Friday, April 30, 2010

Take the Plunge!

TD has likened Ram Charitra Manas (RCM) to a flowing river, whose waters are pure and holy. All the characters of the story are a part of the living organisms in and around the banks of this river of knowledge. When we listen to the readings of RCM it is akin to taking a dip in these holy waters of knowledge. The rewards are many and instant, we are forever blessed! Before the story of RCM unfolds, remember that it is my interpretation of the RCM and is a gift to my children, nieces and nephews (I know that Sacha and Rajat are reading this) and whoever else partakes of this offering.
Tulsidas
was very humble when he said that he was not a poet, in fact he knew very little about poetry, and the task he had taken on was enormous. Well, we all know what a remarkable job he did with this epic. In fact he is considered a world renowned scholar. As for me, the less said the better. My attempt at even trying to simplify this beautiful work of literature/poetry is hilarious. But does this stop me from doing it, well, no. Something compels me to go on anyway, in spite of my ignorance and no knowledge. Must be my stupidity, to have the audacity to go on. The only thing that I have going for me is my belief in Ram. I know that he has never let me down, so I will take this one day at a time and then see what happens.Thus keeping His image in my heart and the blessings of Saraswati and Ganesh I will plod along.

Ruchira, Sunira and Arjun, you are very dear to my heart and so are my nieces and nephews. I need you to carry the flag of Dharma up high. You are smart, intelligent and have a good intellect, you will do well anyway. This knowledge being imparted to you through RCM will take you through this life and beyond. And this is how we will achieve Ram Rajya. JAI HO!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Live Life by Example

Just like a king (in the olden times) got a bridge built on a river, so that everyone including an ant could cross it, similarly TD says that we can grasp the story of Ram through the Ram Charitra Maanas and benefit eternally from it.
Ram Rajya is a very dear concept of mine. Only it is not a concept it is a reality. We have to make that leap of faith to make it happen. The roads to the Almighty are many, but ultimately the destination is the same. We can try different means to reach him and all are good, if the intent is pure and the heart is full of love. For love conquers all. It is easy to be judgmental and lay the blame elsewhere for our failures.These failures however are only stepping stones to success. We need to try harder to make our lives more fulfilling . The Ram Chiritra Manas teaches us a way of life, our civic duties, our obligations and how to spread peace and harmony in this world. As we go along we will learn by example how to lead a good life.
In Kalyug, to be born as a human is to get a ticket to Moksha. Let's do what we have learnt so far
and let Ram Rajya take care of itself. JAI HO!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Ayodhya

The setting of the story of Ram is in the city of Ayodhya. It is said that if one dies in this famous enchanting city, one goes straight to heaven and never come back to this mortal world again. Sarju river flows through this city, whose water is considered to be pure and holy.All sins are washed away when one touches, or bathes in these holy waters.
In this blessed city where salvation is found TD starts this holy saga of Ram. According to the Hindu calendar it was (samvat)1631 the month of Chaitra (Hindu) and the 9Th day after the full moon on a Tuesday that Ram was born.On the day of his birth all the pilgrimages came along to Ayodhya. The Devatas humans and all the living species congregated here and tried to serve the lord.
The name of this saga is Ram Chiritra Manas. This poem is so sweet that after hearing it, all sins are driven away and one experiences peace and bliss.TD has given a lot of reasons why we must hear this story and has also said that only those who love Ram and are devoted to him will get a chance to do so not all will benefit from it.
In life things appear to be very easy and we think that their is a lot of time to do them. But we all know that things do not appear to be as they seem. So to achieve Ram Rajya we have to consider ourselves fortunate and grab at the opportunities we get, do not let them pass, else life will slowly pass by! JAI HO!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Shiva's first narration of Ram's story to Parvati

Today must be an auspicious day, we are now getting ready to hear the story of Ram. This story that is so pure and sacred, that it drives away all evil, grants us our wishes, and does good to all mankind. We should discard all doubts and listen to this endearing tale sung by TD. He asks us listeners or readers whatever the case may be, to be open minded about this strange tale. The learned class are not surprised with the story, not even at the various Avatars of Ram, and the millions of Ramayans that have been written. This story is seamless and has no boundaries.
Shiva was the first architect of the story of Ram. Upon Parvati's incessant questioning of Shiva, he narrated the story of Ramayan to her. Parvati was the first one who heard this story. This same story Shiva told Kakbhusund ( a raven) who was a Rambhakta (devotee) who deserved to hear it for rightful purposes. Kakbhusund then gave this knowledge to Yagyavalk who in turn went on to narrate it to Bharadwaj Muni. Both the orator and listener were levelheaded, foresighted and knew all about the different stories of Ram.
TD first heard this tale from his Guru Narhari when he was growing up. He did not fully comprehend it . According to TD both the orator and the listener of this Katha (story) are knowledgeable and both are to be respected. He heard this tale several times before he could totally grasp it.
Before attempting to write this epic poem TD summoned his courage and the little knowledge he had to help him.This tale will banish all his doubts and illiteracy and bring joy to all.
For Ram Rajya we have to shed all our doubts and believe in the Absolute. JAI HO!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Baba Neeb Karauli

Badrinath is considered one of the five pilgrimages a Hindu should visit if he or she wants Moksha/salvation in his or her lifetime. I will tell you about the other four Dhaams some other time, perhaps . It is said that God himself resides in these Dhaams/ pilgrimages. That is why many say making these trips can be difficult and full of obstacles.
So, my Dad stumbled upon
Neeb Karauli Baba when he was taking his morning walk, or did he? Yes, indeed that was him calling out for my Dad while sitting in a cave. My father was startled, and stopped in his tracks and looked behind him. There he saw Baba in a yoga pose with a checkered blanket wrapped around him. My father was very excited that he had met a saint. I am not sure of what transpired on this occasion, but it seems that the stage was set for his disciple, my father-in-law, S.K.Chaudhri's son, and the daughter of Narain Swami's disciple to wed later on.
Maharajji died that same year in 1963 sometime in the end of fall and my father was devastated. He missed him a lot and started taking care of Maharajji's charitable foundation to ease his pain . To fill Maharajji's void he started looking out for saints and that's when Neeb Karauli Baba came into the family's life again.
My father and my father -in-law knew each other socially in Kanpur. My father was the Chartered Secretary of the British India Corporation, while my father-in-law was a high ranking civil servant (I.A.S.) officer appointed by the government to run the
Atherton West company.
One day not long after my father became involved in Maharajji's foundation, my father received a phone call in his office asking him to go to Mr. S.K.
Chaudhri's residence. Baba was visiting there and he was frantically asking to see the Chairman of B.I.C., who of course was my father! To this day, it is not clear why Baba was so insistent on seeing him. My father promptly rushed to see him. Soon we started seeing Baba quite frequently whenever he came to Kanpur. He also visited our house several times. My favourite memory of him is him sitting on our drawing-room sofa wearing his signature blanket.
This story shall continue. Just like
Maharajji, Baba is part of our present family. My husband talks about his adventures with Baba (will talk about them in another episode) and of course I incorporate Maharajji in mine as well.
Just as our family's lives are
for ever enriched by them so should yours by good company and saints. Then we all will have Ram Rajya. JAI HO!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Badrinath Dhaam Yatra / pilgramage

When one chants the Maha Mantra no matter if one is a king, a pauper, a thief, a scoundrel or a good person, or whether one takes his name in good faith, bad faith, in anger, the vibes are astounding and good for everybody in all ten directions (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW, Above & Below)

Mor Sudhrahoon So Sab Bhati

Jaasu Kripa Nahin Kripa Aghati

TD talks about the benevolence of Ram. He describes Him to be so kind that he will never run out of kindness. His tank of kindness is always full. He will forever take care of TD. My suggestion to you is to try to learn this couplet as well. Whenever you need Ram to come to help you in a situation, if you are traveling and you want your vacation to be pleasant and without interruption, use this couplet. Another one of those couplets that my children have in their repertoire!
Ram never remembers the faults of his devotees but if he sees the devotion in your heart, then, he will remember your attributes 100 folds over.

Now I will tell you how my father met my husband's (
Surajit) family Guru Neeb Karauli Baba for the first time. I think that the meeting of the two was prearranged by our family Guru Narain Swami. You can decide.
It so happened that my father took the family to
Badrinath in the summer of 1960 to meet Maharaji and spend 3 days with him. In those days, to get to Badrinath we had to walk 21 miles from Joshimath. From here it took between 2-3 days of trekking, on horseback, to get on top of the mountain to Badrinath. The luggage was put on the back of donkeys. We had to camp at night in small hotels on the way. My parents and grand parents went up every summer but this time Maharaji wanted the kids to go see him as well. The trek was beautiful and the river Ganga flowed alongside. I was eight years old, and have some vivid memories of the beautiful mountains around us.
We ended up staying for 21 days in
Badrinath instead, because Maharaji did not want us to leave and go to Nainital after the 3 days were over.
Even though it was very cold, we
still bathed in the hot spring each morning. The first dip was very hot, then the water would get cooler and turn back to hot again. One could not stay in, for more than a couple of minutes. My mother arranged to take all our food with us as their was not much we could find to eat over there. So our cook came along too.
Maharaji told us kids, to play and have fun as we were in our Babaguru's (grandguru) abode.
So the children (their were some others from Kanpur (my home town) played in the grounds of the
Badrivishaal temple. We would run around the main temple and do parikrama and count who did the most.
My father always went for morning walks even in
Badrinath and find new spots so he could show us waterfalls etc. later on. One morning he got up early got dressed, put on his hat and took his walking stick. He decided to go up this mountain that seemed to be beckoning him.There was this early morning fog and the air was crisp. My Dad carefully made his way upward on this rocky terrain. He was chanting his mantra that his Guru had given him and was in his own bliss, not a care in this world, when he heard somebody call him by his name Ravindra Prakash. He halted for a second, not knowing if he was delusional or if he had missed seeing someone.
That's all for today, I guess
Neeb Karauli Baba does not want to show up just yet. JAI HO!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Ram bigger than Nirgun and Sagun Bramh

There are four types of devotees who take the name of Ram. They all have different reasons.

1. Those who pray for wealth.
2.Those who pray to avoid any adversity.
3.Those who are curious and want to know God.
4. Those who have the knowledge of Him already and pray to him because they love him.

Ram loves all these smart
bhaktas because they know the power in the name. TD delves now, in the Nirgun and Sagun Bramh. Some pray to the Form(Sagun) and some to the formless (Nirgun) TD likens this to fire - one fire that is sitting inside the log of wood but not seen (Nirgun) and the other that is visible in the flames (Sagun). Both Nirgun (Bramh) and Sagun (Ram) are the same, only one is invisible and the other visible. I know it is hard to understand. Bramh is all pervading in all of us. TD goes as far as saying that according to him the name is bigger than Nirgun and Sagun and it is a witness of the two. Ram himself blessed only a few people like Ahilya, Vibhishan, Hanumanji, Vaner Sena (the monkey army who helped Ram defeat Ravana, the King of Sri Lanka) , Rakshas (demons), basically whoever came in contact with him was blessed and achieved Moksha. In comparison to the name Ram and Ram the person, himself, TD says that the repetition of his name will help millions and millions of people to achieve Moksha. That is why the Maha mantra Ram is a lot bigger than Nirgun Bramh and Sagun Ram. It gives boons to the givers of boons. Love and devotion in the name of Ram is like having a Kalpvrishka (Wishfulfilling) tree. It gives you whatever you want.

Kalyug
Kewal nam Adhaara

It means that in this present age of Kalyug only the Maha mantra can pull you through. Not only in Kalyug but in all the four yugs, the three Loks and three Kaals, people have taken His name and have gotten rid of all their miseries. All the Vedas and Puranas agree that Ram's name is all that is needed for the good of mankind. First in Sat Yug with meditation, in Treta Yug by Yags and sacrifice, in Dwapar yug by poojan (prayer) and in Kalyug, taking the name of Ram is enough for salvation

Folks lets keep on chanting Ram, and Ram Rajya will for sure be yours. JAI HO!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Ram The Maha Mantra

Yes that is what this name is. It is the end all of all the mantras- it is a super mantra. The word mantra is being used quite loosely in the English language. When a Guru gives you a mantra it becomes a route to salvation. However Ram nam (name) is a Maha mantra. It is chanted by Shiva and is the subject of talk for Moksha in Kashi. Lord Ganesha (the Lord who destroys all hindrances) recites this Maha mantra because he knows it's value. That is why we pray to him first. Valmiki knew the secret that is in this Mantra. He was a murderer before he wanted to change his ways. He had difficulty saying Ram so he kept repeating mara mara instead. Since the intentions were pure and it spelt Rama backwards, Valmiki was purified and later on he was the one who wrote the Ramayana.
Shiva made Parvati an adornment in his body (ardhangani) because he was impressed how she knew the value of the Maha mantra and always recited it. He gave her the title of First Lady and then drank poison which turned into amrit ( pure, holy water that gives life). That is the faith he had in this name!
TD says that this Maha mantra Ram, consists of only two letters Ra and Ma, sweet, easy to remember, easy to pronounce but very potent. When recited ' Ram' can do you good in this life as well as take care of the beyond!
He talks about the subtlety in the name, and the person behind the name. It has a relationship like a Guru and his devotee. Just like, when you see a Swami his (chela) devotee is not far behind, so too, when you invoke the name 'Ram' he is never far behind.
I said previously that Ram Rajya is not out there, it is right here within us, actually it is closer than that, it is at the tip of our tongues. Just keep saying Ram. JAI HO!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Bhajan

Even though Ram's greatness cannot be described in just words, saints, sages, shastras etc. have all sung praises of him.
The Vedas tell us how 'Bhajan' (singing about the glory of Ram) is effective in different ways.
Nobody can really get to the depths of His greatness but according to the Vedas one must do as much '
Bhajan ' as one can.The results are truly amazing. A little bit of 'Bhajan' takes one a long, long way.

That omnipresent God who has no form, or name who was never born, took a human form and lived on this earth. He went through the trials and tribulations just for the good of his 'Bhaktas' (devotees). Ram dotes on his bhaktas, and is forgiving and all merciful. We must know that if Ram has blessed us once he will never be angry with us again.

Gai Bahore Gareeb Nevaju

Saral Sabal Sahib Raghuraju

This is a couplet that I implore all of you to learn. I know that Ruchi, Suni and Arj (my children) you know this by heart, and I am so proud of you.
The fact of the matter is that this couplet goes to show the power of 'bhajan'. Remember I talked about Sarkar Swami in one of my previous blogs. He used to tell us, that all these 'chaupaies' are very powerful. They will help you in every situation. Well, this one, as my children will vouch for, is good when you are applying for a job, or going to a work related interview. You recite this and see the results yourself!!

The meaning of this couplet is so profound yet very simple. It means that Ram, who is omnipresent, kindhearted, forgiving and our Swami, can get back that thing, that you think you have lost forever.

Now we know that a little bhajan is so essential for Ram Rajya to come back. Jai Ho!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Glory in the name of Ram

Mangal Bhavan Amangal Haari

Uma Sahit Jehin Japat Puraari


Now we come back to that same Ram Charitra Manas that Goswami Tulsidas wrote. Right now he is talking about how this work probably has nothing remarkable but has only one world famous attribute. It has the name of all pervading Ram . It is extremely pure, the crux of the Vedas and the Puranas, and it blesses all. This name drives away all evil, and this is the name that Lord Shiva along with his wife Parvati chant incessantly.
The name of Ram has innumerable qualities. TD relies on it. He has said so often that he is not a poet - he is the lowest of the low. The only thing going for him is that he is singing the glories of Ram. Learned people and the good people will surely like his work.
The story of Ram is a panacea. It is a remedy to whatever ails you. This story will do good to everybody that reads it. Not only that, it is said that in this period of Kalyug, the name of Ram
drives away all evil.
The truth is this - if a bad poet writes about Ram people will read, hear, and even praise it, that is just the greatness of the name. However the opposite is true too. A good poet, without inspiration has no exposure and no glory!
Just like gems, precious stones, pearls, do not look good on an elephant or a snake or buried in a mountain - but look beautiful on a pretty girl or on a crown perhaps, similarly wise men have said that a good poet author, etc. might do their writing in one place but get its popularity and fame in another place. The reason being that they could be discovered, discussed and talked about in some other place.
Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge comes running when a good poet is going to start his work, which will be for the benefit of mankind and also about the glory of Ram. She usually does not come when one has other ideas. Hence, smart people know it is a good idea to talk about the glory of Ram.
TD is a great teacher. He is telling the reader that if you want to be successful in whatever
it is that you are doing, be grateful to Ram and always talk or write about His glory.
Instant success - instant Ram Rajya. Jai Ho!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Satyam Shivam Sunderam

It is hard to discontinue writing about the life history of TD. He was such a great literary figure, so lets find out what happened next.
Soon after his encounter with Ram, Tulsidas was on his way back to Ayodhya. He stopped in Prayag where he had another vision. This time of Bharadwaj Muni and Yagwalkya Muni. Here he heard the same katha (story) of Ram that he had heard from his Guru Narhari. In this period he traveled back and forth from Kashi to Ayodhya.
While in Kashi, TD received divine inspiration to start writing. So he began writing in prose and in Sanskrit. But strangely at night his writings would become illegible and he would have to start all over again. One day Shiva appeared in his dream and told him to go to Ayodhya and write an epic in poetry form, in the Avadhi dialect. So back to Ayodhya TD went.
Thus in 1631(according to the Hindu calendar) on the day of Ramnavmi, he began the writing of the Ram Charitra Manas. That day was exactly the same as it was in Treta yug when Ram was born. It took 2 yrs 7 months and 26 days to complete the tome. It was completed in1633 on Ram and Sita's wedding anniversary.
It was time for TD to shuttle back to Kashi where he read his new creation to lord Vishvanath
in his famous temple. The epic was left at night inside . When the temple doors were opened in the morning - lo and behold ' Satyam Shivam Sunderam' (which means that according to Shiva truth is beautiful) was found written on top with Shiva's signature. This made the learned class (Pundits) in Kashi quite jealous of TD and they tried all kinds of tricks to discredit him. So another time they put the epic at the bottom and the Vedas and Puranas on the top inside Vishvanath's temple. Guess what, next morning the Ram Chirtanas Manas was found to be on top! Finally the pundits relented and Tulsidas was given his due respect. TD then wrote the 'Vinay Patrika'. He died at the ripe old age of 91.
Truth is going to set us free. Ram Rajya is all about that. Jai Ho!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Tulsidas's first meeting with Shri Ram

During his stay at his birthplace, TD found a nice girl and got married and was in total wedded bliss. However, things were about to change, as you will see.
Once his wife went with her brother to their parent's place. TD could not bear to stay without her, so he followed her. His wife got upset at this and yelled at him saying -"...... if only you loved God half as much as you did my body your life would be successful.......". TD just ran out of the house on having being disgraced like this and decided to make changes to his life.
First he went to Prayag, and then renounced the world and became a Sadhu (ascetic)
He went to Mansarover where he had a vision of Kakbhushund (a raven who was blessed with the knowledge of the Ramayan). TD then came back to Kashi (Varanasi) and started preaching the story of Ram. Meanwhile he had visions of Hanumanji who told him to go to Chitrakoot where he would be able to meet Ram.
So that is where he went next. One day TD saw two handsome princes in the forest riding on horses, however he could not recognize them. But his intentions were true and his heart pure so Ram came to see TD in the form of a child and asked him to give him some 'chandan' . Hanumanji, as Ram's foremost disciple (Bhakta) is always present where Ram is, so this time he did not want TD to miss out on who this child really was so he said this couplet:

Chitrakoot ke ghat per bhaee santun ki bheer

Tulsidas chandun gheesen tiluk det Raghubir

These are those famous lines that Hanumanji said to Tulsidas so he could recognize Ram in that child. This couplet means:

There is a congregation of saints in Chitrakoot where TD is rubbing the sandalwood paste, while Ram is applying Tilak on Tulsidas and himself.

Have great intent, purpose and passion in whatever you do and lo and behold Ram Rajya will be there. Jai Ho!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Goswami Tulsidas's early years

Before we go any further I have to say that the original epic Ramayan was written by the sage Valmiki in Sanskrit.Tulsidas is considered an incarnation of Valmiki and he wrote the Ramchritramanas, the same saga of Ram in the Awadhi version, and a few other dialects like Bhojpuri etc.
Tulsidas was born in 1532 A.D. in Rajapur (Bandha dist.) U.P. India, to Atmaram Dubey and Hulsi. It is important for us to know a little about him. It is a fascinating story and we all will learn something from it. It is said that his gestation period was 12 months and he looked like a 5 year old and had all 32 teeth when he was born. He did not cry but took Ram's name. His parents became quite alarmed with all this, thinking it was a bad omen so much so that the mother packed her son off with her maid to and the next day she passed away. Chunia, the maid took loving care of him, but died after five and a half years. Thus the child became an orphan. Parwati (wife of Lord Shiva) though could see the child's talents and would come in disguise as a Brahmin lady to feed him every day.
Soon however this child was discovered by a saint and he named him Rambola. He took him to Ayodhya where his thread ceremony (Janau) was done. Here he met his Guru Narhari Swami who took him under his wing. He gave him the Ram mantra and started teaching him Hindu philosophy. Rambola's memory was very sharp and he remembered everything. He learnt the Ram Charitra Manas from his guru and then the two of them proceeded to Kashi. Here he studied the Vedas and Vedantas for about 15 yrs.
After all this study he wanted to find out about his father, so he went back to Rajapur. Upon going there he discovered that all his family had perished. So he did his father's and the family's Shradh(final rites) and just stayed and preached the story of Ram.
Tomorrow I will tell you what happened after Rambola got married!!
Meanwhile keep working towards Ram Rajya. Jai Ho!

Happy Birthday Arjun

Sia Ram mai sub jug jaani
Karahoon pranam jori jug paani

It is Arjun's Birthday today so before I continue with this blog I wish him the very best. I know that he is going to do alright. He is a well rounded young man, kind, thoughtful and respectful. Sometimes I feel the great Pandava Arjun lives through my son Arjun. Even though he has a western upbringing he is deeply rooted in his culture. He follows the Hindu traditions in a lot of ways and both his father and I are very proud of him.

Tulsidas continues to collect the blessings of all the creatures great and small in this universe . He bows to the 8 million 4 hundred thousand living species who inhabit the waters, the sky and this earth. Because they are from the image of Ram and his wife Sita , every specie is sacred.
TD is a very humble man. He has taken an enormous task to write about the great Sri Ram. But he does not care if people laugh at his work or enjoy it. Some are like the river , when it gets flooded it starts bursting in it's own joy but few are like the ocean which rises up when it sees a full moon. So whether people find comic relief or find this story sweet, he needs a lot of help from everywhere. He is a small mite and his dream is huge.
For Ram Rajya we have to be grateful not only when we are happy but share in our neighbours'
joy as well. Jai Ho!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Paramhans 108 Shree Narain Swami

Our family Guru Narain Swami was endearingly called Maharaji by his devotees.
My parents once told me, they met Maharaji after I was conceived. At least that's how they remembered the event when they met him for the first time! Maharaji gave me my name , my identity and I will go as far as saying my life. My 'mundon' ceremony (first religious rite performed on a baby of shaving the head, I have had two more for different reasons) was done in Araul which is a tiny village on the banks of the river Ganga, 50 kms from Kanpur, India.

Maharaji lived there and in Kanpur (my birthplace) during the winter months. Maharaji was an ascetic in the true sense. I have met and read about a lot of saints but he was of a different breed. He would do penance each day and beg for his food. He had renounced this mortal world as well as his family. He did not have a penny to his name. The only belongings he had were two pieces of hemp cloth, (one he wore with a string around his waist while the other was hung out to dry) a wooden 'kamandal' (water jug) a wooden bowl and 'kharaon' (wooden sandals). I tell you it is not easy to walk with them on!!
Our parents visited him very often at whichever place he was staying . Maharaji spent a lot of time in Kanpur as well. When he was there he stayed at 'Ganga Paar' next to the river Ganges. We went to meet him every day in the evenings . Daddy made it a point to take all of us children
(we are five brothers and sisters). So the children played together while the elders did Kirtan(chanting).
Maharaji did two kinds of fasting. He contolled his diet by increasing the intake of milk to a glass every day and then decreasing it to barely anything and then slowly going back to normal. There were days when we were there and Maharaji was in 'Maun Vrat' (no talking). He would then communicate by the writing on a slate. That is another kind of fasting - vow of silence.
Badrinath is very important to the devotees of Narain Swami. This is the abode of his Guru. While he was doing his 'tapasya' (penance) on the banks of the river Narmada, Maharaji became very despondent . He had not been able to find a guru. That's when Badrinathji came to him in a vision and told him not to despair, He would be his Guru. Since then Maharaji started spending the summer in Badrinath at the house of his Guru.
I look back very fondly at that period in my child hood. Maharaji made those first 10 yrs. of my life very special. Without me knowing, the stage was being set for Ram Rajya. Now I understand that I too would have a role in Ram Rajya! Jai Ho!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Bengali New Year

Today is the Bengali New Year so "Shubho Nabbo Barsho" to you all!
I consider myself very fortunate and I will tell you why. You know they say, that marriages are made in heaven. Well I truly believe that mine was. I will tell you that story later on, however, I will like to introduce to you the two main characters who set the stage unbeknown to our families.
You must be wondering how I have made a diversion today but just wait, all of this will eventually come together. I feel that I must weave my life's story together with the epic Ramayan, that Goswami Tulsidas wrote in seven ' kaands' ( chapters).
We are in the first chapter 'Balkaand' (infancy/childhood) I am audacious enough to start my story here as well, and make it grow as the chapters progress! When we reach the final chapter
'Uttarkaand' we all would have found Utopia -Ram Rajya!!
So, I will introduce you to my family Guru, Paramhans 108 Shree Narayan Swami. He has had a profound influence on our family and my life in particular. My husband's family Guru played a big role in his life as well. We shall talk about it as we go along , also how my father met him in the mountains of Badrinath. Jai Ho!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Good and evil

This world is full of paradoxes.The stories of sinners and saints are well documented in our scriptures. That is why there is mention of evil and good. If we can see the two, only then can we renounce the evil and grasp the good. Both good and evil are the creations of Bramha, the Creator. After looking at good and evil carefully , the Vedas have separated the two and categorised them . History, Vedas and the Puranas tell us that this universe created by Bramha is full of contrasts: day-night, up-down, in-out, beautiful-ugly rich-poor, coward-brave, black-white, heaven-hell, pauper-king, greed-renunciation etc.
Tulsidas says that intelligent people only find the good and discard the evil. Sometimes though, due to the fault in their nature or in their karma (deeds) they might digress. Bhaktas (the faithful) always try and correct their mistakes and spread peace around them. Good company can sometimes change bad people's ways . They can lead good and productive lives but they will always have a mean streak in them and if not careful they can go back to their old habits.
The whole point is, that the Ramayan informs us about the good and bad people in this world and points to their individual traits. Tulsidas bows to them and prays that his love of Ram be always constant so that he is divinely guided in his endeavor of writing the Ramayan just as I pray to Shri Ram so that He can guide me in the writing of this blog everyday.
To look at the positives and negatives in this world and find a right balance will get us closer to Ram Rajya. Jai Ho!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Good Company

It is important in our quest for Ram Rajya to find 'Satsang'. This is what TD means when he talks about 'Prayag' also known as Sangam or Triveni (the confluence of the three mighty rivers). This place is akin to the body of Saints (satsang) also like a place full of good deeds. TD says that in any country or any place that body of goodness can be found. Only, one must have total faith in one's religion.

It is said in the Ramayan, that a dip in the rivers of Prayag (Allahabad, India) will give you instant Moksha, while still having this human body! Even though I have read the Ramayan several times this is very revealing to me and I am confounded . Can you believe how simple life really is? Do the right things, keep and find good company and have faith. You must not be amazed by the power of good company . The great sages Valmiki, Narad and Aghast have narrated their life stories. According to them, all the creatures in this universe including us humans , who have attained any fame prosperity, knowledge, any goodness, is because of 'Satsang'. In this world , as well as in the Vedas their is no other means of achieving these glories. Is that not profound stuff?
Thanks to my father, our family made that journey to Prayag. We took a boat to that point where the river Ganga and Yamuna flow and merge on the top while the river Saraswati merges with them underneath. Surprisingly the waters are not deep here and we got off the boat and could stand easily and take a dip.
Binoo Satsang bibek na Hoee
Ram kripa binu sulabh na soee
One does not get humble, wise, noble, if one does not have Satsang in ones life. The only thing is that, without the grace of Ram, these things don't happen!!! Jai Ho!

Monday, April 12, 2010

The importance of Saints

It is my thinking that who Tulsidas (TD) is calling Guru Maharaj here, is Shree Hari (Vishnu) who in human form is Lord Ram. He stresses the importance of the dust, that is under the feet of Ram It is the one that is on the forehead of Shivji. It has so many miraculous qualities and whoever understands it's true meaning becomes very fortunate and blessed. We all know that dust by the name of Vibhuthi.
TD has included the Brahamans,who he calls the Devatas(Demi Gods) of the earth in his prayer. Then he goes on to sing the praises of the bodies of Saints. They are like a ball of cotton, pure and bright. Even though the process of making cotton thread, out of a ball of cottonwool, is long and tedious , the thread that comes out of it, can clothe our body. Similarly a saint will go through a lot, in order to cover the faults of others.
Mudh mungul myh Santh Samaaju
Jo jug jungum teerath raaju
The body of saints do good and give joy where ever they go. They are a walking pilgrimage
(Prayag). It is the place where the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati meet.

Ram Rajya is the confluence of good intelect, good words and good deeds. Surely we have it in us to create our own Ram Rajya. Jai Ho!