Holy Mother By Swami Nikhilananda: 019 Friday 22-01-2016
22-01-2016 Friday
Holy Mother By Swami Nikhilananda: 018
Introduction: Women of India - 15
But the personages who have exerted the greatest influence upon Hindu culture have been described in the two epics: the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. These epics centre, respectively, round the lives of Rama and Krishna, who are regarded by Hindus as Divine Incarnations. The stories have a core of historic truth though they are embroidered with many poetic fancies. They have inspired many songs, plays, musical dramas, and poems, to the enrichment of Indian literature. They narrate actions, impulses, and desires of men and women of all kinds, from the most saintly to the utterly depraved. But from all this emerges one principle: the Hindu concept of dharma, or the moral order which sustains and holds together the universe and also guides upward the lives of individuals. The epics teach that in spite of the apparent and temporary triumph of wickedness, righteousness ultimately prevails.
Through the stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata the inner strength of Indian womanhood is revealed. The majority of these women were householders who attained to spiritual eminence through the faithful discharge of their daily duties and the display of courage and serenity in the midst of the tribulations of worldly life. We shall choose for our models three great women: Gandhari and Savitri from the Mahabharata, and Sita from the Ramayana.
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Holy Mother - Being the Life of Sri Sarada Devi Wife of Sri Ramakrishna And Helpmate in his Mission By Swami Nikhilananda p: 10
