Category: Uncategorized

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A humble offering at Swamiji’s lotus feet! The chants are a composition by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya on the greatness of Guru’s Padukas. It is called Guru Paduka Stotram. The text with meaning is as below.

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ananta saṁsāra samudra tāra

naukāyitābhyāṁ guru bhakti dābhyām |

vairāgya sāmrājyada pūjanābhyāṁ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||        

Let us salute the Padukas (sandals) of the Guru which bestow upon us devotion to the Guru and supreme detachment which act as a boat that takes us across the endless ocean of birth and end of life.

kavitva vārāśi niśākarābhyāṁ

dourbhāgya dāvām budamālikābhyām |

dūrī kr̥tā namra vipattitābhyāṁ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||

Let us salute the Padukas of the Guru which act as the moon to the ocean of one’s poetic prowess, and also as a cluster of dense clouds that extinguish the fire of one’s misfortunes which destroy the difficulties of those devoted to them.

natā yayōḥ śrīpatitāṁ samīyuḥ

kadācidapyāśu daridra varyāḥ |

mūkāśca vācaspatitāṁ hi tābhyāṁ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||

Let us salute the Padukas of the Guru by worshiping which, the poorest of the poor become supremely wealthy in this life and even a dumb person becomes a great orator.

nālīkanīkāśa padāhr̥tābhyāṁ

nānā vimōhādi nivārikābhyām |

namajjanābhīṣṭa tatipradābhyāṁ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||

Let us salute the Padukas of the Guru which destroys all our attachments and desires, and which fulfills the aspirations of those that bow to the preceptor.

nr̥pāli mauli vraja ratna kānti

sarid virājan jhaṣa kan’yakābhyām |

nr̥patva dābhyāṁ natalōka paṅktēḥ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||

Let us salute the Padukas of the Guru which shine like (a pair of) fish in the river of effulgent gems that adorn the crowns of kings (who bow before them) and which grant kingship to those who salute them.

pāpāndhakārārka paramparābhyāṁ

tāpatrayāhīndra khagēśvarābhyām |

jāḍyābdhi samśōṣaṇa vāḍavābhyāṁ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||

Let us salute the Padukas of the Guru which act as a row of many suns that destroys the darkness of ignorance and as the Lord of eagles that slays the serpents of sufferings (three types) and which become the fire that dries up the ocean of diseases.

śamādi ṣaṭka prada vaibhavābhyāṁ

samādhi dāna vrata dīkṣitābhyām |

muktēhē hētusca sthira bhakti dābhyāṁ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||

Let us salute the Padukas of the Guru which have the glory of granting the six qualities (that qualify an aspirant to pursue the spiritual path), which are bound by the pledge to grant the state of Samadhi (the highest state of Divine communion) that which causes liberation and bestows unwavering devotion to the feet of the Lord.

svārcā parāṇām akhilēṣṭa dābhyāṁ

svāhā sahāyākṣa dhurandharābhyām |

svāntāccha bhāva prada pūjanābhyāṁ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||

Let us salute the Padukas of the Guru which fulfil all the aspirations of those who worship them at all times and which are the first among those that grant us pure joy and help, and which are worthy of worship since they bestow upon us purity of thought.

kāmādi sarpavraja gāruḍābhyām

vivēka vairāgya nidhi pradābhyām |

bōdha pradābhyāṁ druta mōkṣadābhyāṁ

namō namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||

Let us salute the Padukas of the Guru, which are like the eagles for the serpents (six inner enemies) led by desire, and grant us the treasure of discrimination and detachment and bestow upon us wisdom and liberation.

 

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Source: Sri Sathya Sai Official Strotram Tutor

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Artwork – Nitya Gunturu

Credits : Kondala Rao

Swamiji says …

” Be it the news channels on our TV sets, social media, our workplace, or even our friend circle – irrespective of the medium or the social situation in which we could be, we do see someone or the other gossiping and spreading rumours; using inflammatory and abusive language; bullying and trolling or even outrightly threatening others with dire consequences.
While a generally held belief is that these are consequences of poor education or poverty; a deeper study would reveal that the ones most likely to display such grotesque behaviour are the ones educated at top-notch schools and colleges and work at some of the most recognised and prestigious organisations in the world.”

“Clearly, there is something amiss here ! What is lacking is not education – nor does it have to do anything about where the individual comes from ! It is simply due to lack of maturity, ‘ठहराव’, ‘sthirtah’…when one gets so carried away by the tempest of his emotions that he is unable to control himself from behaving in a manner least befitting him and least expected from him !”

“ It is essential for people to behave in a mature manner as they grow older with time. Yet, unfortunately, these days the trend seems to have reversed and there is an acute shortage of ‘mature’ adults. There is increasing disquiet in the minds of many adults today – a lack of depth and stability (स्थिरता) in their minds and hearts – as a result of which their actions are often fraught with recklessness and danger.”

“ There are times when one feels like sharing his problems with another person; talking his heart out to him or her and letting them know about his personal issues. And as soon as he shares his personal grief, or takes such people into confidence, he regrets it almost immediately, as his personal life becomes a matter of hot discussion over WhatsApp messages, office lunches, and evening get-togethers. The inability of a person to respect the trust that is placed by someone in him, while confiding a secret, stems from the person’s immaturity. Such a person does not think twice before spreading the news of the other person’s personal affairs like wild fire – as he has no ‘ठहराव’ – but rather bubbles with eagerness, to spill out anything he considers as potentially scandalous, and news-worthy. He is bereft of the foresight to see the damage his gossip-mongering could cause to the concerned person.”

“Such immaturity is also on full display in business houses and organisations where impulsive and knee-jerk actions from leadership and management lead to the downfall of an entire company. In times of crisis, a CEO should not lose his mental strength and confidence – but should be able to look at matters as they are, good or bad, and make decisions in a rational manner. Yet, we often see rash decisions being taken by Ivy-league educated elite when the going gets tough. This is the sign of a mind that has already taken the ‘flight in fear’ and has not grown with experience to realise that the best way forward in difficult times is to keep one’s head down and keep trying.“

“We often see such people also engaging in petty office politics and harassing their juniors – a full display of ‘छिछोरापन’. Instead of being a welcoming mentor and an inspiring leader, these people – drunk with the power of the position they hold – a sign of a weak mind – look to suppress new talent out of fear that they might be eclipsed by these newbies one day. A stoic and स्थिर individual, on the other hand, would look to build a talented team around him as he would be wise enough to realise that he can only be promoted if he has subordinates capable of taking his current role.”

“ Moreover, many among us are neither adolescents, nor very young, now. But if our behaviour continues to be childish or immature, we could create unwanted misunderstandings and unnecessary problems of such a nature that could make us lose all those we love and hold dear. The mind is like a lake. One stone, one thought – joyous or fearful, one piece of information – is all that it takes to create a series of ripples in it, and then into a stormy sea. Yet, it is our duty to learn to calm the mind. To not let the stones hurled at it create ripples, but simply skid away from the surface. We must learn to observe and engage with the world – ‘maya’ – around us, yet, not let it engulf our minds. Only then will we be able to develop some degree of ‘ठहराव’” within us !

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मुझे तुमने दाता बहुत कुछ दिया है, तेरा शुक्रिया है, तेरा शुक्रिया।

ना मिलती अगर दी हुई दात तेरी, तो क्या थी ज़माने में औकात मेरी।
तुम्ही ने तो जीने के काबिल किया है, तेरा शुक्रिया है, तेरा शुक्रिया॥

मुझे है सहारा तेरी बंदगी का, है जिसपर गुज़ारा मेरी ज़िन्दगी का।
मिला मुझ को जो कुछ तुम्ही से मिला है, तेरा शुक्रिया है, तेरा शुक्रिया॥

किया कुछ ना मैंने, शरमसार हूँ मैं, तेरी रहमतो का तलबगार हूँ मैं।
दिया कुछ नहीं बस लिया ही लिया है, तेरा शुक्रिया है, तेरा शुक्रिया॥

मिला मुझको जो कुछ बदोलत तुम्हारी, मेरा कुछ नहीं सब है दौलत तुम्हारी।
उसे क्या कमी जो तेरा हो लिया है, तेरा शुक्रिया है, तेरा शुक्रिया॥

मेरी ही नहीं तू सभी का है दाता, तुही सब को देता, तुही है खिलाता।

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Sung by : Sumi

Video Credits : Shashwat

LYRICS

Guru Deva Namo Ajay Narayana
Hriday jagdishwara ajay paramishwara X 2
Tere charno mein sar hum jhukake chale
Dil mein shraddha ki jyoti jalate hue X 2

Tujhpe arpan humara yeh jeevan guru
isko paar lagade mere hey prabhu
Tujhpe arpan humara yeh jeevan guru
isko paar lagade mere hey prabhu
naiya paar karade mere hey prabhu
isko paar lagade mere hey prabhu
naiya paar karade mere hey prabhu
Guru Deva Namo Ajay Narayana
Hriday jagdishwara ajay paramishwara
Tere charno mein sar hum jhukake chale
Dil mein shradda ki jyoti jalate hue

Ajay deva namo guru gaate chalo
Naam japte rado kaam karte chalo X 2
Yaad ayegi unko kabhi na kabhi
Swami darshan toh denge abhi ke abhi) X 2

Tere bin he guru yaha kuch bhi nahi
Tumko paakar har ik pal mein jaagi Khushi
Tere bin he guru yaha kuch bhi nahi
Tumko paake har ik pal mein jaagi Khushi

Tumko paakar meri zindagi rasbhari
Tumko paakar har ik pal mein jaagi Khushi
Tumko paakar meri zindagi rasbhari

Stay in my heart forever, it beats just for you
With pure love in my soul, eyes keep seeking just you
Stay in my heart forever, it beats just for you
With pure love in my soul, eyes keep seeking just you
With pure love in my soul, eyes keep seeking just you
With pure love in my soul, eyes keep seeking just you

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Sung by – Saipriya

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Background Music Credits – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QrlDBEnpG8&feature=emb_title