लक्ष्मण का त्याग

लक्ष्मणजी की भक्ति भी अद्भुत थी. लक्ष्मणजी की कथा के बिना श्री रामकथा पूर्ण नहीं है अगस्त्य मुनि अयोध्या आए और लंका युद्ध का प्रसंग छिड़ गया -
भगवान श्रीराम ने बताया कि उन्होंने कैसे रावण और कुंभकर्ण जैसे प्रचंड वीरों का वध किया और लक्ष्मण ने भी इंद्रजीत और अतिकाय जैसे शक्तिशाली असुरों को मारा॥
अगस्त्य मुनि बोले- श्रीराम बेशक रावण और कुंभकर्ण प्रचंड वीर थे, लेकिन सबसे बड़ा वीर तो मेघनाध ही था ॥ उसने अंतरिक्ष में स्थित होकर इंद्र से युद्ध किया था और बांधकर लंका ले आया था॥ब्रह्मा ने इंद्रजीत से दान के रूप में इंद्र को मांगा तब इंद्र मुक्त हुए थे । लक्ष्मण ने उसका वध किया इसलिए वे सबसे बड़े योद्धा हुए श्रीराम को आश्चर्य हुआ लेकिन भाई की वीरता की प्रशंसा से वह खुश थे।फिर भी उनके मन में जिज्ञासा पैदा हुई कि आखिर अगस्त्य मुनि ऐसा क्यों कह रहे हैं कि इंद्रजीत का वध रावण से ज्यादा मुश्किल था . लक्ष्मण ने 14 वर्ष तक न सोये और न खाया और न ही देवी सीता का मुख तक देखा क्योंकि उन्हों वो माता सामान मानते थे।।श्रीराम बोले-  परंतु मैं बनवास काल में चौदह वर्षों तक नियमित रूप से लक्ष्मण के हिस्से का फल-फूल देता रहा ।मैं सीता के साथ एक कुटी में रहता था, बगल की कुटी में लक्ष्मण थे, फिर सीता का मुख भी न देखा हो, और चौदह वर्षों तक सोए न हों, ऐसा कैसे संभव है ।अगस्त्य मुनि सारी बात समझकर मुस्कुराए॥ प्रभु से कुछ छुपा है भला दरअसल, सभी लोग सिर्फ श्रीराम का गुणगान करते थे लेकिन प्रभु चाहते थे कि लक्ष्मण के तप और वीरता की चर्चा भी अयोध्या के घर-घर में हो ।अगस्त्य मुनि ने कहा -  क्यों न लक्ष्मणजी से पूछा जाए लक्ष्मणजी आए प्रभु ने कहा कि आपसे जो पूछा जाए उसे सच-सच कहिएगा।प्रभु ने पूछा- हम तीनों चौदह वर्षों तक साथ रहे फिर तुमने सीता का मुख कैसे नहीं देखा ? फल दिए गए फिर भी अनाहारी कैसे रहे ?और 14 साल तक सोए नहीं ?यह कैसे हुआ ?लक्ष्मणजी ने बताया- भैया जब हम भाभी को तलाशते ऋष्यमूक पर्वत गए तो सुग्रीव ने हमें उनके आभूषण दिखाकर पहचानने को कहा ॥आपको स्मरण होगा मैं तो सिवाए उनके पैरों के नुपूर के अलावा कोई आभूषण नहीं पहचान पाया था क्योंकि मैंने कभी भी उनके चरणों के ऊपर देखा ही नहीं.चौदह वर्ष नहीं सोने के बारे में सुनिए -  आप औऱ माता एक कुटिया में सोते थे. मैं रातभर बाहर धनुष पर बाण चढ़ाए पहरेदारी में खड़ा रहता था. निद्रा ने मेरी आंखों पर कब्जा करने की कोशिश की तो मैंने निद्रा को अपने बाणों से बेध दिया था।निद्रा ने हारकर स्वीकार किया कि वह चौदह साल तक मुझे स्पर्श नहीं करेगी लेकिन जब श्रीराम का अयोध्या में राज्याभिषेक हो रहा होगा और मैं उनके पीछे सेवक की तरह छत्र लिए खड़ा रहूंगा तब वह मुझे घेरेगी ।आपको याद होगा राज्याभिषेक के समय मेरे हाथ से छत्र गिर गया था.अब मैं 14 साल तक अनाहारी कैसे रहा! मैं जो फल-फूल लाता था आप उसके तीन भाग करते थे. एक भाग देकर आप मुझसे कहते थे लक्ष्मण फल रख लो॥ आपने कभी फल खाने को नहीं कहा- फिर बिना आपकी आज्ञा के मैं उसे खाता कैसे?
मैंने उन्हें संभाल कर रख दिया।सभी फल उसी कुटिया में अभी भी रखे होंगे  प्रभु के आदेश पर लक्ष्मणजी चित्रकूट की कुटिया में से वे सारे फलों की टोकरी लेकर आए और दरबार में रख दिया॥ फलों की गिनती हुई, सात दिन के हिस्से के फल नहीं थे।
प्रभु ने कहा-इसका अर्थ है कि तुमने सात दिन तो आहार लिया था?लक्ष्मणजी ने सात फल कम होने के बारे बताया- उन सात दिनों में फल आए ही नहीं,
 1. जिस दिन हमें पिताश्री के स्वर्गवासी होने की सूचना मिली, हम निराहारी रहे।
2. जिस दिन रावण ने माता का हरण किया उस दिन फल लाने कौन जाता
3. जिस दिन समुद्र की साधना कर आप उससे राह मांग रहे थे,
4. जिस दिन आप इंद्रजीत के नागपाश में बंधकर दिनभर अचेत रहे,
5. जिस दिन इंद्रजीत ने मायावी सीता को काटा था और हम शोक में
रहे,
6. जिस दिन रावण ने मुझे शक्ति मारी
7. और जिस दिन आपने रावण-वध किया ।
इन दिनों में हमें भोजन की सुध कहां थी।  विश्वामित्र मुनि से मैंने एक अतिरिक्त विद्या का ज्ञान लिया था- बिना आहार किए जीने की विद्या. उसके प्रयोग से मैं चौदह साल तक अपनी भूख को नियंत्रित कर सका जिससे इंद्रजीत मारा गया ।भगवान श्रीराम ने लक्ष्मणजी की तपस्या के बारे में सुनकर उन्हें ह्रदय से लगा लिया.






Compiled and edited by Mrs Gunjan Arora

Kewat- a friend indeed

During the years of exile when Lord Rama reached at the banks of river Ganga, he needed a boat to cross it. He approached a boatman, Kewat for his services. But Kewat refused.He said, “I have heard that there is magic in the dust of your feet. By the touch of your feet, a stone can change into a woman.( he was referring to the previous incident in which Lord Rama removed the curse of Ahilya by touching his foot to a stone which turned into a woman)”. Kewat laid the condition that first he would wash Rama's feet to remove the dust and only then he would allow him to to sit on the boat. Lord Rama smiled  and allowed Kewat to wash His feet. Kevat by his simple manner, thus achieved what great sages could not achieve. It was kewat’s   devotion which made it possible for him to accomplish a feat that even the gods are envy of.

After washing the Lord’s feet, Kewat ferried them across the river Ganga. As soon as they alighted from the boat, goddess Sita immediately withdrew a ring from her finger and handed it over to Lord Rama, signaling to him to pass it on to the boatman.But Kewat refused to accept it. On asking the reason, kewat replied," Lord, ! how can i accept any money from You because   people of the same profession do not charge each other for their services. A barber never takes payment, when he gives a haircut to another barber. Even a washer-man never charges a fellow washer-man.". Lord Rama was surprised with the response and wanted clarification from Kewat that how could he be of the same profession . Kewat answered "Lord, both of us do the same work. I ferry people from this bank of the Ganges to the other. You ferry people across the ocean of Sansaara (Bhav-sagar), through the journey of life.How can I accept payment from you? Lord! . But please, as I have made you cross this river today, when my time comes, take me across sansaar saagar (the ocean of life). That would be your return to me."The Lord was so overwhelmed at this devotional request from Kewat, that he held out his arms and embraced the boatman and blessed him. Later, the Kewat was liberated from the cycle of birth and death just because of this little service done unto the Supreme Lord! After the completion of his exile when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, he was crowned as King. But in coronation ceremony his eyes were looking for some special guest. When Sita asked Rama that is he waiting for some one. Lord Rama replied that he is missing Kewat too much today. Even on the day of extreme happiness Lord Rama did not forget the  good deed done by Kewat long time ago.
Jai Shri Ram!

Hanuman and Betel leaves

When the war between Lord Rama and King Ravana was over, then it was time for them to return to Ayodhya along with Goddess Sita. But at the time of departure Hanuman was missing who played a key role in the victory of Lord Rama. Everyone searched for Hanuman. Eventually, Sita found Hanuma in a betel leaves garden .  When Hanuman saw Sita , he bowed his head down to seek the blessings.Sita was overwhelmed with his devotion. She plucked few betel leaves and showered on hanuman in order to bless him. Since then  this tradition of offering garland of betel leaves is follows

Shabri- The blessed devotee

 Shabri was born in a tribal family. Since childhood she was a great devotee of Lord Rama. When she reached marriageable age,she was surprised to see his father arranging animals to be serve in marriage feast.Se could not able to tolerate this act and she escaped and reached the ashram of Sage Matang. she served at  the ashram with great devotion. When the Sage Matang was about to leave his mortal form, he blessed Shabri that one day Lord Rama would visit this ashram to bless her.She was overwhelmed and from that day she spent every minute in the waiting of her god.Everyday she plucked the berry fruit from the forest and tasted it. If she found the fruit to be sweet then she stored them for Lord Rama and rest she discarded. Her devotion was pure. Many years passed. Shabri was now too old . One day her wait was over when Lord Rama visited her ashram. This was the ultimate moment for which she was waiting for.She was overjoyed and welcomed Lord Rama by washing his feet. She offered berry fruit to him. But before the offer again she tasted each fruit and she gave only sweet fruit to him.Even Lord Rama had tears in his eyes to see her devotion.On the other hand Lakshman was not happy as Shabri offered unworthy fruit after tasting. Lord Rama explained to Lakshman that the berries are offered with true devotion and nothing in this world could be as good as these berries. He blessed Shabri .She reached the ultimate height of spirituality which was difficult for even great sages.

Trijata- The Sita's saviour

 'Trijata'  was one of the demoness in King Ravana’s court. She was appointed to have an eye on Sita and convinced her to marry King. Due to her past lives good deeds,Trijata, was devotee of Lord Rama despite born in demon community. Instead of threatening Sita, she was the only one there in Ashok Vatika where Sita was kept who treated Sita like her daughter. She even freed Sita from the fear by disclosing the secret that Ravana could not marry her due to involvement of previous curses to him. One night she had a dream in which she saw that Lord Rama defeated Ravana. After the dream she even tried her best to persuade King to set Sita free from his captivity.She was sure the Ravanas act of keeping Sita in his kingdom would bring destruction to the whole family. Trijata clearly understood the powers of Sita at once. Even during the war she kept the hopes of Sita alive when Ravana spread the rumors about his victory.She morally supported Sita all the way during the war. Trijata's role can never be underestimated. Actually Trijata was a niece of Ravana,the daughter of Vibhishan.

Govardhan Parvat and Lord Rama

The Govardhan Parvat(hill) is one of the most sacred manifestation of Lord Krishna worshipped by his followers. This sacred hill has a close linkage with Lord Rama also due to involvement of boon given by him to this hill. It is believe that when Lord Rama ordered to built bridge across ocean to Lanka, Hanuman too went to Himalaya mountain ranges to fetch some rocks necessary for building bridge. Hanuman was flying back to Rama after taking one hill,called Govardhan then he came to know that he was too late as the bridge was already built during that time and no more rocks or mountains were needed. This was very disappointing for the Govardhan Hill as he was too eager to have glimpse and divine touch of holy feet of lord Rama. When Lord Rama came to know about this incident, he blessed Govardhan hill that, in Dwapar Yug, he himself would hold Govardhan in his hand and people will worship him.The blessings given by Lord Rama proved true in Dwapar Yug  when he himself incrnated as Lord Krishna and held Govardhan on his little finger for 7 days and nights.

Curse of Sage Bhrigu

During the fight between gods and demons, at one stage gods overpowered demons. Sensing the massive defeat ,the demons reached the ashram of Sage Bhrigu who was not present at that time. His wife greeted the demons as they were came for the help and she promised to provide shelter to demons. On the other hand, Indra who was chief of gods came to know about the hideout of demons. Indra reached the ashram and threatened demons to surrender before him. But wife of Sage Bhrigu stood in between them and drove Indra away. Indra rushed to Lord Vishnu for the help. To assist Indra he went to ashram where the demons were hidden. Again, the wife of Sage Bhrigu came to rescue demons. Finally, Lord Vishnu killed her with his Sudarshan Chakra in order to ensure win for gods. At this point Sage Bhrigu returned to ashram and shocked to see the dead body of his wife. When he came to know that it was Lord Vishnu who was responsible for the death of his wife, he cursed Lord Vishnu that he too would have to suffer the pain of separation from his wife on earth like him . Lord Vishnu accepted the curse with dignity. Due to curse he was born as Lord Rama(an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and had to suffer the grief of separation from his wife Sita.

The curse of Vedvati

King Kushadhwaj was a powerful king and he was true devotee of Lord Vishnu. His wife gave birth to a daughter. At the time of birth the little girl was chanting the vedic mantras(prayer). This was a good omen for an extraordinary child. As a result her parents named her as “Vedvati”. Like her father she was also a true devotee of Lord Vishnu. She performed very tough tapasya(meditation) to please Lord Vishnu. As she grow older and older , she became adamant that she would marry to only Lord Vishnu. All the efforts of her parents of guiding her to marry some other king on earth went in vain. After the death of her parents , she preferred to stay in the forest and did meditation just to have a glimpse of lord Vishnu. Once the King Ravana, the ruler of Lanka visited her hermitage. He was stunned by the beauty of Vedvati and proposed her to marry him. But Vedvati rejected his offer. The angry King Ravana insulted her and destroyed her tapasya. She cursed Ravana that in her next birth she would become the cause of his death .She could not bear the insult , so she immolated herself . The vedvati reborn as Sita in the next birth. Due to all her merits which she acquired in previous birth she married to Rama(an incarnation of lord Vishnu). Later , Sita(vedvati , in previous birth) became the cause of destruction of the vast empire of King Ravana!

रामेश्वरम- एक दुर्लभ संगम

जब श्री राम लंका मैं विजय प्राप्त कर अयोध्या लौट रहे थे , तब उन्होंने गंध्मान पर्वत पर कुछ समय बिताया था ।परन्तु उन का मन काफी विचलित था । कारण स्पष्ट था । उन्हें ब्रह्म हत्या का दोष था क्यों कि रावन एक ब्रह्मिण थाजिस का वध उन्हों ने किया था। अपने गुरुजनों से आज्ञा प्राप्त कर के श्री राम ने भगवान् शिव कि आराधना करनेका निर्णय किया । पूजा का एक विशेष मुहूर्त निकाला गया। श्री राम ने हनुमान जी को शिवलिंग लाने को कहा ।हनुमानजी बिना समय गवाए काशी की और चल पड़े । काफी समय बीत जाने के बाद जब हनुमान जी नही लौटेतब श्री राम चिंतित हो गए क्योंकि मुहूर्त का समय निकट था। तभी सीताजी ने अपने हाथ से एक शिवलिंग कानिर्माण किया गया और उस मैं प्राण प्रतिष्ठा की। इस शिवलिंग को रामलिंगम कहते हैं . इस प्रकार उस शुभ मुहूर्तमैं पूजा संपन्न हुई। कुछ देर बाद जब हनुमान जी शिवलिंग ले कर लौटे तो वोह बहुत निराश हुए की उन् का प्रयासविफल हुआ क्योंकि पूजा संपन्न हो चुकी थी । श्री राम जी हनुमान जी कि निराशा तुंरत भांप गए। उन् कि आज्ञा सेदूसरा शिवलिंग भी वहीँ स्थापित किया गया जिस का नाम विश्वलिंगम रखा गया और कहा कि आज के बाद सबसेपहले विश्वलिंगम , lकि पूजा होगी और उस के बाद रामलिंगम की । आज तक यह प्रथा जारी है । इस मन्दिर कीएक विशेषता और है कि यहाँ पर २२ तीर्थो का अनोखा संगम है। मन्दिर मैं प्रवेश से पहले समुद्र मैं स्नान करनाआवश्यक है जिसे "अग्नि तीरथ" कहते हैं । इस के पश्चात् मन्दिर मैं २२ कुएं हैं जिन मैं अलग अलग तीर्थो कापवित्र जल विद्यमान है। सभी कुओं मैं स्नान करने के पश्चात् ही इश्वर के दर्शन होते हैं। ऐसी अनोखी और पवित्रप्रथा संसार मैं किसी भी मन्दिर में नहीं है। निम्नलिखित २२ पवित्र तीर्थ मन्दिर मैं स्थित हैं--
1)लक्ष्मी तीर्थ

2)चक्र तीर्थ

3)शिव तीर्थ

4)शंख तीर्थ

5)यमुना तीर्थ

6)गंगा तीर्थ

7)गया तीर्थ

8)कोटि तीर्थ

9)सध्यम्रित तीर्थ

10 सर्व तीर्थ

11 चंद्र तीरथ

12) सूर्य तीर्थ

१३ब्रह्महत्यविमोचन

१४माधव तीर्थ

१५नल तीर्थ

१६ नील तीरथ

१७ गव्य

१८ गवाक्षा तीरथ

१९गंध्मान तीर्थ

२०सवित्रि तीर्थ

21 सरस्वती तीरथ

२२ गायत्री तीरथ

"अग्नि-तीर्थ"- जहाँ पर मैंने अपने पूर्वजो के लिए तर्पण किया

२२ तीर्थो का संपूर्ण स्नान-एक अद्वित्य अनुभव

Lord Hanuman & Shani Devta

Saturn descended on Hanuman when he was busy building a bridge over the ocean to help Rama and his army cross over to Lanka. Hanuman requested the planet to postpone his visit till he had successfully assisted Rama in regaining Sita. But Saturn was adamant and Hanuman had to bow against the will of nature. He suggested that Saturn sit on his (Hanuman's) head as his hands were engaged in serving Rama and his legs were too lowly for Saturn.

Saturn happily settled on Hanuman's head and the mighty Hanuman continued with his work, piling heavy boulders and stones on his head in an apparently casual manner and carrying them to the construction site. After a while Saturn found it impossible to bear the load of the heaped boulders any longer and wished to climb down. Hanuman insisted that he complete his mandatory seven-and-a-half years but Saturn pleaded for release saying that the seven-and-a-half minutes he stayed on Hanuman's head felt like seven-and-a-half years anyway. Thus speaking Saturn took leave of Hanuman and since then worshippers of Hanuman rest assured that the unavoidable ill effects of Saturn's sade-sati (seven-and-a-half year's stay) can be whittled down by a true devotion to Hanuman.

Shani ki drishti

When King Ravana succeeded in getting the control over all the nine planets, he installed them face downward on the nine steps that led to his throne. Each morning, he would step on their back to ascend his throne, causing insult and anguish to them. One day the sage Narada came to Ravana, and upon seeing the state of the nine planets asked Shani, how as the mightiest and the most terrible of the planets, he can bear this insult? Shani replied that because he is laying face downward he is helpless, if only he can cast his gaze on Ravana, matters would change. After Narada was shown around the magnificent palace of Ravana the proud king wanted his opinion. The wise sage replied that everything was excellent at the palace of Ravana, except for one. That was, how can Ravana get the pleasure of subduing the nine planets when they are lying face downward? It is better if they were to lay face upward so that when Ravana stepped over their chests, he could get the pleasure of seeing their discomfort on their faces. This suggestion appealed to the mighty king and he quickly ordered his staff to turn the nine planets around on their backs. As soon as that was done, Shani's gaze fell on Ravana and his reason abandoned him. Within a few months he kidnapped Sita, the wife of Lord Rama that led to Lord Rama's invasion of his kingdom. Ravana and his entire family was killed, all this during the seven and half year cycle of Shani.