In the Royal Courts of Ayodhyawere assembled Bhagwaan Shree Raam, Sita Maataa, His brothers, Hanooman, Vibheeshan (Raawan’s youngest brother) and many of His devotees.
The Lord of the ocean (saagar) had given Raawan a very precious Maalaa. When Vibheeshan was crowned king of Lanka after Raawans death, he inherited this Ratan Maalaa.
Vibheeshan was in a very happy mood and he took this same Ratan Maalaa and placed it around the neck of Mother Sita. This Ratan Maalaa was so beautiful that none of the Kings present had ever seen anything so beautiful. All present became wonder struck with its beauty.
At that same instant Mother Sita looked at her husband Shree Ram and smiled. Then the all merciful Lord spoke to Her. . . My beloved you can give it to whoever you wish.
Mother Sita then took out the Ratan Maalaa from her neck and was thinking. . . To whom should I give this Maalaa? As she was thinking this she looked in the direction of Hanooman. Hanooman then bowed his head and Mother Sita placed the Ratan Maalaa around his neck. Hanooman began to think about the qualities of this Ratan Maalaa. He was very happy and He began to perspire profusely. He began to inspect closely the beeds of the Maalaa.
That great devotee realised that except the great glitter there was nothing else. Then He became curious to know what was inside the beads of the Maalaa. So He bit one of the beads and broke it.
All those gathered were taken aback to see this Monkey destroying such an exquisite gem. then the strong and powerful Hanooman broke another bead, and realised there was nothing inside and He threw it away. He eventually broke the entire Ratan Maalaa and threw it away.
All the witnesses of this destruction became saddened and hurt to see the end of this priceless Ratan Maalaa. They now realised that the Monkey Hanooman was not deserving of this gift. You must give people what they deserve.
One of the Kings in the audience then questioned Hanooman. Why have You done this? Why have You destroyed this beautiful Ratan Maalaa? Hanooman replied. . . I was searching for the name of Raam that gives happiness. But my brother I did not see the name of Raam and that is why I broke it and threw it away.
Then someone said everything does not have Raam naam in it. Hanooman replied I do not want anything that does not have the name Raam.
The person again spoke to Hanooman . . . Oh Strong one, listen; does Your body have Raam naam in it?
The Son of the Wind God, Hanooman, answered — certainly, my body has Raam naam.
Hanooman then took both His hands and bursts open His chest. To the amazement off all those gathered — inside His chest was the All — merciful lord Raam together with Mother Sita.
BOLEEA SHREE PAWAN PUTRA HANOOMAN KI JAI
BOLEEA SHREE MAHABIR SWAAMI KI JAI
BOLEEA SIYA PATI RAAM CHANDRA KI JAI
Taken from Tulasidasa’s Raamayan by Pundit Samsundar Ramdeen
“TO DESTROY YOUR DISAPPOINTMENTS,
SURRENDER TO GOD.”
DOHA
Shri guru charan saroj raj, nij man mukur sudhar.
Baranau Raghubar vimal jas, jo dayak phal char.
Buddhiheen tanu janikai, sumirau Pawankumar.
Bal buddhi vidya dehu mohi, harahu kalesh vikar.
CHAU PAI
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar. Jai kapeesh tihu bk ujagar.
Ramdoot atulit bal dhama. Anjani putra Pawan Sut nama.
Mahabir vikram bajrangi. kumati niwar sumati ke sangi.
Kanchan baran viraj suvesha. kanan kundal kunchit kesha.
Hath vajra am dhwaja virajai. kandhe moonj janeu sajai.
Shankar suwan Keshari nandan. tej pratap maha jagbandan.
Vidyavan guni ati chatur. Ramkaj karibe ko aatur.
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya. Ramlakhan Sita man basiya.
Sookshma roop dhari Siyahin dikhawan. Vikat roop dhari lankjarawa.
Bheem roop dhari asur sanghare. Ramchandra ke kaaj sanware.
Laye sajeewan Lakhan jiyaye. Shri Raghubir harasi ur laye.
Raghupati keenui bahut barayee. turn marn priya Bharat sambhayee.
Sahas badan turnharo jhas gawain. As kahi shripati kanthlagawain.
Sankadik brahrnadi mirnesha. Narad sharad sahit asheesha.
Yam kuber digpal jahan te. Kavi kovid kahi sankairt kahante.
Turn upkar Sugriwahin keenha. Ram milayc raaj pad deenha.
Tumhro mantra Vibhishan rnaana. Lankeshwar bhaye sab jagjaana.
Jug sahasra joyan parbhanoo. Leelyo tahi rnandhur phaljaanoo.
Prabhu mudrika meli rnukh manhin. jaladhi langhi gayeeachraj nahin.
Durgarn kaaj jagat ke jete. Sugam anugraha turrthare tete.
Ram duware turn rakhware. Hot na agya bin paisare.
Sab sukh lahen tumhari sarna. turn rakshak kahoo ko dar na.
Apan tej sarnharo apai. teenahun bk hank te kanpai.
Bhoot pishach nikat nahin awain. Mahabir jab naarn sunawain.
Nasai rog harai sab peera. japat nirantar Hanumat beera.
Sankat te Hanurnan chhodawain. man krarn vachan dhayn jolawain.
Sab par Ram tapasvi raaja. Tinke kaaj sakal turn saaja.
Aur manorath jo koi lawai. tasu amit jeewan phal pawai.
Charon jug partap tumhara. Hai parsiddh jagat ujiyara.
Sadhu sant ke turn rakhware. Asur nikandan rarndulare.
Asht siddhi nava nidhi ke daata. As bar deen janki rnaata.
Ram rasayan tumbhare paasa. Sada rahau Raghupati ke daasa.
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko bhawai. janm janm ke dukh bisrawai.
Ant kaal Raghupati pur jayee. Jahan janrn han bhakt kahayee.
Aur dewata chitt na dharayee. Hanumat seyi sarb sukhkarayee.
Sankat hare mitai sab peera. jo sumire Hanumat bal beera.
Jai jai jai Hanuman gossain. kripa karahu guru deva ki nain.
Yah shat baar path kar koyee. chhootahin bandi rnahasukhhoyee.
Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa. hoya siddhi sakhee gaurisha.
Tulsidas sada han chera. Keejai nath hridaya mah dera.
DOHA
Pawan tanaya sankat haran,Mangal moorati roop.
Ram Lakhan sita sahit. hridaya basahu stir bhoop.
The nine forms of devotion as enumerated in the Shrimad Bhaagawat:
1. SHRAVAMA - hearing of the Lord’s praises and Kathaas.
2. KIRTANA - chanting His name, praised and kathaas.
3. SMARANA - fixing one’s thought on Him.
4. PAADASEVANA - Adoring His feet.
5. ARCHANA - worshipping an image of the Lord.
6. VANDANA - making obesiance to Him.
7. DAASYA - offering devout service to the Lord.
8. SANKHYA - cultivating friendship with the Lord.
9. ATMANWEDANA - offering oneself to the Lord.
The nine forms of devotion as given by Tulsidas in the Sewarie Katha in the Raamaayan.
1. Keeping good company.
2. Listening to the Kathaas of the Lord.
3. Serving the feet of the Guru.
4. Singing the glories of God.
5. Chanting the mantras of God.
6. Controlling the senses.
7. Seeing God in everyone.
8. Being contented and not thinking evil of others.
9. Having faith in God.
The world has been awakened to the need to protect the Environment; the need to protect the flora and fauna that God in His mercy has created for the benefit of humanity.
Man in his arrogance continue to believe that because of his survival he would continue to protect and sustain the flora and fauna. It has not dawned on him as yet that he is here only because of the flora and fauna.
Sanatan Dharma teaches that we have evolved from birth to birth through the cycle of 8,400,000 different types of life forms i.e. life form that does not move, life form that moves without legs, life form that moves with legs and then human life. (Modern Science has not yet reached the discovery of 8,400,000 different species.) The different types of life can also be grouped as:- crawling, marine, feathered and four legged.
This creation is referred to as“char-achar” — animate and inanimate. Hinduism teaches that God is existant in everything; even the smallest atom and molecule has His divine vibrations.
Sanatan Dharma recognises GODLINESS in this entire creation and regards with obeisance the enviroment including the flora and fauna because we have all experienced the various existences through the cycle of birth and death i.e. punarapi jananam, punarapimaranam.
Protection of the forest and wildlife is a part of the life of a Sanatanist (Hindu). It is not done only asa profession or avocation but as a Divine action in the name of GOD.
Man has been spending millions of dollars to replete the flora and fauna that he has obliterated. The money is spent to ensure a better atmosphere for his revelry. However he
spends twice as much to destroy his fellow human beings for whom the environment is preserved.
Man in his quest for advancement is destroying the base of his survival — The Environment. This year as we prepare ourselves for Divali, let us remember the importance of our environment and its role in our survival.
Let us never forget the chowpiee from Tulasidasa’s RAAMAAYAN. .
SEEYAA RAAM MAT SAB JAG JAANL KARAU PRANAAM JORIJUG PAANT . . .
We must recognize and pay obeisance to God who is in everything.
By: Pundit Samsundar Ramdeen
HANOOMAAN GAYATRI
OmAnjanee Sutaaya Vidmahay
Vaayu Putraaya Dheemahi
Tanno Hanumaan Prachodayaat
May we Realise Lord Hanooman, Theson of Anjanee and the Windgod (Vaayu)
Let us Meditate on Him so that wecan become illumined.
Almost every Hindu family perform puja at least once a year with the presence of a Pundit. For the Hindu family this is one of the most spiritual undertakings.
Puja is done for three broad reasons:- When we want something, as thanksgiving when we get something, and finally for the love of God.
Some general guidelines for puja are as follows:
GANESH PUJA - for the removal of obstacles.
SARASWATI PUJA - for educational success.
LAKSHMI PUJA - for material gains.
DURGA PUJA - for family protection.
HANOOMAN PUJA - for good health.
SHIVA PUJA - for serenity and contentment.
GRAHA PUJA - for prevention and removal of misfortunes.
SATYANARJNE PUJA - for unity and prosperity.
KRISHNA PUJA - for liberation.
This has not exhausted the list and reasons for puja but is only intended as a guideline for devotees.
The performance of Hawan is an integral part of puja (this is oblations made to the fire). Modern Scientist have proven without a doubt that the hawans that are performed during puja have great healing powers.
The puja system has come from the beginning of time and to this day it continues to be effective and satisfying to devotees all over world.
The life of a Hindu begins and ends with the performances of pujas. Puja elevates the devotees to higher levels of spiritual development and consciousness.
MARGARET LAKSHMI RAMDEEN
Special Religious Instructor,
Trinidad Academy of Hinduism.