This day is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Ghatasthapana also known as Kalash Sthapana is done on this day. Being the first day of the first month of a year, Gudhi Padwa festival is the New Year’s Day for Marathi people.
On this day, a gudhi is prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtrian households. A gudhi is yellow cloth adorned with brocade tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which sugar crystals, neem leaves, mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it.
Gudi padwa festival
The festival is celebrated with an auspicious bath, followed by decorating the doorway with a ‘toran’, performing ritualistic worship and hoisting the Gudhi. On this day, people finish their ablutions, wear new clothes and decorate their houses with colorful “rangoli” patterns.
This day, a special preparation is eaten. The eating of a specific mixture called Bevu-Bella (Neem and Jaggery) in Kannada, symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of good and bad, Happiness and Sorrow. Eating Neem and Sweet Jaggery means one need to take both Good and Bad or Happiness and Sorrow should be accepted together and with equanimity through the New Year. The special mixture consists of:
1. Neem Buds/Flowers for its bitterness, signifying Sadness
2. Jaggery which is sweet, signifying Happiness
Legends of the festival Gudi Padwa
This festival is celebrated to commemorate the day when Lord Rama killed King Vali. According to another such belief this day marks the beginning of Satyuga (the age of truth and justice). A popular belief is that it was on this day that Rama returned to Ayodhya. This festival is thus the celebration of victory and prosperity.
The great man has retired. There will be no more upper cuts or paddle sweep. So what? There are enough memories of his exploits which will remain with us. People often argue what is so great about him. The argument will stretch that he got out when he was needed, blah, blah……… My view is different. There is a very good article about Mr SRT on cricinfo and surely many of us will relate. I definitely do. For me, what made him great was the manner he took on opponents. I never realized this, but the more I think, the more I am convinced. What he did to Indian cricket was what Amitabh Bachchan did to Hindi movies. Here the angry young man, is fighting against the army of baddies, our little champion was taking on intimidating fast bowlers all over the world. The superstar stumbled at the last hurdle in two epics (Sholay and Deewar). Our Little Champion could not see India through against pak(133) and aus(90).
Sachin and Amitabh
The era which he started playing where an indian fan was used to losing. Here comes a little boy who started taking the bull by horns. It may seem exaggerating, but “Tum hamein maar nahi Sakte” is almost as recognizable as “Main yeh jaanta hoon ki main yeh kar sakta hoon”. Such has been his effect of exploits that he did not remain at coffee table or tea stalls, he came into our homes. I surely can relate to the article “Growing with him”. Following things may look like stories, but they are facts.
The day of my last engineering paper was the day “he” beat Australia in Sharjah. That innings is part of Tendulkar folklore. I don’t remember the name of the subject (where I scored an A), but I rue that I could not see about first seventy runs because of the paper.
Kolkata test is known for VVS and Rahul. But even on the last day, India did not win until Sachin gave a test of his own medicine to Warne, a googly. (35/3)
The writer has witnessed fighting people over what he cannot do. Some people even suggested that he can become president of India. He is currently a rajya sabha member, you never know what happens next.
The way he took on Henry Olonga after getting out on a bouncer. People said this is end of his career. He had played 12 years now. I boarded a train to my home town and there was a scheduled stop of about 20 minutes. On the platform, the match was live on TV. Me and my friend could not believe, but Sachin and Saurabh won the game in about thirty overs, with special treatment meted out to Henry. You will probably not believe that train started about 20 minutes late from its scheduled departure, after the match was finished.
Whatever may be the case, but the exit was unceremonius from the stage which was his. Mr Bachchan has reinvented him, I hope he says goodbye to test cricket in grand style.
Note: This article started just after his announcement for retirement, but seeing the light late.
Curses and boons are an integral part of mythological stories. When it comes to curses, Karna from Mahabharata immediately comes to our mind. Similarly Sage Durvasa is also known to be a person, who cursed freely. But do we know, that Lord Rama and Shri Krishna were also cursed and Lakshman has to die as a consequence of a curse. This article attempts to catalog some famous and some unknown curses.
Curse on Lord Rama
Perhaps the most amazing unknown fact from The Ramayana. Tara (wife of Vali) cursed Rama so that he will soon lose Sita after he regains her. She also declared that Sita will return to the earth. This happened after Rama killed Vali when he was having a duel with Sugriva. Tara additionally cursed Rama that in his next birth, he will be killed by Vali. (Shri Krishna and the hunter).
Tara curses Lord Rama
Curse on Jaya and Vijaya by Sanath Kumaras
This can be regarded as the most defining curse in Hindu mythology, which resulted in birth of Ravana, Kumbhkarna, Hiranyakashyap and Hiranyaksha. Lord Vishnu took four avatars to relieve them of their curse. [complete story]
Curse on King Dashrath by parents of Shravan Kumar
Parents of Shravan Kumar cursed Dashrath to suffer for his son, which came true due to boons given to Kaikeyi. Dashratha accidentally killed Shravan Kumar while he was fetching water for his parents. Upon knowing this, his parents cursed him that he would also suffer with separation of his children. This came true when Kaikeyi demanded that Rama should be banished.
Dashrath accidentally kills Shravan Kumar
Sage Gautam’s curse to Ahilya
Indra disguised himself as Sage Gautam and had a relationship with Ahilya . Sage Gautam came to know of this and he cursed Ahilya to turn into a stone. She was later liberated by Lord Rama. This story is available in Aranya Kand of Ramayana.
Rama and Ahalya
Sage Gautam’s curse to Indra
Lord Indra with thousand eyes
After Indra cheated Sage Gautam’s wife Ahalya, He was cursed by Sage that he would have one thousand female genitals (Sahasrayoni). Later this curse reverted into a boon and Indra got thousand eyes. Indra is also known as Sahasraaksha.
Curse on Lord Hanuman
Hanuman has been very mischievous in his childhood. Some sages, irritated by Hanuman’s exploits, placed a mild curse on him by which he became unable to remember his own ability unless reminded by another person. The curse is highlighted in Kishkindha Kand and Sunder Kand, when Jambavantha reminds Hanuman of his abilities and encourages him to go and find Sita.
Hanuman departing for Lanka in search of Sita
Curse on Anjana – mother of Hanuman
Anjana was actually an apsara but took birth as a vanar. Once she threw some fruits on a meditating vanar, who was a sage doing penance. The sage cursed her to born become a vanar or monkey the moment she fells in love. She was absolved of this curse later through Brahma’s boon.
Gandhari shrap to Krishna
Gandhari held Krishna responsible for Mahabharat war and cursed that his end will be ordinary. She also cursed that his clan will also destroyed by infighting. Accordingly, her curse came true after 36 years of Mahabharata war.
The curse of sages (Vishwamitra, Durvasa, Vashistha, and Narada) to Samba
Samba, Lord Krishna’s son and his friends once have joked with sages. They cursed him to give birth to a iron lump of mass which will bring the destruction of the entire Yadava race.
Shri Krishna’s curse to Samba
Shri Krishna cursed Samba (his own son) to be affected by leprosy.
Shri Krishna to Ashwaththama
Ashwaththama, son of Guru Drona, tried to do the unthinkable. After he tried to kill Abhimanyu’s unborn son (Parikshit) with a deadly weapon brahmastra, Krishna cursed him and to live forever. He also took out the shining jewel from his forehead.
Urvashi’s curse to Arjuna
To become a eunuch when he refused an alliance with her. Later, she diluted this for a year which he used in agyaatvaas. [related link]
Yudhisthira to womankind
That they could not hide anything from anyone. This was done after he came to know from Kunti that Karna was his elder brother who was slain in the war of Mahabharata. Kunti tried the mantra given by Sage Durvasa to test its effectiveness. This would have caused embarassment to her, so she had to let Karna go and kept silent about it. This is why Yudhishthira cursed womankind.
Parshuram to Karna
This is quite famous incident of a teacher and the student. Parshuram cursed Karna that he would forget the mantra when he would need most. There is a whole article on curses on Karna.
Parshurama sleeping in Karna’s lap
Bhoomi devi to Karna
Owing to an incident where Karna cause distress to Bhoomi devi, She cursed him. In the battle of Mahabharat, the wheel of his chariot got stuck.
Brahmin curse to Karna
To die as a helpless as he has killed a cow. Karna had his more than share of curses. Details can be read on this article which is all about curses on Karna.
Curse of Vasishtha on Vasus
Vasishtha cursed vasus to be born on earth as mortals since they have abducted his cow, Nandini. This curse is also related with birth of Bhishma.
Rishi Kindam’s curse to Pandu
Pandu accidentally killed Sage Kindam alongwith his wife. He cursed Pandu to die a similar death. Pandu died alongwith Madri, his second wife.
The curse on King Yayati by Shukracharya
Sage & Guru Shukracarya cursed King yayati to go as a Old man as Yayati secretly wedded Sharmishtha. (She was Devayani’s sister.) He was allowed to exchange his state from someone who was willing to do. Yayati’s all sons refused, but Puru agreed and he later became his successor.
Shukracharya curse to Yayati
Saraswati’s curse to Brahma
Brahma not being worshipped is associated with Saraswati’s curse too. He was cursed after being irritated with undue advances from Brahma.
Brahma’s curse to Shiva
Originally Brahma has five heads. Once Parvati mistook him for Shiva and when she realized she told this to Shiva. Shiva removed Brahma’s fifth head as Kal Bhairav. Brahma cursed Shiva that the fifth head will be attached to Shiva and will cause him hunger. The fifth head must be attached to his hand itself and hereafter Shiva must be affected having hunger, having no sleep. Parvati sought Vishnu’s advise and got rid of the fifth head ‘Kabala’.
Shiva as Bhairava
Narada’s curse to sons of Kuber
Narada cursed Kuber’s sons to become trees. They were liberated by Shri Krishna. Nalakuvara and Maṇigriva were Kubera’s sons. Once they were taking bath in water with their wives naked. Sage Narada came that way. The ladies took their garments after seeing the sage. But the sons of Kubera ignored him. Narada gave a lecture on the false prestige and madness after drinking liquor by the rich and influenced. Then Narada cursed them to become twin trees to be released later by Lord Krishna.
Sage Narada
Vasishtha’s curse to Satyavrata – Trishanku
He is popularly known as Trishanku and cursed with a debilitating disease. He was cursed because he stole the cow of Sage Vasishtha and killed it. He then ate it later. But he took care of Sage Vishwamitra’s family, Vishwamitra wanted to send him to heaven.
Curse on Shantanu and Ganga by Brahma
Shantanu and Ganga were celestial beings who had also been cursed to be born on earth as human beings. Shantanu was King Mahabhishak and he and Ganga were cursed by Brahma for their indecencies in their past lives.
Saraswati’s curse to Laxmi
To be born as a tree, Saraswati as a result of Ganga’s curse would become the wife of Brahma. Ganga due to Saraswati’s curse would become a holy River to demolish the sins of those who take baths on her waters.
Curse of Kabandha
Kabandha was a Gandharva. Lord Indra made Kabandha in a ugly creature. He gave him two long arms and a mouth on his belly. Indra said that Kabandha would regain his original form when Rama severs his arms. Rama meets the rakshasa Kabandha and kills him, freeing him from a curse. The freed Kabandha advises Rama to seek the help of Sugriva to find Sita.
Kabdandha’s salvation by Rama and Lakshman
Ganesha’s curse to Moon
Ganesha cursed moon for him being impolite. The whole story is available here.
