STORM AND CALAM

 RAMAYANA

This explanation calmed Lakshmana for a while. But soon his anger boiled up again. He said: "Very well, then. This is the work of fate.  Fate, I grant, is the cause of our step-mother's sudden folly. And I am not angry.with her .  But are we , on that account, to sit still and do nothing? It is Kshatriya dharma to overcome evil and establish justice. 

A hero does not bow down before the fate. Having announced Raaama's coronation by beat of drum to the town and country, the treacherous King invokes some old forgotten boon and orders you to go to the forest. Is it manly to call this fate and obey it meekly? Only cowards go down under fate. Heroes should oppose and vanquish it. I am no weakling to yield to fate. You will see today the might of a hero matched against fate. I shall tame the mad elephant fate and make it serve me.

I shall banish to the forest those who conspired to banish you.  If you wish to visit the forest for a change, you can do so later.  The proper time for it will be when you have reigned as king for many years and then entrusted the crown to your sons. That was the way of our ancestors.  If anyone question your kingship now, I stand here to annihilate him. 

"Are these two shoulders merely for beauty? This how, these arrows and this sword hanging on my side, are they mere decorations? Or do you think they are theatrical equipment put on for show? I await your orders.  Give me the word and test my prowess."

Raama gently  pacified Lakshmana's rage which was flaming up into a conflagration. " As long as our parents are alive," said Raama. "it is our duty to obey them. I cannot dream of disobeying my father. It is our prime duty to do his bidding and enable him to fulfill his pledge. What joy is there in getting a kingship after insulting our parents and slaying Bharata, the embodiment of dharma?"

And he wiped with his hand the tears from Lakshmana's eyes.  When Raama did this , Lakshmana grew calm. For the affectionate magic of Raama's hand could work wonders.

Contd..next. 

BHAGAVAD-GITA

9-9

O Dhananjaya, all this work cannot bind Me.  I am ever detached from all these material activities, seated as though neutral.

9-10

This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kunti, producing all moving and non-moving beings.  Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.

9-11

Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be.

9-12

Those who are thus bewildered are attracted by demonic and atheistic views. In that deluded condition, their hopes for liberation, their fruitive activities, and their culture of knowledge are all defeated.

Contd..next

పోతనభాగవతము

1-85

"కఠోరమైన వ్రతాలెన్నో చేపట్టాను. వేదాలను విభజించాను. అగ్నులను అర్చించాను. ఆచార్యులను గౌరవించాను. శాస్త్రోక్తాలైన కర్మలను ఏమాత్రం లోపం లేకుండా నడుపుతున్నాను. వేదాల్లోని అర్ధాన్నంతా మహాభారత రూపంలో వెల్లడించాను. ఈ రూపంగా  స్త్రీ శూద్రాదులు తమతమ ధర్మ కర్మాలు గుర్తించేటట్లు చేశాను. ఇంత చేసినా అదేమో కాని నా అంతరాత్మకు సంతోషం కలగటంలేదు. నా మనస్సులో ఉన్న పరమేశ్వరుడు సంతుష్టుడు కానట్లే తోచుచున్నది. హేతువేమిటో? అన్నీ చేసాను కాని హరికీ, హరిభక్తులైన పరమ హంసలకూ  అత్యంత ప్రియమైన భాగవత స్వరూపాన్ని చెప్పటం మాత్రం మరచిపోయాను. ఎంతపొఱపాటు చేసాను! ఎంత తెలివి తక్కువ పని చేసాను! ఎంతటి విస్మ్రృతి పాలయ్యాను." అని వ్యాసమహర్షి విచారిస్తూ కూర్చున్నాడు. 

మిగతాది..తర్వాత.

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