"moksha patha"

 Chapter IX of the Bhagavd-Gita speaks of Liberation, mukti, moksha, as revealed by Sakshat Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Here it is very clear that the humans born here on the martya loka (death-knell?) have no chance of liberation, mukti or moksha. The reason is very simple. All the mortals are giverned by karma- prarabhda (past), sanchita (present), and the agami (future). Not only we suffer due past sins, or enjoy here in this life due to our past good deeds (purva punya), but go on incuring more an more of these! There seems to be no wnd to our greed. In ur desire or greed to achieve, attain, or get something we spend all our time engaging in some sort of a work (karma) or the other. This is a never-ending process with no solution in sight.

  However, Bhagavan Sri Krishna advises us (calls us fools/mudhah) through Arjuna, a confused mind (vikshipta manah), of unstable mind ( chanchala chitta), to take recourse to the principle of surrender (Sharanagati tattva) to the Higher Self, the Almighty. He clearly states, "Come to Me, I shall take care of you". maam upetya tu kounteya sarva paapebhyo mokshayishyami ma shucha, punarjanma na vidyate".

What more do we want? But, do we have unflinching faith, unswerving single-minded, firm devotion (dhrudha bhakti)? Does our ego allow us to bend our head to the 'All-powerful  Unknown'? Thus, no wonder, we are condemned to this mrutyu martya loka. Only His Grace will release us from this eternal bondage arising out of accrued fruits of past ctions, prarabhda karma. We are so folish, that we do not know where we are heading toward and never realize that we are going in a too narrow a ptha that is leading us to a dead end and, has no space even to turn back!

'Supreme Knowledge'

 The 'Supreme Knowledge', the highest knowledge one can gain, is that of spiritual nature rather than the worldly transactional one. Here it is important to note that Indian Sages, saints and great Rishis have perfected this through practical means such as yoga and scriptural studies (nidhidhyasana) under an able teacher. The spiritual knowledge gained from study of scriptures like the Veda, Upanishads should be supplemented by practical exercises as enunciated by great Sages like Sri Moudgalya Rishi, Vashishtha Muni, Vishvamitra, Sandipani, Patanjali, Jaimini, Kapila,  Achyutapreksha, Guru Sri Raghavendra Swami, Patanjali Shastri, and many others. Besides, there are a number of Ashrams and Gurukula where Samskruta Bhasha is taught and Vedic studies are conducted. Temples played a very important role in this regard. The teachers insisted that the Vedic Texts are learnt by heart and loudly chanted with phonetic perfection. A little variation in sound while uttering the syllables and words or , if misplaced in order of presentation would create havoc! For instance, the word 'amruta' (elixir) becomes 'mruta' (dead) if prefix 'a' is missing! In fact, the teachers were aware of the alternate meanings of words that numbered almost twenty and taught grammar and composition carefully. Such an ancient system of study of Vedic Texts are still practiced in many parts of India and original scriptures (samskruta grantha) are preserved in Oriental Institute, Mysore, Sringeri (Karnataka), and Kashi (Varanasi), and many other places in Kerala. Many Western scholars have shown keen interest and efforts are made to preserve these scriptures these in recent years. 

  What is this 'Supreme Knowledge'? There are almost twenty four divisions of vidya, ('Knowledge') in the Vedic tradition such as Veda, Vedanga, Veda Shakhya, and Veda Pratishakhya. etc. Jnyan Vijnyan yoga of Chapter 7 and 'akshara brahma' (The Immutable Brahman) of Ch. 8. clearly state that the attainment to the highest 'brahmn' is very easy easy (sulabha) to an adept who constantly remembers the Lord and adores Him at all times. It is satata dhyan, chintana (thinking with focused attention), manthana (churning), nidhidhyasana are advocated here in order to attain to the highest, param padam. Here it is important to note that the Benevolent Blessed Lord reiterates that not only 'Knowledge' (Jnyan), but a  Knowledge with Experience, vishesha or vishishtha jnyan. Thus, no knowledge is complete with practical experience!

"Param Padam"

  The highest seat, 'param padam' is 'brahmn'. This is also the beginning of the universe! The 'universe' (brahmanda) begins and ends with brahmn. However, it is very difficult to define the concept of universe since it is an everlasting expanding one without a trace of its beginning or end in sight! It is also called 'eternity'. the word 'sanatana' is used to explain this concept. But, it is very clear that everything that one thinks of, or perceives comes within this concept of eternal 'sanatana dharma'. Geometrically speaking, it is the point at the center (focus), as well as, the periphery. It is like the fulcrum and the outer rim of a wheel! No wheel is complete without these two- the center and the periphery of Time and space connected by the spokes of qualities (guna).  

  When we say, 'everything comes within the ambit of this running wheel of Time and Space, it is needless to say that all living beings are also governed by the same set of rules governing the space and time. The beginning of the universe may be traced to the 'Will' of the supreme Lord. 'He Willed' is the Vedic doctrine. The supreme Lord said, "I Am Alone, I Shall Become Many". Lo! there appeared the multitude of diverse universe of all organic and non-organic elements and their compounds. The first to come is the lightest of the gaseous element Hydrogen and then all others like Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon, and other non-metallic and metallic elements ensued! Now, what we see as the biotic formulations of C+H+O creating numerous carbohydrates and hydro carbons form the basis of Energy and Life. L I F E is the Energy aspect, the pranic energy that sustains all living beings. This is nothing but creative Knowledge, Technology, Ability to sustain the creation and Transform objects. In a way, this Light, Intellect, Force and Energy is all that govern the universe!

 Now, once we know the basic structure of this universe  (of Elements and Compounds) it is very important to know about the purpose, the goal of creation.  In a sense, the very purpose of life is 'to know'. The question of attainment is thus answered in clear terms. One who is born human, equipped with power of thinking, ability to know, understand, should realize the true nature of the Self. The Self (Atman) is the core of the substance. It is the essence of all that exist. Hence, the goal of life is to gain 'Atma jnyan'. A person of attainment is thus the person with the knowledge of the Self. In the initial stages, it is essential to have  a realized person as the teacher who may guide in this spiritual path. Later on, one should go on a well defined path of our ancient Rishis taking recourse to study of scriptures, nidhidhyasana, yogabhyasa, and get into higher state of transcendental meditative State and realize brahmn.   

"The Problem"

  If you ask "What is the 'problem'? some say, "No problem, absolutely no problem". Not that they do not have any, but they do not want to discuss in public. Some people go on narrating their problems whether others hear them or not! They want to pour down their problems on others and lighten theirs. They feel happy only when they talk all sorts of their family problems, health and other problems with others! But, little they do realize that not all are their well-wishers and friends and may even make fun of them. 

  There are situations in life when some sudden problems appear and solutions are hard to find. If it is too unbearable, they people ask, 'Why Me?' Really problems occur due to changing conditions in personal life as well as in Nature. It is inherent nature of this world that problems occur every minute from morning to night and day after day. But, people do not realize that all mortals born here, on this earth, called the 'mrutyu loka', have to face some problems or the other in their daily life.  In fact, some problems are self-created! Their greed make them run after sensuous world and they fail to realize the true nature of this fleeting transitional world governed by time and space. The limitations imposed by time and space are not realized by the ordinary people. Only a realized 'Guru' can guide them. 

  There are different types of 'problems' created by different factors or agents. The problems created by changing weather conditions, food scarcity, failure of rains and drought, and natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, etc. may, at first, seem insurmountable. However, these are also effectively managed by disaster management techniques like weather forecasting, quick transport, rehabilitation, etc. But, the most important problems that man creates for himself is by his foolishness. In his eagerness to create more physical wealth, some people prosper by cornering resources, store essential commodities and create scarcity in market, loot and cheat in an organized manner. Even the governments of State and Centre directly or indirectly create problems for the people by several means. Lack of control over inflation, exploitation of common man by unscrupulous elements in market that lead to artificial scarcity, fluctuations in prices, as also, high taxation are some of the problems. However, wherever there are problems there are solutions.

   But, one thing is certain. There are no solutions to problems that people suffer due to their ignorance, folly, and past sins or prarabhda karma. Only God will help, that too, if one ardently prays to Him. 

The Gayatri Mantra

 There is a tradition among the Brahmin and Kshatriya communities to conduct thread ceremony to boys at the age of eight years. This is to initiate the boys to perform tri-kaal Sandhya (Morning, Afternoon and Evening) worship offering arghyam (water to Sun-God), i.e., to pray the Sun-God to activate our inherent intelligence and bestow the power of right thinking and act according to the sanatana dharma, samyak-prajnya (Unity Consciousness). This prayer is said to be the one that all the Gods and Goddesses pray to their most Revered Lord (varenyam), the Star ((Sun, nearest one to us) who is the source of Light, Intelligence, Energy and Force (L I F E). A Star is, indeed, the atomic power generating entity containing all the essential ingredients of the Universe in itself! It(te Neutron-Star) is in fact the beginning and the end of Creation! There are the giant Stars, Dwarfs and the others that are innumerable spread vast in the never-ending Space, the Sky. The astronomers point out that there are Stars (the bright ones) shining at far off distance and the Light rays emanated by them reach us after millions of years! Hence, it is beyond our imagination to get a simplified picture, image, of our Universe!

  Now, there are many epics, Vedic Texts, Upanishads that eulogize the Gods and Goddesses that protect us. The Supreme Lord is said to be Sri hari Narayana. He is the symbolic representation of all that exist here. He is indeed the path of our (nara/ mortals facing rebirth) eternal journey (yaana). These epics and other ancient scriptures depict Shakti (power) in different names and forms! First, it is said that the Supreme Lord was resting on the cool body of  Seven-hooded Adi Shesha in the Ocean of Milk (sudha sagara), symbolic of  elixir, purity, full of vigor, strength, creative power, knowledge and ability to reproduce and transform, etc. etc. 

  Chaturmukha Brahma is portrayed a the symbol of Creative Power and personified as the Creator. He is provided with four faces to look in four directions (in fact, had five faces and the one looking upward was later removed! Brahma is endowed with power of Knowledge (Saraswati), Resources (aishvarya / Lakshmi), Intelligence (Buddhi) ,Mind (Manas), etc. all the Vedic knowledge is attributed to Brahma. It is stated that Brahma created His Manasa- putra (son as an Imageries?) and imparted the Ekayana Veda, that was later divided into four functional divisions as Rk, Yajus, Saman, and the Atharvan. This is the foundation of Hindu Dharma that eternal (Sanatana).

  Thus, all the Gods and Goddesses (Devi Devata) in praise of the supreme Lord Sri Hari Narayana ('ga' meaning 'sing') and pray for activating the power within (the buddhi, the discriminative power) and bestowing the power of right thinking and right action. 

There are four pada (metre) in this mantra. The firs one deals with the vyahruti- Realms of our Existence. These are seven loka- Bhu, Bhuvah, Svar, Mahar, Janah, Tapah, and Sat. The jiva that begins as a mortal can climb up these seven levels and reach the Highest, param padam by Yogic practice in transcendental meditation.

  The Second pada deals with the Gods and Goddesses called 'Savitur' who are the Lords of Elements, the Vedic Gods. Essentially the same Goddess who appears as Sandhya in the evening, is called Nisha in the night and Usha in the morning. She is the Gayatri, Savitri, and the Durga and kali late in the night. These are Space, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Under-world. Some are depicted as the Realms of Holy Men, Divine Beings, and some are the realms of smaller creatures. Bhu (the earth) is the realm of land and water suitable for growth of Vegetation and a source of food for animals (bipeds and quadrupeds), Birds, and fit for human habitation.

  The last quarter,  pada, is one of prayer to activate our 'dhee' or Intelligence so as to live ecofriendly, wisely in cooperation with all other co-inhabitants.

  Thus the Gayatree mantra is a very sacred mantra that protects all those who devotedly pray the Sun-God to bestow His grace. Bhaskara, Vibhakara, Aditya, Suryanarayana, sahasra dyuti kirana, are the other names of the Sun-God. One must pray the Surya-Gayatri as follows:

 Om Adityaya vidhmahe, shasradyutikiranaya dheemahi tanno surya prachodayaatu ||

Om Bhaskaraya vidhmahe, Vibhakaraya dheemahee, tanno surya prachodayaatu ||

'Minus One'

 We are taught basic mathematics with writing and learning multiplications and divisions, addition and subtractions from 1 to 20. Most of us carry on our life with this elementary knowledge without bothering much! However, things are different at higher levels. Statistics also comes as another big problem for those who hate numbers! The author is one such who scraped thru with just passing marks after (dis)grace marks were added at the SSLC level. Disgusted, I dropped the very subject and took to History at the College level, only to face the problem of the Rulers, their dynasty (die nasty?) with years of their regime! Thus, numbers became a big problem! 

  This problem continued up to the Ph. D level where Quantitative Geography with statistical analysis and Factorial Scores had to be calculated and mapped to show the regional disparities (pertaining to the 27 Talukas with 39 Factors) run on an IBM Computer. It is for the first time that such an attempt was made in socio-economic studies in Asia (during 1980). This is how the number game is attached to our destiny!

  Now, coming to this Minus One (-!), its significance was not realized till our Bharat Ratna Former President Sri APJ Abdul Kalam ji. It is this Minus One (-1) that opened up space technology. It deals with Gravity and determine the escape velocity to send the spacecraft into Space. It is not something that our contemporary scientists and mathematicians found out! It is the Vedic doctrine that starts with the mantra-

  purnamdah purnamidam purnasy purnamaadaaya purnamevaavashishyate !    

It is further stated in the Vedic texts that this doctrine is the path of Self-Realization. This turns the spiritual speaker inward by withdrawing the manas, buddhi, ahankara, and the ten sense organs (five jnyanedriya and five karmendriya). Thus, Minus One (-1) takes us inward by discarding all the 25 principle that governs our contact with the external sensuous material world, stated as the illusory one by Sri Shankaracharya. 

 Thus, Minus One is the beginning of the backward journey in Space Time Complex. If Zero (0) is the meeting point of both the forward and backward journey. In fact, every individual has a past and a future. It is all about our past karma (prarabhda) and the coming (Agami) one that binds us to this mortal existence on this mrutyu loka called Planet earth! The only way to break the shackle and get liberated is to begin our mathematics of life from Minus 1.

Four Steps to 'Kaivalya'

 When we enter a temple, we have to cross seven doors before reaching the sanctum sanctorum. So also, there are seven floors in the Gopuram of the temple at the entrance. These are indicative of the steps one has to take to attain to freedom from bondage- kaivalya, muki, moksha or the param padam. When we stop indulging in the worldly affairs that look like the annual fair, jatra, Car festival of rejoice before entering the precincts of the Deity in a temple city, we tune ourselves to a spiritual or divine mode, There are four steps to reach the inner santum sanctorum from the busy streets of the temple. These are first reaching the temple town and go to the temple street. Reaching the temple is like salokya, the realm of the temple zone. Next is sannidhya, reaching the temple. The third realm is that of going near the Lord or Devi, that is sameepya. Finally we reach inner garbha gruha, the kaivalya dhama, and stand in the presence of the Deity. This is sayujya. We feel a sense of satisfaction, spiritual attainment. This by itself a kaivalya.  

'Kaivalya' is said to be the final atainment to the 'Highest', the 'Supreme'. There is nothing beyond this. However, it is not clear as to what is this 'Highest Attainment'. Is this just accumulation of wealth, gaining applauds, power, name and fame? Or,just attaining peace and joy without external support? Probably, it is quite satisfying if one attains peace and joy while living now and here, not after death. We hear people say RIP, Let him/her soul rest in peace! If one is not peaceful while living, how can there be peace after death? Whether one likes it or not, this so called Soul, Atman is not something to rest! It is a dynamic Reactor that is generating an powerful unending 'Energy' without any supply of fuel from outside. But, 'Life is not one of bed of roses all the way'. There are thorns in the rose stick.

  Born as living beings, struggling to fulfill the daily needsof hunger, thirst, and greed, there can never be peace and joy, all the time. Joy and peace become a mirage in a life full of needs, never ending desire, and much worse, each sense organ (there are ten of them), craving for (tens of thousands) gratifications. The tendency of these sense organs is always to look out for their fulfillment. They feel disgusted when they fail to get what they want. The sense organs are ignorant. They cannot think on their own. They all depend on the whimsical Mind (manas) which is not Intelligent and discriminatory by itself. Unless the Mind is guided by the discriminative intelligence, buddhi, it is difficult to have peace and joy.

 The Mind is the culprit. This unintelligent, rather foolish, whimsical, ignorant, mind is the cause of all misery. It is impossible to control and guide the five sense organs (jnyanendriya) which are always out-going. Only a stern master who has determination and mastery in the techniques of Mind-Control can fix it! There is mano laya yoga, mano nasha technique. It is so simple, but difficult to practice. The technique of mind ontrol is simple; just observe the childish Mind it keeps quiet! It is just like a stern look at the pet dog that is wagging its tail all the time. Just give a stern look, it stops wagging its tail! 

 The yogic practice of just observing the mischievous mind, uncontrolled and misguided, due to ignorance, calls for a rigid practice of yoga, samyama. First, one should realize the illusory nature of this sensuous world and, then discard passion and love for pleasure of the senses. Renunciation, Sage Vasishtha imparts laya yoga to Sri Ramachandra. He advices Sri Ramachandra to be impassionate, avoid any indulgences, and be equanimous.   

  On should know that life is an endless journey, getting in and out at every station. Birth and death is the shackle, a chain; however, there are some weak links that can get us released! One should find such weak links and cut it and get out of bondage. The conquest of the senses through techniques of 'Mind Control' is the cutting player that can easily cut the chain. So, meditate on brahmn. Meditation is the only cure for the distressed minds.

 Thus, one can gain happiness, joy and peace, here while living, and that is kaivalya. Kaivalya is not something to attain going somewhere (in the Himalayas) and, not even very difficult to attain! 

 The principle is "Just Keep Quiet (JKQ)".  This will help win the mad mad race. So I J K Q.

'LIFE'

  'What is Life?' Everyday we talk about life. Life is prana shakti (Life-force). It is chaitanya, Consciousness, prajnya and a creative energy. It enables movement, growth, and reproduction. It is a divine force, daivi shakti. It is He, the Lord, Who Creates and Enters into it as 'Prana', Life-Force. However, it is also true that He is everywhere, even in inorganic matter, since there is nothing called void, or vacuum. Everything is filled with Him. "He created and entered into it"-  'tad srushtva tat eva anuprvishat' is the doctrine. In fact, "He only Exists, and nothing besides Him". He, the Lord, has entered into all that exists- living and non-living! He entered into creatures and is seated in their heart! In this sense of the term, "all creatures are divine"! One must realize this divinity and respect all.

  It is interesting to note how our lives are shaped over a period of time from birth to death. Much of our traits, conduct, behavior, depends on many a intricate factors. Some are carry-over of the past lives as prarabhda karma. Some are earned over time in this life, sanchita. These also create one for the next life as agami. One must be careful and eradicate all that accumulates over time as sanchita karma and be flawless, pure, and try to attain the divine state. This requires an attained person as a good guide, teacher. It is hard to find one in our midst since we are all suffering from basic problems of hunger, thirst, eager to enjoy sensuous life in a material world with the help of the sense organs which are prone to out-going in search of endless desires and dreams! Hence one should look for a renunciate, a selfless teacher, and serve him in order to please him and get his blessings. Such a renunciate one is hard to find since he is not interested in worldly pursuits. He mostly lives alone in the forest, a secluded place like a hill-top! We must give up our indulgences in the worldly life and look for such a guruji.

 What governs our lves? A number of important factors, some unknown and some intricate ones, govern our lives.  This is very important since an understanding of this will help attain to the highest. important.  In the first place, we all carry a heavy baggage brought from the accumulated karma of past several lives. Second, we go on accumulating karmaphala much more in this life and get entangled. Thus, there accumulates a balance to our credit and, we need to clear all these bank accounts of credits and debits, first. This life is one of a Bank and the account starts with a, opening balance of credit as soon as we are born. We come with an Opening Balance and die with a Closing Balance! If we have loan or Term Deposit Account to our credit, we have to attend to the call of the Bank. One cannot be free unless all accounts are closed, once and for all. In fact, we must be free from all credit and debit accounts of our lives, past and present, in order to get rid of this bondage. We should clear all our past dues in this life, but it is very difficult to do this since we do not know what is carried over from the past life and what is there at present in our account! But, it is sure that we suffer or enjoy due to this! Moreover, we go on accumulating credits and debits to our account, year after year. Thus, the prarabhda should be taken care of first. Next, we should be careful not to accumulate any in the present life.

  Our lives are governed by many unknown factors. Hence we must pray Lord Almighty to enlighten us as to why we are born on this transient death-knell, mrutyu loka, taking repeated births and deaths as results of  actions, karma phala. We are lucky if we come with the Good Will , blessings of elders and parents, teachers, and divine grace. It is very important that one should be lucky, since luck plays a large part of life in addition to divine grace, bhagavad anugraha.

  Let's pray Lord Almighty to get His blessings to attain mukti, moksha, freedom and liberty so as not to take birth again here on this earth. We must always remember that we are brilliant shining stars at our heart and soul, but it is covered by a thick stain of desire, greed, and ignorance. Once we take birth here, it is karma phala that dictate our fate and cause rebirths and death! "Samsare bahu duhkha sare, paahi Murare, krupaya sare, Govindam bahaja Govindam. Also, they said, "punarapi jananam, punarapi maranam, punarapi shayane janani jatharam, Govindam bhaja Govindam, Govindam bhaja moodhamate!" said the Learned ones.

  We must always pray the Lord for His divya anugraha, divine grace.  

"Am I Real"?

 It's all about existence, that seems to be real, but not so in reality. Do I, as a mortal, really exist? This question may seem, at the outset absurd, a silly question. But the wise ones, jnyanis, ask us to think. They say, 'Self inquiry', Atma Chintan, is necessary for everyone. Having born in human form with capacity to think, self inquiry, is necessary. In fact, this self inquiry will lead to 'Realization of the Self, (Atma sakshatkara). The goal of life is said to be ' Self Realization'.  This is said to be 'mukti', 'moksha'.  When a person realizes the transitional, transcendental, or  an ever-changing nature of this world, it becomes clear how everything here is subject to change with time. Time rules the roost. Time erases, devours, eats everything! 'Kaalo'smi', "I Am kaal", says the Lord. He asserts  'I create, sustain, and devour everything'! Thus, whatever is subject to change, not permanent, and whatever is limited and bound by Time is illusory, not real. Whatever is transitional, transient, subject to uncertainties, is unreal. It may be a just imagination, a fiction, of momentary importnce. Hence its is untruth (asat).   In this sense of argumnt, everything on this earth, including the living beings are just a passing show, a leela of the Lord! Giving too much importance to either words of promise or even relations that appear thick and fast, may not last long. The so called blood relations are not realtions unless they relate to each other! We often rejoice that we have become some one, say a maternal or paternal uncle when  child is born to ones sister or brother, even though living thousands of miles/KM away! 

  Thus, any over-indulgences, emotional attachments may lead to disappointments, unhappiness and misery. 

  

'Pranapratishtha'

 God created man and Man created Gods is the adage. It is not strange that Gods descended at the end of every eon, yuga to restore dharma. Sri Rama and Sri Krishna are the avatara purushas who are deified and worshiped even today. Rama from Ayodhya and Krishna from Mathura, besides Devi Kamakhya in Assam, are examples. Since divinity is inherent in all jivas, anybody can rise to Godhood. It is common practice to pay obeisance, respect to parents, elders, guests as Gods!  Many Gods are thus said to be born in Bharata. 

 Idol worship is common in Southern States of India/Bharata. Huge impressive temples with Gopuram (seven floor levels) are built by Kings and rich landlords, or even common pious people who collect donations and help build temples. Idols of Gods and Goddesses are carved and installed with sacred mantra of consecration in these temples. Consecration or pranapratishthapana is a common practice before istalling idols and worshiping them. This is just touching ones own hand on the chest as also on the chest of the idol and chant the sacred mantra, thereby, the prana /life-force (vibrating heart-beat) is reverberated and the idol is consecrated, as if, turning the idol into a living God! 

 Instead of worship of the idol, shalagrama worship is found in many northern and eastern parts of Bharata Khanda (Indian Sub-continent). Huge impressive Temples with seven storey Gopuram are constructed and beautiful idols of Radha and Krishna, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana Bharata, Shatrughna, and Hanuman, Lakshmi Devi, Sharada Devi, Annapurneshvari Devi, and many others are found through out the country. We have famous temples like Belur and Halebid, Somanathapura known for architectural excellence with carvings on pillars and the deity Chennakeshava. Tirumala Tirupati Venkateshwara, Thiruvananthapuram Ananthapadmanabha Swamy, Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi, Badami Banashankari, etc. are important pilgrim centres. The temple towns like Somanatha, Dwarka, Mathura, Varanasi, Ayodhya, are only a few to mention. The list goes on, and on.

 Entire India/Bharata Khanda is traversed by Gods and Goddesses and people have made their idols and worship them. We have the Sri Ram Temple in Chunchankatte  (25 Km from Mysore) where He is said to have resided during exile!, There are Sculptors who get darshan and carve out idols from memory.  Karnataka is said to be the laboratory, workshop, with specialists-sculptors. Jakkanachari has sculptured the idols of Vishnu in Belur and Halebid temples. Thus, we have knowledge and technology of temple construction on scientific and agama shastra rules and regulations. These are dated back to thousands of years and an example is that of a Vishnu temple at Halsi, near Belagavi constructed during the Kadamba dynasty with a stone inscription inside the temple. There is thus a long history of Temple architecture and their sculptors (who have presented us the Belur, Halebid, Airhole, Pattadakal, etc.).

 What is 'Pranapratishtha'? whey, where and how is it done? These are questions that are to be answered by specialists who are well-versed in agama shastra, Veda and Upanishads. We have the Pancharatra agama shastra as the basis of all yantra, mantra, tantra and ways of propitiation of Gods. Some people practice worship of selected Gods and perform yajnya yaga, havan, homa, and other rituals to attain siddhi and use that power for welfare of common people. There are  good, as well as, evil forces, for both welfare and destructive purposes! Society is full of good, as well as, wicked people, who exploit the innocent for their own material benefits. People in distress look for guidance and may fall in trap! Hence some one should guard them and help them. 

  Now, coming to temples, idol worship, and consecration of idols (Pranaprat08ishthapana), there are ancient scriptures that give detailed methods, vidhi, vidhana. However, it should be noted that, this is restricted to only a section of the people who worship idols. Not all are idol-worshipers. May be, it is the Dravidians of Southern India who practice this? There are thousand of temples with varieties of idols of many a different Gods and Goddesses all over the South, i.e, south of Rivers Narmada and Tapti.

   The practice of worship of shalagrama (Basalt/Black Stones) stones found in the Gandaki River. We find some persons selling these stones at exorbitant prices in Star hotels, fooling mostly the innocent tourists! These shalagrama stones are having holes with imprints of molluscs, snails, and jelly-fish-like creatures. They call it by names like Narasimha shalagrama, Vishnu Shalagrama, etc. and worship them. it is also warned here that shalagrama puja has many restrictions. at least, a spoonful of clean water and a Tulsi / basal leaf should be offered daily with utmost sanctity. Also, it is said that not all shalagrama are benevolent; it is thus subject to conditions as advised by pundits.  

Sita Rama

  'Sita Ram'' is the name of Shri Rama after his marriage with Sita. So, Ram Lalla is the boy. His idol is carved out in shalagrama shila (found in the R. Gandaki) and now being installed in the Ayodhya temple on 22nd January. It is that of the boy who had his studies under the great Sages Vasishtha and Vishvamitra. Thus, Sri Ramachandra returns to Ayodhya after his Gurukula studies to the Palace of Dasharatha, in a way! This is Ram lalla's return to Ayodhya. The second return to Ayodhya is that of Vijayotsav (Vijaya Dashami day of dassuerha) after victory over King Ravana. Sita and Rama return to Ayodhya from Lanka. 

  Why Shree Rama is worshiped as God? Shree Rama comes as the Seventh incarnation of Vishnu in treta yuga. But, so far, seven satya,  treta, dva para have passed and the seventh kali yuga is running. The first one is that of the Sun God called Vivasvan and the seventh is vaivasvata manvantara. Seventh manvantara is coming to close with the present kali yuga  in which we are living! There are seven more manvantaras to come with seven more satya, treta, dva para and kali are to come.

  As regards, Shree Rama as God, we have a notion of avatara or esecnt of God in bany form on earth, as 'He Willed! Divinity is inherent in all jivas. Thus, it is no wonder  Godhood comes to any lucky one in any form! Thus, a child born to Kaushalya is deified during treta yuga and we all worship Him as God- incarnate. Divine Incarnation is not new to Hindu mythology. In a way, anybody cane become God since divinity is already inherent in a jiva and it finds expression at appropriate time! That is why the HIndus worship all forms life like animals, plants and trees (such as Cow, Banyan Tree, Tulsi plant and even snakes)! A devout Hindu seeks, recognises, identfies, and visualises the divine form in all that he/she sees! God resides in all and the Vedic texts affirms- "tat srushtva tat eva anupravishat". This means, "Having created, He only entered into it". 

It is reiterated here that, in human beings, the Lord entered the body through the brahma randhra, a hole on the head; it was soft at the time of birth and later on covered by bones,became hard. Thus, the Lord entered the jivas and is seated in the soul (heart?) of all creatures! That is why it is called 'Hari- dayaa', the abode of Sri Hari (Hridaya). 

 Now, this is how the child born to Kaushalya, Ramachandra, is deified! Ramachandra is considered the Seventh avatara of Vishnu, a divine incarnation. Vishnu appeaered as the son of Dahsharatha as a result of the boon given by Fire God, Agni deva after the putrakameshti yajnya he conducted on the advise of the sages..

  Now, about Sita, daughter of King Janaka of Janakapri in Nepal is a different story. Janaka maharaja arranged a svayamvara to select the suitable husband for his daughter Sita. Along with many other kings, Shree Rama also attended the svayamvara.The contest was to break the bow given by Lord Shiva and the valor was judged. Whoever wins the contest will be eligible to marry Rajakumari Sita. Shree Ram attended the svayamvara and succefully broke the shiva dhanus and married Sita. However, as the story goes, King Ravana from Lanka was also there at the svayamvara. He was rich and famous! He was full of ego. He was so proud that he was not looking down at the pedestal while entering the hall. He was about to fall down and all those ladies in the Ladies' Gallery looking at this laughed loud and ths angered him. Amongst the girls was Sita, too, was there. This enraged Ravana who looked at Sita laughing and he decided to carry away her even if she is married!!

   Thus, this story tells us how this episode led to carrying away Sita in disguise. All these stories are told to us during our childhood (for me 80 yers ago!)! What is the real story, history, or the accounts of treta yuga account of Ramayana? Who will tell us? Treta yuga may be just 7500 years ago, if not the story of several millions of years of eons of Yuga ago! For us, it may also be an account of ancient history or/ and one archaeological discovery?

  There is so far no account of research done are established history and archeology or accounts based on research like stone-carvings or inscriptions. We are still looking for some proof about Mahabharata war. A reserach team went to Hastinapura which is just a hundred kilometers away from Delhi. To their surprise they found nothing! When the asked a passer-by, he pointed to five stone pillars and said these are the Pandavas who turned into stone after the dvapara yuga ended! What about the Kauravas? Probably, they all are reduced to ash! That's all! 

 Besides all these, today, we are proud to witness the consecration of the Idol of Sri Ram, sculptured at Mysore by a young MBA Graduate of the family of famous sculptors living in the lane opposite the Palace Office called '. He belongs to the famous family of sculptors living in ane karoti. 'Ane karoti' is the lane where the royal elephants are kept. This idol sculptored by the Mysuru boy is selected as the ideal one for consecration at the GarbhaGruha (sanctum sanctoram). This idol of Sri Ram lalla is the most beautiful one selected out of the three submitted!

  However, it is interesting to know that Koppal near Hospet was a grand Capital city during the Treta yuga and Anajanadr where Hanuman is born is close-by. Even the place of Jambavanta is traced to Jamboti near Belagavi. Sri Ram traversed the entire Bharata, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia and his glory spread all over Asia! He actually traversed in Karnata, particularly near about Mysuru. Sita resided near the present Sri Ram Temple at Chunchankatte, near Krishnaraja Nagara, Mysoru. one should visit this place and experience some mysterious things!  

  The real story of Sita Ram is yet to come! There are the spiritual adhyatmic versions besides historical or mythological ones. Who is Sri Ram? Where was he born? Is he a human or God-incarnate Vishnu? Who is King Dasharatha? Where exactly is Ayodhya? Some scholars say that Ramayana took place in Egypt and ocate it at the mouth of R. Nile. What is the date of his regime as a king? Who is Sita? Who is Janaka Maharaja, his dynasty, and where is his palace in Nepal, etc. etc. Thee are all questions of historcal and archaeological research, if not mythology. Anothr question is whether there are any good students interested in this research? Is there any Foundation to fund the research? Has the ICHR or the ICSSR taken any initiative and done any effort in this direction? All these are important questions. We all know stories told in our Saturday extra classes reserved for story telling in primary schools! Beyond this, we are clueless!

"Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jai Jai Ram"

 "Sri Ram" is not an ordinary word! It means something more than what is described by Sage Valmiki in the great epic Ramayana. It has mythological, as well as ancient historical, background. It is actually a history of the Treta Yuga! It is well known that God descends to Earth to restore dharma whenever people become unruly, selfish and disregard the dharmic way of life! This is told in the Gita by none other than the Lord Sri Krishna. So, Ramachandra appeared as an incarnation of Vishnu, as the son of King Dasharatha in Ayodhya at the end of treta yuga. In fact, King Dasharatha was performing daily puja of Lord Rama since he belonged to Ikshvaku dynasty. So, he gave the name of Ramachandra to his child! Thus, 'Sri Ram' is actually the Sun God Vivasvan, an incarnation of Vishnu. He appeared as an avatara (incarnation) in the form of a blessed child in the family of King of ayodhya.  

   The meaning and purport of the term 'Ram' is very  sacred and a secret, as well. Let us remember the ancient history of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya Kingdom. King Dasharatha had Kaushalya, Soumitra, and Kaikeyi as maharani, the Royal Queens. Ramachandra and his brothers were born after the putrakameshti yajnya conducted on the advise of Sage Vsishtha. It is stated that Agni Deva (Fire God) gave havis (rice with sweetened milk) to the King asking him to give it to his wives. Queen Kaushalya gave birth to Ramachandra, Queen Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata and Queen Sumitra gave birth to Lakshmana and Shatrughna. 

  It is common understanding that Kikeyi was interested in her son becoming the king and aked the King to send Rama on exile, It is not to put her son Bharata on the throne, but to enable Rama to see the countryside and learn about the conditions prevailing at that time! Actually, Kaikeyi was very fond of the beautiful child Ramachandra, and seems to be intuitionally aware of divine incarnation! She was in charge of the household as Kaushalya was busy in the management of the Palace and looking after the guests. Sages who visited the palace had a notion that the child Ramachandra is the Seventh Incarnation (avatara) of Lord Vishnu. The Court astrologer told the King Dasharatha that Ramachandra, the first-born, is a divine incarnation and would rule the entire world, not just Ayodhya!

  Kaikeyi loved Rama so much that she wanted this young boy to travel icognito and study the life of people before taking up the responsibility as a king. So she planned the exile! It is not the greed to put her son on the throne but to enable Ramachandra to be a perfect ruer! She was fond of Rama as a child and knew the divine incarnation, as it were! Part of the credit to Rama's name and fame goes to her!

 King Dasharatha ws sad and died soon after Rama left Ayodhya. Ramachandra was not present at the time of death of King Dasharatha and he was found performng the last rites of Jatayu! Lakshmana had to look after the Kingdom as the King, when Rama was exiled. But he was so sad and forlorn that he refused to accept the offer and left to forest with his brother. Thus, Bharata came to be the reluctant King. He too was sad and he accepted to rule the Kingdom on behalf of his eldest brother, keeping the paduka (of Ramachandra) on the throne.

  Birth of Ram is narrated in Valmiki Ramayana. Many others have written Ramayana in their own way! Valmiki Ramayana narrates that Dasharatha conducted many rituals, yajnya, yaga, havan and homa on the advise of sages saints and sadhus. Sage Vasishtha advised putrakameshti yajnya. Thus, the Gods were happy and blessed the King and Ramachandra was born. Ramayana (Bala Kanda) gives the date of birth of Ramachandra. He was born under mithuna rashi (Gemini) and punarvasu nakshatra. (navami shukla paksha of chaitra masa) on January 10, 5114 BCE.

  'Rama Rajya' is a beautiful concept. It is one of equity and justice. It is one of dharma. The extent of the rule of Rama was so wide and known so well starting from Ramses in Western Eurasia to 'Rama' in Thailand. It is even today a model, an ideology, a gospel to emulate!

(...to be contd.)