Friday, October 1, 2010

Shri Hanuman Chalisa: 17-24 Chaupais

Tumaharo mantra Bibhishan maana |

Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jaanaa ||17||


Vibhishana follows Shri Hanuman's Advice

Vibhishana (brother of Ravana) totally followed your counsel and became the king of Lanka for this very reason.This fact is renowned the world over.


Juge sahastra jojan par bhaanu |

Leelyo taahi madhur phal jaanu ||18||


Baba Hanuman Leaps to Swallow the Sun

You swallowed the sun which is at a distance of two thousand yojans(a measure of distance reckoned as between 4 to 18 miles), assuming it to be a sweet fruit.

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh maheen |

Jaldhi laanghi gaye achrach naaheen ||19||


Shri Hanuman Crosses the Mighty Ocean

Keeping the signet ring of Lord Rama in your mouth, you easily crossed over the mighty ocean, which is not a matter of astonishment.

Durgam kaaj jagat ke jete ||

Sugam anugreh tumhare tete ||20||


Tough Feats are Performed by the Grace of Shri Hanuman

All the tough tasks in this world which seem a burden can be simply overcome by your grace.

Ram duware tum rakhvaare |

Hoat na aagya binu paisare ||21||


Shri Hanuman Guards the Entry to Lord Rama

You are the sentry of Lord Rama's abode. No one can gain entry into his durbar or royal court without your consent.(In other words it is essential to have your mercy for attaining Lord Rama's grace.)


Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarna |

Tum rakshak kaahu ko darnaa ||22||



Shri Hanuman Protects His Devotees

The one who seeks your refuge gets all the joys of this mundane world. Above all the person who has your protection need not fear anything.


Aapan tej samhaaro aapei |

Teenon lok haank te kaanpai ||23||


The Three Lokas Tremble when Shri Hanuman Thunders

Solely you can take control of your mighty energy. All the three lokas (cosmological regions) tremble (with fear) when you thunder.


Bhoot pisaach nikat nahin aavain |

Mahavir jab naam sunaavain ||24||


Lord Mahaveer, ghosts and evil spirits can not lurk near devotees who chant your name!

Shri Hanuman Chalisa: 9-16 Chaupais

Sukshma roop dhari siyahi dikhava |

Vikat roop dhari lank jaraaya ||9||


Tiny Hanuman meets Sita

Assuming an extremely minute form you appeared before Sita.Whereas adopting a terrifying form you burnt the city of Lanka.


Bhim roop dhari asur sanghare |

Ramchandra ke kaaj sanvaare ||10||


The Mighty Hanuman

By assuming a huge and fearsome form you killed the demons and succeeded in fulfilling the mission assigned to you by Lord Rama.


Laye sanjivan lakhan jiyaye |

Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye ||11||


Getting the Sanjivani for Lakshmana

You brought Lakshmana back to life by getting the sanijavani herb (said to revive the dead.) Delighted with this deed of yours Lord Rama hugged you to his heart.


Raghupati kinhi bahut badai |

Tum mam priye bharat-hi sam bhai ||12||


Lord Rama & Bharat

Lord Rama praised you greatly and affirmed that you were as dear to Him as Bharat, His own brother.”


Sahas badan tumhare jas gaavein |

As kahi shripati kanth lagaavein ||13||


Lord Vishnu on the Sheshnaag

Confirming that the thousand-headed Sheshnaag (a snake said to carry the earth's weight on its hood and considered a symbol of eternity) will constantly sing your glories,the Lord of Lakshmi hugged you to his heart.

Sankadik brahmadi muneesa |

Narad sarad sahit ahisaa ||14||


Lord Brahma, the Creator

Sanaka (a saint) and other sages, Brahma (Creator of the Universe) and other deities, Narada and Saraswati (goddess of knowledge)forever sing your praises along with Sheshnaag.


Jam kuber digpaal jahaan te |

Kavi kobid kahi sake kahaan te ||15||


Kuber, the God of Wealth

How can poets and seers give an account of your glories when Yamraj (the god of death), Kuber (the god of wealth) and Digpaal(deities guarding all the directions)are incapable of singing of your fame in totality.


Tum upkaar sugrivahi keenha |

Ram milaye raaj pad deenha ||16||


Sugriva and Bali

You obliged Sugriva, the king of the monkeys, by introducing him to Lord Rama because of which he was enthroned as king of Kishkindha again.

Shri Hanuman Chalisa: 25-32 Chaupais

Naasai rog hare sab peera |

Japat nirantar hanumat beera ||25||


Chanting Shri Hanuman's Name Cures Us of Diseases

By constant incantation of the name of valiant Hanuman, one is cured of all diseases and our sufferings vanish.


Sankat te hanuman chhudhaavai |

Man kram vachan dhyaan jo laavai ||26||

Meditating upon Shri Hanuman Saves us from Misfortunes

Oh Hanumanji!You save the one who meditates upon you with mind, deed and word from all the misfortunes in life.


Sab par ram tapasvee raja |

Tinke kaaj sakal tum saaja ||27||

Shri Hanuman Accomplishes the Mission of Lord Rama

Ascetic Lord Rama is the king of all and you even fulfilled all his tasks successfully.


Aur manorath jo koi laavai |

Soi amit jeevan phal paavai ||28||

Shri Hanuman Fulfills our Desires & Grants Bhakti

Oh Hanumanji!Anyone who comes to you with any sort of longing,his desire is fulfilled and he attains bhakti or religious devotion as well.


Charon jug partaap tumhaaraa |

Hai prasidh jagat ujiyaara ||29||

Shri Hanuman is Famed in the Four Yugas

Your glory is renowned in all the four yugas (satyuga,treta dwapar and kaliyuga) and is radiant throughout the cosmos.


Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvaare |

Asur nikandan ram dulaare ||30||

Shri Hanuman the Saviour of Saints

You are the saviour of ascetic, saints and the virtuous, along with being the destroyer of demons. You are the darling of Lord Rama and He is very fond of you in particular.


Asht siddhi nau niddhi ke daata |

As bar deen janki mata ||31||

Mother Janaki Grants a Boon to Shri Hanuman

You have been conferred this boon by Mother Janaki that you can grant all the eight siddhis (yogic powers)and nine nidhis (all kinds of wealth) to anyone.


Ram rasaayan tumhaare paasaa |

Sada raho raghupati ke daasaa ||32||


Shri Hanuman Serving Lord Rama since Eternity

You have been in the service of Lord of the Raghus since eternity.And possess the medication of Lord Rama's Name which can get rid of the diseases of old age and those which are incurable.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Shri Hanuman Chalisa: 1st Doha & 1- 8 Chaupais

Doha

Shri guru charan saroj raj, nij mane mukure sudhar |

Varnao raghuvar vimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chari ||


After purifying the mirror of my mind with the dust of my Guru Maharaj's (spiritual preceptor) lotus feet, I give an account of the pristine glory of Shri Raghuvir (Hero of the Raghus, an epithet of Lord Rama), which grants righteousness, wealth,pleasure and salvation, the four fruits of life.


Budhiheen tanu jaanike, sumiraun pavan-kumar |

Bal budhi vidya dehu mohin, harhu kalesh vikar ||


Oh Pavan Kumar!(son of the wind god, an epithet of Hanuman). Well aware of the drawbacks of my body and mind, I am concentrating on you.Bestowing physical strength, good sense and true knowledge on me,kindly get rid of my sorrows and vices.


Chaupai

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar |

Jai kapees tihun lok ujagar ||

Victory be to thee, Shri Hanuman, the ocean of knowledge and

virtues which are infinite. Hail to you, Oh Kapishwar! (lord of the

monkeys)Your glory is famed in the three lokas (svaragloka of

Indra, bholoka or earthly region and pataal loka or the

underworld of hell.)



Ram doot atulit bal dhaama |

Anjani-putra Pavan sut naamaa ||


Anjani Putra, Hanuman

Oh Hanuman, envoy of Lord Rama! You are the repository of

unequalled strength and well known as Pavansut (son of the Wind God)

and Anjaniputra (born of Anjani.)


Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi |

Kumati nivaar sumati ke sangi ||


Oh valiant Bajrangbali! (strong of frame like the mace of Indra)You are extremely bold.

Dispelling evil thoughts, you are a companion of those having good sense.


Kanchan baran biraaj subesa |

Kaanan kundal kunchit kesaa ||

Lovely garments draping your golden-hued body, kundals
(large earrings as worn by yogis) adorning your ears and
curled hair look splendidly beautiful.

Haath vajra aur dhvaja viraaje |

Kaandhe moonj janeu saajai ||





The mace of lightning and the flag of victory are majestically held
in your hands.And the janeu or sacred thread of munja grass is
worn around your shoulder.




Shankar suvan kesri nandan |

Tej prataap maha jag vandan ||


KesriNandan, is the incarnation of Lord Shankar

You are renowned as the incarnation of Lord Shankar and by the name of KesriNandan (son of Kesri).Being extremely brilliant and glorious, you are adored by the entire world.


Vidyavaan guni ati chatur |

Ram kaaj karibe ko aatur ||


You are completely endowed with all the fields of learning. Being virtuous and sharply clever, you are always longing to do the task of Lord Rama.


Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya |

Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya ||


You are passionately absorbed in listening to the feats of Lord Rama. Therefore Lord Rama, Lakshman and Sita radiantly dwell in your heart forever.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

The Glory of Braj-Soil (raj) & Gau Seva for the Utsav of Shri Manohar Baba,Vrindavan

Shukdevji Narrating the Shrimad Bhagavat to Raja Parikshit

These days at Shuktaal (the place where Shukdevji narrated the Bhagavat Purana to King Parikshit) Srimad Bhagwat Saptahs are being held like every other year.The saptahs start from Shri Radhashtami and go on till Purnima.These are the very same days when Mahatam Shukdevji narrated the Bhagavat Purana to Raja Parikshit and the seven days time span ends on this Purnima.Currently in Vrindavan, the Srimad Bhagwat Saptah is going on at Raman Reti by great saint Bhaishree (Shri Ramesh Bahi Ojhaji) in honour of this tradition. It is a great coincidence that the Srimad Bhagwat Saptah held for our highly revered Shri Manohar Baba also began during this time frame and he gained entry into the eternal nikunja on purnima of the Bhadon Month, last year in 2009.


Shri Manohar Baba

This incident endorses the gopibhava of madhurya, the sweet and total commitment and love for Lord Krishna in Baba's nitya gopivesh and supremely saintly disposition (the realization that everyone is ultimately a nayika searching for Krishna.) In the 13th shloka of the last chapter of Shrimad Bhagavatam's tenth canto we have an account of the same purnima of Bhadrapada (the sixth month of the Indian lunar calendar.)Revered Baba had implicit faith in Braj-Raj (soil of Braj) or else why would he abandon everything and come to Braj for all times to come, at such a tender young age.


He belonged to Braj and kept serving its soil till the last moments of his life.He never left Vrindavan even on being critically ill because this was the stimuli of highly revered Shri Shri Maharajji, Baba's spiritual preceptor and inseparable Shri Ghanshyam Thakurji. Merely three days before his journey to Golok,


Shri Shri Maharaj ji

he had taken the permission from Shri Shri Maharaj ji, his spiritual guru, in front of highly revered Deviji.This is an unprecedented incident in the entire history of bhakti (religious devotion) and we are truly fortunate to have witnessed this spectacular event.Repeatedly we bow a million times at the feet of Manohar Baba, such an unparalleled and unique saint.


I would like to take you to the year 1990, about nineteen years back in time. Baba had come to Barsana on Shri Radhashtami.This time round we had a programme of going to Nandgaon, Gokul and so on, along with our revered Bobo, Sushila Bahinji and the aunties.One fine day while climbing stairs of the Nandgaon Temple, Baba became emotional and exulted


Lord Krishna & Balramji

“These are the very same lanes where five thousand years back Lord Krishna, Divine Incarnate and Balramji, his brother, used to roam around and they do the same even as of today.The soil of Braj is worthy of honour because of the dust of their feet while deities, nagas and gandharvas adulate this celestial land.Learned Udhava also prays that he may become some leaf or creeper in Vrindavan, the divine dham (place where Lord Krishna forever dwells.)


Nidhi Van

Gopis Relishing the Romantic Dalliance of Radha-Krishna

Seva Kunj

It is in Braj that we shall find the dark-hued Krishna fluting in its blossoming pastures. The trees growing here are actually saints steeped in religious meditation.The foliage of Nidhi Van and Seva Kunj are in fact gopis who have manifested to witness the divine play of Shri Bihariji and Shri Kishoriji. Brought up and blossoming in the soil of Braj, these trees motivate several sadhakas (religious aspirants).Sitting beneath their shade, many ascetics dedicatedly chant the mahamantra of Hare Ram even today and reach the heights of elation and ecstasy.


Lord Krishna-Balram with the Cows, their Wealth

Several devotees are a witness to the fact that Lord Krishna roams around in Braj Himself; frolicking in the temple of Shri Bihariji, the courtyard of Shri Radha Vallabhaji, at Shri Radha Ramanji and the Radha-Damodar Temple situated nearby.And all of us bow respectfully to this soil of Braj and are constantly blessed in the process.Who can possibly give an account of the glory of Braj Raj (soil of Braj.) This land has become absolutely divine with the dust of the feet of Lord Krishna, Kishoriji, Lalita-Vishaka, other ashta sakhis, the gopis, Shri Yamunaji and the sacred cows who roamed here about five thousand years back.


Goddess Katyayini

Lord Shiva assumes the form of Gopeshwar Mahadev Himself to take part in the maharaas (the round dance of Lord Krishna with the herdgirls of Braj) at Vanshi Vat. His divine consort Parvati resides in this land as Goddess Katyayini and


Vrinda Devi

Vrinda Devi is a sakhi of dark-hued Krishna's nitya lila or eternal divine play.


Shri Yamunaji is actually an intimate sakhi of Krishna. In the words of saint Ushaji, Shri Yamuna is Lord Krishna's prem pravihini (beloved) who bestows the dark-hued God's love on us.Shri Ushaji sings in joyous abandon,


Shri Yamuna, Lord Krishna's Beloved

“Hei bhanuja, hei svamini

hei Krishna, man abhi ramini

karke kripa karuna mayi

hei rasmayi mamta mayi

Shri Krishan rati-ras ka daan do

priya roop ras ka paan do

unka chirantan sang do

ras rang keli abhang do||


As far as the glory of the cows is concerned the letters of devotees which are published in 'Kalyan,' the religious monthly magazine, has articles explaining how chanting the name of God blesses us, how Shri Hanuman is merciful and how Gau Mata is compassionate.In other words cows are always merciful; they are in fact deities incarnate and above all Lord Krishna has declared his loka where he forever dwells, as Golok in honour of cows.


Govind & Gopal are Epithets of Lord Krishna

After grazing the cows when Lord Krishna returns in the evening at the time of cowdust, his face is charming like a lotus. The dark-hued Krishna's popular titles Govind and Gopal (cowherd) reveal the grand majesty of cows.


Nandbaba Donated Lakhs of Cows

Nande ke anand bhayo jai kanhaiya lal ki.” When Lala (baby Krishna) is born Nandbaba donates lakhs of cows. Lord Shiva, the supreme Vaishnava, ventures to the same soil of Braj for a glimpse of infant Krishna. It was the soil of Braj which vanquished the ego of Lord Brahma and the arrogance of Indra Dev.Nand Baba has been honoured with the rank of nand (head of the gopas) and Vrishbhanuji, the father of Kishoriji, with the title of upnand (sub-head of the gopas) depending on the number of cows they owned, which were the wealth of their village. Govardhan means one who assists in the rearing of cows.


Lord Krishna Lifts Mount Giriraj

At merely seven years of age, Lord Krishna picks up Mount Giriraj(to shelter the people of Braj and their herds from the lashing rains sent by Indra) for their protection and is acclaimed as Goverdhan Dhari (supporter of Goverdhan.) Let us sing in unison, 'Giriraj Dharan ki jai!'(An epithet of Krishna who lifted mount Giriraj.)


Devarshi Narad

Regarding the cowherdesses ,Devarshi Narad construes the love of gopis as transcendental love of the highest order in the 'Narada Bhakti Sutra'(a well known sutra venerated within the traditions of Hinduism, purportedly spoken by the famous sage Narada.The text details the process of devotion (bhakti) or bhakti yoga.)Lord Krishna declares with his own divine voice in the tenth canto that the love of the gopis is the zenith of spiritual awareness and so unearthly that He is forever indebted to them.


Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar

Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar, the founder of Kalyan, a religious magazine, writes in his commentary that they are not ordinary gopis (cowherdesses) but supremely accomplished rishis-munis, ardently longing for Braj Raj (soil of Braj), who incarnate in the Dwapar Yuga after ages of austere penance.Several of them are sakhis of Lord Rama's time in Mithila, Janakpuri and other regions who manifest as the ali parikar (female friends) of Lord Krishna's incarnation for the sake of Lord Rama who is Maryada Incarnate.


Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Several of the sites in Braj had vanished due to the ill effects of Kaliyuga.About 500 years back Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was actually devotion incarnate, sent his intimate bhaktas and got the sites of Braj manifested. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to Braj and had the Radha Kund appear again, by Himself.


Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharya

In the same manner Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhacharyaji, the founder of Pusthimarg, also visited Braj and journeying all over the place revealed the significance of the enchanting Braj Bhoomi (ground.) He started the popular tradition of the eighty-four kos (approx 2 miles) parikrama (circumambulation) of Braj, which is continuing till date.


Shri Banke Bihariji Thakur

Svami Shri Haridas

Svami Shri Haridasji's manifesting Shri Bihariji Thakur and


Shri Radha Vallabh Thakur

Shri Hit Harivanshji

Hit Harivanshji's manifesting Shri Radha Vallabh Thakur seemed to declare that the saints and mahatmas of Braj Raj (soil of Braj) were worthy of being worshipped. Mira Bai, the bhakti poet-saint who was an icon of love, lived in Braj for several years and Braj Bhoomi has been the base for Surdas and the ashtachhaap kavis.Shri Nathji manifested here in the lowlands of Giriraj.We get an account of Goswami Tulsidasji, the author of Shri Ram Charit Manas, visiting Braj once.


Therefore not only the dust of the feet of Lord Krishna, Kishoriji, the pristine sand of Yamunaji, gopis, denizens of Braj and the sacred cows is gathered in the Braj Raj (soil of Braj) but rather it has become more reverential due to the pure dust of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Vallabhacharyaji, and their likes incarnating in various yugas.


Shri Roop Goswami

Not just Roop & Sanatan Goswami, several mahatmas of the Gaudiya Sect,Pushtimarg and Radha Vallabh Sect, roll about in this soil but several other holy men of the highest order consider Braj Raj (soil) as their prime spiritual preceptor,while residing permanently in Braj.


Shri Radha Baba

The spiritually evolved Bhai Poddarji, who actually had darshan of Lord Vishnu and Priya-Priyatam also ventured here.Highly honoured Shri Radha Baba had come here once and conscientiously served the granules of Braj Raj in Gorakhpur which was his permanent abode.


Ma Anandamayi

The dedicated devotion of highly revered Shri Devariya Baba, Ma Anandamayi, Shri Hari Baba, Udiya Baba, Svami Shri Sharan Anandji Maharaj, Thakur Sitaram Onkar Nathji Maharaj, Shri Ramdasji Maharaj, revered Pandi Gaya Prasadji Maharaj, Bhaktmaliji, Goswami Lalila Shachinandan Baba, Priya Sharanji Maharaj, Kripasindhu Dasji Maharaj, Madan Mohan Dasji, Goswami Binduji, Prabudatt Brahmachariji, Svami Akhanda Nand Saraswati, Mukund Hariji, Shri Shri Paad Baba, Shri Anand Das Baba, Shri Jatiji Maharaj, Shri Durga Ma, our own Shri Shri Maharajji,Ghansyam Thakurji, honourable Shri Manohar Baba, Saint Usha Bahenji, Dharam Bahenji and Lalitji is renowned the world over.



Revered Bobo & Shiela Bahenji

We are able to have darshan of Rama Deviji,Kusumji, Manoramaji and our revered Shiela Bahenji who are living icons having implicit faith in Braj, even as of now. In fact the spiritual discussion we are having today has been made feasible for us entirely due to the grace of Deviji.

Braj Bhoomi Mohini

There are several other great saints who have considered Braj-Raj (soil of Braj) as the sole foundation of their lives but whose biographies are yet to be unveiled. However we can somewhat understand the glory of Braj-Raj through sacred texts like 'Bhaktmal', '265 Vaishnavan Ki Varta', 'Braj Ke Bhakt' and 'Braj Bhoomi Mohini', monthly spiritual magazines like 'Shri Hari Naam' and divine literature published by Braj Nidhi Prakashan and Tamaal Kunj.I repeatedly bow a million times before such a celestial soil of Braj which is actually a manifestation of Lord Krishna's grace.We can gather some knowledge of the majestic grandeur of Braj-Raj solely by His mercy.


Shri Radha-Krishna

Let us all acclaim in unison, “Hail to Braj-Raj and Priya-Priyatam who divinely dally here everday. VRINDAVAN VIHARI LAL KI JAI! (Vihari Lal or sportive Lord Krishna of Vrindavan!)