THE STORY OF PRUTHU

THE STORY OF PRUTHU

Our mother Earth has a number of names in Sanskrit. A few of them are “ Dharini, Dhatri, Medini, Vasundhara, Vasudha, Ratnagarbha, Kshiti and many others. A few of them are based on the minerals, diamonds and various other raw materials that are extracted from mother earth. From time immemorial mother earth has been satisfying all the needs of human beings and animals and other creatures. One of the names of mother Earth is “Prithvi”. How did earth get this name? There is an interesting story behind this narrated in the Bhagavata Purana. King Anga belonged to the clan of Dhruva the great devotee of Lord Vishnu. After performing a yagna he  had a son by name Venu. But unfortunately he was very bad and tormented people and the sages. Unable to tolerate his atrocities King Anga left his kingdom never to return! Venu, as a king became so arrogant that he wanted all to worship him like Lord Vishnu! The advice of the sages went in vain and in great anger they wished for his death and he died.

The sages could not endure the lawlessness and sufferings of people in the absence of the king. They brought the dead body of Venu and rubbed  its shoulders when out of them emerged  a man and woman! They called him PRUTHU and the woman ARCHIS. They were the avatars of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi! When Pruthu came of age, he was crowned as the  king of the country. Entire Nature rejoiced at his coronation and mountains, rivers, animals, and birds brought him presents. Among the Devas, Brahma gave him armour, Saraswathi pearl garland, Chandra white horses, Agni a bow and Surya sharp arrows! Earth offered sandals to carry him to any place and the other Devas granted him power to be invisible at will! Despite these gifts Pruthu remained very humble and said he was not worth of these gifts till he removed the sufferings of the people.

King Pruthu desired to save his people from insatiable hunger and thirst. They were clamouring for food. He knew that mother earth had withdrawn all her resources into herself. That was the reason for the pangs of the people. He became furious with anger and shot a sharp arrow into the earth! Terrified at his anger and the arrow,mother Earth took the shape of a cow and ran for life. But King Pruthu chased her over mountains and dense jungles when she fell at his feet and prayed not to harm her as she was a woman. But king Pruthu said that she deserved to be killed as she had done maximum disservice to humanity by withdrawing all her resources. She said that she had done so as she was ruled by very bad and unrighteous kings. She couldn't bear her resources being misused and wasted! She was now ready to deliver all her resources and hidden materials to humanity as the ruler was king Pruthu. She wanted a calf, a milkman,and a proper vessel so that she could start giving milk! King Pruthu was pleased to the extreme at the words of mother Earth. He lost no time and mother Earth started giving out all things she had withdrawn into herself.

Thus Manu became the calf and king Pruthu became the milkman! Jnanis got jnana or knowledge; Brihaspati was the calf when the Vedas were milked and collected in the vessels of speech, hearing and manas! With Indra as calf Somarasa or Amrita, tejas, and strength were obtained! With Prahlada as calf the asuras got 'Sura’. The Gandharvas made Viswavasu as calf and obtained music or Sangita in a lotus vessel! Later sage Kapila was made the calf and the eight Siddhis like ‘anima, mahima, garima, laghima, prapti, prakamya, isatwam and vasitwam were obtained. Everyone got what all they wanted!

King Pruthu was extremely delighted with mother Earth for the way in which she yielded every material she had withdrawn into herself. There was nothing that she had not given up including the medicinal herbs or aushadhis! King Pruthu smashed the mountain tops and filled all the openings on earth so that it could be a plain surface. In his ecstasy and appreciation of what mother Earth has done, he adopted her as his darling daughter. From that day onwards mother Earth was called “PRITHVI”. Pruthu is said to be the first king of this earth!

MAHALAYA PAKSHA

MAHALAYA PAKSHA

The fifteen days of the waning moon in the month of Bhadrapada as per the lunar calendar is called “ Mahalaya Paksha”. This period is also called as “Pitru Paksha”. It is in this period that all our ancestors and forefathers are remembered and offered ‘tharpanam’ to satisfy their souls. The ‘ amavasya’ or the new moon of the period is  as considered very sacred and called as 'Sarva Pitru amavasya’ when you can offer tharpanam to all our forefathers and ancestors. The autumnal equinox falls in this period as the Sun transits from the northern to the southern

hemisphere.

According to the legend, souls of the three preceding generations reside in ‘Pitru Loka’- the land of the disembodied souls of ancestors, between heaven and earth. Yama,the God of death and the ruler of that place takes the soul of the dying person from earth to 'pitru loka’. Only three generations of Pitrus are offered ‘ Sraddha’ rites. This period coincides with the entry of Sun into the 'Thula’ sign of the zodiac. It is believed that the Pitrus leave their abode in ‘Pitru Loka' and come down to reside in their descendants’ home for a month until the Sun enters the next sign of the zodiac Scorpio. All Hindus are expected to propitiate their ancestors and Pitrus during this Mahalaya Paksha without fail. Times have changed and today people have lost faith in performing funeral rites to their own parents and kith and kin.They have also forgotten to offer tharpanam to the three generations of forefathers every month on the New moon day! All such people can and should perform tharpanam during this special period to absolve themselves of the sin they have committed!

It is strongly believed among the Hindus that the souls of ancestors can never get salvation till their descendants offer the funeral rites and tharpanam. The eldest son of the family is the one authorized to perform funeral rites and tharpanam. A person without a son has no salvation say the Sasthras. “aputrasya gatir nasti”! The Garuda Purana and the Markandeya Purana affirm that if the Pitrus are satisfied, they bestow health, wealth and prosperity to their descendants and salvation to the performer! Most of the maladies that families suffer from can be traced to the nonperformance of these funeral rites and tharpanam! But these can be compensated during the fortnight of the Mahalaya Paksha. This period emphasizes the fact that ancestors,current generation and future generations are connected through blood! Our debt to them and parents and gurus is of utmost importance and has to be repaid properly with faith and devotion!

In the Bhagavad-Gita Lord Krishna points out to Arjuna the importance of Karma Yoga. Man cannot live even for a second without karma or action. He has to offer his gratitude through sacrifices. One of those sacrifices is ‘Pitru Yagna’ where he satisfies his parents and ancestors by offering tharpanam to them! We are indebted to the Devas, Pitrus, human beings,and even to the other creatures like animals, birds and insects. So we must clear our debt to them in one way or other. Our indebtedness to mother,however,can never be cleared!

There is an interesting story about the great warrior Karna of the Mahabharatha emphasizing the significance of offering tarpanam to  forefathers. When Karna’s soul was in heaven, he was offered gold and jewels for food. Surprised at this strange offering, Karna asked Indra why he was not given real food. Indra replied that Karna gave gold and jewels only for gifts and charity but no real food! Karna told Indra in reply that he had no information about his ancestors at that time. It is said that Karna was asked to come down to earth for fifteen days and perform  ‘Sraddha’. He came back to earth and offered tharpanams to his ancestors! This period coincides with  Mahalaya Paksha at the end of the month Bhadrapada! During this Paksha one can offer tharpanam to any deceased kith and kin like brother, sister, uncle, aunt, father in law, mother in law, cousin and even friend!  Let us not forget our parents and ancestors and invite their ire! Let us pay our deep debt of gratitude to them for the grace and prosperity bestowed on us!

SRI DATTATREYA

SRI DATTATREYA

Sri DATTATREYA is considered as the oldest deity references to whom are found in the epics the Mahabharatha and the Ramayana. According to Dattatreya Upanishad of Adharvaveda he can appear as a child,and madman to help his devotees to attain moksha. He is considered as a ‘yoga purusha’ and is believed to have sixteen avatars or incarnations according to “Sri Dattatreya Shodasavatara Charitani” of Vasudevananda Saraswathi. Anasuya,daughter of Kardma Prajapati and wife of sage Atri fondly desired a son and the sage performed severe penance for a hundred years! Pleased with his faith and concentration all the three deities, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara presented themselves before the sage. Wondering at the appearance of the Trinity at the same time, sage Atri wanted to know the purpose of their arrival. He wanted a son equal to God in all respects from the greatest of Gods! With a smile on their faces the Gods replied that they are equal and represent the Absolute Brahman. Each God blessed the sage with a son and thus Brahma granted the Moon or Chandra while Vishnu gave  Datta and Siva granted sage Durvasa as Atri,s sons!

Datta means 'given’. Atreya means ‘the son of Atri’. Though a combination of the Trinity, Dattatreya is considered as the avatar of Vishnu. His siblings are the Moon and the sage Durvasa. In the Nath traditions he is considered as the avatar of Siva. He is also revered as ‘Adi Guru’ -- ‘Lord of Yoga’ exhibiting tantric traits. Dattatreya is also believed to be the author of “ “Tripura Rahasya”, a treatise on Advaita vedanta, given to the great sage Parasurama. Sri Dattatreya’s birthplace is in Tamilnadu near Tirumurthy Malai, Udumalapet, Coimbatore District. Sri Amanalingeswarar Temple at Dhali is said to be his place of birth. A few people dispute it and say that he was born in the jungles of Kashmir near the Amarnath cave. He traveled over Karnataka, Andhra,Maharashtra and Gujarat. He is considered as an Avadhuta and had realized himself at Gangapura in Karnataka. It is said that he performed severe tapas for twelve thousand years on Mount Girnar!! Swami Vivekananda points out that the Mount is sacred because of this penance!

There is an interesting story regarding the birth of Sri Dattatreya. Having heard of the  renowned chastity of Anasuya,wife of sage Atri, Brahma, Vishnu,and Siva wanted to test her! They came to Atri’s ashram in disguise as sadhus.They were received with due respect and offered hospitality. They agreed to have food in the ashram on condition that Anasuya should serve food without clothes! Sensing the trick being played by the gods, chaste Anasuya agreed to the condition!! She prayed to her husband Atri that her chastity should not be outraged on account of the condition laid down by the sadhus! The fake sadhus came after bath and sat for food. Anasuya brought some holy water and sprinkled it on the three sadhus when lo! behold! the three sadhus were transformed into three crying babies!!!  She then took them up, fed the babies, put them in cradles and looked after them. This went on for a while. Not finding their husbands in Brahma Loka, Vakunta and Kailash respectively, goddesses Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvati were much worried.They knew what had happened and arrived at the ashram of sage Atri. They felt sorry for what their husbands had done and requested Anasuya to restore their spouses! Taking a lenient view on the great gods, Anasuya again sprinkled  some holy water on the three babies when the three Gods regained their original form!They wondered at the purity and chastity of Anasuya and granted her request for a son! All the Gods combined into one form with three heads representing Brahma, Vishnu and Siva! The Devis were very happy to get back their husbands and returned to their places!

There are a number of traditions in the worship of  Sri Dattatreya. A few of them are 1 Puranic 2 Mahanubhav, 3 Sri Gurucharitra, 4 Sakalamat Sampradaya, 5, Avadhuta Panth and others. In the Puranic tradition we find Kartaviryarjuna, king Yadu and even sage Parasurama as the disciples of Sri Dattatreya. In the Mahanubhava tradition, started by Chakradar Swamy we find references to the Bhagavata. Gurucharitra follows from Sripadavallabha and Narasimha Swamy. Sakalamat, started by Manic Prabhu is for all faiths irrespective of  caste, creed, color and community. Avadhut Panth was started by Panth Maharaj Bale Kundrikar.

Sri Dattatreya is represented with six hands with the lowest two having mala or garland and kamandalu( vessel for water). The middle pair hold ‘ damaru’(sound producing) and the trisula or the trident. The top two hands wield the holy Sankh or conch and the Chakra or disc. Sometimes Gada or mace is also shown.Sri Dattatreya is shown always with a cow in the background and four dogs near his feet. The dogs, many say, represent the four Vedas! But that is disputed by Ramakrishna Saraswathi,disciple of Narasimha Saraswathi. He says that the dogs should not be interpreted as the Vedas! They are similar to beings attracted to God Dattatreya! There are a number of Temples and Shrines built and dedicated to Lord Dattatreya all over India  and devotees throng to offer worship to him. The Datta Peetam in Mysore with Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swami as its head is famous in South India. May Lord Sri Dattatreya shower his blessings on all of us!

FOR. VEGETARIANISM

For Vegetarianism

Vegetarians are called grass eaters sarcastically. But many do not understand that whatever meat supplies to the human body is effectively available in plenty in vegetable food! There is a saying in Sanskrit, -”mamsam mamsena vardhate”-eating meat or flesh increases flesh only. Our ethical principle of nonviolence necessitates the intake of vegetarian food. Manu Samhita forbids humanity from taking to nonvegetarian food as it entails violent killing of animals for human consumption. According to UNFAO, globally, the number of animals slaughtered for food in 2003 alone is a staggering 52.7 billion. Since we cannot create we have no right to kill any living entity. According to  laws of God killing an animal is as punishable as killing a man. Genesis(9:4-5) also directly forbids meat eating. “ But flesh with the life there of,shall ye not eat” The Ten Commandments reinforces the same: “ Thou shall not kill”.

From ancient days people have realized the efficacy in taking vegetarian food. Pythagoras, the famous mathematician laments, “ O my fellowmen, do not defile your bodies with sinful foods. The earth affords a lavish supply of riches, of innocent foods and offers you banquets that involve no bloodshed or slaughter.” According to Leonardo da Vinci “ He who does not value life does not deserve it.” Bodies of meat eaters are ‘ burial places’, graveyards for the animals they  eat. Rousseau, the French philosopher says that vegetarian diet would produce a more compassionate person. According to Benjamin Franklin flesh eating is 'unprovoked murder’. Shelley the later Romantic poet in his poem “Queen Mab” describes an Utopian world where men do not kill animals for food!

Why should man eat animal food? It is because of his insensitivity to the suffering of the voiceless innocent creatures.  While he reacts with pain to the minutest injury he suffers, he doesn't care for the torture and decapitation of the animal and it's harrowing cries! We are all the children of God including animals and other creatures. Are we justified in killing our own animal brothers for the sake of our food? There is the same atma or Spirit in every being created by God. The Gita advocates eating ‘satwik’ food which is vegetarian. Man eats the dead food of the animal which is ‘rajasic or tamasic.’ Man’s conduct and character depends on the food he takes. Thus meat eaters are prone to be rude and violent in behavior in general! Animals too have emotions and love for their young ones like human beings! Man, as a social animal has to remember these aspects before taking to animal foods!

From times immemorial to the modern times illustrious writers, philosophers and scientists have decried the habit of consuming animal food or nonvegetarianism! Tolstoy calls it “simply immoral. Man suppresses in himself,unnecessarily, the highest spiritual capaciy--that of sympathy and pity towards living creatures like himself and by violating his own feelings becomes cruel.’’ Thoreau questions, “ Is it not a reproach that man is a carnivorous animal?” Why should this rational animal become a carnivorous animal like the wild beasts when God has provided him with wonderful natural fare? In our own days the Father of the Nation,Mahatma Gandhi advocated healthy vegetarian food.

“ I do not regard flesh food as necessary at any stage. I hold flesh food to be unsuited to our species. We err in copying the lower animal world if we are superior to it” says the Mahatma in his writings.With a contempt for the meat eater George Bernard Shaw says, “ What can you expect from people who eat corpses? Famous authors, philosophers, scientists and many others like Sir Isaac Newton,  Albert Einstein, St Francis of Assisi, George Bernard Shaw, Mark Twain and many others were vegetarians. Many film stars like Brad Pitt, Models and Sports persons recognized the merits of vegetarian food and followed it in their lives. More and more people all over the world are impressed with the advantages of vegetarian food and have converted themselves to its regimen! Can we not do the same and save the animals from being slaughtered mercilessly just to satisfy our never dying hunger

DRAUPADI 'S COMPASSION

Draupadi’s Compassion

The great Mahabharatha war ended with the annihilation of the Kaurava clan. The survivors were Krupacharya, Krutha varma and Aswatthama. He wanted to wreak vengeance on the Pandavas and went to their Camp at night. But they were not present there. He saw Draupadi’s five children and her brother whom he killed mercilessly. Not satisfied with this dark deed, he set fire to the camp. Draupadi and the Pandavas were shocked and petrified at this ghastly murder of the five children at one stroke. Draupadi’s sorrow knew no bounds. Arjuna vowed to kill Aswatthama and bring him to fall on her feet. Meanwhile Aswatthama ran for his life but Arjuna pursued and captured him.

Still in his frenzy to root out the Pandavas, Aswatthama invoked the terrible astra' Brahmasirsha’ and released it. The entire sky reddened under the effect of the astra. Arjuna felt it's unbearable heat all over his body and asked Krishna for guidance. The Lord suggested that Arjuna should send the same astra to attack the one sent by Aswatthama as there was no other alternative. Arjuna did as he was bid. It appeared that the whole world  would be destroyed by the clash of the two deadly weapons. Alarmed at this sudden development, renowned sages came down from their abodes and asked both the warriors to withdraw their astraslest there may be the deluge or Prajaya dissolving the entire universe. They said that the two astras should never clash against each other. Arjuna, heeding the words of the rishis withdrew his weapon but Aswatthama could not do so. Instead he directed the astra towards the child in the womb of Uttara, the wife of Abhimanyu!

Having captured Aswatthama, Arjuna bound him hand and foot and dragged him along to Krishna. Krishna directed Arjuna to to kill Aswatthama without any conscientious scruple in the same way as he killed the five children mercilessly. But Arjuna hesitated. Aswatthama was his friend and the son of his mentor Dronacharya. He took him to Draupadi and the other Pandavas and asked her to decide the punishment and fate of the merciless murderer Aswatthama. Draupadi had not yet recovered from the terrible tragedy that had befallen her. She did not know what to do when confronted with this sudden situation. Bheema was very angry and the others too were highly emotional. They wanted drastic punishment for the perpetrator of this heinous crime.

In spite of her indescribable sorrow, Draupadi managed to control herself. She was sorry to see Aswatthama bound hand and foot and in a pathetic condition. She thought about his mother who would lose her only son if he is killed. As a mother she realized the pangs of another mother at the loss of her son! She did not like to see Aswatthama bound hand and foot. She asked Arjuna to set him free. With a heart full of compassion she asked him to go away to any  distant place he liked. Arjuna was amazed at the tolerance and mercy of Draupadi. Though surprised at the verdict of Draupadi, Yudhishtira and others appreciated her decision. But Bheema was seething with anger.

Aswatthama remained with his head bent down. He was crestfallen and humiliated! He had already lost his radiance due to his unholy acts.  Arjuna plucked out the precious stone from the head of Aswatthama which was equal to beheading him! This disgrace was to him worse than death itself. Arjuna freed him and let him go. Thus Draupadi returned love and compassion to the most cruel and heartless Aswatthama and set an example to others! It is compassion and love that elevates man to Divinity. Even the inveterate enemy has to be shown mercy and love!

THE FIVE YAGNAS

THE FIVE YAGNAS

In his divine discourse the Bhagavad-Gita Lord Krishna points out to the doubting Arjuna that it is impossible to exist without doing Karma or action. At least for the sake of maintaining the body one should perform karma. Duties should be discharged for God’s sake and not for one’s own self. Selfish karma binds man to the world. When duty is done for God it translates into yagna or sacrifice done for Lord Vishnu. It is God who is responsible for our actions. Sacrifices performed by people are the connecting link between mortals and devas. Everything in the world is God’s property. When we forget this fact and enjoy everything without his permission we are really thieves. Therefore  food not offered to God is considered as sinful morsels of food! Why should man perform yagna or sacrifice? What is its significance? What exactly are those that man should perform?

Family life is practically impossible without five indispensable items. They are 1 knife, 2 grinder, 3 stove, 4 pot or vessel to cook and 5 the broomstick. When using these articles many germs die and unknowingly man commits sin. To ward off this evil of sin and allow man to liberate himself five kinds of sacrifice are recommended.These are called “Panchamaha yagnas”. The first and foremost is “Brahma yagna” where one reads the Vedas and does scriptural study. He has to contemplate on what they say and try to follow their mandates. Krishna describes the second yagna as “ Daiva yagna.” Or Divine worship. The Sun, the Moon, the stars, oceans, rivers, magnificent mountains and Nature are the manifestation of God. The gardener or the owner of the garden does not make the mango sweet. It is God who does it! Do not forget the existence of God in all these objects. Offer all God given things  to God before you enjoy them. This offering is called “Daiva yagna.”

The third important yagna is “ Pitru yagna” or worship of the parents and forefathers. “ Pitru devo bhava” declare the Vedas. They should be considered as Gods and given due regard and respect and love.It may some times be possible to clear the indebtedness of the father but it is impossible to wipe off the debt of the mother who is the first God! For the satisfaction of the  ‘pitrus’ (dead) proper ‘sraddhas’ or annual ceremonies should be performed. Unfortunately, in these days people have no belief in the rituals to be performed for them. When the Pitrus are dissatisfied their families suffer and have to undergo difficulties. Some of the hurdles and sufferings of families are because of the curse of the ‘Pitrus’ for whom proper funeral and other rites are not performed

The fourth sacrifice is “Narayagna” or “Manushya yagna” which signifies service to humanity. Service to man is service to God as the human body is the living temple of God! Extending love to all people irrespective of color, creed, community, caste and religion is the greatest service one can do to society.It is in serving the needy, the poor and the downtrodden that man finds fulfilment of his existence.In fact service to humanity ennobles man and raises him to Godhead! Service to man elevates man to a higher spiritual plane through which he can realise the  Supreme Reality. Man loses his ego by serving humanity and thus can realize his own self

which is the real purpose for which God has created him.

The fifth yagna or sacrifice is “Bhuta yagna” or service to the dumb creatures which are no less important. Arranging drinking water tubs, sheds for cattle, giving food to dogs and other animals, putting rangoli with rice flour, being kind to the dumb creatures, are the essence of this “Bhuta Yagna”. We are indebted to all the dumb creatures in one way or other and should repay our debt to them. They should never be ignored lest we would be committing a great sin. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that the essence of Karma Yoga consists in living for God, living for humanity and living for the world at large. It is also the means to root out our selfishness.

SAGE NARADA's PURVA JANMA

Sage Narada 's Purvajanma

On the pleasant banks of Saraswathi river sage Narada met the sage Vedavyasa who looked depressed and sad. He told Vyasa that after codifying the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Puranas and the itihasas he is still dissatisfied. That is because he has not written on the effect and greatness of bhakthi or devotion to the Lord. Sage Narada himself had experienced the efficacy of intense devotion that brought a very great metamorphosis in his previous birth! Vyasa was wonderstruck at this and wanted Narada to describe his experience during his previous birth. Narada explained that there is nothing greater than undiluted intense devotion to the Lord!

Narada recounted his story during the previous kalpa. He was the son of a sudra woman working in the ashram of sages. A number of rishi came to the ashram to stay there for 'chaturmasya’-a period of four months to perform austerities.The boy, 5 years young, was deputed to look into the needs of the sages. He was unlike the normal children. He was not playful but highly reserved. He endeared himself to the sages by his conduct and care that he bestowed on them. An incident that changed his course of life happened at this stage! One day he ate the remnants of the food left by the renowned sages. To his astonishment his heart become pure and all his sins vanished! He lost himself in the stories narrated by the sages. He became mad after Lord Narayana. He realized the impermanence of the physical body. He contemplated on the Lord day in and day out.Thus through this meditation he got rid of the two qualities of rajas and tamas the impediments to spiritual progress. All the sages,having completed their four months of ‘chaturmasya’ left the ashram.The boy could not bear the separation from the sages and broke down shedding tears profusely. Being compassionate, they taught him how to reach the truth and be an ideal disciple.They advised him to offer all his acts to God. He should perform all actions without expecting any reward. He should always fix God in his heart and follow the bhakti marga.

After a few days, while working in the ashram, his mother was bitten by a snake and died. But the boy did not feel sorry. He was free now. He thought that the impediment for his  spiritual progress was removed! He  left the ashram and went northwards crossing dense forests and mountains. Totally tired and thirsty, he drank the sweet waters of the river nearby and sat in padmasan for meditation. In that deep meditation he had a vision of Lord Narayana for a split second. He lost himself in that great bliss and soon came back to his own self.Then he heard a very friendly and sweet voice which said  “you cannot see me in this birth but you will reach me finally. You have loved me with pure heart because of the good company of the sages.You can live with me for ever. You shall remain even after Pralaya or the deluge. You are dear to me.” From then he started singing on the Lord and wandered from place to place.

Time for his departure came and he shuffled his mortal coil. He went towards the Lord sleeping on the ocean. Along with the breath of Brahma, he entered him. When the creation started he was born with Marichi and other sages as the creator’s son. The Devas presented the Veena Mahati by name. From that time Narada  travelled all over the world singing the glory of the lord.” I see the Lord’s form whenever I sing in his praise. I enjoy indescribable bliss in seeing his form”  said sage Narada to the astonished Vyasa who listened to him with rapt attention!

GANAPATI TATWA

GANAPATI TATWA

Lord Ganapati is the darling of millions of people all over the world. He is mostly worshipped in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Devotion for the Lord extends  even to Buddhism and Jainism. He is Ganapati the Lord of the bhuta ganas surrounding Lord Siva. He is Vighneswara the Lord and destroyer of all obstacles. He is Ekadanta, the one with a single tusk. He is Gajanana, the elephant headed God. He is the patron god of arts and crafts and deva of intellect and wisdom. Ganapati  worship emerged during the Gupta period and in ‘Ganapathaya’in the 9th century Ganesha was worshipped as the supreme deity! The principal scriptures related to Ganesha are the Ganesha Purana, Mudgala Purana, and Ganapathi Atharva Sirsha.

Different and interesting stories relate to the origin of Ganapati. It is believed that goddess Parvati created him from out of clay for her protection. But Lord Siva in his anger beheaded him and replaced the elephant head in its place! According to another story Ganesha was created by Lord Siva's laughter! Ganapati is ‘ Omkararupa’ identical with Pranava,the primordial sound. Ganapathi AdharvaSirsha extols him as all in all-Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Agni, Vayu, Surya, and Chandra. He is the embodiment of entire creation. He is omnipresent. He is meditated as one with four arms. He holds the pasa in one hand, ankusa in another and exhibits varada and abhaya mudras in the other hands. He is red in color, has red clothes and red sandal paste all over his form.He has the mouse in his flag and rides on it He is called ‘ Lambodara and Mahodara’ because all the universes-cosmic eggs- brahmandas of the past, present and future are in him according to the Brahmanda Purana! He is the permanent resident of the first Mooladhara Chakra which is the starting point of Kundalini yoga. This Chakra is the principle on which the manifestation or outward expansion of primordial divine force rests! “twam mooladhara sthitosi nityam”---You continually dwell in the sacral plexus at the base of the spine.This Chakra holds, psupports,and guides all other Chakras thereby “ governing the forces that propel the wheel of life.”  He has the serpent king Vasuki around his neck and wears a serpent as a belt or the sacred thread! The arms of his form vary from14 to twenty! His vahana or mount varies as per his different incarnations.The mouse as vahana is found in five of his eight forms. As Vakrathunda he has the lion; as Vikata and Sesha the peacock; as Vighnaraja the divine serpent; as Mahotkata the lion; as Mayureswara the peacock; as Dhoomakethu the horse and as Gajanana the mouse are his vahanas. Brahmanda, Mudgala and Ganesha Puranas refer to the mouse as Ganesha's vahana.The mouse or mushika symbolizes tamoguna and desire. Ganesha controls and suppresses these qualities. the Sanskrit word mushika is derived from ‘mus’ meaning robbing or stealing! Rat, therefore is a destructive pest a type of vighna that has to be overcome. Ganesha, like the rat can penetrate into the most secret places! While Ganesha is considered as a celibate,he is also regarded as the husband of Siddhi,Buddhi and Riddhi. Buddhi symbolizes intelligence, wisdom or intellect while Siddhi denotes spiritual power. Riddhi represents Lakshmi or prosperity. Siva Purana states that Ganapati has two sons namely Kshema and Labha representing profit and prosperity!

No religious activity is conducted without propitiating Lord Ganapati! Even the gods fail when they neglect him. Lord Siva had to worship him before destroying the ,Tripuras’. Chandra,the moon god had to suffer as he made fun of the Lord’s tummy! Even Lord Krishna had to experience the effect of viewing the moon on Vinayaka chaturthi day! It was Lord Ganapati who outsmarted Ravana from taking away the ‘ atma linga’ for his mother! It was Lord Ganesha that took down the slokas of the epic Mahabharatha as sage Vedavyasa dictated to him!There is not a single village or town or city that has no temple for Lord Ganesha! May the Lord bless us for our well being and prosperity!

ON CHARACTER

ON CHARACTER

Character is what distinguishes man from the normal human being. Whatever distinction man has achieved is lost if he has no character. Fame and name, reputation and all other qualifications are useless without  spotless character. Our character is defined by what we do when we think no one is looking. People behave in a way when others observe them while it is totally different when they are alone or unobserved. The end of education is character. Any education that does not bring in character fails miserably. It is the most invaluable gift of education. Wealth, social status, knowledge and others are in vain without character! According to Abraham Lincoln, “ Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow.The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

Though all men can stand adversity, the test of character is when he is invested with power. The true test of character is not when you are in your best days but how you behave and act in your worst days! The truth of character is revealed through the choice of your actions. One should be concerned with his character rather than reputation because his character is what he really is while his reputation is merely what others  think he is. Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted! Thus through thoughts, words, actions and habits a person's character is developed gradually.

How to develop character? ‘ watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny!’ Bad company corrupts good character. “ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of the skin but by the content of their character” says Martin Luther King. In these days of racial discrimination people are not bothered about the sterling qualities of character of the individual. Character is not easily discernable.  We have to observe the actions of the person carefully including his conduct. Beauty catches attention while character catches the heart!

Ravana, king of Lanka is a classical example of a person who was undone by lack of character! He was the brother of the god of wealth, Kubera. He had enslaved all the devas who were at his b

eck and call. He had a beautiful wife, Mandodari and the brave son Indrajit who defeated Indra king of Gods. He had immensely pleased Lord Siva by singing the Samaveda and even shook the Kailash mountain! But his weakness for women cost his life finally! His desire for Sita, spouse of Sri Rama and even the divine damsels sealed his fate. Character is destiny-- good leading to greatness and bad dragging to destruction and downfall!

Duryodana in the epic Mahabharatha, is another illustration of  a victim who lost everything by evil designs and loose character! Envy ate him up and he went to the extent of getting Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, disrobed! At every step he tried to destroy them but got himself destroyed in return! Thus character plays a very significant part in the life of every man. No matter what your distinction and achievement, it plunges you into abysmal regions or elevates one to ethereal plane! It is necessary that man should realize the importance of developing good character and ennoble his existence on earth.

NEWCASTLE TO FREMONT

From Newcastle to Fremont

After a delectable stay of a hundred and eleven days with our Granddaughter and her family, it was time for departure to Fremont in California, US.The stay was wonderful and our visit to London, Stratford and the Lake District  were memorable and fit enough to be cherished for a long time. We had to leave despite a desire to extend our stay and the insistence of our grand daughter.The pure love extended to us by the members of the Sai center can never be forgotten. Reluctantly we packed up things with the assistance of Sri Kailash, husband of our grand daughter. Suresh, a friend  and Sai devotee offered to drive us to the airport along with Kailash. My grand daughter with her newborn child and other two kids came to the airport to see us off.They were all a little put out and sad at our short stay and departure.

We had checked in online already and the luggage was well within the prescribed limits. Wheelchair assistance was requisitioned but strangely one chair was available and I had to to walk along for quite a distance through sections of the airport. We were taken to the special assistance room where we relaxed for a couple of hours. Many passengers bound to places like Chennai, Bengaluru,and Hyderabad were also present and left according to the time of the departure of their flights.

We were picked up by the motor van which went through the labyrinthine turns of the Heathway airport in London and brought us to the gate where we boarded the “ World Traveller” of the British Airways. It was a gigantic aircraft with different entrance points according to the number of the seat allotted. We boarded the plane on priority basis and settled in our seats.They were very comfortable. Within a few minutes drinks were served. Aircraft crew were very courteous and did their duties effectively. Vegetarian meal was served to us and we relished it though the quantity supplied was insufficient. Tea, coffee, apple and orange juice were supplied along with snacks intermittently. It was a flight of about ten hours duration.

Except that it was a little boring to sit for such long hours, our journey was smooth. The plane flew past the clouds at a height of 38 to 40 thousand feet. It went over the Atlantic ocean, Greenland, and Labrador regions and zoomed into Canada.Then it entered North America, hovered over the area near to San Francisco in California. By about 5 pm local time it landed safely at the airport to our great relief. Wheelchair assistance was readily available and we came to the baggage claim area after clearing the immigration formalities. Our passports were stamped for a period of six months and we came out.

My son received us with a beaming smile and it was a touching reunion after a gap of two long years! Our daughter in law and grandson Pranav joined us at the airport and we drove to Starbucks for coffee. Then we drove to Fremont home where parents of my daughter in law and her sister’s family gave us a very hearty and warm welcome. It was our first visit after my son became the proud owner of a beautiful house at Fremont recently! It was a very happy union with my son and grandchildren after two long years!

.