How did it all begin? Shakti, who is the cosmic Mother, has many names – Uma, Parvati, Durga, I can go on. She asked Shiva to narrate a story which will offer comfort in troubled times to all her children. Shiva then narrated the story of the Ramayana, which is about Ram and Sita. Continue reading
I bow to the Sun.
Surya atma jagasthushsch yadaditya gatam tejo jagadbhasayate akhilam.
The Sun is the soul of a whole universe; Sun is the source of life for all living beings.
We have just celebrated a three-day festival called Chhaat, praying to Surya Devata, at sunrise and sunset. The concept is beautiful as one bathes in running water at dawn and dusk. Fasting is observed for three days, and one is purified. Continue reading
Ram is the seventh avatar of Vishnu, and he is born as a mortal. In our Hindu tradition, Ram is a divine human, a mortal god incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods. The story of his life is in the Ramayana and the Ramayana is an allegory for the duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. He is a superior being and does not render evil for evil. Continue reading
Ram’s birthplace is Ayodhya. The meaning of Ayodhya is a place where there is no war. It was a place where there was no conflict, no duality, attachment or aversion, honour or dishonor, joy or sorrow, giving or taking, sense of multiplicity. Continue reading
Dussehra signifies the triumph of good over evil. It commemorates the victory of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahisha asura and the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana, the Demon King. It is also believed that good will always prevail no matter how difficult the troubles are. Continue reading
Ramagya – Prashna is a book written by Goswami Tulsidas that is considered a jyotish or astrology treatise. It was written by Tulsidas at the request of his friend Gangaram Jyotish. The book is written in the Awadh language and is a collection of free verse. It is presented in the form of do has a rhyming couplet, with each Doha preceded by a passage from the Ram Katha and followed by a discussion of a good and bad outcome.
I read the Oracle of Rama, and I got this reading. The verse was:
All men and women of the city were enchanted:
This is the root of beneficence.
The Gods sent down blossoms
From heaven as the sages chanted,
And celestial music filled the air.
The explanation is a great welcome is given, not only from the earthly but from heavenly realms, lauding a great success and bringing together the hearts of all the people. All the worlds are in harmony and good fortune is guaranteed. The meaning is that we must make people happy in order to be successful.
Firstly, one must serve and help others, before thinking about oneself. If one is working unconditionally then one can become happy.
The story of Rama reflects the spiritual view of life found in Yoga and Vedanta, the practice and philosophy of self-realization. Rama is an incarnation of joy, compassion and strength. He is the perfect mortal. The oracle enables one to overcome the bonds of karma.
Reference: The Oracle of Rama by David Frawley.
Aim Hrim Klim
The Ramayana is a beautiful description of the life of Rama. It is venerated as one of our most holy books. If one reads the Ramayana daily, one attains salvation. It is written in poetic and simple verse. One has to read just a verse or two every day. Continue reading
Living in this world, we are exposed to daily acts of compassion and confrontation. When one reads the newspaper or reads the news on the net or screen, news flashes past.
My morning started with my two wild cats coming for breakfast. One of them is an abandoned Burmese cat. He is enormous and handsome. My other cat is a female and she is the daughter of an abandoned Abyssinian. I know, many of you of will think that how is it possible that such beautiful cats have been forsaken. And look at the irony they have come to my balcony. Continue reading
Proverbs are used by us in our daily life and most times we do not appreciate their real meaning. Each language has its own proverbs and sometimes one finds that the same proverb exists in several languages. Continue reading
Sri Rama’s first instructions were to Shabari. Who was Shabari? Shabari was a devout and pious woman, who lived in the forest. She was waiting for Rama’s arrival as she wished to learn what the true meaning of Dharma was. She was told by her Guru Matanga that she would be blessed by Rama. While praying for Rama’s visitation, she grew old. Continue reading
Avatar is a word used very freely. Many of us describe ourselves as saying in my last Avatar, I was so and so. This is very frivolous and none of us can call ourselves an avatar.
So then how should we explain the meaning of Avatar. It is an incarnation in human form of a Deity. According to Swami Sivananda, the aim of every avatar is to save the world from evil, protect the innocent and destroy the wicked. Continue reading
Who is this hero? What are the qualities such a hero should have? Dear ones, I will list them.
Heroic deeds.
Marvelous feats of strength and bravery.
Sense of duty.
Great skill in military tactics.
Crossing the sea in one leap.
Lifting a mountain peak in the palm of his hand.
Carrying his brothers on his shoulders from the nether world.
An ideal Nishkama-Karma Yogi or Selfless Worker.
Bhakta
Brahmachari.
Hanuman has many titles. Each one speaks about his different virtues and how they reflect his divine powers. Continue reading
For return of peace and harmony.
We celebrate Ram Navami after Spring Navratri. Chaitra (Spring) Navratri Pooja grants satisfaction and a joyous life. All the Shakti’s are honored and prayed to. By such prayers one recognizes the Shakti within oneself. One prays for forgiveness for all of one’s sins. Continue reading