Shri Mahabhaarata Taatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 1 to 32 (Set of 4 Volumes)

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The primary goal of every individual is to be 'happy' always, without any sorrows whatsoever. However this seems to be farfetched in this world. Several times we stand at cross roads unable to find solutions. Science although is a vast ocean which helps man to refine and get sophisticated, has its limitations. Scientist may pride in this sophistication and may be brilliant in analyzing methodically every worldly event. However at many times they fail and stand baffled and puzzled to several unanswered questions. There are several unanswered questions pertaining to life in science. Therefore spirituality begins where science ends. Scientists always function in a state of relativity, not absoluteness. Therefore they are always unsatisfied with their findings; also during this process of seeking, scientist face the limitations of natures cycle, making the inner quality of their life disturbed. Until this is understood even the most brillaint scientist is considered inferior from the spiritual point of view. Thus man needs guidance from those who have enriched their souls with intutions. Only such people will be able to guide us in the path of peace to attain our goal.

Sevaral saints and seers have come and gone in this land who have to be source of inspiration for man. Saints are a class of their own. They have great inner strength and brillaince which is not put to ordinary mundane use but is used to evolve the soul. Their inner self is channelised only towards spirituality. This enables them to face any challenge without getting perturbed. It makes them mentally strong and they stand tall during any situation. The paradox here is that while Saints have the best ability to be the best scientists, their knowledge is geared only towards helping humanity evolve spiritually and attain God and not towards worldly inventions. While science limits only to physical comforts, Spirituality helps in evolvement of the soul which is the ultimate goal of this creation.

What is the source of their strength? It is but from our scriptures. It is due to their unflinching devotion to the Supreme Lord. It is surrender to faith with undoubted mind.

What is devotion? Can mere 'love' for God be termed as 'devotion'? Such 'love' is blind. However 'love' should not be blind. It has to be developed with right knowledge about that person. Only then it becomes 'true love.' Therefore 'love' has to be accompanied with true knowledge. When this is focused towards God it becomes 'Bhakti.' 'Bhakthi' is a combination of 'intense love' associated with pure knowledge.

How do we achieve this? How do we learn about God. Knowledge comes from constant hearing. We learn that the Lord is full of 'auspicious qualities'. When more and more knowledge is gained one begins to develop respect. But mere respect alone will not suffice. One has to reflect on all that God has bestowed on us. This helps to develop both respect and love. This becomes 'Bhakthi." This is 'saadhana.'

But in order to gain the 'knowledge' he has to first bestow us with 'human birth. Then the faculties (sense organs) should be proper to grasp the knowledge and finally one should also have the ability to understand the given knowledge. If the Lord has bestowed all these for us He has done such great favor that we develop 'love' with 'respect which is 'Bhakthi. This awareness does not come to every 'Tom Dick and Harry. Therefore we should consider ourselves blessed if we are given this opportunity of learning and understanding.

The two great epics Raamayana and MahabhArata are like two eyes of 'BhArata MAta.' They are substratum of human values. They light the path of 'Dharma.' The Lord with the help of Raamayana has taught mankind 'how to be' and through Mahabhaarata 'how not to be. The epics popularity can be understood by the fact that it is available in every Indian Language as well as it has also seen foreign patronage. It can be said that our nation's culture and tradition still remains deep rooted in our people in spite of several onslaughts is due to the strong base from these two epics. Therefore it is the duty of every youth to take up to the study of these epics so as to pride and retain our time tested culture. It is also interesting to note that the theme of both the epics is centered on the respect and reverence to womanhood. It is Sita in Ramayana and Draupadi in MahabhArata. It brings out the fact that where there is no respect for women downfall is inevitable.

The very name 'Ramayana' immediately reminds us of 'Valmiki Ramayana.' It is also known as 'Aadi kavya.' Although it gives a very clear picture of Shri Rama's supremacy there are several incidents which raise the eyebrow of the reader questioning the morality and integrity which is supposed to be the crux of the epic. It raises several doubts in the minds. Thus in order to overcome these doubts and straighten out the issues one has to refer another work known as 'MahabhArata TAtparya Nirnaya' by Acharya Madhva which has been compiled by him on the command from Shri Vedavyasa to help the few true spiritual seeker to get a clear-cut, unambiguous, definite, decisive answers for these doubts to help in their spiritual path of progress. Thus when an attempt is made to study this work of Acharya Madhva, it becomes obvious that even before Valmiki Ramayana there is 'MUla Ramayana' comprising of one lakh slokas that was told by Lord Shri Hayagreeva to Chathur Mukha Brahma. This is available only in Devaloka. Since Acharya's work is based on MUla Ramayana one can find conclusive answers to the ambiguity that is seen in other versions of Ramayana. How did Acharya get access to this work is a question that will arise next in the reader's mind. Acharya being avatara of Vaayu Deva is treasure of knowledge who has given the 'spiritual knowledge in as it is form' known as 'Tatva VAda.' Being born as human, access to this pure knowledge is the greatest boon one can be blessed with.

When Ramayana written by several authors are analyzed none of them have brought out the real essence of Lord's attributes. Some call Rama as a 'Hero' while some name him as 'Aadrsha Purusha.' Some say Lakshmana is greater than Rama while Urmila is greater than Sita. Some authors treated Rama as an ordinary human with 'prakruta shareera.' They claim that he has also done several mistakes like any human. Also several objections have been raised by modern thinkers which needs to be addresses with critical study. Shri Madhvacharya travelled the length and breadth of the country and researched all the available works on Ramayana and MahabhArata and analytically given the true essence of these two works based on 'Adhyatma' as well as from the angle of the 'shAstras. As a sincere truth seeker one has to read the work unbiased. Only then the depth and the actuality of the episodes will be well understood by the reader.

At this point it is but appropriate to contemplate on some of Shri Rama's and Sita Devi's attributes for the benefit of our 'sAdhana. We can perceive the best of attributes in Shri Rama as a King.

**Contents and Sample Pages**