272014 Fundraising dinner – For 2015 Jeernodharana KumbhabhisheKam

SRI PANCHARAATRA AGAMA SASTRAMPriest Digalakote Narayanachar

PANCHARAATRASYA KRUTSNASYA NARAYANENA SWAYAM

Sriman Narayana himself is the Knower, Author, Preceptor and Presiding Deity of this Sastram.

Sriman Naryana’s attributes are - Sri Maha VISHNU (All Pervader), Para Vasudeva (in-dweller), Purushottama (Pre-server), Anantha Padmanabha (endless) and Bhagawan (bestower of All Prosperity).

PANCHETARAANI SHASTRAANI RAATRIYAMTYAPI ABHIDEEYATETAT SANNIDHOU SAMAAKHYAATHOU PANCHARAATRA PRAKEERTHITHAAHA

Five Sasthras (knowledge) were taught by Maha Vishnu to his consort Maha Laksmi, Brahma, Adhiesesha, Narada and Rishis.

The fives Sasthras are: Jana, Yoga, Kriya, Bhakti and Prapathi (Saranagatha) Sasthras.

Five Kalas are: Abhigamana, Upadaana, Yagna, Swadhy-aya, and Yoga.

Five Attributes: Para, Vyuha, Vihava, Anteryamie and Archa Swarupas.

Artha Panchaka: - Jeevaatma Swarupas (Kevala, Baddha, Jignasu, Mumukshu and Mukta).

These sasthras were explained in Vedas, Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, Puranas, Ithihasa, and Samhitas.

Sri Pancharaatragama Samhitas explain in more detail. There were 108 Samhitas, now only 40 Samhitas are available.

e.g. Sri Padma Samhita, Sri Parameshar Samhita, Sri Vish-wamitra Samhita, Sri Vishnu Tilaka Samhita, Sri Prasna Samhita, Naradiya Samhita, Sri Sattwatha Samhita, Sri Vish-waksena Samhita, Kapinjala Samhita etc. (see Bibliography of Sri Panchararatragama, by H Daniel Smith).

In Sri Padma Samhita there are four main chapters called Padas. Each Pada contains several sub-chapters.

The names of the Padas in Sri Padma Samhita are 1) Jnana Pada 2) Yoga Pada 3) Kriya Pada and 4) Charya Pada.

Jnana Pada: This describes Brahma’s Creation, Mahakalpas, Chaturyugas, Manvantharas, Manus etc.

Since time immemorial the knowledge of Creation was passed on from Brahma to All Vedic Rishis, Parasara muni, Veda Vyasa, Suka Mahamuni etc.

Vedic Seers self revealed the knowledge of Vedas, Upanishadas

by Divine Grace and Veda Vyasa composed 565 Brahma Sutras. Lord Krishna revealed the Srimad Bhagavad Geetha to Veda Vyasaji and it was written in Mahabharatham.

Based on these Prasthana Thrayee, the great Acharya Swami Ramanuja wrote the commentary for Brahma Sutras called Sri Vishistadwaitha Bashyam (Sri Basyham).

YOGAPADA: The Astanaga Yoga Vidya was explained; that is Yama, Niyama, Aasana, Pranayama, Pratyhara, Dhy-ana, Dharana, Samadhi. Among the Yogasastras, Srimad Bhagvadh Geetha is more popular.

KRIYAPADA: This deals with Worship, Devotion and Ded-ication to the Lord, through inner world and outer world, where the great faith of devotees leads to construction of temples for the Lord.

Types of Balalaya’s, Ekabera, Bahubera, Alayas. Selecting of the land, area, environment, vibration and divinity. Types of construction materials mainly stones, icons, size of the Tem-ple, Parakaras, Vimanas, GoPuras etc.

In this chapter and completion of the temple construction (see Sri Ganapathi Stapathi’s - Kriyapada Translation).

CHARYAPADA: It explains “Prathisthadi Utsavantham”

Panchavidha Prathisthas 1) Sthapana 2) Aasthapana 3) Som-sthapana 4) Prasthapana and 5) Prathistha.

Among the Prathistha Moorthies 1) Swayambhu (Self Mani-fested) 2) Daiva Prathistha 3) Rishi Prathistha 4) Manusha Prathistha, 5) Salagrama Prathistha.

AsthaBandhana Vidhi, Aalaya, Vimana, Gopura Prathistha Visdhis, Mahakumbabhisheka Vidhi, Aaradhana Vidhi, Snapana Vidhi, Mahotsava Vidhis; Nithya Utsavas, Naim-ithyaka Utsavas and Kamyaka Utsavas explained.

Additional Portions: Holy Saints called Alwaras 12 in num-ber, who praises the GOD in 4000 verses called Nalayira Divya Prabandhas. These expalined the glories of 108 Ancient Shrines called 108 Divya Desamas, e,g. Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam, Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal, Thirupathi Srinivasa Perumal, Bhadri Narayana Perumal, Salagramam Mukthinatha Perumal etc.

Acharyas, 12 in number started by Nathamunigal to Vedan-tha Desikal and Manavala Mahamunigal, took the projects of preservation, restoration of the Holy Scriptures and Holy Shrines and revised the Temple worship practices and setup

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SRI PANCHARAATRA AGAMA SASTRAM

2014 Fundraising dinner – For 2015 Jeernodharana KumbhabhisheKam

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

in a good way.

MANTHRAS: The Vedic Manthras and Upanishad Man-thras are used in all temple worship.

Astakshari Manthram: “OM NAMO NARAYANAYA”

Dwadasakshari Manthtram “OM NAMO BHAGAVATHE VASUDEVAYA”

and Dwaya Mantram“SRIMAN NARAYANA CHARANOW CHARANAM PRAPADHYE” “SRIMATHE NARAYANAYA NAMAHA”is also included.

This is Divine and Eternal Knowledge, one who is immersed in this knowledge, they get Prosperity, Longevity, Unity with GOD in this life and they go beyond Salvation.

May GOD Bless You

Best Wishes

from

Shyam Menon, Rekha, Manoj

& Rajani

With Best Compliments to

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple &

All the committee chairs !

Ravi & Vasantha Narayan