Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Marriage of Shri Ram and Sita, Baalkand of Shri Ram Charit Manas-2

Cau.: suranhu sumangala avasaru jana, barasahi sumana bajai nisana.

siva brahmadika bibudha barutha,caRhe bimananhi nana jutha. 1


The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

Knowing it to be an auspicious occasion the deities began to shower flowers and beat drums with fervour. Shiva, Brahma and all the other gods sat in the aerial cars with their respective groups.The hair on their bodies stood erect with the thrill of rapture. There was an ardent longing in everyone's heart to see the wedding of Lord Rama.

Janakpur, the Capital of Janaka

All the gods were delighted to see Janakpur, the capital of Janaka and their own realms appeared of lower ranks in comparison. Amazed they would gaze at the wonderful pavilions and transcendental creations. Both men and women of the city were mines of beauty, well-formed, pious, beautiful, of good character and discerning. The gods and goddesses appeared lacklustre in their presence like stars seem pale in front of the luminous moon. Brahma, the Creator, was astounded in particular for nowhere did he see his own handiwork (creation).


That is when Lord Shiva explained to everyone,“ You all must not be wonder-struck and calmly ponder over the fact that it is the wedding of Shri Sita (the personal divine energy of God) and Shri Ram (an incarnation of the Supreme Being) who rules over the entire universe."


Lord Shiva Riding Nandishwar, the Bull

"All the evil doings of this mundane world are uprooted by the very mention of whose names and the four goals (arth,kam,dharm and moksa) of life easily come within our grasp, these are the very same Sitå and Råma (the parents of this world),"asserted Shiva, the foe of Cupid. In this way admonishing the deities, Lord Shankar spurred on Nandishwar, his noble bull.


King Dashratha Venturing to Janaka's Palace

The gods beheld a very ecstatic and thrilled Dasharatha riding (to Janaka's palace) with an assemblage of holy men and brahmans. All the four handsome princes shone by his side as if they were incarnations of the four types of final moksa or deliverance (salokya, sarupya, samipya, sayujya). The gods loved to see the handsome pairs of brothers who were dark and fair-hued like emerald and gold respectively. Delighted to see Ramchandra ji in paticular, deities sang the glories of Dashratha and began showering flowers.


Lord Shankar & Uma

Repeatedly gazing at the handsome form of Shri Ramchandra, Lord Shankar was rapturous along with Uma and their eyes welled with tears of joy.


The Divine Beauty of Lord Rama

A beautiful countenance like the autumnal moon, lotus-like eyes and unearthly beauty of Lord Rama was beyond description and passionately drew the mind. Auspicious wedding ornaments adorning Shri Ram's dark-hued limbs which glowed like a peacock's neck, looked so attractive whereas His bright yellow garments outshone lightning. Ramchandra ji forayed ahead with his charming brothers riding their restive horses besides Him. Family bards were busy reciting the glories of their lineage.


Garuda, the King of Birds

Even Garuda, the king of birds, was ashamed at the speed of the steed that Råma rode. It was so handsome in every way that it seemed as though Cupid himself had assumed the form of a horse and enchanted the whole world (cosmological region) with its lovely youth, vigour, form, virtues and pace. A beautiful saddle studded with lovely pearls and gems was fastened on his back and he had a lovely bridle. Steeped in the Lord's wishes, the horse looked very majestic as it cantered along. It seemed as if a cloud adorned with a cluster of stars and lightning was making a beautiful peacock dance. Even Sarada (the goddess of knowledge,music and arts) could not describe the powerful steed which Lord Rama was riding.


Lord Shankara

Lord Shankara (with five faces which have three eyes each) was ecstatic on seeing the beautiful form of Ramchandraji and at that point of time loved his fifteen eyes.


Lord Vishnu & Laxmi

Laxmipati ( a title of Vishnu) fondly looked at Rama and was enchanted along with Shri Laxmi.


Brahmå ji was delighted to behold Lord Råma's majestic beauty but felt sorry that he had only eight eyes.


Lord Kartikeya

Kartikeya (six-faced god of war and son of Shiva) was enthusiastically watching Shri Ram with his twelve eyes.


Lord Indra

Indra was lovingly adulating Shri Ram with his thousand eyes and considered Gautama's curse as the greatest blessing for him. All the gods were raving of Indra' superiority in this matter. And the courts of both the monarchs were very delighted.


Kettledrums were being beaten on both sides and the gods were raining down flowers. Queen Sunayana (Sita's mother) called for married women (whose husbands were living) and got the auspicious preparations and decorations done for parcchan ( the ceremony of sanctifying a bridegroom by means of arti).


Decked Women Welcome Dasaratha & His Four Sons

Decorating the platter in several ways, lovely women decked and adorned in a wide array of ornaments and garments, sang melodious songs and walked ahead. Their bracelets, the zone of bells around their waists and tinkling anklets sounded with ravishing melody.Seeing their gait even the elephants of Kamdev were put to shame. Several auspicious musical instruments were being played by deities in the sky and denizens in the city.


Goddesses Indrani, Brahmani & Rudrani

Indrani (Indras's consort), Brahmani, Rudrani and other goddesses guised as beautiful maidens came and mingled with the royal gynaeceum, and began singing nuptial songs with everyone. Absorbed in joyous revelry, no one could identify them and the goddesses collectively went to partake in the parcchan of Ramchandra ji who was none other than an incarnation of the Supreme Spirit. All of them were rapturous to behold the bridegroom, a source of bliss. Their lotus-like eyes streamed with tears of joy and hair on their bodies stood erect with the thrill of ecstasy.


Do.: jo sukhu bhå siya måtu mana dekhi råma bara besu,

so na sakahi kahi kalapa sata sahasa såradå sesu.318


Goddess Sharada

The joy which queen Sunayana, the mother of Sita, experienced on seeing Shri Ram clad as a bridegroom can not be expressed by even a thousand Sharadas (Saraswatis) and Sesas in hundreds of kalpas.

Friday, January 7, 2011

The Marriage of Sri Ram and Sita, Baal Kand of Shri Ram Charit Manas-1

Do.: råmu siya sobhå avadhi sukrta avadhi dou råja,

jaha° taha° purajana kahahi asa mili nara nåri samåja.309.


Shri Ramchandra and Sita

Seeing Shri Ramchandra ji and Sita ji who are ineffably beautiful, and Janaka-Dasaratha, the icons of religious merit, the denizens of Janakpur exulted, “Janaki is the embodiment of Janaka's virtues and Shri Ram is the incarnation of Dasarath's virtues.


King Janaka

No one has ever worshipped Shiva with such dedicated devotion as these two kings and nor has anyone obtained fruition as they have. There has been no one equivalent to them in this world, nor is there anyone equal to them nor shall there be in the future. All of us have also done great acts of merit to have taken birth in this world as residents of Janakpur. Who is a blessed soul like us to have beheld the majestic beauty of Shri Janaki ji and Shri Ram ji?”


Maidens with a voice as sweet as the cuckoo began to whisper amongst themselves, “O beautiful-eyed one! There is much to be gained by this marriage! It is a matter of great good fortune that the Creator has ordained this union. Both the brothers will often be delighting our eyes."


The Ancient City of Ayodhya

"Even after the wedding when King Janaka will call Sita over (from Ayodhya) time and again out of affection then both the brothers, handsome as million of Cupids put together, will come to take her back. And they will be warmly looked after here in, every possible way. Who would not love to stay at such a father-in-laws place?Sakhi! All residents of the city will be delighted to behold Shri Ram and Laksman.


Shri Ram and Lakshman

Two other princes who closely resemble the handsome pair of Rama and Laksmana have come with King Dasaratha. One is dark-hued and the other fair-complexioned but every feature of theirs is attractive say those who have observed them.


One of them exulted, “I have seen them today itself. They are so very good-looking that it seems the Creator has sculpted them with his own hands. Bharat and Ram are so similar in looks that no man or woman can identify their difference at first sight. Similarly Laksman and Satrughan are identical. Right from head to toe, each limb of theirs is perfect and beyond comparison. All the four brothers are so enchanting that one can find no match to them in all the three worlds. (cosmological regions)


Sant Tulsidas

Tulsidas endorses, “ They are the oceans of strength, humility, learning, virtuous conduct and majestic beauty and they are their own equals." Spreading out their aanchal (end of their saris), the women of Janakpur made such entreaties to the Creator, “May all the four brothers be married in this very city so that we may sing auspicious songs (as at a wedding).


Shiva, the Slayer of Tripura

Filling their eyes with tears of joy and thrilled, these maidens would constantly repeat, “O Sakhi! The slayer of demon Tripura will surely accomplish everything because both the kings are reservoirs of infinite merit.” Reaching the heights of elations and ecstasy, all of them continued praying from their hearts.


The princes who had come as Sita' suitors were delighted to see the four brothers and returned to their respective homes raving about Rama's glory. Some days passed by in joyous abandon for both the citizens and members of the bridegroom's party. Finally the auspicious day of Ram's marriage arrived when the pleasant Margasirsa Month of the cold season set in.


Brahma, the Creator

Ascertaining the perfect date, stars, configuration of planets, day of the week and hour of the wedding, Brahma, the Creator, sent a final note concerning the wedding through Nårada.The very same facts had also been determined by the astrologers of Janaka ji. Hearing this all the residents raved that the astrologers of Janakpur seemed incarnations of Brahma Himself.”


The Hour of Cowdust

When godhuli or the hour of cowdust, (the hour before sunset when cows usually return home from grazing) arrived and good omens were perceived, the Bråhmanas told King Janaka that this was the proper time and astrologically auspicious.


With the king's permission, Satananda gave orders to the ministers who came with auspicious pitchers which were duly embellished.


Beating of Drums

A number of conches, drums and other musical instruments began to sound. Festive vases were decorated for the engagement and happily married women sang songs, while holy priests began to chant Vedic texts. In this manner all of them went to living quarters of the bridegroom's party and asked them to get the marriage procession with due honour. On going there when everyone saw King Dasaratha's grandeur even the majesty of Indra (the lord of the gods) seemed very ordinary in comparison. All the people earnestly requested Maharaj (the great king) to proceed. After consulting Vasistha, his spiritual preceptor, and completing the rites as per the family tradition, King Dasaratha set forth with a group of sages and sadhus.


Do.: bhågya bibhava avadhesa kara dekhi deva brahmådi,

lage saråhana sahasa mukha jåni janama nija bådi.313.


Chakravarti Dashratha

Brahma and the other gods began to sing the glories of Chakravarti (ruler of a wide region) Dashratha. Considering their own birth as futile, they praised his good fortune plus grandeur with a thousand tongues when he ventured forth to marry Ram and his other sons on the request of Shri Janaka.



Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-XXII

Revered Manohar Baba & Usha Bahenji


Once revered Usha Bahenji, a devout saint, having done an aachman (sipping water from the palm of the right hand as a ritual purification) of river Yamuna was passing from the front of Manohar Baba's kutiya. She thought of respectfully greeting Bhaiya (she considered Manohar Baba as her elder brother) on the way before proceeding. Soon after, she contemplated that it would be of no use since the door of his hut would be closed. However when she lifted her eyes to look at Baba's kutiya she was astonished.The door of the hut was wide open and standing on the terrace, Baba was beckoning her to come over.

Lord Krishna Peeping Into the Hut


Later on Baba revealed, “All of a sudden while doing bhajan I saw Thakurji (living svarupa of Lord Krishna) peeping in from the window of my hut.

With the hint of a smile he mischievously asked me,' Is my entry also banned?' 

The instant I stepped out of my kutiya after listening to this teasing interlude, I saw you.” Hearing this episode, Usha Bahenji was ecstatic.

Baba had implicit faith in Shri Hanuman ji ever since his childhood. Once it so happened that he was lying down in his hut in a semi-conscious state.


Shri Narsingh Bhagvan


Suddenly he felt that he was sitting in the verandah in front of the puja-room of Shri Narsingh Bhagvan, their family diety, in his house situated in Maheshwar. The idols of Ganesh ji, Gopal ji,Hanuman ji and other gods were resplendent in the puja chamber apart from Bhagvan Narsingh.


Hanuman ji, a Great Devotee of Shri Ram


Hanuman ji leaped and came out from there and sat in a heroic posture towards his right ear. The instant Hanuman ji bent his face towards Baba's ear, Baba was apprehensive that he would give Baba the Ram Mantra. But amazingly Hanuman ji whispered Krishna, Krishna, Krishna three times in his ear and vanished.


Shri Krishna


In this amazing manner Hanuman ji who is a staunch bhakta of Shri Ram gave Baba the name of his isht or favoured diety and nourished his dedicated devotion to Shri Krishna.


Shri Usha Bahenji

Once Manohar Baba went to meet saint Shri Usha Bahenji at ' Vedant Niketan (Anant Bhavan) where she stayed. The two of them sang glories of the Divine for quite some time. 

“ Stay on for some more time,” coaxed Usha Bahenji when he was about to come back from there.

The instant she said so, the footsteps of Baba stopped right there and he gained entry into a unique lila of Lord Krishna.


Lord Krishna's Playfull Dalliance 


This temporal world vanished before him for some time and he was steeped in relishing the Lord's playful dalliance. When he laughed on looking at revered Usha ji she also burst out laughing. After standing in this manner for a while Baba spiritedly returned to his kutiya in joyous abandon.

This incident dates back to the time when Shri Usha Bahen ji used to stay at Lalit Bahenji's house. Manohar Baba dropped in once in the evening. 


Heavy Rain


Dense clouds gathered all of a sudden and it began to rain heavily. (page 372 of 'Smriti Kaumudi,' the memoirs of Shri Manohar Das ji)

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-XXI

Maheshwar, a Sleepy Town in Madhya Pradesh


Once it so happened that Baba had to go to Maheshwar, his birthplace, when he was staying in Shahjahanpur. Shri Narayan Rao and Shri Mangilal, extremely loving devotees of highly revered Shri Maharaj ji, used to stay in Mandleshwar at a distance of four kilometres from there. Baba had friendly relations with them and hence he went to Mandleshwar to meet them. When he was returning by bus to Maheshwar the bus turned turtle all of a sudden. Pandemonium broke lose in a few minutes. There were 28 passengers in the bus. All of them were wounded in some way but Baba did not receive even a single scratch.


The Gajendra Moksha


Baba could figure out that this miraculous escape was due to his reading the Gajendra Moksha. Ever since Baba had implicit faith in the legend. Lifelong not only did he do the paath of Gajendra Moksha himself but  advised others to do so.

Shri Radha-Krishna Flanked by Sakhis in Vrindavan


After returning from Maheshwar revered Manohar Baba suffered extremely because of being separated from Shri Maharaj ji. With his disturbed mindset he would wander around here and there and return to Shri Dham Vrindavan again. Precisely as the bird of a soaring ship comes back to the ship.The allurement of having darshan of Maharaj ji was always there even if it was from a great distance.


Shri Manohar Baba & Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj


He had such an intense feeling of oneness with Shri Maharj ji that Baba would ask several questions from him even while asleep and get their answers. Once while weeping hysterically on the banks of the Yamuna in the anguish of separation from Shri Maharaj ji, he fell into a thorny bush.


Lord Krishna Embraces Devotee

That is when in a semi-conscious state he saw that Lord Krishna had wrapped his arms around him in an embrace.

“Why did you come here? And where is Shri Maharaj ji?” Baba asked him this time.

Once it so happened that Baba intensely grieved on being separated from Maharaj ji, drank half a bottle of spirit but was saved solely due to his (revered Shri Maharaj ji) grace.

Highly revered Shri Maharaj ji used to say that he had distanced Baba from himself to end the intense infatuation Baba had for him and to make him strongly attached to Lord Shri Krishna. 

It was his guarantee that Baba would not be harmed in any way.

 “I am taking complete care of him,” Shriji would say.


Worshipping Govinda 


Baba began to spend most of his time in meditating upon the name of God in his hut due to Shri Maharaj ji's eternal and infinite grace.The door of his kutiya would not open till eleven o'clock due to his dedicated devotion in worshipping the Divine. 

He had written 'No Entry' outside his kutiya.



Manohar Baba in Kasht Maun


At times Manohar Baba would even take kasht maun or a wooden vow of silence (in which no gesture is made and neither is anything written) which continued constantly for a span of several days.

Sharad Purnima
Every year he would remain silent from Sharad Purnima right up to Holi and he had a regime of chanting the name of God three lakh times every single day during this duration. (page 371 of 'Smriti Kaumudi,' the memoirs of Shri Manohar Baba)