Daily Katha: February 2019

Thursday, 28 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 8

Pune nails have the power of plough! And ploughs have the piety of gold!

Pune, once ruined by Adilshah's troops, and its surroundings region turned fortunate. Jijua started work with great enthusiasm. This small Jehagir started functioning under Shivaji's banner. Dadoji Konddeo was always there to help her. They gave heart to people to once again set up heaven in this barren land. They helped people every which way to enhance farming. Hulls, bulls, wells, seeds....whatever was required was available to all needy farmers. Nobody was given cash money, as farmers spend cash for anything. Farmers were made self-sufficient. Men started working with zeal and challenge. All this was begun with great fanfare in Pune. One hull was fitted with golden plough and Pune's earth was tilled four steps. A golden plough run by Bhonsale mother and son was tremendous encouragement to the farmers. Earlier the Sultan had ploughed destruction, now farmers ploughed for prosperity. No farmer would now be hungry. Put your minds to earth. Pearls would grow.

Puneites themselves took care of horrible disturbance of tigers, foxes, and such wild animals. Beautiful small dams were getting ready. Jijau herself started dispensing justice. Absolutely unbiased. Robbers and dacoits troubles lessened. Towns were set up. Fields flourished. Farmers earlier hungry and kicked by shah's army now came under Shivaji's benevolence and happily laboured and ate full meals. Temples shone calmly in lamplight. Mothers and daughters in households, cattle in shades, and fields and farms lived free of fear. Everybody came to realise Raje's noble mission, future freedom. Pune Jehagir was a small gift handed over to Shivaji, but this small gift was nurtured and flourished under the enthusiastic support of everybody. To nourish a kingdom and a family, to embellish it one needs enthusiasm. One who is not enthusiastic should not rule or start a family!

To be continue......

Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 8

Light the fire, will shine when lit!

Shivaji was already being trained in marksmanship and use of other small and big arms. Sharp intellect and eagerness to learn made him master everything very quickly. He was also taught reading and writing. He was slowly getting accustomed to physical exercises. He could jump like a deer with ease.

More than all this was one skill he knew instinctively. The art of knowing and winning people over. He spoke sweetly. And treated others lovingly. So everyone thought that Shivaji was his own king. Minds were comming together like this. When two minds converge with one aim, then even mountains are split. So what of arrogant enemy?

Raja worshipped his mother. Jijua was his whole life. Not keeping her word was like crossing the line of no return of him. But more than things like devotion, love, ethics his hand etched to draw his sword for demonic and Sultani attitude right from now.

To be continue......

Tuesday, 26 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 7

Power gets kingdom! Ideas perform

Shivaji started growing up. He listened to the epics... Mahabharat, Ramayan and the Puranas. He understood Hanuman's Power and ingenuity and Shakuni's cunningness. Master archer Arjun and Dashratha's son Lord Ram sharpened their swords on Shivaji's heart. He could see the vsion of Guru Vishwamitra. He could also see the heads of Ravana flying in the sky and the the Vanar-Sena's victory of Lanka.

As a child Shivaji became fond of these epics. Later Brahmin scholar Keshavpundit Purohit gave discourses to Raja. Raja was nurtured on these epic works.

In these ancient books Raja saw the image of Sultan who kept the Marathas busy fighting amongst themselves to rule. His heart was captured by Goddess Ambika who vanquished the demon, Mahishasur. And Bhandasur conqueror Goddess Jagadamba. It was as if the forts imprisoned with Sultans chains were screaming,"Oh, Godess Jadamba, open the Gates!"

To be continue......

Monday, 25 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 6

Great God Ganapati, salutations! God, let there be no obstructions!

Shahajiraje sent Jijau and Shivaji to Pune to administer the Pune Jehagir. Raje was then seven years old. (In the first quarter of 1637). There were two mansions in Pune built earlier by Malojiraje. But Adilshah's troops had ruined Pune in 1630. The emperor's army had wrought murder and mayhem. Pune was like a graveyard. Complete annihilation. Sultan had razed the once beautiful Pune to ashes.

Jijau came to such desolate Pune with the young King. To keep accounts of such a barren sector and to improve it, Dadoji Konddeo Malthankar had accomplanied her. The old man was very clever, devoted and disciplined. He was strict by nature but equally loving. Confronting the awful state of Pune, Jijau decided to change its pathetic condition. Dadoji was there to help. It was decided to make a begining. And what a coincidence! In Vinayakbhat Thakar's house, in a small alcove was God Ganapati's idol. He sat suffering, retreated in corner enduring heat and rains.Jijau heard this story and so she went to pay her respects to this Lord Ganesha. This then was the beginning. Jijau ordered Dadoji to build a temple of Ganapati. Really nice temple, paved with stones.

Dadoji began in real earnest. He soon got the Ganesh temple ready. Not only Jijau and Shivaji, but also entire Pune worshipped this deity. This is the famous Kasba Ganapati. It was as if the rebuilding of Pune began with the veneration of Ganapati. Jijau make excellent arrangements of Lord's service and daily worship. She made royal letters to hand over this responsibility to Vedic scholar Vinayakbhat Thakar and his family. Pious hymns and pleasant instruments started playing. And then families scattered in all directions due to the torture by Sultan's soldiers, and cows and calves came under the the soothing shade of the Lord Ganesha and Shivaji's red palace.....Lalmahal.

To be continue......

Sunday, 24 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 5

Shivaji's Seal

King Shivaji's seal was prepared. Stamps readies. Decrees with this seal and stamp were sent from Pune's Lalmahal. The inscription was in Sanskrit. It had letters:

"Pratipachhandralekheva Vaardhishnuvishwawandita, Shahsunoh Shivsyaisha Mudra Bhadraya Rajate" - The seal of Shahaji's son Shivaji glows for people's benifit. Like the new moon, this seal, and consequently the power of this seal will go on increasing. And like the new moon is worshipped by people, similarly this seal too will be accepted by people."

The stamp too was modest. It had a saying, "Humility becomes." Here is a letter in Modi script in Marathi language issued with this seal and stamp. Here Shivaji commanded some officer in Indrapur sector to properly continue the income of one Sambhaji Bhonsale. He was trained in running of the kingdom right from a young age. This order is dated: 1 Sawwal Suhur Year 1047. (30th oct 1646)

The royal letters shone with Shiva's majestic seal. After a deep dark night of over three and a half centuries, a new moon finally rose in Maharstra. This seal had the pride of freedom. The ambition of victorious acquisitions. There was confidence, of the evil-slaying Goddess Bhavani. This royal seal pleasantly smiling conferred courage to kith and kin and promised security. The leonine seal with flaming eyes breathed fire and roared warnings to enemies.

Raje always revered Sanskrit language right from the beginning. In fact later he kept learned Sanskrit pundits in his durbar. Amongst these were great poet Paramananda, Keshav Purohit, Dhundiraj Vyas, Umaji Pundit. Sanskrit language is Bharat's integrity. And worshipping integrity was Shivaji's and his reign's mission.

To be continue......

--
हमें कर्म की प्रतिष्ठा बढ़ानी होंगी। कर्म देवो भव: यह आज हमारा जीवन-सूत्र बनना चाहिए। - भगिनी निवेदिता {पथ और पाथेय : पृ. क्र.१९ }
Sister Nivedita 150th Birth Anniversary : http://www.sisternivedita.org
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Saturday, 23 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 4

Tuka Pleads Oh God How! Can you sleep? Rise Now!

Shivaji became very fond of Sahyadri. He roamed deep forests, mountains and valleys. He checked out defence and attack positions. He was surrounded by bosom buddies just like the surrounding mountain peaks. His strength increased. Intellect sharpened. Confidence grew.

Around this time the Maval land resonated with something more than the brooks and landslides of Sahyadri! Sait Tukaram's delightful abhangs. He explained the meaning of the real dharma obscured by slavery and ignorance. He lashed out at false religious diktats. He used simple, sweet and precise words to elucidate the Vedas. He would playfully tick off pundits who memorised mantras like parrots and negotiated while often acting against dharma, saying, "Only we know the meaning of the Vedas. Others just carry burdens no heads!"

People gathered. Heard abhangs and discourses. Somewhere in their minds slowly awareness was dawning. Let the head crack; let the boday break, the chanting will not cease! Such devotion spread. A tradesman in a land of devotion waas describing the fruits of determination power. While parising God Vitthal, and good Dharma sometimes he protested about the evil deeds of the ruling Sultan directly to God Vitthal. He would complain, "Sits, on throne, tortures people, Tuka asks Oh God! Are you asleep, come running to rescue!" This cry was not just to awaken the God in the temple; it was also to awaken the souls of citizens. Saint Ramdas advocated Ram worship and Rudra worship. Community worship flourished. Tukaram and Ramdas both had 'Ram' in them. Many saints cultivated minds of people to inculcate good behaviour, noble thoughts and devotion. Samarth (Ramdas) promoted hard work. He said, "Work is God. Light is fire, it will flare. Everything is possible, first do it!"

To be continue......

Thursday, 21 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 3

Mock kingdom and mock joy! Do these foretell Swarajya's Victories?

Shivaji was everybody's favriout as he was such a delightful baby. He would crawl about and his anklets would ring sweetly. He was playful and happy. He was healthy and fair. Slowly he started walking. And began running to chase his own shadow. On an auspicious day, Jijau introduced him to food. He took his first food intake from jijau's hands. Despite feeding on scrumptious fare, he was not fulfilled. He sneaked out taste mud.

Slowly Raje started growing up. Started playing with companions. He loved playing with earth. He would plaster his body with mud. He loved Mother earth right from childhood. He played hide-and-seek with his playmates on the fort. Ball and top were his favourite games. He got engrossed playing blind man's-buff. The palace reverberated with his shouts and laughter.

The Raje started enjoying battle games. he would pile up earth and call it a fort. Then the blockade of the fort would begin. Mock army would attack;siege and defence would begin. The skies boomed with war cries. Raje was engrossed in games of kingdom and kingdom of make-belive. He struggled to defend his mock forts. He would win new forts and hoist flags on them. These children's troops found the fort inadequate for their games.

Jijau watched these war games. Was she envisioning the attainment of these playoffs? Would today's butterflies turn into eagles tomorrow and conquer the skies?

At that time Shahhajiraje was vanquishing battlefields. For one Sultan or another. Marathi people defended Sultan's territories, expanded them, but why didnot they become sovereign kings themselves? Jijau could not solve this puzzle. Her eyes looked to Shivaji with hope.

To be continue......

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 2

Morning dawned, Shiv and Sun met! The east turned red like kumkum was spread!

Shivaji's cradle swung on. While rocking him, Jijau kept dreaming of his future riding, his crossing the boundaries. Ddreams are nurtured through upbrining. And upbringing starts with lullabies. Raje was growing in the cradle. The nursery room was dark. Jijau performed religious rites and bringing up rituals with great devotion. Bhonsale's family priest Malharbhat Arvikar was on the fort. So everything proceeded as required. Event the administrator did not let anything lack.

Shivajiraje still had not come out in sunlight from the dark room. First outing in sunlight is delightful ritual. The family priest chose an early morning time for this auspicious ceremony. That morning having bathed, anointed with black dot to ward of evil, dressed in brand new baby clothes, Shivajiraje was ready in Jijau's arms for a glimpse of the Sun. Carrying him, Jijau stepped from the dark room into sunlight. This was Raje's first foray across a boundary. From darkness to light. Sun rose in the east. Fort Shivneri was swathed in gorgeous gold. Holding the infant prince in sunlight, she showed him the Sun God. Shivaji watched the Sun.

Shivaji raje was three months old at this time. All religious and traditional rites were carried out in time, with care. However the greatest teacher was the mighty Sahyadri. Raje was not yet old enough to understand these teachings, every gust of wind blowing in from the vales of Sahyadri wispered radical ideas to Shivaji, to fight for freedom. Bhimashankar, Lenyadri, Jivdhan, Amaba-Abmbika peaks of encircled Shivneri. Shivneri was sitting in the locks of Bhimashankar and on the lips of Name ghats. Around the fort, Meena, Pushpawati, Kukdi Rivers gurgled. Lords Ganesha, Shiva, Kalbhairav, Goddes Ambika guarded Shivneri. On the fort itself, in the dark cave, shimmering in gentle lamplight was Goddess Shivai.

To be continue......

Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 1

In my courtyard grows fragrant vine! In Shivai's sanctum echo sounds divine!

Today is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti and Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

From today will see some stories from Shivaji's life.

Shivaji was born to Jijau at night. Revolution always takes birth at night. The sacred rituals of the first twelve days after birth were performed in totality. Shivneri fort was satiated. Right from the birth Shivaji developed a loving relationship with fort Shivneri. Infect Jijau named him Shivaji as he was born on Shivneri. Shivaji was her sixth son. She had fie sons before him. Four died in infancy. Sambhajiraje was blessed. He was seven years of age at that time. He had just got married. Shivneri's commander Shidhojirao's daughter Jayanti was Sambhaji's bride. This wedding too took place on Shivneri.

After Shivaji's birth his horoscope was made. His moon sign was Virgo and ascendant was Leo. After Shivaji's birth Shahajiraje learnt of this good news in his camp near Parinda. Shivaji's cradle went on rocking on Shivaneri. At the same time, Mughal emperor Shahjahan arrived at Burhanpur on a campaign of the south (1st March 1630). Hehad plans of completely routing the Nizam. Massive army and was material camped at Burhanpur. These southern campaigns had commenced right from the time of Akbar. Each and every emperor wished to rule entire Hindustan, from Lanka to Kashmir! But they never succeed. Mughals wanted to establish their own supremacy. At the same time Shivaji was filling up his cradle at fort Shivneri.

To be continue......

The main theme of my life is to take the message of Sanatana Dharma to every home and pave the way for launching, in a big way, the man-making programme preached and envisaged by great seers like Swami Vivekananda. - Mananeeya Eknathji

विवेकानन्द केन्द्र कन्याकुमारी (Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari) Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra : http://www.vivekanandakendra.org Read Article, Magazine, Book @ http://eshop.vivekanandakendra.org/e-granthalaya Cell : +91-941-801-5995, Landline : +91-177-283-5995
. . . Are you Strong? Do you feel Strength? — for I know it is Truth alone that gives Strength. Strength is the medicine for the world's disease . . . This is the great fact: "Strength is LIFE; Weakness is Death."
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Monday, 18 February 2019

A HYMN TO SHRI RAMAKRISHNA

Today is Thakur Sri Ramkrishna Jayanti. Here is the Hymn by Swami Vivekananda on Thakur Sri Ramkrishna.

(In Sanskrit)

आचण्डालाप्रतिहतरयो यस्य प्रेमप्रवाहः
लोकातीतोऽप्यहह न जहौ लोककल्याणमार्गम्।
त्रैलोक्येऽप्यप्रतिममहिमा जानकीप्राणबन्धो
भक्त्या ज्ञानं वृतबरवपुः सीतया यो हि रामः ॥१॥

1. He who was Shri Rama, whose stream of love flowed with resist less might even to the Chandâla (the outcaste); Oh, who ever was engaged in doing good to the world though superhuman by nature, whose renown there is none to equal in the three worlds, Sitâ's beloved, whose body of Knowledge Supreme was covered by devotion sweet in the form of Sita.

स्तब्धीकृत्य प्रलयकलितं वाहवोत्थं महान्तं
हित्वा रात्रिं प्रकृतिसहजामन्धतामिस्रमिश्राम्।
गीतं शान्तं मधुरमपि यः सिंहनादं जगर्ज
सोऽयं जातः प्रथितपुरुषो रामकृष्णस्त्विदानीम् ॥२॥

2. He who quelled the noise, terrible like that at the time of destruction, arising from the battle (of Kurukshetra), who destroyed the terrible yet natural night of ignorance (of Arjuna) and who roared out the Gita sweet and appeasing; That renowned soul is born now as Shri Ramakrishna.

नरदेव देव     जय जय नरदेव।
शक्तिसमुद्रसमुत्थतरङ्गं दर्शितप्रेमविजृम्भितरङ्गम्॥
संशयराक्षसनाशमहास्त्रं यामि गुरुं शरणं भववैद्यम्।
नरदेव देव     जय जय नरदेव ॥३॥

3. Hail, O Lord of Men! Victory unto You! I surrender myself to my Guru, the physician for the malady of Samsâra (relative existence) who is, as it were, a wave rising in the ocean of Shakti (Power), who has shown various sports of Love Divine, and who is the weapon to destroy the demon of doubt.

Hail, O Lord of Men! Victory unto You!

नरदेव देव     जय जय नरदेव।
अद्वयतत्त्वसमाहितचित्तं प्रोज्ज्वलभक्तिपटावृतवृत्तम्॥
कर्मकलेवरमद्भुतचेष्टं यामि गुरुं शरणं भववैद्यम्।
नरदेव देव     जय जय नरदेव ॥४॥

4. Hail, O Lord of Men! Victory unto you! I surrender myself to my Guru the Man-God, the physician for the malady of this Samsara (relative existence), whose mind ever dwelt on the non-dualistic Truth, whose personality was covered by the cloth of Supreme Devotion, who was ever active (for the good of humanity) and whose actions were all superhuman.

Hail, O Lord of Men! Victory unto You!

विवेकानन्द केन्द्र कन्याकुमारी (Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari) Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra : http://www.vivekanandakendra.org Read Article, Magazine, Book @ http://eshop.vivekanandakendra.org/e-granthalaya Cell : +91-941-801-5995, Landline : +91-177-283-5995
. . . Are you Strong? Do you feel Strength? — for I know it is Truth alone that gives Strength. Strength is the medicine for the world's disease . . . This is the great fact: "Strength is LIFE; Weakness is Death."
*Follow us on* blog twitter youtube facebook g+ delicious rss Donate Online