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.

SRI RAMA CHARITRYA MANJARI

(A little more information about Ravana is given in this episode. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Once, Vedavati, an incarnation of Lakshmi Devi, was doing a fierce penance in Himalayan Mountains, with the desire of having Sri Narayana as her husband. She was the grand-daughter of Bruhaspatyacharya and daughter of his son Kushadhwaja, who was a Brahmarishi. She had originated from the mouth (Vagindriya) of that Rishi, when he was studying Vedas. Once, Ravana reached her and appealed to her to be his wife. She rejected the request and also expressed her desire to be the wife of Sri Narayana. Enraged by the rejection, Ravana caught her hair and enraged her modesty. Using her sword-shaped arm, she cut the portion of hair that Ravana had caught and plunged into fire. Before plunging into the fire, she cursed Ravana by stating: ‘I will take a new incarnation yet again to get you killed.” Accordingly, she took birth from Lotus. She was yet again identified by Ravana, who took her home. Ravana’s Minister saw the baby girl and told Ravana: “She is born to get you killed.” After observing the various features of the baby girl, Minister of Ravana had uttered those words. Immediately after hearing those words, Ravana arranged to throw the baby girl into the sea. Carried by the waves of sea, the baby reached the ground. When King Janaka was ploughing the land for a Yajna, she was touched by the yoke and Janaka named the baby girl as Seetha, meaning one stuck to the yoke. (Please read this page to know more about Ravana and Ramacharitrya Manjari. SDN)

MADHWAVIJAYA DWITEEYAHA SARGAHA - SHLOKAS 23 AND 24

(In these stanzas, wife of Sri Madhyageha Bhattaru getting pregnant has been stated, which incidentally heralded a new era in the world of knowledge. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

KAntAdrutau samuchitE(a)Tha baBhAra garBham sA BhUsurEndraduhitA jagatAm hitAya|

AchChAmbarEva rajanee paripUritAshA BhAvinyapAstatamasam viDhumAdyapakShAt||23||

{ಕಾಂತಾದೃತೌ ಸಮುಚಿತೇ(s)ಥ ಬಭಾರ ಗರ್ಭಂ ಸಾ ಭೂಸುರೇಂದ್ರದುಹಿತಾ ಜಗತಾಂ ಹಿತಾಯ|

ಅಚ್ಛಾಂಬರೇವ ರಜನೀ ಪರಿಪೂರಿತಾಶಾ ಭಾವಿನ್ಯಪಾಸ್ತತಮಸಂ ವಿಧುಮಾದ್ಯಪಕ್ಷಾತ್||23||}

SUMMARY: Like the clear sky during the night of ascending moon (Shukla Paksha) secures the Moon who drives away darkness, wife of Madhyageha Bhattaru wearing well-washed clothes and looking to realise her desire, in an auspicious season, for the welfare of the universe, conceived from her husband a pregnancy that would imminently drive away the darkness that existed in the form of lack of knowledge.

The word “samuchitE” means “RutU rajOdarshanAt panchamAdihi (As per Bhava Prakashika, cited by Sri Vyasanakere Prabhanjanachar in his compilation of Madhwavijaya) or the period from the fifth day after the first day of menstruation and the next sixteen days is said to be ‘unrestricted’ days. It also means Sharadrutu.    

Tam pUrvapakShasitabimbamiva pravrudhDham yAvaddvijEndravanitA suShuvE(a)tra  tAvat|

AmshEna vAyuravateerya sa rUpyapeeThE ViShNum PraNamya Bhavanam prayayau tadeeyam||24||

{ತಾಂ ಪೂರ್ವಪಕ್ಷಸಿತಬಿಂಬಮಿವ ಪ್ರವೃಧ್ಢಂ ಯಾವದ್ದ್ವಿಜೇಂದ್ರವನಿತಾ ಸುಷುವೇ(s)ತ್ರ ತಾವತ್|

ಅಂಶೇನ ವಾಯುರವತೀರ್ಯ ಸ ರೂಪ್ಯಪೀಠೇ ವಿಷ್ಣುಂ ಪ್ರಣಮ್ಯ ಭವನಂ ಪ್ರಯಯೌ ತದೀಯಂ||24||}

SUMMARY: As soon as the wife of that Brahmin delivered after it grew like the Moon during the fortnight of ascending moon (Shukla Paksha), Lord Vavy descended down to the earth with a portion of his divine power, went to Udupi, saluted the presiding deity Sri Anantasana there, and moved towards the house of that Brahmin.

As mentioned in Varaha Purana, this particular stanza clarifies the fact that till the birth of the child, Lord Vayu was not present and hence there is no question of Lord Vayu having lived in the womb and having suffered the joy or sorrow in the womb.

By employing the word “AmshEna” in this stanza, Sri Narayanacharyaru has clarified the fact that for deities, gods and goddesses, there is no possibility of taking birth in their full form. A part of their divine power can only enter a human body. Sri Madhwacharya in his Bharata Tatparya Nirnaya has stated:

Na dEvAnAm na dEveenAm sAmastyEna janirBhuvi|

AmshAmshEnaiva jAyantE sarvE twAjAnajAdayaha||

[ನ ದೇವಾನಾಂ ನ ದೇವೀನಾಂ ಸಾಮಸ್ತ್ಯೇನ ಜನಿರ್ಭುವಿ|

ಅಂಶಾಂಶೇನೈವ ಜಾಯಂತೇ ಸರ್ವೇ ತ್ವಾಜಾನಜಾದಯಃ||]

SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(Little known facts about Ravana, which is essential for a clear understanding and appreciation of Sri Ramayana. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Kaikasi, the aunt of Kubera, could not digest the progress and prosperity of Kubera. She summoned her two sons and showed them the pomp, glory and prosperity of Kubera. Both of them performed penance for 10,000 years as calculated in the heavens. Ravana, who was fasting while doing the penance, used to cut one of his heads at the end of every thousand years, as an offering to appease the Lord. He was offering his head through Agni, the Fire God. At the end of 10,000^th year, he was preparing to offer his tenth head too. Lord Brahma stopped him from doing so and offered to present any boon that Ravana wanted. Lord Brahma also restored all the nine heads that Ravana had offered till then. Ravana asked that he should never die or in other words Ravana demanded immortality. However, instead of putting forth a direct demand, Ravana said that none of the demons, gods, animals, Yakshas, celestial beings, serpents should be able to kill him. He ignored the human beings in that list. Lord Brahma granted the boon. With the pride of being indefatigable and invincible, Ravana took an oath to torture and kill Cows, Brahmins and sages.

Ravana killed lakhs of Yakshas and vanquished Kubera. He usurped the Pushpak Plane from Kubera. With all the pride and vanity, high-headedness, he tried to pull out the Mount Kailas, the residence of Lord Rudra, and throw it away. Then, Goddess Parvati smiled and just pressed the mountain with her toe. Ravana got stuck below the mountain. Unable to get out of it, he cried for one thousand years, struggling still under the weight of Mount Kailas. Having been prayed and pleaded hy him, Lord Rudra released Ravana. He, however, renewed his customary activities of torturing and killing Cows, sages, saints, Brahmins. Since he cried aloud and horribly for a thousand years under Mount Kailas, he came to be known as Ravana, Rauti iti RavaNaha or RAvayati iti RAvaNaha. Lord Rudra conferred this title of Ravana on him. 

MADHWAVIJAYA DWITEEYAHA SARGAHA - SHLOKAS 20, 21 AND 22

(These stanzas amply describe the physical and mental preparations the couple undertook for the birth of a very special Jagadguru or Master of Universe. Please read, comment and share. SDN)        

PatnyA samam Bhagavataha sa Bhajan padAbjam BhOgAn laGhUnapi punarlaGhayAnchakAra|

DAntam swayam cha hrudayam damayAnchakAra swachCham cha dEhamaDhikam vimaleechakAra||20||

(ಪತ್ನ್ಯಾ ಸಮಂ ಭಗವತಃ ಸ ಭಜನ್ ಪದಾಬ್ಜಂ ಭೋಗಾನ್ ಲಘೂನಪಿ ಪುನರ್ಲಘಯಾಂಚಕಾರ|

ದಾಂತಂ ಸ್ವಯಂ ಚ ಹೃದಯಂ ದಮಯಾಂಚಕಾರ ಸ್ವಚ್ಛಂ ಚ ದೇಹಮಧಿಕಂ ವಿಮಲೀಚಕಾರ||20||)

SUMMARY: Having started serving the lotus feet of the Lord, along with his wife, he further reduced all comforts and luxury in life, which he had already sacrificed much before. The mind, which was already under control, was further restricted. He purified his body, which was already quite pure.  

Teevraihi payOvratamuKhairviviDhairvratAgrair-

jAyApatee guNagaNArNavaputrakAmau|

SampUrNapUruShamatOShayatAm nitAntam

DEvEritAviva purA(a)ditikashyapau tau||21||

(ತೀವ್ರೈಃ ಪಯೋವ್ರತಮುಖೈರ್ವಿವಿಧೈರ್ವ್ರತಾಗ್ರೈರ್ಜಾಯಾಪತೀ ಗುಣಗಣಾರ್ಣವಪುತ್ರಕಾಮೌ|

ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣಪೂರುಷಮತೋಷಯತಾಂ ನಿತಾಂತಂ ದೇವೇರಿತಾವಿವ ಪುರಾ(s)ದಿತಿಕಶ್ಯಪೌ ತೌ||21||)

SUMMARY: Intent on begetting a son, who would be an ocean of virtues, this couple followed Payovrat and other arduous/special vrats and, like Aditi and Kashyap, who had been instructed by Lord Brahma, the duo made embodiment of all virtues Lord Sri Hari very happy.

The word ‘Vrata’ or ‘Vrat’ in Sanskrit means norms and attitude. For every Vrat, certain exclusive norms have been prescribed and any person undertaking a particular Vrat should strictly adhere to the norms to realise his or her sane desires. Vrat also means an oath and it is related to holy and auspicious acts that are believed to impress the deity-dedicated the most.

Norms related to Payovrat have been mentioned in Sri Bhagavata and also Harivamsha.

NAThasya BhUrikaruNAsuDhayA(a)BhiShiktau

Sree sreeDharapratatishArashareerayaShTee|

BhUrivratapraBhavadivyasukAntimantau

Tau dEhashudhDhimatimAtramaThAlabhEtAm||22||

(ನಾಥಸ್ಯ ಭೂರಿಕರುಣಾಸುಧಯಾ(s)ಭಿಷಿಕ್ತೌ ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀಧರಪ್ರತತಿಶಾರಶರೀರಯಷ್ಟೀ|

ಭೂರಿವ್ರತಪ್ರಭವದಿವ್ಯಸುಕಾಂತಿಮಂತೌ ತೌ ದೇಹಶುಧ್ಧಿಮತಿಮಾತ್ರಮಥಾಲಭೇತಾಂ||22||)

SUMMARY: Pleased with them, Lord Hari showered on the couple the elixir of his kindness; a  divine manifestation of Lord Narayana and Goddess Lakshmi made abodes in their body. A divine radiation enveloped the duo due to the performance of many Vrats and fasting. They secured purest physical forms.