Haru and his wife were a very unhappy and depressed couple because everyone in their village made fun of them because they had a very small nose.They were even more anxious that if they had children and they too had such small noses then their children too would have to face the same problem.Everyday they would ask God why he had put them in such a situation,and why they too could not have been like the others?
One day after a lot of thinking Haru decided he would go the forest and do penanace until God appears in front of him.Haru went to the forest and did penance until God finally appeared in front of Haru and blessed him with three boons.Haru thought for a while and then told God he will need to go back to his wife and after consulting with her he will ask the boons.God gave Haru a dice and assured him that three boons will be granted to him.He told Haru that he should ask for his boon and throw the dice nad his boon will be fulfilled.
So Haru ran home a very happy and pleased man thinking that now all their problems will be solved and they could live in peace hereafter.
When Haru reached home and told about his boon his wife was happy but she now changed her mind and felt that they should ask for money rather than a nose,because after all money can compensate everything else.Haru however did not agree with his wife because he thought that he went to the forest and did penance only for a better nose,so in anger he threw the dice saying noses, and lo and behold!in moments his body was full of noses.To undo the noses he threw the dice once again and asked for the noses to be removed and there yet again he had asked for the wrong boon because he found that all his noses vanished and how could one live without a nose??
So now the couple realised that though they had a small nose and were made fun of by all the people they were certainly better off than now,without any nose.
They also now worried that if people in their village came to know that God had granted them three boons and they did not make right use of the boons,they would all laugh at them,so the couple decided that it is best to get their original noses.So this time Haru threw the dice down asking for his original nose,sure enough he did get back his nose.
The moral of this story is it is very important for us to be grateful and thankful to God for all that we have.God knows what is the best for us,we may ask for the wrong things and then be unhappy with what we get.
It is important to have faith and trust in God and know that HE will always do whatever is good for us.
Jai Gurudev...
28/11/2011
27/11/2011
Bheema Meets Hanuman
The Mahabarath as most of us know has so many stories,which teach us moral lessons for our day to day lives.Here is one such story.This story gives us more than one lesson,how to be humble,that anyone who visits us should be treated with respect and certainly offered something.In our young days we were always told not to cross over someone and go,this story tells us why we should not do that.Read for more....
Arjuna had gone to the Himalayas in quest of Divine weapons from Indra. In case of war he would have to face invincible warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Aswatthama, Karna and many others. For this it was necessary to acquire more power. The other four Pandavas and Draupadi found life devoid of joy in his absence. Desiring a change of scene, they now moved on in search of a more peaceful place.
At last they came to the Narayanasrama forest,they decided to take rest and stay there for a while. One day, the north-east wind wafted a thousand petalled lotus near Draupadi who was sitting near the river Alakananda. The sweet scent of the flower charmed her. Draupadi felt a deep desire to possess that lotus known as Saugandhika.She requested Bhima to get her that flower. She was very insistent. Bhima was only too pleased to satisfy her least desire. He forthwith set out
in the direction from which the fragrance came. The way through the forest was far from easy.Before long at the foot of a mountain he saw a huge monkey resting on his path, blocking his way. He asked the monkey to get up and clear the way for him. The monkey was in no mood to oblige. It said: “I am too old and weak to move.You can jump over me”!! Proud Bhima incensed by this insolence, again asked the
Monkey to move. He said ‘You old monkey,you don’t know who you are talking to. I am a Kshatriya from the Kuru race. I am the son of Kunti and the Wind god. I am Bhima, brother of famous Hanuman. So,if you offend me any further, you will incur my wrath. I command you to better get up and move aside without wasting my time. The monkey said “If you are in such hurry, you can move my tail aside and go ahead.” Bhima’s threats did not have any effect on the monkey. In stead, it asked “who is Hanuman. Tell me what is so great about him. What did he do?” Bhima told him
“How can you be so silly and ignorant? Have you not heard of the mighty Hanuman who
Jumped over to Lanka, across the sea, one hundred yojanas wide, to find Sita , Rama’s wife? Indeed you are ignorant” The monkey only smiled. Finding no other way, Bhima tried to pull the monkey’s tail aside .But he could not move it even a little bit. He put all his might in the endeavor, but to no avail.
He was all perspiration. In spite of his best efforts he could not move the tail. As such the question of challenging this monkey for a show of strength did not arise. He felt very humiliated and subdued. He told the monkey
“You are no ordinary monkey. Please tell me who you are. I accept defeat and bow to you”.Hanuman said “Bhima, I am that Hanuman you mentioned a little while ago.
I am your brother. Your path ahead is perilous.It is the path of the gods and is not safe for men.So I came to caution you. I know you have come to collect the Saugandhika flower. I shall show you the pond, where this flower grows. You can collect as many as you want and go back. Bhima was happy. He bowed to Hanuman and requested him to show his huge form in which he jumped over the sea, one hundred yojanas wide, to land on Lanka.Hanuman increased his size till he seemed to occupy the whole landscape, like a hill.His form was dazzlingly white ; so Bhima had to cover his eyes . Assuming his normal form, Hanuman embraced Bhima and blessed
Him. He also assured him “When you roar like a lion on the battle field, my voice shall join yours and strike terror in the hearts of your enemies. I will be there on the flag of The chariot of Arjuna .You will be victorious”.
With Hanuman’s embrace Bhima’s strength had also increased. Hanuman wanted to free
his brother Bhima from his ego and to give him greater strength to fight his enemies. Hanuman then took leave of his brother after blessing him. Following Hanuman’s advice, Bhima collected many Saugandhika lotuses from the pond and went back to present them to Draupadi, anxiously waiting for his return.
Thus we find Hanuman on the flag "Kapidvija" of Arjuna's chariot.
Jai Gurudev....
Arjuna had gone to the Himalayas in quest of Divine weapons from Indra. In case of war he would have to face invincible warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Aswatthama, Karna and many others. For this it was necessary to acquire more power. The other four Pandavas and Draupadi found life devoid of joy in his absence. Desiring a change of scene, they now moved on in search of a more peaceful place.
At last they came to the Narayanasrama forest,they decided to take rest and stay there for a while. One day, the north-east wind wafted a thousand petalled lotus near Draupadi who was sitting near the river Alakananda. The sweet scent of the flower charmed her. Draupadi felt a deep desire to possess that lotus known as Saugandhika.She requested Bhima to get her that flower. She was very insistent. Bhima was only too pleased to satisfy her least desire. He forthwith set out
in the direction from which the fragrance came. The way through the forest was far from easy.Before long at the foot of a mountain he saw a huge monkey resting on his path, blocking his way. He asked the monkey to get up and clear the way for him. The monkey was in no mood to oblige. It said: “I am too old and weak to move.You can jump over me”!! Proud Bhima incensed by this insolence, again asked the
Monkey to move. He said ‘You old monkey,you don’t know who you are talking to. I am a Kshatriya from the Kuru race. I am the son of Kunti and the Wind god. I am Bhima, brother of famous Hanuman. So,if you offend me any further, you will incur my wrath. I command you to better get up and move aside without wasting my time. The monkey said “If you are in such hurry, you can move my tail aside and go ahead.” Bhima’s threats did not have any effect on the monkey. In stead, it asked “who is Hanuman. Tell me what is so great about him. What did he do?” Bhima told him
“How can you be so silly and ignorant? Have you not heard of the mighty Hanuman who
Jumped over to Lanka, across the sea, one hundred yojanas wide, to find Sita , Rama’s wife? Indeed you are ignorant” The monkey only smiled. Finding no other way, Bhima tried to pull the monkey’s tail aside .But he could not move it even a little bit. He put all his might in the endeavor, but to no avail.
He was all perspiration. In spite of his best efforts he could not move the tail. As such the question of challenging this monkey for a show of strength did not arise. He felt very humiliated and subdued. He told the monkey
“You are no ordinary monkey. Please tell me who you are. I accept defeat and bow to you”.Hanuman said “Bhima, I am that Hanuman you mentioned a little while ago.
I am your brother. Your path ahead is perilous.It is the path of the gods and is not safe for men.So I came to caution you. I know you have come to collect the Saugandhika flower. I shall show you the pond, where this flower grows. You can collect as many as you want and go back. Bhima was happy. He bowed to Hanuman and requested him to show his huge form in which he jumped over the sea, one hundred yojanas wide, to land on Lanka.Hanuman increased his size till he seemed to occupy the whole landscape, like a hill.His form was dazzlingly white ; so Bhima had to cover his eyes . Assuming his normal form, Hanuman embraced Bhima and blessed
Him. He also assured him “When you roar like a lion on the battle field, my voice shall join yours and strike terror in the hearts of your enemies. I will be there on the flag of The chariot of Arjuna .You will be victorious”.
With Hanuman’s embrace Bhima’s strength had also increased. Hanuman wanted to free
his brother Bhima from his ego and to give him greater strength to fight his enemies. Hanuman then took leave of his brother after blessing him. Following Hanuman’s advice, Bhima collected many Saugandhika lotuses from the pond and went back to present them to Draupadi, anxiously waiting for his return.
Thus we find Hanuman on the flag "Kapidvija" of Arjuna's chariot.
Jai Gurudev....
Gita Jayanti
Gita Jayanti is the birthday of the Baghavad Gita,and is celebrated every year on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in the month of Margashirsha.
The Gita as we all know is the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra when Arjuna is totally confused,perplexed and filled with sorrow on seeing that he will be fighting against his Guru, his grand father and all such great ones.The Baghavad Gita consists of 700 shlokas in all.Lord Krishna says one who chants the Gita with love and devotion is very dear to him.Even if one can chant a shloka Krishna will be very pleased,even if that is not possible Krishna says it is enough even if one can chant the name Krishna once atleast.
It is believed that chanting all the 700 shlokas on the Gita Jyanti day is very good for the spiritual upliftment of every aspirant.For the busy people who are unable to find 3 hours to sit and chant all the verses of the Gita,it is said chanting these 7 selected verses from Chapters 8,10&11 will suffice too.
The shlokas to read from the chapters are as under:
Chapter 8-9
"avim puranam anusasitaram
anor aniyamsam anusmared yah
sarvasya dhataram acintya-rupam
aditya-varnam tamasah parastat"
"One should meditate upon the Supreme Person as the one who knows everything, as He who is the oldest, who is the controller, who is smaller than the smallest, who is the maintainer of everything, who is beyond all material conception, who is inconceivable, and who is always a person. He is luminous like the sun, and He is transcendental, beyond this material nature."
Chapter 10-8:
"ham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate
iti matva bhajante mam
budha bhava-samanvitah"
"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts."
Chapter 10-9:
"mac-citta mad gada prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca"
"The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me."
Chapter 10-10:
"tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te"
"To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me."
Chapter 10-11:
"tesam evanukampartham
aham ajnana-jam tamah
nasayamy atma-bhava-stho
jnana-dipena bhasvata"
"To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance."
Chapter 10-12,13:
arjuna uvaca
"param brahma param dama
pavitram paramam bhavan
purusham sasvatam divyam
adi-devam ajam vibhum
ahus tvam rsayah sarve
devarsir naradas tatha
asito devalo vyasah
svayam caiva bravisi me"
"Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth. You are the eternal, transcendental, original person, the unborn, the greatest. All the great sages such as Narada, Asita, Devala and Vyasa confirm this truth about You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me."
Chapter11-38:
"tvam adi-devah purushah puranas
tvam asya vishvasya param nidhanam
vettasi vedyam ca param ca dhama
tvaya tatam vishvam ananta-rupa"
"You are the original Personality of Godhead, the oldest, the ultimate sanctuary of this manifested cosmic world. You are the knower of everything, and You are all that is knowable. You are the supreme refuge, above the material modes. O limitless form! This whole cosmic manifestation is pervaded by You!
I am told that chanting these seven verses everyday is indeed very good and will certainly take one closer to the Krishna.
Here is an insight into how we should celebrate this day as conveyed by Swami Sivananda of The Divine Life Society.Read on....
GITA JAYANTI
By
SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA
THE HOLY Gita Jayanti, or the birthday of the Bhagavad Gita, is celebrated throughout India by all the admirers and lovers of this most sacred scripture on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright half of the month of Margaseersha (December-January), according to the Hindu almanac. It was on this day that Sanjaya narrated to King Dhritarashtra the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, and thus made the glorious teachings of the Lord available to us, and to people of the world, for all time.
The Gita Jayanti marks one of the greatest days in the history of mankind. Nearly six thousand years ago on that day a dazzling flash of brilliant light lit up the firmament of human civilization. That flash, that marvellous spiritual effulgence, was the message of the Bhagavad Gita, given by the Lord Himself on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Unlike ordinary flashes of light which die away after a split-second, this brilliant flash of that memorable day has continued to shine through the centuries, and even now illumines the path of humanity on its onward march to perfection.
The Gita is the most beautiful and the only truly philosophical song. It contains sublime lessons on wisdom and philosophy. It is the "Song Celestial". It is the universal gospel. It contains the message of life that appeals to all, irrespective of race, creed, age or religion.
The Gita was given to us about six thousand years ago by Sri Krishna, the Lord incarnate, through His most devoted disciple, Arjuna. Its teachings are based on the sacred Upanishads, the ancient, revealed metaphysical classics of India.
The Gita shows a way to rise above the world of duality and the pairs of opposites, and to acquire eternal bliss and immortality. It is a gospel of action. It teaches the rigid performance of one's duty in society, and a life of active struggle, keeping the inner being untouched by outer surroundings, and renouncing the fruits of actions as offerings unto the Lord.
The Gita is a source of power and wisdom. It strengthens you when you are weak, and inspires you when you feel dejected and feeble. It teaches you how to resist unrighteousness and follow the path of virtue and righteousness.
The Gita is not merely a book or just a scripture. It is a living voice carrying an eternally indispensable and vital message to mankind. Its verses embody words of wisdom coming from the infinite ocean of knowledge, the Absolute Itself.
The voice of the Gita is the call of the Supreme. It is the divine sound explained. The primal source of all existence, all power, is the manifested sound—Om. This is the Divine Word. It is Nada Brahman, whose unceasing call is: "Be ye all ever merged in the eternal, unbroken, continuous consciousness of the Supreme Truth." This is the sublime message that the Gita elaborates and presents in all comprehensiveness and in a universally acceptable form. It is this message of the Gita that I wish to recall and reproclaim with emphasis to you.
To be always conscious of the Divine, to ever feel the Divine Presence, to live always in the awareness of the Supreme Being in the chambers of your heart and everywhere around you, is verily to live a life of fullness and divine perfection on earth itself. Such a constant remembrance of God and such an attitude of mind will release you forever from the clutches of illusion and free you from all fear. To forget the Supreme is to fall into illusion. To forget Him is to be assailed by fear. To live in unbroken remembrance of the Supreme Truth is to remain always in the region of light, peace and bliss, far beyond the reach of illusion and delusion.
Mark carefully how the Gita stresses again and again this lofty message.
The Lord declares: "Keep thou thy mind in Me, in Me place thy reason".
In another verse He says: "Therefore, at all times remember Me and fight. You will surely attain Me, having thus offered yourself".
And yet again: "Perform thou action, remaining united with Me at heart".
The Gita guides you to glory with the watchwords: "Be thou divine-minded, devoted to Me as your goal, and let your subconscious mind be divine".
The Lord gives the following firm assurance also: "I become the saviour from this mortal world for those whose minds are set on Me".
Such is the most illuminating message of the Gita, seeking to lead man to a life of perfection even while performing his ordained role here. Long has this message been neglected by man. Forgetting the Lord, the world has turned towards sense indulgence and mammon. A terrible price has been paid. O man, enough of this forgetfulness! The Lord has warned you against heedlessness: "If, out of egoism, thou wilt not hear, then thou shalt perish".
It is a matter of great regret that many young men and women of India know very little of this most unique scripture. One cannot consider oneself as having attained a good standard of education if one does not have a sound knowledge of the Gita. All post-graduate knowledge, all research in universities is mere husk or chaff when compared to the wisdom of the Gita.
Live in the spirit of the teachings of the Gita. Mere talks or lectures will not help you in any way. Put into practice the teachings of this most sacred scripture and attain eternal bliss and peace.
The Gita may be summarised in the following seven verses:
1. "Uttering the one-syllabled Om, the Brahman, and remembering Me, he who departs, leaving the body thus, attains the Supreme Goal".
2. "It is meet, O Lord, that the world delights and rejoices in Thy praise; the demons fly in fear to all quarters, and all the hosts of Siddhas bow to Thee!"
3. "With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes, heads and mouths everywhere, with ears everywhere, He exists in the world, enveloping all".
4. "Whosoever meditates on the omniscient, ancient ruler of the whole world, minuter than an atom, the supporter of all, of form inconceivable, effulgent like the sun, such a one goeth beyond the darkness of ignorance".
5. "They, the wise, speak of the indestructible Asvattha, having its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the metres or hymns; he who knows it is a knower of the Vedas".
6. "And I am seated in the hearts of all; from Me are memory and knowledge, as well as their absence. I am verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas; I am indeed the author of Vedanta, and the knower of the Vedas am I".
7. "Fix thy mind on Me; be devoted to Me; sacrifice to Me; bow down to Me; having thus united thy whole Self with Me, taking Me as the Supreme Lord, thou shalt verily come to Me".
Read the whole of the Gita on Sundays and other holidays. Study carefully again and again the verses in the second discourse, which deal with the state of the Sthitaprajna (a perfected Yogi and sage). Also study the eight nectarine verses in the twelfth discourse.
The study of the Gita alone is sufficient for the purpose of scriptural study. You will find in it a solution to all your problems. The more you study it with devotion and faith, the deeper will your knowledge become, the more penetrative would be your insight, and the clearer your thinking. Even if you live in the spirit of one verse of the Gita, all your miseries will come to an end and you will attain the goal of life—immortality and eternal peace.
None but the Lord can bring out such a marvellous and unprecedented book, which grants peace to its readers, and which guides them in the attainment of supreme bliss.
The teachings of the Gita are broad, sublime and universal. They do not belong to any particular cult, sect, creed, age, place or country. They are meant for all. They are within the reach of all. The Gita has a message for the solace, peace, freedom, salvation and perfection of all human beings.
At the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the holy and auspicious Gita Jayanti is observed every year on a grand scale:
All the aspirants wake up at 4 am and meditate on the Lord. From sunrise to sunset there is unbroken recitation of the Gita. The Samputa method is used, that is, before and after each verse the following Samputa is recited:
Sarva dharmaan parityajya maamekam sharanam vraja;
Aham twaa sarvapaapebhyo mokshayishyaami maa shucha.
Thus, between two verses, this verse is recited twice. This is an extremely efficacious method of earning the Grace of the Supreme Lord and the Gita, the Mother.
Aspirants fast on the day, as it is also the Ekadashi day. Competitions are held among the little children, to develop their talents in the recitation of the Gita. In the case of the slightly older children, they are given a chance to deliver discourses. This is a wonderful way of encouraging them to study the scripture.
In the evening, a special Satsang is held at which scholars, Yogis and Sannyasins discourse upon the Gita. Leaflets, pamphlets and books containing the teachings of the Gita, as also translations of the holy scripture, are distributed.
Take a resolve on Gita Jayanti that you will read at least one discourse every day. Recite the fifteenth discourse before taking your meals. This is done at the Sivananda Ashram.
Keep a pocket-sized edition of the Gita with you at all times. Mark a few verses in it which inspire you. Everyday, while you wait for your bus or train, or whenever you have a little leisure, pull out the book and read these verses. You will be ever inspired.
May you all lead the life taught by the Gita! May the Gita, the blessed Mother of the Vedas, guide and protect you! May it nourish you with the milk of the ancient wisdom of the Upanishads!
Glory to Lord Krishna, the Divine Teacher! Glory to Sri Vyasa, the poet of poets, who composed the Gita! May his blessings be upon you all!
Jai Gurudev...
The Gita as we all know is the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra when Arjuna is totally confused,perplexed and filled with sorrow on seeing that he will be fighting against his Guru, his grand father and all such great ones.The Baghavad Gita consists of 700 shlokas in all.Lord Krishna says one who chants the Gita with love and devotion is very dear to him.Even if one can chant a shloka Krishna will be very pleased,even if that is not possible Krishna says it is enough even if one can chant the name Krishna once atleast.
It is believed that chanting all the 700 shlokas on the Gita Jyanti day is very good for the spiritual upliftment of every aspirant.For the busy people who are unable to find 3 hours to sit and chant all the verses of the Gita,it is said chanting these 7 selected verses from Chapters 8,10&11 will suffice too.
The shlokas to read from the chapters are as under:
Chapter 8-9
"avim puranam anusasitaram
anor aniyamsam anusmared yah
sarvasya dhataram acintya-rupam
aditya-varnam tamasah parastat"
"One should meditate upon the Supreme Person as the one who knows everything, as He who is the oldest, who is the controller, who is smaller than the smallest, who is the maintainer of everything, who is beyond all material conception, who is inconceivable, and who is always a person. He is luminous like the sun, and He is transcendental, beyond this material nature."
Chapter 10-8:
"ham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate
iti matva bhajante mam
budha bhava-samanvitah"
"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts."
Chapter 10-9:
"mac-citta mad gada prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca"
"The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me."
Chapter 10-10:
"tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te"
"To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me."
Chapter 10-11:
"tesam evanukampartham
aham ajnana-jam tamah
nasayamy atma-bhava-stho
jnana-dipena bhasvata"
"To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance."
Chapter 10-12,13:
arjuna uvaca
"param brahma param dama
pavitram paramam bhavan
purusham sasvatam divyam
adi-devam ajam vibhum
ahus tvam rsayah sarve
devarsir naradas tatha
asito devalo vyasah
svayam caiva bravisi me"
"Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth. You are the eternal, transcendental, original person, the unborn, the greatest. All the great sages such as Narada, Asita, Devala and Vyasa confirm this truth about You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me."
Chapter11-38:
"tvam adi-devah purushah puranas
tvam asya vishvasya param nidhanam
vettasi vedyam ca param ca dhama
tvaya tatam vishvam ananta-rupa"
"You are the original Personality of Godhead, the oldest, the ultimate sanctuary of this manifested cosmic world. You are the knower of everything, and You are all that is knowable. You are the supreme refuge, above the material modes. O limitless form! This whole cosmic manifestation is pervaded by You!
I am told that chanting these seven verses everyday is indeed very good and will certainly take one closer to the Krishna.
Here is an insight into how we should celebrate this day as conveyed by Swami Sivananda of The Divine Life Society.Read on....
GITA JAYANTI
By
SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA
THE HOLY Gita Jayanti, or the birthday of the Bhagavad Gita, is celebrated throughout India by all the admirers and lovers of this most sacred scripture on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright half of the month of Margaseersha (December-January), according to the Hindu almanac. It was on this day that Sanjaya narrated to King Dhritarashtra the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, and thus made the glorious teachings of the Lord available to us, and to people of the world, for all time.
The Gita Jayanti marks one of the greatest days in the history of mankind. Nearly six thousand years ago on that day a dazzling flash of brilliant light lit up the firmament of human civilization. That flash, that marvellous spiritual effulgence, was the message of the Bhagavad Gita, given by the Lord Himself on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Unlike ordinary flashes of light which die away after a split-second, this brilliant flash of that memorable day has continued to shine through the centuries, and even now illumines the path of humanity on its onward march to perfection.
The Gita is the most beautiful and the only truly philosophical song. It contains sublime lessons on wisdom and philosophy. It is the "Song Celestial". It is the universal gospel. It contains the message of life that appeals to all, irrespective of race, creed, age or religion.
The Gita was given to us about six thousand years ago by Sri Krishna, the Lord incarnate, through His most devoted disciple, Arjuna. Its teachings are based on the sacred Upanishads, the ancient, revealed metaphysical classics of India.
The Gita shows a way to rise above the world of duality and the pairs of opposites, and to acquire eternal bliss and immortality. It is a gospel of action. It teaches the rigid performance of one's duty in society, and a life of active struggle, keeping the inner being untouched by outer surroundings, and renouncing the fruits of actions as offerings unto the Lord.
The Gita is a source of power and wisdom. It strengthens you when you are weak, and inspires you when you feel dejected and feeble. It teaches you how to resist unrighteousness and follow the path of virtue and righteousness.
The Gita is not merely a book or just a scripture. It is a living voice carrying an eternally indispensable and vital message to mankind. Its verses embody words of wisdom coming from the infinite ocean of knowledge, the Absolute Itself.
The voice of the Gita is the call of the Supreme. It is the divine sound explained. The primal source of all existence, all power, is the manifested sound—Om. This is the Divine Word. It is Nada Brahman, whose unceasing call is: "Be ye all ever merged in the eternal, unbroken, continuous consciousness of the Supreme Truth." This is the sublime message that the Gita elaborates and presents in all comprehensiveness and in a universally acceptable form. It is this message of the Gita that I wish to recall and reproclaim with emphasis to you.
To be always conscious of the Divine, to ever feel the Divine Presence, to live always in the awareness of the Supreme Being in the chambers of your heart and everywhere around you, is verily to live a life of fullness and divine perfection on earth itself. Such a constant remembrance of God and such an attitude of mind will release you forever from the clutches of illusion and free you from all fear. To forget the Supreme is to fall into illusion. To forget Him is to be assailed by fear. To live in unbroken remembrance of the Supreme Truth is to remain always in the region of light, peace and bliss, far beyond the reach of illusion and delusion.
Mark carefully how the Gita stresses again and again this lofty message.
The Lord declares: "Keep thou thy mind in Me, in Me place thy reason".
In another verse He says: "Therefore, at all times remember Me and fight. You will surely attain Me, having thus offered yourself".
And yet again: "Perform thou action, remaining united with Me at heart".
The Gita guides you to glory with the watchwords: "Be thou divine-minded, devoted to Me as your goal, and let your subconscious mind be divine".
The Lord gives the following firm assurance also: "I become the saviour from this mortal world for those whose minds are set on Me".
Such is the most illuminating message of the Gita, seeking to lead man to a life of perfection even while performing his ordained role here. Long has this message been neglected by man. Forgetting the Lord, the world has turned towards sense indulgence and mammon. A terrible price has been paid. O man, enough of this forgetfulness! The Lord has warned you against heedlessness: "If, out of egoism, thou wilt not hear, then thou shalt perish".
It is a matter of great regret that many young men and women of India know very little of this most unique scripture. One cannot consider oneself as having attained a good standard of education if one does not have a sound knowledge of the Gita. All post-graduate knowledge, all research in universities is mere husk or chaff when compared to the wisdom of the Gita.
Live in the spirit of the teachings of the Gita. Mere talks or lectures will not help you in any way. Put into practice the teachings of this most sacred scripture and attain eternal bliss and peace.
The Gita may be summarised in the following seven verses:
1. "Uttering the one-syllabled Om, the Brahman, and remembering Me, he who departs, leaving the body thus, attains the Supreme Goal".
2. "It is meet, O Lord, that the world delights and rejoices in Thy praise; the demons fly in fear to all quarters, and all the hosts of Siddhas bow to Thee!"
3. "With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes, heads and mouths everywhere, with ears everywhere, He exists in the world, enveloping all".
4. "Whosoever meditates on the omniscient, ancient ruler of the whole world, minuter than an atom, the supporter of all, of form inconceivable, effulgent like the sun, such a one goeth beyond the darkness of ignorance".
5. "They, the wise, speak of the indestructible Asvattha, having its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the metres or hymns; he who knows it is a knower of the Vedas".
6. "And I am seated in the hearts of all; from Me are memory and knowledge, as well as their absence. I am verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas; I am indeed the author of Vedanta, and the knower of the Vedas am I".
7. "Fix thy mind on Me; be devoted to Me; sacrifice to Me; bow down to Me; having thus united thy whole Self with Me, taking Me as the Supreme Lord, thou shalt verily come to Me".
Read the whole of the Gita on Sundays and other holidays. Study carefully again and again the verses in the second discourse, which deal with the state of the Sthitaprajna (a perfected Yogi and sage). Also study the eight nectarine verses in the twelfth discourse.
The study of the Gita alone is sufficient for the purpose of scriptural study. You will find in it a solution to all your problems. The more you study it with devotion and faith, the deeper will your knowledge become, the more penetrative would be your insight, and the clearer your thinking. Even if you live in the spirit of one verse of the Gita, all your miseries will come to an end and you will attain the goal of life—immortality and eternal peace.
None but the Lord can bring out such a marvellous and unprecedented book, which grants peace to its readers, and which guides them in the attainment of supreme bliss.
The teachings of the Gita are broad, sublime and universal. They do not belong to any particular cult, sect, creed, age, place or country. They are meant for all. They are within the reach of all. The Gita has a message for the solace, peace, freedom, salvation and perfection of all human beings.
At the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the holy and auspicious Gita Jayanti is observed every year on a grand scale:
All the aspirants wake up at 4 am and meditate on the Lord. From sunrise to sunset there is unbroken recitation of the Gita. The Samputa method is used, that is, before and after each verse the following Samputa is recited:
Sarva dharmaan parityajya maamekam sharanam vraja;
Aham twaa sarvapaapebhyo mokshayishyaami maa shucha.
Thus, between two verses, this verse is recited twice. This is an extremely efficacious method of earning the Grace of the Supreme Lord and the Gita, the Mother.
Aspirants fast on the day, as it is also the Ekadashi day. Competitions are held among the little children, to develop their talents in the recitation of the Gita. In the case of the slightly older children, they are given a chance to deliver discourses. This is a wonderful way of encouraging them to study the scripture.
In the evening, a special Satsang is held at which scholars, Yogis and Sannyasins discourse upon the Gita. Leaflets, pamphlets and books containing the teachings of the Gita, as also translations of the holy scripture, are distributed.
Take a resolve on Gita Jayanti that you will read at least one discourse every day. Recite the fifteenth discourse before taking your meals. This is done at the Sivananda Ashram.
Keep a pocket-sized edition of the Gita with you at all times. Mark a few verses in it which inspire you. Everyday, while you wait for your bus or train, or whenever you have a little leisure, pull out the book and read these verses. You will be ever inspired.
May you all lead the life taught by the Gita! May the Gita, the blessed Mother of the Vedas, guide and protect you! May it nourish you with the milk of the ancient wisdom of the Upanishads!
Glory to Lord Krishna, the Divine Teacher! Glory to Sri Vyasa, the poet of poets, who composed the Gita! May his blessings be upon you all!
Jai Gurudev...
23/11/2011
Mantras
Another superlative article on mantras and their effects by Banu didi...
Mantras - Sound vibrations that permeate every cell of your being and allow your mind to dissolve and repose. But what are they? What do they mean? Where did they come from? There are so many questions surrounding these ancient syllables. Speaking about Mantras is the revelation of ancient secrets that have been kept sacred from several ages, secrets that continue to benefit humanity irrespective of its circumstances.
Mantras are impulses or rhythms of the consciousness. They create vibrations in the spirit. Their effects, influence, method and mode of working are all a mystery.
In Sanskrit, it is said, Manana trayate iti mantra. Mantra is that which saves you from repetitiveness. A repetitive thought is a worry. Mantras help to free you from your worries. Often we wonder why we chant some sounds without understanding their meanings? Can something beyond our understanding help us?
The meaning of every mantra is infinity. It is a sound vibration beyond the cognition of the mind. When the mind is unable to cognize, it simply dissolves and moves into a meditative space.
The mantra is like a seed. Every seed has the potential to become a tree. Similarly, these sound vibrations contain all the possibilities of creation. Some mantras are in the seed form, called the bija mantras. Others are fully expressed, i.e, the fruit of the mantra is also expressed, like the Gayatri mantra.
Mantras are a secret. That which is kept a secret alerts the sub-conscious mind. The mantras work at the level of the consciousness. When we want a seed to sprout, it needs to be sown into the soil, hidden, a secret. If it is simply thrown around, birds may eat them up. We can read and learn about mantras and their uses from books and the internet but that will only satisfy the intellect and not translate into experience.
When we chant the mantras, or listen to them, we get purity of mind and word. This prepares us for meditation. As a result of the sound vibrations, different patterns of the mind re-arrange themselves to become tranquil. Agitation is reduced, helping us to turn inward. For instance, when we laugh, our happiness increases. When we cry, the heaviness of our sorrow is released. Just the sounds of laughter and crying have helped. Mantras act in a similar manner. Repetition of the Mantras creates a psychological or mental response that is very deep and beyond the realm of words or expression. It can only be experienced. Speech falls short as it cannot go beyond the expression level into the experiential level.
When the mind is calm and centered, it can turn inward. Only a mind turned inward can experience the vastness and beauty of the Divine consciousness. When our focus is outward on the objects of the senses, our mind is scattered and racing behind one craving or another. Physical senses seek to know all about the external universe. Meditation is the tool for inner exploration. Antarmukhi Sada Sukhi – one whose mind is turned inward is ever in bliss. Mantras are the tools which allow the mind to dissolve and repose in the Self.
Why should we repose in the Self? How is this going to help in our day-today life?
When the river is calm, the reflection is clearer. When the mind is calm, there is greater clarity in the field of expression. Our sense of observation, perception and expression improve. As a result we are able to communicate effectively and clearly.
Most of our problems or misunderstandings arise because of a lack of proper communication. When our mind is free from agitation, the way we interact and communicate is so much more pleasant and effective. Our efforts are not hindered by rifts caused due to communication gaps. This leads to a lot of positivity in our outlook and progress in life.
Mantras are as subtle as the air which creates ripples in the water as it gently moves over it. Air is all-pervading and at the same time affects specific regions. The field of the mantras is also such. It is all –pervading and also creates an impact on the one who is practicing.
Jai Gurudev.
Mantras - Sound vibrations that permeate every cell of your being and allow your mind to dissolve and repose. But what are they? What do they mean? Where did they come from? There are so many questions surrounding these ancient syllables. Speaking about Mantras is the revelation of ancient secrets that have been kept sacred from several ages, secrets that continue to benefit humanity irrespective of its circumstances.
Mantras are impulses or rhythms of the consciousness. They create vibrations in the spirit. Their effects, influence, method and mode of working are all a mystery.
In Sanskrit, it is said, Manana trayate iti mantra. Mantra is that which saves you from repetitiveness. A repetitive thought is a worry. Mantras help to free you from your worries. Often we wonder why we chant some sounds without understanding their meanings? Can something beyond our understanding help us?
The meaning of every mantra is infinity. It is a sound vibration beyond the cognition of the mind. When the mind is unable to cognize, it simply dissolves and moves into a meditative space.
The mantra is like a seed. Every seed has the potential to become a tree. Similarly, these sound vibrations contain all the possibilities of creation. Some mantras are in the seed form, called the bija mantras. Others are fully expressed, i.e, the fruit of the mantra is also expressed, like the Gayatri mantra.
Mantras are a secret. That which is kept a secret alerts the sub-conscious mind. The mantras work at the level of the consciousness. When we want a seed to sprout, it needs to be sown into the soil, hidden, a secret. If it is simply thrown around, birds may eat them up. We can read and learn about mantras and their uses from books and the internet but that will only satisfy the intellect and not translate into experience.
When we chant the mantras, or listen to them, we get purity of mind and word. This prepares us for meditation. As a result of the sound vibrations, different patterns of the mind re-arrange themselves to become tranquil. Agitation is reduced, helping us to turn inward. For instance, when we laugh, our happiness increases. When we cry, the heaviness of our sorrow is released. Just the sounds of laughter and crying have helped. Mantras act in a similar manner. Repetition of the Mantras creates a psychological or mental response that is very deep and beyond the realm of words or expression. It can only be experienced. Speech falls short as it cannot go beyond the expression level into the experiential level.
When the mind is calm and centered, it can turn inward. Only a mind turned inward can experience the vastness and beauty of the Divine consciousness. When our focus is outward on the objects of the senses, our mind is scattered and racing behind one craving or another. Physical senses seek to know all about the external universe. Meditation is the tool for inner exploration. Antarmukhi Sada Sukhi – one whose mind is turned inward is ever in bliss. Mantras are the tools which allow the mind to dissolve and repose in the Self.
Why should we repose in the Self? How is this going to help in our day-today life?
When the river is calm, the reflection is clearer. When the mind is calm, there is greater clarity in the field of expression. Our sense of observation, perception and expression improve. As a result we are able to communicate effectively and clearly.
Most of our problems or misunderstandings arise because of a lack of proper communication. When our mind is free from agitation, the way we interact and communicate is so much more pleasant and effective. Our efforts are not hindered by rifts caused due to communication gaps. This leads to a lot of positivity in our outlook and progress in life.
Mantras are as subtle as the air which creates ripples in the water as it gently moves over it. Air is all-pervading and at the same time affects specific regions. The field of the mantras is also such. It is all –pervading and also creates an impact on the one who is practicing.
Jai Gurudev.
22/11/2011
Gratitude&Beauty
Such a truly wonderful article......
You cannot be grateful and feel the lack. The two cannot exist at the same time. When you feel grateful, you feel full. When you feel lack, grumbling begins from some corner. If you feel grateful, gratitude will increase in you and you will be given more. If you keep on grumbling, the negativity in you will increase. Jesus said, "For those who have not, what little they have will be taken from them. And to those who have, more will be given. And more. And more." This is the law of the nature. For those who do not have this knowledge, there is no way to get out of their grumbling. It becomes a habit.
This applies to relationships too. If you love someone, know that nothing is lacking. Trust that they also love you very much. If you doubt someone's love, your doubt grows no matter what you receive from them. If you want to be close to someone, first begin to feel that person is already close to you. When you ask people, "Do you trust me?" you are doubting their trust. When you are in doubt about a trust, you grow in doubt -- and there is no limit to it.
Whatever is, that grows. If you sow a seed, that seed will grow. If the seed itself is lack, then lack is what grows. Today you feel a lack, and tomorrow you will feel some other lack, and then in a year, even if all these things are provided, still you will feel some lack. Observe carefully and see what you have been given. Then you become grateful. In gratefulness, everything that supports life grows. When people grumble all through life, their minds don't focus properly. Naturally, they tend to lose out. Even on the material plane, when consciousness is flooded with lack, lack grows. But if you feel you have plenty, plentifulness grows.
This understanding of consciousness is important. Consciousness is the power, energy, beauty and wealth that permeates all creation. This entire creation is full of life -- it abounds in the trees, birds, animals, rivers and stones. Without it, not a blade of grass can move. Without it, there can be no progress. Without it, there is no beauty.
One of the most precious faculties the human body possesses is recognition of beauty. The basis of creation is beauty. In the Vedic tradition, the entire creation is seen as nothing but waves of beauty. Truth is a quest of the intellect, but beauty is felt with the heart. Intellect analyses, is curious to know what is inside the flower, how it grows, what season it comes up in but the heart doesn't care about this detailed knowledge.
Beauty comes in many forms. Spring has its own beauty. In midsummer everything is green and full. And in autumn, the color of the falling leaves is spectacular. "Wow! This is so wonderful!" -- an appreciation of beauty wells up in the heart and takes over the whole being.
The very process of maintaining beauty is beautiful. Water rises as vapor and forms clouds on the Great Lakes -- and the Great Lakes flow into Niagara Falls. Without that process, the water would flow down once and the Falls would disappear. It would be like the fireworks on the Fourth of July -- they last for some time and then are over. But in creation, a rainbow comes and then it comes again and again and again. Underneath what has been created with so much beauty, there is a maintenance principle that sustains this phenomenon.
It is all pervasive, this beauty. Life cannot be a celebration, cannot be joyful, cannot be fulfilling, if there are no waves of beauty. This Thanksgiving, as you celebrate and rejoice with your loved ones, observe the richness in your life. Observe the wealth that nature has given you. Let the gratitude in you rise and let the waves of beauty wash you.
Sri Sri
Jai Gurudev.....
You cannot be grateful and feel the lack. The two cannot exist at the same time. When you feel grateful, you feel full. When you feel lack, grumbling begins from some corner. If you feel grateful, gratitude will increase in you and you will be given more. If you keep on grumbling, the negativity in you will increase. Jesus said, "For those who have not, what little they have will be taken from them. And to those who have, more will be given. And more. And more." This is the law of the nature. For those who do not have this knowledge, there is no way to get out of their grumbling. It becomes a habit.
This applies to relationships too. If you love someone, know that nothing is lacking. Trust that they also love you very much. If you doubt someone's love, your doubt grows no matter what you receive from them. If you want to be close to someone, first begin to feel that person is already close to you. When you ask people, "Do you trust me?" you are doubting their trust. When you are in doubt about a trust, you grow in doubt -- and there is no limit to it.
Whatever is, that grows. If you sow a seed, that seed will grow. If the seed itself is lack, then lack is what grows. Today you feel a lack, and tomorrow you will feel some other lack, and then in a year, even if all these things are provided, still you will feel some lack. Observe carefully and see what you have been given. Then you become grateful. In gratefulness, everything that supports life grows. When people grumble all through life, their minds don't focus properly. Naturally, they tend to lose out. Even on the material plane, when consciousness is flooded with lack, lack grows. But if you feel you have plenty, plentifulness grows.
This understanding of consciousness is important. Consciousness is the power, energy, beauty and wealth that permeates all creation. This entire creation is full of life -- it abounds in the trees, birds, animals, rivers and stones. Without it, not a blade of grass can move. Without it, there can be no progress. Without it, there is no beauty.
One of the most precious faculties the human body possesses is recognition of beauty. The basis of creation is beauty. In the Vedic tradition, the entire creation is seen as nothing but waves of beauty. Truth is a quest of the intellect, but beauty is felt with the heart. Intellect analyses, is curious to know what is inside the flower, how it grows, what season it comes up in but the heart doesn't care about this detailed knowledge.
Beauty comes in many forms. Spring has its own beauty. In midsummer everything is green and full. And in autumn, the color of the falling leaves is spectacular. "Wow! This is so wonderful!" -- an appreciation of beauty wells up in the heart and takes over the whole being.
The very process of maintaining beauty is beautiful. Water rises as vapor and forms clouds on the Great Lakes -- and the Great Lakes flow into Niagara Falls. Without that process, the water would flow down once and the Falls would disappear. It would be like the fireworks on the Fourth of July -- they last for some time and then are over. But in creation, a rainbow comes and then it comes again and again and again. Underneath what has been created with so much beauty, there is a maintenance principle that sustains this phenomenon.
It is all pervasive, this beauty. Life cannot be a celebration, cannot be joyful, cannot be fulfilling, if there are no waves of beauty. This Thanksgiving, as you celebrate and rejoice with your loved ones, observe the richness in your life. Observe the wealth that nature has given you. Let the gratitude in you rise and let the waves of beauty wash you.
Sri Sri
Jai Gurudev.....
14/11/2011
The Coal Basket
There once lived an old man with his grandson in a farm.Grandfather used to regularly chant the Baghavad Gita,which left the boy wondering,because he found that there was no visible change in their life whatsoever.So one day the little boy gathered courage and asked his grandfather why he chanted the Gita.His grand father just smiled at the little boy and showed him a coal basket lying near the fireplace and asked him to run down to the lake below and fetch some water in the basket.The boy gave his grandfather a puzzled look but nevertheless ran down to fetch water in the basket.He filled the basket with water and started on his way home, but as he expected all the water drained out of the basket,and by the time he reached home there was no water in the basket.He told his grandfather that the basket could not hold the water.His grandfather again smilingly told him to be a bit faster this time.This went on a few times and each time the result was the same.Finally the boy was exhausted and tired and asked his grandfather why he asked him to fill a basket with water knowing that it cannot hold water.Gradfather now looked at the little boy with love and affection and told the boy to look at the basket closely.The boy looked at the basket and saw that the basket was now clean and shining and no sign of any coal there.He told his grandfather that the basket looked clean now.
The grandfather now took the little boy on his lap and told him that like the basket got clean and shining after a few dips in the water, if we regularly chant the Gita we will be cleansed of all the impure thoughts within and will help us remember the Lord always.
Though the result of our sadhana may not be immediately visible to us, it is certain that every time we chant the lords name with love and devotion,it sure reaches HIM.
There are many many stories which assure us that even if a person takes the Lord's name once,with or without his knowledge it is certain that he will be taken care of by HIM.
Jai Gurudev.
Stay tuned for more....
The grandfather now took the little boy on his lap and told him that like the basket got clean and shining after a few dips in the water, if we regularly chant the Gita we will be cleansed of all the impure thoughts within and will help us remember the Lord always.
Though the result of our sadhana may not be immediately visible to us, it is certain that every time we chant the lords name with love and devotion,it sure reaches HIM.
There are many many stories which assure us that even if a person takes the Lord's name once,with or without his knowledge it is certain that he will be taken care of by HIM.
Jai Gurudev.
Stay tuned for more....
03/11/2011
Do Your Duty
This story from Mahabaratha tells us how doing one's duty is much more important than gaining THE ENLIGHTENED BUTCHER
(A story from Mahabharata)
This story from Mahabharata brings to light that our spiritual
achievement is useless if we neglect our duties or Dharma.
Kaushika was his parents' only son.
"Mother," he said one day, " I want to go off into the jungle and
devote myself to spiritual studies. "
His mother said with concern, "But son, your father and I are very old. Your father is so
sick he can hardly move. If you go away, what will happen to us?
Who will attend to our needs?"
Kaushika did not listen.He was determined to study the Vedas. His mother cried in vain
as she watched her son turn his back on her and leave for the jungle.
Eventually Kaushika acquired great mystical powers.One afternoon, as he was meditating under a tree, a crane flew up, and perched herself on a branch above Kaushika. Some
bird droppings fell on Kaushika's head. Kaushika furiously threw a fiery gaze at the crane. The crane immediately fell dead.The sage felt sorry for what he had done. "How could I have allowed my anger to take over me that way?" He mourned.
Later in the day, he went to a village to beg for alms. The lady of the house asked him to wait and went to get some food. Right then her husband arrived. She immediately set aside the pot of food she was taking to the sage and went to attend her husband.
After washing his feet, giving him food, and attending to his needs, she came back out to give the alms to the sage. The sage was very insulted. "You put your husband before a pious sage? Do you know the power of a Brahmin?" She calmly replied, "Yes, a true Brahmin is he who has mastered his anger. Please do not threaten me, I am not a
crane that will die by your fiery gaze." The sage was amazed. "How does she know about the crane?"he wondered.
The lady continued, "Oh holy one! You are a learned Brahmin but you have not understood the truth about virtue. If you want to be enlightened, go to Dharmavyadha who lives in Mathura. Any one will tell you where he lives." The sage thanked the lady and hurried to Mathura. "He must be a great and learned sage indeed," Kaushika thought to himself.
But when he finally reached Dharmavyadaha's place, he found it to be a butcher shop!
A very ordinary looking man came out and said, "Welcome holy one. I am Dharmavyadaha, the man you seek." "How can a butcher be spiritually enlightened?" Kaushika
asked in amazement.Dharmavyadaha smiled and said with compassion, "I know the
story of the crane and of the woman who sent you here. Come,let us go to my house. "
The sage could not contain himself and blurted out, "But butchering animals is such a sinful profession! Are you not ashamed?"
"I am not," the butcher calmly said. "I am engaged in a family trade. I work hard and honestly at it. There is no reason for me to be ashamed of my work!"
"Holy one," continued the butcher. "If I do injury to other creatures, so do you as you did to the crane. " "As we walk on the soil, we are trampling on numerous
creatures. Nor is the air devoid of creatures." "You see that farmer tilling the land? He is killing so many animals that thrive under the soil." They reached the butcher's house. The butcher's wife was doing her house hold chores and his two boys were playing.
The butcher introduced the sage to his wife and boys. Then the butcher entered the house and touched his parents'feet."Here is a learned Brahmin who has come from a far-off place."the butcher told his old father."Welcome, holy one," the father said.
Before leaving the room, the butcher remarked, "My parents are my Gods. My wife and my children attend to them with devotion and love. We consider caring for them to be
our greatest duty." "In doing one's duty cheerfully, lies true virtue. This is what the
dutiful wife sent you to learn."
"Oh learned one!" the butcher continued, "You have run away from your responsibilities and deserted your aged father and mother. Spiritual achievement is useless if one has neglected one's Dharma, or duties."The sage remembered his mother crying, "Who will look after us when you are gone my son?" The sage apologized, "You have shown me the path of true virtue, the true meaning of Dharma, Oh pious one. I am deeply
indebted to you." Kaushika immediately returned to his parents and served them
lovingly till the end of their days.
Jai Gurudev...
(A story from Mahabharata)
This story from Mahabharata brings to light that our spiritual
achievement is useless if we neglect our duties or Dharma.
Kaushika was his parents' only son.
"Mother," he said one day, " I want to go off into the jungle and
devote myself to spiritual studies. "
His mother said with concern, "But son, your father and I are very old. Your father is so
sick he can hardly move. If you go away, what will happen to us?
Who will attend to our needs?"
Kaushika did not listen.He was determined to study the Vedas. His mother cried in vain
as she watched her son turn his back on her and leave for the jungle.
Eventually Kaushika acquired great mystical powers.One afternoon, as he was meditating under a tree, a crane flew up, and perched herself on a branch above Kaushika. Some
bird droppings fell on Kaushika's head. Kaushika furiously threw a fiery gaze at the crane. The crane immediately fell dead.The sage felt sorry for what he had done. "How could I have allowed my anger to take over me that way?" He mourned.
Later in the day, he went to a village to beg for alms. The lady of the house asked him to wait and went to get some food. Right then her husband arrived. She immediately set aside the pot of food she was taking to the sage and went to attend her husband.
After washing his feet, giving him food, and attending to his needs, she came back out to give the alms to the sage. The sage was very insulted. "You put your husband before a pious sage? Do you know the power of a Brahmin?" She calmly replied, "Yes, a true Brahmin is he who has mastered his anger. Please do not threaten me, I am not a
crane that will die by your fiery gaze." The sage was amazed. "How does she know about the crane?"he wondered.
The lady continued, "Oh holy one! You are a learned Brahmin but you have not understood the truth about virtue. If you want to be enlightened, go to Dharmavyadha who lives in Mathura. Any one will tell you where he lives." The sage thanked the lady and hurried to Mathura. "He must be a great and learned sage indeed," Kaushika thought to himself.
But when he finally reached Dharmavyadaha's place, he found it to be a butcher shop!
A very ordinary looking man came out and said, "Welcome holy one. I am Dharmavyadaha, the man you seek." "How can a butcher be spiritually enlightened?" Kaushika
asked in amazement.Dharmavyadaha smiled and said with compassion, "I know the
story of the crane and of the woman who sent you here. Come,let us go to my house. "
The sage could not contain himself and blurted out, "But butchering animals is such a sinful profession! Are you not ashamed?"
"I am not," the butcher calmly said. "I am engaged in a family trade. I work hard and honestly at it. There is no reason for me to be ashamed of my work!"
"Holy one," continued the butcher. "If I do injury to other creatures, so do you as you did to the crane. " "As we walk on the soil, we are trampling on numerous
creatures. Nor is the air devoid of creatures." "You see that farmer tilling the land? He is killing so many animals that thrive under the soil." They reached the butcher's house. The butcher's wife was doing her house hold chores and his two boys were playing.
The butcher introduced the sage to his wife and boys. Then the butcher entered the house and touched his parents'feet."Here is a learned Brahmin who has come from a far-off place."the butcher told his old father."Welcome, holy one," the father said.
Before leaving the room, the butcher remarked, "My parents are my Gods. My wife and my children attend to them with devotion and love. We consider caring for them to be
our greatest duty." "In doing one's duty cheerfully, lies true virtue. This is what the
dutiful wife sent you to learn."
"Oh learned one!" the butcher continued, "You have run away from your responsibilities and deserted your aged father and mother. Spiritual achievement is useless if one has neglected one's Dharma, or duties."The sage remembered his mother crying, "Who will look after us when you are gone my son?" The sage apologized, "You have shown me the path of true virtue, the true meaning of Dharma, Oh pious one. I am deeply
indebted to you." Kaushika immediately returned to his parents and served them
lovingly till the end of their days.
Jai Gurudev...
Veer Maruti
We have all heard of Lord Anjaneya and his devotion for Baghvan Ram.I have always wondered why Hanuman is wearing sindoor all over.I am sure many may know the reason for this.Here is an interesting story which tells us the reason for the sindoor or rather why Lord Anjaneys is smeared with sindoor all over.
Read on....
One day, Hanuman noticed that Sitaji wore a red powder in the parting of
Her hair. Curious, Hanuman enquired, what it was that She was wearing. “
Dear Hanuman, it is sindoor that I am wearing”, said Sitaji. “What is
sindoor and why was it so important?” asked Hanuman. Sindoor makes
Lord Ram happy and would give Him a long and happy life, explained Sitaji.
Hanuman scratched his chin and thought for a while. He realised that
Sitaji did it because she loved Ram and showed it by putting sindoor
in Her hair. “I love Ramji too,” thought Hanuman, “And I’m going to prove
it!” So guess what He did? Well if Sita ji can put sindoor in Her hair to show
Her love, He decided to cover Himself with it to show His love! He took the
sindoor powder and smeared his whole body with it. And He felt very
happy and smiled a big smile. When He entered Sita’s room, He was
completely red, His face, the nose, dhoti, everything was completely red.
It looked as though He had taken a bath in the red powder!
Sita looked at Him in surprise and asked Him why he had covered himself
in sindoor. With a shy smile Hanuman said, “ Sitaji, you are a Devi, a
goddess. By putting a little sindoor in your hair, you can make Lord Ram
happy and His life longer. But I am only His servant, His dasa, so I will
have to do more than that. And that is why I had to cover my whole body
with sindoor.”
So,this is the reason why Hnuman is red. This also
shows the great love Hanuman had for Lord Ram and how much He
thought about the welfare of Lord Ram, His master.
Jai Gurudev...
26/10/2011
Festival Of Lights Deepavali!!
One of the most important festivals of most Indians is Deepavali or Diwali as is commonly known.
There are as is common to all the festivals many many stories attached to Deepavali too.'Avali' means rows,and deepa means lamps or lights.When we arrange the lamps in rows it is known as 'Deepavali',a neatly arranged row of lights.
The significance of Deepavali is different in different parts of India. In the north, Deepavali is celebrated to commemorate the reception accorded to Lord Sri Rama on his arrival with Sita Devi at Ayodhya after vanquishing the 10 headed rakshasa Ravana, who had abducted Sita Devi.
The people of Ayodhya celebrated the occasion with great joy and happiness.Each and every house in Ayodhya was decorated beautifully and lamps were lit,and everyone was dressed in their best to receive their Lord. killed by
Diwali is also very popularly celebrated as Naraka Chathurthi as the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord krishna and Satybhama.This story was new to me and thought I should put it down here for the benefit of many like me who have not heard this earlier.
In the south, especially in Tamil Nadu, Deepavali is the celebration to commemorate the reception accorded Lord Sri Krishna and Satyabhama after he vanquished Narakasura and Deepavali is otherwise known as Naraka chaturdashi.
Narakasura was a demon king who ruled from Pragjyothishapura which is today’s Assam.There are two versions about Narakasura’s birth. In one version it is said that he was the son of the demon king Hiranyaksha and in another version he is described as the son of Lord Mahavishnu.
The demon king Hiranyaksha was terrorising the three worlds, the earth, the sky and the nether world (Patala).The devas were terrorised by him and they all prayed to Lord Mahavishnu to bring an end to his evil ways. Mahavishnu promised to rescue them from Hiranyaksha and went in search of him. Hiranayaksha taking the form of a wild boar went to hide in the Patala taking Bhudevi (earth) with him. While the boar was carrying Bhudevi on his tusks, Bhudevi became pregnant by the touch of the tusk and gave birth to Narakasura. Bhudevi was stricken with grief for having given birth to an asura and went to Lord Mahavishnu carrying the baby and asked for the salvation of the asura son. Lord Mahavishnu gave His blessings and said none other than me can kill this son of yours.
In another verison it is said that as Hiranyaksha ran carrying Bhudevi in his tusks, Lord Mahavishnu took the form of Varaha and went to Patala and rescued Bhudevi, slaying Hiranyaksha. After rescuing Bhudevi, Lord Mahavishnu in Varaha Avatar married Bhudevi and Narakasura is the son of Lord Mahavishnu and Bhudevi.
Narakasura true to his name, terrorised the Devas and Gandharvas and humans and imprisoned 16000 women from all the worlds. He harassed the Devas in heaven and stole the kundalas (ear drops) of Devi Athithi. All the Devas went to Lord Mahavishnu and prayed for the end of Narakasura. The Lord answered their prayers and promised to kill Narakasura.
Thus in Lord Mahavishnu’s incarnation as Sree Krishna, He along with his consort Satyabhama went to Pragjyothishapura to kill Narakasura. A fierce battle took place in Pragjyothishapura at the end of which Narakasura was slain. Again there is a different version in which it is said that it was Sathyabhama who killed Narakasura to avenge the insult on Devi Athithi. Sree Krishna released all the women imprisoned by Narakasura and brought them to his place.
'Narakasura under estimated Satyabhama's strength,thinking what can a woman do to me,when I single handedly have won over so many'.He was proved wrong and before giving up his body Narakasura requested that his death should be celebrated all over by everyone and that people should busrt fire crackers,light lamps and decorate their houses on this day.The power of truth is always very powerful and can win over any evil was proved by Satyabhama' killing Narakasura.It is also believed that Lord Krishna had to clean his body with oil after Narakasura was killed and hence the practice of oil bath on naraka chathurthi day it seems.Diwali is time to forget and forgive and start everything afresh, by greeting one and all with a smile and sharing sweets.
The celebration of victory over evil is Diwali.
In Karnataka the Prathama after Deepavali is also celebrated as Bali Padyami in honour of the asura Chakravarthy Mahabali who was sent to Patala by Lord Mahavishnu in his Vamana Avatara.
Let us celebrate and enjoy this Deepavali and spread joy and happiness around us always.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBX3tn2fNFY
A Happy Prosperous, Joyous and Sparkling Diwali To All!!
Jai Gurudev....
There are as is common to all the festivals many many stories attached to Deepavali too.'Avali' means rows,and deepa means lamps or lights.When we arrange the lamps in rows it is known as 'Deepavali',a neatly arranged row of lights.
The significance of Deepavali is different in different parts of India. In the north, Deepavali is celebrated to commemorate the reception accorded to Lord Sri Rama on his arrival with Sita Devi at Ayodhya after vanquishing the 10 headed rakshasa Ravana, who had abducted Sita Devi.
The people of Ayodhya celebrated the occasion with great joy and happiness.Each and every house in Ayodhya was decorated beautifully and lamps were lit,and everyone was dressed in their best to receive their Lord. killed by
Diwali is also very popularly celebrated as Naraka Chathurthi as the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord krishna and Satybhama.This story was new to me and thought I should put it down here for the benefit of many like me who have not heard this earlier.
In the south, especially in Tamil Nadu, Deepavali is the celebration to commemorate the reception accorded Lord Sri Krishna and Satyabhama after he vanquished Narakasura and Deepavali is otherwise known as Naraka chaturdashi.
Narakasura was a demon king who ruled from Pragjyothishapura which is today’s Assam.There are two versions about Narakasura’s birth. In one version it is said that he was the son of the demon king Hiranyaksha and in another version he is described as the son of Lord Mahavishnu.
The demon king Hiranyaksha was terrorising the three worlds, the earth, the sky and the nether world (Patala).The devas were terrorised by him and they all prayed to Lord Mahavishnu to bring an end to his evil ways. Mahavishnu promised to rescue them from Hiranyaksha and went in search of him. Hiranayaksha taking the form of a wild boar went to hide in the Patala taking Bhudevi (earth) with him. While the boar was carrying Bhudevi on his tusks, Bhudevi became pregnant by the touch of the tusk and gave birth to Narakasura. Bhudevi was stricken with grief for having given birth to an asura and went to Lord Mahavishnu carrying the baby and asked for the salvation of the asura son. Lord Mahavishnu gave His blessings and said none other than me can kill this son of yours.
In another verison it is said that as Hiranyaksha ran carrying Bhudevi in his tusks, Lord Mahavishnu took the form of Varaha and went to Patala and rescued Bhudevi, slaying Hiranyaksha. After rescuing Bhudevi, Lord Mahavishnu in Varaha Avatar married Bhudevi and Narakasura is the son of Lord Mahavishnu and Bhudevi.
Narakasura true to his name, terrorised the Devas and Gandharvas and humans and imprisoned 16000 women from all the worlds. He harassed the Devas in heaven and stole the kundalas (ear drops) of Devi Athithi. All the Devas went to Lord Mahavishnu and prayed for the end of Narakasura. The Lord answered their prayers and promised to kill Narakasura.
Thus in Lord Mahavishnu’s incarnation as Sree Krishna, He along with his consort Satyabhama went to Pragjyothishapura to kill Narakasura. A fierce battle took place in Pragjyothishapura at the end of which Narakasura was slain. Again there is a different version in which it is said that it was Sathyabhama who killed Narakasura to avenge the insult on Devi Athithi. Sree Krishna released all the women imprisoned by Narakasura and brought them to his place.
'Narakasura under estimated Satyabhama's strength,thinking what can a woman do to me,when I single handedly have won over so many'.He was proved wrong and before giving up his body Narakasura requested that his death should be celebrated all over by everyone and that people should busrt fire crackers,light lamps and decorate their houses on this day.The power of truth is always very powerful and can win over any evil was proved by Satyabhama' killing Narakasura.It is also believed that Lord Krishna had to clean his body with oil after Narakasura was killed and hence the practice of oil bath on naraka chathurthi day it seems.Diwali is time to forget and forgive and start everything afresh, by greeting one and all with a smile and sharing sweets.
The celebration of victory over evil is Diwali.
In Karnataka the Prathama after Deepavali is also celebrated as Bali Padyami in honour of the asura Chakravarthy Mahabali who was sent to Patala by Lord Mahavishnu in his Vamana Avatara.
Let us celebrate and enjoy this Deepavali and spread joy and happiness around us always.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBX3tn2fNFY
A Happy Prosperous, Joyous and Sparkling Diwali To All!!
Jai Gurudev....
12/10/2011
Karthik And Margashirsha
Karthigai Masam, or Karthika month, is the eighth month in a traditional Tamil calendar and it derives its name from the Nakshatram, or star, ‘Krithiga.’ Tamil Month Karthigai in 2011 begins on November 17 and ends on December 16. The Mondays in the month are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Karthikai Somavara Vratam is observed. Another important ritual in the month is the Karthikai Deepam. Ayyappa devotees start the 41-day Ayyappa Deeksha Vratam and take a pilgrimage to Sabarimala in this month. Karthigai Masam (November to December) is a highly auspicious Tamil month. Fasting and pujas performed in this month is considered very very auspicious and it is said will fetch much greater returns than usual.I must indeed without fail mention here that it is no doubt most sacred to do all fast and penances without expecting anything in return.Itis also a unique month because both Siva and Vishnu are both worshipped during this month.
The month of Karthigai is also very sacred to Krishna and also known as Damodara Mas. Sri Krishna Damodara Leela or Ulukha Leela was during this month of Karthigai.KARTIK MAAS, the auspicious,Holiest, the best among months for performing austerities. Shree Radha Rani is the presiding Deity of this month.Vrundavan has the special importance in this month. Dhruv Maharaj also performed austerities here in this Kartik maas only.
Lighting of Lamp / diya with sesam oil, under the GOOSEBERRY TREE /AMLA or TULSI TREE is recommanded with this mantra......
नम: पितृà¤à¤¯: प्रेतेà¤्यो नमो धर्माय विष्णवे!
नम: यमाय रुद्राय कांतारपत्ये नम:!!
this cleanses sins, blesses with health wealth and proficiency !
Shree Krihna says, "Of all plants, the sacred Tulsi is most dear to Me; of all months, Kartik is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days, Ekadashi is most dear ."(Padma Puran, Uttara Khand 112.3)
Kartik or the festival of offering lamps to Shree Krushna, glorifies the " Uukhal Leela ". Shree Krihna was named as DAMODAR after this Leela. Observing vrat in the month of Kartik is glorified in the Puranas.
"As Sat-yuga is the best of yugas (ages), as the Vedas are the best among scriptures, as Ganga is best of rivers, so Kartik is the best of months, the most dear to Bhagvan Shree Krishna."(Skand Puran)
One may observe the following foremost activities throughout the entire month of Kartik:
1. Japa – chanting the holy names of Shree Krishna.
2. Worship Bhagvan Shree Krishna by offering ghee lamps (diyas), flowers, incense, food, etc.
3. Practice brahmacharya – celibacy.
4. Worship of Tulsi.
5. Give charity / Daan.
6. Perform austerities.
In this month of Kartik, many special festivals like Dhan-Teras, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Duj,Pandav Panchami, Gopashtami, Aavla Navmi, Tulsi Vivaah, Vaikunth Chaturdashi... and others take place.
Importance of the pious Kartik month:
"If somebody performs even a little worship of Bhagvan Shree Hari in this month, He offers that devotee His own abode / Vaikunth,whatever sins he has acquired for millions of ages are destroyed. One who eats once a day , becomes famous and powerful.A person who happily reads the "Bhagavad Gita" in the month of Kartik does not return to the world of birth and death.
Kartik Snan-
Early morning bathing for the satisfaction of Shree Krushna, offering argh as - O Janardan, O Damodar, O Devesh...please accept unto your lotus feet.
It is believed that, Shree Hari Vishnu appeared in the form of Matsya (fish) / Matsyavtar , to restore the Vedas in this month. The greatness of taking a bath in the holy rivers in Kartik month is mentioned in Puranas and other scriptures. Bhagvan Shree Krushna , himself has narrated about the importance of " Kartik mahina " to Satyabhamaji .
Also Bhagvan Shiva destroyed demon - Tarkasur on the Poornima in this month, known as Kartik Poornima / Tripurari Poornima.
Reading of Bhagvat Gita, Gopi Geet, Damodar Ashtak, Kartik Mahina Mahatmay is recommended.
Chanting of Damodara ashtakam during this month with devotion and bhakti will immensely please Krishna.
Karthigai and lamps are synonymous,so lighting lamps at home,temples,and also giving it as dana is indeed auspicious.
In most Tamil households every festival is generally related to the sweet meats and the periphary.Children eagerly look forward to the special food stuff mae for the occasion and also new clothes too many times.I used to always get a new pavadai for karthigai.My mother used to make the pori urundais and appam and adai for neivedyam on karthigai day.
We light plenty of agal vilakku's we had at home and arrange them in neat rows and around the kolam.My mother had the lamps in so many different sizes and shapes which have been cming down from generations.Lamps used to be lit for three days,and after neivedyam at home we used to carry a few new agal vilakkus to the nearby Shivan and Ganesha temples and light them there too.Every year a few new agal lamps are added to the kitty of lamps at home.
Karthigai deepam is also considered auspicious for brothers and a special prayer for their health and happiness is never missed out.
There is so much attached to Karthigai masam and I have attempted to jot down a few points that I did get to learn over the years and also through the information available on line.
Legend has it that Lord Shiva gave darshan to Lord Vishnu and Brahma in the form of a pillar of fire with no beginning or end on this day. This form is also referred as Annamalai Deepam in Tamil and is observed at Thiruvannamalai.
Another significant event in this month is the Mahabharani which is observed in Shiva temples by lighting bonfires and is known as Barani Deepam.
The month is also highly auspicious for Lord Muruga devotees as the month is named after the six Krithika stars. Son of Lord Shiva, Muruga was born as different babies – Shanmugha and was looked after by the Six Kritika stars. Later Goddess Parvati joined the six babies to give birth to Kartik or Muruga. Karthigai Masam (November to December) is a highly auspicious Tamil month. Fasting and pujas performed in this month is believed to be highly meritorious. Special significance is associated with Gooseberry or Nellikkai (Awala or Amla) and Karthigai Masam. It is believed that hearing stories of Muruga or Kartikeya under the Nellikkai tree will help in attaining good health and prosperity.
If food is taken under the gooseberry tree it will help in good health. If food is offered to the hungry or poor people or any living being under a gooseberry tree it will help in fulfilling your prayers and desires.
It is also said that if women of the family eat under the nellikai tree in Karthigai Masam it will help in the prosperity of the entire family.
Significance of Gooseberry or Nellikkai in Karthigai Masam is mentioned in the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. The popular belief is that during the Karthigai month gods and sages reside on the Nellikkai Tree. Therefore worshipping the tree during the period can help in destroying sins and in fulfilling wishes.
Kartika masam- A month of sanctity
Kartika masam is considered very auspicious for the Hindus in south
India.It is very sacred to both the Saivites and Vaishnavites and the
devotees indulge in month-long prayers to the gods and believe they
would ward off all the sins. People observe strict austerities during
the month. They wake up early in the morning, take bath and visit
temples.
Among the important festivals during the month are Kartika Poornima when
special pujas are held and Poornima Dhyanam or meditation is performed,
and Kartika Ekadasi when devotees go on fast and break it on the next
day known as Ksheerabdi Dwadasi. On the Dwadasi day, a new Tulsi plant
along with a tender branch of amla tree is worshipped. Puja to Goddess
Lakshmi with offerings in coins is performed on the occasion.
Another practice is the lighting of lamps and leaving them in the river
on Poornima night and Amavasya morning in the month. Those living close
to rivers perform the ritual on a daily basis. Bathing in the river is
considered very sacred and the devotees during the month make it a point
to take a bath before sunrise and after sunset, and offer prayers to
keep both the body and mind pure and healthy.
IMPORTANCE OF MARGASHIRSHA MASAM(Marghazhi masam)
Margazhi is an important month,and people get up early in the morning and decorate the entrance to the houses with big rangolis and also keep a yellow flower in the centre of the rangoli.A deepam is also lit and kept out side the door.There is a nagaraa sankirtan and usually people go around the important streets of the city around the temple doing bajhans.After a parikrama they return back to the temple and then deepa aradanai is performed and usually the prasadam that is offered during this month is ven pongal in the mornings.A more spiritual and in depth understanding of the month of margahzi as I recently read by a very pouplar and well know acharya is as under:
" Margazhith thingal madhiniraindha nannallal
Neeradap podhuveer! Podhumino, nerizhaiyeer!
Seermalgum aippadich chelvach chirumeergal!
Koorvel kodunthozhilan Nandago pankumaran
Erarndha kanni Yasodai illanjchingam
Karmenich chengann kadirmadhiyam polmugathan
Narayanane namakke paraitharuvan
Paror pugazhap padindhelo rembavai. "
How is the elegance of these hymns? The first five hymns, starting with
'Margazhi thingal', are a preface. Then until the 16th hymn she wakes up the
gopis. In the following hymns she wakes up Nappinnai, then the Perumal, then His
guards at the gates ('dwarapalakas'). In this manner she wakes up each and
everyone. She wakes up Balarama (Krishna's brother). In the next hymn she
requests the Lord to get up from His bed ('sayana thirukolam') and bless them.
But she suspects if this blessing would be a true one! Hence, requests Him to
sit on the throne ('seeriya singasanathirundu') and bless them. Since Bhagavan
walks up to His throne and blesses them, she sings the praises of the Lotus Feet
of the Lord and then prays for the grant of eternal service to the Lord.
'Margazhith thingal' --- In Chaturmasya (the four months of monsoon - roughly
from mid-July to mid-November) the ascetics go on fast. 'Sayana Ekadasi'
('Ekadasi' is the 11th day after the new/full moon) is spoken of in Perumal,Vishnu
temples. In the Tamil month of Aipasi Lord Vishnu is asleep ('sayana
thirukkolam'). He wakes up now (in the month of Margazhi). What type of period
('kala') is this whence Bhagavan Himself is asleep? We should wake up at 3'o
clock in the morning. What should we do when we wake up early in the morning
('pratha kala')? There is a great Divine power ('shakti') in the cosmic. If we
wake up at 3'o clock this power brings peace ('ranjanam') to the mind. And this
time, whence the mind is at peace, is congenial to meditation ('dhyana'). We are
able to meditate well. So, we should wake up at 3'o clock in the morning and
meditate. Later, after 5'o clock we
should chant prayers ('slokas'). We should chant whatever 'slokas' our Achharya
/ Guru (spiritual Teacher/Guide) has blessed us with. Then, we should perform
'puja' to the Lord, followed by reading ('parayana') of holy texts. We should
then have our food and rest a while. At dusk we should sing kirtanas (hymns)
then again meditate a while in the night. This is the routine discipline
('anushtana krama') that one has to follow everyday. Similarly, there are
disciplines prescribed for the whole year. Beginning from 'Sayana Ekadasi' to
'Uthhana Ekadasi' one should perform penance ('tapas'). What is the reason?
Bhagavan Himself is asleep. The Lord's nidra is known as yogic sleep ('Yoga
nidra'). Why has the Lord gone into Yogic nidra? Our one completed year is equal
to a day of the Devas. In that one day, beginning from 'Sayana Ekadasi' to
'Uthhana Ekadasi' the Devas are also asleep. When do these Devas who are asleep,
wake up?
They wake up in this month of Margazhi. Our Margazhi month is 'pratha kala',
i.e. 3 to 5 in the morning, for the Devas. The Devas wake up at 'pratha kala'.
What do these Devas who wake up in the early hours of morning do? It is said
that there is no Vishnu in Deva loka. Devas do not have Perumal but it is said
that Vishnu does exist in heaven as Upendra. Though this Upendra is 'seen' by
them He does not exist in the form of a deity ('archhavatara') as in a Temple.
But, when the Devas desire to worship Bhagavan where do they go? It is said that
they come down to the earth. On the earth they worship the Perumal in the
various Temples, have His darshan. Since these Devas come to the earth in
'pratha kala' we should wake up at this time. What is the meaning of drawing
huge 'kolams' at the door of the house? The Devas pass the streets. In each and
every 'Raja veedhi' or wherever there is a Perumal temple one finds South
sannidhi street, north sannidhi
street, etc... The Devas visit such Holy places ('kshetras') on the earth;
hence, we should draw big kolams at the door. So, 'Margazhith thingal', ----
Since the Devas wake up early in the morning and worship Bhagavan we should also
worship Him. In the Gita, Bhagavan says, " Amongst the months I AM Margazhi. " -
'Masanam Margasheershoham' Margazhi month is said to be an inauspicious one
('peedai masam').
Marriages and other auspicious functions are not conducted in this month. When
the Lord spells out that amongst the month He is Margazhi, why is this month
considered inauspicious? In fact, this should be a revered/most favorable month.
One should be able to conduct marriages, house warming ceremony or any other
auspicious function in this month. But I pondered over, " why have the Mahans
termed this month as inauspicious? " And the conclusion that I drew is that if
performance of marriages or any other auspicious function were permitted in this
month then our minds would continue to be drowned only in such worldly affairs!
At least, this one-month let the people worship the Lord! Is this not the period
to worship Bhagavan? This is the time to worship. Is it not? Early morning
perform 'Thiruaradhana' for Bhagavan, perform Nama Sankirtana, meditate
('dhyana'). Since this one-month (the thirty days) is early morning ('pratha
kala') for the Devas, people should be made to involve themselves only in spiritual matters. Hence, they have been forbidden from conducting such worldly functions! This is the reason for labeling this month as inauspicious!
'Margazhith thingal madhiniraindha nanallal' --- The Devas wake up in this
'pratha kala'. Andal has chosen this time. The Gopis had also chosen this same
time and performed worship of Goddess Karthyayini. Here Andal does not worship
Karthyayini but performs 'puja' for the Lord herself. Though it is said that she
performed 'puja' for Manmata it was not done here.
'Margazhith thingal madhiniraindha nanallalam' - Periyavachhanpillai says, " She
(Andal) is the daughter of Periyazhwar who has studied the Shastras. Then why
has she chosen Margazhi month? " The Swamy goes on to answer his own question.
" There is something called 'rasa kulligai'. What will one who holds this 'rasa
kulligai' in his hand do? This 'rasa kulligai' possesses the power of turning
any object into gold by its very touch. Similarly, anyone who holds on to
the Lord has no auspicious or inauspicious time. They are not bound by any hard
and fast rule regarding the period to perform or abstain from carrying out a
work. This is because Bhagavan is their protector. What is the greatness of
Bhakti? One who practices Yoga attains all the siddhis, one who practices Vedanta
enquiry attains 'siddhis', one who practices 'Karmanushtanas' attains 'siddhis'
but the one who is full of devotion does not attain any kind of 'siddhi'.
Bhagavan feels that one who is devoted to Him needs no 'siddhi'. That is because He is the protector('Rakshaka'). He gives whatever is required (by His devotee), removes whatever is not needed, leads the devotee in the path suited to him/her; Since the Lord takes utmost interest in the devotee's needs the latter will not earn/attain any 'siddhi'. The greatest 'siddhi' is the Lord Himself! "
Also, just as having a 'rasa kulligai' in the hand, the devotees ('Bhakthas')
hold Krishna in their fists! Since Andal holds Krishna Himself in her fist is
there any want for her? Therefore, the month that she chooses is the most
auspicious one. So, 'Margazhith thingal' -- the month of Margazhi - 'thingal'
means month. Or, 'Margazhith thingal madhiniraindha nanallal' - this Margazhi
month: everyone knows that Margazhi itself refers only to Margazhi month. So,
here the usage of the term 'thingal' could have been to mean Monday (in Tamizh
'thingal' carries the dual meaning of 'Month' and 'Monday'). 'Madhinirainda
nannallal' - The Swamy says it is full moon ('Poornima') The moon is full. -
('madhi'-moon; 'nirainda'-full) so, 'madhinirainda nanallal'. In another place
he says, 'Today it has struck you to perform a good act, take a vow of worship
for the attainment of God. So, only today you have a good buddhi.
-’Madhinirainda nanallal' - Only today the 'buddhi is full'. Why? You have realized that you should attain Bhagavan. The thought to take up this vow of worship (‘nonbu’) with a view to attain Bhagavan has come into you. And how is this 'nonbu'? This is also experiencing Krishna ('Bhagavat anubhavam'). Here it is not performance of religious rites('Karmanushtanas'). It is not a difficult path. Since this path is of getting together to speak about the Lord, it is 'madhinirainda nanallal' - It is 'suklapaksha' (when the movement of time/ days is towards full moon).
'Suklapaksha' is auspicious for the conduct of any good work. The Swamy explains
that it is full moon (pournami). The ‘nonbu’ has been taken up in the
month of Margazhi on a Monday and whence it is full moon. He does not mention
the Star of the day because in each month one knows the star that falls on full
moon. When one says Chithra poornima it is the star Chithra on that day. When
one speaks of (the month) Vaikasi poornima everyone knows that it is Visakha star.
On Adi poornima the star is Pooram. Similarly, on Purattasi poornima the star is
Shravanam. The star is Poosam in Thai poornima. And Margazhi poornima it is
Thiruvadhirai. - 'Margazhith thingal madhiniraindha nanallalam'
(This is a talk given by Sri Murlidhara Swamigal)
My sincere and humble pranams to one and all.
Jai Gurudev...
More on the way....
Pencil&Eraser
I read this really wondeful article on aconversation between the pencil and eraser.I'msure many of us have read something similar earlier on.I'm sure it is certainly worth another dekkho..
Pencil: I'm sorry
Eraser: For what? You didn't do anything wrong.
Pencil: I'm so...rry cos you get hurt bcos of me. Whenever I made a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.
Eraser: That's true. But I don't really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad. :)
I found this conversation between the pencil and the eraser very inspirational. Parents are like the eraser whereas their children are the pencil. They're always there for their children, cleaning up their mistakes. Sometimes along the way... they get hurt, and become smaller (older, and eventually pass on).
Though their children will eventually find someone new (spouse), but parents are still happy with what they do for their children, and will always hate seeing their precious ones worrying, or sad.
"All my life, I've been the pencil.. And it pains me to see the eraser that is my parents getting smaller and smaller each day.
For I know that one day, all that I'm left with would be eraser shavings and memories of what I used to have..."
This is to all the parents out there.
Jai gurudev..
Stay tuned....
Pencil: I'm sorry
Eraser: For what? You didn't do anything wrong.
Pencil: I'm so...rry cos you get hurt bcos of me. Whenever I made a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.
Eraser: That's true. But I don't really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad. :)
I found this conversation between the pencil and the eraser very inspirational. Parents are like the eraser whereas their children are the pencil. They're always there for their children, cleaning up their mistakes. Sometimes along the way... they get hurt, and become smaller (older, and eventually pass on).
Though their children will eventually find someone new (spouse), but parents are still happy with what they do for their children, and will always hate seeing their precious ones worrying, or sad.
"All my life, I've been the pencil.. And it pains me to see the eraser that is my parents getting smaller and smaller each day.
For I know that one day, all that I'm left with would be eraser shavings and memories of what I used to have..."
This is to all the parents out there.
Jai gurudev..
Stay tuned....
04/10/2011
Saraswathi Poojai&Ayudha Poojai
This afternoon a sudden urge to write and share whatever little I have been told and what I have read about the importance of Navratri,Saraswathi and Ayudha Poojai.
It is Navratri time,and as is usual with most women during Navratri,I am having busy and enjoyable days.This is the time when all the colourful silk sarees come out each year.
I have been here in Abudhabi the last few years and have been fortunate enough to be a part of a wonderful ladies group.
No doubts all of us do celebrate navratri in our homes as per our family tradition,chanting all the devi stotras etc,but it is certainly more effective when stotras are chanted in a group.That is exactly what we get here.We have nine days of chanting ,followed by a variety of prasadamms.It is indeed a feast to the eyes to see everyone in bright and beautiful sarees,jewellery,flowers and looking their best.
Every state has a unique way of celebrating these nine days dedicated to Devi,and all the nine forms of Devi are seen and worshipped during this period.
Here is little bit of the navratri celebrations in Tamil Nadu.
In Tamil Nadu Golu is an important part of the navratri festivities. On this occasion dolls, predominantly that of the Gods and Goddesses from Hindu Tradition are creatively and artistically arranged on a seven stepped wooden platform. Traditionally, 'marapachi' wooden dolls representing Vishnu&Lakshmi are also displayed together at a dominant location on the top step of the platform erected specially for the occasion. The number of steps decorated varies from house to house,depending on the display items,usually odd number of steps is how it is. By the side of the golu steps it is also very common to find a beautifullly decorated hill,or a pond with a temple alongside,all this left to the creativity and imagination of each one.Children all do pitch in their valuable contributions here,by displaying their lego creatios.I must of course not forget to mention here the variety of rangolis on display each day.A kalasam is also kept,which is very important.There are also households where a statue of devi is created and daily devi will be adorned and dressed up in a different alankaram.
On the 9th day (Navami day), Saraswathi puja is performed when special prayers are offered to goddess Saraswathi - the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in the puja pedestal and worshipped. Also, tools are placed for the Ayudha puja. Even vehicles are washed and decorated, and puja performed for them on this occasion.
The past seven days have gone by quickly and tomorrow is Saraswathi Poojai and Ayudha Poojai.This is the day when as I mentioned above we pray to Saraswathi Maa to bless us with true knowledge and wisdom and help us grow from within and know ourselves and our true nature.
Saraswathi poojai for us is on navami(Some parts of India observe Moola nakshatra as saraswathi poojai)that is tomorrow.All the books and also instruments which we use are arranged before the poojai and worshipped.We are traditionally taught to see God in everything that we use in our day to day lives.
In our culture, from an early age, we are taught not to touch books or any paper with our feet. It is considered a violation of doing things the right way. Any book is a symbol of knowledge and therefore sacred. We immediately touch the trampled book or any educational object with our hands and keep them in our eyes as a mark of our apology. Why do we do this ?
We do this because we consider knowledge, very sacred and divine. For Hindus, Goddess Saraswathi is the Goddess of learning and we pray to her for academic as well as spiritual knowledge. We also believe that she bestows on us clarity of thought and nobility of ideas. We pray to her to gain knowledge, dispassion, devotion and prosperity. When we keep knowledge on a pedestal,it is of course not right to trample or stamp a paper which stands for Saraswathi.
On Saraswathi puja day, we keep all books in the prayer room, evoke Knowledge in the form of Saraswathi and do pooja.
The following prayer is chanted to her before starting our studies:
"Saraswathi namasthubhyam varadae kaamaroopinee
Vidhyaarambham karishyaami siddhir bhavathumae sadaa"
Meaning..I prostrate to you, Goddess Saraswathi. You give boons and fulfill our wishes.
I pray to you to grant my wishes when I start my studies.
Goddess Saraswathi presides over and protects every form of art. So, on this day, consecrated to Saraswathi, the musical instruments in the house are cleansed, placed on an altar and devotedly worshipped, these being the abode of this Goddess.
Yet another short and beautiful stotra on Saraswati chanted before starting our studies to achieve brilliance,knowledge and talent is as under:
Yaa daevee sthooyathae nithyam vibhudhair vaeda paaragaih
Saa mae vasathu jihvaagrae brahmaroopaa saraswathi
meaning:May Saraswathi, the Goddess of knowledge, who is ever praised by the wise, who have mastered the scriptures, who is the embodiment of the Vedas ( or the consort of Lord Brahma ), live on the tip of my tongue.
As is always true all our festivals have a deeper and also symbolic meaning around them. Here is the importance of Ayudha poojai with reference to mythology.
After the slaying of Mahishasura and other demons by Chamundeswari, there was no more use for her weapons. So the weapons were kept aside and worshipped. This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since ancient times. The importance of Ayudha Puja on this occasion may also be due to the fact that on the Vijayadasami day, Arjuna took back his weapons which he had hidden in a Vani tree(Shami tree) in order to lead a life in disguise for the promised period of exile.In some states specially in Maharashtra it is a very common practice to greet friends and relatives by exchanging a few of the leaves of the Vani tree(Shami tree).The Leaves are also called sona paan,symbolising and wishing victory in all the ventures one undertakes in the course of the year.
It is believed that one who begins or renovates his learning on the Vijayadasami day will secure a grand success as Arjuna did in Kurukshetra war.
All the implements used in our day to day life are placed before the Lord and worshipped. If one can make a conscious effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses each day, it will help one to see one's work as an offering to God. It will also help one to maintain constant remembrance of the divine. In our tradition it is customary for one to prostrate before the tools one will use before starting one's work each day,this is an expression of gratitude to God for helping one to fulfil one's duties.
It is also believed that anything started on Vijaydasami will find a very successful finish.In the early days children were first taught to write and read on Vijayadasami.,also popularly known as vidyaramabham.Even today in many houses on this day eveyone sits in front of the Poojai after a bath,first writes srirmajayam, then the alphabets on rice on a big plate which is specially readied for this purpose.Children sit on the lap of their parents and holding the parents hand are taught to write "Aum,Sriramajayam and then the alphabets.
Then everyone takes out their respective books and reads a few pages before getting into the routine of the day.
We pray to Saraswathi devi seeking her blessings so we may we grow every moment of our lives in wisdom and faith.
My special prayers to Saraswathi Maa on this auspicious occasion and may she be there with me and guide me always.Also pray that the coming year and the years ahead I do contribute more to my blog and use my time more constructively and usefully.
Jai Gurudev.....
Stay tuned......
05/09/2011
Teachers Day
A very beautiful story that will sure bring tears to all those who read.I happened to read this lovely story.Today being teachers day thought would post it here.Please scroll down.....
A Teacher's Story
There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher.
Her name was Mrs. Thompson.
And as she stood in front of her 5th grade
class on the very first day of school, she told
the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her
students and said that she loved them all the same. But that
was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in
his seat, was a little boy named Teddy.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed
that he didn't play well with the other children, that his
clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath.
And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where
Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his
papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting
a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught,
she was required to review each child's past records
and she put Teddy's off until last.
However, when she reviewed his file,
she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh.
He does his work neatly and has good
manners...he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is an excellent student,
well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled
because his mother has a terminal illness and life
at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote,
"His mother's death has been hard on him.
He tries to do his best but his father doesn't
show much interest and his home life will soon affect
him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.
He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was
ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students
brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons
and bright paper, except for Teddy's.
His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy,
brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle
of the other presents. Some of the children started to
laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the
stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.
She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed
how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some
of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy stayed after school that day just long
enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you
smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching
reading, and writing, and arithmetic.
Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.
As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive.
The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest
children in the the class and, despite her lie that she would love
all the children same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy,
telling her that she was still the best teacher he
ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.
He then wrote that he had finished high school,
second in his class, and she was still the best teacher
he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while
things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school,
had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college
with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was
still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came.
This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree,
he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she
was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now
his name was a little longer. The letter was signed,
Theodore F. Stollard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there.
You see, there was yet another letter that spring.
Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married.
He explained that his father had died a couple
of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might
agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually
reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson, did. And guess what?
She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing.
And she made sure she was wearing the perfume
that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last
Christmas together.
They hugged each other,
and Teddy whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear,
"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me.
Thank you so much for making me feel important
and showing me that I could make
a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back.
She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong.
You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference.
I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
Jai Gurudev..
A Very Happy Teachers Day To All The Most Wonderful Teachers!!!
A Teacher's Story
There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher.
Her name was Mrs. Thompson.
And as she stood in front of her 5th grade
class on the very first day of school, she told
the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her
students and said that she loved them all the same. But that
was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in
his seat, was a little boy named Teddy.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed
that he didn't play well with the other children, that his
clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath.
And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where
Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his
papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting
a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught,
she was required to review each child's past records
and she put Teddy's off until last.
However, when she reviewed his file,
she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh.
He does his work neatly and has good
manners...he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is an excellent student,
well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled
because his mother has a terminal illness and life
at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote,
"His mother's death has been hard on him.
He tries to do his best but his father doesn't
show much interest and his home life will soon affect
him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.
He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was
ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students
brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons
and bright paper, except for Teddy's.
His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy,
brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle
of the other presents. Some of the children started to
laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the
stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.
She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed
how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some
of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy stayed after school that day just long
enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you
smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching
reading, and writing, and arithmetic.
Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.
As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive.
The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest
children in the the class and, despite her lie that she would love
all the children same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy,
telling her that she was still the best teacher he
ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.
He then wrote that he had finished high school,
second in his class, and she was still the best teacher
he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while
things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school,
had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college
with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was
still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came.
This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree,
he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she
was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now
his name was a little longer. The letter was signed,
Theodore F. Stollard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there.
You see, there was yet another letter that spring.
Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married.
He explained that his father had died a couple
of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might
agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually
reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson, did. And guess what?
She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing.
And she made sure she was wearing the perfume
that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last
Christmas together.
They hugged each other,
and Teddy whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear,
"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me.
Thank you so much for making me feel important
and showing me that I could make
a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back.
She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong.
You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference.
I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
Jai Gurudev..
A Very Happy Teachers Day To All The Most Wonderful Teachers!!!
24/05/2011
Compassion
Compassion in action is paradoxical and mysterious. It is absolute yet continually changing. It accepts that everything is happening exactly as it should, and yet it works with a full-hearted commitment to change. It sets goals but knows that the process is all there is. It is joyful in the midst of suffering and hopeful in the face o...f overwhelming odds. It is simple in a world of complexity and confusion. It is done for others, but it nurtures the self. It shields in order to be strong. It intends to eliminate suffering, knowing that suffering is limitless. It is action arising from emptiness.
When we look at the vast sadness and suffering in the world, we often experience intense pain in our hearts. The suffering so often seems cruel, unnecessary, and unjustified - reflecting a heartless universe. The human greed and fear that are causing much of the suffering seem out of control. But when our hearts open in the midst of this, we want to help. This is the experience of compassion.
Compassion is the tender opening of our hearts to pain and suffering. When compassion arises in us, we see and acknowledge what we often push away - the parts of life that cause us sadness, anger, or outrage. The powerful awakening of our own compassion can tune us not just to the nurturing and sustaining forces of the world but to the oppressive and destructive ones as well. When we open to these directly and become familiar with them, instead of avoiding them as we often do, we are momre likely to hear ways to respond with love and support to relieve the suffering. When the pain is our own, we want to end it. If we can't do this by ourselves, we long for help. When it is not our cry, but someone else's, compassion allows us to feel it as our own, to feel the same longing, to hear our hearts calling us to help. The Dalai Lama has said, "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot service. With them, we can make a joint effort to solve the problems of the whole of humankind." - Ram Dass
Darwin's Perspective: Compassion is something that every human being can relate to no matter their position in life. It is something that we all know and understand. We understand what it is to be compassionate and well feel what it is like when others have shown compassion towards us in our time of need. But "compassion in action" is another thing all together.
Compassion in action calls us to choose love in our everyday lives. There is ample opportunity to be compassionate in each day. In ways both big and small, there are countless opportunities to make compassion a verb. It is something we do rather than experience. Compassion is one way we unify the purpose of Humanity to choose love and unite Humanity.
But why be compassionate? It is certainly not an obligation. There is no dogma or rule that requires us to be compassionate. No one fears retribution from God for not being compassionate. And with our compassionate acts being delivered "in the moment," we don't often experience the after effect. Often times our compassion in action is a moment in time that makes differences that we never get a chance to truly experience. Compassion is choosing love without expectation.
But this is precisely what will change the world! When we put our compassion in action without expectation, we choose love and unite Humanity with our actions. And this is where the transformation of Humanity occurs. In the moment when you choose love without expectation, you give love. This is the ultimate purpose of your life and compassion in action is one way you can put choosing love into your day.
Jai Gurudev
When we look at the vast sadness and suffering in the world, we often experience intense pain in our hearts. The suffering so often seems cruel, unnecessary, and unjustified - reflecting a heartless universe. The human greed and fear that are causing much of the suffering seem out of control. But when our hearts open in the midst of this, we want to help. This is the experience of compassion.
Compassion is the tender opening of our hearts to pain and suffering. When compassion arises in us, we see and acknowledge what we often push away - the parts of life that cause us sadness, anger, or outrage. The powerful awakening of our own compassion can tune us not just to the nurturing and sustaining forces of the world but to the oppressive and destructive ones as well. When we open to these directly and become familiar with them, instead of avoiding them as we often do, we are momre likely to hear ways to respond with love and support to relieve the suffering. When the pain is our own, we want to end it. If we can't do this by ourselves, we long for help. When it is not our cry, but someone else's, compassion allows us to feel it as our own, to feel the same longing, to hear our hearts calling us to help. The Dalai Lama has said, "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot service. With them, we can make a joint effort to solve the problems of the whole of humankind." - Ram Dass
Darwin's Perspective: Compassion is something that every human being can relate to no matter their position in life. It is something that we all know and understand. We understand what it is to be compassionate and well feel what it is like when others have shown compassion towards us in our time of need. But "compassion in action" is another thing all together.
Compassion in action calls us to choose love in our everyday lives. There is ample opportunity to be compassionate in each day. In ways both big and small, there are countless opportunities to make compassion a verb. It is something we do rather than experience. Compassion is one way we unify the purpose of Humanity to choose love and unite Humanity.
But why be compassionate? It is certainly not an obligation. There is no dogma or rule that requires us to be compassionate. No one fears retribution from God for not being compassionate. And with our compassionate acts being delivered "in the moment," we don't often experience the after effect. Often times our compassion in action is a moment in time that makes differences that we never get a chance to truly experience. Compassion is choosing love without expectation.
But this is precisely what will change the world! When we put our compassion in action without expectation, we choose love and unite Humanity with our actions. And this is where the transformation of Humanity occurs. In the moment when you choose love without expectation, you give love. This is the ultimate purpose of your life and compassion in action is one way you can put choosing love into your day.
Jai Gurudev
18/05/2011
Spiritual Growth,Benefits And Doubts
It so happens that most of us do aspire to grow spiritually, but find ourselves getting stuck very easily,and are unable to get out of our mind set effortlessly and so give up.
Here is a very useful post on tips and valuable suggestions for spiritual growth.Read on....
Spiritual Growth Benefits, Tips and Suggestions By Remez Sasson
Spiritual growth is an important inner process, not only for people who live in far away and secluded places, and who seek spiritual awakening. Spiritual growth is of paramount importance for a better, happier and more harmonious life, free of tension and strain, fear and anxiety.
Spiritual growth is the process of getting rid of wrong concepts, thoughts and beliefs about who we are and about the world in which we live. Through this process we increase our awareness of our true inner being, the true spirit that we are. It is a process of looking inside us, shedding our illusions and uncovering our true essence, which is always present, but hidden beyond the ego-personality.
Why should we be interested in spiritual growth? What are the signs that we are growing spiritually? What are the benefits? Here are a few signs and benefits:
# We develop detachment, which leads to inner peace.
# We learn not to let outside circumstance affect our moods and states of mind.
# We become more patient and tolerant.
# We learn to rise above frustration, disappointment and negative feelings.
# Inner power and strength increase.
# This process leads to increased feeling of happiness.
# Our intuition gets sharper.
# We become better citizens of the world.
# Our understanding of our inner essence, what we are, and why we are here grows.
How can one grow spiritually? The term spiritual growth is not really correct. The spirit is perfect and does not need to grow. It is a term that describes a process of becoming more aware of what and who we are, growing to look at our life and circumstances from a different, more detached point of view, and of putting things into the proper perspective. It is a process of shedding negative and limiting habits, thoughts and beliefs, and letting the inner self within us shine out.
Imagine a radiant bulb of light, hidden beneath layers of various materials. To let the light of the bulb shine out and illuminate the surroundings, you do not have to strengthen the light or change the bulb. All you have to do is to take away the layers that are covering it. As you remove layer after layer the light shines more radiantly and strongly.
How do you remove the layers that are covering the light of your inner self? You do so through positive thinking, reading spiritual literature, reading spiritual quotes, and by practicing concentration, meditation and other inner training techniques. If you browse this website, you will find a lot of information, advice and instructions for spiritual growth.
Here are a few suggestions to start you on the road of spiritual growth:
# Acknowledge the fact that you are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. If you can accept this idea, it will change your attitude toward many things in your life
# Look inside you, and try to find out what it is that makes you feel alive.
# Make an effort to think positively. If you find yourself thinking negatively, immediately direct your mind to thinking on something positive. Open the door for the positive and close it for the negative.
# Always try to look at the bright side of life. Your inner self is stronger than your circumstances. Don't let circumstances and situations dictate to you how to feel or think.
# Endeavor to focus your attention on everything you do, instead of letting your attention go wherever it desires.
# Start learning and practicing meditation.
# Do your best to be tolerant, patient, tactful and considerate.
# Thank the Universe for everything that you get.
Be greatful to all those who have helped you at some point in life.Pray for those whom you know and don't know(Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu)and be sure your PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED!!!!
Jai Gurudev..
Many thanks to the person who created this post.
Here is a very useful post on tips and valuable suggestions for spiritual growth.Read on....
Spiritual Growth Benefits, Tips and Suggestions By Remez Sasson
Spiritual growth is an important inner process, not only for people who live in far away and secluded places, and who seek spiritual awakening. Spiritual growth is of paramount importance for a better, happier and more harmonious life, free of tension and strain, fear and anxiety.
Spiritual growth is the process of getting rid of wrong concepts, thoughts and beliefs about who we are and about the world in which we live. Through this process we increase our awareness of our true inner being, the true spirit that we are. It is a process of looking inside us, shedding our illusions and uncovering our true essence, which is always present, but hidden beyond the ego-personality.
Why should we be interested in spiritual growth? What are the signs that we are growing spiritually? What are the benefits? Here are a few signs and benefits:
# We develop detachment, which leads to inner peace.
# We learn not to let outside circumstance affect our moods and states of mind.
# We become more patient and tolerant.
# We learn to rise above frustration, disappointment and negative feelings.
# Inner power and strength increase.
# This process leads to increased feeling of happiness.
# Our intuition gets sharper.
# We become better citizens of the world.
# Our understanding of our inner essence, what we are, and why we are here grows.
How can one grow spiritually? The term spiritual growth is not really correct. The spirit is perfect and does not need to grow. It is a term that describes a process of becoming more aware of what and who we are, growing to look at our life and circumstances from a different, more detached point of view, and of putting things into the proper perspective. It is a process of shedding negative and limiting habits, thoughts and beliefs, and letting the inner self within us shine out.
Imagine a radiant bulb of light, hidden beneath layers of various materials. To let the light of the bulb shine out and illuminate the surroundings, you do not have to strengthen the light or change the bulb. All you have to do is to take away the layers that are covering it. As you remove layer after layer the light shines more radiantly and strongly.
How do you remove the layers that are covering the light of your inner self? You do so through positive thinking, reading spiritual literature, reading spiritual quotes, and by practicing concentration, meditation and other inner training techniques. If you browse this website, you will find a lot of information, advice and instructions for spiritual growth.
Here are a few suggestions to start you on the road of spiritual growth:
# Acknowledge the fact that you are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. If you can accept this idea, it will change your attitude toward many things in your life
# Look inside you, and try to find out what it is that makes you feel alive.
# Make an effort to think positively. If you find yourself thinking negatively, immediately direct your mind to thinking on something positive. Open the door for the positive and close it for the negative.
# Always try to look at the bright side of life. Your inner self is stronger than your circumstances. Don't let circumstances and situations dictate to you how to feel or think.
# Endeavor to focus your attention on everything you do, instead of letting your attention go wherever it desires.
# Start learning and practicing meditation.
# Do your best to be tolerant, patient, tactful and considerate.
# Thank the Universe for everything that you get.
Be greatful to all those who have helped you at some point in life.Pray for those whom you know and don't know(Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu)and be sure your PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED!!!!
Jai Gurudev..
Many thanks to the person who created this post.
Finding Your True Purpose
Finding Your True Purpose Eckhart Tolle Teachings...
For anyone who has risen above the level of mere survival in day to day life, the sense of purpose and meaning become important. The less gripped you are by the need to survive – or simply the perception that you need to survive – you are free, spiritually and psychologically speaking, to pursue purpose and even to be led by it.
Take a quick moment to evaluate your life on the basis of these descriptions:
Do you feel consumed by the demands of your job or schoolwork (or both)?
Does it seem at the end of each day that you have been running a race of time, frantically trying to do everything on some mental list of required accomplishments?
Do you suffer from stress of any kind on a regular basis?
Do you feel that you and your life are stagnant, the opposite of frantic running, wallowing instead in inaction, boredom, despair, negativity or depression?
Or, if you have said no to all the above, do you feel that your life lacks a sense of meaning and purpose, that you don't know how to find it?
If any of these descriptions apply to you, then consciously or unconsciously, something is blocking your connection to meaning and purpose. That something is most likely you.
It may be that you are still living in survival mode (which may be true if any of the first four descriptions applied to you). If this is the case, then it is very important that you take a good look at your priorities in life. Spend several days pondering this question all through the day: "What am I making most important in my day right now?" You may be very surprised by what you find. Be honest with yourself and write down what you learn. Notice also how you feel about these most important things you fill your days with. How satisfying and fulfilling are they? How many unnecessary activities are unsatisfying to you? Take special note of those. They are the activities you can drop altogether. As you do, you will free up time and inner space from which you can begin to contact and develop your sense of purpose.
Your true purpose already exists, that's the good news. You do not have to create it and it's not a matter of choosing it. Purpose is something you discover within yourself in the space of stillness. This is the only way you can find it, in your own stillness, not in a book or a workshop or in the analysis of your dreams. You must go within and be with yourself in stillness and there you will discover the purpose that has been waiting for you all along.
Take this opportunity to be a detective of your own life, doing the practice described above.
Jai Gurudev....
For anyone who has risen above the level of mere survival in day to day life, the sense of purpose and meaning become important. The less gripped you are by the need to survive – or simply the perception that you need to survive – you are free, spiritually and psychologically speaking, to pursue purpose and even to be led by it.
Take a quick moment to evaluate your life on the basis of these descriptions:
Do you feel consumed by the demands of your job or schoolwork (or both)?
Does it seem at the end of each day that you have been running a race of time, frantically trying to do everything on some mental list of required accomplishments?
Do you suffer from stress of any kind on a regular basis?
Do you feel that you and your life are stagnant, the opposite of frantic running, wallowing instead in inaction, boredom, despair, negativity or depression?
Or, if you have said no to all the above, do you feel that your life lacks a sense of meaning and purpose, that you don't know how to find it?
If any of these descriptions apply to you, then consciously or unconsciously, something is blocking your connection to meaning and purpose. That something is most likely you.
It may be that you are still living in survival mode (which may be true if any of the first four descriptions applied to you). If this is the case, then it is very important that you take a good look at your priorities in life. Spend several days pondering this question all through the day: "What am I making most important in my day right now?" You may be very surprised by what you find. Be honest with yourself and write down what you learn. Notice also how you feel about these most important things you fill your days with. How satisfying and fulfilling are they? How many unnecessary activities are unsatisfying to you? Take special note of those. They are the activities you can drop altogether. As you do, you will free up time and inner space from which you can begin to contact and develop your sense of purpose.
Your true purpose already exists, that's the good news. You do not have to create it and it's not a matter of choosing it. Purpose is something you discover within yourself in the space of stillness. This is the only way you can find it, in your own stillness, not in a book or a workshop or in the analysis of your dreams. You must go within and be with yourself in stillness and there you will discover the purpose that has been waiting for you all along.
Take this opportunity to be a detective of your own life, doing the practice described above.
Jai Gurudev....
14/05/2011
The Art of God-Symbolism Radha and Krishna
Wanted to post this excellent article by Swami Chinmayananda which I just read,and my heartfelt thanks to the original uploader.
Swami Chinmayananda - The Art of God-Symbolism Radha and Krishna
The love of Radha and Krishna is symbolic of the eternal love affair between the devoted mortal and the Divine Radha's yearning for union with her beloved Krishna is the soul's longing for spiritual awakening."
Every aspect of Krishna and His deeds is pregnant with deep mystical symbolism indicating the highest Truth. One must have the subtle-sensitivity of a poet, the ruthless intellect of a scientist, and the soft heart of the beloved in order to enter into the enchanted realm of mysticism. Art can be fully appreciated only by hearts that have art in them.
In Sanskrit, the world Krishna means "dark", indicating the Supreme Consciousness. Pure Consciousness is said to be "dark", not as opposed to "light," but in the sense that it is unseen by or unknown to one as long as one remains footed in earthly experiences, experiences limited to the realms of perceptions, emotions, and thoughts gained through the physical body, and the intellect.
Consciousness is the pure Self, the sentient Life Principle which enlivens one's material equipments to function in their respective realms. Consciousness is the very subject of all experiences and therefore cannot be objectively experienced.
The incarnation of Krishna represents the descent of the infinite Brahman to the material world. The ever-smiling, lotus-eyed Krishna with a garland of flowers around His neck is described as being blue in color and wearing yellow clothes. Blue is the color of the infinite and whatever is immeasurable can appear to the mortal eyes only as blue. Vast expanses in nature, such as the sky at midday or the ocean at its depths, appears blue to human perception. Yellow represents the earth. Anything buried in the earth gathers a yellowish hue; and in fire, earth (mud, silica) emits a yellow hue. Hence the blue form of Krishna clothed in yellow appropriately suggests pure, infinite Consciousness come down to earth to play in His finite form.
This infinite Lord dwells in the core of our persona¬lity as the very Self in us, for whatever exists in the macrocosm also takes place within the human heart, or the microcosm. The one infinite Reality has become the world of endless forms. Therefore, every form in the universe is, in a sense, but a representation of the primeval Truth.
The infinite, all-pervading Truth, donning the finite form of a human being, gives the impression that the Truth is fettered and limited. This idea of the illimitable Truth seeming to be limited is well brought out by the fact that Krishna is said to have been born in prison. His tyrant uncle, Kamsa, imprisoned Krishna's father, usurped the throne of Mathura, and reigned along with his own cruel minister, Chanura. As long as these two men were in charge of Mathura, there was confusion and chaos everywhere. Krishna destroyed the tyrants and restored peace and order in the land. Similarly, our bosom is usurped by two evil forces, namely, the ego and egocentric desires, which cause agitations, worries, and anxieties within. When these two forces are conquered by one's higher nature, the original glory and splendor of the pure Self is restored,
Krishna, as the Consciousness, or Atman, resides in the core of one's personality. It remains confined, as it were, within the five layers of matter constituting the human personality (food, vital air, mental, intellectual, and bliss sheaths). However, Atman, being subtler than the matter vestures, is not bound or limited by them.
Though the infinite Being seems to be limited and confined to a human embodiment, it is ever free and un-contaminated. The pure Self within is never affected or bound by one's material equipment (upadhis), that is, the body, mind, and intellect. Though the divine child Krishna was born in prison, neither the iron bars nor the prison guards could confine Him. Vasudeva, His father, safely carried Him out of prison in spite of the severe restrictions imposed upon him.
Krishna is described as the infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient Reality. Yet His revered mother Yashoda saw only her child in Him. On one occasion, the little boy Krishna was suspected of having eaten mud. The mother chided Him, but the boy denied having eaten mud. Krishna was only telling the truth, for the earth is included in His universal form. He is the Whole.
How can the Whole Being eat its own part? The eater and the eaten cannot be one and the same. The Lord tried to explain, but the mother could not measure the magnitude and stature of His Infinite Being in her own child. Upon her insistence, the boy opened His tiny mouth and revealed, to her utter amazement, the entire universe within.
Lord Krishna plays the flute, producing enchanting music. The flute, by itself, cannot create music. It is an inert, insentient piece of matter. But when the Lord plays it, divine music emanates from it and enchants everyone. Similarly, the human body is, by itself, inert and insentient. It contains the sense organs and the mind-intellect equipment (the holes in the flute) through which the Consciousness expresses Itself. Radha's Love for Krishna.
It is said that, long ago, Krishna left His dwelling place in the highest heaven. He came to earth, bringing with Him the things and inhabitants of that idyllic paradise of peace: cow, peacocks, nightingales, and the cowherds and milkmaids (gopis) who loved Him.
Krishna the beloved boy of Brindavan, is pictured amid the dancing gopis. Much criticism has been leveled against Krishna's association with these milkmaids. Little do the critics realize that the Lord is ever an unconcerned and unaffected witness of the milkmaids' dance, even though He may be in their midst. Krishna is like the Consciousness within, which vitalizes one's thoughts (gopis) but remains unperturbed and unaffected by them. The self is ever immaculate, uncontaminated by the thoughts in one's bosom. Thus, if the lives of such god-men are read without understanding their mystical symbolism one comes to wrong, and at times absurd, conclusions.
The gopis performed their obligatory duties throughout the day in constant remembrance of Krishna. Their limbs were ceaselessly engaged in activity, while their minds were ever attuned to the Lord. This, in short, is the essence of Karma Yoga, that is, the dedication of one's actions to a higher altar working without ego and egocentric desires. Such activities exhaust one's existing vasanas (inherent tendencies) and also prevent the formation of any new vasanas. When one thus strives hard and reduces his vasanas to the minimum, their last lingering traces are liquidated by the Lord Himself, even without one's knowledge. Hence Krishna is also described as a thief stealing the butter which the gopis had carefully stored in their apartments.
The most beautiful and the most beloved of all gopis was Radha. The love of Radha and Krishna is symbolic of the eternal love affair between the devoted mortal and the Divine. In relation to God, it is said that we are all women. Radha's yearning for union with her beloved Krishna is the soul's longing for spiritual awaking to be united with the one Source of peace and bliss from which it has become separated. This long-forgotten pain of separation is the root cause of all suffering. To rediscover our Oneness is the source of all happiness and fulfillment. In this sense, Krishna is the fulfillment of all desires.
Every human being is constantly seeking a share of peace and happiness, and since one does not know the real source of these, one seeks them in the midst of sense objects. But when, in devotion, one comes to turn one's entire attention towards the higher and the nobler, one experiences the Immortal, the Infinite—as intimately as one experienced the world and its changes before. Bhagawan Himself says in the Bhagavatam: "The mind that constantly contemplates upon the sense objects irresistibly comes to revel in their finite joys, and the mind that learns to constantly remember Me comes to dissolve into Me and revel in Me". Radha represents this state of devotion and consequent merging with the Lord.
Jai Gurudev.
Swami Chinmayananda - The Art of God-Symbolism Radha and Krishna
The love of Radha and Krishna is symbolic of the eternal love affair between the devoted mortal and the Divine Radha's yearning for union with her beloved Krishna is the soul's longing for spiritual awakening."
Every aspect of Krishna and His deeds is pregnant with deep mystical symbolism indicating the highest Truth. One must have the subtle-sensitivity of a poet, the ruthless intellect of a scientist, and the soft heart of the beloved in order to enter into the enchanted realm of mysticism. Art can be fully appreciated only by hearts that have art in them.
In Sanskrit, the world Krishna means "dark", indicating the Supreme Consciousness. Pure Consciousness is said to be "dark", not as opposed to "light," but in the sense that it is unseen by or unknown to one as long as one remains footed in earthly experiences, experiences limited to the realms of perceptions, emotions, and thoughts gained through the physical body, and the intellect.
Consciousness is the pure Self, the sentient Life Principle which enlivens one's material equipments to function in their respective realms. Consciousness is the very subject of all experiences and therefore cannot be objectively experienced.
The incarnation of Krishna represents the descent of the infinite Brahman to the material world. The ever-smiling, lotus-eyed Krishna with a garland of flowers around His neck is described as being blue in color and wearing yellow clothes. Blue is the color of the infinite and whatever is immeasurable can appear to the mortal eyes only as blue. Vast expanses in nature, such as the sky at midday or the ocean at its depths, appears blue to human perception. Yellow represents the earth. Anything buried in the earth gathers a yellowish hue; and in fire, earth (mud, silica) emits a yellow hue. Hence the blue form of Krishna clothed in yellow appropriately suggests pure, infinite Consciousness come down to earth to play in His finite form.
This infinite Lord dwells in the core of our persona¬lity as the very Self in us, for whatever exists in the macrocosm also takes place within the human heart, or the microcosm. The one infinite Reality has become the world of endless forms. Therefore, every form in the universe is, in a sense, but a representation of the primeval Truth.
The infinite, all-pervading Truth, donning the finite form of a human being, gives the impression that the Truth is fettered and limited. This idea of the illimitable Truth seeming to be limited is well brought out by the fact that Krishna is said to have been born in prison. His tyrant uncle, Kamsa, imprisoned Krishna's father, usurped the throne of Mathura, and reigned along with his own cruel minister, Chanura. As long as these two men were in charge of Mathura, there was confusion and chaos everywhere. Krishna destroyed the tyrants and restored peace and order in the land. Similarly, our bosom is usurped by two evil forces, namely, the ego and egocentric desires, which cause agitations, worries, and anxieties within. When these two forces are conquered by one's higher nature, the original glory and splendor of the pure Self is restored,
Krishna, as the Consciousness, or Atman, resides in the core of one's personality. It remains confined, as it were, within the five layers of matter constituting the human personality (food, vital air, mental, intellectual, and bliss sheaths). However, Atman, being subtler than the matter vestures, is not bound or limited by them.
Though the infinite Being seems to be limited and confined to a human embodiment, it is ever free and un-contaminated. The pure Self within is never affected or bound by one's material equipment (upadhis), that is, the body, mind, and intellect. Though the divine child Krishna was born in prison, neither the iron bars nor the prison guards could confine Him. Vasudeva, His father, safely carried Him out of prison in spite of the severe restrictions imposed upon him.
Krishna is described as the infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient Reality. Yet His revered mother Yashoda saw only her child in Him. On one occasion, the little boy Krishna was suspected of having eaten mud. The mother chided Him, but the boy denied having eaten mud. Krishna was only telling the truth, for the earth is included in His universal form. He is the Whole.
How can the Whole Being eat its own part? The eater and the eaten cannot be one and the same. The Lord tried to explain, but the mother could not measure the magnitude and stature of His Infinite Being in her own child. Upon her insistence, the boy opened His tiny mouth and revealed, to her utter amazement, the entire universe within.
Lord Krishna plays the flute, producing enchanting music. The flute, by itself, cannot create music. It is an inert, insentient piece of matter. But when the Lord plays it, divine music emanates from it and enchants everyone. Similarly, the human body is, by itself, inert and insentient. It contains the sense organs and the mind-intellect equipment (the holes in the flute) through which the Consciousness expresses Itself. Radha's Love for Krishna.
It is said that, long ago, Krishna left His dwelling place in the highest heaven. He came to earth, bringing with Him the things and inhabitants of that idyllic paradise of peace: cow, peacocks, nightingales, and the cowherds and milkmaids (gopis) who loved Him.
Krishna the beloved boy of Brindavan, is pictured amid the dancing gopis. Much criticism has been leveled against Krishna's association with these milkmaids. Little do the critics realize that the Lord is ever an unconcerned and unaffected witness of the milkmaids' dance, even though He may be in their midst. Krishna is like the Consciousness within, which vitalizes one's thoughts (gopis) but remains unperturbed and unaffected by them. The self is ever immaculate, uncontaminated by the thoughts in one's bosom. Thus, if the lives of such god-men are read without understanding their mystical symbolism one comes to wrong, and at times absurd, conclusions.
The gopis performed their obligatory duties throughout the day in constant remembrance of Krishna. Their limbs were ceaselessly engaged in activity, while their minds were ever attuned to the Lord. This, in short, is the essence of Karma Yoga, that is, the dedication of one's actions to a higher altar working without ego and egocentric desires. Such activities exhaust one's existing vasanas (inherent tendencies) and also prevent the formation of any new vasanas. When one thus strives hard and reduces his vasanas to the minimum, their last lingering traces are liquidated by the Lord Himself, even without one's knowledge. Hence Krishna is also described as a thief stealing the butter which the gopis had carefully stored in their apartments.
The most beautiful and the most beloved of all gopis was Radha. The love of Radha and Krishna is symbolic of the eternal love affair between the devoted mortal and the Divine. In relation to God, it is said that we are all women. Radha's yearning for union with her beloved Krishna is the soul's longing for spiritual awaking to be united with the one Source of peace and bliss from which it has become separated. This long-forgotten pain of separation is the root cause of all suffering. To rediscover our Oneness is the source of all happiness and fulfillment. In this sense, Krishna is the fulfillment of all desires.
Every human being is constantly seeking a share of peace and happiness, and since one does not know the real source of these, one seeks them in the midst of sense objects. But when, in devotion, one comes to turn one's entire attention towards the higher and the nobler, one experiences the Immortal, the Infinite—as intimately as one experienced the world and its changes before. Bhagawan Himself says in the Bhagavatam: "The mind that constantly contemplates upon the sense objects irresistibly comes to revel in their finite joys, and the mind that learns to constantly remember Me comes to dissolve into Me and revel in Me". Radha represents this state of devotion and consequent merging with the Lord.
Jai Gurudev.
MaiTera,Tera Mai,....13th May
That is what Guruji declared 55 years before on the 13th May(his birthday).
Every year this day is so special for the members of the One World Family(Vasudeiva Kutumbakam).This year too the Abudhabi chapter had organised DIVYOTSAV... which indeed was "Athi Divya Utsav"!!
The day started with long Kriya which was truly,truly awesome for me,because during the whole Kriya I actually could feel Guruji's presence in that hall.
Guruji always says when we give our 100% everything else is taken care of,and sure I did experience this, that morning.At this point,I am reminded of my dear teacher who used to say that everyday is a miracle when you are in this path.It is just that we need to be aware and acknowledge and be greatful to our dear guruji for every moment of our lives,and that sure happens so naturally and effortlessly,once we are on the right path.
As mentioned above the day started with long Kriya which was at 6.30 am and then after Kriya and Guru Pooja there was a gap of about almost 3 hours before satsangh.The day before I did for a while get a bit anxious as to what we would do and where to go for the three hours because driving home and then back was not such an easy option for DH.Anyways, on the 13th morning we just got ready and reached the venue for the Kriya,leaving everything to Guruji.After the Kriya,there was a guruji sent person (just for us)who stays close to our home.He was more than willing to give us a lift and also back for the satsangh.We were at home to watch the live web cast too of the morning devi pooja at the ashram in the presence of Guruji.It was again wonderful and I was truly happy to chant the Lalitha Sahasranamam along with all those chanting at the ashram (Bangalore). Isn't that cool???
It amazes me how Guruji takes care of all of us and makes sure that we are in total comfort.Guruji always says "be sure when you on this path everything will be taken care of"!!We see it happening all the time.That is so overwhelming.Am full of gratitude for the Master for taking care of all my needs.
The morning session started with the very sweet birthday song "Tera Main" and dance by the little angels,there was a little Guruji there too,looking very,very sweet indeed!!!
Next was an amazing mimicry performance by one of the young ladies which was unbeilevably awesome.She spoke in different accents and languages.The theme was sharing experiences after the basic course.Her performance was simply superlative.
The icing on the cake was Satsangh with Namita Malik ji,who had come from India.This was soul stirring,and I do wonder if there were people who could resist dancing in that hall.I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.Another miracle I would like to share here is that a couple of days earlier I had hurt my right foot,I don't how though during my morning walk.I was actually limping,even Friday morning there was pain,but then I just needed to get up dance and be with myself. The pain in my foot just vanished.:))
The Art Of living Abudhabi made sure we all remember that we are all children of God and our dear master,by giving us return gifts(Guruji'photo in a lovely frame) on our way out after the super duper birthday celebration.All of us walked out with gifts in our hand and so much of joy and happiness in our hearts.I sure don't remember too many occasions where I received return gifts for birthdays.....
A great day sure and one that will stay with me for a long long time.....
Jai Jai Radha Ramana Hari Bol,Jai Jai Radha Ramana Hari bol,watch this in Guruji's divine voice in the link
Jai Gurudev...
Every year this day is so special for the members of the One World Family(Vasudeiva Kutumbakam).This year too the Abudhabi chapter had organised DIVYOTSAV... which indeed was "Athi Divya Utsav"!!
The day started with long Kriya which was truly,truly awesome for me,because during the whole Kriya I actually could feel Guruji's presence in that hall.
Guruji always says when we give our 100% everything else is taken care of,and sure I did experience this, that morning.At this point,I am reminded of my dear teacher who used to say that everyday is a miracle when you are in this path.It is just that we need to be aware and acknowledge and be greatful to our dear guruji for every moment of our lives,and that sure happens so naturally and effortlessly,once we are on the right path.
As mentioned above the day started with long Kriya which was at 6.30 am and then after Kriya and Guru Pooja there was a gap of about almost 3 hours before satsangh.The day before I did for a while get a bit anxious as to what we would do and where to go for the three hours because driving home and then back was not such an easy option for DH.Anyways, on the 13th morning we just got ready and reached the venue for the Kriya,leaving everything to Guruji.After the Kriya,there was a guruji sent person (just for us)who stays close to our home.He was more than willing to give us a lift and also back for the satsangh.We were at home to watch the live web cast too of the morning devi pooja at the ashram in the presence of Guruji.It was again wonderful and I was truly happy to chant the Lalitha Sahasranamam along with all those chanting at the ashram (Bangalore). Isn't that cool???
It amazes me how Guruji takes care of all of us and makes sure that we are in total comfort.Guruji always says "be sure when you on this path everything will be taken care of"!!We see it happening all the time.That is so overwhelming.Am full of gratitude for the Master for taking care of all my needs.
The morning session started with the very sweet birthday song "Tera Main" and dance by the little angels,there was a little Guruji there too,looking very,very sweet indeed!!!
Next was an amazing mimicry performance by one of the young ladies which was unbeilevably awesome.She spoke in different accents and languages.The theme was sharing experiences after the basic course.Her performance was simply superlative.
The icing on the cake was Satsangh with Namita Malik ji,who had come from India.This was soul stirring,and I do wonder if there were people who could resist dancing in that hall.I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.Another miracle I would like to share here is that a couple of days earlier I had hurt my right foot,I don't how though during my morning walk.I was actually limping,even Friday morning there was pain,but then I just needed to get up dance and be with myself. The pain in my foot just vanished.:))
The Art Of living Abudhabi made sure we all remember that we are all children of God and our dear master,by giving us return gifts(Guruji'photo in a lovely frame) on our way out after the super duper birthday celebration.All of us walked out with gifts in our hand and so much of joy and happiness in our hearts.I sure don't remember too many occasions where I received return gifts for birthdays.....
A great day sure and one that will stay with me for a long long time.....
Jai Jai Radha Ramana Hari Bol,Jai Jai Radha Ramana Hari bol,watch this in Guruji's divine voice in the link
Jai Gurudev...
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