SIMPLE Physical Exercises to Promote a Healthy Life.
You can familiarize yourself with the exercise routine through daily practice over a few weeks.
CHURNING THE INNER MEANING OF SPIRITUAL SONGS
What is the inquiry for the song Hovu Ondu Paada Seri Seve Maaditu, found in the pages on lessons from Earth and Water?
Swamiji gives the method of churning of the inner meaning of this song, as He did when He was only nine (9) years old.
HOVU ONDU PAADA SERI SEVE MAADITU
Inner Meaning of Episodes from the Holy Scripture Ramayana
STORY OF RAMAYANA
In the kingdom of Ayodhya, King Dasaratha had four noble sons.
One day, sage Viswamitra requested the eldest son of King Dasaratha, Sri Raama to accompany him to the forest. A prayer for universal peace was being conducted. Viswamitra wanted Sri Raama to protect the ceremony from any disturbances.
Sri Raama and his brother Lakshmana went to the forest and destroyed those wicked persons who wanted to spoil the prayer ceremony of the sages.
After the prayer was completed successfully, Viswamitra took the two brothers with him to Mithila. Mithila was the city where the wise King Janaka ruled. Sri Raama was wedded to Sita, the beautiful and virtuous daughter of King Janaka.
On returning to Ayodhya, King Dasaratha wanted to coronate Sri Raama as King. However, to uphold a promise he had made, King Dasaratha had to send Sri Raama to the forest in exile for fourteen years.
Sri Raama, considered it his blessings to honour his father's promise and obey his mother’s command. He willingly went to the forest. He did not rejoice on hearing the news of his coronation, nor did he weep on been sent to the forest (to live without the luxuries in the palace). His wife Sita and brother Lakshmana went with him.
During their stay in the forest, Sri Raama, Sita and Lakshmana visited many holy sages and rendered assistance to many of them. Their life in the forest became a blessing in the form of pilgrimage to these holy places and service to noble people.
Surpanaka, the sister of the demon king Ravana saw Sri Raama and wanted to make him her husband. Sri Raama told her he was already married to Sita. Surpanaka tried to kill Sita but Lakshmana did not allow it. Surpanaka was very angry and went to her brother Ravana.
Hearing of Sita's beauty from his sister Surpanaka, Ravana wanted to make her his wife. His sister warned him that Sri Raama had defeated a thousand soldiers single-handedly.
Surpanaka said, "If you can separate Sita from Sri Raama, then Sri Raama can easily be defeated."
Ravana used deception to lure Sri Raama and Lakshmana from their forest hut. Ravana then went to the hut and kidnapped Sita. He took her to his kingdom and held her captive there.
On returning to their hut, Sri Raama and Lakshmana discovered Sita missing. Sri Raama was distressed thinking of Sita's plight. Lakshmana gave him courage and both brothers went in search of Sita.
During their search, the brothers met Hanuman and Sugriva who belonged to the vanara tribe. They soon became friends. Sri Raama rendered help to Sugriva and helped him to reclaim his kingdom. In return Sugriva had promised to help Sri Raama find Sita.
With the help of Hanuman and the vanara army, Sri Raama was able to find Sita and destroy the wicked Ravana and his army.
Sri Raama and Sita were then reunited. This also marked the end of the fourteen years of exile in the forest.
Sri Raama, Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya. The people of Ayodhya welcomed them to the kingdom with a celebration of lights.
INNER MEANING OF THE STORY OF SRI RAAMA AND SITA :
Sri Raama represents the Supreme Consciousness (knowledge, existence and bliss).
Sita represents the Individual Consciousness,
It is said that Ravana had ten (10) heads, the heads represents the 5 sense perceptions & 5 organs of action.
The individual (Sita) is carried away by Ravana, or these sense perceptions (taste, sight, smell, touch and hearing) and becomes separated from the Supreme Consciousness (Sri Raama).
Hanuman is the Prana or breath. Control of the breath leads to control of the mind and senses.
The Individual (Sita) with the help of Prana or the Breath (Hanuman) can reunite with the Supreme Consciousness (Sri Raama) and experience his/her true nature which is Knowledge, Existence and Bliss.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE STORY
i. Saints and sages like Viswamitra are always doing penance for the welfare of the world. When a person sacrifices in one place someone benefits somewhere in the world.
ii. When you assist persons who conduct noble deeds, you receive benefits. Sri Raama helped Viswamitra to complete his prayer without disturbance. Viswamitra was then instrumental in helping Sri Raama find a beautiful and virtuous wife.
iii. When you give your word, you must always uphold your promise of the word. Sri Raama was a noble and good son and fulfilled his father's promise willing and went to live in the forest for fourteen years.
iv. The two brothers and Sita did not grieve for the comforts of the palace. They lived happily in the forest. Their exile became a blessing in the form of pilgrimage and service to holy men.
v. Sri Raama and Lakshmana destroyed those who were unrighteous and were creating problems for the good people in the forest. They were a source of protection for the holy sages and those living in the ashramas. Sri Raama destroyed Ravana and freed the people from fear of his wicked rule.
vi. After the end of the fourteen years of exile they returned to the palace. Everyone who was grieved on their departure, now rejoiced on the return of Raama, Sita and Lakshmana.
If we get distressed when we have to face challenging circumstances, it will lead to our destruction. Neither good times nor bad times stay forever, we must face challenges with courage and find solutions to problems.
The episode from the Ramayana teaches us about life and how to act in different circumstances.
The Inner Meaning of Ramayana teaches that we are One with the Supreme or God but our senses cause us to be attracted to the world.
When we are caught up enjoying the material things in this world (using our senses), we are separated from the Supreme.
The Supreme Himself searches for us, reminds us through the breath (life) how to reunite with Him.
When you are reunited with the Supreme Consciousness you know your Divinity and experience the Eternal Truth, Knowledge and Bliss.
Click on the link below to download each of the attached files in pdf format.
Curriculum : Lessons Learned from the Honey-Bee, Inner Meaning of Holy Scriptures!
Honey-Bee Yoga Exercise Routine