Today while talking to my father on our daily call, he asked me do you have 5 minutes I read a few things in Shree Bhagavatha and want to share with you and your sister. I said yes yes, please do. He said we all know we should wake up every morning on the right side, recite 2 slokas and have been doing it for ages. I am going to tell you a few more slokas to recite in the morning. It will take at maximum 3 minutes and once you repeat this for a week you will be able to memorize.
So, I immediately wrote down the slokas he said in my personal computer in Kannada, translated it in English so everyone else can recite the same. Here comes 7 slokas which are short and should be recited as soon as you wake up, sit in your bed recite them and start your daily activities.
ಉತ್ತಿಷ್ಠೋತ್ತಿಷ್ಠ ಗೋವಿಂದ ಉತ್ತಿಷ್ಠ ಗರುಡಧ್ವಜ ।
ಉತ್ತಿಷ್ಠ ಕಮಲಾಕಾಂತ ತ್ರೈಲೋಕ್ಯಂ ಮಂಗಳಂ ಕುರು ॥
Uttistauttishto Govinda uttistha garudadhwaja
Uttista kamalakantha trailokyam mangalan kuru ||
ಹರೇ ರಾಮ ಹರೇ ರಾಮ ರಾಮ ರಾಮ ಹರೇ ಹರೇ |
ಹರೇ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಹರೇ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಹರೇ ಹರೇ ||
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare |
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare ||
Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima is dedicated to our Gurus they might be spiritual or even our teachers. For me, there is no greater spiritual guru other than my Late Mom and my Father. Every call I used to have with my Mother she had some spiritual story about either Shree Raghavendra Swamigalu, or our Dasaru or something she had read in the magazines. Mom was a voracious reader.
And now my Father every day when I talk to him, he guides me on every single step whether it is daily pooje, the significance of certain days, reciting certain slokas, or some important facts about our Gurugalu, Dasaru and God. He also like my mother is a voracious reader. Doesn’t watch TV, always has a book in his hand. Mostly written by our great Saints.
I owe everything I know, everything I do in my spiritual journey to my Parents. My Koti Koti namakaras to my mother and my Father on this day.
Today my father wrote a page about Guru Purnima and shared it on whatsapp. Attached is the same and I have also translated the same in English for everyone else.
Shree – 24/07/2021 (Saturday)
Vyasa Purnima
The birthday of Shree VedaVyasaru. Hence this day is called Vyasa Purnima or Guru Purnima. He is the great grandson of Sage Vashista. Grandson of Maharshi Shakthi. Son of Maharshi Parashira. His mother is Satyavathi.
Since he was born in the lineage of Vashista he is called “Vashista”.
Being the son of Parashara he is called “Parashara”.
Since he divided the Vedas he is called “Veda Vyasa”.
Since he did Tapasu in Badari to get Lord Narayana’s blessings “Badarayana”.
Being a part of Lord Vishnu ” Vishnu Kalodbhava”.
Being dark, and born in an island ” Krishna Dwaipayana” or “Dwaipayana”.
Created 18 puranas – 1 lakh slokas in Mahabharatha. Resides in all gyanis. That’s why this purnima is popularly known as “Vyasa Purnima” or “Guru Purnima”.
I saw this on my timeline either in Twitter or Facebook. I couldn’t go back and restore the link. When I googled the same, there were so many links and found it very useful. If we can get punya by reciting just 1 shloka of Shreemad Bhagavatha that is tremendous isn’t it?
Image courtesy : Shree Krishna Vrindavana NJ, USA.
So many of you had asked for details about Chaturmasa Vrata which starts from Aashada Shukla Dwadashi which is Wednesday July 21st 2021. I saw this amazing tweet on Twitter by @bhargavasarma about a PDF they have compiled for all the details. I asked for permission to post the link here and they readily obliged.
A million thanks to @bhargavasarma for providing these details and allowing to share the link.
Please find details in this google docs about all you need to know about Chaturmaasa, it’s significance, and every thing else you need to know.
ಆಷಾಢ ಮಾಸ or Ashada Masa starts July 10th and ends on August 8th in Plava Nama Samvatsara
During this month, there are no marriages, upanayanas, or any good deeds performed. However, it is during this month that the Chaturmasa Starts, and the last day of ಆಷಾಢ ಮಾಸ or Ashada Masa is Bhimana Amavasya.
As I was talking to my Father today, he was mentioning about Ashada Masa Shree MahaLakshmi Pooje to be done every Friday.
My Father was also mentioning that there is nothing in the puranas that this month is inauspicious. He was mentioning this was the month when Ganga came to earth, it is the beginning of Chaturmasa, Ashada Friday’s doing Shree Mahalakshmi pooje is very auspicious. And this is the month on Ekadashi that we do the mudra dharane.
So, the Friday’s July 16th, July 23rd, July 30th, and August 6th would be the days to perform Shree MahaLakshmi Pooje in the evening.
My Mysore Ajji had taught my Mom doing Shree MahaLakshmi Pooje every Friday almost 30 years back. My Mom performed it throughout her life. Last year, as we were mourning our Mom, and I was crying unconsolably while talking to my Daughter she asked me “Amma, what’s one thing Ajji used to perform that you want to carry forward.”. I said I haven’t seen anyone in the family do Shree MahaLakshmi Pooje every single Friday throughout the year for several years. And maybe we continue that tradition from her. I immediately mentioned to my Sister, we both decided we will carry forward that legacy of our Mom and started doing Shree MahaLakshmi Pooje every Friday evening. We haven’t missed since we started. And the pandemic has aided in working from home and be able to continue this tradition.
The way we do the pooje is like below:
Use both Idol and photo of Shree MahaLakshmi
Do sankalpa
Apply Haldi, Kumkum, Mantrakshate, and flowers
Recite Shree MahaLakshmi Sahasranama, 1000 names of Shree MahaLakshmi
Recite Lakshmi songs
Recite Devranama
Do Naivedya
Mangalaruthi and Aaruthi
You can perform the pooje in the morning, but evening time while sun is setting is very auspicious. So, for Ashada masa if time permits, please do Shree MahaLakshmi Pooje every Friday in the evening. If you cannot do Shree MahaLakshmi Sahasranama, you can at least perform Ashtotra which is 108 names.
He was born to rule the spiritual world and he did so with his customary elan and finesse. A renowned scholar, author and the head of a powerful matha, he put several other scholars ad pandits on the backfoot with his deep knowledge of philosophy and extensive literary talent.
A man who had mastered all the arts, he was one of the favorite disciples of one of India’s best known philosopher-logician-composer and rajaguru-the indomitable Vyasa Raja or Vyasa Theertha (1447-1539).
Vyasa Theertha had two disciples who excelled in all the arts and whose knowledge of religion and philosophy astounded every one. The two disciples were Vadiraja (1480-1600) and Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu (1517-1614). Both studied at Vijayanagar University and both of them have left their mark on Madhwa thought and philosophy.
Each of them were indebted to Vyasa Theertha who was the Raja Guru of six Vijayanagar Emperors, including Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1530), Achuta Deva Raya (1530-1542), who taught them everything he knew and readied them for taking on the future.
Since Vyasa Thertha was also the chancellor of the magnificent Vijayanagar University where he also taught, he ensured that both Vadiraja and Vijendra were taught everything or rather all the arts, including logic, theology, philosophy, fine arts, magic, painting, sculpting, composing and even dance.
If Vadiraja moved towards the coast (Udupi-Sode region) to spread Madhwa philosophy and made Udupi his base, Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu moved deep south towards Kumbakonam where he was once again schooled in the Sri Matha by its reigning pontiff, Surendra Theertha.
This post is about Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu whose aradhane is being celebrated. One of the most illustrious saints of the Madhwa fold, he has unfortunately not been given the due he deserves. One reason could be because he choose to enter Brindavana at Kumbakonam. Perhaps the distance of Kumbakonam from Mysore region where Madhwa religion and literature flourished contributed to vest an air of obscurity on the seer and his works.
Whatever the reason for not giving Shree Vijayeendra Theertharuhis due, none can dispute his mastery over the arts, his superb works and his contribution in steering Madhwa faith and religion through troublesome times. So, here goes a small tribute to this great sage……..
Vyasa Theertha had decided to make Shree Vijayeendra Theertharuthe mathadipathi after him but this could not be as Surendra Theertha asked for him during one of his visit to Hampi. Vijendra Theertha was born as Vittalacharya and he was named Vishnu Theertha by Vyasa Theertha.
When Vyasa Theertha reluctantly handed him over to Surendra Theertha, the later renamed him as Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu. When Vijendra Theertha ascended the peetha of the Sri matha, it was sometime in 1575. By then, the Vijayanagar Kingdom had been defeated by the combined Muslim kingdoms of the Deccan (1565) and Hampi was a ruined city.
The complete sack of Hampi and its ruins must have come as a shock to Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu as he had left it at the height of its prosperity. The Vijayanagar Emperor, Ramaraya (son-in-law of Krishna Deva Raya) had placed Vijendra Theertha on the throne and conducted Ratnabhisheka.
Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu had stayed on in Vijayanagar (Hampi) for a few months before leaving for sanchara (pilgrimage). He had foreseen the defeat of Vijayanagar and even warned Rama Raya about it.
As Vishnu Theertha, he had interacted regularly with Vyasa Theertha and his other disciples, including Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa, Vaikunta Dasa. While Purandara Dasa died in 1564, Kanaka Dasa in 1609 and Vaikunta Dasa in 1550, Vadiraja Thertha had moved to Sode as the head of the Sode Matha. As Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu, he interacted with Sudhindra Teertha, who later became his disciple and two other direct disciples of his Vyasa Theertha-Srinivasa Theertha and Rama Theertha. He also interacted with Madhwapathi Dasa, the son of Purandara Dasa who had fled Hampi after its sacking.
A prolific author, he has to his credit more than one hundred and eight works and they cover a range of topics from religion to literature, grammar to logic, philosophy to fine arts.
Unfortunately, his contribution to Dasa Sahitya and Dasara Padagalu remains unrecognized. He has several beautiful compositions in Kannada. Vyasarajavijaya and Subhadra Dhananjaya are two beautiful dramatized poetic works. Two other works, Narasimhastuti and Papavimochanastotra are grantha stotras.
He was perhaps the first person to immediately recognise Venkatanatha as the avatar of Vyasa Theertha, his teacher. When Venkatanatha and his wife, Saraswathi, along with their young son, Lakshminarayana, came to the Sri Matha in Kumbakonam, both Vijendra Theertha and his disciple Sudheendra Theertha were seated in the matha.
On seeing Venkatanatha among a crowd of people, Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu recognised him as Vyasa Theertha. He pointed out Venkatanatha to Sudheendra Theertha and asked him to hand over the pontificate of the matha to him after him (Sudheendra Theertha).
Thus, Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu becomes the only seer to see both the avatars of Vyasa Theertha and Raghavendra Swamy. He is the disciple of one and the paramaguru of the other. As Vishnu Theertha, he was a devoted student of Vyasa Theertha and he lived for several years at Vijayanagar. As Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu, he recognizes Venkatanatha as Vyasa Theertha and directs Sudheendra Theertha to handover the pontificate to Venkatanatha.
It is sometime in 1614 that Vijendra Theertha decided to enter Brindavana. He chooses Kumbakonam itself for Brindavana pravesha. However, it shpould be understood that there is still no unanimity on the time line of Vijendra Theertha. Different scholars assign different times for this seer. If BNK Sharma, the scholar, assigns him the period between 1517 and 1595, Dr. Vedavyasachar in his Gurucharitre, puts the period of Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu between 1575 and 1614. However, it is best that we go by the dates assigned by the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha.
Whatever his timeline, Madhwas and, indeed, all people should never forget the contribution of this saint.
Raghavendra Swamy himself has referred to the works of Vijendra Theertha on several occasions.
Today, tomorrow and day after is the Aaradhane of Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu. His period is from 1517 – 1614. He was given ashrama by none other than Shree Vyasarajaru. His brindavana is in Kumbhakonam.
I truly want to visit all these places, no idea when Rayaru will bless us to see his Gurugalu. He is the Guru of Shree Sudheendra Theertharu and Shree Sudheendra theertharu is Guru of our beloved Rayaru.
A very popular sloka on Shree Vijayeendra Theertharu:
As per Plava Nama Samvatsara Panchanga, this year Shravana Masa starts from August 9th and ends on September 6th 2021.
There are many festivals during this month and as always I will re-post slokas, pooja details and many more details a few days before each of these important dates. Here is a list of important dates and festivals during Shravana Masa 2021.
Please refer to the closet temple or other calendar to find the dates of the festivals in the country you are living. These dates posted are based on USA Eastern time and referred to Shri Krishna Vrundavana Calendar. If there are any changes I will post immediately.
Sunday July 11th is Pushyaarka Yoga, so wanted to keep you all informed. The nakshatra is in India and USA.
The common interpretation of Pushyaarka Yoga is the combination of Pushya Nakshatra and Thursday or Sunday. This common interpretation is when moon entering Pushya nakshatra on Thursday or Sunday is PushyArka yoga .
Raghavendra Mutta says “On this Holy day one should Recite or Chant Guru Stotra ( Raghavendra Stotra)s, Singing songs will bring happiness and prosperity in your life.”
The significance of this day is also mentioned in Rayara Stotra – 27th Stanza.
Anyone who recites this holy Sri Raghavendra Stotram 108 times with intense devotion, on the occasion of solar/lunar eclipse or the combination of Sunday with the star Pushya, will be relieved of all evil influence, e.g., haunting etc. (27)
You can find more details about this great day below in the link:
Anytime I prepare sambhar or Huli I never use the sambhar powder, I always grind fresh and prepare. This one is a slightly different powder will less ingredients. Tasted divine with chapathi, you can serve with rice also.
Yellow squash is growing amazingly at our house. We get at least 4-5 of them a day. So, trying so many new recipes with it.
Ingredients:
6-7 numbers yellow squash washed and chopped
1 cup Tuvar Dal cooked in pressure cooker
To fry – 3 tsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp urad dal, 1 tsp jeera, 1/4 tsp methi seeds, 7 red chillies as seen in picture, 1/4 tsp whole black pepper
1/4 cup fresh grated coconut
1 lemon sized ball tamarind or tomato paste
For seasoning – oil, mustard seeds and hing
Method:
Pressure cook Tuvar dal.
In a separate pan, make the seasoning, add chopped yellow squash and cook it with little water.
Fry all ingredients
Grind with fresh coconut and tamarind or tomato paste.
Add cooked dal, and ground paste to the cooked yellow squash.
Kalpavriksha Kamadhenu 
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