Friday, August 21, 2015
Sri Guru Raghavendra
Pujyaya Raghavendraya Sathya Dharma Rathayacha
Bajatham Kalpa Vrukshaya Namatham Kamadehnave
Shri Guru Raghavendra Swami (1595–1671 CE), born Venkanna Bhatta, was a renowned Hindu saint, philosopher and proponent of Dvaita philosophy established by Sri Madhvacharya. He served as the head of the matha in Kumbakonam from 1621 to 1671. His Brindavan in Mantralayam in the present-day Andhra Pradesh is an important place of pilgrimage. The numerous miracles he performed have led to him being worshipped even today as a Guru and he is believed to be the saviour for those who placed faith in him. He is the avatar of Prahlada, who is famous as one of the best bhaktas of Lord Narayana.
Birth
Shri Raghavendra Swami was born as Shri Venkanna Bhatta, the second son of Shri Thimanna Bhatta and Smt. Gopikamba on Thursday, Sukla Saptami of Phalguna month in 1595, when the moon was in Mrigashirisha Nakshatra, at Bhuvanagiri, near present-day Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. Shri Thimmanna Bhatta was the son of Shri Kanakachala Bhatta and the grandson of Shri Krishna bhatta, a Veena scholar in the court of King Krishnadevaraya. Shri.Thimanna Bhatta and his wife, Smt. Gopikamba had a son, Gururajacharya and a daughter, Venkatamba.
Shri Venkanna Bhatta was also called Venkatanatha or Venkatacharya in honor of Shri Venkateshwara at Tirupati, with whose blessings he was considered to have been born, as a gift to his parents for their devotion and diligence towards the deity.
Education
Venkatanatha proved to be a very brilliant scholar. This greatness was visible even when he was a child. For example, he is supposed to have questioned his father as to how a small object like ‘Om’ could capture the infinite greatness of god. However, his father did not live long enough to see the greatness of his son. He passed away when Venkatanatha was still at a very young age.
Venkatanatha’s brother took care of his upbringing. The initial portion of his education was under his brother-in-law Lakshminarasimhacharya of Madurai. Sri Venkatanatha is known to be a skilled musician and an expert in playing the instrument Veena (Veena Venkata Bhatta)
Married life along with continued education
Upon returning from Madurai, Venkatanatha was married to Saraswati, who was from a noble family. The Shastras say that for one who has control of his senses, wedded life does not hamper learning. For Venkatanatha, most of his learning occurred after marrying Saraswati, through the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. So Venkatanatha went to Kumbhakonam, the seat of learning at the time. There he studied dvaita vedanta, advanced works on grammar and other shastras under sudhindra tirtha. He used to stay awake past midnight to write his own comments and notes on the lessons that had been done. He engaged in debate and defeated several scholars of opposing doctrines; one of them was Venkatesvara dikshita, a famous scholar of the Tanjore court in 1620. Though his victory was not unexpected sudhindra tirtha was surprised at his scholarship in grammar, profound knowledge and rare debating skill, and called him “Mahabhashya Venkatanathacharya”. Similarly he explained the significance of taptamudra dharana quoting several smritis that the opponents had to accept his arguments were irrefutable.
Poorvashrama miracles
Once while he was touring Kumbakonam along with his wife, Shri Venkatanatha and his family were invited to attend a function. Unfortunately, the hosts did not treat him well and wanted him to earn his food by running a chore. So they asked him to make some sandalwood paste for all the invitees. Shri Venkatanatha per his habit was chanting stotras and mantras while preparing sandalwood for Tilaka. When the guests applied this paste, it induced a burning sensation all over their bodies. Surprised by this, the hosts sought a clarification from Venkatanatha. He replied that the burning sensation was due to the Agni Suktam (hymn for the worship as defined in the Esoteric Vedas) that he was chanting while preparing sandalwood and thus eternal power of Vedic Mantras revealed itself. This happens only when chanted with absolute dedication and devotion. The power is enhanced since it was chanted by someone as virtuous and devoted to Bhagwaan Hari as himself. Upon realizing his devotion and power, the host apologized profusely to Shri Venkatanatha and sought his forgiveness.
Becomes sanyasi after Vidya Lakshmi requests him
Thus while his life was spent in the worship of God and service of humanity, his spiritual guru, Shri Sudheendra Theertharu, was looking for a successor to his math. He had a dream where the Lord indicated that Shri Venkatanatha would be the right person to succeed him as the pontiff. Shri Venkatanatha initially refused due to his responsibility towards his young wife and son but was soon blessed by the Goddess of Learning, where she in a dream indicated that he was to seek salvation as a Sanyasi. Shri Venkatanatha treated this as an omen and changed his mind. The sanyasa ordination took place in 1621 on the Phalguni Sukla Dwitiya at Tanjore.
Wife becomes ghost, obtains liberation
On the day of Shri Venkatanatha’s ascension into Sanyasashrama, his wife, Smt. Saraswathi was seized by a sudden desire to see her husband’s face for the last time. She ran towards the Matha throwing caution to the winds and accidentally drowned in an old and unused well on the way.
Per the tenets of Hinduism, she became a ghost trapped mid-way between Heaven and Earth due to her untimely death. Since her last wish of seeing her husband was not fulfilled, her ghost went to the matha to witness the ordaining function. However, by the time she arrived, her husband had become a Sannyasi Shri Raghavendra Theertha. However, Shri Guru Raghavendra could immediately sense his wife’s presence with his spiritual powers. He sprinkled some holy water from His Kamandalu on her as a means of granting her last wish. This action granted her moksha or liberation from the cycle of births and deaths and was considered her reward for a lifetime of dedicated and selfless service to Shri Raghavendra Swami.
Kumbakonam drought
During Shri Raghavendra Swami’s time at Kumbakonam, the Tanjore district as a whole was reeling under the effects of a severe 12 year long drought. The Maharaja of Tanjore approached Swamiji for spiritual solace and was advised to perform some Yagnas. No sooner were these rites performed, was the region flush with rain and prosperity. As a mark of gratitude, the Maharaja gifted the Matha with a necklace embellished with precious stones.
Swamiji offered the necklace as a contribution to a yagna that he was performing then. The Maharaja took affront at this action. When Swamiji realized this, he immediately put his hand into the homa kunda and retrived the necklace in a condition identical to which it was given to him by the King. Neither the necklace nor Swamiji’s hand showed any indication of having been in a raging fire. This incident only served to reaffirm the greatness of Swamiji and converted the Maharaja of Tanjore into an ardent Bhakta.
Shri Raghavendra Swami embarked on a tour of South India, spreading the Dvaita Philosophy and visiting famous pilgrimage centers such as those at Rameshwaram and Srirangam. At Rameshwaram, he clarified the origins of the Siva Linga as the one that was installed by Lord Rama himself before his journey to Lanka to fight Ravana. In this context, he also clarified that Ravana was a Rakshasa since he was born to a Rakshasi mother and Brahmin father. He rebuffed the claim made by some scholars that Lord Rama, as the Supreme One, is not bound by Brahma Hatya Dosha (or any other doshas) for eliminating Ravana.
He also traveled to Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai where he met his Poorvashrama brother-in-law with whom he had spent a large part of his childhood. As part of his Yatras, he traveled to Vishnu Mangala, Kukke Subramanya and Udipi in Karnataka, amongst other such spiritual centers and impressed one and all with his mastery of Dvaita philosophy, won many admirers, gained many devotees and published stellar works of literature and philosophy some of which were carried around in processions of elephants as a mark of respect for its brilliance.
Power to revive the dead
On a hot summer day, Shri Raghavendra Swami was on his way home from a pilgrimage. He decided to rest in the shade of a tree at Krishnapuram (near Hubli). While there, he saw the Nawab (Muslim king) walking towards him, with a sad demeanor. The Nawab had heard of his miracles and had come to him as a last resort. He stated that his young son had died from a poisonous snakebite and been buried in a tomb close by. After hearing this, contemplated silently for a few moments and then asked the king to take the body out of the tomb. When the puzzled Nawab did as he was asked, Swami sprinkled holy water from his kamandala and prayed to his Aradhya murthy (favorite form of the Lord). Lo behold, the young boy woke up as though he was getting up from sleep. The Nawab was beside himself with joy.
Nawab of Adoni and Mantralaya
Much after the above incident had occurred, Shri Raghavendra Swami got an opportunity meet the Nawab of Adoni face-to-face. The Nawab, instead of being respectful to him, decided to test his spiritual skills and placed before the Swamiji, a plate of non vegetarian delicacies completely covered with a piece of cloth, in the guise of offering alms.
Per Hindu customs, alms are customarily offered to a visiting saint to seek his blessings. Swamiji took some water from his Kamandala, meditated and sprinkled it on the covered plate, as part of his regular practice of purifying any food before consumption. He then opened the plate. It contained fresh fruits. The Nawab immediately became remorseful and became an ardent devotee of Swamiji then on. As an apology, he offered to give the Swamiji any amount of land and wealth. While Swamiji refused any such gift for his personal gains, he asked that the land around Manchale (present day Mantralayam), which was part of the Nawab’s kingdom, to be handed over to his Matha.
Though the Nawab of Adoni offered to give him a more fertile region, Shri Raghavendra Swami insisted on the dry and barren region around Mantralayam, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
Many years later, he told a devotee that it was the region where King Prahalada had performed his yagnyas to Lord Rama during the Dwapara Yuga and was hence an extremely holy land. Thus the Matha moved to Mantralayam where Shri Raghavendra Swamy continued his spiritual journey. At Mantralayam, Shri Guru Raghavendra encouraged Annadhanam (donation of food) to all devotees. It is a practice that is followed by the Matha to this date and is heavily subsidized by donations.
His Works and compositions
He wrote a commentary Sudha Parimala on the SrimanNyaya Sudha, an exposition of Dvaita philosophy
Guru Raghavendraru wrote many spiritual compositions and one devotional song that was dedicated to Krishna ("Show me your feet today, oh Lord Krishna").
List of some of his works:
Dasha Prakarana : Commentaries on six of the ten PrakaraNa-granthas of Madhva
Sutra Prasthaana: works on the brahma-sUtra
Rig and Upanishad prasthaana
Gita Prasthaana
Other famous works
Shri Ramacaritramanjari
Shri Krishnacaritramanjari
Pratah Sankalpa Gadya
Sarvasamarpana Gadya
Last speech
On Dwitiya Day of Sravana Krishna Paksha in 1671, Raghavendra Swami gave a soul-stirring speech to hundreds of devotees who had gathered to watch the event. Some quotes from that speech are as follows –
1. Without right living, right thinking will never come.
2. Social work done for the good of worthy people should also be considered as the Lord’s worship.
3. Always keep away from people who merely perform miracles.
4. Right knowledge is greater than any miracle.
5. Have devotion to the Lord. This devotion should never be blind faith.
Shri Raghavendra Swami attained Jeeva samadhi on Dwitiya Day of Sravana Krishna Paksha in 1671. This date is celebrated each year as Shri Raghavendra Swami Aradhana at Brindavans all over the world. The Raghavendra Matha in Mantralaya housing his Brindavan is visited by thousands of devotees every year.
Loka Samastha Sukhinobavanthu. Sarve Jana Sukhinobavanthu
Om Santi Santi Santi
If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
- Confucius.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
- Confucius.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Sadhguru- a yogi,mystic and visionary
“This life for me is an endeavor to help people experience and express their divinity. May you know the bliss of the Divine.” - SADHGURU
Sadhguru, a yogi and profound mystic of our times, is a visionary humanitarian and a prominent spiritual leader. A contemporary Guru, rooted as strongly in mundane and pragmatic matters as he is in inner experience and wisdom, Sadhguru works tirelessly towards the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of all. His mastery of the mechanisms of life, an outcome of his profound experience of the Self, guides in exploring the subtler dimensions of life.
At home in loincloth as much as he is in blue jeans, barefoot through the mighty Himalayas, or straddling a BMW motorcycle on the expressway, Sadhguru is the most unusual mystic that one can encounter. Marking a clear departure from mere customs and rituals, Sadhguru's scientific methods for self-transformation are both direct and powerful. Belonging to no particular tradition, Sadhguru incorporates and presents what is most valid for the contemporary life from the yogic sciences.
Sadhguru speaks at some of the world's most prominent international leadership forums. In January 2007, he participated in four panels at the World Economic Forum and spoke on issues ranging from diplomacy and economic development, to education and the environment. In 2006, he addressed the World Economic Forum, the Tallberg Forum in Sweden, and the Australian Leadership Retreat. He has also served as a delegate to the United Nations Millennium Peace Summit and the World Peace Congress.
Sadhguru's vision and understanding of modern social and economic issues have led to interviews with BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNNfn, and Newsweek International. His insights are regularly featured in India's leading national newspapers. A well-known public figure, he regularly draws crowds of more than 300,000 people for his public talks and "sathsangs" (group meditation).
Traversing seamlessly from the ancient to the ultramodern, Sadhguru bridges the gap between the known and the unknown, enabling all those who encounter him to explore and experience the deepest dimensions of life.
He founded isha Foundation an International, volunteer-run non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating human potential. The Foundation is a human service organization that recognizes the possibility of each person to empower another - restoring global community through inspiration and individual transformation.
Isha Foundation is operated by over 2 Million volunteers from more than 150 city-based centers spread worldwide. The Foundation is headquartered at Isha Yoga Center, set at the base of the Velliangiri Mountains in southern India, and at the Isha Institute of Inner Sciences on the spectacular Cumberland Plateau in middle Tennessee, USA. Sadhguru offers powerful methods for self transformation and empowerment through the science of yoga.
If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
- Confucius.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda
As one of the rare living Avataras...His Holiness Parama Pujya Dr. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji is the Pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham at Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Ashrama in Mysore, India. Sri Swamiji is renowned for His Healing and Meditation music and He is considered a divine guide who cultivates the ancient Vedic traditions. He was born fully realised in command of the eight Mahasiddhis and is a Guru in the Dattatreya Avadhoota lineage. Sri Swamiji honours all religions and teaches that it's possible to reach God by many paths. "It is of primary importance to attune with God through prayer, worship and the chanting of God's holy names". "Then God Himself will give you good guidance" says Sri Swamiji.
If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
- Confucius.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Sri Satya Sai Baba
108 Quotes of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
- The greatest fear man can have is the fear of losing GOD's Love.
- Too much food results in dullness of mind.
- A language is as sweet as the tongues of the speakers.
- Every experience that is drawn through any of the senses has an effect on one's health.
- Love all beings; that is enough.
- Discipline is the mark of intelligent living
- When calamity approaches, discrimination departs.
- A man's well-being depends upon his degree of contentment.
- God is all Names and all forms.
- Follow the Master, face the devil, fight to the end, finish the game.
- Real happiness lies within you.
- All things in creation are subject to the law of change, and man, too, is subject to this law.
- Renunciation is the power of battling against evil forces and holding the mind in check.
- The teachers of tomorrow are the students of today.
- God is not to be spoken of as coming down or going up, since HE is everywhere.
- Learn to speak what you feel, and act what you speak.
- What is the unmistakable mark of a wise man? It is Love, Love for all humanity.
- Each man carries his destiny in his own hands.
- Whenever and wherever you put yourself in touch with GOD, that is the state of meditation.
- Small minds select narrow roads; expand your mental vision and take to the broad road of helpfulness, compassion and service.
- Silence is the speech of the spiritual seeker.
- Service springs out of LOVE and it scatters LOVE in profusion.
- Ignorance is the most important cause of sorrow.
- Once we surrender our mind to GOD completely, HE will take care of us in every way.
- Have constructive thoughts, consoling words, compassionate acts.
- Where there is FAITH, there is LOVE; Where there is LOVE; there is PEACE; Where there is PEACE; there is GOD; Where there is GOD; there is BLISS.
- The end of knowledge is LOVE. The end of education is character.
- LOVE is the scarcest article today.
- Mine, not thine; this sense of greed is the root of all evil. This distinction is applied even to GOD! -- my GOD, not yours! Your GOD, not mine!
- All spiritual practice must be directed to the removal of the husk and the revelation of the kernel.
- The mind fixed in the awareness of the ONE is line a rock; unaffected by doubt, stable, secure.
- LOVE lives by giving and forgiving. Self lives by getting and forgetting.
- GOD is the doer; you are but the instrument.
- The heart of man, which is now allowed to lie fallow, has to be ploughed by spiritual exercises like repetition of GOD's name.
- GOD is neither distant, nor distinct from you.
- What is meant by the phrase "to know GOD"? It means "to love GOD".
- When there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there will be PEACE in the world.
- The beauty of life depends upon our good habits.
- Good company is important, it helps to cultivate good qualities.
- You cannot see ME, but I am the light you see by. You cannot hear ME, but I am the sound you hear by. You cannot know ME, but I am the truth by which you live.
- Be ever watchful to see that you strive to take in more and more of GOD into you.
- If you honour your mother, the Mother of the Universe will guard you against harm.
- The same current activates all.
- GOD gave you the time, space, cause, material, idea, skill, chance and fortune. Why should you feel as if you are the doer?
- Make the home a seal of harmony.
- Have no desires to place before GOD, whatever HE does with you, however HE treats you, is the gift that HE likes best to give you!
- Unity is divinity; purity is enlightenment.
- Always respect another's opinion and another's point of view.
- Food should not be too salty, too hot, too bitter, too sweet, too sour.
- Reason can prevail only when arguments are advanced without the whipping up of sound.
- Take failure and victory cooly.
- There should not be any trace of dislike or distrust on the score of nationality, language, caste, economic status, scholarship, age or sex.
- Your thoughts, words, and deeds will shape others and theirs will shape you.
- GOD is ONE without a second.
- The service of man is the only means by which you can serve GOD.
- By eating flesh one develops violent tendencies and animal diseases.
- The PEACE that pervades the heart can never be shaken for any reason; only PEACE of this kind is worthy of the name.
- As close as you are to GOD, so close is GOD to you.
- Immortality is the fruit of sacrifice.
- The grace of GOD is like insurance. It will help you in your time of need without any limit.
- When you feel you cannot do good, at least desist from doing evil.
- LOVE seeks no reward; LOVE is its own reward.
- The joy that we cause in the heart of GOD is the only worthwhile achievement.
- Do not get attached to worldly things and pursuits. Be in the world, but do not let the world be in you.
- Truth has no fear; Untruth shivers at every shadow.
- Be simple and sincere.
- The mind sees separateness, LOVE sees unity.
- God is the life-breath of every soul.
- The only ache people have nowadays is ache in the stomach due to over eating and lack of exercise!
- Being a good example is the best form of service.
- Friendship is the expression of unshakable LOVE, LOVE that is noble, pure, free from desire or egoism.
- Money comes and goes; morality comes and grows.
- GOD first; the world next; myself last.
- Try to conduct yourself in such a way as not to injure others.
- Do not use poisonous words against anyone, for words wound more fatally than even arrows.
- Patience is all the strength that man needs.
- With effort and prayer destiny can be attained. Start the effort.
- You must welcome tests because it gives you confidence and it ensures promotion.
- What is offered to GOD is totally free from all defects and imperfections.
- Spiritual progress is right living, good conduct, moral behavior.
- A nation that has no bridle on its sensuality, can never thrive our survive.
- I am you; you are ME. You are the waves; I am the ocean. Know this and be free, be divine.
- Teachers must be examples of LOVE and TRUTH.
- Each country is but a room in the mansion of GOD.
- We should realize that man has not only a mind which conceives thoughts, but also a heart which can put them into practice.
- LOVE must express itself as SERVICE.
- The wise are those who know the Self.
- Whatever the trouble, however great the sorrow, persist and win by recollecting the LORD.
- Man will realize his mission on earth when he knows himself as divine and reveres others as divine.
- Devotion is not a uniform to be worn on certain days and then to be put aside.
- When the road ends, and the goal is gained, the pilgrim finds that he has traveled only from himself to himself.
- So long as you say "I am". there is bound to be fear, but once you say and feel "I am GOD", you get unconquerable strength.
- Duty without LOVE is deplorable, duty with LOVE is desirable, LOVE without duty is divine.
- When you kill an animal, you give him suffering, pain, harm. GOD is in every creature, so how can you give such pain?
- When the magnet does not attract the needle, the fault lies in the dirt that covers up the needle.
- When the people become good, the world will become good.
- Practice the vocabulary of love - unlearn the language of hate and contempt.
- God is in you, around you, behind you, above you, beside you.
- Of all the righteous acts, help rendered to those needing it, is the most righteous.
- Surrendering the fruit of action to the Lord is real sacrifice.
- My birthday is the date when divinity blossoms in your heart.
- God is neither distant nor distinct from you.
- What is offered to God is totally free from all defects and imperfections.
- The joy that we cause in the heart of God is the only worthwhile achievement.
- The acid test by which an activity can be confirmed as holy or sacred is to examine whether it promotes attachment or avoids bondage.
- Education should build character.
- Its is Truth and Truth alone, that is one's real friend, relative.
- Faith is like our life breath. It is impossible to live even for a minute in this world without faith.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Spiritual Masters- Avatars- Guru
What is An Avatar?
The Supreme power assumes form from time to time to bring erring humanity back to the correct path. Leaving His all pervading spirit unaffected, He incarnates choosing a form, place and time. The form and nature He takes will depend on the cause and circumstances leading to the Avatara. Avataras differ in the vehicles or medium through which the Supreme manifests itself, according to the requirement. This is understandable as whenever we find the emergence of a great personality of Superhuman strength advocating or championing the cause of the eternal principles and values of life and Dharma and achieving great things, we are apt to call it an ‘Avatar’. The ultimate purpose of an incarnation is always the re-establishment of right values, of Dharma in the world. Basing on the timeline in history, we can find such avatars or gurus or saints or masters guiding the humanity by showing them the path of dharma. It can be any religion or any region or any sect, but the end result is to establish the human values, peace, righteousness, love, harmony among each other.
Guru Parampara
Right beginning from Shiva (Dakshinamurthy), Dattatreya (the trinity of gods, Shiva,Brahma,Vishnu), he has taken many forms in many places, many religions and guided the humanity from ignorance, shown the path of dharma. Respectful namaskar to such guru who is one but appears as many.
This series is just a respectful act towards such guru, who has helped, who is helping and who will help the mankind always. It is in a way of guru smarana (meaning -remembering and chanting the name of Guru). The best way is to remember,recollect,narrate,share his (hi)story consisting of his birth,his life, his deeds, his way of living. He has always come whenever there was need of him by the mankind. He is the Guru, the teacher who can show the path and who can guide the mankind in a proper way. His forms and his names may be different, but he is the ONE. Respectful pranams to all such forms who are guiding the mankind. Let people may call them as saints, gurus, sanyasis, teachers, masters, priests, preachers whatever the word they use to associate with them, whatever gender they maybe either male or female, whatever age they may be either young or old,whatever religion they maybe, whatever country or place they maybe of, salutions to all those masters in whom there is this guru principle.
Sri Adi Sanakaracharya (788 AD - 820 AD)
Sri Sripada Vallabha (1320 AD - 1350 AD)
Sri Narasimha Saraswati (1378AD- 1458AD)
Shri Chirala Swamy
AnandaMayi
Shri Chandrasekhara Saraswathi
Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Shri Satya Sai Baba
Shri Gajanan Maharaj
Shri Siddaruda Swami
Shri Upasani Maharaj
Bhagawan Venkaiah Swamy
Swami Vivekananda
Shri Dadaji Dhuniwaley
Shri Dadaji Dhuniwaley
Shri Dadaji Dhuniwaley (Shri Keshavanandji Maharaj) is one of the greatest saints of India. Also known as Shri Dadaji Dandeywaley, he roamed all over India and in particular the central part of India in the 19th and 20th centuries. His lakhs of devotees all over the world strongly believe him to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Many devotees, who had the honour of serving him would tell others of having seeing Shri Dadaji in all his might and glory as Lord Shiva! Even today, the descendants of these devotees passionately recall these sightings made by their grandparents.
In the 18th century, a ‘jamaat of sadhus’ (group of holy men) led by Shri Gauri Shankerji Maharaj used to do 'parikrama' (circumambulate) of the river Narmada. They would walk the entire length of the river, on both its banks without crossing it anywhere in between. Shri Gauri Shankerji Maharaj did ‘tapasya’ (austerity) and prayed to ‘Maa’ (Mother) Narmada that he be given ‘darshan’ of (appearance by) his 'pita ji' (father, Lord Shiva). When he finished 12 such ‘parikramas’ ‘Maa’ Narmada appeared to him and told him that the teenaged ‘sanyasi’ in his ‘jamaat’, Keshav (Dadaji Maharaj), is Lord Shiva himself! With his lifelong desire about to come true, Gauri Shanker ji went to see Dadaji Maharaj and he indeed saw him as Lord Shiva. When he could not believe his eyes, Lord Shiva asked Gauri Shanker ji to touch him and believe it for himself.
Dadaji Maharaj always carried with him a ‘danda’ (stick). Wherever he went, he would light his ‘dhuni’ (holy fire) and sit next to it. Everywhere, people would flock in their thousands to seek blessings from this saint, who would always be in ‘digambar roop’ (without clothes). Within no time a large congregation of people started to follow him everywhere he went.
Dadaji maharaj had a very peculiar way of doing ‘jan kalyan’ (people were relieved of their troubles and had their wishes fulfilled). He would abuse people and hit them with his stick. Although everyone wished for it, only the lucky ones would have the honour of being abused or hit by him. People from all walks of life would come to seek his blessings. He performed countless miracles - childless couples being blessed with a child, favourable verdicts for people fighting legal cases in the courts, sick child getting miraculously healed after being thrown in the ‘dhuni’ by him! etc.
Dadaji took ‘mahasamadhi’ (soul leaving the body) in December, 1930. He was succeeded by Shri Chottey Dadaji Maharaj (Shri Harihar Bholey Bhagwan)
Shri Dadaji Dhuniwaley (Shri Keshavanandji Maharaj) is one of the greatest saints of India. Also known as Shri Dadaji Dandeywaley, he roamed all over India and in particular the central part of India in the 19th and 20th centuries. His lakhs of devotees all over the world strongly believe him to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Many devotees, who had the honour of serving him would tell others of having seeing Shri Dadaji in all his might and glory as Lord Shiva! Even today, the descendants of these devotees passionately recall these sightings made by their grandparents.
In the 18th century, a ‘jamaat of sadhus’ (group of holy men) led by Shri Gauri Shankerji Maharaj used to do 'parikrama' (circumambulate) of the river Narmada. They would walk the entire length of the river, on both its banks without crossing it anywhere in between. Shri Gauri Shankerji Maharaj did ‘tapasya’ (austerity) and prayed to ‘Maa’ (Mother) Narmada that he be given ‘darshan’ of (appearance by) his 'pita ji' (father, Lord Shiva). When he finished 12 such ‘parikramas’ ‘Maa’ Narmada appeared to him and told him that the teenaged ‘sanyasi’ in his ‘jamaat’, Keshav (Dadaji Maharaj), is Lord Shiva himself! With his lifelong desire about to come true, Gauri Shanker ji went to see Dadaji Maharaj and he indeed saw him as Lord Shiva. When he could not believe his eyes, Lord Shiva asked Gauri Shanker ji to touch him and believe it for himself.
Dadaji Maharaj always carried with him a ‘danda’ (stick). Wherever he went, he would light his ‘dhuni’ (holy fire) and sit next to it. Everywhere, people would flock in their thousands to seek blessings from this saint, who would always be in ‘digambar roop’ (without clothes). Within no time a large congregation of people started to follow him everywhere he went.
Dadaji maharaj had a very peculiar way of doing ‘jan kalyan’ (people were relieved of their troubles and had their wishes fulfilled). He would abuse people and hit them with his stick. Although everyone wished for it, only the lucky ones would have the honour of being abused or hit by him. People from all walks of life would come to seek his blessings. He performed countless miracles - childless couples being blessed with a child, favourable verdicts for people fighting legal cases in the courts, sick child getting miraculously healed after being thrown in the ‘dhuni’ by him! etc.
Dadaji took ‘mahasamadhi’ (soul leaving the body) in December, 1930. He was succeeded by Shri Chottey Dadaji Maharaj (Shri Harihar Bholey Bhagwan)
If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
- Confucius.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Sri Ramavadhutha- Sri Avadhutha Rami Reddy Tatha
Sri Avadhutha Rami Reddy Thatha was born to Hanumanth Reddy and Eshwaramma in the year 1949 on Shravan Bahula Ashtami i.e., on Srikrishna Janmastami at Anugonda village of Kurnool District in Andhra Pradesh. As lord Krishna showed his power from childhood in form of miracles, Sri Ramavadhuta also did the same. At the age of 13 Tatha left Anugonda and moved to Kallur Village, 3Kms away from Kurnool town.
Generally in and around Kurnool region it is a tradition that great people are either called Nayana or Tatha.The devotees around Kurnool immensely felt Sri Rami Reddy Tatha as head of their family and Tatha also took their entire responsibility. This is the reason why Sri Ramavadhuta is called “Tatha”.
Avadhuta, the word itself enlightens our souls. It is very difficult to describe an Avadhuta as they constantly rest in themselves. They have crossed the barrier of caste, creed, worldly concerns and bodily pleasures. They are the ocean of knowledge and love, beyond senses and very pure. They are bondless, formless, selfless, and dispassionate. They are also free from birth or death, virtue or sin, righteous or unrighteous, holy or unholy. They do not need connection or distraction as they union with god and are always at a state of bliss. They come on earth to uplift the life of people and to establish dharma. Their deep love for their devotees is indescribable and it is impossible for us to understand their deeds. Everything they do, everything they speak has a great meaning embedded in it. They command the five elements & asta siddhis. They protect devotees, destroy their sins, take away their karma, show them the correct path and lead them towards renunciation so that devotees can attain salvation. Our Sri Rami Reddy Tatha completely possesses all these qualities. It is believed that Sri Ramavadhuta is an incarnation of lord Dattatreya.
Blessed is the soil of Kallur which kissed the holy feet of the Tatha, blessed are the people who got an opportunity to live with him. Tatha embraced his devotees with love and affection, destroyed the karma of many people and elevated many lives of people who had immense faith and devotion for him. Tatha is not only an Avadhuta but also Sadguru who always gave his devotees the right things at right time and fulfill their desires. On 15th of January 1993, Tatha took Mahasamidhi but Tatha has left only his physical form as his immortal body is always present to bless his devotees, show them the veracious path and protect them.
After Thatha’s Mahasamidhi, Sansthan was founded and now Sansthan is performing regular pooja, virtues and also accomplishing many other spiritual and social activities.
Tatha and Sai Mandirs:
Tatha has inaugrated many sai temples all over andhra pradesh. One such sai temple, which was inaugrated by Tata is located at Mallapur, Hyderabad. Mr.Narayana Rao, who wanted to construct a sai temple, with the instruction from Sri Sivanesan swamiji requested Tatha to inaugrate the temple. This temple is not like the regular sai temples, which we find in the present day, rather has an outlook like the shirdi environment during the living days of Baba. The interconnection between tatha and sai baba seems to be the divine cosmic principle working for the same cause. Because, when narayana rao on instructions from sivanesan swamiji approached tatha for temple inaugration, he readily accepted and blessed the temple. It is said that the place where an avadootha keeps his feet is a kshetra. Basing on that, this temple is like a shirdi, one who wants to feel the divine vibrations can visit the mallapur sai temple at hyderabad. There are many other sai temples inaugrated by Tatha.
Important places to visit at Kallur
SAMADHI MANDIR
The house where Tatha lived for many years was renovated and inaugurated on 9th December 1992 on the occasion of Dattajayanthi. Just as Shirdi Saibaba prepared booty to construct a mandir and later had his samadhi in that mandir, which later became the samadhi mandir of Shirdi Saibaba, Tatha prepared his house for renovation which was later used as his samadhi. This is evident after 37 days, on 15th January 1993 Tatha took Mahasamidhi. As Tatha knew that he would be leaving his physical form he made Sansthan renovate his home which became Samadhi mandir. An elegant idol is placed in Samadhi mandir where devotees offer their prayers to Tatha. Even today devotees who come to this place can feel the immense love, presence and blessings of Tatha.
GURUSTHAN
When Tatha wanted to proclaim himself as one of the Dattavatra, without informing anybody he left Anugonda and started living in a small and unused pump house without any common needs like food, water etc. for around 6 months. This was Tatha’s tapobhumi which was later with minor modifications maintained by Sansthan. This place is called Gurusthan which is 1km away from Samadhi mandir. Though it is confined to a small region we can feel the holy vibrations and interminable power of Tatha.
DHUNI
In datta parampara dhuni plays a vital role. The sacred fire is nityagnihotri which burns ceaseless and destroys all the negative karmas of people. Devotees who visit Kallur often offer mantras and sacred fuel to dhuni. The Udi which is the divine ash of dhuni is accepted as Prasad. Udi does the work of not only destroying the karma but also physical and mental issues. This divine ash is very powerful than anything else.
DARBAR & BHAKTA NIVAS
Initially the next house to Samadhi mandir was bought by devotees to offer Prasad and accommodation for devotees who come for darshan from distant places. Later when the number of devotees visiting Kallur has increased eventually Sansthan has built bhakta nivas with all facilities accommodating around 500 people.
AMMA SAMADHI & GOSHALA
Blessed is the mother who gave birth to god himself. On 6th of August 1991 early hours of ekadasi her soul left her body and it is also evident that Tatha has removed all her karma and led her to the path of salvation. Sansthan has developed this Samadhi and a Goshala is also maintained in the premises.
ANUGONDA
Anugonda, the place where Tatha was born is a holy place to be at. It is around 20km away from Kallur. The house where Tatha has taken birth is converted into a temple by Sansthan. An elephantine Goshala is maintained near the temple. Every year in the month of February an admirable program is held by Sansthan where all the villagers participate in it with exceptional love and incomparable devotion for Tatha.
Daily Programs
5.15am Melkolpu aarthi
7.00am - 8.30am Abhisekham, Archana, Naivedyam, aarthi
11.45am Mahanaivedyam
12.00pm Noon aarthi
6.15pm Sandhya aarthi
8.00pm Naivedyam
9.00pm Pavalimpu seva
Special Events
1. NEW YEAR DAY
Sri Rami Reddy Tatha was very particular about the moments of entering the New Year, especially at 12.00am. Many devotees used to visit Kallur to have darshan of Tatha on that specific time and celebrate New Year worshiping Tatha by aarthi and pooja. The same is continuing even now at 12.00am every year.
2. AARADHOTSAVAM
15th Jan 1993 i.e.; on the next day of Makara Sankranthi being Kanuma Tatha left his physical form at 7.45pm. Sansthan is organizing this prestigious occasion of his punya tithi every year thousands of devotees attend abhisekham, pooja, and annadanam.
3. ANUGONDA UTSAVAM
Exactly after a month of aaradhotsavam in Kallur an occasion is held in anugonda, the birth place of Tatha when every individual of this region attend this occasion and offer their prayers to Tatha.
4. SIVARATRI
Special abhisekham and pooja are offered to Tatha on this day.
5. SRI RAMA NAVAMI
Sansthan does special pooja and annadanam as on this day. Tatha has inaugurated many Sai temples all over Andhra Pradesh.
6. GURU POORNIMA
Devotees come to seek blessings from Tatha as he is our Sadguru and participate in bhajan, pooja, abhisekham and annadanam organized by the Sansthan.
7. JANMASTAMI
As janmastami is the birth tithi of both Tatha and Lord Sri Krishna, Sansthan held a huge celebration on this special occasion at both the places of Kallur and Anugonda.
8. DIWALI
Once Pujya Sri Sivanesan Swamiji has sent a photograph of lord Sainatha to Kallur with some devotees and to their thrill Tatha was present at the entrance of Kallur to welcome Baba. Devotees were surprised to see him there and took both Tatha and Baba to Gurusthan with a great procession. This phenomenal incident took place on diwali day and the same is celebrated every year.
9. DATTAJAYANTHI
Special abhisekham, pooja are performed on this occasion as Tatha is an incarnation of lord Dattatreya.
10. POORNIMA
On every poornima day Sri Ramavadhuta vratam is performed which recently started from 3rd July, 2012.
SANSTHAN ACTIVITIES
The main objective of Sansthan is to perform ceremonies, rites, adoring and daily worshipping Tatha by pooja, archana, abhisekham and aarthi. Sansthan also arranges bhajans, keertans and celebrates Tatha’s annual birth anniversary and other religious festivals. Sansthan is spreading about Tatha through books and videos and a pious Goshala is maintained by Sansthan. Other than these spiritual activities Sansthan is helping poor and orphan children by providing them some financial help for their genuine requirements and also doing the necessary for the needy.
Address
Sri Sri Sri Avadhuta Ramireddy Tatha Seva Samsthan
Dr.no. 71-98,
Sri kshetra,KALLUR
Kurnool(Dist.)-518003 ,
How to Reach to sansthan
One can easily reach to sansthan from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
Sansthan is located within 3 Kms from the New Busstand at Kurnool Town, Andhra Pradesh.
Buses are available, but easy conveyance is auto.
Om Namami Tatha Rami Reddy Tatha
Smarami Tatha Ramavadhutha
If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
- Confucius.
If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
- Confucius.
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