SEETHA'S RESOLVE

RAMAYANA

"So be it," said Siva, and gave Viswaamitra all the weapons available to the Devas, Gandharvas, Rishis, Yakshas and Demons.

Swelling with  pride like the ocean, Viswaamitra considered Vasistha as already vanquished. He straightway made for the abode of the sage. Frightened at the fearful sight of the onrushing Viswaamitra,Vasishtha's disciples and the animals in his aashrama ran helter-skelter.

Hit by the fire-weapon of Viswaamitra, Vasishtha's aashrama was reduced to cinders. 

Vasishtha regretted the turn of events, but determined to end the haughtiness of the erstwhile king, he faced him calmly with his Brahmadanda--holy staff--in hand. Mad with rage, Viswaamitra shot at him all the divine weapons he had acquired, but they were quenched as they approached the rishi's staff and were absorbed by it.

Viswaamitra had but one more weapon in his armoury, and that was the most powerful of all--the Brahmaastra.  As he hurled it against Vasishtha the world became wrapped in gloom as in some huge  eclipse, and the very immortals trembled with fear. But the terrible astra itself was merged in the rishi's staff, making both it and the holy man glow with the glory they had absorbed. 

Viswaamitra stood dazed. Openly accepting defeat, he said: "Of what use the Kshatriya's might in arms? With but a staff in his hand, this Vasistha has nullified all my weapons. Lord Siva has indeed fooled me. There is no alternative for me but to become a Brahma Rishi like Vasishtha."So saying, he withdrew from the field of battle and proceeded south for more rigorous tapas.

For years and years Viswaamitra went through terrible austerities. Pleased with his perseverance , Brahma presented himself before him. Advising Viswaamitra that, as a result of his tapas, he had risen to the position of a rishi among kings, Brahma vanished from the scene.

Viswaamitra was disappointed that all his penance could get him only the status of Raaja Rishi. Not content with any thing but the highest --the rank of Brahma Rishi--he subjected himself to still more rigorous austerities in order that he might be acknowledged an equal of Vasishtha.

Contd..next.

BHAGAVAD-GITA

1-31

I do not see how any good can come from killing my own kinsmen in this battle, nor can I , my dear Krishna, desire any subsequent victory, kingdom or happiness.

1-32-35

O, Govinda, of what avail to us are a kingdom, happiness or even life itself when all those for whom we may desire them are now arrayed on this battlefield? O Madhusudana , when teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law  and other relatives are ready to give up their lives,  and properties, and are standing before me,  why should I wish to kill them , even though they might otherwise kill me? O maintainer of living entities, I am not prepared to fight with them even in exchange for the three worlds, let alone this earth. What pleasure will we derive from killing the sons of Dhrutharastra? 

Contd..next. 

పోతన భాగవతము

1.10

ఆమె అమ్మలందరికీ అమ్మ. ముల్లోకాలకూ మూలమైన ముగ్గురమ్మలకూ మూలమైన అమ్మ. అందరమ్మలకన్నా అధికురాలైన అమ్మ. మ్రుక్కిడులైన రక్కసి మూకలను ఉక్కడగిెంచిన అమ్మ. నమ్ముకొన్నవేల్పుటమ్మల నిండుగుండెలలో నివసించే అమ్మ, దయాపయోనిధియైన మాయమ్మ. దుర్గాభవాని మహత్త్వ కవిత్వ పటుత్వ సంపదలను నాకు ప్రసాదించాలి. 

మిగతాది..తర్వాత

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