTION.

various types of vedic chanters

There are six classes of vedic chanters.Those who recite vedas musically.Those who recite very fast. Those who shake their heads unnecessarily while reciting vedas.Those who don't know the meaning of their chants.lastly those voice is very poor.+
These are some of the mistakes done by chanters.. hence care should be taken to study from a good traditional guru, who knows chanting well and can also give you the meanings with clear thoughts.
--the verse is-----geethi sheegri,shira kampi,thatha likitha patakaha,anarthajnyaha,alpakantascha,shad ethe pataka damaha.

BELLS IN TEMPLE

In most temples there are one or more bells. devotee rings the bell as soon as he enters and goes for darshan.. now why bell in a temple.? is it to wake up god?lord never sleeps. is it to inform that you have come?well he he is all knowing that's why he is god. HE welcomes all at all times as he is lord. then why should you ring the bell.?you be informed well about this.The ringing of the bells produces auspicious sounds such as om.Even while arathi we ring the bell..THE sound of the bell can drown all all unwanted or irrelevant noises and other dirty comments of the worshippers, adds concentration and inner peace..There is a verse in sanskrit.------AGAMARTHAM THU DEVANAM   GAMANARTHAM THU RAKSHASAM, DEVATHA POOJANARTHAYA    GHANTA NATHAM KAROMYAHAM.I ring this bell indicating invocation of divinity in me,so that virtuous force may enter my heart, and with this power of lord let me ring the bell and worship the all-mighty.

ANANDA

Anantham anantham is the one that is  said in our vedas.this happiness does not have  a limitation.it's limitless. it has no purpose unlike other happiness we derive from this outer world called vishayananda. it's born out of a particular vishaya, as long as the the object exists this vishayananda exists whereas if i have no purpose to achieve, then ananda ie manifested is real, as i always want to get something out of my seeking for my happiness from say a job, a degree, fame, etc wherein we after something ie based upon the impermanent things. sometimes i am happy for no reason. i did not pursue for any happiness, even then i was happy for there was no purpose. if i had any purpose , then my happiness is very limited. as having achieved the same, i will again go for some other material pleasures.There is no end for pursuit of our happiness. We have been doing the same mistake for years together. days, months,years pass bye still we are not happy. the problem is created by our own mind and it can be solved by you alone.our main difficulty is we want reason, why it's like this? IN SPIRITUAL TRUTH THERE IS NO REASON.truth happens. and it's immortal.you dont have to search for ananda. you are ananda. atma is ever permanent it has no death. mind and body may die but atma is immortal.ananda that comes without any purpose is real annda, Earlier i had blogged about sath, and chith.  to day i had blogged about  ananda. although i talked about sat, chith, ananda, relly they are one and the same only. it's swarupa of atma or self. hence self is supreme.