August
2010
In
this EditionSignificance of Guru Purnima, by V.N.
GopalakrishnanHow Much do I Love You: A Poem Dedicated to
Bharat Mata, by Sharath KumarSamrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya: A Forgotten
Hindu Emperor (Part 2 of 2), by Shreyas
LimayeDharma, Wisdom, Right and Wrong, by U. Mahesh
PrabhuRAM Mantra: Its Meaning, Method of Chanting and
its Benefits, by Atul ThakurMahavidhyas (2 of 10), by Deepak
Saagarकार्य सिद्धि - Karya
SiddhiNews
and Events Hindu YUVA is
organizing a Speaker on Campus program this fall! Eminent
speakers will be visiting various universities across the
United States to give presentations on Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedic
Math, Hindu Philosophy, etc. If you are interested in inviting
a speaker to speak at your campus, contact us at in...@hinduyuva.org.  Hindu Swayamsevak
Sangh organized 5 weeklong leadership development camps
( Sangh Shiksha Varg) last month. The camps were held
in New York, Chicago, Seattle, California, and Toronto. These
camps are organized to help youth realize and prepare for
exceptional leadership roles. These intensive and fun-filled
training camps build confidence, instill a sense of social
service, promote leadership qualities, and help build a strong
network of like-minded youth. Check out pictures here.
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From
the Editor's Desk
Namaste, In
addition to a new edition of Tattva, the month of August
brings a sudden jolt of realization that summer is coming to
an end. For many of us this means the end of vacation and
going back to the books. One thing is for sure, this summer
has been full of interesting and enriching experiences,
whether it was through camps, internships, volunteering,
making new friends, spending time with the family, trips to
India and elsewhere, or simply relaxing at home with a good
book. As the summer draws to a close, take a chance to reflect
on your experiences and share your thoughts with Tattva. A
poem, a book report, a film review, your take on a current
event, a reflection on an interesting experience you've had;
whatever it is you'd like to share, just send it to tattva...@hinduyuva.org. We look forward
to your submissions.
In this edition of Tattva,
learn about Guru Purnima (which fell on July 25th this
year), the inspiring story of a forgotten Hindu emperor, what
the Mahabharat has to say about right and wrong, the benefits
of chanting "Ram," and why we start any activity by praying to
Lord Ganesh. Also check out the poem describing a youth's
feelings toward Bharat Mata and a drawing of Maha Tara by a
talented young artist.
Take it easy,
Team
Tattva
Significance
of Guru Purnima, by V.N.
Gopalakrishnan
Guru Purnima is the annual occasion for
expressing gratitude towards the Guru or the Divine
Teacher. It is observed in memory of the great Sage Veda Vyasa
who is considered to be the supreme preceptor of mankind. The
word Guru means “the remover of darkness.” Hence,
Guru Purnima, celebrated on a full-moon day, is the
day for eradicating ignorance and illuminating our lives with
knowledge....
Read the rest of this entry »
How
Much Do I Love You: A Poem Dedicated to Bharat Mata, by
Sharath
Kumar How much do I love you Oh mother what
am I without you?
Blessed are we to be born
In your blessed soil never
felt forlorn
You are of civilization the cradle
Your purity and
perfection are to others a riddle
Beautiful forests, mountains and streams are all
over
Why go to heaven, You are of happiness the
bestower.... Read the rest of this entry
» Samrat
Hem Chandra Vikramaditya: A Forgotten Hindu Emporer, by
Shreyas Limaye(This is the second of a
two-part article. Please read the first article of the
series here.)
 Victorious Hem Chandra entered Delhi on
October 6, 1556 as a sovereign [4]. It’s difficult to imagine
the exact thoughts in his mind. But it was a historical moment
for India. After 350 years of almost unbroken Islamic rule, a
Hindu king had entered Delhi! Hem Chandra must be acutely
aware of the significance of this moment. That is why he
assumed the title of Vikramaditya – a title assumed by many
illustrious Hindu emperors in the history of
India....
Read the rest of this entry
»
Dharma,
Wisdom, Right and Wrong, by U. Mahesh
Prabhu
 Of late I have been encountering several
people mostly self styled “secularists” and “wise men” who
staunchly – swearing by their academic qualifications –
declare that “right and wrongs are all perceptions of the
human mind?” This is disturbing me, badly. What is right and
wrong after all? Recently, while reading Shanti Parva
chapter of the Mahabharata I got just definition I
was looking for! Shanti Parva in Mahabharata
is the chapter where Yudhisthira goes to Bhishma, after
he was forced on bed of arrows by Arjuna, every night after
the war to learn wisdom. In Chapter 251 Yudhisthira asks
Bhishma to explain to him the signs and quality of Dharma and
how Dharma arose?
Read the rest of this entry »
RAM
Mantra: Its Meaning, Method of Chanting and its Benefits, by
Atul
Thakur
 Ram Naam itself is a divine
mantra or prayer. When Rishi Vashishta gave the name Ram to
King Dashratha and Queen Kaushalaya’s son, the Demi-Gods in
heaven rejoiced. It is proclaimed that Lord Ram was given this
name in order to help mankind attain salvation and overcome
obstacles in life. The word Ram is an embodiment of
bliss and salvation. When examined, one finds that the word
Ram is a combination of two sounds, Raa and
Om - sounds of two very important and powerful
chakras or centers within the human body....
Read the rest of this entry »
Mahavidhyas
(2 of 10), by Deepak Sagar
DasaMahavidhya 2 - Maha Tara, is often said
to be a savior, a goddess who helps us across difficult
situations and offers the knowledge of Moksha. She is the
unmanifest sound that is spread all over and that which
supports the universe. Tara is often meditated upon for the
purification of the mind for she is the purifying force of all
the vital breaths. In fact, the sound of breath is her
original, spontaneous and un-uttered mantra (So’ham). She is
also the knowledge that arises by differentiating the meanings
through sounds, and hence she is the patron goddess of all
Mantra seekers and makers. Like Kali, she too is blue in
color. She has tangled brown hair, has serpents as her
ornaments with her four hands carrying a Kapala (a bowl made
from a skull), a blue lotus, a head chopper and a pair of
scissors. She wears a garland of severed human heads and is
often shown straddling upon a corpse. Tara is much adored in
the Buddhist traditions as well.
Shloka:
Karya Siddhi
 This prayer to Lord Ganesha is to be
recited before starting any new task.
शुक्लाम्बर धरं
विष्णुं शशि वर्णम् चतुर्भुजम् |
प्रसन्न वदनं
ध्यायेत् सर्व विघ्नोपशान्तये ॥
shuklambaradharam vishnum shashivarnam chaturbhujam
prasanna vadanam dhyayet sarva vighnopa shantaye
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning:
Shuklambara- white cloth; dharam- worn; vishnum- all
pervading ; Shashivarnam- bright complexion(like a full moon);
Chaturbhujam- 4 shoulders; Prasanna Vadanam- Pleasant face;
Dhyayet- I meditate; Sarva- all; Vighnopa- obstacles;
Shantaye- pacify
Translation:
For the removal of all the obstacles in my effort, I
meditate upon Bhagwan Ganesha, who wears a white garment, who
is all pervading, who has a bright complexion (like a full
moon), who has four shoulders, who has an ever-smiling
face.
Brief Explanation
Lord Ganesha is considered the deity for removal of all
obstacles in our life. Hence it is customary to pray to Him
first before starting any new activity whether it be pooja,
new business or a new journey. Thinking about the Lord who has
a pleasant face (prasanna vadanam) will help us overcome all
the obstacles that might arise in our task.
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