Thursday, September 30, 2010

Ram, Lakshman - The Paramount Of Beauty

The two curly haired brothers had a beauty that was unparalleled. From head to toe, it was beauty as it should be.

The town folks upon hearing the news that the two princes were visiting, ran in droves to see them. Leaving whatever work they were doing, as if a fortune awaited them and their days of wretchedness were over. The gracefulness of the two brothers filled their hearts and their eyes had beheld a vision. The women however, witnessed the brothers' beauty by peaking through the tiny windows in their homes. Millions of cupids could not add up to their beauty, they told each other. No God, man, demon,
Naga, nor sage can compare to the beauty of the two princes they said to each other. Lord Vishnu has four arms, Bramha has four heads, and Shiva the slayer of the demon, Tripura wears some scary garbs and has five faces, they joked with their friends. No God can come even close to the beauty of Ram and Lakshman. The two boys are still of tender age and are the abode of beauty and bliss they discussed among themselves. Millions and a thousand more millions of cupids can be put to shame by only one of their limbs, the women observed.

The ladies asked each other if any human being can not be charmed by their beauty. One of them, informed them that, she had heard that these two boys, who were like a pair of beautiful birds, were the sons of King
Dasaratha. They had protected the sacrifice of the sage Kaushika. They have also slain many demons in the battlefield. He who is of wheatish complexion and has bewitching lotus like eyes, and who with his bow and arrow has squashed the pride of Mareech and Subahu is Ram, a fountain of bliss, and the son of Kaushilya. The other young lad, closely following behind with a bow and arrow, fair skinned and in gallant attire, is the son of Sumitra, the friend informed. Further more they are here for the bow sacrifice, after finishing the tasks of the great Brahmin sage Vishvamitra and redeeming Ahilya another sage's wife.

Ram
Rajya is a way of life, life which is very beautiful. Bring the beauty of Shri Ram and Lakshman, the two princes, in your daily lives and then you will have Ram Rajya. JAI HO!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Behold The Beauty Of Ram And Lakshman Now

Of and on, I branch off on matters that are dear to me, or subjects I think need to be addressed. However, the goal always remains the same: bringing Ram Rajya into our daily awareness. Our spiritual journey continues, in which, according to Eckhart Tolle, a spiritual teacher and writer, we have to leave the analytical mind and the false created self, the ego, behind. Even though it is a daunting task, it becomes simple, if we live in the now and work onwards from there.

Continuing with the saga of the Ram Charitra Manas, last, Shri Ram and brother Lakshman were in Janakpur with the sage Vishvamitra. King Janak had welcomed them and put them up in the best of accomodations. After having dinner, the night was still young and Lakshman had something in mind.

Lakhan Hridaya Lalasa Biseshi

Jaee Janakpur Aaeeya Dekhee

Lakshman was in no mood to turn in that early.He was wondering if he could go and explore the surroundings. Maybe, he could look around the capital Janakpur he thought, but was very reticent to ask of his brother, and on the other hand, was in awe of the sage.

The Lord sensed his brother's dilemma and decided to ask the seer's permission very respectfully. The sage was very pleased at Shri Ram's good manners. He told Him that He was the upholder of the moral code and that He brought glee to all of His devotees.

"Run along you happy pair, see the city and come back" said the sage," show your lovely countenance to the people and bless their eyes"

Touching the feet of the muni, the two brothers, a treat to the eyes of the whole world were off. Groups of boys started following them, all enamoured by the exquisite beauty of the two brothers. The two, were clad in yellow garments with sashes around their waists. A quiver was tied on their backs respectively, and each carried a bow and arrow in their hands. One dark and the other fair, they had streaks of sandalwood paste painted on their bodies so as to match their complexion. With long slender arms, necks, built as a lion's, they wore strings of pearls, got from the forehead of elephants. Their eyes resembled the red lotus, and their moon-like face, was enough to relieve one of any kind of tension. The ears were adorned with gold while the eyebrows were perfectly arched, with a sectarian tilak (mark) on the forehead. Casting a bewitching glance, the pair definitely stole every body's heart. They were beauty personified!!!!!

We can behold the beauty of the two brothers in this very moment. Just close your eyes and be very still. Go deep inside within you and do not listen to the chattering of the mind. Feel your presence in the now and then you will have Ram Rajya! JAI HO!!















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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Remembering Our Ancestors

This is the time of 'Pitra Paksha'(15 days devoted to our ancestors) in our Hindu calendar. Remembering our forefathers and paying homage to them, is very significant. Just as we have Thanksgiving every year, similarly I could relate these days as giving thanks to our parents and our grand parents who are the architects of our sojourn on this planet.

So today, I pay my respects and gratitude to my parents and my husband's parents who have passed on. They are always in my thoughts. As I have said before, I still maintain, that one should feel very fortunate when they have their parents in their lives. Their true worth is realized only when they are gone from this world. I truly wish they were around me now, so that I could enjoy their company and wisdom, and our children could be showered by their love and affection. I cherish my memories of them and feel forever blessed for being in our lives.

This Ram Rajya is ours to have now.It is certainly not a dream for the future or of the past. It is within us and ours to discover. For today though, just remember your ancestors and pay them a silent tribute and then you shall have Ram Rajya! Jai Ho!

Monday, September 27, 2010

The Power Of The Satya Narayan Katha

The word of the Lord Shri Ram, is what I set out to relay, yet again, to the world. I merrily went about this business, thinking, this task was a piece of cake. Little did I know, that, most of all, I would have to battle with my own mind. I literally succumbed to my own temptations. Summer, vacations, leisure time, procrastination, all did me in. As my determination waned, my daily habit of writing, went out the window and quickly, I fell behind. My conscience however, kept nagging me, but my will power eluded me.

Today, I plan to change all that. As, all good things come to an end, I want to proclaim that the cycle continues, and they can be begun again with greater fervour. So, I invoke the guidance of
Lord Ganesh, the remover of all obstacles, to assist me in my endeavour to renew Ram Rajya.

Last week, on
Purnima ( day of the full moon ) the family did the Satya Narayan Katha (story) with family and friends which brought great joy. It is said, that in Kalyug (the present age according to the Hindu calender) this katha can give salvation. Lord Vishnu told the sage Narad, about this, when he asked him, what should people do to eradicate their misery. This is what was revealed, when 84,000 rishis congregated in Naimisharanya, one of the holy places, in northern India.

So, from time to time, we, as a family decide to perform this
katha and share in the glory of the Lord. Ram Rajya is about sharing and celebrating the good fortune that we all have. This katha makes us aware, that with the little that we can do to remember the Lord, we in turn receive huge benefits.

Ram Rajya,
is my concept for the here and now. I firmly believe that those glory days, that came about after Shri Ram's coronation as the King of Ayodhya, are in our grasp. All we have to do, is the Satya Narayan Katha, and then we will have Ram Rajya! JAI HO!