Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Lomasha Maharshi, "Bhagawan! Why did the radiance of Parasurāma get depleted and how did he regain it? Please narrate this incident to us." Lomasha Maharshi replied, "O king! Listen from me the story of Shree Rāma, son of Dasaratha and Parasurāma, scion of the Bhrigu vamsha. In the olden days, Bhagawan... Continue Reading →
Agastya Maharshi kills the daitya brothers Ilval and Vātāpi
Lomasha Maharshi after thinking for sometime decided to narrate a very important incident to Dharmaraja Yudhishtira. "O scion of the Kuru dynasty! Listen to me. In the olden days, in this Manmatīnagar, there lived a daitya named Ilval. Vātāpi was his younger brother. One day, the daitya Ilval asked a tapasvi Brahman, "Bhagawan! Please bestow upon me... Continue Reading →
Lord Indra asks for Karna’s kavach and kundal
Karna stood in the water at noon to perform the obligatory sandhyāvandanam to Bhagawan Diwakara. Many Brahmans seeking wealth had assembled there. Indra also arrived there as a Brahman asking for bhikshā. Karna greeted him with honour but failed to see through his disguise and read his mind. Karna bowed respectfully and said, "O venerable... Continue Reading →
Bhagawan Surya comes to warn Karna in his dream
From the moment, Dharmaraja Yudhishtira saw Karna adorned with the celestial kavach and kundal, a great fear entered his heart. He knew that Karna was more than a match for Arjuna. He constantly worried about the prowess and dexterity of Karna never voicing his views to his brothers. However, the pious Lomasha Maharshi was well-aware of... Continue Reading →
Sāvitrī and Satyavān
"Exactly one year from now, Satyavān will meet his end. This is tragically his only flaw." said Narada Devarshi to Raja Asvapati, king of Madradesh about Sāvitrī's decision to marry Satyavān, son of Dyumatsena. Sāvitrī knew the words of a Rishi can never be untrue. But she remained firm on her decision to marry... Continue Reading →
Śukarahasyopaniṣad
ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ Now the Rahasyopanisad is described. Once, the pious sages in the heavenly worlds offered prayers to Lord Brahma and requested Him to teach them the inner secret of the Rahasyopanisad. ... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 10 – Maitreya Maharshi curses Duryodhana
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “O Wise Sage! Whatever you say, is right. I also think this is right and my courtiers and people think the same. O Sage! You also think that is best which is in the interest and advancement of the Kuru vamsa. O Sage! This same thing has been said to me by Vidura,... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 9 – Vyāsa Maharshi narrates the episode of Surabhi and Indra
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, "Bhagawan! Even I do not approve of this game of dice. O Rishi! I think that the Supreme Being has forcibly dragged me into this matter. Bheeshma, Drona and Vidura also did not approve of this game of dice. Even Gandhari did not wish that it was played; but I pushed everyone to... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 8 – Vyāsa Maharshi advises Dhrutharashtra to stop Duryodhana and the injustice
Vyāsa uvācha, "O Wise Dhrutharashtra! Listen to me, I will reveal to you that which is in the best interest of the Kauravas. O brave one! I do not like that you have sent the Pandavas to the forest. Duryodhana and others used deceit to defeat them in the game of dice. O... Continue Reading →
Brahma Sutras – Chapter 4, Section 4 – Slokas 1 – Slokas 22
।। चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ।। ।। चतुर्थः पादः ।। सम्पद्याविर्भावः स्वेन शब्दात् ।। 4.4.1 ।। When the jeeva has attained the Highest Light, there is manifestation of ITs real nature, as we know from the word 'in its own'. मुक्तः प्रतिज्ञानात्।।4.4.2।। The jeeva then attains Liberation as is known from the declaration made in the scriptures. आत्मा... Continue Reading →
Brahma Sutras – Chapter 4, Section 3 – Slokas 1 – Slokas 16
।। चतुर्थोध्यायः ।। ।। तृतीयः पादः ।। अर्चिरादिना तत्प्रथितेः ।। 4.3.1 ।। It is well known that the jeeva of the knower of the Saguna Brahman travels along the path beginning from the flame. वायुमब्दादविशेषविशेषाभ्याम्।।4.3.2।। The jeeva of the knower of the Saguna Brahman goes from the deity of the year to the deity of air,... Continue Reading →
Brahma Sutras – Chapter 4, Section 2 – Slokas 1 – Slokas 21
।। चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ।। ।। द्वितीयः पादः ।। वाङ्मनसि दर्शनाच्छब्दाच्च ।। 4.2.1 ।। The function of speech merges in the mind at the time of the death of the physical frame as stated in the scriptures. अत एव च सर्वाण्यनु।।4.2.2।। And for the same reason, the functions of all the organs get merged in the... Continue Reading →
Brahma Sutras – Chapter 4, Section 1 – Slokas 1 – Slokas 19
।। चतुर्थोऽध्यायः ।। ।। प्रथमः पादः ।। आवृत्तिरसकृदुपदेशात् ।। 4.1.1 ।। Repetition of hearing, chanting, reflection and meditation on the teaching of the Self is necessary as it has been repeatedly instructed in the scriptures. लिङ्गाच्च।।4.1.2।। And on account of the indicatory mark. आत्मेति तूपगच्छन्ति ग्राहयन्ति च।।4.1.3।। The Sruti texts acknowledge Brahman as... Continue Reading →
Brahma Sutras – Chapter 3, Section 4 – Slokas 1 – Slokas 52
।। तृतीयोऽध्यायः ।। ।। चतुर्थः पादः ।। पुरुषार्थोऽतः शब्दादिति बादरायणः ।। 3.4.1 ।। Bādarāyana Maharshi says that Knowledge of the Self determines a man's purpose and therefore, liberation also results from the Knowledge of the Self as declared in the scriptures. शेषत्वात्पुरुषार्थवादो यथाऽन्येष्विति जैमिनिः।।3.4.2।। Jaimini Maharshi thinks that the scriptures prescribe sacrificial acts to... Continue Reading →
Brahma Sutras – Chapter 3, Section 3 – Slokas 1 – Slokas 66
।। तृतीयोऽध्यायः ।। ।। तृतीयः पादः ।। सर्ववेदान्तप्रत्ययं चोदनाद्यविशेषात् ।। 3.3.1 ।। All Upāsanās mentioned in several scriptural texts are ultimately the same as the Primordial Cause is one. भेदान्नेति चेन्नैकस्यामपि।।3.3.2।। If one were to say that the Vidyas are not the same owing to differences in descriptions and details, then that can be... Continue Reading →
Brahma Sutras – Chapter 3, Section 2 – Slokas 1 – Slokas 41
।। तृतीयोऽध्यायः ।। ।। द्वितीयः पादः ।। सन्ध्ये सृष्टिराह हि ।। 3.2.1 ।। The Sruti states that real creation is there in the intermediate stage between waking and deep sleep. निर्मातारं चैके पुत्रादयश्च।।3.2.2।। And some Sakhas state that the Self is the creator of the objects of desire when one is asleep and objects... Continue Reading →
Brahma Sutras – Chapter 3, Section 1 – Slokas 1 – Slokas 27
।। तृतीयोऽध्यायः ।। ।। प्रथमः पादः ।। तदन्तरप्रतिपत्तौ रंहति सम्परिष्वक्तः प्रश्ननिरूपणाभ्याम् ।। 3.1.1 ।। The jeeva goes out of the body enveloped with subtle parts of the elements to obtain a fresh body as known by the question and answer in the scriptures. त्र्यात्मकत्वात्तु भूयस्त्वात्।।3.1.2।। As water consists of three elements, the jeeva is enveloped by all... Continue Reading →
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