Boon or Bane ?

Children like to question. And I appreciate it as an expression of their intense thirst for knowledge. I wrote this given-below dialogue in an easy, conversational style between an imaginary child and myself. This is, of course, based partly on an actual discussion with a group of children, and later written  for Dipika 2008. It is an annual spiritual magazine especially for children, regularly brought out by Sri Sarada Devi Ashram at Asherville in Durban. My grateful thanks go to Sister Pravrajika Ishtapranaji for according her kind consent to reproduce it here.

Priyanta: Pranams Swamiji.

Swamiji: Welcome Priyanta, how are you?

Priyanta: I am well, Swamiji. Could you spare some moments to answer my queries?

Swamiji: What are you worrying about? Do you perform regular prayers?

Priyanta: Oh! I wanted to ask you exactly about prayer, Swamiji.

Swamiji: Okay what’s your question?

Priyanta: Swamiji, in prayer if we ask something from God, will God give it to us? Suppose what God gives me turns out to be unsuitable, then what happens?

Swamiji: Indeed, our Master Sri Ramakrishna says that God can hear even the foot steps of an ant. If you pray with diligence, sincerity and love, then God will give you whatever you pray for. It is true that many devotees do not know what to ask God for.

Priyanta: Is that so? I thought people ask for those things that they need!

Swamiji: That’s how it should be. But what they need and what they want are entirely different. Okay, now I will tell you a story from our Puranas.

Priyanta: What are Puranas, Swamiji?

Swamiji: Puranas have the insight of the Hindu scriptures called the Vedas, retold for the easy understanding of the common folk. The teachings are primarily taught in a very easy and interesting way. They are given through inspiring stories and parables. Do you know that in total there are eighteen Puranas?

Priyanta: Thanks Swamiji! Do you have an apt story with regard to my question on prayer?

Swamiji: Yes Priyanta. I will tell you the story of an asura (demon) called Bhasmasura. This demon performed severe penances to obtain the favour of Lord Shiva. Pleased with him, Lord Shiva appeared before Bhasmasura and said: ‘Dear devotee! I am pleased with your austerities and therefore I am willing to grant you a boon. What do you want?’ Bhasmasura folded his palms and sang the glory of Lord Shiva. Then he said: ‘O Lord! If I place my hand on someone’s head, that person should be burnt to ashes immediately.’

Priyanta: Oh! What a destructive boon!

Swamiji: Yes, what an ignoble boon did this Bhasmasura ask for! Not only that. He told Lord Shiva that he wanted to test it. He rose from his seat and rushed near Shiva trying to place his hand on the head of Lord Shiva! See what a danger!

Priyanta: Then what did Lord Shiva do, Swamiji?

Swamiji: You see, God is always bound by His devotee’s love. He even becomes a servant of His devotee, just to please him. So, Lord Shiva ran to Lord Vishnu who calmed Lord Shiva and said that he would deal with the demon Bhasmasura. Lord Vishnu then took the form of a beautiful damsel and stood on the pathway of Bhasmasura who was trying to test his boon on Lord Shiva. The demon was charmed at the beauty of the dancing girl. Now, do you know Priyanta, what dance Lord Vishnu performed in the form of Mohini?

Priyanta: Swamiji, is this dance called Mohini-aattam?

Swamiji: Yes, truly so! This Mohini-aattam is very popular in Kerala, in the southern part of India.

Priyanta: Okay. Then Swamiji, what happened?

Mohini directing Bhasmasura in dance...Painting by Raja Ravivarma

Swamiji: Lord Vishnu disguised himself as the world bewitching Mohini and then showed the demon this dance. Bhasmasura, captivated by her beauty and grace, wanted Mohini to be his wife. Mohini informed him that she would marry only that man who could perform the dance as well as she could. So the demon king requested Mohini to teach him the steps of the dance. Mohini then showed him the movements of the hands and, in the heat of the moment, Bhasmasura copied her hand gestures and placed his hand on his own head. Thus see how Bhasmasura was destroyed!

Priyanta: So Swamiji, the boon from God may turn out to be dangerous!

Swamiji: Yes, if you do not know exactly what to ask for. You see, this simple story from the Puranas has many good messages for all of us. Can you tell me a few morals from this story?

Priyanta: Yes Swamiji. Firstly God will definitely give us what we pray for. Secondly, I think that we should not pray to God for anything that is destructive. Thirdly we must know that we should not harm anybody with our prayers.

Swamiji: Well said Priyanta! Suppose you ask your father for a pistol, he will not give it to you. Why? Because, if you should get angry with someone, you might shoot that person with it or you may even accidently hurt yourself. So, if you seek something destructive, you are sure to harm others and yourself too. And finally what is the best form of prayer? Harmless as well as beneficial to everyone is the prayer for auspiciousness, peace, fullness and goodness. Like this one for example:

Om sarveshām svastir bhavatu
sarveshām shāntir bhavatu
sarveshām pūrnam bhavatu
sarveshām mangalam bhavatu

The meaning of this prayer is:

May there be auspiciousness to all
May there be peace to all
May there be fullness to all
May there be good to all.

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Raja Ravi Varma

Raja Ravivarma, one of the greatest Indian artists of the 20th century

Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was born in Kerala, India. At the age of seven he started drawing on the palace walls using charcoal. The talent of the child was noticed by King Thirunal Maharaja. Most of Ravi Varma’s paintings are based on Hindu epic stories and characters. His illustrations of the Ramayana and Mahabharata became the standard visual representation of the classics. His paintings are famous for vibrant colours and textures as can be conceived in the famous painting depicting Mohini directing Bhasmasura in dancing art.  

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda saw the beauty of the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma at the palace of the Gaekword of Baroda. Swamiji noticed the characters coming to life in these paintings and was moved by intense emotion. In 1893 Swamiji met Ravi Varma in America at the famous Chicago exhibition during the Parliament of the World’s Religions held there. Swamiji’s considered views on Art can be read here.
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Sri Rama Navami

In the ALL TIME stats as on today, the top Post was about Rama and the Post on Hanuman runs third. Hence I have brought these two old posts also in the front so that reading consecutively may be of interest to people. This is the result of a suggestion received from one devotee-reader Havasen Reddy, SA.

	Views
Sri Rama and his Sweet Name	1,390
Slide-shows	656
Hanuman – the curse and the cure	624
Celebrations in South Africa	605
Satyam Shivam Sundaram !	531
Milk of kindness	501

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||

Dear Devotees

The Ramayan is a masterpiece of Divine Love to Sri Ram. Throughout the verses of the Ramayan, the learned find knowledge, the singers get celestial music, the writers revel in rich poetry and the righteous, a storehouse of Dharma. In this respect the Ramayan is a storehouse of all sarva-mangala without parallel.

Sri Raama dootam shirasaa namaami - Pawanasuta Hanuman ki Jai ! - courtesy Sri Sunil Parthab

Here, my mind is humbly reverting to Sri Hanumanji. A perfected soul of sterling character, his matchless valour and invincible strength, self dedication and his devotion to Lord Ram is second to none! A true Karma yogin, he discharges his duties with utmost sincerity “Ram kaaj karibe ko aatura”. An ardent Bhakti yogin, he derives immense bliss in listening to his Lord’s story, “Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaa” Yes! all these wonderful traits are very important, especially if we are seeking to lead healthy, peaceful and spiritual lives. In this entire journey of life – our merciful Master is with us, eager to help when we stumble, forgive us when we make mistake, and encourage us when we falter.

Every devotee is precious to the Lord, and He is ever ready to help us succeed.

Every Hindu home must have a copy of the Ramayan, and regular reading of this sacred Book will enable us to emulate the exemplary and immaculate lives of Sri Ram, Mother Sita, Hanumanji and a host of bright and wonderful characters found in this gem of our scriptures.

So, dear devotees, on this very auspicious Day of Sri Ram Navami, let us all take a resolve to cultivate faith and love for our dear Lord Ram. Did not our Master say over and over again that “The One who became Rama and Krishna, has now come into this case (showing his body)”? May all who are tuned to our Master be Blessed with spiritual love and enlightenment!

Swami Saradaprabhanandaji also joins me in wishing everyone of you, abundance of love and healthy life.

With love and prayers

Swami Vimokshananda

Rama Navami decoration at Ramakrishna Temple in HQ

 

Sri Rama and his Sweet Name

Dear Devotee

Please listen to Ram dhun  “SriRam JayaRam JayajayaRam” .

 It was the time when Sri Ramachandra decided to leave this earth once and for all. He convened a meeting of all his brothers and Sita. And told them: “Look, now our sport (lila) is going to be over. So we are going to merge into our nature (swarupa).”

As that very moment came Narada. Wherever Narada goes, some disturbance happens. So Lakshmana was very apprehensive on seeing Narada. He said: “Brother, Narada has come.”

After seeing Narada, Sri Ram got up and made him seated and worshipped him and then Rama asked: “O! Narada, O! great devotee! What service can I do to you?”

Narada said: “Just now you have been discussing, you want to close your ihalila, that is the lila you have been enacting on this earth. But you should not go away simply like that. You should call a big assembly sabha – call everybody in Ayodhya and all of the world. Invite all the rishis and munis. Invite all the devas, yakshas, gandharvas. Invite everybody and announce your decision.

Sri Rama agreed and duly a sabha was called. It was a big sabha – all were coming and lot of arrangements had to be done for that. So each one of Rama’s brothers was given duty. Sita was given duty of looking after the guests – all of them must be fed. So the kitchen was given to her.

Like that, each one was given a responsibility. Shatrughna was to receive at the sabha, all the rishis and munis and give them chandana tilak and then give them a garland – a very good garland has to be put on their shoulders. And then give them proper seat asana – that was his duty.
Everything was arranged on the appointed day. All have started coming.

So Shatrughna was very busy. Suddenly Narada called him and said: “O! Shatrughna! Do you see in the distance? Durvasa is coming – a great danger is coming!”

Shatrughna wondering replied: “Why? He is coming to see my elder brother Rama and Rama is his chosen ideal ista devata – whenever Durvasa sits for meditation, he meditates upon Rama – and from him no danger will come here.”

Then Narada advised him: “No, great danger is about to happen to you by Durvasa… I can see this. So what you do is don’t disturb Durvasa in any way. When he comes you take him to his asana – but no tilak and no garland is to be given to him because the moment he is seated, he will meditate on Sri Rama and merge in samadhi and when Sri Rama arrives, it is my responsibility to raise Durvasa. So don’t worry about it.”

So Shatrughna thought a great rishi is telling. He simply took Durvasa, showed his seat and came away. And Durvasa sat and started meditating on Sri Rama.

And when everything was alright, the right propitious time came, Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Sita; all four entered. All the people got up to welcome Sri Rama. Only one person was sitting and that was Durvasa.

Narada raised Durvasa slowly telling him in his ear “Sri Rama has come, please get up”. So Durvasa came down from his intense samadhi and then opened his eyes. One thing that struck him was that every rishi and muni has got chandan tilak and beautiful garland. But he didn’t have. So he asked Narada the reason for his not having been given. And Narada became very serious. He said: “Look Durvasa! It was Shatrughna’s duty to give you garland and tilak. He must have something in his mind to dishonour you. I think you should report this to Sri Rama.”

So the drama of Narada has started. Durvasa, unhappy with what had happened to him, stood up and said: “O Rama! In your sabha, I have been dishonoured. Why I did not get a proper welcome?”

Sri Rama called Shatrughna but he was not there. Surprised Sri Rama said: “What has happened to him?” Then Rama found that his parama bhakta, Sri Hanuman was also missing. Then Narada asked: “What is you decision regarding Durvasa’s dishonouring?”

Rama said: “I will give punishment to Shatrughna for dishonouring him. So first let us find out where Shatrughna is”. Then Narada said: “Let us go and visit Hanuman’s house because his mother Anjani has come here and he must have been busy with his mother. Let us go and see first Hanuman.”

So a chariot was called and Rama took his bow and arrows. When they arrived at Anjani’s house Anjani came and made pranams to Sri Rama, and Sri Rama asked: “Is Hanuman here?”

“Yes , Lord! Should I get him?”

“Definitely. Call Hanuman.”

Then Hanuman came and stood there – he saw his Master, standing on his chariot with bow and arrows. He left his mace gada and made pranams.

“O Prabhu! I touch your holy feet, please bless me!”
Sri Rama was, as ever very happy to see Hanuman. He said: “Hanuman, where is Shatrughna? Do you know?”
“Yes Prabhu! I do know where he is.”
“Where is he?”
“He’s inside this house.”
“Get him out! Ask him to come out!”
“No Prabhu – I cannot ask him to come out.”

Greatly surprised, Sri Rama exclaimed:”What! I am your prabhu Ramachandra speaking! To my parama bhakta Hanuman! I am ordering you to get Shatrughna out.”

“No, Master! I cannot bring him out!”
“Do you know the repercussion? Do you know the effect?”
“Yes Prabhu! If you want Shatrughna from my house, you must fight with me first. Defeat me and then take Shatrughna.”

Stunned Sri Rama said: “What! I have to fight with you!”
Prabhu and bhakta both are now on the battlefield and the Master has to kill his devotee! All the gandharvas, yakshas, devatas and rishis and munis wondered at the scene that has been enacted there.

Not able to get what he wanted, Sri Rama finally took one of his arrows and aimed at Hanuman. All prayed to Sri Rama: “Please do not use your Ram Baan. If Hanuman is killed will there be any devotee left? No more worshipping of God will be done – because God has killed his own bhakta; this is just not possible. So put down your astra.” Ram Baan – a term commonly used in India for anything that does not miss its target, because Ram Baan is always sure – it must aim and reach the target.

But then Sri Rama was determined, “No. I must aim.”
And there standing on foot, Hanuman challenges Sri Rama, “Aim, aim your arrow, please!”

The three lokas were stunned and were worried about what was going to happen. And the arrow went straight to Hanuman. He stood there krita mastaka anjali bowing down with his head, hands together joined and said “Jai Sri Ram, Jai Sri Ram, Jai Sri Ram!”

Surprisingly Rama’s arrow went around Hanuman three times and came back to Rama. His arrow failed. Hanuman went on chanting the name of the Lord “Jai Sri Ram.”
And then Rama looked at Narada – was he behind all this drama?

Narada smiled, as if to say ‘yes’, and then said, “No more aiming, my Lord!. Put down your arrow.” Then Narada added: “You see, when I learnt that you are going to finish your sport in this earth, I thought that you will go away, your form will go away, your body will go away. But your name must remain. Today the entire universe has seen that through your name, your devotee is protected, even from your own arrow. Even God is utterly helpless if His name is taken. It is proved that devotee never perishes; always protected.”

(na me bhakta pranashyati – My devotee is never destroyed. Bhagawan Sri Krishna in Gita)

Photo courtesy: Avitha Parthab, PMB, SA

Hanuman – the curse and the cure

Saint Sri Tulsidasji

A devotee Samiksha Panday from Pietermaritzburg has sent me these selected lines from the KISHKINDHA KAND of SHRI RAMCHARITMANAS by Goswami Sri Tulsidas to be read BEFORE the Hanuman Chalisa is recited to dispel the curse placed upon him by the rishis. Between Doha no. 29 and Doha no. 30

KAHAI REECHAPATI SUNU HANUMAANAA /

KAA CHUP SAADHI RAHEHU BALAVAANAA//

PAVANA TANAYA BAL PAVANA SAMAANAA /

BUDHI BIBEKA BIGYAANA NIDHAANAA //

KAVANA SO KAAJ KATHINA JAGA MAAHEEN /

JO NAHIN HOI THAATA TUMHA PAAHEEN //

Pawanasuta Hanumani ki Jai ! – courtesy Sri Sunil Partab

 

Hanuman on to Lanka

Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan and others went towards the South in search of Sita. Sugreeva had given them only a month\’s time to find her. They wandered far and wide and grew utterly weary.  At last they came to the sea. They stood before the vast, roaring sea.

The period granted by Sugreeva was over.  So what were they to do?  The brave soldiers of Sugreeva sat bewildered. If they returned to Kishkindha, Sugreeva would certainly punish them. So, Angada suggested that they should fast to death on the seashore. But Hanuman replied, \”Angada, that would not be right. Surely Sugreeva will not punish us if we return.\” He tried to persuade them in many ways. But the others in their pessimism would not listen to him. All of them spread some darbha grass and lay down on it, determined to die.

Just then Sampathi came there. From him they learnt that Sita was Ravana\’s prisoner in Lanka. Their joy knew no bounds. They danced about shouting, \”Oh! Now we know about Sita!  \”With great enthusiasm, they turned to the sea. But who could cross the ocean?\”

One of them said, \”I can jump across ten yojanas.\” (The \’yojana\’ was the old unit of measurement of distance.) Another said, \”I can jump twenty yojanas.\” Jambavan was a mighty warrior, but now old.  He said, \’When I was young, 1 could leap over any distance. Now I am old, and can leap ninety yojanas. But this is a hundred\”.  Angada went further – I can cross a hundred yojanas, and reach Lanka.  But I do not know if 1 will have strength left to come back.\”

The old Jambavan consoled them all and said, \”Hanuman is the only great hero who can leap over the sea to Lanka and come back.  Let me go and cheer him up and encourage him.\” Hanuman was sitting apart from the others and silently gazing on the sea.

The Celebrated Curse

Some sages had pronounced a curse upon Hanuman, when he was a young boy – which he would not be aware of his own strength unless others told him of it. As a child Hanuman flew about freely and was quite mischievous.  In fun, he leapt over trees and peaks of mountains, uprooted trees, hurled them on wild elephants and lions, entered heritages of sages, broke away their utensils, uprooted and snatched their beards, disturbed their mediation and committed sportive exploits which troubled sages very deeply. Even his parents were at a fix and could not realise what to do with him. Finally the sages anathematised (pronounced a curse) Hanuman in these words \”O Hanuman! you will forget all those powers and boons that have been bestowed upon you.  You will regain your vigour and vitality only when some one eulogises your greatness and glory.\” The anathema made Hanuman staid and tranquil. Hence, Hanuman would never know how powerful and strong he was. Others would have to explain to him his strength.  Only then would he be realizing it.

Jambavan now praised Hanuman\’s strength and ability. He said, \”No other living creature has your strength, wisdom and radiance. -Why are you sitting quiet, not knowing yourself.? You can certainly jump over the ocean.\”

As Hanuman became aware of his own powers, being reminded, great enthusiasm welled up in him.  He stood up and after glancing at them and began to grow.  His companions were astonished. As they went on praising him, his stature grew.  He grew so tall that he could jump across the sea. Still he was very modest.  He bowed to the elders and said, \”I am the son of the Wind God who can move in the skies without touching the earth.  If need be, I can throw skyward all the water of this ocean and make the three worlds float on water. I will go like lightning and surely find Sitadevi.\”

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