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Lord Krishna

Birth of Lord Krishna

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The story of birth of Lord Krishna

 

We know that Kamsa has imprisoned his sister and brother in law because of the Akshwani that eighth son of Devaki will kill him. He has killed seven of her sons and was waiting for the birth of eighth child. The day came was Amavasya of hindi month Bhadrapada. Following are the details of birth of Lord Krishna and events following him.

Auspicious hour

When the auspicious hour came, The star Rohini was shining. It was Vijaya Muhurta. All elements were extremely pleasant at the birth of Lord Krishna. Winds were blowing. The stars were shining with lustre. The lakes were filled with lotuses. Lord Krishna incarnated at midnight on this earth. The gods played divine music. The Kinnaras and Gandharvas sang. Siddhas and Charanas praised. The Vidyadharas (various grades of celestial beings) danced along with Apsaras, sages and Devas. There was a rain of flowers from the heavens in joy.

The Incarnation

Lord Vishnu incarnated with lotus eyes, with four hands, armed with conch, disc, mace and lotus, with the diamond Kausthuba, with the mark Srivatsa adorning the chest, wearing silk Pitambara, with ear ornaments made of diamonds, with the crown made of several emeralds, with bracelets in the lower and upper arms and valuable waist-string. Vasudeva saw this marvel of a divine child.

Krishna’s birth in prison

Vasudeva praises Lord Krishna

Vasudeva praised Him, “Thou art known to me already as the Supreme Being. Thou art an embodiment of knowledge and bliss. Thou art seated in the hearts of all beings. Thou art the witness of the minds of all. Thou art beyond Maya and Avidya.” Devaki beheld marks of Vishnu on her son and praised Him, “Thou art beginning less, Omnipresent, self-luminous, attributeless, changeless and action less. Thou art the source and place of dissolution for everything. Kindly do not show me this form with four hands. Let me see you as an ordinary child. Withdraw this divine transcendental form. We are afraid of Kamsa.”

Birth of Shri Krishna

Lord Krishna suggested to take him to Gokula

The Lord said, “Let both of you often meditate with love on Me as a son and as the Supreme being as you will obtain eternal bliss and immortality.” The Lord assumed the form of a handsome baby through the power of his own Maya.  The Lord said, “If you are afraid of Kamsa, then take me to Gokula and bring my Maya that is born there of Yasoda immediately.” Vasudeva took the baby and came out. The sentries became stupefied under the influence of Lord’s Maya and the people were all asleep. The doors which were locked, opened of their own accord. There was gentle rain. Adisesha spread forth his hoods like an umbrella to ward off rain. The deep Yamuna which was in floods with strong currents, made way for Vasudeva.

Vasudeva comes back with the female child

Vasudeva placed the child near the bed of Yasoda and took the female baby from there, he returned back to his prison-house and placed this Maya child near Devaki and put on his fetters as before on his legs.

Kamsa comes to kill the child

The sentries ran and told Kamsa of the birth of the child for Devaki. Kamsa soon got up from his bed, repaired to the place where Devaki was confined, and entered the room in which she was lying. The helpless Devaki told Kamsa, “O Kamsa! This child is your niece. It is not proper for you to kill a female child.” Kamsa threatened his sister and seized the child by her hands and dashed it on a stone.

The child warns Kamsa

The child slipped from his hands and rose high up into the sky. It was seen as the sister of Vishnu with eight hands. She was wearing the divine garland and robes and ornaments and adorned with the bow, trident, knife, conch, disc and mace. She was praised by the Siddhas, Gandharvas and Kinnaras. She said, “O fool! What benefit are you going to derive by killing me? He who is going to take your life is born elsewhere. He is your old enemy. Do not hurt in vain these helpless persons , Devaki, Vasudeva and other children.

Janmashtmi festival – story of birth of Shri Krishna (in pictures)

 

Mahakal Shringar – 10 May 2017

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JAI MAHAKAL

Mahakal Shringar 10 May

Mahakal Shringar 10 May

शिव पुराण की ‘कोटि-रुद्र संहिता’ के सोलहवें अध्याय में तृतीय ज्योतिर्लिंग भगवान महाकाल के संबंध में सूतजी द्वारा जिस कथा को वर्णित किया गया है, उसके अनुसार अवंती नगरी में एक वेद कर्मरत ब्राह्मण रहा करते थे। वे अपने घर में अग्नि की स्थापना कर प्रतिदिन अग्निहोत्र करते थे और वैदिक कर्मों के अनुष्ठान में लगे रहते थे। भगवान शंकर के परम भक्त वह ब्राह्मण प्रतिदिन पार्थिव लिंग का निर्माण कर शास्त्र विधि से उसकी पूजा करते थे। हमेशा उत्तम ज्ञान को प्राप्त करने में तत्पर उस ब्राह्मण देवता का नाम ‘वेदप्रिय’ था। वेदप्रिय स्वयं ही शिव जी के अनन्य भक्त थे, जिसके संस्कार के फलस्वरूप उनके शिव पूजा-परायण ही चार पुत्र हुए। वे तेजस्वी तथा माता-पिता के सद्गुणों के अनुरूप थे। उन चारों पुत्रों के नाम ‘देवप्रिय’, ‘प्रियमेधा’, ‘संस्कृत’ और ‘सुवृत’ थे।

उन दिनों रत्नमाल पर्वत पर ‘दूषण’ नाम वाले धर्म विरोधी एक असुर ने वेद, धर्म तथा धर्मात्माओं पर आक्रमण कर दिया। उस असुर को ब्रह्मा से अजेयता का वर मिला था। सबको सताने के बाद अन्त में उस असुर ने भारी सेना लेकर अवन्ति (उज्जैन) के उन पवित्र और कर्मनिष्ठ ब्राह्मणों पर भी चढ़ाई कर दी। उस असुर की आज्ञा से चार भयानक दैत्य चारों दिशाओं में प्रलयकाल की आग के समान प्रकट हो गये। उनके भयंकर उपद्रव से भी शिव जी पर विश्वास करने वाले वे ब्राह्मणबन्धु भयभीत नहीं हुए। अवन्ति नगर के निवासी सभी ब्राह्मण जब उस संकट में घबराने लगे, तब उन चारों शिवभक्त भाइयों ने उन्हें आश्वासन देते हुए कहा- ‘आप लोग भक्तों के हितकारी भगवान शिव पर भरोसा रखें।’ उसके बाद वे चारों ब्राह्मण-बन्धु शिव जी का पूजन कर उनके ही ध्यान में तल्लीन हो गये।

सेना सहित दूषण ध्यान मग्न उन ब्राह्मणों के पास पहुँच गया। उन ब्राह्मणों को देखते ही ललकारते हुए बोल उठा कि इन्हें बाँधकर मार डालो। वेदप्रिय के उन ब्राह्मण पुत्रों ने उस दैत्य के द्वारा कही गई बातों पर कान नहीं दिया और भगवान शिव के ध्यान में मग्न रहे। जब उस दुष्ट दैत्य ने यह समझ लिया कि हमारे डाँट-डपट से कुछ भी परिणाम निकलने वाला नहीं है, तब उसने ब्राह्मणों को मार डालने का निश्चय किया।

उसने ज्योंही उन शिव भक्तों के प्राण लेने हेतु शस्त्र उठाया, त्योंही उनके द्वारा पूजित उस पार्थिव लिंग की जगह गम्भीर आवाल के साथ एक गडढा प्रकट हो गया और तत्काल उस गड्ढे से विकट और भयंकर रूपधारी भगवान शिव प्रकट हो गये। दुष्टों का विनाश करने वाले तथा सज्जन पुरुषों के कल्याणकर्त्ता वे भगवान शिव ही महाकाल के रूप में इस पृथ्वी पर विख्यात हुए। उन्होंने दैत्यों से कहा- ‘अरे दुष्टों! तुझ जैसे हत्यारों के लिए ही मैं ‘महाकाल’ प्रकट हुआ हूँ।

इस प्रकार धमकाते हुए महाकाल भगवान शिव ने अपने हुँकार मात्र से ही उन दैत्यों को भस्म कर डाला। दूषण की कुछ सेना को भी उन्होंने मार गिराया और कुछ स्वयं ही भाग खड़ी हुई। इस प्रकार परमात्मा शिव ने दूषण नामक दैत्य का वध कर दिया। जिस प्रकार सूर्य के निकलते ही अन्धकार छँट जाता है, उसी प्रकार भगवान आशुतोष शिव को देखते ही सभी दैत्य सैनिक पलायन कर गये। देवताओं ने प्रसन्नतापूर्वक अपनी दन्दुभियाँ बजायीं और आकाश से फूलों की वर्षा की। उन शिवभक्त ब्राह्मणों पर अति प्रसन्न भगवान शंकर ने उन्हें आश्वस्त करते हुए कहा कि ‘मै महाकाल महेश्वर तुम लोगों पर प्रसन्न हूँ, तुम लोग वर मांगो।’

महाकालेश्वर की वाणी सुनकर भक्ति भाव से पूर्ण उन ब्राह्मणों ने हाथ जोड़कर विनम्रतापूर्वक कहा- ‘दुष्टों को दण्ड देने वाले महाकाल! शम्भो! आप हम सबको इस संसार-सागर से मुक्त कर दें। हे भगवान शिव! आप आम जनता के कल्याण तथा उनकी रक्षा करने के लिए यहीं हमेशा के लिए विराजिए। प्रभो! आप अपने दर्शनार्थी मनुष्यों का सदा उद्धार करते रहें।’

भगवान शंकर ने उन ब्राह्माणों को सद्गति प्रदान की और अपने भक्तों की सुरक्षा के लिए उस गड्ढे में स्थित हो गये। उस गड्ढे के चारों ओर की लगभग तीन-तीन किलोमीटर भूमि लिंग रूपी भगवान शिव की स्थली बन गई। ऐसे भगवान शिव इस पृथ्वी पर महाकालेश्वर के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हुए।

Story of Lord Hanumana, Lord Shani and Meghnaad

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This is an interesting story involving Lord Hanumana, Lord Shani, Meghnaad and Ravana. This story explains why Lord Shani likes devotees of Lord Hanumana.

Birth of Meghnaad

When the birth of Meghnaad was approaching, Ravana instructed all the Navagrahas to stay in the 11th house of Meghnaad’s horoscope. By doing this, he wanted to ensure that Meghnaad becomes invincible.  All planets stayed in the 11th house of Meghnaad’s horoscope as per Ravana’s instructions. But Lord Shanidev refused to comply with Ravana’s orders even though the Asura king was immensely powerful. So he stretched his leg a little bit from Ravana’s clutches towards his 12th House. Ravana’s knew that this will cause Meghnaad’s death, so he imprisoned him in a dark tiny cell so that nobody could see Shani’s face again.

Ravana imprisons Shanidev

Ravana got angry with this and he imprisoned Lord Shani. Ravana worried about the malefic gaze of Shani and the effect it could have on his son’s life. So he imprisoned him. But Shanidev cursed Ravana and said that Lanka would burn violently in the Treta Yuga. He also stated that Ravana’s greed and malice would be the end of him.

Lord Hanumana comes to Lanka

When Lord Hanumana came in search of Devi Sita, he happened to burn Lanka as per the curse of Lord. When he was returning, he saw him in prison. Lord Hanumana freed him. Grateful, he says to Lord Hanumana – I cannot trouble you. Since you have saved me from Raavan’s prison I would like to give you a boon.

Lord Hanumana and Lord Shani

Lord Hanumana and Lord Shani

Lord Shani gives a boon to Lord Hanumana

For the boon, Hanumana asked him not to trouble or cast evil eye on his devotees. Lord Shani promised not to trouble or cause hardships to Hanuman devotees. When he was freed, he asked Hanuman – “Could you give me some oil to relieve my this wretched pain?” Then Hanuman gave him some mustard oil to Lord, after the massage of that oil on his body, his pain was relieved immediately. Since then it has been customary to offer some mustard oil in the name of Lord. It is symbolic to sooth his pain. He feels satisfied and this makes him benevolent towards the devotee of Ram. That is why who worship Hanuman on Saturday are not affected by Shani’s Dosh.

Sahdev killing Shakuni in Mahabharata

Who was the wisest Pandava?

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Very little attention is paid to Sahadev when it comes to Mahabharata and Pandavas, but as per some ancient texts, he was the wisest of all Pandavas and knew about the future, even death of his own son, but such were the circumstances that he had to kept mum. Some parts of this story does not agree with overall Mahabharata which we know, such as at the time of Pandu’s death, Lord Krishna was a mere infant, but still this narration makes an interesting story.

Early life of Pandavas

When Pandavas were little kids, their father Pandu and their mothers, Madri and Kunti lived in exile in a forest. Pandu brought his sons up in a secluded austere atmosphere, with only sages and ascetics for company, and every day Pandu would teach his sons on how to be men of honour.

Pandu tells little Sahdeva to eat his father’s brain

One day when Pandu sat Sahadev on his knee, he told Sahdev: “When I die, you must consume my brain. Only then will you be able to know all about this world.” Sahadev looked at his father with big eyes and agreed he would consume his Pandu’s brain.When Pandu died, Madri accepted death so that she could accompany her husband to the next realm. As Pandu lay on his pyre, the Pandava brothers stood with Kunti and watched.

Sahadev follows his father’s orders

The fire was slowly burning the corpse and Pandu’s head burst from the heat, Sahadev saw his father’s brain.Sahadev knew that he had to eat the brain. Without a word Sahadev ran up to the flames and reached in, plucking out the matter. When other Pandavas shouted, Sahadev took off into the forest.

Lord Krishna senses a disaster

Lord Krishna was away in Mathura but he knew what was happening. He also knew that if Sahadev managed to do what he wanted, it would be a disaster. He took the form of an old sage, manifested himself near where Pandu’s body burned and chased after Sahadev.

He becomes trikalgyani

But Sahdev had already taken a bite of his father’s brain. And with that bite he became enlightened about all that had happened in the history of the world. With a second bite, he knew about all that was happening in the world. And with a another bite, he became enlightened about what is going to happen in future. Sahadev became ‘trikal gyani’ – a person who knows Past, Present and Future – and even though he was only a little boy he realised that the old sage who was chasing him wasn’t really an old sage but the Supreme Lord Krishna himself.

Lord Krishna advises him to keep quiet

Sahadev stopped. Krishna caught up with him, realising it was too late. Sahadev knew everything. “You must never reveal what you know,”  Lord Krishna asked Sahadev.He asked. “What if someone asks me? I can’t lie.”“If someone inquires, then you may tell the truth. But never tell them extra. And never tell anyone that you know so much.”

Sahadev’s masterstroke

Sahadev agreed and asked something in return. He said –  “Alright. But you have to agree to my request too.” “What request is that?” “That you will always protect Pandavas. And if any one of us dies then you must accept death too.” Krishna narrowed his eyes. The boy was a hard bargainer. “Agreed.”

The know all Sahadev

So all of his life, Sahadev knew everything. He knew of the fire plot of Varnavat even as Duryodhan was planning, he knew about the political aspirations of Duryodhan and the Kauravas,  He knew about the loaded dice in the gambling match, he knew what would happen to Draupadi in that gambling hall, he about death of everyone in the war. He knew that Ashwathama would kill the Pandava children including his own.

He knew all these terrible things but he could never tell anyone. Not even his brothers,not even his wife Draupadi, who knew everyone’s secrets. Not anyone but Krishna.

Shri Krishna and Pandavas

Shri Krishna and Pandavas

For this reason he was quietest of all brothers, keeping to himself and allowing others to speak. Imagine the strength that must have taken. To know what disasters will happen but not speak of them anyway. This is why He was called the most patient man in the world, that he had the power to cope and be in self control.

At the same time, because he’d made Krishna agree to his request he knew that no harm would ever come to the Pandavas themselves. Krishna was bound to protect them all or face death himself.

This was the masterstroke from Sahadev to protect himself and his brothers.

Jalandhara and Vrinda

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The story of Jalandhara and Vrinda is another captivating story from the treasure trove of Indian mythology. Vrinda’s purity was the reason that was driving her husband, Jalandhara’s invincibility. Lord Vishnu had to resort to some trickery in order to defeat Jalandhara. In the process, he was cursed by Vrinda.

This story also describes why Sita had to be separated from Rama, because of curse of Vrinda and why Vrinda is treated with respect in Indian mythology.

Lord Shiva gets angry with Indra

Once Indra along with sage Brihaspati went to mount Kailash to meet Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva learned about their arrival and decided to test the firmness of their faith. He disguised as an old bearded ascetic with matted hair and radiant face.

He was standing at the gate of Kailash. When Indra came near him he asked about Lord Shiva. But, the old ascetic didn’t say anything and pretended to be lost in meditation. This gesture of old ascetic enraged Indra and he hit the ascetic with his Vajra (thunderbolt).

Lord Shiva

Ascetic who was actually Lord Shiva himself neutralised Indra’s weapon. Indra’s audacity made Shiva angry. In anger he opened his third eye and fierce fire shot from it, he was about to kill Indra. Brihaspati recognised Shiva and begged him to forgive Indra. Shiva accepted his request, but the fire could not be controlled. So Shiva threw the fire in the ksheersagar where it emerged in form of radiant and powerful boy.

Birth of Jalandhara

The newborn boy began to wail loudly at the shore of the ocean causing distress to all.  Lord Brahma came to pacify the boy. He saw the boy and took him into his lap. The little boy tugged so hard at Brahma’s beard that water came out of his eyes. So Brahma gave him name Jalandhara (he who carries water). Brahma also predict that he will be emperor of demons and shall be invincible to all except Lord Shiva and after death he will return to Shiva’s third eye. Brahma advised ocean to take care of the child.

Jalandhara marriage to Vrinda

Jalandhara grew into a handsome man and was very powerful. His guru Shukracharya made him king of demons. He was married to demon Kalanemi’s beautiful daughter Vrinda.

Jalandhara and Shukracharya plan their ascendancy over Devas

Once Shukracharya narrated him the story of how Vishnu, by his cunningness had duped the demons of their legitimate right over the gem that were churned out of the ocean. On hearing this Jalandhara send a messenger to God Indra threatening him to either return the gem or face war.  Indra refused to do so. A fierce battle took place between demons and Gods. Many warriors on both side were killed, though demons were revived to life by Shukracharya who knew the Sanjivini Vidya. On other hand sage Brihaspati revived gods by medicinal herb from ‘Dronagiri mountain’. Shukracharya also advised him to submerge Dronagiri mountain so that Brihaspati can not use its herb to revive Gods.

Lord Vishnu could not defeat Jalandhara

Jalandhara did the same as a result divine force started losing. The defeated God decided to seek help of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu was ready to help God but when his consort Lakshmi heard about this she requested Vishnu not to kill him as she considers him his brother as both of them were born from the ocean. There was a fierce battle between Lord Vishnu and Jalandhara which was indecisive till the end. Vishnu was impressed with Jalandhara and told him his relation with Lakshmi and also granted him a boon. Jalandhara asked Vishnu to make Ksheersagar his home. Lord Vishnu agreed to this and started living there with his consort Lakshmi. Devas without help of Vishnu were easily defeated by Jalandhara and he became emperor of all the three world. Devas were very unhappy with their defeat, they decided to take help of sage Narada.

Lord Vishnu and Ksheersagar

Meeting of Sage Narada and Jalandhara

Narada went to meet Jalandhara, he was welcomed by him. Narada said that he was coming from Lord Shiva realm and when he saw his kingdom, you have everything that Lord Shiva has except that he has a beautiful consort Parvati who is matchless. If you get hold of that gem, you can make your realm perfect.

Lord Shiva and Parvati gets enraged at Jalandhara

Quickly Jalandhara send his messenger Rahu to Lord Shiva with a proposal to hand over Parvati to him.  Lord Shiva was very angry to learn about this outraged demand.Soon a fierce battle took place between them. Upon seeing Shiva and his avatars dominating the battlefield, he created an illusion of beautiful apsaras dancing and singing. This distracted Lord Shiva and his army. Meanwhile he disguised as Lord Shiva and went to Parvati in order to trick her. Parvati on recognizing his deception was so enraged that she took form of Kali and attacked the demon, but he escaped.

Jalandhara got his powers from his wife Vrinda

Then she went to Lord Vishnu and request him for help. Lord Vishnu said that his wife Vrinda is very pious and the demon was deriving all powers because of his wife Vrinda’s unswerving wifely devotion. In order to defeat him they have to outrage her chastity.

Lord Vishnu tricked Vrinda and was cursed

Vishnu then created an illusion that Jalandhara was killed by Shiva and brought back to life by him. Vrinda then embraces Jalandhara who was actually Lord Vishnu in disguise. Vrinda realised that it was Vishnu in disguise so she cursed im that his wife will also be abducted by someone (which came true in treta yuga when Ravana abducted Sita Ram’s wife who was incarnation of Vishnu) and immolated herself. In the meantime, Jalandhara was killed by Lord Shiva with his trident. After which his soul merged with Lord Shiva and soul of Vrinda merged with Parvati.

Vishnu and Vrinda

 

Draupadi cheerharan

Why Draupadi had five husbands?

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Devi Draupadi is an important character in Indian mythology and there are stories related to her which are talked about most. One aspect of her personality which is controversial as well, is her having five husbands.

But as everything in life happens for a reason, this is no exception as well. We will look at some of the reasons on why she had five husbands.

Arjuna and Draupadi in Mahabharat

Arjuna and Draupadi in Mahabharat

Story from Vayu purana and Sage Narada

As per Narada and Vayu Puranas, Draupadi was composite Avatar of Goddesses Shyamala (wife of Dharma), Bharati (Wife of Vayu), Sachi (wife of Indra), Usha (wife of Ashwinis) and hence married their earthly counterparts in the form of the five Pandavas.

Due to an incident happened, Lord Brahma cursed these goddesses to human birth. Devi Parvati thought of the solution wherein they will be born as one woman, Draupadi and hence share the earthly body for a smaller period of time. Draupadi’s resistance against injustice reflects Parvati or her Shakti, Kali inhabiting Draupadi’s mortal flesh at times. At other times, Draupadi was docile and even waited to be rescued (as in case of Jayadratha and Jatasura) showing the qualities of other goddesses like Sachi and Usha. Other times, she showed astuteness in hiding their true identity and asking Vayu putra Bhima to kill the evil Keechaka like Goddess Bharati would.

An avatar of Goddess Shree

Draupadi was also avatar of Goddess Shree or Wealth who was joint wife to five Indras, the five Pandavas. She was to be born several times for imprisoning the Indras.  First time was as Vedavati who cursed Ravana (who is another goddess Avatar Swaha, wife to Agni).

She incarnated as  Maya-(shadow of Sita) especially to take revenge from Ravana while Agni hid the real Sita.  Third one was partial,  as Damyanti (whose husband Nala was equivalent to Dharma, Vayu, Indra just like the Pandavas) and her daughter Nalayani. She married Sage Mudgala. The fifth avatar was Draupadi herself. So we find in Draupadi, a composite avatar of Kali, Parvati, Sachi, Shyamala, Usha, Bharati, Shree, Swaha, the eight goddesses.

Boon from previous birth

When Kunti asked her sons to share draupadi as their wives, Lord Krishna took Draupadi aside and explained to her.  “This awkward situation you find yourself in is of your own making. In your previous birth you had pleased Lord Shiva with your prayers. He granted a boon to you. You said that you wanted a husband and to ensure that your request was heard, you repeated it five times in all. Shiva then said that in your next life you would have five husbands.”

Some sources have a slightly different narration. Draupadi made her request only once but she added a long list of qualities that she wanted in her husband. Shiva said that it would be impossible to find one man with all these qualities. Hence she would have five husbands in her next life. All of them together would posses the qualities she had enumerated.

There is an interesting story which says that Draupadi could have fourteen husbands instead of five.

Lord Krishna then added,” You will spend one year with each husband. Others will be forbidden to enter the chamber in which you and the husband-of-the-year are staying. If one does so, even accidentally, he would be exiled for one year.”

 

Panchmukhi Hanumana

The story behind Lord Hanumana’s panchmukhi roopa

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Ravan had a brother called Ahiravan. He was the ruler of Pataal Lok( the netherworld), and a master of illusion and magic. When Meghnad was killed by Lakshmana, and Ravan was losing the battle against Ram, he reached out to Ahiravan for help.

Ahiravan promised to capture Ram and Lakshman alive, take them to his kingdom, where he would sacrifice them to the Goddess Mahamaya. Vibhishan came to know of Ahiravan’s plans, informs Ram and Lakshman of this, makes necessary arrangements and asks Hanuman to keep guard over them.

He also told Hanuman, that Ahiravan is a master of disguise, and to be careful of any trickery. Ahiravan tries to enter the place, where Ram and Lakshman are sleeping, in various disguises, but Hanuman manages to thwart him. Finally he assumes the guise of Vibhishan himself, and gets past Hanuman, abducts Ram and Lakshman to Pataal Lok.

When Hanuman finds he has been tricked by Ahiravan, he vows to find Ram and Lakshman, and kill Ahiravan. Hanuman goes down into the Patala Loka, where he finds Ahiravan’s massive palace, that is heavily guarded on all sides.

He first has to contend with the guard, Makardhwaja, who is half Vanara, half fish, and also happens to be Hanuman’s son in a way too. After defeating his son, Hanuman makes his way into Ahiravan’s palace and learns that the way to kill Ahiravan is to extinguish 5 different lamps in different directions.  

This is when Hanuman assumes his Panchamukha Anjaneya form here.The 4 faces of Hanuman, Varaha, Garuda and Narasimha face East, South, West and North respectively, while the 5th face of Hayagriva, faces upwards.

Panchmukhi Hanumana

Panchmukhi Hanumana

In this form, Hanuman manages to extinguish the 5 different lamps all at one time, and goes on to kill Ahiravan with one swift stroke of the knife. Thus he manages to save Ram and Lakshman, and bring them back from Patala Loka, where they resume the battle against Ravan.

Ram, Lakshman and Hanumana

Ram, Lakshman and Hanumana