Even the blessed Lord Krishna did not dither on the issue of mode of worship

Even the blessed Lord Krishna did not dither on the issue of mode of worship..

He said in Gita.. yo yathaa maam prapadyante taan tadaiva bhajamyaham.. यो यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तान् तथैव भजामयाहं. I manifest to other in whatever way they approach me.

Therefore, seeing His presence in anything, and even nothingness are both the same..

If you argue that the Divine  Mother herself is agni.. Taam agnivarnaam..तां अग्निवर्णां .it would make more sense, and when she is Agni herself, she can manifest in any shape..

The dissent of an Advaitin to Saguna worship is understandable, but no one is permitted to call any other path as that of ignorance..

You can go from Palakkad straight to Delhi, Via Mumbai, Via Chennai or through  by many other routes..It is  the destination   that counts..

Of course heckling inter-religious,inter-procedure aproaches   is an entirely different  issue..

If we can understand Hindu faith properly, there can be no disputes..

We admit that the same Shankara who was the votary of Advaita philosophy where the specific Gods and rituals have little relevance, has worshipped in many shrine, has set up many shiva temples and Shakti temples in Kerala, and outside too.

He has penned Soundarya Lahari, and Vishnusahasranama Bhashyam and Thrisathi Bashyam,. He has authored some major tantra texts, andhas composed innumerable Stotras on Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Ganesha, Skanda, Dakshinamurthi.. the list is very long..

He saw reason in all the six mathas.. Sauram,Vaishnavam, Saktham, Saivam, Kaumaram and Ganapthyam and integrated and validated all these.. He realized that Hinduism is like a huge garden, a huge orchard with lot of fruits and foliage.

Every believer can pluck flowers and fruits according to his own preferences,tastes. He can remain in his  level of understanding of the Supreme Being and worship deities or entities   of his own choice..

Hearing of His glory, Singing of His glory, Meditating on Him, Service at the feet of His and His devotees, offering him flowers and praises, doing pranams, acting as his slave, or offering friendship to Him and ultimately offering himself to God.. all are ways to reach Him..स्मरणं कीर्तनं विष्णो स्मरणं पादसेवनम् अर्चनं वन्दनं दास्यं सख्यं आत्मनिवेदनम्; so says Bhagavatam...

There are no P hd.holders  or unlettered people in HInduism.. If anyone thinks he is the lone P hd holder.. it is simply sad...We can worship God in whatever way we like, but we will be incurring sin if we think any other mode, or any other deity than our favourite deity is wrong or bad...

This should be the spirit...

choice of groom for marriage

 

नातिदूरे न चासन्ने अत्याढ्ये चातिदुर्बले ।

वृत्तिहीने च मूर्खे च षट्सु कन्या न दीयते ॥

- बृहत् पराशर स्मृति

naatidoorey na chaasanne athyaadye chaatidurbhale

vrittiheene cha moorkhe cha shatsu kanyaa na deeyate|

This is from Brihat Parasharasmrithi… a much respected treatise on Law… almost on par with Manusmriti, and the work of Yajnavalkya…

We should not give a girl of the family in marriage

1. To a groom who is from too far a place

2. To a groom who is from the same locality

3.To a groom who is too high socially , culturally and financially in comparison

4. To a groom whose is too low socially, culturally and financially in comparison

5.To a groom who is not having a job or who it not engaged in a profession as a means of livelihood.

6. To a groom who is cruel and idiotic

The process of writing Ramayanam Starts..9

The process of writing Ramayanam Starts..9

------------------------------

(continued from the earlier post the link for which is given at the bottom.)

पर्वतारोहणं चापि सागरस्य च लङ्खनम्।

समुद्रवचनाच्चैव मैनाकस्य च दर्शनम्॥ २८

parvatārohaṇaṁ cāpi sāgarasya ca laṅkhanam|

samudravacanāccaiva mainākasya ca darśanam|| 28

The story of Ramayanam upto the point where Anjaneyaswamy climbed to the summit of Mahendra mountain, with his mind set on jumping over the sea to reach the Island of Lanka where Ravana held Devi Sita as captive, has already been covered in the earlier posts..

Standing atop the Mahendra mountain, Lord Hanuman rose to his full and imposing form, held up his arms and concentrating within himself all his Yogic powers, pressed hard on the mountain Mahendra with his feet and propelled himself at great speed into the sky in the southern direction over the sea..

This action of great valour and skill was being watched by all the gods and demigods assembled in the sky..

The Southern Sea, which was ever indebted to the kings of the solar race as it was a king from that lineage, Sagara who created it and it was Bhagiratha another kings of that race who filled it with the waters of Ganga, felt that when Hanuman was soaring over it for the welfare of Rama, a prince of of the solar race, it was its duty to offer hospitality to the emissary and lieutenant of Rama..

Mainaka, the mountain who was the son of Himalaya, was staying submerged in the Southern Seas hiding from the thunderbolt of Indra.. It so happened that mountains had wings at one time, and they flew all over the sky like huge birds, and landed themselves on any piece of earth as and when they liked. Such sudden landing of mountains caused damage to the valleys and towns, and caused heavy loss of lives to men and beasts.. So the Lord of Devas, Indra decided to chop off the wings of all the mountains, and send his weapon thunderbolt or Vajrayudha on this mission.. All the mountains fell down wingless, but Mainaka just flew southwards and took refuge in the sea.. and stayed there hidden from the assault by Indra.. It was the god of wind Vayudeva, who had helped Mainaka to fly such a long distance and land up inside the south sea.. The sea, prodded by its sense of duty towards the Solar Race, asked Mainaka to raise up and station himself high up in the path of flight negotiated by Hanuman, and offer him rest, and hospitality with fruits, water and other comforts.. Mainaka too was eager to pay respects to the son of the Wind god as the wind god had helped him to save his wings earlier..

Accordingly Mainaka rose up and waited in the path through which Hanuman was flying.. The top of the mountain was packed with fruits and other offerings for the valorous emissary of Rama.. The mountain Mainaka appeared in human form and offered welcome and hospitality to Hanuman, and recalled the gratitude that the sea and the mountain owed to the Solar Race, Wind god, Rama and Hanuman..

However, the indomitable Hanuman was focused simple in his mission to reach Lanka as early as possible. He politely refused to descend and receive the hospitality, but just touched the mountain with his arms and feet in the course of his flight and continued to proceed fast in the direction of Lanka..

(This narration covers an important part of Sundarakandam.. where the gods are actually testing the valour of Hanuman.. whether he is the apt lieutenant of Rama.. whether he is bold and resourceful, whether he will be capable of playing the sheet anchor role in Rama’s war with Ravana.)

Just a minor part of Hanumans Journey is covered here..

Hope to continue with the narration the next day… if God permits..

The process of writing Ramayanam Starts 14

The process of writing Ramayanam Starts 14

The previous narrative stopped when Hanuman had delivered a strong punch to the Lankini and brushing aside her resistance, he set out to enter the city of Lanka.. during the night.

Lord Anjaneya entered the city of Lanka coolly and silently.. But he did not choose the main gate as his entry point.. He scaled a wall on the side and jumped in, ensuring that his left foot landed in the soil of the city first.. That exactly is the way one should enter the place of an enemy whom he wants to finish off

Hanuman wandered around the city of Lanka with sufficient care and alacrity. The night life in Lanka at its peak then..

He found that the Rakshasas in Lanka were living a really posh life in well built and well furnished mansions.

The men inside were going ahead with studies of scriptures and were repeatedly chanting the praise of their Lord and master Ravana. The ladies were making merry with songs and dance.

Everything looked calm, comfortable and cozy in the city.. But the sharp eyed Hanuman did not fail to notice the presencce of spies, sentinels and plainclothesmen of the Demon KIng going all along, round by round, at regular intervals. Their agility and sense of purpose were not missed by the Minister of Rama.

Hanuman came across various kinds of demons . Some wore long beards, some were bald or had their heads shaved. They wore various garments, made of clothes, leather, sheaths of metal, hair and so on. They carried all sorts of weapons, right from mere bunches of grass to deadly spears and swords and huge clubs.

There were fat people.. really fat.. They were thin people, pencil thin. There were people who were toweringly tall.. There were tiny dwarfs. There were people with fair complexion and there were people with pitch dark colour too.. There were people with well formed limbs and organs, and there were people with multiple eyes, grotesque teeth, deformed noses and limbs and there were people with limbs growing in the wrong places..

He managed to saunter through the streets and reach the precincts of the hillock atop which the impressively huge and attractive mansion of Ravana was situate..

He found that a very huge army of strong running to thousands demons, all armed with multiple arms and ammunition, and found that the force was on a round the clock vigil.

The approach to the palace was guarded by huge fortresses and also very wide and deep trenches

The whole palace was decorated with gold foils and studded with gems, pearls, and other costly ornamental pieces.

The entire area was filled with the fragrance of incense

As he was approaching the Palace of Ravana, the moon was rising.

The revelry of the early night was subsiding and the aristocrats among the citizens were withdrawing for their nights sleep.

However, the vagrant Rakshasas, whose habit was to loiter around during nights were on the prowl.

Such vagrants had fortified themselves with booze. They were shouting at one another, alternating between friendly talk and choicest abuses at one another..

They were alternately embracing one another with their fat hands and were pulling and pushing at each other the next moment..

Of course, Hanuman could avoid notice of the army men and the Rakshasas and could continue with his search for mother Sita

He could not find the Princess.. and he knew that instinctively..

How could he find such a noble and classy lady among the motley crowd in the streets

He decided to make a stealthy entry into the harem of Ravana..

And he executed the plan too with great efficients..

The narrative would continue,, next day..

( The above narrative is a brief condensation of the description in Valmiki Ramayanam)

I never unfriend a person unless I find he or she has some behavioural disorder

 

I never unfriend a person unless I find he or she has some behavioural disorder..

Even today I just accepted a young person and within seconds I was getting message about his liking or love for old persons..

Many of my friends might be facing similar situations.. 

Many such mentally disordered persons are lurking around in social media..

 I am confident that I am sharp enough to identify them and block them immediately.

 Anyway I am sharing my experience for the benefit of my large number of friends..

I never misbehave with anyone at personal level and I make it a point to block any friend who just unfriends me out of spite or for reasons best known to him or her..

I never want any such persons to cross my life at any moment.

education

 

Earnestness

Dedication

Usefulness

Care

Aptitude

Talent

Inclination

Orderliness and

Need (or Necessity)

gives meaning to EDUCATION

Was the poor victim a tiger or a donkey?

 

Was the poor victim a tiger or a donkey?

I have heard the story of a goat.. The goat had a beautiful bushy beard.. Its master also had one like it... The goat kept that resemblance in his mind as a symbol of divine brotherhood..

But a festival arrived. The goat was transformed into biryani.

However even today, goats love bearded men more.

പാവം വിധേയമൃഗം കടുവയായിരുന്നോ, കഴുതയായിരുന്നോ?

ഞാന്‍ ഒരു ആടിന്റെ കഥ കേട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്.. ആടിന്ന് ഒരു സുന്ദരമായ കുറ്റിത്താടി ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു.. അതിന്റെ യജമാനനും അതുപോലെ ഒന്നുണ്ടായിരുന്നു... ആട് ആ രൂപസാദൃശ്യം ദൈവീകമായ സാഹോദര്യത്തിന്റെ നിദര്‍ശനമായി മനസ്സില്‍ സൂക്ഷിച്ചു..

പക്ഷെ പെരുന്നാള്‍ വന്നു. ആട് ബിരിയാണിയായി രൂപാന്തരം പ്രാപിച്ചു.

എങ്കിലും ഇന്നും ആടുകള്‍ താടിവച്ച മനുഷ്യരെ കൂടുതല്‍ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നു.

We rarely practice what we read or preach.

 

We rarely practice what we read or preach.

Howefer we might act at least on a few words.

All religions stress on repetition of the scriptures or mantras or spells for this reason alone.

If we read thousand instructions from Buddha and follow at least two of them. Still we are in a position of advantage...

The Blessed Lord in Gita said Swalpamapyasya Dharmasya Thraayate mahato Bhayaat..स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् even following a very little of Dharma can save us from great catastrophe

But the Master that is Budha knew it.. he knew that if he spoke a thousand times, people might act on it once or twice..

Therefore  He is making a categorical demand that we should repeat mantras many times ...

The fellow without sense will talk, write and sing nonsense in plenty

Knowledge is just like a granaray

We fill it to the brim with grain , foreseeing famine in future

That is quite natural

But we see mercenery determination in many that all such rice should be eaten away in a single day..

The store of grains should be exhausted in a jiffy, is their credo

They will waste the grains even by making balls to throw them at stray dogs..

The grains stored in a good mans granary will fill the stomachs of many in need.

The knowledge possessed by a man with discretion is also like that..

The fellow without sense will talk, write and sing nonsense in plenty, that is all.

അറിവ് ഒരു പത്തായം പോലെ ആണ്..

പഞ്ഞം മുന്നില്‍ക്കണ്ട് നാം പത്തായം നിറച്ചു ധാന്യം കരുതിവെക്കും..

അത് സ്വാഭാവികം..

പക്ഷെ ആ ധാന്യം മുഴുവന്‍ ഒരു ദിവസം കൊണ്ട് തിന്നു തീര്‍ക്കണമെന്ന നിര്‍ബ്ബന്ധബുദ്ധി പലരിലും കാണുന്നു..

ആ ധാന്യം എങ്ങിനെയെങ്കിലും ഉപയോഗിച്ച് തീര്‍ക്കണം..

അരിയുണ്ടയാക്കി പട്ടിയെ എറിഞ്ഞുകൊണ്ടാണെങ്കിലും..

നല്ലവന്റെ പത്തായത്തിലെ നെല്ല് ഒരുപാടു പേരുടെ പശി അടക്കും. അതുപോലാണ് വിവേകമുള്ളവന്റെ അറിവും..

അതില്ലാത്തവന്‍ വിടുവായത്തം പറഞ്ഞു, എഴുതി, പാടി നടക്കും.. അത്ര തന്നെ..

punātu bhuvanaṁ puṇyā rāmāyaṇamahānadī

वाल्मीकिगिरिसंभूता रामसागरगामिनी।

पुनातु भुवनं पुण्या रामायणमहानदीII

vātmīkigirisaṁbhūtā rāmasāgaragāminī|

punātu bhuvanaṁ puṇyā rāmāyaṇamahānadī||

the Sacred River that is Ramayanam,

which originates in the mountain names Vaalmiki

and flows into the ocean which is none other than Rama Himself, may purify the entire world.. the entire earth with all its beauty..

Tomorrow starts the Month of Karkidakam, the month of Ramayanam..

The entire spirit of Ramayanam is eulogized in the above simple slokam..

The story of Rama is sacred for all.. even beyond religious boundaries..

For the South Asian Continent, Ramayana is a proud chronicle of a glorious past..

For everyone who is looking up for an ideal human being whose life he wants to emulate, Rama is always the first choice..

For efficiency, determination, strength and steadfastness, Hanuman is the ultimate benchmark

And for all that is pure, sweet and delicate and merciful mother Sita is the standard

And Ramayana is the Story, of these three and many others ..

For the lovers of Sanskrit, Ramayanam is the first ever Kaavyam, the beacon-light of enlightenment

It is time to pay our respects to the great poet, his sublime creation and to Rama, Sita and Lord Anjaneya too

for Sanskrit lovers

------------------------

वाल्मीकिगिरि संभूता having her origin in the mountain named Valmiki

राम सागर गामिनी flowing towards the ocean named Ramaa

पुण्या the most sacred

रामायण महानदी great river that is Ramayanam

भुवनं पुनातु may purify the entire world..

donkeys who disguise as lions and also try to give an impression of their leonine nature

 

In fact we are accustomed to the brays of donkeys who disguise as lions and also try to give an impression of their leonine nature. And the saddest part is that we land up in situations where we are forced against our will to accept such sounds of braying as roars of lion.

This usually happens in Government Service and in some social media groups too.

If a donkey in its superior wisdom thinks that it is a lion and even starts to roar in its own inimitable braying style, it is none of my business to point it out openly.

Of course, the situation may be different if it is charging towards me with murderous intent, to the accompaniment of its divine musical chant.

empty words

 

We articulate our ideas that we consider as having of enduring value, mostly in written words.

Usually we take care to ensure the rhyme and rhythm for the formation of sentences, and often an attractive array of words succeeds in captivating the minds of the audience.

But more important is the content.

We should be honest first.

And should be honest to the last.

We should be precise.

We should not hurt through slapstick humor or dry sarcasm...

We need not boast or attempt to sell ourselves.

Usually our thoughts and words would sell our ideas or kill us all by themselves even without any conscious attempt on our parts.

We must never fail to appreciate the fact that what we write would be of any use only if someone reads it, and that means the reader should like it, persuade himself to read it, and derive some benefit out of it.

Of course we can write anything, in any language whether we know the language properly or not, we can use any word whether that word is really in use or not, but then such writing will succeed only creation of sort of smudges on paper made by a pen and the action could help only in making the paper dirty, just copying the dirt in our minds to paper or keyboard, if the words so written do not mean anything to anyone except perhaps ourselves.

Are we going back to the jungle? Anyway, even jungles have their rules.

 

An action cannot be categorized as right merely because I am interested in performing it.

Nor can it be termed as wrong because someone whom I do not exactly see eye to eye is performing it..

Right and wrong are relative, one may argue. However there are a lot of people walking around on this earth in addition to me, and we have evolved over time some basic and general truce on what is right or otherwise ..

And when the majority abide by the terms and conditions, and they have usually accepted it as working agenda, such terms should work for our own peace and peace of others.

Coming to think of it, marital fidelity, parental responsibility and even fairness in life and having generally accepted manners and lifestyle, are all part of this truce.

And often, as we evolve as a group, many of the traditions attain the force of law.

And some even assume that such laws have the endorsement of God

It is not difficult to ponder over these facts and accept them at intellectual level.

However, at emotional level our animal tendencies tend to raise their heads. And the impulsive urges inside a man man often defeats by the rational or reasonable one.

In a group, be it is of family, professional colleagues, compatriots and nd so on, we have the advantage that other in the group pull us back to realities of life when we tend to wander off.

However for some in social media, there are no bars attached. Except an arrogant and muddled mind and the keyboard, and a lighted console or a mobile screen perhaps in a dark backdrop.

This is an issue that should attract our attention.

Are we going back to the jungle?

Anyway, even jungles have their rules.

Stage actors may be there, so too showmen..and those build up spiritual hysteria.

 

For us, normal human beings, unconditional happiness is not a reality.

Maybe.. the stuff like sat chid ananda might be  working inside some sages, god-men, and characters in scriptures and lore..

However, I am yet to meet a person in that stage.. in a genuine way..

Stage actors may be there, so too showmen..and those build up spiritual hysteria.

Anyway then that is not happiness but big business

Of course, with due respects and apologizing for any unintended hurt that my remark might cause, I tend to hold the view the occupants of asylums or those who are fit for such abodes, can have such happiness without cause or reason .. and iwe can safely terme it as sort of hallucination too.

exploitation can and would happen anywhere.

Narrowness in perception was not the sin of the authors of scriptures or social leaders..

If some people tried to interpret things to further their own selfish interests,

we have to blame the ignorance of the set-up and the gullibility of the person at the receiving end ..

Such exploitation can and would  happen anywhere..

not because of any religion,

but because of the base nature of some of the players on the stage..

Prana leaves breaking the brahmarandhram of Sahasraaram lotus

 

When the realized souls finally depart, the Prana leaves breaking the brahmarandhram of Sahasraaram lotus.. 

that is the brain just shatters.. 

However normal deaths are considered auspicious if the pranas leave by the right ear.. 

Because the right ear contain Ganga..

 In fact when the Sannyasis pass away, there was or is a practice that they hit their skull  using a coconut facilitating the departure of Prana..

our sense organs have their limits for cognizance...they can view, hear or sense happenings only within certain limits

 

Our perception is essetially  the result of our faculties of cognizance and maybe, they have limitations...

God was, is and will be present for ever, everywhere and nowhere. Inside, outside and anywhere...

However, our sense organs have their limits for cognizance...they can view, hear or sense happenings only within certain frequency ranges or within certain parameters..

Krishna is there within those limits and is also present beyond..

We attempt to understand The Universal thing is according to our capacities..

Therefore every idea is correct when it comes to our effort in perceiving Krishna..

A realm of no wrongs..

fresh and new things preferred except grains and servants

नवं वस्त्रं नवच्छत्रं नव्या स्त्री नूतनं गृहम्।

सर्वत्र नूतनं शस्तं सेवकान्ने पुरातने॥

वेतालभट्ट नीतिप्रदीपिका

navaṁ vastraṁ navacchatraṁ navyā strī nūtanaṁ gṛham|

sarvatra nūtanaṁ śastaṁ sevakānne purātane||

vetalabhatta nītipradīpikā

New and fresh dress materials are always talked high of. New umbrella is also nice. A newly married young damself is the best decoration for the house. And one’s residence is most beautiful when it is newly built. So usually fresh and new things are praised and preferred almost everywhere. However, when it comes to servants the best are always those who have served us for long periods. Similarly the most nutritious food grain is one which is cooked after its is stored for some time period

नवं new वस्त्रं garments नवः छत्रं new umbrella नव्या young, newly wed स्त्री woman नूतनं freshly built गृहं house इति thus सर्वत्र everywhere नूतनं new things शस्तं are preferred, prescribed, praised . परन्तु however सेवकाः servants अन्नं food grain च too पुरातने old, seasoned शस्ते are preferable, praised.

Everything has its existence only in Truth

सत्येन धार्यते पृथ्वी सत्येन तपते रविः।

सत्येन वाति वायुश्च सर्वं सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितम्॥

चाणक्य॥

satyena dhāryate pṛthvī satyena tapate raviḥ|

satyena vāti vāyuśca sarvaṁ satye pratiṣṭhitam||

cāṇakya||

This earth is held in its right place by truth

The Sun is burning and supplying heat following trtuth

The air is moving around and keeping all alive just bound by truth

Everything has its existence only in Truth

Truth he has its dictionary meaning too ..

Just describing things without distortion or falsification and as they are seen understood..

But the word truth goes far too beyond that

The God himself, Krishna Himself was praised as truth..

सत्यव्रतं सत्यपरं त्रिसत्यं सत्यस्ययोनिं निहतं च सत्ये सत्यस्य सत्यमृतं सत्यनेत्रं, सत्यात्मकं त्वाँ शरणं प्रपन्नः satyavratam satyaparam trisatyam satyasya yonim nihatam cha satye satyasya satyam rta satya netram satyaaatmakam tvaam sharanam prapannaH..

This was how He was welcomed to the earth as He was born to Devaki in Kamsa's prison

Only in an environment of truth, we can have some hope..

We have seen nature and her constituents working as per certain laws.. and the behaviour is repeated precisely, predictably and consistently too.. This is the base for truth.. If nature behaves in a chaotic and unpredictable manner, the whole earth and other systems would not have existed..

In the field of ethics, we believe that if we deviate from the path of truthfulness we are warned that very adverse consequences will follow..

A Harishchandra who could stoically face any tribulations to uphold truth is our role model.

Dharmaptutra, was called so because he was truthful.. and we know when he deviated from the path of truth even slightly his wealth of accumulated fame and virtue dwindled.

intelligence vs raw physical power

मतिरेव बलाद् गरीयसी यदभावे करिणामियं दशा ।

इति घोषयतीव डिण्डिमः करिणो हस्तिपकाहतः क्वणन् ॥

गुणरत्न -८ (सा. ६५३) हितोपदेश

matireva balād garīyasī yadabhāve kariṇāmiyaṃ daśā ।

iti ghoṣayatīva ḍiṇḍimaḥ kariṇo hastipakāhataḥ kvaṇan ॥

guṇaratna -8 (sā. 653) hitopadesh

Size of the body and physical strength need not be as important as intelligence and cleverness in deciding a persons importance. The tiny mahout (the man controlling the elephant) walks ahead and the huge elephant follows hime obediently, and the bell attached to the neck of the elephant is chiming repeatedly saying the intelligence is stronger than mere physicial strength.

If physical strength was the controlling factor, then the mahout would have been helpless.

മതിരേവ ബലാദ് ഗരീയസീ യദഭാവേ കരിണാമിയം ദശാ ।

ഇതി ഘോഷയതീവ ഡിണ്ഡിമഃ കരിണോ ഹസ്തിപകാഹതഃ ക്വണന്‍ ॥

ഹിതോപദേശം

ശരീരത്തിന്‍റെ വലിപ്പവും ബലവും ഒന്നും അല്ല ഒരു വ്യക്തിയുടെ പ്രാധാന്യം നിശ്ചയിക്കുന്നത്. ഒരാളുടെ ബുദ്ധിശക്തിയും കാര്യക്ഷമതയും അയാളെ നേതാവാക്കുന്നു. ചെറിയ ശരീരമുള്ള പാപ്പാന്‍‌ മുന്നില്‍ നടക്കുമ്പോള്‍ അയാളുടെ പിന്നില്‍ അനുസരണയോടെ നടക്കുന്ന കൂട്ടനായ ശരീരമുള്ള ആനയെ കണ്ടിട്ടില്ലേ. ആ ആനയുടെ കഴുത്തില്‍ ഒരു മണിയും കെട്ടിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. ആ മണി വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും മുഴങ്ങുന്നത ഇപ്രകാരം പറഞ്ഞുകൊണ്ടാണ് .. “ബുദ്ധിയാണ് വലുത്, ശരീരത്തിന്‍റെ വലിപ്പവും ശക്തിയും അല്ല. “

conceal excessive affection for the boy

लालयेद्बालकं तावत् यावदत्र विद्मुग्धता।

राजा प्रजास्विव प्रीतिं पश्चात् प्रच्छादयेत् पिता॥

हरिहरसुभाषिते

lālayedbālakaṁ tāvat yāvadatra vidmugdhatā|

rājā prajāsviva prītiṁ paścāt pracchadayet pitā||

hariharasubhāṣite

Until the stage where the boy is innocent and not able to discern what is proper, the father should show leniency and even dote on the child.. showing excessive affection. However, once the boy is of age where he could differentiate between right and wrong, the father should behave just like a king behaving to his subject, and should conceal excessive affection for the boy .

It is not that the king or the father should not love his subject or the child.. it is only that the show of affection should not send a message to the subject or the child that a lot of indulgence is shown towards him and that his wrongdoings would be condoned.

पिता father यावत् until the time विमुग्धता innocence, lack of capacity to be serous,अत्र अस्ति os there तावत् till that tim बालकं the boy, the son, the ward लालयेत् shoud dote on, should exhibit lot of affection पश्चात् after that ( when the child can understand right and wrong) राजा the king प्रजासु on his subjects इव like पुत्रे towards son, on son प्रीतिं affection प्रच्छादयेत् should conceal.

The atma is neither a brahmin, nor a non brahmin, not a HIndu, Christian Muslim or Sikh or Communist

You said, brahmins or dvijas should chant Gayatri and others the Hare Krishna mantram to achieve righ orientation. I agree that chanting Gayatri Mantram is great..great for all. I do not know whether caste, creed or community really would matter. The atma is neither a brahmin, nor a non brahmin, not a HIndu, Christian Muslim or Sikh or Communist.

Remember also that Gayatri or Hare Krishna mantram will not come naturally to all.. The jeevan should have already been programmed and oriented spiritually... If you think you are free to do good or bad, you are not exactly right.. The accumulated Karma, paapam etc cloud the process. If you are earnest and you feel that you should chant divine name etc even in spite of the negative forces working in you and are holding you back, it means that you are in the path of recovery or you are correcting your path in the journey towards blessedness. But normally the forces of Karma are very strong and will bind you and drag you with a strength which you may not be able to resist and overcome..

So neither you, nor me are going to escape just by quoting rules, by stating what we should do..
We have to force ourselves and catapult ourselves in the right path.. Maybe once we gain some momentum, our journey may be smooth.

It is not Gayatri mantram or the Hare Krishna mantram that is important.. the spirit behind such mantram.. Any word, phrase or sound can be a mantram if our minds can try to identify ourselves with the supreme one when we utter these words.

people do not realize what exactly is good and beneficial for them

व्याघ्रीव तिष्टति जरा परितर्जयन्ती रोगाश्च शत्रव इव प्रहरन्ति देहे।

आयुः परिस्रवति भिन्नघटदिवाम्भः लोकस्तदाप्यहितमाचरतीति चित्रम्॥

वैराग्यशतके॥

vyāghrīva tiṣṭati jarā paritarjayantī rogāśca śatrava iva praharanti dehe|

āyuḥ parisravati bhinnaghaṭadivāmbhaḥ lokastadāpyahitamācaratīti citram||

vairāgyaśatake||

It is indeed strange and sad but funny, Old age is standing nearby threatening the people just like a female ready to pounce upon its prey, dieseases are striking the body repeatedly and vigorously as if they are our sworn enemies, life span is just running out quickly just like water leaking out of a pitcher which has developed big cracks, still people do not realize what exactly is good and beneficial for them to perform and achieve during the lifetime.. and they just perpetrate evil deeds.

जरा old age व्याघ्री female tiger इव like परितर्जयन्ती threateningly तिष्टति stands रोगाः diseases च too शत्रव enemies इवlike देहे in the body प्रहरन्ति strke भिन्न broken, cracked घटाद् pot, pitcher अम्भ water इव like आयुः life span, longevity परिस्रवति flows out, leaks तदापि even so लोकः people अहितं what is not beneficial, what is goo आचरति acts इति चित्रं this is strange, this is funny

a lion would jump at the person who send the arrow

जडास्तपोभिः शमयन्ति देहं बुधा मनः सर्वविकारहेतुम्।

श्वा मुक्तमस्त्रं दशतेह कोपात् मोक्तारमुद्दिश्य हिनस्ति सिंहः॥

jaḍāstapobhiḥ śamayanti dehaṁ budhā manaḥ sarvavikārahetum|

śvā muktasmatraṁ dahsateeha kopāt moktāramuddiśya hinasti siṁhaḥ||

subhashitaratnamala 

The people, who are of just routine capacity and attainments regulate their bodily activities through workouts to bring order and discipline in their lives and to give some orientation for their activities. However the really intelligent people achieve order and direction in life by controlling their minds which act as the origin of all the impulses and tendencies. When an arrow is sent at a dog, the dog, in its anger tries in great anger ,to attack and bite back the arrow. But a lion would jump at the person who send the arrow, and would attack and defeat him. That is the difference.

ജഡാസ്തപോഭിഃ ശമയന്തി ദേഹം ബുധാ മനഃ സര്‍വ്വവികാരഹേതും।

ശ്വാ മുക്തമസ്ത്രം ദശതേഹ കോപാത് മോക്താരമുദ്ദിശ്യ ഹിനസ്തി സിംഹഃ॥

ശരാശരി കഴിവുകള്‍ മാത്രം ഉള്ള മനുഷ്യര്‍ ജീവിതത്തിലെ പ്രതിസന്ധികളെയും വെല്ലുവിളികളെയും തരണം ചെയ്യുന്നത് അത്തരം കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ നേരിടാന്‍ ഏറെ പ്രയത്നവും ശാരീരികമായ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനങ്ങളും മാത്രം ചെയ്തുകൊണ്ടായിരിക്കും. പക്ഷെ ഏറെ ധിഷണാബലം ഉള്ള വ്യക്തിയാകട്ടെ പ്രശ്നങ്ങള്‍ നേരിടാനുള്ള കഴിവ് സ്വന്തം മനസ്സിലാണ്‌ ഉള്ളതെന്ന് നല്ലവണ്ണം മനസ്സിലാക്കി ആ മനസ്സിന്‍റെ ബലം നല്ലവണ്ണം പ്രയോഗിച്ചു പ്രശ്നത്തിന്റെ ഉറവിടം കണ്ടെടുത്ത് വേണ്ട വിധം കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ ചെയ്ത് നേട്ടങ്ങള്‍ കൊയ്തെടുക്കുന്നു.

ഒരു പട്ടിക്കു നേരെ ആരെങ്കിലും അമ്പെയ്താല്‍ പട്ടി ആ അമ്പു വീഴുന്ന സ്ഥലം നോക്കി കുരച്ചുചെന്ന് ആ അസ്ത്രത്തെ ദേഷ്യത്തോടെ കടിച്ചു നശിപ്പിക്കാന്‍ ശ്രമിക്കും പക്ഷെ ഒരു സിംഹമാകട്ടെ, ഒരു വില്ലാളി അമ്പ് എയ്യുന്നത് കണ്ണില്‍ പെട്ടാല്‍ അയാള്‍ക്കുനേരെ ചാടി വീണ് അയാളെ ആക്രമിച്ചു  കീഴ് പെടുത്തുകയാണ് ചെയ്യുക

sterling character provides one special decoration

न मुक्ताभिर्न माणिक्यैः न वस्त्रैर्न परिच्छदैः

अलन्ङ्क्रियेत शीलेन केवलं हि मानवः॥

na muktābhirna māṇikyaiḥ na vastrairna paricchadaiḥ

alanṅkriyate śīlena kevalaṁ hi mānavaḥ||

It is not really and necessarily by virtue of wearing pearls or rubies, not though wearing grand clothes nor through occupying safe sheleters or covering oneself with ornamental shields that a person is really decorated and his importance reckoned. It is indeed his sterling character and his conduct with his fellow human beings that provides him special decoration.

मानवः a man , a person मुक्ताभिः pearls न not माणिक्यैः rubies न not वस्त्रैः clothes न not परिच्छदैः by coverings, shields, shelters, न not अलङ्क्रियेत get decorated, get fortified शीलेन character strength of character केवलं merely, alone हि indeed सः he अलङ्क्रियेत is decorated, he becomes identified, becomes distinguished

growth does not depend on the person who planted the seed

चीयते बालिशस्यापि सत्क्षेत्रप्रतिता कृषिः ।

न शालेः स्तंबकरिता वप्तुर्गुणमपेक्षते ॥

- मुद्रराक्षस

cīyate bāliśasyāpi satkṣetrapratitā kṛṣiḥ ।

na śāleḥ staṃbakaritā vapturguṇamapekṣate ॥

- mudrarākṣasa

If one sows a very potent seed in fertile land, the seed will germinate, grow and give yield. The growth does not depend on the person who planted the seed. The quality of the seed or the result of cultivation does not in any way depend on the person who collected and planted the seed. If the seed is potent and the land is fertile, the plant will germinate, grow and give yield even if the one who sowed is a silly and worthless person.

not easy to swim against the current

किं करोति नरः प्राज्ञः शूरो वाप्यथ पण्डितः।

दैवं यस्य च्छलान्वेषि करोति विफलाः क्रियाः॥

शार्ङ्गधरपद्धतिः

kiṁ karoti naraḥ prājñaḥ śūro vāpyatha paṇḍitaḥ|

daivaṁ yasya cchalānveṣi karoti viphalāh kriyāḥ||

śārṅgadharapaddhatiḥ

If the luck or fate of a person is working intensely against him and is seeking ever to thwart the good results of all his activities, then he can do nothing positive even if he is very diligent and wise, he is bold and active and he is a scholar with very deep knowledge

यदि if दैवं fate, serendipity, luck तस्य his च्छलान्वेषी seeker of defects, one who thwarts the activities, who desires impediments and adversities वर्तते remain तर्हि then नरः man प्राज्ञः diligent and wise शूरः bold and active पण्डितः learned वा or सन् being अपि too ( तस्य his) क्रियाः activities विफलाः without positive results करोति render ?

കിം കരോതി നരഃ പ്രാജ്ഞഃ ശൂരോ വാപ്യഥ പണ്ഡിതഃ|

ദൈവം യസ്യ ച്ഛലാന്വേഷി കരോതി വിഫലാഃ ക്രിയാഃ||

ശാര്ങ്ഗധരപദ്ധതിഃ

ഒരു വ്യക്തി ഏറെ വിവേകവും കൃത്യനിഷ്ടയും വച്ചു പുലര്‍ത്തുന്ന ആളായിരിക്കാം. അദ്ദേഹത്തിനു വേണ്ടത്ര ശാരീരകമായ കഴിവും ധീരതയും ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കാം. ധാരാളം പഠിപ്പുള്ള ആളായിരിക്കാം അദ്ദേഹം. പക്ഷെ അയാള്‍ ചെയ്യുന്നതെന്തും തകര്‍ത്തു തരിപ്പണമാക്കാന്‍ വിധി ഇറങ്ങിപ്പുറപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുകയാണെങ്കില്‍ അയാള്‍ക്ക് നല്ലതൊന്നും ചെയ്യുവാന്‍ കഴിയില്ല തന്നെ.

Lord Shiva the Shankara is completely white all around

गात्रं भस्मसितं सितञ्च हसितं हस्ते कपालं सितं

खट्वाङ्गश्च सितं सितश्च वृषभः कर्णे सिते कुण्डले।

गङ्गाफेनसितं जटा पयसितं चन्द्रः सितो मूर्द्धनि

सेऽयं सर्वसितो ददातु विभवं पापक्षयं शञ्करः॥

शङ्करभगवत्पादाः

gātraṁ bhasmasitaṁ sitañca hasitaṁ haste kapālaṁ sitaṁ

khatvāṅgaśca sitaṁ sitaśca vṛṣabhaḥ karṇe site kuṇḍale|

gaṅgāphenasitaṁ jaṭā payasitaṁ candraḥ sito mūrddhani

se'yaṁ sarvasito dadātu vibhavaṁ pāpakṣayaṁ śañkaraḥ||

śaṅkarabhagavatpādāḥ

His whole body is covered with holy ashes of sprakling white colour

He gives out a dazzlingly white smile

He holds a spotlessly white skull in His hands

His holy seat, the Kailasa is of shiningly white colour

His mount, the Vrishabha bull is having a clean white colour

He wears a pair of eardrops which are blemishlessly white

The River Ganga seated in his matted hair is giving out clean white

bubbling foam

The water oozing out of his matted hair again is brillianltly white

The crescent moon adorning his hair is shining forth in resplendently white shine

Thus this Lord Shiva the Shankara is completely white all around..

May that Lord of brilliantly unimpeachable glory annihilate my sins and bless me with all wealth, prosperity and grace.

Every being is just hungry for Him.. become one with Krishna

Whatever be the system of belief

and whoever may call it anything...

if there is any purpose for this life

that can be realized onlywhen He,

that rogue Krishna, comes and tells

" I am here.."

Every being is just hungry for Him

Maybe it will take many births and deaths many sufferings

oceans of tears

but this helpless silly human being has

to find Him

and

should become one with Krishna.

Krishna--He is just me or you He is me and you too He is everything

Krishna is not a theory

or science

or philosophy.

He is an emotion

He is a love

He is just me or you

He is me and you too

He is everything

But He is an elusive rogue..

for sure

കൃഷ്ണന്‍ ഒരു സങ്കേതം അല്ല

ശാസ്ത്രമല്ല

തത്വശാസ്ത്രം അല്ലേയല്ല

അവന്‍ ഒരു വികാരമാണ്

അവന്‍ സ്നേഹമാണ്

അവന്‍ താങ്കളോ ഞാനോ ആണ്

അവന്‍ താങ്കളും ഞാനും ഒക്കെ ആണ്

അവന്‍ എല്ലാമാണ്

പക്ഷെ അവന്‍ നമ്മില്‍നിന്നു പെട്ടെന്ന് ഒഴിഞ്ഞുമാറുന്ന ഒരു വിരുതനാണ്

കൊച്ചു കള്ളനാണ്

ഉറപ്പ്

അവന്‍ പിടിതരില്ല

whether there is some set pattern for our lives

My revered friend was wondering whether there is some set pattern for our lives

My take on it

Not that there is no pattern.

You and I and other humans are not given the clue about it.

Some very learned sadhakas finally obtain the key too.

The choice is ours.

We can just flow along or we can attempt to seek solutions.

Of course the search is not easy and the search can span many janmams

To travel there can be road traveller and cart too but the driver is god

The theory of karma seems to be the rock solid foundation of Indian thought.

If at all remission from karma is possible that can happen only if the Supreme one decides.

Others can

plead

petition

and

argue

through

bhakthi

jnana

and karma yoga

and other possible means if any.

To think that we can change destiny is just like assuming that petitioners or advocates can pass judgements.

Even a Palkiwala or Jethmalani can only argue a case.

The judge alone can pass orders.

Even a guru is at best like an advocate.

To travel

there can be

road

traveller

and cart too

but the driver is god

some individuals like us are not great, but are simply odd

If you have the conviction that some charitable act you perform would really help others, that is nice. 

 Go ahead with that in full swing. 

However, most often we participate in temple activities and contribute to temple festivals fully knowing that there is not much charity, punyam or philanthropy involved. 

 We just make the contributions because we have to exist in society and have to float in the group.

But if you can use your money and resources for purposes which would give you satisfaction with the realization of the fact that they get utilized in the right way, that is indeed great.

I for one do not believe in the charity involved in contributing money at all.

 I am never much interested in either taking money nor giving it.

 After all, money comes and goes not because of our inherent worth or merit. 

 However, if one has some special attainments that he or she can use for others without any trace of selfishness... that would be great in my humble opinion.

Of course, such opinions are subjective.

I agree, some individuals like us are not really great, but we are simply odd

an angry man cannot enjoy the benefits of the path of dharma

न पूतो न तपस्वी च न यज्वा न च धर्मभाक् ।

क्रोधस्य यो वशं गच्छेत्तस्य लोकद्वयं न हि ॥

सुभाषतसुधानिधि

na pūto na tapasvī ca na yajvā na ca dharmabhāk ।

krodhasya yo vaśaṃ gacchettasya lokadvayaṃ na hi ॥

subhāṣitasudhānidhi

If a person has the tendency to fall into the influence of utter rage or anger, he would never become eligible nor would be able to enjoy the benefits and comforts of the two worlds, that is, the present world in which he lives and the world he has to go when he dies. He would not be pure at any time, he would not be a good performer of yajnas and similar activities and he would never have the capacity to observe the virtues of the world nor would he be able to enjoy the benefits of the path of dharma

यः who क्रोधस्य anger, rage वशं influence गच्छेत् go subjects himself तस्य for him लोकद्वयं the two worlds, this world and the world after death न हि never indeed सः he कदा अपि ever न पूतः not pure, न यज्वा not the great performer of yajnas न धर्मभाक् not a partaker in virtuous activities च to भवति become

the fire of suppressin will inundate the despot ruler

प्रजापीडनसंतापात्समुद्भूतो हुताशनः |

राज्ञः कुलं श्रियं प्राणान् चादग्ध्वा न निवर्तते ||

- याज्ञवल्क्य

prajāpīḍanasaṃtāpātsamudbhūto hutāśanaḥ |

rājñaḥ kulaṃ śriyaṃ prāṇān cādagdhvā na nivartate ||

- yājñavalkya

The intense fire-like destructive agitation arising out of the action of the kings who cause difficulties and intense torment to the subject, does not die down without burning down the king completely along with his clan, race and perhaps, his life too.

प्रजापीडन causing torture to the subjects, punishing the subjects संतापात् intense disturbance like heat समुद्भूतः originated हुताशनः the fire, राज्ञः of the kng कुलं clan श्रियं wealth, prosperity प्राणान् life च to अदग्ध्वा without burning dow न does not निवर्तते withdraw

പ്രജാപീഡനസംതാപാത്സമുദ്ഭൂതോ ഹുതാശനഃ |

രാജ്ഞഃ കുലം ശ്രിയം പ്രാണാന്‍ ചാദഗ്ധ്വാ ന നിവര്‍തതേ ||

- യാജ്ഞവല്‍ക്യന്‍പ്രജകള്‍ക്ക് ദുരിതവും കഷ്ടപ്പാടുകളും മാത്രം കൊടുക്കുന്നത് കൊണ്ട് അഗ്നി പോലെ കത്തിനില്‍ക്കുന്ന ജനങ്ങളുടെ വിഷമങ്ങളും പ്രതിഷേധങ്ങളും രാജാവിനെ അയാളെയും അയാളുടെ കുലത്തെയും, അയാളുടെ സമ്പത്തിനെയും ഒരുപക്ഷെ അയാളുടെ ജീവനെത്തന്നെയും കവര്‍ന്നെടുത്തു ചുട്ടു ചാമ്പല്‍ ആക്കിയ ശേഷം മാത്രമേ കെട്ടടങ്ങുകയുള്ളൂ

The spring will return..the tree is standing erect, unbending and dignified, waititing for the brighter days

पत्राणी जीर्णानि फलं विनष्टं च्छाया गता पक्षिकुलैः प्रयातम्।

वसन्त जानीहि तवाऽशयासौ समुन्नतिं नैव जहाति वृक्षः॥

सुभाषितरत्नमाला ३९७

patrāṇī jīrṇāni phalaṁ vinaṣṭaṁ cchāyā gatā pakṣikulaiḥ prayātam|

vasanta jānīhi tavā'aśayāsau samunnatiṁ naiva jahāti vṛkṣaḥ||

subhāṣitaratnamālā 397

This is a slokam revealing hope, faith and optimism

Oh Spring Season, please understand, that tree is standing erect, tall and dignified, because it is hoping, waiting and looking forward for your arrival, although at present its leaves are decayed, all its fruits are lost, it has very little shadow to offer, and the groups of birds have abandoned it

All these happen when the climate changes, we know. But if the tree capitulated and went down instead of maintaining its tall dignity, then that is indeed a great loss.

The spring will return soon. The leaves would sprout, There would be fruits. There would be shadow and birds would flock again. Therefore the tree is standing erect, unbending and dignified, simply waititing for the brighter days.

वृक्षस्य of the tree पत्राणि leaves जीर्णानि decayed तस्य its फलं fruit, विनिष्टं is lost तस्य its च्छाया capacity to give shadow, shadow गता is lost पक्षिकुलैः the clan of birds प्रयातं are gone, have abandoned एतदन्तरे अपि even amidst such a situation वसन्त ph spring seaon तव your आशया hope असौ this वृक्षः tree समुन्नतिं tall, erect posture जहाति abandon न not एव too इति thus जानीहि understand

പത്രാണീ ജീര്‍ണ്ണാനി ഫലം വിനഷ്ടം ഛായാ ഗതാ പക്ഷികുലൈഃ പ്രയാതം।

വസന്ത ജാനീഹി തവാഽശയാസൌ സമുന്നതിം നൈവ ജഹാതി വൃക്ഷഃ॥

സുഭാഷിതരത്നമാലാ ൩൯൭

ഒരിക്കലും കൈമോശം വരാത്ത ആശയും പ്രതീക്ഷയും ശുഭാപ്തിവിശ്വാസവും സഹനശക്തിയും ദ്യോതിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ഒരു സുഭാഷിതം

കവി വസന്തകാലത്തോടു പറയുകയാണ്

വസന്തമേ, ഈ മരത്തെ കാണുന്നില്ലേ? അത് നീണ്ടു നിവര്‍ന്നു ആഭിജാത്യത്തോടെ ആകാശം മുട്ടെ നില്‍ക്കുന്നു. അതിന്‍റെഇലകള്‍ പൊഴിഞ്ഞുപോയിട്ടുണ്ടാവാം. പഴങ്ങള്‍ എല്ലാം നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുണ്ടാവാം. അതിനു ചുവട്ടില്‍ ഇപ്പോള്‍ വലിയ തണല്‍ ഒന്നും ഇല്ല. അതിന്‍റെ ചില്ലകളില്‍ താവളം അടിച്ചിരുന്ന പറവകള്‍ എല്ലാം അതിനെ വിട്ടു പോയി. എങ്കിലും നീ വീണ്ടും വരും എന്ന പ്രതീക്ഷയിലും പ്രത്യാശയിലും ഉറച്ചു നില്‍ക്കുന്ന ഈ മരം.

കാലം മാറുമ്പോള്‍ ഇതെല്ലാം സംഭവിക്കും എന്ന് നമുക്കറിയാം. പക്ഷെ കഷ്ടകാലം വരുമ്പോള്‍ എല്ലാം നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടു എന്നുറപ്പിച്ചു നിലം പതിച്ചാലോ ആയുധം വച്ച് കീഴടങ്ങിയാലോ നമുക്ക് എല്ലാം അവസാനിച്ചു എന്ന് അര്‍ത്ഥം.

വസന്തം വീണ്ടും വരും, അപ്പോള്‍ ഇലകള്‍ വീണ്ടും കിളിര്‍ക്കും.വന്നുചേരും വീണും കായകളും കനികളും ഉണ്ടാവും ചില്ലകളില്‍ കൂടുകെട്ടാന്‍ വീണ്ടം പറവകള്‍ ഈ മരത്തെ തേടിയെത്തും . അതുകൊണ്ട് പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നു കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നു. തല ഉയര്‍ത്തിപ്പിടിച്ചു തന്നെ.