Here is this week's update.
"Om Saha Navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
Om shrI Ganeśaya Namaha, shrI Saraswatyai Namaha, shrI Sat Gurubhyo Namaha.
"Vakratunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
"Saraswati Namastubhyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
"Gurur Brahma" (page 60 in My Prayers book)
Key to Success- Vibhishana Gita
Armor- (Kavacha bedha Vipra Guru pooja) This is an important part of the Dharma chariot. Lord Rama tells Vibheeshana, that reverence for Guru and for the learned who know the scriptures is the unbreakable armor. Our intellect is not always clear and capable of understanding the truth. We must get help from a spiritual master to lead us in the right direction and we will always be protected in life.
The respect for the scholarly and wise people and worshipping our Guru, becomes the kavacha- the Armor, which is a powerful body protection that nothing could penetrate through. This is that kavacha that guards you, will stay there and protect you.
In the battlefield, the armor protects the warrior from arrows/weapons shot at them. Similarly, in the Dharma Chariot, our armor is our devotion to our Guru. Guru plays a very important role in our lives. Guru is the one that removes the darkness of our ignorance and enlightens us with knowledge. What happens when we respect wise people?
*When we respect and admire our gurus and wise people, we would like to possess their good qualities. Respect for all these scholars will expand and multiply.
Gurudev's dynamism is looked on in awe and all His followers would want to possess it. Respecting and Admiring wise people and our bhakti towards Guru forms a kavacha for our benefit and protection. A sadak who has this kavacha, will grow.
Our Guru helps break the shackles of our own likes and dislikes that bind by imparting the knowledge of the values given in our scriptures and thus enabling us the freedom we desire always. We are eternally grateful to our great Gurus like Adi Sankara, our Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda and our Pujya Swamiji and all the great saints and sages.
The story of Paanchajanyam, the conch of SriKrishna and how He acquired it.
Krishna and Balarama approached Guru Sandipani to ask him what they could offer as Guru-dakshina. The Guru consulted requested that they bring back their son who drowned in the sea. Balarama and Krishna went to the seashore. They knew Sankasur captured guru's son and fought with him, saved the son and brought him back to their guru. The guru and gurumata were overjoyed as their son was back. Guru gave the conch to Krishna and blessed Him. The Lord holds the conch as He feels that His guru ji was with him always. This story depicts krishna bhagawan's Honest Guru Bhakthi.
Story of Padmapadacharya:
Padmapadacharya's life exemplifies the Guru-Sishya relationship. For Padmapadacharya, the Guru is everything and the command of Guru is ultimate. Once when he was on the opposite bank of a river, Sankara who was on the other side called him, and Padmapadacharya, without even thinking that he might be drowned in a swollen river began walking and a lotus appeared on every step that he would take and hold his feet from drowning - and that is why he came to be known as Padma-Pada - Lotus - Feet. His devotion exemplifies the relationship of Guru and Shishya.
Our next class - 6/2/24.
