SANSKRIT

MadanMohan Tarun

India is the product of Sanskrit language. There would have been something else than what we know as India today, if Sanskrit was not there. India is the creation of Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Shankracharya and those who have covered various other fields of knowledge related to the sky, earth and boundless powers of mind as yoga. They are all great and unparallel products of Sanskrit language.

The world, which has already passed through a great civilization with various inventions in the various aspects of knowledge, is obliged to the Sanskrit language which covers a major part of its contribution to the whole humanity.

It is sad that our new generation is not only deprived of such great achievements of our great ancestors, but they are being misguided by repeatedly conveyed that Sanskrit is a dead language.

They must know that Sanskrit is the most living language even today and it still controls the Indian mind through its great traditions and work it has produced.

It still caries richest treasure of knowledge and technique which is capable to open the unknown fields of matter and mind.

Nar-Simhaa -vataar

NAR-SIMHAA -VATAAR

MadanMohan Tarun

Let preachers talk anything high about humanity, religions, and gods or so on. Remember, we are all animals first. Don’t feel bad about it, we need to carry our animal always within us, otherwise we may not survive.

Even preachers have their different communities and they keep biting each-other cleverly to establish their superiority over others. This brings them more following and money.

Love , if you love someone up to your content ,but never fail to make him know his limits, if he tries to gulp you up, slave you down and does not care your head on your neck.

Never sacrifice your individuality at any cost.

We all are Nar-Simhaa -vataar, combination of half a man and half a lion. Those who miss any aspect of it cannot survive in this cruel and barbaric, but, well-dressed world.

Prahlaad : A Genuine Rebel

Prahlaad, A Genuine Rebel

MadanMohan Tarun

As a son or daughter of anybody, I was not given a choice to choose my parents.

If I am born in a particular family, which follows a particular faith or religion or a way of life, cannot be a compulsion for me also, only by virtue of being a son or daughter of anybody of that family, to follow the same way of life what they do.

I, as an in-dividual, must be free to follow my own mind as my own way of life.

If traditions don’t satisfy me , if  I feel  suffocated ; if I feel deprived from the open sky to fly freely; if I feel far from my own self, I think, I should have every right either to choose path of my own choice or  to create  the new one .

Hiranyakashaypu imposed himself as the only god to be followed by everybody in his territory. Nobody was allowed to think or behave freely against his choice. He made it sure that only his image is worshiped in all temples. He killed them all who dared to oppose him.

But Prahlaad, his son, chose to follow Vishnu, rejecting his father Hiranyakashyapu as a god. He was not ready to accept someone as god, who was so cruel and whimsical in his approach to administration as a king.

Hirayakashyapu made life of Prahlaad impossible. He had to walk on the paths of fire, but he never compromised and finally won his way of life and ended the rule of imposition of physical whims on freedom of mind and its application.

The Elephant On The Mouse

The Elephant On The Mouse

Madanmohan Tarun

When Ganesha, the elephant headed son of Sihva and Parvati, started for a round of the universe on his humble mouse, as a challenge, imposed by his parents, people were sure of his defeat in comparison to his elder brother Kartikeya, who had to perform this round on his peacock.

Kartikeya had nothing to think. The speed of a peacock had no comparison with a mouse ,his brother used for riding. He was sure of his victory. He took this challenge comfortably.

Ganesha always enjoyed taking challenges. He was ocean of intellect.

Before starting for taking the round of the universe, he sat closing his eyes under a huge banyan tree. His rat sat closer to him. It could read his mind. He was a part of his soul. He was a bit worried, but knew that his master will certainly come out with some way out.

Ganesha visualized the whole universe under his closed eyes. He saw trees, mountains, fountains, rivers, ocean all as a combined product of the earth, the sky, sun, moon, clouds, days and nights and all visible and invisible elements of this creation which makes this universe as a whole. And presently they all reflected within him with their full details. This was the brahmand in pind.

A brilliant question flashed in his mind. Whose product is he? Of his parents. They are his creators. They are his brahmand.

This solved his problem. He ran his palm on the back his mouse with affection. The mouse realized the meaning of his touch. He was ready to carry his master on some unique journey. Ganesha told something in the ear of his mouse and sat on him. He went near his parents. Folded his palms, bowed his head and started having a parikramaa, taking a round on is parents riding on his mouse. He made five parikramaas of his parents. People thought he is doing this for the good will of his parents before leaving for the round of the universe.

After some time Kartikeya arrived after completing his round of the universe, but the Ganesha was yet to start, people thought.

Shiva asked -‘what happened, Ganesha! You did not go for a round?’

‘I have already completed my round of the universe five times.’

Shiva and Parvati gave a questioning look at him.

Ganesha explained the theory of Brahmaand in pind.

Everything is complete in itself. Everything is a complete brahmaand in itself.

If the complete is taken out of the complete, only the complete remains.

He made parikramaa of his parents, his creators.  The creation moved around the creator. The creation is not different from the creation as a whole. His parents are not different from him or from the whole creation around. He moved around the pind, the unit, which is the whole brahmaand in itself.

This explanation silenced everybody.

Ganesha was the winner.

His mouse was now playing in his lap.

RamaayaN by Valmiki -32 The Ultimate Journey

RamaayaN by Valmiki 32

MadanMohan Tarun

The ultimate journey: Na bhooto, Na bhavishyati

One day kaal, the death, came to meet Ram. He requested Laxman to seek his permission.

Laxman informed Ram about him. Ram asked Laxman to send him in. While meeting Ram the death told him that no one should come here while they were talking. Ram asked Laxman to ensure the same. The death told Ram that he has brought a message from Brahma for him. He has said that Ram has stayed on the earth for sufficient period of time. He has almost corrected everything and has regularized the system effectively there. Now we need him here. In case he wishes to come back, we shall be very happy.’ Ram assured death that he will take some decision soon.

In the mean time, while Ram was talking to the death, rishi Durvaasa came and asked Laxman to inform Ram that he wanted to meet him immediately. Laxman humbly told him to wait for some time .Durvaasa became angry and told him that he will curse all if he did not inform Ram without any delay.  Laxman thought it better to face the repercussion of breaking rule himself by meeting Ram than to make everybody suffer. Laxman went inside while Ram was still talking to death. Laxman informed him about the arrival of rishi Durvaasa and his desire to meet him. Knowing this, the death left immediately. Ram called Durvaasa in. After Durvaasa returned back, Laxman went to Ram and requested him to punish him with death as per his ruling. This shocked Ram badly.

Ram called a meeting of all and announced that Laxman has to leave them all forever as he has broken a ruling given by him. Nobody dared to say anything against Ram. Laxman left immediately to the bank of river Sarayu. He sat on the bank in samaadhi mudra, restrained all his senses, held his breathe and disappeared from all earthly eyes.

Ram lost his peace and felt it impossible to live without Laxman.

He sent a messenger to call Shatrughna. Shatrughna crowned his son Subaahu as king of madhura and Shatrughaati as king of vidisha and left for Ayodhya.

Ram called a meeting of all who were present in Ayodhya. He declared that he will now leave the earth for his further journey. The kingdom of Ayodhya will be cared by Bharat as the king of Ayodhya. Bharat started weeping like a child before him and did not agree to leave Ram, so was the Shatrughna.

All residents of Ayodhya declined to stay there without him. Finally Ram agreed to take them all on his ultimate journey.

He announced that Hanuman will never die. He will always be on the earth and help the needy.

He asked Vibhishan to be in Lanka forever. Jamvant, Dwivid and Mayand will live till the incarnation of Lord Krishna.

With these words, Ram stopped all his communication. He started moving towards river Sarayu.

He was followed by thousands and thousands of men and women.

He was followed by thousands and thousands of colorful birds.

He was followed by thousands and thousands of animals.

He was followed by thousands and thousands of monkeys, bears and apes who had participated in the great war of Lanka.

He was followed by great Sugreeva.

He was followed by glorious Bharat and Shatrughna, his two brothers.

They all were silent and were in very high state of mind.

Now all were moving in the water of sarayu.

The water of Saryu was increasing with their every further step.

Now only their heads were seen…

Now... now …they all submerged in to the deep water of Sarayu and disappeared…

It was now only water and water and water seen everywhere...nothing else.

The pious river Sarayu was flowing with extraordinary glitter.

The wind was blowing silently …

And the trees and mountains around were thinking why they could not follow them…

(Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki 31 Ram-Rajy

RamaayN by Valmiki 31

MadanMohan Tarun

Ram – Rajya

Ram led a lonely and painful life.

He was a man of principles. He never accepted or implemented anything less than hundred percent.

He was a ruthless king.

He cared happy, healthy, rich, principled and trouble free life for the people of his kingdom.

Men, women, and children all enjoyed equal rights there. Even animals had right to go to the king and complain if any injustice was done to them. They were heard by the king with equal attention as human beings and culprits were punished accordingly.

People followed Varnashram dharma. If anybody failed to do so, he\she was ruthlessly dealt with.

Nobody dared to commit theft or anything which lowered high standards of morality fixed by the king.

He led value – oriented kingdom with respect to the great traditions, his ancestors followed.

Ram had distributed his large kingdom into various parts for better administration.

Two mighty and noble sons of Bharat, Taksha and Pushkal were the kings of Takshshila and Pushkalvati. 

Two sons of Laxman, Angad and Chandraketu ruled Karupath and Chandrakanta independently.

Shatrughna and his sons looked after Madhupuri and other states.

They were independent to take decisions and implement them for the betterment of living standard of their people and to maintain law and order, but they all were answerable to Ram if situation demanded.

Kush ruled south Kosal and Lava, north Kosal.

Ram-rajya was the symbol of high value system oriented kingdom.

It was rich, happy, healthy and evil free.

Ram was more a caring father than the king of his people.

However, there are a few actions of Ram for which he was criticized.

He killed Shambuk, ruthlessly, only because he was a shudra and was performing penance to achieve divinity and to go to heaven physically.

The way he treated Sita, was never approved by people.

(Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki -30 O mother earth! give me some place

RamaayaN by Valmiki 30

MadanMohan Tarun

‘O mother earth! Give me some place’

Kush and lava presented Ramaayan for many days in their melodious voice.

Ram finally came to know from the story of RamaayaN that these two boys are none other than sons of Sita.

He disused his heart with his brothers and told them ‘if Sita comes back here and declares her chastity in the presence of all, I will accept her back.’

He sent his messenger to Valmiki with the same proposal.

Valmiki assured his messenger that Sita will do the same in the presence of all.

Messenger conveyed word –by- word to Ram what Valmiki had said...

Ram requested all his invitees to be present when Sita takes oath and declares her purity.

The next day was fixed for the same.

Night passed and the morning arrived.

Ram came to his ygyashaalaa and called all invitees there to assemble.

Great rishis like Vashistha, Vaamdeo, Javaali, Vishwamitra, Deerghatama, Durvasa, Pulastya, Bhargava, Chyavan, Bharadwas, Narad ,Gautam,Agastya and many other assembled there. Apart from them great monkeys, members from Rakshasas all attended the gathering  with great curiosity.

After a while Sita came there following Valmiki.

Her head was down and her eyes were shedding tears continuously.

Her presence turned all sitting or standing there into the images of stone, their eyes fixed on the stage where Sita was standing. Their eyelids forgot   movement.

 Valmiki came forward and announced –

‘Sita is spotless. No sin can dare to touch her.’

 Sita went at the core of the stage, looked at the earth, folded her palms and prayed –

‘O mother earth! Give me place in your laps, if I am pure.’

These words of Sita created an unbelievable scene there. The earth cracked with thunderous sound. Sita moved step- by -step and entered into the crack as someone enters into her house comfortably. As she went inside the crack, the earth became as normal as it was ever before. It appeared as if nothing has happened there. Now there was no Sita seen anywhere! She remained only as a part of memory of those who had seen her present before a few minutes earlier there.  They could not believe that such an unbelievable thing has taken place there. They could not convince themselves that Sita ever came to this place and entered into the earth!

Ram was standing alone among the people, shocked…

It was only dead silence which prevailed everywhere …nothing else…

 (Inspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki - 29 Who these two boys are !

RamaayaN by Valmiki 29

MadanMohan Tarun

‘Who these two boys are!’

Shatrughna reached to Madhupuri. He enquired about Lavanaasur. He was out in jungle. Shatrughna had prepared a strategy to kill him. He waited at the door of his house till he returned back. After returning back from jungle, Lavnaasur tried to enter into his house to get the famous trident, but Shatughna did not give him any chance to do so. He killed him on his own door in a memorable fight.

Killing of Lavanaasur brought great name and fame to Shatrughna. He went so busy in organising his kingdom in Madhupuri that he could not return to Ayodhya for more than twelve years. He gave peaceful, happy, healthy and safe administration to his people. He left for Ayodhya when Ram was performing Ashwamaidha yagya.

Shatrughna spent one night at Valmiki’s ashram on the way to Ayodhya. At night he heard melodious voice of two boys who were singing Ram-katha and playing musical instrument. Valmiki told him that those two boys were Kusha and Lava. Shatrughna met Sita before leaving for Ayodhya and paid respect to her.

Shatrughna did not say anything about Sita or about her two sons to Ram, thinking that it may be painful to him. Shatrughna left Ayodhya within seven days or Madhupuri.

Ram led a lonely life. He never disclosed his heart before others but his brothers knew that he was never comfortable after he sent Sita to the jungle.

All the famous kings, scholars, Brahmins, Rishis, Vibhishan, Hanuman, and Sugreeva with his whole army were invited to take part in this yagya. They all came and were welcomed with great respect by Ram and his mighty brothers.

Idol gold of Sita was made for the performance of the rituals in yagya.

Valmki sent Kusha and Lava to Ayodhya to perform 20 cantos of his RamaayaN. That two, twelve year old boys became attraction to all in whole Ayodhya. People were surprised to see them both who resembled exactly like Ram.

Kush and lava performed RamayaN in their melodious voice before well known kings invited there, experts on various subjects, proficient in knowledge of words, who were well versed in music, knower of relation between the syllables, those who were well versed in astrology, knower of rituals, logicians, and best among  the knower of Vedas. Puranas and Brahmins. Knower of chitra kavya and experts in vocal music and all types of dances. Nothing was a mystery for them.

Kush and Lava were instructed by the poet to perform twenty cantos daily. today was the first day of  their performance .

Before presenting 20 cantos from Ramayan in their melodious voice with playing their instrumental music, Kusha introduced Ramayan by his guru Valmiki before the experts on various subjects sitting there -

‘This great epic is creation of venerable sage Valmiki. This has twenty thousand slokas and hundred legends. It has five hundred cantos and six kandas (parts). Presently he is working on its seventh kand titled as ‘Uttarkand’.’

Kusha and Lava enchanted all by their faultless high class performance.

Ram himself was so much impressed that he asked his brother Bharat to award those two unique boys with eighteen thousand gold coins and whatever else they wanted.  But both of them denied to accept the gift, respectfully, and said -‘we live in jungle and have been brought up there. Our needs are limited. We eat only fruits and roots of trees.’

Those two boys made Ram restless. It never had happened before. He wanted to know ‘who these boys are!’

            ( Ibspired by Valmiki)

RamaayaN by Valmiki 28 Birth of Kusha and Lava

RamaayaN by Valmiki  28

MadanMohan Tarun

Birth of Kusha and Lava

When children of Rishis, staying with Valmiki, went to play on the bank of Ganga, saw a lonely woman sitting and weeping continuously on the sand of Ganga. Some of them went running to Valmiki and told him what they had seen. The Rishi immediately left his hermitage and came near the place, where the woman was sitting and crying with painfully and helplessly without any stop. Rishi could realize at the first glance that the lady before him was not an ordinary woman. She looked like flames of fire surrounded by smoke. Rishi introduced himself to her and asked who was she? Knowing that the rishi was none other than famous Valmiki, whose name she had heard several times with respect from her father in-law Dashrath, Sita told him everything what had happened to her. Rishi could mark that she was pregnant. He addressed Sita as daughter and requested her to stay in the hermitage with the wives of other rishis who live there as women hermits. They will take full care of her. Sita agreed to his words and joined other women- hermits and started leading a life of hermit there. Women hermits took full care of Sita as their daughter.
Rishis living on the bank of Yamuna River complained to Ram about the atrocities committed on them by Lavanaasur, the son of famous Madhu, brother of Kaitabha, who were finally killed by lord Vishnu. They told him that Lavnaasur, who rules Madhupuri and areas around, has made their life impossible there. He eats away huge number of men, women, lions, tigers and other animals daily. Rishis requested Ram to give them protection from the atrocities of Lavanaasur. Ram was aware of Lavnaasur, his strength and weaknesses. He collected all necessary details about him from rishis and assured them that they will be free from Lavanaasur soon. Rishis paid respect to Ram and left Ayodhya being fully convinced of the end of the rule of terror of Lavanaasur or ever.
Ram decided to take action against Lavanaasur without any delay. He consecrated Shatrughna as the king of Madhupuri and asked him to bring end to the rule of terror under Lavnaasur forever.  Shatrughna bowed his head before him as an assurance to follow his orders. Ram told him about the strength and weaknesses of Lavnaasur, the son of mother Anala and mighty Madhu. Being pleased of the deep penance of Madhu, Lord Shiva had given him a powerful trident which never fails. While giving his weapon to him he had put a condition that it will remain with him till he remains respectful to Brahmins and gods. It will turn the enemies into ashes as and when used on them. It will remain with his son after him. Ram gave Shatrughna an effective weapon to counter the trident, Lavnaasur had.
Shatrughna sent his well equipped army to Madhupuri a month earlier, before he himself left for the same.
Shatrughna stopped for a night at the hermitage of Valmiki on the way.
Sita delivered twins on the same night.
Rishi named her elder son as Kusha and the younger as Lava.
Shtrughna paid respect to Sita, before he left for Madhupuri.
 (Inspired by Valmiki)
 

RamaayaN by Valmiki -27 Leave away Sita in jungle and come back

RamaayaN by Valmiki  27

MadanMohan Tarun

Leave Sita away in jungle and come back

Information system of Ayodhya, ruled by Ram, was so well organized that he could know every activity, rumor or talk going on in his whole empire.

Vijay, Madhumatta, Kashyapa, Mangala, Kula, Suraj, Kaliya, Bhadra, Dantavakra and Sugandha were his main informers whom he treated as his friends.

They were asked to inform him about every good or bad activity going on in the state as well as what people talked about him.

One day Ram found Bhadra silent and hesitant about communicating him something. Ram encouraged him to come out with the truth, he was hesitant to disclose before him:”Bhadra tell me frankly about the truths going on in the town and in my kingdom as a whole. What people talk of me, Sita, Laxman, Bharat and Shtrughna? Bhadra ! Tell me even if something is unpleasant up to any extent. What are the good or ill words the citizens speak? It will help me in maintaining good things and refraining from bad actions.”

These words of Ram gave courage to Bhadra to speak out the harsh truth he was hiding. He said; “O greatest among kings! Listen, what is talked about you on the crossroads, in the markets, on the streets, in the forests and in the groves. People talk very high of you for constructing a bridge across the ocean. It was never thought or done by anybody before you. They feel proud of killing ten-headed mighty king of Lanka with his whole army by you with the help of monkeys and bears…but, a section of people of your kingdom don’t appreciate Sita accepted by you and brought back to Ayodhya. They say that the woman, who was abducted by Ravan and carried to Lanka in his lap and who was kept months together in Ashoka grove among demons, why Ram did not censor her. They say such conduct of a king will affect their life adversely. Even such women of their houses will claim to remain a part of their family even after committing some wrong act. Since, whatever a king does, subjects follow them as precedence.”

These words disturbed Ram deeply. He sent all informers back immediately. He went inside the room and kept on sitting for quite some time facing the thunders roaring deep within and shaking him badly.

After a few minutes, he sent messengers to   call all his brothers immediately.

Ram had never done so before. When his brothers got his message they left immediately to see him. After some time their chariots arrived at the door of the castle. They went inside where Ram was sitting. Ram welcomed all his brothers and offered them seats around him. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke to them:’ O guardians of the citizens of the kingdom! You constitute all my passions and you are nothing less than my life. I am looking after the kingdom carved by you. You have followed the scriptures with your matured intellect.”

"Today I have come to know such an unexpected thing which has disturbed me badly which I want to share with you all. Our citizens are talking ill of Sita. They don’t appreciate Sita brought back here who was carried away by Ravan in his lap to Lanka .I have told you that Sita was accepted by me after she proved her chastity by entering into the fire and coming out of it safely.”

“But, a section of citizens don’t approve Sita living with me. They talk ill of her and the rumor running around is causing infamy to me and my family. Thus I have decided to send Sita in jungle forever. I cannot wear the infamy of linage of Raghu.”

Ram took a disturbed pause, looked at Laxman and told him firmly: “Brother Laxman! You have carried on many difficult jobs successfully in the jungle. Sita knows you better. If you take her to the jungle, she will have no any doubt.  Sita is pregnant. A few days back she desired to go to jungle for a change with me for some days. This is the proper occasion to use her request. You go to Sita and tell her that I have sent you to take her to jungle for a change as I have no time to leave Ayodhya. These words will convince her. You take Sita to the other side of Ganga and leave her near the hermitage of Brahmrshi Valmiki and come back.”

His brothers were about to speak but Ram stopped them and said “this is my final decision. I have decided to not to keep Sita with me in the palace. She will go out from here without any doubt and my desire will be brought to action without any delay.”

This decision of Ram silenced all his brothers. They knew it well that Ram does not change his decisions. However, their faces showed that they were not happy with this decision of his brother. Laxman was left with no any option. He left immediately to meet Sita. His other bothers went inside the castle leaving Ram alone as he desired.

Laxman met Sita and told her what Ram had asked him to do.

Sita was happy to know that Ram sincerely cared her desire to go to jungle for a change. She immediately prepared to leave with Laxman.

Laxman covered half of the way on chariot with Sita. Reaching near the bank of Ganga he took a boat and crossed the river.

Laxman remained heavily silent all the way. He was passing through thousands and thousands of thunders within. He controlled himself coercively. But at the moment he reached to the other side of Ganga, He started weeping loudly like a child. He fell down at the feet of Sita.

Sita was shocked to see Laxman weeping and crying like a little child and lying down before her. The behavior of Laxman was most unexpected for her. She had seen mighty Laxman as an obedient brother of Ram as well as an angry young man, who never tolerated anything going wrong in his presence. She was fully aware of the fact that there was nothing wrong in the family. Everybody was comfortable there. Then, what can be wrong with him? Sita started analyzing. Have I done something wrong to him?

Sita asked Laxman: “brother! Have I done something wrong to you? If it has happened from me by mistake ever, I beg your pardon.”

This question brought Laxman back to his senses and he spoke “no …no  ...never... but you have been made prey of injustice for no any fault of yours.”

Saying this Laxman narrated everything for what she was sent here in the jungle.

For a while Sita could not understand what Laxman was saying. If it is true what Laxman was saying, then it is a case of deception. She never thought that Ram, who presents himself as a symbol of higher values and righteousness, will behave in this deceptive manner! Can he be so mean, almost like Ravan!

For others administration of Ram might be a glorious ‘Ram-Rajya’ but for me it was worst than ‘Raavan-Rajya’.

Ravan never misbehaved with me in Lanka, but Ram compelled me to enter into the fire’

I was pure when he slept with me and pushed me on the way to motherhood and now I am impure because a section of people talk ill of me?

Ram, as a husband, should have protected me in public and have told them about what had happened when I was back from Lanka, but he cared more for his own infamy, not of me.

Ram is no more other than an ordinary cruel husband who beats his wife, insults her in various ways and finally kills her.

Even if I am alive, I am not more than a breathing dead body.

Ram always carried a dark corner in his mind where I was kept as a doubtful prisoner. He never believed me. He was always waiting for an excuse to leave me up, even after he tried to burn me down in the ire in the presence o crores of monkeys and others.

I am sorry to say, he behaved with me like a mischievous fellow. He deceitfully sent me to the jungle with you Laxman!

If he had told me frankly about his option after he heard about people who talked against me, I certainly have left the palace immediately and my respect for him would have been intact , but the way he played his card against me , amounts to  be nothing , but  meanness.

I am happy that I am going to deliver my child in a free atmosphere, not in a place where I was always followed by doubts.

I don’t blame anybody for what I have faced in my life. Destiny must have some aim and intentions in creating me and making me pass through such odd adversities.”

Saying this much, Sita became wordless. Her dry, empty and widely opened eyes looked to be stuck with the sky.

Flowing Ganga stopped for a while, blowing wind had a little pause, chirping of birds stopped, jungle carried heavy silence around and Sita lost the feeling of palpitation which carries life in every living being…

             (Inspired by Valmiki)