Newsletter of The Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa
April 2010
Volume 8 Issue 1
PRANAVA
Contact email:
pranava@iowahindutemple.org
Pervades all life - that which runs through “PRANA”. Editors:
The source of Creation, the sound of OM Lakshmi Padakandla
Tarakeswari Paga
Contents:
From the Editor’s Desk
Patron of the Month
- Mr.Nanjappa
We are glad spring is here. It also Music is an integral part of life. It is also one
means we have completed 2 years of of the paths to attaining the Brahman. In the
Danam – Part II
the idols installation in the temple. The last issue we had presented to you the life
- Contributed by Nanjappa
second annual functions are coming story and achievements of the great
up soon in the temple in May. Be sure composer Tyagaraja. In this issue we
Tyagaraja – Part II
to participate in that. conclude the article. We continue to pay
- Contributed by Tara Paga
It may be just 2 years since we have a tribute to this great composer and many
full fledged temple. But it has been in others in the month of May when we present
Spiritual Truths existence for more than a decade due to the community songs sung by these great
- by Nanjappa to the dedicated efforts of our saints.
community members. One such Danam or giving away items to others brings
member is Mr. Nanjappa. He has been a lot of peace in oneself and contributes to
very instrumental in the growth of the serving the Lord. In the concluding part of
temple. We bring you his experience in this article, you can get more knowledge on
the Patron of the Month section. He how you can incorporate this noble gesture
also shares words of wisdom that have in your life.
inspired him on the path of spirituality We encourage you to contribute your own
in a separate article. thoughts and experience you have had in
your quest for the Brahman on the road to
spirituality.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Patron of the Month
- Mr. Nanjappa 1. What kind of service have you
been involved in both in the past
and currently; and what would you
advise someone who wants to do
similar activity?
I served as chair person for the Executive
Committee from 2001 till 2006. As chair I
was leading the EC with the help of the
other EC members. I also became a BOT in
the year 2005. I will encourage devotees to
become part of EC and BOT and
experience how much effort and planning is
Nanjappa has involved in running a temple to serve the
been involved with the temple right needs of the community, by contacting the
from 2000. We asked him a few EC members and attending the general
questions about his experience. Body meetings.. Also I encourage every one
to participate in the activities of the temple
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Contents: 2. What do you like most about 4. How has having a Temple in your
the Temple? vicinity made a difference to you or
your family?
Patron of the Month
It was the most satisfying, emotional
- Mr.Nanjappa
and rewarding experience when the Prem and I have benefited immensely by
Temple was materialized and having a temple here since we have been
Danam – Part II
inaugurated in the year 2004 after all able to participate in worships related to
- Contributed by
the hard work of EC members and many festivals from different parts of India,
Nanjappa
many donors, and devoted volunteers. Bhajans, music concerts, and also from
Both Prem and I like most about the having the opportunity to hear lectures from
Tyagaraja – Part II
temple is to see and visit with so many Swamiji‘s from Ramakrishna Mission.
- Contributed by Tara
Indian families representing the cross
Paga
section of India and their children who
are coming to the temple and getting 5. What benefit or value do you
Spiritual Truths the benefits of worshipping and envision in the future?
- by Nanjappa participating in the cultural activities in
the Temple. Children getting the The benefits or value in the future would be
exposure to our Vedic rituals, our to have educational and cultural activities
culture, our festivals and the benefits oriented towards youth by providing them
for them is immeasurable. Addition of additional space. Arranging lectures on the
Kitchen and dining hall in 2005, in Essence of Hindu Philosophy, culture,
2007 when we got the deities installed message of The Upanishads, Pranayama
and in 2008 when we hired Sri. Shiva and inviting the public to hear such lectures
as our priest ( we were very fortunate would be valuable and beneficial.
to get Sri. Shiva as the priest), made
our temple complete and authentic. It 6. Any recent experience in the
is very encouraging and gratifying that Temple that you would like to
many young people are taking the lead highlight?
in the administration of the temple
which is a good augury. Annadata Kumbhabhishekam that was performed in
every second Sunday after worship 2007 with eight or nine priests chanting
and on major festival day is another Vedic Slokas and installing the deities were
good feature in the temple. very inspiring and spiritually uplifting. One
doesn‘t get that opportunity very often to
3. What would you like to see participate in such sacred ceremonies and
improved? observe all the Vedic rituals at close
quarters.
Right now majority of the devotees Also, All events, specially the celebration of
who come to the temple are from major festivals, music concerts, lecture and
south India. I would like to have discourse from Swamiji‘s of Ramakrishna
programs and Bhajans to attract the Mission has always been spiritually uplifting.
participants in the temple activities
from other parts of India. Also we 7. What articles would you like to read
need to come up with some strategic about in ―Pranava‖ – the newsletter
planning to increase participation in of Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa?
the temple activities from the families
in Iowa City, Waterloo and Dubuque Brief and concise messages of The
area. The possibility of the temple Upanishads, Bhagvad Gita and Swami
growing with younger generation Vivekananda.
taking the lead is very promising.
8. What other interests or activities
would motivate you to visit the
Temple more often?
Prem and I don‘t need any motivation to visit
the temple.
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Contents: Danam (donation) – Part II
It’s importance
Dr. C.L. Prabhakar Professor of when Indra came in a Brahmin form and
Patron of the Month Sanskrit(Retired), Professor of Vedas, asked for the Danam of them. Likewise Bali,
- Mr.Nanjappa Hindu University of America, Orlando the emperor of Danavas, donated land to
Mahavishnu, although Sukracarya, the
Danam – Part II Daityaguru, warned him. In turn, the
- Contributed by In praise of the qualities of Danam
(danaguna), Bhasa, the Sanskrit pratigrahitas Indra and Vishnu gave token
Nanjappa benefits to donors. But that was not
dramatist says: ―Everything perishes
but never that which is given away and significant. We have the festival of
Tyagaraja – Part II Utthanadvadasi which occurs on the twelfth
- Contributed by Tara that which is offered in fire. These
remain the same and do not perish.‖ day after the festival of Lights (Deepavali).
Paga On this occasion, people show gratitude to
the trees and plants, praying that they
Spiritual Truths Siskshakshayam yasyati kalaparyayat should flourish and blossom so that they will
- by Nanjappa provide fruits and vegetables in order to
Sunibaddha mula taravo nipatani| sustain the world for another year. This is a
practice to be observed every year. Also,
Jalam jala sthana gatam ap sushyati people worship the amalka tree and the
tulasi plant, symbolic of all trees and plants,
herbs, and twigs.
Hutam ca dattam ca tathaiva tishati||
The act of Danam can exist at different Our seers are aware of the limitations of
levels and at different circumstances. human capacities and therefore have
But at all time and place, the act introduced the concepts of giving according
shines. The articles of Dana are said to capacity (yathasakti). Also, they have
to be sixteen in number suggested the giver should feel genuine
(shadosadanas) that include: wealth, enthusiasm (utsaha) when giving the
food (annadanam), clothes ( Danam. This is very well observed in the
vastradanam), trees (vrkshadanam), performance of puja. At the end of puja, it is
fruits (phaladanam), vehicles said ―sotsahaparimiti danam (daksina)
(rathadanam), horses (turagadanam), kuryat.‖ This means that one can donate
giving away one‘s daughter in depending on his enthusiasm. There is no
marriage (kanyadanam), elephants compulsion, practically speaking. It may be
(gajadanam), wealth (dravyadanam), anything ranging from a golden flower
etc. for a noble cause. Actually, these (suvarnapushpa) to any item that one can
acts of Danam (danakriya) relieve one afford. The seers say: ―Be sincere in these
from sins and accrue merit. Further, if matters.‖ Here, enthusiasm is a mark of
a group of people work together for a spiritual inspiration. Utsaha is life and the
noble cause like building a temple or absence of it is death. In this respect, one
digging a well for supply of water, or should not betray oneself. Paramatma is
prepare a proper road, then other watching our life and activities. This is
people feel inspired to help in some religion (practice) and philosophy being
capacity. They may help by offering spiritual upliftment. In sandhyopasana, the
their service, which would be called a water (arghya) is treated as Danam to the
gift of labor (sramadanam). deities Surya and others (c.f. arghya
At another place, Bhasakavi says: pradanam karishye).
―yatddattam no pratigrnhati.‖ This
means: ―What is donated should not
be taken back.‖ In our Hindu tradition,
we have great names famous for acts
of Danam. For example, Karna
donated his natural armor and earrings
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Truly, it is difficult to practice Danam. About the author
Contents: In order to give Danam, one has to
work harder and gather more wealth in Dr. C. L. Prabhakar completed his BS in
Patron of the Month order to be able to help the needy and Science with Mathematics, from S. V.
- Mr.Nanjappa to support noble causes. The Taittiriya University, Tirupati. He completed his MA in
Upanishad says: ―Yayakayaca vidhaya Sanskrit with First Class honors. His
Danam – Part II bahvannam prapnuyat.‖ This means specialty was Alamkara sastra. He obtained
- Contributed by that one should acquire an abundance his PhD. in Vedic Studies, after working in
Nanjappa of things and abilities by any means. It the Center for Advanced Study in Sanskrit,
is vigorous activity (tapas). Finally, the Poona University, Poona. As a research
Tyagaraja – Part II scriptures tell us that Danam is a noble fellow his subject was Yajurveda.
- Contributed by Tara activity (punyakriya). He who pursues
Paga Danam shall turn out to be noble. That
is the aim of life. It is a tapas, a He taught Sanskrit to under graduate and
concentrated activity drawn throughout postgraduate students for several years. He
Spiritual Truths retired as Professor of Sanskrit. Now he is
life. Indifferent to the kind of the article
- by Nanjappa the Director of the Vedaadhyayana Kendra,
one should develop this quality as a
part of cultivating humanitarianism. As Bangalore and the Chapter President of the
people like to work hard in order to World Association for Vedic Studies.Inc,
own their own homes USA which is striving to impart and inculcate
(manushyalayas), they should also our culture and Vedic heritage.
keep in mind the homes (alayas) for
the Gods who take care of us and all He has published several Research Papers
of the animals upon which we depend. in reputed journals. He has attended several
seminars and conferences in India and
Tapavi Punyo bhavati. This means that outside. He conducted many conferences,
a donor gets all benefits including the seminars and workshops related to Veda,
tax benefits. All of our religions share Sanskrit, Religious Studies and Philosophy
the thought that Danam is sacred and etc. he has delivered a number of lectures at
needs to be practiced. distinguished centers in India and abroad.
He is Professor of Vedas at the Hindu
||om tat sat|| University of America.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tyagaraja
Part II
Born-1767
Died-1847
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Though the annual Tyagaraja Thus, unlike Purandaradasa and musicians
Contents: aradhana at Tiruvayyaru takes place of his generation, who had perhaps a couple
typically in late January, scholars of dozen ragas to work with, Tyagaraja
Patron of the Month generally agree that he was born on 4 could experiment with hundreds.
- Mr.Nanjappa May 1767. The eighteenth century was
an interesting period in Carnatic music. Indeed Tyagaraja seems to have adopted
th
Danam – Part II Starting in the 16 century, composers composing in new ragas as one of the aims
- Contributed by like Muthu Tandavar and Margadarsi of his musical career. The 700 odd known
Nanjappa Sesha Ayyangar had experimented kritis of Tyagaraja feature 212 ragas; 121 of
with the kriti format and the these ragas have only one composition in
Tyagaraja – Part II characteristic pallavi-anupallavi- them. He was the first to compose kritis in
- Contributed by Tara charanam structure, one that was "about 66 ragas". His enthusiasm for such
Paga followed in Kshetragna's padas. These ragas can be seen from the fact that even
set the stage for Tyagaraja, as well as among the last few kritis that he is believed
Spiritual Truths Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama to have composed, three are in new ragas:
- by Nanjappa Sastry, to perfect this format with the Vagadeeswari (paramatmudu…),
result that it dominates Carnatic music Ganavaridhi (daya juchutakidi velara…) and
today. Manohari (paritapamu ganiyadina…). Dr. S.
Ramanathan, in one of his popular and
Tyagaraja's outstanding contribution to insightful lecture demonstrations on "A Day
the advancement of the kriti format With Tyagaraja", describes briefly how
was the introduction of the sangati (lit. Tyagaraja followed the path laid out by
coming together) - a set of variations Venkatamakhi. He then proceeds to
on a theme, gradually unfolding the illustrate this by singing the aforementioned
melodic potential of the musical kriti in Ganavaridhi (daya juchutakidi
phrase. Largely set in the velara…).
madhyamakala (middle tempo),
Tyagaraja's kritis were more By composing excellent kritis, Tyagaraja
appropriate for the modern concert gave life to these ragas. From being mere
paddhati. As vidwan G. N. descriptions in a book (with at best a
Balasubramaniam observed during his lakshana gita), these scales became full-
nd
presidential address at the 32 fledged ragas capable of being sung
conference of the Music Academy in elaborately in concerts. Tyagaraja, it must
1958, nearly 60% of Tyagaraja's kritis be remembered, was not only a composer
are composed in this kala and this but also a musician par excellence. Prof. P.
speed "seems to be the best for both Sambamoorthy narrates a story that sheds
the lay and the learned listeners." some light about Tyagaraja's prowess as a
th
The 18 century was also witness to performer. When Tyagaraja visited Madras
the virtual explosion of new ragas in on his way to Tirupati, he stayed at the
the aftermath of Venkatamakhi' house of Kovur Sundara Mudaliar, a musical
celebrated Chaturdandi Prakasika (ca. patron. Madras, at that time, was on its way
1660) and his 72 melakarta scheme of to becoming a musical center. For six
classification. Following and furthering evenings in succession, Tyagaraja sang the
the work of Venkatamakhi, Govinda raga Devagandhari elaborately following it
(Govindacharya), in his Sangraha up with one of his compositions in the raga .
7
th th
Chudamani (late 17 - early 18 This incident testifies to the creative ability
century) introduced the sampoorna or manodharma of Tyagaraja, the musician.
melakarta scheme as well as
lakshanas for 294 janya ragas, many
of which were unknown.
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Contents: A composer's manodharma is evident Tyagaraja have developed over the years,
in his or her compositions. The offering scope for elaborate and substantial
performer's manodharma, on the other renditions.
Patron of the Month hand, is displayed during expositions In some of these minor ragas, Tyagaraja's
- Mr.Nanjappa of raga alapana, neraval or swara composition(s) remain(s) the only one(s)
kalpana. One important musical that are heard publicly with any reasonable
Danam – Part II resource that performers dip into for frequency. This is not to say that there are
- Contributed by these expositions is the huge no other compositions in these ragas, but
Nanjappa repertoire of kritis that have been built that these have not become popular.
th
up since the 18 century and the
Tyagaraja – Part II period of the trinity. It is in this context
- Contributed by Tara that we wish to highlight Tyagaraja's
Paga contribution in furthering the creative
aspects of Carnatic music. We attempt
Spiritual Truths to do this by exploring how relatively
- by Nanjappa "minor" ragas that were pioneered by
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spiritual Truths It is the Brahman/God (pure
Contributed by Nanjappa consciousness) which helps the eyes to
see, ears to hear and mind to think and not
I would like to share the following by themselves. So, we should pay
excerpts taken from the Book ― The obeisance to (develop humility towards) the
Message of Upanishads by Swamy Source which makes everything happen
Ranganathananda‖. and pray to Him to bestow us the right
Where shall Man seek for the knowledge thru which we
infinite and Immortality? Within himself experience/realize this Truth.
answers The Upanishads.—Divinity is Bhagavad Gita ( II-29) says ―few truly
within you. know the Truth, The Eternal Glory of Man.
The BODY and the EGO are all What then is the Glory of Man?. It is his in
conditioned and Mortal. The ATMAN born Divine nature, birthless, deathless
alone is unconditioned, free and pure and holy. He is not the body, nor the
Immortal. senses; these are but the instruments of his
The JIVA (Soul) and Brahman are manifestation and action in the spatio-
not two different realities. Brahman is temporal world. He is the limitless One
the True nature of JIVA. But the JIVA expressing itself thru the little finite forms of
is not aware of the ever present truth. body and mind. This is not the true nature
This awakening comes to it thru the of man. This is not a mere philosophical
grace of knowledge when the heart concept, but a realized fact.
becomes pure. The human mind has lost its bearings
When the impressions gathered in the delusion of wealth and power (Katha
by the sense organs are pure, the Upanishad). Continued stagnation means
Mind becomes pure. When Mind is death. So, the Upanishads give us their
pure one becomes completely free gospel of hope for man thru their grand
from all Bondages. Then he is theme.
enlightened.
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Contents: Man shall have wealth, man shall Indeed the seer of God becomes truly
have power, man shall have all this. divine, full of love, joy, wisdom and strength.
But he shall not get lost in any one of Nothing can disturb the peace of his mind.
Patron of the Month these. These are the means, not the His face always beams with divine joy and
- Mr.Nanjappa end; He shall break thru the crust of his conduct marks him out as a man of God.
experience, and realize the Atman, his His selfless love flows alike to all. His
Danam – Part II Divine self, which is ‗Sat-Chit-Ananda, contact brings strength, purity and solace to
- Contributed by Existence-Knowledge-Bliss. Thus the all who come near him.
Nanjappa Upanishads show us the way to break
thru the prison wall of body and mind, The world has seen many such blessed
Tyagaraja – Part II then we reach true creativity, and it is seers or Prophets of God such as Rama,
- Contributed by Tara this type of creativity that the Krishna, Jesus ,Buddha etc., in different
Paga Upanishads represent. That is why lands and in different ages. The different
The Upanishads are inspiring to the seers or prophets, however, discovered
Spiritual Truths modern man and woman. different methods or paths of cleansing the
- by Nanjappa mind. All true religions of the world lead us
We are divine by nature. Divinity lies alike to the same goal of perfection. The
deep in our being. We do not Hindus have been taught to regard religion
perceive it as long as our unclean in this light. ‗ That is why Hindus have great
mind stands in the way. Just as tolerance for other religions‘.
light cannot be seen through a
smoky glass, God cannot be seen Excerpts from Meditation and Spiritual
thru an unclean mind. life by Swami Yatishwarananda:
The law of karma has got two aspects: the
Lust, greed, anger, hatred, ego, binding one and the freeing one.‘Karma‘
envy, selfishness are so many when done with egotism and attachment,
impurities that pollute our mind and binds the soul more and more. Repeated
obscure the Divinity in us. So long sense enjoyments make previous
as these sway our mind, we make impressions stronger and drag the person
mistakes at every step of our life and down to the plane of birth and death. But
very often behave like brutes. As, when ‗Karma‘ is done with detachment, as a
humans we have the ability to remove service to the Lord or purely for the welfare
all the impurities of our mind and of others without expecting anything in
become Divine, which is precisely our return, it leads to the liberation of the soul.
‗Manava Dharma‖. We have to control Detachment of the self can be practiced
our five senses. When there is either thru constant self analysis and
absence of egoism, there is no alertness, or by constant self-surrender to
confusion in the mind and the mind the Divine. When this is done, no new
functions naturally. impressions are created and the old ones do
not become stronger. Gradually , all the
The path of removing the impurities is previous impressions of the mind lose their
long. The process goes on from birth sway over us. This is called the purification
to birth till the mind becomes of the mind.
absolutely pure (our belief in Karma &
rebirth). For it is then that the Divinity
that has all along been within him does
manifest itself completely.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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