SRI RAGHAVENDRA – THE SAINT OF MANTRALAYA – PART 3

Yesterday, Sunday April 3rd I finished the third part in this series. This part just like the previous two parts is just amazing.

The first few chapters focuses on Mahabali, Bhalika Raja another avatara of Rayaru, Shree Vysarajaru, Yatrodharaka Hanuman.

The next few chapters talk about Shree Sripada Rajaru of Mulabagilu. My Father’s younger brothers wife ( my Aunt) is from the lineage of Shree Sripada Rajaru. We visit Mulbagilu regularly. Just last week my parents visited Mulabagilu.

If you have never heard of Bhutarajaru of Sonde, there is a chapter which gives a good insight into that as well. And our Great Gurugalu Sree Vadirajaru. I had known all the history through my parents and grand parents. There was a comment from someone about asking proof about Bijapur, and in this book there is chapter called ” A KURUKSHETRA IN BIJAPUR”.

As you keep reading the chapters on Kumbakonam and SriRangam is just unbelievable. I have decided to visit both these places in my lifetime and see all the places our Rayaru visited and traveled.

For those of you who are Cine Star Rajanikanth fans, there are two chapters on him, and how he turned such a great devotee of our Rayaru.

And as with the earlier two volumes, chapter after chapter focuses on miracles of our beloved Rayaru. His lineage, the power of Rayara Mrithika, and Rayaru’s writings.

As I have been repeating, if you have access to buy these books, please do so. I have now promised my Sister also who is again a great devotee of our Rayaru to present these books for her. Like I said in the earlier post as well, if you are buying a gift for someone who is a devotee of Rayaru, buy them these books.

Once again, a million thanks to the Author Sri Amman Sathiyanathan, Sri K. Lakshman for translating this in English and Sri Canchi Ravi for sending me these jewels.

MAY SHREE RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY BLESS ONE AND ALL.

SRI RAGHAVENDRA – THE SAINT OF MANTRALAYA – PART 2 Review

I took a week of holiday from work. It had been hectic traveling and my Daughter Sneha also was home for spring break. Having plenty of time at hand, I decided to complete at least the second part of this amazing series.

This Tuesday March 29th, I finished reading Part two of the book SRI RAGHAVENDRA – THE SAINT OF MANTRALAYA. As mentioned earlier in a post here, the original book is written by SRI AMMAN SATHIYANATHAN and the English translation by SRI K.LAKSHMAN.

Part 1.

Part 2 focuses in the first few chapters on Prahlada Rajaru and Sri Vyasa Rajaru, earlier avataras of Rayaru. There are a few chapters on Purandara Dasaru, Kanaka Dasaru. How Sri Vyasa Rajaru helped King Krishnadevaraya. Mind blowing chapters.

And the rest of the book is again focused on the miracles of our beloved Rayaru.

In an earlier post, I had talked about “Don’t Measure Ones Faith/Devotion/Bhakthi”.
You can read that post here. In that post, I had written the following paragraph.

I traveled to India, and was told that one of these Swamiji was able to cure many things and would be able to help. So, we traveled to this place. After the initial set of questions, this Swamiji asked what the problem was. He was told the problem and that I was a great devotee of Rayaru. He looked at my face and said “All of us have 100% Faith/Devotion/Bhakthi in Rayaru. However, you have 40% Faith/Devotion/Bhakthi and 60% doubt on Rayaru. If we all travel to Mantralaya and ask for a wish to be granted, it will be fulfilled immediately. However, since you have 60% doubt on Rayaru, you will have to travel 10 times for your wishes to be fulfilled.”As soon as I heard these sentences, my jaw dropped, eyes filled with tears. This Swamiji kept saying many other things, nothing went into my head. My head was reeling. Tears were rolling down my eyes.

Those sentences haunted me every time I looked at Rayaru’s photo. I kept asking why did Rayaru even make this incident happen? What was Rayaru trying to teach me? Did I not have the Bhakthi? Was my devotion lacking? Every time I mentioned that incident, I used to breakdown. I really needed answer and kept hoping that one day Rayaru will get me the answer I was looking for.

I found the answer for this haunting question of mine in this amazing book. So, my interpretation since I didn’t want to copy the contents from the book, but on the same lines the author has explained.

Three people are walking around in a desert for a long long time. They are hungry, thirsty and weak since they have had no water or anything to eat for hours. At a distance, they see a man coming towards them with a pot of water.

The first one says “This is a desert, we have been walking for hours, and have found no water. This gentleman is definitely not going to give us water, I am not even going to ask him for water”.

The second one says” Maybe if we plead to him that we are thirsty, have been walking for miles, he will spare some water with us”.

The third one says”I am confident, he will definitely give us water. I have no doubt at all”.

As they run towards this man carrying water, the first one who has no belief at all that they will get water, faints and falls down. The gentleman carrying water, runs towards him, sprinkles water on him, makes sure he gets up, gives him a glass of water. And once he knows this man is OK, he turns his attention towards the other two to give them water.

At this point, it was like a lightening strike to me. Tears rolled down my eyes, and I knew my doubt had been cleared.

The reason is simple, other people who are granted their wish immediately are like the first person, either they are completely ignorant of our Rayaru’s mahime, or are in distress and cannot survive anymore. Rayaru graces them first. Rayaru also knows that the ones who have utmost devotion have their path fixed, they are not going to change their course nor do they ever question their faith or devotion towards him. And I hope and pray that I belong to this category, and that’s why it took time for my foot problem to be fixed. And maybe the day I said” I am not going to pray anymore, he decided to cure my pain, just like the man gave water to the first person”.

My state of mind is out of this world now. I have got my answer even if it took so many years. My faith and devotion towards our beloved Rayaru has increased tremendously if I many say so.

The book has pages and pages of amazing miracles. This time when I visit India most probably in July, I am going to present this book to my parents. My Mom and Dad who are great devotees of Rayaru needs to read this book. And I will also ask a few others if they are interested and give this book as a gift rather than giving materialistic items such as Sarees, dress materials.

If you have the resources and the time to read the book, please go ahead and purchase the Same. As Sri Canchi Ravi Sir mentioned, it is being translated in Kannada also.

Once again I would like to Thank Sri. Canchi Ravi sir for sending me this Jewel. It is priceless for me. I pray to Rayaru that he shower his choicest blessings on Sri. Canchi Ravi and his family.

MAY SREE RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY BLESS ONE AND ALL.

Gruhini – ಗೃಹಿಣಿ Cook Book By Hemalatha Parashuram

Mr.G P Sudhakar had  left a comment here at the blog asking my home address. To quote him, he wrote to me “Hello Madam
Am visiting my son in DC and want to send you a book by my 80 year old mother. It is called gruhini and has been published for 30 yrs…..you might want to review the book or use some recipes if you find them interesting. Kindly send me your postal address by mail so that I can send a copy of the book.
Your writing helps a lot of people!
All the best
Sudhakar”.

Mrs.Hemalatha Parashuram, is Mr.G P Sudhakar’s 80 year old mother. He sent me this book, and also a book on our beloved Rayaru.

The book can be purchased at the following publication in India:

Sahitya Bhandar

Bangalore

In America:

E-Mail: sahityabna@hotmail.com

URL: https://sapnaonline.com/gruhini-4718417

The book Gruhini – ಗೃಹಿಣಿ is written in Kannada. The book is divided into 9 sections or as we call in Kannada ಅಧ್ಯಾಯ.

The first section is about marriage and being a a home maker. This one lists all the items you for any social function we perform. For example what we need to bring for an engagement, what items to give for the bride, the groom, people who attend. A nice to have checklist. I am sure it will come very handy whether you are performing a thread ceremony for your son, engagement for your daughter, starting a new life with your spouse. Liked this section very much.

The second section is all about festivals. Not very detailed, but again gives you a list of all items you need to buy, how to arrange, for each and every important festival.

The third about making juices such as lemon, grape, tomato so on. Mainly focused on the oens which you drink before food.

Fourth section is all about food, mainly focused on lunch and dinner items such as soups, vegetables, sambar, rasam, chatni, sweet dishes. I haven’t tried any of them as of now, but will definitely post recipes as and when I prepare them.

Breakfast, evening snack, sweet and spicy dishes are covered in the 5th section.

Section 6 is again drinks and jams, and section 7 is international food such as breads, bun, muffin, cake, biscuits, ice cream and fruit salads. Interesting to try and find out how they turn. As you have seen, I am not a baker.

Section 8 is mostly health related tips and tricks.

And finally the last section is about how to stay happy. I skipped most of the food preparation pages and read these few pages. Couldn’t stop laughing reading a few stories about unhappy wives. The author does give a few nice tips and tricks to be happily married ever after. Only if men and women read this and actually work towards a happy married life.

As much time as I had skimming the book, it was interesting.

I would once again thank Mr.G P Sudhakar for sending me this book. Thanks, Sir and my Namaskaras to your Mother. Please convey to her my hearty congratulations for a great book she has shared with me and the community.

SRI RAGHAVENDRA – THE SAINT OF MANTRALAYA – PART 1

This Thursday, I finished reading Part one of the book SRI RAGHAVENDRA – THE SAINT OF MANTRALAYA. As mentioned earlier, the original book is written by SRI AMMAN SATHIYANATHAN and the English translation by SRI K.LAKSHMAN.

As I was reading the book, I felt I was actually living during the age of our Beloved Rayaru. The book is divided into 3 parts. Part 1 about the life of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, part 2 about miracles he performed during his life, and part 2 covers miracles he performed while he entered Brindavana.

Part 1 starts with Raghavendra Swamy as a divine messenger, his birth as Prahlada, how Hiranyakshapu was destroyed, about Vyasarajaru. The chapter which talks about Raghavendra Swamys poverty brought tears. As you keep reading the chapter when Raghavendra Swamy decides he will take Sanyasa, and Saraswati Bhai his wife commits suicide brings tears rolling down your eyes. Like I said, many chapters you will not be able to control your emotions.

Part 2 is the miracles Rayaru performed while he took Sanyasa. There was nothing new I didn’t know about, in spite of that as you keep reading the book, your devotion doubles and triples. Even though you know the life history and miracles our Rayaru has performed, this part still brings chills to your body.

Part 3 again is the miracles Rayaru performed once he entered Brindavana. Some incidents are mind blowing, but you keep on reading even if you know each and every miracle memorized.

Reading this book, will definitely make you feel humbled to know how many people worship him, and how our beloved Rayaru has blessed the good, the bad and even the most bad people.

The last chapter tells step by step how to perform seva to our Rayaru at Mantralaya and at home. I wanted to share those pages, but as soon as I saw the copyright on the very first page decided not to.

If you have the resources and the time to read the book, please go ahead and purchase the Same. As Sri Canchi Ravi Sir mentioned, it is being translated in Kannada also.

Once again I would like to Thanks Sri. Canchi Ravi sir for sending me this Jewel. It is priceless for me. I pray to Rayaru that he shower his choicest blessings on Sri. Canchi Ravi.

MAY SREE RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY BLESS ONE AND ALL.

Mahishasura Mardini Stotra – Lyrics

This song was composed by the great sage Adi Shankaracharya some time around 810 AD. This song is sung in praise of Goddess Chamundeshwari and describes the way She destroyed many demons.

ayi giri nandini, nandita medini, visva vinodini, nandinute ||
giri vara vindhya shirodhini vasini vishnuvilaasini jisnunute ||
bhagavati he shitikaNthakutumbini bhoorikutumbini bhoorikrute ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

suravaravarshiNi durdharadharshiNi durmukhamarshiNi harsharate ||
tribhuvanaposhiNi shankaratoshiNi kilbishamoshiNi ghosharate ||
danujaniroshiNi ditisutaroshiNi durmadashoshiNi sindhusute ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

ayi jagadamba madamba kadambavanapriyavaasini haasarate ||
shikharishiromaNi tungahimaalaya shringanijaalaya madhyagate ||
madhumadhure madhukaitabhaganjini kaitabhabhanjini raasarate ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

ayi shatakhaNda vikhaNditaruNda vituNditashuNda gajaadhipate ||
ripugajagaNda vidaaraNachaNda paraakramashuNda mrigaadhipate ||
nijabhujadaNda nipaatitakhaNda vipatitamuNda bhataadhipate ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

ayi raNadurmadashatruvadhodita durdharanirjara shaktibhrute ||
chaturavicharadhuriiNamahasiva dutakrita pramathaadhipate ||
duritaduriihaduraashayadurmati daanavaduta krutaantamate ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

ayi sharaNaagata vairivadhoovara viiravaraabhayadaayakare ||
tribhuvanamastaka shoolavirodhishiirodhikritaamala shoolakare ||
dumidumitaamara dundubhinaada mahomukhariikrita tigmakare ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

ayi nijahunkriti maatraniraakrita dhoomravilochana dhoomrashate ||
samravishoshita shoNitabeeja samudbhavashoNita biijalate ||
shivashivashumbhani shumbhamahaahavatarpita bhutapishaacharate ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

dhanuranusangaraNakshaNasanga parishphuradanga naTatkaTake ||
kanakapishanga prishatkanishanga rasadbhatasringa hataabaTuke ||
krutachaturanga balakshitiranga ghatadbahuranga raTadbaTuke ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

jaya jaya japyajaye jayashabda parastutitatatpara vishvanute ||
jhaNa jhaNa jhinjhimijhinkritanoopura sinjitamohita bhootapate ||
natita nataardhanatiinatanaayaka naatitanaatyasugaanarate ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

ayi sumanah sumanah sumanah sumanoharakaantiyute ||
shrita rajanii rajanii rajanii rajanii rajaniikaravakravrute ||
sunayanavibhra marabhra marabhra marabhra marabhra maraadhipate||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

sahitamahaahava mallamatallika mallitarallaka mallarate ||
virachitavallika pallikamallika shrillikabhillika vargavrute ||
sita kruta phullisamullasitaakruNtallaja pallavasallalite ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

aviralagaNda galanmadamedura mattamatangajaraajapate ||
tribhuvana bhooshaNa bhootakalaanidhi roopapayonidhiraajasute ||
ayi sudatiijanalaalasamaanasa mohanamanmatharaajasute ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

kamaladalaamalakomala kaantikalaakalitaamala bhaalatale ||
sakalavilaasakalaanilayakrama kelichalatkala hamsakule ||
alikulasankula kuvalayamaNdala maulimiladbakulaalikule ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

karamuraliirava viijita koojita lajjita kokila manjumate ||
militapulinda manoharagunjita ranjitashailanikunjagate ||
nijaguNabhoota mahaashabariigaNa sadguNasambhruta kelitale ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

katitatapiitadukoolavichitra mayookhatiraskrita chandraruche||
praNatasuraasura maulimaNisphuradamshulasannakha chandraruche||
jitakanakaachala maulipadorjita nirbharakunjara kumbhakuche ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

vijitasahasra karaikasahasra karaikasahasra karaikanute ||
krutasurataaraka sangarataaraka sangarataaraka soonusute ||
surathasamaadhi samaanasamaadhi samaadhi samaadhi sujaatarate ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

padakamalam karuNaanilaye varivasyati yonudinam sashive ||
ayi kamale kamalaanilaye kamalaanilayah sakatham na bhavet ||
tava padameva param padamityanushiilayato mama kim na shive ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

kanakalasatkala sindhujalairanusinchinute guNarangabhuvam ||
bhajati sa kim na sachikuchakumbha tatiiparirambha sukhaanubhavam ||
tava charaNam sharaNam karavaaNi nataamaravaaNi nivaasisivam ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

tava vimalendukulam vadanendum alam sakalam nanu koolayate ||
kimu puruhoota puriindumukhiisumukhiibhirasau vimukhiikriyate ||
mama tu matam sivanaamadhane bhavatii kripayaa kimuta kriyate ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

ayi mayi diinadayaalutayaa krupayaiva tvayaa bhavitavyamume ||
ayi jagato jananii krupayaasi yathaasi tathanumitaasitare ||
yaduchitamatra bhavatyurariikrutaadurutaapa mapaakrurute ||
jaya jaya he mahishaasuramardhini ramyakapardini shailasute ||

P.S: You can find the stotra in different languages here:

1. Mahishasura Mardini Stotra in Telugu, Kannada, Sanskrit.

Book Review – Filthy Rich Clients

Finally, I was able to finish reading this excellent book and post the review. This was a book which I decided to review since client side Java is not really my expertise. But, I am glad I reviewed the book, learnt a whole lot from this book.

If you are planning on purchasing this book, take a look at the review which is live at Javalobby.

1. Book Review – Filthy Rich Clients

Book Review – Ant in Action

Currently, reading the book “Filthy Rich Clients”. It is an interesting book.

Last week, I did yet another review on the book “Ant in Action”. The review was published on Javalobby. Here is a link for the same:

17.Ant in Action book Review.

Technical Book Reviews

Here are all the earlier reviews I did.
16. Continuous Integration: Improving Software Quality

15. Pro NetBeans IDE 5.5 Enterprise Edition

14. No Fluff Just Stuff Anthology

13. Wicked Cool Java

12. Java/J2EE Job Interview Companion

11. Checking Java Programs

10. EJB 3 in Action

9. Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML-Theory and Practice

8. Java Phrasebook

7. Enterprise JavaBeans 3.0, Fifth Edition

6. Java Persistence with Hibernate

5. Beginning EJB™ 3 Application Development: From Novice to Professional

4. PMD Applied

Reviews published in 2006.

3. Hibernate in Action

2. Thinking In Java, 4th Edition

1. Ajax in Action