Ma Saraswathy

Saraswathi Namastubhyam
Varade Kamarupini
Vidyarambam Karishyami
Siddhir Bhavatu Me Sada

Sanskrit to English Word Meaning       

               Saraswathi- O Goddess of Knowledge Saraswathi, Namstubhyam-salutatiosn to you; varade-one who gives boons; kamarupini- one who fulfills desires; vidyarambaham-to begin my studies; karisyami-I am going; siddhirbhavatu-may there be accomplishment; me- for me; sada- always.

Translation

                  O Goddess Saraswathi; salutations to you, the giver of boons, the one who fulfills desires. I shall begin my studies. May there always be accomplishment for me.

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaaveenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa
brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha (poojitaa) Saa
Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa.

               May that Goddess – Bhagavati – the blessed Saraswathi presiding deity of learning and remover of our lethargy, laziness and ignorance, protect us. She is pure and white like the jasmine, the full moon and the garland like formation of dewdrops. She is dressed in a spotless robe. She has in her hand the auspicious instrument veena. She is seated on a white lotus. She is the one who is always respected by Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, Shankara the annihilator and other Gods.

Sree Parasuramaswamy Temple

   Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Temple is the only Lord Parasurama Swami Temple in Kerala, situated around 7 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.

     Parashurama is the 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu.

    This centuries old granite temple is famous for the "Balitharpanam"‘ or "Vavu Bali" – a Hindu religious ritual of offering homage to the departed souls of forefathers. It is believed that Guru Adi Sankaracharya made the ‘Bali’ for his mother at the temple. Believed to be built during the 12th and 13th century by a legendary Chera King Athiyaman Perumal, Sri Parasuramaswamy Temple is a protected monument by the Archaeology Department of Kerala.

          One of the unique features of Sree Parasurama Temple is that the temple has separate shrines for the Trimurtis of Hindu religion – Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.

          Another speciality is that the temple is located at the Triveni Sangama (merging of 3 rivers) of Karamana River, Killi River, and Parvathiputhanar River – and hence considered a holy spot to perform bali ritual.

          "Karkidaka Vavu bali" or "Vavubali Tharpanam" is one of the most important ritual conducted at the temple. Karkidaka Vavu is the new moon day in the Malayalam month of Karkidakom. During the Karkidaka Vavu day people of Kerala perform Vavu Bali on the guidance of a priest or an elderly person. Some of the important accompaniments needed for performing Bali Tharpanam include Darbha (a type of long grass), cooked rice, sesame (Ellu), pavithram (ring made of darbha grass), water and banana leaves.

The telephone number to contact Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple is 0471 2380706.

SALAGRAMAM Ashram

SALAGRAMAM Ashram, envisaged and founded by

Swami Sandeepananda Giri, is  devoted to the understanding and spread of pure Knowledge.The School of Bhagavad Gita is the nucleus of the Ashram.

Salagramam, the sacred stone, is believed to be the manifestation of Vishnu, the One who pervades all - and it is believedthat Vishnu orHari shines forth from the salagramam - "Harihi vyaapi salagraame prakaashate"  

Inspired by the divine salagramam, Swami Sandeepananda Giri envisions Salagramam, the Temple of Knowledge to illumine the world withthe crystalline light of Knowledge - clear and pure.

Salagramam Ashram is a microcosm of the universe around us. The universe is made up of the five elements of space, air, fire, water and earth and every particle is a reflection thereof. Salagramam ashram represents this principle and encompasses the harmonious confluence of the elements.

"Evam pindabrahmandayoraikyam sambhutam"

"Thus, there is identity between the microcosm and the macrocosm"

SALAGRAMAM Ashram, registered under the School of Bhagavad Gita Trust , is the umbrella organization supporting a wide range of initiatives committed to exploring Indian philosophy as a living tradition, faithful to its origins, yet compatible with the current world. The ashram’s purpose is to promote the assimilation of study and practice, and to understand tradition in a spirit of genuine inquiry.

The doors of SALAGRAMAM are always open to any sincere seeker of knowledge,regardless of his religion, nationality or educational background. It offers the freedom and the facility to a person to discover himself. He will have the liberty to set the standards and goals at levels acceptable to himself.
SALAGRAMAM
Kundamonkadavu,
Thirumala,
Trivandrum - 695006
Kerala, India
Phone: +91 471 2367299
http://www.schoolofbhagavadgita.org/