SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY'S SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(In this episode, king Janaka implores Vishwamitra to make Rama pick the bow and keep up the pledge he (Janaka) had taken. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

King Janaka continues his explanation of Shiva Dhanus: “Whoever lifts this bow, tie the string and check the tension of that string by pulling it will be either equal to Lord Rudra or more powerful than Lord Rudra.  Persons with the strength that is lesser than that of Rudra cannot lift the bow. Therefore, I proclaimed a pledge that anyone willing to marry my daughter should first tie the string to connect the ends of this bow.

A suspicion arose in my mind that the kings incapable of lifting the bow might jointly attack me and take away my daughter forcibly. I did penance to propitiate Lord Brahma. Impressed by my penance, Lord Brahma bestowed a boon that none would be able to abduct her. My pledge instantly spread across the universe like sunlight.

Driven by the desire to have Seetha as wife, all the kings came here, and returned immediately, after seeing the bow. A few kings went close to the bow but departed without touching it. Some retreated after touching it with their hands. A few tried to shake it and some fled away by seeing other kings returning to their kingdoms. Some kings tried their best to lift the bow but failed. Sweat oozed out of their body like a stream and losing their consciousness, they fell on the ground. If this was the fate of Ravana, then it is hard to imagine what would have happened to other kings. Thus, all those who thought they were next to none in terms of strength, returned with empty hands.  

Once again, all of them joined together and came here to forcibly take away my daughter. They kept on fighting for one year, when all my weapons got exhausted. Thanks to the four-pronged forces sent by the deities and the boon bestowed by Brahma, we defeated them. They fled the scene once again.

Oh sage Vishwamitra! May Sri Rama keep up my oath! I will have the bow brought here. Let Rama take the bow by hand, tie the string and let Seetha marry Sri Rama. Later, let Seetha follow Sri Rama like the pleasant lustre follows Moon and brightness follows the Sun.” Vishwamitra, after hearing those words, asked Janaka to have the bow brought to where Rama was seated.

As instructed by the king, five thousand strong soldiers brought the box containing the bow with great difficulty. Vishwamitra requested Rama to pick up the box and tie the string. Pronouncing the paradigm “Om”, Sri Rama stood up and went near the box of bow.

When he walked, the gleam of jewels that adorned his ears spread on his cheeks and enhanced his charm. All the women who had gathered in that enchanting hall looked at Sri Rama, who, with a blue complexion, was like an ocean of beauty and charm. People in that august assemblage spoke among themselves: “Kausalya is indeed luckiest for bearing such a charming son. King Dasharatha too is very lucky. Poets say that Lord Brahma must have collected all the beautiful organs in the universe and created Rama with them. It is a truism because any creation of Brahma cannot be as charming as Rama. It is therefore pertinent to say that this charming gem of purest ray serene must have appeared on earth in human form as Rama to make the people happy. Like Goddess Lakshmi emerged out of the cosmic ocean of milk during Great Churning, Seetha too emerged from the Earth. Therefore, she is not a common woman. She is the most revered on earth and a mystic and divine gem that cannot be created in the normal way.” (Rama breaking the bow in the next episode. SDN)        

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA - CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA SHLOKAS 34 TO 36

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA – CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA SHOLKAS 34 TO 36

(In these stanzas, the extraordinary knowledge of Sri Poornaprajna about sainthood has been described. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

NirangarAgam muKharAgavarhitam viBhUShaNam viShTapaBhUShaNAyitam|

Amum DhrutAShADhamavEkSya mEnirE swaBhAvashOBhA(a)nupamEti jantavaha||34||

SUMMARY: The people saw Sri Poornaprajna, who, without applying the sandal paste, nor chewing the betel leaf, arecanut and others to make the face appear red, nor using any other cosmetics, but simply holding the sacred club and shining with special radiation that would light up prominently the entire universe, and thought that his inherent, inborn radiation are unmatched and unparalleled.

Sri Poornaprajna, an incarnation of Lord Vayu, was naturally charming and there was no need for him to use any external things or cosmetics to enhance the charm. He is the most charming person and he is incomparable.

BhujangaBhUtEshavihangapAdikaihi pravandita sAvasarapateekShaNaihi|

NanAma sO(a)yam gurupUrvakAnyateenahO maheeyO mahatAm viDambanam||35||

SUMMARY: Sri Poornaprajna, who is saluted by Shesha, Rudra, Garuda and other demi-gods after waiting for the right time to do so, now saluted Achyutapreksha and other ascetics. How distinct and great is it the mockery that great people often exhibit to make the world emulate?

The word mockery in this context should not be mistaken in the normal sense of the term. What Sri Poornaprajna did on this occasion by saluting Achyutapreksha, who, compared to Lord Rudra, Shesha and Garuda, is of lesser rank and file, Sri Poornaprajna showed to the mortal world the way to honour a Guru and the need to do so.  

VarAshramAchAravishEShashikShaNam viDhitsurasyAcharitam nishAmayan|

VishEShashikShAm swayamApya DheeraDheeryateeshwarO vismayamAyatAntarAm||36||

SUMMARY: Sri Achyutapreksha, who tried to preach the nuances and norms of perfect sainthood to Sri Poornaprajna, noticed several unknown and rare practices that the latter adopted and followed and learnt several aspects of sainthood from him. In his heart of hearts, Sri Achyutapreksha was surprised at the level of knowledge and dedication of Sri Poornaprajna.

Thinking that Sri Poornaprajna was just a new entrant into sainthood, Sri Achyutapreksha began teaching him the tenets of sainthood. On the contrary, he was surprised to know several unknown aspects of real sainthood that Sri Poornaprajna began following. It looked as though Sri Poornaprajna was the personification of all knowledge. Poorna means complete and Prajna means expert knowledge. Sri Achyutapreksha was naturally astonished at the depth of knowledge of Sri Poornaprajna, which was indeed infinite, inexplicable, incomparable and out of the mortal world.

SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY'S SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(In this episode, the Shiva Dhanus has been described by King Janaka. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

The expression in this first stanza of Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s Sri Charitra Manjari, which reads: “RAjAdiBhihi krutAm pUjAm sweekrutya”, means that Sri Shatananda, King Janaka and all others honoured and worshipped Sri Rama, Sri Lakshmana and sage Sri Vishwamitra, an ardent devotee of Sri Hari by praising them and other methods of worship, in accordance with the rank and file; Sri Rama received them all with grace and compassion. Securing their permission, King Janaka returned to the place he had designated for the Holy Sacrifice (Yajna Shala). Next morning, he sent an invitation and on their arrival, offered a very pompous, rich and enchanting welcome to Vishwamitra, Sri Rama and Lakshmana to the Yajna Shala.

The expression “BhanktwA ShivaDhanuhu”, which is substantiated with “SeethAswayamvarArTham Rudram prati tapaha krutwA JanakEnalabDham ‘ya idam Dhanuhu pUrayEt tasmai imam kanyAm pradAsyAm” means he (Sri Rama) set an arrow on the string of the bow, which King Janaka had secured from Lord after propitiating him with a long penance for the sake of holding the Swayamavara, a royal way of allowing a princess to choose her fiancé from among the willing and eligible princes,  and had promised ‘to marry his daughter Seetha to anyone who would join the two ends of the bow by tying the string’, and in the process Sri Rama broke it.    

King Janaka said: “Oh Vishwamitra, I had no children and therefore decided to perform a sacrifice. I had to plough the land for ensuring that in about 10-15 ft. depth, hair, skeleton and other insane or unholy items are not lying under the ground. At that time, a baby girl was found at the tip of the yoke and therefore she was named as Seetha. I was as happy as a poor man finding a huge treasure. She grew up very quickly like the stain on the surface of Moon. That caused me a worry and I did not want to marry her off with an undeserving person. I was trying to find a way to choose a perfect groom for her.

In the past, Daksha did not give offerings in a sacrifice to Lord Rudra. Enraged by this insult, Lord Rudra cut the organs of deities who had ‘accepted’ the offerings made by Daksha. The deities then appealed to Lord Rudra and sought his blessings. Impressed with their prayers, Lord Rudra pardoned them and restored the severed organs. This is the reason Lord Rudra is known as “Kshipravaraprasada” or one who quickly gets pleased and grants boons.

Devarata, the originator of our dynasty and elder brother of Nimi impressed Lord Rudra with a long drawn penance. Pleased with his penance, Lord Rudra presented Devarata with his bow. Neither he nor any other person in our dynasty has been able to lift that bow till now. Just as none other than Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Varaha cannot lift the Earth, this bow cannot be lifted by anyone except Lord Rudra. We are worshipping this bow as a manifestation of Lord Rudra. The bow has been kept in a metal box with eight iron wheels by Lord Rudra. The bow cannot be moved without moving the box in which it has been kept. The box can only be moved from one place to another by five thousand strong and well-built soldiers, with great effort. This is what Lord Rudra has bestowed a boon upon it. I move the bow from one place to another on the strength of that boon. (Rest of the story in next episode as it is a bit long. SDN)

   

SRI MADHWAVIJAYA - CHATURTHAHA SARGAHA SHLOKAS 31 TO 33

(In these stanzas, Vasudeva becomes a saint and gets renamed as Poornaprajna. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

KriyAkalApam sakalam sa kAlavidviDhAnamArgENa viDhAya kEvalam|

SadA prasannasya HarEhe prasattayE muhuhu samastanyasanam samaBhyaDhAt||31||

SUMMARY: Vasudeva, who knew the austerities that are to be followed from time to time, was completing them in accordance with the specified and prescribed ethos and began surrendering everything again and again to Lord Hari, who was always pleased with him and had bestowed upon him the choicest grace.

Apart from the routine austerities like Sandhyavandana, puja etc., at the time of getting ordained into sainthood, a person needs to perform some special and exclusive ceremonies like ceremonies performed after death called JeevashrAddha.

In his own work “Pranavakalpa”, Sri Madhwacharya has explained the procedures to be followed at the time of accepting sainthood.

AnantamAtrAndamudAharanti yam trimAtrapUrvam praNavOchchayam buDhAha|

TadA(a)BhavadBhAvichaturmuKhAkrutirjapADhikAree yatirasya sUchitaha||32||

SUMMARY: Vasudeva, who is the prospective Brahma, transformed into an ascetic, secured the authority to meditate the paradigm “Pranavamantra” that the Pandits or Jnanis say to begin the meditation from three Matras and go on till infinite Matras and in multiple ways.

Matra means letters and therefore three matras means three letters.

The paradigm “Omkara” appears to be a single syllable from outside. If one ponders over it a little, it can be understood that it consists of three letters A, U and Ma. On further analyses, it can be realised that it consists of five more letters corresponding to base note called Nada, dot or Bindu, promulgation or GhOsha, calmness or Shanta and serenity or Atishanta. Thus it becomes a word of eight letters. For persons of higher spiritual strata, it contains more letters.

According to Scriptures, only Yatis or saints, who have got ordained into sainthood as per the prescribed norms, are authorised to do meditation of the paradigm. All are not permitted to meditate the paradigm of the three-letter form. Rujus like Sri Vadirajaru can meditate the paradigm in multiple forms of infinite syllables that have infinite meaning. Sri Madhwacharya will be the next Brahma. Brahma is a portfolio, according to Scriptures.   

GuNAnurUpOnnati pUrNabODha ityamuShya nAma dwijavrundavanditam|

UdAharadBhUriyashA hi kEvalam na matravarNaha sa cha mantravarNakaha||33||

SUMMARY: Vasudeva was named by the assemblage of Brahmins as Poornaprajna, a synonym of “comprehensive spiritual knowledge”, which was reiterated and conferred upon by Achyutapreksha, a popular Guru, who was known for teaching the Mantras.

Poornaprajna, the name that Sri Achyutapreksha conferred on Vasudeva at the time of ordaining him into sainthood, was a sacred name that finds mention in BalitthA Sukta in Rig Veda as: Dashapramatim janayanta yOShaNaha where Dash means complete, Pramatim means knowledgable and therefore Dashapramitm means completely knowledgable, which is beyond the worldly, verbatim explanation.  

SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY'S SRI RAMACHARITRA MANJARI

(Some more details about the roots of Vishwamitra are mentioned in this episode by Royal priest Shatananda. Please read, comment and share. SDN) 

Distinctly clever and eloquent Vishwamitra replied to King Janaka, who had openly enquired about the antecedents of Sri Rama with a pure interest and sane wish: “Oh King! He is none other than Lord Hari, who has taken the incarnation as a super human to accomplish a task for the deities. Born as son of Emperor Dasharatha, he has been making everyone happy with his good virtues and character. That is why, he has made the name “Rama” christened by his father as most sensible and meaningful. Boy standing next to him is his younger brother named Lakshmana, who matches Rama in all aspects of virtue, quality and character. I brought these two brothers from Ayodhya to Siddhashram. Sri Rama killed the demons quite gamely and protected the sacrifice I was performing from getting spoiled. Greatest of all archers in the universe, Sri Rama has come here to see the Great Bow in your possession. As he can put test all archers and identify the best like the grinding stone that tests gold for purity, I wish he be your son-in-law. Just the King of cosmic ocean of milk attained glory by marrying his daughter Goddess Lakshmi to Vishnu you too can achieve greatness and glory by marrying your daughter to the Supreme Human.”

Royal priest of King Janaka and son of Gautama and Ahalya, Shatananda heard these words of Vishwamitra, turned towards Sri Rama and said: “Oh Ramadeva! Jagannatha! I welcome you and your brother. You have bestowed kindness and saved my mother. I and my parents are grateful to you. This entire universe has been complimented by your incarnation. The fact that you have followed  Vishwamitra from behind like his disciple has made him great and glorious.

A Rishi called Sri Rucheeka approached the king of Gadhi and asked him to marry his daughter Satyavati with him. Gadhi said that if the Rishi could give him a thousand horses with their bodies appearing like Sun and having one of the ears in white, he would give Satyavati in marriage with the Rishi. Rucheeka requested Lord Varuna to provide him with such horses, gave them to Gadhi and married his daughter Satyavati. Both Satyavati and her mother, who did not have a son, requested the Rishi to bless them with sons. Sri Rucheeka gave a cup of ghee to each of them separately by chanting different hymns and went to have a bath. Then Satyavati and her mother exchanged the cups of ghee between themselves and consumed it. As a result, Vishwamitra was born as a Kshatriya, who should have become a Brahma Rishi by birth, to the mother of Satyavati. This Vishwamitra achieved the status of Brahma Rishi by doing penance. The complete grace that you have blessed him with is now evident by the fact that you are now walking behind him like his disciple. There can be no greater surprise to your kindness than this instance.”

Sri Rama looked at Vishwamitra and pretended as though he was surprised to hear the revelation of Shatananda. Did the same Rama not pretended to have been astonished after hearing different stories from Vishwamitra? It was only to make the demons believe that Rama was not aware of all these stories and was actually surprised to hear them from Vishwamitra and Shatananda. Darkness can never block the Sun, who is self-luminous. Similarly, omniscient Rama cannot imagined to be unaware of anything that happens in any corner of this Brahmanda.