#SatiSavitri #RealLifeExperiences #BharatDarshana

Bharat Darshana publishes a small monthly magazine which has some very interesting puranic anecdotes and snippets.

When I picked up this month's magazine, I was intrigued by a story which I want to share as below

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This is a real-life incident as narrated by Prof. Krishna Bihari Pandey titled "Sati Savitri"

Sati Savitri is a well known puranic figure from Srimad DeviBhagwatham and Mahabharatha as one of those who fought with Yama to save her husband.

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This story is a modern real-life experience which mimics the puranic account in it's own unique way.

The story occurs in 1975 with Prof and his wife in Delhi with professor working as a researcher in university. Prof's family is in Allahabad in a large joint family

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Once Prof gets to know that his mother is not keeping well. He goes to his native and brings his mother. With dedicated care of his wife, his mother recovers quite remarkably and regains full stamina and strength

Mother-in-law & Daughter-in-law go out for shopping frequently

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Life's going smooth until one day when they receive a telegram that Prof's father is not keeping well.

His mother is distressed about the situation and requests her son to take her to the native. Prof is a little angry due to frequent travels and turns it down

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#Mahabhashiam #GovindaBhagavatpada #AdiShankara

Adi Shankara's guru was Govinda Bhagavatpada who in turn was a shishya of Sree Gaudapadacharya. Interestingly, his story is connected to Mahabhashiam by Patanjali and his 4 sons are prodigies in their own right.

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Sage Patanjali was very kind at heart, but extremely short tempered. After composing the colossal Mahabhashiam, he started to spread the knowledge by conducting classes.

Once, one of his students stepped out of class. Patanjali was very furious & flames came out of his eyes.

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The flames burnt all 999 students in the class. The student who stepped out came in and said, "Gurudeva, don't worry. I am alive. I can propogate the knowledge of Mahabhashiam"

Patanjali was furious that because of him he lost others & landed up burning him down too

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There was a Gandharva who comes & says, "Master, I have learnt the Mahabhashiam from the nearby Peepal tree. I can help spread the knowledge"

Patanjali was livid and anger and curses him that he has cheated and hence, should become Brahmarakshasa.

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Gandharva begs for forgiveness. Patanjali says that he will meet a befitting student to whom he should teach Mahaabhashiam. Once the student learns, he will be rid of curse

Brahmarakshasa starts to pose questions to passing by Brahmins. When they dont answer, he eats them

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#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana

In today's thread and perhaps some subsequent threads, we will start looking into Rama as a person. The author clearly tries to bring out the human aspect of Rama captured beautifully in some of the verses.

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Please note, the discussion is NEVER challenging the supreme divinity of the person, but tries to capture the nuances or the finer points of the Bhagwan.

Sri Rama had extra-ordinary merit - Unequalled, Unmatched merit. He always remained at his own highest level.

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He seldom fell below it at times, wherein one can spot the conditions that led to the decline. In these conditions, he did & said things that his own higher nature would never approve.

Sri Rama was indeed the guardian and embodiment in himself of Dharma.

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Some incidents bring out the very best in him where he is able to uphold his own moral ideal.

For ex, when Vibhishina sought asylum, he held a council of war with all eminent counsellors. Except Hanuman whose advice was considered weak, rest all including Lakshmana ..

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recommended him to reject Vibhishina, with a few even ordering killing him.

He listened to this charged conversation (a skill where we humans utterly lack today) & said the famous words:
" No man shall seek my protection in vain. No matter who, how undeserving, how wicked..

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#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana

In the past, we had a glimpse of Lakshmana's devotion towards Sri Rama, his brother and father figure.

However, it is interesting to note his unique relationship with Sita, especially as seen by from her perspective.

Thread below

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We all know about the Golden Deer / Maricha incident and the way Sita influences Lakshmana to go in search of his brother.

Personally, I am unable to get 2 strong emotional points in one thread and hence, I will skip this incident for today.

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In Sundara Kanda, when Hanuman meets Sita, she says the following

सिंहस्कन्धो महाबाहुर्मनस्वी प्रियदर्शिनः।
पितृवद्वर्तते रामे मातृवन्मां समाचरन्।।

Lakshmana, who has lionshoulders and strong arms, who is handsome, who takes Rama as his father & treats me as his own mother

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ह्रियमाणां तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः।
वृद्धोपसेवी लक्ष्मीवान् शक्तो न बहुभाषिता।।

Heroic Lakshmana, did not know while I was borne away. He is prosperous, foremost in serving elders. He is energetic and reserved in his speech like my father-in-law ..

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He is a prince dear (to his brother).

These are from Sarga-38, shlokas 60 and 61.

There are 3 distinct points which I want to draw the attention of the reader to.

1. She also compares Lakshmana to Dasaratha much like how Rama did when he constructed the hut in panchavati

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#Avadhūtagītā #SrimadBhagwatham #Dattātrēyanuḍi

In Srimad Bhagwatham, there is a discussion between Sri Krishna & Uddhava about Brahma Jnana.

In this context, a very famous aspect called Avadhūta Gītā / Dattātrēya Nuḍi is described.

Thread below

PC: Google

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Personal anecdote:

This is my 5th attempt in last 6 months to write a thread. I hope I am successful in completing this endeavor. Along with Yama Geetha, these are some of the most wonderful philosophies captured in Srimad Bhagwatham.

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Context:

Krishna and Uddhava would be having a discussion, the basis of which would be to impart the Brahma Jnana to Uddhava

During one such discussion, Krishna describes Anumana and Pratyaksha through a story, which is the Avadhūta Gītā

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As described by Krishna, this incident traverses back in time to his ancestor Yadu (from whom Yadavas originated).

Yadu would be roaming the earth and comes across a young man, barely clad but completely fearless. He had a serene smile on his face

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Yadu recognised him as the Avadhuta , one who has found inner peace and whose face is a sea of tranquility. Yadu requests to know the path through which the enlightened man reached this state.

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#Spirituality #Shloka #Shlokas

Master thread of all Spirituality articles - Part of pinned thread

#AithiyaMaala #ViwamangalamSwamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar is one of the most revered saints in Kerala's history. He was famous as one of the few who could see Gods, Goddess, Celestial beings in their flesh and blood form. Thread below about his mahima

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1. Vaddakkumanathan Temple

During Vrishchikka masa, Karthika star day is considered to be the birthday of Karthiayani devi in Kumaranallur.

On this day, Swamiyar visited the temple to offer his prayers, but doesn't find the lord in garbha griha

PC: Google

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After searching all around, he observes Mahadeva sitting on the southern compound wall and watching something in distance.

Swamiyar asks, "Oh lord ! Why are you sitting here"

Mahadeva says "I am watching the Aarattu (ceremonial bathing during festival) of my consort"

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Swamiyar says, "In that case, let me not disturb you".

He bows and immediately goes to the temple authorities and describes what transpired.

Immediately, a priest performed a pooja at the southern compound wall which continues till date on that specific day

🕉️

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2. Vaikkom Temple

Vaikkasthashtami Festival (was on 8-Dec this year) is one of the major festivals in this majestic Shiva kshetrams. Swamiyar visited this temple and went to worship the lord, but as usual, he didn't find the Bhagwan

PC: TOI

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@HelloNNewman @kunthavi05 @SparesofWar Aah.. the proverbial question.. I will try to write in concise as much as possible, but if it spans a few tweets, pls bear with me.

Our janma phala is decided by our karmic debts and deeds. The lifecycle of a jeeva is an ultimate goal of moksha i.e. Ikya with the paramatma

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@kunthavi05 @SparesofWar We go through multiple births.. manushya one is considered as a big deal i.e. best of janmas to transition towards moksha..

However, our karmic deeds of the past i.e. prarabdha karma has a major impact too. I learnt it recently BTW...

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@kunthavi05 @SparesofWar Some who would have done loads of punya in the past get to reap them in the next janma.. the same holds true for the paapa karma..

So we observe these vagaries where people seem to be doing fine inspite of all the adharmic activities done by them

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@kunthavi05 @SparesofWar and same way, some suffering a lot even though they are dharmic and simple

Both are prarabda karma at play.. Please note that the current janma is not to expend the previous punya..

The paapa of this janma will also hit in a bad way..

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@kunthavi05 @SparesofWar We observe only what's visible but not what's hidden.. most of these guys have issues with having children (just an observation - not generalisation) or with health or some other aspect of life..

We may not know everything of their life..

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#Vedas #Talavakaropanisat #Kenopanisat

This post is a preamble for a series of posts over next many days.

Who is the Rsi for Talavakaropanisat? What is the meter? Who is the Deity?

In today's post, we will focus on the Rsi aspect only.

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* In beginning of creation, all jnana emerged from Hayagriva form of Bhagwan - HAYAGRIVAD-IMA VIDYAH

* Hayagriva : 1st Rsi of knowledge & Talavakaropanisat

* Brahma is the next Rsi - MUNIR-BRAHMAKHILASYA CA

* In 3rd stage, Garuda is Rsi for all Vedas - GARUDA SARVA-VEDANAM

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* Garudavahana - Bhagwan in the form of veda scriptures should come closer to us

* Garuda should bring him into the seats within our hearts

* For Sama Veda - Mukhya-prana & Candra are Rsis - SOMAS-SAMANAM

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* Surya & Candra enlighten the spiritual world - 2 eyes of Veda Scriptures

* To all Veda schools - Veda Vyasa is basic root

* Vyasa preached the 4 schools to 4 Rsis
- Rg : Paila
- Yajur : Vaisampayana
- Sama : Jaimini
- Atharva : Sumantu

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* Sama Veda - First Rsi is Jaimini Rsi

* Next : Talavakara Rsis

* Next come the Rsis specific to this Upanisat - Initially though there is no clue, there is subsequent commentary by Madhwacharya that resolves this conundrum

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#Vedas #SantiMantra

In majority of common and lesser-known mantras, we always end with

OM SANTIH SANTIH SANTIH

What is SANTIH? What is the significance of chanting this at the end of mantras? Why do we repeat it thrice?

Thread...

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* SANTI doesn't mean "Peace"

* There is no translation which can describe the total sense of this word

* Combination of 3 words SANTI = SA + ANTA + I

* SA = Joy

* ANTA = End of these

* I = Understanding - IN GATAU

* Very ultimate is SANTI

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* SANTI is a chant of the trinity - GOD

* Ultimate / Very infinite form of knowledge of bliss which is God

* It's saying my life too moving towards totality - May it be filled with knowledge and bless how much ever it can hold like a bowl in front of ocean

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* Why do we repeat it 3 times?

* Phases of Life are 3 : Consciousness, Dream & Sleep

* Times are 3 : Past, Present & Future

* God who controls the 3 times & phases of life, may he fill me with knowledge and bliss that wouldn't be lost for ever

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* Worlds are 3 : Bhu, Bhuvah, Suvah

* God who is omnipresent across the 3 worlds fill me up with knowledge & bliss

* Gunas / Qualities are 3 : Sattva, Rajas, Tamas

* God who controls these 3 qualities, performs creation, sustenance & dissolution, may he fill me with ...

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#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana

Today, I will quote a few verses on Lakshmana's famous anger and his unflinching devotion towards Sri Rama. There are couple of instances where his Bhakti towards his brother is intense.

Thread below

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In Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Lakshmana on being told about the course of events goes into his famous rage. He even threatens to kill anyone who supports Bharatha.

However, what he says to Kausalya is what touches one's soul. A couple of shlokas below

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अनुरक्तोऽस्मि भावेन भ्रातरं देवि तत्त्वतः।
सत्येन धनुषा चैव दत्तेनेष्टेन ते शपे।।16।।

O mother, (Lakshmana says to Kausalya) I am truly loyal to my brother from the bottom of my heart. I swear this by my bow, on my merits earned through charity, ...

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by my truthfulness & by the good deeds I have done

दीप्तमग्निमरण्यं वा यदि रामः प्रवेक्ष्यति।
प्रविष्टं तत्र मां देवि त्वं पूर्वमवधारय।।17।।

O mother rest assured should Rama enter a blazing fire or a forest I must have already entered it

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This is fiercely violent sentiment .. One of pure unbridled emotion where he swears by all his karma that he will be the first face dangers before Rama has to endure it.

Is this unlimited Bhakti ? Or protective nature towards his Rama?

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#DailyAnushtanam #DailyRituals #DailyPractices

In a recent debate, someone challenged that those who don't do Trikala Sandhyavandanam don't have the right to comment.

Moreover, someone knowledgeable commented that I am half-baked and shouldn't comment

cc: @Maha_periyava_

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So I thought why not write down what I do on a daily basis. Maybe I can learn something from other knowledgeable souls on what might be missing to be considered worthy of commenting on some puranic discussions and debates.

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1. Daily Sandhyavandanam - Twice a day
2. Initial Shlokas
a. Ganesha - Shuklam Baradaram
b. Ganesha - Vakratunda
c. Gayatri
d. Gurur Brahma
e. Shantakaram
f. Saraswati Namastubhyam
3. Mantra pushpam

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4. Daily Dhyana
a. 21 x Om Gam Ganapathaiye Namah
b. 21 x Om Nama Shivaya
c. 21 x Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra
d. 21 x Om Bhagwathiye Namah
d' : After this I chant Sarvamangala Mangalye, Annapoorneshwari Stotram, Saraswati Stotra

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#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana

Today, I will share a very touching, quite surprising unconventional thought process from Ramayana.

When Lakshmana erected the hut in Panchavati, Rama said something which is quite strange & unexpected. Thread on this incident below:

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We all know about Lakshmana's unflinching devotion and respect for Rama. We will visit this theme quite often in this series.

In the context where Lakshmana has just built the hut, Rama gave a glowing tribute as below

Section: Aranyaa Kanda, Sarga 15

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Verse 27

सुसंहृष्टः परिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां लक्ष्मणं तदा।
अतिस्निग्धं च गाढं च वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्।।

Deeply pleased with Lakshmana, he hugged him tightly and said those loving words :

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Verse 28

प्रीतोऽस्मि ते महत्कर्म त्वया कृतमिदं प्रभो।
प्रदेयो यन्निमित्तं ते परिष्वङ्गो मया कृतः।।

O my master, you have done a great task for which I have given you what I could give at the moment a hug.

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Verse 29

भावज्ञेन कृतज्ञेन धर्मज्ञेन च लक्ष्मण।
त्वया पुत्रेण धर्मात्मा न संवृत्तः पिता मम।।

O Lakshmana with a son like you who can understand others' feelings, who has a sense of gratitude and a sense of duty my father is not dead yet.

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