There are conflicts in every family but no as much as in Lord Shiva's Family! To begin with all their pet interests or hobbies (Vaahan) are in direct conflict with each other.
Shiva's Bull vs Parvati's Tiger;
Ganesha's Mouse vs Shiva's Snake
Shiva's Snake vs Karthikeya's Peacock
Shiva's Father-in-Law (Daksha Prajapati) hates him . His elder son is fat and funny looking while his younger son is an epitome of youth and beauty. One of his sons (Bhasmasura) actually tried to kill him! How then does he manage to keep it together?
First he keeps his cool (moon on the head). His thoughts are positive and enlivening (Ganga flowing out). He is strong enough to take in other's bitterness (drinks poison) but does not become bitter himself (keeps it locked in the neck and does not swallow). He gives equal importance to his wife (ardhanareeshwara). He is impartial in judging others (third eye of wisdom). Keeps the Family entertained ( Expert Dancer and Damru player). Above all He is always connected with the Higher (Keeps Chanting Ram's name).
We always feel Shiva is the ultimate Yogi but turns out he is also an ultimate Family Man!
#chykspiration
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Form of Lord Shiva -- the significance
Shiva (or Siva)
is one of the most important forms in the Hindu pantheon and, along with Brahma
and Vishnu, is considered a member of the holy trinity (trimurti) of Hinduism.
Here are some important aspects for you to know -
Crescent Moon on Lord Shiva’s Head
Wisdom is beyond the mind, but it needs to be expressed with a tinge of mind and this is symbolized by the crescent moon.
Lord Shiva’s Trishul (Trident)
The divinity is beyond the three gunas, but it holds the three gunas together.
The divinity is beyond the three gunas, but it holds the three gunas together.
Three types of pain that arise in life:
1. Aadibhautik (physical)
2. Aadhyaatmik (spiritual) and
3. Aadidaivik (ethereal)
1. Aadibhautik (physical)
2. Aadhyaatmik (spiritual) and
3. Aadidaivik (ethereal)
What relieves you from all the problems and suffering is the trishul. And it is in the hand of Shiva.
River Ganga flowing from Lord Shiva’s Head
If Ganga were to be love, it should have come out of the
heart of Lord Shiva. It is coming out of the head, because it simply means
knowledge.
Lord Shiva’s Third Eye
Shiva Tattva
is where there is no mind and the moon signifies the mind. When there is no
mind then how can this ‘no mindedness’ be expressed and how can anybody understand
it? You need a little bit of the mind to understand, experience and to express.
Serpent around Lord Shiva’s
Neck
A state of
samadhi where there is nothing, just the inner sky of consciousness, is Shiva;
where there is alertness and no action. To describe this alertness they put a
snake around Shiva’s neck. So the serpent is a symbol of alertness.
In the state
of meditation when the eyes are closed, it gives the impression that the person
is sleeping, but he is not asleep, he is alert. To express this state of
consciousness, a snake is shown around Lord Shiva’s neck.
Trishul represents the three aspects of consciousness – waking, dreaming
and sleeping, and it represents the three gunas – satva, rajas and tamas. Holding a trishul (Trident)
signifies that Shiva (the divinity) is above all the three states – waking,
dreaming and sleeping, yet is the upholder of these three states.
Shul means problems or suffering. Trishul means that which destroys all kind of
suffering.
Ganga means knowledge; knowledge that purifies your soul. Head is always
the symbol of knowledge. Heart is the symbol of love.
Knowledge is
liberating, knowledge brings freedom, knowledge is purifying. All these are the
characteristics of knowledge. Knowledge is also movement; motion. So Ganga
(knowledge) has to come out of Lord Shiva’s (the divinity’s) head.
The third eye
is associated with alertness and awareness.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
For your awareness - Other lokas (Worlds) above
Kids - Please watch this 3 minute segment on YouTube and come prepared with questions to Balavihar session today.
The concept of a loka or lokas develops in the Vedic literature. Influenced by the special connotations that a word for space might have for a nomadic people, loka in the Veda did not simply mean place or world, but had a positive valuation: it was a place or position of religious or psychological interest with a special value of function of its own.
Hence, inherent in the 'loka' concept in the earliest literature was a double aspect; that is, coexistent with spatiality was a religious or soteriological meaning, which could exist independent of a spatial notion, an 'immaterial' significance.
The most common cosmological conception of lokas in the Veda was that of the trailokya or triple world: three worlds consisting of earth, atmosphere or sky, and heaven, making up the universe.
Here's a quick reference to the 7 lokas (6 above us)
| # | Planetary system name |
|---|---|
| 01 | Satya-loka |
| 02 | Tapa-loka |
| 03 | Jana-loka |
| 04 | Mahar-loka |
| 05 | Svar-loka |
| 06 | Bhuvar-loka |
| 07 | Bhu-loka |
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Pushpadanta - the author of Siva Mahima Stotram
Pushpadanta was a Gandharva (गांधर्व), a celestial musician. Along with the kinnar (nymphs), yaksha (archangels), apsara (celestial dancers) etc., gandharva are beings which are said to live in the skies and in the atmosphere, in contact with the higher plane: that of the Gods. They are not necessarily spiritually realised, but are superior to humans.
Pushpadanta (literally, Flower-Teethed) was a divine musician of such standing, in the court of Lord Indra(King of the Gods). Pushpadanta was also a devotee of Lord Shiva and a lover of flowers.
Once he happened to see a beautiful garden adorned with charming flowers. It was King Chitraratha's royal garden, who was also a devotee of Lord Shiva. The King used to offer flowers from his palatial garden as a symbol of his devotion to Lord Shiva.
Pushpadanta was so awestruck by the beauty of the garden, that he could not control his emotions and picked up the flowers from the garden. Every day he tried to stop himself, but failed and picked up the flowers. As a result, King Chitraratha was left with no flowers to complete his prayers to Lord Shiva.
The King did all he could to address the issue. But Pushpadanta had divine powers to be invisible and hence, the king could not find the culprit. Left with no ideas to solve this problem, the king spread bilva leaves or bilipatra (बिलीपत्र - AEGLE MARMELOS tree leaves, which are considered to be sacred offerings to Lord Shiva) in his garden.
Pushpadanta was unaware of this and unknowingly stepped on the bilva leaves. This infuriated Lord Shiva and he punished Pushpadanta by taking away his divine powers.
He was shocked, but being a blessed devotee, he realized why that happened. In order to seek forgiveness and please Lord Shiva, Pushpadant composed a stotra (song of praise) in which he elaborated at length upon Shiva's greatness as a prayer. Lord Shiva, was pleased with his prayers, absolved him and returned his divine powers. This very prayer became well known as the 'Shiva Mahimna Stotra'.
"Anyone who recites this hymn with a pure heart and devotion will be blessed with fame (कीर्ति), wealth (धन), long life (आयु) and many children (सुत) in this mortal world, and will attain Kailas (Shiva's abode) after death. Benefit of singing Shivmahimna stotra is far greater than either the benefit of spiritual initiation (दीक्षा), charity (दान), austerity (तप), pilgrimage (तीर्थ), knowledge of the scriptures (ज्ञान), or the performance of ceremonial sacrifice (यज्ञ-याग)."
Source: Wikipedia
For a more detailed version of the story, please click here
Sunday, May 7, 2017
*UBUNTU* - I AM BECAUSE WE ARE
*UBUNTU* - A very nice story from Africa ...
The motivation behind the Ubuntu culture in Africa ...
An Anthropologist proposed a game to the African tribal children ...
He placed a basket of sweets near a tree
And made the children stand 100 metres away.
Then announced that whoever reaches first would get all the sweets in the basket.
When he said 'ready steady go!' ...
Do you know what these children did?
They all held each other's hands, ran together towards the tree, divided the sweets equally among themselves, ate the sweets and enjoyed it.
When the Anthropologist asked them why they did so,
They answered 'Ubuntu'.
Which meant -
_'How can one be happy when the others are sad?'_
Ubuntu in their language means -
_'I am because we are!'_
A strong message for all generations.
Let all of us always have this attitude and spread happiness wherever we go.
Let's have a *_Ubuntu_* Life ...
*I AM BECAUSE WE ARE*
The motivation behind the Ubuntu culture in Africa ...
An Anthropologist proposed a game to the African tribal children ...
He placed a basket of sweets near a tree
And made the children stand 100 metres away.
Then announced that whoever reaches first would get all the sweets in the basket.
When he said 'ready steady go!' ...
Do you know what these children did?
They all held each other's hands, ran together towards the tree, divided the sweets equally among themselves, ate the sweets and enjoyed it.
When the Anthropologist asked them why they did so,
They answered 'Ubuntu'.
Which meant -
_'How can one be happy when the others are sad?'_
Ubuntu in their language means -
_'I am because we are!'_
A strong message for all generations.
Let all of us always have this attitude and spread happiness wherever we go.
Let's have a *_Ubuntu_* Life ...
*I AM BECAUSE WE ARE*
Sunday, April 23, 2017
What makes Hanuman a superhero?
SpiderMAN, SuperMAN, IronMAN, HanuMAN.
What makes Hanuman a superhero? Read on the qualifications of Hanuman that made him a superhero.
Mahaveer - qualities of a true leader
Below are the notes & understandings taken down from Swami Mitranandaji’s talk explaining the depth of the word ‘Mahaveer’ that appears twice in Hanuman Chalisa.
Mahaveer
Hanuman is said to be a Mahaveer. Mahaveer is a quality of an excellent leader. Leadership is not necessarily an inborn trait. It can be cultivated by anybody if they can rise up to the point of Mahaveer. To become a Mahaveer, one needs to have the below five qualities.
1. *Ranaveer*: A person who is brave enough to face any challenge in life, like a warrior, is called Ranaveer. Smooth roads have never made an excellent driver. Challenges are a must for becoming exceptional. If we take any great personality’s life, we can see that he must have come through a lot of strife and turmoil.
Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam: Born in a middle class family where he had to work in early childhood to support family income, faced more challenges as he couldn’t get selected for his dream job of becoming a pilot, finally became a visionary nuclear scientist and visionary leader, the 11th President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Awards to his credit are Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997).
Dr. Jagdish Chandra Bose: Went to the University of London to study medicine but could not pursue his studies due to health problems. Later joined Presidency College in University of Kolkatta where despite being a victim of racial discrimination, lacking funding and equipment to conduct research, he made great discoveries and inventions in the field of physics and biology. In his research lab of 24 sq.ft area, he conducted researches and invented many instruments that are used today in modern forms of antennas, polarisers, waveguides, crescograph, etc. He was the inventor of Wireless Telecommunications and was also the modern scientists who proved that plants also undergo emotions, can feel pain, understand affection, etc. He was indeed a self-made Ranaveer.
Not just human beings, but we can see a lot of struggle in the lives of animals and plants too. A butterfly pupa takes a lot of effort to come out of the cocoon. A flower bud has to take a lot of pressure to blossom. But if try to help them out to lessen their struggle, they die. Struggle is not an option; it’s a requirement for excellence.
Hanuman was a Ranaveer. He never stepped back when he faced any challenge. There are a lot of examples in Ramayan when anybody else other than Hanuman would have hesitated to face the problem. Be it crossing the Indian Ocean to Lanka, fighting the demons and creatures on the way to Lanka, burning whole of Lanka single handedly (or tailedly) or be it bringing Sanjeevani herb for Lakshman, Hanuman never hesitated even for a second to take up the challenge. If such a quality is developed by a person, no doubt he can be a great leader.
2. *Vidyaveer*: One who is well-read and widely-read is called a Vidyaveer.Many a times we find people who are either of these but not both. Some people are well-read in scriptures or sciences like Psychology, but don’t know how to apply these sciences in daily life. What’s the use of such learning? Some are widely-read, like News channel anchors & reporters, and have the knowledge of all the things going around in the world, but their life may be a tragedy. Again, what’s the use?
However, people like Chanakya, Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha, Swami Chinmayananda, who were well-read in the scriptures and widely-read about the happenings all over the world, which helps them to make us understand how the knowledge of the scriptures is applicable to the daily life, in the field of economics, in the betterment of the whole society.
Both academic knowledge and spiritual knowledge are important for a person to be an exceptional leader.
Hanuman was well-read with the scriptures and also had worldly knowledge. When he went to Lanka to find Sita, he had understood the enemy well. He must have definitely studied them otherwise there is never a possibility of going inside the enemy’s land unnoticed by anyone. His knowledge of the scriptures helped him maintain his poise at all times, differentiate between the good and the bad, evolve as a selfless devotee who never wanted fame or recognition.
3. *Daanveer*: Daanveer means one who is never hesitant to do charity. For him, charity is not something that he does once in a while. For him, charity is a habit. Because, he has understood that sharing is not shrinking, but sharing is expanding.
John Nash came up with a theory called ‘Game Theory’ where if two or more players are playing a game, there can be a win-win situation for all the players of they stop competing against each other and start moving together by understanding each others’ strategy and giving scope for everyone’s growth. When they start to help each other, they start growing together as a society, as an economy.
So, if a company or a nation needs to grow, knowledge resources need to be shared and not selfishly kept for oneself. If there are four people and each has got a particular kind of sweet, when they decide to share a portion of their sweet with others, everyone gets to taste four different varieties of sweets.
Whatever we have in excess, needs to be shared. Not just shared, it needs to be shared intelligently. Suppose in a town, there is a mango tree that produces a very good variety of mango. If the owner intelligently plants its seeds properly in different places in the town by giving it proper water, light and manure, and also sharing such seeds with others, very soon the town will be full of mango trees that will be producing the excellent variety of mango.
Each of us has some quality or knowledge in a particular field. Once we have discovered that quality / knowledge, it will enhance the moment we start sharing it with others. It can be music, handicraft, a cooking recipe, knowledge of a subject, anything. When we teach such things to others, a process of inner growth begins in us. But again, we should do it intelligently. It should be sharing with the right person. A nuclear scientist of a country should not be trying to be a Daanveer by sharing information with its neighbouring country.
Hanuman once saw that Bheema (also Vayuputra) is very proud of his strength. So, Hanuman thought of teaching him a lesson. One day when Bheema was going through a forest crushing everything that came in his way, he saw an old monkey lying on his path. He ordered the monkey to move its tail that was blocking Bheema’s way. The monkey replied that it’s too old and it can’t move its tail which feels very heavy for itself. So, it requested Bheema to move it himself. With all his anger and arrogance Bheema tried to move the tail, but in vain. After many attempts, he realized that this is no ordinary monkey. Bheema finally accepted his defeat and bowed in front of the monkey pleading him to reveal his true form. It was then Hanuman took his real huge form that stunned Bheema. This way Hanuman tried teaching Bheema the quality of humility that Hanuman had.
When Hanuman was brought in front of Ravana after he burnt Lanka with his tail, Hanuman even advises Ravana explaining (sharing knowledge) to him how powerful Rama is, and that by giving Sita back, Ravana can avoid defeat in the war.
4. *Dayaveer*: Daya means compassion. Compassion is not a word or a sad expression that we make when we hear sad news. It is an action that is done by going out of the way to help somebody.
Mata Amritanandamai: Millions of devotees throng at her feet to get a glimpse of her, to get a warm hug from her. People from far and wide come to see her and go back contented for all their worries got destroyed with a few words uttered by her. She has set up number of hospices & hospitals for the poor where they are treated free of cost, in additional to the other spiritual and educational institutions set up by her
C.O.R.D. (Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development): An undertaking of Chinmaya Mission that works for the empowerment of rural women in India & Sri Lanka who face a lot of social and economic problems. Their work have been in areas like encouraging self-confidence in young girls, fighting social injustice, channelizing the unutilized youth potential in rural areas, arranging self-help groups in arranging financial resources, primary healthcare services, rehabilitation of differently-abled people, nurturing children, natural resource management, etc.
Hundreds of organizations and thousands of people all around the world work for such noble causes just out of compassion. Their work results in the upliftment of the whole society. They are the true leaders who work silently out of sheer compassion towards the needy.
Hanuman was full of compassion and love for everybody. When Sugreeva had lost his kingdom was being troubled by Vali, Hanuman served Sugreeva selflessly. When Lakshmana was sinking after being hit but a powerful weapon sent by Indrajit (son of Ravana) during the war, Hanuman rescues him by bring Sanjeevani. When Sita had almost given up hope of Rama finding her and was about to give up her life, Hanuman reaches there at the right time and saves her life. Bharat had taken a promise from Rama that if Rama doesn’t return back to Ayodhya exactly after 14 years, Bharat would give up his life the very next day. Due to the war, when Rama and his army get a bit delayed in reaching Ayodhya, Bharat was already setting preparations for his suicide. Once again Hanuman goes ahead and reaches Ayodhya on time thus saving Bharat.
For Hanuman, compassion was not a choice; it was his duty.
5. *Tyaagveer*: Tyaag in Sanskrit has several meanings. One meaning is ‘sacrifice’, other is ‘detachment’. One who is able to sacrifice and serve by staying detached is a Tyaagveer.
History of India is full of people who displayed this quality. We can have a list of freedom fighters who gave up their life for the freedom of the country. We have had scientists, mathematicians, poets, philosophers, seers and sages who lived a life for the betterment of the society. All these people, even though from different backgrounds, had one thing in common. They all had a higher cause for which they worked, they existed, they Lived. For them, life was not just earning a living for themselves or their families. For them, life had a higher purpose. A purpose to which everything else could be sacrificed. The purpose could be God or nation or mankind or anything. And for them, all these different purposes made the same meaning.
Hanuman was an embodiment of sacrifice and service. Never ever in his entire life he did something for himself. When he was the minister of Sugreeva, he worked for Sugreeva. When he became the devotee of Lord Rama, Rama’s work was his work. In his life he had no personal goal.
When we say sacrifice in the literal sense, we mean, dropping something we have for a higher goal. But Hanuman was beyond that because he never had any personal possessions. He never considered any of his qualities also as ‘his’ qualities. So, as far as Hanuman was concerned, there was nothing ‘personal’ that he could sacrifice for Lord Rama. His purpose of existence was to serve Lord Rama.
For Tyaagveer, what better example can anybody think of other than Hanuman?
To be a leader of that standard, which Hanuman has set, is not impossible. We just have to keep contemplating on Hanuman Chalisa and start implementing the learning in us. The transformation will happen!
Jai Hanuman!
Jai Shree Ram!!
What makes Hanuman a superhero? Read on the qualifications of Hanuman that made him a superhero.
Mahaveer - qualities of a true leader
Below are the notes & understandings taken down from Swami Mitranandaji’s talk explaining the depth of the word ‘Mahaveer’ that appears twice in Hanuman Chalisa.
Mahaveer
Hanuman is said to be a Mahaveer. Mahaveer is a quality of an excellent leader. Leadership is not necessarily an inborn trait. It can be cultivated by anybody if they can rise up to the point of Mahaveer. To become a Mahaveer, one needs to have the below five qualities.
1. *Ranaveer*: A person who is brave enough to face any challenge in life, like a warrior, is called Ranaveer. Smooth roads have never made an excellent driver. Challenges are a must for becoming exceptional. If we take any great personality’s life, we can see that he must have come through a lot of strife and turmoil.
Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam: Born in a middle class family where he had to work in early childhood to support family income, faced more challenges as he couldn’t get selected for his dream job of becoming a pilot, finally became a visionary nuclear scientist and visionary leader, the 11th President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Awards to his credit are Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997).
Dr. Jagdish Chandra Bose: Went to the University of London to study medicine but could not pursue his studies due to health problems. Later joined Presidency College in University of Kolkatta where despite being a victim of racial discrimination, lacking funding and equipment to conduct research, he made great discoveries and inventions in the field of physics and biology. In his research lab of 24 sq.ft area, he conducted researches and invented many instruments that are used today in modern forms of antennas, polarisers, waveguides, crescograph, etc. He was the inventor of Wireless Telecommunications and was also the modern scientists who proved that plants also undergo emotions, can feel pain, understand affection, etc. He was indeed a self-made Ranaveer.
Not just human beings, but we can see a lot of struggle in the lives of animals and plants too. A butterfly pupa takes a lot of effort to come out of the cocoon. A flower bud has to take a lot of pressure to blossom. But if try to help them out to lessen their struggle, they die. Struggle is not an option; it’s a requirement for excellence.
Hanuman was a Ranaveer. He never stepped back when he faced any challenge. There are a lot of examples in Ramayan when anybody else other than Hanuman would have hesitated to face the problem. Be it crossing the Indian Ocean to Lanka, fighting the demons and creatures on the way to Lanka, burning whole of Lanka single handedly (or tailedly) or be it bringing Sanjeevani herb for Lakshman, Hanuman never hesitated even for a second to take up the challenge. If such a quality is developed by a person, no doubt he can be a great leader.
2. *Vidyaveer*: One who is well-read and widely-read is called a Vidyaveer.Many a times we find people who are either of these but not both. Some people are well-read in scriptures or sciences like Psychology, but don’t know how to apply these sciences in daily life. What’s the use of such learning? Some are widely-read, like News channel anchors & reporters, and have the knowledge of all the things going around in the world, but their life may be a tragedy. Again, what’s the use?
However, people like Chanakya, Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha, Swami Chinmayananda, who were well-read in the scriptures and widely-read about the happenings all over the world, which helps them to make us understand how the knowledge of the scriptures is applicable to the daily life, in the field of economics, in the betterment of the whole society.
Both academic knowledge and spiritual knowledge are important for a person to be an exceptional leader.
Hanuman was well-read with the scriptures and also had worldly knowledge. When he went to Lanka to find Sita, he had understood the enemy well. He must have definitely studied them otherwise there is never a possibility of going inside the enemy’s land unnoticed by anyone. His knowledge of the scriptures helped him maintain his poise at all times, differentiate between the good and the bad, evolve as a selfless devotee who never wanted fame or recognition.
3. *Daanveer*: Daanveer means one who is never hesitant to do charity. For him, charity is not something that he does once in a while. For him, charity is a habit. Because, he has understood that sharing is not shrinking, but sharing is expanding.
John Nash came up with a theory called ‘Game Theory’ where if two or more players are playing a game, there can be a win-win situation for all the players of they stop competing against each other and start moving together by understanding each others’ strategy and giving scope for everyone’s growth. When they start to help each other, they start growing together as a society, as an economy.
So, if a company or a nation needs to grow, knowledge resources need to be shared and not selfishly kept for oneself. If there are four people and each has got a particular kind of sweet, when they decide to share a portion of their sweet with others, everyone gets to taste four different varieties of sweets.
Whatever we have in excess, needs to be shared. Not just shared, it needs to be shared intelligently. Suppose in a town, there is a mango tree that produces a very good variety of mango. If the owner intelligently plants its seeds properly in different places in the town by giving it proper water, light and manure, and also sharing such seeds with others, very soon the town will be full of mango trees that will be producing the excellent variety of mango.
Each of us has some quality or knowledge in a particular field. Once we have discovered that quality / knowledge, it will enhance the moment we start sharing it with others. It can be music, handicraft, a cooking recipe, knowledge of a subject, anything. When we teach such things to others, a process of inner growth begins in us. But again, we should do it intelligently. It should be sharing with the right person. A nuclear scientist of a country should not be trying to be a Daanveer by sharing information with its neighbouring country.
Hanuman once saw that Bheema (also Vayuputra) is very proud of his strength. So, Hanuman thought of teaching him a lesson. One day when Bheema was going through a forest crushing everything that came in his way, he saw an old monkey lying on his path. He ordered the monkey to move its tail that was blocking Bheema’s way. The monkey replied that it’s too old and it can’t move its tail which feels very heavy for itself. So, it requested Bheema to move it himself. With all his anger and arrogance Bheema tried to move the tail, but in vain. After many attempts, he realized that this is no ordinary monkey. Bheema finally accepted his defeat and bowed in front of the monkey pleading him to reveal his true form. It was then Hanuman took his real huge form that stunned Bheema. This way Hanuman tried teaching Bheema the quality of humility that Hanuman had.
When Hanuman was brought in front of Ravana after he burnt Lanka with his tail, Hanuman even advises Ravana explaining (sharing knowledge) to him how powerful Rama is, and that by giving Sita back, Ravana can avoid defeat in the war.
4. *Dayaveer*: Daya means compassion. Compassion is not a word or a sad expression that we make when we hear sad news. It is an action that is done by going out of the way to help somebody.
Mata Amritanandamai: Millions of devotees throng at her feet to get a glimpse of her, to get a warm hug from her. People from far and wide come to see her and go back contented for all their worries got destroyed with a few words uttered by her. She has set up number of hospices & hospitals for the poor where they are treated free of cost, in additional to the other spiritual and educational institutions set up by her
C.O.R.D. (Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development): An undertaking of Chinmaya Mission that works for the empowerment of rural women in India & Sri Lanka who face a lot of social and economic problems. Their work have been in areas like encouraging self-confidence in young girls, fighting social injustice, channelizing the unutilized youth potential in rural areas, arranging self-help groups in arranging financial resources, primary healthcare services, rehabilitation of differently-abled people, nurturing children, natural resource management, etc.
Hundreds of organizations and thousands of people all around the world work for such noble causes just out of compassion. Their work results in the upliftment of the whole society. They are the true leaders who work silently out of sheer compassion towards the needy.
Hanuman was full of compassion and love for everybody. When Sugreeva had lost his kingdom was being troubled by Vali, Hanuman served Sugreeva selflessly. When Lakshmana was sinking after being hit but a powerful weapon sent by Indrajit (son of Ravana) during the war, Hanuman rescues him by bring Sanjeevani. When Sita had almost given up hope of Rama finding her and was about to give up her life, Hanuman reaches there at the right time and saves her life. Bharat had taken a promise from Rama that if Rama doesn’t return back to Ayodhya exactly after 14 years, Bharat would give up his life the very next day. Due to the war, when Rama and his army get a bit delayed in reaching Ayodhya, Bharat was already setting preparations for his suicide. Once again Hanuman goes ahead and reaches Ayodhya on time thus saving Bharat.
For Hanuman, compassion was not a choice; it was his duty.
5. *Tyaagveer*: Tyaag in Sanskrit has several meanings. One meaning is ‘sacrifice’, other is ‘detachment’. One who is able to sacrifice and serve by staying detached is a Tyaagveer.
History of India is full of people who displayed this quality. We can have a list of freedom fighters who gave up their life for the freedom of the country. We have had scientists, mathematicians, poets, philosophers, seers and sages who lived a life for the betterment of the society. All these people, even though from different backgrounds, had one thing in common. They all had a higher cause for which they worked, they existed, they Lived. For them, life was not just earning a living for themselves or their families. For them, life had a higher purpose. A purpose to which everything else could be sacrificed. The purpose could be God or nation or mankind or anything. And for them, all these different purposes made the same meaning.
Hanuman was an embodiment of sacrifice and service. Never ever in his entire life he did something for himself. When he was the minister of Sugreeva, he worked for Sugreeva. When he became the devotee of Lord Rama, Rama’s work was his work. In his life he had no personal goal.
When we say sacrifice in the literal sense, we mean, dropping something we have for a higher goal. But Hanuman was beyond that because he never had any personal possessions. He never considered any of his qualities also as ‘his’ qualities. So, as far as Hanuman was concerned, there was nothing ‘personal’ that he could sacrifice for Lord Rama. His purpose of existence was to serve Lord Rama.
For Tyaagveer, what better example can anybody think of other than Hanuman?
To be a leader of that standard, which Hanuman has set, is not impossible. We just have to keep contemplating on Hanuman Chalisa and start implementing the learning in us. The transformation will happen!
Jai Hanuman!
Jai Shree Ram!!
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Ayodhya Means Free Of All Conflicts
The Ramayana, a fascinating and enthralling epic, is not just a story that has been passed through generations; it has hidden treasures of deep mystical knowledge.
King Dasharatha lived in the kingdom of Ayodhya. Ayodhya is made up of the letters ‘a-yudh.’ ‘Yudh’ means battle or conflict. In our lives, conflicts seem to be all-pervading: disputes in the family; wars in the world; and incessant discord within – in our own minds. King Dasharatha had his ‘ratha’ under his mastery. Our body is a ratha (chariot) with ten sense organs – five of perception and five of action. A person who has mastery over this ratha lives in peace and harmony.
The king had three beautiful and virtuous wives – Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. These represent different virtues within us. Kaushalya, means well-being or prosperity. Sumitra signifies friendship and Kaikeyi is one who has both compassion and passion. When the queen showered kindness, she was a wonderful person but, later, overcome with selfish obsession, she became the conniving Kaikeyi.
With such a ruler, wedded to the welfare of his people, the kingdom enjoys peace and prosperity.
Similarly, when our mind becomes a Dasharatha – a master of the ten senses – and the intellect develops goodwill and kindness with the goal of helping others, our heart will be free from all conflicts – Ayodhya.
The birth of the Lord takes place in such an integrated personality that is dedicated to the service of the world. The word Rama means one who delights everybody; what truly delights us is happiness and this happiness is Rama. It is the Supreme Lord, the Infinite Reality that is revelling in everyone’s heart; This Rama is the Atma within all and manifests in the heart.
Why does the Lord take avatar? He can easily use anyone as an instrument to vanquish evil. He takes avatar to establish righteousness, when the good are being tyrannised by the wicked; when the Ravanas and Kumbhakarans of the world oppress the virtuous. This is in the macrocosm, but the Supreme also manifests in our hearts. How do we experience the Infinite, All-pervading Lord within ourselves?
The key element is devotion. The Atma, the Atmarama, is present within us; it is that because of which we see, hear, smell and taste; it is because of which we are alive. Yet, we do not know Him; we remain unaware of His presence. When the mind, like King Dasharatha, is full of devotion, a certain dispassion develops. The king is wedded to Kaushalya – one who represents a brilliant and bright intellect free from all selfishness and negativities. When the mind and intellect are focused on the Lord and we call out to Him by His name – Sri Rama – He reveals Himself. The Antahkaran is the inner equipment, the inner city, the inner space where Rama is experienced as a mass of inexplicable, unlimited happiness and bliss.
Rama is accompanied by his three brothers. Bharata indicates one who is full of love and ready to sacrifice. Lakshmana is a life of dedicated service, and the silent brother, Shatrughana, destroys our greatest enemy – the ego. When Rama enters, love and sacrifice, service and dispassion, selflessness and humility, will also emerge. Our heart, Ayodhya, becomes full of peace and joy.
Editorial by Swami Swaroopananda
The global head of Chinmaya Mission
King Dasharatha lived in the kingdom of Ayodhya. Ayodhya is made up of the letters ‘a-yudh.’ ‘Yudh’ means battle or conflict. In our lives, conflicts seem to be all-pervading: disputes in the family; wars in the world; and incessant discord within – in our own minds. King Dasharatha had his ‘ratha’ under his mastery. Our body is a ratha (chariot) with ten sense organs – five of perception and five of action. A person who has mastery over this ratha lives in peace and harmony.
The king had three beautiful and virtuous wives – Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. These represent different virtues within us. Kaushalya, means well-being or prosperity. Sumitra signifies friendship and Kaikeyi is one who has both compassion and passion. When the queen showered kindness, she was a wonderful person but, later, overcome with selfish obsession, she became the conniving Kaikeyi.
With such a ruler, wedded to the welfare of his people, the kingdom enjoys peace and prosperity.
Similarly, when our mind becomes a Dasharatha – a master of the ten senses – and the intellect develops goodwill and kindness with the goal of helping others, our heart will be free from all conflicts – Ayodhya.
The birth of the Lord takes place in such an integrated personality that is dedicated to the service of the world. The word Rama means one who delights everybody; what truly delights us is happiness and this happiness is Rama. It is the Supreme Lord, the Infinite Reality that is revelling in everyone’s heart; This Rama is the Atma within all and manifests in the heart.
Why does the Lord take avatar? He can easily use anyone as an instrument to vanquish evil. He takes avatar to establish righteousness, when the good are being tyrannised by the wicked; when the Ravanas and Kumbhakarans of the world oppress the virtuous. This is in the macrocosm, but the Supreme also manifests in our hearts. How do we experience the Infinite, All-pervading Lord within ourselves?
The key element is devotion. The Atma, the Atmarama, is present within us; it is that because of which we see, hear, smell and taste; it is because of which we are alive. Yet, we do not know Him; we remain unaware of His presence. When the mind, like King Dasharatha, is full of devotion, a certain dispassion develops. The king is wedded to Kaushalya – one who represents a brilliant and bright intellect free from all selfishness and negativities. When the mind and intellect are focused on the Lord and we call out to Him by His name – Sri Rama – He reveals Himself. The Antahkaran is the inner equipment, the inner city, the inner space where Rama is experienced as a mass of inexplicable, unlimited happiness and bliss.
Rama is accompanied by his three brothers. Bharata indicates one who is full of love and ready to sacrifice. Lakshmana is a life of dedicated service, and the silent brother, Shatrughana, destroys our greatest enemy – the ego. When Rama enters, love and sacrifice, service and dispassion, selflessness and humility, will also emerge. Our heart, Ayodhya, becomes full of peace and joy.
Editorial by Swami Swaroopananda
The global head of Chinmaya Mission
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