A TRIBUTE TO GAJARAJAN GURUVAYUR KESAVAN

To whom the tribute is paying? Is he a freedom fighter? Musician? Martyr? Other than the keralites, all people will think what was the specialty of this elephant to which keralites are paying tributes? To understand the greatness of this elephant we have to be a true/pure human being. So leaving behind all the animal instincts hidden in ourselves (if any), let us have a close look at the divine qualities of this animal.

Guruvayur kesavan is regarded as the most prominent devotee elephant of Guruvayoor, the deity at Kerala. It was one of the majestic elephant which served the Lord with sincerity and uniqueness for all processions, festivals and ceremonies from 1916 to 1976, untill his death on the day of Guruvayur Ekadasi.In the year 1973 Kesavan was conferred the unique title "Gajarajan" (Elephant King), by the Guruvayoor Devaswom for his intelligence, good behaviour, love and devotion towards the Lord Guruvayoorappan. A life size staute of Keshavan with his own tusks was erected in front of the main temple entrance and every year during his death anniversay which falls on Guruvayur Ekadasi, all the elephants, line up in front of the statue for paying tribute and the chief elephant garlands the statue.

Gajaraja Guruvayur kesavan is quite an example of Bhakti (Devotion) always is holier than the Knowledge and associated ego. An elephant who served the lord with utmost devotion without ever chanting the slokas for 54 years, without anticipating anything without any wishes. The elephant, Guruvayur Keshavan still lives in the heart and mind of the Keralites through the narratives they get to hear from their older generations. These legends are the most common in the state of Kerala and told to the young children in order to create a sense of love and respect towards the true faith and their religion in their mind, from the young age.

My father use to say that who ever have seen him will never forget Kesavan and every keralite where ever they are, will have the photos or bamboo canvas of this gajaraja kesavan. When ever I visit guruvayur I will bow infront of his statue and ask to give his patience towards pure path of faith and devotion.

NAARAYANEEYAM DINAM ON 28TH DAY OF VRISCHIKAM MALAYALAM MONTH

Naarayaneeyam Day is celebrated at the famous Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple in Kerala annually on the 28th day of the Malayalam month of Vrichikam. In 2013, the Naarayaneeyam Day at Guruvayur Temple is on 13th December 2013.

"Naarayaneeyam" is the masterly work of Melpathur Narayana Bhattatiri AD 1559-1632) A great devotee-poet who lived in Kerala during the 16th century AD. Naaraayaneeyam is a medieval Sanskrit text, comprising a summary study in poetic form of the Bhagavata Purana in 1036 verses divided into 100  Dasakas  or cantos. The work occupies a very high place in Sanskrit literature, both because of the intense devotional fervour of the verses, because of their extraordinary literary merit and one of the most popular religious texts in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.The devotional fervour of this work is extremely high and  the exposition of the Vedanta philosophy, especially in the last ten chapters, has no comparison.   The ruling sentiment is Bhakti  or devotion to the Lord, which serves as the means for attaining the four Purusharthas or  values of life, viz. Dharma  (righteousness), Artha (worldly prosperity), Kama (desire for sensual enjoyments) and Moksha (emancipation from worldly ties).

Tracing back to history Naarayaneeyam was written as an offering to Lord Vishnu after sitting in Bhajan at his lotus feet at a place called Guruvayoor in South India of Kerala.The reason for the offering was Achyuta Pisharadi, Guru of Bhattatiri fell a victim to a severe attack of paralysis and suffered unbearable pain.Bhattatiri, the devoted disciple could not bear the suffering of his Guru and therefore prayed that the disease may be transferred to him and his Guru freed of suffering. Bhattatiri accepted the "Karmavipaka Dana" by which the sins of his Guru were transferred to him which no one could cure.

  

A "Bhajanam" in the temple of Guruvayoor was considered as a sure cure for paralysis and so Bhattatiri went to Guruvayoor for 100 days of "Bhajanam" along with his younger brother, Mathrudatta. Before going to guruvayur Bhajan he met  Tunchath Ezhuthachan an eminent Malayalam poet and Sanskrit scholar of the time for an advice and the Sanskrit scholar told him to star with fish ("meen thottu koottuka").The disciples of Bhattathiri who heard this were shocked because Bhattathiri was a devout Hindu and therefore a vegetarian who would consider it sinful to eat fish. Bhattathiri however understood the inner meaning of Ezhuthachan’s advice and took it in the proper sense hence decided to present the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu starting with the fish, as narrated in the Bhagavatham in a series of Dasakas ( Groups of ten slokas) .

When Narayana Bhattathiri goes to Guruvayur to compose verses describing the Lord’s 10 avataras, he calls upon Lord Guruvayurappan to listen his composes and verses. He narrated the incidents in each avatara and used to ask Guruvayurappan if indeed these things happened then Lord Guruvayurappan must acknowledge that Bhattathiri is right by just nodding his head. Guruvayurappan agreed for that and Bhattathiri says he will compose about 10 or 11 verses every day, and he will finish his work in 100 days. Guruvayurappan wonders if Bhattathiri is seeking to claim that even God nodded His head in appreciation of his (Bhattathiri’s) verses. But Bhattathiri says he is only seeking to spread Guruvayurappan’s fame, not his own. He reminds Guruvayurappan that as Lord Rama he heard Lava and Kusa narrate the Ramayana and as he did so, he nodded His head in approval. The Ramayana has 24,000 verses, so He nodded His head 24,000 times. The work Bhattathiri is proposing to write is going to have only thousand-odd verses. Can the Lord can not nod a little over a 1,000 times Bhattathiri asks. Moreover, while He heard His story as Rama, He didn’t listen to the Srimad Bhagavatam that describes the Krishna avatara  and if he now does not listen to Bhattathiri’s work, will not the people say that the Krishna avatara is not as great as the Rama avatara, for the Lord listened to the Ramayana but did not listen to His exploits as Krishna ? Guruvayurappan then agrees to nod His head for each of Bhattathiri’s verses.

During the hundred days of his Bhajanam at the temple of Guruvayoor he summarized the entire Bhagavata Purana in 1034 verses at the rate of one Dasaka (canto) consisting generally of ten verses everyday. Each Dasakam ended with a prayer to the Lord of Guruvayoor to remove the ailments and sufferings. The 100th canto composed on 28th day of Malayalam month Vrichikam and it is a gem of a narration of the deity from head to foot. After 99 chapters in 100 Dasakam Guruvayoorappan had appeared in front of the poet in the form of venu gopala and On the same day he became completely cured of his disease.

This immortal composition, Naarayaneeyam, is so named for two reasons as mentioned by the poet himself in the 100th canto. It is about Lord Narayana and secondly because it was composed by Narayana Bhattatiri. These episodes are now being presented again by yet another Narayana!

To Guruvayur also, Naarayaneeyam is of utmost importance. No work of this magnitude has ever been dedicated and addressed to the deity of any other temple in India. It offers to the devout devotee an opportunity to visualise and worship Mahavishnu by reading it or listening to its rendition. It will shine and conjure up at Guruvayur in the heart of posterity. The Devaswom celebrates the Narayaneeyam Day every year with great enthusiasm and splendor.

In the Srimad Bhagavata and the Vishnu Purana it is told that the nine forms of Bhakti are Sravana (hearing of God's and stories), Kirtana (singing of His glories), Smarana (remembrance of His Name and presence), Padasevana (service of His feet), Archana (worship of God), Vandana (prostration to the Lord), Dasya (cultivating the Bhava of a servant with God), Sakhya (cultivation of the friend-Bhava) and Atmanivedana (complete surrender of the self). A devotee can practise any method of Bhakti which suits him best. Through that he will attain Divine illumination.

The literal meaning of sanskrit word Sravanam is hearing or listening to the name of God, being uttered, is one of the nine types of bhakti. But in the language of the Vedas, this word means " experiencing God through sravnedriyam or the instrument of hearing.Hearing of the holy name of the Lord (sravanam) is the beginning of devotional service and the best way of worshipping God. Although any one of the nine processes is sufficient, in chronological order the hearing of the holy name of the Lord is the beginning. Indeed, it is essential.Listening is an art, and it has to be cultivated. Hearing or reading stories full of Devotion (bhakti) is very pleasing to the heart and strengthens our love and devotion. In order to enter into deeper stages of bhakti we require a profound understanding about the nature of the Lord and our relation with him. 

Lord Krishna as Guruvayurappan has demonstrated the value of listening as a form of bhakti. If the Lord Himself listened to Naarayaneeyam and acknowledged each verse, the significance of Devotees (bhaktas) listening to the Narayaneeyam being recited or explained can be seen easily. Narayaneeyam is a summary of the Bhagavatha and its parayana (reading) confers great benefits; it is an effective faith therapy. It makes one God-conscious , it concerns mainly about our present life - Aarogyam (health and freedom from diseases) and saukhyam (happiness).

Last but not least The essence of Narayaneeyam is the presence of Guruvayurappan.

 DEDICATING THIS POST TO MY AMMA REDHI BHASKARAN.

GURUVAYUR EKADASI ON 13-12-2013.

The Krishna temple in the town of Guruvayoor in Kerala is one of the five famous Krishna\Vishnu temples in India. The others are Jagannath Puri in Orissa, Venkatachalapati in Andhra Pradesh, Nathdwara in Rajasthan and Dwaraka in Gujarat. Of course there are many other famous ones of Vishnu as well as of Krishna but these are considered to be the most popular.

ORIGIN OF GURUVAYUR EKADASI:-

Guruvayur Ekadasi is also observed as the Prathishta Dinam (installation day) of the temple. Though the temple is known as Sri Krishna temple, the idol made of Pathalanjana Sila, installed at the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), is of Lord Mahavishnu.

There are 24 Ekadasis in a year and the Vrishchika Ekadasi (Suklapaksha) has got special significance in Guruvayur. Ekadashi that falls in the waxing phase of moon in the Malayalam month Vrishchikam (November – December) is observed as" Guruvayur Ekadasi" in the world famous Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple in Kerala. In 2013, Guruvayur Ekadasi is on December 13. It is believed that on this day the idol was installed. It is also on this day Lord Krishna preached the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra at Mahabharata Yudha (Mahabharata War) as per Malayalam calendar.

Another legend says that once when Lord Maha Vishnu visited the abode of Yama, he heard heart rending cries of people tortured for their sins. The Lord wanted to save them from more suffering and uttered the word Ekadasi. The very mention of the word removed all their sins. Observance of Ekadasi is believed to have a purifying effect. It is believed that the sins of a life time are washed away if one happens to see the Guruvayur Ekadasi Vilakku (festival of lights). Legend says that on Guruvayur Ekadasi, Lord Indra comes with Kamadhenu and gives all material wealth and offers worship to receive Sri Krishna's blessings. On that day all the theerthas such as Kasi, Badri, Sabarigiri and Palani in addition to rivers like Ganga and Jamuna assemble in this sacred place.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FORM OF GURUVAYOORAPPAN:-

Guruvayur is considered to be “Bhooloka Vaikunta” - the heaven on earth, as the idol was once worshiped by the Lord Mahavishnu himself in Vaikunta. The deity is in the traditionally orthodox form of Mahavishnu, with all the compliments - four arms each carrying sankh (conch), chakra (wheel), gadha (club) and padmam (lotus).

His lower right hand represents the revolving or creative tendency. This hand holds conch, symbol of the five elements ( panchajanyam). When blown, it produces a sound that is associated with the primeval sound from which creation developed.

His upper right hand represents the cohesive tendency. This holds the discus (sudarshana chakra) or the wheel. This has six spokes and symbolizes six-petalled lotus. It represents the limitless controlling of all the six seasons and is the fearful weapon that severes the head of demons. 

The upper left hand represents the tendency towards dispersion and liberation. This holds the lotus, symbol of the causal power of illusion from which the universe rises. This lotus is called Padma. It is the symbol of purity and represents the unfolding of creation.It is the truth from which emerged the rules of conduct and knowledge.

The lower left hand holds Gada (Mace), the symbol of primeval knowledge. It represents the notion of individual existence. This is named Kaumodaki and is the elemental force from which all physical and mental powers are derived.

Lord Guruvayurappan is the owner of the largest number of elephants in India and on the Ekadasi day there are special elephant processions. Special rituals and celebrations are held at the Lord Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple Ekadasi Vilakku (lamps) is an important ritual associated with Guruvayur Ekadasi. The temple remains open throughout Shuklapaksha Dasami and Shuklapaksha Ekadasi. The temple only closes at 9 hours on Dwadasi day, the day after Ekadasi. Also on the Dwadasi day there is a unique custom of offering Dwadasi Panam in the Koothambalam. The Dwadasi Panam is a token amount of money and it is considered highly auspicious.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF GURUVAYUR:-

One of the oldest idols in worship is that of Lord Guruvayurappan.The idol of Guruvayur is unique since it is curved out of “Paathalanjana sila” and is considered extremely sacred. Tracing back to history Prasni and Sutapas were a childless couple, who prayed to Lord Narayana for progeny. The Lord appeared before them and Prasni said that she wanted the Lord Himself to be born as her child. The Lord promised that since she had repeated her request three times, He would be Prasni’s child for three births of hers.

Prasni then prayed that she must have an idol of the Lord to worship. The Lord gave her the idol that is now being worshipped in the Guruvayur temple. In all the three births that Prasni took, she worshipped the idol given to her by the Lord.As promised, the Lord was born as Prasni’s son, and took the name Prasnigarbha. In her next birth, she was known as Aditi and was the wife of Kasyapa. As Aditi, she was privileged to be the mother of Vamana. In her next birth, Prasni was born as Devaki. She married Vasudeva, and the Lord was born to her as Krishna. The idol of Lord Vishnu which is found in Guruvayoor is one which had been worshipped by Devaki and Vasudeva and one can easily imagine that it must also have been worshipped by Lord Krishna himself. This is the greatness and glory of this particular idol of Lord Vishnu – that Vishnu himself had done puja to it in his incarnation as Krishna.

After the kurukshetra battle queen Ghandhari cursed Lord Krishna for playing a major role in the battle that resulted in the slaying of all her 100 children. Though the lord was much above such curse, he took it upon him happily. One day Uddhava was summoned by Krishna and was told that Dwaraka would be immersed in the sea after Krishna leaves Dwaraka to Viakunta.Finally at the time of Krishna's ascension to Vaikunta, his devotee Udhava became sad thinking how he will live without the Lord. Then Lord Shree Krishna gave Udava his idol and instructed him to entrust Brahaspathi (the Guru of Devas) with the task of taking the idol to a suitable place where people could worship it, so as to get salvation in Kaliyuga. A deluge had closed in on Dwaraka, but Guru salvaged the idol floating in the water, with the help of his prime disciple, Vayu. Guru and Vayu went around the world in search of an ideal place. They met Parasurama in Kerala, who was himself worried because of the widespread serious ailments amongst the people of the area. Sage Narada had earlier told Parasurama that installing the idol of Lord Krishna in Kerala and regularly worshipping it would rid the people of Kerala of all their ailments. Parasurama felt very happy and lead guru and vayu to a lush green spot with a beautiful lotus tank where they felt the presence of Lord Siva. Lord Siva along with Parvathy welcomed them and said, "This is the same spot you are looking for, here it was, I imparted the Rudrageetham to the Prechethas" The idol was installed there. Siva with Parvathy left to the opposite bank, at Mammiyur. Siva permitted Guru and Vayu to perform the consecration rites and blessed them that henceforth this place would be known as GURUVAYUR (since the installation was done by Guru and Vayu).It is in memory of this that worships in Guruvayur will be complete and accomplished only with a worship of Mammiyur Siva also.

Guruvayur became divine on account of the "tapas" performed by Lord Siva for years under the waters and later by the Prechethas (the ten sons of Pracheenabarhis and Suvarna are together called Prechethas) in the Rudratheertham - the sacred tank on the northern side of the present temple - where Lord Guruvayurappan has His Arattu (holy bath on the last day of Annual Utsavam). Prechethas (the ten sons of Pracheenabarhis and Suvarna) came to this place to do tapas to attain "prajapathithwam" (king of all kings) from Lord Mahavishnu. Sensing the motive of Prechethas, Lord Siva emerged out of the Rudratheertham and revealed to them the "Rudrageetham", a hymn in praise of Mahavishnu. Siva suggested them to chant it with all their heart to get their wishes fulfilled. The Princes won the favour of Mahavishnu after rigorous tapas for 10,000 years under the waters of Rudratheertham chanting Rudrageetham.

The word Guruvayur also has an esoteric meaning. It stands for the body of the human being which is the abode of wind. The five pranas or vital breaths are what sustain the body and make it function properly.Guruvayur is also hailed as "Bhuloka Sri Vaikuntham" meaning Heaven in Earth. where the deity reveals himself to his devotees in the same majestic form in which he welcomes them in Vaikuntha, his celestial abode. Even though the idol in Guruvayoor is that of Vishnu it is still known as a Krishna temple since the boy Krishna is always said to be running around incognito in the temple precincts.When devotees enter the temple, they must worship Him by reciting the namam ‘Narayana.’ Then they must recite ‘Guruvayurappan.’ And then finally they must worship by saying the name ‘Krishna.’

Gurunaadhan thuNa chaika santhatham 

thirunaamangal naavinmel eppozhum

Piriyaatheyirikkanam nammude 

nara janmam saphalamaakkiduvaan

May my Gurunathan help me (thuna chaika) to keep the auspicious names of Lord continuously on my tongue (naavinmel eppozhum) and to make this human life (narajanmam) meaningful and fruitful!(saphalamaakkituvaan).

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Not regular to blog with my collections and articles due to my ill health. When I was kid my telugu sir always says to write copy righting with full concentration.Generally in any copyrightings there will be more proverbs to learn and notice.The idea behind copyrighting is to inculcate moral values from childhood and later they will apply in their real life.I remember many proverbs but I will never forget the proverb in first page i.e “Aarogyamey Mahabhagyam” which means Health is great Wealth.

We’ve been hearing the statement “Health is wealth” since our childhood. However, not all of us are acquainted with its literal meaning. It means that no matter how wealthy you are, if we are not healthy, there is nothing we can cherish in life. Even a little money is sufficient, if you have your health support your run with good times!

We will appreciate health more if financial is the only thing we have left. When we talk about health is wealth. It is part of happiness, and with it, we can live longer, acquire more wealth, and contribute to society. In sickness, everything goes haywire. My amma always says that those who overlook health in their quest for wealth usually end up losing both.

InfactHealth is a state of complete physical, social, and mental well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.Healthy body is always dependent on the healthy mind.Because after my Ammas death I was hospitalized  and my condition was worst and serious.Today I am here and writing this means especially because of many people’s prayers, like my family doctor Gayatri Madam and especially I am thanking to my beena chechi, her best friend Nagamani and her family. 

Though it is a very old maxim that "Health is Wealth" now I came to know the real meaning of that proverb.Really friends Health is wealth. Good health is a secret of every happy one.