Lord Ramachandra

[dasa]

Rameswaram

There are four dhamas, or kingdoms of God, which are Badrinath, Jagannath Puri, Rameswaram and Dwaraka. Rameswaram is located at the southeastern end of the Indian Peninsula. Rameswaram is on an island, which is the shape of a conch shell, in the Gulf of Mannar. The island is sanctified by the footprints of Lord Rama. It is said that Lord Rama bathed at Dhanushkodi, where the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet.

 

There is a major Lord Shiva temple here called the Ramanathaswami Temple. This name indicates that Lord Shiva is a great personality, whose worshipable Deity is Lord Rama. This temple is very popular.

 

Temple Story

It is said that the Siva-linga in the the Ramanathaswami Temple was installed by Sri Rama on His return to the mainland from the island of Lanka, after killing Ravana. Rama wanted to install a Siva-linga in Rameswaram to absolve Himself of the sin of killing Ravana, who was a brahmin. Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to get the linga. Since Hanuman was late when the auspicious time for installation neared, Sita made a Siva-linga out of sand. This linga was then installed by Rama and is known as the Rama-linga, because it was installed by Lord Rama.

 

At the time Hanuman came with the Siva-linga from Mount Kailash, he was disappointed to find a linga already installed. Rama told Hanuman that he could remove the linga made by Sita and install the one He brought in its place. Hanuman took hold of the linga with his hands and could not move it. He then wrapped his tail around it and tried to pull the linga out, but it did not move. The linga is said to still have the marks of Hanuman’s tail on it. To pacify Hanuman, Rama had the linga he brought, the Viswa-linga, installed alongside the Rama-linga. He ordered that puja (worship) be performed first to the Viswa-linga, which is still being done today.

 

 

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

Srimad-Bhagavatam, 9.10.6:

 

"O King, the pastimes of Lord Ramacandra were wonderful, like those of a

baby elephant. In the assembly where mother Sita was to choose her

husband, in the midst of the heroes of this world, He broke the bow belonging

to Lord Siva. This bow was so heavy that it was carried by three hundred men,

but Lord Ramacandra bent and strung it and broke it in the middle, just as

a baby elephant breaks a stick of sugarcane."

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

Posted by Mukunda Datta prabhu on another forum:

 

This verse is attributed to Srila Bilvamangala Thakura:

 

ramo nama babhuva hum tad-abala siteti hum tam pitur

vaca pancavati-vane viharatas tasyharad ravanah |

nidrartham janaki-katham iti harer hum-karatah srnvatah

saumitre kva dhanur dhanur dhanur iti vyagra girah pantu nah ||

 

[Mother Yasoda is telling Sri Krsna a story:]

 

"There was once a king named Rama."

"Mm-hm."

"His wife was Sita."

"Mm-hm."

"As they went to the Pancavati forest by his father's order,

Ravana kidnapped her."

The story was intended to put Him to sleep, and Hari was responding,

"Mm-hmm," as He listened. [but upon] hearing about Janaki, He [suddenly

jumped up and] said--"Laksmana! My bow, my bow! Where's My bow!"

May these agitated words protect us all.

[makhanmisri]

ramo nama babhuva hum tad-abala siteti hum tam pitur

vaca pancavati-vane viharatas tasyharad ravanah |

nidrartham janaki-katham iti harer hum-karatah srnvatah

saumitre kva dhanur dhanur dhanur iti vyagra girah pantu nah ||

 

[Mother Yasoda is telling Sri Krsna a story:]

 

"There was once a king named Rama."

"Mm-hm."

"His wife was Sita."

"Mm-hm."

As they went to the Pancavati forest by his father's order, Ravana kidnapped her."

The story was intended to put Him to sleep, and Hari was responding, "Mm-hmm," as He listened. [but upon] hearing about Janaki, He [suddenly jumped up and] said-"Laksmana! My bow, my bow! Where's My bow!"

May these agitated words protect us all.

 

This verse is attributed to Srila Bilvamangala Thakura.

[theist]

Now there is some synchronicity for you,only one minute apart.

 

So Ravana had ten heads?Is this symbolism or am I to accept that there was literaly a ten headed monster living in Sri Lanka?Both?

 

Anything is possible, but which is true?

 

Thanks

 

 

[makhanmisri]

 

Originally posted by makhanmisri:

"ramo nama babhuva . . ."

 

Oops, you're too quick for me. Okay, here's another one (same poet):

 

ete laksmana janaki-virahitam mam khedayanty ambuda

marmaniva ca ghattayanty alam ami krurah kadambanilah |

ittham vyahrta-purva-janma-carito yo radhaya viksitah

sersyam sankitaya sa nah sukhayatu svapnayamano harih ||

 

'O Laksmana, bereft of Janaki, these clouds merely pain me.

The cruel, kadamba-scented breezes torment me to my soul.'

May that sleeping Lord Hari--whom the vexed and suspicious Srimati Radharani saw murmuring his previous life's agitations like this--delight us all.

[makhanmisri]

 

Originally posted by theist:

"So Ravana had ten heads?Is this symbolism or am I to accept that there was literaly a ten headed monster living in Sri Lanka?Both?"

 

As they say, two heads are better than one. So ten heads are better than two, even on a demon's shoulders. That way, Sri Rama can dispatch ten rascals, and hundreds or thousands of rascal plans, with but one arrow to the heart. This is called buddhi.

 

 

[sha]

Originally posted by jndas:

Srimad-Bhagavatam, 9.10.6:

 

"O King, the pastimes of Lord Ramacandra were wonderful, like those of a

baby elephant. In the assembly where mother Sita was to choose her

husband, in the midst of the heroes of this world, He broke the bow belonging

to Lord Siva. This bow was so heavy that it was carried by three hundred men,

but Lord Ramacandra bent and strung it and broke it in the middle, just as

a baby elephant breaks a stick of sugarcane."

I received this greeting in e-mail for Ramanavami.

Other devotees can enjoy it too.

 

<center>

 

<table border=5 width="98%" bgcolor=cccc66><td>

 

<center>

 

<font color="red"><big>Sri Rama Jaya Rama

Jaya Jaya Rama

</font></big>

 

 

<font color="red">zrI rAmacandra 'kRpAlu' bhaja mana!

 

haraNa bhava bhaya dAruNaM,</font>

 

Oh, blessed mind!

 

 

Always meditate upon

 

Lord Sri Ramacandra,

 

Who is full of grace!

 

He surely eliminates the

 

fear of transmigration

 

through worldly existence.

 

 

 

 

<font color="red">nava kaJjalOcana kaJja mukha

 

kara kaJja pada kaJjAruNaM</font>

 

Oh, fortunate mind!

 

 

Adore the beauty of His eyes,

 

resembling the pink petals of

 

freshly bloomed lotus.

 

Worship His tender, fragrant,

 

lotus face, the delicate reddish

 

lotus flowers of His hands and feet.

 

<font color="blue">kaMdarpa agaNita amita chavi

 

nava nIla nIrada sundaraM</font>

 

 

 

 

I prostrate to the most handsome

 

Lord Sri Ramacandra Kripalu,

 

Whose beauty excells uncountable cupids,

 

Whose transcendental bodily luster

 

resembles dark, fresh rainfilled clouds.

 

 

<font color="blue">paTa pIta mAnahu taDita ruci zuci

 

naumi janaka sutAvaraM</font>

 

 

 

My sincere salutations

 

to the chosen Groom of Sita Devi,

 

the divine Daughter of King Janaka,

 

and to the Lord Who is clad in

 

ever pure yellow silk garments,

 

shining as bright as the lightning.

 

<font color="red">bhaja! dIna bandhu dineza

 

dAnava daitya vaMza nikaMdanaM</font>

 

Oh, simple, naive mind!

 

Meditate upon the glory of Lord Rama,

 

Who is the true Friend of the afflicted

 

and the sole Refuge of the distressed!

 

Being the effulgent transcendental sun,

 

my Lord has destroyed the ignorant,

 

evil-minded demons by His prowess.

 

<font color="red">raghunanda Ananda kanda

 

kozalacanda dazaratha nandanaM</font>

 

The beloved Son of King Dasaratha

 

is the source of joy and pride to

 

the entire Raghu dynasty.

 

He ever reigns the kingdom of Kosala and

 

shines as the cool transcendental moon.

 

 

 

<font color="blue">zira mukuTa kundala tilaka

 

cAru udAru aGgavibhUSaNaM</font>

 

Oh, restless mind!

 

Fondly remember the tall,

 

enchanting Personality of

 

Beloved Rama,

 

Who is adorned with the Royal crown,

 

charming earrings, beautiful

 

auspicious mark of Tilak on

 

forehead along with other

 

elegant jewels on His blessed body.

 

<font color="blue">AjAnu bhuja zaracApa dhara

 

saMgRAma jita khara dUSanam</font>

 

 

 

Always think of His ever kind,

 

soft, noble nature,though

 

He is holding the victorious bow

 

and arrows just to conquer

 

the devilish enemies in war.

 

 

 

 

<font color="red">iti vadati tulasI dasa

 

saGkara, zeSa munijana ranjanaM </font>

 

The Rasik Saint Sri Tulasi Dasa is

 

glorifying His Lord Ramacandra

 

Who is the Source of Unlimited Divine Bliss

 

to Lord Siva as well as the Mighty Sesa,

 

and Who is also the Supreme joy of

 

all other great Rasik Saints.

 

<font color="red">mama hRdaya kaJja nivAsa kuru

 

kAmAdi khaladala gaMjanaM</font>

 

<marquee behavior="alternate" direction="right" width="280"> </marquee>

 

 

The saintly Mahapurusha, Tulasidasa,

 

praying to his Beloved Lord, Sri Rama

 

for His constant sacred residence

 

in the lotus heart of His devotee,

 

so that all the worldly desires and

 

other offenses can be destroyed completely.

 

 

 

<marquee direction="right"><font color="red" size=+2>Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare</marquee>

</font>

 

<marquee direction="left"><font color="navy" size=+2>Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare</marquee></font>

 

 

</td></table>

 

[dasa]

Nasik

 

Rama Kunda Bathing Tank Nasik is a holy city located about 5 hours northeast of Bombay (187km). Lord Rama stayed here for some time during His exile and Sita was carried off by Ravana from this place. Nasik is on the banks of the Godavari river, which flows to the bay of Bengal. Laxman the younger brother of Rama cut off the nose of Surnapaka, the younger sister of Ravana here. That is why this place has the name Nasik. Kumba Mela takes place here every 12 years. Sri Caitanya visited here.

The Rama Kunda area is the main pilgrimage place in Nasik. This is where Rama and Sita used to bathe, so the tank is considered especially sacred. It is also called Asthi Vilaya Tirtha (Bone Immersion Tank) because bones dropped here dissolve. In recent years the following people's bones were dropped in the Tirtha after they died: Mahatma Ghandi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and many other famous people. Lord Rama is said to have performed funeral rites in memory of His father King Dasaratha.

 

 

 

[This message has been edited by dasa (edited 04-21-2002).]

[Guest guest]

 

[Mother Yasoda is telling Sri Krsna a story:]

 

"There was once a king named Rama."

"Mm-hm."

"His wife was Sita."

"Mm-hm."

As they went to the Pancavati forest by his father's order, Ravana kidnapped her."

The story was intended to put Him to sleep, and Hari was responding, "Mm-hmm," as He listened. [but upon] hearing about Janaki, He [suddenly jumped up and] said-"Laksmana! My bow, my bow! Where's My bow!"

May these agitated words protect us all.

 

This is very wonderful. It also reminds of a story in the life SrI Kulasekara Alwar. When the alwar was listening to Ramayana, He was moved by the suffering of the Divine couple. And He stood up in the middle of the katha kaalakshepam (narration) and ordered his generals to prepare to go to Lanka. The person giving the class was perplexed and did not know what to do. The ministers intervened and requested that the coronation story be narrated and then the alwar became silent. In another incident, the alwar gathered his army and went towards the south. And the Lord Ramachandra had to appear along with His eternal consort Sitadevi to pacify him and assure him of His well being.

[Guest guest]

Originally posted by dasa:

Nasik

 

Rama Kunda Bathing Tank Nasik is a holy city located about 5 hours northeast of Bombay (187km). Lord Rama stayed here for some time during His exile and Sita was carried off by Ravana from this place. Nasik is on the banks of the Godavari river, which flows to the bay of Bengal. Laxman the younger brother of Rama cut off the nose of Surnapaka, the younger sister of Ravana here. That is why this place has the name Nasik. Kumba Mela takes place here every 12 years. Sri Caitanya visited here.

The Rama Kunda area is the main pilgrimage place in Nasik. This is where Rama and Sita used to bathe, so the tank is considered especially sacred. It is also called Asthi Vilaya Tirtha (Bone Immersion Tank) because bones dropped here dissolve. In recent years the following people's bones were dropped in the Tirtha after they died: Mahatma Ghandi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and many other famous people. Lord Rama is said to have performed funeral rites in memory of His father King Dasaratha.

 

[This message has been edited by dasa (edited 04-21-2002).]

Does anyone know the reason why the bones dissolve ? And what is the significance ?

[gHari]

Thank you, everyone. This was very special.

[sha]

from another board:

 

"While the monkeys were building the bridge, a small squirrel

took pebbles in its mouth and brought them to the workers:

`These are to help in building the bridge to Lanka so that blessed

Rama may bring back his wife. I must do my share of the work.'

`You, what?' cried a monkey. `I am helping to build the bridge,

sir,' replied the squirrel. `Look, I am carrying the small

pebbles that with your rocks will help to from the bridge.'

 

"The monkeys burst into a mighty roar of laughter. By this time

a crowd of monkeys had collected and the first monkey roared out,

`Did you hear that? The squirrel says she's building a bridge

with her pebbles! Haha! I've never heard anything so funny in

my life.' The other monkeys thought it was a good joke too.

They held their sides and laughed. When they could laugh no more

they said to the squirrel: `Here, little creature. Do you think

Rama is in need of your pebbles? He commands the largest army

in the Seven Worlds, and for him we carry whole mountains with

their granite and rock. He does not want your little pebbles.'

The squirrel said, `I cannot carry mountains or rocks. God has

only given me strength to carry my pebbles. I cannot do more,

but this I will do, for my heart weeps for the sorrowing Rama,

and what I can do to help, I will.' The monkeys said, `Enough

of your foolishness, little one. We have no time for play and

for the likes of you. Go home to your nest in the trees and

let us get on with our work.'

 

"But the squirrel would not go. Again and again the monkeys

picked her up and put her down out of the way, and again and

again she returned, with her pebbles. Then the monkeys were

angry and threatened to throw her into the sea. Still the

squirrel said, `But I want to help too.' Then an angry monkey

picked up the little squirrel and flung her away. But she, crying

the name of Rama, fell into his hands, where he stood.

 

And Rama held the little squirrel close to him and said to the

monkeys, `Despise not the weak and the small, for according to each

man's strength will he serve. And to me what matters is not how great

the strength and service, but how great the love and devotion.

This little squirrel with her pebbles has love in her heart that

would move the earth and the heavens by its strength and power.'

And he chid them for their pride. But the squirrel he held

close to him and said: `Little one, your devotion has touched

my heart. Be blessed then by me whom you have loved and served.'

So saying, he stroked the little squirrel's furry back. And as

he put her down all who had crowded round saw upon the brown fur

the three white lines that were the marks of Sri Rama's fingers.

And ever since, the Indian squirrel has carried the three white

stripes on its back."

 

sri ram jai ram!!!!!

[Gauracandra]

I hope everyone had a happy Rama Navami. My calendar said it was a full day fast. For some reason it was quite easy this time, and I was doing quite a bit of strenuous work.

[dasa]

Described by the Vedas as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Rama appeared in human society many millennia ago. Ramayana is an account of his pastimes performed whilst on earth, compiled by the sage and mystic Valmiki. It tells how Rama took his birth in order to assist the gods in their mission of eradicating evil from the world. From the very beginning of his life Rama displayed all divine qualities. His superhuman activities culminated in the killing of the otherwise invincible ten headed demon Ravana. The Vedas say that simply by regularly hearing of Rama’s activities one can achieve perfection and happiness in life, and ultimately attain spiritual emancipation. His famous consort Sita was an incarnation of the Goddess of Fortune, Sri Lakshmidevi. Those who become devoted to Rama attract her mercy and are thus blessed with all opulence. In the ancient Vedic text, Bhagavat Purana, it is said: “Lord Rama’s spotless name and fame, which can vanquish all sinful reactions, are celebrated in all directions of the universe. Great saints are forever chanting his glories. All the gods, including even Brahma and Siva, worship him by bowing their heads to the ground. Let us therefore offer our obeisances to him.”

 

 

 

 

[This message has been edited by dasa (edited 04-21-2002).]

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

Now there is some synchronicity for you,only one minute apart. So Ravana had ten heads?Is this symbolism or am I to accept that there was literaly a ten headed monster living in Sri Lanka?Both? Anything is possible, but which is true?

Ravana did literally have ten heads, but not at all times. He had the ability to take any form he chose, and would assume the forms of all 8,400,000 species of life according to which queen he was staying with. Ravana had kidnapped wives from every single species, including animals, insects, etc.

 

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

Here is a link to stories of Lord Rama's pastimes:

 

http://www.indiadivine.com/hinduism-stories.htm

 

[This message has been edited by jndas (edited 04-22-2002).]

[Tarun]

Tum kaun? KAma; Tum kaun? Krodha; Tum kaun? Lobha..

In this way, all ten heads were questioned & revealed their ID.

Now if this thread doesn't belong in KRSNa Talk Forum, Who does?

Or u may as well cancel/foreclose KRSNa Talk Forum altogether.

[Avinash]

<QUOTE>Now there is some synchronicity for you,only one minute apart. So Ravana had ten heads?Is this symbolism or am I to accept that there was literaly a ten headed monster living in Sri Lanka?Both? Anything is possible, but which is true?</QUOTE>

 

If you read Valmiki Ramayana, you will find that Ravana had ten heads but sometimes he chose to fight with only one head.

 

 

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

So Ravana had ten heads?Is this symbolism or am I to accept that there was literaly a ten headed monster living in Sri Lanka?Both? Anything is possible, but which is true?

The simplest thing to do is to dismiss all the historical narrations as symbolism, since they all speak of supernatural people and occurences. But then we would need to dismiss Rama as mere symbolism as well. And a flying monkey? Well, it would be simplest to just say he was also symbolic.

 

The texts themselves, however, never even hint that these personalities and events were not factual. Rather they are specifically identified as historical accounts throughout the Puranas and Itihasas.

 

The problem comes when we try to identify these personalities with ourselves and our own limitations. For some it is hard to accept that there are higher lifeforms, such as those described in the puranas (devas, asuras, etc.) When we identify Hanuman as a monkey, then the story seems to be an exageration. How can a monkey fly? But the flaw is that Hanuman was not a monkey, he was a Vanara, which is a higher species of human life. Just as fish are born with the ability to live in water, and birds are born with the ability to fly, so Vanaras are also born with their own unique qualities, traits and abilities - which to us seem supernatural. The same is the case with all higher species of human life (Rakshasas, Yakshas, etc.).

 

When we understand who these people taking part in this divine lila were, and when we understand amidst all of them was the Supreme Lord Himself, Ramachandra, then it no longer needs to be a merely symbolic story.

 

If we tell our own world's modern history over the last few years to tribals living in the deepest forests of the Amazon, what do you think they will say about our stories? Perhaps they will think they are mythological tales, or symbolic descriptions.

 

Fire raining from the sky? Huge iron arrows capable of destroying cities? Men flying in chariots with wings? Palaces rising over a hundred stories into the clouds? People seeing and speaking to each other thousands of miles apart? It all sounds like mythology, until you realize its whats all around us.

 

[This message has been edited by jndas (edited 04-22-2002).]

[theist]

Originally posted by Tarun:

Tum kaun? KAma; Tum kaun? Krodha; Tum kaun? Lobha..

In this way, all ten heads were questioned & revealed their ID.

Now if this thread doesn't belong in KRSNa Talk Forum, Who does?

Or u may as well cancel/foreclose KRSNa Talk Forum altogether.

Tum kaun means what?Who are you or what is your nature, something like that?

Tarun please elaborate.Where can I read this?

 

Thanks

theist

 

[theist]

Good points jndas.I feel I am experiencing some growing pains in these areas.What I thought I knew is being tested internaly.What I took for knowledge, Supersoul is showing me, is mere belief.Let me add by this I refer to my own belief vs. true knowing.I am not refering to what has been presented as knowledge in the SB and elsewhere.I accept SB as divine and Holy Writ.It is just my own personal vision of that writ that is in question.

 

Hopefully I can obtain a proper understanding to strengthen my faith without sowing doubts at the same time.It feels like a tightrope walk in a way, but let me try.

 

Here is an example from SB 4.25.9:

 

atra te kathayiñye ’mum

itihäsaà purätanam

puraïjanasya caritaà

nibodha gadato mama

 

SYNONYMS

atra—herewith; te—unto you; kathayiñye—I shall speak; amum—on this subject matter; itihäsam—history; purätanam—very old; puraïjanasya—in the matter of Puraïjana; caritam—his character; nibodha—try to understand; gadataù mama—while I am speaking.

 

TRANSLATION

In this connection I wish to narrate an old history connected with the character of a king called Puranjana.Please try to hear me with great attention.

 

PURPORT [excerpt]

The great sage Närada Muni turned toward another topic—the history of King Puraïjana. This is nothing but the history of King Präcénabarhiñat told in a different way. In other words, this is an allegorical presentation. The word puraïjana means “one who enjoys in a body.” This is clearly explained in the next few chapters. Because a person entangled in material activities wants to hear stories of material activities, Närada Muni turned to the topics of King Puraïjana, who is none other than King Präcénabarhiñat.

 

So here we see what is clearly an allegory but it is described also as an old history in the verse.

 

Where does this start and stop in the scriptures?

 

You are right in pointing out the problem arises for me when incarnations are spoken of.

I firmly accept the transcendental form of Krishna as the origin of all including the brahmanjyoti, so I am not trying to deconstruct lila to point to impersonalism.

 

Drat this life of ignorance!

 

Comments?

 

[This message has been edited by theist (edited 04-22-2002).]

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

So here we see what is clearly an allegory but it is described also as an old history in the verse.

Whenever an allegory is used in the Puranas, it is clearly identified as such in the text itself. This is the case with the above story of Puranjana. Narada will go on to explain what the symbolism in the story is.

 

[theist]

But in the text it is described as an old history.itihasam puratanam.Then in the purport SP explains that that refers to the living entity who has an old history of living in the material body.

 

Clearly the verses that follow make it very clear that it is an allegory.I am just wondering how pervasive this might be and some stories may not be so obvious.

 

Perhaps this should not be on this thread?Maybe we need a 'how to hear the Purana's thread' or something.

 

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

Both in the Puranas and in the Upanishads the style of presentation for allegories is to first state the allegory, and then to explain point by point what each item represents. The allegories are always told to a person, and the same person is then told the meaning.

 

In this particular case, Narada is refering to it as a history to create a dramatic effect on the listener. "There once was a king..."; then in concluding - "that king is you." Followed by an explanation of the allegory.