Nama Dwaar Nibbles

As per Sanathana Dharma 18 is a holy number. It denotes ‘jaya’(victory)

That is why Bhagavat Geetha has 18 chapters, Mahabharata 18 Parvas and Bhagavatham has 18000 Shlokas.

Bhagavatham which has 18000 Shlokas has its complete essence in the Tenth Canto. The essence of 10th Canto is in the 5 chapters of ‘Raasa Panchaadyayi’. The essence of all essences is the Gopika Geetham in Rasa Panchadyayi!

The number of shlokas in gopika geetham?

18!

‘Ekapatni Vrat’ (vow of loyalty to one’s wife) is a unique characteristic of a genuine householder. In today’s world, this is known as monogamy. Srimad Ramayana portrays Sri Rama as following ‘ekapatni Vrat’. Being loyal to one’s wife is not an uncommon characteristic. Therefore, is it not surprising that this feature of Lord Rama should be acclaimed by one and all?During His discourse (in Nov 2010), Sri Swamiji  gave a unique explanation to this feature of Sri Rama.Lord Vishnu has two Consorts – Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. In the several incarnations of His, the Lord was accompanied by both His Consorts. However, His Avatar as Rama has been exceptional. In this Avatar of the Lord as Rama when Sri Devi (Sita) was with Him, His other Consort – Bhoo Devi – was not with Him. Bhoo Devi, in this instance, is represented by the kingdom of Ayodhya. During his time in the forest only Sri Devi (Sita) was with him. Bhoo Devi was not with him.After he returned from the forest and became the king of Ayodhya, only Bhoo Devi (the kingdom) was with him; Sri Devi (Sita) left him. Thus, Lord Rama was with only one wife (either Sri Devi [Sita] or Bhoo Devi [the kingdom of Ayodhya]) – ‘eka patni’.

Srimad Ramayana goes to show the Dharmas through its each and every sloka.  For instance, if we take Bala Kanda, Sri Rama goes along to protect the sacrifice of Viswamitra from demons (’Yagna Samrakshana’).  This shows us the Vaideeka Dharma.Further, during his sojourn with Viswamitra,  Sage Viswamitra narrates numerous stories to Sri Rama, including those of the kings of the solar dynasty, the birth of Lord Kartikeya and the story of the birth of the Ganges.  And Lord Rama listens to these stories intently, with utmost interest and longing.  This goes to show ‘Katha Shravana’ - which is part and parcel of the Bhagavata Dharma.By liberating Ahalya from the curse of her husband that she will remain invisible for the sins she committed, Lord Rama seemingly shows us that, if we are unable to catch hold of any Dharma, especially in this age, by merely chanting His Name, ‘Rama’, we shall be liberated from our sins.[Excerpted from Sri Sri Swamiji’s discourse on Srimad Ramayana in November 2010]

The Pranava Mantra consists of three syllables ‘A’ ‘U’ and ‘M’.Many points of significance have been mentioned regarding these three syllables.   Our Sri Swamiji mentioned the following in one of His recent lectures.The first syllable of the first mantra of Rig Veda is ‘A’ (agnimeele…)The sandhi (central) syllable connecting the Shaka and Samhita portions of the Yajur Veda is ‘U’.The  last syllable of the last Mantra in Sama Veda is ‘M’.Thus the Pranava Mantra is a summary of all the three Vedas, literally.

Modern medicine says that the tendencies for most diseases are inherited by man at birth itself and diseases manifest much later in life. There is an instance in Kamba Ramayanam where the great Kambar refers to the same fact as an example very beautifully, thousands of years ago, without the help of modern technology or scientific advancements while describing Soorpanaka.Kambar says the Soorpanaka was born as sister to Ravana and at the appropriate time, she played a vital role in bringing about Ravana’s destruction similar to a disease that is inherited at birth and manifests later in life to destroy the individual.[- By Sri Sri Swamiji during His Ramayana Lectures]

The seven days of a week influences our life.  Indeed  a week represents our life; astrologically too!

How? Sri Sri Swamiji gives a beautiful explanation…. Read on….

The prime cause of one’s birth is his father.  Sunday, as the name goes, is the day of the Sun.  And it is the first day of the week.    Astrologically speaking, Sun represents the father!

 It is through the Mother that one comes into being.Monday which is the day of the Moon. And astrologically, Moon represents the mother, and hence it is the second day of the week.

After the mother conceives her child, she gives birth to the child who lands on this earth.Tuesday – called as ‘Mangalvaara’ – is the day of Mars.  (In Sanskrit Mars is ‘Mangal’).  In astrological terms, Mars represents land.

As a child the little one goes out seeking education to improve knowledge.Wednesday called ‘Budhavaara’ – is the day after the planet Budha – Mercury.   As per astrology, the planet Mercury represents education. 

After acquiring worldly knowledge, one then goes to the feet of a Guru for wisdom.Thursday is ‘Guruvaara’ - the day named after Guru – Jupiter, the planet that represents wisdom.  

After acquiring knowledge and wisdom, one enjoys comforts and pleasures in life according to his level.Friday - Shukravaara’ is the day named after Shukra  - the planet Venus which represents pleasure in astrological parlance. 

Then the span of life comes to an end.Saturday – ‘shanivaara’ is the day named after Shani – the planet Saturn which represents death – signifying the end of one’s life!And then, it goes in circles!

In Srimad Bhagavatam it is said, ‘dasamasya vishudhyartham navaanaam iha lakshanam’.The 10th canto – the Story of Lord Krishna - is the ‘Ashraya’ – the one to be sought;  and all the earlier nine cantos prepare and season the devotee to read / listen to the 10th canto.One may ask what the proof of this statement is.   Parikshit is verily the proof of this statement!In the first canto, we see that a confused Parikshit asks Sage Suka what should one listen, what should one do Japa of etc. in the verge of death.In the beginning of the 10th canto, there is a verse:‘Nivrutta tarshaih upageeyamaanaat bhava aushadaat srotramanobhiraamaat…’The same Parikshit now tells his own Guru Sage Suka that Lord Krishna’s story is verily the elixir and medicine for the disease of samsara!This goes to show that the nine cantos have seasoned Parikshit and made him realize that Lord Krishna’s story is the one that one should take refuge in.[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]

In Srimad Ramayana, in the beginning we see Sugreeva, who is stripped of his share of the kingdom, his wife and children by his brother Vali.  He is in a state where he does not even get proper food clothes.  Above all, he is gripped by a fear of death – that at any moment, his brother could send someone and kill him.

On the other hand, we also see Ravana, the ruler of Lanka. Even Lord Hanuman is astounded by the opulence of Lanka and wonders if it were verily Kubera’s or Indra’s  wealth.

At the end of Ramayana, we see that Sugreeva is crowned and made the ruler of Kishkinta, whereas Ravana faces utter defeat and finally loses his life.

If we contemplate on what accomplished this change, we see that even in such an adversity, Sugreeva confided in Lord Hanuman, the Sadhu and Guru .  Whereas, Ravana ill-treated Lord Hanuman and set fire to his tail, subjecting himself to ‘apachaara’.
Ramayana thus shows us that one should always be in a satsang and in the shadow of his Guru.

[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]

We go to Varanasi to take a dip in the Ganges.  On the way, we pass numerous small gutters filled with dirt and filth.  We are careful not to step into these gutters as we head for the river.

When in the Ganges, we take a holy dip, and also fill small vessels with water from the Ganges as it is holy.

Seldom do we realize that the gutters which we were careful not to step into indeed drain into the Ganges!

Likewise, we, mortals, commit numerous sins and are homes for all the bad qualities like greed, hatred, lust, anger and jealousy.  As long as we are alone, we stink. But the moment, we get the association of a Mahan, we lose all negative tendencies and inherit divine qualities.

That is the power of Sadhu-Sang (association with Mahans).

[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]

Mother Meera, in one of her kirtans says,‘Apne mandir me bait baitkargeetha bhagavat vaachoongi’(click here to see the entire kirtan).

‘I shall sit in the temple of my beloved Lord and read Srimad Bhagavat Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam’.Sri Swamiji gives yet another  beautiful interpretation of this statement – ‘ I will sit in the temple of my Lordand read Srimad Bhagavatam which is verily a commentary on Bhagavat Gita!’.

Srimad Bhagavatam is verily a commentary of Bhagavat Gita.   Every sloka in the Bhagavat Gita is expounded and illustrated in Srimad Bhagavatam with a story!For instance…Bhagavat Gita says that if a person performs his sadhana, and at some point, dies, then in his next birth, he will resume from where he left.

Jadabharata’s story is verily an illustration of this point.

Bhagavat Gita says that even if a devotee offers me a small offering, I will protect him.

Ajamila Charitram in Srimad Bhagavatam is verily an illustration of this verse.

[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]