What metre is this Sanskrit verse? (On Hanuman)

[Guest guest]

Dear AdiMa,

 

advaitin, "adi_shakthi16" <adi_shakthi16>

wrote:

> (When i was studying in High School, Samskritam was my second

> Language , English and Hindi being the other two. I was doing

> pretty well in Samskritam till i lost touch with beautiful

> Deva bhasha (Ggod's language) when i migrated 27 years ago to

> U.S.A. but , now i want to revive this 'interest' again so i

> can understand and appreciate Sanskrit literature. Can one teach

> an old dog new tricks? SMILE:-))

>

> Professor-ji, thank you for quoting that beautiful verse :

>

> Yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam;

> Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim;

> Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam;

> Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam

>

> "We bow to Maruti, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded

> above his forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes

> wherever the Names of Lord Rama are sung".

 

There is a relation between Hanuman and language. When Lord

Ramachandra first heard Hanuman's speech, he is said to have pointed

out to Lakshmana how perfect the speech was. Sri Hanuman is the son

of Vayu and is regarded also as an incarnation of Mukhya Vayu. Mukhya

Vayu is the Great Prana who is Brahma, the Creator of the world. Sri

Hanuman was born again at the end of Dvapara Yuga as the Pandava,

Bhima. He was born again in Kali Yuga as the great Dvaita

philosopher, Sri Madhvacharya. It is apt that the darshana of Vedanta

revealed by Sri Madhvacharya is a perfect reflection of Sri Hanuman's

attitude as an eternal servant of the Lord, for in the philosophy of

Dvaita the soul is eternally a servant of the Lord. Even Brahma, the

Creator of the Universe is a servant of the Lord because He sees

creation as proceeding from Lord Vishnu seated in His navel.

According to Vedic tradition, Lord Hanuman is the Brahma of the next

great cycle of creation. Brahma is the Creator and Creation happens

through speech. That speech is the Vedas that Lord Vishnu reveals to

Brahma when creation is to spring forth. The perfectness of Lord

Hanuman's speech is perhaps his readiness for undertaking the next

creation at the behest of Lord Vishnu.

 

(An aside: Advaitins tend to belittle the philosophy of Dvaita

because it speaks of duality. But the term 'Dvaita' as applied to the

philosophy of Madhva is misleading, for the darshana is actually a

kind of non-duality (or monism perhaps) in so far as nothing would

exist if Brahman were not to exist. The difference between the two

darshanas is rooted in the difference given by the mystery of speech

which speech itself cannot unravel. On a more personal note, my

endeavour to understand the bhashyas of Sri Shankaracharya has

benifited a great deal from the little bit of exposure I've had of

Sri Madhvacharya's philosophy -- notwithstanding the Dvaitins

accusation that Advaita is mayavada).

 

Warm regards,

Chittaranjan

[Guest guest]

Chitta writes :

 

(There is a relation between Hanuman and language. When Lord

Ramachandra first heard Hanuman's speech, he is said to have pointed

out to Lakshmana how perfect the speech was.)

 

True ! Very True !Lord HANUMAN WAS well versed in the four books of

knowledge (the Vedas), the six systems of philosophies (darshanas),

the sixty-four arts or kalas and the one hundred and eight occult

mysteries of the Tantras. and, his Guru was none other Than the Sun

God, Surya !

 

Chitta writes :

 

(It is apt that the darshana of Vedanta revealed by Sri Madhvacharya

is a perfect reflection of Sri Hanuman's attitude as an eternal

servant of the Lord, for in the philosophy of Dvaita the soul is

eternally a servant of the Lord.)

 

Who is Hanuman, really? It is said that Hanuman is an incarnation of

Lord Shiva. Once, Lord SHiva told Parvati in MT. Kailasha . " Devi! I

want to experience the 'Dasya' Bhava in Bhakti. So, let me born as a

bhakta or eternal servant of the Lord. " Hence, Lord Shiva INCARNATED

as Hanuman in Ramayana .

 

This is why Lord Hanuman says

 

Dehabuddhyaa tu daasosmi, jeevabuddhyaa twadamshakaha

Aatmabuddhyaa twamevaahamiti, me nishchitaa matihi.

 

When I am in body consciousness I know I am your servant, when I am

conscious of the higher force of life I know I am a part of you, and

when I am conscious of the Self, I know I am You! -

 

Is this not the highest philosophy ? All in *ONE * ? (any pun

intended is unintentional)

 

Whether a 'Dwaitin', or an 'Adwaitin' or a 'Visisishtadwaitin', the

goal is the same - no path is inferior or superior - all depends on

one's 'temperament' or Bhava!

 

Chitta writes :

 

( (An aside: Advaitins tend to belittle the philosophy of Dvaita

because it speaks of duality.)

 

Chitta! One Minor correction. I am a member of many groups including

Shaktism, Sri Vaishnavism and of course , this group ! and i find the

attitude in this group vis -a vis other faiths is more compassionate

and understanding !! A true adwaitin is not 'fanatical' in his

attitude , may be a true 'believer' based on sound reasoning ( like

many members here) ! That is why i feel quite at home while posting

my 'bhakti' filled posts !

 

and Chiita , you go on to write

 

(On a more personal note, my endeavour to understand the bhashyas of

Sri Shankaracharya has benifited a great deal from the little bit of

exposure I've had of Sri Madhvacharya's philosophy --

notwithstanding the Dvaitins accusation that Advaita is mayavada).

 

Yes! The many years that i spent serving Sri Radha- Madanamohana

temple in Potomac, MD . in every Sunday Lecture , the Speaker would

talk about' Mayavadis' .... i never fully comrehended what

that 'term' meant !

 

To my simplistic Mind , Sri Krishna Himself is the

Biggest 'MAYESHWERA' and we are just tiny particles in His

cosmic 'mAyA-leela' ?

 

in closing , i would like to recapture here those beautiful lines Fom

Rig VEDA - 'Nasadiya Suktham'!

 

Translation by A.L. Basham

 

Then even nothingness was not, nor existence,

There was no air then, nor the heavens bEyond it.

What covered it? Where was it? In whose keeping

Was there then cosmic water, in depths unfathomable?

 

Then there was neither death nor immortality

nor was there then the torch of night and day.

The One breathed windlessly and self-sustaining.

There was that One then, and there was no other.

 

At first there was only darkness wrapped in darkness.

All this was only unillumed water.

That One which came to be, enclosed in nothing,

arose at last, born of the power of heat.

 

In the beginning desire descended on it -

that was the primal seed, born of mind.

The sages who have searched their hearts with wisdom

know that which is is kin to that which is not.

 

And they have stretched their cord across the void,

and know what was above, and what below.

Seminal powers made fertile mighty forces.

Below was strength, and over it was impulse.

 

But, after all, who knows, and who can say

Whence it all came, and how creation happened?

The gods themselves are later than creation,

so who knows truly whence it has arisen?

 

Whence all creation had its origin,

he, whether he fashioned it or whether he did not,

he, who surveys it all from highest heaven,

he knows - or maybe even he does not know.

 

Rigved Samhita: 10th Mandala, 129th Suukta.

 

 

Our most respected Member ken knight wrote brilliantly on 'mAyA in

the Rig Veda' last Summer ! and he always used to end his posts with

this

 

"`From this Supreme Self are all these, indeed, breathed forth.'

 

 

Aum Shanti ! Aum Shanti! Aum Shantihi!!!

[Guest guest]

advaitin, "adi_shakthi16"

<adi_shakthi16> wrote:

>

> Chitta writes :

>

> (There is a relation between Hanuman and language. When Lord

> Ramachandra first heard Hanuman's speech, he is said to have

pointed

> out to Lakshmana how perfect the speech was.)

>

> True ! Very True !Lord HANUMAN WAS well versed in the four books

of

> knowledge (the Vedas), the six systems of philosophies

(darshanas),

> the sixty-four arts or kalas and the one hundred and eight occult

> mysteries of the Tantras. and, his Guru was none other Than the

Sun

> God, Surya !

>

 

Namaste

 

Namaste

 

Thank you Adi Shakti for bringing in the extraordinary knowledge of

Hanuman. In the Valmiki Ramayana (Kishkinda Kanda) the moment Rama

and Lakshmana are met by Hanuman for the first time, the

conversation that ensues, is a highly educative one for us. Hanuman

first asks about them, who they are and so on, and finally in the

same breath, introduces himself and offers the friendship of his

master, Sugriva. At the end, Rama speaks to Lakshmana commenting on

this masterly speech of introduction by Hanuman and commending him

as great in knowledge, in behaviour and in everything else. Rama's

analysis is what I am giving below:

 

"Lakshmana, talk to this minister of Sugriva. He appears to have

great qualities of head and heart and so I am already drawn towards

him. He is a vAkyajna, (Ch.3-27) one who knows how to talk. His

talk is full of wisdom".

 

nAnRRigveda vinItasya nAyajurveda-dhAriNaH/

nAsAmaveda-vidushhaH shakyam evam vibhAshhituM // (Ch.3 – 28)

 

"A non-knower of Rig Veda or the non-rememberer of Yajur veda or the

non-scholar of Sama Veda can possibly speak this way".

 

Rama's conclusion that Hanuman knows the three vedas is his own

inference from Hanuman's talk. In Rig Veda every letter has too many

phonetically deflected variations, in many ways to mean many things.

It is practically impossible to absorb that knowledge unless the

recitalist has complete control over it. Hence the word `vinItasya'

is used. In Yajurveda many passages occur recursively, with

different utilisation. Remembering not to mix one with the other is

a difficult process. Hence the recitalist has to have enormous

remembering capacity. The pitch and duration of the rendering is of

high importance, as such it requires a scholarly bent to control

vocal notes. The three words, `vinaya', schooling; `dhaarana',

rememberance; and `vedana', knowledge are required for the mastery

of each of these vedas. Hanuman said `you two are eligible to rule

the earth' (Ch.3-15), which is tantamount to quoting *brahma vaa

idam ekaiva agra AsIt* from Rigveda Aitareya. Next he said that you

are deities in human form (3-13) which has its bearing on Yajurveda

*ajAyamAno bahudA vijAyate*. Then Hanauman said `Rama is having

lotus-petal like eyes (3-11) and this has clue from a Chandogya

Upanishad (Sama Veda) quotation. Thus Hanuman's talk has direct

base in the vedas.

 

And Rama continues: "He has comprehensive knowledge of grammar. Not

a single word of his has gone amiss of verbiage" (Ch.3 – 29) .

Without the knowledge of the vedangas, like Grammar (VyAkaraNa),

Phonetics (SikshhA) , Metre (Chandas) and Etymology (NiruktaM), the

simple recital of the vedas will not be of practical use. The way

Hanuman talks is indicative of his knowledge of these vedangas.

 

And Rama continues: "On his face or eyes or on forehead or eyebrows

or on other faculties of expression no fault is found, not even the

least". (Ch.3 – 30) These behavioural niceties indicate that he is

well versed in all aspects of behaviour.

 

avistaram asa.ndigdham avilambitam avyatham |

uraHstham kaNThagam vaakyam vartate madhyame svaram || Ch.3-31

 

"Unexpanded, undoubtful, undelaying and non-dissonant is the tenor

of his speech and it comports in his chest or throat in a medium

tone".

 

"He has orderly refinement in speech that is remarkable and un-

delaying and he speaks propitious words that are pleasing to the

heart". (3-32). Sweet voice, enunciated syllables, properly parting

the words, quick and confident, and rhythm included are the six best

qualities of best reciters. "His speech is generated (3-33) in

three places – chest, head and throat". A real speaker who does not

do just lip service has to generate his speech in these three areas.

This is the rule of the Vedic SikshhA. "Should a king have this kind

of work accomplishers with a variety of virtues, all his objectives

will be achieved impelled by such an envoy's words..." (3-35)

 

This analysis of Hanuman by Rama is what graduates Hanuman to

Rama's proximity almost from first sight!

 

PraNAms to all advaitins.

profvk

[Guest guest]

Professor-ji !

 

What an enjoyable read this post is! I really enjoyed the dialogue

between Sri RAMA and Sri HANUMAN - the Sanskrit Version and the

English Translation and all the detailed explanation . Superb! may i

please post this in my group 'sadhana_shakti' with your kind

permission.? Thank you in advance.

 

You write :

 

(Then Hanauman said `Rama is having lotus-petal like eyes (3-11) and

this has clue from a Chandogya Upanishad (Sama Veda) quotation.)

 

This is true , indeed! One of the names of Sri Maha- Vishnu is

'OM Samne Namaha'

 

and there are three meanings for this word ' Sama'

 

2)'"He who removes the sins of those who sing about Him. b) He who is

in the form of the Sama Veda Himself. c) He who is soft and sweet.

 

Yes ! Lord Rama ( Rajeevalochana), THE LOTUS EYED ONE , indeed

removes the sins of those who sing about Him.

 

"Vedaanaam Saama Vedosmi ("Among the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda")

proclaimed Sri Krishna Paramatma in Srimad Bhagwat Gita. ( He who is

the form of Sama Veda Himself . Hari is the Pranava mantra 'Om'

Itself)

 

and He who is soft and sweet ! That is our LORD Rama ! In the 108

names oF Sri RAMA . HE is described as 1)Sowmya ( gentle and sweet) ,

Sundara ( Handsome ) and Smitavaktra( Smiling face) !

 

and who else But Bhakth HANUMAN could sing the glories of Lord Rama

so beautifully?

 

At the Coronation, Sri Rama asked Bhakth Hanuman I am greatly

indebted to you, O mighty hero.! You did marvellous, superhuman

deeds. You do not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom

restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana

has become king of Lanka. But you have not asked for anything at any

time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by

Sita. How can I repay My debt of gratitude to you? I will always

remain deeply indebted to you. I give you the boon of everlasting

life. All will honour and worship you like Myself. Your idol will be

placed at the door of My temple and you will be worshipped and

honoured first. Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung, your

glory will be sung before Mine. You will be able to do anything, even

that which I will not be able to!"

 

and What an Honor to a humble devotee of the Lord .

 

In verse 54, Chapter 18, Lord KRISHNA says in the Srimad Bhagwat Gita

 

brahma-bhuta prasannatma

 

na socati na kanksati

 

samah sarvesu bhutesu

 

mad-bhaktim labhate param

 

"A person thus situated in brahman becomes fully joyful. He never

laments or desires anything. Being equally disposed to all beings, he

attains bhakti to Me, blessed with the symptoms of prema."

 

Yes ! Prema-bhakti - that is the state of a devotee of the Lord !

When you think Of Sri Rama, you think of Sri. Hanuman ; When you

think of Sri Krishna , you think of the Gopis; When you think of Sri

Narasimha deva, you think Of Bhakt Prahalad ; When you think of Sri

Vasudeva, you think of Bhakt Dhruva!

 

(As an aside, in my last pilgrimage trip to South India, as i have

mentioned before - i visited Amman temples , Sri Vishnu and Shiva

Teples , Sri Murugan and Vinayakar temples etc etc.butT there was

one unfulfilled wish in my heart - I told my sister-in-law " Dear!

These eyes have had Darshan of all deities on this pilgrimage except

a darshan of Lord HANUMAN." AND guess what , before the day was

over , here i was standing in front of the GIGANTIC FIGURE of Sri

ANnjaneyar Perumaan in NANGANALLUR TEMPLE in Madras . Here, Lord

Anjaneyar is 32 ft tall ( almost seven times my size !! ) ! Indeed!,

who can equal Lord Hanuman in Bhakti or devotion or Karma yoga?

 

Jai Vir-bhakth Hanuman-ji ki!!