A Meaningful and Wonderful life for Devotees of Lord Sri Venketashwara

Preface

I offer my obeisance firstly, to the world teacher Lord Krishna who is the ever present divine manifestation in the lives of his true believers. He is the embodiment of the supreme Godhead whom the Hindus refer to as Saguna Brahman. This is the cosmic being who is the one absolute reality and who is the very essence of truth, consciousness and bliss. Secondly, I offer my obeisance to the Srivaishnavite pontiff (Jeeyar) Sri Srinivasa Ramanuja Acharya who heads the math (500 years old) at the very important shrine in Thirukoiloor in Tamil Nadu (Divya Desha). This temple has the glory that the Tamil Divya-prabhandam was started here. The first of the three Alvars: Poygai, Bhutam and Pey have devoted numerous verses to the Lord here. The Jeeyar is my Guru.

This book is written to further popularize the universally appealing teachings of the ancient Song of wisdom i.e. The Gita, the Upanishads and the Aphorisms of the Brahma sutras (or the teachings about Brahman), the Vedas and our morally elevating biographies about divinities, human life and existence in the yonder past enshrined in the various texts (Puranas). A few include the Vishnu Purana, Varaha Purana, Bhagavatam etc. and others like the Ramayana and Mahabharata known as Ithihasas.

This book is meant to cater to the needs of the devotees of Sriman Narayana who in this age (Kali yuga) has manifested as the Lord of the seven hills (Tirumala, A.P.) and is widely known as Sri Venketashwara or Lord Balaji. This book is kept simple and easy to read without complex philosophical details.

The selections are from an eclectic literature collection to make certain points of value for leading a meaningful life. I must add that these teachings are not unique to anyone sect but really universal in its essence to elevate humankind spiritually. There is but only one God we tend to see him differently, it does not matter for true religious faith as it should transcend barriers and help to elevate one as a social being with responsibility to one and all and above all to Mother Earth. The future of the world is in! 1 harmonious living and that is possible in a life wherein God is the pivot. A proper understanding and non parochial interpretation of any scripture is meant to uplift one if not exalt.

The book is written for youth, especially those unable to read and understand voluminous Hindu scriptures in various Indian languages but is more comfortable in English. This will help him or her to grasp the importance of our heritage and then march ahead spiritually. The saying "in vain without God" is but a fact for those who feel him.

I need to first record my indebtedness to My Mother for her devotion and prayers to the Lord of seven hills which gave me the academic success in my life. My special gratitude goes to my dear friend Auditor Mr. P.Narayanan (Vellore) who shared his experience and knowledge. My immense personal thanks go to Drs. V.Balaji and Rajesh Kannangai both from Vellore for being a great source of inspiration for this book.

Generally, as the manuscript was prepared with a computer the spelling of many words are in American style. The opinions expressed in this book outside of religious exactitude are the author s impressions. Some statements are from referenced historical accounts and are not meant to offend religious sentiments of any sect or God loving individual but to put events in the right perspective.

Contents