SYMBOLISM

Ganesha :
 Elephant Ears & Big Head
o Listen Well, Think and Analyze
 Trunk
o Evaluate, Decide, and Be Efficient
 One Tusk
o Choose wisely between the pair of opposites and evolve
 Pot Belly
o Digest and Store All Knowledge
 Four Hands
o Axe : Cuts Attachments
o Rope : Draws us closer to him
o Modaka : Rewards his Devotees
o Blessing : Blesses and Protects
 Mouse the Vehicle, Mouse the Mind
o His grace can help us keep our mind in control
 Vigneshwara
o With his grace, No undertaking can fail
 Visargana (Nimarjan)
o The devotee has learned, prayed, and has transcended the need for
the form of the Lord!

There are many names of Ganesha, such as….

 Balachandra - One with a moon on the forehead

 Ekadanta - One with one tusk
 Ganesha - The lord of Ganas (army, flock, number, tribe, category, or class)
 Ganapati - Master of Ganas
 Gajakarna - Gaja, elephant, and karna means ears
 Lambodara - One with a big belly
 Maheshwaraputra - Son of Lord Shiva
 Modakahasta - One with a modaka in the hand
 Mangalamurti - All auspicious Lord
 Omkara - One who has the Form of OM and worshipped first
 Parvatiputra - Son of Parvati (or Gowrisuta for son of Gowri)
 Siddhivinayaka - Bestower of success (or VaradaGanapati)
 Sumukha - One with an auspicious face
 Vighnaraja - The king who removes all obstacles
 Vighneshwara - The Lord who removes all obstacles

GANESHA TEACHES US : Listen to the things around you well, keep your ears open and
gather all the information. Feed this into your mind analyze and discriminate (differentiate)
between right and wrong. Digest what is good and make it part of you, discard what is not.
Let not your mind wander away from what is your goal. Success is yours if you keep working
at it.
Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthih :
trivaram satyam - That which is said three times comes true, for emphasizing a point, we
repeat three times. In the court of law also, one who takes the witness stand says, “I shall
speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

 Adhidaivika : The unseen divine forces over which we have little or no control like
earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, etc.
 Adhibhautika : The known factors around us like accidents, human contacts,
pollution, crime, etc.
 Adhyatmika: Problems of our bodies and minds like diseases, anger, frustrations,
etc.

Shiva :
 Mother Ganga
o Flow of Knowledge
 Crescent Moon
o The Nectar of Life and The Lord of Time
 Blue Neck
o “Don’t be bitter, be better” – Swami Tejomayananda
 Snake
o Lord of Time is Fearless
 Ash
o Destruction of Evil & Remembrance of the Divine
 3 Eyes
o 2 Eyes for Love & Justice, 3rd for Wisdom & Knowledge
 Trident
o Emblem of Sovereignty

Nataraja Symbolism :

 Mother Ganga – Flow of Knowledge

 Crescent Moon – The Nectar of Life and the Lor of Time
 Circle of Flames – Cosmic Fire; the Cycle of Creation, the Birth and Death
 Four Hands
o Damaru – Creation
o Fire – Destruction
o Abhaya Hasta – Cobra coiled hand blessing not to fear
o Gaja Hasta – Discrimination
 Demon Muyalaka – Surrender to Lord to destroy Ignorance, Jealousy, Pride Anger,
etc.
 Raised Foot – Raise yourself above all bad qualities
 Serene Face – Peace in Spite of the contrasting forces around

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3 Gunas :

Our scriptures refers to three gunas - sattva, rajas, and tamas - as innate nature, tendencies
or qualities (psychology or personality of an individual)

 Sattva Guna is the quality of balance, harmony, goodness, purity, universal-ism,

holism, construction, creativity, positivity, peacefulness, and virtue.
 Rajas Guna is the quality of passion, activity, neither good nor bad and sometimes
either, self-centeredness, egoism, individualization, drivenness, movement, and
dynamism.
 Tamas Guna is the quality of imbalance, disorder, chaos, anxiety, impurity,
destruction, delusion, negativity, dullness or inactivity, apathy, inertia, or lethargy,
violence, viciousness, and ignorance.

Dakshinamurthy :

 Dakshinamurthy is the lord who faces Dakshina (South) – Abode of Yama

 Guru leading his devotees from mortality to immortality
 Chinmudra or Jnanamudra – Depicting the Supreme Knowledge
 Muyalaka – Destruction of Ego; Ignorance, Jealousy, Pride, Anger, etc.
 Aged Disciples – Mature Minds

Goddess Durga : Durgati Harini

 A goddess of warfare
 Supremely beautiful and fierce
 Riding a lion (or a tiger)
 Brandishing an impressive array of weapons and instruments
 An image of terrifying Power
 A Loving Universal Mother

 Her Names - TripuraSundari, Lalitha, Devi, Mahadevi, Jagadmata, Ambika, Gauri,

Uma, Parvati, Rajarajeshwari, Aparajitha, Katyayini
 Tiger/Lion - Ego, Pride
 Mahishasura Mardini - Destruction of Laziness (Tamoguna)
 Garland of Skulls - Destruction of Bad Qualities
 Weapons - Killing/Removing negative tendencies

Love is to understand that the whole world is one family.

Goddess Lakshmi :

Gurudev says, “Valuables are valuable but values are invaluable.”

Sankaracharya describes the six forms of wealth as follows :

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 1. Calmness of mind (Shama)
2. Self-control (Dama)
3. Self-withdrawal (Uparati)
4. Forbearance (Titiksha)
5. Faith (Shraddha)
6. Single pointedness (Samadhana)

This is also known as SuvarnaHasta (Wealth of Virtues) Hand showering wealth (Shad
Sampatti).

7. Samudra Manthan

 Lotus : The holiest of flowers. It has its roots in the mud but blooms above water
without becoming wet or tainted by the mire below. It is thus a natural symbol for the
person seeking release (moksha), how one should live in this world without
attachment.
 SuvarnaHasta (Wealth of Virtues) : Showers Gold/Wealth on devotees. Why do we
run after wealth? What is the true Wealth that Lakshmi Symbolizes? Is more Wealth =
more Happiness?

 Mother Lakshmi symbolizes the real wealth of spiritual values practicing which
our minds become purified and we reach the goal of life.
 Mother Lakshmi is described as seated on a lotus. She also holds a lotus in her hand
symbolizing the realization of the Self, the Supreme Goal to be gained by man.
 Living like a lotus in the world, remaining detached from the water, the sense
objects around us, we can reach our highest potential, Self realization. We can bloom
where we are planted!

Goddess Saraswati :

Lord Krishna says : “Among the various types of Knowledge, I am the Knowledge of the Self”

What difference Knowledge brings to us?

Sara-swa-ti : The essence of Knowledge about the Self

Rock near a flowing river : Mental stability amongst flowing events of life.

Veena : When the mind is tuned, life becomes creative and enjoyable.

Knowledge : What is true Knowledge that Saraswati Symbolizes?

Four Hands - One hand holds a japa mala for meditation; concentration; the book
(scriptures) in the second hand. The other two hands are playing a musical instrument, the
Veena, representing that she is also the deity of all arts, crafts, and technology.

Swan / Peacock - The peacock and the swan are both well known for their beauty; Swan
stands for discrimination.

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White Sari - Mother Saraswati’s white sari is a symbol of purity

Garbo / Garbha :

 A dance is performed by women in a circle around a clay lantern with a light inside,
called a garbha deep (“womb lamp”).
 The vessel (mud pot) itself is a symbol of the body which is made up of five
elements-- earth, air, fire, water, and space. The holes are our sense organs : eyes,
ears, nose, mouth, and skin.
 The lamp is the life principle or the divinity (in the form of the Goddess or Devi) that
resides in all of us.
 Garba is danced around this symbol to honor the fact that all humans have the divine
energy of Devi within them.
 The Circle symbolizes time. The cycle of birth and death with the divinity as the only
constant.

Golu / Kolu :

 Set up in any odd number of steps (usually between 3 to 9)

 People visit each other’s homes in the evenings and admire the beauty of each
distinctive Themes and displays
 They chant many prayers of the Goddesses such as the Lalita Sahasranama and fill
the evenings with devotional music and other arts
 They make special prasada called “sundal” and distribute to all who come to pray at
their “golu.”
 The symbolism behind the “golu” is to remind us that God is present in all forms of
life and when we offer prayers to the dolls, we remind ourselves to respect
everything in this world.

Navaratri : the Festival of 9 Nights

Devoted to the worship of the 3 Goddess

1. Goddess Durga is invoked to remove impurities from the mind.

2. Goddess Lakshmi is invoked for prosperity and to cultivate the noble values and
qualities.
3. Goddess Saraswati is invoked for gaining the highest knowledge of the Self.

After all prayers and boons are gained from all 3 goddesses, then 10th day is celebrated as
VijayaDashami or Dusshera or Dasara, the day of true victory!

Navaratri & Vijayadashami :

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Devoted to the worship of the 3 Goddess. Goddess Durga is invoked to remove impurities
from the mind. Goddess Lakshmi is invoked for prosperity and to cultivate the noble
values and qualities. Goddess Saraswati is invoked for gaining the highest knowledge of
the Self.

Golu, Garbha, and Puja are ways we celebrate Navaratri.

10th day is celebrated as VijayaDashami or Dusshera or Dasara, the day of true victory!
It signifies the destruction of the ego, when one attains the greatest victory - 10th day is
celebrated as VijayaDashami or Dusshera or Dasara, the day of true victory! - Vijaya -
over one’s senses (10 organs).

Vijayadashami, Dussehra, or Dashahra :

 The Vijayadashami festival is celebrated throughout India on the tenth day of Hindu
month Ashwini or the day after Navaratri.
 Goddess Durga finally kills Mahishasura on this day
 Victory of Lord Rama over the ten headed monster Ravana on this day
 Victory over 5 organs of perception (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin) and 5 organs
of action (speech, hands, legs, excretion, and reproduction)
 The effigy burning signifies the destruction of the ego, when man attains the great
victory - Vijaya over his senses (10 organs).

Shad Sampati : 6 Treasures

 Shama is calmness of mind. A steady mind is a prerequisite to any achievement.

 Dama is the control of sense organs. By having a diviner goal, calmness descends
upon the mind and dama also becomes natural.
 Uparati is self-withdrawal; the mind no longer gets attracted to the sense objects
because we have matured mentally.
 When we have developed Shama, Dama, and Uparati, the sense objects have no
control over us.
 Titiksha is the capacity of the mind to accommodate cheerfully all the “ups and
downs” of life and patiently ignore any obstacles that might come its way.
 Shraddha (Faith) brings in the daring heroism to keep on walking towards the goal.
 Samadhana - Mind with the quality of contentment can excel in anything.

Shama & Dama :

 Shama is calmness of mind. A steady mind is a prerequisite to any achievement.

 Dama is the control of sense organs. By having a dinner goal, calmness descends
upon the mind and dama also becomes natural.
 Forgetting to take the name of the Lord is the real trouble and thinking of the Lord is
real wealth.

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Uparati & Titiksha :

 Uparati is self-withdrawal; the mind no longer gets attracted to the sense of objects
because we have matured mentally.
 When we have developed shama, dama, and uparati, the sense objects have no
control over us.
 Titiksha is the capacity of the mind to accommodate cheerfully all the “ups and
downs” of life and patiently ignore any obstacles that might come its way.
 Keep Cool to be Cool!

Shraddha & Samadhana :

 Unconditional Faith in the teacher, the scriptures and oneself - Shraddha

Unconditional Faith is the daring heroism of the devoted intellect to keep on walking
toward the goal pointed by the teacher.

Faith>Reflection>Analysis>Realisation

 Single pointedness of the mind - Samadhana

A calm and quiet mind > concentration in one point of reality > when we do what we
like > when we like what we do

Symbols of Worship : Why do we apply Bindi or Pottu or Tilaka?

 Vishnu worshippers apply a chandana tilaka of the shape of “U,” Shiva worshippers a
Tripundra (of the shape of ; of bhasma), and Devi worshippers a red dot or tilaka of
kumkum.
 The chandana, kumkum, or bhasma which is offered to the Lord is taken back as
prasada and applied on our foreheads.
 The spot between the 2 eyebrows is the seat of memory and thinking. This also
signifies the Third Eye of wisdom or enlightenment.
 The tilaka is applied with the prayer - “May I remember the Lord. May this pious
feeling pervade all my activities. May I be righteous in my deeds.”

What’s In A Name? :

After the Mahabharatha war, the victorious Pandavas, go to pay their respects to Bhishma
who is laying on a bed of arrows….

Yudhistira: By worshipping whom can men reach Auspiciousness (peace and prosperity)?

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Bhishma: Chant the thousand names of the Supreme Purusha, the Lord of the world, the
Endless - Sri Maha Vishnu, who is ever working for the welfare of all. By meditating upon,
worshipping, and prostrating to the same Supreme Purusha, man can reach true
Auspiciousness.

Why does the Lord take an Avatarah?

Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir-bhavati bharata,

abhyutthanam-adharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham. 7.

IV. 7 O Arjuna (Bharata), whenever there is a decay of righteousness and a rise of

unrighteousness, then I manifest myself.

Paritranaya sadhunam vinashaya cha dushkritam,

dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge. 8.

IV. 8 I am born in every age of the protection of the good, for the destruction

of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness.

Bhagavan descended as Krishna, to kill Hi evil uncle Kamsa and many demons of
the time.

Mother Earth’s Request :

Once Mother Earth in the form of a cow, with tears in her eyes, went to Brahmaji and
complained about the sins committed by the people on earth. Brahmaji understood Mother
Earth’s distress and said, “My dear mother, only Lord Narayana can help you. Let us go to
Lord Narayana and seek His Help.”

So, Brahmaji, along with Shiva and some Devas, went to Vaikuntha’s milky ocean and
prayed to the Lord. The compassionate Lord said, “Soo, I will be born to Vasudeva and
Devaki, and you, Mother Earth, will be cleansed of sins and sinners.” Thus, Mother Earth was
comforted that the Lord will take an Avatarah.

Vishnu Sahasranama :

What do we all desire? Happiness, Power, Glory, Wealth….

Sri Vishnu is named as Nandana, the giver of happiness.

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Sri Vishnu is named as Srinivasa, the permanent abode of glory and power.

Sri Vishnu is named as Dravinapradah, the giver of wealth.

Vaikuntha :

 Vaikuntha - It is described that in an ocean of milk, Sri Narayana lies in yoga-nidra

on a great serpent bed, protected by the hood of the serpent. He is served by
Goddess Lakshmi, His consort, who is ever at his feet.
 Bhujagashayanam - Deep in the recesses of our personality (Vaikuntha) lies the
Infinite Truth (Vishnu) upon the serpent-Ananta (the mind), which is depicted as
thousand headed.
 1000 Hooded Cobra (Ananta, Adisesha, Sesha-Naga) - Mind focused on the
lord. Also, indicates TIme (Sesha - that which remains)
 Milky Ocean - Heart filled with noble values (purified by taking lord’s name) -
Upasana; refreshing and nourishing like the milk
 Mother Lakshmi - Power, Wealth, and Glory.

Lord Vishnu :

 Blue Body - Omnipresence, Infinite

 Yellow Dhoti - Earth, Knowledge/Wisdom
 Symbolism of 4 Hands :
o Panchajanya Shankh (Conch) - calls to a life of noble values
o Kaumodaki Gada (Mace) - warnings given by lord
o Sudarshana Chakra (Discus) - destroys the ego
o Padma (Lotus) - symbol of truth, auspiciousness, and beauty; reward of self-
knowledge

 Divine Crown – Lordship over the Universe

Eka-Sloki Ramayanam :

Aadau raama tapovanaadi gamanam hatvaa mrugam kaanchanam vaidehee haraNam

jaTaayu maraNam sugreeva sambhaash aNam I Vaalee nigrahaNam samudra taraNam
lankaapuree daahanam pashcaat raavaNa kumbhakarNa hananametaddhi raamaayaNam I I

Once when Rama was sent to the forest, He chased a deer, meanwhile, Sita was
kidnapped, Jatayu was killed. Then there were discussions and planning with
Sugreeva for the war, Vali was killed, the ocean was crossed, and Lanka was
burnt. Then Lord Rama, slayed Kumbhakarna and Ravana and rescued Goddess
Sita. This is the story of Ramayana.

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Lord Rama :

Rama’s Birth in Ayodhya - Yuddha means conflict, Ayodhya means where there is no
conflict or all conflict has ended. When the conflict in our heart disappears, Rama is born in
our heart.

Rama’s Father Dasharatha - Dasa means ten; one who has conquered all the tens senses
- 5 organs of perception (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin) and 5 organs of action (speech,
hands, legs, excretion, and reproduction)

Mother Sita - Sitaji represents a pure mind. Rama, the pure Self, cannot enter into any
active participation in life unless wedded to a Pure mind.

Ravana - 10 Headed Demon. Represents the Power of the 10 senses. Powerful and capable
of achieving materialistic wealth. Ego gets bigger!

Lakshmana - Tapas (austerity) and total devotion to Rama.

Rama Navami - Killing the Demon (Ego) within is the birth of Rama in our hearts!

Lord Krishna :

 Blue Body – Omnipresence, Infinite

 Yellow Dhoti – Earth, Knowledge/Wisdom
 Flute – Our Body/Self without Ego
 Born in Prison – Bound by Ego and Egocentric Desires
 Divine Thief – Loots away our egocentric desires
 Rasa Lila – Our journey towards him

The Story of Lord Krishna :

 Birth of Sri Krishna : Ugrasena had a daughter named Devaki and her brother was
Kamsa. Kamsa why is driving the chariot to Vasudeva’s House (Devaki’s Husband) on
Devaki’s wedding day. As they were driving, a heavenly voice said : “Fool! Know that
the eighth child born of this very girl shall be the cause of your death!” After this,
Vasudeva and Devaki we're put in a prison cell. After seven children, who were who
were all killed by Kamsa, Lord Vishnu himself announced that he will be born as the
eighth child. When the child was born, the child said to Vasudeva, “Father, take me
now to the House of your good friend Nanda, in Gokula. His wife, Yashoda, has just
given birth to a baby girl. Exchange me for that daughter and place me by Yashoda’s
side. Bring the little girl here into the prison. Nothing shall bar your way.” Carrying
the divine baby, Vasudeva crossed the river Yamuna and exchanged the child at
Gokula and returned to Mathura. When Kamsa tried to kill the eighth child, She
(Vishnumaya) escaped his hands and prophesied his death at the hands of the Lord.
 Celebrations in Gokula : Soon the entire household, nay, the entire village came to
know that in Nanda’s house was born the most heavenly child. This was an important
occasion for the simple men and women of the Yadava-Clan and they bubbled over
with happiness. They sing and dance the rhythm of tambourines and cymbals, flutes,

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 and lyres. They gave thanks to the Lord and chanted divine hymns in his praise and
glory.
 Kamsa’s Evil Plans (Putana) : Kamsa came to know that a baby boy had been born
in the house of Nanda at Gokula. He asked Putana, the most frightful and dreaded of
rakshasis who knew all kinds of magical tricks and spells, to kill the baby boy born in
the house of Nanda. Putana appeared as a beautiful maiden and asked very nicely to
be able to hold Krishna, so she can poison the baby Krishna sucked and sucked till he
had drawn out not only all the poison but also the very life-breath of the rakshasa!
Even the tamasika body of a hideous sorceress had been purified by the touch of the
Lord! Thus, the Lord forgave and accepted Putana.
 Kamsa’s Trickery (Trinavarta) : When Kamsa came to know that Putana had failed in
her task, he summoned an asura, Trinavarta. This asura was cunning and tricky and
his ways were more demonical than Putana’s. He could raise dust storms and
whirlwinds at a moments notice and could easily sweep away into a cyclone the
heaviest objects on the earth. Trinavarta lifted the baby but he too was destroyed by
the divine child.
 Baby Krishna’s Antics : The Butter Thief
o In the afternoon he would tiptoe quietly into the kitchen, not only his own, but
that also that of the neighbors. He would signal to his cronies to come and aid
him in his little acts of mischief. Together they would break the mudpots and
delight themselves with delicious fresh butter and creamy curds.
 Baby Krishna’s Antics : Kubera’s Sons Released
o Mischievous Krishna was tied to the mortar by mother Yashoda. Krishna, was
itching to do something naughty; but tide to a huge mortar, many times his
weight and size, he sat there, just a little glum. Then, his eyes caught sight of
two Arjuna trees, standing side by side. So, he stood up and waddled up to
them. Now the mortar got wedged between the trees and Krishna gave a hard
pull to get him free. Both the trees came crashing down and two shiny birds
flew out and the space shown with their light. Thus, he liberated the son’s of
Kubera.
 Kaliya Mardanam : A pool in the forest of Brindavan was contaminated with the
presence of hundred-hooded poisonous serpent called Kaliya. One day, the gopas
with their cattle straight to that very same part of the river Kalindi. No sooner had
they drank the water, they fell down dead. Krishna revived them but decided to do
away with Kaliya. So, while the gopas watched aghast, Krishna climbed a Kadamba
tree nearby, jumped in the river and had a fight with Kaliya. Seeing their husband in
a death like swoon, the chaste wives of Kaliya approached Krishna and earnestly
prayed for his life. Krishna spared Kaliya’s life, gave him a boon that Garuda will not
be able to harm him and ask him to move to Ramanaka Dvipa where he could live
peacefully.

Salutations to Bhagavan Sri Krishna :

Following verses are from Gita Dhyanam :

vasudevasutan devam kamsachanura mardanam,

devaki-parama-anandam krishnam vande jagadgurum.

I salute Lord Krishna, the teacher of the universe, the divine son of Vasudeva,

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 the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanura, the supreme joy of Devaki.

mukam karoti vachalam phangum langayate girim,

yatkrupa tam-aham vande parama-ananda madhavam.

I salute the Supreme Bliss Madhava, whose grace renders the mute eloquent

and the cripple cross mountains.

Parikshit’s Curse :

 One day King Parikshit went hunting and lost his way. He was hungry and thirsty.
He wandered upon a hut, where he saw sage Shamika meditating under a tree.
He requested the sage to please give some water. Parikshit got angry as he
thought the sage was just pretending to meditate. So, in anger, he picked up a
dead snake that was lying and threw it around the sage’s neck, and left. When
the sage’s son, Sringi, came to the hut, he thought he dead snake around his
father's neck and cursed King Parkishit that “On the 7th day, the king of serpents,
Takshaka, we'll take the life of the man who did this!” When King Parikshit heard
about the curse, he gave his Kingdom to his son, and approached sage
Sukhadeva to help prepare for his end. Sukhadeva advise them to hear the story
of the Lord to be free from the fear of death and thus Bhagavatam begins.

Brahmaji’s Mohabhanga :

 After the killing of Agha, Krishna and the gopas went to the riverbank. They were
hungry, and the hour was late. Each boy took out his own packet of food. While
they were thus engrossed in eating the food, the cattle strayed away along the
riverbank.
 Seeing Krishna’s tricks and his leela, Brahmaji felt a longing to experience
Krishna’s powers for himself. So, in a moment of mischief, he hid all the gopas
and caves in a mountain cave. Krishna meditated deeply and then came to know
that it was all a trick to test his divinity. He smiled and decided that he would
please Brahma and at the same time give an infinite experience of bliss to the
mothers of the gopas, the cows, and the gopis! So, he multiplied himself and
assumed the forms of the gopas and their tender calves.

Puja :

Our Gurudev Pujya Swami Chinmayananda explains that our body is only a tool; it is our
mind that is the doer.

Performing the puja with all sincerity helps in disciplining the mind.

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How to perform Shodashopachara Puja? The Puja of 16 Steps

(Ghanta, Karpuram, Dipam, Candanam, Acamanam, Naivedyam, Puspam, Dhupam)

Puja : Preparation

 Set the puja place as shown. Keep Akshatha, Kumkum, Chandanam, Haldi (Turmeric),
Flowers, Naivadyam, Dhoopam, Deepam, Ghanta, Cup, and Spoon for Achamanam
 Start with chanting OM 3 times and Shanti Mantra
 Take a few sips of water (Achamanam)
 Vigneshwara Dhyanam
 Show Dipah (Also chant the Deepam Prayer)
 Form a shell around us that wards of the evil forces (Digbandhah)
 A resolve to do puja to get knowledge and blessings (Sankalpah)
 Ring the bell (Ghatanadah)
 Ganesha & Nandi Prayers
 Meditate & Think of the Lord (Dhyanam)

Puja Vidhi : Celebration

 Offering Royal Comforts (Rajopacharah)

 Dedication (Samarpanam)
 Bidding Farewell to the Lord (Udvasanam)
 Releasing Protective Shell (Digvimoskshah)
 Concluding Prayer Seeking Peace (Shantih Mantrah)

16 Puja Steps : Shodashopachara

1. Inviting the Lord (Devatha Avahanam)

2. Offering a seat to the Lord (Asanam)
3. Washing the feet of the Lord (Padyam)
4. Washing Lord’s hands (Arghyam
5. Offering a drink to the Lord (Achamanam)
6. Offering water to the Lord to take a bath (Snanam)
7. Offering Clothes to the Lord (Vastram)
8. Offering Sacred Thread (Upavitam)
9. Offering ashes to the Lord (Bhasma)
10. Offering Sandalwood Paste (Gandhalepanam)
a. Offering Turmeric and Kumkum (Haridra Kumkumam)
11. Offering rice grains to the Lord (Akshatha)
12. Offering a garland/flowers to the Lord (Pushpam)
a. Bilvapatrani (Chanting Bilvaashtakam)
b. Athanga Puja (Chanting Lingastakam)
13. Offering incense to the Lord (Dhupah)
14. Offering light to the Lord (Deepah)
15. Offering food to the Lord (Naivedyam)

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 a. Offering betel leaves (Tambulam)
16. Offering Arati (Camphor) to the Lord (Mangala Nirajanam)
a. Chanting Vedic Prayer (Mantrapushpam)
b. Offering Prostrations (Pradakshinah Namaskarah)

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KEYS TO SUCCESS

What is Success? :

 Success is being happy with yourself, content at being able to reach higher goals
 Quotes :
o “Success is a self-fulfilling prophecy,” says Pujya Guruji, Swami
Tejomayananda
o “As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the
world… as in being able to remake ourselves,” says Mahatma Gandhi
o “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences
of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition
inspired, and success achieved,” says Helen Keller

What is the Secret to Success? :

 If X is success in life, then X = A + B + C

A. Hard Work or Effort
B. Knowledge (of the World and Self)
C. The Capacity to Laugh (Smilingly accept the results) Prasada Buddhi)
o “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and meet those two imposters
just the same” – Rudyard Kipling

What is a Mind? :

 Mind is the instrument we use to gain knowledge

 As the mind, so the man
o “As the thoughts so the mind. If thoughts are good, the mind is good. If the
thoughts are bad, the mind is called bad.” – Swami Chinmayananda

So how do we sharpen our Mind? How do we tune our Mind and Intellect?

 Tuning our mind and intellect means refining our thoughts. Refining our thoughts
lead to living by noble values.
 When a person does not entertain any ill-will towards any creature and is
equanimous in his outlook, all the directions are full of happiness for him.

15
Where is Happiness found?

 Pujya Gurudev says, “There is no intrinsic happiness in objects. The same objects do
not please everybody. Yet, we associate happiness with the objects we desire.
Happiness is the nature of the real Self of man, which expresses and functions
through his body, mind, and intellect.”

Vibishana Gita :

Ravana arrived at the battlefield with a fully protected armor, in his special war chariot that
was equipped with all kinds of sophisticated weapons. On the other side there was Sri Rama
standing on the ground in front of Ravana without any armor or even shoes; all he had was
only his bow and arrows as weapons.

Vibhishana spoke with great love and devotion, saying : “Oh, Lord, you do not have a
chariot, nor is there protection for your body or your feet, and therefore, by which method
are you going to conquer this Ravana who is valorous and strong?”

Sri Rama, the ocean of compassion said : “My friend, listen. That chariot by which one gains
real victory is totally different.”

“O Friend, a person who has this chariot of Dharma has no more enemies to conquer in this
world. He alone is a great hero who destroys the enemy of samsara, very difficult to
conquer, and who has firm abidance in these virtues is an intelligent person.”

More important than external preparedness is inner preparedness, for the journey of life.

Chariot : Components

 The Wheels
 The Flag
 The 4 Horses
 The Reins
 The Charioteer
 The Shield
 The Sword
 The Axe
 The Boy
 The Quiver
 The Arrows
 The Armor

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Who is Rama & Who is Ravana? :

Sarveshu Ramante Iti Rama. Rama means “the one, who delights,” “the one who revels,” or
“in one whom everyone revels.” Rama also means “that in whom all yogis revel, ramante
yogino yasmin.” Sri Rama is, thus, ananda svarupa, the nature of bliss.

Ravana 10 Head Symbolism :

Ravana is the embodiment of delusion, ignorance, and lack of discrimination. From delusion
rise all other evil tendencies in the mind like lust, passion, anger, jealousy, hatred, and
immorality. Though Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, his devotion was not pure in
nature.

FEAR :

F-E-A-R has 2 meanings.

Forget Everything & Run.

OR

Face Everything & Rise.

The choice is yours.

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The Dharma Chariot :

Wheels :

 Sauraja : Valour, Courage (Accelerator)

 Dheeraja : Fortitude, Patience (Brakes)
o Dhiraja is the ability to withstand the onslaught of all our inner weaknesses.
o Dear God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to
change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference

Flags :

 Satya : Truthfulness
 Sheela : Good Character, Good Conduct, Integrity, Modesty

Horses :

 Bala : Power
o Bahu Balam (Physical)
o Sena Balam (Army)
o Amatya balam (Political or Connections)
o Aishwarya Balam (Money / Resources)
o Dharma balam (Earned by How We Do Our Karma)
 Viveka : Discrimination, Common Sense (What is Your Role?)
 Dama : Control of Senses, Discipline, Regulate
 Parahita : Selflessness, Caring for Others, Love & Contentment

Reins :

 Kshama : Forgiveness
o We ourselves are not perfect. We make mistakes, yet we forgive ourselves.
Then why not others?
o “Sandalwood perfumes even the axe that hews it down! The more we rub
sandalwood against a stone, the more it's fragrance spreads. Burn it and it
wafts its glory in the entire neighborhood. Such is the enchanting beauty of
forgiveness in life. – Swami Chinmayananda.
 Kripa : Compassion
o That quality which causes us to actually do whatever is in our capacity to
relieve others people’s sorrows.
 Samata : Equanimity
o Our cheerfulness and evenness of mind is never lost through all the changes
and Ups and Downs around us and in our life.

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Horses & Reins Relationship :

 Bala (Power) ---> Kshama (Forgiveness)

 Viveka (Discrimination) ---> Kripa (Compassion)
 Dama (Control of Senses)/Parahita (Selflessness) ---> Samata (Equanimity)

The Charioteer :

 Isha Bhajanu : Devotion to God

o Pujya Gurudev quotes, “Whatever you do, Oh Lord! Who am I to quarrel with
Thee? Does the picture ever quarrel with the painter?”
o The Lord bears the burden of the world. Whose fault is that if the traveler,
instead of putting his luggage in the cart, which bears the load anyway,
carries it on his head to his own inconvenience? Surrender to Him and accept
His will. If you want Him to do as you want, it is not surrender but command.
He knows what is best, and when and how to do it. Leave everything to Him.

Quiver :

 Amala Acala Mana : Pure & Steady Mind

o Our Enemy, Impure and Unsteady Mind
o Our Weapon, The Quiver (A Pure and Steady Mind) Amala Acana Man)
o As the waters so is the river
o As the thoughts so is the mind
o A pure mind is always ready, steady, and alert.

Pure Mind :

 Pure mind means pure thoughts. The Question is how do we get thoughts? Thoughts
are triggered by the environment we are in, circumstances we place ourselves in,
where we go and what we associate with or befriend. Meaning, the kind of thoughts
we get depend upon where we go, what we do, what we associate with, what we hear
and see.
 To have pure thoughts, we must guard where we go, what we associate with or
befriend, what we do, hear, and see. (3 Monkeys Doll)

A Steady Mind :

 In Life many eight times we will be at the crossroads to make decisions. To be

steady, is the stick to your decision; being steady means direct, being sure.
o Hare & The Tortoise

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The Arrows :

 Sama : Quietude of the Mind

o Sama Jama Niyama Silimukha Nana
o Quietude means peacefull, stillness, and calmness. A mind that is pure is a
quiet mind. Why do we need a quiet mind?
o A quiet mind can accomplish anything. How? In a quiet pool of water. This will
make us act correctly giving positive results which will make our life happy.
 Jama : 5 Noble Values (Panchasheelas)
1. NonInury, NonViolence (Most Important) (Ahimsa)
o Non-injury, avoidance of violence, is ahimsa in Sanskrit. Ahimsa
just a physical violence as well as the violence of thoughts and
words. In this way, it is believed that our negative thoughts
about ourselves and others can be as powerful and damaging
as physical attempts to harm. Ahimse refers to the total
rejection of inflicting pain or harm - weather be my thought,
word, or deed - to any and all living creatures, plants, or
animals. (Buddha & The Elephant)
2. Truthfulness
o 3 Things cannot be long hidden : the sun, the moon, and the
truth.” – Gautama Buddha
o “Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters
cannot be trusted in large ones either.” - Albert Einstein
o Truth comes alone but lies come in packs
3. Celibacy
o “Respect Your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to
self-discipline. In reading the lives of great men, I found that the
first victory they won was over themselves... self-discipline with
all of them came first.” - Harry S Truman
o “With self discipline almost anything is possible.” - Theodore
Roosevelt
o Of course, it is hard to live by it but don't we do many things
that are hard? We do it because it benefits us.
4. Non-Stealing
o What Right do we have to pollute? We are stealing from Mother
Nature; we are stealing from future generations.
o Wasting water? Is that also not stealing?
o When we travel, do you steal someone’s comfort?
5. Not Hoarding
 Niyama : Daily Disciplines
1. Austerity
o Austerity means asceticism, self-denial that results in self-
discipline which in turn makes life richer. All our New Year's
resolutions are austerity, if we follow them!
o Study of the scriptures, saying prayers are like one a day
vitamins; it keeps our mind healthy.
o The result of a pure mind is happiness.
o Contentment : Less is more = How can less be more?
o A smaller home, less home means I have more time
o Less waste means a greener earth
o Worship of God. Why should I worship God? Why should I offer
my prayers to God? What is a prayer?

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 2. Study of the Scripture
3. Purity of Mind
4. Contentment
5. Worship of God

Unbreakable Armor : Kavacha

 The unbreakable armor is reverence and devotion to Guru and they learned people
(Saints, Sages, People with Spiritual Knowledge)
 Most people need the help of a spiritual master to guide them in their spiritual
journey. Very few people are born with the understanding of the truth.

Who is a Guru?

 Some qualities of a Guru who is revered like God :

o A teacher explains the world and its nature to you; a Guru explains yourself
and your nature to you
o A teacher answers your questions; a Guru questions your answers.
o A teacher prepares you for the road to success; a Guru prepares you for the
road to freedom
 So how do we thank our Gurus?
o Guru Dakshina
 “Guru is not a person ; He is a personality, an institution. He is the radio through
which the Lord contacts the student. When a student meets his Teacher, it always is
a miracle. In fact it is love at first sight. He is immediately attracted to Him and His
words ring a bell.”
– Swami
Chinmayananda

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P.O. BOX MR. GOD
God or Bhagavan?

 Who is God?
 What is God?
 Where is God?

Who is God?

 Divinity
 Lord
 Idols (Shiva, Rama, Krishna, Balaji)
 Deity
 Supernatural Being
 Divine Being
 Holy Spirit, etc.

What is God?

 God is Omnipotent; God is all powerful

 God is Omnipresent: God is present everywhere
 God is Omniscient; God is all knowing

Hmm, then…

 Why does GOD not solve the world’s problems?

 Where does GOD go, when I sit on an empty chair?
 Why do I have to pray, if GOD knows everything?

Why do we write letters?

- Who do we write letters to?

- Components of a letter
- Purpose of a letter
- Letters to Santa?

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Where does Santa live?

- What is his address?

o North Pole Postmark
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Dr
Anchorage AK 99530-9998
- What sort of letters would people write to Santa?

Where would Rama love to live?

- Those with Oceanic Ears

o Who loves of listening to Rama’s stories
o Who never gets tired of listening to them
- Inference
o We like to hear about what we love.
o We never get tired of hearing about what we love.
o More we hear, more is the love, more we want to hear about till we become
what we love; there's a total identification with the beloved.
- “Tell me who you love (or your friend are) and I’ll tell you who you are”. – Creole
Proverb
- A man is known by the company he keeps!

- Those like Chatak Bird (Jacobin Cuckoo/Pied Crested Cuckoo)

o Who have a irrepressible longing for a vision or glimpse of Lord Rama

o Just like the chatak bird longs for seeing the raindrops, persistently and
patiently
- Inference
o Set the highest goal (something noble and of value that you want to achieve)
o Persevere towards it (anything worth achieving requires a lot of work)
o Never compromise it (it is not uncommon to give up when things get hard)
o If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Don’t Quit
o The Wheels – (Sauraja, Dhiraja)

- Those like Hamsa Bird (mythological Swan-like Bird)

o Who live in the manasarovar in Himalayas
o Who has the ability to separate water from milk
- Inference
- Whose tongue sings Lord’s glory in the world.
- One who has the ability to extract the nourishing part from a mixture
- Extracts Good from this World (Manas – mind; Sarovar – Huge Lake)
- Paramahamsa is one of the titles given to a realized soul (attained moksha)

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Rama is the son of Dasharatha, one who has conquered all the ten sense organs; five organs
of perceptions and five organs of action.

Rama is born in Ayodhya (means where there is no conflict).

By living a life of self-control, conquering all the 10 sense organs, we will create in our heart
Ayodhya; and we will recognize Rama who is in our heart.

- One who offer all fragrances, food, clothes, and ornaments, first to the Lord, and then
use them as prasada from the lord.
o Our Senses Are Gifts From Lord
- Inference
o “What you have is a gift from God. What you do with what you have is your
gift to God.”
– Swami Chinmayananda
o Determine the role of the 5 senses
o To see good things is to use our gift, eyes, well. To speak pleasant things is to
use our gift, the tongue, well. But to gossip is abuse and misuse the gift of
tongue. Let Learn to use gifts from God wisely and be happy.
 An example of all of this is Helen Keller

- Those who bow down to Guru and Brahmin (any teacher) with respect; with their
hands always perform Rama Puja and have total faith in you.
o Bows down to Guru and Brahmin (people of learning) with respect
o Whose hands always perform Puja to Lord Rama
o One who has total faith

Why to bow down? (story of the Wise Sage & the Arrogant Mouse and Empty Your Cup)

What is Respect? Why? (Bound to each other)

- What are some examples of conveying/displaying Respect socially?

o Returning a greeting
o Getting up to receive a person
o Paying homage in the form of namaste
o Bowing and Touching the feet
o Prostrate completely on the ground
o Bowing and saluting the flag

- Our 24 Gurus : (studied in Grade 4)

1. Mother Earth – Patience, Forgiveness, Determination
2. Air – Use only what you need
3. Space – God is everywhere like how a thread is in a garland
4. Water – Speak pure and sweet words
5. Fire – Be brilliant and hoard nothing
6. Moon – Though the moon appears to be changing, there really is no change,
so also when the body changes with time, the atma does not
7. Sun – Sun’s reflections are many, but the sun is only one as is God
8. Pigeon – Do not be overly attached

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 9. Python – Be content
10. Ocean – Have samattva buddhi, equanimity of mind
11. Moth – Do not get infatuated and lose control of the senses
12. Honeybee – Learn from all and do not hoard
13. Elephant – Beware of the sense of touch
14. Honey Gatherer – Use what you have and do not hoard
15. Deer – Beware of the sense of hearing
16. Fish – Beware of the sense of taste
17. Pingala Dancer – No desire means happiness
18. Osprey – Not to hoard
19. Child – Not to be affected by praise and censure
20. Lady with One Bangle – Where many dwell together, quarrel would ensue, be
alone
21. Arrow-Maker – Learn to have concentration by practicing a dispassion
22. Snake – Be alone and speak less
23. Spider – God has created the world, He lives in it, and folds it back into Him
24. Larva – One becomes what one thinks of

- All things are interconnected. Who we are, our very life and existence, is depended
on the interdepended cooperation of all things. Can we show appreciation, gratitude,
and respect for all things? This means not only bowing to and respecting all beings,
including animals and plants. It means appreciating and caring for all things that
come into our little circle of life. It means keeping air and water clean and unpolluted.
It means appreciating and respecting the earth, and being a good steward. It means
keeping our living space orderly and clean. It means taking care of the things we
own. It means respecting and caring for other people’s belongings. We bow deeply to
all.

 Pre- Pooja Steps

o Vigneshwara Dhyanam – (Remover of all Obstacles)
o Achamanam – (Self Purification)
o Digbandah – (Protection Shell)
o Sakalpah – (Resolve to Perform Puja the Right Way)
o Ghanta Nadah - (Invocation of Divinity)
o Devata Dhyanam – (Offer a Prayer to a Deity of Our Choice)
 16 Steps for Puja : Shodashopachara Puja
1. Devata Avahanam – (Inviting the Lord)
2. Asanam – (Offering a Seat to the Lord)
3. Digbandah – (Protection Shell)
4. Sankalpah – (Resolve to Perform Puja the Right Way)
5. Achamanam – (Self Purification)
6. Snanam – (Offering Water to the Lord to Take a Wash)
7. Panchamrutham – (Five Daily Yagnas)
1. Brahmayajna – Debts to the Lord
2. Devayajna – Debts to Mother Nature
3. Pitruyajna – Debts to Ancestors
4. Nryajna – Debts to Mankind
5. Bhutayajna – Debts to Other Animals
8. Vastram – (Offering Clothes)
 Post-Puja Steps
o Mantra Pushpam – (Offering Flowers as Part of Aarathi)

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 o Pradakshina Namaskarah - (Self Purification)
o Rajopacharah – (Offering Royal Comforts)
o Samarpanam – (Dedication)
o Udvasanam – (Bidding Farewell)
o Digvimokshah – (Releasing Protection Shell)
o Shanti Mantrah – (Seeking Peace)

- Those with their hands always perform Rama Puja and have total faith in You.
- Inference
o Whose hands always perform puja to Lord Rama
o One who has total faith

- IX. 25. Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, water, that offering of
love the pure-mind, I accept.
- IX. 27. Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever
you give, whatever austerity you practice, O Arjuna (Kaunteya), do it as an offering to
Me.
- What do we chant before meals?

- Pujya Gurudeva’s Words

o Faith in yourself, And in the goodness of the Supreme, Are necessary

accessories, For accomplishing all great achievements. But Mere blind faith is
impotent; It must be followed by sweaty efforts And panting hours of work.
You accomplish nothing with faith alone And you can do nothing without it.
Cultivate faith…. and support it, With your honest and sincere efforts.
o Faith is the secret power in all spiritual students with which they steam forth
on their path of seeking the “Unknown and the Unknowable”. Faith is belief in
what we don't know, so that we may come to know what we believe in. It is
the secret strength in the scientist, in the explorer, in all creative artists
without which they would not find any consistent enthusiasm for their
continued search for the unknown.

- O Rama, please reside in the hearts of those who

o Go to holy places sacred to Rama (Pilgrimage or Tirtha-Yatra),
o Are ever engaged in performing Rama japa, the king of all mantras, and
o Worship You with the whole family
- Constant chanting of Lord’s name has multi fold benefits :
o Provides fine tuning and relaxation of the mind
o Focused mind means sharper intellect
o Singing Lord’s name creates an atmosphere of peace, serenity, and tranquility
- “Family That Prays Together, Stays Together.”

- Rama Taraka Mantra – Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama

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 - Forms of Japa

o Kirtans – Singing the mantra, sometimes in a chant and repeat fashion

o Likhita Japa – Write the mantra in a book
o Vaikhari Japa - Chanting the mantra loudly
o Upamshu Japa - Chanting the mantra in a barely audible manner
o Manasika Japa - Chanting the mantra mentally
- Note that these forms can overlap

- O Rama, please reside in the hearts of those who

o Offers oblations, feed brahmins, and give charity
o Looks upon one’s teacher as more than You
- Guru is one who removes our ignorance :
o Gu – darkness/ignorance
o Ru – to counteract/dispel
- Gurudev Quote : “ A true Guru as painted on the canvas of the Vedic literature is he
who has a thorough knowledge of the scriptures and deep experience of the
Supreme. The knowledge of such masters, who are free from all bias and mental
obsessions, is not esoteric. They are available to all, their song of Truth is not meant
for a selected few.”

- O Rama, please reside in the hearts of those who

o Who is a beloved of all

o Who is a well-wisher of all
o Who has equanimity
o Who utters truthful polite words, and
o Who is resigned to You day and night
- Inferejnce
o Some cause happiness wherever they go; Others whenever they go

- The Shield of Dispassion (Birathi)

o How do we develop passion?
o Attachment to People / Material (non-permanent)
o Passion for objects of pleasure (inconsistent)
o Passion for Higher – Detach from that which pulls us down
o Dispassion / Detachment (Birathi – Shield) – Vairagya
- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa once said. “To work without attachment is to work
without the expectation of reward or fear of any punishment in this world or the next.
Work done so is a means to the end, and God is the end.”

- O Rama, please reside in the hearts of those

o Who look upon another’s wife as their own mother, to whom another’s wealth
is the deadliest of all poisons, and who have no support other than Yourself

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 - Inference
o Solely depends upon You
o Does not engage in misappropriation
 Ravana
 Duryodhana

- O Rama, please reside in the hearts of those

o Who rejoice in others’ prosperity and grieve in others’ distress, to whom, O
Rama, You are as dear as their own life, their hearts are Your blessed abodes
- Inference
o Who is happy to see other prosper
o Who it's unhappy to see other suffer
o To whom Rama is as dear as their own life (pranapiare)
o The whole world, all beings and all things, is just one body of Bhagavan.

- O Rama, please reside in the hearts of those

o To whom, my dear, You are at once the master, a companion, father, mother,
preceptor, and everything else.
o Who, overlooks others’ faults, emulates their virtues, and endures hardship for
the sake of brahmins and cows, nay, we were well mannered; their heart is
Your excellent abode.
- Inference
o For whom, Rama is the master, a companion, father, mother, preceptor, and
everything else; Rama, my all
o Who overlooks others’ faults but picks up their virtues
o Endures hardship for the sake of cows and brahmins
o Who is well-mannered
 Swami – the one who takes care of your overall well-being
 Sakha – friend, emotional support, companionship, good-time
 Father – responsible for birth, finances, guidance, support
 Mother – gives birth, nurses, rears, nurtures, loves, teaches
 Guru – spiritual teacher, who shows you the way to God
o A Bhaktha sees that all the relations are nothing but His image and He
functions through them. He is the ultimate!

- O Rama, please reside in the hearts of :

o Those who attributes their virtues to You and hold themselves responsible for
their faults, nay, who entirely depend on You and love Sri Rama’s devotees;
o Those who renouncing the caste and kinsmen, wealth, faith and glory, near
and dear ones, happy home and everything else, cherish You in their bossom
- Inference
o Who sees faults as one’s own but gives credits to Rama for one’s own virtues;
sees God’s hand in all and has faith
o Who loves Rama’s devotees
o Cherishes only You

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 - O Rama, please reside in the hearts of those
o For whom heaven, hell, and even freedom from birth and death are the same
in as much as they behold You, armed with a bow and arrow here, there, and
everywhere, and who are Your servant in thought, word, and deed
o Who want nothing at any moment, bear natural affinity to Your; their heart is
Your own home.
- Inference
o Who sees no difference in heaven, hell, and even freedom from birth and
death, but sees only You with a bow and an arrow everywhere
o Who is Your servant in thought, words, and deed
o Who wants nothing and bears natural affinity to You

- O Rama, please reside in the hearts of those who

o Desires only devotion to Rama’s feet

9 Modes of Devotion as explained to Sabhari by Lord Rama

1. Satsang with Saints – Be in company of good people

2. Love for Rama Katha – Listen to the Lord’s Glory
3. Serve your Guru – Service to teacher’s feet
4. Sing the glories of the Lord – Hamsa Bird in Mansarovar
5. With Faith do Japa of Rama Nama
6. Have self-control, good character, dispassion to many activities, and
adopt the ways of living of a saint
7. See Me everywhere in the world and see a saint as more than Me
8. Be content and even in dream, never look at someone else’s faults
9. Be straightforward and interact with people without any deceit, have
faith in Me and under any circumstances don’t be elated, sad, or feel
helpless.

HINDU CULTURE

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