anjali makaram 2011

Anjali January
while others deal with devotion. Yet others
provide the in-depth discourse on different
philosophical approaches leading to self
realization, the ultimate goal of all beings.
Prayers and hymns formed a major mode
of worship in Sanathana Dharma as in many
other religions. Their psychological effects
manifest in ennoblement of human mind and
unfolding of spirituality. In one of such verses
Ezhuthachan depict the state of a devotee
who can effortlessly seek the Almighty
without any physical interruptions.
Yathonnu kanmathathu Narayana pratima
Yathonnu kelppathathu Narayana sruthikal
Yathonnu cheiyvathathu Narayana archanakal
Yathonnathokke Hari Narayanaya Namaha.
“ All that is seen is Narayana form
All that is heard is Narayana’s praise
All that is performed is Narayana offering
All that exists, is only Narayana
O’ Narayana my humble salutations to Thee.”
Ezhuthachan emphasizes in this verse the
ultimate truth that nothing exist other than
Hari, the supreme Brahman. All that is
visualized through organs of perceptions and
beyond are nothing but Brahman. This verse
in its simple form is a heartfelt prayer to
Guruvayurappan, but also depicts the highest
level of realization that everything
conceivable is Sri Hari only.
Harinaamakeerthanam also presents the
true nature of the individual self or Atman
and its relationship with the universal self or
Paramatman. The first verse itself illustrates
the dilemma caused as a result of the falsely
conceived duality.
AUM karamaaya porul moonnay pirinjutane
Aamkaramayathinu taan tanne saakshiyatu
Bodham varuttuvatinaalaayi ninna para-
Maacharya roopa Hari Narayanaaya Namaha.
Omkar, the sole entity split itself into Three
The “I-ness” only remained to witness this
You existed as the ultimate consciousness
Imparted the profound blissfulness to all
My prostrations at your feet, O’great Hari.
8 KHNA - 2011
Brahman, the all pervading primordial
one without a second differentiated into three
entities with the same I-ness or Ahamkara.
The Brahman alone served as the witness for
this tremendous transformation. This
transformation can be explained only by that
teacher, who is Brahman, as no one else will
have that knowledge. O’ supreme Lord,
Narayana, I bow before you. The poet
emphasizes that the real bliss can be
experienced by understanding that there is
nothing other than Brahman, and all duality
and multiplicity are nothing but illusions.
Through the knowledge gained from the
scriptures this nescience can be eradicated
and will result in the realization of the eternal
Truth.
Throughout the 66 verses, one can find
soothing messages and systematic
instructions for attaining self realization
through Bhakti (devotion) and Jnana
(knowledge). The psychological effects
manifest in ennoblement of the human mind
and intellect in unfolding spirituality.
Harinaamakeerthanam came into existence
with invigorating principles of the Vedas,
Upanishads, Brahmasutra, Bhagavad Gita
and the Puranas, particularly Srimad
Bhagavatham and it got rooted firmly in the
spiritual and literary field of Kerala.
(Based on the Book “ Ezhuthachan’s
Harinaamakeerthanam, An Ode to Hari” by
the author, published by Swami
Kaivalyananda, Sri Ramakrishnashram,
Kayamkulam, Kerala)
Viswanath Kurup, Ph.D, a faculty member of the
Medical college of Wisconsin for over 33 years; he
is retired as professor of Pediatrics and currently
continues as Professor Emeritus. He has published
over 300 research papers in allergy and
immunology. He is recipient of NIH, NASA and
VA funding for research. As a National Career
Scientist of the Veterans Administration, he has
published 3 books.
Keenly interested in the study of Hindu scriptures,
Dr. Kurup has published a commentary of
Harinaamakeertanam, and written articles in
several magazines including Bhavan’s Journal and
Hinduism Today. He is currently translating
Poonthanam’s Jnanappana. He lives in Lewisville,
Texas. (Web site: VI Kurup.com)