Guru - Swami Nikhilanand

Swami Nikhilanand

JKP RadhaMadhav Dham 

Swami Nikhilanand, is a disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. He was attracted to the teachings of Hinduism from a very young age.  Eventually, his deep spiritual longing led him to India, where he was most fortunate to come under the guidance of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.  Thereafter, he extensively studied the Indian language Hindi, the Philosophy of the prime Sanskrit scriptures, (Vedas, Shastras, Gita and Bhagavatam) and practiced meditation.  In 2003 he was given Sanyas,  Now with the blessings of his Guruji, he offers lectures throughout America, teaching classes for all ages on topics such as The Bhagavad Gita, which is said to be the essence of the Vedas and The Sanatana Dharma, the true way of life. His pravachans provide clear explanations of Hindu Philosophy with inspired chanting of Sanskrit mantras, shlokas and melodious naam sankirtan.

Understanding any Hindu scripture including The Gita can be done only from a true saint. It is explained in the Gita that a person is qualified to study the Gita only when he has faith in Shri Krishna.  Also, Chapter 4, verse 34, of the Gita, explains that the knowledge of the Gita cannot be acquired without first surrendering to a realized saint.

It will be an incredible learning experience understanding the deepest aspects of Bhagavad Gita with guidance from Swami Nikilanand.  He resides at Radha Madhav Dham, the main US ashram of Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj.

You can read about Swami Nikhilanand, about his Bhagavad Gita discourses, his e-book on "The spiritual discussions and discourses" here. 

Religion and Dharma

Religion is a collection of cultural and belief system that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and sometime to moral values. 

 

According to Swami Rama: The words "religion" and "dharma" denote two entirely different concepts and perspectives. Religion is comprised of rituals, customs, and dogmas surviving on the basis of fear and blind faith. Dharma--a word, unfortunately, with no English equivalent--encapsulates those great laws and disciplines that uphold, sustain, and ultimately lead humanity to the sublime heights of worldly and spiritual glory. Established in the name of God, a religion is an institution that requires a growing number of adherents for its expansion and future existence. A religion discriminates against human beings who do not belong to its particular order and condemns their way of living and being, whereas dharma is eternal, looking for no followers for its propagation. With no discrimination whatsoever, it leads a human being beyond the realms of man-made, institutionalized dictums. Instead of creating fear of God, it makes God manifest in the human heart, not in an anthropomorphic form, but as the absolute and universal One in whom all diversities reside in perfect harmony.

The Upanishads saw 'Dharma' as the universal principle of law, order, harmony, all in all truth, that sprang first from Brahman.

In the Brihadaranyaka's own words:

Verily, that which is Dharma is truth.

'Satyam vada, Dharmam chara'

Literally means, Speak the Truth and Practice Dharma.

Ancient Hindu scriptures emphasize the importance of 'Satya' and 'Dharma'.  Satya is the eternal, absolute and unchanging truth. Dharma is often translated as righteousness, Law or Natural Law.

When you add language and living style (traditions, practices and habits) to Dharma, it becomes Culture.

Acknowledgements:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion

Sanatana Dharma

Sanatana means eternal, never beginning nor ending.
Dharma is from dhri, meaning to hold together, to sustain.
Sanatana Dharma eternally holds All together.

Sanatana Dharma is experience based rather than belief based.

'Satyam vada, Dharmam chara'

Literally means, Speak the Truth and Practice Dharma.

Ancient Hindu scriptures emphasize the importance of 'Satya' and 'Dharma'.  Satya is the eternal, absolute and unchanging truth. Dharma is often translated as righteousness, Law or Natural Law.

In the Rigveda, the word appears as an n-stem, dhárman-, meaning "something established or firm"

The Upanishads saw dharma as the universal principle of law, order, harmony, all in all truth, that sprang first from Brahman.

In the Brihadaranyaka's own words:

Verily, that which is Dharma is truth.

In the Mahabharata (12.110.11), Lord Krishna defines dharma as,

"Dhaaranaad dharma ity aahur dharmena vidhrtaah prajaah, Yat syaad dhaarana sanyuktam sa dharma iti nishchayah,"

meaning, Dharma upholds both this-worldly and other-worldly affairs.

 

The prayer,

 “तमसोमा ज्योतिर्गमय” Tamasoma Jyothirgamaya,  in the tradition of Sanatana Dharma means “Lead me from darkness to light”. Darkness symbolizes ajnana or ignorance; while light symbolizes jnana or knowledge.

The Guru alone is capable of guiding one from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. It is due to this fact that utmost importance is given to the Guru in Sanatana Dharma.

About 1200 years ago, Great saint, Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the great philosopher, in his brief life of 32 years was instrumental in the spread of Advaita Vedanta philosophy of the Upanishads.  According to Sringeri Peetam Jagadguru Sri Bharati tirtha Mahaswamiji, Adi Shankaracharya re-established the path through which everyone can experience and become one with divinity.

 

Video link to the documentary released from Sringeri Peetam, about Jagadguru sri Adi Shankaracharya .

Acknowledgements:
http://www.sringeri.net/2010/05/31/publication/dvd/kalady-the-triumph-of-faith-over-time.htm#watchonline

Recipe - Snack - Poha Upma

Poha Upma without onion, garlic and garam masala

(Flattened rice in English, Poha in Hindi, Avalakki in Kannada, Aval in Tamil, Attukulu in Telugu)

Prior to Preparation

Thick Poha– 1 cup. Wash 3-4 times, until all white residue is removed.

Soak for 10 minutes. Drain water completely.  Keep aside.

Roast 1 Tbsp of Groundnuts (Peanuts) and grind coarsely. (optional)

For Seasoning

Cooking Oil: 1 tbsp (or as needed)

Mustard seeds: ½  tsp

Jeera seeds – ¼ tsp

Urad dhal – 1 tsp

Besan dhal – ½ tsp

Cashew nuts - 3 pieces chopped
Turmeric powder: 1/10 tsp
Curry leaves: 3-4 leaves (wash and dry with a paper towel)

Green chillies -3 (Cut lengthwise)

Asafetida (hing)- 1/10 tsp (optional)

Salt: to taste

For Garnishing

Lime Juice – ½ tsp or to taste (optional)
Cilantro: 3-4 sprigs finely chopped

Coconut (fresh grated) 1 tbsp (Optional)

Preparation Method

In a deep pan, add 1 tbsp of oil and season with mustard seeds, add Besan dhal, urad dhal, jeera seeds, cashew nuts,  turmeric powder, green chillies, curry leaves and hing.  Then add the poha and salt. Stir occasionally and let it cook in medium flame for 3 minutes with lid on.  Remove lid, simmer, add roasted peanuts and stir for 1-2 minutes.  Add lime juice. Garnish with cilantro. 

Serve hot with Tomato chutney.

Note 1: 

 Brownish red aval known as ‘Kara Aval’  is very nutritious and can be used in place of white aval .

Note 2:  

Roasted groundnuts can be added at the time of seasoning. But the coarse powder should be added only at the end, before adding cilantro    

Recipe - Side dish - Tomato Chutney

 

Tomato Chutney without onion, garlic and garam masala

( for Idli, dosa, Upma, chapatti, Roti and Rice)

For paste:

  

Tomato (medium size red ripe): 6 (Vine ripe tomatoes are tasty)
Green chillies or Jalepeno peppers: 2 (optional)

Tamarind – Small gooseberry size (optional)

For Seasoning

Cooking Oil: 1 tbsp (or as needed)

Mustard seeds: ¼ - ½ tsp

Jeera seeds – ¼ tsp

Urad dhal - ¼ tsp
Turmeric powder: 1/10 tsp
Curry leaves: 3-4 leaves (wash and dry with a paper towel)

Asafetida (hing)- 1/10 tsp (optional)

For Taste while cooking

Red chili powder: 1/2 tsp .  (If you have not added green chillies, add more chilli powder or to taste).
Salt: to taste

Sugar: ¼ tsp (optional)

For Garnishing
Cilantro: 3-4 sprigs finely chopped

PREPARATION METHOD

Paste:  Wash and then chop tomatoes into 1 inch pieces.  Grind into a coarse paste the tomatoes, green chillies and tamarind.

Cooking: In a deep pan, add 1 tbsp of oil and season with mustard seeds, add jeera seeds, urad dhal, turmeric, curry leaves and hing.  Pour the coarse tomato paste into the pan. Add Red chilli powder, salt, sugar and let it cook for 15 minutes with lid on.  Add ¼- ½ cup of water if the paste is too thick.  Then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a sauce or chutney consistency.   Garnish with cilantro. Serve with your favorite dish.