Bhakthadasi

his is about a conversation between Brahma , Prakruthi or Maaya, Sanat kumaaraas and Saptharshis before the actual "srushti" or creation of ordinary humans. Earth is already formed from the Pancha bhootaas. It is important to note that Vishnu Bhagavan did not take part in this conversation. After he created Maaya and Brahma, he wanted to be only a witness.   So Brahma told Maaya and others: "I am going to create the first couple by dividing myself into two and then continue creation of  men and women through them. Vishnu Bhagavan's chaithanyam or power will give praanan or life to them and He will stay as witness for their actions. Now I do not want them to know the source of their power until they search for it through intense devotion and penance. Bhagavan gave me permission to hide Him where I think is the best place. So where can I hide that Paramaatma chaithanyam? What is your opinion?" So one of the saptharshis said: "what if we hide Him...

Here is a funny story of a grear devotee of Hanuman. I thought we deserve a humorous story after our serious, month long  ayanam or journey with Lord Raama. This is a story I heard when I was a child. I do not even rememeber who told me this particular story. I think my father told this story. Anyway it does not matter.   A couple lived in a village. They were great devotees of Hanumanji and lived happily. But even after several years of married life, they were not blessed with children. So somebody advised them to offer Kadalippazham (one kind of small very sweet banana) to Hanumanji. So they bought some Kadalippazham and both of them sat in front of their beautiful statue of Hanuman. Then the husband peeled the banana and told the prayer in his own words like this: "എന്റെ കദളിപ്പഴെ, എനിക്കൊരു ഹനുമാന്‍കുട്ടി ഉണ്ടായാല്‍ നൂറ്റൊന്നു ഉണ്ണികളേ തൊലിച്ചു നേദിക്കാമെ" means "My! Kadali banana! if I get a baby Hanuman , I will peel 101 boys and offer ...

This is the Raamyanaparam for the last day of Karkitakam or aati month. We will go through the last scene of Raamaavathara. Raavana vadham is over, the purpose of Raamaavatharam is fulfilled and Brahma is impatient to see Lord Raama renounce the mortal body and come back to swadhaamam. But how can he remind Raama? Finally he decided to send Yama Dharmaraaja to earth to remind him.   Yama assumed the form of a sage and appeared in Ayodhya. He said he wanted to have a private conversation with Lord Raama. Also he said he was very particular that nobody should interrupt the conversation between them. If anybody did that, death should be the punishment. Raama agreed and told Lakshmana to guard the entrance of the suite and warned him that nobody should interrupt the conversation and death was the punishment for breaking His rule.   Lakshmana guarded the entrance and after a while, Durvaasus Maharshi came there and said he wanted to see Raama  then. ...

OnIndependence Day,it is relevant to remember what Lord Raama said about the Janmabhoomi. Even though a lot of us are living outside India for several years, remembering our mother land with love and respect brings tears into our eyes. Let us all do a very sincere pranaamam to our Janani, janmabhoomi.   Api swarnamayi Lanka na mae Lakshmana rochathe Janani janmabhoomischa swargaadapi gareeyasi O Lakshmana! though Lanka is decked with Gold, I am not attractecd to it or I do not feel any liking towards Lanka. Mother and motherland are greater than even heaven.   This verse from Valmiki Raamaayna is told by Lord Raama to Lakshmana and Vibheeshana. After the death of Raavana, Vibheeshana asks Raama to take over Lanka and stay back in the rich, gold studded kingdom of Lanka. Lakshmana aslo supported the idea of Vibheeshana. Then Raama said the above verse.   (After living in U.S. for more than 25 years, I am not sure whether I am eligible to quote the above ...

When we compare the Raamyana story and our life, there are many interesting similarities. As Gandhiji put it, man's mind is a constant battle field where a constant war is going on between the good and evil.   Dasharatha,  King of Ayodhya is one who is in control the five karmendriyaas and five njaanedriyaas-ten senses. His three wives  Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumithra  represents Devotion, Attachment and Detachment respectively.  Rama  represents wisdom or Paramaathma,  Bharatha  discrimination,  Lakshmana  renunciation and  Sathrughna  represents thought.   We can see that Attachment can make one a slave and silence even a person who has control over the senses. This has to be viewed in two ways: 1. Kaikeyi's attachment to her son prompted her to ask the boon. 2. Dasharatha's attachement to Kaikeyi and Raama made him miserable.   Vasishta  represents Vedic knowledge.  Viswamith...

Rama- Raavana -yudham was progressing and Indrajit, Ravana's eldest son was fighting relentlessly with Lakshmana. At one point, he used Brahmasthram and Lakshmana fell unconscious in the battlefield.   Seeing Lakshmana lying there with absolutely no movement, Raama was grief stricken and wept like a child. The following verse glorifies the divine love between the brothers:   Deshe deshe kalathraani deshe deshe cha baandhava: tham thu desham na pashyaami yathra bhraatha sahodara:   "In any part of the world you can meet a woman, marry her and make her your wife (kalathram) or marital relationship can be established anywhere. Also we can find other relatives in any part of the world, but I have not seen any place where we can find a brother (bhraatha)or  brotherhood is one of the associations we are blessed with at birth ( from the same udaram or stomach)".   Later Lakshmana was brought back to his senses with the medicine brought b...

When Raama and Lakshmana were looking for Sita, they came near Pampaa Nadi in Kerala. They wanted to take rest on the beautiful banks of Pampa near the thick forest and mountain valleys. Before entering the river for a refreshing bath, they thrust their bows on the muddy bank near the river.    After bath, Lakshmana took both bows and saw that  Rama's bow had some blood along with the mud. So he showed  the trace of blood to Rama. Rama was sure that he would have pierced the body of some innocent creature while thrusting the bow to the mud. Lakshmana looked for any creature and saw a wounded frog. Then Rama asked the frog: "Dear frog, why did not you make a noise when the end of the bow first hit your body? If I had heard the noise, I would have immediately withdrawn the bow. Usually frogs make a lot of noise when they see a snake or a predator. Why did not you make any noise? "   Frog said: "Lord, when a snake or any  predator seizes me, I croak very lo...

Valmiki Raamaayanam and Adhyaatma Raamaayanam portrayed Hanumanji as a Nithya Brahmachari. But I read a story about Hanumanji and his wife Suvarchala Devi in a story taken from Paraashara Samhitha. The article says there is a temple with a deity of Hanuman couple in Thailavaram Village in the outskirts of Madras. Story goes like this. Dhvajadatta was a pious Brahmin who lived in the city of Kundeenam. He was stuggling very hard to make a living and approached a sanyasi called Pushkara. Pushkaraji was a great devotee of Hanuman and advised Dhvajadatta a manthram called Suvarchala Hanumath dwaadashaakshara manthra (12 syllable manthra for Hanuman and Suvarchala). Sage told him that if He repeated that manthra with intense devotion, He would see the result soon. Dhvajadatta repeated the manthra concentrating on the result of his prayer more than the prayer itself and he did not see any improvement in his financial status. He blamed the Guru for that. At this time, anot...

The story of Vibhishana Sharanagathi is interesting because there is a story behind that too. Vibhishana came from the enemy's camp and told Raama to protect him from his own brother and his people. All the monkeys including Sugreeva and even Lakshmana were against giving asylum to Vibhishana. They said he was a maayavi (magician) and he had come there to cheat and kill Raama and his people. All his babblings are lies and if Raama would give permission, they would kill him and his four ministers who were seeking asylum, in one second. Then Raama told them that he would never disappoint a person who came to him for help and protection. That is adharmam and anybody who seeks his protection will be protected by Him. Then he tells the story of two doves.   Once there was a cruel hunter and he not only hunted animals for food, but also for enjoyment. He was walking through a forest and spotted a beautiful female dove. Immediately he aimed and shot a...

Ravana's son Indrajith was a mighty warrior with lot of powers and boons. He was invincible and had great physical strength. It was not an easy task for Lakshmana to kill Indrajit. First,  Lakshmna  was seriously injured, became unconscious and was about to die. As per Sushena's ( the physician of the monkeys) advice, Hanuman got Mruthasanjeevani from Dronagiri mountain in Himalaya and revived Lakshmana. Later in the battle, chanting the slokam below, Lakshmana used the invincible arrow Rama had given Him, against Indrajit:   Dharmaatma sathyasandhascha Raamo Daasharathiryadi pourushe cha aprathidwanda: sharainam jahi Raavanim.   It is said that the arrow did not go forward until he started the word  Aprathidwanda: in the second line. Let us go into the details. When he addressed raama as Dharmaathma, arrow did not respond. The reason for the lack of response is left for our imagination. Was it because Rama killed an unarme...

One more story about the greatness of Rama naamam. This again happened just before the return of Lord Rama to his swadhaamam or Vaikundham. Before getting ready to leave, Lord called a big meeting of all the citizens of Ayodhya and everybody had assembled in the Durbar and was waiting for Sri Rama to appear along with Sitadevi. Sathrughna was in charge of greeting the respected guests.   After some time, Maharshi Duravasas entered the durbar, took a seat and started meditating on Rama.  Narada also was present . With in a few minutes Lord Rama came with Sitadevi and everybody in the audience stood up to show respect. Duravasas did not know and was still meditating. So Narada wake him up from samadhi and told him about the arrival of Lord Rama. He woke up and saw that everybody in the audience except him had chandan thilak and garland. So durvasas asked Narada why he was not given both. Then  as usual , Narada told him that Sathrughna was in charge and he might hav...

Here is an interesting conversation between Ravana and Mandodari.   Mandodari: Prabho! You look sad and depressed. May I know the reason?   Ravana: Mandodari, you know that I brought Sita Devi and she is in the Asoka Vanam for the last several days. I do not want to touch a pativratha like her, without her consent. But she is not even looking at me. There is no way I can change her mind. Mandodari, I know it is not fair to tell about this to you, who is my Dharma patni.   Mandodari: Prabho! I am seeing your mind and even if you do not say your desire to have her, I am aware of it. So it is easier for me to accept your "avihitha moham" (unrighteous desire) when you are true to me. I am your well wisher and I hate to see your grief.   Ravana: Mandodari, I approached her with many different attires and ornaments and Sita did not even acknowledge my presence. I am disappointed.   Mandodari: Prabho! Sita will not look at anybody other than Raa...

W hat is Lakshamana Rekha? This is literally a rekha or line drawn by Lakshmana around the parnashaala or aashramam of Sita, while he was forcefully sent by Sitadevi to help Lord Raama  to  whom all mortals turn for help!   When Sitadevi and Lord Raama was sitting and enjoying the nature in Chitrakoota, a beautiful golden deer appeared there and started jumping and playing around. Sitadevi was happy to see the deer and wanted to catch it and play with the deer. So he told Rama to get it for her.   The all- knowing Raama went after the golden deer, who was actually the demon Maaricha in disguise. Deer ran far away from the aashramam to take Lord away from Sita devi and Lakshmana's eye sight. Raama did not return for a long time and Sitadevi became impatient and asked Lakshmana to go and look for Him.   Suddenly both of them could hear a pathetic cry " Hae! Sita Hae! Lakshmana!" and it sounded  as if Lord Raama was calling for help! ...

When Lord Raama fulfilled the purpose of his avathaaram, he was getting ready to return to swadhaamam or Vaikundham. He invited Hanumanji to Vaikundham because he was one of his greatest devotee during Raamaavathara. With utmost respect and devotion he asked Lord Raama whether he could decline his invitation. Hanuman told Lord that he was very reluctant to give up the body embraced by Lord. Also he was still not satisfied by enjoying the bliss of having Lord in his heart and His naamam on his lips. He would rather live here on the earth and enjoy the bliss of devotion to Lord Raama. In Vaikundham he will not be able to enjoy the form of Lord Raama. Raama agreed to his wish and blessed him to be a chiranjeevi, one who lives eternally or for long long time. Hanumanji lives in Gandhamaadana parvatham. It is believed that wherever Raamayana paaraayanam is conducted,  or where ever Raama naamam is chanted with devotion, Hanumanji occupies a seat among the audience. During paaraayana...

We all know that Hanuman's strength is extraordinary. Not only strength, but buddhi:, balam, yasha:, dhairyam, nirbhayathwam, arogatha, ajjaadyam, vvak patuthvam  also contributed to Hanuman's greatness. Still Hanuman could not kill B(V)ali. There is no doubt that Bali also was extremely strong.But it is surprising that Hanuman did not even attempt to go against him. There is a story behind this also. Like all children, baby Hanuman also was very restless and mischievous. In addition to the hyper activity, he had unusual strength also. Like any other baby monkey, he was constantly trying to have fun. So Hanuman set out to play his innocent pranks on the sages living in the nearby ashramams. He will jump on the thatched roofs of their huts and make holes in the roof, throw the firewood around, disturb the pooja items and steal their food and fruits. Maharshis were tired and cursed him that even though he had enormous strength, he would be unaware of his own power and strength...

Hanumaanji is known by several names like Aanjaneya, meaning Anjanadevi's son, Maaruthi meaning Vaayu Bhagavan's son, Raamadootha etc. One of his names he himself did not know until his mother one day called him by that name. Here is the story: Valmiki Maharshi wrote Raamaayanam after Raama's abhishekam as the King. He finished Baala kaandam, Ayodhya kaandam, Aaaranya kaandam and he wanted to name the next kaandam after Annjaneya because Annjaneya plays a big role in that part of the story. Even before Valmiki's thoughts were complete, Aanjaneya appeared before Vaalmiki and told him that he was only a humble servant of Raama and he did not deserve the credit of naming a whole chapter of Raamayana after him. Valmiki agreed and asked him whether he could name that kaandam as Sundara Kaandam . Hanuman happily agreed because it was the most beautiful kaandam in Raamayanam and in this kaandam he saw Sitadevi and came back and told Rama about the good news. Peacefully he we...

We all know that Hanumanji lived in Threthayuga  when Vishnu Bhagavan took avataar as Lord Rama. Then Lord Raama blessed Hanumanji to be a chiranjeevi (one who lives for a long, long time). So after Lord Raamaa's return to Vaikundham, Hanumanji went and started meditation and japa in Gandhamaadana mountain.   But he appeared twice during Dwaapara yuga or during Krishnaavathaara. Once he came to encounter and humble the pride of Bhima when he was going to fetch the flower Kalayaanasougandhikam for Draupadi and one time to humble the pride of Arjuna.   Arjuna and Hanumanji got in to an argument becasue Arjuna claimed that he could have effortlessly built the bridge to Lanka (sethubandhanam) by himself with his arrows where as Lord Raama took the help of thousands and thousands of monkeys. Hanumanji was a little annoyed and told Arjuna that if he could build a bridge that could withstand his weight then he would sit on the flag of Arjuna's chariot during Mah...

  There is an ekasloki Raamayanam (Raamyaayanam in one slokam) and it includes all the the story of Raamyanam except what is in Baalakaanda. In Baala kaanda, Dasharatha performs "puthrakaameshti" yaagam and by consuming the prasaadam from the yaagam, all the three wives of Dasharatha get pregnant and four sons were born to them.  Raama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Sathrughna became the joy of Ayodhya. Rama and Lakshmana were taken by Viswamitra to guard his yaagam from demons Maaricha and Subaahu. Later Baalakaanda explains the wedding of Raama and Sitadevi. After coming back to Ayodhya, King Dasharatha prepares for the coronation of Rama as Yuvaraaja and Kaikeyi objects and sends Rama to  forest for 14 years.   The remaining kaandaas and the main events are included in the slokam below. Why the baalakaanda was excluded? One explanation is that  Raamaayana is Raama's ayanam or journey. That starts when he leaves Ayodhya for the forest. On the oth...

One of the readers of my mails told me that more than any other character in Ramayana, she feels bad for the unsung heroine Urmila, Lakshmana's wife. When she expressed that , I was actually thinking of writing about Urmila and her greatness. So this is an attempt to glorify that unsung heroine.   When the coronation of Rama was cancelled due to Kaikeyi's interference with King Dasharatha's decision, everybody was mourning like a death happened in the palace. Even Vasishtha and Sumantra cried. But three people did not cry. Queen Kiakeyi, Manthara and Urmila. We know why Queen Kaikeyi and Manthara did not cry. So let us go to Urmila.   When Lakshmana went to the anthapuram of Urmila, she was painting a huge picture. She was almost half way through it. Lakshmana came inside the room looking sad and extremely stressed and ran towards Urmila. He dashed into her and the pot of paint in her hand spilled over the picture she was painting. Lakshman...

Knowledge is spread mainly through three types of books- Vedaas, Puraanaas and Ithihaasaas or epics and in this Raamaayana month, we will come to the importance of the Aadikaavya Raamaayana, which is an Ithihaasa. Let us take Vedaas. It is said that " Vedaa: prabhusammitha :" meaning vedaas are like kings. What does this mean? Vedaas provide the knowledge of art of living, philosophy, science, you name it and vedaas contain all knowledge. Vedaas  order  Dharma and you  obey  the order. Vedaas guide you like a king who guides citizens of a country. But unfortunately knowledge in the vedaas were not available to all sections of society. It was too abstract and complicated for common people. Lot of people just followed dharmam because they were prescribed by Vedaas. This is similar to following the rules of the country whether you understand it or not. While examining the Puraanaas, we can understand that Vyaasa Muni transferred the knowledge in the Ved...