A different direction for a bit.

One of the hallmarks of the Sri Vaishnavas is their devotional poetry and literature. From the Azhwars to Vedanta Desika and beyond this devotional literature transcends caste, social and economic position and gives all a sense of loving devotion to all that hear their hymns.

In the next few posts I would like to try my hand at this as I grow closer to the Lord. Granted I'm no Vedanta Desika, but it will be from the heart. As I have never done anything like this before I have chosen the 108 names of Sri Ram as a base and I hope you enjoy them as much as I'm sure I will writing them.

Adiyen

New place, new life (again)

Jai Srimannarayana,

Well here I am, in the Bay Area. I've been here a month and a half and getting my life sorted. In some respects I am in a position to finally get back on top of things, in others I feel though as I am sliding. I took a big change coming out here but if I play my cards right, get over my bout of procrastination, I can really do some great things out here.

I hope everyone is doing well and I do miss writing here and now I will try to keep it up again.

Adiyen

I'm still alive!

Well it seems thinks are looking up and pace is quickening on finally getting settled in America. I am moving to San Francisco in less than a fort night and have work waiting for me. So needless to say I'm excited and pray the past year is behind me and able to move on now.

Bhakta Pralada.

I so want to see this movie!

I could use a good astrologer. GAHHHHHH!!!!

Well over the past week it seems that since I've gotten more active in the Sri Vaishnava community my janma kundali (or birth chart) has been brought up a lot. I have a chart, but never had any one look at it, and what was looked at seems to all be wrong. So my mind is spinning and reeling as I have no answers, and after being out of work for over two years and just now trying to dig myself out of a hole I can not pay for the services of an astrologer.

Personally, I have mixed feeling about astrology, having grown up wiccan and quite familiar with western astrology, I feel it's a tool to be used alongside your spiritual pursuits, not to dictate it. For instance, the big kicker for me is on the question of Ishtadava. This is a simple enough thing to find out, in fact it is one of the easier bits. But interpretation seems to be the biggest problem. I have Jupiter and Rahu in my 12th from AK. Rahu has a greater longitude than Jupiter, so Rahu should represent the Ishtadeva, i.e. Varaha. But I ran across another chart someone was asking about and it was nearly identical to mine. Ju and Ra both in the 12th house from AK and even in the same house. Rahu was even stronger than Ju, but the Guru stated that Jupiter still dominates because of some stuff. I just want to yell at times.

It seems I should be worshiping the form of the Lord as represented in my Chart. Anyone who has known me for anytime know what a Sri Ram nut I am and according to my chart I should have no affiliation what so ever with him. Honestly, I see them all as Srimannarayana so it's no big deal, but I have a love for Sri Ram and Sita maa. I have no desire nor feeling towards worshipping the Lord as Varaha, I could develop something for Vamana (ju) in his Trivikrama form... in fact I might add his mantrams anyway.

Fact of the matter is, I have more questions than answers. I need a proper chart (as I don't even know if mine was done properly). And in the end it kind of pisses me off that something that is so open to interpretation by a man, someone will tell me if I want moksha I HAVE to worship this form of the Lord. Something as so simple to surrender and just Love God is quite complicated at times.

In closing, I understand the reasoning behind jyotish, and worshiping certain forms of the Lords Roopa based upon ones karma &tc. &tc. I honestly get it, but when there is a certain Love there, an attraction and pull, why disrupt it?

Anyway, if someone would like to be so kind, I would really love to have a proper chart made, so I won't have all these unanswered questions. I don't want a full reading, there are only the typical general things I'd like to know. Birth Rasi, star, Ishtadeva, Dharma Deva. Just these things at this point.

Adiyen Yathavan Ramanuja Dasan

Join me on FB and new name!

Yup, finally decided to separate my mates from my spiritual life. So I have started a dedicated FB page to spread out and meet more Sri Vaishnavas from around the world. So please join me at MY NEW FB PAGE

You may also notice that there has been a name change as I have finally received a Sanskrit name. Keeping my name for spiritual purposes was ok, but when I took my samashrayanam I was reborn spiritually and for this purpose I have accepted the name Yathavan based upon my jyotish chart.

Yathavan is a name of Vishnu and means "One who possesses what is right, proper and correct" i.e. one who has those qualities.

I would also like to thank Krishnachandraji :D

Adiyen Yathavan Ramanuja Dasan

Back to the mundane.

Well here it is, nearly a fortnight later and the itching of my healing brands give a constant reminder of what happened.

HH Swamiji said many profound things that day, one could only expect in such a momentous occasion. The one that sticks out for me was what he said in the very beginning. I do not speak telugu, but an older lady receiving the panchasamskarams with us motioned towards me and said something to Swamiji. Given the tone and the fact he said my name a couple of times I imagined that she asked why I was there. She didn't seem to be protesting, but you could tell the was concerned. After speaking with her Swamiji continued and addressed us all in English and said (I'm paraphrasing): That all of us, no matter what colour, caste, or origin of birth are all gods children and viewed equally by God as such. And he will accept anyone who comes to him.

He also spoke on "Hinduism". He explained, as we all know that Hinduism is a made up word with no real definition, and in the sense that it covers a group of people and area, this area is so small compared to the rest of the world. He said that today we are not Hindu's, but those who surrender to the feet of Vishnu and thus Sri Vaishnavas. So from now on, I will never refer to myself as a "Hindu" as I am not, I AM A SRI VAISHNAVA! The colour of my skin, my name and where I am from HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY JIVA as HH Swamiji states. When the body dies so does colour, nationality and name.

This leads me to my last reflection. During the naming section of the ceremony, I was thinking I was going to get some kick arse Vedic name attached to my Ramanuja Dasa form. Instead Swamiji said Jason is a good name, no need for us to change our names, the name we have came with the body, our parents named us this and there is no need for us to change it. So as you see, there is no reason for us westerners to only take as much of Indian culture than is necessary to uphold our sadhana.

Anyway, I'm now getting settled in to my new place and spiritual path and the last two weeks has been wonderful.

Lastly, I must thank my two Vadakalai friends who have sent me reading materials via email and given me the best support possible. Haresh especially has been my pillar and the person whom I can only thank so much for directing me towards the Sri Sampradaya. I also have a couple of light articles by him I will be reproducing here on my blog to help give more educational information and history as I progress.

Adiyen Ramanuja Dasa