Sri Hanumanji – An Island of bliss

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

Sri Hanuman

On this auspicious day I offer my praanams to Sri Ramachandra and invoke His blessings for the welfare of creation. Blessed are we to be given an opportunity in this birth to glorify and worship Him. It filled my heart with peace and indescribable joy to be immersed in a divine mood as we worshipped Sri Rama and unpacked the wisdom of eternal happiness locked in His life story, the Ramayana.

This blog takes root in last week’s edition when the discussion centered upon desire as being the central cause of our anxiety, sorrow and suffering. Our minds have become a container of desire and other vices which inevitably displaces the divinity, allowing our minds to become yodhya (place of despondency). Essentially the Lord cannot live side by side with these adharmic qualities. We ourselves have sent Rama to exile from within allowing Ravana or the asuric qualities to plot a successful coup of our mind.

By taking the Ramayana under review during this period I was quite intrigued about one character in this epic who seemed to be totally unaffected by the variables of unhappiness that plague us. He seems to be in a perpetual state of ananda from start to finish. This unusual phenomenon, if it may so be termed, summoned a deeper excavation into His life for better understanding.

Under the microscope of many thought circles, Sri Hanuman is presented as one of the central and important components of the Ramayana giving emphasis and meaning to Sri Ramakrishna’s idea that God can only be attained through sincere and one-pointed devotion. This inextricable relationship between Sri Rama and Hanuman holds a special place in the annals of Hindu Dharma exposing devotion (bhakti) as the soft spot of the divine.

What still picks at my curiosity though, in what seems to be an evolved society, is the relevance of having the ape army and especially Hanuman play such a pivotal role in Sri Rama’s life. There is no doubt purely from a literary point of view, the character of Hanuman is extremely lovable and especially draws attention to the younger ones, making this epic appeal to audiences across all spectrums.

We find that the defining factor between the animal kingdom and humanity is the faculty of discrimination or viveka.  The ability to differentiate between right and wrong elevates man to the top of the evolution table. Hence the greatest victory that man can celebrate is the gift of a human birth which provides a portal for self realisation. 

Unable to control our senses and apply this viveka, man has essentially lived like an animal which purely lives to eat and procreate. The inability of man to utilise his discrimination stems from the overwhelming control that desire and attachment through the senses has on his being. The thirst for instant gratification intensifies with his attachment to the material world, thus spinning a web of suffering and pain around him.

Sri Hanuman burns Ravans Kingdom

In drawing a parallel between ourselves as man and Sri Hanuman as a monkey - what is it that allowed Sri Hanuman never to be captured by this web? Even when the snares of maya tried to bind Him in the confines of materialism, He broke loose and destroyed it with the fire of knowledge that God alone is real. This is clearly illustrated by the incident when Ravana tries to tie Him up in his palace (representing materialism). He then broke loose; after which they lit fire to His tail which He used to burn down most of Lanka.

I recall one instance when Swami Vivekananda said He wished He could undo all the secular learning he undertook. This type of education has inflated our egos alone and does nothing to nourish our spirituality. It has become the fertiliser that feeds our desires.  Many make decisions using the ego instead of their viveka, landing them in unwanted territories.

Master Sri Ramakrishna said that when you clap your hands, birds that are perched on a tree fly away. In a similar manner when we joyously sing the name of God and clap our hands then the birds of desire and other vices fly away.

That was the secret of Sri Hanumanji! That is why whilst the rest, including Rama, lived on the main land of attachment resulting in pain and sorrow; He was always on the island of peace and joy. Despite being an ape which is normally devoid of discrimination, Sri Hanuman possessed immense strength, intellect and discrimination because every cell of His being was immersed in ‘Raam-Naam’, leaving no void for desire or any other negative tendency. That name - Sri Ram -  which enabled rocks to float, or Him to fly, resonated with thunderous proportions within Him. He was so immensely absorbed in Raam and becoming one with Raam. It was Raam Himself living as Hanuman.

That is what the character of Sri Hanuman teaches us: Irrespective of who you are - like how Valmiki the thief became a saint - when you immerse yourself completely and  surrender unconditionally to the Lord, then there is no distinction between you and the Lord; both become one. Then, all your thoughts, all your actions are that of the Lord Himself.

Sri Ramakrishna said: “If we can weep for God the way we weep for material possessions, then God shall and definitely manifest before us”. I can find no better practical example of unalloyed single-pointed devotion to God or His Master like that of Hanumanji to Sri Rama and Swamiji to Sri Ramakrishna. That is the only ingredient for success and joy.

May Sri Rama and Sri Hanumanji guide , protect and inspire us always is my sincere prayer.

With love and prayers always

Yogan

Triple Play

Triple Play

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

There are occasions that present an opportunity for us to reflect and sometimes question the rationale behind many things that happen. Friday was one such occasion, being the new year of the Telegu and Hindi community. The wonderful accompaniment of unpacking the philosophy of the Ramayan in the midst of this introspection gives us an alternate view on the events that compile our life.

In projecting the spotlight on the landscape of the past, present undulating waves of happiness and sorrows can been seen making up this very confusing portrait of our so called existence. Why can we not maintain the state of happiness throughout our lives? Who is behind the brush of this portrait? In moments of grief and pain we find it so easy to lay blame on God – “this is your entire fault and I hate you for this.” These are some of the emotions that frustrate us and make us so despondent of life.

Upon reading the Ramayan, many people are pleasantly surprised and like me driven to tears to read how even Lord Rama had to undergo so much of pain and anxiety on account of His relationships with various people. It is quite apparent from studying the Ramayan that everybody is prone to suffer from this alternating happiness and sorrow.

The cause of which is the ignorance of this manifested creation to the ‘Triple play’. To many who are in the ICT sector, the term refers to the convergence of voice, video and data over a single medium allowing users to utilise all applications at the same time. There is a force in the universe that governs every manifested particle and every manifested particle is subjected to its law.

I refer to the process of Srishti, Stithi, Vinashanam - the process of creation, sustenance and dissolution - which is constantly taking place at the same time, all the time. In essence this means that nothing that is manifest is forever. That which came into your life yesterday, can be here today but will be gone tomorrow. There are no guarantees in life irrespective of promises made.

In the absence of knowledge of this triple play, we desire for certain things in life with the thought of clinging to it for eternal joy and happiness. Resulting from this desire, attachment arises. In the Ramayana Sage Valmiki beautifully illustrates how through desire how an entire chain of events lead to the suffering of so many people destroying even an entire kingdom.

I think we have answered both our questions thus far. The reason we cannot maintain eternal happiness is because we attach ourselves to the world which is not permanent (subject to triple play). The hand behind the brush is none other than the self. We have the ability to make the portrait of our existence a joyful experience.

Extracting incidents from the Ramayan, we come across three incidents of desire that lay the foundations through which the plot unfolds. The first being that of Queen Keikei to install her son Bharat as the King of Ayodhya over Rama, leading to His father having to banish Him to the forest for fourteen years. This is followed by the desire of Suparnakha to take Rama as her husband, thus infuriating Lakshmana provoking him to cut off her nose. And lastly, we find in the pursuit of his sisters revenge, Ravana having a desire to make Sita one of his consorts. All three incidents are triggered by desire of self pleasure; and although bringing some sort of instant pleasure at the time, undoubtedly returns to draw all of them into pits of unending misery.



Shree Rama -
 The King of Ayodhya



The Ramayana through the most poetic language of its authors explains to humanity that when the mind which is rooted in desire it cannot enjoy the finest pleasures of the world. We clearly see that in the fourteen years that Shree Rama was not in Ayodha the kingdom was thrown into darkness and grief with a continuous flow of tears. In Lanka - Ravana, despite living in a Golden Palace with riches innumerable, could not have even a decent sleep without the thought of being slayed.

Revered Maharaj Swami Vimokshananda in one of His discourses explained that yodhya in Sanskrit means pain, sorrow and suffering. When we root our lives in desire for sense pleasure and material enrichment the divine leaves like how Rama left for fourteen years. That beautiful bustling kingdom of colour and joy is turned into yodhya a place of perpetual mourning and unhappiness (the kingdom also refers to your life).

In the absence of desire, the mind is freed from all bondage; the divine returns; and yodhya becomes ayodhya - a kingdom flourishing with joy, happiness and prosperity. This joy and happiness celebrated today across the globe as the festival of Deepavali. By lighting the lamp of knowledge, we remove the darkness of desire and attachment and welcome the reign of Rama Rajya - the term used to describe the wonderful period of prosperity and happiness under the rule of Lord Rama.

There is no one on this earth if questioned, will deny that they want a life of prosperity and happiness and the only way to do this is to install Shree Ram on the throne of your life. The prerequisite for such a coronation is simply to clear your mind and heart of all desire and attachment; base your life on righteousness and have one pointed devotion to God.

In concluding I believe none can put this subject in final perspective than Sri Ramakrishna when He said the following:

Divine Master
Shri Ramakrishna

Mother, here is Thy knowledge and here is Thy ignorance. Take them both, and give me only pure love. Here is Thy holiness and here is Thy unholiness. Take them both, Mother, and give me pure love. Here is Thy good and here is Thy evil. Take them both, Mother, and give me pure love. Here is Thy righteousness and here is Thy righteousness. Take them both, Mother, and give me pure love.

I mentioned all these, but I could not say: "Mother, here is Thy truth and here is Thy falsehood. Take them both." I gave up everything at Her feet but could not bring myself to give up truth.

The truth that Sri Ramakrishna speaks of is God - for it is God alone that is real, and immersing yourself in God alone will help you divert to a path exempt from alternating sorrow and happiness to one of constant eternal happiness.

May our lives become Ayodhya under Rama’s rule is my sincere prayer.

With love and prayers always,

Yogan

What makes us Human

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

As Hindus we are taught many customs and traditions which propound our teachings of the divinity within each and everyone. Like that, there is a custom which states: Atithi Devo Bhava (treat all guests as God); another says to always make some kind of offering (money, flower, water) at a temple; and to take some offering when visiting a Swami.

A visit to the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa will give one an ideal opportunity to experience Indian hospitality at its highest level. I have always left the Ashram with a huge dose of spiritual energy and a waist size bigger.

The expansive heart of Swami Vimokshananda also ensures that I never leave without a piece of literature which he would personally choose for me. In His divine wisdom, the books would always be relevant and seek to clarify doubts that would run havoc in my mind.

Saint Ramanuja

This week, with an affectionate smile He said: “Yogan, this is for you” as if well aware that I was pensively foraging for some idea to blog. He handed me a book on Sri Ramanuja and on the cover sat this giant of a saint whose life revolved around Narayana. At this point I was overwhelmed with joy as upon reading the last blog, a dear friend remarked, ‘I don’t want to hear about India, please tell me about Father (meaning Narayana).’ It was as if Swamiji and the Lord heeded the call of my friend and decided that this week I shall speak of Narayana’s glory.

Coming from a dark past of oppression and enslavement as a country, we celebrate Human Rights Day on 21 March 2012 - the celebration of a democratic country which operates on a constitution that speaks to the rights of every citizen. The South African constitution is lauded as one of the most progressive in the world enshrining basic human rights as the cornerstone of our democracy.

But as I sit and glance at the world, my mind immediately runs aground confused  at a vast number of  people all over the world fighting for or celebrating achieving human rights, but act contrary to human beings. I think in order to understand why I say this I should maybe define what I see as a human being.

I recall once when Pujya Swami Sahajananda of the Divine Life Society narrated a parable. We often say that man evolved from apes. The parable went on to echo the thoughts of the ape distancing itself from current man stating the following reasons. It does not leave its parent in a home when old; it does not get drunk and beat its wife; it does not murder its kinsmen for wealth. It goes on making these comparisons and finally declares that man cannot be a relative of the ape. The parable sounded quite hilarious at the time, but upon reflection, I realised how profound a statement it made.

Against whom then can we benchmark the ideal human being or for that matter how a human being should behave. On Friday, Hindus throughout the world will start the 10 day celebration of unpacking and discussing the beautiful scripture the Ramayana which accentuates and chronicles the life of the great Lord Rama. This festival culminates with the birth celebration of Shri Rama, who is an incarnation of Narayana.

Sri Rama the ideal brother

I cannot find a more perfect example of a human being than Him. The all merciful Narayana, out of infinite love for His children took this avatar on earth to live amongst man and be the living practical example of perfect divine living.

Those characteristics and qualities that saints and scriptures speak off and implore upon us to live can be found in the life of this giant among men.  As described by Sri Thulsidas oozing with boundless love and devotion: Bhaju deenbandhu dinesh danav-daitya-vansha-nikandanam, Raghunand anandakand koshalachandra dasharath-nanadanam.

The Lord is said to be the friend of the poor; the ideal and perfect son; and a darling of society.

Drenched and overly endowed with compassion, love, truthfulness, respect and righteousness; He is able to carry out His life as a beacon of  hope and divinity for humanity maintaining this even in the midst of the greatest challenges.

Many of you may sit back and have a nice laugh thinking that such a Rama is impossible in this Kali Yuga based on the way society has evolved in competition to the Iron Age.

There is a Rama within each and everyone of us. That is what religion has to do; it has to help you to unearth that Rama and manifest it in your character. Sri Ramanuja gives the following advice that will give impetus to this journey.

He said:

Have sincere faith in the teachings of great Archaryas

Never be slave to your senses

Be not satisfied with worldly knowledge, read the scriptures

Learn to treat all your feelings with indifference

Devote at least an hour of the day for inner contemplation

He who has truly surrendered himself to God should never worry of his future, to do is hypocrisy.

In this earth; find by careful discrimination your friends, enemies and the indifferent. God is your friend. Those who hate God, your enemies and the worldly-minded are the indifferent.  Always seek the company of those absorbed in thoughts of the divine.

If as parents you can adopt these teachings and ensure that you hand these to your children ensuring that at all times they are reared in an environment bombarded with divinity, spirituality and positive inspiring thoughts, then the world can be populated with Ramas. Thus will commence the age of Rama Rajya - a world of peace and love populated with divine beings.

As we celebrate Human Rights Day and Ram Naumi, let us all fight for that ultimate right to be with our father universal - the prince / princess of this creation. I also wish Hindi and Telegu friends and readers a blessed New Year on Friday.

May Lord Rama inspire and guide us is my sincere prayer.

With Love and Prayers Always

Yogan

India - A Magnificant Search Light

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

India – a magnificent search light

Having returned from India a few times now, I have mentally prepared myself to the one question that many put forth upon meeting me on arrival. Has India improved in any way? I think what people fail to realise is that at face value India is like any other country with its multi-faceted challenges.

Yes, there is crime, suicide, poverty, etc. but also enormous development and economic improvements. Essentially, India is hard at work trying to meet the demands of its population like other developing nations of the world. But what is that ‘X-factor’ that attracts millions of people to her shores annually.

Deep in the heart of India runs an artery of spiritually oxygenated blood that pulses at various points with immense energy. These oases release energy of cosmic proportions giving much solace and peace to thirsty aspirants. It’s no wonder then, that despite the long arduous journey, millions of children answer the calling of Mother India to be suckled with her eternal amrith of ananda.

I consider myself blessed to have shared that soil with Gods, Saints and Sages who have done immense tapasya and sported many leelas on the vast geography of Bharat. She definitely presents herself as a magnificent search light under whose illumination one is able to find the self within the context of this creation.

My pilgrimage always starts with a visit to my Gurustan to pay my respects and make pranaams to my Guru. For this, I find myself in the heart of Kolkata the former capital of the British Empire. This state, acclaimed for producing Nobel laureates and world class thinkers, can consider itself most blessed for being host to The Holy Trio (Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda); Mother Kali and Ma Ganga. Kolkata is a sangam of spiritual consciousness. My first Shivarathri on the bank of the Ganga painted a new scene of tranquility and peace against the backdrop of my turbulent mind.

It was within this solitude that I understood the grace that flowed in these special oases that helped connect one to the super highway of spiritual consciousness. But that is just what it is, a junction or interchange. There is ultimately more to the journey than just the physical presence in a particular place.

The answers for these types of questions come to those who are brave enough to veer of the conventional framework of thoughts and ideas and latch onto inspirations from great thinkers like Swami Vivekananda in establishing your own idea, based on your experiences, devoid of weakness and superstition.

Golden Dome at Tirumala

It was at Thirumala, the earthly abode of my father Narayana - the all pervading one - that I collected the idea that the means to the ultimate goal is a process of evolution. Like the different avatars punctuate the journey from Thirupathi to Thirumala, I realised that my journey was to evolve to any understanding beyond this material existence. Through this material form, I could only perceive the Lord created out of the material elements. How can I see Narayana as He pervades this creation? With the limited faculties, the limitless cannot be seen.

My next port of call allowed me to munch on this revelation: Thiruvannamalai - the abode of Shiva and the home of the Arunachala Mountain. Here, hundreds of pilgrims, and thousands during special days circumambulate this mountain as a sadhana. This is known as girivalam. I undertook this girivalam at 04:00am, completing the 14,4km route with much contentment.

Mount Arunachala

It was during these 3,5 odd hours of sadhana, visting the 8 asta-lingams consecrated by Sage Agastyar and reflecting on the mythology that Shiva appeared here as a column of limitless light, I realised that my journey to Narayana has to be undertaken in the limitless form. This was a difficult task considering my name is not Mahadev.

Passing through Madurai and taking the dharshan of Mother Meenakshi in Madurai, I finally found myself at Kanya Kumari, a beautiful fishing town found at the cape of India and the home of Mother Kanya Kumari. However this place rose world fame after the great monk Swami Vivekananda graced its shores and meditated upon a rock, which legends say was the same rock the Mother did tapasya to Lord Shiva, for 3 days and nights.

Vivekananda Rock at Kanya Kumari

This sangam of 3 seas also plays host to a unique phenomena, where one can witness both sunrise and sunset in the same town. Hundreds gather each morning and evening with cameras and eagerness on their faces to watch Surya ride his chariot above the horizon and return to rest after a days work.

It was here that I myself after some contemplation understood with vast India behind me that as the sun rises and sets at this one point, that we are all created of that same divinity. As Surya Bhagawan rises in Kanya Kumari and sets in Kanya Kumari, that we all have come from God and will have to return to God. When Swamiji said “arise the sleeping millions to the divinity they are”, I understood, that in this form of mine there is a formless, and I am that formless that merely occupies this body. Shivoham - I am Shiva - pure , eternal and full of bliss. It is only because I identify myself with this body that I encounter all the limitations of world.  As Swami Vimokshananda so aptly deduced during His discourse at the Shree Veeraboga Emperumal Temple a week back; life is this journey where many have embarked without the slightest knowledge of the destination. But with the knowledge that I am divine, and that I am Shiva, I know that my only home is Kailas. Thanks to Mother India for shining the light of knowledge on me.

 With love and prayers always

Yogan 

The Fragrance of Life

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

Right up until I placed my head on my pillow last night, a cloud of uncertainty with regards to today’s topic hung over my head. This overcast condition left me rather confused, as usually by Thursday I would have had some inkling on the topic of discussion. Never to disappoint though, Swamiji lifted these grey clouds with a breeze of inspiration.

Alighting from my deep slumber in the early hours with the peculiar thought of flowers, I realised that it was my brief. At that moment, it was essentially a higher grade assignment - the daunting task of writing an entire blog on flowers. Indeed, we all realise that Hindus have utilised flowers as a significant part of their rituals and worship. Flowers adorn murthis, frames and doorways of temples and homes. On a basic extraction of the idea, we can allude that they contribute to the visual and scent stimulation of our senses, placing us in a good mood to begin worship.

During this month of Thai, many of us would have had a visual feast in the versatility of flower decorations especially during the Kavady period which has an unusual thirst for its use. I am still immersed in the beauty of the alangaram of the Divine Mother by our temple priest  on the final Thai Friday prayer. The wonderful array of flowers carefully selected and strung in the most exquisite garland for the Mother invokes such adoration and admiration in one’s pooja.

But I fail to believe that the significance of the flower in pooja is limited to just these two applications. Upon tapping on Swamiji’s door for a deeper significance; at once a flow of thought gushed upon me. In continuing the stream of ideas from last week on the important and wonderful festival of Maha Shivarathri, I recall an interesting mythological story that can provide a different dimension to our quest.

Once in the heavens, after creation, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were having an argument. The argument centred upon who was greater than the other. In the midst of this intense argument, a huge column of light appeared which had no beginning or end. The brilliance of this light was phenomenal. At once, Lord Vishnu saw a solution to the predicament that arrested them both. He suggested that they set out in two directions in search of the beginning or end of this light and the one who returns victorious, shall take the title of being the greater one.

Instantly, Lord Brahma became a swan and started upwards whilst Lord Vishnu became a boar and went downwards. As time passed, their endeavour become futile as the expanse of light seemed to progress towards infinity in both directions, and with fatigue and irritation digging at Lord Brahma, He was about to end His mission when He caught glimpse of a ketaki flower falling down. Upon enquiry, it relayed to Him that it adorns the head of Lord Shiva and had fallen from His head.

At once, a devious plan was conjured in His head. He convinced the flower to lie to Lord Vishnu that He had been to the top and had brought the flower as proof of His conquest. The flower  agreed and they both descended to Lord Vishnu and relayed the above tale. Lord Vishnu simply refused to accept this, and in that instant the light took the form of Lord Shiva and proclaimed that for being so devious Lord Brahma shall not be worshipped on earth as famously as the other Gods and that the ketaki flower shall not be utilised in worship.

Tree in full Bloom

We are all essentially like flowers on the tree of creation - beautiful and fragrant in our own way. Like the ketaki with a golden complexion, we all radiate with unique divine qualities. The other day, I was driving past a beautiful avenue of trees in full bloom which surely would have attracted a glance from every passerby. Yesterday as I drove past the same way, I noticed how half of them have wilted and dried up.

We too have a limited lifespan on this earth. We could choose to be attached to the world and die like the flowers on the tree; or like some flowers utilise our life in the service of the Lord by adorning His body and bringing  joy and cheer to the sick and sad. Intrinsically, the flower is a very selfless being - it does not discriminate between anyone and equally releases the same fragrance and beauty to whoever comes into contact with it.

Keta of the word Ketaki means desire in Sanskrit. When one is overwhelmed with desire and greed in this world; examples abound where people have compromised their intrinsic divine qualities like truth, love, compassion and righteousness with aim of meeting their desires. Shocking as it may be, some have even murdered their family and friends for wealth.

A Shiva Lingam Adorned with Flowers

As beautiful and famous as you may be, when you neglect to uphold the basic values of being a human being, you are not worthy to be of use for the Lord. Allow yourself to be detached of the world and yet living in the world. Selflessly give your beauty and fragrance of love, truth, compassion and righteousness to God and all His creation.

May you become a flower worthy to adorn Lord Shiva on the auspicious night of Maha Shivarathri is my sincere prayer.

With Love and Prayers always

Yogan

Society- Boon or Bane

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

Man has often been referred to as a social animal arising from his obsession to mingle and be in the company of others.Mass use of social networking sites and the unprecedented boom in the telecommunications sector give overwhelming evidence in favour of this theory. This inclination has given rise to an order which has made societies the superior vena cava of existence.

The sense of community and support system derived from such a platform has lent many positive thoughts and elements to one’s development, but it may have also been the greenhouse for many of the base characteristics bearing fruit now.

On a broad level though, the mass mobilising and solidarity within the framework of a community has sparked many a revolution and renaissance over the years. This collective is virtually underestimated and underplayed in its ability to significantly influence the mental and psychological tendencies of an individual.

We have become trains on the rail tracks of society and you have to conform to the tracks for fear of being derailed. This fear has compromised the intrinsic value system of many and has shifted the moral baseline out of existence.

Public school offers a mosaic of experiences to people; and young malleable minds often take a beating from bullies – pretentious, wealthy and ego-inflated bodies which have tempered them into the persons they are now. The root of envy, hatred and jealousy can often find their source from experiences in the early impressionable stages of our life. This continues even in the grown-up stage when as adults, one is unable to stomach the progress of another; becomes jealous; and develops envy and hatred whilst becoming extremely competitive to keep up with the “Jones’s”.

It was a wonderful editorial written by Chief Editor Siva Naidoo in the local tabloid The Makhulu News that touched on how parents should get more involved with the schooling of their children. Parents often think their jobs are done simply by getting the child to the school. However, placing a child unshielded within the environment of a school can either make or break their personality. The child should be equipped and shielded with the DNA of our dharma which comes with a matrix of core values and morals that define him a human being. Often without this configuration, man only has a human body but behaves like an animal.

Nataraja- Shiva in Motion

February is often celebrated as the month of love, playing host to Valentine’s Day. Many shopping malls and town squares turn red, adorned with hearts and icons of love. In the midst of this great jamboree of love, rises a festival like an edifice of hope that sheds inspiration for our problems.

The great night of Shiva, Maha Shivarathri takes centre stage across all three worlds, paying homage to the great Lord Shiva. Normally steeped in deep meditation and at times raged with fire and dance as Rudra and Nadaraja for the benefit of His devotee and the universe.

Maheshwara as He is also commonly known gives us two techniques to interact with society so that we may live in community with much pleasure.

Lord Shiva drinks the poison

When the churning of the ocean took place, many good things came out and were taken by the devas. But when a pot of poison came out which was detrimental to everyone and nobody was willing to take it, they all summoned Lord Shiva through prayer. Shiva, who is always there at His devotee's side in times of need, willingly drank the poison, and that remained in His throat which became blue, hence the name Neelakanta (blue-throathed one).

The Lord demonstrates through this action, that society may churn out many good and bad things. People may praise you or hurl abuse at you. We should all be Yogis, or as Shree Krishna in the Bhagavat Gita says “stithaprajnas”. We should not be moved by good or bad. We must maintain a neutral stance. And like Lord Shiva, never digest the poisons of society - take it and hold it in the throat so that our well being is not affected.

In another incident, Daksha the father of Sati alienated Himself from her because against His wishes she wanted to marry Shiva whom He regarded as a dirty ascetic roaming aimlessly in the company of ghouls and goblins.

He was performing a huge yajna and with intent excluded Shiva and Sati from the ceremony. Sati felt a huge urge to attend this powerful prayer. She consulted Her husband on the matter and He gave the advice that one should not attend a function if you were not invited. Disregarding His advice, She attended anyway. Upon arrival, She was livid to see how Her husband had been humiliated and disrespected, as all the other Gods and Goddesses were there except Shiva.

Unable to handle this, She immediately threw herself into the fire, killing Herself. This episode teaches us a very important lesson. We should never force ourselves into any circle of friends or social circles where you are not welcome or not invited. In doing so, you will need to comprise your values and principles to fit in and ultimately will only lead to your own pain and suffering.

If someone or people don’t want to interact with you or people speak ill of you, be like our great Shiva Perumaan, take it all with a smile and keep it in your throat. Never degenerate to hate, envy and other base values. Show love and compassion always. Find joy and peace within yourself. Become your own best friend.

In this month of February, may we prepare ourselves with care to affix our personalities with the qualities of Shiva and utilise this practically to make our existence auspicious and sublime is my sincere prayer.

With love and prayers always

Yogan