Yoga Vasistha- in praise of Ganga .... the Divine Mother...

[Guest guest]

Sri Ram-ji writes...

 

(Actually I was looking for the original Sanskrit verse that

starts with "rishi moolam, nadi moolam...." The Tamil version

stated by Adiji has the potential for misunderstanding (as observed

by yaduji).)

 

Well, being a Tamilian, i was familiar with the Tamizh version.

 

Ram-ji notes further

 

(This Tamil interpretation came as a supporting evdience for

the eradication the Caste System in Tamil Naud. )

 

Yes! is that not something to be proud of? We alll have the potential

to be divine , no matter what caste we belong to!! If Valmiki a

robber could become a Rishi then it augurs well for everyone!

 

Ram-ji, you know by now, although i am a Brahmin iyer woman by caste,

i do not to the Caste system ... my previous posts on this

message board confirm my views on this...

 

I even quoted the full text of adi sankara's Manicha panchakam in

this group.

 

 

BTW, DO you know what Sage Narada's origins are ?

 

Sage NARADA HIMSELF SAYS...

 

ekatmaja me janani

 

yosin mudha ca kinkari

 

mayy atmaje 'nanya-gatau

 

cakre snehanubandhanam

 

I was the only son of my mother, who was not only a simple woman but

a maidservant as well. Since I was her only offspring, she had no

other alternative for protection: she bound me with the tie of

affection.

 

 

but, at the age of Five, Sage NARADA LOST HIS MOTHER who was bitten

by a snake. Thus, Narada became an orphan and started wandering from

place to place and in due course of tim became a great Sage.

 

our own beloved SANKARA BHAGVADAPADA has sung hymns in praise of

Mother Ganga and Yamuna.

 

IN GangashtakaM .

 

Sri Sankara sings

 

YOU have paths as many as the eyes can see; and when your waves come

to sight, how can the waves of samsara remain? You are yellowish,

having been to the dwelling place of Vishnu who wears yellow silk. O

Mother Ganga, if my slender body falls on your lap, then even

attainment of the status of Indra appears small in comparison.

 

ON ANOTHER NOTE,

 

There is a sanskrit verse which goes like this ....

 

Aa Janma Maranaantharam Cha Gangaadhi Tatinee

Stitaah |

Mandooka Matsya Pramukhaah Yoginas Te Bhavanti Kim?

 

Can the frogs, fish and others that from birth to death live in the

waters of the Ganges become Jnanis by merely staying in such waters?

 

My answer is Yes!!!

 

and you know why?

 

 

Adi Sankara Bhagavatpaada in his Gita Bhashya , HAS referred to the

infinite good and aatma gyaana and moksha that will come with

chanting the names of four G's

 

The four G's are:GANGAA,GAAYATRI,GITA and GOVINDA.

 

He said that Gitasaastram is sarvaSaastrasvarupam;

Haribhagavaan is sarvaDevasvarupi;

Gangaa is sarvaTirthasvarupam;

Govinda-Gaayatri mantra is sarvaVedamayam.

 

(SUNDERJI, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CORRECT ME- THIS IS FROM MEMORY ... )

 

If we chant these ,there will be no rebirth provided we have pacified

the mind.We shall be absolved of all sins as if we have drunk

a handful of Ganges water.Thus spake Pujya Bhagavatpaada.

 

My point is if the frog etc., were in Gangaa it is

possible , even inadvertently or by mistake, that some

drop of Gangaajal would have entered their system and

thus they should stand a chance to receive good like a

human.

Yet in another place,in Adi Sankara's Bhaja Govindam,a verse goes

like this

 

bhagavad.h giitaa kiJNchidadhiitaa

gaNgaa jalalava kaNikaapiitaa .

sakRidapi yena muraari samarchaa

kriyate tasya yamena na charchaa

 

 

Let a man read but a little from giitaa, drink just a drop of water

from the ganges, worship murari (govinda) just once. He then will

have no altercation with Yama. (Stanza attributed to dR^iDhabhakta.)

 

Our shankara bhagvadpada also says in the famous baja govindam

stotra..

 

geyam giitaa naama sahasram

dhyeyam shriipati ruupamajasram

neyam sajjana sange chittam

deyam diinajanaaya cha vittam<

 

Regularly recite from the Gita,

Meditate on Govinda (Vishnu) in your heart,

and chant His thousand glories.

Take delight to be with the noble and theholy.

Distribute your wealth in charity to the poor and the

needy!

 

**********************************************************************

In Sadhana Panchakam, OUR BELOVED SANKARA BHAGVADAPADA advocates that

we should read scriptures daily and also seek the company of the

noble and the holy!!!

 

Advaitins, is that not why we are all here ?

 

 

love and regards

 

ps -thank you Yaduji! I also liked your thoughts in the ambaal forum

on who can recite the shiva panchakshri mantra!!! women and shudras

are always being told that they cannot do this or that in the Holy

name of scriptures!!! smiles!!!!