Mayuranathar temple, Mayiladuthurai

Mayuranathar temple is at the centre of the town and about one and a half km from the bus stand.  It is a very large temple occupying 350000 sq ft, which can be seen from the photo of the outer praharam and also the water tank in the temple.     It has 5 prakarams, a 9 tiered 165 feet high Raja Gopuram, pillared halls with interesting sculptural work as well as 14 vimanams with several stucco images.

Lord Aadhi Mayuranathar graces from a separate shrine in the prakara.  While the Presiding deity is in the form of Shivalinga, Ambica appears as a peacock worshipping the Lord.  Lord Muruga in the prakara is praised by saint Arunagiriar in his Tirupugazh hymns.  During the Skanda Sashti festival in Shiva temples, Lord Muruga would receive His "Vel"  from Mother Ambica.  Here, He receives it from Lord Shiva.  The Gouri Thandavam dance performance of Lord is celebrated as Mayura Thandavam – Mayura-peacock.  Lord Nataraja graces from a separate shrine.  The first puja in the evening is dedicated to Lord Nataraja.  Mayilamman shrine is opposite to Nataraja shrine where both Lord and Mother grace in the form of a peacock.  Two peacocks and two monkeys are depicted in the banyan tree above the Lord Dakshinamurthy sculpture in the goshta wall.   The Goddess is known as Abayambigai.  The Sthala Viruksham is Mango tree.

Muthusamy Dikshitar composed a song in praise of the Goddess and the video below is the song rendered by Vijay Shiva.

The song is given below:

pallavi

shrI abhayAmbA ninnu cinti~ncina vAriki

cintai kavalai yellAM tIrumammA

anupallavi

he abhayakare vare Ishvari k.rpatonu

endanai rakShikka idu nalla samayamammA

charaNam

nI atyadbhutashubhaguNamulu vini

nIve dikkani nera nammiti

madhyamakAla sAhityam

nIrajAkShi nijarUpasAkShi

nityAnandaguruguhakaTAkShi rakShi

There are sannidhis for Vinayaka, Nataraja, dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and durga.

Daksha, father of Mother Parvathi conducted a yajna but intentionally failed to invite Lord Shiva to humiliate Him.  Lord Shiva did not want Parvathi too to attend the yajna.  Yet, with a view to correct Her father, Parvathi attended the function but was humiliated by Daksha.  Lord Shiva took the Veerabadra form and destroyed the yajna. As She ignored Lord’s advice, She was cursed to become a peacock.  She came to this place as a peacock and performed severe penance to get back Her Lord.   Pleased with Her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before her as a Peacock Himself and danced as a peacock – Mayura Thandavam.  Ambica was restored to Her original form.  As Lord came here as a peacock-Mayura, He is praised as Mayuranathar.      Tiruppariyalur Veerattam where the Dakshayagnam is believed to have been performed, is located at a distance from 8 km from this temple.

Parimala Renganathar Temple

The Thiru Parimala Renganathar temple at Thiruindaloor, Mayiladuthurai is one of the five rangams on the banks of Cauvery.      The other rangams are Srirengapatna in Karnataka, Srirengam, Koyiladi (Anbil) and Kumbakonam.   The temple is one of the 108 Divya desams.     The Moolavar is also called by the other names of Maruviniya Maindan and Suganthavananathan and is in sayanam facing east.     The lord has 4 hands.  (4hands in sayanam posture is rare).  The vigraha is 12 ft long and made of green stone.   Ganga and Cauvery are seated at the head and foot of the lord, in the sanctum as is an image of Santhanagopalakrishnan.   Brahma  is depicted on the wall.  When Vishnu restored the vedas from the sea in mathsya avatharam, he restored the fragrance too and hence the name for the lord.     Legend has it that the deomons Madhu and Kaitabala stole the Vedas disappeared into the sea, the lord restored them back and also restored their fragrance.  The Thayar is Parimala Renganayaki and also known by the other names of Chandrashapa-vimochanavalli and Pundarikavalli.   Chandran got his curses absolved by taking a bath in the cauvery and praying to thayar here.   There are also shrines to Yoga Narasimhar , Rama, Anjaneya, Suryan and  Chandra.         This temple with three prakarams has a 5 tiered rajagopuram and it faces east. The Dwajastampa mandapam and the Garuda Mandapam have beautifully sculptured pillars. The Garuda mandapam bears images of the 10 avatarams. It is believed that the offering worship to Santana Gopalan in the sanctum, would aid barren couples in begetting progeny.
Carnatic Music Composer Muthuswamy Deekshitar's tribute to this shrine.









Parimala Ranganatham bhajhe ham vIranutam paripaalita bhaktam pundareekavallinatham (I salute Parimala Ranganathan -- who is the protector of his devotees, the consort of Pundareekavalli and one who is adored by the brave)

Harim apraakritaakritim matsyaadi dasaakritim (who is Hari Vishnu who assumed the ten avatarams commencing with the matsya avataram)

Antaranga Sayanamabja nayanam Narayanam (who is the lotus eyed Narayana and is portrayed in a reclining form)

Guruguha viditam satatam Gunijanamuditam satatam (who is perceived by Guruguha and is worshipped by the good folks)

Parameswaram Rameswaram Meswaram Eswaram (who is the Lord of the Universe, the Lord of Rama, my Lord and the Lord)

Thiru Punugeeswarar temple

A very old temple and just 3kms away from the Mayiladuthurai central Bus stand is the Thiru Punugeeswarar temple.    The temple's morning pooja is only from 9 AM and hence can be suitably planned for a darshan at this temple.     This temple is situated in Koorainadu in the western part of Mayuram. This is named after Punuku siddar who got Moksha here. Koorai means clothe. During a typical South Indian marriage, a typical South Indian bride wears a saree, which is called Koorai saree.   In olden days such sarees were woven only in koorainadu and this is the reason behind the name 'koorai pudavai'.   As Iwent there, too early in the morning, I am not able to give you more details on the temple.  I welcome more details.

Vanmutti Perumal of Kozhikuthi

Sapthswara Anjaneyar vigraha in Kozhikuthi

Pippalr theertham or Viswaroopa Pushkarani

Entrance Gopuram of Kozhikuthi

n all his efforts for recovyed to Lord Vishnu

V
V

Vanmutti Perumal

.Kozhikuthi is around 5 kms from Mayiladuthurai and is on the way to Kumbakonam.       The temple of Margasagayeswarar of Moovalur is nearby.      Srinivasa perumal, the deity, is carved out of a single fig tree (Aththi maram) and stands 14 feet tall.      The temple built around the aththi tree is around 1200 years old.

Sage Pippalar, once a king and later renounces it to be a sage was afflicted with chronic skin  disease.  He prays Lord Vishnu, as his personal efforts did not cure the disease.   Lord Vishnu appeared before him and said to travel along the banks of Cauvery river and Lord Margasagayeswarar would help him to guide the place where he could get cured.    The lord also told him that he would have the Viswaroopa darshan at that place and that his disease was due to ‘Hathi Dosham’ and would get cured by taking bath in the viswaroopa pushkarani for 48 days.   When he reached the place, he indeed got the Viswaroopa darshan and also got rid of the disease and hence the place was called the Kodihathi Papa Vimochana Puram which later turned out as Kozhikuthi.

Later, when the Chola king approached the sage for coming out of sin committed during wars, Pippalar advised the king to worship Lord srinivasa Perumal and to have bath for 48 days in the pushkarani there.    The Pushkarani is called as Pippalar Theertham.   During festvities in Mayuranathar temple, the theertham  from this Pushkarini is taken for Abhisekam.    The Chola King arranged for the carving of the lord from the fig tree and painted over the wood.    As it was growing further, it was called Vanmuti perumal.     The people also covered the head with a ‘maraikkal’ normally used to measure rice, to prevent the growth of the perumal.        The other sannadhis in this temple are for:  Varadharaja Perumal, Yoga Narasimhar, Chakarathazhwar, Narthana krishnar, Garudazhwar, Vinayagar, Sapdhaswaroopa Anjaneyar, Vishvaksenar, Ramanujar and Pippala Maharishi.   The Anjaneya Vigraha has the tail with the bell over the head as in Suseendhram and is famous for the sound of sa,re,ga,,ma....it produces when tapped different positions of the vigraha.     Sage Pippalar has also written Sani Gayathri and hence this temple is also known as a Sani preethi sthalam.e

Omampuliyur Thiru Pranavatheeswarar

Omampuliyur


Omampuliyur is 6 kms from Kattumannar Koil and from Chidambaram, Kattumannar koil is 23 kms.
The village Omampuliyur, is a pictureque beautiful village with its rice fields on either side of the road leading to Anaikkarai from kattumannar koil.    The village is also known as Pranavapuram.       The temple is nearer to the bus stop.      The temple is run by a trust and the Gurukkals also are on hereditary basis.   Shri Jagadeesa Gurukkal is presently performing the poojas and his house is adjoining the temple.   He is very helpful and darshan can be had at any time with his help.     Though a lady is selling flowers and other materials for the archanai, it is better to purchase them at Chidambaram.      

A stone image of Nataraja is seen on the niche reserved for Dakshinamurthy in the sanctum, while Dakshinamurthy occupies the grand Sabha, usually set for Natarajar.       A hunter who climbed the vilva tree as he was pursued by a tiger attained salvation here.         Vyagrapadar (the saint with tiger's claws and feet) is said to have worshipped here, as in Perumpuliyur, Erukkattampuliyur, Paatirippuliyur and Perumpatrappuliyur (Chidambaram).    It is said that Vyaghrapada Rishi wished to see the Ananda Thandava dance of Lord Nataraja. But the Lord directed him to go to Chidambaram where his desire would be fulfilled.        Hence the name Pranavavyaghrapureeswarar for the Lord.   
OM (AUM) and how to meditate




        
        
   According to sthalapuranam, Goddess Pushpathalambigai prayed Lord Siva to teach her Pranava Mantram.         The idol of Goddess Saraswathi here (very rarely seen in the Siva temples) is said to have been worshipped by Goddess Parvathi before she commenced her prayers.    Siva assumed the form of Lord Dakshinamurti and performed the upadesam of Pranava mantram to Goddess Parvathi. Lord Dakshinamurthi who, legend says, does the upadesam to His disciples silently through mudras, is said to have taught the same verbally for the first time to Goddess Pushpathalambigai at Omampuliyur.          A unique practice followed in the procedure of abhishekam draws one's attention. Generally in all Siva temples, the abhishekam, archana etc. are performed to the presiding deities, viz., Siva and Parvathi — followed by the pragara deities which may include Natarajar, Dakshinamurthi, Subramaniar, Durga and Navagraha.     But in this temple after performing the abhishekam, archana, etc., to Lord Pranavavyaghrapureeswarar, the scene shifts to the shrine of Lord Dakshinamurthi (in the Mahamandapam) and then only to Goddess Pushpathalambigai. Here Lord Dakshinamurthi takes precedence as guru.


The Mahakumbabishekam of Sri Pushpalathambika samedha Sri Pranava Vyagrapuriswarar (Sri Thuyar Tirtha Nathar) temple at Omampuliyur took place on February 7, 9 of 2011.
இத்தலத்தின் விருக்ஷம் - இலந்தை .

• மூலவர் சுயம்பு மூர்த்தி - சதுர பீடத்தில் உயர்ந்த பாணத்துடன் காட்சித் தருகிறார்.

·         இத்தலத்தில் தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி சிறப்புடையது; குருமூர்த்தத் தலம். உபதேசம் செய்த தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி கோயிலுக்குள்ளேயே மூலமூர்த்தியாக உயர்ந்த பீடத்தில் சிலாரூபத்தில் காட்சித் தருகிறார்.

·         சந்நிதியின் ஒருபுறம் சலந்தரனை அழிக்கத் திருமாலுக்குச் சக்கரம் வழங்கிய சிற்பமும்; மறுபுறம் ஐந்து புலியூர்களில் வழிபடப்பட்ட ஐந்து சிவலிங்கங்களும் செதுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

·         சோழர் காலக் கல்வெட்டு ஒன்றும், பல்லவர்கள் காலத்தவை ஐந்தும் ஆக ஆறு கல்வெட்டுக்கள் இக்கோயிலில் உள்ளன.

·         மூன்றாம் குலோத்துங்கன் காலத்திய கல்வெட்டில் இத்தலம் 'வடகரை விருதராசபயங்கர வளநாட்டு மேற்கா நாட்டுப் பிரமதேயம் ஓமாம்புலியூராகிய உலகளந்த சோழசதுர்வேத மங்கலம் ' என்றும்; இறைவன் பெயர் 'வடதளி உடையார் ' என்றும் குறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Thula snanam

Cauvery at Mayiladuthurai

                                                               At Srirangapatna in Karnataka

Thula snanam

Thula Snanam, bath in the Cauvery river is important for the people living along the banks of the river Cauvery, both in Karnataka and Tamilnadu.   Cauvery has its origin in the Sahyadri hills and flows through the plains of the deccan to reach the Bay of Bengal in the ancient city of Puhar in Tamil Nadu. On Tulasankramana day (the first day of Tula Masa – according to the Hindu calendar, aippasi month for tamils, which normally falls in mid October) thousands of pilgrims flock to the river's birthplace, Talacauvery, to witness the rise of the fountainhead, when water gushes up from the spring at a predetermined moment.    Talacauvery is about 8 km away from Bhagamandala and 48 km from Madikeri.      The thula snanam (Sacred bath in the Tula month) is observed across pilgrim towns in Cauvery's banks.       It is believed that taking dip in cauvery during thula snanam period is like taking dip in River Ganges and other holy rivers.     


                                              Cauvery at Mukombu near Tiruchirapalli

According to Agni Puraanam,
"Shatshashti koti theerthani dvisaptha bhuvaneshu cha.
Keshavasya aajnayaa yanti thulaamaase marudvridham"
Sixty-six crore Holy Waters in all the 14 worlds come to stay in Cauvery in the month of Tula by the Order of Lord Keshava. One may clearly understand the glory of having a dip in the Holy River during this Tula Month by the above assertion.      Special abhishekam with River Cauvery theertham will be held in Srirangam, Mayiladuthurai (Maayuram) and other temples. In Srirangam, Cauvery theertham will be carried in golden pot at the top of elephant for abhishekam.     It is said that a bath in Cauvery during Tula month, a bath in Prayaag during Magha month, and a dip in Sethu during ardhodhayaa  period can be possible only as a fruit of penance done in ten million lives. These Holy Baths have the power to remove pancha paatakaas (five major sins that can drag the Soul down in its ascent towards Divine Realization), and can cause liberation to the entire line of ancestors. (The scripture actually says "crores of pitrus!")         Ardhodhaya period occurs when amaavasya of Pushya or Magha month falls on day when Sravana nakshatra operates on the day, when Vyaatipaata yoga operates, and that day happens to be a Sunday - all these conditions to be satisfied simultaneously which happens only very rarely in one's life-time! Ardhodhaya period is equal to one crore eclipses in its potential for multiplying the effects of meritorious deeds. Lot of mantrik applications are possible only during such periods - such is the glory of this period. Tula Mahaatmyam equates such ardhodhaya period bath in Sethu with Tula Cauvery Snanam!         Those who can afford a trip to a kshetra along the Cauvery should do so and take a bath in the Holy River at least once during this month due to the obvious spiritual benefits that accrue out of that. Mayilaaduthurai (Maayavaram) is an especially recommended kshetra for Tula Snanam; other powerful kshetras include Srirangam, Thiruveengoimalai (near Tiruchi), Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruvisainalloor, Kumbakonam,     During the month of Thulam, even if one takes a dip without a proper sankalpam, it would earn him/her all the material and spiritual gifts that one can aspire for.     It is better to follow the guidance given by the family gurus for the prayers for such snanams.   However, it is generally felt that the following would do. 

"Om Kaaveryai namah"
"Om Lobhaamudraayai namah"
"Om Agasthya Patnyai namah"
"Om sarvapaavanyai namah"
"Om Mahaa Punyaayai namah"

"Om snaana maatra sarva paapa prasamanyai namah"

 "Om Mokshadaatryai namah"

Other stories about thula snanam

1.        It is said that Lord Shiva blessed Nandhi by destroying its pride. This Nandi is in the midst of Cauvery.  Hence the bath is important for destroying our pride.   

2.       A lame man who wanted to have dip in the Holy River Cauvery during Tula month took a strenous journey - but he could not make it to Mayilaaduthurai before the end of the month - he was one day late (i.e. the Tula month ended the day before).     Nadha Sharma and his wife Anavidyambikai came to this place for the Cauvery bath-Thula Snanam.  Before they arrive at the place, the 30 days time (Aipasi month-October-November) expired.  They sadly stayed at the night worshipping Lord Shiva.  Lord appeared in their dream and advised them to have the bath before sunrise the next day and assured that they would have full benefit of theThula Snanam bath.  Based on this, the practice of this bath continues even now on the first day of Karthikai month.  As Lord Shiva froze the bath time for His devotee couple, this bath is called Mudavan Muzhukku.  Mudakku in Tamil means freezing, Muzhukku bath.

Mayiladuthurai temple visits

Mayiladuthurai temple visits

There are many temples of importance in and around Mayiladuthurai and I was there for 2 days (3.11.11 and 4.11.11) and will like to share my experience of visiting a few of these temples.  First of all, Mayiladuthurai railway station is  well connected from both Chennai and Tiruchirapalli side.  Town buses enter the railway station compound and are available since 05.50 AM and upto 10 pm to Mayiladuthurai central bus stand and from where buses are available to all the temples.   Within the town area itself, as almost everyone knew, the Mayuranathar temple, by which the town derives its name, is within 2km from the bus stand.  Now a new bus stand has come up 200metres from the old bus stand.    From the new bus stand, buses for Tiruvarur start and the old bus stand is the one from which bus services to Chennai via vaitheeswaran koil, Sirkazhi, Chidambaram and Villupuram and also towards Tiruchy and Pondichery are available.

       I took my time to have the “thula snanam” on the morning of 3^rd in the padithurai exclusively for the purpose of performing rituals.     During the months of Thula the sastrigal also is available on the padithurai itself.      I had darshan of Padithurai Kasi Viswanathar after the bath and left for Vaitheeswaran koil and from there to Omampuliyur near Kattumannargudi (should go from Chidambaram) and returned to Mayiladuthurai in the evening.    The next morning, the first temple to visit was Vanmutti perumal in Kozhikuthi, then back to Koranadu in Mayiladuthurai to visit punugeeswarar temple.    Further I went to Mayuranathar temple and from there to Parimala Renganathar temple and the new Anjaneyar temple nearby that.        All the temples can be reached by road, though the road leading to Vanmutti Perumal is a mud road for some distance between the main road and road leading to the temple.    On the afternoon of 4^th,  I visited the Thiruneelakkudi temple near Kumbakonam, to have a darshan of Thiru Manogyanathar and then went to Govindapuram and had darshan of Pandurangan in the beautiful new temple (Vital Rukmini Samsthan) recently built by Shri Haridas swamiji.    Back to Mayiladuthurai in the same evening and thus I could see a few temples around mayiladurai.  Details of the visits of the all the temples have been given in separate posts.

Significance of Navaratri

Navratri, the nine-night festival, honors Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathi in South India. It is known as Bommla Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Navarathri in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Navratri is observed as Dusshera in Karnataka, where it is observed for ten days. The main event during Navrathri in South India is the display of dolls and idols – Kolu and the placing of Kalash, which represents Goddess.    Mother Durga symbolizes the power of purposeful action (Kriya Sakti). Lakshmi represents the will power (Itchaa Sakti) and Saraswati stands for the power of knowledge (Jnana Sakti).

The First Three Days of Navratri
The first three days of Navratri are devoted to the worship of the Goddess Durga. This is the period, when her energy and power are worshipped. Each day is dedicated to a different appearance of Durga. Kumari, which signifies the girl child, is worshipped on the first day of the festival. Parvati, who is the embodiment of a young woman, is worshipped on the second day. The destructive aspects of Goddess Durga symbolize the commitment to acquire triumph over all the evil tendencies. Hence, on the third day of Navratri, Goddess Kali is worshipped, who represents the woman who has reached the stage of maturity.

Fourth to Sixth Days of Navratri
When a person acquires triumph over evil tendencies of ego, anger, lust and other animal instincts, he/she experiences a void. This void is filled with spiritual wealth. For the purpose, the person approaches Goddess Lakshmi, to acquire all the materialistic, spiritual wealth and prosperity. This is the reason why the fourth, fifth and sixth day of Navratri are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi - the goddess of prosperity and peace.

Although the individual has acquired victory over evil tendencies and wealth, he is still deprived of true knowledge. Knowledge is required to live the life of a humane, even though he/she is prospered with power and wealth. Therefore, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. All the books and other literature materials are gathered in one place and a 'diya' (earthen lamp) is lit in front of the deity, to invoke the goddess and seek her blessings. Till the time the books are kept at the puja room, the students would not study.

Seventh and Eighth Day of Navratri
The seventh day is dedicated to worshipping Saraswati, the goddess of art and knowledge. Prayers are offered with an aim to seek spiritual knowledge. A 'yagna' is performed on the eight day. This comprises of a sacrifice honoring goddess Durga as well as bids her farewell. The sacrifice or offering is made out of clarified butter (ghee), rice pudding known as kheer and sesame seeds.

Ninth Day of Navratri
The ninth day is the final day of Navratri celebrations. It is also known as 'Mahanavami'. On the day, Kanya puja is performed to worship nine young girls, who have not yet reached the stage of puberty. These nine girls symbolize one of the nine forms of goddess Durga. The feet of girls are washed to welcome the goddess and show respect to her. The girls are offered a set of new clothes as a gift from the devotees at the end of the puja.

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - Faith and wonders

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES

FAITH AND WONDERS

A man's son once got unwell and no medicine could cure him.The man lost hope and was not knowing what to do.   One day a sanyasi came that way and the man told him about the treatments given already and asked the sanyasi to help him.   The sanyasi told to do the following - There was only one way.    When the Swathi Nakshatra was at its peak, it should rain.   The waters from the rain should fall on a skull.  Near the skull, a snake should go at the back of a frog to catch it.    When the snake attempted to catch the frog, it should escape by jumping over the skull, but in the process, the snake's venom should fall in the water filled in the skull.   Later, a medicine should be prepared with that water with the venom and if that was given to his son, he would be cured of the illness.

The man saw the time when the Swathi Nakshatra would come and found that it was the very next early morning at the sunrise.    He prayed fervently to God that all the conditions expressed by the sanyasi should happen the next day and that he should get the medicine and thus the god should save his son.    The man left his house in search of a skull and never left any stone unturned and finally could see a skull under a tree.   He took that and after keeping it aside, again prayed to god for his blessings to happen as the sanyasi said.   After a while, swathi nakshatra when it came to peak, it started to rain and also filled the skull which he had kept.  At that, he again prayed to God with all the fervour by sayings two things had happened already with the Gods blessings and that the rest of the things should hapeen for which the God alone should help.   After sometime, a frog came near the skull and he did not wait and prayed again to God.  His prayers did not go as a waste and a cobra came shortly and went after the frog to catch it.   Even as this was happening, the man's mind was very anxious and engaged in prayers for the blessing of God.   The snake in its attempt to catch the frog found the frog had jumped over the skull but had spilled the venom.   The venom fell in the water in the skull.   Seeing that, the man thought how benevolent God was and that whatever we thought difficult also happened because of God.  The hope that his son would get cured was felt by the man and he prayed in reverence to the God for all that happened.
Ramakrishna continued and said to his disciples that fervent prayers, true belief in full measure helped to get Gods blessings.    God could know what was happening everywhere and knew even the sound of dropping a small mustard.    Therefore, children, your payers would be heard by him.  Pray fervently and with full faith.

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - Two yogis

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES

TWO YOGIS

Two yogis were doing their tapas in order to see the God.   One day, Sage Nararadha went past them.   One of the yogis asked Naradha whether he was coming from Vaikunta?   The sage replied as "yes".   Then the two yogis asked Naradha what the bhagavan was doing at that time?   Naradha said "Bhagavan was playing and enjoying making elephants and camels to go through the eye of the needle forward and backward".   For that, one of the yogis said it was no wonder and Bhagavan would definitely do to such things.   There was nothing in the world that the bhagavan could not do.    However, the other yogi said that it was foolish to say such things.  He also said that showed the sage had not gone to Vaikunta ever and definitely not coming from there.
The first yogi's faith and devotion on the bhagavan is like that of the child to feel that there cannot be anything in this world, which the bhagavan cannot do.   We should understant that Bhagavan's many gunas cannot be understood also.  Whatver is said about the bhagavan will fit in aptly.

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - Destroying Naradha's agankara

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES.

Destroying Naradha's agankara

Once Deva Rishi Naradha thought that there was no one to equal him in the Bakthi of the Lord and had   agankara of this fact.    The Lord knew of that and decided to correct Naradha, so as he was free from agankara.      The Lord told Naradha, one of his steadfast devotee was living in a village and Naradha could befriend him.      As told by the Lord, Naradha went to the village and met the peasant.   Naradha saw that the peasant uttering the words "Sri Hari" once while getting up in the morning.    Then he would take his yoke and go to the field for plowing.   He would return to the house only late evening and just before going to bed in the night will again utter the words "Sri Hari" once and retire to bed.   Naradha was watching for the whole day what the peasant was doing.      Then he thought how the villager could be a great devotee.   There were no signs to show that he spent his time towards Bakthi and was only doing worldly works throughout.   This assessment was told by Naradha to the Lord, on return from the village.   The Lord after hearing that told naradha  to come round the city with a fully filled oil cup and asked him to return without spilling even a drop of oil.  On return of Naradha, the Lord asked him while going round with oil cup how many times did he think of the Lord?     Naradha replied -"Lord, how can I think of you, when my mind was concentrating to take the oil cup without spilling?    Then I could not think of anything".    God then told Naradha "see that peasant with all the family problems on his head, never failed to call me out twice in a day.   That was the devotion he had towards me".

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - Frog in the well

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES

Frog in the well

A frog was born in a well and also grew up there.   One day, a frog from the sea came jumped into the well.  The frog in the well seeing an intruder asked where from the frog has come.   It replied that it had come from a sea.   The frog from the well asked the intruder also how big was the sea?    "Very big", answered the sea frog.   The frog from the well spread the legs widely and asked whether the sea was that big.    "No, no, it is too big",  said the sea frog.   To this, the frog in the well jumped from one end of well to the other and asked the sea frog whether the sea was that big.    The sea frog replied - Friend, how could a well be equal to that of a Sea.   It was many many times bigger than the well.  The frog in the well thought the sea frog was lying and that there can be no bigger thing than the well in this world, where it had born and lived.   The sea frog was a liar and he should be driven away from the well.
The case of a person without a broad mind also is like this only.       He thinks his views and experiences are the best in the world and is not prepared to hear the other persons view, thinking they would not have had the best of experiences like him.

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - Kanda Karnan

BHAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES
 
KANDA KARNAN (Bells on earlobes)

When it comes to Religion, one should not behave like a 'kanda karnan'.       An individual was praying Lord Siva with full devotion.     But the same time he also talked ill of all other Gods.   One day, Lord Siva appeared before him during the prayers and told until you stop talking ill of other Gods, he cannot get his blessings.   Even his Lord Siva telling him also did not change him.   He only prayed lord Siva and continued talking ill of other Gods.      The fervour with which he prayed Lord Siva, made the Lord to appear before him again.  But Lord Siva appeared as Hariharan a half siva and half vishnu form. This only made him to be partially happy, as he was not happy of the half of vishnu in Hariharan.     He offered nivethya only to the Siva half and when he lit the incense sticks, he pressed the nose on the vishun side, so that he should not have the fragrance of the incense stick.    Lord siva on seeing that told - "why are you so mad and rigid on your views, only to change you I took the form of Hariharan and all devas and devis are the same manifestation of the God.     I wanted you to understand that and took the form of hariharn.   You have failed to understand that.  For this mistake, what you have done today, you would suffer for a long time."   The Lord disappeared after that.
The devotee left for another village and started living there.    In fact, day by day, his aversion to Vishnu only grew further.   The people in the village also understood that he was a Vishnu dweshi.   The youngsters in the village knowing that, on seeing him, started chanting loudly vishnu's nama and troubled him.    To overcome this, he started to hang two bells in his ear lobes (karna) and whenever youngsters chanted Vishnu namas, he would ring the bells so as not hear them.    Because of this, he was called in the village by the name 'Kanda karnan', a person having bells in the ears.

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - Understand Vedhanta

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES

UNDERSTAND VEDHANTA

A sadhu living near a forest had a lot of disciples.    One day when he was preaching to the disciples told- "all things in the world were gods forms.   Understand this and pranam everything in this world".  Days rolled by after the preaching.    One day, a disciple went to the forest to fetch some firewood.   At that time, he heard a thundering noise and also noise of trees getting uprooted.   A human voice followed that - "everyone around runaway as an an elephant had turned wild and mad".    Other people around the disciple started running in all directions.    But the sadhu's disciple did not run from there.     He told in his mind the elephant was a god and he himself was a god and why should he run?     Soon the elephant came near the place of the disciple.   Looking towards the elephant, the disciple started chanting Narayana Sthuthi.     The Mahout on the elephant started shouting "run away! run away!"      The disciple did not move an inch even after hearing that.   The elephant lifted the disciple and threw him away and the disciple was injured seriously but escaped death. People from the ashram came to know of that and they reached the place and rescued the disciple and he started to come to his senses after a while.  An other disciple asked him why he did not runaway from that place before the elephant could attack him?     For that the disciple answered " all things in the world are nothing but the different forms of God as told by the guru, I thought god in elephant form is coming and hence I did not run away.    This answer by the disciple was heard by the Sadhu and he told him everything what you said was alright but the mahout on the elephant had been warning everyone and was he not a God also.   You should have given credence to the words of the mahout also a form of God,  would that not have helped to overcome the situation.         Those who are devoid of bakthi or having bakthi, having purity of thoughts or not, and those who are straight and others who do not, in all these there is the manifestation of God.   This is the truth.   But one should not have contacts with those who are impure of mind, bad people and even in times of necessity, should stop with a few words with them.    Distancing from such people is the best.

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - We are responsible

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES

Are we not responsible for bad things to us?

Once a brahman formed a garden and looked after that carefully and with full involvement.      A cow entered one day into the garden and completely ate the mango sapling which he loved and grew .  There was nothing left of the sapling.   The brahman on seeing the destruction of the mango sappling got angry and belted the cow.  He had beaten it so severely that the cow died, which the brahman never anticipated.   The news that the cow had been killed spread through nearby village like a wild fire.       In the presence of others, the brahman always used to project himself as a vedanthi  and hence already formed his reply if people asked him.    Even as people questioned him and telling him that killing a cow as a brahman, was a gravest mistake, he told his hand only killed the cow, and Indhra was the adidevatha for hand.   Hence Indhra was the person responsible for the death of the cow.    He posed that he was innocent and spread his view everywhere that Indhra was the cause for killing of the cow.     The news also was heard by Indhra himself.    Indhra took the form of an aged brahman and went to the garden of the brahman.
Indhra asked the brahman whose garden was that?     The brahman told the garden belonged to him.
Indhra told the garden was beautiful and that the gardener must be an efficient person.  He has planted the trees in nice row and they look beautiful he added.   To which, the brahman said that all tress and the entire garden itself had been brought to this shape, by his advise to the gardener and that he had told in detail to the gardener what to do.    Then Indhra told the path left in the garden also looked beatiful and asked whose work was that.   No doubt, the brahman told it was his handiwork.    Hearing this, Indhra with folded hands told the brahman, you are taking credit for the way the garden has been made to look beautiful and also for all other works in the garden, but why were you accusing Indhra for the death of the cow.   He asked this and disappeared.
God always is not touched by bad deeds and always remain as pure and simple.   then, why should one hold others responsible for all bad things and take credit for good ones.   We should accept that we are responsible for our bad deeds also.

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - Half baked

பகவான் ஸ்ரீராமகிருஷ்ணரின் குட்டிக்கதைகள் 

அரை குறை வேதாந்தம் 

குரு ஒருவர் ஒரு அரசனுக்கு ஒரு பெரிய உண்மையை உபதேசித்தார்.      அது "உலகம் பிரம்மமயம் " என்ற ஓர் உன்னதமான அத்வைத கொள்கையேயாகும்.   உபதேசம் பெற்ற அரசன் மிக மகிழ்ச்சியுற்றான்.    அதை அரண்மனையிலும் நிரூபிக்க வேண்டி ராணியிடம் இவ்வாறு கூறினான் - "ராணிக்கும் ராணியிடம் வேலைப்பார்க்கும் வேலைக்காரிக்கும் எந்த வேற்றுமையும் கிடையாது.  ஆகவே இனிமுதற்கொண்டு வேலைக்காரியே ராணியாக இருப்பாள்."      இதைக்கேட்டு ராணி மிக துயரமும் அதிர்ச்சியும் அடைந்தாள்.  ராணி குருவை அரண்மனைக்கு அழைத்து தன் பரிதாபகரமான நிலையை எடுத்து சொன்னாள். அவருடைய உபதேசத்தின் விபரீதத்தை சொல்லி அழுதாள்.     

குரு ராணிக்கு ஆறுதல் கூறினார்.     ராணியிடம் இன்று அரசனுக்கு உணவு பரிமாறும்போது ஒரு சட்டி மலத்தையும் கூட பரிமாறு என்று சொல்லிச் சென்றார்.      சாப்பாட்டு வேளை வந்ததும் அரசனும் குருவும் சாப்பிட உட்கார்ந்தார்கள்.      தனக்காக உணவோடு மலமும் இருப்பது கண்டு அரசன் கோபமுற்றான்.      இதைப்பார்த்த குரு வெகு சாந்தமாக அரசனிடம் "மற்ற உணவு வேறு, மலம் வேறு என்று ஏன் நினைக்கிறாய்?  உனக்கு அத்வைத ஞானம் உண்டே" என கூறினார்.     மிகுந்த கோபத்திற்குள்ளான அரசன் குருவை நீங்களே மலத்தை சாப்பிடுங்கள்!  நீர் தான் பெரிய அத்வைதி என்று பெருமை அடித்து கொள்கிறீர் என்றான்.     

குரு உடனே ஒரு பன்றி உருவம் எடுத்து மிக விருப்பத்துடன் மலம் முழுவதையும் விழுங்கிவிட்டு மீண்டும் தமது மனித உருவை எடுத்து கொண்டார்.   இதைப்பார்த்த அரசன் தனது தவறை உணர்ந்து வெட்கமுற்றான். அவனுக்கு புத்தி வந்தது. 

நடைமுறை வாழ்க்கையில் வேதாந்தத்தை எப்படி அனுஷ்டிக்க வேண்டும் என்று ஒவ்வொரு சாதகனும் புரிந்து நடக்க வேண்டும்.

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - The Ultimate's Judgement

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES

Judgement given by God

Outwardly actions alone do not take a man to good or bad state when the time comes.    On the other hand, according to a man's mindset the Punya and Paava  follow him until the last.  
Bhagavan Ramakrishna said "In truth, God only sees what is in the mind of an individual.    A man is not evaluated by what he does or does not OR where he is present or does not."   The story for the same as told by Sri ramakrishna was -

Two friends were going through a street.    They saw the discourse of Bhagavatha going on at one place.   A large gathering was listening to the discourse.   One of the friends, told the other, they would also join the gathering and take part in listening to the Bhagavatha.   But the second one told what would the benefit of hearing the discourse.  He said - Come with me and we would go the Dasi of the village,where we could spend the night happily.    But the first one, did not want to leave the discourse and had no intention to go to the Dasi.   He refused to go with the friend and joined the gathering listening to the discourse.  The second friend just peeped into the place of discourse and left for the dasi's house.   Though he went to the dasi's house, he did not like the atmosphere there and felt that he had done a grave mistake in not attending to the discourse.   He thought how his friend would have been listening to the discourse and would have engrossed with the thought of God.     He felt sad that he was not part of the discourse and felt what a shame it was to have come to the Dasi's house.       In reality, though the physical presence was in the dasi's house, the man's mind was fully engrossed on the discourse and not involved in the dasi's house.

It is a different way of thinking for the friend who preferred to listen the discourse and sat with the gathering.  His mind was never involved in the goings on in the bhagavatha.   He thought he had done a great mistake by not going to the dasi's house along with his friend.   He went to the extent of thinking that the discourse was a farce and some story was being told, which had been told umpteen number of times.    He felt hence he could have missed that.    He also thought how his friend would have been enjoying in the other place and felt he had missed it very badly.   His physical presence was in the place of the bhagavatha discourse but his mind was rounding around the dasi's house.

As the time passed by, both the friends breathed their last and the yama doothas came to the person who sat with the gathering to listen the discourse and took him to 'Naraga'.     Vishnu doothas took the person who had been to the dasi's house, with all the celebrations.

Though a sacred atmosphere had been created with the gathering listening to the discourse attentively, the friend who attended it, had failed to fully capitalise such a moment for his betterment.  Persons who are in prayers should keep in mind that they should not allow their minds to wander elsewhere and totally concentrate on the prayers.   The second example of the friend to the dasi's house, gives a hope to people of this sort, can also come out of it, by changing themselves and involve in thinking of the God.   Both type of people live in this world and Sri Ramakrishna has given his message through the short story that those who are in Bhakthi would have to totally surrender themselves to the ultimate and should not allow the mind to wander.
In fact he says when both the desires for women and wealth are brought under control, what else can deviate the path of Athma?

  

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - Businessman shisya

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES

Miserly Cloth merchant and benevolent wife

A poor Brahman had a wealthy cloth merchant as Shisya.  The cloth merchant was a miser and does not part with his wealth and even does not spend for his own household, for the basic needs easily.  Only after a lot of coaxing by the wife, he would spend for the household requirements.  
Once, the Brahman wanted to put a cover to one of the bhagavatha books he had and requested the cloth merchant to spare a small piece of cloth for the same.     The merchant replied that he felt sad that he was not able to help now and the Guru could have told earlier to him to enable him to preserve a small piece of cloth.  Presently he did not have a small piece of cloth but he would keep in mind the request and spare the cloth in due course.  The merchant also wanted the Guru to remind him of the same now and then.    The Guru was disappointed with the reply of the merchant.     The conversation between the Guru and the merchant was half heard by the cloth merchant's wife.    She sent a servant to the Brahman and asked the Brahman to come to the rear of the house.     On arrival of the Brahman, she asked him, what actually was the conversation between her husband and guru.   The brahman told the lady what had happend.    The lady asked the Brahman to go to his house without any worry informing the cloth would be at his house  the next morning.

That night, when the merchant returned home the wife asked whether the shop had been closed.   The merchant asked her why she was asking?    The wife asked the merchant to go and open the shop and bring two costlier piece of cloth.   The merchant asked her the reason for the urgency and said that he would bring the cloth asked for the next morning.   But the wife insisted she wanted immediately and hence the merchant had no other go than to go to the shop again, open  and bring the pieces of cloth.   The merchant could not tell  his wife, what he told the Guru of providing the cloth pieces later.   The brahman was only a Religious  Guru whereas the wife is the master of the house with the "thalaiyanai mantra".    If he refuses her, he would loose the peace of the house and hence did not mind going to the shop in the late part of the night.
The next morning the good lady sent the new pieces to the Brahman through a servant and also informed the Brahman to tell her of his requirements in future.
Whose real Shisya is the cloth merchant?     

Bhagavan Ramakrishna's short stories - How to live?

BHAGAVAN RAMAKRISHNA'S SHORT STORIES

How to live in this world?

Some sheperds used to send their cattle to the nearby field for grazing.  A snake in this field was scaring people who went that side and also bit some people.    Fearing this, people avoided to go this side and were cautious while going to that field.   One day a gnani was going towards the filed.  The cowherds caustioned the gnani and told him about the poisonous snake.    To which, the Gnani replied he did not fear for the snake and he knew some mantras which would help him and proceeded to go towards the field..     The cowherds did not accompany the Gnani and thought that the Ganani was putting himself in danger.

Even as the Gnani was  proceeding, the poisonous snake came with the hissing sound.  It raised it head with the hood and was approaching the Gnani.     The Gnani seeing the snake uttered the mantra he was telling to the cowherds.      Because of the power of mantra, the snake completely changed its qualities.   It came and coiled itself and lay like an earthworm at the feet of the Gnani.       He saw with the all the kindness the snake and told the snake - "Hear me.    Why are you harming everyone?  I will teach you a mantra for prayers which would enhance the Bakthi in you and which will further lead to leaving all the bad in you.  Who knows with ultimate bakthi even God may give darshan to you."   Then the Gnani taught the mantra to the snake.   The snake bowed reverently the Guru and asked the Guru to explain how to conduct itself while doing the Japa with the mantra.  The Guru replied the mantra should be uttered regularly and the snake should not harm anyone.  The snake agreed and the Guru before leaving the place said that he would meet the snake later.
The snake from then onwards, was not harming and lived without the thought of harming.    The preaching of the Guru had made a lot of difference in the snake.  As days passed by the cowherds noticed that the snake was not harming anyone and had become docile and hence decided that the snake was no more dangerous. Hence the cowherds started troubling the snake in all possible ways and throwing stones at it.   The snake did not retaliate and bore all the problems given by the cowherds and passersby.   one day, one boy pulled the snake by its tail, swirled it and hit that on the ground several times injuring it and blood was oozing profusely.    As the snake was lying still, the boys thought that the snake was  dead and left the place.     After a long time. the snake could feel the  pain and crept to its puththu (snake mound, anthills) and it could not move as it pained a lot.     During the daytime, the snake never came out fearing for its life and only in the night it used to come out in search of food.   From the days of preaching the mantra by the Guru, the snake only ate fruits, leaves etc., and somehow able to live in this world.    A year rolled by like this when the Guru again came to this place.   He enquired the cowherds about the snake and they told that the snake died long back, explaining how they killed it.   But the Gnani could not believe that as he knew that before completely attaining all the benefits, the snake would not die.   Hence he went to the same place, where he saw the snake for the first time.      He could not find the snake anywhere nearby as he searched for it.  Then he called out by the name which he had given to the snake at the time of preaching the mantra.   Hearing the call of the Guru, the snake came out of its puththu  and fell on the feet of the Guru with all reverence.      Guru could see the snake had become like a thin rope.    The Guru asked the snake how well it was.   With your blessings I am alright said the snake.  The Guru then asked why the snake had become so thin and what had happened in his absence.
The snake said that it followed the instructions of him and took only leaves and fruits etc., and that could have caused it to become thin.  The snake had completely changed with goodness personified and almost had imbibed the qualities of a Mahan.   It had completely forgotten the fact that the cowherds had almost killed it one day.      The Gnani then asked the snake to find out a reason for its predicament as food alone could not be a cause for its condition.    The snake after a while said to the Guru that on a day the boys pulled it and hit on the ground several times.   The boys do not know the change that had taken in it based on the mantra upadesa and it did not want to harm them.  The Guru noticed that the change in the snake is complete, that it did not bore any ill will towards the cowherds who had tried to kill it.    He said to the snake that how foolish it was that it was not able to protect itself.   He said that he only asked not to harm by biting and injecting the poison but it could have atleast used its hissing prowess to drive away the people trying to harm it.
Sri Ramakrishna told this story to his followers and further said that  one had to keep the wrongdoers at a distance by using fear complex, if necessary.   But only, like the poison one should not be venomous to harm others.    In worldly life, one should conduct himself in a way where both fear and respect keeps the wrongdoers away but the same time one should not do harm in the process.    The sathvis had to live keeping this in mind.