Hari
OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and
parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
In all traditions, the telling of stories is a method of conveying concepts, getting across ideas, principles, potential pitfalls, consequences, et cetera. Within the Bible, is it not that we find parables? Aesop's fables, purely socio-philosophical, are renowned for their impact. In the Sanskrit tradition there are many such representations. One is the poem-hymn called Sri Hanuman Chalisa.
Saturday is the day of Sri Hanuman. We will look at the text and hear it sung tomorrow. For today, know that Sri Hanuman is held up as the epitome of perfection in devotion, love, service, courage, understanding, forethought... Chalisa is often chanted before and during travel, in times of strife, and in times of gratitude. Hindu children learn it early and adults chant it with fondness. As with Sri Ganesha, though, there is much symbolism involved and depending what stage one is at, the deeper meanings begin to reveal themselves. As all good parables/fables unfolding should!
One of the great proponents of this chant is Sw. Swaroopananda-ji. He is the Chinmaya Mission Head of Australasia and UK as well as the Principal of Coimbatore International School. Swami-ji is a direct disciple of Gurudev and to be in his presence is truly to feel embraced by divinity.
This video is a full hour, so you may wish to 'bookmark' it and play in pieces as you take notes and contemplate the points made. Here, swami-ji discourses on matters of destiny. Yes, he is talking karma! As he is addressing an almost entirely female audience and within India, the English is a little more idiomatic and there are a number of Hindi utterings. Worry not about these. Grasp the essence of the message here and do not get wrapped up in whether you had a translation or not. One word you need to know about, though, is जनौ /janeu, which is the sacred thread... other words you ought now to recognise and here are three more for you to add to The Book, (are you understanding why you have been asked to do this now?), as they will be mentioned towards the end.
बल /bala = courage
बुद्धि /buddhi = intelligence
विद्य /vidya = knowledge
What are you doing with your 'lone cow'?