Tattwa Shuddhi - Day 1

Tattwa Shuddhi

Jyothi Madam very eloquently and fluently introduced Tattwa Shuddhi to the participants. The concern and the sincerity that was on display throughout the lecture worth mention and merit.

Tattwa Shuddhi helps a Sadhaka to experience meditation in a natural way. But for this natural way to set in oneself, one has to work on oneself, by using the techniques that Tattwa Shuddhi gives.

Tattwa Shuddhi indirectly makes the mind to give up its resistance and stubbornness in engaging in spiritual practices. It achieves this not by directly attacking the mind but indirectly influencing it.

The essential nature of mind is to enjoy and it finds the world outside us as the fertile ground for seeking its pleasures and joys. Mind achieves this by deploying the Pancha Tanmaatraas (5 subtler energies of 5 gross sense organs in the body such as ‘smell’ is to ‘nose’).

It is precisely here Tattwa Shuddhi works. Tattwa Shuddhi also works upon these Pancha Tanmaatras because they are trustworthy agents of mind and, therefore, mind will not doubt them when they are deployed, though in this case, to tame it J

Meditation does not happen in us because the harmonious balance of emotion and intelligence within us is disturbed when we sit quietly, keeping our body still. If one practices Tattwa Shuddhi regularly, such a person is bound to experience meditation naturally and habitually !!

Jyothi Madam was explaining to the audience that Tattwa Shuddhi, in other words, is nothing but sharpening our perception, to such an extent, that the seer and the seen merges and become one, the doer and the act of doing merges and become one. Uninterrupted, undisturbed, Advaita Bhava.

Jyothi Ma on Tattwa Shuddhi

Tattwa Shuddhi employs Yantra, Mantra and Mandala as its technique to achieve the results. The beauty of practicing Tattwa Shuddhi is that it bestows the practitioner with direct experience. In spiritual sadhana direct experience alone counts as valid knowledge because it is the only trustworthy and dependable wisdom that one can rely on for it is directly experienced by one without any distortions.

Jyothi Madam gave the participants the taste of what Tattwa Shuddhi can do by making the participants to practice Yantra and Mantra technique. Many could experience the real power of Tattwa Shuddhi after applying the Yantra and Mantra technique on themselves. For this technique has to be employed and experienced, I am not elaborating what it is. If I do, then it will become a mere piece of information which is already available on the net.

Tattwa Shuddhi, undoubtedly, a not to be missed Tantra Sadhana by a spiritual aspirant for it is the short cut, rather shortest cut, to meditation.

We have two more days to go and Madam opined that 3 days is inadequate to dwell upon this Tantra technique but she will try her best to complete whatever is possible within the short span of 3 days.

Until tomorrow, Happy Sadhana.

N. Narayanan

SST, Delhi Chapter

SUNSAT Series - 7

Sadhana Sangama  - SUNSAT

1st SUNSAT at New Jersey, July 27th 2014:

6 sadhakas were present.  Satsanga started on time and did finish on time.  There was some lingering discussion for another 15 minutes on preparation for proper sitting, allowing mind and body to quieten down so that meditation becomes more enjoyable.  

We began with OM chanting followed by Guru mantras.  We were guided into meditation by  Guruji’s voice from the CD “Expansion of Consciousness Meditation. - track  01”.   This track was recorded at SS ashram so there were all the usual early morning sounds - birds chirping, roosters crowing, etc.   Sadhakas noted that it made them feel as if they were actually at the Ashram being guided into meditation by Guruji. We were guided to a deep state of silence which ended with OM chanting.

As guided by Jyothiji and Guruji, Subhadra shared some of her  spiritual experiences of her recent pilgrimage to India.  She prefaced it by stating that the one speaking was only reporting what the “Self” experienced, that “Self” which is one with all.  

Until next Sunday, Namaste.

In service,

Subhadra

SUNSAT update from New Delhi:

The group met at 7.30. Now the crowd is getting stabilized at 6 and above. Now that the pattern is set and there is a small group, it is time that Satsang should be given the thrust.

Nothing was discussed to strengthen the Satsang in this week's Satsung. Jyothi Maa's programme is due in Delhi over 8th to 10th August. I plan to discuss about how to strengthen the Satsanga after Amma's programme in Delhi.

But  I personally feel that the fundamental principle that should be guiding the Satsanga is that it should help you to stay with yourself (I mean, inside). In other words, connectivity with one's own self should be the purpose of doing Satsang. This would mean that we do Satsang not only on Sunday mornings but every day, whenever possible. Connectivity is a process and SUNSAT should be become an occasion to experience this connectivity in a group and realize that connectivity with one's own self and connectivity with a group are not two different experiences.

This idea may sound idealistic but it is not so because it is not my thinking. This is what all realized Masters keep on repeating :)

Till next Sunday, Happy Sadhana

N. Narayanan

Vande Guru Paramparam

SUNSAT Series - 6

Sadhana Sangama - SUNSAT

Weekly SUNSAT Update from New Jersey (USA):

When:         Sunday at 7 - 8a.m.

Where:        660 New Durham Road, Metuchen NJ  08840.  

                    

Weekly SSI Sunday Satsanga Structure (As approved by Guruji & Jyothiji Pattabhiram)

1.    Chant Guru Mantras  (3 mins)

2.     Meditation Guided by Guruji’s audio recording (20 - 30 mins)

3.    Guruji or Swami Rama’s Video lecture session (20 - 30 mins)

4.    Announcements 

5.    Chant shanti mantras and sit in silence for 2 mins

        Leave in silence.

May blessings of the Guru lineage be with all.  

In Service,

Subhadra

SUNSAT Update from Delhi Chapter:

Last week, Delhi Chapter SUNSAT started exactly at 7.30 am and ended at 8.30 am sharp !!

The group did their regular sadhana that was agreed upon. After the Satsanga, during discussion, a unanimous view emerged that we should strengthen the satsanga in the sense that whatever we learn should benefit the system. Like for instance, we were doing nadi shodana pranayama. We can follow this for 3 more weeks after which we can introduce meru pranayama or vibhaga pranayama or some other pranayama and practice that, instead of nadi shodana, for 9 consecutive weeks. This way we can actually put in to practice whatever we have learnt already from Guruji. This way we can maintain some of our physical ailments, the Group felt.

One suggestion also came up that we can do Chakra Prana Mantra Meditation taught by Gurudev by playing the CD / DVD. It is a 40 minute programme. This suggestion was also welcomed by the Group in which case we can make it a one hour programme and reduce Gayatri, Mrtyunjaya chantings to minimum say 3 times or something like that.

The group dispersed after having tea.

Take care until next SUNSAT.

N. Narayanan, Delhi

Vande Guru Paramparam

Vande Guru Paramparam

Jyothi Ma's Program update

Pranams,

Hope you are all well. We have concluded Jyothiji's workshop on Durga Saptashati, which has been presented with deep reverence and filled with opportunity to enhance one's sadhana.  Jyothiji's ability to share the meaning and significance of the text with her experiential knowledge was enthusiastically received by all who attended. 

Jyothi Ma’s schedule on workshop on Dharanas & Vigyana Bhairava at various places have been mailed to all. All are welcome to attend and gain knowledge in the deep practice of dharanas. Please also share this schedule with your friends & relatives who can attend these programs.

Thank you.  Looking forward to seeing you soon.

In service

Subhadra

You are with the process, but you are not the process- Guru Purnima Message & practice

Guru Purnima - 12th July 2014

Dear Sadhaka’s,

I would like to recollect one of the experience I had with Baba during my stay in AIIMS hospital:

On the day of operation for my leg fracture, I was taken to the operation theatre. Hunching my back, I was made to sit for final Anesthesia administration. When the anesthesiologist started checking, I experienced Baba sitting next to me in the same hunched back style. He looked at me and said;

“Bete, this operation will go on without any problem. But after this operation, you have to go through series of complex traumatic experiences which is going to be very painful.  I am going to be with you all through. You may have to stay for about 45 days in this Hospital to go through this experience”.

He further suggested that it’s an inevitable karmic event that I need to go through.

He advised me that as a Sadhaka I am not supposed to simply leave it to the Karma and merely go through the pain and misery but to look at it as an Advanced Sadhana. He then explained me the process of that Advanced Sadhana that I need to follow during this entire 45 days.

The Sadhana he taught me was an advanced technique of how to detach and transcend from this whole painful process and how to learn the art of witnessing all events. 

Finally Baba said,

“Bete, while going through this process remember, you are with the process, but you are not the process. Transcend… Don’t react, resist, or get attached to the process. Allow the process to unfold completely without any resistance from your side and experience every sensation that you go through without naming it. This is the Sadhana for you for the next 45 days”.

Having said this Baba disappeared.

Though my leg fracture operation went on smoothly, as destined, in the same night, there was a heart failure along with some problem in my intestine. Thereafter, I had to go through series of medical treatments which was not only traumatic but also time consuming.

My path to recovery was indeed very painful but one thing that I remembered all through was, Baba’s instruction that “Bete, while going through this process remember, you are with the process, but you are not the process; transcend...”

Friends, Sometimes due to our previous Karma’s and other samskaras, it is quite inevitable to avoid crisis in one’s own life. But the Question here is are we prepared to accept the crisis wholeheartedly and allow Guru Grace to work over period of time without bringing our irritation and impatience to intervene?

When I expect and long for Guru Grace to bring me richness, happiness, prosperity and peace in me and in my surroundings, do I have the patience to also accept the crisis to go through without any resistance?

Guru is there to protect our inner integrity and through the passage of hard test, chisel out our personality into a spiritually integrated bright soul and help us connect again and again with the infinite source of knowledge.

However when guru wants to work through me, I should have the space so that he can work and I need to allow it to happen. It might take time to establish such connectivity and one needs enormous patience and surrender towards the Guru. Can we develop that connectivity between us?

Swami Rama used to say that, “In the effort to understand life and approach death meaningfully, vairagya [non-attachment] and abhyasa [practices] are the responsibility of the seeker. When these two are truly undertaken, another help follows. That help comes in the form of guru and grace, each linked to the other, each so beautiful and comforting, each so powerful".

So on this day of Guru Poornima, let’s remember “to transcend” & pray to the Guru to give us that Vairagya & Abhyasa to accept the life as it is and continue the Sadhana to establish the link with the Guru. Once we do that we will automatically get connected with our Guru Parampara, the epitome of spiritual integrity, infinite bliss and ocean of knowledge.

For this, I personally request you to devote sometime for yourself and do the following practice, not only on the day of Guru Poornima but on a daily basis:

PRACTICE:

1. Sit in a comfortable posture – in padmasana or ardha padmasana or sukhasana or vajrasana or in any other comfortable position – by keeping your back, neck and head along the same straight line. You need not tension your face and back to sit straight. Your sitting posture has to be a relaxed one.

2. Gently scan through your body and relax from head to toe.

3. Step 1: Focus your attention on stilling the body. Stop all conscious movements in your body like scratching, moving the fingers, contracting the body muscle, etc.

4. Step 2: Listen to the sounds that is coming from outside and inside you. Make it a point not to get disturbed by the sounds that you hear. Do this activity with full involvement and awareness – to accustom yourself with your environment.

5. Step 3: Shift your awareness and bring it on to Shushumna Kendra – Shushumna Kendra is located at the root of the nose (not the tip) the place where the middle wall of the nose and upper part of the lip meets. Staying in shushumna Kendra, feel that while inhaling you are inhaling the pure, divine cosmic consciousness and while exhaling feel that all your spent and impure energies are coming out of you. This pranayama definitely works if you do it with feeling. It cleans your system. Do this for 5 minutes.

6. Step 4: Focus your attention on the Ajna Chakra (eyebrow centre). Ajna chakra is located in-between your two eyebrows. Staying in Ajna chakra, observe your thoughts. You should consciously practice to separate yourself from your thoughts – you are not your thoughts. Do this for at least 5 minutes.

7. Step 5: Come to Guru Chakra which is just above the Ajna Chakra. Focus on Guru Chakra for 2 minutes and gently relax. Invoke Guru in energy form, or in paduka (two feet) form, or in physical guru form (face of your Guru), or in the form of light, etc. The short point is keep an image in the Guru chakra in which your concentration can stay for a longer time without getting disturbed.

Focusing on that image chant

“Hiranya Garbhaa Aarabdhaam, 

Seshou Vyaasaadhi Madhyamaam

Swami Shree Rama Paadaanthaam, 

Vande Guru Paramparaam, 

Vande Guru Paramparaam, 

Vande Guru Paramparaam”.

After the above prayer, make a sincere Sankalpa from the bottom of your heart that, “in this sadhana, let all the member of my family get Vairagya & Abhyasa to transcend & accept the life as it is and continue the Sadhana sincerely to experience the Guru energy”

Then start chanting (minimum one mala - 108 times)

“Om Shreem Gurudevaaya Namaha “

by focusing on Guru in Guru Chakra. Don’t chant the mantra too fast, don’t drag also. Maintain a steady rhythm. You find your comfort level. The important thing is do this japa with the understanding (explained in the first page) and with feeling. Let your awareness and attention follow the mantra each time you chant.

8. After completing chanting of mantra, sit silently for one or two minutes without doing anything and experience the presence of Guru in the form of light, etc. Feel as if they are offering everything to that light which is there in the form of Guru and praying from deep within that I seek nothing but your Grace, your Presence and your Blessings.

9. Feel your individual consciousness is merging with GURU Consciousness and that is pervading everywhere. In that feeling you offer the following prayer to the Universal Consciousness:

Om Sarve Bhavanthu Sukhinaha, Sarve Santhu Niraamayaha

Sarve Badraani Pashyantu, Maa Kaschit Dhukka Baagh Baveth

Loka Samasthaa Sukhinou Bhavanthu, Loka Samasthaa Sukhinou Bhavanthu

Samastha Sanmangalaani Bhavanthu, Om Tat Sat

Akhanda Mandalaakaaram

Vyaaptham Yena Charaacharam

Tat Padham Darshitham Yenaa

Tasmai Shree Gurave Namaha

May Gurudev bless you all.

Vande Guru Paramparam

Pattabhiram & Jyothi 

Please note: Guru Poornima function would be held in Bangalore on 12th July,2014 at Sadhana Dhama Ashram at 6 PM. Residents in & around Bangalore are requested to attend the function. Also Guruji has requested all the other location chapters to organize this programme in the form of a Satsang. 

SUNSAT series

Sadhana Sangama - SUNSAT

Hello Friends,

In last two updates, we talked about connectivity with the Guru energy & connectivity with Conflicting Energy Centres. So after connectivity, with the Parampara and with Sadhakas, our journey continues. The third connectivity that has to happen, because of the above two connectivities, is the connectivity with oneself. This is the crucial phase and process which every one of us has to willingly undergo with enthusiasm. How strong our language (i.e., HARMONY) is going to be depends a lot on how accommodative we are going to be with our own selves. This certainly does not mean that we can be casual with ourselves.

By the word ‘accommodating’, I mean we should not feel shy about admitting a short-coming in us and at the same time we should not be afraid to work on ourselves to overcome such shortcoming / s.

Therefore, Friends, the primary purpose for which Gurudev has reinforced SUNSAT is to connect with our own selves. Even though the Parampara and the society appears to be external to and different from ourselves, we will realize that they are nothing but our own extensions when connectivity with one’s own self happens.

It is with such a noble intention and magnificent plan Spiritual Masters work and network. Just imagine the benefit that we will get if we fall in line with the thinking of Masters ! Now let me move on with our last SUNSAT update at New Delhi. 

This time, the SUNSAT was not the usual one. One of our Sadhana Parivara Member from New Jersey, Ms.Subhadra Mattai was in Delhi and we organized a three day Satsang starting on Sunday.

On Sunday, around 18 people attended and on Monday and Tuesday, being working days, it got stabilized at 10. She taught lots of kriyas / asanas and Suryanamaskar covering all parts in the body from head to toe and combined the activity with awareness of breathing to get the desired effect on the body. The curriculum was designed so as to enable us to sit comfortably in meditation.

Her teaching also covered the aspect of Harmony that Gurudev wanted us to practice. She combined the physical movements involved in kriyas, asanas and Suryanamaskar with prana to bring harmony. In other words, she was explaining the group that never, ever stop the prana from flowing and to achieve this be aware of your breathing when you are speaking, listening, moving your limbs --- just be aware and conscious of your breathing whenever you are active and during meditation. This way we can strike harmony and can have direct experience of harmony.

All of us enjoyed the three day Satsanga and felt the connectivity of togetherness, of belonging to one undivided family of Sadhakas.

Take care until next SUNSAT.

N. Narayanan, Delhi

Vande Guru Paramparam

Vande Guru Paramparam

SUNSAT series

Sadhana Sangama - SUNSAT

Just as SUNSAT provides an opportunity to connect with the Guru Energy, it is also an occasion to connect with Conflicting Energy Centres (CECs) that we as individuals carry within us. Please don’t read it as a negative way of putting things. It is a fact that there cannot be uniformity and balance as far as these CECs are concerned. But Gurudev has given us the language of HARMONY to communicate amongst ourselves. This is a BIG challenge. What else could be a perfect occasion than SUNSAT to get ourselves trained in this?

Friends, be the CECs as they are – conflicting in nature. Let us make language (HARMONY) as our centre without worrying about or getting disturbed by CECs. This way we can really test and hone our language skills very fast.

The tool for learning this new language is Prati Prasava – going back to the source. Here again, there cannot be two opinions that SUNSAT is the best opportunity to apply this tool Prati Prasava by observing the source of our reactions when we join together for a common activity.

With this thought process, I am happy to share last week report of SUNSAT at Delhi. We started one minute late i.e., at 7.31 am and ended 10 minutes late i.e, at 8.40 am. The group resolved to stick to the exact start and end time from next SUNSAT onwards.

We shuffled slightly with the format. We started with 24 minutes meditation, followed by Gayathri and Mrtyunjaya chanting, 10 rounds of naadi shodana pranayama and concluded with Hanuman Chalisa chanting.

While chanting Mrtyunjaya, we tried to establish the connectivity by imaging all of us to be in the Cave at the Ashram and chanting the mantra and offering it as flower to Shakteeshwara in the cave.

Similarly, while chanting Hanuman Chalisa, we imagined the group seated in front of Dhyanastha Aanjaneya in the Meditation Hall at our Ashram.

This way we tried to energies the Ashram by sitting at the comforts of our home. Initially it may be our imagination; however it is my strong faith that if we do this practice with feeling we can certainly achieve this objective.

At one place in Hanuman Chalisa, the verse says that those who chant this 7 times will be immediately relieved of bondage and will be bestowed with Bliss – ye sat baar paatkar koi chootahi bandhi maha sukh hoyi. The group felt that from next SUNSAT onwards let us try and chant 7 times Hanuman Chalisa. In this case, we have to again work on the format !!

It is heartening to note that Hyderabad Chapter and Chennai Chapter also have started their SUNSAT. Congratulations from all of us !! Let us inspire each other and travel the path together filled with celebrations J

N. Narayanan, Delhi

Vande Guru Paramparam

 Update from SST Chennai Chapter:

Receiving the mail with the methods adopted by Delhi chapter was indeed very helpful. Previously we used to sing a few bhajans, do Gayathri chanting/mritujnuya chanting, a few minutes of meditation and disperse.

This week, however we followed the schedule sent by Narayan. Eleven of us assembled at 6 pm in Mr.Rajagopal's house and armed with print outs of the schedule, We diligently followed it. The only changes were: we allowed the cassette to play the Hanuman chalisa as not everyone knew it. Next time we will be better prepared.

One more change was -instead of the silent meditation we played the DVD of vyadhi versus samadhi. The last 30 mins of this DVD is really excellent in bringing Guruji right into our homes.

At 7.10 we finished the session and each one of us felt greatly relaxed, energised at the same time!

We shared the happenings at the ashram with the sadhakas who were unable to come to the camp. After a sumptuous partaking of snacks and tea provided by our gracious hosts, we dispersed with the resolution to put into practice the same schedule at least twice weekly.

With warm regards from the Chennai Chapter sadhakas 

 - compiled by Vaijayanthi C, Chennai

Vande Guru Paramparam

Saranagathi - Tales of Surrender (2)

Sri Jayadeva

Episodes so far: 1

(Next day evening, Sankara reaches the park and looks around for Bansuri. Not seeing him around, Sankara sits under a shade & closes his eyes. After few minutes...)

Eh!, Bansuri!, when did you come. I didn't realize you arriving?

It’s been 3 minutes & 54 seconds Sankara. I noticed you were in sleep, so was waiting how long you can be in this state in midst of this wonderful greenery park. 

Hahah!, No, No, not at all! I wasn't in sleep. When I reached the park, you were not to be seen. So I thought instead of sitting idle waiting for you, why not try little bit of Sushumna Breathing technique. 

Oh! Wonderful, it’s a beautiful way of calming the mind & getting relaxed. Ah Well! It is one of those 1000 things that Guruji taught us, which is waiting in queue for me to practice it. 

Bansuri!, there is no waiting period for a sadhaka, you can start very well now. 

Eh, No!, I will practice it at my home. Let’s start from where we left yesterday. 

Nothing doing. Don’t try to find a place for doing your practice. Where ever you are, you can do it, if you have the will to do it. 

But we don’t have much time Sankara!. 

Don’t worry Bansuri!, It is not in the length of the period of sitting that success lies, but in intensifying the awareness, Let’s do a short relaxation breathing exercise. 

OK Sankara, as you say…

Good, now close your eyes and follow my instructions.

......

Keep your body absolutely still & relaxed. 

……

Now quickly glance through your body & be aware of yourself from head to toe and toe to head. After doing it, quietly resolve deep within that for next 3 minutes no thoughts would disturb your concentration apart from your awareness of breath flow in the Sushmna. 

…….

Mentally feel the spot where the nose bridge ends and the upper lip begins. 

…..

Now observe the flow of breath in both the nostrils. 

……..

Let the breath flow evenly without any jerks

……..

Let there be continuous flow of awareness without any breaks, cuts or noise. 

…….

Do not forcefully change the breath pattern, but just be a witness and watch the flow of prana continuously going in & coming out..

……..

Now Relax, Relax, Relax… 

……….

………

……..

………

Slowly open your eyes…

………

How do you feel now Bansuri ?

Much better, I was in so many thoughts while coming, this quick 3 minutes relaxation helped me to stay on ground now. 

Why, what’s the matter? What’s bothering you?

I was trying to work out a plan for weekly satsang and it’s not coming out well.

Oh! you are talking about the recent message that we got from Guruji asking all of us to work on weekly satsanga?

Yes Sankara. Our group sadhaka’s are so scattered and I was wondering how to regroup and assemble at a single place?

Didn't you read the message properly? Let’s work out a possibility of arranging a place where we all can meet & have weekly satsanga. Till then, we will continue to do so at our respective places. I am sure, if you take up this activity with shraddha & virya, you will certainly get good results soon.

You are right. Let me work it out. OK! before you say that you have to get back to your home, please continue from where you left yesterday on Sri Jayadeva. 

Yes yes..!, where were we on that?

You said, one fine day, when Jaya Deva was in the middle of composing ‘Gita Govind’, he got struck with the thought flow he got while composing it. 

Yes, right. OK listen:

Jayadeva Gosvami was greatly perturbed. “How can I make these words come from the mouth of my Lord Krishna, the supreme controller of unlimited millions of universes?” Many times he asked himself, “Should I write such a thing?” and many times he decided, “Yes, I should.” But even though he wanted to do it, he could not bring himself to write this line. 

This is the scene in Gita Govind where Jayadeva Goswame was not able to proceed further:

Radha is desperately waiting for Sri Krishna all day and there was no sign of Him till evening. Radha loses her patience & slowly it turns into aversion towards Krishna. 

The dry day became wonderful evening with cool breeze around, when Krishna arrived playing enchanting melody on his flute.

Though Radha’s happiness grew in multifold upon seeing his Krishna for whom she was waiting enduringly, she doesn’t want to show it to Krishna immediately for having made her wait so long. At the same time she was hesitant to show her true emotion of aversion towards krishna fearing he may leave her & go away. In this twin state of confused mind, Radha was looking completely helpless. 

Krishna with brightness of 1000’s of lotus petal flowers, comes closer to Radha and talks in a very pleasing tone: 

“My beloved! Offer the fresh buds of your enchanting feet as an ornament upon my head, so the devastating effect of Cupid’s poison may be alleviated and the harsh fire of amorous desires may also be relieved.”

This is the thought flow which Sri Jayadeva received while he was trying to write it as part of Gita Govinda. 

He could not accept the fact of imagining his lord whose feet millions of devotes throng for, can have a women’s feet on his head. 

“What a great sin I have done imagining so. Krishna!, Please forgive me. Your lotus feet touching the devotee’s head is a pure ecstatic moment for anybody.If this being the fact, how can I imagine otherwise!

Not willing to write any further, he placed his works aside and kept sobering in a corner unable to control his tears for having committed such a sin. After a short while, Jayadeva heard his wife asking him to take a bath to get ready for the noon puja offerings to the lord. Not wanting to miss lord's service, Jayadeva consoled himself and left the house to take bath in nearby river. 

Soon after Jayadeva left home for bath, Padmavathi started cleaning & preparing the house for the noon puja. 

At that time:

“Padmavathi!!” – She heard her husband calling by her name from the house entrance. 

Before she could reach the front, she saw her husband with half bathed oil face entering the house in a jet speed. 

Quite surprised, she asked, ‘Prabho!, What made you come back in the middle of your bath? “

“Padmavathi!, I have to add a beautiful sloka in the 'Gita Govind Astapathi'. Before I forget them, bring my writing materials soon so that I can write it immediately”

Padmathi went inside & brought the required materials by a whisker.

Sri Jayadeva without wasting any time, quickly sat and rushed to pen down his thoughts. Padmavathi was quite surprised to see his husband working in such a hassled manner which she has never noticed earlier. 

Within few minutes, Jayadeva had a smile on his face for having written what he wanted to write. He asked his wife to keep the written scripts back in the puja room and left the home to complete his bath. 

After some time, Jayadev returning from his bath went straight into the Puja room and started the noon puja along with devotees who from nearby villages already gathered in good numbers. 

Deepam for the lord was lit

Archana’s & stotra’s for the lord was sung.

Dhoopam for the lord was shown

Mantra Pushpam for the lord was offered

Naivedhya (offerings to the lord) was shared among the gatherings.

Noon Puja got completed. 

After remaining in the bliss for some time, the devotees all left the place satisfactorily both by heart & stomach. 

Compared to his state of mind in the morning, Sri Jayadeva felt so light & relaxed deep inside after the Puja. He went back to his puja room to collect his writing materials to continue with his ‘Gita Govind’. 

Sri Jayadeva took his seat before Sri Krishna idol…. 

Opened the Astapathi written so far…..

Got Astonished & screamed…..

“Padmavathi…Padmavathi!!....”

Padmavathi who was in the kitchen cleaning the vessels, heard her husband calling her name so loudly, immediately rushed towards the puja room and asked if her 'Prabho' is in need any of her help. 

“Padmavathi, today morning, few sloka’s that came to my mind to be written in the 'Gita Govind' were not so good thoughts and hence I left it without writing. But now when I am opened the scripts written so far, I could see the same slokas are already written on them. I am wondering who could have done such a crime like this”? 

“Prabho, you only came in half bathed oil face in the afternoon & hurriedly started writing it and gave it back to me before leaving for bath again. How can you forget it so soon?

‘Devi, I never returned from my bath, if that’s the case, how it can be….”

Sri Jayadeva’s voice suddenly choked. 

He understood the truth. 

His body trembled with goose bumps. 

His eyes were filled with tears of joy. 

“Padmavathi, the slokas which I considered as inauspicious and which I thought that writing them itself is a big sin, has been accepted by the lord. Making his feet burn in this hot day, Srimad Narayanan himself have shown mercy on us by visiting our home”

Sri Jayadeva closed his eyes & said; 

“Parandhama, Jaganatha, Bhakthavatsala, Govinda, Gopala, how will I sing your mercy on us. You have shown the world today that, by feeling sacred to have Radha’s feet touching your head because of her pure love & devotion towards you, you have proved that nothing gives you immense joy & happiness than serving the true devotees who come to you in similar traits with complete Sarangathi (surrender)”

Sri Jayadeva realized how fortunate his wife Padvamathi is to have the dharshan of Srimad Narayana himself, for whom the entire universe is begging to hear their prayers. 

“Padmavathi, you are the one who is really fortunate. You are blessed to be in the service of the lord. Krishna has himself showed his mercy by visiting you in the form of half bathed oil face to write my thoughts into words. He has stolen our hearts and left our place. What good deeds you did to see his dharsan, devi ?

Sri Jayadeva, holding both the hands of his wife Padmavathi, said, “In the next Astapathi that I am going compose, let me include the phrase ‘padmävati-sharana-shärana-chakravarti’* as a gratitude for the immense service you have done for the Lord & Sri Radha. 

Bansuri!, Thus the famous work of Gita Govinda got completed which has been an inspiration for many compositions and choreographic works in Indian Classical dances. 

Its go nice to get into behind the scenes on such famous works done by great men of our country. I would like to do a google search if I can find any such composition to listen to.

Ya, there are many. To start with, if you are interested, you can listen to Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna singing Jayadeva's one of the Ashtapadi’s where Shri Krishna expresses his deep disappointment by the exclamation hari! hari! for making Radha suffer through his prolonged absence. 

Sri Jayadeva expreses Krishna in following ways in that composition:

“Alas! What a terrible calamity. On seeing me surrounded by a throng of elegant gopi’s, Rädhä deserted me. She feels neglected and disrespected. Although she always reigns in my heart as my most beloved, and although she abounds with all desirable virtues, and although her love for me has never been surpassed, still I offended her. Therefore I was nervous and hesitated to pacify her. Feeling insulted, she became annoyed with me and left, and now I am very sorry about what happened.”

“She has been suffering from the devastating heat of separation for a long time, so I cannot predict her behaviour. What will she do? What will she say? Alas! In the absence of Rädhä, my wealth, my relatives, my life, my home and everything seem worthless.”

“Alas! When I continuously realize the direct presence of Rädhä and deeply embrace her in the temple of my heart, why am I uselessly lamenting over her and why am I repeatedly searching for her from forest to forest?”

Hear the song here:

The song goes like this:

tastatas-tāmanusṛtya rādhikām

anaṅga-bāṇa-vraṇa-khinna-mānasaḥ |

kṛtānutāpaḥ sa kalinda-nandinī-

taṭānta-kuñje viṣasāda mādhavaḥ ||

māmiyaṃ calitā vilokya vṛtaṃ vadhū-nicayena |

sāparādhatayā mayāpi na vāritā’tibhayena ||

hari hari hatā’daratayā sā gatā kupiteva ||1||

kiṃ kariṣyati kiṃ vadiṣyati sā ciraṃ viraheṇa |

kiṃ dhanena janena kiṃ mama jīvitena gṛheṇa ||2||

cintayāmi tadānanaṃ kuṭila-bhru-kopabhareṇa |

śoṇa-padmam ivopari-bhramatākulaṃ bhramareṇa ||3||

tām ahaṃ hṛdi saṅgatām anīśaṃ bhṛśaṃ ramayāmi |

kiṃ vane’nusarāmi tāmiha kiṃ vṛthā vilapāmi ||4||

tanvi khinnam asūyayā hṛdayaṃ tavākalayāmi |

tanna vedmi kuto gatāsi na tena te’nunayāmi ||5||

dṛśyase purato gatāgatameva me vidadhāsi |

kiṃ pureva sasambhramaṃ parirambhaṇaṃ na dadāsi ||6||

kṣamyatām aparaṃ kadāpi tavedṛśaṃ na karomi |

dehi sundari darśanaṃ mama manmathena dunomi ||7||

varṇitaṃ jayadevakena hareridaṃ pravaṇena |

kindu-bilva-samudra-sambhava-rohiṇī-ramaṇena ||8|

Sankara, we are so blessed to have such pious saints in our Indian culture who inspire us with such pure dive love & devotion for the lord. 

Yes Bansuri, but remember, it’s not so easy to have complete 'Sarangathi' as well. There are many times in Sri jayadeva’s life where he was tested & even severely punished by the circumstances surrounding him.

Oh is it!, I am eager to know them as well Sankara?

Certainly Bansuri!, I love to share them with you too. But not until tomorrow as it’s now getting late for my Meditation. 

You always leave only when I start to get some interest on your story. Anyways, nothing can stop you from your Meditation…. See you tomorrow, Jai Gurudev!

Jai Gurudev…

*Verse 2 (the Ashtapadi where Sri Jayadeva includes her wife name in his composition)

väg-devatä-carita-citrita-citta-sadmä
padmävati-carana-cärana-cakravarti
sri-väsudeva-rati-keli-kathä-sametam
etam karoti jayadeva-kavih prabandham

*Verse 8 (the Ashtapadi which Sri Jayadeva was reluctant to compose)

smara garaLa khanDanam mama Sirasi manDanam dEhi pada pallava mudAram jvalati mayi dAruNo madana kadanAnalO haratu tadupAhita vikAram||priyE || 

-'Bansuri'

(story of Sri Jayadev inspired from 'Maha Bhakta Vijaya'. Poem extracts are from the book 'Sri Gita Govinda')

SUNSAT series

Satsang - Sadhana Sangama

The 2nd Sunday Satsang (SUNSAT) was held on 8th June, 2014 at Sri. Ramachandran’s place. Around 18 people attended.

We followed the programme schedule circulated earlier. We felt the need to work with the schedule by rearranging the things which we will do before the 3rd SUNSAT.

Gurudev was suggesting that we start and end the SUNSAT exactly at the appointed time i.e., 7.30 am start and 8.30 am end sharp. He was suggesting this because he said that to transcend the concept ‘time’ the first step is to strictly adhere to time.

Conversation with Gurudev provoked many thoughts in my mind relating to Satsanga and I wish to share them. Friends, SUNSAT can be a Group Study, studying one’s own self and others at the same time, if we approach it with that attitude. So, please don’t view them from the prism of right or wrong.

I plan to share them over a few weekly updates and if you find something useful you can adopt it.

Invoking Guru energy

We usually invoke the Guru energy (Hiranya Garbha Aarabdhaam … … ) before starting the programme. I am sure this is the practice others also follow, be it a Satsanga or doing sadhana at home. 

While invoking Guru, what I practice personally is that on the Guru Chakra, I invoke the Guru Trayaa – Asmad Gurubhyo Namaha (Guruji and Jyothi Amma together as one Guru form. If you are comfortable only with Guruji as the Guru image, please continue with that practice.), Asmad Parama Gurubhyo Namaha (H.H. Swami Rama of the Himalayas - Guru of Sri Pattabhiram & Smt. Jyothi) Asmad Parameshti Gurubhyo Namaha (Bengali Baba - Guru of Swami Rama). 

Just above the Guru Chakra is the Vamsa Rushi Chakra, at the top of our forehead. Vamsa Rushis are a combination of one from the Saptarushis and two or four other Rushis who are given the responsibility to protect and guide your family, generations after generations. Mostly, South Indian families are aware of their Vamsa Rushis. Even if you are not aware, just imagine a light and invoke that Energy also. 

If we do this with feeling and confidence, setting aside our logic and intelligence, these energies descend and monitor our sadhana and guide us. This has been happening to me and hence I thought I can share this with you all so that you can also benefit from the presence of these powerful energies in Guru Chakra. 

Some of you may wonder why am I sharing this, as it is a common and regular practice which is being followed by one and all. Yes, I know. But the reason is that instead of making it ritualistic, endeavor should be made to make it workable. When we invoke Guru energy, the feeling should be so intent that the Energy not only descends but you feel its presence. That is the idea. This is certainly not to disregard the sincerity of Sadhakas who are already doing it with intent feeling but there may be some, a very few, who may not be experiencing this and hence I thought of sharing this. This is the connectivity that Gurudev was telling me, at a basic level. Since SUNSAT is blessed by the Guru, it will definitely monitor this activity every week. So, why can’t we make use of SUNSAT to experiment on this when there is collective energy of Sadhakas? 

Other Chapters of Sadhana Sangama are also encouraged to give a weekly report of their Satsang and mail the same to bansuri.sst@gmail.com.

N. Narayanan, Delhi 

Vande Guru Paramparam