Ashtavakra Gita - a classical Advaita Vedanta scripture

If you happen to celebrate January 1st as the new year, Happy New Year to you!

Today's post is a bit different, not a playlist, but an audio book at the end.

Today you will find links to a writing I just learned about this morning, the Ashtavakra Gita. Gita means song (which I sometimes take to mean poem or other writing that may/may not be set to actual music), and Ashtavakra is a Sage who taught King Janaka about Oneness.

Here is a bit of background from Wikipedia:
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtavakra_Gita
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Identification of Ashtavakra

"Ashtavakra is probably identical to the holy sage with the same name who appears in Mahabharata, though the connection is not clearly stated in any of the texts. Mukherjee identifies Janaka as the father of Sita and disciple of the sage Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Janaka is also depicted as a king who has attained perfection in the Bhagavad Gita (III,20,25).

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Overview

Janaka debating with Ashtavakra. Art from the epic Ashtavakra (2010).
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"Ashtavakra Gita is a dialogue between Ashtavakra and Janaka on the nature of soul, reality and bondage. It offers a radical version of non-dualistic philosophy. The Gita insists on complete unreality of external world and absolute oneness of existence. It does not mention any morality or duties, and therefore is seen by commentators as 'godless'. It also dismisses names and forms as unreal and a sign of ignorance.
In a conversation between Janaka and Ashtavakra, pertaining to the deformity of his crooked body, Ashtavakra explains that the size of a Temple is not affected by how it is shaped, and the shape of his own body does not affect himself (or Atman). The ignorant man's vision is shrouded by names and forms but a wise man sees only himself: <sup>"


There are a  number of resources listed at the end of the article. I liked these two in particular: 

Ashtavakra Gita in Devanagari with English translation side by side</sup>

 John Richards translation in pdf format

 

Mantras Explained - How a Mantra Can Lead to Transformation

The musical note at which you sing and chant makes a difference, too!!! Sadhguru doesn't mention it in this excellent article (see link below), but we Do Practice this traditional Indian musicality every Monday at the Mantra Yoga sessions! Check the calendar page for schedule and contact info!

Mantras Explained: How a Mantra Can Lead to Transformation

Sadhguru speaks about the science of mantras, and how a mantra can be a key to access deeper dimensions of existence. He also speaks about “Vairagya”, a set of five sacred chants, and how one can benefit from them.

2016 09 05 Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration

Today's playlist starts a little differently....with a recipe! This Is Ganesh's favorite food and you might like to whip up a batch to enjoy at the end of the celebration!



"Modaks have a special importance in the worship of the Hindu god Ganesha; modak is believed to be his favorite food, which begets him the moniker modakapriya (the one who likes modak) in Sanskrit. During the Ganesha worship ceremony, known in Maharashtra as Ganesha Chaturthi the puja always concludes with an offering of twenty-one modaks to the deity and as prasadam. Modaks made with rice flour shell are preferred for this purpose, however, wheat shell version are also used. Innovative recipes for modaks have also been created. These include banana nachni modak, motichoor modak [1] and chocolate modak."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modak


9 videos play for 65 minutes

EnJOY! 


1 - Steamed Modak Recipe | 3 Different Fillings - Ganesh Chaturthi Special | The Bombay Chef  9:49
(Click through to You Tube to get the printed recipe which is on the page. As of this writing, I have not tried this so cannot vouch for how it comes out.)


2 - Ganesh Gayatri Mantra Chant - Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe by Suresh Wadkar  10:07


3 - GANESH BHAJAN,KIRTAN -Vinayaka vinayaka by Leepikaa Bhattacharya || ganesh hindi bhajan||  4:56


4 - Ganesha Pancharatnam - Sooryagayathri & Kuldeep M Pai  5:52


5 - Ganesh Bhajan (Marvellous Dhun)  9:14


6 - Ganesh Chaturthi Special - Lord Ganesha Devotional Songs - Helps To Remove Obstacles -Bombay Sisters  9:02


7 - Ganesh Chaturthi Jai Dev Jai Dev  3:12


8 - Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha - 108 Times  5:01
(Ganesh Bija (seed) mantra)


9 - Siddhivinayak Aarti from Siddhiviniyak Temple Mumbai I Deva Shri Ganesha  7:12

Playlist url:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLACmwZPBGZMf6bXoolT-0F9wjQ1P64Ptz

2016 07 19 Guru Purnima - Sri Ramakrishna

I did a past life regression recently in which I learned I was a young Indian woman devote of Sri Ramakrishna serving at the Kali Temple in Dakshineswar, and then later at Kalimath, a Kali/Lakshmi/Saraswati temple complex in northeastern India about 1/2 way between Rishikesh and Kedarnath.

Sri RamaKrishna is a mystic who lived at the Kali temple in Dakshineswar (across the river from Kolkata (Calcutta) around 1855.

What is so startling about this past-life regression experience is that the Call I received to go to India in 2012 was a picture of the KaliMat temple complex. I had a very powerful deja vu experience while there; I knew I had been there before but not when or why or how.

Also, when choosing a Yogananda Ashram to visit, while most people visit the most popular ashram at Ranchi, I was guided to go Dakshineswar. The Kali Temple was about a 20 to 30 minute walk from the ashram, and while visiting the temple I was allowed (as is all the public) to sit in Sri Ramakrishna's room for a while to meditate.

It's taken nearly four years for all this to "catch up" with me.

Here is an interesting story:
The Story of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s Enlightenment


To read the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, you may download this Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file. It's a large book of over 1,000 pages.
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
By Mahendranath Gupta (“M”), His Disciple



Today's playlist contains three videos and plays for approximately 1:21:00

1 - Hare Krishna Hare Rama 10:53

2 - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa – Documentary 1:17:53

3 - Om Asatoma Sat Gamaya 1:51

 Playlist url:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLACmwZPBGZMfCCUNeHq9iaiX0RjsIEo7H

2016 04 08 Vasanta (Spring) Navratri

Vasanta (Spring) Navratri 2016 04 08 through 16

Nine Nights of the Divine Mothers Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati

 

 Click here to learn more about the Significance of Navratri – the festival of nine nights 

12 videos play for approximately  75 minutes

The three types of songs chosen for the playlist this Navratri:

Ashtakam: eight parts (a song with eight verses)

Bija Mantra: Bija means “seed,” Bija mantra is the single-syllable, primary sound that represents a god/goddess; each chakra also has a seed sound. (For example, some seed mantras are Aim (Saraswati), Shrim (Lakshmi), Krim (Kali), Gum (Ganesha and Ganga Mata (Mother Ganges River)), etc.)

Stotram: hymn of praise

1 Shri Lakshmi ,.Kali ..Saraswati ..Mantra 4:48

2 Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha | Mahalakshmi Mantra 11:39

3 Saraswati mantra 108 - Om Aim Saraswatei Namah 7:03

4 Saraswati, Mahalakshmi, Durga Ashtakam dance performance by shivam school 4:52

5 Kalika Ashtakam - Kali Kali Mahakali 4:37

6 Mahalaksmi Ashtakam 4:26

7 Nrusimha Saraswati Astakam.wmv 4:21

8 Maa Saraswati, Maa Durga, Maa Laxmi - Vandana Dance - Kala Ankur Ajmer 7:27

9 Kalika Ashtakam (Devi Kali Stotra) by Shruti Vishwakarma 7:00

10 Ashtalakshmi Stotram (with sanskrit sub titles) 5:40

11 Beautiful Maha Saraswati Stotram with Lyrics! 5:58

12 Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche || Goddesses Durga Mantra By Suresh Wadkar 7:22

Playlist url: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLACmwZPBGZMd_pVTh69h0t_wh7M7_VA0c