SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

(In the last episode, Ravana had been told by Vibheeshana about the abduction of Kumbheenasi by demon Madhu. Vibheeshana had also hinted that instead of punishing Madhnu, it would be better to make alliance with him and get him married with Kumbheenasi. What was the reaction of Ravana is narrated in this episode. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Ravana  was not prepared for any compromise or alliance with demon Madhu. On the contrary, he was enraged by what Vibheeshana told and he decided to first kill Madhu and then go for another expedition of the world of deities Devaloka. He arrived at Madhupura along with a huge army. Immediately on seeing Ravana, Kumbheenasi surrendered to him, fell at his feet and requested him not kill her husband. Ravana agreed for the sake of Kumbheenasi. He took Madhu along with him for the expedition over Devaloka.

He reached Mount Kailasa. He asked his cavalcade to rest on the mountain where Kubera was residing, climbed the tip of the highest tower in that mountain and was savouring the scenic beauty at night, especially after the Moon appeared in the sky. The milky moonlight, romantic music that was being played by the Kinnaras, the pleasant fragrance of flowers, songs being rendered by the Apsara women, chilly breeze and the enthralling beauty of the surroundings of that mountain were sufficient to arouse lust in the mind of Ravana. At that particular moment, his attention was caught by a very charming Apsara called Rambha treading through his vast army. The numerous jewels she was wearing just enhanced her charm and attraction. Perturbed and aroused by sensuous feeling, he caught Rambha by her hand and proudly described his own bravery, glory and inimitable status. He requested her to become his wife. She said:

“Oh Ravana, most virtuous and great sage Nalakubara is the son of your elder brother Kubera. I am going the place he has indicated by wearing all these jewels and dress. He is waiting for me there. You should not try to spoil the relationship that is going to develop between I and him. As he happens to be your son too, I am your daughter-in-law. You should protect me if someone tries to spoil me. Under these circumstances, it is not right on your part to try to spoil me.” Rambha was indeed shivering when she was replying to Ravana.

Ravana said: “Oh Rambha, the rule that a man should not rape another person’s wife is applicable in places where only such families are living. Being an Apsara, you are just a concubine of all deities. Therefore, principle of monogamy holds no water here. Even Nalakubara has relationship with several prostitutes like you. Therefore, there is nothing wrong in my having sex with you.”  Ravana forcibly raped Rambha, who ran in dismay and misery to Nalakubara and narrated what transpired with Ravana. She begged Nalakubara to pardon her. After hearing Rambha, Nalakubara pronounced a curse to Ravana: “If at all Ravana tries to forcibly enjoy another woman like what he did with Rambha, may his head be shattered into seven pieces.” Ravana came to know about the curse and since then, he never tried to enrage the fidelity of other women. All those women Ravana had dragged from different places and kept in his custody were delighted to hear the curse as Ravana had to abstain from such forcible acts since then.

MADHWA VIJAYA DWITEEYAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 36, 37 AND 38

(In these Shlokas, the exemplary prowess of Bheemasena displayed during Dwapara Yuga has been briefly described. Please read, comment and share. SDN )

MahAgadam chanDaraNam pruThivyAm bArhadraTham mankShu nirasya veeraha|

RAjAnamatyujjwalarAjasUyam chakAra GOvindasundarEndrajABhyAm||36||

SUMMARY: Accompanied by Sri Krishna and Arjuna, valiant Bheema instantly killed son of Bruhadratha, Jarasandha, who was possessing a lethal mace and was capable of battling dreadfully; he (Bheemasena) then got the most dazzling Rajasuya Yajna performed by Dharmaraya.

In this stanza, the leading role that Bheemasena played during the expedition launched by Arjuna as a prelude to Rajasuya Yajna has been clearly stated. The death of Jarasandha and subjugation of powerful Keechaka, Karna and others in the eastern provinces were of paramount importance to succeed in the expedition launched in other directions.

Word BArhadraTha means son of Brahadratha. The name Bruhadratha is self-explanatory as it means ‘a person possessing a giant chariot’. Bruhat means giant or gigantic and Ratha means chariot.      

DuhshAsanEnAkulitAn priyAyAm sUkShmAnarAlAnasitAmshchakEshAn|

JiGhAmsayA vairijanasya steekShNaha sa KriShNasarpAniva sanchikAya||37||

SUMMARY: Enraged by the act of Dusshasana, Bheemasena joined the scattered and shattered but soft, curved and black hair of his wife Draupadi like young black cobras as though he was preparing to kill all the enemies.

The pulling down Draupadi with her hair by Dusshasana at the behest of Duryodhana and Karna exposed the cruelty and jealousy of Duryodhana and his 100 brothers, besides laying the foundation for the 18-day battle of Mahabharata. This has been crisply narrated in this stanza.  

JAjjwalyamAnasya vane vane(a)lam diDhakShataha PArThivasArThamugram|

SattwAni pumsAm BhayadAni nAsham VrukOdarAgnErgurutEjasA(a)puhu||38||        

SUMMARY: The group of wicked kings who were terrorising the pious, virtuous and cultured people was decimated by the brightest and most radiant fire named Vrukodara in each forest exile, like the cruel animals would get destroyed by the blazing wild fire that engulfs plants and trees.

Besides highlighting the fact that every forest exile that Pandavas in general and Bheemasena in particular had to undergo was basically aimed at killing demons like Baka, Hidimba, Kirmeera etc., it is also pertinent to know that the word or another name of Bheemasena, Vrukodara, actually means a great person endowed with a very bright and hot fire called Vruka, which was there in his stomach. The meaning of the word Vrukodata that Bheemasena was possessing as large a stomach as a wolf is totally wrong or at the most a far distant interpretation.

Please stand by to know the meaning of subsequent shlokas of Madhwavijaya. 

SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

(Ravana learns about the Yajna that Indrajitu was performing and despises the Gods. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

As soon as he returned to Lanka, Ravana went Nikumbhila Garden, where his son Meghanada was performing a Yajna, wearing a deer skin (Krishnajina). When Ravana enquired, the demon priest, Shukracharya, replied: “Oh Ravana,  your son has already performed six sacrifices comprising Agnishtoma, Ashwamedha, Rajasuya, Gomedha and Bahusuvarnaka Vaishnava. He has also performed the seventh one called Maheshwara and has secured some rarest boons from Lord Rudra. He has obtained a chariot that can fly in the sky and reach the desired destiny by merely making up your mind. He has secured a mystic power named Tamasi. If he employs this power during war, none can identify the place from where he is battling. He has obtained two quivers which never get emptied even after drawing any number of arrows from it. The bow he has secured is such that he cannot suffer defeat in any war, once he enters the war field with that bow. Now, your son is just waiting for you to convey this auspicious information.”

On hearing this explanation of Shukracharya, Ravana curtly said: “It is impropriety of Meghanada to have approached my most hated enemies Indra, Vishnu and Rudra.” Ravana gave vent to his ire and dejection over the exploits of Indrajitu and took his son away to his residence.

Later, he summoned all the women he had brought from various corners to his royal apartments with a plan to spoil their fidelity and enjoy. All those women were continuously crying. Vibheeshana, who saw those women in distress, told Ravana: “Oh brother, you have killed the husbands of these women and brought them here by force. You are planning to destroy their chastity. The bad repercussion of your wrong doings has already begun. When you were away on expedition, Meghanada was engaged in the performance of sacrifice, I was doing penance in mid-sea and Kumbhakarna, as usual, was asleep. Kumbheenasi, who is the granddaughter of Malkavan, uncle of our mother, was forcibly kidnapped by demon Madhu, who also killed most powerful ministers as they tried to confront him. As you are trying to spoil the chastity of other women, Kumbeenasi, who is like our own sister, is made to pay the penalty. It is our responsibility to marry off our sister. Since Madhu is a powerful, courageous and brave demon, it is better to excuse him and keep quiet. He is the most suitable groom for her too.”

In the next episode, Ravana’s reaction will be given. Happy reading. 

MADHWAVIJAYA DWITEEYAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 33, 34 AND 35

(In these Shlokas, the destruction of demons by Bheemasena and related acts have been explained. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Samarpya krutyAni krutE krutyAni VyAsAya BhUmnE sukrutAni tAvat|

KariShyamANAni cha tasya pUjAm sankalpayAmAsa sa shudDhabudDhihi||

SUMMARY: When Lord Vedavyasa gave Darshan to knowledgeable and pure-hearted Bheemasena, the latter surrendered all the positive energy he had earned through good deeds (Punya) and pledged to submit the positive energy he would secure from pious deeds as worship to him.              

ViShNOho padashridbakasannirAsee kShptAnyapakShiprakaraha supakShaha|

SasOdarO(a)ThAdita rAjahamsaha sa rAjahamseemiva rAjakanyAm||34||

SUMMARY: The goose flies in the sky, kills the crane, wins over other birds and appears royal with enchanting wings. Sri Bheemasena was always reliant on Lord Vishnu; he honours and adores proper philosophy; he is the one who killed Bakasura and destroyed the entire rival force. Like he male duck secures female duck, he secured Draupadi.      

IndeevarashreejayisundarABham smErAnE ndum dayitaha mukundam|

SwamAtulEyam kamalAyatAkSham samaBhyanandat suchirAya Bheemaha||35||  

SUMMARY: Seeing Sri Krishna, who had a face reminiscent of the sweet smile of moon; had lotus-like wide eyes and was born as son of his (Bheemasena’s) most beloved maternal uncle, Bheemasena was mighty happy.  

MADHWAVIJAYA DWITEEYAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 30, 31 AND 32

(A few interesting facts about the babyhood days of Sri Madhwacharyaru have been explained in these Shlokas. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

PAtum payAmsi shishavE kila gOpradO(a)smai pUrvAlayam swasutasUnutayA prajAtaha|

NirvANahEtumalaBhiShTaparAtmavidyAm dAnam Dhruvam Phalati pAtraguNAnukUlyAt||30||

SUMMARY: Poorvalaya, who donated a cow to help feed milk to Vasudeva and born as the son for his son, acquired Adhyatma knowledge that would secure him the salvation, progressed well with his own act. Is it not true that the fruits of charity depend on the character of the person to whom it has been done?

AtrastamEva satatam paripullachakShuhu kAntyA viDambitavEndu jagatyanarGhyam|

Tatputraratnamupagruhya kadAchidAptaha swaswAminE buDha upAyanamArpayat saha||31||

SUMMARY: Once, Madhyageha took his gem-like son, who was untiring, had fully blossomed eyes and radiant that was reminiscent of full moon, to Udupi and submitted unto the feet of his Lord Anantasana.

Sri Narayanacharyaru has clearly indicated here that it is customary to submit anything, including a child, that the Lord has bestowed upon, back to him. By surrendering his son to the Lord, Madhyageha has set an example for all devotees of Lord Hari to emulate.

NatvAharim rajatapeeThapurAlayam tam bAlasya sampadamanApadamarThayitwA|

SAkam sutEna parivArajanAvitO(a)sau prAyAnnisheeThasamayE nijamEna DhAma||32||

SUMMARY: Madhyageha saluted Sri Anantasana, who had manifested himself in Rajatapeethapura or Udupi and appealed to the Lord to bestow upon his son infinite wealth. Along with his family members and the son, he returned to his home at Pajaka in the midnight. 

SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

(Furnishing more details about the background of Ravana as published by Sri Gurusarvabhauma Samshodhana Mandir in their ‘SriramachAritrya Manjari”. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Earlier, Ravana had gone to the kingdoms of Dushyanta, Suratha, Gadhi, Gaya, Pururava and others, who were all quite popular kings of those days. He told them all: “Come for a war with me. Otherwise, concede your defeat at my hands. If you fail to agree, I am not going to leave you, anyway.” All those kings jointly discussed the matter and realised that Ravana had gone headlong due to the boon from Lord Brahma and that it would be impossible for them to defeat Ravana. All of them separately accepted defeat and saved themselves from his tyranny.

He visited Ayodhya, where he faced a stiff fight from the then king called Anaranya. A fierce battle ensued between Ravana and Anaranya and at the end, Ravana pounded the head of Anaranya with his fist. Anaranya lost the chariot, fell on ground and collapsed in a very horrible state. Ravana made fun of Anaranya in a very shameful manner. Severely hit and insulted Anaranya told Ravana: “If at all I am eligible for good things due to good deeds I have done in my life, you will be killed by Rama, who will be born in my dynasty later.”

Later, Ravana proceeded to a city called Manimayee. In the previous issue, Ravana’s victory over Vasuki and other serpents had been narrated. His dash against Manimayee was after that victory. Manimayee was under the rule of a demon clan called Nivatakavacha. The war between Ravana and Nivatakavacha went on for one year and neither of them could win nor anyone was killed on either side. Lord Brahma then arrived at the spot and told Ravana: “Oh demon king. I have given a boon each to you as well as Nivatakavachas that you will not be killed or defeated by anyone except human beings. Therefore, stop this infinite war and establish friendship with Nivatakavachas.” Accordingly, Ravana offered friendship to Nivatakavachas and promised to abide by that relationship by keeping Fire God as a witness to his words. After being felicitated by them, Ravana took off from that kingdom. Ravana spent a year in that kingdom before continuing with his expedition.

What transpired between Ravana and Varuna will be given in the next issue.

MADHWAVIJAYA DWITEEYAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 27, 28 AND 29

(In these Shlokas, the birth of a son to Madhyageha Bhattaru and his delight, naming of baby have been described. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

NATham niShEvya BhavanAnatidUramAptaha prAjnO mahaprakrutadunduBhinAdapUrvAt|

PutrOdBhavashravaNatO mahadApya sauKhyam jnAnam parOkShapadamapyamatEShTahEtum||27||

SUMMARY: When knowledgeable Madhyageharu was approaching his house after worshipping Lord Anantasana, he could hear the sound of percussion instruments too, along with the chanting of Vedic hymns. Delighted by hearing the news of the birth of a son too, he felt that empirical knowledge is also one of the means to realise the ultimate truth.    

Aavishya vEshma nijanandanaminduvaktram BhUyOBhinandya sa

MukundadayAm pravandya|

JAtasya tasya guNajAtavahasya jAtakarmAdi nivaham vadaDhE sukarmA||28||

Ever righteous, custom-bound Madhyageha entered his house. Complimenting his baby son, whose face was shining like the Moon, he thanked Sri Hari infinitely for the kindness He had showered on him. Subsequently, he performed the essential duties prescribed for a baby at the birth to his son, who was like a treasure of virtues.

JnAnArThamEva yadaBhUdasudEva yESha yadvAsudEvapadaBhaktirataha sadA(a)sau|

TadvAsudEvapadamanvavadan surEndrAstAtEna yannigaditam sutanAmakartrA||29||

Sri Madhyageha named the child as Vasudeva. Deities too approved the name Sri Madhyageha chose for his son as they knew that the new born was none other than Lord Vayu, who possessed eternal devotion towards Lord Vasudeva. They knew that Lord Vayu had taken birth on Earth only to spread true knowledge.  

MADHWAVIJAYA DWITEEYAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 25 AND 26

 (In these Shlokas, the birth of Sri Madhwacharya has been explained. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

SampUrNalakShaNacharaNam navarAjamAnadwarAntaram paramasundaramandiram tat|
RAjEva satpuravaram BhuvanADhirAjO niShkAsayan paramasau BhagavAn vivEsha||25||

{ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣಲಕ್ಷಣಚಣಂ ನವರಾಜಮಾನದ್ವಾರಾಂತರಂ ಪರಮಸುಂದರಮಂದಿರಂ ತತ್|
ರಾಜೇವ ಸತ್ಪುರವರಂ ಭುವನಾಧಿರಾಜೋ ನಿಷ್ಕಾಸಯನ್ ಪರಮಸೌ ಭಗವಾನ್ ವಿವೇಶ||25||}

SUMMARY: Like a king entering an enchanting, well-featured city with huge doors, castles and various amenities, after driving away his enemy, Lord Vayu entered that radiant nine-door super body that was adorned with all good features and was reminiscent of a beautiful temple of Lord Sri Hari, after banishing the life that existed in that body.

What is very much clear from this stanza is that Lord Vayu was not there in the womb of the wife of Sri Madhyageha Bhatta till the baby boy was delivered. Therefore, there is chance for Lord Vayu to pass through the birth process of living in the womb of a woman.

It has been mentioned in Vayu Purana that the being that was existing in the womb till delivery was that of Manibhadra, a servant of Kubera.

VAyurAjnAm puraskrutya MaNiBhadram sa yEva hi|
MaDhyagEhasya BhAryAyAm pravEsham krutavAn praBhuhu||
NavamAsAvasAnE tu swayam gatwA balAtmakaha|
BahirniShkAsayAmAsa sa tam jeevam taThaiva hi||

(Honoring the order of Lord Vayu, Manibhadra entered the womb of the wife of Madhyageha Bhatta on his own. After the expiry of nine months, he made his exit voluntarily to pave the way for Lord Vayu to enter.)

Some Puranas, including ANumamaDhwacharita and “SmrutyarthasAgara” of Chalari Narasihmacharya, it is mentioned that the day Sir Madhwacharya was born was Vijaya Dashami. However, some scholars are of the opinion that Sri Madhwacharya was born on Rathasaptami day. However, it may not be totally wrong if it is conceded that Sri Madhwacharya was born on Vijaya Dashami day and he was ordained into sainthood on Rathasaptami.

The word “sampUrNasallakShaNa” emphasizes the fact that the physique of Sri Madhwacharya had all the 32 positive features.

A question may arise as to whether Lord Vayu entered a corpse. Since Lord Vayu exists in everybody’s physique, there is no question of insanity when Lord Vayu entered the body of Manibhadra after driving him out.

SantuShyatAm sakalasannikarairasadBhihi KhidyEta VAyurayamAviraBhUt pruThivyAm|
AaKhyAniteeva suradunduBhimandranAdaha prAshrAvi kautukavashairiha mAnavaishcha||26||

ಸಂತುಷ್ಯತಾಂ ಸಕಲಸನ್ನಿಕರೈರಸದ್ಭಿಃ ಖಿದ್ಯೇತ ವಾಯುರಯಮಾವಿರಭೂತ್ ಪೃಥಿವ್ಯಾಂ|
ಆಖ್ಯಾನಿತೀವ ಸುರದುಂದುಭಿಮಂದ್ರನಾದಃ ಪ್ರಾಶ್ರಾವಿ ಕೌತುಕವಶೈರಿಹ ಮಾನವೈಶ್ಚ||26||

SUMMARY: Lord Vayu descended on Earth. The happy and pleasant instruments pronouncing “may all pious people rejoice and evil souls get distressed” that the deities played in the space could be heard by the anxiously awaiting humans there.

The surprising fact that sound of divine instruments could be heard on Earth has been mentioned here.