Bhagawatcharana stotram (Stotra requesting refuge in God)

Another treasure of essential information which many of us do not know from the Scholar SriVatsa Ve. Somadeva Sharma Suthakam-Asowcham (Period of exclu sion by birth and death in the family) Many of you may not familiar with this Sanskrit terminology and would find the above words difficult to understand. In our parts (village near Trichur), it is called Pelai and Valamai. I think it is called Theettu due to death and birth in most of Tamil Nadu ( most Possibly different terminologies are used about it among our community itself in different parts.) An article in this subject has been written by SriVatsa Ve. Somadeva Sharma in the latest issue of Brhama Sandesham (april 2003). This is based on an authoritative book called “Vaidyanatha Deekshitham-Asowcha Kandam.”I am giving here only the high lights Please note that Gnathi or Sapindar or Dayadhi are all those people who belong to seven generations of our paternal Family. Suthakam or Valamai This is the ten-day period of exclus

Bala Mukthavali Stotram (The prayer of beads of salvation to Bala) (Bala is the form of Parvathi when she is a young. She is energetic, playful, heroic and kind) Balarka koti ruchiraam koti brahmanda bhooshithaam, Kandarpa koti lavanyam, Baalaam vande Shiva priyam. 1 I salute Bala, the darling of Lord Shiva, Who shines like billions of Suns, Who wears billions of universes as ornament, And who is prettier than billions of cupids. Vahni koti prabham Sookshmam, koti koti hylineem, Varadam raktha varnam cha Baalaam vande sanathaneem. 2 I salute Bala who is without beginning, Who in micro form is brighter than billions of fires, Who is as good as billion lights of the moon, Who is of the red colour of blood, And who takes care of every one. Jnanarathnakaraam bhimaam Parabrahmavathareineem, Pancha prethasana gathaam, Baalaam vande guhaasayaam. 3 I salute Bala who sleeps in the cave of the mind, Who is the jewel of ultimate knowledge, Who is gross, who is incarnation of th

Thamboolam Thamboola is the combined name which is normally given to Betel leaf and Betel nut ,It is believed that the goddesses Parvathi , Lakshmi and Saraswathi in live in betel leaf , It was being chewed by males and females for getting a great super feeling.Women also used to do it for making their lip colour read It is a custom almost throughout India to offer Thamboola to the guests (athithi_) , before they depart to their home Also It was a practice of all people to chew Betelnut and betel leaf on which lime is applied after a heavy meals. Scientists did find that betelnut has carcinogenic properties and slowly this custom is disappearing. Thamboola in South india Thamboola is given during many occasions in south 1.When unmarried and married ladies(who are not widows ) come to our house , it is a custom to give , Thamboola, Kumkum and round Turmeric roots to them. . 2.Since betel leaf is considered as the personification of truth , on the day when marriage engag

Take bath in sacred waters with Snana SAnkalpam Snana Sankalpam for people to take bath in Sacred Rivers/Sacred Tanks. Many of us visit rivers like  Cauvery, Yamuna , Godhavari etc and sacred tanks attached to great temple ,Here is a very easy method to take bath in such places with Sankalpam. Before going there , carry a panchangam so that you can fill up the blanks .Half of the material is only names of months, days etc in Sanskrit (General for every body- Keep ready Year name Paksha, Masa , Dhina, Nakshatra details –See at end for Sanskrit names) From book By J ,Narasimhan 1.Shuklam baradaram Vishnum , sasi varnam chathurbujam, Prasanna vadanam dhyayeth , sarva vighna upa santhaye 2.Pranayamam only for boys who have completed Upanayana 3.Apavithra pavithro vaa sarvaavasthaam gathopi vaa , ya smareth pundari kaksham, sabahyanthara suchi , manasam vaachikam paapam , karmanaa Samuparjitham, sri Rama smaranenaiva vyopahathi na samsaya . Sree rama Rama rama Tidhir Vi