Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam Paarayanam - ஶ்ரீ லலிதா சஹஸ்ரநாம பாராயணம்

I got introduced to Lalitha Sahasranamam and it’s benefits by famous Tamil Author Balakumaran. My heartfelt thanks to Author Balakumaran. He used to introduce variety of spiritual information through his stories and novels. I’m a huge fan of his writings.

He mentioned in a book that chanting or mere listening or hearing ‘Lalitha Sahasranamam’ is beneficial. It would create good vibrations in that place. (there’s a difference between listening and hearing you see, listening is focusing, whereas hearing is just letting it play and you continue with your own work) I thought I should give it a try.

Few years back, there was a group of ladies who would Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Chanting during Fridays. I thought I would follow them. But when I started chanting, the pronunciation was so difficult that I couldn’t follow. Upon seeing my predicament, one of my friends suggested that I listen to T.S.Ranganathan’s Chanting of Lalitha Sahasranamam and try to chant along. That’s the best thing ever happened to me, in this regard.

The first time I heard T.S.Ranganathan’s rendition, I was speechless, his chanting was so vivid and clear that even who doesn’t know Sanskrit a bit can follow easily.

I started listening often and I tried to chant along, over a period of time I was able to pick up the pronunciation.  I am still learning and improving day by day.

I have personally experienced the vibrations and peace of mind after chanting or even listening or hearing. Whenever I’m in a disturbed mindset, I habituated myself to listen to Lalitha Sahasranamam. It helps.

Somehow when I visited ‘Giri Traders’ in Chennai, I got attracted to the Ambigai’s picture, which happened to be ‘Kanchi Kamakshi Amman’.  With Her blessings probably, I got to know about Shri Maha Periyavar. I got His picture, which I kept in my Pooja room.  Now He’s become very close to my heart. I always believe ‘அவனருளாலே அவன் தாள் வணங்கி’; famous words from ‘Manickavasagar’s Thiruvaasagam’ - which means, we worship Him because of His Blessings.  My humble Pranams to Sri Kanchi Paramacharya - Maha Periyavar🙏🙏

 

Kanchi Maha Periyavar

Maha Periyavar also insists on chanting ‘Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam’.  Here are the links by Britain Tamil Bakthi, on Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Mahimai, in the words of Maha Periyavar. A big "Thank You" to Britain Tamil Bakthi YouTube Channel, they are doing excellent service of spreading the words of Maha Periyavar.

https://youtu.be/YGGxJl347Vs

https://youtu.be/wzC4GvrWgjw

So, as a starting - you can hear or listen to T.S.Ranganathan’s Shri Lalitha Sahasranama Chanting and try to chant along. I’m sure you’ll be able to pick up and get Kamakshi’s Blessings. 

T.S.Ranganathan

Here’s the link for T.S.Ranganathan’s Shri Lalitha Sahasranama Chanting:

For Tamil Lyrics:

https://youtu.be/q9g9vRuTNAQ 

For English Lyrics:

https://youtu.be/T6GzLW8f_PI

I would like to thank Sunsoft30 - YouTube channel for uploading the Chanting with Lyrics, whose video link I have provided above.

Also, when exploring more about Lalitha Sahasranamam, I happened to watch ‘Suki Sivam’ Sir’s discourse on Lalitha Sahasranamam. It’s an excellent discourse, describing the meaning of the Stotram, how to and how not :) to recite, it’s benefits, etc., it’s a great motivation to chant Lalitha Sahasranamam.(properly) My heart-felt gratitude to Suki Sivam Sir.

Here’s the link for Mr.Suki Sivam’s discourse.

https://youtu.be/wQe1z1n5PCk

Another Jewel from Shobana Vignesh - Lalitha Sahasranamam in Tamil, 
I would like to thank "Bhakthi Maalai" YouTube Channel, for uploading this wonderful song.  
Every time I listen to, I feel total Bliss, and dear Shobana draws a beautiful picture of Lalithambigai in our mind.

Here's the link for the wonderful song:

https://youtu.be/AUPVmnBVXE4 

 

‘யாம் பெற்ற இன்பம், பெருக இவ்வையகம்’.

Let everyone in this world benefit, from which I have benefited’ - is the meaning of the Tamil saying above.

Slokam For Normal Delivery for Pregnant Women

Thayumanavar Slokam:

This is a slokam which always reminds me of my beloved mother, who suggests this slokam to almost every pregnant woman she sees.  She will ask us to write it in a piece of paper and diligently hands it over to them and tell them to recite it 3 times a day. She will also assure them that the lady will be blessed with healthy baby and normal delivery.

I too (obviously) recited it during my pregnancy and blessed with normal delivery and healthy babies. We also visited Thayumanavar Temple, in Trichy to express our gratitude to Him.  

Hey sankara smarahara
Bramahathathi natha
Mannatha samba sasisooda
Hara thrisoolin

Sambo sukaprasavakrutha
Pavame thayalo
Shri mathrubootha
Siva palayamam namasthey.

Tamil Version of the Sloka:

சுகப்பிரசவ சுலோகம்:

கர்ப்பிணிகள் தாயுமானவர், அம்பிகையை வேண்டி, இந்த சுலோகத்தை தினமும் 3 முறை சொல்லி வழிபட்டால் சுகப்பிரசவம் ஆகும் என்பது நம்பிக்கை.

ஹே, சங்கர, ஸ்மரஹர பிரமாதிநாத
மன்னாத ஸாம்ப சசிசூட ஹர திரிசூலின்
சம்போ ஸுகப்ரசவ க்ருத் பவ மே தயாளோ
ஸ்ரீமாத்ருபூத சிவ பாலய மாம் நமஸ்தே

சுகபிரசவம் ஆக விரும்பும் பெண்கள் தாயுமானவரை வணங்கினால் தாங்கள் விரும்பியபடி சுகப்பிரசவம் உண்டாகும் என்பது பக்தர்களின் நம்பிக்கை.

Gokulashtami/Krishnajanmashtami treat to ears, mind and soul!

 

 

 

 

Enjoy these beautiful songs and get His blessings on this ‘Auspicious Day’!

 

Meera Bhajan by Vani Jayaram, in the movie Meera - Hema malini as Meera..

Wonderful treat!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvr-_MCurgo

 

Excellent song by M.S.Subbulakshmi Amma:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3qD9EwvYEI

 

 

Aadi Amavasai & Mahalayapaksha Amavasai - Worship of Ancestors

Prasad for Ancestors!

Worshipping ancestors is a Common Ritual followed in many parts of the World, particularly in Asia.

Aadi Amavasai is the 'New Moon Day' which falls on the month of Aadi/July/August .Generally we are supposed to worship our forefathers on each and every Amavasai/New Moon Day. But, particularly it's very important to worship them during Aadi Amavasai/New Moon Day which falls on the month of August and also during 'Mahalaya paksha Amavasai' which falls on the month of October.


Mahalaya paksham begins on 24-09-2018 and ends on 08-10-2018, which happens to be 'Amavasai'.  We can offer our prayers to the ancestors during this whole fortnight. However, Mahalayapaksham culminates on the day of 'Amavasai' or 'New moon day', which makes it more special.  Those who have missed the opportunity to offer 'Thithi' during the death anniversary of the ancestors, can do so during 'Mahalaya paksham'.


Our forefathers/ancestors are believed to descend from their abode of 'Pitru Loka'/Ancestral World, to the earth during these times of the year. The dead ancestors can help solve our day to day problems related to money, relationship and health. They also help us in our spiritual advancement. Effective way to communicate with them is do 'Tharpanam' or 'Shraartham'. Also we can worship them and offer food to them. Donating food &/clothes, to the poor is also very beneficial.


In our 'Nagarathar' tradition it's very common to worship our ancestors, in the form of offering food and worshipping them. In our community, people gather their extended families and do 'Padaippu' or offer food to their ancestors. At times, we do individually at homes and also worship our ancestors often, by offering Milk with Palm Sugar, fruits and dried fruits - which we call 'Paal Pazham Vachu Kumbiduthal'.


Sons, those who do not have fathers offer 'Tharpanam/Shraartham', mostly at homes/ temples, if possible one can do at the River banks/Seashores. 

Here, in Singapore, Tharpanam/Shraartham Pooja can be done in many temples like, Sri. Thandayudhpani Temple, Tank Road., Geylang Shr Shivan Temple., Sri Shiva Durga Temple, Potong Pasir, to name a few.


Some people do 'Tharpanam' during each and every Amavasai, it'll be wonderful if one can do every month. Otherwise it's better to do during 'Aadi Amavasai' and 'Mahalayapaksha Amavasai'. It'll give tremendous benefits in our daily lives. In other words we are helping our ancestors to advance spiritually; in turn they bless us and solve our 'Mundane problems'.


These are believed and practiced in our Culture for a very long time, if it’s believed to solve our problems, why don't we give it a try? At least it will give 'mental satisfaction' and 'Peace do Mind' which I can guarantee, through my personal experience.

It’s okay to do in our own small ways too, if we are able to do ‘Tharpanam’ in temple or home its fine. Otherwise we can offer food to our ancestors on that day and pray, we can offer afternoon meals, (for us) usually, Sarkarai Sadham/Sweet Pongal or Payasam, Rice/Sadham, Paruppu masiayl/Lentils, gravies with Vegetables like Plantain/unripe banana/Vazhakkai, Brinjal/Kathirikkai, Snake gourd/Pudalangaai, etc.  If possible, we can donate food to the poor.

Javvarisi Payasam/Sago Kheer!

  

Fruits of your Choice!

Paruppu Masiyal/Moong Dhal!

Chow Chow Koottu/Choyate lentil Curry!

Kathirikkai Kuzhambu/Brinjal Gravy!  

At least, we can try to offer fruits and milk with Jaggery/palm sugar.  Anything would be beneficial; it is the mind-set, which is of utmost importance.

Aadi Amavasai/New Moon day falls on 11thAugust, 2018!


Mahalaya Paksha Amavasai day falls on 8th October, 2018! 

Hope we pray and get the blessings of our Ancestors on these ‘Auspicious Days’.

Fruits and milk Prasad!

Sarkarai Pongal/Sweet Pongal with Jaggery!

 

Sarkarai Pongal/Sweet Pongal with Jaggery!

Karuppu Ulundhu Vadai/Vadai with Black gram/Urad dhal!