Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Kanyakumari


Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari (Tamil: கன்னியாகுமரி; About this soundpronunciation (help·info)) is a city of Kanyakumari district in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. Also, called as the "God's own district". The name comes from the Devi Kanya Kumari Temple in the region, in Tamil it is pronounced as 'Kan-niya-kumari'. It is the southernmost tip of peninsular India, and is surrounded on three sides by the Laccadive Sea.Kanyakumari city is the southern tip of the Cardamom Hills, an extension of the Western Ghats range. Nearest city is Thiruvanathapuram (85 km) and airport is Trivandrum International Airport, Trivandrum , Kerala. and the nearest town is Nagercoil, the administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District, 22 km (14 mi) away. Kanyakumari has been a city since Sangam period and is a popular tourist destination. Ptolemy's geography describes commercial relations between western India and Alexandria, the chief eastern emporium of the Roman Empire. He identified Kanyakumari along with the Gulf of Mannar as a center for pearl fishery. He also identifies Korkai (assumed to be the present day's Tuticorin), a place to the east of Kanyakumari, as an emporium of pearl trade.
Another ancient Greek book, the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, contains sailing directions for merchants from the Red Sea to the Indus and Malabar, and even indicates that the coast from Barygaza (Baroch) had a general southward direction down to and far beyond Kanyakumari.
Kanyakumari District consists of those parts known locally as Nanjil Nadu and Idai Nadu. The names of the villages of the district such as Azhagiapaandipuram, Bhoothapandy, Cholapuram and Kulasekaram reveal that these places were governed by several rulers at different periods of time. Nanjilnadu was under the rule of Pandiyas until the early 10th century and then under Cheras.
The Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks were under the rule of the Chera Dynasty. When the power of Chola declined due to the rise of Hoysalas and western Chalukyas, the Venad (Travancore) Chieftains (descendants of the central Chera family) took advantage of the situation and gradually established their hold on considerable areas in Nanjilnadu. Veera Kerala Varma, one such chieftain, styled himself as "Nanjil Kuravan". The annexation commenced by Veera Kerala Varma was to a large extent continued by his successors and completed by AD 1115.
For about four centuries, the Venad was ruled by powerful kings who were consistently making incursions into the Pandian territories. As a result, Vijayanagar kings proceeded against Venad. In 1609 Kanyakumari fell into the hands of Viswanatha Nayak of Madurai. Consequent to this, there was no serious threat to Nanjilnadu until 1634. During the regime of Ravi Varma and Marthanda Varma, Venad was disturbed by the internal strife.
Sanda Sahib of Arcot took advantage of this situation and attacked Nanjilnadu. Although Marthanda Varma was victorious in the battle of Colachel and defeated the Dutch armouries who helped the local feudatories, he could not cope with the threat from Sanda Sahib, which forced him to withdraw from the battlefield. After Marthanda Varma, Venad had weak rulers and as a result there was frequent interference by the British (who knew it as Kanyakumari) whose control was completely established over Venad and continued until 1947. From 1947 to 1956, it was under the personal rule of Maharaja of Travancore. Later it was reoccupied and merged with Tamilnadu.
Modern history
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Kanyakumari has been a great centre for art and religion for centuries. It was also an area of great trade and commerce. It was ruled by the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks. The architectural beauty of the temples in the area are the works of these rulers. Later Kanyakumari became part of the Venad kingdom with its capital at Quilon. The king of Venad, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, established Travancore by extending his domain further north up to Azhva, during his reign from 1729 to 1758. By this, the present Kanyakumari District came to be known as Southern Travancore. In 1741, Maharaja Marthanda Varma defeated the Dutch East India Company at the famous Battle of Colachel.
Kanyakumari was under the rule of the Pandyan Kings till the downfall of Pandyas, and later by kings of Travancore under the overall suzerainty of the British (as "Cape Comorin") until 1947, when India became independent. Travancore joined the independent Indian Union in 1947. The reign of the Travancore royals came to an end.
In 1949, Kanyakumari became part of the reconstituted Travancore-Cochin State. Around this time, a popular agitation by the Tamil-speaking people of the district for the amalgamation of Kanyakumari District with Tamil Nadu intensified under the leadership of Marshal Nesamony who is called as 'Kumari Thanthai' (Father of Kanyakumari district). Marshal Nesamony was instrumental in the merger of Kanyakumari district with Tamil Nadu (then known as Madras State) in 1956 during the linguistic reorganisation of states.
Demographics
As of the census of India 2001, Kanniyakumari had a population of 19,739 comprising 9,884 males and 9,855 females, making the sex ratio (number of females per thousand males) of the town to 997. A total of 2,403 people were under six years of age and the child sex ratio (number of females per thousand males under six years of age) stood at 1,024. The town had an average literacy of 88.62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%.There were total of 4,236 households in the town.and sunrise is the famous part of kanyakumari As of 2001, Kanyakumari had a total of 5,929 main workers: 11 cultivators, 78 agricultural labourers, 66 in house hold industries and 5,774 other workers. There were a total of 119 marginal workers: 4 marginal cultivators, 3 marginal agricultural labourers, 11 marginal workers in household industries and 101 other marginal workers .

Geography

Kanyakumari is located at 8.08°N 77.57°E.[6] It has an average elevation of 300 metre. Kanyakumari does lie at the meeting point of three bodies of water, but it mainly borders only one: the Laccadive Sea to the south. It is the confluence of the Western Coastal Plains and Eastern Coastal Plains.
It is located at the southern tip and southernmost point of the Indian Subcontinent. However, the southernmost point of the Republic of India is at Indira Point on Great Nicobar Island, at 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E.
Kanyakumari is used geographically to define southern end of the Coromandel Coast region

Pilgrimage

Kanya Kumari is notable for pilgrimage and tourism. The place takes its name from the goddess Devi Kanya Kumari, considered to be a sister of Krishna. Women pray to her for marriage. The goddess is believed to be the one who removes the rigidity of our mind. The temple here is a Shakti Peetha, one of the holiest shrines of the Mother goddess. Also nearby are eleven sacred theertham.
The place was called Kanyashram of the Baalaambika, the deity of the temple. The sea ablution for Pitr Tarpan is done here. This is one of the rare temples in India where Devi (Mother Goddess) is worshipped as a child. The rites and rituals are done in the Kerala Namboothiri method, so there are slight differences in the way of worship compared to the temples of the nearby region. The deity is the goddess of Sanasa, so people from all over India who desire to devote their life as Sanyasin come here and take the deeksha. Swami Vivekananda came to this temple as directed by his Guru Shri Ramakrishna Prarama Hamsa, being a Sanyasin. The temple is very old and is mentioned in ancient Sanskrit literature.
The beach sands are multi-coloured and likened to a mythological story.
There is a shrine for Kalabhairava in the temple. It is said that the backbone area of Sati Devi’s corpse fell here.
The place is famous for Agastyar mala where Sage Agastya lived. He is the founder of Siddha vydya, so there is innumerable medicinal plants available here. He is also considered as the founder of Varma Kalai, a form of martial arts.
Another pilgrimage is Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil nearby.
At the Thanumalayan Temple in Suchindram, the three main gods of Hindu mythology – Śiva, Brahmā and Vishnu – are in one form called thanumalayan.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

 Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock.[1] According to local legends, it was on this rock that Goddess Kumari performed austerity. A meditation hall known as Dhyana Mandapam is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. The rocks are surrounded by the Laccadive Sea. The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. 

 

Initiation of the Memorial

In January 1962, on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birth centenary, a group of people formed the Kanyakumari Committee whose objective was to put up a memorial on the rock and a pedestrian bridge leading to the rock. Almost simultaneously, the Ramakrishna Mission in Madras planned about this memorial.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari
However, this news was not taken in good taste by a sizable population of the local Catholic fishermen. They put up a big Cross on the Rock, visible from the shore.
This led to protests by the Hindu population who said the Rock was a place of worship for Hindus. A judicial probe ordered by the Madras (now Tamil Nadu) government stated in unequivocal terms that the rock was Vivekananda Rock, and that the Cross was a trespass. Amid all this acrimony, the Cross was removed secretly in the night. The situation turned volatile and the Rock was declared a prohibited area with armed guards patrolling it.
The Government realised that the Rock was turning into an area of dispute with Hindus claiming it to be the Vivekananda Rock and Christians that it was St. Xavier’s Rock. It decreed that although the rock was Vivekananda Rock, there would be no memorial constructed on it. The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M. Bhaktavatsalam, said that only a tablet declaring that the rock was associated with Swami Vivekananda could be put up, and nothing else. With government permission, the tablet was installed on the Rock on 17 January 1963.

Role of Eknath Ranade

The first step he took on being asked to take charge of the Rock Memorial work, was to ascertain that this effort had the full support of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. He was made the Organising Secretary of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee so that he was officially in charge of the Rock Memorial mission.
The immediate obstacles were Bhaktavatsalam’s stand that he would not allow the memorial to come up as Humayun Kabir, the Union Minister for Cultural Affairs, had said that the natural beauty of the Rock would be spoiled.
Kabir’s constituency was Calcutta. When Ranade publicised in Calcutta, that it was Kabir who was against the creation of Memorial of one of the greatest sons of Bengal, there was such a hue and cry that Kabir had to do a volte-face. However, to prevail over Bhaktavatsalam, only the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s support would do.
To that end, on Lal Bahadur Shastri’s advice, Ranade camped in Delhi. In three days, he collected the signatures of 323 Members of Parliament in a show of all-round support for the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which was presented to the Prime Minister. Bhaktavatsalam had no option now but to allow the construction of the Rock Memorial.
Bhaktavatsalam had given permission only for a small 15’ x 15’ shrine. Knowing his reverence for the Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Ranade approached the latter for suggesting the design of the Rock Memorial. Bhaktavatsalam unhesitatingly agreed to the larger design (130’-1½" x 56’)approved by the Paramacharya.
Once all the political hurdles were removed, construction was underway. Ranade was in the forefront facing all the challenges that came his way: to establish scientifically that the Rock was structurally sound and could support such a huge structure on it; the logistics of quarrying and transporting large blocks of stone from great distances, and from the shore to the Rock; provision of water and power supplies; the growing demand for skilled artisans, craftsmen, and labor; building of jetty platforms on the rock and the shore (the pedestrian footbridge idea to the Rock was dropped); the de-silting around the jetty platform areas to enable bigger crafts to approach the shore, and so on.
The biggest and ever-present challenge, however, was that of financing the whole operation. Ranade’s belief in the success of the Rock Memorial mission was so strong, that he never slowed down the pace of work when funds were in paucity. He brushed aside the discouragement of others whose belief was not as strong and started a fund-campaign.
Ranade believed that as the Vivekananda Rock Memorial was a national monument, every Indian should be invited to contribute to its construction. He approached almost every State government and asked for their contribution, making a special effort to go to the north-eastern states of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh so that they could also feel a part of the national endeavor.
But the bulk of the contributions came from the general public. Ranade launched the campaign of one-rupee folders throughout the nation, which were used to mobilize the donations of the common man, starting from as tiny an amount as a rupee. Thus so many people visiting the Rock Memorial could feel with justified pride that they too had contributed to that monument.
Within the unbelievably short period of six years, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial was inaugurated in 1970, and dedicated to the nation.

The Living Memorial

The establishment of Vivekananda Kendra—the Living Memorial alongside the stone structure of the Rock Memorial—was mentioned in 1964. After the groundwork of about nine years, Vivekananda Kendra was officially founded on 7 January 1972 (the 108th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda by the Hindu calendar). On that day, as the sun rose, a saffron flag with Om inscribed on it was unfurled on the Vivekananda Rock Memorial to celebrate the founding of the Vivekananda Kendra: a spiritually oriented service mission of non-monastic order.
The tradition of penance was to be continued by young men and women coming as Karyakartas of Vivekananda Kendra to spread the following message of Swami Vivekananda:
A hundred thousand men and women, fired with the zeal of holiness, fortified with eternal faith in the Lord, and nerved to lion’s courage by their sympathy for the poor and the fallen and the downtrodden, will go over the length and breadth of the land, preaching the gospel of salvation, the gospel of help, the gospel of social raising up, the gospel of equality.
The twin objectives of Vivekananda Kendra are man-making and nation-building. Shri Eknath Ranade decided that Vivekananda Kendra was to be a cadre-based organisation. Young men and women whose hearts long to serve the nation would be provided the opportunity and the right platform to serve God in man.
When Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial was blueprinted, it was modeled by E. Thanumalayan, a student of the S. T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. He modeled it with paraffin wax. The Memorial is the fusion of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu architecture and the design of Ramakrishna Math, Belur, West Bengal. He was deeply appreciated by the then Madras Chief Minister Bhaktavatsalam for its aesthetic quality.
SOURCES : WIKIPEDIA 
POSTED BY : VIPUL KOUL
 

SMT. DULARI BHAT PRESENTLY RESIDING AT BALHAMA , KASHMIR

It is not known precisely where
angels dwell whether in the air,
the void, or the planets. It has not
been God's pleasure that we
should be informed of their
abode.Praise God, from whom all
blessings flow! Praise Her, all
creatures here below! Praise Her
above, ye heavenly host! Praise
her Holy Soul.

FROM
MR.KULDEEP DHAR
&
MRS.VINAY DHAR
 WITH GRIEF AND SORROW ,THAT OUR NEAR AND DEAR SMT. DULARI BHAT PRESENTLY RESIDING AT BALHAMA , KASHMIR WHO PASSED AWAY ON 26 NOVEMBER ,2018.OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ARE WITH THE POOR FAMILY & WE PRAY TO ALMIGHTY GOD TO POUR COURAGE TO THE FAMILY.(SHIVLOKAS AAESNES JAE )

"Gita Dhyanam" (Meditation on the Gita)

"Gita Dhyanam" (Meditation on the Gita) is a Sanskrit Poem with Nine verses which is usually sung before the beginning of Bhagavad Gita reading, the most popular scriptures of the Hindus.
Thi sings of the power of the message of Gita, and how it is in essence the Gist of Upanishads, thus inturn the message of Santana Dharma
Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita Dhyanam Lyrics (English+Sanskrit) & Meaning (English)
1
ॐ पार्थाय प्रतिबोधितां भगवता नारायणेन स्वयं व्यासेन ग्रथितां पुराणमुनिना मध्ये महाभारतम् ।
अद्वैतामृतवर्षिणीं भगवतीम्- अष्टादशाध्यायिनीम् अम्ब त्वामनुसन्दधामि भगवद्- गीते भवद्वेषिणीम् ॥ १॥
Om Parthaya prathi bodhithm bhagawataa naaraayanena swayam, Vyasaena gratitaam Puraana muninaa madhye Mahabaratam
Advaitamruta varshaneem bhagawteem ashta dashaa dhyayineem, Ambaa twaam anusandadhaami bhagavad geete bhava dweshineem.
Bhagavad Gita taught to Arjuna, by Lord Narayana himself, written in the middle of the Mahabharata by the Old Sage Vyasa
O Divine mother, she who showers Elixir of Advaita on us, O mother of 18 chapters, I meditate on thee, O Bhagavad gita, the destroyer of illusion of manifestation (Samsaara)
2
नमोऽस्तु ते व्यास विशालबुद्धे फुल्लारविन्दायतपत्रनेत्र ।
येन त्वया भारततैलपूर्णः प्रज्वालितो ज्ञानमयः प्रदीपः ॥ २॥
Namosthuthe Vyasa vishala buddhe, phullaravindayatha pathra nethra
Yena tvayaa Bhaarata thaila poorna prajvalito jnanamayah pradeepah.
Salutations O Vyasa(the author), one with the great intellect, with eyes like the fully blossomed lotus
Through whom, the lamp of light is filled with oil of knowledge.
3
प्रपन्नपारिजाताय तोत्रवेत्रैकपाणये ।
ज्ञानमुद्राय कृष्णाय गीतामृतदुहे नमः ॥ ३॥
Prapanna paarijaataaya , totra vetraika paanaye
Jnaana mudraaya Krishnaaya geetamrita duhe namah.
Salutations to Krishna, the bestower of all desires of the desirees.
The holder of JnanaMudra, the milker of the Elixir of Bhagavad Gita.
4
सर्वोपनिषदो गावो दोग्धा गोपाल नन्दनः ।
पार्थो वत्सः सुधीर्भोक्ता दुग्धं गीतामृतं महत् ॥ ४॥
Sarvaopanishado gaavo dogdhaa Gopala Nandana
Partho vatsah sudheer bhoktaa dugdham Geetamritam mahat.
All the Upanishads are cows; the Milker is Krishna, the cowherd boy;
Arjuna is the calf; Wise and pure men drink the milk, the supreme, immortal nectar of the Gita
5
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम् ।
देवकीपरमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ ५॥
Vasudeva sutam devam kamsa Chanoora mardhanam
Devaki paramaanandam Krishnam vande Jagad Gurum.
O son of Vasudeva, O Lord who destroyed Kamsa and Chanuura
O Joy of mother Devaki, Salutations O Krishna, the teacher of the world.
6
भीष्मद्रोणतटा जयद्रथजला गान्धारनीलोत्पला शल्यग्राहवती कृपेण वहनी कर्णेन वेलाकुला ।
अश्वत्थामविकर्णघोरमकरा दुर्योधनावर्तिनी सोत्तीर्णा खलु पाण्डवै रणनदी कैवर्तकः केशवः ॥ ६॥
Bheeshma drona thata jayadratha jalaa , Gandhaara neelothphala, Shalyagrahavatee , kripena vahanee , karnena Velaakulaa
Aswathama Vikarnaa ghora Makaraa Duryodhana varthinee, Sotheerno khalu Pandavai , rana nadhee kaivarthakah Kesavah.
Bheeshma, Drona were the two banks , Jayadrada was the water, Shakuni (king of Gandhara) was the blue lotus, Shalya was the crocodile , Kripa was the tide , Karna was the mighty wave.
Aswathama and Vikarna were the dangerous alligators, Duryodhana was the whirlpool, Pandavas crossed this river of war with Krishna as their helmsman.
7
पाराशर्यवचः सरोजममलं गीतार्थगन्धोत्कटं नानाख्यानककेसरं हरिकथा- सम्बोधनाबोधितम् ।
लोके सज्जनषट्पदैरहरहः पेपीयमानं मुदा भूयाद्भारतपङ्कजं कलिमल- प्रध्वंसिनः श्रेयसे ॥ ७॥
Paraasharayavacha sarojamamalam Geetartha gandothkatam, Nanakhyanaka kesaram harikatha sambodhanaa bodhitam
Loke sajjana shat padairaharaha pepeeyamaanam mudaa, Bhooyad Bharatha pankajam kali mala pradhwamsinah shreyase.
May this lotus of the Mahabharata, born in the lake of the words of Vyasa (Son of Parashara), with intense sweet fragrance of the essense of Gita, with many stories as its stamens, fully opened by the discourses on Hari, the destroyer of the effects of Kaliyuga, and drunk joyously by the bees of good men in the world, day by day become the bestower of good to us.
8
मूकं करोति वाचालं पङ्गुं लङ्घयते गिरिम् ।
यत्कृपा तमहं वन्दे परमानन्दमाधवम् ॥ ८॥
Mookam karoti vaachaalam , pangum lankayathe girim
Yath krupa thaham vandhe Paramananda madhavam.
I bow down to Sri Krishna, the source of all joy, whose compassion brings speech from the lips of the dumb and carries the lame over mountains
9
यं ब्रह्मा वरुणेन्द्ररुद्रमरुतः स्तुन्वन्ति दिव्यैः स्तवैः वेदैः साङ्गपदक्रमोपनिषदैः गायन्ति यं सामगाः ।
ध्यानावस्थिततद्गतेन मनसा पश्यन्ति यं योगिनः यस्यान्तं न विदुः सुरासुरगणाः देवाय तस्मै नमः ॥ ९॥
Yam brahmaVaruna indra Rudra marutah sthunvanthi divyai stavai, Vedai saang padakrama upanishadai gayanhi yam Saamagaah
Dhyanasthita tadgatena manasa pasyanti yam Yoginah, Yasyantam na viduh surasura ganaah devaaya tasmai namah.
Salutation to him who is worshipped with divine chants by Brahma, Varuna, Indra , Rudra, Maruta, Who is pleased by singers of Sama Veda by singing Vedas and Upanishads following the word sequence, Who is seen by yogis who are absorbed in him, with their mind merging in him, And whose end is not known even by the hoards of devas and Asuras.
By: vipul koul 

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

स्वामी रामसुखदास जी के जीवन का अन्तिम प्रवचन - 29 जून 2005 - सांय 4 बजे

Swami Chidananda- An Ideal Yogi

Swami Chidananda-  An Ideal Yogi
by
 Swami Adhyatmanada  

 
During annual spiritual retreat at Sri Ramtirth Ashram-Rajpur of Sri Sri Anandmai Maa, Maa  kept on asking repeatedly, why Baba is not eating properly. Instead of giving proper reply, with all curiosity Swami Adyatmanandaji asked the question, “There are so many Mahatmas here, why is Maa very keen to know about Baba’s food habits?”  
“Baba”, she referred to Revered Gurudev Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj. Maa always addressed all mahatmas as Baba. In answer to my query Maa elaborated, “Baba ko eke bar trupti se bhojan diya tho eke Aswamegha yajna ka phal milega.”  Meaning thereby, If you serve heart content meal to revered Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, it would earn you punya (merits) of having performed one Ashvamegh Yajna.  It’s a very rare  blessings indeed!!!
From Rajpur we went to Landourcant at  Mrs. and Brigadier K. K. Karai’s home. There Swamiji had a really heart content mid-day meal. Once after Navaratri fasting, at Haridwar railway station Rev. Sri Omprem Mataji brought cow milk with sugar, saffron and cardamom. It was swamiji’s solid food after eleven day fasting only on water. Swamiji by paying his gratitude towards Rev Omprem Mataji said, “Aaj aapne hamko trupt kar diya.” At night swami Adyatmanandaji asked Rev. Gurudev that many months before at Rajpur Ramtirth Ashram Maa said that if you were satisfied with heart content meal, choicest heavenly blessings would be adorned upon the person who has served the food to your  holiness.  Are Mother Omprem Devi and Mrs. K K Karai going to be the recipient of such heavenly divine merits?  Rev. Swamiji Maharaj replied at once “ If Maa has made such statement then really they will incur such merits.”  
With all sincerity and curiosity once Swami Adyatmanandaji asked Rev. Swamiji “How is Swamiji managing with such a little food, where as in the past he had quite a few opportunities to have meals together and he had observed that Swamiji used to have regular meals?”  
As an explanation to the above intriguing question, Rev. Swamiji Maharaj narrated an episode from his childhood memory, “From early childhood, I aspired to be a Yogi. I myself was baffled as to how the yogi survives with the minimal food. I kept on enquiring until I got credible answer from our cook. He explained that the yogi retired in the forest carried with him a sandalwood bowl in which he would take his meal.  He would rub the bowl upside down on the stone to make sandalwood paste for his daily worship. Slowly but surely, the size of the bowl would reduce and so did the food intake of the yogi. Having adopted similar method, I have reduced my food intake systematically over the years.  
As a result, for about last two and a half years worshipful and Rev. Swamiji Maharaj is taking only one full glass of simple buttermilk. Hard to believe but it is true. It is possible because of unparalleled tenacity, dogged self-control, resolute sense-control and oneness with cosmic energy.  
The path of the Self -realization is very tough.  It does not allow for physical comforts and the pampering of the mind. Once Rev. Swami Ramsukhdasji Maharaj, a hundred year old renowned sage of Gita Bhavan, said; “When comfort increases the sincerity in sadhana decreases. A practice of austerity is a must. A piece of daily bread and a pair of loin clothe is enough to survive and undertake sadhana (spiritual practices) for the realization of the absolute.”  More you dive deep in the inner most recesses of the heart, more you will find the pearls of divinity. The divine gem is within you. What you need is sincerity and being true to your own Self.  
Life of Rev. Sri Swamiji Maharaj itself is a great lesson and message to the modern mankind. He lives, rather breathes to do good, good and good to the known and unknown. To Him from ant to elephant everything is Hari. His  Self-realization  is being experienced day and night by his devotees or many of those fortunate souls who had or having an opportunity to be with him, near or around him.  
His concern for every small matter makes one thinks that his existence itself is for that particular task at hand at that moment. He is whole heartedly and totally engrossed in his divine being that is beyond concept, cognition or perception of the individual being. Though he engages himself to be in daily affairs of worldly activities, he is beyond this gross phenomenal world. He is simply divine.  
Once Rev Sri Satya Sai Babaji expressed to Swami Adyatmanandaji, “Present existence of the world, peace and blessedness of the mankind is all due to Rev. Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj’s physical existence on this planet earth.”  
His existence on the earth is for the upliftment of  each one of his followers and sincere seekers of the truth to the highest realm.  
Today the followers of the Divine Life Society and His Devotees all over the world are celebrating 88th birthday of His Holiness. Let us pray: “Oh Supreme blessedness, we are Thine Thou art ours, Thy will be done.”  
May His divine grace and blessings enlighten us and guide us to realize the truth in this very birth here and now.
OM SHANTI  
posted by ...........vipul koul.
sources .gita presses. gorakhpur 


Selected Photos of Guru Maharaj
Chida-51.JPG (64222 bytes)

स्वामी रामसुखदास

स्वामी राम सुखदास (१९०४ - ३ जुलाई २००५) भारतवर्ष के अत्यन्त उच्च कोटि के विरले वीतरागी संन्यासी थे। वे गीताप्रेस के तीन कर्णाधारों में से एक थे। अन्य दो हैं- श्री जयदयाल गोयन्दका तथा श्री हनुमान प्रसाद पोद्दार

परिचय

स्वामी रामसुखदास का जन्म राजस्थान के नागौर जिले के ग्राम माडपुरा में रूघाराम पिडवा के यहाँ माघ शुक्ला त्रियोदशी सन् 1904 में हुआ। उनकी माता कुन्नीबाई के सहोदर भ्राता सद्दाराम रामस्नेही सम्प्रदाय के साधु थे।
४ वर्ष की आयु में ही माताजी ने राम सुखदास को इनके चरणो में भेट कर दिया। किसी समय स्वामी कान्हीराम गांवचाडी ने आजीवन शिष्य बनाने के लिए आपको मांग लिया। शिक्षा दीक्षा के पश्चात वे सम्प्रदाय का मोह छोडकर विरक्त (संन्यासी) हो गये और उन्होंने गीता के मर्म को साक्षात् किया और अपने प्रवचनो से निरन्तर अमृत वर्षा करने लगे। गीता प्रेस गोरखपुर द्वारा संचालित समस्त साहित्य का आप वर्षो तक संचालन करते रहे। आपने सदा परिव्राजक रूपमें सदा गाँव-गाँव, शहरोंमें भ्रमण करते हुए गीताजीका ज्ञान जन-जन तक पहुँचाया और साधु-समाजके लिए एक आदर्श स्थापित किया कि साधु-जीवन कैसे त्यागमय, अपरिग्रही, अनिकेत और जल-कमलवत् होना चाहिए और सदा एक-एक क्षणका सदुपयोग करके लोगोंको अपनेमें न लगाकर सदा भगवान्‌में लगाकर; कोई आश्रम, शिष्य न बनाकर और सदा अमानी रहकर, दूसरोकों मान देकर द्रव्य-संग्रह, व्यक्तिपूजासे सदा कोसों दूर रहकर अपने चित्रकी कोई पूजा न करवाकर लोग भगवान्‌में लगें ऐसा आदर्श स्थापित कर गंगातट, स्वर्गाश्रम, हृषिकेशमें आषाढ़ कृष्ण द्वादशी वि॰सं॰२०६२ (दि. ३.७.२००५) ब्राह्ममुहूर्त में (3 बजकर 40 मिनिट) भगवद्-धाम पधारे।

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जानने योग्य जानकारी  (श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्रीरामसुखदासजी महाराज के विषय में)। 
प्रश्न-  क्या आप श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्रीरामसुखदासजी महाराज के विषय में कुछ बता सकते हैं?
उत्तर-  हाँ, बता सकते हैं।
प्रश्न- तो बताइये, वे कहाँ के थे और क्या करते थे? तथा उनके सिद्धान्त कैसे थे?। सही- सही बताना।
उत्तर-  जी, हाँ । सही-सही बातें ही बतायी जायेगी; क्योंकि हमको यह जानकारी उन (श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्रीरामसुखदासजी महाराज) के द्वारा ही मिली है।
श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्रीरामसुखदासजी महाराज ने अपने रहने के लिये कहीं भी कोई स्थान नहीं बनवाया। आप गाँव गाँव और शहर आदि में जा- जाकर कर लोगों को सत्संग सुनाया करते थे और भिक्षान्न से ही अपना शरीर निर्वाह करते थे।  जहाँ भी रहते थे,उस स्थान को भी अपना नहीं मानते थे।
जानकारी के लिए प्रस्तुत है उनके ही विचार- 
  " मेरे विचार " 
( श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्रीरामसुखदासजी महाराज)  ।
१. वर्तमान समय की आवश्यकताओंको देखते हुए मैं अपने कुछ विचार प्रकट कर रहा हूँ। मैं चाहता हूँ कि अगर कोई व्यक्ति मेरे नामसे इन विचारों, सिद्धान्तोंके विरुद्ध आचरण करता हुआ दिखे तो उसको ऐसाकरनेसे यथाशक्ति रोकनेकी चेष्टा की जाय ।
२. मेरे दीक्षागुरुका शरीर शान्त होनेके बाद जब वि० सं० १९८७ में मैंने उनकी बरसी कर ली, तब ऐसा पक्का विचार कर लिया कि अब एक तत्त्वप्राप्तिके सिवाय कुछ नहीं करना है । किसीसे कुछ माँगना नहीं है । रुपयोंको अपने पास न रखना है, न छूना है । अपनी ओरसे कहीं जाना नहीं है, जिसको गरज होगी, वह ले जायगा । इसके बाद मैं गीताप्रेसके संस्थापक सेठजी श्रीजयदयालजी गोयन्दकाके सम्पर्कमें आया । वे मेरी दृष्टिमें भगवत्प्राप्त महापुरुष थे । मेरे जीवन पर उनका विशेष प्रभाव पड़ा ।
३. मैंने किसी भी व्यक्ति, संस्था, आश्रम आदिसे व्यक्तिगत सम्बन्ध नहीं जोड़ा है । यदि किसी हेतुसे सम्बन्ध जोड़ा भी हो, तो वह तात्कालिक था, सदाके लिये नहीं । मैं सदा तत्त्व का अनुयायी रहा हूँ, व्यक्तिका नहीं ।
४. मेरा सदासे यह विचार रहा है कि लोग मुझमें अथवा किसी व्यक्तिविशेषमें न लगकर भगवानमें ही लगें । व्यक्तिपूजाका मैं कड़ा निषेध करता हूँ ।
५. मेरा कोई स्थान, मठ अथवा आश्रम नहीं है । मेरी कोई गद्दी नहीं है और न ही मैंने किसीको अपना शिष्य प्रचारक अथवा उत्तराधिकारी बनाया है । मेरे बाद मेरी पुस्तकें (और रिकार्ड की हुई वाणी) ही साधकोंका मार्ग-दर्शन करेंगी । गीताप्रेसकी पुस्तकोंका प्रचार, गोरक्षा तथा सत्संगका मैं सदैव समर्थक रहा हूँ ।
६. मैं अपना चित्र खींचने, चरण-स्पर्श करने,जय-जयकार करने,माला पहनाने आदिका कड़ा निषेध करता हूँ ।
७. मैं प्रसाद या भेंटरूपसे किसीको माला, दुपट्टा, वस्त्र, कम्बल आदि प्रदान नहीं करता । मैं खुद भिक्षासे ही शरीर-निर्वाह करता हूँ ।
८. सत्संग-कार्यक्रमके लिये रुपये (चन्दा) इकट्ठा करनेका मैं विरोध करता हूँ ।
९. मैं किसीको भी आशीर्वाद/शाप या वरदान नहीं देता और न ही अपनेको इसके योग्य समझता हूँ ।
१०. मैं अपने दर्शनकी अपेक्षा गंगाजी, सूर्य अथवा भगवद्विग्रहके दर्शनको ही अधिक महत्त्व देता हूँ ।
११. रुपये और स्त्री -- इन दोके स्पर्श को मैंने सर्वथा त्याग किया है ।
१२. जिस पत्र-पत्रिका अथवा स्मारिकामें विज्ञापन छपते हों, उनमें मैं अपना लेख प्रकाशित करने का निषेध करता हूँ । इसी तरह अपनी दूकान, व्यापार आदिके प्रचारके लिये प्रकाशित की जानेवाली सामग्री (कैलेण्डर आदि) में भी मेरा नाम छापनेका मैं निषेध करता हूँ । गीताप्रेसकी पुस्तकोंके प्रचारके सन्दर्भमें यह नियम लागू नहीं है ।
१३. मैंने सत्संग (प्रवचन) में ऐसी मर्यादा रखी है कि पुरुष और स्त्रियाँ अलग-अलग बैठें । मेरे आगे थोड़ी दूरतक केवल पुरुष बैठें । पुरुषोंकी व्यवस्था पुरुष और स्त्रियोंकी व्यवस्था स्त्रियाँ ही करें । किसी बातका समर्थन करने अथवा भगवानकी जय बोलनेके समय केवल पुरुष ही अपने हाथ ऊँचे करें, स्त्रियाँ नहीं ।
१४. कर्मयोग, ज्ञानयोग और भक्तियोग - तीनोंमें मैं भक्तियोगको सर्वश्रेष्ठ मानता हूँ और परमप्रेमकी प्राप्तिमें ही मानवजीवनकी पूर्णता मानता हूँ ।
१५. जो वक्ता अपनेको मेरा अनुयायी अथवा कृपापात्र बताकर लोगों से मान-बड़ाई करवाता है, रुपये लेता है, स्त्रियोंसे सम्पर्क रखता है, भेंट लेता है अथवा वस्तुएँ माँगता है, उसको ठग समझना चाहिये । जो मेरे नामसे रुपये इकट्ठा करता है, वह बड़ा पाप करता है । उसका पाप क्षमा करने योग्य नहीं है ।

श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्रीरामसुखदासजी महाराज ।
ऐसे (मेरे विचार) एक संतकी वसीयत (प्रकाशक-गीताप्रेस गोरखपुर) नामक पुस्तक (पृष्ठ १२,१३ ) में भी छपे हुए  हैं।  

इस प्रकार आप एक महान् विलक्षण महापुरुष थे। आप कौन थे? इस विषय में तो स्वयं आप ही जानते हैं , दूसरे नहीं। दूसरे लोग तो अटकलें लगाकर अपनी बुद्धि का परिचय देते हैं।
आपने श्री मद् भगवद् गीता पर एक अद्वितीय हिन्दी टीका लिखी है। जिसका कोई अगर मन लगाकर ठीक तरह से अध्ययन करे, तो परमात्मतत्त्व का बोध हो सकता है। गीताजी का रहस्य समझ में आ सकता है। घर परिवार और संसार में रहने की विद्या आ सकती है। सब दुख,चिन्ता, भय आदि सदा- सदा के लिये मिट सकते हैं और आनन्द हो सकता है।
इसी प्रकार उनकी "गीता-दर्पण", "गीता-माधुर्य", "साधन-सुधा-सिन्धु," "गृहस्थ में कैसे रहें?" आदि करीब सत्तर अस्सी से भी अधिक पुस्तकें छपी हुई है और उनके सत्संग, प्रवचनों की की हुई लगातार सोलह वर्षों (1990 से 2005 तक ) की ओडियो रिकोर्डिंग है तथा उससे पहले के सत्संग प्रवचनों की भी काफी रिकोर्डिंग है।
गीताप्रेस के संस्थापक सेठजी श्री जयदयाल जी गोयन्दका और आपने पुस्तकों तथा सत्संग प्रवचनों के द्वारा दुनियाँ का बङा भारी उपकार किया है । दुनियाँ सदा-सदा के लिये आपकी ऋणी रहेंगी।
( आप दोनों महापुरुषों के प्रथम मिलन का वर्णन तारीख एक अप्रैल उन्नीस सौ इकरानवें (दि.19910401/900 ) के दिन नौ बजेके प्रवचनमें स्वयं 'परम श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्री रामसुखदासजी महाराज' ने गीताप्रेस, गोरखपुरमें किया है और दि. 19951205/830 बजेके सत्संगमें भी किया है।
तथा
"महापुरुषों के सत्संग की बातें " नामक पुस्तक में भी आप दोनों महापुरुषों के मिलन का वर्णन है)।
आपका कहना है कि परमात्मा की प्राप्ति कठिन नहीं है। परमात्मा की प्राप्ति बङी सुगमता से हो सकती है और बहुत जल्दी, तत्काल हो सकती है। मनुष्य मात्र परमात्मप्राप्ति का जन्मजात अधिकारी है, चाहे कोई कैसा ही क्यों न हो। कम से- कम समय में और मूर्ख से मूर्ख मनुष्य को तथा पापी से पापी मनुष्य को भी परमात्मा की प्राप्ति हो सकती है।
जो मनुष्य जहाँ और जिस परिस्थिति में है, वह उसी परिस्थिति में और वहीं परमात्मा की प्राप्ति कर सकता है, कल्याण कर सकता है, मुक्ति पा सकता है। (परिस्थिति आदि बदलने की जरूरत नहीं है)।
... वास्तविक बोध करण- निरपेक्ष (अपने- आप से) ही होता है। 
(गीता "साधक-संजीवनी" २|२९;)।
भगवत्प्राप्ति के लिये न तो कहीं जाने की जरूरत है और न वेष बदल कर साधू बनने की जरूरत है ।
जिस परमात्मा से सम्पूर्ण प्राणियों की प्रवृत्ति (उत्पत्ति) होती है (और) जिससे यह सम्पूर्ण संसार व्याप्त है, उस परमात्मा का अपने कर्म के द्वारा पूजन करके मनुष्यमात्र सिद्धि को प्राप्त हो जाता है।
(गीता "साधक-संजीवनी" १८|४६;)
(सिद्धि अर्थात् परमात्मा को प्राप्त हो जाता है) ।
मेरा आश्रय लेनेवाला भक्त सदा सब कर्म करता हुआ भी मेरी कृपा से शाश्वत अविनाशी पद को प्राप्त हो जाता है।
(गीता "साधक-संजीवनी" १८|५६;)।     यदि परमात्मप्राप्ति की उत्कट अभिलाषा अभी जाग्रत हो जाय, तो अभी ही परमात्मा का अनुभव हो जाय।  
(गीता "साधक-संजीवनी" ३|२०;)।
ऐसी अनेक बातें आपने अपने गीता साधक-संजीवनी आदि ग्रंथों में और अपने सत्संग प्रवचनों में बताई है; जो बङी सरल, श्रेष्ठ और शीघ्र भगवत्प्राप्ति करवाने वाली हैं। हमारे को चाहिये कि शीघ्र ही उनसे लाभ ले लें।
आपने भगवत्प्राप्ति के ऐसे नये- नये अनेक साधनों का आविष्कार किया है।
प्रश्न-  तब श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्रीरामसुखदासजी महाराज साधू क्यों बने?
उत्तर-  ऐसा प्रश्न एक व्यक्ति ने श्री स्वामी जी महाराज से भी किया था कि आप साधू क्यों बने?
जवाब में श्री स्वामी जी महाराज बोले कि मैं साधू नहीं बना। (मेरी माँ ने साधू बना दिया। आपका माताजी के प्रति बङा आदर भाव था)।
प्रश्न-  माताजी ने आपको साधू क्यों बनाया?
उत्तर- आपकी माताजी बङी श्रेष्ठ और भगवान् का भजन करने वाली थी। आप भगवान् के भजन से ही मानव जीवन की सफ़लता मानती थी। आप राम नाम जपती थी। आपको बहुत भजन कण्ठस्थ थे। अनेक संतों की वाणी आती (याद) थी । आप संत- महात्माओं में बङी श्रद्धा भक्ति रखती थी। संत- महात्माओं पर भी असर था कि ये माताजी बङे जानकार हैं। माताजी का गाँव था माडपुरा (जिला नागौर; राजस्थान)।
आपके यहाँ जब कोई संत-महात्मा पधारते, तब आप और सखियाँ भजन (हरियश) गाया करती थी।
एक बार की बात है कि आपके यहाँ संत श्री जियारामजी महाराज पधारे । सखियों ने आप (माताजी) से भजन गाने के लिये कहा। आपने गाया नहीं। तब किसी ने महाराज से कह दिया कि ये भजन नहीं गा रही है। किसी ने कहा कि ये गावे कैसे ! इनके तो लङका चला हुआ है (शान्त हो गया है। आपके बालक जन्मते थे और शान्त हो जाते थे,ज्यादा जीते नहीं थे) । तब श्री जियाराम जी महाराज ने कहा कि रामजी और देंगे (लङका) । आप तो भजन गाओ। तब आपने भजन गाया।
भगवत्कृपा से जब आपके लङका हुआ तो लाकर जियारामजी महाराज को सौंप दिया। महाराज ने कहा कि यह बालक तो आप रखो। अबकी बार बालक होवे तब दे देना। तब उस बालक को माताजी ने अपने पास में रख लिया।
उसके बाद (संवत १९५८ में) जियारामजी महाराज परम धाम पधार गये (शरीर छोङ दिया)। फिर दो वर्षों के बाद (संवत १९६० में) माताजी के जब दूसरा बालक हुआ और वो चार वर्ष का हो गया, तब उसको माताजी ने जियारामजी महाराज के बाद वाले संतों को दे दिया, साधू बना दिया। संतों ने इनको अपना शिष्य बना लिया। बालक के जन्म का नाम था सुखदेव। फिर इनका नाम हुआ - श्रद्धेय स्वामीजी श्रीरामसुखदासजी महाराज ।
गुरुजनों के प्रति आपका बङा आदर भाव था। उनके कहने से आपने संस्कृत आदि विद्याएँ पढीं और आचार्य तक की परीक्षा भी दी।
आपकी रुचि तो बचपन से ही भगवद् भजन करने की थी। आपको भगवान् की बातें अच्छी लगती थी। गीता पढ़ना अच्छा लगता था। बारह वर्ष की अवस्था में ही आपका गीता जी से सम्बन्ध हो गया था। बाद में ध्यान देने पर आपको गीता जी कण्ठस्थ मिली, कण्ठस्थ करनी नहीं पङी। पाठ करते- करते गीता जी याद हो गई थी।
आपने गीता- पाठशाला खोल रखी थी और आप लोगों को गीता पढाते थे। कभी-कभी आपके मन में गीता जी के नये- नये ऐसे भाव आते कि जो किसी भी गीता की टीका में देखने को नहीं मिलते। इस प्रकार और भी कई बातें हैं।  (परन्तु यहाँ संक्षेप में कही जा रही है)। 
किसीके देने पर भी आप न रुपये लेते थे और न रुपये अपने पास में रखते थे। रुपयों को छूते भी नहीं थे। किसी वस्तु की आवश्यकता होने पर भी आप किसी से कुछ माँगते नहीं थे। कष्ट उठा लेते थे पर कहते नहीं थे। आप बङा संकोच रखते थे।
आप अपनी मान बङाई नहीं करवाते थे। मान दूसरों को देते थे। आप स्वार्थ, अभिमान, कञ्चन, कामिनी आदि के त्यागी थे। आप पुष्पमाला आदि का सत्कार स्वीकार नहीं करते थे। आप वर्षा में भी अपने ऊपर छाता नहीं लगाने देते थे। आप न रुई के बिछोनों पर बैठते थे और न सोते थे। खाट पर भी न बैठते थे और न सोते थे। बुनी हुई कुर्सी पर भी आप नहीं बैठते थे।
कहीं पर भी आसन बिछाने से पहले आप उस जगह को कोमलता पूर्वक आसन की ही हवा आदि से झाङकर, वहाँ से सूक्ष्म जीव जन्तुओं को हटाकर बिछाते थे। बिना आसन के बैठते समय भी आप जीव जन्तुओं बचा कर बैठते थे।
चलते समय भी आप ध्यान रखते थे कि कहीं कोई जीव जन्तु पैर के नीचे दब कर मर न जाय। आपका बङा कोमल शील स्वभाव था। आपके हृदय में हमेशा परहित बसा रहता था जो दूसरों को भी दिखायी देता था।
आप हमेशा जल छान कर ही काम में लेते थे। छने हुए जल को भी चार या छः घंटों के बाद वापस छानते थे; क्योंकि चातुर्मास में चार घंटों के बाद और अन्य समय में छः घंटों के बाद में (छाने हुए जल में भी) जीव पैदा हो जाते हैं। जल में  जीव बहुत छोटे होते हैं, दीखते नहीं। इसलिये आप गाढ़े कपङे को डबल करके जल को छानते थे और सावधानी पूर्वक जीवाणूं करके उन जीवों को जल में छोङते थे। इस प्रकार आप छाने हुए जल को काम में लेते थे । खान, पान, शौच, स्नान आदि सब में आप जल छानकर ही काम में लेते थे।
अपने निर्वाह के लिये कमसे- कम आवश्यकता रखते थे। आवश्यकता वाली वस्तुएँ भी सीमित ही रखते थे।  परिस्थिति को अपने अनुसार न बना कर खुद को परिस्थिति के अनुसार बना लेते थे। किसी वस्तु, व्यक्ति आदि की पराधीनता नहीं रखते थे।
आपने मिलने वाले जिज्ञासुओं को हमेशा छूट दे रखी थी कि आपके कोई साधन-सम्बन्धी बात पूछनी हो तो मेरे को नींद में से जगाकर भी पूछ सकते हो। लोगों के लिये आप अनेक कष्ट सहते थे, फिर भी उनको जनाते नहीं थे।
आप न चेला चेली बनाते थे और न भेंट पूजा स्वीकार करते थे। आप न तो किसी से चरण छुआते थे और न किसी को चरण छूने देते थे। चलते समय पृथ्वी पर जहाँ आपके चरण टिकते , वहाँ की भी चरणरज नहीं लेने देते थे। कभी कोई स्त्री भूल से भी चरण छू लेती तो आप भोजन करना छोङ देते थे। उपवास रख कर उसका प्रायश्चित्त करते थे। आप न तो स्त्री को छूते थे और न स्त्री को छूने देते थे। रास्ते में चलते समय भी ध्यान रखते थे कि उनका स्पर्श न हों। आपके कमरे में स्त्रियों का प्रवेश वर्जित था।
स्त्री जाती के प्रति आपका बङा आदर भाव था। आप स्त्रियों पर बङी दया रखते थे। लोगों को समझाते थे कि छोटी बच्ची भी मातृशक्ति है। माता का दर्जा पिता से सौ गुना अधिक है।
आप गर्भपात करवाने का भयंकर विरोध करते थे। जिस घर में एक स्त्री ने भी गर्भपात करवा लिया हो, तो आप उस घर का अन्न नहीं लेते थे और जल भी नहीं लेते थे।
शास्त्र में गर्भपात को ब्रह्महत्या से भी दुगुना महापाप बताया गया है। आप परिवार- नियोजन, दहेज- प्रथा और विधवा- विवाह आदि का विरोध करते थे। विवाह से पहले वर- वधू के मिलन को पाप मानते थे और इसका निषेध करते थे।
आप गुरु बनाने का भी निषेध करते थे। आपने गौहत्या रोकने की बङी कोशिश की थी। गौरक्षा के लिये आपकी हमेशा कोशिश रही। गाय के सूई लगाकर दुहने को आप बङा पाप मानते थे और इसका  निषेध करते थे।
आप कूङे- कचरे के आग लगाने का प्रबल विरोध करते थे। इस आग में असंख्य जीव- जन्तु जिन्दा ही जल जाते हैं, जो बङा भारी पाप है।
आप न तो अपना चित्र खिंचवाते थे और न किसी को चित्र खींचने देते थे। कोई चित्र खींच लेता तो उसका कङा विरोध करते थे। खींची हुई फोटो को नष्ट करवा देते थे। आप मनुष्य की फोटो को महत्त्व न देकर भगवान् की फोटो को महत्त्व देते थे और रखने की सलाह देते थे।
आप सत्संग को बहुत अधिक महत्त्व देते थे। सत्संग तो मानो आपका जीवन ही था। आप बताते थे कि सत्संग से जितना लाभ होता है उतना एकान्त में रहकर साधन करने से भी नहीं होता।
वर्षों तक एकान्त में रहकर साधन करने से भी जो लाभ नहीं होता है, वो लाभ एक बार के सत्संग से हो जाता है ।
सत्संग करे और (फिर उसके अनुसार) साधन करे। साधन करे और सत्संग करे। इस प्रकार करने से (जल्दी ही) बहुत बङा लाभ होता है।
सत्संग सब की जननी है। सत्संग से जितना लाभ होता है, उस लाभ को कोई कह नहीं सकता।
आप जहाँ भी विराजते थे वहाँ नित्य- सत्संग होता था। प्रातः पाँच बजे वाली सत्संग तो यात्रा में भी चलती रहती थी। कभी- कभी यात्रा के कारण गाङी में चल रहे होते और प्रातः पाँच बजे वाली प्रार्थना सत्संग का समय हो जाता तो गाङी में ही प्रार्थना, गीता-पाठ और सत्संग कर लिया जाता था।
दिन में भी कई बार सत्संग होता रहता था। सत्संग के बिना ख़ाली दिन आपको पसन्द नहीं था। इस प्रकार बहुत बढ़िया सत्संग चलता रहा। ...
अन्त में संवत २०६२, आषाढ़ के कृष्णपक्ष वाली एकादशी की रात्रि में, साढ़े तीन बजे के बाद, गीताभवन ऋषिकेश, गंगातट पर शरीर छोङकर आप परमधाम को पधार गये।
अधिक जानने के लिए " महापुरुषों के सत्संग की बातें " नामक पुस्तक पढें।  वो पुस्तक सत्संग संतवाणी वाले ब्लॉग से नि:शुल्क डाउनलोड कर सकते हैं।  

प्रश्न-  क्या उनकी चिता भस्म को गंगाजी समेट कर ले गई?
उत्तर-  जी हाँ, उनकी अन्तिम क्रिया गंगाजी के किनारे की गई थी। दाहक्रिया के बाद दूसरे तीसरे दिन ही गंगाजी इतनी बढ़ी कि वहाँ के चिताभस्म आदि सब अवशेष बहाकर अपने साथ में ले गई। वहाँ की धरती ही बदल गई। मानो गंगाजी भी ऐसे अवसर को पाना चाहती थी। (महापुरुषों के स्नान से गंगाजी भी पवित्र हो जाती है) ।
महापुरुषों के वहाँ से प्रस्थान कर जाने पर प्रकृति ने भी अपने नियम बदल दिये। दो वर्षों तक आम के पेङों के आम के फल लगने बन्द हो गये। (ये घटनाएँ अनेक लोगों ने अपनी आँखों से देखी है)। हर साल उन पेङों के इतने आम्रफल लगते थे कि बिक्री आदि के लिये आम ठेके पर दिये जाते थे; परन्तु अबकी बार वैसे लगे ही नहीं। मानो महापुरुषों के वियोग का दुख पेङ- पौधे भी नहीं सह सके। गोस्वामी जी श्री तुलसीदास जी महाराज ने ठीक ही कहा है-
बंदउँ संत असज्जन चरना।  दुखप्रद उभय बीच कछु बरना।।  बिछुरत एक प्रान हरि लेहीं।  मिलत एक दुख दारुन देहीं।।  
(रामचरितमानस ५|३,४:)।





POSTED BY .............VIPUL KOUL
EDITED BY ..............ASHOK KOUL

Sapta Badri

Sapta Badri (Sanskrit: सप्त बद्री) constitutes a group of seven sacred Hindu temples, dedicated to god Vishnu, located in Garhwal Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Badrinath temple (बद्रीनाथ), called the Badri Vishal (बद्री विशाल) (altitude 3,133 m (10,279 ft)) is the primary temple among the seven shrines, followed by six others, namely, Adi Badri (आदि बद्री), Vriddha Badri (वृद्ध बद्री), Dhyan Badri (ध्यान बद्री), Ardha Badri (अर्ध बद्री), Bhavishya Badri (भविष्य बद्री) and Yogadhayan Badri (योगध्यान बद्री). The Panch Badri (पंच बद्री) temple circuit consisted of only five temples, omitting Ardha Badri and Dhyan Badri or sometimes Vriddha Badri. Rarely, Narasingh Badri (नरसिंह बद्री) is included in the Sapta Badri or Panch Badri list.
The abode of Vishnu in the Alaknanda river valley, starting from Satapanth about 24 kilometres (15 mi) above Badrinath extending up to Nandprayag in the south, is particularly known as the Badri Kshetra in which all the Badri temples are located. Since the early times, approach to the main temple of Badrinath was only along a bridle path passing through badri van or (forest of berries). Thus, the word "Badri", meaning "berries", is suffixed to the names of all the Sapta Badri (seven) temples.
The main shrine of Badrinath is well connected by road and air but is closed during the winter season due to snow conditions, from October–November to April–May depending on the astrological dates fixed by the Temple Committee; the Raj Purohit (Royal priest) decides the auspicious day for opening the temple kapat (doors) on Vasant Panchami day in end of April/early May while the closing day is Vijayadashami day in October/November. The other six temples are located in villages, largely in remote locations. A few of them can be approached only by trekking along bridle paths.

Badrinath

Badrivishal of Sapta Badri
Badrinath is the northern Dham of the four sacred Dhams (pilgrimage centres) called Char Dham. Though the Badrinath temple is believed to date to the Vedic period, the current structure was built in the 8th century AD by Adi Shankaracharya. The other three dhams are Rameshwaram in the south, Dwarka in the west and Jagannath Puri in the east; all of these four temples are dedicated to god Vishnu. Adi Shankara’s basic intention was to unite the country under the banner of Hinduism. The temple, which had been subjected to damage due to snow avalanches and landslides, several times in the past, was last restored in the 19th century with the royal patronage of the Scindias and Holkars.[3] Badrinath is also part of Chota Char Dham, four sacred temples in Uttarakhand. The others include the Shiva temple of Kedarnath and the sources of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna.
The Badrinath legend states that Vishnu (Mahavishnu) in his incarnation as the sages Nara and Narayana, did penance in an open space at the location of the Badrikashram or Badrinath. His consort Lakshmi (Maha-lakshmi) created shelter for him in the form of Badri tree (berry tree) to protect him from adverse climatic conditions. The sage Narada did penance here, and is believed to continue to do so to this day by reciting the divine chants called Ashta Akshara mantras (eight lettered mantra, i.e., Om Namo Narayanaye). Narada was also informed by Vishnu that his divine form subsumed both Nara and Narayana.
According to the scripture Bhagavata Purana, "There in Badrikashram (Badrinath) the Personality of Godhead (Vishnu), in his incarnation as the sages Nara and Narayana, had been undergoing great penance since time immemorial for the welfare of all living entities." (3.4.22)
The layout of the temple has three enclosures namely, the Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum), the Darshan Mandap (worship hall) and Sabha Mandap (Conference hall). The sanctum holds the central image of Badri-narayana (Vishnu), which is made in black stone and 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height. The four-armed Vishnu holds the Shankh (Conch) and Sudarshana Chakra (discus) in two arms in a raised posture and the other two arms rest on the lap in Yogamudra (meditative pose). The images of religious leaders Adi Shankara, Swami Vedanta Desikan and Ramanujacharya are also worshipped here.
In the sanctum, to the far right side are Nara and Narayana. Narada is kneeling in front on the right side and is difficult to see. On the left side is Kubera, the god of wealth. Garuda, Vishnu's vehicle is kneeling in front, to the left of Badri-narayana. Wings at the entrance are adorned with images of Hanuman, the monkey-god and a silver Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom. In the enclosure (prakara) surrounding the temple, a small shrine is dedicated to Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort. Nambudiri Brahmins from southern state of Kerala serve as head priests here.

Adi Badri

Adi Badri complex of temples near Karnaprayag
The Adi Badri (30°27′27″N 77°20′28″E) the first temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples is an ancient shrine dedicated to Vishnu and is one among a chain of 16 small shrines located in the hill ranges 17 kilometres (11 mi), beyond Karnaprayag (confluence of Pindar River and Alaknanda River in Chamoli district. Seven temples of this chain were built during the late Gupta period (5th century to 8th century). According to tradition, Adi Shankara is attributed as builder of all the temples. Adi Shankara is believed to have sanctioned these temples in order to spread Hinduism to every remote part of the country. In ancient times, when approach to the main shrine of Badrinath was closed due to weather conditions, pilgrims worshipped Vishnu at this temple. Adi Badri, also known as Helisera according to revenue records, is a tiny temple complex enclosed within a space of 14 metres (46 ft) X 30 metres (98 ft). The height of the temples vary from 2–6 metres (6.6–19.7 ft). The chief temple is dedicated to god Vishnu, which is built over a raised platform, with a small enclosure in a pyramidal form. The sanctum holds black stone 1 metre (3.3 ft) image of Vishnu. The image depicts Vishnu holding a mace, lotus and chakra (discus). Brahmins from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.
Adi Badri is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Chandpur fort or Garhi located on the hilltop, which was built by the Parmar kings of garhwal. Adi Badri is an hour's drive from Karnaprayag and close to Chulakot on the way to Ranikhet. On shifting of Badrinath (also known as Raj Badri) to Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri will be called the Yog Badri .

Vriddha Badri

Vriddha Badri or Briddha Badri - an austere shrine, is located in the Animath village ( 1,380 m (4,530 ft), above sea level) 7 km (4.3 mi), from Joshimath on the Rishikesh–Joshimath-Badrinath road. The Vriddha Badri legend says that Vishnu appeared in the form of a Vriddha or old man before sage Narada who performed penance here. Thus, the idol installed at this temple is in the form of an old man.
According to legend, the image of Badrinath was carved by the divine craftsman Vishwakarma and worshipped here. At the advent of Kali yuga, Vishnu chose to remove himself from this place, later Adi Shankara found the partly damaged image in Narad-kund pond and established it at the central Badrinath shrine. According to legend, Badrinath was worshipped here by Adi Shankara, before his enshrinement at the Badrinath temple. The temple is open throughout the year. Brahmins from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.

Bhavishya Badri

Bhavishya Badri, also spelt as Bhabisya Badri, 2,744 metres (9,003 ft), above sea level) is located in a village called Subhain at a distance of 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Joshimath, beyond Tapovan and approach is through dense forest, only by trekking. It is situated on an ancient pilgrim route to Mount Kailash and Manasarovar, along the Dhauli Ganges River. It is situated on the way from Tapovan to Lata in the Niti valley. Bhavishya Badri is connected by a motorable road to Saldhar,19 kilometres (12 mi), from Joshimath, beyond which a 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) trek is undertaken to reach the shrine.
According to the legend of Bhavishya Badri (literally "Badri of the future"), when evil transcends the world, the mountains of Nara and Narayana would block up the route to Badrinath and the sacred shrine would become inaccessible. The present world will be destroyed and a new one established. Then, Badrinath will appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here, instead of the Badrinath shrine. The shrine of Narasingh Badri at Joshimath is closely associated with the legend of Bhavishya Badri (see section below). Currently, the Bhavishya Badri has an image of Narasimha, the lion-faced incarnation and one of the ten avatars of Vishnu. 

Yogadhyan Badri

Yog dhyan badri temples
Yogadhyan Badri, also called Yoga Badri, is located at Pandukeshwar (30°38′2″N 79°32′51″E) at the elevation of 1,829 metres (6,001 ft), close to Govind Ghat and is as ancient as the main Badrinath temple. Pandukeshwar is located en route from Govind Ghat to Hanuman Chatti, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) away from Hanuman Chatti. Legend has it that King Pandu, father of the five Pandavas - heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, meditated here to god Vishnu to cleanse him of the sin of killing of two mating deer, who were ascetics in their previous lives. The Pandavas were also born here and Pandu died and attained salvation here. Pandu is believed to have installed the bronze image of Vishnu in the Yogadhyan Badri shrine. The image is in a meditative posture and thus the image is called Yoga-dhyan (mediative) Badri. The idol is life size and has been carved from Shaligram stone. According to legend, the Pandavas, after defeating and killing their cousins Kauravas in the Mahabharata war, came here to repent. They handed their kingdom of Hastinapur to their grandson Parikshit and went to perform penance in the Himalayas.
Copper plate inscriptions found here indicate rule by early Katyuri Rajas and the region was known as Panchal Desh, now officially designated as Uttarakhand. One inscription extols the grant of land given by King Nimbarana. Another historic location is the Suryakund, on top of Milam glacier, which is a hot water spring, where Kunti - mother of Pandavas gave birth to her illegitimate son Karna, fathered by the sun-god Surya. Kunti was married to Pandu at Pandukeshwar.
Yogdhyan Badri is also considered the winter abode for the Utsava-murti (festival-image) of Badrinath, when the temple of Badrinath is closed. Hence, it is religiously ordained that a pilgrimage will not be complete without offering prayers at this place Bhatts (priests) from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.

Dhyan Badri

Dhyan Badri (2,135 metres (7,005 ft), above sea level) is located in the Urgam valley, close to Kalpeshwar (30°25′44″N 79°25′37″E) on the banks of river Kalpa Ganga. It can be reached from Helang Chatti which is situated on the NH7 (Chamoli - Joshimath road) & then further drive down to Urgam, Lyari & Devagram followed by a 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) trek. The legend of Dhyan Badri (meditating Badri) is linked to the Urvarishi, son of King Puranjaya of the Pandavas lineage who meditated in the Urgam region and established the temple for Vishnu. The image of Vishnu is four-armed, made of black stone and in a mediatative posture. There is also a temple to god Shiva built by Adi Shankara. Kalpeshwar, one of the Panch Kedar sacred temple of Shiva, is situated 2 kilometres (1.2 mi), away. The temple is sometimes included in the Panch-Badri list.[9] Brahmins from South India serve as head priests in the temple.

Ardha Badri

Ardha Badri, located on the Joshimath-Tapovan road is in a remote village and can be approached only by trekking along a steep bridle path. As the size of the idol is small, the temple is called Ardha Badri (literal meaning half Badri).

Narasingh Badri

The existing temple of Narasimha (Narasingh) at Joshimath (30°33′3″N 79°33′30″E), also called as Narasingh Badri or Narasimha Badri, is closely linked to the Bhavishya Badri legend, even though usually it is regarded as not one of the famous Panch Badri or Sapta Badri. Sometimes, it may be included in the Sapta-Badri list instead of Ardha-Badri or Panch-Badri list instead of Dhyan Badri. 
The chief image of Narasimha is made out of the Shaligram stone, in the eighth century during the reign of king Lalitaditya Yukta Pida of Kashmir. Some believe the image is self-manifested (swayambhu). The image is 10 inches (25 cm) high and depicts the god sitting in the lotus position.
It is believed that one arm of the image is getting emaciated with time and finally fall off. When the arm disappears, the main shrine of Badrinath will be closed to the world and Lord Badrinath will shift to Bhavishya Badri shrine. With this cataclysmic event, Kali yuga will end ushering in the Satya yuga. Then the Badrinath shrine would get re-established. When the chief Badrinath shrine is closed in winter, the priests of Badrinath shift to this temple and continue their worship to Badrinath here. Along with the central Narasimha image, the temple also has an image of Badrinath
Article by : Wikipedia
posted by : vipul koul