Great Indian maharshis: 2

Great Indian maharshis:

Respect to Elders

The story of markandeya maharshi, the child born with Alpaayu but made a chiranjeeva by the grace of Lord Shiva, is well known. His father was Mrukanda maharshi. He also had alpaayu. So after his upanayanam his father told him to bow to all elders and get their blessings. He followed his father’s words. He used to bow to every one whether a pandit or a lay man. Once saptarshis came to Mrukanda’s father. Mrukanda in his usual habit, bowed to them and got the blessings of the great saptarishis. The blessing was “dhirga ayushman bhava”. After knowing the truth that is life was short they went to Lord Bramha to solve this puzzle. Mrukanda bowed to Brahma too. And he also gave him the same boon, “dhirga ayushman bhava”.
Morals in the story:

1. Respecting elders and parents is one of the foremost principles of Indian culture. Even Lord Krishna used to prostrate before his elders, however bad they may be…
2. Since the saptarishis always speak the truth, whatever they spoke became true. With the power of truth, even the unavoidable death can be stopped!

Vinayam gives Vruddhi. Ahankaar Destroys.

The story of Nahusha, the son of Aayu and father of the Yayaati, clearly shows us what un-attainable high positions one can achieve as long as he has vinayam and what drastic downfall can happen if one has ahankaar.
Nahusha was raised in his childhood by the great Brahmarshi Vasishta. Since he was unaffected by happiness or sorrow and did not feel the slighest ahankaar when once Devatas praised him in his childhood, he was named Nahusha. He learnt all shaastras and after his education became the King. Due to his great qualities his fame spread quickly to all directions. Everyone was in praise of him, to such an extent that even vedas praised him. He performed 100 Ashwamedha Yaagas and hence was deserving the position of Indra.
Once, Indra killed an asura by name Vrutraasura. Though Vrutra was an asura, he was a braahmana and hence Indra had to suffer brahmahatyaa-paatakam and Nahusha was offered the position of Indra. Nahusha continued to be good, until one day he realized that he was the ruler, king of all the 14-lookas! He suddenly became very proud and once a person has Ahankaar, he does not think, he assumes he is the greatest and that he can never be wrong. Such was the power of being the king for the Devatas and all the worlds! He sends a message to Sachi-devi, the great Pativrata and wife of Indra (the previous Indra, the eldest brother of Devatas) that she must serve him as he is the Indra now. The very moment he wanted a Pativrata, all his good qualities, tapas-shakti everything were lost and his end was destined.
Sachi-devi tells Nahusha "O great Indra! You are the God of the Gods. You are very great, please come to my house. But you being so great deserve to be carried by none other than Saptarishis. So please come in a pallaqi beared by them". Nahusha really feels that what Sachi-devi said is true (did not realize that she was a pativrata and hence the real meaning behind her words) and immediately ordered the Saptarishis to do so. Obviously the Saptarishis have conquered anger and ahankaar so they carry him. Nahusha sits in the pallaqi beared by them and in the height of his pride says "Sarpa Sarpa" (go fast) to Agasthya muni, since he was very short and was taking small small steps. Agasthya muni said "sarpobhava", in order to teach Nahusha a lesson. And immediately from the high position of Indra, he falls as a Ajagaram (huge Python) in some deep forest.
He spends thousand and thousands of years repenting for his mistake. Once when Paandavas were in the aashramam of Vrushaparva, Bhima goes to the forest and sees Nahusha who was in the form of an incredably huge Ajagaram. Bhima gets surprised by the amazing strength of it and asks it who it was. Nahusha tells his unfortunate story and says only the great Yudhishtira, who never deviates from the path of truth, can save him from this form. Meanwhile, Yudhishtira searching for Bhima reaches that place. Yudhishtira on knowing that the ajagaram is his ancestor Nahusha, he prostrates to him and takes his blessings. Later he answers all the questions of Nahusha and Nahusha gets freed from the terrible form, takes the form of a divya-purusha and goes to urdhva lokas in a divya vimaana.
Morals in the story:

1. As long as Nahusha had Vinayam he was respected by everybody. Once taken over by Ahankaar, he committed great mistakes and later had to experience the result.
2. Even for a great person like Nahusha, the power of simhaasanam made him bad. One must be more and more careful to be good and humble as his power in the society grows.
3. Yudhishtira showed the way elders must be respected. One must never evaluate an elder for respecting them. According to our culture they always must be respected.
4. Gnyaanam, knowledge of shaastra helped Yudhishtira answer the questions of Nahusha. One must always give utmost importance to gnyaanam and vigyaanam — using them one can acheive great wonders and help others.
5. Pativratas power is graeater than anyone. One must never want a para-kaanta.

Satyameva Jayate

No collection of moral stories will be complete without the mention of Satya Harishcandra. His story is well known and praised by everyone. Truth is the most fundamental moral to be learnt by everyone and it is alone enough to reach God. The following is a small incident showing the satya vaak paripaalanam of Harishchandra:
When travelling in the forest, with his family and Nakshatraka to the great kaashi kshetram, Harishchandra sees un-controllable Daavaagni (forest fire) sorrounding them. They donot understand the reason for it and Nakshatraka worries a lot, not knowing any way of getting out of the fire. Harishchandra worries for a different reason. He was not worried for loosing his life, but if he dies in the agni, then he will not be able to return the debt to Vishwaamitra maharshi and thus will not be able to keep up his word.
Seeing this, Agnideva (sent by Vishwaamitra) tells them a way to cross the fire safely. He says anyone who says that his name is not his own name, can safely walk through him. Immediately Nakshatraka, to attract them to say a lie, says I name is not Nakshatraka and walks into the fires. Nothing happens to him and he walks back suggesting Harishchandra and his family to try out the same. Obviously Harishchandra will not say a lie, but gets worried since he will be not be able to repay Vishwaamitra maharshi. Seeing the worry of her husband, Chandramati devi does a stotram to agni saying that if she were a pativrata, then the agni must stop. Immediately the huge daavaagni vanishes and they cross the forest safely.
The whole episode of Vishwaamitra maharshi testing Harishchandra starts with a conversion at Indra Sabha: A discussion will be raised to zero-in on a vratam which anyone whether rich or poor, whether king or servant, kid or elder, male or female can follow, exists or not. Vasishta maharshi suggests that satya vratam (speaking truth always) is there and tells that Harishchandra is a firm follower of it. Vasishta and Vishwaamitra both challenge each other, Vasishta saying "In the impossible event of Harishchandra uttering a lie I will leave sandhyaavandanaadi aahnikas, japa, tapas, remove yagnyopavita, become Bhrasta, have wine and behave in a way co-rishis will hate me, throw me out of there community and eventually goto naraka!". Vishwaanitra says "If Harishchandra stands my tests I will give half of my till now earned entire tapashshakti, make him rule the earth for many years and for 14 manvantaras will make him occupy the ardha-simhaasanam of Indra". Harishchandra in the end qualifies the tests of Vishwaamitra, enjoys all these bhogas and in the end with Lord Shiva's anugraham gets Moksham.
Morals in the Story:

1. Let even death may came, one must never leave the path of truth.
2. Though a person has to face temporary difficulties for following the path of truth, in the end always truth only wins.
3. The power of pativrata is enormous. It seems the power of Agni or howmuch ever tapashshakti cannot equal that of a pativrata. This is evident by the power of Chandramati devi.

4.    निन्दन्तु नीतिनिपुणाः यदि वा स्तुवन्तु
लक्ष्मीः समाविशतु गच्छतु वा यथेष्टम्।
अद्यैव वा मरणमस्तु युगान्तरे वा
न्याय्यात्पथः प्रविचलन्ति पदं न धीराः॥
— भर्तृहरेः नीतिशतकम्
nindantu nītinipuṇāḥ yadi vā stuvantu
lakṣmīḥ āgacchatu gacchatu vā yatheṣṭam|
adyaiva maraṇamastu yugāantare vā
nyāyyātpathaḥ pravicalanti padaṁ na dhīrāḥ||
— bhartṛhareḥ nītiśatakam

“May those proficient in law praise or decry;
May the Goddess of Wealth come or go as she pleases;
Let Death come today or at the end of the yuga;
The resolute will not deviate from the path of righteousness!”

Abhaya Daanam

There will be many who do Suvarna, Go, Bhuu daanam; but it is rare to find one who has sarva-bhuuta-daya.
One day, when Raghu maharaja was doing Tapas, a Viprottama approached him and asked for Sharanam. Seeing the Viprottama, who was trembling with fear, Raghu maharaja gave Abhayam and asked the reason for the fear. Meanwhile a Raakshasa came there saying “leave … leave”. He said to Raghu maharaja “Raja! leave him. This is the aahaaram that Brahma decided for me. Why are you protecting my aahaaram. I am very hungry”.
Raghu maharaja said “I will not. He, that too a Viprottama, came to me and asked for Sharanam. A sat-purusha always gives Abhayam to a Sharana-arthi. Also it is my Kshatriya-dharmam to protect this arthi. A person who does Abhaya-daanam will get more punyam than one who does all Yagnyas-Vratas. How can I cheat a person, to whom I said even giving my life I will protect you? For any paapam there might be a praayashchittam; but not for a Sharnaagata-hanta. I can get you any other aahaaram which you will like. With hunger how much you are suffering, this Vipra is also suffering that much with fear”.
Raakshasa replied “Like a Gnyaani you talked a lot about anya-samrakshana-dharmam. However you wont care about my hunger. When the tastiest food I want is before me, you are asking me to ask for some other aahaaram. Now if I die of hunger wont you get the paapam? Raja! you dont have daya. For Tapas, daya is the basis. Nirdaya gives paapam. Please save me – who is suffering from hunger. Leave the Vipra”.
Raghu maharaja then thought like this “If I leave this Vipra, Raakshasa will eat him. If I dont, Raakshasa may die of hunger. Without any doubt in either case I will get the paapam. What do to?”. Then he remembered his Guru, Vasishtha’s bodha — “Hari naama smaranam is the only way in case of difficulties”. So Raghu maharaja, with nishchala chittam, did Shri Hari dhyaanam and said “Paatu maam Bhagavaan Vishnuh”.
Just on hearing the Hari naamam, the Raakshasa got Divya-aakruti and said “I am a King by name Shatadyumna and got this ghora-ruupam because of Vashishtha maharshi shaapam, for my dushkaaryam. Because of hearing to Divya-Hari-naamam that too from a Dharmaatma, Tapasvi like you, I got Vimukti”. The Vipra also reached home safely.
Seeing this, Brahmadeva appeared before Raghu maharaja and said “O Mahiipaala! your Dharma-vartanam impressed Me. Please aboard this Divya-vimaanam and come to Satyalokam”. This Divya-gaadha was told by Shri Bhrugu maharshi to Shaunaka mahaa-muni.
Morals in the story:

1. Bhuuta-daya and Sharanaagati-dharmam are well shown by Raghu maharaja. The Punyam got by Abhaya daanam is anantam! For such a person, Satyalokam is easy to reach.
2. The importance of Shri Hari-naama-smarana is well shown in the story. Especially in Kali-yugam, Naama-sankeertanam, Daiva-bhajanam is the easiest way for Mukti.

The story of Cyavana and fishermen

 The story of the great Cyavana maharṣhi, the vaidyanipuṇa, is well known. Cyavana was the son of Bhṛgu maharṣhi and Pulomā devi. Once Bhṛgu maharṣhi asked Agnideva to protect Pulomā, who was a garbhavati, till he comes back and went away. A rākṣhasa by name Puloma came and asked Agnideva "is she Pulomā?" (if yes then he was planning to take her away!). Agnideva did not know what to do. If he tells the truth Bhṛgu maharṣhi may get angry, else he may get anṛta-doṣham. So finally after being forced by Puloma, Agnideva said "She is the wife of Bhṛgu maharṣhi." Immediately Puloma took the form of a varāham and forcibly took Pulomā. In this, from her garbham, the baby slipped and fell down (and hence was known as "Cyavana").
The baby had the tejas of Brahma and Puloma rākṣhasa turned into ashes on seeing Cyavana. Later Cyavana did many years of tapas and became a very great ṛṣhi. He and his wife Sukanya had dadhīci, pramati and āpravān as santānam. After a long time passed, once Cyavana maharṣhi did 12 years of tapas inside water. During his tapas, some fishermen came and as usual threw thier fishing net and were trying to catch fish. To their surprise, they saw Cyavana maharṣhi caught in their nets. The fishermen trembled with fear. But Cyavana maharṣhi said "it is not wrong to do your duty. Please do not be afraid that you disturbed my tapas". But the fishermen thought they were responsible for stopping the tapas of the maharṣhi and reported their mistake to their King, Nahuṣha (see this story).
The maharṣhi told the King that it was not the mistake of the fishermen, they were just doing their duty. In addition he said "Please decide a rate for me and give that money to the fishermen, since their effort must not go waste." King Nahuṣha did not know how to rate the maharṣhi. He offered his artha-rājyam. Cyavana said that wont be enough. Then the King said then take my entire rājyam! Cyavana said that is not the approriate rate for him. Meanwhile a maharṣhi named Kavijāta came and told the King "Please offer one cow. That will be equivalent to a ṛṣhi." Knowing the greatness of the cow from Cyavana, Nahuṣha gave away a best quality cow to the fishermen and sent them off.
The fishermen were not any less in good character. They thought "we can get money anytime. Let us utilize this chance and get godāna phalitam by giving this cow to the great maharṣhi." Thus they gave off their cow to Cyavana. Cyavana blessed all of them with svargalokam.
Morals in the story:

1. Cyavana, though his deep tapas was disturbed by the fishermen, did not get angry on them. This is because the fishermen did their duty and were unware of the presence of Cyavana.
2. The fishermen, knowing that if not now sometime or the other the must face consequence of their acts, reported their mistake (what they thought was a mistake) to the King.
3. Importance of Gomāta and Godānam is well displayed in the story.
4. Nahuṣha was prepared to give away his entrire sāmrājyam for doing his duty as a King.

The great Kushika Maharaja

Once the great Chyavana maharshi went to Kushika maharaja. Kushika did ghana-puuja to Chyavana maharshi. “Muniindra! Please give us aagnya what to do” said Kushika with great Vinayam. Chyavana maharshi replied “Raja! You and your arthaangi do seva to me”. “Ok. Svaami!” replied Kushika. Kushika arranged for Chyavana maharshi Hamsa-tuulikaa-talpam (bed) and a Manipeetham. “Maharaja! Now I will take rest. Dont disturb me until, I by myself, wake up. Till then do my paada-seva” said Chyavana maharshi. For 42 days, Kushika and his arthaangi did paada-seva of Chyavana maharshi, forgetting Nidra-aahaaram.
The next day Chyavana maharshi woke up and said “get me a Ratham. You both must pull it. I will go on it, giving Suvarana (gold), Ratna, Go (cow), Ashva daanams to the poor”. Immediately Kushika arranged for it. The King and Queen started pulling the ratham. Chyavana maharshi started to hit them with the horse-wip until they were bleeding and kept travelling. Finally they reached the end of the Raajyam.
He saw that the King and Queen have a smiling face, even though their bodies were bleeding! Chyavana maharshi said “Raaja! Now you both got extremely exhausted. Please go back. I will stay here a do Tapas. Come again tomorrow”. Saying thus, Chyavana maharshi, the Aayurveda-nipuna, just touched them on their wounds and the wounds just disappeared. “Muniindra! Just by your Kara-sparsha we got new shakti in us and all our wounds have disappeared. How do we praise your greatness”, saying this, Kushika returned to his Raajyam. When they came back the next day, Chyavana maharshi was not there, but a Vishaala-sundara-divya Bhavanam was there. “Devi! did you see. Because of Maharshi, we are able to see such unbelievably beautiful Bhavanam, that resembles Svargam”. They went in and saw that Chyavana maharshi was lying down on a Mani-maya-paryankam (bed). But as soon as they came near him, everything disappeared. They saw that Chyavana maharshi was doing Tapas.
“Raani! Did you see this Maharshi’s Tapobalam? We can rule many Raajyams. But getting this Tapas is very difficult” said the King. Then Chyavana maharshi called them and said “Maharaja! You have great Indriya-nigraham. You are great. You both didnt even get slightest Krodham even if I inflicted great pain. You always served me with great Vinayam. Please ask me what Varam you want”. “Swaami! Your paada-seva is only what I want. I dont need anything else. But please tell me why did you do all this?”
“Kushika! I heard about you from Brahmadeva. I tested you very much and would have given you shaapam if you didnt keep up your word. But you are an Uttama. I was impressed by you and hence showed you both Svargam. But even then you didnt get attracted and said ‘Tapas is great’. Your Pautra (grandson) will be a great Brahmarshi. He will be the Mantra-drashta of the great Gaayatri mantram. There has been no King who attained the Brahmarshi-padavi. Your pautra will achieve with his will power, Satya-nishtha and parishrama.
Kushika’s putra was Gaadhii-raaja and his putra was the great Vishvaamitra maharshi.
Morals in the story:

1. The sadgunams Vinayam and Atithi-Seva-bhaavam of Kushika are well shown in the story. Kushika and his Raani, did paada-seva of Chyavana maharshi for 42 days continuously without even taking food and sleep.
2. Kushika and his arthaangi had full control of their Indriyas (Indriya Nigraham). Even when their bodies were bleeding, they didnt get Krodham on Chyavana maharshi. Svargam will be at the will of such people.
3. Story shows how doing seva to great sat-purushas like Chyavana Maharshi will give Shubhams. Doing seva to Chyavana maharshi, they got the great Vishvaamitra maharshi as their Pautra.

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...) 

 

<sub>(My humble greatfulness to Moral Stories dot com,  Hindu dot com and Devotees   for the   collection) 




( A tribute to the great Bharatiya Samskruti)</sub>

Great Indian maharshis: 1

Great Indian maharshis:

Shri Gautama maharshi 

Gautama maharshi is one of the Brahma-maanasa-putras and is one of the great Saptarishis. Gautama maharshi is a mantra-drashta and gave us the famous “Gautama Smruti” in which he showed us many Dharma-sutras. Proving the Shodasha (16) Padaarthas like Pratignya, Hetu, Udaaharana, he wrote a Nyaayashaastram too. He gave us the Jyotishshaastra Grantham by the name “Gautama Samhita”. Sitadevi’s gotram is Gautama gotram only!
Once Brahmadeva did srushti of Ahalya (Na halyati iti Ahalya. She lacked nothing). She was a divya Soundarya Murty. Brahmadeva wondered who derserved to be the Bharta of this apuurva Gunavati. He decided that a person with Akhanda Teevra Brahmacharya Nishtha and Nigraham can only be her Bharta and saw that Gautama maharshi was the one. He decided to test the Indriya Nigraham of Gautama maharshi. He came to Gautama maharshi’s aashramam and said “she is Ahalya. I will leave her in your aashramam. I will come back after some time”. Many years passed and since Gautama maharshi was a Samyami and his manas was always with Brahma (hence a Brahmachaari), he never even had faint skhalanam seeing Ahalya. Gautama maharshi, the parama Shiva Bhakta, easily passed the test of Brahmadeva. Brahmadeva then did Kalyaanam of Gautama maharshi and Ahalya. Their’s was an aadarsha daapatyam. They lived in Brahmagiri, which is in Dakshina-Bhaaratam.
Unlike modern technology, which tries to exploit Nature, our Bhaarateeya Vignyaanam explians ways how to use Nature without disturbing the Nature’s eco-system. Combining Bhautika Vignyaanam and Aadhyaatmika Vignyaanam is the speciality of Bhaarateeya maharshis. Gautama maharshi was a master of Bhuu, Jala, Vyavasaaya Shastras. Gautama maharshi, once for Kshaama-nivaaranam did Tapas for Varunadeva and made a reservoir filled with Akshayajalam. Shiva Puraanam tells that with this Jalam, many lands become fertile: (here goes the story)
Once a Kshaamam came and life of people became difficult. Except Yogis everyone was running for their life. Gautama maharishi, who had karuna-svabhaavam, was not able to see the difficulties of the people. He decided to do Tapas for Varunadeva to ask him from rain. Varunadeva appeared and said “this is Kaala-niyamam. I cannot go against it. Kaala-karta, Parameshvara, only controls Pancha-bhuutas and Grahas. Doing anusandhaanam of Punya-Paapas of people, using Us, Parama Shiva controls Nature (Aadi Shakti). According to this I must not rain now. Ask Me anything else”. Gautama maharshi, who had loka-shreyas in mind, asked Varunadeva “if You are really satisfied with my Tapas, give me Akshajalam. Other than that I dont need anything”. Varunadeva replied “Gautama! I must give phalitam to your Tapas. I am bound to My Mantram. You dig a reservoir and I will put Akshyajalam in it. Dayaalu like you will do only Praja-kshemam. Jayostu”. Thus Gautama maharshi saved many people. Aadhaaram to this Prapancham are four: “a person who has Bhuutadaya, a person who has no garvam, a person who has upakaara-buddhi, a person who has Indriya Nigraham”.

The seva that Gautama maharshi did to Dakshina Bhaaratam and in particular to Aandra Pradesh is also memorable. Using his Vyavasaaya Shaastram and Godaavari he turned this land fertile. (We will see this story in detail in Shri Gautama maharshi -2). He also changed the course of Krishnaa-nadii-jalam, using his Tapas-shakti, and made still many more lands fertile.
Atithi-seva and Praja-sankshemam were the important Dharmas which Gautama maharshi showed us. One Sajjana/Dushta is enough to save/destroy a whole Vamsham. Many maharshi’s in Gautama maharshi’s Vamsham are Mantra-drashtas. Gautama maharshi and Ahalya’s putra was Shataananda, the Purohita of Janaka maharaja.
Gautama maharshi after making one place fertile used to shift to the next place. Like this many maharshis bless the place with their Tapas and move on. The aashramams used by such Divya-rushis later become Siddha-aashramams. Aditi and Kashyapa maharshi did Tapas for Mahaavishnu in Gautama maharshi’s aashramam and got Mahaavishnu as their child. Mahaavishnu was born to them as Vaamana, Shri Raama and Shri Krishna. (Kaushalya, Dasharatha; and Devaki-Vasudeva are Aditi, Kashyapa only)
Morals in the Story:

1. Bhaarateeya Vignyaanam was always respecting the Nature, not destroying it. The importance they gave to Agriculture etc. is well shown in this story.
2. The greatness of Samyamam, Brahmacharyam are well shown by Gautama maharshi.
3. The paropakaara buddhi and Bhuutadaya of Gautama maharshi are well shown in the story.
4. The greatness of Siddha-aashramams and Divya Kshetras is shown in the story. We are indeed very very lucky to be born in this Bhaarata Desham, where there are countless number of Punya-kshetras. “Mera Bhaarat Mahaan“.

Shri Gautama maharshi -2

Thus many benifited from the Tapas-shakti of Shri Gautama maharshi. Many great munis used to live under his aashrayam. He with the help of his wife and shishyas used to grow vegetables, rice etc., then cook and serve to all the aashritas. Thus everyday Gautami maharshi, Ahalya and his shishyas used to get the entire phalam of Annadaanam. Thus they used to live happily following their nitya-naimittika-aadi Karma.
Maanava buddhi is chitraatichitram. When something is not there one feels its need and longs for it. Whereas once he gets it steadily, he completely forgets its importance and leaves Krutagnyata. Instead Krutaghnata starts. Iirsha, asuuya started in the muni-patnis first and then in munis staying with Shri Gautama maharshi. Everything which Gautama maharshi and Ahalya do, used to make the munis feel Gautama-Ahalya have ahankaaram that they got the Akshaya-jalam for them. This was because of the Asuuya they developed on Gautama-Ahalya, without having any Krutagnyata.
Once the munis and muni-patnis decided that somehow they must drive away Gautama-Ahalya from their place. They thought of doing apakaaram to the great Upakaari who saved them from Praanaapaaya-kshaamam. They used their Mantra-shakti and did puuja of Ganapati. Ganapati gave His divya-darshanam and asked the munis for a varam. They asked Ganapati to somehow make Gautama-Ahalya go away.
Devatas are aadhinas to Their Mantras. Many things which cannot be done otherwise can be done through Mantras. What the munis did was kaamyopaasana (they used their Mantras for satisfying their wants). Since Bhakti had no sthaanam in it, the munis were entirely responsible for their varam. For such upaasana their will be no Aadhyaatmika gains. The Tapas of Bhasmaasura and others were of similar nature (Svaartham is the only reason).
Vighneshvara was surprised by the Krutaghnata of the munis. He told munis “you thought of doing apakaaram to that person due to whom you are existing. Uttamas do Upakaaram to apakaaris. What should I say about you people who do apakaaram to a Upakaari? This will never cause Kshemam to you (so dont ask for it)”. Munis didnt like the hita-vaakyas of Mahaganapati. They still insisted on it. Ganapati said “ok. Praarabdham can never be changed. But you can never ever escape the phalitam of this Krutaghnata. Even though Gautama-Ahalya leave this place, because of them this Prapancham will only gain” and gave them the varam.
Ganapati did Shrushti of a maaya-dhenu. It started spoiling the crops (which Gautama-Ahalya were growing for Annadaanam). Knowing that a Gomaata must never even be driven away harshly, he took darbhas and put on the Gomaata. To his great surprise the maaya-dhenu died there only. Seeing this the muni-patnis and the munis did Haahaakaaras. They said “we thought that Gautama maharshi is an Uttama, but he did Go-hatya!”.
Gautama maharshi became a Vihvala. He called Ahalya and said “what is this Vidhi-vaipariityam? Did Paramashiva get angry on me? What must be done now? With Darbhas a Gomaata getting killed is unbelievable — and Go-hatya-mahaapaatakam!”. The munis and muni-patnis continued “we must never see your face. Devatas wont come to this aashramam to recieve Havis if such patitas stay here. You must immediately go away from here”. They started throwing stones on Gautama-Ahalya.
With Teevra-vedana, that he did Go-hatya-mahaapaatakam, Gautama-Ahlaya left the place and returned after going for some distance (1 krosha) to ask the munis for Praayashchittam.
This is Saampradaayam. One must immediately go to elders and ask for a way of Praayashchittam if one knows he committed a paapam. Munis replied “Gautama! You can either do (and try saving yourself from Go-hatya-paatakam):
1. 3 times Bhu-pradakshinam and do a maasa-vratam here.
2. Do 101 times Giri-pradakshina of this Brahma-giri. After that do 1 crore Linga-aaraadhana. Then Ganga-snaanam.”
Gautama maharshi did Brhama-giri Pradakshina and then Paarthiva-Linga-aaraadhana. Paarvatii-Parameshvara became prasanna seeing the puuja of Gautama-Ahalya and gave them Their Divya-darshanam, along with Pramadha-gana. Gautama maharshi did stotram of Shiva and then asked Him to save himself from Go-hatya-mahaapaatakam. Maheshvara said
“Gautama! My boy! You are a Krutaartha. You are a Dhanya. There is no paapam for you. You are an aajamna-shuddha. You were cheated by the kutantram of these Braahmanas who were bitten by asuuya. If anyone even does your naamasmaranam or has your Darshanam will loose all his paapams.
There is no praayashchittam for these krutaghnas (see this too). From today they will be Bhrashtas. They will be away from Me, leave Veda-Dharmas and their entire santaanam will become patitas. You please ask Me a varam”.
Gautama maharshi with great Vinayam and aanandam replied “Saamba-Mahaadeva! I think these Braahmanas did Upakaaram to me. Because of them only today I had the adrushtam of Your Darshanam”. Aadi-deva became happy seeing the Kshamaa-gunam of Gautama maharshi. Gautama maharshi continued “Parameshvara! If You are really impressed with me, please give Ganga for Loka-kalyaanam”. Ganga-devi appeared as soon as Parama Shiva did Sankalpam. Seeing Ganaga-maata Gautama maharshi said
“Ammaa! You are the one who makes the Trijagas pavitras. Once you blessed Bhagiiratha and saved the Sagara-kumaaras. Entire Uttara-Bhaaratam became sasya-shyaamalam because of You. Please bless the Dakshina-Bhaaratam too.”
Taking Shiva-aagnya Gangadevi took Jala-ruupam and said like this to Parama Shiva “I will go make Gautama and his parivaaram puniitam and return soon to Your Lotus feet”. Shankara said “Gangaa! You stay till the end of Kaliyugam in the 28th Mahaayugam (present Mahaayugam) of Vyvasvata-manvantaram (see this too). Then You return to Your nija-dhaamam”. Gangadevi agreed and requested Parama Shiva “Svaami! Please stay on My nadii-tiiram and bless Us”.
Shankara then became a Jyotirlingam at Tryambakeshvara. Ganga then became paravasha and started flowing from a tree (Medi chettu) on Brahma-giri. This pavitra sthaanam became Gangaa-dvaaram and Ganga got the name Gautamii because Gautama maharshi brought Her. It also got the name Godaavarii because it flowed on the place where a maayaa-gomaata fell. Many great rushis like Vasishtha and Bharadvaaja, with thier Tapobalam, did vistaaram of Godaavarii. There are many Shiva-Keshava kshetras on Godaavarii-nadii-tiiram.
Morals in the story:

1. The importance of Krutagnyata, Kshama and Loka-shrayam are well shown by Gautama maharshi.
2. Story shows what downfall can one durgunam like asuuya or Krutaghnata can bring even to great people. The muni-patnis and the munis coming under the influence of asuuya and iirsha even forgotKrutagnyata to Gautama maharshi.
3. The importance of atithi-seva and anna-daanam is well shown by Gautama-Ahalya. They everyday used to grow vegetables, rice etc., cook and then serve them to the needy.
4. Even though Gautama maharshi was driven away by the munis, he came back to ask them advice on what praayashchittam needs to be done. This shows how much importance one must give to aachaara-saampradaayas.

Gautama’s Elephant

We recommend readers analyzing this deep story with help of elders. We present it only from Morals perspective.)
Of the four ways, Saamam, Daanam, Bhedam, Dandam, to teach a person what is good and what is bad, this story tries to teach by the Upaayam of “Daanam”. This story shows what great Punyam a person gets if a person does a particular good deed.
Once Gautama maharshi was doing Tapas in an aranyam. One day he saw a white baby elephant, who got separated from her mother. He took pity on it and started looking after her. Day-by-day she grew old.
One day a King by name “Dhrutaraashtra” came to Gautama maharshi and asked the maharshi to give the Gajam to him. Gautama maharshi said “I am looking after her as my own putra, it gaurds my aashramam when I am not there, it brings me Darbha etc. for me to use in Yagnyam. I cannot give it to you”. Dhrutaraashtra replied “Why do Munis need Gajam (Gajam represents Aishvaryam)? I will give you many Gomaatas (cows) and how much ever Svarnam you need”.
“She doesnt have a mother. I only raised her from childhood. Even if you give me 10000 Gomaatas, I cannot leave it” said Gautama maharshi. “I am a King and a King requires Gajam, so give it to me” replied Dhrutaraashtra. Then Gautama maharshi said “Let us go to Yama-sabha. There we will know what is Nyaayam”.
Dhrutaraashtra: Naastikas, Paapaatmas go there. Why me?
Gautama Maharshi: Then we will go to Yamadharmaraaja, He is the Samavarti.
Dhrutaraashtra: People who do rakshana of their sisters, parents go to Him. I wont come.
Gautama Maharshi: Shall we go to Gangaa-teeram?
Dhrutaraashtra: People who eat after feeding Atithis go there. Why will I come?
Gautama Maharshi: Ok then, we will go to Meru Vanam.
Dhrutaraashtra: People who have Satyam, Daya, Mrudu-vartanam, Bhuuta-daya go there. Suggest some other place.
Gautama Maharshi: We will go to Naarada Maharshi’s Vihaara-sthalam. Apsaras, Kinneras also will be there.
Dhrutaraashtra: People who do Devata-archana with Sangeetam and Nrutyam go there. I wont come.
Gautama Maharshi: or shall we go to Uttara-Kurubhuumi? All Devetas will be there. Devendra will give all shubhas, varams there.
Dhrutaraashtra: People who dont have any Kaamam and dont do Himsa go there. Why me?
Gautama Maharshi: Ok. Lets go to Chandra Mandalam.
Dhrutaraashtra: People with Shaanta-buddhi and always do Daanam go there. It is not possible for me to come there.
Gautama Maharshi: Suurya Mandalam? Lets go.
Dhrutaraashtra: Tapas, Svaadhyaayam. People who do these go there.
Gautama Maharshi: What about going to Varuna deva?
Dhrutaraashtra: People who do Agni-hotram and Yaagas can go there.
Gautama Maharshi: or shall we go to Devendra?
Dhrutaraashtra: Shuuras, Somayaajis, people who live for 100 years go there. I will not come.
Gautama Maharshi: We will go to Prajaapatya Lokam.
Dhrutaraashtra: It the place for people who do Ashvamedha Yaagam.
Gautama Maharshi: Will you come to Golokam?
Dhrutaraashtra: People who go to Teerthas, did Brahmacharya-vratam go there. I cant come.
Gautama Maharshi: Ok. Brahma-sabha?
Dhrutaraashtra: People who are Asanga and know Aadhyaatma-vidya go there. I cant even think about it.
Gautama Maharshi: “Mahaanubhaava! Now I came to know who You are. You are Devendra. Who else will know which Punyaatmas go to which Lokam”? Saying Gautama Maharshi did Namaskaaram to Devendra.
Devendra: “Arya! Will I separate you from this Gajam, which you like so much? If I come in disguise even Devatas cannot recognize Me. Since you are a Mahaanubhaava, you were able to recognize Me. Both you and Gajam come to Svarga-lokam and accept My aatithyam”. Gautama Maharshi and the Gajam then went to Svargam.

Dhrutaraashtra — itself means one who wears a Shariiram. So this story tells us that one must do atleast some of these Punya Kaaryas in one’s life time, else there will be no Urdhva-loka Praapti and Pragati towards Moksha-saadhana.

MarkandeyaMmaharshi

(Respect to Elders)

The story of markandeya maharshi, the child born with Alpaayu but made a chiranjeeva by the grace of Lord Shiva, is well known. His father was Mrukanda maharshi. He also had alpaayu. So after his upanayanam his father told him to bow to all elders and get their blessings. He followed his father’s words. He used to bow to every one whether a pandit or a lay man. Once saptarshis came to Mrukanda’s father. Mrukanda in his usual habit, bowed to them and got the blessings of the great saptarishis. The blessing was “dhirga ayushman bhava”. After knowing the truth that is life was short they went to Lord Bramha to solve this puzzle. Mrukanda bowed to Brahma too. And he also gave him the same boon, “dhirga ayushman bhava”.
Morals in the story:

1. Respecting elders and parents is one of the foremost principles of Indian culture. Even Lord Krishna used to prostrate before his elders, however bad they may be…
2. Since the saptarishis always speak the truth, whatever they spoke became true. With the power of truth, even the unavoidable death can be stopped!

Indradyumna’s story

Sajjanas instead of worrying that they have difficulties, instead utilize the situation and do good to themselves and society. Paandavas did many apoorva kaarys during their Aranyavaasam. One of them was learning different things from many great rushis, munis, other Mahapurushas.
Once Paandavas had the bhaagyam of the darshanam of Shri Maarkandeya maharshi. After Dharmaraaja did Yathaa-vidhi atithi-seva, Maarkandeya maharshi expressed his sorrow because Sajjanas like Paandavas had to face such difficulties. He then told then stories of Shri Raama Chandra and Nala-Damayant, who experienced still greater difficulties for the sake of following Dharmam.
One day Dharmaraaja asked Maarkandeya maharshi “Maharshi! I have a small Prashna” with little hesitation. Maarkandeya maharshi replied “one must ask and know things what he doesnt know. Please go ahead and ask your Prashna”. Dharmaraaja asked “as far as I know you are the only Chiranjeeva. Are there anybody else?” With chiru-mandahaasamMaarkandeya maharshi told the story of the great Indradyumna:
(The story of how Shrimannaaraayana saved the Gajendra and gave him Moksham is well known. Gajendra in his previous birth was a great King by name Indradyumna.)
In ancient times there used to be a king by name Indradyumna. It was well known that there was no one to match his Dharma-svabhaavam. As a consequence of his good deeds and daya, daana gunams, he ascended to swargam upon leaving the physical body. He enjoyed the sukhaas of swarga for a very long time. Once Indra called him in his sabha:
Indra said, “O King, you have done immense number of punyaas in your life and as a result you were here for a very long time. However unless one totally surrenders to Parameshwara and comes out of the cycle of Punya & Paapa, one needs to be binded to his own Karma. The time on earth past so much that now no one remembers any of your good deeds and hence it is time for you to leave swarga lookam”. Indradyumna was very surprised to hear that his huge punya-raashis have melted. Indra however said, “if you show me somebody who remembers your good deeds or is still enjoying the benefits of the good done by you, you can continue enjoying the swarga lookam. After all, no man may be cast away from here as long as traces of his good deeds are remaining”.
Indradyumna recalled that the Maarkandeya maharshi is a chiranjeevi. So he went to him and asked him, “O great maharshi, do you remember my good deeds?”. Maarkandeya, who was doing Teertha-yaatras, Punya-karmas, and Upavaasa-deeksha since a very long time and was having very little physical power, replied, “I am sorry but I don’t remember who you are. In the great Himaalaya parvataas there lives an Uluukam (owl) called Praavaarakarna. He is older than me and hence might know you. If you put little more effort you can reach him”. Both Maarkandeya maharshi and Indradyumna went to Praavaarakarna.
Indradyumna asked him, “I am told that you are the longest lived creature in the world. Do you remember any of my good deeds”? Praavaarakarna replied, “O great king, I do not remember you, you must have been before my time. There is a sarovaram at a distance of 2 Yojanas from here. Coincidentally it is named Indradyumna, where my friend Naadiijangha, a mahaa-bakam (big crane), lives and he is older than me”.
All three went to the sarovaram and sadly Naadiijangha also did not know Indradyumna. However he said “it is possible that my friend Aakuupaara, who has lived here since before my parent’s time, might know something of Indradyumna”. Naadiijangha called for Aakuupaara, a very very old kuurmam (tortoise).
On knowing that Indradyumna arrived, Aakuupaara’s eyes were filled with aananda-bhaashpaas, his heart was much moved and he trembled with deep emotion. He did many namaskaars to the King and said, “O Indradyumna, I know you very well. You did thousand Yagnyaas, built 1000 Yuupa-stambhaas and gave away hundreds of thousands of cows as daanam. This very Sarovaram was excavated just by the movements of the hooves of those cows (he gave away some many!) and that is why it bears your name. I am blessed to have obtained sight of you after so many years”.
Immediately a divya-vimaanam came for Indradyumna and took him to urdhva-lookaas. God never leaves good people. Shrimannaaraayana made Indradyumna realize that there is Kaivalyam which is beyond swargas, all urdhva-lookas etc, through his next janma as Gajendra. He blessed him with Moksham when Gajendra left all his pride, doubt and totally surrendered himself to God.
Morals in the story:

1. The importance, greatness of good qualities like daya, daanam etc. are well portrayed in the story.
2. It is not rich people or powerful people that the world will remember. It is the people who help others that the world will remember. It is the only wealth that can be carried beyond life.
3. If one never leaves the path of Dharma, at some or the other time, God will save him, remove any small buddhi-doshaas that are remaining, and give moksham. This is what that happens to Indradyumna in his next janma as Gajendra.

Kaliyugam

The following story (description of Kaliyugam) was told by Veda Vyāsa in Mahābhāratam, long long time ago. Seeing His dūra-dṛṣhṭi, the ādhunikas (we) get surprised. However this is not a great task for Vyāsa, the avatār of Viṣhṇu, but the message what we need to importantly gain is to look for all the durguṇas which Vyāsa Bhagavan pointed out in this story and be warned to be away from them (more importantly to accept that these are really durguṇas).
Great people never experience duhkham because of their difficulties, infact they utilize them to learn new lessons. Pāṇḍavas utilized their Araṇyavāsam time in a great way. The accomplished great tasks which they never could do in their usual busy schedule as a King. Once they got the oppurtunity to have the darśan of Mārkaṇḍeya mahāmunīndra. The Ciranjīvi told them many many great viśeṣhas and Kathas. He also told them about Kaliyugam:
"O Dharmanandana! In Kṛtayugam there was no need for a King, army etc. Everyone had satguṇas like Satya-vāk-paripālanam, Ahimsānṛta-dīkṣha and Dharmaparāyaṇam". In Tretāyugam, Satya, Dharmas will reduce a little and the need of a King and army etc. will arise. In Dvāparayugam, half are adharmaparāyaṇas. Even near the end of this yugam Kuliyuga lakṣhaṇas start (Parīkṣhit mahārāja, Vikramāditya and others did Kalinigraham for a long time). However in Dvāprayugam in the end always Dharmam only will win. Only Satyavrata paripālakas will be the prajā-pālakas.
In Kalikālam, people who can cheat others well will come into power and rule the country. There will be no place for Vivekavantas and jñānis. Because of this, avivekas, jñānaśūnyas start giving upadeśas (their own!) and start dhanārjanam on it. Brāhmaṇas who are supposed to lead a very simple life and have Karuṇā as their svabhāvam leave Vedādhyayanam, Satkratus, Parabrahma-ārādhana and show a lot of interest in drinking different kinds of pānīyas, try out different kinds of āhāram. Hence similar is the case with all the people. Asatyavādis, alpāyuṣhkas will be born and no ājānabāhus and tālapramāṇadehas.
Kāmavāñchas will be very high and hence madyapānam is done very commonly. One more surprising thing: they dont even have good tastes, they eat whatever they get and fill their stomach. Still more surprising is their sugandha dravyas dont have suvāsana. By 16 years hair will grow white and unmarried kanyas become garbhavatis and 16 years will become their pūrṇa āyurdāyam. People who dont have Matsya, māmsāhāram will be rare and madyapānam, jūdam will become vilāsas and people feel proud to do them. Everyday morning they hear news about murders, robbery etc. and they keep discussing about these things only. People who grow long nails and hair become more and the number of nāstikas will also tremondously increase. Infact they will use it as a jīvanādharam and earn their living.
Without seeing for samayam-sandarbham they milk the cows, when ever they want! By doing this the cows will get anārogyas and die. Finally they will loose the amṛta go-kṣhīram. The adhikāris will always take huge amounts of taxes and never do praja-rakṣhaṇa. For mere money, brothers will kill each other. Children donot listen to parents and bhārya goes against his own bharta! They wear clothes with janapanāra (jeans?)!
There will be no proper kanyādānas, vivāhas. Girls choose two three boys who they like and go around with them and call it dāmpatyam. Things which must not be done will be done. They decorate their houses with articles made of bones, which are supposed to be kept far away in śmaśānas, and feel very happy.
O Dharmananadana! We now know only about āśramas which give food, shelter and Vidyādānam to the vidyārthis. We know only about people who give food to the needy. In kalikālam, there will be no Annadānam and Vidyādānam! They will sell anna-āhāras! Even Vidya will be used for earning money and bussiness!
Once people start doing Anna-vikrayam and Vidyā-vikrayam we cannot imagine their downfall. After sometime like this, Sūryagrahaṇam will not occur on an Amāvāsya and Candragrahaṇam will not occur on a Pourṇima.
Even though people have farms, gardens, they leave the Nadī-tīras and go to Nagaras. Villages will be desserted and everyone has Nagaravyāmoham. Slowly crops will fail. Finally, a big Jhanjhāmārutam will blow and 7 Sūryas will rise and cause great Agni-jvālas burning everything. Then very heavy rains fall and this is the Yuga-sandhi. After all these bhībhatsas reduce, Ravi, Guru and Candra enter Karkāṭakam. Seasonal rains, sun-shine begin and huge vegetation grows. Kṛtayugam will begin where people dont have jarā-roga pīḍas and do Annadāna, Vidyādānādi sat-kratus."
May be almost everyline of this story tells us a durguṇam that we all must be away from.
Message to present society:
Even, as far as we remember, 6-7 years back no one use to advertise for Educational Institues and Hospitals. Now the moral values in the society are degrading at an exponential rate. It seems Gandhīji did fasting when the first ever advertisement came in INDIA. And may be one big thing that is not mentioned about Kaliyugam: we finally managed to turn even Devālayas as bussiness institutes.
One heart-breaking example is of Cilkūr Devālayam. This Devālayam does not even have a Huṇḍi. Thanks to the great Pūjāris of this Devālayam, there are no tickets for Darśan and no special darśans. Government of Andhra Pradeś is now forcing them to put a charge of Re.1 per Pradakṣhiṇa and give to the "poor" poiliticians (and a stagerring number of 75,000 to 1,00,000 bhaktas visit the Devālayam per week and a very high percentage of them do 108 Pradakṣhiṇas!). We pray to God to save the rare Devālayam from the hands of the Government.
 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...) 

 

<sub>(My humble greatfulness to Moral Stories dot com,  Hindu dot com and Devotees   for the   collection)

( A tribute to the great Bharatiya Samskruti)</sub>