A shloka a day keeps all evils away

BAGAVAD-GITA - The Divine Song

I would like to thank Sujatha for inspiring me to write on this. I have been quoting a sloka from the GITA in my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LahariCulturalLearning . Sujatha asked me elaborate on them and I thought that it is a good idea to start discussions and spread GITA to as many as possible. The view points that you will read in the blog are all derived from various sources of great Acharyas, from books read and from upanyasams heard. So, I am only doing the transport job. No explanation is mine as my intellect is too small to even think of commenting on the GITA. So, here starts the drop service.

The Bhagavad-Gita is one of the most important and powerful literatures of Hindu mythology and philosophy. No other work has got so many commentaries by the great Acharyas. Practically, every guru has dealt with its tatva in an elaborate way. Be it Adi Shankara, or Ramanujaacharya or Madhvaacharya- it has been their most favoured topic for discussion and explanation. In recent times, we have had teachers like Shri. Chinmayananda, Shri. Dayananda  Saraswati or Shri.Prabhupada with their commentaries. While some elaborate the GITA from the point of view of an advaitin, some of them give explanation based on vishishtadvaita. Whatever philosophy one understands and follows, it is important to grasp and execute the instructions given in the GITA to attain moksha. Let us remember that the human life we have, is just not to earn money, produce off springs and be successful in materialistic life alone. Neither should we use prayer for only mundane goals. Our goals must be divine and in high esteem. The ultimate aim is to get ourselves free from the bondage of continuous birth and death.

Some people say it is too philosophical and beyond the comprehension of our intellect. This is not so. The Gita is divided into three parts – karma yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti yoga. One can reach the lord through any one of the ways. Though the vedantic aspect may be difficult to comprehend, if one is always in the mode of reading , contemplating and has a deep interest to know this aspect, then the Lord himself opens the door in the form of a guru. There are many other characteristics in the GITA which we can easily tailor it to our day-today lives. For example, we learn about how to perform our duty unconditionally, how to maintain our poise when we have ups and downs in life, how to control the mind, how to develop true devotion to the lord and many other aspects.

So, let us not think that the GITA is only for retired people. This is the general feeling that one can start reading the GITA when they retire and have ample time. Sorry, we are all completely mistaken. When we cannot set the right priority when we are young, how can we set the priority when old. Our mind and attitude would have been tuned to such materialistic pleasures, that forget understanding the Gita, reading itself will be a burden. Moreover, the GITA is apt to read and implement when we are young. It teaches us daily lessons that will enable us to be more balanced and develop a mind that is more empathetic and introspective.

So, let us start reading a sloka everyday and understand its purport.  As much as possible, I will give the purport of the Gita on a weekly basis. One can find the weekly quote in the FB page of LAHARI: https://www.facebook.com/LahariCulturalLearning. The explanation will be in the blog. Please feel free to discuss and comment so that all of us can grow spiritually together. Satsang is the order of the day.

RAM RAM

Pathi Pavani, Papa Vimochani - Gange

Ganga – Our divine and Pure mother

The sacred river Ganga which flows from Haridwar, is a lifeline to all of us and is of course, a sacred river to Hindus. She is considered to be a papa nashini, the remover of all sins. 

But today, she is in a state of pity and misuse. People who reside near the Ganga worship her like a goddess yet perform all unhealthy and unhygienic acts on her leaving her as a river to ridicule. The industries that mushroom along her coast dump all their waste into her, yet she patiently bears the pain and works her way as a true karma yogin. It would be good to know where and how this “pathita pavani” came down to earth. She has a divine birth, originating from Satyaloka where Bramha resides. 

This happened when Lord Vishnu took the form of Vamana murthi to subdue Mahabali in the Vamana Avatara. Bali was a powerful Asura yet very generous and with a large heart. When he perform a yagna to please the gods and become all powerful, the Devas approached Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu then took the form of a small Brahmin boy and went to attend the yagna. Bali was giving away gifts to the poor Brahmins and when it was Vamana’s turn to ask, he asked for three steps of land. Bali was taken aback by this strange request from a small boy. Out of his ignorance, he agreed to give away what was asked for, despite the warnings from his guru Shukracharya.

When the boon was granted, Vamana grew tremendously and began to measure the earth as his first foot. He measured the entire akasha mandalam (the sky) as his second piece of foot. His foot stretched to such a great extent that it reached Bramha loka. Bramha saw the toe of the Lord, identified it and did "paada puja" to the lord. He poured water from his kamandalam (water pot). This water from Bramha's kamadalam is the Ganga. She is the creation from brahma’s kamandalam. One can imagine her purity and her place in heaven. 

She then divided herself as four tributaries and flowed through various regions in the heaven. It was Bhageeratha, a king of the Iksvaku clan (the clan of Lord Rama) who brought Ganga to the earth. He had the responsibility of redeeming his ancestors from a sage’s curse. He therefore did penance for a 1000 years and got Ganga to the earth. But the force with which she fell was immense and the earth could not withstand her force. This time, it was Lord shiva to the resuce. He caught her and locked her in his matted hair. 

Bhageeratha did penance for yet another 1000 years and requested Lord Shiva to release her. Shiva let her go as a very small stream. This small stream flows with such ferocious force on the earth. She falls as the river Alakananda in Bharath. One must see the force with she comes down the Himalayas. We have to thank Lord shiva for having let her as a “small stream”. 

She is known by various names depending on the course she flowed and interesting incidents that she came across. She is called Janhavi, Bhishma  janani, Sureshwari, Bhaageerathi, Alakananda etc. Shri. Adi Shankara has paid a rich tribute to this goddess through a beautiful composition called “Ganga Storam”. One can learn and chant this everyday for the well being of all in this world.

She is the giver of life to us. Isn’t it our responsibility to take care of her and show our gratitude to her? She provides livelihood to all people in this country and we corrupt her in so many ways. While we take so much care to keep our house clean, our body hygienic, and neighborhood healthy, why then do we ignore the river which gives us life? It won’t take long for her to show her anger on us but she is patience personified and is taking in all that we do. Before she vents her anger on us, let us rectify ourselves and give her back to her what she has given us. Else it sure is a self dug grave.

I have pasted the Ganga stotram down for those who want to learn. It is set to a beautiful tune. One can google for the tune and learn it. 

GANGA STOTRAM

jaya jaya gaìge jaya hara gaìge jaya jaya gaìge jaya hara gaìge | 

1. devi sureshvari bhagavati gaìge tribhuvana-taariëi tarala-taraìge | 

shaìkara-mauli-vihaariëi vimale mama mati-raastaam tava pada-kamale || 

2. baagee-rathi sukha-daayini maata-stava jala mahimaa nigame khyaataha | 

naaham jaane tava mahimaanam paahi kripaa-mayi maama-gyaanam || 

3. hari-pada paadya ta-raìgiëi gaìge hima-vidhu muktaa dhavala taraìge | 

dooree kuru mama duñhkriti bhaaram kuru kripayaa bhava-saagara paaram || 

4. tava jala-mamalam yena nipeetam parama-padam khalu tena griheetam | 

maatar gaìge tvayi yo bhaktah kila tam drañhöum na yamah shaktaha || 

5. patitod-dhaariëi jaahnavi gaìge khaëòita-girivara-maëòita bhaìge | 

bheeñhma janani he munivara kanye patitani-vaariëi tribhuvana dhanye || 

6. kalpa-la-taamiva phaladaam loke praëamati yastvaam na patati shoke | 

paaraa-vaara vihaariëi gaìge vimukha yuvati krita taralaa-paaìge || 

7. tava chen-maatah strotah snaatah punarapi jaöhare so’pi na jaataha | 

narakani-vaariëi jaahnavi gaìge kaluñha-vinaashini mahimot-tuìge || 

8. puna-rasa-daìge puëya-taraìge jaya jaya jaahnavi karuëaa-paaìge | 

indra-mukuöa-maëi-raajita charaëe sukhade shubhade bhritya sharaëye || 

9. rogam shokam taapam paapam hara me bhagavati kumati kalaapam | 

tribhuvana saare vasudhaa hare tvamasi gatir-mama khalu samsaare || 

10. alak-aanande param-aanande kuru karuëaa-mayi kaatara vandye | 

tava taöa nikaöe yasya nivaasah khalu vaikuëöhe tasya nivaasaha || 

11. vara-miha neere kamaöho meenah kim vaa teere sharaöah ksheeëaha | 

athavaa shvapacho malino deena-stava na hi doore nripati-kuleenaha || 

12. bho bhuvaneshvari puëye dhanye devi dravamayi munivara kanye | 

jaya jaya gaìge jaya hara gaìge jaya jaya gaìge jaya hara gaìge || 

jaya jaya gaìge jaya hara gaìge jaya jaya gaìge jaya hara gaìge | 

Translation: 

Victory to Ganga; Victory to Shiva! 

1. Goddess Ganga, you are the divine river from heaven, you are the saviour of all the three 

worlds, you are pure and restless, you adorn Lord Shiva’s head. Mother, may my mind always 

rest at your lotus feet. 

2. Mother Bhagirathi, you give happiness to everyone. The significance of your holy waters is 

sung in the Vedas. I am ignorant and not capable of comprehending your importance. Devi, you 

are full of mercy, please protect me. 

3. Devi, your waters are as sacred as the “Charanamriti” of Sri Hari. Your waves are white like 

snow, moon and pearls. Please wash away all my sins and help me cross this ocean of samsara. 

4. Mother, those who partake of your pure waters definitely attain the highest state. Mother Ganga, 

even Yama, the Lord of death, cannot harm your devotees. 

5. Jahnavi, your waters flowing through the Himalayas make you even more beautiful. You are 

Bhishma’s mother, and sage Jahnu’s daughter. You are the saviour of people who have fallen 

from their path, and so you are revered in all three worlds. 

6. Mother, you fulfill all the desires of those devoted to you. Those who bow down to you do not 

have to grieve. Ganga, you are eager to merge with the ocean, just like a young woman anxious 

to meet her beloved. 

7. Mother, those who bathe in your waters do not have to take birth again. Jahnavi, you are held in 

the highest esteem. You destroy your devotees’ sins and save them from hell. 

8. Jahnavi, you are full of compassion. You purify your devotees with your holy waters. Your feet 

are adorned with the gems of Indra’s crown. Those who seek refuge in you are blessed with 

happiness. 

9. Bhagavati, take away my diseases, sorrows, difficulties, sins and wrong attitudes. You are the 

essence of the three worlds and you are like a necklace around the Earth. Devi, you alone are 

my refuge in this Samsara. 

10. Ganga, those who seek happiness worship you. You are the source of happiness for Alkapuri 

and the source of eternal bliss. Those who reside on your banks are as privileged as those living 

in Vaikunth. 

11. Devi, it is better to live in your waters as a turtle or fish, or to live on your banks as the poor, 

rather than to live away from you, even as a wealthy king. 

12. Goddess of the Univers, you purify us. Daughter of Muni Jahnu, one who recites this Ganga 

Stotram every day, definitely will achieve success. 

RAM RAM

Bindi - Today's GENX evading Aabharan

Do you like a Flat ,Plain Forehead

Bindi - A beautiful colored decoration to your forehead. Kept in between the eyebrows, this adds beauty, grace and is a must for every girl who is born as a HINDU. Why do we wear bindhis? 

The center point of the eyebrows is called the spiritual eye. It is called as the "aagnya chakra" or the seat of concealed wisdom. The latent energy we have in us constantly flows out of us when we do not wear a bindi. A pottu or a bindi conceals this and preserves this energy. It adds to the beauty and charm of a girl.

For the past few years , maybe , a decade, the trend is that most of the women - be it middle aged ladies or children fail to sport this colourful and beautiful decoration on their forehead. IS it that they find it old fashioned and superstitious. The lack of bindi on the forehead definitely gives an unlucky look. What is it that influences them so wrongly?

What to talk about children when mothers themselves don't bother to wear one. What makes moms not to wear a bindi? While their mothers or mothers-in-law have one, why has the habit been left off?. Where was the beginning and how did this practice of a blank forehead begin? Is it fashion? Is this forward thinking?"Definitely Not"... It is a neglect of our culture, a sheer indifference to what our elders say and an I-know-it-all attitude.

I wonder where did all this start?. We see foreigners loving to wear a bindi and respect our culture. Why do we underestimate our culture? When Christians and Muslims can be so adherent to their practices, why is it that we Hindus are so casual about our culture and practices. 

Hinduism is such a liberal religion. It gives you freedom to pray at whatever time you want, whichever God you want, whatever posture you wish.Unlike other religions, though rules are laid down, there is always a free will. Probably the biggest mistake our elders laid down to us - free will.

Is NOT wearing a bindi in any way showing that we are mentally progressing? Does this in anyway indicate that we have a scientific bent of mind? Is there one reason to prove that this is not needed? Or does it in any way increase the beauty and grace of a female? Why do we ape the west so blindly? What is that one authentic reasoning that we do not respect our culture. Are we so egoistic to accept its greatness? Do we regard our elders as just a bunch of idiots who had all the free time that they laid these rules?

Let us not deceive ourselves in the name of women liberation. This, in no way proves, that we are getting true freedom. True freedom must come from within. We don't get liberated by just changing the way we look.

We find ourselves more weaker in health or mental state than the elderly women at home. They have had more will power, more inward strength and physical fitness. This surely is one of the reasons. Finding it silly? All failure can't give you direct answers. Neither will GOD come in front of us and tell us why we suffer. That is the reason we have the vedas and shastras to guide us. When we neglect them, it takes a toll on our well being. We have to truly introspect and find answers.

If any person who doesn't wear a bindi can reason out why they do so, it would be truly good. And if we can find a sensible answer for not wearing a pottu, then we can surely question our dharma shastras and get answers.

Rules are laid for our own welfare. They are to be practiced for longevity, good health, prosperity and success in all that we do. We need to understand this. Rules practiced will definitely give positive results. There is no harm in taking a bindi and keeping in your forehead. If it is not in our practice  we have to get it to into practice. When we spend hours and days to achieve some result, we have to take small effort in keeping reminders for this too. It is NOT insignificant. We are sending wrong signals to our children  We are setting a bad example for generations to come. The results will not be visible immediately but will show in succeeding off-springs.

So, before it is too late and we find answers of why things go wrong with us, let us appreciate and respect out elders and their suggestions. Wear bindi and look beautiful not only from outside but from the inside too

RAM RAM

Who was Right??

Karna and Vibheeshana

Karna and Vibheeshana- Both characters of the Mahabharatha and Ramayan respectively are often topics of discussion. The discussion is always about who did right? Did Karna did the right thing by supporting Duryodhana given the fact that he got the status of a king from the latter. Or is what Vibheeshana did was right that he left his own brother to support his brother’s enemy Rama. Before we conclude, a small background of both.

Karna: He was the first son of Kunti. Born even before Kunti got married, she had to forgo him as she feared shame and infamy. Karna was brought up by a charioteer and hence came to be known to the world as a son of a charioteer. 

During an occasion when the princes of Hastinapur were showing off their valour, Karna challenged Arjuna for a fight. There, he was humiliated by Bheema saying that only equals could fight each other and that Karna was a “suta putra”. This insulted Karna. Duryodhana is a person who always looked to win over strong people to his side. Though he didn’t know Karna’s valour, the very fact that Karna challenged Arjuna was sufficient for him to understand the talent. He cleverly,  rather cunningly made Karna the king of Anga ( a small kingdom) and gave him name and status in society. It was for this single favour that Karna remained with Duryodhana till the end of his life.

 

On the other hand, Vibheeshana was the own brother of Ravana. Tough Ravana was evil, Vibheeshana was a great Vishnu bhakta. He advised Ravana several times about returning Sita to Rama and that Rama was Vishnu incarnate. Ravana refused to budge. Finally, when Ravana did not listen to him, he decided to desert his own brother and join hands with Rama. He left Ravana for good and later became the kind of Lanka.

So, who did the right thing? Karna who did not leave Duryodhana irrespective of what atrocities Duryodhana did or Vibheeshana who left his own brother,  a brother known for unrighteousness.

Now, on the face of it, it would seem that Karna did the right thing that he did not deceive Duryodhana, and gave a fitting return by pledging his life for his friend. And Vibheeshana deserted his very own brother for the sake of a kingdom.

It is true that one must not give up gratitude in life. We must always remember people who have helped us in times of distress. But karna’s big mistake was that in the name of gratitude, he supported all the atrocities of Duryodhana. He didn’t dare to oppose any of his friend’s acts. He didn’t bother to correct him when something wrong was done. A true friend is one who tells the right and wrong not minding the bitter words he may have to listen. He “supported” Adharma which is equivalent to “doing” Adharma. 

But even Bhishma, Kripa and Drona supported Duryodhana. Even though they did not support Duryodhana’s wrong doings, they fought for him. So, were they wrong too? In a way, yes. They also supported Adharma. But they were bound to the king and the kingdom and not to Duryodhana. All the above people were committed to save Hastinapur. The king and the kinddom had given them shelter, food and occupation. They, however, did not hesitate to try and correct Dhritarashtra. They did their best to avert a war. They did all that was possible to change Duryodhana but failed. Having failed, they resorted to fight for their king which was their dharma.  But Karna did not fight for the kingdom or the king, he fought for his friend which was again a mistake. Had Karna advised his friend, he would not have got so much of disgrace.

On the other hand, Vibheeshana was Ravana’s own brother. He had shared all the ups and downs of Ravana from childhood. But still, he had the courage to to leave Ravana to join Rama in the fight for dharma. He advised Ravana several times about the power of Rama and pleaded Ravana to leave Sita gracefully. But Ravana did not listen. In turn, he insulted Vibheeshana. Vibheeshana had no other option but to leave Ravana because supporting his brother would be like supporting Adharma. And being a staunch devotee of Vishnu, the best he could do was to leave Ravana and surrender unto Rama.

So, friends, at the face of it, we would definitely think that what Karna did was right. But with true analysis we would be happy to know and conclude that Vibheeshana was right.  Though Karna can be exalted as a good friend, he cannot be spoken in high esteem because he supported wicked Duryodhana who was the embodiment of cunningness and atrocity. In fact, Karna cannot be spoken of as a true friend too for the reasons already mentioned.

Adharma in any form must be condemned – even if it is your own kith and kin. We must never fear to speak out the truth. A wrong is a wrong and a right is a right. We cannot change positions for our convenience. And what is our dharma? Our dharma shastras have many rules laid down for us to follow which will make lives easier, happier, more contended and satisfying., It is up to us to take it or leave it. We in turn choose our mode of happiness – temporary or permanent. Some are not practical in today’s life. But we can definitely follow many of them which are not difficult and very much possible in our day today lives. The change should be in our minds.

Long live sanathana dharma!!

Ram Ram

Annual Report OF LAHARI, 2013

Annual Report of “LAHARI”, 2013

I would like to give some details about what we at LAHARI are doing towards helping ourselves and the society. I thank the parents for being inspiring and motivating to your children. Your support and enthusiasm have helped these children mould themselves into good and noble kids. I am sure they will come to be balanced and mature children as they grow knowing what is right and what is wrong.  I am also confident that having sown the seeds of Bhakti in them, they will grow to spread it and make a difference wherever they go. I would like to brief you about the various activities that we at LAHARI have been doing. It is all because of your patronage and team work.

• Conducted Vishnu Sahasranama Competition in February 2013 Judged by Smt. Shanta Vishwanathan

• Participated in group chanting during ganesha chaturthi celebrations by seniors and juniors. They chanted
“Ganesha Pancharatnam, Ganga Stortram, and Vishnu Sahasranama. The big honour was that we were “invited” to chant. I had few kids join the sloka class after this performance This means to say that LAHARI kids are making a difference in the life of others and are also inspiring young minds. Good going.

• Participated in the Dussera celebrations of White House n the form of skits like “The Akshaya Patram” and “Saints of India” which was well received and appreciated.

• Two of our kids participated and won the Gita chanting competition in the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations in Ganesha Temple, R.T.Nagar.

• Children of LAHARI gave a  bhajan performance for Navarathri in front of the White House temple for Navarathri

• Children also participated in the bhajan singing for Dussera celebrations in white house

• Senior children participated in the Annapoorna stotram competition held in November 2013.

As part of LAHARI charity drive, we have donated more than half the fees collected to organizations which are doing service to preserve and spread our vedic culture. I have given the website of most of them. You may visit the websites. If you wish to donate to these organizations, please do so. Come to think of it, what we donate in life is just a drop to what service people out there are doing. So, please donate liberally to vedic studies and its promotion.  We are all so gifted in life, let us thank GOD by doing a drop of danam. I am sure all of you are doing charity in some way or the other. Just in case, you want to support vedic institutions which are doing an amazing service towards preserving and spreading vedic studies, you may donate to these organizations below, if you please. The following are the organizations which we donated to

1. Kinchit karam Trust – This is started my Shri.U.Ve Velukudi Krishnan who is doing a great job in spreading shri vaishnavism. He has undertaken many programs which spread and inspire vedic learning. http://kinchitkaramtrust.org/kkt/

2. Kacchi moodoor Archakas Trust – This is an organization which was started under the initiative of Maha Periva of Kanchi. The aim is to support archakas in temples of remote areas. It doesn’t just restrict to pay these archakas but sees to it that they are constantly evaluated on their vedic skills and how much they are able to work selflessly. They have regular exams to keep themselves abreast. http://kmawt.org/

3. Sandeepani gurukulam – Stared by Shri. Muralidhara swamigal. This also aims to spread the vedic learning and also “GO (cow)” samrakshanam. They have undertaken the work of old temple renovation and are doing a wonderful job. Apart from these, they have also undertaken social responsibility in many villages.
Please visit: http://madhuramurali.org

4. Vedaparayana Trust: This was formed with the aim of celebrating the birth anniversary of Shri Adi Shankaracharya, the advaitist. Many homams and veda sadas were conducted as part of this celebration. Many Sanskrit scholars were honoured.

5. Saraswati Vidyalaya Patashala , Mattur, Shimoga: This is another school which promots vedic studies. This is a village which has most of the people talking in Sanskrit. I came to know about this trust through an article in “THE HINDU”. They have their own pathashala which teaches children Vedas, Upanishads and other chants making them good Brahmins. For more details and to donate, please visit: http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/tale-of-two-villages/article4581221.ece .It was heartening to see that Sanskrit has its due respect at least in one village of India.

6. Jagadguru Kanchi Mamunivar Trust: Started by an ardent devotee of Maha Periva, Smt. Rajalakshmi Vittal, she along with her husband who are in their 70s are running this trust. Their aim is again to reach and spread vedic studies as much as possible.  My in-laws have been there and have lauded their selfless work and dedication. http://kanchimamuni.org/ourcharity.htm

7. A separate drive to collect money to the temple committee of our White House temple was done and children donated liberally. Thanks to you all.

Apart from the charity to vedic organizations, we also donated to the following

• Ashwini charitable trust: an NGO that provides education to underprivileged children from urban slums in Bangalore. They do a lot of sponsorship to deserving poor children. http://ashwinitrust.org/

• Sharanya Trust : A government orphanage which is in our own R.T.Nagar premises which houses only 25-30 girl children. These people also are doing a wonderful job. Do visit this once if you haven’t.

So, parents a big thank you for all your help and support. We are all doing a drop service and when each drop in the form of a child comes together, it forms a lake, river and an ocean. So, let us continue this service come what may. Let us hold to our magnificent Hindu Dharma and spread it wherever possible

RAM RAM

Stories less heard and said!!

Who was VIDURA??

Vidura is a very important character in the Mahabharatha. He is the embodiment of Dharma. To speak something unpleasant to our loved ones is something which everyone would like to avoid. But Vidura was a person who would say “black is black and white is white”. He never feared to speak the truth no matter to whom he was speaking even if it be the king. But who actually was Vidura?

He was born to a maid servant of Satyavati, (the queen of Hastinapur) through the grace of sage Vedavyasa. He was the embodiment of the GOD of Dharma. But how did he come to live on the earth. Here goes the story.

There was a sage called Mandavya. He was a great renounced soul who had gone beyond the ambits of body pain or pleasure. Once, the king’s treasury was stolen and the thieves who stole them were passing by the hermit, Mandavya’s ashram. They entered the kutir and found the sage in deep mediation. Not knowing what to do, they hid the jewels in the ashram and ran away. The soldiers who were chasing the thieves entered the ashram and found the sage meditating. Suspecting him to a false sage, they captured him and took him to the king. The king was mad at the sage and decided to put him to death. He ordered a trident to be pierced into the sage and this was done. But to everyone’s surprise, sage Mandavya did not die. His was beyond the space of body and since he was in deep meditation, it did not bother him. When he woke up, the king was surprised and was quick to realize his folly. From that day, the sage came to be known as Ani Mandavya (ani means trident). The kind requested pardon and was immediately forgiven for the kind of "stita pragnya" (realised soul) that the sage was. But he surely wanted to know as to why he was punished given the fact that he had not done any bad actions.  What was his karma that bore him this fate. He went straight to dharma devata and questioned him.

The dharma devata said that when the sage was small, he had killed small creatures like ants and insects and was paying for those acts. This enraged the sage and cursed the god of justice saying, “These acts of killing as a child are done due to ignorance and innocence. They cannot be taken as a sin and must be forgiven. Even the shastras forgive mistakes committed by children till the age of 12 years. What to talk of an infant. Since this punishment is unwarranted for, you will be born in the earth to a sudra woman and live your life like a normal human being”. This is the curse which made the dhrama devata  take birth as Vidura. But, though he was born as a human being, he retained his nature of righteousness and justice. Though not a king, he was a great adviser to the king and to the people around him. He was held in high esteem by Bhishma and Lord Krishna himself.

Yudhistra’s Final Exam

At the end of Dwapara yuga, when Krishna avataram ended, Yudhistra was still ruling Hastinapur. He saw that the world was becoming unruly and unworthy to live. Theft, lies, inhumanity started to slowly show up. With Krishna leaving them, he felt a void within himself and a loss vigor to handle things on his own. Yudhistra decided to give up the world and reach heavenly abode soon. He discussed this with his brothers. 

They all decided to install Parikshit (son of Abhimanyu) as the king and leave the world. Having done this, Yudhishtra along with his brothers and Draupadi, their wife left the palace. As they were walking up the heaven, Draupadi felt hungry , thirsty and fell dead. Though the 4 Pandavas i.e. Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva repented for her death, Yudhishtra was in total control of his emotions. A few miles away, Sahadeva fell down dead. The four of them proceeded upwards and down fell Nakula. Eventually, Bhima and Arjuna also fell dead and it was only Yudhishtra who ascended to heaven. 

There was a dog which followed them earnestly all the way from the earth. When Yudhistra was about to enter heaven, the door keeper stopped him and said ,” I can allow only you inside and not this dog”. Yudhistra was not ready to give up the dog as it had been earnestly following him. When the dog heard this, it addressed Yudhistra and said, “Oh King, you may well go inside. But before you go, do me a favour. I am been bitten by in numerous insects on my body and am in great pain. Please relieve of this pain and proceed. When Yudhishtra was about to clean up the dog’s body the insects on the dog’s body said. “Oh king, if you remove us, we won’t have anything to eat and will die of hunger. Please find a way for us and leave”. The noble Yudhsitra thought for a minute and said, “Oh insects, leave the dog, you can feast on my body”. 

Having heard this verdict, the dog revealed its true form as dharma devata and blessed Yudhishtra. He took Yudhistra through hell first where he saw his brothers and wife suffering in pain and agony. He then passed through heaven where he saw the kauravas enjoying the luxurious heavenly life. This angered Yudhistra and refused to stay in heaven. He questioned dharma devata as to what kind o fjustice was being done where the noble are punished and evil are rewarded. Dharma devata then calmed down Yudhistra and said that the Pandavas had to spend time in hell for the few lies they had supported during Drona’s death. And the Kauravaas were enjoying heaven for the “Veera gati” (dying during a royal fight) kingsly death they had. They would be then transported to their respective hell and heaven for the bad and good they had done. It was then that Yudhistra calmed down and accepted the verdict.

So, Dharma is the same for all. There is no partiality or favoritism. So, let us be good and do good.

I hope these two stories were new and you all enjoyed reading them

RAM RAM

Thoughts on Fear

Fear

This is about one of my childhood friends – an extremely talented and popular child in her circles. She would make a name wherever she went. She was a very friendly child. However, in spite of being extremely talented, she was dead scared of the stage.  As a child, whenever she used to go up to the podium to deliver a speech or to enact out a play or to render her dialogues, her feet would shiver, her heart would beat as if she had a pounding staff in there. Her hands would go as cold as dead; her face muscles would constrict making her cheeks red and hot. And once she was done, she would feel as light as a feather. It would always end with a big round of applause.

As she aged, she did mature with the thought that these were just feelings that she had to overcome.  She would make up her mind to be more confident and fearless the next time. Why fear when HE is here? Why fear when she had done her homework? These and many more thoughts would make her more introspective and give her an elated feeling that she was more mature than before.

Come teenage and here she was with more talent in her store. A great mimic, a wonderful orator, an excellent actor, a good singer, a bubbling friend and a very creative person. This is how her people knew her.  She was in her engineering course when she competed in a singing competition. The prelims were held in the auditorium and there she was standing, again, as a bunch of nerves.  Where did the introspection go? Where were those elated moments of maturity? All of them vanished on seeing the teeming row of audience. She sang the song “tere mere milan ki yeh raina” from the movie “abhiman”. She held the paper with the lyrics so tight that her palms began to sweat making the paper all wet.  Though she closed her eyes tight while singing, she occasionally opened to see the audience’s reaction and the judges seem to be very pleased by the song. They were whispering something among themselves and she wondered what it could be. The song was done and again a round of big applause for the song. Few people asked her the lyrics and few others patted her for her voice and “bhava”. She was elated and once again started the introspection with its usual conclusions.

Years rolled by. She is now a working professional in an MNC. And wherever she went, music followed her. She gave performances in office occasions and became a known figure . But before every occasion, she would be one bundle of nerves shivering and her heart beating fast.  It was a known beginning and a known outcome. But did she ever learn? Did her introspection give her any direction and maturity?

Life also goes on like this with fear taking the center stage.But why do we fear?  What is it that goes on in our mind before a performance, while performing? Why is it that even though we are well prepared, we still have a pinch of fear in ourselves? I am just taking one example of where fear can arise.

When we get prepared for some goal, we first start by putting our expectations and outcomes.  A plethora of questions and doubts rises in or minds. And it all begins with the negative thought. Our negative vasanas are so much engraved in our karma that we tend to think all the negatives first. A thought of all positives will be considered as being over confident by us and even elders at home. So, it all starts with the negative thoughts – What if I make a mistake? What if it doesn’t go well? What if I forget? What if people don’t like it? What if no one appreciates?  These and many other questions pour into our little mind, confusing and deluding it. And these result in a physical show of shivering, fast heart beat, reddening of the face, sweating of palms etc. So, are we going to allow this state forever? Are we just going to live with fear all our lives? Is there any way out for this?  THERE IS.

All these emotions are due to our EGO. The feeling of “I” within and associating it with the body is the root cause for all emotions. When we do an act, we do it with the thought as “I am doing it”. “I have to get the benefit”. “It is because of “ME” that I succeeded”. It is this possessiveness that gives rise to emotions like fear, anger, greed and jealousy. In other words, EGO is “Edging God Out”. As long as we associate our actions and the result with the “I” in us, this life is going to be miserable.

Our scriptures, be it the Vedas, or the GITA or the Upanishads, or the dharma shastras – all convey a common message and that is “not to dwell in the fruits of our action”. What we ought to do is : do our work and prepare ourselves for whatever be the outcome. Let us not go into the future and get anxious of what will happen. We have to do our best and for this we have prepare well. When we are ready and our preparations are satisfactory to us, then the fear does come down a bit. I am telling this out of personal experience.

I had enrolled myself for a program in my apartment complex. This was my first classical performance in my apartment. I started to practice in an earnest way. One day, I got to hear Shri. Chinmayananda’s commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita- chapter 2, sloka 47. I heard it with great intent. Many a time, we hear these upanyasams and discourses but hold on to the vibrations for a very short period. As time passes, it wiles away and we are back to our old self. This time, I was so impressed by the interpretation, that I decided I had to try and put to practice what he said. So, whenever I practiced for the program, I made sure that I would clear my mind of all thoughts (positive and negative) that would sow the seed of expectations.  Any such thought was “consciously” avoided. Even when I spoke to family members about the program, the result aspect was consciously avoided. Every time my mind drifted towards these thoughts, I consciously brought it back. Oh!!! It was very tough. Hundreds of hooded serpents in the form of thoughts kept hitting my mind and I somehow kept reiterating what Shri. Chinmayananda said, prayed reverently and turned them away. As an outcome, believe me, there was definitely a feeling of calmness and peace within.

I also realized that what a slave we are to our minds. We give to all its whims and fancies with absolutely no control over it. If only we could control the mind, miracles could happen every moment.

On the day of the program, there was a bit of fear which I can say was because of the vasanas; but, surely not because of “not knowing the unknown future”. To my surprise, I found that as I sang on the D-Day, there was no shivering, no sweating, and no redness of my cheeks. The voice came out loud and bold. I received a lot of positive response and appreciation after this program. The feeling was so good – not the feeling of success or appreciation but the feeling of fearlessness, the feeling of “not expecting the unknown”.

Our scriptures are such great storehouses of lessons. They make our life so easy and peaceful. It is we who shun them and make life miserable. If we were to take what is said in a positive way and follow them, I am sure material success will automatically follow along with the spiritual quest.

RAM RAM