AraniPrapti - Recovery of Lost Article

By Sri Chiraan 2009/06/17

When there are benefics in the 2 ,3 4 or 11, then lost articles are recovered.

As Pandavs were living peacefully in the forest after Karna and Duryodhan were rescued by Arjun from gandharva Chitrasen. A Bramhin one day came by to the place where pandavs were dwelling.

Bramhin had his arani carried away by a deer. What is arani? 

In olden days Bramhins resorted to Agnihotra everyday. Agnihotra required the fire to be lit in the Homa Kunda. This fire was lit with the help of sticks known as Arani. Two Arani sticks when rubbed caused fire to be lit through kusha and samit.

As Arani was carried away by the deer stuck in its horns. Bramhin came to Pandavs to get back the Arani from the deer which might be wandering in the forest.

All the five brothers set out into the forest. They looked into the direction where deer hoofs were found. They chased the deer deep into the forest, and deer suddenly vanished.

All the five brothers were tired and thirsty due to prolonged chase.

Nakul sad at the events and failure thus spoke to Yudhisthir, "Oh elder one, as far as I know our ancestors have never turned down the request of the subjects. Neither did we ever fail in our daily oblations and prayer towards the Lord. Nor do I remember a day when we have sinned or missed a vow. Then what caused our failure to catch this deer".

Sahadev said "I did not make any mistakes in my life except when Shakuni deceived in the dice, I should have killed him then and there, but I failed to do so, thus today because of that karma seeing this day of exhaustion and failure".

Arjun too claimed "he should have slit the throat of Karna as he uttered those words to Draupadi".

Bheema agreed with them, but Yudhisthir said, which karma we are reaping now is in the hands of Yama [dharma], so we cannot exactly be reaping instantaneous karma. Strange are the ways of destiny known only to Dharma.

Yudhisthir then ordered Nakul to look for water nearby. Nakul climbed the tree and saw a watery bushes and cranes flying. Thus He told nearby a pond must be there. Yudhisthir ordered to bring water to quench the thirst.

Nakul went to the Pond. Dharma disguised as baka bird warned "oh son answer my question and then drink, else you shall die".

Nakul without paying heed drank the water and lay still.

Sahadev went and similarly laid still.

Arjun went and listening to the voice looked in all directions, took a arrow and hit the shabdavedhi arrow to cover entire pond with arrows.

Yama said "why this much of effort just answer few questions and drink".

Arjun did not pay heed.

Bheema to did not pay heed and laid still.

To answer the questions and take water would be akin to using Vidya for self-sustenance. This is not allowed for kshatriyas. Thus even if these knew the answers. They preferred death than foregoing Dharma.

Yudhisthir, however in order to revive his brothers thought to answer the Yaksha.

Yaksha asked many questions. Yudhisthir answered them successfully.

Happy with dharma’s son answers, Yama said he would revive only one of the brothers.

Yudhisthir asked Nakul to be revived.

Yama said, "Yudhisthir, everyone knows Bheema is quiet dear to you, he is the one who has brought kingdom to you, and he is the one you are relying to gain back Kingdom from Duryodhan. Why did you then choose Nakul to be revived".

Yudhisthir said, "oh noble one, you seem not to be ordinary yaksha for none in this entire universe except celestials can put these to slumber. Neither these brothers of mine have turned pale due to poison of pond.

It seems your maya has made them so, but I chose Nakul because I am the surviving son of Kunti. My father’s other wife Madri, is also equally a mother to me. It is for that her son should also be alive I asked Nakul".

Yaksha happy with Yudhisthir revived all the brothers. Revealing himself as Yama, as father of Yudhisthir. Yama said it was to test him, he disguised as deer took the Arani of the Bramhin. Pleased he asked Yudhisthir to seek a boon.

Yudhisthir asked "let this Bramhin never fail in his agnihotra".

Yama happy asked Yudhisthir to seek another boon. Yudhisthir said "12 years have completed in forest, 13th year is to commence, they have to live incognito [in disguise]. Let no one recognise them in this year".

Yama replied "I give you all a boon to assume any form of your choice, as long as you wish and resume at your will. No one will be able to recognise you all by my boon, even if you all are in original forms".

Yudhisthir said "as they are all born to devatas, they have naturally very high radiance, far superior to ordinary men and kings. This would definitely raise a suspicion in the minds of people and Duryodhans’ spies may easily target them".

Yama by his maya reduced their lustre. Assured them they would never be recognised.

Pleased with Yudhisthir, Yama asked to seek another boon, Yudhisthir asked to ever remain in Dharma. Yama blessed it to be so, as to become very nature of Yudhisthir.

Happily Pandavs returned the Arani to Bramhin. Went to Virat for Agnyat Vasa.

Krishnarpana

Sun - Birth of Ashwini Devatas The celestial Twins

By Sri Chiraan 2008/12/07 

Aditya (sun) was born to Aditi, the daughter of Daksha prajapati. Aditya was married to Sangya devi, daughter of Tvashtrva (architect of devatas). Sangya was very beautiful and Sun was very happily living with her. However Sangya finding the heat of Sun as unbearable, one day went back to her father’s house. Father assured that he would reduce the brilliance of his son in-law in due course, but it is not wise of chaste woman to leave their husband. So Sangya returned and carried on with Sun, giving birth to Manu, Yama, and Yami.

But unable to bear Sun’s brilliance, Sangya created her replica, Chayadevi [who resembled her in appearance], went away to forest in Uttara Kuru in the disguise of Mare [female horse]. Chayadevi serving Sun as Sangya (his wife), within one year gave birth to Manu, Sani and Tapti.

However Chaya grew partial towards Sangya’s children and Yama noting this complained to Father. Father showed discern towards Chaya. Chaya out of anger cursed Yama, "You lord over the dead" and to Yami as "You be a river (yamuna)". Sensing mother never curses her child, Sun suspected Chaya. Then He found out the truth and cursed Saturn "You become lame and cruel planet", Tapati to become the river.

Sun out of his Divyadrishti found out Sangya was roaming in the forest of Kuru as mare, he took the form of Horse and lived with her again in the forest. Thus were born two beautiful horses(twins) Ashwini. Bramha came to the forest and appointed the Ashwini as Physicians of Devatas and offered them a boon of being extremely handsome.

Vishwakarma then prayed Aditya and subsequently he reduced his brilliance to accommodate the growth of civilization on the earth.

This story also gives the philosophical reason behind the results of Sun in seventh house. Sun in seventh house invites separation from husband in a woman’s horoscope. Sometimes husband abandons the lady. In some cases lady has to compromise as second wife.

Thus this story of birth of Ashwini devatas, narrated by Vyasa, brings beauty and health to those who listen or reads it.

Krishnarpana 

Karma Vipaka - Discourse of Yama

By Sri Chiraan 2008/12/04

A rich man invites entire city to his function ,where a grand pooja is held, rich man performs pooja with much grandeur and display of wealth. He offers gold, silver, pearls, precious stones, fruits, incense with loud chanting of mantras. Aarti is performed with bells resounding the air and frenzy atmosphere is created, but alas, the entire show was only to impress the gathering, with a pride that everybody is watching and probably to create an impression how devotional one is. There is no devotion towards the Lord. Its all “adambar pooja” .

But nonetheless that was a Karma!

A child was born in a rich family, birthday was planned, child was completely dressed with ornaments, gold, silver, pearls, precious stones, silk robes, golden cradle. House was decorated with flowers, perfumes, lights etc. There was a huge gathering, everyone was praising the child, singing songs ,wishing him long life. Everyone around him was happy, but child alas was unaware of what was going on.

The correlation of the two stories is the child was none but rich man reborn and the effect was the result of his karma “adambar pooja”. He did a splendid job without sincerity of mind, he  reaped a splendid result sans consciousness.

• Karmas are of three types

• Satvik
• Rajasik
• Tamasic

They are further divided as

• Papa
• Punya

Thus we have

• Satvik punya
• Rajasik punya 
• Tamasic punya

Similarly

• Satvik papa 
• Rajasik papa
• Tamasik papa

• Further these are divided into
• Papa beeja
• Punya beeja 

• Thus we have
• Papa beeja punya 
• Papa beeja papa 
• And punya beeja papa
• Punya beeja punya

Beeja itself is again

• Satvik 
• Rajasik
• Tamasik

These can be further divided as manasa vacha and karmana.

• That which is done by
• Mind
• Speech 
• Body

They are further classified as

• Dhrud
• Adhrud
• prakat
• Gupt
• Sahaj
• Utprerita
• Avishta

They are further classified as

• Prarabdha
• Sanchita
• Agami

These are Further classified as

• Ishta
• Anishta

And many more subtle differentiations beyond the scope of general readers.

The effects of each are also known as the secret science of Danda neeti .

Thus karmas unfold life after life in an inexhaustible manner throwing the soul into cycle of births and deaths.

Krishnarpana

Karma Vipaka - The story of Nachiketa

By Sri Chiraan 2008/12/03

Nachiketa was a great scholar. His father wanted to donate everything to everybody and start a fresh life. (sarvasva dana-this is form of vrata which in  olden days every able persons confident of their abilities and to reiterate their dependence on notion that everything is given by God and taken away by him at his will). But while donating one must donate only those which we would like to use ourselves and not those that would be useless to us.

Nachiketa’s father was about to donate two old sick cows, when Nachiketa objected and advised his father,"oh my father giving such dana would get you a place in santanik loka which does not have peace". Father furious at son’s disobedience says "even you are useless to me and I have donated you to Yama".

Adhering to Father’s words Nachiketa sets his journey for Yama Loka. Father after having his anger settled, repents but words are words. Nachiketa after long journey to the land of dead (alive), with his tapobala reaches Yamapuri to the south of Meru. But Yama was not at his residence, his wife Shyamala devi having a Bramhin at the doorstep, rushes to invite him with respect. But Nachiketa refuses to step inside as shastras prohibit entering of a house when the owner is not present. Hence Nachiketa spends next three days fasting, at the doorsteps of Yama.

Yama arrives and having seen a Bramhin lad fully engrossed at his doorstep is immensely pleased, after feeding him,  agrees to grant three boons. Nachiketa asks for Bramha vidya, Yama offers wealth of a golden city, kingship of a ethereal world and 1000 apsaras to a young boy, he rejects and sticks to  learning Bramha vidya. Finally convinced of his capacity, Yama gives discourse to Nachiketa on Bramha vidya, what is known as popularly Kathopanishad.

As a second boon Nachiketa preferred to know the different kinds of Karma a man does and their subsequent fruits/effects he experiences in the subsequent births. Yama explains to him the theory of karma in what is known as Karma Vipaka. This is a discourse on:

1. What are the different kinds of actions a man undertakes.
2. How these actions can be classified.
3. What are the ramifications of this action.
4. How are planets responsible in bringing out this ramifications.
5. What are different experiences of soul in different worlds.
6. Why does one take birth in one particular combination of planets.
7. What are importance of birth in a particular nakshatra as per karma.
8. Who determines the karma and who keeps record of it.
9. What is the process of Vipaka.
10. How can one come out of this cycle of birth and death after knowing ones Karma and its Vipaka.

Nachiketa as a third boon asks for forgivance to his father’s folly, to which Yama says, blessed are the 21 generations of forefathers in which a son like NACHIKETA is born. Nachiketa was an extraordinary lad who had the capacity to face the lord of Death in his own city alive.

Krishnarpana

Sri Mahalaxmi and Deepavali

By Sri Chiraan 2008/10/28

Deepavali as celebrated from  Dhanatrayodashi (ashwayuja  krishna trayodashi) onwards till, Kartika tritiya is the most glamorous festival among all celebrations. On dhana trayodashi people buy gold and other precious articles as a sign of increased prosperity from then onwards day by day. Usually gambling is  prohibited by shastras, it leads to sin. But on Dhanatrayodashi no sin is incurred by gambling, a symbolic win on this day indicates a profitable year.

Ashwayuja Amavasya Deepavali: this day evening Mahalaxmi is prayed in various forms. Traders pray their accounts book ,close all their dealings and make a fresh start. This day is celebrated with gait and pomp with all relatives. Sweets, gold ornaments, lights, crackers light up the entire country to a huge celebrative mood, refreshing all and everyone.

Bali Pratipada: This day is very auspicious and any work undertaken on this day before evening definitely results in success. This day an oil bath gives rejuvenation and disappearance of all diseases. Lord Vaman appeared on this day sent Bali to Patal Loka and blesses him with the seat of Indra in the next manvantara cycle. This marks the new year for salivahan saka, vikram saka. Offering many deepas (lights) on this day in avali (rows) gives immense punya.

Yama Dwitiya: On this day Yama gave classic sermon on sanctity of brother-sister relationship. He preached his sister Yamuna that elder brother is like a father to a sister, there should not be any sexual inclinations towards each other, this marks the highest sanctity in civilization. Instead he should look for an able groom and hand over his sister in marriage. This day sisters pray for long life of brothers, and invite them to their houses and offer all sweet preparations

Bhagini Tritiya: This day brothers bring their sisters to their own house and celebrate with offering her clothes , sweets, gold, and other things of honour .On this day Yamuna prayed Yama for good progeny and healthy married life.

Dwitiya is a bhadra tithi that keeps everything safe. Investments on this day keeps wealth steady. Tritiya is a jaya tithi and to obtain success this day is very apt for gains etc. 

Thus Deepavali is a string of festivals where Mahalaxmi literally takes a tour of the places where she is worshipped, and the effect of glory, prosperity, and wealth and happiness is seen at every doorstep that invites her a with a lamp, and lamps and rows of lamps. Deep (lamp) Avali (rows). 

Krishnarpanamastu