tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78867727403652870942024-03-08T13:55:29.093+05:30BrahmanyanBrahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-45061869764336838672016-01-18T12:41:00.002+05:302016-01-18T13:29:52.478+05:30Janani Janma Bhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Janani Janma Bhumischcha Swargaadapi gariyasi. These famous words are quoted by many to impress the importance of one's Mother and Motherland.This is one of the oft quoted verse from Srimath Ramayanam. Some say it is the words of Vibhishana to Sri Rama. I searched for the origin in Valmiki Ramayana in many editions, but to my surprise could not find this verse. How ever I could find this sloka in "Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda" in the edition published by Hindi Prachara Press, Madras. These are the words of Sage Bharadwaja to Sri Rama, when he returned from Sri Lanka and met him on the way to Ayothya.</div>
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मित्राणि धन धान्यानि प्रजानां सम्मतानिव |</div>
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जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी || ६-१२४-१७</div>
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mitraaNi dhana dhaanyaani prajaanaaM sammataaniva |</div>
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jananii janma bhuumishcha svargaadapi gariiyasii || 6-124-17</div>
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"The friends, the riches and the grains are highly honoured in this world. </div>
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Mother and mother-land are far superior to even the heaven."</div>
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( "Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda" in the edition published by Hindi Prachara Press, </div>
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Madras in 1930 by T.R. Krishna chary, Editor and T. R. Vemkoba chary the publisher.)</div>
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Another version quoted here under is said to be the words of Sri Rama to Lakshmana in Sri Lanka, but not found in the editions of Valmiki Ramayana.</div>
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अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते।</div>
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जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी॥</div>
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api svarṇamayī laṅkā na me lakṣmaṇa rocate |</div>
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jananī janmabhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī ||</div>
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Even Lanka, decked with all it’s gold doesn't endear itself to me;</div>
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Mother and mother-land are far superior to even the heaven."</div>
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Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-86541201569329517232015-11-11T12:14:00.003+05:302015-11-11T12:14:23.239+05:30 Remembrance Day - Poppy Day.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.tamilbrahmins.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5124&d=1447214055" id="attachment5124" rel="Lightbox_324991" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #da7911; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Click image for larger version.
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">People wear "Poppy flowers" on this day, as a synbol of sacrifices made by the soldiers in the wars.</span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Scarlet corn poppies (popaver rhoeas) grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century transformed bare land into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.</span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders were once again ripped open as World War One raged through Europe's heart. Once the conflict was over the poppy was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields." (BBC)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I rembember during my childhood, on this day poppy flowers made of cloth will be pinned on the shirts against small amounts collected for charity. Municipal siren will be on exactly at 11 minutes past 11' O clock on this day to stand silent for two minutes.</span></div>
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Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-84228717646115423832015-10-10T12:34:00.000+05:302016-09-26T10:51:51.005+05:30DARA SHIKOH - THE ENLIGHTENED PRINCE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>DARA SHIKOH</b><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouedjy2WY3I/V-iwJ_dkRmI/AAAAAAAAKNY/KG_7_BCdpi8JYf-9gteOhNjifwSdVQETgCLcB/s1600/Dara%2BShikoh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouedjy2WY3I/V-iwJ_dkRmI/AAAAAAAAKNY/KG_7_BCdpi8JYf-9gteOhNjifwSdVQETgCLcB/s200/Dara%2BShikoh.jpg" width="160" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Prince Shahab ud-din Muhammad Khurram's (Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan) prayers at the Dargah of great Sufi mystic Hazarat Kwaja Moinuddin Hassan Chisti at Ajmer, for a male heir, was answered on Safar 19, 1024 AH (March 20, 1615 AD) by the birth of a male child to his beloved wife Arjumand Banu Begam (queen Mumtaz Mahal) at Sagartal near Ajmer. Grand father Emperor Jahangir named the child Dara Shikoh,in Persian meaning "Darius the magnificent". His full name was "Sultan Mohammed Dara Shikoh"</span><br />
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Dara Shikoh was a unique personality among the Mughal dynasty from 1526 AD to 1827 AD. Like other Mughal princes, he had his earlier education from <i id="yiv5919142857yui_3_16_0_1_1444275678982_6665">Maulvis </i>attached to the Royal Court, who taught Al Qur'an, Persian literature and History. The chief instructor Mullah Abdul Latiff Shahranpuri a liberal Sufi muslim, encouraged the young Prince a thrist for gaining knowledge in metaphysics and speculative sciences.The mystical and intellectual environement of that Mughal times nurtured Prince Dara the deep interest in pursuit of gaining knowledge in arts and litereture. During this period, young Dara interacted with host of Islamic and Hindu mystics, Pundits and yogis, including Shah Muhibhulla, Shah Dilruba, Muhammad Nisanulla Rostaki, Baba Lal Das Bairagi and Pandit Jagannath Mishra , some of them excercised profound influence on him. The most noted among them was Hazrat Miyan Mir, the Quadri Sufi of Lahore, who had laid foundation stone of Golden Temple of Sikhs at Amritsar. Impressed by the teachings of Hazrat Mir, Dara got initiated to Quadri Sufi order.After the initiation into quadri order, Prince Dara spent more time with his preceptor Hazarat Mian Mir, Mulla Badakhashi and other Sufi saints which encouraged him in the deep study of mysticism. During this period Prince Dara published his major writings on Sufism. These are the Safinat-ul-Aulia (1640 AD), the Sakinat-ul-Aulia (1653 AD), both biographical sketch of Sufi Saints and three more books, exposition on Sufi fundamental doctrines, the Risala'i Haq Numa (1647 AD) the Tariqat-ul-Haqiqat and the Hasanat-ul-Arifin (1653 AD).</div>
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Dara Shikoh was deeply interested in comparative religions, universal brotherhood and humanism, which he had imbibed from his great grandfather Emperor Akbar and deep interest in studies from Humayun. These influences played a notable role in developing his personality. Dara Shikoh had no liking for luxurious life or sensual pleasures, instead developed refined tastes in life. His interests turned towards finding common grounds between Islam and Hindu thoughts. For this purpose Dara spent many years in the study of Sanskrit and employed a large number of Pandits from Benaras including contemporary scholars Pandit Jagannath Misra, Pandit Kavindracharya and Banvali Das. Pandit Misra has written a book "Jagatsimha" in praise of Dara. After his interaction with Baba Lal Das Bairagi, Dara brought out a summery of his teachings in a booklet "Makalama Baba Lal wa Dara Shukoh" highlighting similarities in the teachings of Hindu and Muslim Mystics. He found common elements in Quadiri Ashghal and Yogic meditational techniques, which inspired him to bring out Persian tranlation of Yogavasishta in 1650 AD. followed by a Persian translation of Bhagavad-Gita.<br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444442201329_4752" style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In all,Dara Shikoh arranged for translation of fifty-two Upanishads into Persian, and had named it "<i>Sirr-e-Akbar"</i></span><span style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (the Great Secret). In its forward Dara Shikoh writes <i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444442201329_4950">" I had collected a large number of Hindu </i></span><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444442201329_4892" style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pandits and Sanyasis from Benaras, the center of the Hindu lore and wisdom, with whose help I completed this work within six months in Delhi" (by June 28, 1657 AD).</i></div>
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Dara Shikoh's efforts to find commonality in comparative religions resulted in bringing out an extremely remarkable book "Majma-ul Bahrain" - "The Mingling of two Oceans" (1656 AD) considered his <i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444394745765_7192">magnum opus.</i>He describes this book as "the collection of truth and wisdom of two truth knowing groups".</div>
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In the notes given in the book "Travels in the Mogul Empire 1656-1668 AD" by french traveller Francois Bernier, it is stated:<br />
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<span id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4801" style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Dara Shikoh, when Governor or Viceroy of Benares, in 1656,</span><span class="yiv1343879299" id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4827" style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4989" style="font-size: small;">caused a Persian translation to be made from the Sanskrit text of the </span></span><span id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4912" style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="yiv1343879299" id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4911">Upanishads</span><span class="yiv1343879299" id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4850"> ('the word that is not to be revealed'), which he called </span><span id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4848">the Sarr-i-Asrar, or Secret of Secrets. This translation, which was </span><span id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4875">made by a large staff of Benares Pandits, has been rendered into </span><span id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4877">Latin by Anquetil-Duperron, and published by him at Paris, 1801, </span><span id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4958">under the title of Oupnekhat {id est, Secreticm I'egendum) opus ipsa</span><span id="yiv1343879299yui_3_16_0_1_1444361184437_4893">in India rarissimum, etc. etc.."</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This latin version got in the hands of German Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, and was later translated into German by Friederich Max Muller for Philosopher Friedrich Schelling. Later this was translated into many European languages.</span><span style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444448219114_4317" style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dara Sukoh was a patron of fine arts, poetry and dance. He was well read in classical Persian literature. He himself had written poems in Persian. He had expressed his sufistic views in beautiful quatrains and Gazals. He was an accomplished artist and calligraphist. He had left a collection of his paintings and calligraphy collected from 1630 till his death in an album known as "Dara Shukoh Album", which is believed to be in British Library now.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On February 1, 1633 AD, Dara Shikoh married Karim-un-Nisa Nadira Banu Begum, his first cousin, daughter of his paternal uncle Sultan Parvez Mirza. They led a happy and successful married life. Dara never took another woman as wife. Though the couple had eight children, only two sons and two daughters survived.</span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444448219114_5060" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444448219114_5059">Emporer Shah Jahan formally declared his elest son Dara Shukoh as his heir on September 10, 1642 AD. and granted him the title "<i>Shahzada-e- Buland Iqbal" </i></span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Prince of High Fortune. </span></div>
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<span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444448219114_5580" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444448219114_5579">How ever, the spate of misfortunes overtook the life of the Prince when Emporer Shah Jahan fell ill in September 1657AD. A desperate power struggle triggered among the four Princes. Aurangzeb and Murad joined togather and defeated Prince Dara in the battle of Samugarh. Aurangzeb grabbed the throne in 1658 AD, and imprisoned his father in Agra Fort, where Shah Jahan died after eight years. Dara had to run away to Sindh to seek the help of Malik Jiwan, Afghan Chieftain. Later Dara was caught by Aurangzeb due to the treachery of the same Malik Jiwan, and brought to Delhi and humiliated. At the instance of Aurangzeb, Prince Dara was accused of infidelity and heresy by a religious court and put in prison and executed on </span></span><span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444448219114_6558" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">August 30, 1659 AD. </span><span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1444448219114_6560" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">under Royal decree issed by Aurangzeb. It is said after his death his head was cut and sent on a platter to his father Shah Jahan lamenting in Agra fort.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhosKBYWXlk/Vhi2tFgCj7I/AAAAAAAADOw/WRiWZdexyNo/s1600/Dara%2BShikoh%2527s%2BTomb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhosKBYWXlk/Vhi2tFgCj7I/AAAAAAAADOw/WRiWZdexyNo/s200/Dara%2BShikoh%2527s%2BTomb.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Had this gentle and pious intellectual Prince ruled our Country, history would have taken a different course of religious tolerance and amity. Prince Dara Shikoh was a devout Muslim, it is said he used to chant Allah's name before translating Upanishads.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">His body lies buried in a nondescript grave in the burial complex at Emperor Humayun's tomb in Delhi.</span></div>
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Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-21948830647869648752015-05-29T21:19:00.001+05:302015-05-29T21:25:21.673+05:30TEARS OF LORD SHIVA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tears of Lord Shiva:</div>
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There is a holy pond in Pakistan along with hindu temple complex in Katas raj. This ancient Hindu Temple complex is situated 40 Kms from Chakwal city in the District of same name in Punjab, Pakistan. The locals call the complex as <span class="yiv5225153746" id="yiv5225153746yui_3_16_0_1_1428555237841_9199" style="color: #565656; font-family: arial; font-size: 12.8800001144409px;">“Qila Katas Hindhu mandir".The main temple</span><span class="yiv5225153746" id="yiv5225153746yui_3_16_0_1_1428555237841_9243" style="color: #565656; font-family: arial; font-size: 12.8800001144409px;"> is a dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that the temple has been in existance prior to the days of Mahabharata and the Pandavas have spent substantial part of their period of exile at this holy place. It is also believed that this is the pond where the famous dialogue between the Yaksha and King Yuthishitra known as "Yakshaprasnam" had taken place.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv5225153746"><span id="yiv5225153746yui_3_16_0_1_1432610919640_10036" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6099996566772px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">As per the mythological account origin of this temple and tank is related to Sathi devi's death. It is believed that after the death of his beloved consort, lord Shiva shed tears so much and so long that the tears from one eye of the Lord is said to have created the holy pond at Katas, ( Keta-aksha in Sanskrit means 'weeping eye',). And tears from the other eye has created the holy tank at Pushkar, near Ajmer, Rajastan. </span></span></div>
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<div class="yiv5225153746" dir="ltr" id="yiv5225153746yui_3_16_0_1_1428555237841_9039" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5225153746" id="yiv5225153746yui_3_16_0_1_1432610919640_9600" style="color: #565656; font-family: arial; font-size: 12.8800001144409px;">According to historians, during Gandhara age, scholars from many parts of the world have visited Katas raj to study in the famous University established here.</span><span class="yiv5225153746" id="yiv5225153746yui_3_16_0_1_1432610919640_9873" style="color: #565656; font-family: arial; font-size: 12.8800001144409px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">This is the place where the famous Persian Scholar Al Bairuni, who had written " Kitab- Al-Hind",after exploring the religious faith practiced in India had spent some period of stay at Katas raj to learn Sanskrit in the linguistic University, established there. Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang said to have visited this place around 630 AD and mentions about Katas in his writings. </span><span id="yiv5225153746yui_3_16_0_1_1432785405325_5743" style="color: #565656; font-family: arial; font-size: 12.8800001144409px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">According to one account most of these temples were built by Hind-shahi kings (650-950 AD) driven from Afghanistan by their ethinic cousin Mahmud of Ghazni they fled the region and set a base in Katas. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6099996566772px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6099996566772px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">Prior to partition in 1947 , this Temple complex has attracted tens and thousands of Hindu pilgrims from the sub-continent, and other parts of the world, through out the year. However after the partition the flow subsided and virtually came to an end after 1965 war. </span><span class="yiv4482303573" id="yiv4482303573yui_3_16_0_1_1428636787228_4835" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6099996566772px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span class="yiv4482303573" id="yiv4482303573yui_3_16_0_1_1428636787228_4834" style="font-size: 12.6099996566772px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"> In 2005, at the invitation of General Musharraf </span></span><span class="yiv4482303573" id="yiv4482303573yui_3_16_0_1_1428636787228_5311" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6099996566772px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">then President of Pakistan,</span><span class="yiv4482303573" id="yiv4482303573yui_3_16_0_1_1428636787228_5312" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6099996566772px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"> Shri L.K.Advani visited Katas Raj to launth the renovation </span><span id="yiv4482303573yui_3_16_0_1_1432800615428_6888" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6099996566772px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">program of Katas Raj Temple complex initiated by the Government of Pakistan. And the Indian government was quick to dispatch an Archaeological Survey of India team to survey Katas Raj and facilitate a whistle stop tour of Indian temples for Pakistani archaeologists. Accordingly the Pakistani delegation led by the Punjab Archaelogy Director General Oriya Jan Maqbool was on a 10 day trip to study Hindu architecture and customs, and visited several important Temples in India. The first three year phase of renovation was the complex at the cost of Rs 60.3 million was completed in 2007. A "Siva Linga" was installed and consecrated on February 16, 2007.</span><span style="color: #464646; font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 26px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #464646; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"> </span></div>
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Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-63077483541689337882014-01-25T10:29:00.000+05:302015-03-18T19:22:22.726+05:30First Tamil Printed Book.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmCyrUKJLrg/UuNEM6p71EI/AAAAAAAABM0/Q1SQqjVn8pQ/s1600/Thambiran_Vanakkam_1578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmCyrUKJLrg/UuNEM6p71EI/AAAAAAAABM0/Q1SQqjVn8pQ/s1600/Thambiran_Vanakkam_1578.JPG" height="200" width="131" /></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">When I was searching for information on Religious conversions in India, I stepped into some interesting information, one among them was, that the printing in First non European language was Tamil. Here is a brief account of the same:</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> தமிழின் முதல் அச்சு புத்தகம்</span><br />
<a href="http://www.tamilbrahmins.com/attachments/general-discussions/3319d1390198730-religious-conversion-thambiran_vanakkam_1578.jpg" id="attachment3319" rel="Lightbox_226040" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #da7911; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">"ஆகாசமும் பூமியும் படச்சவன் சர்வமும் ஆனவனே, பிதாவே தம்பிரானே விசுவாசம். அவ்வண்ணம் என்னடே கர்த்தாவே யேசு கிறிஸ்து அவ்வனடே புத்ரனே ஒருவனே. சுத்தமான சித்தத்தினொடெய கருணே கொண்டு கெற்பம் ஆயி: கன்னியாஸ்திரி மரியத்தில் பெறந்தவன்: போஞ்சியு பிலாத்து விதித்த விதிகொண்டு வெசனப்பட்டு: குருசினில் தூக்கிச் செத்தான்: குழில் வைத்து.."</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Above is a passage is from the first Tamil Printed book " Thambiran Vanakkam" (தம்பிரான் வணக்கம்) printed in India in 1578. It is a matter of record Tamil was the first non-European Language to be printed in movable type. The credit should go to the untiring efforts of a Portuguese Jesuit Priest Fr.Anrique Anriquez (1520–1600) better known as Fr.Henrique Henriques, who spent most of his life in missionary activities among Paravars in South India. He strongly believed that books of religious doctrines should be in local languages and to this end he wrote books in Tamil. The first such book printed in Tamil Script was<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Thambiran Vanakkam</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(தம்பிரான் வணக்கம்) (1578), a 16-page translation of the Portuguese “Doctrina Christam”. It was followed by</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Kirisithiyaani Vanakkam<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">(கிரிசித்தியானி வணக்கம்)(1579). These were works of catechism, containing the basic prayers of Catholicism. Before this ‘Cartilha’, a Tamil prayer book printed using Latin script, was printed in Lisbon by command of the King of Portugal and financed by the Paravar Christians community of Tuticorin, who also helped with scholarly assistance. The first known Tamil typeset for printing was cast in 1577 at Goa by a Spanish Jesuit Fr Juan Gonsalvez "who succeeded in making</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Malauar</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Tamil) printing press". The first Tamil Book "Tambiranvanakkam" was printed in this Printing Press at Kollam, Malabar.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Fr Henrique Henriques is sometimes called The Father of the Tamil Press. After his death his mortal remains were buried in Our Lady of Snows Basilica in Tuticorin, India.</span></div>
Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-73966004557199292272014-01-25T10:08:00.002+05:302014-01-25T10:08:48.585+05:30Roberto de Nobili (1577- 1656)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Roberto de Nobili (1577- 1656)</b><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N3bmpAdPuuo/UuM_Yj-OGOI/AAAAAAAABMk/zcUw7nWLuFQ/s1600/Roberto_de_Nobili_(1577-1656),_gravure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N3bmpAdPuuo/UuM_Yj-OGOI/AAAAAAAABMk/zcUw7nWLuFQ/s1600/Roberto_de_Nobili_(1577-1656),_gravure.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">I wish to share information about Rev Fr. Roberto de Nobili who spent many years to propagate Christianity among the Tamils.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Roberto de Nobili was an Italian Jesuit born in Montepulciano, Tuscany, in September,1577. He was the first son of a nobleman, a general in the papal army. After his father's demise at the age of seventeen Roberto chose to join the Society of Jesus founded by Ignatious Loyola, in spite of opposition from his family,which had contributed numerous clerics to the Church , including several Cardinals and at two Popes.Thus in 1596, ignoring his family's wishes, he entered the Jesuit novitiate with the intention of becoming a foreign missionary. After a brilliant course of studies he sailed for the Indian mission in October, 1604, arriving at Goa on 20 May, 1605.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">After a short stay at Cochin and among the fishermen in coramandal Coast, he moved in November, 1606, to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Madurai</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">, great cultural center of Tamils ruled by Telugu Nayaks, patrons of Vedic learning and Hinduism. Here he spent close to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: #fafafa; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(218, 121, 17) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; color: rgb(218, 121, 17) !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important; position: static; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline !important; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">next</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>fifty years in the service of his Lord.The policy of Portuguese clergy until then was to try and achieve to increase the number of converts, by conversion of the downtrodden lower classes to Christianity, sometimes forcefully, hardly making contacts with the upper castes. They set strict rules after conversions, getting the new recruits to eat meat, change their entire ways of life etc which earned them no good will, the converts were still considered lower class. The revised priority in India, therefore for the Jesuits, was to free Hindus from the stranglehold of the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Brahmins</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>as set by St Xavier. The resident Jesuit priest in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Madurai</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>was making not much headway with conversions and not a single Brahmin could be converted thus far. Instead the Portuguese and their Priests earned the sobriquet of Pirangis or Firangis, unclean white-men, bracketed with lower class people.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Soon, Fr.Roberto de Nobili understood the iron bound Caste system that held the Hindu society strongly. As a result, he decided to move ahead and accept the restrictions of caste and refuse to condemn any social custom or idea in this regard. First, he tried to ally the fear that he was a Portuguese (Pirangi) Priest, but a holy man from Italy like a Brahmin in India.. He moved from the missionary compound into a house in the Brahmin quarter of the city and shaved his head and sported a tuft of hair. He spoke only Tamil, hired a Brahmin cook and houseboy, and became a vegetarian. Like many<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Brahmins</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">, Roberto de Nobili limited himself to one meal a day. He abandoned the black cassock and leather wear of the Jesuits for a saffron robe and wooden clogs. He put sandalwood paste on his forehead to like a Brahmin priest and even wore sacred thread across his shoulder for some time, as a sign of his caste rank.. He referred to himself as an ascetic or a sannyasi. Eventually, he preferred the company of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Brahmins</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and even ate only with them. He bathed daily and cleansed himself ceremonially before saying mass. Thus it looked, instead of converting<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Brahmins</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">, he converted himself as a Brahmin !</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">With the help of his scholarly Brahmin associate in the School run by Catholics, he learnt Sanskrit, Tamil and Telugu. In two years he mastered these languages to the extend of conversing fluently in Tamil and Telugu, and studying Sacred Texts of Vedas and Upanishads. Perhaps de Nobili was the " first European to study those venerable classics". In 1613 de Nobili wrote a detailed treatise on Hindu customs, and importance of careful adaptation of missionary methods, "Preaching Wisdom to the Wise- Three Treatises by Roberto de Nobili" which his Portuguese Jesuit superiors disagreed. However in 1623 Pope Gregory XV issued a papal document, that largely approved de Nobili's approach. Through the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">next</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>forty-five years he wrote over twenty volumes of Catholic teachings in Sanskrit and Tamil.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Roberto de Nobili was a polyglot well versed in fourteen languages. "He composed Catechisms, apologetic works and philosophic discourses in Tamil, and contributed greatly to the development of modern Tamil prose writing". "As he expounded the Christian doctrine in Tamil he coined several words to communicate his message. He used the word "Kovil" (கோவில்) for a place of worship, "arul" (அருள்) and "prasadam" "(பிரசாதம்) for grace, "guru" (குரு) for priest or teacher, "Vedam" (வேதம்) for the Bible, "poosai" (பூசை) for Mass, etc".</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Regarding number of Brahmin converts by de Nobili, there are different numbers given in books. But it was not significant. The reason as one author said, by getting converted,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Brahmins</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>viewed that they gain nothing. They enjoy status in society, looked after well by the rulers and the rich. Then why should they convert themselves to a new religion.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">During his final years Roberto de Nobili courted many controversies and banished to Jaffna, where he had lost much of his eye sight. Eventually the Church refused to allow him back to his favorite Madurai, instead sent to San Thome, Mylapore, Madras, where after spending eight years as a broken, penniless and blind man Rev.Fr.Roberto de Nobili, the Count of Civitella died in the year 1656. His tomb is not identified till now.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Brahmanyan,</span></div>
Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-27986541180580854342013-09-23T19:29:00.001+05:302013-09-23T19:44:46.079+05:30Where could we find those kind of people today?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Where could we find those kind of people today?</h2>
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While browsing the internet I stepped into a news item, that took my memory to an incident which happened long back, some time in 1958 or 59. I was returning from Madras to Coimbatore by Nilgiri Express. When the train started from Central two gentlemen rushed to the compartment and got in. It was a third class reserved compartment for sitting. In those days there was no sleeper Compartments. One person was fair and lean, wearing Khadi kurtha, dhothi and a towel over his shoulder and the other was little dark complexioned wearing white shirt, dhothi and a towel over his shoulder. They were allotted seats nearby in the same bench. They were carrying ordinary bags containing their clothes and some documents. They were discussing some politics and the assembly proceedings for some time. The ticket examiner came and when he saw them he respectfully enquired about their welfare and asked whether they would like to upgrade their tickets to travel by first class. The two gentlemen told that it is OK for them to travel by third class.<br />
<br />
The fair gentleman turned to me and introduced himself as K.R.Nallasivam, MLA from Chennimalai and the other was N.K.Palaniswami also a MLA ( Communist) from next constituency. He told they would get down at Erode, till then we can adjust and sleep in the available space on the bench.In the meanwhile Sri.Palaniswami climbed up on the luggage rack and spread his towel to sleep. I could not believe at the simplicity and ease with which they moved with others. Later I came to know that Sri K.R.Nallasivam from Kodumudi was an agriculturist and respected Congressman turned staunch Socialist and spent his entire life in the service of people.<br />
He was an MLA for nineteen years from 1952 to 1971 , but did not own any property.<br />
Now please read the news item in the following URL:<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: garamond;"><br /></span></span><a href="http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/16/stories/2008021651830300.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #da7911; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Erode News : Cheque given to former MLA’s wife</a></blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
ERODE:<span style="line-height: normal;">Saturday, Feb 16, 2008:</span>The wife of a former MLA was presented a cheque for Rs. 2 lakh.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
K.R. Nallasivam, a veteran Socialist leader and All India President of SP, represented the then Chennimalai Constituency as MLA from 1952 to 1957, again from 1957 to 1962 and also from 1962 to 1967.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
Then, after formation of Modakurichi constituency in 1967, he became the first MLA of the constituency of the Socialist Party contesting on the banyan tree symbol. He represented the constituency till 1971. He died in 1975 after a brief ailment.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
He left behind his wife, son and daughter. He was not having any immoveable property and on lease he and his son maintained four acres of land, owned by the Thiruvaduthurai Aadheenam.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
After his death his son is maintaining the land. Nallasivam’s wife Saraswathy aged 72 now, and her son N. Ravindran are in poor status.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
Coming to know of this, the present Congress MLA representing Modakurichi, R.M. Palanisamy, raised the issue in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and spoke about the family circumstances of K.R. Nallasivam.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
Immediately, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi declared that on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Government, a sum of Rs. 2 lakh would be given to N. Saraswathy, wife of late K.R. Nallasivam.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
The cheque for Rs. 2 lakh was handed over to her on Thursday by the Handlooms and Textiles Minister N.K.K.P. Raja in the presence of R.M. Palanisamy MLA and Chairman of the Erode Panchayat Council S.V. Saravanan.</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Receiving the cheque, N. Saraswathy thanked the Chief Minister for the timely help rendered to her.</span><br />
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<br />
Brahmanyan,<br />
Bangalore.</blockquote>
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Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-1272919334088712232013-03-10T19:00:00.000+05:302015-03-18T19:22:52.385+05:30RAVANA BRAHMA - A multi faceted personality. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siva Thandava</td></tr>
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<b>RAVANA BRAHMA - A multi faceted personality. </b><br />
<br />
Ravana was a multi faced personality. The formidable king of Lanka
almost came close to becoming an unquestioned ruler of the three
worlds. The great epic Ramayana is as much about the defeat of Ravana
as much as it is also about the life of Sri Rama, King of Ayodhya. So,
had Ravana learnt the lesson of controlling his ambitions, it would
not have been necessary for Lord Vishnu to incarnate upon earth as Sri
Rama. <br />
<br />
<br />
Ravana was a direct descendant of Lord Brahma and Brahmin by birth. He was blessed with the very best of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">parents</span>.
His father was the great Sage Vishravas who was the son of Maharishi
Pulastya Prajapathi (one of the mind born Saptarishis) and the grandson
of none other than Lord Brahma himself. Maharishi Agasthya Muni was the
brother of Sage Vishravas. Sage Vishravas had married Devavarni the
daughter of rishi Bharadwaja and Princess Kaikasi the daughter of
Sumali. While Kubera was the son of Devavarni, Ravana was the son of
Princess Kaikesi. His mother Princess Kaikesi was the daughter of King
Sumali of the Daithyas or Asuras. The Daithyas were descends of Diti,
the second wife of Sage Kashyapa, thus were brothers to the Devas who
were descended from Aditi, Kashyapa’s first wife. <br />
<br />
Princess Kaikesi was a very ambitious lady and that the Sage Vishravas
recognized her true ambitions when she asked him to marry her. Sage
Vishravas also warned Princess Kaikesi that , their offspring may turn
out to be bad. But, this information did not deter Princess Kaikesi who
was soon blessed several children.The eldest of Princess Kaikesi’s
children was Ravana. At birth Ravana was given the name of Dashanana or
Dasagriva, since he was said to have the mental strength of ten
people. He was an exemplary scholer and mastered all the Vedas and
Sastras under his father. He was a great Veena player. He was a
Samavedin. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Siva and known for his Siva
Tandava. Due to this only he was named Ravana by none else than by the
Lord Siva himself. He had two younger brothers namely Vibhishana and
Kumbakarna. In addition, Kaikesi gave birth to a daughter by the name
Soorpanakha. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
However different sources cite Ravana having more siblings than the
ones named. For instance, Ravana is said to have had a brother named
Mahiravana who was a powerful magician and became the ruler of the
netherworld. In addition, there is also mention of Khara and Dushana
in the Ramayana. But, all sources agree that Ravana also had a half
brother older than him, Kubera, the lord of wealth, the first son of
Vishravas. Ravana always had a contentious relationship with his half
brother.<br />
<br />
As a child Ravana was very diligent and intelligent, an ideal scholar
in all respects. However, his father also noted that Ravana tended to be
arrogant and aggressive, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">taking after</span>
his maternal side. Ravana was very well educated and he was recognized
as a learned and proficient individual even by his enemies. He
mastered the Vedas, Shastras and the ways of the Kshatriyas. His
mastery in the use of every weapon was well known and he was a great
sorcerer. His father Sage Vishravas must have realized that Ravana was
meant to rule a kingdom. However, he also noted that Ravana tended to
be arrogant and aggressive, taking after his maternal side.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ravana performed several yagnas as a Brahmin including the one for no
other than Lord Shiva and Parvati themselves. The puranas tell us about the magnitude of Ravana’s learning and skill. He was unmatched in his knowledge of the <i>nitishastra</i>. Indeed, after his defeat towards the end of the Ramayana, Rama orders his brother Lakshmana to learn the art of <i>nitishastra</i> from the dying Ravana. In addition, he was a renowned Veena
player, his personal emblem being the Veena. Already a great musician
and scholar, Ravana added <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD8">leadership</span>
qualities to his list of virtues. He was the undisputed leader amongst
his siblings and even after growing up, his brothers and sister except
Vibheshana would primarily defer to his judgment despite having
differences of opinion.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ravana had several wives but foremost among them was Queen Mandodari
daughter of Maya.She was known for her beauty, grace and chastity. She
was one of the pancha kanyas according to Hindu mythology and merely
reminding her name is said to wash away all the sins. Princess
Mandodari was the daughter of Maya the divine architect and Hema a
celestial dancer. Maya was a descendant of Diti and hence was an asura .
Thus Maya was known as Mayasura and also as Maya Ditya.<br />
<br />
After nearly completing his domination of the worlds, Ravana returned
to Lanka to rule over his dominions. As a citadel designed by none
other than Vishwakarma,the architect of the Gods, Lanka was <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">matchless</span>.
Its walls were strong and well defended. A guardian spirit watched
over the main gate ensuring that enemies never entered the city. The
legends talk about the wealth of Lanka during the rule of Ravana. It
was said that hungar was virtually not known and even the poor ate out
of vessels of gold and silver. Ravana himself was credited to have been
a very able and benevolent administrator. He was ably aided in this by
his brother Vibheshana who continued to follow the path of Dharma above
all things. Vibheshana was with Ravana and helped to moderate all his
orders until he got banished from the kingdom for speaking against the
abduction of Sita, wife of Rama.<br />
Ravana’s life was a classic example of brilliance gone wrong. He had
gained the very best instruction and was truly great in his abilities
and achievements, a fact that was appreciated by his favorite <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD7">God Shiva</span>.
However,unfortunately he never learnt the virtue of humility. His
arrogance and conceit proved to be his nemesis. Instead of following
the path of Dharma, he chose to flout it time and again. Instead of
gaining fame for his countless good qualities, Ravana became known for
his improper behavior towards humans and women in particular. His
atrocities kept growing in <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">number</span> and eventually became so terrible, that it took an incarnation of Lord Vishnu to subdue him.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">Absolute power</span> corrupts
absolutely and the mighty Ravana moved from one blunder to another,
angering many a mortal and God in the bargain. A true devotee of Lord
Shiva , Ravana is said to have composed the "Shiva Tandava Stotra"
while trying to gain boons from Shiva. Shiva who was busy at the moment
dancing the tandava with his consort Parvati knew of his devotee’s
intentions but chose to ignore them. Ravana decided to lift the Kailasa
Mountain, the abode of Lord Shiva and take it with him to Lanka. Lord
Shiva, in turn enraged by Ravana’s presumptions trod heavily back with
his toe, nearly crushing Ravana in the process. It is at this time that
Ravana realized his mistake and begged the Lord to end the misery,
even sacrificing his numerous heads to the God. A calm Shiva appeared
before Ravana and presented him with the <i>Atma <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">Lingam</span> </i>after formally naming him Ravanasura. Ravana continued on his way back to Lanka taking the <i>Atma Lingam</i>
with him only to lose it on the way. The spot is now said to be
Rameshwaram today.In the end, as he lay dying on the battlefield, holding on to the very last breath and giving Lakshmana instruction on Nitishastra and proper administration, Ravana is said to have commented dryly, “<i>Never assume that you have all the time in the world and take nothing for granted. Never procrastinate. I conquered the </i><br />
<i>Heavens
and imprisoned Yama, the lord of Death to my bedstead and Shani, the
ninth planet under my throne. I told myself that I will always have
time to finish them later. What good did this </i><i>procrastination do? They
prevailed anyway.”</i><br />
.I<br />
<br />
There is an interesting anectode about one class of Brahmins known as
"Saryuparin Brahmins" in North India. When Lord Rama returned to
Ayodhya after his victory in Lanka, he wanted to perform "Aswamedha
Yagna". For this purpose he invited the local Brahmins to perform the
yagna. But they refused the offer since Rama did the sin of
Brahma-hatya by killing Ravana, the son of a Brahmin. However some
Brahmin families acceped the request of Lord Rama and performed the
Yagna. For which they got Lands and wealth at the other side of River
Sarayu. Thus the descendants of these families are called "Sarayupari
Brahmins" even today. These Brahmins are also called "Kanyakubja
Brahmins". Their families spread over many places in UP and Madhya
Pradesh.One of the famous persons belonging to the "Kanyakubja
Brahmins" sect is Sri Atal Behari Vajapayeeji.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-45125741951328629892009-11-29T12:33:00.038+05:302009-12-16T09:56:01.686+05:30Sripuram Golden Temple - Manifestation of Divine Opulence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5oOia_8E8aw/SxdYeL7Pu_I/AAAAAAAAAYY/gPAc1KXdym0/s1600-h/sripuram-temple.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410890752929545202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5oOia_8E8aw/SxdYeL7Pu_I/AAAAAAAAAYY/gPAc1KXdym0/s200/sripuram-temple.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="justify">Our visit to the Lakshmi Narayani Temple also known as <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mahalakshmi</span> <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Temple,</span> at <em><strong>Sripuram,</strong></em> Vellore yesterday, (November, 28, 2009) was a memorable one for me. When I saw the magnificent Creation of the Golden Temple, the following lines from Chapter 10 of <em><strong>Bhagavat Gita</strong></em> came to my mind. </p><p align="justify"><p class="PostContent" align="justify"><em><strong><span style="DISPLAY: none"></span></strong></em></p><span style="DISPLAY: none"></span><br /><em>yad yad vibhutimat sattvam srimad urjitam eva va<br />tat tad evavagaccha tvammama tejo-’msa-sambhavam</em> (BG.Ch.10(41) <p></p><p class="PostContent" align="justify">"<strong><em>Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor“</em></strong></p><p class="PostContent" align="justify"><strong>Sri Madhwacharya</strong> in his commentary to this Sloka says</p><p class="PostContent" align="justify">“In whatever forms the manifestations of majesty, greatness, beauty and power are seen, they should be known as minuscule fractions of Lord Krishna's <i><strong>vibhuti</strong></i> or divine, transcendental opulence“.</p><p class="PostContent" align="justify">Indeed that is what we have at <em><strong>Sripuram Sri Lakshminarayani Golden Temple. </strong></em></p><p class="PostContent" align="justify"><em><strong>Sri Narayani Peedam</strong></em> is located in <em><strong>Malaikkodi (Tirumalaikkodi)</strong></em><span style="font-size:85%;">மலைக்கோடி </span><style></style><span style="font-size:85%;">(திருமலைகோடி</span>) a small village just 8 Kms from <em><strong>Vellore. Sri Arul Sakthi Amma</strong></em>.( Lovingly called as Amma). the chief of <em><strong>Sri Narayani Peedam</strong></em> is the motivating power for the entire scheme of activities in the <em>Narayani Peedam</em>. Sri Sakthi Amma is just 33 years old. But the amount of work he has done with in the short span of 16 years after instituting the <em>Narayani Peedam</em> supports the view that Sri Sakthi Amma is a chosan <em>Avatar</em> to perform this great job ordained by the divinity. The Mahalakshmi Golden Temple at Srpuram is an extraordinary work of art. Magnificent in every respect. This wonderful work of art is situated in the midst of 100 acres of lush green landscape. The Temple complex covering 55,000 sq.ft. area is surrounded by six cornered star shaped 3.5 kms of pathway. The first glimpse of this awe inspiring sight of the Golden Temple stops our mind to silence. Soon the query arises “<em>How could this be possible</em>? “.It is an architectural marvel, which has consumed 1.5 Tonnes of pure Gold and seven years of intelligent labour by traditional artists. This temple is designed under <em>Agamic</em> rules of Dravidian Temple architecture with an <em>Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam</em> and <em>Garbagruham</em>. The main <em>Gopuram</em> or Tower is on the <em>Garbagruham</em>. It looks that the roofing on the <em>Ardha mandapam</em> and <em>Maha Mandapam</em> has been done on traditional <em>Chola</em> Architecture. The main <em>Gopuram</em> reminds us that of the <em>Gopuram </em>on the <em>Garbagruham</em> of <em>Sri Venkateswara Temple at Tirumalai..</em> The Temple itself has 36 ornately decorated Pillars, all covered with Gold and there are 15 crystal chandeliers hung in the <em>Maha Mandapam. </em>Every part of the Temple is decorated with mythical figurines, flowers and animals. All covered in Gold. These are fantastic work of Art, planned and executed meticulously. </p><p class="PostContent" align="justify">.After visiting the magnificent Golden Temple while we were on the way to the old Swayambu Temple, we met the young man whom our host, who took us round the Holy abode of <em>Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple</em> and <em>Narayani Peedam</em>, introduced him as the Chief of the team of 400 specialised Gold and Coppersmiths from TTD who had completed the Golden Temple of <strong><em>Sri Puram,</em></strong> near Vellore. What a surprise! I never thought I would meet the person who had blessings of God to create such a magnificent Structure designed and guided by <em>Sri Arul Sakthi Amma</em><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p class="PostContent" align="justify"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Sri Narayani Peedam</span> under the guidance of <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Amma</span> has initiated several charitable projects for the welfare of people in the surrounding villages. That includes Specialty Hospital and health care, educational insatitutions, Drinking water programme, Aforestisation scheme , Child care, shelter for destitutes etc.<br /></p><p class="PostContent" align="justify">I am not going into the cost of these projects . It is my view that money well spent for the welfare of humanity deserves to be encouraged. All arrangements for the Pilgrim are excellent. The Security is tight and stringent, but very polite. No where we experience any difficulty..Proper guidance, assistance and information available inside the complex. More information on Sripuram is available in the following website:</p><p class="PostContent" align="justify"><a href="http://www.sripuram.org/">http://www.sripuram.org/</a><span id="main" style="VISIBILITY: visible"><span id="search" style="VISIBILITY: visible"><cite> </cite></span></span></p><p class="PostContent" align="justify"><span style="VISIBILITY: visible"><span style="VISIBILITY: visible"><cite><a href="http://www.narayanipeedam.org/">www.narayanipeedam.org/</a> </cite></span></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Brahmanyan </div>Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-48578663973997256262009-10-15T19:37:00.000+05:302009-10-15T19:38:47.602+05:30Happy Deepavali<p><span style="color:#ff1493;"><strong>Best Wishes</strong> for a <strong>Happy Deepavali.</strong></span></p> <p>In Southern part of India Deepavali celebrated as <em>Narakachathurdasi</em> to commemorate “Victory over evil” for killing of demon King Narakasura ruler of kingdom of <em>Pragjothisha</em> in Assam by <em>Sri Krishna</em> with the help of his consort <em>Sathyabhama</em>. It is a big festival in Tamil Nadu. The event is celebrated with early morning oil bath, wearing new dresses, lighting of lamps and pooja. Burning fire crakers and distribution of sweets amongst friends and relatives have become a must.</p> <p>Regards,</p> <p>Brahmanyan</p>Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-32208863821247874732009-07-01T21:31:00.002+05:302009-07-01T21:42:36.473+05:30Srimad Ramayanam.<h2><a id="viewpost.ascx_TitleUrl" href="http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/archive/2007/09/17/4781032.aspx">Srimad Ramayanam.</a></h2>A lively controversy is going on in our Country about Rama-Sethu, Rama and Ramayanam now. It all started with the plan of building a water way for shipping cutting across the legendary Rama-sethu in Palk Straits. Our, self proclaimed "noted Historians" and experts jumped in the debate as usual after reading news reports. Some of them had gone to the extent of doubting the legitimacy of Valmiki Ramayanam as well. Our visual media who are waiting like hawks for a controversy opened up debates and panel discussions with known political faces, on the subject. In the mean while our Dr.Subrahmanyan Swami (who else!) tookup the matter to the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the construction and got a stay order too. In response to the Court order the Union Government asked the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to file an affidavit in the SC. The Minister incharge of Cultural Affairs, as usual, had gone on tour, this time to to Japan to attend some meeting and left the matter in the able hands of ASI.<p> </p><p>Well, here comes the interesting part of the story. As per "The Indian Express" the Central Government told the SC that "contents of Valmiki Ramayana, the Ramacharitamanas by Tulsidas and other mythological texts, which admittedly form an important part of ancient Indian literature...cannot be said to be historical record to incontrovertibly prove the existence of the characters, or the occurrence of the events, depicted therein".</p><p> </p><p>ASI in their counter affidavit on behalf of the Government said further that "Adam's Bridge is merely a sand and coral formation which cannot be said to be of historical , archaeological or artistic interest of importance". Reminding the court that it had in a separate case defined archaeology as "a study of human history and prehistory through excavation of sites and analysis of physical remains", the ASI said the" Adam's Bridge site cannot, therefore, be said to be of any archaeological interest".</p><p> </p><p>"Unless these ingredients are satisfied, the question of construing Adam's Bridge as an ancient monument and declaring it as a protected monument does not arise".</p><p> </p><p>Understandably ASI has defined the correct position. But the question is .who is to do this job? It is the job of ASI only. If so,why it has not been done before arriving at the conclusion. For this also ASI has an answer. The ASI said that the formation known as 'Adam's Bridge' has till date not been declared as a "protected area" or a "protected monument" or as an "ancient monument". under the provisions of the Act as there has been no occasion for it to even make a <span style="font-style: italic;">primafacie</span> determination that the said formation could be an ancient monument entitled to protection and therefore the ASI has not undertaken any study in this regard as yet. But concluded "After considering the available materiel the ASI has reasonably concluded that the formation known as Ramar sethu/Adam's Bridge is not a man made structure, but rather a natural structure made up of shoals/sand bars".</p><p> </p><p> Laymen like me wonder how could a professional body like ASI could file a determined Affidavit with the highest Judicial forum like Supreme Court of India on such a sensitive issue without undertaking proper investigative study. Interestingly, foreign agencies who had done better study with satellite imagery have not come to a conclusion for certain.</p><p> </p><p> Sethusamudram Project was planned since many years. Originally proposed by Com. A.D.Taylor of British Marine in 1860, it did not take off for one reason or other in spite of examination by many committees appointed by then Governments. But from the records, it seems there has been extensive sampling and research done on various levels to satisfy the economic viability of the Project. The idea is to shorten the navigable distance by 784 KMS and 30 hours of journey for ships proceeding from Eastern Ports in Bay of Bengal to ports in Arabian Sea. Also the project is expected to give a boost to the economic and industrial development of coastal Tamil Nadu. That's a good point indeed.</p><p> </p><p>Ultimately after considering various reports the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project (SSCP) was finalised in 2000-01. "The SSCP envisages dredging of Two ship channels across the Palk Straits between India and Sri Lanka. One across north of Adam's bridge (Rama Sethu) chain of islets and shallows linking India with Sri Lanka South east of Pamban Island and the other through the shallows of Palk Bay by deepening the Palk Straits. The total length of these two channels would be 89 Kms".</p><p> </p><p> Next let us consider what are the objections for taking up the Project. First the ecological and environment objections. The Gulf of Mannar and Palk bay covering about 10,500 Sq.Kms are biologically rich and rated among the most highly productive seas in the world. This region provides livelyhood for several lakhs of fishermen in coastal villages of Tamil Nadu from Ramanathapuram to Tutucorin Districts. The fear is that after completion of this project the noise pollution due to shipping activity would cause enormous ecological disaster and irreparable loss to the system with devastating effect on aquatic life which was built by nature over millions of years. This will affect the fishing community in a big way. The Government had considered this aspect carefully and the experts appointed by them had given detailed reports on every aspect affecting socio-economic environment profiles and ecological analysis.</p><p> </p><p>Second. Religious.To start with, how many of us knew the existance of Rama-sethu formation or visited the site, before this controversy ? Very few, perhaps only the fishermen around the place and the Government officials would have known about it. But Sage Valmiki who compiled Srimad Ramayana perhaps from some where in north had described Sethu bandanam in detail, as to how it was built under the supervision of Nala, more distinguished among the monkeys and son of Viswakarma.the celestial architect(Slokas 2-22-50 and 2-22-72). According to Valmiki Ramayanam the bridge across Sethu built by Nala in five days was of Ten Yojanas width and One Hundred Yojanas in length. Srimad Ramayanam is an "Itihasa", historical account passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. We must understand that Sage Valmiki had written the epic Ramayanam from the details as available to him. But when we read the epic we will understand his knowledge of Geographical locations is astounding. He did not have the facility of modern day Atlas or Sattalite imagery. But we can see all the locations mentioned in the Epic accurately even today. Hence I have to believe that the incidents mentioned in the great epic should have happened at some time or other in our country. Being a poet, Valmiki might have taken the liberty of deviating from the main story by"exaggeration and embellishment", just like any other poet. </p><p> </p><p>Faith and belief are beyond scientific scrutiny. This is very true in the matter relating to one's Religion. Most of the people who believe Ramayana and Sri Rama feel that what we see today in Rama-sethu is the remnants of the bridge built be Sri Rama and his associates, and it should not be disturbed for any reason. Some others are of the view that it is a natural formation. There are enough research material available supporting both sides of the arguement. But the fact is it is there, whether it is a man-made or natural formation.As for me it is a heritage site, and it should be protected.</p><p> </p><p>If we go through the history of the Sethusamudhram Project we find Nine Committees had done detailed study and presented proposals during the Pre-Independence era between 1860 and 1922, but no progress was made obviously due to lack of finance. Again the project was taken up and five fresh proposals were made during post independence period between 1956 and 1997. Almost all the committees had suggested cutting the canal north of Rameswaram Island. Finally a Committee under the chairmanship of Mr.H.R Lakshminarayan was constituted in 1981 to proceed further. The Committee collected the opinions and representations of the leading Public, Industrialists and Government Officials of the State. All of them accepted the importance of the Project and urged the Government to execute the scheme at the earliest. But the prominent citizens of Rameswaram Island represented that the canal would serve better if located east of Rameswaram Town as far as possible, as it would otherwise affect the movement of th pilgrims of the Temple town. Accepting the same the committee proposed a new alignment across Dhanushkodi one Km. from Kothandaramaswamy Temple.</p><p> </p><p> So far so good.</p><p> </p><p> Till then there was no objection from any quarters on Religious reasons. But the trouble started only when the politicians jumped into the project. It went to the extent of some worthies questioning the existence of Sri Rama! And some other has asked in which engineering college Sri Rama had studied. All unwanted comments. Which only added fuel to the fire. Now the Nation is spending its time and energy on an unwanted controversy.</p><p> </p><p> To avoid further division I feel it is time that the Government should take a fresh look at the entire project basing on the Report and the proposals given by the committee headed by Sir A,Ramaswamy Mudaliar in 1956, which had suggested the canal crossing the main land at Mandapam. This new alignment I hope will not disturb the Rama-sethu Heritage site.</p><p> </p><p class="postfoot"> posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 10 </p> <div id="main" style=""><link rel="pingback" href="http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/Services/Pingback.aspx"> <!-- <rdf:rdf rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" dc="http://www.indiatimes.com/dc/elements/1.1/" trackback="http://www.indiatimes.com/public/xml/rss/module/trackback/"> <rdf:description about="http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/archive/2007/09/17/4781032.aspx" identifier="http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/archive/2007/09/17/4781032.aspx" title="Srimad Ramayanam." ping="http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/services/trackbacks/4781032.aspx"> </rdf:RDF> --> <a name="feedback"> </a><div id="comments"> <h3><a name="feedback"></a></h3> <a name="feedback"> </a><h4> <a name="feedback"> </a><a name="4787107"></a><span></span></h4><h4> <a name="4786735"></a><span></span></h4><h4> <a name="4784728"></a><span></span></h4><h4> <a name="4783252"></a><span></span></h4><h4> <a name="4783240"></a><span></span></h4><h4> <a name="4782386"></a><span></span></h4></div></div>Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-10776237775218225552009-07-01T20:58:00.001+05:302009-07-02T12:55:10.819+05:30Koodalmanickyam Temple.<div class="post"> <h2> <a id="viewpost.ascx_TitleUrl" href="http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/archive/2006/10/15/2021386.aspx">Koodalmanickyam Temple.</a> </h2> I understand very few people would have known about a Temple is there for Sri Bharatha in Kerala.But, I have read about this Temple in some Magazines before. So I was particular to visit Koodalmanickyam this time when we took a Pilgrimage to Guruvayur and other Temples in Trissur District. <p>We drove to Koodalmanicyam from Trissur after visiting the famous Vadakkunathan Temple there. It was just 21 Kms. drive from Trissur. The road was good. We reached Irinjalakkuda by about 10.45 AM . This town I am told is known for its clenliness in Kerala. Yes I agree with that statement. Seems to be a prosperous place with lot of shops and good market area, filledup with all the modern things. </p><p>Koodalmanickyam Temple is in the western part of the Town, walkable distance from the main Bus stand. The Temple wecomes you with its impressive eastern <em>Gopuram </em>(gate way) built in Kerala style. But only when you enter the gateway you understand how big the Temple is. It is a Magnificient Temple, situated inside Ten acres site with compound walls built all around. It has an outer quadrangle. And the Sanctum-sanctorum (<em>Garbagruha</em>) of Main Temple is a huge round shaped conical structure covered by copper plates. The six foot Kalsa (called <em>Tazhikakudam</em> in malayalam) on the top adds to the majesty of the gopuram. </p><p>This Temple is known for its art and architectural beauty. There are old paintings (murals!) on the walls. There are wood and stone carvings on the walls and pillars. We were there after mid-day Pooja. We could see Huge"<em> Uruli</em>" type of old bellmetal containers full of "<em>Payasam</em>" and other prasadams being sent out for distribution which were offered to the main and only diety <em>Sri Bharathalwar</em>. </p><p>There is vast area of open space for Elephants and for conducting various Temple Arts like<em> Kathakali</em> and <em>Koothus</em> in the Temple.There is a big Tank within the Temple. This Temple is really great. I would request the readers not to miss this place when they visit Guruvayur or Trissur. </p> <p class="postfoot"> http://www.koodalmanikyam.com/gallery.htm posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 11:50 AM </p> </div>Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-5478885313604566892009-07-01T20:57:00.000+05:302009-07-01T20:58:17.306+05:30Triprayar Sri Rama Temple<div class="post"> <h2> <a id="viewpost.ascx_TitleUrl" href="http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/archive/2006/10/17/2037764.aspx">Triprayar Sri Rama Temple</a> </h2> A few years back when we were travelling on the highway to Kodungallur, on the way we passed through Triprayar Temple which was just 17 Kms from Trissur. The view of the rear side of sprawling Temple on the banks of the river, by the same name, itself was magnificient sight which I could never forget. In view of time constraint we could not visit the Temple at that time. <p>But this time when we took the pilgrimage to Guruvayur and other places in Trissur District two weeks back, we made a point to visit Triprayar and have the Dharshan of Sri Rama. But this time we travelled from Kodungallur to Guruvayur. On the way we reached Triprayar Kshetram late in the evening and we were enthralled to have the Darshan of Sree Rama just after the evening Pooja. Since the idol of Sri Rama is inside the sanctum which is little away from the worshiping area we could not see the deatails in the soft light provided by numerous oil lamps beautifully lit around the deity. But we were told here Sri Rama has four arms like that of Maha Vishnu and with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either sides. This Temple is said to be built in the same architectural style of Vadakkunatha Temple in Trissur. It has exquisite wood carvings, murals and stone carvings. The rear side of the Temple is on the banks of the river Triprayar, and has well built steps leading down to the flowing river. The long rows of thick coconut groves on the other side of the flowing river added to the beauty of the evening sight. We could see many varieties of fish swimming by the side of the steps waiting for the puffed rice thrown by the devotees who visit the Temple. For my city bred little grand-daughters it was a most welcome sight. They were reluctant to leave the place. Thanks to the thundering of the "<em>Vedis"</em> usually blasted in the evenings at the Kerala Temples, the littleones started to run towards us to leave the Temple. </p><p>The<em> Gopurams</em> in this Temple are not very big compared to other Kerala Temples nearby. But they are beautiful. The main copper tiled <em>Gopuram</em> on the sanctum is in round conical shape with with gold Kalasa on the top. There are separate shrines for Ganapathy, Hanuman, Ayyappan and Dakshinamurty in the Temple. </p><p>Tripryar Temple has an interesting History.The <em>Vigraha </em>of Sri Rama was found along with the images of his brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Chatrugna by the sea shore by one <em>Vakkey Kaimal</em>, the local Chieften. The date of building this temple is not known for sure. But it was under the Zamorines originally, then under Dutch (!) and Mysore Sultans before it came to the possession of Cochin Maharajas. </p><p>According to to belief Triprayar Temple should be the first to start with for the" <em>Nalambalam yathra</em>" (four Temples) taken during the rainy month of "Karkatakam", which is considered sacred by the devouts. The Others are Sri Bharata Temple at Koodalmanikyam, Sri Lakshmana Temple at Moozhikulam and Sri Satrugna Temple at Payyamal. Visiting all the four Temples during this Yathra should be completed in one day. But this time, We could not complete this Yatra as we could visit only two Temples. Perhaps we may be called to do the" Nalambala Yatra" by the Lords some other time. Till then, <em>Namaskarams.</em> </p> <p class="postfoot"> posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 11:43 AM </p> </div>Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-46742902388463212422009-07-01T20:46:00.000+05:302009-07-01T20:47:42.130+05:30Guruvayur Kshetram.....<div class="post"> <h2> <a id="viewpost.ascx_TitleUrl" href="http://o3.indiatimes.com/brahmanyan/archive/2006/10/30/2271588.aspx">Guruvayur Kshetram.....</a> </h2> There are some places in our Country, by mentioning the very name of them will evoke inexplicable ecstacy of reverence in mind. One of them certainly is Guruvayur in Kerala. Early during the first week of this month we took a pilgrimage to this holy abode of Sree Krishna with our family, about which I have been writing in my previous Blogs. After visiting the Temples at Kodungallur and Triprayar we drove to Guruvayur Kshetram. It happened so that it was an Ekadasi Day( Eleventh day of the lunar fornight of the month), considered auspicious for Dharshan of Sree Krishna, that too at Guruvayur Kshetram. My wife who was observing strict fasting on Ekadasi days, since a long time, felt thrilled to know that she was in Gurvayur Kshetram this time on the Ekadasi day to have the Dharshan and blessings of the Lord. Incidentally, one of the most important festivals in this Temple is " Ekadasi Festival" that is celebrated in Nov-Dec - Vrischika, suklapaksha Ekadasi, more commonly known as " Guruvayur Ekadasi".<p> </p><p>By the time we reached Guruvayur it was about 7.30 PM. We were lucky to get comfotable accommodation in "Panchajanyam Rest House" run by Dewosvam. After having a wash we rushed to the Temple to stand in the queue for Dharshan after the evening Pooja. We had gone there two times before to this holy place. Last time we were lucky to have the Dharshan in "Udhayasthamana pooja"(continuous Pooja from dawn to dusk) of Sree Guruvayurappan. We were told this most coveted and dearest of all the poojas to the Lord has been booked upto the year 2047 ! We were in the queue for about 45 minutes before we were able to enter the main door leading to Srikovil. This gave me time to see the surroundings in detail. Srikovil is surrounded by the outer walls of wooden trellis with array of about 8000 brass lamps, which are lit on special occassions. The 60ft Dwajasthambam (Flag post) fully covered by plated gold stands majestically before the entrance. Two Deepastambams of 24 ft tall with 13 discs of lamps adorn both sides of the flag post.</p><p> </p><p> The doors of Srikovil opened after the evening Pooja and the queue moved slowly. When we entered the main entrance of the inner courtyard we passed through two large platforms on both sides of entrance to Srikovil. It is said, previously these places were used by the Brahmins to recite holy scriptures. True, Fiftyfive years back when I visited this Temple for the first time, I had seen Brahmins reciting holy scriptures from this place. It was also claimed the famous Melpathur Narayana Bhattathri composed the " Narayaneeyam" sitting in the southern part of this platform.</p><p> </p><p> As we went further we came to "Namaskara Mandapam", in front of Srikovil, this Mandapam is covered by Gold plated copper roof, supported by granite pillers on four sides. Here itself we had the first Dharshan of the Lord Guruvayurappan in traditional form of Sri Maha Vishnu, with four arms holding Sankha, Chakra, Gadha, Padmam fully decorated with flowers and jewellery. Enhanced by surrounding the soft light of numourous oil lamps lit around. It was a devine sight for the devout. In the midst of continuous chanting of the name of the Lord by almost all the devotees slowly wading towards the Srikovil entrance to have a few seconds of Dharshan of Guruvayurappan, in my mind I felt that I am alone with him taking his blessings. Before Him we close our eyes to take the moment of ecstacy fully inside. This is a spiritual experiance, that cannot be defined by any of our senses.</p><p> The Moorthy is made of "Pathalanjana shila" considered extemely sacred. All the pooja vessals and articles are made of Gold.</p><p> </p><p>The outer walls of the square shaped Srikovil are embellished with mural paintings. We went round the Srikoil and came out of the northen doorway to the "Prakaram" and saw the Six Temple Elephants tied there. The Children enjoyed the sight of Elephants more than us. Behind them was the hall where the Prasadam Counters were distibuting the Prasadams to public. My wife was particular to take the Prasadam to break her fasting on the Ekadasi day at Guruvayur.</p><p> </p><p> Early morning next day my wife had the "Nirmalya Dharshan" of the Lord . I and other members of the family followed it by 5.00 AM only. It was indeed an experience that will stay with us forever.</p><p> </p><p>Next as planned we visited Mammiyur and other Temples around Guruvayur and had Dharshan there. Then we proceeded to Punnathoorkotta to see the Temple Elephants.(about which I have written separately) After lunch we started off to Palakkad for the night stay on our way to Ooty.</p><p> </p><p class="postfoot"> posted on Monday, October 30, 2006 6:18 PM </p> </div>Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-32212690640173494692009-05-09T12:21:00.013+05:302014-11-03T16:33:03.810+05:30Visit of the Divine Mendicant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On April,25,2009 I was sitting along with the family members on the long raised platform with the crowd of villagers at the inside first <i>Prakaram</i> of the ancient Temple at <i><b>Thiruchengattangudi</b></i>, for the arrival of the divine mendicant who has been visiting this place on<i> Bharani</i> in the month of <i>Chithirai</i> for the past 1400 years without fail around 2.00 PM. Just by my side a devout couple of husband and wife from Chennai were reading holy book of <i>Peria</i> <i>Puranam</i> explaining the significance of this day. The heat at <i>Chola Desam <b>(</b></i>land of the Cholas<i>)</i> at this time of the year is well known, so hot and sultry, that literally I was drenched in my sweat. The village folk who knew this well have brought hand held palmyra fans to cool themselves. Liberal minded divotees were sprinkling rose water on the crowd.</div>
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Suddenly there was commotion near the southern entrance of inside prakaram, the sweet sound of nadaswaram and other Temple accompaniments came from the entrance. There, carried on the shoulders of bearers <b>He</b> came out mounted on his decorated, fairly large, <i><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chapparam</span> </i>(palanquin) in a hurry, a majestic personality to the word as described beautifully by <i>Poet <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sekizhar</span></i> in his <i>magnum</i> <i>opus</i> “<i style="font-weight: bold;">Periya Puranam</i>“. The mendicant from north was <i style="font-weight: bold;">Bhairava</i> known as <span style="font-weight: bold;">“</span><i style="font-weight: bold;">Uthirapathi</i><span style="font-weight: bold;">“</span> (Lord from North). His long matted hair bedecked with flowers were gathered and held in a top knot. Rubied pendents of shells dangled both sides of his ears. He had covered his body with the tusker's hide that he had peeled off. He held the radiant Trident in his left hand and held the little drum (<i>udukkai</i>) in his right hand. When the <i>divine mendicant</i> passed the first prakaram the crowed melted off to the outer South Mada Veedhi (South Mada Street) to occupy vantage position to view the procession there. We too followed and waited for quite some time before we heard the music of <i>Nadaswaram,</i> drums and trumpets heralding the arrival of the Lord's <i>Chapram</i> underneath the flowered canopy of beautifully a decorated huge parosol carried by the bearers .Ofcourse the fully caparisoned Temple Elephant led the procession now. </div>
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At one time in the past, this obscure holi place <i><b>Tiruchengattangudi</b></i> near <i><b>Nannilam</b></i> in Tamil Nadu must have been an important town busy with activity. For, this was the birth place of <i><b>Paranjothi</b></i>, the famous commander of the army of <b><i>Pallava</i></b> king <i><b>Narasimhavarman</b></i> who conquered the mighty Chalukya King <b><i>Pulikesin II</i></b> of Vadapi (Badami). It is said he brought the idol of <i>Ganapathy</i> from Vadapi and installed it in this temple at <b><i>Tiruchangattangudi</i> </b>also known as <i>Ganapatheecharam.</i> Even today the roads are very broad such a small hamlet. Interestingly when you look at the rows of tiled old houses it seems time stands still in this place for centuries. People have also not changed much, I could see women sprinkling vessels of water on the hot tarred road to cool down, showing their concern to thousands of devotees who pass through the village.There were charitable people offering free food and water to hungry villagers who gather for the festival.</div>
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After conquering <i><b>Chalukyas of Vadapi</b></i>, the Pallava General <i><b>Paramjothy</b></i> found the futility of war and preferred to lead an ascetic life under the name of <i><b>Siruthondar</b></i> in his home town <b><i>Tiruchangattengud</i></b>i.The story of <i><b>Siruthonda Nayanar</b></i> is unique among the <i><b>Saiva Nayanmars</b></i>. It is a story of a extreme devotion and sacrifice to the extent of offering his only son to satisfy the hunger of Lord. . <i><b>Poet Sekkizhar</b></i> covers the life of <i><b>Siruthonada Nayanar</b></i> by 88 stanzas in his <i><b>Peria Puranam</b></i>. The festival is held every year On <span style="font-style: italic;">Bharani</span> star in the Tamil month of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Chithirai </span>to commemorate this incident only. For a detailed account of Siruthonda Nayanar please visit</div>
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<a href="http://www.skandagurunatha.org/deities/siva/nayanars/35.asp">http://www.skandagurunatha.org/deities/siva/nayanars/35.asp</a></div>
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Another interesting fact is that <i><b>Isai Arasu M.M. Dandapani Desigar</b></i> (Aug 27,1908-June 26,1972) was born at <i><b>Tiruchangattangudi</b></i>.</div>
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Again last month (September 2009) we had been to <b><i>Tiruchangattangudi </i></b>to have a dharshan and to see this ancient Temple on a normal day without crowd. Surprisingly we were the only pilgrims in the Temple at that time. The temple <i>gurukkal</i> took us round leisurely and explained the significance of this temple.The idol of <b><i>Lord Ganapathy</i></b> brought from <i>Vathapi</i> by <i>Paramjothy (Siruthonadar)</i> has been inbstalled at the Southern part of <i>Ardha Mandapam</i> in the Temple .This temple is also known as <b><i>Ganapatheescharam</i></b>. Though the Temple is said to have celebrated its <i>Kumbabhishekam </i> few years ago,the entire structure of this ancient Temple is in a dilapidated condition and undergoing repairs It is a sad sight to see the old <i>Choultries</i> in the <i>Mada Veedhis</i> are in ruinous condition. I am told that this temple which is under the management of <b><i>Velankurichi Aatheenam</i></b>, in Tirunelveli District, needs funds to complete the renovation work. How nice if some of the rich and mighty in the Hindu community come forward with funds to help this <b><i>Sivasthalam</i></b> to regain its past glory.<br /><br /> </div>
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Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-48093337590688483672008-11-11T17:38:00.004+05:302008-11-11T17:58:35.861+05:30Tanjavur Cannon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5oOia_8E8aw/SRl3dwTEgyI/AAAAAAAAAIk/s0tdticsvvo/s1600-h/Tanjavur+Cannon.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5oOia_8E8aw/SRl3dwTEgyI/AAAAAAAAAIk/s0tdticsvvo/s320/Tanjavur+Cannon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267372592251306786" border="0" /></a><br />There is one object of heritage value in Tanjavur that not many visitors would have seen. It is the Tanjavur Cannon, a mighty Cannon of forge welded iron built during the reign of Raghunatha Nayak (1600-1645 CE). This 25 ft long Cannon weighs 22Tonnes. The outer diameter is 37 inches and the inner dia 25 inches can fire a cannon ball (iron) of 1000 Kg weight. No wonder it finds fourth place in the list of Largest Cannons fired in the World History.This Cannon was named "Rajagopala Beerangi (Cannon), but popularly known as "Daasimettu beerangi" is placed on an elevated (25'high) defense barricade at the eastern Rampart of the Tanjavur Fort. Surprisingly many people living in Tanjavur may not be aware of the existance of such a huge Cannon in Tanjavur. Since I stayed with my uncle on the same road on Rampart I saw this Cannon when I visited Tanjavur for the first time in 1946.<br /><br />Interestingly though many locals may not be aware of such thing of heritage value is there in their Town, this Cannon finds a place in the list of Largest Cannons in World History.<br /><br />Brahmanyan.Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7886772740365287094.post-21718508968267160682008-11-11T17:26:00.011+05:302009-05-11T20:16:00.436+05:30Avudayarkoil - A Temple with difference<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5oOia_8E8aw/Sgg5WijSdqI/AAAAAAAAAUE/A7a6PcKTTZI/s1600-h/SANY0837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5oOia_8E8aw/Sgg5WijSdqI/AAAAAAAAAUE/A7a6PcKTTZI/s200/SANY0837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334576818015073954" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5oOia_8E8aw/SVjI8U4ulYI/AAAAAAAAANU/8NryxzVvfMM/s1600-h/SANY0837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 22px; height: 20px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5oOia_8E8aw/SVjI8U4ulYI/AAAAAAAAANU/8NryxzVvfMM/s320/SANY0837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285195101443626370" border="0" /></a></div> </div></div></div>I would consider the visit to "Avudayarkoil" was the best thing happened to us during our recent visit to Tanjavur and other places last month. Though I have heard and read about this famous Sivasthalam which is unique in many ways I could visit the Temple only now.<br />Avudayarkoil better known as "Tirupperundurai" in Saivaite literature is 13 Kms from Arantangi on the road to Mimisal. The Temple complex is fairly large one with main entrance facing South. The imposing seven storied main Gopuram is built on the second of the five "prakarams". This holy place is famous for its historical and religious importance gained by the close association with Saint Manickavasagar. The presiding deity of this temple is known as "Sri Athmanatha swami" Lord of (formless) Self and the consort is "Siva Yoga Nayaki or Yogambikai". There is no Siva Lingam in the Sanctum which is also facing South. The Lord is represented by "Avudayar"the pedestal. Outer Gold kavacha shaped as Sivalinga is kept on the Avudayar (Pedestal) for the purpose of Abhisheka and Pooja. Similarly the consort "Yogambikai" in her Sanctum has also no form. She is represented by Golden foot prints on the "peedam". There is no "Nandhikeswarar", nor the tradtional "Kodimaram" - Flagpost or "Balipeedam" in the Temple. Even the "Pradosha pooja" which is done to the "Nandhi" in Siva Temples is performed to "Sri Manickavasagar" here.There is no shrine for "Chandikeswarar" either. <p> First thing that is strikingly different from other temples here is its clenliness. AvudayarKoil is under the administration of "Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam". Every part of the temple is kept clean. When we entered the Temple a "Guide" joined us to help. He introduced himself as Swaminatha Nambiyar (Nambi) a sthanikam attached to the Temple. We found him well informed and helpful. He took us round the Temple and showed us every aspect of Sculptural intricacies that this Temple is famous for. The main part of the Temple consisting of Sanctums of Lord Athmanathaswami and Yogambikai togather with the holy "Kurundhai" stone under which Saint Manickavasagar got his Guru Dheeksha must have been built by Saint Manickavasagar. All other structures must have been added by many Royal dynasties later on in stages. Pooja Rituals in this Temple follow Agamic traditions as also Vedic like in Chidambaram and performed by the priests belonging to a sect called "Nambiyars" (Nambis). Originally this Temple was owned by 301 families of Nambiyars. Due to various reasons and fund crunch the Temple was handed over to Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam. Now there are only 30 odd families of Nambiyars to look after the Pooja rituals of the Temple. Another unique custom in this Temple is the offering of cooked Boiled rice, Bitter gourd and Keerai (greens) as Neivedyam offering to the Lord. We were told by the Sthanikam that the cooked boiled rice is spread on the stone before the Lord in the Sanctum and the steam is shown as nivedanam along with other items mentioned. These offerings are made for all the six times of Pooja. </p><p> Avudayarkoil is known for its sculptural excellence. Every thing in this temple is beautiful. There are Six Mandapams in the Temple containing excusitely carved figures in the stone pillars. The larger than life monolith figures of Agni and Agora Veerabadras at the entrance and Kaalidevi, Subrahmanya with bow, Bikshadanar, Sankaranarayanar, Urdhuvathandavar, Pasupatheeswarar and Narasimhamurthy are note worthy. I do not understand the significance of Lord Narasimha (avathara of Vishnu) in a Siva Temple ! Two other sculptures of "Kuravan and Kurathi" exhibits the excellence of the artists for minute details from toe to hair style. I have seen similar sculptures at Krishnapuram in Tirunelveli district (Tamilnadu), which was built by Nayaks of Madurai. But the most awe inspiring work is seen insides of the Canopy and Sun shades known as "Kodungai" which stretches all around the Mandapams. The rafters, tiles, paddings with hinges and decorative nails chiseled out of stone looks as though they were done in wood and iron. All over the ceilings are decorated with flowery patterns and stone chain links. At one place the stars are given the form of constellations that we see in the sky. There is no separate Navagraha Sannadhi here, instead the nine gruhas with their consorts are carved on pillars which found in a straight line. We also saw nice fresco paintings on the ceilings and walls in the Temple. I am not sure about the date of this work. May be done during the period of Nayak or Maratha rulers.</p><p> There are Ten Theerthams (water sources) in the Temple complex. The biggest among them is known as Agni Theertham, the main tank which has well built steps and clean water for bathing.</p><p> </p><p>The Main festivals of the Temple take place during the Tamil months of Aani (June-July) and Margazhi (December-January). All festivals are Celebrated in relation to events connected with Saint Manickavasagar.</p><p> </p><p>When we left the Temple after our dharshan, we felt that we should have spent more time in this wonderful abode of Sri Athmanathaswami.</p><p> </p><p>Avudayarkoil is closely associated with Saint Manickavasagar and his magnum opus "Thiruvasagam". This post may not be complete unless a brief biography of the Saint is included. But due to compulsions of brevity I would like to write about it later.</p><p> </p><p>However those who would like to read the Biography in detail can find the same in the following URL: </p><p> </p><p>http://davidgodman.org/tamilt/mkv.shtml </p><p> </p><p>We can reach Avudayarkoil from Pudukkottai (49 Kms) via Aranthangi (13 Kms). The roads are good and not much of traffic. Good hotels are available for stay at Pudukkottai. </p><p> </p><p>Brahmanyan. </p><p class="postfoot"><br /></p>Brahmanyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16299122535184126773noreply@blogger.com0