Sharada & Durga

Vedic Seers
About 27 women have been mentioned among the seers who contributed to Vedas. Some of them are: Arundhati, Gargi, Maitrayi, Lopamudra, Ghosha and Vedavati.

Gargi
The learned and wise philosopher, daughter of sage Vachaknu, composed several hymns that question the origin of all existence.


Maitreyi
Maitreyi, the wife of Yajnavalkya, was well-versed in Vedas and was called Brahmavadini. About ten hymns of the Rg Veda are credited to her.


Didda
Didda was queen of the Kashmir king Khemgupta. She ruled Kashmir as a queen, guardian and ruler for 54 years from 950 to 1003 AD. An able administrator, who did not allow even a single revolt against her. She is described as a power hungry queen and also an excellent caretaker of her kingdom.


Raziya Sultan
Sultan Iltutmish had four sons and a daughter Raziya. During his last years, he nominated Raziya to the throne. (In 1236 AD)

In order to assert her claim, Raziya had to contend against her brothers as well as against powerful Turkish nobles. She successfully established law and order in her kingdom. In 1239 AD, an internal rebellion broke out in which Raziya was imprisoned and killed.


Rani Padmini
Rana Ratan Singh was ruling Mewad from Chittor. In 1320, Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittod to gain the heavenly beauty, Rani Padmini. Alauddin defeated Rana. But before he could reach the palace, the proud Rajput queen killed herself.


Kota Rani
Buddhist Rinchan became the king of Kashmir in troubled times. To gain support of the people, he married Kota. Kota was the daughter of the Army chief Ramchandra. Just for the sake of peace in Kashmir she married Rinchan, her fathers murderer.

Rinchan converted to Islam and adopted the name Malik Sadruddin. After his death, Kotarani became the queen of Kashmir. Udayandev attacked Kashmir with a strong army. Kota understood that it was difficult to fight him, she offered to marry Udayandev and make him the king of Kashmir. Though Udayandev became the king, Kotarani conducted all the administration.

When Persian Sardar Tatar attacked Kashmir, Udayandev fled to Tibet. Kota took the charge of army and defeated and killed Sardar Tatar. ( Udayandev returned after the victory.)

In 1343 Shahmir (a Muslim religious preacher) killed this brave queen Kotarani and became the king of Kashmir.


Panna Dai
In 1527, Rana Sangram Singh was killed in the battle of Sikri, against Babar. His infant son Udai Singh, was saved from his treacherous brother by the child's nurse, Panna. Panna sacrificed her own child to save the prince! After Udai Singh attained youth, he defeated his uncle and became the king of Chittod.


Rani Durgavati
After the death of king Dalpati, his wife Durgavati ruled Gondwana on behalf of her son Bir Bahadur. In 1564, the Mughal ruler Akbar sent a big army to capture the state. Mounting on an elephant, Maharani Durgavati fought with utmost bravery. Both mother and son were killed in this battle.


Rani Rupmati
Baz Bahadur and his beautiful wife Rani Rupmati ruled Malwa. The king did not maintain a strong army. In 1565, the Mughals defeated Baz Bahadur and captured his queen Rupmati. Being a proud Rajput, she killed herself.


Chandbibi
Chandbibi belonged to the Nizam family. In 1595, when Mughals attacked Ahemadnagar, she led the Nizam's army. Though she led her army to victory, she was killed in the battle.


Rani Chennamma of Keladi
The brave warrior queen ruled Keladi (Karnataka) from 1671-1696 AD. She successfully fought with the armies of Bijapur and Aurangzeb.


Tarabai
After Sambhaji's brutal death at the hands of Aurangzeb, his younger brother Rajaram, succeeded him. He fought for nearly 10 years, until his death.

After Rajaram, his wife Tarabai continued the struggle. She shifted the capital of Maratha empire to Karaveer (Kolhapur). The Marathas fought under her until the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. She continued to rule until Shahu, (son of Sambhaji) was brought back from the Mughals.


Ahilya Bai Holkar
Ahilya Bai Holkar ruled between 1767 and 1795. She ruled with a great skill and understanding. Her rule became proverbial for justice and wisdom. Her regin is described as one of the most uncorrupt rules.

She contributed to the heritage of India by establishing several religious edifices remarkable in architecture. The Kashi Vishweswar temple at Varanasi being notable among them. Her unique pan-Indian look is reflected in the fact that she built Dharmashalas at Badrinath and Rameshwaram, established Anna Chhatras at Dwarka, Jagannathpuri, Omkareshwar and Ujjain. She also established charitable institutions at Gaya, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayag, Haridwar and Pandharpur. She was at heart a queen of whole India rather than that of the Holkar kingdom.


Rani Lakshamibai
This brave Queen of Zansi was a rebel. The British introduced a law: If a king were to die without a natural hier, the kingdom would be annexed by the British. Lakshmibai's husband had died. She had adopted a child called Damodar, who was made the crown prince.

She declined to submit her kingdom to the British. She gained support from Tatya Tope, and Nana Saheb Peshwa. In 1857, she lost the battle against British, and was killed.


Rani Chennamma of Kittur
The queen of Kittur. In 1824 the British attacked Kittur (in Karnataka). Queen Chennamma took up the sword to fight against the British. She was captured and killed by the British in 1829. The fight started by her continued, even after her death. The leader Raianna, fought many battles with the British, in the following year. He was also caught and was hanged in 1830.


1858-1922: Pandita Ramabai
By the time she was twenty she could recite 18,000 verses from the Bhagwata Purana. Later she also learnt the Vedas. Scholars in Calcutta, called her 'Saraswati', and 'Pandita'.

After the death of her husband, she was moved by the plight of the widows. She went to England and America to study. She supported herself by teaching Sanskrit. She accepted Christanity. In 1890 established a shelter Sharada Sadan for women, in Pune.


Dr. Anandibai Joshi
Anandibai was the first Bharatiya woman to become a doctor. With support and encouragement from her husband; Gopal Joshi, Anandi learnt to read and write. Later she went to America to get medical education.

After completing her studies, she came back with an intention to treat the women folk. In those days, women did not receive medical aid as it was administered by a male Doctor or Vaidya. Unfortunately, Anandibai died (due to tuberculosis) within months of reaching home.


1917-1984: Indira Gandhi
The prime minister of India (1966-1977; 1980-1984). In the modern times very few women have had the honour to be the administrative head of a country. She was assasinated by her bodygaurd in 1984.

A brilliant personality and an able administrator. Took some great decisions like the 1971 creation of Bangladesh. She was also responsible for some irrepairable damage to the country; like: imposing emergency during 1975-1977.

Tulasidas

Tulasi was born in Varanasi. He lost his parents at a very early age. He lived in a Hanuman temple, in Varanasi. Naraharidas spotted this child when he was visiting Varanasi. Naraharisdas instilled in Tulasi the love for Sri Rama.
Wherever Narharidas went, Tulasi went with him. Naraharidas was proud of his intelligent pupil. Tulasi grew up to be a scholar in Vedas and Upanishads. Fluent in Sanskrit and Prakrit he also wrote poems.

Later Tulasi married Ratnavali, a very intelligent and pious lady. Tulasi loved his wife, and was not able to stand even a moment’s separation. Once he crossed a flooded river to see his wife, who was visiting her parents. Out of anger and disgust, Ratnavali said "What do you gain from loving this mortal body? If you were to love the immortal Sri Rama like this, you would gain mukti."

These words from Ratnavali, opened Tulasi’s eyes. His long forgotten love for Sri Rama was rekindled. He left his home, and started travelling across north India.

He started preaching on Sri Rama’s life. In Chitrakoot, he wrote the masterpiece RamCharitaManas. His other works include Krishna gitavali, a series of 61 songs in honor of Krishna; and Kavitavali, telling incidents from the story of Rama.

Kabir

Kabir was born in the holy town of Varanasi. His biological parents are not known, but he was brought up by a Muslim couple. Kabir like his father, was a weaver.
In his youth he was impressed by Sri Ramanand. Kabir wanted to become his disciple, but Ramanand's desciples would not allow him to meet Ramanand. Knowing that Sri Ramanand went to the Ganga for bath, Kabir slept on a step on the way to Ganga. Ramanand accidentally stepped on Kabir, and exclaimed "Ram, Ram, Ram! Wake up!" Kabir’s joy knew no bounds! He had touched the feet of his Guru, who gave him the "Ram" mantra!

Kabir accepted a few ideas from Hinduism such as: rebirth, and karma, and rejected caste system. He accepted the idea of one god from Islam. He tried to bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims and preached equality. Guru Nanak was influenced by these thoughts of Kabir. Kabir wrote numerous verses. The Adi Granth contains many verses written by Kabir. Even today, Kabir is the most quoted poet of India.

When Kabir started out, Hindus did not accept him, as he was a Muslim. Muslims did not accept him as he worshipped Sri Rama. Latter he had both Hindu and Muslim followers. After his death his Hindu followers wanted to cremate the body whereas the Muslim followers wanted to bury the body. Like his birth, his death is a mystery. Today in Maghar, his samadhi and tomb stand side by side.

स्वामी विवेकानंद Vivekanand

Narendra was born to Bhuvaneshwari Devi and Vishwanath Datta. This was the January of year 1863, in Calcutta. He was a very sharp child and a natural leader. One of his plays as a child was to meditate! He would do that with such concentration that, not even a snake crawling around could disturb him. He would give anything he had if asked for. Beggars would line up by his window for alms. Narendra excelled in sports and studies. He knew not what fear was.
Narendra started studying in college after he passed the matriculation exam. He read books on philosophy, religion, history, creation, science and western philosophy. He asked more and more questions about Religion and God. No body was able to satisfy him.

In early 1882, Narendra went his friends to Dakhsineshwar, to meet Sri Ramkrishna Paramahans. The Paramahans was the priest at the Kali temple. More than Narendra, the Pramahans was glad to meet Narendra! The Guru tested Narendra time and again, and the disciple tested his master. By the time Narendra completed his BA, he had also become the best disciple of Shri Pramhans.

Narendra's father died as soon as Narendra completed his BA. Narendra's family was overcome by grief and soon by poverty. Narendra started in search for job. So bad was the state of this family, that they went without meals for days. On many incedents Narendra, without food, fainted on the streets. But even in such condition, his faith in God did not decrease. Later, He took up teaching in Vidyasagar School and also started studying law.

In 1886, Sri Ramkrishna left this world. Narendra became a monk and was named "Vivekanand". Vivekanand then started travelling to spread the knowledge and teachings of his Guru. He travelled to Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Hyderabad, Madras, Mysore and Kanyakumari.

In Mysore it was suggested that he attend the Conference of World Religions and represent Hiduism. Vivekanand reached Chicago in July of 1893. The Conference was still 2 months away. With resources not enough to last for 2 months, Vivekanand moved to Boston, a cheaper city. Vivekanand's stay in the America was very hard. He was out of money, with no friends, hungry and without shelter.

His famous lecture at the conference that started with "Brothers and Sisters of America" received a three minute applause! Newspapers carried his photographs and speech. People flocked to hear him speak. He spoke about the culture of India and Hindu philosophy. He cleared the impression of India that had been created by the Christian missionaries. On his way back to India, he went to England. There too the people had nothing but praise for him. He found many followers in England and America.

While on this tour abroad, Vivekanand, could not help but remember the poverty of India. He would be much troubled by it and spend sleepless nights sheding tears.

Swami Vivekanand returned to India after four years. He recieved a kings welcome in Madras. He eastablished the Ramkrishna Mission in 1897. The goals of this mission included eradicating castisim, poverty. He visited the norther parts of India and established the work of Ramkrishna mission there. He then again travelled to America, and then to Paris to attend the next Religious Conference there.

At the age of 39, he attained samadhi.

Mahavir Jain

Mahavir is the 24th Tirthankara (Arihant) of Jain religion. Jainism existed before Mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. Thus, unlike Buddha, Mahavir was more of a reformer of an existing religion than the founder of a new faith.
According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but they attained enlightenment through meditation and self-realization. There are two sects in Jainism: Digambara and Shwetambara.

The main points that distinguish the Digambaras from the Shvetambaras, (apart from monastic nudity) are: the Digambaras belief that the perfect saint needs no food to stay alive, and that no woman can reach moksha without being reborn as a man.

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Life
Mahavir was born to king Siddharth of Kshatriyakundagrama, (near Vaishali, Bihar) in 599 BC. He was brought up as a Jain. At the age of 30, he left his family and royal household, gave up his worldly possessions, including clothing and become a monk.
He spent the next twelve years in deep silence and meditation to conquer his desires and feelings. He went without food for long periods. After 12 years of extreme asceticism, he attained kevala, the highest stage of perception.

He spent the next thirty years traveling bare feet around India preaching the eternal truth. He attracted people from all walks of life, rich and poor, kings and commoners, men and women, princes and priests. He organized his followers into a four fold order, namely Sadhu, Sadhvi, Shravak, and Shravika.

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Teachings
Mahavir preached that samyak-darshana (right faith), samyak-dnyana (right knowledge), and samyak-charitra (right conduct) together help attain the liberation of one's self.
Samyak-charitra is following the five great vows:
Ahimsa - Nonviolence
Satya - Truthfulness
Asteya - Not stealing
Brahmacharya - Chastity
Aparigraha - Non-attachment

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Gautam Buddha

600BC Bharatvarsha

The caste system, rituals and animal sacrifice in Hinduism was going from bad to worse. Gautam Buddha established a new religion, which had no sects, classes or castes, that teaches the principle "Live and let live". It was Gautam Buddha, who taught Hindus of non-violence and eating vegetarian food.

Hindus honored Gautam Buddha and bestowed on him the title of 9th incarnation of Vishnu. About 600 years later, Jesus Christ too established a new religion. One must pause here and bow to those ancestors of ours! They were broad minded enough to learn and appreciate Gautam Buddha. Today, the whole world has a lot to learn from them.

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Life
King Suddhodana and his queen Maha Maya ruled Kapilavastu. The queen gave birth to a baby boy on the way to her father’s place at Lumbini. The boy was named Siddharth. Queen Maha Maya died seven days after his birth. His maternal aunt (or step-mother?), Maha Prajapati Gautami brought up the child.

Siddharth lived a lavish life, not knowing poverty, sadness, illness or death. At sixteen, he married Princess Yasodhara. He led a happy married life. He had a son named Rahul.

One glorious day, the prince went out of the palace to a park where he saw a feeble old man, a diseased person, a dead body and a dignified hermit. These four great sights drove him to loathe the world. A disturbed, twenty-nine year old Siddharth renounced his child, wife, family, palace and kingdom.

For the next six years, he practiced all forms of austerity. His body was reduced to almost skeleton and on the verge of death. Then, he realized that physical fitness was essential for the spiritual progress. So he started taking some food and regained his lost strength. One day while meditating under a bodhi tree, he achieved Nirvana.

At Saranath, he preached the four noble truths and the eightfold path of Buddhism. He preached for the next forty-five years.

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Teachings
4 Noble truths:
Suffering exists
Suffering arises from attachment to desires
Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path
Eightfold path:
Right View.
Right Thought.
Right Speech.
Right Conduct.
Right Livelihood.
Right Effort.
Right Mindfulness.
Right Concentration.

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Library of Modern Hindu History

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The modern history of Bharat (India) begons with the onset of Islamic invasions on the frontiers of Gaandhaar (Afghanistan) in 700 A.D. Plunder and destruction continued for about 1000 years under the banner of Mughal rule. Along its course, this period witnessed scattered resistance and challenge to the tyrannical hegemomy from Hindu kings and laymen. The entry of British traders, their annexation of political power and their exit from the country took place from about 1700 A.D to 1947 A.D. The annals of this period proudly record the courage of the Hindus and their struggle to political independence, which finally was acquired in 1947 A.D., although at the cost of country's partition.