#Vedas #Talavakaropanisat #Kenopanisat

This post is a preamble for a series of posts over next many days.

Who is the Rsi for Talavakaropanisat? What is the meter? Who is the Deity?

In today's post, we will focus on the Rsi aspect only.

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#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana

In the past, we had a glimpse of Lakshmana's devotion towards Sri Rama, his brother and father figure.

However, it is interesting to note his unique relationship with Sita, especially as seen by from her perspective.

Thread below

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We all know about the Golden Deer / Maricha incident and the way Sita influences Lakshmana to go in search of his brother.

Personally, I am unable to get 2 strong emotional points in one thread and hence, I will skip this incident for today.

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In Sundara Kanda, when Hanuman meets Sita, she says the following

सिंहस्कन्धो महाबाहुर्मनस्वी प्रियदर्शिनः।
पितृवद्वर्तते रामे मातृवन्मां समाचरन्।।

Lakshmana, who has lionshoulders and strong arms, who is handsome, who takes Rama as his father & treats me as his own mother

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ह्रियमाणां तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः।
वृद्धोपसेवी लक्ष्मीवान् शक्तो न बहुभाषिता।।

Heroic Lakshmana, did not know while I was borne away. He is prosperous, foremost in serving elders. He is energetic and reserved in his speech like my father-in-law ..

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He is a prince dear (to his brother).

These are from Sarga-38, shlokas 60 and 61.

There are 3 distinct points which I want to draw the attention of the reader to.

1. She also compares Lakshmana to Dasaratha much like how Rama did when he constructed the hut in panchavati

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#AithiyaMaala #ViwamangalamSwamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar is one of the most revered saints in Kerala's history. He was famous as one of the few who could see Gods, Goddess, Celestial beings in their flesh and blood form. Thread below about his mahima

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1. Vaddakkumanathan Temple

During Vrishchikka masa, Karthika star day is considered to be the birthday of Karthiayani devi in Kumaranallur.

On this day, Swamiyar visited the temple to offer his prayers, but doesn't find the lord in garbha griha

PC: Google

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After searching all around, he observes Mahadeva sitting on the southern compound wall and watching something in distance.

Swamiyar asks, "Oh lord ! Why are you sitting here"

Mahadeva says "I am watching the Aarattu (ceremonial bathing during festival) of my consort"

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Swamiyar says, "In that case, let me not disturb you".

He bows and immediately goes to the temple authorities and describes what transpired.

Immediately, a priest performed a pooja at the southern compound wall which continues till date on that specific day

🕉️

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2. Vaikkom Temple

Vaikkasthashtami Festival (was on 8-Dec this year) is one of the major festivals in this majestic Shiva kshetrams. Swamiyar visited this temple and went to worship the lord, but as usual, he didn't find the Bhagwan

PC: TOI

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#Mahabhashiam #GovindaBhagavatpada #AdiShankara

Adi Shankara's guru was Govinda Bhagavatpada who in turn was a shishya of Sree Gaudapadacharya. Interestingly, his story is connected to Mahabhashiam by Patanjali and his 4 sons are prodigies in their own right.

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Sage Patanjali was very kind at heart, but extremely short tempered. After composing the colossal Mahabhashiam, he started to spread the knowledge by conducting classes.

Once, one of his students stepped out of class. Patanjali was very furious & flames came out of his eyes.

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The flames burnt all 999 students in the class. The student who stepped out came in and said, "Gurudeva, don't worry. I am alive. I can propogate the knowledge of Mahabhashiam"

Patanjali was furious that because of him he lost others & landed up burning him down too

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There was a Gandharva who comes & says, "Master, I have learnt the Mahabhashiam from the nearby Peepal tree. I can help spread the knowledge"

Patanjali was livid and anger and curses him that he has cheated and hence, should become Brahmarakshasa.

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Gandharva begs for forgiveness. Patanjali says that he will meet a befitting student to whom he should teach Mahaabhashiam. Once the student learns, he will be rid of curse

Brahmarakshasa starts to pose questions to passing by Brahmins. When they dont answer, he eats them

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#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana

Today, I will quote a few verses on Lakshmana's famous anger and his unflinching devotion towards Sri Rama. There are couple of instances where his Bhakti towards his brother is intense.

Thread below

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In Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Lakshmana on being told about the course of events goes into his famous rage. He even threatens to kill anyone who supports Bharatha.

However, what he says to Kausalya is what touches one's soul. A couple of shlokas below

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अनुरक्तोऽस्मि भावेन भ्रातरं देवि तत्त्वतः।
सत्येन धनुषा चैव दत्तेनेष्टेन ते शपे।।16।।

O mother, (Lakshmana says to Kausalya) I am truly loyal to my brother from the bottom of my heart. I swear this by my bow, on my merits earned through charity, ...

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by my truthfulness & by the good deeds I have done

दीप्तमग्निमरण्यं वा यदि रामः प्रवेक्ष्यति।
प्रविष्टं तत्र मां देवि त्वं पूर्वमवधारय।।17।।

O mother rest assured should Rama enter a blazing fire or a forest I must have already entered it

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This is fiercely violent sentiment .. One of pure unbridled emotion where he swears by all his karma that he will be the first face dangers before Rama has to endure it.

Is this unlimited Bhakti ? Or protective nature towards his Rama?

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Srikanteshwara Temple,
#Nanjangud  #Karnatakatemples 🚩

Srikanteshwara Temple or
Nanjundeshwara Temple is a famous Shiva Temple located in Karnataka at the bank of river  Kapila. Temple is also called Varanasi of South. Nanjunda means one who has consumed poison.

Story is  related to the Samudra Mathanam when Paramashiva had to consume halahala.

Parashurama worshipped Mahadeva here to relieve himself from the curse of Mathru Hatya. While clearing the place to do poojas Parashurama's  axe hit the Shivalingam and it began bleeding, that

mark is still visible even today. Thus
it is also believed that Parashurama did Shiva Prathishta here

Sthala Puranam says that, once there was a demon named Keshi who disturbed the people in the area, after  getting blessing from Brahma Deva  and Mahavishnu. Mahadeva appeared

here and killed demon Keshi and blessed this place as Papa Vinashini. Whoever praying to Srikanteshwara or Nanjundeshwara, after bathing in the  Kabini River will be relieved from all sins.

Nanjundeshwaraya Namah
🙏🕉🙏

#Thread
Lessor known facts of Sudarshan Chakra or Neela Chakra of Puri Jagannath Temple.

The metal wheel at the top of Bhagwan Jagannath temple is also known as Neela Chakra (Blue Wheel). The wheel is made of eight metals comprising of.. 1/n

iron, copper, zinc, mercury, lead, brass, silver & gold. It's circumferance is about 36 feet & it is so designed that there is a wheel within the wheel. The circumferance of the inner wheel is about 26 feet. Eight hubs join together the inner and the outer wheels. 2/n

There are decorative designs on the outer wheel. The thickness of the Neela Chakra is 2 inches.The wheel is said to be Bhagwan Vishnu's most powerful weapon, Sudarshana Chakra. Inside Jagannath temple, Lord Vishnu's wheel is also worshipped in the name of 'Sudarshana'. 3/n

But inside the temple Sudarshana is not in the shape of a wheel, but in the shape of a small wood pillar placed to the left of image of bhagwan Jagannath. It is believed that the same Sudarshana is also at the top of the temple and is known by the name of Neela Chakra. 4/n

There is a specific category of people among the temple sevaks to serve the Neela Chakra and they are known as Garuda Sevaka or Chunara Nejoga. The pilgrims hold these sevaks in high esteem because everyday at Sunset. 5/n

@FeistyLibLady @jamie_raskin @buzz\_chronicles @buzz\\\_chronicles @buzz_chronicles save as category @pdfmakerapp grab @pdfmakerapp grab this @readwiseio save @readwiseio save thread @threader compile summarize @Threadreaderapp unroll please @ttttreads unroll @unrollthread.com @SaveToBookmarks

In the last couple of days Russian propaganda has published a lot of content alleging that Poland staged provocations against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The content in question has employed narratives in use by the Kremlin in its influence activities against Poland. 1/6

Pattern no. 1
Articles posted to Russian websites pick up false accusations against the Poles. These include bogus claims that Poland sabotaged the construction site of the Russia-to-Germany gas link and carried out a direct attack on the pipeline. 2/6

Pattern no. 2
Some of the articles warn that the Kremlin may take retaliatory actions against Poland. Based on false accusations thrown by Russia, the Kremlin’s propaganda amplifies the calls by some journalists and contributors to embark on aggressive activities against PL. 3/6

Pattern no. 3
The Russian media outlets publish a lot of materials that mock the Polish Navy. The narratives that denigrate this component of the Polish Armed Forces are based on opinions and quotes by single Polish Internet users. 4/6

These information warfare efforts aim to:

- solidify false accusations made against Poland

- threaten the Polish society with a potential response by Russia

- weaken the morale of the Polish soldiers and undermine the image of the army 5/6