Mantralaya-2001
(The pivotal role of the
Sougandhika and Panchavarna flowers)
Date : Aug 1, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Background
The pivotal role of the
Sougandhika and Panchavarna flowers in the destruction of evil and
demons on earth is detailed in Mantralaya (2001).
Meaning
In
this episode, let’s delve into how the Sougandhika and Panchavarna
flowers played a pivotal role in the destruction of evil and demons,
ultimately helping to cleanse the earth.
In an era imbued with
divine purpose, the avatars of Lord Krishna and the Pandavas walked the
earth with a sacred mission: to eradicate evil and bring balance to the
world. This was a period when the earth was overrun by countless
Rakshasas, malevolent beings whose presence threatened the harmony of
the universe. The epic Mahabharata unfolded as a grand divine play,
meticulously orchestrated by the Lord himself to create opportunities
for the annihilation of these dark forces.
One of the pivotal
events in this divine drama was the vanavasa, the exile of the
Pandavas. This period of exile was not just a time of suffering but
also a divine strategy, an opportunity for Bhimasena and Arjuna to rid
the world of many Demons/Rakshasas and their followers. During the
thirteen years of exile/vanavasa, the Pandavas embarked on numerous
adventures that significantly contributed to the cause of dharma.
During
one of these adventures, Arjuna ascended to Swarga Loka, the heavenly
abode of Indra, to spend time with the celestial king. Meanwhile, the
remaining Pandavas embarked on a sacred pilgrimage, a Tirtha Yatra,
which led them to the holy land of Uttara Badari Kshetra. It was during
their stay in this hallowed region that a remarkable event unfolded,
further illuminating the divine nature of their journey.
One
serene afternoon in Badari, Bhimasena and Draupadi were engrossed in
conversation. As they spoke, Garuda, the mighty celestial bird and
vehicle of Lord Vishnu, descended to a nearby lake. The sheer force of
Garuda’s swooping flight created a powerful gust of wind, causing
several “Sougandhika” flowers, known for their golden hue and divine
fragrance, to be dislodged from their stems. One of these enchanting
flowers floated gracefully through the air and landed near Draupadi.
Captivated by its beauty and fragrance, Draupadi expressed her desire
to have more of these exquisite flowers and requested Bhimasena to
fetch them for her.
Without hesitation, Bhimasena set off on his
quest to fulfill Draupadi’s wish. His journey to the lake was fraught
with danger, as he encountered numerous demons/Rakshasas who attacked
him in the form of wild animals. But Bhimasena, with his immense
strength and valor, vanquished these evil beings with ease. Eventually,
he reached the lake, only to find his path blocked by a formidable army
of Rakshasas known as “Krodhavashas.” These Rakshasas were led by the
evil Manimanta and were under the supervision of Kubera, the God of
wealth and one of the the guardians of the directions.
Undeterred
by the sight of the massive demon/Rakshasa army, Bhimasena boldly
approached the lake. The Rakshasas, recognizing his intent, challenged
him, insisting that he had no right to pluck the flowers without their
permission. Bhimasena, citing various shastras and principles of
dharma, asserted his right to take the flowers. When the Rakshasas
failed to engage him in philosophical debate, they resorted to
violence. A fierce battle ensued, with Bhimasena displaying his
unparalleled prowess in combat. Crores of Rakshasas fell before his
might, their evil extinguished by his righteous fury. The few who
survived fled in terror to inform Kubera of the massacre.
Kubera,
upon hearing of Bhimasena’s actions, recognized the righteousness of
his deeds and chose not to retaliate. Meanwhile, Yudhishthira, sensing
ominous signs of conflict, arrived at the lake. He witnessed the
aftermath of the battle and marveled at his brother’s strength and
determination. Bhimasena, having collected numerous Sougandhika
flowers, returned to Draupadi, who was overjoyed by his successful
quest.
Days passed peacefully, but fate soon presented another
challenge. A powerful gust of wind once again swept through the region,
this time carrying with it a few “Panchavarna” flowers. These flowers,
composed of five vibrant colors, were even more mesmerizing than the
Sougandhika flowers. When one of these flowers landed near Draupadi,
she was enchanted by its beauty and requested Bhimasena to fetch her
more of these magnificent blooms.
Bhimasena, ever eager to
please Draupadi, set off once more, this time towards Kubera’s palace.
His journey led him to a confrontation with Manimanta himself, who had
amassed a vast army of 3 Padmas (each Padma being several crores).
Despite the overwhelming numbers, Bhimasena, with his divine strength
and courage, easily defeated the Rakshasas, slaying Manimanta and his
followers.
News of this second victory reached Kubera, who was
deeply troubled. Under the influence of an asura, Kubera’s mind was
clouded with anger and he prepared to confront Bhimasena. However,
Yudhishthira, guided by a premonition and accompanied by Ghatotkacha,
arrived just in time. As Kubera approached, the asura’s influence began
to wane, and he recognized the righteousness of the Pandavas. In a
gesture of reconciliation, Kubera offered his friendship to Bhimasena
and Yudhishthira, inviting them to stay in his palace. The Pandavas
accepted his hospitality and spent several years in the divine company
of Kubera and other devatas, furthering their spiritual growth.
The
incidents of the Sougandhika and Panchavarna flowers provided Bhimasena
with divine opportunities to destroy countless Rakshasas, thus reducing
the evil presence on earth. These acts of valor and righteousness were
part of a larger divine plan that culminated in the great Kurukshetra
war, where Bhimasena once again demonstrated his unwavering devotion to
Lord Krishna by slaying many adversaries and restoring dharma.
Through
these stories, we see the divine interplay of fate, duty, and devotion,
and how the Pandavas, guided by the wisdom and grace of Lord Krishna,
played their parts in the cosmic order to uphold righteousness and
dispel darkness from the world.
Sri Krishna guided the Pandavas in Krishna’s mission to eradicate evil forces and establish the path of righteousness.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy described Lord Sri Krishna with profound devotion and theological depth. .
Supreme
Being (Paramatma): Sri Raghavendra Swamy described Lord Krishna as the
Supreme Being, the highest reality, who is infinite, omnipotent,
omniscient, and the source of all creation, sustenance, and destruction
in the universe. He emphasized that Krishna is the ultimate cause of
all causes, transcending all limitations of time, space, and form.
Embodiment
of Compassion and Love: Lord Krishna, according to Sri Raghavendra
Swamy, embodies infinite compassion and love. He is ever ready to
protect and uplift His devotees, responding to their sincere prayers
and devotion. This compassionate nature of Krishna is evident in his
various leelas (divine plays), where he interacts lovingly with his
devotees, such as the gopis of Vrindavan and his devotees in Dwarka.
Leela
Purushottama (Lord of Divine Play): Sri Raghavendra Swamy highlighted
the leelas of Krishna as significant aspects of his divinity. These
divine plays, including the Rasaleela, the lifting of Govardhana Hill,
and his childhood exploits in Gokul and Vrindavan, are not mere stories
but profound spiritual lessons that demonstrate his supreme power,
grace, and the bliss of divine play.
Protector of Dharma
(Righteousness): Krishna is portrayed as the upholder of dharma, who
incarnates to restore righteousness whenever there is a decline in
moral values and an increase in adharma (unrighteousness). His role in
the Mahabharata, particularly his guidance to Arjuna in the Bhagavad
Gita, is a testament to his mission of establishing dharma.
Teacher
of the Bhagavad Gita: Sri Raghavendra Swamy emphasized Krishna's
teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, where he reveals the highest truths
about the nature of reality, the self, and the ultimate goal of life.
Krishna’s discourse to Arjuna covers various paths of yoga—Karma,
Bhakti, and Jnana—and provides a comprehensive guide to living a life
of righteousness and spiritual fulfillment.
Sri Krishna as the
Ultimate Refuge: For Sri Raghavendra Swamy, Krishna is the ultimate
refuge for all souls. He encouraged his followers to surrender to
Krishna with complete faith and devotion, assuring them that the Lord,
in his infinite mercy, would grant them liberation (moksha) and eternal
bliss.
Infinite Beauty and Bliss: Sri Raghavendra Swamy often
described Krishna's form as infinitely beautiful and blissful. His
physical beauty, enchanting smile, melodious flute, and the divine aura
that surrounds him captivate the hearts of all who meditate upon him.
This divine beauty is not just physical but also reflects Krishna's
inner spiritual splendor.
In his numerous writings, hymns, and
discourses, Sri Raghavendra Swamy painted a vivid and reverent picture
of Lord Krishna, encouraging his devotees to cultivate deep devotion,
surrender, and love for the Lord, and to follow the path of
righteousness laid out by him
The devotion towards
Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple
and effective way to reach Sri Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE
GURUGALA"! “Those who have complete faith in this Guru will never be
disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||