Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Friday, October 28, 2016
Monday, October 17, 2016
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Monday, August 22, 2016
Friday, August 12, 2016
Orchha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Orchha
http://wikitravel.org/en/Orchha
Org
http://orchha.org/
Resort
http://www.orchharesort.com/
River
http://www.bundelkhandriverside.com/
Mahal
http://wikitravel.org/en/Orchha
Org
http://orchha.org/
Resort
http://www.orchharesort.com/
River
http://www.bundelkhandriverside.com/
Mahal
https://www.google.com/search?q=amarmahal+Orchha
Index
http://www.liveindia.com/orchha/index.html
Hub
http://hubpages.com/hub/Orchha-where-Lord-Rama-refused-to-change-His-residence
Slides
http://www.slideshare.net/search/slideshow?searchfrom=header&q=+Orchha
Tube
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=+Orchha
Index
http://www.liveindia.com/orchha/index.html
Hub
http://hubpages.com/hub/Orchha-where-Lord-Rama-refused-to-change-His-residence
Slides
http://www.slideshare.net/search/slideshow?searchfrom=header&q=+Orchha
Tube
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=+Orchha
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Dog
Part one
Thereafter in the bright morning Sri Rama, of lotus-like eye having performed forenoon rites, took his seat in the Royal Council-chamber along with the Brahmanas, who were masters of the Vedas the priest Vasistha and the sage Kasyapa in order to look into the royal business.(1-2) The royal council (assembly) consisted of ministers, knowers of common practices, legal procedures and other teachers of laws who recite scriptures, diplomats (statesmen), kings and other members of the council.(3) The assembly of Sri Rama, the chief of kings and unwearied in actions looked graceful like the assembly of Indra, Yama and Varuna.
Then Sri Rama said to Laksmana who was seated there and who was characterized by auspicious marks, ‘O Long-armed Laksmana! Go out and call by turn those, who have come with some business’. Having listened to Sri Rama’s order, Laksmana endowed with auspicious marks, going to the palace-gate himself called those who had come with some request. None there came forward saying that he had some request (to make). (5-7)
During the reign of Sri Rama no one was offended by either physical or mental ailment. The earth abounded in all kinds of plants and fully ripe agricultural produce. Thus in His kingdom neither any child nor any young man nor any middle-aged person died. Everything was administered according to ‘Dharma’ (moral law). No hindrance was ever put, While Sri Rama ruled over the kingdom no one was seen coming with any request with folded hands, Laksmana communicated Him all this. (8-10)
Then the gracious-minded Sri Rama addressed the following words to Laksmana, “Go again and find out about those who have come with some request. When the state policy is formulated properly (and executed well), unrighteousness does not obtain anywhere. Therefore all persons protect one another due to the fear from the king (due to the apprehension of royal punishment). My officers protect the subjects like arrows shot by Me. Even then, O long-armed one! Protect the subjects righteously. (11-13)
Then the gracious-minded Sri Rama addressed the following words to Laksmana, “Go again and find out about those who have come with some request. When the state policy is formulated properly (and executed well), unrighteousness does not obtain anywhere. Therefore all persons protect one another due to the fear from the king (due to the apprehension of royal punishment). My officers protect the subjects like arrows shot by Me. Even then, O long-armed one! Protect the subjects righteously. (11-13)
Thus told (by Sri Rama) Laksmana went out of the royal palace and saw a dog at the gate, which stood there looking at him and repeatedly barking. On seeing him, then the valiant Laksmana asked – ‘O Illustrious one! Tell me fearlessly your problem.’ On hearing Laksmana’s words the dog replied thus. (14-16)
“I can dare tell Sri Rama, who is a refuge to all living beings, who is ever unwearied in action and ensures protection whenever there is occasion for fear.’ (17) On hearing the dog’s speech, Laksmana entered the auspicious royal palace in order to communicate the same to Sri Rama and after informing Him Laksmana came out of the royal palace and said to the dog, “If you have to say some thing, then tell the king about it. (18-19)
Having heard laksmana’s speech the dog said, “Agni (the Fire-god), Indra, Surya (the sun-god) and Vayu (the wind-god) are present in the temples, the royal abode and the houses of Brahmanas. O Laksmana! We, of the lowest origin, are unfit to go there. (20-21) I shall not be able to enter there (the royal palace). King Sri Rama is ‘Dharma.’ He speaks the truth, He is adept in battle-fighting and is devoted to doing good to all the people. (22) Sri Rama knows the appropriate time for the applicators – practice of the six Gunas. He dispenses Justice. He is omniscient, He sees all things. Sri Rama is foremost among those who delight others. (23) He is Soma, He is Death. He is Yama (God of Death). He is Kubera, Agni and Indra, and He is Surya (the sun) and Varuna. (24) Sri Rama is the protector of the subjects. O Laksmana! tell Him, “Without permission, I do not want to enter (the royal palace).’ (25)
(On hearing this) The illustrious and glorious Laksmana having entered the royal abode out of compassion said the following words: (26) ‘O Sri Rama! listen to what I have to say. O delighter of Kausalya! O long-armed one! O lord! According to what you had commanded, I called on those who have come with some business. A dog, which has come with a request is standing at your palace-gate.’ After hearing Laksmana’s speech Sri Rama said: “Let it enter quickly, which is standing there with some requests.’ (27-28)
Part Two
On hearing Sri Rama’s speech, the wise Laksmana, after hurriedly calling the dog, informed Sri Rama about its (the dog’s) arrival, and presented him before Sri Rama, Having seen the dog that had come, Sri Rama said to him, “O dog! Tell me what you have to say, you need not fear at all.’ (1-2)
Thereafter the dog whose skull was shattered saw Sri Rama seated there. Having seen the king, the dog addressed the following speech. (3)
Thereafter the dog whose skull was shattered saw Sri Rama seated there. Having seen the king, the dog addressed the following speech. (3)
“The king is the creator of all living beings and the king is the leader (of men). The king remains awake, when others are asleep. The king protects the subjects. (4) The king, who is the protector (of all), protects Dharma by pursuing right policy. When the king does not protect, the subjects perish soon. (5) The king is the creator, protector and father of the entire world. The king is the time (sets the trend of the times) and the ‘Yuga’ (a particular age of the world). The king is the whole world. (6) They call it ‘Dharma’, for it sustains (the world). The created beings are sustained by ‘Dharma’. Since it supports the three worlds together with all the movable and immovable things.
(7) He sustains (even) his enemies, puts them on the right path and delights his subjects by ‘Dharma’. Therefore he (his rule) is known as ‘Dharma’. (8) This act of ‘Dharana’ or sustaining is ‘Dharma’ – this is the conclusion. O king Sri Rama, this is the highest ‘Dharma’, which yields reward after death. My view is that nothing is unattainable by ‘Dharma’. (9) Charity, compassion, honoring noble man, straight-forwardness in behavior. O Rama! This is the ‘Dharma’ in this life and the life hereafter that accrues from protecting the subjects. (10)
O Rama, strict observer of vows! You are the authority par-excellence. You are conversant with the ‘Dharma’, which is practiced by good people. You are the supreme abode of ‘Dharmas’(Duties) and an ocean of virtues, as it were. I spoke out of my ignorance. Bowing my head I pray. You should not get angry on this account.’ (11-13)
On this Sri Rama told the dog:- “Tell me fearlessly what I should do for you. Do not delay, On hearing Rama’s speech the dog addressed the following words: “The king should acquire territory by ‘Dharma’ and should protect it by ‘Dharma’. The king comes to be recognized as a refuge and dispels all fear. (14-15) Having realized this, O Rama! listen what you have to do for me. There is a mendicant, named Sarvarthasiddha, who lives in the house of a Brahmana. Without any cause he struck at me! sinless though I was. (16) On hearing this, Sri Rama sent the gatekeeper, who brought the learned Brahmana Sarvarthasiddha by name. Thus the eminent Brahmana, endowed with splendor seeing Sri Rama there asked him, “O sinless Sri Rama! Tell me what do you want me to do for you? (17-18)
Thus told by the Brahmana, Sri Rama addressed the following words, “O Brahmana! You hurt the dog. What ill did it do to you, for which you struck it with a stick? Anger is a deadly enemy, anger is a friend-faced enemy. Anger is a highly sharp sword. Anger takes away everything (destroys all virtues). Whichever sacrifices a person performs and whatever in charity he gives, all that he destroys by anger. Therefore one should give up anger and control like a charioteer, one’s senses, running forth towards their objects like very wicked horses, after turning them away from their objects (19-23)
A man should do good to the people around himself by thought, by action and by speech. He should not hurt anybody. No sin, therefore, will attach to him. The harm, which is wrought by evil thoughts, are not done by a sharp sword or a serpent trampled by foot or an ever wrathful enemy. One who has learnt discipline, even his temperament can not be changed. Even if some one conceals his (evil) nature, it is surely betrayed by his action. (24-26)
Thus asked by Sri Rama, who was unwearied in actions, the Brahmana Sarvarthasiddha said this in Sri Rama’s presence. (27) ‘While I was going about for begging food the appropriate time for begging had passed, I was overpowered by anger, so I beat the dog. The dog, which was standing on the road (blocking my way) was asked by me to move away. Not moving at all it stood in the middle of the road in an odd manner. (28-29) Overtaken by hunger, O Rama! I beat it angrily. O King of kings! Punish me, a guilty person. O chief of kings! Having been punished by you, I would not be afraid of hell. Thereafter Sri Rama asked all the members of the assembly, ‘What should be done to him, and what punishment should be meted out to him? For if proper punishment is given (to the guilty), the subjects are protected. (30-31)
Bhrgu, Angira, Kutsa and others, Vasistha along with Kasyapa, eminent teachers of laws, ministers and interpreters of the Vedas – these and many other scholars were present there. All of them – the masters of scriptures and those who were well-versed in state affairs told Sri Rama that a Brahmana is not to be awarded capital punishment, it is declared by experts in scriptures. (32-34)
Then all the hermits addressed Sri Rama in following words, “A King holds sway over everyone. O Sri Rama! Specially You, who is eternal god Visnu, are the ruler of the three worlds. (35-36) When all of them had addressed thus, the dog said as follows “If you are pleased with me, O Rama, and if you are to bestow on me a boon (then listen to me) O Valiant One! You asked me what you should do for me, and promised (to do what I would request you to do). So make him O King! a ‘Kulapati’ as promised by you. Your Majesty! make him ‘Kulapati’ of Kalanjara Matha. On hearing this Sri Rama consecrated him as Kulapati. (37-39)
Thus honored, the happy Brahmana went away riding an elephant-back. Then the ministers smilingly with astonishment, said to Sri Rama, “He has been given a boon. O resplendent one. This is not a curse. Thus told by the ministers Sri Rama said “You do not know the truth about the course of actions. The dog knows the reason (and will tell why the Brahmana had been made Kulapati).
On being asked thus by Sri Rama the dog addressed the following speech. “I (In my previous birth) was the Kulapati of the same place (Kalanjara Matha). Partaking of the remains of sacrificial food, O Rama! I would be engaged in worshipping gods and Brahmanas and gave to the male and maid-servants their due. I had a love for good things I would protect the property dedicated to gods. I was modest and well-behaved and was engaged in doing good to all living beings. Even then I have been reduced to this wretched state and lowest position. O Rama! therefore such a Brahmana, who is irascible, who has given up his ‘Dharma’ and who is engaged in harming others, who is hot-tempered, ruthless, harsh, foolish (ignorant) and irreligious will lead to the downfall of fourteen generations. (40-46)
“Therefore, one should not in any circumstances become a Kulapati. Only, he should be made to look after gods, cows and Brahmanas, whom one would wish to condemn to go to hell along with sons, cattle and relatives. (47)
One who takes away the property of the Brahmanas, gods, women and children and takes back again what has been given away in charity, perishes along with one’s all dear ones. O Sri Rama! One who takes away the property belonging to the Brahmanas and the gods, soon goes to the fearful hell known as ‘Avici’ one who takes away even mentally the property belonging to the gods and the Brahmanas, goes down from one hell to another. On hearing the speech (of the dog) the eyes of Sri Rama opened widely due to wonder, the dog, too possessed of luster, went to place from where it had come. It was a high minded soul in its former birth but on being born (as a dog) it has been spoiled. The illustrious one sought death by abstaining from taking food in Varanasi. (48-52)
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Duty
Left
- Parents, Brothers Bharath and Shatrugna and Kingdom to Forest Dwelling
- Separates Pregnant Wife Sita For Kingdom
- War with Devotee Hanuman For Guru
- Banishes Brother Laxmana For Commitment given
- Lastly Leaves Sons
Friday, April 22, 2016
Vibhishana
Go to Rama and Just Say I Surrender
http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/ahobilavalli/tpullani_p2.pdf
Vibhishana: God Is Greater Than Son
The formidable warrior fell on the battlefield. The moment he learned that the warrior was dead, Vibhishana also collapsed on the ground. Recovering himself after chanting the name of Rama, Vibhishana got up and confessed to Rama: 'Swami! This is a mark of weakness on my part. I should not have succumbed to such weakness. Having filled myself with your love, how could I succumb to such weakness?' Rama observed: 'That's all right. But why did you collapse?' Vibhishana replied: 'Swami! This happened because of bodily attachment. It was due to parental affection. That mighty warrior was my son.'
https://vinayrnair.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/vibheeshanas-doubt-vibheeshana-gita/
He was Vibhishana's son! See what Vibhishana did. To ensure the victory of the Lord, Vibhishana did not hesitate to get even his son killed in battle.
Rama asked Vibhishana: 'Why did you not tell me at the beginning itself that he was your son.' Vibhishana replied: 'When you are facing an enemy, you should not worry about any kind of relationship on the battlefield. In this war, there is no room for consideration of relationship. When anyone takes up arms against you, you cease to be a relation. Whether it is mother, father, son or anybody else, he figures as an enemy. Especially against God, there can be no question of relationship. I have completely surrendered to you. I am your servant. I must be primarily concerned about your victory and not about any temporary kinship. The only truth for me is your will.
It is this abounding love of Vibhishana for Rama, which contributed to Rama's victory. Love for the Divine should be the inextricable bond. All other worldly attachments are impermanent. Tamasic bonds are like iron chains. Rajasic bonds are copper chains. Satvic bonds are like chains of gold. But, whether the chains are of iron, copper or gold, they are chains all the same. The nature of the metal may vary, but chains are shackles nevertheless. Vibhishana declared: '1 have no use for any of these bonds. I am content with the pure love of Rama.
It is to demonstrate to the world the supreme quality of total love for the Divine that Vibhishana acted in this manner.
Vibhishana is a Satvic friend (supremely sacred) of Rama. Despite his long intimacy with Rama, Lakshmana was not in the same category. He was a Satvic brother, not a Satvic friend. Sugriva was a Rajasic friend. Jambavana was a Tamasic friend. Vibhishana, though he belonged to the Rakshasa brood, stands out as a Satvic friend (pure and selfless). It is in this unalloyed purity that love shines. It is utterly invaluable." Sai Baba, SS, 8/96, pp. 216 & 217
Kanda - 15 Chapters
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/yuddha_kanda_contents.html
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Sumitra
Sumitra was the third queen of king Dashrath. The eldest queen of Dashrath was Kaushalya, the second and most favourite queen was Kaikayee and the third was Sumitra who had a very prominent place. The king used to spend most of the time with her and Sumitra herself was very much fond of Kaushalya and tried to be present near her as much as possible. Sumitra's love and affection for Kaushalya knew no bounds.
After the completion of the religious sacrifice, which was accomplished for begetting a son, the king Dashrath gave half of the part of the Kheera ( a dish made out of boiled rice in the milk) which was received from Agni to queen Kaushalya. Kaikayee received the other half of the portion and the remaining fourth portion was again equally distributed between Kaushalya and Kaikayee. But both the queens gave the last portion to Sumitra. Since the king Dashrath had several hundred queens and giving Kheera to Sumitra would have meant that he had to give it to the other queens also, otherwise he would have been accused of partiality. So, the king Dashrath gave the Kheera only to the two queens.
Where Kaushalya gave birth to Lord Rama and Kaikayee gave birth to Bharat, Sumitra gave birth to two beautiful and fair looking sons. Lakshman was born out of the portion of the Kheera, which Kaushalya had given to her and Shatrughana was born out of the portion given to her by Kaikayee.
All the four princes spent much of their time in Sumitra's proximity. Lord Rama and Bharat were so fond of her that if by chance Kaushalya and Kaikayee made Lord Rama and Bharat sleep with them respectively and if by chance they were woken up, not finding Sumitra by their side, they used to cry as a result Kaushalya and Kaikayee were forced to go to the place where Sumitra used to sleep and after waking her up used to say- " Sumitra, here is your son, he does not sleep without your lap, see how red his eyes have become due to his incessant crying."
As soon as the children were taken by Sumitra into her lap, they immediately used to stop crying.
When Lord Rama grew up, after getting up in the morning and making salutations to his parents, he had to enquire about the whereabouts of Sumitra because she was not found at a fixed place in the palace, she had great responsibilities on her, like looking after the management of the whole palace, the appointments of servants and maid servants, managing things essential for worshipping and doing charity whether the invited guests were being well treated or not etc.
After abandoning Ayodhya, according to his father's order, Shri Rama before going for an exile took permission from Kaushalya but did not go to Sumitra himself but instead sent Lakshman to take her permission because as per the sayings of the scriptures, step mother Kaikayee was more respectable to Shri Rama than his own mother Kaushalya and Kaikayee had insisted but then Kaushalya would have been accused of being selfish. But it was not so with Sumitra, because if she had taken a stand in Shri Rama's favour, Kaikayee would have been forced to change her mind and decision.
Both Laxman and Shatrughana were very obedient sons of their mother and Rama feared that perhaps in his presence, Sumitra would have hesitated to make a decision after all which mother would like to send her son to the forest?
Sumitra blessing Lakshman When Laxman told Sumitra about his decision to go along with Shri Rama into exile and sought her permission, Sumitra agreed without any hesitation. Not only that, advising Laxman, she said: " O son, being far from me, don't ever think that you are far away from your parents, Sita will be your mother and Rama will be your father because the elder brother is just like a father and do not regret of being far away from Ayodhya because Ayodhya is at the very place where Rama resides. You don't have any business in Ayodhya in the absence of Rama."
Further, she said: " In this world, only that woman is fit to be called a mother whose son is the devotee of Raghunath, otherwise it would have been better if she were incapable of giving birth to a son.
Although, Sumitra knew that one and only person responsible for Ram being sent into exile was Kaikayee, yet she did not condemn her while giving advises to Laxman. On the contrary she condemned Laxman for Rama's exile. She said: " O son! Only your misfortune is responsible for sending Rama into exile and there is no other reason and you must consider it as your good fortune that you would be getting an opportunity to serve Rama and Sita while in exile."
Sumitra also envies Laxman's good fortune and laments about her own misfortune and bad luck because Laxman was getting an opportunity to be in Rama's proximity and on the other hand, she was being deprived of it. She also advised Laxman not to seek his own comforts but rather serve Rama with his thoughts, words and deeds. She also warned Laxman not to commit any action, which might hurt Rama's feelings.
Advising Laxman like this, Sumitra allowed Laxman to go along with Rama and Sita.
When Sumitra came to know about Laxman being hurt by the 'Shakti- Bana', the first thought which came to her mind was about Rama and not her son, Laxman. She knew very well that Rama loved Laxman so much that cannot be described in words. So, she could easily understand the pain and suffering which Rama would have been facing. Even though, her own son Laxman was wounded severely and the chances of his survival looked very dim, yet she did not think about him, but was bothered about Rama's pains and sufferings. Even in those trying situations, she asked Shatrughana to go to serve Rama, as he was alone.
The above mentioned two incidents clearly illustrates the depth and greatness of her character who even after knowing that her son's chances of survival was not bright, was most willing to send her second son, Shatrughana to serve Rama. This only goes to prove about the unlimited love and affection for Rama. It is impossible to find another character like her in the world, what to say about scriptures.
Sumitra was never touched by the grief for her own son's separation; on the contrary she was grieved and lamented about her misfortune, as she did not get an opportunity to embrace Shri Rama.
It was but natural that Laxman had imbibed all these exceptional qualities of his mother and just like her, there was no limit to the love and affection towards Shri Rama.
If there is a comparison made between Kaushalya's love for Rama and that of Sumitra's love for Shri Rama, we find that Sumitra's love was more intense and of greater value. She had sacrificed her love and affection for her own son and had dedicated it completely at the feet of Shri Rama.
There is not a single female character like Sumitra in the Ramayana with such unbounded love for Shri Rama. Even Tulsidas has dedicated the qualities and virtues of an ideal woman at the feet of Sumitra. He has considered Sumitra as the best role for a woman.
Sumitra felt that it was not proper for Laxman to come to her for permission, rather he should have sought Kaushalya's permission. By not doing this, Sumitra felt that Laxman had committed the first mistake. She was deeply pained by this mistake of his.
The second mistake, which Laxman committed, was by leaving Shri Rama alone for some time when he came to ask permission from his mother Sumitra. This second mistake angered her.
But when she realized that Laxman committed both these mistakes unknowingly and undeliberately, she felt pity for him.
And ultimately, she gave permission to him without any remorse or grief.
'Blessed was the mother' and 'blessed was the son'. Tulsidas, during the characterization of Sumitra has proved about the unbounded love and affection of Sumitra for Rama. Only such type of mother who is like Sumitra is worthy of being called a mother and a child having taken birth from the womb of such a mother is worthy of being called a son. Salutations to such a mother like Sumitra.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Friday, January 22, 2016
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