Santana Gopala Pooja for Childbirth in Mogappair Temple, Chennai

Santana Gopala Krishna Pooja is performed for Santana Bhagyam or being blessed with having good Children. It is one of the Ashta Lakshmi Kataksham/Blessings. Santana Lakshmi is the one of the Eight Main Lakshmi Roopa. 

Santana Gopala Krishna is the child form of Krishna resting on a Banyan Leaf. Banyan Tree is known as Vata Vrishka in Sanskrit or Aala Maram in Tamil. Hence Santana Gopala is known as Vata patra sayi in Sanskrit and Aalilai Krishna in Tamil. It means the "Krishna resting on a Banyan leaf"

Santana Gopala Krishna

According to Puranas when the entire universe was destroyed and drowned in Pralaya Jala/water and even the stars and planets ceased to exist, Krishna Paramatma took the form of a child and rested on Banyan Leaf which floated in the Pralaya jala/water. The entire creation of this universe became one with Lord Krishna in a subtle form. Then Brahma Deva was asked to restart creation by Lord Krishna.

Purusooktam in Rig Veda is associated with the process of creation. It extolls the Purusha who is the main person behind the entire creation of this universe. 

Since Santana Gopala Krishna form and Purushasooktha Hymn is associated with the creation of this entire universe from God, there is no doubt that performing Santana Gopala pooja/Homam and Purushasooktha Homam Blesses Childless couples with good Children.

If Santana Gopala can create millions of species of Planets, Star, Sun, moon, species of animals, plants and birds, why can't he bless a couple to have a child??

The Bustling area of Mugappair near Anna Nagar is Chennai was originally known as "Maga-pperu" which means "Blessed with a child". The name is due to Santana Srinivasa Perumal whose vigraham/idol was found beneath the Temple Premises in Mugappair West in Chennai. 

Sri Arunachalam Mudaliar was informed about the existence of the Idol/Vigraham of Santana Srinivasa Perumal  by Lord Vishnu himself in his dream before 170 years. Sri Arunachalam Mudaliar started the construction of the Temple and today it is a spacious temple near the Heart of the City.

The temple is easily accesible from Tirumangalam in Chennai and the Google Map Location of the Temple is as follows: 

https://www.google.co.in/maps?biw=1708&bih=789&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.119745492,d.dGo&q=mogappair+santhana+srinivasa+perumal+temple&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjD2a326JzMAhUBE5QKHfjJDn4Q_AUIBigB
  
Santana Gopala Pooja
Santana Gopala Pooja is performed in this Temple wherein couples are made to Cradle/Hold the Vigraham/Idol of Santana gopala in their Lap. The Vigraham/Idol is the metallic form of the Santana Gopala Krishna as seen in the picture above.

The Santana Gopala Pooja is performed on Pournami and on the days with the stars of Tiruvonam, Punarpoosam, Swathi, Rohini and Revathi between morning 6:00 amd to 12:00 Noon. The days for the year 2016 are as follows:

The Pooja articles include Tamboolam, Honey, Butter to be offered to Lord Krishna while Holding him in the Lap of the Couple performing the pooja. The Cost of Rs 100 for the Ticket and Rs 30 for the Pooja Articles. The following Sloka is to be recited by the couple performing the Santana Gopala Pooja 

The English Lyrics of the Sloka is as follows:

Devakisuta Govinda Vaasudeva Jagatpathe,

Dehime Tanayam Krishna Twaamaham Sharanam Gathaha,

Devadeva Jagannatha Gotra Vridhi Karaprabho,

Dehime Tanayam Sheegram Ayushmantam Yashashvinam.

The Meaning of the Sloka is as follows,

Govinda, the Son of Devaki  is Vaasudeva the Father of this world,

Give me with a child O Krishna! I surrender to you!!

O Lord of all Lords ! May my Gothra/Lineage multiply (through the offspring born),

Give me a Child early who would live long with fame.

The Honey and Butter are given to the Couple as Prasadam who should take the Prasadam regularly after the pooja on a daily basis. Also they should recite the sloka on a daily basis for 48 days for good results.

Santana Srinivasa Temple Gopuram/Main Entrance

 Dwajasthambam of the Temple

Santana Lakshmi Stuthi is found in Astalakshmi Stotram also. Reciting the same also will carry the blessings of Santana Lakshmi. The lyrics of the same is as follows:

The English Lyrics of the Santana Lakshmi Sthuthi is as follows:

Ahikagha Vahini Mohini Chakrini,

Ragavivardhini Gnanamaye,

Gunaganavaaridhi Lokahithaishini,

Swarasaptha Bhooshita Gaananuthe.

Sakala Suraasura Devamuneeshwara,

Manava Vanditha Padayuthe,

Jayajaya he Madhusoodhana Kamini,

Santanalakshmi Twam Palaya Maam.

Santana Lakshmi is always seen with a small child as seen below

 Andal in her Varanam Ayiram Pasuram Phalastruthi has said that those who recite the pasuram will be blessed with Good Children. Reciting the Pasuram will also bless one with good Children.

The Tamil Lyrics of Varanam Ayiram is found in the following link,

http://godharangan.blogspot.in/p/vaaranam-aayiram.html

Andal Sannidhi in Santana Srinivasa Perumal Temple
 

Santana Gopala Homam

God can be worshipped in many forms as God is present everywhere.The Vigraham/Idol form of the Lord is for better focus and concentration of our mind which can aid Dhyana/Meditation and can give better results to our Prayers. 

But even the Vigraham/Idol form and the surroundings of the Temple is energized with positive vibrations with the daily recitation of Mantras related to the specific deity. The Mantra recitation is for the invocation of the dormant form of God present everywhere.

Similar to the Vigraham/Idol worship, the Homam/Havan is the worship of the specific form of any deity through Agni/Fire. It is said in the vedas that the Deity directly receives the Aahuthi/Offerring made to the Agni/Fire during the Homam/Havan. Agni is worshipped with Moola Mantra of the deity and is very powerful in giving faster results as Agni has the Nature to destroy impurities and create a purified and spiritually charged atmosphere.

Santana Gopala Homam involves the Purushasooktha recitation and  the recitation of the Santana Gopala Moola Mantra 108 times as given above in the Sloka. Also a kalasa is placed and worshipped with the Mantra of Lord Krishna. A Panchavarna Yantra is also drawn and worshipped for the blessings of Krishna.

Santana Gopala Homam

Panchavarna Yantram

The above Santana Gopala Homam was performed in Raghvendra Math in Chennai located in Raghavaiya Road in T. Nagar near G.N. Chetty Road, Rohini International Hotel. Also Purushasooktha Homam is also performed here separately.

The duration of the Santana Gopala Homam is 2-3 Hours and is performed by three people. The cost of the Performing the Homam is Rs 8,000 (including the procurement of articles seen above)  and is performed in the mornings from 8-9 am onwards. One can register for the same with minimum two days advance notice and perform the same as a couple.

Santana Gopala Krishna Temple in Krishnapura near Mysore, Karnataka

There is also a temple for Santana Gopala Krishna in Krishnapura located at a distance of 35 Km from Mysore. Krishna is also called Huchappa Gopala as the Lord performed the miracle of converting the Baby girl born to the Chola King into a Baby Boy who could succeed the throne of the Chola King. Hucchu means mad and the couple were mad with joy when Krishna answered their prayers and gave them a child.

Santana Gopala krishna in Garuda Vahana

 

There is a Santana Sudharshana Chakra near the feet of the Main Idol of Santana Krishna which blesses Childless couples with children

Santana Sudharshana Chakra

 A tiny silver cradle with small baby krishna is worshipped for 48 days and then later taken to Krishnapura Temple in order to perform pooja as mentioned by the temple priest. After performing pooja, the cradle is tied to the roof of the Temple.

The address and phone number details of the temple is as follows:

Sri Santanavenugopala Swamy temple,
Hemmaragala post,
Nanjangud Taluk,
Mysore District
Pincode: 571337

Phone number of temple priest/Poojari : 9880932698, 9611833798. 

There is also a Santana Gopala Krishna Temple in Sozhavandhaan near Maduari.

Santana Gopala Krishna in Sozhavandhaan near Madurai

 

Tulsi Damodara Kalyanam/Vivah !!!

Viewing the Tulasi Kalyana Utsavam blesses one with happy married life, children and a peaceful family life!!

Tulsi Damodara Kalyanam/Vivah is the celestial wedding ceremony between Tulasi Devi and Damodara Murthy. Tulasi devi is the ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and the wedding ceremony of Tulasi and Damodara is celebrated on the Dwadasi thithi of Karthika month. It falls on the evening of Friday, November 11 2016.

Tulasi Damodara Kalyana Utsavam Aarty

Tulasi pooja

Rows of Lamps are lit around the Tulasi plant and Sprigs & Leaves of Amla/Nelli Tree are kept near the Tulasi plant as seen in the photo above. Holes are made in small Nelli/Amla fruits and filled with ghee & wick to be lit as lamps as seen by the poojari holding the Aarty plate above.

The Following Sloka is to be recited when we should perform Pradakshina around the Tulasi and Amla/Nelli Plant

"Yanmoole Sarva Theerthani, Yanmadhye Sarva Devataha

Yadagre Sarva Vedascha Tulasim Thwaam Namamyaham"

 Sloka Meaning: 

"All the Sacred Theerthas reside in the roots of the Tulasi Plant, All the deities reside in the middle of the plant and the Vedas reside at the Tip of the Plant. Salutations to you Tulasi Devi!!"

Tulasi pooja can be carried out every evening and blesses one with happy married life, children and solves every difficult problems in life!! Just like the sincere Devotion of Tulasi Plant which is considered priceless by Lord Krishna Himself.

In Dwaraka there is a story that in the Tula Bharam or Weighing Scale, Lord Krishna's weight could not be matched by the entire jewels and riches of his consort Sathyabama, but the single Tulasi leaf offered devotionally by Rukmini Devi weighed heavier than Lord Krishna Himself!!

Tula Bharam-Tulasi weighing heavier than Lord Krishna!!

Tulasi Devi-Gandaki River in Nepal

There is also a story about the Hair of Tulasi becoming the Gandaki River in Mukthinath temple situated in Nepal. Lord Vishnu himself became the Salagrama, unique black stones found only in the banks of the River Gandaki. Hence there is a custom of celebrating the Kalyana Utsava of Tulasi with Saligrama stones also.

Mukthinath Vishnu Temple

Saligrama Stones Uniquely found in Gandaki River

Gandaki River with Saligrama Stones

Agasthiar.org through their Monthly spiritual magazine Agasthiya Vijayam details that near Tirumazhisai town located near Chennai Bangalore Highway, there is a village named Sithukadu which houses ancient Shiva and Vishnu temples.

The ancient name of this village was 'Tirumanam' as many wedding ceremomies of Maharishis and gods took place in this temple. The Sthala Vriksham of the Vishnu Temple is the Nelli/Amla Tree. Here wedding ceremony between the Nelli/Amla tree and Tulasi Plant is performed on Tiruvonam/Sravanam Star Days. This is said to bless people with happy married life, children and remove obstacles in marriage.

Also the darshan of Parrots/Kili on top of the Nelli/Amla Tree during evenings is said to bless couples to have a peaceful married life and resolve issues. Even Today one can see parrots flocking here in evenings.

Tulasi Plant with Nelli/Amla Tree in Sithukadu

 Parrorts on top of the Nelli/Amla tree

Sithukadu or Tirumanam Vishnu Temple

Radha Kalyanam !!

Agasthiar.org based on the teachings of Sathguru Venkatarama Swamy has gifted this world the Wonderful picture of Radha Kalyanam, The celestial wedding of Radha Devi with Lord Krishna. The detailed explanation of the same is in their website link below,

http://www.agasthiar.org/a/rk.htm

Agasthiya Vijayam details that the Daily Darshan of this divine wedding will bless one  and one's society with prosperity, peace, tranquility, and bliss in married life. Agasthiya Vijayam further explains that there are more than 1008 complete auspicious energy sources in this painting!!!.

 Bhaktha Jayadeva and Geeta Govindam

Bhaktha Jayadeva was a 12th Century Devotee Poet who lived in present day Orissa Bengal region. Geeta Govindam is lyrical poetry in Sanskrit extolling the Divine Love between Radha and Krishna.  

'Sringara Rasam' is one of the nine rasas of Natya Shastra  wherein Sringara refers to Love/attraction/Beauty and Rasam means Flavour. Geeta Govindam  is known as 'Sringara Mahakavya' as it describes the various moods in relation to the Divine Love between Radha and Krishna.

Geetha Govindam is the blessed work of Poetry in which Lord Krishna himself composed a verse for Jayadeva when Jayadeva was confused regarding inclusion of a specific verse wherein Radha places her feet over Lord Krishna's head.

Agasthiar.org explains that this verse written by Lord Krishna is Parama Paraalakshmi Divine Feet Mantra

 The English lyrics of the same is as follows:

"Smara garala khandanam, Mama Sirasi Mandanam 

Dehi Pada Pallavamudhaaram

 Jwalathi Mayi Dhaaruno Madana Khadanaanaruno,

Harathu Thadhupaahita Vikaaram"

Meaning

"The beautiful flower blossoms of Your feet counteract the deadly poison of amorous love. They extinguish the terrifying fire of the pain of that love, which rages within My heart. Therefore, please be kind and allow Your feet to decorate My head"

 Bhatha Jayadeva visualised this verse in his mind and was confused whether he has to include this verse as it portrayed Radha placing her head over the Supreme Lord Krishna. He feared if it would become a mistake and left the house in order to take bath in Ganga river. 

Lord Krishna wanted to prove the sincerity and greatness of his Bhaktha Jayadeva and took the form of Jayadeva and entered his house. Jayadeva's wife Padavathy was surprised that her husband had come back so early. Krishna in Jayadeva's form asked Padmavathy to annoint his head with Oil. Padamavathy, the dutiful wife applied oil. Krishna in Jayadeva's form wrote the verse above and left the oil marks in the writing as proof of having visited the place. Then Krishna in Jayadeva's form left the house.

The real Jayadeva came back to the house. Padmavathy was surprised that her husband had again come back so soon. She asked him regarding the same. Jayadeva replied that he came only now and did not come before.  Jayadeva initially did not believe what she said, but when he saw the verse written with oil markings, he was overjoyed that Lord Krishna himself acknowledged the truth in his writings and came and completed the verse. Radha really did place her head over her Lord Krishna!! He also realised that her wife was blessed to have the privilege of having seen Lord Krishna and even given him an oil massage.

Agasthiar.org explains that this mantra written by Lord Krishna himself rains spiritual blessings and leds us to Salvation. Agasthiay Vijayam also details the patrika or Wedding Invitation of Radha Kalyanam in Tamil as explains that this patrika has to be present in every house.

Radha Krishna Wedding Invitation

The Divine Rasa Leela Dance of Lord Krishna on the banks of Yamuna has been the inspiration behind this Dance video and is a treat to watch.....Enjoy Watching it!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCW12simVAo