Good Company Brings About Betterment With Ease

Good Company Brings About Betterment With Ease

Shri Maharaj often used to say, "whoever merely stays put here, will have his task accomplished automatically". When Vaman Rao  Jnyaneshwari asked him to explain the meaning of "have his task accomplished automatically."  Shri Maharaj said, "The minds of those who stay put here are like sooty, burnt utensils, and virtuous company is like a flowing brook. I leave the utensils to soak in the brook of virtuous company. When the utensils get thoroughly soaked, they can be cleaned easily by going over them only once. Likewise, the minds of these persons settle easily into a state of nearness of God."

Book - Reading Session by Sri Y.G. Anantha Shastri

Sri Y.G. Anantha Shastri

A book-reading session, by Sri Y.G. Anantha shastri, is going on in the Mandir for the past three years, starting from 30th July 2007, every day, between 5-00p.m and 5-30 p.m.
Starting from Sri Maharaja Charitre, Books like Tulasidas' Ramacharitha Maanasa, Bhagavatha, and others were read. Now, Sri Anantha Shastri is reading Samartha Ramadas's Dasa Bodha, with commentrary by Poojya Baba K.V. Belsare and translated into Kannada by Poojya  Kulakarni..

The guilty should be persuaded to good ways with love

The Guilty should be persuaded to Good ways with Love.

Once Shri Maharaj was performing ablutions in the village brook. Two thieves guarded by two policemen in front of them and two behind them, were passing by on their way to Dahiwadi for attendance at the court.

One of the policemen was a disciple of Shri Maharaj. He took permission of the leader and went to the brook to meet Shri Maharaj and pay his respects. Shri Maharaj asked him, "What assignment brings you hee?" He replied, "We are going to the court at Dahiwadi with two persons accused of stealing." Shri Maharaj said, "It  will soon be time for serving Rama's prasad. All of you can resume your journey after partaking it." When the police man put forth the difficulty that the accused could not partake of prasad because they were handcuffed, and that he did not have to authority to remove the handcuffs'. Shri Maharaj said, "Ask your leader's permission; if the handcuffs are removed for them to partake of prasad, I guarantee that the accused will not run away." The leader agreed to this, and all of them had a good meal. When it was time to leave, the accused came to Shri Maharaj to touch his feet in supplication.Shri Maharaj said to them, "If Rama is merciful this once, will you give up stealing?" Both of them agreed to do so.

Later, the trial took place and, given the benefit of doubt, both of the accused were acquitted. They returned to Gondavale and swore at the feet of Rama that they would not thence forth steal. Shri Maharaj instructed them in the practice of chanting Nama. When sending them away after some days, Shri Maharaj gave one of them one hundred rupees and told him to do the business of a shepherd; to the other he gave another one hundred rupees and told him to take up the business of poultry-keeping. Thereafter the lives of both of them turned to a good course.

Tiru nakshatra - shree Ramaanujaachaarya's Paadukaas visit the Mandir.

ಶ್ರೀ ತಿರುಮಲ ತಿರುಪತಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನದ  ಆಳ್ವಾರ್ ದಿವ್ಯ ಪ್ರಭಂದ ಪ್ರಾಜೆಕ್ಟ್ ನ ಆಶ್ರಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಮಂದಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಾನುಜಾಚಾರ್ಯರ ತಿರುನಕ್ಷತ್ರ (ಜಯಂತಿ) ಯನ್ನು ತಾ: 21-4-2010 ರಂದು ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಯಿತು.
ಉಭಯ ವೇದಾಂತ ಪ್ರವರ್ತಕ ಶ್ರೀ ತಿರುಸ್ವಾಮಿಗಳು ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಾನುಜಾಚಾರ್ಯರ ದಿವ್ಯ ಪಾದುಕೆಗೊಂದಿಗೆ ಆಗಮಿಸಿ 'ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಾನುಜ ಅವತಾರ ವೈಭವ' ಎಂಬ ಪ್ರವಚನ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಾನುಜರ ಸಮಾಜೋದ್ಧಾರ ಕುರಿತು ಶ್ರೀ ರಮೇಶ್ ಭಟ್ ರವರು ಮಾತನಾಡಿದರು.

ಅಂದು ಸಂಜೆ ಶ್ರೀ ಬಿ. ಶ್ರೀರಾಮಮೂರ್ತಿ ರವರಿಂದ 'ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಕ್ಕೇ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಾನುಜಾಚಾರ್ಯರ ಕೊಡುಗೆ', ನಂತರ ಶ್ರೀ ಜಿ.ಹೆಚ್. ವೆಂಕಟೇಶ್ ಮೂರ್ತಿ ರವರಿಂದ 'ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಾನುಜಾಚಾರ್ಯರ ಶರಣಾಗತಿ ತತ್ವ ' ವಿಷಯವಾಗಿ ಉಪನ್ಯಾಸಗಳು ಜರುಗಿದವು.

WIN THE HEART WITH FORGIVENESS.

               WIN THE HEART WITH FORGIVENESS.

   A rich couple from Atpadi used to visit Shri Maharaj. The woman had with her a superbly beautiful idol of Balakrishna made of a valuable alloy. She used to worship it, and admiringly to display it to all sundry. Shri Maharaj repeatedly told her not to do so; but the woman ignored the advice. The consequence was as one might expect. One woman stole the idol. She wrapped it in an old rag and hid it in the ceiling of another room. It was her intention to take it with her at the time of leaving Gondavale. When the idol disappeared, the woman from Atpadi began to weep for it. The idol could not be found even after a great deal of searching. Eventually she informed Shri Maharaj. He said, “ I had already cautioned you about this. Anyway, do not feel sorry about what has happened. Imagine that Balkrishna is embodied in Shri Rama, and continue the practice of worship.” Where upon the woman said, “Maharaj, you are clairvoyant. You must know who has taken my Balkrishna. Please bring him back to me.” Shri Maharaj protested stating that he was not clairvoyant, but the woman was unhappy and went on a fast. Shri Maharaj tried to dissuade her, but the woman was adamant. After a couple of days the woman who had stolen the idol received a letter that her son was ill in her village. When he heard of this, Shri Maharaj said to her, “ I will provide a bullock-cart for you tomorrow morning. It is necessary that you go.” In the early morning, Shri Maharaj called Wamanrao Jnyaneshwari and told him, “The Mamlatdar of Dahiwadi will be arriving in the afternoon. He will stay in the sitting room.  Please get the room cleaned and lock it.”

   When it was time for the woman to leave, she went up to the room a couple of times. She was disappointed when she saw that it was locked. Shri Maharaj accompanied her to the bullock-cart and, finding her alone, said to her, “Even though it is an idol of God, it is nonetheless a theft. But let bygones be bygones. I will not reveal this to any one. But be careful to see that you do not commit such an act again.” The woman sincerely asked forgiveness from Shri Maharaj, and proceeded on her journey. Shri Maharaj returned and went to the room with Wamanrao. He opened the room, saying,”Let us see how the room has been cleaned”; and, looking at  the ceiling, said,”What is this package?” On its being taken down, the idol of Balakrishna was found. Shri Maharaj called the owner, restored the idol to her, and told her to give up her fast. While returning it he only said, “It appears someone had inadvertently kept it there, with out any thought of stealing it.”

Genuine Repentence leads to cleansing of Heart.

Genuine Repentence leads to cleansing of Heart.

A man from Karnataka had received initiation (anugraha) from Shri Maharaj. He had once been a rich person, but had eventually lost all his wealth by getting entangled with a woman. Not only did his relatives hold themselves aloof from him, but even devotees of Shri Maharaj used to keep away from him. Shri Maharaj was on a visit to Bhimrao at Gadag. This man arrived there, waited at the gate, and sent up a message asking for permission to go in. Shri Maharaj immediately called him inside. He prostrated imself before Shri Maharaj and stood there, with his hands folded in supplication. Shri Maharaj said to him, “I will not forsake you even if the rest of the world were to do so. “On hearing these words, the man began to sob violently. When his outburst of feelings had subsided, Shri Maharaj said to him, “If your remorse is genuine, I undertake the responsibility for sins committed by you hitherto. But, you will have to touch the feet of Rama and take a vow that you will not behave thus henceforth.” He did accordingly. Later, he practiced chanting of Nama in an exemplary manner, and attained a greatly exalted state.

Love for God is what one Really ought to seek from Saints

Love for God is what one Really ought to seek from  Saints

Whenever Shri Brahmananda maharaj visited Gondavale, he used to bring along with him one or two cooks. They used to prepare a new delicacy every day as offering of Naivedya to Rama, and it was served generously to all during meals. Once they had prepared Raghavdas Laddoos fo Naivedya. In the afternoon, after the meals were over, the kitchen was tidied and closed. At about three O’clock Shri Maharaj was sitting before the idol of Rama. Some persons stood around. About this time, a woman went into the kitchen, gathered some seven or eight laddoos in the fold of her sari, and started to leave. She would have to pass in front of Shri Maharaj As she advanced, a woman from Shri Maharaj’s entourage smartly pulled the fold of the sari. The laddoos rolled on to the ground. The woman was greatly embarrassed. But all that Shri Maharaj said to her was “Please take away those laddoos. I would have gladly given them to you had you asked for them. Rama is in want of nothing. But do not do this again.” After the woman had picked up the laddoos and left, Shri Maharaj said to the company, “There is nothing to regret about the woman taking the laddoos, but I feel sad that no one comes forward to receive the love for God, which I am here to give.”

Shri Venkannaiah's Jayanthi -11-4-2010

To-day being Poojya Venkannaiah's 128 jayanthi, many people who had seen or whose family had contacts with Shri G. Venkannnaiah visited the Mandir. The programes went on well. Some spoke about Shri G.Venkannaiah, whom they personally new. All expressed gratitude for Shri G.Venkannaiah, with whose intense labour all of them came into Shri Maharaj's hold.

Sri G. Venkannaiah. a brief history of his life

(Founder of Sri Brahmachaithanya Sri Rama Mandir,Chintamani)

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Sri G. Venkannaiah,(1885 to 1969) is a direct disciple of Gondavalekar Sri Brahma chaithanya Maharaj. He belonged to a place called Ganjur, near Chintamani, about 75 kms from Bangalore. This is an attempt to tell how he came into contact with Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj.

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Sri G.Venkannaiah,was the eldest son of Sri Timmappaiah and Smt.Putta Lakshmma . Sri Timmappaiah was a teacher. He had  lands in  Ganjur village near Chintamani.. Venkannaiah studied civil engineering in Govt. Engineering School in Mysore. He was appointed as Sub-Overseer in the Government public works department. In 1913 he had been transferred to Chikkanayakana halli Taluk. He was posted to supervise the construction of a tank in Malligere village,about 22 miles from Chikkanayakana halli. to supervise the construction of a tank.

 One day, in November,1913, during lunch break, when Venkannaiah was meditating on Sri Ram, sitting under a tree, he heard a big shout  of “Maha Purush, Maha Purush”. When he opened his eyes, he saw a Saint standing with two disciples, before him. When Venkannaiah prostrated before him, the Saint  asked him to come to Gondavale (Gondavalyaave), and vanished immediately. Sri Venkannaiah did not know what was said as he did not know Marathi. So, he noted it down in his dairy. In the evening, he returned to Chikkanayakanahalli, where he was residing. One of his friends who knew Marathi, said the word expressed by the saint was, “ come to Gondavale”. But, neither Sri Venkannaiah nor his friends knew where Gondavali was. That night he dreamt of a Sri Vaishnava reading Bhagavadgita, and some one pointed out to him that his doubts will be cleared by the Sri Vaishnava. A few days later, when he was returning from the morning walk, he suddenly came across the Sri Vaishnava of his dream, coming in opposite direction. Sri Rangachar, that was his Name, took Sri Venkannaiah to his home. After learning about his experience, Sri Rangachar, went to the pooja room, closed the door, and sat for meditation. Sri Rangachar, was a yogi, and after an hour, he came out from the Pooja room, and told Sri Venkannaiah that the Saint who gave him darshan was Sadguru Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj of Gondavale. He said, that he met Sri Maharaj, in his meditation and Sri Maharaj asked both of them to go to Gondavale. He told that Gondvale was a place in Maharashtra, and explained the route to reach the place. Both, Sri Venkannaiah and Sri Rangachar started for Gondavale with in 8 days. When they reached the place, some of the devotees staying there told them that Sri Maharaj had cancelled his programme of going to some other place stating that he has to meet two devotees from a far off place, on that day. They had a nice welcome and they were allotted a room to stay.

In the morning, Venkannaiah, who was standing behind the group of devotees surrounding Sri Maharaj, was called by Sri Maharaj .

  Sri Maharaj  initiated him to Ram-nam, by whispering the Taraka Mantram in his ear.. He asked him to do: 1. Do Namasmarana without break. 2. Spread or propagate Rama-nama. 3. Construct a small Ram-Mandir.4. Carry on Upasana.

Sri Venkannaiah returned to his place and started his Anusthan. After a month, Sri Venkannaiah received a telegram intimating   Sri Maharaj’s departure from his mortal body. Immediately, he went to Gondavale and participated in the funeral ceremony.

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Sri  Venkannaiah, who was in the Government service,  could not plan to construct the Sri Rama Mandir  early, as he was being transferred from place to place. But, he did Bhajans and japaanusthan and pooja to Sadguru paduka, at home. He participated during functions in Gondavale and he even went to functions arranged by Sri Brahmanand Maharaj in Venkatapur and Beladadhi. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj used to call him ‘Mysore Buva’.

 Where ever he was transferred on duty, many friends of those places, became devotees of Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. Later on, when he was transferred to Chintamani, his work was in many surrounding places like Hindiganal, Jangamakote, Sidlaghatta, etc where his devotion to Sri Maharaj, secured him many followers,

In the year 1939, a garbha gudi and a hall with thatched roof was constructed in the site previously bought for constructing Mandir, and pooja was carried on with photos of Sri Ram and Sri Maharaj, and Sri Sadguru Padaka.

Then, on 13-6-49, the marble idols of Sri Ram, Lakshman, Seetha, Maruthi and Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj, were installed in the divine presence of  Sri Tatya Saheb Ketkar Maharaj, and Sri Kundagol Narayanappa Maharaj.

Since then Anusthan is being carried on.  In early days, with a view of Annadaan, Mandir provided weekly Meals ( vaaraanna) for different students, hailing from different places, studying in Chintamani. His desire of starting a Vidyaarthi Nilaya (Student’s Hostel) was carried out in 1966, by his youngest brother Sri G. Honnappa..

 He left his mortal coil on 13-4-1969.

He led a saintly life that inspired many to take up Ram-nam. 

I shall appear whenever you call out to me in Desperation

“I shall appear whenever YOU call out to me in Desperation

An incident narrated by Shri. Ganapatarao Karandikar; “In 1904, Shri Maharaj went on a pilgrimage to Kashi, starting from Gondavale. At that time, my father had received a letter from  him, asking him, if possible, to join the pilgrimage to Kashi. Because of some domestic difficulties, my father could not go. After about a year and a half all of us went to Gondavale. My father expressed his regret to Shri Maharaj, that he had not been able to jo8n the pilgrimage to Kashi. Shri Maharaj said to him, ‘whenever you do go  on such a pilgrimage take it that I shall be with you,. If you call out to me, remember that I  shall certainly appear.’

“In 1913, Shri Maharaj cast off the mortal body. Later my parents, I and  my younger brother, went on a pilgrimage to Kashi. From there we went to Haridwar. There, my parents and I stepped into the Ganga for ablutions. Being too young, my younger brother stayed on the bank. While we were performing ablutions we unwittingly went into deep waters. A big wave swept us into still deeper waters, and we started to drift with the swift current. My father’s dhoti was firmly tied to his waist, and my mother caught hold of it, and I held on to her waist. Drifting with the swift current, we felt almost sure that we were going to drown. At the very moment, my father called out loudly to Shri Maharaj. Immediately, a Bairagi (an individual of a class of mendicants who renounce the world and practice austerities) from Maharashtra was seen jumping into the water. By one hand, he caught my father by his neck: by the other, he caught my mother; and he brought the three of us to the shore. While this was happening, there was an uproar among the persons gathered on the bank, and there was talk all round that a Bairagi had saved three persons. The very moment he reached the shore, the Bairagi entered the crowd and disappeared. My father made a good deal of attempt to find him, but he could not be traced.”

My fond desire is that everyone should sincerely take to the practice of Namasmarana

There was a person who had lived long with Shri Maharaj. About a fortnight before casting off the mortal body, Shri Maharaj said to him, "Commonly the eldest son stays in the company of his father for a great deal of time. Other siblings often stay in distant places, and are in their father's company for a relatively shorter time. Because of the close association with his father, the eldest son is well aware of his likes and dislikes. In such a case, the eldest son has a duty to perform after the death of his father, that is, to further the prestige of the family, he should inform his younger siblings of their father's likes and dislikes and to behave accordingly. "Shri Maharaj further said, "One can not foretell when Death may strike. You are in the know of my likes and dislikes because of our close association. You should tell others about them. If one were to ask about my likings, then I have only one keen liking, and that is that everyone should sincerely observe Namasmarana, and never fail to remember Rama. Do freely tell everyone about this fondness of mine."

Satsang at Sri Ashwathanarayan's House at Bangalore.-

A group of devotees from Chintamani Mandir participated in the Satsang arranged by Sri Jangamakote Ashwathanarayan on the occasion  of the opening ceremony of his newly constructed House.Later, the devotees visited the Swananda Ganapathi Ashram, off Kanakapura Road.

I know you better than you know yourself.

                          I Know You Better Than You Know Yourself

Some one said to Shri Maharaj, " Maharaj, you are clairvoyant. Please tell us how well you know us." To this Shri Maharaj said, "Are you prepared to believe what I will tell you?" The person said "Yes". Shri Maharaj said, " I know more about you than you know about yourself. It is a law of the world that the longer one has been intimately acquainted with something, the more one knows about it. The most intimate acquaintance that you have had is with your body. You are able to know of only that one. But, by the Grace of Shri Rama, all those forms you have put on in your births since the time you acquired the status of a living being, are known to me. From this you can understand how well I know you.