Vedikheritage

This is the 2nd episode on Sanskrit alphabets. The basic consonant form is explained here using the often debated pronunciation of names between the North and South Indian population. While each language has it’s own manner od pronunciations, Samskrta must be pronounced as it was meant to be. Especially when we chant stotras and mantras, we cannot compromise on pronunciations because Sanskrit sounds are used to produce certain vibrations which impact both our bodies and our environment. The efficacy of mantras depend on the correct pronunciation of Sanskrit.

Aditya Hrdaya stotra is a powerful chant in praise of Sri Surya Narayana- the Sun God. Seen as the closest representation of the Supreme Brahman visible to us, Surya Sea is the source of all life on Earth and the ruler of Health and Success fin human life. Given to Sri Rama by the famous Hrshi Agastya, this stotra can be chanted by persons of all ages.

Learn this chant to ensure success in every endeavour and in uplifting your health. Students especially benefit from this stotra.

0:00 Introduction

1:33 Learn to chant Verse 1

3:26 Learn to chant Verse 2

4:42 Learn to chant Verse 3

6:12 Learn to chant Verse 4

7:39 Recap verses 1-4

You may get full transcript of the stotra in Devanagari, English and Tamizh on this page:

https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/aditya-hrdaya-stotram/

You can chant along with the video using Devanagari, English or Tamil lyrics given within the video. The chant is repeated 2nd time along with the meanings in Hindi, English and Tamizh.

If you would like to print out the lyrics, or if you are interested in a detailed breakdown of the meanings, you may visit this page:

https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/popular-shlokas/dharma-shasta-pancharatnam/

Dharma shasta/ Shasta/ Ayyappa, are various ways in which we denote the Lord of Sabarimala. Thousands of pilgrims visit this shrine every year after having observed a period of purity of 40 days or less. Born as a Pandya prince, this deity Shri Ayappa Swamy, is considered the avatara of the son of Shri Mahavishnu and Shri Shiva.

You may read more about this God here:

https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/story-of-ayyappa-swamy-and-makaravilakku/

Shri Dharma Shasta or Ayyappa, is a very popular deity in the southern parts of India. While many shrines dot the Kerala state where He is the most favoured deity, Ayyappa temples have followed the Keralites into other southern states as well. This 5 verse composition, the panchartanam, is in praise of this child-God Ayyappa/ Dharma Shasta.

Concluding part of the 5 part series on a lesser known celebration of Deepavali festival, originated in the Skanda Purana of Vedic times. Hindu iconography has played a major role in the propagation and preservation of Hindu thought and values. Learn the strength of Iconography and explore the meaning of the Ardhanari form of Shri Shiva and Parvati Devi. Also delve into Yoga and it’s relevance to this form. Finally, understand the status of the 3rd gender in a true Hindu society. Ref links: https://himalayaninstitute.org/online/the-flow-of-prana-nadis-chakras-and-kundalini/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjfyqBhAsEiwA-UdzJNwCtHrdOOnh0swIW7kl0Cf1AcQkVZT1BtFfU3TsfGTF9AlcGzUv1xoC1J0QAvD_BwE https://shaktianandayoga.com/teachings/the-three-main-nadis/ Image courtesy: Sabita Ramakrishnan

In the story of Hrshi Bronchi from the Skanda Purana, the Hrshi angers the Devi by ignoring Her. She retaliates by removing all power from his body. What is the deeper significance of this instance. Come explore the symbolism of this puranic story in this 4th episode of this 5 part series.

0:10 Introduction to puranic storytelling

01:31Why was Parvati Devi angered?

01:54 Reason 1

02:34 Reason 2

03:54 Outgrowing desire

04:39 Reason 3

05:08 Importance of the World

Image credits:

Instant rice Kurukkuthurai: Marudhuskitchen

Modakam & pickle: Masterchefmom.com

Cake slice: butternut bakery

Pizza:Slice of pizza bangalore

Pole vaulter: Pixabay-domeckopol

The complete chant is played twice in this episode. Once with lyrics in 3 languages for you to chant along, second time with meanings in the 3 languages. Like other compositions by the famous Guru Shankaracharya, this too talks of the esoteric nature of the divine, in this case, it is in the form if Shri Ganesha.

Ganesha Pancharatnam is a composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It is a very popular stotra in Southern parts of India.

Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a deity. Sri Shankaracharya is renowned for his revival of the Hindu faith and the establishment of the 6 popular faiths. At a time when there were over 2oo different faiths and practices around India, he amalgamated the practices and “established 6 main Sects”- Shan-matha-stapanam. The 6 Sects since followed are:

1. Sauryam -Surya Worship
2. Gānapatyam - Ganesha worship
3. Shaivam - Shiva Worship
4. Shāktam - Devi Worship
5. Vaishnavam - Vishnu Worship
6. Kaumāram - Karthikeya Worship

Sri Shankaracharya also composed famous works of poetry in praise of these main deities. This is one such composition.

0:10 Verse 1

0:35 Verse 2

01:00 Verse 3

01:26 Verse 4

01:52 Verse 5

02:16 Verse 6

2:51 Meaning in 3 languages

Ref links:

Sanskrit meanings:

https://kksfusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Ganesa-Pancharathnam-Lecture-Notes.pdf

https://greenmesg.org/stotras/ganesha/ganesha_pancharatnam.php

Hindi meanings:

https://www.sanatanatva.com/articles/shri-ganeshapancharatnam-mudakarattamodakam

The quest to decode the story of Hrshi Brnghi in the Skanda Purana continues.

In the Skanda Purana Hrshi Brnghi is seen disrespecting Parvati Devi and only venerating Shri Shiva. Is this a perpetuation of patriarchy?

What is Moksha /Liberation? Why do Yogis prefer to disengage from the world?

These questions are answered in this episode.

Credits for Free Videos:

Video of Space: Free HD stock footage-space_planet_galaxy_scene

Video of forest_15_2_Videvo

Video of fire: Pexels Videos 2715412(Gam01-Pexels)

The Puranic story from Skanda Purana about Rshi Bronchi’s insult to Parvati Devi, makes one wonder - “What relevance do these out dated stories have for us?” This is the question I wish to explore here.

Most Hindus are familiar with at least a few stories from the Puranas. Of over a hundred Puranas mentioned in ancient texts, the 18 Mahapuranas of Vyas Maharishi are quite popular. The stories within these Puranas talk of Gods, Devas, Asuras and a lot of happenings which are sometimes so fantastic that it looks imaginary. At other times they are very much like happenings in our own life. Most Puranic stories leave us with many questions and don’t seem relevant to our modern life.

Is there any use in learning about these Puranas and if so, what is it? Come join me in understanding this.

Story of Rshi Bringi

People in some parts of Bharat observe this ancient practice of Kedara-gauri Vrata. Learn about this story form the Skanda Purana which explains the importance of this Vrata.