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Chanting Hanuman Chalisa

Sri Rama Jayam!

Hanuman Chalisa is a powerful hymn which gives immense benefits to those who

chant. It's written by Sage Tulsidas.

It will be wonderful to know the meaning of the verses. I chanced upon to buy a small booklet published by SriRama KrishnaMission, in Tamil which has beautiful illustrations.

I memorized the verses easily singing along with MS Amma's beautiful rendition. Oh My God! MS Amma sings right from her heart, no wonder it's a heart melting rendition. As you get to know the meaning and chant, tears of love would flow down throughout the chanting.

Below is the link for MS.Subbulakshmi's excellent rendition:

To learn more about Hanuman Chalisa, follow the link below:

http://www.jaihanuman.org/chalisa.asp

Hanuman chalisa With Meaning in English

Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj

Nij mane mukure sudhar

Varnao Raghuvar Vimal Jasu

Jo dayaku phal char

Meaning: After cleansing the mirror of my mind with the pollen dust of

holy Guru's Lotus feet. I profess the pure, untainted glory of Shri Raghuvar

Which bestows the four-fold fruits of life. (Dharma, Artha, Kama and

Moksha).

Budhi Hin Tanu Janike

Sumirau Pavan Kumar

Bal budhi Vidya dehu mohe

Harahu Kalesa Vikar

Meaning: Fully aware of the deficiency of my intelligence, I concentrate my

attention on Pavan Kumar and humbly ask for strength, intelligence and true

knowledge to relieve me of all blemishes, causing pain

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar

Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar

Meaning: Victory to thee, O'Hanuman! Ocean of Wisdom-All hail to you

O'Kapisa! (Fountain-head of power, wisdom and Shiva-Shakti) You

Illuminate all the three worlds (Entire cosmos) with your glory.

Ram doot atulit bal dhama

Anjani-putra Pavan sut nama

Meaning: You are the divine messenger of Shri Ram. The repository of

immeasurable strength, though known only as Son of Pavan (Wind), born of

Anjani

Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi

Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi

Meaning: With Limbs as sturdy as Vajra (The mace of God Indra) you are

valiant and brave. On you attends good Sense and Wisdom. You dispel the

darkness of evil thoughts.

Kanchan varan viraj subesa

Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa

Meaning:Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress is

pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair.

Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje

Kandhe moonj janehu sajai

Meaning: You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory

(kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder.

Sankar suvan kesri Nandan

Tej pratap maha jag vandan

Meaning: As a descendant of Lord Sankar, you are a comfort and pride of

Shri Kesari. With the lustre of your Vast Sway, you are propitiated all over

the universe.

Vidyavan guni ati chatur

Ram kaj karibe ko aatur

Meaning: You are the repository of learning, virtuous and fully accomplished,

always keen to carry out the behest's of Shri Ram.

Prabu charitra sunibe ko rasiya

Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya

Meaning: You are an ardent listener, always so keen to listen to the

narration of Shri Ram's Life Stories. Your heart is filled with what Shri Ram

stood for. You therefore always dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram, Lakshman

and Sita.

Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava

Vikat roop dhari lanka jarava

Meaning: You appeared before Sita in a Diminutive form and spoke to her

in humility. You assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting

Lanka on fire.

Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare

Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare

Meaning: With over-whelming might you destroyed the Asuras (demons)

and performed all tasks assigned to you by Shri Ram with great skill.

Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye

Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye

Meaning: You brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored

Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram) cheerfully embraced you

with his heart full of joy.

Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai

Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai

Meaning: Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) lustily extolled your excellence and

said: "You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat."

Sahas badan tumharo yash gave

Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave

Meaning: Thousands of living beings are chanting hymns of your glories;

saying thus, Shri Ram warmly hugged him (Shri Hanuman).

Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa

Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa

Meaning: When prophets like Sanka, even the Sage like Lord Brahma the

great hermit Narad himself, Goddess Saraswati and Ahisha (one of

immeasurable dimensions).

Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te

Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te

Meaning: Even Yamraj (God of Death) Kuber (God of Wealth) and the

Digpals (deputies guarding the four corners of the Universe) have been

vying with one another in offering homage to your glories. How then, can a

mere poet give adequate expression of your super excellence.

Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha

Ram milaye rajpad deenha

Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan mana

Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana

Meaning: You rendered a great service to Sugriv. You united him with Shri

Ram and he installed him on the Royal Throne. By heeding your advice,

Vibhishan became Lord of Lanka. This is known all over the Universe

Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu

Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu

Meaning: On your own you dashed upon the Sun, which is at a fabulous

distance of thousands of miles, thinking it to be a sweet luscious fruit.

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee

Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee

Meaning: Carrying the Lord's Signet Ring in your mouth, there is hardly

any wonder that you easily leapt across the ocean

Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete

Sugam anugraha tumhre tete

Meaning: The burden of all difficult tasks of the world become light with

your kind grace.

Ram dware tum rakhvare,

Hoat na agya binu paisare

Meaning: You are the sentry at the door of Shri Ram's Divine Abode. No

one can enter it without your permission,

Sub sukh lahai tumhari saran

Tum rakshak kahu ko dar na

Meaning: All comforts of the world lie at your feet. The devotees enjoy all

divine pleasures and feel fearless under your benign Protection.

Aapan tej samharo aapai

Teenhon lok hank te kanpai

Meaning: You alone are befitted to carry your own splendid valour. All the

three worlds (entire universe) tremor at your thunderous call.

Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai

Mahavir jab naam sunavai

Meaning: All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the sheer

mention of your great name, O'Mahaveer!!

Nase rog harai sab peera

Japat nirantar Hanumant beera

Meaning: All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly

Shri Hanuman's holy name.

Sankat se Hanuman chudavai

Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai

Meaning: Those who remember Shri Hanuman in thought, words and deeds

with Sincerity and Faith, are rescued from all crises in life.

Sub par Ram tapasvee raja

Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja

Meaning: All who hail, worship and have faith in Shri Ram as the Supreme

Lord and the king of penance. You make all their difficult tasks very easy.

Aur manorath jo koi lavai

Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai

Meaning: Whosoever comes to you for fulfillment of any desire with faith

and sincerity, Will he alone secure the imperishable fruit of human life.

Charon Yug partap tumhara

Hai persidh jagat ujiyara

Meaning: All through the four ages your magnificent glory is acclaimed far

and wide. Your fame is Radiantly acclaimed all over the Cosmos.

Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware

Asur nikandan Ram dulhare

Meaning: You are Saviour and the guardian angel of Saints and Sages and

destroy all Demons. You are the angelic darling of Shri Ram.

Ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata

Us var deen Janki mata

Meaning: You can grant to any one, any yogic power of Eight Siddhis

(power to become light and heavy at will) and Nine Nidhis

(Riches,comfort,power,prestige,fame,sweet relationship etc.) This boon has

been conferred upon you by Mother Janki.

Ram rasayan tumhare pasa

Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa

Meaning: You possess the power of devotion to Shri Ram. In all rebirths

you will always remain Shri Raghupati's most dedicated disciple.

Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai

Janam janam ke dukh bisravai

Through hymns sung in devotion to you, one can find Shri Ram and become free from sufferings of several

births.

Anth kaal Raghuvir pur jayee

Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee

Meaning: If at the time of death one enters the Divine Abode of Shri Ram,

thereafter in all future births he is born as the Lord's devotee.

Aur Devta Chit na dharehi

Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi

Meaning: One need not entertain any other deity for Propitiation, as

devotion of Shri Hanuman alone can give all happiness.

Sankat kate mite sab peera

Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera

Meaning: One is freed from all the sufferings and ill fated contingencies of

rebirths in the world. One who adores and remembers Shri Hanuman.

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin

Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin

Meaning: Hail, Hail, Hail, Shri Hanuman, Lord of senses. Let your victory

over the evil be firm and final. Bless me in the capacity as my supreme guru

(teacher).

Jo sat bar path kare kohi

Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi

Meaning: One who recites Chalisa one hundred times, becomes free from

the bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last.

Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa

Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa

Meaning: All those who recite Hanuman Chalisa (The forty Chaupais)

regularly are sure to be benedicted. Such is the evidence of no less a witness

as Bhagwan Sankar.

Tulsidas sada hari chera

Keejai Das Hrdaye mein dera

Meaning: Tulsidas as a bonded slave of the Divine Master, stays

perpetually at his feet, he prays "Oh Lord! You enshrine within my heart &

soul."

Pavantnai sankar haran,

Mangal murti roop.

Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,

Hrdaye basahu sur bhoop.

Meaning: Oh! conqueror of the Wind, Destroyer of all miseries, you are a

symbol of Auspiciousness. Along with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita, reside

in my heart. Oh! King of Gods.

Chinmaya Mission’s Swami Tejomayananda has written detailed explanations for

Hanuman Chalisa, here’s the link, when you find time, go through it.

http://www.chinmayasaaket.org/articles/guruji/Hanuman_chalisa.pdf

Sri Rama Jayam!

Karunaikizhangu Masiyal/Mashed Yam Curry

Masiyal/Mashed Yam Curry

Karunaikizhangu Masiyal is a Chettinad special side dish, which is very popular among Nagarathars. It often used to find it's place in our lunch boxes, along with curd rice, when I was young.

 

Karunaikizhangu is referred to as Elaphant foot Yam. It's said to have anti-oxidant properties and Vitamin C. It can also regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. It's often used to treat Piles.

However, for some people, it can cause a kind of itchiness in the tongue. Generally to avoid this, it’s cooked with sour taste, either tamarind or lemon

Method:

Yam/Karunaikizhangu - 4 to 5

finely chopped big onion - 2

Lemon (juice) - 1 (or)

Tamarind extract/ imli/ pulithanni - 2 tsp.

Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp.

Chilli powder/Sambhar power - 1 to 2 tsp. (according to spice level)

Turmeric/Haldi - 1/4 tsp.

Salt - to taste

Coriander leaves - few strands
(to garnish)

Tempering:

Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp.

Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp.

Green chilli (Slit into half) - 1

Curry leaves - few

Oil - 2 tbsp.

Boiled Kizhangu/yam

 

 

Wash and boil yam with water. You can pressure cook for 1 to 2 whistles, which would roughly take 5 to 7 minutes.

Peel the skin and mash the yam, mix all the masala powder ingredients and tamarind/lemon juice. Set aside.

Mashed Yam
 

Pour oil in a non-stick pan, when it's heated add mustard seeds followed by Jeera, chilli and curry leaves. Now add the onions, let cook for few minutes until it becomes golden brown. Now combine the mashed Karunaikizhangu or yam. Cook in low heat for 10 to 12 minutes until it gets non-sticky texture.

 Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice. It goes well with curd rice/yogurt rice/ thayir sadham.

Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam

Mahalakshmi is the consort of Lord MahaVishnu, so it's believed that we should pray Mahalakshmi before praying Mahavishnu in any form, be it Rama, Perumal, Krishna, Narasimhar,etc.,to get His blessings.


Lyrics:

Namosthesthu Maha Maye sree Peede Sura Poojithe,
Sanka Chakra Gadha Hasthe Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe!

Namasthe Garudarude Kolasura Bhayan Kari
Sarva Papa Hare Devi Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe!

Sarvagne Sarva Varadhe, Sarva Dushta Bhayan Karee
Sarva Dukha Hare Devi, Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe!

Sidhi Budhi Pradhe Devi, Bhakthi Mukthi Pradayinee
Manthra Moorthe Sada Devi, Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe!

Aadhyantha Rahithe Devi, Aadhi Shakthi Maheswari
Yogaje Yoga Sambhoothe, Maha Lakshmi Namosthuth!

Sthoola Sukshma Maha Roudhre, Maha Shakthi Maho Dhare
Maha Papa Hare Devi, Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe!

Padmasana Sthithe Devi, Para Brahma Swaroopini
Para Mesi Jagan Matha Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe!

Swethambara Dhare Devi Nanalankara Bhooshithe
Jagat Sthithe Jagan Matha Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe!

Phala Sruthi

Maha Lakmyashtakam Stotram,
Ya Padeth Bhakthiman Nara,
Sarva Sidhi Mavapnothi,
Rajyam Prapnothi Sarvadha.

 

Here's an Audio-link for Mahakakshmi Ashtakam:

A very beautiful and soothing rendition by Karnatic Singer Sowmya!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sundara Kandam Parayanam - Sundara Kandam Recital:

Ramar Pattabishegam Picture!

Sundara Kandam is one of the 6 kandams in Valmiki Ramayana

1. Bala Kanda - 77 chapters
2. Ayodhya Kanda - 119 chapters
3. Aranya Kanda - 75 chapters
4. Kishkindha Kanda - 67 chapters
5. Sundara Kanda - 68 chapters
6. Yuddha Kanda - 128 chapters


There is said to be one more Kanda called Uttara Kanda, describing Rama's life in Ayodhya as king, the birth of his two sons, Sita's test of innocence and return to her mother, and end of Rama's earthly life.

Sundara Kandam Book
 

Out of these, the Sundara Kanda is considered very important. Reciting Sundara Kandam is said to give material as well as spiritual benefits to both, one who recites as well as one who listens to it.


All the sufferings will be alleviated and the family will be filled with peace.


I've personally experienced tremendous benefits from reciting Sundara Kandam and have recommended to so many friends and relatives. Though some people can experience peace, happiness, prayers getting
answered and other kind of benefits immediately, some may not. It would have worked at a subtle level. Though we don't feel it immediately, it will definitely prove beneficial in the long run. I can vouch for it. But please do it with whole- hearted belief.


There are many conventional ways of reciting Sundara Kandam, which you are welcome to follow. But, if you cannot follow those methods due to busy life style, you need not get dis-heartened. It's just the devotion and love for God that matters most.


Either you plan for a course of 5 days, 7 days, 9 days, and 11 days. Divide the 68 sargams conveniently over the chosen period of time, to recite.


A picture of Rama,Sita, Lakshmana and Anjeneya, preferably Pattabishegam Picture, or just the Ramayana - Sundara Kandam recital book and any kind of Prasad, is all what you need for the recital. Just a cup of boiled milk with sugar would do for the Prasad. You can offer any kind of fruits instead, though Pomegranate is said to be a very appropriate offering. Try to offer Tulsi or any Kind of flower that's meant for Prayer. If possible make some sweet, like Sweet Pongal - Sarkarai Sadam on the final day.

 

Srimad Valmiki Ramayana Sundarakandam in Tamil
 

Start everyday recital with Ganesha Slokam followed by any Mahalakshmi Slokam and Ramar Slokam. Instead of Slokam, you can sing bhajans as well.
Also finish the recital with Ram bhajan/Slokam followed by Hanuman Slokam/bhajan.


The recital would culminate with Ramar Pattabishegam Chapter from Yuddha Kandam, on the final day. Normally this chapter would be included in all the Sundara Kandam recital books available in the market.


Sundara Kandam has been translated by numerous Authors, in many vernacular languages; choose a book which you would be comfortable with, to get started. Translation (in Tamil) of original version of Valmiki Ramayanam Sundara Kandam is also available, this is the one one I use now. This is little more elaborative. But when I started I began with the simplified Tamil version.


You can invite some of your friends and relatives on the final day of recital (or all days) and enjoy the bliss together. It's good to offer food for the poor people as well.


To simplify the whole process and to do it on a regular basis, I use to read one Sargam everyday and upon reading the last, 68th Sargam, I read Ramar Pattabishegam. Generally I make Sarkarai Pongal, along with some fresh fruits for Prasad. Do it with whole-hearted devotion and love, enjoy His bliss.


However, if you wish to recite, following traditional methods, here's a link which will give you more information about this.

http://family.wikinut.com/How-To-Perform-Sundara-Kandam-Parayanam/giju7fhq/.


Sri Rama Jayam!


Sri Rama dhootha Mahadheera
Rudraveerya Samudhbava
Anjanaa garbha sampootha
Sri Vaayu Puthra Namosthuthe!

Buddhir Bhalam Yaso Dhairyam Nirbhayatvam Arogathaam
Ajaatyam Vaak Padutvam Cha Hanumat Smaranaath Bhavet !

Yathra Yathra Raghunaatha Keerthanam 
Thathra Thathra Kritham Hasthaka Anjalim
Bhaashpa Vaari Paripoorna Lochanam
Maarutim Namatha Raakshasa Anthakam !

Asaadhya Saadhaka Swaamin
Asaadhyam Thava Kim Vadha
Raama Dhootha Krupaa Sindhoh
Muth Kaaryam Saadhaya Prabhoh !