Love does not recognize any particular day for celebrating
A love we would not like losing
A love which is all pervading
A love all sweeping
A love all-embracing
A love which is broadest in content
A love from which we get contentment
A love which is fully bloomed
A love which is full-blown
A love which is sweeping
A love where there is not even an iota of doubt
A love where losing makes no difference
A love for which any sacrifice could be given
A love where we do not demand but would like giving
A love where we get extreme joy in giving
A love which teaches us values of living
A love where suspicion has no place while giving
A love rooted in sublime and humane delicate touch
A love which broadens its base without an iota of bias
A love which is synergy giving while sharing
A love which increases by every day passing
A love which kindles trust among all creatures living
A love where we do not care for caste, creed, colour or race
A love which is magical in nature
A love which is not theatrical in its character
A love which enlightens us and is not mechanical in nature
A love where we do not care for results
A love where every skepticism melts
A love which gives is eternal peace
A love which takes us to love heights
A love which erases all lingering reservations
A love which spreads its fragrance
A love which gives happiness in taking pain of other
Like the love of Saint Valentine,
A Catholic Bishop of Terni
In Roman Empire Who for love’s sake attained martyrdom, For solemnizing marriage secretly, Of condemned soldiers, For whom marriage was a bar Under the Roman Empire’s law And marrying those forbidden once to marry, Attracted the Saint’s imprisonment, And ultimately martyrdom.
While in the condemned cell of a prison, With his miraculous touch, he cured the daughter of the jail warden, Saint Valentine sent out a farewell letter, With words so eternal in nature,
“From your Valentine”,These words have become a grand brand, Presently for us all to express to our loved one, With a huge sprinkle of pride, Mixed with a huge smile, Lasting for good in our imagination, And in real life too, we live with complete affirmation That love binds us & bestows us God’s eternal co
After
having asked for sincere pardon for their bad acts
And
understand that reaction of bad action
Cannot
be good at all by any reckoning
Thus
change the destiny
By
changing the mental attitude positively
God too
forgives our acts
If we
determine not to pass through
The
path beset with thorns
And
make ourselves candidate
For
heaven above with the grace of God.
KARMA AND HELL-HEAVEN
Hell means a
state or condition in which we feel
ourselves extremely in agony/misery, the torments of which are being
experienced. In the nightmarish condition, it is difficult to live a normal
life. Even on this earth, there are some who consciously live a life of hell. I
think, when we live a life filled with anger, jealousy for others, and
bitterness for others without rhyme or reason including all the negative traits
then that sort of life is more than hell.
SELF-CREATED HELL
In essence, facts stand out, we create our own hell and heaven
with our thoughts and Karma (Action). There is a case in point in which a
seemingly well-behaved, suave in her temperament and seemingly impeccable
reputation dug out her own hell with her lust for worldly possessions. Mrs.
Preeti (exact name changed) went on superannuation after serving an institution
for more than 30 years. She was economically sound; her own pensionary
benefits were adequate enough to take care of herself and family. Besides, her
husband too was running a hotel business in a posh locality of Delhi. They had
the responsibility of only son to look after – that is all.
A few days back, we came to know that her entire family had
siphoned off more than Hundred Crore Rupees from the gullible
depositors (Her friends and well-wishers mainly colleagues and neighbours)
which they had handed her over because she had promised them better returns –
even better than Bank’s interest rates,
for their earnest money deposited with her. The gullible
could be swayed because of her past record was unblemished. She did not keep
her word and flew out to a foreign country along with her entire family. Law
enforcement agencies caught her and now she along with her entire family facing
the music of law of the Land for her illegal acts. In the process, she has lost
what she had earned for herself – trust, belief, faith and confidence which are
important ingredients in the life of a person. She has made her life along with
her family’s life a virtual hell by her greed for more material possessions.
This should serve a lesson for us people; our greed could make
hell out of heaven due to our own KU-KARMA (Bad deed).
HELL & HEAVEN ARE OUR OWN CREATION
Some say, the hell and heavens are
the creations of our own mind, the state of our mind. When our mind and senses
are calm and composed, we feel ourselves on the Seventh Heaven and while our
mind gets disturbed, we feel in the hellish existence. There are
very many people who think their present state as destined by God. They are
theists – believers in God and His mercies/bounties/graces.
There are the people who say that we get sow in this birth
itself. If we work hard and succeed, it is fruits of our action and if despite
hard work, we are disappointed thus feel a hellish life thereafter affecting us
physically and mentally. They take life as mechanical one without
belief in God and His grace. Just getting up in the morning,
performing routinely anything which is being done like a machine. These people
do not believe in the existence of God and his graces. They consider themselves
as makers of their own destinies. Theists – non-believers in the existence of
God and His graces. Hell or heaven are their own creations they think.
SOME BAD ELEMENTS CAN MAKE OUR LIFE HELL
There are people,
who while living a life full of disappointments and disillusionments, many a
times, would make the lives of others around them also the same with their bad
behavior with them. This gives such people misplaced satisfaction which is in
fact inhuman and unethical act. To make somebody else’s life hellish because we
are not having normal life, is in fact unfair and merits condemnation. There
are people who think that if they have material possessions, they’ve heaven on
this earth itself but what about those who are having every comforts in their
lives but have debilitating diseases like cancer and other life-threatening
diseases. For them, this earth is like hell – just darkness, suffering,
blackness, all around, with no light on the sight.
There is
octogenarian couple in one of our relation, they spent their financial
resources on their three sons who are professionally well-up; two are doctors
and the third one an engineers. But unfortunately, all the three, with their
families, have gone to USA, leaving the hapless, aged and ailing parents to the
mercy of elements. Although both the spouses are financially sound yet there is
nobody of their own relations to look after old and ailing parents. Life for
them is virtual hell in real sense of terms.
The hellish life
is when you cannot pull on in life with problems confronting from every side in
relation to health, relationship between spouses, discords in the family,
deaths in the family creating a situation with unending suffering and torments
in which only one spouse is left creating hell on this earth.
OUR KARMA AND HELL
& HEAVEN
Contrarily, we are
having good health, although with less material resources, but more satisfaction in our lives will
create positive ambience.When we transact everything necessary including job we are doing
without much attachment to the fruits of action. We should enjoy the bounties
of nature, fresh air, water and sunlight and the sky above. We should enjoy the
flaks of snow falling or the breeze blowing or enjoy the moonlit night , just
appreciating and enjoying the heaven on earth bestowed on us by the Mother
Nature. If this is not heaven on earth then what it is?
Whenever we’ve cool
and peaceful existence with purposeful lifestyle with spiritual orientation
then we have the dawn of heaven on this earth in our life. Glimpses of heaven
are felt in our heart when we’ve our close connectivity with God and we
transact everything in close partnership with God. Then when we’ve compassion
for others, feel pain when somebody feels pain, have no attachment for material
possessions (Wealth), alcohol (Wine) and lust for other women outside the
institutionalized married life.
KARMA PHILOSOPHY AND HELL & HEAVEN
Based on Karma philosophy, we get everything that we give
others. Nothing goes waste. Our good deeds or actions which we transact for
others come back to us in one form or other. Good karmic deeds based on empathy
and understanding towards others’ state of situation and providing them needful
assistance give us good feeling, wellness, and a positive feeling – just out of
this world which could be termed as heavenly. Similarly, bad karmic deeds give
us bad results. It is in fact based on the action and reaction equal and
opposite. If we make others’ life miserable, our life too becomes miserable and
hellish in this life itself. We must have observed by us in real life here on
this earth. We can term it as a hell on earth.
It is also said that the consequences of our karmic deeds
(good or bad) are received by us in this birth only but if not yet received
then these could be taken to the next birth. Also, our birth is as per deeds
and misdeeds we have done in the present birth.
Then if we believe reincarnation based on our Karma then we
have to believe the existence of hell and heaven beyond this earth.
According to Hindu philosophy hell and heaven are due to our
own Karma. As per Hindi philosophy especially Puranas, there are 14 worlds in
the universe. Thus, from the viewpoint of Hinduism, heaven and hell are merely
different worlds, bound by time, space, and causality.
These are:-
UPPER WORLD:
Bhuh: The earth where we live.
Bhavah: Swah is the celestial world where we reap the reward of good karmic deeds that we have done while living on earth. Righteous actions elicit good rewards and vice versa. It is the region between the two.
Swah: Located between Brahmaloka and Bhuh
(earth).
Mahah:
It is located between Brahmaloka and Bhuh
(earth), Bhuvah
& Swah.
Janah: Constitute
Brahmaloka which is highest heave where Souls
Tapah: with most righteous deeds are located
and many attain
Satyam: Moksha
but some get back to earth and take birth.
Patala, the lowest of the seven nether worlds, is the realm
where wicked souls sojourn after death and reap the results of their
unrighteous actions on earth.
LOWER WORLS (Nether world)
Atala:
Vitala:
Sutala:
Rasatala:
Talatala:
Mahatala:
Patala:
It is the realm where souls who have done Ku-Karma reside
after death and reap the results of their bad karmic deeds, suffer for their
misdeeds.
Our next birth is determined by:-
The righteous or unrighteous karma we have done
during our lifetime on earth. It is also a fact that on earth the souls can
transform themselves by their righteous or unrighteous Karma.
Some take births as animal, birds and other lower
living beings according to karmic deeds done on earth.
Soul also assumes the body which is according to
the unfulfilled desires during our lifetime on earth but karma, good and bad
deeds are most potent reasons.
Liberation from births and deaths could only be
attained when a person concerned has not desire i.e. not attached to the fruits
of actions (Detached from the fruits of actions) with no further desires to be
fulfilled – a state of desirelessness.
This has been amply clear in Katha Upanishad; which proclaims that when all our
desires are fulfilled or disregarded then we get liberation from births and
deaths.
The following could turn our heavenly life as a virtual hell:-
Paddling lies in order to hide truth.
Greed for worldly possessions, power and pelf – may be sometimes using corrupt practices.
Committing crime or sin or acting immorally and ethically also makes us a candidate for hell because these add to our KARMICDEBTS.
Heaven could be
created by:-
Self-belief and indomitable belief on God take care of our
problems.
We should always remember that death is a great leveler. The
Gita Song is more relevant here.
Whatever has happened, happened for
the good
Whatever is happening is also for
good
Whatever shall happen, shall also
be good
What have you lost that you cry
for?
What did you bring that you have
lost?………Change is the law of Universe.
Following a life feeling compassion for others; feeling pain
when others are feeling so.
Feeling satisfied with what we have with the earnings following
earnest means.
Forgetting and forgiving gives more satisfaction than keeping
something in our heart.
Keep balance or equanimity both in good and bad days.
ASSOCIATED WITH GODDESS SARASWATHI – THE BESTOWER OF GYAN (KNOWLEDGE) AND WISDOM/SAGACITY
Basant has been taken from Sanskrit word VASANT’ which means Spring.
Basant Panchami (5TH TITHI) is celebrated in the honour of Goddess
Saraswati in different parts of India. She is the divinity of knowledge (music,
arts, science etc). We worship the Goddess so that she bestows us necessary
knowledge and removes the ignorance from our midst. On this day, people also
initiate the education of their small children in their homes or schools
besides it is considered auspicious to start new ventures businesses.
In schools and colleges too, in the morning hours, prayers to Goddess
Saraswati are conducted in order to get her graces, blessings for enlightenment
and removal of agyan (ignorance). Although whole of the day is considered
promising yet most auspicious time is from sunrise to the midday (which
is also termed as the Purvahna Kala) and it is considered as the propitious
time to conduct Saraswati Pujan with great reverence and piety for seeking her
graces.
FESTIVAL ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT ASPECTS
In some parts of india, farmers conduct earth worship (Boomi Pujan) for
more agricultural output from their fields before tilling their fields. People
eat sweet rice and put on yellow clothes – yellow colour is associated with
Basant Panchami. Dandya dance is also performed on this day in Gujarat state
which is also associated with harvesting, sowing and reapting etc. The
ploughting implements too are worshipped on this day.
ASSOCIATED WITH KAMADEVA AND RATI
Season-wise, chilling cold season ends and start of more pleasant and
enjoyable season starts – Basant Ritu. There is also a tradition that in Basant,
there is air of love and affection which is associated with kamadeva and his
wife named Rati. When we associate this day with Kamadeva, it means there used
to be dance based on love in the royal palaces in which the women folks of the
royal leanings and other girls used to dance’ (in their best
attires) in the midst of singing suitable for the occasion – basically on love
between Krishna and Radha. People put on yellow attire on this occasion in
consonance with the flowering of yellow tamarind crops. It seems as
though the Mother Nature has spread a yellow coloured cloth with seasonal
flowers. There is also fragrance of flowers all around.
Basant Panchami is also called as Shree Panchami and Sufi which is
observed in Sufi shrines. This festival is also celebrated in different parts
of India though slightly differently. People enjoy kite flying, – Punjab, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, etc, Eastern India including Bengal wherein Saraswathi
idol is immersed in Ganga.
PRAYER TO LORD SHIVA AND LORD VISHNU AND SUN GOD
People in different relgions also worship Lord Shiva and Godess Parvati
including Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi and offer flowers including Sun God and other
offerings for their wellbeing. Devotees and compassionates also feed the needy
on this occasion.
It is not merely Hindus who celebrate BASANT PANCHAMI.
Saint Nizamuddin Aulia was famous for his generosity, compassion and
simplicity coupled with humane heart. There used to be Langar at dargah where
food was served to all. When his nephew died, he felt so saddened that he
stopped all the activities. Then Amir Khusrau wanted to bring him to his normal
state. While seeing the women putting on their yellow attire, with colourful
flowers, he also put on yellow clothes and flowers and went in front of the Saint.
Upon seeing Khuarau in that dress, the Saint smiled. Hence Basant Panchami too
is celebrated in Dargah of Saint Nizamuddin Aulia.
The Sikhs too celebrate Basant Panchami. Basant Raga or Spring
Raga (composition) forms one of the well-known Ragas in Sri Granth Sahib Sahib
Ji and sung with great reverence. The marriage of Guru Gobind Singh was
solemnized on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami.
BASANT PANCHAMI
Fairs and festivals are the obvious indications That a society is on the move together in their celebrations Some festivals are seasonal in nature Others are related to beliefs so prevalent But one thing is common in all of these People participate in each of these festivals With a feeling brimming with emotions.
Basant Panchami has religio-seasonal connotations
After withstood the chilling cold of winter season There has begun much awaited dawn of a season, so very pleasant
When Mother Nature is at its excellence Wherein a carpet of yellow mustard plants is one of the best attractions People put on their yellow attire, so gorgeous And imbue themselves in natural yellow colour.
There is a legend attached to this festival
Brahma who is the Creator-in-Chief
Happened to see earthwards
He felt very sad on seeing without any leaves
Barren land bereft of any greenery
He scattered some water from His enchanting jar
To the huge surprise of us all
There appeared Goddess Sarswati
The giver of wisdom and scholarship
Music, art and craft and knowledge to imbibe
She too is termed as the Goddess of Basant Panchmi!
Lord Barahma too gifted greenery to the plants in abundance
Bringing in its wake brightness in natural spectacle
And verve and vigor in everybody’s life.
Yellow flowers are offered to God Even our food items exhibit yellowness With saffron strands giving yellow colour Emitting sweet fragrance everywhere.
People worship the musical instruments Art, craft and all the learning mediums For these are the gifts of Goddess Saraswati Processions in the honour of the Goddess is taken To implore Her to bestow us humans the wisdom And power to find the difference between truth and falsehood Her four hands symbolize ego, intellect, alertness and the mind Her white dress is the symbol of purity And she loves truth of all forms Her postures of sitting too has vast meaning. Our humble prayers to Thee O Goddess Sarasvati The embodiment of learning We implore Thee to remove illiteracy & ignorance from our midst
And bring forth the dawn of enlightenment Remove ego as You are the giver of wisdom And do imbue us all in THY INDELIBLE COLOUR
BASANT PANCHAMI (WISH YOU ALL HAPPY AND COLOURFUL BASANT PANCHMI)
A few days back, I visited Sri Bala
Ji Maharaj ancient temple at Mehandipur (District Dausa). When I alighted the
bus, I was obviously captivated by the ambience of the Holy Place even before
reaching the sanctum sanctorum! On reaching the temple premises, there dawns a
feeling of peace and tranquility and my spirits got uplifted optimally with
love and light inside the inner recesses of heart. In essence, these feelings
were came just naturally.
I have penned down some of my
observations and experiences which are enumerated in the proceeding paragraphs.
Sri Bala Ji
Mandir is one of the most prominent temples in India. It is located in
Mehandipur in District Dausa (Rajasthan). This temple is dedicated to Lord
Rama’s most committed Bhakta Lord Hanuman Ji.
Mehandipur is about 300 Kms from
Delhi with all sorts of transportation such as Rail, Bus and Air
available without much difficulty from all the major cities of India. The
approximate time taken from Delhi to Mehandipur by bus from Delhi or Rail is
around 3.30 hours.
On reaching the proper temple, I
with my wife and others stood in the multiple lines which lead us to the holy
place from where we could the statue of Sri Bala Ji Maharaj amidst the chanting
of JAI RAM JI BHAKTA HANUMAN JI with HANUMAN CHALIISA also reverberated in the
air. All were carrying their offerings with a feelings of satiety and
expectations writ large on their faces. Reaching the proper place from where we
could see the figurine of Sri Bala Ji Maharaj (The Priest too explained about
this and also gave some Prasada while taking our offerings. We prayed for our
wellness and also for the wellness our well-wishers there. Then we also had the
dharshan of Sri Baba Bharav Maharaj and Pretraj Sarkar. To bent our heads in
enormous reverence to them and prayed for their generosity and graces. We also
were explained about the sacrosanct credentials of this place. It was also
explained that we have to take the Prasada given to us there itself without looking
back at all. After proper dharshan of Sri Bala Ji Maharaj, Sri, Bharon Ji
Maharaj and pretraj Sarkar I felt very light suffusing with the feelings of
love engulfing my entire being.
Subsequently, we visited Sri Ram Ji
Temple, just opposite to Sri Bala Ji Maharaj temple – had Prasad and Bhivuti
from this temple.
VARIOUS
NAMES OF LORD HANUMAN JI AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE
Lord
Hanuman Ji is Rudra Avtara, another name of Lord Shiva. He is also worshipped
by various names by His devotees such as Bala Ji (Child Hanuman),
Anjaneya (Son of Anjana), Mahavira (Full of bravery and courage bestowed
upon him by Sun God), Balarka (Sadrushanana like the rising sun),
Batnasiddhikara (Granter of Strength), Bajranghbali (With huge strength),
Bhakta Vastsaka (Protector of devotees), Bhavishya (One who knows about future
happenings), Chiranjevini (Immortal), Chaturbahave (Four armed), Danta
(Peaceful), Dheera (Most courageous), Deenabandhave (Defender of the
oppressed), Daithyakulantaka (Destroyer of the demons), Kesrisuta (Son of
kesri), Hanumanta (One with Puffy cheeks), Intrajit (Remover of the effect of
Indrajit’s Brahmastra), Jai Kapeesh (Hailing monkey), Kapishwara (Head of
monkey army), Kabalikruta (One who swallowed the Sun), Kumarabrahmacharine
(Bachelor with youthful strength), Panchavaktra (Five faced), Pratapavate
(Known for his bravery), Yogini (Yogi par excellence), Rudraveerya (Born of
Shiva), amongst so other names for showering of His graces and blessings. He is
known for His ritualistic healing power and have the power to remove the evil
spirits from the bodies of the devotees and Mehandipur, the Abode of Sri Bala
Ji exerts its positive influence on His devotees.
From the
various names that Lord Hanuman Ji is known, it is evident that he helps his
devotees to cure their sufferings, comes to their rescue in tiding over their
difficult situations, curing them of their ailments caused due to some
ill-effects of magical powers, one who bestows us courage as He is known for
his courageous acts which He exhibited while Hanuman Ji was taken to
Demon King Ravana’s palace in chains by his son Meghnatha while He was on the
mission of locating Sita Maa in the custody of Demon King Ravana. He not only
burnt the Golden Lanka of Ravana but also exhibited very benign
demeanour to Ravana’s brother Babishana, a Ram Bhakta himself – PROVING HIS
MULTI-FACETED ROLE AMONGST THE DEVTAS.
THOSE WHO WORSHIP HANUMAN JI ARE HELPED BY SHANI DEV JI TOO
After some time, when Hanuman was searching for Sita, he heard
Shani’s cries from a deep place. When Hanuman looked here and there, he found
Shani imprisoned in a cell. He requested Hanuman to free him. Hanuman freed
him, but as he freed him, Shani looked at him and thus Hanuman became the
victim of Shani’s gaze. In gratitude, Shani promised Hanuman that those who
would pray to him on Saturday would be rescued from the painful effects of
Shani. When Hanuman was burning Lanka, he found that he was not able to burn it
properly. Then as Shani promised to Hanuman to help him in degrading Raavan, he
looked at Lanka and turned it into black instead of a heap of gold.
The temple
of Sri Bala Ji Maharaj is known for its healing power for removing evil spirits
and black magic spell
ENCHANTING APPEARANCE OF STATUES OF
SRI BALA JI MAHARAJ, SRI BARON JI MAHARAJ & PRETRAJ JI MAHARAJ
About 1000 years back, in ancient
India, Mehandipur was a small village, surrounded by thick forest, where
ferocious animals such as tigers, lions had made their habitation. It was also
a place where all sort of dacoits, thieves, looters and other law breaking
people lived there who made the lives of those living in this village and other
surround area very difficult.
One of the ancestors of Baba Mahant
Ji Maharaj (Mahant Goswami Ji) saw something unique in his dreams, he got up in
the dream state itself, knowing very little what for and where he was headed
to. In the sub-conscious state of dream world, he saw thousands of lighted
wicks. He saw these wicks coming towards him. It also is reported that there
were sound of the elephants and horses approaching. Then he saw (in his dream
state itself) there a big gathering of devotees. All these devotees
were in elephants and horses together were paying their respects to Sri Bala Ji
Maharaj, Sri Baro Baba Ji and Sri Pretraj Sarkar Ji. Thereafter, the huge
troops on horses and elephants went to the way they had come. Goswami was the
only spectator of all this happening in that state. He was a little afraid of
the scenario which went on before him. Subsequently, he retreated his way to
his village. He tried to have some sleep. He continued remembering about the dream
he had seen. He saw the three statues of Sri Bala Ji Maharaj, Sri Baro Ji Baba
Ji and Sri Pretraj Sarkar. Thereafter, the gathering of these devotees on
elephants and horses disappeared. Goswami came back home in that state
itself and wanted to have some sleep, but the statues of Sri Bala Ji
Maharaj, Sri Baro Baba Ji and Sri pretraj were still fresh in his mind and he
could not sleep thereafter despite his best efforts. Seemingly, it sounded as
though those statues wanted to tell him something important.
When he had some sleep again, he
saw a huge temple and the same reverent statues and somebody was exhorting him
to get up and take the responsibility of performing meditation/prayers. There
was also the mystical utterance informing him to perform his part of the
prayers and thereafter, and then He will perform the mystic deeds (Leela) for
the spread of wellness of the general masses especially in Kaliyuga. Who was
the mystical figure informing him about things which Goswami could
not comprehended in its entirety? Who was uttering those sweet words but
its tone and tenor were obviously very heart touching? Also, it being night, he
could neither see anything nor could comprehend further what was being said.
Goswami Ji
Maharaj did not pay any attention thereafter as though nothing had transpired:
taking it only a dream. Subsequently, he had vision (dharshan) of Bala Ji
Maharaj in person; addressed him his own and exhorted him to offer prayers to
Him. Next day, he went to the statues he had seen in his dream and lo and
behold, he was surprised to hear the sounds of ringing of bells and drums but
there was none in sight.
Next, he informed
the details of his dream to his village folks. They made a small prayer place
there at the spot where the Goswami Ji had a vision. After this, the same
villagers started getting graces of Sri Bala Ji just mystically. They could not
understand anything about the positive change which they were experiencing in
their lives. The people thought it was some trick being committed by
somebody. Then, the statues just disappeared after sometime. The people
realized the folly of disbelieving and prayed Bala Ji to forgive them.
Surprisingly, the statues appeared again.
To their
surprise, there is a water source at the feet of Bala Ji Maharaj, the water of
which never exhausts even after the base container is totally full. It is
surprising that a very minute water trickle from near the heart of the statue
of Bala Ji Maharaj which continues eternity. The people who come on the pilgrimage
bring this holy water for bringing about wellness in their homes. The same
water (Jal) also is sprinkled on the pilgrim. During my visit to this Holy
place, I too have brought a bottle full of water which in fact has mystical
curing traits.
Thereafter the
installation of three devtas (Bala Ji Maharaj, Pretraji and Baba Bero Ji
Maharaj were undertaken in accordance with the religious rituals. It is
also reported that Sri Bala Ji Maharaj has appeared in front of Goswami Ji in
person.
During that
period the entire area was ruled by a particular king. The Goswami Ji, the
Smadhi-wale Baba Ji, told all these things to the ruling king but he did
not believe on Goswami Ji’s story. After seeing the statues, the king mentioned
that these were the handiwork of an artist. Thereupon, the statues disappeared
and even after digging deep, the statues could not be located. Then, the king
asked for forgiveness from the deities for the lapse of doubting the truth and
asked for taking pity on his agyan (ignorance).
Subsequently, all
the three statues appeared just mystically as these had disappeared. Thence
after, the king had firm belief on Bala Ji and allowed Goswami Ji to worship
and built a huge temple there. The Goswami remained worshipping Balaji Maharaj
till he took smadhi. On getting old, he prayed for letting his future
generations to pray and worship Sri Bala Ji Maharaj with reverence. It was
around 1000 years since these three statues appeared but the Goswami’s
generations (11) Mahants from Goswami’s families have bestowed their prayers
and seva to Sri Bala Ji.
Sri Bala Ji is
the Sankat Mochan (one who delivers from pain and sufferings). He is the
incarnation (Avtar) of Kaliyuga for devout. Whosoever prays with sincerity,
gets what that person wants.
Presently, the
Mehendipur is a big city with all the facilities provided in abundance. I
personally saw that there is a prevalence of goodness/wellness, peace and
prosperity around the place. since all have indomitable belief in
Him. They believe that Sri Bala Ji Maharaj delivers them from all their
misfortunes. I also saw a boon on satiety on the faces of the people
residing there and the shopkeepers provided the goods and services to the
pilgrims on cheap costs. There is no scarcity of either food or lodging for the
pilgrims – sufficiency of everything.
Now coming to the
neyeye of Sri Bala Ji Maharaj, the people who come with all sorts of problem
approach with a sincere for deliverance. It may be due to bad spell of evil and
dark forces who retard our progress in our lives. I personally saw some people
crying for mercy (especially women) and it has been reported that they get
cured from their ailments! Such is the curing powers of this place.
On the visit of the
Sri Bala Ji temple, the devotees take with them naryal, some cloth, a red flag,
some ladoos just wrapped in red cloth. These items are to be given to the
priest who ensures that all the devout get the dharshan of Bala Ji. The priest
also gives Prasad to each devotee which is to be consumed in the temple
prescient only.
The application for
redemption to Bala Ji is as per time schedule for Bala Ji, Sri Baron Ji and Sri
Pretraj Ji. In each of them sincerity in prayer should be above
board. The offerings for each of them is also different but one
thing should always be borne in mind that Prasad which is handed over to the
devout has to be consumed inside the premises of the temple. It has not to be
brought back at all.
Then there is the
figurine of Sri Baba Baron. The devout also pray there after presenting some
offerings to Him. Sri Baron Baba also helps the devout in ridding from their
misfortunes caused by dark forces. Subsequently, there is the
figurine of Pretraj Ji which also delivers the devotees off their misfortunes.
Devotees
suffering from evil spirits get relief from their sufferings by the methods
like Arji (Appeal), Sawamani and Darkhast. The Bhog of :-
(a) Laddus
are made to Sri Bala Ji Maharaj. The devotees throng for removal of their
sufferings in all the days of the week but especially on Saturdays and Tuesdays
there is a great gather of the devout as both these days are very dear to
Bhagwan Hanuman Ji.
(b) Rice
and urd pulse to Bhairav Baba Ji (Kotval Kaptan, Head of army).
(c) The
offering of rice and urd pulses to Sri Pretraj Sarkar (King of evil spirits).
The
following are some of the prominent temples in Mehandipur:-
· Opposite
to the temple of Sri Bala Ji Maharaj is the famous temple of Lord Rama with the
idols of Maa Sita Ji and Lakshmana. The temple is very beautiful where the
devotees are offered Parasadh consisting of dry fruits and also Bhavuti (which
has curing power).
· Anjani
Mata Temple (Mother of Lord Hanuman Ji).
· Temple
of Panchmukhi Manuman Ji.
· Kali
Maa temple at Teen Pahaad.
· Sri
Ganesh Ji Maharaj temple.
· Samadhi Wale Baba Ji.
· On
the path of Teen Paheed, there are so many temples on both the sides of the pat
JAI HANUMAN JI MAHARAJ – AUM AEEM BREEM HANUMANTE SRI RAM DHOOTE NAMON (BEEJ MANTRA PRAYING LORD HANUMAN JI WHO IS A SRI RAM JI BHAKTA FOR HIS BOUNTIES AND GRACES.
What are our weaknesses or weak-spots, types of weaknesses and why some
of us defend their weaknesses?
Our weakness in us is of our own creation
Created by our own way of thinking
And then our own Karma and Dharma.
We cannot tell that our weaknesses
Are due to somebody else but ourselves.
In essence, we have to understand what actually is meant by our
weaknesses. There are some areas in which we remain behind in comparison with
others who count for us like weak in memory, weak in health, weak in character,
weak in reading and writing, weak in outlook,
weak staying power for any job, weak willed person, weak intentioned persons
etc. In other words, anything which lacks perceptible conviction, perseverance,
doggedness and whatever is not undertaken without application of mind, its
results will not be as encouraging and of any tangible results.
Weakness could be related to:-
In physical health (Physiological)
When we are physically weak resulting in less physical activity. It may
be due to lack of exercises or activities or may be due to not taking proper
diet. Physical health is as important as anything else in life that counts. It
is because if the health is alright, we can utilize that strength to perform a
variety of jobs that we want to perform. Lack of strength also leads us to less
self-esteem.
In mental health (Psychological)
This is related to our habits, attitudes and other behaviour pattern
related to problems such as obsessive behaviour pattern in which a person is
compelled by the circumstances to act in a particular manner. It may be
negatively oriented too just tarnishing our image in the eyes of our society in
which we are living.
Weakness in Character
Everybody knows that our character or temperament counts a lot. It is
well nigh said, if health is lost something is lost but if our character is
lost everything is lost. Hence we must cultivate all those characteristics
which make us strong charactered individuals.
Persons with weak character will not earn anybody’s respect and more so
will not have his self-esteem in long
term.
Weakness in giving advice when it is not needed
We must have come across people who are compulsive advice givers even
their advice is not called for. These sorts of people gets disappointed when
they are snubbed for doing so.
Weakness in confidence or weak willed
Lack in confidence or weakness in confidence leads to disappointment in
whatever we put our hands on. Then we have people who do not take any risk for
anything which comes in their way.
Weakness in 3 Ws (Weakness for more Wealth, Women and Wine
The people who have weakness for worldly wealth and riches which they want to have by any means whatsoever will meet dissatisfaction ultimately.
It has been practically observed that those who have the the weakness for women beyond the institutionalized married life partner.
Then those who are habitual of drinking and become addicted to drinking, it will not only drag the resources of the individual concerned but also our health goes to dogs.
Now coming to your question of defending weakness. Those who do so are
in fact weak-links of highest order. I take this weakness as a weakness of
highest order. Rather than defending our weaknesses, we ought to take steps to
remove both the physical and psychological related weaknesses.
We should not appreciate our weakness rather we should introspect and
plug those weaknesses. We should not defend our weaknesses because of the
following:-
Can anyone defend abusive friend or one’s own behaviour or attitude?
Can anybody defend physical abuse of somebody else?
Can we in any way defend our negative traits such as anger, envy, and
jealousy?
Can anybody defend his/her addiction related habits; such as addition of
drugs, liquor, smoking etc.?
The answer for all these
weaknesses is NO, NOT AT ALL. We cannot defend and should not defend our
weaknesses since by doing so we try to enhance the intensity of weaknesses
rather than curbing the same.
And dithering everywhere in circles in
real sense of terms
Surely not on the point of contention
That are the symptoms of being self
without any confidence.
No concrete success is guaranteed
Till focused attention on the goal is made
For without any set agenda
We’ve only confusion all around.
Whence
we are effusing with self-confidence
We try our luck
And take calculated risks
Many a paths hereto unknown and not trodden
For us, become ajar open with the grace of God
Confidence presents us a magic key of
courage
To open ground-breaking horizons
A touchstone of success
Hitherto not known anytime before
It is not merely the material world
Which is to be ensured for
self-subsistence
But also to realize the purpose
Of life on this planet which is actually
a must.
Lack of self-confidence
Means not knowing even our inner-self
Not knowing self means our life remains
immobile
Alas! without an iota of forward movement
Putting solid brakes on our path of
successful mission.
One thing should never be forgotten
That the self-confidence
Should not be raised
On the base of sand
As sand just slips out our quickly from
our hands
And the building erected just totters as
fast as it is made.
When self-confidence is made with feelings
Steeped in greed, hostility and
enviousness
Of others’ fortunes
Will also not be enduring
For long
That concocted confidence which is
attained
With a feeling of deception
Is of negatively orientation.
When self-confidence is built
On the highest values held dear
Then this self-confidence
Can stand the test of time
With utmost courage and self-assurance.
People with low-esteem
Just do not have the self-confidence
They while away their precious time and
resources
In unusual gossips
Including passing buck
For any responsibility assigned
Self-praise and arrogance are their weak
defences
Whilst egocentric tendencies are their
legs to stand on
Such people care but nobody else but
themselves alone
Such people disrespect others at the
slightest ruse
For raising their so called stature
On the foundation of false excuses.
True self-confidence
Is generated when we’ve humbleness
In abundance
Despite sufficiency of everything at our
beck and call
Along with firmness
Of inner-resolve
For resolution of our conflicts which
inflict us.
Person with self-confidence
Gains gyan (knowledge) through
self-efforts
With perseverance and persistence so hard
Thereby making every failure a success
story
Thus transforming ourselves from feeble character
To a strongly-willed unwavering personage.
Then the person with self-confidence
Will learn how to remain cool in seething
environment
For living a life of love and light
With tolerance and patience writ large in
his character
For spreading the message of love to all
humanity.
A person with lack of confidence
Makes excuses for anything and everything
To hide his shortcomings
Adopts ways so scrumptious
That he pays lip-service
To others’ wellbeing, so contrived
On deception and dishonest demeanor.
A person with self-confidence
Improves with sincere efforts
Takes responsibility for anything
With absolutely no excuses given
Such a person stands for truth with
rock-solid belief
Whatever may be the consequences.
Self-confident people give damn to their
praise
But protect their character above
everything else.
People with self-confidence
Do not ask for praise for themselves
But are generous in praise for others.
Self-confident people are self-dependent
And do not rely on others for their
inner-fulfillment.
People with confidence are courageous
They do not fright when fight is called for
Thru’ self-efforts and perseverance
And also with the grace of our Creator.
SELF-CONFIDENCE
For cultivating confidence, we’ve to make concerted efforts, say good bye to some of our habits and attitudes which have become responsible for curtailing our further movement. For this to become reality, it is goes without saying that we have to know our own self – our positive and negative attributes and make determined efforts to curb our negative tendencies. If these negative tendencies are difficult to be eradicated then we’ve to take somebody else’s assistance (known for refining negative traits – there are many sacred Souls who would be more than willing to render such help) who can transform us.
Having acquired positivism in our mannerism and way of living, we can utilize these good traits in our daily routines, keeping in our mind that our sincere efforts will always be successful but if sometimes these efforts do not bear good fruits then we can at least get adequate experience out of that effort. We should not forget that success and failure are the two important happenings which surely will take place in our life and we’ve to maintain a healthy balance in all eventualities. Our failure should not disappoint so much that it should disorient our mindset and our success should not make us egocentric and self-centric in our attitude.
While we acquire equanimity in our mindset, then half the battle is won. It will generate self-confidence and this self-confidence would be without even shred of ego and conceitedness. Decision taken in this sort of mindset and scenario can do us a maximum benefit in adjusting in any situation we are placed because we are aware of our potential strength.
With self-confidence we can:-
Take calculated risks because we know our strengths – self-belief and belief in our God.
Sometime we can traverse in unknown territory with good results with good results and if results are not that encouraging, we can at least get experience having traveled thus far. That experience could assist us in future journey.
It is also essential that our self-confidence should not make us too much conceited or arrogant or -over-confident just undoing what we have acquired.
It should always be remembered that audaciousness or over-confidence could spell doom for us in place of boom in success.
Our staying-power could be ensured when we stay-put despite some disappointing results initially.
Concentrating on the goal at hand with confidence hardly means we should be bereft of any humility.
Our humility should be an instrument of change for us whenever there is a need.
Flexibility, as and when required need to be pursued rather than being rock-solid when ice-like softness is called for.
While our self-confidence is a must for getting things done in our favour but one important thing should never be disregarded and that is to associate our GOD in all the endeavours we are undertaking otherwise we may fall prey to skepticism and indecisiveness when crunch time comes.
