DEIVATHIN KURAL # 150 (Vol #3) Dated 18 Nov 2009.

DEIVATHIN KURAL # 150 (Vol #3) Dated 18 Nov 2009.
(These e-mails are translations of talks given by Periyaval of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over a period of some 60 years while he was the pontiff in the earlier part of the last century. These have been published by Vanadi Padippagam, Chennai, in seven volumes of a thousand pages each as Deivathin Kural. To day we are proceeding from page 679 of Vol 3 of the Tamil original. The readers are reminded that herein 'man/he' includes 'woman/she' too, mostly. These e-mails are all available at http://advaitham. blogspot. com constantly updated.

47. There is a word 'Raja Bhogam' meaning, Royal Enjoyment. The Kingly families have a right to eat all varieties of meat and drink liquor. Even they have observed the Ekaadasi Vratam quite sincerely with evident discipline. When you think of Ekaadasi, you cannot forget Ambarisha and Rukmaangada. There is a Sloka that is to be thought of, early in the morning on waking up, with a cool mind, about venerable Bhagavata-s, that is, people known for their high intensity of devotion.
"prahlaada naarada paraasara pundareeka
vyaasa ambarisha suka sounaka bishma taalpyaan I
rukmaangada arjuna vasishta vibishanaadeen
punyaan imaan parama bhaagavataan smaraami II"

48. The two names of Ambarisha and Rukmaangada are included here based mainly on the observance of Ekaadasi Vrata. King Rukmaangada required all the citizens of his State observe the Ekaadasi Vratam because of which, they were all highly advanced devotees of God, rid of the normal human fallacies and frailties. This is mentioned in the Narada Purana. Not only the high strata of society, people from the lower rungs too became famous due to their keeping Ekaadasi Vratam. Kaisika was a Sudra devotee of such merit that, one of Ekaadasi-s came to be known by his name as, 'Kaisika Ekaadasi'!

49. Names of Ekaadasi. In a year since there are 365 days, normally there will be two in each month making a total of 24 Ekaadasi-s and in some years there will be 25 of them. In Padma Puranam seperate names are given for these 25 Ekaadasi-s, the method of observance, and those who benifitted by such action.
Danur (Mrgasirsha) month it is called the 'Utpatti Ekaadasi' to start with. Next in Sukla Paksham, it is the 'Moksha Ekaadasi'. It is this day on which the ocean of milk was churned and the Amirta the Nectar of immortality was expressed. So also, on this day Krishna is said to have given Gita Upadesa to Arjuna on the battle field of Kurushetra. It is celebrated as 'Gita Jayanti'. Third is the Saphala in the month of Thai Krishna Paksham. Next is the 'Putrata'. Fifth is 'Shatthila'. Then are 'Jaya, Vijaya, Aamalaki, Papa Mochanika, Kaamada, Varudini, Mohini, Apara, Nirjala,' respectively. Bhima observed complete fast without even water during this 'Nirjala'. So far 14 Ekaadais-s are over with this Sukla Paksha Ekaadasi in the month of Aani.

50. 15th is the Aadi Krishna Paksha Ekaadasi called 'Yogini'. In the next Sukla Paksha Ekaadasi, Maha Vishnu is said to go to sleep, starting the Chaatur Masya Vratam, called the 'Sayani'. This is followed by 'Saamika' and 'Putrada' (this name is a repetition), Aja, Padmanabha, Indira, Papankusa and Rama', till which Vishnu continues to sleep. In the 24th, that is the Krishna Paksha Ekaadasi in Kaartika, he wakes up. That is called 'Prabhodini'. Next day the Chaatur Masya Vratam is complete. The 25th one that comes at times is called 'Kamala".

51. Thus we should all observe these Ekaadasi Vratam-s so extolled in our religion. Instead of simply fasting, it should be done in the true spirit of 'Upa Vaasam', that is, 'living with God'! For this purpose throughout that day and night, we should read the purana-s, chant the sloka-s, sing bhajan-s, do dhyana, listen to Hari Katha Pravachanam-s, and spend all the time in such activities, by applying body, mind and heart! Thus we should inhere Bhakti, Gnaana and Vairagya; that is Devotion, Knowledge or Awareness and Dispassion, there by achieving the purpose of our being born in this world.

52. Let Us Attain to Poornatvam. On Vaikunta Ekaadasi, Maha Siva Ratri, Gokula Ashtami, Rama Navami and such days, if we people born in this country, do not observe Vratam by controlling our mouth, body and mind, it will be shameful to our existence. Our wholeness lies in being mentally happy even if our stomachs are only half full. I Pray to God to bless us with such an attitude of satisfaction and completeness (poornatvam).

53. Like medicine for diseases, food should be taken as a counter for hunger. I mentioned earlier that food is to be taken for satisfying ones hunger and not for the prevarications of ones tongue, as told to us by Adi Sankara. There is one difference between other diseases and this disease of hunger. If you apply a balm for head ache, it disappears. Then it occurs only some other day, much later. So also with fever and other ailments. But with hunger, it occurs again and again, three times a day or even more. Thus God orders the nature to keep testing us. It is an honour for us to pass this test and gain the prizes of good health and self ennoblement.

54. Our clarity of purpose is important. We visit some friends or relatives. They offer something to us, that may be taboo for us because of our observing a Vratam. At that time we should not deviate from our intended path just so as not to hurt them or oblige them. We should be able to say a firm 'No' in all humility, without making a big show of it, simultaneously without compromising our principle! Our behaviour could be an example for them.

55. Looking at how meticulously the widows in Bengal observe this Ekaadasi Vratam, we should carry home a lesson or two! Out of necessity, the bengali brahmins do include the fish as part of their diet. These widows do not eat fish even on normal days as a self imposed discipline. They observe this Ekaadasi Vratam so strictly that, not a drop of water is consumed. In summer it could be very hot like in an oven. Despite the parched mouth and throats, they refrain from drinking water. There were deaths due heat stroke. Still there was never a compromise.

56. Looking at the pathetic state of affairs, socially concerned people called for a meeting of knowledgeable Pundits to see if there were any ameliorating provisions in the Saastraa-s, for some relief to these widows in terms of acceptable bevarages! But No! The widows declared in no uncertain terms that, come what may, they will not drink water or any other drink. "You can bathe us. Pour water in to our ears. Still we will not drink even a drop of water, during the Vratam," they said.

57. We should never accept defeat that, we are not able to control the tongue. Adam fell down from his exalted position by eating the forbidden apple, they say! Similarly, we should not eat any of the items forbidden in our Saastraa-s. When subjected to temptation, we should ask ourselves as to whether this taste is going to last! After a few minutes the taste is lost, instead of lasting. It does not remain in the tongue. Is it going to stay in the tummy for ever and make us rid of hunger permanently? No! All control is self control. All discipline is what is imposed on our selves, by our selves only! Discipline imposed by others will not lost long!

58, I pray to the God Almighty, to give us this sense of understanding!

Sambhomahadeva.