Mantras are often understood at several levels simultaneously. Their deepest meaning is not just the literal translation of the words, but the transformation they are intended to create in the mind and consciousness of the practitioner.
🌺।।The Deepest Meaning।।🌺
At the highest level, mantras remind the practitioner of a central teaching of Hindu philosophy;
=> The Divine is not separate from us; it exists within all beings and throughout the universe.
The understanding of the real meaning of a Mantra by this foreigner boy is praiseworthy, many Indian Hindus won't have such clarity...🌺🚩
Experiences with Maha Periyava: "I wanted only Ten Swami, not Eleven!"
I am reminded of an incident narrated to me by an ex-official of the Indian Express. Once he went to Kalavai near Kanchi where the Swami was staying after taking over the Peethadhipathyam. (I too saw him once there and it was most touching to see poor villagers explaining to "Periyaval" their worries and problems such as the loss of a dear one, daughter eloping with a married man, or son taking to liquor. The Swami would offer them advice or guidance and they would leave, having passed on their 'burdens' to Him). When the Express official went to the Swami, he found Him totally silent. He was in a trance, the people there thought, and so they sat there quietly waiting for Him to look at them. A little later a poor villager came there literally sobbing and supplicating the Swami's help for his daughter's marriage. The Swami opened His eyes and asked him about the problem. "My daughter's marriage is fixed. The groom's party wants ten gold sovereigns. You must help me".
"Where do I have the gold? What can I give you"? the Swami asked.
"You have been guiding me all though my life. How can you say 'no' to me now? You only can help me", he persisted.
Finding the poor fellow unrelenting, the Swami said: "You know we are all the children of Mother Kamakshi. You go to Her temple and pray. She only can help you".
"I have no God except You. I pray to You only", he continued.
"I am telling you, go to Mother Kamakshi and pray to Her with all your heart".
The fellow left reluctantly, tears streaming down his cheeks. The Swami was moved by the situation.
Another long spell of silence. Quite a few were there waiting anxiously to speak to him. After nearly an hour He began to hear the others. Another hour passed. The Express official got his chance to speak to Him. In the meantime came a Gujarati couple. Prostrating before the Swami they offered fruits and some gold sovereigns in a plate. Looking at the plate and the gift, the Swami said that He would not accept any gifts and asked them to take the plate away.
"We took a vow that we would offer You eleven gold sovereigns for Your blessings. We have been saved by Your grace and we must fulfil the vow. You may do anything with them, Swami, kindly accept them," they insisted.
Asking them to wait, the Swami enquired whether anybody there had a car. The Express man instantly said that his car was ready to go anywhere.
"You saw the poor fellow? Go to Kamakshi temple and fetch him here without telling him anything."
In less than half an hour the car returned with the fellow still sobbing. He fell at the Swami's feet.
"Have you prayed to the Mother with all your heart?" the Swami asked.
"I know no prayer; I just cried before the Mother", he replied.
"The Divine Mother is pleased with your prayers. Take Her gift here". His Holiness pointed to the place.
The poor fellow's face turned pink with ecstasy. He looked at the sovereigns. "I want only ten Swami, not eleven" he pleaded still sobbing, this time in joy.
There was not one there without moist eyes. To the poor fellow and the people there was nothing but the grace of His Holiness that solved the problem. To others it might seem a miracle or just a coincidence.
Source: "A Sage at Pandharpur" by Sri A. Prasanna Kumar
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తిరుపతి సమీపంలోని తొండవాడ అగస్తీశ్వర రుద్రకోటేశ్వరాలయంలో శివుడు విగ్రహ రూపంలో దర్శనమిచ్చే అరుదైన క్షేత్రం ఉంది. ఇక్కడ ఒకే విగ్రహం ఒకవైపు శివునిగా, మరోవైపు కేశవునిగా (హరిహరులు) దర్శనమిస్తుంది, ఇది ఇక్కడి ప్రత్యేకత. ఈ ప్రాంతంలో శివుడు సాధారణ లింగాకారం కాకుండా, మూర్తి రూపంలో భక్తులకు కనువిందు చేస్తాడు.
తొండవాడ శివ కేశవ వ��గ్రహం గురించి ముఖ్యమైన వివరాలు:
హరిహర రూపం: విగ్రహాన్ని ఒక వైపు నుండి చూస్తే శివుడు, మరో వైపు నుండి చూస్తే విష్ణువు (కేశవుడు) కనిపిస్తారు.
ప్రత్యేకత: శివుడు విగ్రహ రూపంలో దర్శనమిచ్చే చాలా అరుదైన ఆలయాలలో ఇది ఒకటి, ఇది సహజంగా వెలసినదిగా భావిస్తారు.
స్థానం: ఇది చిత్తూరు ��ిల్లా, తిరుపతికి సమీపంలోని తొండవాడలో ఉంది.
తిరుపతి సమీపంలోని సురుటుపల్లిలో కూడా శివుడు శయన భంగిమలో (శ్రీ మహావిష్ణువులా) సశరీర రూపంలో దర్శనమిస్తాడు.
Lord Shiva as the SatGuru shows that even the great realizations of ‘tat tvam asi’, ‘aham brahmasmi’, ‘shivoham’ and others are simple by-products of Ananya Bhakti. That which people give so much importance to; self-realization, moksha, mukti from birth and death, and so on, are not even considered by a true bhakta. Such elevated states are not thought of, nor given any importance to. Because the true bhakta who has been touched by the unique divine love of the SatGuru knows that Bhakti and Prem are the actual highest states. Humility, Sharanagati, and single-pointed focus are given much more importance than any realization. Because one wishes to remain a servant of the Divine. And that is the greatest realization of the atma. That is the most close one can truly become to Paramatma. That is true union, true merger with Bhagavan. To be in loving service to Him always. Not deludedly think one actually ‘become’ Bhagavan or one is equal to Him in anyway. The states of non-duality, non-difference between the self and the Creator, are states of oneness experienced by a true bhakta, a true lover and servant of God. One can never experience these states of realization that Lord Shiva talks about unless one becomes a Bhakta equal to him. Who is utterly and only focused on the One SatGuru. True non-duality is not different from true Bhakti. Non-dual experience is a part of Bhagavan’s infinite expressions of love. A truly wise person wishes for the relationship with the Great Creator, wishes for the Creator Himself. Not for a tiny part of what the Creator can give as experience, reward, or realization. If one can understand how much Lord Shiva loves and worships Sri Hari, how endless and unbroken his devotion is, then it is easy to understand why Bhakti is given the primary importance in the Puranas, Guru Gita, Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, and all other true divine scriptures. Bhakti makes one capable of handling everything, good and bad, with grace. Bhakti makes one humble even in the face of extreme achievements and accolades. It keeps one grounded even in the middle of the most earth-shattering storms. Becoming a truly loving human being, a genuinely kind and helpful person, is more valuable on the spiritual path than thinking of some greatness of the self. Always give importance to Bhagavan. Never stray from Bhakti towards the SatGuru’s Lotus Feet. These are the eternal words of wisdom spoken and lived by Lord Shiva himself. Hence, the Hari Bhakta Sampradaya shows that Lord Shiva’s teachings merge beautifully with love and devotion to Sri Hari. Lord Shiva is treated with the utmost respect and love; and a true follower of the Hari Bhakta Sampradaya, a true Guru-bhakta never judges or compares who is greater, lesser, more important, or any other petty thoughts of this nature. Learn true wisdom and love for all, the same way Lord Shiva in his deep devotion towards Sri Hari doesn’t think of anything else. He only who considers is sincerely walking on the path of love and devotion, and blesses them with the same states that he is always in.