SANCTITY OF FOOD, THE PARABRAHMA

Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih,   Brahmagnou Brahmana hutam;

Brahmaiva tena gantavyam, Brahma karma samadhina ||

---Bhagavadgita (4-24)

(The Act of offering is God, The oblation is God, By God it is offered in to the Fire God, God is that which is to be realised by him who performs Actions pertaining to the God).

Realising the sublime nature of the Food, Indian culture has given place of 'prayer' to the sloka before taking  daily food.  And here we try to know some thing about our noble practices, regarding 'Annam' bequeathed from the sages of yore.

The 7 to 10 in Bhruguvalli of Taittiriya Upanishad mention about four vows to be observed in regard to Annam (Food), since Brahma Jnana is materialized through the gateway of 'Anna Brahmopasana' (austere practices  for realizing Brahman). They are,

7  Annam na nindyat tad vratam - Food is not to be blamed/abused/nor scorned at, it is the vow...
8  Annam na parirakshita tad vratam - Food  is never to be rejected scornfully/slightingly. 

9  Annam bahu kurveet tad vratam - Food should be gathered/ collected as much as possible....
10  Na kanchana vasatou pratyaachaksha tad vratam - Never turn back without Food, a guest came for shelter.

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna about The Omnipotent nature of the Almighty, His presence in the life-sustaining Food, in Vedas;  in the slokas 12 to 15 in Chapter 15. Purushotttana Yoga.

15-12  'Yadaditya.'...Understand that the radiance, the effulgence which emanates from the sun illuminating the entire universe and which is in the moon and in Fire is from Me.

15-13  'Gama visya cha'....Permeating through the planetary systems I maintain all moving and stationery beings by my strength, potency and having become the essence of the moon I sustain all plant life.

15-14  'Aham Vaiswanaro'......Being the Fire of Digestion I am entering in to the  body of  all living beings and digesting the food, with the help of prana, life force - in four ways (Bhakshya-cutting hard items with incise and canine teeth, Bhojya-chewing soft  items with pre molar and molar teeth, Lehya-very soft items like ice cream, payasam taken in by tongue, and Choshya-liquid food like juices, beverages for drinking)

15-15  'Sarvasya Chaham'....keep surveillance in the hearts of all beings, I cause the power of remembrance, forgetfulness in the beings. I am the One sought by the Vedas  and Scholars of Vedas and I am the very Vedas, (more specifically, 'Vedanam Sama Vedosmi'- I am the SamaVeda (Gita 10-22).

As I was familiarising with easily understood songs of Annmacharya I was rather astonished to find that he touched these sophisticated slokas also and  converted into intelligible keertana for common folk with such an ease, possible only for him,  starting with the words 'Thus spake Krishna to Arjuna'. 'Ani Anaticche Krishnu Darjununito'.

Annamachaarya advises, 'It is wise to adore the Almighty with devotion  after hearing what Krishna told to Arjuna as explained below;

'O Arjuna !  I am supporting with my might (being omnipotent) all the living beings on this earth. Being the Moon with my rays causing healthy plant life meant for consumption by all beings.

'Being in the form of Vaiswanara (fire god, Jattharagni) within the beings carrying  on the activity of digesting and assimilating food taken. I am residing in their hearts.  Being entrenched there I am causing awareness, remembrance and forgetfulness in  them.

'O Arjuna ! The One sought to be realised by the vedas and vedic scholars is Myself. In fact, I am the very veda, 'Vedanam Sama Vedosmi' (Gita 10-22) -  Among  all the Vedas, I am Sama Veda.  The Almighty settled on Venkatadri with consort Sri Devi is Myself !'

What is Sadachara?  Good practices by way of customs and traditions as passed down by the learned sages and  savants to our present generation  to be implemented in day to day chores for our well being in this world. The observation of sanctity towards the Food by prayer and following the four vows about Food, will go a long way in the realisation of the Almighty !

* "Ani Anaticche Krishnu Darjununito"

'Annam Parabrahma Swarupam'

Om Shanti! 

GIFT OF ANOTHER DAY

Clouds come floating in to my life no longer to carry rain or usher storm , but to add colour to  my sunset sky---'Gurudev' Rabindranath Tagore

Senility - the most important phase in one's lifetime on the threshold of another grand Sunrise.  A phase full of maturity, wisdom seeking realisation of The Real, The Truth of one's existence. All the initial faltering steps encountered in the role play on the stage show reminisced at the climax scene before curtain drop, with clearing minds of all illusions. A smile at last with satisfaction of one's performance of the role allotted.

Yes, this should be the awareness  for every reader, to be conveyed through these  writings. In this effort I am also introducing works of the noble souls of centuries apart but with their wisdom relevant for all times to come in future too.

Annamacharya's approach to the man on the street for exposing the down to earth realities  of bondages of this world which cast a net from reaching the 'Almighty within',  is expressed
in multiple keertanas with an intent of opening of eyes to see the divinity that is eternal.  One such keertana is "Venakedo Mundaredo Verrinenu". (Here I have to clarify that every song, I discuss now and then, is available in You tube with feast of melody by professional singers). Now let us have the freelance meaning  of the keertana as I understood.

'What more can I say, where is the medicine (or cure, remedy) for those aimless beings indulging in sensual affairs, blindly assuming the temporal life as eternal.  A dullard like me, how can know what happened in the past.  What is going to happen in the future.  O my mind! What is the remedy for the infatuations we are indulging in the worldly affairs. 

'I prayed a lot for becoming affluent in my future births also.  What can I say about my foolishness. How can I know, in to which 'Form' I take rebirth. I wish I have a sound sleep, but I am not sure if I get up after the night sleep. 

'Every day, from the time of my getting up from the bed, I see the world which gives me the impression  of being Real and of permanent nature, before I go to bed in the night.  But after going to bed, during the deep sleep, I do not see this world. I do not know where it has gone. Is the world lost in my mind during the deep sleep Real? Or, is the world giving sense of permanency while I am awake,  Real?

'I am a fool being ignorant of Truth. Sensual pleasures of women are surrounding me whenever  the opportunity arises.  I am not mindful about my senility.  

'Every day I am committing sins and ignorant about their being accounted for in the hell above.   I am seeking the Almighty externally elsewhere, being not aware of the fact that He is very much within me.  What a dunce am I !'

Thus the hints given by Annamayya about necessity of avoiding faltering steps in our prime life, to be treated as guiding lights in our journey. As each day is well spent we remember 'Gurudev' giving thanks to the Almighty 'being grateful for the Gift of Another Day!'

"Venakedo Mundaredo Verri Nenu"

'Gurudev' Rabindranath Tagore

(09.07.2009)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                               

ART AND VOICE IN DIVINE PERSUIT

It has passed three months since I started - on 15.08.2015, (Independence Day) - sharing spiritual matters, some from scriptures and some from direct experience by divine revelation. To be frank enough right in the beginning I had taken a decision, not to turn back for my shadow following which might hinder my satisfactory pace in spiritual realisation with the head held high towards Blissful Being, revelling in the thought of seeking well being of other noble souls on this earth.  Hence, my only request to my readers is to forgive and forget, if the opinions expressed by me are not at all acceptable, on account of readers having knowledge from their better gurus. As matured seekers the readers shall have the noble quality of forbearance of my writings, particularly about non acceptable propositions, if any, of mine.

 I shall tell you one example, when I too remained  in humble acceptance of the things as they are happening around us.  I happened to see in the net that the original name of Taj Mahal was 'Tejo Mahalaya', a Siva Temple, with all  proofs locked up in a cellar room, with court decision, against opening it.  And when I went through the 'The Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahamsa Yogananda, I read that he mentioned it as Samadhi (mausoleum) on his visit to Agra. Then, of course this happened a few years back, I got a doubt that he being Paramahamsa why he did not reveal the truth behind Taj Mahal to the world.  Perhaps, I realize now that, it might be due to his thought of not disturbing the hornet's nest, affecting the prevalent religious harmony in India. So, I left that matter then and there only. The present recollection was due to mentioning of his name in the previous post about 'Paramahamsa' (Supreme Swan).

Recently, I opened two more blogs:- 'Arenar Songs' (arenarsongs.blogspot.in) and 'arenart'
(rnr-art.blogspot.in).  The reasons for taking this step must be explained by me in all honesty. Though initially I opined that frequent mentioning of Annmayya and his spiritual works would affect inter continental readership following the scribblings. But the continued  overwhelming response to my spiritual exposing is encouraging me to open up and share more information available with me.
I have  good number of  'tatva' based (spiritual knowledge) and devotional songs, of course in telugu.

My request to the non- telugu readers is to enjoy the spiritual text in priority and also observe discerningly the Sound of the 'Consciousness within' originating from the navel making this human body a medium (a tool) to reach you all, since language is never a barrier for the melody arising on account of 'total surrender'. In corroboration of this point, I refer to you my school days' poem "The Solitary Reaper" by William Wordsworth. Stepping in to his shoes, just like him you would ask me, "Will no one tell me what she sings?" (in country folk dialect). Be enthralled by listening mine too......

                       "O listen! for the Vale profound
                         Is overflowing with the sound.
                     
                       'Whatever the theme the Maiden sang
                        As if her song could have no ending.

                       'The music in my heart I bore,
                        Long after it was heard no more."............

When the poet, William Wordsworth enjoyed the high land lass's song - melodious but in unintelligible language, hope you will too relish with a noble heart, my devout voice.

One more thing about the songs. I have noted  at the outset in the blog that a star mark " * " is placed before some interesting songs for 'please don't miss' listening.  Here some may feel that when my 'profile' is clear about my transcending the tastes and smells, likes and dislike of the mundane by positively declaring - Nil, why the asterisk (star) consciousness?  This exercise was mooted  only to facilitate you in selecting from many many hundreds of songs in the offing very soon. But for me, every bit of this creation is manifestation  of Supreme Consciousness only!
                     
'Our sweetest  songs are those that tell of saddest thought' (P B Shelley) ! True in my case too! To come out  from the melancholic gloom of my better half's demise, my son  suggested me to hold a painting brush (painting is known for concentration) for alleviation of the heavy heart by diversion. So, I
was blessed with creativity in challengingly attempting for famous Ravivarma Themes. So, I thought to share with you now, those 'colourful' adventures in my new blog on paintings exclusively.The painting activity has really done a good thing for me by mental relaxation and some good output in hues that  withstand the test of time on the walls.  Right now, instead of  'The Solitary Reaper' painting enjoy the amusing vivid painting of my better half in the role  (local dress) of a "Tea Leaf Picking Lass" in the Tea gardens of Darjeeling, India, in October 1993.

So, I hope ardently that, the new two blogs serve you, all inter continental noble souls, my 'art and voice'  beyond language bariers; considering these two by you, as my acts of "divine persuit"!

 'Tea Leaf Picking Lass'

Wife in Darjeeling Tea Gardens, 

West Bengal, India (Oct 1993)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                                 

PARAMAHAMSA (SUPREME SWAN)

In Indian mythology,  'swan' is taken symbolic of  Purity, Piousness, and embodiment of Satvaguna (the  noble one of the three gunas - attributes, the living beings are imbued with, from womb to tomb).  In addition to these noble qualities, the swan is said to have the unique attribute of separating and consuming only the creamy part of the milk and leaving aside the whey (water part of the milk).

The sages and noble souls who realised God are compared with the swan, in that they are able to differentiate between what is Real, the One Supreme Consciousness and what is Unreal, the illusory material things in this world.  Like swan, they pick up only Punyas (pious deeds) and forsake the Papas (sinful deeds).  Hence they are honoured with the title called 'Paramahamsa' (Supreme Swan). In the nineteenth century we had most venerable Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and in  the following century, Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda.

As we understand from the foregoing, the concept of 'Paramhamsa' is related to the noble souls who realised the God on this earth. And when Annamacharya extended this concept of  'Paramahamsa' even to the Almighty Himself in a unique way, I felt I should share this divine proposition of Annamayya, expressed in his sankeertana - "Dibbalu Vettuchu Delina Didivo"- with the noble souls like you.  (The sweet voice of the popular cine play back singer, P B Srinivas can be heard in the You tube)

'Annamacharya compares the Gitacharya, the Almighty with the swan; and says just as the swan separates milk from water, the Lord considers only the punyas (pious deeds) of the human beings and leaves the papas (sinful deeds), since the Almighty does not interfere in  the karmic deeds and their attendant fruits (karma phala) affecting the human beings.  Thus, human beings continue to take birth after birth on account of their prarabdha karmas of the previous birth, and their liberation comes through only when they realise the God  by annihilation  of their karmas, by coming  in to the path of spirituality. The selection of the Punyas of  the beings by the Almighty is on account of His magnanimity only.

'One swan swims over the vast ocean, as if it is a single stupendous mainland for it. That is, it is not afraid at all about the vast ocean.  It considers only the punyas  (pious deeds) of the individual soul and leaves out the papas (sinful deeds).

'And it also is a swan, Its habitat is lotus lake water in  which it swims gracefully.  Lord Srimannarayana also moves in the lotus lake called the heart of His consort, Sri Lakshmi Devi.  Not only that He resides in the lotus lakes of the Individual Souls, considering only their Punyas (pious deeds) . In what is called 'Vasudeva Tatva', the Individual Soul annihilates its karma phalas, gets liberated ; and finally merges with the Universal Soul.

'The Almighty abides in all Parama Yogis of this earth. And not only that, just as a swan perches its wide wings to protect umpteen number of its cygnets (swanlings or baby swans), The Almighty in the form of Lord Venkateswara at present  is abiding on the Venkatadri hill to protect His own creation. And this activity of the Almighty is unending.'.....

The noble traits of a 'Paramahamsa' namely, Purity, Piousness, Satvaguna (noble among three attributes) and acumen towards picking up of only 'grain' called Punyas (pious actions) and leaving out 'chaff' called Papas (sinful actions) shall be emulated by the serious and steadfast seekers on spiritual path. The efforts may look bitter but the fruits are certainly of immense sweet. That is the Liberation and God Realisation !

"Dibbalu Vettuchu Delina DidivO"

The Supreme Swan (18.11.2015)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                           

SOUL OVER ROLE

Cherish your happy moments; they make a free cushion for old age

--- Booth Tarkington

'Old age is the crown of life; our play's last act! ' (Cicero).  So, when a 'soul' ponders over its 'role' played in the human body donned on this earth, what is the outcome? Without hesitation, the answer is, it all depends on the way one 'lived' prior to the 'autumn of life'!

‘Winter/Autumn of one’s life’ is the time of brooding over the performances during one’s spring time.  And of course, my oil painting on 'Winter Life' below perfectly reflects the way of my present graceful and enlivening 'Winter Life'! Thankful to the Almighty within! You are all aware of the reasons also for my present state on account of opening up of my heart to you in the earlier scribblings.

For some people however, when embarking on a long and tedious journey, if the destination is still not within the visible horizon, even after covering most of the distance, a day will come – when they feel to give up, being tired of the journey and with moaning, lament over the past by way of reminiscence.  For these people, who did not open their eyes in time, the lack lustre fag end stage is replete with repentance about the divinity pushed in to the oblivion at the haughty, self- centred phase of their life.

Annamachaarya subrogates in to their garb and depicts their feelings vividly as if his own!   In his pursuit for realisation of the Almighty, feeling desperate, on one occasion he groans with pathos, about being liberated from this earthly human body, in the sankeertana, “Enta Kalamo Kada Yi Deha Dharanamu”......

‘O Lord!   How long still, shall I have to live in this human body?  What is the benefit do I get from this?  Thoughts, desires and attendant problems are incessantly coming, pushing me through inveterate hell.  Being immersed in sensual pleasures, I could n’t open my eyes.  I had to bear this human body fraught with dangers.  Had to live with illusions. Ignoring to serve the Almighty, I had fallen into hellish pit.  Loitered aimlessly…..

‘O Lord! I don’t know how much more time I have to live in dragging with this human body (as I grew old).   What is the benefit from this accruing to me now?  I had to pull along all the way by being entangled in problems arising out of incessant desires.

‘Is it not due to being ensnared in the net of un-ending passions that I had to fall in the inveterate hell and wade through the foul place!  Is it not because of being  over -whelmed  by the windfall sensual pleasures that I had to push through ignoble narrow bylanes!

‘Is it not because of being bound by the ropes of sins that I had to don this human body prone to frequent dangers!  Is it not due to desiring for the pleasures generating from the intent looks that I wandered like fly attracted towards lamp!

‘Is it not because of not serving the Almighty that I had to be mangled by falling in to the abysmal hell!  Is it not because of non-obtention of the grace of the Lord that I had to drag this life by now by pleading to the people around for my help!......'

How much gratefully we shall show our gratitude to the poet savant, Annamacharya for passing on such a divine knowledge for being cautious and awake!  'Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.  Then you will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets and life will become a beautiful success!' (Pindar).

So, let us pursue righteous path in our 'spring' time to make our lives a 'pleasure trove' even in our 'autumn' !

                                                  "Enta Kalamo Kada Yi Deha Dharanamu"

"Winter Life" (13.08.2009)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                             

THANK GOD, FOR THIS WONDERFUL BIRTH !

Whatever be the Supreme Knowledge we gain gradually over a period of our spiritual pursuit, we use rather consciously or unconsciously, the word “Thank God!” for the benevolences received from the Almighty. Because it is the trait in our blood learnt from our parents in our childhood. Even at the higher stage of understanding  all pervading  ’ One Consciousness’,  the grateful acknowledgement in the form of “Thank God” continues to be used  in the execution of worldly transactions.

Let us see how ‘thanks giving’ to the Almighty, for bestowing this wonderful human birth, is nicely expressed by Annamacharya, in his sankeertana, “Hari Hari Ni Maya Mahima”.  As we have known already, ‘devotion with total surrender’ is the best way to realise the Almighty within us.  

And at one time it so happened that, the Almighty within made me get up from the bed at 12.30 in the mid night (to be meticulous, the night of 9/10 May 2015) and sing in  my cell with full depth on account of melting of heart for Him, with rolling of tears. You will perceive this change in  tenor of my voice below, - from the words " malasi antalo" in the midst of the lyric.  This is called “bhava -avesa” and “ardrata” in telugu.  I can only explain it as ‘melting of heart with tears rolling’ on account of deep merging with the Almighty.  The transformation of my voice enabling for devotional singing is the Almighty’s gift only!

Thes text of the sankeertana is furnished below:-

‘O Almighty! (Hari), You have bestowed me with benevolence to understand gradually, your ‘power of Illusion’.  I am thankful to you.  You are my Deity, my Mother, my Father, my Guru; You are my ‘Prana’ ( life-force)  You are ruling over me with attention! This is enough for me in this life span.  Since only You are in my constant vision whether with closed eyes or open ones, what more I require in this life?

‘O Lord! Let me try to understand gradually, the mode of the play of Illusion.  I regard You as my Deity, father and everything.  But in the very next moment, I forget this on account of Your Illusion.  As if in a dream, I forget everything and start worrying much with a feeling of having lost something. There is no respite from this Illusion.

‘Sometimes I salute to You quite frequently, and sometimes I pray eulogising You as my Lord. Sometimes I believe You as the Creator of this whole Universe. I am elated (inflated) and proud with strong conviction with a feeling that You are on my side. Then I start dwindling, resulting in untold grief.   There is no respite from this Illusion.

‘O Lord! By visualizing Your Majestic stature, I firmly believe that You will certainly grace Your benevolence upon me. This act of Yours, I visualize as a wonder in all the worlds.  O Lord! I have Your blessings.  Now I am Blissful. And this is perpetual. I am thankful to You, O my Lord!’….

How much relaxing it is,   in the thought of the Almighty within, the source of everything. Merge with that! You have a disillusioned spriteful living on this earth!

"Hari Hari Ni Maya Mahima"

Sri  Jagadguru Adisankaracharya

(Backbone of Indian Non Dualistic Philosophy)

(14.11.2015)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                                 

BE HAPPY - BY TAKING 'ILLUSION' FOR GRANTED !

My mentor used to say, ‘If a wise one commits one thousand mistakes, the ignorant one commits ten thousand mistakes and does n’t learn even after.  As we recollect 

last but one para of the previous blog (Cloth Merchant), I had said that ‘In the ultimate analysis, we come to realise that everything is as ordained by the Almighty present in each and every form of creation.   Accordingly, one……succeeds in his mission of passing through – in this world – safely!’  This is the crux of Vedanta. We are wise enough to realise the Almighty’s role play in different forms of this world. So, pleasure and pains, actions of good and bad classification, all become part of His illusory stage show.  Then having become aware of this, what we are supposed to do?  Feel relaxed having ‘totally surrendered’ to that Almighty and discharge our actions in righteous way.  We are confident now that He won’t let us down, as we are in His constant protection.

The way great poet – savants present such themes as above,  are really matchless.  For instance, Annamayya in his tatvic keertana, “Ekkadi Manusha Janmam Betthina Phala Memunnadi”, sympathisingly starts off saying ‘What is the use of taking the human birth which has become useless - on account of indulging in so many “Errors of Omission and Commission”! -omitting actions ought to do,  committing actions ought not to do.  Hence let us trust the Almighty. To liberate us, is up to Him.

In this keertana, Annamacharya skill fully opens up with nature of duality, that is devotee's exhortations to the Almighty, as if there are two entities. But gradually by the end, drives us to the realisation of the All pervading Almighty within, the Universal I, the Supreme consciousness, by which awareness, all actions of this illusory world  are well  understood.

‘Things which are to be forgotten, are not forgotten and which are not to be forgotten, are forgotten; Things which are to be left away, are not left away and things which are not to be left away, are left away;  Things which are to be pursued after, are not pursued after and things which are not to be pursued after, are pursued after;  All these actions of mine are due to ensnaring of ‘Vishnu maya’ (Almighty’s Illusion), resulting in not even contemplating His Protection’.

‘O Lord! What’s this human birth? Any use?  No. It is left to you to liberate me. I am so useless that, I cannot stop filling my stomach in all three times of the day. I cannot renounce the marital pleasures, do not get satiated in sensual gratifications. I don’t forget them but I do forget valuable knowledge, spiritual matters and the guru - helpful in realisation of God. But I am not to be blamed for these, because it’s by the encircling of your Illusion !

‘O Lord! Relentlessly I am performing all sorts of ‘papa punyas’ (acts of sin and piousness).  Unable to get rid of bad traits, I am being entangled in hopes and desires, unable to shake them off. Is it not because of your Illusion? On the other hand, I have left out observing ‘Shatkarmas’ (six body-purifying duties ordained, namely – Dhauti, Bhasti, Neti, Trataka, Nauli and Kapalabhati);  not bothering about ‘renunciation’ and even forgot about observing laid down customs and practices.  It’s due to your Illusion only !

‘O Lord! I get trapped in problems and bondages.  Not able to set my mind on any effort for salvation. Despite these shortcomings why should I lose heart ?  I have your blessing.  You are happily protecting me as the ‘All-pervading Almighty’.   Then why should I bother about your ‘Illusion !’

So, I am very happy to share this knowledge with you - the elite ones !  Now you are all clear in your understanding the Almighty’s play – the perspective of  His Illusion is now welcomed by you all, as taken for granted. The True Essence  of which you are made of,  now dismantles the myth of False Reality that was (for,  now we are awakened to the reality)  - ‘Illusion’ !

"Ekkadi Manusha Janmam Betthina Phala Memunnadi"

Annamacharya (12.11.2015)

Om Shanti!