Deepavali festival

 Hi Children! Here is Hapymantata Wishing you all a Very Happy Deepavali and a Pleasant New Year!!

                                    New Year? Well, the people who are in business start their fresh book of accounts from this day and so they call it a new year.

Deepavali or Diwali as it is called in North India, is a joyous occasion all over India celebrated with lights and crackers, new clothes and sweets, meeting friends and relatives, and having a swell of a time! It has also a great significance – it denotes Victory of Good over Evil, end of Misery and beginning of Joy.

Only a fortnight back, we had a long spell of festivities- Navratri or Dussera. Now this Deepavali is celebrated for three days in South India as

(1) Naraka Chaturdashi, the 14th day of darker half of Ashwayuja* month, 

(2) Amavasya, the no-moon day, and

(3) Bali Padyami, the 1st day of Brighter Half of Kaartika** month.

In olden days, main activity on Naraka Chaturdashi day was to get up early, get caster oil smeared on from head to foot by an elderly person ,and have a hot water bath using ‘soap-nut powder to remove oil( This is called ‘oil-bath!,) all this, before sun-rise! Then put on new cloths and light crackers. Previous day was called ‘neeru tumbuva habba, i.e. festival of filling water , because,water had to be collected and stored and heated for the whole family to have ‘oil bath’.

Indian calendar months- Chaitra Vaishakha Jeshtha Ashada Shravana Bhadrapada Ashvayuja* Kaartika** Margashira Pushya  Maagha Phalguna  (starting from april ending in march)

In North India, it commences one day earlier, on Dhan-Teras, and ends on Bhai-beej, one day after Bali Padyami i.e. for total five days.

  There are a few interesting stories connected with this Festival.

   Sagar-Manthan

Sagar Manthan-Churning of Ocean of milk
by Danavas & Devas

(1) Both the good and righteous Devas and the Wicked Danavas were aspiring for Amrita, the elixir which would make them immortal and free from the fear of Death. The Ksheera Sagara (Ocean of Milk) was to be churned to obtain Amrita. So Devas and Danavas jointly started churning the ocean of Milk, using Manthara Mountain as churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope to churn. Lord Vishnu took the form of a Tortoise to carry the mountain on its back and prevent it from sinking. As the churning progressed, a number of precious articles emerged. One of them was Dhanvantari, the Doctor carrying a pot of Amrita, and another was Maha Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth.  Dhanvantari and Maha Laxmi emerged on Dhanteras day.  Lord Vishnu married Laxmi on Amaavasya Day and so that day is celebrated as Lakshmi Pooja day.     

Dhan Teras: “ Dhan” means “Riches like gold and precious ornaments etc. ‘Teras’ is ‘thirteenth day’ The day is auspicious for Dhanvantari who represents Health, and Laxmi the goddess of wealth, both dear to man.

(2) Another legend is, - A young prince named Hima was married to devoted and intelligent princess. But an astrologer predicted that on the 4th night after marriage, the prince would die of snake-bite. That was the Dhanteras Day.  The clever princess lit a number of lamps all around the house and collected all the gold and jewelry at the entrance of her room and was worshiping Goddess of Wealth- Laxmi.  She kept the prince fully awake throughout the night with songs and prayers. So, when Yama came in the guise of a snake, he could not approach the prince unnoticed, due to the brightness of lights and the shining ornaments.  The night passed thus and the princess saved her husband from snake-bite.! Smart girl isn’t it?

In memory of the emerging of Dhanvantari  ,Amrita and Laxmi, and Laxmi marrying Vishnu, Dhan teras  and Amavasya are celebrated with festivity and worship of Dhana Laxmi.

It is interesting to know that Jains celebrate Chaturdashi as Day of attaining Nirvana by their last teerthankar Lord Mahavir.

Sikhs celebrate the day as the day of liberation of their Guru Har Govindsingh from prison in Gwalior where the Moghul king Jahangir had imprisoned him.

In South India, , first day of Deepavali is  Narak Chaturdasi, then Amavasya for Laxmi pooja, and the third day , Bali Padyami. Did you wonder that these two days were associated with two Demons (asuras) Narakasura and Bali while all other festivals celebrate gods and goddesses like Rama, Krishna or Lakshmi?  There are two interesting stories!

1)     Naraka Chaturdasi: The demon Naraka-asura was the son of goddess Bhudevi (Earth). He was very powerful and he conquered both Earth and Heaven and usurped Indra’s throne. He abducted 16,000 damsels and kept them imprisoned in his palace. These damsels prayed to Lord Vishnu for saving them from Narakaasurs’s atrocities. Krishna, who is an avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu, and Satyabhaama, the incarnation of Mother Earth, came to their rescue and engaged   Narakaasura in a fierce battle. They finally defeated Narakaasura by using the weapon Sudarsana Chakra, and released all the damsels. Krishna drove Narakaasura to Paataala (the Netherworlds) restored to Indra his kingdom, and the people on earth were freed from Narakaasura’s tyranny. This brought great joy to people on Earth. In memory of this, the day of liberation is celebrated with sweets, lights and fireworks.   ‘But why celebrate an incident which occurred long back?’ you may ask. It is to commemorate the Victory of Good over Evil, which is relevant even today.

Now the story of second demon- Bali:

2)    Bali Padyami:   Bali or Maha Bali was also an Asura or Demon by birth.     But he was a very good person, though born in a demon’s family. He was the great-grandson of Hiranya-kashipu the cruel demon, but like his grandfather Prahlada, Bali was a very pious man and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He acquired a lot of power by intense penance, and fought with Indra, the lord of heaven and defeated him. This was to avenge the humiliation suffered by his father at the hands of Indra. He conquered both Heaven and Earth and established his rule over them. But he ruled the Earth well and was loved and respected by all. He performed a number of Yaagas (sacrificial ceremonies) to please Gods and was famous for his generosity, giving Daana i.e. alms to needy.  Nobody returned from him without getting what he asked. He would adhere to his word at any cost. All this good qualities had earned him great respect and love from his subjects. But the gods like Indra, Agni etc. who had been assigned specific duties of governance by Lord Vishnu, could not carry out their duties. They had been deprived of their posts. They prayed to Vishnu for getting back their position and dignity. Though Bali was very upright, his subordinates became arrogant with power and started misusing their powers and harassing people. So Lord Vishnu took his fifth avatar on earth, as Vaamana (the Dwarf), to limit Bali’s power and restore Heavens to Indra. This is how He did it:

                         Vamana  coming to King Bali for alms

            Bali was performing a Yaaga, at the end of which he was to offer Daana i.e. alms to the needy. Just at that time, a young Brahmachari, a bright lad, dwarf in build, came to Bali  seeking alms.

Seeing this bright young lad, Bali was very much pleased and asked Vamana what he needed. Vamana said “I am a Brahmachari, I have no wants except a small piece of land, just three measures by my feet”! Bali laughed, ‘It is too small an area, ask for something bigger, and I will give it’. The boy said. ‘No. I am satisfied with only that much land, but you have to give me your word that I get the land measured  by my three steps., and solemnize the promise by pouring holy water with a tulasi on to my hand.’ Shukracharya the preceptor of Asuras suspected that it was Vishnu who had come in this form to deprive Bali of his kingdom of heaven. He warned Bali not to agree to such a   promise, but Bali says he would not go back on his words, once given. Holy water was poured into Vamana’s hand, and as the water was poured Vamana the dwarf started growing bigger and bigger!

            Soon Vamana the dwarf was sky high - he had become Trivikrama! 

                                           Vamana growing to Trivikrama

With one footstep he covered the entire earth. With the next step he covered the whole firmament, the Deva loka. Vamana then asked,” Where shall I place my foot to measure the third step? Bali realized that it was Lord Vishnu who had come to take back what He had allowed Bali to occupy. And to do that He had come in the guise of a Brahmin asking for alms! With all reverence and humility Bali sat and offered his head for Vamana to place his next step on! Vamana placed His foot on Bali’s head and sent him down to Netherworlds (Paataala). As Bali was loved by people of this world and he also loved them, he requested that he be allowed to come back to earth once a year, on this Kaartika Prathama to meet his subjects. Lord Vishnu was very much pleased with Bali and granted this boon. On Bali padyami day, people on earth believe that Bali comes back from Paataala, and they celebrate his return.

A good person is always remembered and honoured for a long time even if he is no longer with them.

**********

DR. Einstein and his smart Driver    

Albert Einstein, the famous Scientist, used to visit Universities to deliver lectures on his new found ‘Theory of relativity’. Once he was traveling in his car, to deliver a lecture at a university. His car driver who used to accompany him during such lectures, remarked,”Dr. Einstein, I have heard your lecture on this subject so many times that I know it by memory and can deliver it myself ! 

“ Well, I’ll give you a chance “said Einstein, “In this university we are going to, I do not have any acquaintance. So, you can introduce yourself as Einstein and give the lecture.   I will put on your cap and sit in the back row.”  

The driver got out of the car , was greeted and led to the  lecture hall, and delivered the lecture without a fault. There was a loud applause and the fake Dr. was beaming, and walking back. At that moment , a professor walked up to him with a paper and requested , “Doctor, please help me solve this complex problem.” Our ‘Dr.Einstein’ was un-nerved for a moment, but soon, composed himself and said, “Oh, this? It is so simple. Do not bother me. I will call my driver with the cap, sitting in the back row.He will  give you the answer.! “

 

_{Source:BRG. Authenticity not known.}

                Ravana propagates Rama Naama in all of Srilanka!

Here is a plausible incident in Ramayana heard from my cousin BRG.

Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, considers Sri Rama as his enemy because he had destroyed the Rakshasas in Janasthanam on the mainland India and disfigured his sister, Shurpanakhi. He plans to take revenge by abducting Seetha.

Ravana has abducted Seetha and brought her to Sri Lanka. There, he keeps her as a prisoner in Ashoka Vanam, and engages 200 Rakshasis (female demons) as guards. He appoints Trijata, daughter of his brother, Vibhishana, as the Chief of Guards. 

Vibhishana, youngest brother of Ravana, though a Rakshasa, is a pious person. He has reverence to Sri Rama being an avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. Yet, he loves his brother, Ravana, and wishes him well. Ravana also loves his brother though he is not like other Rakshasas.

Ravana gets an intelligence report that Vibhishana is worshiping Rama daily. He is peeved that his brother is worshiping his enemy. He decides to verify it personally, and walks into Vibhishana’s house, and enters his pooja room. Vibhishana is not at home and Trijata, comes to meet him.

 Ravana finds “RA   MA” written in big letters on the wall and evidence of pooja done. He is furious and demands how his brother is worshiping his enemy!

Trijata replies, Dear Uncle, my father loves and respects you and Aunty.  Every day he worships you both, but, instead of writing “Ravana and Mandodari” he has written the short form- first letters of both names: Ra  Ma..

  

Ravana is immensely pleased. He orders that all houses in Lanka should have RA MA painted and worshiped!

That is why Lanka city was saved from being destroyed in the war-‘Rama Nama Mahimay.’!

KAALIDAASA  AND OTHER STORIES

An anecdote on Kaalidaasa.

Kaalidaasa was a famous poet in King Bhoja’s court. Since he was appreciated and liked by the king, other courtiers were jealous and waited to find an opportunity to pull him down in the eyes of the king.

 One day they see Kaalidaasa coming out of a fish-monger’s shop with something   tucked in his arm! They rush to the king to report that Kalidaasa, whom the king believed to be a pious man, is seen coming out of the fish-market carrying a fish! King summons Kalidaasa to court immediately .Kaalidaasa comes to the court directly, carrying a small bundle under his arm, covered in the shawl he is wearing.  A conversation ensues in Sanskrit, the court language.

King:                Kim kakshay?                             What have you under your arm pit?

Kaalidaasa:     Mama pustakam.                         My book.

King:                Kim udakam?                             What about the water (that is dripping)

Kaalidaasa:     Kaavya-artha saara udakam.      It is the juice of essence of the Epic!

King:                Gandhah kim.?                             What is that nasty smell?

Kaalidaasa:     Raghuraama Raavana              The stink is caused (by the dead-bodies) in  

          mahaa  sangraama rangodbhavam       the great war between King Rama and

                                                                         the demon Raavana

                                                                                                                                                  

King:                Kim puchcham?       .                         What is it protruding like a fin?

Kaalidaasa:     Nava taala patra likhitam.          It is a new addition written on a papyrus leaf.

The King is still not convinced that it is anything other than a fish, and wonders how Kaalidasa is bluffing him so blatantly!

King:                Kim pustakam hay Kavay?                   Which is that book? O poet?

Kaalidaasa:     Raajan, Bhoomisurotamaadrusham     O King, it is the world-famous

                         Idam Raamayanam Pushtakam         Epic RAMAYANA                                                                                                                                                                                            .                                                            

So saying, Kaalidaasa opens out his arm and Lo! The Epic Raamaayana (or Raghuvamsha which was being written by him) falls to the ground!!!

You can imagine the faces of those jealous courtiers who had carried tales to the king about Kalidasa, thinking they had caught Kaalidasa red-handed.!The king admonished them instead!

Incidentally you may also notice that the conversation in Sanskrit, forms a nice poem, with a chandas.

In fact, Kaalidaasa had gone to the fishmonger’s shop to inquire regarding the type of big fish that he could describe in SHAAKUNTALAA drama he was writing wherein a big fish swallows the ring that King Dushyanta had given to Shakuntala.  The stink was carried from the fish market. And all the while he had his Raghu vamsha manuscript tucked in his shoulder under the shawl!

(2)        It is said that when Kalidasa started his poetic career some scholars did not appreciate his style as it was different from that of his predecessors. Then he writes;

Puraanam iti eva  na saadhu  sarvam,

Na chaapi kaavyam navam iti avadhyam!

“All that is old is not necessarily good

And a poetic work need not be condemned only because it is new or modern.”

Even in the present day world, we see a number of occasions where this holds good!

(3)        I remember a stanza from his Raghuvamsha wherein he describes Raghu going on his conquest, defeating other kings

Prataapo-agray tataha shabdaha paraagaha tad-anantaram!

Yayau paschaat rathaad-it chatuskandeti saa chamooh!

Usually Army would consist of four elements: Ratha chariot Hasti Elephant Turaga Cavalry Padaati soldiers. But in the case of this king, when he went to conquer, the four wings of his army were: First  Prataapa or the king’s fame, Then came  shabdaha   the  rumbling sound of the army ,Then comes Paraaga Dust raised by the army movement.

Much before the army of Raghu reached the enemy, his heart would have shaken by the fame of Raghu -the conquerer, then he would hear the rumbling sound of army’s movement, then he sees the dust raised by the approaching army, . Each one of these would have shaken the enemy’s morale. So, when the fourth element; the real army consisting of chariots cavalry etc .appeared on the scene, they would have very little work to do.!

{This brings to my mind a saying attributed to Hitler- Hitler flew to Austrian capital to demand surrender of Austria. He told the king that his army-four columns were on the move to attack and his Fifth column (spies) had already infiltrated in Austria and turned the locals to support Hitler. Austrian king had no choice other than to surrender!}

At another place Kalidasa writes; When the King’s army went to Vanga Desha (Bengal) to conquer, they adopted the trait of the Rice crop they were familiar with viz. yield when the flood comes, and once it passed, to stand erect again, similarly they also yielded to the army when it came (because they were not strong enough to stand up and oppose,) and once the conqueror’s army moved out,, again stood up defiant.

(4)  Sharad-dhanam no-rdaty chaatakopy: This line occurs in Raghu-vamsha of Kaalidaasa, the great poet. The context is as below:

In  olden days, students lived in Gurukulas and studied under the teacher or Guru. After completing his studies the student would give Guru-Dakshina to the Guru before bidding him good-bye. In one such incident….

After finishing his studies under a Guru a diligent but poor student insists his teacher should indicate the Guru-dakshina he would like to have .Guru says he is satisfied and pleased with the service the student had rendered during his stay in gurukula and looking to his diligence in studies,he does not expect any separate Guru Dakshina from him, The student still insists. The Guru gets annoyed and says: IF you are so keen on giving, give me a million gold coins’! The student has to keep up his word, so,he comes to Raghu, King of Ayodhya for help. The king has concluded a Yagnya. The king’s treasury is empty as he has given away all his riches in alms (‘Daana) to poor and needy and the king is himself so poor that he is using clay utensils instead of gold utensils! Observing this ,the student says;

“How can I expect help from you in this condition, Even a Chaataka bird does not expect a drop of rain from a spring cloud (which does not contain moisture) to quench its thirst (It is believed that the bird chaataka, does not drink water from pool or pond but wait with open mouth till a drop of rain falls into its mouth to quench its thirst)

The story goes on..   The king Raghu calls his treasurer who reports that the treasury is empty. The king can not send back the youth who has come seeking his help for a good cause. He shoots an arrow with a message to Kubera the Lord of Wealth in heaven, to send him a million gold coins immediately or face consequence of a war! There is a downpour of gold coins, filling the Royal Treasury.! The king fulfills his promise and sends the young student with a million gold coins to pay the Guru Dakshina.

Riches are there, not for one’s personal comfort, but to provide for the needy.

Strive to keep up your word –There will be a way out.

Another anecdote on Kalidasa

Bhoja raja  of Ujjain was a lover of Arts and himself a poet. He was known for welcoming and honoring poets who came to him. There were a number of poets in his patronage, Kalidasa being the most honored and loved of them.

     Agyata Sharma was a poor but learned person. He thought of seeking honors from the king. He set out to Ujjain for trying his luck. On the  way,he was sitting below a Jambu tree on the bank of a lake,and thinking how to please the king and win a favor. There was a shower of Jambu fruits around him. He looked up and found a number of monkeys jumping from branch to branch. An idea flashed to him. He was very glad that he could impress the king with it.

 Next day ,he went to the king’s court and announced that he was Agyata Sharma, a famous poet and he wanted to show his skill. He said he would give the concluding line of a Sanskrit poem and challenged if any of the poets in his court could construct the full poem. The concluding line was-

                    Gulu gug gulu gug guhuhu.

King Bhoja looked up to the poets of his court. But none came up with an answer.The king was crestfallen He looked around for his favorite poet Kalidasa, but he had not yet come.  Agyata sharma was beaming with pride and hoping for a big reward.

At that moment, Kalidasa came in . The king told him of the challenge . Kalidasa smiled and said: ‘Here is the full poem:

Jamboo phalaani pakwaani

Patanti vimalay jalay

 Kapi kampita shaakhyebhyo

Gulu gug gulu gug guhuhu..

When the king heard this ,he was very pleased that the honor of his court was saved by the clever poet Kalidasa

Kalidasa explained: While coming to Ujjain,this Agyata sharma must have passed by the lake.There is a Jamboo tree on its bank and the branches of the tree are hanging over the lake.He must have seen the monkeys shaking the branches and when the ripe jamboo fruits fall into the lake, they plop into the water of the lake making the sound Gulu gug gulu gug guhuhu.

 Agyata sharma's chalange had failed. Yet,the generous King  honored Agyata Sharma with a pouch of gold coins, Sharma was happy to receive the gift even after defeat.

  Eat Jilebi from Chana!

 In olden days, boys had their learning in ‘Gurukulas’. They stayed in the house of the Guru or Teacher and had their education. They also learnt how to live a good life.

 One day, after their lunch, the guru gave a packet of chana(huri-kadalay,in Kannada or fried Bengal-gram in English) to each boy and told,”Eat Jilebi from this”.As you know, Jilebi is a delicious sweets . So the boys were excited. But how to make Jilebi out of chana?. Some boys rushed to “Mother”, the lady of the house, with the chana packet and asked her to make jilebi out of it. She said, making Jilebi is a lengthy process and, she does not know how to make jilebi from chana. The boys sadly returned to their rooms and started eating the chana as it was; there was nothing special like Jilebi.

In the evening , the boys were playing games. The guru called the boys and asked if they had eaten

 Jilebi ? Only one boy came forward and said “Sir, here is the packet of chana. After the games, I will feel hungry. Then I will eat it and then,chana will taste as sweet as Jilebi!

You will enjoy a thing most, when you are in real need of it.

MADHYAMA-THE MIDDLE-ONE! STORY OF SUNASHEPA AND BHEEMA

Present-day couple generally limits their off springs to one or two, so that they could provide them, good education and comfort in life. But in olden days this awareness had not come. It was common to have a family of 3 to 4 children. Whenever there were three sons, generally the eldest was liked by the father as he was considered essential for the salvation of the parents; (by performing funeral rights to parents on their demise so that they could attain salvation) The youngest was generally the darling of the mother! But neither father nor mother stood by for the Middle-one and he had to fend for himself!

Let us see two stories of such Middle-ones.  “Madhyama” in Sanskrit.

A.  Sunashepa;

A holy man had predicted that a kingdom was going to be struck by volcanic eruption and ‘tsunami’ (tidal waves). The king wanted to save his subjects from this calamity. He was advised to perform a Yaaga to please the God of Fire and God of Sea and thus save the country from the calamity.

When he is half way through the Yaaga, the king finds that the animal meant for sacrifice had been stolen. The priests suggest that the only way to conclude the Yaaga was, that a human being could be substitute for the sacrificial animal, provided he willingly accepts to be sacrificed. As the king cannot leave the yaagashaala in the middle of the Yaaga, the prince goes in search of a substitute.

The prince meets a poor man with his wife and three sons, and asks if he could part with one of his sons; He offers one thousand cows in return. The poor man says he cannot part with the eldest because he likes him much. When he dies, he will not get salvation unless the eldest one performs the funeral rights. The mother says she cannot live without the youngest. Thus it is the middle-one who could be spared. Sunashepa is the name of this middle-one or Madhyama (in Sanskrit). He thinks; I am disowned by both my father and mother. If, by my agreeing to be sacrificed, they could get a thousand cows and live a comfortable life, I feel I have done my duty as a son. Thus, Sunashepa follows the prince and they are heading towards the place of Yaaga. On the way, they stop to take rest near a hermitage. While the prince is fast asleep, Sunashepa does not get sleep. He is worried.

Sunashepa wants to live and learn all the Vedas and become a scholar, if he could. .He wanders into the hermitage .He sees the saint in meditation. Sunashepa goes and falls at the feet of the saint and tells his predicament and his eagerness to learn. The saint is impressed by the boy’s good nature and his eagerness to learn. He calls his hundred sons and asks if any one is ready to replace Sunashepa, but none comes forward. He scolds them for their selfishness and tells Sunashepa “Do not worry, I will teach you two spells (Mantras). You should repeat these correctly, just when you are to be sacrificed on the stake.” Sunashepa learns the mantras and returns to the prince. Prince has just woken up and is glad that Sunashepa has not run away but is ready to proceed on their journey.

Soon they reach the place of yaaga. King is very happy that a willing person is found as substitute for sacrifice. Sunashepa is tied to the stake and a sacrificial fire is blazing. The king is praying that God of Fire and God of Ocean may be pleased with the yaaga and the sacrifice and save his country from the calamity. The final act of offering the sacrifice had commenced. Sunashepa is bold and calm. At that moment he recites the mantra taught by the saint. And Lo! The Gods of Fire and Ocean appear in person! They tell, they are pleased by the mantras of Sunashepa and so he need not be sacrificed on the fire. Further, they are fully satisfied by the Yaaga and they will protect the country from the calamity. King is greatly surprised and happy .He honors Sunashepa for his truthfulness, selfless and bold nature and his keenness to learn.   Sunashepa returns to the ashram and becomes an ideal student. and a great scholar.

 B   Now, story of Bheema, another Madhyama or Middle-one

Kauravas plan to grab the throne by eliminating Kunti and Pandavas by housing them in a Laakshaagriha or ‘wax-house’ and setting fire to it, Luckily, Pandavas escape, but Kauravas believe Kunti and Pandavas have perished.

 Kunthi and her sons are living incognito in a small village in a forest, after escaping from the’wax-house’.Dharmaraja, Bheema and Arjuna are the three sons of Kunti and thus Bheema is also called ‘Madhyama’ or  ‘the middle-one’.

 The forest belongs to a’ demon ‘called Hidambaa.Unlike her brother Hidamba and other demons, she is not evil. She has been doing a penance and has completed a fasting. She is to break her fast and needs food. Being a demon, she likes human flesh. She asks her son, Ghatod-gaja, to get her a breakfast. He wanders in the forest, looking for a nice human. He meets a family of a father, mother and three sons, and demands one of them to be the pray. The father and mother are old and so, do not interest him. He demands one of the boys to be given. As expected, it is the middle-one or Madhyama whom they spare. Whatever be his name, he is called Madhyama.The young demon is taking the boy for his mother’s breakfast.

On the way, it is noon and Madhyama says it is time for him to do Sandhya-vandanam, or prayers to Sun god.Ghatodgaja allow him to go to the lake and come early. Even after a time, there is no sign of Madhyama.So Ghatodgaja goes in search of him shouting “Madhyama Come.” Bheema who hears this call wonders who is calling him. He goes to find out, and soon meets Ghatodgaja.Either does not know who the other is. When Bheema, a very well-built man, comes and says “I am Madhyama”, Ghatodgaja is surprised and pleased to find a hefty man in place of the rickety one he was taking to his mother’s breakfast.

When Bheema learns that he is to go as a food for a demon called Hidambaa, he is amused as he realizes that Ghatodgaja is his own son, because Bheema had married Hidambaa some 15 years back but they had not met each other after their marriage.

He wants to tease his son, Gatodgaja, a little. So he says’ I will come, but you should catch and tie me up and carry me to your mother.’ Though Ghatodgaja is big and strong for his age, being a demon, he is no match to Bheema the strongest. However much Ghatodgaja tries, he can not subdue and tie up Bheema.Gatodgaja gets frustrated and worried that it is getting late and his mother is hungry. After some mock-fight with his own son, Bheema allows himself to be tied and led into the presence of Hidambaa.

Gatodgaja proudly announces to his mother, ’See what I have brought for your breakfast! A nice hefty human to satisfy your hunger!’  Hidambaa comes out to find that her ‘pray’ is none other than her dear husband! She is immensely happy to meet her husband, but shy that her own son had brought him tied up. Ghatodgaja, who is watching his mother, can not understand the hesitation of his mother to go with her breakfast. Instead, Hidambaa scolds her son ‘What a foolish act you have done! First, untie him and fall at his feet. Do you know? , He is your dear father!

All the while Bheema is enjoying the drama and when the perplexed and shy Gatodgaja falls at his feet, gathers him smiling and hugs the dear boy and his mother. It is a happy reunion of the family after a long interval.

This story is based on a play “Madhyama-vyaayoga” written by a famous poet Bhaasa more than 2000 yea

Here is another story about Ganesha’-  Ganesha’s Oil bath!

In South Indian Temples, often we see Ganesha as a bachelor, and smeared with oil; Hanuman with his right hand lifted, and Nandi in squatting position. You may wonder why?. You may find a plausible answer in the story below!

 Shiva and Parvati, parents of Ganesha, wanted to celebrate Ganesha’s wedding in a grand manner. Parvati asked one of her assistants to send invitations to all Devas, the celestial beings. On the wedding day morning, Ganesha was to have an oil bath. Parvati lovingly smeared Ganesha with perfumed oil from head to foot. He was then to have bath in Holy Water of Ganga before going to the marriage hall, well-dressed as a bride-groom.       Ganga is the personification of the Holy River Ganges whose water is used on all auspicious occasions ,and in this case, for bathing Ganesha. .Parvati and Ganga are wives of Lord Shiva , and are rivals, and  jealous of each-other.

All the invited guests had assembled in the Marriage hall, eagerly waiting for the bridegroom to come well dressed for Varapooja.

While Ganesha was in the bathroom smeared with oil, Parvati was searching for Ganga for the holy water for bath, but Ganga could not be found anywhere. Shiva called his steed, the bull Nandi, to search for Ganga and fetch her immediately and provide water for bath of Ganesha.

Nandi searched for Ganga all over the heaven and at last located her in a cave, dejected and full of anger. When Nandi asked her to ride on her to come to marriage hall immediately to provide holy water for Ganesha’s bath, she said “Although everybody in Heaven is invited to the wedding, I alone have been excluded. Now why should I come?” Nandi realized that by oversight she had been left out of the invitation! He begged her to overlook the mistake and come immediately, as Muhurtha, the auspicious time fixed for marriage, was approaching and every one was waiting for Ganesha to finish bath and come to the marriage hall. But Ganga refused to come! Shiva had ordered that Ganga should be brought. So, Nandi sat down, and managed to take her on his back. But he could not get on to his feet- Ganga had made herself so heavy!

At the marriage hall everybody was getting anxious as the Muhurtha was nearing. Ganesha was still in bathroom, smeared with oil! Shiva called Hanuman, the strongest and swiftest, to fetch Nandi and Ganga immediately.

Hanuman was also annoyed at the delay and came flying with his right hand lifted to thrash Nandi for his negligence. But when he found poor Nandi with tears in his eyes, struggling but unable to get up carrying Ganga, he stood spellbound.

       The auspicious Muhurtha, time fixed for marriage, was past,  with Ganesha still smeared with oil, waiting for his bath!

Before commencing any auspicious work, Ganesha is worshiped first to ward off any ‘Vighna’ or obstacles. But poor Ganesha, the Lord of Vighnas or obstacles , himself becomes a victim of Vighna to his own marriage!!

Ganesh Chaturthi

HI, children:  Today is Ganesh Chaturthi. You are busy worshiping Ganesha (Vinayaka,Gajaanana .. are a few of his other names ) , and consuming his favorite prasadams- Modaka and Laadu! And Elders in your house may be warning  you,not to see the crescent Chouti- moon, lest you get a false blame! There is a story of Ganesha connected with this Chouti-moon!

The story  is  briefly as below::-

Ganesha is very fond of modaka and Laadu. On one Ganesh Chouti day,he visited a number of his worshipers and he consumed a large quantity of these delicacies  and was slowly returning home by night. His belly was bulged and his dhoti was slipping down and he had difficulty holding it.! He heard someone laughing   He looked up and found a bright crescent moon looking down at him and giggling!! Ganesha was embarrassed and upset. He found a snake crawling towards the mouse he was riding on .He grabbed the snake and tied it on to his belly as a belt.This made the moon burst with laughter! Ganesha was furious, he cursed the crescent moon, that “anyone who sees this Chaturthi moon will get the blame of being a thief ,though he may be innocent “ Moon was very sorry that he would be the cause for many innocent persons getting blame of being  thief. He begged Ganesha to pardon him for his indiscretion and take back the curse. Ganesha relented He said “,Even Lord Krishna could not escape from the curse and had to struggle to prove that he was not a thief !  In future ,if any person who has seen the Chouti Moon, can get rid of the curse only if he or she listens to the story of Shyamantaka Mani and Krishna.” Called “Shyamantakopaakhyana.”

     .That story is very briefly as follows.

Once Sri Krishna happened to see the moon of Ganesh Chouti, Soon, he was accused of stealing the Shyamantaka Mani , a jewel belonging to prince Prasena’s brother. .Krishna had to go in search of the lost jewel and restore it, to get himself free from being called a thief of the Jewel’

    He found that it was last seen with Prince  Prasena wearing it and going to forest for hunting. He found that a lion had killed Prasena and carried away his body. He pursued the pug-marks of lion and soon found that a big bear had attacked and killed the lion. But the jewel was not there. So he pursued the foot-prints of bear which led him to its den. There he saw the bright jewel dangling over the cradle. As he entered the den, a big bear came out. When Krishna claimed the jewel, the bear said. I am Jambavan, the bear, and my daughter in the cradle is Jambavati. I have fought with a lion and secured this jewel and my daughter likes it very much. I cannot give this to you. When Krishna could not persuade Jambavan to give the jewel, he challenged the bear for a fight. A fierce fight ensued for forty days and nights ,yet neither could win.

 Krishna knew that Jambavanta was none other than the friend of Raama Bhakta  Hanumaan and  a devotee of Rama. So Krishna appeared before Jambavant  in the form of Rama which was his previous  Avatar . As soon as Jambavanta realized that the person he is fighting is none other than Rama himself, whom he worships, he stopped the fight and surrendered to Krishna. He gave away the Shyamantaka Mani and also offered his daughter Jaambavati in marriage to Krishna.

 At last, Krishna could restore the jewel to its owner and prove he was not a thief!

  This Shyamantakopakhyana story, if told or listened to, will ward off the  effect of seeing Chouti Moon .

Shiva Dhanush that broke!

INCIDENTS FROM RAMAYANA AS INTERPRETED BY’ WALKILEAKS’

  

(Fictitious, but plausible interpretations of well-known incidents in Ramayana, concocted by me)

‘Wikileaks’ unearthing the secret correspondences of governments is hot news now-a-days.

Here is an imaginary ‘Walkileaks’- a fore-runner of present day Wikileaks. Walkileaks is a collection of secret documents and messages from kings and queens of Ramayana and Mahabharata period transmitted in the format of written, verbal and thought medium,. These had been leaked out by Wakileaks, but the decency of that era prevented them from being published lest they tarnish the fair names of our revered heroes of that time... Based on the segment recently decoded, an incident of Ramayana not recorded by Valmiki or others is given below. The accuracy or authenticity is not guaranteed. These may not offend any religious or sectarian sentiments, but enjoyed for their plausibility

Now the story:  WHY SHIVA DHANUSH  BROKE ?

Shiva Dhanush:

Vishwakarma, the celestial craftsman forged out three Bows for the Three Gods:  1) Vijaya Dhanush for Vishnu, Shiva Dhanush for Shiva, and Gaandeeva for Brahma. After their use, they passed them on to other lower gods or very famous humans. Thus Vijaya Dhanush was inherited by Parasurama . Shiva dhanush was inherited by Janaka’s fore fathers.  Gandeeva was inherited by Agni and then given to Arjuna.   

Janaka is worried about finding a match for Jaanaki (Seeta). He wants to find a strong and well educated person as a groom. So he declares that whoever lifts and strings the Heavenly Bow –Shiva Dhanush, (lying in a corner of his stores for centuries being un-used but  worshipped daily with Dhoopa and Deepa), would win the hand of Jaanaki. It was only after his giving wide publicity that he realizes that the specifications for the groom were not drawn by his Home minister correctly. He should have specified ineligibility clause also, to prevent undesirable persons from contesting.

On the appointed day, a large number of aspirants are assembled to try their hand to win Seeta, among them is the demon,  Ravana. also. A large crowd of sages and commoners have gathered to watch the grand spectacle of ‘Swayamvara’, Sage Vishwamitra is  taking Rama and Laxmana,the two sons of Dasharatha,back to Ayodhya after completion of their work of protecting his Yagnya. On way, he has stopped over at Mithila to entertain the two boys with the sight of groom-selection. (Swayam-vara) of Seeta.

Seeta almost faints when she sees Ravana, a strong but grotesque person with ten heads among the contenders. Janaka also does not relish the possibility of having Ravana as his son-in-law, and is praying that somehow Ravana should fail. He heaves a sigh of relief when Ravana lifted the bow and pulled the string hard but it slipped from his grip and the bow hit him in the chin sending him reeling. Since all who had responded had failed, the groom-selection is about to be called off.

It is then that Vishwamitra asks Rama to go and have a look at the Celestial Bow. Rama rose from the crowd and walked to the Shiva Dhanush. Seeta sitting in the Zanana saw Rama and it was ‘Love at First Sight’!

Then you know all that happened, Vishwamitra introduced Rama to Janaka, as the son of Dasharatha, Rama bowed in reverence to the Bow, and lifted it, and while attempting to string it, the Bow broke into two with a shattering sound. Everybody stood up to praise Rama for his superhuman strength and skill. Janaka was overjoyed to have Rama, an accomplished and eligible boy from a famous Royal family as his son-in-law. So,’ all was well that ended well’, and then you know the famous ‘ Seetha Kalyanam’ as described by Valmiki and its grandeur, sung over and over again by all “Seeta kalyanam  .. Vaibhogamay”!.

It was after the marriage that Janaka started thinking how and why the famous Shiva Dhanush broke into pieces rendering itself useless.  He ordered for a secret inquiry into the incident by his Scientific Adviser. The report came in 3 months. The summery of the report (which ran into several volumes,) is given below.   Quote.

“After microscopic examination of fracture and also the history of the Bow, the Inquiry committee gave a unanimous report. It traced the past history of the various wars and battles where the Bow was used. During the Great War between Lord Shiva and the demon Thripurasura, the demon threw  an axe at Shiva. Shiva dodged it but the axe hit the Bow in the middle and left a big dent. Since the Bow was functional, neither Shiva nor any body bothered about it. But there was a minor crack and a Zone of Stress Concentration (commonly known as ZSC) at the place of dent. Subsequently, every time the Bow was used and the string pulled, a little stress was added. Further, as the Bow was bent and then suddenly released. reversal of stress took place and’ Fatigue’ set in. This helped the dormant crack to develop slowly. Since it was still below the threshold limit, it had not attained criticality. After a long time of disuse while it was lying in the corner of Janaka’s store, When it was brought out during Seeta Swayamvara ,for the demonstration of strength by the competitors, the stress began accumulating. When Ravana bent it for stringing, he over stressed it then from the compression state the Bow sprang back when the string slipped from the grip of Ravana causing a sudden reversal of stress. The crack had gathered momentum, yet holding. When Sri Rama lifted it and bent it for stringing, it was the proverbial ‘ last straw on the camel’s back’ All the minor cracks rushed together And all-in-a-sudden, the Mighty Shiva Dhanus broke unexpectedly and with terrible bang, shaking the earth!

Conclusion:

This was a typical case of crack formation, stress concentration and Fatigue failure, aggravated by ageing, ultimately resulting in unexpected and sudden failure.”

When this report reached the hand of Janaka, he was at a loss to decide whether to publicize it or shelve it. He thought it may harm the good image of his son-in-law.

 

   **On second thought, he felt, the breaking of Shiva Dhanush might have been willed by Lord Shiva himself!

Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. But as all the Devas complained that he was a Loka Kantaka (menace to the world), Lord Vishnu had come down to earth as Rama, to fight with Ravana and kill him. On stringing the Shiva Dhanush and winning the hand of Seeta, Janaka would have     naturally gifted the celestial Bow to his son-in-law. And the Shiva Dhanush would have been used against Ravana, a devotee of Shiva, which would cause Him embarrassment!  So it was better if the Bow broke at the hand of Rama, rendering it use-less.! Thus, Lord Shiva might have willed it to break after serving the purpose of Seeta marrying Rama.**

 So he decided that the report be shelved and the case closed.

Now Walkileaks have come out with this report which is logical and plausible, they have also hastened to emphasize that it meant no disrespect to Rama as he did not depend on this Shivadhanush incident to prove his strength. The breaking of Bow and Sita’s marriage to Rama were all predestined!    

** This is an after-thought added on 20/08/2014!)

Much that well may be thought...

  Much That Well May Be Thought- Cannot Wisely Be Said !

Many a time, as I open my mouth to speak, I remember the above saying, and stop.
There was a poem in my 4th std. text in which this saying occurred.
This has stuck in my memory.
 I reproduce it below