Bell on Hanuman’s Tail!

Lord Rama along with his consort Seeta and brother Lakshmana went to the forest for fourteen years to keep up the promise his father had given to Kaikeyi. In the forest, Seeta was abducted by Ravana, the king of Lanka. Searching for her, they reached Kishkindha. With the help of Hanuman they were able to locate Seeta in Lanka. The huge vanara army under the leadership of Rama and Sugreeva were ready to proceed to Lanka. Rama assured the vanaras and their families that all the vanaras accompanying him would come back safely. They built a bridge across the ocean and crossed over to the other side. The battle between Rama and Ravana was about to start. The Lord told Sugreeva to take count of the vanaras who had accompanied him. 
The great battle started. Finally, Lord Rama killed Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna. Seeta joined her Lord. Before leaving, Rama asked Sugreeva, the Vanara king to take count of the vanaras. They found a few vanaras missing. Rama called Hanuman and asked him to accompany him in search of the vanaras. Both Rama and Hanuman walked to the battlefield and carefully started searching for the missing vanaras – dead or alive.

When Ravana’s brother, Kumbhakarna came to fight with Rama, he rode in a chariot which had a canopy decked with golden bells. Since Kumbhakarna had a huge personality, his chariot, its canopy and the bells were also proportionately huge. During the battle, an arrow from Rama’s side struck one of the huge bells and it fell down. A few of the vanaras got trapped in it. They called out for help but nobody heard them. It was totally dark inside. A tiny hole near the ring of the bell kept them from getting suffocated. An old monkey told them not to lose hope but instead chant the sacred name of Lord Rama. He whose mere name was capable of preventing stones from sinking would surely save them from the grip of death. All the monkeys closed their eyes and fervently started chanting, “Sri Rama…Sri Rama…..Sri Rama”.

As Rama, Hanuman and others were walking in the battlefield looking out for the vanaras, Rama noticed the huge bell and stopped in front of it. He glanced at the bell and then looked at Hanuman. Maruti immediately understood the Lord’s intention and quickly came forward. He put his tail into the ring of the huge bell and lifted it up as easily as lifting up a flower! Lo! There trapped under the bell were the missing vanaras! The vanaras suddenly saw light and opened their eyes. They saw the Lord of Compassion standing in front of them. Overwhelmed at the turn of events, they all rushed forward and prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Rama, who had saved them as promised. The count now perfectly tallied!

Lord Rama looked around for his dear devotee. Hanuman was standing at a distance, an embodiment of humility, head bent down with folded hands and eyes rivetted to the Lord’s feet. And on his tail was the shining golden bell! Rama was so pleased that he proclaimed, “whosoever in future worships BHAKTA HANUMAN WITH THE BELL ON HIS TAIL, will be blessed with Devotion, Dispassion and the brilliant Light of Knowledge which alone is capable of destroying the darkness of ignorance and bestowing liberation upon the devotee; just as the vanaras were delivered from darkness of death into the blissful light of life”.

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Govinda – the Uplifter of Govardhana

Vraj bhumi was preparing for the annual Indra-puja to invoke the seasonal rains. The young Krishna saw the preparations going on and asked his father Nanda about the ritual. On hearing about the Indra-puja, Krishna told his father that it is not Indra who sends the rains down, but it is our good and noble activities that constitute “yagna” that brings the rains down. Krishna suggested that the cows, the source of their livelihood, the Govardhan mountain which represents Mother Nature, which is the source of fodder for animals, and the noble people who are upholders of dharma and protectors of our scriptures should be revered, respected and worshipped instead of Indra.

Everyone agreed to this. Celebrations were held in Vrindavan where the cows and bulls were all decorated and worshipped. The presiding deity of Govardhan Giri was invoked and worshipped. The noble and pious in the community were respectfully invited, adored and appropriate dana or charity was given to all of them. Lord Indra was displeased at the indifference of the people of Vrindavan. He decided to teach them a lesson for ignoring him. He sent down torrential showers accompanied by huge gales, thunder and lightning. Unable to protect themselves from the heavy downpour, all the people sought shelter at Lord Krishna’s feet. The Lord sportingly lifted up the Govardhan mountain with the tip of his little finger, and held it aloft like a huge umbrella and asked all the people including their cattle-wealth to take shelter under the mountain. The incessant rains continued day and night for a whole week, and Krishna stood motionless holding the Govardhan mountain aloft and protecting everyone all through the week. 

Indra realized the glory of Lord Krishna and humbly accepted defeat. He came down to Vrindavan and surrendered to Lord Krishna. Since the Lord had protected the entire cattle-wealth, the celestial Mother of Cows, Surabhi came down from the heaven to express her gratitude to the Lord. She bathed the Lord with her divine milk. Indra on his part performed the abhisheka of Lord Krishna with the waters of the heavenly Ganga. All the devatas and other celestial beings glorified Sri Krishna and offered their salutations unto Him. As directed by Lord Brahma, Surabhi gave Sri Krishna the title: GOVINDA.

Significance: INDRA represents our mind. To worship Indra therefore means to cater to the mind’s fancies day-in and day-out. GO represents “knowledge” and also “ethical and moral values”. VARDHANA means “to increase”. Therefore, GOVARDHANA means “to nurture and nourish the good qualities or to seek the higher knowledge” — it represents our INTELLECT. Lord Krishna represents the GURU who comes and advises us to worship GOVARDHAN and not INDRA, meaning, not to follow the mind and its lower instincts and impulses, but to follow the higher principles in life. When we earnestly try to walk the righteous path, the mind (Indra) will create hurdles and obstacles (rain). But if we have unshakeable faith and devotion in the Lord and His guidance, and sincerely and consistently follow the right path, the Lord will surely protect us — the very values and knowledge we have sought in our lives will support us (lifting of the Govardhan). Finally the mind has to come around and align itself with the intellect! The One who is the Sole Support and Protector of the world of things and beings is GOVARDHANA GIRIDHARI or GOVINDA, the “Lord of Knowledge”.

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Bharatiya Katha Vaibhava – Vol 1 [ Books for children] : Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.in/Bharatiya-Katha-Vaibhava-1-Shreedarshan/dp/9390011663/

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Rukmangada’s Ekadashi Vrata!

King Rukmangada, his wife Sandhyavali and son Dharmangada were devotees of Lord Vishnu. Every fortnight, the king undertook the Ekadasi Vrata also known as Hari Vrata. On all the three days: the day prior to Ekadasi, on the day of Ekadashi and the day after Ekadashi, he undertook fasting and praying. Not only did Rukmangada very religiously and ardently follow all the vows of the Ekadashi Vrata, but he even persuaded his subjects to undertake the Ekadashi Vrata. “Yatha Raja thatha praja”: all his subjects religiously followed the king on the path of dharma and religion.

The Lord decided to test the steadfastness and devotion of Rukmangada. Accordingly, Brahma created a beautiful damsel, Mohini by name and sent her to Rukmangada’s kingdom. One day, when Rukmangada was enjoying himself in his beautiful royal garden, he heard someone singing. He followed the beautiful melodious voice. And there in front of him was Mohini! Her attractive form and charming smile totally captivated him. He asked for her hand in marriage. Mohini agreed but on one condition. The king should fulfill all her wishes, whatever they might be. Rukmangada, who was known for his truthfulness promised to fulfil all her wishes. The king happily married Mohini and took her to his palace. Years passed. The king continued his Ekadashi Vrata without a break. 

 It was the auspicious month of Kartika. Rukmangada entrusted the Kartika Maasa Vrata to his wife Sandhyavali and she devotedly undertook the same. However, on the day prior to Ekadasi, he heard his own royal attendants walking on the streets of the city beating the royal drums and reminding the subjects: “Tomorrow is the auspicious Ekadashi. Undertake the Vrata and spend your time in prayer and fasting – the surest way to eternal happiness and ultimate fulfilment!” The king who was spending his time in the company of Mohini, suddenly realized that he also had to undertake the Vrata and conveyed it to Mohini. 

Mohini however was reluctant to let the king go. She demanded that he remain in her company on ekadashi day and have meals with her. The king was horrified. He pleaded with her to let him go. On the other hand, Mohini reminded him of his promise to fulfil every desire and wish of hers. The king refused to stay back and have meals with her on the auspicious Ekadashi. To him death was more welcome than giving up the Ekadashi Vrata. After a long heated argument, Mohini agreed to let the king go and perform the Ekadashi Vrata, but he had to pay a penalty for not keeping up his promise to her. Not knowing what was in her mind, Rukmangada readily and happily agreed to do whatever she asked in return for allowing him to undertake the Ekadashi vows. Mohini brought a sword, gave it to the king and asked him to kill his son, Dharmangada. Rukmangada was stunned to hear these harsh and cruel words from Mohini, who had become his favourite queen. Sandhyavali who heard these words almost fainted. When the noble Dharmangada heard the words of Mohini, he approached his father and asked him not to waver. He told his father to surrender onto the Lord unconditionally and go ahead and kill him. To a devotee of Sri Hari, not to undertake the Ekadashi Vrata was worse than death! And when the Lord is there, why should a true devotee worry? He pleaded with his father not to give up his vows at any cost. Rukmangada was happy at see his son’s unshakeable faith and devotion towards the Lord, but was full of grief at the turn of events.

Assured again and again by his son that nothing untoward can happen to the devotee of Sri Hari, Rukmangada lifted up the sword to strike his son. At that moment, Lord Vishnu along with his consort Lakshmi appeared on Garuda. The Lord took the sword from Rukmangada’s hand, and told him that it was all a divine plan to test his faith and devotion and steadfastness in pursuing the Ekadashi Vrata. Pleased with Rukmangada’s devotion, the Lord granted him, his wife Sandhyavali and son Dharmangada mukti.

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Sri Rama Natakam by Arunachalakavi!

Arunachalakavi was born in a small village in Tanjore district of Tamilnadu. He was very intelligent, bright and sattvic by nature. He was sent to the Dharmapuram Mutt for education. He very easily mastered the religious texts both in Sanskrit and Tamil languages. He was greatly influenced by Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukural and Kamban’s Ramayana. He was so proficient and scholarly that the head of the Dharmapuram Mutt wished to initiate him into the monastic order so that he could take over the reins of the Mutt. However he politely declined the offer, got married and settled down as a grihastha.

He set up a jewelry shop for his livelihood. Once he went to Pondicherry on a business trip. On the way he reached Sirkazhi and met once of his classmates Chidambaram Pillai who was the head of the Dharmapuram Mutt at Sirkazhi. At his friend’s request Arunachalakavi composed few verses which were greatly appreciated by all. Knowing Arunachalakavi’s proficiency and talent his friend requested him to permanently stay in Sirkazhi and made all the arrangements to get his friend’s family also there. He became well known as “Sirkazhi Arunachalakavi”. In time Arunachalakavi met two renowned musicians Venkataramayyar and Kodandaramayyar who came to study the Kamba Ramayana from him. They asked Arunachalakavi to compose keerthans on Lord Rama based on Ramayana written by the great poet Kamban. They helped him with the raga and tala. These compositions were sung by his disciples on the music platforms in Chennai and were greatly appreciated by one and all.

Encouraged by the response, the musicians asked Arunachalakavi to compose a full length integrated musical opera and thus the famous “Sri Rama Natakam” which includes all the important incidents that are there in Ramayana came into being. After composing the great work, Arunachalakavi wanted the arrangetram or the first stage performance of his great musical drama in the auspicious presence of Sri Ranganathaswamy in Srirangam just like Kamban had presented his Ramayana first time in the same temple. The priests did not agreed to this. They wanted divine sanction for it. Arunachalakavi then sang his famous keerthan in mohana raga: “En pallikondeeraiyaa….” on Lord Ranganatha, wherein he describes the exploits of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna and at the end seeks the Lord’s grace and blessings upon himself. This keerthan is even to this day an all time favourite amongst Bharatnatyam dancers. The Lord was very pleased and appeared in the dream of the priest and gave his consent for the “Sri Rama Natakam” rendering.

Subsequently, “Sri Rama Natakam” was presented in front of Maharaja Tulaja, the King of Thanjavur and other great patrons of art. He was honoured for his great works. Arunachalakavi’s musical opera was highly appreciated and accepted by everyone for its sheer beauty. The musical drama is in simple Tamil language, the incidents are arresting, the bhava or mood captivating and the music enchanting! The compositions endear themselves to one and all – to the performer (music or dance) and to the onlooker.

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