5/7/12

Ramayana

Ramayana and Mahabharata two great epics are very interesting and we get to learn from them so many things. No matter how many times we read them or listen to them, we have something new to learn. 

The rendering of the story and explaining the spiritual secrets, messages and reasoning in every scene depends upon the person, his in depth knowledge of the epic, Vedic literature  and Hindu culture. It is in this epic it is clearly portrayed as to how an idle man, women, father, mother, husband, wife, brother, friend, king, ministers  etc should be, what are their duties and how they should be. That is why it is still popular today and also more relevant.

For Telugu speaking people Brahma Sri Malladi ChandraShekara Shastriji is a well known person. His rendering of Ramayanam, Mahabharatam, Bhagawatam and Puranas and also explaining the Dharma Sandehaalu (reason behind our, customs, traditions religious practises etc) is quite popular. He renders it so beautifully, interestingly explaining the details, the reason or the Dharma sukshamam(essence of Dharma) involved that even the most illiterate can easily follow it.  His command over the Vedic literature and fluency in rendering the pravachanam makes it very interesting. People are mesmirised and sit for hours listening to his pravachanams.

So those who are interested in his pravachanams have now a golden opportunity. Moserbaer has released a 10 DVD set of  Valmiki Ramayanam rendered by Brahma Sri Malladi ChandraShekara Shastriji. This contains the entire epic of Ramayana. It is priced very economically and also packed beautifully. It is a must have classic collection in our library. Imagine listening to Ramayana at our convenience instead of going to some religious gathering and jostling with the crowd there.

This also makes an excellent gift to  our friends, relatives especially to our elders who would love to listen to this. This also makes a good gift to children and teenagers who need to be educated about our Indian culture and Vedic literature. 

I have bought a copy for my mother and myself and also gifted to some of my friends and relatives.......So what are you waiting for......

4/22/12

Save Environment, Save Earth, Save Ourselves....



Mother Earth-We Indians regard Earth as Mother-because it is the earth from which everything and very one is born. We have highest regard for her since ancient times.

She is called Bhu Maata (Sanskrit). The word Bhu is derived from Bhumi meaning Earth or land and Maata means Mother.

Bhu Maata or Mother Earth is considered as consort of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. She is revered and worshiped like we would our mothers who gave birth to us. In of Lord Vishnu, Mother Earth is worshiped along with Goddess Lakshmi as consort of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.

How much she is revered is evident from this sloka (verse) which we recite every morning when we get up and before placing our feet on the floor.


Samudra vasane Devi,
Parvata Sthana Mandale(Mandithe),
Vihnu patni Namasthubhayam ,
Pada Sprasha Kshamasyame.

Which Means 
Devi(Mother Earth), who is having oceans as garments, 
mountains as her bosom,
who is consort of Lord Vishnu,
please pardon(forgive) us for touching you with our feet.

So we pray every day before placing our feet on floor for the first time in the morning asking for forgiveness from Mother Earth, as She is revered, respected and worshiped as a Mother and touching her with our legs is considered as insulting.

Since ancient times, ordinary, people, farmers and kings respected Mother Earth, for, she is the reason for our existence. When farmers had to dig or plough the land, they would pray to mother earth for forgiveness as she would be hurt by their ploughing. Selling  or parting with agricultural land or land in general was considered as being disrespectful to mother earth. It was passed down to next generation. Similarly kings also respected the land of their country.

But  advent of modern science and technology, instead of improving our environment and surroundings, we have made our lives more luxurious and perhaps more artificial. We have been distancing ourselves from nature and natural way of living. No doubt that it is not the fault of science and technology but the humans who have been using it. In the process we have caused great damage to our environment which is irreparable. Polluting, soil, air, water and the whole environment is destroying natural habitat, endangering many species of flora fauna. Some are already extinct. 

Indiscriminate cutting/felling of trees and clearing of forests etc and so many ravages caused to the natural resources do affect our environment. This is also creating problems for the tribal population who live and depend on forests. In the name of development and bringing them into main stream, we are causing great damage to   those beautiful nature loving people. No doubt they can be educated and lives can be improved. But I feel that they should not loose their knowledge of forests or herbal  medicine or about their environment which has been handed down over generations and should be preserved. they should be helped in improving such knowledge which is unique to them.

Farmers and village lives are also affected by the damage caused to the agriculture due to soil erosion, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, introduction of certain hybrid varieties of crops, and foreign crops, trees which are not native to the region. I am very sad to see that house sparrows are now almost extinct.

The plight of city dwellers I need not mention because it is a well known fact. Health issues are on the rise due to increase in pollution, change in life style, eating habits and what not.

India from ancient times had a good knowledge of various sciences including agriculture, medicine, water divining,  veterinary  sciences, astronomy, atmospheric sciences  and people of each region had their own indigenous skills and knowledge of how to do and what to do in every walk of life. They could even predict eclipses.

I think it is time that we encourage, indigenous skills and ancient knowledge, native trees and crops and our flora and fauna instead of introducing something which is alien  to this land. We can no doubt use the advancement of science and technology but properly related to our native environment and not just blindly following others.

Today That is 22nd April of every year is celebrated as International Mother Earth Day. This is celebrated across the world. You can read more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day


The Rivers,

The Sky

The mountains and the earth, the greenery around us all are beautiful and need to be preserved for the ourselves as well as future generations too.

 Still there is hope, there is scope...

Save Environment...Save Earth, Save Ourselves...Save our Future Generations...Give them a safe future....

There is a lot we can do. Very small things but done by masses will definitely mean more. Some of the things what we can do to improve our environment, nature and thus Mother Earth:

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." goes a famous saying.

  1. Do without . Most of the times we can manage without many things. 
  2. Reduce, Use less. If it is not possible to do without, use less. we waste a lot.
  3. Re Use. We can reuse many things if we are a bit careful and store things properly
  4. Recycle. there are hundreds of ways of recycling things instead of throwing them out.
  5. Plant trees or even small plants in any small containers if you live in a flat. Fill up the spaces in and around your home with these green things and see the beauty. It is healthy too.
  6. Place feeders and water trays for birds and if possible for strays.
  7. Don't litter. Dispose off the waste intelligently.
  8. Use natural resources like sunlight, air and other things. This will save money, is healthy and will reduce pressure on resources like electricity etc. 
  9. Start at home. Motivate, family, friends, colleagues and others around you to be environment friendly. Slowly but steadily many  will join.
  10. Write about your success in improving environment or if you come across any such cases and how it influenced the lives in a positive way. Talk about it. May be many will be motivated by reading about such cases. We may get a tip or two.
Lot can be done but it is the first step that takes us there. I have started it long back and am slowly progressing towards saving Mother Earth in every way I can. Are You??????



10/14/11

Hello


I have been inactive on this blog lately. watch out for my posts as I am going to share with you many interesting and spiritual thoughts.


8/21/11

Temples of India-8

SRI BALA BALAJI TEMPLE-APPANA PALLE-7
One of the doorways to temple premises

The story of Jimuthavahana and Sankhachuda..Contd.

Just as Sankhachuda leaves, Jimuthavahana's mother-in-law sends him some red clothes as a gift as it is some festive occasion. Jimuthavahan sees it as a diktat from God that he should stand in for Sankhachuda. So he quickly wears those red clothes, covers his face with a veil  and stands on the sacrifice rock. 

Suddenly he hears a thunderous noise (due to flapping of the wings of Garuda), the sun is blocked by a huge body, which shines like a dozen suns and blinding to the eyes of onlookers. The eyes of Garuda gleam red like rubies. Every time he flaps his wings a gush of strong violent wind uproots trees as if it is a forceful hurricane, huge rocks roll down the slopes of the mountain, wild animals frightened by all this run helter skelter. 

In spite of all this Jimuthavahan is calm, composed and in ecstasy, as he is going to save Sankhachuda from Garuda's clutches. 


Garuda approcahes Jimuthavahana. His eyes gleaming with hatred for the Nagas, He  pierces Jimuthavahana's heart and tears it open.  He then clutches his body with His claws and goes to the top on the mountain to eat. 


Meanwhile, Sankhachuda returns to the sacrifice rock. He is horrified to see the blood there. He realises that Jimuthavahana was taken by Garuda. He quickly follows the trail of the blood, weeping and crying that he has to save the person who has stood in his place. Meanwhile, parents of Jimuthavahana, his wife and other relatives come searching for him. They meet Sankhachuda and learn about the horrifying tale. They follow Sankhachuda to the place where Garuda has taken Jimuthavahana.


Meanwhile Garuda is surprised to see that the person he is eating is neither crying nor terrified. So He stops eating and stares at him. Jimuthavahana asks Garuda why He has stopped eating him, is his flesh not enough to satisfy His hunger? Garuda now feels respect for Jimuthavahana and asks him who he is, as he is human and not a Naga and why is he so happy and ecstatic even when being eaten alive?

Before Jimuthavahana can reply, Sankhachuda comes running to the spot and cries out that Garuda has killed Jimuthavahana the Vidhyadhara king who is kind hearted and righteous. Garuda is aghast. He cries out that he had indeed committed a grievous sin as He has heard far wide the fame of Jimuthavahana, as kind, considerate, righteous and dutiful king of Vidhyadharas. 

Sankhachuda informs Jimuthavahan that his parents are coming. Jimuthavahana asks him to cover his body with the upper cloth as his parents cannot see him in that state. Sankhachuda obeys. Parents and wife of Jimuthavahana arrive upon the scene and cry. Garuda is more ashamed now and begs Jimuthavahana to tell Him what He should do to absolve Himself of the sin. 

Jimuthavahana requests Garuda to repent for His previous deeds, not to harm any living being leave alone Nagas and do so much good deeds that the merits should override his sins. Garuda assures him saying that He is ashamed of his previous deeds and will not harm anyone. 

Jimuthavahana is very happy to have saved the Nagas. He pays his respects to his parents and tells them that he is dying. He consoles his mother and father saying that what good his body, flesh or blood is if not for helping out others. He prays to the God saying that if he has to take birth many times again, every time he should be able to sacrifice himself for others.

Saying that Jimuthavahana falls down unconscious. His parents weep and pray to Gods for saving their only son. His wife prays to Goddess Gauri and asks for her kindness in rescuing her husband. Garuda vows that he will stop Yama (God of Death) and his servants from taking away life of Jimuthavahana, if need be tear them to pieces and go beg Indra (King of Devas) for Amrutham (ambrosia or nectar) so that he can get back Jimuthavahana to life.

Goddess Gauri appears before them and sprinkles holy water and Jimuthavahana is revived. She blesses them all and praises Jimuthavahan for his scarifies. She blesses them all with happiness and all good things. Every one bows to the mother Goddess and are happy.

Now since Jimuthavahan has sacrificed himself at this place -Sacrifice means "Arpana" (to give oneself) "Phali" means the Result or the place where Jimuthavahana's sacrifice has brought in good result (saving of Nagas). ArpanaPhali has with the time became Appanpalli.

As per Jimuthavahana's request and sage Kashyapa's advice, Garuda also known as Vainatheya (son of Vinata) made a creek of the river Vasitha (tributary to River Godavari) to pass through the place so that the Nagas who were killed by Him (whose remainings were scattered around the place) could obtain salvation. That is why this river is called as Vianatheya river. It flows towards south. Hence the temple on its bank is considered as a pilgrimage center.


This is the Vianetheya river on the banks of which the temple of Bala Balaji stands today.
You can see how wide it is. 
People take bath before entering the temple.

Whether these legends can be actually proved or not I don't know. Because the present place is not on a mountain. But there must be a reason for these legends which may have disappeared or gone obscure with time. 

In my next posts read how Lord Balaji came as a child and stayed back as an idol in the temple......

8/20/11

Ganesha-The Elephant God

GANESHA
Part-1

Ganesha - popularly known in the west as Elephant God, is the remover of all obstacles. He is the God who is worshipped first-whether we are just saying our daily prayers, or performing some special rituals or ceremonies, celebrating marriages or other auspicious occasions -one has to pray to him first.

Even when one wants to worship or pray to other Gods and Goddesses, one has to first pray to Lord Ganesha and obtain his blessings so that no obstacles bother us . 

Farmers pray to him before tilling their lands for a good crop. Also since his vahan or carrier is a mouse, they pray for safety of crops from mice and pests. Students pray to him before sitting for their studies for success. Business men pray to him for "Subh" meaning good or auspiscious and "Labh" meaning profits.

I am going to post about, Ganesha, his birth, his story, various slokas and strotras and mantras associated with Him and how to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi...

He has many forms and many names..what they are...follow me in my posts......



8/10/11

Temples of India-7

SRI BALA BALAJI TEMPLE-APPANA PALLE-6


The story of Jimuthavahana and Sankhachuda

We need to learn about this story, for this is how the place AppanaPalle got its name. 

Jimuthavahana was the son of Vidyadhara King Jimuthakethu. Vidhyadhara means those who have wisdom. Females are known as Vidyadharis. In Hindu mythology they are described as spirits of air, possessing great beauty, great magical powers. 

Jimuthavahana though very young, was a good king, kind, righteous and dutiful towards his subjects. He was caring and dutiful to his mother and father.

His parents who were old wanted to stay on the mountain named Malaya for sometime. Malaya mountain described in various Hindu mythologies, is said to be covered by thick virgin forests, surrounded by beautiful nature, a variety of colourful wild flowers, rivulets, waterfalls, ponds full of lotuses, many animals and birds living with peace and harmony. The air coming from the mountain (in the early morning hours) laden with the fragrance of sandal wood and flowers is said to be very beneficial to the living beings. 

He leaves his kingdom in the hands of his relatives and accompanies his parents to serve them. There he meets Malayavathi daughter of King Vishvavasu and marries her. 

One day while roaming around the slopes of Malaya along with Mitravasu, son of King Visvavasu and brother of Malayavathi, he comes across heaps and heaps of bones. he learns that they are the bones of Nagas(serpents). Mitravasu explains that Garuda the golden eagle, king of the birds and son of Vinata used to kill and eat the snakes. During this process,  many were killed, many eggs were broken and serpents died even before their birth. Young ones perished. 

So Vasuki, the King of serpents made a pact with Garuda saying that every day he will send one serpent for feeding him. Each day one serpent from one of the houses in his kingdom is to be supplied. That was how so many Nagas were killed and their bones and remainings were dumped in heaps.


Jimuthavahan feels sad at this destruction. He slowly wanders around on the mountain slopes looking at the ocean below thinking that it is the duty of a King to save his subjects. But Vasuki, the Naga King did not do that.


Suddenly he hears a woman crying. He walks towards the place and comes across a young man and an old woman crying inconsolably. The young man's name is Sankhchuda- a prince of Nagas. He was chosen for the day to be food for Garuda. The Messenger(sertvant) of the King Vasuki hands him red clothes to be worn and then stand on the sacrificing rock so that Garuda can see that he is the one that is food for him. 


The woman cries saying that my only son whom I begot after so many prayers and hundreds of vows is going to be killed. How can I live with out him? 


Jimuthavahan moved by the pleas and crying of the old woman offers himself to be food for Garuda in place of Sankhachuda. Sankhachuda does not agree to this. He says that it is his duty to obey his kings orders. 


Jimuthavahana argues and argues but Sankhachuda does not agree. He bids adieu to his mother and goes off to visit the shrine near by for one last time before Garuda eats him. 


So what happened next.....was Sankhachuda was killed? 


Just read it in my next post.......


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...