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Showing posts from June, 2008


Sri Srinivasa Kalyanotsavam – Celestial Wedding Ritual at Tirupati Balaji Temple

Sri Srinivasa Kalyanotsavam is an important ritual or ‘Seva’ held at the Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple . The utsava murti or idol of Lord Balaji is the bridegroom and his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi are the brides in the celestial wedding. The rituals followed in the divine marriage ceremony are similar to those observed during Hindu marriages. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the governing body of Tirupati Temple , also conducts the ceremony in important cities and towns in India . Sri Padmavathi - Srinivasa Kalyanotsavam is a daily ritual performed at the Tiruapti Temple . In the Kalyanotsavam, the idols of Lord Malayappaswami (Balaji) and Sridevi and Bhoodevi face each other. A screen is placed in between the bridegroom and brides. The screen is removed during appropriate time in the ritual for the deities to see each other. The wedding ceremony is held amidst recitation of the Vedic mantras and pronouncing the family pedigree of the brides and brid

New Book: The Pregnant King – narrates the unknown tale of Yuvanashva and other minor characters in Mahabharata

The novel ‘The Pregnant King’ by Devdutt Pattanaik is based on the less known character King Yuvanashva in the Mahabharat. There are hundreds of characters in the Mahabharata but we only hear about a select few. Some of these lesser known characters were extraordinary individuals and their tales are interesting and equally appealing like the tales of the famous Pandavas and Kauravas. Devdutt Pattanaik in ‘The Pregnant King’ brings to light the journey of Yuvanashva, a childless king, who accidentally drinks a magic potion meant to make his queens pregnant and gives birth to a son. From the Novel – The Pregnant King ‘I am not sure that I am a man,’ said Yuvanashva. ‘I have created life outside me as men do. But I have also created life inside me, as women do. What does that make me? Will a body such as mine fetter or free me?’ The novel uses materials from the Mahabarata and from the folk versions of Mahabharat in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This unusual novel is

Pandarpur Yatra - Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadasi Wari Pilgrimage

The annual Pandharpur Yatra to the famous Vithoba Temple at Pandharpur in Maharashtra is an unparalleled pilgrimage that breaks the barriers of caste, creed, rich and poor. In 2022, the Pandarpur Yatra Palki of Tukaram Maharaj from Dehu near Pune will start on June 20 and will end on July 10, 2022 at Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadasi.  Vithoba Temple is also known as Vitthal Rukmini Temple and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The most important annual pilgrimage is a 21-day trek known as Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadasi Wari and culminates on the Ekadasi day in the Marathi month Ashadi. One of the most famous pilgrimages in Maharashtra , Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari has been taking place for more than 700 years. The procession was started in the current form by Sant Tukaram's son Narayan Maharaj in 1685. But it is believed that the first pilgrimage was done by the parents of Saint Dnyaneshwar in the 13th century and Sant Dnyaneshwar during his time popularized it. The

Watch New Ramayana Serial Online for Free – NDTV Imagine Ramayan on Bigflix

The new Ramayana television serial currently being telecast on NDTV Imagine can be viewed online for free on BIGFlix. The online broadband version of the Ramayan serial is available for viewers in India and around the world. BIGFlix, a part of Reliance ADA group, and NDTV Imagine channel have joined together to provide the free online version. You can also download a high-definition episode of the serial for $ 1.49. The free episodes are a low resolution version. Each episode of the serial is around 22 minutes and the language is Hindi. Each episode on the BIGFlix website comes with an English synopsis. Also there are trailers of each episode intended to help the viewers to choose the episode they would like to watch or download. You will also need to register with BIGflix to view the Ramayana for free. You can find New Ramayana Serial Online for Free here on BIGFlix . OR here NDTV Ramayan .

New Hindi Mahabharata Serial on 9X Television Channel

The new Mahabharat Serial in Hindi on 9X Channel, titled Kahaani Hammaray Mahabharat Ki, will start on July 7, 2008. The immortal epic Mahabharata is being produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms and is already creating news in India for its star cast and special effects. As per the latest news reports, the television series will go on air on July 7, 2008. It will be telecast from Monday to Friday at 9 PM Indian Standard Time. So will Ekta Kapoor’s Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabharat Ki be able to generate the same hype and viewership enjoyed by the famous adaptation of Mahabahara by BR Chopra for Doordarshan. Even though crude and lacked the modern day special effects, the Mahabahara Serial of BR Chopra garnered attention through its dialogues and innocent presentation. The latest Mahabharat from Balaji Telefilms for 9X channel boasts of some of the best talent in the country. The series is being shot on High Definition format and the trailer gives the feel of a high d

Traditional Hindu Birthday Celebration – How do Hindus Celebrate Birthday?

Janam Dhin, Birthday, is celebrated in a unique way in Hinduism. In Hindu religion, the Hindi Tithi or the Nakshatra or Nallu is chosen to celebrate the birthday. The annual birthday celebration is not on a fixed date as in the English Calendar. Hindus give importance to the Tithi and in some regions it is based on the 27 Nakshatras. There is also a debate whether it is right to light candles on a cake and then blow it off on birthdays in Hindu tradition. Feeding the poor is an important part of Hindu birthday celebrations. Visiting the temple on birthday and performing Ganesh Puja is considered highly auspicious. Other important pujas performed on birthday include pujas to Shiva, Rudra Abhishek, Navgraha Puja and pujas to ‘Ishta Devta’ or personal deity. Blessings of parents, especially that of Mother is very important on birthday. Now, if the person believes in astrology, then depending on the position of the grahas etc there will be other pujas that will be needed to be p

National Geographic Documentary on Indian Girl Lakshmi with Four Arms and Four Legs and her Successful Operation Garner World Attention

The little Indian Girl Lakshmi with four arms and four legs first made news in India when she was worshipped as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi in her remote village in Bihar . In November 2007, when doctors at the Sparsh Hospital performed a ground breaking survey to remove the conjoined twin, India and the world watched eagerly. National Geographic Channel has now created a documentary on Lakshmi titled ‘Girl with Eight Limbs.’ The documentary narrates little Lakshmi’s journey from being worshipped as a Goddess to her successful operation at Sparsh – her family, doctors and the rare medical procedure to remove her four arms and four Legs never before performed in India. The operation to remove the extra limbs was ground breaking – surgeons at Sparsh were working in six to eight hour shifts, doctors transplanted a kidney from Lakshmi's conjoined twin, separated their spines and repaired her pelvis before finally removing the parasitic torso. National Geograph

Hindus in United States the Most Tolerant – Pew Forum Survey on Religion and Public Life

The ‘ Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life ’ recently released the results of a survey on the religious beliefs and practices and social and political views of various religious traditions, including Hinduism, in the United States . The find indicates that Hindus are the most tolerant and majority believes all religions are true. Majority of people associated with Hindu religion are Democrats and have liberal view on homosexuality and abortion. This is the second part of a nation wide survey, the first part concentrated on the economic, education and other similar aspects and revealed that Hindus in United States are better educated and earned more . The survey titled ‘U.S. Religious Landscape Survey’ is based on interviews with more than 35,000 American adults. Here are some of the key findings from the survey regarding Hindus in United States Belief in God or Universal Spirit Among Hindus 57% believe in god and certain about it 35% believe in God and are

Indian Railway Package Tour to Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

As part of its spiritual tour package, Indian Railway is organizing pilgrimage to the world famous Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Maharashtra from various cities in India . Presently, the India Railway is conducting tours from Vijayawada , Secunderabad ( Hyderabad ), and Bangalore . Some package tours also come along with a visit to the famous Shani Singanpur Shrine and other nearby spiritual and historical places. Vijayawada – Nagarsol- Shiridi – Nagarsol- Vijayawada. - Rs.4,000/- per adult on the comfort option and Rs.2,200/- per person on the Standard option. Secunderabad – Nagarsol - Shridi - Nagarsol – Secunderabad. - Rs.1350/- per person. Secunderabad – Nagarsol- Shiridi - Shani Sinanapur - Shiridi - Nasik - Manmad - Secunderabad. Bangalore City station by Karnataka Express (Train Number 2627) at 19:20 hours daily. Return from Kopargaon at 16:40 hrs, by Tr. 2628 Karnataka Express (Rs.3,100/- per person). The Deluxe version of the same pilgrimage costs Rs.

Quotes from Vedas on Knowledge

Let the knower discriminate the knowledge and the Ignorance, the straight open levels and the crooked that shut in mortals. (Rig Veda 4.2.11) Interpretation: He who would know the Truth should constantly discriminate between the real and the unreal, between oneness and division, between what leads to the Truth and what pushes away from it. When one so discriminates and follows only the way of Knowledge, the path is straight, wide, open and free. But if one were to choose the ways of ignorance, his path becomes crooked, devious, narrow and imprisoning. To increase one’s consciousness is to grow in knowledge; to persist in unconsciousness and sink into it is to wallow in ignorance. One is the royal road to liberation; the other is the way to stay in captivity. (Source: ‘Wisdom of Veda’ by Sri Aurobindo Kapali Shastry Institute of Vedic Culture)

Simple Hindu Prayers and Mantras – Japas in Hinduism

Prayers or Mantras are used by spiritual aspirants to achieve god realization, to invoke the blessing of the deity and for meditation. Mantras aid in the conceptualization process and constant recitation of it gives rise to the actual form of the particular deity in the mind of the devotee. All prayers and mantras in Hinduism are the many paths to realize the ONE – Brahman. The continuous recitation of a particular mantra is Japa. A simple prayer dedicated to Lord Ganesh OM Sri Maha Ganapataye Namah Prostrations to the Great Lord Ganesha. A Prayer to Lord Shiva OM Namah Shivaya Prostrations to Lord Shiva Prayer to Lord Vishnu OM Namo Narayanaya Prostrations to Shri Vishnu Prayer to Lord Krishna OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Prayers to the Lord Krishna. ‘Vasudeva’ means he who abides in all things and in whom all things abide. Prayer to Lord Ram OM Sri Ramaya Namah Prostrations to Lord Ram Prayer to

Photo Bank of Madurai Meenakshi Temple Tower Sculptures

Each sculpture adorning the famed towers of Madurai Meenakshi Temple Tower is to be photographed and digitally stored. The nine towers have thousands of sculptures and the digital pictures will help in restoration works and will be a great asset for future. The digital photograph of each sculpture is being shot in such a way that no minute details are missed – including position, facial expressions, dress, ornaments and other unique features. Such a vast collection of pictures of the tower sculptures will be a great help for future restoration works and for history and architecture studies. Pictures of select sculptures that have been already photographed are on display inside the temple complex. It is quite impossible to have a clear view of all the tower sculptures from ground level. The digital pictures are surely going to be a great help to visitors. Hope, the temple authorities will display some pictures online too.( via )

An Invocation Prayer to Lord Balaji by Tallapaka Annamacharya

Invocation Prayer to Lord Venkateswara O Paramapurusha! O Matchless One! I surrender unto you! O true abode of Lakshmi! O one with a lotus navel! O lotus eyed! O Lord with lotus like feet! O Lord of all demigods and sages! O Lord of the herds! O Granter of boons! O four formed one! O one with four arms! O one who wields the conch and discus! O supreme Lord of Venkata hill! O enjoyer of the praises of Anjana! I surrender unto you! Tallapaka Annamacharya

Instrumental Music Album Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita

A new instrumental music album titled 'Ocean of Consciousness' by Jeffrey Fisher explores the subjects of war and spirituality in relation to the Bhagavad Gita. The Music Album crosses a variety of styles from jazz to classical. Fisher equates Arjuna’s initial turmoil at the start of the Bhagavad Gita with that of present day soldiers and other people who are faced with war and other challenges. Jeffrey Fisher is an award winning composer and multi-instrumentalist. The 'Ocean of Consciousness' consists of two discs – ‘The Bhagavad Gita Suite’ and ‘The River’. The music and concept of the album inspired by the Bhagavad Gita is expected to especially appeal to individuals interested in jazz, classical, world and New Age music, ancient Sanskrit texts, the Indian and Hindu communities, scholars, healers, massage therapists, spiritual writers, green activists, peace activists and Lohas converts. Disc One: 'The Bhagavad Gita Suite' consists of following tracks: The F

Ramayana Coloring Book and Stickers for Children

The coloring book based on the epic Ramayan is presented by the publication division of the British Library. The images are based on the book 'Ramayana: Love and Valour in India 's Great Epic'. The picture book Ramayana also comes with 18 stickers with which kids can create their own Ramayana scene. Currently British Library is holding a Ramayana Exhibition based on this 17th century illustrated Ramayana. The paintings in 'Ramayana: Love and Valour in India 's Great Epic' can also be viewed online . The fun and coloring book can be brought from the online shop of British Library. It is also available in select book stores. Ramayana Colouring Book with Stickers Published by: British Library Publishing Published: May 2008 Price: £5.99

The Guardian Article Says Baba Ramdev is Fake but No Proof Offered

An article titled ‘ TV swami offers a cure for all ills ’ by Randeep Ramesh in The Guardian newspaper refers to Baba Ramdev as the television yoga evangelist. The main aim of the article is to prove that Baba Ramdev is fake but no solid proof is offered. It seems that the author of the article is irked by the millions of followers that Baba Ramdev has around the world. The article revolves around these points The large amount of money collected from patients. India 's Aastha channel is Baba Ramdev’s propaganda arm. The Swami sells himself as a one-person health service and pranayama, the ancient Indian art of breath control, is his main medicine. Swami Ramdev makes ridiculous claims of healing HIV AIDS and Cancer. Baba Ramdev is so powerful that he can overthrow the Indian government and the Indian politicians. If Baba Ramdev is fake, why has the Indian government not taken any action against him? The article author does not answer the question but finds the answer in the

Paintings and Book – An Illustrated Colored Version of the Ramayana

The illustrated version of the epic Ramayana (paperback), titled ‘Ramayana – Love and Valour in India ’s Great Epic’ is from the British Library Publishing. The book is published to coincide with a major exhibition conducted by British Library in London and is also available online for viewing, reading and listening. The book is adapted from the illustrated Ramayana commissioned by Rana Jagat Singh of Mewar in Rajasthan between in the 17 th century. The book contains more than 130 paintings and it helps the reader to follow the story. The epic manuscript was compiled in book format by J.P. Losty, formerly Head of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, at the British Library’s Asia , Pacific and Africa Collections. Published by: British Library Publishing Author: J.P. Losty Published: May 2008 Price: £15.95 The book can be brought from the online shop of British Library . It is also available in select book stores.

Learning Sanskrit in India – Washington Post Poorly Explores the Debates, Politics and Controversy of Teaching Sanskrit

An article titled ‘ Summer Camps Revive India 's Ancient Sanskrit ’ in the Washington Post by Rama Lakshmi tries to explore the controversies, debates and politics behind learning Sanskrit in India . The author in the beginning of the article tries to prove that the learning and teaching of Sanskrit is an attempt made by Hindu nationalists to instill in Hindus religious and cultural pride. Then the author narrates the sad plight of Sanskrit in India . As usual the article ends with glorifying Sanskrit by suggesting that it is very suitable for computing. The author uses Sanskrit Samvad Shala and a two-week course conducted by it to prove her point. The article wrongly gives the feel that Sanskrit Samvad Shala is an all India phenomenon and that all Hindu students attend it. It also ignores and disrespects the large number of Sanskrit Scholars who are secular. Some of the points detailed by the author Summer Sanskrit Camps in India attempts to promote Sanskrit, wh

Book: Rudra – The Idea of Shiva

The book ‘Rudra – The Idea of Shiva’ by Nilima Chitgopekar tries to understand Lord Shiva through the eyes of Lord Vishnu, Mata Sati, Daksha, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha. An authority on Shaivism, Nilima Chitgopekar delves deep into the classical texts dealing with Shiva and picks up vital information and narrates it through the eyes of Hindu gods associated with Lord Shiva. The views of the different gods in Hindu pantheon about Shiva are presented as first-person accounts. The accounts of the various gods are aided by the author’s scholarly notes and comments. About the book from Penguin flyer Na punyam na papam, Na saukhyam na duhkham Na mantro na tirtham, Na vedam na yajna Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta Chidananda rupah Shivoham Shivo’ham Beyond sin and virtue, beyond joy and sorrow, beyond scripture, ritual and pilgrimage, and beyond familiar experience. This is Shiva, in essence. Once feared as the capricious and terrifying Rudra, Shiva, the most ‘un-

Trees Cut from Orissa Forests for Puri Rath Yatra Chariots Could Create Environmental Problems

Each year three new chariots are built for the annual Puri Rath Yatra festival held at the famous Jagannath Temple . Big trees are cut annually from the forests of Orissa for the car festival and the woods are never reused. This is slowly eating away the forests of Orissa and inviting an environmental disaster. But luckily some people are trying to avert the ecological disaster by planting new trees. The wood needed for the making of the chariots for Puri Rath Yatra is provided free by the Orissa government. In fact, the temple authorities have been finding it difficult to find the right timber needed for making the huge chariots. The Rath Yatra at the Puri Jagannath Temple has been taking place for centuries. Each year nearly 1000 trees are felled for building the three chariots. The chariot construction requires about 1,135 big logs of about 400 cubic meters. Trees preferred for chariot making are Phasi, Kadamba, Dharua, Devadaru, Simili, Asana, Mahal

Animation Series Based on Lord Shiva

Toonz Animation India, the makers of The Return of Hanuman, is planning an animated television series on Lord Shiva. According to the makers, the animation series on Shiva is in a totally different format and they loosely term it as ‘picture book animation.’ The low-cost series consist of 13 episodes of half hour and Cartoon Network India will in all probably start airing it in about six months. It seems that this experimental animation series based on Shiva will have no animation; instead, there will be sketches or paintings with voice over. The background music si composed by Pandit Ramesh Narayan. ‘ The Return of Hanuman ’ was a disaster both content wise and financially and ‘The adventures of Tenali Raman’, the first animated series from Toonz Animation India, was a pathetic effort and the only saving grace was the animation part. So far the animated contents from Toonz have been neither Indian nor Western. They freely take Hindu Gods and other Indian characters and

Significance of Shankh or Conch Shell in Hinduism

In Hindu religion, Shankh, or Samkha, is of great importance and symbolizes luster, brilliance, purity and auspicious beginning. It is a pious article and is used in all religious rituals. The most famous Shankha is the Panchajanaya of Lord Vishnu. In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna and the five Pandavas had a separate conch shell and it is referred in the beginning of the Bhagavad Gita. In religious rituals, Shankh is used to announce the beginning of a prayer or arrival of deity and in some places sacred water is collected and distributed in it. Shankh literally means ‘pacifying the inauspicious.’ In Hinduism, origin of the conch shell took place during the Samudra Manthan or churning of ocean. There are two types of Shankh – left handed conch shell and right handed conch shell. Valampiri Shankh or Lakshmi Shankh is the right handed conch shell and is considered auspicious. Shankha is blown at every festival and auspicious beginning and the sound ushers in freshness and

Snana Yatra Festival at Puri Jagannath Temple – Bathing Ritual of Deities

Snana Yatra, or Snanayatra, is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Jyeshtha (June – July) at the famous Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa. In 2012, the date of Snana Yatra is June 4. On this day, the idols of Jagannnatha, Balabhadra, Subhadra are bathed. This is also the first occasion in the course of a year in Oriya calendar when the deities come out of the temple. Snana Yatra takes place around 15 days before the famous Rath Yatra. The ritual bathing of the deities take place at the Snana Bedi located in the northeastern compound of the Puri T emple complex. 108 pots of water are poured on the idols and after this the deities enter into Anavasara or Anasara. For the next fifteen days, devotees are not allowed the darshan of the idols. It is believed that the deities catch fever after a long ritual bathing and therefore does not return to sanctum sanctorum for the next fifteen days. During this period, the Sabara daitas repaint the idols. The three idols a

International Survey on Religious beliefs and Opinions of Scientists in India

The Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture (ISSSC) of Trinity College in Hartford , Connecticut, recently released the results of a survey conducted on religious beliefs and opinions of academics and scientists in India . The majority of the Indian scientists are Hindus (66%) and the next large group was atheists (10%). Some of the interesting questions in the survey included do you approve of the space scientists going to Tirupati to seek the blessing of Lord Venkateswara before launching a satellite. The Worldviews and Opinions of Scientists in India Summary Report gives the highlights of an international, academic web survey conducted. The survey was conducted between August 2007 and January 2008 in cooperation with the Center for Inquiry India. The large national sample of Indian scientists, the first of its kind, included 1,100 participants from 130 universities and research institutes. The summary report contains three sections. The first is a p

Barack Obama Carries Lord Hanuman Statue for Good Luck

A photo that recently appeared on the Time Magazine White House Photo of the Day shows the things that Barack Obama carries for good luck, which includes a bracelet belonging to a soldier deployed in Iraq , a gambler’s lucky chit, a tiny monkey god and a tiny Madonna and child. Newspapers and Television channels in India have zeroed in on the tiny monkey god and are suggesting that the presumptive Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, Obama, is seeking the blessings of Lord Hanuman in his battle for the White House. Neither the Time magazine nor the photographer has identified the statue as Lord Hanuman. No idea if Obama too recognizes it has Hanuman idol. But the Indian media has linked the statue it to the initial days that Obama spent in Indonesia . In Bali Island of Indonesia, Hinduism is the most popular religion and the sacred epic Ramayana in which Lord Hanuman appears. But the tiny monkey god statue that is among the lucky charms has four hands. In India and

Importance of Rudraksha

A Rudraksha bead is considered to be the most divine and powerful ornament for the human body. It was created by Lord Shiva and is believed to fulfill desires, expectations and ambitions and also free one from all sins and diseases. Rudraksha has been used by gods, saints, sages from ancient time for spiritual purposes and to gain good health. Rudrakshas are the seed from the fruits of the trees belonging to Elaecarpus Ganitrus Roxb variety (Rudraksha tree) in Himalayas and in South East Asia . Every Rudraksha has Mukhis or faces, which differ in number and it runs from one end of the Rudraksha to the other. Rudraksha up to 14 mukhis are mentioned in the Shiva Purana and Padma Purana. Higher mukhis are mentioned in other texts and then there are two or more Rudrakshas naturally joined together like the Gauri Shankar and Trijuti. Rudrakshas are available in different sizes and the most sought after are those larger in size (15 mm and above). The original ones also have nat

Tirupati Laddu Facts

Laddu, or Ladoo, is one of the most important offering and prasadam given to devotees at the Tirumala Tirupati Lord Venkateswara Temple . Tirupati Laddu is a spherical-shaped sweet made of flour and sugar. In fact, Tirupati and the huge laddus are synonymous. It is a customary duty of a devotee returning from Tirupati Balaji Temple to distribute ‘laddu’ as prasadam to his neighbors, friends and relatives. Some quick facts about Tirupati Laddu Around 150,000 laddus are made daily. One laddu is given free to each devotee; the number of daily devotees that visit the temple is around 50,000. A devotee can buy extra two laddus – a small laddu of 300 gm costs 25 rupees and big laddu costs 100 rupees. The revenue from the sale of laddu annually is around 190 crore. Each laddu weighs around 100gms and is huge when compared with the normal laddu found in shops. There is a super huge Tirupati Laddu known as Kalyana Laddu and it weighs around 500gms – ½ a kilogram. Singl

English Translation of Aditya Hridaya Stotra from Ramayana - Aditya Hrudayam Stotram

Aditya Hrudayam Stotram or Aditya Hrdaya Stotra, is a hymn dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God) Valmiki Ramayana. Aditya Hridaya consists of 31 verses and is found in the 107th chapter of Yuddha Kanda of Ramayan. It was narrated to Lord Rama by Sage Agastya to energize him in the battle against Ravana. Aditya means ‘Sun’ and Hridayam means ‘heart or the essence’. English Translation of Aditya Hrudayam Stotram along with Sanskrit Transliteration tato yuddha parishrantam samare chintaya sthitam | ravanam chagrato drishtva yuddhaya samupasthitam || 1 Sri Rama, who standing absorbed in deep thought on the battle-field, exhausted by the fight and facing Ravana who was duly prepared for the war daiva taishcha samagamya drashtu mabhya gato ranam | upagamya bravidramam agastyo bhagavan rishihi || 2 The glorious sage Agastya, who had come in the company of gods to witness the encounter (battle) now spoke to Rama as follows: rama rama mahabaho shrinu guhy