As a part of my annual sacred recitation of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana, which usually starts on the Birthday of the Scion of the Ikshwaku dynasty - Ramanavami, yesterday i read through the portion where Valmiki takes the center stage.
I shall not go into the lengthy story of the Sage and his intense penance, his role in the sacred epic etc, one must be knowing the story, else can be read on some very good illustrative websites.
Reading Ramayana for the past three years or so, i must mention that each iteration of the recitation has been as fresh and as new as the first one, with the very same verses and stories carrying a different flavour and understanding.
I wanted to share this understanding, as i felt it would be worth, and of help to some one some time.
Vishwamitra - meaning the Universal Friend - a very powerful and charming, a very " Leo " type of charecter appears in the first Canto of the book - the Baala Kanda.
Vishwamitra is responsible for Rama's visit to the forests, where in Rama acquires a lot knowledge and wisdom about various aspects of life. Numerous stories, often moral stories, adventurous, spiritual, in nature are narrated to Rama by Vishwamitra.
As the trio, Vishwamitra, Rama, Lakshmana pass through the forests, Rama inquisitively enquires about the specialities of numerous places and sites that they see on the way. These stories are really wonderful, and worth reading for anyone who loves reading stories and classical literature.
For the specific purpose of protecting Yaga, Vishwamitra initiates Rama to Bala and Ati-Bala mantras, that carry the potency to confer strength and vigour without the need of food for days together. He also confers Rama with most powerful artillery and Astras - weapons that take charge when invoked by specific mantras including Bhramastra - the ultimate missile ever made.
Vishwamitra is the one who takes Rama to Mithila, where Rama strings Siva's Bow, an episode that culminates with the sacred wedlock of Rama and Sita.
On the entire scale of Ramayana, never Vishwamitra appears again, after taking leave from the august assembly of the marriage party after profusely blessing the new couples.
summary: He is responsible in securing Rama all the weaponry that Rama would be needing in the battle against Ravana, and also is key in fixing the alliance between the Families of Surya and Videha.
Ok, now where am i heading towards?
While was ruminating on this, I realised, that indeed, I too had several Vishwamitras ( Universal Friend's Manifestation) in my life.
They come for a specific purpose, for which a 'friendship' is built for a span of time and when cosmic purpose is fulfilled, disappear.
I used to wonder, if we have become adults, where our careers, and personal matters are at a higher priority than once all important friendhip - this is possibly partially true, but a more complete truth is - irrespective our realizing or not, they have come, played their appointed role and have left. So did we in their lives. It is mutual.
I believe in a universal connection - relation - and all of us are connected, and subtly related. This relation is not a function of our being aware of it or not. It exists, and we - all we know today - have been together for may past births.
It is just in this life, at an appointed time, one of our cosmic connection appears, plays the part - for our spiritual / cosmic elevation.
Wish-wah-mitra - an expression, wah for the wish fulfilling mitra (Universal friend)
How true, yet oblivious.
The results of Recitation of Ramayana are many. Such insights and reflections are a few of the many spin offs.
If u happen to read the entire lengthy essay, do post your comment.
I shall not go into the lengthy story of the Sage and his intense penance, his role in the sacred epic etc, one must be knowing the story, else can be read on some very good illustrative websites.
Reading Ramayana for the past three years or so, i must mention that each iteration of the recitation has been as fresh and as new as the first one, with the very same verses and stories carrying a different flavour and understanding.
I wanted to share this understanding, as i felt it would be worth, and of help to some one some time.
Vishwamitra - meaning the Universal Friend - a very powerful and charming, a very " Leo " type of charecter appears in the first Canto of the book - the Baala Kanda.
Vishwamitra is responsible for Rama's visit to the forests, where in Rama acquires a lot knowledge and wisdom about various aspects of life. Numerous stories, often moral stories, adventurous, spiritual, in nature are narrated to Rama by Vishwamitra.
As the trio, Vishwamitra, Rama, Lakshmana pass through the forests, Rama inquisitively enquires about the specialities of numerous places and sites that they see on the way. These stories are really wonderful, and worth reading for anyone who loves reading stories and classical literature.
For the specific purpose of protecting Yaga, Vishwamitra initiates Rama to Bala and Ati-Bala mantras, that carry the potency to confer strength and vigour without the need of food for days together. He also confers Rama with most powerful artillery and Astras - weapons that take charge when invoked by specific mantras including Bhramastra - the ultimate missile ever made.
Vishwamitra is the one who takes Rama to Mithila, where Rama strings Siva's Bow, an episode that culminates with the sacred wedlock of Rama and Sita.
On the entire scale of Ramayana, never Vishwamitra appears again, after taking leave from the august assembly of the marriage party after profusely blessing the new couples.
summary: He is responsible in securing Rama all the weaponry that Rama would be needing in the battle against Ravana, and also is key in fixing the alliance between the Families of Surya and Videha.
Ok, now where am i heading towards?
While was ruminating on this, I realised, that indeed, I too had several Vishwamitras ( Universal Friend's Manifestation) in my life.
They come for a specific purpose, for which a 'friendship' is built for a span of time and when cosmic purpose is fulfilled, disappear.
I used to wonder, if we have become adults, where our careers, and personal matters are at a higher priority than once all important friendhip - this is possibly partially true, but a more complete truth is - irrespective our realizing or not, they have come, played their appointed role and have left. So did we in their lives. It is mutual.
I believe in a universal connection - relation - and all of us are connected, and subtly related. This relation is not a function of our being aware of it or not. It exists, and we - all we know today - have been together for may past births.
It is just in this life, at an appointed time, one of our cosmic connection appears, plays the part - for our spiritual / cosmic elevation.
Wish-wah-mitra - an expression, wah for the wish fulfilling mitra (Universal friend)
How true, yet oblivious.
The results of Recitation of Ramayana are many. Such insights and reflections are a few of the many spin offs.
If u happen to read the entire lengthy essay, do post your comment.
a new and sensible way to look at it!!
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