Monthly Archives: December 2009
Bhishma Pitamah- who made Shri Krishna to forget his promise
Mahabharata is probably the best piece of fiction ever written, if it did not happen in reality. And if story of mahabharat is someone’s imagination, then the writer must have got a divine gift. Here, we have an epic which is very interesting and yet it provides us so many teachings for life. In my opinion, all characters in Mahabharat are present to serve a purpose, whose presence seem to fit in effortlessly in whole scheme of things. In following paragraphs, a very important character, Devvrata Bhishma is explained.Bhishma was son of Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. Ganga had left Shantanu after giving birth to Bhishma, because Shantanu questioned her actions when she killed her new born sons. When Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati and wanted to marry her, but Satyawati set forth some condition which were unacceptable to him, knowing this, Bhishma given his word of honour to Satyavati to remained bachelor all through his life. This was the most Bhishma(maximum) of sacrifice, which prompted the world to call him as Bhishma.Thus taking this Bhishma Pratigya, Devvrata is known as Bhishma.
His truthfulness was such that whatever he spoke came true. He knew different types of martial arts. He forced Lord Krishna to take up the wheel of Arjun’s chariot as a weapon, when he said that he will not take up any weapon during the battle of Mahabharat. Such was the skill of the great warrior, Bhishma. He was the most respected person in the kingdom of Hastinapur, and he was called Bhishma Pitamaha.
He served his step mother, then her son Vichitravirya, later his sons Pandu and Dhritarashtra as as he promised loyalty to the throne of Hastinapur. He was well aware of the weaknesses and flaws in the character of his grandsons, and could expect the tragedy that was sure to embrace the kingdom of Hastinapur. Bhishma was well aware of jealousy of Kauravas and especially Duryodhana towards Pandavas which he at times openly disapproved.
But even this righteous behavior of Bhishma was taken some tilt towards Pandavas and dislike for Kauravas. But he kept quiet as a silent suffering head of the clan, lest his reproach could be seen as his disloyalty to Hastinapur. As a silent and helpless witness Bhishma suffered all the inhumanities which was done from throne of Hastinapur. He never entertained any thought to become king of Hastinapur, or to dislodge the weak and morally selfish successor to the throne. Only Vidura, the renowned scholar of his times, understood the plight of Bhishma.
Bhishma and all other Gurus, though helpless, they served and sided with the Hastinapur as they were tied to serve the throne, but als, they found themselves on the wrong side of battleground. This question will be asked time and again, and may never get an answer as whether the loyality to throne is justified or helping the rightful? That makes Mahabharat even more fascinating read, where the most capable of warriors such as Bhishma where pited against each other, are respected and relevant to today’s times.
108 names of Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganpati, who is the destroyer of all evils, has 108 names. Some of the popular and not so popular are listed here. He is the great Vinayaka. The most important celebrated is the Ganesha Chaturthi festival.
https://ritsin.com/ganesha-chaturthi-festival-indian-mythology.html/
Lord Ganesha
- Akhurath
- Alampata
- Amit
- Anantachidrupamayam
- Avaneesh
- Avighna
- Balaganapati
- Bhalchandra
- Bheema
- Bhupati
- Bhuvanpati
- Buddhinath
- Buddhipriya
- Buddhividhata
- Chaturbhuj
- Devadeva
- Devantakanashakarin
- Devavrata
- Devendrashika
- Dharmik
- Dhoomravarna
- Durja
- Dvaimatura
- Ekaakshara
- Ekadanta
- Ekadrishta
- Eshanputra
- Gadadhara
- Gajakarna
- Gajanana
- Gajananeti
- Gajavakra
- Gajavaktra
- Ganadhakshya
- Ganadhyakshina
- Ganapati
- Gaurisuta
- Gunina
- Haridra
- Heramba
- Kapila
- Kaveesha
- Kriti
- Kripalu
- Krishapingaksha
- Kshamkaram
- Kshipra
- Lambakarna
- Lambodara
- Mahabala
- Mahaganapati
- Maheshwaram
- Mangalamurti
- Manomay
- Mrityuanjaya
- Mundakarama
- Muktidaya
- Musikvahana
- Nadapratithishta
- Namasthetu
- Nandana
- Nideeshwaram
- Omkara
- Pitambara
- Pramoda
- Prathameshwara
- Purush
- Rakta
- Rudrapriya
- Sarvadevatman
- Sarvasiddhanta
- Sarvatman
- Hambhavi
- Shashivarnam
- Shoorpakarna
- Shuban
- Shubhagunakanan
- Shweta
- Siddhidhata
- Siddhipriya
- Skandapurvaja
- Sumukha
- Sureshwaram
- Swaroop
- Tarun
- Uddanda
- Umaputra
- Vakratunda
- Varaganapati
- Varaprada
- Varadavinayaka
- Veeraganapati
- Vidyavaridhi
- Vighnahara
- Vignaharta
- Vighnaraja
- Vighnarajendra
- Vighnavinashanaya
- Vigneshwara
- Vikat
- Vinayaka
- Vishwamukha,
- Vishwaraja,
- Yagnakaya,
- Yashaskaram,
- Yashvasin,
- Yogadhipa
- Siddhivinayaka.
Why people do not look at Moon on Ganesha Chaturthi
There is an interesting story on why people do not look at Moon on the day of Ganesha Chaturthi. There is a myth associated with this festival. If someone looks at the moon on the night of Ganesha chaturthi , then he would be falsely accused. According to the legend, once Ganesha ate lots of sweets and his stomach swell and became huge. He set out at night on his mouse. His mouse saw a snake and was scared. As a result, he tumbled so Ganesha fell down and his stomach burst open. Ganesha caught hold of snake and tied it around his stomach. Moon was watching Lord Ganesha and he started laughing. Ganesha was annoyed with this behaviour of moon. He pulled out his tusk and hurled it against the moon and curse him that no one would look at him, on the day of Ganesha chaturthi. If someone does that then he will earn a bad name. Since then people refrain from looking at moon on Ganesha chaturthi festival.
Rainbow
Tripura Sundari temple- Shakti peeth
Tripura Sundari temple is one among the 52 Shakti peethas in India. It is situated in ancient Udaipur, about 55 kms from Agartala. The temple was constructed in 1501 A.D. by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya. Temple consist a square type sanctum with a conical dome. This temple is one among the Sati Shakti Peeths. Sati’s right foot have fallen here. This temple houses two identical images of thedeity. The temple premise resembles a tortoise, so this temple is also called as Kurma Pitha. The idol of Maa Kali is worshipped in this temple.
The idol of Maa Kali is worshiped at the temple of Tripura Sundari in the form of ‘Soroshi‘. Inside the temple there are two identical idols of same deity made of kasti stone which is reddish black in colour. They are known as Tripura Sundari and Chhotima In Tripura. The idol of Tripura Sundari is 5 feet high, and idol of Chhotima is 2 feet high. It is believed that the idol was Chhotima was carried by king in battlefield.
Legend
The legend behind the construction of this mandir is that the king Dhanyamanikya got this message to install the goddess Tripura Sundari. Intially, the king was hesitant but this dream repeated to him again and he decided to install the goddess here. In the eastern side, there is the famous ‘Kalyan Sagar’ lake where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with “Muri” (puffed rice) and biscuits. No fishing is permitted in the Kalyan Sagar.
Important herbs – Feverfew
Useful herbs – Feverfew
The word “feverfew” derives from the Latin word febrifugia, meaning “fever reducer.” This herb is one of the useful herbs. The first use of this plant is documented as early as first century. Though the plant has been used as a herbal treatment to reduce fever and to treat headaches, arthritis and digestive problems, this is not supported by scientific findings.
Normally used parts of this herb are Bark, dried flowers, and leaves.
- It is used in prevention of headache and migraine, it treats the cause of headache rather then simply the pain.
- It is used in relieving the pain and inflammation in arthritis.
- It helps to lessen stomach irritation.
- It helps to ease menstrual cramps.
- It can be applied externally as tincture, and is used to treat bruises.
- It help to relieve fever.
- It stimulate appetite.
- Improves digestion and kidney function.
Legends and myths surrounding herbs – Feverfew
There is a legend about feverfew, that this herb saved the life of a person who fell off the famous temple in ancient Greece, the Parthenon. Hence, the name parthenium.
The Greek herbalist Dioscorides is believed to have treated arthritis with the herb feverfew. In 1649, Culpeper recommended feverfew for headaches and to strengthen women’s wombs. In 1772, another famous herbalist, John Hill, treated headaches. He also stated “this herb exceeds whatever else is known.”
In 1985, it was reported that extracts of feverfew inhibited the release of 2 inflammatory substances; serotonin from platelets and prostaglandin from white blood cells. Both are thought to contribute to the onset of migraine attacks and perhaps even to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis.
Nature has got a number of herbs, which help humans and animals. Feverfew is one of those herbs, which are useful to mankind.