Saturday, June 12, 2010

1st & 2nd Verses of Shri Hanuman Bahuk & Shri Ramraksha Stotra

Shri Hanuman Bahuk: 1st Verse


Sindhu-taran, Siya-soch-haran, Rabi-baalbaran-tanu |

Bhuj bisaal, moorti karaal, kaalhuko kaal janu ||

Gahan-dahan-nirdahan-lank nihsank, bank-bhuv |

Jaatudhaan-balvaan-maan-mad-davan pavansuv ||

Kah Tulsidas sevat sulabh, sevak hit santat nikat |

Gunganat, namat, sumirat, japat, saman sakal-sankat-bikat ||


The one whose body hue is like the colour of the rising sun, who crossed the ocean and dispelled the grief of Shri Jankiji (a title of Sita, the daughter of Janaka), whose hands are long enough to reach the knee(sign of great warriors), the one with an intimidating face, who seems the eventual destiny of kaal (time of death) itself.


Tulsidasji says that by attending to the needs of Pawan Kumar (a title of Hanumanji, the son of wind), the one who defiantly torched the dense forest of Lanka which was not worth burning, who has slanting eyebrows and shatters the proud arrogance of powerful demons, the god becomes easily accessible, always staying close to be good to those who serve him. And he annihilates terrifying disasters when we sing his glories, propitiate him, meditate upon him and chant his name.


Ramraksha Stotra: 1st Verse


Charitam Raghunaathasya shut koti pravistaram |

Ekaikam aksharam punsaam mahaa paatak naashanam ||


The life history of Lord Raghunath (title of Ram) is very extensive, and its every word destroys the worst sins of mankind.


Shri Hanuman Bahuk: 2nd Verse

Svaran-saail-sankas koti-rabi-tarun-tej-ghan |

Ur bisaal, bhujdandh chand nakh bajra bajratan ||

Ping nayan, bhrikutee karaal rasnaa dasnaanan |

Kapis kes, karkas langoor, khal-dal bal bhaanan ||

Kah Tulsidas bas jaasu ur maarutsut moorti bikat |

Santaap paap tehi purush panhi sapnehun nahin aavat nikat ||


The one whose physique is like SuMeru, the sacred mountain made of gold, who is eternally brilliant like crores of midday suns, is magnanimous, has extremely strong arms, is endowed with a body and nails which can be equated to the hardness of a diamond. His eyes are yellow whereas the eyebrows, tongue, teeth and face are dreadful, hair are brown in colour, the tail is unrelenting and destroys the force of the wicked.


Tulsidasji says that grief and sins do not dare to pester a person even in his dreams if the fearsome form of Hanumanji resides in his heart.


Shri Ramraksha Stotra: 2nd Verse


Dhyaatvaa nilotpal shyaamam Ramam rajeev lochanam |

Jaanaki lakshmanopetam jataa mukut manditam || 2 ||


Come let us meditate on the one who is blue-hued like the indigo plant, has lotus eyes and is adorned with a crown of matted hair. Let us do smarana or concentrated imaginative recollection of that unborn and omnipresent Lord Rama along with Janki (title of Sita, daughter of Janaka) and Laxmanji.


Friday, June 11, 2010

Shri Hanuman Bahuk & Shri Ramraksha Stotra: The two hymns complement each other


The Hanuman Bahuk sings the glories of Shri Hanumanji and was written by Goswami Tulsidasji to relieve him of intense pain.


Whereas Lord Shiva ordered Rishi Budhakaushika in his dream to write the Ramraksha Stotra.Since Shri Hanumanji is considered to be the eleventh incarnation of Shiva we can say that he composed the Ramraksha stotra to please Lord Rama his isht or favoured deity.


When the Hanuman Bahuk and Ramraksha Stotra are read one after the other in quick succession they become a great asset in alleviating the suffering of mankind.

Shri Hanuman Bahuk & Shri Ramraksha Stotra: Introduction

Shri Hanuman Bahuk


Around the year 1664 in the Vikrama era, Goswami Tulsidasji had intense pain born out of vaat or wind humour (one of the three bodily humours.Its imbalances are responsible for all diseases according to the science of Ayurveda) hurting his arms and was in agony due to eruptions on the skin. Several cures like medicine, amulets, mantras (incantations of the Vedas' sacred verses) trotak (a raga) were tried but the illness escalated day by day instead of reducing.


Finally dejected Goswami Tulsidasji began a prayer to Shri Hanumanji to be released from this unbearable torture.And due to the grace of Anjani Kumar (a title of Hanumanji, the son of Anjani) the excruciating pain vanished.


This is the same renowned 'Hanuman Bahuk stotra (hymn of praise) consisting of 44 padas (verses of devotional poetry). Innumerable devotees of Shri Hari and upasakas of Shri Hanumanji constantly recite it and are delighted on having their cherished wish fulfilled.Chanting this stotra which grants instant fruition, during a calamity with reverence and implicit faith has proven to be blissful for bhaktas of Ram. We have prepared an English version of the Hanuman Bahuk and hope it will be a great help in grasping the padas for lovers of Ram.

Shri Ram Raksha Stotra


The correct method of reciting the Ram Raksha Stotra


Every day for nine days of the navratras after getting free from daily obligations and bathing, one must wear clean clothes and sit in a comfortable posture on a seat made of kusa grass (a sacred grass used in brahmanical ceremonies) in the hour before dawn. Intently concentrating on the beneficent svarupa of Lord Rama, read this great stotra which grants fruition at least eleven times. In case this is not possible recite it seven times in accordance to the prescribed rules.


The reader of the hymn will be rewarded in proportion to the intense respect he holds for the shaktis or powers of Shri Ram. The 'Ram Rakshakavach' is somewhat lengthy but we can make do with this shorter version.The stotra should be chanted with absolute peace and implicit faith so that we end up knowing it by heart.


Specific purpose of the Shri Ramraksha Stotra:


Aasya Shriramrakshastotramantrasya budhkaushik rishi:

ShriSitaramchandro devta anushtup chanda: Sita shakti:

Shriman Hanuman keelkam ShriRamchandrapreetyeRthe

Ramrakshastotrajape viniyogah: |


Budh Kaushik Rishi is the composer of the Ramraksha Stotra and its deities are Shri Sita-Ramchandra.The metre is anushtup ( a verse of thirty-two letters in Sanskrit), Shri Sita is the energy and Hanumanji is the pivot. The Ramraksha Stotra is used in japa or incantation for pleasing Shri Ramchandraji.


(Every mantra has a deity, energy and pivotal point coupled with its composer, meter and specific usage.)


Meditating on the Mantra


Dhyaaedaajaanu baahum dhritshardhanusham badhhpadmaasanastham

Peetam vaaso vasaanam navkamaldalspardhinetram prasannam |

Vamaankaarooddh sita mukhkamal milallochanam neerdaabham

naanaalankaar deeptam dadhat murujataamandalam Ramchandram ||


Now we begin meditating on the mantra.The one who is holding a bow and arrow, is resplendent in the lotus position, is wearing yellow garments, whose delighted eyes compete with petals of a budding lotus and are focused on the lotus face of Shri Sitaji sitting on his left. Let us concentrate on Shri Ramchandra whose hands are long enough to reach the knee (sign of great warriors), who is the colour of the condensed sky,is adorned with various ornaments, and is wearing thick matted hair.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Chapter 44: Bobo's Views On Some Other Spiritual Contexts

Several times associates would question revered Bobo about spirituality and she would lucidly explain her perspective in satsangs and answer their queries. We are going to give a concise account below:


Blue-hued Krishna's Beauty & Love

“We must be convinced that He is ours for sure.And the body must also sense it,”  Bobo would say about blue-hued Krishna's love.

 " How can we be sure He is ours without seeing Him?" they would ask.

 “We must keep the company of his devotees, observe love-lorn Braj beauties who experience the joy of his presence and attain the same state. The intertwining roles of this enraptured state and Krishna's ineffable beauty can not be separated or identified" she would explain.


Sakhis Relising the Rasa of dark-hued Krishna

Finding Krishna is extremely easy. Sakhis relishing the rasa of that dark god sang in joyous abandon and that is the very essence of padas and shlokas composed by rasikas.When we also get lost in that lovingly tender form-in the longing of that adulating sakhi, the song becomes effectual.


Meditate Upon Shri Radha-Krishna

“Whether we are miserable or delighted we must imaginatively recollect or do smarana of the beautiful Yugal  by calling out to them constantly.They are omnipresent and omniscient for certain. Above all Radha-Krishna are most beloved, the soul and essence of our lives. if we do not relieve ourselves by revealing our inner feelings to them,who else shall we turn to?," adds Bobo.


Shrimad Bhagwat Puran

Throwing light on the Shrimad Bhagwat and its significance, Bobo clarifies, "The Shrimad Bhagwad is not merely a scripture-it is Lord Krishna in the form of a religious text. The topic expounded in this text is about captivating Braj Raj and Supreme Lover of the gopis manifesting as Krishna to draws His devotees and makes them His own.


Narration of Krishna's countless legends touches and attracts those who are pure of heart but can not be relished fully without an ardent longing to loot the joyous abandon of His proximity. Such a person does not get instinctive joy in other discussions, topics and persons, his heart tries to find refuge in Krishna. Assaying oneself on this touchstone if one seems inclined towards other subjects,  one must repeatedly pray to this sacred couple the Yugal for delivering us from this situation. 


The Lotus Feet of Shri Radhe-Krishna

 “The aim of life, bhajans and satsangs is not merely spending time in renunciation and sacrifice but absolute entrustment and intense love for the lotus feet of Shri Radhe-Krishna.This is not dependent on any means but the company of devotees. Repeatedly reading about God's ways and singing His glories easily grant us His precious love," clarifying her views at one instance, says Bobo.

Regarding chanting of God' name and japa she says, “ It is best to pray by taking His name so that he catches hold of us. Actually speaking name and the divine are in essence a single entity.”


Japa Mala

Japa is not just turning the beads of the mala (Vaishnava rosary) and chanting but when it becomes a recollection of His name, smarana (inner practice of concentrated meditation) and chintan (reflecting or thinking) of the nami or Supreme Being, a tabloid of His beauteous form and repeated rushes of His lilas invade our mind, it is true japa or incantation. Though nothing is in our hands and absolutely depends on His grace Krishna is always desirous to bestow His grace on us-we must ask Him day in and day out just to let us become conscious of this fact.

Describing the svarupa of love revered Bobo says at one place, “Love is such a vast, pure and tender word and Brahma or ultimate in words. Due to this English acharyas have acclaimed, “Love is God and God is love.” Actually speaking it is the other name of the handsomely decked Ras Raj,which has the tangible form of Krishna's terrifying rush of love.The living presence of His loving tenderness is apparent since He is the Supreme Lover Himself..."



Shri Hari is Rasa

The Vedas have acclaimed Shri Hari as rasa and this rasa is love. The love visible in living beings is a dim reflection of this divine love. Usually smeared with self interest it appears tarnished.



Love Flourishes in the Refuge of Shri Radha-Krishna

In the refuge of Radha-Krishna the love which flourishes on bonding with the Divine Couple, evidently works towards our attaining Shri Hari; it is stripped of physical contact, worldly lust and personal joy. We must fulfill this transcendental love to the best of our ability so that we are enflamed and not calmed until the ardent lover Krishna placates us with His loving tenderness.The joy of belonging is followed by the pathos of longing. The passionate cycle of love is constant with succeeding episodes of union and separation.


Those enraptured cowherdesses of Braj are constantly drawn by the Supreme Lover but when that delicious anguish invades their heart with a terrifying rush it draws Krishna at that very moment.And that reminiscence soon transforms into a romantic dalliance since the son of Nanda is charmed by their intense yearning.



Krishna's Mysterious Love

At one instance Bobo says, “ Recollection is a word which gives tangible form to its meaning. Just a short while ago Krishna was nearby, the spirited Paramour got up and went probably to that nikunja and this crazed maiden was restless.The emptiness of His absence makes Her feel as if ages have passed. Her eyes well up with tears, she seems to be ailing, the maiden who dallied with Krishna a short while ago.The dalliance has turned into an imaginative recollection of His mysterious and sudden love.


The slightest footfall makes her feel that the Supreme Lover has arrived. And the black cuckoo calls out in the mango groves but it isn't the dark god. She recalls that during the ardent days of spring when Krishna had imitated the cry of a black cuckoo and exiting from some dense nikunja, he had incarnated right in front.In the union of the lover and the beloved, they had reached the heights of elation and ecstasy.


 Impassioned Radha-Krishna

Discussing affection at one place Bobo says, “Resolving the questions and answers centred on affection is neither possible in any bhava nor in any language.Despite being immersed in the impassioned Yugal no one could get a definite answer to their love laden questions. The bond of love is not for resolving ( a doubtful matter).Topics, worldly dealings, mundane doubts and apprehensions can be solved in this mundane world but in the spiritual realm there is nothing definite.


Shri Radha-Krishna's Sidelong Glance

Clarifying her opinion on desire and resolve she says, “Whenever we start any work, we certainly think of completing it.When such thoughts surge forth desire assumes the form of resolve and success is achieved instantly. The essence of all doctrines is to be completely absorbed in this loving Yugal. All this becomes easy due to the compassionate glance of Radha-Krishna.


Our means is permanent anguish, an ardent longing and meditating upon the sacred couple,-calling out to them-and being so engrossed that one is not conscious of other thoughts.As fruition this impassioned Priya-Priyatam make us insane by getting their love looted. On their becoming visible our yearning finds respite and we are not distanced from them.”

Bobo clearly assures us at one juncture,“ One should not be apprehensive about Bobo abandoning us. Bobo will not discard us if we remain by the side of Krishna.Rather she will come closer. By your treading on the path of the Supreme Lover we will be stripped of other thoughts, desires, wishes, longings for them.


Creepers of An Evergreen Tree

The coming together of the son of Nanda and His devotees assembles His close ones like the creepers of an evergreen tree. The dark god's sudden and mysterious love invades their hearts filling them with inspiration and delight. In this sweet spiritual realm what is worth leaving is easily abandoned on its own and what is worth holding on to comes into our grasp instinctively.


You will have no difficulty in doing lila chintan or imaginative recollection of living through the countless playful legends of Radha-Krishna. Sakhaji's (a siddha) loving grace has made the handsome god's lila madhuri easily available for us-at the behest of the handsome Rasika. Those moved by passionate religious devotion for Krishna have sung with enthused exultation of Radha-Krishna's amorous frolics.Gaining entry, let us peep at the beautiful Yugal absorbed in their most intimate transcendental exchanges and be steeped in their madhurima or sweetness.


Highly Revered Usha Bahenji Fondly Known as Bobo

“When the mind is in our control and concentrates on the beautiful Yugal we reach the heights of elation and ecstasy. But even if the mind wanders, the body should be disciplined and this gradually gets the mind under control," says Bobo  at one point,


Krishna, the Ultimate Being

“ Abounding with faith, the mature state of love is known as bhakti. Discarding deceit and fraud and seeking refuge in handsome Shyam is the focused aim of devotion. As long as the mind is pretentious and arrogant, desiring personal glory and fame, it is tough to be religious. Steeped in bhakti, a passionate hymn singing the glories of Krishna, the mind moves away from topical reflection and gets absorbed in the Ultimate Being,"Lucidly expressing her perspective on religious devotion she explains.


Searching for Krishna

In the context of the searcher and the sought Bobo says, "Krishna and a longing for Him can not be separated or identified. Even so may the yearning incarnate and support us. Setting in motion its visible splendour, sweet picture, and divine play in our bodies minds and souls, may it keep us in close proximity.”

“Much sweeter than walking on the commendable path of responsibility is to constantly roam in the passionate lanes abounding with the Supreme Lover's terrifying rush of love,"she endorses.

Lotus Feet of Shri Hari

Telling us the course of getting true peace Bobo says at one point, “ Up until the mind does not get fastened to the pristine lotus feet of Shri Hari our wandering around aimlessly does not end. 

Tamogunis are those who are ignorant, full of malice and busy with wicked deeds,the rajogunis are involved in various businesses, and sadgunis are concerned with mankind's well being, compassion, and other virtues.



The Bhagvad Gita

Telling us the course of getting true peace Bobo says at one point that Lord Krishna has said in the Gita, “Rise above the three gunas (the three constituents of nature viz. Sattva 'goodness', rajas 'passion' and tamas 'darkness') only then will you get true peace.”


Krishna's Lotus Feet

Physical ailments are cured by medicines but relief from a diseased mind is possible by being closely attached to the lotus feet of this handsome Braj Raj.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Chapter 43: Bobo Meets Pandit Gaya Prasadji, Her Mother Passes Away



Revered Pandit Shri Gaya Prasadji Maharaj

The matter dates back to the eighties. Revered Pandit Gaya Prasadji had Hari Vallabhji convey through Vijay that he wanted to meet Bobo in the year 1977. Those days Vijay was residing in Giriraj  and on returning to Vrindavan he presented the entire episode. 

 Bobo smiled and when Vijay asked the reason, she said,”I will explain later.” 


Shri Radha Rani

Shri Radha Ashtami was coming in the near future and Bobo made a plan of going to Giriraj with Shri Thakur as was her usual practice. Her intimate friend Sushilaji, Vijay and a couple of other Bahens accompanied her. They reached Shri Giriraj and fixing the time went for darshan of Pandit Gaya Prasadji, the next day. He instinctively respected devotees and was waiting beforehand, absorbed in meditation. His attendant Thakurji Dasji informed him about Bobo's arrival.

Gently folding both his hands, half bent Panditji ran speedily from this end and Bobo pacing faster then Sushila Bahenji and Vijay, hurried from the other. Both were overwhelmed by affection for each other. Panditji, a paradigm of righteousness stood welcoming her while Bobo, an icon of humility, clad in a white dhot and head covered, bowing respectfully before him who was like her father, was emotional.Their bond had paternal affection, motherly love, sakha bhava and above all transcendental love within the context of restrictive social constraints.


A Sakhi Meets Her Close Sakhi

It seemed as if one sakhi had met her close sakhi after a long time and it was the coming together of two bhaktas absorbed in the love of Krishna, the Supreme Lover.Their bodies were distinct but minds relished the same rasa of Krishna like two black bees.

At one end sat Panditji's attendant whereas revered Sushila Bahenji and Vijay sat at the other.Several topics were discussed and the voice of Panditji laden with essence gushed forth through the medium of writing and sound.

Meanwhile a speaker of the Shrimad Bhagwat arrived. He had seen Bobo sitting next to Panditji from a distance and asked simply like a denizen of Braj,“Panditji I can not refrain myself on seeing such a strange marvel today! We have never heard of women entering your residence leave alone sighting such a scene.”

Revered Bobo

Quiet for a few seconds, Panditji explained in a straightforward fashion,“Bhaiyo! She can not be termed a woman.Bobo belongs to the nij parikar (inner circle of Krishna) and has come to earth for a specific purpose.She is my elder sister and I am just a young boy.”

The matter was very strange and still is. Moved by conventional norms, not meeting women as a matter of principle, Panditji had firmly resolved to abide by this practice. He never allowed any sort of laxity regarding the matter since he wanted to establish an ideal state of righteousness for future sadhakas and thus this sequence was followed stringently.


Bobo had evaded an answer earlier but now when Vijay asked about her laughter she replied with absent minded simplicity, “ Revered Panditji is the glory of today's era. It is rare to find a competent person with a clear perspective, who is warm hearted, compassionate and humane like him in this world.” Saying so she bowed reverentially and revealed,



Shri Giriraj Parikrama

“Some years back, revered Bobo was going for circumambulation of Shri Giriraj with her mother Shyamaji, Shri Sushilaji, Bahens Uma-Darshan and others. It was summer and all of them stopped near Lakshmi Narayan Temple for some time. They came to know that a mahatama resided there.Since they had not been introduced yet, some Bahens were curious to have his darshan but found out that he did not meet women.


Mirabai


Srila Jeev Goswami

Revered Bobo remembered the incident where Jeev Goswamiji had refused to meet Mirabai in Vrindavan saying that he did not meet women.

“Well being a saint Panditji does not need this restraint.We will have his darshan when he summons us on his own,” Bobo had resolved.

 Later on they would go to Giriraj and visit him. But she had longed to meet him with a particular kinship and oneness and was ecstatic on seeing revered Panditji affectionate and warm behaviour  now.

Ever since Bobo would visit Panditji every year when she went to Giriraj. They would discuss spiritual doctrines and Krishna's divine play. 

 Once for no particular reason Bobo asked,“Panditji! All the saints and bhaktas roaming in the lowlands of Giriraj have been adulating Shyama-Shyam absorbed in their lilas. You have been residing in Shri Giriraj for years and the blue-hued god has been drawing you with his spirited antics.Kindly Bless us with a bit of His grace.”

Teary eyed he bowed, reaching the heights of elation and ecstasy.

“Rasikan has said the truth, and revealed my condition...” he exulted soon after.



Manohar Bhaiya (right) With Bobo

Similarly when Bobo went again accompanied by Sushila Bahenji and Vijay, Panditji was so emotional that he began describing the lilas of Priya-Priyatam. He narrated the divine play of Priyaji's incarnation in Braj and revealing the tale of other sakhis' manifestation, was delighted. When this episode was disclosed to Manohar Dasji in Vrindavan he wondered how this was possible because apart from the playful dalliances of Krishna's childhood, Panditji would never give an account of the dark god's madhurya or other such episodes of sweet romance.

Boboji's Mother Passes Away
 
We have said earlier that Bobo's mother  was affectionate towards everyone. due to her large heartedness and lovable nature. Having intense interest in Vrindavan and Vrindavan Vihari, she had come to reside in the dham and was staying with her.



Shri Radha-Krishna Kripa Kataksh Stotras

She would spend most of her time in chanting Shri Radha-Krishna Kripa-Kataksh and japa along with attending to the needs of sadhus. The grace of the mahatmas of Braj and Vrindavan would shower constantly on her since she was a devout Hindu who was earnestly religious.



'jivanena dhane nityam radha-krishna gatirmama 

 In the month of April, 1977 while chanting the 'jivanena dhane nityam radha-krishna gatirmama she left her worldly abode.


Well Ma Shyama was living with Bobo and had implicit faith in Vrindavan, Bobo had no restraint due to this but a certain responsibility. As long as her mother lived, the independent spontaneity of renunciation was slightly bound by societal constraints. After she passed away, detachment escalated in Bobo's daily routine and steadfast renunciation linked to the love of Shyama-Shyam, became apparent and spilled over.

Revered Bobo writes at one place,“ Revered Bauji (In several Bhatnagar families the word Bauji is used for mother) left as if one gets up from this room and goes to another.She bore no grief or ailment and neither any attachment to anyone nor the ensnarement of delusion.”

Bobo was neither attached nor detached to her mother.Solely a responsible friendship was apparent towards her mother who had carried Bobo in her womb and reared her with maternal affection in childhood.

The salvation of this mother who had given birth to such a gem was predestined. 

 “She had left her body only after darshan of Shyam-Shyam.”After she departed revered Shri Balkrishan Dasji Maharaj had confirmed.

“Today I have seen a fully decked sakhi, departing for Golok,”Mata Shyamaji of Majitha (Amritsar) had told a friend early in the morning,

Introduction to Shri Radhika Dasji, a saint of Andhra

During these very days Shri Radhika Dasji Maharaj ( Nanna Garu) came into contact with Bobo. Childlike in nature, longing for the world's well being and respecting everyone, Radhika Dasji was so impressed by Bobo's firm resolve in the feet of Priya-Priyatam, spiritual dignity, lucid and philosophical perspective that he developed great respect for her along with affection. 

“ The spiritual sensitivity of Guru Ma is reflected and spills over in every act of Bobo's. Such a selfless bhava in the realm of bhakti, a persona laughing in joyous abandon and a self-assured majestic demeanour has not been seen by me in today's era,” he would always say.

“A life dedicated to attending the needs of Priya-Priyatam, moved by inspiration and delight in discussing Shri Krishna,


Bobo's Thakurji

it is not easy to have the living presence of Lord Krishna's madhurya in the Thakurji svarupa which Bobo served. From where can we gather words to describe such a great personality.”

It was his practice to send bhaktas coming to him for darshan to her.



(Maharajji was working as a high official in the education department of Andhra Pradesh Government. Full of love for the feet of Radha Rani, he was instinctively blessed and set free on submitting his resignation. Now he was absolutely engrossed in serving Shyama-Shyam. Along with a desire of serving mankind his religious devotion impressed several confused people. His dedicated devotees have a permanent connection with Shri Vrindavan even today.)