Below are excerpts from the Kalpataru Day Mass Prayer conducted by HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji on Jan 1st, 2025 at Swami Vivekananda Arts and Science College, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu.
“Faith is above religion. In fact, faith is religion.” – His Holiness Sri Muralidhara Swamiji
Celebrated on January 1st, Kalpataru Day commemorates an extraordinary moment in Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s life (on Jan 1, 1886) when, out of compassion, he fulfilled the wishes of his devotees.
The Kalpataru is a heavenly wish-fulfilling tree that can grant any desire. But is it in our best interest to have every one of our desires fulfilled? To reflect on this, Sri Swamiji shared a story of a man who unknowingly happened to rest underneath a Kalpataru tree, and suddenly found all his thoughts and desires coming true. However, the man ultimately met his demise when he carelessly imagined a tiger, which then appeared and attacked him. This highlights how our own thoughts can lead to danger, especially when we lack control over them.
That is why, in Tiruppavai, Sri Andal Nachiyar prayed not just for the fulfillment of her desires but also for Bhagavan’s discernment in granting them. While it is natural to have desires, true wisdom lies in recognizing that not all prayers lead to what is ultimately beneficial.
While we may wonder what use the real Kalpataru tree has for us if it exists only in Devaloka, we have something far superior and more accessible amidst us.
chintAmaNir-loka-sukham suradruhu swargasampadam |
prayacchati guruhu prIto vaikunTham yogidurlabham ||
This sloka explains that the divine Chintamani stone and Kalpataru tree can grant only worldly desires or heavenly comforts; they cannot offer Bhagavan or liberation. Only a Guru can fulfill our desires, prayers and also lead us towards mukti (liberation). Thus, the Guru is the greatest of all.
What is Prayer?
On this auspicious Kalpataru Day, we gather every year for the mass prayer session. Prayer is the heartfelt sharing of our emotions, sorrows, and needs with Bhagavan. It transcends language or scriptural knowledge, and is rooted in sincere expression. True prayer is persistent and unwavering, much like a child asking their mother for sweets or an employee seeking a raise. We should pray without frustration, trusting Bhagavan to fulfill our requests at the right time.
A real prayer should be so resolute that it must happen. If not, it is not a true prayer. We should not abandon our prayer midway; instead, we must continue praying with faith until it is fulfilled. Just as Sri Andal Nachiyar prayed for both the fulfillment of her desires and Bhagavan’s wisdom in granting them, we too should ask Bhagavan for what we wish with determination and trust, believing that our requests will be answered at the right time and in the right way.
The power of mass prayer
A mass prayer, when performed collectively with thousands of people, amplifies divine grace. This concept has historical precedence—great figures like Mahatma Gandhi practiced it. Like the combined fragrance of jasmine flowers, collective prayer generates powerful spiritual impact. Through the Mahamantra mass prayer, we invoke divine grace for all.
Sri Swamiji further explained the significance of Villupuram, the sacred site of this year’s mass prayer. Formerly known as ‘naDu nADu’ (central region), Villupuram is the birthplace of Mahaperiyava, the revered Sage of Kanchi. Many mahatmas, including Villiputhurar, some Azhwars and Nayanmars, were born in this region. These saints experienced Bhagavan’s presence in temples and showed us the path of devotion through temple worship and Nama Sankirtan. Their kirtans (pasurams) on Bhagavan teach us to find His grace in temples rather than seeking in Vaikunta or Ksheerabdhi.
Temple worship & Namsankirtan
Tamil Nadu has a rich tradition of grand Shiva and Vishnu temples, outnumbering those found in any other Indian states. Saints such as the Azhwars, Nayanmars, Avvaiyar, Kumaraguruparar, Nakkeerar, Arunagirinathar, Vallalar, and Pamban Swamigal have composed countless kirtans on their chosen deities. Temple worship, with Nama Sankirtan as its foundation, serves as a cornerstone of spirituality.
During this year’s mass prayer, Sri Swamiji highlighted the immense power of the deities in our temples, drawing from their respective sthala puranas and historical events. He shared stories recorded during the British era, illustrating the divine presence in these sacred places.
Divine Leelas of Deities in Temples across Tamil Nadu
Ganesha
At the Manakula Vinayagar Temple in Pondicherry, a French Governor once attempted to demolish the temple to build a fort and rename the street after himself. He removed the Ganesha deity and threw Him into the ocean. However, to his surprise, the same Ganesha reappeared in the altar the next day. Despite repeated attempts to remove the deity, Lord Ganesha returned to His original place each time. Realizing the power of the deity, the Governor abandoned his plans and agreed to build a temple at the same spot. Sri Subramanya Bharathiyar has also praised this Ganesha in one of his songs.
Muruga
In 1649, at the Tiruchendur temple, Dutch forces seized the utsava murthis of Lord Shanmuga and Lord Nataraja, intending to transport them to Europe by sea. However, a violent storm forced them to discard the murthis into the ocean. Guided by a divine dream, Vadamalaiappar, a devoted follower of Lord Muruga, enlisted the help of divers from Tuticorin to recover the murthis. To this day, Lord Muruga bears a mark from this incident, which is concealed with sandal paste during rituals. The archavatara deities are indeed profoundly powerful.
Rama
In Madurantakam, the Eri Kaatha Ramar (Rama who saved the lake) temple stands as a testament to the grace of Lord Sri Rama. During British rule, the district collector Colonel Lionel Blaze, faced with the threat of a storm-swollen lake nearing its brim, prayed fervently to Lord Rama for protection. That night, he experienced a profound vision of Rama and Lakshmana safeguarding the banks of Madurantakam Lake. Deeply moved by this leela, Colonel Blaze recorded the incident, and from then on, Lord Rama came to be revered as “Eri Kaatha Ramar”. Colonel Blaze’s wife, equally inspired, contributed much of her personal wealth to the temple’s upkeep.
“Faith is above religion; in fact, faith is religion.”
The unwavering devotion of Colonel Blaze and his wife, transcending cultural and religious boundaries, reflects the universal power of faith and the divine presence that unites all who seek it. The temple continues to inspire countless devotees, reminding us that faith, in its purest form, is the essence of spirituality.
Devi
During British rule, from 1812 to 1828, Peter Rous served as the district collector of Madurai. He held a deep reverence for Goddess Meenakshi, often walking the outer prahara of the temple, though he never ventured inside. Despite this, he supported the temple generously, even donating a horse with a precious golden footrest.
One fateful night, he found a young girl urgently knocking at his door. She quickly ushered Peter and his wife out of their home, moments before it crumbled to the ground. The couple followed the girl all the way to the inner sanctum of the Meenakshi Temple, where she mysteriously vanished. This miraculous incident has been recorded in the temple’s annals.
At the Punnainallur Mariamman temple near Thanjavur, the deity’s face is known to sweat profusely. Skeptical of this phenomenon, the British district collector dismissed it as a trick, accusing the caretakers of deceit. To prove his point, he ordered the priest to wipe the deity’s face with a cloth. However, as the priest began to wipe the divine visage several times, the sweat reappeared repeatedly; the collector suddenly developed symptoms of chickenpox on his face and lost his eyesight. This extraordinary incident served as a powerful reminder of the deity’s presence.
The deity worship and Nama Sankirtan are important forms of worship in today’s world. While not everyone can practice deep meditation or yoga, these paths are simple, accessible, and rewarding. Festivals like Annamalai Deepam, Sura Samharam, Vaikunta Ekadasi and Azhagar Utsavam, which draw millions, showcase that temple worship is the easiest form filled with joy.
The Bottomline with a Lovely Analogy
Chanting divine names is the truest form of prayer. However, chanting must be accompanied by faith. Without faith, no prayer or pooja can bear fruit. Faith is the foundation of all spiritual practices.
Sri Swamiji shared a profound story about a father who took his two sons on a boat ride. While the father was away, one of the sons tried to steer the boat using his oar on one side, but the boat only went in circles, unable to move forward. The other son attempted the same and faced the same frustrating result. Seeing their struggle, the father advised them to use both oars together, one on each side. As they followed his guidance, the boat began to move forward smoothly and steadily.
Just as a boat requires two oars to move forward, our lives need two essential elements to progress on the spiritual path: Faith and Chanting the Divine Names. Only when we chant the divine names with faith, can we sail our life (boat) smoothly in this world (river). With a focused mind and heartfelt devotion, let us all clap our hands together and chant the divine names, allowing faith and devotion to fulfill all our prayers.
Radhe Radhe
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Translated and compiled by
Raman Veezhinathan, Richmond, VA
Harish Raman, Boston, MA
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