The writer would like people in the group to respond to his queries. Specifically, he would like to read /review Shri Manis' notes if any. Can someone please give the email ID of Shri Mani? Also I would like to take the help of Swami Seshadri, but am unable to get a email response. Thanks and much obliged regards ----- Forwarded by S Ramachandran/Custody/KamalaMills/HBL on 23/08/2002 11:57 AM ----- S Ramachandran 13/07/2002 03:44 PM To: srivenugopala@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Oppiliappan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, acharya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, SriRangaSri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, acharya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, SriRangaSri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, sripadukasevagan@xxxx cc: Subject: Re: Sandhyavandanam/Upanayanam and related topics-Research (Document link: S Ramchandran (Archive) ) S Ramachandran 15/06/2002 02:19 PM To: srivenugopala@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Oppiliappan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, acharya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, SriRangaSri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, acharya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, SriRangaSri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, sripadukasevagan@xxxx cc: Subject: Sandhyavandanam/Upanayanam and related topics-Research ----- Forwarded by S Ramachandran/Custody/KamalaMills/HBL on 15/06/2002 02:03 PM ----- S Ramachandran To: sadagopaniyengar@xxxxxxx, ramanbil@xxxx 15/06/2002 02:13 cc: svrituals@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, PM Oppiliappan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,malolan_net@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, j.srinivasan@xxxx, radha@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, chetlurvas@xxxx Subject: Sandhyavandanam/Upanayanam and related topics - Reseach Thanks to the everlasting blessing of the Lords, this earth still has some people who are deeply entrenched in sacred and holy service. This ignorant writer has been reading the various postings of Shri Sadagopan,Shri Desan and shri Ramanbil over the past few months. Specifically, among his many areas of interests - Yoga and study of Vedic culture - he is planning, with God's Grace, to write a detailed work on the Sandhyavandhanam. Especially linking this to the Yogic culture /Suryanamaskars. This research work requires great deal of time and effort, which he is ready to put and is already on the job. However, without an able Guru nothing moves as everyone knows. Fortunately, the Gentlemen Shri Desan,Shri Sadagopan and Shri Ramanbil through the various e-forums have demonstarted their devoution, depth of knowledge and an extraordinary eagerness in the subject that the writer is keen to request them to be his Guide for his study. If anyone in these groups know of any other names/persons please share with this writer. If some of you are keen to contribute in terms of knowledge to this effort please feel free to do so. Nothing would please the writer more than placing these erudite and extremely devouted persons in the acknowledgement list of his proposed work. The writer is dead certain that he alone cannot do adequate justice to the work he has undertaken, and he therefore wishes to take help from all quarters. The basic purpose is that the present generation should know everything there is that is possible under this sun about this great ritual of Sandyavandanam. Knowing the purpose of each action - why squat in the morning and not in the evening?, why twice argyam in the evening and thrice in the morning? and so on. To give a small example, the arghyam should be done with both palms cupped and water poured out in a continuous fashion to the roots of the Jackfruit tree...why this is so is not clear, although as a practice everyone just pour the water into the 'tambalam'. ----- Forwarded by S Ramachandran/Custody/KamalaMills/HBL on 15/06/2002 01:43 PM ----- "sadagopaniyenga r" To: <svrituals@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <sadagopaniyenga <Oppiliappan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, r@xxxx> <tiruvengadam@xxxxx>, <malolan_net@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <radha@xxxx>, 09/06/2002 09:16 <j.srinivasan@xxxx>, <chetlurvas@xxxx> PM cc: <sadagopaniyengar@xxxxxxx> Please respond Subject: [t'vengadam] Sandhyavandanam to tiruvengadam Srimate SrivanSatakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama: Sandhyavandanam Shri Mani's present series on Sandhyavandanam is most informative. Here are a few more points- as adiyen has been out of touch with the lists for some time, please do pardon adiyen if the following is a repetition. "Adou VedA: pramANam", Vedas are the first and foremost pramanam for everything. And almost all the rituals we perform today have their roots in the Vedas, in some form or the other. In fact, there are two prasnAs in the Yajur Veda, (Mantra Prasnam) devoted to the mantras to be uttered for performing various vaidIka karmas, be it upanayanam, vivAham, chouLam, or the apara kriyAs. SandhyAvandanam too is dealt with in the Taittiriya Aranyaka,in the third (or is it the fourth?) prasna of ArunA. In two anuvAkAs, (beginning with "RakshAgumsi ha vA purOnuvAkE tapOgram") the Veda Purusha describes the reason d etre" of Sandhyavandanam. Once upon a time the asurAs performed sincere and intense penance or tapas. PrajApati appeared before them and queried them as to their wishes. The AsurAs told Prajapati that they wished to fight with AdityA. "So be it," pronounced Prajapati. From that day, the Asuras started fighting with Soorya at every sunrise and sunset. Due to this constant battle, Adiya started weakening. Concerned at the disastrous consequences to the universe of Soorya being disabled, Prajapati devised a way of saving Soorya from gradual decline. He ordered Brahmins to perform Sandhyavadanam at sunrise and sunset, with the important component of "arghya pradAnam", that of throwing water held in joined palms at the Sun. This concerted throwing of water by all brahmins, turns into a weapon as powerful as the VajrAyudhA , and attacks the asurAs, bundling them off to a remote island known as the "MandEhAruNa dveepam", where they lie vanquished. However, this defeat is not permanent, and is only till the next SandhyA, so that the boon granted by Prajapati to the asurAs does not go waste. Come the next Sunrise, the asurAs are back in full vigour to fight with the Sun. Again, the Brahmins perform Sandhyavandanam and the concerted arghyA banishes the asurAs to the aforesaid island. And the process goes on infinitely. We often hear people say that Sandhyavandanam does not bestow any special merit on the doer, but its non-performance results in sin, ("akaraNE pratyavAya janakam") this being an "AgyA kainkaryam", or one that we are ordained to perform. However, the Aranyaka says that every Brahmin, who performs Sandhyavandanam and japam at all sunrises and sunsets, is blessed with all that is auspicious ("sakalam bhadram asnutE"), is freed from all sin ("tEna pApmAnam avadhoonvanti") and attains the Ultimate ("BrahmApyEti"). Thus Sandhyavandanam occupies a very high place in our list of priorities, and, as should be clear from the aforesaid, is done for the benefit of society. This is why the Shastras prescribe this karma as a preliminary to all others, without the performance of which the yajamAna does not acquire eligibility to do anything else- "SandhyA heenO asuchi: nityam, anarha: sarva karmasu"- A person who does not do Sandhyavandanam is perennially impure and is ineligible to perform any karma, vaidIka or otherwise. The story narrated above also emphasizes the need for the timely performance of this important ritual, for, it is precisely at sunrises and sunsets that the Sun is at danger from the asurAs, and only timely arghya pradAnam would vanquish the latter. Adiyen has a question to the learned bhagavatas of the list- the aforesaid anuvAkAs deal with prAtah: and SAyam sandhyavandanam, but say nothing about the "MAdhyAhnikam" that we perform regularly. What is the pramANA in the Vedas for this? "MadhyAhnikam appears to have the sanction of Smriti (Dharma Sutras, etc) and of "SishtAchAram" (the practice of great people), which should be enough for us. However, is there a mention about it in the Vedas? Srimate SriLakshmINrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatkopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama: ------dasan, sadagopan. Namo VenkateshAya namah: ----- Forwarded by S Ramachandran/Custody/KamalaMills/HBL on 15/06/2002 01:43 PM ----- "Ram Anbil" <Ramanbil@hotmai To: tiruvengadam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx l.com> cc: Subject: [t'vengadam] On Upanayanam 10/06/2002 10:21 AM Please respond to tiruvengadam Dear Bhagavatas: The enclosed article was written in connection with the Upanayanam of Chi. Pradhyumnan, my grandson slated for 15th July 2002 at Tirumalai. I understand that very many Upanayanams are scheduled this season. This is submitted to the group for information members to help the kids understand the need for Upanayanam. Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy ==================================================================== ON UPANAYANAM WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE? Are there any goals to be achieved? Does life consist only of the routine of eating, mating, dating and muting that lies between birth and death? Is there anything that lies beyond what meets the eye? What are the objectives of life here? Where do we go from here? Quo Vadis? These are some of the questions that have engaged the earnest consideration of thinkers all over the world from time immemorial. But, long before others could even comprehend the purpose of life, Hinduism had not only identified the answers but had also classified them as Dharma (Virtue), Artha (Material prosperity), Kaama (Hedonic pleasures) and Moksha (Salvation). It will be seen that the secondary objectives of Artha and Kama have been adroitly sandwiched between the primary objectives of Dharma and Moksha. This is to emphasize that they should be regulated on Dharmic principles, if one wants salvation, the ultimate objective of life. HOW DO WE GET THIS KNOWLEDGE? We get this knowledge from the Vedas, the basic and the most sacred of scriptures of Hinduism. The word "Veda" means "knowledge" ? knowledge of Brahman and how to attain Brahman, which in other words, means "Moksha". The Vedas have laid down various rites for this purpose called "Samskaras" or rites. UPANAYANAM The first rite or Samskara for a male child is "Upa-nayanam". "Upa" means "near" and "Nayanam" means, "lead up to"- (i.e.) "lead up near to Brahman". Investing the sacred thread called "YagnOpavitam" does this. YAGJNOPAVITAM This is a thread worn around the body from left shoulder to navel and back to left shoulder via the back. The "YagjnOpavitam" or the "sacred thread" is regarded as born with the creator God - the four faced Brahma Himself and therefore, considered pure (pavitram) and should not be used as a kind of key holder or a scrubber to relieve itching! "YagjnOpavitam paramam pavitram, prajaapate: yath saha-jam"(saha-jam = born together) BRAHMACHARYAM On this investiture, the boy becomes a Brahmachari (celibate) "Brahmacharya" entitles him to commence his studies of Vedas. For the Brahmachari, celibacy is his forte, discipline is his norm, devotion to his Guru is his duty and concentration in studies (Vedic studies) is his vocation. THE TWICE BORN In fact, the rite is considered to confer on him "a second birth" and he is thereafter called a "Dvi-ja"- meaning "twice-born", (the first birth being of course the biological birth). There is a famous sloka that says that one may be known as a Brahmin by birth, a twice-born (Dvija) by Samskara, a learned person (Vipra) by education and a Vedic exponent (Srotriya) by acquiring all the three. "janmanaa BraahmaNo jnEya: samskaarai: Dvija uchyate / vipratvam vidyayaa chaapi thribi: srOtriya uchyate //" OORDVA PUNDRAM It is necessary that we should wear the Oordva PuNDram" or the caste mark as they are called. Let us see why this is prescribed. Following are excerpts from the write up in Vol 3.20 (reproduced) " The human organism has several similarities with the other world 'cosmos' - the body to earth, speech to fire, breath to air etc. The white clay (TirumaNN) worn by Hindu men folk as an auspicious index daily on the forehead especially and over several places on the body by some devout Hindus are constant reminders that they came from dust and would ultimately be returning to dust. The powdered saffron (SrichurNam), the saffron red powder prepared from turmeric roots (Kunkumam) (i.e. crosus sativus) worn by ladies serves the same purpose. This reminder is meant to chasten the mind by highlighting the impermanence and perishable nature of this existence and thus to instill a sense of humility and to dispel ego inherent in humanity. These `Caste marks' as they are called also serve the purpose in religion akin to the purpose served by badges, medals, stripes etc. in Defense and Police establishments. They constitute what we now know of as `ID' cards that indicate the status and the class of the wearer and the functions they belong to. They are like the `formal' dress insisted upon during parties and special gatherings to differentiate the participants from other `layfolk' and 'mere mortals'! The principles underlying what we now know as acupuncture and acupressure were developed by our ancestors as acutouch, dispensing with the painful `puncture' and `pressure'. By mere `acutouch' of the various parts of the body with appropriate Mantras, the same effects could be secured, though our ancestors did not spell them out in a way understandable to the so called modern scientific mind. Modern Computer is activated by soft feather touch of the keys in the keyboard. Similarly, our physical body with the nerve endings would respond to mere soft 'acutouch" provided the touch is administered in conjunction with the appropriate 'Mantras". No puncture or pressure would be needed to activate these nerve endings and the mere touch would do the magic. Our body is held together by Pranas or life force which moves through meridians - a kind of electrical pathways. These connect various organs and glands with endings in our hands, chest, neck, forehead, stomach, back of neck as also feet, knee joints etc. Just as the arteries carry blood, these meridians carry the life-force energy throughout the body. This system has switches and junction points, which could be activated to regulate supply of life-force to the various parts of the body. When the flow is interrupted for any reason, disease sets in. The remedy lies in switching on the current by applying a stimulant by a gentle touch at the appropriate end points as aforesaid. This relaxes muscular tension, promotes blood circulation and ensures flow of life force energy to the affected parts by releasing pain killers like endorphins, neuro chemicals etc. and they stimulate an alpha wave response in the brain and pituitary glands thus increasing our energy stock and facilitates diaphragmatic breathing and relieves knuckles - all without our ever noticing it. During Sandya Vandana, we sprinkle water on these nerve endings and touch them with appropriate `Mantras' and earlier to that, we apply the `Caste marks' with white clay (TirumaNN) and powdered saffron (SrichurNam) at the appropriate places which suck the impurities invisibly. These have been integrated in our daily chores as an in-built discipline." (From Chapter 16 Section 3 Karma Yoga" of "Hinduism Rediscovered" by Anbil Ramaswamy) GAYATRI MANTRAM This is accompanied by his initiation into the "Mantra" called "Gayatri Mantra". The word "Gayatri" means, "that which protects the one who chants the mantra ? "Gaayantham thraayate iti Gaayatri". SANDHYA VANDANAM After going thorough this rite, one is required to perform what is known as "Sandhyaa Vandanam"- celebrating the communion with Brahman. This is required to be done thrice daily in the morning at dawn, at midday when the Sun is at its zenith and in the evening at dusk. This means not only the conjunction of day and night but also communion of the individual soul (Jivatma) with the Universal soul (Paramatma). This thrice performed "Sandhya Vandanam" daily is called a "Nitya karma" (i.e) "to be done daily" as distinct from "Naimittika karma" which is "to be done occasionally"like the annual "Upaakarma". WHY SHOULD WE DO ALL THESE? The Scriptures declare that the Vedas including Samhitas, Braahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads (collectively known as Sruthi or heard) and the epics and lore contained in Itihaasas, Puranas and Agamas etc (collectively known as Smritis or remembered) are verily the command of the Supreme Lord. Vishnu Dharmottaram 6.31 cautions - "Sruti Smriti mamaiva aagjnaa ya: thum ullanghya vartate / Aagjnaachedee mama DrOhi math bhaktOpi na vaishNava:" Meaning "Anyone who fails to carry out these commands will be considered traitors. We know what happens when we transgress the "rule of law" even in our mundane world. It is equally so, when we transgress the "laws of the Lord". And, doing Sandhya Vandanam is the foremost "Nitya karma" that cannot be skipped under any circumstances. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE FAIL TO DO THIS? Daksha Smriti 2.27 further avers: "Sandhyaa heena: asuchir nityam anarha: sarva karmasu / yad anyath kuruthe karma na tasya phalbhaag bhaveth"// Meaning: "The one who does not perform Sandhya Vandanam is deemed impure forever and is unfit to do any other karma. Without doing Sandya Vandana, any karma done by him like studying scriptures (PaaraayaNam), chanting prayers (Stotras), offering gifts (Daanam), performing ceremonies and even going to temples to worship- will all be futile and fruitless". NO TIME FOR THIS? The whole exercise will take no more than 8 minutes for each and totally 24 minutes in all. We have 24 hors in a day out of which we need to set apart a bare 24 minutes for all this. - the least price one has to pay for the privilege of access to "Gayatri", the most sacred and priceless of all mantras of Hinduism. THE 2 PARTS OF SANDYA VANDANAM Sandhya Vandanam consists of two parts, "Jala bhaaga" (Water part) and "Japa bhaaga" (Meditation part). JALA BHAAGA consists of - "Achamanam"- sipping of water, "PrOkshaNam" ? sprinkling of water "Praasanam"- sipping of water and "Arghyam"- offering of water, All with appropriate mantras. WHY WATER IS SO IMPORTANT? Water is one of the most natural elements and symbolizes the power of sanctity inherent in nature capable of ensuring a spiritual upsurge. The human being is a bodily natural one. Naturally, religion hooks the physical aspects of nature like water with those of the human embodiment, synchronizing dramatically the interaction between the two sanctifying each other within the environment of the sacred world. Here, a meaningful meeting takes place between the Macrocosm and the Microcosm. JAPA BHAAGA consists of - "Aasanam" -Invoking the earth on which the person is seated calling upon it to keep the place pure. "PraNaayaamam" (breath control) "Mantra Japam"- The most important part of meditation, the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra. "Upasthaanam" standing up and bidding farewell to Gayatridevi, "Abhivaadanam" ceremonial offering of obeisance to the "Dik devatas" (deities presiding over the different directions) and the whole spiritual exercise concludes with "Saatvika Tyaagam"- dedicating it to the Supreme Lord. --------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTE: All the Mantras of Sandhya Vandanam are excerpts from the Vedas and, therefore, should be learned ONLY Personally at the feet of an Acharya and NOT from books etc. (which may, however, be used as aide-de-memoir) ======================================================================== Namo VenkateshAya namah: ----- Forwarded by S Ramachandran/Custody/KamalaMills/HBL on 15/06/2002 02:03 PM ----- "Madhavakkannan V" To: srivenugopala@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, <srivaishnavan@h Oppiliappan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,acharya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, otmail.com> SriRangaSri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx cc: sripadukasevagan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 11/06/2002 05:56 Subject: [Oppiliappan] Re: [srivenugopala] SandhyAvandhanam PM and Desikan sthOthram classes- OronRuthaanE amaiyAdhO Please respond scheme to Oppiliappan SrI: SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya namah: Dearest Srivaishnavas, Please be advised that Sri C Seshadri Swamy's email id: sripadukasevagan@xxxx Please send him an email for the list of centers and the sthOthrams that are taught. Few members had enquired. Thanks for all your warm spontaneous overwhelming responses. Regards Namo Narayana aDiyEn Dasan ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Madhavakkannan V" <srivaishnavan@xxxx> Reply-To: srivenugopala@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To: sv-general@xxxx, Oppiliappan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, malolan_net@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Srivenugopala@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, acharya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, SriRangaSri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx CC: sripadhukasevagan@xxxx Subject: [srivenugopala] SandhyAvandhanam and Desikan sthOthram classes- OronRuthaanE amaiyAdhO scheme Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 13:10:55 +0000 SrI: SrImathE Gopaladesika Mahadesikaya namah: Dearest Srivaishnavas, Under the OronRu thane amaiyAdhO scheme with the blessings of asmadhAchAryan His Holiness Srimad PaRavaakkOttai Andavan of Srimad Poundarikapuram Andavan Asramam, Sri C Seshadri Swamy has been performing kaimkaryam tirelessly. SandhyAvandhanam and teaching of Swamy Desikan sthOthrams are being conducted at 17 centers in Chennai and also in Srirangam (as well as Singapore by Sri MS Hari). It has completed more than a year. More students have joined this project and are benefited. 147 students have attended SnadhyAvandhanam classes and 259 students have attended the Desikan sthOthra classes so far. (my mother also teaches at Srirangam to students from the age of four to eighteen). There are also tests conducted by scholars and in the presence of Swamy, and 86 students have recited (without looking at any book) five sthOthrams completely. Also ten questions are asked. About 50 questions are asked fro SandhyAvandhanam students. 21 students could write all correct. The prizes of silver tumbler are given to the students who recited five sthOthrams. Because of this announcement, now the parents have admitted more students. Swamy is visibly happy about the number of participants and students. All the expenses are borne by Sri C Seshadri Swamy. Bhagawathas (if interested) are requested to contribute as much as they can. Or at least wish him all luck. Send your appreciation and encouragement to sripadhukasevagan@xxxx Regards Namo Narayana aDiyEn dAsan ************************************************************************************************** The information in this email is confidential, and intended solely for the addressee. Access to this email by anyone else is unauthorized. Any copying or further distribution beyond the original addressee is not intended, and may be unlawful. The opinions expressed are those of the sender, and do not necessarily reflect those of HDFC Bank Ltd. The e_mail has been successfully scanned for presence of virus. It is recommended to scan the attachment before launching. **************************************************************************************************
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