A Story about Finding Faults in Others

Sunrise at Hare Krishna Temple Eungella, New South Wales

Don't Find Faults in Others - is not a blanket statement that applies to everyone and every situation in our lives. What we need to understand is the fine line, the context and the reason for finding faults. If you are a parent, teacher, a Manager or someone Senior in a company and need to advise, inform, correct someone for their benefit, then that is OK. Though, it is important that the fault finding should not demotivate, depress, make someone vulnerable or discouraged. It should be given in a constructive, palatable way in a spirit of concern, welfare and compassion for others. Because, remember the Law of Karma - For everything we do through our mind, words and bodily actions are all considered as Karma.

In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15 Lord Krishna explains that, aversion to fault finding is one of the qualities of a man endowed with divine nature.

In this regards, Srila Prabhupada comments in Bhagavad Gita As It Is - 16: The Divine and Demoniac Natures - "Apaisunam; means that one should not find fault with others or correct them unnecessarily. Of course, to call a thief a thief is not fault-finding, but to call an honest person a thief is very much offensive for one who is making advancement in spiritual life."

It is interesting to think and understand why do people criticize? Some common motivations for criticism are (1) gaining a sense of superiority, (2) getting back at someone who has hurt us, (3) asserting our position or belief as the best or only way, and (4) avoiding scrutiny of our own shortcomings. Identifying our motives takes honesty and courage. Specially, it is said that in spiritual life, fault finding is a anartha or unwanted habit that makes the practitioner, unhappy and unable to get the spiritual happiness and contentment in spite of following all the rules and regulations rigidly.

(Please read this story - it can save you from lot of troubles!)

Once there was a king who distributed food to the brahmana's.

One day, as he was giving out food to the priests, an eagle flew above holding a dead snake in his claws. Out of the mouth of the dead snake fell a drop of poison into the food that the king was distributing.

No one knew or saw that this had happened, so the king continued distributing the food.

The Brahmin who accidentally got the poisoned food from king died, and the king was feeling very sad about it.

One of the servants of Yamaraja (God of death) who has the service to distribute karma to the living beings has a problem. When this incident with the king and the poisoned food happened, however, he did not know who to give the karma to.

After all, it was not the eagle's fault that it carried the dead snake in its claws (since this was its food), nor was it the dead's snake fault, nor was it the king's fault because he did not know that the poison fell into the food.

However, one day, few other brahmanas entered the kingdom to meet the king.

A lady was sitting next to the road and they asked her: "Do you know where the king's palace is and how we can get there?"

She said: "Yes," and pointed at the right direction. "But, be very careful," she said, "The king is known to kill brahmanas!"

The moment she said that and criticized the king un-rightfully, that moment the servant of Yamaraja has decided. He gave her the karma of killing the brahmana!
P.S: It is said that the reason performs an action is get some result and specifically, an action that generates certain amount of Happiness for that person. In this case, the King did not get any happiness and rather he was sorrow and remorseful, the snake is dead anyway, the eagle is not bothered about what is happening, the brahmanas are dead and their relatives are grieving. The only one who got happiness is the old Women by her loose tongue and harsh, unjust words aimed towards the innocent King. And that's why, she got the bad karma of killing the Brahmanas. 

Moral of the story:

If you criticize anyone and you are right about their deeds, you get half of their bad karma.

But, if you criticize someone and you are not right about their deeds, then you get 100% of their karma.

This story can inspire us to be careful about what we think or say about people surrounding us.

Sri Ram Navami and 108 names of Lord Rama

Happy Sri Ram Navami. Jai Siya Ram, Jai Jai Siya Ram (meaning Victory to Ram the “Blissful One” and to Sita or Siya - the embodiment of the purest feminine beauty and strength).

On this auspicious day, I thought of posting this article with 108 names of Lord Rama. I was reading each name and the names filled me joy and contentment. And, then I reflected on some of the possible benefits of reading these names. Of course, to start with, the names of Lord Rama can make rocks to float in the ocean and each of these names signifies one speciality of the Lord. And, remembering these qualities brings all auspiciousness into one's life, driving away all the unwanted things. May that sharp arrows of that greatest and most compassionate archer, Lord Rama kill all those enemies called lust, anger, greed, hatred, jealousy, laziness etc.

Om shri ramaya Namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the giver of happiness

Om ramabhadraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the auspicious one

Om ramachandraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, who is as lustrous as the moon

Om shashvataya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, to the ever-lasting one

Om rajivalochanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lotus-eyed

Om shrimate namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the abode of lakshmi

Om rajendraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the king of kings

Om raghupungavaya namaha -Obeisances to Sri Rama, the most exalted of the raghu dynasty

Om janaki vallabhaya namaha -Obeisances to Sri Rama, the beloved of janaki

Om jaitraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the triumphant

Om jitamitraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of his enemies

Om janardhanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the refuge of the people

Om vishvamitra priyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the beloved of sage vishvamitra

Om dantaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the well-controlled one

Om sharanatrana tatparaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who is keen to protect those who take refuge in him

Om bali pramathanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the vanquisher of bali

Om vagmine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the eloquent

Om satyavache namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one of truthful speech

Om satyavikramaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who is valiant in defending truth

Om satyavrataya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one of truthful vows

Om vratadharaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who faithfully keeps his vows

Om sada hanumadashritaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who is always served by hanuman

Om kausaleyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the son of kausalya

Om kharadhvamsine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the annihilator of the demon khara

Om viradha vanapanditaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the expert in destroying the demon viradha

Om vibhishana paritratre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the protector of vibhishan

Om kodanda khandanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who broke the mighty bow

Om saptatala prabhedre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who permeates the seven planes of existence

Om dashagriva shiroharaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who cut off ravana’s heads

Om jamadagnya mahadarppa dalanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who shattered the pride of parasurama

Om tatakantakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the slayer of tataka

Om vedanta saraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the essence of vedanta

Om vedatmane namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the self of the vedas

Om bhavarogasya bheshajaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the reliever of all earthly ailments

Om dushanatri shirohantre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who cut off the head of dushana

Om trimurtaye namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the embodiment of the three gods

Om trigunatmakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the source of the three gunas

Om trivikramaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord as vamana

Om trilokatmane namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the source of the three planetary systems

Om punyacharitra kirtanaya namah - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one whose story is a source of merit to those who sing it

Om triloka rakshakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the protector of the three world systems

Om dhanvine namaha -  Obeisances to Sri Rama, the wielder of the bow

Om dandakaranya kartanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the dweller in the dandaka forest

Om ahalya shapashamanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the remover of ahalya’s curse

Om pitru bhaktaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the worshipper of his father dasaratha

Om vara pradaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the giver of boons

Om jitendriyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of the senses

Om jitakrodhaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of anger

Om jitamitraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who wins over friends

Om jagad gurave namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the guru of the world

Om riksha vanara sanghatine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who organized the hordes of monkeys

Om chitrakuta samashrayaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who took refuge at chitrakuta hill

Om jayanta trana varadaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who blessed jayanta

Om sumitra putra sevitaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is served by sumitra’s son (lakshmana)

Om sarva devadhi devaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of all the gods

Om mritavanara jivanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who revived the dead monkeys (after the war)

Om mayamaricha hantre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the destroyer of the demon maricha who practiced illusion

Om mahadevaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the great lord

Om mahabhujaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of mighty arms

Om sarvadeva stutaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is praised by all the gods

Om saumyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the calm one

Om brahmanyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the absolute reality

Om muni samstutaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is praised by sages

Om mahayogine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the great yogin

Om mahadaraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the noble one

Om sugrivepsita rajyadaye namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who returned the kingdom to sugriva

Om sarva punyadhi kaphalaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the giver of fruits of pious work, good karmas

Om smrita sarvagha nashanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the remover of all afflictions

Om adipurushaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the primal being

Om paramapurushaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme being

Om mahapurushaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the great being

Om punyodayaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the source of all blessings

Om dayasaraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the embodiment of compassion

Om purana purushottamaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the most ancient person

Om smita vaktraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who smiling speaks

Om mita bhashine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one of moderate speech

Om purva bhashine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who rarely speaks

Om raghavaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the scion of the raghu dynasty

Om ananta gunagambhiraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of infinite majestic qualities

Om dhirodatta gunottamaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of valorous qualities

Om maya manusha charitraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who incarnated as a man through his maya

Om mahadevadi pujitaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is worshiped by lord shiva

Om setukrite namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the builder of the bridge (at setubandha to sri lanka)

Om jita varashaye namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of desires

Om sarva tirthamayaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is the sum of all holy places

Om haraye namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the destroyer

Om shyamangaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the dark-complexioned one

Om sundaraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the beautiful one

Om suraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord

Om pitavasase namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord clad in yellow raiment

Om dhanurdharaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the bearer of the bow

Om sarva yajnadhipaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of sacrifice

Om yajvine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the sacrificer

Om jaramarana varjitaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of birth and death

Om vibhishana pratishthatre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who established vibhishana on the throne

Om sarvabharana varjitaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who relinquished all adornment

Om paramatmane namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme self

Om parabrahmane namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme absolute

Om sachidananda vigrahaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the embodiment of existence, awareness and bliss

Om parasmai jyotishe namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme light

Om parasmai dhamne namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme abode

Om parakashaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme space

Om paratparaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme beyond the highest

Om pareshaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme lord

Om parakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who takes his devotees across (the ocean of

Samsara–birth and death)

Om paraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme being

Om sarva devatmakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is the source of all gods

Om parasmai namaha -Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme lord.
(These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com)

Raghupati Raghava Rajaram

Patita paavana sitaram

Sundara vigraha meghashyam

Ganga tulasi salagram

Bhadra girishwara sitaram

Bhagat janapriya sitaram

Janaki ramana sitaram

Jaya jaya Raghava Sitaram

written by Sri Lakshmanacharya in a religious text titled Shri Nama Ramayanam.