DESTINY AND KARMA

DESTINY AND KARMA

The will and grace of God is absolutely essential for the success of any endeavor of man! But the will of God is governed by your Karma or action, good or bad. Hence to that extent God is inhibited from granting results! Providence cannot provide results independent of the individual Karma! Bhartruhari, therefore points out that it is destiny that directs all Devas! This Destiny is dependent on Karma! The vicissitudes people experience in samsara are purely the result of their own karma in their previous births! The poet questions why one should praise and worship God and other Devas who cannot grant desires independently! Let us worship Karma as even God cannot violate it. In short Bhartruhari says that God grants requests of people according to their individual karma-- good and bad deeds!

What made Brahma work tirelessly like a potter and create the universe and all that inhabit it? Why should Lord Vishnu come down to earth in his ten avatars and suffer? Why should Lord Siva beg with a skull in his hand? Why should the Sun speed in the sky without respite even for a second? It is all because of their Karma! Bhartruhari offers his salutations to the omnipotent  Karma! Good karma can turn the bad into the good; the foolish and the stupid into scholars; enemies into well-wishers and reveal what is  hidden! It can even transform the deadly poison,  “Halahala” into  “amrita” or nectar! There is no point in following other paths to attain one’s desires! Devote yourself to performing good karma! It is entirely because of man’s previous good karma that he enjoys palatial residence, luxurious life, company of beautiful damsels and even kingdoms and unassailable​ power! The moment the effect of that good karma is over, all the objects of his enjoyment are shattered in different directions like the pearls from the garland whose thread has given way!

What is it that bears fruit in the life of man? Bhartruhari says that it is not his beauty or birth in a noble family; nor is it his good nature or his scholarship in the Vedas or his service under the king. It is the karma or penance done in the previous birth that fructifies like a tree at the opportune moment! Whatever man attempts to achieve, he is destined to get that if only he is eligible for it through his past karma! He may drown himself in water but he will not die! He may do business but he will not prosper!  Whatever is not destined shall not happen!

An individual having ‘purva punya', will come out unscathed from all his difficulties and dangers because of previous karma! He may be stranded in the dense forest or he may be involved in war, or caught among his bitter enemies or surrounded by water or fire or in the midst of the ocean or on the top of a mountain or when asleep or careless, his good karma or 'purva punya’ saves him in one way or other! Evil cannot happen to such an individual! To such a person, the dense forest with wild beasts like the lion and the tiger, becomes a prosperous capital where he can enjoy! All people would like and love him and the land would yield dazzling diamonds and precious stones!

What Bhartruhari has described about destiny and karma is quite valid even today!  We find air crashes where hundreds of passengers die while miraculously a lone person survives! In accidents, the person dies as help arrives very late! Many observe, but nobody volunteers to save the person! On the other hand, in some cases, some good Samaritan immediately takes the victim of the accident to the hospital in time and a precious life is saved! There are many incidents like this in all fields of activity! Why should all die in a plane crash except the lone survivor? What made the eyewitness to take the accident victim to the hospital in time so that he could be saved? It is all the effect of their Destiny arising out of their previous good karma! None can escape their destiny. What is destined to happen shall surely happen! What is not destined shall never happen!

AASHA AND PASA--DESIRE AND ATTACHMENT

Man is the only animal whose desires multiply even as he is fed! He is never satisfied with what he gets but aspires for more. Failures and disappointments egg him on to more effort and more dejection and desperation! Of the ‘arishadvargas’- the six inner adversaries that create havoc in man, pride of place is given to 'Kama’ or desire! What is the logic behind it? Why not one of the others be given the first place? It is because Kama or desire is the root cause of all trouble that humanity faces! Desire fires the spirit of man and when there is failure it leads to the second enemy namely 'Krodha’ or anger. This in its turn disturbs balance of mind or intellect. Man becomes the slave of anger and behaves like a beast! 'Lobha’ or miserliness plays it's own part and he develops 'Moha or attachment to various things. Pride and arrogance -Mada predominates and finally it  leads to jealousy, and hatred! Thus desire leads Man to his own doom if not kept under check. Why should God create man and conceal these insurmountable enemies within? We feel angry with God! God wants to test man severely to see whether he can fight these innate emotions and rise to a higher level! The purpose of human birth is to realize himself and understand that he isn't the body but the Indestructible Soul or Atma!

For the ordinary mortal this is impossible. Is this easy and possible for men at a higher level? Probably sages, saints, and realized souls are unaffected by these 'arishadvargas’. You are totally mistaken! There are a number of instances in our Puranas and legends where we find great sages and saints falling prey to these inner enemies and going astray! But the beauty is that that they realize their faux pas sooner or later and rectify themselves! On the other hand the common man is almost consumed by these invincible emotions and is lost! It is very rarely that we come across great individuals that have conquered the 'arishadvargas’!  Adi Sankara in his 'Bhajagovindam’ points out how mendicants who had renounced the world are unable to free themselves from desire and attachment or Moha! He describes the nature of the sanyasi in the sloka: 'agre vahni prushte bhanu………...Tadapi namunchatyasa pasaha’ !

Adi Sankara points to a man who sits warming up his body with the fire in front and sun at the back. During the night he curls up the body to keep out of the cold! He eats his beggar’s food  from the bowl of his hand and sleeps beneath the tree. Still in his heart he is a toy at the hands of desire and attachment! Sage Viswamitra is a classical illustration of one who was the victim of these emotions! He was disturbed in his tapas by the the heavenly damsel Menaka. Obsessed with her extraordinary beauty he strayed from his penance! There is another example of a sage, Jada Bharatha who saved a motherless deer and was passionately attached to it! The mamakara or attachment was so intense that he had to give up his tapas and other activities! He would pine for it if it didn't return in time! Because of his unprecedented attachment he was born as a deer in his next birth! Ravana was the brother of Kubera, god of wealth! He was a brahmin and a great Vedic scholar! He pleased Lord Siva with his 'Sama gana’-singing the Sama Veda! But he went after every woman he saw, human or Divine and had to pay very dearly with his life! Moha was the cause of his downfall!

In another sloka, Adi Sankara decries the nature of upstart sanyasis wearing different dress and has a dig at them! “Jatilo mundi lunchitha kesa…...Udara nimittam bahu krutha veshaha” Sankara says that many are found with shaven heads and plucked hair! Some wear saffron clothes and yet others different hues-- all just for livelihood! Seeing the Truth revealed before them still the foolish ones see it not! How beautifully the the words of Sankara fit into this modern world! There are countless mutts, sanyasis, yogis and others attracting the common man. People are really confused as to whom they should approach for guidance and help!

Desire and attachment--’ashapasa’ are good if they are diverted to God! But when they are turned to mundane things they become dangerous. Like fire that leaps up when ghee is poured into it, one worldly desire leads to another in a chain reaction! Non fulfilment of desire causes depression and anger that may turn fatal sometimes! Sankara warns that man should not be a slave of desire! He should cultivate non attachment as far as possible so that he can release himself from the cycle of birth and death. Why not we heed the words of Sankara and save ourselves?

THE WayS OF GOD

THE WAYS OF GOD

Millions of people inhabit the earth and it is God who has created them! The unique nature of creation is the difference and disparity between each and every individual on earth! Biologically men and women are the same but  mentally and emotionally they are poles apart! Courage and unsullied character  are granted only to a selected by God! Is there any hard and fast rule that dictates the Providence to grant them these boons? Why not all human beings be blessed with these rare qualities? God bestows these according to His pleasure and how the individuals deserve! You may have every thing in life but without that the grace of God it is in vain! Poet Bhartruhari points out the miserable plight of Indra, king of  Devas! Brihaspati is his mentor; Vajra his terrible weapon; devas his servants; castle heaven; vahana the Airavata; and protector Lord Vishnu himself! Still Indra was defeated by the demons many a time and had to flee from his abode! Without God's grace all your attempts will be of no avail! Bhartruhari remarks that it is God who is responsible for attachment and detachment in life!

During a night, a rat, in search of food, made a hole in a box and entered into it. Earlier a snake had crept into the same box and due to hunger and inconvenience had coiled itself in a corner! The snake caught the rat immediately and satisfied its hunger! Not only that, it escaped through the same  hole created by the rat! The rat wanted food but it became the food for the snake inside the box! The opening made by the rat helped the snake to escape! Thus we understand that man proposes but God disposes! Our attempts shall not fructify without the will of God! We have to take everything in its stride instead of lamenting! A bald headed man unable to bear the heat of the sun took shelter under a Palmyra tree. Unfortunately a big fruit of the tree fell on his bald head and he was critically injured! When destiny is bad misfortunes shall follow you wherever you go!

Bhartruhari argues that whatever strength, courage, determination and persistence one may possess, God’s will and grace are more important for success in all our endeavors! Mighty elephants,serpents and birds are controlled, and even the Sun and the Moon suffer eclipses while the wise and the clever suffer from poverty! Does this not signify the supernatural strength of God’s will? The poet feels angry and sad that God should create an ideal jewel of a Man and at the same time lead him to his destruction! He even calls Him foolish! It is impossible to coun

ter the will of the Divine! Look at the fate of the Moon! He is the repository of ‘amrita’-nectar! He is the lord of 'Sanjivani’ and other medicinal herbs! He adorns the head of Lord Siva, the well wisher of the entire universe! But the Moon is afflicted with waning and is cursed!

Bhartruhari compares bad God to a skilful potter turning out countless pots! He says that as a potter, he has made his mind a lump of clay! He has beaten the clay mind with  poles like difficulties! This mind is relentlessly turned round and round in the wheel of anxiety or ‘chinta’! “Why does God do this?”, Bhartruhari says, “We do not know.” The poet is very much perturbed at the way man’s attempts are thwarted by the Providence! He calls God a fool and challenges Him! He may create difficulties and impediments to the great. He may even try to enfeeble them and lose their courage! It will be a vain attempt on the part of God! Great men will ever be stable and steady like the seven mountains and the seven seas after the deluge at the end of ‘ kalpa!’ The may falter for a while but shall regain their position and stability

In spite of the part played by God in disappointing human effort, Man has to seek refuge in God! He is the most exacting Master and doles out to his creatures results according to their worth- neither more nor less! Man may aspire for more but he gets what he is eligible for! Don't be under the illusion that you can get a fortune by serving the pompous and the rich! They are similar to the legendary bird 'chataka’ which gets only one or two drops of water while it rains everyday elsewhere! The poet underlines the significance of Divine will in all the affairs of humanity! Not a blade of grass moves without His Will! The Five Elements perform their duties obedient to his will and pleasure! Man in his ignorance thinks that he is the achiever! Attempt alone is his! The result depends on God’s Will! Man has become very proud and has gone to the extent of  denying God! He thinks he is God himself! Until his arrogance dies down he shall not realize the Indispensability of Divine will and grace!

A PEEP INTO "BHAJAGOVINDAM"

BHAJAGOVINDAM

“Bhaja Govindam” is one of the finest stotras composed by Adi Sankara! It epitomizes the entire spiritual and Vedantic thought prevalent in Hinduism! It is surprising that Sankara, though a stalwart advocate of Jnana marga-the path of devotion has chosen to promote bhakthi marga-the path of devotion! Even as we see in the Bhagavad-Gita, there should be a gradual development before one attains Jnana or knowledge. Karma or action should lead to bhakthi and bhakti or devotion should  lead to Jnana or knowledge. Krishna describes first Karma Yoga and later Bhakthi Yoga and finally Jnana Yoga to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. C. Rajagopalachari, in his introduction aptly remarks, “ When intelligence matures and lodges securely in the heart, it becomes wisdom. When that wisdom is integrated with life and issues out in action, it becomes devotion. Knowledge which has become mature is spoken as devotion. If it does not get transformed into devotion, such knowledge is useless tinsel.”

Bhajagovinda stotra is also called “Moha Mudgara”. The name is very significant. In Vedantic parlance it means a hammer to shatter illusion! Moha is Maya or illusion. Mudgara means a hammer capable of shattering to pieces the illusion created in the mundane world. Adi Sankara who belonged to the 8th century is also called “Shanmatha sthapanacharya”-one who established the six paths of worship viz Ganapatyam, Saktham, Vaishnavam, Souram, Saivam, and Kaumaram-- worship of Ganapati, Shakthi, Vishnu, Surya or Sun, Siva and Lord  Kumaraswamy respectively. He has composed beautiful and highly devotional stotras on all the deities mentioned above! This itself bears ample testimony to the significance he attaches to devotion in particular though he championed the cause of Advaita- non dual school of philosophy! The stotra’s speciality is its brevity and simplicity of Vedantic thought! The Divine and extraordinary poet that he was, Sankara fits into the slokas the most difficult Vedantic

thoughts in a simple language that even a child can understand!

Our ancient sages, saints and philosophers desired the welfare and happiness of all creatures  in the universe. “Lokah samastha sukhino bhavanthu” The Vedas declare that even the quadrupeds should be contented and happy! In the course of his wanderings Sankara notices an old man memorizing a particular rule of grammar called “ Dukrunkarane”! He was shocked to see the old man reciting the rule, in the evening of his life, without any thought of his afterlife. Compassionate Sankara was sorry that the old man was wasting the last period of his life in   memorizing the grammar rule. Of what use can it be to the man in his terminal stage? He wanted to save him and advised him to worship Govinda for his salvation. Material attachments are not going to be of any comfort during the last days of one’s life! This incident brings forth a torrent of spiritual and Vedantic truths from the great Sankara, couched beautifully in the four  lined slokas of Bhaja Govinda stotra! Calling him a fool-’mudamathe’ Sankara counsels him to worship Govinda- Lord Vishnu, for the emancipation of his soul! In the last period of one’s existence, the rules of grammar shall not protect him! The only remedy is to chant the name of Govinda again and again!

In this Kali Yuga, the only panacea for the ills of society is chanting the name of Govinda or Lord Vishnu! People in this age are impure in their heart. They earn money in all devious ways and they are not bound by the mandates of our Vedas and other scriptures!  For such worthless beings the only way out is chanting the name of the Lord! Life is very short like the flash of lightning! The God of Death has no mercy and hence one should not waste his time lest it swallows him up! It is said that the Lord told Narada that He does not reside in Vaikunta or in the hearts of Yogis and saints! He stays in places where his devotees sing his glory! He is dear to Him who renounces all inhibitions and modesty and sings His glory loudly! Sravanam- hearing

the Leelas of the Lord, Archanam- worshipping him, Keertanam- chanting and singing his name are some of the best paths to reach the Lord! It is impossible for man to think or chant the name of God all of a sudden.The practice should start even from early childhood! Kulasekhar Azwar in his “Mukundamala” declares that he had dedicated his ‘manas’  to the Lord in the beginning itself for fear of diseases through phlegm,choler,and bile during the terminal stage of life! His throat would-be afflicted and he would be unable to utter the name of God

It is an unpardonable crime to use our body, given by God, for any other purpose! Every organ of the body has to serve God in one way or the other! Kulasekhar Azwar says, “Jihve kirtaya Kesavam Muraripum cheto bhaja Sridharam….. The tongue should sing the Lord’s glory; mind should think of Him; hands should worship Him; ears must listen to His Divine sports; eyes should never fail seeing Him; feet should approach His temples; nose should smell the fragrance of His holy 'tulasi water'; Finally the head should prostrate before the Lord! In short, man should imbibe deep devotion for God! Devotion should be inborn ,not merely external! Man,

unfortunately, tossed by the vicissitudes in the cycle of samsara, has lost touch with God! He is drowned in materialism! The Bhagavata Purana describes the efficacy of 'Nama smarana. Ajamila, a sinful brahmin had salvation by merely uttering the name of his son ‘Narayana’ before he breathed his last!  Chanting the name of the Lord is so powerful and the bestower of bliss! Sankara pitying the worldly minded old man tried to turn his mind towards devotion to God!

I will be  explaining a few of the important slokas of Bhajagovindam in my subsequent blogs.

ASHTAPDI--Chandana Charchita Nila kalebara

In his great kavya “Gita Govinda” Jayadeva, the distinguished Bengali poet describes the Divine sports of Sri Hari! He considers the Lord as the embodiment of 'Sringara rasa’. He worshipped God thus and merged into Him transcending the inner enemies! In this masterpiece we find 24 tarangas’ which describe the ‘sringara Leelas’ of Krishna with his dear lady love Radha. Every 'astapadi’ has eight charanas or feet replete with bhava and erotic evocation! Bhakti or devotion is the underlying current throughout the ashtapadis! Radha is believed to be the incarnation of Sachi Devi who wanted to be the Lord’s consort! It is also said that Radha represents the Jivatma or the individual soul and Krishna the Paramatma or the Absolute Soul! Thus Gita Govinda represents the holy union of the Jivatma with Paramatma! Radha is lovelorn and languid in the absence of her Krishna! She is unable to endure the pangs of her separation- viraha from her dear lover! Her close friend and well wisher describes to her the activities of Krishna elsewhere! Says Radha's friend:

“ Applying fragrant sandal paste over his black body, wearing the yellow 'pitambara and vanamala’, O Radha! Krishna is moving hither and thither among many playful damsels! As he  moves among them, his resplendent ear studs with precious stones dance with him! Radha! a particular Gopika, in uncontrollable passion for Krishna takes him into her deep embrace! She sings in tune with the pitch of Krishna’s flute! There is another Gopika, who, turning her eyes and expressing amorous feelings, stands like a statue at the sight of Krishna drinking deep his ethereal beauty! Radha! See how she is meditating! See there again! Another shepherdess pining for Krishna is uncontrollable! She feels shy of kissing krishna as others would make fun of her! Smilingly she walks moving her hips delicately to tell some secret to Krishna! She rests her face on the forehead of Krishna and presses it to satisfy herself!

Oh! What a sight! Another youthful Gopika wants to play with Krishna in the Yamuna waters! She manages to catch the dress of Krishna and draw it towards her while he is moving about a beautiful tree nearby! She is seen smiling all all along! Dear Radha! There is another damsel following Krishna in his “Rasa Krida’ and vibrating her golden bangles to the tune of Krisna’s song on his flute! The jingling sound of her bangles merged in the sound of the flute! Krishna was amazed at her performance and praised her!

Oh Radha! How can I described the Divine sports of our dear Krishna? He is warmly embracing a girl! He is in the act of kissing another girl and pressing her cheeks! He is performing the act with another! He is smiling at another lady in extreme emotion! He is at the same time stalking a lady  moving ahead! In his poetic imagination, Jayadeva visualizes the intense pangs of Radha’s separation from Krishna. He makes her close friends describe the Leela's of Krishna to pacify Radha who badly needed his company! Jayadeva concludes the 'astapadi’ by declaring that people​ who listen to  the secrets of Divine Love shall be happy and prosperous!!

The present 'ashtapadi’ is the fourth composed by the renowned poet Jayadeva! This is one of the very popular ashtapadis of Jayadeva! It starts with the Sanskrit statement of one of the close friends of Radha. “Chandana charchita Nila kalebara pita vasana Vanamali".................................I have given a free rendering of the ashtapadi so that readers can understand the main content of the song! Any translation fails to bring the original impact  of the song! It is only through a proper knowledge of Sanskrit that a reader can enjoy the description of the erotic scenes that Jayadeva describes in his work. The work is a wonderful depiction of Sringara Rasa in a devotional cloak! May  Lord Krishna bless us all!!

THE COURAGEOUS

Courage is a rare virtue found in mankind! Boldness is often mistaken for courage. While courage is innate and permanent,, boldness is temporary and varies according to situation.  “Dhairye sahasa Lakshmi” is a well known Sanskrit adage. Prosperity smiles on one who has courage. What are the qualities of these courageous people? How do they react to different  situations in life? When the ocean was churned by the Devas, they were not lured by the priceless precious stones that came out! They were not unnerved by the terrible poison that emerged from the mouth of Vasuki! They continued churning till they obtained the life saving elixir  ‘amirta’!  Bhartruhari points out that it is the nature of the courageous to toil till they achieve their goals.The worst are those who don't begin work fearing obstacles or impediments. The second type start their work but when faced by difficulties and disappointments give up their efforts. It is only the courageous that continue despite all troubles and turmoils!

The achiever is not ruffled or affected by difficulties and dangers or joy and happiness on his way! Sometimes he sleeps on the hard earth and at others on cosy, soft, luxurious beds. At times he has simple vegetarian food and at others dines rich delicious fare. His dress is just ordinary at times but very costly and fashionable according to  changing situations! The courageous are not deterred by the abuse of others. Whether in prosperity or poverty they will never stray from the path of law. Likewise they conduct themselves when they die soon or after a long-time! The man of courage is not at all perturbed by the beauty of young damsels. He will not be angry or miserly and greedy! It is impossible to downgrade or denigrate the courageous. Bhartruhari  declares that like the fire which rises upwards always, the courageous maintain their prestige despite other’s criticism.

Conduct and character are the life breath of people with courage! They may fall from the tall cliff of a mountain down to the face of a solid rock! They may even thrust their hand  Into the mouth of snake Adisesha! They may again fall into fire but they shall  never go astray and lose their character! What is the use of guarding conduct and character? How does it  help the man of courage? Bhartruhari explains that to such exceptional men flaming fire turns cool  like chill water; the ocean becomes a small stream to cross over; the lofty Meru mountain turns into a small hill; the fierce lion changes into the  gentle deer; the poisonous serpent becomes a garland and poison itself turns into nectar or “amrit!” In short, whatever is harmful and dangerous converts itself into happiness for those with spotless conduct and character!

Because of their courage and flawless conduct and character, these people are not unduly perturbed or lose heart! They are repositories of hope! They are optimistic! Like a tree that is cut down grows once again and the moon who wanes but again waxes in full glow, they hope to prosper and wait for the  future! Summing up the qualities of the courageous, Bhartruhari says that conduct and character is the best adornment for them! Goodness is the adornment for the master. Valour requires brevity of talk. Jnana is adorned by detachment from mundane things. Scholarship demands humility. Adornment for riches is to use it for the really deserving people. Tapas or penance with anger is useles! Merit and smartness require endurance. For Dharma there should be no cause.  Character​ and conduct is the root cause for prosperity. Therefore it is the greatest jewel that can adorn the courageous in the world!

When we trace the footprints on the sands of time, we come across many personalities that shine brilliantly for their outstanding achievements! In the field of spirituality we see the great Sri Ramakrishna  Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramana Maharshi and several others. Their lives were not bed of roses! They lived and died for the causes they loved the most! The trials and tribulations they accosted were many. It is their courage and conviction that saw them through to the final achievement! That was how saint Ramakrishna had the vision of his dear mother Goddess Kali! In the same way Swami Vivekananda mesmerized the people of America and plunged into social service! We are not unconscious of the intense suffering of Sri Ramana Maharshi who simply ignored it as not his! If these great persons are not courageous who else are? The ordeals they underwent are innumerable but they weathered all the storms by their courage, conduct and character! The priceless thoughts that the ancient poet Bhartruhari  has conveyed eminently fit these sages, saints and savants!! They are the guides whom we should try to follow assiduously in our lives!!!!

VISWAMITRA'S DISTRESS

Life is very sweet! Nobody wants to die though life span is limited! “Jivam bhadrani pasyati” one should safeguard his life says the Sanskrit adage. This body is given to achieve Dharma! “Sareeramadyam khalu Dharma sadhanam” Without the body no karma is possible! In the Santi Parva of the Mahabharata Bhishmapitamaha tells Yudhistira that one can eat forbidden food when life is in danger! The Pandava warrior asks the grand old man what a brahmin should do when Dharma becomes adharma, Kings and robber's torment people, when lust and passion envelope society, when people kill one another and when severe draught spells danger! Bhisma recollects how sage Viswamitra once had to steal dog’s meat, from the hut of a low caste chandala, to satisfy his hunger and save himself from death!

During the interval between Treta and Dwapara yugas there was severe famine for twelve years at a stretch. Indra and other Devas were angry and did not rain! All streams and rivers dried up! Cities and towns were deserted! All temples were destroyed and brahmins were being killed! Food became scarce and people began killing each other and eat their flesh! Sages had to abandon their tapas and leave the forest! Sage Viswamitra was no exception! He left his wife and children and moved out! The agony of hunger killed him almost! He wanted to eat something and stay alive! He saw at a distance the hut of a low caste chandala full of pots, dog’s meat, broken bones of donkeys, swine and corpses and shrouds! Hunger Killed him but he couldn't find fruits or roots that he could eat! He fell down due to exhaustion. When he woke up he saw a piece of dog’s flesh pierced through a stick in the hut. To save himself, he wanted to steal that piece. He satisfied himself by recollecting the Dharma sastras which sanction that one can steal ln dire straits and when life is in danger! He fell asleep and woke up when the whole area was in slumber! He entered the hut of the low caste chandala to steal the coveted dog’s meat! The chandala was wide awake and questioned sage Viswamitra!

The chandala was aghast at what the sage was about to do.He said a brahmin is forbidden from stealing and eating dog’s meat.The sage replied that he had to save himself from death! A brahmin is like fire and so can eat anything! The dog is the lowest of animals and it's thigh is the worst part of its body! Eating it will destroy all the tapas of the sage. Viswamitra replied that one about to die need not have doubts. Somehow or other he should save his breath!The sage said that he was erring knowingly and that he can overcome sin by penance and knowledge! The low caste chandala pleaded and dissuaded Viswamitra from committing the sin. Such a great Maharshi should not stoop to such a low conduct as stealing. He asserted that the sage should not steal and eat dog’s meat!

The chandala asked the sage to choose some other food. Viswamitra replied that long back sage Agastya had eaten human flesh! He ate the demon Vatapi and digested him! Chandala said that it was allowed since it was done to save the brahmins! The sage replied that the body is very dear to him! To feed the body, he has to eat dog’s meat! Eating it cannot affect the pure soul!The chandala raised several pertinent questions and doubts to prevent Viswamitra from doing the forbidden act! But all his arguments fell on his deaf ears and the sage was hell bent on eating it! So the chandala gave up further efforts to plead against committing the sin of eating the forbidden object! He told the sage that he can proceed according to his wish since he is well versed in all the Dharma sastras! The conversation between sage Viswamitra and the chandala ended there and the sage was ready for his act!

Sage Viswamitra took the piece of dog’s meat and prepared to eat it with his wife! Before eating he wanted to please the Devas and kindled fire according to the Vedic rituals! He cooked the dog’s meat in that fire reciting the holy Vedic mantras! He invited individual Devas and offered them the 'havis’. Pleased with Viswamitra, Indra rained heavily on earth and all the medicinal herbs came alive! Later Sage Viswamitra ate the dog’s meat made holy by it's offering to the Gods! Not stopping at this, sage Viswamitra performed severe penance and destroyed all his sins! Bhishmapitamaha thus counsels Yudhistira that in critical periods of life, when one has to survive at any cost, he has to exercise his intellect properly and come out of the tight corner in one way or other!

RAJA DHARMA-- DUTIES OF KING

“Bharatah panchamo Vedaha”- The Mahabharata is considered as the Fifth Veda! It is a compendium of everything that is essential and required by Man! The Santhi parva of the epic is a repository of all the Dharmas that the king and the common man has to follow. The grand old Bhishma describes to Dharmaraja various and subtle points of how a king should conduct himself. To a question if the king can appoint people of low caliber in the absence of  the good and the qualified, Bhishma warns the Pandava warrior against such an indiscretion! He narrates a story that he had heard from the sages in the ashram of the  renowned sage Parasurama. There was a sage in the forest practising penance and austerities. He was so good, gentle, and compassionate that all the animals in the forest  behaved like his disciples and servants bereft of their wild nature! There was also a dog, lean and lanky with deep devotion and love for him. It remained always at his feet calm and attached!

One day, suddenly a fierce leopard entered the ashram and was about to pounce on the lean dog to eat it up. Terribly afraid, the dog prayed to the sage to save it from the jaws of the leopard. The compassionate hermit, who was a master of the languages of many animals and many siddhis like ‘ anima, mahima’ and others transformed the dog into a leopard! The animal that came to eat the dog went away disappointed! The travails of the dog didn't end there! Soon came a terrible tiger to prey on the new leopard. Again it sought the mercy of the sage and he converted the leopard into a formidable tiger. The tiger that came to engage the leopard had to run away out of fright! Now the dog that underwent transformation as tiger began killing and eating all other animals! After sometime, this tiger was shocked to see a huge elephant  advancing menacingly towards it.The sage taking pity on the poor tiger,again transformed it into an elephant much bigger and violent! The original elephant got scared and disappeared into the forest.

The ordeals of the poor dog that changed its form due to the kindness and love of the sage did not stop there! Much time elapsed but one day, from the forest, emerged a dangerous lion to attack the elephant! When the elephant became jittery, the sage converted it into a lion. Thus this elephant was saved!The lion seeing another of its kind went away without attacking! But the life of this transformed lion continued without peace! After a while, the blood thirsty animal Sarabha appeared on the scene! The compassion of the sage knew no bounds and he changed the  lion into a Sarabha! The Sarabha that came to kill the lion retired into the forest seeing the new Sarabha! As usual, it remained at the feet of the sage docile and obedient!

All other wild beasts left the forest afraid of the Sarabha! It went wild Killing and eating the flesh of other animals. Its low birth and conduct did not leave the dog though it was in the form of Sarabha! Evil thoughts crowded on its mind! It wondered at the amazing power of the sage in giving it so many forms and saving it from the attack of so many wild animals! But it shuddered at the thought that the sage may transform any bird or animal into another form! It never wanted to become a dog once again! To prevent the sage from effecting any more conversions, the dog,now a Sarabha, decided to kill the sage who was it's own master and savior! Such is the nature of the lowly and the evil minded! They are oblivious of the good done to them by  others! They go to the extent of exterminating their well-wishers for their selfish ends!

Will the sage become the victim of the Sarabha and its evil designs? No! It cannot be. The great man who can transform the poor dog into Sarabha is equally capable of changing it into a dog once again! This thought didn't occur to the Sarabha! The Sage through his spiritual powers knew the evil intentions of the Sarabha intent to kill him. He grew angry and sad at the base feelings of low creatures who can never ennoble themselves despite the opportunity granted to them! He immediately cursed the Sarabha to become the lean and lanky dog that it was earlier! Bhishmapitamaha tells Dharmaraja through this anecdote that a  king should appoint only deserving people with good conduct, character, education humility, compassion, valor, patience, and calmness as his ministers and subordinates!

THE SERVICE MINDED

It is impossible for the good in the world to abstain from helping others! It is their innate nature to go out of the way to offer a helping hand to people in difficulties! They cannot witness the suffering in others! Bhartruhari points out how Nature, of its own accord, earnestly goes out in helping others. The branches of Jack fruit and mango trees hang heavy with their fruits for the use of people!  The rain  bearing clouds hover over the sky to rain and quench the thirst of the earth. It is the quality of good people to come forward to help others though none beg for their help! They are totally devoid of pride and arrogance! Their ears do not require ear studs as adornments; listening to sastras is their only adornment! Their hands do not require gold bracelets; charity for the deserving is their jewel on the hands! Helping others is the make up for their body; not musk and other beauty aids!

The lotus does not ask the Sun to make it bloom! The Sun does it himself!  Similarly the lily does not request the moon to make it blossom! The moon performs the task by himself! None request the the clouds to to rain heavily. But according to seasons they bring rain for mankind! Bhartruhari points out that it is the nature of the service minded to offer themselves without expecting any call! Men can be classified into three categories.  The first and the best are those who leave their personal commitments and run to help others! The second type manage their own work first and then only manage the affairs of others! The third and the worst are those who spoil the work of others to achieve their own personal dealings! Who is a true friend? It is he who prevents the other from going astray and encourages him to do good. He will always keep the secret and emphasize on the good qualities. Not only is he a friend in need but a friend in deed also!

Milk befriended water and gave its color and sweetness! Soon, unable to see milk suffer the heat, water suffered evaporation! Much sad to see it's friend water evaporate, milk wanted to jump into fire and destroy itself! Meanwhile water came to milk's rescue and saved it from harakiri! Metaphorically, Bhartruhari complements the ideal association and friendship of milk and water! People who help others are usually large hearted and expansive like the ocean that harbors many creatures! On one side Lord Vishnu is in ‘yoga nidra’! On the other side is his enemy Kalakeya! There, at another corner,Mynaka hill, hides itself from Indra the king of Gods! In the same ocean exists the terrible ‘Badabagni’ that can annihilate the entire universe during the deluge! In short the service minded are adjustable to various types of people!

According to Bhartruhari  there are only two that are extraordinarily service minded! They are the “Kurma” --tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu because he bears the entire universe on his back! The second is Dhruva--the pole star! All the rest are nowhere! It is rare to find in the world people who by their selfless service or 'nishkama karma’ please all the three worlds and distinguish themselves!

STREAMS OF BHAKTHI OR DEVOTION

STREAMS OF BHAKTHI OR DEVOTION

There is no hard and fast rule that devotion to God should be expressed in a particular way! There are various methods and types of bhakthi which are followed by different devotees according to their emotions or feelings for the Supreme Being. Adi Sankara says that the best way of worshipping God is through one’s own heart! He offers in his ‘Siva Manasa puja

stotram’ all the sixteen upacharas-- ‘Shodasopacharas’ through his heart or manas! He tells Lord Siva that every action of his -thought, word, deed, sleep, and movement is the worship that he offers to the Lord! “Yadyat karma karomi tat dakhilam Sambho tava radhanam” For ordinary mortals like us it is impossible to get such realization! Everyone is familiar with the nine paths of bhakthi like Sravanam,Keerthanam, Smaranam, Padasevanam, Vandanam, Archanam, Dasyam, Sakhyam, and Atmanivedanam. The stream of devotion or bhakti flows towards God in several  branches of which six kinds are considered very important!

Santa bhakti is the first and is noted for the equanimity developed by the devotee! To him whatever happens is the gift and grace of the Supreme Being! He is unruffled by the  vicissitudes in life.This devotion is characterized by a serenity, sweetness and calm mind! Bhishmapitamaha, in the Mahabharata, is a brilliant example of Santa bhakti as he rested calmly with devotion on the bed of arrows for 56 days! In the second, Sakhya bhakti the devotee becomes the bosom companion of the Lord! To him God is the friend, philosopher and guide! He is familiar with God and is on talking terms! He realizes the constant presence of God before him! Arjuna-Krishna relationship is an example of Sakhya bhakti. Krishna was Arjuna’s brother-in-law and the Bhagavad-Gita discourse was given to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra!  Arjuna raises innumerable doubts and Krishna patiently answers all of them! As a friend Krishna saved him on many occasions! But this devotion as a friend may prevent the bhakta from realizing God as he is too familiar with the Divine!

The third stream of bhakthi is Dasya bhakthi bringing in the master servant relationship between God and his devotee! There is implicit obedience on the part of bhakta! He considers himself as an instrument in the hands of God and revels at the rare opportunity granted to him. He does not question or hesitate to carry out the orders of his master! Service without self is the motto of the bhakta! Hanuman is the classical illustration of this Dasya bhakthi in the Ramayana. In spite of being a scholar, poet, and “Nava vyakarana panditha” and almost invincible, Hanuman was the humble servant of Sri Rama and was at his beck and call! He is aptly called “ Rama pada Seva durandhara ”When Rama asked Hanuman how he loved him, Hanuman replied, “Spiritually, you are I and I am You. I am experiencing you in these ways. As long as I have body consciousness, you are the Lord and I am your servant.(SSS 26.1.82)

In the next, Vatsalya bhakthi, the devotee transforms himself into a mother doting on her child, God! All the sterling qualities the mother- tenderness, anxiety, compassion and caution  for the child are personified in the devotee for his God! Vatsalya bhava is so overpowering that the bhakta fails to recognize the divinity in the child and his 'leelas’! Yashoda is the embodiment of Vatsalya bhakthi! She never considered her Krishna as God! He was her son, son only! Not more! She never believed in the tales carried by the Gopikas about Krishna’s mischief. When Putana and other demons were destroyed by child Krishna, she carried out ritual to remove the evil eye! Even when Krishna showed her the fourteen worlds in his small mouth, she thought it was her own imagination! Krishna was just her dear child! She told Uddhava, “.I do not know the Krishna who lives in Mathura or in the hearts of Gopikas. I am asking you about my child ‘Gopala’.

The fifth stream of devotion is Anuraga bhakthi! Anuraga means extreme love. The bhakta is never detached from God and lives always in His thoughts. He eats with God, sleeps with God and lives in God! There is not a single moment when the bhakta does not think of God! There is a never ending yearning for God in the bhaktha! This perennial longing for the Divine turns into bhakthi for intense undiluted love is nothing else but bhakthi! The Gopikas illustrate this Anuraga bhakthi! They never worried themselves about the trials and impediments from their husbands and mothers in law! Krishna had totally filled their hearts! The best among the six streams is Madhura bhakti the crown of all devotion! It is the final stage like the ghee or clarified butter after curdling and churning! It is the end of the journey for the bhaktha when he stops and there is no need to go further! He merges into  the Supreme being! That is the fulfilment of his janma or birth! Radha’s is the essence of Madhura bhakthi. Radha and Madhava were inseparable! The union of Radha and Krishna is spoken of as the merger of Prakriti and Paramatma or that of Jivatma and Paramatma! Radha could achieve this final consummation,bliss and beatitude through her unblemished Love which Krishna recognized as Madhura bhakti!

QUALITIES OF THE GOOD

QUALITIES OF THE GOOD

Those who desire good company, persons who are happy with others’ qualities, obedient to their Guru, interested in learning the Vedas, satisfied with his own wife, devoted to Lord Siva, keeping away from the evil minded---are fit enough to be worshipped for these sterling qualities.Bharthruhari describes the natural qualities of good people thus: they are courageous during difficult times. .In prosperity they are patient. In assembly and before the King they are smart and eloquent. In wars they are Brave. They are always in search of name and fame. An inclination to study the Vedas and the sastras is inherent in such great people! We should never consider such people worthless though they may not possess wealth, riches and adornments and all the luxuries available. Their wealth, on the other hand, is the charity, obedience, truth, bravery, pure heart and action and listening to the sastras! These qualities are therefore universally recognized and appreciated

How do these good people react and behave when they are prosperous and in trouble?  When prosperous these are not  proud and arrogant! Their heart is as soft and delicate as the lily flower! At the same time, during very difficult days they are never despondent but stand unperturbed like the solid rock. According to Bhartruhari people can be classified Into

three categories-- the worst, the moderate and the best. A drop of water falling on a red-hot pan evaporates instantaneously. The same water drop falling on the lotus leaf  glitters like a pearl though it is not a real pearl. The same drop of water, falling into the shell in the midst of the ocean turns into the real pearl! The state of people who associate themselves with them shall have the same experience respectively.

An ideal good person does charity silently and secretly without any publicity! He will welcome anyone warmly who seeks alms! He will please the person but will never brag about it! He will announce in public assembly the help rendered by others. He will be free from arrogance when he is prosperous and discuss others’ matters without blemish! Poet Bhartruhari points out that only those who do holy deeds are blessed with good sons, friends and wives! He is the son who gladdens his father with his good conduct and character! An ideal wife is she who thinks of the welfare of her husband! A real friend is one who remains constant both in

sunshine and storm!        These three, son, wife, and friend  shall be available only for those with 'punya’ or holy deeds!

The good, by their humility become great! By describing the qualities of others they exhibit their delicacy! They involve themselves seriously in the activities of others and thereby accomplish their own personal work! By enduring the abuses patiently they torment the evil minded!  The conduct of these good people, therefore is very surprising and they are very much appreciated all over the world! They are fit to be worshipped by one and all! Bhartruhari enumerates the qualities of people in different sections of life very correctly and we have to learn much from him!

THE BIRTH OF SAGE SUKA

Our  Puranas, and Itihasas like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana are full of incidents which we as modern generation find it difficult to believe and digest! But we should remember that those were the days of  Kruta, Treta and Dwapara Yuga thousands and thousands of years back. Life and civilizations have totally changed since then. We are in the scientific age of technology and expect everything to be tested before we believe in them! We are told that when the ocean was churned deadly poison came out and later a Divine being emerged with a vessel containing life saving ‘amrita’ The Divine Mother Adi Parashakti is described as coming out of a sacrificial fire! In the Mahabharata Draupadi and her brother emerge out of a sacrifice intended to kill Dronacharya! In the Ramayana, King Dasaratha gets ‘payasa’ from the Divine being emerging out of the sacrifice! Many eminent sages have their birth in strange circumstances and from inanimate objects! Sage Agastya is said to have taken birth from a pot! There are many more instances of such nature in the Puranas! Rama’s consort Sita comes out unscathed from  burning fire!

In the 'Moksha Dharma parva of Santhi parva’ in the Mahabharata, the grand old man Bhishmapitamaha tells Dharmaraja the manner in which the renowned sage Suka Brahma was born.It was Suka who narrated the entire Bhagavata Purana to King Parikshit within seven days before the King died of the curse by Srungi! Suka was the son of Maharshi Vedavyasa. After  obtaining great boons from Lord Siva, sage Vyasa wanted to create fire for his rituals. He was about to make use of the ‘arani’-- a wooden arrangement that produces flames through friction. At that time he happened to see  the heavenly damsel Ghritachi! He was struck by her extraordinary beauty even as amorous thoughts assailed him! The heavenly lady too sensed the sage’s emotions. She immediately transformed herself into a female parrot and approached the Sage. The moment he saw the female parrot close to him, sage Vyasa was overwhelmed with pangs of love!

Great as he was, he tried his maximum best to control his violent passion for her. But having lost his heart for her, he couldn't control his urge! As he tried to create fire through 'arani’ his semen fell into it and out of the churning emerged the great sage Suka who became one of the most renowned sages of the period! Even as he was born, Suka was radiant as the fire in the yagna. He shone like the resplendent fire without smoke! He resembled his father Sage Vyasa and appeared to meditate on the eternal atma even as he was born! The Devas were awaiting the arrival of Sage Suka and wanted to honor him with presents. River Ganga came down and bathed him with her crystal clear waters! From the skies came down the ‘ Danda--a stick and deer skin for the use of young sage Suka! Gandharvas sang in melodious voice even as the Divine damsels danced in glee!

Heavenly drums reverberated all over the earth! Sage Narada and others praised Suka. Indra and all the Devas came to welcome sage Suka! Vayu the wind God showered flowers on him! Entire universe was delighted at the birth of the great sage Suka! Lord Siva came with Goddess Parvati and performed  Upanayanam to the just born Sage Suka! Indra presented the sage with  Divine kamandalu-a vessel to keep water and clothes! Sage Suka stayed there in samadhi! All the four Vedas, Vedangas with their commentaries automatically reached and merged within him! In the same manner all the Upanishads, Puranas and Itihasas entered into him! In a humble manner, like a diligent ‘Vidya Kama’, sage Suka  took the Deva guru Brihaspati as his teacher. Afterwards, he offered him the guru dakshina and went out for severe penance!

Thus we find several interesting stories of the birth of legendary characters in our Puranas

and Itihasas! The Indian mind is attuned to belief in the incidents of this type. We can enjoy these stories when we consider them as legendary and far removed from modern scientific proof. But on the other hand, we cannot test them according to modern scientific principles. Scientists and research scholars have found proof for the happenings in the Ramayana recently! Let us, therefore, read these Puranas and Itihasas with an open mind and enjoy the content and take whatever good they offer us!j