Saturday, August 2, 2025

The Desert’s Lesson

  

The Desert’s Lesson

In Shiva’s grove, silence ruled—even scorpions seemed to mourn. Then—crack! —A barren wasteland stretched before them. Lakshman pointed to circling vultures, sensing death. Vishwamitra’s gaze darkened: "This land was once a woman, Thataka. Now, meditate—for even curses are the gods’ way of teaching." As mantras fell like the first rain, Rama stood taller, and the scorched sand suddenly smelled of jasmine.

Rama and Lakshmana follow Vishwamitra until they reach a spot where Shiva once meditated. Viswamithra explains that ever since then, saints who pray to Shiva have come here to perform sacrifices. Viswamitra and the boys stay overnight, and the next afternoon, they come upon the driest, most desolate desert Rama has ever seen. Rama and Lakshmana notice animal bones and feel worried, so Viswāmitra mentally transmits to them two mantras on which to meditate. Through meditation, the boys feel as though they're walking through a cool stream. Rama asks why the desert is so awful, and Viswamitra tells the boys the story of Thataka.

Tataka is a minor yakṣī rival in the Ramayana. Along with her son, Mārīca, Tāṭakā would harass and attack sages performing yajnas in the forest.

Blessed by Brahma, who said Suketu would have a girl child, who would have the strength of 1,000 elephants, and that girl was Tataka. When Tataka attained marriageable age, she was given in marriage to Sunda. Sunda was killed by Agastya's curse. Enraged, Tataka went with her son, Mareecha, to kill Agastya.

Analysis

Places become sacred when gods perform spiritual activities there; these locations allow humans to connect more fully with deities and demonstrate their loyalty to the gods. Rama and Lakshmana's worry is indicative of their youth and inexperience, which leaves room for them to grow up and develop over the next several chapters. Again, by meditating and becoming mentally and emotionally closer to the gods, the humans can escape the negative aspects of the mortal earth.

Notes

Sage vs. King Conflict: Vishwamitra’s duality now crackles with tension—his royal past vs. ascetic present.

Dasaratha’s Grief: Added tactile imagery (throne’s cold weight, cracked hand) to underscore his despair.

Desert Symbolism: Thataka’s curse now visceral ("carcass-song," "teeth of wind"), with meditation’s relief juxtaposed as surreal fragrance (jasmine tea).

Sacred Geography: Shiva’s meditation site as a bridge between the divine and mortal.

Foreshadowing: Lakshmana’s accompaniment mirrors future loyalty in exile.

Meditation as Armour: Mantras transform perceptual —a metaphor for dharma’s clarity.

The above is the eerie atmosphere of Thataka’s desert or the tenderness in Dasaratha’s farewell?

"O Sage, O King, O Crimson Sand"

Hanuman Chalisa-English

 Hanuman Chalisa [English]

Hanuman Chalisa [9]

Here are poetic lines, inspired by the Hanuman Chalisa. Each couplet flows with devotion and rhythmic harmony, mirroring the cadence of the Hanuman Chalisa.  Jai Bajrangbali! 🚩🙏

1. With Guru’s lotus pollen, pure and bright,
I cleanse my mind, my heart, my sight.
I sing of Raghuvar’s endless grace,
Bestowing Dharma, Artha, KamaMoksha’s embrace.

2. Though weak in mind, in thought, in speech,
To Pavan Kumar, my soul doth reach.
Grant me strength, wisdom, knowledge true,
And wash away my faults anew.

3. Jai Hanuman! Ocean of light,
Kapisa’s might, so fierce, so bright!
Your glory shines, so vast, so free,
Through earth, through heaven, through sky, through sea.

4. Messenger of Ram, so strong, so wise,
Son of the Wind, with stormful skies.
Anjani’s joy, in power arrayed,
In boundless strength, your fame is made.

5. Arms like thunder, bold and grand,
Wisdom’s flame in your command.
Dispel the dark, the fears, the night,
With truth’s pure and holy light.

6. Golden form, so bright, so fair,
Curling locks beyond compare.
Earrings gleam, your robes delight,
A radiant beacon in the night.

7. In your hand, the lightning’s glow,
Victory’s flag sways high and low.
Sacred thread upon you lies,
A storm of strength in humble guise.

8. Sankar’s scion, Kesari’s pride,
Through all the worlds, your name doth glide.
Your splendor shines, so vast, so wide,
In every heart, you reign inside.

9. A treasury of wisdom, virtue’s own sun,
Perfect in deeds, by Shri Ram’s will undone.
Ever devoted, steadfast, and true,
His sacred commands you joyfully pursue.

10. With eager ears, you drink the divine tale,
Of Ram’s great life—love that will never fail.
Your heart beats as one with His noble grace,
In Ram, Lakshman, Sita—there lies your place.

11. Before Ma Sita, small and meek you came,
A humble voice to soothe her grief and shame.
Then, fierce as storm, in terror’s form you rose,
And Lanka burned beneath your wrathful throes!

12. With thunderous might, the demons fell in dread,
Each task for Ram fulfilled, as you were led.
No challenge too great, no battle too dire,
A blaze of faith, a storm of holy fire!

13. Through darkened skies, you raced with healing light,

Sanjivan brought Lakshman to sight!

Then Raghuvir, with joy no words could hold,

Embracing you close, His love is purer than gold.

 

14. "O Hanuman!" cried Ram, His voice so sweet,
"No brother dearer, none with love so meet.
As Bharat holds my heart, so too do you—"
Thus heaven echoed with praise so bright and true.

15. Now saints and sages chant your endless fame,
Celestial voices sing your sacred name.
And as they hailed your glory, strong and bright,
Shri Ram embraced you—bliss in purest light!

16. When Sanak, Brahma, Narad sing in praise,
When Saraswati lifts her voice in lays,
When Shesh, the mighty, crowns your endless might—
The worlds rejoice in your divine light!

17. Yamaraj bows, Kuber pays his due,
Digpals chant praise in worship of you!
How then can mortal tongues proclaim,
The boundless might of Hanuman’s name?

18. For Sugriva’s sake, you crossed the tide,
United him with Ram, his throne restored with pride.
To Vibhishan, your counsel wise was shown—
Now Lanka’s crown and heaven bless his own!

19. A fruit of gold, the Sun you spied,
Through endless skies in one bold stride!
With playful leap, you sought the flame—
No distance bars Hanuman’s aim!

20. Ram’s ring aglow within your mouth,
You soared o’er waves, defying doubt.
What marvels dare oppose your flight,
When faith is vast and love is light?

21. The weight of worlds, so harsh, so grim,
Grows soft as petals through your hymn.
Where grace descends, no task stays dire—
Your mercy lifts us higher, higher!

22. Guardian of Ram’s celestial gate,
None pass unless you bless their fate.
Your glance decides, your nod decrees—
O Keeper of Divine Keys!

23. All joys that bloom on earth abide,
Like flowers laid at lotus feet so wide.
Your shadow shields—no fear remains,
Where Hanuman’s devotion reigns!

24. None but you could ever bear,
The splendor of your might so rare!
At one fierce roar, the three worlds shake
Time itself bows for your name’s sake!

25. Ghosts and demons flee in fear,
When Mahaveer’s name they hear!
Darkest shadows melt away,
Before your might—Jai Hanuman Jay!

26. Pain and sickness dare not stay,
Where your holy name holds sway.
Chant it loud, chant it clear—
Hanuman’s grace will draw them near!

27. In thought, in word, in deed so true,
Who calls you, Lord, finds rescue!
Faith unshaken, love so bright—
You guide them through the darkest night.

28. Who bows to Ram, the King Divine,
You lift their burdens, ease their sign.
Mountains crumble, paths unfold,
Where Hanuman’s sweet tale is told!

29. Who seeks with faith, with heart sincere,
Finds boundless joy—you draw them near.
Not just this life, but beyond the sun,
Eternal bliss for them is won!

30. Through four great ages, still you shine,
Your glory bright, your name divine!
Across the cosmos, stars proclaim,
The endless might of Hanuman’s name!

31. Saints and sages sing your praise,
Demons tremble in their gaze.
Ram’s own darling, strong and sweet,
You crush the vile, guard the meek!

32. Eight Siddhis, Nine Nidhis too,
Lie in your hands, so pure, so true.
Blessed by Mother Janki’s grace,
You shower boons on human race!

33. Ram-bhakti burns in you, so bright,
Through every birth, in love’s pure light.
Forever Raghupati’s faithful son,
Your devotion ends where none’s begun!

34. Sing my Lord, with heart aflame,
Find sweet Ram, break sorrow’s chain!
Through hymns to you, the soul takes flight—
Freed from darkness, bathed in light.

35. Who dies with Ram’s name embraced,
In every life, by love is graced.
Reborn not in pain or strife,
But as His devotee—for endless life!

36. Why seek gods when Hanuman’s near?
His love alone dispels all fear.
No other shrine, no prayer apart—
He floods the soul with joy’s sweet art!

37. Who chants your name, O Sankat Mochan,
Escapes rebirth’s cruel, endless ocean.
No grief remains, no karmic chain—
Just Ram’s love, eternal, sane!

38. Jai, Jai, Jai, Mahabali!
Crush the dark with thunderous glory.
Guru divine, my heart’s own core,
Bless me now and evermore!

39. Who recites Chalisa a hundredfold,
Breaks death’s grip, escapes its hold.
Beyond the stars, their soul shall rise—
To Ram’s bliss in paradise!

40. Who chants these forty verses true,
Hanuman’s grace will see them through.
Lord Sankar smiles—He stands as witness,
Tulsidas kneels, drowned in sweetness!

Final Surrender (Tulsidas’ Prayer):
"O Lord! Engrave upon my soul,
Your name, your form, my timeless goal.
A slave at Ram’s feet, I plea—
Dwell in my heart eternally!"

Sundra

1. With the pollen of my Guru’s lotus feet, I cleanse the mirror of my mind, then sing of Shri Raghuvar’s glory—pure, untainted, and divine. His grace bestows life’s fourfold fruits: Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha—woven into time.

2. Though my intellect is frail, my heart turns to Pavan Kumar, the Wind’s own son. Grant me strength, wisdom, and light to dissolve my flaws, as dawn dissolves the night.

3. Victory to you, Hanuman! Ocean of wisdom, torch of Shiva-Shakti’s flame! Your radiance floods the three worlds—earth, sky, and heaven—till all shadows kneel to your name.

4. Ram’s divine messenger, yet called merely "Wind’s heir," you are the storm and the breeze. Anjani’s joy, your strength is a mountain—unknowable, vast, yet put at love’s ease.

5. Your limbs are thunderbolts, your heart a sage’s shrine. Valour and wisdom dance in your stride. Where you tread, the darkness shrinks—evil unravels, and demons hide.

6. Golden as dawn, your form enthrals; curls cascade like a monsoon’s song. Earrings gleam, robes ripple bright—a vision of grace, fearless and strong.

7. Lightning bolts rest in your palm, a saffron flag roars in your grip. The sacred thread crosses your chest—a bridge between earth and heaven’s script.

8. Sankar’s scion, Kesari’s pride, your splendor humbles the sun and moon. The universe chants your praise—a chorus no silence can consume.

9–16 (Condensed for flow)

Hanuman, you, who dwarfed the sun with a leap, yet knelt tiny at Sita’s feet. You, who burned Lanka to embers, then carried a mountain, healing sweet. Ram’s embrace, his tears like dew—"Brother," he whispered, "none rival you." Even Brahma, Saraswati, Sheshnag’s tongues sing your saga—eternally true.

17–24 (Themes unified)

Death and wealth bow; Digpals vie to praise what no verse can hold. You crowned Sugriva, guided Vibhishan—your wisdom is legend, your mercy untold. The sun once fooled you, yet you fooled fate: oceans shrank beneath your gait. You guard Ram’s door, weigh worlds as dust—yet cradle devotees in trust.

25–32 (Lyrical intensity)

At "Mahaveer!" shrieks the demon horde; pain dissolves where your name is roared. Faith in you rewrites destiny—eight siddhis, nine nidhis bloom at Janki’s decree.

33–40 (Climactic devotion)

Ram’s love is your eternal creed; through endless births, you’ll serve his need. Chant your Chalisa, break death’s snare—Ram’s abode waits, light as air. Tulsidas kneels, ink fused with prayer: "Brand my soul, Hanuman, stay there."