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SIMPLE Physical Exercises to Promote a Healthy Life .
You can familiarize yourself with the exercise routine through daily practice over a few weeks. 

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Sound is very important and creates vibrations that affect our moods, motivates us and can create either positive or negative changes in individuals and groups. These seeds sounds are known as Mantra (man is from the root meaning  sound; tra means that which protects or defends).

There are SEED SOUNDS that were known to ancient Indian sages. They understood and used these seed sounds for Positive Development of the society.

Here are some seed sounds which when chanted creates vibrations that removes obstacles (OM), enhances the intelligence (AIM), gives good energy (HREEM), abundance of wealth, health and devotion (SHREEM), spiritual master who gives the highest knowledge (SHIVA), gives happiness (RAAMA), helps to wash away sins, problems and confusion (ANAGHA) and gives the gift of victory (DATTAYA) to the person chanting.

The following mantra was given by His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji for World Peace and Protection. The sounds can be chanted for 5 to 10 minutes to promote peace and protection of the person chanting and for the greater benefit of the world.

 

OM  AIM  HREEM  SHREEM SHIVA  RAAMA  ANAGHA  DATTAYA  NAMAHA

 

Whatever comes without effort should be accepted spontaneously with contentment

SRI RAAMA: A KING OR A FOREST DWELLER?

In the city of Ayodhya, King Dasarath ruled his kingdom righteously. He had four sons, Raama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Sri Raama was the eldest of the four brothers. The brothers loved each other and would always be seen together, they were like birds of a feather which flock together. Sri Raama was the eldest and ensured happiness and harmony among the brothers. The brothers studied together under the guidance of their Guru, Sage Vasishta. They were all handsome, wise, courageous and noble. Sri Raama was loved the most amongst the people of Ayodhya and he treated all the people as his very own family.

King Dasarath decided to coronate Sri Raama as the king of Ayodhya with a view to benefit and please the people of Ayodhya. He consulted the Guru and his ministers. Everyone was very happy at the choice of Sri Raama for carrying on the responsibilities of the kingdom.

The king called his eldest son and said, “Raama I wish to go and contemplate on God at this time of my life. I want to hand over the responsibilities of the kingdom to you. The Guru and ministers agree that you are not only the eldest son but the most deserving to become the king of Ayodhya.” 

Sri Raam bow to the assembly and replied, "The wish of a father and Guru is really a command and I will obey your command." It was decided that the next day would be auspicious for the coronation of Sri Raama and preparations had to be made for the coronation ceremony.

Kaikeyi, the third wife of King Dasarath, demanded two boons which he had earlier promised. She called the king to her chamber and looked in a sorrowful state, “Oh King, you had promised me two boons. I wish you to grant me those boons as promised. Send Raama to the forest for fourteen years and coronate Bharata as the king of Ayodhya.”

King Dasarath fainted in shock at the request made by the Queen. After recovering he tried to convince her in many ways to ask for some other boon but in vain. Kaikeyi summoned Raama to her chambers. On arriving in the Queen’s chamber, Sri Raama saw his father pale and sorrowful. He bowed before his mother and asked, “Oh mother, why is father in such a pitiful state. What is the problem? Please let me know so I can help.”

Kaikeyi replied, “He is the king known for keeping the promise of his word. He had granted me two wishes and now that I ask him to fulfill my wishes, he is overcome with distress and wants to break his promise to me.”

Sri Raama asked, “What are the boons you seek from the King?”

Kaikeyi replied, “I asked that you be sent to the forest for fourteen years and your brother Bharata be crowned as the king of Ayodhya.”

Sri Raama replied, “It is a duty to uphold the promise of my father, the king and my blessing to obey the command of my mother. I will go to the forest for fourteen years. My dearest brother Bharat, who is closest to my heart is indeed a paragon of virtues and is capable of being a righteous and good king. Father there is no need to be grieved by mother’s wishes.”

Sri Raama departed for the forest the next day accompanied by his virtuous wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Bharata and Shatrughna were not in the kingdom when they departed. The king was full of grief and died soon after the departure of Sri Raama. Bharata was sent a message to return to Ayodhya at once.

Bharata was shocked on arriving at Ayodhya, “Shatrughna I feel something terrible has happened. The people are looking forlorn and I see bad omens everywhere.”

Kaikeyi welcomed her son, “Bharata my dearest son you will be crowned king. It is a very happy occasion.”

Bharata asked, “Mother, where is the King my father? Raama is the eldest and most deserving to be king why are you saying I will be crowned king. I do not see my brothers where is Raama and Lakshmana? When everyone is drowned as if in sorrow how can you rejoice?”

Guru Vasishta arrived and spoke to Bharata, “Bharata, the King has given up his mortal body. You must get ready and do the necessary rites for the departed soul. Sri Raam with Sita and your brother Lakshmana have departed to the forest to fulfill the promise the King made to the Queen Kaikeyi.”

Bharata did the final rituals for his departed father the king. A meeting of Bharata and the ministers of the kingdom was called by Guru Vashista. Guru Vashishta said, “Bharata in accordance with your father’s word you will be crowned the king of Ayodhya. We must proceed with the coronation as it will not bode well for the kingdom to remain without a king for long. Other kings may take advantage of the situation to capture the city.”

Bharata did not agree, “Everyone knows that Raama is the rightful heir to the throne. You all agreed to this. Why did you not stop Raama from leaving the kingdom? Now you wish that I usurp my brother’s right! I will go to the forest and bring Raama back to Ayodhya.” The Guru and ministers were happy to hear the resolve of the most devoted brother and hoped that Raama would agree with his brother’s request to return to Ayodhya.

Bharata, Shatrughna, Guru Vasishta, the Queen mothers and people of Ayodhya went to the forest to request Raama to return to Ayodhya.

Bharata was overwhelmed on meeting his elder brother, “Raama please return to Ayodhya, only you deserve to be the King! I will spend the fourteen years in the forest as per father’s command, but you must return as the rightful King of Ayodhya!”

Sri Raama, “The king gave his order that I should spend fourteen years in the forest. I must uphold the honour of his word. You must rule the kingdom in my absence. I promise to return after the fourteen years.”

Bharata with tears in his eyes could not convince Sri Raama to go against the word of their father.

“Please grant me your holy padukas (wooden slippers). I will place it on the throne and rule as per your grace and direction. But I will not live one day after the fourteen years if you do not return.”

Bharata and the people returned to Ayodhya with heavy hearts.

Sri Raama said, "Sita, Lakshmana we must go further into the Dandaka forest to prevent others from coming to visit us and request us to return to the city.” The trio set out into the dense forest, with this act, Sri Raama could uphold his duty and live as a forest dweller.

During the fourteen years, the forest dwellers had the good fortune to have the blessing of the company of Sri Raama. The two brothers with Sita enjoyed the beautiful and serene forest environment. They visited many holy persons and got their blessings and guidance. The sages who dwelt in the forest felt that their penance had borne fruit. They saw their Divine Lord manifest in the form of the divine couple Sri Raama and Sita.

During their stay in the forest Sri Raama and Lakshmana defeated many evil persons who tried to harm the sages and disturb their penance. Ravaana who was the leader of these evil persons was also killed in battle.

Thus, the brothers and Sita’s exile in the forest for fourteen years resulted in good to the world and protection of the righteous.

After the fourteenth year, Sri Raam, Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya where they were happily welcomed by the people of Ayodhya. Sri Raama was crowned the king of Ayodhya and ruled righteously over the kingdom for many years.

** Jai Raam, Shree Raam, Jai Jai Raama **

The Name may be short, but the Power is Great.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE STORY

  i.        Raama and his brothers lived in the palace and enjoyed all the luxuries of the palace.

ii.        Raama was contented to fulfill his duty and be crowned as king. However, he was equally happy and ready to fulfill Mother Kaikeyi’s wish. She wished that he should leave the palace and city and live in the forest for fourteen years. He did not cry, “I will not have luxuries in the forest? Who will cook my meals, where will I sleep and what clothes will I wear?”

iii.      Sri Raama did not run after pleasures, neither did he run away from his duty. He equally enjoyed life in the palace with his entire family and life in the forest with only his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana.

iv.      Sri Raama while living in the forest got the opportunity to visit the holy persons who had been meditating for many, many years. He felt it was a blessing to meet the sages who dwelt in the forest.  

Whatever situation comes in life we must look for the good that it brings to our life. We must try and understand what lessons life teaches us. We must be patient and happy. We must not give up and cry when situations or circumstances change in life.

v.   Sri Raama always remained calm and peaceful at heart. He did not allow situations outside to determine his happiness. He was always a fountain of peace and happiness for all.