सृष्टि के रचयिता ब्रह्मा का ग्रंथ जब एक राक्षस ने चुरा लिया और पाताल में छिप गया तब उसके वध के लिए मां बगलामुखी की उत्पत्ति हुई। पांडवों ने अज्ञातवास के दौरान मां का मंदिर बनाया और पूजा अर्चना की। पहले रावण और उसके बाद लंका पर जीत के लिए श्रीराम ने शत्रुनाशिनी मां बगला की पूजा की और वियज पाई। मां को पीतांबरी भी कहा जाता है।
माँ बगलामुखी स्तंभन शक्ति की अधिष्ठात्री हैं अर्थात यह अपने भक्तों के भय को दूर करके शत्रुओं और उनके बुरी शक्तियों का नाश करती हैं. माँ बगलामुखी का एक नाम पीताम्बरा भी है इन्हें पीला रंग अति प्रिय है इसलिए इनके पूजन में पीले रंग की सामग्री का उपयोग सबसे ज्यादा होता है. देवी बगलामुखी का रंग स्वर्ण के समान पीला होता है अत: साधक को माता की आराधना करते समय पीले वस्त्र ही धारण करना चाहिए.
देवी बगलामुखी दसमहाविद्या में आठवीं महाविद्या हैं यह स्तम्भन की देवी हैं. संपूर्ण ब्रह्माण्ड की शक्ति का समावेश हैं माता शत्रुनाश, वाकसिद्धि, वाद विवाद में विजय के लिए इनकी उपासना की जाती है. इनकी उपासना से शत्रुओं का नाश होता है तथा भक्त का जीवन हर प्रकार की बाधा से मुक्त हो जाता है. बगला शब्द संस्कृत भाषा के वल्गा का अपभ्रंश है, जिसका अर्थ होता है दुलहन है अत: मां के अलौकिक सौंदर्य और स्तंभन शक्ति के कारण ही इन्हें यह नाम प्राप्त है.
माँ बगलामुखी
देवी रत्नजडित सिहासन पर विराजती होती हैं रत्नमय रथ पर आरूढ़ हो शत्रुओं का नाश करती हैं. देवी के भक्त को तीनो लोकों में कोई नहीं हरा पाता, वह जीवन के हर क्षेत्र में सफलता पाता है पीले फूल और नारियल चढाने से देवी प्रसन्न होतीं हैं. देवी को पीली हल्दी के ढेर पर दीप-दान करें, देवी की मूर्ति पर पीला वस्त्र चढाने से बड़ी से बड़ी बाधा भी नष्ट होती है, बगलामुखी देवी के मन्त्रों से दुखों का नाश होता है.
स्वतंत्र तंत्र के अनुसार भगवती बगलामुखी के प्रदुभार्व की कथा इस प्रकार है-सतयुग में सम्पूर्ण जगत को नष्ट करने वाला भयंकर तूफान आया। प्राणियो के जीवन पर संकट को देख कर भगवन विष्णु चिंतित हो गये। वे सौराष्ट्र देश में हरिद्रा सरोवर के समीप जाकर भगवती को प्रसन्न करने के लिये तप करने लगे। श्रीविद्या ने उस सरोवर से बगलामुखी रूप में प्रकट होकर उन्हें दर्शन दिया तथा विध्वंसकारी तूफान का तुरंत स्तम्भन कर दिया। बगलामुखी महाविद्या भगवन विष्णु के तेज से युक्त होने के कारण वैष्णवी है। मंगलयुक्त चतुर्दशी की अर्धरात्रि में इसका प्रादुर्भाव हुआ था। श्री बगलामुखी को ब्रह्मास्त्र के नाम से भी जाना जाता है
Durga is omnipresent as the embodiment of power, intelligence, peace, wealth, morality etc.
Devi Mantras or shloka are known as Siddhi Mantra (the one with perfection). Each and every mantra is full of energy and power of Devi. Mantras of Devi, when chanted with genuine devotion, give positive results. These mantras ward off all troubles & blesses with success. All mantras are disclosed by the Almighty, through the Intelligence, experience of the divinely illuminated sages.
the Tortoise Incarnation is associated with Lord Vishnu’s second avatar (incarnation), known as Kurma. The story goes that during a cosmic battle between the gods and demons, the sacred nectar of immortality fell into the ocean and became lost. The gods approached Lord Vishnu for help, and he took the form of a tortoise, diving into the ocean to retrieve the nectar. In doing so, he also helped to support the weight of the world on his back, which had been threatened by the churning of the ocean.
Lord Vishnu’s Kurma Avatar
In Which period, Kurma Avatar happened?
Kurma avatar belongs to the Satya Yuga and in this avatara Mahavishnu incarnated as a giant turtle to save the earth from destruction. Kurma Avatar of dashavatar is explained mainly in the Bhagavad Purana, Agni Purana and Ramayana. Kurma Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, is said to have been directly stated by Lord Vishnu to the sage Narada, and it contains the details about the Kurma avatar.
Why did Vishnu incarnate as Kurma, the second avatar?
The second avatar of Dashavatara is Kurma avatar. Kurma means tortoise. Vishnu took the form of turtle to help devas and asuras ( gods and demons). They were churning ocean to receive the gifts from the ocean. Lord VIshnu helped the devas in two counts. First, he acted as base to support the Mount Mandar, which was used as an axis for churning of ocean. Second, as Mohini to take hold of nectar (or amrit). Due to this gods got an upper hand in “Dev Asur sangharsh“.
Kurma avatar – Dashavatar
What was Lord vishnu’s weapon in his Kurma avatar?
In this incarnation, Lord Vishnu’s weapon was the back of Tortoise which was used as a base for Sagar Manthan.
Why did Kurma avatar happen? Becaue of Sage Durvasa curse to Indra
Devas grew weaker due to a curse of Sage Durvasa. The demons or asuras, a group of malicious deities in the Hindu mythology, tried to overcome them. A war followed, which continued for long. Despite fighting bravely, devas could not win over the asuras. They asked Lord Vishnu for help.
Advice of Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu asked the devas to use Mount Mandara as a churning stick. But, they could not pull up the mountain. On advice of Lord Vishnu, the gods and asuras made a deal to churn the ocean jointly. They pulled the Mount Mandara and used it as a churning stick. Serpent Vasuki was used as a rope. it was pulled first one way and then the other. During churning, Mandara began to sink into the mud at the bottom of the milk ocean. Vishnu took the form of Kurma (second dashavatara), and held the mountain on his broad back.
Vishnu as Mohini
As a result of the churning, amrita was obtained which asuras took control of it. Here Vishnu, took the form of a beautiful lady, Mohini. He managed to take the nectar bowl with him and gave it to devas. Thus devas eventually got powerful. Thus, Vishnu helped them once again and as Kurma Avatar.
Bhishma (son of Shantanu and Ganga) was a great archer and a warrior. He is known for his vow of celibacy and skills in the Mahabharata. He had the task of finding a bride for his half-brother, Vichitravirya. He abducted princesses Amba, Ambika and Ambalika of Kashi (Varanasi) at their swayamvara. Salwa, the ruler of Saubala, and Amba (the eldest princess) were committed to each other. When Amba confided in Bhishma that she wished to wed Salwa. Knowing this, He sent her back to Salwa who turned her down as it was humiliating for him to accept a woman who had been so long in the company of another man. She then naturally approached Bhishma and demanded him to marry her, which he refused, citing his vow. Amba, humiliated and enraged beyond measure, vowed to avenge herself against Bhishma.
Bhishma abducting Amba, Ambika and Ambalika
Preparation of the battle at Kurukshetra
Legend has it that at her maternal grandfather’s suggestion Amba sought refuge with Parshurama, who ordered Bhishma to marry Amba. Parshurama (sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu) was the guru of Bhishma. He politely refused saying that he was ready to give up his life at the command of his teacher but he could not break his promise. Upon the refusal, Parshurama called him for a fight at Kurukshetra. At the battleground, while he was on a chariot, Parshurama was on foot. Bhishma requested Parasurama to also take a chariot and armour so that Bhishma would not have an unfair advantage. Parshurama blessed Bhishma with the power of divine vision and asked him to look again. When Bhishma looked at his guru with the divine eye-sight, he saw the Earth as Parshurama’s chariot, the four Vedas as the horses, the upanishads as the reins, Vayu (wind) as the charioteer and the Vedic goddesses Gayatri, Savitri & Saraswati as the armour.
The battle between the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Bhishma
Bhishma got down from the chariot and sought the blessings of Parshurama to protect his dharma, along with the permission to battle against his teacher. Parshurama was pleased and said to Bhishma that if he had not behaved in this manner, Parshurama would have cursed him, for it is the duty of warriors who fight against elders to not abandon the traditions of humility and respect for elders. Parshurama blessed him and advised him to protect his dharma of brahmacharya as Parshurama himself must fight to fulfil his dharma of fighting to uphold his word as given to Amba. They fought for 23 days without conclusion — Parshurama was chiranjeevi (immortal) and Bhishma had a boon that let him choose the time of his death. Two versions exist about how their battle came to and end.
End of the battle
As per one, On the 22nd night, Bhishma prayed to his ancestors to help him end the battle. His ancestors gave him a weapon which was not known to Parshurama . They told him that it would put Parshurama to sleep in the battlefield. A person who sleeps in the battlefield is considered to be dead as per Vedas. They advised Bhishma to call back the weapon at the end of day after sunset so that Parshurama will come back to his sense and that shall bring the end to war. However the weapon was never used as Bhishma walked out of the war.
As per the other version, on the 23rd day, Bhishma summoned the infallible celestial weapon(astra) Prashvapastra, the method of using which was known to him and him alone. Neither did a counter-attack exist, nor was a defense against it known to Parshurama . As Bhishma mounted the astra on his bow, a divine voice guided Bhishma not to fire the weapon as its use would lead to the humiliation of Bhishma’s guru(Parasurama himself). Bhishma refrained from using the weapon that would have brought him certain victory. Upon witnessing this, Parshurama was overcome with adulation for his disciple and proclaimed Bhishma as the victor.
Parshurama and Amba
Parshurama thus told Amba that he could not win over Bhishma and gave her the boon of “mahakal shiva”. Amba did penance to please Lord Shiva. Shiva gave her the boon that she would be instrumental in the death of Bhishma. Amba would later be reborn as the eunuch prince Shikhandi in the household of king Drupada.
In the epic Mahabharata, there are numerous facts which fascinate the reader. This is also known as pancham veda or fifth veda. Few people know that the entire epic was narrated as a flashback at the Sarpa Yagna being conducted by Janmejaya, the son of Parikshit (Abhimanyu’s son). There are interesting stories which narrate why the Sarpa Yagna had to be conducted, and who were all the people acting as catalysts for the Yagna.
Following are the 51 facts, which will surely entertain you.
Shri Krishna vowed that he will not pick a weapon in Mahabharata war. His army Narayani vahini, fought from Kaurava’s side. Duryodhan and Arjun both went to Dwarka to meet Lord Krishna to seek his support for the war. Duryodhan was first to reach Dwarka. Satyaki informed that Krishna was asleep. Both Arjun and Duryodhan entered Krishna’s room. Duryodhan who entered the room first, sat on Krishna’s bed besides his head. Arjun went to the foot of the bed and stood there with his hands folded. When Krishna woke up he saw Arjun first. But Duryodhan said that since he came first if was only fair for Krishna to support the Kauravas. However, Krishna smiled and said that since he saw Arjun first so it would only be fair if he supported both the sides. So, on one hand was his famous Narayani army and on the other hand was he alone without any weapon. Naive Duryodhana thought that Shri Krishna would not be of use and he decided to have the Narayani Army.
Duryodhan, Arjun and Shri Krishna
Gandhari shrap to Krishna
Gandhari held Lord Krishna responsible for Mahabharat war and cursed that his end will be ordinary. She also cursed that his clan of Yadavas will be destroyed by infighting. Accordingly, her curse came true after 36 years of Mahabharata war. Gandhari also cursed Shakuni.
A Kaurava who fought from Pandavas side
Before the start of war, Yudhishthira asked if any of the kauravas wants to join Pandavas? Yuyutsu expressed this desire. So, of the 100 brothers of Kaurava, only Yuyutsu survived the Mahabharata war, as he had fought from Pandavas side. Bheema killed all 99 brother of Kauravas.
Arjuna – the eunuch
Arjuna was really a eunuch during the agyaatvaas. He was known as Brihannala. This was due to a curse from Urvashi. In Indralok, Arjun was propositioned by Urvashi, but he used to address her as ‘mother’ as she had was married to his ancestor, Pururva. Annoyed with Arjun’s rejection, Urvashi cursed him to become a eunuch. Arjuna used this curse to his advantage during the agyaatvaas.
When lord Indra came to know about the curse, he told Arjun that this curse is going to serve as a boon during the one year stay in hiding and after spending that period, he would regain his masculinity. This proved to be true in Agyaatvaas. After spending twelve years in forest, Pandavas spent the 13th year of exile in cognito, in the court of King Virat. Arjuna used his curse and lived as a eunuch named Brihannala and remain undetected as required by the condition of anonymity.
Arjuna defeated the Kauravas after the agyaatvaas, which included Drona, Karna and Bhishma. Uttar was his charioteer.
Arjuna as Brihannala
Sahadeva – The astrologer
Sahadeva (the youngest Pandava) was an excellent astrologer. He knew everything about the future. He knew that a war was going to occur, but he kept silent because he was under a curse that if he revealed anything to anybody he would die. There is also a story of him being a great astrologer. Pandu (Father of Pandavas) wished his sons must eat his flesh post death so that all the knowledge may transfer to them which he had collected after so many years. Only Sahadeva ate a piece; the moment he ate, he was able to see future but stopped by God.
Satyawati and Parashar
Satyawati smelled like a fish. Her name was Matsyagandha. By the boon of sage Parashar, she smelled like a flower. She was also a mother of Sage Vyasa. Satyavati was the daughter of a cursed apsara named Adrika. Ved Vyasa was born to Parashar and Satyawati.
Ved Vyasa was the father of Dhritrashtra, Pandu and Vidura. Before the start of Mahabharat war, he cautioned Dhritrashtra that his sons are going to die as inauspicious signs are there to see.
Drona was born in a vessel. He was sage Bhardwaj’s son. On a river side, Bharadwaj saw an apsara named Ghritachi. He was filled with desire and his seed fell into a pot or basket. Inside it, a baby boy developed who was named Drona as he was born in a pot.
Drupada was a friend of Drona. But he did not treat Drona well because of his poorness. Drona asked Panadavas to gift him the kingdom of Drupada as Gurudakshina. Pandavas defeated and imprisoned Drupada for Drona.
Drupada desired a son who could kill Drona who had humiliated him in battle and taken half his kingdom. He was rewarded with a son and a daughter. Dhrishtdyumna was his son who eventually killed Drona in Mahabharata war. His daughter was Draupadi, who became the wife of Pandavas. Ashwaththama killed Dhristdyumna, Shikhandi and sons of Pandavas with help of Kritvarma and Kripacharya on the last night of Mahabharata war.
Gandhari
Gandhari was married to Dhritrashtra, who was a blind. Since her husband was blind, she also decided to remain as a blind, by tying a cloth over her eyes. This was equivalent to a penance, which gave her powers that if she sees someone, he will become impregnable.
To use her power to make Duryodhana invincible, she asked him to come to her naked. Duryodhana duly came and his body became impregnable, save for his thighs, where, he, on advice of Shri Krishna, wore a loin cloth. Bhima could only kill Duryodhana because of stroke of the genius, Shri Krishna.
Kauravas had one sister. Her name was Dushala. She was later married to Jayadratha, who was killed by Arjuna to revenge the death of his son, Abhimanyu.
Draupadi kept her hair untied after the cheerharan. She vowed that she will tie her hair with Dushashana’s blood. Bheem did the needful.
Dhritrashtra almost killed Bhima
Dhritrashtra crushed the iron statue of Bhima with bare hands. This happened when Pandavas went to meet Dhritrashtra after the war. Duryodhana used to practice with the replica of Bhima. Shri Krishna knew that he would like to kill Bhima, so he switched their places.
Pandavas hid their weapons on Sami tree during the agyaatvaas.
Bhishma’s real name was Devvrata. This is because of the vow he took so that his father can marry Satyavati, he was called Bhishma.
Abhimanyu’s wife was Uttara. His son Parikshit became the king after Pandavas left for heaven. Lord Krishna saved Uttara’s unborn son when Ashwaththama wanted to kill him with Brahmastra.
Shri Krishna forgave Shishupala hundred times before killing him.
Curse of Parshurama to Karna
Karna was born to Kunti but he was abandoned by her when he has an infant. Karna was born with Kavach and Kundala, which made him invincible as long as he wore them. But alas, Lord Indra went to him in the guise of an alm seeker and took Kavach and Kundal from Karna so that Arjuna could kill him on the battle field. Karna’s teacher was Parshurama. He was cursed by his teacher. Bhishma also thought very lowly of Karna. Karna and Bhishma never fought together during the Mahabharata war. This was because Bhishma treated Karna very lowly. It was only after the death of Bhishma, did Karna become the commander of Kaurava’s army.
Parshurama sleeping in Karna’s lap
Bhima’s exploits
Bhima was born when Vayuputra, son of the wind god. In this aspect, he was also a brother to Lord Hanumana. He was very strong in his childhood and Duryodhana and his uncle, Shakuni, tried to kill Bhima multiple times. One was by poisoning and throwing Bhima into a river. Bhima was rescued by Nāgas and was given a drink which made him very strong and immune to all venom. He killed Hidimb after escaping from Lakshagriha. He later married his sister, Hidimba. He also killed Vakasur, who ate large amount of grains and buffaloes everyday.
During the exile, Bhima disguised himself as a cook named Vallabha and served the Matsya kingdom, where Pandavas served in various roles. Kichak was the brother of queen Sudeshna of King Virata, the king of Matsya. He made advances towards Draupadi, who was serving to the queen which was the reason of his undoing. Kichak was slain by Bhima during one year of incognito exile spent by Pandavas at the court of king Virata. King Virata was killed by Drona during the great war.
Kichak and Draupadi in Mahabharat
Killing of Kichak made Duryodhana to think that Pandavas were hiding at King Virata’s place. After all, there were very few people, who were capable of killing Kichak, Bhima was one of them.
Bhima also killed Jarasandh, the king of Magadh, who was born in two halves. These two halves were fused by a rakshasi Jara, hence his name Jarasandh. Jarasandha was killed in the same way he born, in two halves. He was killed by Bhima.
Jarasandh Vadha – Bheema in Mahabharat
Arjuna lost his life
Babhruvahana killed Arjuna, his father. Arjuna’s life was restored with the help of a gem, given by Uloopi.
Uloopi reviving Arjuna after Babhruvahana defeated and killed him
20. Subhadra, Chitrangada and Uloopi were wives of Arjuna. Subhadra was the sister of Shri Krishna.
31. Bhishma himself told Yudhishthir that he can be defeated by a woman. Then Shikhandi came to rescue of Pandavas.
Bhishma pitamah – on bed of arrows
Shalya was killed by Yudhishthir.
Shalya wanted to fight the war from Panadavas side, but Duryodhana tricked him to join the war from Kauravas. He finally became the commander, but popularly known as the sarathi of Karna.
Due to a boon given by Lord Shiva, Jayadratha was able to keep Pandavas away for a day. This became the reason of Abhimanyu’s demise.
Mahabharat war lasted for 18 days.
37. Pandavas rule was followed by their grandson, Parikshit. Pandavas son were killed by Ashwaththama during the Mahabharat war.
38. Abhimanyu learnt the trick of entering Chakravyuha, in his mother, Subhadra’s womb. Arjuna realised that she was asleep. So he did not explain the method of coming out from Chakravyuha, a skill which Abhimanyu could not learn.
41. Vidura helped Pandavas to escape from Lakshagriha.
42. Barbari was the grandson of Bhim. Krishna asked for his head as a gurudakshina, as it was feared that Pandavas would not be able to fulfill their vows, if he fought the Mahabharata war.
43. The Mahabharata has eighteen parvas or chapters.
44. Early life and Draupadi swayambar is written in Adi Parva.
Arjuna and Draupadi in Mahabharat
45. The thirteenth parva of Mahabharat is Anushashana parva, where Bhishma tells Yushishthir how to conduct governance.
47. Kichak, in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, was the brother of queen Sudeshna of King Virata, the king of Matsya. Kichak was slain by Bhima during one year of incognito exile spent by Pandavas at the court of king Virata. King Virata was killed by Drona during the great war.
48. Killing of Kichak made Duryodhana to think that Pandavas were hiding at King Virata’s place. After all, there were very few people, who were capable of killing Kichak, Bhima was one of them.
49. After Shri Krishna’s death, Pandavas too lost their interest in life. They started their journey to heaven. All Pandavas have lost their lives during the journey. Only Yudhisthir and a dog made it to heaven. That dog was Dharmaraj.
Yudhisthira found his brothers in heaven. A surprising presence there was that of Duryodhana. Narada explained to Yudhisthira that Duryodhana never showed cowardice, he had been a just and good king, he died a brave’s death that too in the holy place. That’s why he is in heaven. Surprising indeed.
The Mahabharat war happened because of a lady. It is believed that Draupadi addressed sons of Dhritrashtra as sons of blind. This made Duryodhana to become a staunch enemy of Pandavas.
Maa Siddhidatri is the ninth manifestation of Durga and is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri. She is represented with four arms sitting on lotus flower. Her arms hold Gada (bludgeon), Chakra, Shankh (scallop shell) and lotus flower. Her appearance glows in red saree. Her vehicle is Lion.
The story of Maa Siddhidatri
When the Universal mother was gripped with the idea of projecting creation, She, first of all, created Lord Shiva who prayed to Her to endow him with perfections. For this purpose, the universal mother (Durga) produced Goddess Siddhidatri from Her own person. As the behest of the universal mother, Goddess Siddhidatri bestowed eighteen kinds of rare perfections and powers and potentialities (Siddhis) on Lord Shiva. By virtue of these siddhis, Lord Shiva happened to develop a divine splendor.
Maa Siddhidatri
Lord Shiva’s becoming Ardhanarishwar
Having acquired the siddhis from Goddess Siddhidatri, Lord Shiva created Lord Vishnu who in turn created Lord Brahma who was entrusted with the task of the Creation whereas Lord Vishnu got the task of Protection and Lord Shiva that of Destruction.
Ardhnarishwar
Lord Brahma felt a great difficulty in his task of the Creation in the absence of man and woman. Then he remembered Mother Siddhidatri. When she appeared before him, Lord Brahma said to her, “Oh Great Mother! I cannot carry on with the task of the Creation in the absence of man and woman. You kindly solve this problem of mine through your supernatural attainments (siddhis).”
Having heard Lord Brahma, Mother Siddidatri converted half the person of Lord Shiva into a woman. Thus Lord Shiva became half-male and half-female. Thus, the problem of Lord Brahma was resolved and the task of the Creation went on smoothly. Lord Shiva obtained all Siddhis by blessings of Siddhidatri. This culminated in him becoming ‘Ardha Narishwar’. Worshipping Maa Siddhidatri solely with prescribed customs and rituals certainly endows all Siddhis and blessings to devotees.
Puja of Maa Siddhidatri
On the ninth day of Navratri, Kanya Poojan is also performed with grand touch. Little girls are offered homage and feed with blessed meals. Yagya, Maha Pooja and other grand celebrations are also performed to delight Navdurga on this day. Each day of Navratri has a significant importance, but ninth day is the most prominent, as this is the final and concluding day of Durga Puj
On the final day of Navratri pooja, worshippers and devotees of Durga wonderfully pay homage to Goddess Siddhidatri. This Goddess is revered to offer all types of Siddhi (perfection) to her devotees and thus glorified with name ‘Siddhidatri’. . Worshipping goddess Siddhidatri on the ninth and final day of Navratri bestows all Siddhis to worshippers and successfully completes their Navratri Pooja.
महागौरी को भगवान गणेश की माता के रूप में भी जाना जाता है|
नवरात्र के आठवें दिन मां महागौरी की आराधना की जाती है। आज के दिन मां की स्तुति से समस्त पापों का नाश होता है। पौराणिक कथाओं के अनुसार मां ने कठिन तप कर गौरवर्ण प्राप्त किया था। मां की उत्पत्ति के समय इनकी आयु आठ वर्ष की थी जिस कारण इनका पूजन अष्टमी को किया जाता है। मां अपने भक्तों के लिए अन्नपूर्णा स्वरूप है। आज ही के दिन कन्याओं के पूजन का विधान है। मां धन वैभव, सुख शांति की अधिष्ठात्री देवी हैं। मां का स्वरूप ब्राह्मण को उज्जवल करने वाला तथा शंख, चन्द्र व कुंद के फूल के समान उज्जवल है। मां वृषभवाहिनी (बैल) शांति स्वरूपा है।
कहा जाता है कि मां ने शिव को पति के रूप में प्राप्त करने के लिए कठोर तप किया जिसके बाद उनका शरीर मिटटी ढक गया। आखिरकार भगवान महादेव उन पर प्रसन्न हुए और उन्हें पत्नी होने का आर्शीवाद प्रदान किया। भगवान शंकर ने इनके शरीर को गंगाजल से धोया जिसके बाद मां गौरी का शरीर विद्युत के समान गौर व दैदीप्यमान हो गया। इसी कारण इनका नाम महागौरी पड़ा।
Maa Mahagauri
महागौरी जी से संबंधित एक अन्य कथा भी प्रचलित है इसके जिसके अनुसार, एक सिंह काफी भूखा था, वह भोजन की तलाश में वहां पहुंचा जहां देवी उमा तपस्या कर रही होती हैं। देवी को देखकर सिंह की भूख बढ़ गयी परंतु वह देवी के तपस्या से उठने का इंतजार करते हुए वहीं बैठ गया। इस इंतजार में वह काफी कमज़ोर हो गया। देवी जब तप से उठी तो सिंह की दशा देखकर उन्हें उस पर बहुत दया आती है और माँ उसे अपना सवारी बना लेती हैं क्योंकि एक प्रकार से उसने भी तपस्या की थी। इसलिए देवी गौरी का वाहन बैल और सिंह दोनों ही हैं।
मां संगीत व गायन से प्रसन्न होती है तथा इनके पूजन में संगीत अवश्य होता है। कहा जाता है कि आज के दिन मां की आराधना सच्चे मन से होता तथा मां के स्वरूप में ही पृथ्वी पर आयी कन्याओं को भोजन करा उनका आर्शीवाद लेने से मां अपने भक्तों को आर्शीवाद अवश्य देती है। हिन्दू धर्म में अष्टiमी के दिन कन्याओं को भोजन कराए जाने की परम्परा है।
माता महागौरी, मां दुर्गा की अष्टम शक्ति है जिसकी आराधना करने से भक्तजनों को जीवन की सही राह का ज्ञान होता है और जिस पर चलकर लोग अपने जीवन का सार्थक बना सकते हैं। जो भी साधक नवरात्रि में माता के इस रूप की आराधना करते हैं माँ उनके समस्त पापों का नाश करती है। अस्टमी के दिन व्रत रहकर मां की पूजा करते हैं और उसे भोग लगाकर मां का प्रसाद ग्रहण करते हैं, इससे व्यक्ति के अन्दर के सारे दुष्प्रभाव नष्ट हो जाते हैं।
The seventh manifestation of Mother Durga, worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri, is Goddess Kalratri.
Devi Kalratri is the seventh aspect of Durga and Worshiped among Navdurga. She is believed to be the most violent Devi among Navdurga. She has dark krishna (black) complexion and her appearance is extremely fearful. Her large red eyes, open red tongue, and sobre on hand violently demolish devils and monsters. She is also glorified with name ‘Kali Maa’. Devi Kalratri has three round eyes, and scattered long black hair. She wears a bead that gleams like fire of electric power.
Appearance of Maa Kalratri
However, appearance of Maa Kalratri is so dreadful, but her grace is generous toward devotees. Worshipping Maa Kalratri on the seventh day gives abundant fruitful result. With her grace, devotees get power, position and eminent status on earth. She protects her devotees against evil influence of demons and wrong people. Worshiping her devotees get complete protection and long life.
Legend of Kalratri
Once there was a demon by the name of Raktabeeja. He performed great penance for Lord Brahma and got a boon. The boon is that, whenever a drop of his blood falls on the ground 100 Rakthabeeja should emerge. By having this boon he wanted to become immortal and he used to hurt himself so 100 more Rakthabeeja would emerge whenever needed.
Kalratri had a fierece fight with Rakthabeeja and finally killed him by draining all the blood in his body. Kalratri did not let a single drop of blood to fall on the ground and killed him.
How Maa Kalratri is worshipped
During Navratri, Saptami Poojan of Devi Kalratri is considered as Maha Pooja or great worship of Goddess Durga. Delighting this deity, devotees certainly get enormous happiness, power and comforts in life. Maa Kalratri is Worshiped to destroy agony of awry influence from life of mankind. On the seventh day of Navratri Pooja, Saptami fast is observed to please this deity. Tantra-mantra practices are also performed and accomplished under blessings of this Goddess. Seventh day of Navratri pooja is envisaged as one of the great days in Durga Pooja. Worship Maa Kalaratri on the seventh day of Navratri Pooja and obtain her enormous grace.
Ram Navmi, is a Hindu festival celebrating birth of Lord Ram. Lord Ram’s birth is celebrated in Rama Navmi festival.
Lord Ram is believed to be seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Shri Ram Navmi is celebrated on ninth day(navmi) of chaitra month of hindu lunar year, in waxing moon (shukla paksha). This festival is celebrated with immense joy and enthusiasm all over India. In South India, this day is celebrated as wedding anniversary of Lord and Sita.
Legends around this festival
In Ramayan, Dasarath was king of Ayodhya. He had three wives, Kaushalya, Sumithra and Kaikeyi. King Dasarath was nat blessed with a child, so he and the people of Ayodhya were worried as they had no heir to their kingdom. Rishi Vasistha, suggested him to perform, Putra Kamesti Yagna, to get desired child.
King Dasarath agreed to this and went to meet Maharshi Rushya Shrungain, who gave his concent to solemanise the yagna. As a result of yagna, Fire God appeared and handed a bowl of payasam to king Dasarata, and asked him to give it to his wives. He gave one half to Kaushalya, other half to Kaikayi. And they two gave one half each of their payasam to Sumithra.
After few days all the three Queens conceived Dasratha’s child. On the ninth day (Navami) of Chaithra month of Hindu calendar , at noon Kaushlya gave birth to Lord Sri Ram, Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharath, and Sumithra gave birth to twins, Lakshman and Shatrughan.
This was a great day in Ayodhya and since then this day is calebrated as Ram Navmi festival.
Ram navmi festival celebrations
Temples are decorated, special hawans are performed, along with the chanting of vedic mantras.
Image of baby Ram is placed on cradle and is rocked by devotees, with singing of bhajan and kirtan. Many Hindu keep fast for the day followed by feasting in the evening. Along with LOrd Ram people also worship Sita (his wife), Laxman (his brother) and Hanuman (his ardent devotee). In the evening a special Ram Navmi procession is taken on street.
In South India, Sitarama Kalyanam, i.e.ceremonial wedding of the Lord Ram and Sita are performed by the priests at the temple. At the end of the day the deity is taken to a procession on the streets, with great fanfare and accompanied by group chanting of name of Rama.
The important celebrations on this festival take place at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, thronged by thousands of devotees, and Rathayatras, the chariot processions, also known as Shobha yatras of Rama, his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman, are taken out at several places, including Ayodhya where thousands of people take a dip in the sacred river Sarayu.
The fifth manifestation of the goddess Durga was named Skandamata. As she is mother of Lord Skand (Kartikeya), she is called as Skandmata.
The Goddess in this form has a fair or golden complexion. She sits on a lion and has four hands. She carries lotus in two of Her hands and has Lord Skanda or Kartikeya seated on Her lap. This form of Devi Durga is especially significant because it shows the Goddess in Her mother form. The Skandmata form signifies that the Goddess looks after the whole universe like Her own child.
Maa Skandmata
The story of Skandmata
Devi Skandmata or Parvati is the daughter of Himalaya and the wife of Lord Shiva. According to the scriptures, once a demon named Tarakasur was a source of trouble for the whole universe. He had a boon that he could be killed only by the son of Lord Shiva. But since Lord Shiva was a hermit, He did not marry. So, Tarakasur became more violent as he believed that he is immortal. Later Lord Shiva was married to the daughter of Himalaya, Goddess Parvati. With the union of Shiva and Shakti, Lord Kartikeya or Skandkumar was born. Hence Goddess Parvati came to be known as Skandmata. Later He killed Tarakasur. The Goddess is extremely protective about Her son. Whenever the oppression of the negative forces increase, She rides on a lion and accompanies Her son to kill them.
How Skandmata is worshipped
Goddess Skandmata is worshipped along with Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva on the fifth day of Navratri. The puja begins with chanting the mantras and offering a herb called Alsi. The fifth aspect of Maa Durga is also worshipped in the form of a medicine called Alsi (Teesi or Linseed). Offering this Alsi you can ward off the problems of cough, cold, bile and gas. So if you are suffering with these diseases, you should take Alsi as Prasad of Maa Skandmata. The main purpose of worshipping Maa Skandmata is to flourish the business and shop. You should follow the following instructions if you want a sudden development in your business.
