Deciding for others

If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.
                                                                                                                     - Paulo Coelho, the Alchemist

The Prayer of St.Francis of Assisi

This used to be one of the favorite prayers of my granddad:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is i giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life

It has been a long time since I wrote on this blog. I am now going to write on topics of spirituality as I see it; not just on Sri-la-Sri Pandrimalai Swamigal, who is the Inspiration for this blog.

Mudhal Alwars

Recently there was a talk on Alwars at our Ashram. I was not fortunate to be there, but was told of the event by my uncle. I do not have the transcript of the talk(s), nor details of the event, but will post it, if and when, I do get them. In the meanwhile, here is a link to a webpage on the Mudhal Alwars (Poigai Alwar, Budat Alwar and Pey Alwar).

Rare Video of Sri Ramana Maharishi

As I was searching for the wordings of Sri Rudram, I chanced upon this rare video of Sri Ramana Maharishi, the Silent Sage of Arunachala. It was as if our Guru Bhagawan specifically directed me to this video! Let us meditate on this Incarnation of Lord Dakshinamurthi and gain some serenity. 

Sri Rudraprasna

So, here is the link to an You Tube Video of the First Anuvaka of Sri Rudraprasna.  Here is a site with some details on Sri Rudram. I still do not have the wordings, but will post it as soon as I get it. In the meanwhile, let us listen to the divine chant and connect with the God within us all.

I would like to include Sri Rudram, but do not have it with me now. I shall post it here as and when Sri-la-Sri  Guru Bhagawan wills it. Meanwhile, here is the Lingashtakam. 

May Lord Shiva Bless us all with Wisdom, Health, Prosperity and Compassion.

OM NAMA SIVAYA! OM NAMA SIVAYA! OM NAMA SIVAYA! 

LINGASHTAKAM

     Brahma Muraari Suraarchita Lingam
Nirmala Bhashita Shobhita Lingam
Janmaja Dukha Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.

     Devamuni Pravaraarchita Lingam
Kaamadaham Karunaakara Lingam
Raavana Darpa Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam

I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is the destroyer of desires, which the Devas and the sages worship, which is infinitely compassionate and which subdued the pride of Ravana.

     Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam
Buddhi Vivardhana Kaarana Lingam
Siddha Suraasura Vanditha Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is lavishly smeared with variegated perfumes and scents, which elevates the power of thought and enkindles the light of discrimination, and before which the Siddhas and Suras and Asuras prostrate.

     Kanaka Mahaamani Bhushitha Lingam
Phanipathi Veshtitha Shobhitha Lingam
Daksha Suyajna Vinaashaka Lingam 
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, the destroyer of Dakshas sacrifice, which is decorated with various ornaments, studded with different gems and rubies and which glows with the garland of the serpent Lord coiled around it.

     Kumkuma Chandana Lepitha Lingam
Pankaja Haara Sushobhitha Lingam
Sanchitha Paapa Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is smeared with saffron and sandal paste, which is decorated with lotus garlands and which wipes out all accumulated sins.

     Devaganaarchitha Sevitha Lingam
Bhaavair Bhakti Bhirevacha Lingam
Dinakara Koti Prabhakara Lingam 
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga which is worshipped by the multitude of Gods with genuine thoughts full of faith and devotion and whose splendor is like that of a million suns.

     Ashta Dalopari Veshtitha Lingam
Sarva Samudbhava Kaarana Lingam
Ashta Daridra Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, destroyer of all poverty and misery in its eight aspects, which is the cause of all creation and which stands on the eight petalled Lotus.

     Suraguru Suravara Pujitha Lingam
Suravana Pushpa Sadaarchitha Lingam
Paraatparam Paramatmaka Lingam 
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam

I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga which is the Transcendent Being and the Supreme Self, worshipped by all Suras and their preceptor (Brhaspathi), with innumerable flowers from the celestial gardens.