The Mother of the Universe assumes the role of a leela vinodini- a playful charmer of the puppet-world and reveals to the enlightened ones the blissful side of her auctorial puerility. The jnani’s (The one endowed with enlightenment or knowledge) mind, by virtue of her grace, not knowing anything deceptive, will be as pure as that... Continue Reading →
Chapter 14 – Eligibility for Mother’s Grace
Every spiritualist must have the romance of hair-raising experience on the threshold of fulfillment. One such person who becomes a personification of purity singularly gets eligibility to earn Mother’s grace. One whose centre of the soul - antaratma – goes into articulation of the Mother’s name- Amma! - once at least everyday leading to the... Continue Reading →
Chapter 13 – From Dvaita to Advaita
The great ones who left their indelible impressions on the spiritual path came to know the quintessence of Advaita from a Dvaitic posture. In other words, they learnt all about monotheism from a position of dualism. And those who experienced the truth behind Advaita have given warm words of wisdom with extraordinary love and affection... Continue Reading →
Chapter 12 – Self-Examination
The journey to the centre of the heart – the abode of the Atman-through the graceful instrumentality of the Guru, who takes one to the sublime state of the Brahman, is the ultimate journey towards immortality. This process or evolution involves one in self-examination and metaphysical disquisition; discussion and deliberation leading to the motivation for... Continue Reading →
Chapter 11 – Way to God Realization
There are quite a few ways to realization of God. One of them is the path of bhakti or devotion to efforts in order to come face-to- face with the Ultimate Reality of Existence. If the doctrine of devotion gets immersed in the inner frame of the individual, then it leads to enlightenment, to the... Continue Reading →
Chapter 4 – Eight-fold qualities of intellect
Sita was so much pleased with Hanuman’s reply that she said he was the only one capable of intelligent and balanced conversation accompanied by the eight –fold qualities of the head, namely: Grahanam dhaaranam chaiva smaranam pratipaadanam Oohaapohaarthavijnaanam tattvajnaanam cha dheegunaaha meaning: Grahanam - absorption; Dhaaranam –installation of absorbed material; Smaranam – memory of installed... Continue Reading →
Chapter 3 – Hanuman meets Sita
As enjoined by Sri Rama, the great son of Vayu. entered the city of Lanka to the reception of the rakshasas. As per directions of Rama and Vibheeshana, he made his way to Ashoka Vana where Sita was staying. He sent a message to her of his arrival, in consonance with the usual practice. As... Continue Reading →
Chapter 2 – Coronation of Vibheeshana
One of those who were supremely happy with the auspicious turn of events was Lakshamana, who looked a picture of peace and contentment, besides exuding a rare glow befitting an immediate brother of Sri Rama. In the army barrack, the great ones were together. Rama took the earliest opportunity to tell Lakshmana something which had... Continue Reading →
Chapter 1 – The aftermath
The Devas, Gandharvas and rakshasas, having witnessed the end of Ravana, slain by Sri Rama, returned from the lively but peaceful atmosphere of Lanka to their respective places, relating to another on their return journey, the incidents that culminated in the removal of the rakshasa gaint, which according to many is the climax of Ramayana.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 32 – Conclusion
The tragic tale of Draupadi’s distress must have a silver lining. Born of fire, she was endowed with the fiery power to reduce Duryodhana, Dusshaasana, Karna and Shakuni (besides whomsoever she wanted) to ashes in a second. But she willed otherwise! Those armed with divine power refrain from exhibiting their talent and resources. So did... Continue Reading →
Chapter 31 – Yudhishtira’s reply
“Draupadi! I have followed the path of righteousness not with any expectation of fruits. I have chosen the Vedic path. I have adopted the righteous path in the same way as other righteous ones have followed. By nature, my mind is fixed on the pursuit of dharma. Do not have doubts about dharma which is... Continue Reading →
Chapter 30 – Draupadi’s dig at dharma
Yudhishtira’s sermon on the qualities of kindness and mercy were not acceptable to Draupadi. She said: “I offer my salutations to Parameswara who has caused unrealistic attachments to your intellect, and to the inexorable fate (Prarabdha) responsible for your present unfortunate state. Although your intellect had to toe the line of your forefathers, it has... Continue Reading →
Chapter 29 – Quality of mercy
Yudhishtira continued his sermon to Draupadi: Kashyapa spells out Mercy’s “marma” Quality of mercy is man’s “dharma” Displaying the attribute is “dharana” Mercy personified is Vedic scripture One knowing this rises to ancient culture! Mercy is Brahman and verily the truth, Foundation for future and present path, In world’s operations aftermath! Mercy is... Continue Reading →
Chapter 28 – Anatomy of anger
Yudhishtira Uvaacha: “Enlightened one! Anger kills men: Conquest of ire Bales them out of fire! Flame is cause of all Men’s rise or fall! Whoever subdues anger Verily is bound to prosper! For one unable to zoom Ire spells the doom! The irritable one In a veritable sinner! Sans Introspection, ‘Speaks’ many a... Continue Reading →
Chapter 27 – Brahma Thejas and Kshaatra Thejas
The distress of Draupadi and of the Pandavas in the forest had a silver lining. The best among the Brahmins who were Vedic scholars had joined the Pandavas’s camp in the forest and were patronized by Yudhishtira and the entire clan of Kshatriyas. The forest which was reverberating with the soothing sound of Vedic hymns reminded... Continue Reading →
Chapter 10 – The Inner Light
The Transcendental Principle of self-effulgence and self-manifestation has been glowing at all times without a respite as the Inner Light - antaranga jyoti. The Supreme Creator has conferred, on the human beings only, the benefit of extra-sensory perception so that a person may perceive and know the ramifications of the Supreme Principle. The Creator himself, called... Continue Reading →
Chapter 9 – Origins
The Almighty creator has been pervading the whole gamut of creation called Universe he originated. This Almighty has, in the vast and expansive universe, not only been responsible for the emergence of ever so many types and forms of life, but has also filled the womb of universal origins enjoying his perceptions in the ocean... Continue Reading →
Sri Arunachaleshwara
Greatness of sri Arunachaleswara (A) “Naamasmaranamaatrena yat paataka vinaashanam” – Skanda (3-1-11) (B) “Na kshetramarunaadasti Naasti devo-aruneswaraat Naapi pradakshinaadanydividyatebhya- adhikam Tapaha” –Skanda (3-24-52) In praise of Sri Arunachaleswara (From Ashtothram) 1 Aum Shronaadreeshaaya Namaha 2 Aum Arunaadreeshaaya Namaha 3 Aum Devaadheeshaaya Namaha 4 Aum Janapriyaaya Namaha 5 Aum Prapannarakshakaaya Namaha 6 Aum Dheeraaya... Continue Reading →
Chapter 26 – Four causes of distress
That Yudhishtira would recover his lost kingdom (after the forest life) from the Kauravas was also asserted by Markandaya Maharshi. Sri Krishna sought to assure Yudhishtira that the Pandavas would not have been lured into playing the accursed game of dice if he had been in Dwaravathi. He said he would have personally intervened... Continue Reading →
Chapter 25 – Draupadi cries before Krishna
There used to be many visitors to Pandavas in the forest. Draupadi and Arjuna once offered long prayers to Krishna. The Lord came to offer words of comfort. “Krishna!” said Draupadi shedding tears, “you are aware of the shame and distress caused to me in the august assembly the other day. In an inhuman... Continue Reading →
Chapter 24 – Dusshasana should beg Draupadi’s pardon
The scene at Hastinapur was somewhat different as tensions in Dhrutharashtra’s mind were mounting. Vidura gave a three-point formula for the King to follow to set matters right. The first was that Dusshaasana should, in an open court-hall filled with members, offer unconditional apology and seek the pardon of Draupadi and Bhimasena for the heinous... Continue Reading →
Chapter 23 – Draupadi’s distress in the forest
What was the factor that brought distress to Draupadi and the Pandavas? The people who found it difficult to part company with them had a unique answer. They had gone into the fundamentals of the problems. They had known that the Kauravas and Pandavas were poles apart in principles and qualities. Satsang “Dharmaraja!” said... Continue Reading →
Chapter 22 – Draupadi’s distress, crime and punishment
While Dhrutharashtra and Vidura were still in conversation with each other, Narada Maharshi heading a team of Rishis entered the royal auditorium and confirmed Draupadi’s prophecy and disappeared soon: “In the fourteenth year from now,” said the resplendent Narada, “as a result of Duryodhana’s sin against Draupadi and the Pandavas, all the Kauravas will be destroyed at... Continue Reading →
Chapter 21 – Draupadi’s farewell
How did Draupadi leave for the forest? How did Yudhishtira and his brothers migrate to the forest and what was their frame of mind? These were the questions that confronted Dhrutharashtra, son of Ambika, and for which he sought an answer from Vidura. “Maharaja!” answered Vidura, “Yudhishtira had his face covered at the time... Continue Reading →
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