||Shri Ramakrishna Sharanam||
Aum Namo Narayanaya
This prayer is associated with Lord Venketeshwara or Emperumal as he is affectionately known in many quarters. It is known that worship of Narayana comes with immense sacrifice, austerity and purity in all fronts. Worship to Him in this month is concentrated on Saturdays (regarded as His special day) with preparation of simple vegetarian dishes or simply fruit and milk. Special hymns are recited followed by chants of “Govinda Govinda” - sending immense energy and positive vibrations into the air, and churning the minds and hearts of all with His sweet name (meaning 'the protector of all').
Although many have associated this month with the harvest and monsoons in India, we have come to learn that all rituals and prayers in Hindu Dharma have been introduced deliberately to invoke introspection and divine feelings on the highway to self realisation or God realisation. If these were not introduced at periodic intervals, then man would continue his mundane existence and only turn to God when in trouble. It is possible for us to lead a life of constant bliss if we are in regular communion with God.
Fasting is generally associated with a total abstinence of any food for a particular period. Although many devotees undertake a fast on the Saturdays on which worship is offered, the month is usually observed with the abstinence of meat, alcohol and sense pleasures as a means of purifying the physical being. The term that would be most appropriate to this month is Upavasa. Vasa means to reside and Upa means near.
With Love and Prayers Always
Aum Namo Narayanaya
| Thirupathi Balaji |
The month of September not only heralds the season of Spring and rejuvenation but signals the time to spring-clean mind and body and set upon austerities for one's spiritual progress. Yes indeed, I speak of the month long fast in which predominantly South Indians will undertake. With just about a week to go before this auspicious month begins, many households would have commenced their annual cleanup in preparation for the significant period which is associated with cleanliness, purity and devotion.
This prayer is associated with Lord Venketeshwara or Emperumal as he is affectionately known in many quarters. It is known that worship of Narayana comes with immense sacrifice, austerity and purity in all fronts. Worship to Him in this month is concentrated on Saturdays (regarded as His special day) with preparation of simple vegetarian dishes or simply fruit and milk. Special hymns are recited followed by chants of “Govinda Govinda” - sending immense energy and positive vibrations into the air, and churning the minds and hearts of all with His sweet name (meaning 'the protector of all').
Although many have associated this month with the harvest and monsoons in India, we have come to learn that all rituals and prayers in Hindu Dharma have been introduced deliberately to invoke introspection and divine feelings on the highway to self realisation or God realisation. If these were not introduced at periodic intervals, then man would continue his mundane existence and only turn to God when in trouble. It is possible for us to lead a life of constant bliss if we are in regular communion with God.
Fasting is generally associated with a total abstinence of any food for a particular period. Although many devotees undertake a fast on the Saturdays on which worship is offered, the month is usually observed with the abstinence of meat, alcohol and sense pleasures as a means of purifying the physical being. The term that would be most appropriate to this month is Upavasa. Vasa means to reside and Upa means near.
This month is therefore an attempt through certain austerities and sacrifices to reside close to God. Lord Venketeshewara who resides on the seven hills of Thirupathi is referred to as the Lord who burns all sins (Ven – sins, keta - burn, eshwara – God). The temple of the Lord whose dome is adorned in pure gold is situated on the top of the seven hills. The seven hills represent the seven deadly desires that prevent us from reaching the house of God. They are lust, greed, gluttony, anger, hatred, dishonesty and ego or pride. When one starts on the pilgrimage from Thirupathi to Thirumala on foot, one understands the journey of life more easily. Along the way you will pass the various temples dedicated to the various forms or avatars of Lord Narayana indicating and directing us to evolve from the baser level to our true nature of divinity.
Sri Ramakrishna says "Desires are like holes in a vessel. We can work extremely hard to fill the vessel but all the contents will leak out."
In the same way, all penance and spiritual efforts are leaked through the holes of desire. If we are able to overcome the seven deadly desires in life we can find that Lord that we all seek - like finding the glorious golden abode at the end of the seven hills of Thirumala. The Thirumala that we all want is in our hearts. By cleaning our external through the observance of fasts we strengthen the will and mind to transcend the desires which cloud the divinity within. Replacing all these desires with pure devotion and love for God will allow to be close to him. Srinivasa which is another name for Venketeshwara means the Mother Luxmi who resides in the Lord. In the same way, if we purify both our external and internal being then the Lord will reside in our hearts. We will thus be in constant communion with him ensuring we are bathed in His complete mercy and bliss always.
The Shree VeeraBoga Emperumal Temple will be commencing the month of Purtassi with a special Raam Bhajan on 17th September 2011 commencing at 17:30pm. Thereafter, the first week will be celebrated on 24th September 2011 commencing at 16:00pm. This will continue every Saturday thereafter culminating on the last Saturday 15th October 2011 with the reading of the Veeraboga Sarithram. Supper will be served and all are welcome. I take this opportunity in wishing all those who are observing this auspicious month, the grace of Lord Narayana.
With Love and Prayers Always
all the best to you and yours during this holy month
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