Dusshera celebration in our society

Every year, on the day of Dashami, we feel sad because the immersion of Ma Durga pratima takes place on that day. We all feel the pain of separation while sending Ma Durga back to Kailash. DD Bangla airs daily puja performed by Ramkrishna Mission Belur from Shashti tithi to Dashsmi Tithi. Thus we watch the darpan visarjan ritual from Belur Math, which officially ends the puja rituals for this year. Then we do pranaam to the elders of our house and they bless us along with sweets.

During this time, National television channels air the last part of Ramleela. Ravan Vadh takes place at the end of this performance. We also watch that on television while feeling the happiness of the winning of goodness over evil.

  This year, on the day of Dusshera, our society arranged a short Ramleela where some of the children of our society enacted a few important scenes from Ramayan. I was very happy to watch all our loving children acting in various roles in the Ramleela. We were motivating them with clapping. At the end, Ravan Dahan took place. We all were there in the crowd witnessing the burning of the effigy of Ravan and came to home with a happy heart.

The whole day was very busy and enjoyable.

I hope you all also had a great Dusshera day.

With lots of wishes

Jai Shri Ram

Jai Maa Durga.

Telecast of Mythological Serials during Lockdown, 2020 on Doordarshan

 In 2020, Lockdown was announced by the Government because of Corona. During that time people were having a challenging time adjusting to the new routine at home as well as worrying about Corona. Doordarshan came up with this idea of airing Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shri Krishna, Chanakya, Upaanishad Ganga and many more old serials. That idea was very successful. Those legendary serials gave people the  moral and spiritual courage which was the need of the hour. People showered their love again to all those unforgettable serials. Doordarshan set new records of viewership during those days, such a moment of joy and pride for all of us!! Children who watched all those shows for the first time, had a great fun as well as received lessons about ethics from all the characters. We all had memorable time in our house, immersing again in these timeless shows. Thanks to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for this novel decision.

Jai Shri Krishna.

Navadha Bhakti: The Nine ways of Devotion

This is an excellent topic I was thinking to write about for a long time. Recently one of my Dear Sister Vedo from IF posted the Lyrics with English Translation. So thought to share it with all of you.

Shabri Ma wanted to learn more from Sri Ram about the path of Bhakti (Devotion). Thus Sri Ram explained:

1) Pratham Bhagati Santan kar sangaa

The first step to devotion (Bhakti) is to keep company of the Saintly

2) Doosri rati mam kathaa prasangaa

The second step is to enjoy listening to discourses pertaining to the Lord.

3) Guru pankaj seva, teesri bhakti amaan

The third step, is to believe, humbly in Guru/God.

4) Chouthi Bhagati mam gun gaan, karai kapat tajee gaan

The fourth step is earnestly (without hypocrisy) sing the praises of the Lord.

5) Mantra jaap mam dridh Visvaasaa, Pancham, bhajan jo Ved Prakaasaa

Chant the Vedic Mantras with immense faith.

6) Chattha dasa seela birati bahu karmaa, nirat nirantara sajjan dharma

The sixth step is not to react in adverse circumstances, yet act, perform ones karma, like the great ones do.

7) Saatvam sam mohi main jag dekhaa, motey sant adhik kar lekhaa

The seventh step is to perceive the world as God Himself. And believe the saintly to be greater than the Lord.

8) Aathvam jathaa laabh santoshaa, sapneu nahin, dekhai par doshaa

The eighth, is a state (which one arrives at when one travels the first seven steps) where there is no desire left, but the gift of perfect peace. (In this state) one does not see fault in others, even in a dream.

9) Navam saral sab san chhal heena, mam bharos heenya harash na deenaa

In this state one has full faith in the Lord, becomes (child-like) simple with no hypocrisy. In this state, he does not fly high or sink low (but becomes equanimous).

These lines are from Tulsidasji's RamcharitManas. Ramnanad Sagarji used a modified version of this part in his TV Serial Ramayan. Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKGbq6Y0PGI

And the Lyrics from the serial, posted by Shivang:

Navdha bhagati kahahun tohin paahi, Saavdhaan sunu, dhar man maahi.
Now I am telling you about 9 types of devotion to which you carefully pay attention and imbibe into heart.


Pratham bhagati santan kar sangaa, Dusari rati Prabhu kathaa prasangaa.
First type of devotion is 'To seek company of saint people', and the second type is 'To develop love for attending the events of story telling about Lord.'

Gurupad pankaj sevaa, teesari bhagati amaan,
Chauthi bhagati Prabhu gun-gan, karai kapat tyaji gaan.
Third is 'To serve the lotus feet of Guru without any pride/ego', and fourth is 'To sing the virtues of Lord leaving aside all the cunningness/decietfulness.'

Mantra-jaap Prabhu dradh biswaasaa, Pancham bhajan suved-prakaashaa.
Fifth well known in Vedas is 'To chant the mantras of Lord keeping faith on that Supreme power of Universe',

Chhath dam sheel virati bahu karmaa, Nirat nirantar sajjan dharmaa.
Sixth type is 'To regulate senses, to have pure character & nature, detachment from excessive works/ambitions and to follow continuously duties of noble man'.

Saatam sam Harimay jag dekhaa, Hari te sant adhik kari lekhaa.
Seventh is 'To see the entire universe equally staying in Lord and to treat devotee saints more than God'.

Aatham jathaa laabh santoshaa, Swapanehu nahi dekhahi pardoshaa.
Eighth is 'To feel contented with whatever available and not to look at anyone's faults to be one's faults even in dreams.'

Navam saral sab san chhal heenaa, Hari bharos hiy harash n deenaa.
Ninth is 'To follow simplicity and innocence in behaviour with all without cheating anyone ever and to keep faith in heart in all situations with neutrality of reactions in both joyful & sorrowful situations.

Navdha bhagati sabari kehe denhi, Saadar Sabari sis dhari linhi.
Thus, HE conveyed the knowledge of nine types of devotion to Shabari and Shabari also grasped the message like an order of Lord with total respect.

Jai Shri Ram!