Ashtottaram on Sri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swami – by Smt. Soumya Aravind Sitaraman and Sri Aravind Sitaraman.
Published by: What is India Publishers Ltd.
This book is an extraordinary one. For each of the 108 names of the Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram of Paramapujya Jagadguru Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji, the 69th Peethadhipati of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, there is a full – page coverage with good picture of the Swamiji, the meaning of the name, and relevant citations from the life and times of Swamiji, including titbits of interesting anecdotes. The book starts with a succinct essay on the multi-faceted personality and incredible Vedic and social contributions of the Swamiji. This is followed by a special writeup on Swamiji’s unique and untiring efforts for Ram Janmabhumi temple in Ayodhya.
Some extracts from the message of blessings for the book on behalf of the present Peethadhipati, Jagadguru Pujyashri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamiji:
“The Namavali of Divya Vibhutis abounds in their special qualities and unique achievements. The Ashtottaram of His Holiness Pujya Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal is bedecked with his divine qualities of Gnana, Vairagya, simplicity, his work for emancipation of humanity, devotion to Guru, – as an illustrious Peethadhipati of the venerated Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, a saint and philosopher to all. His divine smile that provided solace to the suffering and confidence to the earnest, finds mention in one of his Names in the Namavali, but can barely be missed in majority of the photographs.
His Holiness Pujya Shri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal, 70th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is very pleased about the publication of such a book on his Guru His Holiness Pujya Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal as it provides devotees an opportunity to know more on Guru Mahima and inculcate Guru Bhakti.”
The book has a nice getup with well-chosen photographs and bold letters in the writeups. On the whole, it is a treasure, specially for the millions of devotees of the Swamiji.
P.R. Kannan
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Sri Lalita Sahasranamam (in Tamil)
By Mumbai Sri Ramakrishnan.
Publisher: LKM Publishers, Chennai.
Number of pages 288; Price Rs.250/-
Mother Lalitambika, an integral part of Lord Siva, symbolizes the oneness of Advaita. “To that Devi who lives in all beings in the form of Sakthi, power and strength, I offer salutations again and again” says Durga Saptashati, “Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu”. The glory of Durga, known as Ambika, Lalita and by many other names, is hailed in ancient scriptures. Among the eighteen Puranas, Brahmanda Puranam refers to many aspects of devotion. In the chapter dealing with Stotras, we find reference to Lalita Sahasranamam. It elaborately deals with the purpose of Devi’s manifestation on earth; her abodes, her disciples, her compassion, her guidance and above all, her supreme power.
The mother Lalita is venerated and worshipped for her infinite divine qualities. As Mahishasura Mardini, she puts an end to evil forces. She symbolizes victory. She establishes peace and order. She removes fear. She destroys desires and steadies the mind. She enlightens, elevates and liberates. Above all, she is the source of power, source of energy and the source of strength. She is the embodiment of grace, the epitome of beauty, the Goddess full of love and compassion. She defies description.
Just as Adi Sankara described Lord Mahadeva in Sivananda Lahari, just as Arunagirinathar described Muruga (Subrahmanya) in Thiruppugazh and just as Bhagavan Sri Ramana adorned Arunachala with Aksharamanamalai, divinities and saints like Hayagriva, Agasthya and Bhaskararaya hailed the glory of Mother Lalitha. They addressed her by different names as Ganga, Gayatri, Shyamala, Lakshmi, Raja Rajeswari, Ambika, Parameswari, Bhavani etc. Institutions like Sri Ramakrishna Mutt and pundits like Dr Sudha, Sri Senthil Thuravi and Sri Krishnaswamy have created magnificent works of devotion towards Mother Lalita.
Following the foot-steps set by illustrious writers and luminaries, comes Mumbai Sri Ramakrishnan. He has weaved a colorful garland of devotion to be offered to Mother Lalitha. It requires deep knowledge of Purana, extensive devotion, extra-ordinary dedication and literary skill to interpret the vast meaning of Lalita Sahasranamam and Mumbai Sri Ramakrishnan seems to possess all these qualities in abundant measure. As an ardent practitioner of Namasankeerthanam, Gita Govindam and Thiruppugazh, he could easily justify this role in portraying Lalitambika very truthfully and beautifully.
Among the many forms of worship, the most important and easiest one is to recite the sacred name of God and pay obeisance (Namah). We find Goddess Lalitha being described as Mother of Universe, as the form of Sakthi, as Sruti Matha, the mother who symbolized the first sound heard, as mother who appeared from fire, as mother who destroyed the evil forces, as mother who bestowed grace, as mother who symbolized love, compassion and benevolence, as embodiment of beauty and possessing infinite divine qualities. “Steady the mind and let it rest at the feet of Mother” (Om Mano Roopa Ikshu Kodandayai Namah” 10). All the thousand names admire the divine qualities of mother and pay obeisance to her.
While Lord Siva symbolizes Jnana, Mother Parvati symbolizes Sakthi. The Jnana that Lord Siva symbolizes elevates us to higher state of spiritual fulfillment and Sakthi which Lalitambika represents, protects us from all evil forces and bestows the power to stick to the path of Dharma. Swami Vivekananda was a strong advocate of the importance of Sakthi worship.
The book is an asset for all spiritual seekers because, apart from interpreting the meaning of 1000 words of praise of Devi Lalita, it gives us rare glimpses of devotion and jnana.
V.S. Krishnan
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“Sri Parasakthi Bhakta Vijayam” (in Tamil)
Author: Mumbai Sri Ramakrishnan
Publisher: LKM Publishers, Chennai
Number of pages 427; Price Rs.250/-
In ancient times, people were following different systems of worship, based on their limited perspective. With the advent of Adi Sankara, a new awakening took place. He said there is only one reality, the Brahman which is reflected as Atman within the human frame. The diverse images that appear around us are like reflection of the moon on the pots of water below. Besides, Adi Sankara also put forward Shanmatham, the six forms of worship, based on personal Gods, which are Saivam, Vaishnavam, Shaktam, Ganapatyam, Sauram and Kaumaram. According to him, though the six forms of worship relate to six different forms of God, the reality behind it all is one, just as different flowers appear in a garland joined by a single thread. By setting the six forms of worship, Adi Sankara has only synthesized them, integrated them and inter-linked them.
Mumbai Sri Ramakrishnan has brought out an excellent book called Sri Parasakthi Bhakta Vijayam. He has portrayed the life and teachings of an amazing number of 43 divine personalities. The book contains a brief study of divinities and saints like Hayagriva, Kalidasa, Abhirama Batta etc. who exclusively followed the Shaktam form of worship. The other saints described in the book are; Adi Sankara and Dattatreya, who followed all the six forms of worship, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who followed the Advaita doctrine, Sri Ramalinga Adigal who followed Jyothi worship, Sri Swati Tirunal and Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar who sought the medium of music, Sri Thayumana Swamigal who followed Saiva Siddhantam, Sri Seshadri Swamigal and Sri Kavya Kantha Ganapati Muni, who followed the philosophy of Bhagavan Ramana. While describing different saints following different philosophies, Sri Ramakrishnan has sought to find a common link that relates to Sakthi worship. For instance, while dealing with the songs of Sri Arunagirinathar, Sri Ramakrishnan finds a link that connects few of his songs which hailed Mother Sakthi as Kaumari, Kali, Bhayankari etc. According to Sri Ramakrishnan, whatever path a devotee chooses, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga or Karma Yoga, he would find a glimpse of Mother Sakthi in all of them. Being a Sakthi Upasaka and an ardent devotee of Mother Parasakthi, Sri Ramakrishnan has succeeded in his mission of highlighting the importance and value of Sakthi worship. In short, Mumbai Sri Ramakrishnan has undertaken a Vijaya Yatra to find the importance of Saktham form of worship, at the same time emphasizing the value of other means of worship. Just in one book, he has highlighted the philosophy of many sages where an undercurrent of Sakthi worship is also evident.
After reading his book, I felt that the excellent work that he has done would itself speak for his knowledge and erudition even without an elaborate introduction about himself .
V.S. Krishnan
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“Guha Bhakta Vijayam”
Publisher: LKM Publication, Chennai
Author: Mumbai Sri Ramakrishnan
Page 274. Price Rs.200/-
The word ‘Muruga’ (Subrahmanya) spells great charm for devotees all over. Muruga is the Lord highly venerated, loved and worshipped. He is described as Guha who resides in the chamber of the heart of all devotees. Among the six forms of worship which Adi Sankara formulated, Kaumaram worship has gained considerable importance. Among the 18 Puranas, Skanda Purana gives insight to Muruga’s purpose of appearance on earth. Muruga is hailed as Gurunatha who removes ignorance so that the Jnana which is already there is recognized. Muruga is hailed as a great warrior, as he successfully waged war against evil forces at Tiruchendur. Lord Krishna says: “Senaninam Aham Skanda:”. ‘Tholkappiyam’, the work at the origin of Tamil literature, which dates back to several thousand years, refers to Muruga worship being actively practiced. Tamil Sangham, the great literary movement at Madurai, makes elaborate mention of Muruga worship. Adi Sankara waxes eloquent on the glory of Muruga in his Subrahmanya Bhujangam.
If devotion towards God became an inalienable part of Hindu life, it is because of two factors; the great temples leaping to the sky made of stone and the sacred verses that resonate music, made of letters. The temple at Brihadeeswara ( in Thanjavur) for example stands testimony to the depth of devotion which the King and the people of the bygone era had nourished in their heart. There is a vast ocean of literature that deals with the glory of Lord Muruga. Kachiappa Sivachariyar has composed an exhaustive work, Kanda Puranam in Tamil which traces the origin, purpose and the divine qualities of Muruga. Nakkeerar has composed his immortal ‘Thiru Murugatruppadai”, which is considered as an outstanding work of devotion towards Muruga. “Apart from being in the cave of the heart of devotees, Muruga’s presence can also be experienced in his six abodes”, Nakkeerer said. Sri Arunagirinathar, the author of Thiruppugazh said: “Do not get caught in the cycle of life and death like waves in the ocean that come and go” (“பிறவி அலை ஆற்றினில் புகுதாதே“) Apart from Sivacharyar and Nakkeerar, there were many others like Kumara Gurupara Swamigal, Vallimalai Sri Sachidananda Swamigal, Pagazhi Koothar, Vannacharapam Sri Dandapaani Swamigal, Thiru Muruga Krupananda Vaariyar who described the splendour and glory of Muruga.
While describing the glory of Muruga as above, Mumbai Sri Ramakrishnan’s book, “Guha Bhakta Vijayam”, gives us the message that the best way to reach and realize Muruga is to seek the blessings of those ‘Adiyarkal’ who got the Muruga experience. Adiyargal means the divine personalities who have experienced the presence of Muruga within through the path of devotion, dedication and detachment. Sri Ramakrishnan has described 27 Adiyarkal who found fulfillment by adhering to spiritual values (Dharma). Sri Ramakrishnan has bestowed encomiums and adorations on these Murugan devotees. The book is an inspiration for us to venerate these Adiyargal and adopt the way they have shown. Muruga himself comes as Gurunatha. Let us seek the blessing of Jagadguru like Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt, to mention just one, so that we follow the path of Dharma.
If Thiruppugazh has become a fundamental form of worship for Muruga devotees all over India and abroad, the contribution of Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan towards that end is not meagre. Having got acquainted with Guruji and having received his best wishes for my book on Thiruppugazh, I felt personally happy by reading Sri Ramakrishnan’s experience with Guruji. I wish Sri Ramakrishnan many more achievements in the field of Namasankeerthanam and literature, to mention few. I am sure, his book will be a perennial source of inspiration for many aspiring devotees.
V.S. Krishnan
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