On Looking Into the "Vandanamu Raghu nandana" Song

On Looking into the “Vandanamu Raghu-nandana” Song

vandanamu (1) = sincere praise, expressing heartfelt gratitude, salutation, saluting with folded hands, paying respects, పూజ, ప్రశంస, స్తోత్రము, ప్రణామము, నమస్కారము; raghu nandana = offspring of the Raghu dynasty; (nandana = son in Sanskrit language) setu bandhana = bridge over the ocean; bhakta = devotee('s); chandana = sandalwood, provides soothing or respite, cool to touch; (The name of Rama itself relieves the stress and provides soothing to the devotee)

Sridama = Kubera, The One endowed with rich qualities (Sri + Da); natO = with me; vaadamaa = argument with me? Do You have a dispute with me? nE = I; bhEdama = difference, difference of opinion; Srirama = Lakshmi; hRut+chara = heart’s clutches, imprisoned in the heart; mamu = us; brOva = protect;bhaaramaa = is it a burden? is it difficult or strenuous? Raayabaaramaa = a missive, communication sent by a messanger(?); vinTini = I’ve heard, the bow; nammu konTini = believed, put total trust; SarananTini = I’ve sought refuge; rammanTini = welcomed you (Rama), asked you to come; ODanu = I do not get defeated, vanquished, do not surrender; bhakti = faith, sincere devotion, unwavering trust in Sri Rama; vIDanu = I’ll not desert, will not give up; (n)orula = others; vEDanu = will not seek the help of, will not ask others; (j)chUDanu = will not look at; kammani = tasty, pleasing to the tongue; viDemu = pan, a mouth refreshing item made with betel leaves, lime, and other aromatic spices(తాంబూలం, కిళ్ళీ); immani = please give me, bestow on me; varamu = a boon, a blessing; kommani = accept, take; paluka = a word, a verbal response;

kshemamu = safe, everything is in order; divya dhaamamu = celestial abode, adorable home; nitya = daily; niimamu = niyamamu = routine, rule, habit; naamamu = name; 

chuuDumii = look (at us); kaapaaDumii = protect (us); mammu = us; pOdimigaa = fitting, elegantly; kuuDimi = meet, join us; 

vEgaraa = come hurrying, come swiftly; karuNaaSaagaraa = ocean of compassion; hRudaya + aakara = home of heart, abode; (You, i.e., Rama resides in the heart of Tyagaraja) 

“న్యాయమా నీ కాయమా ఇంక 

హేయమా ముని గేయమా రామ” 

Once again this marvelous melodious seemingly innocent composition made me rush into my personal library and hunt down the “Ramayana” for a clarification. Fortunately we have at home a rare hundred-year-old Telugu translation of the original Sanskrit text. It is the ‘Bhaskara Ramayanamu’ originally completed around 14th century (హళక్కి  భాస్కరుడు). In Telugu we have more than six translations of the Valmiki’s metrical poetical Hindu epic. In high school (probably in eighth grade) we had sections from Molla Ramayanamu, it runs in couplets in lucid Telugu. Many thanks to those superbly qualified language teachers who patiently taught us our mother tongue. Not only that they gently prodded us to love our Indian languages and native culture.

There is an interesting incident when Sri Rama meets the exiled king Sugriva. What a strange situation? It almost looks like as if Lord Rama was being interviewed for a job; He had to convince Sugriva through talk and a real demonstration of his archery. He had to cut seven tall standing palm trees with a single arrow.

It seems as though Tyagaraja is saying thus: “Is there any justice here? Rama, you had to pierce and cut the long stems of seven palm trees, just to prove your worth. Isn’t it a disgrace? Isn’t it below the normal etiquette? Do you have to prove your skills or your valor thus to Sugriva? And the sage Valmiki (probably Narada also) had sung this story (this incident) too? Hey, Rama – compared to your difficulties, what are our troubles?” I am glad that I could learn so much about devotion, music, and Telugu with this composition. Copyright 2020 by the author

1. Tyagaraja (Tyagayya, త్యాగరాజు) showed us various ways of praying. It could be any one of these acts (devices):  A song, simple chanting of 'Rama's name', meditation on Sri Rama's form, offering of fragrant flowers, Tulasi leaf, sandalwood paste, or offering of flame (camphor or oil soaked wick). 

Holistic Approach to the Coronavirus - II

Holistic Approach to the Coronavirus -II

Faith

Faith is strange. Some are introduced to it through parents, teachers, or gurus. Often a gentle suggestion from our mothers is enough during pristine childhood. For a saint like Kabir one word from his guru was sufficient. That paved the way for his entire life. The extraordinarily ascetic (peda పెద ) Balayogi of Mummidavaram (East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh) did not need the initiation from any master; he was well prepared right from birth. So too was his younger brother. For many others it may be difficult to imbibe faith in later stages of life. Often we are mesmerized by the glitzy show of fame, pseudo-intellectualism, bits of semi-rationality (mind not the real logic and mathematics), and a host of unexamined personal biases. Always be aware: senseless (pseudo) logic (కుతర్కము)  or argumentation is like a sharp shard of glass. It is very dangerous and can lead to tragic outcomes (grievances) later. But when a crisis hits us we are face to face with the stark reality; then nothing comes to our rescue except our own inner strength and, if we are lucky – only if we are extremely fortunate the wishes of our relatives. Then, in those rare moments of truth we must rely on ourselves. Faith is like a dear loving mother, it can be (is) our protector, if we let it. It can also happen spontaneously due to ‘grace’. In some of the posts I’ve attempted to explore this delicate topic of faith. One has to meditate on these matters dispassionately with sensitivity – armed with utter humility, totally devoid of ego.

Yoga

This writer and probably many older generations knew a thing or two about yoga when life was much simpler, sans the fancy mats and other embellishments. Still can’t believe - in high school our classmates and I did many asanas just on the cold cement plastered bare floor! If I may, I have one simple suggestion to the novice or beginner: Try to learn from someone who can really demonstrate a healing touch with yoga. If the teacher is really a consummate professional then she should be able to fix backache, obesity, or thyroid malady with yoga. Or any other simple ailments like high blood pressure, breathing difficulty, or acidity. Real yoga means much more than the physical postures in alluring tight-fitting spandex. It includes all purity – purity of body, mind, and thought. Asana/pranayama is only a fraction of the total yoga system.

Walk in the Park

One need not be a Wordsworth or Keats to enjoy nature. But, of course, “a thing of beauty is a joy forever!” Luckily even today in many Indian villages and here in most of the American suburbs there are vast stretches of (unspoiled) nature. You can walk next to Godavari, a winding stream, a banana farm, or stroll in the small streets lined with rows of devil’s tree (Alstonia scholaris). One can easily forget life’s discomforts and ignore the body’s ailments momentarily. The mind becomes clear and after many days it becomes a simple pleasant gentle exercise. There in one of those aimless wanderings one may get inspiration, a poem, a song, or an invention. Or, on some days nothing at all! We just return home with memories of lovely greetings of robins or screeching calls of blue birds. However great the modern medicines may be they cannot substitute the curative powers of nature, the lovely spring flowers, a gurgling stream, or a resplendent sunset. Our grandparents had closer relationship with nature and they could touch a prickly pear fruit or a boulder. No indoor gym can offer the fresh moisture laden oxygen ambient like the outdoors. The writer has experienced pleasures of all the six seasons – through the bone chilling subzero snowy blizzards, furious coastal storms, the boiling desert howling winds, to totally overcast glum cloudy days. There is a hidden secret impervious to our eyes in the nature. It is present everyday and every moment. Enjoy it to heart’s brim.

Mask, a Colorful Mask

Now everyday is a Halloween party day. The science, verifiable facts, and credible theories are scarce, particularly about the propagation of this virus. Can we reliably demonstrate (say with photographs) whether there is a virus footprint on park benches? Or, in train stations or supermarket shelves? The cunning virus being so extremely puny is like the Schrodinger’s Cat. Perhaps it is there or it’s not there. And the damn thing is between life and non-life (inert matter). So, out of abundant caution we wear face masks when we go out. And wash the masks weekly. For redundancy one may carry a cotton handkerchief also. Hospitalizations are not cheap and they’ll put extraordinary burdens on the family both financially and emotionally. Even successful recoveries will take a heavy toll on governments, doctors, and families.

Quick Recap

            Six things we can do keep the virus away: 1. Mask 2. Facial hygiene 3. Vitamin and mineral supplements 4. Exercise 5. Faith 6. Sleep and ample rest.

Munch on small bits of ginger, jaggery, and garlic. Drink sacred basil water (advice due to Dr. Poornachand) In moderation they will help (augment body’s immunity) without adverse side effects. Copyright 2020 by the author

(Disclosure and Caveats: This article is no substitute for a doctor’s visit. The information is given from a “holistic care” point of view of body and mind. A distillation of many decades of naturopathy, Ayurveda, and grandmothers’ remedies goes in here. The writer has no affiliation with clinics, pharmaceutical companies, or any government. Additionally he has no financial relationship to any private company or public entity. One should be very cautious even with Ayurvedic ingredients (herbs). Fenugreek, coriander (cilantro), and turmeric can have significant effects on blood thinning.)