Story of Valmiki

Benefits of Japa : Story of Valmiki

Feb--26--2011. (Sunday)

Maharishi Valmiki was born as Ratnakara to sage Prachetasa. At a very young age, Ratnakara went into the forest and got lost. A hunter, who was passing by, saw Ratnakara and took him under his own care. Under the love and care of his foster parents, Ratnakara forgot his original parents. Under his father's guidance, Ratnakara turned out to be an excellent hunter. As he approached marriageable age, Ratnakara was married to a beautiful girl from hunter's family.
Turning into a Robber
As his family grew larger, Ratnakara found it next to impossible to feed them. As a result, he took to robbery and began looting people passing from one village to another.
Meeting with Narada and Transformation
One day, the great sage Narada, while passing through the jungle, was attacked by Ratnakara. As Narada played his Veena and sang praises of the Bhagavan Narayana, he saw a transformation coming over Ratnakara. Then, he asked Ratnakara whether the family, for whom he was robbing others, will partake in his sins also. Ratnakara went to ask the same question to his family and on being refused by all his family members, he went back to sage Narada, frustrated. Narada taught him the sacred name of 'Rama' and asked him to sit in meditation, chanting the name of Rama, till the time Narada came back.
Ratnakara followed the instructions and kept sitting in a meditative posture for years, during which his body got completely covered by an anthill. At last, Bhagavan Sri Narayana appeared and blessed Ratnakara; Narada also came to see him and removed all the anthills from his body. Then, he told Ratnakara that his tapasya (meditation) paid off and the God was pleased with him. Ratnakara was bestowed with all the divine knowledge and wisdom and also the honor of a Brahmarshi; he wa given a new name of Valmiki, since he was reborn from the Valmika (the ant-hill). Sage Valmiki founded his ashram at the banks of holy River Ganga.
Receiving Lord Rama
One day, Valmiki had the fortuity of receiving Lord Sri Rama, His wife Sita and brother Lakshman at his ashram. On Valmiki's suggestion, Lord Rama built his hut on Chitrakuta hill, near his ashram.
Writing Ramayana
Narada visited Maharishi Valmiki in his ashram once; then, he narrated the story of Lord Rama. Thereafter Valmiki received a vision from Bhagavan Brahma in which the Lord instructed him to write epic Ramayana in slokas, which the sage readily followed. ---------------- ------------(concluded) -------------- I dedicate all these articles in this blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara ! --------------- You can get my full particulars from my web-site : www.jyothishi.com. You can get my astrological services by contacting me by e-mail: pandit@jyothishi.com and know my fee particulars. I have 48 years of experience / practice as an active astrologer. ==============

King Ambarisha and Sage Durvasa

King Ambarisha and Sage Durvasa

Feb—26—2011 Saturday Ambareesha was a noble king of Ayodhya; he was a great devotee of Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu. Once he asked his family priest Maharshi Vasishta what he should do to serve Bhagavan Vishnu. Vasishta said that he should perform Dwadashi Vrata. Dwadasi is the twelth day of the moon next to Ekadasi the eleventh day of moon. This vratha is an extension of Ekadasi Vrata when the devotee breaks his fast by drinking holy water used in pooja / abhishekam (Paaranam) on Dwadasi day soon after vratha (worship); latest before 12 hrs, noon.

One day the great sage Durvasava came to meet the king. It was a Dwadasi day. Durvasav went to river to take a holy bath after which both would take Paaranam(breaking the fast with water). But Durvasav did not return from bath. After waiting for a long time till 2 hrs afternoon, as per the advise of the priest, Ambarisha drank Paranam. Soon Durvsava came along and found that the King had taken Paaranam. Durvasa was proud and had ego; he felt this was a great insult to him, the holy Sage. The king tried his best to explain his behaviour. He tried to pacify the sage politely. But the Sage's anger increased and he created a terrible demoness called Kritya with his divine powers and sent her at the king to cut off his head. Immediately Sudarsana, the divine toothed-disc-weapon of Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu rushed in between and cut off the head of Kritya and started chasing Durvasava.

Sage Durvasava was terrified and ran to Brahma's abode to seek protection; but Bhagavan Brahma declined. Chased by Sudarshana chakra, Durvasa ran to Bhagavan Shiva to save him; and he also declined. Again chased by Sudarshana, the sage ran to Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu. Bhagavan Sri Vishnu asked him to go back to Ambarisha and beg his pardon. Again chased by Sudarshana, Durvasava ran back to Ambarisha and begged his pardon; noble Ambarisha readily pardoned the sage, upon which Sudarshana retired, ending his agony. Durvasava blessed Ambareesha with boons.

The morals of this story : (1) Anger is the worst enemy of any person and harms him. (2) God (Bhagavan) protects his true devotes always.------------ Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in this blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara ! ---------------------------

Ravana and his brothers

Ravana and his brothers

Feb--20--2011. Part-38 Sunday

There was a Rakshasi (demon) called Kaikasi. She was the daughter of a great Rakshasa called Malyavan. At that time the devas were all powerful and the Rakshasas lived in hiding. One day Malyavan saw the wealth and strength of Kubera who was the son of a sage called Visravas. Coming back home he advised his daughter Kaikasi to approach Visravas and request him to marry her. Visravas refused but when she went on serving him and requested him, he agreed. Four children were born to them. They were Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibheeshana and a daughter called Surpanaka

As per the advice of Malyavan and Kaikasi Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibheeshana went to do Tapas (meditation and prayer) to Bhagavan (Lord)) Brahma. After a long time Bhagavan (Lord)) Brahma appeared before them and wanted to know what boon he can give them. Ravana requested that he should not be killed by anybody. Bhagavan (Lord)) Brahma told him that, he could not give him that boon as it went against nature. Then Ravana asked him that he should not be killed by anybody except monkeys and man. Brahma gave him this boon. Kumbhakarna wanted a boon so that no one can defeat him (Nirdevathwam). But the devas made him ask for always sleeping (Nidrevathwam). Vibheeshana asked for Bhakthi to Bhagavan (Lord) Vishnu.--------------

Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in the blog with utmost devotion to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara ! Aum tat sath !

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Great persons are always humble

Great persons are always humble

Feb—19—2011 Saturday

Bhagavan (Lord) Rama, the Paramaathma (God), was of course the greatest warrior ever. Bhagavan Sri Krishna in Bhagavadgita remarked “I am Rama among warriors”. Rama learnt all the sciences (Shastras) and unparalled Dhanurvidya (archery) under the guidance of the great Sage Maharshi Vasishtha. He was also given super-human powers like bala, athi bala by the great sage Maharsh Vishwamithra, the author of the divine Gayathri manthra. Vishwamithra maharshi also taught Rama all the secret astras that ever existed, which only he in this whole universe knew (he originally learnt them from Bhagavan (Lord) Shiva. In addition to these, Maharshi Agasthya bestowed Sri Rama many additional divine powers. A few examples of Bhagavan Sri Rama’s valour:

1. With a songle arrow Rama killed fierce demoness taataki. 2) With two simultaneous arrows he killed mighty demons, Subaahu and threw Maaricha seven seas away.

2. Effortlessly he lifted the Shiva dhanush (archer), which was pulled to the court by around by 500 strong persons.

3. Rama killed demons Khara, Dhushana, their 1000 brothers and their army in 12 minutes (one muhurtha) single handed. 4. With one arrow he struck seven mighty and huge palm trees to ground.

Despite being such a great warrior, he never displayed hix strength on his own to exibit to others. The anger on the samudra (God of ocean) served as a good example for this noble quality of Rama:

Demon king Ravana gave 30 days time to Sita maata to decide if she would marry him, else he would kill her. Bharata took word from Rama saying that if he did not return on the next moment of 14 yrs of aranyavaas, then he would sacrifice his life, himself. Rama and his army reached the shores of ocean with barely 30 days in hand. They have to cross the ocean, defeat Ravana and his army, to take sita back to Ayodhya before 30 days time. With such a press for time and given the strength of Rama, Lakshmana suggested Rama not to spend time requesting ocean God for way, but to order him sternly.

What Rama did was unbelievable. Though he had the strength and power to control the ocean God, he did not do it. He did penance on the shores of the ocean for 3 long days to give them a way. Finally after 3 days Rama got angry on the ocean and to remind his duty, aims a teerible astra-arrow at ocean to drain it; immediately ocean God appeared and suggested a way of crossing him.

Sri Rama must use the powerful asthra-arrow which he already aimed at ocean; he should not withdraw it. On the request of ocean God, he shot it towards far-far west. The result was a very huge continent, now called Krowncha dweepa (island) rose up from the deep oceans. The present huge continent of America (both north and south America) exist on that Krowncha Dweepa. Morals in the Story:

1. We, for our small petty achievements in life, are very proud (ahankaar) and given a small chance, display our strengths. The way of great people was quite different as shown by Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Rama.

2. One must never use the strength or powers just because he possesses him, but judiciously use them for the benefit of everyone and benefit of Dharma.

Message:

1. Controlling one’s ahankaara (ego) is one the most difficult things. If it is controlled, we will have a more peaceful world.

2) Always powerful people who are polite are only respected by others. If Bhagavan (Lord) Rama Himself is so humble, as mere normal human beings imagine how much polite we must be to our parents and noble elders.------- Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in the blog with utmost devotion to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara ! Aum tat sath ! ==================

Nachiketa; Part-5

Nachiketa

Part-5 Feb—13--2011 Sunday
The Kathopanishad outlines a pure, unequivocal choice. Yama tells Nachiketa that there are two alternative paths before us in the world. One is good and the other is pleasant. One, though difficult, leads to the knowledge of the highest Truth. The other, though appearing very pleasant, is ephemeral and when an apparently pleasurable experience passes, as it inevitably will, there is pain. The wise choose that which is good, and the ignorant rely on that which is pleasant.
That is the nature of life. The purpose of life is to grow, expand, and completely realize one’s own true identity. If the path toward that goal is not taken, then the world will bring one around toward it. Blow after blow, one misfortune will follow another, one disappointment, then another, until the person begins to understand. The choice between good and pleasant becomes clear.
The theme of Kathopanishad is that the treasure of human life, the real Self, is to be found within. Within is immortality. Within is where Atman or Reality resides. The journey to the discovery of the real Self is the goal or the purpose of life. One who has realized one’s own real Self can then realize the cosmic Self who encompasses the entire universe. ------------- Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in the blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara ! =====================================================

Nachiketa--Part-4

Nachiketa

Part- 4 Feb—12-2011 Saturday
“Those who are dwelling in the darkness of ignorance and are deluded by wealth and possessions are like children playing with toys,” says Yama to Nachiketa. “Such foolish children are caught in the snares of death and come again and again under my sway. They remain in the snares of death. They cannot get beyond the limits of the dark realm. They travel back and forth.”
Fortunately, this condition is not permanent. Eventually a time comes when the desire for all of those objects—what the nineteenth century Bengali saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa repeatedly referred to as lust and greed—begins to appear as empty and pointless.
Growth and expansion are the nature of the soul, so inevitably what happens is: a person comes to recognize the pattern that behind every pleasure is pain, behind every expectation is disappointment, and following every fulfilled desire is yet another desire. For all the world’s charms, the bottom line and the sum of it all adds up to an inordinate amount of suffering, loneliness, and emptiness.
That arithmetic is instructive. The bottom line awakens the human soul. Suffering teaches and trains a person in the necessary art of discrimination. --------------------------------------------

Nachiketa--Part-3

Nachiketa

Part-3 Feb--6--2011 Sunday

Thus was Nachiketa enlightened, and when he returned, he was warmly welcomed by his father and the other rishis, and he grew up to become a great rishi himself before attained the heavens, free from birth and death cycle.

The story of Nachiketa inspires us to be kind to all living beings, generous with our fellow-men, respect our parents and be steadfast in our resolve. We also learn that Divine knowledge is more valuable than worldly luxuries.

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Now the Kathopanishad begins in earnest to reveal the secret of immortality, the meaning of death and life.
Worldly, transitory life, with all of its charms, is not the purpose of human existence. The world is full of objects and temptations. People want them, choose them, and organize their lives around getting them, lifetime after lifetime.
Today a person develops a pattern of identifying with the world, with its objects, and with the emotions that go with having those objects or with the possibility of losing them. He begins to think that joy will come with having glamorous possessions, a new car, a new suit, or a new spouse. With each new acquisition there is a flash of satisfaction followed by a prolonged sense of dissatisfaction.
A person identifies with the emotions that go with the objects and relationships. He thinks he loves someone, that he must have her to be happy. When he has her, so often the relationship settles into something else that is not very loving. He may hurt the person he said he needed. Then he says he is sorry. A month passes and he does the same hurtful thing again. Finally, they separate. So he finds another person he thinks he needs for his happiness, and the process begins all over again.
There are many variations of this theme. The point is that a human being becomes attached to things and relationships, and the thoughts and emotions attendant to the attachments. That creates suffering because none of those things or relationships lasts. Nonetheless, human beings keep trying to find peace in this way, lifetime after lifetime. --------