Bhagavatam:First Skanda:contd

A person who utters the word “Om karam”with the names of Vishnu:Vasudeva,Pradyumna,Sankarshana,and Anirudha with a devoted mind adores the smiling face of the Lord is blessed with composure and balance of mind

The great sages who could conquer the senses and also all the bad qualities like desire,anger, revenge are blessed with the appearance of God but not those who conquered the world.

Even if we control the mind with Yamamu,Niyamamu,Pranayamamu,and pratyaharamu,,at times it is tested with desire and anger.Peace is at a distance luring us.So we will attain peacefulness only with the service of Vasudeva.

The sages who are Nishkamulu,Atmaramulu adore Sri Hari unconditionally as they are above desires and their hearts are filled with only devotion ,nothing else.In turn God has immense compassion for His devotees so He showers His affection on them unreasonably.

Sri Krishna is called “Kamsari”as He killed His uncle Kamsa.He came into this world as an ordinary human being in this Avatara so people mistake Him to be a human being.But He is above all human gunas as He is impersonal,not glued to the physical form and its three gunas.Even if He is one among us He is beyond worldly matter and He is all pervasive.He is not touched with the feelings of happiness and unhappiness.A fire is born out of the friction of two sticks and it can destroy the whole of the forest.In the same way Vasudeva ,without touching any weapon ,got the whole of the evil being destroyed in war now lives in the palace like a common human being.Such is the greatness of this Avatar.

Parikshit was saved by Vasudeva while in the womb of his mother.So he is a terror to the enemy and he is famous with the name “Vishnurathudu”and is adored by every one in this world.

As Parikshit saw Him while in his mother’s womb,he was searching for the same God after his birth all around so he is named as Parikshit.

Bhagavatam:First Skanda:contd

Every human being has two forms called Sthula rupam and Sukshma rupam that means Physical form that is visible and celestial form which is not seen but felt.These two are connected to Soul because of Maya and when once one is aware of this,he is leberated from this bondaage and is eligible for the vision of seeing "Bramha".Seeing God is nothing but the knowledge of this awareness.He will come out of ignorance and attain spiritual elevation by burning his two forms and like a fire without a stick he will realise his own self as God Himself and immerse in that supreme happiness.
Bhagavatam is the essence of all Vedas and Ithihasas.
Suka Maharshi is a Sanyasi,great Yogi,sees the creation of God as one [oneness in every thing],Brmhana,conqueror of Maya,wise in all knowledge,does not distinguish man from a woman.
A man who is born even in a low caste does not get trappped in family bond if he is a devotee of Lord Vishnu.Because of the Samakara of his previous birth ,he will be immersed in the devotion of sacred feet of Vishnu by chanting.In order to gain all the qualities like wisdom,knowledge,compassion,penance,courage,and prosperity,man has to pray to the great Purushothama,Narayana.

Bhagavatam:First Skanda:contd

Sri vishnu is the one who disclosed all the Vedas to Bramha,Who will mesmarise even the great pandits to subjugate themselves,in whose creation this universe with all the three gunas;Satvam,Rajas,and tamas appear to be like mirage in a desert,Glass pieces in water that appear to be true though not true,Who will erase the Maya with his tejas[brightness],Who is the embodiment of Satym I worship daily such a Lord,Paratpara.
Good people who are great without any malice or ill will always listen to the great epic Bhagavatam.This will enable them to be free from human bondage and get rid of life's botherations and turn their minds to get into" tatva chintana".
Adhyatmam means to conquer actions and reasons and lead towards self realisation.Such a kind of realisation is possible only with this Bhagavatam which is a light that guides us from darkness into light.This is an assemblage of all Vedas,unusual,great inspiration,essence of all puranas and with this only human being can swim through the darkness of family life.
A man who is immersed in the daily activeties in order to get happiness does not realise the greatness of this Tatvam.There is no difference between Tatvam and Dharmam according to those who consider Dharmam as Tatvam.Those who are experts in Tatvam consider the knowledge of Tatvam as tatvardham.Those who believe in Upanishads named tatvam as "Bramham".Those who are the devoties of Bramha [Hyranya garbhulu]called it "Paramatma".Satvatulu call it "Bhagavantudu".People in quest of truth gain stable Bhakti[Achanchala Bhakti].Bhakti redeems mankind from the temptations of rajas and tamas and lead to attain the most sacred Guna Satva.This Satva gunam leberates him from all bondages.One who is free from all these bonds is blessed with the attainment of the knowledge of Tatvam and he is given the darsan of "Eswara".This Eswara Darsanam enables him to be away from "Ego" or "Ahankara".

Bhagavatam:First Skanda ;cotd

Bhagavatam is compared to KalpaVruksham in 20 poem in the first skanda.Sri Krishna is the source of Bhagavatam while the trunk and the black roots are the source of the tree.The book is beautifully embedded with the lovely descriptions of Suka Maharshi and the tree is filled with the sweet songs of the birds like parrots.This book is meant for the educated good hearted people and the tree is shining with beautiful branches.The theme of the book is noble and beautiful and the tree is bountiful with coloured flowers. The book has a glorified purpose of giving salvation to mankind while the tree is round in shape and full of big fruits.The book is the embodiment of the purity of Veda Vyasa and is helpful for the great brahmanas and the tree has a wide area spreading its greatness.The Bhagavata Kalpa Vriksham is flourishing on the earth for the sake of mankind.The tree Kalpa Vriksham is flourishing in heaven with birds,flowers and fruits as a shelter for the flora and fauna.

The family history of the poet is narrated in 24 and 25 poems.The mother of Pothana is Lakkamamba who was magnanimous to serve the poor and the guests whoever come to her house.She was the wife of Kesana Manthri and like Parvathi devi she was a devoted wife to her husband.She had two sons and they were Thippanna and Pothana.

Poem 32 describes the greatness of Vishnu.He was the one who explained to Bramha how to divide the Vedas,Who mesmerises even the learned pandits with His Maya,the creation which has occured because of the mingling of the three gunas called Satwa,Rajas,and Tamas and which is like an oasis in the desert tempts people to believe that it is truth despite its being untrue nature.Just as glass shines in water ,it appears as if it is true.He is the one who will disperse Maya with His brightness.He is unconquerable,the embodiment of truth,and we bow our heads to that Almighty.

In the 36 poem we know how the people who are good natured without any feelings of ill will towards others will be able to turn their minds towards spiritual awareness by annihilating themselves from the bondage of wordly attachments that we carrry from birth to birth.

The word 'Adhyatmam' means the ability to averpower the wordly actions and lead our minds to the awareness of 'Atma'which in turn is nothing else but the presence of God Himself in us.To realise God in Us is the achievement that we get by reading Bhagavatam as this is like a lamp guides us to a right direction.This is the emulgamation of all Vedas,a unique distinct,influensing the readers since it has all the Puranas reflecting in It.This helps like a candle to those who would like to leberate themselves from the family that is compared to darkness.Suka Maharshi preached to King Parikshit to attain Moksha in seven days.

A person who is in the path of Tatwa does not get satified with the happiness that he gets from this wordly pleasures.The earnestness of Tatwa and Dharma are not different so it is viewed as Dharma is tatwa itself.But those who are wellversed with Tatwa feel that the knowledge of Tatwa is imbibed by learning of Vedas and all.The same Tatwa is termed by Upanishdic pandits as 'Bramham'.Those who are Hiranya garbhas or Bramhadulu call it 'Paramatma'.Satwatas[people in quest of truth] call it '.Bhagavanta'.Dharma can be attributed to nature of a thing.By serving God we develop unchangeable 'Bhakti'.As we become sronger in Bhakti we will not become a prey to the wordly temptations that are generated because of the three gunas but go ahead with Satwa guna and this will definitely break the bondages.A person who is liberated from this bondage is blessed with 'Tatwa Gnana' and see the appearance of God.The appearance of Eshwara dispells 'Ahankara'or what we call 'Ego'.

Bhagavatam:First poem

The first poem of Bhagavatam reflects not only the earnest desire of King Parikshit for his liberation from this world to attain Moksha, but also the total essence of the great book.In the first Skanda the stories of Narada,Bhishma,Kunthi,and in the third Skanda the story of Deva Huthi,In fourth Skanda The story of Dhruva and God's omnicience are focused.

To establish Dharma the annihilation of Rakshasas like Hiranyaksha,Hiranyakasapa,Kamsa,Kalayavana etc tool place.The kindness of God on His devotees like Gajendra and how He came down to earth to save him from the clutches of his enemy dolphin.To eastablish Dharma again He came in the Avatar of Vamana to punish Bali Chakravarthi who tried to occupy the throne of Indra with his powers.

Family history of Surya Vamsam and Chandra Vamsam and the creation of the universe from the movement of the eyes of God is refered to.The important Skanda in Bhagavatam that is so sweetly narrated is the story of the birth of Sri Krishna and his child pranks that spells the happiness all around. We are overpowered by the great description of the 10 Skanda and it stands as a unique piece in the literary world.

Bhagavatam:First Skanda

In Bhagavatam nine ways of Bhakti are enunciated.They are
1.Sravanam:One would losten to sweet qualities of God.
2.Keertanam:To preach the noble stories of God.
3.Smaranam:Always utter the greatness of God.
4Pada Sevanam:Oh God.Come down for our sake in Your mejestic Form.
5.Archanam:Offering prayers to God Indra.
6Vandanam:Our Namaskarams to You.
7Dasyam:Our obedience to the Lord.
8Sakhyam:we seek the friendship of the Lord who is the master of the universe.
9.Atma nivedanam:We meditate upon the brillience of the Lord.
In the story of Bharatam Sri Krishna Niryanam was the last incidence.where as in Bhagavatam it is the beginning.Veda Vedangas,Bharata ramayanas,andSeveral Puranas teach the path of salvation to mankind.All these are long awaits for leberation from this bondage of life.Bhagavatam of all the books gives earlier way for liberation.
Veda Vyasa lived 3000 years before Christ.Bharatam and Panchama Vedam were born at that time.Our great literature of vedas were existing before this period.In sanskrit Bhagavatam it is said to be the essence of all Vedas and Ithihasas.Every poem in Bhagavatam is spesks the sacredness of God Nd how He bestows Mukthi on human beings.
It is believed that Pothana wrote 8 Skandas :1,2,3,4 and 7,8,9,10.
Gangana:5 Skanda
Singana:6 skanda.
Naraya:11,and 12Skandas.It is also believed that he wrote a part of 2 Skanda.
Telugu Bhagavatam poems are said to be about 9000.
Pothana is a born poet.He is wellversed in the usage of words.There is a blend of Ardha Nareeswara between the Telugu and Sanskrit languages with regard to usage of words.Pothana is an expert in this genre and he is not only a poet but a strict observer of our Hindu vedantic life.Good discipline and literary talent are blended like rivers Ganga and Yamuna.His poems are sweetpills for the literary and devoted people.

A Visit to Olympic National Park

North Olympic  Peninsula is one of the most enchanting and diverse regions on Earth.Coastline,mountains,towns,valleys and historical sites are breathtaking and memorized.It is a treasure trove of natural beauty.People fall in love with the North Olympic Peninsula of its variety of flora and fauna from world record evergreens to tiny    flowers found nowhere else.This is close to cities like Seattle,Victoria,and North Columbia.

we started in our car from Kirkland to catch the ferry at Edmonds and it was a long wait to get into the ferry almost two hours.Finally we got into ferry and within thirty minutes we were at Kingston to get into our car and headed towards Port Angeles.On our way we went to Sequim to have a look of the lavender gardens.

Sequim:

Sunny weather is one of many things that make Sequim,a favorite retirement spot. This has trademarked itself as the lavender capital of North America with good reason.Sequim Lavender Festival is one of the most attended events on the North Olympic Peninsula and the largest lavender festivals in North America.It is good to know that it is used to make dozens of different products with dried blossoms and steam-distilled lavender oil.Many farms are open to the public throughout the season and we are thrilled to cut the lavender stems of flowers having the touch of the plant.

Hurricane Ridge:

Drive from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge is about thirty five minutes.This is five thousand three hundred and twenty feet from sea level.It offers a panoramic view of both the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the alpine meadows and glassier-capped peaks of the Olympic mountains.This is a recreation area with picnicking and hiking in summer.Snow-capped mountains and deep,forested valleys,often swathed in low hanging clouds present a vast landscape.Star gazers come in the night to watch the heavens from a view point above the reach of the city’s ambient light.It is the taking - off point for many  back country hikes and snow shore trails.It has three distinct ecological systems:glacier-capped mountains ,pacific coastline,and temperate rain forest.It contains varied plant and animal life and each offers unforgettable sights and experiences.

In clear weather Hurricane Ridge awe-inspiring beauty of the park especially during sunrise and sunset.During the spring,wild flowers cover the ground of the subalpine meadows and black tail deer are often spotted grazing.

The fresh scent of hemlock and fir wafts on the breezes that sweep Hurricane Ridge.Delicate mountain flowers ,from early- blooming alpine lilies that poke their drooping white heads from melting snow patches to the bright red Indian paintbrushes and tiny pink phlox blossoms,there is a panoply of pretty.

When it comes to biking,whether you are a road biker or a mountain biker ,you will find something to your liking on the Olympic Peninsula.In Port Angeles the water front trail is a popular route for bikers Some venture up Hurricane Ridge also.

Dungeness Spit:

This has become a prime destination of many North Olympic Peninsular visitors.We have gorgeous views of Canada,Mount Baker and protection island on clear days.

The vast sand beach –inhabited by assorted waterfowl and critters-rarely seems crowded,even on hot days.At about five miles long ,the spit is the largest natural sand hook in the nation.It was formed from sand and clay that eroded from the high bluffs to the west and were deposited by tidal and wave action near the mouth of the Dungeness River.The bay formed by the spit is often breached in harsh weather but it then gently heals itself.

The sunset is beautiful here.

This is the most easily accessed mountain area within  Olympic National Park.It is located seventeen miles south of Port Angeles.The road is open throughout summer,and scheduled to be open Friday through Sunday during winter months ,weather permitting. 
The Olympic mountains are not very high-Mount Olympus,the highest ,is just under 8,000 feet-but they rise almost from the water’s edge and intercept moisture rich air mosses that move in from the pacific.As the air is forced over the mountains ,it cools and releases moisture in the form of rain or snow.At lower levels ,rain nurtures the forests,while at higher elevations snow adds to glacial mosses that relentlessly carve the landscape.These mountains have arisen from the sea.

Glaciers

Glacier ice is one of the foremost scenic and scientific values of Olympic National Park.There are about 266 glaciers crowning the Olympics peaks.The prominent glaciers are those on Mount Olympus covering ten square miles.They receive the full impact of pacific storms.Access to the glaciers is by trails and cross country routes.The most visited glaciers in the park are the Blue and Anderson.From the Hoh Rain Forest,the upriver hiking trail leads 18 miles up to the snout of Blue Glacier.

Lake Crescent

Lake Crescent is one of the deepest in Washington at nearly six hundred fifty feet.With its pristinely clear ,teal-tinted water and majestic mountain views ,is just a twenty minute drive from Port Angeles.The bottom of the lake is hundred feet below sea level.We experience  the uniqueness of the lake in several ways.Olympic National Park offers five hiking trails along the shores of Lake Crescent ,with different degrees of difficulty and length.From any spot along the lake we find crescent shape very clearly visible giving the appropriateness to its name.

Rain Forest

The temperate rain forest in the valleys of the Quinault,Queets and Hoh rivers are protected and contain some of the more spectacular examples of the Sitka spruce community.This ecosystem stretches along the coast from Oregon to Alaska;other temperate  rain forests are found in several isolated areas throughout the world.Precipitation ranges from one hundred forty to one hundred sixty seven inches –twelve to fourteen feet –every year.

The mountains to the east also protect the coastal areas from severe weather extremes.Seldom does the temperature drop below freezing in the rain forest and summertime highs rarely exeed eighty degrees.Nearly every bit of a space is taken up with a living plant.Some plants live even on others.These are the epiphytes,plants that do not come into contact with the earth,but also are not parasites.They are partly responsible for giving the rain forest its “junky”appearance.Mosses,lichens and ferns cover just about everything else.A temperate rain forest is more than a collection of trees,mosses and other plants.

Park’s Hoh Rain  Forest

The  center is set in a pocket of deep forest easily accessible to the visitors.Drive south of Forks  for about twelve miles along U.S.Highway 101we have to take a left turn on Upper Hoh Road and go another twelve miles up the scenic road.

A wheelchair –accessible one –tenth-mile trail provides an up close look at the old growth forest and its ethereal,moss-covered big leaf maple and vine maple trees.

But unlike Chile and New Zealand,the flora and fauna are not tropical.Instead the wilderness is temperate and primeval,with ferns growing the size of large shrubs and trees as tall as sky scrapers blocking out the sun.   Even if we stay in our car ,the green giants of the Hoh Rain Forest are visible.These trees can grow as tall as three hundred feet with a circumference of twenty three feet around.One of the biggest tree aged five hundred years old is right next to a parking lot.

 

Bellevue Art Fair 2010

Art is long and permanent

Life is short and transient.

Seattle ,the land of scenic beauty,

A patron of art to its bounty.

Fair ,a platform for an artist

To exhibit talent to the fullest.

 

Age cannot dither them

From their insight

As it was their pursuit

To bring out the best.

They strive to focus on novelty

As compelled to surprise lovers of art.

 

Glass-blown art pieces

To the finest shapes

Explored from scientific techinques,

Draw your attention from a distance.

Crystalline-glazed porcelin in

Different forms like decorative lights

Illumined glass panels,vases,shells

sparkle on one side,

While hand- built porcelin pottery

In myriad shapes

Startle on other side.

Black and white carved stoneware

Adore the stall

Colourful figurative ceramic sculptures

Astonish the viewers.

Acrylic painting stalls in plenty

Reflect the landscape,mountains,

Pastures,meadows in the country.

Baskets of multiple varieties,

Unique contemporary baskets,

Sulptured cedarbark basketry,

Gourds,coloured of different shapes

Amuse and tempt to buy.

Dancing dolls with kites

Flying butterflies

Pedalling boatmen and women

Hang from the ceiling of the stall

A major attraction indeed.

Wheels of commemoration and meditation

As an axis of hope

Soothing to the mind and soul from

The turmoil of life.

The flute,made from bamboo cedar oak,

Played on it by their grandfathers

Transport you to distant lands of peace.

Incredible strumstick,touch of it,

Releases charming music,

pleasing to the ear.

Elegant sterling and mixed metal jewelry,

Beaded braided jewelry,

Flame work glass jewelry,

Festive ornaments,

Gemstone and pearl jewelry ,

Electric jewelry to name a few

Appear in many stalls.

Like a sickness and cure

Like a rain and Sun

Life is a mixture of pain and pleasure.

Disability ,not a hazard,if near and dear take care of.

Stunned to see aged in wheel chairs being brought

With tender care to enliven them

The sight of these master art pieces.

The shops and the stalls

The driveways and the roads

So expertly planned to enable the

Physically challenged to have an easy access.

No wonder,

With unconquerable spirit even a lone person

Manages to shop independently.

Bhagavatam-Introduction-contd

Subject=Bhagavatam -contd

Suta maharshi was co-student of Suka Maharshi under the guidence of Veda Vyasa.So he inherited the noble qualities of a teacher from Vyasa Maharshi and he became the

guru to many sages in the forest

named as 'Nymisaranyam'.The word nymisam means one who will not close the eyelid even for a moment.These sages in this forest always engaged in pursuit of God's

realisation in learning more and more about scriptures.They meditated upon God . To such noble sages Suka maharshi narrated the sacred epic Bhagavatam.

They performed yagnam for twelve years.That was devotion and commitment of those rishis.

Gayatri mantram is said to be of more powerful mantra uttered to invoke the five elements,five is mesenses,five pranas three gunas and chaitanyam or what you call brightness

that u get from Surya.

A gnani always is aware of his existence which is not different from the Eternel.He knows that God is present everywhere and he is not seen.But seeking Him in our

own self is our pursuit.

Soham means that is me and that bright is myself. When u look at Surya while uttering Gayatri mantra we invoke him to bestow his brightness in us and make us more

enlightened.

Eko narayano hari means God is all pervasive and He is one and the same.

If you come out of creation and see the whole creation is like a fish floating in the water.That blue colour is reality.The brightness of sun on water is reality.This

is the truth of nature.

Excessive tatvam was is the essence of Matsya puranam and that is what we find in Bhagavatam.

Without the help of our intelligence ,if we approach this epic with a crystal clear mind devoid of malice,illwill,desire,or cunningness,it itself will clear the

impurities in our mind and enable us to get detached from these bonds and obtain permenent happiness

Suta was an expert in giving lecture with his abundent knowledge .He was an embodiment of good qualities.He was wellversed

with puranas and itihasas

He was able to give lectures with equanimity.That was recieved by his disciples with reverence. He heared and recorded the

essence of the lectures given by saints like Veda Vyasa.

The true disciple is one who will add his own experience with the teachings of his teacher while imparting to his students.

The real disciple must assimilate what is taught by his guru,to practise what he has assimilated,to experience the effect of it while practising,and to impart his

experience to his disciples with the same intensity.

There are 18 puranas and 2 ithihasas .Ithihasas are 1.Bharatam 2.Bhagavatam. The rishis wrote these ithihasas taking the essence from Vedas and combinig

certain unrealities in life.

A real guru is an embodiment of resignation,bhakthi,intellegence,wisdom and teaching.

Suta maha muni is endowed with a great responsibility of teaching to people who are indolent,with low level of intelligence,with less longevity of life,

and whose minds were corrupted by impure thoughts.

In this yuga men are pre occupied with various responsibilities that they donot find a moment's time to think of God and good deeds.

We have to lead these lives doing all the duties without getting attached to those deeds..

There is no time limit or right time to think of God.A man whose mind is bent on God does not fear about 'death' as he is overpowered with the light

that is there in him in form of soul which is none other than God Himself .

If you are attached to God with your thoughts ,you get dettached from the shackles of this life.

The more you listen about Him the more is your intensity of feeling.

The great gunas of Vishnu fill our hearts with sumptuous meal.

Taste is nothing but light. The fire that is born out of the stories of Sri Hari will burn the immence sins of the forest of modern life.

The present generation gets complete relief from this life's insatiable desires with which they are overbudened all the time.

Our sorrows are like 'kunjaras'means elephant like.So the chanting of 'narayana'destoys the horrible desires and hatreds in human

beings with radiance.

To conquer the evil forces in us like ego,malice,jealousy,hatred,anger,illwill,we need to utter the sacred word 'Narayana'.

Ugrasrava vasundu was the son of Roma harsha and Devahuthi.A boy of seven years old ,Ugrasrava vasundu taught his mother about 'dharma'.

While describing about the greatness of Suka maharshi Suta muni referred to Ugrasrava vusundu.

Suka maha muni was a balanced ,sanyasi,conqurer of all five sensory organs so he was digambara means not dressed and also not aware of it

Such was his resignation.Even Veda Vyasa was stunned at the way he was roaming in the forests and apsarasas did not feel for their

nakedness while taking bath in the river but were concious about it when Veda Vyasa came there.When Vyasa called his son SUka ,the

answer was given by birds,flowers, trees ,and animals as he was one with the creation of God.Such was the great equanimity of Suka Maharshi.

,

Introduction to Bhagavatam- contd

Subject=Bhagavatam -contd

Suta maharshi was co-student of Suka Maharshi under the guidence of Veda Vyasa.So he inherited the noble qualities of a teacher from Vyasa Maharshi and he became the

guru to many sages in the forest

named as 'Nymisaranyam'.The word nymisam means one who will not close the eyelid even for a moment.These sages in this forest always engaged in pursuit of God's

realisation in learning more and more about scriptures.They meditated upon God . To such noble sages Suka maharshi narrated the sacred epic Bhagavatam.

They performed yagnam for twelve years.That was devotion and commitment of those rishis.

Gayatri mantram is said to be of more powerful mantra uttered to invoke the five elements,five senses,five pranas three gunas and chaitanyam or what you call brightness

that u get from Surya.

A gnani always is aware of his existence which is not different from the Eternel.He knows that God is present everywhere and he is not seen.But seeking Him in our

own self is our pursuit.

Soham means that is me and that bright is myself. When we look at Surya while uttering Gayatri mantra we invoke him to bestow his brightness in us and make us more

enlightened.

Eko narayano hari means God is all pervasive and He is one and the same.

If you come out of creation and see the whole creation is like a fish floating in the water.That blue colour is reality.The brightness of sun on water is reality.This

is the truth of nature.

Excessive " tatvam " is the essence of " Matsya puranam" and that is what we find in Bhagavatam.

Without the help of our intelligence ,if we approach this epic with a crystal clear mind devoid of malice,illwill,desire,or cunningness,it itself will clear the

impurities in our mind and enable us to get detached from these bonds and obtain permanant happiness

Suta was an expert in giving lecture with his abundent knowledge .He was an embodiment of good qualities.He was wellversed with puranas and itihasas.

Bhagavatam and its relevence to modern generation

Bhagavatam is said to be one of the classics that is passed on to generations for the enrichment of human upliftment from a lower level to a higher level and also for the salvation of human " soul " or what u call in hindu relegious terminology "Atman" .
To experience God's presence is what is called Bhagavatam. This Epic is described as a book of easthetic beauty which gives the same experience to the reader.Telugu Bhagavatam is much more pleasant than Sanskrit Bhagavatam. For god is present in human body as his prana.Human being is always concious of the feeeling that he is the whole of his body. But a one who is in the realisation of the fact that he is only a vehicle that is used by God and he should not get attached to it is called a "tatvavetta" .
God is all pervasive and is evident in every object. We can compare this all pervasiveness with a river Godavari which is perennial and a mug of water from Godavari also called godavari water.
In the same way electricity is the cause of light in evey bulb that gives light in different shapes depending upon the shape of the bulb.
So God is evident in every object in different forms.
We must understand God from four stages. Soul and five sensory organs constitute human body. When prana enters the body then brightness or' budhi ' crops up.This is sharpened by the thought of God.So atma,budhi,and heart are sharpened. Having compassion towards other beings is the essence of Bhagavatam. We must look at others with kindness and u must open up your heart to them.
Rishi Mythreya said that all religians are one and the same. We have great saints like Kabir,Tukaram who propegated the oneness of religions.
Second great quality of this Epic is to realise one's own self. We must feel that God is present in every act of ours.What ever seva that we do to this body is like doing to God Himself ,but not to our body. When we eat food we say "Bramharpanam" means we offer it to none other than God Himself. Food also is bramham. This book gives an insight into thinking of God as you read this book.
Simply by mastering classics is not enough but one must feel the presence of God in his heart and then only one realises God.
Bhakti or devotion is the next way to realise God. A bhakta never thinks about his goals or successes. For him experience is most important. Self realisation and identifying himself with the eternel .
A pandit is a one who has the correct insight into seeing things with equality. This is said in seventh scanda of the Epic.
The present generation is attributing dharma to only acquiriing material gains and this what is called in religias terms as 'ardha and kama'.
Without self realisation any tapas or any pilgrimage is of no use.The great writer of this famous epic Pothana lived in poverty with realising god every moment.
God is so generous that He comes down to earth to stand by his bhakta as is evident in the case of Meera Bai,Prahlad,Gajendra,Droupadi and so on. God always come down to intellegent,soulful,and conquerer of senses.
When you look at your own soul,you become strong and sensitive and conquer your sensory organs and keep them under controle and acquire bramhagnanam. That is why we must read the books of the life history of great saints like Bhairavi,Totapuri,Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
One side the glaring brightness of Surya and the other side peaceful silver brightness of Moon,and on your forehead God's presence and in your heart your favourite God .This is how we have to start our prayers.
The story of Bhagavatam was narrated from one to the other in the following way.
At the time of creation Srimannarayana told to Bramha.Then Sage Narada was told by Bramha. Narada narrated it to Veda Vyasa. He told this to Suka Maharshi and Suta maharshi. Suka Maharshi explained to Parikshit raja. Another version says that Sri Krishna directly narrated it to Sage Mythreya and in turn Mythreya to Vidura.
Suta and Suka Maharshi were classmates under the guidence of Veda Vyasa.
Suta maharshi is said to be in Nymisaranyam and he used to tell his followers and other rishis about various stories of Gods and their excellence .We come across this name in every story vratam in our religian.
So Suta mahamuni started narating the story of Bhagavatam to all the rishis like Sounaka in Nymisaranyam.

introduction to indian classics

My objective of this blog is to introduce the younger generation to our classics which have plenty of knowledge that is essential to mould one's own charecter and go ahead in life in this stresful world in which they live at present.Life is not as smooth as it was for us in the past and they have to face somany challenges of life that sometimes they lose balance of mind and commit mistakes.We come across in news how youth go to the extnt of committing suicides for want of proper direction to the problems they come across.This is all because they lack strength of mind and the right perspective.about life.

For example BHAGAVAT GITA is a recommended text to every individual to develop a positive aspect of life and how u should have a balance of mind in the hour of turmoil in life.Life is not smooth to anyone and it is but common we come across visisitudes in life but how we overcome them is more important.We need to widen our thinking and expand our ouylook to grasp the essence of these great thoughts given to us by our sages through books of treasure that we own but not aware of.

As this generation has little time left with them to go to these books personally i want to make an attempt tp make them reach through my blog and give them the benefit of enjoying the fruits of it how i myself got benefited.

Ours is an ancient culture and civilisation about which everyone other than the indian is envious of .Even thinkers like EMERSON amd THOROUGH had a high regard for our eastern thought of realising that SOUL exists .Many were attracted to our philosophical thought and were greatly influenced by it.

My trip to the U S

I had a hearty welcome by papa and vikram at the exit gate with a beautiful bouquet of flowers greeting me .I felt thrilled to see them as they felt the same.
The house is so beautifully decorated with artistic touch in every inch. Each item is meticulously selected and kept in the right place .
They took me to a lovely dining room which is located in the venetian city . The murals on the walls are enchanting and taking us to a different world .Then the spacious living room and kitchen .the photo on her writing table shows her association with her grand ma and mom and her brother.She is a lovable person.
Whiteness that stands for purity is the background of my bed room.Full bloom white flowers with green leaves shine in a bell shaped flower vase and to its background wall is hanging a mirror with white frame.Beside the flower vase is a photo frame in which the cute photo of my daughter of yesteryears sitting on the handle of a sofa smiling with me sitting in the sofa.
To the right side of my bed is a painting of hers hanging with a bowl full of blossomed lavender flowers.Opposite to my bed is a photo phrase of the cute couple vikram and vinathi with smiles.The bed is covered with a super soft cotton white bed cover and on it is spread a quilt with a tiny blue flowers and green checks here and there giving it a colourful look.
Now a very special treat to mom to show her love . She kept a basket filled with selective items that speak the keen thought that went into it.I know that behind every act of hers is a secret hand of her husband to encourage her to do things thst she likes most.I am lucky to have a son-in-law like his to make her feel happy all the tme.
The basket contains a bunch of wild lavender flowers,six pairs of white socks ,hair bands ,lipcare,candle stand in a cute jar,two purses,and a pouch of dollers for my shopping.What an innovative idea/ Above all a calling card to be in touch with india any time .
Three dolls white,pink and brown decorate the table giving life to it.On the wall facing the head arewhite frilled clothhanging from the center point spreading sideways.There is a white flowerd wall decorationbelow that Murals on the wall peep through the white decoration with blue and pink flowers.
Three round cushions with embroidery work done by her mother-in-law stand erect on the top of the wardrobe.White window curtains shine with a crosha border knitted by vikram"s grandma.U can see from the window the neighbour" s garden neatly maintained.
In the right side corner of the wardrobe is a tiny white stand on which is a yellow,green,grey striped pot and on its side a bunch of wild flowers.Ther is a small diwan with a velvety cushion.
On the roof top stars of rodium i hope twinkle in darkness giving feeble light to the room.
Wall clock from London brings an ethnic appeal to the room.
Whilethe bedroom is dominated by white and blue colour ,bathroom is decorated with a maroon coloured cloth adoring the top of the mirror.Each wall hasa fabulous painting of red iris flowers.
Her art of jewellery designing is predominently visible here and there speaking volumes of hard work and artistry that was at thebackground.She is really a special one with something special in every act she does.She does not compromise anything for perfection.

Hi Internet! Here i come!

This is my first post and am looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you all.