Why Lord Krishna born only as a eighth child? not first.....?

Every deed which Supreme God does is for the welfare of others without any selfishness. Lord Krishna was himself Supreme Lord Vishnu (Poorna-Avatara) posing as human being lessening the weight of Mother Earth which was filled with numerous evil-demonic kings like Kansa prevailing at the time who needed to be punished in order to restore Sanatana Dharma. 

STORY OF SIX DEAD CHILD OF DEVAKI: 

The first 6 sons of Devaki were sons of Marichi. They once laughed at Sage Devala, as he was very ricketee. He cursed them to be born in Asura yoni. Hence, they were born as the sons of Kaalanemi who was the son of Hiranyakashipu's brother Hiranyaksha. They became known as Sadgarbha. They used to remain in the water at Patala loka performing penance to obtain immortality. Brahma granted them immortality. However Hiranyakashipu became angry at this. He did not like his brother's grandsons obtaining a boon from Brahma since he considered himself as the only worshipable person. Therefore, he cursed them to be born again and be killed by their own father. Accordingly, they were born as Devaki's children and were killed by their own father. Kamsa as Kaalanemi was their father in their earlier birth. 

Then what happened to the boon of Lord Brahma that they would be ‘unkillable’? The boon given by Brahma to be immortal and the curse given by Hiranyakashipu to be killed by their father were reconciled by Durga. To make this happen Narad muni went to Kansa after akashvani and feed this idea of “killing all” into his head. 

Actually, at the command of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga made the six of those sons of Kaalanemi to fall in deep sleep, retrieved their souls from those sleeping bodies and placed those souls in the womb of Devaki. Thus, King Kamsa killed six of his own sons of his earlier body. 

This mission of taking the souls from their bodies was called for because Lord Brahma had given the boon of unkillability to the six bodies of sons of Kaalanemi. But, curse of King Hiranyakashipu to all the six to get death at the hand of their father. kaalanemi had also to be fulfilled. While Kalanemi rebirthed as Kamsa, the sons of Kaalanemi took rebirth as the sons of devaki – with the souls of the sons of kaalanemi, even when their actual former bodies were still in the netherworld (Patala) ruled by Mahabali, the daitya king. Goddess Durga did these ‘special’ deeds to fulfill the contradicting boon-curse events. 

She had gone to Nether world (pataala-loka), to make the sons of Kaalanemi to sleep, extricated one after other soul from a each individual, placed that soul in Devaki’s womb. Thus Goddess Durga did for six times and Devaki delivered six times and Kamsa killed six of his own boys one by one as per the curse of his uncle Hiranyakasipu. As and when Kamsa killed a child, Durga used to take the soul of that boy to Patala, only to place its soul into the sons of Kaalanemi, only to make them alive once again. 

we have to remember that it was same as the travel of soul outside body (pare kaaya pravesham) done by saints like Sri Shankara, so much so, the body does not decompose even after the temporary travel of soul outside body, for a mission. Goddess Durga saw that the boon of Brahma to the six sons of Kalanemi has not come futile, nor the curse of hiranyakashipu went wrong. All the six remained unkillable in the older body, but killed by their father in a fresh body created for the purpose of undergoing the curse. 


STORY OF SEVENTH CHILD OF DEVAKI: 

In Rama Avatara, Laxmana (incarnation of Adi-shesha) had to obey every command of his elder brother Lord Rama since it is supreme dharma to obey the command of elders. One day, Laxmana complained about this to Rama that he has to obey everything (whether suitable or not according to him). To this, Lord Rama promised Laxmana that in his next incarnation when he shall not be restricted to maryada-limits, he will be younger to him and obey his command. Thats why, Adi shesha (Laxmana) took incarnation as SEVENTH CHILD of Devaki and as an elder brother of Lord Vishnu (Krishna). 

AND.....the EIGHTH AVATARA was himself the Supreme Lord Vishnu as Krishna....who posed outwardly as a normal human being to punish the wicked ones, to re-establish the Sanatana Dharma and to award Moksha to saintly or deserving ones. 

NOTE: Apart from numerous incarnation of Supreme Lord Vishnu, two incarnations (viz. Rama & Krishna) are considered as Poorna Avatara since in these two incarnations, Lord Vishnu himself descended onto Mother Earth (hence, known as "Svayam Bhagavan") and went back to his Supreme Abode, Vaikuntha with his own body after his mission to restore Sanatana Dharma was accomplished. 

Hari Bol!!

Prayer to Lord Shiva

 Shiva Linga Ashtakam Mantra Lyrics

Brahma Murari surarchita Lingam  (  I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Nirmala bhasita sobhita Lingam      (  Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,

Janmaja dukha vinasaka Lingam     (  Which is pure and resplendent,

Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam    ( And which destroys sorrows of birth.

Devamuni pravararchita Lingam   (  I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is

Kamadahana karunakara Lingam ( worshipped by great sages and devas, which destroyed the

Ravana darpa vinasaka Lingam    ( god of love, Which destroyed the god of love Which showers

Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam  ( mercy ,And which destroyed the pride of Ravana.

Sarva sugandhi sulepita Lingam     ( I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Buddhi vivardhana karana Lingam  ( Which is anointed by perfumes,

Siddha surasura vandita Lingam     ( Which leads to growth of wisdom,

Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam    ( And which is worshipped by sages, devas and asuras.

Kanaka maha mani bhushita Lingam  ( I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Paniphati veshtitha shobhita Lingam   ( Which is ornamented by gold and great jewels,

Dakshasu yajna vinashana Lingam    ( Which shines with the snake being with it,

Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam      ( And which destroyed the Yagna of Daksha.

Kumkuma chandana lepita Lingam   ( I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Pankaja hara sushosbhita Lingam     ( Which is adorned by sandal paste and saffron,

Sanchita papa vinashana Lingam     ( Which wears the garland of lotus flowers,

Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam    ( And which can destroy accumulated sins.

Devaganarchita sevita Lingam    ( I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Bhavair bhaktibhi revacha Lingam   ( Which is served by gods and other beings,

Dinakarakoti prabhakara Lingam    ( Which is the doorway for devotion and good thought,

Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam   ( And which shines like billions of Suns.

Ashta dalopari veshtia Lingam     ( I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Sarva samudbhava karana Lingam  ( Which is surrounded by eight petals,

Ashta daridra vinashana Lingam     ( Which is the prime reason of all riches,

Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam   ( And which destroys eight types of poverty.

Suraguru suravara pujita Lingam  ( I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is

Suravana pushpa sadarchita Lingam  ( worshipped by the teacher of gods,Which is worshipped

Paratparam paramatmaka Lingam   ( by the best of gods,Which is always worshipped by the

Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam    ( flowers,From the garden of Gods,Which is the eternal                                                                                                abode,And which is the ultimate truth.

Lingashtakamidam punyam         ( Any one who chants the holy octet of the Lingam,

Yat Pathet Shivasannidhau         ( In the holy presence of Lord Shiva,

Shivalokamavapnoti                   ( Would in the end reach the world of Shiva,

Shivena saha modate.                ( And keep him company.

Most important questions to ask yourself

Once there lived a king, he had everything he wished for, but one fine day three questions came across his mind. The questions were:

1. What is the most important time ?
2. Who is the most important person ?
3. What is the most important thing to do ?

He became pretty restless and to find out the answers he went to his ministers and asked the questions. The ministers after listening to his questions replied, “Oh, your holiness the most important time is the time you became king”. To his next question they replied, “You are the most important person because you’re the king” and to his last question they replied, “King please expand your kingdom it is the most important thing to do”.

But the answers he got didn’t satisfy him. Realizing this the chief minister got worried, as now his job was in danger, so he suggested the king to meet the sage who lives on the mountain at the edge of the kingdom.
The chief minister knew these questions are deeper questions and only that sage could answer them.

The next day the king goes along with his twenty soldiers and reached the mountain by the dusk. He thought it would be inappropriate to meet the sage with so many soldiers so he ordered them to stay there and started to climb alone. As he reached the top he got very tired, but somehow he reached the cave where the sage was meditating, so he waited for him to complete the meditation, but after a long three hour wait the sage didn’t wake up and thus king decided that he would spend the night there and in the morning he would ask the questions. So, he puts down his turban and sword and goes to sleep.

The next morning he wakes up with the sunlight streaming in the cave with beautiful bird song and fresh air. He gets up, rubs his eyes to see the sage is not there. So, he walks out of the cave and goes to the edge of the cliff to see the glorious sight, he could see his whole kingdom from there. He was amazed to see his glorious kingdom and the beautiful sight brings a huge smile on his face.
In his palace every morning was so different, the first thing he gets is bad news, all his ministers and spies would come and tell him what wrong is going on and tension…tension…tension!

But as he is standing there on the edge of the cliff and admiring his kingdom, his heart just connects and realizes that this is why he is the king, to serve all these people. Just then he realizes someone patting his shoulder, the king turns around to see the sage standing there, he has king’s sword pointing at him and looking deeply into king’s eyes and the sage says, “King, tell me, what is the most important time ? Who is the most important person ? & What is the most important thing to do ?”. These three questions hit the king and a twinkle comes into his eyes. The sage realizes this man has got it, so he puts the sword down and says, “king, now you can go and rule your kingdom.”

That’s the story!

Now you might be wondering, where are the answers ? You should deeply think about these questions. If you were the king what will you say, standing on the cliff, sage pointing the sword at you?

1. What is the most important time ?

All our concepts about time - past, future all that dissolves in the moment, there is only the NOW, all the thoughts vanished when the king saw the sword pointed at him. So, there is only the now, the present! everything else is a story and the quality of the story is the quality of our life.

2. Who is the most important person ?

Some may say jokingly, “The guy pointing the sword” or some may say, “yourself” and that’s correct, “the person you are with” is the right answer. But it happens upside down, when we are with someone we are preoccupied with ourselves, we are thinking about our own things, or what we are going to say & when we are on our own we think about other people. So, the most important person is the person you’re with. If you are own your own, you’re the most important person at that point of time. If you’re with someone, then that person is the most important person at that point of time.

3. What is the most important thing to do ?

Remember before the sage came, the king felt tremendous love and care for his kingdom.
The most important thing to do is to love and care, be more kind.Even Dalai Lama was asked, he said, “My religion is kindness” be kind to the people in your life.

Live in the present, give your 100% to the person you’re with and be more kind and caring. That’s all is needed in life.

Reflection

Reflection 

Rabindranath Tagore, in one of his beautiful stories has narrated 

about a beggar encountering a Celestial being. 

One day, by the side of a beggar, a golden chariot with divine being 

descended from the sky. The beggar thought that he was lucky and

would become rich. But to his surprise, the divine being asked him

for alms. Cursing his stars and out of disgust, the beggar took out

a small Piece of grain from his bag and offered it to the divine 

being.The whole day, the beggar was very unhappy that he had lost

a grain. Before going to sleep, the beggar opened his bag to see 

what he had collected throughout the day. To his great surprise, 

he found a piece of gold in the form of a grain. He immediately 

realized it was in return for what he had given to the Celestial 

being. He cursed himself for not having given all that he had in 

his possession.' 

Learn to give. 

The more you give the more will you receive in return;

if you hoard, it would only be for others. 

We are often brain washed into serving the "I." 

Can we wash our brains for serving the 'We'? 

To serve the 'We' is being creative. 

When we are creative, a great contentment arises. 

The acme of creativity is the flowering of 

consciousness. There is no fulfilment more satisfying than this. 

Life lived fully is a gift that we can offer to ourselves. 

There has never been, nor will there ever be, a gift greater than 

the gift of life. Share this gift with others. 

One of the services to humanity is to share the wise knowledge of living.

If we serve the universe, the universe will serve us. 

Let us experience the Law of Grace. 

Essential

An Excerpt from Swami Vivekananda: Essential 



How to Be Like Swami Vivekananda

"1. Face your fears. Once, while a wandering monk, Vivekananda was chased by a large group of screeching monkeys. He was running as quickly as he could when a monk instructed him: 'Face the brutes!' He stopped, stared at the creatures and they quickly dispersed. Use Vivekananda's experience as a reminder to face your own fears with the same courage rather than running away from fear.

"2. See God in every person you meet. Vivekananda said: 'The more I live, the more I become convinced every day that every human being is divine. In no man or woman, however, vile, does that divinity die.' Work to see all people that way.

"3. Lighten up. Many people take life so seriously and intensely that joy is squeezed out. Vivekananda was well known for his frequent laughter and his enjoyment of jokes. In fact, when asked about this, he said: 'I become serious sometimes — when I have a stomach ache!' Vivekananda could smile and laugh because he was constantly aware of God's presence in everyone and in everything.

"4. Wander. Vivekananda wandered all over India for several years, often starting a day without knowing where he would end up. Consider wandering by going for a walk in an area you don't know well. Follow a side walk or path without a destination or time frame. Permit the unpredictable to emerge. Just wander in order to explore and experience something fresh and new.

"5. Let more light in. Learn from people who worship differently than you. If you're a Protestant, have some conversations with a Catholic. If you're a Christian, read about what a Muslim believes and practices. An important part of Vivekananda's spiritual formation was studying and learning about religions other than his own Hindu faith. When you do this you will bring more light into your life. Here's how Vivekananda challenged listeners: 'We should be brave to open our doors to receive all available light from outside. Let rays of light come in, in sharp-driving showers from the four quarters of the earth.'

"6. Put your faith into action. Vivekananda noted: 'We need to have three things: the heart to feel, the brain to conceive, the hand to work.' Put your faith into action. When you see that someone needs assistance, help them. This was something Vivekananda always did. For example, after the Parliament was over, Vivekananda remained in Chicago for a few months. While there he often walked over to Lincoln Park, where he would sit on a bench and enjoy nature. Because he did this regularly, he became friends with a woman and her six-year-old daughter who also came to the park. One day the mother asked Vivekananda if he would mind looking after her six-year-old in the park while the mother quickly ran some errands. Without hesitation, he agreed. After that, the three met weekly in the park with Vivekananda providing child care, giving the mother time by herself to run errands.

"7. Find a spiritual teacher. For Vivekananda, his spiritual teacher was Sri Ramakrishna. For you it may be your priest, pastor, or rabbi. Or your spiritual teacher could be someone you don't know personally but whose writings speak to you. Find a spiritual teacher and learn as much as you can from him or her. If available, read a biography of your teacher.

"8. Meditate. Ask yourself, 'Am I managing my mind or am I being managed by my mind?' Vivekananda taught that meditation brought wisdom and that lack of meditation brought problems. 'The reason why a criminal is a criminal is not because he desires to be one, but because he does not have the mind under control and is therefore a slave to his own conscious and subconscious mind, and to the minds of everybody else.'

"9. Expand your social circle. Too often our circle of friends is made up of people who are like ourselves. Expand your social circle by getting to know people who are not like you, who don't see the world the way you do. Engage them in conversation and listen carefully, compassionately. Vivekananda did this during the years he was a wandering ascetic. He met and learned from people who were poor, wealthy, educated, uneducated, men, women, children. It was a highly formative period of his life.

"10. See Christ the way Vivekananda did. Vivekananda was troubled by much of the ritual and pageantry connected to Christian worship services. He felt they were pompous displays which had little to do with Christ, whom he viewed as a sannyasin, a world-renouncing monk who taught the love of God, love of self, love of neighbour and that the 'kingdom of God is within you."