WHO IS MAHAKALI?

Maha Kali

Kali (Eternal Night): The first Mahavidya is Kali in a corpse. Hugely terrifying, laughing out loud, with hideous teeth, four arms holding a sword and skull and giving gifts to mudras and dispelling fear, wearing a garland of skulls, wildly waving tongue, completely naked (Digambara - dressed in the directions), with only a garland of demonic hands around his waist, with strands of a cascade of black hair piled Kali, who dwells in the centre of the cremation site

Kali - The Goddess of Yogic Transformation

As the chosen deity worshipped by Paramahansa Ramakrishna, one of the famous modern masters of the Hindu tradition, Kali is one of the most important famous of Maha Vidya, but still not well understood, we admire the anger in Ramakrishna: His love, happiness and universal spirit from her are a gift from Kali to us. Kali has already transmitted her message for modernity.

Meaning of Kali

Kali means beauty. The root Kal, from which the name comes, means "to count", "to measure". "Or" set in motion ", hence" time ". It is also related to what is well modelled or measured, hence beauty. Time itself has a movement, a rhythm, a dance that is the basis of all beauty This is also the rhythm of the life force that allows movement.

Kali is dark blue and wears a garland She has her long tongue sticking out and laughs. Sometimes instead of a tongue, she has two fangs. She has four arms and four hands and holds a helicopter head with one hand and one. Time is life. Life is our movement in time. We experience time through our own life force or prana. Kali as time is prana or the life force. 

Kali or the divine mother is our life. It is the secret force behind the work of our body systems and life energy. Only through them do we live and it is their intelligence that gives the body such a wonderful order. Kali is the love that exists in the heart of life; that is immortal life that cycles through life and death through the eternal nature of life Birth and permanent death is another meditative approach. 

The truth is that our soul, our pursuit of the divine, which is our eternal love, has never died and will never die, so that the things of the spirit and the senses may die and know cosmic life and divine grace us this eternal life But eternal life has Only the immortal can be immortal as nothing can change its own nature. The mortal and the ephemeral must pass. To achieve the eternity that is Kali, our mortal nature must be sacrificed. Thus, Kali appears terrifying and destructive to ordinary vision. The Nirvanic field, the realm of the unborn, the uncreated and the unmanifest. Kali only develops ways to take us further. When his power awakens in us, he works to remove all limitations and attachments so that we can transcend the entire field of the known. 

All things are achieved with her. time and breath, but what he achieves is not a merely external act but performs the spiritual work of our rebirth in pure consciousness. It generates energy for him and does the work when we surrender to his strength.

---

Kali is that the love that exists at the guts of life, which is that the immortal life that endures through both life and death. Maintaining the attention of the eternal nature of life through the cycles of birth and death is another one amongst her meditational approaches. the reality is that our soul, our aspiration towards the Divine, which is our eternal love, never has died and never will die. To be responsive to that enduring aspiration is to die to the items of the mind and therefore the senses, and are available to grasp the cosmic life and Divine grace. 

Kali grants us this life. Yet life encompasses a price. Only that which is immortal will be immortal, as nothing can change its own nature. The mortal and therefore the transient must depart this world. to achieve the eternity that's Kali, our mortal nature must be sacrificed. Hence Kali appears frightening and destructive to the standard vision. Kali because the power of death and negation is Nirvana, the state of the dissolution of desire. 

 Kali develops forms only to require us beyond form. When her force awakens within us she works to interrupt down all limitations and attachments, in order that we'd transcend the whole field of the known. Kali is the power of action or transformation (Kriya-shakti). Through time and breath, all things are accomplished. Yet what she accomplishes isn't mere outer action. 

Kali is blueness in colour and wears a garland of skulls. She has her long tongue protruding and is laughing. Sometimes rather than a tongue, she has two fangs. Kali has four arms and 4 hands and holds a head chopper with one hand and a severed head dripping blood with the opposite. along with her other two hands, she makes the mudras of bestowing boons and dispelling fear. She wears a skirt product of human arms. Kali is portrayed as dancing during a cremation ground and striding on a corpse (who is that the style of Lord Shiva himself).

लिथुआनिया का सौंदर्य

सौंदर्य से भरपूर देश लिथुआनिया

मै अनंतबोध चैतन्य पिछले छह वर्षो से लिथुआनिया में रह रहा हूँ। यहाँ योग एवं भारतीय संस्कृति का प्रसार एवं प्रचार कर रहा हूँ। अक्सर लोग मुझसे यहां के बारे में पूछते रहते है।  इस लेख में मैं यहाँ के सौंदर्य और जीवन चर्या के बारे में लिख रहा  हूँ।  पूर्व के कुछ ही वर्षो में लिथुआनिया ने बहुत उन्नति की है।  यहाँ विश्व भर से विद्यार्थी पढ़ने के लिए आ रहे है और बहुत सारे पर्यटक भी लिथुआनिया के नैशर्गिक सौंदर्य को देखने के लिए आते है।  

सौंदर्य से भरपूर देश लिथुआनिया बाल्टिक रीजन में सबसे मजबूत देश है।  यहाँ की आबादी  लगभग 27 लाख है।  लिथुआनिया की भाषा संस्कृत भाषा से काफी मिलती जुलती है।  लिथुआनिअन और संस्कृत दोनों इंडो यूरोपीय भाषा परिवार की भाषाएँ है।  लिथुआनिया ने काफी संघर्ष किया अपनी संस्कृति और भाषा को जीवित रखने के लिए।  तीन मिलियन से भी  कम जनसँख्या होते हुए यहां के लोगो ने अपनी भाषा को नहीं छोड़ा। लिथुआनिअन बहुत पुरानी भाषा है।  

ईसाइयत भी लिथुआनिया में काफी देर से पहुंची।  यहाँ के मूल निवासी पहले ईसाई नहीं थे।  वे सनातन में विश्वास करते थे।  अभी भी लिथुआनिया में काफी मात्रा में पगानियन रहते है।  यहां रोमुवा नामक जनजाति लिथुआनिया में आज भी पायी जाती है जो सनातन धर्म से काफी मिलती जुलती है।  

लिथुआनिया की राजधानी विलनियस है जो बहुत सुंदर है।  यहाँ लिथुआनियाई भाषा के अतिरिक्त अंग्रेजी और रसियन भाषा बोली और समझी जाती है।  ज्यादातर नौजवान और बच्चे अंग्रेजी काफी अच्छी बोलते है।  केवल बुजुर्ग लोग जिन्हे अंग्रेजी भाषा का अभ्यास नहीं है वो रसियन और लिथुआनिअन भाषा ही बोल पाते है। बड़े शहरो में कोनास और कलाइपेडा भी प्रसिद्ध है।  

लिथुआनिया की सीमाएं लातविया, पोलैंड, बेलारूस और रसिआ से लगती है।  4 घंटे में लिथुआनिया को एक छोर से दूसरे छोर तक बड़ी आसानी से पहुंचा जा सकता है।  लिथुआनिया में सामान्य कारों के लिए कोई टोल टैक्स नहीं है। रोड बहुत ही अच्छे है और 130 किलोमीटर प्रति घंटा की रफ़्तार से यहाँ के राजमार्गो पर कार दौड़ाई जा सकती है।  

अपराध दर लिथुआनिया में काफी हद तक कम है।  लोग थोड़े कम मिलनसार है लेकिन अच्छे है।  प्रदुषण भी बहुत ही कम है।  यहां बहुत सारी लेक है और नल से जल पिया जा सकता है।  ध्वनि प्रदूषण तो जैसे है ही नहीं।सर्दियों में सफ़ेद बर्फ की चादर और गर्मियों में हरे भरे मैदान पर्यटकों को लुभाते है।  यहां साफ सफाई बहुत है आपको आम तौर पर कही कचरा नहीं मिलेगा। 

यहाँ के लोग खाने और पिने के शौक़ीन है।  यहाँ शराब बहुतायत मात्रा में प्रयोग होती है लेकिन लोग सड़क पर गिरे या आपस में गली गलौच करते नहीं मिलेंगे। यहाँ शाकाहारी भोजन भी लगभग सब शहरो में आसानी से उपलब्ध हो जाता है।  बहुत सारे शाकाहारी रेस्टोरंट है।  यहां फल काफी अच्छे मिलते है।  किसी भी सुपर मार्किट में आपको बहुत सारी खाने की वस्तुएं उपलब्ध हो जायेंगी। 

लिथुआनिया में चार ऋतू होती है।  यहां सर्दिया काफी ठण्डी और गर्मियां भी 30 डिग्री से ज्यादा तापमान वाली है। वर्षा ऋतू में  वर्षा यहां बहुत अधिक होती है इसीलिए लिथुआनिया इतना हरा भरा है।  लीतु का अर्थ ही वर्षा होता है।  बहुत मात्रा में वर्षा होने के कारण ही इस देश का नामकरण लिथुआनिया हुआ होगा ऐसा प्रतीत होता है।  यहां बसंत ऋतू सबसे सुंदर होती है सभी और बहुत सुंदर फूल खिले होते है।  यहां पतझड़ भी देखने लायक होता है।  सुनहरे पत्ते अनायास ही मन को मोहते है।  

यहाँ की महिलाएँ औसतन लम्बी एवं सुंदर होती है।  यहाँ की प्रकृति के अनुसार परमात्मा ने यहाँ के लोगो को भी सुंदर बनाया है। यहाँ महिलाये बहुत सुंदर आभूषण एवं वस्त्र पहनती है।  यहां की पारम्परिक वेश भूषा भी काफी आकर्षित है।  यहां बहुत सरे फेस्टिवल मनाये जाते है। हर वर्ष 23 जून को  योनिनीश पर्व यहां बड़े आदर के साथ मनाया जाता है, सभी स्त्री एवं पुरुष एकत्रित हो नृत्य करते है और रात्रि भर कार्यक्रम चलते है।  जून के महीने में सूर्य लगभग 20 घंटे से ज्यादा  दिखाई देता है जो बहुत ही सुंदर लगता है।  

यहाँ बाल्टिक समुद्र है जहाँ का अम्बर बहुत प्रसिद्ध है।  अम्बर को यहां का सोना भी कहा जाता है।  कलाइपेडा में तो अंबर संग्राहलय भी है। यहां कई प्रसिद्ध दर्शनीय स्थल है।  यहाँ की नदियाँ भी काफी सुंदर है।  नेरिश एवं नयमुनस नदी यहाँ की प्रसिद्ध नदियाँ है।  यहाँ हंस काफी मात्रा में देखे जा सकते है। 

यह देश विश्व भर के पर्यटको को आकर्षित करता है एक वर्ष में  20  लाख से ज्यादा लोग लिथुआनिया की ऐतिहासिक धरोहरों को देखने आये।  

Who Shri Tripura Sundari?

The 3rd Mahavidya "Shri Tripura Sundari"

There are ten Mahavidyas. The Shodashi(षोडशी) or Tripura Sundari is The third Mahavidya. Bhagwati Lalita Tripura Sundari (भगवती ललिता त्रिपुर सुंदरी) is the main deity of Shri Yantra (श्रीयन्त्र). The goddess Tripura Sundari is depicted in her Shodashi (षोडशी) aspect as a sixteen-year-old girl and is believed to represent sixteen kinds of desires. Tripura Sundari, also known as Shodashi, Lalita (ललिता) and Rajarajeshvari (राजराजेश्वरी).

Shodashi (the goddess who is 16 years old): It is the climax of the creative cycle when the entire universe is in full bloom like a flower. She is the presiding Deity of the Shri Vidya form of worship and is contacted either in the central circuit of the Shri Yantra or in your own yantra, the Nava-Yoni Chakra. Her anthropomorphic characteristics are brilliance, manifestation, sweetness, depth, fixity, energy, grace and generosity. She is sitting on the lotus that has blossomed out of the navel of Lord Shiva is a beautiful young girl of 16 years with four arms. Her complexion is like molten gold and Her beauty is continuously seen by Lord Shiva. At one point, she is being made one with Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu's consort. 

 Bhagwati Tripura Sundari (त्रिपुरसुंदरी)  - The Beauty of the Three Worlds 

Sundari is no ordinary beauty. She is the most blissful and beautiful of all goddesses as she represents the ultimate bliss at the source of all joys. The highest beauty does not reside in any object, although it is not separate from objects. The highest beauty is perception: "to hold the Infinite in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour," as the poet Blake so eloquently wrote. Beauty is derived from the light of consciousness that radiates through objects. It is never really contained in any object. Therefore, beauty can never disappear, but rather The light of beauty that we see in things is, therefore, the light of our own consciousness. By discovering it, we contact the sources of infinite delight within us. This is part of the Sundari revelation.

 The beauty of perception occurs only when the mind is cleansed of the known when the consciousness is cleansed of its conditioning and rests in pure consciousness without any memory residue. Then everything we see radiates with the light of eternity and is effulgent with the glory of our own Self as the Universal Self. Otherwise, the residue of our thoughts and emotions, like a dark film, obstructs the subtle and transparent beauty and presence in things, even though we can clearly perceive their physical characteristics. 

 Sundari represents the ultimate beauty of pure perception that arises when we see the entire universe in ourselves when we see all of nature as a reflection of the reality of consciousness. Sundari is, therefore, the beauty of nature but as seen through the spiritual eye of oneness - the view that the entire universe is Brahman (ब्रह्म) - there is nothing but God above, below, within, without, north, south, east or west, past, present or future. Sundari, therefore, is the Goddess of Vedantic knowledge, which is the knowledge of the Supreme or Divine Being. She teaches us that everything is the self and that the world is Brahman or the Absolute. From her perspective, Samsara is Nirvana (निर्वाण); the world of illusion merges with the Absolute. Hence, she is the most beloved Goddess form among Swamis and Vedantic Masters. She represents the knowledge of the Supreme Being. 

 The entire universe exists for the delight of consciousness, which is the game of the Divine Mother. Creation arises in joy and returns to joy. We are passing figures in the eternal game of it, who have not yet understood the source of the energy that Our pain and suffering is a delusion, a misconception born of ignorance and ego. Because we try to control or possess joy from the standpoint of the separate self, we separate ourselves from the true joy that is universal. the image of joy shows us the way out of our error, which is not denying ourselves happiness but discovering the true happiness we seek, which is to be one with everyone. Lalita awakens the receptive soul to the happiness that underlies everything. things.

 The great Yantra or energy pattern that underlines the entire universe, arising from the ॐ mantra. She is the deity who lives on the summit of Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain or the mountain of the spine, and gives the commands through which the entire universe moves. She is the divine love, which is the central motivating force behind the universe and which is the original impulse in our own hearts.

Sundari is also called Rajarajeshvari or "the highest ruler of the universe". All the commands that govern the universe arise from it, including the command that enables us to develop spiritually or to give spiritual teachings in the world. We must seek their command in order to do something meaningful in life. However, their command is not based on authority but on love. To get their approval we just have to be open to their love. What she allows us is to love her and to love everything. However, in order to discover their commands, we must be willing to give up our own selfish desires and try to control things. Tripura Sunday is often depicted as a young girl at the age of 16. As such she is called “16” (षोड़श) or “the young girl” (बाला). It is at this stage of a woman's life that the delightful aspect of her existence is most pronounced. It is their nature to play, seek new experiences and charm others. Your innocence attracts all that is true and good. Sunday is the power of consciousness, Chit Shakti. It is the consciousness of the Supreme Self, Paramatman(परमात्मन), as one with the Supreme Reality or the Absolute,(परब्रह्म). Because of true knowledge, it is called, Samvit (संवित)  which is the power to understand all things as consciousness itself. Bhagwati Lalita is thus the power of spiritual knowledge (ज्ञान शक्ति), which is more a question of feeling and perception than of thinking and analysis is. That is why she is the form of the goddess most worshipped by those who follow yoga. Bhagwati Shodasi is the form of the goddess who represents the pure consciousness and the bliss that flows from it. It combines the being of Kali (काली) with the knowledge of Tara (तारा) and adds the bliss dimension of spiritual realization.

This article translated from talks between Swami Shri Vishwadevanand Puri Ji and Anantbodh Chaitanya on Shri Vidya. 

For more information about Shri Vidya kindly visit our website: www.shriyantramandir.com

Shri Yantra: The Manifestation of Sacred Geometry

Shri Yantra: The Manifestation of Sacred Geometry by Alakh Yogi Shri Anantbodh Chaitanya 

What is sacred geometry? 

Sacred geometry is beyond religion and doctrine, yet many of its principles have been adopted by different religions in their architecture and art. Through the centuries, architects around the world have used certain geometric principles to build their temples, monuments and cathedrals—intended as symbolic models of the universe. Sacred geometry merges the physical, tangible aspects of creation with the spiritual essence behind them. It is the meeting of the seen and the unseen, the manifest and the unmanifest, the finite and the infinite, the mundane and the profound. Sacred geometry has played an integral role in the philosophy, architecture and art of numerous cultures since time began. 

 Why we need this? 

 Throughout the process of evolution, man has always found ways to guard and secure himself by using cosmic forces. History offers us infinite insights and instances of people who’ve employed these forces of nature to their advantage in the form of talismans, yantras and various other mystic charms as a sacred geometry 

What is Shri Yantra? 

 The Sanskrit term Shri yantra originates from “yan” or “yam” meaning “medium” and “tra” meaning “instrument” or “tool”. Here Shri represents wealth and Yantra is an instrument, apparatus or an amulet endowed with protective powers, its ultimate purpose is to unite us with our higher selves. Shri Yantra holds supreme status among all mystic sciences and disciplines. Tantric gurus have collectively declared Shri yantra as the best medium for manifestation and wish fulfilment. The Shri Yantra is considered to be the tool for obtaining and fulfilling all worldly desires and for material manifestation. 

The Shri Yantra is a mathematically precise design and based upon Golden Proportion or Phi ratio. Everything that exists in nature, is constructed in a proportionately precise manner and this proportion is called the Golden/Phi ratio. The Shri Yantra means “holy instrument” and can also be known as the Shri Chakra or “holy wheel”. It contains all form of sacred geometry/golden ratio, is mathematically precise and can also represent the union of the Divine Masculine and Feminine (The upward triangles meeting the downward triangles. 

Staring at the central dot or ‘Bindu’ of the Shri Yantra is known and proven to create changes within the brain and the stimulation of the Pineal gland by focusing our attention on the ‘3rd eye’ area. The Pineal gland is a small endocrine gland in the brain. It produces melatonin, a serotonin derived hormone, which affects the modulation of sleep patterns in both seasonal and circadian rhythms. Its shape resembles a tiny pine cone (hence its name), and it is located in the epithalamus, near the centre of the brain, between the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the two halves of the thalamus join. The typical Shri Yantra with its central point (Bindu) and concentric circles of petals and other geometries are conceived of as a sacred dwelling in which the presiding deity and their entourage take up residence. So you move through each layer pay attention to what elements are being brought in. Look at the number behind each of the segments like the 9 strings or why are there 4 triangles for the Shiva and Shakti. 

 The Bindu represents the location of the highest manifestation of the deity as well as the focal point through which the deity transcends the relative plane, with its form and structure to merge into the formless consciousness. To help visually understand, the Bindu is the centre of the Shri Yantra and the dot is the symbol of AUM – it represents the piercing, breaking or bursting through (Bindu Vedhana) and it is the final stage. This is the very same formless consciousness in which the devotee merges with the highest truth. The Shri Yantra is then fully activated in its Divine nature and reveals the true potential and nature of the devotee in this merging and loving Shri relationship with the Divine as the divine. 

 
How Shri Yantra Works 

Exploring Yantra Dynamics Shri Yantra is an energy mapping machine. It is a blueprint that radiates a specific frequency due to its unique geometric construction. When focusing or meditating on a Shri Yantra, the mind automatically comes into alignment and resonates to the particular energy of the yantra. This sequence of resonance is magnified as one consistently meditates over it. Shri Yantra acts as a reservoir of divine energy. It is a medium through which the invincible energy acts on an individual. This channelled energy possesses an intense power to attract and manifest the desired experiences. 

 Significance of Shri Yantra in Modern Times. 

 Primitive people began wearing amulets and yantras to protect themselves from an often frightening world. Shri Yantra guarded the user against enemies, animals and provided protection against the evil eye. In our modern societies, our fears, needs and challenges are more sophisticated in nature. In this age, we are tortured by inflation, crime, natural and man-made disasters. There are the ever-expanding inner demons such as anxiety, frustrations and mental illness too, to name but a few. The use of yantra in present-day is therefore much more relevant than ever before.

अनंतबोध चैतन्य की श्रीगुरु स्वामी श्री विश्वदेवानन्द जी से पहली मुलाकात

 मुझसे बहुत लोग पूछते है कि मैं (अनंतबोध चैतन्य) स्वामी जी (गुरूजी ब्रह्मलीन स्वामी श्री विश्वदेवानन्द पुरी जी) से कैसे मिला। आज मैं  बताना चाहूँगा। ये बात है 2003 की मैं  और श्री त्रयम्बकेश्वर चैतन्य जी श्रीनर्मदा परिक्रमा के लिए श्री ओंकारेश्वर तीर्थ में थे और वहां से श्रीसाम्बसदाशिव का विधिवत पूजन कर माँ नर्मदा जी से प्रार्थना कर हमने अपनी श्री नर्मदा जी की यात्रा आरम्भ की।  

यात्रा के चौथे पांचवे दिन श्री नर्मदा जी के तट पर ही स्वामी आत्मानंद जी जो महानिर्वाणी अखाड़े के महामंडलेश्वर है वो अपनी तीन लोगो की मंडली के साथ हमें मिले। बहुत सारा शास्त्र चिन्तन हुआ।  हम लोगो ने लगभग पांच छह दिन साथ में ही परिक्रमा की। वहां स्वामी आत्मानंद जी ने मुझे पूछा आप किस के शिष्य हो ? मैंने  कहा मैं अभी गुरु की खोज में ही हूं। तो उन्होंने मुझे निर्वाण पीठाधीश्वर स्वामी विश्वदेवानंद जी के बारे में बताया। मैंने कहा कि मेरी कुछ शर्ते है जो उन पर खरा उतरेगा उन्हें ही गुरु के रूप में धारण करूँगा।  स्वामी जी ने कहा आपको कैसे गुरु चाहिए? मैंने कहा जो भाई भतीजा वाद से ग्रस्त न हो, और चेली वाद से परे हो। जो पुरातन पंथी न हो। जो क्षेत्र वाद से परे हो।  जो लालची न हो, और संकुचित विचारधारा के न हो।  स्वामी आत्मानंद जी बोले हमारे आचार्य जी इन सब से परे है।  आप एक बार उनसे मिल लीजिये फिर बताइयेगा। स्वामी जी ने मुझे कहा की आचार्य जी को भी किसी योग्य विद्वान की खोज है। यही पहला मेरा परिचय गुरूजी से स्वामी आत्मानंद जी ने करवाया। 

क्योकि स्वामी आत्मानंद जी श्रीनर्मदापरिक्रमा के उद्देश्य से परिक्रमा नहीं कर रहे थे वो तो केवल भगवती की कृपा प्राप्ति के लिए हर वर्ष कुछ दिन नर्मदा जी के किनारे विचरण करते थे। स्वामी आत्मानंद जी नर्मदा जी के किनारे आश्रम बनाना चाहते थे और उन्होंने बहुत सुंदर आश्रम श्री नर्मदा जी के तट पर बनाया भी।  उसके बाद  त्रयंबकेश्वर चैतन्य जी और मैं भगवती श्री नर्मदा जी की परिक्रमा मार्ग पर अग्रसर हो गए।   श्री नर्मदा जी के तट पर बहुत आनंद की प्राप्ति हुयी।  नित्य प्रति सत्संग और शिवाभिषेक हुए।  बहुत दिव्य महापुरुषों के दर्शन भी हुए।  मुझे ऐसा लगता है कि श्रीनर्मदा परिक्रमा के पुण्य स्वरुप ही श्री गुरु की प्राप्ति हुयी। 

पुनः मैं 2004 के उज्जैन कुम्भ में महानिर्वाणी अखाड़े की छावनी में मुझे गुरु जी के प्रथम दर्शन हुए।  उसके बाद अप्रैल 2005 में मेरी गुरु जी से फोन पर बात हुयी। गुरु जी ने मुझे  श्री संन्यास आश्रम, अहमदाबाद में  आने को कहा। गुरु जी की  आज्ञानुसार मैं आश्रम में उपस्थित हुआ।  गुरु जी ने मुझसे पुछा 'कि मैं साधु क्यों बनना चाहता हूँ ?"

मैंने कहा कि मैंने पढ़ा है "यद् अहरेव विरजेद् तदहरेव प्रवजेद्" तो मुझे वैराग्य हो गया है अतःएव मैं विधिवत गुरु की शरण में रहकर उपासना और सेवा करना चाहता हूँ।  गुरु जी बहुत प्रसन्न हुए  उन्होंने मुझे कोठारी से मिलने को कहा।  उस समय स्वामी कृष्णानंद जी संन्यास आश्रम के कोठारी थे।  आश्रम में मुद्रा बहन, जयश्री बहन और बिखु काका मैं प्रथम दिन ही मिला।  फिर गुरूजी ने मुझे लंगोटी, वस्त्र और मंत्र दिया। गुरूजी ने कहा "कि आज से तुम्हारा नाम अनंतबोध चैतन्य हुआ।" और  मुझे मठाम्नाय के बारे में भी बताया।  गुरूजी ने न मुझसे मेरी जाती पूछी न ही जन्म स्थान और न ही मेरी शिक्षा के बारे में कुछ पूछा।  फिर दो तीन दिन बाद गुरु जी ने मुझे अपने पास बुलाया और गीता व उपनिषद के बारे में मेरा कितना अध्ययन है इसके बारे में पूछा। मैंने गुरूजी को बताया कि मैंने बाबा गुरु जी नरवर से प्रस्थान त्रयी का अध्ययन किया है और श्री सांगवेद महाविद्यालय नरवर से दर्शन विषय में आचार्य किया है।  उसके बाद मैंने मेरी पारिवारिक पृष्टभूमि के बारे में गुरूजी को अवगत कराया। गुरु जी ने कहा कि वो मेरी जन्म भूमि चलेंगे। और गुरूजी मेरी जन्म भूमि गए भी।  गुरूजी ने कहा कि मैं कोई भगोड़ा नहीं हूँ।  गुरु जी की बातों को याद करके अभी भी मुझे रोमाञ्च होता है।  

तो ऐसे मेरी गुरु जी के साथ मुलाकात हुयी। 

ॐ नमो नारायणाय। 

स्वामी श्रीशरदपुरी जी महाराज

   ।। श्रीशरदपुरीमहाराजपञ्चम् ।। 

 विद्यावैभवसंयुतं शिवकृपास्नातं शुभाढ्यं गुरुं वेदार्थैकविवक्तृरूपमतुलौदार्यैस्सदाढ्यं द्विजं शास्त्रोल्लाससमन्वितं हरिकथागानैस्सदानन्दितं वन्दे श्रीशरदं पुरीं मुनिवरं सत्यैकनिष्ठं प्रभुम्।।१।।

 विद्या के वैभव (ऐश्वर्य) से युक्त, भगवान् शिव की कृपा से नहाए हुए, वेदों के अर्थ विशेष वक्ता स्वरूप, अतुलनीय उदारता से सदा धनवान्, ब्राह्मण, शास्त्रों के ज्ञान से उल्लासित, हरि की कथा से सदा आनंदित,सत्य के प्रति एकनिष्ठ, मुनिवर, श्रीशरद पुरी जी महाराज को मैं प्रणाम करता हूं।। 

 नानाख्यानकथासुगाननिपुणं ब्रह्मौजसा भासितं विज्ञानाक्षियुतं ह्यदृश्यमपि यस्संलोकयेद्दृश्यवत् नम्रत्वादिगुणैर्महत्वपरकश्शैवार्थयुक्तं यतिं वन्दे श्रीशरदं पुरीं शमकरं लोकोपकारे रतम्।।२।। 

 अनेक प्रकार के आख्यान और कथाओं को गाने में जो अत्यंत निपुण हैं , ब्रह्म के तेज से विभासित हैं, विज्ञान की दृष्टि वाले हैं , अदृश्य को भी जो साक्षात् दृश्य की तरह देख लेते हैं , नम्रता आदि गुणों के कारण महान्, शैव अर्थ से युक्त , महात्मा, शांति प्रदान करने वाले , संसार के कल्याण में लगे रहने वाले , श्री शरद पुरी महाराज को प्रणाम करता हूं।

 दिव्यत्वप्रतिपादकं सुविमलं देवार्चनातत्परं पुण्याभाविलसन्मुखं शिवगुरोर्मोदाम्बुधौ मज्जितं सारल्यप्रतिमूर्तिमेव सुगुरुं श्रौतप्रभाभासितं वन्दे श्रीशरदं पुरीं मखकरं विप्रप्रियं भावुकम्।।३।। 

 दिव्यत्व का प्रतिपादन करने वाले निर्मल चरित्र देवताओं की अर्चना में तत्पर पुणे की आभा से विरासत मुख वाले शिव गुरु की आनंद सागर में डूबे हुए , सारल्य की प्रतिमूर्ति, सच्चे गुरु , श्रौत की प्रभा से उद्भासित,यज्ञ कराने वाले , ब्राह्मणों के प्रिय और भावुक, श्री शरद पुरी महाराज को मैं प्रणाम करता हूं। 

 तात्पर्यार्थविवेचकं सुमनसां कार्यैस्सदानन्दितं विद्वद्भिर्बहुशास्त्रधारिपुरुषैर्भक्त्या समावन्दितं लोकालोकसुखप्रदं भगवतीपूजाश्रियोद्भासितं वन्दे श्रीशरदं पुरीं शतगुणं मोहादिभिर्वर्जितम्।।४।। 

 तात्पर्य अर्थ का विवेचन करने वाले सज्जनों के कार्यों से सदा आनंदित होने वाले , विद्वानों और बहुत से शास्त्रों को धारण करने वाले पुरुषों के द्वारा , भक्ति पूर्वक वंदन किए जाते हुए, लौकिक और अलौकिक सुख प्रदान करने वाले , भगवती की पूजा रूपी श्री से उद्भासित स्वरूप वाले,सैकड़ों गुणों को धारण करने वाले , मोह आदि से दूर श्री शरद पुरी महाराज की मैं वंदना करता हूं। 

 सत्यार्थप्रियमाशुतोषशरणं श्रीरामपूजाश्रयं दिव्यार्थप्रतिपादकं सदसतोर्भेदे सुदक्षं धिया दाने रागयुतं च दीनजनतोद्धारे रतं सत्प्रियं वन्दे श्रीशरदं पुरीं हरिगुणं धर्मैकचिन्तारतम्।।५।। 

 सत्य अर्थ को प्रेम करने वाले , आशुतोष भगवान् शिव की शरण लेने वाले , श्री राम की पूजा ही है आश्रय जिनका ऐसे, दिव्य अर्थ के प्रतिपादक , सत्य और असत्य में अपनी बुद्धि के द्वारा भेद करने में बहुत ही निपुण, दान देने में राग युक्त , दीन जनता का उद्धार करने में लगे रहने वाले , सज्जनों के प्रिय, केवल धर्म का चिंतन करने में लगे रहने वाले , भगवान् विष्णु के गुणों का ध्यान करने वाले, श्री शरद पुरी महाराज को मैं प्रणाम करता हूं।

Magical effects of sound therapy

Magical effects of sound therapy

 Indian ancient literature has a mention of chants and sound therapy on multiple occasions to overcome serious illnesses. The “Pran”, “Tejas” and “Ojas”, in the body are the basic elements which control the “Vaat”, “Pitt” and “cuff”. To balance these energies, there is an essential requirement of sounds, waves and mental chants, which have been proved to be very effective. Nowadays many countries are researching in the field of sound healing therapy. 

The Tibetan Singing Bowl Session, which is also known as Sound & Vibration Healing Therapy is quite renowned therapy. The sound of singing bowls resonates and vibrates helping one to relax, meditate, sleep or any other benefit you might find from them. In Italy, studies are being carried out on the effects of Mozart Music and its effects on the mind. 

The sound healing technique is very effective on our mind waves and brain functions. Due to sound waves, waves and mental chants, the brain creates pneumatic energy which is beneficial for the nerves, veins, arteries and hormonal secretion. These waves create energy with every breath we inhale or exhale. 

This combination of generated energy and sound waves re-energise the destroyed cells and fibres and cures blockages and regular practice makes the patient healthy. It has been found beneficial for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. “Our physical health is dependent on both bodily and mental health. A healthy mind leads to a healthy body. Do you know that cosmic sounds generate energy and waves which can cure a dull mind?”

Brahmalin Swami Amalananda Giri

It is my immense pleasure to write about a great man who dedicated his whole life to cows and the service of Humanity. He was a very close friend of mine. today I am written about Brahmalin Swami Amalananda Giri Ji. Swami Amalanand Ji will remain alive in our heart forever.

Swami Amalananda Giri born in a pious family, he had a very deep attraction for spiritual life which was reflected in his day to day activities. Since his childhood, he had the intuition that he will dedicate his entire life for Self realization and for the service of humanity. He spent his young life under the feet of ascetics, monks and spiritual masters of the Himalayas. When his aspiration for spiritual quest reached its peak, he was initiated by one of the great spiritual masters of India, belonging to a lineage of Adi Shankaracharya and Adi Dattatryea, Mahamandelshwar Swami Lokeshananda Giriji. His Guru not only initiated him into the order of one of the greatest orders of Sannyas (Monks) in India which is more than 800 years old but also taught him important scriptures aimed at knowing the purpose of life and Sadhana (spiritual practices) which culminates into the realization of The Absolute of the west i.e. The Brahman of Vedas or The Ultimate Consciousness. 

Swami Amalananda Giri practised meditation and spiritual Sadhana at many places; the most important ones are forests of Girnar, Junagarh, Gujrat at the bank of river Narmada; Haridwar, the Spiritual Nucleus of India; Gangotri, The Himalayan region at the height of more than 11,000 ft above sea level. 

The deep aspiration for spirituality within him led him to practice meditation in chilly winter, high up mountains in Himalayan in solitude for many years. His Master inspired him to serve humanity through his knowledge, realizations and deeper understanding of Yoga. Keeping in mind the grace of his Guru, he established Tripura Yogashram in 1991, at Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttranchal, India rededicating his entire life for humanity. He aims all his teaching at “know Thyself” which is the highest teachings of Vedas. Since the establishment of Tripura Yogashram, it served as a spiritual abode for many great and famous saints and yoga experts of modern India like Baba Ramdevji, Swami Karmvirji, Swami Rama, Acharya Bal Krishna besides others. 

Swamiji taught Patanjali Yoga, Meditation, and other Hatha Yoga practices with ease, clarity and deeper understanding in order to inculcate lifestyle amongst people seeking spiritual awakening, health care and disease management. he guided, inspires, conducts practical programs from the ancient wisdom of Yoga, Ayurveda, Nature Cure and other allied sciences. His simple but easy and holistic programs have attracted people from all over the world. 

He had organized Yoga camps in the UK, USA, Canada, Switzerland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and many parts of India out of humility and without asking any fees for it. This has attracted people from all over the world to Tripura Yogashram where they find peace, eternity and bliss vibrating all time. 

His ashram is wholly dependent upon donations received from his devotees all over the world. The donations received are used for offering scholarships to children who can not afford their fees for studies. Further, donations are also used for medications and helping downtrodden children from society. What he teaches also practices in his day to day life. His life and action convey one message,” Help the poor and heal the world from its sufferings” through Vedic and yoga teaching aimed at human upliftment.

क्या है "यम नियम" जानिए श्री अनंतबोध चैतन्य से

“योग के अष्टांग में पहले दो स्तंभ यम और नियम की व्याख्या”, जो श्री अनंतबोध चैतन्य द्वारा लिखित है। 

योग में अनुशासन का बहुत महत्वपूर्ण स्थान है। अनुशासन हमें दिव्य संरक्षण देता है। पाँच यमों में अहिंसा (हिंसा का कोई भी रूप नहीं), सत्य (सत्य आचरण), अस्तेय (चोरी न करना), ब्रह्मचर्य (चरित्रवान होना) और अपरिग्रह (जमाखोरी नहीं) शामिल हैं। पाँच उपदेशों में शौच (पवित्रता), संतोष (संतोष), तप (आत्म-नियंत्रण) और सहनशीलता (तपस्या), स्वाध्याय (आत्म-ज्ञान) और ईश्वर प्रणिधान (भगवान की भक्ति) शामिल हैं। योग में प्रवेश करने वाले साधक के लिए आवश्यक है कि वह आत्म-कल्याण के अभ्यास के साथ-साथ यम-नियमों का ज्ञान प्राप्त करे। उन्हें समझें, सोचें, चिंतन करें और उन्हें अमल में लाने की कोशिश करें। यम-नियम की दोनों उपलब्धियाँ असाधारण हैं। महर्षि पतंजलि ने अपने योग दर्शन में बताया है कि इन दस का अभ्यास महत्वपूर्ण रिद्धि-सिद्धि देता है। आइए पहले पांच यमों को समझते हैं। 

यम (आंतरिक अनुशासन): 

1. अहिंसा (अहिंसा): अहिंसा दो प्रकार की होती है, प्रमुख और सूक्ष्म। अहिंसा का अर्थ है न मारना, न अत्याचार करना, न शोक करना। ऐसी हरकतें जिनके द्वारा किसी को शारीरिक या मानसिक कष्ट पहुंचाया जाता है, हिंसा कहलाती है, इसलिए उन्हें किसी अहिंसक पर्यवेक्षक के लिए विनाशकारी बनाना, किसी की हत्या करने के अलावा, व्यंग्य बोलना, दिल दुखाना, उन पर अत्याचार करना, हिंसा एकमात्र तरीका है अहिंसा से बचें। इसे पालन-पोषण कहा जाएगा। 

 2. सत्य: मन, वचन और कर्म से सत्य का पालन और असत्य का त्याग ही सत्य है। वास्तव में, सच्ची सोच, कथन और क्रिया में सत्य का संस्कार आवश्यक है। उस वस्तु का ज्ञान उस रूप में धारण करना सही है, जिसमें किसी वस्तु का पता चलता है या जैसा कि वह कारण या अनुमान से जाना जाता है या अधिकारियों को ज्ञात होता है और उसी रूप में दूसरों को बताता है। दूसरों के लिए, लाभ ही परम और सच्चा ज्ञानवर्धक ज्ञान है। यहां, न केवल झूठे शब्दों का परित्याग स्वीकार किया जाता है, बल्कि अप्रिय शब्दों से बचा जाता है। एक महान शक्ति एक ऐसे व्यक्ति के उच्चारण में आती है जो कभी झूठ नहीं बोलता, जो कुछ भी कहता है वह सच हो जाता है। 

 3. अस्तेय: अस्तेय का शाब्दिक अर्थ है चोरी न करना। दूसरे की वस्तु प्राप्त करने की इच्छा मन द्वारा चोरी है। मन से भी शरीर या वाणी से चोरी न करें। सीधे शब्दों में कहें, यह जाता है - दूसरे का स्वामित्व अपहरण अचल है और इसकी अनुपस्थिति अजेय है। 

 4. ब्रह्मचर्य: ब्रह्मचर्य का अर्थ है मानसिक और शारीरिक चरित्र का रखरखाव। इसका मतलब कामुक प्रलोभन से उपजना है, न कि अपने मन को पकड़ने की कामुक इच्छा की विधा को अनुमति देना। ब्रह्मचर्य की साधना के माध्यम से, आपको शक्ति, वीर्य लाभ के भंडारण के रूप में जाना जाता है। मन, कर्म और शब्दों में ब्रह्मचर्य के रूप में स्थापित होने का परिणाम यह है कि आप ध्यान में बहुत कम प्रयास करते हैं और धारणा तेज होती है। यदि भगवान को याद करने के लिए आपका आचरण कर्तव्य और भगवान शिव और आपके लामाओं (आंतरिक मामलों) को जानने के लिए आपका कर्तव्य सुरक्षित है: 

 5. अपरिग्रह: अपरिग्रह का अर्थ है जमाखोरी का अभाव। जितनी अधिक चीजें आप जमा करेंगे, उतना ही आप उनकी सुरक्षा और देखभाल के लिए चिंतित और पूर्वाग्रही रहेंगे। हमें सभी बेकार वस्तुओं को कबाड़ करना चाहिए। इन वस्तुओं को जरूरतमंद लोगों को वितरित करने से पहले उन्हें और अधिक बेकार हो जाने पर वितरित करें। होर्डिंग की अनुपस्थिति से चिह्नित राज्य में स्थापित होने पर आपको जो फल प्राप्त होता है वह यह है कि आप अपने अतीत, वर्तमान और भविष्य को जानने में सक्षम हो जाते हैं। यह वह शक्ति है जो इसका अनुसरण करती है जो जमाखोरी नहीं करती है। 

 नियम (बाहरी अनुशासन) 

 1 : शौच (पवित्रता), शौच का अर्थ है स्वच्छता, पवित्रता का सार; शरीर, मन और जीभ की पवित्रता। ईश्वर की चेतना के लिए शरीर को स्वच्छ रखना आवश्यक है। मन को सभी विकट और अशुद्ध विचारों को शुद्ध और शुद्ध करना चाहिए। भाषण की पवित्रता से मेरा मतलब है कि आपके द्वारा बोले गए शब्द कठोर या आहत नहीं होने चाहिए। आपको हमेशा सच बताना चाहिए। अपने शब्दों और कार्यों के साथ अच्छे और विनम्र बनें। फल जो शरीर, मन और कर्म की शुद्धता (थैली) को बनाए रखने से प्राप्त होता है, वह यह है कि आपके शरीर और बाहरी सुंदरता के लिए आपकी पसंद कम हो जाएगी। यह बदले में आपको ईश्वर प्राप्ति की ओर प्रेरित करेगा। 

 2 संतोष: संतोष का अर्थ है वास्तविक संतुष्टि। आपको अपनी हर चीज से संतुष्ट होना चाहिए। प्रभु से उपहार के रूप में आपके पास जो कुछ होना चाहिए वह आपको लेना चाहिए। स्वामी जानते हैं कि क्या देना है, कितना देना है और कैसे देना है। 

 3 तप: इसका अर्थ है अपनी क्षमता और परिस्थितियों के अनुसार अपना कर्तव्य निभाना, भले ही आप कठिनाइयों का सामना करें। यह मेरी सलाह है कि आप खुद को अतिरिक्त भोजन से भरा हुआ न खाएं। आपको अपना पेट थोड़ा खाली छोड़ देना चाहिए। इससे आपका शरीर बना रहेगा और आपका दिमाग सतर्क और सतर्क रहेगा। यह दुनिया धूल को अपने पैरों के नीचे कुचल देती है, लेकिन सत्य के साधक को भी धूल से विनम्र होना चाहिए। सहनशील बनें। किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति को माफ़ कर देना जो आपका कुछ बुरा करे। आप बहुत शांति महसूस करेंगे और इस प्रकार अधिक प्रशंसा अर्जित करेंगे, न कि उस पर चिल्लाकर या उसे अपने ही सिक्के में वापस भुगतान करके। यह आत्म-नियंत्रण वास्तविक तपस्या और धैर्य और लंबे समय तक पीड़ा का सार है। इसके बिना आप ध्यान केंद्रित नहीं कर सकते। वह फल जो स्वयं ग का अभ्यास करने से आता है नियंत्रण और सहिष्णुता यह है कि इसके माध्यम से, आपके शरीर और अंगों में मौजूद अशुद्धियाँ दूर हो जाती हैं और आप ताकत से भर जाते हैं। 

 4 स्वाध्याय: आपको भगवद गीता जैसे शास्त्रों के अध्ययन और चिंतन के लिए अपना समय समर्पित करना चाहिए। आपको खुद को समझकर खुद को जानने की कोशिश करनी चाहिए। आत्मनिरीक्षण करें और अपनी गलतियों को सुधारने का प्रयास करें। आपको हर तरह की गॉसिप को रोकना होगा। किसी से बीमार न बोलें। धर्मग्रंथों के निरंतर अध्ययन के माध्यम से आत्म-ज्ञान के निरंतर प्रयास से मिलने वाला फल यह है कि आप जिस भगवान को चाहते हैं (भगवान) आपको चमक देगा। इसे अपने भौतिक रूप में प्रकट होने और स्वयं को प्रकट करने की आवश्यकता नहीं है। यहां तक कि जो लोग भगवान शिव को अपने सपनों में देखते हैं वे अत्यधिक भाग्यशाली और धन्य आत्माएं हैं। 

 5 ईश्वर प्रणिधान: यह अंतिम और सर्वोच्च निमय है। इसका अर्थ है भगवान के प्रति प्रेम और भक्ति। यदि आप ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करते हैं और उसके प्रति समर्पित हैं, तो आपके लिए उसे अनदेखा करना संभव नहीं है। वह खुद को आपके सामने प्रकट करेगा और अपनी शानदार अठारह भुजाओं से आपको शुद्ध करेगा जो आपको ईश्वर चेतना के दायरे में प्रवेश करने में मदद करेगा। भगवान शिव की भक्ति से, अनायास ही समाधि मिल जाती है। भगवान के प्रति समर्पण पूर्ण होना चाहिए जहां शरीर और मन दोनों को भगवान की इच्छा के सामने समर्पण करना होगा।

  अधिक जानकारी के लिए आप हमारी वेबसाइट https://anantbodhyoga.com/ को विजिट करे।  

"The Importance of the Ramayana in Human Civilization" : Shri Anantbodh Chaitanya

This speech delivered by Swami Anantboth Chaitanya Jakarta Indonesia

I feel proud and glorified to talk about Ramayana, the oldest epic in the world history of literature. According to the Indian system of counting, time is divided into four ages - the Satyuga, Tretayauga, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. Kali Yuga consists of 432 000 years, Dwapara 864 000 years, Treta Yuga 1.296 million years and Satyuga has 1.728 million. The calculation time of the Ramayana is minimum 870 000 years (5250 to the present Kali Yuga Dwapara bygone era year 864 000 years) is proven. Some scholars interpret Ramayana was written 8000 BC, which means it, is baseless. Other scholars believe even older.

The great kind-hearted saint vividly described all aspects of human civilizations. This knowledge is bound to be enriched by its philosophical, intellectual values.  Adi Kavi (the first poet laureate) Valmiki wrote Ramayana not only to sing the melodious glory and story of Sri Rama, the Prince of Ayodhya but to present to the posterity a practical philosophy of life, a vision of Truth, by telling how to lead a pious life, within the prevailing conditions of one’s existential conditions.  It has a pragmatic message for a busy man how to go about his daily life so that he would not only acquire his needs here but also get what he deserves hereafter.

The essence of an individual is manifested through his action. The character exhibits itself in action – mental, verbal and physical. Therefore, the Dharma of an individual operates through every action of an individual. It is that basis from which springs every deed of a person. Hence, the word Dharma is a very comprehensive one. It cannot be delineated in one word or in a few sentences. It is neither religion nor philosophy, though they stem from it. It is the very foundation for both of them and for many more things of life. It encompasses the duties, responsibilities, rights, religious observances, social obligations, secular laws, conventions, nay, the very fabric of one’s own life in such a way that one cannot live without it. Everyone acts one’s own Dharma through and through.

A society or a community is called decent or civilized on its outer aspect such as its outer behaviour. Our civilized manner is displayed by lifestyle, eating habits, physical development, family behaviour etc. . . Whereas culture determines our internal thinking, knowledge, science etc.   Simply speaking, our culture dictates our behaviour. Ramayana was a deciding factor to develop a human civilization and will continue to be the deciding factor of human morality and ethical life.

It has been said about Ramayana that यावत् स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च महीतले। तावत् रामायणकथा लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति ।। means’ till there is hill /mountain on earth Ramayana will be there’.

Social view during Ramayana era:

 Now let us discuss a few aspects from Ramayana to understand its implications:

सर्वे वेदविदः शूराःसर्वे लोकहिते रताः सर्वे ज्ञानोपसम्पन्नाःसमुदिता गुणैः( बालकाण्ड,बाल्मिकीय रामायण 18/25)

Every citizen of the Ayodhya, in society, lead a harmonious life without any sort of discrimination, hatred or ill will among themselves.

Ramayana visualizes us of such a society where under a pious judicious king everyone is happy on all aspects and had no grievance whatsoever.

The so-called development we are hearing about nowadays is nothing but approaching destruction.  So much pollution is being created in the name of development that question started arises about the future of our mother earth. During Ramayana era cow was being referred to as Gou-Mata and was the basis of all sorts of well-being.

In Vedas also said “धेनुः सदनं रयीणाम्” i.e. Gou-Mata is the source of all sorts of wealth.

By preserving and taking proper care to the Goumata we can have a healthy and wealthy life. We should discourage pollution creating fuels and rather would search for non-polluting fuel as we heard about Pushpak –Yanam in Ramayana.

We find a description in Ramayana about a very progressive happy and wealthy kingdom where everyone is happy, no treason, robbery, theft took place.  All these were due to their high culture and values they used to follow. On the contrary, due to the degradation of our values, we are suffering from all possible vices.

Culture:

For a developed man vis-à-vis a developed society as well as a developed world we have to follow the sixteen important Sanskaras right from birth to death. Sanskar (culture) is nothing but some to do’s and some not to do’s which can transform us to acquire a noble life of high values and ethics.

The following is from the Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kanda, 9-30, 31.

"Wealth comes out of Dharma. Happiness comes out of Dharma. Everything is obtainable from Dharma. Dharma is the essence of this universe. The adept attain Dharma by disciplining themselves by the conditions of Dharma, with great effort; one cannot get happiness from happiness."

The Ramayana follows the tradition of civilization had five Yagna(sacrifice), Bramha Yagna in Vedic Civilization, Deva Yajna (altar), Pitri Yagya and the oblation, Atithi or guest Yagya (sacrifice) and Bali vaisya Yagya is known by the name of five Mahayagya. These yajnas are the uniting factor to tie the whole universe together and cause of all-out progress and prosperity.

Guest sacrifice: -

In the Ramayana, Atithi (guest) has been given the highest regards.  Guest is like deity equal to God. When Ram, Laxmana and Sita arrived in the forest monks also gave him due respect.

In addition to humanity, Atithi Yagya practised only in the self-help philosophy is to provide our identification with the all-pervasive power installs.

Father's sacrifice -

Ramayana teaches respect parents as a god. Rama obeyed Dashratha the Father and mother Kaikeyi’s will and left the state and went to exile. On the contrary nowadays for financial gain children do not hesitate to kill parents. 

Ideal Family –

Today’s society of indulgence has caused families to disintegrate.  We are able to observe the effect in the Western world.  Ramayana demonstrates the highest level of family values, with which we are familiar.  Lord Ram went into exile as he obeyed his father.  Sita gave up the luxury of a palace to follow her husband.  And Lakshmana abandoned the comfort of his family to serve his big brother and sister-in-law.  When Ravan abducted Sita, Ram and Lakshmana found some ornaments in the forest that belonged to Sita.  Lakshmana stated that he only recognized Sita’s toe ring as he had never seen anything but her feet.  Nobody can destroy a family that has a brother like Lakshmana.  On the other hand, brother Bharat always considered himself incomplete without his brothers even when he was crowned.  Sumitra is an ideal mother.  She gave Bharat all the love as her own son despite Kaikeyi’s ill-treatment of her own son.  Hanumana is an ideal devotee, who is ever-present to serve the needs of Ram.

शक्तिबाण से मूर्छित  लक्ष्मण को उनकी सेवा के कारण ही प्राणदान प्राप्त होता है। इनके पावन चरित्र का स्मरण ही क्षुद्र स्वार्थो के कारण टूटते हमारे दाम्पत्य जीवन एवं परिवारों को बचा सकता है। Ramayana gives us the message on the right path to take. This brilliantly teaches us that the mother-father, husband-wife, brother - brothers and King - What are the duties of subjects.

Status of Women -

There is much to be learned from the characters of Kausalya, Sita, and Anusuya described in the Ramayana. Women of today are able to dress well and present themselves as civilized.  However, the lack of integrity, honour and sacrifice results in happiness and peace of families.  Even an old bird Jatayu could not tolerate the sight of a woman being mistreated and fought with his life to protect her. This indicates that we should respect and protect women.

Environmental ----

Today's blind development of our modern tradition is engaged in destroying our environment. In the Ramayana, people worshipped river, lake, forest, trees, air and holistic nature.  Relationship with animals is like a relationship with friends.  On the demise of a deer, Maharishi Valmiki produced the entire Ramayana at the bank of river Ganges.  We should respect and preserve nature.

Vastu and Science ---

Ramayan depicts a culture of sacrifice as well as different aspects of human civilization.  The city of Ayodhya shows excellent city planning and construction, roads, unique palaces, gem towers, safe and beautiful homes, arms, and engine-free flower aircraft.  Vishwakarma built Lanka, Alka Puri, and Ram Setu.  All of these architectures serve as examples for today’s society.

Ramayana literary importance -----

Ramayana is considered to be the original source of Indian culture. This is a subject on which people have been writing books for hundreds of years.  It is written in several Indian as well as other languages of the world.   By merely pursuing Ramayana, love, devotion, and reverence arises.  Conscience is purified. So this is a unique and long-lived treatise. In literary terms, it is a precious creation of world literature.  Several serials and films have also been constructed based on the legendary story of Ramayana.  Ramayana rituals in contemporary society and governance method is described. Eternal values of Ramayana in development is as important today as it was in ancient times. Ramayana creation of human life and overall development of eternal life values - the purpose is to inspire.

Ramayana The World - prevalence -----

Ramayana has been universal since the 19th Century.  Numerous poor Indians came from Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica travelled to India in search of jobs.  They took Tulsidas Ramayana with them that helped them through a crisis.

In the second phase during the 20th Century, especially before the partition of India in 1947, Ramayana had spread to many countries in the East and West, in any of the forms – Ramcharitmanasa, Valmiki Ramayana, or Kamban Ramayana.

The third and most powerful phase brought Ramayan to East and Southeastern parts of the world where Ramayan is incorporated as part of the culture. The poets of these countries wrote about Rayamana and filled in gaps.  Local names of cities and people were used to depict characters, to the point that it seems that Ramayana took place in their country.  However, the essence of Ramayan is still based on Valmiki Ramayana. 

In Thailand, Lord Ram is intertwined in their culture as well as religious practices.  Ram and Buddha co-exist and are integrated.  The biggest example is the Royal Palace in Thailand, in which the Emerald Buddha resides.  The is the most famous landmark and is visited by people from all over the world.  The story of Ramayana is painted along the walls of this temple.  They have their own version of Ramayana, called “Ramakien” which was written by King Rama the First.  The current King is King Rama Nine.

You can also view the grand presence of Lord Ram in the national museum.  On entrance, you can see a statue of  Ram with his bow and arrow. The most surprising thing is the cities name Ayodhya and Lopburi in Thailand.  Thais believe that Ramayan took place in their country.

Angkor Wat of Cambodia is the biggest symbol of Indian Culture the presence of Lord Ram in SouthEast Asia.  You will find statues of Shiva, Vishnu, Ram and other Indian Gods.  This was constructed in the 11th Century by Suryavarman Dwitiya..  The different parts are Angkor Wat, Angkor Tham, Bayon.  The walls of Angkor Wat depict different episodes of Ramayan, like Hanuman’s arrival in Ashok Vatika, the war between Ram and Ravan in Lanka, the war between Bali and Sugreev.   Ramayan is called Ramker, which is similar to Thai Ramayan.  Similarly, in other Buddhist countries like Laos and Burma, the story of Ram is prevalent and is seen in their stage plays and dances. 

And here, in Indonesia – regardless one is a Hindu from Bali or Muslim from Java Sumatra, everybody thinks of Ram as a national hero and considers Ram as an important historical and cultural heritage.  The temple called Prambanan is 15 miles from Yogyakarta is the proof of this, whereby the entire story of Ram is engraved on stone walls.

In Bali, the popularity of Ram Lila or dance is increasing every day.  The famous Ramayana epic is called Kakvin.  In Malaysia,  leather puppets by night are shown in the context of Ramayana. Their version of Ramayan is called Hikayat Seri Rama, in which they believe Ram to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.  Islamic influence is apparent.  In the sixth Century, Sinhalese poet named Naresh Kumar composed poetry based on the kidnapping of Janki.  Later, it was translated by John D Silva made adaptations to the Ramayan.

Because Sanskrit achieved its place in Western universities, Valmiki Ramayan has been introduced to the world centuries ago.  However, Ramcharitmanas (by Tulsi Das Ji) only got introduced to the Western world in the last century.  It has been translated into many of the world’s important languages and is still continuing to be so.  In 1839, French scholar “Gasan Tdasi” translated Sunder Kand of Ramcharitmanas. Mr Wadi Vilan of Paris University took it forward and translated the rest.

The Ramayana of Tulsidas was translated in English by Rev. A.G. Atkins, which is very popular.  Devdas Gandhi of Times of India got it published.  Similar translations have been made in Germany and  The Soviet Union.  Alexei Warinikov established a powerful cultural bond between Russia and India by translating the Manas.  The Manas is placed on his memorial in his hometown village Kaporov, which is in the north of St. Peters berg.  In China, both Valmiki and Ramcharit Manas have been translated.  Also in Dutch, Spanish, Japanese and other languages.

The flow moved forward in the Western world through research dissertations.  Dr Tisotori of Italy, who studied Hindi literature, was awarded a doctorate from Florence University in 1910, based on his thesis titled “Valmiki and Ramcharitmanas – a comparative study”.  Another thesis was written in London University in 1918 by J.N. Carpenter.  The title was “Theology of Tulsidas.”

It is a matter of satisfaction that Ramayana has received global recognition.  It has an important place in cultural, spiritual as well as part of the International Ramayana Conference.  There have been more than 17 conventions in 12 countries, which started in India and have spread worldwide.

Ramayana democracy, the ideal format ----

In the past few centuries, the imbalance in democracy has been of rising concern.  In the age of Ramayana, life was more about being a good social person, now the power is more important.  Despite being a King, Lord Ram followed rules of democracy, public expression, being cognizant, as well as fusing with other people.  If we were to follow the same rules today, we could have a more prosperous and complete thriving democracy.

Epilogue -----

There is no doubt that at least two-thirds of the world is influenced by Ramayana in different forms.   From Egypt and Rome to Vietnam Cambodia and here in Indonesia, you can see the pervasive influence of the Ramayana.  This indicates that Ramayana is a pillar for the way of life in our civilization.  Just the way all the characters in the Ramayana follow the principles of their roles, we should learn our role and follow it sincerely.  This is the only way to have a good life and be free from all the problems.