Sree Raghavendra Ashtakshara Stotra

From the day I returned from my India trip in October 2009, I have been reciting “Sri Raghavendraya Namaha” 108 times everyday. The book my Aunt Ms. Jayalakshmi  gave had this incredible stotra composed by Sri Jagannatha Dasaru. Sri Raghavendraya Namaha in Sanskrit is composed of eight letters. This stotra explains the significance of each of these letters, and is composed by Sri Jagannatha Dasaru.

Attached below is the lyrics and it’s meaning in Kannada scanned.

• Sree Raghavendra Ashtakshara Mantra

My Aunt, Ms. Lalitha translated the Kannada lyrics to English. Thanks so much, Aunty. So, attached below is the lyrics in English.

Shri Raghavendraashtakshara Stotram

1.Gururajasshtaksharam syat maha pataka nashanam

Ekaikamaksharam chaathra sarva kaamyaartha  siddhidam

2. Rakaarochhara matrena roga hanirna samsghayaha

ghakaarena balam pushtiaayuh tejascha vardhate

3. Vakaarenaatra labhate vaanchitarthaanna samshayaha

drakaarenaagha raashistu draavyate druta meva hi

4.yakaarena yamaadbhaadho vaaryate naatra samshayaha

nakaarena narendraanaam padamaapnoti maanavaha

5. Makaarenaiva maahendra maishwaryam yaati maanavah

gurornaamnashcha maahaatmayam apoorvam paramaadhbutam

6. Tannaaama smaranaadeva sarvaabhishtam prasiddhati

tasmaannityam pathedbhaktya gurupaadaratasyadaa

7. Shri Raghavendraaya namah ityashtaakshara mantrataha

sarvaanyaamanavaapnoti naatra kaaryaa vichaarana

8. ashtottarashataavruttim snotra syasya karoti yah

tasya sarvvartha siddhi syaat gururaajaprasaadatah

9. Etadashtaaksharasyyatra maahaatmyam vetti kaha pumaan

paranaadeva sarvaartha siddhirbhavati naanyathaa

10. Swaminaa raghavendraakhya gurupaadaabja sevinaa

krutamashtaakshara stotram gurupreethikaram shubham

iti shri gurujagannatha daasaaryavirachita shri rahavendra ashtaakshara stotram sampoornam

shri krishnaarpanamastu

Pujya Doctorji’s spiritual retreat in Maryland

Ms.Shanthi Tantry who is a regular visitor to this site, who also conducts several events in our area (Kannada classes as well) and also very well known in the Kannada community in our DC area wishes to invite you all for

Pujya Doctorji’s spiritual retreat in Maryland to be held on June 12th & 13th 2010 (Saturday and Sunday)

Venue: Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple (SSVT)

6905 Cipriano Road,

Lanham, MD 20706

Program details are as follows:

Day:             Saturday, June 12th, 2010

Time:           2PM – 4PM

(Program begins with Nama Ramayana recitation by children)

Program:     ‘How to study and be steady?’ (for children) – Pujya Doctorji

‘Brain Yoga’ – Dr. Rao

Time:           4:30PM – 7:30PM

Program:     ‘How to be healthy and wealthy?’(for adults) – Pujya Doctorji

‘Urgent Peace’ – Dr. Rao

Day:            Sunday, June 13th, 2010

Time:          9AM – 6PM

(Program begins with Sri Ramaraksha Stotram recitation by adults)

Program:    ‘Bhagavadananda Loka Shibhira’ – ‘God in daily routine’ – Pujya Doctorji

‘Lifestyle and Cheerful Life!’ – Dr. Rao

‘Stress-free life’ – Dr. Rao

Admissions is free.

For more details please visit:

• www.divinepark. org

So, now that you have all the information, if you are residing in the Washington, DC area, do visit the SSVT on June 12th and 13th.

Sri Narasimha Nakha Stuthi

After reading Ms.Shyla’s comment on  Narasimha Jayanthi, that one should read Narasimha Nakha Stuthi, I searched for the same. I found the lyrics written in Sanskrit, and couldn’t actually say the words. It has been a couple of decades since I had learnt Sanskrit. So, attached below are the lyrics in Sanskrit and also an online recital. Not sure who has sung this, but many thanks for posting the same.

• Sri Narasimha Nakha Stuthi

And the lyrics are:

Attached is the English translation. I have tried my best to do so, just to assist in reciting the same.

paantvasmaanpuruhuutavairi balavan matanga madyatghata
kumbokshadrivipatanadikapatu pratyeka vajrayitah
shriimadkanteeravasyaprathathasunakhara daritaratiduura
pradvastha dvanta shanta pravitata mansa bavita buuribhagaih

lakshmiikantasamantatopikalayan naiveshitus te samam
pashyamittamavastu duuritarato pastham raso yastamah
yadroshakkhara dakshanetrakutila prantopitagni spurat
khadhyotopamavishpulinga basita brahmeshashakrotkarah

P.S: You can find the meaning of this sloka here at harekrisna site”

• harekrsna.com

Aadhika Masa Pooja at Triplicane in Chennai

Ms. Shubashree Guruprasad from Chennai, sent me an email sharing with me the pooje they performed for Aadhika Masa and also the wonderful pictures. I am amazed at the items which were offered as dana. Please take a look at the pictures Ms. Shubashree Guruprasad has shared with us on facebook, and also the items which were given.

Link for the pictures on facebook:

• Aadhika Masa Pooja

This pooje was performed at the Raghavendra Mutt , Triplicane , Chennai .. by Sri Ramakrishna Achar…. on 8th May 2010 by Ms. Shubashree Guruprasad parents.

We had invited 33 Dampathi’s and 33 Dhana items were given to them… Starting with Morada Bagina, Dampathi Dhana, Swarna Dhana, Devaru Pooja Pathra, Cups for Thupa and Jenthupa, Silver Tumblers for Ksheera , Vadhya , Jangate, Ghenta, Go dhana, Vigraha Dhana – Lakshmi Narayana, Mandasana for Devaru Pooja, Tulasi Brindava with Mukha , Sal Deepa Dhana (33 lamps to be lit) ,  Chape, Sheya Dhana, Utukumba Dhana, Fruits, Vegetables, Kalkandu, Mane, Vyasapeta and Book ( Harikatamrutasara) and Adikamasa Pooja book, etc… , Rave Ladige, Appupa Dhana,

Along with this all the Dampathi’s were given Tulasi plants, Poorna Phala ( Coconut 2 for all the Dampathi’s ) , Arisina, and all other items for ladies, Dry fruitsetc… and more than 40 Dampathi’s had come….

Nija Vaishaka Masa(ನಿಜವೈಶಾಖ ಮಾಸ) – May 15th-June 12th 2010

Vikrutinama Samvatsara ವಿಕೃತಿನಾಮ ಸಂವತ್ಸರ, Nija Vaishaka Masa ನಿಜವೈಶಾಖ ಮಾಸ, Uttarayana ಉತ್ತರಾಯಣ, Vasantha Ruthu ವಸಂತ ಋತು May 15th – June 12th 2010.

• May 16th Akshaya Trutiya ಅಕ್ಷಯ ತೃತಿಯಾ
• May 24th  Ekadashi ಏಕಾದಶಿ
• May 26th Narasimha Jayanthi ನರಸಿಂಹ ಜಯಂತಿ
• May 27th Poornima ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ
• June 8th Ekadashi ಏಕಾದಶಿ
• June 12th Amavasya ಅಮಾವಾಸ್ಯ

P.S: Akshaya Trutiya is composed of two words, where akshaya means growth and trutiya is the third day in the calendar. As per the Madhwa calendar, performing japa ಜಪ , homa ಹೋಮ , pitru tharpana ಪಿತೃ ತರ್ಪಣ , and dana ದಾನ will give immense growth. Also, gandha has to be applied to God.

Details about Narasimha Jayanthi can be found here:

• Narasimha Jayanthi

Vermicelli Upma -Shavige Uppitu

This is one of my favorite and quick recipe. Many times, when in a rush to pack lunch, I prepare this is less than 20 minutes. Of course, this dish has no chopping of vegetables since the vegetables used here are frozen. Quick and easy.

Ingredients:

1. 1 packet of Vermicelli (Semolina)
2. 1 cup of frozen vegetables( peas, carrots, beans, corn)
3. 6-7 green chillies finely chopped
4. 10 curry leaves
5. 3 tsp fresh coconut
6. 10 sprigs coriander leaves for garnishing( optional)
7. 5-6 whole pepper
8. For seasoning: 3 tsp oil, mustard seeds, turmeric, pinch of hing, urad dal, channa dal

Procedure:

1. In a pan add 1 tsp oil and fry the vermicelli until golden brown
2. Keep this aside
3. Next, in a pan add 3 tsp oil. Add all the ingredients mentioned in 8.
4. Once the dals are golden brown, add green chillies, curry leaves, and the mixed vegetables. Fry for a few minutes.
5. Now add enough water to cover the vegetables and allow them to turn soft. They cook fast since they are frozen.
6. Once the vegetables are soft, add salt, coconut, whole pepper and the fired vermicelli.
7. There should be enough water to just soak the vermicelli.
8. Now, cover and cook on low flame.
9. Once the vermicelli is cooked, garnish with cilantro.
10. If you wish, you can also add 1 or 2 tsp lemon juice. I don’t usually like so I don’t add.
11. Serve hot or pack in the lunch boxes.

Recipe for Rice Vermicelli Upma can be found here:

1. Rice Noodles Upma

Coconut Chutney with a Twist- ಕೊಬ್ಬರಿ ಚಟ್ನಿ

In my previous post, I mentioned about a different recipe for coconut chutney. I am posting the same here. Normally, coconut chutney is prepared with coconut, dalia(hurikadale), green chillies, tamarind. However, the day I prepared Gundapongalu, dalia(hurikadale) was over, and there was no time to run to the Indian grocery store and buy the same. So, a simple twist and a couple more ingredients made all the difference.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup fresh grated coconut
2. 1/4 cup groundnuts
3. 10-12 curry leaves
4. 1/2 bunch coriander leaves
5. 10 green chillies
6. 1 inch grated ginger
7. 1 tsp lemon juice
8. salt to taste, and 1/4 tsp sugar
9. for seasoning – 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp urad dal. 1 red chilli, 4 curry leaves, pinch of hing

Method:

1. Fry the groundnuts for 5-6 minutes on a pan. You can also microwave the same for 2-3 minutes. Make sure the groundnuts don’t burn. Let it cool
2. Now, add all the ingredients from 1-8 and grind to a smooth paste.
3. Heat a small pan, add 1 tsp oil. Now add all the ingredients mentioned in 9 for seasoning.
4. Add this seasoning to the chutney, and serve with Idli, Dosa, Poori, chapathi or GundaPongalu.

P.S: The difference with the normal coconut chutney I prepare is: dalia replaced with groundnuts, tamarind replaced with lemon juice, curry leaves added along with the chutney instead of just seasoning.

A couple more chutneys posted in this blog:

1. Tomato Chutney
2. Pudina Chutney

Another look at the delicious chutney with a twist:

ಗುಂಡಪೊಂಗಲು – GundaPongalu

I am not really sure why they are called GundaPongalu. Gunda means round, that is self explanatory. What does Pongalu mean here? Is it Tamil or Telugu word?

Anyway, my Mom prepares these almost every week. I had eaten these several times during my September visit to India. I also brought the nonstick pan or skillet which is used to make these as well. However, when I weighed my luggage at the airport, it was 10 kilos overweight and the airline asked me to pay a ridiculous amount of money. Since my parents were waiting outside the airport, I took a plastic bag and transferred most heavy weight items.

All those items made a journey back to the US when my Husband made a trip to India in March.

I had read in many blogs that gundapongalu can be made with dosa batter also. So, the next day I got hold of the pan, I had dosa batter and tried doing the same. In no time, the whole batter was all over the pan, and it made a huge mess. So, I thought better luck next time and washed and there it went to the basement.

Last week, my Sister told me she was preparing gundapongalu for breakfast. I immediately ran to the pantry, and started soaking all the ingredients.

Sneha loves these tiny round ones, and eats them happily with chutney. I have prepared this thrice over the past 2 months. Will have to see how to ship these to Chapel Hill from August.

So, here are the items required for the same:

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup urad dal
2. 1/4 cup channa dal
3. 2 cups idli rava
4. salt to taste

Method:

1. Soak both the dals in water for at least 4-5 hours.
2. Drain the water, and grind with just enough water.
3. Wash the idli rava and mix with the ground dals.
4. Keep overnight such that the batter ferments.
5. Next day, add salt and mix the batter thoroughly.
6. Place the pan  or skillet on the gas stove, and grease the same.
7. Now, add spoonful of the batter and let them cook on both sides.
8. Should take around 5-6 minutes on each side.
9. Serve hot with Coconut Chutney.

P.S: As you can see no onion or garlic in this recipe as well. So, another dish to prepare during Thursday’s. There is a slight variation in the recipe for the coconut chutney also. It tasted just so delicious. I will post that as well soon.