Independence, unwavering endurance and defiance of adversity were the key gunas of Goddess Sita. She stood her ground literally being the daughter of Bhudevi (Mother Earth). She had boundless courage to face adversity. She was a model of a woman, who was aware of her powerful, spiritual strength. Continue reading
Hanuman is the embodiment of enthusiasm. If we can cultivate even a fraction of that enthusiasm, we will not be distressed with failure. Hanuman is an empowering hero. He is the son of Vayu; the Wind God and he is considered the God of Prana. Continue reading
Agitated by present troubles (rakshasas)
Tempted by future joys (Ravana)
Tortured by past memories (Rama)
The Jeeva (Sita) grieves (Shoka)
Even while residing in Bliss (Ashoka).
Then the Jiva prays (Sita)
And the Guru guides (Hanuman)
Then the truth too arrives (Rama)
The ignorance destroys (Ravana)
And in Bliss unites (Ashoka). – Swami Vimalananda.
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 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
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
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
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
It was the beginning of the season for planting crops in Mithila. King Janaka, the ruler of Mithila was invited to be the first to plough the land with a golden hoe. There were musical sounds of bells, drums and conch shells’ trumpets, and the king plunged the hoe into the ground. Continue reading
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
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
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