Newsletter of The Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa
November 2009 Volume 7 Issue 3
PRANAVA
Pervades all life - that which runs through “PRANA”. The source of Creation, the sound of OM
Contents: Patron of the Month Chandrashekar Mahadevan Danam – Part I Contributed by Nanjappa Tyagaraja – Part I Contributed by Tara Paga Truth flows with liberated minds Contributed by Gundu Rao P. From the Editor’s Desk A friend told me recently that when words fail, music speaks. This I thought was a very simple way of conveying the deep power of music. Music is the next powerful thing to silence. It comes closest to meditation. Mediation is learning to listen to the music of silence. Music is also a means of achieving spirituality. Many people have attained ultimate bliss by composing and singing the glory of the Brahman. One such great composer is Tyagaraja. To him, music and bhakti were one and the same. His compositions are very popular. No concert is complete without rendering Tyagaraja kritis.
Contact email: pranava@iowahindutemple.org Editors: Lakshmi Padakandla Tarakeswari Paga
Every year Tyagaraja Aradhana is celebrated in January where thousands and thousands of musicians, artists and music lovers gather in a small town Thiruvaiyaru. Together they all sing his Pancharatna kritis which are considered the most complex compositions of all time. This tradition is also being followed in a few places in US too. The 2010 year is special for Cedar Rapids in that a group of local musicians will be presenting the Pancharatna kritis in the Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa for the first time. In this issue we also bring you a special tribute to this great composer Tyagaraja. This article will be in two parts. Look for the next installment just before the concert.
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Patron of the Month - Chandrashekar Mahadevan Chandrashekar, whom most of us know as Shekar, is well versed in the rituals and often seen helping the priest in the Temple. Shekar has been associated with the Temple since it moved to its new location sometime during 2004-2005. He remembers that back then the Temple was kept open almost every day for a little while. He has mostly been involved with rituals and religious activities. He tries to understand what is best for the community, and more recently he has tried to coordinate activities with our priest Sri Siva. Shekar says that everyone along with the EC members is helping the Temple improve and grow. He feels that by conducting more religious functions, it will help the community. Having a Temple in the vicinity has helped his son learn many of the slokams and understand our rich culture. He requests parents to bring their kids to the Temple whenever time permits. Shekar hopes that people will realize the spiritual path through more religious functions. When asked to share some inspiring words, he said that inspiration should come from within. He is interested to see Sri Maharudram in our Temple. It is conducted with 121 ritwik chanting of Sri Rudram for 11 times, which means chanting for 1331 times. It is usually a big function, and he was recently involved in conducting the same in Chicago.
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P.O Box 10573, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410-0573 http://www.iowahindutemple.org
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Newsletter of The Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa
Danam (donation) – Part I It’s importance Dr. C.L. Prabhakar Professor of Sanskrit(Retired), Professor of Vedas, Hindu University of America, Orlando Danam yajnaanam varutham || Donation is the best sacrificial act. Danam is a Vedic concept that has been in practice since time immemorial. The Sanskrit term ―Danam‖ means ―to give away,‖ ―to donate for good‖ and never desire to get back what has been given. The other side of the concept is acceptance (pratigrahana). Between the two, the former is highly praised. This event is invariably found in the vedic rituals or in ordinary puja. In a ritual, the sacrificer (yajamana) offers the ahuti, saying, ―This is for Agni and this does not belong to me (agnaye idam na mama).‖ Behind the concept of Danam, there is an element of disowning (tyaga) that which has been given away. The Yajurveda says ―dhanenatyagenaikena amrtatvamanasuh.‖ This means that man can become immortal only through Danam. He becomes immortal because people remember him for a long time. Such a memory is a great merit. It is a difficult thing to practice since the mind has to be well prepared for such a deed. Nature is the gift of God. Nature has given inestimable gifts for mankind and all other beings in the world. We do not easily realize the value of nature’s gifts until we start to think about it. The five elements (panchabhutas), sun, moon, the wind, the trees, herbs and plants, the seas and the mountains give so many benefits and prosperity to all forms of life and all beings in the universe. In turn, the beings on earth have the responsibility to value and care for nature’s many gifts. The Rigveda contains many hymns called ―Danat Stuitis‖, which are acknowledgements made by recipients for the Danam given by several kings and Vedic Deities like Indra, Varuna, etc. Danam is a process: ―the haves‖ trying to benefit the ―have-nots‖ so that the latter are comforted.
Contents: Patron of the Month Chandrashekar Mahadevan Danam – Part I Contributed by Nanjappa Tyagaraja – Part I Contributed by Tara Paga Truth flows with liberated minds Contributed by Gundu Rao P.
If the ―have-nots‖ smile upon receiving the Danam, then that is very fortunate for the donors or the benefactors. Many times the donor (dani) looks at the deed of Danam as a virtuous act. What is the material (dravya) that comes under the purview of Danam? There is no specification. Generally, the ―havya‖ and ―kavya‖ are the objects of Danam. ―Havya‖ is that which is given to Gods and ―kavya‖ is that given to departed fathers. In addition, things given to the living souls (jivas) are also considered to be Dana. The objects are wealth (Laksmi). It is wealth (dhanam), a possession, and a treasure. Wealth (dhanam) is that which flows and which goes from hand to hand. The Sri Sukta of the Rigveda indicates what is true wealth: Dhanamagnih dhanam vayuh dhanam suryo| Dhanam vasuh….Varunam dhanamasnute|| This means that Agni, Vayu, Surya etc. are the true wealth of everybody. These will associate with Varuna, the Lord of Waters and the Guardian of Night. In other words, it is the riches of capable persons. Let us consider the description found in the Mahanarayana Upanishad, an important Upanishad belonging to the Yajurveda. This Upanishad says: ―All people praise Danam. There is nothing more difficult to practice than Danam (danannati duscaram). Hence epeople rejoice in the act of Danam.‖ At another place in the same Upanishad, the importance of Danam is discussed. A student named Aruni approached his father Prajapati and asked: ―What is called the best in the world (kim bhagavantah paramam vadanti)?‖ Then Prajapati replied: ―Danam is the best activity and a superior activity. In the world all beings look upon a donor with great regard and get on happily deriving support from donors. One can drive away the nonworshippers (aratis) deterring the progress in society. Non-givers are called aratis. Due to Danam, even enemies become friends. People grow famous and important in society. Therefore, it is pronounced that Danam is a noble activity.‖
P.O Box 10573, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410-0573 http://www.iowahindutemple.org
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Newsletter of The Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa
Contents: Patron of the Month Chandrashekar Mahadevan Danam – Part I Contributed by Nanjappa Tyagaraja – Part I Contributed by Tara Paga Truth flows with liberated minds Contributed by Gundu Rao P.
Owing to Danam, there accrues fame to entire world. Due to Danam, one removes sins. Due to Danam, one’s parental indebtedness (pitrunam anruno bhavati) is redeemed. Due to the act of Danam (danakriya), one can escape rebirth. People rejoice in the company of happy donors. As a precursor to the practitioners od Danam, the Vedas point out that Vedic deities like Agni, Indra, Varuna, Surya, etc. are donors. They bestow strength, brilliance, health, etc. it is said whoever knows the secret of donors will get all eminence.
It is said everything is established in the act of Danam. In the Rudraahdyaya of the Yajur Veda it is said: ―maghavadbhyjah tanushva midhva stokaya tanaya samyoh.‖ This means that Lord Rudra should bless the rich to grow richer and to dedicate them for helping others. Owing to donation, children and progeny prosper. In other words, a prayer is addressed to deities that the giver and the recipient both must be prosperous. In view of the virtue implied in Danam, the Upanishad proclaims: ―Danam is the best thing (paramam vadanti).‖ There is no greater deed than giving. A donor’s act helps his children and other people directly.
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Tyagaraja http://www.iloveindia.com/indianheroes/ tyagaraja.html# http://home.att.net/~s-prasad/ tyagaraja.htm http://www.sawf.org/newedit/ edit05132002/musicarts1.asp http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2009/09/25/ stories/2009092551250600.htm http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/ topic/611423/Tyagaraja Carnatic music composers and is also said to have played a prominent role in the development of this musical genre. Tyagaraja created numerous devotional songs, most of which are devoted to the Hindu god Rama and are popular even today. Sri Tyagaraja was born in Tiruvaiyaru, near Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu on May 4, 1767. His parents had moved to Tamil Country during the Vijayanagar period (early 1600's). Tyagaraja's father Rama Brahmam taught him to worship Rama daily and initiated him in Rama taraka mantra. Tyagaraja received his musical training from Sonti Venkataramanayya, who was himself a distinguished musician from a very early age. The most unique feature about Tyagaraja was that he saw music as a means to experience the love of god. As such, his sole objective while performing music was purely devotional. When Tyagaraja was merely 8 years old, he composed Namo Namo Raghavaya Anisham in raga Desikathodi. Then a couple of years later Sonti Venkataramanayya invited Tyagaraja to sing at his residence in Thanjavur and Tyagaraja sang Endaro Mahaanubhavulu, which is the 5th of the Pancharatna Krithis. His teacher was so impressed by Tyagaraja's song that he informed the king of Thanajavur about his unmatched singing ability. Following this, the king sent an invitation inviting Tyagaraja to attend the royal court. Tyagaraja was not a seeker of wealth and fame and so he declined the offer to sing in the court of the Thanajavur king.
Born-1767 Died-1847 A discussion on Carnatic music, perhaps, can never be complete without the mention of Tyagaraja, who along with his contemporaries Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri comprise the trinity of Carnatic music composers. He is regarded as the most legendary among the
P.O Box 10573, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410-0573 http://www.iowahindutemple.org
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Newsletter of The Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa
Contents: Patron of the Month Chandrashekar Mahadevan Danam – Part I Contributed by Nanjappa Tyagaraja – Part I Contributed by Tara Paga Truth flows with liberated minds Contributed by Gundu Rao P.
He composed another gem of a kriti called Nidhi Chala Sukhama. But the brother of Tyagaraja was so irked due to his declining the king's offer that he threw all of his idol statues in the river. Unable to sustain the separation with his God, Tyagaraja set out on a pilgrimage of the important temples throughout India and composed ample songs in their praise. Sri Tyagaraja has composed more than 800 songs in his long devoted life to Lord Rama, most of them written in his Mother tongue Telugu, but a few in Sanskrit, including the masterpiece "Jagadanandakaraka" composed of 108 names describing Lord Rama's attributes. But, his songs are well loved in Tamil Nadu, the seat of South Indian (Carnatic) Music scholarship and performance. At 18 years of age, Tyagaraja married Parvati, who died when he was only 23. He then married Kamalamba (sister of Parvati). They had a daughter named Sitamahalakshmi, through whom he had a grandson, who died progeniless.
He is credited with various musical innovations, including the use of a structured variation of musical lines within the performance, a practice that may have been derived from improvisatory techniques. Tyagaraja composed five songs, one each in ragas Nata, Gaula, Arabhi, Varali and Sri, and they are called the Pancharatnams. Thus we do not have any descendant of Saint Tyagaraja. But, his tradition is kept alive by his musical disciples and their followers. Being a great devotee of Lord Rama, the only things that mattered to Tyagaraja were Music and Bhakti. In fact, they were synonymous to him. Sri Tyagaraja had the highest reverence for great bhakthas like Prahlada, Dhruva, Hanuman and Narada. Sri Tyagaraja's life is an illustration to the dictum that music and devotion combined make the best path to the understanding of the Supreme Brahman.
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Truth flows with liberated minds By Mani Shankar http://www.deccanchronicle.com/ supplementary/truth-flows-liberatedminds-918 Neti, neti…‖ ―Not this, not this…‖ - Chandogya Upanishad When we watch a sunset, we don’t notice the earth moving. When we watch the stars we don’t feel the Universe flying apart. Why? Because the tiny human mind cannot readily understand the grander, deeper truths of reality. So it reduces vast complexities into simple manageable entities. It shrink-wraps infinity into a grain of sand, and locks up eternity into an hour. Left to itself however, the mind is capable of discovering and flowing with the truth. Left to itself it will surely notice the grain of sand more closely and discover infinity within, watch the passage of time and deduce eternity inside every second. Left to itself the mind will discover the power of its own software, and touch the source of its being. It will go beyond words, beyond mind itself. It will open doors and doors until it finds endless joy and beauty within. No temples or gods are needed. No teachers or gurus are required. The mind can get enlightened on its own. It just needs to be left to itself, carefree, stress free and breathing easy.
P.O Box 10573, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410-0573 http://www.iowahindutemple.org
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Newsletter of The Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa
Contents: Patron of the Month Chandrashekar Mahadevan Danam – Part I Contributed by Nanjappa Tyagaraja – Part I Contributed by Tara Paga Truth flows with liberated minds Contributed by Gundu Rao P.
The problem is that the mind is never left to itself. Nobody in society truly wants the individual to be left alone to discover the beauty and truth of his own self. Because, firstly, that discovery will lead to economic chaos of a kind the world has never seen. An enlightened person will not need so many material things, simply because he has realized that his happiness is coming from within and not from a new soap, shampoo, dress, perfume, car, or hair dye. He will frown on anything that destroys the ecosystem. An enlightened person will not support the manic economic engine of the planet. You cannot scare him, psyche him, fool him into becoming a crazy consumer. Society desperately needs people to put their heads down and keep working, earning and buying, so that others may keep toiling to create things that you are buying. An enlightened man will not find the need to keep working or buying. He will ask, ―Why was I born?‖ He will find the answer — to celebrate, find joy and feel bliss.
He will work only when he needs to. Keeping his needs limited, he will wander freely and chill out, with no worries or fears. Society can tolerate a few enlightened people — at the top of the food chain — like eagles soaring in the skies. But society cannot conceive of everyone becoming enlightened. It will do everything in its power to prevent it. ―Neti, neti‖. Not this, not this at all. Each in our own ways, we need to unfasten the chains that have bound us into conditioned reflexes. Into blind rhythms of working consuming, and working again to consume some more. We need to see through the stratagems and deceptions that society weaves constantly to keep us chained to an illusion of freedom. We need to break out from the tight circle of desire and fulfillment. We need to understand that society is good for general human survival, but is a serious hindrance to our inner growth. We need to learn to defy its gravity, grow our wings in secret — one day quietly unfurl them — and soar like eagles in the windy skies, free and serene. The author is a filmmaker. Email him at mani2shankar@gmail.com
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P.O Box 10573, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410-0573 http://www.iowahindutemple.org
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