Shri Krishna became daughter in law of Arjuna

Sounds strange, but this is for real. This too was done for ensuring victory to Pandavas. Arjuna’s son Iravan sacrificed himself before Kurukshetra war.

Iravan, was the son of Arjuna from princess Uloopi. Before the start of the Mahabharata war, he agreed to be sacrificed to Goddess Kali to ensure victory for Pandavas. But he had a wish to be married before he died and this created a problem.
There was no girl who would be willingly married to a person who was about to die. Enter Shri Krishna. He became Mohini and married Iravan thus fulfilling his last wish. Not only this, after the death of Iravan, Mohini wept and was sorrowful like a widow.

Unknown stories on Arjuna 

Shri Krishna as a wife to Iravan - Arjuna' son

Shri Krishna as a wife to Iravan – Arjuna’ son

 

Guru poornima is also known as Vyasa Poornima – Why?

Vyasa Poornima

Vedvyasa – It is said that Vyasa have been born on Guru Poornima day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami, which ends on this day. This great sage also wrote Mahabharata. This was the day, when Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa – author of the Mahabharata – was born to sage Parashara and a fisherman’s daughter Satyavati, thus this day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima.

Guru Poornima

Draupadi had a secret wish for Karna as her husband

Though she was happily married to Pandavas, there were times when She wished Karna as her husband. This famous episode is known as Jambul episode.

Read full story here

Draupadi wanted someone else as her husband

 

मां दुर्गा

कैलाश पर्वत के ध्यानी की अर्धांगिनी मां सती पार्वती को ही शैलपुत्री‍, ब्रह्मचारिणी, चंद्रघंटा, कूष्मांडा, स्कंदमाता, कात्यायिनी, कालरात्रि, महागौरी, सिद्धिदात्री आदि नामों से जाना जाता है। इसके अलावा भी मां के अनेक नाम हैं जैसे दुर्गा, जगदम्बा, अम्बे, शेरांवाली आदि, लेकिन सबमें सुंदर नाम तो ‘मां’ ही है।

पुरातन काल में दुर्गम नामक दैत्य हुआ। उसने भगवान ब्रह्मा को प्रसन्न कर सभी वेदों को अपने वश में कर लिया जिससे देवताओं का बल क्षीण हो गया। तब दुर्गम ने देवताओं को हराकर स्वर्ग पर कब्जा कर लिया। तब देवताओं को देवी भगवती का स्मरण हुआ। देवताओं ने शुंभ-निशुंभ, मधु-कैटभ तथा चण्ड-मुण्ड का वध करने वाली शक्ति का आह्वान किया।

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कंदमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।

प्रत्येक सर्वसाधारण के लिए आराधना योग्य यह श्लोक सरल और स्पष्ट है। माँ जगदम्बे की भक्ति पाने के लिए इसे कंठस्थ कर नवरात्रि में पाँचवें दिन इसका जाप करना चाहिए।

आदि सतयुग के राजा दक्ष की पुत्री पार्वती माता को शक्ति कहा जाता है। पार्वती नाम इसलिए पड़ा की वह पर्वतराज अर्थात् पर्वतों के राजा की पुत्र थी। राजकुमारी थी। लेकिन वह भस्म रमाने वाले योगी शिव के प्रेम में पड़ गई। शिव के कारण ही उनका नाम शक्ति हो गया। पिता की ‍अनिच्छा से उन्होंने हिमालय के इलाके में ही रहने वाले योगी शिव से विवाह कर लिया।

एक यज्ञ में जब दक्ष ने पार्वती (शक्ति) और शिव को न्यौता नहीं दिया, फिर भी पार्वती शिव के मना करने के बावजूद अपने पिता के यज्ञ में पहुंच गई, लेकिन दक्ष ने शिव के विषय में सती के सामने ही अपमानजनक बातें कही। पार्वती को यह सब सहन नहीं हुआ और वहीं यज्ञ कुंड में कूद कर अपने प्राण त्याग दिए।

यह खबर सुनते ही शिव ने अपने सेनापति वीरभद्र को भेजा, जिसने दक्ष का सिर काट दिया। इसके बाद दुखी होकर सती के शरीर को अपने कंधों पर धारण कर शिव ‍क्रोधित हो धरती पर घूमते रहे। इस दौरान जहां-जहां सती के शरीर के अंग या आभूषण गिरे वहां बाद में शक्तिपीठ निर्मित हो गए। जहां पर जो अंग या आभूषण गिरा उस शक्तिपीठ का नाम वह हो गया।

नवरात्र के पांचवे दिन मां स्कंदमाता की पूजा होती है। मां के इस स्वरूप की पूजा करने से मोक्ष की प्राप्ति होती है। मां भक्त के सारे दोष और पाप दूर कर देती है। माँ अपने भक्तों की समस्त इच्छाओं की पूर्ति करती हैं। प्रत्येक सर्वसाधारण के लिए आराधना योग्य यह श्लोक सरल और स्पष्ट है। भगवान स्कंद ‘कुमार कार्तिकेय’ नाम से भी जाने जाते हैं।

ये प्रसिद्ध देवासुर संग्राम में देवताओं के सेनापति बने थे। पुराणों में इन्हें कुमार और शक्ति कहकर इनकी महिमा का वर्णन किया गया है। इन्हीं भगवान स्कंद की माता होने के कारण माँ दुर्गाजी के इस स्वरूप को स्कंदमाता के नाम से जाना जाता है। स्कंदमाता की चार भुजाएँ हैं। इनके दाहिनी तरफ की नीचे वाली भुजा, जो ऊपर की ओर उठी हुई है, उसमें कमल पुष्प है। बाईं तरफ की ऊपर वाली भुजा में वरमुद्रा में तथा नीचे वाली भुजा जो ऊपर की ओर उठी है उसमें भी कमल पुष्प ली हुई हैं। इनका वर्ण पूर्णतः शुभ्र है। ये कमल के आसन पर विराजमान रहती हैं। इसी कारण इन्हें पद्मासना देवी भी कहा जाता है। सिंह भी इनका वाहन है। नवरात्रि-पूजन के पाँचवें दिन का शास्त्रों में पुष्कल महत्व बताया गया है। इस चक्र में अवस्थित मन वाले साधक की समस्त बाह्य क्रियाओं एवं चित्तवृत्तियों का लोप हो जाता है। नवदुर्गा के पांचवे स्वरूप स्कंदमाता की अलसी औषधी के रूप में भी पूजा होती है। स्कंद माता को पार्वती एवं उमा के नाम से भी जाना जाता है। अलसी एक औषधि से जिससे वात, पित्त, कफ जैसी मौसमी रोग का इलाज होता है। इस औषधि को नवरात्रि में माता स्कंदमाता को चढ़ाने से मौसमी बीमारियां नहीं होती। साथ ही स्कंदमाता की आराधना के फल स्वरूप मन को शांति मिलती है।

Radha – was she for real?

The reason for above question is that there is no mention of Radha in scriptures. Neither Mahabharata, Nor Shrimad Bhagwat mention this. This fact is too important to missed by greats like Ved Vyasa. Probably, this was included by Jayadev and became famous from there.

The whole story can be found here.

 

Draupadi wanted someone else as her husband

Though this is not a verified fact, but Draupadi had a wish to have someone as her husband outside her marriage with Pandavas.

Draupadi cheerharan

Draupadi

The Jambul episode

This secret of Draupadi, may be considered to be an important aspect of human thinking and also highlights that no one is immune to wandering thoughts. This is also known as the “Jambul episode (Jambhul Akhyan)”.

This incident is Draupadi’s hidden love towards Karna.

Draupadi plucks a ripe fruit and warned by Lord Krishna

According to a legend from Mahabharata, during the last year of the exile of the Pandavas, Draupadi saw a ripe jambul (rose apple), hanging from a tree. She wanted to eat and hence plucked it. When Lord Krishna saw this, he stopped her from eating it. He told her that the Jambul fruit was supposed to be the fruit with which sage Amitra was supposed to break his twelve-year fast. Not finding the fruit at its place, the Pandavas could earn the wrath of the sage, resulting in more trouble.

A solution was proposed

Lord Krishna gave a solution to this  problem. In order for that to happen, each one of Pandavas must speak only the truth. Saying thus, he took them to the tree. He placed the fruit under the tree and told that each one of them should reveal all secrets about them without hiding anything and without any deceit. Then the fruit will go and cling to the tree on its own accord. One by one, the Pandavas and Draupadi reveal their truths, with the fruit moving up each time

Draupadi confesses her secret wish

At last, Draupadi professes her love for the Pandavas, and reveals her own faults in their situation. However, the fruit doesn’t move, and Krishna says that she is hiding something. With great trepidation, Draupadi looked into the eyes of her husbands and laments that she wished that she had married Karna, saying that had she done so, she wouldn’t have suffered such misery. This was a shock to all the husbands, but none said anything.The fruit went back on the branch of the tree and all was well. The Pandavas got the message that in spite of five brave husbands, they had failed their wife when she needed them the most.

Draupadi could have fourteen husbands instead of five

Stories on Arjuna

Guru Poornima

Guru poornima is the celebration of traditional Indian system of paying respect of their Guru or teachers, who had an exalted place in Indian system.

Read some more stories of Gurus

Guru poornima is the festival which is celebrated to thank teachers in India. This festival is celebrated in the hindi month of Asadh ( June – July ) by english calendar.

student and teacher

student and teacher

This festival is celebrated in remembrance of

Gautam Buddha

He gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Buddha went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath about 5 weeks after his enlightenment. Before Gautama (the Buddha-to-be) attained enlightenment, he gave up his austere penances and his friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, left him and went to Isipatana (Sarnath). After attaining Enlightenment the Buddha, leaving Uruvela, travelled to the Isipatana to join and teach them. He went to them because, using his spiritual powers, he had seen that his five former companions would be able to understand Dharma quickly. While travelling to Sarnath, Gautama Buddha had to cross the Ganges. When King Bimbisara heard of this, he abolished the toll for ascetics. When Gautama Buddha found his five former companions, he taught them, they understood and as a result they also became enlightened. At that time the Sangha, the community of the enlightened ones, was founded. The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It was given on the full-moon day of Asadha.

Vedvyasa

Vedvyasa – It is said that Vyasa have been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami, which ends on this day. This great sage also wrote Mahabharata. This was the day, when Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa – author of the Mahabharata – was born to sage Parashara and a fisherman’s daughter Satyavati, thus this day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima.

This is also celebrated by students of Indian classical music and Indian classical dance, which also follow the Guru shishya parampara, celebrate this holy festival around the world.

Read Interesting stories on Teacher and Student

Karna’s family

We all know about what a danveer Karna was, but there is very less information on his family.The most important family member is probably Vrishketu, who survived the Mahabharata war and grew very close to Pandavas. His most popular wife is Vrushali.

Read more about his family here:

Karna’s family – Vrushali and Vrishketu

जटायु और भीष्म

क्रोध बहुत बुरी बात है । कभी भी किसी को क्रोध नहीं करना चाहिये ।

यहाँ मैं दो स्थितियों का वर्णन करूँगा , एक स्थिति में क्रोध और क्रोध करने वाली की गति और दूसरी स्थिति में क्रोध और क्रोध न करने वाली की  गति  ।

पंचवटी में राम, सीता , और लक्ष्मण कुटी बनाकर रह रहे थे  । जंगल का ये इलाका  गिद्गराज जटायु  का जाना पहचान था , अतः दूर से ही उनकी की  नज़रें हमेशा राम ,सीता और लक्ष्मण की सुरक्षा पर टीकी रहती थीं । अचानक उन्हें रावण का पुष्पक विमान उस इलाके में दिखाई दिया । रावण के स्वभाव से जटायु राज भली भांति परिचित थे । अतः वे सीता की सुरक्षा के लिये विशेष सावधान हो गये । किसी पहाड़ी की ऊंची छोटी पर बैठे उन्होंने देखा कि रावण के चंगुल में फंसी सीता उसके पुष्पक विमान में  विलख और छटपटा रहीं थीं । गिद्धराज जटायु ने  क्रोध में आग बबूला  हो , जनक नन्दिनी को मुक्त करने का रावण को आदेश दिया । रावण के नहीं मानने पर उन्होंने कहा, “यद्यपि मैं बूढ़ा हो गया हूं , फिर भी मैं तुम्हें जिन्दा रहते , जनकनंदिनी को यहां से ले जाने नहीं दूंगा “। और फिर उसके बाद गिद्धराज जटायु और रावण का जो युद्ध  हुआ उससे हम सभी परिचित  है ।

Jatayu fights with Ravana

Jatayu and Ravana – Aranya Kanda

रावण इस भीषण युद्ध में  जटायु पर भारी पड़ा और उसने जटायु के पंखों को काट डाला । बेचारे जटायु जमीन पर अर्धमूर्छित अवस्था में गिर पड़े और ईश्वर से यही प्रार्थना करते रहे कि , उनकी सांस तब तक बनी रहे , जब तक वे राम को सीता हरण का समाचार न दे दें ।

राम लक्ष्मण जंगल में सीता को खोजते हुए उधर आये । उनलोगों ने  इधर-उधर खून के कुछ छीटें देखे और उन खून के धब्बों की तरफ आगे बड़ने पर  खून से लथ-पथ जटायु को देखा । राम ने जटायु को तुरन्त अपनी गोद में लिया और लक्ष्मण को कुछ जड़ी -बूटी लाने का आदेश दिया ।  दर्द से तड़पते हुये जटायु ने राम से कहा , “राम मेरे जाने का समय हो गया है, मेरी साँसे इसीलिये टिकी हुई थीं, जिससे कि मैं आपको यह बता सकूँ , ” जनकनंदिनी को रावण उठाकर दक्षिण दिशा की तरफ ले गया है । मैंने सीता को बचाने की बहुत कोषिष की ।  परन्तु  रावण इस बूढ़े गिद्ध पर भारी पड़ा और मैं जनकनंदिनी को बचा नहीं सका “।

जटायु ने राम की गोद में ही दम तोड़ दिया । राम ने लक्ष्मण को लकड़ी इकठा करने का आदेश दिया और स्वयं अपने हाथों जटायु का दाह-संस्कार किया  ।

जटायु के क्रोध का फल देखये , एक अवतारी पुरुष की गोद में प्राण त्यागना और अवतारी पुरुष के हाथों दाह संस्कार । आप अठारहों पुराण पढ़ लीजिये , सारे धर्मग्रंथों को पढ़ लीजिये , ये कहीं नहीं पायेंगें कि किसी अवतारी पुरुष ने अपने पिता का दाह संस्कार किया हो ।

जटायु के “क्रोध” ने उन्हें उस जगह पहुंच दिया , जिस जगह पर  ऋषि मुनि भी जन्मों की तपस्या के बाद नहीं पहुँच पाते ।

दूसरा दृष्य , जिसमे क्रोध नहीं किया गया :-

धृतराष्ट्र की भरी सभा , भीष्म से लेकर सभी बुजुर्ग महारथी और पूज्यजन , सर निचे किये , द्रौपदी का चिर हरण देखते रहे । अबला नारी सभी से अपनी इज्जत की भीख मांगती रही । आर्यावर्त के उस समय के सबसे बड़े और शक्तिशाली पुरुष  भीष्म अपनी ही पौत्रबधु  की इज़्ज़त की  धज्जियां उड़ते देख रहे थे । चुप रहने का कारण  चाहे जो कुछ भी रहा हो , परन्तु यदि उन्होंने उस क्षण झूठ-मूठ का भी क्रोध किया होता , सभा में उपस्थित अपने दुष्ट पोतों को डांटा भी होता , तो शायद महाभारत का रण नहीं हुआ होता ।

और उस दिन भीष्म के क्रोध न करने का फल भीष्म को मिला , छे महीने तक वाणों के सर सैया , वाणों की सेज पर पड़े रहने का फल ।

Bhishma Pitamah - Mahabharat - Indian mythology story

Bhishma Pitamah

जटायु ने  उचित समय पर क्रोध किया और भीष्म ने उचित समय पर क्रोध नहीं किया । दोनों को फल मिला , परन्तु अलग अलग ।

When Sita cursed

One does not associate Devi Sita with curses, but according to a story, Devi herself have cursed some entities. The whole story goes as following.

Preparation of shraddha for King Dashratha

When Rama, Sita and Lakshman went for exile, Dasharatha passed away, as he was unable to bear the pain of separation of his sons. When Rama and Lakshman got this news they started making preparation for shraddha.

Rama send his brother Lakshman to the village to get necessary things for Shraddha. But, when Lakshman didn’t return for long Rama was worried and decided to go to look for Lakshman and get the things, before leaving he make necessary security arrangements for Sita. But Rama too didn’t return for long.

Rama Sita and Laxmana

Rama Sita and Laxmana

Events at the time of Shraddha

Sita was worried as the time for shraddha was also passing, ceremony had to be performed before noon. Sita decided to perform the ceremony on her own with whatever ingredient that were available  there.

Before starting the ceremony she bathed in the river Phalgu. She lit a earthen lamp. She then made the offering to offer it to the dead ancestors. When she had almost completed the ceremony she heard a voice, Sita you are blessed we are satisfied. she was surprised to see some hand that appeared to accept the offerings. She asked Who he was, she heard a voice that I’m your dead father-in- law, i accept your offerings and blessed her and said you have successfully completed the ceremony.

The five witnesses

Then Sita said when Rama and Lakshman will be back they will not believe her. The voice said they will have to believe you and you have five witnesses. First one is Akshaya vatam (Banyan tree), second is river Phalgu, third is a Cow, fourth is a Tulsi plant and last was a Brahmin. Saying this the hand and the voice disappeared.

Four witnesses turned back

when Rama and Lakshman were back, Sita told them the entire story about how she has successfully completed the ceremony, but both the brothers refuse to believe her. Then Sita called her witnesses,among the five only Akshaya vatam took her side and said the truth but she was surprised as river Phalgu, cow Tulsi  and Brahmin denied having seen anything.

Brothers realized the mistake

Rama and Lakshman without wasting more time started the ceremony. Suddenly they heard a voice saying why have you invoked us again, Sita has performed the ceremony very religiously and satisfied us,  there is no need to repeat the ceremony. Rama and Lakshmana were  ashamed of not believing Sita.

Sita curses the four witnesses

Sita was very unhappy with the witnesses so she cursed them. She cursed River Phalgu that henceforth it would be flowing only underground at Gaya. She cursed Cow that henceforth its mouth will remain impure and will be no longer worshipped from front, only backside will be worshipped. She cursed Tulsi plant that there will be no more tulsi plant in Gaya. She cursed the Brahmin that he will never be satisfied. He will always be hungry and crave for more and more.

She blessed Akshaya Vatam

But, she blessed Akshaya vatam, Banyan tree to remain immortal, And all who come to gaya would  perform the Pinda pradaanam at Akshaya vatam too.

But according to Shiv Purana  Sita has cursed River Phalgu, henceforth it would be flowing underground, She cursed Ketaki flower that henceforth ketaki flower would not be accepted by Lord Shiva in worship. She cursed Cow that henceforth its mouth will be considered impure and lastly, she cursed Fire that it would have to consume  everything indiscriminately.