Stotrams for Vara Lakshmi Shukravaaram- Lakshmi kalyanam, Shri Lakshmi stotram and AshtaLakshmi stotram (Post 14)

Lakshmi Kalyanam: (Telugu)

Devendra krutha Shri Lakshmi Stotram: (English)

Namah Kamala vasinyai narayanyai namo namah,

Krishna priyayai sathatham Maha Lakshmyai namo namah.                  

Padma pathre kshnayai cha  padmasyai namo namah,

Padmasanaa yai padminyai , Vaishnavyai namo namah.                            

Sarva sampath swaroopinyai , sarva aradhyai namo namah,

Hari bhakthi pradathrai  cha harsha dathrai namo namah.                     

Krishna vaksha sthithayai  cha Krishneshayai namo namah,

Chandra shobhaa swaroopaayai , rathna padme cha Shobhane.               

Sampath adhishtathru devyai , maha devyai namo namah,

Namo vrudhi swaroopaayai , vrudhi dayyai namo namah.                          

Vaikunthe ya Mahalakshmi  ya Lakshmi Ksheera sagare,

Swarga Lakshmi  Indra gehe Raja Lakshmi nrupalaye.                               

Graha lakshmeescha Gruhinaam gehe cha gruha devathaa,

Surabhi sagare  Jaatha Dakshinaa yagna kamini.                                              

Adhithir deva mathaa , thwam kamalaa kamalalaye,

Swaaha thwam cha havir dhaane , kanyaa dhaane Swadha smrutha.                

Thwam hi Vishnu swaroopa cha, sarvaadharaa Vasundharaa,

Shudha sathwa swaroopa cha, thwam Narayana Parayana.                               

Krodha himsa varjitha cha varadhaa  sharadaa shubhaa,

Paramartha pradhaa thwam cha, hari dhasya pradhaa paraa.                            

yaya vinaa jagath sarvam bhaasmi bhutham asaarakam

jeevan mrutham cha vishwam cha shashvath sarvam yayaa vinaa.

Sarveeshaam paraa mathaa, sarva baandhava roopini,

Dhamartha kama mokshaanaam thwaya cha kaarana  roopini.                     

Yadhaa maathaa sthanaam dhaanaam , shishoonaam shaishave sada,

Thadha thwam sarvadhaa mathaa sarveshaam sarva roopathaha.                 

Mathru heena sthanandasthu  sa cha jeevathi daivatha,

Thwaya heeno janaha kopi na  jeevathyeva nischitham.                                  

Suprasanna swaroopa thwam, maam prasannaa bhavaambike,

Vairi grastham cha vishayam- dehimahyam sanaathani.                               

Aham yavath thwaya heenah , bandhu heenascha bhikshukah,

Sarva sampath viheenascha  thava deva hari priye,

Gnanam dehi cha dharmam cha  sarva soubhagya meepsitham,

Prabhavam cha prathapam cha sarvadhikara meva cha .                      

Jayam parakramam yudhe paramaishwarya mevacha,

Ithi ukthwa cha mahendrascha , sarvai sura ganaa saha.                               

Pranamyaasya asru nethro moordhana chaiva punah punah,

Brahma sankarascha iva  , Sesho dharmascha Kesava.                                          

Sarve shathru parihaaram suraarthe  cha punah punah,

Devebhyascha  varam dathwa pushpa malaam manoharam.                        

Keshavaaya dhadhou Lakshmi santhushta sura sammathi,

Yayur deva santhushta  svam svam sthaanam gatha,

Dathwa shuba asheervam thou gathebhya preethi poorvakam,

Idham stothram Maha punyam Trisandhyam  ya pateth nara,

Kubera thulya  sa bhaveth Raja Rajeswaro Mahan,

Pancha laksha japenaiva  sthothra sidhi  Bhaveth runa,

Sidha stothram yathi padeth masa mekanthu santhatham,

Maha sura rajendro Bhavishyathi na samsaya.     

                                           

Devendra krutha Shri Lakshmi Stotram: (Telugu)

నమః  కమల వాసిన్యై నారాయణ్యై  నమోనమః

కృష్ణప్రియాయై సతతం మహాలక్ష్మై నమోనమః

పద్మపత్రేక్షణాయై చ  చ పద్మాస్యాయై నమోనమః

పద్మాసనాయై పద్మిన్యై వైష్ణవ్యై చ నమోనమః

సర్వ సంపత్ స్వరూపిణ్యై  సర్వ ఆరాధ్యై  నమోనమః

హరిభక్తి ప్రదాత్రై చ హర్ష దాత్రై  నమోనమః

కృష్ణ వక్ష స్థితాయై చ  కృష్ణేశాయై నమోనమః

చంద్రశోభా స్వరూపాయై రత్నపద్మే చ శోభనే

సంపత్ అధిష్టాత్రు  దేవ్యై మహాదేవ్యై నమోనమః

నమో వృద్ధి స్వరూపాయై వృద్ధి దాయై నమోనమః

వైకుంఠే యా మహాలక్ష్మీ: యా లక్ష్మీ: క్షీరసాగరే

స్వర్గ లక్ష్మీ ఇంద్ర గృహే  రాజ్యలక్ష్మీ నృపాలయే

గృహలక్ష్మీ శ్చ గృహిణాం గేహే చ గృహదేవతా

సురభి స్సాగరేజాతా దక్షిణా యజ్ఞ కామినీ

అదితిర్ దేవమాతా త్వం  కమలా కమలాలయే

స్వాహాత్వం చ హవిర్ధానే కన్యాదానే స్వధా స్మ్రతా

త్వం హి విష్ణు స్వరూపా చ సర్వధారా వసుంధరా

శుద్ధ సత్త్వ స్వరూపా చ నారాయణా పరాయణా

క్రోధ హింసా వర్జితాచ వరదా శారదా శుభా

పరమార్థ ప్రదా త్వం చ హరిదాస్య ప్రదా పరా

యయా వినా జగత్ సర్వం భాస్మి భూతం అసారకం 

జీవన్ మృతం చ విశ్వం చ శశ్వత్ సర్వం యయా వినా 

సర్వేషాం చ పరామాతా సర్వబంధవ రూపిణీ

ధర్మార్థ కామ మోక్షాణాం త్వం చ కారణ రూపిణీ

యథామాతా స్తనంధానాం శిశూనాం శైశవే సదా

తథా త్వం సర్వదా మాతా సర్వేషాం సర్వ రూపతః

మాతృహీన స్తనాంధస్తు స చ జీవతి దైవతః

త్వయా హీనో జనః కోపి న జీవత్యేవ నిశ్చితమ్

సుప్రసన్న స్వరూపా త్వం మాం ప్రసన్నా భవాంభికే

వైరిగ్రస్తం చ విషయం దేహి మహ్యం సనాతని

అహం యావత్త్వయా హీనః బంధుహీన శ్చ భీక్షుకః

సర్వసంపద్విహీన శ్చ తావ దేవ హరిప్రియే

జ్ఞానం దేహి చ ధర్మం చ సర్వ సౌభాగ్య మీప్సితం

ప్రభావం చ ప్రతాపం చ సర్వాధికార మేవచ

జయం పరాక్రమం యుద్ధే పరమైశ్వర్య మేవ చ

ఇతి ఉక్త్వ చ మహేంద్రశ్చ, సర్వై సురగణా సః

ప్రణమ్యాస్య  అశ్రు నేత్రో  మూర్ధన చైవ పునః పునః 

బ్రహ్మ శంకరాశ్చ ఇవ శేషో ధర్మశ్చ కేశవా

సర్వే శత్రు పరిహారం సురార్థె చ పునః పునః 

దేవేభ్యశ్చ  వరం దత్వా పుష్ప మాలాం మనోహరం 

కేశవాయ దదౌ లక్ష్మి సంతుష్టా సుర సమ్మతి 

యయుర్ దేవా సంతుష్టా స్వం స్వం స్థానం గతా 

దత్వా శుభ ఆశీర్వం తౌ గతేభ్య ప్రీతి పూర్వకం 

ఇదం స్తోత్రం మహా పుణ్యం త్రిసంధ్యం యః పఠేత్ నర 

కుబేర తుల్య స భవేత్ రాజ రాజేశ్వరో మహాన్ 

పంచ లక్ష జపేనైవ స్తోత్ర సిద్ధి భవేత్ ఋణా 

సిద్ధ స్తోత్రం యతి పఠేత్ మాసమేకంతు సంతతం 

మహా సుర రాజేంద్రో భవిష్యతి న సమస్యా 

Ashta Lakshmi- Telugu:

ఆదిలక్ష్మి

సుమనస వందిత సుందరి మాధవి, చంద్ర సహొదరి హేమమయే 

మునిగణ వందిత మోక్షప్రదాయని, మంజుల భాషిణి వేదనుతే | 

పంకజవాసిని దేవ సుపూజిత, సద్గుణ వర్షిణి శాంతియుతే 

జయ జయహే మధుసూదన కామిని, ఆదిలక్ష్మి పరిపాలయ మామ్ || 1 ||

ధాన్యలక్ష్మి

అయికలి కల్మష నాశిని కామిని, వైదిక రూపిణి వేదమయే 

క్షీర సముద్భవ మంగళ రూపిణి, మంత్రనివాసిని మంత్రనుతే |

మంగళదాయిని అంబుజవాసిని, దేవగణాశ్రిత పాదయుతే 

జయ జయహే మధుసూదన కామిని, ధాన్యలక్ష్మి పరిపాలయ మామ్ || 2 ||

ధైర్యలక్ష్మి

జయవరవర్షిణి వైష్ణవి భార్గవి, మంత్ర స్వరూపిణి మంత్రమయే 

సురగణ పూజిత శీఘ్ర ఫలప్రద, ఙ్ఞాన వికాసిని శాస్త్రనుతే | 

భవభయహారిణి పాపవిమోచని, సాధు జనాశ్రిత పాదయుతే 

జయ జయహే మధు సూధన కామిని, ధైర్యలక్ష్మీ పరిపాలయ మామ్ || 3 ||

గజలక్ష్మి

జయ జయ దుర్గతి నాశిని కామిని, సర్వఫలప్రద శాస్త్రమయే 

రధగజ తురగపదాతి సమావృత, పరిజన మండిత లోకనుతే | 

హరిహర బ్రహ్మ సుపూజిత సేవిత, తాప నివారిణి పాదయుతే 

జయ జయహే మధుసూదన కామిని, గజలక్ష్మీ రూపేణ పాలయ మామ్ || 4 ||

సంతానలక్ష్మి

అయిఖగ వాహిని మోహిని చక్రిణి, రాగవివర్ధిని ఙ్ఞానమయే 

గుణగణవారధి లోకహితైషిణి, సప్తస్వర భూషిత గాననుతే |

సకల సురాసుర దేవ మునీశ్వర, మానవ వందిత పాదయుతే 

జయ జయహే మధుసూదన కామిని, సంతానలక్ష్మీ పరిపాలయ మామ్ || 5 ||

విజయలక్ష్మి

జయ కమలాసిని సద్గతి దాయిని, ఙ్ఞానవికాసిని గానమయే 

అనుదిన మర్చిత కుంకుమ ధూసర, భూషిత వాసిత వాద్యనుతే | 

కనకధరాస్తుతి వైభవ వందిత, శంకరదేశిక మాన్యపదే 

జయ జయహే మధుసూదన కామిని, విజయలక్ష్మీ పరిపాలయ మామ్ || 6 ||

విద్యాలక్ష్మి

ప్రణత సురేశ్వరి భారతి భార్గవి, శోకవినాశిని రత్నమయే 

మణిమయ భూషిత కర్ణవిభూషణ, శాంతి సమావృత హాస్యముఖే |

నవనిధి దాయిని కలిమలహారిణి, కామిత ఫలప్రద హస్తయుతే 

జయ జయహే మధుసూదన కామిని, విద్యాలక్ష్మీ సదా పాలయ మామ్ || 7 ||

ధనలక్ష్మి

ధిమిధిమి ధింధిమి ధింధిమి-దింధిమి, దుంధుభి నాద సుపూర్ణమయే 

ఘుమఘుమ ఘుంఘుమ ఘుంఘుమ ఘుంఘుమ, శంఖ నినాద సువాద్యనుతే |

వేద పూరాణేతిహాస సుపూజిత, వైదిక మార్గ ప్రదర్శయుతే 

జయ జయహే మధుసూదన కామిని, ధనలక్ష్మి రూపేణా పాలయ మామ్ || 8 ||

ఫలశృతి

శ్లో|| అష్టలక్ష్మీ నమస్తుభ్యం వరదే కామరూపిణి | 

విష్ణువక్షః స్థలా రూఢే భక్త మోక్ష ప్రదాయిని ||

శ్లో|| శంఖ చక్రగదాహస్తే విశ్వరూపిణితే జయః |

జగన్మాత్రే చ మోహిన్యై మంగళం శుభ మంగళమ్ ||

Ashta Lakshmi- Hindi:

आदिलक्ष्मि

सुमनस वन्दित सुन्दरि माधवि, चन्द्र सहोदरि हेममये 

मुनिगण वन्दित मोक्षप्रदायनि, मञ्जुल भाषिणि वेदनुते । 

पङ्कजवासिनि देव सुपूजित, सद्गुण वर्षिणि शान्तियुते 

जय जयहे मधुसूदन कामिनि, आदिलक्ष्मि परिपालय माम् ॥ 1 ॥

धान्यलक्ष्मि

अयिकलि कल्मष नाशिनि कामिनि, वैदिक रूपिणि वेदमये 

क्षीर समुद्भव मङ्गल रूपिणि, मन्त्रनिवासिनि मन्त्रनुते ।

मङ्गलदायिनि अम्बुजवासिनि, देवगणाश्रित पादयुते 

जय जयहे मधुसूदन कामिनि, धान्यलक्ष्मि परिपालय माम् ॥ 2 ॥

धैर्यलक्ष्मि

जयवरवर्षिणि वैष्णवि भार्गवि, मन्त्र स्वरूपिणि मन्त्रमये 

सुरगण पूजित शीघ्र फलप्रद, ज्ञान विकासिनि शास्त्रनुते । 

भवभयहारिणि पापविमोचनि, साधु जनाश्रित पादयुते 

जय जयहे मधु सूधन कामिनि, धैर्यलक्ष्मी परिपालय माम् ॥ 3 ॥

गजलक्ष्मि

जय जय दुर्गति नाशिनि कामिनि, सर्वफलप्रद शास्त्रमये 

रधगज तुरगपदाति समावृत, परिजन मण्डित लोकनुते । 

हरिहर ब्रह्म सुपूजित सेवित, ताप निवारिणि पादयुते 

जय जयहे मधुसूदन कामिनि, गजलक्ष्मी रूपेण पालय माम् ॥ 4 ॥

सन्तानलक्ष्मि

अयिखग वाहिनि मोहिनि चक्रिणि, रागविवर्धिनि ज्ञानमये 

गुणगणवारधि लोकहितैषिणि, सप्तस्वर भूषित गाननुते ।

सकल सुरासुर देव मुनीश्वर, मानव वन्दित पादयुते 

जय जयहे मधुसूदन कामिनि, सन्तानलक्ष्मी परिपालय माम् ॥ 5 ॥

विजयलक्ष्मि

जय कमलासिनि सद्गति दायिनि, ज्ञानविकासिनि गानमये 

अनुदिन मर्चित कुङ्कुम धूसर, भूषित वासित वाद्यनुते । 

कनकधरास्तुति वैभव वन्दित, शङ्करदेशिक मान्यपदे 

जय जयहे मधुसूदन कामिनि, विजयलक्ष्मी परिपालय माम् ॥ 6 ॥

विद्यालक्ष्मि

प्रणत सुरेश्वरि भारति भार्गवि, शोकविनाशिनि रत्नमये 

मणिमय भूषित कर्णविभूषण, शान्ति समावृत हास्यमुखे ।

नवनिधि दायिनि कलिमलहारिणि, कामित फलप्रद हस्तयुते 

जय जयहे मधुसूदन कामिनि, विद्यालक्ष्मी सदा पालय माम् ॥ 7 ॥

धनलक्ष्मि

धिमिधिमि धिन्धिमि धिन्धिमि-दिन्धिमि, दुन्धुभि नाद सुपूर्णमये 

घुमघुम घुङ्घुम घुङ्घुम घुङ्घुम, शङ्ख निनाद सुवाद्यनुते ।

वेद पूराणेतिहास सुपूजित, वैदिक मार्ग प्रदर्शयुते 

जय जयहे मधुसूदन कामिनि, धनलक्ष्मि रूपेणा पालय माम् ॥ 8 ॥

फलशृति

श्लो॥ अष्टलक्ष्मी नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि । 

विष्णुवक्षः स्थला रूढे भक्त मोक्ष प्रदायिनि ॥

श्लो॥ शङ्ख चक्रगदाहस्ते विश्वरूपिणिते जयः ।

जगन्मात्रे च मोहिन्यै मङ्गलं शुभ मङ्गलम् ॥

Ashta Lakshmi- Tamil:

ஆதிலக்ஷ்மி

ஸுமனஸ வம்தித ஸும்தரி மாதவி, சம்த்ர ஸஹொதரி ஹேமமயே 

முனிகண வம்தித மோக்ஷப்ரதாயனி, மம்ஜுல பாஷிணி வேதனுதே | 

பம்கஜவாஸினி தேவ ஸுபூஜித, ஸத்குண வர்ஷிணி ஶாம்தியுதே 

ஜய ஜயஹே மதுஸூதன காமினி, ஆதிலக்ஷ்மி பரிபாலய மாம் || 1 ||

தான்யலக்ஷ்மி

அயிகலி கல்மஷ னாஶினி காமினி, வைதிக ரூபிணி வேதமயே 

க்ஷீர ஸமுத்பவ மம்கள ரூபிணி, மம்த்ரனிவாஸினி மம்த்ரனுதே |

மம்களதாயினி அம்புஜவாஸினி, தேவகணாஶ்ரித பாதயுதே 

ஜய ஜயஹே மதுஸூதன காமினி, தான்யலக்ஷ்மி பரிபாலய மாம் || 2 ||

தைர்யலக்ஷ்மி

ஜயவரவர்ஷிணி வைஷ்ணவி பார்கவி, மம்த்ர ஸ்வரூபிணி மம்த்ரமயே 

ஸுரகண பூஜித ஶீக்ர பலப்ரத, ஜ்ஞான விகாஸினி ஶாஸ்த்ரனுதே | 

பவபயஹாரிணி பாபவிமோசனி, ஸாது ஜனாஶ்ரித பாதயுதே 

ஜய ஜயஹே மது ஸூதன காமினி, தைர்யலக்ஷ்மீ பரிபாலய மாம் || 3 ||

கஜலக்ஷ்மி

ஜய ஜய துர்கதி னாஶினி காமினி, ஸர்வபலப்ரத ஶாஸ்த்ரமயே 

ரதகஜ துரகபதாதி ஸமாவ்றுத, பரிஜன மம்டித லோகனுதே | 

ஹரிஹர ப்ரஹ்ம ஸுபூஜித ஸேவித, தாப னிவாரிணி பாதயுதே 

ஜய ஜயஹே மதுஸூதன காமினி, கஜலக்ஷ்மீ ரூபேண பாலய மாம் || 4 ||

ஸம்தானலக்ஷ்மி

அயிகக வாஹினி மோஹினி சக்ரிணி, ராகவிவர்தினி ஜ்ஞானமயே 

குணகணவாரதி லோகஹிதைஷிணி, ஸப்தஸ்வர பூஷித கானனுதே |

ஸகல ஸுராஸுர தேவ முனீஶ்வர, மானவ வம்தித பாதயுதே 

ஜய ஜயஹே மதுஸூதன காமினி, ஸம்தானலக்ஷ்மீ பரிபாலய மாம் || 5 ||

விஜயலக்ஷ்மி

ஜய கமலாஸினி ஸத்கதி தாயினி, ஜ்ஞானவிகாஸினி கானமயே 

அனுதின மர்சித கும்கும தூஸர, பூஷித வாஸித வாத்யனுதே | 

கனகதராஸ்துதி வைபவ வம்தித, ஶம்கரதேஶிக மான்யபதே 

ஜய ஜயஹே மதுஸூதன காமினி, விஜயலக்ஷ்மீ பரிபாலய மாம் || 6 ||

வித்யாலக்ஷ்மி

ப்ரணத ஸுரேஶ்வரி பாரதி பார்கவி, ஶோகவினாஶினி ரத்னமயே 

மணிமய பூஷித கர்ணவிபூஷண, ஶாம்தி ஸமாவ்றுத ஹாஸ்யமுகே |

னவனிதி தாயினி கலிமலஹாரிணி, காமித பலப்ரத ஹஸ்தயுதே 

ஜய ஜயஹே மதுஸூதன காமினி, வித்யாலக்ஷ்மீ ஸதா பாலய மாம் || 7 ||

தனலக்ஷ்மி

திமிதிமி திம்திமி திம்திமி-திம்திமி, தும்துபி னாத ஸுபூர்ணமயே 

குமகும கும்கும கும்கும கும்கும, ஶம்க னினாத ஸுவாத்யனுதே |

வேத பூராணேதிஹாஸ ஸுபூஜித, வைதிக மார்க ப்ரதர்ஶயுதே 

ஜய ஜயஹே மதுஸூதன காமினி, தனலக்ஷ்மி ரூபேணா பாலய மாம் || 8 ||

பலஶ்றுதி

ஶ்லோ|| அஷ்டலக்ஷ்மீ னமஸ்துப்யம் வரதே காமரூபிணி | 

விஷ்ணுவக்ஷஃ ஸ்தலா ரூடே பக்த மோக்ஷ ப்ரதாயினி ||

ஶ்லோ|| ஶம்க சக்ரகதாஹஸ்தே விஶ்வரூபிணிதே ஜயஃ |

ஜகன்மாத்ரே ச மோஹின்யை மம்களம் ஶுப மம்களம் ||

Ashta Lakshmi- Kannada:

ಆದಿಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ

ಸುಮನಸ ವಂದಿತ ಸುಂದರಿ ಮಾಧವಿ, ಚಂದ್ರ ಸಹೊದರಿ ಹೇಮಮಯೇ 

ಮುನಿಗಣ ವಂದಿತ ಮೋಕ್ಷಪ್ರದಾಯನಿ, ಮಂಜುಲ ಭಾಷಿಣಿ ವೇದನುತೇ | 

ಪಂಕಜವಾಸಿನಿ ದೇವ ಸುಪೂಜಿತ, ಸದ್ಗುಣ ವರ್ಷಿಣಿ ಶಾಂತಿಯುತೇ 

ಜಯ ಜಯಹೇ ಮಧುಸೂದನ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ಆದಿಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಪರಿಪಾಲಯ ಮಾಮ್ || 1 ||

ಧಾನ್ಯಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ

ಅಯಿಕಲಿ ಕಲ್ಮಷ ನಾಶಿನಿ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ವೈದಿಕ ರೂಪಿಣಿ ವೇದಮಯೇ 

ಕ್ಷೀರ ಸಮುದ್ಭವ ಮಂಗಳ ರೂಪಿಣಿ, ಮಂತ್ರನಿವಾಸಿನಿ ಮಂತ್ರನುತೇ |

ಮಂಗಳದಾಯಿನಿ ಅಂಬುಜವಾಸಿನಿ, ದೇವಗಣಾಶ್ರಿತ ಪಾದಯುತೇ 

ಜಯ ಜಯಹೇ ಮಧುಸೂದನ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ಧಾನ್ಯಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಪರಿಪಾಲಯ ಮಾಮ್ || 2 ||

ಧೈರ್ಯಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ

ಜಯವರವರ್ಷಿಣಿ ವೈಷ್ಣವಿ ಭಾರ್ಗವಿ, ಮಂತ್ರ ಸ್ವರೂಪಿಣಿ ಮಂತ್ರಮಯೇ 

ಸುರಗಣ ಪೂಜಿತ ಶೀಘ್ರ ಫಲಪ್ರದ, ಙ್ಞಾನ ವಿಕಾಸಿನಿ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರನುತೇ | 

ಭವಭಯಹಾರಿಣಿ ಪಾಪವಿಮೋಚನಿ, ಸಾಧು ಜನಾಶ್ರಿತ ಪಾದಯುತೇ 

ಜಯ ಜಯಹೇ ಮಧು ಸೂಧನ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ಧೈರ್ಯಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಪರಿಪಾಲಯ ಮಾಮ್ || 3 ||

ಗಜಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ

ಜಯ ಜಯ ದುರ್ಗತಿ ನಾಶಿನಿ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ಸರ್ವಫಲಪ್ರದ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಮಯೇ 

ರಧಗಜ ತುರಗಪದಾತಿ ಸಮಾವೃತ, ಪರಿಜನ ಮಂಡಿತ ಲೋಕನುತೇ | 

ಹರಿಹರ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ ಸುಪೂಜಿತ ಸೇವಿತ, ತಾಪ ನಿವಾರಿಣಿ ಪಾದಯುತೇ 

ಜಯ ಜಯಹೇ ಮಧುಸೂದನ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ಗಜಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ರೂಪೇಣ ಪಾಲಯ ಮಾಮ್ || 4 ||

ಸಂತಾನಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ

ಅಯಿಖಗ ವಾಹಿನಿ ಮೋಹಿನಿ ಚಕ್ರಿಣಿ, ರಾಗವಿವರ್ಧಿನಿ ಙ್ಞಾನಮಯೇ 

ಗುಣಗಣವಾರಧಿ ಲೋಕಹಿತೈಷಿಣಿ, ಸಪ್ತಸ್ವರ ಭೂಷಿತ ಗಾನನುತೇ |

ಸಕಲ ಸುರಾಸುರ ದೇವ ಮುನೀಶ್ವರ, ಮಾನವ ವಂದಿತ ಪಾದಯುತೇ 

ಜಯ ಜಯಹೇ ಮಧುಸೂದನ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ಸಂತಾನಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಪರಿಪಾಲಯ ಮಾಮ್ || 5 ||

ವಿಜಯಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ

ಜಯ ಕಮಲಾಸಿನಿ ಸದ್ಗತಿ ದಾಯಿನಿ, ಙ್ಞಾನವಿಕಾಸಿನಿ ಗಾನಮಯೇ 

ಅನುದಿನ ಮರ್ಚಿತ ಕುಂಕುಮ ಧೂಸರ, ಭೂಷಿತ ವಾಸಿತ ವಾದ್ಯನುತೇ | 

ಕನಕಧರಾಸ್ತುತಿ ವೈಭವ ವಂದಿತ, ಶಂಕರದೇಶಿಕ ಮಾನ್ಯಪದೇ 

ಜಯ ಜಯಹೇ ಮಧುಸೂದನ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ವಿಜಯಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಪರಿಪಾಲಯ ಮಾಮ್ || 6 ||

ವಿದ್ಯಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ

ಪ್ರಣತ ಸುರೇಶ್ವರಿ ಭಾರತಿ ಭಾರ್ಗವಿ, ಶೋಕವಿನಾಶಿನಿ ರತ್ನಮಯೇ 

ಮಣಿಮಯ ಭೂಷಿತ ಕರ್ಣವಿಭೂಷಣ, ಶಾಂತಿ ಸಮಾವೃತ ಹಾಸ್ಯಮುಖೇ |

ನವನಿಧಿ ದಾಯಿನಿ ಕಲಿಮಲಹಾರಿಣಿ, ಕಾಮಿತ ಫಲಪ್ರದ ಹಸ್ತಯುತೇ 

ಜಯ ಜಯಹೇ ಮಧುಸೂದನ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ವಿದ್ಯಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಸದಾ ಪಾಲಯ ಮಾಮ್ || 7 ||

ಧನಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ

ಧಿಮಿಧಿಮಿ ಧಿಂಧಿಮಿ ಧಿಂಧಿಮಿ-ದಿಂಧಿಮಿ, ದುಂಧುಭಿ ನಾದ ಸುಪೂರ್ಣಮಯೇ 

ಘುಮಘುಮ ಘುಂಘುಮ ಘುಂಘುಮ ಘುಂಘುಮ, ಶಂಖ ನಿನಾದ ಸುವಾದ್ಯನುತೇ |

ವೇದ ಪೂರಾಣೇತಿಹಾಸ ಸುಪೂಜಿತ, ವೈದಿಕ ಮಾರ್ಗ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಯುತೇ 

ಜಯ ಜಯಹೇ ಮಧುಸೂದನ ಕಾಮಿನಿ, ಧನಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ರೂಪೇಣಾ ಪಾಲಯ ಮಾಮ್ || 8 ||

ಫಲಶೃತಿ

ಶ್ಲೋ|| ಅಷ್ಟಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ನಮಸ್ತುಭ್ಯಂ ವರದೇ ಕಾಮರೂಪಿಣಿ | 

ವಿಷ್ಣುವಕ್ಷಃ ಸ್ಥಲಾ ರೂಢೇ ಭಕ್ತ ಮೋಕ್ಷ ಪ್ರದಾಯಿನಿ ||

ಶ್ಲೋ|| ಶಂಖ ಚಕ್ರಗದಾಹಸ್ತೇ ವಿಶ್ವರೂಪಿಣಿತೇ ಜಯಃ |

ಜಗನ್ಮಾತ್ರೇ ಚ ಮೋಹಿನ್ಯೈ ಮಂಗಳಂ ಶುಭ ಮಂಗಳಮ್ ||

Source (AshtaLakshmi in different languages): http://www.vignanam.org/

Sai Ram,

Vipanchi Krishna.

Shrimad Ramayana- Balakanda- 7 (Post 13)

Namaste!

Recap from last week: Rama and Lakshmana help Sage Vishwamithra finish the yagna without issues and start their travel to Mithilapuri.

On their way to Mithila, in the evening, they rested at a place with a river named "shona". Rama requested his teacher to explain the birth and importance of this river. Sage Vishwamithra said, "O prince Rama! There was once a great king called Kusha and his wife was Vaidarbhi. Kusha is my great grandfather. They had fours sons- Kushambu, Kushanabhu, Adhurtharajasu and Vasuvu. He asked his sons to create four cities and rule them. Following their father's orders each one created a city. The place we are resting now is called the "Girivraja pura" built by the fourth son Vasu. Now, the second son Kushanabhu was a rajarshi and with his wife "Ghruthachi", he had a hundred beautiful daughters. Once Vayu deva asked all the girls to marry him. They immediately rejected him saying that it is their father's duty to find a suitable man for their marriages and they cannot and will never decide themselves about their marriages without their father's permission! This made Vayu angry and he cursed them to be paralytic (removing vayu(air) from a body leads to paralysis). The girls' father after knowing this gave all the daughters to a great Brahmarshi called "Brahmadatha" in marriage. As a marriage ritual when Brahmadatha touched each girl's hand (pani grahanam) she became normal again."

Why did Vishwamithra tell Rama this story when he asked about the birth of a mere river? He was preparing Rama- preparing him to understand a girl, importance of marriage, importance of being devoted to the relationship. Today, every man and woman getting ready to be married should learn these. They should refer Ramayana. Fight or divorce is not what we were taught. Understanding each other, commitment to a relationship is what we should learn. It does not mean that you cannot speak your opinion but understand the opposite person and value his/her feelings before speaking something that could devastate two lives. One has no right to play with the feelings of their partner! A girl is as delicate as a flower. Her parents might have brought her up with utmost love and care. A boy has no right to play with her heart or life. Acid attacks, suicides, forcing her for his wish are not the best things a boy could do. It could end up hurting her, her parents, his parents and ultimately leave him suffering. Understand her, respect her, ask her hand with the permission of her parents and treat her with dignity and she will be his forever. The same is with a girl. Threatening him, hurting his feelings is not what a man could appreciate in his partner. Being loyal, dignified and being a daddy's girl is what a man would appreciate in a girl- after all, that's what he would expect his daughter to be some day!

Vishwamithra again said, "Rama, Kushanabha then had a son Gadhi and I am the son of Gadhi. Since I was born in the clan(vamsha) of Kusha, I am also called "Kaushika". I have a sister "Kaushiki" who was married to sage "Ruchika". When Ruchika started his journey to Heavens to meet the Gods, my sister prayed and then became the river "Kaushiki" flowing in the Himalayas. I have built my ashrama at the banks of Kaushiki and live there. Also with your help I could come to Sidha Ashrama here and finish my yagna without any issues." Saying this sage asked both brothers to rest for the night. 

Rama could not sleep soon due to the thoughts crossing his mind. He was constantly thinking about those hundred girls, their devotion to their father, their determination, the Kaushiki river, the greatness of his teacher's clan and slept sometime late in the night.

Precap next week: The sarga (chapter) which we discuss next week is considered to be the most important of all the sargas of Ramayana. Sage Valmiki who never talks about phalashruthi (benefits of listening/ reading), said that any pregnant women who would read this sarga will have beautiful kids and a less complication-less pregnancy.

Stay tuned next week for Ganga-avatharanam (birth of river Ganga), Parvathi Kalyanam (Marriage of Shiva- Parvathi) and Shanmuka- uthpathi (birth of Shanmukha/ Kumara swami)

Sai Ram,

Vipanchi Krishna.

Shrimad Ramayana- Balakanda- 6 (Post 12)

Namaste!

Recap from last week: Thataka was killed by Rama and Lakshmana upon their teacher's orders.

When Rama killed Thataka, all the Devaas were happy and proud that they found someone who is righteous and would ultimately stop Ravana from his wrongdoings. Sage Vishwamithra was happy with his students and then taught them the mantras of various Astras (weapons). 

Astras need not be physical like the other swords and spears; one knowing the mantras can take a straw of grass and recite the mantra and turn it into a weapon. So Sage gave his students various astra mantras for 

Danda chakram (a circular weapon), Dharma chakram, Kaala chakram, Vishnu chakram, Indra astram, Vajra astram, Maha shoolam, Brahma shiro namaka astram, Aisheeka astram, Brahma astram, Modhaki gadha (Gadha- a club), Shikhari gadha, Dharma paasham (Rope astra), Kaala paasham, Varuna paasham, Varuna astram, Shushka pidugu (power of lightning), Aardhra pidugu, Painaka astram, Narayana astram, Shikhara astram, Agneya astram, Vayuvya astram,

Haya Shirass astram, Krouncha astram, Vishnu Shakti, Shiva Shakti, Kankaala astram, Musala astram, Kaapala astram, Kankanam, Nandana Khadgam (Sword), Mohana astram, Ainaa astram, Soura astram, Varshanam, Shoshanam (power of making everyone unconscious), Santhapam (kind of tear gas), Vilapam, Madanam, Thaamasam, Soumanam, Samvartham, Mousalam, Maayadharam, Tejah prabha (sharp light), Shishiram, Daaruna astram and Sudaaruna astram and so on.....!

When the Powers of these astras took human form and stood before Rama to ask him what he would want them to do, Rama with utmost respect requested them to stay in his mind and help him when ever he would need them to. The powers obeyed and disappeared.

Then Sage Vishwamitra took them to the yaaga shaala (place where the yaaga was to be performed) and told them that he would be in mounavrata (vow of not speaking to anyone) till the yaaga finishes and both Rama and Lakshmana should be alert as the demons could come at any time to disrupt the yaaga.

It is said that, not just during a yaaga but even in the daily puja one should take a vow of mounavrata until the puja finishes and should not talk to anyone unless it is their Guru. If we speak during the puja/ prayers, our punya (blessings) will be given to the one we spoke to and we would be left with no blessings.

Rama and Lakshmana took the blessings of their teacher and started guarding the yaaga shaala by walking and watching from one end to the other. With the power of Bala and Athibala vidyas they were never tired or hungry. They were supposed to guard the yaaga for 7 days and nights. There was no sign of demons till the sixth day. The demons were waiting for these kids to get tired and finally seeing no chance, demons Maareecha and Subahu (sons of Thaataka) tried to pour blood into the yagna from the sky to disrupt it.

Like said by an anonymous writer, "when you do good, even the nature supports you", even the Agnihotra (sacred fire) in the homakunda (place where sacred sandal wood sticks are placed and ignite fire by pouring ghee onto them with sacred chants) suddenly rose high up indicating Rama and Lakshmana that something is about to happen. Rama and Lakshmana were even more alert now, sensing the danger. Rama then looking at the demons told Lakshmana, "O Lakshmana, look at Maareecha and Subaahu and the other demons! I am going to kill Subaahu with Agneya astra and hit Maareecha with Maanava astra which will make him fall unconscious and throw him all the way upto hundred yojanas from here! I will kill all the others with my Vaayuvya astra!" Saying so, Rama used the above said astras on the demons. All the sages were happy that Rama destroyed the demons and saved the yagna and were praising the kids. Sage Vishwamitra was waiting to see if the kids would develop false pride for what they did.

Rama and Lakshmana with folded hands came to their Guru, bowed down and said; "O Guruvarya! Please know that we are your kinkaraas (servants) and order us if there is anything else we can do! Please do not think twice before asking us to do something, what ever it is just order us to do so and we will never question your word!". Vishwamithra was immensely happy hearing this. He blessed the kids and told them that he was here for the yagna which has now finished and he would return back to his aashrama in Himalayas, but before that he would be visiting the kingdom of Mithila under the rule of great king Janaka.

There is a small catch in the story here. Vishwamithra came into King Dasharatha's palace when the king was talking to his Guru Vashishta and his ministers about the marriage of Rama and other sons. Vishwamithra knew that Vashishta had the chance of naming the kids, Vishwamithra wanted the punya of helping Rama (by giving him the astras) in his ultimate motive of defeating Ravana and to grab the opportunity of performing the marriage of the incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.

But as an obedient son, would Rama decide or let someone else other than his father decide about his marriage? If Vishwamithra would say he wanted Rama and Lakshmana to accompany him to Mithila so that he would perform Rama's marriage; Rama would ask him to consult his father and not him about his marriage, so the sage twisted the fact a little bit (did not lie) and said, "O prince Rama!  I would be going to Mithila now, the kingdom of King Janaka. He has a huge bow called 'Shiva Dhanus' which no one till today could stand it up and tie the string to the bow. Everyone including devas, gandharvas, kinneras and kimpurushas tried but failed. Ofcourse if all these people failed, I would not expect mere humans to tie its thread, they are not that capable." Rama being a kshatriya (warrior) prince could not take the insulting of humans and he became curious to see that bow and if possible take his Guru's permission and win over it. So Rama requested the sage to take them along with him to see it.

Agreeing happily Sage took both his disciples and started the journey towards the kingdom of Mithila.

Precap next week: What happened during their journey to Mithila? What and who did Rama and Lakshmana see in the course of their journey. 

Stay tuned!

Sai Ram

Vipanchi Krishna.

Shrimad Ramayana- Balakanda- 5 (Post 11)

Namaste!

Recap from last week: Rama and Lakshmana leave with Sage Vishwamithra to save his Yagna.

Rama and Lakshmana with their bows and arrows walked behind their Guru, Sage Vishwamithra. When they followed their Guru neither of them asked any questions as how far is the place or what is the means of transport or when they would return and not even how dangerous were the demons. Such was their surrender to their Guru. They knew he would take them, they knew he would protect them. All they cared was to follow him and his orders because their Father asked them to do so. That is the devotion or trust that every child should learn about. 

Looking at their devotion and respect, the sage was pleased and asked Rama and Lakshmana to do their achamana and come so that he can teach two greatest vidyas called BALA and ATHIBALA. He said, "Rama, these Bala and Athibala vidyas that I teach you now will save you from being tired, being sleepy, being sick, being thirsty and hungry and will make you powerful and intelligent at all times you need". Saying so he taught them the two mantras.

After that, they had their dinner and put down a bed made from dried grass and sage asked them to sleep. Would they? Children of an emperor who are used to sleep in Hamsa- thulika- talpas (plush comfortable beds these days may be) could they sleep on that mere grass bed? Yes they did, again because of their trust in their Guru and because their father asked them to obey their Guru. 

In the morning Sage Vishwamithra woke up at 3 am, the Brahmi muhurtham as usual and did his daily rituals and he noticed that both the kids were still sleeping. He was amazed by the beauty of the kids sleeping there. He felt like a grandfather looking at his grandkids, with uncontrollable love towards the kids, he uttered a poem asking them to wake up. This poem is familiar to us and we have grown up listening to this. It is the crown of Suprabhatam.

He sang, 

"Kousalya supraja Rama Purva sandhya pravarthathe | 

Uthishta nara shardhula kartavyam daivamahnikam || "

(O beautiful son of Rama, wake up, the sun is up in the sky

wake up o greatest of human beings it is your duty to do sandhya vandanam)

He sang, O beautiful son of Kousalya, Rama wake up. Why couldn't he sing "Dasharatha Supraja Rama"?. It is because of the thoughts that were going through his mind when he saw Rama. Kousalya never felt that she only should have kids but she felt the King should be a father and have a son. That is why she never said a word when he married Sumitra or Kaikeyi or the other 360 wives. She never objected him, She did a lot of vratas and pujas so that her husband would be blessed with a son. She never felt bad when he never came to her palace and stayed only at Kaikeyi's. She was such a noble lady. When Vishwamithra asked Dasharatha to send his sons, King was hesitant but Kousalya never said a word, she had utmost faith in the sage. With all those thoughts in mind, he sang- Kousalya supraja Rama...

Both kids woke up and finished their rituals and followed their Guru to travel further. At one time during their travel, they saw a big forest that was dark and had no human dwelling. After observing the surroundings Rama asked a question. "Bhagavan, why are there crickets (insects) here? Why are there so many Bhasa birds? why are there only wild animals around? why are there no humans here? Why is it like this? please explain."

Vishwamithra pleased by his disciple's interest and respect answered " O Rama, listen as I tell the story of this place. Once upon a time, Lord Indra killed a demon named Vruthrasura but this demon was a brahmin and so Indra has acquired the sin "Brahma hathya pathaka"and thus he inherited severe hunger and diseases. So he went to sages to get rid of these diseases and hunger. So sages washed him from his sins with sacred water and where these waters have flown on Earth, Indra blessed those lands with humans and happiness and named the places "Malada" and "Karusha". Soon Malada and Karusha were full with people and happiness but a female demon named "Thaataka" occupied these regions. She had the power of thousand elephants and her husband was "Sundha" and son "Maareecha". These three killed and scared people from this place."

Rama then asked, "Bhagavan, who is this Thaataka and why does she have so much power, what have the humans done for her to scare away everyone from this place. Please tell me."

Vishwamithra said, "She is the daughter of a yaksha named "Sukethu" and with a boon from Brahma she had so much power. Once Sage Agasthya killed her husband- Sundha and hence to take revenge, she and her son killed everyone they found so people ran away from here. O Rama, do not think twice that she is a lady, she is demon, she will come here now, go ahead and kill her!"

Saying so he was waiting for Rama's reply, he was waiting if Rama would say no or get scared and run away. Surprising and pleasing him Rama said, "O sir, I obey my father's words, all he said was to obey every order of yours so I will kill her. You are my Guru and you are everything to me, that is why I will kill her. I am a prince and saving people and cattle is my duty, that is why I will kill her."

Then came Thaataka, she put up a great fight with Rama and Lakshmana. Considering her to be a woman, he first considered cutting her hands and legs, still she did not stop and so Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears, still she did not stop and so with a thundering arrow, Rama killed her. Gods came down to bless them, a flower shower happened.

Precap next week: Rama and Lakshmana protect the yaaga and acquire astras.

Sai Ram

Vipanchi Krishna.

Shrimad Ramayana- Balakanda- 4 (Post 10)

Namaste!

Recap from last week: Rama's character.

One day King Dasharatha was in his royal court talking to his ministers as to what qualities should the brides of his sons possess when a messenger came in with the news that Sage Vishwamithra is in the kingdom and wished to meet King Dasharatha. The mere name of the sage sent panic waves across the court as everyone knew the power and anger of the sage. So king himself went to invite the sage to the palace. Both greeted each other and the king respected him in all the ways he could and invited him to the royal court and showed him his seat. 

Dasharatha started talking. He was talking out of respect towards the sage and also because of his fear that Vishwamithra would curse the king because he did not have a chance to name the princes but his long time enemy Sage Vashista did. The king wanted to please the sage in every way he could and started making promises even before the sage opened his mouth to talk. This is where Sage Valmiki indirectly teaches us the importance of speech. As the wise said, you could take back anything but the words you uttered, that is why maharshi stresses on the point that we need to careful and think twice before we say something.

So the king promised him that he would obey his every order and do whatever he wanted him to. All this while Sage Vishwamithra was watching him and allowing him to talk what all he could. When he was done talking, Vishwamithra said, " O king Dasharatha!, the disciple of great guru Vashishta, you are the perfect example of the satya(truth) and Dharma(righteousness). You have now promised me to fulfill whatever I wish for. So going by your words I would now like to express my desire. I am doing a yagna for Sidhi but there are two demons who spoil my yagna again and again. As a part of this yagna, I am not supposed to curse the demons and hence unable to do anything but come here and ask your help. O King, I want your elder son, the most handsome prince Rama to accompany me and protect my yagna. Don't be afraid that your son might get hurt, please be assured that the demons will suffer his wrath and die. Your son is the greatest warrior I have ever known, I can see why he has come to the Earth. I know he is Lord Vishnu and even sage Vashishta knows this but you do not. Ask your guru. Send him with me, I will help him achieve his purpose."

King was baffled upon hearing this. He said, " O my lord, my Rama is just a kid, he is just sixteen years old. He falls asleep at dusk but the demons are known to fight at dusk, they are capable of all kinds of evil magic where as my son is just a kid. I am sixty thousand years old (true! Age span of that yuga was thousands of years per person) now and this son was born after I lost all hope. I cannot send him knowing that he will be fighting Maaricha and Subaahu (Ravana's friends), when I myself cannot fight them how can you expect my child to fight them? Please forgive me but this cannot be fulfilled."

Everyone there were sure that king would face the anger of the Sage but Vishwamithra blessed the king in a rather sarcastic tone. He said, "O king, may God bless you, your family and your kingdom who cannot stand on their words and promises with great wealth and happiness" Saying this he cast a glance at sage Vashishta implying that his disciple (king) was such a waste at fulfilling his promises. 

Sage Vashishta then explained the king the potential of sage Vishwamithra and convinced him to send prince Ram along with Vishwamithra. Queen Kousalya did not even think twice before sending her son. Lakshmana whose external life was Rama went along with him to serve his brother.

Precap next week: Sage Vishwamithra teaches Rama and Lakshmana the great Bala and Athibala vidyas- the techniques to withstand hunger and sleep.

Sai Ram

Vipanchi Krishna.

Shrimad Ramayana- Balakanda- 3 (Post 9)

Recap from last week: Sri Rama along with his three brothers was born to King Dasharadha and were named Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shathrughna.

Why was Rama specifically named Rama? "Ramayathi ithi Rama" meaning one who makes others happy. That is why uttering/writing "Rama", listening/discussing the story of Rama gives immense happiness and removes troubles from one's life. Rama comes from combining the "agni-beeja: 'RA'" and an "amrutha- beeja: 'MA'". "Vibharthi ithi Bharathaha" Bharatha the second son was named so because he took all the pain, he took blame when everyone accused him of conspiring along with queen Kaikeyi to send Rama to forests. Secondly, he ruled the kingdom for 14 long years with only one thought in his mind that this rajya belonged to Rama and not his and returned it to Rama the minute he came back from the forests and stepped down to a sub- ordinate position under Rama without hesitating. Third son is Lakshmana- "Lakshmi Sahitha" his Lakshmi was his eldest brother Rama. King Dasharadha did not ask Lakshmana to go to the forests along with Rama but he went, he went leaving his wife behind in the palace to serve his brother, he couldn't ever live without his eldest brother. The last son was Shathrughna "anthah shathru vijetha" a man who won over his Indriyaas.

Qualities of Rama:

Ramo rathikarah pithuhu: The most famous quality of Rama was "pithru- vakya- paripaalana". He was ever obedient to his father. He never asked any question in return when his father asked him to do something. One best example is; on one evening King Dasharadha called Rama and asked him to get ready to get crowned as the future king. Rama never asked why or when or never was excited. The next morning, King called him again and asked him to leave everything as is and walk out of the kingdom to live in the forests for fourteen long years. As per us, he should have at least then objected his father and override his rule but Rama did not do that! He didn't even ask the reason, he immediately left the palace. Even king himself asked his son Rama to override him and take kingdom into his hands and throw him into prison but Rama said all that he knows was to obey his father, which he will do by going to the forests.

Vishwamithra Shishya: Another great quality Rama taught us through his life was to be sincere and ever obedient to his teachers. When King Dasharadha sent Rama and Lakshmana along with sage Vishwamithra to save his yaaga from demons, Rama and Lakshmana were kids, still they never disobeyed their teacher, waited all six days and nights without food and water and not sleeping even for a minute. The demons tested their patience but the brothers were never agitated. They waited patiently for 6 days and nights and fought courageously against the mighty demons and saved the yaaga from being destroyed. All this because, their teacher said so. 

This is one of the qualities that we are forgetting and even the movies today project that we could insult our parents and teachers and ridicule them! Is it not time to change? Is it not time to teach our kids about Rama and tell his stories so that they grow up with respect towards others and become good citizens? The society today is bad because we made it so. When a mother ignores her kid's lying to her she is raising a future con- man. If a mother ignores her kid being a bully and rude she is preparing the future rowdy. If a mother doesn't teach her son to respect a woman, a mother or a girl then she must be prepared to see her son as a future rapist. Pardon me, but that is what is happening today! If we don't teach our son/daughter how Rama behaved and change our kid's behavior to good; is this not what we get ultimately?! Studies are a milestone but not the ultimate goal. Shaping up a character is the goal. The pride you feel when everyone praises your son/ daughter is everything you would want. It is not too late. Let us teach Ramayana. Make the kids think and act like Rama and that makes a better tomorrow.

Pumsaam mohana roopaya: One other great quality of Rama was to be devoted to one woman all his life. His father had 360 wives, he was the King-to- be, He was so charming that even men were jealous of his beauty, he could get any woman he wanted if he would say yes! but no! never did he think of any other woman and more over he cried, controlled his bad anger and turned it to his strength, waged a war against the mightiest enemy with just mere monkeys, fought endlessly for a full year to win his wife back from the evil clutches but not even once did he think of leaving Seetha for another woman.

Firm was Rama about Seetha and equally rooted was Seetha about Rama. Ravana showed her every excuse to leave Rama and be with him, he has shown his strength, wealth, power, anger and promised her that she would be his Queen if she would agree. But Seetha stayed all one year without even drinking a drop of water from his Kingdom (This might not seem realistic to some of us but wait till we read SundaraKanda to know how deterministic she was and how she survived without eating/ drinking anything.) At a point even Sri Hanuman offered her that he would carry her to Rama that immediate second if she would agree. She said, "though you are like my son, I would not accept anyone other than Rama to save me." That is what devotion means.  This is what all young adults- both men and women should learn today. Love is in the air these days but once you choose a partner let be married or to-be married; be devoted to that person. Cheating, abusing or two-timing is not what Ramayana taught us. Ramayana taught us pure love and devotion to that only one special person in our life.

Ramo dwir naa abhibhashathe: Rama never changed his stand from what he said earlier. "Oke maata oke baanam" as we say in Telugu. He taught us the power of word/ talking. He would never say anything casually. Every word from his mouth was thought about and spoken carefully. Never did he make shallow promises. Once he said it he would do it no matter what. Being deterministic but not egoistic at the same time is what we should learn from this. Why make fake promises about things we know we wouldn't do anyway? He promised queen Kaikeyi that he would live in the forests for 14 years and he stood on that word even when Kaikeyi and Bharatha pleaded him to come back. He said that he promised his father and step-mother that he would stay away 14 years and did the same no matter what.

Ramo Vigraha vaan Dharmaha: He was the walking form of Dharma. The best example for this is, Vaali while at the verge of death after fighting with Rama, asked Rama a simple question. He asked, "O Rama! why did you choose friendship with my timid brother Sugreeva instead of me? If you could have chosen friendship with me, I would instruct Ravana, who is scared of me, to return Seetha the next minute! She would have been beside you by now and you could avoid all this pain! Why? Why did you choose my brother instead of me?"

Rama replied, "O Vaali! I prefer Dharma over anything else in this world. You were against Dharma and threw your brother out from your kingdom illegally; on the other hand Sugreeva did not want to kill you just because you were his elder brother, even after you took away his wife. He stuck to Dharma. That is why I chose Sugreeva over you. Though I know you are mightier and stronger than Sugreeva, but you are not Dharmavaan (one who follows dharma) like Sugreeva."

Precap from next week: Rama and Lakshmana travel with Sage Vishwamithra.

Sai Ram

Vipanchi Krishna