Seated among the brothers with down-cast eyes was Sri Rama sporting only a place face. He said to Lakshmana and others: “Sarve srunuta bhadram vo maa kurudhwam mano-anyathaa, Pouraanaam mama Sitaayaam yaadrishee vartate kathaa.” (U. Ka 45 – 2) “Brothers!” he said, “God bless you! Without diverting your mind and attention on other matters, know... Continue Reading →
Chapter 21 – The agony
After he came to know about unpleasant and uncharitable words about Sita from Bhadra and others, Sri Rama thought over what he would do and what steps he should take to silence the critics. He sent for his brothers. Clad in white dress, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna arrived immediately. As they entered Sri Rama’s... Continue Reading →
Chapter 20 – Cobra of suspicion raises its hood
In the Central Hall of the palace, Rama sat surrounded by several friends known for their humour and talks in lighter vein. Prominent among them were Vijaya, Madhumatta, Kashyapa, Mangala, Kula, Suraaji, Kaaliya, Dantavakra, Sumaadha and Bhadra. They were all delighted with the turn of events leading to Rama adorning the Ayodhya throne and winning... Continue Reading →
Chapter 19 – Sita’s pregnant desire
Valmiki describes in Uttara Ramayana that one day Sita, adorned with all the jewels and a palatial dress, went to Sri Rama just as Shachi Devi would go to meet her consort Indra. As she was approaching him, Rama noted noticeable features of pregnancy in Sita. He was immensely delighted. “Devi!” said Rama to... Continue Reading →
Chapter 18 – Dasharatha extols Sita’s purity
Rama did exactly as he was told; with Lakshmana he offered prostration to Dasharata seated in the Vimaana. “Raghava!” said Dasharata warmly embracing Rama, “Let me tell you the truth. Neither the heavenly happiness nor the honor conferred by the devatas can make up the distressing gap of separation from you. You have conquered... Continue Reading →
Chapter 17 – Maheshwara praises Rama
“Etat-srutwaa shubham vaakyam Raaghavenaanubhaashitam, Tataha shubhataram vaakyam vyaajahaara Mahesawaraha (Sar. 119; Sl: 1) Valmiki records that Maheswara, pleased by what Sri Rama said on the suspicious occasion, spelt out words of divine blessing: “Pushkaraaksha! Mahaabaahu! Vishaalavaksha! Paramtapa! Great among dharmaatmas!” said Maheswara, “you have achieved the unique task of inflicting death to Ravana... Continue Reading →
Chapter 16 – Sri Rama accepts Sita
After Sita emerged more effulgent then ever before from the raging fire along with Agni, in accordance with the wishes of all including Brahma and Agni, Sri Rama accepted Sita and won the encomium of all those who had assembled there as it was a very courageous move on his part to allow Sita to... Continue Reading →
Chapter 15 – Sita above suspicion
Etat-srutwaa Shubham vaakyam Pitaamahasameeritam Ankenaadaaya Vydeheem utpaata vibhaavasuhu (Sar. 118; Sl: 1) Brahma’s words were receptive to all; They were auspicious. The lord of fire, Agnideva was so much pleased that he came out of the fire with Sita on his laps. He pushed some of the pieces of wood and emerging with Sita... Continue Reading →
Chapter 14 – Devatas question Sri Rama
According to the lords and protectors of the Universe, Sri Rama appeared to neglect the dangerous and tragic step that Sita took in falling into fire. They felt such neglect and indifference were common traits of ordinary human beings. Naturally, they questioned him about the propriety of remaining silent to act of self-immolation by Sita... Continue Reading →
Chapter 13 – Heavenly reactions
Sita’s entry into fire shocked all and there was murmuring of many voices among the Vaanaras and rakshasas, coupled with shrieks of cries. When the virtuous Rama heard their words and sounds of agitation in reaction to Sita’s most tragic action, he also became very sad and tears welled up in his eyes. For a... Continue Reading →
Chapter 12 – Sita enters fire
The moment of the real climax in Ramayana had dawned. The climax in the popularity known to the majority is apparently the killing of the arch villain Ravana. If Sita had intended to do away with him following the sacrilege of her abduction, her fiery eyes could have easily consumed him and burnt him to... Continue Reading →
Chapter 11 – Sita reacts
Sri Rama’s words were as harsh as they were highly provocative: they were spelt out in an irritative mood. Vaidehi turned very sad. Her first reaction to her husband’s unimaginably fierce words was to bend her head to shame. It looked as though she was painfully pierced by a flurry of arrows of sharp... Continue Reading →
Chapter 10 – Sri Rama rejects Sita
“Thaam thu paarshve sthitaam prabhavam Raamah samprekshya Mythileem Hridayaantargatam bhaavam Vyaahartumupachakramae” describes Sage Valmiki, author of Ramayana, in the opening sloka of 115th Sarga of Yuddhakaanda: The daughter of the king of Mithila (Mythili), namely, Sita was standing by the side of Sri Rama exuding respect and humility. On seeing her in a state... Continue Reading →
Chapter 9 – Agony and the Ecstasy
In accordance with Sri Rama’s command, the righteous Vibheeshana began to make arrangements befitting a queen to bring Sita to Rama’s vicinity. The first direction he gave as to ask the people who had gathered there to keep themselves at a respectable distance. Soldiers in uniform wielding sticks went about pushing all including the Vanaras... Continue Reading →
Chapter 8 – Sri Rama’s dilemma
Vibheeshana went ahead to meet Sri Rama only to discover he was still in a state of despondency. He for one was very happy that he had brought Sita Devi to Sri Rama, the very purpose for which a huge battle was fought and won! He offered prostration to Sri Rama and announced the arrival... Continue Reading →
Poems from Prayers of the Pen
AUM ‘Aum’ is Brahma of one seed-letter ‘Beeja-akshara’ is thus of divine form Chanting produces divinity in flutter The divine manifesting by charm: Aum is the origin of Vedas four Beginning and end of literary lore: To amplify secret knowledge it has power Meditators go into it as if to supreme tower: From... Continue Reading →
Foreword to Prayers of the Pen
By: Ihaparasowbhagyavathi Brahmarshi Smt. Umadevi Amma Reflecting the Inner Voice of Sadguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal Long ago, this Kaliyuga had been bedecked with many a worthy poet. They had rained words of wisdom for the world and for the uplift of living beings. Now the world has become smaller. This makes prayers significant and important.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 7 – Vibheeshana meets Sita
The moment Vibheeshana saw Sita Devi in Ashoka Vana, he brought his hands together above his head to show his innate reverence to the great dame. “Daughter of the King of Videha!” he said to her with characteristic humility and submission. “Auspicious forebodings to you! Kindly have a bath and with all the royal... Continue Reading →
Chapter 6 – Sri Rama asks Vibheeshana to bring Sita
Hanuman, known for his great qualities of the head and knowledgeable in purposeful action, offered his prostration to Sri Rama who had excelled the prowess of expert archers. He said to Sri Rama: “Worshipful one! It would now be very fitting for you to meet Sita in distress as it was for her sake the... Continue Reading →
Chapter 5 – Legendary bear and tiger
Na parah paapamaadatte pareshaam paapakarmaanaam Samayo rakshiihavyastu santashchaaritrabhooshanaaha (Valmiki Ramayana: Yuddha Kaandam, Sarga 103, Sl.44) The sloka lays down a sensible observation that a wise one will not take serious note of sinful deed committed by one at the behest of others. The righteous one must therefore safeguard one’s resolutions, vows and righteous conduct at... Continue Reading →
Chapter 19 – The Lesson and the Last word
Sadguru Sree Seshadri Swamigal, known as an ocean of kindness and a Sadguru in all the three worlds, has been only preaching this doctrine of wisdom and enlightenment, as our Brahmi-bhuta guru. There can be only one Bhagavad Gita! And, it is known to all as a unique one. However, those who have taken shelter... Continue Reading →
Chapter 18 – Seshagita
If after the fall of the body, what remains as “Sesha” is the Atman, then even before the bodily frame withers away, the Sesha portion referable to the Atman is very much there, as the body is an appendage. An individual seeker is immersed in thoughts of the “Sesha”- in contemplation of the Atman and... Continue Reading →
Chapter 17 – The self-luminous “Sesha!”
All spiritual seekers absolutely need a Guru. There can be no doubt about it. Instead of spoiling one’s life in needless gossip and without arrogating to oneself an air of superiority and immersing oneself in the egoistic expressions of “I”and “Me” to roam about aimlessly, if one succeeds in coming out of the dreams of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 16 – Greatness of the Guru
Wherever a devotee has reached the stage of mental concentration on the object of contemplation and has inculcated the ideal of inward purity in himself, the Almighty God manifests himself as the “Guru” and appears before him in order to bless him with the elixir of life in the form of his teachings. This Guru... Continue Reading →
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