it was his own power that sustained him

घटो जन्मस्थानं मृगपरिजनो भूर्जवसनं,

वने वासः कन्दैरशनमपि दुःस्थं वपुरिदम्।

अगस्त्यः पयोधिं यदकृत कराम्भोजकुहरे

क्रियासिद्धिः सत्त्वे भवति महतां नोपकरणे 

ghaṭo janmasthānaṃ mṛgaparijano bhūrjavasanaṃ,

vane vāsaḥ kandairaśanamapi duḥsthaṃ vapuridam।

agastyaḥ payodhiṃ yadakṛta karāmbhojakuhare,

kriyāsiddhiḥ sattve bhavati mahatāṃ nopakaraṇe ॥

from Bhojaprabhandam

तस्य his जन्मस्थानं place of birth, place of origin घटः a pot, an erthen pot परिजनः companion or assistant मृगः animal, deer वसनं dress भूर्जः the bark of birch tree

वने forest वासः dwelling, house कन्दैः bulbous root, root vegetable अशनं material for food इदं this वपुःbody दुःस्थं too tiny and infirm

अगस्त्यः sage Agastya कराम्भोज the palm of the hand held like the bud of a lotus कुहरे the hollow (of hand) पयोधिं the ocean यद् how, in what way अकृत held, did hold

महतां for great personage क्रियासिद्धिः success, achievement in their avowed tasks सत्त्वे own inherent capacity, ability भवति happens उपकरणे implements, tools न not

For great and noble personages, positive achievement in their avowed tasks is entirely dependent on their own inherent efficiency and personal power.

They do not rely much on the tools and assistants.

We know that Sage Agastya was a very tiny human being. His body was very small and his physical strength was practically inconsequential. His place of birth was a pot made of mud. He lived among animals, having deer as his assistants. He dressed himself with the bark of a bhurja..or birch tree. He resided permanently in a forest. His staple food was the bulbous roots, tubers. However, on one occasion, he just drew the whole waters of the southern seas in the palm of his tiny hand held like a bud of lotus. And drank it too.

Sage Agastya did not have the benefits of high birth, strong body influential companions or any such normal advantages. All he possessed was the power of his intense penance and the strength of his indomitable will power. He proceeded to carry the ocean in his palm and consumed it. It is evident that it was his own power that sustained him.

ഘടോ ജന്മസ്ഥാനം മൃഗപരിജനോ ഭൂര്‍ജവസനം,

വനേ വാസഃ കന്ദൈരശനമപി ദുഃസ്ഥം വപുരിദം।

അഗസ്ത്യഃ പയോധിം യദകൃത കരാംഭോജകുഹരേ,

ക്രിയാസിദ്ധിഃ സത്ത്വേ ഭവതി മഹതാം നോപകരണേ 

ഭോജ പ്രബന്ധത്തില്‍ നിന്ന്

ഔന്നത്യവും തരവും ഉള്ള വ്യക്തികള്‍ക്ക് അവര്‍ ഏര്‍പ്പെടുന്ന പ്രവൃത്തികളില്‍ ലഭിക്കുന്ന വലിയ നേട്ടങ്ങള്‍ അവര്‍ക്ക് സ്വായത്തമായി ലഭിച്ചിട്ടുള്ള ശക്തിയും കാര്യശേഷിയും കൊണ്ടാണ് ഉണ്ടാവുന്നത്.

അവര്‍ ആയുധങ്ങളെയും, സഹായികളെയും ഇത്തരം നേട്ടങ്ങള്‍ക്കായി ഏറെയൊന്നും ആശ്രയിക്കാറില്ല.

നമുക്കറിയാം അഗസ്ത്യന്‍ എന്ന മഹാമുനി വളരെ ചെറിയ ശരീരം ഉള്ള ആളായിരുന്നു. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്‍റെ ശാരീരികമായ വലിപ്പവും കായിക ശക്തിയും എല്ലാം പരിഗണിക്കാന്‍ ഒട്ടും അര്‍ഹാമല്ലാത്ത വിധം വളരെ കുറവായിരുന്നു. അദ്ദേഹം ജന്മം കൊണ്ടത് ഒരു മണ്‍കുടത്തിനകത്തായിരുന്നു. മാനുകള്‍ മാത്രം കൂട്ടാളികളായി അദ്ദേഹം കാട്ടില്‍ ജീവിച്ചു. ഭൂര്‍ജവൃക്ഷത്തിന്‍റെ (പൂവരശ് ) തോല്‍ മാത്രമാണ് അദ്ദേഹം വസ്ത്രമായി അണിഞ്ഞത്. അദ്ദേഹം സ്ഥിരവാസം തേടിയത് കാട്ടില്‍ ആയിരുന്നു. കിഴങ്ങുകളും സസ്യ വേരുകളും കായകളും മാത്രമാണ് അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്‍റെ ആഹാരം.

പക്ഷെ ഒരു പ്രത്യേക സാഹചര്യത്തില്‍ അദ്ദേഹം ചെറിയ താമര ഇതല് പോലുള്ള തന്‍റെ കൊച്ചു കൈക്കുമ്പിളില്‍ ദക്ഷിണ സമുദ്രം മുഴുവന്‍ നിറച്ചെടുത്ത് അത് മുഴുവന്‍ ഒരേ ഇറക്കില്‍ കുറിച്ചു കളഞ്ഞു.

അഗസ്ത്യ മഹര്‍ഷിക്ക് വലിയ കുലത്തില്‍ ജനിക്കുക, ശക്തമായ ശരീരം ഉണ്ടാവുക, സ്വാധീനശക്തിയുള്ള കുടുംബാംഗളോ കൂട്ടുകാരോ ഉണ്ടാവുക മുതലായ സാധാരണക്കാര്‍ക്കു പോലും ചിലപ്പോഴൊക്കെ കിട്ടുന്ന നേട്ടങ്ങള്‍ ഒന്നും ലഭിച്ചില്ല. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് ആകപ്പാടെ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നത് തീവ്രമായ തപഃപ്രഭാവവും, ആരോടും അടിയറവു പറയാന്‍ തയാറില്ലാത്ത ഇച്ഛാശക്തിയും മാത്രമായിരുന്നു. അദ്ദേഹം നേരെ ചെന്ന് സമുദ്രം മുഴുവന്‍ തന്‍റെ കൈക്കുമ്പിളില്‍ എടുത്തു. ആ വെള്ളം മുഴുവന്‍ കുടിച്ചു. തീര്‍ക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു. ഇതിനായി അദ്ദേഹം ഉപയോഗിച്ചത് തന്‍റെ ആത്മബലം മാത്രം ആയിരുന്നു എന്നത് വളരെ വ്യക്തമാണ്.

Dharma is supreme ..

Dharma is supreme ..

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

वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलं स्मृतिशीले च तद्विदाम्।

आचारश्चैव साधूनां आत्मनस्तुष्टिरेव च॥

मनुस्मृत्याम् २-६

vedo'khilo dharmamūlaṁ smṛtiśīle ca tadvidām|

ācāraścaiva sādhūnāṁ ātmanastuṣṭireva ca||

manusmṛtyām 2-6

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः

तस्माद् धर्मो न हन्तयो मा नो धर्मो हतो वधीत्॥

मनुस्मृत्याम् ८-१५

dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ

tasmād dharmo na hantayo mā no dharmo hato vadhīt||

manusmṛtyām 8-15

Two unequivocal statements of eternal binding value from Manusmriti.. the basic treatise followed by India from time immemorial..

Some parts of the text may raise eybrows.. because of the changed social evolution, but the above two statements are eternally binding and are of immense value..

the First statement is

Veda, or the sacred revealed texts are the basis and source for all rules of proper social conduct.. what is called Dharma.. The version of the text given by those who follow such texts, and those who have clean knowledge about such texts are the means for knowing such rules.. The way the pious and disciplined sages and elders conducted themselves too reveal to us the way we should conduct ourselves.. Finally the efficacy or definitin of Dharma depends on the comfort and ease that could provide for the person following it..

What we have to remember is that the first text is the most important.. Only laws and rules which are not in contradiction with the revealed texts have any value.. We cannot applyl the next tests if the issue does not pass the muster.. on the first point of being in agreement with the texts ..

The interpretation of those who had practiced the rules and those who have deep knowleldge about them would be of great value.. This comes next in priority.. Interpretation in contradiction with the spirit of Vedas in unwelcome.

The way pious and law abiding people without any unfair personal bias conduct themselves could form an important precedent in interpreting Dharma.. But such conduct should be in sync with the ideas in Vedas, and the interpretation by the learned people over the ages.

And finally, the purpose of any law or rule is the welfare and comfort of all who follow it.. In fact, many rules would impose restrictions and discomforts to some individuals, when the comfort of the body of people as a whole is taken as a unit..

But this idea is eminently understandable, and is a very important factor in our existence as a social entity.. But here again pleasure or comfort in contravention of the set principles of law is never encouraged.

The second stanza is very straightforward

When Dharma or the fundamental laws are contravened or improperly applied, that action would kill and destroy all

Dharma, when protected well, would protect all individually and severally

So one should never kill Dharma.. meaning.. one should never flout or act destructively against established law, because Dharma, when dead or murdered, would ensure the death and destruction of all including those who caused the destruction of Dharma.

Regards,

K V Ananthanarayanan

just avoids a trivial opponent out of dignity

असमेन समानत्वं भविता कलहे मम। इति मत्वा ध्रुवं मानी मृगात्सिंहः पलायते॥ इन्दिश्चे स्प्रुचे ७६१ ३६४६ शार्ङ्गधरपद्धतिः

asamena samānatvaṁ bhavitā kalahe mama| iti matvā dhruvaṁ mānī mṛgātsiṁhaḥ palāyate|| indiśce spruce 761 3646 śārṅgadharapaddhatiḥ

Indeed, the proud and dignified lion is avoiding and even moving away quickly from a deer because if a fight happens between the two, that itself would seem to indicate some equality between them, when actually there is no room for comparison. The lion just avoids a trivial opponent out of dignity.

Blues do occur in life however spiritual or good one is

 

I have personally gone through extreme depression, and even suicidal tendencies. No scientific self-talk or medication really helped. But Krishna ultimately intervened.. It is my first-hand experience.

Blues do occur in life however spiritual or good one is.. But for a believer, that is just a test to reinforce Faith.. Atheists and agnostics arose in this world only because the majority were theists, and believers.(Gnostics).. Many call themselves atheists but for one to be a believer does not call for any reinforcement.. It is so natural..

However, when that Divine being, in His infinite mercy is just waiting for us to console us, as if a mother and father put together, if we do not avail of that overdraft account without any strings attached, who is to blame?

A story of a miserable wretch can be a case study; a man was dying in misery and ill health in the streets of Kasi. The Divine Mother and the Universal father Uma and Shankara were just seeing this. The mother in her boundless mercy asked the Lord, “Why my Lord, our child is suffering and why are you not giving him deliverance?"

The Lord replied, "He never asked for our help". And continued, “Okay, if he just calls either you or me, we can intervene"

Uma and Shankara were anxiously awaiting the call "Amma" or ;"Appa"..

But the man died crying "Ayyo"..

What to do?

There are extreme cases when the State, the law of the land, acts suo motu.. However, not in all cases. The human beings just emulated the Divine Law. When the chips are down, the Divinity is sure to intervene without asking... But Life or death or physical suffering of human beings appear to be minor episodes in the wide spectrum of Divine Law.. If we dispassionately compare the infinite expanse of the universe and the infinitesimally petty existence of ours, we can understand that God is just not intervening in small matters by Himself. However, when a person, for even an insignificant issue in the wider context, makes a plaint even before Supreme Court, that Apex Court considers it and takes some decision or directs a lower court to pass suitable orders.

Normally any judicial system or system of justice, presupposes a cause of action, and the most eminent cause of action is the representation by the affected party. Nevertheless, when the affected party is not in a position to make a request, the Temple of Justice acts suo-motu.

God has created mosquitoes and fleas to drink the blood of the cow, and He has created the tail of the cow to ward off these, if the tail is not used, and if the cow expects that God should come and finish the mosquitoes, it is a tall order.

Take the case of Mahabharatham. Krishna acted suo-motu and did not expect any petition to establish dharma. However, to supply clothes to Draupadi or to feed Durvasa, he expected a petition. Please appreciate the subtle difference. God can never be wrong.

Our rendezvous on this earth is only a part of an infinite continuum, where a jiva embarked on a journey in search of the supreme soul. The only handicap is that we do not have access to the data or log of our journey prior to our birth and perhaps after our departure, (I am not sure about this.) Maybe things become clearer later on.

It is a tightrope walk. A dynamic equilibrium. Unstable too. If Krishna does not interfere and correct the aberrations in our movements (a combination of linear an rotatory motion) we cannot live a reasonably good life.. This is irrespective of dwaitam and advaitam or Visistadwaitam... In addition, Shankara in his brahmasootrabhashyam and other writings is very clear in his view that a man can find true meaning in advaitic way of life only when he has renounced all worldly desires. Therefore, for us humans of ordinary kind, the very faith that there is someone to carry us through, be with us through thick and thin is the most essential thing. He leads and we follow. That logic is simple. Nevertheless, our mind-set and the endocrinal propensities would lead us to varying mental states. Faith alone can correct us.

In addition, faith is a matter of preference. If I choose to follow the path of Krishna, I am right.

If another person wants to lead his life as dictated by his emotions and senses, I cannot say he is wrong.

If everyone is going to make his own rules and sitting on judgement on the traditions based on long periods of experience of the ancestors, it is one's own choice. You can choose to amend the rules with proper consensus. However, just declaring that some rule is something according his interpretation and so it is wrong if someone sees it differently Age-old Dharmasastras and modern psychology may not see eye to eye on many issues.

In addition, quoting from a corner of a text and asserting that it is the ultimate rule is simply wrong... A mom and dad will surely wait for the child to call out, if they have been just training the infant to learn walking and he has just tumbled down, because if they rush to help on each fall, the child will never learn anything for himself. If you make some errors while doing an experiment in a lab, unless it is a major hazard, the teacher is not likely to come to your table without your calling him. Marjara and Markata logic in Indian philosophy is far deeper that a mom-baby play. Analogies are not identities. Clever people mix these two and drive home certain points. That is all.

in social media, one goes overboard forgets all norms and give expression to all these thoughts which never deserved to show their faces anywhere..

There are thoughts which ought to have been killed even before they are born

there are thoughts which are born in the heart and they should have been killed there itself.

there are thoughts which reach the mind and brain and they should have been stopped there

there are thoughts which grew a little, got drunk in arrogance and ego and are ready to reach the mouth or the fingertips..they should be buried before they spring into action..

there are thoughts which arise in arms reading the thoughts in voice or letters and these thought should be tempered,

but in social media, one goes overboard and forgets all norms and give expression to all these thoughts which never deserved to show their faces anywhere..

the more one remains afloat in social media, the more one gets active, the intoxication increases.. and yes, it reaches a stage where it is impossible to stop..

then the only sensible thing to do is to switch off the modem, turn off the wifi, and keep quiet.. till one regains the balance somewhat..

now, I propose to do so..

meet you all when I regain my balance.

Most of us Indians including the so called educated ones too are ignorant of the worth within

It is like the musk deer's behaviour.

The fragrant musk or kastoori is within its body itself .

. But without knowing that when the fragrance reaches their nostrils they run helter skelter in search of the source of that aroma.

Most of us Indians including the so called educated ones too are ignorant of the worth within.

And those who know just keep quiet and do nothing to spread the message of that greatness.

I read an article about the greatness of Indian culture as written by a lady from the west . I am sure that all the contents therein are known to me.

I think I know much more than what is written there.

You too must be like that.

But first I will not take pains to discuss because such debate is unproductive and my own friends and peers will care a damn about it.

And many would think of me as a looney fellow if I start such discussions.

And I am sure even posts about our culture and heritage as found in social media are rather shallow and insincere.

When a westerner writes about it we sing and dance.

Funny is it not?

If one does not fall in love with India and her beauty and elegance then his life is not worth living

A friend asked me how I am choosing some portions from Indian lore ..and writing about them.

I really do not know how.

But I can confess as to why I am doing it.

The difficulty will be in choosing from a huge chunk of materials.

Our culture is having at least ten thousand years of well documented history.

And we have more than sufficient materials to read and experience.

Added to this is the exposure to the greatest of languages ..Sanskrit..

the motherly language Tamil

and the sisterly language Malayalam ..

Also the touch of elegance provided by English..The English that open up the entire world to us..

Eternal love for all these languages..

What more is required for one to enjoy life in the wonderland of romance, spirituality, truth and aesthetics too?

If one does not fall in love with India and her beauty and elegance then his life is not worth living.

how to say "No"

मौनं कालविलंबश्च प्रयाणं भूमिदर्शनं।

भ्रुकुट्यन्यमुखी वार्ता नकारः षट्विधः स्मृतः॥

maunaṁ kālavilaṁbaśca prayāṇaṁ bhūmidarśanaṁ|

bhrukuṭyanyamukhī vārtā nakāraḥ ṣaṭvidhaḥ smṛtaḥ||

A great quote found in many compilations..

It is rather embarrassing to say no to someone who comes for a favour.. We rarely say "No" on the face.

The quote describes six ways in which the refusal to help or give is expressed by people

1. Silence

2. Procrastination or biding for time

3.. Walking away, leaving the place under one pretext or other

4. Looking at the ground..

5. Furrowing of Eyebrows

6. Engaging in conversation without looking at the face of the one who has come..

We require a lot of white lies and excuses in life to survive without hurting others and without compromising our own interests either.. We keep quiet, make delay in responding, move away from the one who has come with a demand, avoid eye contact, constrict the brows, and talk without committing ourselves..

A person with some sense would understand the situation and go away.. But some persist.. even if we refuse..Salesmen do that too often.. Insurance agents do that.. Politicians during election campaigns do that..And the representatives of the Law like police, taxmen, etc would also persist, even if we dilly dally..

But then, the child who throws tantrums alone would get milk..

So many management experts would say, "Never accept a No for an answer.. "

The eight benefits of this life

देवपूजा दया दानं तीर्थयात्रा जपततपः।

श्रुतं परोपकारित्वं नरजन्मफलाष्टकम्॥

इन्दिस्चे स्प्रुचे २९४४

The eight benefits and positive features of our having attained this life as human beings are

1. Worship of God

2. Showing compassion to all

3. Being generous and giving gifts

4, Visiting Pilgrim centres and waterfronts

5. Chanting Divine Names

6. Doing intense penance and serving divinity

7 Learning worthy scriptures and sciences

8. Rendering positive help to one and all.

this is just the first step in a long jouney into the world of muses

To manage to give out a sentence in prose or in verse without grammatical inconsistencies appears to be quite a difficult assignment for most of us..

But this is just the first step in a long jouney into the world of muses..

When the mind, ideas and the words are in sync, something, some cute product-we cannot be sure whether it is prose or verse or music- just erupts from the heart.. we know what blossoms out is sublime, we know we are not either the masters of that spontaneous cascade  and we know we are not our own masters at that blessed moment.

Although the sublime string of words would appear to emanate from our mind or heart which is drunk in the ecstasy of creativity and may be it is finding its path out through our fingers dancing gracefully on the keyboard, we somehow reallize that the fragrance of muses has some unseen and unknown origin.. call it Divine, call it inspired....

The Divine inspiration when it resonates with human mind produces beauty,sublime beauty..

Agni.. the Jathaveda

Agni.. the Jathaveda

उद्दीप्यस्व जातवेदोऽपघ्नन्निऋतिम् मम।

पशूग्ंश्च मह्यमावह जीवनम् च दिशो दिश॥२।२०

मा नो हिग्ंसीज्जातवेदो गामश्वम् पुरुषम् जगत्।

अबिभ्रदग्न आगहि श्रिया मा परिपातय॥२।२१

महानरायणोपनिषद् तैत्तिरीय आरण्यके (कृष्णयजुर्वेदीय)

uddīpyasva jātavedo'paghnanniṛtim mama|

paśūgṁśca mahyamāvaha jīvanam ca diśo diśa||2|20

mā no higṁsījjātavedo gāmaśvam puruṣam jagat|

abibhradagna āgahi śriyā mā paripātaya||2|21

mahānarāyaṇopaniṣad taittireeya aarayanakam Krishna Yajurvedam

This is a mantram found Krishna Yajurvedam.. Taittireeya Aranyakam and in Mahanarayanopanishat..

The greatness of Fire as the source of welfare and destroyer of maladies when it is benevolent to us and the impossible power of destruction the same fire can wield on us when it is in rampage was understood with great awe and reverence by the Vedic man..

Hence the prayer.

Holy Fire Jaathaveda, may you shine for ever with brilliance.

May your intensity wipe away all my sins and blemishes.

Oh fire, bestow on me large number of cattle..

Oh fire, provide me with living space in all directions.

Oh Agni, please do not cause any destruction to cattle, horses and human beings occupying the whole earth..

Oh Agni, Please manifest yourself before me without holding in your hands any weapons of destruction..

Oh Agni, provide me with abundance of wealth..

Agni or fire was considered as the most respected deities of our Vedic Culture.. His importance is that He is both a deity who is worshipped and also is the messenger or intermediary for all the offering and prayers we offer to the Gods..

In domestic and huge sacrificial yajnas all the oblations or aahurtis are offered in fire.. And the materials offered and prayer made are carried dutifully by Agni to the respective Gods..

When offerings are made to Gods, its is through the medium of his consort Swaahaa.. or Swaahaa devi.

In our body, Agni is variously stated as residing in the Jadara or stomach as jaadaragni who digests the food we consume and convert them into necessary ingredients considered essential for the survival and existence of our bodies.. When we take food, we offer it as aahutis to the five Pranas.. Praanaaya Swaahaa, Apaanaaya Swahaa, Vyaanaaya Swaahaa, Udaanaaya Swaahaa and Samaanaaya Swaahaa and also to the Supreme being..

When we take food. We make the offer through the six invocations to Swaahaa s above, proving that even eating is considered as a yajna offered to fire..

It is also seen in Vedas that Agni is situated in our Words or capacity to speak..

अग्निर्मे वाचि श्रितः वाग हृदये हृदयं मयि अहं अमृते अमृतं ब्रह्मणि .... Agni is situated in my Vaak, Vaak finds its way to my heart which is floating in nectar and that immortal nectar or amrutham is the supreme Brahman itself.

The foremost human being created by Gods is Agni

There is a mention in Rigvedam that the male human being created on earth was Agni and the first female was aak or word.. and the human race which was nurtured affectionately from them had the same qualities of those two primordial parents. So vaak or word and agni are closed connected and the entire human race inherits both these in their bodies.

त्वामग्ने प्रथममायुमायवे देवा आकृण्वन्नहुषस्य विश्पतिम्॥ इळामकृण्वन्न्हुषस्य शासनीम् पितुर्यत् पुत्रो ममकस्य जायते॥ ऋग्वेदम् १ ३२ ११

tvāmagne prathamamāyumāyave devā ākṛṇvannahuṣasya viśpatim|| iḻāmakṛṇvannhuṣasya śāsanīm pituryat putro mamakasya jāyate|| ṛgvedam 1 32 11

( Agni, you were created as the leader and controller of the earthly human beings, for their own benefit, and Ilaa or Vaanee was created as the female counterpart controlling the earthly beings ..Therefore the human beings grow in their race according to the original parentage of Agni and Vaak.)

Agni is the ultimate source of protection and purity for all while they are working or while they are worshipping other deities too.

The protective role of fire in work need no explanation.

From lighting and heating of the environment, making implements and tools, giving shapes to products .. in short in whatever work one engages in fire plays a major part..

We cannot prepare food without fire, all of us know..

But in worship and penance, the protective influence of fire is very significant..

Great sages do penance in the middle of Panchaagni.. or five kundas of fire built around them. The presence of fire gives them determination and perseverence too..

While doing protective placement of Gods around the body parts… called nyaasam before chanting great mantras, Agni is placed all over and around us..

In Lagunyasam for Rudrajapam.. we finally say..

ततो बहिः सर्वतोऽग्निर्ज्वालामालापरिवृतस्तिष्ठतु॥॥मां रक्षन्तु

tato bahiḥ sarvato'gnirjvālāmālāparivṛtastiṣṭhatu |||ṁāṁ rakṣantu

Then above all, may Agni with his huge garlands of flames stand guard all about me.. and may He protect me..

Agni Krithika and Karthikeya

The Puranas give a lot of connection and proximity between Agni, the six star collection Krittika ( Pleiades in western astronomy) which is the birth Star Krithigaa and Skanda, the Six headed God and Son of Shiva.

In fact even though we start counting the stars from Ashvathi, the Vedas start that count from Krithika..

The Vedic mantra invoking Krittikaa is as follows

अग्निर्न्नः पातु कृत्तिकाः। नक्षत्रंदेवमिन्द्रियं। इदमासाँविचक्षणं। हविरासञ्जुहोतन। यस्य भान्ति रश्मयोयस्य केतवः। यस्येमा विश्वा भुवनानि सर्वा। सकृत्तिकाभिरभिसँव्वसानः। अग्निर्न्नो देवसूविते दधातु। अग्नये स्वाहाः। कृत्तिकाभ्यः स्वाहाः। अंबा...यै स्वाहाः। दुलायै स्वाहाः। नितन्त्यै स्वाहाः। भ्रयन्त्यै स्वाहाः। मेघयन्त्यै स्वाहाः। वर्षयन्त्यै स्वाहाः। चुपुणिकायै स्वाहाः।

May the Agni manifesting as presiding deitye of star Krittika protect us.. This group of Stars is the supreme among the Gods. These are the most powerful stars. Let us offer them havis. The rays of the stars and the flames of the fire shine forth. The whole universe belong to them. The Agni who is for ever residing in this hexad of stars may give us the blessedness and grace of all God..

My Offering to Agni...

My offerings to Ambaa, Dulaa, Nithanthi, Bhrayanthi, Meghayanti, Varshayanti and Chupunika.

And Agni is treated as the foster father of Subramania.. During Daksha Yaaga, Sati the Consort of Lord Shiva immolated herself and subsequently took avatar as Uma the Parvathi.. But after the death of Sati Shiva had become a recluse and was doing penance.. Demons Soorapadma, Tharaka etc defeated the Devas on the strength of boons received from Brahma.. The boon was that only a Son of Shiva could defeat the demons. Shiva was in no mood to marry and therefore the Gods sent Kamadeva to disturb the penance of Shiva . Meanwhile Sati the Dakshayani, who was reborn as the daughter of Himavan.. the Uma Parvathi, was doing penance to gain Shankara the Shiva as her husband.. Kamadeva sent his flowery arrows to disturb Shiva from his penance, while Uma was present.. He succeeded in disturbing the concentration of the Lord, but the Lord was angry and opened His third eye.. of Fire and Kamadeva was burnt to ashes.. ( Here too we can see the work of Agni too)

But vital force of Shiva which could shape itself into a Son was impossible of being conceived by any being.. Once Shiva gave his power through his third eye and the concentrated energy in the form of flames just started burning the whole universe. Then Lord Shiva Directed Agni to carry these flames, six in number coming out of the five faces of Shiva.. Vamadeva, Tatpurusha, Sadyojatha, Aghora, and Eaashana and his own Jnaanadhristi, to a place where they would grow.. With great difficulty Agni carried them to a lake in Ganga.. called Sharavana, full of Darbha grasses, and left them in the lake.. Ganga, with great difficulty, bore the heat and ultimately the six flames shaped themselves into six beautiful children.. But when the children were born, there was no one to nurse them.. So the six Krithika mothers were summoned and they took care of the six boys.. Once Shiva and Uma were visiting the lake when Parvathi saw the attractive boys being nursed by Six Karthika mothers.. Uma embraced the boys all together and the children all fused into one.. and thus was born the Lord of Lord Karthikeya.. the commander in Chief of Gods..who annihilated Soorapadma Tharaka, etc. later on.. In honour of the service rendered by the Fire God Agni, he was given the status of foster father or Lord Shanmugha, and Krithika stars got the status of mothers of the Lord, who takes pride in being called Karhikeya and the star Krithika is dearest Him.

Numero Uno in Vedas.. the first recorded mantram in Rigveda

The first mantram in the first Mandalam of Rigvedam starts with the praise of Agni.. It is believed that Vedas start with that mantram..

अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवम् ऋत्विजं होतारं रत्न धातमम्

agnimīḻe purohitaṁ yajñasya devam ṛtvijaṁ hotāraṁ ratna dhātamam

1 -1-1 of Rigvedam.

We do not know whether this is the first Vedic Mantram uttered by man.. But it is placed as the first Mantram, in the First of the Vedas, namely Rigvedam.. as it has come to us..

This mantram is in praise of The God of Fire Agnideva

The worshipper is acutely conscious of the supremacy of the most potent force of nature that is manifest near him

He treats fire as the Primordial priest, who leads the mortals safely ahead in spiritual and temporal Life.(Purohita)

Of course, Agni is one of the deities who is offered His share in Yajnams by way of ghee and cooked grain and other offerings.. in addition Agni acts as the carrier of the offerings made to other Gods

Ritvik The official in the yajna who looks after the procedural aspects.

Hotaaram.. The official in the Yajna who invokes and invites the presence of deities who are being worshipped.

Ratnadhaatamam.. Repository of wealth.. and Agni is capable of making His worshippers too rich in wealth..

So the Plain meaning is

I worship Agni who is the priest, the one who leads us from the front, who is the deity subject matter of a ritual, a yajna who is the one who makes the formal invocations in the yajna who is the source, storehouse and the bestower of all wealth, gems, precious stones etc

The importance of Agni can be easily judged by the various names with which he is famous.. A few of them are discussed below..

1 अग्नि Agni the one who leads.. one who goes forward.

2 वैश्वानरः vaishvanara The universal man.. or the male power of the universe.. the mover of the universe, the one who is universally present in human race

3 वह्निः Vahni travels with wind.. carried by wind or vice versa

4 धनंजय DhananjayaH The one who wins wealth (for us), the one who has vanquished wealth in the sense he is superior to all wealth.

5 विधिहोता Vitihotraa The receptacle or place where offers and aahutis in yajnas and homas are given.

6 कृपीतयोनि Krupeetayoni…. The one who keeps water in the womb or the one who is born out of waters womb.. Vedas talk of Agner aapaH.. water came from fire.. agnim yaa garbham dadhire taa na aapah.. the waters who carried water in their womb.. agnir vaa apaam aayatanam..

7 ज्वलन Jvalana… The one who shines with bright flames

8. जातेवेदा Jaatavedaah The one from whom or through who all the Vedas and knowledge were born

9 तनूनपात् Tanoonapaat The one whose presence in beings keep them from physical fall.. keep them erect and operational.. as He provided the energy which keeps everyone alive and active.

10 रोहिताश्व RohitaashvaH… The one who is having or is riding red horses.. There is also a story that Agni took the form of a horse to help Uttanga in winning over the Serpent King Takshaka .. The Badavaagni found in the innards of sea is also supposed to be in the form of a horse..

11.हिरण्यरेताः HiranyaretaaH The one who is having molten gold as semen or retas .. It is believed that the precious metal gold is coming from Agni.

12 सप्तार्चिः Saptaarchi.. The one who is having seven flames. The names of the seven flames are Kali, Karala, Manojawa, Sulohita, Sudumravarna, Spulingini, Visvadara are his seven tongues/ flames.

13 सर्वदेवमुखः SarvadevamukhaH Who is the face or mouth of all the Gods.. The havirbhaagam for all Gods are offered through his mouth..

14 वायुसखा Vaayusakhaa.. The friend of the wind.. The fire becomes fully operative when there is abundant oxygen supply..

There are many more names, all given on the basis of the attributes of the Fire but the list is too lenghthy..

The idea of waters carrying Agni in their womb is seen in the following mantram.

हिरण्यवर्णाः शुचयः पावकाः यासु जातः कश्यपो यास्विन्द्रः अग्निं या गर्भं दधिरे विरूपाः ता नः आपः शगंस्योना भवन्तु

hiraṇyavarṇāḥ śucayaḥ pāvakāḥ yāsu jātaḥ kaśyapo yāsvindraḥ agniṁ yā garbhaṁ dadhire virūpāḥ tā naḥ āpaḥ śagṁsyonā bhavantu

Today is the World Water day..

A quote from PavamanaSooktham.. Krishna Yajurvedam

May the waters

which are of sparkling colour

which are by nature pure

which are capable of purifying everything

in which the father of Devas, Kashyapa was born

in which Indra the leader of Gods was born

who carries fire in its womb and delivered it

who have no specific shape,

may those waters

bless us with peace and welfare..

Note

------

waters carrying fire in their womb... We have seen the marsh gas fire eruption... the plants and vegetation decay under water and produce methane which bubbles up the surface of the waters and catches fire.. This gives the impression that water is giving birth to fire..(Will o the wisp)

There is a story of Badava agni.. in Hindu Lore..

Once fire broke out from the third eye of Lord Shankara, and the world started burning to ashes ..

To avoid annihilation of the world by fire, Brahma under the Gracious instruction of the Lord Himself, converted this fire into a horse called Badava, and the horse was driven down to the bottom of the ocean and the God of the Ocean Varuna was asked to keep the horse restrained there..

The fire we use on earth came out from that horse, when he peeped out to see the land area..

Even by the standards of modern science water is the source of fire throu

Devi Durga and Agni

Devi Durga is paired with Agni in Vedas. The famous Durga Sooktham found in Krishna Yajurvedam describe the power of agni as well as the mother Goddess Durga..

Given below is a commentary on the entire sooktham

Durga Sooktham

जातवेदसे सुनवाम सोममरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः।

स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरितात्यग्निः॥१॥

तामग्निवर्णां तपसा ज्वलन्तीं वैरोचनीं कर्मफलेषु जुष्टां।

दुर्गाम् देवी शरणमहं प्रपद्ये सुतरसि तरसे नमः॥२॥

अग्ने त्वम् पारया नव्यो अस्मान् स्वस्तिभिरति दुर्गाणि विश्वा।

पूश्च पृथ्वी बहुळा न उर्वी भवा तोकाय तनयाय शंयो॥३॥

विश्वानि नो दुर्गहा जातवेदः सिन्धुं न नावा दुरितातिपर्षि।

अग्ने अत्रिवन्मनसा गृणानोऽस्माकं बोध्यविता तनूनां॥४॥

पृतनाजितम् सहमानमुग्रमग्निम् हुवेमपरमात्सधस्थात्।

स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा क्षामद्देवो अति दुरितात्यग्निः॥५॥

प्रत्नोषिकमीड्यो अध्वरेषु सनाच्च होता नव्यश्च सत्सि।

स्वं चाग्ने तनुवं पिप्रयस्वास्मभ्यं च सौभगमायजस्व॥६॥

गोभिर्जुष्टमयुजो निषिक्तं तवेन्द्र विष्णोरनुसंचरेम।

नाकस्य पृष्ठमभि संवसानो वैष्णवीं लोक इह मादयन्तां॥७॥

महानारायणोपनिषत् तैत्तरीयसम्हितायाम् दुर्गासूक्तं।

jātavedase sunavāma somamarātīyato nidahāti vedaḥ|

sa naḥ parṣadati durgāṇi viśvā nāveva sindhuṁ duritātyagniḥ ||1||

tāmagnivarṇāṁ tapasā jvalantīṁ vairocanīṁ karmaphaleṣu juṣṭāṁ|

durgām devī śaraṇamahaṁ prapadye sutarasi tarase namaḥ||2||

agne tvam pārayā navyo asmān svastibhirati durgāṇi viśvā|

pūśca pṛthvī bahuḻā na urvī bhavā tokāya tanayāya śaṁyo||3||

viśvāni no durgahā jātavedaḥ sindhuṁ na nāvā duritātiparṣi|

agne atrivanmanasā gṛṇāno'smākaṁ bodhyavitā tanūnāṁ||4||

pṛtanājita sahamānamugrmagni huvemaparamātsadhasthāt|

sa naḥ parṣadati durgāṇi viśvā kṣāmaddevo ati duritātyagniḥ||5||

pratnoṣikamīḍyo adhvareṣu sanācca hotā navyaśca satsi|

svaṁ cāgne tanuvaṁ piprayasvāsmabhyaṁ ca sauabhagamāyajasva||6||

gobhirjuṣṭamayujo niṣiktaṁ tavendra viṣṇoranusaṁcarema|

nākasya pṛṣṭhamabhi saṁvasāno vaiṣṇavīṁ loka iha mādayantāṁ||7||

mahānārāyaṇopaniṣat taittarīyasamhitāyām durgāsūktaṁ|

jātavedase sunavāma somamarātīyato nidahāti vedaḥ|

sa naḥ parṣadati durgāṇi viśvā nāveva sindhuṁ duritātyagniḥ ||1||

tāmagnivarṇāṁ tapasā jvalantīṁ vairocanīṁ karmaphaleṣu juṣṭāṁ|

durgām devī śaraṇamahaṁ prapadye sutarasi tarase namaḥ||2||

agne tvam pārayā navyo asmān svastibhirati durgāṇi viśvā|

pūśca pṛthvī bahuḻā na urvī bhavā tokāya tanayāya śaṁyo||3||

viśvāni no durgahā jātavedaḥ sindhuṁ na nāvā duritātiparṣi|

agne atrivanmanasā gṛṇāno'smākaṁ bodhyavitā tanūnāṁ||4||

pṛtanājita sahamānamagni huvemaparamātsadhasthāt|

sa naḥ parṣadati durgāṇi viśvā kṣāmaddevo ati duritātyagniḥ||5||

pratnoṣikamīḍyo adhvareṣu sanācca hotā navyaśca satsi|

svaṁ cāgne tanuvaṁ piprayasvāsmabhyaṁ ca sauabhagamāyajasva||6||

gobhirjuṣṭamayujo niṣiktaṁ tavendra viṣṇoranusaṁcarema|

nākasya pṛṣṭhamabhi saṁvasāno vaiṣṇavīṁ loka iha mādayantāṁ||7||

mahānārāyaṇopaniṣat taittarīyasamhitāyām durgāsūktaṁ|

"May we pay oblations of Soma juice to Jaataveda the fire. May the all-knowing Agni destroy all that is not in our favour. He, is the divine fire leads all through his energy and resplendence. While so leading us may He protect us by carrying us across all perils of life even as the captain of a ship leads his ship all through the vagaries of the weather. 1

I take refuge in Goddes Durga, who is having the lustre of fire, and is radiant with yogic penance, who is the Pover of the supreme being who manifests itself in many forms, who is manifesting herself in all actions and the results thereof O Mother Durga, You , the expert in showing good path and taking us through difficult terrains, may You be pleased to take us through the well of mundane existence, which we will not be able to cross by our own skills..2

Oh, Fire, you are worthy of all praise by us. With your happy methods, you may be pleased to take us beyond all difficulties. May our homes, towns and homeland become extensive and may our arable plots of land be ample and well nourished. May You be pleased to join us, our children, and their children all in joy together. 3

May lord Jataveda the Agni, who is the destroyer of all our sins and sorrows, be pleased to lead us away from all sins and troubles and protect us in the manner of one who leads people across the ocean in a boat without the passengers feeling any fear or difficulty. May Agni the Jataveda be pleased to protect our bodies, ever mindful of its safety, just like Sage Atri, who is always repeating in his mind that "May everyone be whole and happy" 4

We, assembling ourselves in the highest forum. invoke the fire God who is the highest leader of all among us and even beyond us. The Jataveda, the Agni, charges against and vanquishes all our enemies, with His fierce valour. May that fire God Jataveda be pleased to protect us and make our path bereft of all difficulties and wrongs that come by nature to us, and may He be pleased to wean us away from all that is perishable to lead us to immortality. 5

Oh Agni, the Jataveda, You are lauded in all sacrifices and in turn you bless us with happiness. In the place of sacrifice you abide as the person who performs the sacrifice, ancient and recent, and even as the place of sacrifice. Oh Agni, may You be pleased to recognize always as Your own kin and therefore be pleased to make us happy always. May you be pleased through your magnificence, to endow us with fortune coming from all sides. 6

Oh Agni, you are unconnected with sin and sorrow and destroy them wherever they manifest. You pervade all sacrifices in the shape of all that is present in the place of sacrifice. We serve you, Oh Agni, desirous of being blessed with good fortune of having a lot of cattle. May we, overflowing with blissful devotion to You, serve you without any interruption. May Gods in the highest region of Heaven share their happiness and delight of sharing devotion to Vishnu with me. May such shared worship bring delight and fortune to me on earth. 7"

Devi Durga in Vedas is worshiped as one with the God of fire. So every fire, every oblation that goes to the sacrificial fire ultimately is shared by Durga..And all our prayers to Agni the Jatavedaa goes to Devi Durga.

The Vedic hymn clearly indicate that the people of that period depended for their happy life on cattle and wide expanse of arable land.. Absence of rancour to anyone, and complete sense of happiness and peaceful co-existence, leaving themselves to the will of the benevolent God, who, they believed would lead them in the right path, was the hall-mark of the Vedic epoch.

Lakshmi and Agni

Shree Sooktham.. in praise of Goddess Lakshmi in its first two mantras actually requests Agni to bring the Goddess of Wealth to us, because Lakshmi and Agni are again thought as being paired..

हिरण्यवर्ण्णाम् हरिणीम् सुवर्णरजतस्रजां

चन्द्राम् हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीम् जातवेदो म आवह।

ताम् म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीम् अनपगामिनीम्

यस्याम् हिरण्यम् विन्देयम् गाम् अश्वम् पुरुषानहम्।

hiraṇyavarṇṇām hariṇīm suvarṇarajatasrajāṁ

candrām hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīm jātavedo ma āvaha|

tām ma āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīm anapagāminīm

yasyām hiraṇyam vindeyam gām aśvam puruṣānaham|

O Lord Jathaveda, the Agni, please summon for me Laksmi who is of Golden Hue, attractive to the heart like a doe, who wears golden and multi coloured garlands, and who is having the resplendane of the moon, and who is adorned all over in gold.

Oh Jathaveda, the Agni, please summon for me Laksmi, who will not leave me ( though she is fickle by nature) so that I shall be blessed with bountyof Gold, Cattle, Horses and servants

General

In tantra, homam can be offered to agni invoking any Deity in it.. Ganapthy Homam,Chandika Homa, Sri Rudra Homam, Purushasooktha Homam, Sudarashana Homam.. Gayatree Homam, Vedarambha Homam, and so on

For a practicing Hindu the oblations to agni like Agnihotram and aupasanam are a must. Even for initiates or brahmacharis who cannot Aupasanam offering of Palasa Samiths to Agni as Samdhaadhaanam is prescribedl.

The brahmachari who performed Samidhaadhaanam prays..

“Oh Agni, Just as you burn with elan because of the samits offered by me please make me grow in longevity, natural effulgence, resourcefulness, intellect, with progenies, with supply of wealth in the shape of cattle, means for food and the grace of supreme..”

यथा त्वमग्ने समिधा समिद्ध्यस एवं माम् आयुषा वर्च्चसा सन्न्या मेधया प्रजया पशुभिर् ब्रह्मवर्चसेन अन्नाद्येन समेधय स्वाहाः॥

yathā tvamagne samidhā samiddhyasa evaṁ mām āyuṣā varccasā sannyā medhayā prajayā paśubhir brahmavarcasena annādyena samedhaya svāhāḥ||

When a couple are married, the husband kindles the fire of his hearth from the fire of his father..

This fire is to be kept burning as long as he lives and the maintenance of that fire is the joint duty of the husband and the wife..

The offering of oblations to fire should not be intterrupted in any way..

It is the duty of the wife to offer the oblation in the absence of the male at home..

The oblations are in the morning and the evening..

The funeral pyre of the man is finally lit from the aupasasna agni..

When the son of the family marries, he is given the fire from the fathers.. and thus the uniterrupted family chain, the prajaa tantu is maintained..

The domestic fire for cooking is also to be taken from this fire only..

So it is the duty of every householder to maintain the purity and sacredness of the fire .

Cooking without bath, cooking when impure, using fire of the hearth when in periods, are all not to be thought of..

We should never use dirty fuels or prohibited firewood while cooking.. Cooking is almost a yajna. We should prefer firewood ovens wherever possible..

While kindling fire for homams at home many a times we light Camphor.. This is not right. The fire has to be kindled from aupasana agni.. or if the kartha is brahmachari samidhaadhaanaa agni should be used.. We use the fire from our kitchen too and it is ideal because it is supposed that the fire too is maintained from the traditional Garhapatya agni kindled at the time of marriage of the head of the family.

We have to maintain absolute reverence while crossing the hearth, fireplace or a place where homas are conducted.

Wherever agni is seen, we have to move around it only in pradakshinam, or clockwise direction..

Agni is one of the Panchabhoothas.. The earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether..

We start our samskaras right from Garbhaadhaanam to Antyeshti through and in the presence of Agni.

Agni is the one who shows us the proper direction in life.

agne naya supathaa… अग्नॆ नय सुपथा रायॆ अस्मान् विश्वानि दॆव वयुनानि विद्वान् ।

युयॊध्यस्मज्जुहुराणमॆनो भूयिष्ठं तॆ नम उक्तिं विधॆम ॥

Agni can correct and pardon us for all our mistakes

anaajnaatam tadaajnaatam अनाज्ञातम् यदाज्ञातम् यज्ञस्य क्रियते मिथुः

अग्ने तदस्य कल्पय त्वम् हि वेत्थ यथातथम्॥

anājñātam yadājñātam yajñasya kriyate mithuḥ

agne tadasya kalpaya tvam hi vettha yathātatham||

Agni is the greatest uniter of human beings..

The Aikamatya Sooktham, the final Hymn in in Rigvedam Mandalma 10 is a prayer for unity among all human beings .

aikamatya sooktham

।।ऐकमत्यसूक्तम् ।।

ऊँ संसमिद्दुवसे वृषन्नग्ने विश्वान्नर्य आ

इळस्पदे समिद्ध्यसे स नो वसून्न्या भर ।।

संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं संवो मनांसि जानतां

देवा भागं यथापूर्वे संजानाना उपासते ।।

समानो मन्त्रस्समितिस्समानी

समानं मनः सहचित्तमेषां ।।

समानं मन्त्रमभिमन्त्रये वः

समानेन वो हविषा जुहोमि ।।

समानी व आकूतिस्समानो हृदयानि वः

समानमस्तु वो मनो यथा वस्सुसहासति ।।

this mantram is from the concluding part of the tenth and final mandalam of rigvedam.. The idea of harmony and co operation among people is highlighted in the most sublime way

This mantram is chanted by all at the conclusion of every session of vedic recital..

BUT IT HAS A UNIVERSAL APPEAL TOO

YOU, mighty Agni, gather up all that is precious for (the use and benefit of) your friend(who I am).

Bring us all treasures as you are enkindled (by us) in the place of homa or sacrifice

Let you Assemble harmoniously , speak together (in nice words): let your minds be all of one accord (for a great common purpose),

As ancient Gods, unanimous and of amicable mind sit down to their appointed share in offerings of sacrifice.

The place where we all assemble is common, the right of opinion in the assembly is common

common are the minds of all here, so be their thoughts united in harmony.

A common purpose do I present before you for common accord ,

and worship the divinity with oblations commonly accepted by all .

May all that you resolve be the same, the decisions coming out of similar thoughts ,

and may your minds all work and decide with the same attitude and without disharmony .

United be the thoughts of all that all in the congregation may happily agree to think and work together...

training the mind to behave itself is good for all

Exposure to extreme provocative situations and managing to get out of such situations unscathed physically, mentally and morally, was a part of training and acclimatization to an ideal life in India..

Among the Jaina ascetics, walking out in the open without dress, and exposing sensitive parts of the body, and the mind too to all adverse provocations is a part the test of their spiritual achievements ..

But it is believed by expert scholars that the conflicting emotions and physical urges just peel off once the threshold of realization is crossed, and it is a moot question whether such controls are absolutely necessary to reach near that threshold or whether a better disciplined person has greater chance to attain the threshold....

These ideas are for those who want to tread the path of spiritual realization

Anyway, training the mind to behave itself is good for all from the social angle too

A great martyrdom indeed

Reminds one of the tenali rama story.

The wise jester knew that his son was absolutely useless and rude.

He wanted to give that offspring of his a befitting legacy.

So when Rama was about to leave for the next world he called his son and expressed his last wish.

The wish was very simple.

Immediately after Rama parted company with his life the son should forcibly insert a wooden rod with sharp edge into the anus of the dead body of the dead father.

Even though the son was wayward and useless all the time he was generous and considerate enough to accede to the last wish of his dad.

The wooden rod found its target with precision.

The death of Rama was announced ..

Even the king Raya came running to pay homage.

And everyone could see the wooden rod shining forth from the backside of the dead body.

It did not take the wisdom of a genius to guess the cause of death.

All presumed that the rod inserted in the vital portion of the dead man had done the trick.

And knowing the track record of the son no one could entertain any doubts about the hands that pushed in the sharp wooden rod.

The king himself was present.

So the adjudication was on a fast track.

The wayward son of Rama found his place in the Royal gaols courtesy his father's last will and parting gift

A great martyrdom indeed

Is it the same Krishna ?

 

The strategist and political leader who planned the war and the scholar, seer and the lifestyle adviser who motivated Arjuna and shook him out of inaction and depression to a valiant warrior. Krishna's roles are entirely different.

When you are talking about the military-strategist Krishna and not about the Master motivator Krishna, You may agree or disagree about the methods of war adopted..

However, the principles laid down in Gita, and the magic it works on Arjuna and on millions of people who read Gita even to this day, is undoubtedly sublime and matchless. If you disagree on the greatness of Bhagavat Gita, I have to disagree with you, and I will have large number of people who would support me.

The personal enmity between Duryodhana and Krishna or Krishna’s partiality if any in favour of Arjuna and the Pandavas is not at all the subject matter of either Gita or this discussion.

In fact, there is even a debate among scholars as to whether; the Krishna of Brindaban, Krishna of Mahabharata War and Krishna of Gita are the same. Some even doubt whether a long debate Between Krishna and Arjuna, a discourse of the magnitude and depth as found in Gita spanning eighteen chapters and seven hundred shlokas could ever have been delivered at the start of a war, in a battlefield.

they just abandon the benefactors and share their wealth and happiness with some others.

क्षीणे श्रयति शशी रविमृद्धो वर्धयति पाथसां नाथम्।

अन्ये विपदि सहाया धनिनां श्रियमनुभवन्त्यन्ये॥

॥विष्णुशर्मणः पञ्चतन्त्रे॥

क्षीणे सति when weak शशी the moon रविं sun श्रयति depend on ऋद्धः when strong पाथसां नाथं the lord of waters, ocean श्रयति help keep company केचन जनाः वर्तन्ते some people are like this येषां for whom विपदि when in danger अन्ये some (good people) are सहायाः rendering help भवन्ति becom . तेषां धनिनां when they become rich श्रियं their wealth अन्ये some others अनुभवन्ति enjoy

kṣīṇe śrayati śaśī ravimṛddho vardhayati pāthasāṁ nātham

anye vipadi sahāyā dhanināṁ śriyamanubhavantyanye||

||viṣṇuśarmaṇaḥ pañcatantre||

When the moon is in its weakest moment or at the new moon phase, it keeps company with the Sun.

But when it is the strongest phase at full moon, it gives support only to the ocean the abode of waters, which reaches high tide with the help of the strong attraction of the moon.

This is the way with most people of the world.

When they are weak and are in need of help, they survive and eat up the wealth of some good and affluent people

but when they become affluent and strong, they just abandon the benefactors and share their wealth and happiness with some others..

It is a well known natural phenomenon that the moon is very near the Sun, when it is the new moon or Amavasya.

Obviously at that time the moon is in its weakest state of existence and requires full support from the strong sun for its existence..

But when the full moon day or pournami comes, the moon places itself at a diametrically opposite point far from the Sun..

The moon is at its full potency at that time and the benefits of suc great strength is endowed upon the Sea which raises high in tide on such a day..

Similarly, many people when in povery throng aroud rich and good people just to enjoying the benefits of the earnings of such affluent patrons.

. But if the same persons get better status in life, they turn ungrateful, and they choose an entirely different set of persons to keep company and share their fortune..

This is a quote from Panchatantram of Vishnu Sharma..

ക്ഷീണേ ശ്രയതി ശശീ രവിമൃദ്ധോ വര്‍ധയതി പാഥസാം നാഥം।

അന്യേ വിപദി സഹായാ ധനിനാം ശ്രിയമനുഭവന്ത്യന്യേ॥

॥വിഷ്ണുശര്‍മണഃ പഞ്ചതന്ത്രേ॥

ചന്ദ്രന്‍ ഏറെ ക്ഷീണിതനായിരിക്കുമ്പോള്‍, അതായത് കറുത്ത വാവിനു അടുത്ത ദിവസനങ്ങളില്‍, അത് സൂര്യന്‍റെ അടുത്തായിരിക്കും. സൂര്യനില്‍ നിന്ന് കിട്ടുന്ന വെളിച്ചം കൊണ്ട് തൃപ്തിപ്പെടും.

അതേസമയം ചന്ദ്രന്‍ വളരെ ശക്തനായിരിക്കുമ്പോള്‍, അതായത പൌര്‍ണമി അടുക്കുമ്പോള്‍ അത് സമുദ്രത്തിന്‍റെ തിരകളോട് കൂട്ടുകൂടി വേലിയേറ്റം സൃഷ്ടിച്ചു ആഹ്ളാദിക്കുന്നു.

ഇത് പോലെ ഒക്കെ തന്നെയാനും ഈ ലോകത്തില്‍ മിക്കവാറും എല്ലാ മനുഷ്യരുടെയും പെരുമാറ്റവും.

ശക്തി കുറഞ്ഞു ക്ഷീണിച്ച് വിഷമിച്ചിരിക്കുമ്പോള്‍ അവര്‍ വല്ലവിധേനയും രക്ഷപ്പെട്ടു പോകുന്നത് നല്ലവരായ അതേസമയം സാമ്പത്തിക ശേഷിയുള്ള ആളുകളുടെ അകമഴിഞ്ഞ സഹായം കൊണ്ട് മാത്രമായിരിക്കും.

പക്ഷെ അതേ വ്യക്തികള്‍ കുറച്ചു ശക്തി പ്രാപിക്കുമ്പോള്‍ പണ്ട് തങ്ങളെ സഹായിച്ചവരെ മറന്നും അവഗണിച്ചും പുതിയ കൂട്ടുകെട്ടുകള്‍ നേടിയെടുത്ത് അര്‍മാദിക്കുന്നു.

നമുക്കെല്ലാം അറിയാം അമാവാസി അടുക്കുമ്പോള്‍ ചന്ദ്രന്‍ സൂര്യന് വളരെ അടുത്തായിരിക്കും. യഥാര്‍ത്ഥത്തില്‍ സൂര്യനും ചന്ദ്രനും ഒരേ രാശിയില്‍ മിക്കവാറും ഒരേ നേര്‍ രേഖയില്‍ എത്തുമ്പോഴാണ് അമാവാസ്യ.

ആ സമയത്ത് ചന്ദ്രന്‍ വളരെ ക്ഷീനിതനാവും.. ഒരു ചെറിയ കലയോ മറ്റോ മാത്രമായിരിക്കും അപ്പോള്‍ ചന്ദ്രനുള്ളത്. അത്തരം അവസരങ്ങളില്‍ ചന്ദ്രന്‍ സൂര്യന്‍റെ കൂടെ നില്‍ക്കുന്നു.

പക്ഷെ പൌര്‍ണമി വരുമ്പോള്‍ ചന്ദ്രന്‍ സ്വന്തം മണ്ഡലം മുഴുവന്‍ പ്രകാശിച്ചു കൊണ്ട് നിറഞ്ഞു നില്‍ക്കുകയാണ്. ആ ദിവസം അത് സൂര്യനില്‍ നിന്ന് വളരെ അകലേയായി നിലകൊള്ളുന്നു.

പൌര്‍ണമി ദിവസം അതിശക്തനായ ചന്ദ്രന്‍ കടലിലെ വെള്ളത്തെ ആകര്‍ഷിച്ച്, തിരമാലകള്‍ക്ക് ശക്തി പകര്‍ന്നു സമുദ്രത്തെ ഉയരങ്ങളില്‍ എത്തിക്കുന്നു.

അന്ന് ചന്ദ്രന് സൂര്യനോട് ഒരു അടുപ്പവും തോന്നുകയില്ല.

ഇതുപോലെ തന്നെ ദാരിദ്ര്യം വേട്ടയാടുമ്പോള്‍ ചില ആളുകള്‍ കയ്യില്‍ പണമുള്ള നല്ലവരായ മനുഷ്യരുടെ കൂടെ കൂടി അവരുടെ സഹായം അനുഭവിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് കാലം കഴിക്കുന്നു.

പക്ഷെ അത്തരം ദരിദ്രന്മാര്‍ തങ്ങളുടെ സാമ്പത്തികശക്തി ഭേദപ്പെട്ടാല്‍ പിന്നെ പഴയ സഹായികളോടു കൂറൊന്നും കാണിക്കില്ല. പഴയ സഹായം എല്ലാം മറക്കും. തങ്ങളുടെ സമ്പത്ത് പങ്കുവയ്ക്കുവാന്‍ പുതിയ കൂട്ടാളികളെ തേടും.

വിഷ്ണുശര്‍മയുടെ പഞ്ചതന്ത്രത്തില്‍ നിന്ന്.

chasing unsure targets

यो ध्रुवाणि परित्यज्य अध्रुवाणि निषेवते।

ध्रुवाणि तस्य नश्यन्ति अध्रुवाणि नष्टमेवहि॥

चाणक्याद्

yo dhruvāṇi parityajya adhruvāṇi niṣevate|

dhruvāṇi tasya naśyanti adhruvāṇi naṣṭamevahi||

cāṇakyād

A fellow who just lets go whatever advantage is available with him for sure, however trivial that may be, and hankers after ambitious but not so definite or secure targets, have already lost what has been in his grip. And unless and until the target pursued by him is not achieved such target remains lost for him anyways.

We should always keep in mind the core utility and not the peripheral social impact

Ttraditional practices would be more relevant if they are observed not only as a ritual..

just like preventing some evil deity from entering and welcoming a favourable goddess..

but keeping in mind the health and sanitational values too..

Every ritual prescribed in society and the shastras evolved by the social practices developed by constant usage appreciating their utility..

We can always afford to grow from mere ritualistic claims.. And rituals should be practiced keeping in mind such values more and not merely because one has seen his or her parents or grandparents do that

and also not merely because such practices are odd and could impress others all around because most others do not practice them..

We should always keep in mind the core utility and not the peripheral social impact..

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa cited an example for this..

People eat well and they are comfortable when they have soothing bowel motions too..

But eating is for nourishment and not for causing such output.

Ruffling the feathers..?

Ruffling the feathers..?

It causes some inconvenience..

Some jarring movements not exactly as comfortable as the normal activities..

That is so when such disturbance in physical or intellectual.

The comfort zone is often thrown slightly out of balance..

But watch the birds.. they do that on their own too often.. as a cleaning process, as a means to ward of vermin, dust or dirt, sticking on to their feathers, or as an attempt to shed the rotten pieces from their plumage..

But we humans are always in a stage of insolent inertia.. We want to remain idle.. where we are.. and we resent any sort of disturbance..

we prefer gathering muck to having a good wash..

that will not work

If we do not shake off the unwanted things, they will grow on us and that growth will accumulate and after a time we cannot shake off all that dirty accumulations

Temporary disturbances and slight inconveniences are far better than permanent maiming,, Is it not?

May that supreme Lord Shankara bless me wit long life

यो ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मण उज्जहार प्राणैः शिरः कृत्तिवासाः पिनाकी ईशानो देवः स न आयुर दधातु तस्मै जुहोमि हविषा घृतेन

യോ ബ്രഹ്മാ ബ്രഹ്മണ ഉജ്ജഹാര പ്രാണൈശ്ശിരഃ കൃത്തിവാസാഃ പിനാകീ ഈശാനോ ദേവഃ സ നഃ ആയുർദധാതു തസ്മൈ ജുഹോമി ഹവിഷാ ഘൃതേന

(ആയുഷ്യസൂക്തത്തിലെ ആദ്യമന്ത്രം)

(The first mantra of Ayushya sooktham )

Meaning-

That eternal being Shankara the Eaashaana

Who plucked away one of the heads and life of Brahmadeva Himself

That God who wears the raw skin of a wild elephant as his upper cloth

That divine being who wears the imposing bow named Pinaakam

May that supreme Lord Shankara bless me wit long life..

Unto him I offer oblations in fire with cooked rice(havis) and ghee(cleared butter)

ആ പരബ്രഹ്മസ്വരൂപിയായ ഈശാനൻ (ഭഗവാൻ ശങ്കരൻ)എനിക്ക് ദീർഘായുസ്സു നൽകട്ടെ.

അദ്ദേഹം ഒരിക്കൽ ബ്രഹ്മാവിൻറെ ഒരു ശിരസും പ്രാണനും എടുത്തു.

ആ ശങ്കരൻ ചോരയൊലിക്കുന്ന ആനത്തോൽ ആടയായണിയുന്നു.

പിനാകം എന്ന മഹത്തായ വില്ല് കൈയിലേന്തുന്നു.

ആ പരമേശ്വരന്നായിക്കൊണ്ട്, അവൻറെ പ്രീതിക്കായിക്കൊണ്ട് അഗ്നിയിൽ ഞാൻ ഹവിസ്സും നെയ്യും ഹോമിക്കുന്നു

every advantage in life is having a negative tag attached to it

भोगे रोग भयं कुले च्युति भयं, वित्ते नृपालाद् भयं।

शास्त्रे वादि भयं, गुणे खल भयं, काये कृतान्ताद् भयम्॥

माने दैन्य भयं, बले रिपु भयं, रूपे जराया भयं,

सर्वे वस्तु भयान्वितं भुवि नृणां, वैराग्यमेवाभयं॥

bhoge roga bhayaṃ, kule cyuti bhayaṃ, vitte nṛpālād bhayaṃ।

śāstre vādi bhayaṃ, guṇe khala bhayaṃ, kāye kṛtāntād bhayaṃ।।

māne dainya bhayaṃ, bale ripu bhayaṃ, rūpe jarāyā bhayaṃ,

sarve vastu bhayānvita bhuvi nṛṇāṃ, vairāgya meṃvābhayam।।

When we are fairly affluent and enjoying life, we are worried about or even threatened by fear of diseases

When we are born in a good family, we tend to worry about the consequences when our standing in society goes down due to some wrong action”

When we are having a lot of money, we are worried whether the State or the king would take away our money either as taxes, levies, penalities or fines

When we are learned in scriptures, we are worried or are challenged by other scholars who try to engage us in debates with a view to defeat us

When we are having a healthy body, we tend to worry about the arrival of the god of death who will take away the life from the body

When we find that we are respected and praised by others, we get worries about the situation where we may fall into miserable sitautions where no one would notice us.

When we are strong and we have strong supporters, we tend to face threats, real or imaginary, from enemies

When we have an attractive, healthy body, we start worrying about the onset of old age, when our strength and beauty would get depleted.

Therefore, for us mortals on this earth, every object or advantage we have in life is having a negative tag attached to it, a tag carrying fear, sorrow and disappointment.

Therefore, the real relief, the only thing where there is no fear or worry for us is detachment or renunciation, that is, Varagyam.

ഭോഗേ രോഗ ഭയം കുലേ ച്യുതി ഭയം, വിത്തേ നൃപാലാദ് ഭയം।

ശാസ്ത്രേ വാദി ഭയം, ഗുണേ ഖല ഭയം, കായേ കൃതാന്താദ് ഭയം॥

മാനേ ദൈന്യ ഭയം, ബലേ രിപു ഭയം, രൂപേ ജരായാ ഭയം,

സര്‍വേ വസ്തു ഭയാന്വിതം ഭുവി നൃണാം, വൈരാഗ്യ മേവാഭയം॥

തരക്കേടില്ലാത്ത സാമ്പത്തികാവസ്ഥയും ജീവിതസൌകര്യങ്ങളും എല്ലാമായി ജീവിക്കുമ്പോള്‍ നമുക്ക് രോഗങ്ങള്‍ വരുമോ എന്ന ഭയവും അതുമൂലമുള്ള വേവലാതിയും ഉണ്ടാവുന്നു.

ഏറെ അഭിജാതമായ കുളത്തില്‍ ജനിച്ചാലും നമ്മുടെ അത്രയൊന്നും കാര്യമല്ലാത്ത തെറ്റുകളും കുറ്റങ്ങളും മൂലം ഒരുപക്ഷെ നമുക്ക് സമൂഹത്തിലുള്ള നിലയും വിലയും ഇടിഞ്ഞുപോവുമോ എന്ന പേടി നമ്മെ ഇപ്പോഴും അലട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു.

നമ്മുടെ കൈവശം ധാരാളം ധനം ഉള്ളപ്പോള്‍ സര്‍ക്കാരോ ഭരണാധികാരിയോ അതില്‍ നിന്ന് ഒരു വലിയ ഭാഗം കരമായോ പിഴയായോ എല്ലാം ബലമായി പിരിച്ചെടുത്ത് കൊണ്ടുപോവും എന്ന ഭയം നമുക്ക് എപ്പോഴും ഉണ്ടാവുന്നത് സ്വാഭാവികം ആണ്.

നമുക്ക് ശാസ്ത്രങ്ങളിലും മറ്റും അറിവും ജ്ഞാനവും ഉണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ നാം മറ്റു പണ്ഡിതന്മാരില്‍ നിന്ന് വാദപ്രതിവാദങ്ങള്‍ക്കും നമ്മുടെ അറിവിന്‍റെ ആഴം ശരിക്കും പരീക്ഷിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന വിധമുള്ള ചര്‍ച്ചകള്‍ക്കും ആയി വെല്ലുവിളിക്കപ്പെടും എന്ന ഭയം നമുക്ക് എപ്പോഴും ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കും

നല്ല ആരോഗ്യമുള്ള ശരീരം ആണ് നമുക്ക് കിട്ടിയിട്ടുള്ളത് എങ്കിലും നാം എപ്പോഴും നമ്മുടെ പ്രാണന്‍ കവര്‍ന്നെടുക്കാന്‍ പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കാത്ത നിമിഷത്തില്‍ കാലന്‍ വന്നുചെരുമെന്ന ഭയത്തോടെ തന്നെയാവും ജീവിക്കുന്നത്.

ഒത്തിരി പേര്‍ നമ്മെ ബഹുമാനിക്കുകയും പുകഴ്ത്തുകയും ഒക്കെ ചെയ്യുമ്പോള്‍ നമ്മുടെ മനസ്സില്‍ ഈ പേരും പുകഴും ബഹുമാനവും ഒന്നും കിട്ടാത്ത ഒരു അവസ്ഥയില്‍ എത്തിയാല്‍ ഉണ്ടാവുന്ന പ്രയാസങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള വേവലാതി ആയിരിക്കും.

ഏറെ കായികബലവും ആള്‍ബലവും എല്ലാം ഒത്തിണങ്ങി ജീവിക്കുമ്പോളും നമുക്ക് ശത്രുക്കളില്‍ നിന്ന് യഥാര്‍ത്ഥത്തില്‍ വെല്ലുവിളിയോ അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ വെല്ലുവിളി നേരിടേണ്ടിവരും എന്ന പേടിയും ഇപ്പോഴും നമ്മുടെ മനസ്സിന്‍റെ ഉള്ളില്‍ ഒളിഞ്ഞിരിക്കുക തന്നെ ചെയ്യും.

ചെറുപ്പവും, പ്രസരിപ്പും സൌന്ദര്യവും എല്ലാം തികഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്ന ശരീരം ഉള്ള കാലത്ത് പോലും ഏറെ താമസിയാതെ വാര്‍ദ്ധക്യം വന്നു ചേരും എന്നും അപ്പോള്‍ ഈ ഭംഗിയും ചോരത്തിളപ്പും ഒക്കെ ഇല്ലാതാവും എന്നും ഉള്ള ഭയം നമ്മെ അലട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കും.

ഇപ്രകാരം ഭൂമിയില്‍ ജീവിച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന നമുക്ക് സൌഭാഗ്യങ്ങളും സൌകര്യങ്ങളും നല്‍കുന്ന ഓരോ വസ്തുവും സാഹചര്യവും അത്തരം സൌകര്യത്തിനൊപ്പം തന്നെ പിന്നീട് നമുക്ക് കിട്ടാവുന്ന ദുരവസ്ഥയെക്കുറിച്ചും ഓര്‍മ്മപ്പെടുത്തുകയും നമ്മെ ഭയപ്പെടുത്തുകയും ചെയ്തു കൊണ്ടേയിരിക്കും.

അതു കൊണ്ട് , നമുക്ക് ജീവിതത്തില്‍ ഉള്ള യഥാര്‍ത്ഥമായ ആശ്വാസം, നാം ഒരിക്കലും ഒരു വിധത്തിലും ഭയപ്പെടെണ്ട ആവശ്യം ഒട്ടുമില്ലാത്ത ഒരു കാര്യം വൈരാഗ്യം മാത്രമാണ്.