Friday, 3 October 2025

Advaitic Birthday Song

  


This is the world’s first Advaitic birthday song, written by Swami Swatmananda of Chinmaya Mission in 2025🙏✨

Advaita and Birthday are oxymorons.  Neither the entity celebrating the birthday is real, nor Birth is real, nor day(concept of time) is real in the Infinite Self or Consciousness.  Real is defined in Advaita Vedanta as that which is Changeless in the 3 periods of time: Past, Present and Future. 


Birth, change, death belong to the body. Not to the Self or Consciousness. An advaitin knows this and celebrates the Self every moment, not birthdays once a year. 


Yet, if the so-called Birthday is to be celebrated then the birthday song to be sung that day and every moment is


“I was never born. 

I am not born. 

I will never be born. 

Aham Brahmasmi”


(After singing the song, do the action of blowing away something from your hand.)


Forget blowing candles — Vedantins blow away ignorance of the Self(which does not really exist from Self standpoint. Can there be darkness for the Sun?).  


Let go of cutting the cake. An Advaitin, cuts the so-called ego, lives blissfully as Consciousness or the Self(Sat-Chit-Ananda or Existence-Consciousness-Bliss). 


The Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 2 Verse 20 mentions this:


na jāyate mriyate vā kadācit

nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ,

ajo nityaḥ śāśvato’yam purāṇo-

na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre. (20) 


He(Self) is not born, nor does He(Self) ever die; after having been, He(Self) again ceases not to be; Unborn, Eternal, Changeless and Ancient, He(Self) is not killed when the body is killed. 


Swami Chinmayanandaji in his commentary on the above verse says,”This stanza labours to deny in the Self all the symptoms of mutability that are recognised and experienced by the body. The body is prone to different changes and these modifications are the sources of all sorrows in every embodiment. These six changes are common to all and they may be enumerated as: birth, existence, growth, decay, disease and death. These changes are the common womb of all pains in a mortal’s life. All these are denied in the Self in this stanza, to prove the immutability of the Self. Unlike the physical body, the Self is not born; It being the Eternal Factor that exists at all times. Waves are born and they die away but the ocean is not born with the waves; nor does it die when the waves disappear. Since there is no birth, there is no death, things that have a beginning alone can end; the rising waves alone can moan their dying conditions. Again, it is explained that like the birth of a child who was not in existence before, and who has come to exist after the birth, the Atman is not something that has come to be born due to or because of the body. Thus the Self is Unborn, Eternal, Birthless, and Deathless (Ajah, Nityah).”


The great statement “ahaṁ brahmāsmi” (अहं ब्रह्मास्मि) is one of the Mahāvākyas (great declarations) of the Upaniṣads, specifically from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad (1.4.10) of the Śukla Yajurveda.


  1. Aham (अहम्) – “I” – not the ego-personality, body, or mind, but the Pure Witnessing Consciousness (Self or Ātman).

  2. Brahma (ब्रह्म) – the Infinite, Formless, attributeless Absolute Reality, the substratum of everything.

  3. Asmi (अस्मि) – “am” – the immediate identity, not future attainment.

Thus, the statement reveals:
“The real ‘I’ (Self or Ātman) is not separate from Brahman, the Infinite Reality. My essential nature is that Limitless Consciousness.”

Poojya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda says:

  • “This Mahāvākya is a thunderbolt for the ego. The finite individual disappears in the recognition of Infinite Being. To live in this awareness is to live in Brahmanhood, free of delusion.”

May we realise & live as Brahman.  


Would you dare to celebrate your so-called birthday like an Advaitin? Share your thoughts in the comments. 


Share this with maximum people. 

Sunday, 7 September 2025

Lunar Eclipse - Sadhana


A total lunar eclipse is there today along with blood moon… Should you be afraid? No. Here’s the truth. Even astrologically, the effect of the Guru(Jupiter) will negate any negative effects.  We also know that 

Clarity about Eclipse

An eclipse happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align perfectly. It’s part of the natural rhythm — predictable, beautiful, and completely safe for the Earth itself. There’s no cosmic accident, no hidden danger in the skies. Even Hindu scriptures mention this clearly.


Much before the Indian Astronomer Varahamihira(1st half of the 6th Century CE), the Brhat Samhita 

mentions the real cause of the eclipses. It clearly says in verses 5.8 & 5.13 that, “In a lunar eclipse the moon enters into the shadow of the earth and in a solar eclipse the moon enters the Sun(comes between the sun and the earth).”  


Puranic Depiction of Rahu & Ketu

In Puranas this is depicted through the story of Rahu & Ketu.  It does not mean that our Rishis did not know about the real causes of the eclipse.  During the churning of the ocean for amṛta (nectar of immortality), the asura Swarbhānu disguised himself as a deva and drank some nectar. Sūrya and Candra exposed him to Mohinī (Vishnu), who decapitated him with the Sudarśana chakra. Because a drop of nectar had already reached his throat, he did not die. The head became Rāhu. The body (trunk) became Ketu. Enraged, Rāhu and Ketu periodically attack the Sun and Moon, attempting to swallow them — causing eclipses. This is the Puranic explanation of why eclipses happen.


While our Puranas describe about Rahu and Ketu through stories, great Indian astronomers like Aryabhatta, Lallacharya, Varahamihira have explained the scientific reasons behind the eclipse. The Sun temples across the country also are a testimony to the scientific knowledge we had about the Sun.

So, there is no need to look down upon our culture due to the stories of Rahu and Ketu. Across the world there are such stories in different cultures.  For Example:
Vietnam: A frog or toad eats the moon or sun.
Scandinavia: Vikings believed the sun and moon were being chased by a pair of wolves and when one of them caught up with either the lunar or solar orb, an eclipse was the result. 
China: A celestial dragon devoured the sun. In fact, in Chinese the earliest word for eclipse, shih, means “to eat.”
Canada: According to the people of the Kwaikiutl tribe, on the western coast of Canada, the mouth of heaven consumes the sun or moon during an eclipse.

At a certain level stories are used to communicate certain things. As one grows up, rationale is explained.


Jyotisha background

In Jyotisha, eclipses are explained with precision via shadow points:

  • The Moon’s path around the Earth is tilted relative to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. They intersect at two nodes.
  • These two mathematical points (lunar nodes) are where the Sun, Moon, and Earth can align.
    • The ascending node is called Rāhu.
    • The descending node is called Ketu.
  • An eclipse can only occur when the Sun and Moon are near one of these nodes. So Rāhu and Ketu are literally the astronomical eclipse points in Vedic astronomy — the puranas personify them. Just like its done in many other cultures also.  

Sutaka
In Hindu tradition, eclipses are treated as liminal moments — thresholds.  It’s the in-between phase during a change or transformation. Normal rules are often paused or reversed because the usual order hasn’t fully returned yet. It’s a time seen as powerful but sensitive.

Examples (non-religious):

  • Adolescence: not a child, not an adult — a liminal stage.  There is a certain hormonal challenge, emotional turmoil etc. that Adolescence brings.  
  • An airport: not your home, not yet your destination — a transitional space.  

Examples in Hindu context:

  • Birth: the family has moved from expecting to having a child — in-between social states.
  • Death: someone has left the social world but final funeral rites & shraddha period are not yet complete. 
  • Eclipse: the celestial rhythm is temporarily altered — not ordinary daylight, not night — a cosmic in-between.  The light disappears at an unusual time, so the scriptures invite us to pause. Not out of fear, but to turn inward, cleanse, and reset. It’s like a cosmic timeout to focus on what’s sacred. 

Its like a time-out for purity-sensitive rituals, much like how you wouldn’t perform surgery during an earthquake — not because earthquakes are “dirty,” but because the normal order (ṛta) is disrupted.

A way to redirect human focus: during birth, death, or eclipse, attention is turned inward — to care for the newborn, mourn the deceased, meditate or pray during celestial transitions — instead of maintaining usual social-ritual bustle.


Sūtaka is like the liminal moments, a temporary period of ritual impurity, a time when certain religious or social actions are suspended because of a significant, often “liminal” event. It is not about physical dirt or bad luck — it is about ritual unsuitability for certain sacred acts.
Sūtaka is a ritual state of suspension, not a superstition about pollution. It reflects a deep sensitivity in Hindu tradition toward cosmic and life transitions, marking certain periods as spiritually potent yet requiring pause in ordinary sacred and social activities.
Sutaka is from the root √sū (to bring forth, produce), sūtaka literally means that which has “come forth” — usually referring to:

    • Birth of a child (janana-sūtaka)
    • Death in the family (mṛtyu-sūtaka)
    • Other cosmic transitions like grahaṇa (eclipses), saṅkrānti (solar ingress), etc.

During sūtaka, one is considered ritually unfit (aśuddha) for certain actions like:

  • Vedic recitation
  • Worship with touching sacred icons
  • Fire rituals
  • Accepting or offering food socially or ritually


Manusmṛti (4.110): mentions “rājño rāhoś ca sūtakaṃ” — the king’s death and Rāhu’s event (eclipse) as periods when one should suspend normal ritual activity.

Gṛhya-sūtras (various): define specific days of abstention after birth and death, scaled by social class and family proximity.

Purāṇas: extend the concept to cosmic events like grahaṇa (eclipse) — i.e., while the sun/moon is eclipsed, their “light” (a key purifier in ritual) is obscured; so the world enters a kind of temporary ritual pause.


What are the Dos & Don’ts for this Lunar Eclipse today:


3 times are important:  Sutaka Kala, Grahana Kala & Mukti kala.  

Time given below is as per Indian Standard Time(IST)

• Sūtaka Kāla (ritual pause) starts: 12:59 PM (9 hours before).

• Penumbral Eclipse begins: 8:58 PM.

• Partial Eclipse starts: 9:57PM.

• Total Eclipse: 11:00 PM – 12:22 AM.

• Partial phase ends: 1:27 AM.

• Eclipse ends: 2:25 AM.

• Mukti Kāla (purification & restart) after the eclipse is over at 1.27AM or 2.25AM (whichever you want to follow)


In Sūtaka Kala:
1. One must avoid eating food. Not because food becomes impure. But because the mind can be prepared for the sadhana during Grahana Kala.  Pranas will go upwards due to fasting and will not be engaged in digestion etc.  This will benefit us in Sadhana.  If one cannot do fasting, eat fruits, milk. Avoid heavy food. Children, old people, sick people need not follow this. 
2. One must take bath just before the Grahana Kala Sadhana begins.

3. Some people put tulasi/darbha over food & water. 


Grahana Kala:

  1. Do Japa of Ishta Mantra or Gayatri Mantra or Guru Mantra.  Japa done during this time gives the punaya or merit of Purashcharana.  There are 5 limbs of Purascharana:
  • Japa (repetition) — of the chosen mantra, usually a set count (often 100,000 repetitions per syllable of the mantra). Eg. Namah Shivaya has 5 alphabets in Sanskrit. Purascharana means 5 lakh repetitions of this mantra.  Gayatri has 24 alphabets.  Purascharana means 24 lakh repetitions of this mantra.  Once this is done, the following 4 rituals are to be done. 
    • Homa (fire oblation) — offering 1/10 of the japa count in ahutis in Homa.
    • Tarpana (libations/offering to deities) — 1/10 of the homa count.
    • Mārjana / Snāna (ritual bathing / sprinkling for purification) — 1/10 of the tarpana count.
    • Bhojana (feeding of brāhmaṇas or sādhus) — 1/10 of the mārjana count.

    All the above will take a lot of time and effort. Japa done in eclipse time will give the benefit of the above in merely a few hours.


    1. Eclipse time considered especially powerful for chanting stotrams like Vishnu Sahasranama, Shiva Sahasranama, Lalita Sahasranama, Ganapati Atharvashirsha and many others.  
    2. One can also study the scriptures and remember Bhagawan. 
    3. Dāna (Charity): Whatever is given during eclipse yields multiplied merit.
    4. Prohibitions: Eating, cooking, worldly dealings, sexual activity — paused during Grahaṇa.


    Mukti Kala:

    In the Mukti Kāla, one has to take bath and do cleaning up. 


    Vedantic Standpoint:

    From Vedantic standpoint in Tattvabodh Sri Adishankaracharya says, "Manaso Devata Chandrama". Moon is the presiding deity of the mind. “Chakshushah suryaha”. Sun is the presiding deity of the eyes. Our Masters knew about the connection of the Sun and the eyes, Moon & the mind. That is why we see patients with mental challenges in lunatic asylums.
    We all know that Planets, stars, comets etc have an impact on us. Matter affects matter. Sun is also the presiding deity of the Intellect. Hence during an eclipse one is advised to chant the Gayatri Mantra or even one’s Ishta Mantra.
    Symbolically Sun represents knowledge and moon is the deity of the mind or emotions. Solar eclipse is moon coming between the sun and the earth. Emotions overwhelming the intellect is the symbolism. Usually also this happens to us. But at such times of eclipse etc, we are more prone. The impact of Sun-light and its absence on human personality is well documented. People get into depression, low moods, disinterestedness etc when it is gloomy weather.

    Similarly in Lunar eclipse, the earth is between the Sun & the Moon. The mind can be affected by tamas, lethargy and also desires for sensuality can arise. So the masters prescribe sadhana to channelise our mind to sattva guna.
    Grahan in samskrit means to grasp or to possess. Surya Grahana means as though our intellect is possessed by emotions. To strengthen the intellect and not be overwhelmed by emotions or negative tendencies, one worships the Lord and does Sadhanas like Japa, Parayana of Ganapati Atharvashirsha, dana or charity etc. This can prevent unnecessary conflicts within us, as well as in relationships etc at such times when we are vulnerable. Chandra grahana means mind is possessed with sensuality and body-consciousness. To rise above this, we do sadhana.   Hence, lets do sadhana out of understanding and not out of fear.
    In the Gita the Lord says in Chapter 10 - Jyotisham Raviramshuman. Amongst the luminaries HE is the Sun. There is nothing to fear with this vision.
    An eclipse is not a threat — it’s a reminder to turn within.  Science shows it’s safe. Spirituality shows it’s meaningful. So  stay calm, stay mindful, and watch the cosmos dance. 




    Wednesday, 9 July 2025

    15 Sadhanas on Gurupurnima

     


    Gurupurnima or Vyasa Purnima is a very auspicious day for sadhaks to express gratitude to the entire Guru-parampara, specifically to our Gurus & especially our Sadguru.  If you don’t have a Sadguru, you can worship Bhagawan Veda Vyasa. Since Purnima represents the number 15, here are 15 things that can done on Gurupurnima

    1. Get up early morning in Bramhamuhurta, take bath and be still. Gurus meditate that time. 
    2. Thank Bhagawan if you have a Guru in your life. If not, pray to Bhagawan to bring a Guru into your life.
    3. Meditate on your Guru’s form & perform Gurupaduka Pooja in your altar
    4. Do the japa of the Guru mantra or Ishta Mantra.
    5. Go to your Gurusthan or Ashram.  Worship the lotus feet of your Satguru.   
    6. Attend/read/listen to the satsang of your Satguru 
    7. Discharge your Rishi Rna or debt to the Rishis by offering gurudakshina to the Satguru
    8. Write/create something describing your feelings and give it to the Satguru, seeking blessings. 
    9. Offer Bhiksha to the Satguru 
    10. Chant the full Guru Geeta or selections from it as given in the Guru-Stotram.
    11. Reflect upon the teachings of your Satguru.  Identify 1 sadhana that you will follow throughout this year till the next Gurupurnima.
    12. Give up one thing that is holding you back in your sadhana, at the lotus feet of your Satguru. 
    13. Take up some seva of the Satguru or of the cause that the Satguru serves
    14. The Satguru is not the form but the Self in us. Meditate on the Self and experience oneness with the Guru-Tattva  
    15. Share what you have learnt from your Satguru with others.

    May the blessings of the Gurus be with us.  Om Shri Gurubhyo Namaha


    Listen to the full satsang on Gurupoornima here


    Why do i need a Guru? Is Guru not merely a spiritual middleman, between me & the Divine?  Watch an interesting conversation here

    Tuesday, 21 January 2025

    Preparation for Kumbh 2025

    Kumbh is fulfilment and to experience that we must do sadhana. Kumbh is a yatra, from apurnata to Purnata, from mrityu to Amrit. Its not just travel & sight-seeing.  For a successful yatra, we must prepare ourselves adequately – physically, mentally, intellectually & spiritually before going to Kumbh to benefit maximum from it.  I am sharing a few insights from the scriptures and sadhus that could be helpful. 

    These can be done from now till the time you complete your Kumbha Yatra. You can continue some of these even afterwards if you like. 

    Physical Preparation: 

    1. Eat Sattvik food. No onion and garlic.

    2. Live in Brahmacharya. Conserve vital energies. Maximum energies are required for sadhana, dhyana, japa etc. 

    3. Sit still, without any movements for atleast 15-20minutes. 

    4. Upavas one day before you reach Prayag & before snan, if possible. 

    5. Take your sadhana-samagri like Shiva-linga, Shaligrama, Pooja items, japa-mala, asan etc. to do Sadhana there. It will bless you with infinite merit. 

    6. Prepare well for Cold. Take enough warm clothes, especially to cover ears, head and the feet. 

    7. Take only bare essentials. Avoid very valuable ornaments, equipment etc. 

    8. Cold water bath daily

    Mental Preparation:

    1. Do Ishta Mantra Japa – Minimum 1 mala daily. If you don’t have an ishta devata, choose one. If not, chant Hari om. 

    2. Go to Kumbh as a Sadhak, not as a tourist. 

    3. Identify one negativity that you will drop at Kumbh when you do Snan(Bath) there. 

    Verbal Preparation:

    1. Control your speech. Do not gossip or use abusive words etc.  Especially when you are in Kumbh.

    2. Learn Triveni Stotram, Prayag Ashtakam. Chant it before & after Snan.  You can download them from here

    3. Learn some vedic mantras if you can, with intonations. 

    Intellectual Preparation:

    1. Know the significance & glory of Prayagraj, Triveni, Kumbh etc. 

    2. Set your intentions clearly. Kumbh will bless you with what you seek. 

    Spiritual Preparation:

    1. Before one embarks on the Teertha Yatra or Kumbh Yatra, one must worship Ganeshji, Pitrs and Gurus etc.  

    2. Meditate on the Self. 

    3. Pray that you may meet Mahatmas who are enlightened & who can help to awaken us. 

    4. Take sufficient money to do some charity/dana there as per your devotion & capacity.  You can donate money, fruits, clothes, food, dry fruits etc. 

    May your Kumbh yatra be auspicious & blissful. Har Har Mahadev!