Sri Dakshinamurthi: Jnana-Mudra

[Excerpts from commentary on “Hymn to Sri Dakshinamurthi” by Swami Chinmayananda]

The Supreme Reality Itself is the Guru, conceived as Sri Dakshinamurthy sitting on the peaks of Kailash to give the final initiation to the Rishis and Seers. Even today it is an unwritten tradition in the Himalayas that all Mahatmas there during the Brahma Muhurtha time meditate facing South, and the seekers in the country are expected to meditate at the same auspicious hour, sitting down, facing North, towards the Himalayas.

Lord Shiva, in order to instruct the Rishis and the Seers, assumed the form of a Guru and sitting on the peak of Kailash, He turned southward to serve all seekers. The term “dakshina” means “that divine power of subtle perception which is generated in a fully integrated pure intellect”. This “dakshina-power”, when flowing towards the vasana-conditioned hearts of the disciples, is called “turned southward” and this is Shiva. The Teacher is none other than the Supreme, who manifests Himself in the divine form of Sri Dakshinamurthy to bless the struggling aspirant.

It is such a Teacher, who has become one with the Infinite, and has established his Oneness with the Infinite Substratum of the Universe who instructs an integrated and well-disciplined student in the Highest Truth through the SIGN of Knowledge, called Jnanamudra (Chin Mudra).

The auspicious SIGN demonstrated beautifully to the disciple the oneness of the inner Self and the Self everywhere. Jnanamudra (Chin Mudra) is generally indicated by holding the little, ring and middle fingers erect, straight and together, and the index finger bent to touch the middle of the thumb, so that a circle is formed between the index finger, palm and the lower-half of the thumb. This sign shown with the palm they called as the “Sign of Knowledge”.

This is indeed significant. The three fingers can be indicated to mean the gross, subtle and the causal bodies, and when they are completely disciplined and made single-pointed, the (individual) Self indicated by the index finger, that presides over the body of the seeker, gets itself detached and comes forward to meet the thumb, that represents the Self everywhere present. This experience that the “Self within” is the “Self everywhere” is the Infinite Experience, and the Infinitude is represented here by the circle formed between the index finger and the thumb – a circle which can have no beginning and no end.

The Teacher and the Lord are here thus by suggestion considered as ONE. Thus the Guru is the manifest-symbol of the Primordial Truth, and to Him our prostrations.

For daily updates of posts on your Telegram you can join the group : https://t.me/BharateeyaSamskruti

I Am delighted to inform you all that I have authored 2 books titled: ” Bharatiya Katha Vaibhava -1 and 2″.

Each book features 25 unique and popular short Stories with beautiful illustrations from our Epics, and from the life of our Saints, Sages and Rulers… This is indeed a wonderful gift for children especially to be given as a prize for competitions! You can order in bulk too. Orders are welcome for libraries, schools etc..

For bulk orders and discounts on books you can contact For orders please whatsapp : 9739003467 Email: naadopaasana18@gmail.com

Advertisement

Sri Dakshinamurthi: Chin-Mudra

Lord Shiva, in order to instruct the Rishis and the Seers, assumed the form of a Guru and sitting on the peak of Kailash, He turned southward to serve all seekers. The term “dakshina” means “that divine power of subtle perception which is generated in a fully integrated pure intellect”. This “dakshina-power”, when flowing towards the vasana-conditioned hearts of the disciples, is called “turned southward” and this is Shiva. The Teacher is none other than the Supreme, who manifests Himself in the divine form of Sri Dakshinamurthi to bless the struggling aspirant.

It is such a Teacher, who has become one with the Infinite, and has established his Oneness with the Infinite Substratum of the Universe who instructs an integrated and well-disciplined student in the Highest Truth through the SIGN of Knowledge, called Jnanamudra (Chin Mudra).

The auspicious SIGN demonstrated beautifully to the disciple the oneness of the inner Self and the Self everywhere. Jnanamudra (Chin Mudra) is generally indicated by holding the little, ring and middle fingers erect, straight and together, and the index finger bent to touch the middle of the thumb, so that a circle is formed between the index finger, palm and the lower-half of the thumb. This sign shown with the palm they called as the “Sign of Knowledge”.

This is indeed significant. The three fingers can be indicated to mean the gross, subtle and the causal bodies, and when they are completely disciplined and made single-pointed, the (individual) Self indicated by the index finger, that presides over the body of the seeker, gets itself detached and comes forward to meet the thumb, that represents the Self everywhere present. This experience that the “Self within” is the “Self everywhere” is the Infinite Experience, and the Infinitude is represented here by the circle formed between the index finger and the thumb – a circle which can have no beginning and no end.

~ Swami Chinmayananda

For daily updates of posts on your Telegram you can join the group : https://t.me/BharateeyaSamskruti

Sarvam Krishnamayam!

The people of Vrindavan were rejoicing with Lord Krishna amidst them.The Lord’s adventures and playful sports, His mischief and pranks, His love and affection was the only topic of discussion in every house. Not only the people but even the trees and animals, the cows and calves – all were in blissful ecstasy. Suddenly a strange but strong desire came to them. Every Gopi wanted to experience the joy of having Krishna as her child! Every cow wanted Krishna as its calf! The trees wanted Krishna alone to climb them!The Yamuna wanted Krishna alone to play in her! The Lord decided to fulfill their desires.

At the same time, Lord Brahma overwhelmed by Lord’s maya, and not understanding the true glory of the Lord, decided to test the divine power of Lord Krishna. He came down and put all the boys of Vrindavan, the cows and calves under the charm of sleep and took them to his loka. He wanted to see what Krishna would do now. Krishna came to know what Brahma had done and immediately He the ONE, multiplied Himself to become the many. He Himself became the cowherd boys, the cows and calves! And at dusk time, Krishna alone as ALL OF THEM went back to their respective homes. No one knew what had happened, because everything looked normal. This went on for a whole year. 

All the people and especially the Gopis were very happy. Suddenly their children were very bright, good and obedient! The milk that the cows were giving was more in quantity and divinely sweet! The calves were more endearing! It was all Krishna and Krishna ALONE in so many different forms and the whole of Vrindavan was “Sarvam Krishnamayam!” It was Madhuram! Madhuram! And Madhuram! Everyone’s desire was fulfilled!!

Almost at the end of the year, Brahma came down to see what was the situation in Vrindavan and to his surprise he found everything absolutely normal. All the cowherd boys, the cows and calves were all there just as before in Vrindavan. How could all of them be in two places at one and the same time!?  

And suddenly in the place of each cowherd boy, he saw Lord Narayana Himself in all His pristine glory. Overwhelmed by the vision of so many forms of Sri Narayana, Brahma offered his salutations to the Supreme Lord. The Lord then withdrew His cosmic form. Brahma got up and now in front of him was the charming Divine Cowherd Boy – Balagopala. He now realized the Lord’s might and power, and His infinite glory. He approached Lord Krishna, prostrated to Him and prayerfully sought His forgiveness for doubting the glory of the Lord.The Lord of Compassion forgave him. All the cowherd boys, the cows and calves he had carried now returned back home. They all were totally unaware of what had happened – it was just like getting up from sleep.

Brahma went back to His world reflecting on how blessed the Gopas and Gopis were, how blessed the cows and calves were, how blessed the inhabitants of Vraja were, how blessed the soil of Vrindavan was to carry the tiny imprints of the lotus feet of the Lord on its surface, and how blessed indeed is one who is born in Vrindavan!!

Next: Significance of Chin-Mudra!
For Stories, Significance and Symbolism in Hinduism (Culture and traditions) follow the blog ..( or through e-mail)

[PS: I request all to please forward and share these value based stories rich in our culture and tradition to elders, youth and children]

For daily updates of posts on your Telegram you can join the group : https://t.me/BharateeyaSamskruti

Sankat Mochan Hanuman

Ravana, the King of Lanka was an erudite scholar, an accomplished musician, and a great astrologer. He had waged a war on the devatas and brought all the nine planets with him to Lanka. To show his might and power, he made the nine planets lie down face downwards, and used them as steps to ascend to his throne daily. When his son, Meghanatha was about to be born, he decided to put all the nine planets in their favourable houses and positions so that his son would become powerful and invincible. The devatas got worried and sought the help of Sage Narada. On their request, Narada came to Ravana’s assembly. He saw the planets lying face-down. Narada immediately glorified Ravana and told him that he should not be walking on their backs but should step on and walk on their chest — that would prove to the Gods, to the Navagrahas and to everyone around how mighty and powerful he, the King of Lanka was! Ravana got carried away by Narada’s words and turned all the planets around, face upwards, so that he could walk on their chest. As he very happily walked over them, Lord Shani’s (Saturn) gaze fell on him. It is said that if the gaze of Shani falls on anyone, the result would be endless trouble and misfortunes. Shani’s gaze had fallen on Ravana! His troubles were to start!! 

Narada walked away happily. Ravana however saw through the plan of the devatas. He was furious. He tied up and confined Shani in a remote dark room where nobody could find him. 
Shani who gives trouble (sankat) to everyone with a mere glance was confined and kept in the dark. He himself was now in “sankat”. Years passed by. When Hanuman came in search of Seeta and was moving around in Ravana’s palace, he heard a noise from one of the rooms. He opened the room and went in. He found Shani tied up there. Hanuman untied him and set him free. Shani’s gaze had fallen on Hanuman! Shani was happy, but he said that, since his gaze had fallen on Hanuman, he now would give trouble to Hanuman – that was his inherent nature. Hanuman asked him to wait till he searched for, met Seeta and went back and gave the news to Lord Rama. Shani waited….

Hanuman discovered Seeta, went back and gave the news to Rama. Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva and the whole army of vanaras reached the tip of Bharat. They started building a bridge with rocks and trees to cross the ocean. At that time, Shani came and decided to trouble Hanuman. Hanuman said he was very busy and if Shani wanted to trouble him, he could sit on his head. Shani comfortably sat on Hanuman’s head. Hanuman on the other hand was busy helping the Vanaras build the bridge. He lifted huge rocks and boulders and carried them on his head. Shani who was sitting on Hanuman’s head directly started feeling the weight and burden of the rocks. When the pain caused by the heavy rocks on his head became unbearable, Shani came down. He now realized that no one could trouble Hanuman who is always chanting the Lord’s name and is ever engaged in service of the Lord. 

Lord Shani stopped troubling Hanuman and told him that he was very pleased with Hanuman’s devotion and service, and in future he will not trouble anyone who devotedly worships Hanuman on Saturday – the day attributed to Shanidev.
And Lord Shani further said that in future Hanuman will be worshipped as “Sankat Mochan Hanuman” – the Lord who removes (Mochan) our troubles (Sankat). Hanuman is the One who removed the “sankat” of Shani who causes “sankat” for everyone else!!

[PS: I request all to please forward and share these value based stories rich in our culture and tradition to elders, youth and children]

For daily updates of posts on your Telegram you can join the group : https://t.me/BharateeyaSamskruti

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

I Am delighted to inform you all that I have authored a book of stories for
children titled: ” Bharatiya Katha Vaibhava -1″.

The book was released for Deepavali. This book features 25 unique and
popular short Stories with beautiful illustrations from our Epics, and from the
life of our Saints, Sages and Rulers… This is indeed a wonderful gift for
children especially to be given as a prize for competitions! You can order in
bulk too. Orders are welcome for libraries, schools etc..
Please note that Ebook kindle versions and paperback version [B&W
illustrations] can be bought online..Find the links..

Zorba Store:-  https://www.zorbabooks.com/store/children/bharatiya-katha-vaibhava-1-stories-for-children/

Amazon:- https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390011663?ref=myi_title_dp

Amazon (outside India) : https://www.amazon.com/Bharatiya-Katha-Vaibhava-SHREEDARSHAN-K-ebook/dp/B08N53PM3B/

Note: To buy the full colour version book (paperback with colour
illustrations) please contact the author , as they are only being printed on
author’s request .Those who wish to avail of this offer, please contact/message
me.(Especially if you want a full color version book, please inform at the
earliest..)

For bulk orders and discounts on B&W version and for colour version
books you can contact For orders please whatsapp : 9739003467 Email: naadopaasana18@gmail.com