My meeting with Living Avadhuta (Avadhoota) near Bangalore

 I was in scrolling through the pages online and found found about an Avadhuta on Sunday 29th Nov 2020. Dattatreya was a great Avadhuta, the founder of Avadhuta lineage. So many Avadhutas born across the world in various faiths, but most of them were in Bharath. All Avadhutas are one way or other follows the path laid by Dattatreya. 

This is modern photo of Dattatreya, actually Dattatreya is digambara. Means all 4 directions are used as a cloth. As Avadhutas have no body consciousness, they don't wear the clothes. 

They lost all the body consciousness and they are fully enlightened and in a state of experiencing the brahman. So the cold/hot, profit/lose, respect/insult, comfort/discomfort ---all these dualities are not touching them. As brahman is above all these and above the space time limitations. 

You are with you the experience of Sat Chit Anand is experienced. The avadhutas are in this stage. They don't distinguish between the good/bd. They see all equal as their own extension.

I heard of this avadhuta for last 2-3 years and decided to meet him physically. I was not knowing the address. Only with little indication got from the net travelled to his place. He is 95Km away from Bangalore city. We went round and round and many local farmers helped us to find the location. 

We reached the a field and in the middle of the field there was a small shed. We saw avadhuta with a loincloth of saffron colour. He was plucking the Long beans from the farm. By his body an old man. Humble, simple. No other ornaments only thing his body have is a loincloth. I have not see such a person so natural in my life. Except in my child hood in 1970's most of the villagers were so simple and innocent with true natural touch. 

He requested us to go and sit inside his small hermitage. One of his assistant made Ginger Herbal hot Kashaya and served us. I saw 2 more families are there from Bangalore like ours's. 

After a while Avadhuta came and sat on the cot. He blessed all of us keeping his hand on our head. He distributed the vegetables he had grown by his own hand. 

I thought I will discuss on vedanta, but today he told to to go back. He requested us to stay there for a while and went out plucked few vegetables and gave us. One of the visitor was telling us that Avadhuta will talk only if there is any message to us. 

I recalled my guru who introduced me to Siddha and Avadhuta lineage, told me many times the avadhutas not talk by words. There are 4 modes of communication. VAIKHARI, PASHYANTHI, MADHYAMA and Paravani. 

He came again and handed over the special plants with rich smell. He blessed us again and requested us to go back.

He is master of vedanta and knowers of Upanishads. He still earn by farming. A natural peace is radiating in his face. 

People call him by love Siddhappa Avadhuta. 

To know more about avadhuta's pls refer Avadhuta Gita. But seeing an Avadhuta is not equal to reading any books. 

It was a privilege to see an avadhuta, Consider my self blessed. 

II OM DIGAMBARAYA AVADHUTAYA NAMAH II

Prasravana Giri (Malyavanta Hill) of Sundara Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana where Hanuman hand over Choodamani to Sri Ram. Place where last 6 chapters of Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana happened

I am reading Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana for last 25 years. I used to wonder what is this this story all about. What is the philosophy behind this, where this happened, is this really happened or it is a myth. Could not find much from the net or from scholars. 

This blog we will see the geographical aspects of the last 6 chapters of Sundara Kanda. Not covering any other aspects like the vedanta behind these chapters or the upasana method for these 6 chapters. 

Hampi is a place in Karnataka state of India. 35Km near Bellari steel plant. The map above shows the path travleed by Sri Ram while he was in exile. He stayed in Hampi for 4 months. The place was earlier known as Kishkinda. Kishkinda was ruled by monkeys and bears. It will be astonishing to the new generation that the monkey's could rule, speak etc. If you see the genetic structure of the monkey's they have 99% DNA of human. 

Picture of Daroji Bear Sanctuary very near to Kishkinda. Jambavan was was a bear and was part of Ramayana. Kishkinda was a kingdom of monkeys and bears. It is scientifically proved that the monkeys and bears have social life. There is a structure in their social life. 

Sri Ram came here in the rainy period where he cannot travel. In India majority of ascetics should not stay in a place for more than a period. As they will get attached to that place and mix with what is happening there which will lead them to worldly affairs. But The varsha rithu (rainly season) they are allowed to stay in a place. In India the rainy season is in JULY-OCTOBER. As Sri Rama had taken an oath that he will lead the life of a tyagi, he was not willing to step into the Kishkanda city nor place in Kishkinda. So he stayed in a place outside city limits of Kishkinda named as Prasravana Giri. PRASARVANA GIRI = Have great meaning. PRA in Sanskrit have more than 30 meanings in Sanskrit. One of the meaning is to Fulfill, At the end of, Overtaking, all represent the path to brahman. SRAVANAM = Hearing. PRASRAVANAM = Hearing Brahman. 

Kishkinda Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana have vivid description of this mountain. Chapter 27. 

शार्दूल मृग संघुष्टम् सिंहैः भीम रवैः वृतम् |
नाना गुल्म लता गूढम् बहु पादप संकुलम् || ४-२७-२
ऋक्ष वानर गोपुच्छैः मार्जारैः च निषेवितम् |
मेघ राशि निभम् शैलम् नित्यम् शुचिकरम् शिवम् || ४-२७-३

Mt. Prasavana is pervaded with noisily growling tigers and beasts, mightily roaring lions, compacted with diverse shrubs and creeper-plants, overspread with many a kind of tree, thus it is adored by bears, monkeys, baboons, and even by wildcats, and that mountain which is always sanctifying and tranquil is like a heap of clouds in its shine. [4-27-2, 3]

सुसुखे हि बहु द्रव्ये तस्मिन् हि धरणी धरे |
वसतः तस्य रामस्य रतिः अल्पा अपि न अभवत् || ४-२७-३०

Though that mountain is indeed very comfortable, though it possess many objects of nature like flowers, fruits and waters, indeed, there is no slightest bliss to Rama while he resided there. [4-27-30]

On top of mountain there was a Copper colour cave. Sri Ram and Lakshmana stayed there for the whole of 4 months. This time the all monkeys went in search of Sita who was abducted by Ravana. 

The copper colour cave is still there and few hundred year back a king made a temple around this cave and installed the idols of Rama, Lakshmana & Hanuman in this cave. This is photo from back side of the cave. 

तस्य शैलस्य शिखरे महतीम् आयताम् गुहाम् |
प्रत्यगृह्णीत वासार्थम् रामः सौमित्रिणा सह || ४-२७-४

Rama along with Lakshmana has taken up an ample spaced cave as residence on the cliff of that mountain. [4-27-4]

इयम् गिरि गुहा रम्या विशाला युक्त मारुता || ४-२७-६
अस्याम् वस्त्याम सौमित्रे वर्ष रात्रम् अरिंदम |

"This delightful mountain cave is spacious and breezy, hence, oh, enemy destroyer Soumitri, let us stay in this during rainy nights. [4-27-6]

Chapter 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 of Sundara Kanda have mentions about this mountain. Not covering vedanta aspects of these chapters. 

ततः प्रस्रवणम् शैलम् ते गत्वा चित्र काननम् |
प्रणम्य शिरसा रामम् लक्ष्मणम् च महाबलम् || ५-६५-१
युव राजम् पुरः कृत्य सुग्रीवम् अभिवाद्य च |
प्रवृत्तम् अथ सीतायाः प्रवक्तुम् उपचक्रमुः || ५-६५-२

Keeping Angada the prince in their forefront those monkeys, on reaching Mount Prasravana having forests of variegated appearance, offered their salutation by bowing their heads in reverence to Rama and the mighty Lakshmana, greeting Sugreeva respectfully. Then, they started narrating the news of Seetha.

The zenith of Sundara Kanda are from Chapters 57 to 68. 

Hanuman, Jambavan, Angada the south team coming back to Prasavana Giri after finding Seetha & Madhuvana bhangam. Reporting events to Sri Ram, Lakshmana & Sugriva.

श्रुत्वा तु वचनम् तेषाम् हनूमान् मारुत आत्मजः |

प्रणम्य शिरसा देव्यै सीतायै ताम् दिशम् प्रति || ५-६५-७
उवाच वाक्यम् वाक्यज्ञः सीताया दर्शनम् यथा |

Hearing the words of those monkeys, the eloquent Hanuman, the son of wind-god saluting towards the direction of the Seetha the princess by bowing his head, spoke the following words, explaining how he saw Seetha.

Inside Cave, where Sri Ram, Lakshmana spent 4 months. The king who made this temple arround the cave carved the darbar inside and kept idols of Sir Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman. Wondering why they kept the idol of Seetha inside, who was missing at that time. The cave is painted with and lost it's naturality, which should have been preserved. 

Back side of the cave of prasravana giri outskirts of Kishkinda Hampi.                                     

The idol here of Hanuman is in the form of handing over Chudamani to Sri Rama. 

एवम् उक्तो हनुमता रामो दशरथ आत्मजः |

तम् मणिम् हृदये कृत्वा प्ररुरोद सलक्ष्मणः || ५-६६-१

Hearing the words of Hanuma, Rama the son of Dasaratha, having Lakshmana by his side, pressing that jewel on his bosom, began to weep.

यथैव धेनुः स्रवति स्नेहात् वत्सस्य वत्सला |
तथा मम अपि हृदयम् मणि रत्नस्य दर्शनात् || ५-६६-३

"Even as a cow, who is affectionate towards her offspring, gushes forth the milk (from her teats) due to her love at the very sight of her calf, so does my heart too melt through the sight of this excellent jewel."

Sri Rama is weeping, keeping the jewel on his heart. This is the idol kept inside this cave. He is keeping his left arm in a yoga posture. 

एवम् उक्तो हनुमता रामो दशरथ आत्मजः |
तम् मणिम् हृदये कृत्वा प्ररुरोद सलक्ष्मणः || ५-६६-१

Hearing the words of Hanuman, Rama the son of Dasaratha, having Lakshmana by his side, pressing that jewel on his bosom, began to weep.

There is a great philosophy / vedanta / science beyond the science behind all these which will be discussed on a personal basis. As these are not to be revealed in public. 

अयम् हि शोभते तस्याः प्रियाया मूर्ध्नि मे मणिः |
अस्य दर्शनेन अहम् प्राप्ताम् ताम् इव चिन्तये || ५-६६-७

"This jewel indeed looks splendid on the head of my beloved Seetha. By seeing this now, I am considering as though I obtained the sight of Seetha herself."

It was my long dream to go to this mountain. I had to visit near by for an official visit and could get time to visit this holy place and spent some time there. I dream of writing more about this mountain soon. 

Those who seek to visit here can go to Hampi and check for Malyavanta mountain. This is another name of this hill. 

Locals call this hill as Bythe pahadi in Hindi. There is a road going up for cars.

Me and my daughter choose to climb this hill, the driver waiting down the hill with car.

There is a large temple complex here around the cave. A Lakshmi temple is also there in the complex. A yagna shala is in one corner. There is cliff near by and once you climb here ca see whole of Kishkinda and Tungabhadra river flowing near by.

This temple should be renovated and lots of study is to be done here. 

I was happy to be here, which are last 65-68 chapters of Sundara Kanda which is upasana kanda of Valmiki Ramayana. Also Sundara Kanda is an upanishd inside the Valmiki Ramayana. Inner meanings are so sweet. The story is also sweet. The Sundara Kanda is a real story happened and written as per Vedanta and Tantra Sasthara. 

II JAI HANUMAN II

Story of migration of my ancestors - Gouda Saraswath Brahmin from Haravelam (Aravelam) in Goa to Shertallai (Muttath) in Kerala

 We used to participate in the Sharddha of the ancestors and the Purohit used to chant the names of 5 generation of ancestors at that time. I was curious to know their names and used to here in child hood. My grand parents were from Shertallai in Kerala a growing municipality of south Kerala. There are meaningful number of Gouda Saraswath Brahmins in Shertallai. 

Our ancestry goes like below==>

Manoj Kumar Narasimha Pai (my name) & Smitha Pai

Narasimha Rama Pai & Valsa Pai

Rama Narasimha Pai & Yamuna Bai Pai

Narasimha Aravalem Pai & Name not known

Arvelam Pai & Name not known (It may be a nick name) 

We are not sure of the previous generations and their name, as most of the records are damaged due to the time. They used to repeat the name of grand parents to the grand children. 

Usually names of characters of Hindu scriptures were used to be named after the new born. So Arvelam Pai may be a nick name of that time, as they were from Arvelam in Goa. 

The Gouda Saraswat Brahmins were basically Smarthas following the Kaivalya Math of Goa. Kaivalya Matha are followers of Advaitha vedanta. They were allowed to worship all forms of god to attain the moksha and all purusharthas. 

This mutt is also know as Goudapadacharya Mutt in Ponda Goa. In this gurus name the followers brahmins were know as Gouda Saraswath Brahmins. Once they migrated to Kerala, North and South Karnataka & South Maharashtra, they adopted different philosophies or some continued to follow the same Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Far south with almost no means of communication and travelling, our ancestors adopted Vaishnavism. They were guided and given deeksha to Vaishnavism by one of the guru from Kumbakonam Mutt who visited the south Kerala long back. 

There used to be wind powered ships in that time and not steam, petroleum powered ships.The Goan GSB had lots of ships as they were venturing on foreign trade. They landed from Goa to sea shores of the Shertallai.

Arvelam was basically originated from the name Harvalem honoring HARA = Shiva. There is a grand temple in Goa of Rudresh Mahadev in Arvelam. 

The temple holds a Shivalingam. This is our ancestors temple located in North Goa. They migrated to Kerala to keep the dharma intact around 1500 A.D.

If one questions the antiquity of this temple, there are still older cave temples here in Arvelam of Shiva. They were made by Pandavas while they were in exile. 

These caves hold 5 Shiva Lingam each installed by Pandavas. Also a kitchen which was used by Draupati. 

There are 5 similar Shivalingam in this cave temple. Worshiped by Pandavas. So it is very clear that at least for last 5100 years there was worship of Shiva in Arvalem. 

This temple is near the well know Arvelam Falls, which is emerged as a tourist destination these days.

     After leaving the Goa our ancestors were living in Shertallai near a Shiva Temple called Thiruvizha Tample. Later shifted to the present place. At least for last 5-6 generations this is same place where the ancestors were staying. Few of the ancestors were good in Ayurveda and I still have the palm leafs of the Ayurveda. 

Later books I saw mix of Ayurveda and Siddha Medicine. Siddha medicine was prominent in Kerala and Tamilnadu. Grand father was a practitioner of Ayurveda and siddha medicines. He was making own medicines manually and had a lab with lots of medicines. I still have with me a stone which is a siddha medicine which will suck the venom of snake byte from human body. The venom sucked from the human body will be released when the stone is dipped into cow milk. They were masters of alchemy. I am not sure what are all medicines they had and for what purpose they were used. The palm leaf are in the form of Vattezuthu (older form of Malayalam). Only scholars can read this language. 

Some ancestors were good in manufacturing Brass and copper vessels. They had foundry and were designing and manufacturing large brass vessels. They used to transport to far away cities these vessels through vallam (a type of boat seen in Kerala). There were more than 100 types of tools in the manufacturing area. Now only 1-2 tools are left. All other tools are missed over the time. 

Ancestors were also masters of Mantra Yoga. they had siddhis to heal various problems and diseases. They used to do Puracharanama of various mantras. One of the Yoga Danda is still with me in my pooja room. 

Later due to all south Kerala GSB migrants adopted the Vaishnavism our ancestors also accepted Vaishnavism. They become ardent devotees of Vishnu. There after started the worship of Salagramas, Tulsi etc. I still have in my possession the salagramas of ancestors with me. My grand father died when I was 2-3 years. So could not pass on the message of the type of salagrama we have. Later identified from the experts in Kochi. 

Pattabhirama, Hiranyagarbha, Bhuvaraha are few of them. Later I have added a few our of influence from Iskcon and Madhwa mutts. 

Vastu purusha's legs are in south west corner. There is a Sarpa Kavu (Snake Forest Temple) in our land in Shertallai, Kerala. This represents the lower dimensional deities like nagas (2D), Yakshas (less than 2D) etc. They are worshiped every year on naga panchami day. 

My father was a Govt of Kerala employee and Mother a Govt of Kerala Teacher. They migrated to emerging port city Kochi for better prospects. I was staying in a GSB Brahmin agraharam in Kochi. Much much bigger than that in Shertallai.

There were around 1000 houses in this agraharam and many small and big temples. Including the deities brought from Goa were installed in various temples. There is a large Vishnu temple. All the streets of the temple and surrounding of agraharam were in festival mood almost for 200 days any year. Every alternate home has salagramas pooja in their home. 

After my B.Tech / Management,  I migrated to Bangalore seeking better prospects. I found Bangalore have more spiritual vibes than all cities I had been. Seeking self realization, meeting sages and gurus who used to come to Bangalore frequently.  

Many more generations to come....

II DHARMO RAKSHATI RAKSHITAHA II

II AHAM BRAHMASMI II