सुवर्णमधुपर्पटिका - Soan Papdi

Ever since I discovered Soan Papdi in Indra Cafe, Mysore, as a teenager, I am simply fascinated by this multilayered sweet that melts in your mouth. It is indeed a paradigm for all creation - a multilayered multiverse in which Bhagavan lives and breathes in His eternal Leela or sport! 

This is what Perplexity.AI says:

Soan Papdi is a delicate, flaky Indian sweet made from besan (gram flour), maida (plain flour), ghee, and sugar syrup, flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. It is best enjoyed fresh during festivals like Diwali.

I have just christened this heavenly delicacy in Sanskrit:

सुवर्णमधुपर्पटिका

Don't forget to eat Soan Papdi during this Deepaavali! 

🙏🙏🙏

Four Brothers

Sri. Atmaram had four sons. He was indeed so attached to them that they entirely fulled up his consciousness.

The eldest was Chitta. Chitta had a headstart compared to others as he remembered his grand-parents and even his great-grandmother. He was full of the family's old stories and lived with a deep sense of Khaandaan history. You wouldn't guess it when you saw the brothers together, but Chitta always had an influence on the drcisions made by the other three.

The second one was a vain fellow. He was born when Sri. Atmaram was already well established in life. He named his second son Aham. Aham struck everyone as full of I-Me-Myself. The brothers had to find a way to live and play together "around" Aham's sense of self-importance.

The third was Buddhi. Buddhi was a clever fellow, able to study well, and played brain games like chess. He would always find a way to tackle any problem they faced, and honestly, the brothers always looked up to him for solutions, whenever they came up against any challenge.

The fourth was irrepressible. He had been named Manas. He was full of fun and was always ready to party. He made friends easily and broke up too in a jiffy. A most outgoing sort of fellow, Manas was the life and soul of any party. But whenever he was upset, or had to be reasoned with, only Buddhi could deal with him.

These four brothers - Chitta, Aham, Buddhi and Manas, were the inner courtyard as it were of Sri. Atmaram's world.

Everyone therefore said, "If you want to convince Sri. Atmaram about anything, go to his four sons. They will convince him." 

What is the meaning of wealth?

 We often equate wealth to riches in gold, property, stocks and bank balance. But is that the real meaning of wealth!?

Wealth is what determines how you give. Yes, I mean, How you give.

To give, you have to be wealthy. Even if you have only a penny with you!!!!

Śrī Venkateśa Suprabhātam

The article in Outlook: https://www.outlookindia.com/national/india-news-the-prayer-song-enterprise-the-curious-history-of-the-suprabhatam-news-375358

Here is a Perplexity.AI summary of the article "The Prayer Song Enterprise: The Curious History Of The Suprabhatam" from Outlook India:

The Venkatesa Suprabhatam is described as one of India's most popular prayer songs with an intriguing history.

Its origins trace back to a short morning wake-up verse in the Balakanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana, where sage Vishwamitra wakes Lord Rama.

In the 15th century, poet Prativadi Bhayankar Anna from Andhra Pradesh composed additional stanzas, associating the Suprabhatam with the Tirumala Sri Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati, where it became part of morning rituals.

For centuries, the song remained a relatively private recitation until it was recorded and broadcast. The earliest known recording was by PV Ananthasayanam Iyengar, intended for teaching MS Subbulakshmi.

The song's transformation into a national phenomenon occurred with MS Subbulakshmi’s iconic 1958 recording broadcast on All India Radio, turning it into one of India's most beloved and best-selling devotional tracks. (a total of around 35 crores recorded views on the several YouTube uploads).

The popularity of the Suprabhatam, alongside other devotional recordings, highlights a powerful enterprise of spiritual music in India, with MS Subbulakshmi recognised as a leading figure in this genre.

Today, the Suprabhatam remains a daily ritual in millions of households, underlining the blend of ancient tradition, temple heritage, radio/recording innovation, and musical brilliance that brought it to the masses.

***

If one wants to learn the chanting, there is an excellent course online by Vyoma Labs.

I attach herewith two very useful links:

Prayer text in Devanagari 

MSS Rendition:

|| Oṃ Namō Venkateśāya ||

नमस्ते दा वत्सले मातृभूमे

नमस्ते सदा वत्सले

(I have given the word-splits for easy understanding.)

नमः ते सदा वत्सले मातृ-भूमे                                                   

त्वया हिन्दु-भूमे सुखं वर्धितः अहम्

महा-मङ्गले पुण्य-भूमे

त्वद्+अर्थे पततु एषः कायः

नमः ते नमः ते ***

प्रभो शक्तिमन् हिन्दु-राष्ट्र-अङ्ग-भूताः

इमे सादरम् त्वाम् नमामः वयम्

त्वदीयाय कार्याय बद्धा कटी इयम्

शुभाम् आशिषम् देहि तत्पूर्तये ***

अजय्याम् च विश्वस्य देहि ईश शक्तिम्

सुशीलम् जगत् एन नम्रम् भवेत्

श्रुतम् च एव यत् कण्टक-आकीर्ण-मार्गम्

स्वयम् स्वीकृतम् नः सुगम् कारयेत् ***

समुत्कर्ष-निःश्रेयसस्य एकम् उग्रम्

परम् साधनम् नाम वीर-व्रतम्

तदन्तः स्फुरतु अक्षया ध्येयनिष्ठा

हृदन्तः प्र-जागर्तु तीव्रा अनिशम् ***

विजेत्री च नः संहता कार्यशक्तिः

विधाय अस्य धर्मस्य संरक्षणम्

परम् वैभवम् नेतुम् एतत् स्वराष्ट्रम्

समर्था भवतु आशिषा ते भृशम् ***

भारत् माता की जय् !

Oh, my ever-loving motherland! Obeisance!

You have raised me happily in your Hindu bosom. 

Oh, greatly blessed and sacred motherland! 

This body of mine shall prostrate in your cause. 

Obeisance! Obeisance! **

Oh, powerful Lord! We, belonging to

This Hindu land, offer you our respectful obeisances!

Our waists are girdled, ready in your service,

Give us your blessing to fulfil our duty! **

Oh, Lord! Give us unconquerable strength, 

The nobility that earns the world’s due respect. 

Such learning, too, empowering our progress

In our chosen path, although it's ridden with thorns. **

It's valour alone that is the singular, 

Supreme and certain means to all-round prosperity.

To that end, may an unshakeable dedication

Arise in our hearts, and stay forever awakened,

Intense and unceasing. **

Victorious shall be our collective endeavour

Resolved in protecting our Dharma well!

Confer on us your boundless grace that

We take our nation forward to her supreme glory! **

Glory to Bharat Mata! 

True art - challenging the senses

Mysticism teaches us that this wonderful creation is our Maker's play. I share here two pictures that shows man is creating art much like his Maker.

This is the grave of the legendary Russian dancer Rudolph Nureyev in Paris. There no cloth, but it is an artwork created from tiny mosiac tiles! Yes! The artiste is the Italian, Ezio Frigerio.

And now see this flower bed, depicting an elephant! 

PS: Perplexity Pro tells me this is a digital AI generated image 😢

Sanskrit and I

Sanskrit and I

Everyone sings praises of you, oh, Sanskrit! 

And I do, too, and love you endlessly.

So where do I stand vis-a-vis you, Saraswati's tongue?

Musing thus, I go to the shore. The vast ocean.

Endless, eternal billowing waves,

Blue, all glitter and shimmer till the yonder horizon.

Some come, walk on the soft and wet sand, collecting shells.

These are those that cherish your sounds in the temple.

Savouring Sanskrit names, sampling the oceanic glow.

Some others hang around the shore,selling snacks and trinkets.

Holding degrees, making a living in Sanskrit. Or

Dipping their feet in lapping waves, Kovidas turning back at nightfall.

There are those who make a fishing expedition, rising early,

Working hard, intent on catching big fish that nurture their lives.

They are the pundits who live off Sanskrit.

Then come those who go in big boats, diving deep, and

Gathering pearls.  These scholars dedicate their lives to Sanskrit.

Some lucky to reap medals and titles.

Some go so far as to build cruise ships. Attracting 

Those willing to invest time and money on long journeys.

To these Sanskrit Vyomas go those like me, old but willing.

Finally a Magellan or a Marco Polo spans the world.

Vyasa, Valmiki, Panini, Patanjali, Kalidasa and such. 

Saraswati's children whose names inspire us always.

श्रीगणेशपञ्चरत्नम् - ६

 

     Halebid, 12th century CE.

महागणेशपञ्चरत्नमादरेण योऽन्वहं

प्रज्वलत्प्रभातके हृदि स्मरङ्गणेश्वरम् ।

अरोगतामदोषतां सुसाहितीं सुपुत्रतां

समाहितायुरष्टभूतिमभ्युपैति सोऽचिरात् ॥ ६॥    

   

यः whoever 

अन्वहम् everyday

प्र-ज्वलति in the bright light

प्र-भातके of the morning

हृदि in his heart 

स्मरन् remembers

महा-गणेश-पञ्च-रत्नम् This great Ganesha prayer

आदरेण with due reverence

गणेश्वरम् worshipping Lord Ganesha;

सः  he

अभि+उपैति will surely attain

अचिरात् very soon. 

अरोगताम् freedom from disease

अदोषताम् freedom from problems;

सुसाहितीम् talent in poetry, 

सुपुत्रताम् good progeny 

समाहितायुः a long life

अष्टभूतिम् and obtain the eight great treasures/powers. 

॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥

श्रीगणेशपञ्चरत्नम् - ५

 

नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिमन्तकान्तकात्मजं

अचिन्त्यरूपमन्तहीनमन्तरायकृन्तनम् ।

हृदन्तरे निरन्तरं वसन्तमेव योगिनां

तमेकदन्तमेकमेव चिन्तयामि सन्ततम् ॥ ५ ॥  

चिन्तयामि सन्ततम्  I meditate constantly

तम्  on him

एकम् alone

एव  indeed

एकदन्तम् who is single-tusked

and

नितान्त-कान्त-दन्त-कान्तिम्  who is lustrous in the endless sparkle of his tusk,

अन्तक+अन्तक+आत्मजम्  who is the son of Shiva who ended the power of Yama towards his devotee,

अचिन्त्य-रूपम् who is of unimaginable form,

अन्तहीनम् who is endless,

अन्तरायकृन्तनम् who cuts down impediments;

एव indeed

निरन्तरम् constantly

वसन्तम् dwelling

हृदन्तरे - in the hearts 

योगिनाम् of great ascetics.

॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥

श्रीगणेशपञ्चरत्नम् - ४

 

अकिञ्चनार्तिमार्जनं चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनं

पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनं सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम् ।

प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणं धनञ्जयादिभूषणं

कपोलदानवारणं भजे पुराणवारणम् ॥ ४ ॥      

भजे पुराणवारणम्  I worship that primordial Elephant God who is

अकिञ्चन+आर्ति-मार्जनम् the one who removes the distress of the destitute

चिरन्तन+उक्ति-भाजनम् who epitomises the declarations of the Vedas

पुर+अरि-पूर्व-नन्दनम् who is the first son of Lord Shiva who destroyed the Tripura

सुर+अरि-गर्व-चर्वणम्  who destroys the arrogance of the demons

प्रपञ्च-नाश-भीषणम् who can be the Apocalypse of creation

धनञ्जय+आदि-भूषणम् who adorns the gods like Agni

कपोल-दान-वारणम् who is using his trunk to wipe off the musth dripped by his elephant cheeks.

॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥

श्रीगणेशपञ्चरत्नम् - ३

1

 

समस्तलोकशङ्करं निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं

दरेतरोदरं वरं वरेभवक्त्रमक्षरं

कृपाकरं क्षमाकरं मुदाकरं यशस्करं

मनस्करं नमस्कृतां नमस्करोमि भास्वरम् ॥ ३॥

नमस्करोमि  I bow down to Ganesha who is

समस्त-लोक-शङ्करम् conferring good on all the world

निरस्त-दैत्य-कुञ्जरम् who vanquished the Elephant-demon

दर+इतर+उदरम्  with a belly not unsubstantial

वरम् Excellent in godliness

वर+इभ-वक्त्रम् with a beautiful elephant face

अक्षरम्  Never wasting, never perishing

कृपाकरम् Conferring grace

क्षमाकरम् Ever-forgiving

मुदाकरम् Conferring gladness

यशस्करम् Granting fame

नमस्कृतां मनस्करम् Granting wisdom on those devoted to him

भास्वरम् Effulgent!

॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥

श्रीगणेशपञ्चरत्नम् - २

 

नतेतरातिभीकरं नवोदितार्कभास्वरं

 नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरं नताधिकापदुद्धरम् ।
सुरेश्वरं निधीश्वरं गजेश्वरं गणेश्वरं

महेश्वरं तमाश्रये प्रात्परं निरन्तरम् ॥ २ ॥ 

तम्  Him who is

नत+इतर+अति-भीकरम्  Extremely fierce towards those who refuse egoistically to bow down

नव+उदित+अर्क-भास्वरम् Radiant like the just risen sun

नमत्-सुर+अरि-निर्जरम्  Worshipped equally by both demons and gods

नत+अधिक+आपद्-उद्धरम् Lifting his devotees out of excessive adversities

सुर+ईश्वरम् Lord of the gods

 निधि+ईश्वरम् Master of the "nine celestial treasures"

 गज+ईश्वरम् Leader of elephants

गण+ईश्वरम् Chief of the attendants of Lord Shiva

महा+ईश्वरम् Supreme Lord 

परात् परम् The Lord transcending the gods

निरन्तरम् Uninterruptedly

आश्रये I worship and seek shelter in.

॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥

Gaņeśa - The wonderful god!

Swami Harshananda, in his The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, has penned a wonderful article on 

Gaṇapati

(‘lord of the groups [of deities]’)

LINK: https://references.rkmm.org/external/manual/a-concise-encyclopaedia-of-hinduism/article/gaṇapati?p=03408e62817b3af3099725755af0978b04fddd5ece0745ea1b7f78cbb5508433

Gaṇapati or Gaṇeśa, also known as Vināyaka, is perhaps the most popular of the Hindu deities worshipped by all sections of the Hindus. No undertaking, whether sacred or secular, can get started without first honouring and worshipping him. This is understandable and highly desirable, since he is said to be the lord of obstacles (Vighneśvara or Vighnarāja). However, what is not understandable and certainly not very agreeable is his repulsive origin and grotesque form! Even for those who admire Lord Śiva’s skill in the surgical art of head-transplantation, it becomes rather difficult to admire the end-product! Once we successfully manage to delve into the mysteries of this symbolism, our repugnance will give rise to respect and respect to reverence and worship.

The Ṛgvedic deity ‘Gaṇapati-Brahma-ṇaspati’—also called Bṛhaspati and Vācaspati—manifests himself through a vast mass of light. He is golden-red in colour. The battle axe is an important weapon of his. Without his grace, no religious rite can succeed. He is always in the company of a group (gaṇa = a group) of singers and dancers. He vanquishes the enemies of the gods, protects the devoted votaries and shows them the right way of life.

Another class of Ṛgvedic deities, known as the Maruts or Marudgaṇa, described as the children of Rudra, also have similar characteristics. In addition, they can be malevolent towards those who antagonise them and can cause destruction like the wild elephants. They can put obstacles in the path of men if displeased and remove them when pleased. They are independent, not subject to anyone’s sovereignty (Arājana = Vināyaka).

A perusal of these two descriptions will perforce lead us to the obvious conclusion that Gaṇapati is the metamorphosed form of the Bṛhaspati-Marudgaṇa deities.

॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥

श्रीगणेशपञ्चरत्नम् - १

मुदा करात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं
कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम् ।
अनायकैकनायकं विनाशितेभदैत्यकं
नताशुभाशुनाशकं नमामि तं विनायकम् ॥

तं मुदा करात्तमोदकम् Him holding joyously the Modaka in his hand

सदा विमुक्तिसाधकम् always ready to help actualise my liberation 

कलाधरावतंसकम् wearing the crescent moon in his crown

विलासिलोकरक्षकम् sportingly protecting the whole world

अनायकैकनायकम् who has no superior, and who is the exclusive leader of gods

विनाशितेभदैत्यकम् who destroyed the elephant demon

नताशुभाशुनाशकम् dispeller of evil of those surrendered to him

विनायकम् नमामि I bow down to Lord Vinayaka, Ganesha! 

॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥

Sri Krishna Karnamritam 2.108

॥ वन्देऽहं रासकेलीरतमतिसुभगं वश्यगोपालकृष्णम् ॥

Hare Krishna! 

कस्तूरीतिलकं ललाटफलके वक्षस्स्थले कौस्थुभं

नासाग्रे नवमौक्तिकं करतले वेणुं करे कङ्कणम् ।

सर्वाङ्गे हरिचन्दनं च कलयन् कण्ठे च मुक्तावलिं

गोपस्त्रीपरिवेष्टितो विजयते गोपालचूडामणिः ॥ २.१०८ ॥  

Meaning: That crest-jewel of cowherds, Śrīkṛṣṇa, sporting the Kastūrītilaka on his forehead, Kaustubha gem on his chest, the pearl ornament at the end of his nose (an ancient adornment), a bamboo flute in his hand, bracelets on his wrists, anointed with red sandal paste all over, a beautiful pearl necklace around his neck, and surrounded by Gopīs, is resplendent!

व्याकरणांशाः
कस्तूरीतिलकं ललाटफलके वक्षस्स्थले कौस्थुभं
नासाग्रे नवमौक्तिकं करतले वेणुं करे कङ्कणम् ।
सर्वाङ्गे हरिचन्दनं च कलयन् कण्ठे च मुक्तावलिं
गोपस्त्रीपरिवेष्टितो विजयते गोपालचूडामणिः ॥ २.१०९ ॥
कस्तूरी-तिलकम्, ललाट-फलके, वक्षः-स्थले, कौस्थुभम्, नास+अग्रे, नव-मौक्तिकम्, कर-तले, वेणुम्, करे, कङ्कणम्, सर्वाङ्गे, हरिचन्दनम्, च, कलयन्, कण्ठे, च, मुक्तावलिम्, गोपस्त्री-परि-वेष्टितः, विजयते, गोपाल-चूडामणिः
सन्धयः
कस्तूरी-तिलकम्, कौस्थुभम्, नव-मौक्तिकम्, वेणुम्, हरिचन्दनम्, मुक्तावलिम् = मोऽनुस्वारः
वक्षः-स्थले = ससजुषो रुः, खरवसानयोर्विसर्जनीयः, वा शरि
गोपस्त्री-परि-वेष्टितः + विजयते = ससजुषो रुः, हशि च, आद्गुणः
गोपाल-चूडामणिः = ससजुषो रुः, खरवसानयोर्विसर्जनीयः
आकाङ्क्षा-अन्वयः
गोपाल-चूडामणिः कस्तूरी-तिलकम् ललाट-फलके वक्षः-स्थले कौस्थुभम् नास+अग्रे नव-मौक्तिकम् कर-तले वेणुम् करे कङ्कणम् सर्वाङ्गे हरिचन्दनम् च कण्ठे च मुक्तावलिम् कलयन् गोपस्त्री-परि-वेष्टितः विजयते
That crest-jewel of cowherds, Śrīkṛṣṇa, sporting the Kastūrītilaka on his forehead, Kaustubha gem on his chest, the pearl ornamemnt at the end of his nose (an ancient adornment), a bamboo flute in his hand, bracelets on his wrists, anointed with red sandal paste all over, a beautiful pearl necklace around his neck, and surrounded by Gopīs is resplendent!
सुबन्तप्रक्रिया
कस्तूरी-तिलकम् = अकारान्त पुं, २.१ अम्, अमि पूर्वः
ललाट-फलके = अकारान्त पुं, ७.१, ङि, आद्गुणः
वक्षः-स्थले= अकारान्त नपुं, ७.१, ङि, आद्गुणः
कौस्थुभम् = अकारान्त पुं, २.१ अम्, अमि पूर्वः
नास+अग्रे= अकारान्त पुं, ७.१, ङि, आद्गुणः
नव-मौक्तिकम् = अकारान्त नपुं, २.१ अम्, अमि पूर्वः
कर-तले= अकारान्त नपुं, ७.१, ङि, आद्गुणः
वेणुम् = उकारान्त पुं, २.१ अम्, अमि पूर्वः
करे= अकारान्त पुं, ७.१, ङि, आद्गुणः
कङ्कणम् = अकारान्त नपुं, २.१ अम्, अतोऽम्, अमि पूर्वः
सर्वाङ्गे= अकारान्त पुं, ७.१, ङि, आद्गुणः
हरिचन्दनम् = अकारान्त नपुं, २.१ अम्, अतोऽम्, अमि पूर्वः
च = अव्ययम्
कण्ठे= अकारान्त पुं, ७.१, ङि, आद्गुणः
मुक्तावलिम्= इकारान्त स्त्री, २.१ अम्, अमि पूर्वः
गोपस्त्री-परि-वेष्टितः = अकारान्त, पुं, १.१, सुँ, ससजुषो रुः, खरवसानयोर्विसर्जनीयः
कलयन् = तकारान्त पुं, १.१, सुँ, उगिदचां सर्वनामस्थानेऽधातोः, हल्ङ्याभ्यो दीर्घात्सुतिस्यपृक्तं हल्, संयोगान्तस्य लोपः
गोपाल-चूडामणिः= इकारान्त, पुं, १.१, सुँ, ससजुषो रुः, खरवसानयोर्विसर्जनीयः
तिङन्तप्रक्रिया
विजयते = वि+ जि जये भ्वादिः, अकर्मकः, अनिट्, परस्मैपदी-> आत्मनेपदी वि उपसर्गयोगे, लट्, १.१
समासाः, तद्धिताः, कृदन्ताः
कलयन् = कल गतौ, सङ्ख्याने च, चुरादिः, शानच् कृदन्तः, प्रथमा विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्, कलयत्.
कस्तूरी-तिलकम् = कस्तूर्याः तिलकः, तम्, ६तत्
ललाट-फलके = ललाटस्य फलकः, तस्मिन् ६तत्
वक्षः-स्थले= वक्षसः स्थलं, तस्मिन्, ६तत्
नास+अग्रे= नासस्य अग्रः, तस्मिन् ६तत्
नव-मौक्तिकम् = नवं, मौक्तिकम्, तम्, कर्मधारयः
कर-तले= करस्य तलम्, तस्मिन्, ६तत्
गोपस्त्रीपरिवेष्टितः = गोपानां स्त्रियः ६तत्, ताभिः परिवेष्टितः ३तत्

॥ हरिः ॐ तत् सत् ॥

PS; Attended a beautiful dance programme at BIC called Deva Nartana. The Dashavataram dance was concluded by the four dancers dancing together to this shloka! Hare Krishna!

My Sanskrit Essay on Mysore

 Guided by my teacher, Dr. Sowmya Krishnapur, I wrote this essay 🙏

मैसूरु नगरी 

भवन्तः मैसूरुनगरीं कच्चित् गतवन्तः ? भारते एका अतिसुन्दरी नगरी सांस्कृतिकनिधिः च द्रष्टव्या चेत् मैसूरुनगरीं गत्वा तस्याः रमणीयतां राजवैभवं च पश्यन्तु । मैसूरुराज-परम्परा विचक्षणराज्यनिर्वहणनिपुणा उदारा कलोपासिका च आसीत् । 

मैसूरुनगर्यां चामुण्डीदेव्याः मन्दिरं पर्वतोपरि अस्ति । सा देवी अस्मान् सदा पालयति । मैसूरुराजभवनानि उद्यानानि मृगालयं च विश्वविख्यातानि । प्रतिवर्षे नवरात्र-उत्सव-काले दसरा नाम पर्वणः कार्यक्रमाः महत्या शोभया आचर्यन्ते । अन्तिमदिने विजयदशम्यां राजहस्तिवाहिनी देवी चामुण्डी राजवीथ्यां संसृत्य शमीवृक्ष-उद्याने जनानां पूजां स्वीकरोति । 

मैसूरुविश्वविद्यानिलयः सर्वलोकमान्यः यतः अनेकाः प्रौढविद्वांसः तत्र अपाठयन् । तत्रस्तः शोधनिलयः बहुशतमानपूर्वस्य मौर्यसाम्राज्यमन्त्रिणः कौटिल्यस्य अर्थशास्त्रग्रन्थम् आविष्कृत्य लोकार्पणं अकरोत् । भारतस्य पुरातन-इतिहासग्रन्थाः वेदशास्त्रग्रन्थाः सर्वे तत्र सम्यक् परिष्कृताः प्रकाशिताः च । 

एशियाद्यन्ते प्रप्रथमविद्युद्दीपव्यवस्था , भारतस्य आकाशवाणी नाम प्रथमरेडियो , कार्मिकाणां कृते अग्रेसरा  उद्योगनीतिव्यवस्था निवृत्तिवेतनव्यवस्था इत्यादि सर्वं मैसूरुनगर्यां एव प्रथमतः अभवन् । तथैव मैसूरुनगरी भारतस्य शिखरप्राया नगरी वर्तते सदा ।

Beauty and Joy

Oh, dear friend from heaven, welcome to our wet and cool rainy morning!

Maybe you like all this because you announced yourself with a fragrance last night.

They say Krishna brought you from heaven for Rukmini. 

He did well, because you looked good in the garland yesterday around his neck on Janmashtami.

There is a rain of all you flowers we call Parijatas overnight every season.

It is a delicate carpet of beauty and fragrance by the morning.

But one might think, "What a waste!"

Not realising it is an act of fulfilment.

Just as Krishna's grace showers us all constantly, so do you, flowers brought by him.

We who know only how to buy, sell, hoard and put a price on things can't understand

What's limitless, unconditional, and a divine expression with no bounds or expectations.

Thank you. 

***

 

सच्चिदानन्दः

In our scriptures, where do we find the word सच्चिदानन्द? 

It is essential to understand that the word "सच्चिदानन्द" is crucial to understanding what we refer to in English as God or the Almighty. We call it in Sanatana Dharma as Ishwara or Bhagavan. It is BOTH with form and without form, as the essence of the Totality of Consciousness suffusing all that we call creation. 

That is why the VERY FIRST WORD in the Srimad Bhagavatam is 

"सच्चिदानन्द" 

It is made up of three aspects - 

Sat = The Supreme Reality (nothing else is). 

Chit = The Supreme Knowledge (all other knowledge derives from it). 

Ananda = The Supreme Bliss (all happiness and joy is derived from it).

सच्चिदानन्द is the core of all existence and the individual. 

***

Following is a compilation from Perplexity.AI.

The word "सच्चिदानन्द" (Sat-Chit-Ananda) is a compound of three Sanskrit words—सत् (Sat: existence or truth), चित् (Chit: consciousness), and आनन्द (Ananda: bliss). The expression refers to the ultimate nature or experience of Brahman (the Absolute) in Vedantic philosophy.

### Scriptural References to "सच्चिदानन्द"

- **Upanishads:** The direct compound word "सच्चिदानन्द" appears in the Tejobindu Upanishad (verse 3.11, composed before the 4th century CE), where it describes the realization of Atman as eternal, enlightened, and pure bliss-consciousness-existence. Though the earliest Upanishads like Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, and Taittiriya refer to the components—existence, consciousness, bliss—as attributes of Brahman, the precise phrase "सच्चिदानन्द" is found in later texts. The Upanishads often discuss Atman and Brahman as being of the nature of existence, knowledge, and bliss[2].

- **Bhagavad Gita:** While the Gita discusses concepts of Sat (existence/truth), Chit (consciousness), and Ananda (bliss), it does not use the exact compound "सच्चिदानन्द" in the original text. However, commentaries and later interpretations do attribute this compound to Krishna and Brahman[4].

- **Puranas and Bhakti texts:** The word appears in devotional and Purana-based literature when describing figures like Krishna. For example: "ईश्वरः परमः कृष्णः सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहः"—a famous phrase from the Brahma Samhita ascribed to Krishna, describing the Supreme Lord as the embodiment of Sat-Chit-Ananda[5].

- **Vedic Literature:** The individual terms (sat, chit, ananda) are found in several Vedic texts, but the precise compound form "सच्चिदानन्द" is a philosophical synthesis appearing more distinctly in later Vedanta, especially in Upanishads like Tejobindu and in Vedantic commentaries and treatises[2][4].

### In summary:

- As a compound, "सच्चिदानन्द" is most explicitly found in the **Tejobindu Upanishad** and is indirectly described in other principal Upanishads. The phrase is central to **Vedanta philosophy**, signifying the unified essence of Brahman as existence, consciousness, and bliss[2].

- In devotional scriptures and later traditional commentaries, it is used to describe Lord Krishna and Brahman, such as "सच्चिदानंदविग्रहः" in the Brahma Samhita[5][1].

Thus, while you will see the exact word "सच्चिदानन्द" in summary form in certain Upanishads and devotional texts, the qualities (existence, consciousness, bliss) pervade the core ancient scriptures[2][4][5].

***

Citations (Click on the coloured links).

[1] सच्चिदानंद रूपाय विश्वोत्पत्यादिहेतवे! तापत्रय विनाशाय श्री कृष्णाय वयं ... 

Also in this blog itself, on the first day of Bhagavatam reading.

[2] Saccidānanda - Wikipedia 

[3] सच्चिदानंद का अर्थ | Swami Shri Raghavacharya Ji Maharaj - YouTube 

[4] ईश्वर का सच्चिदानन्द स्वरुप पर विचार 

[5] ईश्वरः परमः कृष्णः सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहः। अनादिरादिर्गोविन्दः ... 

[6] Prashnottari Satsang in Hindi | Pakefield Shibir 2022 | Pujyashree

[7] सच्चिदानन्द के हिंदी अर्थ - meaning in hindi | हिन्दवी डिक्शनरी 

[8] २६६- ॥ धार्मिक ग्रंथो से सामान्य जानकारियां /General insights ... - भक्तिपथ 

[9] The Foundational Principles of Sachchidananda - The Incarnate Word 

[10] Bhagwat Amrit दशम स्कन्ध (भाग १८३) भगवान्की वाणीकी पहचान ... 

Millet Magic

 

(Click to enlarge)

From this data, it is obvious the best choice is Barnyard Millet for me.

Availability and pricing:

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Kodo Millet 1kg INR 200.-

Brown top millet 1kg INR 210.-

Go with the Millet Magic!

"श्रीमाता" - The Splendour of Mother Worship

Imagine my sense of joy and fulfilment, when, recently,  Swamiji Yogamaya-ji  of ADY called me, while I was attending the Chaturmasya puja on the ADY campus, to tell me that I can participate in the editing of Dr. V. V. Buxi's book - an English translation of the Saubhāgya Bhāskara Bhāṣya on Śrī Lalitā Sahasra Nāma Stotram.

This was, in fact, the last trigger in a series of "coincidences" since Feb. 2024 when I joined the Trayee chanting classes. I moved then from being a casual listener (= Śrotṛ) to a student of the text.

Recently, someone even gifted me a 1700-page book set of talks on the Śrī Lalitā Sahasra Nāma Stotram. This book is largely based on the Saubhāgya Bhāskara Bhāṣya!

As a student of Sanskrit and Hindu Scriptures, I find the Śrī Lalitā Sahasra Nāma Stotram a unique composition with a musical cadence and verbal splendour with long strings of descriptions that tell the story of the Devī so poetically! Indeed, some of the 1000 names are as long as a full pāda or even 2 pādas (there are 4 pādas in Anuṣṭup)! 

One of them is, for example,

nijāruṇa-prabhāpūra-majjad-brahmāṇḍa-maṇḍalā🙏

(This universe is fully soaked in the radiance of Devī, who is of the reddish hue of Dawn).

Now, the worship of Devī is a very special tradition in Sanātana Sharma. Worshippers of the female deity are called Śāktas or Devī Upāsakas. A very famous Devī Upāsaka was Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

There are numerous holy shrines scattered from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari in India, dedicated to the Mother Goddess. We worship her twice every year during the 9-day Chaitra and Sharat Navarātras. In addition, we worship her during Basant Panchami, Varamahalakshmi, Gouri-Ganesha, Deepavali-Lakshmi Puja and so on! 

So, worshipping God as the Universal Mother is ingrained in us Hindus. Also, in the Kenopanishad, it is clearly stated that the Supreme Being who confers powers even on the gods like Agni (fire) and Vayu (wind) is Devī Umā!

***

The very first name in the Śrī Lalitā Sahasra Nāma Stotram is

Śrīmātā

A very simple meaning of this would be "the Divine Mother".

However, to me, having begun to educate myself over the past few months on the Śrī Lalitā Sahasra Nāma Stotram, it means something tremendous.

As the Divine Mother who is the Supreme Being, Devī has created this entire universe and everything in it. Including me: my parents (thereby giving through them my affectionate upbringing), and providing me all my sense faculties; as well as all the external stimuli for enjoyment, material pleasures and possessions- all beauty and delight that exists all around me. 

I should therefore see the presence of Devī in every flower, sunset and smile; every colour, taste and touch; every friend, teacher and even enemy! Every celebration, reward and gift. Every birth, death, danger and catastrophe!

The various meanings for the word Śrī given in the Śrī Lalitā Sahasra Nāma Stotram commentary state that all this creation adds up to the meaning of the first part,

Śrī. 

But then:

What gives happiness? Happiness is a feeling within me. So the key factor for happiness is NOT what is outside me, but my own propensity to feel happiness. That begins with being alive, being conscious, and being connected with the "faculty of happiness" or "a state of bliss".  The Sanskrit word for this is Ānanda. This is given to me by my mother in the womb itself. That means every conscious living being is infused with this faculty of Ānanda by the Universal Mother Devī or Śrī Lalitā Tripurasundarī. 

Mātā.

So the chemistry that is happening around me is a combination of 

Śrī + Mātā.

After the study of Śrī Lalitā Sahasra Nāma Stotram and after making progress in my Sādhanā under the Guru, I will realise that the key to the fullest realisation of my potential is (A) being centred in the faculty of bliss  (B) while experiencing life all around. The first part is given at birth by Mātā. The second part is created by Śrī. 

That is why the first name is ŚrīMātā.

And my truest prayer is expressing gratitude, for this grace, to the Universal Mother. 

Do you see my line of thought?

🙏🙏🙏

॥ श्रीमात्रे नमः॥

Design with AI

As a lifelong pickle lover, I have always wondered why no one has designed a spoon stand conveniently fixable to commercially available pickle bottles.

Today, I asked Perplexity Pro (free courtesy Airtel for one year) to design such a spoon stand. It took all of 30 seconds to come up with this! 

Design Proposal: Spoon Stand for Pickle Bottle

Design Objectives

• Convenience: The spoon should always be easily accessible.

• Cleanliness: Prevent mess and contamination.

• Compatibility: The stand should work with common pickle bottle shapes and sizes.

• Stability: Securely attached to the bottle without risk of tipping.

Design Features

1. Clip-On Spoon Stand

• Material: Food-grade plastic or stainless steel for easy cleaning and durability.

• Mechanism: Spring or snap-fit clip that clamps around the neck or rim of the pickle bottle.

• Shape: U-shaped cradle—open at the top for easy placement and removal of the spoon.

• Rest Platform: Small drip tray below the cradle to catch drips and keep surfaces clean.

2. Lid-Integrated Holder

• Lid Replacement: Replace the existing bottle lid with a custom lid featuring a side slot or tube.

• Slot/Tube: A vertical channel or tube molded into the lid to insert the spoon’s handle, keeping the spoon suspended above the pickles inside the jar.

3. Adjustable Strap Holder

• Attachment: Silicone (flexible) strap that can be tightened around bottles of varying diameters.

• Spoon Pocket: Molded holder or pocket attached to the strap, positioned for easy access.

Example: Clip-On Spoon Stand Design

Feature	Description
Attachment Method	Snap-fit or spring clip for neck/rim of bottle
Spoon Accommodation	U-shaped cradle for spoon bowl with drip tray
Materials	Food-grade plastic or stainless steel
Suitability	Fits standard pickle bottles (plastic/glass)
Maintenance	Stand is detachable for washing

Additional Tips

• The spoon holder should be detachable and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

• The design can include a small notch or ridge to prevent the spoon from sliding off accidentally.

• For commercial pickle jars, a universal adjustable version may maximize compatibility.

Inspiration from Market Products

• Commercial pickle jars often come with a standalone spoon or as part of a set with a wooden or ceramic tray, but rarely a device that attaches directly to the jar neck or lid. 

• DIY solutions frequently repurpose plastic bottles or containers to create utensil stands but don’t include secure bottle-fixing features. 

This stand provides an organized, mess-free solution for daily pickle serving and can be produced with a simple, cost-effective mechanism. 

Saba Saba - my first flight

Today is 49 years since my first official trip happened on 7th July 1976. Tanzania celebrates its National Day as Saba Saba - 7th of July. As the Asst. Export Manager, I was deputed by ETTDC to take part in the Indian Pavilion organised by TDA and IIFT in the Saba Saba Fair at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

My very first flight was on the evening of 5th July 1976 from Delhi to Bombay by Air India. It was a flight from Zurich to Bombay via Delhi. I sat at the window (seat.. F), watching the evening setting sun and orange sky, a breathtaking view with monsoon clouds too. An export manager from HMT, who had just attended a Machine Tool Fair in Switzerland, sat next to me. 

At Bombay, I got a hotel layover at Centaur. I had dinner with Ganu (IIT IIM mate who had joined Grindwell Norton). I don't think I was a very good host.

My night flight from Bombay landed in Nairobi, and my connection to Dar es Salaam was delayed by many hours. Consequently, when I reached my hotel in Dar es Salaam with much luggage (I had some electronics display items for the Fair in my baggage), the chap at the hotel reception told me they had given away my reservation to someone else.

I remember sweating profusely as I lugged my bags along the central avenue of Dar es Salaam at 2AM in pitch darkness, looking for a hotel room. I found a largish lodge-like place, run by a Gujarati, who took mercy on me and allowed me to sleep in the lobby overnight. I remember climbing a huge staircase to reach the lobby area. 

I got a fine hotel the next day, being a part of the Indian delegation. Mr. Gupta, our team leader, took great pains to tell me that a career in exports and foreign travel was impossible for a Hindu vegetarian. He told me to start with chicken as it tastes good and is easy to adapt to. After all these years (I did over 40 years of overseas travel), I am glad I did not listen to him then. I have eaten eggs a few times, which I regret.

I had colleagues from HMT, Kirloskar, NGEF, and Mahindra as my teammates. We had a great experience. The Fair was set up in a beautiful open ground. I had an HMV gramophone player as an exhibit. I had taken Veena (Sri Narayana Menon) and Bharatanatyam (Yamini Krishnamurthy) LPs. The Africans danced in glee, listening to the mridangam beats!

The newspapers came out in the evenings. One evening, a front-page photo showed me with Julius Nyerere, President of Tanzania, and the President of Mozambique, who had visited the India pavilion. I was seen explaining how India is developing small-scale industries in electronics.

I am right now unable to locate photos from my first trip. This photo was taken at the Zanzibar beach in 1978.

The jackfruit tree - the heart of our land

If we regard our dear country, Bharat, as a resplendent, juicy, ever-giving, ever-protecting, ever-loving, ever-growing society, then I think the jackfruit, and its mighty tree, stands tall as our symbol.

1. It grows tall, strong and sturdy. 
2. It has large and beautiful leaves in plenty. 
3. It provides dense shade. 
4. It produces countless fruits, all easy to reach! 
5. Its fruits are fragrant and most iviting, yet well-protected by a thick covering. 
6. To break open the jackfruit is an elaborate ritual, a veritable Yajna. 
7. Each fruit is so succulent and massive in appearance - simply irresistible. 
8. Elephants, bears, monkeys, men, all crave jackfruit. Elephants in reserve forests raid estates to feed on jackfruits.
9. See the pic - this single crop would give maybe 1500 fruit pieces... Can feed a congregation in a temple! 
10. Jackfruit grows in large gardens in estates, farms and temples... absorbing the true spirit of people who live to share, give, play, laugh and love. 
11. Most Indian musical instruments, especially percussion, are made of jackfruit wood. 
12. A great mridangam maestro said that the jackfruit tree absorbs the sacred chants and bell sounds during temple processions and festivals. That is why the jackwood gives such  resonance to musical instruments. 
13. The jackfruit is consumed as a fruit, as a vegetable, and made into dessert, payasam, curry, papad, pickle, ice cream and so on. Its thick outer layer is loved by cattle. Its fruits contain big, beautiful seeds, holding the promise of the next generation of trees. 
14. The jackfruit tree outlives generations. It is thus passed on as a tradition. 
15. When I enter the large estate of a happy family with a thriving jackfruit tree, I feel the jackfruit truly symbolises the cultural tradition of the family, our society and our country! 

Prof. S. S. Raghavachar - a Tribute

My talk at the Tribute function in the Department of Philosophy, Manasagangotri, Mysore, on 12 June 2025, Thursday (embedded with navigatio controls):  

This is the PDF of my talk transcript. The video has also been recorded and can be watched below:

 

Vidyaa Dadaati Vinayam

विद्या ददाति विनयम्। 

This is a part of the shloka in the Hitopadesha

विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम्। 

पात्रत्वात् धनमाप्नोति धनात् धर्मं ततः सुखम्॥

"Man attains humility on acquiring true knowledge and wisdom. Humility qualifies him for greater things in life that confer wealth, righteousness and true happiness in succession."

Now, the joke is that you rarely find a truly humble scholar. Most "knowledgeable" people are quite arrogant and even dismissive of others. Those who are famous and successful have cultivated the art of appearing to be humble while they conduct a whole concerto, blowing their own trumpets.

So how do we interpret this line.... "Knowledge confers humility."????

Remember, this belongs to the time when all knowledge was acquired legitimately at the feet of a Guru. As Bhagavan Krishna says in the Gita, 

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप । सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ॥ ४-३३॥

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया । उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ ४-३४॥

"Oh, Arjuna, know that an offering of wealth is excelled by the offering of knowledge and wisdom. Indeed, all human endeavours seeking earthly and ephemeral gains are terminated when true knowledge and wisdom dawns on man. This you should seek from a Guru who has acquired true knowledge and wisdom and seen the truth; do this by bowing down to him, and serving him, and humbly asking him to answer your questions and doubts."

So, when one gets this wisdom from a true Guru, by supplication and earnest application and enquiry, what remains then? Not the ego, but true wisdom and knowledge. Therefore, the acid test for true knowledge is the dawn of humility, reverence for the Guru, and knowing how the Guru has indeed opened my eyes. I can then feel just gratitude and a sense of fulfilment, not arrogance!

So by bringing in the Guru element, you can explain "Vidyaa dadaati vinayam."

PS:

This does not apply to those who have been educated in Google, YouTube, Wikipedia and WhatsApp universities.  Indeed, they don't have Vidyaa; where is the question of Vinaya?!?

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॥ हरिः ॐ तत् सत् ॥