Stories from Ramayan 

Character and Spirituality JUST as there is oil in the sesame seed, butter in milk, fragrance in the flower, tasty juice in the fruit, fire in wood, there is Divinity in this vast Universe. The Divine is all pervasive and is present in every being. It is the Divine Power inside that makes it possible for the eyes to see and ears to hear. The entire creation is the expression of the Will Power of God. Prakrithi (Nature) is a manifestation of the Paramatma (Supreme Divine). Man is born to manifest and reflect Divinity. All constituents of Nature reflect their inherent qualities. Man also has to do so but is not reflecting his innate human quality. Every one should consider devotion and discipline as of the utmost importance – duty comes only next to these two. You, the youth (both male and female) are intrinsically very good. But you lack in discipline. You should observe good discipline. You should not waste time which is precious and sacred. How should you utilise the time usefully? You have to follow the ideal path reflecting sacred human values. Nor only that, but you should also inspire and encourage others to follow a disciplined life. Today, people do not understand discipline. They sit in a meeting and go on cheering and clapping when a speaker tells something to please them. This is sheer waste of time and energy. Every second is valuable and should be used well. Character is the most important life principle to be imbibed. This is the golden period in your life span and if you spoil this fine opportunity in careless living, your future will be ruined. The sapling has to be tended very carefully, so that it could grow into a mighty tree in the right manner and serve the people well. To whatever country you may belong, cultivation of character is essential at any point of time. There is no such thing as American character, Russian character and so on. Character is common to the entire humanity. There is only one caste, the caste of Humanity;one language, the language of Heart;one Religion, the Religion of Love. In ancient times the youth maintained good character. If you maintain good character, the future generation will prosper. Individual sacredness and purity ensure sacredness of society and country. When all countries are filled with such noble people the world will be blooming with peace and prosperity. If you say that the world is not a bed of roses but is a place of misery, the fault lies in you, the inhabitants. It is Character that marks the life of a good individual. If you go through history you will find that in the ancient days people were noted for their control of senses. Take the example of Janaka, the great ruler and father of Seetha, offering his daughter in marriage to Rama immediately after the latter broke the Shiva Dhanush (the formidable bow of Shiva), in terms of the proclamation made by him. When Janaka repeatedly asked Rama to look at Seetha and take her hand, Rama looked in a different direction because he should not look at a woman till he tied the wedding knot around her neck. This is the ideal propagated by the great Avatar Rama. “The End of Education is Character” – Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Glory of Sadachara or Right Conduct By Swami Sivananda Saraswati by Swami Sivananda 1. A man, who has attached ethical perfection by the continued practice of right conduct or Yama and Niyama, has got a magnetic personality. He can influence millions. Character gives a strong personality to man. People respect a man who has good character. Moral people command respect everywhere. He who is honest, sincere, truthful, kind and liberal-hearted always commands respect and influence at the people. Sattvic virtues make a man Divine. He who speaks truth and practices Brahmacharya becomes a great and dynamic personality. Even if he speaks a word there is power in it and people are magnetized. Character building is of paramount importance if a man wants to develop his personality. No development of a strong personality is possible without celibacy. Personality can be developed. But the practice of virtue is indispensable. 2. A man may die but his character remains. His thoughts remain. It is the character that gives real force and power to man. Character is power. They say knowledge is power but I say with all the emphasis at my command that character is power. Without character the attainment of knowledge is impossible. That man who has no character is practically a dead man in this world. He is ignored and despised by the community. If you want success in life, if you want to influence others, if you want to progress well in the spiritual path, if you wish to have God-realisation, you must possess an unblemished or spotless character. The character of a man survives or outlives him. Sri Sankara, Buddha, Jesus and other Rishis of yore are remembered even now because they had wonderful character. Character is a mighty soul-force. It is like a sweet flower that wafts its fragrance far and wide. A man of noble traits and good character possesses a tremendous personality. Personality is character only. A man may be a skillful artist, a clever songster, an adorable poet or a great scientist, but if he has no character he has no real position in the society. 3. You must be polite, civil and courteous. You must treat others with respect and consideration. Good manners and soft words have brought many a difficult thing to pass. He who gives respect to others gets respect. Humility brings respect by itself. Humility is a virtue that subdues the hearts of others. A man of humility is a powerful magnet or loadstone. 4. Note carefully how the Rishis had given instructions to their students when they had finished their course of study: “Speak the truth. Do your duty. Do not neglect the study

MEANING OF SAMASTHA LOKA SUKHINO BHAVANTU – AS BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA TAUGHT She once asked me with all-motherly concern and virtuous wisdom, and with all-out love for her ‘Beloved Mother Sai’… reposing faith in His pronouncements…, ‘have you ever understood the purport of the Mantra, Samastha Lokah…, that Bhagawan modified and given to us.’ Until that moment, it was yet another happening in His Presence, worthy of announcing to the world, though I was very much personally seated in The Mighty Presence, watching the transition. …And ever-since this ‘motherly nod’, it has been a different journey for me, understanding the purport in letter and spirit.  The day was Sunday, 31 August 2008… the venue was Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai’s sacrosanct Prasanthi Nilayam, to be precise, hallowed Bhajan Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam. The congregation was that of 150 odd ‘former students’ of ‘Bhagawan’ employed at various Sri Sathya Sai institutions, in Prasanthi Nilayam – Puttaparthi, Brindavan, Muddenahalli, etc. … and The Host Was the ‘Infinitely Divine’, The Lord Supreme, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. That blessed afternoon inside the Bhajan Hall, The Lord Supreme moved amongst them,  attending ‘everyone’, glancing, smiling, speaking, chiding, …granting HimSelf out and out. As the session was coming to a grand-closure, He ‘gathered’ HimSelf in the center stage for a ‘talk’, flanked by the entire lot like a swarm of bees on a honeycomb. In His inimitable style, He started revealing something infinitely profound, a would-be-revision of the Maha Mantra, ‘Lokah Samastha… ’ that comes from the Vedic lore. Thus Spake Sai then: “At the end of the bhajans, you are chanting ‘Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu’. It is great and expansive.  As you chant this, you are thinking of only this world, in which you are living in, implying an individual feeling. This is not correct. It is ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’, which is an expansive, all-encompassing feeling, covering all the worlds.” Saying so, He asked His ‘swarm of bees’ to intone after Him the revised format…and thus, for the first time in ‘His Story’ and in the history of His creation, the new Maha Mantra reverberated … ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’. Perplexed and having no clue, the world outside the ‘hall’ was caught unaware of, listening to the booming echo from The Ultimate Presence. Further, Bhagawan asked the ‘boys’ to commence the official chanting from the next ‘holy’ Thursday, 4th September! ‘Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu’ is the elixir for all, all that needs to be set right, at all levels, in all the worlds… truly, the ‘Elixir Divine’ for His creation at large. Why ‘Samastha Lokah…?’ and what is Its added significance?? …and why this transition from ‘Lokah Samastha…‘ into ‘Samastha Lokah…’??? What, Why and many a question can be raised by many minds that dwell in doubts and resort to arguments, but the very fact that the Maha Mantra was borne of The Lord Supreme, in His natural flow sans any pretense, negates all arguments, simply surrendering to His Will Supreme. Does not The Mother know the need of Her child? If the Maha Mantra was introduced by Bhagawan with His Divine Sankalpa (resolve) of Cosmic, all-embracing expansion, Samastha Lokah… does cover anything and everything, most unconditionally, rightfully endorsing the legacy of Sri Sathya Sai, that being Love… all-embracing Love…Unconditional Love… Love That Conquers… simply L-O-V-E!!! “Samastha Lokah…” is undoubtedly the One-off Universal Maha Mantra that claims credit to Its being from Bhagawan in His physical form. Most of the other Mantras claim their origin from the Vedic time, perceived internally by great and elevated souls. …And such a Maha Mantra that claims its origin from the Divine Resolve Of the Supreme-Most Avatar, One Who Is hailed as Sarvadevathaatheetha Swarupa, (The Divine Form beyond all other forms) must be power-packed with Intention Of That WholeSome Divinity – The Supreme Resolve. What could be this power-packed intention from human perception? The Supreme Lord, from Whose Resolve sprang out this vast creation that includes human beings, made humans, the highest of beings concerning conscious expansion, in His own image… and thus, does want humans to rise to His level of vastness… expansion… becoming That… by Becoming and thus Be, His True Self, Embodiment of Love.  This is clear from His ‘own’ words, wherein He spelled out God’s single-most desire in no uncertain terms…. Concluding His Dasara Divine discourse in 2009, Bhagawan spoke thus: “God illumines the entire universe as the Atma Tatwa (Innate Divine Principle) immanent in all the living beings and objects. Even though God may appear to be involved in so many activities in the world, it is verily for the pleasure of His devotees. He has no desire of His own. He has only one desire – Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu!” This Mantra stands as the Mantra beyond all other Mantras… as it is completely selfless and cosmically vast… Pointing to His physical body, He said once that, He Is ‘top-to-toe’ selfless. Indeed, it can be rightly perceived that this Supreme Lord, Who created man in His own image, does ‘desire’ man to be unmade and remade as His own, reflecting The Truth beyond all truths, The Essential Sai Para Brahmam. At a time when Kali is raging to its peak, The Supreme Godhood introduced this Maha Mantra as the panacea for all universal and cosmic maladies. Bhagawan, Who Is verily The Pulse of time, delivered it to the humans at the right time, for him to use it most effectively. Anyone who tries this Mantra with an innate feeling of Love is sure to experience EXPANSION soon… and thus entitled to ‘Become and Be’, becoming One With Him… The Master Supreme! Sri Sathya Sai – The ‘True’ SadhGuru!!!

Glory of Hinduism {vaikuntha} HINDU RELIGION Silent adorations to Satchidananda Para-Brahman, Who is the silent Witness of all minds, Who is the Indweller in all beings, Who has projected this world for His own Lila or sport, Who is the support for this world, body and mind and all movements, and Who is the foundation for all societies and their activities. Purpose Of Religion The word Religion comes from the Latin word religio which consists of two words, viz., re (back) and ligare (to bring or bind). That which binds the soul back to God is religion. Religion shows the way for the attainment of God-realisation.Religion satisfies the deep inward craving in man who is not always content with leading merely an animal existence and wants spiritual consolation, solace and peace. Man cannot live by bread alone. A time comes in the life of many of us when mere worldly prosperity does not satisfy us and we hanker after something more. In the case of many more, trials and tribulations of life turn their attention to spiritual solace. Distinguishing Features Of Hinduism Hinduism is the religion of the Hindus, a name given to the Universal Religion which hailed supreme in India. It is the oldest of all living religions. This is not founded by any prophet. Buddhism, Christianity and Mohammedanism owe their origin to the prophets. Their dates are fixed. But no such date can be fixed for Hinduism. Hinduism is not born of the teachings of particular prophets. It is not based on a set of dogmas preached by a particular set of teachers. It is free from religious fanaticism.Hinduism is also known by the names Sanatana-Dharma and Vaidika-Dharma.Sanatana-Dharma means eternal religion. Hinduism is as old as the world itself. Hinduism is the mother of all religions. Hindu scriptures are the oldest in the world, Sanatana-Dharma is so called, not only because it is eternal, but also because it is protected by God and because it can make us eternal.Vaidika-Dharma means the religion of the Vedas. The Vedas are the foundational scriptures of Hinduism. The ancient Rishis and sages of India have expressed their intuitive spiritual experiences (Aparoksha-Anubhuti) in the Upanishads. These experiences are direct and infallible. Hinduism regards the spiritual experiences of the Rishis of yore as its authority. The priceless truths that have been discovered by the Hindu Rishis and sages through millennia constitute the glory of Hinduism. Therefore, Hinduism is a revealed religion. The Glory Of Vedanta And Yoga Vedanta, or the philosophy of the Upanishads, is lofty, sublime and unique. The Western philosophers have paid their tribute to the ancient seers of the Upanishads. They have been amazed at the lofty heights scaled by them. Schopenhauer studied the Upanishads and meditated on the thoughts of the Upanishads just before going to bed. He said: “The Upanishads are the solace of my life and they will be solace to me after my death also.”The Raja-Yoga system of Hinduism is also splendid and unique. The lessons are immensely practical and highly instructive. No system of physical exercise on the surface of the earth can compete with Hatha-Yoga. Kundalini-Yoga is wonderful. Hence the Americans and Europeans are in search of Hindu Sannyasins and Yogins. They visit the Himalayas frequently in quest of Yoga teachers. Some are living under Hindu Yogins as disciples and are practising Yoga. Many Europeans and Americans are even now Hindus by faith and practice, though they are born Christians. They practise Raja-Yoga and Vedanta. Emphasis On Practice Hinduism provides spiritual food and Yoga Sadhana for all sorts of people to suit their temperaments, capacities, tastes, stages of spiritual development and conditions of life. It prescribes Yoga Sadhana even for a scavenger or a cobbler to attain God-realisation, while doing his ordinary avocation in the world. Hindu Yoga and Vedanta teachers lay great stress on self-restraint, Tapas, renunciation and practical Sadhana which is best calculated to control the mind and the senses and unfold the divinity or attain Self-realisation. Hinduism is not a religion of mere theories. It is eminently practical. In no religion you will find such a variety of practical Yoga practised and such sublime unique philosophy expounded. That is the reason why India is the only glorious land of sages, Rishis, Yogins and saints.Religion is practical aspect of philosophy. Philosophy is rational aspect of religion. The philosophy of Hinduism is not arm-chair philosophy. It is not meant for intellectual curiosity and vain discussion. Hindu philosophy is a way of life. The philosopher of Hinduism seriously reflects after hearing the Srutis, does Atma-Vichara, constantly meditates, and then attains Self-realisation or Atma-Sakshatkara. Moksha is his goal. He attempts to attain Jivanmukti now and here.Religion is spiritualisation of human life for a Hindu. Religious culture is really the culture of freedom for him. Religion governs all the departments of Hindu life. He must realise the freedom of the soul in every department of life. Religion affords the greatest scope for him for the culture of true freedom. Religion is the only way to him for the realisation of perfect freedom in life.It is in India alone that every man knows something of philosophy. The cowherd who tends the cattle, the peasant who ploughs the fields, the boat-man who pulls at his oar, sing songs replete with philosophical truths. Even the barber repeats OM NAMAH SIVAYA, SIVOHAM before he takes up the razor. The Paramahamsa Sannyasins, the itinerant monks of Hinduism, have disseminated the highest of Vedanta from door to door. In exchange for a handful of rice, they have distributed from door to door, through religious songs, the priceless gems of Hindu religion and philosophy.

India – The Global Spiritual Engine Archive for the ‘India is the sacred land which has given birth to countless sages By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA India is the sacred land which has given birth to countless sages, Rishis, Yogins, saints and prophets. India is the land that has produced many Acharyas or spiritual preceptors like Sri Sankara and Sri Ramanuja; many saints like Kabir, Ramdas, Tukaram and Gauranga Mahaprabhu; many Yogins like Jnana Dev, Dattatreya and Sadasiva Brahman; and many prophets like Buddha and Nanak. Buddha is our flesh and blood. India is proud of Guru Govind Singh and Sivaji. India is proud of king Bhoja and Vikramaditya. India is proud of Sankara and Kabir. India is proud of Valmiki and Kalidasa. Krishna, Rama and all Avataras were born in India. How sacred is India! How sublime is India! The dust of Brindavan and Ayodhya, the land trodden by the sacred feet of Krishna and Rama, still purifies the heart of countless people. Even Jesus, during the missing period of His life, lived in Kashmir and learnt Yoga from the Indian Yogins. Glory to Mother India! India is a spiritual country. India never conquered territories or annexed dominions. Military conquest is not her ambition. She wants her children to have Atma-Svarajya or Absolute Independence. She does not call upon them to rule over others. She wants them to have conquest over internal and external nature. She wants them to possess brilliant divine virtues, moral stamina and inner spiritual strength born of wisdom of the soul. Ahimsa is her weapon to have the spiritual conquest and the conquest of the minds of others. People of India have Self-realisation as their goal. They do not, generally, bestow too much attention on material prosperity and advancement. They want Yoga or communion with the Supreme Being. They practise Ahimsa, Satya and Brahmacharya. They wish to enjoy the eternal bliss of the Absolute. They are always ready to renounce worldly possessions in order to possess or realise the inner Atman or Brahman. They will sacrifice anything and everything in order to attain the immortal Atman. They are always spiritual-minded. India is the sacred land with several holy rivers and powerful spiritual vibrations. The hoary Himalayas attract the people of the whole world. It is a land peculiarly suitable for divine contemplation and Yogic practices. Every country has its own special attractive features. India is the land of Yogins and sages. This is the special attractive feature of India. This is the reason why people from America, England and all parts of the world come to India for the practice of Yoga. Reference : ALL ABOUT HINDUISM By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditative Music Spiritually, meditative music connects us with our inner self. It enhances our ability to feel gratitude, compassion, and awareness. Many ancient traditions believed that sound is sacred and has the power to elevate consciousness. That same principle works through modern meditative music, allowing listeners to experience moments of silence, bliss, and inner stillness. Whether you are praying, meditating, journaling, or simply resting, meditative music creates a divine atmosphere that supports inner harmony. One of the most powerful effects of meditative music is how it transforms negative emotions. Feelings like stress, anger, loneliness, or fear begin to dissolve as the mind becomes more peaceful. The soothing frequencies align the mind and heart, promoting emotional balance. Over time, regular listening can even increase patience, empathy, and mental strength. It reminds us to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with ourselves. In a world filled with noise, meditative music is like a quiet sanctuary. It invites us to pause, reflect, and recharge. Whether played for a few minutes or long hours, it carries the ability to heal, inspire, and uplift the soul. This is why millions of people around the world include meditative music in their daily routine—to experience calmness, clarity, and a deeper connection with life. Meditative music is not just sound; it is a gentle companion on the journey of inner peace and well-being.

Bhajan lyrics Hindi Bhajan Lyrics in English Hindi Bhajan Lyrics are something every Hindu should keep in their heart. It could be the source of your inner peace while listening to the melodious stories told through the spiritual songs. Bhajans are not just some devotional songs, every Bhajan tells us something about the history of our Hindi Gods. These days kids watch cartoons and TV series where they learn about Hindu stories but in the good old days these Bhajans used to be the only source for people to remember the ancient times of Gods. So to keep that trend of reading and listening to Hindi Bhajans, we have made this website called Bhajan Sangrah. On our website, you will find all types of old, new, simple, and popular Bhajan Lyrics in Hindi. Also to maximize the reaching of these powerful Bhajans, we have put the Bhajan Lyrics in the Hinglish language too. Well then let’s explore these Hindi Bhajan Lyrics for different gods. Visit each Bhajan Category to read amazing Bhajans related to God only. Shree Krishna Hindi Bhajan Lyrics Experience the divine essence of Shree Krishna Bhajan Lyrics. These bhajan lyrics are shared in both Hindi and English. So, even if you are not a Hindi person, read these Krisha’s Hindi Bhajans in Hinglish. From the enchanting melodies of “Hare Krishna Hare Rama” to the soul-stirring verses of “Govind Bolo Hari Gopal Bolo,” these bhajans echo the eternal bond between the devotee and the beloved deity. श्री कृष्ण भजन गीत के दिव्य सार को महसूस करें, जहां सुंदर गीत भगवान कृष्ण के प्रेम की प्राचीन कहानियों से मिलते हैं। हिंदी और अंग्रेजी के बोल से हर कोई जुड़ सकता है। “हरे कृष्ण हरे राम” से लेकर “गोविंद बोलो हरि गोपाल बोलो” तक, ये भजन आपको श्री कृष्ण के साथ शाश्वत बंधन का अनुभव करने के लिए आमंत्रित करते हैं। Shree Krishna Bhajan Lyrics is one of the most demanding topics in India. As we all know Krishna is the 8th avatar of lord Vishnu. It has amazing stories and kathas. Bhajans are another great way to learn about these stories through songs. श्री कृष्ण भजन लिरिक्स भारत में सबसे अधिक मांग वाले विषयों में से एक है। जैसा कि हम सभी जानते हैं कि कृष्ण भगवान विष्णु के 8वें अवतार हैं। इसमें अद्भुत कहानियाँ और कथाएँ हैं। भजन, गीतों के माध्यम से इन कहानियों के बारे में जानने का एक और शानदार तरीका है। Shree Ram Bhajan Lyrics in Hindi and English Explore the soul-stirring melodies of Shree Ram Bhajan Lyrics, available in both Hindi and English. Whether you’re fluent in Hindi or prefer English, immerse yourself in the divine devotion of Lord Ram’s timeless hymns. From “Jai Shree Ram” to “Ram Chandra Keh Gaye Siya Se,” feel the divine presence through these sacred verses. हिंदी और अंग्रेजी दोनों में उपलब्ध श्री राम भजन लिरिक्स की मनमोहक धुनों का अन्वेषण करें। चाहे आप हिंदी में पारंगत हों या अंग्रेजी पसंद करते हों, भगवान राम के कालजयी भजनों की दिव्य भक्ति में डूब जाएं। “जय श्री राम” से लेकर “राम चंद्र कह गए सिया से” तक, इन पवित्र छंदों के माध्यम से दिव्य उपस्थिति को महसूस करें। Welcome to our serene sanctuary of devotional songs which we call Bhajans in Hindi. A digital abode where the melodies of Shree Ram Bhajans echo in both Hindi and Hinglish. As we explore to this spiritual journey, we invite you to immerse yourself in the divine verses of Hindi Bhajan Lyrics for all the Hindu Gods that resonate with the soul. भक्ति के हमारे शांत अभयारण्य में आपका स्वागत है – एक डिजिटल निवास जहां श्री राम भजनों की धुन हिंदी और हिंग्लिश दोनों में गूंजती है। जैसे ही हम इस आध्यात्मिक यात्रा पर निकलते हैं, हम आपको आत्मा से गूंजने वाले दिव्य छंदों में डूबने के लिए आमंत्रित करते हैं। चाहे आप हिंदी की शुद्धता में सांत्वना चाहते हों या हिंग्लिश के मिश्रण में, हमारा भंडार श्री राम की उपस्थिति के लिए उत्सुक सभी दिलों को गले लगाने के लिए तैयार किया गया है। प्रेम, विश्वास और श्रद्धा को समाहित करने वाले शाश्वत भजनों का जश्न मनाने में हमारे साथ शामिल हों, और दिव्य तरंगों को आपके पथ पर मार्गदर्शन करने दें। भक्ति की सार्वभौमिक भाषा के माध्यम से एकजुट होकर आनंदमय सद्भाव को अपनाएं। जय श्री राम! Hanuman Ji Bhajan Lyrics in Hindi and English Know the power and strength through the Hanuman Ji Bhajan Lyrics, resonating with devotion in both Hindi and English. From the powerful “Hanuman Chalisa” to the melodious “Bajrang Baan,” these bhajans glorify the strength and devotion of Lord Hanuman. Experience the divine energy as you sing along to these timeless hymns, invoking the blessings of the mighty Hanuman Ji. हिंदी और अंग्रेजी दोनों में भक्ति से गूंजते, हनुमान जी भजन के बोल के माध्यम से शक्ति और शक्ति को जानें। शक्तिशाली “हनुमान चालीसा” से लेकर मधुर “बजरंग बाण” तक, ये भजन भगवान हनुमान की शक्ति और भक्ति का गुणगान करते हैं। जब आप शक्तिशाली हनुमान जी के आशीर्वाद का आह्वान करते हुए इन शाश्वत भजनों को गाते हैं तो दिव्य ऊर्जा का अनुभव करें। Your presence brings peace to my soul, courage to my thoughts, and clarity to my actions.Let your grace flow into my life like a gentle breeze, inspiring me to walk the path of righteousness and compassion.Teach me to serve selflessly, to speak truthfully, and to love unconditionally, just as you served Lord Rama with your pure heart.O son of the wind, let your divine vibrations surround my life, protect my family, and bless my journey.In your name, every morning becomes auspicious and every night becomes serene.Victory to Hanuman, the mighty protector—bless me, guide me, and keep my heart forever devoted to you. Mata Ke Bhajan Lyrics in Hindi and English Mata Ke Bhajan Lyrics are here. in both Hindi and English. Celebrate the divine feminine energy through melodious hymns like “Jai Ambe Gauri” and “Durga Chalisa.” Let the enchanting verses evoke reverence and devotion towards the Divine Mother. माता के भजन लिरिक्स यहाँ हैं।

The Divine Romance

Story of Samudra Manthan “Avyaasurbhuvana trayeem anibhrutam kandooranai-adrinaaNidraanasya parasya koormavapusho nishvaasa vaatormaya:Yadvikshepana samskritodadhi paya: prenkhola paryankikaaNithyaarohana nirvruto viharatey deva: sahaiva sriya” The above is a sloka or hymn on the Kurma Avatara, of Lord Vishnu manifesting Himself as the Divine Tortoise in the Dashavatar (Ten Avatars). Lord Vishnu is one of the Divine Trinity, the others being Brahma and Shiva. Sri Mahavishnu is regarded as the Protector and the Preserver of the universe. In order to maintain Dharma (righteousness) during each yuga (epoch), He descends Himself in different forms (Avataras) and saves the beings of the world. The meaning of the sloka is, “May the ocean waves created by the divine breath emanating from the Supreme One resting on the ocean floor, who took the form of the divine Tortoise, protect and preserve all the creatures residing in the three worlds.” The extended meaning of the sloka illustrates the entire episode of the Samudra Manthan. It talks of how Sri Mahavishnu descended Himself as a gigantic Kurma (tortoise), bearing the mountain, Mandara, on His back, so as to help the Devas acquire the divine Amrita or the Nectar of Immortality. The Lord was actually lulled to a short sleep by the rhythmic motion of the mountain, acting as a type of churn dashery! He breathed deeply, even snoring slightly in his sleep. This created tidal waves in the ocean, making it rise and fall, causing a gentle swinging motion, adding to His comfort!   The sloka talks about the Lord taking the Kurma avatara in order to protect the Devas (Gods and demi Gods) and bless them with the Amrita. The whole mission of the Kurma avatara revolves around the familiar Indian mythological story of the Samudra Manthan or the Churning of the Ocean. This is probably one of the most oft repeated stories in Indian mythology, also one of the most popular. How the universe was created according to the Puranas The process of the creation of the universe is mentioned in great detail in the Puranas. There are 18 main Puranas and though each one talks about creation and how the world was created, not all the descriptions necessarily tally with each other. However, these descriptions can be broadly classified into two categories, as follows: According to the first version, the supreme, all-pervading Brahman created and preserved the entire universe. This Brahman manifested itself into three distinct supreme powers, namely, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma’s mission, as Prajapati, was to create the universe, while Vishnu was the Preserver and Protector of the same. The third supreme being, Shiva, was responsible for destruction in the universe, so that new beings could be created yet again from the natural process of destruction. A huge body of water was created first, out of which arose a gigantic serpent, named Adisesha. Vishnu took His resting position on the bed of snakes. Next came a beautiful, brilliant golden egg, into which Brahma entered and stayed there for a thousand years, while working on creating the universe. The egg then hatched and split into two parts, one becoming the heavens and the other becoming the earth. The upper part gave rise to the creation of the sun. Since the sun emerged first, it is referred to as the Aditya. The lower portion of the egg slowly developed into rivers, mountains and the other landscapes of the earth as we know it today. According to the second version, Vishnu was lying on the Adisesha, when suddenly a resonant sound of ‘Aum’, the Pranava Mantra (primordial sound), boomed across the atmosphere, causing Vishnu to awake from his rest. Then, from His navel grew a beautiful, resplendent lotus, on which was seated Lord Brahma. On Vishnu’s command, Brahma got to the task of creating the world. He segregated the lotus into three parts, the heavens, the skies and the earth.< Hiranyagarbha Vs. The Big Bang Theory Deviating a little from the main topic here, it would be interesting to note a clear connection between the mythological concept of the Hiranyagarbha and the Big Bang Theory as we know it today. Both these aspects talk about the creation of the world. Let us now try to draw a parallel between these two theories – one completely religious and the other, completely scientific! The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda effectively describes the theory of evolution by saying that there was no existence, nor was there anything like non-existence, before the Hiranyagarbha. It further goes on to say that there was no air, no sky, no shelter, no cover, no day, no night, nothing at all. There was no water, no life or death, hence nothing such as mortal or immortal existed. There was only darkness – a vast, all-encompassing darkness. There only was a void, a huge, formless, blank, and nothing else. However, the Rig Veda also believes that it was the first Vaak (word), the Primordial Sound of ‘Aum’ that gave birth to the entire universe. From that word came the huge, monistic Golden Egg, the Golden Womb or the Hiranyagarbha of Hindu mythology. Lord Brahma is considered to be this Hiranyagarbha, as He created the world. Brahma, as His name suggests, was brought forth by the Supreme Being, Brahman Himself. Lord Vishnu descended Himself in order to protect and preserve this universe, while Lord Shiva, the god of destruction, took over the task of destroying several aspects of the world through the course of the different yugas (epochs). The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva work together on the natural cosmic process of creation, preservation and destruction. Once Shiva carried out destruction, Brahma created yet again, which gave rise to the cyclical process of the cosmos.  The Big Bang Theory Present-day Science believes that the entire process of evolution in this universe started with the Big Bang. But can one really conceptualize what actually happened before the Big Bang? The answer to this question is a definite NO. No concept of Time or Matter ever existed before the Big Bang – it all came

Story of Ganga The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, round which are interwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and her defeats. She has been a symbol of India’s age long culture and civilization, ever changing , ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga.” There are many versions of stories regarding the origin of Ganges. The river Ganga is said to have originated when Lord Brahma (one of the Supreme forms of divinity) washed the feet of Lord Vishnu in His incarnation as Vamana – the dwarf Brahmin. When He (Lord Vishnu, as Vamana) measured the world in three steps, the nails on His left foot caused a pore on the upper side of the universe from where Ganga fell down into heaven. According to Valmiki’s Ramayana, Ganges was the daughter of Himalaya and Menaka. The deities abducted her and took her to heaven. From that time onwards Ganga started living inside the Karmandala (a spout shaped vessel). According to Krittivas’ Ramayana the deities had taken Ganga to Lord Shiva to get married with him. When Menaka did not find her in the house, she cursed Ganga to attain the form of water. The Vishnu Purana describes the birth of Ganga in the following manner: she said to have issued forth from the big toe of Lord Vishnu’s left foot. Dhruva, the pole star, received her in her descent and sustained her day and night on his head, while the seven Rishis (the Pleiades) performed their ablutions in her waters (because the Pleiades revolve around the Pole Star). Ganga then encompassed the orb of the Moon by her currents, which added to the luminary’s brilliance. Thereafter, having issued from the Moon, she alit upon Mount Meru, and then flowed in four branches to the four corners of the Earth for the sake of its purification. The name of theses branches are Sita, Alakananda, Chaksu and Bhadra. The southern branch, Alakananda, was held affectionately by Lord Shiva on His head for one hundred divine years and then was released from His matted locks. Hence Lord Shiva is depicted in Indian iconography with a crescent Moon on his head, from where a shoot of water springs forth. Thereafter, the southern branch of Ganga journeyed through India and divided itself into seven rivers which flow into the southern ocean. Hence Alakananda is known as the most sacred river of the four branches. According to another version, Goddess Ganga, once lived on Mount Kailash and flowed demurely for the sole pleasure of the Gods. Legend has that Sagar, King of Oudh, the 13th ancestor of Lord Rama, the descendent of Sun God (Suryavanshi), had performed the Ashwamedha Yagna, or the horse-sacrifice, 99 times. This ceremony consisted in sending a horse round the Indian world, with defiance to all the earth to arrest its progress. If the horse returned unopposed , it was understood to be acquiescence in the supremacy of the king, and the horse was then solemnly sacrificed to the gods. When King Sagar made preparations for the 100th sacrifice, Indra, King of Heaven, who had himself performed the ceremony a 100 times, jealous of being displaced by this new rival, stole the horse, and concealed it in a subterranean cell, where the sage Kapila, or Kapila Muni, was absorbed in meditation, dead to all occurrences of the external world. The sixty thousand sons of Sagar traced the horse to its hiding place, and believing the sage to be the author of the theft assaulted him. The holy man being thus roused opened his eyes and cursed the assailants, who were immediately burnt to ashes and sentenced to hell. Sagar heard of this fate through Narada (devotee of Lord Narayana), the heavenly wonderer, and sent the grandson Ansuman to undo the harm. Ansuman descended to the underworld and met Kapila, who was much pleased with the youth’s bearing and conversation. He granted that the souls of the sons of Sagar may be released by the waters of Ganga, then resident in heaven. Despite much austerity and prayer, neither Sagar nor Ansuman after him, nor his son Dilip could get Ganga to appear on earth. Finally it was Dilip’s son Bhagiratha, who after severe austerities, propitiated the Goddess, and she agreed to come down to earth and then to the nether world to rescue the tormented souls of the sons of Sagar. However, the impact of her fall would be so severe, that it could be borne by none less than Lord Shiva himself. Therefore Bhagiratha went into meditation again and obtained Shiva’s consent after many more austerities. Finally, the river came down and fell into Lord Shiva’s matted hair, (this manifestation of Lord Shiva is known as Gangadhara), from where she separated into seven streams, of which three flowed to the west and three to the west. The seventh stream followed Bhagirath to earth and then to the nether worlds. Bhagirath patiently led the river down to the sea from the Himalayas and for this reason the Ganges is also known as the Bhagirathi. However, being unable to locate the exact spot where the ashes lay, he requested Ganga to follow her own course. The Ganga, therefore in the region of Bengal, divided herself into a hundred mouths and formed the Ganges delta. One of these streams washed the ashes, and offered salvation to the souls of the departed. In this way the children of Sagar were saved and an ocean formed from the waters there. This is the Sagar Island of today, where the Ganges flows into the Bay of Bengal, where a bath at the confluence of the river and the sea is considered to be sacred on Makara Sankranti (mid January). Thus on the tenth day of the bright half of Jyeshth (last week of May), Goddess Ganga began to flow from heaven to the matted hair of Lord Shiva, and from the hair of Lord Shiva she began to flow on earth. The first ten days of the month