SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(In this edition, Vishamitra narrates the story of Gautama cursing Ahalya. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

AhalyAshApam cha vimOchya — VidEhadEsham prati gamanasamayE mArgasTha GautamAshramE IndrakrutaDharShaNAparADhanimittEna patyA GautamEna shaptAm shileekrutAm swadarshanEna mAnuShatAm prAptAm patyA samyOjya|

There is always a constraint on everything, including the positive energy one attracts from good deeds called PuNya. Whenever that constraint is ignored or breached, the salvation becomes a distant proposition. The excessive positive energy acquired through good deeds can be brought to its prescribed limit in two ways: Firstly, one can enjoy all comforts and luxury to have that Punya dissolved or reduced.   Secondly, a large portion of the accumulated Punya can be lost by merely abusing a person of better rank and file or of virtues of higher value or by cursing a more virtuous person.

Of these two ways, the first one warrants the person concerned to take innumerable births to indulge in such acts as spending the Punya little by little by way of doing favour to others, who might not otherwise deserve such gratis. There is another danger in this process because every good act will certainly attract more Punya or positive energy. This will be a chain reaction and therefore, the person concerned may end up taking births after births and thereby getting caught in the spiral of births and deaths. It is almost impossible for anyone to reduce the Punya through the first method.

A large portion of Punya can be burnt almost instantly by cursing or abusing a person of higher value. Therefore, the second mode is most effective in burning the Punya.

Lord Hari is very kind to his devotees and he will make the virtuous lose their Punya by instigating them to curse a better person.

The deities and Rishis, who are all devotees of Lord Hari, will create a situation for the devotees of Lord Hari in the lower string to get cursed by them so that their excess Punya diminishes quickly. Lord Indra, a devotee of Sri Hari wanted to get cursed by Sage Gautama through some disdainful act so that the excess Punya that Sage Gautama had acquired could be destroyed, which would, in fact, be like doing a favour to the sage. Earlier, every deity had been attracted by the charm and beauty of Ahalya and Indra was not an exception. By having intercourse with her under some pretext, Indra thought, he could fulfil his desire and also get cursed from Gautama. He executed his plan to perfection. He went to the hermitage of Sage Gautama when the sage was not there. To hoodwink Ahalya, Indra went in the guise of Gautama. Ahalya had no clue and she was cooperating with Indra, thinking that he was her husband Gautama. However, she could sense some foul play and immediately rejected Indra, who forcibly had intercourse with Ahalya.

The narration of this incident has been slightly altered in Sri Valmeeki Ramayana where it appears as though Ahalya immediately identified Indra and voluntarily and willingly cooperated with him. This version is with the intention of misleading the demons to think wrongly about Ahalya, Indra and sage Gautama. This factor will be clear by going through Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya by Sri Madhwacharya and the commentary provided on it by Sri Vadirajaru.

When Devendra was leaving the hermitage, Sage Gautama was just entering the hermitage. He was enraged after knowing what had transpired and cursed Devendra: “You disguised as myself, cheated my innocent wife and spoiled her character. Genitals are the cause of interest in women and therefore you henceforth be deprived of genitals.” The sage then turned towards his wife and said: “You have spoiled your character and therefore you will assume the form of a stone and spend thousands of years in ashes till Srirama looks at you with empathy. Only then will you get back your original form.”

As a consequence of the curse of Gautama, Indra lost his genitals. He returned to heavens and narrated everything, including the loss of his genitals, to the deities. He also said that his intention behind that act was to relieve Sage Gautama from the excessive Punya he had earned. “I have succeeded in accomplishing the task by making Sage Gautama curse me,” he said. The deities immediately consulted Pitru Devatas or the ancestors who had become divine. Those Divine Ancestors suggested that the genitals of their vehicle, Sheep, be removed and fixed for Indra. The deities did as directed by the Divine Ancestors. From then on, Indra came to be known as Meshavrushana, where Mesha means Sheep.   

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA - CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA SHLOKAS 19 TO 22

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA – CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA SHOLKAS 19 TO 22

(In these stanzas, Sri Madhygeha expresses his wrath, unwillingness over Vasudeva’s  decision to become a saint. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Sa chintayan putramanOraTham shuchA punashchateertvOpagatO mahAnadeem|

YateeshwarAnuvratamAtmanandanam tamaikShata grAmavarE maThAntarE||19||

SUMMARY: Depressed by his son’s longing to embrace sainthood, heart-broken Madhyageha crossed Netravati River, reached the Kutyadi Mutt at a place called Karyuru where his son had gone behind Achyutapreksha and saw him (son) there.

During his sojourn, Achyutapreksha was staying at the Kutyadi Mutt on the banks of Netravati River. Vasudeva had accompanied his Guru.

As per Bhava Prakashika, “Gramavarasya ‘KAryUru” ityapaBhraShTaBhAShA”, which means, Gramavara is another name of Karyuru.

Sri Vyasanakere Prabhanjanacharya quotes a statement from a commentary rendered by Sri Vijayadhwajeeya Tirtharu: “Prateechee MahAnadee nAmnA NEtrAvatee| VarAha kShEtrAt sahyagirim BhitwA Pashchimasamudram syandamAnA| It is also stated that according to Bhagavata Purana, Netravati River was being called as Mahanadi.  

Na jAtakOpAkulitO DharAsurO mahAtmanAm lanGhanaBheerurapyalam|

Sutasya kaupeenaDhrutau hi sAhasaprashravO mE druDha ityaBhAShata||20||

SUMMARY: Enraged and infuriated Madhyageha, who would never go against the wishes of elders, said in a fit of rage that if his son were to wear pudenda (Kaupeena) and become a saint, he would certainly take a bold step.

“Bold step” or “SAhasaprashravO mE DruDha” means that he (Madhyageha) would either launch indefinite fast or sacrifice his life, if his son were to become a saint.

KShaNEna kaupeenaDharO nijam paTam vidArya hE tAta kuruShwa sAhasam|

IteemamuktwA praBhurabraveet punaha shuBhAntarAyam na BhavAmshcharEditi||21||

Na putra pitrOravanam vinA shuBham vadanti sanatO nanu tau sutau mrutau|

NivartamAnE na hi pAlakO(a)sti nau twayeeti vaktAramamum sutO(a)braveet||22||

SUMMARY: Sri Vasudeva immediately removed the clothe with which he had covered his chest, tore it and wore it as pudenda; he then challenged his father by saying “Alright my  father, let us see what sort of daring act would you take,” and again said “it isn’t proper on your part to obstruct a noble deed.”

Sri Vyasanakere Prabhanjanacharya is of the view that Sri Vasudeva challenged his father to sacrifice his life only to indicate that he (father) could not sacrifice his life when he (Mukhyaprana in the form of young Vasudeva) was there. No being can sacrifice the Prana or life till as long as Mukhyaprana stays in the body. Once Mukhyaprana exits, the body becomes a corpse.  

SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(In this edition, the story of King Vishala concludes. It is interesting to know that King Vishala belonged to the same Ikshwaku dynasty in which Sri Rama had taken birth. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Vishwamitra continues his narration to Sri Rama: “Diti saw with grave concern the horrendous condition her children had reached. She decided to get a son, who could kill Lord Indra as he had got her children killed through you (Lord Vishnu). She obtained the permission of her husband Kashyapa and started worshipping you. Indra came to know about the intentions of Diti and was waiting for Diti to become callous and insane. When Diti inadvertently committed a mistake and became insane, Indra entered her womb and cut the baby there into forty-nine pieces. But they did not die. They started crying and Indra told them “Maa rodee”, which meant “do not cry”. Therefore, they came to be known as Maruts and all of them became the servants of Indra. The moral of this story is that your devotees will always be glorious and your foes will ever be unsuccessful in their life.

There was a noble Apsara called Vishala among the several Apsara women who emerged during the Great Churning. King of this empire, Vishala, was born to Ikshwaku, who is the originator of your dynasty,” said Vishwamitra, concluding the story of Vishala, who also belonged to the same dynasty as Rama.

Vishwamitra was telling similar stories to Rama, Lakshmana and his disciples till arriving at the sub-forest areas that were part of the kingdom of Mithila. It is quite clear from this explanation or substantiation provided by Sri Lakshminarayanachar that Vishwamitra narrated all these stories during his journey from Siddhashram to the country of Videha, where he wanted Rama and Lakshmana to be taken to.     

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA - CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA STANZAS 15 TO 18

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA – CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA SHOLKAS 15 TO 18

(Parents of Vasudeva are worried over the decision of Vasudeva to embrace sainthood. Their agony has been described in these shlokas. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Sutam yateendrAnucharam virAgiNam nishamya sannyAsanibaddhamAnam|

Suvatsalau rUpyatalAlayasThitam viyOgatAntau pitarau sameeyatuhu||15||

SUMMARY: Hearing the news that their son had renounced everything and that with a firm mind to get ordained into sainthood, he was staying with Achyutapreksha, parents of Vasudeva, who were very much attached to their son, arrived at Rajatapeethapura to see Vasudeva, albeit with a very heart and nostalgia.

VarAshramastE jaratOranAThayOrna jeevatOho syAdayi nandanAvayOho|

SayAchanam vAkyamudeeryatAvidam pareetya putrAya natim vitEnatuhu||16||

SUMMARY: Telling their son “Dear child, it isn’t right on your part to embrace sainthood when your aged and orphaned parents are still alive,” the duo revolved around and prostrated before him.  

Natirna shushrUShujanAya shasyatE natam BhavadBhyAm sPhuTamatra sAmpratam|

AhO viDhAtrA swayamEva dApitA tadaBhyanujnEti jagAda sa praBhuhu||17||

SUMMARY: “What a surprise! It isn’t right for elders to prostrate before young ones. It’s very clear now that you have both saluted me. It means that Lor Sri Hari has himself prompted you to permit me,” Vasudeva told his parents.

Traditionally, elders should never salute youngsters especially parents should not salute their children. However, if the son has become a saint, the father alone can salute the son. With the Madhyageha couple having saluted Vasudeva, it was as good as them having inadvertently agreed to Vasudeva becoming a saint.  

Anuttarajnaha sa tamarThayan punaryateendramAnamya gataha priyAyutaha|

GruhE vasan kalpasamAn kShaNAnnayan sutA

nanEndOranisham tatO(a)smarat||18||

SUMMARY: Unaware of what to reply, Madhyageha requested his son once again to reverse his decision; he (Madhyageha) saluted Achyutapreksha; he went to the house of Achyutapreksha, along with his wife and spent every moment there like a Kalpa, remembering the lotus-like face of his son.

SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(Vishwamitra completes the story of how Ganga came to earth and then starts narrating the story of Samudra Manthan under the pretext of making Rama know the background of King Vishala. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

“Immediately after completing the Ashwamedha, King Sagara handed over the kingdom to Amshuman, did penance and attained salvation. Subsequently, Amshuman and his son Dileepa too did penance to invoke Lord Brahma seeking Ganga River and demised. Bhageeratha, son of Dileepa, did severe penance in the name of Brahma, who was impressed with his penance and advised him to do penance in the name of Lord Rudra to wear and withstand the force of Ganga. He followed the instructions of Brahma and Lord Rudra appeared before Bhageeratha. As appealed by him, Lord Rudra wore Ganga. Ganga got into the plait of Lord Rudra and from there she went into the nether world. She soaked the ashes of the children of Sagara. As soon as touching the ashes of Sagara’s children, they got relieved from sins. They also attained salvation.

Oh Ramadeva, how can I ever praise the mystic and divine power of this Ganga as she washed your feet?”

Vishwamitra went on describing the exemplary qualities of Ganga and crossed the river too, along with Rama and Lakshmana. 

While proceeding further after crossing the Ganga, they came close to a city called Vaishali, which was under the protective governance of King Vishala. As soon as hearing that Vishwamitra was about to arrive in his town, King Vishala personally offered a warm welcome to the sage and took him to his palace with reverence. King Vishala felicitated Srirama with devotion. Sage Vishwamitra began narrating the background of King Vishala to Rama: “Oh Ramadeva, when the gods and demons began churning Mount Mandara, which was then used as the churning rod, king of serpents was used like a rope. Due to continuous and forceful churning, Mount Mandara immersed in the ocean. Then, you took the form of a giant tortoise (Kurma Avatar) with a back that was as wide as one Yojana and wore the entire mountain on the back. You also manifested in Vasuki and Mount Mandara to give them the power and strength to bear the pain and fatigue being caused due to the friction and churning. Still, the gods and demons soon got tired. You then assumed two forms to stand on either side of the mountain and you only churned the mountain. Lord Vayu consumed the entire quantity of poison that erupted. Lord Rudra, who swallowed a little bit in the end, without the concentration, lost his consciousness. You showered sympathy on him and saved him. As you continued to churn the mountain, the Moon, five-tusked elephant Airavata, a horse named Uchchaishravas, the tree of Parijata, Apsara women, Mahalakshmi and others came out. In the end, you appeared as Dhanvantari and brought the Kalash containing Elixir or Amrita. Once again, you assumed the form of Mohini and lured the demons. You distributed the elixir among all deities, gods and goddesses. When all the enraged demons launched a fierce war, you killed some of them and the others were killed by the deities. Thus, even though the churning of mountain was undertaken by both gods and demons, the fruits did not go to demons.  

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA - CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA - SHLOKAS 12 TO 14

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA – CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA SHOLKAS 12, 13 AND 14

(A platform is created in these stanzas for the holy meeting of Achyutapeksharu with Vasudeva. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

IteedamAdishya vachO vachaswini swakE gurau lOkamaThAnyameeyuShi|

AsEvatAlochya muhurgurOrgiram sa rUpyapeeThAlayamindirAvaram||12||

SUMMARY: After his wise and eloquent Guru advised him in that way and passed away, Achyutapreksha kept on contemplating and pondering over the words or his Guru for a long time and started serving Anantasana, the cosort of Indira, who had settled down in Rajatapeethapura.

It is pertinent to recall the advice of his Guru to Sri Achyutapreksha: “Oh Modest! This unifying principle or the oneness of Atma and Paramatma being imposed by Mysticism or Mayavada on the worship has not been established as true by either my Guru or his ancient Gurus; therefore, to acquire the philosophical knowledge, please believe in Lord Mukunda with compassion and devotion.”

Sri Madhwacharya went on to critically analyse and evaluate the tenets of Mayavada in his works “Mayavada Khandana”, “UpAdiKhandana”, “PrapanchamiThyAtwAnumAna Khandana”, TattvOdyOta”, “ViShNutattvanirNaya”, “AnuvyAKhyAna” and other works.

SuBhaktinA tEna BhaktavatsalO niShEvitastatra param buBhutsunA|

BhaviShyastaha shiShyavarAddhi viddhi mAmiti praviShTaha puruSham tamaBhyaDhAt||13||

SUMMARY: Lord Hari, who loves his devotees, voiced through a person there and told Achyutapreksha, who had made up his mind to know the Paratatva or the Haritava and was serving Sri Hari with occult devotion, “You can learn about me from a disciple who is about to come and meet you.”

Sri Chalari Acharya in his treatise substantiates this point: “Hi Achyutapreksha, madviShayatatvajnAnArTham twayA sEvitO(a)ham parituShTO(a)smi, matprasAdAdEva uttamashiShyO BhavitA, taduktaprakArENaiva mAm jAneehi ityabraveet iti|

PrateekShamANam tamanugraham mudA niShEvamANam punarambujEkShaNam|

SatAm guruhu kAraNamAnuShAkrutiryatim prashAntam tamupAsasAda saha||14||

SUMMARY: Vasudeva, the Master of all the righteous, who had descended on earth in the form of an ordinary human being due to certain circumstances, arrived to meet Achyutapreksha, who had continued to serve Lord Pundareekaksha with a fervent belief that he would one day be blessed with such distinct grace.

The “grace” and “blessings” that Achyutapreksha is stated to be waiting for is the good fortune of securing a disciple of the status that Lord Pundareekaksha had indicated to him through a human voiceover. The distinct “chance” of coming in contact with Lord Vayu was bestowed upon Achyutapreksha by Lord Hari   

SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(In this portion, the origin of Ganga and the oceans has been explained by Vishwamitra to Rama. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

Sage Vishwamitra continues his narration: “Oh Ramadeva, you assumed the Vamana Avatar and demanded land from Emperor Bali. You lifted your left foot up to measure the land. As the nail of your left toe touched, the Brahmanda cracked and the water which was at the top portion seeped through that crack and washed your feet. That water came to be called as Ganga. Thus, Ganga originated from you during your incarnation as Vamana and later she was born as the daughter of Himavanta. Due to the divine strength of her penance, she was living in the heavens.

Sagara, the king of Ayodhya, had two wives. One was Keshini, who was the daughter of the King of Keshini. The other wife, Sumati, was the daughter of Arishtanemi and sister of Lord Garuda. He served a sage called Aurva atop the hill called Bhruguprasravana for one hundred years with a desire to have a male progeny. Impressed with his service, sage Aurva blessed Keshini with a son, who would be followed by generations, and Sumatidevi with sixty thousand children, who would not have any furtherance of dynasty, in accordance with their respective desires.

Keshinidevi delivered a highly knowledgeable and scholarly son named Asamanja. He pretended like a vandal with an intention of breeding hostility between his parents and other relatives. He used to kill all young children in the town by drowning them in Sarayu River and guffawing in the end as though he had done a grand job. His father tries all means to bring him on the right track. All his efforts proved futile. As soon as he begot another son called Amshuman, Sagara debarred Asamanja. Before leaving the town, Asmanja brought all the children whom he had drowned earlier back to life and sent them to their respective homes. All the people were flabbergasted to see this act of Asamanja and regretted and repented for mistaking him. Meanwhile, Sumatidevi gave birth to very strong sixty thousand children.

King Sagara performed Ashwamedha Yaga. Devendra came there in an abstract form and stole the sacrificial horse. As instructed by King Sagara, his sixty thousand children went in search of the lost horse. They searched for the horse in the entire earth. The horse was not found. On the contrary, oceans erupted from the places where they had dug up. Thus, the seas, which were narrow till then, became very large. That is why the sea is now considered a son of Sagara and the sea is named as Saagara.

Oh Lord Rama! Sons of Sagara reached the nether world, where they saw you sitting in the form of Kapila and pretending to be in deep penance. The sacrificial horse was by your side. Sons of Sagara mistook you to have stolen the horse and rushed towards you to kill you. Then, you opened your eyes and burnt all of them into ashes. There is no wonder that you burnt all those children with your eyes because you can destroy the universe with a mere wish.

As his sixty thousand children did not return for a long time, Sagara sent his other son Amshuman to search for the horse. He also saw the horse by your side as you were sitting in the same posture in the form of Kapila Maharishi. But, he chanted in praise of you. Impressed with his prayers, you asked him to take the horse. You also told him that his uncles had been burnt by you and that they would have salvation once their ashes became wet with Ganga waters. Amshuman brought back the horse and Sagara could complete the Ashwamedha Yaga.