“Head of the Bharata clan!” said Draupadi, “If it is true you have decided to grant me a boon, I would ask for the redemption from slavery of this rich Yudhishtira, who is the knower of all dharma. Let not ignorant boys call my bosom one Prativindhya, the son of a slave. It is never... Continue Reading →
Chapter 11 – Inauspicious indications
Exactly at that time, the cries of a fox were audible from the place of sacrificial fires (homas) in Dhrutharashtra’s palace. Following this inauspicious sound, donkeys started braying. The birds made weird and awkward sounds in response. Both Vidura and Gandhari were able to understand the shape of things to come from the inauspicious indications.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 9 – Bhima’s wrath
Some of the members present welcomed Duryodhana’s words. Their token of acceptance was indicated by weird utterances and movements of their lips and eyes. Some others could know the innate innuendo in Duryodhana’s words and expressed shock. For those on Duryodhana’s side, his speech was very sweet. All the Kauravas were very happy. Some of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 8 – Draupadi’s fame and shame
After narrating Prahlada’s episode in which he gave an answer fearlessly even at the risk of staking his son’s life, Vidura returned to Draupadi’s vital question. “Hey, Kings!” he said, “At least after hearing this episode, I hope you will break your silence and provide an answer to Draupadi’s question as per tenets of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 6 – Bhima’s revenge
“Rulers from far and near!” he said to them. “Please hear these words patiently and my vow. You would not have heard these in the past. There is no likelihood of your hearing it in the future also. If I do not fulfil the vow I am undertaking, let me not get the fortune of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 5 – Draupadi disgraced
Vikarna’s observations were, however, absolutely unpalatable to one among the wicked gang of four (Duryodhana, Dusshaasana, Shakuni and Karna) namely Karna. Karna was provoked by the praise showered by the respectable ones and by the criticism leveled against his colleague Shakuni. Overcoming by his anger, he admonished Vikarna, raising his handsome hand in the process.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 1 – Yudhishtira loses all in the game of dice
The game of dice and the crescendo of Kaurava’s delight in a stormy and tempestuous atmosphere continued unabated as Yudhishtira suffered successive defeats. Victory appeared to be unknown to him. Addressing the losing Yudhishtira, Shakuni said, “Yudhishtira You have staked and lost all the wealth belonging to Pandavas. Is there anything valuable which has not... Continue Reading →
Introduction to “Draupadi in Distress”
Draupadi constitutes the most unique example of a dame in distress - the kind of distress probably unknown to any other heroine or female character in a story, legend or epic like the Mahabharata. She would perhaps have willingly subjected herself to any severe punishment coupled with dignity but was destined to stake all her... Continue Reading →
Eligibility
The Swetashwara Upanishad says that those who are eligible to receive the benefits of Jeevanmukti state are threefold: (1) The disciples of a Sadguru (2) The devotees of God, and (3) The neutral ones among the atheists and theists (even an atheist gets cleansed of all sin and redeemed from bondage if he catches the... Continue Reading →
Absorption in the Self – Chapter – 14
Shishya asks, "O Perfect Being! I surrender myself at Your Golden Lotus Feet and beg You to help me. Please tell me how am I to offer thanks to the Supreme Self." Guru replies, "Dear child, as Aksharam is the seed for the self-luminous akshara, and the self-luminous akshara is the seed for all creation... Continue Reading →
Akshara Vijnana – Chapter – 8
Guru asks, "Child, why is the knowledge of akshara necessary? Why is it known as Akshara Vijnāna? What is the science of an akshara? As I said earlier, every created being is in the form or shape of the self-luminous akshara. The vast and expansive creation with the ever-changing differentials of nature is within... Continue Reading →
Path to realize the Self – Chapter – 5
Shishya bowing down says, "O Great One! Your words are so beautiful and yet so difficult for me to comprehend. How is one to begin to understand and realize the path to Self-Surrender and Self-Enquiry that is already inherent? How is one to proceed when one is having so many doubts and lacking clarity... Continue Reading →
Aksharam Paramam Brahma – Chapter – 2
Arunāmbara – Deva Sambhāṣaṇa is a discourse and discussion about Self-Enquiry and Self-Surrender, the four types of mukti, Aksara Vijnāna, the truth about the Absolute and other subjects between Guru and shishya. Like all the Puranas, Arunāmbara – Deva Sambhāṣaṇa has its origin in the forest namely Swethāranya meaning White Forest where Guru finds shishya in contemplation about... Continue Reading →
Brahman
Chapter -11 The Brahman is something not visible to the naked eye; On the other hand this world containing the five elements, the movables and immovables, all living beings including the human species, is vividly visible to the eye; Inspite of all these, Brahman is said to be real and the visible and the... Continue Reading →
Thapas
CHAPTER - 10 Human life is supposed to be short; in the earlier Yuga especially the Krita Yuga, people did thapas for hundred to thousands of years. How can one in Kali Yuga make up or even excel the quantum of thapas reputed to have taken place in earlier Yugas? According to the Rishis,... Continue Reading →
Health and longevity
Chapter - 9 What should the priorities be in maintaining health and longevity? What is the ratio behind the priorities? The true end and purpose of life is to achieve salvation. Very few individuals are given the benefit of such a difficult task like salvation as an overwhelming majority of human folks do not... Continue Reading →
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