INTRODUCTION Kantimathi (11th century AD) was the holy mother of Sri Ramanuja, and at her teenage, she got married to Sri Kesava Somayaji, a pious Brahmin scholar, and lived in Srperumbudur, and had one noble son, who was the great Vaishnative saint Sri Ramanuja and his birth name was Ilaya Perumal.Read More →
INTRODUCTION Markandeya was the son of Rishi Mrikandu, and was born with very good features. Similar to his father, he used to worship Lord Shiva at the Ashram and perform pujas and abhishekhams to the Shiva Lingam. According to legend, when he was nearing to lose his life by LordRead More →
INTRODUCTION The relationship between a bhakta and the bhagavan is that of a mother and a child. In this picture itself, we can see that Lord Narasimha is gently holding Bhakt prahalad in his hands. God expects only a true devotion from his devotees, and he didn’t expect any richRead More →
INTRODUCTION Pisharadi (1550-1621) was born in Trikkandiyur, Kerala, and he was a great writer, reader, astrologer and an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan. He also helped his student Sri Narayana Bhattathiri towards composing the devotional poem Sri Narayaneeyam. WORKS Pravesaka Karanottama Uparagakriyakrama Sphutanirnaya Chayastaka Uparagavimsati Rasigolasphutaniti Venvarohavyakhya Horasaroccaya Pisharadi played a vital role in bringing upRead More →
INTRODUCTION Markandeya was the son of Rishi Mrikandu, and was born with very good features. Similar to his father, he used to worship Lord Shiva at the Ashram and perform pujas and abhishekhams to the Shiva Lingam. According to legend, when he was nearing to lose his life by LordRead More →
INTRODUCTION Venkatamba(16th century AD) was the affectionate sister of Venkatanatha, who was known as Guru Raghavendra after becoming a saint, and she and her husband Sri Lakshminarasimhacharya played a vital role towards upbringing Venkatanatha in a proper manner at his younger age. After the death of her father Sri TimmanacharyaRead More →
INTRODUCTION Vedavati was the holy mother of the great Madhwacharya, whose birth name was Vasudeva, and her consort name was Naddantillaya. The couples were lived at a village in Karnataka. She was a noble woman and got great attachment on her son Vasudeva. The parents were performed Upanayana to VasudevaRead More →
INTRODUCTION Tatya Kote Patil plays an important role in the life of Sai Baba. Tatya maintained good relationship with Baba and was being protected by baba from his childhood. He was a favourite child of Sai. Tatya Kote Patil was born in a farmer’s family. His mother was Bayajabai, andRead More →
INTRODUCTION Shivalingavva Akka (20th century) was a great saint and a holy lady. Shivalingavva Akka was born and brought up in the Jat village, New Delhi. Due to her great thirst in spirituality, she has become a saint, and she was the disciple of Sri.Bhausaheb Maharaj. Due to her goodRead More →
INTRODUCTION Kumara Swamy Desikar (1711–1810), was a Shaivite saint and a spiritual writer and contains great bhakti on Lord Shiva. He was born into a pious Desikar family in Kanchipuram. He wrote books based on the importance of Lord Shiva and used to compose and sing beautiful songs on Lord Shiva in theRead More →
VERKADALAI SWAMIGAL INTRODUCTION Verkadalai Swamigal (20th century) was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, and he was born and brought up in Chennai. It is believed that he has worked in the High Court as an assistant, and after office hours, he used to give discourses on Shiva Puran andRead More →
Benefits of Self Surrender Self surrender is the highest form of bhakti. Self surrender is also known as Atma Nivedana. Eg: Mira, Gopis of Vrindavan. In Kathopanishad it is said, “The Lord chooses that man who has surrendered himself, reveals Himself unto him and bestows the highest wisdom on him.”Read More →
Prayer Prayer or Prarthana in Sanskrit means pleading fervently. It is a form of communication with a deity or an object of worship or a spiritual embodiment. It is praise of God. Prayer could be through use of words or songs. Prayer is a religious practice of reaching out toRead More →
Introduction to Essence of Bhakti The nature of Bhakti is inexpressible. Bhakti can be partially explained but its totality is inconceivable and inexpressible. Just as it is difficult to explain the sweetness of sugar to a person who has not tasted it, so also the nature of Bhakti cannot beRead More →
How to cultivate/ develop Bhakti? Bhakti is training one’s mind and will towards God. It is a discipline through which a bhakta eliminates his ego and develops an intense attachment towards god. The bhakta attains a stage of self realisation where the ego and the Self are the same. HeRead More →
Meaning of Vandanam Vandanam means offering prayers and obeisance to the Lord. Prayer is an act of communicating with the Lord. Prayer requires immense faith in Him, as he is not visible to the naked eye. As one develops faith in the Lord, prayer becomes an indispensible part of one’sRead More →
Meaning of Smaranam Smaranam is one of the nine forms of bhakti, where the devotee constantly remembers the name and form of the Lord. Smaranam also includes remembering the stories, teaching and talking to others about the glories of the Lord, meditation on aspects relating to God etc. Japa isRead More →
There are nine different ways to express devotion for the Lord. Shravanam is the first form of Bhakti. Meaning of Shravanam Shravanam literally means listening. Shravanam is about listening to God’s lilas which is an important step in the spiritual journey. Shravanam also includes listening to God’s virtues, glories, stories,Read More →
Meaning of Sakhya Bhakti Sakhya bhakti is a form of bhakti, wherein the bhakta considers God as his friend at all times. The bhakta considers God as his friend, relative, and companion. In Bhagavatam, it is said, “Oh, how wonderful is the fortune of the people of Vraja of cowherdRead More →
Kirtanam is that form of Bhakti wherein the devotee chants and sings praises in the name of the guru or the deity. Such chanting and singing the name of the Lord breaks the shackles that tie people to worldly inhibitions and sufferings. In Kirtanam the Bhakta dances and sings inRead More →