The 5-point Resolve for 2022!

Sree Guru Aradhna

By H H Maa Purnananda

“Ashraddhaya Hutam Dattam Tapastaptam Kritam Cha Yat; Asadityuchyatey Parth Na Cha Tat Pretya No Iha.” – (Geeta Ch.17/28)

Shraddha, which in my knowledge, has no perfect translation available in English, is one of the most important qualities to be nurtured and nourished by the true believers of the Supreme Reality. Shraddha (‘Sat’ Dhaarayatey Iti Shraddha), is that quality of Antahkaran (inner equipment having the four aspects - mind, intellect, mind-stuff & ego), which is the expression of unflinching faith towards the Supreme Self, after getting firmly established in the understanding and belief that the Supreme Self alone is Sat (the Real). So with this understanding of the word Shraddha, when we read the given Shlok from Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta, we can say that by performing the sacred acts of Yagnya, Daan and Tapa, the seeker happens to inculcate and enhance his Shraddha and eventually comes closer to his understanding of the Supreme Reality. While continuing the same sacred acts, due to the seeker’s enhanced Shraddha, subsequently, all the three sacred acts performed by him on the basis of steady Shraddha, become perfect acts and hence bring the right results to the seeker.

Contrary to the above-mentioned, when the same acts are performed apparently meticulously, but, without Shraddha, then due to the absence of ‘Sat’, the acts become ‘Asat’. Thus, the very purpose of such sacred performances is defeat in absence of Sharddha, as explained above. Now, it is essential to first cultivate unswerving Shraddha in the Shaastra and Guruvaakya. But without the guidance of the Guru, it would not be possible to comprehend Shaastra, so even before the seeker reads the Shaastra-s, he has to take refuge of a Guru. By sincerely practising and implementing the Guruvaakya-s with deep and intense Shraddha in the Guru, the seeker gradually starts developing Shraddha towards the Shaastra-s as well.

Therefore, it is mandatory for all those associated with SISS to celebrate the below-mentioned five very important auspicious days each year.

1.Maha Shivratri (Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalgun Maas) – It falls on 1st March in 2022.

2.Sree Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti & Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda Jayanti (Shukla Panchami & Shashthi of Vaishakh Maas) – It falls on 6th & 7th May in 2022.

3.Sree Guru Purnima (Purnima of Ashaadh Maas) – It falls on 13th July in 2022.

4.Sree Ishwara Maha Abhishekam (Purnima of Kartik Maas) – It falls on 8th November in 2022.

5.Sree Geeta Jayanti & Param Gurudev Sree Tapovan Jayanti (Shukla Ekadashi of Margsheersh or Agrahaayan Maas) – It falls on 3rd December in 2022.

So while praying at the Lotus-feet of Sree Guru Parampara, chant the relevant Stotra for each auspicious day given herewith. Try to understand the right import of the Stotra on that day at the time of offering Raajopachaar during Shodashopchaar Puja, else, while on the seat of morning meditation.

1)Maha Shivratri

Dedicated to Adi Guru Lord Sadaashiv, Maha Shivratri is one of the most important auspicious days for the seekers. The homogenous Auspicious Self, the Divine Spark of Pure Consciousness, the enlivening and enlightening Factor, the very Core of existence, the Eternal Reality, is, addressed as Lord Shiv. On the auspicious night of Maha Shivratri, the seekers of that Ultimate Reality pray and meditate upon It as Lord Shiv. Being the very Consciousness (Chidswaroop) of the beings, Lord Shiv is worshiped as the first Guru. Pray to Lord Shiv Who burns off the sorrow of Spiritual poverty, which is, to be ignorant of one’s own True Self!

Daaridryadahanashivstotram –

Vishveshwaraaya Narakaarnavataaranaaya Karnaamritaaya Shashishekharbhooshanaaya;

Karpoorkundadhavalaaya Jataadharaaya Daaridryadukkhdahanaaya Namah Shivaaya…….

Prostrations to Lord Shiv, the Lord of the Universe, the Saviour from the ocean of sorrow, nectar-like pleasant to the ears, wears the crescent-moon as ornament; is brilliantly fair as the camphor and the jasmine flower, Who has coiled locks of hair, and, Who burns off the sorrow of poverty.

2)Sree Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti & Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda Jayanti

Then comes the auspicious day of Adi Shankaracharya’s Jayanti followed by Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s Jayanti on the next day. The Seekers on the sacred path of Self-realization cannot overlook the massive work of the revival of Sanaatan Dharm accomplished by the legend Sree Adi Shankaracharya, by tirelessly awakening the people of Bharat towards their own Spiritual glory. And in recent times, following the great tradition of Guru-Shishya Parampara on the sacred Path of Vedant Philosophy, beloved and revered Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda worked on the footsteps of Adi Shankaracharya and made the sacred Scriptures available in the language and practices of Vedant more relevantly applicable to modern times. No amount of gratitude would suffice to acknowledge Their grace upon generations to come. Reading the Shaastra-s or even practicing one’s own Dharm without the guidance and consent of the Guru, without being initiated by the Guru, fetches no desirable fruits or results. It would be somewhat like throwing seeds on rocks! Therefore, without fail, be sincere in your dedication, devotion and service to your Guru.

Sree Guru Stotram –

……Gururaadiranaadishcha Guruh Paramdaivatam;
Guroh Parataram Nasti Tasmai Sree Gurave Namah.

Prostrations to Sree Guru Who is the very beginning as well as without beginning, Who is the Supreme Divinity; indeed there is none superior to the revered Guru!

3) Sree Guru Purnima/ Sree Vedvyas Purnima

Next comes Sree Guru Purnima, also called as Sree Vyas Purnima, as it is considered as Bhagwaan Sree Vedvyas’s Jayanti. The practitioners of Sanaatan Dharm would be at a great loss if they forget, neglect or do not acknowledge this particular auspicious day every year. If today, even after thousands of years, Sanaatan Dharm, though being most ancient yet a live Dharm, justifying its name Sanaatan, if we still have innumerable scriptures that extensively explain the Sanaatan Dharm, if there have been generations of Guru-s, all the credit goes to the great contemplator, compiler, composer and author, Maharshi Vedvyas. Till date, in honour of this great Guru who is of profound intellect, the much revered sacred seat on which the preachers and teachers of Sanaatan Dharm are seated, is respectfully addressed as Vyas Peeth. Learn the way of human life and the ultimate way to Freedom from the great Shaastra-s such as Sreemad Bhaagwat Maha Puran and seventeen other Maha Purana-s authored by this great Saint, Seer, Sage Philosopher and Guru Sree Vedvyas, learn the practices of Yog and Sannyaas from Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta compiled by Him and learn about the sacred path to Self-realization from the Brahm Sootra-s composed by Him.

Sree Vedvyas Stuti –
Vyasaya Vishnuroopaya Vyasroopaya Vishnavey;
Namo Vai Brahmnidhaye Vaasishthaaya Namo Namah.

Prostrations, prostrations to Sree Ved Vyas, the Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and to Bhagwan Vishnu in the form of Bhagwaan Ved Vyas; we bow down to the descendant of Maharshi Vasishth, the sacred Treasury of Absolute Knowledge.

4)Sree Ishwara Maha Abhishekam –

In the series of auspicious days dedicated to Sree Guru Parampara through the year, next comes this very important day for each one associated with SISS, when the seekers and devotees offer Abhishekam and Alankaar Aarti to their beloved and revered Lord of the Lords, Sree Ishwara the Trinity-Sree Brahma, Sree Vishnu and Sree Maheshwara. This day is marked as Dev Deepaawali, the auspicious day on which, it is believed that the Divine Entities (Devta-s) celebrate the festival of Lights! Since all the three Form-representatives of the Supreme are worshiped by the practitioners and believers of Sanaatan Dharm, and that it is believed that in the Guru Parampara, many Guru-s are Incarnations of one of the three Gods; it is appropriate to worship Sree Ishwara also as the Guru.

Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta 18/61 –
Ishwarah Sarvabhutaanaam Hriddesheyrjun Tishthati;
Bhraamayansarva Bhutani Yantraaroodhaani Maayaya.

As Sree Krishna says in Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta, Sree Ishwara resides in the hearts of all beings; and, by the power of Maya deludes all beings into repeated transmigrations as though mounted on machines. Now wont it be wiser to worship Sree Ishwara, who is the very Core, the Divine Consciousness within the Spiritual Heart, as the Guru? From the standpoint of the homogenous Consciousness, all the Realised Guru-s are One. In fact, Essentially, Consciousness is to be worshipped as the Guru-tattva, the Supreme-element in each being. Sree Ishwara represents this auspicious Guru-tattva. Most fortunate are those seekers who do not miss this great opportunity to serve, worship and adore Sree Ishwara here in His Own Abode Sree Ishwara Darshan Mandir at SISS, on the auspicious day of Sree Kartik Purnima every year.

5)Sree Geeta Jayanti & Param Gurudev Sree Tapovan Jayanti

Lastly, it is the auspicious day of Mokshda Ekaadashi. It is believed that on this auspicious day Jagadguru Bhagwaan Sree Krishna blessed His dearest disciple, devotee and friend Arjun, with the Nectar-like advice which is known thereafter to countless generations of Bhaarateeyas as the Immortal Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta. Moreover, this very day happens to be the Jayanti of our Param Gurudev Swami Tapovan Maharaj, Who not only is the very embodiment of the sacred Teachings of the Divine Song, the Bhagawad Geeta, but is the very Source of the Spiritual Knowledge for all of us. With utmost Shraddha and deep unswerving Bhakti, surrender at Lotus-feet of Sree Krishna and Sree Tapovan Maharaj on this auspicious day every year and seek Their blessings to become faithful and deserving disciples of Sanaatan Dharm, to lead yourself to Immortality.

Sree Tapovan Shatkam –

……..Akhandbhaavah Shivroop Tattvah
Chiti Swabhaavah Paramaatma Satyah;
Satyasya Satyah Sudhiyaiva Gamyah
Parah Pradhaanaat Parameshwaro Yah.

Aadyantaheeno Nirapeksh Deeptih
Swatahswaroopena Viphullito Yah;
Sree Saumyakaasheesh Maheshwaraaya
Tasmai Namah Swami Tapovanaaya.

Prostrations to Sree Swami Tapovanam, Who remains in Eternal Equanimity, Who is Essentially the Auspicious Shiv, Whose nature is ever abided in Knowledge; Who Himself is the Supreme Truth; Who is the Truth of all Truths which is comprehensible only by pure intellect, Who is beyond the very Causation, Who is the Supreme Divinity. Prostrations to Him, Who is without the beginning and end, Who is endowed with the brilliance of Divine Light of the Absolute, Who revels spontaneously in the bliss of Swaroop, the Self; Who Himself is Saumyakaasheesh, the compassionate Lord Shiv of Kashi, the Lord of the Lords, to Him, our most revered Param Gurudev Swami Tapovan Maharaj, our humble prostrations, our humble prostrations!

May through the year 2022, we at SISS, be blessed by our glorious Sree Guru Parampara, to dedicate our lives at Their Holy-feet, by imbibing and implementing whatever we are able to learn and comprehend from Their invaluable sacred Teachings.