Radhekrishna.The unique thing in this world is to be in the company of Bhaagavathaas. None other than them can equal the impact which sathsangam creates in our lives. Bhakthas are superior to everything else. Bhagavaan Shri Krishna in the Bhagavatham beautifully quotes,

na hyammayaani theertHaani na dhevaa mruchcHilaamayaa:

the punanthyurukaalena dharshanaadheva saadHava:

(Srimath Baagawatham 10-1/48/31)

Many people have concluded that the so-called sacred places only are sacred. They alone sanctify us by destroying our sins. In addition, the idols of God made of stone and wood in the temples alone are the true embodiments of God. However, the truth is that these images destroy one’s sins only gradually thus purifying the person -- (the punanthyurukaalena).

Apart for the above two, there is another thing that destroys our sins immediately in this world. Besides, that thing is mobile and moving. What is it? The very sight of Sadhus, Bhagavath Bhakthaas, Mahaanubhavar, devotees destroys the greatest of our sins -- (dharshanaadheva saadHava:).

TRUE. God Himself attributes to their company. And for these bhakthas alone, Parakaalan performed Thadhi Aaraadhanam. To honour the devotees is known as Thadhi Aaraadhanai. It was conducted with great pomp and splendour. The levy amount which was to be paid to the king, was also being used up for the smooth conducting of the Thadhi Aaraadhanam. Whenever the king’s men asked for the levy amount, Neelan would talk of giving on a later date. Unable to sustain their pressure the brave Parakaalan drove away the king’s men. The king arranged a huge army led by the Chief, Shreedharan which was ensued by a battle at midnight . He came without any prior notification, which Parakaalan somehow got to know. Parakaalan too joined the battle in his horse named, Aadalmaa. Blowing the conch, he fights courageously. Kumudhavalli and the devaas (demi-gods) sang the Mangala vachanam (blessings) for Parakaalan. Performing the Thadhi Aaraadhanam to the Bhagavath Bhakthaas itself created good thoughts. As they were singing the glory of God, Parakaalan developed saathvik thoughts. The saathvikam that grew in him encouraged him to fulfill the bhakthi of devotees. Such is the greatness of enjoying sathsangam with Bhakthaas. That is why our elders say in the Bhagavatham “samsare asmin kshanaartho api sathsanga: shevadhir nrunaam” The greatest wealth one can earn in this world is being a part of even a half a minute of sathsangam. This alone is the non-depleting wealth. Therefore enjoying sathsangam is very rare in this world. One who experiences sathsangam alone is the fortunate ones. Sathsangam provides everything except sorrow. Such is the greatness of sathsangam and due the strength of sathsangam alone the demi-gods blessed Parakaalan. They prayed to God to help Parakaalan. Kumudhavalli also prayed, as she was a great devotee herself.

Parakaalan fought in an exceptionally well manner. As everyone started, retreating the enemy could not stand up against and fight. Parakaalan fought seated on his horse Aadalmaa which was better than Indra’s horse itself. Just as Arjuna fought in the battle of Kurukshetra with the help of Lord Krishna, Parakaalan also fought in the battle by the grace of God. Nobody had the valour to withstand the battle, thus losing their limbs. Everyone there was a kshatriya , courageous by birth thus excelling in the battle. The losers ran for the fear of life. The commander of the army Sheedharan tried to boost everybody’s morale and asked his army to fight but nobody stayed back. All of them scampered away fearing for their very lives. Sheedharan himself came face to face with Parakaalan. Parakaalan fought a furious battle, which redefined the ethics of warfare thus proving his efficiency as a kshatriya. Though Sheedharan too was good in the art of war, he was completely cornered by the tactics and proficiency of Parakaalan. By the time Parakaalan, who was mad with anger destroyed the enemy it was dawn. Confused as what to do Shreedharan saw Parakaalan coming to kill him. Somehow, he escaped the sword of Parakaalan and told his account of battle to the king, ministers and courtiers. Hearing it, the Chola king fell down unconscious.

After regaining his consciousness, the king himself proclaimed that he would lead the battle from the front. Accompanied by his four-fold army the king came for a battle with Parakaalan. However, Parakaalan here entered his city basking in the glory of victory. Just as all the people of Mathura experienced Supreme happiness when God Krishna came back with the smile of victory the subjects of Parakaalan enjoyed their king’s march of victory. Just as Lord Rama who after a grim battle with Kara-Dushana was tended by Sitadevi similarly Kumudavalli affectionately complemented Parakaalan for his victory. She tended to his wounds and Parakaalar experienced a great happiness by that. That day too Thadhi Aaraadhanai took place as usually. The devotees too seeing his concern for them were immensely pleased. Parakaalan who was still exhausted from battle did not show any disinterest in Thadhi Aaraadhanai. Everybody started singing his glory seeing his interest in serving the bhakthaas and at the same time were also surprised by his bhakthi. They felt that, can there be a Vaishnava dharma like this? Everyone sang the Mangala vachanam for Parakaalan. When one is blessed by the bhakthaas to excel, then even God cannot question the happenings. So the common people can obviously never think of objecting it. Periyaazhwaar, in His Thirumozhi says,

naadhanai  narasinganai navinRu EtthuvaarkaL

uzhakkiya paadhathooli paduthalaal ivvulakam baakkiyam seythadhE.

(Periyaazhwaar Thirumozhi – 365/1000/4000)

This universe itself becomes fortunate when the bhagavath Bhakthas take their incarnation to shower their mercy on the souls.

Such is the greatness of the bhakthass’s sacred feet’s dust. Who can measure their greatness, when they themselves praise a soul and the happiness and all the goodness the soul attains and also the honour it would receive. Parakaalan was indeed a blessed soul in this regard. Everyone praised him happily calling him Sathyasamshi.

In the mean time, Chola king came with his immensely huge army. Parakaalan was shocked. Undeterred he left for the battle again. The bhakthas blessed him profusely. “As you exemplarily served the devotees you alone will be victorious”, thus they blessed him. He alone is blessed who fights for the bhakthas and does his duties for the bhakthas and there is no one to defeat him. Remember well – The day from when you struggle for the sake of devotees from that day itself your happiness will be multifold. It is because of the bhakthaas that God is incarnating on this earth. Therefore, it is fortunate to avail the blessings of devotees. Thus, Parakaalar who was blessed went to wage another battle.  A great battle ensued. The king did not come in the beginning. His commanders preceded him. However many of them ran away or died in the battle. At last, the king himself came out of his tent and readied for his duel. He waged a great battle with our Parakaalan. The king too could not match the valour and defeat Parakaalan. The reason being Parakaalan fully blessed by the bhakthaas. Parakaalan didn’t fight for his selfish needs but fought against the king for the sake of bhakthaas. The king too seeing the magnanimity of the battle was completely vexed. However, in order to regain his rightful wealth from Parakaalan thought with a presence of mind. The king therefore said to Parakaalan that, he would not harm Parakaalan but only would want Parkaalan to return his money as he was baffled by Parakaalan’s valour. He promised repeatedly on the name of his parents and preceptor to prove his words. 

Parakaalan too accepted to the king’s words approving it to be the just act. The king left however only after he appointed a minister to pressurize Parakaalan in repaying his tax money, if necessary, threatening to imprison him in some secretive place. At the same time, Parakaalan too kept thinking of some way to repay his debts. The minister daily used to pester Parakaalan in the name of the king’s money. One day under the pretext of talking some secret issue took Parakaalan to a deserted temple and locked him from outside. In some instances, its said that the temple where Parakaalan was imprisoned was the Thirunaraiyoor  temple. Grief stricken that the service to the devotees would be held up due to his absence Parakaalan became inconsolable. He rejected the food offered to him and lamented for the discontinuation in the Thadhi Aaraadhanai. Surprisingly, due to his constant companionship with the bhakthaas he inculcated bhakthi unknown to himself. The condition laid by a woman, Kumudhavalli enabled him to grow as a bhakthaa.  Bhakthi has so much power that it can change anyone as anything for the good of the world. Moreover, if a woman decided it, then there is no one to stop. It is in the will of a woman that can destroy a man or turn a man prosperous. Therefore, the women have to decide their temperament. It is only the womenfolk who can make the family attain happiness.

 “If our elders die, then the women would become corrupt, if the women would become corrupt then we would lose our kula dharma.” Thus in the very first chapter of Bhagavad-Gita Arjuna tells it to God Krishna. The bearers of dharma i.e. justice are the women in the household. The sole condition of Kumudhavalli made Parakaalan realize that the belief in bhakthi and prapaththi (total surrender) to God would save us from anything. Then Parakaalan decided to maintain a fast until any of the Gods, be it Srirangam’s Ranganathan or Tirupathi’s Srinivasan or Kanchi’s Varadan would show him the way to collect money. Parakaalan started to observe his fast. The days continued from one, to two then two to three. Then beautifully, on the third day night, God showed Parakaalan His divine form and also told the place from where he would get the required wealth.

Keep guessing until the next sathsangam to know the name of the God and the place for finding the hoard of money. Radhekrishna

YathkarOshi yadhashnaasi YajjuhOshi dhadhaasi Yath!
Yaththapasyasi Kountheya! Thathkurushva madharpanam!

Radhekrishna! Lord Vishnu, whose consort is Goddess Lakshmi, is the very embodiment of kindness for the jeevathmaas (souls). The truth is that nobody on this earth has that level of kindness on us. Bhagavaan’s simplicity is such that, the jeevathmaas performing their karma (duties) for themselves, can also be dedicated to HIM which itself shows how kind HE is! Radhekrishna! Moreover, ‘the food’, is the most essential need for this human body. Since, hunger is a natural phenomenon; the food is the basic need for this body. There are different types of living beings on this earth and each of them has different type of food suitable to their needs accordingly. Of them, the human life is the most privileged one. The food acts as an essential source for the development of intelligence and energy. Hence, we are able to carry out our karma (duties) with self-confidence. Such is the power and importance of food. The journey of human life is being carried on with the help of food. Hindu Dharma has in large analyzed and explained about the importance of food. In Hindu dharma, in accordance with the way of life, the food pattern has been beautifully divided into four such as, Brahmachari, Gruhasthan, Vaanaprasthan and Sanyasi. The Hindu dharma sasthra has also specified the amount of food to be taken by each one of them. It is only today that science implies, which has already been long established in Hindu dharma. There is nothing, which Hindu dharma has not discussed about. Radhekrishna!

In accordance with Hindu dharma, a Sanyasi (one who has renounced everything) should consume only eight morsels of food. In the next stage, that is, a Vaanaprasthan (one has left his home and sets out to the forest with his wife) should consume only sixteen morsels of food. Hindu dharma implies all these. In the case of a Gruhasthan, (one who leads a family life) should consume only thirty-two morsels of food. How can one define like this? It is said that, on consumption of such amount of food, each one of them gets the required energy in accordance with their duty to be performed. Our elders have so beautifully put forth this truth. Lastly, a Brahmachaari (bachelor) can consume stomach full of food till his satisfaction. In this way, the food is our daily need from birth till the last breath of one’s life. Even when one is sick, he has to consume the prescribed food. When one is not in a position to consume, glucose water in the form of saline is being fed as his food. In this way, in different stages of one’s life when people consume different types of food, the same is to be offered to the Almighty, which is said as, YadhasHnaasi, (Whatever you eat)…. offer it to me) by Bhagavaan HIMSELF in the Bhagavath Geeta.

Last month, we enjoyed how beautifully Vidhurar and GHaNtaakarNan offered to the Almighty, the food that they consumed. Well, one can set aside all these as historical and mythological events. Nevertheless, even in the Bhaktha Charithraas, one can come across, how the great bhakthaas, have principles of offerings to the Almighty, whatever they consumed. Surprisingly many of them live a life without any principles. To lead a wholesome human life, one should have certain valuable principles. Even animals lead a disciplined life such as a goat lives with its group, a cow only with its group. It is only man, who does all the work haphazardly.  He is very intelligent but at the same time is very egoistic also.  If human being lives, in the way the Almighty desires, then there will be no sorrow at all. The truth is, the religion, sacred books and the teachings of the great saints are all for the human beings to lead a happy life. The human beings can lead a noble life, while they are living a polluted life. Pollution in the sense, instead of living in the orderly manner, he tries to lead a disorderly way of life. Just as, it is disgraceful to see the holy cow idling in the muddy water and eating all rubbish like a pig, it would be even more worse for a human being to lead such a disorderly way of life. Hindu dharma has been embedded with ways and means to lead this blessed, precious human life.

All the great saints are really very special and notable. They were devoted irrespective of the stage in which they were, whether the Brahmachaari, Grahastha, Vaanaprastha or Sanyasi. All of them offered to the Almighty whatever they consumed. In the same way, a person undergoing all these four stages, in each of these stages offers the food to the Almighty, before he consumes. Bear in mind, this is the basic need of a life. Such is the greatness of our Hindu dharma a Sanathana dharma in which several holy saints have lived gloriously. No doubt, never will the teachings of this Sanathana dharma go waste. There are innumerable examples to quote in this holy land of Bhaarath..

A great preceptor, known as Shri Krishna Chaithanya Mahaaprabhu has lived in the sacred land of Bhaarath. There were many ablest disciples for Shri Krishna Chaithanya Mahaaprabhu. Each one of them was a challenge to one another. Shri Sanaathana GOswami was a well-known Bagavath Bhaktha amongst them and accepted Sanyasa dharma, who was indifferent to the worldly pleasures. His devotion was such that, He would become one with Bhagavaan Krishna, forgetting everything, in His awesome Krishna-Premai. Radhekrishna!  Deserting everything, He came all the way to Brindavan, which was the only source for His life. He lived in a small hut, yet He considered it is too spacious, since he felt that the omnipresent Lord was permanently dwelling in His heart and the whole world was their home.

Radhekrishna! Bhakthaas never feel that they need a home for their own, separately. Shri Sanathana GOswami lived a very simple life. He would wake up early in the morning, chant and sing Lord’s name constantly and would set out for the prayerful begging, when He felt hungry. He would first offer the food to the Lord and then consume with whatever He obtained. Radhekrishna! He would after all get a Roti and some vegetable. He would not give importance whether it was tasty or the salt is sufficient in it. Shri Sanathana Goswami  would just bring it, offer it to the Lord happily and then accept the same food cheerfully.

Once, it so happened that Shri Sanathana GOswami felt that He would go to Mathura to get His daily food. Generally, it is so embarrassing to go from door to door begging for food. It would be possible only when one shuns down his entire ego. It is very difficult and would be possible only when one has extreme devotion, renounce all the worldly pleasures and with constant Naamasankeerthana. Saints remaining in such state of devotion is only due to God’s wish as also was in the case of Shri Sanaathana GOswami. Accordingly, Shri Sanaathana GOswami reached Mathura at the doorstep of Shri Dhaamodhara Saubhe for Biksha. Dhaamodhara Saubhe’s wife was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and had Lord Krishna’s idol with her. It was just an idol for all others, while, she considered it as her own child, Madhanagopaalan. Radhekrishna! She was already blessed with a son named Sadhan and hence she named the idol as Madhan. She treated both, as her own children. The idol Madhan was very charming and Shri Sanaathana GOswami was attracted towards the beauty of the idol. The idol reflected the presence of Baghavaan Shri Krishna. Such presence of Almighty in the idols made of metals, stones and wood is felt only because of Bhagavath Bakthaa’s devotion. Radhekrishna!  Shri Sanaathana GOswami felt very happy on seeing the idol and asked Shri Daamodhara Saubhe’s wife about the secret of the idol’s beauty for which she replied that she is nurturing HIM as her own child. In addition, she said she was upbringing the idol Madhan with love just as her son Sadhan.

Shri Sanaathana GOswami was longing to possess the idol Madhan, but realized that it would not be possible. It had become a daily routine for a couple of days for Shri Sanaathana GOswami to visit Mathura from Brindavan. He could understand her motherly love towards both Sadhan and Madhan. Whenever Sadhan was given bath, fed or dressed she would do the same to Madhan without any discrimination. She laid down both of them besides her when she went to bed. This was the way she treated Madhan as her own child. However, those who give importance to materialistic rituals do not accept this way of devotion. However, she never bothered for it, as Baghavaan Himself was mesmerized of her true love. Radhekrishna!  Bhagavaan is capitivated only for the supreme love for HIM.  All others are only show off. “Preeyathe Amalayaa Bhakthya Hari:”.  Bhaktha Pralhada pronounces that Bhagavaan is bound only for the true love. Similarly, Madhanagopaalan too was enchanted with her true love on HIM. Shri Sanaathana GOswami was amazed with such a motherly love towards Madhan even in this Kali Yugaa. Madhanagopaalan accepted all her devotion yet Shri Sanaathana GOswami remarked that there are certain adherences for idols.  There are certain ways of bathing idols, known as “Thirumanjanam” in Vaishnava Sampradaya. Rituals such as bathing (Thirumanjanam), dressing (adorning of vastra), offering (nivedanam), dolothsavam (playing in the swing)and Sayanothsavam (making HIM sleep) in the night, waking up in the morning (Suprabhatam) as done in case of human beings are to be performed for idols too by reciting certain hymns and Vedha mantras which would be more auspicious. Shri Sanaathana GOswami uttered in such a manner, which was accepted by Shri Daamodhara Saubhe’s wife and put it into practice.

However, she wept and said, Sir, Madhan did not like the ritual way of performing and asked me to treat at par with Sadhan. After listening to it, Shri Sanaathana GOswami sobbed and told the woman to continue in her usual way of presentation. Shri Sanaathana GOSwami was of the opinion that the woman would not be in a position to perform by reciting hymns and manthraas and thought that Madhanagopaalan would desert the woman and join him. It was not due to hatred or jealousy but owing to enormous love towards Madhanagopaalan. The next day, on his visit, the woman wept and informed that she had a dream wherein Madhan requested her to handover HIM to the Sanyasi, Shri Sanaathana GOswami, as it would be difficult for her to take care of HIM due to her old age. As such, she decided to handover Madhan who was so close to her by heart and soul and gave the responsibility of upbringing Madan. Shri Sanaathana GOswami was overjoyed saying, hey! Madanagopaala! You are so kind on this Sanyasi, a beggar. She narrated the type of food she would offer such as milk, butter, curd, ghee, Roti with vegetables at regular intervals. During the course, she would also feed HIM milk with rich almonds, saffron etc., in soothing condition. Shri Sanaathana GOswami listened to all these and set out along with Madhan to His hut. Madhanagopaalan, who was laid down on a silken bed so long, was just wrapped in a piece of cloth and kept in a corner of the hut.

Shri Sanaathana GOswami who was a staunch Sanyasi and renunciated all the worldly pleasures was not in possession of any rich food items to feed Madhan. After his return from the routine Biksha with dry Roti and some vegetables with insufficient salt, He offered it to Bhagavaan and the same was offered to Madhan for a couple of days. Though Madhan gleefully accepted it for a couple of days, he gradually remarked that the Roti would be tastier if a pinch of salt is added to it. It is Bhagavaan who has said in the Bhagavath Geeta,  YadhasHnaasi, (Whatever you eat, offer it to me), and now, today you will ask for salt, then demand for butter, ghee and so on. He refused to get and angrily replied, You will be offered only what I consume. Are they so harsh to God, the most beloved to them? The saints who are detached with the materialistic pleasures will not run about for salt and other tasty ingredients though they will sacrifice even their lives. They are contended with chanting and praising God at all times wholeheartedly, with full of devotion alone in their mind. If they run for paltry items, how could they do Bhakthi?  Since samsaaris are giving, prime importance to such things and are not able to attend the Sathsangs and be in association with the Bhakthaas. Shri Sanaathana GOswami says to Madhan, that He is not willing to miss the opportunity of doing Bhakthi,, if He is in search of salt and other ingredients, and so says that whatever I offer You must simply accept it. Madhanagopaalan too accepted it. YadhasHnaasi, Bhagavaan accepts any food even the Roti with less salt, if offered to HIM with true love. HE did this Leela to prove Shri Sanaathana GOswami’s principles. In the same way, Bhagavaan accepted the food offered to HIM with true love by many more bhaktaas.

Wait until next month, to know those bhakthaas. Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!