The Bhagavad Gita

Introduction:

The Bhagavad Gita (Sanskrit: भगवद्गीता, Song of God), also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. Since the Gita is drawn from the Mahabharata, it is classified as a Smṛiti text. However, those branches of Hinduism that give it the status of an Upanishad also consider it a Śruti or "revealed" text. As it is taken to represent a summary of the Upanishadic teachings, it is also called "the Upanishad of the Upanishads."The context of the Gita is a conversation between Lord Krishna and the Pandava prince Arjuna taking place in the middle of the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra War with armies on both sides ready to battle. Responding to Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma about fighting his own cousins who command a tyranny imposed on a disputed empire, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and prince, and elaborates on yoga, Samkhya,reincarnation, moksha, karma yoga and jnana yoga among other topics.

Overview Of Chapters:

Arjuna-Visada Yoga: Arjuna requests Krishna to move his chariot between the two armies. When Arjuna sees his relatives on the opposing army side of the Kurus, he loses morale and decides not to fight.The Gita consists of eighteen chapters in total:

1. Sankhya Yoga:: After asking Krishna for help, Arjuna is instructed that only the body may be killed, as he was worried if it would become a sin to kill people (including his gurus and relatives), while the eternal self is immortal. Krishna appeals to Arjuna that, as a warrior, he has a duty to uphold the path of dharma through warfare. Krishna told Arjuna the three principles dharma, Atman and the Sharira(Body).
2. Karma Yoga: Arjuna asks why he should engage in fighting if knowledge is more important than action. Krishna stresses to Arjuna that performing his duties for the greater good, but without attachment to results, is the appropriate course of action.
3. Karma -Sanyasa Yoga: Krishna reveals that he has lived through many births, always teaching Yoga for the protection of the pious and the destruction of the impious and stresses the importance of accepting a guru.
4. Dnyan-Karma-Sanyasa Yoga: Arjuna asks Krishna if it is better to forgo action or to act ("renunciation or discipline of action"). Krishna answers that both ways may be beneficent, but that acting in Karma Yoga is superior.
5. Atmasanyam Yoga: Krishna describes the correct posture for meditation and the process of how to achieve Samādhi.
6. Dnyana-Vijnana Yoga: Krishna teaches the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga).
7. Aksara-Brahma Yoga: Krishna defines the terms brahman, adhyatma, karma, atman, adhibhuta and adhidaiva and explains how one can remember him at the time of death and attain his supreme abode.
8. Raja-Vidya-Raja-Guhya Yoga: Krishna explains panentheism, "all beings are in me" as a way of remembering him in all circumstances.
9. Vibhuti-Vistara-Yoga: Krishna describes how he is the ultimate source of all material and spiritual worlds. Arjuna accepts Krishna as the Supreme Being, quoting great sages who have also done so.
10. Visvarupa-Darsana Yoga: On Arjuna's request, Krishna displays his "universal form" (Viśvarūpa), a theophany of a being facing every way and emitting the radiance of a thousand suns, containing all other beings and material in existence.
11. Bhakti Yoga: Krishna describes the process of devotional service (Bhakti Yoga).
12. Ksetra-Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga: Krishna describes nature (prakrti), the enjoyer (purusha) and consciousness.
13. Gunatraya-Vibhaga Yoga: Krishna explains the three modes (gunas) of material nature.
14. Purusottama Yoga: Krishna describes a symbolic tree (representing material existence), its roots in the heavens and its foliage on earth. Krishna explains that this tree should be felled with the "axe of detachment", after which one can go beyond to his supreme abode.
15. Daivasura-Sampad-Vibhaga Yoga: Krishna tells of the human traits of the divine and the demonic natures. He counsels that to attain the supreme destination one must give up lust, anger and greed, discern between right and wrong action by discernment through Buddhi and evidence from scripture and thus act correctly.
16. Sraddhatraya-Vibhaga Yoga: Krishna tells of three divisions of faith and the thoughts, deeds and even eating habits corresponding to the three gunas.
17. Moksa-Sanyasa Yoga: In conclusion, Krishna asks Arjuna to abandon all forms of dharma and simply surrender unto him. He describes this as the ultimate perfection of life.

Goswami Tulsidas (1532 – 1623)

Birth & Parentage:

Tulsidas was born to Hulsi and Atmaram Shukla Dube in Rajpur, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1532. He was a Sarayuparina Brahmin by birth and an incarnation of Sage Valmiki, the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana. It is said that Tulsidas did not cry at the time of his birth, and was born with all thirty-two teeth intact. In his childhood, he was known as Tulsiram or Ram Bola.

From Family Man to Ascetic:

Tulsidas was passionately attached to his wife Buddhimati until the day she uttered these words: "If you would develop for Lord Rama even half the love that you have for my filthy body, you would certainly cross the ocean of Samsara and attain immortality and eternal bliss". These words pierced his heart. He abandoned home, became an ascetic, and spent fourteen years visiting various sacred places. It is said that Tulsidas met Lord Hanuman, and through him had a vision of Lord Rama.

Immortal Works:

Tulsidas wrote 12 books, the most famous being the Hindi Ramayan — “The Ramcharitmanasa” that is read and worshipped with great reverence in every Hindu home in Northern India. An inspiring book, it contains sweet couplets in beautiful rhyme in praise of Lord Rama. “Vinaya Patrika” is another important book written by Tulsidas.

Wanderings & Miracles:

Tulsidas lived in Ayodhya for some time, and then shifted to Varanasi. He once went to Brindavan to visit the temples of Lord Krishna. Seeing the statue of Krishna, he said, "How shall I describe Thy beauty, O Lord! But Tulsi will bow his head only when You take up bow and arrow in Your hands". The Lord revealed Himself before Tulsidas in the form of Lord Rama with bow and arrows.

It is believed that Tulsidas’s blessings once brought the dead husband of a poor woman back to life. The Moghul emperor in Delhi came to know of this miracle and sent for Tulsidas, asking the saint to perform some miracles. He declined saying, "I have no superhuman power, I know only the name of Rama", only to see himself behind the bars. Tulsi then prayed to Lord Hanuman as countless powerful monkeys invaded the royal court. The emperor released him from prison asked Tulsi to pardon him.

Last Days:

Tulsi left his mortal body and entered the Abode of Immortality and Eternal Bliss in 1623 A.D. at the age of 91. He was cremated at Asi Ghat by the Ganga in the holy city of Varanasi(Benaras).

A Brief Outline of the Plot of Ramayana

Ramayana is the immortal tale of Shri Rama that teaches us the values of ideology, devotion, duty, relationships, dharma and karma.

Rama & Sita: The ideal Royal Couple

Rama, the prince of Ayodhya and his wife Sita are the ideal royal couple. Rama is brave, wise and dutiful, and Sita is beautiful, generous and saintly. Sita gets introduced to Rama at a ceremony called ‘Swayamvara’, organized by her father Janaka, the king of Mithila to identify a suitable bridegroom for her lovely daughter. Princes from various kingdoms are invited and challenge to string a giant bow. Only the mighty Rama could lift the bow, string it and even break it into two halves. This leads Sita to garland Rama as her husband.

Intrigues in the Royal Family

Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya, had three wives and four sons. Rama was the eldest and his mother was Kaushalya. Bharata was the son of his second and favorite wife, Kaikeyi. The other two were twins, Lakshmana and Shatrughna from his third wife Sumitra. While Rama is all set for coronation, his step-mother, Dasharatha’s second wife, Kaikeyi, wants her son, Bharata, to become king. Before the aged king could hand over his crown to his eldest son Rama, Dasaratha is destined to die. And instead of being crowned king of Ayodhya, Rama is sent into exile in the forest for fourteen year by an intrigue in the palace and a quirk of fate.

Rama is Banished for Fourteen Years

Rama goes to the forest, accompanied by wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, and they live as recluses among the hermits that lead a life of meditative retreat in the deep woods. Bharata, whose mother's evil plot won him the throne, goes to meet Rama in the forest and pleads him to return to the capital. As Rama declines to break his vow given to his deceased father, Bharata is compelled to go back to Ayodhya with his sandals, which he places on the throne as the symbol of Rama’s continuing monarchy.

Rama Fights Ravana, Rescues Sita

While Rama, his wife and brother are living a simple yet happy life in the forest, tragedy strikes! Henceforth, the plot revolves around the abduction of Sita by the demon king Ravana, the ten-headed ruler of Lanka, and Rama’s pursuit to rescue her, aided by Lakshmana and the mighty monkey-general Hanuman. Sita is held captive in the island as Ravana tries to persuade her to marry him. Rama assembles an army of allies comprising mainly of monkeys under the brave Hanuman. They attack Ravana’s army, and after a fierce battle, succeed in killing the demon king and freeing Sita, reuniting her with Rama.

Rama Regains His Kingdom, Sita Returns to Mother Earth

After fourteen years, Rama and Sita return to Ayodhya and are warmly welcomed back by the citizens of the kingdom, where they rule for many years, and have two sons – Luv and Kush. Unfortunately, Sita’s chastity during her period of capture by Ravana comes under scrutiny, and she has to go through trial by fire to prove her purity. But queen, who emerged from the earth at her birth, invokes Mother Earth to take her back into the earth, and the saintly Sita returns to her Mother, never to reappear again.

Lord Brahma Hindu God of Creation

Lord Brahma is part of the Hindu Trinity, which includes Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Within this trinity, Brahma is the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. Lord Brahma grew in a lotus out of the navel of sleeping Vishnu. The daily alteration of light and dark is attributed to the activity of this God. The Hindu Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati is regarded as the wife of Lord Brahma. He has two other wives Savitri and Gayatri and all his three wives are depicted as Mother of Vedas. His consort Goddess Saraswathi manifested out of him and all creatures of the world resulted from their union. It is widely believed that a person can change his fate by seeking the blessings of Lord Brahma.


Origin and Birth of Brahma


As per Hindu mythology Brahma Deva was born from a Kamala or lotus springing from Vishnu’s navel and created the world through Saraswati. According to Manu Smriti, the self existent Lord manifested to dispel darkness surrounding the universe. He created the waters and deposited a seed that became a golden egg from which he was born as Brahma. He divided the egg into two parts to construct the heaven and earth and created ten Prajapatis, mind born sons who completed the work of creation. By a third account, the Lord separated himself into two parts, the male and female after dividing the golden egg. Ramayana says that Brahma sprang from  the ether and that sages Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Narada, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara, Sanasujata and others are his ‘manasa putras’.

Appearance of Lord Brahma


Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads, four faces and four arms where his four heads continually recites four Vedas. He is often depicted in white beard, clad in red clothes and he is not seen holding any weapons. One of his hand holds a scepter, the other hand holds a bow, the third hand holds a string of prayer beads called the ‘Akshamala’ and is also seen holding Vedas. His four hands represent four cardinal directions; east, south, west and north. The back right hand represents mind, left hand represents intellect, the front right hand represents ego and the front left hand represent self confidence. The prayer beads represent the substance used in the process of creation whereas the book symbolizes the knowledge. The golden face of Brahma says that he is actively involved in the process of creation and the crown indicates his Supreme Authority. Swan or Hamsa is his vehicle or carrier and his white beard denotes wisdom and the eternal process of creation.


How Brahma is worshipped


There are very few temples dedicated to worship Lord Brahma. There are stories in Hindu mythology that talk about curses that have supposedly prevented Brahma from being worshipped on Earth.


Brahma Temples in India


The Jagatpita Brahma Mandir in Pushkar, Rajasthan is the most famous temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. Other temples that worship Brahma include Thirunavaya Temple in Kerala and Brahma temple in Nerur, Maharashtra and one in Aostra village in Rajasthan. Sree Vedanarayana Perumal is a famous Brahma Temple situated in Kumbakonam near Thanjavur, Tamilnadu. Sri Arulmigu Magudeshwarar and Veeranarayana Perumaal Temple in Kodumudi is a Trimurti temple where Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped. Brahmapureeswarar Temple in Tirupattur, Tiruchirapalli is an ancient shrine dedicated to the creator of universe, where the idol of Brahma is fully covered with turmeric every day morning.

शिव जी की आरती (Aarti of Lord Shiva ) (Prayer To Lord Shiva)

जय शिव ओंकारा, ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा । Jai Shiv Omkaara, Om Jai Shiva Omkara,
ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, सदाशिव, अर्द्धांगी धारा ॥ Bramha, Vishnu, Sadashiv, Ardhangi Dhaara.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkara

एकानन चतुरानन पंचानन राजे । Ekaanan Chaturaanan Panchaanan Raje,
हंसासन गरूड़ासन वृषवाहन साजे ॥ Hansaanan Garudaasan Vrishvaahan Saaje.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkara

दो भुज चार चतुर्भुज दसभुज अति सोहे । Do Bhuj Chaar Chaturbhuj Dasamukh Ati Sohe,
त्रिगुण रूप निरखते त्रिभुवन जन मोहे ॥ Trigun Rup Nirakhate Tribhuvan Jan Mohe.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkara

अक्षमाला वनमाला मुण्डमाला धारी । Akshamaala Vanamaala Mundamaala Dhaari,
त्रिपुरारी कंसारी कर माला धारी ॥ Tripuraari Kansaari Kar Maala Dhaari
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkara

श्वेतांबर पीतांबर बाघंबर अंगे । Shvetambar Pitambar Baaghambar Ange,
सनकादिक गरुणादिक भूतादिक संगे ॥ Sanakaadik Garunaadik Bhutaadik Sange.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkara

कर के मध्य कमंडलु चक्र त्रिशूलधारी । Kar Ke Madhy Kamandalu Charka Trishuladhaari,
सुखकारी दुखहारी जगपालन कारी ॥ Sukhakaari Dukhahaari Jagapaalan Kaari.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkara

ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव जानत अविवेका । Bramha Vishnu Sadaashiv Jaanat Aviveka,
प्रणवाक्षर में शोभित ये तीनों एका ॥ Pranavaakshar Mein Shobhit Ye Tino Ekaa.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkara

लक्ष्मी व सावित्री पार्वती संगा । Lakshmi Va Saavitri Paarvati Sangaa,
पार्वती अर्द्धांगी, शिवलहरी गंगा ॥ Paarvati Ardhaangi, Shivalahari Gangaa
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkaara

पर्वत सोहैं पार्वती, शंकर कैलासा । Parvat Sohe Parvati, Shankar Kailasa,
भांग धतूर का भोजन, भस्मी में वासा ॥ Bhang Dhatur Ka Bhojan, Bhasmi Mein Vaasa.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkaara

जटा में गंग बहत है, गल मुण्डन माला । Jataa Me Gang Bahat Hai, Gal Mundan Maala,
शेष नाग लिपटावत, ओढ़त मृगछाला ॥ Shesh Naag Lipataavat, Odhat Mrugachaala.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkaara

काशी में विराजे विश्वनाथ, नंदी ब्रह्मचारी । Kashi Me Viraaje Vishvanaath, Nandi Bramhchaari,
नित उठ दर्शन पावत, महिमा अति भारी ॥ Nit Uthh Darshan Paavat, Mahimaa Ati Bhaari.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkaara

त्रिगुणस्वामी जी की आरति जो कोइ नर गावे । Trigunasvamiji Ki Aarti Jo Koi Nar Gave,
कहत शिवानंद स्वामी सुख संपति पावे ॥ Kahat Shivanand Svami Sukh Sampati Pave.
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Om Jai Shiv Omkaara

Ram Navami 2012

Ram Navami in 2012 is on Sunday, the 1st of April

Birth day of Sri Rama, seventh incarnation of Vishnu

Sri-Ramnavami is dedicated to the memory of Lord Rama. It occurs on the ninth day (navami). The festival commemorates the birth of Rama who is remembered for his preperous and righteous reign. Ramrajya (the reign of Rama) has become synonymous with a period of peace and prosperity.

This Year Ram Navami will be celebrated on 1st April 2012.

The birthday of Lord Rama, the celebrated hero of the famous epic, 'Ramayana', is enthusiastically celebrated all over India. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his human incarnation as Rama, the divine ruler of Ayodhya.

Lord Rama is a legendary figure, the epitome of all that is good and true, the man who vanquished the demon king Ravana. Lord Rama is not just a hero, but has been given the status of a god by the Hindus. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that his birth is celebrated year after year with great pomp & show .

Temples of Rama are decorated, religious discourses are held and the Ramayana is recited for ten days. People sing devotional songs in praise of Rama and rock, images of him in a cradle to celebrate his birth. Rathyatras or chariot processions of Rama, his wife Seeta, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman are held from many temples. The chariot is accompanied by several devotees dressed up in ancient costumes as Rama's soldiers. The procession is a gusty affair with the participants shouting praises echoing the happy days of Rama's reign.

Everyone participates in the puja by first sprinkling the water, roli, and aipun on the gods and then showering handfuls of rice on the deities. Then everybody stands up to perform the arti at the end of which ganga jal or plain water is sprinkled over the gathering. The singing of bhajans goes on for the entire puja.

Finally, the prasad is distributed among all the people who have gathered for worship.

Fasting

Some observe a strict fast on this day. The diet of such a person would include potatoes made in any form without haldi (turmeric), garlic, ginger or onion. He can also eat fruit and root vegetables of any kind. Curd, tea, coffee, milk, and water are also permitted

On the face of it Sri-Ramnavmi appears to be just a festival commemorating the reign of a king who was later deified. But even behind present-day traditions there are clues which unmistakably point to the origin of Ramnavmi as lying beyond the Ramayana story.

A huge fair is held in Ayodhya (Ram Janam Bhumi) on Ram Navami day, where thousands of devotees gather to celebrate this festival.

In Andhra Pradesh:

Ram Navami is a major festival celebrated with great religious fervour and devotion. It is celebrated for 10 days from the Chaitra saptami to the Bahula Padyami that fall in the month of March and April. Rambhaktas visit temples where Rama's birthday is celebrated by the re-enactment of his marriage to Sita. For this reason Ram Navami is also called the Kalyanotsavam .

In Other Parts Of South India 
Besides the usual fasting and prayers, a most delightful tradition that is practised as a part of the Ram Navami celebrations in south India is the narration of stories. Talented storytellers are known to narrate episodes of the Ramayana adding local flavour and humour to it. This is essentially a folk tradition and still continues in villages and small towns.

The Sun is considered to be the progenitor of Rama's dynasty which is called the Sun dynasty (Raghukula or Raghuvamsa, Raghu means Sun and Kula or Vamsa mean familial descendant). Rama is also known as Raghunatha, Raghupati, Raghavendra etc. That all these names begin with the prefix Raghu is also suggestive of some link with Sun-worship. The hour chosen for the observance of the lord's birth is that when the sun is overhead and is at its maximum brilliance. In some Hindu sects, prayers on Ramnavami day start not with an invocation to Rama but to Surya (sun). Again the syllable Ra is used in the word to describe the sun and brilliance in many languages. In Sanskrit, Ravi and Ravindra mean Sun.

Hinduism by the Numbers

Hinduism by the Numbers

three paths:	karmamarga - path of works and action jnanamarga - path of knowledge or philosophy bhaktimarga - path of devotion to God
three debts:	debt to God debt to sages and saints debt to ancestors
four stages of life:	brahmacharga - school years - grow and learn grhastha - marriage, family and career vanaprastha - turn attention to spiritual things sanrgasu - abandon world to seek spiritual things
four purposes of life:	dharma - fulfill moral, social and religious duties artha - attain financial and worldy success kama - satisfy desires and drives in moderation moksha - attain freedom from reincarnation
seven sacred cities:	Ayodhya Mathura Gaya (Bodhgaya) Kasi (Varanasi, Benares) Kanci Avantika (Ujjain) Dvaraka
ten commitments:	1. Ahimsa - do no harm 2. Satya - do not lie 3. Asteya - do not steal 4. Brahmacharya - do not overindulge 5. Aparigraha - do not be greedy 6. Saucha - be clean 7. Santosha - be content 8. Tapas - be self-disciplined 9. Svadhyaya - study 10. Ishvara Pranidhana - surrender to God

Sources

1. "Hinduism." Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions.
2. "Hinduism." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Premium Service. 2004.
3. Huston Smith, The World's Religions.
4. Linda Johnsen, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism, pp. 222-24.