"We believe in science, and we also believe in faith"

This newsbreak datelined 3rd May 2020 disclosed the launch of a 4-month study to investigate the role of remote multi-denominational prayer on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients as prescribed by the National Institute of Health, USA. Half of the patients, randomly chosen, will receive a "universal" prayer offered in five denominational forms -- Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.

Closer home, did pandemics like this ever prevail in previous yugas? Yoga Vasishta, the epic conversation between the Sage and Prince Ram has the clues.The Sage narrates the story of the demoness Karkati who lived on the northern slopes of the Himalayas, the Sino-Mangolian region. She looked like a mountain-sized doll and her mind was always occupied by the ways to satisfy her hunger! She performed severe penance and secured a boon from Lord Brahma by which she could transform herself into a living needle –Suchika or a pain causing virus. She would mingle with Prana Vayu afflicting people with diseases related to heart, lungs and the spleen. Her numerous hiding places. included dust and dirt on the ground, unclean fingers, places where flies abound, in places bereft of healthy trees, people with unhealthy habits, in open sewers, in rest houses used by travellers!

Yet she was always apprehensive about entering the bodies of a large number of people who are protected by Gods by virtue of their worship and prayers.

It would be interesting to see the outcome of this new study! 

Painted prayers that protect homes:

Several years ago a friend of mine from W.B came on a visit to Chennai. He was engaged in the study of the electro-magnetic vibrational energy field. In those days, multi storied apartments in the city were rare. As we went on our morning walks, we used to witness women and girls outside the doorsteps of their homes, engaged in the decorative art of kolam, popularly known as Rangoli. Depending on the floor, they were using wet or dry rice powders both white and in colours. Their designs kept changing every day and the motifs ranged from small to big to match the significance of the day. My friend was fascinated by these intricate designs and ran his energy detecting devices over some of them out of sheer curiosity. We were indeed astonished by the field of aura emanating from these decorative motifs. The study of energy field surrounding this fascinating art form is well documented  in ancient scriptures.

- Excerpt from my book ‘A Tribute to Tradition’

Playing around the Sun

These Sunset visuals were received in the mail, humorously captioned ‘Sun theft’! It triggered childhood memory of a legendary tale of Hanuman’s tryst with the Sun.

Hanuman was growing older. Anjana,his mother said to him: “Son! It is time to get educated. There is no better teacher than Surya, the Sun god, who dispels all darkness. Go to him and gain knowledge.”Even though he was omnipotent, Hanuman obeyed his mother. He reached the Surya Mandala and humbly prayed : “O! Surya Deva, I want to learn Vedas, Vedangas, and Upangas from you. Please teach me.” Surya replied: ‘O!  I am always on the move, how can I teach you? This reply angered Hanuman.He blocked the path of Surya. The Sun god  relented and pacified him: “I have no objection to teach you. But you have to find a way to learn”.

Hanuman stood facing the sun and started walking backwards. Surya was moving forward and was teaching Hanuman. Within a week of his education, he astonished Surya and wanted to continue his education. Instead of walking backward, he put one foot on the rising hill and the other one on the setting hill to face the Sun god.His passion for knowledge with devotion pleased the Sun and he  taught all that is to be taught to Hanuman.

Indan Music Experience – country’s first and only Music Museum opened at Bangalore

Those familiar with the likes of Grammy Museum in LA may find the Indian Music Experience (IME) offering a much wider, exciting coverage of rich musical traditions. It is an interactive, educational experience of the historical evolution of Indian music across regions with contributions from celebrated composers and performers. A couple of hours spent here to fathom the journey of Indian music from ancient to modern, leave us with a sense of pride.

The Sound Garden at the site is the icing on the cake. For e.g. when you hum into the cave (pic) and adjust the pitch to full resonance, you can feel the vibrations through the body!

As we were stepping out, we captured a profound verse from Gulzar!

Thiru aadipuram

Sri Andal,the celebrated Saintess of the 8th century rendered outstanding hymns called Tiruppavai. These are today widely recited in India in festivals, temples and at royal ceremonies in Thailand and Cambodia as well. Our Satsang was part of the festival at the birth place, heralding her birth.

Following sampler brings forth the universal appeal of Goda Upanishad:

“We sing the name of the magnanimous

Rain it shall, pour country over

Thrice monthly with no despair;

Shall facilitate tall growth of fine paddy crop.

Carp to jump amidst like aquabatic feat,

Spotted bee to perch on lily fair and 

Donor cows to stand still, with udders thick,

Allow milking to fill vessels copious;

To ordain never vanishing wealth bounteous.”

“It would seem as if Sri Andal was the natural culminating point for the mounting flame of the soul's devotion” – wrote Sri Aurobindo. Always inspiring to hear Tiruppavai chants at Sri Sri Gurukul, Bangalore in the presence of the Master.

What truly are the six faces?

Be it Eka-rupa bhakti or Aneka Rupa Bhakti, beyond form and appearance, it is relevant to understand the divine attributes. Legend has it that Karthikeya, popularly hailed as Arumugam – is endowed with Six Faces! ‘Arumuga Velanukku Arohara' is a very popular salutation that reverberates! The one minute video gives a glimpse of some of His well known abodes with a few Poetic lines sung at a recent satsang.

What truly are the six faces?
One face that sheds rays of Light that remove the dense darkness shrouding the world; one that lovingly showers boons on the devout; One that watches over the sacrifices and offerings made. One that enlightens the minds of Sages; One that is in battle to destroy the negative forces & One that smiles lovingly at His consort.

Click the link to view video 

https://www.facebook.com/arun.madhavan.1297/videos/2853286401565382/

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Gift a smile

The phone rang! The caller wished an early ‘Happy birthday’ and asked ‘How old are you now?’ I took his query with a smile. We don't talk about trees getting older, instead we say they are ‘growing.’ Perhaps we must use the same language for ourselves: We're not getting older, we're just growing.

Come to think of it, smile is 'happiness' right under your nose. The next time you smile, notice your breathing and heart rates sync up. Thiruvalluvar, the Poet philosopher goes one step further in a nice couplet “To smile even in adverse situation is an elevated mindset”

Let us use our smile to change the world; and not let the world change our smile!

Book release at Open air theatre, Sri Sri College of Yoga

24th March 2019

The thematic decor, contextual exhibits, the mellifluous rendition of Adi Sankara’s ‘Aigiri Nandini Nanditha Medhini’ by the Girls choir set the ambience for a magical evening. It was an appropriate prelude to the release of the book ‘Parashakti authored by Bhanu Didi . The book,a Westland Publication, demystifies the puranic tales on the glory of Mother Divine. More importantly, it has unlocked the deeper knowledge hidden between words and images described in ancient wisdom. A great boon for seekers and the GenNext.

The Spring is here!

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!” It is also a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be. Holi is celebrated in Spring, the transition phase of winter and summer. Here are some interesting aspects of this festivity also known as Rang Panchami, Basant utsav, Hola Mohalla, Lathmar Holi and so on.

The period induces the growth of bacteria in the environment and physical body. When Holika is burnt, temperature in vicinity rises substantially. For those who go around the bonfire or the pyre, such heat is said to kill the bacteria in the body and cleanses it.

During this phase, the body experiences some tardiness; to counter laziness, people sing and dance to music with Dhol, Manjira and such traditional instruments. This helps in rejuvenating the human body.

Colours are said to play a vital role in fitness of human body. Deficiency of a particular colour could cause an impairment that can be healed when that colour element is supplemented. It is not surprising that today wellness experts recommend to Eat colours through varied veggies –see image!

In ancient times, when people were playing Holi, natural sources like turmeric, Neem, Palash and so on, were used by them. The playful pouring and throwing of colour powders made from such natural sources, is said to strengthen the ions in the body with a healing effect overall. 

It is interesting to see growing people awareness of the harmful effects of synthetic colours and moving towards natural herbal colours!

Happy Holi!

“Music, Mankind & Nature – the symbiosis”

10th Feb 2019

Excerpts from Arunji's address to the music Conservatory:

 

“What we pass off as animal sounds and chirpings of birds, do in fact, contain the treasure of music. For instance in the sapta swaras, Sa (Shadja) originated from Peacock and Ri ( Rishab) from the Buffalo; Ga (Gandhar) from the  Goat and Ma (Madhyama) from the Stork and so on.  Such sound vibrations from Nature influenced the formation of ragas which in turn could impact nature as well as seen when Tansen lit the diyas in his Emperor’s Court by invoking Raag Deepak. When the temperature began to soar high, he commended his daughter to sing Raag Megh Malhar which brought down the showers and doused the fire.

Muthuswamy Dikshithar from the celebrated Carnatic Musical Trinity brought rains for the parched lands and thirsty throats in Ettayapuram with his rendition of Raag Amritvarshini. Mozart's diary confirms that he purchased a starling as a pet after hearing the bird sing snatches from his Piano Concerto!

We recall the several satsangs when during our renditions in praise of Karthikeya, scores of peacocks would dance away spreading their feathers; otherwise naughty and restless monkeys would sit quietly in meditative state when Ram dhuns were sung.”