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Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 06:25 AM
It is my tribute to the great Bharatiya Samskruti. Please feel free to comment on these stories.

Thanks,
Rashmi Rekha (RR) :hello:

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 06:26 AM
Be happy with what you have

Materialistic pleasures were never the goals of Indians. People used to be satisfied with what they had and within what they had, used to help others. Their hearts were filled with pure love, friendship and bhakti. The story of Sudaama, the best friend of Lord Krishna, stands as an outstanding example for this.

Sudaama and Krishna Bhagavan were good friends. The friendship started at their gurukulam with Shri Saandeepa. As always duty takes more priority than everything. Hence, after completing their studies they had to part. However, neither Krishna nor Sudaama could forget each other. Sudaama, knowing who Krishna really was, also had true devotion for him. Sudaama never was interested in earning lot of money or other such aihikechchas. Once after many years, not able to bear the separation from Krishna anymore, sets off to meet Krishna.

On hearing the news of his friend’s arrival, Krishna runs to the city gates to receive Sudaama personally. Krishna, the paramaatma, hugs Sudaama several times and they break into tears with uncontrollable aanandam. Krishna takes Sudaama to his palace and makes him sit comfortably on the shayanaasanam of Krishna and Rukmini Devi. Krishna, whose feet Brahma himself washed to produce the holy waters of Ganga, washed the feet of his friend, together with Rukmini, with utmost care. Then the Lord of the worlds, purifies himself, his queens and the palace with the paada jalam of the great scholar, Sudaama. Though Sudaama was very poor and did not even have money to eat food, he did not even think about it while he was with Krishna. Krishna took the atukulu brought by Sudaama for him and commented that it was one of his best ever meals. Both of them talked a lot, till their hearts were full and finally Sudaama returned to his house with a full heart, thoroughly satisfied with the Lord’s sweet words.

(Ofcourse, the sthiti kaaraka of the worlds, Krishna, blesses him with all worldly pleasures too…)

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/05/sudamabrahmana.jpg?w=350&h=488



Morals in the story:
Money, property and other pleasures are Kshanabhanguraas and as a person keeps satisfying them, they will only increase. Hence, like Sudaama, one needs to be content with what he has. Even given a chance to ask anything from Krishna, he did not choose to ask him!
The nature of pure friendship is exposed by Krishna and Sudaama. Krishna, being the lord of the universe, washed the feet of his friend and purifies himself with the paada-jalam. Sudaama, though was extremely poor, never asked Krishna for wealth and make friendship a business.
Notice that only a guru is one who makes a person meet God. This is reflected clearly in the story. It is because of Saandeepa that Krishna and Sudaama knew each other and met each other again.
Krishna making his friend sit on his shayya, talk with him what Rukmini and he talk intimately and receiving Sudaama at the gates of the city show how intimate & sincere friendship must be.
The kind of respect one must give to an Atithi and a scholar is well brought out by Krishna.
Message:

Self-contentment gives a man the power to control any of his attraction towards the wrong path. If a person is not self-satisfied, he will always have ever increasing greed. Even control over the universe would not give him satisfaction.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:01 AM
Draupadi, an ikon of a true Indian woman

Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada, appears from the yagnyaagni as a full grown, in the bloom of her youth. One can observe that it is always Paramaatma who takes birth and avataaras (“Paritraanaaya sadhunam …”). However, always Yoga-Maaya (or Shakti) never takes birth, she just appears. It is the same case with Sita devi, Rukmini devi, Draupadi, Maatulungi etc. The following piece of story of draupadi shows the boundaries of following Dharma. May be none can be better!
Ashwatthaama, the chiranjeevi, does a daaruna krutyam after the Mahaabhaaratam. Unusual to his nature, He, without even little daya, beheads the sleeping babies of draupadi — the upa-paandavas. Draupadi realizes what happened. All her 10 sons, who were little baalakas, who were sleeping, who never did any kind of harm to Ashwatthaama and who cannot even react to the harm committed to them were lying in a pool of blood. Draupadi breaks down to tears and weeps in great sorrow. Arjuna very sad himself, consoles Her and says it does not look nice for a Veera maata to cry like this. He says that He will immediately avenge the act and kill Ashwatthaama. On killing him, she can take bath standing on his head. Immediately Lord Krishna and Arjuna set out on their Hanumadhdhvaja ratham to catch the fleeing Ashwatthaama.

Seeing that Arjuna is closing by his ratham and that his horses are a little exhausted, Aswaththaama sees Brahmaastra as the only way to save himself. Though not knowing the way of retrieving the astra, he immediately uses Brahmaastra on Arjuna, after stopping the ratham, doing aachamanam and purifying himself. Lord Krishna orders Arjuna to use Brahmaastra to counter Ashwatthaama’s. Arjuna also purifies himself, does achamanam, does a pradakshina to the Almighty and uses Brahmaastra. The two astras, one like Agni and the other like sun, fight each other and in no time the worlds start to burn under the influence of the astras. Krishna, the protector of the worlds, immediately orders Arjuna to take back both Astras, as only a Brahmachaari can take back a Brahmaastra!
Arjuna takes back both the Brahmaastras, showing clearly what a perfect Brahmachaari he was. Arjuna, who was the friend of the Askalita Brahmachaari Lord Krishna, obviously knows the shastras and the ways to maintain his Brahmacharyam, though married. Arjuna ties Ahswaththaama and takes him to Draupadi, like a Yagnya pashu is taken to the Yagnya shaala. The acts of Draupadi in this following episode make even Krishna praise Krishnaa (Draupadi) for her Dharma.

On seeing the killer of all her sons being brought by Arjuna, Draupadi, of the beauty of her nature out of compassion, does a namaskar to him and says as per the Vedas in the absence of the Guru, Guru-putra takes his place, so she is doing a namaskaar to Drona!It was unbearable for her having him brought being bound and she said: “Release him, for he is a brahmana, our Aacharya. Do not make his mother, Drona’s wife, cry the way I do in my chastity shedding tears constantly in distress over a lost child”.

Yudhishtira, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Saatyaki, Krishna and other queens supported the statements of Paanchaali as they were in accord with the principles of Sanaatana Dharma, of justice, merciful, without duplicity and glorious in equity. Krishna, amazed by the Dharmya vartana of Draupadi, praises her very much. However, Bhima also raised a valid point that a person who by nature has daya is a brahmana, is Ashwatthaama, who mercilessly killed the baalakas, worth being called one? Saying “surely death is the only punishment for such a person”, Bhima proceeds to kill Ashwatthaama, but the Lord, with His chaturbhuja’s stops Bhima and says the following with a smile:

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/05/aswatthama.jpg?w=400&h=280

“The Guru-putra, a braahmana must not be killed – this both is by Me, certainly prescribed to be carried out abiding by the rules.” However, Arjuna has to keep to the truth as promised while pacifying his wife, and also act to the satisfaction of Bhima and Himself (by punishing the bad). So they remove the divya mani on the head of Ashwatthaama and remove his hair, as, for a veera, tonsuring is equivalent to killing him.


Morals in the story:
The Dhramya vartana of Draupadi is well portrayed in the story. This shows us that, even at the time of great stress, sorrow, difficulty, one never must deviate from the path of truth, Dharma.
Even though Ashwatthaama was great, in his momentary anger he committed an unpardonable crime. One must be very careful and need to think what is right and what is wrong before acting. This is what the pandavas do in the later part of the story, with the help of Krishna. They, though Kshattriyas, were not overwhelmed by revenge. They acted according to the words of Krishna, who is Dharma in human form.
The importance given to keeping up one’s word is protrayed well. Arjuna promises Draupadi to kill Ashwatthaama, but according to Dharma is must not be killed. So they do an equivalent act of killing.
The importance of cleanliness is also displayed. Both Ashwatthaama and Arjuna purify themselves, do aachamanam before chanting the mantras for Brahmaastra. They do this even when they were in such a great press for time.
The power of Brahmacharyam is well shown through this story. Arjuna, who knew the Shatras, was a brahmachaari and hence could not only take back his, but Ashwatthaama’s astra too.
The heart of a mother is well exposed when Draupadi comments “Do not make his mother, Drona’s wife, cry the way I do in my chastity shedding tears constantly in distress over a lost child“. She knows the pain of loosing children, so did not want another mother to experience it!
Message to present society:

Being Kshatriyas, people with lot of Shauryam, Paandavas thought so much (analyzing what is Dharmam, what is adharmam) before avenging their son’s death. Now-a-days even films show people mercilessly killing each other in the name of revenge.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:03 AM
Seva to parents alone is enough!

Every person by birth becomes rini for parents — without whom the very existence on this earth would not have been possible, devatas — for all the panchabutas, rains, nature etc. and rishis — for giving us puraanas, shastras etc. Of these, the runam of parents cannot be paid back easily and is virtually impossible. Hence one needs to atleast do seva to them, listen and adhere to their words and give them a lot of respect. This is the least one can do to them. Our puraanas also show that one can attain moksha just by doing seva to parents.

Once upon a time, there used to live a great Bhakta of Krishna. He had a wife, who deserved to be his ardhaangi. However, they had a son, Pundarika, who had all kinds of vyasanas. In the attraction for a mere vaaraangana, he drives his parents out of his house, does not love his wife and finally looses all his money. The vaaraangana, whose love he thought was eternal, left him once his money was over. In the sorrow of being apart from the vaaraangana, he walks into a forest and finally reaches a lonely kutir of a great person by name, Kukkuta muni. He sees the following wonder when he reaches the place:

Three very ugly looking old females, suffering from terrible diseases, will be cleaning the ashram. After doing all the cleaning required, they go inside the kutir and to his surprise, three very beautiful, young women with the tejas of sun come out. Out of his usual attraction to women, he goes and holds the hand of one of the women and immediately she turns ugly like before. The woman tells Pundarika “because people like you take dip in our holy waters everyday, we get these ugly forms and have to bare with such dreadful diseases. We are Ganga, Yamuna and Sarawathi. Everyday we clean the kutir of Kukkuta muni and have his darshan to relieve the loads of paapas you maanavas leave with us and get back our divya shariraas.” She again has darshan of Kukkuta muni and all the three leave the place (They wondered why a common human, that too a bad person, was able to see them in human form at the first place).

Pundarika, just to see what is there inside, goes into the kutir. He sees nothing great — no jewels, no big furniture nothing. He sees a person totally immersed in pressing the legs of his father. The person was totally engrossed in it and the only other thing he had in mind was the thought of Lord Shiva.Seeing Kukkuta muni, Pundarika asks him many questions about the woman etc., but sees that the muni gave back no reply, since the muni was totally engrossed with the seva to his father. Not able to bear the rejection, out of ahankaar, he tries to kick the muni and immediately falls on the ground loosing both his legs. Pundarika cries for help and the muni gets disturbed by his cries and attends to his help. Pundarika begs the muni to pardon him and the muni immediately pardons him. Pundarika realizes all the mistakes he has done in his life and asks the muni for prayaschittam. The muni says that there is nothing that can help him except the seva to his parents and even a bhrashta can achieve moksha by serving his parents. Immediately Pundarika, pulling himself with his hands, sets off in the search for his parents, whom he drove away from his house. He truly and whole heartedly repents for his mistakes and continues his journey to his parents.

He does not think about food, water, his bleeding legs, the only thing he has in his mind is to search for his parents, beg them to pardonhim and do their seva. He does not care about thorny paths, heat of the sun, steep mountain cliffs etc. and continues his journey. When he falls off a cliff, Lord Krishna used to catch him safely and let him move on. At all stages,Pundarika’s heart was filled only with the want of doing seva to parents, and hence Krishna bhagavaan used to help him all along. Finally, he reaches the kutir of his parents and falls on their feet. He begs them to pardon him for being so cruel to them and pleaded them to grant him the chance of doing their seva. The parents immediately pardon Pundarika and Pundarika again gets back his legs. From that day onwards, he always used to be busy doing seva to his parents and always think of Krishna paramaatma in his mind.

Unable to bear the separation from his bhakta, one day Lord Krishna comes to see Pundarika. He waits at the door of Pundarika’s kutir and calls for him. Pundarika sees Krishna, the paramaatma for whose darshan even great munis spend their entire lives in tapas, standing at his door. But Pundarika was at that time pressing the feet of his parents, who were asleep, with legs in his lap. Krishna asks Pundarika to come and take Him inside. Pundarika, seeing the Lord becomes very happy, but asks Him to wait a bit, since he cannot stop seva to his parents and he will come after taking their permission. Lord Krishna waits at the door and by being touched by his lotus feet, Indra who was lying in the form of a stone because of the curse of Lord Shiva, takes back His original form and leaves to Indraloka.

Meanwhile Pundarika’s father wakes up and asks him what happened. Pundarika says that Lord Krishna had come but he was unable to receive him. Immediately Pundarika’s father runs to receive the Lord, but does not see Him. He then asks Pundarika to call Krishna. Krishna appears immediately on the call of Pundarika and blesses moksha for Pundarika, his wife and his parents. Krishna also stays permanently at the house of Pundarika to bless bhaktas and it became the well known kshetram of Pandarpur. The kshetram is so ancient that the legs of the Pandarnath’s idol are half eroded just by the touchings of bhaktas!

Morals in the story:

1. Only because Pundarika did true seva to his parents, did Krishna wait for him at his door and immediately come when called by Pundarika. This shows the importance of being obedient to parents ans doing their seva.
2. Seva of parents is the most basic thing that the Indian culture prescribes. A person going against the word of his parents will not be liked by God.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:04 AM
Think twice before you act

Long ago, there used to live a very great King by the name Nruga, the son of Ikshvaaku. He gave as many goodaanams as there are grains of sand on the earth, stars in the heavens, or drops in a rain shower. He gave the best quality kapila varna cows, decorated with pure golden hooves and horns, along with their calves. He gave them to the most learned braahmanas, whose families were in need, were young and possessed of excellent character and qualities, who were dedicated to truth, famous for their austerity, vastly learned in the Vedic scriptures and saintly in their behaviour. He performed many other such great daanams for the needy. In addition, he performed many yagnyas and executed various pious welfare activities.

Once, a cow owned by a learned braahmana wandered away and entered the herd being given as daanam by Nruga. Unaware that he was giving a cow that did not belong to him, he gave it to one other needy braahmana. When the owner of the cow saw his cow being taken away, he said "The cow belongs to me!" and the other said "No! It was given to me by Nruga."

Nruga comes to know about this and offers each one of them a thousand cows of highest quality and asked them to save him from this difficult situation. However, both the braahmanas go away leaving the cow.
Yamadharmaraaja, after King Nruga leaves his physical body and comes to Yamaloka, asks Nruga "do you wish to experience the results of your paapam first, or those of your punya? Indeed, I see no end to the greatest daanams you have performed, or to your consequent enjoyment in the urdhva lokas. However, you made the sin of stealing a cow from a braahmana". Nruga chooses to face the consequences of his paapam first and immediately falls as a huge chameleon in a well. Since he always had bhakti towards the Lord and performed uncountable number of great daanams, he always remembered who he was, and what mistake he committed. He used to repent for his mistake and spent a very long time alone in the well, always doing Bhagavat-dhyaanam.

After a very long time, once when Shri Krishna, Saamba, Pradyumna, Chaaru, Bhaanu, Gada and other boys were playing, out of thrist they goto the well where Nruga was living. Out of pity, Shri Krishna takes him out of the well. The touch of the Lord of the universe made Nruga get a divya tejaswi form, with radiating kiritam and ornaments and tejas of Sun. On being asked by Shri Krishna, the Sarvagnya, the reason for the chameleon form, Nruga tells him his unfortunate story. He does a stotram to Lord krishna, does a pradakshinam, takes leave from the Lord and before the eyes of everyone flies to urdhva lokas in a divya vimaanam.


http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/05/nrgachameleon.jpg?w=440&h=284

Morals in the Story:

1. Even for a great person like Nruga, one mistake, which he did unknowingly, made him experience the result of his paapam. Thus one should be very careful not to commit any kind of sin even unknowingly and lead a very ideal life.
2. Some or the other time, one must experience the results of his paapa or punya. However, if one surrenders himself to the God, He will lift you from the samsaaram and in the end give you kaivalyam, as Krishna did to Nruga.
3. Since Nruga never forgot remembering the Lord and the Lord was impressed by his great acts, Krishna granted him urdhva lokas in the end. So the end result for a good person will always be good.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:06 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -1

Śrī Kṛṣhṇa, the Parandhaama, as part of His divya līlas, killed many rākṣhasas and other evil people. Many of the rākṣhasas had some or the other durguṇas in their previous janma and hence took birth as rākṣhasas and were destroyed by Śrī Kṛṣhṇa. Many times we read the stories of destroying these rākṣhasas but rarely we come to know the durguṇas why they were needed to be destroyed. This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out these durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

The stories have very deep meanings which are beyond the scope of Moral Stories. One can learn — What durguṇa leads to what mistake, how it must be controlled etc., if each story (taken from Garga Bhāgavatam) is analyzed very carefully with the help of elders.

Śakaṭāsura Bhañjanam:

In the Nandavrajam, Yaśodā invited many for celebrating the janmadina mahotsavas of Lord Śrī Kṛṣhṇa. After abhiṣhekam, they did beautiful alankāras to the Baby — Kastūrī tilakam, ear rings, chandra hāram, suvarṇa kankaṇas etc.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/krishna-bathed.jpg?w=346&h=464

They gave the Nandanandana nīrājanas and made him sleep on a small svarna śayya, under the shade of a śakatam (cart). The puṇyastrīs were busy with their work and suddenly they stopped hearing the tiny cries of the Lord. Śakaṭāsura, sent by Kamsa, came in vāyurūpam and tried to push the śakaṭam on the Paramātma. The Baby touched the śakaṭam during His play and it flew high into the air, along with huge kṣhīra, dadhi bhāṇḍas that were kept on it. They fell on the Śakaṭāsura and his head broke into a thousand pieces! Vraja kāntas came running to see if Śrī Kṛṣhṇa was safe. The Paramātma was playing with Himself like a usual Baby. The Gopabālas told the Vraja kāntas that Śrī Kṛṣhṇa kicked the śakatam and it flew into the air. Immediately the vanitas removed dṛṣhṭi for Śrī Kṛṣhṇa, made bhūsurottamas to give mangala-āśīrvacanas and put Śrī Rāma Rakṣha to the Baby.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/cart-dashed.jpg?w=369&h=499

Śakaṭāsura's Caritra:

Hiraṇyalocana's son was Utkaca. He was a krūra. It was just his nature to be very harsh and not compassionate.

Once he uprooted all the Vṛkṣhas in the āśramam of Lomaśa maharṣhi (for no reason!!). The maharṣhi became angry and said "The way a snake removes its old skin, the same way you leave this body". The rākṣhasa fell on the ṛṣhi's feet and asked for kṣhama. The maharṣhi said "by the divya sparśa of Kṛṣhṇa Paramātma, you will be freed from your śāpam". He further explained to Utkaca "Usually one cannot eacape from Kālam and his own Karma. The only way is through Bhagavat-kṛpa."

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Krūratvam

Message for present society:

This story also shows that one must not only have daya on fellow humans and animals, but also to plants. According to our śāstras, if one uproots one Vṛkṣham for human consumption, then four must be planted before doing so. Ofcourse its the responsibility of that person only to bring those up too. However man due to his Krūratvam, for his own selfish needs removed many trees and now started facing the consequences. Atleast from now on let us leave some space in our houses for plants (ones which give flowers, fruits or shade, not crotons ofcourse).

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:08 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -2

This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out some durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Tṛṇāvarta Bhañjanam:

Bāla Kṛṣhṇa was sitting on the lap of Yaśoda. A dānava by name Tṛṇāvarta came in the form of a tornado. Suddenly the Baby became as heavy as a mountain and Yaśoda put the baby on the ground, not able to carry the Bālaka. Huge air storm came and blew off the tops of many kuṭīrs. Sand dust filled Yośoda's view and the Baby was missing. All the Gopikas started to search for Śrī Kṛṣhṇa.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/trnavarta.jpg?w=345&h=460

Bāla Kṛṣhṇa went into the sky along with Tṛṇāvarta and mounted his back. He became so heavy that the dānava could not anymore bear the weight. The dānava was trying to smash the Baby onto the ground. Small Kṛṣhṇa squeezed his throat and the dānava fell on the ground and lost his life. The Baby started playing on the dānava's mṛta deham. The Vrajavanitas brought Śrī Kṛṣhṇa back to Yaśoda safely and made her very happy. She removed dṛṣhṭi for the Paramātma, made Vedāśīrvacanas to be given and did many Go-Bhū dānas. She told Śrī Kṛṣhṇa to stop doing mischief and made him sleep on a svarṇa āṇḍolikā, in between silk gilpas (cushions).

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/trinavarta-dead.jpg?w=331&h=487

Tṛṇāvarta's Caritra:

Sahasrākṣha used to rule the Pāṇḍudeśam. He was a Bhagavat-bhakta, but a strī-lola. In his kāmāndhatvam, even noticing that Dūrvāsa maharṣhi came, he did not do yathāvidhi namaskāras to him. The maharṣhi gave a śāpam to become a rākṣhasa. Sahasrākṣha later fell on the maharṣhi's feet and asked for śāpāntaram. The maharṣhi said "you will get Kaivalyam because of Śrī Kṛṣhṇa's pāda-sparśa."

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Kāmāndhatvam.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:09 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -3

This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out some durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Vatsāsura Bhañjanam:

Balarāma and Śrī Kṛṣhṇa were growing day-by-day. They got the age where they could take the cows out, along with other Gopālas. Kālindī nadī sands was their fauvorite vihāra-sthalam. Balarāma used to wear a nīlāmbaram and Śrī Kṛṣhṇa a pītāmbaram. Paramātma with His madhura veṇu gānam taught the Gopālas and the Gomātas the Sāmaveda-sāram. Everyone who hear the venugānam used to experience Brahmānandam. All of them used to play, eat together. Kṛṣhṇa used to decorate the Gopālas and satisfy all their surprising new new childish vāñchas. Aaha! What immense puṇyas must they have done to have Śrī Kṛṣhṇa as their sakha!

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/mimicking.jpg?w=344&h=429

Vatsāsura, sent by Kamsa, once mixed with the cow-herd that the Gopālas were protecting. Paramātma kept observing him. Vatsāsura slowly slowly approached near Śrī Kṛṣhṇa and kicked him with his legs. Śrī Kṛṣhṇa caught the asura by his legs, rotated him in circles and smashed him against a tree (Velaga Cettu). The tree broke down and a tejaH puñjam left the asura and joined in the Paramātma.

Vatsāsura's Caritra:

Murāsura's son was Pramīla. Once he took the guise of a brāhmaṇa and approached Vasiṣhṭha maharṣhi and asked the maharṣhi to give him the Nandinī dhenu. Nandinī identified the kapaṭa nāṭakam of Pramīla and gave him a śāpam "become a calf with asura svabhāvas". On pleading the dhenu for kṣhama, She said that when Śrī Kṛṣhṇa kills you, you will attain mokṣham.

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Kapaṭam, Kuṭilatvam.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:11 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -4

This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out some durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Bakāsura Bhañjanam:

Immediately after vastāsura vadha, this episode happened. Bakāsura, one big heron, came to the Yamunātīram where Śrī Kṛṣhṇa and Gopālas were protecting the cows. It was as big as Kailāsa Parvatam. Its garjanam was like that of the ghana meghas. Seeing it the Gopālas were frightened. With its beak, which was as strong as a diamond, it swallowed Śrī Kṛṣhṇa. The Gopāla bālas began to cry seeing this.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/bakasura.jpg?w=345&h=466

Immediately Devendra used His Vajrāyudham. Brahma threw His daṇḍam. Nothing happened to Bakāsura! Parameśvara broke one of its wings. Vāyudeva's Vāyavyāstram could do nothing! Yamadharmarāja hit it with His daṇḍam. The daṇḍam broke! Surya deva's thousand arrows did not work! Bakasura did not care about Candra's Nīhārāstram! Agnideva's Aagneyāstram burnt Bakāsura's chest. Varuṇa deva hit it with His Pāśa.

Bhadra Kāli threw Her Gadā daṇḍam. Bakāsura fell unconscious. With Kumāra Svāmi's Śakti āyudham, Bakāsura's leg broke. Bakāsura with one leg and wing flew and chased away many Devatas and came back to the same place!

Maharṣhis were doing Śrī Kṛṣhṇa's dhyānam. Paramātma shouted so loud from inside Bakāsura that his stomach expanded and he had to forcibly bring out Śrī Kṛṣhṇa. Bakāsura started poking the Paramātma with his beak.

Śrī Kṛṣhṇa then caught him and tore his beak apart. Bakāsura was killed and Devatas rained puṣhpa vṛṣhṭhi. Bakā's tejas entered the Kṛṣhṇa Paramātma. Gopālas immediately hugged the Lord and felt happy that He was safe. They reported the entire episode to Yaśodā devi.

Bakāsura's Caritra:

Bakāsura was the son of Hayagrīva rākṣhasa. His then name was Utkala. He had immense balaparākrama's. He once defeated Devendra and became Svargādhipati for 100 years.

Once Utkala went to the shores of Sindhū Sāgara, near the Aaśramam of Jājili maharṣhi. He started fishing for fun. Maharṣhi saw him and said "Jīva himsa is a mahāpāpam". Utkala was a murkha. He did not believe the words of the maharṣhi. He did not stop killing the fish. Maharṣhi became angry and said "become a baka with asura lakṣhaṇas". He pleaded the maharṣhi to forgive him for his mistake. Jājili maharṣhi gave abhayam saying "through the hands of Śrī Kṛṣhṇa you will be killed and then you will get śāpavimukti".

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Himsa.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:13 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -5

This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out some durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Aghāsura Bhañjanam:

Aghāsura was Bakāsura's eldest son. Sent by Kamsa, he came to bite the Paramātma with his Bhīkara viṣham. He had the form of a huge snake and was waiting near Yamunātīram. He kept his mouth open with his upper lips near meghamaṇḍala and the lower lips on the Bhūmaṇḍala. Thinking that the mouth of Aghāsura was a cave, with the confidence that Paramātma was with them, the Gopālas and cows happily entered the cave to explore it. Aghāsura was waiting for the Paramātma to enter him.

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Śrī Kṛṣhṇa also entered it and immediately Aghāsura closed his mouth. Because of the bhīkara viṣha-vāyu all the Gopālas and the cows fell dead. Paramātma closed the navarandhra's of Aghāsura such that his stomach expanded and burst. Śrī Kṛṣhṇa came out. He brought back the lifes of all the cows and Gopāla just by His Saṅkalpam.

Aghāsura's Caritra:

Aghāsura was the son of a rākṣhasa by name Śaṅkha. He was strong and handsome. He was very young. His svabhāvam was to always do paraninda. Once he saw Aṣhṭāvakra maharṣhi and laughed saying "Why do you have some many curves in you body.." Maharṣhi became angry and gave śāpam that you will become a sarpam. When Aghāsura pleaded the maharṣhi for kṣhama, the maharṣhi said "When Śrī Kṛṣhṇa enters your stomach you will get mokṣham".

Just by doing Bhagavat-nāma-smaraṇa itself people get mokṣham. If Paramātma Himself enters the stomach will he not? (he will.)

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Paraninda.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:15 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -6

This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out some durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Dhenukāsura Bhañjanam:

Listening to the sāhasakṛtyas of Śrī Kṛṣhṇa, Yaśodā Devī had kalavaram. She thought even though they left Nandavrajam and came to Bṛndāvanam, the utpātas did not stop. Seeing the duhkham of Yaśodā, Nandarāja consoled saying “Śrī Kṛṣhṇa is not a sāmānya bālaka. Garga maharṣhi told us about this. For the good of Him do many dānas, Annadānas”. Yaśodā Devī made Balarāma-Kṛṣhṇas do many dānas and Annadānas.

Balarāma-Kṛṣhṇas used to beautifully do alaṅkāram of Gomātas and take them. Śrī Kṛṣhṇa used to follow the cowherd closely so that Go-dhūli falls on Him. However without having Paramātma Darśanam Gomātas were not able to move their feet forward. Hence Śrī Kṛṣhṇa Himself used to be at the front, middle and end of the cowherd simultaneously. The Jīvātma-Paramātma sambandham is truely very deep.

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In Madhurānagaram there was a Tālavanam. There used to be a dānava by name “Dhenuka” in gārdabhākāram in the Tālavanam. Once all the Gopālas along with Balarāmadeva and Śrī Kṛṣhṇa went near the Tālavanam. The Gopabālas, afraid of Dhenukāsura, requested Balarāma-Kṛṣhṇas to get them the madhura Tāla-phalas (tāṭi paṇḍlu).

Balarāma-Kṛṣhṇas entered the vanam and shook the trees, making the fruits fall.

A donkey has more power in its back legs. Dhenuka kicked Balarāma to 4 krośa distance away! Unaffected, Balarāma, hit the Dhenuka against a Tālavṛkṣham. Though a donkey normally does’nt have horns, this Dhenuka had 4 and started to attack the Gopālas. Śrīrāma, Subala and others replied with sticks, pāśas and astras.

Nandakiśora threw him to Govardhanagiri, making him unconscious. After gaining his consciousness, he took the Paramātma in to sky and started yuddham. Śrī Kṛṣhṇa threw him down and threw Govardhanagiri on dhenukāsura, like a ball. Dhenuka threw it back and Śrī Kṛṣhṇa kept it back at the same place and signalled Balarāmadeva. With one muṣhṭighātam of Balarāmadeva, the Dhenuka was killed and his tejas entered the Paramātma.

Dhenukāsura Caritra:

Sāhasika was the son of Balicakravarti. He once did vihāram on pavitra Gandhamādana Parvatam (where many ṛṣhis, munis do tapas and Paṇḍavas also lived for sometime), with 10000 vanitas. They exceeded their limits and the tapas of Dūrvāsamaharṣhi was disturbed. “Without any kind of vinaya-vidheyata you behaved like a gārdabham. So become one” said the Maharṣhi. After begging the Maharṣhi for kṣhama, the maharṣhi gave abhayam “in Dvāparayugam through the hands of Balarāmadeva you will get mukti”.

Since Paramātma told Prahlāda that He will never kill anyone in his dynasty (one uttama/bhraṣhṭa is enough to save/destroy an entire dynasty), he signalled Balarāmadeva to kill Sāhasika (Dhenuka).

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Not having Vinayam-vidheyata and doing whatever pleases oneself.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:18 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -7

This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out some durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.
The divya līla of Kālīya mardanam is well known and is ananta phala dāyakam.

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Kālīya Caritra:

During the time of Svāyambhuva Manvantaram (first Manu in Brahmadeva’s current day), Vedaśiras, a great bhūsurottama, used to do his tapas. Aśvaśiras, another great Vipra, came to Vedaśiras’s Āśramam and requested him to allow him to do tapas in his Āśramam. Vedaśiras did not agree and Aśvaśiras said “this Āśramam belongs to Nārāyaṇa (Nara-Nārāyaṇa avatāram). With durahaṅkāram you hissed on me and so become a sarpam and be tortured by Garuḍa Bhagavān”.

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Vedaśiras replied “Since it will be a disturbance to my tapas, I said like that. Like a Kāka, for your svārtham, you did svalābha kāṅkṣha, hence become one”.

Paramātma then gave them His durlabha-Darśanam and said “both of you are my great Bhaktas, but your words cannot be taken back. O Vedaśiromaharṣhi! By doing Divya Nṛtyam on your sahasra-phaṇas, I will put My Pāda-cihnas and save you from Garuḍa. O Aśvaśiromaharṣhi! You will take the form of Kāka and become a Brahma-jñāni and trikāla-vetta”.

Aśvaśiras became the great Śrī Rāma bhakta, Kāka Bhuśunḍi, did tapas on Nīlagiri and told Garuḍa Bhagavān, the great Rāmāyaṇam. He did tattvopadeśam to the great Vasiṣhṭha maharṣhi. Śrī Rāma Candra, everytime as a part of His bālya līlas, used to give food to Kāka and play with him.

Sajjanas, even though they sometimes give śāpam, it will turn out to be a great varam!

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Svārtham, Ahaṅkāram.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:20 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -8

This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out some durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Pralambāsura Bhañjanam:

On the Yamunātīram, Paramātma used to sit on a tree (Pogaḍa Vṛkṣham) and do Veṇugānam. On hearing the sweet muralīravam, the Gomātas used to turn towards Nandakiśora and listen undisturbed as if they were nirjīva śilpas. When Paramātma used to call the Gomātas with the names “Yamunā”, “Sarasvatī”, “Gangā”, the Gangā Yamunā Sarasvatī Nadīs used to break their frontiers, come running and on touching His feet used to become paravaśa and do praṇāmams to the Yadusimha. As if dropping ānada-bhāṣhpas, the puṣhpas used to do makarada-srāvam. Bhramaras used to hum their madhura-gānam. Hamsas and others pakṣhis (Begguru Pakṣhi) like a ṛṣhi in Samādhiniṣhṭha, used to hear to the Veṇu-gānam. There used to be slight rain of Tuṣhāra. Similar to how ghana meghas give varṣham and remove the kaṣhṭam of the cātaka pakṣhis, the Kṛṣhṇa-megham, with His Karuṇāmṛta-varṣham, satisifed the tāpatrayam of the Bhaktas.

Paramātma used to do krīḍa, gānam, nṛtyam, kalaham with the Gopabālas.

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They used to divide themselves into two two teams; one lead by Balarāmadeva and the other by Śrī Kṛṣhṇa.

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The rule of the game was that a person who gets defeated must carry the winner till the Vaṭa Vṛkṣham by the name Bhāṇḍīraka. It is usual for the Lord to get defeated in the hands of His Bhakta; so Kṛṣhṇa’s team was defeated and He was carrying Śrīdhāma. Pralambāsura, sent by Kamsa, acted as if he was in the team of Śrī Kṛṣhṇa and carried Balarāmasvāmi.

Balarāma increased His weight and Pralambāsura took his nija-rūpam. With His muṣhṭi-ghātam, Balarāmasvāmi cracked the Brahmarandhram of Pralambāsura and the asura’s head broke into two. The tejas from Pralambāsura entered Balarāmasvāmi.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/pralamba-3.jpg?w=470

Pralambāsura’s Caritra:

Kubera, the iṣhṭa sakha of Paramaśiva, had an Udyānavanam by name “Caitraratham”. The Puṣhpas from that Udyānavanam were meant to be used only for Śivapūja. Howmuch ever the rakṣhaka-bhaṭas used to be careful, someone or the other used to take the puṣhpas from the Udyānavanam. Out of exasperation, Kubera said “the puṣhpa-cora will get a rākṣhasa janma”.

Once Vijaya, the son of the Gandharva by name “Hūhū”, reached the Udyānavanam after doing some tīrtha-yātras. He without taking the permission of Kubera and not knowing the śāpam given by him, took the puṣhpas from the Udyānavanam. He immediately became a rākṣhasa and then asked Kubera for śaraṇam. Kubera gave abhayam saying “Vijaya! you are a great Viṣhṇu bhakta. You will be killed by Balarāmasvāmi in Dvāparayuga end and then you will get Mokṣham”.

One must, even unknowingly, never take things not belonging to them, without owner’s prior permission. This will lead to caurya-doṣham.

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Cauryam.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:21 AM
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas -9

This series of stories on Śrī Kṛṣhṇa līlas try to bring out some durguṇas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Vyomāsura Bhañjanam:

One day, Gopalas and Nandakiśora were playing. Some played the role of Gomāta, some as aja (goat), some as stena (thief) and the others as Gopālaka. Vyomāsura, a Kamsa-prerita, the son of the great Mayāsura, joined the group who were acting as stenas and slowly stealed all the Gopālakas playing in the game, who belonged to different groups, and shut them up in a bilam. Knowing this, Kṛṣhṇa Paramātma took the rākṣhasa with his two hands, swirled him in air and smashed him onto the ground. The tejas from Vyomāsura entered the Parandhāma. The Paramātma then broke the huge stone that closed the bilam and released all his mitras.

Vyomāsura’s Caritra:

Once the great Kāśī Kṣhetram used to be ruled by Bhīmaratha. He was a great Viṣhṇu bhakta, Medhāvi and Dānaśīli. He left the kingdom to his son, took Vānaprasthāśramam and went to Malayaparvatas for doing tapas.

One day Pulastya Brahma, one of the Brahma mānasa putras (grandfather of Rāvaṇa) and a great ṛṣhi himself, came to Bhīmaratha’s place along with his śiṣhyas. The King did namaskāras to the ṛṣhi, but did not do satkāras.

Pulastya Brahma told “O Bhīmaratha! This is an asura-lakṣhaṇam. Hence, you must take the janma of a rākṣhasa”. Bhīmaratha pleaded the ṛṣhīsvara for kṣhama. Pulastya Brahma gave him abhayam saying “With Paramātma’s anugraham you will become a dhanya. Donot worry”.

An uttama must always be respected. As Pulastya maharṣhi said, not doing so is an asura-lakṣhaṇam.

Durguṇam to be unlearnt: Not respecting the elders and the deserved (uttama).

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:23 AM
Shri Krishna leelas -10

This series of stories on Shri Krishna leelas try to bring out some durgunas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Arishtaasura Bhanjanam:

Once Arishtaasura, in a vrushabha-rupam, entered the Nandavrajam. He tried to poke the Vraja-vaasis with his horns. Everyone was running from the asura and calling Shri Krishna for help.

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Baala Krishna, came in front of the asura. The asura tried to poke the Paramatma. Shri Krishna pushed him back. The asura threw the Rohita parvatam on Krishna paramata, which the Yadukulabhushana threw back.

Shri Krishna pierced his horns into the ground releasing a jaladhara. The both then had a fierce fight. Arishtaasura finally left the form of asura, took a vipra-rupam and told “O Krishna! I am the shishya of Bruhaspati, the Devaguru. My name was Naratantu and I was a Brahmachari. Not knowing how to respect a Guru, I sat before him with my legs stretched.

For this my Gurudeva said that I will take the form of a vrushabha with asura-lakshanas. He gave abhayam to me after I had pashchattapam for my mistake”.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/arishthafelled.jpg?w=311&h=414

Durgunam to be unlearnt: Not respecting the Gurudeva.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:24 AM
Meera Bai

The story of Meera Bai, the great Bhakta of Giridhara Gopala is well known. Right from childhood she used to always do Krishnaaraadhana. Every jeevi is influenced greatly by his previous janma’s karma. Same is the case with the great Meera Bai:

Meera Bai, in her previous janma, was born in Mathura. She was married at an young age to a boy from Nandavrajam. “In the Nandavrajam there is Baala Krishna. It seems none can escape His maaya. All the vanitas forget everything and completely come under His control it seems. They leave their families too. Please be careful my dear” — this is what everybody kept on warning Meera Bai before she left for Nandavrajam.

Finally the moment when she had to leave for Nandavrajam came. She was taken to Nandavrajam in a beautiful pallaqi. On the way to Vrajam there was severe very heavy rain with thunders. The severity increased and there were huge boulders falling. The people carrying the pallaqi left it and ran for their lifes. Not knowing what happened Meera Bai opened the pallaqi window and saw this paramaadbhuta drushyam:

It was the day when Indra showed His anger on the Vraja-vaasis. She saw a small Baalaka balancing the Govardhana giri on His little finger (left hand) and saving the lifes of Gopalas. Meera was awe-struck. The image of Govardhana Giridhaari just got fixed in her mind. In no time a boulder fell on her too and she lost her life. The bhaavam which Meera experienced when she saw Shri Krishna is avyakta-madhuram (If explanied bhaavam will reduce).

All the Meera Bhajans end with Giridhara Gopala (Makutam).

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/07/govardhanagiridhari.jpg?w=437&h=294


Morals in the story:
Our elders and shastras always ask us to be only in the company of good; see, talk and listen to only good things. Meera Bai’s story clearly shows us why.
“Buddhi Karmaanusaarini”. Only sat-karmas lead to sat-buddhi.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:27 AM
Importance of Vastram

Kubera, the parama-mitra of Shankara Bhagvaan, has two putras by names Nalakuubara and Manigreeva. However once Nalakuubara and Manigreeva got ahankaar and garvam because of their ananta-aishvaryam.

Because of this, though they had the adrushtam of being Rudra-anucharas (sevakas of Paramashiva), once they did vihaaram with divya-striis in the beautiful pushpavanam on Pavitra Kailaasa parvatam. They drank a madira by name Vaaruni. They were singing together with the striis and were doing vihaaram.

At that time Naarada, the Brahmarshi, Parama-puujya, came near the place where Nalakuubara-Manigreeva were doing Vihaaram. Due to their janma-janmaantara Punyam, they got the mahat-bhaagyam of having the Divya-darshanam of Shri Naarada maharshi. However even seeing the Brahmarshi, due to effect of having madira and aishvarya-ahankaaram, they didnt bother. With lajja and shaapa-bhayam, the striis, who were vivastras, immediately did vastra-dhaarana and left. However Nalakuubara-Manigreeva, who were Vastra-hiina, did not do Vastra-dhaarana even noticing that Naarada maharshi came there.

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In our Bhaarateeya Saampradaayam, being without proper Vastra-dhaaram is very wrong. Knowing that and in addition knowing that Naarada maharshi was passing by, Nalakuubara-Manigreeva did a mistake in the effect of Aishvarya garvam and madira paanam. Aaha! ahankaaram even makes Devatas, great people do very bad things!

Naarada maharshi in order to give His anugraham to the Kubera-putras, said the following and gave a shaapam: (shaapam given by Divya-purushas must be considered as an anugraham only, since it will make a person realize his mistake and correct it.)

“Dhana-garvam is worse than the garvam one gets due to any other possession. People who have Dhana-garvam, though they know and see in everyday life that this physical body is easily destroyed and is nothing before Nature’s power, believe that satisfying the physical senses (Indriyas) is very important and do jeeva-himsa in doing so.

Even though you got the adrushtam of being Rudra-anucharas, and are the putras of the great Kubera, you did Madiraa-paanam, had adhika-garvam and even committed the mistake of remaining as Vastra-vihiina. You did not even realize that you were a Vastra-vihiina and stood like immobile trees. You dont deserve being Devatas. You will take the form of (immobile) Yamala, Arjuna Vrukshas for 100 Divya-varshas! You will have puurva-janma smruti and hence will have great pashchaattaapam for your mistake during that period. However since you did many many Punya kaaryas and otherwise are great people and due to My anugraham, you will have the durlabha-divya-darshanam of Shri Krishna Paramaatma and never repeat such mistakes. From then onwards you will become Shri Krishna Bhaktas and get Daivatvam again”.

After the Divya-baalya-leela of Shri Krishna of Dadhi-kumbha-bhanjanam and eating butter,

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Yashodaa devi tried to punish the Baalakrishna by trying to bind him with a rope to a Iluukhalam.

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How much ever rope she added, to her surprise, the rope was always less to tie him. After a lot of effort, the Bhakta-vatsala, Shri Krishna Himself allowed her to tie Him.

Then Shri Krishna, in order to make the words of Naarada maharshi true, started to move towards the Yamala-arjuna Vrukshas (who were Nalakuubara-Manigreeva), pulling the Iluukhalam (grinding stone, device) along. As soon as Shri Krishna passed between them, and uprooted the Vrukshas, two Divya purushas came out and did stotram of Shri Krishna. Later They left to Their lokam and became Shri Krishna Bhaktas.

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Morals in the story:
Ahankaaram is the main cause for all paapa-kaaryas. Due to Dhana-garvam even great people like Nalakuubara and Manigreeva had madiraa-paanam, did vilaasa-vihaaram on Pavitra Kailaasa Parvatam and became Vastra-vihiina.
Importance of Vastra-dhaarana in our Bhaarateeya Saampradaayam is well shown in this story. This story again shows how madiraa-paanam leads to may other paapa-kaaryas. Hence our Bhaarateeya Saampradaayam always warns us to be away from it.
Message to the present society:

In our “open-minded” modern society today we are seeing increasing number of examples where women, who were supposed to be treated with great respect in our Indian culture, are being used in films, fashion shows as an object of pleasure. Even films which reach the notice of many, portray nudity and drinking alcohol as a very common thing. In such a situation where access to such things is easy, we must be still more careful to be away from them.

The present story shows that Punya-kshetras are not meant for vihaaram. Hence going to Divya-kshetras like Tirupati, Shri Shailam, Shrungeri or other such kshetras (which are also very rich in Natural beauty) in view of Vihaaram or “pleasure-trip” must be avoided.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:29 AM
Dharmasūkṣhmam

“Yuddham anivāryam”. Thinking thus, everyone was preparing for the bhīṣhaṇa Mahābhārata Yuddham. To ask for help, both Arjuna, the Daśanāmadheya, and Duryodhana came to Śrī Kṛṣhṇa. Śrī Kṛṣhṇa was sleeping on his śayya and Duryodhana entered His mandiram and waited for the Parandhāma to wake up. Duryodhana sat near Śrī Kṛṣhṇa’s head.

Arjuna then came into the śayana mandiram of Śrī Kṛṣhṇa and sat near His feet, with great vinayam. (Sajjana’s never display their strength and greatness.)

Kṛṣhṇa Bhagavān opened His eyes and first saw Arjuna, who was sitting near His feet. He greeted him with great anurāgam and asked him kuśala-praśnas. He then saw Duryodhana, and wished him with the same anurāgam, since both were equally close relatives for Him. Both of them told the reason for their arrival and Śrī Kṛṣhṇa does His sainya vibhajana like this, saying I will offer equal help to both of you:

“There are 10000 Yaduvīras, who are all equal to Me in Vīratvam. They never go against My word and help you in the Yuddham without śakti-vañcana. They all will be on one side and I alone will be on the other. I will never use any Āyudham. I will help as a Rathasārathi”. Śrī Kṛṣhṇa then asks Arjuna to choose which half he wants; then he asks Duryodhana. Ofcourse both of them get exactly what they want. Arjuna chooses Śrī Kṛṣhṇa and Duryodhana was more than happy to take the remaning 10000 Yaduvīras.

If one just plainly reads this story, one may feel since Śrī Kṛṣhna Bhagavān is a Bhakta vatsala, he asked Arjuna to choose first. If one reads the jagat-prasiddha Nīlakaṇṭhī vyākhyānam of this episode, one will come to know about how intricate Dharma sūkṣhmas are and with what firmness great people like Śrī Kṛṣhṇa, Pāṇḍavas, Draupadi, Bhīṣhma and many other such great characters in Mahābhāratam followed the path of Dharma:

Śrī Kṛṣhṇa knows that first He has seen Arjuna and it was Duryodhana who came first. So both must be given equal chance and hence divides his sainyam into two. Now Śrī Kṛṣhṇa addresses Arjuna as Bālaka while asking him to choose first. There is a Śṛti vākyam that says “Pravāraṇam tu bālyānām pūrvam” “Kāryamiti ŚrutiH Tasmātpravāraṇam pūrvam Arjuna Pārtho DhananjayaH”. According to this Śṛti vākyam, a bālaka must be given preference. Since Arjuna was younger than Duryodhana, Arjuna must be given preference according to Dharma. Kṛṣhṇa paramātma, who is Dharma in human form, obviously followed this Dharmasūkṣham and helped both his relatives impartially (samavarti).


Morals in the story:
Even though Arjuna is His priya Bhakta and Duryodhana did not follow Dharma, Śrī Kṛṣhṇa greeted both of them equally as they were equally close relatives. He divided his sainyan into two to help Arjuna, whom he saw first, and help Duryodhana who came first. This shows us the great satguṇam of Samavartitvam (impartiality).
The importance that one must give to learn, know and always follow the Dharmam is well shown by Śrī Kṛṣhṇa. He gave Arjuna a chance to choose first according to the above said Śruti vākyam.
Vinayam brings a Vīra, his śobha. Arjuna by sitting at Śrī Kṛṣhṇa’s feet showed his satguṇam of Vinayam. Duryodhana, even though he went to Śrī Kṛṣhṇa to ask for help, did not show any Vinayam.
The dṛḍha viśvāsam of Arjuna in Śrī Kṛṣhṇa is shown well: even though he had the chance to choose 10000 Yaduvīras (who were each equal to Śrī Kṛṣhṇa in Vīratvam), he chose Śrī Kṛṣhṇa (who will not use any āyudham).
Message to the present society:

It is always recommended to read our Purāṇas and Itihāsas, in Samskṛtam or Bhāratīya bhāṣhas, with the help of elders, Paṇḍitas and prasiddha (well accepted) Vyākhyānas to know and learn all the Dharmasūkṣhmas well.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:30 AM
God always protects sajjanas

Bhagadatta is the son of Narakaasura and is a great yoddha. He knows many astras including Vaishnava and Shakti astras. However he joined the Kauravas side in the great Mahaabhaarata yuddham. It is natural in this world that people with similar gunas become friends, whether good or bad.
After Bhishma pitaamaha, Dronaacharya was made the sarva-sainyaadhipati of Kauravas by Duryodhana. Dronaacharya tells Duryodhana “O Raja! I feel very happy that you gave me this oppurtunity. You did not forget me though I am old and though Karna, your priya-mitra is there. I will try my best to fight well and bring you victory”. He tells all the strengths/weakness of Kaurava and Paandava senas. He also tells his own strengths and weaknesses. He clearly mentions that he has only one weakness: “if I hear any apriya vaakyam, then I will do astra-sanyaasam.

So please make sure I dont hear any”. Upon being asked by Duryodhana, Dronaacharya says “I can defeat Dharmaraaja, but only if Arjuna is not there near him”. So they wanted to plan out how to make Arjuna go away from Dharmaraaja.

The person who fights Arjuna must keep him busy for a long time (till Dronaachaarya defeats Dharmaraaja). Hence the yoddha must be very good and must know many many astras to even stand before Arjuna for sometime. They decide that the 5 Kings of Samsaptaka kingdoms will challenge Arjuna and slowly take him away from Dharmaraaja. Bhagadatta, the King of Mahishpati/Pragjyotishapuram, was one of them.

Similar to how Shri Raama was taken away from Sita by Maareecha, the Kings of Samsaptakas slowly tried to take Arjuna away from Dharmaraaja.

In no time Bhagadatta was only left and he started using his divya-astras.
Arjuna is the greatest Bhakta, Sakha of Shri Krishna, the Parandhaama. He never deviated form the path of Dharmam and Satyam. Hence Shri Krishna always protected him similar to how eyelids protect the eyes.

Bhagadatta used Vaishnavaastram. Shri Krishna just stood up a little bit and took it. It became a Vyjayantimaala for the Paramaatma. Similarly Shri Krishna protects Arjuna form Shakti astram. Then Bhagadatta tried to attack silently from the back. Shri Krishna, the greatest Ratha-saarathi, in an unbelievable way turns the ratham and helps Arjuna. Though Bhagadatta was not able to harm Arjuna, since he had an abhedya divya invisible kavacham, right form head to toes, Arjuna’s shastra-astras were not able to harm him. However as time proceeds the danger for Dharmaraaja increases. Shri Krishna tells Arjuna to shoot right at the place of joining of the eye brows, which will remove the kavacham.

Like this at each and every point in the life of Paandavas, Shri Krishna protected them.



Morals in the story:
God always protects the people who never deviate from the path of Dharma. May be the story of Paandavas is the best example to show this.
Like Paandavas, we must always remember that whatever victories we get, or whatever good we do etc. is because of God only. He is the person who is always behind us. He is the greatest mitra who saves us at times of difficulty. Remembering that, always we are able to achieve things because of God, helps us reduce our Ahankaar too. Else even a slight victory will make us feel proud.
Some of the sadgunas of Dronaacharya are nicely reflected in his conversation. He clearly mentioned his strengths and weakness. Similarly Bheeshmaacharya also mentions his strengths and weaknesses. He also tells openely that he will do astra-sanyaasam if a stri or a shikhandi comes before him (This niyamam was because, he was a perfect Brahmachaari. He will not even look at a para-stri).

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:32 AM
Destruction of Dwaaraka

Paramaatma does shrushti, sthiti, layam of this Brahmaandam. An example of this, Shri Krishna Paramaatma Himself showed us — He only created Dwaaraka, protected it and finally destroyed it.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/dvarakacompl.jpg?w=491&h=317

We will see how Dwaaraka was destroyed:

Dwaavarka-vaasi praja, Yaadavas saw very closely Shri Krishna protecting them everytime they were in trouble. God protects somebody expecting that in turn he will protect somebody else and do paropakaaram. But Yaadavas got Garvam that always Shri Krishna will protect them! Aaha! even great people who had the adrushtam of being in the company of Shri Krishna had to finally succumb to Ahankaaram. So we being normal people must be more careful and always have Vinayam.

Once, Shri Vishvaamitra maharshi, Shri Vasishtha maharshi, Shri Kanva maharshi, Shri Bhrugu maharshi, Shri Duurvaasa maharshi, Shri Angiirasa maharshi, Shri Kashyapa maharshi, Shri Vaamadeva maharshi, Shri Atri maharshi and Shri Naarada maharshi came to Pindaaraka-kshetram.

Instead of respecting,doing seva of these maharshis, Yaadavas make Saamba, the Jaambavati-putra, dress like a pregnant woman. They take Saamba near the maharshis and ask Them to bless the woman with a good child. Seeing that the Yaadavas were making fun of Sajjanas, who need to be respected, to teach them a lesson, They give a shaapam that Saamba will give birth to a ‘musalam’. And because of it only the Yaadava vasham entirely will perish.

Exactly as the maharshis said, Samba gave birth to a ‘musalam’. Seeing the anarthas that may come, Yaadavas try to melt the ‘musalam’ — however they leave one piece which Jaara, an aatavika, picks and uses as the sharp edge of his arrow. From the other remains of the ‘musalam’ sharp grass plants grow.

Once Yaadavas take a Maadaka-dravyam by name “Maireyakam”. Driven by it, they start fighting amongst each other. Finally they pick up the sharp grass, grown by the remains of the ‘musalam’, and kill each other! Like this everyone dies in the petty fight. Though they were Vivekas, had many Sadgunams, and were close relatives to Shri Krishna, in the effect of the Maadaka-dravyam, they kill each other in the petty quarrel. Seeing this, with Vairaagyam, Balaraamadeva, the avataar of Mahaavishnu, leaves His shariiram and goes to Vaikuntham. Jaara, thinking that a deer is hiding behind the bushes, shoots Shri Krishna’s leg, with the arrow whose end was made with the ‘musalam’. Shri Krishna also then leaves to Vaikuntham. Finally, the apuurva Dwaaraka Nagaram always gets submerged in water.


Morals in the story:
Ahankaaram is very dangerous. We must be very very careful to be away from it. As we saw in the story, it doesnt even spare great people like the Yaadavas.
Respecting elders and the Sajjanas is very important. Yaadavas, instead of doing seva of the great Maharshis, made fun of them. This only lead to their destruction.
Taking drugs (Maadaka-dravyam), or Suraapaanam, make a person loose his thinking capability. People in their effect can do any paapa-kaaryam. Due to the effect of Maireyakam, the Yaadavas, who are otherwise Vivekas and Veeras, fought against each other and killed themselves.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:33 AM
Mayuura Dhvaja

Knowing that Mayuura Dhvaja caught the divya-ashvam of Yudhishthira who was doing Ashwamedha-yaagam, Krishna-Arjuna reached his Kingdom. Shri Krishna told Arjuna that Mayuura Dhvaja is a Dharmaatma and one of His greatest Bhaktas. So They must be careful while fighting Mayuura Dhvaja. Even Arjuna was not able to handle Mayuura Dhvaja in the Yuddham!! Shri Krishna then Himself came for help.

Mayuura Dhvaja didnt want to fight the Paramaatma, Shri Krishna, but didnt step back from the Yuddham, following Kshatriya-dharmam. So for every arrow he put, he did Shri Krishna naama smarana. Since Bhagavaan always likes getting defeated in the hands of His Bhaktas, Shri Krishna Himself could not stand the arrows of Mayuura Dhvaja!!! When Arjuna asked Shri Krishna said “neither your Gaandeevam nor My sudarshana-chakram can harm this Mahaa-bhakta”. Shri Krishna wanted to show everyone the greatness of Mayuura Dhvaja. The next day Shri Krishna and Arjuna went to Mayuura Dhvaja in disguise of Vipras.

Seeing the Vipras, Mayuura Dhvaja said “O Svaami! Please accept my aatithyam and bless me”. Shri Krishna replied “Raaja! We dont have time for that. There is a big problem. After solving that only We can think about other things”. Mayuura Dhvaja replied “Svaami! Please tell me what is Your difficulty. I will try my best to solve it. If required I am ready to give away my life”. Shri Krishna, who was in Vipra-vesham, replied “Raaja! When We were coming through a forest, a tiger caught My son and ate him. After it ate half, aakaasha-vaani said that if I get half shariiram of Mayuura Dhvaja and give it to the tiger, then I will get back My child. So I came here to ask you to give Me putra-bhiksha”.

“Aaha! I became a dhanya. My body is being used to save the life of a small baby. What more do I want? Aarya! please dont think. Cut me into two and give half of my body to the tiger”, pleaded Mayuura Dhvaja! He at once called his Bhaarya and putra and asked them to cut him into two and give hald body to the Vipras. Though they didnt want to, but knowing that the King ordered in order to do a Divya-kaaryam, they started to cut his body.

Krishna-Arjuna became animishas (without flapping eyes) and saw. They saw water-drops falling from the left eye of Mayuura Dhvaja. Just to show the greatness of Mayuura Dhvaja to others, the Sarvagnya, Shri Krishna said “Raaja! One who gives with 100% manastrupti and santosham then only it is called Tyaagam. If you are sad then you need not give. If you shed tears by seeing the pain of others it is Divyatvam; whereas if you shed tears seeing yourself it is Naichyam. Moham is the reason for this. So dont do if you dont like”.

Mayuura Dhvaja, the maha-bhakta of Shri Krishna, replied “Arya! I am not feeling sad to give my body. If really I was feeling sad for that both my eyes will shed tears. My right half of body is only being used for aarta-rakshana; and the left is not. This part is going waste not being of any use to others. Hence the left-eye is shedding tears“.

Shri Krishna then showed His nija-ruupam, gave aashiirvaadam to Mayuura Dhvaja and returned his previous form. Mayuura Dhvaja did saashtaanga-pranaamam aand returned the Yagnya-ashvam.

Mayuura Dhvaja showed us the perfect nirvachanam for the suukti “Paropakaaraartham idam shariiram”.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:35 AM
Sahanam

We all know how difficult it was to kill the Tripuraasuras and save the worlds. Mahaavishnu had to take avataar of Buddha (ofcourse not Gautama Buddha) and decrease the power of Tripuraasuras. Then Parameshvara with his Divya-sharam (arrow) killed the Tripuraasuras. This Divya-sharam became Duurvaasa Maharshi, the rushi-shreshtha.

Once he came to Paandava-madiram and smiled. Suddenly he became angry. He asked for aahaaram. Then he said no. Then he ate away all the items made for many, alone. For a while he slept on floor and sometime on hamsa-tuulikaa-talpam (bed). He used to go whenever he wants and come whenever he wants.

One day he asked Shri Krishna “Krishna! I want to eat Paramaannam. Will you give?” Shri Krishna immediately got it prepared and served him. He ate little and asked Shri Krishna to paste the remaining on his body! Mukunda, the Muni-jana-maanasa-vihaara, did as said by the Maharshi. Then he took some Paramaannam and put it on Shri Rukminii Devi! He then tied Her to a Ratham and took Her away. He then started hitting her with a rope. Shri Krishna was running behind the Ratham, but didnt get any Krodham. After sometime, Rukminii Devi fell unconscious. Not taking pity on Her, instead Duurvaasa Maharshi put some sand on Her and ran southwards! Shri Krishna also ran behind him. After going for a long distance, the Maharshi smiled and said

“Krishna! You have won Krodham. Even when I pained Rukminii, who is more priyam to You than Yourself, You didnt get angry. I caused a lot of pain to You all. I also pained Jaganmaata Shri Rukminii Devi. Both of You passed my test. I will give You a Varam — people will love You more than themselves! You will become the Jagat-guru (Shri Krishna gave us Bhagavadgeeta) and Your keerti will remain forever”. Later he went to Shri Rukminii Devi and said

“Amma! You will get asamaana-soundaryam and become a great Pativrata”. Saying this he left the place.

This story was told to Dharmaraaja by Shri Bheeshmaachaarya.

Bheeshmaachaarya continued “Ahimsa, Daanam, Satyam and Sahanam are Paramadharmas. Vijayalakshmi will bless a person who has Sahanam. Shri Krishna is the Paramaatma. Everything is Him. He is the Sarva-gnya. Listen to Him and always go on the path of Dharmam”.

Morals in the Story:
Krodham is one’s greatest enemy. Like Shri Krishna showed us, we must never get Krodham and follow path of Dharma.
Sahanam is a great sad-gunam. A person who has sahanam is respected everywhere. Gandhiji followed this path of Sahanam only and showed us how we can oppose bad just by following Sahanam and Ahimsa.
http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/krishnamohan.jpg?w=327&h=562

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:37 AM
Shri Krishna Leelas -11

This series of stories on Shri Krishna leelas try to bring out some durgunas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Keshi Vadha

Sent by Kamsa, Keshi, came to Brundaavanam in the form of an Ashvam and did Megha-garjanam. Nanda-vrajam shook with Bhayam. Everyone then asked Shri Krishna, the Parandhaama, for Sharanam. Shri Krishna then gave abhayam to them.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/kesi.jpg?w=309&h=411

Nanda Kishora stood before Keshi. Keshi hit the Paramaatma with his legs. Nothing happened to Shri Krishna; he took Keshi by his legs, swirled and threw him away. Keshi then tried to catch the Yadukula-bhuushana with his tail. Yadusimha instead caught Keshi with his tail, swirled and threw high into the air. Shri Krishna gave mushti-ghaatam when the asura tried to attack Him. For sometime they then did Yuddham on Aakaasham and finally Madhusuudana threw Keshi down. Keshi opened his mouth to swallow Shri Krishna. Yadukula-tilaka then put his hand inside and closed the Navarandhrams of Keshi and Keshi’s Udaram (stomach) bursted. A divya-purusha then came from Keshi’s shariiram and did stotram of the Paramaatma.

Keshi Charitra

Because Devendra did samhaaram of the Vrutraasura, He got Brahma-hatyaa-paatakam. He then did Ashvamedha Yaagam in order to save Himself from the Paapam. However a sevaka of Devendra did Chauryam of the Yagnyaashvam. Knowing this, Devendra gave that sevaka a shaapam to become an asura with Ashva-ruupam. When the sevaka did Pashchaattaapam for his mistake, Devendra said he will get Vimukti after Paramaatma’s Paada-sparsha.

Durgunam to be unlearnt: Chauryam.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:40 AM
Shri Krishna Leelas -12

This series of stories on Shri Krishna leelas try to bring out some durgunas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.
Kuvalayapeeda Bhanjanam

Along with Gopaalakas, Shri Krishna and Balaraamadeva approached the Rangasthalam arranged by Kamsa. Kuvalayapeeda (a Mada-Gajam, elephant) and its Gajaachaarya were ready to attack Shri Krishna-Balaraama near the Simhadvaaram.

Seeing Balaraama-Krishna, the Hasti-paalaka directed Kuvalayapeeda to attack Them. Shri Krishna asked the Hasti-paalaka to give Them way to go in. However the Gajaachaarya didnt listen. Shri Krishna then warned them that if they dont give way, they will go to Yamapuri. Still Gajaachaarya didnt stop Kuvalayapeeda.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/kuvalayadipa.jpg?w=370&h=490

With its trunk, Kuvalayapeeda lifted Paramaatma into the air. Not able to bear His weight, it threw Him down. Shri Krishna then crawled under it and started playing Chatuh-stambha-Kriida (a famous game with 4 pillars).

Because a Hasti has good Ghraana-shakti (sense of smell), it turned the way Paramaatma went during His Kriida (play). However it was not able to catch Him. Nanda-kishora then started to hang from its tail and swing.

Kuvalayapeeda got tired. Paramaatma used to hit it once and run away then repeat and play like this. After playing for sometime like this, Parandhaama stood before it. It tried to stamp Him with its feet. When it tried to poke Him with its Dantam (tusks), Shri Krishna disappeared and hence Kuvalayapeeda’s Dantam got stuck in the ground. Paramaatma caught the Trunk of Kuvalayapeeda, who was rushing towards Him in anger, swirled and hit it against the ground! With aarta-naadam, Kuvalayapeeda died. Paramaatma then pulled out one of its tusks and killed the dushta Gajaachaarya. Balaraama pulled out the other and a Divya-purusha came out from Kuvalayapeeda and became aikyam in Paramaatma.

Kuvalayapeeda Charitra

Mandagati was the putra of the great Vishnu-bhakta Bali Chakravarti. He learnt sakala-shaastras. He has great Balam; however had great Bala-garvam, Ahankaaram. Once he went to Shri Ranga Yaatra. He was like a huge Mada-gajam and started to walk without noticing the other Yaatrikas. Some Yaatrikas fell under his legs and lost their lives. Still, with Bala-garvam and Mada-unmattam, Mandagati continued his Yaatra. Tritunda, a Vruddha Maharshi, also fell under the feet of Mandagati.

“During Shri Ranganaatha Utsavam you pushed me down. Become an asura with Gaja-ruupam” said Tritunda Maharshi. When Mandagati had pashchaattapam, Maharshi said “because of fighting with Paramaatma in Dvaapara-yugam, you will get Vimukti”. That Mandagati became Kuvalayapeeda, given by Devendra to Kamsa.

Durgunam to be unlearnt: Bala-garvam, Ahankaaram.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:41 AM
Shri Krishna Leelas -13

This series of stories on Shri Krishna leelas try to bring out some durgunas, commonly found in people, and thus warn us to be away from the same.

Chaanuura-Mushtika Vadha

After Kuvalayapeeda vadha, Balaraama-Krishna came near Chaanuura-Mushtika. Different people saw different Rasas (Navarasas+Bhakti rasam) in Paramaatma, Shri Krishna:

Yoddhas saw Raudra-rasam
Madhuraa-nagara Vanitas saw Shrungaara-rasam
Shriidaama and other Gopaalaka-mitras of Shri Krishna saw Haasya-rasam
Nanda-aadi saw Dayaa-rasam
Shatru-raajas saw Veera-rasam seeing Shri Krishna who looked like Yama
Kamsa experienced Bhaya-rasam seeing Shri Krishna who looked like Mrutyudevata
Normal people felt aashcharya-rasam
Praakrutas saw Bheebhatsa-rasam
Gnyaanis saw Shaanta-rasam
Gopikas and Yaadavas saw Prema, Bhakti rasam
Chaanuura-Mushtika announced “we have bala-paraakramam. It is not wrong if we show it to Balaraama-Krishna”. Paramaatma replied “O Yoddhas! We are baalakas. You are Mahaa-balas. Will the people accept this adharma-yuddham”? Chaanuura replied “You are not a baalaka. You are a Mahaa-bala in baalakas. You did Vadha of Kuvalayapeeda. So this is Dharma-yuddham”.

With Chiru-mandahaasam, Balaraama-Krishna accepted for Yuddham. Nagara-vanitas thought “This is not Dharma-yuddham. Kamsa cannot escape punishment for doing such an akrutyam. If we have any adrushtam, may Balaraama-Krishna win the Yuddham”. Everyone wanted Balaraama-Krishna to win.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/chaanuura-mushtika-vadha.jpg?w=359&h=420

Ghora-yuddham started. They were hitting, fighting, jumping, throwing each other. However Balaraama-Krishna always had chiru-mandahaasam on their face. Paramaatma hit Chaanuura hard. Chaanuura then hit hard on the pavitra Vaksha-sthalam of Shri Krishna. Nothing happened to Paramaatma. He took Chaanuura by his shoulders, swirled and smashed hum onto the ground. Chaanuura lost his life. Balaraama svaamy gave a hard mushti-ghaatam on the back of Mushtika. Bleeding, Mushtika died. Brothers of Chaanuura-Mushtika then attacked Balaraama-Krishna and got killed. The Tejas of them entered Paramaatma. The claps (Kara-taala-dhvani) of the praja reached the skies.

Chaanuura-Mushtika Charitra

In Amaraavati nagaram, there lived a Bhuusurottama by name Udandha. He had 5 putras. They didnt listen to the hita-vaakyas of their Maata, Pita, didnt follow aachaaram and started to learn how to use aayudhams, do Yuddham. Udandha said “O dushtas! We are Vipras and hence must always have Shaantam, Daya and do Tapas. In addition to leaving these, you took to Para-dharmam. All 5 of you be born as asuras and become Yoddhas”. After they had pashchaataapam, Udandha said that they will get Vimukti after fighting with Shri Krishna in Dvaapara-yugam.

Durgunam to be unlearnt: Not respecting Maata, Pita and not following Svadharmam and Sadaachaaram.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:43 AM
Govardhana Giri Puuja

Bhaarateeyas always respected Nature and their fellow living creatures. Bhuuta-daya was the foremost in our Saampradaayam. Infact they do puuja of Prakruti assuming its Parameshvarii’s ruupam.

Gopaalakas used to every year do Indra-yaagam. Seeing this Paramaatma, Shri Krishna, who then was 7 years old, said “O Nandaraaja! What is the reason behind doing Indra-yaagam”?

Nandaraaja replied “Krishna! Yagnya-yaagams are a way of showing Krutagnyata. We show our Krutagnyata to Devatas, Devendra. A Krutagnya only deserves help and not a Krutaghna. Hence if we do Indra-Yaagam, Devatas will help us, leading to Loka-hitam”.

Nandakishora replied “Devatas alone do not give Phala-siddhi. One’s Karma (what good and what bad he did) is the main reason for Phala-siddhi. Hence one must always follow his Sva-dharmam. With Bhagavat-bhakti, Dharma-kaaryams must be done.
This Prakruti is what we see directly, and Paramaatma, Devendra, Devatas are who we cannot see. Hence leaving this Pratyaksha-daivam, Prakruti, is not correct. We all live under this Govardhana-giri. For us this Govardhana and Gomaatas are Pratyaksha-daivams. Gomaatas, Viprottamas, Saadhus, Vedams are all Puujaniiyam. This Pavitra Govardhana Giri came from Mahaavishnu’s Vakshasthalam and brought here by Pulastya muni. Hence let us do pooja of this Govardhana giri and Gomaatas. This is My abhimatam (wish)”.

http://moralstories.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/krishnopadesham.jpg?w=489&h=282
Sannanda, one of the greatest Vruddhas replied “Nandanandana! What You spoke are Amruta vaakyams. You are Gnyaana-svaruupa, Paramaatma. Your words are Shirodhaaryam for us (must be followed by us). Please tell us how to do Govardhana-giri puuja”?

Paramaatma replied “Taata! We must clean the bhuu-bhaagam near the Giri-paadam, purify with Gomayam. Then must put beautiful Rangoli on it.

With all puujaa-dravyams, we must do Shodashopachaara pooja as told in Shaastrams. Abhishekams must be done with Triveni-sangama-jalam, Go-ksheeram. After Deepaaraadhana, we must do Giri-pradakshinams and Namaskaarams. We must then do Naivedyam. After Neeraajanam, we must do Go-puuja and then do many Daanams”. Every one became enthusiastic. They were longing to start the Giri-puuja.

Shri Krishna then continued “before coming for puuja, do all your Kartavyams (duties) and then only come. Do not leave Vruddhas hungry in the house and come. Feed the Vruddhas, baalakas first. Feed the Gomaatas, pashu-pakshis (cattle, brids), Shunakams (dogs), other domestic animals and then come”.

On a Shubha-vaasaram, all Gopaalakas did as told by Shri Krishna, decorated themselves, Gomaatas and came in huge numbers to do Govardhana-giri puuja. Nandaraaja, Yashodaa Devi, Rohinii Devi, Balaraama-Krishna, Garga Maharshi came. Navanandas and Vrushabhaanu brought Raadhaa Devi in a Suvarna-aandolika (golden palaquin).

Devatas, Apsaras, Raajarshis, Maharshis many came. Paarvatii-Parameshvara also came to see the Divya-puuja. After puuja, Govardhana Giriraaja appeared with Chaturbhujas and gave His anugraham to the Vraja-vaasis. Everywhere people were shouting “Jayaho Shri Krishna Paramaatma, Jayaho Govardhana Giriraaja”.


Morals in the Story:
Destroying Natural resources, Nature was never Bhaarateeyata. They infact used to do puuja of Prakruti assuming it as Aadi-shakti. This was well shown in the story through the words of Shri Krishna.
Bhaarateeyas also believed in Bhuuta-daya. As Shri Krishna said, Bhuuta-daya is one of their Kartavyams. Shri Krishna asks Gopaalas to feed Vruddhas, Baalakas, other domestic animals and then only come for pooja.
The Amruta-vaakyams of Shri Krishna must never be forgotten. One must never leave his Sva-dharmam.

Rashmi Rekha
13-01-2013, 07:45 AM
Poundareeka Vaasudeva

Poundareeka was the Raaja of Karuusha desham. He always used to try to imitate Shri Krishna. He used to dress like Shri Krishna, wearing Piitaambaram, carrying Venu and Shikhi Pichchham (peacock’s feather) on the kiriitam (crown). He also got imitations of Sudarshana Chakram, Paanchajanya Shankam, Koumodaki Gada, Padmam, Shaarnga Dhanuh (bow). He also put a mark on his Vakshasthalam and said it is Kaustubham.

Though he was doing all this, Shri Krishna, the Purushottama, never got Krodham. He thought may be atleast by imitating My outward appearance, his internal behaviour will change.

But no. Poundareeka was no Bhakta to imitate outward appearance of Shri Krishna and change his buddhi. Infact, he started saying he is the “true Vaasudeva”, not Shri Krishna. He used to tell everybody, with Ahankaaram, that He is Paramaatma not Shri Krishna.

Sarvagnya, Shri Krishna, even then didnt get any Krodham. He tolerated the duushanams of Poundareeka. However once with Garvam, Poundareeka went to the extent of imprisoning Parama Bhakta and sakha of Shri Krishna, Sudaama.

Bhagavaan can tolerate anything but not His Bhaktas being tortured. He immediately reached Poundareeka, did his samhaaram and saved Sudaama, His priya-mitra. Once again God proved that He is a Bhakta-sulabha.


Morals in the Story:
Imitating, following Mahaapurushas is good, but following Them fully is very very difficult. Poundareeka could only imitate outward appearance but not the Dharma-buddhi of Shri Krishna.
Ahankaaram is the root cause for one’s destruction. With Ahankaaram, Poundareeka thought he was only God, behaved like a Kruura and imprisoned Bhakta Sudaama.
The greatness of a Bhakta is well shown in the story. Shri Krishna didnt get angry with Poundareeka until he tortured His bhakta, Sudaama.