The Steps Of The Temple #FridayReflections #SoCS

Update - my post was chosen as the featured post. Thank you Write Tribe

picture prompt at the Write Tribe.

Myra stood rivetted at the scene in front of her. There was something vaguely familiar which perplexed her as she had never been here before. Perhaps she had seen a picture somewhere or perhaps her mind was imagining this was familiar as she held the brochure in her hand.  The tour guide was explaining something so Myra turned her attention to him. But that nagging familiar feeling would not leave her.

Mirabai sat on the steps of the temple with tambura (musical instrument) in hand. She had dedicated her life to her beloved Lord Krishna. She would sing devotional songs to Him. People came from near and far to listen. Her poetic verses and the soothing sound of her tambura would put people into a trance like state. There was a feeling of divinity associated with her. The people felt the presence of the Great Spirit when Mirabai sang.

"This was the temple dedicated to Lord Krishna where Mirabai would sing her devotional songs" said the tour guide. "It is said that one day Mirabai walked into the temple and disappeared" he explained. "The people believe that the Lord Himself came to take her. All they found was her tambura at the feet of the idol of Lord Krishna" he continued. 

Myra felt a chill go up her spine. As they turned to leave, Myra heard the faint sound of the tambura. "Did you hear that" she asked her friend. "Not dreaming again are you Myra", her friend teased. Myra was silent, but the sound of the tambura filled her ears. "I need a sign" she prayed silently.

The little boy tugged at her skirt, a peacock feather in hand. He held it out to her. "10 paise" he said quietly. As she handed him the coin, the little boy grinned. "The tambura is blissful is it not?" he whispered.

 Written for:
#FridayReflections at The Write Tribe - Picture prompt
#SoCS - stream of consciousness - no editing - prompt Coin.

Sometimes prompts just fire up the imagination. Both prompts did that and got the thoughts flowing.



Warm Regards


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Wishful Thinking #BarAThon

As soon as I saw this prompt the song Wishful Thinking by Jim Reeves came to mind:

Wishful thinking daydreams fly

Happy visions fill the night

Untold memories fade to blue

While my heart aches just for you

Oh I would walk a thousand miles

I'd walk the seven seas

I'd come to stars in the Milky Way

Or leaves upon the trees

To see the twinkle in your eye

The devil in your smile

Hold your had touch your lips

For just a little while
(sung by Jim Reeves)

And that reminds me of Meerabai.

Meerabai sat in front of her beloved Krishna and sang the poems she composed about Him: "Mere to Giridhar Gopal dusro na koi" (For me it's only Lord Krishna and no one else).

She had dedicated her life to him. And singing to Him brought her the greatest joy and bliss. 

There was this knowing within her that her beloved Krishna was always by her side and that she shared a unique, special and eternal bond with Him. She knew that someday He would come for her.

The people thought her fanciful ideas were simply wishful thinking. The Lord doesn't just come because you call. But Meerabai steadfastly sang her devotion to her Lord.

It is said that one day Meerabai walked into the temple and vanished. It is believed that in the end her beloved Krishna came to take her to His Spiritual Abode.

source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mirabai_and_Krishna.jpg

I believe that when we wish sincerely with a pure heart, with true devotion and love and if our wish benefits many, our prayers are always answered.

Lord Krishna says that the way to reach Him is only through love and devotion.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMtPn6-fjq0


I am participating in the Blog-a-rhythm Blogathon. A 7 day blogging festival. 
I am with Team #CrimsonRush
Day 6 prompt is Wishful Thinking



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Fragile Lives #BarAThon

I'm really struggling with the prompts on this BarAThon.

This prompt somehow brings negative thoughts into my mind, but I want to write a positive spin on this. So again  I'm going to just let my fingers fly across the keyboard and let them take me where this post is meant to be.

I've written about this story before but for some reason I am compelled to write again so here it is again.

25 years ago one afternoon while we driving down to do our grocery shopping, the song "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison was playing on the radio and I was singing along. 

Just as the song ended, the car had a complete mechanical meltdown. The steering wheel locked, the accelerator jammed, the brakes failed and we were on a curve on the motorway. There was nothing we could do but to let the car go. It kept veering fast, crossed 2 lanes, crashed into a high bank and flipped over 3 times. 

As we were racing towards that bank, I heard this voice, loud and clear, that we should relax and roll with the car not resist the roll, and that all will be well. I remember saying calmly to my daughter "We're having an accident, roll with the car. We'll be ok".

The car was completely smashed and if you had seen it you never would've believed we came out of it alive let alone without a scratch on us. And it amazes me to this day how calm I was through the whole thing. I actually counted the rolls.

Life can be so unpredictable and change in an instant. But though life can be so fragile, I do believe that we are never alone.  

I have always believed that My Sweet Lord was with me that day who saved us, held us in His arms, protected us, reassured us and comforted us and kept me calm in what were the most terrifying moments of my life.

My sweet Lord

I really want to see you

Really want to be with you

Really want to see you Lord

But it takes so long, my Lord

My sweet Lord

I really want to know you ...

Here's a link to my earlier post that describes my moment of realization of My Sweet Lord.


Share a moment when life felt so fragile and yet something good came of it.


I am participating in the Blog-a-rhythm Blogathon. A 7 day blogging festival. 
I am with Team #CrimsonRush
Day 3 prompt is Fragile Lives

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Stranger Than Fiction #BarAThon

My mother was in hospital about 2 weeks ago. She suddenly took ill. I thought she was having a stroke but thank goodness it was ruled out.

She had just entered the house and suddenly became incoherent and was unable to stand. Just the thought that this could have happened while she was driving scares me. But I am sure Universal forces brought her home safely.

And ever since then my youtube recommendations have come up with kirtan music.  Perhaps the Universe is beckoning me as well.

Do the worlds outside our world, that vast cosmos fascinate you? Do you feel those Universal forces?

I have been meditating for years and now and then I connect with Divine forces. Sometimes I get a glimpse of something that is beyond human comprehension.  Sometimes I feel loving energies around me. And lately having taken to kirtan I am able to reach that moment of peaceful ecstasy more often than not.

I am certain that the Great Spirit, the Divine calls us to reach that place of bliss. How that occurs is a mystery but when it does it is a feeling sublime. He and His ways are truly stranger than fiction and yet we follow Him with unwavering faith and devotion.

Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

By whatever name you call Him, may you all feel that bliss when He calls.

If you haven't tried kirtan before I highly recommend it. Check these out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP623hMbAIA 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LdNrXaoT24


I am participating in the Blog-a-rhythm Blogathon. A 7 day blogging festival.

I am with Team #CrimsonRush

Day 1 prompt is Stranger Than Fiction.

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Ultimate Dinner Party Guest List - #MondayMusings #MicroblogMonday

The I Must Confess prompt for this week is My Ultimate Dinner Party Guest List. I am going to choose those who are still alive in this world rather than those that have passed on. So here goes ...

The Dalai Lama - I have heard so much about the Dalai Lama. Those who have had the privilege of meeting him tell me there is such a spiritual air about him, a divine aura, such a sense of happiness and peace. I want to bask for a moment in that Divine Energy.  

Deepak Chopra - I read his book Synchrodestiny many years ago and every word resonated with me. I love this book and I'd like to hear his philosophies first hand. I believe that books find me and this was no exception. I had heard a lot about his books but they were so expensive and somehow didn't ignite any interest. Then one day browsing through a table of discounted books I chanced upon Synchrodestiny for a throwaway price and all because someone had put a felt pen mark on the cover. I not only loved the title but I was so drawn to it I had to buy it. Never regretted that decision.

Dr Brian Weiss - I am fascinated by his books and his theories of past lives, future lives and lives in between. Only Love Is ReaI is one of my favourite books. I would love to get a more comprehensive view of his theories and to have a deeper understanding of the other side. Perhaps a past life regression session might be tempting too.

Helen Clark - Head of the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and former Prime Minister of New Zealand. I have a great admiration for her. During her tenure as PM when so many countries gave in to pressure from the US, she stood firm that New Zealand would not participate in any war not endorsed by the United Nations. It was obviously not a popular stance with the US who declared you are either with us or against us. She was unfazed by these threats and resolute in her decision.  And my admiration for her grew. Someday I would love to work for the UNDP or at least in humanitarian services in global aid programmes particularly in the arena of children. Who better than Helen Clark to point me in the right direction.

Richard Gere - He is one of my favourite actors. But it his affinity to Buddhism and India that fascinates me. I'd like to find out about his spiritual evolution.

Krishna Das - An American vocalist of Hindu devotional music (Kirtan). He is an amazing singer and his music can put me into a meditative state. He sings with so much love and devotion. An evening of Kirtan with him would be the icing on the cake. I love his Heart as Wide as the World cd (you can listen to some song clips via that link).

Would love to know your guest list. Share yours in a post and link it to I Confess #IMC - Ultimate Dinner Party Guest List or just leave your list in the comments.

Also linking to:
#OpenSlather
#MicroblogMonday
#MondayMusings


Warm Regards


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UBC Jul 24 - Success Is Uniquely Defined

Ultimate Blogging Challenge  and  NaBloPoMo - Day 24

Success is defined uniquely by each person. Strive to attain yours not someone else's.

image from my facebook page Suzy's Ilation

Each individual uniquely defines success. There is no one standard benchmark for all human beings.

We have all come into this world with our individual purpose. Trying to achieve success as defined by another individual is a sure way to fail.

Set your own benchmark for success and then strive to achieve it rather than trying to achieve someone else's.

This Gujarati song written by the poet Narsinh Mehta (1414 – 1481) (Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn) sums up success for me very nicely.

Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye je        One who is a Vaishnav (true devotee of God)
Peed paraayi jaane re                         Knows the pain of others
Par-dukhkhe upkaar kare toye      Helps those who are in misery
Man abhimaan na aane re                Without letting pride enter his mind
     
Sakal lok maan sahune vande        Tolerates and praises the entire world
Nindaa na kare keni re                        Does not censure anyone
Vaach kaachh man nishchal raakhe     Keeps his/her words, actions, thoughts pure
Dhan-dhan janani teni re                   The mother of such a one is blessed

Sam-drishti ne trishna tyaagi          Sees all equally, has renounced greed & avarice
Par-stree jene maat re                        Respects women as he respects his own mother
Jivha thaki asatya na bole                 Never speaks a false word
Par-dhan nav jhaale haath re           Never touches the wealth of others

Moh-maaya vyaape nahi jene            Does not succumb to worldly attachments
Dridh vairaagya jena man maan re    And is detached from worldly pleasures
Ram naam shoon taali re laagi           Is intoxicated by the name of God (Shri Ram)
Sakal tirath tena tan maan re             All holy sites of pilgrimage are embodied
                                                                          within him/her

Van-lobhi ne kapat-rahit chhe           Who has no greed and deceit
Kaam-krodh nivaarya re                       Who has renounced lust and anger
Bhane Narsaiyyo tenu darshan karta    The poet Narsi would like to see such a one
Kul ekoter taarya re                                By whose virtue, his/her entire lineage
                                                                          attains salvation
     
Youtube - Vaishnav jan to

This song always reminds me of my dad and my paternal grandmother. This was their life. I was privileged to have known two amazing souls and I miss them both.

Wish you success in all you do - however you define it.

Warm Regards


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Devotion and Dilemma

Written for
The Write Tribe 100 words prompt - How do I tell her him about you
The letter D at ABC Wednesday - A story depicting Devotion and Dilemma


It should've been a day of happiness and excitement, of new beginnings and love. It was her wedding day and it should've been a joyful one.

Instead she sat in the temple room in front of her beloved Giridhar Gopal and gazed at the serene face whose bansuri filled her soul with eternal bliss.

How could she love another for she had dedicated her love to him, locked him in her heart and placed her life at his feet.

Tears filling up her eyes, Meera joined her hands together and prayed. "My Lord, how do I tell him about you?"

image source: google images

Giridhar Gopal = Lord Krishna
bansuri = flute


Have a blessed day.

Drop by my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, post a link there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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Warm Regards

 

UBC Day 30 - She Looked Most Beautiful

Day 30 Ultimate Blogging Challenge 
Written for: The Write Tribe 

She looked most beautiful

Like a golden sunset

Like a fragrant meadow

Like a graceful gazelle

Like a blooming rose

Like a gentle breeze

Like a swan gliding idly

Like a tranquil blue sea

Like a heartfelt melody

Like softly falling snow

Like an enchanting story

Like a glorious rainbow

She looked most beautiful

My mind was in turmoil

Radiant and irresistible

My soul was in joy

With her enchanting smile

My heart she did melt

And as I beheld her eyes

True bliss I felt

image source:  google images

Some days ago I wrote a poem on Sita's view of Lord Rama. So I guess it's only fair that I do a post on Lord Rama's view of Sita. And this prompt was just perfect for that.


Have a day filled with peace and love

Drop by my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc,drop a link there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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Warm Regards

Unexpected Priceless Treasure

Updated - It is a WOW post - check out others here

Written for:
The Write Tribe Treasure prompt
The letter U at ABC Wednesday
Blogadda WOW - Surprised

I'm not much of a gardener, but today the garden patch beckons. It is a brilliant day. Warm, not a cloud in the sky, a gentle breeze is blowing.  So gloves and spade in hand, ipod clipped to my shirt, I skip out to dig up that little corner and plant those seeds.

There seems to be a rhythm to my digging and for the first time I am actually enjoying the notion of gardening. There is heightened anticipation, as if I am onto something marvellous and a song in my heart, as if I am in flow with the Universe.

Then my spade strikes something hard. It won't budge. So I drop down on my knees and begin loosening up the dirt with my hands.  Quickly moving it aside, I find a little box, a little treasure chest.

I gently prise it out of the dirt and look at it in wonder. A part of me eager to open it a part of me hesitant at what I might find. Surprisingly for a treasure chest, there is no latch.  For an instance I think that's pretty odd but then shrug my shoulders and slowly lift the lid.

Wonder turns to astonishment as I am surprised to see a parcel with my name on it. It looks old like it had been buried in the chest for thousands of years. I untie the string and carefully remove the wrapping. Inside I find a piece of paper with a few lines scrawled across it.

For a fraction of a moment disappointment sinks in and then a thought comes into my head. Maybe these are clues to something and I love a puzzle! So I start to read:

"Forgiveness is not an action, it is a state of being"

"Happiness is not a pursuit, it is a state of being"

"Love is not something one gives or an emotion one feels, it is a state of being"

"Perfection is not something you strive for, you are already in a state of perfection"

"Peace cannot be found, it comes from total surrender"

"Total surrender cannot be piecemeal, it must be complete, all together, in every aspect of your life, in every moment of your life"

"And when you understand and know all of these, and when you dwell in them with every breath you take,
Then, and only then, you are Sat-Chit-Ananda 

(absolute truth, all pervading consciousness, bliss)

At first I frown, deep in thought and then my eyes light up for this is the message of the Universe and the essence of Spirit. And I read them again and again and again, and the meaning of each line takes shape at last. 

Oh what a treasure I have found. What a gift; unexpected, unimaginable, and infinitely priceless.

~x~

A few days ago I met up, over Christmas dinner, with some friends I hadn't met for years. Somehow I found myself sitting next to G and through our chit chat found that we are both on a similar spiritual path. The two of us got talking about the Universe and Spirit and G remarked that I looked different from the last time we met, like I was at complete peace with myself. We talked of forgiveness and love, of peace and joy, and many other things.

Over the next few days I pondered over our discussion and her remarks. And then one night, at that point when one is about to fall asleep, the words, written on that piece of paper in my story, came into my head. I've been analysing them these last few days, but that's for another day and other posts.

Then the "Treasure" prompt turns up at the Write Tribe, the letter U for ABC Wednesday, the Surprise prompt at Blogadda WOW and finally Jairam's guest post on Spirituality and Religion at Everyday Gyaan. And all of these collectively brought together my post today.

I am constantly amazed how the Universe brings together people who help each other on their spiritual paths, how it communicates with us and how it finds a way for us to spread its message. I am truly blessed. 

Wish you all a day when you find your treasure - the thing you desire the most.

Drop by and like my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if one of your posts needs some tlc, add it to the goodwill thread there so I can drop by and give it some love.

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Warm Regards and many blessings


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Write Tribe prompt - Imagine you were digging to the ground in the backyard of your new home to create a vegetable patch and  found a treasure chest.

 

Going Places - Shiva Yatra

I am taking part in the Write Tribe Festival of Words from September 1 - 7. The theme for this festival is "7" and mine is:

Going Places -  7 journeys I would like to take.

Having done a Krishna and Ram Yatra, my third journey will of course be a Shiva Yatra (pilgrimage or journey).

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati 

Lord Shiva is one of the Supreme Gods in the Hindu religion and is considered the God of Destruction. The concept of destruction often makes him a God to fear but he is a very misunderstood God as He is also very benevolent and supposedly easy to please. (What would I know, the Gods never seem to hear me!)

Lord Shiva is also known as Mahadev (Great God) and while he does have many benevolent forms, he also has fearsome forms (known as his Rudra roop).

Lord Shiva supposedly creates the Universe and destroys it both via his cosmic dance the Tandava. The Ananda Tandava creates and the Rudra Tandava destroys.

There are many temples and holy places in India dedicated to Lord Shiva, but my Shiva Yatra would consist of Varanasi (Kashi) - Allahabad - Rishikesh - Hardwar - Trimbakeshwar - Somnath

google maps - all places are approximate

Varanasi (aka Benaras and Kashi) is considered the holiest place in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and was supposedly created by Lord Shiva after the death of his first wife Sati.

Varanasi 

image from wikipedia

Allahabad's original name was Prayaga (place of offerings) and is referred to as Triveni Sangam (confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati). The Prayag Shrine is considered to be one of the Shakti Peeth's. When Sati died, Shiva was devastated and carried her body as he wandered around. Parts of it fell and these places are known as Shakti Peeths. These Peeths are considered very holy and powerful as they are also the union of Shiv and Shakti (Sati).

Prayag Temple

image source: google images

Hardwar situated on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttarkhand is known as the Gateway to Lord Shiva and is one of the 7 holiest places in India. It is considered to be the hometown of Sati and one of the places where drops of Amrit (elixir of life) accidentally slipped from the pitcher being carried by the Lord Vishnu's celestial bird Garuda. Hardwar is also considered to contain the footsteps of Shiva.

Har ki pauri - Footsteps of Lord Shiva

image from wikipedia

Rishikesh - I include this under the Shiva Yatra as this is so close to Hardwar. Rishikesh is also considered to be one of the holy places in India and is associated more with Lord Ram who was supposed to have meditated here on his life's purpose. Not sure now with the recent floods if this place is safe to visit.

Statue of a meditating Lord Shiva

image source wikipedia

Somnath Temple near Veraval in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. Jyotirlinga are shrines where it is believed Lord Shiva manifested and revealed himself as a column of light (Jyoti - light) to his devotees. Somnath means "The protector of the Moon God". It is believed that at Somnath Lord Shiva absorbed the curse placed on the Moon God and hence He wears the crescent moon on his head.

Somnath Temple

image source wikipedia

Trimbakeshwar Temple situated in the Nashik district of Maharashtra on the banks of the Godavari river is also one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines. While all other Jyotirlingas have Lord Shiva as it's deity, Trimabeshwar has the faces of the Tridev (3 Gods), Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the sustainer) and Lord Shiva (the destroyer).

Trimbakeshwar temple

image source: google images

Karpur Gauram Karunavataram |

Sansara Saram Bhujagendra Haram ||

Sada Vasantam Hridayaravinde |

Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami ||

The one who is as pure/white as a camphor
The personification of compassion
Who is the essence of the world
With the serpent king as his garland
Always residing in the lotus of the heart
 Oh Lord and Goddess (Shiva and Sati)

I bow to you both

(translation from wikipedia)

Join me tomorrow on my fourth journey.

My journeys so far:

Journey 1 = Krishna Yatra
Journey 2 = Ram Yatra

(my 7 journeys series can be viewed here )


Day 2 posts that I enjoyed
Mahabore's Surpanakha's lust for Rama  - from the Ramayana - how could I not enjoy this one.
Susan's 7 memories of her dad - a very sweet and touching post, a wonderful tribute to her dad.

Have a wonderful day.

Warm Regards


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Going Places - Ram Yatra

I am taking part in the Write Tribe Festival of Words from September 1 - 7. The theme for this festival is "7" and mine is:

Going Places -  7 journeys I would like to take.

Having "completed" my first journey with a Krishna Yatra, it's time for my second one and this time it's a Ram Yatra (pilgrimage or journey).

Ram and Sita

image source - google images

Lord Ram was the 7th avatar of Bhagwan (God) Vishnu and considered to be the most perfect human being that ever walked the earth. He was a paragon of virtue, a benevolent and merciful king, a dutiful son, a caring brother, husband and father, and a great warrior. Hence earned the title of Maryada Purushottama (the Perfect Man or Upholder of Limits and Morality or Lord of Virtue).

When I was little my grandmother would tell me stories of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and of other Gods and Goddesses.  I would sit riveted and each story brought me great joy. But Lord Ram was always my epic hero, who has since then lived in my heart. My favourite moment was when she would describe the meeting of Ram and Sita in the Pushpa Vatika (Garden of flowers) and how he broke Lord Shiva's dhanush (bow) at Sita's Swayamvar (choosing of a groom).

As per my Krishna Yatra, the purpose of this journey is to trace the steps of my Beloved Lord Ram. To feel his presence in the holy places, to imagine the life that he led, to perhaps relive the moment when Ram and Sita first beheld each other and when Ram held the bow aloft. To also understand the hardships and anguish he faced and to feel the excitement of the magnificent feats he performed. To feel that moment when my God annihilated evil and brought peace back to Earth. And to live in joy of His every moment.

The Ramayana is an epic that delights me each time I read it or watch it or hear it - I never tire of it. So just the thought of a Ram Yatra brings me indescribable joy and would consist of - Ayodhya - Janakpur (Mithila) - Chitrakoot - Panchvati - Hampi (Kishkindha) - Rameshwaram.

google maps - all places are approximate

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram is situated on the banks of the river Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh. Lord Ram was the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya of the kingdom of Kosala.

Ayodhya, birthplace of Lord Ram 

picture source Wikipedia

Janakpur (Mithila), is the hometown of Sita, Ram's wife who is believed to be the avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu's consort Goddess Lakshmi. In her earthly form, Sita was considered the daughter of the Earth Goddess Bhudevi and was found in a furrow by King Janaka of Mithila.

Janki Mandir at Janakpur (Mithila), Sita's homeland

image source Wikipedia

Chitrakoot, situated on the banks of the Mandakini river, currently straddles both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Lord Ram was exiled from his kingdom by his stepmother Queen Kaikeyki via 2 boons that were granted to her by King Dasharatha. Ram and his brother Lakshman, and Sita went into exile for 14 years and spent 11.5 years in Chitrakoot.

Anusuya Ashram that Ram, Sita and Lakshman visited during their stay in Chitrakoot

image source Wikipedia

Panchvati, situated on the banks of the Godavari River is in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. During their stay in Panchvati, Ravana, the Rakshasa (demon) king of Lanka kidnapped Sita and imprisoned her in the Ashok Vatika (garden) in his capital of Lanka (modern day Sri Lanka). Ram and Lakshman then travelled south in search of Sita.

Tapovan, Nashik 

image source: google images

Hampi (Kishkindha) situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river is the place where Ram met Hanuman, an ape-like humanoid, who helped him find Sita. Hanuman is considered to be the avatar of Lord Shiva and an ardent devotee of Lord Ram.

Kishkinda from Rishimyuk Parvat where Ram met Hanuman

image from Wikipedia

Rameshwaram, on the east coast of India in Tamilnadu, is the closest point to Sri Lanka. It is from here that Ram is believed to have built the Ram Setu (bridge) that connected India to Lanka. Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman and their vanar sena (monkey army) marched across the bridge to Lanka. Eventually Lord Ram killed Ravana, destroyed the Rakshasas and brought peace to the Earth.

Ram Setu 

Satellite image, Google maps

The festival of Diwali marks the end of Lord Ram's exile, the destruction of the Rakshasas and the beginning of the reign of King Ram known as Ram Rajya.

While Lord Krishna taught us the meaning of karma, Lord Ram through his life, taught us the meaning of dharma (right thought, speech and action, and duty).

Lord Ram, Ayodhya

google source: google images

Mangal bhavan amangal haari 

Dravahu su Dasharatha ajir bihari 

Abode of all goodness and the destroyer of all evil

Who played in the courtyard of King Dasharatha. have compassion for me.

Join me tomorrow on my third journey.

My journey so far:

Journey 1 = Krishna Yatra


Day 1 posts I enjoyed:
Preetilata's Meraki - love the theme and a new word to learn
Suresh's Save This Sinner - love the humour.

Have a Blessed day and check out some other  day 2 posts

(my 7 journeys series can be viewed here )

Warm Regards


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Going places - Krishna Yatra

I am taking part in the Write Tribe Festival of Words from September 1 - 7. The theme for this festival is "7" and mine is:

Going Places -  7 journeys I would like to take.

This wasn't as easy as I thought it would be but eventually I made a list and then culled back to the 7 that my heart truly rejoiced with.  And as I closed in on my 7, I was surprised that all 7 turned up in my beloved and beautiful homeland of India. 

I've always wondered what it must've been like to live in the times when the Gods walked the earth. And since I won't have the pleasure of experiencing that in this lifetime, the next best thing would be to visit the places where they lived and perhaps imagine myself in that time.

There is no particular order to my journeys, but as I'm also linking this post for the letter G at ABC Wednesday, my first is a Lord Krishna Yatra (pilgrimage or journey).

Krishna and Radha 

image source - google images

Lord Krishna was the 8th avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu one of the three Supreme God's in the Hindu religion.

Lord Krishna also lovingly known as Gopala (protector of cows), Govinda (one who enlivens the senses)  was born in Mathura and spent his childhood as a cowherd in Gokul and Vrindavan situated on the banks of the river Yamuna (a tributary of the Ganges) in the Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh. Thereafter he moved to Dwarka in Gujarat where he ruled for many years until his death.

Lord Krishna was also adored by the Gopis (cowherd girls) of Vrindavan with whom he danced. It is said that he would appear in front of each Gopi serenading each one separately. This was his Ras Lila (Divine play). The most famous of them was Radha who was the beloved of Lord Krishna. The Gopis were enchanted by the sound of Lord Krishna's bansuri (flute) and would dance while he played. Rather than a romantic twist, this was Supreme Bhakti (selfless devotion to God) and the Lord's equal love for all beings.

The Bhagavad Gita, the song of Bhagavan (God), the Hindu scriptures, was relayed by Lord Krishna via a conversation with Prince Arjun during the battle of Kurukshetra in the epic The Mahabharata. The Gita provides us with the teachings of Lord Krishna in particular the philosophy of karma. Kurukshetra is situated in the state of Haryana.

My Krishna Yatra would consist of  Gokul - Vrindavan - Mathura - Dwarka - Kurukshetra. But more than the worshipping part of the Yatra, my aim is to feel the spirits in the air, to hear the mesmerising sound of His bansuri (flute) and imagine the ras lila, to hear the comforting words of the Lord reassuring Arjun that He would return from age to age to protect the righteous, annihilate evil and re-establish dharma (right thought speech, action and duty).

And hopefully being there will transport me to that the time and place when my God walked the earth.

from Google maps - all places are approximate

Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna 

picture source Wikipedia

Vrindavan 

picture source Wikipedia

Dwarka - Dwarkadheesh Temple 

picture source Wikipedia

Prince Arjun and Lord Krishna (his charioteer) on the battlefield at Kurukshetra

image source Wikipedia

Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanir Bhavati Bharatha

Abhyuthanam Adharmasya Tadathmanam Srijamyaham.

Parithranaya Sadhunam Vinashayacha Dushkritham

Dharma Samsthapanarthaya Sambhavami Yuge Yuge 

Whenever there is a fall in righteousness and a rise of unrighteousness, I manifest

For the protection of the good, for the annihilation of evil and to re-establish righteousness, I appear millennium after millennium.

~Lord Krishna, Bhagavad Gita~

Join me tomorrow on my second journey.

Have a Glorious day and if you get some time drop by and visit the day 1 posts  and the letter G

(my 7 journeys series can be viewed here )

Warm Regards


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