About Me

Over the last few decades I've spent a number of hours cooking for my family of 5. My husband is a retired bank Manager and my 3 boys are IIT graduates. Now I'm sharing my knowledge and thoughts to the world through this site. Whether you are a busy mom or a student learning to cook, you will find this blog helpful for cooking simple and easy to make food for yourself and the whole family. Hope you enjoy my recipe blog! I also love listening to devotional songs. Please browse through my devotional blogs to know more about them. I am always looking for ways to improve my blogs. Please leave your comments. If you like to see recipe of any particular dish or lyrics of a devotional song, please also let me know. Thanks for reading my blog.

Monday, 30 January 2012

Slokas on Koorma Avathar





Dasaavathaaramulu - Slokams












                                           

Sreekoormam (Dist. Srikakulam_A..P.)

Ghanta stupas at the  back side of the main gopuram

  
 Sri Koormam is a place situated about 15 kms., from Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh
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There is a temple dedicated to Sri Kurmanatha, which is the second avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kurm Avatar(Tortoise). This is the only temple of Kurmanatha in IndiaThere is a  temple dedicated to Sri Kurmanatha, which is the second avatar of Lord Vishnu,Kunrma Avatar (tortoise) This is the only temple of KurmanathaThe head of the deity is in the form of a Kurma (tortoise) and is represented by a Vishnu namam, the tail being represented by a Saligrama presented by Adi Sankaracharya  in India.
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One unique feature of this temple is that it has Dhwajastambams in the front and back of the temple. That is because the deity faces the back of the temple on the west.



Dhwajastambams in the front of the tem



                           
  
                                Meaning:
 
 
  

   

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Thursday, 19 January 2012

Ratha Saptami

Ratha Saptami or Rathasapthami ( Telugu: రథ సప్తమి or Magha Saptami is a Hindu festival that falls on the seventh day (Saptami) in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month Maagha.On the seventh day of the bright half of the Magh month the Sun is worshipped. The sun is imagined to be a chariot drawn by seven horses, which represent the seven colours of the rainbow. It also marks the birth of Surya and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanti (the Sun-god’s birthday). The festival is observed by all Hindus in their houses and in innumerable temples dedicated to Surya, across India. Rathasapthami begins in households with a purification bath (bathing is also done in a river or sea) by holding several Ekka (Calotropis Gigantea) Jilledu in Telugu leaves on their head while bathing courtyard in front of the house the sun is worshipped. A picture of the chariot and the seven horses is drawn on the ground. On the four sides “rangoli” is made (designs made with powders) and in the centre cow dung is burnt. Then on the stove milk is boiled in earthen vessels while facing the sun. When the milk boils it is believed it reaches the sun. .Then an offering of “khir” made of wheat or rice  is shown to the sun. Rathasapthami begins in households with a purification bath (bathing is also done in a river or sea) by holding several Ekka (Calotropis Gigantea) (Jilledu in Telugu ) puja with the ritual Naivedhya (food offering to God), and offering of flowers and fruits.Argyam or (Tharpanam) (water held in the palms) is offered to the Sun God on this day while chanting hymns are performed to the Sun God. Important prayers offered to the Sun god on this occasion are the Adityahridayam, Gayathri, Suryashtakam, Surya Sahasram namam or Surya astotharam. The preferred time for the pooja is within one hour after sunrise.


The 12 Names of Surya { the Sun God }

1 Om Mitraya namah (The friend of all)
2 Om Ravaye namah (Praised by all)
3 Om Suryaya namah (The guide of all)
4 Om Bhanave namah (The bestower of beauty)
5 Om Khagaya namah (Stimulator of the senses)
6 Om Pushne namah (The nourisher of all)
7 Om Hiranyagarbhaya namah (The creator)
8 Om Marichaye namah (Destroyer of disease)
9 Om Adityaya namah (The inspirer)
10 Om Savitre namah (The purifier)
11 Om Arkaya namah (The radiant)
12 Om Bhaskaraya namah (The illuminator)



Lord Surya give health, prosperity, good eyesight, strength and courage, success.Lord Suya is is known for his Power, strength and glory.
Surya Ashtottarams – 108 Names of Lord Surya is read on Every Sunday and on RathaSaptami (7th Day of Maghamasam).
Surya Mool mantra
Om hram hrim hraum sah suryaya namah

Surya Aastottara Shatanamavali – (The 108 names of Surya)
Om arunaya namah
Om sharanyaya namah
Om karuna-rasa-sindhave namah
Om asmanabalaya namah
Om arta-raksa-kaya namah
Om adityaya namah
Om adi-bhutaya namah
Om akhila-gamavedine namah
Om acyutaya namah
Om akhilagnaya namah
Om anantaya namah
Om inaya namah
Om visva-rupaya na mah
Om ijyaya namah
Om indraya namah
Om bhanave Namah
Om indriramandiraptaya namah
Om vandaniyaya namah
Om ishaya namah
Om suprasannaya namah
Om sushilaya namah
Om suvarcase namah
Om vasupradaya namah
Om vasave namah
Om vasudevaya namah
Om ujjvalaya namah
Om ugra-rupaya namah
Om urdhvagaya namah
Om vivasvate namah
Om udhatkiranajalaya namah
Om hrishikesaya namah
Om urjasvalaya namah
Om viraya namah
Om nirjaraya namah
Om jayaya namah
Om urudvayavirnimuktanijasarakrashivandyaya namah
Om rugdhantre namah
Om kraksacakracaraya namah
Om krajusvabhavavittaya namah
Om nityastutyaya namah
Om krukaramatrikavarnarupaya ujjvalatejase namah
Om kruksadhinathamitraya namah
Om pushakaraksaya namah
Om luptadantaya namah
Om shantaya namah
Om kantidaya namah Om dhanaya namah
Om kanatkanaka sushanaya namah
Om khalotaya namah
Om lunit-akhila-daityaya namah
Om satya-ananda-svarupine namah
Om apavarga-pradaya namah
Om arta-sharanyaya namah
Om ekakine namah
Om bhagavate namah
Om sushtisthityantakarine namah
Om gunatmane namah
Om dhrinibhrite namah
Om brihate namah
Om brahmane namah
Om esvaryadaya namah
Om sharvaya namah
Om haridashvaya namah
Om shauraye namah
Om dashadiksam-prakashaya namah
Om bhakta-vashyaya namah
Om ojaskaraya namah
Om jayine namah
Om jagad-ananda-hetave namah
Om taya janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-varji
aounnatyapadasamcararathasthaya-asuraraye namah
Om kamaniyakagaya namah
Om abjaballabhaya namah
Om antar-bahih prakashaya namah
Om acintyaya namah
Om atma-rupine namah
Om acyutaya namah
Om amareshaya namah
Om parasmai jyotishe namah
Om ahaskaraya namah
Om ravaye namah
Om haraye namah
Om param-atmane namah
Om tarunaya namah
Om tarenyaya namah
Om grahanam pataye namah
Om bhaskaraya namah
Om adimadhyantara-hitaya namah
Om saukhyapradaya namah
Om sakalajagatam pataye namah
Om suryaya namah
Om kavaye namah
Om narayanaya namah
Om pareshaya namah
Om tejorupaya namah
Om shrim hiranyagarbhaya namah
Om hrim sampatkaraya namah
Om aim istarthadaya namah
Om am suprasannaya namah
Om shrimate namah
Om shreyase namah
Om saukhyadayine namah
Om diptamurtaye namah
Om nikhilagamavedhyaya namah
Om nityanandaya namah

Surya Ashtakam

AdidEva namastubhyam praseeda mama bhAskara
dhivAkara namastubhyam prabhAkara namOstutE || 1
saptASva rathamaaruDham pracamDham kaSyapAtmajam
SwEtapadmadharam dEvam tam sooryam praNamaamyaham || 2
lOhitam rathamAruDham sarvalOka pitAmaham
mahApApaharam dEvam tam sUryam praNamAmyaham || 3
treiguNyam ca mahASUram brahma vishNu mahESwaram
mahApApaharam dEvam tam sUryam praNamAmyaham || 4
bRMhitaM tEjasAMpuMjam vAyurAkASa mEvaca
prabhustvaM sarvalOkAnAM taM sUryaM praNamAmyahaM || 5
baMdhUkapushpa saMkASaM harakuMDala bhUshitaM
Ekacakra dharaM dEvaM taM sUryaM praNamAmyahaM || 6
viSwESaM viSwakartAraM mahAtEjaha pradIpanam
mahApApaharaM dEvaM taM sUryaM praNamAmyahaM || 7
SrI vishNuM jagatAMnAthaM jnAna(gnana) vijnAna(vignana) mOkshadaM
mahApApaharaM dEvaM taM sUryaM praNamAmyahaM || 8
sUryAshTakaM paThEnnityaM grahapIDA praNASanaM
aputrO labhatEputram daridrO dhanavAn bhavEt || 9
amishaM madhupAnaM ca yaha karOti ravErdinE
saptajanma bhavEdrOgI janma janma daridratA || 10
strI taila madhumAMsAni yE tyajanti ravErdinE
na vyAdhi SOka dAridryaM, sUryalOkaM sa gacchati || 11
iti srI siva prOktam srI sUryAshtakam sampUrnam


ADITHYA HRiDHAYAM MANTRA online:

Aditya hrudayam is a Stotra by Sage Agastya to Lord Sri Rama at the battle field between Ravana and Rama. The great Cosmic Sage Agastya dictates this hymns of Sun God to Sri Rama to ensure Victory to him

Tato yuddhaparishraantam samare chinmayaa sthitam.
raavanam chaagrato drushtva yuddhaaya samupasthitam.1
MEANING:  Rama, exhausted and about to face Ravana ready for a fresh battle was lost deep in contemplation.
Daivataishcha samaagamya drashhtumabhyaagato ranam..
upaagamyaa braviidraama magastyo bhagavaan rishhi.. 2
MEANING:  The all knowing sage Agastya who had joined the Gods to witness the battle spoke to Rama thus
Raama Raama mahaabaaho shrnu guhyam sanaatanam .
yena sarvaanariinvatsa samare vijayishhyasi .. 3
MEANING: Oh Rama, mighty-armed Rama, listen to this eternal secret, which will help you destroy all your enemies in battle
Aaditya hrudayam punyam sarva shatru vinaashanam .
Jayaavaham japennityam akshayyam paramam shivam 4
MEANING: This holy hymn dedicated to the Sun deity will result in destroying all enemies and bring you victory and never ending supreme bliss.
Sarvamangalamaangalyam sarvapaapapranaashanam .
Chintaashokaprashamanam aayurvardhanamuttamam .. 5
MEANING: This hymn is supreme and is a guarantee of complete prosperity and is the destroyer of sin, anxiety, anguish and is the bestower of longevity.
Rashmimantam samudyantam devaasuranamaskritam .
Puujayasva vivasvantam bhaaskaram bhuvaneshvaram.. 6
MEANING:  Worship the One, possessed of rays when he has completely risen, held in reverence by the devas and asuras, and who is the Lord of the universe by whose efflugence all else brighten.
Sarvadevaatmako hyeshha tejasvii rashmibhaavanah .
Eshha devaasuraganaa.nllokaan paati gabhastibhi .. 7
MEANING:  He indeed represent the totality of all celestial beings. He is self-luminous and sustains all with his rays. He nourishes and energizes the inhabitants of all the worlds and the race of Devas and Asuras.
Eshhah brahmaa cha vishhnushcha shivah skandah prajaapati .
Mahendro dhanadah kaalo yamah somo hyapaam patim .. 8
MEANING: He is Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Skands, Prajapati. He is also Mahendra, kubera, kala, yama, soma and varuna.
Pitaro vasavah saadhyaa hyashvinau maruto manuh .
Vaayurvanhih prajaapraana ritukartaa prabhaakarah .. 9
MEANING:  He is the pitrs, vasus, sadhyas, aswini devas, maruts, manu, vayu, agni, prana and, being the source of all energy and light, is the maker of all the six seasons.
Aadityah savitaa suuryah khagah puushhaa gabhastimaan .
Suvarnasadrsho bhaanu rvishvaretaa divaakarah .. 10
MEANING:  He is the son of Aditi, creator of the universe, inspirer of action, transverser of the heavens. He is the sustainer, illumination of all directions, the golden hued brilliance and is the maker of the day.
Haridashvah sahasraarchih saptasaptirmariichimaan..
Timironmathanah shambhustvashhtaa maartandam anshumaan 11
MEANING:  He is the Omnipresent One who pervades all with countless rays. He is the power behind the seven sense organs, the dispeller of darkness, bestower of happiness & prosperity, the remover of misfortunes and is the infuser of life.
Hiranyagarbhah shishirastapano bhaaskaro ravih .
Agnigarbhoaditeh putrah shankha shishiranaashanah 12
MEANING: He is the primordial being manifesting as the Trinity. He ushers in the Day and is the teacher (of Hiranyagarbha), the fire-wombed, the son of Aditi, and has a vast and supreme felicity.
Vyomanaatha stamobhedii rig yajuh saama paaragah .
Ghana vrishhti rapaam mitro vindhya viithii plavangamah .. 13
MEANING:  He is the remover of intellectual dull-headedness. He is the Lord of the firmament, dispeller of darkness. Master of all the vedas, he is a friend of the waters and causes rain. HE has crossed the vindya range and sports in the Brahma Nadi.
Aatapii mandalii mrityuh pingalah sarvataapanah .
Kavirvishvo mahaatejaa raktah sarva bhavod hbhavah .. 14
MEANINGHe, whose form is circular and is colored yellow, is intensely absorbed and inflicts death. He is the destroyer of all and is the Omniscient one being exceedingly energetic sustains the universe and all action.
Nakshatra grahataaraanaam adhipo vishva bhaavanah .
Tejasaamapi tejasvii dvaadashaatman namostute .. 15
MEANING: He is the lord of stars, planets and all constellations. He is the origin of everything in the universe and is the cause of the lustre of even the brilliant ones. Salutations to Thee who is the One being manifest in the twelve forms of the Sun.
Namah puurvaaya giraye pashchimaayaadraye namah .
Jyotirganaanaam pataye dinadhipataye namah .. 16
MEANING:  Salutations to the Eastern and western mountain, Salutations to the Lord of the stellar bodies and the Lord of the Day.
Jayaaya jayabhadraaya haryashvaaya namo namah .
Namo namah sahasraa.nsha aadityaaya namo namah .. 17
MEANING:  Salutations to the One who ordains victory and the prosperity that follows. Salutations to the one possessed of yellow steeds and to the thousand rayed Lord, and to Aditya.
Namah ugraaya viiraaya saarangaaya namo namah .
Namah padma prabodhaaya maartandaaya namo namah .. 18
MEANING: Salutations to the Terrible one, the hero, the one that travels fast. Salutations to the one whose emergence makes the lotus blossom and to the fierce and omnipotent one.
Brahmeshaana achyuteshaaya suuryaayaadityavarchase .
Bhaasvate sarvabhakshaaya raudraaya vapushhe namah .. 19
MEANING:  Salutations to the Lord of Brahma, shiva and Achyuta, salutations to the powerful and to the effulgence in the Sun that is both the illuminator and devourer of all and is of a form that is fierce like Rudra.
Tamoghnaaya himagnaaya shatrughnaaya amitaatmane .
Kritaghnahanaaya devaaya jyotishhaam pataye namah .. 20
MEANING:  Salutations to he transcendental atman that dispels darkness, drives away all fear, and destroys all foes. Salutations also to the annihilator of the ungrateful and to the Lord of all the stellar bodies.
Tapta chaamiika raabhaaya haraye vishvakarmane .
Namastamo.abhinighnaaya ruchaye lokasaakshine .. 21
MEANING: Salutations to the Lord shining like molten gold, to the transcendental fire, the fire of supreme knowledge, the architect of the universe, destroyer of darkness and salutations again to the effulgence that is the Cosmic witness.
Naashayatyeshha vai bhuutam tadeva srijati prabhuuH .
Paayatyeshha tapatyeshha varshhatyeshha gabhastibhih .. 22
MEANING: Salutations to the Lord who destroys everything and creates them again. Salutations to Him who by His rays consumes the waters, heats them up and sends them down as rain.
Eshha supteshhu jaagarti bhuuteshhu parinishhthitah .
Eshha evaagnihotramcha phalam chaivaagnihotrinaamh .. 23
MEANING:  Salutations to the Lord who abides in the heart of all beings keeping awake when they are asleep. He is both the sacrificial fire and the fruit enjoyed by the worshippers.
Vedaashcha kratavashchaiva kratuunaam phalameva cha .
Yaani krityaani lokeshhu sarva eshha ravih prabhuh .. 24
MEANING: The Sun is verily the Lord of all action in this universe. He is verily the vedas, the sacrifices mentioned in them and the fruits obtained by performing the sacrifices.
Enamaapatsu krichchhreshhu kaantaareshhu bhayeshhu cha.
kiirttayanh purushhah kashchin naavasiidati raaghava .. 25
MEANING: Raghava, one who recites this hymn in times of danger, during an affliction or when lost in the wilderness and having fear, he will not lose heart (and become brave).
Puujayasvainamekaagro devadevam jagathpatimh.
Etat.h trigunitam japtvaa yuddheshhu vijayishhyasi .. 26
MEANING: Raghava, worship this Lord of all Gods and the Universe with one-pointed devotion. Recite this hymn thrice and you will win this battle.
Nasminkshane mahaabaaho raavanam tvam vadhishhyasi.
Evamuktavaa tadaa.agastyo jagaamh cha yathaagatamh .. 27
MEANING: O mighty armed one, you shall truimph over Ravana this very moment. Having spoken this, Agastya returned his original place. Raghava became free from worry after hearing this.
Etachchhritvaa mahaatejaa nashhtashoko abhavattadaa.
Dhaarayaamaasa supriito raaghavah prayataatmavaanh .. 28
MEANING: He was greatly pleased and became brave and energetic.
Aaadityam prekshya japtvaa tu param harshhamavaaptavaanh.
Triraachamya shuchirbhuutvaa dhanuraadaaya viiryavaanh .. 29
MEANING: Gazing at the sun with devotion, He recited this hymn thrice and experienced bliss.
Rraavanam prekshya hrushhtaatmaa yuddhaaya samupaagamath.
Sarva yatnena mahataa vadhe tasya dhritoabhavath .. 30
MEANING: Purifying Himself by sipping water thrice, He took up His bow with His mighty arms. Seeing Ravana coming to fight, He put forth all his effort with a determination to destroy Ravana.
Atha ravi ravadanam nirikshyam raama
Muditamanaah paramam prahrishhyamaanah.
Nishicharapatisa nkshayam viditvaa
Suragan amadhyagato vachastvareti .. 31
MEANING:  Then knowing that the destruction of the lord of prowlers at night (Ravana) was near, Aditya, who was at the center of the assembly of the Gods, looked at Rama and exclaimed ‘Hurry up’ with great delight. Purifying Himself by sipping water thrice, He took up His bow with His mighty arms. Seeing Ravana coming to fight, He put forth all his effort with a determination to destroy Ravana


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