Path of Devotion - Page 2

VEDAS

Vedas are the first available literary records of the world literature and cultural heritage of India. They are the source of religious activities and social obligations, of philosophy, of history, of ethics, of social philosophy, of science, of arts and crafts. Almost all the disciplines of science, mathematics, medicine, physical sciences, hydrogeology, astrology, and astronomy, Ayurveda, chemistry etc. were developed by Vedic civilization. Unlike the ancient civilization of the world, like and Sumerian, Babylonian, Greek Roman, Egyptian, Iranian which are now diluted or replaced by new culture, it is only Indian civilization which has continuous history from Vedic times and the secret behind this, is the scientific component of its civilization along with its all time relevant philosophy of life contributing for its survival and continuity.

The word Veda means "knowledge" which is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Vid' to know. Thus it was "knowledge-base" which was upgraded continuously and advanced scientific development in various fields had led the Vedic seers in advanced technology. Perhaps that is the reason why Vedas are stated to be endless. Apart from four well known Vedas i.e. Rig, Yajus, Sama and Atharva, and six vedangas i.e. Shiksha, kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chandas and Jyotisha, a number of upavedas were developed from thes Vedas, like Sthapatyaveda (i.e. architecture). Ayurveda (medicine), Gandharvaveda (Musical science and fine arts), Dhanurveda i.e. military sciences etc.

In a broad sense, the Vedas propound the religion or Institution of sacrifice but the inner meaning indicates the various forces of power of nature, considered as presiding deities (abhimani devatas) like Agni, Indra, Varuna, Maruta, Mitra, Sun and prayer seeking their favour to secure benevolence and happiness for all human beings. It is designed for perpetual renovation of the motives to virtues and is connected with sacred duties. As western scholar Metcomb says 'Energy is set free by prayer and operates in some part as objective and subjective world experience facts. The inner most and subtlest purpose is to seek the secret of all which lies in the soul in individual and supreme soul in the universe. The one existing reality is termed by the wise by various names like Indra, Agni, Mitra etc.

All these gods are like golden lid beneath which lies the great truth, which one has to discover to have a real vision.

Religion and Philosophy

There are four important hymns, which are the source of later development of Hindu religon and philosophy. The first one is well known and popular as Purushasukta (Rv-x-90) which is the source of Agamic religion and conceives of creation from Virat Pursha. All the living and non-living beings including the four classes of society and their functions are described symbolically. Similarly Hiranya garbhasukta (Rv-x-129), Vaksukta (Rv-x-125) and Naradiya sukta, are prominent. In the opinion of the scholars both western and eastern, Naradiya sukta is the great contribution of human genius to philosophy. Here in for the first time the existence of only one power which was inhaling without air, is mentioned since there was nothing else - no air, no water, no space, no ether, neither day nor night, neither death nor immortality.

In this nameless and formless existence, there arose a desire to create. Thus was created this movable and immovable creation. Then the seer pronounces the unknowability of this creation not by any gods since they were all created after this creation. Who is he that knows the secret of this creation? Perhaps it is he who presides over it and co-ordinates the entire functioning of the universe. Perhaps he may know or he may also not know.

This very concept was later developed into later vedic civilization (in upnishads) where we come across the statements like - bhisho asmat pavate vatah bhishodeti suryah.

Because of the fear of this power does the sun rise regularly and wind blows continuously. This very seed of thought gave birth to later Adavaita philosophy where on supreme power without any name or form is conceived to be the eternal, true and absolute reality. Perhaps it seems to anticipate Albert Einstein's Unified field theory'. Even Tolstoy and other western thinkers have all praise for this concept.

Prof. Macdonell in his book on 'India's Past' says that some of the concepts about Brahman or the absolute are definitely expressed for the first time. The vedic seer tells us that galaxies are merged into one uniform layer. From the reverse calcultion of the fast movement of each galaxy at the speed of 60,000 miles per second (as per modern science) from each other going nearer and nearer, we ultimately get a second or a stage when all galaxies merge in one uniform layer.

Vedic seers developed the science of astronomy in connection with meteorology to fix time for rainy season. They also developed time measuring science after the study of the movements of the Sun and the Moon, on the path of Nakshatra, which bear significant name meaning, stars that do not move - naksharati iti. Solar method of measuring time is considered perfect and is widely used. From A.V. Parishaisthas, Holiness Bharati Krishna swami Pontiff of Puri Shankarmath has arrived at mathematical formulas as detailed in his book on "Vedic mathematics". In vedic astronomy, we find statement that the earth is a moving body but appears as static, as declared by vedic seers, long before Galileo discovered it. In Rigveda there is a mantra. (R.v. 6-6-6) aa bhanuna parthivani ramjasi mahasto dasya ghrisha tata ndha.

In his commentry on it, Sayana mentions a formula, well known in his time concerning the speed of light, which is approximate to one acknowledged by modern science. The physical speeds are measurable by light as declared by seer Bharadwaja in the above mantra.

Medical science

Rigveda 1-116-5 mentions that queen Vishpala got her leg. severed in a battle and therefore an artificial limb was fitted to her at night with which she fought in the battle next day. One may note that even modern treatment of surgery for artificial limb transplantation requires one year for recovery. Dr. P.V. Vartak, in his keynote address at the annual seminar in June 1999 has pointed out that the concept of test tube baby is evident from Rigvedic mantra 7-33-13. Agastya and Vasishtha were born out of an urn called as Vasativara from the semen of Mitra Varuna. Drona was born from the semen of Bharadwaja in an urn known as Drona. Krupa and Kripi were twins born from Gautama's semen in Sharastamba. Similarly according to Rigveda, Indra was a great surgeon, who took incision on neck, without using a tourniquet or medicine and sutured it again without loss of blood.

In Vedas, we have a number of references to the navigation on the sea. There is mention of a ship of 1,00 oars at 22 places, aeroplanes are referred to with three wheels without horses or reins. Thus we find in Vedas the scientific elements from the science of geometry used in the construction of Vedic altars to that of transplant surgery as briefly referred to here. Vedic civilization was based as much on culture (seers) as on agriculture contributed to the philosophy of life and contributed through scientific development of its instruments of plough and irrigation. The seer of Naradiya sukta in a way illustrates this statement. The A.V. says only the almighty is worthy of salutation and laudable among the people. And it is further stated: 'Let us be your devotee'. (A.V. 6-79-3): Similarly Rigveda declares that there is only one sovereign king, of the entire universe. (Rv 6-36-4) Let you inspire us with noble thoughts and deeds. (Rv 1-123-3)

Worship, specially worship, lest your sons also worship Almighty who is like a fortified city. Mere recitation of hymns without knowing Him is of little use.

O God, fill our minds with auspicious thoughts, our hands with strength for auspicious deeds. (Rv. 10-25-1) All these words have mainstay in him. (Yv. 31-19).

In fact, the institution of sacrifice was the centre of the religious activity. This concept of 'Yajna' was developed in later vedic civilization particularly in 'Bhagavat-Gita' as a concept of 'mutual cooperation' or give and take principle between human beings and Gods for the benefit of both. (Bg. III-11)

In AV, the 'Yajna' is termed as the navel of the universe and rite of sacrifice beget endearing and cordial feelings. (S.V. 10-31) Thus in later Vedic texts- Aranyakas and Upanishads, we get the seeds of the major concepts of Hindu philosophy and religion like atma urvara mukti, maya, karma, rebirth, transmigration etc.

Scientific elements in Vedas

Prof. Asimov, one of the eminent scientists of Russia, 2001 states. "Eastern mysticism (as embodied in the mystical statements of Vedic seers) has all sorts of intelligent observation and deduction. It is possible to see in them the statements that seem to anticipate the findings of modern science". One can illustrate this quotation through a number of vedic statements; just to cite one or two. One of the Yajurveda mantra says, let me manifest as many.

This simple statement reveals the unique concept of Brahman being both efficient and material cause of this world rolling into one both the sentient (emergy) and insentient matter. This seems to anticipate the concept of equivalence of mass and engery, which the well known scientist Albert Einstein, discovered in 1905. Similarly the seer of Naradiya sukta referred to earlier, seems to be a scientist too who makes the statements about Vedic Cosmogony which tells about evolutionary behaviour of the universe and origin of the planetory system. He states that universe began at one spot and spread all over from one galaxy. This appears true from modern scientific system etc to the material progress of the people. Thus the development of science and philosophy went hand in hand with culture.

Economic life

As already mentioned, Vedic civilization was agricultural in character. (krishipradhan). There is a hymn in A.V.III 17 called 'krishi' sukta which sheds light on various aspects of agriculture as profession and main means of economic life of the people. Agriculture promotes prosperity and is the best profession which leads to the welfare of the people through the production of food and other grains, which sustain life. Apart from fertile land and timely rains, hard labour is absolutely necessary and hence we find hymns, praying Indra, God of rains, Varuna and others. The hymns state: Let Indra shower rains and the sun protect them with his rays. Let the learned and God fearing people till the land by yoking bulls. Let Indra sprinkle cultivated land with showers and let the sun protect them. (Av. III - 17-1) Let the land give us excellent grains rich in vitamins. (Av. III-17-2) There is a mention of plough called or which was drawn by 6, 8, 12 or even 24 oxen. The grain was cut with a sickle collected in a bundle, beaten out on the floor of granery and separated from the chaff by a sieve or winnowing fan and grain was measured in a vessel often the land was fed with cowduing i.e. the main agricultural operations are mentioned as ploughing, sowing, reaping and threshing. The grains grown are rice, barley, seasamum, beans, maiz, masur etc. A long list is given in Vajasaneeya samhita and Taittariya samhita (7-2-102). There is a mention of wells for men and wells for cattle. Water was let off into broad channels for (Rv. 8-69-2) from well as well as from lakes and canals (Kulya) (Rv. 3-45-3-10-99-1). A list of occupations and industries is mentioned in Vajasnaya Samhita. Women were employed in industries viz as basket maker, as dyer, as embroider, as worker in thorn. Persons engaged in different professions and crafts are mentioned such as fisherman, fireranger, ploughers, washermen, barbers, butchers, footmen, messengers, makers of jewels - basket - rope dyes - chariots - bows smelters, smiths, potters and so forth. Architectural skill is indicated in the construction of fire altars with 10,800 brick and shaped like a large bird, with outstreched wing. The other professions mentioned are: arcrobat players on drum and flute, boatman (navaja), ferrymen, rudders and oars. The word Shresthi occurs in several Vedic texts as merchants engaged in commerce. Gold, silver, copper, iron and lead are some of the metals which find mention in these texts.

Political life and ideals

Kingship was the normal form of Government, the origin of which is found in the story of defeat of Gods by demons, when they were having no king. Then they elected Indra as their king. It was a benevolent monarchy which operated under certain democratic elements. They were (i) peoples voice in choosing their king (ii) conditions restricting autocracy of the king (iii) king's dependence on his minister (iv) Popular assemblies called sabha and samiti to check king's abuse of power. The concept of imperial power and sovereignty is evident in the concept of Raja (King), Adhi Raja (Great King) Samrat (Over lord) Ekarat (sale ruler) of the territory. The aim of the kingship was to win superiority, superemacy and eminence. In the coronation ceremony of the king, he has to take oath like modern ministers and elected representatives of the people. Sathapath Brahmin (5-4- v5) says: to the King the state is given for Agriculture, for common good, for prosperity and progress. The Kings depended on his Ministers for all political matters. Ministers were termed as signifying that they were real jewels in the crown of Sovereignty. There is a mention of king makers (Rajakrit) among whom the prominent ones were village-headman, who was often a military officer too, and Rajas who were kingmen and nobles. The two most popular assemblies were Sabha and Samiti, where the will of the people was expressed on all important state matters. They constituted in a way the democratic foundation of the governance. Rigveda 6-26-6, 8-4-9 10-34-6, 10-71-6 mentions these words sabhasaha (modern meaning worthy of the Assembly, Sabha was attended by persons of noble birth and by wealth worthy members, thus indicating the council of elders and nobles, comparable to British House of Lords or Indian Rajyasabha. Sabha was also a court of Justice as is evident from Rigvedic Hymn 10-71-10 which mentions that person was reurning from Sabha in joy being acquitted of the blame, the king's regular meetings with is also mentioned and concord between king and was quite essential for the prosperity of the kingdom. This had the power to choose the king and also to revoke, or recall him.

It was prayed for the union of (policy), aims and minds, hearts and endeavour. (Rv. 10-191-3v4).

"Let common be your prayers, your end your purpose, your deliberation, your desire, unified be your hearts, united be your intention, perfect be the union amongst you." Sabha functioned as a parliament for the disposal of popular business by debate and discussion. Eloquence and debating skill were valued. There are many statements like 'charu vadami, sangateshu. Let us speak, to those assembled here, members of the sabha be of one voice with speakers who may hold us spell bound by his speech with enlightenment and wisdom to the delight of all members. The word narishta indicates the decision by the vote of majority. All the four classes of the people, who are fit for the knowledge to be instructed had the right to seek spiritual knowledge from the Vedas. The seer of Yajurveda (35-2) says, So may I speak these blessed words to the people at large, to the Brahmins and Kshatriyas, to the Shudras and the Vaisyas, to my own people and foreigners. He is eager to share knowledge with every earnest seeker irrespective of class distinctions. The catholicity is evident. The concept of rashtra to mean a socially (AV) organised group of people having some characteristic common to all, is mentioned in number of hymns (AV) and in Shatapath Brahmana in 'Chyavana, Bhargava' story. Even the word grama there means a large well organised illustrion and more advanced and well established social unit. The Yajurveda Mantra, quoted at the beginning. (Yv. 22-22). 'aa brahman brahma varchaso.

Many scholars regard this as National Anthem of Vedic people where the Brahmin, the intelligent of the nation should overflow with Brahmanical lustre, being well behaved and sublime by the inspiration of the spirit of Brahman, since, it is this class that lays down the policy as advisory council which is designed to be advantageous and beneficial to everybody in the country. Similarly, Kshartiyas should be brave, skilled in archery, efficient in shooting and warriors of highest degree and are the administrators and executors of policy. If they are well trained, cultured, disciplined and duty minded men of character, follow the two clases, the good of the nation is certainly ensured. The other two classes who are the leaders, just as when the current is controlled the velocity of the wheels and movements of the pistons in a machine are automatically checked. Similarly harmony with nature and other members of the society is also solicited here. 'May the cow yield abundent milk, the bullocks strong enough to carry the burden of the yoke and the horse speedy. May the young woman be a respectable maiden with her husband and childern living. May the youthful son of this host (country) be a hero, ever victorius, moving in a magnificent chariot and worthy of the assembly (nation), may the rains shower regularly for us in seasons. May the trees bear fruits for us. May we be contented by the acquisition, of our needs and by preservation of the acquired wealth'. Similar thoughts of patriotism are expressed in Av 12 where the Vedic seer says, 'Truth, eternal order i.e. great and stern, consecration and austerity uphold the earth (mother land). May the earth with people who speak various tongues and those who have various religious beliefs and follow various rites, according to their places of their abodes, pour for me the treasures in thousand streams like a Kamdhenu that never fails, AV 12-1-6 says.

'We should be prepared to sacrifice ourselves for your protection, O mother in earth', AV 12-1-62 says.

In conclusion one can't do better than to quote the sparkling words of Bharati Krishna Swami, Pontiff of Puri and author of Vedic mathematics.

'Vedas contain within themselves all knowledge needed by mankind relating to not only so called spiritual matters but also to those usually described as purely secular or temporal or worldly and also to the means, required by the humanity as such for the achievement of all-round complete and perfect success in all conceivable directions and that there can be no restrictive epithet, calculated to limit the knowledge down in any sphere or any direction or any respect, whatsover". Let us remember the wise words of the Upanishadic seer and be worthy partners in this Veda Vijnan Mandal and its highly laudable objectives and activities.

Saint Purandaradasa

Purandaradasa (c. 1540 A.D) was a great literary figure of Bhakti movement, and revered as the father of Carnatic classical music (a.k.a. Karnataka music or South Indian classical music). Purandaradasa was a great poet, social reformer, and a great composer. He preached the virtues of leading a pious life through his songs, knows as padas. His innumerable compositions render themselves beautifully to music, whether they are lullabies, folk-songs (kolta songs), bhajans, or devotional songs. All of Purandaradasa's works are in simple metrical songs, which can be sung on all occasions, and convey devotion in the Bhagavata philosophy.

Purandaradasa is one of the foremost saints of India to understand the power of music and its appeal to illiterate common folk. His songs are sung in every village of Karnataka irrespective of the community. He achieved a rare synthesis of music and poetry.

Purandaradas (c 1540 A.D.)

Purandaradasa was the originator of the musical scale by which all the rules of Carnatic school are formed. His classification of swaravali, jantivarase, alamkara, and lakshana factors are accepted and practiced throughout south India. Purandaradasa's Pillarigeete (or four compositions) in praise of Lord Ganesh are practiced by students of classical music even today. His musical scheme was followed by all subsequent great composers of south India like Venkatamakhi Kshetrajna, Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar etc., Purandaradasa is credited with creation of 75,000 compositions, although only a few hundreds survive till today.

Saint Mirabai (1547-1614 A.D.)

As the more famous (than Andal or Akkamadadevi) of the female saints of India, Bhakti Mira or Mirabai can be considered as one of the foremost mystics of the world. Worldly comforts never attracted these mystics. They have left beautiful songs and hymns to posterity which are sung to this day.

To Andal, Akkamahadevi and Mira, the soul was the eternal bride and the Lord their eternal Bridegroom the eternal Bridegroom . All the three excelled in the life of renunciation and divine realization. They lived in entirely different regions, wrote in their respective language in different age and Milieu, but became legends in their lifetime itself, by the austere life and single purpose of pursuit of God and finally divine attainment. This life is extremely difficult irrespective of gender to practice and attain salvation.

Mirabai was a princess of Rathod clan and belonged to Medath of Rajasthan. Rana Ratan Simh was her father. (Rana is the word for "Raja"). Even from childhood she exhibited spiritual traits. She was passionately attached to the idol of Giridhar Gopal, a form of Lord Krishna.

Saint Kabir (15th century: 1440-1518 A.D.)

Kabir is the most known disciple of Ramananda. Tradition says that he was a adopted son of a poor Muslim weaver couple who were earlier Hindus. They belonged to a lower strata in the eyes of both Hindus and Muslims, and hence not bound by strict rituals and religious discipline. This made Kabir an unconventional poet and mystic. He had no regular schooling and took to weaving, his family vocation and went on singing poems as he plied the shuttle to and fro.

Saint Kabir

He could not serve or claim anybody as guru because of his humble birth but was drawn to Ramanand's teachings. He thought of winning Guru's blessings in its own way. Ramananda went to the river Ganga, everyday for bath very early in the morning. One day when he was returning from Ghat, his foot touched a human body in the darkness. Startled he exclaimed, "Ram, Ram!" Immediately Kavir got up and with folded hands and appealed to the saint. "Master, you have given me the Ram mantra and made me your Sishya, even though I am only a poor Muslim weaver" and told about his yearnings to reach God. Ramananda was touched deeply by Kabir's devotion and humility and accepted him as a disciple. he became a worthy sishya in no time by imbibing many secrets of spiritual mysticism from Ramananda.

Kabir turned out a saint of the masses. His simple and god-intoxicated life became an ideal. His simple compositions --"dohe"--two liners or "chowtai"--four liners were easy to remember and became popular immensely and enabled to grasp essentials of simple spiritual life. A common guru for Hindus and Muslims was the dire requirement of the age, and arrival of Kabir on the National Scene provided the spiritual bond. His songs profoundly influenced the religious belief of the simple rural folk. As is common in India. Each saint acquires the status of a founder of sect. Innumerable followers in North India came to be known as kabirpanthis and followers of his guru came to be known as Ramanandis.

Through his peculiar use of Hindustani language he achieved linguistic unity. Originally he sang in Bhojpuri a dialect of Hindi in East India. He stayed for long in Banaras and we can detect Awadhi and "Brij" influence. But collected songs of Kabir like (a) Sakhi (songs--dohe), (b) Sabad (sayings, utterances), (c) Ramaini , mainly spiritual guidelines; all have Punjabi influence. His songs find place in Granth Sahib--sacred text of Sikhs. Rabindranath Tagore has translated one hundred of his songs into English. Kabir's compositions originally existed in hundreds and his disciples of different regions, collected them and popularized throughout the country through wandering ascetics (Gosais).

The followers of Kabir can still be found in present day India (year 2004). They call themselves "Kabir Panthis".

Bhakti - Pictorial Exhibition of Devotion in India

Adi Shankaracharya
	Andal - A Lady Saint of South India
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534)
	Guru Ghasidas
Guru Madhvacharya
	Madhvacharya (guru) teaching a Desciple
Sage Basaveshwara who founded the Lingayat cult in 12th century
	Saint Eknath
Saint Mirabai
	Saint Namadeo (Namadev)
Sant Ravidas
	Sant Tukaram
Swami Haridas (1478-1573)
	Swami Ramanand

This is a reprint of the article that appeared under Culture in Chandamama, U.S. and Canada Edition

I hope our past discussions on music, dance, and other arts have been exciting and fascinating to you. This month I want to share two stories from Hindu mythology. Mythology contains interesting and fictional stories about Gods, people, their beliefs, and traditions. The Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, for example, talk about ordinary people and every day events. These stories teach people that knowledge of our mythology and accomplishments in music are important, while illustrating at the same time, that it is even more important to live our lives with decency and honor. While these are stories of the past, we can relate to them even today and find great meaning in them.

The general belief among Indians is that music is divine and life like. Even Gods are pleased by music. Even today, it is common to recite mantras and other hymns in praise of Gods during Hindu religious ceremonies. Often, these mantras and hymns are recited musically because they are very pleasing to those who are present in the congregation. Also, many of our culture's stories describe some of the Gods and saints as gifted musicians, excellent dancers and learned scholars. For example, Krishna is a flute maestro. Goddess Saraswathi is a Veena player, while Nandi is an accomplished drummer. Shiva and his wife, Parvathi are great dancers. Brahma and Saraswathi are learned, wise scholars. In fact, Saraswathi is also personified as the goddess of wisdom, learning and knowledge. The Gods and saints are not described as musicians or scholars simply to make them appear interesting, however. Through the narrations of reading about the life of these accomplished individuals, we discover the qualities that made them great but also the weaknesses that made them fail.

For example, take the story of Saint Narada. Narada, when translated into English, means knowledge giver -- Nara is the word for knowledge and Da means giver. Saint Narada is most known for creating mischief and quarrels between people (although the quarrels always lead to good things and makes everyone happy). Apart from his mischief making, however, Narada is also well known for his supreme musical talents - according to Hindu mythology, he introduced people to the gift of music. Narada always appears with a Veena in his hands and constantly chants the name of Lord Narayana. Even today, In India, when a religious discourse or a Yakshagana (a type of dance-drama or an opera) is held, the programs begin after invoking the name of Narada.

Saint Narada, wasn't without flaws, however. He was proud of his musical skills, but looked down on others who were less skilled than he was. Once he went to the kingdom of Lord Krishna. Krishna knew of Narada's arrogance and wanted to teach him a lesson on modesty and respect for others. Krishna asked Narada to play his Veena before an assembled audience in his court. Narada played the Veena brilliantly and delighted the audience with his music. At the end of his performance, Narada turned to Krishna and waited for the God to express his appreciation of Narada's music. Krishna, instead, turned to Hanuman, the monkey God, who was sitting in the audience, and asked him what he thought of Narada's music. Narada, unaware of Hanuman's divine status, was very unhappy that Krishna, instead of expressing his appreciation, sought the opinion of a mere monkey. "What does a monkey know about music?" Narada thought.

Krishna reading the mind of Narada said, "Oh Narada, I understand your concern, but first, let us find out if this monkey really knows anything about music. Give him your Veena and let him play it." Narada became even angrier because musicians consider their musical instruments sacred. Narada didn't want to share his Veena with anyone, especially not a monkey. He couldn't refuse Krishna's request however, and reluctantly handed the Veena to Hanuman. Hanuman began to play the Veena and sang beautiful hymns in praise of Lord Rama. The Monkey God's singing and playing was so sincere and so devoted that the entire audience was mesmerized. Even the great musical genius Narada was compelled to appreciate Hanuman's music. Being a person of enormous wisdom, Narada began to realize the lesson that Krishna was teaching him. Narada asked Krishna's forgiveness for not respecting the greatness of Hanuman and for underestimating Hanuman because he was a monkey.

Like the story of Narada, the myth of Ravana also illustrates the importance of good conduct and morality over mere accomplishments in music or education. Ravana, the mighty demon king of Lanka is one of the principal characters from the Ramayana. Like Narada, Ravana was very talented in music and also very learned and knowledgeable in the Vedas and the scriptures. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and enchanted Shiva with his music (Shiva is called "Gana Priya", one who is pleased by music). One day, delighted by the demon king's music, Lord Shiva granted him a wish: Ravana desired that his life could only be ended by Shiva and by no other Gods. As the years passed, Ravana acquired enormous powers through his penance and through the wish granted by Shiva. But, instead of using his powers and his knowledge of music and the Vedas to benefit the world, Ravana used them to only benefit himself. He became very proud, conceited, and even immoral.

According to the Ramayana, Ravana kidnapped Sita, Rama's wife and tried to take her for his own. To rescue his wife from Ravana, Rama, invaded Lanka. But Ravana was unconcerned, confident that he was too powerful to be killed by Rama. Alas, he didn't realize that Shiva only exempted him from being killed by Gods, but not human beings. Since Rama was a human incarnation of Vishnu, Shiva's boon could not save Ravana. He died at Rama's hands.

We can learn a great deal from the stories of Narada and Ravana. The Narada story shows that even great saints and learned scholars occasionally make mistakes or act foolish. Regardless of one's accomplishments in music, art, or education, one must be modest and simple and never underestimate the talents of others. More importantly, we must learn, like Narada, that no one, not even great Saints, can judge people based on their color, appearance, or origin. Finally, even great saints can admit when they are wrong.

Ravana's story tells us that having musical talents or knowledge of scriptures isn't adequate. We must also live a life of austerity and simplicity. We must not always pursue our own interests, but must also work toward the welfare of the community and world in which we live. Like Ravana, we must learn that a person does not become powerful because of birth, wealth, or possessions. Even the most powerful will become powerless if they violate ethics and morals.

Hindu mythology is intended to help us see ourselves more clearly by depicting the lives of Gods and Saints in everyday situations. By reading their stories, we can learn from the mistakes made by these characters as well as the lessons that they learn from them. In this way, we can use these stories as a way to examine our own lives and see how we can make our world and ourselves better.