Bhakthadasi

10/30/09 When we continue the same story of Hanuman and Garuda we can see how Bhagavaan uses Hanumanji again to shatter the ego of one of His own chief consorts Queen Sathyabhaama. We saw that Garuda showed his respect and retired to this quarters. Hanumanji eagerly went inside Vaikundham to see his Lord Rama and Sita Devi.    Before Hanuman reached there, Bhagavaan told Queen Sathyabhaama to dress like Sita Devi and come and sit near Him who had dressed  like Lord Rama. Sathyabhama was very proud of her beauty and her extreme vanity made her believe that she was the most beautiful woman. She believed that her unparalleled beauty made her Bhagavaan's favorite. This superiority complex was often reflected in her behaviour and of course Bhagavaan, a well-wisher of all devotees wanted to correct her attitude.   Sathyabhaama took a long time with the help of several 'sairandhris" or make-up ladies and dressed like Sitadevi and c...

10/29/09 As we all know, Bhagavaan does not want to see his devotee taking a reverse direction in the spiritual path. He takes the responsibility to turn them around by giving them different experiences or in other words he would never let His devotees perish even if the devotee complaints or seemingly suffers. He sticks on to His promise-  "Na mae Bhaktha: pranashyathy" or my devotees will never perish.  Often ego or pride makes all of us walk in the reverse direction knowingly or unknowingly, away from Bhagavaan. Garuda, Bhagavaan's dear vehicle also was deviating from the divine path due to his pride about his swiftness and strength.   Let us see how Bhagavaan purifies Garuda's mind. One day Bhagavaan told Garuda to invite Hanuman who was doing penance in Gandhamaadana Parvatha or mountain. Garuda was happy to follow Bhagavaan's order because he always wanted to meet Hanuman, the great devotee of Lord Rama. He had heard several stories about his...

10/28/09 While Arjuna went to get the blessings of Lord Shiva other Paandavaas decided to go for a pilgrimage with Draupadi. One day Bhimasena was relaxing with Draupadi on a river bank near Gandhamaadana forest. In the nice breeze, a flower came and fell in Draupadi's lap. It was a beautiful flower with a mind-stealing fragrance. Draupadi told Bhima about her intense desire to get a few more of those. Bhima wanted to please Draupadi and set out in search of the flower called Kalyaana sougandhikam.   He walked in the direction of the flowing fragrance from the flowers and on his way he saw an old monkey lying down blocking his way. Bhima did not want to jump across the monkey and requested the monkey to move away from his path. Monkey said he was too old and could not move swiftly. Then Bhima told him to at least move his huge tail to one side so that he could walk by the side and get to the flower bearing trees. Monkey ignored this suggestion and started asking B...

10/27/09 We stopped in suspense and now let us see what this Brahmana is up to.    The Brahmana who appeared as if he came out of the blue ocean, slowly walked towards Nara-Vaanara (man-monkey) scene. He saw the  Nara, a great devotee of Krishna, depressed beyond words and the Vaanara, a great devotee of Rama, elated beyond words. He enquired the reason and understood that Nara was sad of his defeat and Vaanaraa's victory and on the other hand Vaanaraa's elation was in his victory and Nara's defeat.  Brahmana felt a bit uneasy because he thought that one could feel sorrow at one's defeat,  but not at the other person's victory  and similarly one could celebrate one's victory,  but not the other person's defeat . He saw a veil of ego around each of them   Anyway he spoke these words of wisdom to them:  "Respected Vanara and Nara, you had a contest and only the contestants were present to j...

10/26/09 Since we are familiar with most of the Ramayana related Hanuman stories,  we will travel with time from Thretha yuga towards the end of Dwapara yuga where the preparation for Mahabharatha war is in progress.  Let us remember the last thing that happened between Hanuman and Lord Rama in Thretha yuga for our smooth journey from one yuga to another. It was time for Lord Rama's swargaarohanam ( or going to back to his permanent abode Vaikundha). Hanuman was very sad and the only blessing he wanted was Bhgavaan's blessings to think of Him continuously by chanting His divine names and glories and live in this world for ever. Lord Rama was the personification of kindness and he blessed Hanuman to live in Kadalee Vana for ever or in other words blessed to be Bhaktha and Chiranjeevi.  Also he entrusted Hanuman the responsibility of guarding the bridge he made with the help of monkeys (and also squirrels) between Rameswaram and Shri La...

10/24/09 Years rolled by and Aanjaneya became a young, strong and beautiful monkey. He had endless energy, spirit of adventure and enthusiasm. He wanted to explore the world independently. He asked the permission of his parents, then his divine father Vaayu Bhgavaan and finally came to the feet of his Guru Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed him and told him to invoke him any time he needed his help and support. Hanuman was delighted and started his journey of exploring the world by himself. He travelled a few days and reached a dense forest. He was trying to drink water from a small spring there and he heard an angry voice:  "Do not drink the water with out my permission. This whole forest belongs to me and I rule this area. Get lost immediately or come forward to fight with me". Hanuman was not afraid, but was curious to know who was the person behind this authoritative voice. He walked towards the voice and saw a huge demon with a huge head. His hair was so long...

10/23/09 Hanuman really enjoyed music and Sarasvawthi Devi was very pleased with his incomparable talent and his humility and character. So she gave Hanuman a Veena as a token of her blessings. Hanuman was delighted and did naamasankeerthanam and chanted bhajans sitting at the river bank. He was getting better day by day and one day, the power of music even reached the heavens and all devaas including Devendra, agni, varuna, surya and his own father Vaayu Devan and all celestial women came and stood in the sky to listen to Hanuman's enchanting music.   During that time, Narada Muni was coming from Vaikundham playing divine names beautifully on his famous Veena and he saw the whole paraphernalia of celestial beings assembled in the sky listening to the music of a monkey. (Vishnu Bhgavan actually sent Narada here to play a trick on Narada's pride.) Narada could not believe that all these Devaas were listening to this monkey's music instead of listening to...

10/22/09 Anjaneya came back to earth as Hanuman. Anjana and Veerakesari were delighted to see their beloved son , even though he came back with a disfigured jaw. Anjana's endless motherly love felt that even that mark of the blow from Vajraayudham was a Bhooshanam or  decoration to him, or it was an added factor that enhanced his beauty. A mother's love can see anything as a positive attribute to their children! After a few months they were looking for a capable and knowledgeable Guru for Hanuman. Veerakesari knew every thing that  a monkey needed to know, but did not want to be the Guru of his own son. That is not the practice and Vaayu Bhgavaan also was reluctant to become his guru.  When they were toying with the idea of finding a guru, Hanuman played by himself in the forest. One day Hanuman had a hard fight with a big tiger and with difficulty he finally killed it and won the deadly battle. When he raised his head after killing the cruel beast, ...

10/21/09 Anjana Devi and Veerakesari, a monkey couple,  did penance to Lord Shiva and Parvathy to bless them with a son. Finally through Wind God or Vaayu Bhagavaan, Anjana was given a mango. She became pregnant after eating the auspicious mango given by Vaayu Bhagavaan . After a full term of pregnancy  Anjana Devi gave birth to a beautiful, energetic baby monkey. He was known as Aanjaneya or the son of Anjana. As a baby monkey, Anjaneya was very mischievous. He could never sit in one place for more than a few minutes. He ate very well and Veerakesari was hunting for fruits and berries almost everyday to satisfy beloved Anjaneya's extraordinary hunger. One day Veerakesari had gone to collect fruits and Anjana went to the river for her early morning bath with Aanjaneya. Leaving Aanjaneya on the river bank in a safe place, Anjana went into the water. Sun was about to rise and a beautiful red ball appeared on the eastern sky. Hanuman looked at it a...

11/4/09 Pholosphical aspect of Ramaayana or symbolism in Raamaayana: 1. Rama represents Pramaathma or the cosmic soul, the absolute reality 2. Sita Devi represents Jeevaathma or the individual soul identifying oneself with "I"  3. Golden deer represents desire of Jeeavaathma 4. Lanka is the body in which the jeevathma is imprisoned, bound by karmaas. 5. Demons represents the three types of Gunaas: a. Vibhishana represents Satva guna. b. Ravana represents Rajo Guna c. Kumbhakarna represents Thamo Guna. 6. Hanuman represnts Guru 7. Anguleeyam or ring given to Sita by Hanuman represents Brahma Jnaanam.

11/2/09 Once two artists came to a King's palace. They knew that King himself was an artist and sincerely encouraged all aspects of art and literature. They wanted to paint some pictures for the King. King asked both of them to paint a picture depicting PEACE. After a week both of them brought their imagination of peace on canvas. One was a serene picture of a calm lake. All the trees and mountains around the lake reflected so beautifully in the lake and it was like a paradise filled with peace and beauty on earth. Sky was blue and a few doves, symbols of peace were flying towards the mountain. The other one was also a picture of a lake, but very different. Mountains around the lake were bear and the sky was dark and could see streaks of lightning prompting the clouds to shower mercilessly.  There was a water-fall on one side of the mountain and thorny bushes adorned both sides of the rushing muddy water . King looked one more time carefully to unveil the artist's ...

11/3/09 One day Maatha Yasoda was talking to other Gopikaas about all the famous Vishnu Kshethras in Bhaaratha. Krishna was playing by her side with other Gopaas and elder brother Balarama.  Maatha Yasoda expressed her desire to see Vishnu Bhgavaan as Sheshashaayin or one who rests on the snake Anantha.( like Vishnu Bhagavaan's pose in Vaikundha). Krishna heard mother's conversation and planned a little scene. He told Balarama that He would like to do wrestling with him. Balarama was surprised that Krishna who was much smaller in size than him and wanted to do wrestling with him. But he did not want to disappoint his little brother. So they started wrestling and this time Krishna was more powerful than Balarama's expectation. After a few minutes Krishna toppled him, made him lie down on his stomach and He Himself lay on his back just like Vishnu Bhgavaan's pose on Anantha.  Yasodaji looked and for a second saw Balarama as Anantha, the divine snak...

10/25/09 I read this story from a book called Hanuman Puranam and I have never heard of this story before.     Hanuman was travelling through a dense forest and he heard a pathetic cry of an elephant. Hanuman was surprised to hear that helpless cry from an elephant because as far as he knew, there were no predators for elephants in the forest. Most of them usually died a natural death unlike other small animals of the food chain. Anyway he moved swiftly to the place from where he heard the cry. To his astonishment, he saw an elephant struggling to free himself from the jaws of a huge crocodile. Hanumanji, would have probably remembered the elephant who were once King Indradyumnan struggling in the jaws of the crocodile who were once a Gandharvan called Huhu. He would have probably said the manthram ":Naaraayanaa! AkhilagurO! Namasthe" and jumped on the crocodile to save the poor elephant.   It was a tough fight and Hanumanji found...

10/31/09 A simple conversation and it's deep meaning.    Disciple: Guro, what is the  essence of dharma?   Guru : "Athmana : prathi koolani paresham na samaachareth" meaning "Don't do to others what is harmful to you."   "This is the only Dharmam anybody has to follow in any yuga.  One does not have to know the scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads, Puraanaas Ithihaasaas, one need not be "educated" in the present day meaning of the word or in the meaning given to that word in olden days, to follow this dharmam. Even if one is a storehouse of all knowledge or Jnaani in every sense of the word, one who does not follow this Dharmam is an Adharmi."   Disciple: Is this applicable to all living beings? For example, killing animals for your pleasure or to use it's body as your food?   Guru: "Yes, this is the law of Dharma for all human beings towards all other living beings. Killing animals (most of them have a devel...

10/20/09 The following is the best advice for the best investment anybody can ever make in any economy. This advice comes from respected Chinmayaananda Swamiji:   " Love is already with in us. We have to wisely invest it at the feet of the Lord. Our Bhakthi or love needs only to be transferred from our objects of desires to our divine ideal, the spiritual truth. We are promised with the highest dividend."   And that promise is from the highest authority- Bhagavaan. May God bless us to transfer slowly all our investments of love to Him.

10/19/09 Disciple: Guro, in Bhagavadd Gita, Lord Krishna says:     Bahoonaam janmanaam anthe                   Jnaanavaan maam prapadyathe              Vasudeva:  sarvam ithi                                 sa mahathma sudurlabha:     ബഹൂനാം    ജന്മനാം  അന്തേ  ജ്ഞാ നവാന്‍  മാം  പ്രപദ്യതേ  വാസുദേവ:   സര്‍വം  ഇതി സ  മഹാത്മാ  സുദുര്‍ല്ലഭ:                                           ...

10/17/09 Thrivakra was the make-up woman in Kamsa's palace. She combined make-up ingredients like sandalwood powder or paste, Rose water, kumkumam etc in the right proportion and made available for King Kamsa and other royal family members. She had three big curves in her back and she was known as Thrivakra, one who was curved three times. Insensitive adults made up this name and she was often a victim of ridicule for the abnormalities with which she were born. She felt sad and found comfort in praying Krishna even though she was an employee of Lord Krishna's number one enemy.   When Krishna came to Madhura for the Dhanuryaagam, He took a tour of Madhura and on the road side Thrivakra also was eagerly waiting to see Him. She had the make-up ingredients ready in her hand and when Krishna came after killing the arrogant washer man, Thrivakra offered the scented paste she carefully prepared with extreme devotion and love. Krishna accepted it, held her head...

10/15/09 "Na Gaayathryaad parO manthra:" or there is no manthram whose greatness is greater than Gayagthri gives this manthram another status: Veda Maatha or mother of Vedaas.   Gayathri manthra has 24 letters, eight in each paada or step. PraNavam and Vyaahruthi is chanted before the Gayathri.   Aum  (PraNavam)   Bhoorbhuvaswa: (when split, Bhoo: Bhuva: Swa: this is called Vyaahruthi).  As per Rigveda, the above three sounds are three vital energies, connected to the chariot of body, pulling us effortlessly to work or worship where Lord presents us with thousands of rewards.  Bhoo: stands for Bhoomi or earth, Bhuva: stands for 7 worlds below Earth and swa: stands for 6 heavenly worlds above us.   TathsavithurvareNyam    (whole essence of Rigvedam)   BhargOdevasya dheemahi   (whole essence of Yajur vedam)   DhiyO yO na: prachOdayaath   (whole essence of Saama vedam) ...

10/14/09 A wandering sage reached a remote village and decided to spend that night under a huge banyan tree that was serving the community by giving shade and cool breeze to several animals, birds and humans who came there to rest. Thinking of Bhagavaan's greatness and praying for the welfare of all, sage closed his eyes to get a peaceful night's sleep.   Soon after he slept and a nearby farmer came and woke him up. He said:  "Guro, sorry to wake you up. I had a dream in which God told me that I would find a sage under this banyan tree and he would be able to give me a precious stone which would bring ever lasting relief for my poverty and desires. I used to pray God everyday to bless me and I believe God answered my prayer. Guro, did God mean you to give me the stone? If so please give me now so that nobody will see or know about it."   Sage took out a huge diamond which was shining like a rising sun, from his cloth bag and gave it to him with out ut...

10.8/09 When Vidura Mahaashaya knew that war between Pandavaas and Kauravaas was unavoidable, he did not want to be part of that heart-breaking war and went for theerthayaathra or pilgrimage.On his way to Theerthaas, Vidura met somebody who looked like Lord Krishna, dressed like Him and did everything as He told him. That was the greatest devotee Shree Uddhava. Viduraji was very happy to meet him and asked him where he was going.   Uddhavaji told him about Lord Krishna's "swadhaama gamanam" or going to his own permanent abode, Vaikundham and told Viduraji that he considered himself as the most blessed human on earth. Viduraji begged Uddhavaji to explain what he meant. Then Uddhavaji told about the few hours he spent with Lord Krishna before He left for Vaikundham and how Krishna affectionately ignored his request to take him with The Lord. Uddhava did not elaborate on the advise given to him by Lord, but repeated a few words of Krishna that made him think...

10/7/09 This is a story from Padmapuranam. Once Narada Muni came to see Devendra. While talking about a planet  he visited recently, he told Indraji:  "I am coming from earth. There Yayathi Maharaj, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu has completed 100 Aswamedha Yajnaas. He is one of the most righteous kings that ever ruled earth."  As usual these words of Narada put fear in Indraji's mind. He was worried whether King Yaayhti will do more yagaas and satkarmaas and become eligible for the post of Indra like King's own great father, King Nahusha. Indraji thought of a devious plan. He sent his charioteer Mathali to King Yayathi to tell him how great  heaven is and Indraji was welcoming King Yayathi to heaven to stay with him. He specifically told Mathali to tell the King that there was no old age, disease or death in heaven since they received Amrutham after churning the milky ocean. Indraji was even ready to share with the most precious amrutham or ...

10/5/09 Even though every sloka of Bhgavad Gita is important, chapter two is considered as the essence. There is a small story about how reading this chapter everyday with sincere devotion to Lord Hari will enlighten us, calm our mind and help us to completely surrender at His feet.   A devotee by the name Sukama lived in a forest near a Shiva temple in Sowpur village. He collected flowers from the forest and pure water from the springs and offered them to Lord Shiva and prayed for Krishna Bhakthi. He knew that Lord Shiva is one of the greatest Bhaktha of Lord Krishna and believed that He would bless him with unswerving devotion to Krishna. One day a sage visited this forest and Sukama welcomed him with a heart filled with love and did everything he could to please the sage. Sukama told the sage that he was praying Lord Shiva to give him Krishna Bhakthi and the sage should guide him and bless him. He said he was doing all these austerities and penances only to know K...