Vedic Wisdom Talks

  Resolutions! As we ring in the new year, it seems repetitive as Sun repeats itself going around, but it is also very strange as time is linear & only moves forward. This has both positive and negative aspect. Positive, that we can keep progressing & growing and negative (from material point of view) that we are closer to the end of our lives by a year & that is dreadful for few (but will happen to all). Nevertheless, each year is a new beginning Similar to western culture, where people take new year resolution, in the Vedic system there is a concept of Sankalpa, which is taken frequently & not once in a year. In the Vedas, observing Vrata is very established when one takes a vow to do certain things or refrains from doing few for a certain period. Sankalpa is a verbal statement of determination to carry out certain project or action to achieve desired goal. Important point is determination to focus on goal else whatever we intend to do is not achieved In material worl

  Inner conscience Hearing words of lamentation from his father Rāvan, one of his sons Trishira said-Valiant Kumbhakarna has died fighting gloriously, so don’t lament for him. You’re capable of conquering even the 3 worlds & shouldn’t grieve like a common person. You have weapons like Javelin given by Brahmā, an armor, a bow & an arrow together with chariot yoked to 1000 donkeys. Celestials & giants are indeed destroyed several times by you. You can punish Rām endowed with all such weapons anytime I request your command to set out & eradicate your enemies in battle, as Garuda eradicates serpents. Hearing these words, Rāvan considered himself born again after being summoned by death. Brothers Devantaka, Narantaka & energetic Atikaya also rejoiced to get a chance to go to war together with Trishira All 4 of Rāvan’s sons, whose prowess was equal to Indra, roared asserting their superiority & said-I’ll lead, I’ll lead. They could fly in sky, were skilled in all form

  Values! As mighty Kumbhakarna, enemy of Brahmanas & celestials was killed, earth & mountain shook. All including great sages, celestials, gandharvas, yakshas, suparnas & guhyakas rejoiced. Destroying Kumbha in battle, Rām shone in midst of Vānaras in same way as Sun shines in midst of celestial world, having destroyed darkness after getting delivered from the mouth of Rāhu Demons reported the demise of Kumbha to Rāvan & said-O King! That Kumbha, looking like Yama- the god of death, has met death. He showed his valor for a moment but was extinguished by fiery energy of Rām. Injured by Rām’s arrows, Kumbha looked like a mountain of ugly mass, with blood flowing in streams after his nose & ears were chopped off. He lies dead with his trunk half submerged in sea & half obstructing main gate of Lankā Hearing about his brother’s killing, Rāvan was tormented with grief & fainted. Hearing that their paternal uncle was killed; Devantaka, Narantaka, Trishira & A

  Moment of Truth! As Rām stretched his bow, Kumbhakarna got enraged by its twang & not tolerating the sound, ran towards him, looking like cloud driven by wind. Rām declared-Know me as an annihilator of demons & its high time you be killed. Knowing he was Rām, Kumbha laughed in rebellious tone & said-I’m neither Viradha, Kabandha, Khara, Vāli or Māricha but I'm Kumbhakarna See my terrific hammer, which even celestials & demons never conquered. You need not treat me with contempt as I'm deprived of my ears & nose. Show your prowess on my limbs & after seeing your strength, I will decide to devour you Rām shot plumed arrows with speed of thunderbolt, but Kumbha was neither shaken nor afflicted. Those arrows which chopped off Sāl trees & killed Vāli could not torment Kumbha Rām then shot missile Vayavya, chopping off right arm of Kumbha along with the hammer. Kumbha gave a tumultuous roar in excruciating pain & his arm fell on a regiment of Vānar a

  Angry💢 As Laxman pierced Kumbhakarna with his potent arrows tormenting him, he was further enraged. Kumbha looked like a mound of collyrium, decked with gold & shone like radiant Sun with its rays screened by clouds Kumbha spoke disrespectfully to Laxman-You declared your heroism fearlessly in battle by attacking me, who has conquered even Lord of death effortlessly in combat. Anyone who stands before me holding a weapon here is venerable, what to tell about a person who forces battle upon me? Even Indra mounted on Airavata didn’t ever stand me in battle. I’m gratified by your strength & abilities but would take leave from you. I desire to kill Rām alone (& not you), for when he is killed, all of you will be dead Laxman replied bursting with laughter-O brave demon! You mentioned that while you show your prowess which Indra & others feel unbearable? Is it true? Just now I’ve seen your excellence being hit by me. Fight me first & then think about my brother. Kumbha