In
September first week this year when the Linganamakki Dam water was released & the copious rains in the area saw a fiery Sharavathi. There has been several videos in the social media covering that. However during mid October (16-18) we had the opportunity to visit Jog Falls this year. Here is a glimpse of Sharavathi River at its silky best. No wonder the flow combined with melodious background music from Dr KJ Yesudas aptly fits the Raga Malaya Marutham
After nearly 4 decades in Aeronautical Industry, I decided to keep away from the Industry and focus on my other interests such as Travel, Languages, Spirituality and Photography. I could manage to stay focused for nearly 6 years now. Last week during my early morning walk I could hear giggles/noises stating that I can’t keep away from aerodynamics even after retirement. To my surprise the birds in my roof top spoke to me. Here is their version of lift, drag, take off, vertical take off, cruise etc
Early Morning Aerodynamics
Verse 4
आदित्यहृदयं पुण्यं सर्वशत्रुविनाशनम् ।
जयावहं जपेन्नित्यमक्षय्यं परमं शिवम् ॥४॥
Aaditya-Hrdayam Punnyam Sarva-Shatru-Vinaashanam |
Jaya-[A]avaham Japen-Nityam-Akssayyam Paramam Shivam ||4||
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
AdityahR^idayam = this is the first and only time the name of this shlokam is mentioned by agastyA. It literally means the “Heart of sUryabhagavAn”
pUNyam = sacred (adjective for AH)
sarva = all
shatru = enemies [in the third, agastyA calls the same “sarvAn arIn”]
vinAshanam = destruction
jaya = victory
Avaham = giving, bestowing, producing, bringing forth
[several mantrAs will invoke a deity and say “… AvAhayAmi”; bhayAvahaH =producing fear; kleshAvahaH = causing pain/distress]
japa: = chanting prayers [japet = should chant/recite (preranA/request
form)]
nityam = daily/forever/always
akshayyam = eternal
paramam = highest, greatest [superlative]
shivam = prosperity, well-being, happiness, blessed
Meaning of the Verse
The Holy Aditya Hridayam gives victory, eternal and greatly blessed and is the destroyer of enemies. One should chant it always.
Meaning in Tamil
ஆதவன் புகழ் மந்திரம் புனிதம் அனத்துப்பகையழி வென்றிடும்
அனுதினம் உரைத்தல் அளிக்கும் நிலையான அதி புகழ் வளம்
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Verse 5
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ।
चिन्ताशोकप्रशमनमायुर्वर्धनमुत्तमम् ॥५॥
Sarva-Manggala-Maanggalyam Sarva-Paapa-Prannaashanam |
Cintaa-Shoka-Prashamanam-Aayur-Vardhanam-Uttamam ||5||
Meaning of the Sanskrit Words
sarva ma~ngala = of all the blessings
mAngalyam = the blessing/auspicious (it is the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious)
sarva pApa = of all sins
praNAshanam = annihilation/destruction [the root “nAsha:” gives rise to several things that have the “perishable” flavor – nAshanam, vinAshanam, nAshtA, nAshTika: (someone who lost
something)]
cintA = anxiety/fear [it is literally “thought”/”worry”]
shOka = sadness/grief
prashama: = calmness/pacification (indicates here – “cooling down” or removing sadness and anxiety]
Ayu: = lifespan
vardhanam = increasing/enlarging
uttamam = most appropriate/best/ultimate
Meaning of the Verse
[Aditya Hridayam] is the best blessing of all blessings, the destroyer of
all sins, and causes the removal of anxiety, grief and most suitable for
facilitating logevity.
Meaning in Tamil
கதிரவனொளி நல்வாழ்விற்கு நல்வாழ்வாய் சகலபாவ வினைகளழிக்கும்
பதற்றமிகு கவலை நீக்கி அமைதியுடன் நீடூழி வாழ வழிவகுத்திடுமன்றோ
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Verse 6
रश्मिमन्तं समुद्यन्तं देवासुरनमस्कृतम् ।
पूजयस्व विवस्वन्तं भास्करं भुवनेश्वरम् ॥६॥
Rashmimantam Samudyantam Deva-Asura-Namaskrtam |
Puujayasva Vivasvantam Bhaaskaram Bhuvane[a-Ii]shvaram ||6||
Meaning of Sanskrit Words
rashmi: = beam/ray of light [rashmima = sun; rashmimantam = haloed with rays, possessed of rays, crowned with rays]
samudyantam = having risen up [in the morning] [udaya: = to rise, samudaya: = to rise (in a good manner), samudyata =raised, lifted up]
devAsura = devAs and asurAs
namaskrutam = namas + krutam [namas = bowing/salutation, krutam = doing it; namaskaranam is the nominal verb form]
pUjayasva = agastyA is addressing rAmA here and saying “You Worship!”
vivasvantam = AdityA [vivasvat = brilliant/shining one; vivasta/vivasvAn = sun; vaivasvatA is the current Manu, son of sUryA]
bhAskaram = sun [bhAs = light, brightness; it also has a meaning of
“revealing, making clear” and light surely does that. The word “bhAshyam” has this same root; kara = to do, create; bhAskaram = the one that creates light]
bhuvana Eshvaram = ruler of the worlds [bhuvana refers to all the worlds; Esh = possessor, owner; Eshvaram = master, lord]
Meaning of the Verse
Pay respects to the risen sUryA, crowned with rays of light, who is most fitting to be worshipped, who is the ruler of all the worlds, who is the creator of light, who is brilliant, and venerated by the devAs and asurAs.
Meaning in Tamil
அண்டங்கள் அனைத்தாளும் ஆதவனை
விண்ணோர் வணங்கும் வெய்யோனை
பூரண நல்உதயமாகும் கதிரொளியவனை
பூசித்திடுவாய் புனிதமுடன் இராமனே
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It is a nice coincidence that I am writing two blogs in the same week on the same subject viz. Sun (Aditya). One is Aditya Hridayam (The heart of the Sun) in the Spiritual Category & the other Aditya Udayam (Sun Rise) in the Photography/Travel Category.
In one of my earlier blogs (Springing Eastern Sun – PANY 2019 on 01 Aug 2019) I had posted photographs of Sun during my visit to Pennsylvania and Newyork. After my return to my base, I have been continuing my reverence for the Sun and never failed to capture its graceful rise to dispel the darkness in us.
Here is a fascinating video taken from my apartment roof top recently. Look at the impact that the Sun brings out in the form of dazzling colors, brightness, clarity and the ambience. The serenity is aided by the background music in the Rag Bowli (courtesy VK Raman, the eminent flautist).
iPhone X has an amazing camera which syncs with my reverence in its true spirit. Enjoy this video at
The Sun—the heart of our solar system—is a yellow dwarf star, a hot ball of glowing gases.
Its gravity holds the solar system together, keeping everything from the biggest planets to the smallest particles of debris in its orbit. Electric currents in the Sun generate a magnetic field that is carried out through the solar system by the solar wind—a stream of electrically charged gas blowing outward from the Sun in all directions.
The connection and interactions between the Sun and Earth drive the seasons, ocean currents, weather, climate, radiation belts and aurorae. Though it is special to us, there are billions of stars like our Sun scattered across the Milky Way galaxy.
With a radius of 432,168.6 miles (695,508 kilometers), our Sun is not an especially large star—many are several times bigger—but it is still far more massive than our home planet: 332,946 Earths match the mass of the Sun. The Sun’s volume would need 1.3 million Earths to fill it.
(Ref: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/solar-system/sun/in-depth/)
I never get tired of seeing the Sun rise and the Sun set. Everyday I try and make it a point to watch the Sun Rise & Sun set. I am amazed at the splash of colors and contrast that Sun provides. I was fortunate to watch the Sun Rise from my apartment roof top on one fine morning. I have posted the video in the Photography Section of my blog.
Now, let us read carefully the above description of the Sun particularly on its critical role in the universe and relate them to the Verses that will follow on Sunday. From Verse 4 to Verse 25, Sage Agasthya brings out through his praise for Aditya, the features and characteristics of the Sun and its importance. One can see the striking similarity between the century old views to the scientific description. No wonder you will see temples for the Sun God in several States of India such as Orissa, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh , Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Anyone visiting Jog Falls in Karnataka as a tourist and has an interest in architecture and history invariably lands up in Keladi, approximately 35 Kms from the Falls. While the foot falls in Keladi may not be as large as Hampi, the village presents an unique combination of Hoysala, Vijayanagara & Dravidian styles of architecture in the form of Sri Rameshwara Temple built in the 16th Century.
As you drive through the narrow streets of the village and approach the site, one can see a normal building structure with a large garden in front and a typical unused deep well. But once you step into the temple compound, your eyes open out and you say “wow”. Then you start exploring ; you will not come back disappointed.
Here is my iPhone X doing all the work allowing me to enjoy my visit there.
Music Courtesy: MALLADI Brothers in Rag Hamir Kalyani.
Verse 1
ततो युद्धपरिश्रान्तं समरे चिन्तया स्थितम् ।
रावणं चाग्रतो दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम् ॥१॥
tatO yuddha parishrAntam samarE cintayAsthitam
rAvaNam cAgratO dR^iShTvA yuddhAya samupasthitam
Meaning of Sanskrit words
tata: – Then (at that very time)
yuddham – battle
parishrAnti: – exhaustion/fatigue
samara: – battle(-field)
cintayA – in the middle of a thought
sthitam – staying/standing
rAvaNam – ravana (used as an object of the sentence)
ca – and
agrata: – in front of
dR^iShTvA – on seeing (Dhrusti – seeing)
yuddhAya – for the battle
Sam-upa-sthitam – standing prepared (‘Sam’ – popular prefix to indicate correctness/propreity – in this case, ravana is standing, correctly prepared to fight)
Meaning of the Verse
When Lord Rama (implicit subject of the sentence) is standing absorbed in thought, on the battlefield, as He is exhausted by the fight till now; seeing Ravana facing Him (in front of Him) duly prepared for the fight…
Verse 2
दैवतैश्च समागम्य द्रष्टुमभ्यागतो रणम् ।
उपागम्याब्रवीद्राममगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः ॥२॥
daivatai: ca samAgamya draShTum abhyAgatOraNam
upAgamya: abravIt rAmam agastyO bhagavAn R^ishi:
Meaning of Sanskrit Words
daivatai: – with Devas
ca – and
sama-Agamya – arriving (at the same time) [Sam is prefixed for
‘simultaneously’] Aagaami is come, Aagamya is coming
draShTum – to see/witness [dR^iShTi: = sight]
abhyAgata: – he who had come
raNam – battle
upAgamya: – approaching [Agamya – coming, upa – near => to come near]
abravIt – spoke (past tense)
rAmam – Sri Rama
agastyO
bhagavAn – “blessed” is one of the meanings
R^ishi: – sage
Meaning of the Verse
The ‘Blessed’ Sage, Agastya, who had come to see the battle with the Devataas, on approaching Sri Rama, spoke…
Verse 1 & 2 – Tamil Version
சரிநிகர் சமமென நின்ற இலங்கையன் எதிரே
புரிபோர் விளை சோர்வுடன் சிந்தனைநடு நின்ற
கோசலைமைந்தனை நோக்கி தேவரினம் சூழ
போர் காண களம் வந்த குருமுனி சென்றுரைத்தான்
Verse 3
राम राम महाबाहो शृणु गुह्यं सनातनम् ।
येन सर्वानरीन्वत्स समरे विजयिष्यसि ॥३॥
rAma rAma mahA bAhO shrunu guhyam sanAtanam
yEna sarvAn arIn vatsa samarE vijayiShyasi
Meaning of Sanskrit Words
rAma – Agastya is talking to Raama directly, and addresses him “Hey Raama,
the Great-Shouldered Rama”
mahA – Great, mighty
bAhO – Shoulder
shrunu – listen [the word Shruthi has the same root]
guhyam – secret [Hindi word “Gupt” comes from this]
sanAtanam – forever, unending, eternal [as in Sanaathana Dharma]
[In fact, in AH, you will find several words for the same – akshaya,
nitya, shAshvatasya]
yEna – With which [ya: + Ena = yEna; ya: = whom/which, Ena = by/with]
sarvAn – all [used as an object here]
arIn – enemies [Krishna is “murAri” since he was the enemy of the demon
murA; kEsava since he killed the demon Kesi]
vatsa – child [Agastya addresses Rama as a child here]
samarE – on the battlefield
vijayiShyasi – You will win [vijayasi = You win; vijayAmi = I win;
vijayiShyAmi = I will win]
Meaning of the Verse
This stanza is a direct address from Agastya to Rama :
Hey Rama, the Great-Shouldered Rama, Listen to the eternal secret,
With which, Over all the enemies, Hey Child, You will win on the
battle-field!
Verse 3 – Tamil Version
தோள்வலி மிகுராமா கேளாயோ அழியாநிலையுடை மறைசெய்தி
அதன்வழி நடப்பின் அடைவர் அனைத்துப்பகைமீது உறுதிவெற்றி
இப்போர்களத்தில் உன் வெற்றி உறுதி பால ராமனே கவலைதவிர்
Preamble
The Dictionary Definition of resilience is “ the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after defamation caused especially by compressive stress “ or “ the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change “. American Psychological Association defines it as a “ process of adapting well in the face of adversity “.
Resilience is always built through learning, not acquired as a gift. Harvard Business School professor Bill George in his book “ Discover your true North “ highlights the method of “revisiting your crucibles”, viz our earlier trials and tribulations to draw from our inner strengths and lessons learnt. This however is a post facto process. We survived the storm and then we realised that we survived. We use the learning in the next storm not knowing whether it helps or not.
In the thick of the adverse situations most of the times, we need someone to confirm to us that we have what it takes to be resilient. We long for help. Ancient Indian history brings out several such adverse situations where the Principal Character derives his/her inner strength through the advice from a either friend or a philosopher or guide. Arjuna in the Indian epic Mahabharata finds Lord himself as Krishna to help him with “Bhagwad Gita” to launch the successful war against the Kauravas.
On many occasions, Nature’s manifestations themselves will provide the necessary impetus to us to recharge ourselves and have a go at the challenges that we face. If such manifestations are explained by an eminent Philosopher/Saint/Guru at the adverse situation, then it is an accelerator for rejuvenation.
This is exactly the theme of my next series of blogs on “Aditya Hridayam” by the diminutive ancient Hindu Sage Agasthya where we will see how Lord Rama finds his inner strength to defeat the Lankan King Ravana on hearing the manifestations of Aditya (The Sun) in the other epic of Sage Valmiki’s “Ramayana”.
Again a word of caution – As a novice, I am neither an expert in languages nor have adequate knowledge of religion/spirituality. I am just a mind seeker.
Note: Based on the feedback received on my earlier blogs, I have added meaning of Sanskrit words & the meaning of the Verse in English. Needless to say that I haven’t put any effort in these two additions as they are reproduced with courtesy from the information available in books and the Worldwide web!
True to the Indian name “Bhanu” for Sun & Sunday, I will try and update this blog every Sunday
भुजङ्गाख्यवृत्तेन क्ऌप्तं स्तवं यः
पठेद्भक्तियुक्तो गुहं संप्रणम्य ।
स पुत्रान्कलत्रं धनं दीर्घमायुः
लभेत्स्कन्दसायुज्यमन्ते नरः सः ॥३३॥
Bhujangga-[A]akhya-Vrttena Klptam Stavam Yah
Patthed-Bhakti-Yukto Guham Samprannamya |
Sa Putraan-Kalatram Dhanam Diirgham-Aayuh
Labhet-Skanda-Aaayujyam-Ante Narah Sah ||
சுற்றும் அரவென பதம் அமைந்த புஐங்கம் எனும் இப்பாடல்தனை
முற்றும் உணர்ந்து பக்தியுடன் பரமகுருகுகன் அடிபணிந்து உறைப்போர்க்கு
மக்களுடன் மனைமாட்சி நெடுநல்வாழ்வு அளித்திடுவான் ஐயமில்லை
பரவசநிலை கூட்டி அடைந்திடுவர் கந்தனவன் பதம்தனை இறுதியிலே
Adi Sankara takes the Bhujangam to its logical end by surrendering himself before the Lord and seek compassion from the Lord. We can see that Sri Sankara seeks alignment of one’s physical body features, mind, family, relatives & friends to the one and only Lord Subramanya.
Verse 26
दृशि स्कन्दमूर्तिः श्रुतौ स्कन्दकीर्तिः
मुखे मे पवित्रं सदा तच्चरित्रम् ।
करे तस्य कृत्यं वपुस्तस्य भृत्यं
गुहे सन्तु लीना ममाशेषभावाः ॥२६॥
Drshi Skanda-Muurtih Shrutau Skanda-Kiirtih
Mukhe Me Pavitram Sadaa Tac-Caritram |
Kare Tasya Krtyam Vapus-Tasya Bhrtyam
Guhe Santu Liinaa Mama-Ashessa-Bhaavaah ||
விழிகள் உன்னுருவம் காண செவிகள் உன் மகிமை கேட்க
வாய் உந்தன் புகழ் பாட கைகள் உன் திருத்தொண்டு புரிய
உடல் என்றும் உன்னடி பணிய என் உள்ளுணர்வெலாம்
உன்னிடம் உறையச் செய்திடுவாய் செந்தூர் உறை குகனே!
Verse 27
मुनीनामुताहो नृणां भक्तिभाजां
अभीष्टप्रदाः सन्ति सर्वत्र देवाः ।
नृणामन्त्यजानामपि स्वार्थदाने
गुहाद्देवमन्यं न जाने न जाने ॥२७॥
Muniinaam-Utaaho Nrnnaam Bhaktibhaajaam
Abhiisstta-Pradaah Santi Sarvatra Devaah |
Nrnnaam-Antya-Jaanaam-Api Sva-Artha-Daane
Guhaad-Devam-Anyam Na Jaane Na Jaane ||
தொழுதிடும் பெருமுனி கடுந்துறவி பலர் வணங்கி
விழையும் வரம் தரும் தெய்வம் பல எங்குமன்றோ
ஈனப்பிறப்புடையோர்க்கு பெருங்கருணை புரிய
உனையன்றி வேறெவருள்ளரோ திருச்செந்தூர் குகனே
அறிந்திலேன் யான் அறிந்திலேன் யான் அண்ணலே !
Verse 28
कलत्रं सुता बन्धुवर्गः पशुर्वा
नरो वाथ नारि गृहे ये मदीयाः ।
यजन्तो नमन्तः स्तुवन्तो भवन्तं
स्मरन्तश्च ते सन्तु सर्वे कुमार ॥२८॥
Kalatram Sutaa Bandhu-Vargah Pashurvaa
Naro Va-Atha Naari Grhe Ye Madiiyaah |
Yajanto Namantah Stuvanto Bhavantam
Smarantash-Ca Te Santu Sarve Kumaara ||
மனையாளும் மக்களும் சுற்றம் சூழமும்
ஆண் பெண் மனைஉறை அனைவரும்
உனதடி ஒன்றே பணிந்து உளமுருகி துதித்து
உன்புகழ் பாடி உன்னிடம் மட்டுமே
உறைந்து நினைய உன்னருள் புரிவாய்
உமைமைந்தா குமரக்கடவுளே !
Verse 29
मृगाः पक्षिणो दंशका ये च दुष्टाः
तथा व्याधयो बाधका ये मदङ्गे ।
भवच्छक्तितीक्ष्णाग्रभिन्नाः सुदूरे
विनश्यन्तु ते चूर्णितक्रौञ्चशौल ॥२९॥
Mrgaah Pakssinno Damshakaa Ye Ca Dussttaah
Tathaa Vyaadhayo Baadhakaa Ye Mad-Angge |
Bhavac-Chakti-Tiikssnna-Agra-Bhinnaah Suduure
Vinashyantu Te Cuurnnita-Kraun.cashaula ||
கொடிய விலங்குகள் கொத்தும் பறவைகள்
கொட்டும் பூச்சிகளின் கடிவலியொப்ப
நொடிக்கும் என்னுடல் பற்றிய கழுபிணிதனை
கையுறை கூர் வடி வேலால் பொடியெனப் பிளந்து
வெகுதூரம் தொலைத்திடு கிரவுஞ்சமலைப் பொடித்தோனே!
Verse 30
जनित्री पिता च स्वपुत्रापराधं
सहेते न किं देवसेनाधिनाथ ।
अहं चातिबालो भवान् लोकतातः
क्षमस्वापराधं समस्तं महेश ॥३०॥
Janitrii Pitaa Ca Sva-Putra-Aparaadham
Sahete Na Kim Deva-Sena-Adhinaatha |
Aham Ca-Ati-Baalo Bhavaan Loka-Taatah
Kssama-Sva-Aparaadham Samastam Mahe[a-Ii]sha ||
பெற்றவர்தம் புதல்வனது பிழைகள்தனை
பொறுத்தலன்றோ தேவர்படைத்தலைவா!
குழவியன்றொ யான், இவ்வுலகை ஈன்றோனே
பிழையனைத்தும் பொறுத்ருள்வாய் பெரியோனே!!
Verse 31
नमः केकिने शक्तये चापि तुभ्यं
नमश्छाग तुभ्यं नमः कुक्कुटाय ।
नमः सिन्धवे सिन्धुदेशाय तुभ्यं
पुनः स्कन्दमूर्ते नमस्ते नमोऽस्तु ॥३१॥
Namah Kekine Shaktaye Ca-Api Tubhyam
Namash-Chaaga Tubhyam Namah Kukkuttaaya |
Namah Sindhave Sindhu-Deshaaya Tubhyam
Punah Skanda-Muurte Namaste Namostu ||
தொழுதிடுவேன் நான் கோலமயிலுடன் சக்திவேல்தனையும்
வணங்கிடுவேன் இறைஊர்ந்த ஆடுடன் கொடிசேவல்தனையும்
பணிந்திட்டேன் நீஉறை கடல்சூழும் திருச்செந்தூர் தலமதனை
துதிட்டேன் மறுபடியும் அழகே வடிவான கந்தப்பெருமான் உனை
Verse 32
जयानन्दभूमञ्जयापारधामन्
जयामोघकीर्ते जयानन्दमूर्ते ।
जयानन्दसिन्धो जयाशेषबन्धो
जय त्वं सदा मुक्तिदानेशसूनो ॥३२॥
Jaya-[A]ananda-Bhuuman.-Jaya-Apaara-Dhaaman
Jaya-Amogha-Kiirte Jaya-[A]ananda-Muurte |
Jaya-[A]ananda-Sindho Jaya-Ashessa-Bandho
Jaya Tvam Sadaa Mukti-Daane[a-Ii]sha-Suuno ||
பரமானந்த உணர்வெனும் கரையிலா கருணைக்கடலோனுக்கு வெற்றி
இகபர இரேழஉலகாளும் பரமுக்தி வடிவோனுக்கு வெற்றி
பேரின்பக்கடலாய் முடிவிலா தாழாநட்புடையோனுக்கு வெற்றி
முக்தியருள் பொன்னார் மேனியனின் புதல்வனுக்கு எப்பொழுதும் வெற்றி
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