Divine Blessing of Mother Sita
Spritual Grace of Satguru Shri Chile Maharaj ,Paijarwadi, Dt.Kolhapur
Inspiration : Satguru Shri Thakur Maharaj, Pune
Guidance : Satguru Anna Phadke, Pune
Humble Author : Dr.Pradeep Wagh Hindi,Marathi,English,
Book Dedicated to : Author's Parents : Babanrao Wagh & Smt. Vatsala Wagh
Translations:
Gujarati : Dr. Avanish Thanawala, Pune
Kannada: Dr.Suresh Parvatikar, Guledgud, Bagalkot
Oriya : Mr. Kamlesh Kumar Mohanty Kantabnaji
SITA SHAKTI KAVYA
The Sita Shakti Kavya ie. Sita's Empowerment Antholoy largely represents the"Sanskar i.e.value system imparted by Sita, of Indian epic Ramayana, to her twin children Lav and Kush. The epic of Ramayana, dates back some 7000 years back.
TThe epic story briefly goes that Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, had a most beautiful and virtuous wife, Sita. When time came for coronation of Rama as king of Ayodhya, his step mother insisted that, instead of Rama, it should be her son Bharata who should be crowned king and that Rama be banished to the forests for fourteen years. Rama, as the obedient son, left for the forests. Sita, as a dutiful wife accompanied her husband into the forest. Laxmana, the brother of Rama also accompanied them. After some years in the forest, tragedy struck. Sita was abducted by demon king Ravana of Lanka. Ravana wanted to forcefully marry Sita, but she refused to do so.
Lord Rama with the help of forest dwellers called "vanars", then raided Lanka and defeated and killed Ravana.
Sita was put to "Agni Parksha" i.e. 'test by fire' to prove her fidelity to Rama. Sita passed this test unscathed. Rama then brought his beloved wife home.
A few months later, Sita found herself pregnant with the seed of love of her Lord Rama. But some doubtful citizens of Ayodhya kept mouthing foul words about Sita, as she had been earlier kidnapped by evil Ravana.
In order to pacify his citizens, king Rama banished Sita to the forests once again. Sita took shelter in the hermitage of fatherly sage Rishi Valmiki.
SITA SHAKTI KAVYA BEGINS HERE ...............
❖ Divided into 25 Chapters, this anthology is set in 'Rishi' (Sage) Valmiki's 'Ashram' (Hermitage). It begins with pregnant Sita reminiscing to her 'Sakhis' (Lady Friends) about her past. Sita pines for her Lord Rama, who has cast her away.
However, the birth of Lav and Kush also turns out to be birth of a new 'Avatar' (Incarnation) of Sita viz that of a Mother.
❖ When Lav and Kush are just born, a 'Sakhi' asks of Sita, "Why are the infants crying so copiously?"
"It is because the new born infants are feeling hurt on being separated from `Bramha' (The Supreme Truth) and being born on earth as mortals" replies Sita.
❖ A highlight of the anthology is the chapter 4 called "Kaitha Fal Prasang" (Wood-Apple episode) in which Sita gets the wisdom from nature. A creeper, the
humble grass, a rock lying in the middle of the stream, the mighty sun and a wood apple tree give Sita the delicate tenets of nari jeevan' (a woman's life). Husband's duty towards his wife is also strongly emphasised in the anthology.
❖ Chapter 5 takes a fresh look at the Rama-Ravana conflict and very delicately describes in Sita's flashback, the reunion of Rama and Sita, after the slaying of Ravana.
Lord Rama in this Chapter spells out the
subtle aspects of Dharma' (human duty).
•- Back at the Rishi Valmiki's ashram, Lay and Kush are growing up day by day. Sita prays to Rishi Valmiki to give good knowledge of `Vedas' (Divine Hymns), martial arts etc. to her twins, so that they grow up to be protectors of righteousness.
While the children are undergoing their rigorous schooling, under Rishi Valmiki, Sita as a mother keeps a watchful eye on their physical, emotional and spiritual development, because she aspires that they should prove to be worthy sons of 'Bharat' (India). For this purpose, she imparts her knowledge and experience to the children at appropriate times.
• The anthology then slowly builds upon Sita's
inherent inner spiritual strengths. Her children, like any other children, keep questioning their mother about the life-process, and myriads of other questions that intrigue a child , for instance:
➢ How did 'Eeshwar' (Creator) create this universe and how did he evolve it?
➢ Why is 'Atma Chintan' (Introspection) required?
➢ What is 'Satshram'(Truthful enterprise)?
➢ What is 'Anhad' (Beyond sensory perception)?
➢ How to fulfil sacred dreams for our country 'Bharat' ?
❖ As a Mother, Sita answers all their questions and imparts strong 'Sanskar' (Value System) to her children. Sita tells the children that , "The purpose of life is to, fulfill 'Dharma' (Duty) towards Humankind. The essence of life is the Divine link of 'Atman'(Soul) to 'Paramatman' (God)." ❖ Sita further expounds that "There are multifarious forms in which one can Love God viz. as a Lover, as a Friend, as Mother, as Father etc., but whichever form you love Him, He is sure to
reside in your heart." "Mind is a wayward entity," says Sita to her children," and one would do well to purify it by performing 'Satya Karma' (Good Deeds) with devotion to the Lord." " 'Naam Mantra Japa' (Reciting Lord's Name) is one medium of releasing 'Pranic Shakti' (Spiritual energy) in our mind and body", gently explains the mother to her twins.
❖ The 'Sakhis' of Sita realise the purity of Sita's thoughts and seek constant counsel from her. "How can one give children a good upbringing?" asks a 'sakhi' in the chapter 11 on 'Shishu Palan Poshan' (upbringing of children). Sita says:
'At every step good values, Give to your darling child, Oh! Mothers but do remember, the good Lord in your mind'.
• Sita is a guiding mother, not only to human mothers, but also to mothers of other species. The anthology recounts how she advises a Mother Dog, a Mother Bird, a Tigress and others on how to rear their young ones.
The centrepiece of the anthology is Chapter 12, the 'Milestones of Spiritual Progress' that
Sita tells her children. She traces the duty of man from childhood as ; Love for parents who have given birth to you Respect for teachers who give knowledge • Practice of truthful enterprise for a living ➢ Tenets of a divine family life D Considering the community as your family D Unification with nature D Timelessness of One's good deeds > Cosmic Harmony i.e. Harmonising completely With Lord's Divine Plans. These are the milestones, she affectionately tells them.
❖ When a bird in the 'ashram' dies, Lay and Kush are sad and melancholic; Sita takes this occasion to explain to them about the"Jeevan-Chakra" (Endless Cycle of Life and Death) in this chapter. • The characteristics of 'Satya Karma' (Good Deeds) are expounded by the mother in simple lyrics.
❖ Super natural events occur in the anthology to underline certain facets of human life. Lord Shiva, disguised as a 'Sadhu' (Sage) explains through dance the concept of 'Triguna' (Three Virtues). These are - Shakti' (Energy and Empowerment) symbolised by "Laxmi' (Goddess of auspicious acts ,popularly known as Goddess of wealth) ; '13haktr(Devotion) symbolised by Radha, the latter 'avatar' (incarnation) yet appear that time.; And 'Mukti' (Freedom) symbolised by Sita. But Lay and Kush remain just playful and keep playing pranks with the 'sadhu' till he pulls out a poisonous cobra from his casket , the latter a symbol of Lord Shiva .Sita then recognises his true form and salutes him humbly.
❖ The tribals living in remote forests are also searching for 'Truth' and 'Atma-Shakti' (Spiritual energy). "We are forest dwellers and no one teaches us Yoga or Love of God. Is it that we are sadly destined to be bereft of 'Atma Vikas'(Spiritual Development)?" painfully question the tribals. Sita as 'Adi Mata'(Divine Mother) gives solace to
these seekers of truth by saying that -"Just as every mango fruit has the right to carry a seed inside it, so does every human being have the right to 'Atma Gnyan' (Inner Spiritual Knowledge)"
❖ Like any children, Lay and Kush also fight each other, in arrogance, as to who is superior. Sita does not fail to discipline them like any good Mother should, in Chapter 17 of the anthology. • In subsequent chapters, Sita also answers the children's numerous other questions like: 'Who is a 'Sat- guru'? (Great Master) >What is the Lord's Divine Plan? ; D What is the importance of truthful Enterprise? Etc. ❖ But all the while, Sita is pining in her heart for Rama. Once, while she is pining all by herself, her cry is so intense that Lord Rama appears in astral form. This is the subject of Chapter 21. On realising Sita's unspoken complaint that he has not cared for his children, Lord Rama performs, with Sita, a Putra Pautri Sukhaya Yagnya' (Yagnya, ie. Fire-worship, to bless the children). The episode has a surprise end.
❖ By now, Lay and Kush are grown up, Sita decides to give them knowledge of how to be a good ruler and encourages them to build a beautiful Bharat(India) that shall be a dream for mankind. • Towards the end of the anthology, the episode of 'Ashwamegha-Yagnya' (Yagnya of the Sacrificial Horse) of Rama is narrated. Wherever the sacrificial horse treads, the people have to accept the King Rama as their emperor. If someone dares to catch the horse, then he has to fight the mighty army of Lord Rama. The innocent Lay and Kush catchi the horse unknowingly. A battle ensues between mighty army of Rama and Lav,Kush.
❖ Even the slightest touch of Lay and Kush's hands or weapons sends the brave soldiers into a trance of self-realisation, and one by one they go into 'Samadhi' (meditation) in the battle field itself. This is due to the spiritual strength that Sita has enkindled in her children. Lakshmana realises the true form of the twins and finds an idea to unite the lost children with their father. He beckons Rama to come to the battlefield and question the children on 'Brahma-Gnyan' (Supreme Spiritual Knowledge).
❖ Lord Rama is overcome with affection on seeing the brave children. He asks them various questions of 'Brahma Gnyan' as follows:
• What is 'Gnyan Chakshu' (Inner eye of knowledge)?
• What is Aatma-prawas' (Journey of soul)? • What do you want from God ? • How can one get 'Brahma Darshan' (Vision of Cosmic truth)?
• Where does your God reside?
Lay and Kush answer all the deep spiritual questions forthrightly, thanks to the knowledge given by their Mother Sita. With great admiration, Rgma then asks them, who their Guru is, and who are their parents, who have given them such excellent education and training, as also 'Brahma Gnyan' (Supreme Knowledge)
❖ Just then Sita enters dramatically , with a convoy of forest animals like a ferocious tigress, a beautiful peacock, a gentle cow and others.Chapter 25 gives a graphic account of the appearance of Sita . Rama and all his mighty army, as also citizens of Ayodhya assembled there are awe-struck.
• This is so because; Sita is no longer an abla' (weak and dependent woman) wife of Rama any more. She has transformed into a `Shakti (Empowered) Women.
❖ Sita's eyes are full of devotion for her Lord, but she has the strength to stand back in detachment from Him. As she breathes, the trees of the forest dance in tune. Her voice is powerful due to 'tapascharya (penance). She has a calm composure and she walks with her head held high, as she has fulfilled her `dharma (duty) as a mother to her twin princes. The fact is that she is no longer just a mother of two children but a "Jagat Janani ' (Mother of the entire Universe), who looks upon all living beings with love and affection. On seeing this powerful and empowered 'Divine Mother', form of Sita, there is a surge of admiration in the hearts of all the soldiers and common people, from the kingdom of Ayodhya, who have come to witness the event ,
❖ In the end, Lord Rama in a way expresses the sentiments of all the people, when he sings a ' Sita Stuti' (Ode in praise of Sita). ❖Eventually Sita manifest herself as the all-powerful 'Sita Shakti Mate (The Timeless Divine Mother).
SITA SHAKTI KAVYA
From Humble Author: Pradeep Wagh
His Holiness (HH) Sri Sath- Guru (Great Master) Dutt Chile Maharaj of Kolhapur, in the state of Maharashtra, India is a powerful manifestation of divine energy that incarnated itself in the twentieth century. In a very quiet way, H.H. Chile Maharaj ignited the flame of love of God in every section of the society. Simultaneously he inspired those who came to him, to perform Satkarma (pure and good deeds) and lead constructive lives.
I too got the opportunity to see H.H. Chile Maharaj on a few occasions. In 1986 AD, H.H. Chile left his worldly body by his own volition.
From 1994 onwards, by grace of H.H. Chile Maharaj, I started receiving some spiritual messages, if I may call them, during periods of my own introspection and meditation. Around this time, I did Siddha Samadhi Yoga (SSY), which is a holistic training in meditative techniques. The process of receiving the messages seemed to become more clear hereafter. I started noting them down to the best of my ability. Quite a few of the writings are meditative state re-constructions of some events that have occurred in the life- time of Lord Rama and his wife Sita, Lord Krishna and his consort Radha and other holy incarnations.
In 1998 I received inspiration from H.H. Chile Maharaj to compile the meditative thoughts into a SITA SHAKTI KAVYA as a "Women's Empowerment Anthology" and present it to devotees and researchers.
If the reader finds something worthwhile in this SITA SHAKTI KAVYA. ie. SITA'S EMPOWERMENT ANTHOLOGY, please give the credit to the all pervading divine energy. If you find a lacuna in the work, please accept my apology , for I may not have properly penned the anthology due to my human limitations. I am open to suggestions.
Now, through this presentation, may all, the young and the old, find inspiration from SITA SHAKTI KAVYA , a Women's Empowerment Anthology.
Om Shantih (peace), Shantih, Shantih
CREDITS of SITA SHAKTI KAVYA
Blessings: Divine Mother Sita
Spiritual Grace: Sri Satguru Chile Maharaj
Humble Authored: Pradeep Wagh, Founder Secretary General, Development Education (International) Society (DEIS)
Guidance: Brig. P.V. Gole (Retd.) AVSM, Founder Chairman, DEIS
Dr. Umashankar Upadhyay, Dr. Y. M. Pathan, Dr. Siyaram Tiwari, Dr. P.N. Misra, Dr. S. P. Mishra
Meditation Guidance: Rishi Prabhakar, Siddha Samadhi Yoga (SSY)
Equipment Support: Kelvin Duncan, CCom, New Zealand
Role Model Survey: Lindy Stewart, University of Calgary, Canada
Hindi Rendition Research: Dr. Rucha Sharma, Ahmednagar College
Family Support Netra Wagh; Anuya Navrasa Dance, USA;
& Transcription: Kashmira, Germany; Omkar IIT Bombay, USA
Director Music & Video: Uday Deshpande
Playback Singers: Ravindra Sathe,Sampada Ranade,Shailesh Ranade, Neera Halls,Sonali Patel,Sudhir Gaikwad,Michael,
Choreography: Uma Ghotge; Namita MUjumdar
Dance Performers: Rupa Shende; Archana; Nupur; Sayali; Mrinamayee &Members of Samarchana School of Dance
Camera: Pradeep Wagh ; Dhananjay Deshmukh
Makeup: K. Mohan
Lights: Sai Cine Service
Paintings: Pratap Mulick
Computer Animation: Dhiraj Laddha; Pramod Potdar
Editing: Ganesh Gaikwad, FTII, Pune; Jagdish Kulkarni
Assistance: Agast Kumar;Avanish Thanawala;Mukhtar Shaikh;
Rizwan Qureishi;Sachin Wagh;Sachin Bhusa
Accounts: Kumar Patankar; Madhura Kanitkar
Web Support: Sanjeev chaudhary; Mayura Joshi
Acknowledgement: Bharat Gohel, M.D. www.vandemataram.com, USA
Acknowledgement to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Netherlands,
friends for location shoots: Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Syria, Jordan
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