Devastating Floods and Following Relief Work by Vivekananda Kendra, Kodungallur

August 15th 2018, the day and the night will remain in the memory of all for many years to come. The heavy downpour of the day had the rivers, back waters and canals overflowing. By the 16th water had entered the rooms on the ground floor and three cottages at Anandadham. Most of the people from neighbouring houses had already moved by as early as 1 am on 16th . No one had anticipated this calamity, hence the limited number of boats, both public and private could hardly cope up to the demand of moving people, let alone property. The rising waters removed the demarcation between roads and canals. The inmates along with our pet dog Acchu moved to our well wisher Smt. Padma Adikal’s house which was located close to the Bhagavathi Amman temple. One had to literally wade through hip deep water to reach the main road.
The flood water rose further and by 17th it was close to 7 feet at Anandadham. In other places it was even higher. The flood situation in the entire state turned very grim and most parts of Kerala were submerged. There were many deaths reported from different parts, and people were being evacuated to schools/public buildings located on higher ground level. Power supply, Communication network, and drinking water supply was disrupted; Navy was deployed to evacuate the stranded.
It was only by evening of 19th that the flood waters started receding. Thousands of displaced families were given shelter at Govt Girls School, Govt Boys School, Amrita Vidyalayam, O.K Hall. etc. in and around Kodungallur. In each camp there were around 1000 homeless people. Most affected areas of Kodungallur were Elthuruthu and Kavilkadavu, which were by the side of the back waters. Many families from close by places like Moothakunnam, Andipilikavu, Vavakad etc. were given shelter in the camps
The current state of deluge in Kerala is reminiscent of that monsoon, almost a century back(1099 ME), when ‘God’s own country’ was transformed into a calamity zone. “It seemed as if the skies had been ripped apart as the waters burst out endlessly, transforming the bountiful scene into one of catastrophe,” writes historian Manu Pillai about the ‘great flood of 99’ in his book, ‘The Ivory throne’.
By the last week of August people started returning to their whatever was left of their “home”.

Flood Relief and Rehabilitation works in Kodungallur

Vivekananda Kendra Kodungallur under support from our headquarters in Kanyakumari undertook Flood Relief and Rehabilitation works in and around Kodungallur. As early as August 18^th Kendra started it relief operations, by helping with cooking of food which was being done by Seva Bharathi for the various relief centres in and around Kodungallur. With the water starting to recede by late 19th evening further relief service of Vivekananda Kendra were coordinated from the Kendra Campus at Anandadham.
Kendra started its Relief Operation on 18th August by helping in cooking food for around 1500 affected people in one relief centre with Seva Bharati. After water receded from Vivekananda Kendra campus, further services were coordinated from Kendra Campus.
Families returning back to their homes from the relief camps were confronted with the serious issue of wells contaminated by the flood water, and with no water supply from the Municipality, Vivekananda Kendra started to supply drinking water to about 150 house around Anandadham. Access to the narrow lanes of the village areas was accomplished using a smaller vehicle carrying a water tank of 1000 litres for distribution of drinking water. Along with this Kendra started providing lunch for about 300 people a day which also included packaged drinking water. This started on 24th and continued for couple of days. Cleaning material consisting of brooms, wiper, bleaching powder, gloves, masks, and chlorine liquid for water purification was distributed to 50 houses within the vicinity of Anandadham.
While the drinking water supply was being done, a preliminary survey was also done and 342 houses were identified. The identified families were distributed cash coupon to the value of Rs. 500/- which they could redeem for necessary provisions from the nearby cooperative store, as a Phase I activity. A small program was arranged in which Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi, Director, Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation Kodungallur presided over the function. Shri Sudhakarji Sushree Sutapa, Sri Raghunathji(Kendra Jeevanvrati Karyakartas), Smt Padma Vivekanandan, Sri Premanath and all the workers of Kendra were present along with the beneficiaries. Sudhakarji explained to the people how they could utilize the token for purchasing the needy items of their choice worth Rs. 500 from Coop Consumers Stores, Kodungallur. Ma. Lakshmi Didi told the people that, Kendra buildings and its premises were also under water for 4 days and we are also equally affected by the flood, like them. Even then, keeping in mind Swami Vivekananda’s call “Serve man, Serve God”, Kendra Karyakartas plunged into action to help the fellow beings in their distress and suffering. We appealed to the people of our country to join in the great task of relief work with Kendra and the help started pouring from different parts of the country by well-wishers and kind souls.
Smt. Padma Vivekanandan, wife of Rtd Major General Vivekanandan, addressed the beneficiaries and encouraged the people to face the situation with courage and cooperate with Vivekananda Kendra in the Relief works. Later, two counters were arranged to distribute the Relief coupons manned by Kendra Karyakartas. They collected back the tokens that were given to them at the time of selecting the beneficiaries and distributed Relief Coupons to them. Snacks, drinking water and cleaning items such as hand gloves also distributed among them. A register with address and full details of the beneficiaries was also prepared for further Relief and Rehabilitation purpose.
Relief materials such as medicines, clothes, sanitation items, food items- rice, pulses, and biscuits, milk powder which came in from Mumbai, Pune and Bilaspur were sorted out and kept ready for distribution. The two volunteers from Jnanaprabhodini who brought the medicines from Pune left after spending couple of days in the relief camp. We had received 57 bundles of clothes from Lioness Club, Bilaspur, and Chhattisgarh. Kendra Karyakartas sorted and segregated them as blankets, bed sheets, shawls, ladies, gents’ and children’s garments. On 28th, people were allowed to take them as per their choice and the whole lot was distributed by 29th evening. Also, 200 men were given a set of one lungi and one undergarment. Around 100 people got cleaning materials such as phenyl, room cleaner and disinfectants. Other organizations and schools also started distributing food packets to some of the families who had come back to their houses and cleaning work was being done. Hence by 30th, Kendra concluded lunch distribution with a grand feast.
Two batches of Kendra Karyakartas led by Shri Sudhakarji and Shri Raghunathan went around the affected area from Undakadavu to Pullut bridge, to see the actual situation of the returning families from Relief Camps. About 1700 families were visited and identified the beneficiaries for the second stage of Rehabilitation by Kendra. A list was prepared and a token was issued with their Aadhar Number (to avoid any kind of misuse or duplicity). The survey continued for two more days. The data collected was extensive as compared to the earlier survey with details like number of children studying in various classes, their loss of dress, uniform and study materials, any health problem after coming back home from relief center, damage of the houses, loss or damage of items of livelihood like tailoring machine, fishing net etc. Kendra decided to leave out some families for now, who though affected by the floods were able to start afresh on their own.
The final list was for 400 families who were asked to come to Kendra on 3rd September at 10:30 am with the token and identity document. There were couple of families who had not returned from the relief camps, such families were also provided with the tokens. Hence the total families were more than 400. It was also planned to provide lunch packets and packaged drinking water for all those who come as they would get late in reaching their homes.
Phase III started on 31st August with a full fledged Medical camp which continued for a month. Medicines for the camp were contributed by Jnanaprabhodini team from Pune. Doctors and medical assistants were from within Kendra’s well-wishers. A small function was arranged in the main hall ‘Dakshina’ at 2:00 P M. Ma. Dr Lakshmi Kumari, Director, Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, welcomed the public and introduced the medical team. In her brief welcome address, Lakshmi Didi mentioned that, if some medicine was not available in the camp and the patient could not afford the cost, they could buy it from a nearby medical store identified by Kendra by showing the prescription; Kendra would pay for the same. The Medical team consisted of Dr. Suresh Babu (retired physician and Kendra well-wisher), Dr N.M. Vijayan (retired physician and Kendra well-wisher)), Dr. Krishnan Namboodiri (retired Govt hospital Civil Surgeon) and Dr. Satish (Orthopaedic surgeon). Mrs Lany, Mrs. Ajitha, and Mrs Raji assisted the doctors by dispensing medicines and as nursing assistant. In his inaugural address Dr. N.M Vijayan, informed the people about the possible health problems which can affect them if proper care is not taken. He also mentioned that many cases have been reported in and around Kodungallur due to the spread of dirt and contaminated water. He advised the public to take advantage of the camp and prevent diseases. General check-up and distribution of free medicines would continue on all Fridays and Tuesdays from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM up to September 28th 2018. It was planned to extend the camp after 28th September if required. On the first day 52 people came in for consultations and were provided with free medicine and health advices from the medical camp.
A simple function was arranged on 3rd September at 10:30 AM at Kendra. Dr. M Lakshmi Kumari chaired the function. Sri Anapuzha Muralidharan, well known author and a renowned primary school teacher (Rtd) was the Chief Guest. He emphasized the need for public cooperation with Kendra in all their activities which are primarily aimed at the welfare of the people. Shri Sudhakarji briefed everyone who were gathered on the how the materials will be distributed to the beneficiaries. He also declared Kendra’s extended Relief and Rehabilitation program. As part of the plan some selected people would get a certain amount for minor repair and maintenance for their houses, some fishermen would get financial help for purchasing fishing nets and a number of women would get trained in tailoring. Women who were already trained in garment stitching or similar Kendra would provide assistance in marketing the same. Kendra offered to provide a sewing machine to individuals if they would participate in the training program and offer services (tailoring) for a period of 1 year. A series of counselling program’s for students, women and men has been planned. Both the programs would begin in the month of October. All the three local body members representing the area also attended the function. In her concluding address, Lakshmi Didi highlighted the generous contribution of Kendra well-wishers all over India and the need of developing highly potential qualities of Tyaga and Seva. Later, the relief materials were distributed to the beneficiaries. It included: plastic mats, dhotis, saris', bed sheets, bathing towels, washing soaps, bath soaps, 20 litre plastic buckets, plastic mugs and one kilo bleaching powder. A 2 litre pressure cooker for each of the families was planned for 11th September. Lunch packets were also distributed to all who came for the program.
The news of Kendra’s aggressive relief work in the area around Anandadham quickly spread to adjacent villages and towns. Requests started coming in from other localities around Kendra. Shri Sudhakarji and Shri Raghunathan with some Staniya Karyakartas went to see the places and affected people.Shri Sudhakarji and Shri Raghunathan with some Staniya Karyakartas went to see those places and affected people., Areas like Vavakkadu and Oottukadu were very badly affected. Hardly any relief work had been done by any other agencies. After the visit to these areas, it was decided to distribute rice, sugar, tea leaves, and salt, cooking oil, some masala and pulses for 100 families in Vavakkadu. In Oottukadu, plastic mats, ladies, gents, and children’s garments, bed sheets, bathing towels and cleaning materials were found urgently needed for at least 100 families. So these things were distributed on in both the areas.
On 24th September, the balance of the items for relief were distributed. Beneficiaries who had not come on the previous day collected there kits. Around 400 people turned up on 24th although the items available were only for about 200. The rest were given something for now. The second of the medical session camps functioned in the second half with Dr. Vijayan, Dr. Suresh Babu and Dr Namboodiri. 51 patients came in for consultations. 30 TT injections were given, and the medicines for next four days were given to the patients. For medicines that were not available Kendra, arrangements were made to get them from the local drug stores. Sri Vinay, Kartik and Tushar of Jnanaprabhodini, Pune took permission to leave from Man. Lakshmi Didi after having a first hand experience of post flood operations.
On 6th September as part of the Phave IV, 60 girl students each of Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Kodungallur received a kit that contained a school bag, 5 to 10 note books, one Geometry box, pens and pencils 2 each, clothes for one set of school uniform from Ma. Didi organised as part of a small function in their school. Similarly on 7th September another 60 girl students of Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Kodungallur too received uniforms and study materials from Ma. Didi. The same day 100 families of Pallamthuruthu received kits with food items worth Rs 600/- each. On 8th September 100 flood affected people of Vavakad, in adjacent Ernakulum district were also provided kits. Both these 200 families were identified by our yoga students who stayed in those areas.
11th September, alongwith the anniversary celebrations of Swamij’s Chicago address, 320 beneficiaries where provided with a 3 litre pressure cooker each. On the 12th four Fishermen received new fishing nets with the blessing of Ma. Didi. The nets were worth about Rs. 15,000/-. Another set of 300 flood victims identified by our yoga students and well wishers received kits containing provisions, clothing and mats and bed sheets. On 26th September, 33 ladies from the localities around Kendra, registered their names for the tailoring class named as “Nivedita Swasraya Parisheelana Kendram” which started on 30th September. Two teachers and a supervisor will look after the centre. The course will be of three months duration, free of cost. This training centre has been planned for a year for the time being, with the idea of rehabilitating the ladies (housewives) who have suffered much losses due to the floods.
This quantum of relief work was only possible for the whole hearted contribution of our well-wishers from all over India, Our special thanks to Jnanaprabhodini group of Pune, well-wishers of VK Madurai, Bharathiar University of Coimbatore’s NSS team who sent a truck load of materials including eatables, clothes and other essentials, Rotary Cochin for getting us 1000 litres of bottled drinking water from Kinley, well-wishers of Rajasthan and Gujarat, VKV students of Arunachal Pradesh and Valliyoor, Sri Samasta Mahajan of Mumbai, who contributed maximum for the relief work. Sri Pradeep and team from Coimbatore and last but not the least but for the seva of innumerable volunteers including Yoga Varga karyakartas, YCC karyakartas, QCI coaching students, parents of Sishuvihar students, SamskarVarga karyakartas, well-wishers and neighbours. A Herculean task.

UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD DAY CELEBRATION

The Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's famous lecture at the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago, is celebrated by Vivekananda Kendra as Universal Brotherhood Day every year. This year is of special significance as it is the 125th year of Swamiji’s Chicago speech.

In this connection, a number of competitions were planned for the school children. 

Since most of the schools had been badly affected by the sudden floods, only the students of three schools viz. SN Vidyalayam- Chentrappinni, Amrita Vidyalayam and Shantiniketan International School- Kodungallur, registered their names.

On 6th September , there was painting competition for Junior( class Vto VII) and Senior groups( classes VIII to X ). 20 students participated.After lighting of the lamp, Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi spoke to students, encouraging them to perform with full vigour and concentration. Topic for the junior classes was'Scenes from Ramayana' and for the senior classes it was' Incidents from the life of Swamiji'.

On 7th September, Elocution Competitions (English and Malayalam) ie. getting by heart and delivering speech of Swamiji ( selected from the first and last speeches delivered by Swamiji in Chicago Parliament of Religions) were conducted. 33 students participated. While speaking to the competitors, Didi asked them to believe that while delivering the speech they should feel as if it was an offering at the feet of Swamiji because it was because of this great patriot saint that we are able to lead a dignified life today. It was because of Him that the world recognised the greatness of our culture.

On 11th September, the public function was held.Along with the prize distribution for the winners of schools, distribution of pressure cookers as the third phase of relief work for 400 flood affected people, was also held. 

Sri Piyush a young Vedantist from Thrissur as the Chief Guest along with Retired Major General Vivekanandan - a close well wisher of Vivekananda Kendra.and Ma.Didi were present on dias.

This time the winners of rolling trophy for Malayalam Elocution was Amrita Vidyalayam and that of English Elocution was SN Vidyalaya. After the Shanti mantra, all were given prasada. Overall 400 people attended the Universal brotherhood programme. 

After the prasad, the beneficiaries were given pressure cookers.

72nd Independence Day Celebrations

This time 15th August turned out to be the most memorable day in the history of Anandadham.

Early morning at 6.30 in spite of incessant rain, more than 60 yoga practitioners in uniform gathered in the hall to perform Samuhika Surya Namaskar and a few asanas. Due to rains national flag was hoisted in the hall.

All the students of Sandeepani Sishuvihar with their parents were present for the flag hoisting. Sri Sudhakarji hoisted the flag. The parents had planned for Onam Aghosham on that day. Fresh flowers of different colours were bought. A beautiful ‘Pookalam’ (design or rangoli with flowers) was created by the mothers. Lots of games for children were conducted by the parents. Prize distribution for the winners were given and prizes were all vegetables like corm(chena), Snake gourd, Pumpkin etc. wrapped in shining papers to look attractive. There was lots of laughter and jokes, dances and merry making with the children, their parents and teachers. Lunch followed after this. All kinds of delicacies brought by the mothers were served. After the nice sumptuous lunch all departed.

It was after the program that the inmates became aware of the rise in water level of the canal adjacent to our compound and by night the water had entered the compound! Beginning of a devastating flood unaware!

   

SAMAPANAM OF RAMAYANA MONTH

In all 31 houses were visited during the whole month of Karkatakam.

On 12^th August Ramayana Samarpanam two hour program was arranged. The bronze idols of the trio including Hanumanji’s, were kept on stage. The program started with parayanam of the stuthis from the Adhyatma Ramayanam like Ahalya stuti, Parshuram stuti and Kabandha Stithi. Following this was Sangeet archana by budding artists Kum. Neha Nair and her brother Siddhartha Nair, Smt. Jayashree Satheesh of Paravur, a well known vocalist and Sri. Sanjay Raj, another local vocalist.

After this followed pushpaarchana with Rama and Hanuman Ashtottara chanting. At the end a talk by an Ayurvedic practitioner Dr C Padmajan, a devotee of Sri Rama. He elaborated the various characters in Ramayana and stressed on the regular study and chanting of Adhyatma Ramayana and not limit the parayanam only for the Ramayana month.

The program concluded with the arati of Sri Ramachandra  and Prasad distribution

GURAPURNIMA

On the 27th Ganapathi Homam and Sri Chakra Puja was performed by none other than Dr Vijayanji, founder of Vijayan Gurupadam Karumatra where a number of seekers enroll themselves to learn the scriptures and scriptural practices.

Sishuvihar children with their parents came to pay their respects to Ma.Didi.

On the 29th evening Guru Purnima was celebrated publicly.The yoga varga practitioners, YCC students and QCI students about 50 in number, gathered in the Dakshina hall. Mananeeya Didi spoke to them on the importance of Guru. Guru stotram was chanted together followed by guru archana with flowers.

QCI COACHING CLASS

14th July was the day for registration for  participants for the QCI coaching class. 16 students registered . The syllubus and other requirements were briefed to the students by Sri Sudhakarji.Formal inauguration of the class was on 21st July in the presence of Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi. 5 more students registered so that the total number camewent up  to 21. Classes have been fixed on every Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Resource persons will be from among the Kendra inmates and welwishers in Kodungallur.

KARKATAKA ONE

         FIRST DAY OF THE RAMAYANA MONTH - KARKATAKA (17TH JULY- TUESDAY)

A month long project of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, to popularise the Adhyatma Ramayana chanting (parayanam) in every house, starts from the first day of the Karkataka month. Karyakarta Sushree Bindu,  along with her group members visit house to house daily and chant relevant passages from the Ramayana and make the hosts perform pushparchana. Atleast 30 houses and a number of temples invite them during this month.Houses which do not have the Ramayana book are presented with one so as to inculcate in them the habit of chanting.

This year there were two invitations from the Vinayaka temple at Lokamaleswaram and Shiva temple at Moothakunnam. Su Bindu went to Lokamaleswaram and Smt Sulochana went to the Sivan temple, to chant the Adhyatma Ramayanam in the early hours of the morning. 

JYOTISH SHASTRA 2

Chanting:

Achintya avyakta rupaya nirgunaya gunatmane |Samasta jagadaadhara murtaye Brahmane Namaha ||

Salutations to the Supreme Brahman who cannot be visualised in the mind or

otherwise, who is beyond the mind and who is nirgun, without a physical form in whom manifests the trigunas of Satwa, Rajas and Tamas.

The Ācārya started the session by chanting the initial mantras of Jyothisha. He went on to describe that the above mantra was from the famous Sanskrit treatise on Jyothisha, Surya Siddhanta. This was an insight as we are generally aware of the Surya Siddhanta being one of the primary written books on Astronomy. There are 18 Munis attributed to the contribution of Jyothisha and they are always invoked for their blessings. It is to be noted that no known pictures of these 18 Munis, are available, however, at the Murugan temple in Palani, adjacent to the main sanctum sanctorum, one can find idols of the 18 Munis engraved in stone. They are also known as Ashtadasha Acharyas.

Jyothisha is also known as ‘Vedachakshu’  or eyes of the Vedas. It is important to understand that in all sashtras or forms of learnings, be it Ayurveda, or Natya, the knowledge always originates from the Supreme or Brahma, hence the first of the 18 Muni’s is Brahma Rishi, next is Vashishta, then Atri, Manu, Paulasthya, Rauhasya, Marici, Angiras, Vedavyasa(author  Vyasa Hora), Narada, Shaunatha, Bhrighu(author of  Nadi granthas), Chavana, Yavanacharya(author of Yavana Jathakam), Garga (authored Garga Bhagavatham, also composed Nakshathra Sookthamwhich is a  part of Atharva Veda. Kashyapa , Parashara (author of  Brihat Parashara Hora),  and the last of them is Soorya Muni(author of Surya Siddhantha).

Jyothisha offers  two distinct paths to the seekers of Truth; the Ganapathi way and the Skanda(Subramanya) way; guiding the individual to the path of Moksha or enlightenment. Unfortunately, it is a matter of great regret that today’s jyothishis never touch upon this aspect, but merely stress on forecasts and use this ancient wisdom as a tool to garner material wealth and fame.

Let us have a slightly detailed look at the two paths to the “Eternal Truth” discussed by  the Ācārya.

Skanda or Subramanya in his quest for Truth rode on his mount the peacock, in pursuit of truth and he unveils knowledge on the evolution of karma, the reactions of karma, the structure of karma, understanding of prarabdha karma¹(collection of past karmas to be experienced in this life) which is a part of the sanchita karma (accumulated karma). The name Subramanya itself has such a deep meaning. Subramanya is also known as Deva Senapati or Commander of the Devas, which in itself is fascinating and improbable, considering the fact that he is a mere boy of about 6-7 years. How is this possible; conflicts happen at two different planes, the external and the internal. To fight the external there is the need for force, strength and power, however we are aware that even the most ferocious and angry individual is calmed by the innocence and unconditional love of a small child. Hence for spiritual learning and enlightenment it is essential for the mind and the thought to be pure. The inner purity is like the innocence of a small child. The innocence that can win over anything. Subramanya is also known by other names like Aandavan, Velayudhan and so on.

The swift-flying peacock symbolises the enchanting ego of an individual, and Subramanya riding his mount denotes overcoming of this beautiful ego, a necessity to understand Karma.

On this occasion Ācārya also touched upon the mount of Ganesha, mooshika, which symbolises desire, controlling which is of utmost importance.

The other path which is very short but difficult is the path of Ganesha which is to directly seek the Truth within the self, an inward journey.

The devata of Jyothisha Sashtra is Subramanya , hence if one seeks knowledge in this area, the blessing and grace of Subramanya  is indispensable. Subramanya is also credited to have destroyed Tarakasura (taraka is ego) Tarakasura symbolises Ego, at a human level, with each of us desiring to be the star amongst others, a form of ego. There is a saying that at Pazhani the abode of Lord Muruga, one cannot completely count the number of steps to the top. This again is symbolic of the fact that for the individual who sets out to seek the Truth, the time that will be taken to achieve the goal can never be known in advance. ‘Jyoti’ in the word Jyotisha symbolises Consciousness or Supreme Awareness. Hence Jyotisha is the Science of Consciousness or Cosmic Intelligence.

Today’s temples are generally constructed on a bought on land bought from someone or land donated by someone unlike in earlier days, when temples would only be constructed at a suitable land after considering the various factors of Vastu Shastra.

Jyothisha Deeksha can be compared to a situation where the electrical wiring is complete and is waiting for the electrical connection. The moment power is supplied everything becomes live. The moment of connection is the catalyst of change, when the individual will start seeing the world in a way where nothing is bad or good.

“Everything that is happening is the parinama of Karma” The moment the mind understands this subtle truth, the individual becomes Lord Rama, said the Acharya. He was citing the incident from Ramayana, when Lord Rama was taking leave for vanavasa and he informed one and all that Kaikeyi Mata and Mandara Mata should not be blamed for anything that has happened. After all it is my Niyogam (loosely translated as fate) and has nothing to do with what they have done or how they have acted upon. The lord did not have any resentment against any individual, as his mind was clear. Hence it is important to look at Jyotisha as a Spiritual Science.  After all this is how the Maharishis have tried to explain Jyotisha.

Ācārya then touched upon the word Hora, which indicates the karma done by the individual in the past, which can include all our past lives. According to Jidu Krishnamurthy the ego has an age of 1000’s of years; what the individual is today is a parinamam of the tapas of 1000’s of years, hence for each of us to be together in this session today, is a result of the individual tapas of all of us. Of course, one cannot define this, after all it is like asking a vellarumkallu (quartz stone) who created it and presented this form to it. If the stone could speak it would say, it is not a single person or entity, I was a rock many years back, the sun, the rain and the weather, weathered me down to this present form which has been transformed into this beautiful idol. In the same way numerous forms of karma, that have happened in the path of our  lives,such as  facing hardships, failures,  victories, experiencing and sharing the empathy and sympathy, result in the formation of “Aham”, the  “I”, the “Ego”, which needs to be weathered down for the purified form to emerge.

A good or bad thought is enough to bring changes. Hence it is important to purify the ego by churning it in the yagagni of life and karma. It is like the offering of butter to Lord Krishna. The Lord is not looking for the physical butter but the sacrificial yagna of karma offered in the form of butter.

The Ācārya next focussed on the ritual of ‘Ellu Villaku’ (Black Sesame Lamp), which of late has become a very common practice in almost every temple. Referring to Bhagavad Gita, he continued, “yajñārthāt karmaṇo ‘nyatra lokoyaḿ karma-bandhanaḥ tadarthaḿ karma Kaunteya mukta-sańgaḥ samācara”, doing work in this physical world should be in the form of a sacrifice, work that is done not just for the physical benefits, but for pleasing Lord Vishnu.  Consider karma as a form of yagna which can lead the individual to moksha. The lighting of the ellu thiri (villaku) is the shortest form of yagna and symbolically it means burning off the individual’s inner ignorance. Unaware of this deep implication  we look at the activity at the mere physical level, buying and burning numerous ellu thiri’s. We foolishly believe that solutions to our problems can be purchased with wealth, externally. Sadly the problem is within the individual and the correction is also needed in the ‘Self’. An activity is composed of many aspects, including and not limited to observing, inferring, understanding, executing, dispensing, and many other subtle facets…

Jyothisha deals with self-realisation, and within Jyothisha itself there are thousands of ways for liberation, secrets and methods that reveal itself only to the sincere seeker!

Onam is a few months away, let us understand a bit about Onam from  a Jyothisha perspective, said the Ācārya. Onam begins on the nakshathra ‘Atham’; it is also the birth star of Swami Vivekananda. Atham’s devata is Shiva. Atham to Thiruonam is 10 days, basically it is 10 days of ‘Sadhana’. Many of us are aware that from Atham the laying of the pookalam(Rangoli with flowers) begins and the design of the kolam is circular, however on the 7^th day(‘Moolam’ nakshathra) the kolam gets 4 corners. The laying of the pookalam with different varieties of flowers denotes the birth and growth of the human culminating on the 10^th day of Thiruonam, when one is expected to install and consecrate Onathappan(symbolising Vishnu) suggesting the joining of the atma to the paramathma (or self realisation).  Surprisingly no thantri(Priest) is required to install and consecrate Vishnuin the courtyard of the houses!

The star Atham is also the nakshathra of revolution, not externally but within, individual born on this nakshathra have revolutionary ideas and thoughts. Atham is from the Kanni Rashi, which is considered as the force of kundalini.

Ācārya then focussed on another important sacrament of human life and its association to Jyotisha, namely vivaham(marriage). The sankalpa of vivaham from the bharatiya context starts with the union of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. On the day of the vivaham it is the  groom who arrives at the home of the bride and it is also the bride  who first garlands the groom. We generally address the couple as the bride and the groom, vadhu-varan, similarly Lakshmi-Narayanan, Uma-Maheshwaran; here we can notice that the woman is addressed first then the man; emphasising  the importance of the woman. The objective of marriage is moksha.  There are  8 different types  of marriage; Brahma, Prajapatya, Daiva, Arsha, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Paishacha. Unfortunately today the marriage ceremony cannot be attributed to any of the 8 types. It is only the economics that reigns supreme. However as the objective of marriage  is moksha or liberation from the belots of samsara, jyothisha play an important role in this samskara. Marriage  lays  the foundation for the  family and hence there is the need for ‘porutham’(compatibility) in  many aspects. The granthas talk of 25 poruthams, of which 10 are important, and amongst the 10, 5 are most important for a good marriage . The Ācārya went on to explain that if there is mana porutham or compatibility of the minds then all other forms of porutham are baseless. He cited that for Brahma, Prajapati, Daiva and Gandharva only mana porutham was considered. After all marriage is not a business transaction of commodities, but an auspicious association Lakshmi and Vishnu leading to moksha.

“Horethya horaatravikalpmeke,  vaangchhanthi poorvaaparavarnnalopaal” chanting this Ācārya continued, 'ahoratra' meaning day/night and symbolically it means happiness and sorrow (in life). The compounding of the two Sanskrit words Ahas and Ratri gives the word ‘ahoratra’. 24 hours as per modern astronomy, one revolution of earth, which is 360°. If we drop ‘a’ from the beginning and ‘tra’ from the end of ahoratra, what remains is ‘hora’, hence it also deals with the good and bad aspects of life. In Jyotisha, every aspect has to be analysed and understood in two planes, the external and the internal. Here it is important to understand that both are not separate. It is just like observing a huge tree. One can see the tree physically which is symbolic of life as we see. The roots of the tree are not visible; however, it is the roots that hold the tree together. In the same way our inner plane needs to have a strong foundation and one should ensure that it does not get corrupted and weakened. However, the reverse is not the same, a little injury or damage externally will eventually get restored, just like in the tree. Here it is important to also understand that at the inner plane if one is righteous in one’s thoughts, decisions and actions, the entire universe will stand by him and vice versa! Outer world is the reflection of the inner world, what ever the individual is going through is the outcome of the individual’s own doing, be it good or bad. Hence according to jyothisha it is not necessary to meet the individual, even the place where the individual dwells is indicative of the person. Similarly, the kitchen in a house can portray the spirituality of the house, in the western world however it is the bathroom that does so. In the Bharathiya samskaram, the kitchen is the place of homam. In a new house Ganapathi homam is conducted in the kitchen.

Anything and everything that we do at every moment of life has an explanation in jyothisha. The ten-day celebrations of Onam are a means to conquer the ten indriyas or ten senses, 5 active and 5 cognitive. Similarly, the three steps of land symbolise the trigunas.  Onam also brings into memory the Vamana avatar and how Vamana asked for 3 steps of land; here we can visualize an infantile thought process, if given the right nourishment, it can expand to infinity. IN Sanskrit Onam is indicated as Sravanam, the period of knowledge. Onam falls in the month of Chingam, which is Simha Rashi. It is a month of Atma Sadhana. It is also a month wherein famous personalities have been born; Sri. Aurobindo, Narayana Guru, Ayyankali, Brahmananda Siva Yogi, Sahodaran Ayyapan. Chingam is also the first month of the year according to kollavarsham. An individual’s karma has a profound effect on their sreyas, and preyas, at time even leading to their destruction. So all forms of pariharams(external remedial measures) are basically parivarthanam(changes) that should happen within. Hence it is the individual’s karma that needs to be offered as a payasam (remedial measure) to the Supreme. Perform the karma as a yagna for the benefit of the world. It also means that every quality is within the individual, only it needs to be activated.

Ācārya also touched upon the days of the week, Ravivāra or Sunday, Somavāra or Monday, Mangala, Budha, Guru, Shukra and Shanivāra. All the days represent the planets.

................to be contd.

¹Prarabdha is the portion of the past karma which is responsible for the individual’s present body or incarnation,  the portion of the sanchita or accumulated karma  which the human life acquires in the present incarnation, one that cannot be avoided or changed, one that will only be exhausted through  experiences.