Tag Archives: sita

Challenge of Gender norms by Sita

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While I was praying, I thought of Sita, the mortal incarnation of Lakshmi and her sense of independence and fearlessness.

The story is about Sita performing the Shraddha puja by herself. During their forest exile, after the death of Dashratha, Rama and Lakshman went to collect the necessary items for Shraddha (ancestral rites). As the auspicious time for the Pind Daan (offering of ritual balls) was passing and they had not returned, the spirit of King Dasharatha appeared before Sita and requested her to perform the rites immediately. Sita gave in and started making arrangements by herself. Continue reading →

Hanuman, the God of Prana

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Hanuman was the son of the Vayu, God of the Wind. His mother, Anjane was a beautiful celestial nymph, who had been cursed to be born on earth as a monkey princess, because she was an impetuous maiden by Brihaspati’s wrath. Brihaspati was the guru of the Devas. Her curse would only be uplifted when she would bear a child. Anjane was seen by the Wind God and despite being a monkey, she was very beautiful. He was enchanted by her and he blew on her. Hanuman was born and she was freed of the curse. Continue reading →

Expression of Rama’s sorrow

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Rama recalls the events starting from exile–describes Sita’s beauty, virtues and gentleness–drifts back to sorrow–Lakshman tells Ram to think of a way of finding Sita. – Aranyakand 3.63.1

Dear ones, can you sense the sorrow of Rama, when he finds out that Sita has been abducted. He is sunk in sorrow when he describes her qualities. Continue reading →

Meditation on Maha Lakshmi

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The one, who always worships Lakshmi, Sri Kamala, the one who dwells in the lotus, Padma, the pleasing one holding tender lotus bloom in her hands, the daughter of the ocean, the one who carries the pot of nectar in her two hands, the goddess Ira and the beloved of Vishnu will ward off all miseries. – Mahalakshmi Stuti, Skanda Puran, verse 8

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Sita the daughter of Mother Prithvi

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The bow of Shiva was the creation from the conversation between Shiva and Shakti. It was a perfect bow, the outcome of Tapasya and Yagna. Tapasya was like the shaft of the bow and Yagna was like the string of the bow. Individually Tapasya and Yagna cannot create a bow. Too loose the bow is useless, too tight the bow will break. To create a bow, the shaft has to bend and the string has to be taut. Therefore, the bow was created, by joining tapasya and yagna. It was a symbol of all relationships, of all man and woman in marriage, and of king and kingdom. Continue reading →

Who is Ram?

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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 →

876 – First among the heroes of the universe

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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.

Who is it? Continue reading →

716 – A snake on a rope

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Having no attachment for sound and other sense objects, and the Self not being an object of perception, my mind is freed from distractions and is one-pointed. Thus, therefore do I firmly abide.  – Ashtavakra Samhita

There are five lessons which we learn from the Ashtavakra Samhita (500-400 BCE). It is also known as the Ashtavakra Gita and is considered one of the greatest treatises on Advaita Vedanta. Ashtavakra was twelve years old, fully realized and enlightened, when he expounded his teachings to King Janaka, the ruler of Mithila and father of Sita. Continue reading →

417 – Understanding Rama

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Is it possible for us to emulate Rama? What is Ram Rajya? Can we make this earth, Ram Rajya, so we have love and peace prevailing? No wars and food for all.

Ram Raj is the kingdom of God. Equal rights to rich and poor. We have to look within ourselves. We have to address our faults and shut our eyes to the faults of our neighbors. Practice Atmabhava. Love for our fellow beings. Continue reading →