One has to be really brave to stand up and accept one's mistake. Many don't like to own their mistakes let alone apologise for them. But the moment we stand up and accept that we have made a mistake, others will like us and trust us. If we apologise then there is nothing like that.
The first to forgive is strongest. Yes. Only a strong person can forgive easily. Forgiveness shows our inner strength.
The last part-the first to forget is the happiest is so true. If we don't forget certain things like wrong done to us by others, we will carry it on our minds and this creates stress. It is we who are affected more then the wrong doers. We will not have mental peace and this affects our mental and physical health. That is why "Forgiveness" or Kshama Guna is treated as one of the most highest qualities in humans by all religions alike.
These three principles if followed will make our lives, easy and happy and peaceful too.
In my previous post I have posted on Kaala Bhairavaashtakam. Now I am posting Teekshana Danshtra Kaala BhairavaAstakam. This is even more powerful. Reciting or hearing to this ashtakam will help in time management, reduce the ill affects of Kali and also protect us from evil or negative forces. I like the rhythmic and powerful way the words have been used in this ashtakam to praise Lord Bhairava:
I have tried my best to give the Ashtakam as correct as possible. But I need to refer to the Sanskrit text and make corrections if any. I had a copy but I have misplaced it. I am searching for it. I appeal to the readers, if they have Telugu or Devanagari version of this Ashtakam can they scan it and mail it. I am not able to get a copy of this Ashtakam any where else. I would be really grateful to them. UPDATE 5-3-2013
I have corrected some mistakes and added the Phala Shruti. But I appeal if some one can send me the scanned text in Sanskrit. I am not able to get a copy of the same anywhere. Please listen to the recital carefully and pronounce accordingly. Update 6-3-2013 I have received one mail from one of the visitors, who has sent me the Sanskrit Text. Luckily, today, while sorting my old books and papers, I got hold of one of the books (old one used by my late father). It has been damaged in the corners (by termites I think) so one or two words are missing. The text in this book and in the one sent to me differs in some places. I will have to go through these differences and then I will again post if there are any corrections. Update 19-6-2014 I have made some more corrections based on the text I have in a book I mentioned above. I have added the first line Teekshnadanshtreti praadhanam bhairavosya devata. Please check up for further updates as there may be some more corrections.
Kaala Bhairava is one of the (main) eight forms of Bhairava.
Bhairava is a Sanskrit word meaning Frightful or Terrible. Bhairava is the manifestation of Lord Shiva and associated with destruction or annihilation. He is also known as Bhairo (n) or Bhairadya, Bheruji or Bhairavar. His consort is Bhairavi-fierce manifestation of Parvati or Durga. His vehicle is dog. He is worshiped by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. He is specially worshiped in Rajasthan, Tamilnadu and other parts of India as well as in Nepal. He is also the Kshetrapalaka (protector or Lord of that area) in some temples as well as the Graama Devata protector of the village or village deity.
Kaala Bhairava is the Bhairava who is controls the "Time" or who controls the power (passage)of time. Time is very precious. The past is gone, future is yet to come, only present is ours. So one has to make best use of time. For this, one has to worship Kaala Bhairava. Reciting or listening to Kaala Bhairavaashtakam will help in proper utilisation of time as well as overcoming the ill aspects of Kali kaala. So here is Kaala Bhairavaashtakam:
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......
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 Bhumimeaning 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.
Do without . Most of the times we can manage without many things.
Reduce, Use less. If it is not possible to do without, use less. we waste a lot.
Re Use. We can reuse many things if we are a bit careful and store things properly
Recycle. there are hundreds of ways of recycling things instead of throwing them out.
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.
Place feeders and water trays for birds and if possible for strays.
Don't litter. Dispose off the waste intelligently.
Use natural resources like sunlight, air and other things. This will save money, is healthy and will reduce pressure on resources like electricity etc.
Start at home. Motivate, family, friends, colleagues and others around you to be environment friendly. Slowly but steadily many will join.
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??????
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