Me-No-vembering the month that was

image; public domain

Hello, hello, here we are in another month. It just happened overnight...

Anyway. I just wanted to say that I was gratified that quite a few folk found something of value in the postings made throughout October. The fantastical elements of the stories lent themselves well to the spooky theme which accompanies that month.

However, as was mentioned a few times throughout, it is to be remembered that these are sacred tales. What you saw were mere 'scrapings'. Whilst it all may have seemed very fantastical to the Western eye and mind, every part of Sanskrit teaching and depiction has a part to play in bringing advanced philosophical concepts of Sanatana Dharma (optimum living), saadhana (practical spirituality) and seva (selfless service) to a level that majority human beings can appreciate. Not everyone - few in fact - can delve directly into the lofty tenets of Advaita Vedanta. What is more, it needs to be understood that there is a practical application. This is why we have such God Men as Yeshu, Prince Gautama (the Buddha), Shri Krishna and Shri Rama as beacons. They are spiritual lighthouses in this ocean of life! They and many saints and sages throughout the aeons have shown the benefits of self-discipline, restraint, simple living, Loving (with that capital 'ell'!)... but also, crucially, when it is appropriate to 'fight the good fight'.

image; Wiki-common

In India in the 1980s there was a televised production, covering the story in considerable detail. It enthralled the nation. When it was made again in 2008, with even more attention to detail, it again stopped the country. Such is the power of this story.

It is to be acknowledged that the teachers knew what they were doing, writing this story as they did. It appeals to the 'smaller' part of our natures! There is, in this and the other great epic of the Mahaabhaarata, all the pulling of heartstrings and emotion that live on in long-running series of the present day. With these stories, we have the original 'soap operas', a key difference being that they seek to demonstrate all the positive traits to be emulated in life, rather than all the negatives and vices of our modern-day fictions.

Amazingly, for the keen ones among you, it is possible to watch the entire 1980s series online.

CLICK HERE!

Yes, there are English subtitles. The spoken language is Hindi, this means that all the 'a' endings are 'swallowed'. Rama becomes Ram, Sugriva becomes Sugriv... Sanskrit scholars cringe at this, but Hindi must also be respected. The story-telling is not perfect, but it does at least take more time over the various events and incorporates important philosophical questioning and seeking. The updated 2008 version may benefit from all the improvements in television production and special effects, but it is also rather more 'Bollywood' and loses something of the innocence required.

image; Wiki-common

Interestingly, Shri Rama and Lady Sita and the entourage return to Ayodhya finally at the time of Deepavali (Diwali) - and that happens to be next Wednesday, the 7th of November. I would like to invite you to celebrate this festival of light with me by posting images with lamps or candles. They can be as colourful or as muted as you wish. Light the light of friendship and join the linky party - feel free to display the badge below!