Vedikheritage

Sri Ganesha is seen as the Lord who defeats all Obstacles, the one who is worshipped before all other deities, the son of Shiva and Parvati, the Lord of Wisdom and Intellect. This is an opportunity for you to learn this beautiful composition by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, with easy step by step instructions one verse at a time.

A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya, this is a very popular stotra in Southern parts of India. 

Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a deity.  Sri Shankaracharya is renowned for his revival of the Hindu faith and the establishment of the 6 popular faiths. At a time when there were over 2oo different faiths and practices around India, he amalgamated the practices and “established 6 main Sects”- Shan-matha-stapanam. The 6 Sects since followed are:

1. Sauryam -Surya Worship
2. Gānapatyam - Ganesha worship
3. Shaivam - Shiva Worship
4. Shāktam - Devi Worship
5. Vaishnavam - Vishnu Worship 
6. Kaumāram - Karthikeya Worship

 Sri Shankaracharya also composed famous works of poetry in praise of these main deities. This is one such composition.

Sri Ganesha is seen as the Lord who defeats all Obstacles, the one who is worshipped before all other deities, the son of Shiva and Parvati, the Lord of Wisdom and Intellect. This is an opportunity for you to learn this beautiful composition by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, with easy step by step instructions one verse at a time.  

A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya, this is a very popular stotra in Southern parts of India. 

Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a deity.  Sri Shankaracharya is renowned for his revival of the Hindu faith and the establishment of the 6 popular faiths. At a time when there were over 2oo different faiths and practices around India, he amalgamated the practices and “established 6 main Sects”- Shan-matha-stapanam. The 6 Sects since followed are:

1. Sauryam -Surya Worship
2. Gānapatyam - Ganesha worship
3. Shaivam - Shiva Worship
4. Shāktam - Devi Worship
5. Vaishnavam - Vishnu Worship 
6. Kaumāram - Karthikeya Worship

 Sri Shankaracharya also composed famous works of poetry in praise of these main deities. This is one such composition.

Sri Ganesha is seen as the Lord who defeats all Obstacles, the one who is worshipped before all other deities, the son of Shiva and Parvati, the Lord of Wisdom and Intellect. This is an opportunity for you to learn this beautiful composition by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, with easy step by step instructions one verse at a time.  

A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya, this is a very popular stotra in Southern parts of India. 

Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a deity.  Sri Shankaracharya is renowned for his revival of the Hindu faith and the establishment of the 6 popular faiths. At a time when there were over 2oo different faiths and practices around India, he amalgamated the practices and “established 6 main Sects”- Shan-matha-stapanam. The 6 Sects since followed are:

1. Sauryam -Surya Worship
2. Gānapatyam - Ganesha worship
3. Shaivam - Shiva Worship
4. Shāktam - Devi Worship
5. Vaishnavam - Vishnu Worship 
6. Kaumāram - Karthikeya Worship

 Sri Shankaracharya also composed famous works of poetry in praise of these main deities. This is one such composition.

Sri Ganesha is seen as the Lord who defeats all Obstacles, the one who is worshipped before all other deities, the son of Shiva and Parvati, the Lord of Wisdom and Intellect. This is an opportunity for you to learn this beautiful composition by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, with easy step by step instructions one verse at a time.  

Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a deity.  Sri Shankaracharya is renowned for his revival  of the Hindu faith and the establishment of the 6 popular faiths. At a time when there were over 2oo different faiths and practices around India, he amalgamated the practices and “established 6 main Sects”- Shan-matha-stapanam. The 6 Sects since followed are:

1. Sauryam -Surya Worship
2. Gānapatyam - Ganesha worship
3. Shaivam - Shiva Worship
4. Shāktam - Devi Worship
5. Vaishnavam - Vishnu Worship 
6. Kaumāram - Karthikeya Worship

 Sri Shankaracharya also composed famous works of poetry in praise of these main deities. This is one such composition.

Balamukundashtakam is about the baby and young child Krshna who simultaneously behave like a child while performing miracles as a God. His birthday is  celebrated by Hindus as Krshna Janmashtami.

The 8 verses of this Stotra tells us how this seemingly innocent baby, who is adorable and also a very mischievous child, is n fact Lord Vishnu incarnated for the benefit of humanity.

The meaning is explained first, followed by the chant of the 8 verses. Lyrics are available in Devanagari, English and Tamizh for those who want to chant along or learn the chant.

0:28 Introduction

0:42 Verse 1 Meaning

2:07 Verse 2 Meaning

3:57 Verse 3 Meaning

5:13 Verse 4 Meaning

5:48 Verse 5 Meaning

6:35 Verse 6 Meaning

7:43 Verse 7 Meaning

8:58 Verse 8 Meaning

10:13 Chant 1-8 verses

14:04 Behind the scenes

Simple Mantra for Daily chanting. Lyrics in Devanagari, Tamil, English

This is a simple chant shared by Sri HariPrasad Sharma,  learned scholar on his show " Shubha Dinam" on Shakara TV channel. he recommends this as a chant which can be practiced by everytone to get the blessings of Sri Lakshmi Devi.

Any mantra needs to be chanted with a pure body and mind. Never chant without a bath. Do not chant when mentruating. These are basic precautions required to chant Hindu mantras.

On this auspicious friday of Vara Mahalakshmi, do chant along or listen to this chant during your worship of this deity.

Varalakshmi Puja is celebrated very grandly in many southern states of India. I have explored 3 questions here: 

Why do we celebrate this festival? 

Who is Vara MahaLakshmi Devi ?

Who are the Ashta Lakshmi Devis who are invoked in this Puja?

Varalakshmi Puja Images Courtesy:

Hema Prasad

Ramya Kannan

Shobana Sai

Shreedevi Madhavan

Food Image Courtesy:

Masterchefmom Uma Raghunathan

Ashta Lakshmi Devi Image Courtesy:

Pxfuel free downloads

This new series is an attempt to demonstrate the pronunciation of sanskrit words in order to aid correct chanting of sanskrit stotras.

It is not just an ancient language, it is also one of great logic and clarity. If one understands the rules of sanskrit  pronunciation, there can be no doubt on how to pronounce any word. 

Avoid these common mistakes:

1. How to correctly pronounce ॠ (8:38) and ऐ (11.57).

You can read in detail on the blogsite:

https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/flawlessly-chant-in-sanskrit/

0:00 Introduction 

1:16 Origin of Sounds

2:09 List of Vowels

2:39 Classification of Pure Vowels

4:14 Combination Vowels

5:24 Hrasva & Deergha Vowels

7:01 अ

7:16 आ

7:36 इ 

7:49 ई

7:59 उ

8:13 ऊ

8:38 Correct pronunciation of ऋ

9:57 ॠ 

10:13 ऌ ॡ

10:20 Shuddha Svarah

10:40 Samyuktasvarah

11:11 ए 

11:45 ऐ

11:57 Correct pronunciation of ऐ

12:36 ओ 

13:00 औ

13:19 Ayogavahah

14:30 Summary

Link to learn the Devanagari alphabet:

1. Sanskrit channel playlist for detailed learning:

youtube.com/watch?v=_PWIDchrRFU&list=PLAPrVB8wngPk6VsGU9aUS-Gy_qf2QyOVm&index=1

Reference links for basic vowel & consonant pronunciations:

1. Himalayan Academy- Sanskrit Chanting:

https://sanskritguide.com/the-nature-of-sanskrit/

2. Bhuj Mandir channel for concise Vowel and consonant pronunciations:

YouTube.com/watch?v=2UfCGrvfmOY

Chanting shlokas have many benefits. They help to calm the mind, lift one’s mood, clear negative emotions, enhance peace etc. Bed time shlokas help to ensure a good night sleep.

1. Why do we need to ask for forgiveness of mistakes or sins every night? 

2. What is the role of introspection?

3. Why are we approaching Lord Shiva for forgiveness?

This episode introduces the concept of a night-time prayer which is about praying to Lord Shiva, asking for forgiveness. 

This stotram was composed by the great JagadGuru Shree Adi Shankaracharya, the saint who revived sanatana dharma (the ancient hindu thought and way of life) during one of the times it was in danger of being lost.

This sanskrit night time prayer, is a very important exercise for every individual. Each word of this shloka is important, and when it is understood in essence, the effectiveness of the prayer is achieved.

Understanding the meaning of prayers, help us in reaping benefits. While prayers may work even if we do not know their meaning, the learned ones say that they are much more effective when chanted with understanding and commitment. Join me as I unravel for you, the meaning of this beautiful stotram, which when chanted daily will transform you in myriad ways.

This is a famous Stotram popularly recited during the Navaratri festival which falls in the months of Oct-Nov. Easy to chant along, you can learn this beautiful chant using the lyrics provided. Even those who chant this regularly may not understand the meaning, therefore I have shared th emeaning in the video in English.

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